miles of the way Dr. Brown discussed the antecedents, the character, the
training, the prospects of the young American till Larry felt qualified
to pass a reasonably stiff examination on that young man's history,
character and career.

"Now tell me," said Larry to Jane at the first real opening that
offered, "what does this talk about a three days' visit to us mean. The
idea of coming a thousand miles on your first visit to your friends,
some of whom you have not seen for eight years and staying three days!"

"You see Papa is on his way to Banff," explained Jane, "and then he goes
to the coast and he only has a short time. So we could plan only for
three days here."

"We can plan better than that," said Larry confidently, "but never mind
just now. We shall settle that to-morrow."

The journey home was given to the careful recital of news of Winnipeg,
of the 'Varsity, and of mutual friends. It was like listening to the
reading of a diary to hear Jane bring up to date the doings and goings
and happenings in the lives of their mutual friends for the past year.
Gossip it was, but of such kindly nature as left no unpleasant taste in
the mouth and gave no unpleasant picture of any living soul it touched.

"Oh, who do you think came to see me two weeks ago? An old friend of
yours, Hazel Sleighter. Mrs. Phillips she is now. She has two lovely
children. Mr. Phillips is in charge of a department in Eaton's store."

"You don't tell me," cried Larry. "How is dear Hazel? How I loved her
once! I wonder where her father is and Tom and the little girl. What was
her name?"

"Ethel May. Oh, she is married too, in your old home, to Ben--somebody."

"Ben, big Ben Hopper? Why, think of that kid married."

"She is just my age," said Jane soberly, glad of the dusk of the falling
night. She would have hated to have Larry see the quick flush that came
to her cheek. Why the reference to Ethel May's marriage should have made
her blush she hardly knew, and that itself was enough to annoy her, for
Jane always knew exactly why she did things.

"And Mr. and Mrs. Sleighter," said Jane, continuing her narrative, "have
gone to Toronto. They have become quite wealthy, Hazel says, and Tom is
with his father in some sort of financial business. What is it, Papa?"

Dr. Brown suddenly waked up. "What is what, my dear? You will have to
forgive me. This wonderful scenery, these hills here and those mountains
are absorbing my whole attention. So won