uld not laugh at his nonsense. She was afraid for her
brother. She had longed for his return home, saying to herself that
home influence and a busy life would be better for him than the careless
life he had been living as a student; that with responsibility laid upon
him, he would forget his follies, and be all that she longed to see him.

"Think of our father's disappointment. How can you ever tell him that
you are going away?"

"While he has you he will be all right, and he will always be looking
forward to the time when I shall come home for good, for I fully intend
to settle here by and by. I confess it is hard for you to be kept
stationary here, Lizzie. It looks mean in me to go away and leave you,
doesn't it?"

"If it were going to be for your good--But, Clifton I don't believe it."

"I ought to give myself the best chance, ought I not? I must go to
Montreal. But, Lizzie, why don't you say at once that I am not to be
trusted in the city with its temptations? That is what you are thinking
of."

Elizabeth did not deny it. She was thinking of it sadly enough.

"That is one reason against it," said she.

"Well, get rid of that fear. I am all right. I should be worse off
loafing round here with little to do, and I shall be home often. Now,
Lizzie, don't spoil the last days by fretting about what is not to be
helped. I'm bound to go."

And go he did. Elizabeth could only submit in silence. His father
missed him less than she had feared he might. He was home several times
during the autumn and winter, and always spoke of the time when he was
coming for good, and his father was content with that.

Whether her brother Jacob was really disappointed or not at Clifton's
decision, Elizabeth could not tell. "Jacob had never counted much on
any help he would be likely to get from his brother," Mrs Jacob said.
She was quite inclined to make a grievance of his going away, as she
would probably have made a grievance of his staying, if he had stayed.
But Jacob said little about it, and everything went on as before.

Elizabeth had the prospect of a quieter winter than even the last had
been. Her father was less able to enjoy the company of his old friends
than he had been. He grew weary very soon now, and liked better the
quiet of the house when only Elizabeth was with him. His active habits
and his interest in the business had long survived any real
responsibility as to the affairs of the farm, but eve