sness. Canvassing Mary and her outlook in life in one
center of thought, they were thinking and feeling more profoundly
regarding the outlook in life of two other people in another vortex of
brain action. For Phillida could not conceal from herself the fact that
Mr. Millard was only half interested in what he was saying, but was
utterly absorbed in her with whom he was talking. His passion, so long
denied, now had its revenge, and even the training of a man of the world
to conceal what he felt and to say what he did not think was of no avail
against it.

Notwithstanding the divided state of their minds, in consequence of
which Mary's interests got only a minority of attention, her interests
did not fare badly, for the very effort to keep the thoughts and
feelings that were eddying below the surface from engulfing their whole
mental action forced both talkers to concentrate their minds earnestly
upon Mary's schooling.

In the first place both of them admitted the force of Mrs. Martin's
objection to declassing Mary in such a way as to leave her segregated
from family ties. Then it came out that Phillida did know a school--not
a fine school, but a good school--where Mary would not be without
companions in sober clothes, and where the teacher, a Miss Gillies, knew
her business and had not too many scholars. But how to overcome Uncle
Martin's objection to being helped by his wife's nephew?

"If," said Millard "the teacher of whom you speak had given to her a
sufficient amount to pay the tuition of some suitable girl from a plain
family, she would naturally consult you?"

"Yes; I think so," said Phillida.

"And under such circumstances why could you not recommend Mary?"

Phillida hesitated.

"I see you are more truthful than we men of business, who could not keep
our feet without little ruses. There would be an implied deception of
Uncle Martin, you think. Well, then, I will make the subscription
absolute, and will leave Miss Gillies in entire control of it. I will
advise her to consult you. If she does, and you think some other child
than Mary ought to have it, or if it should be refused for Mary, you may
give it to some one else. Do you know any one else who would profit by
such a tuition?"

"Oh, yes!"

"Well, perhaps a better way would be this. I'll make it double, and you
may have the entire disposal of both scholarships, if Miss Gillies will
let you. Suppose I leave it to you to communicate the fact to her?"