and ever so much cleverer than most men. She manages all
her property herself. For the last month she's been writing again to
Papum for me to come on and stay with her three, or four years. She
hasn't a chick nor a child, and she don't entertain or go out any, so
maybe she feels lonesome. Of course if I studied there, Papum wouldn't
think of Aunt Kihm--don't you know--paying for it all. I wouldn't go
if it was that way. But I could stay with her and she could make a
home for me while I was there--if I should study--anything--study
medicine."

"But why!" he exclaimed. "What do you want to study to be a doctor
for? It isn't as though you had to support yourself."

"I know, I know I've not got to support myself. But why shouldn't I
have a profession just like a man--just like you, Condy? You stop and
think. It seemed strange to me when I first thought of it; but I got
thinking about it and talking it over with Papum, and I should LOVE it.
I'd do it, not because I would have to do it, but because it would
interest me. Condy, you know that I'm not a bit strong-minded, and
that I hate a masculine, unfeminine girl as much as you do."

"But a medical college, Blix! You don't know what you are talking
about."

"Yes, I do. There's a college in New York just for women. Aunt Kihm
sent me the prospectus, and it's one of the best in the country. I
don't dream of practicing, you know; at least, I don't think about that
now. But one must have some occupation; and isn't studying medicine,
Condy, better than piano-playing, or French courses, or literary
classes and Browning circles? Oh, I've no patience with that kind of
girl! And look at the chance I have now; and Aunt Kihm is such a dear!
Think, she writes, I could go to and from the college in her coupe
every day, and I would see New York; and just being in a big city like
that is an education."

"You're right, it would be a big thing for you," assented Condy, "and I
like the idea of you studying something. It would be the making of
such a girl as you, Blix."

And then Blix, seeing him thus acquiescent, said:

"Well, it's all settled; Papum and I both wrote last night."

"When are you going?"

"The first week in January."

"Well, that's not so AWFULLY soon. But who will take your place here?
However in the world would your father get along without you--and
Snooky and Howard?"

"Aunt Dodd is going to come."

"Sudden enough," said Condy, "but it IS a grea