king that I have a scolding coming, and not know what
it's about."

The doctor, who was going out into the garden, smiled as he turned,
shook his head, and walked back to his chair.

"You have not been doing anything, Vane, my lad," he said quickly and
sadly. "If anyone deserves a scolding it is I; and your aunt
persistently refuses to administer it."

"Of course," said Aunt Hannah, looking up from her work, "you meant to
do what was right, my dear. I am sorry more on your account than on my
own, dear," and she rose and went behind the doctor's chair to place her
hands on his shoulder.

He took them both and pressed them together to hold them against his
cheek.

"Thank you, my dear," he said, turning his head to look up in her eyes.
"I knew it would make no difference in you. For richer or poorer, for
better or worse, eh? There, go and sit down, my dear, and let's have a
chat with Vane here."

Aunt Hannah bowed her head and went back to her place, but contrived so
that she might pass close to Vane and pass her hand through his curly
hair.

"Vane, boy," said the doctor sharply and suddenly, "I meant to send you
to college for the regular terms."

"Yes, uncle."

"And then let you turn civil engineer."

"Yes, uncle, I knew that," said the lad, wonderingly.

"Well, my boy, times are altered. I may as well be blunt and
straightforward with you. I cannot afford to send you to college, and
you will have to start now, beginning to earn your own living, instead
of five or six years hence."

Vane looked blank and disappointed for a few moments, and then, as he
realised that his aunt and uncle were watching the effect of the
latter's words keenly, his face lit up.

"All right, uncle," he said; "I felt a bit damped at first, for I don't
think I shall like going away from home, but as to the other, the
waiting and college first, I shan't mind. I am sorry though that you
are in trouble. I'm afraid I've been a great expense to you."

"There, don't be afraid about that any longer, my boy," said the doctor,
rising. "Thank you, my lad--thank you. That was very frank and manly
of you. There, you need not say anything to your friends at present,
and--I'll talk to you another time."

The doctor patted Vane on the shoulder, then wrung his hand and hurried
out into the garden.

"Why, auntie, what's the matter?" cried Vane, kneeling down by the old
lady's chair, as she softly applied her handkerchief to her eye