ly, and I saw the plucky way in which you met
your discouragements. It makes me feel that I have a son worth having.
Keep at it, my boy. If you put the same pluck and perseverance into
everything you undertake you will make a name some day."

And when Jack remembered how his father had frowned down the idea of the
incubator he felt more pleased than ever.

One day a letter came to Cynthia from Neal. It was the first they had
received. Mr. Carpenter had written to Mrs. Franklin, telling her that
Neal was with him, and that he had taken him into his office; and Hester
wrote to her brother at once, but he answered neither that letter nor
the many that followed. He was still obdurate. It was an exciting
moment, therefore, when Cynthia recognized the bold, boyish handwriting
on the envelope.

"DEAR CYNTH [he wrote],--I promised to write to you, so here goes.
I am living with Cousin William Carpenter, and probably shall for
the rest of my days. He is in the lumber business, and lumber is
awfully poky. However, I'm earning my living. Did you ever see a
Quaker? They are a queer lot. It would not do for you to be one,
for they never get excited. If the house got on fire Cousin
William and Cousin Rachel would walk calmly about and 'thee' and
'thou' each other as quietly as ever. They don't say 'thou,'
though. Cousin William says it has become obsolete.

"I do nothing but measure boards and write down figures. Boards
are tiresome things. I go to Quaker meeting sometimes, though I
should say Friends' meeting. They call themselves Friends. All the
men sit on one side and all the women on the other, and the men
keep their hats on all through. Sometimes there isn't any sermon
and sometimes there are five or six, just as it happens. The women
preach too, if they feel like it. One day it was terribly still,
and I was just beginning to think I should blow up and bust if
somebody didn't say something--had serious thoughts of giving a
sermon myself--when I heard a familiar voice, and I looked over,
and there was Cousin Rachel preaching away for dear life. And a
mighty good sermon it was, too--better than any of the men's.

"Cousin William takes me to see the sights on Saturday (or,
rather, Seventh day, as he would say) afternoon, and I have been
about myself a good deal. I would like to get to know the people,
b