had been offered and which he had accepted:
nine hundred dollars salary the first year, with lodging, board, washing
all provided--so that really it was the equivalent of fourteen or fifteen
hundred dollars a year. And then there would be the three months'
vacation, in which he could prosecute his law studies and earn
additional money.

"Sounds good," said Mr. Upton.

"Of course I'm very glad," said Mrs. Upton. "But how we shall miss you
boys! I've got used to having Irving away,--but to be without Lawrence,
too--"

"Yes," said her husband with a twinkle in his eyes, "we certainly shall
miss Lawrence--especially in haying time. I'm glad you didn't get this
news till most of the hay crop was in. No more farming for you this
year, Lawrence."

"Why, but there's all the south meadow uncut--"

"I'll handle that. As long as there was so much doubt as to whether
you'd be able to go to college or not, I felt that you might be making
yourself useful first of all and studying only in the odd moments. Now
it's different; you've got to settle down to hard study and nothing
else. And Irving had better devote himself entirely to you, and leave
Mr. Beasley to struggle along without any college help."

"I don't believe he'll miss me very much," Irving admitted. "And you're
right, Uncle Bob; I can accomplish a great deal more working with
Lawrence this next month. I ought to be able to get him entered in
regular standing."

"If I can do that," cried Lawrence, "perhaps I'll be able to earn my way
as Irv did--tutoring and so on--and not have to call on you or him for any
help."

"What on earth should I do with nine hundred a year?" Irving exclaimed.

"Save it for your law school fund," said Lawrence.

Irving shrugged his shoulders grandly. "Oh, I can earn money."

Lawrence gave him an affectionate push. "Tut!" he said. "Be good to
yourself once in a while."

It was a happy family that evening. The uncle and the aunt rejoiced in
the good news, even while regretting the separation.

Mr. Upton, the younger brother of the boys' father, who had been the
village clergyman, shared his brother's tastes; he read good books, he
would travel to hear a celebrated man speak, he had ideas which were not
bounded by his farm. He had encouraged Irving as well as Lawrence to
seek a university education. The two boys were proud, eager to free
themselves from dependence on the uncle and aunt who, after their
father's death, had given them a