e was in the full enjoyment of being in bed.

"But you will be tired to-morrow, and no one who is weary can do
the best that is in him," said Katherine gently.

CHAPTER XXIII

The Majority Decides

To the surprise of Katherine, Mrs. Burton was very anxious that Mr.
Selincourt's offer should be accepted, and she urged that point
very strongly.

"If you were a boy, Katherine, I would not say one word to
influence you either way. Even now it is for your sake, not mine,
that I should like to take the chance of getting away from this
place. For myself, I would rather be here than at any other place
in the wide world; but I do know that you are hopelessly buried
alive, and the work you have to do is unsuitable for any girl."

Katherine put up her hand with a pleading gesture, and there was
distress in her eyes as she said hurriedly: "That is not fair to
the boys, Nellie. I asked that you should all speak for
yourselves, not for each other; that can be done afterwards: the
main thing is to know how we each feel about the matter personally.
Now, Miles, let us know what you think?"

Miles fidgeted, looked supremely uncomfortable, and finally burst
out: "I think it is just horrid to go settling things like this
about Father, as if he were dead, while he is still alive!"

"Just what I feel myself," broke in Katherine, giving Miles an
affectionate squeeze. "Still, dear, the necessity has arisen to
discuss the business, and we must just face it as other
disagreeables have to be met and overcome. So, putting Father
entirely out of the question for the moment, tell us what you think
you would like best."

"That can be done in a very few words," he said gruffly. "I dare
say it sounds beastly selfish, but I'd rather stay here than go
anywhere else on the face of the earth. The land is our own; why
should we not keep it? We have got a good paying business
together; why should we give it up? If we could pull through last
winter and make a profit, we certainly ought to do better still
this year, for we are all wiser, older, and stronger. It is
fearfully hard on Katherine to be obliged to do the journeys, I
know, but that can stop when I am a bit older, and more of a dab at
valuing pelts."

"Now, Phil, it is your turn," said Katherine quickly; she had seen
that Mrs. Burton was about to speak, and was anxious that Phil
should have first chance.

But the boy was half-asleep, and had to be well shaken up by Mile