“Three years, pa.”

“True! true!” said the inventor, sadly.  “It was when our troubles first began, and I found it necessary to economize.  But I did very wrong to take you from school at that time.”

“You forget, pa,” replied his daughter, in a sweet, chiding voice.  “You wanted me to go on with my studies, but I said that you must save the tuition money, and let me learn to keep house.  Don’t you remember, pa?”

“Yes, child; I remember.  And I was selfish enough to allow you to make the sacrifice.  But you shall have schooling to your heart’s content now, whether you will or not.  I agree with our dear friend, that no time should be lost in resuming your education.  I shall insist upon setting apart two hundred dollars for that purpose.  Enough money will still be left to perfect my invention; and that, too, within a month, notwithstanding” (he added, playfully) “Mr. Wilkeson’s discouraging remarks a moment ago.”

“And I shall insist upon not taking the money, pa,” said Pet, laughing, but shaking her head, and patting her feet on the floor in the most decisive manner.

“And I shall insist on furnishing the money,” said Marcus Wilkeson, folding his arms, and looking very much in earnest.  “Let us see who can be obstinate the longest.”

“Then I shall insist on your taking another fifth interest in the invention.  Upon that point I am immovable.”  Mr. Minford folded his arms likewise, to imply that nothing could shake his granitic determination.

“Ah, now I see some prospect of a friendly arrangement.  I will pay five hundred dollars for another fifth, and esteem it a good bargain, provided your daughter consents to let one half of it be spent on her education.  What do you say to that, Pet?”

“That I thank you very much for your kind offer,” said the young girl, whose eyes sparkled with gratitude; “but I must not accept it.  Pa will need all the money he can get to finish his work.  I know it.”

Marcus and the father exchanged pleasant looks, and the former said, with an ill-assumed sternness: 

“Then I don’t advance another cent to him.  I have named my conditions, and they must be accepted.  You have no idea, Pet, what a tremendously obstinate fellow I am when I’m roused.”

Nobody could have gathered the idea from his intensely amiable face at that moment.

“I see, my dear, that we must yield to this determined man,” said Mr. Minford, winking at Marcus.  “We shall never have any peace with him until we do.”

“You know best, pa,” returned his daughter, who shrank timidly from any further discussion with their guest.

Marcus Wilkeson was delighted with the perfect confidence which father and child reposed in him.  “Now that this little matter is happily settled,” said he, “I must tell you that I have already taken the liberty of selecting a school for her.”

“How can we ever repay your goodness?” said Mr. Minford.