“Whatever is the difference between bein’ expelled and bein’ suspended?” Aunt Mary demanded, in her tone of imperious impatience.  “Well, why don’t you answer?  I was brought up to speak when you’re spoken to, an’ I’m a great believer in livin’ up to your bringin’ up—­if you had a good one.  What’s the difference, an’ which costs most?  That’s what I want to know.  I do wish you’d answer me, Arethusa; there’s two things I’ve asked you now, an’ you suckin’ your finger an’ puttin’ on your thimble as if you were sittin’ alone in China.”

“I don’t know which costs most,” Arethusa shrieked.

“You needn’t scream so,” said Aunt Mary.  “I ain’t so hard to hear as you think.  I ain’t but seventy, and I’ll beg you to remember that, Arethusa.  Besides, I don’t want to hear you talk.  I just want to hear about Jack.  I’m askin’ about his bein’ expelled and suspended, an’ what’s the difference, an’ in particular if there’s anything to pay for broken glass.  It’s always broken glass!  That boy’s bills for broken glass have been somethin’ just awful these last two years.  Well, why don’t you answer?”

“I don’t know what to answer,” Arethusa screamed.

“What do you suppose he’s done, anyhow?”

“Something bad.”

Aunt Mary frowned.

“I ain’t mad,” she said sharply.  “What made you think I was mad?  I ain’t mad at all!  I’m just askin’ what’s the difference between bein’ expelled an’ bein’ suspended, an’ it seems to me this is the third time I’ve asked it.  Seems to me it is.”

Arethusa laid down her work, drew a mighty breath, very nearly got into the ear-trumpet, and explained that being suspended was infinitely less heinous than being expelled, and decidedly less final.

Aunt Mary looked relieved.

“Oh, then he’s gettin’ better, is he?” she said.  “Well, I’m sure that’s some comfort.”

And then there was a long pause, during which she appeared to be engaged in deep reflection, and her niece continued her embroidery in peace.  The pause endured until a sudden sneeze on the part of the old lady set the wheels of conversation turning again.

“Arethusa,” she said, “I wish you’d go an’ get the ink an’ write to Mr. Stebbins.  I want him to begin to look up another college with good references right away.  I don’t want to waste any of the boy’s life, an’ if bein’ suspended means waitin’ while the college takes its time to consider whether it wants him back again or not I ain’t goin’ to wait.  I’m a great believer in a college education, but I don’t know that it cuts much figure whether it’s the same college right through or not.  Anyway, you write Mr. Stebbins.”

Arethusa obeyed, and the authorities having seen fit to be uncommonly discreet as to the cause of the young man’s withdrawal, no great difficulty was experienced in finding another campus whereon Aunt Mary’s pride and joy might freely disport himself.  Mr. Stebbins threw himself into the affair with all the tact and ardor of an experienced legal mind and soon after Lucinda’s return to her home allowed Arethusa to follow suit, the hopeful younger brother of the latter became a candidate for his second outfit of new sweaters and hat bands that year.