“It’s the greatest thing, Cynthy,” he said, breathlessly, “to have you with me in that.  But, if you said I ought to study law, I should do it.”

“I shouldn’t say that, for I believe you’re right; but even if I believed you were wrong, I shouldn’t say it.  You have a right to make your life what you want it; and your mother hasn’t.  Only she must know it, and you must tell her at once.”

“At once?”

“Yes—­now.  What good will it do to put it off?  You’re not afraid to tell her!”

“I don’t like you to use that word.”

“And I don’t like to use it.  But I know how it is.  You’re afraid that the brunt of it will come on me.  She’ll think you’re all right, but I’m all wrong because I agree with you.”

“Something like that.”

“Well, now, I’m not afraid of anything she can say; and what could she do?  She can’t part us, unless you let her, and then I should let her, too.”

“But what’s the hurry?  What’s the need of doing it right off?”

“Because it’s a deceit not to do it.  It’s a lie!”

“I don’t see it in that light.  I might change my mind, and still go on and study law.”

“You know you never will.  Now, Jeff!  Why do you act so?”

Jeff did not answer at once.  He walked beside her with a face of trouble that became one of resolve in the set jaws.  “I guess you’re right, Cynthy.  She’s got to know the worst, and the sooner she knows it the better.”

“Yes!”

He had another moment of faltering.  “You don’t want I should talk it over with Mr. Westover?”

“What has he got to do with it?”

“That’s true!”

“If you want to see it in the right light, you can think you’ve let it run on till after you’re out of college, and then you’ve got to tell her.  Suppose she asked you how long you had made up your mind against the law, how should you feel?  And if she asked me whether I’d known it all along, and I had to say I had, and that I’d supported and encouraged you in it, how should I feel?”

“She mightn’t ask any such question,” said Jeff, gloomily.  Cynthia gave a little impatient “Oh!” and he hastened to add:  “But you’re right; I’ve got to tell her.  I’ll tell her to-night—­”

“Don’t wait till to-night; do it now.”

“Now?”

“Yes; and I’ll go with you as soon as I’ve seen the youngest Miller girl.”  They had reached the helps’ house now, and Cynthia said:  “You wait outside here, and I’ll go right back with you.  Oh, I hope it isn’t doing wrong to put it off till I’ve seen that girl!” She disappeared through the door, and Jeff waited by the steps outside, plucking up one long grass stem after another and biting it in two.  When Cynthia came out she said:  “I guess she’ll be all right.  Now come, and don’t-lose another second.”

“You’re afraid I sha’n’t do it if I wait any longer!”

“I’m afraid I sha’n’t.”  There was a silence after this.