“It’s too late for me to learn more than I get every day by knocking around and meeting people.  I’ve tried books two or three times, and I’ve given them up; I can’t do it.  I’ve waited too long, I’ve no way to get down to it, I can’t remember to save my soul.”

“But you can remember anything on earth about a business deal,” she urged.

“Of course I can.  I was born with a business head.  It was remember, or starve, and see you starve.  If I’d had the books at the time they would have helped; now it’s too late, and I’ll never try it again, that’s settled.  Much as I want to marry Miss Bates, she’ll have to take me or leave me as I am.  I can’t make myself over for her or for you.  I would if I could, but that’s one of the things I can’t do, and I admit it.  If I’m not good enough for her as I am, she’ll have the chance to tell me so the very first minute I think it’s proper to ask her.”

“John, you are good enough for the best woman on earth.  There never was a better lad, it isn’t that, and you know it.  I am so anxious that I can scarcely wait; but you must wait.  You must give her time and go slowly, and you must be careful, oh, so very careful!  She’s a teacher and a student; she came here to study.”

“I’ll fix that.  I can rush things so that there’ll be no time to study.”

“You’ll make a mistake if you try it.  You’d far better let her go her own way and only appear when she has time for you,” she advised.

“That’s a fine idea!” he cried.  “A lot of ice I’d cut, sitting back waiting for a signal to run after a girl, like a poodle.  The way to do is the same as with any business deal.  See what you want, overcome anything in your way, and get it.  I’d go crazy hanging around like that.  You’ve always told me I couldn’t do the things in business I said I would; and I’ve always proved to you that I could, by doing them.  Now watch me do this.”

“You know I’ll do anything to help you, John.  You know how proud I am of you, how I love you!  I realize now that I’ve talked volumes to Kate about you.  I’ve told her everything from the time you were a little boy and I slaved for you, until now, when you slave for me.”

“Including how many terms I’d gone to school?”

“Yes, I even told her that,” she said.

“Well, what did she seem to think about it?” he asked.

“I don’t know what she thought, she didn’t say anything.  There was nothing to say.  It was a bare-handed fight with the wolf in those days.  I’m sure I made her understand that,” she said.

“Well, I’ll undertake to make her understand this,” he said.  “Are you sure that Jennie Weeks is taking good care of you?”

“Jennie is well enough and is growing better each day, now be off to your courting, but if you love me, remember, and be careful,” she said.

“Remember —­ one particular thing —­ you mean?” he asked.