Mildred meditatively bit her lip, and her cheeks had flushed with excitement at Belle’s story, but she would make no comment upon it in words.  “What does he want with so many books?” she asked, after a moment.

“You’ll see before you are gray.”

“Indeed! has he taken you into his confidence, also?”

“That’s my affair.  I believe in him, and so will you some day.  He already knows more Latin than you do.”

“That’s not saying a great deal,” replied Mildred, with a short, vexed laugh.  “How came he to know Latin?”

“He studied it at school as you did.  The fact is, you are so prejudiced you know nothing about him.  He’s strong and brave, and he’ll do what he attempts.”

“He’ll find that I am strong, too, in my way,” said Mildred coldly.  “He said something that hurt me more than I hurt him, and all I ask of him is to leave me alone.  I wish him well, and all that, but we are not congenial.  Complete success in his wild ambition wouldn’t make any difference.  He ought to remain at home and take care of his own people.”

“Well, I’m glad he’s coming to New York, and I hope for my sake you’ll treat him politely.”

“Oh, certainly for your sake, Belle.  Let us all stick to that.”

“Belle’s a mere child,” said Mrs. Jocelyn, with her low laugh.

“I’m sixteen years old, I thank you; that is, I shall be soon; and I know a real man from the ghost of one.”

“Belle,” cried Mildred, in a tone she rarely used, “I will neither permit nor pardon any such allusions.”

“Come, girls,” expostulated their mother, “our nest is too small for any disagreements, and we have a great deal too much to do for such useless discussions.  I’m sorry with Millie that Roger is bent on leaving home, for I think his parents need him, and he could do well in the country.  The city is too crowded already.”

“He’ll make his way through the crowd,” persisted Belle.

“Does his father or mother know of his plans?”

“Well, to tell the truth, I don’t know very much about his plans.  He talks little concerning himself, but when he took me out to drive the day after Millie left, he said he had decided to come to New York and get an education, and that if I’d let him know where we lived he’d come and see me occasionally.  I said, ’What will they do at home without you?’ and he replied, ’I can do more for them away from home by and by than here.’  Now, mamma, you’ll let him come to see me, won’t you?”

“Certainly, Belle.  I’ll be reasonable in this respect.  I know young people need company and recreation.  My only aim has ever been to secure you and Millie good company, and I hope your love for me, Belle, will lead you to shun any other.  As we are now situated you must be very, very cautious in making new acquaintances.  Young Mr. Atwood is a good, honest-hearted fellow, and I think Millie is a little prejudiced against him.”