"There is certainly nothing like country air to make people eat. I wonder when Alice and Dick will be getting back. Dick said the first week in August probably." "Oh, dear," said Chicken Little, "I want to see Alice and Dick again, but I don't want Katy and Gertie and Sherm to go home. They can only stay a few days this time, Alice said so." "I don't want to go home a bit," replied Katy. "There's nothing to do at home till school begins." "I'd like to go home and see Mother, and then come back." Gertie looked a little wistful. She did want Mother within reach. "I wish we could keep you all till September." Dr. Morton liked to have the clatter of the young people about. "If we only knew some one going back to Illinois at that time to look after you. I don't suppose Mrs. Halford would like to have you girls travel so far without some grown person along. But I don't see why Sherm can't just as well stay till time to get ready for college." "I'd like nothing better, and I'm not dead sure I'm going to college this fall. Father seemed a little doubtful when I left, and the folks haven't said anything about it in their letters. If I can't, I guess I'll try for a clerkship in the post-office when I go back." Dr. Morton studied a moment. "How would you like to work here on the ranch if you don't go to college, Sherm?" "Do you mean it, Dr. Morton?" "I surely do. Of course, Ernest's going is not quite settled yet, but I have practically made up my mind that he must go off to school somewhere. We shall need some one to take his place and it would be very pleasant to have you. Chicken Little here wouldn't be quite so homesick for Ernest, perhaps, if you would let her adopt you in his place." Jane jumped up and down in an ecstasy. "Oh, Sherm, please do--I thought I'd just die with lonesomeness this winter with all of you gone, and Ernest, too." Sherm looked pleased at her eagerness. His news from home was still depressing and Sherm, if not homesick, had his lonely hours. "I would pay you regular wages--whatever is customary for boys of your age. I should have to make some inquiries," continued Dr. Morton. "Yes, and we could go to the lyceums--they most always have one every winter over at the Fair View Schoolhouse. It's heaps of fun when there's snow on the ground. Frank puts the big wagon bed on runners and we fill the bottom with straw and buffalo robes and all snuggle down together. You just must stay, Sherm!" "Perhaps he will, if you don't talk him to death, Chicken Little. You haven't given him a chance to get in a word edgeways." Ernest reproved his sister sharply after the manner of brothers slightly older. "What about you?" retorted Chicken Little. "Sherm, we'll all keep quiet and let you have a chance." "I'd like to, if college is ruled out, and Mother and Father will let me. They may want me at home, especially if Father grows worse." Sherm gave a little gulp. He was very fond of his father.