That was great news for Kate--that Harvey Bigelow should have become a man. It was too good to be true. She sent the letter to Aunt Susan, whom she knew would be interested in it. "I tell you, Ethel is made of good stuff!" ejaculated Uncle John. "She was in the right church but in the wrong pew--that's all." CHAPTER III ETHEL AND HARVEY BECOME FIRM FRIENDS Vacation arrived. Ethel had acquitted herself well, and her examinations were excellent. She and her mother began making preparations to go West. This time it was Grandmother and Mrs. Hollister whose wardrobes needed replenishing. Ethel bought for herself two new suits and some blouses. She had actually outgrown hers of the preceding summer. "My dear, I am spending very little money now," said Mrs. Hollister, "and I'm going to put some by for your trousseau." Ethel laughed merrily. "Why, Mother, where's the man?" "Never mind," replied her mother, "he'll come." "Mother, you're a born matchmaker!" exclaimed the girl. "I wish you had had other daughters." "Heaven forbid!" ejaculated Mrs. Hollister with a funny little smile. "One is enough." "Is that intended for a compliment?" laughed the girl. "If so it's a doubtful one." During the month of May, Harvey would invite her to go horseback riding up to Van Cortlandt Park. They had to make it Saturdays, as that was Ethel's only free day. They usually started early. On the country roads the apple and peach blossoms were like pictures. To the girl they brought back the previous spring at Aunt Susan's, and especially the morning when she had revealed to Ethel the sad story of her married life. On one of these excursions the girl related it to Harvey. "By George!" he ejaculated when she had finished, "that old lady is a sport and no mistake. She's all right. I imagined she was made of different stuff from other women, and do you know I sort of suspected that she hadn't all the money that your mother thought she had. She was too refined and showed good blood. Had she been so wealthy, from her dressing people might have taken her for a miser, and gentle folks are seldom misers. I thought that it was necessity that caused her to wear those old-fashioned clothes, so I argued that though Mrs. Hollister imagined her wealthy and that you were in a line to inherit her money there was a great mistake somewhere. But pshaw! as for that every mother is ambitious for her daughter. Why, my mother left no stone unturned until she had married Edith to Lord Ashurst, and I must admit that I was easily led by my mother. Why, I've been out for a rich wife ever since I left school; but, Ethel, I've changed. Now I propose to pay my bills with the money I earn, not with hers; nor shall I allow her to buy what she wears." "Does your mother realize how you feel?" asked Ethel, pushing her fair, curling locks from her eyes.