"You don't say so? And I meant to be up to get the breakfast myself?" "You did better to sleep on." "I woke at five; and, oh, it did seem so good to shut my eyes with no dread of the bell, and so I went to sleep again!" Eunice went out and in while her sister dressed; and the talk flowed on till breakfast was over and all the things put away. Eunice listened to it all with mingled feelings, rejoicing in her sister's eager interest and in her success, but at the same time missing something for which she had longed and prayed, and for which she was telling herself that she must wait patiently a while. Then Fidelia went out to the garden to see what was to be done there. She walked up and down the broad path, considering ways and means of planning how the very most could be accomplished during the fortnight of her stay. "It will take most of my time; but I am glad I came, and I shan't oversleep another day. For, whatever Eunice may say, she is not strong." The garden could not be neglected. Half their living came from the garden and the adjoining fields, where their pretty brown cow was patiently searching among the last year's tufts of grass for some sweeter morsel. The pretty creature came to the fence to be petted and praised, and her mistress did not disappoint her. "How much do you suppose your cow understands of all you're sayin' to her?" said a voice at her elbow. Fidelia started. "Oh, she understands! Good morning, Jabez;" and she held out her hand to a tall loose-jointed lad, with a sunburnt, boyish, but very pleasant face, who had come up the hill from the meadow unseen by her. "You look _well_," said he, after a moment's examination of her face. "Thank you," said Fidelia, laughing. "I mean, you don't look sick," said he. "Why should I? What have _you_ been doing this winter?" "I have been at school. We had a new teacher--a chap from Amherst--one who has to teach and pay his own way. Yes, I got along pretty well-- studied hard, if you can believe it." "Well, what have you done?" "_Oh_, a little Latin and history of the United States! I could pass on that _now_, I guess. And I've got through the first three books of Euclid, and in Algebra I got through quadratic equations." She had spoken in a cool, indifferent way, but his eyes sparkled as he looked up. "Well done, Jabez! I am glad. I must examine you some day." "Come on!" cried Jabez, throwing down the hoe he had been carrying. "I'm ready. Examine all you want to." "Oh, I don't mean just this minute, but some time before I go! How is your grandmother these days?" "She's pretty well. And that makes me think that I promised her to help churn; I'll have to be going. I came up to talk a little to Miss Eunice and you about the garden. I don't suppose she'll do much in it this year, since you won't be here." "I shall help to make it while I am at home, if the weather will let me. But your help will be needed after. Come and speak to my sister."