"I don't suppose that Ruby will be away long, and before she comes I want you to understand how it is with her, and just what she would like to do. Of course you are going back to the seminary next year?" "Of course I would like to go, if ways and means will permit I would like to graduate with my class." "I am afraid you have worked too hard, dear." "No, not too hard; but I don't think I worked in the best way. I should do differently next year. At least I should try." "Tell me about it, dear." Fidelia sat silent a minute or two, then she said:-- "Some time I will tell you about it--not to-day. But about `ways and means.' Perhaps I had better teach this year, as I meant to do at first." But Eunice had a plan to unfold, by which, should Fidelia approve, all would be made easy for them both. Mrs Stone wished to stay in Halsey for a time. The place was more like home than any other place could ever be to her, and she would like to share the home of the sisters for a time. "Would you like it, Eunice?" asked Fidelia a little anxiously. "Yes; for some reasons I would like it. Mrs Stone is kind and good, and she does not seem like a stranger to me, though she has been away so many years. She is capable too, and I am not so strong as I used to be." "But you are well, Eunice? You are not afraid any more--of--" Fidelia could not utter the word which rose to her lips--a word which, indeed, had never been uttered between them. "Yes, I am well--for me. No, I am not afraid any more. But, dear, I own to have been lonesome last winter, and a little downhearted sometimes." "I ought to have been at home." "No, dear. It was all right; and it is best that you should go again next year for various reasons, rather than to wait. And, besides--" Then Eunice went on to explain that, though not a rich woman, Mrs Stone had enough for her own wants, and more. She had no near ties of kindred, and no special work in the world to look forward to, and work she could find in Halsey more easily than anywhere else. "And, dear, if I had been asked to plan for my own comfort, and for a chance to make going away again easy for you at the same time, I could not have asked for anything more suitable than this. The obligation and the comfort will be mutual. Yes, I like the plan." "Would it be for always, Eunice?" Eunice smiled and shook her head. "Dear, I don't much believe in making plans for always. `Short views' are best, you know. We might try it for a year, and then decide." "Eunice, if I liked to take it, I might have the school at the Corners this winter; and I could be at home." "Yes; and that would be pleasant all round, if it were necessary. But I think it would be wiser for you to go back to the seminary this winter."