Of course it was but natural that their love for Gladys should be deeper, stronger, and more sacred than for Geoffrey, for they had taken her to their hearts as their very own when she was but a tiny babe, and having had no other children sent them to share their affection, their every hope had long been centered in her. But they felt very tenderly toward the hapless boy who had first aroused their sympathy for his misfortune, and subsequently won their love by his gentleness and confidence in them. Mr. Rivers, Geoffrey’s tutor, was very glad of the opportunity to remain with his pupil during the summer vacation, for it was simply a pleasure to teach one so eager for knowledge; while, too, being in limited circumstances, he needed the pecuniary benefit accruing from the arrangement. Mr. Huntress sent them both into the country upon a farm, where they could have fresh air and country living to strengthen their bodies, while storing their minds with knowledge. Mr. Rivers was most faithful in fulfilling his duties as a tutor, while Geoffrey was indefatigable as a student. He applied himself early and late; he dug to the very root of every problem and question, while he possessed the power of concentration to such a degree that he got over the ground much more rapidly than most students. At the beginning of September he was pronounced qualified to enter a private institution for young men, where the principal, after learning the circumstances regarding his early misfortune and inability to study, allowed him special privileges. Here he remained for a year, overcoming every obstacle with an iron will and unflagging perseverance, and surprising every one by his progress. He developed in other ways also, becoming more mature physically, and acquired a dignity and thoughtfulness almost beyond his years, yet at the same time possessing a peculiar gentleness and courtesy of manner that won every one. At the end of the year he was qualified to enter college. Mr. Huntress told him that he might remain where he was if he felt the least sensitiveness about entering a university; but he was ready and eager now to take his place in the world with young men of his own age. Geoffrey had a consciousness within him that he could hold his own anywhere, and he decided that he would go to Yale. He passed his examinations, and was received without a condition, and he could not help experiencing a feeling of triumph that at last he was on the “home stretch,” so to speak, for the goal toward which he had for years so longingly and enviously looked. Now he was only one year behind Gladys, and he hoped to be able to lessen the distance between them before he was through with his course. At all events, if his health was spared, he would now have a finished education, and would not need to feel that he was beneath her in point of intellect. As for Gladys herself, she was as proud as she could be when Geoffrey told her of his success.