December was fated to hold for him another startling anticlimax. It came one snowy morning when he had slept even later than usual, dreaming of an iridescent balloon that climbed higher and higher with Joan peeping radiantly over the edge until at the peal of the telephone bell it disappeared entirely. Joan's voice instantly dispelled his irritation. "Mavourneen!" he exclaimed. "Up already! And you danced half the night." "It's eleven o'clock," said Joan. "Besides, I couldn't sleep. I've been thinking. Remember, Kenny, when you read the will and I said that Donald should have the farm?" "Yes," said Kenny, somewhat mystified. "I remember." "If he's going to study and work his way through college, I don't think he'd want it, do you?" "No, dear, I doubt if he would. What's in your mind, girleen?" "Oh, I'm so glad you think so too! Kenny--" "Yes?" "Do you know Jan's cousin, the pretty girl who's a model? I know that doesn't sound at all as if it had anything to do with the farm but it has. Jan's cousin said--I hardly know how to tell you, Kenny. I don't think I like telephones. If I could see your face--" "I'm wearing my guardian's face!" "Oh!" "And evidently it isn't popular." "I like you--different. Jan's cousin said that she could get me a great deal of work if I wanted it--posing for head and shoulders--" "Joan!" "Oh, dear!" wailed Joan. "That was a guardian's voice. Please wait, Kenny." "I'm waiting." "I'm going to keep the farm and give Don the rest of the four thousand dollars. . . . Did you say anything, Kenny?" "No. . . . No, I was just clearing my throat." "I've only spent a little of it yet. From now on I want to earn my living like Peggy and Ann and Margot and all the others. I'll still have plenty of time to study and practice. I wonder I didn't think of it before. It was selfish when I had the farm and Don not even mentioned in the will. I suppose I didn't think of it because here things seem to happen so--so fast. I'm always in a whirl." "Yes," said Kenny sincerely. "Things do happen fast." She waited his approval and was the first to speak, a wondering hint of reproach in her voice. "Kenny, please say something!" "To be truthful, dear," said Kenny in a queer voice, "you've taken my breath away. I'm thinking--just thinking." "It's fair--" "Yes, dear, it's fair enough." "You don't disapprove? Oh, I hope you won't. It will make me so happy to help Don through college." "It will make you happy!" said Kenny and sighed.