In his favorite seat in the pleasant bay-window, opening into the garden, Guy was sitting, apparently reading a book, though his eyes did not move very rapidly down the page, for his thoughts were on some other subject. When his pretty step-mother first came to Aikenside, three months before, he had been half sorry, for he knew just how his quiet would be disturbed, but as the weeks went by, and he became accustomed to Jessie’s childish prattle and frolicsome ways, while even Agnes herself was not a bad picture for his handsome home, he began to feel how he should miss them when they were gone, Jessie particularly, who made so much sunshine wherever she went, and who was very dear to the heart of the half brother. He knew, too, that Agnes would rather stay there, for her income did not warrant as luxurious a home as he could give her, and by remaining at Aikenside during the warmer season she could afford to pass the winter in Boston, where her personal attractions secured her quite as much attention as was good for her. Had she been more agreeable to him he would not have hesitated to offer her a home as long as she chose to remain, but, as it was, he felt that Lucy Atherstone would be much happier alone with him. Lucy, however, was not coming yet, and until she did come Agnes perhaps might stay. It certainly would be better for Jessie, who could have a teacher in the house, and it was upon these matters that he was reflecting. As if divining his thoughts Agnes said to him rather abruptly: “Guy, Ellen Laurie writes me that they are all going to Saratoga for a time, and then to Newport, and she wishes I would join then. Do you think I can afford it?” “Oh, yes, that’s splendid, and I’ll stay here while you are gone; I like Aikenside so much better than Boston. Mamma can afford it, can’t she, Guy?” Jessie exclaimed, dropping her flowers and springing upon her brother’s knee. Smoothing her bright hair and pinching her soft cheek, Guy replied: “That means, I suppose, that I can afford it, don’t it? but I, too, was thinking just now about your staying here, where you really do improve.” Then turning to Agnes he made some inquiries as to the plans proposed by the Lauries, ascertaining that Agnes’s plan was that he should invite her to go with him to Saratoga, or Newport, or both, and that Jessie meantime should remain at Aikenside, just as she wished to do.