"I thought I might get you to come home with me," she continued, "my husband and I have a splendid home. You are always welcome.... Or why don't you go back to your old job with Father. He needs you. He is getting older." "You think he would take me back?" "Gladly. What are you doing here?" "I am cook for the boys," he said. "You, a cook?" she smiled. "Why, you wouldn't wash a dish at home for me when we were children. You can't be very much of a cook.... But never mind. I have found you." "Confound it! I have let those beans burn again." And he excused himself for a moment. When he returned he said, "I will write you if I can decide to go back home. It comes a little suddenly you know. I have been a prodigal too long to turn into a father's white-haired boy on the instant." Then after a moment he asked: "Do you know what Mother used to put into the beans when she burned them to take out the smoky taste?" "Jim, Mother wasn't that kind of a cook." As the sister was going out to step into the carriage she said, "Promise me you will not leave here without writing me. I don't want to lose you again." "I promise," he said. * * * * * That night the boys ate their supper in silence. Each one was deep in thought. "Too bad the beans are burned," Jim said. "I like them that way," replied one of the boys. "It makes them taste different." That night after supper no one wrote any letters, which was unusual, and one of the boys jokingly asked another near him, "Why don't you write a letter home to your sister?" "I am afraid," replied the lad, "she might answer it in person like Jim's sister did." Jim has taken a job on a farm and is saving his money. He has nearly enough to return to his old home; he refuses to accept any aid from his father or sister. "I will go back as I came away--independently." [Illustration] EDISON'S EVENING STAR "Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion: The Lord is his name."--_Bible._ Edison's Evening Star _Hamlet_: "Ay, marry, why was he sent into England?" _First Clown_: "Why, because he was mad: he shall recover his wits there; or, if he do not, it's no great matter there." _Hamlet_: "Why?" _First Clown_: "'Twill not be seen in him there; there the men are as mad as he." --_Shakespeare._ To be dull of wit is sadly unfortunate, but to be dull of wit and be compelled to live in a Colony made up of more or less reckless young men is doubly unfortunate. In the group eccentricities are quickly discouraged. The grouch, the crank, the bully, if he would remain and live in harmony must learn his lesson in democracy--the individualist is given short shift. Of course the dull of wit should be given immunity at all times, and in theory he is, but in real practice even the most gentle hearted man will have his little joke at the expense of the man less alert mentally. The members of the Colony are no exception to this rule.