Canada -- Fiction; World War, 1914-1918 -- Canada -- Fiction
“You gave your money,” burst forth Nora in a kind of passion as she flew
at him, “and everything else. But now that's all over. You are going to
finish your college course this year, that's what.”
“Oh, that's it, eh? I knew there was some women's scheme afloat.
Well, children,” said the youth, waving his hand over them in paternal
benediction, “since this thing is up we might as well settle it 'right
here and n-a-o-w,' as our American friend, Mr. Ralph Waldo Farwell,
would say, and a decent sort he is too. I have thought this all out.
Why should not a man gifted with a truly great brain replete with grey
matter (again in the style of the aforesaid Farwell) do the thinking
for his wimmin folk? Why not? Hence the problem is already solved. The
result is hereby submitted, not for discussion but for acceptance, for
acceptance you understand, to-wit and namely, as Dad's J. P. law books
have it: I shall continue the school another year.”
“You shan't,” shouted Nora, seizing him by the arm and shaking him with
all the strength of her vigorous young body.
“Larry, dear!” said his mother.
“Oh, Larry!” exclaimed Kathleen.
“We shall then be able to pay off all our indebtedness,” continued
Larry, ignoring their protests, “and that is a most important
achievement. This new job of Dad's means an addition to our income. The
farm management will remain in the present capable hands. No, Miss Nora,
I am not thinking of the boss, but of the head, the general manager.”
He waved his hand toward his mother. “The only change will be in the
foreman. A new appointment will be made, one who will bring to her task
not only experience and with it a practical knowledge, but the advantage
of intellectual discipline recently acquired at a famous educational
centre; and the whole concern will go on with its usual verve, swing,
snap, toward another year's success. Then next year me for the giddy
lights of the metropolitan city and the sacred halls of learning.”
“And me,” said Nora, “what does your high mightiness plan for me this
winter, pray?”
“Not quite so much truculence, young lady,” replied her brother. “For
you, the wide, wide world, a visit to the seat of light and learning
already referred to, namely, Winnipeg.”
For one single moment Nora looked at him. Then, throwing back her head,
she said with unsteady voice: “Not this time, old boy. One man can lead
a horse to water but ten cannot make him drink, and you may as well
understand now as later that this continual postponement of your college
career is about to cease. We have settled it otherwise. Kathleen will
take your school--an awful drop for the kids, but what joy for the big
boys. She and I will read together in the evenings. The farm will go on.
Sam and Joe are really very good and steady; Joe at least, and Sam most
of the time. Dad's new work will not take him from home so much,
he says. And next year me for the fine arts and the white lights of
Winnipeg. That's all that needs to be said.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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