"Why not fall back on what we first talked about?" "What's that?" "Make your father think it will be a prudent thing for him to send you out there to look after his property." "Suppose I should convince him on that point, how about _you_?" "You will need some one to look after you, and I'm just the fellow." "We are both satisfied in our own minds; in fact we were from the first; but our fathers are very hard-headed men." Now, a couple of boys may be very shrewd, but it often happens that their parents are a good deal shrewder, a fact which my young readers will do well to remember. Unsuspected by Jack Dudley and Fred Greenwood, their parents read on the instant the momentous problem which assumed form in the brains of their sons. When the younger signalled to his chum to follow him out of the room, the two gentlemen understood what it meant as clearly as if they overheard all the conversation that followed. Waiting until they were beyond hearing, Doctor Greenwood looked at his friend and remarked, with a smile: "They are hit hard." "No doubt of it; their hearts are set on making a visit to the ranch, and it would be singular if it were otherwise. We can feel for them, for we were once boys." "Yes, John, and it's longer ago than we like to recall. What do you think of it?" "You know we have always agreed that many parents injure their children by undue indulgence." "True, and we have been indulgent to ours, but not improperly so. A great deal depends upon the children themselves. Jack and Fred are obedient, studious, and have good principles. If we should say 'No' to this scheme of theirs they would be disappointed, almost beyond what we can understand, but neither would protest or sulk. They would study just as hard as ever. It is that which appeals to us. If they were sullen and dissatisfied we wouldn't care; but, John, you and I have each been blessed with model sons, and they are entitled to privileges which it would not be safe to grant to other boys. I confess I feel like sending both out to Wyoming for an outing." "Of course it would spoil the enjoyment of Jack unless he could take Fred with him, but what excuse shall we make, Doc?" How reluctant a father is to appear weak and too conciliatory toward his child! These two men had virtually decided to grant the fervent wish of their sons, but it must be done in a common-sense way. They could not say "Boys, since you have set your hearts on this we grant it," but they must fix upon some scheme that would made it seem a necessity that they should go thither. And now observe how ludicrously similar their thoughts were to those that were agitating their offspring up stairs.