"Well, I don't know that I shall sleep any to-night under the inspiration of this good news," said Ray, as he arose to be shown to his room; and, indeed, his bright, sparkling eyes scarcely looked as though they would need sleep for hours to come. "I believe I would start for Long Point farm, late as it is, just to throw off this exuberance of spirit, were it not that Edward wants to see me in the morning." "Which would be ignoring our hospitality entirely," remarked Mrs. Carleton, with a laugh, as she bade him good-night. The next morning Ray went around to Edward Lawton's, and so busy did they at once become with their plans and with their selection of the articles they would have sent to the academy for their use, that the clock struck twelve, and Miss Daisy, bright and pretty in her morning dress, entered the room to announce dinner before they were through. "Why," Ray exclaimed, in consternation, "I ought to have been at Long Point farm long before this. Really, you must excuse me." And his looks showed how he hated to go. "You needn't worry, Mr. Ray," said Daisy, with a graceful courtesy. "Mr. Woodhull knew of this also, and he said if we would only let you get home by night, he would have reason to thank us." Ray needed no farther urging to remain. He found Mrs. Lawton kind and motherly, and as she spoke of his and Edward's going to the academy, Ray could not help thinking she could not be more interested if they were both her own boys. And a little later, when he took his leave, she seemed almost to echo his own thought, for she said: "I want you to feel, Ray, that you are always welcome here; indeed, count this as one of your homes. For I can never forget that but for you I should not only now be bereft of husband, but of son also." Ray found Mr. Jacob Woodhull at the farm when he arrived there, and he soon ascertained that both he and his nephew were already well acquainted with the new plans formed for him. "We hate to lose you," Mr. George Woodhull said; "but we are anxious for your advancement, and shall on that account even hasten your going. Only remember, your vacations are to be spent right here. I'll pay you more for the sight of your face than any one else will for a whole week's work." And he turned away to hide his own deep feeling. Later, Mr. Jacob Woodhull came around to the barn, where Ray was alone. He helped the boy finish the few chores that remained to be done, and then leaning back against the stanchion of one of the stalls, he asked: "Do you remember, Ray, the night when you came over to my place and offered to pay me for the damage you had done me?" "Yes," replied Ray; "and I hope you think better of me to-night than you did then." "I certainly do," the old man replied, emphatically; "but do you remember what I charged you then?" "Why, twenty-five dollars," answered Ray.