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and he went into business and made two thousand dollars in a year. I always wanted to take up business you know that!"
She knew it he had talked of it freely before they had argued and persuaded him into the college life. She knew, too, how his aunt's hopes all centered in him, and in his academic honors and future professional life. "Business," to his aunt's mind, was a necessary evil, which could at best be undertaken only after a "liberal education."
"When are you going," she asked at length.
"Right off to-morrow."
She gave a little gasp.
"That's what I was whippoorwilling about--I knew I'd get no other chance to talk to you--I wanted to say good-by, you know."
The girl sat silent, struggling not to cry. He dropped beside her, stole an arm about her waist, and felt her tremble.
"Now, Viva, don't you go and cry! I'm sorry--I really am sorry to make you feel bad."
This was too much for her, and she sobbed frankly.
"Oh, Morton! How could you! How could you! And now you've got to go away!"
"There now--don't cry sh!--they'll hear you."
She did hush at that.
"And don't feel so bad--I'll come back some time to see you."
"No, you won't!" she answered with sudden fierceness. "You'll just go and stay and I never shall see you again!"
He drew her closer to him. "And do you care so much Viva?"
"Of course, I care!" she said, "Haven't we always been friends, the best of friends?"
"Yes, you and Aunt Rella have been about all I had," he admitted with a cheerful laugh. "I hope I'll make more friends out yonder. But Viva--" his hand pressed closer "is it only friends?"
She took fright at once and drew away from him. "You mustn't do that, Morton!"
"Do what?" A shaft of moonlight shone on his teasing face. "What am I doing?" he said.
It is difficult--it is well nigh impossible--for a girl to put a name to certain small cuddlings not in themselves terrifying, nor even unpleasant, but which she obscur