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"I am sixteen," he answered, "and I know what I am about. Mother

is no help to you. She doesn't understand how to look after you.

I wish now that I was not going to Australia at all. I have a

great mind to chuck the whole thing up. I would, if my articles

hadn't been signed."

"Oh, don't be so serious, Jim. You are like one of the heroes of

those silly melodramas Mother used to be so fond of acting in. I

am not going to quarrel with you. I have seen him, and oh! to see

him is perfect happiness. We won't quarrel. I know you would

never harm any one I love, would you?"

"Not as long as you love him, I suppose," was the sullen answer.

"I shall love him for ever!" she cried.

"And he?"

"For ever, too!"

"He had better."

She shrank from him. Then she laughed and put her hand on his

arm. He was merely a boy.