"Jimmy Reed's doing my work to-day," Sandy said apologetically. "And if you please, sir, I'll be keeping my hat on. I have just washed my hair, and I want it to dry straight."
The judge looked at the suspicious turn of the thick locks around the brim of the stiff hat and smiled.
"Vanitas vanitatum, et omnia vanitas," he quoted. "How many pages of Blackstone to-day?"
Sandy made a wry face and winked at Mrs. Hollis, but she betrayed him.
"He has been primping since sun-up," she said. "Anybody would think he was going to get married."
"Sweet good luck if I was!" cried Sandy, gaily.
The judge put down his fork and laid his hand on Sandy's arm. "You mustn't neglect the learning, Sandy. You've made fine progress, and I'm proud of you. You've worked your way this far; I'll help you to the top if you'll keep a steady head."
"That I'll do," cried Sandy, grasping his hand. "It's old Moseley's promise I have for steady work at the academy. If I can't climb the ladder, with you at one end and success at the other, then I'm not much of a chicken—I mean I'm not much."
"Well, you better begin by leaving the girls alone," said Mrs. Hollis as she moved
the sugar out of his reach. "Just let one drive by the gate, and we don't have any peace until you know who it is."