"College can wait. I'd rather have biceps like Knight's than be a walking encyclopædia!"
"Think of all the sympathy I've wasted!" Blue Bonnet laughed at herself.
"Oh, I don't know that it's all been wasted. I've deserved a good deal. I've been afraid Grandfather would be against the scheme—he's never been willing to admit that I wasn't as strong as I ought to be. I've only just begun myself to realize how good-for-nothing I used to feel most of the time. There's nothing like feeling able to shake your fist at all out-doors!"
Blue Bonnet smiled. "Then I needn't regret my letter?"
"Regret?—well, I should say not! You builded better than you knew. Getting Grandfather worried was just the right thing, though it sounds rather heartless to say it. Being worried, he came and saw and—I conquered!"
"Now I won't have to ask for an explanation of a very rude speech of yours."
"Was I rude—to you?" Alec looked up hastily.
"It sounded—rather queer, for you to rejoice over my not going back to Woodford," she answered.
"Meant purely as a compliment," he assured her. "It would be mighty jolly to have you here, Blue Bonnet."
She rose hurriedly. "Let's not go into that, please. Every time I get pretty near a decision, some new argument bobs up on the other side. I'm dreadfully worried, Alec. But, thank goodness, you're off my mind!"