"Which you have had," aunt said promptly. "So you will be ready for another three when you reach home."
"Why, I declare you are as bad a slave-driver as the governor," retorted Jack, "and with this fearful example—" indicating me—"of the dangers of over-work before your eyes."
Aunt Patty gave a little laugh.
"Oh, Jack, there is no such danger in your case!" she said, shaking her head. "I almost wish there were."
"What!" he exclaimed. "You would like to see me with a pale, lank visage and reduced to a long-drawn-out shadow! Who would have believed you were so heartless?"
"I have no fear of seeing you 'sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,'" she replied, "and I do want you to work so steadily as to make a second failure impossible."
"I will indeed. I have promised it, and I mean to keep my promise," he said resolutely, and was gone.
Aunt Patty smiled and then sighed as she looked after him.
"Poor dear fellow!" she said. "I wish he were not so idle, for there is much that is good in him. If only his father understood him better!"
"Don't they get on well together?" I asked.