[CHAPTER XXIX]
GRACIE'S DILEMMA
"One on 'em's up in his room, but I dunnot know which," grunted old Mrs. Lee, in answer to Eager's request for the boys, either or both, and he went up at once. A tap on Jim's door received no answer. Jack's opened to him at once.
"Mr. Eager!" And there was a hungry look in the boy's eyes.
"Hard at work, old chap?"--at sight of a number of books spread out on the table. "I thought this was holidays with you."
"I tried, but I couldn't get down to it."
"Where's Jim?"
"He's off down along--couldn't it still. Have you brought us any word from Gracie?"--very anxiously.
"Well, I've come to have a talk with you about that." And the Rev. Charles pulled out his pipe and began to fill it. "You ought to have spoken to me first, you know----"
"Oh?--didn't know--not used to that kind of thing, you know."