"No," said Mrs. Kent, decidedly. "I certainly shall not give him so much pleasure."
"I don't know. I might like it better if I had a fellow of my own age to go around with."
"You will find plenty of companions more agreeable than Jasper."
"All right, mother. I suppose you know best."
"You can trust me to provide for your happiness, Nicholas. It is all I live for."
The next morning Mrs. Kent arose early, and summoned the hired man, Tom Forbes.
"Tom," said she, "have you a good whip?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"And a strong arm?"
"Middlin', ma'am," answered the wondering hired man.