“Perhaps you think braiding ‘round’ is easy to do,” retorted Jack, in an injured tone; “but I know it took me six months to learn to do it well.”
“I fail to see,” said his mother, “how a knowledge of ‘braiding round’ and lassoing of wild cattle is going to serve you in your university life and future career.”
“Oh yes, it will. I shall be the Buffalo Bill of Harvard, and I shall give charming little entertainments in my rooms, or in some little garden-plot suitable to the purpose.”
“Shall you make a point of keeping up with your class?” asked Mrs. Winship.
“Oh yes, unless they go too fast. My sports won’t take any more time than rowing or baseball. They’ll be a little more expensive, because I’ll have to keep some wild cattle constantly on hand, and perhaps a vaquero or two; but a vaquero won’t cost any more than a valet.”
“I didn’t intend furnishing you with a valet,” remarked his mother.
“But I shall be self-supporting, mother dear. I shall give exhibitions on the campus, and the gate-money will keep me in luxury.”
“This is all very interesting,” said Polly, cuttingly; “but what has it to do with California, I’d like to know?”
“Poor dear! Your brain is so weak. Can’t you see that when I am the fashion in Cambridge, it will be noised about that I gained my marvellous skill in California? This will increase emigration. I don’t pretend to say it will swell the population like the discovery of gold in ’48, but it will have a perceptible effect.”
“You are more modest than a whole mossy bank of violets,” laughed Dr. Paul. “Now, Margery, will you give us your legend?”