"That is an elegant way of putting it, but I dare say you may be right," returned Flora, laughing. "Have you done all your errands?"
"Yes, and more. I have an express parcel to carry home for Mr. Antis. I must stop at the railroad station for it as we go home."
"The more I think about it, the more I am decided to take up with Mr. Antis's offer," continued Eben when the express parcel had been safely stowed away under the seat and they were on their way homewards. "If only mother can be brought to consent, without feeling too badly about it."
"She will come round all the easier for having the magazines to employ her," said Flora. "Only don't you go to reasoning and arguing, Eben. Let her just say her say out without contradiction, and then she will be ready to hear reason."
"How sensible we are!" said Eben, smiling.
Flora coloured.
"Well, I know I don't always do so, but I am always sorry when I don't; and you must admit, Eben, that I have improved. I don't argue half as much as I used to."
"You are the best and dearest as well as the most sensible girl I know," said Eben. "It is a great advantage to have you to consult with in my affairs. Come, get up, old Guy! You need not take it so very leisurely, if it is a little up hill."
As the children had foreseen, Mrs. Fairchild had a great many objections to make to Eben's plan. Eben let her exhaust herself upon them, and quietly recurred again and again to the advantages of the arrangement, dwelling particularly on the facts that he would board at home and that he should have time to study, and at last Mrs. Fairchild was brought to say that Eben might try it till something better turned up.
"But I'm sure I don't know what sister Fletcher will say," was her conclusion.