Miss Quest is inclined to think that a course in hospital training under her direct supervision might prove acceptable to you. This you could have in the institution endowed by Miss Quest at Bayport.
Perhaps such a course may appeal to you more than a college education. If so, I shall not be dissatisfied.
But after that if you still feel that your life's work lies in the direction of artistic self-expression, you will be old enough to follow your own bent, and entitled to employ your opportunities toward that end.
I have left you properly provided for: I leave you and Jim all the love that is in my heart.
This is not the end, Steve, dear. There is no end—just a little rest between the acts for such old actors in life's drama as your dad. Later, you and Jim will join us behind the scenes—my wife and I—and we shall see what we shall see!—my little girl!—my darling.
DAD.
The boy and the girl sat up late in the library that night discussing the two letters which so profoundly concerned them.
Indeed, the old order of things was about to pass away before their dismayed and saddened eyes—eyes not yet accustomed to the burning grief which dimmed them—hearts not yet strengthened for the first heavy responsibilities which they had ever borne.
"I can't bear to leave you, Steve," said the boy, striving to steady his voice. "What are you going to do about college?"
"Well—I—I'll go back to college and finish the term. Dad wanted it."