Go, be a good boy--but careless and happy--for a year." The old man had his way, and the two boys went presently back to their studies.
The girl, Nancy, remembered them well for the things each had said to her.
Allan, who, though he constantly praised her, had always the effect of leaving her small to herself.

"Really, Nance," he said, "without any joking, I believe you have a capacity for living life in its larger aspects." And on the last day, Bernal had said, "Nance, you remember when we were both sorry you couldn't be born again--a boy?
Well, from what the old gentleman says, one learns in time to bow to the ways of an inscrutable Providence.

I dare say he's right.

I can see reasons now, my girl, why it was well that you were not allowed to meddle with Heaven's allotment of your sex.

I'm glad you had to remain a girl." One compliment pleased her.