Now he confided to Mrs.Levering his greatest desire for Marion was that she might grow up to be as self reliant and happy-hearted a young girl as Mary.
Seeing how she had aroused such a love for nature study in the boys, he felt that she might do the same for Marion.

It was really a marvel, Mrs.
Levering insisted, how she had bewitched both her Carl and Tommy Seldon.
They were in a fair way to become as great cranks as the old professor himself.

Now this was the proposition he wanted to make.

That Mary should take the place of teachers and text-books, for awhile, and devote herself to the task of making Marion forget herself and her imaginary grievances; to interest her in wood-lore to the extent of making her willing to spend much time out of doors, and to imbue her if possible with some of the cheerful philosophy that made the entire Ware family such delightful companions.
"Of course," explained Mrs.Levering, "he understands that one could never be adequately repaid for such a service.

It would be worth more than any course at college or any fortune, to Marion, if she could be changed from a listless, unhappy girl to one like yourself.