"Yes, I wish you were going to school, too. Say, Sherm, why couldn't you arrange to take one or two special studies under the new teacher? They say he only lacks one year of graduating from college and knows a lot.

He's teaching to save the money for his last year. Perhaps you might take some of your freshman work."

"I wish I could--I hate to get behind the rest of the boys. But your father is hiring me to work, not to study."

"I know, but when winter comes you won't need to work all the time, and you'll have all your evenings--Jim Bart does."

"If I could only keep up my mathematics and Latin, I wouldn't be losing so much." Sherm was considering.

The nine-mile ride to town seemed shorter than usual to most of the party that afternoon. Ernest, in spite of his joy in actually going away to school, found home and home folk unexpectedly dear now that he was leaving them for many months. Poor Mrs. Morton could hardly tear her eyes from the son who was taking his first step away from her. Chicken Little was feeling disturbingly sober; no Ernest, no Katy, no Gertie--how could she ever stand it?

"Sherm, if I start to cry, just wink, will you--that funny way you do sometimes. Ernest bet I would--and I won't, but I know I'm going to want to dreadfully."

Chicken Little was as good as her word. She didn't--that is, as long as Ernest could see her. She kissed him good-bye and gave him a playful box on the ear. She threw kisses, smiling as the group at the car window slid by, then the lump in her throat grew startlingly bigger.

"Race you to the horses, Chicken Little," said Sherm. "If it's all right with you, Mrs. Morton, we'll go straight home."

Chicken Little raced with Sherm and with her tears. She beat Sherm but the tears won out. She could hardly see to untie Calico's rein. Sherm took the strap out of her hand, fastened it, and swung her up.

"Shut your eyes and open your mouth," he commanded, as soon as she was securely seated.

Jane obeyed meekly and Sherm popped a big chocolate drop in.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, smiling through the trickling tears, "was that what you stopped down town for? My, what a baby you must think me!"

Sherm reached over and patted her hand. "I think you are several pumpkins and some squash, Chicken Little. Have another?"

CHAPTER XV

SCHOOL

The days crawled by during the next two weeks.

"I hate them so by night, I want to shove them off into to-morrow by main force," Jane told Marian complainingly, the third day after Ernest and the girls had gone.

"You'll be all right in a day or two. It's always hardest at first,"

Marian consoled her.

"I suppose it doesn't make any difference whether I'm all right or all wrong--the folks have gone just the same."

"And you might as well make the best----"

"Oh, yes, I might as well! 'Count your blessings, my brethren, etc.'

I've done counted 'em till I'm sick of hearing about them! Marian, if you don't find me something new to do I shall bust!"

Marian was particularly busy that morning and not so patient as usual.

She waved her hand around the room ironically. "I shall be charmed, Chicken Little, will you finish these dishes or sweep the sitting room or sew on that dress of Jilly's? I can furnish you an endless variety to choose from."

"I said something new."

"Jilly's dress is brand spanking new."

"You know what I mean."

"Yes, I know, Jane, I have had the feeling myself, but I don't imagine the heavens are going to open and shower down something new and choice on you because you're lonesome and bored. If you can't amuse yourself, you might as well be useful and have something to show for a tedious day."

Chicken Little drummed on the window for several minutes without replying, then swung round with a grimace.

"Hand over the dress--I can run up the seams on the machine all right, I suppose."

The family waited, excited and expectant, for the report on Ernest's examinations. They had had a long letter telling of his journey and safe arrival. Katy and Gertie and Mrs. Halford had each written long letters full of Centerville news and references to their pleasant summer. Mrs.

Halford could not say enough concerning the girls' improved appearance.

Katy wrote the most interesting item. "What do you think? Carol Brown left for Annapolis, too. Do you suppose Ernest will know him? P. S. We showed him your picture and he stared at it awful hard and said--you've got to get me a trade last for this--'Say, Chicken Little's going to be a hummer if she keeps on!' Don't you think I'm nice to tell you?"

Jane gave the letter to Sherm to read, forgetting this part. Sherm snorted when he came to it, glancing up curiously at her.

"Do you like that sort of stuff, Chicken Little?" he asked later.

It was almost two weeks after Ernest went, before Dr. Morton, on his return from town one September evening, came up the walk excitedly waving a telegram.

"Oh!" exclaimed Chicken Little.

"He must have pa.s.sed or Father wouldn't look so pleased," said Mrs.

Morton.

The doctor came in slightly breathless.

"Well, Mother, I'm afraid you have lost your boy."

Mrs. Morton looked startled for a moment, then, rea.s.sured by her husband's smile, fumbled nervously for her gla.s.ses to read the yellow paper he handed her.

She was maddeningly deliberate. Jane, perched upon the arm of her chair, tried to antic.i.p.ate her, but her mother held it so she could not see.

"It's Mother's place to see it first, daughter."

Reproving Chicken Little steadied Mrs. Morton's nerves, and she read the few words aloud with dignity.

"Sworn in to-day--hurrah!" Ernest.

"That means that he----?" She looked inquiringly at her husband.

"That means he has pa.s.sed both physical and mental examinations and has been regularly sworn in to Uncle Sam's service."