Page:Keeping the Peace.pdf/180

 ing. A man who earns his own living honestly can tell anybody else in the world to go to blazes."

There was a short silence. "Wouldn't it be wonderful!" exclaimed Edward.

"Let's go into the house," said Mr. Ruggles, "and compel Mrs. Ruggles to make a pitcher of lemonade and furnish cookies. We'll have a good talk."

Edward and Alice lingered behind to pick up the flowers which Alice had dropped. It was wonderful being together again. "When are you going to tell your mother about the divinity school?" Alice asked.

"I don't know. I was planning to run away. But now I think I'd better wait until I've seen the editor. I hate to run away. Perhaps if mother knew that I could actually earn money by drawing pictures, she'd be more reasonable . . . What did you say in your letters?"

"Nothing. What did you say in yours?"

"The same."

Then they both laughed, and each carrying about half of the flowers followed Mr. and Mrs. Ruggles into the house.

On his way home from the Ruggles' Edward planned just exactly what he should say to Dear Mother about the letters, about the ministry and