The Nome nugget., 1934-09-15
CHAPTER I1-continued

Nance held 1t out, watching him read 1t. The boy drew a deep breath of relief.
 Good! That's settled then"
 Its not If Dad objects, or-or Mother"
 She couldn't keep the shamed hope out of her voice. and catching its meaning Jack said scornfully 1: Don't be a stacker, Sis. Come down and see how they all react. Every Ones's there, even the kiddle. We'll take vote. Buck up, Nance. It's . pity if you can't help out while all the rest of us are trying to-"
 That hurt. Nance turned away to hide the tears which sprang into her eyes. A slackerl We'll, she'd show himl If only she wasn't so beastly scared at the idea.
 '.Be down in second" she said as her brother made an impatient gesture; and then added angrily : And don't you call me any names before the others'
 "Oh, see here!" He followed her into the room, closing the doon q didn't mean anything, Sis, honest. I was only afraid they'd see how much you hate to go, and put their feet down. Come on, now. Let's get 1t over before dinner"
 The family rebellion was very nearly unanimous.
 Said Dad: "If you must have jobs. both of you, surely we can find something nearer home."
 Said Aunt Louise: You're too young and impresslonable, Jack, to spend six months or so in rough sur. roundings; and Nancy would die of boredom if nothing worse. What put the wild idea into your head?"
 Phil, the ten-year-old, exclaimed excitedly:
 - Gee! folks, I'd like to be COW. boy! Just think of quitting school and staying outdoors all dayi"
 And strangely. this innocent re mark of her younger son was what stopped the protest on Margaret's lips. In a flash she remembered that not many months ago the fam, lily doctor had said of Jack: If that boy were mine I'd let him forget school for year or two and live outdoors. A job on a farm would be worth considerably more to him than diploma"
 Looking up at the five-feet-eleven inches of too-thin boyhood, those warning words came back, and to the complete surprise of everybody, Mother said: "It would be splen. did thing for Jaek-an outdoor win. ter in milder climate; but"
 You're not implying" broke in her husband, that you'd let those children go off there all by them. selves?'
 "Childrenl" This exasperated ex. clamation came from Jack. "I'll say if Nance Is old enough to be launched in society with a big splurge, she's old enough to be away from home for few months-with q relative, too. As for me, Dad, you bet I'll have to do mans work or lose the job. Why, I'll be eighteen in-well, on my next birthday"
 Since his previous birthday was only six weeks back, this brought a laugh. Then Aunt Judy said: And what does Nancy think of all these plans?" /
 The girl hesitated. All eyes had turned upon her; but glancing ur she saw only her brothers, and re sponded gamely: Tt would be some. thing new, wouldn't itf And Il couldn't be very much duller than Edgemere."
 But Nancyl" protested her ia ther in distress, you'd be living with an old lady. one you've never seen and who we've reason to be lieve eccentric. And If she paid your fare you'd be in duty bound to stick it out for a while, no matter what you found"
 But I'd be earning my living" sht Yetorted. wondering why she was ar guing on the wrong side, and what had got into her. Why, in fact safsln,t aha fall thotn fha Wholo fFnff that she was frightened stiff al the prospect-would almost rather die than spend winter witt Cousin Columbine, but was ashamed to admit 1t before Jackf "Well," declared Aunt Louise s.if's kho 1hsss o<tfaof0lnary plan ever heard of. And from Nancyi A I said before, what put such an Idea into your headsf''
 Circumstances. of course." spoke mn Aunt IuAv s1rhav want tO hAlr