`H'm!'

`And so did I, so you needn't "h'm!"'

Mrs Morel fretted after her son. She knew he would not like the army. He did not. The discipline was intolerable to him.

`But the doctor,' she said with some pride to Paul, `said he was perfectly proportioned--almost exactly; all his measurements were correct. He is good-looking, you know.'

`He's awfully nice-looking. But he doesn't fetch the girls like William, does he?'

`No; it's a different character. He's a good deal like his father, irresponsible.'

To console his mother, Paul did not go much to Willey Farm at this time. And in the autumn exhibition of students' work in the Castle he had two studies, a landscape in water-colour and a still life in oil, both of which had first-prize awards. He was highly excited.

`What do you think I've got for my pictures, mother?' he asked, coming home one evening. She saw by his eyes he was glad. Her face flushed.

`Now, how should I know, my boy!'

`A first prize for those glass jars--'

`H'm!'

`And a first prize for that sketch up at Willey Farm.'

`Both first?'

`Yes.'

`H'm!'

There was a rosy, bright look about her, though she said nothing.

`It's nice,' he said, `isn't it?'

`It is.'

`Why don't you praise me up to the skies?'

She laughed.

`I should have the trouble of dragging you down again' she said.

But she was full of joy, nevertheless. William had brought her his sporting trophies. She kept them still, and she did not forgive his death. Arthur was handsome--at least, a good specimen--and warm and generous, and probably would do well in the end. But Paul was going to distinguish himself. She had a great belief in him, the more because he was unaware of his own powers. There was so much to come out of him. Life for her was rich with promise. She was to see herself fulfilled. Not for nothing had been her struggle.

Several times during the exhibition Mrs Morel went to the Castle unknown to Paul. She wandered down the long room looking at the other exhibits. Yes, they were good. But they had not in them a certain something which she demanded for her satisfaction. Some made her jealous, they were so good. She