Elder Conklin | Page 2

had gone through the University course with rather more than
average success, and had the cant of unbounded intellectual sympathies.
His self-esteem, however, was not based chiefly on his intelligence, but
on the ease with which he reached a conventional standard of conduct.

Not a little of his character showed itself in his appearance. In figure he
was about the middle height, and strongly though sparely built. The
head was well-proportioned; the face a lean oval; the complexion
sallow; the hair and small moustache very dark; the brown eyes
inexpressive and close-set, revealing a tendency to
suspiciousness--Bancroft prided himself on his prudence. A certain
smartness of dress and a conscious carriage discovered a vanity which,
in an older man, would have been fatuous. A large or a sensitive nature
would in youth, at least, have sought unconsciously to bring itself into
sympathy with strange surroundings, but Bancroft looked upon those
who differed from him in manners or conduct as inferior, and this
presumption in regard to the Conklins was strengthened by his
superiority in book-learning, the importance of which he had been
trained to over-estimate.
During their drive Miss Conklin made her companion talk of Eastern
life; she wanted to know what Chicago was like, and what people did in
New York. Stirred by her eager curiosity, Bancroft sketched both cities
in hasty outline, and proceeded to tell what he had read and heard of
Paris, and Rome, and London. But evidently the girl was not interested
by his praise of the art-life of European capitals or their historical
associations; she cut short his disquisition:
"See here! When I first seed you an' knew you was raised in Boston, an'
had lived in New York, I jest thought you no account for comin' to this
jumpin'-off place. Why did you come to Kansas, anyway, and what did
you reckon upon doin'? I guess you ain't goin' to teach school always."
The young man flushed under the frankness of the girl's gaze and
question, and what appeared like contempt in her opinion of him.
Again he became painfully conscious that there was a wide social
difference between Miss Conklin and himself. He had been accustomed
to more reticence, and such direct questioning seemed impertinent. But
he was so completely under the spell of her beauty, that he answered
with scarcely visible hesitation:
"I came out here because I wanted to study law, and wasn't rich enough
to do it in the East. This school was the first position offered to me. I

had to take it, but I intend, after a term or two, to find a place in a
lawyer's office in some town, and get admitted to practice. If I'd had
fifteen hundred dollars I could have done that in Boston or New York,
but I suppose it will all come right in time."
"If I'd been you I'd have stayed in New York," and then, clasping her
hands on her knee, and looking intently before her, she added, "When I
get to New York--an' that won't be long--I'll stay there, you bet! I guess
New York's good enough for me. There's style there," and she nodded
her head decisively as she spoke.
Miss Loo and Bancroft were among the latest arrivals at the Morrises'.
She stood beside him while he hitched Jack to a post of the fence
amidst a crowd of other horses, and they entered the house together. In
due form she presented the schoolmaster to Mr. and Mrs. Morris, and
smilingly produced three linen tablecloths as her contribution to the
warming. After accepting the present with profuse thanks and
unmeasured praise of it and of the giver, Mrs. Morris conducted the
newcomers across the passage into the best sitting-room, which the
young folk had already appropriated, leaving the second-best room to
their elders.
In the small square apartment were some twenty boys and girls, ranging
between sixteen and twenty-two years of age. The boys stood about at
one end of the room, while the girls sat at the other end chattering and
enjoying themselves. Bancroft did not go among those of his own sex,
none of whom he knew, and whom he set down as mere uncouth lads.
He found it more amusing to stand near the girls and talk with them. By
so doing he unconsciously offended the young men.
Presently a tall youth came towards them: "I guess we'd better play
somethin'?" "Forfeits! Mr. Stevens," was a girl's quick reply, and it was
arranged to play forfeits in a queer educational fashion. First of all Mr.
Stevens left the room, presumably to think. When he came in again he
went over to Miss Conklin and asked her to spell "forgive." After a
moment's pause she spelt it correctly. He retired slowly, and on his
return