“Ah, Agnes!” said I, when we were sitting together, side by side; “I have missed you so much, lately!”

“Indeed?” she replied. “Again! And so soon?”

I shook my head.

“I don’t know how it is, Agnes; I seem to want some faculty of mind that I ought to have. You were so much in the habit of thinking for me, in the happy old days here, and I came so naturally to you for counsel and support, that I really think I have missed acquiring it.”

“And what is it?” said Agnes, cheerfully.

“I don’t know what to call it,” I replied. “I think I am earnest and persevering?”

“I am sure of it,” said Agnes.

“And patient, Agnes?” I inquired, with a little hesitation.

“Yes,” returned Agnes, laughing. “Pretty well.”