VALLEY

THE GOOD-CONDUCT CLUB 245unrepentant Jerry.be bad.""If people say we're so bad let's"But not if it hurts father," pleaded Faith.Jerry squirmed uncomfortably. He adored hisfather. Through the unshaded study window theycould see Mr. Meredith at his desk. He did not seemto be either reading or writing.His head was in hishands and there was something in his whole attitudethat spoke of weariness and dejection.The childrensuddenly felt it."I dare say somebody's been worrying him about usto-day," said Faith. "I wish we could get along withoutmaking people talk. Oh Jem Blythe How ! youscared me!"Jem Blythe had slipped into the graveyard and satdown beside the girls. He had been prowling aboutRainbow Valley and had succeeded in finding the firstlittle star-white cluster of arbutus for his mother.Themanse children were rather silent after his coming.Jem was beginning to grow away from them somewhatthis spring. He was studying for the entranceexamination of Queen's Academy and stayed afterschool with the older pupils for extra lessons. Also,his evenings were so full of work that he seldom joinedthe others in Rainbow Valley now. He seemed to bedrifting away into grown-up land."What is the matter with you all to-night?" heasked. "There's no fun in you.""Not much," agreed Faith dolefully. "There