Paul Wendell was an only child. He could boast of loyal English blood, since his mother was reared under the strict rule of the Mother Country, and his father was British-born, though bred in America.
Mrs. Wendell was an estimable lady, but extremely conservative. Hence Paul's early training was under a governess, Mina by name, who had been thoroughly instructed in the family ancestral rule as invariable authority, known throughout the vicinity as Grandpa's Way. Mina was very dutiful, and strictly observant of this rule; but after a time the dull exactness began to grow tedious and irksome to Paul's active nature. His individuality more than once had displayed itself, and at times was strongly asserted.
"I hate this old way, so I do. I'll ask Ma if I can't. You won't let me do nothing, but what it must be drill, drill, for fear it won't be done right,—in Grandpa's Way, as you call it."
