“Then he bids fair to stand?”

“I don’t believe anybody bids fairer.  He was trying to make a business man of you, wa’n’t he, the other day?”

“He was saying something about it.”

“Would you like that?”

“Not in the first place, sir.”

“No.  Ah well —­ we’ll see, —­ we’ll see,” said Mr. Landholm rising up; —­ “we’ll try and do the best we can.”

What was that?  A question much mooted, by different people and in very different moods; but perhaps most anxiously and carefully by the father and mother.  And the end was, that he would borrow money of somebody, —­ say of Mr. Haye, —­ and they would let both the boys go that fall to College.  If this were not the best, it was the only thing they could do; so it seemed to them, and so they spoke of it.  How the young men were to be kept at College, no mortal knew; the father and mother did not; but the pressure of necessity and the strength of will took and carried the whole burden.  The boys must go; they should go; and go they did.

In a strong yearning that the minds of their children should not lack bread, in the self-denying love that would risk any hardship to give it them, —­ the father and mother found their way plain if not easy before them.  If his sons were to mount to a higher scale of existence and fit themselves for nobler work in life than he had done, his shoulders must thenceforth bear a double burden; but they were willing to bear it.  She must lose, not only, the nurtured joys of her hearthstone, but strain every long-strained nerve afresh to keep them where she could not see and could but dimly enjoy them; but she was willing.  There were no words of regret; and thoughts of sorrow lay with thoughts of love at the bottom of their hearts, too fast-bound together and too mighty to shew themselves except in action.

The money was borrowed easily, upon a mortgage of the farm.  President Tuttle was written to, and a favourable answer received.  There was a foundation at Shagarack, as well as at Mannahatta; and Will and Winthrop could be admitted there on somewhat easier terms than were granted to those who could afford better.  Some additions were made to their scanty wardrobe from Mr. Cowslip’s store; and at home unwearied days and nights were given to making up the new, and renewing and refurbishing the old and the worn.  Old socks were re-toed and refooted; old trousers patched so that the patch could not be seen; the time-telling edges of collars and wristbands done over, so that they would last awhile yet; mittens knitted, and shirts made.  It was a little wardrobe when all was done; yet how much time and care had been needed to bring it together.  It was a dear one too, though it had cost little money; for it might almost be said to have been made of the heart’s gold.  Poor Winifred’s love was less wise than her mother’s, for it could not keep sorrow down.  As yet she did not know that it was not