Soon after the death of George's father, of which we shall speak particularly in another place, his connection with Mr. Hobby's school was severed. "How would you like to go to Mr. Williams' school at Bridge's Creek, George?" his mother inquired. "Mr. Williams is an excellent teacher, I suppose, the very best there is in Virginia." "I should like it," George answered. "Can I go?" "I have been thinking of it," his mother responded. "You can live with your brother Augustine; the school is not far from his house." "Shall I go soon?" asked George. "Yes, as soon as you can get ready. You are at an age now when you must attend to the higher branches of knowledge, if ever." "What shall I study?" inquired George. "Arithmetic, of course, and I have been thinking of book-keeping and surveying, very important studies for planters and everybody else in these parts." "Then you mean I shall be a planter?" George inquired. "Yes, there is not much but a planter that you can be in this State; and a good planter may be as useful and honored as a good merchant or lawyer." "I would as soon be a planter as anything else," continued George "and I will try to make a good one." "That is the main thing," responded his mother. "Planter, merchant or lawyer, become the best there is, and you will be both prospered and honored. You have learned about all you can at Mr. Hobby's school; it is time to go up higher." "That will suit me as well as it will you," replied George. "I do not object to going up higher." "Some boys act as if they do," rejoined Mrs. Washington; "but I hope you will never belong to that class. Do the best you can in every place, and you will never be ashamed of your conduct." Within a few weeks George found himself a member of Mr. Williams' school, and a resident of his brother Augustine's family. Arithmetic and book-keeping engaged his attention at once, and, after a few months, surveying was added to his regular studies. Mr. Williams was a thorough instructor, and believed that scholars should master one branch of study before they took up another. He paid much attention to reading, spelling and penmanship, encouraging his pupils to place a high value upon these common, but fundamental, studies. "You are a good mathematician, George, and surveying will come easy to you," remarked Mr. Williams. "Surveyors will be in great demand in this country before it is many years older." "I should like to understand it," replied George, "and I mean to understand it before I have done going to school." "And the sooner you commence the study of it the better it will be for you," added Mr. Williams. "You are old enough, and sufficiently advanced to pursue it successfully. By and by you can survey the fields about here, by way of practising the art; and you will enjoy it hugely. It will be better than play."