"Not always, mamma," said the little girl covering her face quickly. The mother stooped down and put her arms round her. "You must ask him, and he will teach you to be happy always." "But I can't, mamma, unless I could be right always," said poor Winifred. Mrs. Landholm was silent, but kissed her with those soft motherly kisses which had comfort and love in every touch of them. Soon answered, for Winifred lifted up her head and kissed her again. "How much longer must they be there, mamma?" she asked more cheerfully. "Two years," Mrs. Landholm answered, with a sigh that belonged to what was not spoken. "Mamma," said Winifred again presently, trying not to shew from how deep her question came, "aint you afraid Winthrop wants something more to wear?" And Mrs. Landholm did not shew how deep the question went, but she said lightly, "We'll see about it. We'll get papa to write and make him tell us what he wants." "Maybe he won't tell," said Winifred thoughtfully. "I wish I could write." "Then why don't you set to and learn? Nothing would please Governor so much." "Would it!" said Winifred with a brightened face. "Asahel," she said, as Asahel came in a few minutes after, "mamma says Governor would like nothing so well as to have me learn to write." "I knew that before," said Asahel coolly. "He was talking to me last summer about learning you." "Was he! Then will you Asahel? Do you know yourself?" "I know how to begin," said Asahel. And after that many a sorrowful feeling was wrought into trammels and pothooks. CHAPTER XIV. _Bard_. On, on, on, on, on! to the breach, to the breach! _Nym_. Pray thee, corporal, stay; the knocks are too hot; and for mine own part, I have not a case of lives: the humour of it is too hot, that is the very plain-song of it. KING HENRY V. "To Mr. Winthrop Landholm, Shagarack College. "Dec. 10, 1810. "My dear son, "We received yours of the third, per Mr. Underhill, which was very gratifying to your mother and myself, as also Will's of the same date. We cannot help wishing we could hear a little oftener, as these are the first we have had for several weeks. But we remember your occupations, and I assure you make due allowances; yet we cannot help thinking a little more time might be given to pa and ma. This is a burdensome world, and every one must bear their own burdens; yet I think it must be conceded it is right for every individual to do what may be in his power towards making the lot of others pleasanter. This I am sure you believe, for you act upon it; and you know that nothing so lightens our load as to know that Will and Governor are doing well. It is a world of uncertainties; and we cannot know this unless you will tell us. "My dear sons, I do not mean to chide you, and I have said more on this subject than I had any intention to do. But it is very natural, when a subject lies so near the heart, that I should exceed the allotted bounds.