_Mother._ Certainly. He would not have any man lose a cent of money on his account. Would you wish that he should wrong those who trusted him? _Charles._ Oh no! I should rather study from morning till night, if that would do any good. _Mother._ You perceive, Charles, that it will be necessary for you to get your mind into right habits of attention; for you will have to support yourself, at least. It is even possible that your parents, in their old age, may require some assistance from you. Your father can hardly hope to acquire even a moderate fortune again, before he will be an old man. _Charles._ Oh, mother! it almost makes my head ache to think of all this, for I don’t seem to understand yet that it is really so, though I try with all my might to--to-- _Mother._ Realize it? _Charles._ Yes, that is the word I was after. And what did you do, when father told you about it, mother? Did you not cry? _Mother._ I did, when I was alone, Charles; for I have lived in this house ever since I was married, and I love it; and I love the furniture, which my parents gave me;--but it must all be sold. _Charles._ Why, where shall we live? _Mother._ In a small house of mine at the south-end, where your nurse used to live. But I shed more tears at first about you and Ellen. We cannot afford to educate you as we intended. _Charles._ And there was I complaining this very morning about having to study! _Mother._ Your thoughtless words made my heart ache, Charles! _Charles._ If I have to get my living, why cannot I be a lawyer? _Mother._ Your father cannot send you to college; your studies must all be directed towards preparing to enter a counting-room as soon as possible. Your father’s mercantile friends respect him, for striving to pay all his debts, and they will help you. But, Charles, you will find it necessary to give your most earnest _attention_ to your new pursuits. _Charles._ That I will, mother! I will find out how cousin Richard manages his mind. Attention! yes, indeed I will. I shall think of nothing now but what I ought. I shall never waste my time again. _Mother._ You promise confidently, Charles; and in truth I shall shed fewer tears, if I find this change in our situation may benefit my beloved son’s character. It was too plain that the expectation of a fortune from your father was injuring you. Wipe your eyes, Charles, and go to school. Your quarter will close next Saturday, and then we must take you from that expensive school. But wherever you go, I think you will find that study--real study--will make difficult things soon become easy; and there will be a pleasure in it you have never known, while holding your book indolently with a wandering mind. [Illustration: Horse bells fable] The Horse and the Bells, A FABLE.