"Was the boy seeking a loan?" thought Jefferson, but he said: "I would not like to advise. Your father doubtless knows better than we what is best. There is great eagerness on the part of many people to seek new homes in the great West, but many who go over the mountains will return poorer than they went, and many others will never return at all. That part of the country has a glorious future, and there's much excitement over the prospects. The pioneer spirit is resistless, but, were I your father, I should not wish to take my family. The Indians are troublesome and growing more restless." "I would be willing to stay at home if I could earn some money to help along." "You ought to be at your studies." "I suppose so. I've had a pretty good training in the three Rs and am half way through Caesar. I can study a little in the evenings." The boy noticed that the look the man gave him was one of warm good will. "Indeed, you certainly haven't been idle. Don't give up. Labour and learn, that must every boy or man do to succeed, and if he learns thoroughly he'll see that good character is also essential to the success which endures. I rise at daylight, winter and summer. Yes, my boy, there is something I can get for you to do, though the recompense will not be large. I'm having some land surveyed and you could serve as an assistant and acquire some practical knowledge besides; that is, if your father will permit it." "Thank you, sir. I'm sure he'll be proud to have me in your service." "We'll now go to the library and see what we can find, for I'm of the opinion that what the Reverend Mr. Stith said about King James won't apply to you." "What was that, sir?" "In his History of Virginia he writes that King James' instructor had given him 'Greek and Latin in great waste and profusion, but it was not in his power to give him good sense.' By that don't think that Greek and Latin are not both excellent. I would advise every boy to study them if possible." They were walking toward the house when they met Mrs. Jefferson. Rodney was introduced, and was received most graciously. He flushed with pleasure, and thought how gratified his father would be at the kind manner with which he was received. "What book would you especially like, Rodney?" "May I have 'Josephus?' I began that down at the old home but father loaned it, and the borrower never brought it back." "Which assures me I'm perfectly safe in loaning to you. Yes, here's 'Josephus.' It's well to know history, especially these days when very important history is in the making."