Just at this juncture one of his cousins, a year or two older than himself, invited him to go to Canada to recruit his health. He was to start early in September and would call for him.
He accepted the invitation at once, without even consulting papa.
“I suppose it is as well, though,” papa said thoughtfully. “He does need bracing up, and the change will be just the thing for him. We can hear meanwhile from Stephen about this Wilburton arrangement.”
The boys both went to Westburg with papa to get some new clothes. Mamma packed Stuart’s trunk, and then he was frantic to return to the boys. Monday would be the tenth but he insisted upon starting on Friday. He wanted to get a good room, to see old friends and feel settled before school began. He had enjoyed himself splendidly, to be sure, and there were lots of jolly fellows in Wachusett, to say nothing of the girls. He meant to come back some time and have it all over. But since he couldn’t go to Canada, which he thought rather rough, he might as well march off at once. The sooner a thing was well over, the better.
He spent a day and evening saying good-bye to his friends in the village. The stage was to come at eight Friday morn. He had his trunk strapped and out on the porch; ate his breakfast in a hurry, kissed the children and bade Ann a laughing farewell accompanied with a new calico gown, which she thought an immense favor.
Papa gave him a little counsel in a low tone of voice, but I do not think he listened very attentively. He was a boy without a bit of sentiment or tender regard. He merely sang out—“Good-bye, old chap,” to Louis, and though he thanked us for our kindness, it was only from a gentlemanly instinct. Then he sprang into the stage and was off.
“I do not know whether I should like to have such a son or not,” mamma said slowly, as we entered papa’s study. “He is bright and manly and entertaining, but he leaves you with a feeling that out of sight is out of mind.”
“I have tried to sow a little good seed;” yet papa shook his head gravely.
“But you are afraid it is in sandy ground;” Fan added, with a touch of comforting sweetness in her voice. “I haven’t much faith in its bearing fruit, and yet I do believe he has come to have more consideration for Louis. He has not tormented him half as much lately. That would be one point gained.”
“Yes. After all, I have more hope of Louis. The struggle will be much harder, for his temperament and his health are against him, but he will be steadier in anything he undertakes. I have become deeply interested in both of them, and I do not feel as if it was going to end here.”