Frank's cheeks were wet with tears; his mother indulged herself in one long, close embrace, and uttering only 'God bless you,'—left the room. Frank was alone. He put the box in his trunk; far down, where he thought it would be safest, and locked the trunk, which his mother in her emotion had forgotten to do, and then remained a moment motionless. He had thoughts and feelings which he had never before experienced; and formed resolutions which it seemed to him, at that time, would never be broken. He then said his prayers with fervour and satisfaction; as soon as his head was on the pillow he fell asleep; and did not, as his mother had apprehended, wake, till called to breakfast. In a few moments, he made his appearance with a serious and satisfied air; and when the stage drove up, went off with a far better grace, than his parents had anticipated.
We will not attempt to describe his mother's desolate feelings, when her husband and son were fairly out of sight. None of my young readers can estimate a mother's feelings, though they know that they are the kindest and truest in the world. Neither can we stop to tell about Frank's journey, lest the story should be too long. Every thing was new and engaging to him; the weather was fine, and on the second day, they arrived just before sunset, at the door of Mrs. Willard, who was standing on the balcony with her two little girls, looking out for the coach.
Mrs. Willard's house was more elegantly furnished than any one Frank had ever seen. He was so much pleased in looking round on the pictures, mirrors, &c. that he did not feel so badly, as he had expected. What he liked best to look at, however, was his Aunt, who was his mother's sister, and resembled her, though she was older and as Frank thought, not nearly so handsome. Her kind manner soon placed him at ease. She told him, she supposed he would like to change his dusty clothes, and refresh himself after so long a journey; and led him to a chamber, where he found his baggage had been already carried. A servant came to ask if he wished any assistance; but Frank, who had been accustomed to wait on himself, said 'no, I thank you, Sir;' which made the servant smile; for he perceived that Frank did not take him for a servant:—indeed, he was better dressed than most of the people whom Frank had ever seen. A consciousness of his mistake glanced across Frank's mind; and the thought that he should be taken for an ignorant country boy, made him blush. He unlocked his trunk, found every thing safe, even his talisman; at which he gave a look, and soon perceived that the mistake he had made with regard to the servant, was one he need not be ashamed of, he resumed his composure and was dressed and looked fresh and happy, when his Aunt called him to tea.
After tea, Mr. Courtland asked Frank if he should like to walk about a little, as he had been sitting in the coach all day. He said yes; and they went into the mall and common, which were near his Aunt's house. Though the twilight was fast fading away, the view looked beautifully; the grass was green, but the trees were not in full leaf; for they are elm trees, which are the last to show their foliage, and the earliest to lose it; a few willows near the pond were in leaf or rather in blow, as it is the blossom which appears first. Round the pond, were a group of boys; some running up and down the little hill on its border, others sailing boats and ships. 'How many boys!' said Frank.
'More than you ever saw in your whole life before,' said his father. 'I hope to see you playing in just such a group before many days.'
The next morning, Mr. Courtland said to his son, 'I will devote this morning to shewing you something of the city; and after dinner, I will take you out to Mr. Reed's, for I wish you to be there a few days before my return, that I may tell your mother how you like it.'
'O do allow Frank to pass a day or two with us, before he goes to school,' said his Aunt; 'we wish to get acquainted with him a little. You shall take him round the town this morning, and in the afternoon we will all ride into the country, and let Frank see something of our vicinity, which you know, is thought equal to the environs of any city in the Union. It does not look as well now as it will a month hence, to be sure. We will call at Mr. Reed's on our return. They are friends of mine, you know, and we will introduce Frank to them, but not leave him there to night.'
'If you think this arrangement best, sister,' said Mr. Courtland, 'I will agree to it, although this will detain me some days longer. It will suit his mother, I imagine, no less than it will Frank.'
Frank felt his Aunt's kindness, and thanked her sincerely for her invitation. He said the plan certainly pleased him; for he expected to feel pretty badly when he went to school.