'It may be next, father;' said Frank; 'but I think there will be a long, long way between mother and Mrs. Reed, or Mrs. any body else. Am I to go so soon?'
'Not immediately; your mother tells me, she wishes you to write a better hand, to spell correctly, and to get on a little more, in arithmetic first.'
'O, I will be very industrious,' said Frank. 'Why did you not tell me about this plan, mother, when you urged me to study, and said you had a good reason for wishing me to get longer lessons than I had done before?'
'Because,' answered his mother, 'the plan was not decided on; and I hoped my asking it would be the strongest inducement I could offer.'
'Well, I did try, but I should have tried more, if I had known that I was going where all the boys knew so much.'
'This is one reason why I consent to your going,' said his mother. 'I find you do not learn as fast, as with your talents you ought; because you have not the ambition or the sympathy, by which you would be excited, among a number of boys of your own age.'
'Mother, why do you look so sober;' said Frank; 'are you sorry I am going. Father won't send me, unless you consent.'
'I have consented, Frank; because I think it will be for your advantage to go; but I cannot feel happy when I think of parting with you.'
'O mother, don't speak about parting; I shall never be able to go, if you do,—if my staying with you makes you happy, I don't think I ought to go.'
'If you do well and learn fast, and continue as good and innocent as you now are; this will make me happier than even keeping you at home.'