'Well, I am sure I shall do that.'
'Not so sure yet, my dear. You have little idea of the trials and temptations you may meet with; you know you cannot bear trials very well, Frank.'
'But I shall learn to bear them. You told father so, last summer, when I broke my flower-pot.'
'You will learn this better away from home,' said Mrs. Courtland; 'and this is another reason why I consent to your absence.'
'I think going from home is to cure me of all my faults.'
'It will afford you the best opportunity of curing them; but after all, this must depend on yourself.'
Although Frank's pleasure at the prospect of seeing the city of Boston, was somewhat damped by the thought of leaving his parents, he was eager to go; and so rapid was his improvement, in consequence of this excitement, that his mother became more and more satisfied it was best for him to leave her; and her selfish desire to retain her son, who was the joy and the occupation of almost all her hours, gave way to her views for his improvement. She could not but perceive, that Frank had some of those little faults to which children brought up in private are peculiarly liable; and she trusted that her religious and moral instructions had sunk too deeply into his heart, to be overpowered by the temptations to which in his new situation, far away from her care, he might be exposed.
Before the weather and roads were sufficiently settled, to venture on so long a journey, Frank was all prepared to depart; he had been very attentive to his lessons, particularly in writing, and although he was but twelve years old, few persons of any age, wrote a better hand.
His mother provided every thing for his comfort and amusement, which affection and a thorough acquaintance with his habits could devise. He was fond of amusing himself with drawing; and could draw remarkably well for his age. His mother made him a neat port-folio, and filled it with paper; and a case for his pencils, pen-knife, &c.; and when she found he was not to set off as soon as she had expected, she employed herself in the evening in filling a book with drawings, which would answer for patterns for him. There were landscapes, animals and flowers, all very simple, but quite pretty and interesting.