'If you kept it; but you know, they may be lost.'
'O, I should keep it; never fear that.'
'Well, there are no such things except in fiction. God will protect you my son; and to his protection I willingly trust you; only try yourself to do right. Good night,—day after to-morrow, if the weather is fine, we are to start.'
'So soon, father,' said Frank, and his eyes filled with tears; but neither of his parents spoke of this, though it gave them pleasure to see it.
The next day was a busy scene at Mr. Courtland's; every body was employed in the preparations for the journey. Frank was rejoiced to find, that his father himself intended to take him; as he had proposed his going with a friend, who expected to have occasion to visit Boston about this time. Frank was indebted to his mother for this pleasure. Mr. Courtland found that it would lessen his wife's solicitude at parting with her son, to have his father go with him, and remain a short time, to ascertain whether he was contented; and this decided him to relinquish his first plan.
At the tea table this evening, every one was very sober; even the lively little Ann was silent. After tea, they all went to the piazza to look at the sky, which was brilliant with the setting sun.
'This promises a fair day for our journey,' said Mr. Courtland; 'are you all ready, Frank?' but Frank could not answer; and his mother turned away and went to her own chamber, for she did not wish to let Frank witness the effect of her feelings, lest his heart should fail him, when he came to bid her good bye. In a few minutes, she recovered her self-command, and returning to the parlour, told Frank she should like to call with him, on several of the neighbors, that he might take leave of them; particularly of Sam and his family. All were very sorry that Frank was to quit the village for so long a time. Sam, who, though a manly boy, was not much accustomed to self-control, wept aloud; and said he should have no one to study or to play with.
'I will write you letters, Sam,' said Frank, 'and tell you about all the fine things in Boston, and the school, and what sort of boys there are there. I shall not like any of them, I am sure, as well as I do you. Will you write to me?'
'Yes,' said Sam with more composure.
'Good bye,' said Frank.