"I am not so very young, mother. I am old enough to make my way."
"So your father says, and I have yielded to his judgment; but, Tom, I don't know how to let you go."
There were tears in Mrs. Nelson's eyes as she spoke. Tom was moved, and if he needed anything to strengthen him in the good resolutions he had formed, his mother's emotion supplied it.
"You sha'n't regret giving your consent, mother," he said manfully, and, rising from his seat, he went to his mother and kissed her.
"Mary," said Mr. Nelson, "you haven't answered my question. How long will it take to get Tom ready? If he is to go, he may as well start as soon as possible."
"Let me see," said Mrs. Nelson, "how many shirts have you got, Tom?"
"Five."
"Are they all in good order?"
"I believe one needs mending."
"I don't know whether that will be enough," said Mrs. Nelson doubtfully.