“To think of your coming to school such a day, when we that live in the house can hardly study at all,” said Henry Alden. Robert Lovell, however, said, “I can understand it: you could not have stayed at home, had you tried. I went one winter nearly as far; but it was not so cold; neither was the snow so deep as this winter.”
I recited my lesson in Mrs. Harlan’s room; and it seemed to me Mr. Harlan was never so kind before. He gave me all the explanations that I needed, and in such a manner that I understood perfectly.
“I trust we shall not have another such a day; but if we do, you must not expose yourself in this way again. Promise me;” and he took both my hands. “It is too great a risk.”
“If you say so,” I answered; “but I shall not like to stay at home.”
“You will study, and I shall not mark you as absent without cause.”
As I was taking my books and making ready to start for home, Mr. Harlan said,
“Jerry will take you home in his sleigh; he has an errand down, and it wont trouble him at all.”
Mrs. Harlan brought out a pair of fur mittens and slipped over mine, and got me a large grey shawl that protected me entirely.
“You need not return them,” said the sweet-voiced woman; “I have been looking all winter for somebody that needed them.” She shook me warmly by the hand, and Mr. Harlan saw me down to the sleigh.
“No right effort is ever lost, Marston; you aim to do what you do well and faithfully, and God will open a path for you when he sees that you can do something better, depend upon it, my son. Thank him for sparing your life, and devote it to his service.”