“From five to six hundred dollars a year, I suppose.”
“Would your mother like to have you go?”
“Very much indeed. She has always wanted it, but I think she really needs my wages now to help her.”
“But you can help her better after you have an education. You could earn more, and you would be an honor to her.”
“Yes, I know of nothing that would make her so happy.”
“Well, my son is young yet, and something may happen which will prevent my sending James to college, so I will send you while I can.”
Hugh’s blue eyes grew moist. He was indeed to have a Christmas present: a four years’ course at college.
“I will come over and talk with your mother about it,” said Mr. Carter.
Hugh hurried home, and entered the cottage quite out of breath. Calling his mother aside, he whispered, “Mother, I have a secret to tell you. Mr. Carter is going to send me to college, and then I can better help you and the rest. Just think of it—to have it happen on Christmas Day! And I never expected it.”
Mrs. Wadsworth could not speak as she folded her boy in her arms and kissed him. What did it matter to her self-sacrificing heart whether she worked early and late, if Hugh could only be educated! True, he would no longer share her humble cottage, and she would miss his help and companionship, but her life was nothing—his was all. If anything in humanity touches divinity, it is motherhood, that loves and sacrifices without hope of reward.