"For what?" asked Nat, with great surprise.
"To work in the factory to be sure. He wants a 'bobbin boy' very much, and thinks that you will make a good one; what do you say to it?"
"You didn't tell him that I would go, did you?"
"Well, your father and I have talked the matter over, and concluded that it will be necessary for you to do something for a living. We are poor, and your father does not see how he can support the family and keep you in school. The agent will give you two dollars a week, and this will be a great help to us."
"You can't mean, mother, that I am not to go to school any more?" inquired Nat.
"We do not know what may yet transpire in your favor, but for the present, at least, your schooling must cease."
Nat was almost overcome at this announcement, and his lips fairly quivered. His mother felt as badly as he did, though she exerted herself to conceal her emotion. At length she went on to say,
"I do not expect you will accede to this plan without a struggle with your love of study, but if it is best for us all that you should leave school and work in a factory, you can do it cheerfully, can you not?"
"I can do it," answered Nat, "but not cheerfully."
"I did not mean exactly that, when I spoke; for I expect you will do it only because our necessities make that change best."