at home just now, her mother thought, and
so for a few weeks longer, everything went on as before.

David helped his mother still, doing with skill and success a great many
things which at first he had not liked to do at all. He did not get on
with his studies as he would have wished, partly because he had less
time than usual, and partly because his father was less able to interest
himself in what he was doing. David sometimes grumbled a little to Jem
about it, because he feared he should not find himself so far before Ned
Hunter at the end of the year, as he wished to be; and once he said
something of the kind to his mother. But that was a very small matter,
in her opinion.

"For after all, Davie, my boy, the Greek, and Latin, and mathematics you
are so eager for, are chiefly valuable to you as a means of discipline--
as a means of preparing you for the work that is before you in the
world. And I am not sure but that the discipline of little cares and
uncongenial work that has come upon you this winter, may answer the
purpose quite as well. At any rate, the wish to get on with your
studies for the sake of excelling Ned Hunter, is not very creditable."

"No, mamma. But still I think it is worth something to be able to keep
up with one who has had so much money spent on him, at the best schools,
and I here at home all the time. Don't you think so, mamma?"

"Well!--perhaps so. But the advantages are not all on Ned's side. Your
father's help and interest in all you have been doing, has been worth
more to you than any school could have been."

"That's true, mamma," said Davie, heartily. "And it is not like having
lessons--tasks, I mean--to study with papa. It is pure pleasure. And
that is more than Ned can say, I am afraid," added he, laughing.

"And, besides, I don't think these things would have troubled you much
under any circumstances; and, as I said before, the self-denial you have
had to exercise, may be better for you than even success in your studies
would be."

"Self-denial, mamma! Why, I think we have had a very happy winter, so
far!"

"Indeed, we have! even with some things that we might have wished
different. And, Davie, you must not think you have been losing time. A
boy cannot be losing time, who is being a comfort to his father and
mother. And self-denial is a better thing to learn even than Greek. If
you live long, you will have more use for the one than for the other, I
have no d