se of the week.

Mrs Proctor was in the midst of her Monday morning's business (and
Monday morning was the busiest of the week), when she received Hugh's
letter. Yet she found time to answer it by the very next post. When
her letter was handed to Hugh, with the seal unbroken, because `private'
was written large on the outside, we thought she was the kindest mother
that ever was, to have written so soon, and to have minded all his
wishes. Her letter was,--

"Dear Hugh,

"There was nothing in your letter to surprise me at all; for I
believe, if all our hearts were known, it would be found that we have
every one been saved from doing wrong by what we call accident. The
very best people say this of themselves, in their thanksgivings to
God, and their confessions to one another. Though you were very
unhappy on Saturday, I am not sorry that these things have happened,
as I think you will be the safer and the wiser for them. You say you
never till then felt the least afraid of telling. Now you know the
danger; and that is a good thing. I think you will never again see
that boy (whoever he may be), without being put upon your guard.
Still, we are all sadly forgetful about our duty; and, if I were you,
I would use every precaution against such a danger as you have
escaped,--it makes me tremble to think how narrowly. If I were you, I
would engage any friend I should become intimate with, the whole time
of being at school, and perhaps afterwards, never to say a word about
the accident,--or, at least, about how it happened. Another way is to
tell me your mind, as you have now; for you may be sure that it is my
wish that you should keep your secret, and that I shall always be glad
to help you to do it.

"But, my dear boy, I can do but little, in comparison with the best
Friend you have. He can help you without waiting for your
confidence,--even at the very instant when you are tempted. It is He
who sends these very accidents (as we call them) by which you have now
been saved. Have you thanked Him for saving you this time? And will
you not trust in His help henceforward; instead of supposing yourself
safe, as you now find you are not? If you use His strength, I feel
that you will not fail. If you trust your own intentions alone, I
shall never feel sure of you for a single hour, nor be certain that
the companion you love best may not be your worst enemy, i