nless all are willing in some degree
to relinquish their own gratification for the sake of others, there will
surely be trouble. So Lewie found at Stanwick; so at the next school,
and the next; for as he became dissatisfied with one and unpopular
there, he removed to another, his poor mother following his fortunes
everywhere. Many were the kind and remonstrating letters which Lewie
received during these three years of change, from his lovely sister, but
the affectionate advice contained in them as to an endeavor to gain
command over his temper, and in regard to his treatment of his mother,
seemed to have no permanent effect.

All this time, wherever he went, he ranked' among the highest as to his
scholarship, and at the age of sixteen he entered college at C----,
about ten or fifteen miles from Hillsdale. By the time they were fairly
established at C----, Mrs. Elwyn's health completely failed. Lewie's
time much taken up with his college duties, and even if it had not been,
he was not one to wait with patience upon the humors of a nervous and
fretful invalid; and the greater part of the time was spent by Mrs.
Elwyn in loneliness and repining.

And now her thoughts turned often, and rested almost fondly upon the
memory of her long neglected daughter. Oh! for such a kind and gentle
nurse and companion to be ever near her, to minister to her wants and
soothe her lonely hours. The more she thought of her, the more she
longed for her presence, and it was soon after Agnes left Mrs.
Arlington's and returned to Brook Farm, that she received with delight a
summons to come to her mother at C----. The idea that her mother really
_wished_ for her, and that she could be in any degree useful to her,
made her heart bound with joy; and then, too, the idea of being so near
her brother, to endeavor to exercise a restraining influence upon him,
was happiness in itself for Agnes.

She found her mother greatly changed: anxiety of mind and bodily
suffering had worn upon her, till her face, which might still have been
young and blooming, was faded and wrinkled. She was glad to see Agnes,
only because now she could be _useful_ to her; and Agnes often found her
whole stock of patience brought into requisition, in endeavoring to
gratify the changing whims and fancies of a nervous invalid. Lewie was
in ecstasies at his sister's arrival; for he did dearly love Agnes, and
he now passed all his leisure time at his mother's room. Agnes thought
him