your
mind. You are so young that we are sorry for you, and mean to send you
where the example of other boys may give you the resolution you want so
much."

"All the boys learn their lessons at Crofton," observed Hugh.

"Yes; but not by magic. They have to give their minds to their work. You
will find it painful and difficult to learn this, after your idle habits
at home. I give you warning that you will find it much more difficult
than you suppose; and I should not wonder if you wish yourself at home
with Miss Harold many times before Christmas."

Mrs. Proctor was not unkind in saying this. She saw that Hugh was so
delighted about going that nothing would depress his spirits, and that
the chief fear was his being disappointed and unhappy when she should be
far away. It might then be some consolation to him to remember that she
was aware of what he would have to go through. He now smiled, and said
he did not think he should ever wish to say his lessons to Miss Harold,
as long as he lived. Then it quickly passed through his mind that,
instead of the leads and the little yard, there would be the playground;
and instead of the church bells, the rooks; and instead of Susan with
her washing and combing, and scolding and kissing, there would be plenty
of boys to play with. As he thought of these things, he started up, and
toppled head over heels on the grass, and then was up by his mother's
side again, saying that he did not care about anything that was to
happen at Crofton;--he was not afraid,--not even of the usher, though
Phil could not bear him.

"If you can bring yourself to learn your lessons well," said his mother,
"you need not fear the usher. But remember, it depends upon that. You
will do well enough in the playground, I have no doubt."

After this, there was only to settle the time that was to pass--the
weeks, days, and hours before Michaelmas-day; and whether these weeks
and days should be employed in preparing for Crofton under Miss Harold,
or whether he should take his chance there unprepared as he was. Mrs.
Proctor saw that his habits of inattention were so fixed, and his
disgust at lessons in the parlour so strong, that she encouraged his
doing no lessons in the interval. Hugh would have said beforehand that
three weeks' liberty to read voyages and travels, and play with Harry,
would have made him perfectly happy; but he felt that there was some
disgrace mixed up with his holiday, and that everybody would