To the question of his mother-- "What can you do, child ?" an answer came not so readily.
"Oh, I can do a great many things," was easily said; but, even in saying so, a sense of inability followed the first thought of what he should do, that the declaration awakened.
The will impels, and then the understanding seeks for the means of effecting the purposes of the will.

In the case of young Hiram, thought followed affection.

He pondered for many days over the means by which he was to aid his mother.

But the more he thought, the more conscious did he become, that in the world, he was a weak boy.

That however strong might be his purpose, his means of action were limited.