"Kitty says you want to go to school," so the letter ran; "if you do, save up your money for that.

Your poor father had a notion that you would make a scholar; I think it would please him if you did." Surely he could not wish for a kinder, more thoughtful letter than this; coming from his _mother_, too! she must have changed much, as well as himself.

But this very letter had greatly unsettled his quiet life; the old longing to give himself up to study, to prepare for the ministry, had broken loose, and well-nigh overwhelmed him with its power.

He wanted it, oh, so much! it had grown strong, instead of weak, during these three years.

But what to do, and how to do it?
That was the question.