For his sake she determined to treat the boy, who seemed cast by Providence upon her protection, as a son.
To begin with, Phil was carried to the village tailor, where an ample wardrobe was ordered for him.

His old clothes were not cast aside, but kept in remembrance of his appearance at the time he came to them.

It was a novel sensation for Phil, when, in his new suit, with a satchel of books in his hand, he set out for the town school.

It is needless to say that his education was very defective, but he was far from deficient in natural ability, and the progress he made was so rapid that in a year he was on equal footing with the average of boys at his age.

He was able at that time to speak English as fluently as his companions, and, but for his dark eyes, and clear brown complexion, he might have been mistaken for an American boy.
His popularity with his schoolfellows was instant and decided.