"The idea of putting a boy like you over a farm!" returned Mrs.
Roxana, in an uncompromising tone. "I did think your father had
more sense. It's the most shiftless thing I ever knew him to do.
How does your poor mother feel about it?"

"She doesn't seem as much disturbed about it as you do, Mrs.
Mason," said Frank, rather impatiently; for he felt that Mrs.
Mason had no right to interfere in his father's arrangements.

"Well, well, we'll see!" said Mrs. Roxana, shaking her head
significantly. "If you'll look in your Bible, you'll read about
'the haughty spirit that goes before a fall.' I'm sure I wish you
well enough. I hope that things'll turn out better'n they're like
to. Tell your mother I'll come over before long and talk with her
about it."

Frank inwardly hoped that Mrs. Roxana wouldn't put herself to any
trouble to call, but politeness taught him to be silent.

Leaving Mrs. Mason's gate, he kept on his way to school, but had
hardly gone half a dozen rods before he met an old lady, whose
benevolent face indicated a very different disposition from that
of the lady he had just parted with.

"Good morning, Mrs. Chester," said Frank cordially, recognizing
one of his mother's oldest friends.

"Good morning, my dear boy," was the reply. "I hear your father
is going to the war."