"On foot?"

"Yes sir."

"And you want half a dozen more to-night?"

"No sir," said Winthrop, smiling, -- "not if I might choose."

"You'll find a day. Your father spoke to me about your
lodgings. You can lodge here, where I do; only twelve
shillings a week. I'll speak to Mrs. Nelson about it; and you
can just make yourself at home. I'm very glad to see you."

'Make himself at home'! Winthrop's heart gave an emphatic
answer, as he drew up a chair the opposite side of the
fireplace. Make himself at home. That might only be done by a
swift transport of thirteen miles. He could not do it, if he
would. Would he, if he could? Nay, he had set his face up the
mountain of learning, and not all the luring voices that might
sound behind and beside him could tempt him to turn back. He
must have the Golden Water that was at the top.

It was necessary to stuff cotton into his ears. Fancy had
obstinately a mind to bring his mother's gentle tread about
him, and to ring the sweet tones of home, and to shew him
pictures of the summer light on the hills, and of the little
snow-spread valley of winter. Nay, by the side of that cold
fireplace, with Mr. Glanbally at one corner and himself at the
other, she set the bright hearth of home, girdled with warm
hearts and hands; a sad break in them now for his being away.