AGATHA. Tell me, dear child, how you have passed the five years since
you left me.

FREDERICK. Both good and bad, mother. To day plenty--to-morrow not so
much--And sometimes nothing at all.

AGATHA. You have not written to me this long while.

FREDERICK. Dear mother, consider the great distance I was from
you!--And then, in the time of war, how often letters
miscarry.--Besides ----

AGATHA. No matter now I see you. But have you obtained your discharge?

FREDERICK. Oh, no, mother--I have leave of absence only for two
months; and that for a particular reason. But I will not quit you so
soon, now I find you are in want of my assistance.

AGATHA. No, no, Frederick; your visit will make me so well, that I
shall in a very short time recover strength to work again; and you must
return to your regiment when your furlough is expired. But you told me
leave of absence was granted you for a particular reason.--What reason?

FREDERICK. When I left you five years ago, you gave me every thing you
could afford, and all you thought would be necessary for me. But one
trifle you forgot, which was, the certificate of my birth from the
church-book.--You know in this country there is nothing to be done
without it. At the time of parting from you, I little thought it could
be of that consequence to me which I have since found it would have
been. Once I became tired of a soldier's life, and in the hope I