' I couldn't help laughing. The axe was over the
other side of the bog, and the snake began to stretch himself out and
slide along. I brought my boot-heel down once or twice on his head, about
as quick and strong as I could make it. I killed him. It's a good sign to
kill a snake, teacher. It's a good sign to dream of killing one; but you
come across one so, accidentally, and kill it, and it's sure to bring
good luck, Granny says."

"That's more significant than a great many of your signs and symbols," I
said. "That means that you will slay the tempter in your path, and be
successful in overcoming difficulties. In short, it means that whatever
there has been to divert you, you are coming back to the resolve to study
and improve yourself; to be all the stronger for having a few chance
obstacles to dispose of."

Luther's head began to droop a little. I thought it was time that the
melancholy atmosphere of the room should have begun to exercise its usual
depressive effect on his spirits.

"You think I don't like the books, teacher," he said. "I do, but there's
most always something else to be doing. Father's lame. He can't do any
work, and there's the rest to take care of. First, I sat up nights to
study, then I got so sleepy I couldn't. But I'd got so in the habit of
coming in to talk a little while after you got home from school, teacher,
that I--I forgot to forget it. Have I been a great bother to you? You've
been real good. I don't want you to think I forget that. And if I'd had a
chance at the books early, or to push right along with 'em now, I might
make out something in that line."

Luther did not speak complainingly, nor even with hopeless regret. He
rose and stretched himself, with solemn satisfaction, to the extent of
his goodly proportions.

"But I'm a man now, teacher," he said. "I shall be twenty in June, and
life is short. A man hasn't got time for everything. He'd be a fool to
waste it crying for what he didn't happen to have. He'd better push
along and work for the best. I meant to tell you. I'm going to sea,
teacher! I'm going trading. I was down to New Bedford, to see Captain
Sparhauk yesterday, for I was out with him once before, and got a good
deal of the hang of the business then; and he offered me a place on his
ship next time he sails."

Luther stood with flushed face, regarding me with a bright restless look
of inquiry in his eyes.

"Are you going away, really, Luther? I'm very sorry!" I said