. These misfortunes, of themselves,
strengthen one's mind. They have some advantages too. You will be a
better scholar for your lameness, I have no doubt. You will read more
books, and have a mind richer in thoughts. You will be more beloved;--
not out of mere pity; for people in general will soon leave off pitying
you, when once you learn to be active again; but because you have kept
faith with your schoolfellows, and shown that you can bear pain. Yes,
you will be more loved by us all; and you yourself will love God more
for having given you something to bear for his sake."

"I hope so,--I think so," said Hugh. "O mother! I may be very happy
yet."

"Very happy; and, when you have once made up your mind to everything,
the less you think and speak about it, the happier you will be. It is
very right for us now, when it is all new, and strange, and painful, to
talk it well over; to face it completely; but when your mind is made up,
and you are a Crofton boy again, you will not wish to speak much of your
own concerns, unless it be to me, or to Agnes, sometimes, when your
heart is full."

"Or to Dale, when you are far off."

"Yes,--to Dale, or some one friend at Crofton. But there is only one
Friend that one is quite sure to get strength from,--the same who has
given strength to all the brave people that ever lived, and comfort to
all sufferers. When the greatest of all sufferers wanted relief, what
did He do?"

"He went by Himself, and prayed," said Agnes.

"Yes, that is the way," observed Hugh, as if he knew by experience.

Mr Shaw presently came, to say that tea was ready.

"I am too big a baby to be carried now," cried Hugh, gaily. "Let me try
if I cannot go alone."

"Why,--there is the step at the parlour-door," said Mr Shaw,
doubtfully. "At any rate, stop till I bring a light."

But Hugh followed close upon his uncle's heels, and was over the step
before his aunt supposed he was half way across the hall. After tea,
his uncle and he were so full of play, that the ladies could hardly hear
one another speak till Hugh was gone to bed, too tired to laugh any
more.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

DOMESTIC MANNERS.

After Mr Proctor had come and was gone, and Mrs Proctor was gone with
him, Hugh began to wonder why Tooke had never paid the visit he had
promised. Several boys had called; some to thank Hugh for balls that he
had quilted; some to see how he got on; and some to bring him Crofton
news. Mr To