n breaking
down your self-command. But, as you say you were very unhappy on
Saturday, I have no doubt you did go for comfort to the right Friend,
and that you were happier on Sunday.

"Your sisters do not know that I am writing, as I consider your letter
a secret from everybody but your father, who sends his love. You need
not show this to Phil; but you can give him our love. Your sisters
are counting the days to the holidays; and so are some older members
of the family. As for Harry, he shouts for you from the yard every
day, and seems to think that every shout will bring nearer the happy
time when Phil and you will come home.

"Your affectionate mother,

"Jane Proctor."

Hugh was, of course, very glad of this letter. And he was glad of
something else;--that he had done the very things his mother had
advised. He had engaged Dale not to tempt him on this subject any more.
He had opened his heart to his mother, and obtained her help; and he
had sought a better assistance, and a a higher comfort still. It was so
delightful to have such a letter as this,--to be so understood and
aided, that he determined to tell his mother all his concerns, as long
as he lived. When, in the course of the holidays, he told her so, she
smiled, and said she supposed he meant as long as _she_ lived; for she
was likely to die long before he did. Hugh could not deny this; but he
never liked to think about it:--he always drove away the thought; though
he knew, as his mother said, that this was rather cowardly, and that the
wisest and most loving people in the world remember the most constantly
and cheerfully that friends must be parted for a while, before they can
live together for ever.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

HOLT AND HIS HELP.

Nothing more was heard by Hugh, or any one else, of Lamb's debt. The
creditor himself chose to say nothing about it, so much was he annoyed
at being considered fond of money; but he was sure that Lamb's pockets
were filled, from time to time, as he was seen eating good things in
by-corners when everybody knew that his credit with his companions, and
with all the neighbouring tradespeople, was exhausted. It was
surprising that anybody could care so much for a shilling's worth of
tarts or fruit as to be at the trouble of any concealment, or of
constantly getting out of Hugh's way, rather than pay, and have done
with it. When Lamb was seen munching or skulking, Firth sometimes a