e I shall make of my recovered freedom will be -- can you
doubt it? -- to hasten home to my family. My dear family -- they
are closer to me all the time than you think, and for some
weeks past it seems to me they have had half of every thought.
But I will be with you now, Providence willing, by the middle
of the week, I hope, or as soon after as I can.

"The last fortnight has been spent in talking -- we have had a
very stormy discussion of that point I spoke to you of in my
last. The opposition of parties has run very high. It is
gaining fearful ground in the country. I tremble for what may
be the issue.

"I am quite well again. Mr. Haye has been very attentive and
kind, and the Chancellor has shewn himself very friendly.

"I expect Will will be at home as soon as I am myself. I wrote
to him that he had better do so. I cannot afford to keep him
any longer there, and there seems nothing better for him to do
at present but to come home. I hope for better days.

"Love to all till I see you, my dear wife and children,

"W. Landholm.

"My son Winthrop, this word is for you. I am coming home soon
I hope to relieve you of so much care. Meanwhile a word. I
want Sam to go into the north hill-field with the plough, as
soon as he can; I think the frost must be out of the ground
with you. I intend to put wheat there and in the big border
meadow. The bend meadow is in no hurry; it will take corn, I
guess. You had better feed out the turnips to the old black
cow and the two heifers."

The letters were read at last, and folded up, by the
respective hands that held them.

"Well, Will's coming home," the mother said, with half a sigh.

Winthrop did not answer; he made over to her hand the letter
he held in his own.

"The north hill-field is pretty much all ploughed already," he
remarked.

"You're a good farmer, Governor," said his mother. "But I am
afraid that praise doesn't please you."

"Yes it does, mamma," he answered smiling a little.

"But it don't satisfy you?"

"No more than it does you, mamma. It helps my hope of being a
good something else some day."

"I don't care much what you are, Governor, if it is only
something _good_," she said.

He met her grave, wistful eyes, but this time he did not
smile; and a stranger might have thought he was exceedingly
unimpressible. Both were silent a bit.

"Well, it will be good to see them," Mrs. Landholm said, again
with that half sighing breath; "and now we m