I should become
intimate with, the whole time of being at school, and perhaps
afterwards, never to say a word about the accident,--or, at least,
about how it happened. Another way is to tell me your mind, as you
have now; for you may be sure that it is my wish that you should
keep your secret, and that I shall always be glad to help you to do
it.

"But, my dear boy, I can do but little, in comparison with the best
Friend you have. He can help you without waiting for your
confidence,--even at the very instant when you are tempted. It is
He who sends these very accidents (as we call them) by which you
have now been saved. Have you thanked Him for saving you this time?
And will you not trust in His help henceforward, instead of
supposing yourself safe, as you now find you are not? If you use
his strength, I feel that you will not fail. If you trust your own
intentions alone, I shall never feel sure of you for a single hour,
nor be certain that the companion you love best may not be your
worst enemy, in 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 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