Duties and responsibilities were ever in his thoughts.

Pleasure was but another name for sin, and a weakness of character an evil not to be tolerated.
Enough, for our present purpose, can be seen of the character of Andrew Howland in this brief outline.

As our story advances, it will appear in minuter shades, and more varied aspects.

Seven years from the day of his marriage we will introduce him to the reader.
"What _shall_ I do with this boy ?" said Mr.Howland.He spoke sternly, yet in a perplexed voice, while he walked the floor of the room with a quickness of tread unusual.

"If something is not done to break him into obedience he will be ruined." "He needs all our forbearance," Mrs.Howland ventured to remark, "as well as our care and solicitude." "Forbearance! I have no forbearance toward wrong, Esther.