I believe your present fancy will be short-lived, and you will some day wonder that you ever entertained it." Such, however, was not the boy's idea at the time.

His mother might have reason on her side, but it takes more than reason to dissipate a boy's passion for the sea.
"You speak of my becoming a scholar, mother," he said, "but there doesn't seem much chance of it.

I see nothing but work as a carpenter, or on the farm." "You don't know what God may have in store for you, my son.

As you say, there seems no way open at present for you to become a scholar; but if you entertain the desire the way will be open.

Success comes to him who is in earnest." "What, then, do you want me to do, mother! Do you wish me to stay at home ?" "No, for there seems little for you to do here.