It is needless to say that he had every attention that a tender mother could bestow, and in time he was restored to health.
During his sickness he had many talks with his mother upon his future prospects, and the course of life upon which it was best for him to enter.

He had not yet given up all thoughts of the sea, he had not forgotten the charms with which a sailor's life is invested in Marryatt's fascinating novels.

His mother listened anxiously to his dreams of happiness on the sea, and strove to fix his mind upon higher things--to inspire him with a nobler ambition.
"What would you have me do, mother ?" he asked.
"If you go back to the canal, my son, with the seeds of this disease lurking in your system, I fear you will be taken down again.

I have thought it over.

It seems to me you had better go to school this spring, and then, with a term in the fall, you may be able to teach in the winter.