Even that, Winthrop shunned; he was cleaning the harness of the wagon, and he took it out into the broad stoop outside of the kitchen door.

His mother and brother and the children soon scattered to other parts of the house.
"So neighbour," said Mr.Underhill, -- "I hear tell one of your sons is goin' off, away from you ?" "Yes," -- said Mr.Landholm, pride and sorrow struggling together in his manner, -- "I believe he is." "Where's he goin' ?" "To Asphodel -- in the first place." "Asphodel, eh?
-- What's at Asphodel ?" "What do you mean ?" "What's he goin' there for ?" "To pursue his studies -- there's an Academy at Asphodel." "An Academy.

-- Hum.

-- And so he's goin' after larnin' is he?
And what'll the farmer do without him to hum ?" "Do the best I can -- send for you, neighbour Underhill." "Ha, ha! -- well, I reckon I've got enough to do to attend to my own." "I guess you don't do much but fish, do you?
-- there under the mountain ?" "Well, you see, I hain't a great deal of ground.

You can't run corn _straight_ up a hill, can you?
-- without somethin' to stand on ?" "Not very well." "There be folks that like that kind o' way o' farming -- but I never did myself." "No, I'll warrant you," said Mr.Landholm, with a little attempt at a laugh.
"Well -- you say there's an Academy at Asphodel; then he aint going to -- a -- what do you call it?
-- Collegiate Institution ?" "No, not just yet; by and by he'll go to College, I expect.