Little his father knew what he had been about.

_He_ thought his son had been "getting a little schooling;" he had no notion he had begun to fit himself for College! Just as they reached the river, at a little hamlet under the hill at the foot of the north bay, where the road branched off to skirt the face of the tableland towards the home promontory, the wagon was stopped by Mr.Underhill.He came forward and unceremoniously rested both arms upon the tire of the fore wheel.
"Mornin'.

Where' you been ?" "A little way back.

'Been to Asphodel, to fetch my son Winthrop home." "Asphodel?
-- that's a good way back, ain't it ?" "Well, a dozen miles or so," said Mr.Landholm laughing.
"Has he been to the 'cademy too ?" "Yes -- for a little while back, he has." "What are you going to make of your sons, neighbour Landholm ?" "Ah! -- I don't know," said Mr.Landholm, touching his whip gently first on one side and then on the other side of his off horse; -- "_I_ can't make much of 'em -- they've got to make themselves." Neighbour Underhill gave a sharp glance at Winthrop and then came back again.
"What do you reckon's the use of all this edication, farmer ?" "O -- I guess it has its uses," said Mr.Landholm, smiling a little bit.
"Well, do you s'pose these boys are goin' to be smarter men than you and I be ?" "I hope so." "You do! Well, drive on! -- " said he, taking his arms from the top of the wheel.

But then replacing them before the wagon had time to move -- "Where's Will ?" "Will?
he's at Little River -- doing well, as I hear." "Doing what?
getting himself ready for College yet ?" "Yes -- he isn't ready yet." "I say, neighbour, -- it takes a power of time to get these fellows ready to begin, don't it ?" "Yes," said Mr.Landholm with a sigh.
"After they're gone you calculate to do all the work yourself, I s'pose ?" "O I've only lost one yet," said Mr.Landholm shaking the reins; "and he'll help take care of me by and by, I expect.