He had less time than on the farm.

Fresh from the plough, he could now and then snatch a half hour of study to some purpose; there was no "fresh from the school." Besides all which, he still found himself or fancied himself needed by his father, and whenever a pinch of work called for it he could not hold back his hand.
"How does it go, Winthrop ?" said his mother when she saw him wearily sitting down one summer night.
"It doesn't go at all, mother." "I was afraid that it would be so." "How does what go ?" said Asahel.
"The school." "_How_ does it go ?" "Upon my head; and I am tired of carrying it." "Don't you like being school-teacher ?" "No." "_I_ do," said Asahel.
"I wouldn't stay in it, Winthrop," said his mother.
"I will not mamma, -- only till winter.

I'll manage it so long." Eight months this experiment was tried, and then Winthrop came back to the farm.

Eight months thrown away! he sadly said to himself.

He was doubly needed at home now, for Mr.Landholm had again been elected to the Legislature; and one of the first uses of Winthrop's freedom was to go with his father to Vantassel and drive the wagon home again.
One thing was gained by this journey.