"Then you have traveled?" said Frank, looking interested.

"Yes. I have visited most of the countries of Europe."

"Have you been in Rome?" inquired Frank.

"Yes. Are you interested in Rome?"

"Who could help it, sir? I should like to see the Capitol, and the Via Sacra, and the Tarpeian Rock, and the Forum--and, in fact, Rome must be full of objects of interest. Who knows but I might tread where Cicero, and Virgil, and Caesar had trodden before me?"

Henry Morton looked at the boy who stood beside him with increased interest. "I see you are quite a scholar," he said. "Where did you learn about all these men and places?"

"I have partly prepared for college," answered Frank; "but my father went to the war some weeks since, and I am staying at home to take charge of the farm, and supply his place as well as I can."

"It must have been quite a sacrifice to you to give up your studies?" said his companion.