`` Willard has to work like a slave , and yet with all his efforts he can barely pay the interest on the mortgage . And Ray ought to go to college . But I do n't see how we can ever manage . To be sure , he wo n't be ready until next fall , but we wo n't have the money then any more than now . It would take every bit of a hundred and fifty dollars to fit him out with books and clothes , and pay for board and tuition at the academy . If he could just have a year there he could teach and earn his own way through college . But we might as well hope for the moon as one hundred and fifty dollars . '' Sara sighed again . She was only eighteen , but she felt very old . Willard was nineteen , and Willard had never had a chance to be young . His father had died when he was twelve , and he had run the farm since then , he and Sara together indeed , for Sara was a capital planner and manager and worker . The little mother had died two years ago , and the household cares had all fallen on Sara 's shoulders since . Sometimes , as now , they pressed very heavily , but a talk with Willard always heartened her up . Willard had his blue spells too , but Sara thought it a special Providence that their blue turns never came together . When one got downhearted the other was always ready to do the cheering up . Sara was glad to hear Willard whistling when he drove into the lane ; it was a sign he was in good spirits . He pulled up , and Sara climbed into the wagon . `` Things go all right today , Sally ? '' he asked cheerfully . `` There was a letter from Aunt Josephina , '' answered Sara , anxious to get the worst over , `` and she wants to come to Maple Hollow for the winter .
I thought at first we just could n't have her , but I decided to leave it XXXXX you . ''
If as at for of than that through to with