CHAPTER IV.
DOMINIC'S SCHOOL CAREER AT CASTELNUOVO D'ASTI. TRIALS AND DIFFICULTIES. HIS TREATMENT OF EVIL COUNSEL. HIS MASTER'S ENCOMIUM.
AS his early studies were now completed, Dominic should have been sent away to a higher school for more advanced classes, which a small country place could not provide. He was very desirous that this should be arranged, and his parents were greatly in favour of it, but their condition did not allow of the realisation of such ambitious plans. Divine Providence, however, intended to provide the means, so that the boy might attain the end appointed for him.
Dominic had often said in his playful manner: "If I were a bird I should like to fly every morning to Castelnuovo d'Asti so as to go on with my studies."
His eager desire to continue his studies made him overcome all difficulties, and it was arranged that he should attend the Municipal schools, although they were two miles away from his home. He had to walk there and back; he was not yet
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