Lincoln himself was not so easily satisfied. His mind as well as
his muscles hungered for work, and he confided to Mentor Graham,
possibly with some diffidence, his "notion to study English
grammar." Instead of laughing at him, Graham heartily encouraged
the idea, saying it was the very best thing he could do. With
quickened zeal Lincoln announced that if he had a grammar he
would begin at once at this the schoolmaster was obliged to
confess that he knew of no such book in New Salem. He thought,
however, that there might be one at Vaner's, six miles away.
Promptly after breakfast the next morning Lincoln set out in
search of it. He brought the precious volume home in triumph, and
with Graham's occasional help found no difficulty in mastering
its contents. Indeed, it is very likely that he was astonished,
and even a bit disappointed, to find so little mystery in it. He
is reported to have said that if this was a "science," he thought
he would like to begin on another one. In the eyes of the
townspeople, however, it was no small achievement, and added
greatly to his reputation as a scholar. There is no record of any
other study commenced at this time, but it is certain that he
profited much by helpful talks with Mentor Graham, and that he
borrowed every book the schoolmaster's scanty library was able to
furnish.
Though outwardly uneventful, this period of his life was both
happy and profitable.
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