He assisted the farmers occasionally in the lighter labors of their farms; helped to make hay; mended the fences; took the horses to water; drove the cows from pasture; and cut wood for the winter fire. He laid aside, too, all the dominant dignity and absolute sway with which he lorded it in his little empire, the school, and became wonderfully gentle and ingratiating. He found favor in the eyes of the mothers, by petting the children, particularly the youngest; and like the lion bold, which whilom so magnanimously the lamb did hold, he would sit with a child on one knee, and rock a cradle with his foot for whole hours together.In addition to his other vocations, he was the singing-master of the neighborhood, and picked up many bright shillings by instructing the young folks in psalmody.
Nang malaman na ipapakasal siya ni Aling Rosa sa binatang si Osmundo, agad na nagkipagisang dibdib si Amelita kay Mauro. Dahil sa pagkabigo, at dahil na rin sa poot sa bunsong anak, umalis si Aling Rosa sa probinsya at nagbakasyon sa mga anak na nasa Maynila. Bagamat doon ay hindi siya inaaasikaso ng mga anak, labis pa rin ang kanyang kaligayahan dahil sa asensong tinatamasa ng mga ito, at ikinakatwiran na lamang sa sarili na talagang abala ang mga taong mauunlad ang buhay. Samantala, sa probinsya, nagdesisyon rin ang binatang si Osmundo na umalis na sa nayon at magtungo sa Estados Unidos. Ngunit bago mangyari ito ay gumawa siya ng maitim na plano laban sa mga bagong kasal.