For myself he proposed a post in some mercantile concern, for he had much influence in the circles of commerce.

There was nothing for it but to accept gratefully.

We sold our few household goods, and moved to his gloomy house in Dundas Street.

A few days later he announced at dinner that he had found for me a chance which might lead to better things.
'You see, Davie,' he explained, 'you don't know the rudiments of business life.

There's no house in the country that would take you in except as a common clerk, and you would never earn much more than a hundred pounds a year all your days.