It's so like you to take the easiest thing that offers." "Is it on my account or on your own that you shall take time ?" "On both.

So far as you are concerned, it is no career to be a banker's clerk." "No; but, John, though I hardly ever think of it, I cannot always forget that there is only one life between me and Melcombe." "Very true," said John coolly; "but if it is ill waiting for a dead man's shoes, what must it be waiting for a dead child's shoes ?" "I do not even wish or care to be ever more than a clerk," said Valentine; "but that, I think, would fill up my time pleasantly." "Between this and what ?" "Between this and the time when I shall have finally decided what I will do.

I think eventually I shall go abroad." John knew by this time that he would very gladly not have Valentine with him, or rather under him; but an almost unfailing instinct, where his father was concerned, assured him that the old man _would_ like it.
"Shall I speak to my father about it for you ?" he said.
"No, John, by no means, if you do not like it.

I would not be so unfair as let him have a hint of it till you have taken the time you said you wanted." "All right," said John; "but where, in case you became a clerk here, do you propose to live ?" "Dick A'Court lived in lodgings for years," said Valentine, "so does John A'Court now, over the pastrycook's in the High Street." "And you think you could live over the shoemaker's ?" "Why not ?" "I have often met Dick meekly carrying home small parcels of grocery for himself.

I should like to catch you doing anything of the sort!" "I believe I can do anything now I have learned to leave off quoting.