Still, the boy had doubts, and expressed them freely.
"That sounds well," he said; "but how am I to know that I have brain enough to make a college professor, or a minister, or a lawyer ?" "I don't think there is much doubt on that point," said Bates, noting the bright, expressive face, and luminous eyes of the sick boy.

"I should be willing to guarantee your capacity.

Don't you think yourself fit for anything better than a common sailor ?" "Yes," answered James.

"I think I could make a good carpenter, for I know something about that trade already, and I daresay I could make a good trader if I could find an opening to learn the business; but it takes a superior man to succeed in the positions you mention." "There are plenty of men with only average ability who get along very creditably; but I advise you, if you make up your mind to enter the lists, to try for a high place." The boy's eyes sparkled with new ambition.

It was a favorite idea with him afterward, that every man ought to feel an honorable ambition to succeed as well as possible in his chosen path.
"One thing more," added Bates.