Of course, if you came with me it would be as a partner, but--" "No," said John, "I should be a poor substitute for old Melig for a good while, I fancy." "My idea would be," said Mr.Lenox, "that you should undertake a profession--say the law.

It is a fact that the great majority of men fail in business, and then most of them, for lack of training or special aptitude, fall into the ranks of clerks and subordinates.

On the other hand, a man who has a profession--law, medicine, what not--even if he does not attain high rank, has something on which he can generally get along, at least after a fashion, and he has the standing.

That is my view of the matter, and though I confess I often wonder at it in individual cases, it is my advice to you." "It would take three or four years to put me where I could earn anything to speak of," said John, "even providing that I could get any business at the end of the time." "Yes," said his father, "but the time of itself isn't of so much consequence.

You would be living at home, and would have your allowance--perhaps," he suggested, "somewhat diminished, seeing that you would be here--" "I can get on with half of it," said John confidently.
"We will settle that matter afterward," said Mr.Lenox.
They sat in silence for some minutes, John staring thoughtfully at the table, unconscious of the occasional scrutiny of his father's glance.