Here--what's going to become of you, my lad--what are you going to be--soldier like your father ?" "Oh no!" I said.
"What then ?" "I don't know, sir.

I believe I am to wait till my uncles and my father's cousin have settled." "How many of them are to settle it, boy ?" "Four, sir." "Four, eh, my boy! Ah, then I suppose it will take a lot of settling! You'll have to wait." "Yes, sir, I've got to wait," I said.
"But have you no prospects ?" "Oh yes, sir!" I said.

"I believe I have." "Well, what ?" "My uncle Frederick said that I must make up my mind to go somewhere and earn my own living." "That's a nice prospect." "Yes, sir." He was silent for a moment or two, and then smiled.
"Well, you're right," he said.

"It is a nice prospect, though you and I were thinking different things.

I like a boy to make up his mind to earn his living when he is called upon to do it.