“Everything is entailed on the eldest son.”
“And have I nothing?” exclaimed Charles, his manner becoming excited; “what is to become of me, then?”
“You will enter some profession, my dear boy, as your uncle did, and earn your livelihood honourably, I trust.”
“But I am only a boy; how am I to be supported till then?”
“Doubtless either something will be allowed from the property of your brother, or your uncle will—”
“Oh, I can’t stand this!” exclaimed Charles, passionately, springing from his seat, and walking up and down the room in a state of excitement. “To be dependent—that is more than I can bear! It is bad enough to be poor, but to be dependent!”
“Oh, my almost son!” exclaimed the clergyman, with emotion, “does not this very excess of grief at its loss prove that what is taken away would have been a snare to you? May you not reckon in another world amongst your chief mercies that which is now so painful to bear?”
“And all my schemes of usefulness, too!” cried Charles, flinging himself down again upon his chair.
“None can say what a career of usefulness may be before you yet. You may more glorify God, and more benefit man, than had your efforts never been stimulated by the necessity for exertion.”