"Of course I do!"
"And those who receive twice—nay, three times your salary do no more."
"That is true," answered the boy, thoughtfully, "but then I am so young!"
"But you have more abilities than many of those above you who are far better paid."
"Do you think so—really think so, Mr. Leicester?" said the youth, blushing with honest pleasure.
"I never say what I do not think!" answered the crafty man with quiet dignity, and keeping his eyes fixed upon the boy, for he was reading every impulse of that warm young heart. "You have abilities of a high order, industry, talent, everything requisite for success—but remember, Robert, the reward for those qualities comes slowly as society is regulated, and sometimes never comes at all. The rich blockhead often runs far in advance of the poor genius."
The youth looked grave. A spirit of discontent was creeping into his heart. "I thought that with integrity and close application, I should be sure to succeed like others," he said, "but I suppose poverty will stand in the way. Strange that I did not see that before."
"See what, Robert?"
"Why, that starting poor I am only the more likely to be kept in poverty. I remember now one of our clerks, no older than I am, was promoted only last week. His father was a rich man, and it was whispered that he would sometime be a junior partner in the concern."
"You see, then, what money can do."