'It is not that, Lance, but the disadvantage it might be to you in after-life.'
'If I took to it for good?'
'No, no, Lance; one is enough.'
'Stay. Don't shut me up that way. Recollect what this horrid donothingness is doing for me. I am losing all chance of the exhibition, and they can't keep me on at the Cathedral without, for my voice has got like an old crow's; and besides, if I can't read, what's the good of standing for scholarships?'
'You will feel very differently when your head is stronger. Besides, if there should be anything in what we were told at Ewmouth, it would be a pity to get more involved with trade.'
'I thought that was never to be spoken of.'
'And this is my first time. Don't take it as a licence.'
'I could see the sense of that, if it were you,' said Lance, 'but not for No. 5.'
'No. 1 would have his place and work found for him, but No. 5 might not find it easy to turn to something else.'
'Well!' said Lance, considering, 'you said that possibility was not to make any difference to us. Wouldn't it be making the wrong sort of difference to let it keep a great lout like me in idleness while Bernard is going to the bad?'