"From eighty-five to two hundred pounds in the Excise, which is the service I recommend. I have been making inquiries about it this morning. A parishioner of mine is sending his son in for it. The lad is to attend classes at Exeter Hall, under the auspices of the Young Men's Christian Association, and I understand that mensuration is the only really difficult subject. What I propose to do, Henry, is to present you to-morrow with a ticket for the course of these classes which commences next week."
"You are very kind, Uncle Spencer——"
Mr. Walthew waved his hand as though not totally unaware of it.
"But——"
"But what?" cried Uncle Spencer.
"I believe before very, very long I should make as much money with my pen."
"You decline my offer?"
"I am exceedingly grateful for it."
"Yet you elect to go on writing rubbish for an extremely vulgar paper for the rest of your days."
"Not for the rest of my days, I hope, Uncle Spencer. I mean it to be a stepping-stone to better things."