"He'll make some stuffy suggestion, no doubt. He can't see me in the gutter very well."
"You must get to work, Mr. Raymond; and I can tell you, as one who knows, that work's only dreaded by them who have never done any. You'll soon find that there's nothing better for the nerves and temper than steady work."
Neddy chaffed Mr. Gurd's sentiments and Raymond said nothing. He was looking in front of him, his mind occupied with personal problems.
Neddy Motyer made another encouraging suggestion.
"There's your aunt, Miss Ironsyde," he said. "She's got plenty of cash, I've heard people say, and she gives tons away in charity. How do you stand with her?"
"Mind your own business, Ned."
"Sorry," answered the other promptly. "Only wanted to buck you up."
"I'm not in need of any bucking up, thanks. If I've got to work, I'm quite equal to it. I've got more brains than Daniel, anyway. I'm quite conscious of that."
"You've got tons more mind than him," declared Neddy.
"And if that's the case, I could do more good, if I chose, than ever
Daniel will."