“Yes; but ’tisn’t a right every boy goes in for. I meant to be a farmer, and my father set his heel upon that notion, and said I must be a doctor,” said Dick.
“Well?” and Oscar waited to hear more.
“I shall be a doctor; no good comes of a boy going on trying to go against his father’s way or will.”
[p82]
“No,” said the other, somewhat taken aback; “a father is different from an uncle.”
“Yes,” was Dick’s retort. “I suppose an uncle would expect a little more yielding of number one to number two.”
“Why?” growled Oscar, not liking Dick’s views of the case.
“Because of gratitude. I suppose gratitude ought to have a voice with a fellow about his father’s wishes; but it ought to have two voices with those of an uncle playing a father’s part.”
“Well, an uncle’s wish ought not to make one wreck one’s life; and that’s what I shall do if I am a farmer.”
“Phew! you’d be more likely to be wrecked as a sailor now,” replied Dick loftily.
“Well, I mean to stand up for my rights,” contended Oscar.