"And that is perfectly true."
"Ah, well, my son, it only depends upon yourself to see this desire realised."
"What do you mean?"
"Listen to me. Reverses of fortune which closely followed your mother's death, while you were but an infant, left me barely property enough to defray the expenses of your education."
"Yes, my dear father, and the courage and resignation with which you have endured this misfortune have only increased my love and respect for you."
"Our pecuniary condition seems likely to speedily become worse instead of better, I regret to say. With old age fast coming on, and my failing vision, I realise that the day is near at hand when it will be impossible for me to earn even the pittance needed for my support."
"But, father, you may be sure—"
"Of your willing aid, I know that; but your own future is precarious in the extreme. The most you can hope for is to become chief clerk in a notary's office, for it takes money to study a profession, and I am poor."
"Do not worry, father. I shall always be able to earn money enough for us two."
"But what if sickness should come, or some accident should befall either of us, or you should be thrown out of employment for several months, what would become of us then?"