"I will be a man in spite of it all," flashed through his brain. Aloud he said:—
"I will be very glad to try the work."
"Very well. When can you begin?"
"Now."
Mr. Metcalf smiled.
"All right. A lad so prompt is the lad for me. But I had imagined another sort of fellow,—not so energetic, indeed."
"I've not been worth much. I've been lazy and selfish; but I mean to turn over a new leaf. I'll try to be useful, and if I fail—I fail."
"But you'll not fail. God never sent anybody into this world for whom He did not provide a place, a duty. You will succeed. You may even get to 'the top,' that roomy plane where there are so few competitors. I want you to count me your friend. I, too, am a self-made man. There are few obstacles one cannot conquer, given good health and determination."
Then once more the employer's gaze rested upon the crutches, and his heart misgave him that he had roused ambitions which could not be realized. The poor cripple was handicapped from the start by his infirmity.