He found Uncle Leopold at his secretary, austere and domineering.
“Take a seat.” He said this in a commanding tone.
Albert sat down, feeling the worthlessness of life more keenly.
“I have something of the gravest importance to say to you,” Uncle Leopold commenced, his eyes averted. He then paused.
Albert caught his breath and waited.
“It’s about your general conduct,” he snapped. “They tell me awful things about you.”
“I’ll try to be careful about my work in the bank,” Albert said contritely. For the moment Albert’s pride was gone. His pride would always sink with the rejection of his manuscripts.
“I don’t care so much about your work,” the banker said with an irritable wave of his hand. “These mistakes can be corrected. It’s your life mistakes. No one but yourself can correct those.”
The banker again paused. Albert looked at his uncle puzzled. He could not fathom the cause of the present complaint.
“You have been seen in bad company,” the banker resumed in a more serious tone. “The nephew of Leopold Zorn must not bee seen running around with dissolute women.”