"It is likely," answered John indifferently. "But I should have to give it up if I married—"
"Surely, Mr. Short," cried Mrs. Goddard, with a laugh that cut him to the quick, "you do not think of marrying for many years to come?"
"Oh—I don't know," he said, blushing violently, "why should not I?"
"In the first place, a man should never marry until he is at least five and twenty years old," said Mrs. Goddard, calmly.
"Well—I may be as old as that before I get the fellowship."
"Yes, I daresay. But even then, why should you want to resign a handsome independence as soon as you have got it? Is there anything else so good within your reach?"
"There is the church, of course," said John. "But Miss Nellie seems to think that ridiculous—"
"Never mind Nellie," answered Mrs. Goddard. "Seriously, Mr. Short, do you approve of entering the church merely as a profession, a means of earning money?"
"Well—no—I did not put it in that way. But many people do."
"That does not prove that it is either wise or decent," said Mrs. Goddard. "If you felt impelled to take orders from other motives, it would be different. As I understand you, you are choosing a profession for the sake of becoming independent."