"I have no money and no situation."
"That isn't the true reason.
"It is the sole reason which I choose to give."
"There is no necessity to be rude, George," said Mrs. Walker with great dignity. "Cannot you get another situation?"
"Not easily. Tait will give me no references, nor do I care to ask him for any. Situations are hard to get without references."
Mrs. Walker clasped her strong, white hands together and frowned. "It is quite absurd that my son and the son of your father should be a mere clerk in the City," she burst out. "Can't you do something better?"
"No," replied George gloomily. "I am not clever, and I have not been brought up to any trade."
"Trade! Trade! My son in trade."
George was sad enough at heart, yet could not forbear smiling at the horror expressed on her countenance. "There is nothing disgraceful in trade," he remarked quietly. "My grandfather Morse was a merchant."
"And your grandfather Casterton was an earl," snapped Mrs. Walker. "There's your uncle, the present owner of the title. Why not go to him, and see if he cannot assist you?"