When dinner was over Mr. Goldwin and the two boys repaired to the library. After a little preliminary talk the former said,
“I am contemplating going into business again.”
“Your old business?” asked Herbert.
“Yes,” replied Mr. Goldwin, rather deliberately, resting comfortably in his easy chair and toying with his eye glasses. “I am better fitted for that than any other. But my object is not wholly to make money, though of course there is always pleasure in doing so. My purpose is rather to provide myself with some light employment that would interest me, but which would not be too severe a tax upon my strength. I have also a secondary object in this connection,” he continued, addressing Herbert, “and that is a desire to put you and Bob in the way of entering a first class brokerage business much sooner than you could hope to if left to your own efforts. I have watched both of you carefully and with the keenest interest. The ability you have each shown in conducting your stamp brokerage convinces me that you are capable of moving up higher, and therefore it gives me pleasure to offer you an interest in the business that I am about to start.”
“But the money!” exclaimed both boys, speaking at once and almost doubting their own senses, yet expressing in their looks thanks more eloquent than words could have conveyed.
“The money question can be arranged all right,” replied Mr. Goldwin. “I can supply the necessary sum in excess of your capital.”
“I can hardly realize such an opportunity as open to us,” said Herbert, adding words of warmest thanks.
“Neither can I,” remarked Bob, no less expressive in his gratitude to Mr. Goldwin.
“Doubtless it is a surprise to you,” replied the latter; “but the idea has been growing with me for several months, and now I am ready to make you this proposition. You of course know that you are not old enough to become legal partners. It will therefore be necessary to conduct the business under my own name, and as this was my old business name it will be better than a new one.”
“We certainly shall not object to that,” said Herbert; “but how can we become members of the firm if not legal partners?”