“That is bad, and you will have to hit upon something else. Have you ever tried book-keeping?”
“No, sir. That is altogether too confining a business for me. I want to have something to do so that I can get out of doors once in a while. A person would die for the want of exercise.”
“Well, I don’t know what you will go at,” said his uncle, looking down at the floor. “Book-keeping is a very nice business, and if you are careful to save your money it will last you until you take a full course at some commercial college.”
“I shall not try book-keeping, and that is out of the question.”
“Didn’t your father prepare you for any business in life?”
“No, sir. He had always got through his life without being educated for any business, and he thought that I could do the same.”
“Your father made a bad mistake—I will say that much for him.”
“Have you educated Carl for any business?” asked Claude, who kept growing angrier the longer the conversation continued.
“Yes; he will be able to attend to the stock business after I am gone. I had hoped to prepare you for the same business, but I see you don’t like it. If you will wait two or three weeks I will send some one down to show you the way to the fort,” said Mr. Preston, getting upon his feet.
This was a hint that his uncle had said all he wanted to say on the subject, and Claude at once started out after his horse.