“I don’t know,” said Tom. “I suppose I ought to enter college this Commencement, if I’m going at all this year; and if I wait till next, I ought to be studying or working at something before a great while.”
“And you are sure of going this year or next? Could you not think of anything but college and be satisfied?”
Tom started.
“My father wished me to go to college.”
“I know he did; but, Tom, he is not here now to send you. You have been a brave fellow this last year, and I know you will be brave about what I have to tell you. I have said nothing about money-matters so far, for I wished you to get through school with a quiet mind; but perhaps it is best now to let you understand just how things are. There were some embarrassments in your father’s affairs that he could have overcome if he had lived a year or two longer, but as things were left, they have made a great deal of trouble; and in fact, there does not seem to be the means of carrying out his plans for you. I’m afraid you’ll have to go to work, my boy, without waiting for college or Germany or anything of the kind; and the sooner you can make a man of yourself and get a start in the world, the better it will be for the rest at home.”
Tom took hold of the side of the chaise; it seemed to him that the whole of life had been knocked out from under his feet.
“I can’t think you’ll find business so very bad,” went on Mr. Willoughby, “and I think you’ve got the making of a good business man in you; all you want is a fair chance, and a good send off, to begin with, and that I think I’ve found for you, by good luck. I’ve been making some proposals to the Fenimores, and they are ready to take you in there, and see what you can do for yourself, as soon as you can make up your mind that you’re ready. It isn’t every day that a chance like that opens to a boy of your age, and I rather think you’ll decide to make the most of it.”
Poor Tom! If what Aleck had said to him that day had been a comfort before, he needed to get closer hold of it yet this time.