As John quite agreed with him in this view of his position, he remained silent.
Valentine went on, "First, my going to Cambridge came to nothing on account of my health. Then a month ago, as I didn't want to go and live out in New Zealand by myself, couldn't in fact, the New Zealand place was transferred to Liz, and she and Dick are to go to it, Giles saying that he would give me a thousand pounds instead of it. I shall not take that, of course."
"Because he will want his income for himself," John interrupted.
Valentine proceeding, "And now since I left off learning to farm,—for that's no use here,—I've got nothing on earth to do."
"Have you thought of anything yet?"
"Yes."
"Well, out with it."
"John," remarked Valentine, as the shadow of a smile flitted across John's face, "you always seem to me to know what a fellow is thinking of! Perhaps you would not like such a thing,—wouldn't have it?"
John observed that he was getting a little less gloomy as he proceeded.
"But whether or not, that two thousand pounds will help me to some career, certainly, and entirely save me from what I could not bear to think of, her knowing that I was dependent on Giles, and despising me for it."