"Yes, I do."
As he stood some time lost in thought, John let him alone and began to write, till, thinking he had pondered enough, he looked up and alluded to the business Valentine had come about.
"You may as well tell it me, unless you want to take my father into your council also: he will be here soon."
"No; I thought it would be more right if I spoke to you first, John, before my uncle heard of it," said Valentine.
"Because it is likely to concern me longer?" asked John.
"Yes; you see what I mean; I should like, if uncle and you would let me, to go into the bank; I mean as a clerk—nothing more, of course."
"I should want some time to consider that matter," said John. "I was half afraid you would propose this, Val. It's so like you to take the easiest thing that offers."
"Is it on my account or on your own that you shall take time?"
"On both. So far as you are concerned, it is no career to be a banker's clerk."
"No; but, John, though I hardly ever think of it, I cannot always forget that there is only one life between me and Melcombe."