The idea that other people should be telling his boy about matters which he declined informing him upon was a blow to the doctor's self-respect, and his sense of propriety, too, for he knew what class of people Jack would be likely to apply to for information, and the nature of the answers which would be given. The doctor pondered a little while, and then said:
"Jack, how would you like to learn a trade? You could be with me in the evenings, you know."
"What sort of a trade?" said Jack.
"Whatever you like," said the doctor, "I wouldn't for anything have you at any that was distasteful to you. You certainly like to use tools—you have ruined all of mine in various ways."
"I think I'd like to be a carpenter," said Jack.
"Then you shall," said the doctor. "If you like it, and stick to it, I'll set you up as a builder when you learn it, but the moment you grow sick of it I want you to let me know. You are smart enough to become a good architect, and that's a more profitable profession than mine."
"May I have tools of my own?" asked Jack.
"Yes," replied his father, "the best that money can buy. And I will go right away and find some one who will teach you."
The doctor went straightway to the best builder in the neighborhood, and had the proposition civilly but promptly declined.
"Every boy I ever took managed to ruin all my best tools within a year," explained the builder, "to say nothing of the lumber which he worked up into fancies of his own, and ruined by failures of one sort and another."