“Say,” he said, “I’ve been thinking a good deal while I’ve been away this last time.”
“Glad to hear it, I’m sure,” replied his uncle, dryly.
“Yes. I’ve been thinking—about a good many things. I’m flat broke; down and out, so far as money is concerned. That’s so, isn’t it?”
Captain Elisha looked at him keenly for an instant. Then:
“It appears that way, I’m afraid,” he answered. “What made you ask?”
“Nothing. I wasn’t asking, really; I was just stating the case. Now, the way I look at it, this college course of mine isn’t worth while. You’re putting up for it, and I ought to be much obliged; I am, of course.”
“You’re welcome, Stevie.”
“I know; but what’s the use of it? I’ve got to go to work when it’s over. And the kind of work I want to do doesn’t need university training. I’m just wasting time; that’s what I’m doing.”
“Humph! I ain’t so sure about that. But what sort of work do you want to do?”
“I want to be down on the Street, as the governor was. If this Rubber Company business hadn’t knocked us out, I intended, as soon as I was of age, to take that seat of his and start in for myself. Well, that chance has gone, but I mean to get in some way, though I have to start at the foot of the ladder. Now why can’t I leave college and start now? It will be two years gained, won’t it?”