"Exactly. I don't mean for you to go back to Granville. I am going to open a real-estate office in Chicago, and I shall want a clerk. I understand that you take to that sort of thing."
"I don't believe I'll take to clerking for you," returned Robert bluntly.
"Ahem! That is rather harsh of you, Robert. I mean to do well by you. Why not take a fresh start? I am sure we shall get along very well together."
"Are you going to give up the office you opened in Granville?"
"Not just yet. But I may in the future—after the office here is in full blast. I expect to make a big thing of the business here."
"A big business here means the investment of a lot of money," said the boy shrewdly. "Where is that to come from?"
"Never mind about the money. It will be forthcoming as it is needed."
"Is my mother going to let you have some of her money?"
"If she did, it would be no more than right that she should depend upon her husband in her investments."
"I wouldn't advise her to depend upon you. With your own money you can do as you please, but I don't think you ought to touch any of her funds."