“You ought to go to New York or Chicago. There would surely be an opening in one of those cities for a clever boy like yourself.”
“Thank you for the compliment. There is one good reason, however, why I cannot follow your advice.”
“Name it.”
“Money is necessary, and my poor father was unable to leave me any.”
“But this cabin?”
“That indeed belongs to me and the eighty acres adjoining, but it would be difficult to sell it, nor do I care to do so. Some day, when the country is more settled, it may be worth much more than at present.”
“You are right, Gerald. But you are not obliged to remain here. The cabin and the land won’t run away.”
“That’s true. I mean to leave it and go somewhere, but my plans are not formed yet.”
“Then let me help you form them. I want to make a prolonged tour in this country, and I find it beastly dull without a companion. Come with me!”