Joshua seemed by no means pleased with this proposal.
"I'm not going to work in a shoe-shop," he said, sullenly.
"Why not?"
"It's a dirty business."
"Yet you were envying Tom Burton just now."
"It'll do well enough for him. He's a poor man's son."
"So was I a poor man's son. I had to work when I was a boy, and that's the way I earned all I have. Not that I am rich," added Mr. Drummond, cautiously, for he was afraid the knowledge of his wealth would tempt his family to expect a more lavish expenditure, and this would not by any means suit him.
"You didn't work in a shoe-shop."
"I should have been glad of the chance to do it, for I could have earned more money that way than by being errand-boy in a store. It's just as honorable to work in a shop as to be clerk in a store."
Though we are not partial to Mr. Drummond, he was undoubtedly correct in this opinion, and it would be well if boys would get over their prejudice against trades, which, on the whole, offer more assured prospects of ultimate prosperity than the crowded city and country stores.