"Why didn't you tell me when I was at Willoughby?"
"I had other things to think of," said Walter, shortly. "The thought of my father's death and of my loss shut out everything else."
"Well, what are you going to do?" asked Mr. Drummond, in a hard tone.
"I shall have to earn my own living," said Walter. "I am well and strong, and am not afraid."
"That is a good plan," said Mr. Drummond, who knew Walter so little as to fear that he wanted to become dependent upon him.
"When I was of your age I had my own living to earn. What do you propose to do?"
"Have you a vacancy for me in your store? Joshua told me you wished him to go in."
"You couldn't earn much, for you don't know anything of the business."
"I should not expect to. I am perfectly willing to work for my board until I find out how my father's affairs are going to turn out."