“I send you a check for sixty dollars in place of a hundred. I wish you to have your regular term bills sent to me, and I will forward checks in payment. I will see that you leave Euclid owing no man anything. When you come home for the vacation we can consult as to the future. I hope you will not be much depressed or cast down by the news I send. Your money is not all lost, and I may be able, in the course of twelve months, to recover in a large measure what has been sunk.
“Your affectionate guardian, EZEKIEL MACK.”
“A regular sockdolager, isn't it, Gates?” said Walter.
“I don't see that it's so bad,” answered Gates slowly. “Your money isn't all lost.”
“But I must leave college.”
“True; but, as your guardian says, you are young, and if you come back at the end of a year you will still be a year younger than I for your standing. Of course, I am sorry to have you go.”
“I am sure of that, Gates.”
“Is the prospect of working for a year so unpleasant to you, Walter?”
“No, I can't say it is,” said Walter, brightening up, “not if I can choose my employment. I shouldn't like to go behind the counter in a grocery store, or—”
“Black boots for a living?”