“There goes the best scholar in his class.”
“And the best I intend to be,” I said to myself, but without any unpleasant feeling.
Finishing my task, I went to the office for letters; passing the hotel just as the numerous hacks had left a greater number of guests than usual. I had nearly passed, when suddenly my name was called, and in a voice that seemed strangely familiar. It was Silas June. He had given up study, and had been two years in the city, and talked largely of city pleasures and pursuits. His uncle had recently become very wealthy through land speculation, and had generously offered Mrs. June a home, and also taken Silas into his employ as a clerk.
“I suppose you are planning ways and means yet,” he said at length. “I remember you used to be good at this.”
“Practice makes perfect,” I answered.
“I have never had any thing else to do, and I am now quite as expert as ever.”
“I told you I should get along just as well without so much study, although I did not then dream of the good in store for me. Uncle is rich, and without a family of his own. He must do something with his money, and I shall come in for a large share.”
“I hope you will repay him by making a good and noble man.”
“I shall please him, if that is what you mean, although it goes greatly against my inclination to sit bound down day after day to the day-book and ledger. Still night comes, and I enjoy while he sleeps.”
“You enjoy; how so?”