“But of course,” said he, “you cannot have left home without forming some plan for the future. May I ask what line of life you mean to pursue?”
I answered, “that I was undetermined, and meant to be guided by circumstances.”
“Circumstances!” said he. “May I request you to explain yourself more fully? for I do not precisely understand to what circumstances you allude.”
I was provoked with the man for being so slow of apprehension; but, when driven to the necessity of explaining, I found that I did not myself understand what I meant.
I changed my ground; and, lowering my tone of confidence, said, that as I was totally ignorant of the country, I should wish to be guided by the advice of better informed persons; and that I begged leave to address myself to him, as having had the most successful experience.
After a considerable pause, he replied, it was a hazardous thing to give advice; but that, as my wife was his relation, and as he held it a duty to assist his relations, he should not decline giving me—all the advice in his power.
I bowed, and felt chilled all over by his manner.
“And not only my advice,” continued he, “but my assistance—in reason.”
I said, “I was much obliged to him.”
“Not in the least, young man; you are not in the least obliged to me yet, for I have done nothing for you.”