“O certainly.”
“Then sit down here and look over the Youth’s Companion while I finish my letter.”
For some moments there was silence and then the Doctor, laying down her pen, turned to the boy and said, pleasantly; “You are Carl Woodford, are you not?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“It has been so long since I saw you that you have almost grown out of my knowledge. You are getting to be almost a man. You must be fifteen years old.”
“Not quite. I will be next June.”
“Almost a man,” said Dr. Barrett softly as she looked thoughtfully into the fire. After a moment’s silence she asked, “Carl, what is it to be a man?”
The boy drew himself up with a self-conscious air as he replied.
“Why, to have your growth, and get into business for yourself.”
“Well, that is not quite it,” said the Doctor smiling, “for I have my growth and am in business for myself, and yet I am not a man.”