“It’s the only one I know. I think a man’s chances are as good here as anywhere.”
“I think so, too,” said Carr, reflectively. “I have had it in mind for some time to make you a full partner, changing the name to Carr and Leighton,—if you are agreeable. Don’t thank me; it’s purely selfish. You have been virtually a partner for a year. At this bar a law clerk doesn’t usually do the things that I have set you to doing. I’ve been glad of your help, and it will add to your influence with the courts to get away from the clerkship; and in the end that helps me.”
“The clerkship has been a great thing for me; I am in no mood for spurning it.” Morris’s heart was beating uncomfortably fast. He had never expected this. The best he had hoped for was a partnership with some young man at the bar. It was wholly like Michael Carr, though, to declare his intention in this way. The time and place seemed fitting. Morris loved the dim old rooms. He has a better office now,—for the old building has vanished, and the law library that was assembled through so many years by Knight, Kittredge and Carr is now established on the top floor of a ten-story building, where there are electric lights and steam heat.
“You don’t have to thank me for anything, Morris. If you must express a little gratitude, give it all to Rodney Merriam. It was he that brought you to me. I’ll have to thank him on my own account.”
“You are the best friend any young man ever had,” said Morris, feelingly.
“I prefer not to say anything about this change until the first of July. I’m going abroad then. Mrs. Carr has planned an extensive trip. I’ve never been over there and I suppose I may as well see it all at once, as we Americans get the credit for doing. We shall go to England and Scotland first, and then work our way south with the season. I’m going to leave you a full measure of work to do while I’m gone.”
“Some of your clients will object. I should hate to see you losing business on my account.”
“We can afford to lose a few and still have enough. I have a few clients that I shouldn’t mind losing. Old friends, many of them, who don’t want legal advice as much as friendly counsel.”
“There are some of them that you have to be pretty patient with.”
“Yes; there is Ezra Dameron. His business is worth little if anything. He’s always afraid some one will get the advantage of him. I don’t believe he trusts even me.”