Giles' face was turned away, and his brother had to wait for an answer. When it did come, the "No" was spoken in so choked a voice that Edgar only just caught the sound.
"I knew you wouldn't," he said, as he put his hand on Giles' shoulder. "I knew you'd take your share in bearing the family burden like a brave, manly boy. It's not an easy burden. At times I feel as if I couldn't bear my part of it."
As Giles looked up wonderingly and with misty eyes, some inexplicable and most unusual impulse prompted Edgar to speak still more freely of himself.
"My part has been to give up my desire of becoming a doctor," he said.
"I didn't know you ever wanted to be one," exclaimed Giles in astonishment.
"Only mother and father know. You are in the secret now, but you'll keep it to yourself, won't you?"
A thrill of pride, not unmixed with gratitude to Edgar for having confided in him, shot through Giles' heart. Yes; he would be as true as steel to his brother.
"I won't tell. You may depend upon that," he said.
"Well, I've had to give up my idea of being a doctor, and go to the warehouse instead."
"And you don't like it?"