She began to talk of her brother and his future. She wanted him to read for the law. Did I not think it would be the best thing?
“Do you really want my candid opinion?”
“Of course. You know I say what I mean.”
“I think it is about the very worst profession he could follow.”
“But why?”
“Well, apart from the difficulty of the examinations, which in our days is no small matter, it is a profession in which patience is the most important factor. There is no other profession like it for encouraging a naturally lazy man with a small income to idle.”
“I should have thought application was altogether necessary.”
“Absolutely, but it is optional. He cannot get on without it, but there will be no one to see that he uses his time well. Besides, men in the law are as a rule strenuous, earnest people with all kinds of ambitions, and Harry will hardly meet sympathetics.”
“Then what is he to do?”
“I know you will think it rather a curious suggestion, coming from me, but I give my vote for the Army.”