"No sir."
"Goot. In de Université where I am, there is a foundation — I mean by that, the College has monies, that she is in right to spend to help those students that are not quite rich enough — if they have a leetle, she gives them a leetle more, till they can get through and come out wiz their studies. This Université has a foundation; and it is full; but the President is my friend, and he knows that I have a friend; and he said to me that he would make room for one more, though we are very full, and take you in; so that it will cost you very little. I speak that, for I know that you could not wish to spend so much as some."
It was a golden chance — if it could but be given to Rufus! That was not possible; and still less was it possible that Winthrop should take it and so make his brother's case hopeless, by swallowing up all the little means that of right must go to set him forward first. There was a strong heaving of motives against each other in Winthrop's bosom. But his face did not shew it; there was no change in his cool grey eye; after a minute's hesitation he answered, lying on his oars,
"I thank you very much Mr. Herder — I would do it gladly — but
I am so tied at home that it is impossible. I cannot go."
"You can not?" said the naturalist.
"I cannot — not at present — my duty keeps me at home. You will see me in Mannahatta by and by," he added with a faint smile and beginning to row again; — "but I don't know when."
"I wish it would be soon," said the naturalist. "I should like to have you there wiz me. But you must not give up for difficulties. You must come?"
"I shall come," said Winthrop.
"How would you like this?" said Mr. Herder after pondering a little. "I have a friend who is an excellent — what you call him? — bookseller — Would you like a place wiz him, to keep his books and attend to his business, for a while, and so get up by degrees? I could get you a place wiz him."
"No, sir," said Winthrop smiling; — "the eagle never begins by being something else."