"While I am more than half inclined to say that I am glad of it. I led for years a useless life, most of the time a burden to myself. I was a drone in the social hive; I added nothing to the common stock; I was of no use to any one. But now my labours not only benefit myself, but the community at large. My mind is interested all the day; I no longer feel listlessness; the time never hangs heavy upon my hands. I have, as a German writer has said, 'fire-proof perennial enjoyments, called employments.'"
"You speak warmly, Mr. Steele."
"It is because I feel warmly on this subject. Long before a large failure in the city deprived me of at least half of my fortune, I saw clearly enough that there was but one way to find happiness in this life, and that was to engage diligently in some useful employment, from right ends. I shut my eyes to this conviction over and over again, and acted in accordance with it only when necessity compelled me to do so. I should have found much more pleasure in the pursuit of business, had I acted from the higher motive of use to my fellows, which was presented so clearly to my mind, than I do now, having entered its walks from something like compulsion."
"And you really think yourself happier than you were before, Mr. Steele?"
"I know it, friend Parker."
"And you think I would be happier than I am now, if I were to open my shop again?"
"I do—much happier. Don't you think the same?"
"I hardly know what to think. The way I live now is not very satisfactory. I cannot find enough to keep my mind employed."
"And never will, except in some useful business, depend upon it. So take my advice, and re-open your shop before you are compelled to do it."
"Why do you think I will be compelled to do it?"