ld be required from him there, would
tell better in his business education than irregular work in the office
at home could be supposed to do. Frank's eyes were better, but he was
not permitted to use them much yet. It was part of Violet's duty to
read to him, and a judicious selection of a course of historical reading
made the winter pleasant and profitable to both. Jem was at school no
longer. There is no royal road to the attainment of knowledge and skill
in the profession he had chosen, even when the means and appliances of
wealth are at one's disposal; and, having no money, there was nothing
for Jem but to work with his hands as well as his head, and so he was
adding his quota to the clamour made all day in the great engine-house
at the other side of the town. Indeed, he worked a good deal more with
his hands than his head for a time, and it needed some persuasion on his
mother's part, and the exercise of some authority to keep him, during a
reasonable time, every evening at his books.

For Jem was a little unsettled by the new circumstances in which he
found himself. His friendly ways and bright good temper made him
popular among his fellow-workmen, and his popularity and his love of
fun, together, the more exposed him to the power of temptations
inseparable from the place, and but for his mother's kindness and
firmness, judiciously mingled, it might have gone ill with Jem that
winter. But he settled down after a little, and, with Mr Anstruther's
help, devoted himself as zealously as ever to those branches of study
absolutely necessary to advancement in the profession of an engineer.
It was rather an anxious winter to Mrs Inglis on Jem's account, but it
was, on the whole, a satisfactory winter to look back on, as far as he
was concerned.

Affairs were not going on so smoothly in the bank as they used to do.
There were changes there. One clerk was removed to another branch of
the concern, and the services of another were dispensed with altogether.
David gained a step or two in consequence, and worked hard in acquiring
the knowledge necessary for a right performance of his higher duties.

Mr Oswald was away often, and did not seem to be in good health or
spirits when he was at home. In spring, he resigned his office of
acting director of the bank, and another was appointed in his place.
Mr Caldwell, who had come into the bank with him, left with him--not
because his services were no longer required there,