w, if you have ambitions. Besides, with your
income you would have been able to help out and do a lot of good. You
ought to have thought of that."

"In other words, earn my salary by squeezing the life out of them and
then toss them a penny to buy medicine. I don't see it that way! No,
dad, if I can't work at something clean I'll go out and work in the
ground, or do _nothing_, but I _won't_ oppress the poor."

"Oh, well, Paul, that's all right if you feel that way about of it, of
course. Ramsey Thomas wanted me to talk it over with you; promised to do
the square thing by you and all that; and he's a pretty good man to get
in with. Of course I won't urge you against your will. But what are you
going to do, son? Haven't you thought of anything?"

"Yes," said Courtland, leaning back and looking steadily at his father.
"I've decided that I'd like to study theology."

"Theology!" The father started and knocked an ash delicately from the
end of his cigar. "H'm! Well, that's not a bad idea! Rather odd,
perhaps, but still there's always dignity and distinction in it. Your
great grandfather on your mother's side was a clergyman in the Church of
England. Of course it's rather a surprise, but it's always respectable,
and with your money you would be independent. You wouldn't have any
trouble in getting a wealthy and influential church, either. I could
manage that, I think."

"I'm not sure that I want to be a clergyman, father. I said _study_
theology. I want to know what scholarly Christians think of the Bible.
I've studied it with a lot of scholarly heathen who couldn't see
anything in it but literary merit. Now I want to see what it is that has
made it a living power all through the ages. I've got to know what
saints and martyrs have founded their faith upon."

"Well, Paul, I'm afraid you're something of an idealist and a dreamer
like your mother. Of course it's all right with your income, but,
generally speaking, it's as well to have an object in view when you take
up study. If I were you I would look into the matter most carefully
before I made any decisions. If you really think the ministry is what
you want, why, I'll just put a word in at our church for you. Our old
Doctor Bates is getting a little out of date and he'll be about ready to
be put on the retired list by the time you are done your theological
course. Let's see, how long is it, three years? Had you thought where
you will go? What seminary? Better make a car