also his share of the profits, he might in time
absorb a large portion of the business. In case he joined
us upon this footing we should have no objection to his
name appearing as one of the firm. Should the idea commend
itself to you, I should be most happy to talk over details,
and to explain to you the advantages which the firm can offer,
at my office in Fenchurch Street, any day between ten and four."

"With kind regards to your family, and hoping that they enjoy
the great blessing of health, I remain sincerely yours,"

"JOHN GIRDLESTONE."

"What d'ye think of that?" the doctor asked, when his son had finished
reading it.

"I hardly know," said Tom; "I should like a little time to think it
over."

"Seven thousand pounds is a good round sum. It is more than half the
total capital which I have invested for you. On the other hand, I have
heard those who ought to know say there is not a sounder or better
managed concern in London. There's no time like the present, Tom.
Get your hat, and we'll go down to Fenchurch Street together and look
into it."

While father and son were rattling along in a cab from Kensington to the
City, the young man had time to turn the matter over in his mind.
He wanted to be at work, and why not take this up as well as anything
else. It is true that he disliked what he had seen of both the
Girdlestones, but, on the other hand, by becoming a member of the firm
he would probably be thrown in the way of meeting the old merchant's
ward. This last consideration decided the matter, and long before the
cab had pulled up at the long and dirty passage which led to the offices
of the great African firm, the party principally interested had fully
made up his mind as to the course he should adopt.

They were duly ushered into the small sanctum adorned with the dissected
ships, the maps, the charts, the lists of sailing, and the water-colour
picture of the barque _Belinda_, where they were received by the head of
the firm. With a charming personal modesty, tempered by a becoming
pride in the great business which he had himself created, he discoursed
upon its transactions and its importance. He took down ledgers and
flashed great rows of figures before the eyes of the good doctor,
explaining, at the same time, how month after month their receipts
increased and their capital grew. Then he spoke touchingly of his own