are. Some of the great banking houses which keep
the pendulum of the world swinging true have grown to importance through
just such young men as yourself, who were honest and had high ideals
and who so impressed their own personalities upon everybody about
them--customers and employers--that the tone of the concern was raised
at once and with it came a world-wide success. I have been thirty years
on the Street and have watched the rise of half the firms about me,
and in every single instance some one of the younger men--boys, many of
them--has pulled the concern up and out of a quagmire and stood it on
its feet. And the reverse is true: half the downfalls have come from
those same juniors, who thought they knew some short road to success,
which half the time was across disreputable back lots. Why not give
up complaining and see what better things you can do? I'm not quite
satisfied about your having stayed upstairs even to receive me.
Your aunt loves society and the daughter--what did you say her name
was--Corinne? Yes, Miss Corinne being young, loves to have a good time.
Listen! do you hear?--there goes another waltz. Now, as long as you do
live here, why not join in it too and help out the best you can?--and
if you have anything of your own to offer in the way of good cheer, or
thoughtfulness, or kindness, or whatever you do have which they lack--or
rather what you think they lack--wouldn't it be wiser--wouldn't it--if
you will permit me, my lad--be a little BETTER BRED to contribute
something of your own excellence to the festivity?"

It was now Jack's turn to lean back in his chair and cover his face, but
with two ashamed hands. Not since his father's death had any one talked
to him like this--never with so much tenderness and truth and with every
word meant for his good. All his selfrighteousness, his silly conceit
and vainglory stood out before him. What an ass he had been. What a
coxcomb. What a boor, really.

"What would you have me do?" he asked, a tone of complete surrender in
his voice. The portrait and Peter were one and the same! His father had
come to life.

"I don't know yet. We'll think about that another time, but we won't do
it now. I ought to be ashamed of myself for having spoiled your evening
by such serious talk (he wasn't ashamed--he had come for that very
purpose). Now show me some of your books and tell me what you read, and
what you love best."

He was out of the chair before he ceased spea