? ? ? ? "I could not help smiling at the abruptness of the question.
? ? ? ? " 'l trust that I have my share,' I said.
? ? ? ? " 'Any bad habits? Not drawn towards drink, eh?'
? ? ? ? " 'Really, sir!' I cried.
? ? ? ? " 'Quite right! That's all right! But I was bound to ask. With all these qualities, why are you not in practice?'
? ? ? ? "I shrugged my shoulders.
? ? ? ? " 'Come, come!' said he in his bustling way. 'It's the old story. More in your brains than in your pocket, eh? What would you say if I were to start you in Brook Street?'
? ? ? ? "I stared at him in astonishment.
? ? ? ? " 'Oh, it's for my sake, not for yours,' he cried. 'I'll be perfectly frank with you, and if it suits you it will suit me very well. I have a few thousands to invest, d'ye see, and I think I'll sink them in you.'
? ? ? ? " 'But why?' I gasped.
? ? ? ? " 'Well, it's just like any other speculation, and safer than most.'
? ? ? ? " 'What am I to do, then?'
? ? ? ? " 'I'll tell you. I'll take the house, furnish it, pay the maids, and run the whole place.
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