第98章

Well, that chance has gone, but I mean to get in some way, though Ihave to start at the foot of the ladder. Now why can't I leave college and start now? It will be two years gained, won't it?"Captain Elisha seemed pleased, but he shook his head.

"How do you know you'd like it?" he asked. "You've never tried.""No, I never have; but I'll like it all right. I know I shall.

It's what I've wanted to do ever since I was old enough to think of such things. Just let me start in now, right away, and I'll show you. I'll make good; you see if I don't."He was very earnest. The captain deliberated before answering.

"Stevie," he said, doubtfully, "I rather like to hear you talk that way; I own up it pleases me. But, as to your givin' up college--that's different. Let me think it over for a day or two; that is, if you can put off the Maine trip so long as that.""Hang the Maine trip! You let me get into business, the business Iwant to get into, and I won't ask for a vacation; you can bet on that!""All right then. I'll think, and do some questionin' around, and report soon's I've decided what's best."He laid the stump of his cigar in the ash receiver and rose from his chair. But his nephew had not finished.

"There was something else I intended to say," he announced, but with less eagerness.

"That so? What?"

"Why--why, just this." He fidgeted with his watch chain, colored and was evidently uneasy. "I guess--" he hesitated--"I guess that I haven't treated you as I ought.""I want to know! You guess that, hey? Why?""Oh, you know why. I've been thinking since I went back to New Haven. I've had a chance to think. Some of the fellows in the set I used to be thick with up there have learned that I'm broke, and they--they aren't as friendly as they were. Not all of them, of course, but some. And I wouldn't chase after them; not much! If they wanted to drop me they could. You bet I didn't try to hang on! I was pretty sore for a while and kept to myself and--well, Idid a lot of thinking. I guess Caro is right; you've been mighty decent to her and me."He paused, but Captain Elisha made no comment.

"I guess you have," continued Stephen, soberly. "When you first came, you know, Caroline and I couldn't understand. We thought you were butting in and weren't our sort, and--and--""And a hayseed nuisance generally; I know. Heave ahead, son; you interest me.""Well, we didn't like it. And Mal Dunn and his mother were always sympathizing and insinuating, and we believed they were our best friends, and all that. So we didn't try to understand you or--or even make it livable for you. Then, after the news came that the money had gone, I acted like a kid, I guess. That business of making Mal stick to the engagement was pretty silly. I was nearly desperate, you see, and--and--you knew it was silly. You never took any stock in it, did you?"The captain smiled.

"Not a heap," he admitted.

"No. All you wanted was to show them up. Well, you did it, and I'm glad you did. But Caro and I have talked it over since I've been home, and we agree that you've been a great deal better to us than we deserve. You didn't HAVE to take care of us at all, any more, after the money went. By gad! considering how we treated you, I don't see why you did. _I_ wouldn't. But you did--and you are. You've given us a home, and you're putting me through college and--and--""That's all right, son. Good night."

"Just a minute. I--I--well, if you let me, I'd like to thank you and--and ask your pardon.""Granted, my boy. And never mind the thanks, either. Just keep on thinkin' and actin' as you have to-night, and I'll be satisfied. Iwant to see my nephew makin' a man of himself--a real man; and, Steve, you talk more like a man to-night than I've ever heard you.

Stick to it, and you'll do yet. As for goin' to work, you let me chew on that for a few days."The next morning he called on Sylvester, who in turn took him to a friend of his, a broker--employing a good-sized staff of clerks.

The three had a consultation, followed, the day after, by another.

That evening the captain made a definite proposal to Stephen. It was, briefly, that, while not consenting to the latter's leaving college, he did consider that a trial of the work in a broker's office might be a good thing. Therefore, if the young man wished, he could enter the employ of Sylvester's friend and remain during July and August.

"You'll leave about the first of September, Steve," he said, "and that'll give you time for the two weeks vacation that you ought to have. Then you can go back to Yale and pitch in till the next summer, when the same job'll be ready for you. After you're through college for good, if what you've learned about brokerin'

ain't cured you of your likin' for it--if you still want to go ahead with it for your life job, then--well, then we'll see. What do you say?"Stephen had a good deal to say, principally in the line of objection to continuing his studies. Finding these objections unavailing, he agreed to his guardian's proposition.

"All right," said the captain; "then you can go to work next Monday. But you'll HAVE to work, and be just the same as any other beginner, no better and no worse. There'll be no favoritism, and, if you're really wuth your salt, you won't want any. Show 'em, and me, that you're wuth it."The novel, the wonderful tale which Captain Elisha was certain would make its author famous, was finished that very day in June when Stephen came back from New Haven. The question of title remained, and the "clinic," now re-enforced by Steve--whose dislike for Pearson had apparently vanished with others of his former likes and dislikes--considered that at several sessions. At last "The Man at the Wheel" was selected, as indicating something of the hero's profession and implying, perhaps, a hint of his character.