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 But Dick was not to be bought off, and he answered: "Because I wouldn't give a fig to go abroad. I'm tired to death of shilly-shallying. I say, Father," he added, beseechingly, "there's nothing I wouldn't do. I'd take any kind of a clerkship. I'd sell goods behind acounter. I'd go into a railroad office. Can't you get me a chance at the D. & I. P.?"

"Nonsense, Dick! It's out of the question."

"But why?"

"Why? Good gracious, Dick, can't you see through a ladder? A salary isn't what you're after. You don't need the money. And besides, you can't pick up a salaried place at every street corner."

"I can't. But you could, Father."

This eagerness was a little tiresome, and Mr. Spencer began to look bored. He unrolled the paper which had been subordinated to "business," and seemed to expect his visitor to go. So Dick got up.

"Well, I see you want to get rid of me," he said. There was no answer, and a dangerous look came into the boy's eyes as he added: "I give you fair warning, sir, that as you won't help me, I shall do my best to help myself."

"That's all right, Dick. Go ahead," his father answered, glad to see the last of him on any terms, and as Dick closed the door behind him, not too gently, Mr. Spencer returned to the consideration of the documentary paper. For some