"Have I not!" returned the major, significantly. "It is because I have rather too much idea of the insidious way in which debt creeps upon one, that I should like to see you keep out of its toils. Charley, my boy, I have been staving off liabilities all my life, and haven't worried myself in doing it; but it is beginning to tell upon me now. My constitution's changing. I suppose I must be growing fidgety." "Well, don't let this worry you, father. It's not so very much." "Much or little, it must be paid. I don't want my son to get into bad odour at college; or have 'debtor' attached to his name. You are young for that, Mr. Charles." Charles remained silent. The major was evidently in blissful ignorance of the latitude of opinion current amongst Oxonians. "Go back and dress yourself, Charles; and get your breakfast over; and then, just sit down and make out a list of what it is you owe, and I'll see what can be done." Now in the course of this same morning it chanced that Frank Raynor took occasion to speak to his uncle about money matters, as connected with his own prospects, which he had not previously entered upon during his present stay. The major was pacing his study in a gloomy mood when Frank entered. "You look tired, Uncle Francis. Just as though you had been dancing all night." "I leave that to you younger men," returned the major, drawing his easy-chair to the fire. "As to being tired, Frank, I am so; though I have not danced." "Tired of what, uncle?" "Of everything, I think. Sit down, lad." "I want to speak to you, Uncle Francis, concerning myself and my plans," said Frank, taking a seat near the fire. "It is time I settled down to something." "Is it?" was the answer. The major's thoughts were elsewhere. "Why, yes; don't you think it is, sir? The question is, what is it to be? With regard to the bonds for that missing money, uncle? They have not turned up, I conclude?" "They have not turned up, my boy, or the money either. If they had, you'd have been the first to hear of it. I have been searching for them this very morning." "What is your true opinion about the money, Uncle Francis?" resumed Frank, after a pause. "Will it ever be found?" "Yes, Frank, I think it will. I feel assured that the money is lying somewhere--and that it will come to the surface sooner or later. I should be sorry to think otherwise; for, goodness knows, I need it badly enough." A piece of blazing wood fell off the grate. Frank caught the tongs, and put it up again. "And I wish it could be found for your sake, also, Frank. You want your share of it, you know." "Why, you see, Uncle Francis, without money I don't know what to be at. If I were single, I'd engage myself out as assistant to-morrow; but for my wife's sake I wish to take a better position than that." "Naturally you do, Frank, And so you ought." "It would be easy enough if I had the money in hand; or if I could with any certainty say when I should have it."