“It's Thornton family pride, Grant. I want my nephew to be somebody. I want you to be a professional man, and take a prominent place in the world.” “Can't I be somebody without becoming a professional man, or---” “Or, what?” asked his uncle, abruptly. “Getting a college education?” continued Grant. “What does this mean?” asked the old lawyer, knitting his brow. “You're not getting off the notion of going to college, I hope?” “I should like to go to college, uncle.” “I'm glad to hear that,” said Godfrey Thornton, relieved. “I thought you might want to grow up a dunce, and become a bricklayer or something of that kind.” Somehow Grant's task began to seem more difficult than he had anticipated. “But,” continued Grant, summoning up his courage, “I am afraid it will be rather selfish.” “I can't say I understand you, Grant. As long as I am willing to pay your college bills, I don't see why there is anything selfish in your accepting my offer.” “I mean as regards father and mother.” “Don't I take you off their hands? What do you mean?” “I mean this, Uncle Godfrey,” said Grant, boldly, “I ought to be at work earning money to keep them. Father's income is very small, and--” “You don't mean to say you want to give up going to college?” said Godfrey Thornton, hastily. “I think I ought to, uncle.” “Why?” “So that I can find work and help father along. You see, I should be four years in college, and three years studying a profession, and all that time my brother and sister would be growing older and more expensive, and father would be getting into debt.” Uncle Godfrey's brow wore a perceptible frown. “Tell me who has put this idea into your head?” he said. “I am sure it isn't your father.” “No one put it into my head, Uncle Godfrey. It's my own idea.” “Humph! old heads don't grow on young shoulders, evidently. You are a foolish boy, Grant. With a liberal education you can do something for your family.” “But it is so long to wait,” objected Grant. “It will be a great disappointment to me to have you give up going to college, but of course I can't force you to go,” said his uncle, coldly. “It will save me three hundred dollars a year for four years-I may say for seven, however. You will be throwing away a grand opportunity.” “Don't think I undervalue the advantage of a college training, uncle,” said Grant, eagerly. “It isn't that. It's because I thought I might help father. In fact, I wanted to make a proposal to you.” “What is it?” “You say it will cost three hundred dollars a year to keep me in college?” “Well?” “Would you be willing to give father two hundred a year for the next four years, and let me take care of myself in some business place?” “So this is your proposal, is it?” “Yes, sir.” “All I have got to say is, that you have got uncommon assurance. You propose to defeat my cherished plan, and want me to pay two hundred dollars a year in acknowledgment of your consideration.”