"Never," said the other. "I'm not the stuff a successful man is made of, and what I want isn't likely to be gained in business. I might earn millions, I fancy, if I set them steadily before my eyes and loved the means for the end's sake, easier than I could get what I covet--three or four hundred a year, plenty of leisure, and brain and habits unspoilt by money-making. There's no chance for the man who not only hasn't the necessary keenness, but wouldn't like to have it. If you want to say, 'More fool you!' you may." Hammond shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. "Stick to your money, Godfrey," said Thorne with a melancholy smile, "or you'll feel some day as if the ground were cut away from under your feet. It isn't pleasant." "I'll take your word for it," said Hammond. Percival mused a little. "It's hard, somehow," he said. "I didn't want much and I wasn't reckless: upon my word, it's hard. Well, it can't be helped. Look here: do you know a lawyer who would suit me?" "Is that the way you mean to apply for a situation? Let us see: will Your Highness stay in town?" "And meet all sorts of people? My Highness will not." "In the country, then?" "No, a big town--the bigger the better--some great manufacturing place, where every one has smuts on his face, money in his pocket, and is too busy improving machinery to have time to look at his neighbor." "Would Brenthill do?" "Admirably." "I know a man there: I dare say he would as soon oblige me as not. What shall I say?" "Say that I want employment as a clerk, and that, though I am utterly inexperienced, I write a good hand and am fairly intelligent. Don't say that I am active and obliging, for I'm neither. Tell him that if he can give me a fair trial it is all that you ask, and that he may turn me out at the end of a week if I don't do." Godfrey nodded assent. "I think you may as well write it _now_," said Percival. "I shall find it difficult to live for any length of time on this private fortune of mine without making inroads on my capital." Hammond stretched himself and crossed the room to his writing-table. "Are you sure you won't change your mind?" he said. "It will be a horrible existence. Clerks receive very poor pay: I don't believe you can live on it." "At any rate, I can die rather more slowly on it, and that will be convenient just now." "Why don't you wait, and see if we can't help you to something better?" Percival shook his head: "No. I promised Sissy that if I took help from any one, it should be from her. I must try to stand by myself first."