“I’ll try,” answered Oscar readily, “and I hope you’ll always tell me, North, if you see anything in which I fail. I want to justify your father’s opinion that I should do for the business, and I’m quite sensible of his kindness in taking me on.” “Well, he’s glad enough to give you the sort of berth Cyril would have had if he’d not turned out too much the fine gentleman,” said North with one of his grim smiles. “My father never seriously thought of putting Cyril into the business, he was always thought to be a cut above it. But he often said he wished he had another son. You have come to fill that place, Oscar.” The youth’s face flushed with pleasure. It was not often that North spoke with so much friendly unreserve. In the main he was a silent, self-contained man, though friendly enough to his younger cousin. But to-day his reserve seemed to have evaporated, and the next minute he spoke again. “Don’t let Cyril get you too much into his set, Oscar. I know, of course, that you must have a good deal in common, being University men and all that. But I’m not always best pleased with the sort of fellows Cyril takes up with. I think they make him extravagant, and teach him expensive habits. It’s all very well for him. He manages to get a large allowance from the governor. But it wouldn’t suit your pocket or mine.” “I don’t think I care much for Cyril’s friends,” said Oscar slowly. “Only when he asks me to go with him it seems churlish to refuse, when I’ve nothing else I want to do.” “Well, I’d not mind seeming a bit churlish sometimes,” said North. “Indeed I’ve put up with the accusation myself, though I was never a fine enough gentleman for Cyril to care much for my company. But I wouldn’t let him take you up and drag you about too much if I were you. It won’t pay in the long run.” They were by this time approaching the house in River Street, so there was no time for more discussion. It was Oscar’s temperament, as it was Sheila’s, to float with the stream of life, and take things easily. Perhaps it was this temperament in their father which had led to such disastrous results at last, but it was not quite easy for Oscar to realise this, though he was not ungrateful to North for his hint. “What a hullabaloo!” exclaimed North, as he put his key into the latch and opened the door; and indeed there were sounds of very animated discussion going on in the drawing-room, the door of which stood open. The Cossart voices were rather loud when their owners were excited, and it seemed as though something of an exciting nature must be going on. “What’s up?” asked the elder brother, pushing his way into the room, and both sisters began talking at once, so that it was not altogether easy to make out what either was saying.