'But how? There are plenty rich and silly women in Glasgow who are systematically fleeced by the undeserving poor--people who have no earthly business to be poor, who have hands and heads which can give them a competence, only they are moral idiots. No woman should be allowed full use of large sums of money. She is so soft-hearted, she can't say no, and she's imposed on half the time.' 'You are very hard on women, Uncle Abel,' said Gladys, still amused with his enthusiasm. She had no fear of him. Although there was not much in common between them, there was a kind of quiet understanding, and they had many discussions of the kind. 'I would rather be poor always, Uncle Abel, if I were not allowed to spend as I wished. I should just have to learn to be prudent and careful by experience.' 'Ay, by experience, which would land you in the poorhouse. Have you no desire for the things other women like--fine clothes, trinkets, and such-like?' 'I don't know, uncle, because I have never had any,' said Gladys, with a little laugh. 'I daresay I should like them very well.' The old man gave a grunt, and turned on his pillow, as if tired of talk. Gladys busied herself with the evening meal, and when it was ready called Walter down. It was a pretty sight to see her waiting on the old man, attending to his comforts, and coaxing him to eat. In the evening she ran out to get some medicine for him, and when he was left with Walter, busy at his books at the table, he sat up suddenly, as if he had something interesting and important to say. 'How are you getting on with your learning, Wat? You are pretty constant at it. If there's anything in application, you should succeed.' 'It's pretty tough work, though, when a fellow's getting older.' 'Older,' repeated the old man, with a quiet chuckle. 'How old are you?' 'Nineteen.' 'Nineteen, are you? Well, you look it. You've vastly improved of late. I suppose you think yourself rather an ill-used sort of person--ill used by me, I mean?' 'I don't think you pay me enough, if you mean that,' said Walter, with a little laugh; 'but I'm going to ask a rise.' 'Why have you stayed here so long, if that is your mind? Nobody was compelling you.' 'No; but I've got used to the place, and I like it,' returned Walter frankly; but he bent his eyes on his books, as if there was something more behind his words which he did not care should be revealed. 'I see--it's each man for himself in this world, and deil tak' the hindmost, as they say; but I don't think you'll be hindmost. Suppose, now, you were to find yourself the boss of this concern, what would you do?' 'Carry it on as best I could, sir,' answered Walter, in surprise. 'Ay, but how? I suppose you think you'd reorganise it all?' said the old man rather sarcastically. 'Well, I would,' admitted Walter frankly. 'In what way? Just tell me how you'd do it?'