They insisted on the time for reflection, however, and during the two weeks that followed no mention was made of the matter. David did not go back to the office; he spent the days, and parts of the nights, too, in reading books on agriculture. These consisted mainly of government publications, long possessed and secretly cherished. He had read them so often that he was sure he knew all about farming and ranching; in fact, when he should use all this information together with some ideas of his own that he had worked out, he should greatly improve if not revolutionize the whole farming and ranching business. When the two weeks had expired there was another council in the library. “What is the verdict?” his father asked. “Will you go or will you stay?” “I want to go just as soon as possible.” “Have you considered the matter fully from all angles?” “Yes, I have.” “And you still feel that your calling is out in the country?” “Be absolutely sure of yourself before you answer,” his mother cautioned. “I am sure. I feel that when I get away from the noise and hurry and confinement of the city I can accomplish more in a week than I could here in a year.” “And, if after trying it you find that you have been mistaken?” “I shall come back at once and do exactly as I promised.” “That settles it. You shall have your chance and it will be a rare one even though you cannot realize at what cost to us.” He shot a quick glance at his wife; her eyes were glistening. “The fact that we have known of your ambition for a long time does not make it easier for us, for you will be far, far away. That alone will give you the opportunity to show your mettle. I think it best that it should be so, for you will be thrown entirely upon your own resources. Either you will become discouraged quickly and come back ready to take our advice, or you will do big things.” “Where?” David asked in an awed voice. “Where am I going?” “To South America, because there real opportunities exist for the right man.” “South America?” “Yes. Dan Rice, a former client of mine, has a ranch in the Argentine. He went down fifteen years ago. He was a born stock man and made a huge success of the venture. I enquired about him and learned that he is opening a new place in Brazil, somewhere in the Upper Amazon country, above the city called Manaos. I shall send you to him. If ever there was a person who could judge men and get the best out of them, Rice is the one. What do you say?” “I don’t know what to say except to thank both of you for letting me go. It is better than I even dreamed of. It will be wonderful!” “Good! I only hope you will not be too greatly disappointed when you get there.”