“It has come to my knowledge through my son that your boy has abandoned the study of medicine, and that you are still uncertain as to his future career.  I have long had the intention of seeking a young man who might join in our business, and relieve my old shoulders of some of the burden.  Ezra urges me to write and propose that your son should become one of us.  If he has any taste for business we shall be happy to advance his interest in every way.  He would, of course, have to purchase a share in the concern, which would amount to seven thousand pounds, on which he would be paid interest at the rate of five per cent.  By allowing this interest to accumulate, and investing also his share of the profits, he might in time absorb a large portion of the business.  In case he joined us upon this footing we should have no objection to his name appearing as one of the firm.  Should the idea commend itself to you, I should be most happy to talk over details, and to explain to you the advantages which the firm can offer, at my office in Fenchurch Street, any day between ten and four.”

“With kind regards to your family, and hoping that they enjoy
the great blessing of health, I remain sincerely yours,”

“JOHN GIRDLESTONE.”

“What d’ye think of that?” the doctor asked, when his son had finished reading it.

“I hardly know,” said Tom; “I should like a little time to think it over.”

“Seven thousand pounds is a good round sum.  It is more than half the total capital which I have invested for you.  On the other hand, I have heard those who ought to know say there is not a sounder or better managed concern in London.  There’s no time like the present, Tom.  Get your hat, and we’ll go down to Fenchurch Street together and look into it.”

While father and son were rattling along in a cab from Kensington to the City, the young man had time to turn the matter over in his mind.  He wanted to be at work, and why not take this up as well as anything else.  It is true that he disliked what he had seen of both the Girdlestones, but, on the other hand, by becoming a member of the firm he would probably be thrown in the way of meeting the old merchant’s ward.  This last consideration decided the matter, and long before the cab had pulled up at the long and dirty passage which led to the offices of the great African firm, the party principally interested had fully made up his mind as to the course he should adopt.

They were duly ushered into the small sanctum adorned with the dissected ships, the maps, the charts, the lists of sailing, and the water-colour picture of the barque Belinda, where they were received by the head of the firm.  With a charming personal modesty, tempered by a becoming pride in the great business which he had himself created, he discoursed upon its transactions and its importance.  He took down ledgers and flashed great rows of figures before the eyes of the good doctor, explaining, at the same time, how month after month their receipts increased and their capital grew.  Then he spoke touchingly of his own ripe years, and of the quiet and seclusion which he looked forward to after his busy lifetime.