"
"I think so," returned Janet.
"Then you know-—"
"I heard what papa said to you. I kept the white slate till you
thought of it," said Janet, in a tone that sounded soft from her.
"And why did you never say so, my dear?"
"I can hardly tell. I was shy at first; and then reserve grows on a
person; but I never ceased from thinking about it through all these
years. Mother, you do not think there is any chance of the boys
taking it up as my father wished?"
"Certainly not Allen," said Caroline with a sigh. "And as to Bobus,
he would have full capacity; but a great change must come over him,
poor fellow, before he would fulfil your father's conditions."
"He has no notion of the drudgery of the medical profession," said
Janet; "he means to read law, get up social and sanitary questions,
and go into parliament."
"I know," said her mother, "I have always lived in hopes that
sanitary theories would give him his father's heart for the
sufferers, and that search into the secrets of nature would lead him
higher; but as long as he does not turn that way of himself it would
be contrary to your father's charge to hold this discovery out to him
as an inducement."
"And Jock?" said Janet, smiling. "You don't expect it of the born
soldier-—nor of Armine?"
"I am not sure about Armine, though he may not be strong enough to
bear the application.
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