"But it will take a great deal of consideration."
"Yes," said Johnny. "You don't disapprove, do you, papa?"
"Well," said the Colonel, in his ponderous way, "you have advantages,
you know, and you might do better for yourself."
There was a quivering impulse on Johnny's lips to say that it was not
to himself that he wanted to do good; but when his father was
speaking in that deliberate manner, he was not to be interrupted, and
there was nothing for it but to hear him out.
"Your aunt is providing you with the best of educations, you have
good abilities and industry, and you will be a well-looking fellow
besides," added the Colonel, glancing over him with an approving eye
of fatherly satisfaction; "and it seems to me that you could succeed
in some superior line. Your mother and I had always hoped to see you
at the bar. Every opportunity for distinction is given you, and I do
not understand this sudden desire to throw them up for a profession
of much greater drudgery and fewer chances of rising, unless it were
from some influence of your aunt."
"She never spoke of it. She does not know that I have thought of it,
nor of my letter to you."
"Then it is simply from enthusiasm for this young doctor?"
"Not exactly," said John, "but I always wished I could be like my
uncle.
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