“Well, that is encouraging.  I should like to have heard the lecture.”

“I begin to think, Harry, that I should have done well to follow your example.  When I was in your position, I might have studied too, but I didn’t realize the importance as I do now.  I read some useful books, to be sure, but that isn’t like studying.”

“It isn’t too late now.”

Ferguson shook his head.

“Now I have a wife and children,” he said.  “I am away from them during the day, and the evening I like to pass socially with them.”

“Perhaps you would like to be divorced,” said his wife, smiling.  “Then you would get time for study.”

“I doubt if that would make me as happy, Hannah.  I am not ready to part with you just yet.  But our young friend here is not quite old enough to be married, and there is nothing to prevent his pursuing his studies.  So, Harry, go on, and prepare yourself for your editorial duties.”

Harry smiled thoughtfully.  For the first time he had formed definite plans for his future.  Why should not Ferguson’s plans be realized?

“If I live long enough,” he said to himself, “I will be an editor, and exert some influence in the world.”

At ten o’clock he bade good-night to Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson, feeling that he had passed a pleasant and what might prove a profitable evening.

CHAPTER VIII.

Fletcher’s views on social position.

“You are getting on finely, Harry,” said Oscar Vincent, a fortnight later.  “You do credit to my teaching.  As you have been over all the regular verbs now, I will give you a lesson in translating.”

“I shall find that interesting,” said Harry, with satisfaction.

“Here is a French Reader,” said Oscar, taking one down from the shelves.  “It has a dictionary at the end.  I won’t give you a lesson.  You may take as much as you have time for, and at the same time three or four of the irregular verbs.  You are going about three times as fast as I did when I commenced French.”

“Perhaps I have a better teacher than you had,” said Harry, smiling.

“I shouldn’t wonder,” said Oscar.  “That explains it to my satisfaction.  Well, now the lesson is over, sit down and we’ll have a chat.  Oh, by the way, there’s one thing I want to speak to you about.  We’ve got a debating society at our school.  It is called ‘The Clionian Society.’  Most of the students belong to it.  How would you like to join?”

“I should like it very much.  Do you think they would admit me?”

“I don’t see why not.  I’ll propose you at the next meeting, Thursday evening.  Then the nomination will lie over a week, and be acted upon at the next meeting.”

“I wish you would.  I never belonged to a debating society, but I should like to learn to speak.”