He was quite ready to agree to Frank’s surrender of the college plan for two reasons.

A college course would be expensive.  Again, should he turn his attention to the law, he might hereafter give him trouble about the estate.

“I don’t think I should throw away my time, for, if I went to college, I should go there to work faithfully; but I have a fancy for a more stirring life.”

“It might be a good plan for you to learn a trade,” said Mr. Manning, reflectively.

“Learn a trade!” exclaimed Frank, in surprise.

“Yes; it would always enable you to earn a living.”

“Do you intend Mark to learn a trade?” asked Frank, quickly.

“No; his case is very different from yours.”

“Why it is different?”

“It is not necessary for me to explain,” answered his stepfather, stiffly.

“If there were any need of it, Mr. Manning, I would not object to learn a trade,” said Frank.  “I have no false pride on the subject.  But my tastes are more for mercantile business.”

“I may be able to find you a place somewhere.  I have a friend in the dry-goods business, who would receive you at my recommendation.”

“Thank you!” said Frank, hastily.  “But if you will allow me, I would prefer to look around for myself.”

“What is it you want, then?”

“Your permission to go out into the world, and try to make a living.”

“And if you don’t,” said Mr. Manning, “I suppose you expect me to defray your expenses?”

“If I did have such an expectation, I think I should be justified, in view of the large property which my mother left,” said Frank, pointedly.

“She left it to me,” said his stepfather.

“So it appears, at any rate.  But I shall not call upon you to pay my board.  Give me your permission to go where I please, with a small sum of money to start me, and I shall be satisfied.”

“And what will the world say?  That I, your stepfather, to whom you have a right to look for maintenance, had driven you out to earn your living!  It would be unjust, of course, but the world is ever unjust.”

And Mr. Manning assumed a look of wronged innocence, which would have imposed on anyone who knew him but slightly.

“I shall defend you from any such charge,” said Frank.  “I shall say that you were only yielding to my request.”

“I will think of it, my dear boy,” said Mr. Manning, graciously.  “I already feel inclined to grant it, because it is your request.  I shall be sorry to be separated from you; but I am willing to sacrifice my own feelings, if it will give you pleasure.”

This did not impose upon Frank, who had a correct idea of the degree of fondness which Mr. Manning had for his society, but he was too well satisfied with the prospect of obtaining the permission he desired to imply any doubts.

“Again,” continued his stepfather, “whatever you may say to the contrary, I know that the world will censure me; but I shall have the approval of my own conscience, and with that I can defy the world.”