“I trust,” said his father, “that they have not been entirely without profit.”

“No,” said John, “perhaps not wholly, but their cash value would not be large, I’m afraid.”

“All value is not to be measured in dollars and cents,” remarked Mr. Lenox.  “If I could have acquired as much German and French as I presume you have, to say nothing of other things, I should look back upon the time as well spent at almost any cost.  At your age a year or two more or less—­you don’t realize it now, but you will if you come to my age—­doesn’t count for so very much, and you are not too old,” he smiled, “to begin at a beginning.”

“I want to begin,” said John.

“Yes,” said his father, “I want to have you, and I have had the matter a good deal in my mind.  Have you any idea as to what you wish to do?”

“I thought,” said John, “that the most obvious thing would be to go into your office.”  Mr. Lenox reached over for the cigar-lamp.  His cigar had gone out, and his hand shook as he applied the flame to it.  He did not reply for a moment.

“I understand,” he said at last.  “It would seem the obvious thing to do, as you say, but,” he clicked his teeth together doubtfully, “I don’t see how it can be managed at present, and I don’t think it is what I should desire for you in any case.  The fact is,” he went on, “my business has always been a sort of specialty, and, though it is still worth doing perhaps, it is not what it used to be.  Conditions and methods have changed—­and,” he added, “I am too old to change with them.”

“I am not,” said John.

“In fact,” resumed his father, ignoring John’s assertion, “as things are going now, I couldn’t make a place for you in my office unless I displaced Melig and made you my manager, and for many reasons I couldn’t do that.  I am too dependent on Melig.  Of course, if you came with me it would be as a partner, but—­”

“No,” said John, “I should be a poor substitute for old Melig for a good while, I fancy.”

“My idea would be,” said Mr. Lenox, “that you should undertake a profession—­say the law.  It is a fact that the great majority of men fail in business, and then most of them, for lack of training or special aptitude, fall into the ranks of clerks and subordinates.  On the other hand, a man who has a profession—­law, medicine, what not—­even if he does not attain high rank, has something on which he can generally get along, at least after a fashion, and he has the standing.  That is my view of the matter, and though I confess I often wonder at it in individual cases, it is my advice to you.”

“It would take three or four years to put me where I could earn anything to speak of,” said John, “even providing that I could get any business at the end of the time.”

“Yes,” said his father, “but the time of itself isn’t of so much consequence.  You would be living at home, and would have your allowance—­perhaps,” he suggested, “somewhat diminished, seeing that you would be here—­”