"I am," he said. "Ask any of my men and women. Here--what's going to
become of you, my lad--what are you going to be--soldier like your
father?"
"Oh no!" I said.
"What then?"
"I don't know, sir. I believe I am to wait till my uncles and my
father's cousin have settled."
"How many of them are to settle it, boy?"
"Four, sir."
"Four, eh, my boy! Ah, then I suppose it will take a lot of settling!
You'll have to wait."
"Yes, sir, I've got to wait," I said.
"But have you no prospects?"
"Oh yes, sir!" I said. "I believe I have."
"Well, what?"
"My uncle Frederick said that I must make up my mind to go somewhere and
earn my own living."
"That's a nice prospect."
"Yes, sir."
He was silent for a moment or two, and then smiled.
"Well, you're right," he said. "It is a nice prospect, though you and I
were thinking different things. I like a boy to make up his mind to
earn his living when he is called upon to do it. Makes him busy and
self-reliant--makes a man of him. Did he say how?"
"Who, sir--my uncle Frederick?"
"Yes."
"No, sir, he only said that I must wait."
"Like I have to wait for the sun to ripen my fruit, eh? Ah, but I don't
like that. If the sun don't come I pick it, and store it under cover to
ripen as well as it will."