man. On the whole, and for every reason, I think
that it would be better if I were out of this. I applied for several
steamship lines, and for at least a dozen house surgeonships; but there
is as much competition for a miserable post with a hundred a year as
if it were the Viceroyship of India. As a rule, I simply get my
testimonials returned without any comment, which is the sort of thing
that teaches a man humility. Of course, it is very pleasant to live with
the mater, and my little brother Paul is a regular trump. I am teaching
him boxing; and you should see him put his tiny fists up, and counter
with his right. He got me under the jaw this evening, and I had to ask
for poached eggs for supper.

And all this brings me up to the present time and the latest news. It is
that I had a telegram from Cullingworth this morning--after nine months'
silence. It was dated from Avonmouth, the town where I had suspected
that he had settled, and it said simply, "Come at once. I have urgent
need of you. CULLINGWORTH." Of course, I shall go by the first train
to-morrow. It may mean anything or nothing. In my heart of hearts I hope
and believe that old Cullingworth sees an opening for me either as his
partner or in some other way. I always believed that he would turn up
trumps, and make my fortune as well as his own. He knows that if I am
not very quick or brilliant I am fairly steady and reliable. So that's
what I've been working up to all along, Bertie, that to-morrow I go to
join Cullingworth, and that it looks as if there was to be an opening
for me at last. I gave you a sketch of him and his ways, so that you may
take an interest in the development of my fortune, which you could not
do if you did not know something of the man who is holding out his hand
to me.

Yesterday was my birthday, and I was two and twenty years of age.
For two and twenty years have I swung around the sun. And in all
seriousness, without a touch of levity, and from the bottom of my soul,
I assure you that I have at the present moment the very vaguest idea as
to whence I have come from, whither I am going, or what I am here for.
It is not for want of inquiry, or from indifference. I have mastered
the principles of several religions. They have all shocked me by the
violence which I should have to do to my reason to accept the dogmas of
any one of them. Their ethics are usually excellent. So are the ethics
of the common law of England. But the scheme of cre