ore, it was only a choosing between two roads. Now
my main track had run suddenly to nothing, and I must go back or find a
bye-path.

"It's this way, Cullingworth," said I. "I am very much obliged to you,
and to you, Mrs. Cullingworth, for all your kindness and good wishes,
but I did not come here to spoil your practice; and, after what you have
told me, it is quite impossible for me to work with you any more."

"Well, my boy," said he, "I am inclined myself to think that we should
do better apart; and that's Hetty's idea also, only she is too polite to
say so."

"It is a time for plain speaking," I answered, "and we may as well
thoroughly understand each other. If I have done your practice any
harm, I assure you that I am heartily sorry, and I shall do all I can to
repair it. I cannot say more."

"What are you going to do, then?" asked Cullingworth.

"I shall either go to sea or else start a practice on my own account."

"But you have no money."

"Neither had you when you started."

"Ah, that was different. Still, it may be that you are right. You'll
find it a stiff pull at first."

"Oh, I am quite prepared for that."

"Well, you know, Munro, I feel that I am responsible to you to some
extent, since I persuaded you not to take that ship the other day."

"It was a pity, but it can't be helped."

"We must do what we can to make up. Now, I tell you what I am prepared
to do. I was talking about it with Hetty this morning, and she thought
as I did. If we were to allow you one pound a week until you got your
legs under you, it would encourage you to start for yourself, and you
could pay it back as soon as you were able."

"It is very kind of you," said I. "If you would let the matter stand
just now, I should like just to take a short walk by myself, and to
think it all over."

So the Cullingworths did their bag-procession through the doctors'
quarter alone to-day, and I walked to the park, where I sat down on one
of the seats, lit a cigar, and thought the whole matter over. I was down
on my luck at first; but the balmy air and the smell of spring and the
budding flowers soon set me right again. I began my last letter among
the stars, and I am inclined to finish this one among the flowers, for
they are rare companions when one's mind is troubled. Most things on
this earth, from a woman's beauty to the taste of a nectarine, seem to
be the various baits with which Nature lures her silly gudgeons. They
shall ea