"Bless my soul! is it possible? Why, you have grown much taller and
larger."

"Yes, sir; I don't want to stand still."

"And what are you doing now?"

"I am in business in this city."

"That is well, but it is a great pity you could not have remained at
school."

"I thought so myself at the time I left, but I'm quite reconciled to the
change now."

"Doubtless you are doing your duty, wherever you are. In what business
are you engaged?"

"I am in a real estate office."

"I hope you are making fine wages?"

"I receive fifteen dollars a week."

"Bless my soul! Why, that is all I pay my head assistant. You must be
giving great satisfaction. And how is your father?"

"He is pretty well, sir; but his loss of property has worn upon him."

"Naturally. Did I not understand that he had to mortgage his farm."

"Yes, sir."

"I hope there is no danger of foreclosure?"

"There might be, sir; but when the danger comes I shall be able to help
him."

"I am not much of a capitalist, Andy. I understand Latin and Greek
better than I do investments, but if a loan of a few hundred dollars
will help him I shall be willing to let him have it."

"Thank you very much, Dr. Crabb, but my employer, Mr. Crawford, will
give me all the help I need."

"I am truly pleased to hear it. I wish you were able to return to the
academy. You were our _primus_, and I did not like to spare you. You
might in time have succeeded me."

"I hope it will be a long time before you require a successor, doctor. I
shall confine my ambitions to succeeding in my business."

CHAPTER XXXV.

THE RETURN OF AN OLD FRIEND.

One afternoon Andy was busy writing in the office when he heard himself
called by name, and, looking up, saw Walter Gale, who had just entered.

"Mr. Gale!" he exclaimed, joyfully, rising and grasping the hands of his
friend.

"So you know me? Upon my word, you have grown so that I find it
difficult to recognize you."

"Yes, I believe I have grown taller."

"And more manly. I need not ask if you are well. Your appearance answers
that question."

"I was never better."

"And you enjoy your work?"

"Immensely. But when did you reach the city?"

"This morning. As you see, I have lost no time in looking you up."

"Shall you stay here now?"

"Yes," answered Gale, gravely; "my poor uncle is dead. His sickness was
a painful one, and he is better off."

"I am glad you are to be in the city. I hope to see you often."