active affairs and began to acquire the taste for reading. And
now came a great change in Archibald's attitude. Morgan one day
realised with astonishment that his father had become perfectly
reconciled to the idea of his following a literary career, nay, that
he was now proud of having a son who was a man of letters. Archibald,
in fact, seemed to be relishing the literary atmosphere tremendously.
He made constant additions to his library, consulting Morgan as to the
choice of books, and spent a great part of his time amid its oaken
magnificence. He read very many novels, buying the newest ones as they
appeared. When Morgan's first volume of poems was published, Archibald
went about in a state of intense excitement. He bought fifty copies to
give away, and never went abroad without carrying one in his pocket.
He bragged and boasted about Morgan, till one might have imagined the
latter had scornfully refused the laureateship.

Morgan, however, had no great respect for his father's literary
judgment. It was all very well when he came to him for advice about
his reading, but there were times when the banker did not hesitate to
lay down the law, for he was growing accustomed to a respectful
hearing on the part of his friends, which was somewhat spoiling him.
All his world knew he had trouble with his eyes. As a matter of fact,
his sight was scarcely worse than it had been for years, his visual
weakness being little more than imaginary, and but one of the
manifestations of his literary phase.

Altogether, Archibald Druce seemed quite satisfied with Morgan's slow
progress. Once he had finally got rid of the notion of making Morgan a
banker, he was a delightful man to have for a father, a fact which
Morgan fully appreciated. Often had he asked the latter if "he were
all right for money," and Morgan had replied he was; so that he knew
quite well his father would take a very lenient view of his
expenditure and had no desire at all to hold him to the arrangement
made. But Archibald always limited himself to the general question,
and never sought to know whether Morgan was living on his interest or
spending the capital.

The relation between the two now was a perfectly hearty one. The
banker was glad to have Morgan home for a few days now and again, and
equally enjoyed coming to town occasionally to see him. But in spite
of his father's liberality and cordiality, Morgan's pride, combined
with the sense of his failure, made him d