Take law, for instance: Knew a
chap--went into an office at ten dollars a month--didn't know a thing
about it. In three months he was raised to twenty dollars, and within a
year to forty dollars. In three or four years he had passed his exams,
got a junior partnership worth easily two thousand dollars a year. They
wanted that chap, and wanted him badly. But take business: That chap
goes into a store and--"
"A store?" inquired "Lily."
"Yes, a shop you call it here; say a drygoods--"
"Drygoods? What extraordinary terms these Colonials use!"
"Oh, draper's shop," said Dunn impatiently. "Go on, Martin; don't mind
him."
"A draper's clerk!" echoed "Lily." "To sell tapes and things?"
"Yes," replied Martin stoutly; "or groceries."
"Do you by any chance mean that a University man, a gentleman, takes a
position in a grocer's shop to sell butter and cheese?"
"I mean just that," said Martin firmly.
"Oh, please!" said "Lily" with a violent shudder. "It is too awful!"
"There you are! You wouldn't demean yourself."
"Not I!" said "Lily" fervently.
"Or disgrace your friends. You want a gentleman's job. There are not
enough to go round in Canada."
"Oh, go on," said Miss Brodie impatiently. "'Lily,' we must ask you to
not interrupt. What happens? Does he stay there?"
"Not he!" said Martin.
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