'
'Aye, my poor boy, that's what you would like best, I've no doubt;
but look at Edward's face there, and think what that would come to
at the best!'
'Yes, I know I have no right to choose,' said Clarence, drooping his
head as before.
''Tis not that, my dear lad,' said the good man, 'but that packing
you off like that, among your inferiors in breeding and everything
else, would put an end to all hope of your redeeming the past--
outwardly I mean, of course--and lodge you in a position of
inequality to your brothers and sister, and all--'
'That's done already,' said Clarence.
'If you were a man grown it might be so,' returned Mr. Castleford,
'but bless me, how old are you?'
'Seventeen next 1st of November,' said Clarence.
'Not a bit too old for a fresh beginning,' said Mr. Castleford
cheerily. 'God helping you, you will be a brave and good man yet,
my boy--' then as my master rang at the door--'Come with me and look
at the old shop.'
Poor Clarence muttered something unintelligible, and I had to own
for him that he never went out without accounting for himself.
Whereupon our friend caused my mother to be hunted up, and explained
to her that he wanted to take Clarence out with him--making some
excuse about something they were to see together.
That walk enabled him to say something which came nearer to cheering
Clarence than anything that had passed since that sad return, and
made him think that to be connected with Mr.
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