Certainly he was not prepared to answer it.

If he stayed where he was, led his busy life all day in the store, how was he ever to go through with the necessary course of study, which it was high time he commenced in earnest?
If he left them, these dear friends, who had taken him into their home and hearts, and made him feel like one of them, how was he to live while he studied?
How, indeed, could he study at all?
The truth was, Edward, calling to mind Mr.Holbrook's lecture that last evening in the home prayer-meeting, and his resolution taken then, thought that the stone was ahead of him no longer, but that he had walked _close_ up to it, and could not take another step because of it, and very large and impossible to move did it look to his shortsighted eyes.
Just as he was growing hopelessly moody, Ray came in, and settled himself among the cushions, rather wearily.
"Ray," said Edward anxiously, "you are not well enough for lessons to-night." "No," answered Ray, smiling, however, as he spoke; "I think I am not, because I want to talk instead.

I am full of a scheme which needs your help; for once we'll let the lessons go.

It is an age since I have heard anything concerning your plans; you have not given up your desire for the ministry, I hope ?" "No, Ray; I shall never give that up." "I thought not; it would not be like you.

That being the case, isn't it time to do something definite ?" "Time, certainly," Edward answered gloomily; "but what's to do ?" "That brings me to the unfolding of my scheme.