When he reached the age of thirty he must be beginning to make money; at thirty-five he must be on the way to distinction--his name must be known beyond the immediate circle of his profession; at forty-five he must be holding public office.

Nor was his profession in any doubt.

There was but one which offered these rewards to a man starting in life without money to put down--the Bar.
So to the Bar in due time Henry Thresk was called; and when something did happen to his father he was trained for the battle.

A bank failed and the failure ruined and killed old Mr.Thresk.From the ruins just enough was scraped to keep his widow, and one or two offers of employment were made to Henry Thresk.
But he was tenacious as he was secret.

He refused them, and with the help of pupils, journalism and an occasional spell as an election agent, he managed to keep his head above water until briefs began slowly to come in.
So far then Mrs.Thresk's stinging speeches seemed to have been justified.