Only yesterday he said that the property belonged by right to him." Mr.Manning looked thoughtful, and watched Mark narrowly to see if from his manner he could divine the boy's intentions.
Later that same evening, Mark having retired early in consequence of a headache, Frank found himself alone with his stepfather, and took advantage of the opportunity to speak of the plan he had formed.
"Mr.Manning," he said, "if you are at leisure, I should like to speak with you a few minutes." "Proceed," said his stepfather, waving his hand.
"But a week remains of the school term.

Did you propose that I should return there at the end of the vacation ?" "Humph! I had not thought much on the subject." "It has all along been intended that I should go to college when prepared, but I don't think I care much about it." "In that case," said his stepfather, with alacrity, "you would only be throwing away time and money by going." He was quite ready to agree to Frank's surrender of the college plan for two reasons.
A college course would be expensive.

Again, should he turn his attention to the law, he might hereafter give him trouble about the estate.
"I don't think I should throw away my time, for, if I went to college, I should go there to work faithfully; but I have a fancy for a more stirring life." "It might be a good plan for you to learn a trade," said Mr.Manning, reflectively.
"Learn a trade!" exclaimed Frank, in surprise.
"Yes; it would always enable you to earn a living." "Do you intend Mark to learn a trade ?" asked Frank, quickly.
"No; his case is very different from yours." "Why it is different ?" "It is not necessary for me to explain," answered his stepfather, stiffly.
"If there were any need of it, Mr.Manning, I would not object to learn a trade," said Frank.

"I have no false pride on the subject.

But my tastes are more for mercantile business." "I may be able to find you a place somewhere.