"Are you in any business ?" "Yes," answered Frank.
"What are you doing ?' asked Mark, inspired a little by curiosity.
"I am agent for a wholesale tea house in New York," Frank answered, briefly.
"You don't say so!" exclaimed Mark, rather impressed.

"What is the name of the firm ?" "The Great Pekin Tea Company." "Does it pay well ?" asked his stepbrother.
"I have met with very fair success," replied Frank.
"I congratulate you, Frank," said Mr.Manning.

"Your energy and enterprise are creditable--extremely creditable.

I always predicted that you would succeed--didn't I, Mark ?' "I don't remember hearing you say so," said Mark.
Mr.Manning shrugged his shoulders.
"Nevertheless," he said, "I have often made the remark." "Where do you live ?" asked Mark.
"I board in Clinton Place." "A very respectable street," said Mr.Manning.
Frank now thought it was his turn to become questioner.
"How long do you remain in the city, Mr.Manning ?" he asked.
"Not long--only a day or two," said his stepfather.
"We sail for Europe on Saturday," interposed Mark, "on the Cunard steamer." "Indeed! I wish you a pleasant voyage." "I am sorry you won't go with us, Frank," said his stepfather, cautiously.

"You remember I gave you the chance to do so, and you desired to devote yourself immediately to business." "Yes, sir.