“’You are the same Percy Trevelyan who has had so distinguished a career and won a great prize lately?’ said he.
“I bowed.
“’Answer me frankly,’ he continued, ‘for you will find it to your interest to do so. You have all the cleverness which makes a successful man. Have you the tact?’
“I could not help smiling at the abruptness of the question.
“’I trust that I have my share,’ I said.
“’Any bad habits? Not drawn towards drink, eh?’
“’Really, sir!’ I cried.
“’Quite right! That’s all right! But I was bound to ask. With all these qualities, why are you not in practice?’
“I shrugged my shoulders.
“’Come, come!’ said he, in his bustling way. ‘It’s the old story. More in your brains than in your pocket, eh? What would you say if I were to start you in Brook Street?’
“I stared at him in
