Ruby's Reward — page 12: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“Yes; but if you object to my going back to Yale, I will give up eta and begin the study of my profes- sion at once,” Walter returned, trying to speak calmly, for he felt {¢ would be a great trial to give up his educa- tion, “How do you intend to study for your profession ?”__ “T ghall be twenty in a couple of weeks,” Walter re- lied, but feeling very sure that Edmund Carpenter ew his exact age as well as he did. “Twenty! It scoms tome youare old enough to be earning something for your own support.” “T wish [were prepared to do so, Edmund,” Walter an- swered, a vivid crimson shooting athwart his white forehead; ‘ but Uncle Ralph distinctly sald, during the lagt couversation I had with him, that it was his wish that I complete my course, and after thatl might feel tree to choose uny profession | preferred.” “Indeed, Itis oa pity, then, that he did not provide for you to do so.” Walter opened lis lips, ns if to reply to this sarcastic retort, but checked himself. He had beén on the poe of repeuting what Mr. Car- penter had said to about having provided band- somely for him; but second thought told him that it would be unwise to say anything to arouse Edmund's anger, so he made no reply at all. “T think,” the young helr resumed, after an awkward pause, “that lt is high time that you were doing sorme- thing to support yourself. You have received a good education—tar better than the majority of boys in yor position Tecelye—and you ought now ta be able to go into some business without further preparation. Are you a good accountant ? “T believe I stand fairly in mathematics,” Walter re- sponded, modestly, though he was almost first in bis