The Argosy — page 179: what you’re looking at

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

Edina. 165 “T mean, could you take it up? How would you find your neces- sary outfit —regimentals cost a great deal. But that would not be the chief consideration, for you will say perhaps that you might obtain them on credit and pay as you could. I have heard that it takes every officer more than his pay to live. I have often thought that were I an officer it should not take me more; but it may be that I am mistaken. You would not have anything besides, Charley.” “Oh, I expect I should get along.” “Take it at the best, you would have nothing to spare. I had thought that you might choose something which would enable you to help them here at home.” “Of course. It is what I should wish to do.” “‘ Alfred must be educated; and little Robert too as he comes on. Your mother may not be able to do this. And I do not see that you will have it in your power to aid her if you enter the army.” Charles began scoring the window pane with a pencil that he held, knowing not what to answer. In truth, his own intentions and views as to the future were so vague and purposeless, that to dwell on it gave him the nightmare. ‘What should you propose, Edina?” “‘A situation,” replied Edina promptly. ‘In some good city house.” But for the obligations they were just now under to Edina, Mr. Charles Raynor would have scoffed at her for the suggestion. It suited neither him nor his pride. A situation in some city house ! That meant a clerk, he supposed. To write at desks and go on errands! “I wish you’d not talk so, Edina,” he peevishly said, wishing he might box her ears. ‘Did you ever hear of a Raynor becoming a tradesman’s jack-of-all-trades ?” “Did you ever hear of a Raynor with no means of living ?” retorted Edina. “No profession, and no money? Circumstances alter cases, Charley.” “Circumstances can’t make a common man a gentleman ; and they can’t make a gentleman take up the réle of a common man.” “Can't they! I think they often do. However, Charley, I will say no more just now, for I perceive you are not in the humour for it. Consider the matter with yourself. Don’t depend upon the commis- sion, for indeed I do not see that you have a chance of one; put it out of your thoughts, and look to other ways and means. I shall be leaving you ina day or two, you know, and by that time you will perhaps have decided on something.” Edina went into the school-room, and Charles stood where he was. Alfred came in with his Latin books, Mrs. Raynor was going to send Alfred to a day-school close by; but it did not open for another week or two, and meanwhile Charles made a show of keeping him to: his L Latin, comicbooks.com