"I'm not as well adapted to it as he was, but
I expect to learn."
"I remember you thought of doing graduate work along scientific lines.
Did you give that up?"
"Yes. I found father needed me at home; his health must have been
failing even then, though I didn't realize it. I've been in the store
with him ever since. I'm glad I have--now."
"It's not been good for you," declared Richard, scrutinizing his
friend's pale and rather worn face critically. It would have seemed to
him still paler and more worn if he could have seen it in contrast with
his own fresh-tinted features, ruddy with his morning's drive. "Better
come with me for an afternoon spin farther up State, and a good dinner
at a place I know. Get you back by bedtime."
"There's nothing I'd like better, Rich," said Benson longingly; "but--I
can't leave the store. I have rather a short force of clerks--and on a
sunny day--"
"You'd sell more goods to-morrow," urged Richard, feeling increasingly
anxious to do something which might bring light into a face he had not
remembered as so sombre.
But Benson shook his head again. Afterward, in front of the store to
which the two had returned in the car, Richard could only give his
friend a warm grip of the hand and an urgent invitation to visit him in
the city.
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