"Papa did, and was very happy," said Maggie.

"Yes! after he had been at Oxford," replied Edward, a little nonplussed by
this reference to one whose memory even the most selfish and thoughtless
must have held in respect.

"Well! and you know you would have to go to Oxford first."

"Maggie! I wish you would not interfere between my mother and me. I want
to have it settled and done with, and that it will never be if you keep
meddling. Now, mother, don't you see how much better it will be for me to
go into Mr. Bish's office? Harry Bish has spoken to his father about it."

Mrs. Browne sighed.

"What will Mr. Buxton say?" asked she, dolefully.

"Say! Why don't you see it was he who first put it into my head, by telling
me that first Christmas holidays, that I should be his agent. That would be
something, would it not? Harry Bish says he thinks a thousand a-year might
ha made of it."

His loud, decided, rapid talking overpowered Mrs. Browne; but she resigned
herself to his wishes with more regrets than she had ever done before. It
was not the first case in which fluent declamation has taken the place of
argument.

Edward was articled to Mr. Bish, and thus gained his point. There was no
one with power to resist his wishes, except his mother and Mr. Buxton. The