"I have been to him already, and have told him of my intentions."

"'Pon my word! And then?"

"He gave me the money to pay my preliminary expenses, and I hope to get
along afterward by myself."

"Well, to think of Dion giving away anything but advice! It's a treat!
And what did he say?"

"That I was right and sensible in providing against the future; for he
knows of your difficulties."

"Stuff and nonsense! He can't last for ever, and then where is the need
for your troubling yourself about my difficulties or studying for a
profession?"

"You are mistaken: he will not leave us a penny; neither do I care for
his money. All I wanted of him I have got, and there is an end of it."

"Then don't say that I am an unnatural or unfeeling father. I'll give
you thir--no, twenty florins!" But he never said whether these twenty
florins were meant to be given monthly, or only once for good and all.
However, as I did not ask for them, I never got a penny, and soon
learned to do without my father's money by giving lessons, coaching less
diligent and capable fellow-students, and contriving to live upon almost
nothing.

But I wanted to speak to you of my Uncle Diogenes, as he was generally