"No, doctor, I intended to show it to you. You won't expect me to show
much gratitude, I hope?"

"I won't insist upon it, Herbert," said the doctor, smiling.

Herbert in about half an hour submitted the following note to the
doctor's inspection. It had cost him considerable thought to determine
how to express himself, but he succeeded at last to his tolerable
satisfaction.

"UNCLE BENJAMIN [so the letter commenced]: Dr. Kent has just shown me
your reply to his letter about me. You seem to think I wish you to
support me, which is not the case. All I should have asked was your
influence to help me in obtaining a situation in the city, where I might
support myself. I am willing to work, and shall probably find some
opportunity here. The ten dollars, which you inclose, I will accept AS A
LOAN, and will repay you as soon as I am able, WITH INTEREST. HERBERT
MASON."

"Will that do?" asked Herbert.

Dr. Kent smiled.

"You were careful not to express any gratitude, Herbert," he said.

"Because I don't feel any," returned Herbert, promptly. "I feel grateful
to you, Dr. Kent, for your great kindness. I wish I could pay you for
that. I shall never forget how you attended my mother in her sickness,
when there was small prospect of your being paid."