and as often as they are made. I am afraid, sir, I shall be nothing!"

"Do not despond, my son," said the old man sympathizingly. "Your
fear is natural to your age and temperament. Most young men at
your time of life feel numerous yearnings--the struggle of various
qualities of mind, each striving in newly-born activity, and
striving adversely. Your unhappiness arises from the refusal of
these qualities to act together. When they learn to co-operate, all
will be easy. Your strifes will be subdued; there will be a calm
like that upon the sea when the storms subside."

"Ah! but when will that be? A long time yet. It seems to me that
the storm rather increases than subsides."

"It may seem so to you now, and yet, when the strife is greatest,
the favorable change is at hand. It needs but one thing to make
all the conflicting qualities of one's mind cooperate."

"What is that one thing, sir?"

"An object! As yet, you have none."

"None, sir!"

"None--or rather many--which is pretty much the same thing as having
none."

"I am not sure, sir--but it seems to me, sir, that I have an object."

"Indeed, William! are you sure?"