"I expect to," said Herbert, not relishing the cross-examination.

"Why don't you ride?"

James did not ask for information. He knew well enough already, but as
there are purse-proud men, so there are boys who are actuated by
feelings equally unworthy, and it delighted him to remind Herbert of
his poverty. Herbert divined this, but he was proud in his way, and
answered: "Because I choose."

"Well, you must like the dust, that's all," said James, complacently
tapping his well-polished boot with a light cane which he had bought.

"Where are you going?" asked Herbert, thinking it about time for him
to commence questioning.

"I'm going to Randolph, too," answered James, with unwonted
affability. "I'm going to stop a few days with a friend of mine, Tom
Spencer. His father's a rich man--got a nice place there. Didn't you
ever hear of Mr. Spencer, the lawyer?"

"I don't think I have."

"That's his father. He makes a load of money by his law business. I
think I shall study law some time. Perhaps I'll go into partnership
with him. What are you going to be?"

"I don't know yet," said Herbert.

"I suppose you'll be a mechanic of some kind--a carpenter, or mason,