"I don't think so."

"If you do, put it into my hands, and go into partnership with me.
I've got business experience, you know; while you're green,
countrified, you know. It would never do for you to start alone."

"No, I shouldn't think of it."

"Then it's agreed, is it?" said Cornelius. "If I get a legacy, I'll
take you into my store. If you get it, you will go into partnership
with me."

"I'm willing," said Herbert, who really believed that his companion
had as valuable business qualifications as he claimed. How was he to
know that the pretentious Cornelius was only a salesman, at twelve
dollars a week, in a dry-goods store on Eighth Avenue?

By this time they had reached the rather dingy-looking house of their
deceased relative. The front door was open. They passed through the
gate, and, entering, took their places with the mourners.




CHAPTER IV

READING THE WILL