but it is not to be. Not that I would have a boy of mine cherish for a
moment the sad and vain dream which some do--that of living in
idleness. God has sent us all into the world to work; some with their
hands, some with their heads; all according to their abilities and
their station. You will not be the worse off," Mr. Charming added with
a smile, "for working a little harder than you once thought would be
necessary."

"Perhaps the money may come to us, after all, by some miracle,"
suggested Charley.

"No," replied Mr. Channing. "It has wholly gone from us. It is as much
lost to us as though we had never possessed a claim to it."

It was even so. This decision of the Lord Chancellor had taken it from
the Channing family for ever.

"Never mind!" cried Tom, throwing up his trencher, which he had
carelessly carried into the room with him. "As papa says, we have our
hands and brains: and they often win the race against money in the long
run."

Yes. The boys had active hands and healthy brains--no despicable
inheritance, when added to a firm faith in God, and an ardent wish to
use, and not misuse, the talents given to them.