Kuhn was a sharp, quick-moving
man, who had no time for frivolity if it delayed business.
It was after a long interview with Sylvester that Captain Elisha decided
to send Stephen back to college. When he broke the news there was
rebellion, brief but lively. Stephen had no desire to continue his
studies; he wished to become a stock broker at once, and, as soon as he
was of age, take his father's seat on the Exchange.
"Stevie," said Captain Elisha, "one of these days, when you get to be
as old as I am or before, you'll realize that an education is worth
somethin'."
"Ugh!" grunted the boy, in supreme disgust. "What do you know about
that?"
"Why, not much, maybe, but enough."
"Yes?" sarcastically. "What college did you attend?"
"Me? Why, none, more's the pity. What learnin' there was in our family
your dad had. Maybe that's why he was what he was, so fur as money and
position and society and so on went, and I'm what _I_ am."
"Oh, rubbish! What difference does it make to Malcolm Dunn--now--his
going through college?"
"Well, he went, didn't he?"
Stephen grinned. Malcolm had told him some particulars concerning his
university career and its termination.
"He went--part way," he answered.
"Ya-as. Well, you've gone part way, so fur.
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