صفحة 444 من 657

"You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor,

residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a

hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my

work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner &

Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago,

having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of

money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in

business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria

Street.

"I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in

business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so.

During two years I have had three consultations and one small

job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought

me. My gross takings amount to £ 27 10s. Every day, from nine in

the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my little

den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to believe

that I should never have any practice at all.