The Best Ballantyne Westerns. R. M. Ballantyne

it that the generous way in which you have left me to make my own choice will influence me against going abroad more than anything else.”

      Ned sighed as he rose to quit the room, for he felt that his hopes at that moment were sinking.

      “And before you take a step in the matter, my boy,” said old Mr Shirley, “go to your room and ask counsel of Him who alone has the power to direct your steps in this life.”

      Ned replied briefly, “I will, uncle,” and hastily left the room. Mr Shirley poked the fire, put on his spectacles, smoothed out the wrinkles on his bald forehead with his hand, took up the Times, and settled himself down in his easy-chair to read; but his nephew’s prospects could not be banished from his mind. He went over the whole argument again, mentally, with copious additions, ere he became aware of the fact, that for three-quarters of an hour he had been, (apparently), reading the newspaper upside down.