, and the resumption of my ring, as well as of the bear's grease in
moderation, are the last marks I can discern, now, in my progress to seventeen.
 

                                  Chapter XIX

                     I Look about Me, and Make a Discovery.

I am doubtful whether I was at heart glad or sorry, when my school-days drew to
an end, and the time came for my leaving Doctor Strong's. I had been very happy
there, I had a great attachment for the Doctor, and I was eminent and
distinguished in that little world. For these reasons I was sorry to go; but for
other reasons, unsubstantial enough, I was glad. Misty ideas of being a young
man at my own disposal, of the importance attaching to a young man at his own
disposal, of the wonderful things to be seen and done by that magnificent
animal, and the wonderful effects he could not fail to make upon society, lured
me away. So powerful were these visionary considerations in my boyish mind, that
I seem, according to my present way of thinking, to have left school without
natural regret. The separation has not made the impression on me that other
separations have. I try in vain to recall how I felt about it, and what its
circumstances were; but it is not momentous in my recollection. I suppose the
opening prospect confused me. I know that my juvenile experiences went for
little or nothing then; and that life was more like a great fairy story, which I
was just about to begin to read, than anything else.
    My aunt and I had held many grave deliberations on the calling to which I
should be devoted. For a year or more I had endeavoured to find a satisfactory
answer to her often-repeated question, »What I would like to be?« But I had no
particular liking, that I could discover, for anything. If I could have been
inspired with a knowledge of the science of navigation, taken the command of a
fast-sailing expedition, and gone round the world on a triumphant voyage of
discovery, I think I might have considered myself completely suited. But in the
absence of any such miraculous provision, my desire was to apply myself to some
pursuit that would not lie too heavily upon her purse; and to do my duty in it,
whatever it might be.
    Mr. Dick had regularly assisted at our councils, with a meditative and sage
demeanour. He never made a suggestion but once; and on that occasion (I don't
know what put it in his head), he
