 try and make as good a clergyman
out of myself as I can. That is the well-beneficed point of view, you perceive,
from which difficulties are much simplified,« he ended, smiling.
    The Vicar did feel then as if his share of duties would be easy. But Duty
has a trick of behaving unexpectedly - something like a heavy friend whom we
have amiably asked to visit us, and who breaks his leg within our gates.
    Hardly a week later, Duty presented itself in his study under the disguise
of Fred Vincy, now returned from Omnibus College with his bachelor's degree.
    »I am ashamed to trouble you, Mr. Farebrother,« said Fred, whose fair open
face was propitiating, »but you are the only friend I can consult. I told you
everything once before, and you were so good that I can't help coming to you
again.«
    »Sit down, Fred, I'm ready to hear and do anything I can,« said the Vicar,
who was busy packing some small objects for removal, and went on with his work.
    »I wanted to tell you --« Fred hesitated an instant and then went on
plungingly, »I might go into the Church now; and really, look where I may, I
can't see anything else to do. I don't like it, but I know it's uncommonly hard
on my father to say so, after he has spent a good deal of money in educating me
for it.« Fred paused again an instant, and then repeated, »and I can't see
anything else to do.«
    »I did talk to your father about it, Fred, but I made little way with him.
He said it was too late. But you have got over one bridge now: what are your
other difficulties?«
    »Merely that I don't like it. I don't like divinity, and preaching, and
feeling obliged to look serious. I like riding across country, and doing as
other men do. I don't mean that I want to be a bad fellow in any way; but I've
no taste for the sort of thing people expect of a clergyman. And yet what else
am I to do? My father can't spare me any capital, else I might go into farming.
And he has no room for me in his trade. And of course I can't begin to study for
law or physic now, when my father wants me to earn something
