or, The Silver Skates 385

than formerly! The hard lines were quite melting away.
He was laughing, as he said to the father, —

‘© Am I not a happy man, Raff Brinker? My son will sell
out his factory this month, and open a warehouse in Amster-
dam. ‘I shall have all my spectacle-cases for nothing.”

Hans started from his revery. ‘A warehouse, mynheer !
And will Thomas Higgs — I mean is your son not to be your
assistant again?”

A shade passed over the meester’s face ; but he brightened
with an effort, as he replied, —

“Oh, no! Laurens has had quite enough of that. He
wishes to be a merchant.”

Hans appeared so surprised and disappointed that his friend
asked good-naturedly, —

“Why so silent, boy? Is it any disgrace to be a merchant?”

“«N — nota disgrace, mynheer,” stammered Hans; “but —”’

« But what ?”

“Why, the other calling is so much better,” answered
Hans, “so .much nobler. I think, mynheer,” he added,
kindling with enthusiasm, “that to be a surgeon, to cure the
sick and crippled, to save human life, to be able to do what
you have done for my father, is the grandest thing on earth.”

The doctor was regarding him sternly. Hans felt rebuked.
His cheeks were flushed: hot tears were gathering under his
lashes.

“Jt is an ugly business, boy, this surgery,” said the doctor,
still frowning at Hans; “it requires great patience, self-denial
and perseverance.”

?

“[ am sure it does,’’ cried Hans, kindling again. “It
calls for wisdom too, and a reverence for God’s work. Ah,
mynheer, it may have its trials and drawbacks; but you do

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