you ought to start this young fellow?" he went on, after calling to
Oscar and taking him by the arm. "Let him study law; I'll pay the
costs. Put him in a lawyer's office and let him learn the business of
pettifogging; if he does well, if he distinguishes himself, if he
likes his profession and I am still alive, each of my children shall,
when the proper time comes, lend him a quarter of the cost of a
practice; and I will be security for him. You will only have to feed
and clothe him. Of course he'll sow a few wild oats, but he'll learn
life. Look at me: I left Lyon with two double louis which my
grandmother gave me, and walked to Paris; and what am I now? Fasting
is good for the health. Discretion, honesty, and work, young man, and
you'll succeed. There's a great deal of pleasure in earning one's
fortune; and if a man keeps his teeth he eats what he likes in his old
age, and sings, as I do, 'La Mere Godichon.' Remember my words:
Honesty, work, discretion."

"Do you hear that, Oscar?" said his mother. "Your uncle sums up in
three words all that I have been saying to you. You ought to carve the
last word in letters of fire on your memory."

"Oh, I have," said Oscar.

"Very good,--then thank your uncle; didn't you hear him say he would
take charge of your future? You will be a lawyer in Paris."

"He doesn't see the grandeur of his destiny," said the little old man,
observing Oscar's apathetic air. "Well, he's just out of school.
Listen, I'm no talker," he continued; "but I have this to say:
Remember that at your age honesty and uprightness are maintained only
by resisting temptations; of which, in a great city like Paris, there