VI + 

May week was over. Vernon was sitting at a table writing. + 

Dear Uncle Sydney: + 

IтАЩve thought over your offer, and IтАЩd like to come into BentтАЩs if you still want me. IтАЩm afraid I shall be rather useless, but I will try all I know. I still think itтАЩs most awfully good of you. + 

He paused. Sebastian was walking up and down restlessly. His pacing disturbed Vernon. + 

тАЬFor goodnessтАЩ sake, sit down,тАЭ he said irritably. тАЬWhatтАЩs the matter with you?тАЭ + 

тАЬNothing.тАЭ + 

Sebastian sat down with unusual mildness. He filled and lighted a pipe. From behind a sheltering haze of smoke, he spoke. + 

тАЬI say, Vernon. I asked Joe to marry me that last night. She turned me down.тАЭ + 

тАЬOh! rough luck,тАЭ said Vernon, trying to bring his mind back and be sympathetic. тАЬPerhaps sheтАЩll change her mind,тАЭ he said vaguely. тАЬThey say girls do.тАЭ + 

тАЬItтАЩs this damned money,тАЭ said Sebastian angrily. + 

тАЬWhat damned money?тАЭ + 

тАЬMine. Joe always said she would marry me when we were kids together. She likes meтБатАФIтАЩm sure she does. And nowтБатАФeverything I say or do always seems to be wrong. If I were only persecuted, or looked down on, or socially undesirable, I believe sheтАЩd marry me like a shot. But sheтАЩs always got to be on the losing side. ItтАЩs a ripping quality in a way, but you can carry it to a pitch where itтАЩs damned illogical. Joe is illogical.тАЭ + 

тАЬHm,тАЭ said Vernon vaguely. + 

He was selfishly intent on his own affairs. It seemed to him curious that Sebastian should be so keen on marrying Joe. There were lots of other girls who would suit him just as well. He reread his letter and added another sentence: + 

I will work like a nigger. + 