What had he done with the gold one he used to wear?
The light was shining full upon Dr. Boekman's face. How
contented he looked; how much younger and brighter 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
Amsterdam. I shall have all my spectacle cases for nothing."
Hans started from his reverie. "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-not a 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 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.
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