as yours you should go far.'
'Ah, there's the rub, Sir,' Roger replied. 'My father set his heart upon my entering the Navy, but four years ago I ran away to France rather than be sent to sea. I've no wish to remain idle, yet those four years are now entirely lost to me. I am not trained to anything except secretarial work and I've no desire to do that all my life. Yet no other opening seems to offer.'
Mr. Pitt stood up, and began to walk about the room, as he asked: 'What type of work would really hold your interest, and what qualifications have you?'
'I am said to have a flair for languages, Sir. I now speak French as well as most Frenchmen and know a little German. I have proved to myself that I do not lack for courage or resource and would meet any man with either sword or pistol, were I called upon to do so. As to the type of work I would prefer, 'tis hard to put a name to it, but I would like to retain my independence of action as far as possible, and I've a strong desire to travel again. But I fear I shall find it monstrous hard to launch myself in any manner that will fulfil those wishes.'
'I think not,' said young Mr. Pitt, laying a kindly hand on Roger's shoulder. 'Consider yourself launched, Mr. Brook. England and I have a hundred uses for a man like you.'
