She thought it better, however, to say
little or nothing of any such paragraph, and tried to regard it as of
small significance, and probably carrying little influence in respect of
the final judgment.
The narrative, such as it might prove, was at length finished, and had
been read, at least with pleasure and hope, by his friend, who was still
the only critic on whose judgment he dared depend, for he could not help
regarding Annie as prejudiced in his favor, although her approval
continued for him absolutely essential. The sole portions to which his
friend took any exception were the same concerning which Annie had
already doubted, and which he found too poetical in their tone--not, he
took care to say, in their meaning, for that could not be too poetical,
but in their expression, which must impinge too sharply upon prosaic
ears that cared only for the narrative, and would recoil from any
reflection, however just in itself, that might be woven into it.
But, alas, now came what Hector felt the last and final blow to the
possibility of farther endeavor in the way of literature!
The bank to which Hector had been introduced by his father, and in which
he had been employed ever since, had of late found it necessary to look
more closely to its outlay and reduce its expenses; therefore, believing
that Hector had abundance of other resources, its managers decided on
giving him notice first of all that they must in future deprive
themselves of the pleasure of his services.
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