"/You/ are taking these risks," he said.
"Yes," I answered, "but they are incident to the rough trade I follow,
which is that of a hunter and explorer. Moreover, my youth is past,
and I have gone through experiences and bereavements of which you know
nothing, that cause me to set a very slight value on life. I care
little whether I die or continue in the world for some few added
years. Lastly, the excitement of adventure has become a kind of
necessity for me. I do not think that I could live in England for very
long. Also I'm a fatalist. I believe that when my time comes I must
go, that this hour is foreordained and that nothing I can do will
either hasten or postpone it by one moment. Your circumstances are
different. You are quite young. If you stay here and approach your
father in a proper spirit, I have no doubt but that he will forget all
the rough words he said to you the other day, for which indeed you
know you gave him some provocation. Is it worth while throwing up such
prospects and undertaking such dangers for the chance of finding a
rare flower? I say this to my own disadvantage, since I might find it
hard to discover anyone else who would risk ?2,000 upon such a
venture, but I do urge you to weigh my words.
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