With Clive in India | Page 8

be gadding about with him. You will
understand that there is no occasion to be in to meals; but if you are not
present when they are upon the table, you will have to wait for the next.
I cannot have my house turned upside down, by meals being brought
up at all sorts of hours.
"You must not expect me, Niece, to be at your beck and call during the
day, as I have my business to attend to; but of an evening I shall, of
course, feel it my duty to accompany you to the playhouse. It will not
do for you to be going about with only the protection of a hare-brained
boy."
The remainder of Charlie's stay in London passed most pleasantly.
They visited all the sights of town, Mr. Tufton performing what he
called his duty with an air of protest, but showing a general
thoughtfulness and desire to please his visitors, which was very
apparent even when he grunted and grumbled the most.
On the evening before he started, he called Charlie down into his
counting house.
"Tomorrow you are going to sail," he said, "and to start in life on your
own account, and I trust that you will, as far as possible, be steady, and
do your duty to your employers. You will understand that, although the
pay of a writer is not high, there are opportunities for advancement.
The Company have the monopoly of the trade of India, and in addition
to their great factories at Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras, they have
many other trading stations. Those who, by their good conduct, attract
the attention of their superiors, rise to positions of trust and emolument.
There are many who think that the Company will, in time, enlarge its
operations; and as they do so, superior opportunities will offer

themselves; and since the subject of India has been prominently
brought before my notice, I have examined the question, and am
determined to invest somewhat largely in the stock of the Company, a
step which will naturally give me some influence with the board. That
influence I shall, always supposing that your conduct warrants it,
exercise on your behalf.
"As we are now at war with France, and it is possible that the vessel in
which you are proceeding may be attacked by the way, I have thought
it proper that you should be armed. You will, therefore, find in your
cabin a brace of pistols, a rifle, and a double-barrel shotgun: which last,
I am informed, is a useful weapon at close quarters. Should your
avocations in India permit your doing so, you will find them useful in
the pursuit of game. I hope that you will not be extravagant; but as a
matter of business I find that it is useful to be able to give
entertainments, to persons who may be in a position to benefit or
advance you. I have, therefore, arranged that you will draw from the
factor at Madras the sum of two hundred pounds, annually, in addition
to your pay. It is clearly my duty to see that my nephew has every fair
opportunity for making his way.
"Now, go upstairs at once to your mother. I have letters to write, and
am too busy for talking."
So saying, with a peremptory wave of his hand he dismissed his
nephew.
"Well, Mother," Charlie said, after telling her of his uncle's generosity,
"thank goodness you will be all right now, anyhow. No doubt Uncle
intends to do something for you and the girls, though he has said
nothing at present, beyond the fact that you are not to be in wretched
lodgings, and they are not to go out as governesses. But even if he
should change his mind, and I don't think he ever does that, I shall be
able to help you.
"Oh, he is kind, isn't he?"
The parting was far less sad than that which had taken place at

Yarmouth. Charlie was now assured that his mother and sisters would
be comfortable, and well cared for in his absence; while his mother,
happy in the lightening of her anxiety as to the future of her daughters,
and as to the prospects of her son, was able to bear with better heart the
thought of their long separation.
Mrs. Marryat and the girls accompanied him on board ship. Mr. Tufton
declined to join the party, under the plea that, in the first place, he was
busy; and in the second, that he feared there would be an emotional
display. He sent, however, his head clerk with them, to escort the ladies
on their return from the docks.
The Lizzie Anderson was a fine ship, of the largest size, and she was
almost as clean and trim