Mr. Bullion (solemnly).--"With these notions, which not even in jest
should be fathered on my respectable and intelligent friend here [Uncle
Jack bows], I am afraid you will never get on in the world, Mr. Caxton.
I don't think our speculations will suit you! It is growing late,
gentlemen; we must push on."

Uncle Jack (jumping up).--"And I have so much to say to the dear boy.
Excuse us,--you know the feelings of an uncle." (Takes my arm and leads
me out of the hut.)

Uncle Jack (as soon as we are in the air).--"You'll ruin us--you, me,
and your father and mother. Yes! What do you think I work and slave
myself for but for you and yours? Ruin us all. I say, if you talk in
that way before Bullion! His heart is as hard as the Bank of
England's,--and quite right he is too. Fellow-creatures,--stuff! I
have renounced that delusion,--the generous follies of my youth! I
begin at last to live for myself,--that is, for self and relatives. I
shall succeed this time, you'll see!"


Pisistratus.--"Indeed, uncle, I hope so sincerely; and, to do you
justice, there is always something very clever in your ideas, only they
don't--"

Uncle Jack (interrupting me with a groan).--"The fortunes that other men
have gained by my ideas,--shocking to think of! What! and shall I be
reproached if I live no longer for such a set of thieving, greedy,
ungrateful knaves? No, no! Number One shall be my maxim; and I'll make
you a Croesus, my boy, I will."