ow more speedily pick up the language again, than if he remained
another two or three years in England, and that in five or six years'
time he might be able to represent the firm there, either in conjunction
with Ivan Petrovytch or by himself. Therefore, ten days before the
breaking-up of the school for the long holidays, he had written to
Godfrey, telling him that he should take him away at the end of the
term, and that in two or three months' time he would go out to St.
Petersburg.

Mr. Bullen's family consisted of two girls in addition to Godfrey.
Hilda, the elder, was seventeen, a year older than the lad, while Ella
was two years his junior.

"Well, Godfrey," his father said, as, after the first greeting, they sat
down to dinner, which had been kept back for half an hour for his
arrival, "you did not seem very enthusiastic in your reply to my
letter."

"I did not feel very enthusiastic, father," Godfrey replied. "Of course
one's two last years at school are just the jolly time, and I was really
very sorry to leave. Still, of course you know what is best for me; and
I dare say I shall get on very well at St. Petersburg."

"I have no doubt of that, Godfrey. I have arranged for you to live with
Mr. Petrovytch, as you will regain the language much more quickly in a
Russian family than you would in an English one; besides, it will be
handy for your work. In Russia merchants' offices are generally in their
houses, and it is so with him; but, of course, you will know most of
the English families. I shall write to several of my old friends, and I
am sure they will do all they can for you; but I shall write more to my
Russian acquaintances than to my English. The last are sure to call upon
you when they hear you have come out; but it is not so easy to get a
footing in Russian families, and you might be some time before you make
acquaintances that way. Besides, it is much better for you to be
principally in the Russian set than in the English, in the first place,
because of the language; and in the second, because you will get a much
better acquaintance with the country in general with them than among the
English.

"There are not many English lads of your own age out there--very few
indeed; and those nearest your age would be young clerks. I have nothing
whatever to say against young clerks; but, as a rule, they consort
together, spend their evenings in each others' rooms or in playing
billiards, or otherwise amuse them