hot-water can
had not been brought in, nor his freshly-brushed boots and clothes, so
he rang impatiently.

"Disgraceful!" he said peevishly. "Ned thinks of nothing now but the
voyage, and everything is neglected."

But all the same his bell was not neglected, for in a very short time
there was a sharp tap at the door, and as the lad stood by his bedside
in his dressing-gown, the white top of a pith helmet appeared slowly,
followed by the lower part of a grinning face, a dark-brownish coarse
canvas jacket, or rather a number of pockets stuck one above another,
and attached to a pair of canvas sleeves; and next, a pair of leather
breeches, ditto leggings, and to support all a very stout pair of
lace-up boots.

As soon as all were inside the door, a familiar voice said--

"Morning sir. You are early."

"Early!" cried Jack angrily; "what do you mean by early?"

"Ten past six, sir."

"Nonsense! it must be nearly eight."

"Then all the clocks are wrong, sir, including my larum-scarum, for I
set it for half-past five, so as to be up early and try 'em on."

"And what do you mean by coming here dressed up in that Guy Fawkes
fashion?"

"Guy Fawkes! Oh, I say, Master Jack, don't be hard on a fellow."

"You look ridiculous."

"I say, sir! Why, they fit lovely, all but this pith helmet, as is two
sizes too large, and reg'larly puts one out. These came home late last
night. Just the thing, ain't they?"

"Go down and take them off, and bring me my hot water, and clothes and
boots."

"Why, they ain't cleaned yet, sir, and the kitchen fire ain't alight.
There's no hot water neither. You don't mean to get up now?"

Jack looked undecided, and ended by getting back into bed.

"I thought it was late," he said, in a somewhat apologetic tone.

"Not it, sir--extra early, sir. I say, Master Jack, this is a topper,
isn't it?" said the man, taking off the helmet. "A'most do for an
umbrella in a big shower."

"Preposterous!"

"Think so, sir. Oh, I don't know what sort o' thing people wear in hot
climates. But I have got a rig-out, sir, and a waterproof bag, a
bullock trunk, and I dunno what all--most as many things as you have."

"Don't bother me about your things: go down, if it's so early, and come
back and call me at the proper time."

"Yes, sir; cert'nly, sir," said the man, stealing a glance at himself in
the looking-glass, and then standing examining his pith helmet as he
held it upon his outstretched h