sons in the world, who would have guessed that
this fellow whom we had last seen at Stonebridge House, and had never
even heard of since should turn up now as the nephew of our employer,
and as one of our own future chiefs at the office?

"Gentlemen," said Mr Merrett, "this is my nephew, Mr Hawkesbury. I
trust you will all be good friends. Eh! what!"

This last exclamation was occasioned by Hawkesbury's advancing first to
me and then to Smith, and shaking our hands, much to the surprise of
everybody.

"These two gentlemen were at school with me, uncle," he said, by way of
explanation. "It is quite a pleasant surprise to me to see them again."

"Very singular," said Mr Merrett; "I'm glad of it. You'll get on all
the better. Harris; perhaps you will allow Mr Hawkesbury to assist you
for a day or two, just while he is learning the work."

So saying, the senior partner vanished into his own room, leaving
Hawkesbury in the midst of his new comrades.

I did not know whether to be glad or sorry. For myself, though I never
quite liked Hawkesbury, I had always got on well with him, and been
disposed to believe him a well-meaning fellow.

But on Jack Smith's account I felt very sorry, and not a little uneasy,
for they had never "hit" it, and from what I could judge never would.

However, for the present at any rate, such apprehensions seemed to be
groundless, for Hawkesbury, naturally a little ill at ease among so many
strangers, appeared to be glad to claim the acquaintance of one of them,
and sat down beside him and began to talk in quite a cordial manner.

"This is a pleasant surprise," he said again; "who would have thought of
seeing you and Batchelor in Uncle Merrett's office?"

"We've been here several months," replied Jack, not quite as cordially,
I could see, as his old schoolfellow.

"Have you? I'm afraid I shall never learn as much as you have," he
said, with his old smile.

"Now then, young governor," said Harris, "when it's _quite_ convenient
to you we'll get to work. Don't put yourself out, pray; but if you can
spare the time from your friend, I should like you to add up this
column."

Hawkesbury looked a little astonished at this speech, but at once
replied, with a smile, "You are Mr Harris, I suppose? I shall be glad
to learn what you can teach me."

If Harris had expected to put the new-comer down by his witticisms he
was sorely mistaken. Hawkesbury coolly seated himself at the desk
besi