him, Mr Holt was anxious to make
arrangements for the education of the boys proceeding together, in order
to their being companions in their voyage and subsequent employments.
And then followed some account of what these arrangements were to be.

"Now, Proctor," said Mr Tooke to the breathless Hugh, "you must
consider what you have to say to this. Your parents are willing to
agree if you are. But if," he continued, with a kind smile, "it would
make you very unhappy to go to India, no one will force your
inclinations."

"Oh, sir," said Hugh, "I will work very hard,--I will work as hard as
ever I can, if I may go."

"Well: you may go, you see, if you will work hard. You can consider it
quietly, or talk it over with your brother and Holt; and to-morrow you
are to dine at your uncle's, where you will meet your father; and he and
you will settle what to write to Mr Holt, by the next ship."

"And you, sir," said Phil, anxiously--"Mr Holt asks your opinion."

"My opinion is that your brother can be what he pleases. He wants some
inducement to pursue his learning more strenuously than he has done
yet--"

"I will, sir. I will," indeed, cried Hugh.

"I believe you will. Such a prospect as this will be an inducement, if
anything can. You are, on the whole, a brave boy; and brave boys are
not apt to be ungrateful to God or man; and I am sure you think it would
be ungrateful, both to God and man, to refuse to do your best in the
situation which gratifies the first wish of your heart."

Hugh could not say another word. He made his lowest bow, and went
straight to his desk. As the first fruits of his gratitude, he learned
his lessons thoroughly well that night; much as he would have liked to
spend the time in dreaming.

His father and he had no difficulty in settling what to write to Mr
Holt; and very merry were they together when the business was done. In
a day or two, when Hugh had had time to think, he began to be glad on
Tooke's account; and he found an opportunity of saying to him one day,--

"I never should have gone to India if I had not lost my foot; and I
think it is well worth while losing my foot to go to India."

"Do you really? Or do you say it because--"

"I think so really." And then he went off into such a description as
convinced Tooke that he was in earnest, though it was to be feared that
he would be disappointed by experience. But then again, Mr Tooke was
heard to say that one chief requ