now a master's mate, could, it is true, support himself, but it would be
with difficulty, and there was little chance of his promotion. Then
there were the two other boys, and the two girls growing up fast; in
short, a family of eight people. To put so small a sum in the funds
would be useless, as they could not live upon the interest which it
would give, and how to employ it they knew not. They canvassed the
matter over and over, but without success, and each night they laid
their heads upon the pillow more and more disheartened. They were all
ready to leave the Hall, but knew not where to direct their steps when
they left it; and thus they continued wavering for a week, until they
were embraced by their son Alfred, who had made all speed to join them
as soon as the ship had been paid off. After the first joy of meeting
between those who had been separated so long was over, Mr Campbell
said, "I'm sorry, Alfred, that I could not give your messmates any
fishing."

"And so am I, and so were they, for your sakes, my dear father and
mother; but what is, is--and what can't be helped, can't--so we must
make the best of it; but where's Henry and my cousins?"

"They are walking in the park, Alfred: you had better join them; they
are most anxious to see you."

"I will, mother; let us get over these huggings and kissings, and then
we shall be more rational: so good-bye for half an hour," said Alfred,
kissing his mother again, and then hastening out of the room.

"His spirits are not subdued, at all events," observed Mrs Campbell.
"I thank God for it."

Alfred soon fell in with his brother and his cousins, Mary and Emma, and
after the huggings and kissings, as he termed them, were over, he made
inquiries into the real state of his father's affairs. After a short
conversation, Henry, who was very much depressed in his spirits, said,
"Mary and Emma, perhaps you will now go in; I wish to have some
conversation with Alfred."

"You are terribly out of heart, Harry," observed Alfred, after his
cousins had left them. "Are things so very bad?"

"They are bad enough, Alfred; but what makes me so low-spirited is, that
I fear my folly has made them worse."

"How so?" replied Alfred.

"The fact is, that my father has but 1,700 pounds left in the world, a
sum small enough; but what annoys me is this. When I was at college,
little imagining such a reverse of fortune, I anticipated my allowance,
because I knew I could pay at