make me an errand boy next,” said the young man to himself, as after twisting his locket round and round like a firework, he swung himself down, “and want me to clean the knives and boots and shoes.”
“Tell him I’m in a hurry,” said Uncle Luke, as Harry reached the door which led into the private house along a passage built and covered with glass, by one side of what was originally a garden.
“Ah,” said Uncle Luke, going closer to old Crampton’s desk, and taking down from where it rested on two brass hooks the heavy ebony ruler. “Nice bit o’ wood that.”
“Yes, sir,” said the old clerk, in the fidgety way of a workman who objects to have his tools touched.
“Pretty weighty,” continued Uncle Luke, balancing it in his hand. “Give a man a pretty good topper that, eh?”
“Yes, Mr Luke Vine – I should like to give him one with it,” thought Crampton.
“Do for a constable’s staff, or to kill burglars, eh?”
“Capitally, sir.”
“Hah! You don’t get burglars here, though, do you?”
“No, sir; never had any yet.”
“Good job, too,” said Uncle Luke, putting the ruler back in its place, greatly to Crampton’s relief. “Rather an awkward cub to lick into shape, my nephew, eh?”
“Rather, sir.”
“Well, you must lick away, Crampton, not with that ruler though,” he chuckled. “Time something was made of him – not a bad sort of boy; but spoiled.”
“I shall do my best, Mr Luke Vine,” said Crampton dryly; “but I must tell you candidly, sir, he’s too much of the gentleman for us, and he feels it.”
“Bah!”
“Not at all the sort of young man I should have selected for a clerk.”
“Never mind; make the best of him.”
“Mr Van Heldre is coming, sir,” said Harry coldly, as he re-entered the office.
“Bah! I didn’t tell you to bring him here. I want to go in there.”
As Luke Vine spoke, he rose and moved to the door.
“Be a good boy,” he said, turning with a peculiar smile at his nephew. “I daresay you’ll get on.”
“Oh!” muttered Harry, as he retook his place at his desk; “how I should like to tell you, Uncle Luke, just what I think.”
The door closed behind the old man, who had nearly reached the end of the long passage, when he met Van Heldre.
“Ah, Luke Vine, I was just coming.”
“Go back,” said the visitor, making a stab at the merchant with his stick. “Brought you something. Where’s Mrs Van Heldre?”
“In the breakfast-room. Come along.”
Van Heldre clapped the old man on the shoulder, and led him into the room where Mrs Van Heldre was seated at work.
“Ah, Mr Luke Vine,” she cried, “who’d have thought of seeing you?”
“Not you. How are you? Where’s the girl?”
“Gone up to your brother’s.”
“Humph! to gad about and idle with Louie. I suppose. Here, I’ve brought you some fish. Caught it at daylight this morning. Ring for a dish.”
“It’s very kind and thoughtful of you, Luke Vine,” said Mrs Van Heldre, with her pink face dimpling as she rang the bell, and then trotted to the door which she opened, and cried, “Bring in a large dish, Esther! I always like to save the servant’s legs if I can,” she continued as she returned to her seat, while Van Heldre stood with his hands in his pockets, waiting. He knew his visitor.
Just then a neat-looking maid-servant entered with a large blue dish, and stood holding it by the door, gazing at the quaint-looking old man, sitting with the basket between his legs, and his heavy stick resting across his knees.
“Put it down and go.”
The girl placed the dish on the table hurriedly, and left the room.
“See if she has gone.”
“No fear,” said Van Heldre, obeying, to humour his visitor. “I don’t think my servants listen at doors.”
“Don’t trust ’em, or anybody else,” said Uncle Luke with a grim look, as he opened his basket wide. “Going to trust her?”
“Well, I’m sure, Mr Luke Vine!” cried Mrs Van Heldre, “I believe you learn up rude things to say.”
“He can’t help it,” said Van Heldre laughing. “Yes,” he continued, with a droll look at his wife, which took her frown away, “I think we’ll trust her, Luke, my lad – as far as the fish is concerned.”
“Eh! What?” said Uncle Luke, snatching his hands from his basket. “What do you mean?”
“That the dish is waiting for the bit of conger.”
“Let it wait,” said the old man snappishly. “You’re too, clever Van – too clever. Look here; how are you getting on with that boy?”
“Oh, slowly. Rome was not built in a day.”
“No,” chuckled the old man, “no. Work away, and make him a useful member of society – like his aunt, eh Mrs Van.”
“Useful!” cried Mrs Van. “Ah!”
Then old Luke chuckled and drew the fish from the basket.
“Fine one, ain’t it?” he said.
“A beauty,” cried Mrs Van Heldre ecstatically.
“Pshah!” ejaculated Uncle Luke. “Ma’am you don’t care for it a bit; but there’s more than I want, and it will help keep your servants.”
“It would, Luke,” said Van Heldre laughing as the fish was laid in the dish, “but they will not touch it. Well?”
“Eh? What do you mean by well?” snorted the old man with a suspicious look. “Out with it.”
“Out with what?”
“What you have brought.”
The two men gazed in each other’s faces, the merchant looking half amused, the visitor annoyed; but his dry countenance softened into a smile and he turned to Mrs Van Heldre. “Artful!” he said dryly. “Don’t you find him too cunning to get on with?”
“I should think not indeed,” said Mrs Van Heldre indignantly.
“Might have known you’d say that,” sneered Uncle Luke. “What a weak, foolish woman you are!”
“Yes, I am, thank goodness! I wish you’d have
