As for honours, I want none of them. I am moored in a
snug port here, and would not leave Captain Dave if they would make a
Duke of me."
Nellie had said no word of congratulation to Cyril, but as they rose
from dinner, she said, in low tones,--
"You know I am pleased, and hope that you will have all the good
fortune you deserve."
Cyril set out at once to make a round of the shops where he worked.
The announcement that he must at once terminate his connection with
them, as he was going on board the Fleet, was everywhere received
with great regret.
"I would gladly pay double," one said, "rather than that you should
go, for, indeed, it has taken a heavy load off my shoulders, and I
know not how I shall get on in the future."
"I should think there would be no difficulty in getting some other
young clerk to do the work," Cyril said.
"Not so easy," the man replied. "I had tried one or two before, and
found they were more trouble than they were worth. There are not many
who write as neatly as you do, and you do as much in an hour as some
would take a day over. However, I wish you good luck, and if you
should come back, and take up the work again, or start as a scrivener
in the City, I can promise you that you shall have my books again,
and that among my friends I can find you as much work as you can get
through."
Something similar was said to him at each of the houses where he
called, and he felt much gratified at finding that his work had given
such satisfaction.
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