, and a
venison-pasty.

Who that has been long a wanderer from home has not gone back in memory
to such a scene as now greeted Jack's eyes, especially when hunger has
been gnawing or provender coarse? Jack often had, and though he had
never grumbled at privations or hardships, he was, notwithstanding, all
the more ready to do ample justice to the viands spread out before him.
He showed this when, after having helped several of the party from the
side-board, he returned with his own well-loaded plate to the table.
The guardsman watched him with astonishment, and even his brother, the
barrister, thought that Jack had got an enormous appetite. Jack, who
was hungry, saw no reason why he should not eat till he was satisfied,
and had laid in a store of food to last him till the seven o'clock
dinner, for luncheon he eschewed as effeminate and an unnecessary
interruption to the business of the day.

Before breakfast was concluded the post-bag was brought in, opened by
Sir John, and its contents distributed. An official-looking letter,
addressed to Jack, attracted universal attention.

"Who is it from?" asked Mary anxiously.

"About your prize-money, Jack?" inquired his mother. "You are not yet
again appointed to a ship, I hope, my dear boy?"

"I am, though!" exclaimed Jack exultingly, for the moment not thinking
of his mother's feeling, "and second of a fine new thirty-six gun
frigate the _Plantagenet_, commanded by my old friend Hemming. Couldn't
wish for anything better. Where there's work to be done he is sure to
be sent."

"But you will not have to go away at once, dear Jack, I trust," cried
Lucy, who loved her sailor brother dearly.

Tom said nothing, and it might have been difficult to decide whether he
was about to cry or laugh. He evidently felt as much interested in the
announcement as Jack himself.

"Faith, they do work you hard," observed his guardsman brother. "If the
purchase-system was allowed in your service I suspect that buyers would
be rare."

"I am very glad it doesn't; for now, if a hardworking fellow gets his
foot on the ratlines he has a chance of climbing upwards," answered
Jack. "However, as the _Plantagenet_ has only just been commissioned, I
shall be able to enjoy the civilising influences of home for a short
time longer. In truth, I am almost ashamed at being pleased with the
thoughts of going off again to sea; but after having knocked about all
one's life as a midshipman it is s