As Ishmael was not egotistical enough to speak of himself and
his affairs until it became absolutely needful for him to do so, he had
never told Mr. Middleton of his plan of giving up the school to the
Methodist minister and seeking another situation for himself. And during
the three days of his correspondence with Judge Merlin he had not even
seen Mr. Middleton, whom he only took time to visit on Saturday
evenings.

Upon this afternoon he reached Rushy Shore just as the family were
sitting down to dinner. They were as much surprised as pleased to see
him at such an unusual time as the middle of the week. Mr. Middleton got
up to shake hands with him; Mrs. Middleton ordered another plate
brought; Bee saw that room was made for another chair; and so Ishmael
was welcomed by acclamation, and seated among them at the table.

"And now, young gentleman, tell us what it all means. For glad as we are
to see you, and glad as you are to see us, we know very well that you
did not take time to come here in the middle of the week merely to
please yourself or us; pleasure not being your first object in life,
Ishmael," said Mr. Middleton.

"I regret to say, sir, that I came to tell you, I am going away on
Monday morning," replied Ishmael gravely, for at the moment he felt a
very real regret at the thought of leaving such good and true friends.

"Going away!" exclaimed all the family in a breath, and in
consternation; for this boy, with his excellent character and charming
manners had always deeply endeared himself to all his friends. "Going
away!" they repeated.

"I am sorry to say it," said Ishmael.

"But this is so unexpected, so sudden!" said Mrs. Middleton.

"What the grand deuce is the matter? Have you enlisted for a soldier,
engaged as a sailor, been seized with the gold fever?"

"Neither, sir; I will explain," said Ishmael. And forthwith he told all
his plans and prospects, in the fewest possible words.

"And so you are going to Washington, to be Randolph Merlin's clerk!
Well, Ishmael, as he is a thorough lawyer, though no very brilliant
barrister, I do not know that you could be in a better school. Heaven
prosper you, my lad! By the way, Ishmael, just before you came in, we
were all talking of going to Washington ourselves."

"Indeed! and is there really a prospect of your going?" inquired
Ishmael, in pleased surprise.

"Well, yes. You see the judge wishes a chaperone for his daughter this
winter, and has invited M