"Hah! that's right," he said, handing it back. "Nothing like having an
uncle rich, and a director at the India House. You'll get into the
horse by-and-by. Let's see, what was your uncle?"
"An indigo-planter, sir."
"Hah! that means money, Vincent. Well, I shall not have to draw on your
father. So much the better. There, you had better begin making your
preparations at once, and if there is anything I can do in the way of
help or advice, come to me without scruple. Seems only the other day
that I was ordering my own kit, Vincent, previous to sailing for Bombay.
There, off with you. I'm sure you want to digest the news."
I did--badly, but I could not do it, for the news had already leaked
out, and there was Morton at the head of all the other fellows, ready to
raise a hearty cheer for the new officer about to depart from their
midst.
The cheering was followed by a chairing, and when at last I escaped, I
hurried off to my room with the whirl of confusion greater than ever, so
that I began to wonder whether it was not all a dream.