“I am not, brother Nicholas;—­will you oblige me by giving me my spectacles?”

“Yes, I’ll wipe them for you first,” said Nicholas, commencing his polish with an old cotton handkerchief.

“Thanky, thanky, brother, that will do,” replied John, holding out his hand for the spectacles, which he immediately put in the case and conveyed into his pocket.  The lawyer then continued the inventory.

“It is all right, young man; I will sign a receipt.”

The receipt was signed, and the articles deposited in the iron chest.

“Now, brother Nicholas, I have no time to spare; have you anything to say to me?”

“No,” replied Nicholas, starting up.

“Well, then, I have something to say to you.  In the first place, I cannot help you in your profession (as I told my nephew yesterday), neither can I afford you any time, which is precious:  so good-bye, brother.  Here is something for you to read when you go home.”  John Forster took out his pocket-book, and gave him a sealed letter.

“Nephew, although I never saw the sea, or knew a sailor in my life, yet the law pervades everywhere.  An East India director, who is under obligations to me, has promised a situation for you as third mate on board of the Bombay Castle.  Here is his address:  call upon him, and all will be arranged. You may come here again before you sail; and I expect you will make proper arrangements for your father, who, if I can judge from what I have already seen, will lose that paper I have given him, which contains what is not to be picked up every day.”  Nicholas was in a deep reverie; the letter had dropped from his hand, and had fallen, unnoticed by him, on the carpet.  Newton picked it up, and, without Nicholas observing him, put it into his own pocket.  “Now, good-bye, nephew; take away my brother, pray.  It’s a good thing, I can tell you, sometimes to find out an uncle.”

“I trust my conduct will prove me deserving of your kindness,” replied Newton, who was overjoyed at the unexpected issue of the meeting.

“I hope it will, young man.  Good morning.  Now, take away your father, I’m busy;” and old Forster pulled out his spectacles, and recommenced his brief.

Newton went up to his father, touched him on the shoulder, and said in a low tone, and nodding his head towards the door—­“Come, father.”

Nicholas got upon his legs, retreated a few steps, then turned round—­“Brother, didn’t you say something about a letter I was to put in the post?”

“No, I didn’t,” replied John, shortly, not raising his eyes from the brief.

“Well, I really thought I heard something—­”

“Come, father; my uncle’s busy.”

“Well, then, good-bye, brother.”

“Good-bye,” replied John, without looking up; and Newton with his father, quitted the room.

No conversation passed during the walk to the inn, except an accidental remark of Nicholas, that it appeared to him that his brother was very busy.