Suddenly a thought seemed to strike the lieutenant. He had forgotten a very important matter—the difficulty of obtaining the required funds. The balance at his banker’s would not meet the expenses to which he himself must be put, even although the commander might not insist on the usual allowance made to midshipmen. He was silent, thinking of what could be done, and overlooking the envelope which lay on the table beneath the official dispatch.
“Surely there was another letter,” remarked Aunt Sally. “I wonder who it can come from?”
“Bless me! so there is,” said the lieutenant, glad to have for a moment another occupation for his thoughts. He examined the address, and then the coat of arms on the seal, before breaking it open, which he did deliberately, as if he did not expect to find anything of interest within. His countenance had brightened when he saw the letter from the Admiralty, but it lighted up still more as he read the letter.
“Well, I little expected this from a stranger, at least from one on whom we have no possible claim. Most liberal and generous. I said something would turn up. What do you think, Sally? I really can scarcely read it for the satisfaction it gives me, but I’ll try. It begins—
“My dear Friend,—A severe illness has prevented me hitherto from communicating with you, and from the same cause I was unable to attempt forwarding your nephew’s views; but as soon as I was well enough I applied to the Admiralty, and their lordships, in consideration of your own and brother-in-law’s services, promised to nominate his son to the first ship fitting out. I have to-day heard that he has been appointed to the ‘Ione.’ As I am aware that his outfit and allowance while at sea will entail certain expenses, I have requested Commander Curtis to draw on my bankers for the latter, while I beg to enclose a cheque for a hundred pounds, which will cover the cost of his outfit, and it will afford me great satisfaction to defray any further expenses which unexpectedly may occur.” The letter was signed, “Your faithful and deeply-obliged friend, J. Farrance.”
The tears started into Aunt Sally’s eyes as she heard the letter read. They were tears which showed how grateful she felt at the thought of her brother’s anxieties being relieved, mingled, however, with the feeling that dear Ned was so soon to leave them.
“How very, very kind of Mr Farrance to help you to become a midshipman, and some day you may perhaps be made a lieutenant. I am indeed glad!” exclaimed Mary, though her faltering voice and the tears which filled her eyes belied her words, as she remembered that Ned must go away, and perhaps not come back for many long years.
“This is indeed far better than I could have hoped for,” observed the lieutenant, who had been again glancing over the letter while his sister and Mary had been talking.
Ned himself for a minute or more could not utter a word.
“We must lose no time in setting about doing what is necessary,” continued the lieutenant. “Sally, you’ll get his things ready as fast as you can. He will only require, however, a change or two, to serve him until he can obtain his outfit. I’ll write to the Admiralty to say that he will join the ‘Ione’ forthwith, and to Mr Farrance to thank him for his generous offer, which I will accept for Ned, although I might have thought twice about it had it been made more directly in my favour. Ned, as soon as you have breakfasted, start away for Longview station. Give Mr Hanson my regards, and say I shall be grateful to him if he will take you under his wing to Portsmouth, and arrange about your outfit; it will save me the expense of the journey, though I should wonderfully like to see you on board your ship, to introduce you to the captain and your future messmates. Sally, give Ned some slices of bread and butter, while Mary pours me out a cup of tea.”