The visit to Finchley was made, and Mrs. Heartwell was persuaded by Frank to accept the tenancy of the cottage, hoping that Fortune would favour him with prize-money to render her life independent and comfortable. He had now twelve months' pay due, which, with what she would receive by disposing of part of her furniture, would serve for present exigencies; and a distant relation had bequeathed her an annuity of thirty pounds a year--so that prospects brightened before her.
Brady could not be found, and Frank was ordered down to join his ship, that was then refitting at Portsmouth, and to take Sambo with him, whilst Ben was directed to accompany them and procure a passage round to Plymouth to the Windsor Castle.
Frank received a letter to his captain from the secretary, and set out for Portsmouth, where he delivered his letter, and ascertained that it contained a strong recommendation of himself to the captain. Being somewhat of a favourite with the first lieutenant, the young midshipman earnestly solicited him to use his influence in getting Ben transferred to the same ship with him. The request prevailed; and Ben, by the admiral's directions, was entered on the books of the "Thunderbolt" seventy-four. Nor was he disappointed in his expectations of prize-money, for in the course of a few months several valuable captures were made, and the young midshipman enjoyed the satisfaction of knowing that his mother was comfortably settled at the cottage with a competence, and that Helen when at Finchley visited her daily.
[Footnote 9: By this name he called the Houses of Parliament.]
Harry paid twenty pounds of sterling metal, To risk his life in a balloon, which burst; Tom and his friends, pic-nicking, boil'd a kettle, Which Harry (tumbling) fell into head first; But long ere what it was they well could settle, Arose unhurt from where he'd been immersed-- And, "Ah! why, Tom," said he, "how do, my buck?-- "You see I've just _dropp'd in_ to take--_pot-luck_!"
"Is your tea agreeable, my dear Miss Dibsley?"
"Thank you, dear Mrs. Hipson; quite pleasant; very much as I like it; all green with some black in it; a bit more sugar if you please."
"Glad you like the flavour; I've just changed my tea-dealer, and--"