"I hope he'll be a nice fellow," he said. "What's his name?"
"I don't know. He's a nephew of Merrett's, they say, and a good fellow. He's coming in as a clerk at first, but Harris says he's to be taken in as a partner in time."
Of course there was a considerable amount of speculation and curiosity as to the new arrival during the week which followed. I think most of us were a little jealous, and Doubleday was especially indignant at the fellow's meanness in being the governor's nephew.
"Of course, he'll peach about all we do," growled he, "and give his precious uncle a full, true, and particular account every evening of everything every one of us has been up to during the day. And the worst of it is, one can't even lick the beggar now and then, like any other fellow."
It undoubtedly was hard lines, and we all sympathised not a little with the chief clerk's grievance.
Our suspense was not protracted. On the appointed day Mr Merrett arrived, accompanied by a slender youth of about eighteen, at sight of whom Jack and I started as though we had been shot. The new-comer was no other than our former schoolfellow, Hawkesbury.
If a skeleton had walked into the office we could not have been more taken aback. Of all persons in the world, who would have guessed that this fellow whom we had last seen at Stonebridge House, and had never even heard of since should turn up now as the nephew of our employer, and as one of our own future chiefs at the office?
"Gentlemen," said Mr Merrett, "this is my nephew, Mr Hawkesbury. I trust you will all be good friends. Eh! what!"
This last exclamation was occasioned by Hawkesbury's advancing first to me and then to Smith, and shaking our hands, much to the surprise of everybody.
"These two gentlemen were at school with me, uncle," he said, by way of explanation. "It is quite a pleasant surprise to me to see them again."
"Very singular," said Mr Merrett; "I'm glad of it. You'll get on all the better. Harris; perhaps you will allow Mr Hawkesbury to assist you for a day or two, just while he is learning the work."
So saying, the senior partner vanished into his own room, leaving Hawkesbury in the midst of his new comrades.
I did not know whether to be glad or sorry. For myself, though I never quite liked Hawkesbury, I had always got on well with him, and been disposed to believe him a well-meaning fellow.