"And to yourself," urged Squills. "One must attend to the natural evacuations of the brain. Ah! you may smile, sir; but I have observed that if a man has much in his head, he must give it vent or it oppresses him; the whole system goes wrong. From being abstracted, he grows stupefied. The weight of the pressure affects the nerves. I would not even guarantee you from a stroke of paralysis." "Oh, Austin!" cried my mother tenderly, and throwing her arms round my father's neck. "Come, sir, you are conquered," said I. "And what is to become of you, Sisty?" asked my father. "Do you go with us, and unsettle your mind for the university?" "My uncle has invited me to his castle; and in the meanwhile I will stay here, fag hard, and take care of the duck." "All alone?" said my mother. "No. All alone! Why Uncle Jack will come here as often as ever, I hope." Uncle Jack shook his head. "No, my boy--I must go to town with your father. You don't understand these things. I shall see the booksellers for him. I know how these gentlemen are to be dealt with. I shall prepare the literary circles for the appearance of the book. In short, it is a sacrifice of interest I know. My Journal will suffer. But friendship and my country's good before all things!" "Dear Jack!" said my mother affectionately. "I cannot suffer it," cried my father. "You are making a good income. You are doing well where you are; and as to seeing the booksellers--why, when the work is ready, you can come to town for a week, and settle that affair." "Poor dear Austin," said Uncle Jack, with an air of superiority and compassion. "A week! Sir, the advent of a book that is to succeed requires the preparation of months. Pshaw! I am no genius, bu I am a practical man. I know what's what. Leave me alone." But my father continued obstinate and Uncle Jack at last ceased to urge the matter. The journey to fame and London was now settled; but my father would not hear of my staying behind. No; Pisistratus must needs go also to town and see the world; the duck would take care of itself. CHAPTER XII. We had taken the precaution to send, the day before, to secure our due complement of places--four in all (including one for Mrs Primmins)--in, or upon, the fast family coach called the Sun, which had lately been set up for the special convenience of the neighbourhood.