BULLION, (_refilling Speck's pipe from Guy Bolding's exclusive tobacco-pouch, and interrupting the Major_.)--India--that's another matter: I don't object to that! War there--rather good for the money market than otherwise! VIVIAN.--What news there, then? BULLION.--Don't know--haven't got India stock. MR SPECK.--Nor I either. The day for India is over: this is our India now. (_Misses his tobacco-pipe; sees it in Bullion's mouth, and stares aghast!--NB.--The pipe is not a clay_ dodeen, _but a small meerschaum--irreplaceable in Bushland._) PISISTRATUS.--Well, uncle, but I am at a loss to understand what new scheme you have in hand. Something benevolent, I am sure--something for your fellow-creatures--for philanthropy and mankind? MR BULLION, (_starting_.)--Why, young man, are you as green as all that? PISISTRATUS.--I, sir--no--Heaven forbid! But my--(_Uncle Jack holds up his forefinger imploringly, and spills his tea over the pantaloons of his nephew!_) Pisistratus, wroth at the effect of the tea, and therefore obdurate to the sign of the forefinger, continues rapidly, "But my uncle _is!_--some grand national-imperial-colonial-anti-monopoly"-- UNCLE JACK.--Pooh! Pooh! What a droll boy it is! MR BULLION, (_solemnly_.)--With these notions, which not even in jest should be fathered on my respectable and intelligent friend here--(_Uncle Jack bows_)--I am afraid you will never get on in the world, Mr Caxton. I don't think our speculations will suit _you_! It is growing late, gentlemen: we must push on. UNCLE JACK, (_jumping up_.)--And I have so much to say to the dear boy. Excuse us: you know the feelings of an uncle! (_Takes my arm, and leads me out of the hut._) UNCLE JACK, (_as soon as we are in the air_.)--You'll ruin us--you, me, and your father and mother. Yes! What do you think I work and slave myself for but for you and yours?--Ruin us all, I say, if you talk in that way before Bullion! His heart is as hard as the Bank of England's--and quite right he is, too. Fellow-creatures!--stuff! I have renounced that delusion--the generous follies of my youth! I begin at last to live for myself--that is, for self and relatives! I shall succeed this time, you'll see! PISISTRATUS.--Indeed, uncle, I hope so sincerely; and to do you justice, there is always something very clever in your ideas--only they don't-- UNCLE JACK, (_interrupting me with a groan_.)--The fortunes that other men have gained by my ideas!-- shocking to think of! What!--and shall I be reproached if I live no longer for such a set of thieving, greedy, ungrateful knaves? No--no! Number one shall be my maxim; and I'll make you a Croesus, my boy--I will.