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: [Footnote 9: By this name he called the Houses of Parliament.] A WARM RECEPTION. 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_!" [Illustration] TEA-TABLE TATTLE. "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--" "And new _brooms_ sweep clean, as the saying is," tittered Miss Dibsley; "a trifle more cream,--thank you." "Brooms!" ejaculated Mrs. Hipson gravely; "um! I hope you don't mean--by your mention of brooms--I assure you I ordered the very best seven shilling--" "Oh dear, quite the reverse," returned Miss Dibsley, helping herself to another tea-cake. "With some very superior green," proceeded Mrs. Hipson, "at eight-and-six, which I do think quite a catch; but really it's extremely difficult to find good teas now-a-days, for since this curious business with China--" "Oh! pray do tell me something about that," said Miss Dibsley; "for I never yet found anybody who knew, and never had patience to listen if they did. What has this Emperor of Delf been doing? The cream--thank you."