"Musical, are they, Robert?" Mr. Bale said, in a tone of surprise. "As far as I have seen in the counting house, I should not have taken him to be musical." "No, I don't think you would, uncle. Just the same way as one wouldn't think it likely that you would smoke a cigar." "Well, no, Robert. You see, one must not always go by appearances." "No, sir; that is just what Mr. Medlin says," Bob replied, smiling. "Oh, he says that, does he? I suppose he has been telling you that we go out fishing together?" "He did mention that, sir." "You must not always believe what Medlin says, Robert." "No, sir? I thought you told me he was perfectly trustworthy?" "In some points, boy; but it is notorious that, from all times, the narratives of fishermen must be received with a large amount of caution. The man who can be trusted with untold gold cannot be relied upon to give, with even an approach to accuracy, the weights of the fish he has caught; and indeed, all his statements with reference to the pursuit must be taken with a large discount. "You were surprised, when you heard that I went fishing, Robert?" "Not more surprised than I was when you lit your cigar, sir." "Well, you know what Horace said, Robert. I forget what it was in the Latin, but it meant: "'He is a poor soul, who never rejoices.' "The bow must be relaxed, Robert, or it loses its stiffness and spring. I, myself, always bear this in mind; and endeavour to forget that there is such a place as the city of London, or a place of business called Philpot Lane, directly I get away from it." "Don't you think that you could forget, too, uncle, that the name I am known by in the city is Robert; and that my name, at all other times, is Bob?" "I will try to do so, if you make a point of it," Mr. Bale said, gravely; "but at the same time, it appears to me that Bob is a name for a short-tailed sheepdog, rather than for a boy." "I don't mind who else is called by it, uncle. Besides, sheepdogs are very useful animals." "They differ from boys in one marked respect, Bob." "What is that, uncle?" "They always attend strictly to business, lad. They are most conscientious workers. Now, this is more than can be said for boys." "But I don't suppose the sheepdogs do much, while they are puppies, uncle." "Humph! I think you have me there, Bob. I suppose we must make allowances for them both. "Well, we shall be at Guildford in half an hour, and will stop there for dinner. I shall not be sorry to get down to stamp my feet a bit. It is very cold here, in spite of these rugs." It was seven o'clock in the evening when the coach drew up at the George Hotel, in Portsmouth. Captain O'Halloran was at the door to meet them. "Well, Mr. Bale, you have had a coldish drive down, today. "How are you, Bob?" "At present, I am cold," Bob said. "The last two hours have been bitter."