That was his "governor's" last shrewd plan.'
'Darrell,' said Lord Squib, 'is there any chance of my being a
commissioner for anything? It struck me last night that I had never been
in office.'
'I do not think, Squib, that you ever will be in office, if even you be
appointed.'
'On the contrary, my good fellow, my punctuality should surprise you. I
should like very much to be a lay lord, because I cannot afford to
keep a yacht, and theirs, they say, are not sufficiently used, for the
Admirals think it spooney, and the landlubbers are always sick.'
'I think myself of having a yacht this summer,' said the Duke of St.
James. 'Be my captain, Squib.'
'If you be serious I will commence my duties tomorrow.'
'I am serious. I think it will be amusing. I give you full authority
to do exactly what you like, provided, in two months' time, I have the
crack vessel in the club.'
'I begin to press. Annesley, your dinner is so good that you shall be
purser; and Darrell, you are a man of business, you shall be his clerk.
For the rest, I think St. Maurice may claim a place, and----'
'Peacock Piggott, by all means,' said the Duke.
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