Commodore Waugh was their grand-uncle, and
therefore had a right to educate them, and to be short with them, too,
if he pleased. That was the way in which they both looked at the matter.
And very much delighted and very grateful they were for the opening for
education thus made for them.
And very zealously they entered upon their academical studies. They
boarded at the college and roomed together. But their vacations were
spent apart, Thurston spending his at Dell-Delight, and Cloudy his at
Luckenough.
When the academical course was completed, Commodore Waugh, as has been
seen, was at some pains to give Cloudy a fair start in life, and for the
first time condescended to use his influence with "the Department" to
procure a favor in the shape of a midshipman's warrant for Cloudesley
Mornington.
In the meantime old Mr. Willcoxen was very gradually sinking into the
imbecility natural to his advanced age; and his fascinating grandson was
gaining some ascendancy over his mind. Year by year this influence
increased, though it must be admitted that Thurston's conquest over his
grandfather's whims was as slow as that of the Hollanders in winning the
land from the sea.
However, the old man--now that Cloudy was provided for and off his
hands--lent a more willing ear to the petition of Thurston to be
permitted to continue his education by a course of studies at a German
university, and afterward by a tour of the Eastern continent.
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