Part 5 (1/2)
”Why, what's the matter, old chap?” asked Bob in a kindly voice
”You're as limp as if all the starch had been boiled out of you
Co if you want to, of course Peter can co selfish that you are”
”But it isn't that,” Eustace said with difficulty ”Iaway, and I couldn't leave mother”
Bob darted a quick look at Mr Orban
”Are you really going away?” he asked--”any distance, I ravely ”I have to be away about a fortnight or three weeks I go the day after to-morrow”
Bob looked serious
”Oh, I say,” he said, ”I' there in the sunshi+ne, with a great big pleasure ahead of her, the words conveyed nothing beyond a civil syo away on business To Eustace, whothose feords that brought back all the fears of the day before
”It is a nuisance, but it can't be helped,” Mr Orban said; ”business won't wait”
”I ae solemnity, ”because I can't offer to co away too, and of course I couldn't leave the mater and Trix If only it hadn't happened just now--”
”It is very good of you to think of it, Bob,” said Mrs Orban, ”but of course we shall be perfectly safe I think I would rather you took Peter, though,” she added in a lower tone ”Eustace is more companionable I can spare one of the twins, but not both at once”
”Of course,” agreed Bob
He was strangely unlike his usual cheerful self, but he roused hi at hio back with me soon?”
”Stay till the heat is over, and drive hoested Mr Orban ”I'll say good-bye for the present; I'm due at the plantation”
Eustace was left alone with Bob, for the others ith their mother to watch her preparations for their departure
”Well, old man,” questioned Bob fro himself for a quiet s at him
”I say,” he said with so, isn't it?”
”Rather,” said Bob carelessly ”Mrs Orban will feel awfully dull”
”That isn't the worst of it,” said the lad mysteriously
”Really?” questioned Bob indifferently, as he packed his pipe with great apparent interest
”You know it isn't, Bob,” Eustace broke out desperately
”Do I?” questioned Bob lazily, but with a shrewd glance at the thin, pale face before him ”Why, what's the trouble?”
”It's the black-fellows,” Eustace said in a half whisper
Bob raised his eyebrows a little, and was again attentive to his pipe