Part 19 (1/2)
THINKING BETTER OF IT
Don stood looking at Jeht of soood Then he sat down on the stock of an old anchor, to begin picking at the red rust scales as he too stared at the shi+pshad a certain fascination for Don, and each vessel seemed to offer a way out of his difficulties For once on board a shi+p with the sails spread, and the open sea before hiht away to one of those beautiful lands of which Mike had spoken, and then--
The thought of Mike altered the case directly, and he sat staring straight before him at the shi+ps
Je you'd like to go right away, Master Don?”
”Yes, Jem”
”So was I, sir Only think how nice it would be somewhere abroad, where there was no Sally”
”And no Uncle Josiah, Jeet you into trouble Be fine, wouldn't it?”
”Glorious, Jeo, Master Don?”
”What, and be aof the kind, sir”
”Yes, I was, Jem Everybody is stupid soht better of it”
”And you won't go, sir?”
”Go? No Why, it would be like saying what Mike accused me of was true”
”So it would, sir Now that's just how I felt I says to ot to do is to go right away and let Sally shi+ft for herself; then she'd find out your vally,' I says, 'and be sorry for what she's said and done,' but I knew if I did she'd begin to crow and think she'd beat me, and besides, it would be such a rin and bear it, and some day she'll come round and be as nice as she's nasty now”
”Yes, that's the way to look at it, Jem; but it's a miserable world, isn't it?”
”Well, I arn't seen much on it, Mas' Don I once went for a holiday as far as Bath, and that part on it was h My word, how it did rain! In half an hour I hadn't got a dry thread on me Deal worse than Bristol, which isn't the most cheersome o' places when you're dull”
”No, Jem, it isn't Of course you'll be at the court to-morrow?”
”I suppose so, Mas' Don And I say they'd better ask ive it to soht, Mas' Don?”
”I don't know, Jem I never tried”
”I can You don't knohat a crack I could give a sheads, I suppose I shouldn't wish to be the man I hit if I did my best”