Part 39 (1/2)
”What makes you say that?”
”You called me 'little un' just in your old way, and I can feel that, with all the worry and disappointment gone now, you'll be able to get well.”
Emson was silent for a few minutes, and then he said softly:
”Yes: I feel as if I can get better now; not that I care for the riches for riches' sake, d.y.k.e, but because--Are you listening, little un?”
d.y.k.e was fast asleep, and a few minutes later Emson was sleeping too, and dreaming of faces at home in the old country welcoming him back, not for the sake of the wealth he brought, but because he was once more a hale, strong man.
CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.
THE CHANGE THAT CAME.
”It's to-morrow morning, little un.”
d.y.k.e did not stir, but he seemed to hear the words.
”Do you hear, little un? Tumble up and bustle. Let's have a comfortable meal when he joins us. Do you hear, sir? Are you going to sleep all day?”
Certainly he was not, for d.y.k.e had sprung up, and was staring across the place at where, half-turned from him, Emson lay gazing at the golden east, where the sun was about to rise.
”Little un: are you going to get up?”
d.y.k.e sprang from his bed, darted to his brother, caught him by the shoulder and pulled him round so as to look him in the face.
”What's the matter, sleepy head?” said Emson, smiling.
”Why, it's himself again,” cried d.y.k.e excitedly. ”Oh Joe, old man, you are better and no mistake. I haven't heard you speak like that since I went to old Morgenstern's.--Oh!”
”What is it?” cried Emson.
”I'm not quite awake yet. Yes I am, but I forgot that he was here, and about the diamonds; and--Joe, Joe, old chap, I don't believe precious stones ever did so much good before.”
”Don't talk about them, boy,” said Emson, holding his brother's hand tightly in his. ”But I do seem as if a terrible load had been taken off body and brain. I feel this morning that I shall see home again; and I have talked about going, but never felt that I should see it till now.”
”Then hooray for being rich! But, I say!”
”What?”
”Suppose any one one should come and rob us now.”
Emson laughed aloud.
”The first trouble that attends wealth, little un. There, we've borne sorrow and disappointment like men.”
”Man and boy, Joe.”
”Like men, d.y.k.e, for you have been a better man than I. Now then, we'll bear prosperity, please G.o.d, as patiently and well.”