Part 95 (1/2)
Helen was silent for a moment or two, and then she moved toward the door.
”Where are you going!” said the doctor sharply.
”To make preparations, and warn Mrs Millett. He must have a good box of clothes and linen.”
”To be sure, of course,” said the doctor. ”Get whatever is necessary.
It is the right thing, my dear, and the boy shall go at once.”
The doctor was so energetic and determined that matters progressed very rapidly, and the clothes and other necessaries increased at such a rate in Dexter's room that most boys would have been in a state of intense excitement.
Dexter was not, and he avoided the house as much as he could, spending a great deal of time in the garden and stables.
”So they're going to send you off to school, eh, Master Dexter?” said Peter, pausing to rest on his broom-handle.
”Yes, Peter.”
”And you don't want to go? No wonder! I never liked school. Never had much on it, neither; but I know all I want.”
”Hullo!” said a voice behind them; and, turning, Dexter saw Dan'l standing behind him, with the first dawn of a smile, on his face.
Dexter nodded, and began to move away.
”So you're going off, are yer!” said Dan'l. ”Two floggings a day for a year. You're in for it, youngster.”
”Get out,” said Dexter. ”They don't flog boys at good schools.”
”Oh, don't they?” said Dan'l. ”You'll see. Well, never mind! And, look here, I'll ask master to let me send you a basket o' apples and pears when they're ripe.”
”You will, Dan'l!” cried Dexter excitedly.
”Ay: Peter and me'll do you up a basket, and take it to the station. Be a good boy, and no more Bob Dimsted's.”
Dan'l chuckled as if he had said something very funny, and walked away.
”Here, don't look dumpy about it, my lad,” said Peter kindly. ”'Tain't for ever and a day.”
”No, Peter,” said Dexter gloomily, ”it isn't for ever.”
”Sorry you're going, though, my lad.”
”Are you, Peter!”
”Am I? Course I am. A man can't help liking a boy as can fight like you.”
Matters were growing harder for Dexter indoors now that his departure was so near. Mrs Millett was particularly anxious about him; and so sure as the boy went up to his room in the middle of the day, it was to find the old housekeeper on her knees, and her spectacles carefully balanced, trying all his b.u.t.tons to see if they were fast.
”Now I'm going to put you up two bottles of camomile tea, and pack them in the bottom of your box, with an old coffee-cup without a handle. It just holds the right quant.i.ty, and you'll promise me, won't you, Master Dexter, to take a dose regularly twice a week!”
”Yes; I'll promise you,” said Dexter.