Part 25 (1/2)
”Well, old Mana.s.seh, what if he has?”
”I should like to see him.”
”Can't be.”
The Jew sidled close up to Ben Zoof, and laying his hand on his arm, said in a low and insinuating tone, ”I am poor, you know; but I would give you a few reals if you would let me talk to this stranger.”
But as if he thought he was making too liberal an offer, he added, ”Only it must be at once.”
”He is too tired; he is worn out; he is fast asleep,” answered Ben Zoof.
”But I would pay you to wake him.”
The captain had overheard the tenor of the conversation, and interposed sternly, ”Hakkabut! if you make the least attempt to disturb our visitor, I shall have you turned outside that door immediately.”
”No offense, my lord, I hope,” stammered out the Jew. ”I only meant--”
”Silence!” shouted Servadac. The old man hung his head, abashed.
”I will tell you what,” said Servadac after a brief interval; ”I will give you leave to hear what this stranger has to tell as soon as he is able to tell us anything; at present we have not heard a word from his lips.”
The Jew looked perplexed.
”Yes,” said Servadac; ”when we hear his story, you shall hear it too.”
”And I hope it will be to your liking, old Ezekiel!” added Ben Zoof in a voice of irony.
They had none of them long to wait, for within a few minutes Rosette's peevish voice was heard calling, ”Joseph! Joseph!”
The professor did not open his eyes, and appeared to be slumbering on, but very shortly afterwards called out again, ”Joseph! Confound the fellow! where is he?” It was evident that he was half dreaming about a former servant now far away on the ancient globe. ”Where's my blackboard, Joseph?”
”Quite safe, sir,” answered Ben Zoof, quickly.
Rosette unclosed his eyes and fixed them full upon the orderly's face.
”Are you Joseph?” he asked.
”At your service, sir,” replied Ben Zoof with imperturbable gravity.
”Then get me my coffee, and be quick about it.”
Ben Zoof left to go into the kitchen, and Servadac approached the professor in order to a.s.sist him in rising to a sitting posture.
”Do you recognize your quondam pupil, professor?” he asked.
”Ah, yes, yes; you are Servadac,” replied Rosette. ”It is twelve years or more since I saw you; I hope you have improved.”
”Quite a reformed character, sir, I a.s.sure you,” said Servadac, smiling.