Part 52 (1/2)
”She nodded again, with a world of healing pity in her eyes.
Then, with a swift glance at her brother, she stooped and kissed me.
”'Oh!' said Peter, very shortly; 'I'm thinkin' I'd best see Paul 'bout this;' and with that he disappeared.
”Whereupon,” concluded Mr. Fogo, ”I think I must have dropped asleep again, for I remember nothing after this--at least, nothing that is worth mention.”
It is quite true that Mr. Fogo dropped asleep. He slept, moreover, for a considerable time, and awoke to find Caleb seated beside the bed.
”Where is Tam--Miss Dearlove?” he asked.
”There ain't no Dearlove, as I knaws by, called Tammis. The males was chris'n'd Peter an' Paul, the female Thomasina: an' they'm gone.”
”Gone?”
”Gone, an' left we like Hocken's duck, wi'out mate or fellow.”
”How long?”
”Matter o' five hour'.”
There was a long silence.
”Caleb!”
”Aye, aye, sir.”
”How long do you think it will be before I can get about--be fit to go downstairs, I mean?”
”Well, sir, I reckon et depends on yoursel'. Try, an' 'twill come, as the Doctor said when Bill swallered 'arf-a-crown an' wanted to get et up agen by Lady-Day, rent bein' doo.”
”Do you think a week would do it?”
”Better say a fortni't, sir.”
”What day is it to-day?”
”Thursday.”
”Have I been ill for two days?”
”For a fortni't an' two days.”
”Bless my soul!”
”Amen, sir.”
”Caleb, would you mind writing a letter for me?”
Caleb had no objection; and the composition that followed may be given in full, for works of divided authors.h.i.+p have always possessed an interest of their own from the days of Homer, Homer and Homer downwards:--
”Hond Twins,--”