Part 35 (1/2)
”Can't see what good you do Missy Alice and Missy Edith 'cause you go away. How it possible do good, and not with them? Suppose bad accident, and you away, how you do good? Suppose bad accident, and you at cottage, then you do good. I think, Ma.s.sa Edward, you very foolish.”
Edward laughed at this blunt observation of Pablo's, and replied, ”It is very true, Pablo, that I can not watch over my sisters, and protect them in person, when I am away; but there are reasons why I should go, nevertheless, and I may be more useful to them by going than by remaining with them. If I did not think so, I would not leave them. They know n.o.body, and have no friends in the world. Suppose anything was to happen to me-suppose both Humphrey and I were to die-for you know that we never know how soon that event may take place-who would there be to protect my poor sisters, and what would become of them? Is it not, therefore, wise that I should procure friends for them, in case of accident, who would look after them and protect them? and it is my hope, that by leaving them now, I shall make powerful and kind friends for them. Do you understand me?”
”Yes, I see now; you think more than me, Ma.s.sa Edward. I say just now, you foolish; I say now, Pablo great fool.”
”Besides, Pablo, recollect that I never would have left them as long as there was only Humphrey and I to look after them, because an accident might have happened to one of us; but when you came to live with us, and I found what a good, clever boy you were, and that you were fond of us all, I then said, 'Now I can leave my sisters, for Pablo shall take my place, and a.s.sist Humphrey to do what is required, and to take care of them.' Am I not right, Pablo?”
”Yes, Ma.s.sa Edward,” replied Pablo, taking hold of Edward's wrist, ”you quite right. Pablo does love Missy Alice, Missy Edith, Ma.s.sa Humphrey, and you, Ma.s.sa Edward; he love you all very much indeed; he love you so much that he die for you! Can do no more.”
”That is what I really thought of you, Pablo, and yet I am glad to hear it from your own mouth. If you had not come to live with us, and not proved so faithful, I could not have left to benefit my sisters; but you have induced me to leave, and they have to thank you if I am able to be of any service to them.”
”Well, Ma.s.sa Edward, you go; never mind us, we make plenty of work; do every thing all the same as you.”
”I think you will, Pablo, and that is the reason why I have agreed to go away. But, Pablo, Billy is growing old, and you will want some more ponies.”
”Yes, Ma.s.sa Edward; Ma.s.sa Humphrey talk to me about ponies last night, and say plenty in the forest. Ask me if I think us able catch them. I say yes, catch one, two, twenty, suppose want them.”
”Ah! how will you do that, Pablo?”
”Ma.s.sa Edward, you tell Ma.s.sa Humphrey no possible, so I no tell you how,” replied Pablo, laughing. ”Some day you come and see us, see five ponies in the stable. Ma.s.sa Humphrey and I, we talk about, find out how; you see.”
”Well, then, I shall ask no more questions, Pablo; and when I see the ponies in the stable, then I'll believe it, and not before.”
”Suppose you want big horse for ride, catch big horse, Ma.s.sa Edward, you see. Ma.s.sa Humphrey very clever, he catch cow.”
”Catch gipsy,” said Edward.
”Yes,” said Pablo, laughing, ”catch cow, catch gipsy, and by-and-by catch horse.”
When Edward arrived at the intendant's house, he was very kindly received by the intendant and the two girls. Having deposited his wardrobe in his bedroom, he went out to Oswald and put Smoker in the kennel, and on his return found Pablo sitting on the carpet in the sitting-room, talking to Patience and Clara, and they all three appeared much amused. When Pablo and Billy had both had something to eat, the cart was filled with pots of flowers, and several, other little things as presents from Patience Heatherstone, and Pablo set off on his return.
”Well, Edward, you do look like a-” said Clara, stopping.
”Like a secretary, I hope,” added Edward.
”Well, you don't look like a forester; does he, Patience?” continued Clara.
”You must not judge of people by their clothes, Clara.”
”Nor do I,” replied Clara. ”Those clothes would not look well upon Oswald, or the other men, for they would not suit them; but they do suit you: don't they, Patience?”
Patience Heatherstone, however, did not make any answer to this second appeal made by Clara.
”Why don't you answer me, Patience?”, said Clara.
”My dear Clara, it's not the custom for young maidens to make remarks upon people's attire. Little girls like you may do so.”
”Why, did you not tell Pablo that he looked well in his new clothes?”
”Yes, but Pablo is not Mr. Armitage, Clara. That is very different.”