Part 4 (1/2)
The two brothers exchanged a hearty greeting, and then Mr. Bellmont told Jack to eat his supper; afterward he wished to send him away. He immediately went in. Accustomed to all the phases of indoor storms, from a whine to thunder and lightning, he saw at a glance marks of disturbance. He had been absent through the day, with the hired men.
”What's the fuss?” asked he, rus.h.i.+ng into Aunt Abby's.
”Eat your supper,” said Jane; ”go home, Jack.”
Back again through the dining-room, and out to his father.
”What's the fuss?” again inquired he of his father.
”Eat your supper, Jack, and see if you can find Frado. She's not been seen since morning, and then she was kicked out of the house.”
”I shan't eat my supper till I find her,” said Jack, indignantly. ”Come, James, and see the little creature mother treats so.”
They started, calling, searching, coaxing, all their way along. No Frado. They returned to the house to consult. James and Jack declared they would not sleep till she was found.
Mrs. Bellmont attempted to dissuade them from the search. ”It was a shame a little n.i.g.g.e.r should make so much trouble.”
Just then Fido came running up, and Jack exclaimed, ”Fido knows where she is, I'll bet.”
”So I believe,” said his father; ”but we shall not be wiser unless we can outwit him. He will not do what his mistress forbids him.”
”I know how to fix him,” said Jack. Taking a plate from the table, which was still waiting, he called, ”Fido! Fido! Frado wants some supper.
Come!” Jack started, the dog followed, and soon capered on before, far, far into the fields, over walls and through fences, into a piece of swampy land. Jack followed close, and soon appeared to James, who was quite in the rear, coaxing and forcing Frado along with him.
A frail child, driven from shelter by the cruelty of his mother, was an object of interest to James. They persuaded her to go home with them, warmed her by the kitchen fire, gave her a good supper, and took her with them into the sitting-room.
”Take that n.i.g.g.e.r out of my sight,” was Mrs. Bellmont's command, before they could be seated.
James led her into Aunt Abby's, where he knew they were welcome. They chatted awhile until Frado seemed cheerful; then James led her to her room, and waited until she retired.
”Are you glad I've come home?” asked James.
”Yes; if you won't let me be whipped tomorrow.”
”You won't be whipped. You must try to be a good girl,” counselled James.
”If I do, I get whipped,” sobbed the child. ”They won't believe what I say. Oh, I wish I had my mother back; then I should not be kicked and whipped so. Who made me so?”
”G.o.d,” answered James.
”Did G.o.d make you?”
”Yes.”
”Who made Aunt Abby?”
”G.o.d.”
”Who made your mother?”