Part 15 (1/2)
”Killed?” cried the Major, excitedly.
”Oh, no, father, there was plenty of water, and he got out through a pa.s.sage on to the cliffs, and Sam and I had to pull him up again.”
”What mad recklessness!”
”He wasn't hurt, father, only got very wet; and since then the Colonel has been to have a look at the place and had a talk or two with Sam Hardock, and Ydoll--”
”What!” cried the Major, fiercely.
”Gwyn thinks his father is going to have machinery down, and the mine pumped out.”
”Madness! Going to throw all his money away. He sha'n't do it. I won't have it. What does Mrs Pendarve say?”
”Gwyn says she doesn't like it at all.”
”I should think not, sir. It means ruin spelt with a big letter. Why can't he be contented with his half-pay?”
”I dunno, father. I suppose he feels as if he'd like more.”
”Yes, and get less. You never knew me tempted by these wretched mining schemes, did you, sir?”
”No, father.”
”The man's mad. Got a bee in his bonnet. Going to ruin his son's prospects in life. He sha'n't do it. How can he be so absurd! I'll go to him as soon as I can move.”
”Feel a little easier, father?” said Joe, going to the head of the couch, and pressing his hand upon his father's brow again.
”Yes, much easier, my boy,” said the invalid, placing his hand upon his son's, and holding it down for a few moments. ”Feels cooler, doesn't it?”
”Ever so much, dad, and not so damp.”
”Yes, I feel like a new man again. Thank you, Joe--thank you, my boy.
Haven't been fretful, have I?”
”Oh, just a little, father, of course. Who could help it?”
”I was afraid I had been, Joe. But, as you say, who could help it?
Didn't say anything very cross to you, did I?”
”Oh, no, nothing to signify, dad. But, I say, I am glad you're better.”
”Thank you, my boy, thank you,” said the Major, drawing his boy's hand down to his lips and kissing it. ”Just like your poor, dear mother, so calm and patient with me when I am suffering. Joe, my boy, you will have to be a doctor.”
”I? Oh, no, father. I must be a soldier, same as you've been, and Gwyn is going to be.”
”But I meant a military surgeon,” said the Major.
”Wouldn't do, father. Why, if I were to tell Ydoll--I mean Gwyn--that I was going to be a doctor, he would crow over me horribly, and I should never hear the end of it. He'd christen me jalap or rhubarb, or something of that sort.”