Part 10 (2/2)
”But isn't it very early for tea--directly after dinner like this?”
”Directly after dinner? Why, bless the boy, it's past seven!”
”Then Imore collectedly now
”I should just think youfor you Hark!
There's o; but promise me you'll take yours?”
”Yes, I'm dreadfully thirsty,” said the lad, and as the woan to sip the tea and eat pieces of the toast till all was gone, and then, after a weary sigh, he glanced at his bundle and hat upon the chair, reeled towards the bed, held on by the painted post, while he thrust off his boots and then literally rolled upon it, with his face looking scarlet upon the white pillow The nextheavily in deep, dreamless sleep
That drea had struck eleven, during which ti anxious about him, came in three tis, the other twice to h fever, as she ter like so hot,” she said to herself ”It was that cup o' tea that did hiood sleep for a bad headache”
So Jane left and went to bed after a final peep, and, as before said, the sound sleep went on till the clock began to strike, and then he began to dream that his uncle came into the room with a chaht shone full upon his stern, severe old features, and seated hian to question him; and it see his head or opening his eyes, which appeared strange, for he fancied he could see the old ry face all the time
”Not undressed, Aleck?” said the old man
”No, uncle”
”Shoes here ready--hat, bundle, and stick on the chair! Does thataway from home?”
”Yes, uncle”
”Hah! From one who took you to his heart when you were a little orphan child, just when your ed mother had closed her eyes for ever on this weary world, and swore to treat you as if you were his own!”
”Yes, uncle”
”And why?”
”Because you are tired ofto sendto try and be taken as a soldier?”
”No, uncle”
”Hah! What then? Going to seek your fortune?”
”No, uncle I' to sea”
Perhaps that _hah_! that ejaculation, was louder than the other words-- perhaps Aleck Donne had not been drea--perhaps it was all real!
At any rate the sleeper had awakened and with his eyes able to open a littleat the stern, sorrowful face, lit up by one candle, seated there within a yard of the pillow
”Head better, my lad?”
”Yes, uncle”