"We will put them into the yard for the present; I mean that Holdfast
shall take charge of them by and by. I will soon teach him."
"Yes, he take charge of coat, or anything I tell him, why not take
charge of goats? Clever dog, Holdfast. Massa Humphrey, you think Massa
Edward take away both his dogs, Smoker and Watch? I say better not take
puppy. Take Smoker, and leave puppy."
"I agree with you, Pablo. We ought to have two dogs here. I will speak
to my brother. Now run forward and open the gate of the yard, and throw
them some hay, Pablo, while I go and call my sisters."
The flock of goats was much admired, and the next morning was driven out
into the forest to feed, attended by Pablo and Holdfast. When it was
dinner-time, Pablo drove the flock near to the cottage, telling the dog
to mind the goats. The sensible animal remained at once with them until
Pablo's return from dinner; and it may be as well to observe here that
in a few days the dog took charge of them altogether, driving them home
to the yard every evening; and as soon as they were put into the yard
the dog had his supper, and he took good care, therefore, not to be too
late. To return to our narrative.
On Saturday Humphrey and Pablo went to Lymington to bring home Edward's
clothes, and Humphrey made Pablo acquainted with all that he wanted him
to know, in case it might be necessary to send him there alone.
Edward remained with his sisters, as he was to leave them on the Monday.
Sunday was passed as usual; they read the service at old Armitage's
grave, and afterwards they walked in the forest; for Sunday was the only
day on which Alice could find time to leave her duties in the cottage.
They were not more grave than usual at the idea of Edward's leaving
them, but they kept up their spirits, as they were aware that it was for
the advantage of all.
On Monday morning, Edward, to please his sisters, put on his new
clothes, and put his forester's dress in the bundle with his linen.
Alice and Edith thought he looked very well in them, and said that it
reminded them of the days of Arnwood. The fact was that Edward appeared
as he was--a gentleman born; that could not well be concealed under a
forester's dress, and in his present attire it was undeniable. After
breakfast Billy was harnessed and brought to the cottage-door. Edward's
linen was put in the cart, and, as he had agreed with Humphrey, he took
only Smoker with him, leaving the puppy at the cottage. Pablo went with
him to bring back the cart. Edward kissed his sisters, who wept at the
idea of his leaving them, and shaking hands with Humphrey set off to
cross the forest.
"Who would ever have believed this?" thought Edward, as he drove across
the forest; "that I should put myself under the roof and under the
protection of a Roundhead--one in outward appearance, and in the opinion
of the world at least, if he is not so altogether in opinion. There is
surely some spell upon me, and I almost feel as if I were a traitor to
my principles. Why I know not, I feel a regard for that man, and a
confidence in him. And why should I not? He knows my principles, my
feelings against his party, and he respects them. Surely he cannot wish
to gain me over to his party; that were indeed ridiculous--a young
forester--a youth unknown. No, he would gain nothing by that, for I am
nobody. It must be from good-will, and no other feeling. I have
obliged him in the service I rendered his daughter, and he is grateful."
Perhaps, had Edward put the question to himself, "Should I have been on
such friendly terms with the Intendant--should I have accepted his
offer, if there had been no Patience Heatherstone?" he might then have
discovered what was the "spell upon him" which had rendered him so
tractable; but of that he had no idea. He only felt that his situation
would be rendered more comfortable by the society of an amiable and
handsome girl, and he inquired no further.
His reverie was broken by Pablo, who appeared tired of holding his
tongue, and said, "Massa Edward, you not like leave home--you think very
much. Why you go there?"
"I certainly do not like to leave home, Pablo, for I am very fond of my
brother and sisters; but we cannot always do as we wish in this world,
and it is for their sakes, more than from my own inclinations, that I
have done so."
"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, Massa Edward, you very foolish."
Edward laughed at this blunt observation of Pablo's, and replied, "It is
very true, Pablo, that I cannot 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 nobody, 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, Massa 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 me 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 assist Humphrey to do what is required, and to take care of
them.' Am I not right, Pablo?"
"Yes, Massa Edward," replied Pablo, taking hold of Edward's wrist, "you
quite right. Pablo does love Missy Alice, Missy Edith, Massa Humphrey,
and you, Massa 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 had
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, Massa Edward, you go; never mind us, we make plenty of work; do
everything 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, Massa Edward, Massa 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?"
"Massa Edward, you tell Massa Humphrey no possible, so I no tell you
how," replied Pablo, laughing. "Some day you come see us, see five
ponies in the stable. Massa 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, Massa Edward, you
see. Massa 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.
"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."
"Well, it may be, but still you might answer a question, if put to you,
Patience; and I ask again, does not Edward look much better in the dress
he has on than in that he generally has worn?"
"I think it a becoming dress, Clara, since you will have an answer."
"Fine feathers make fine birds, Clara," said Edward, laughing: "and so
that is all we can say about it."
Edward then changed the conversation. Soon afterwards dinner was
announced, and Clara again observed to Edward--"Why do you always call
Patience, Mistress Heatherstone? Ought he not to call her Patience,
sir?" said Clara, appealing to the Intendant.
"That must depend upon his own feelings, my dear Clara," replied Mr
Heatherstone. "It is my intention to waive ceremony as much as
possible. Edward Armitage has come to live with us as one of the
family, and he will find himself treated by me as one of us. I shall,
therefore, in future address him as Edward, and he has my full
permission, and I may say it is my wish, that he should be on the same
familiar terms with us all. When Edward feels inclined to address my
daughter as he does you, by her name of baptism, he will, I daresay, now
that he has heard my opinion, do so; and reserve `Mistress Heatherstone'
for the time when they have a quarrel."
"Then I hope he will never again address me that way," observed
Patience; "for I am under too great obligations to him to bear even the
idea of being on had terms with him."
"Do you hear that, Edward?" said Clara.
"Yes, I do, Clara; and after such a remark, you may be sure that I shall
never address her in that way again."
In a few days Edward became quite at home. In the forenoon Mr
Heatherstone dictated one or two letters to him, which he wrote; and
after that his time was at his own disposal, and was chiefly passed in
the company of Patience and Clara. With the first he had now become on
the most intimate and brotherly footing; and when they addressed each
other, Patience and Edward were the only appellations made use of. Once
Mr Heatherstone asked Edward whether he would not like to go out with
Oswald to kill a deer, which he did; but the venison was hardly yet in
season. There was a fine horse in the stable at Edward's order, and he
often rode out with Patience and Clara; indeed his time passed so
agreeably that he could hardly think it possible that a fortnight had
passed away, when he asked permission to go over to the cottage and see
his sisters.
With the Intendant's permission, Patience and Clara accompanied him; and
the joy of Alice and Edith was great, when they made their appearance.
Oswald had, by Edward's request, gone over a day or two before, to tell
them that they were coming, that they might be prepared; and the
consequence was that it was a holiday at the cottage. Alice had cooked
her best dinner, and Humphrey and Pablo were at home to receive them.
"How pleasant it will be, if we are to see you and Clara whenever we see
Edward!" said Alice to Patience. "So far from being sorry that Edward
is with you I shall be quite glad of it."
"I water the flowers every day," said Edith, "and they make the garden
look so gay."
"I will bring you plenty more in the autumn, Edith; but this is not the
right time for transplanting flowers yet," replied Patience. "And now,
Alice, you must take me to see your farm, for when I was here last I had
no time; let us come now, and show me everything."
"But my dinner, Patience; I cannot leave it, or it will be spoiled, and
that will never do. You must either go with Edith now, or wait till
after dinner, when I can get away."
"Well, then, we will stay till after dinner, Alice, and we will help you
to serve it up."
"Thank you, Pablo generally does that, for Edith cannot reach down the
things. I don't know where he is."
"He went away with Edward and Humphrey, I think," said Edith. "I'll
scold him when he comes back for being out of the way."
"Never mind, Edith, I can reach the dishes," said Patience, "and you and
Clara can then take them, and the platters, and put them on the table
for Alice."
And Patience did as she proposed, and the dinner was soon afterwards on
the table. There was a ham, and two boiled fowls, and a piece of salted
beef, and some roasted kid, besides potatoes and green peas; and when it
is considered that such a dinner was set on the table by such young
people, left entirely to their own exertions and industry, it must be
admitted that it did them and their farm great credit.
In the meantime Edward and Humphrey, after the first greetings were
over, had walked out to converse, while Pablo had taken the horses into
the stable.
"Well, Humphrey, how do you get on?"
"Very well," replied Humphrey. "I have just finished a very tough job.
I have dug out the saw-pit, and have sawed the slabs for the sides of
the pit, and made it quite secure. The large fir-tree that was blown
down is now at the pit, ready for sawing up into planks, and Pablo and I
are to commence to-morrow. At first we made but a bad hand of sawing
off the slabs, but before we had cut them all we got on pretty well.
Pablo don't much like it, and indeed no more do I much, it is such
mechanical work, and so tiring; but he does not complain. I do not
intend that he shall saw more than two days in a week; that will be
sufficient; we shall get on fast enough."
"You are right, Humphrey; it is an old saying, that you must not work a
willing horse to death. Pablo is very willing, but hard work he is not
accustomed to."
"Well, now you must come and look at my flock of goats, Edward, they are
not far off. I have taught Holdfast to take care of them, and he never
leaves them now, and brings them home at night. Watch always remains
with me, and is an excellent dog, and very intelligent."
"You have indeed a fine flock, Humphrey!" said Edward.
"Yes, and they are improved in appearance already since they have been
here. Alice has got her geese and ducks, and I have made a place large
enough for them to wash in, until I have time to dig them out a pond."
"I thought we had gathered more hay than you required; but with this
addition, I think you will find none to spare before the spring."
"So far from it, that I have been mowing down a great deal more, Edward,
and it is almost ready to carry away. Poor Billy has had hard work of
it, I assure you, since he came back, with one thing and another."
"Poor fellow, but it won't last long, Humphrey," said Edward, smiling;
"the other horses will soon take his place."
"I trust they will," said Humphrey, "at all events by next spring;
before that I do not expect that they will."
"By the bye, Humphrey, you recollect what I said to you that the robber
I shot told me, just before he died?"
"Yes, I do recollect it now," replied Humphrey; "but I had quite forgot
all about it till you mentioned it now, although I wrote it down, that
we might not forget it."
"Well, I have been thinking all about it, Humphrey. The robber told me
that the money was mine, taking me for another person; therefore I do
not consider it was given to me, nor do I consider that it was his to
give. I hardly know what to do about it, nor to whom the money can be
said to belong."
"Well I think I can answer that question. The property of all
malefactors belongs to the king; and therefore this money belongs to the
king; and we may retain it for the king, or use it for his service."
"Yes, it would have belonged to the king had the man been condemned, and
hung on the gallows as he deserved; but he was not, and therefore I
think that it does not belong to the king."
"Then it belongs to whoever finds it, and who keeps it till it is
claimed--which will never be."
"I think I must speak to the Intendant about it," replied Edward; "I
should feel more comfortable."
"Then do so," replied Humphrey; "I think you are right to have no
concealments from him."
"But, Humphrey," replied Edward, laughing, "what silly fellows we are!
We do not yet know whether we shall find anything; we must first see if
there is anything buried there; and when we have done so, then we will
decide how to act. I shall, if it please God, be over again in a
fortnight, and in the meantime, do you find out the place, and ascertain
if what the fellow said is true."
"I will," replied Humphrey. "I will go to-morrow, with Billy and the
cart, and take a spade and pick-axe with me. It may be a fool's errand,
but still they say, and one would credit, for the honour of human
nature, that the words of a dying man are those of truth. We had better
go back now, for I think dinner must be ready."
Now that they had become so intimate with Patience Heatherstone--and I
may add, so fond of her--there was no longer any restraint, and they had
a very merry dinner-party; and after dinner, Patience went out with
Alice and Edith, and looked over the garden and farm. She wished very
much to ascertain if there was anything that they required, but she
could discover but few things, and those only trifles; but she
recollected them all, and sent them to the cottage a few days
afterwards. But the hour of parting arrived, for it was a long ride
back, and they could not stay any longer, if they wished to get home
before dark, as Mr Heatherstone had requested Edward that they should
do; so the horses were brought out, and wishing good-bye, they set off
again, little Edith crying after them, "Come again soon! Patience, must
come again soon!"