_THE SCHOOLMASTER'S GRATITUDE._
"I HAVE a note for you, Algarkirke," said Mr. Treby, when he had
seen all his guests comfortably established—biped and quadruped
alike enjoying the "good feed" he had provided in his hearty English
hospitality.
The schoolmaster was in such constant request as interpreter that it
was some minutes before he had a chance to open his letter. As it bore
no post-mark, he concluded it must have come from some one in the
neighbourhood. Possibly it held the promise of a future scholar; so he
put it in his pocket to await some more convenient opportunity.
"It is from England," added Mr. Treby, in a low aside.
Algarkirke grew strangely pale, and crushed it out of sight. "Not a
word before these Boers; remember your promise," he whispered, turning
away from Mr. Treby to join in Walt Immerseel's boisterous mirth.
Mr. Treby carved his venison in thoughtful silence, whilst the whole
family of the Immerseels did ample justice to his English fare.
When knives and forks were at last allowed to rest, and the great
basket of fruit which Tante Milligen had brought with her was placed
upon the table, Mr. Treby looked round for Jack.
He was expostulating with Zyl, who had taken the very best of the
peaches on to his own plate, and then refused to taste them.
Jack was calling upon Mr. Algarkirke to find the reason why.
"Why?" repeated the schoolmaster laughing. "Because he means to plant
them himself in your garden after dinner."
"Jack," said Mr. Treby, "come here, my boy, and tell your kind Dutch
friends how sorry you are to have given them so much anxiety and
trouble; and thank them as you ought for all they did to find you."
"Father, won't you speak for me? You'll make them understand ever so
much better than I can," answered Jack coaxingly.
"No, no," returned Mr. Treby. "Just tell them how you lost yourself,
and why you went away, that they may feel you are not the ungrateful
boy you seemed."
"Please, Mr. Algarkirke," asked Jack, "will you tell it in Dutch after
me?"
Glad of any diversion from the painful surprise Mr. Treby's words
had awakened, and afraid of betraying his real feelings, Algarkirke
assented readily.
Zyl, with his elbows on the table, greedily devoured every word with
open mouth, as Jack recounted his adventures with Vickel in the sandy
waste.
Jack did not like to tell tales of Otto to the Boer. He only said he
wanted to post a letter to his grandfather.
Here Mr. Treby interposed with, "You need not mind speaking about Otto,
for he has left Jaarsveldt for good."
The "oom" gave a low assenting grunt of satisfaction; and Jack went
back in his story to describe the finding of the bank-note.
Up sprang Algarkirke, and seizing Jack by the collar, he thundered out,
"That coat was mine, and anything found in it should have been given to
me. How dare you send it away, you wretched little rascal! I'll never
forgive you, never!"
Jack was startled by the fury of Algarkirke's tones.
Walt sprang to his feet, and Zyl doubled his fists, ready to punch the
schoolmaster's head.