_How Small Porges, in his hour of need, was deserted by his Uncle_
"Ruined, sir!--Done for!--Lord love me! they ain't worth the trouble o?
gatherin'--w'ot's left on 'em, Mr. Belloo sir."
"So bad as that, Adam?"
"Bad!--ah, so bad as ever was, sir!" said Adam, blinking suspiciously,
and turning suddenly away.
"Has Miss Anthea seen,--does she know?"
"Ah! she were out at dawn, and Oh Lord, Mr. Belloo sir! I can't never
forget her poor, stricken face,--so pale and sad it were. But she never
said nothing, only: 'Oh, Adam!--my poor hops!' An' I see her lips all of
a quiver while she spoke. An' so she turned away, an' came back to the
'ouse, sir. Poor lass! Oh poor lass!" he exclaimed, his voice growing
more husky. "She's made a brave fight for it, sir,--but it weren't no
use, ye see,--it'll be 'Good-bye' for her to Dapplemere, arter all, that
there mortgage can't never be paid now,--nohow."
"When is it due?"
"Well, according to the bond, or the deed, or whatever they calls
it,--it be doo--tonight, at nine o'clock, sir,--though Old Grimes,--as
a special favour, an' arter much persuading,--'ad agreed to hold over
till next Saturday,--on account o' the 'op-picking. But now--seeing as
there ain't no 'ops to be picked,--why he'll fore-close to-night, an'
glad enough to do it, you can lay your oath on that, Mr. Belloo sir."
"To-night!" said Bellew, "to-night!" and he stood, for a while with bent
head, as though lost in profound thought. "Adam," said he, suddenly,
"help me to harness the mare, I must drive over to the nearest rail-road
depot,--hurry, I must be off, the sooner, the better."
"What!--be you--goin' sir?"
"Yes;--hurry, man,--hurry!"
"D'ye mean as you're a-goin' to leave her--now, in the middle o' all
this trouble?"
"Yes, Adam,--I must go to London--on business,--now hurry, like a good
fellow." And so, together they entered the stable, and together they
harnessed the mare. Which done, staying not for breakfast, Bellew
mounted the driver's seat, and, with Adam beside him, drove
rapidly away.
But Small Porges had seen these preparations, and now came running all
eagerness, but ere he could reach the yard, Bellew was out of ear-shot.
So there stood Small Porges, a desolate little figure, watching the
rapid course of the dogcart until it had vanished over the brow of the
hill. And then, all at once the tears welled up into his eyes hot, and
scalding, and a great sob burst from him, for it seemed to him that his
beloved Uncle Porges had failed him at the crucial moment,--had left him
solitary just when he needed him most.
Thus Small Porges gave way to his grief, hidden in the very darkest
corner of the stable, whither he had retired lest any should observe his
weakness, until having once more gained command of himself, and wiped
away his tears with his small, and dingy pocket-handkerchief, he slowly
re-crossed the yard, and entering the house went to look for his
Auntie Anthea.
And, after much search, he found her--half-lying, half-kneeling beside
his bed. When he spoke to her, though she answered him, she did not look
up, and he knew that she was weeping.
"Don't, Auntie Anthea,--don't!" he pleaded. "I know Uncle Porges has
gone away, an' left us, but you've got me left, you know,--an' I shall
be a man--very soon,--before my time, I think. So--don't cry,--though
I'm awful' sorry he's gone, too--just when we needed him the most,
you know!"
"Oh Georgy!" she whispered, "my dear, brave little Georgy! We shall only
have each other soon,--they're going to take Dapplemere away from
us,--and everything we have in the world,--Oh Georgy!"
"Well, never mind!" said he, kneeling beside her, and drawing one small
arm protectingly about her, "we shall always have each other left, you
know,--nobody shall ever take you away from me. An' then--there's
the--Money Moon! It's been an awful' long time coming,--but it may come
to-night, or tomorrow night. _He_ said it would be sure to come if the
storm came, an' so I'll find the fortune for you at last. I know I shall
find it _some day_ a course--'cause I've prayed, an' prayed for it so
very hard, an' _He_ said my prayers went straight up to heaven, an'
didn't get blown away, or lost in the clouds. So--don't cry, Auntie
Anthea let's wait--just a little longer--till the Money Moon comes."