For the readiness of the boy to do what his master
told him, was beautiful--and a great help and comfort, sometimes a
rousing rebuke to his master, whose thoughts would yet occasionally
tumble into one of the pitfalls of sorrow.
"What!" he would say to himself, "am I so believed in by this child,
that he goes at once to do my words, and shall I for a moment doubt
the heart of the Father, or his power or will to set right whatever
may have seemed to go wrong with his child!--Go on, Davie! You are a
good boy; I will be a better man!"
But naturally, as soon as lessons were over, he fell again to
thinking what could have befallen him the night before. At what
point did the aberration begin? The earl must have taken notice of
it, for surely Simmons had not given Davie those injunctions of
himself--except indeed he had exposed his condition even to him! If
the earl had spoken to Simmons, kindness seemed intended him; but it
might have been merely care over the boy! Anyhow, what was to be
done?
He did not ponder the matter long. With that directness which was
one of the most marked features of his nature, he resolved at once
to request an interview with the earl, and make his apologies. He
sought Simmons, therefore, and found him in the pantry rubbing up
the forks and spoons.
"Ah, Mr. Grant," he said, before Donal could speak, "I was just
coming to you with a message from his lordship! He wants to see
you.
Pages:
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262