Diamond Dyke: The Lone Farm on the Veldt - Story of South African AdventureFenn, George Manville
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Diamond Dyke: The Lone Farm on the Veldt - Story of South African Adventure
Fenn, George Manville
Adventure stories; South Africa -- Fiction
"You called me `little un' just in your old way, and I can feel that,
with all the worry and disappointment gone now, you'll be able to get
well."
Emson was silent for a few minutes, and then he said softly:
"Yes: I feel as if I can get better now; not that I care for the riches
for riches' sake, Dyke, but because--Are you listening, little un?"
Dyke was fast asleep, and a few minutes later Emson was sleeping too,
and dreaming of faces at home in the old country welcoming him back, not
for the sake of the wealth he brought, but because he was once more a
hale, strong man.
CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.
THE CHANGE THAT CAME.
"It's to-morrow morning, little un."
Dyke did not stir, but he seemed to hear the words.
"Do you hear, little un? Tumble up and bustle. Let's have a
comfortable meal when he joins us. Do you hear, sir? Are you going to
sleep all day?"
Certainly he was not, for Dyke had sprung up, and was staring across the
place at where, half-turned from him, Emson lay gazing at the golden
east, where the sun was about to rise.
"Little un: are you going to get up?"
Dyke sprang from his bed, darted to his brother, caught him by the
shoulder and pulled him round so as to look him in the face.
"What's the matter, sleepy head?" said Emson, smiling.
"Why, it's himself again," cried Dyke excitedly. "Oh Joe, old man, you
are better and no mistake. I haven't heard you speak like that since I
went to old Morgenstern's.--Oh!"
"What is it?" cried Emson.
"I'm not quite awake yet. Yes I am, but I forgot that he was here, and
about the diamonds; and--Joe, Joe, old chap, I don't believe precious
stones ever did so much good before."
"Don't talk about them, boy," said Emson, holding his brother's hand
tightly in his. "But I do seem as if a terrible load had been taken off
body and brain. I feel this morning that I shall see home again; and I
have talked about going, but never felt that I should see it till now."
"Then hooray for being rich! But, I say!"
"What?"
"Suppose any one one should come and rob us now."
Emson laughed aloud.
"The first trouble that attends wealth, little un. There, we've borne
sorrow and disappointment like men."
"Man and boy, Joe."
"Like men, Dyke, for you have been a better man than I. Now then, we'll
bear prosperity, please God, as patiently and well."
"Why, of course," cried Dyke; "but what did you do with the jolly old
stones?"
"Put them in your bowl, and then in the case. Now see that the
breakfast is got ready. I'm far better, but I feel too weak to help."
"Ah, but you won't long, if you go on like this," cried Dyke, dressing
hurriedly, and beginning to have his morning wash in the bucket. "I say
Joe, though, let's have some luxuries, now, as soon as we can. What do
you say to a wash-hand basin?"
"Oh yes, we'll have that."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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