“Nuttin easier, if you begin right, miss. As for de pig, I teach dem wid
scaldin' water. Wheneber I sees a pig come aft, I gets a little water
from de copper, and just scald him wid it. You can't t'ink, miss, how
dat mend his manners, and make him squeel fuss, and t'ink arter. In dat
fashion I soon get de ole ones in good trainin', and den I has no more
trouble with dem as comes fresh aboard; for de ole hog tell de young
one, and 'em won'erful cunnin', and know how to take care of 'emself.”
Rose Budd's sweet eyes were full of fun and expectation, and she could
no more repress her laugh than youth and spirits can always be discreet.
“Yes, with the pigs,” she cried, “that might do very well; but how is it
with those--other creatures?”
“Rosy, dear,” interrupted the aunt, “I wish you would say no more about
such shocking things. It's enough for us that Capt. Spike has ordered
them all to stay forward among the men, which is always done on board
well disciplined vessels. I've heard your uncle say, a hundred times,
that the quarter-deck was sacred, and that might be enough to keep such
animals off it.”
It was barely necessary to look at Mrs. Budd in the face to get a very
accurate general notion of her character. She was one of those inane,
uncultivated beings who seem to be protected by a benevolent Providence
in their pilgrimage on earth, for they do not seem to possess the power
to protect themselves. Her very countenance expressed imbecility and
mental dependence, credulity and a love of gossip. Notwithstanding these
radical weaknesses, the good woman had some of the better instincts of
her sex, and was never guilty of anything that could properly convey
reproach.
She was no monitress for Rose, however, the niece much oftener
influencing the aunt, than the aunt influencing the niece. The latter
had been fortunate in having had an excellent instructress, who, though
incapable of teaching her much in the way of accomplishments, had
imparted a great deal that was respectable and useful. Rose had
character, and strong character, too, as the course of our narrative
will show; but her worthy aunt was a pure picture of as much mental
imbecility as at all comported with the privileges of self-government.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account