and declared that he loved the creature like a son--as I verily believe
he did, for they were inseparable, and their attachment was
mutual--given up to him, on his solemn promise to take great care of
him. Then there was a poor animal which they hardly knew how to dispose
of. It was a fine old favorite staghound, stone-blind, quite gray about
the head, and so very feeble, that it could but just crawl in and out of
its commodious kennel, and lie basking in the genial sunshine; wagging
its tail when any one spoke to it, and affectionately licking the hand
that patted it. Thus had it treated Mr. Aubrey, that very morning, as he
stood by, and stooped down to caress it for the last time. It was, at
his earnest request, assigned to Dr. Tatham, kennel and all; indeed the
worthy little doctor would have crammed the whole of his little premises
in a similar way, in order to have the more "keepsakes" and "memorials"
of his friends. Miss Aubrey's beautiful Blenheim spaniel, with its
brilliant black eyes, and long glossy graceful ears, was to accompany
her to London.
As for the servants--the housekeeper was going to keep the house of her
brother, a widower, at Grilston, and the butler was going to marry, and
quit service. As for the rest, Mr. Parkinson had, at Mr. Aubrey's
desire, written about them to Messrs. Quirk, Gammon, and Snap; and Mr.
Gammon had sent word that such members of the establishment as chose,
might continue at Yatton, at all events till the pleasure of Mr.
Titmouse, upon the subject, should have been known. All the servants had
received a quarter's wages that morning from Mr. Griffiths, in the
presence of Mr. Aubrey, who spoke kindly to each, and earnestly
recommended them to conduct themselves respectfully towards his
successor. Scarce any of them could answer him, otherwise than by an
humble bow, or courtesy, accompanied by sobs and tears. One of them did
contrive to speak, and passionately expressed a wish that the first
morsel Mr. Titmouse ate in the house might choke him--a sally which
received so very grave a rebuke from Mr. Aubrey, as brought the hasty
offender to her knees, begging forgiveness; which, I need hardly say,
she received, but with a very serious admonition. Many of them most
vehemently entreated to be allowed to accompany Mr. Aubrey and his
family to London, and continue in their service, but in vain. Mr. Aubrey
had made his selection, having taken only his own valet, and Mrs.
Aubrey's maid, and one of the nursery-maids, and declaring that on no
consideration would he think of being accompanied by any other of the
servants.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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