England -- Social conditions -- 19th century -- Fiction; Working class -- Fiction
"And tell us all about it," said his wife. "We'll give you a shake-down
for the night if you can't go home."
John was thankful, and Mrs Hewlett set before him a good meal of bread,
cheese, cold bacon, and beer; but he was too dull and dejected, as well
as much too tired, to be able to talk, and scarcely could remember all
that had happened. He knew it was not manners to put his head down on
his arms on the table, but he really could not hold it up, and he had
dozed off almost with the food in his mouth.
"Poor chap! He's fair worn out," said the elder George. "Make his bed
ready, mother."
And when it was ready, the younger George absolutely kicked him into
being awake enough to tumble into it. Even then his sleep was for a
good while tossing, dreamy, and restless; but, by-and-by, it grew
sounder, and he lay so still in the morning that his kind hostess
hindered her boys from disturbing him. He had not long been awake, and
had only said his prayers, and washed at the pump, when horses' feet
were heard, and Cousin George called to him to come out and speak to the
captain. He came, with hair wringing wet, and shy, awkward looks.
"My lad," said the captain, "I cannot tell you how much I thank you for
your bravery and spirit the night before last. You did me and mine a
benefit that I shall always remember, though I feel it would just be
insulting you to offer you any present reward! Nor, indeed, could it be
sufficient for what you have done."
"Thank you, sir," mumbled John, hardly knowing what he or the captain
said.
"And," added Captain Carbonel, "your father got away. If he is taken,
what you have done for us may be remembered in his favour."
Again John managed to say, "Thank you, sir." And the captain rode off
to offer the like thanks to Tirzah Todd; but her cottage was shut up,
the donkey gone, and she, with her husband and Hoglah out on a
broom-selling expedition. He was not clear of the riot, and she did not
want him to hear her thanked. They must have gone away with their gipsy
kin, for they never came back while the Carbonels were in England, and
only a sovereign could be left for them with Mr Harford, who promised
to stand Tirzah's friend if any opening for assisting her offered.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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