From the Valley of the Missing — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
From the Valley of the Missing
John Stuart Mill · en
He sighed painfully as the last words trailed from his lips. Flea ended
his quotation, saying:
"'A little child.' But, Flukey, Jesus is dead and buried."
"No, no, He isn't, child!" cried Ann sharply. "He'll never die. He will
always help little children."
"Ain't He a restin' in the dead man's yard out there?"
demanded Flea, lifting her robe as she moved toward Ann.
"No! indeed, no! He is everywhere, with the dead and the living, with
men and women, and also with little children."
"Where be He?" Flea asked.
"In Heaven," replied Ann, leaning over Flukey. "And He's able even to
raise the dead."
Flea grasped her arm.
"Then, if He's everywhere, as ye've jest said, can't ye--"
Flukey opened his eyes.
"If ye know that Man Jesus, well enough," he broke forth, trying to take
her hand in his, "if ye ever sees Him to speak to Him, will ye say that,
if He'll let my bones get well, and keep my little Flea from Lem, I'll
do all He says for me to? Tell Him--tell--tell Him, Ma'm, that my bones
be--almost a bustin'."
"Can He help Fluke any if ye ask Him?" Flea questioned.
Ann nodded; but Flea, not satisfied, asked the question directly of
Horace.
"I believe so," he hesitated; "yes, I do believe that He can and will
help your brother."
"Will ye ask Him?" Flea pleaded. "Will ye both ask Him?"
Ann answered yes quickly; and Flea was satisfied with the nod Horace
gave her before he wheeled about to the window.
When Flukey was resting under the physician's medicine, Horace and Ann
listened to the tale of the squatter children's lives, told by Flea. It
was then that Shellington promised her that Squeaky should find a future
home on their farm among other animals of the kind, and that he would
make it his task to see that the little pig had plenty to eat, plenty of
sunshine, and a home such as few little pigs had. Snatchet, too, Horace
promised, should be housed in a warm kennel with the greyhounds and
blooded pups.
When Flea leaned over Flukey to say goodnight to him, she breathed:
"This be the promised land, all right, Fluke! Ain't we lucky kids to be
here?"
CHAPTER TWELVE
With infinite tenderness, Ann led Flea into the pretty blue bedroom. The
girl drew back with an exclamation.
"It's too nice for a squatter! But I'm glad you put Fluke in that red
place, 'cause it looks so warm and feels warm. But me--"
Ann interrupted hastily.
"You remember my brother saying that you were going to stay here with us
until your brother was well?"
Flea assented.
"Then, as long as you are with us, you will be our guest just as though
you were my sister. Would you like to be my sister?"
Flea dropped her gaze before the earnest eyes.
"Yep!" she choked. "But I'm a squatter, Missus, and squatters don't
count for nothin'. But Fluke--"
"Poor child! She can't think of anyone but her brother," Miss
Shellington murmured to herself.
But Flea caught the words.