| 280 | 281 | 282 | 283 | 284 |
| 1 | 133 | 265 | 398 | 530 |
|
soul of punctuality) Mr Abel walked out, to be overtaken by the
London coach, and Kit and the old gentleman went to work in the
garden.
This was not the least pleasant of Kit's employments. On a fine day
they were quite a family party; the old lady sitting hard by with her
work-basket on a little table; the old gentleman digging, or pruning, or
clipping about with a large pair of shears, or helping Kit in some way
or other with great assiduity; and Whisker looking on from his
paddock in placid contemplation of them all. To-day they were to trim
the grape-vine, so Kit mounted half-way up a short ladder, and began
to snip and hammer away, while the old gentleman, with a great
interest in his proceedings, handed up the nails and shreds of cloth as
he wanted them. The old lady and Whisker looked on as usual.
'
Well, Christopher,' said Mr Garland, 'and so you have made a new
friend, eh?'
'
'
I beg your pardon, Sir?' returned Kit, looking down from the ladder.
You have made a new friend, I hear from Mr Abel,' said the old
gentleman, 'at the office!'
'Oh! Yes Sir, yes. He behaved very handsome, Sir.'
'
I'm glad to hear it,' returned the old gentlemen with a smile. 'He is
disposed to behave more handsomely still, though, Christopher.'
'Indeed, Sir! It's very kind in him, but I don't want him to, I'm sure,'
said Kit, hammering stoutly at an obdurate nail.
'
He is rather anxious,' pursued the old gentleman, 'to have you in his
own service - take care what you're doing, or you will fall down and
hurt yourself.'
'
To have me in his service, Sir?' cried Kit, who had stopped short in
his work and faced about on the ladder like some dexterous tumbler.
'Why, Sir, I don't think he can be in earnest when he says that.'
'Oh! But he is indeed,' said Mr Garland. 'And he has told Mr Abel so.'
'I never heard of such a thing!' muttered Kit, looking ruefully at his
master and mistress. 'I wonder at him; that I do.'
'
You see, Christopher,' said Mr Garland, 'this is a point of much
importance to you, and you should understand and consider it in that
light. This gentleman is able to give you more money than I - not, I
hope, to carry through the various relations of master and servant,
Page
Quick Jump
|