Белая птичка
Barbara
ThenightwasabsolutelystillsavefortheroaringoftheSlothsinthedistance.
By-and-byIrenecametotheentranceofourcave,wherebythelightofhertorchwecouldseeherexploringasharkthathadbeenharpoonedbyDavidearlierintheday.
Everythingconducedtorepose,andafeelingofgentlepeacecreptoverus,fromwhichwewererousedbyashrillcry.ItwasutteredbyIrene,whocamespeedingtous,bearingcertainarticles,awatch,apairofboots,anewspaper,whichshehaddiscoveredintheinterioroftheshark.Whatwasoursurprisetofindinthenewspaperintelligenceoftheutmostimportancetoallofus.Itwasnothinglessthanthis,thebirthofanewbabyinLondontoMary.
HowstrangeamethodhadSolomonchosenofsendingusthenews.
Thebaldannouncementatonceplungedusintoafeverofexcitement,andnextmorningwesetsailforEngland.SoonwecamewithinsightofthewhitecliffsofAlbion.Marycouldnotsitdownforamoment,sohotwasshetoseeherchild.Shepacedthedeckinuncontrollableagitation.
“SodidI!”criedDavid,whenIhadreachedthispointinthestory.
Onarrivingatthedocksweimmediatelyhailedacab.
“Never,David,”Isaid,“shallIforgetyourmother’sexcitement.Shekeptputtingherheadoutofthewindowandcallingtothecabbytogoquicker,quicker.Howhelashedhishorse!Atlasthedrewupatyourhouse,andthenyourmother,springingout,flewupthestepsandbeatwithherhandsuponthedoor.”
Davidwasquitecarriedawaybytherealityofit.“Fatherhasthekey!”hescreamed
