Робінзон Крузо
Friday’s Education
Heappearedverysensibleofthatpart,andletmeknowthathethoughtIhadmuchmorelaboruponmeonhisaccountthanIhadformyself; andthathewouldworktheharderforme,ifIwouldtellhimwhattodo.
ThiswasthepleasantestyearofallthelifeIledinthisplace. Fridaybegantotalkprettywell,andunderstandthenamesofalmosteverythingIhadoccasiontocallfor,andofeveryplaceIhadtosendhimto,andtalkagreatdealtome; sothat,inshort,Ibegannowtohavesomeuseformytongueagain,which,indeed,Ihadverylittleoccasionforbefore,thatistosay,aboutspeech. Besidesthepleasureoftalkingtohim,Ihadasingularsatisfactioninthefellowhimself. Hissimple,unfeignedhonestyappearedtomemoreandmoreeveryday,andIbeganreallytolovethecreature; and,onhisside,Ibelievehelovedmemorethanitwaspossibleforhimevertoloveanythingbefore.
Ihadamindoncetotryifhehadanyhankeringinclinationtohisowncountryagain; andhavinglearnedhimEnglishsowellthathecouldanswermealmostanyquestions,Iaskedhimwhetherthenationthathebelongedtoneverconqueredinbattle? Atwhichhesmiled,andsaid, "Yes,yes,wealwaysfightthebetter;" thatis,hemeant,alwaysgetthebetterinfight; andsowebeganthefollowingdiscourse: "Youalwaysfightthebetter,"saidI. "Howcameyoutobetakenprisonerthen,Friday?"
Friday.—Mynationbeatmuchforallthat.
Master.—Howbeat?Ifyournationbeatthem,howcameyoutobetaken?
Friday.—Theymoremanythanmynationintheplacewheremewas; theytakeone,two,three,andme. Mynationoverbeatthemintheyonderplace,wheremenowas; theremynationtakeone,two,greatthousand.
