Викрадений
Chapter 1
Thefirst,whichisround,willlikelypleaseyebestatthefirstoff-go;but,ODavie,laddie,it’sbutadropofwaterinthesea;it’llhelpyoubutastep,andvanishlikethemorning.Thesecond,whichisflatandsquareandwrittenupon,willstandbyyouthroughlife,likeagoodstafffortheroad,andagoodpillowtoyourheadinsickness.Andasforthelast,whichiscubical,that’llseeyou,it’smyprayerfulwish,intoabetterland.”
Withthathegotuponhisfeet,tookoffhishat,andprayedalittlewhilealoud,andinaffectingterms,forayoungmansettingoutintotheworld;thensuddenlytookmeinhisarmsandembracedmeveryhard;thenheldmeatarm’slength,lookingatmewithhisfaceallworkingwithsorrow;andthenwhippedabout,andcryinggood-byetome,setoffbackwardbythewaythatwehadcomeatasortofjoggingrun.Itmighthavebeenlaughabletoanother;butIwasinnomindtolaugh.Iwatchedhimaslongashewasinsight;andheneverstoppedhurrying,noroncelookedback.Thenitcameinuponmymindthatthiswasallhissorrowatmydeparture;andmyconsciencesmotemehardandfast,becauseI,formypart,wasoverjoyedtogetawayoutofthatquietcountry-side,andgotoagreat,busyhouse,amongrichandrespectedgentlefolkofmyownnameandblood.
“Davie,Davie,”Ithought,“waseverseensuchblackingratitude?Canyouforgetoldfavoursandoldfriendsatthemerewhistleofaname?Fie,fie;thinkshame
