Таємничий острів

           Quick,attentive,heacquittedhimselfperfectly,changingtheplates,bringingdishes,pouringoutwater,allwithagravitywhichgaveintenseamusementtothesettlers,andwhichenrapturedPencroft.

           "Jup,somesoup!"

           "Jup,alittleagouti!"

           "Jup,aplate!"

           "Jup!GoodJup!HonestJup!"

           Nothingwasheardbutthat,andJupwithouteverbeingdisconcerted,repliedtoeveryone,watchedforeverything,andheshookhisheadinaknowingwaywhenPencroft,referringtohisjokeofthefirstday,saidtohim,—

           "Decidedly,Jup,yourwagesmustbedoubled."

           ItisuselesstosaythattheorangwasnowthoroughlydomesticatedatGraniteHouse,andthatheoftenaccompaniedhismasterstotheforestwithoutshowinganywishtoleavethem.ItwasmostamusingtoseehimwalkingwithastickwhichPencrofthadgivenhim,andwhichhecarriedonhisshoulderlikeagun.Iftheywishedtogathersomefruitfromthesummitofatree,howquicklyheclimbedforit.Ifthewheelofthecartstuckinthemud,withwhatenergydidJupwithasingleheaveofhisshoulderputitrightagain.

           "Whatajollyfellowheis!"criedPencroftoften."Ifhewasasmischievousasheisgood,therewouldbenodoinganythingwithhim!"

           ItwastowardstheendofJanuarythecolonistsbegantheirlaborsinthecenteroftheisland.