"When he told us of his nevvy, Dick, and I got to thinkin' of his
bein' just the age of our Richard, I declare it seemed like
something got in my throat and I'd choke. Do you reckon he'll
ever find him?" said Polly, as she busied herself with
preparations for their breakfast.
"I hope so, Polly!" said Cavendish, but her words were a powerful
assault on his feelings, which at all times lay close to the
surface and were easily stirred.
Under stress of his emotions, he now enjoined silence on his
family, fortifying the injunction with dire threats as to the
consequences that would descend with lightning--like suddenness
on the head of the unlucky sinner who forgot and raised his voice
above a whisper. Then he despatched a chicken; sure sign that he
and Polly considered their guest had reached the first stage of
convalescence.
CHAPTER XVIII
AN ORPHAN MAN OF TITLE
The raft drifted on into the day's heat; and when at last Yancy
awoke, it was to find Henry and Keppel seated beside him, each
solacing him with a small moist hand, while they regarded him out
of the serious unblinking eyes of childhood.
"Howdy!" said he, smiling up at them.
"Howdy!" they answered, a sociable grin puckering their freckled
faces.
"Do you find yo'self pretty well, sir?" inquired Keppel.
"I find myself pretty weak," replied Yancy.
"Me and Kep has been watching fo' to keep the flies from stinging
you," explained Henry.
"We-all takes turns doin' that," Keppel added.
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