Good night, madam, good night, gentlemen,"
and he went out to where his horse was standing.
The Major looked after him with a sigh. "When I hear a man talking about
the abolition of slavery," he remarked gloomily, "I always expect him to
want to do away with marriage next--" he checked himself and coloured, as
if an improper speech had slipped out in the presence of Mrs. Lightfoot.
The old lady rose primly and, taking the rector's arm, led the way to
supper.
Dan was not noticed at the table,--it was a part of his grandmother's
social training to ignore children before visitors,--but when he went
upstairs that night, the Major came to the boy's room and took him in his
arms.
"I am proud of you, my child," he said. "You are my grandson, every inch of
you, and you shall have the finest riding horse in the stables on your
birthday."
"I'd rather have Big Abel, if you please, sir," returned Dan. "I think Big
Abel would like to belong to me, grandpa."
"Bless my soul!" cried the Major. "Why, you shall have Big Abel and his
whole family, if you like. I'll give you every darky on the place, if you
want them--and the horses to boot," for the old gentleman was as unwise in
his generosity as in his wrath.
"Big Abel will do, thank you," responded the boy; "and I'd like to shake
hands now, grandpa," he added gravely; but before the Major left that night
he had won not only the child's hand, but his heart. It was the beginning
of the great love between them.
Pages:
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74