Dainton's house and fed and tended
with affectionate care.
Presently he revived a little and tried to talk. "I've come back
poorer than I went, though I did find a streak of gold. But I fell ill
and the thieves stole all I had. I just managed to get down to a ship
and I worked my passage home, though I felt I was only coming back to
die. But I did want to get to the old place again and to see George's
boy. He's the very image of what I used to be, and like his father
too, only a taller build, I fancy."
"And as good as he is high," said Mrs. Dainton with a smile at her
favourite.
But Dick could not laugh just then, his throat had such a lump in it.
The dream he had cherished so long of finding a "very own relation" had
come true, but with such pain and disappointment if his uncle had only
come back to die! But Mrs. Dainton's faith refused to listen to
thoughts of dying, and her husband seconded all her efforts in the sick
room.
And Paddy made a splendid nurse and cheerfully sat up at night in turn,
and, as the patient began to mend, his bright talk and Irish yarns made
him laugh and forget all the hardship and failures of the past.
But most of all the invalid liked to have Dick with him.
"You must take warning by me, lad, and stick to hard work.
Pages:
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84