Well,
well, it is awful!'
'Is he insensible when in that state?' I asked, a good deal alarmed.
'I don't know; but it never signifies anything. It won't kill him, I do
believe; but old L'Amour knows all about it. I hardly ever go into the room
when he's so, only when I'm sent for; and he sometimes wakes up and takes a
fancy to call for this one or that. One day he sent for Pegtop all the way
to the mill; and when he came, he only stared at him for a minute or two,
and ordered him out o' the room. He's like a child a'most, when he's in one
o' them dazes.'
I always knew when Uncle Silas was 'queerish,' by the injunctions of old
L'Amour, whistled and spluttered over the banister as we came up-stairs,
to mind how we made a noise passing master's door; and by the sound of
mysterious to-ings and fro-ings about his room.
I saw very little of him. He sometimes took a whim to have us breakfast
with him, which lasted perhaps for a week; and then the order of our living
would relapse into its old routine.
I must not forget two kind letters from Lady Knollys, who was detained
away, and delighted to hear that I enjoyed my quiet life; and promised to
apply, in person, to Uncle Silas, for permission to visit me.
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