So they were singing when Joris and his sons came home.

There had been some expectation of Joanna and Batavius, but at the last

moment an excuse was sent. "The child is sick, writes Batavius; but I

think, then, it is Batavius that is afraid, and not the child who is

sick," said Joris.

"To this side and to that side and to neither side, he will go; and he

will miss all the good, and get all the bad of every side," said Bram

contemptuously.

"I think not so, Bram. Batavius can sail with the wind. All but his

honour and his manhood he will save."

"That is exactly true," continued Hyde. "He will grow rich upon the

spoils of both parties. Upon my word, I expect to hear him say, 'Admire

my prudence. While you have been fighting for an idea, I have been

making myself some money. It is a principle of mine to attend only to my

own affairs.'"

After supper Bram went to bid a friend good-by; and as Joris and Lysbet

sat in the quiet parlour, Elder Semple and his wife walked in. The elder

was sad and still. He took the hands of Joris in his own, and looked him

steadily in the face. "Man Joris," he said, "what's sending you on sic a

daft-like errand?"

Joris smiled, and grasped tighter his friend's hand. "So glad am I to

see you at the last, Elder. As in you came, I was thinking about you.

Let us part good friends and brothers. If I come not back"-"Tut, tut! You're sure and certain to come back; and sae I'll save the

quarrel I hae wi' you until then. We'll hae mair opportunities; and I'll

hae mair arguments against you, wi' every week that passes. Joris,

you'll no hae a single word to say for yoursel' then. Sae, I'll bide my

time. I came to speak anent things, in case o' the warst, to tell you

that if any one wants to touch your wife or your bairns, a brick in your

house, or a flower in your garden-plat, I'll stand by all that's yours,

to the last shilling I hae, and nane shall harm them. Neil and I will

baith do all men may do. Scotsmen hae lang memories for either friend or

foe. O Joris, man, if you had only had an ounce o' common wisdom!"

"I have a friend, then! I have you, Alexander. Never this hour shall I

regret. If all else I lose, I have saved mijn jongen."




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024