"Thought I'd come back from furrin parts, 'e did, wi' my pockets
stuffed full o' gold an' bank-notes. Called me 'is bye Jarge, 'e
did!" and again he brushed his cuff across his eyes.
"Masters I don't know who ye may be, but I'm grateful to ye an'
more than grateful, sir. An' now I'm ready to go back an' finish my time."
"How much longer is that?"
"Three years, sir."
"And when you come out, what shall you do then?"
"Start all over again, sir; try to get some honest work an' live
straight."
"Do you think you can?"
"I know I can, sir. Ye see, he died in my arms, called me 'is bye
Jarge, said 'e were proud of me, 'e did! A man can begin again an'
live straight an' square wi' a memory the like o' that to 'elp 'im."
"Then why not begin to-night?"
He passed a tremulous hand through his silver hair, and stared at me
with incredulous eyes.
"Begin-to-night!" he half whispered.
"I have an old house among the Kentish hop-gardens," I went on; "no
one lives there at present except a care-taker, but it is within
the bounds of probability that I may go to stay there - some day.
Pages:
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158