From Squire to Squatter Part 22

Archie remembered nothing more then.

When he became sensible he was in bed with a bandaged head, and feeling as weak all over as a kitten. Sarah was in the room with the landlady.

"Hush, my dear," said the latter; "you've been very ill for more than a week. You're not to get up, nor even to speak."

Archie certainly did not feel inclined to do either. He just closed his eyes and dozed off again, and his soul flew right away back to Burley.

"Oh, yes; he's out of danger!" It was the doctor's voice. "He'll do first-rate with careful nursing."

"He won't want for that, sir. Sarah here has been like a little mother to him."

Archie dozed for days. Only, whenever he was sensible, he could notice that Sarah was far better dressed, and far older-looking and nicer-looking than ever she had been. And now and then the big-bearded man came and sat by his bed, looking sometimes at him, some times at Sarah.

One day Archie was able to sit up; he felt quite well almost, though of course he was not really so.

"I have you to thank for helping me that night," he said.

"Ay, ay, Master Archie; but don't you know me?"

"No--no. I don't think so."

The big-bearded man took out a little case from his pocket, and pulled therefrom a pair of horn-bound spectacles.

"Why!" cried Archie, "you're not--"

"I _am_, really."

"Oh, Bob Cooper, I'm pleased to see you! Tell me all your story."

"Not yet, chummie; it is too long, or rather you're too weak. Why, you're crying!"

"It's tears of joy!"

"Well, well; I would join you, lad, but tears ain't in my line. But somebody else will want to see you to-morrow."

"Who?"

"Just wait and see."

Archie did wait. Indeed he had to; for the doctor left express orders that he was not to be disturbed.

The evening sun was streaming over the hills when Sarah entered next day and gave a look towards the bed.

"I'm awake, Sarah."

"It's Bob," said Sarah, "and t'other little gent. They be both a-comin'

upstairs athout their boots."

Archie was just wondering what right Sarah had to call Bob Cooper by his christian name, when Bob himself came quietly in.

"Ah!" he said, as he approached the bed, "you're beginning to look your old self already. Now who is this, think you?"

Archie extended a feeble white hand.

"Why, Whitechapel!" he exclaimed joyfully. "Wonders will never cease!"

"Well, Johnnie, and how are ye? I told ye, ye know, that 'the king, might come in the cadger's way.'"

"Not much king about me now, Harry; but sit down. Why I've come through such a lot since I saw you, that I begin to feel quite aged. Well, it is just like old times seeing you. But you're not a bit altered. No beard, or moustache, or anything, and just as cheeky-looking as when you gave me that thras.h.i.+ng in the wood at Burley. But you don't talk so c.o.c.kneyfied."

"No, Johnnie; ye see I've roughed it a bit, and learned better English in the bush and scrub. But I say, Johnnie, I wouldn't mind being back for a day or two at Burley. I think I could ride your buck-jumping 'Eider Duck' now. Ah, I won't forget that first ride, though; I've got to rub myself yet whenever I think of it."

"But how on earth did you get here at all, the pair of you?"

"Well," said Harry, "that ain't my story 'alf so much as it is Bob's. I reckon he better tell it."

"Oh, but I haven't the gift of the gab like you, Harry! I'm a slow coach. I am a duffer at a story."

"Stop telling both," cried Archie. "I don't want any story about the matter. Just a little conversational yarn; you can help each other out, and what I don't understand, why I'll ask, that's all."

"But wait a bit," he continued. "Touch that bell, Harry. Pull hard; it doesn't ring else. My diggins are not much account. Here comes Sarah, singing. Bless her old soul! I'd been dead many a day if it hadn't been for Sarah."

"Look here, Sarah."

"I'm looking nowheres else, Mister Broadbent; but mind you this, if there's too much talking, I'm to show both these gents downstairs.

Them's the doctor's orders, and they've got to be obeyed. Now, what's your will, sir?"

"Tea, Sarah."

"That's right. One or two words at a time and all goes easy. Tea you shall have in the twinkling of a bedpost. Tea and etceteras."

Sarah was as good as her word. In ten minutes she had laid a little table and spread it with good things; a big teapot, cups and saucers, and a steaming urn.

Then off she went singing again.

Archie wondered what made her so happy, and meant to ask her when his guests were gone.

"Now, young Squire," said Harry, "I'll be the lady; and if your tea isn't to your taste, why just holler."

"But don't call me Squire, Harry; I left that t.i.tle at home. We're all equal here. No kings and no cadgers."

"Well, Bob, when last I saw you in old England, there was a sorrowful face above your shoulders, and I'll never forget the way you turned round and asked me to look after your mother's cat."

"Ah, poor mother! I wish I'd been better to her when I had her.

However, I reckon we'll meet some day up-bye yonder."

"Yes, Bob, and you jumped the fence and disappeared in the wood! Where did you go?"