Page:The Children of the New Forest - 1847 - Marryat.djvu/234

 never been so severely punished; and I hope, Pablo, you will never steal any more.

"Why steal any more?" replied Pablo. "I not like to steal, but because hungry I steal. Now I never hungry, always have plenty to eat; no one beat me now; sleep warm all night. Why I steal, then? No, Master Humphrey, I never steal more, 'cause I have no reason why, and 'cause Missey Alice and Missey Edith tell me how the good God up there say must not steal."

"I am glad to hear you give that as a reason, Pablo," replied Humphrey, "as it proves that my sisters have not been teaching you in vain."

"Like to hear Missey Alice talk; she talk grave. Missey Edith talk too, but she laugh very much; very fond Missey Edith, very happy little girl; jump about just like one of these kids we drive home; always merry. Hah! see cottage now; soon get home, Massa Humphrey. Missey Edith like see kids very much. Where we put them?"  

" will put them into the yard for the present; I mean that Holdfast shall take charge of them by and bye. I will soon teach him."

"Yes, he take charge of coat, or any thing I tell him, why not take charge of goats. Clever dog, Holdfast. Massa Humphrey, you think Massa Edward take away both his dogs, Smoker and Watch? I say better not take puppy. Take Smoker, and leave puppy."

"I agree with you, Pablo. We ought to have two dogs here. I will speak to my brother. Now run forward and open the gate of the yard, and throw them some hay, Pablo, while I go and call my sisters."

The flocks of goats were much admired, and the next morning 