“The meat’s ready now, father. Eat it while it’s hot and comfortable. After you have finished, we’ll turn round to the fire and talk.”
But, he perceived that he was evaded, and, having thrown a hasty angry glance towards the bunk, plucked at a corner of her apron and asked:
“What’s gone with that boy?”
“Father, if you’ll begin your breakfast, I’ll sit by and tell you.” He looked at her, stirred his tea and took two or three gulps, then cut at his piece of hot steak with his case-knife, and said, eating:
“Now then. What’s gone with that boy?”
“Don’t be angry, dear. It seems, father, that he has quite a gift of learning.”
“Unnat’ral young beggar!” said the parent, shaking his knife in the air.
“And that having this gift, and not being equally good at