Alice was not a little proud of this, and of
the praises she received from Edward and the old forester. The next
day, Jacob stated his intention of going to Lymington to dispose of a
large portion of the venison, and bring back a sack of oatmeal for
their cakes. Edward asked to accompany him, but Jacob replied,
"Edward, you must not think of showing yourself at Lymington, or any
where else, for a long while, until you are grown out of memory. It
would be folly, and you would risk your sisters' and brother's lives,
perhaps, as well as your own. Never mention it again: the time will
come when it will be necessary, perhaps; if so, it can not be helped.
At present you would be known immediately. No, Edward, I tell you what
I mean to do: I have a little money left, and I intend to buy you a
gun, that you may learn to stalk deer yourself without me; for,
recollect, if any accident should happen to me, who is there but you
to provide for your brother and sisters? At Lymington I am known to
many; but out of all who know me, there is not one who knows where my
cottage is; they know that I live in the New Forest, and that I supply
them venison, and purchase other articles in return. That is all that
they know: and I may therefore go without fear.
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