"
"Well, proceed."
Edward met with no more interruption in his narrative. He stated
briefly all that had taken place, from the time he fell in with the
robbers till the winding up of the catastrophe.
The clerk took down all that Edward had stated, and then read it over
to him to ascertain if he had written it down correctly, and then
inquired of Edward "if he could read and write?"
"I should hope so," replied Edward, taking the pen and signing his
name.
The clerk stared, and then said--"People in your condition do not
often know how to read and write, Mr. Forester, and therefore you need
not be offended at the question."
"Very true," replied Edward. "May I ask if my presence is considered
any longer to be necessary?"
"You stated that there was a boy in the house, young man," said the
intendant: "what has become of him?"
"He is removed to my cottage."
"Why did you do so?"
"Because when his father died I promised to him that I would take care
of his child; and I intend to keep my word."
"You had spoken with him, then, before he died?" said the intendant.
"Not so; it was all carried on by signs on his part, but it was as
intelligible as if he spoke, and what I replied he well understood;
and I really think I removed a great anxiety off his mind by giving
him the promise.
Pages:
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270