Rewards and Fairies - Penn State University

Rudyard Kipling
guessed Rene was making fun of him, and so he told Rene him, and I knew that meant a big dinner. So I sent down to the
about the sick people in the village, and how he cured them sea for early mackerel, and had such a morning in the kitchen
with herbs after Doctor Break had given them up. Jerry could and the store-rooms. Old Amoore nearly cried.
talk smugglers’ French, of course, and I had taught Rene plenty ‘However, my dear, I made all my preparations in ample
of English, if only he wasn’t so shy. They called each other time, but the fish didn’t arrive—it never does—and I wanted
Monsieur Gamm and Mosheur Lanark, just like gentlemen. Rene to ride to Pevensey and bring it himself. He had gone
I suppose it amused poor Rene. He hasn’t much to do, except over to Jerry, of course, as he always used, unless I requested
to fiddle about in the carpenter’s shop. He’s like all the French his presence beforehand. I can’t send for Rene every time I
prisoners—always making knickknacks; and Jerry had a little want him. He should be there. Now, don’t you ever do what
lathe at his cottage, and so-and-so-Rene took to being with I did, child, because it’s in the highest degree unladylike; but—
Jerry much more than I approved of. The Hall is so big and but one of our Woods runs up to Jerry’s garden, and if you
empty when Dad’s away, and I will not sit with old Amoore climb—it’s ungenteel, but I can climb like a kitten—there’s
-she talks so horridly about every one—specially about Rene. an old hollow oak just above the pigsty where you can hear
‘I was rude to Rene, I’m afraid; but I was properly served out and see everything below. Truthfully, I only went to tell Rene
for it. One always is. You see, Dad went down to Hastings to about the mackerel, but I saw him and Jerry sitting on the
pay his respects to the General who commanded the brigade seat playing with wooden toy trumpets. So I slipped into the
there, and to bring him to the Hall afterwards. Dad told me he hollow, and choked down my cough, and listened. Rene had
was a very brave soldier from India—he was Colonel of Dad’s never shown me any of these trumpets.’
Regiment, the Thirty-third Foot, after Dad left the Army, and ‘Trumpets? Aren’t you too old for trumpets?’ said Una.
then he changed his name from Wesley to Wellesley, or else the ‘They weren’t real trumpets, because Jerry opened his short-
other way about; and Dad said I was to get out all the silver for collar, and Rene put one end of his trumpet against Jerry’s
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