"
Christopher struggled with his misery, and trembled.
He was silent a long time. Then he said, "No. It is her interest that I
should be dead."
"Well, but, sir--take a thought."
"Not a word more, I implore you. I am the most miserable man that ever
breathed." As he spoke, two bitter tears forced their way.
Phoebe cast a look of pity on him, and said no more; but she shook her
head. Her plain common sense revolted.
However, it did not follow he would be in the same mind next week: so
she was in excellent spirits at her protege's recovery, and very proud
of her cure, and celebrated the event with a roaring supper, including
an English ham, and a bottle of port wine; and, ten to one, that was
English too.
Dick Dale looked a little incredulous, but he did not spare the ham any
the more for that.
After supper, in a pause of conversation, Staines turned to Dick, and
said, rather abruptly, "Suppose that dam of yours were to burst and
empty its contents, would it not be a great misfortune to you?"
"Misfortune, sir! Don't talk of it. Why, it would ruin us, beast and
body."
"Well, it will burst, if it is not looked to."
"Dale's Kloof dam burst! the biggest and strongest for a hundred miles
round.
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