Two Little Savages - Being the adventures of two boys who lived as Indians and what they learned by Ernest Thompson Seton
page 53 of 465 (11%)
page 53 of 465 (11%)
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The brightest thing in his life was gone--a King discrowned, dethroned. Feeling now every wale on his back and legs, he sullenly went home. This was late in the summer. Autumn followed last, with shortening days and chilly winds. Yan had no chance to see his glen, even had he greatly wished it. He became more studious; books were his pleasure now. He worked harder than ever, winning honour at school, but attracting no notice at the home, where piety reigned. The teachers and some of the boys remarked that Yan was getting very thin and pale. Never very robust, he now looked like an invalid; but at home no note was taken of the change. His mother's thoughts were all concentrated on his scapegrace younger brother. For two years she had rarely spoken to Yan peaceably. There was a hungry place in his heart as he left the house unnoticed each morning and saw his graceless brother kissed and darlinged. At school their positions were reversed. Yan was the principal's pride. He had drawn no more caricatures, and the teacher flattered himself that that beating was what had saved the pale-faced head boy. He grew thinner and heart-hungrier till near Christmas, when the breakdown came. * * * * * "He is far gone in consumption," said the physician. "He cannot live over a month or two" |
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