“And do you still hunt snakes?” said Jasper.
“No,” said I, “I have given up that long ago; I do better now: read books and learn languages.”
“Well, I am sorry you have given up your snake-hunting; many’s the strange talk I have had with our people about your snake and yourself, and how you frightened my father and mother in the lane.”
“And where are your father and mother?”
“Where I shall never see them, brother; at least, I hope so.”
“Not dead?”
“No, not dead; they are bitchadey pawdel.”
“What’s that?”
“Sent across—banished.”
“Ah! I understand; I am sorry for them. And so you are here alone?”