“But I thought writing was quite a different thing from speaking, because, in writing, there must be sentences, and long sentences, and fine sentences, such as there are in books.”
“In some books,” said Howard; “but not in all.”
“Besides,” continued Oliver, “one person’s speaking is quite different from another person’s speaking. Now I believe I make use of a great number of odd words, and vulgar expressions, and bad English, which I learned from being with the servants, I believe, at home. You have never talked to servants, Charles, I dare say, for you have not one of their words.”
“No,” said Charles, “never; and my aunt took a great deal of pains to prevent me from hearing any of their conversation; therefore it was impossible that I should catch—”
Here the conversation was interrupted by the appearance of old Paul, the gardener.
“So, Paul,” cried little Oliver, “I’ve been doing your work for you this morning; I’ve watered all the geraniums, and put the Indian corn in the sun; what kept you so late in your bed this fine morning, Paul?—fie, Paul!”
“You would not say fie, master,” replied Paul, “if you knew how early I had been out of my bed, this morning: I was abroad afore sunrise, so I was, master.”
“And why didn’t you come to work then, Paul? You shall not have the watering-pot till you tell me: don’t look so grave about it; you know you must smile when I please, Paul.”
“I can’t smile, just now, master,” said old Paul; but he smiled, and then told Oliver, that “the reason he could not smile was, that he was a little sick at heart, with just coming from the sight of a poor soul who had been sadly bruised by a fall from the top of the stage, which was overturned last night. She was left all night at the pike, and as she had no other friends, she sent for me by a return chay-boy, and I went for her, and brought her home in my covered cart, to my good woman, which she liked, with good reason, better ten to one than the stage. And she’s terribly black and blue, and does not seem quite right in her head, to my fancy.”
“I wish we could do something for her,” said Howard. “As soon as Mr. Russell is up, I’ll ask him to go with us to see her. We will call as we go by to school this morning.”