Brotherly Love | Page 6

visit. Reuben knew
Edward well, and he recognized him before he had tied his pony to the
gate post, but he had not seen the fine Newfoundland dog before, and
Reuben was so fond of dogs. The little fellow remembered that Marten
had forbidden him to leave the tree or to speak, but he could not keep
his small feet from moving up and down restlessly, nor could he scarce
command himself not to call out and tell his brother of Edward's arrival.
But Edward wanted to see what Marten was doing in the very odd
attitude he had taken, so he crept noiselessly on, his head turned
somewhat sideways to Reuben, and his hand held up threateningly to
the child, for he saw he had been recognised, and he was afraid of some
hasty word, which would cause Marten to start up, and then he feared
he should not surprise his friend. Edward was able to get quite close to
Marten, and even to touch him before Marten was aware of his
presence; and he stepped up so quietly, that the doves were so little
frightened, that they hardly stopped a moment from picking up the
crumbs.
"Why Marten, old fellow, what are you doing here?" asked Edward.
"Whose doves are those, I say? are they your mother's? have you let

them loose--Eh?" Edward spoke softly, but not so softly that he did not
cause Marten to start at the unexpected sound of his voice; still, as the
birds were at some little distance, and were accustomed to the human
voice, they scarcely were alarmed, and hardly moved a step or two
away from the crumbs scattered for them, and Marten recovering
himself quickly, said--"Oh! Edward, do help me to catch these doves:
they have escaped from their aviary, and my mother will be so vexed if
they fly away."
"To be sure I will," replied Edward; "but my boy, who is in the habit of
feeding them, for that person would best know how to catch them I
should say."
"My mother feeds them herself chiefly," said Marten, "and Reuben
sometimes attends to them when she is engaged."
"Well, set Reuben to decoy them now, for I am in a hurry and have got
something to say to you as quickly as possible, and it is very important.
Anyhow, the child can watch them whilst you are attending to me."
So Reuben was called from his station at the tree, and Marten gave him
directions what he was to do; and the now little important one lay down
on the grass, as Marten had done before him; and as might have been
expected, the doves, accustomed to his baby voice and small figure,
soon drew nearer and nearer to him, so that when the conference was
over between the two elder boys, Reuben was able proudly to shew not
one, but both doves, so wrapped up in his pinafore, that though they
fluttered about a little, they were quite secure. "Come here a step or two
from the child," said Edward, "and don't think of those troublesome
birds just now, but tell me at once, can you come and pay me a visit for
a couple of days? my cousins William Roscoe and Jane and Mary are
expected at our house to night on their way to London. You know
William Roscoe, Marten, and what a fine fellow he is and I have asked
my father and mother, and they have allowed me to get as many young
ones together as the short time would allow, and we are to have
splendid fun. Won't you come, Marten? I promise you a glorious time
of it, if you will but come."

[Illustration]
"My father is from home," replied Marten thoughtfully, "and so is my
mother, but I don't think that matters, Edward: they have never refused
my visiting you, and I do not think they would now. Indeed, I am sure
they would not, if they were at home, but what am I to do with Reuben?
I have taken charge of Reuben whilst mamma is away, and what can I
do about him?"
"About Reuben," returned Edward? "can't the servants take care of him
at home? he will do very well at home, and be very contented, I know."
"But I have undertaken the charge of him," said Marten, "and I should
not like, after what I have said, to leave him, even for a couple of days.
I must either bring him with me, Edward, or stay at home with
him--indeed, I must."
"Well, then, bring the little fellow," replied Edward kindly; "anything
so as you come, Marten; and remember there will be plenty of girls
invited, for Jane and Mary Roscoe, and Reuben can surely play with
them,