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My Brother Jack (v. 1); Or, the Story of What-D'ye-Call 'em, Tr. by L. Ford
My Brother Jack Or the Story of WhatD'yeCall 'em Tr by L Ford - v. 1 Author:Alphonse Daudet Volume: v. 1 General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1877 Notes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there may be typos or missing text. When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than ... more »a million books for free. Excerpt: CHAPTER III. " PRAY FOR HIM ! " It was on a Monday in July. That day when I was out of school I let myself be persuaded to join a game of prisoner's base, and when I made up my mind to go home, it was much later than I should have wished. I ran all the way from the Place des Terreaux to the Rue Lanterne without stopping, my books slung over my shoulder, and my cap between my teeth. But as I was in dreadful awe of my father, I paused to take breath onthe staircase, just long enough to invent some story to account for my delay, and then I boldly rang the bell. My father himself opened the door to me. " How late you are !" said he. I began to falter out the story I had prepared, but he did not give me time to finish. He drew me to his bosom, and gave me a long, silent embrace. I who expected a good scolding at the very least, was amazed at this reception. My first thought was that the priest of St. Nizier was going to dine with us. I knew by experience that we were never scolded when that was the case ; but when I entered the dining-room I saw at a glance that I was mistaken, only two places were laid, my father's and mine. " And mother ? and Jack ?" I asked in surprise. My father answered in a gentle voice which was not habitual to him, " Your mother and Jack are gone, Daniel; your brother the Abbe is very ill. Then, seeing that I turned quite white, he added in a firm voice to reassure me, " When I say very ill, it is a figure of speech; we got a letter to say that he was obliged to keep his bed : you know your mother -- it was her wish to set outat once, and I sent Jack to take ...« less