human
Ben! said Mr. Kenny--
gpt
Ben, you a'n't got sea-room. You, Reuben, I mean Mr. Cory, do you tack a mite to la'board--la'board, sir! There--now, Ben, now you can cross his bow.
human
said Kate.
gpt
I wouldn't trade 'im for a mastiff!
human
Best not leave him alone out there, Kate, said Mr. Kenny.
gpt
You hear that? Reuben had flung Mr. Eccles into the kitchen and closed the door just in time, but he could be heard marching up and down, blaspheming.
human
He's lonely, the little thing.
gpt
I suppose, said Reuben,
human
Why, said Charity,
gpt
Of course he was, said Mr. Kenny.
human
Come, Sultan! Come here, boy, good boy!
gpt
I can't stop laughing! she wept, and dropped her head on the table.
human
I can't _stop_ it! Mr. Kenny bent over her, concerned; her laughter had gone shrill and sick.
gpt
Dreadful news, and I--I _can't stop laughing_! Help!
human
Can't you see she loves you? Do something!
gpt
Now, now! What's the matter, Mistress Charity?
human
Cousin Jan--Mr. Dyckman.
gpt
Dyckman? John Kenny came to them, and touched her shoulder lightly, as if it might burn him.
human
What of Mr. Dyckman, my dear?
gpt
He is dead.
human
Dead! But----
gpt
The men of the watch discovered him in an alley off Ship Street a little before dawn. Faith bade me take the coach, seeing you might wish to return in it with me. Our servant Clarissa is seeing to the house while Faith cares for Mama, so--none to send but me.
human
Of course, my dear, said Mr. Kenny vacantly.
gpt
I'll go with thee at once. Mr. Hibbs had come down for breakfast, but stood apart gloomily, apparently not presuming to hope that anyone would explain matters to him.
human
I'll go with thee, and--and my two sons.
gpt
I was to say, sir, that the Constable Mr. Derry hath undertook to be at your office at the warehouse this forenoon, and will summon back the men of the Select Watch if you wish to question them.
human
Mr. Derry?--the watch? What art thou saying, Charity? Mr. Dyckman was murdered?
gpt
I alway do _everything_ wrong! Charity mourned, but Ben patted her shoulder and she quieted again.
human
Yes, and they said, sir, his wallet was gone--some footpad of the water front, but Mama will have it that it was the French. She will have it that Frenchmen are a-prowl in the streets of our neighborhood seeking opportunity to murder my father and herself. Could--could it be so?
gpt
It could not, said Mr. Kenny, and managed a wavering laugh.
human
Your mother is fanciful.
gpt
She speaks of selling our Clarissa, and away from Boston, for that Clarissa was bred and born in Guadeloupe.
human
I trust Mr. Jenks will forbid any such thing--meaning no disrespect to your mother, Charity.
gpt
Cousin Jan--Mr. Dyckman was--they said he was yet alive when he was found, and must have been lying there untended for many hours, for blood was dry on his garments.
human
Alive? Could he speak then?
gpt
He told the watch his name. And then begged that he might speak with my father, and said somewhat more of justice being done, and they said he commended his soul unto God, and there was some other word, but not clear, and when they would lift him to carry him the blood came up in his mouth, they said, and he choked, and died. He was stabbed, they said, stabbed in the back, stabbed in a dozen places.