Mr. Punch couldn’t contain his excitement and despite the fact that they meant to be inconspicuous, he couldn’t help but run toward the cart carrying Gamilla, Columbia, Gerard and Toby. The mule eyed him suspiciously as he galloped toward them, whooping.
From their hidden spot by the docks, Robert put his hand over his face as Cecil, Adrienne and Marjani chuckled at Punch’s enthusiasm.
“Me chums!” Punch squawked. “Me chum Columbia! Hullo!”
Columbia waved her little hand at Punch and smiled. “I got Toby for ya, Mr. Punch. And your puppet.”
“That’s wonderful, it is! Now, you did like I said, right? You talked to him. Didn’t ya? Puppets get lonely, too.”
“I did. Toby and I both talked to him.” Columbia said proudly.
“That’s fine.” Punch nodded his approval.
“Me Chum, Gamilla, how are ya?”
“Very well, Sir.” Gamilla smiled. “Feelin’ good.”
“Good, good! Good is good! I got good news for all of ya. We got the boys, we did. Fuller’s here and Colin’s on his way!”
“Praise the Lord.” Gamilla gasped.
“Which Lord?” Punch asked. “There’s lots of…” He paused, chucking at himself. “Oh, that Lord! The big one what’s up there.” He pointed to the sky. “Right. I learned all ‘bout him, I did.” He looked at Gerard. “Hullo, Gerry. Ready to get back on a ship?”
“I am, Sir.” Gerard smiled.
“Now, listen. Since we got no other valet, you’re gonna have to look after me and Dr. Halifax, both, you are. Cecil—he don’t need a valet. Don’t like havin’ one. Robert’s used to it, he is, but, I gotta say, I need the most help. Even if I was like every other man, the knowledge I got is that of a nobleman and they don’t know how to dress themselves, I ‘spose.”
“I don’t know much ‘bout bein’ a proper valet, Sir.” Gerard blushed as he halted the mule.
“But, I’ll learn as fast as I can and try my best.”
“I’ll help ya.” Punch nodded eagerly. “I learned some, I did. We can help each other. It’ll be a lark, and all.”
“Yes, Sir.” Gerard smiled.
“Gamilla, you happy to go to England?”
“I am.” Gamilla nodded. “A little scared though. They got folk like my kind there?”
“Some.” Punch nodded. “Indians, too. It’s awful interestin’. You’re gonna live in the city with me and Dr. Halifax—both of you are. It’ll be a wonderful time. There’s so much I want to show you. All the pretty buildin’s and Covent Garden where I’m from and, oh, but it’s such a beautiful house in Belgravia—lovely big rooms and lots and lots of stairs. Such a fine kitchen below stairs, too, and nice, comfortable rooms in the attics for you two and whoever else we get. You’ll be so happy there.”
“What about me?” Columbia asked.
“You, too!” Punch whooped. “You and your grandmamma will be there, too. And, I’ll let you play all over the house.”
“Will I get to share a room with Gamilla and Grandmama?” Columbia asked.
“Sure—if you like. Only when you get older, you can have a room of your own.”
“I’ll work real hard for you, Sir.” Columbia smiled. “I’ll look after Toby and help mind the babies.”
“You don’t gotta work.” Punch smiled. “You’re a young lady. You got to learn things and play.”
“But, I gotta work.”
“Your work is gonna be to learn all you can,” Punch winked. “And grow up and be a fine lady.”
Robert approached the group. “I hate to interrupt, but, we do need to stay hidden.”
“Sure, sure.” Punch said manically. “Come on, everybody.” He reached into the cart and picked up Toby who was all tail wags and friendly licks.
“Your puppet’s in that basket, Sir.” Gamilla pointed. “Under a blanket, like he was asleep.”
“Fine.” Punch nodded happily.
“Look, Uncle Punch!” Columbia shouted. “Somebody’s comin! Somebody with a baby!”
Punch and Robert turned around to see a cloaked figure emerge from the mist—carrying a child.
“Colin!” Punch rushed forward and as he approached the figure he instantly recognized his nephew, but was shocked to see that Colin was not in the arms of Mama Routhe.
Odo removed the cloak from his head and smiled. “We got business, Duke.”
Did you miss Chapters 1-423 of Punch’s Cousin? If so, you can read them here.
No comments:
Post a Comment