On that day when he went away, Laura went up and
kissed him with tears in her eyes. "You know how long I have been wanting
to do it," this lady said to her husband. Indeed I cannot describe the
behaviour of the old man during his stay with us, his gentle gratitude,
his sweet simplicity and kindness, his thoughtful courtesy. There was not
a servant in our little household but was eager to wait upon him. Laura's
maid was as tender-hearted at his departure as her mistress. He was
ailing for a short time, when our cook performed prodigies of puddings
and jellies to suit his palate. The youth who held the offices of butler
and valet in our establishment--a lazy and greedy youth whom Martha
scolded in vain--would jump up and leave his supper to carry a message to
our Colonel. My heart is full as I remember the kind words which he said
to me at parting, and as I think that we were the means of giving a
little comfort to that stricken and gentle soul.
Whilst the Colonel and his son stayed with us, letters of course passed
between Clive and his family at Boulogne, but my wife remarked that the
receipt of those letters appeared to give our friend but little pleasure.
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