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Updated: June 24, 2025
I ate it not to keep it waiting and sat down with my eyes on my book and my mind at the Dunkelbergs' where I heard in a way what Sally was saying and what "Mr. and Mrs. Horace Dunkelberg" were saying. At twelve-thirty Mr. Dunkelberg came for me, with a high-stepping horse in a new harness and a shiny still-running buggy. He wore gloves and a beaver hat and sat very erect and had little to say.
They seemed very splendid to me and yet I saw at once that they were not popular. I went close to my Aunt Deel and partly hid myself in her cloak. I heard Mrs. Dunkelberg say: "Of course you'll come to dinner with us?" For a second my hopes leaped high. I was hungry and visions of jelly cake and preserves rose before me.
He bought a pair of shoes for me and I would have them on at once, and that made it necessary for him to buy a pair of socks also. After the shoes were buttoned on my feet I saw little of Sally Dunkelberg or the other people of the village, my eyes being on my feet most of the time. The man took us into his office and told us to sit down until he could write a letter.
At last the Dunkelbergs had fallen the legendary, incomparable Dunkelbergs! "Wal, I'm surprised at Mr. Horace Dunkelberg tryin' to come it over us like that ayes! I be," said Aunt Deel. "Wal, I ain't," said Uncle Peabody. "Ol' Grimshaw has got him under his thumb that's what's the matter. You'll find he's up to his ears in debt to Grimshaw prob'ly."
I looked down at my own leather and was a tower of shame on a foundation of greased cowhide. Sally Dunkelberg came in with some other girls and pretended not to see me. That was the hardest blow I suffered. Among the handsome, well-dressed boys of the village was Henry Wills the boy who had stolen my watermelon. I had never forgiven him for that or for the killing of my little hen.
"You're as good as a hired man." "Oh, that's nothing," I would answer modestly. "I want to be useful so you won't be sorry you took me and I'm going to study just as Mr. Wright did and be a great man if I can and help the poor people. I'm going to be a better scholar than Sally Dunkelberg, too." What a day it was! the first of many like it.
"Wouldn't you like to play with us?" I shook my head. Some of them began to whisper and laugh. I remember how beautiful the girls looked with their flowing hair and ribbons and pretty dresses. What happy faces they had! I wonder why it all frightened and distressed me so. In a moment my friend came out with Mrs. Dunkelberg, who kissed me, and asked me to tell how I happened to be there.
How it preyed upon my peace and rest and happiness that mysterious hidden thing! One day Uncle Peabody came down to see me and I walked through the village with him. We met Mr. Dunkelberg, who merely nodded and hurried along. Mr. Bridges, the merchant, did not greet him warmly and chat with him as he had been wont to do. I saw that The Thing as I had come to think of it was following him also.
Aunt Deel was treating me like company and with just a pleasant touch of the old company finish in her voice and manner. It was for my benefit there could be no doubt of that for she addressed herself to me, chiefly, and not to Mr. Dunkelberg. My absence of a few days had seemed so long to them! It had raised me to the rank of company and even put me above the exalted Dunkelbergs although if Mrs.
'No, I'm very sorry, but I give four shillings a week to charity and that's all I can afford." "Why did they go away? Was it because I was coming?" "I think it likely, my fine lad. The man heard o' it some way perhaps through yer uncle. He's crazy for the money, but he'll get over that. Leave him to me. I've a fine course o' instruction ready for my Lord o' Dunkelberg."
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