United States or Slovakia ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"One day when he thought he knew the country well enough, this little patriot ran away from home and was well on his way to join his brothers when his absence was discovered. "Mattia's mother appealed to the police but it was not until the following day that he was found and returned to his home. He had gone more than twenty miles on his journey when the police got him.
"Don't be such a silly," he said, forcing a smile. "You want to laugh so that I won't break down," I replied. "If I can't cry when I'm with you, when can I cry? But.... Oh ... oh, Mattia, Mattia!" Throwing my arms around dear old Mattia's neck, I burst into tears. Never had I felt so miserable. When I had been alone in this great world, never had I felt so unhappy as I did at this moment.
I knew that Arthur loved Mattia's little sister, and I knew that in time, although not just yet, my mother would become reconciled to the match. Birth was not everything. She had not opposed my marriage, and later, when she saw that it was for Arthur's happiness, she would not oppose his. Lise comes down the gallery, my beautiful wife. She passes her arm round my mother's neck.
Just as they were doing their last turn a big bar of iron which they were using in their feats fell on Mattia's foot. I thought that his foot was broken. Fortunately it was only severely bruised. No bones were broken, but still he could not walk.
After my burst of sobs I forced myself to be calm. It was not because I wanted Mattia's pity that I had brought him to this garden, it was not for myself; it was for him. "Mattia," I said resolutely, "you must go back to France." "Leave you? Never!"
If I had been in Mattia's place, I should perhaps have had as much imagination as he, but I felt in my position that it was wrong for me to have such thoughts. It had been proved beyond a doubt that Mr. Driscoll was my father. I could not look at the matter from the same point of view as Mattia. He might doubt ... but I must not. When he tried to make me believe as he did, I told him to be silent.
"Mattia's uncle did not take enough interest in his nephew's disappearance to have a search made for him. For days after that the lad continued his journey on foot, stopping at farmhouses and doing little odd jobs that were the means of providing meals for him. One day, to his great happiness, he came up with the rear of one of the armies of his beloved country.
"Thanks," replied Mattia. I was abashed at his assurance. He looked at me out of the corner of his eye, to ask me to wait before getting annoyed. When the man was shaved, M. Espinassous, with towel over his arm, prepared to cut Mattia's hair.
The machine gun was silent, though others down the line were very busy. It was a strange sight for a boy to gaze upon. All his comrades were now lying in the trench, either killed or badly wounded. "The German infantry, in close formation meaning close together was coming on steadily. Down the line the French were holding them back, but in Mattia's trench there was no opposition.
"This is my brother," said Bob; "he'll take you on his boat. So we'll have to part now; no one need know that I brought you here." I wanted to thank Bob but he cut me short. I grasped his hand. "Don't speak of it," he said lightly, "you two boys helped me out the other night. One good turn deserves another. And I'm pleased to have been able to help a friend of Mattia's."
Word Of The Day