Page:The little blue devil (IA littlebluedevil00mackiala).pdf/44

“Well, that’s a good idea to hang on to. But remember to go easy.”

Robertson walked away, leaving Tony with a fresh train of thought. He was curled up on the anchor-chain at the bow of the ship, watching the white curve of foam that always stayed the same shape; he had hardly looked away from it as he talked; it fascinated him.

“I wish ‘going easy’ didn’t take so long,” he thought.

“I’ll have to learn that. There’ll be a lot to learn at Paranui, and lessons out of books too—I suppose there’ll be some sort of school. I—I know you have to learn things, but I wish you didn’t have to go such a long way round for the useful ones. . . . I wonder what it’ll be like? Anyhow there’ll be horses to ride. I suppose the other boys will be able to ride better than me—but, grace à Dieu, I’m a quick learner—even father used to say that. Good thing arithmetic comes easy—the Captain says mathematics start everything. . . . If only I can keep on till I’m a man . . . so far it’s been all right. Cairo was beastly; I was getting so I didn’t care—I was getting curred, as Mr. Robertson said (only he didn’t say it about me). I hope he won’t get sick of me like von Braunitz. It gives me a cold feeling in my stomach. . . . Anyhow, I am some use, and I’ve grown since leaving Egypt. I would reach to mother’s armpit now. . . .”

He straightened himself and shut his eyes quickly, hard staring at the water had made them smart. Then he opened them and faced the soft blue coast-line that slid past, and cursed his father softly and earnestly, with the intonation of a prayer.

They left for New Zealand after three days in Sydney. Robertson took Tony to the theatre two nights out of the three, because, as he explained, they would have no dissipations of that kind on Paranui. He liked taking Tony