I almost fancy that the more
He was cast out from men,
Nature had made him of her store
A worthier denizen;
As if it pleased her to caress
A plant grown up so wild,
As if his being parentless
Had made him more her child.
--Monckton Milnes.
At twelve years of age Ishmael was a tall, thin, delicate-looking lad,
with regular features, pale complexion, fair hair, and blue eyes. His
great, broad forehead and wasted cheeks gave his face almost a
triangular shape. The truth is, that up to this age the boy had never
had enough food to nourish the healthy growth of the body. And that he
lived at all was probably due to some great original vital force in his
organization, and also to the purity of his native air, of which at
least he got a plenty.
He had learned all the professor could teach him; had read all the books
that Morris could lend him; and was now hungering and thirsting for more
knowledge. At this time a book had such a fascination for Ishmael that
when he happened to be at Baymouth he would stand gazing, spellbound, at
the volumes exposed for sale in the shop windows, just as other boys
gaze at toys and sweetmeats.
But little time had the poor lad for such peeps into Paradise, for he
was now earning about a dollar a week, as Assistant-Professor of Odd
Jobs to Jem Morris, and his professional duties kept him very busy.
Baymouth had progressed in all these years, and now actually boasted a
fine new shop, with this sign over the door: BOOK, STATIONERY, AND FANCY BAZAAR.
And this to Ishmael seemed a very fairy palace. It attracted him with an
irresistible glamour.
It happened one burning Saturday afternoon in August that the boy,
having a half-holiday, resolved to make the most of it and enjoy himself
by walking to Baymouth and standing before that shop to gaze at his
leisure upon the marvels of literature displayed in its windows.
The unshaded village street was hot and dusty, and the unclouded August
sun was blazing down upon it; but Ishmael did not mind that, as he stood
devouring with his eyes the unattainable books.
While he was thus occupied, a small, open, one-horse carriage drove up
and stopped before the shop door. The gentleman who had driven it
alighted and handed out a lady and a little girl in deep mourning. The
lady and the little girl passed immediately into the shop. And oh! how
Ishmael envied them! They were perhaps going to buy some of those
beautiful books!