Under the Lilacs - Chapter 11

Mrs. Moss ¹ woke Ben with a kiss next morning, for her heart yearned ² over the fatherless lad as if he had been her own, and she had no other way of showing her sympathy. Ben had forgotten his troubles in sleep; but the memory of them returned as soon as he opened his eyes, heavy with the tears they had shed. He did not cry any more, but felt strange and lonely till he called Sancho and told him all about it, for he was shy even with kind Mrs. Moss, and glad when she went away., ,Sancho seemed to understand that his master was in trouble, and listened to the sad little story with gurgles of interest, whines ³ of condolence, and intelligent barks whenever the word "daddy " was uttered. He was only a brute ⁴, but his dumb affection comforted the boy more than any words; for Sanch had known and loved "father" almost as long and well as his son, and that seemed to draw them closely together, now they were left alone., ,"We must put on mourning, old feller. It's the proper thing, and there's nobody else to do it now," said Ben, as he dressed, remembering how all the company wore bits of crape somewhere about them at 'Melia's funeral., , ,"One pocket is enough; I sha'n't want anything but a han'k'chi'f to-day.", ,Fortunately, that article of dress was clean, for he had but one; and, with this somewhat ostentatiously drooping ¹⁰ from the solitary ¹¹ pocket, the serious hat upon his head, the new shoes creaking mournfully, and Sanch gravely following, much impressed with his black bow, the chief mourner descended ¹², feeling that he had done his best to show respect to the dead., ,He was found asleep on a pillow of leaves and moss.有人看见他枕着树叶和苔藓睡着了。,The people yearned for peace. 人民渴望和平 。