Chapter 11
EDWARD AND CHARLES Mr. Spencer sent for his two sons, Edward and Charles, into his closet. He took each of them by the hand, and drawing them affectionately towards him, told them he was going to undertake a long journey, that he hoped they would be very good boys during his absence, obedient and dutiful to the mamma, and never vex or tease her, but do everything she wished them
to do. He also desired them to be kind to poor Ben, and to recollect that though his face was black, he was a very good boy, and that God would love him whilst he continued to behave well, just as much as if his skin were as white as theirs, and much more than he would either of them, unless they were equally deserving of his love, as black Ben had rendered himself by his good-natured and amiable disposition.
Edward and Charles both promised their papa that they would do everything he desired, but they were not both equally sincere. Edward could, with difficulty, hide his joy when his papa told him he was going from home, for he was a very naughty boy, and had no inclination to obey anybody, but to be his own master, and do as he liked, to get into all kinds of mischief and kick and cuff poor Ben whenever he pleased. Thinking, however,
it would be proper to appear sorry for what he was, in reality extremely glad of, and seeing poor Charles take out his handkerchief to wipe away his tears, when he was taking leave of his papa, he pulled out his also. But it was not to wipe his eyes, but to hide his smiles, for he was so happy at the thought of all the tricks he could play, without having anyone to control him, that he was afraid his joy would be perceived, and his hypocrisy
detected. Mrs. Spencer's health was so indifferent that she seldom quitted her apartment, so that she knew very little of the behaviour of her sons. Edward, as soon as he had breakfasted, usually took his hat and went out without telling anyone where he was going, or when he should return. One day, when he was gone away in this manner, and Charles was left quite alone, he went upstairs to his mama, and asked her leave to take a walk in the
fields. And away he went with his favourite dog, for he had no other company. And he said, Come along, Timbush, let us take a ramble together. My brother always quarrels and fights with me, but I know you will not, my poor Timbush. Here, my poor old fellow, here is a piece of bread which I save for my breakfast on purpose for you. Charles had not walked very far before he thought he heard Ben crying. And thinking it very probable that his brother
was beating him, he went as fast as he possibly could towards the place whence the sound came. There he found poor black Ben with a load of faggots upon his back, almost enough to break it, and Edward whipping him because he cried, and said they were too heavy. Charles began immediately to unload the poor boy, but Edward said if he attempted to do so, he would break every bone in his skin. He was, however, not to be frightened from his
good-natured and humane intention, and therefore continued to take off the faggots, telling his brother that if he came near to prevent him, he would try which had most strength. And as Edward was a great coward, and never attempted to strike anybody but the poor black boy, who dared not return the blow, he thought it proper to walk away, and leave his brother to do as he liked. When they met afterwards, and Charles offered
to shake hands with him, saying he was sorry for what he had said to him, and begged they might be good friends, he appeared very willing to forget what had passed, and assured him he forgave him with all his heart. But his whole thoughts were employed in finding out some way to be revenged on his brother, and he had soon an opportunity of doing what might have cost him his life, though it is to be hoped he was not quite wicked enough to desire
it. Walking one morning by the side of the river, he begged Charles to get into a little boat which lay close to the shore, to look for a sixpence, which he pretended to have left in it, and began to sob and cry, because he was afraid he had lost his money. Charles, who was always glad to oblige his brother, jumped into the boat with the utmost readiness, but in an instant, the wicked Edward having
cut the rope by which it was fastened, away it went into the middle of the river, and no one can tell whether it might have been driven, or what terrible accident might have happened if the wind had been high, and had not the good affectionate Ben stripped off his clothes and plunged into the river to go to Charles's assistance. Ben could swim like a fish, and was soon within reach of the boat, which by getting hold of
the end of the rope, he brought near enough to the shore for Charles to jump out on a bank. Edward fancied that as his mama knew nothing of his tricks, and as he was certain Charles was too good-natured to tell tales, his papa would never hear of them, but he was very much mistaken. Old Nichols, the butler, had observed his behaviour, and as soon as his master returned, took the first opportunity of telling him of everything which had passed
in his absence. Mr. Spencer now recollected that he had been much to blame in keeping his sons at home, and determined to send them both to school He observed, however, that they were not equally deserving of kindness and indulgence, and that it would be proper and just to make Edward feel how much he was displeased by the accounts he had received of his contact. He was therefore sent to a school at a considerable distance
from home, so far off that he neither came home at Christmas nor at Whitsuntide, nor saw any of his friends from one year to the other. He was not allowed to have any pocket money, for his papa said he would only make an ill use of it, nor had he ever any presents sent him of any kind. Charles was only twenty miles from his father's house, and was always at home in the holidays. He had a great many things given to him on
New Year's Day, and his papa brought him a little pony that he might ride about the park, and he always let poor Ben have a ride with him, for he loved him very much, and Ben, who was a grateful, kind-hearted boy, did not forget how many times Charles had saved him from his wicked brother, and would have done anything in the world to give him pleasure.
