We retired to our couch, after a prayer
from Mr. Willis; and for the first time since my dear wife was taken
from me, I slept in peace.
* * * * *
CHAPTER LV.
We went to the grotto early in the morning, and found our two invalids
much improved: my wife had slept better, and Mr. Willis found Jack's
wound going on well. Madame _Mimi_ told her daughters to prepare
breakfast: they went out and soon returned, with a native woman and a
boy of four or five years old, carrying newly-made rush baskets filled
with all sorts of fruit: figs, guavas, strawberries, cocoa-nuts, and the
bread-fruit.
"I must introduce you," said Emily, "to the rest of my family: this is
Canda, the wife of your friend Parabery, and this is their son,
_Minou-minou,_ whom I regard as my own. Your Elizabeth is already
attached to them, and bespeaks your friendship for them. They will
follow us to the Happy Island."
"Oh, if you knew," said Francis, "what a well-behaved boy Minou is! He
can climb trees, run, and leap, though he is less than I am. He must be
my friend."
"And Canda," said Elizabeth, "shall be our assistant and friend."
She gave her hand to Canda, I did the same, and caressed the boy, who
seemed delighted with me, and, to my great surprise, spoke to me in very
good German--the mother, too, knew several words of the language.
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