The days passed very drearily to the sick boy,
accustomed as he was to a life spent entirely in the open air, and
he looked forward with eager longing to Ned's visits.
On the occasion of the second visit he was strong enough to sit
up in bed, and Ned was pleased to hear that his voice was heartier
and stronger. He listened with delight as Ned read through the
books he had brought him from end to end, often stopping him to ask
questions as to the many matters beyond his understanding, and the
conversations on these points were often so long that the continuance
of the reading had to be postponed until the next visit. To Bill
everything he heard was wonderful. Hitherto his world had ended at
Marsden, and the accounts of voyages and travels in strange lands
were full of surprise and interest to him. Especially he loved to
talk to Ned of India, where the boy had lived up to the time when
his father had received his wound, and Ned's account of the appearance
and manners of the people there were even more interesting to him
than books.
At the end of two months after Ned's first visit Bill was able
to walk about with a stick, and Ned now discontinued his regular
visits; but whenever he had a Saturday on which there was no
particular engagement he would go for a chat with Bill, for a strong
friendship had now sprung up between the lads.
On Ned's side the feeling consisted partly of regret for the pain
and injury he had inflicted upon his companion, partly in real liking
for the honesty and fearlessness which marked the boy's character.
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