XLII
ROBINSON AT HOME
It was with a sad heart that Robinson made ready to leave. Everyfamiliar place seemed now doubly dear to him. He went from one toanother with tears in his eyes. Here lay his home. Here were hisfields, his crops and his goats. Everything was the work of his ownhands. He had made them all. Which should he take? He hesitated long.He must take home some of his belongings to show the people at home.And there were his parrot and the dog which had won a place inRobinson's heart. He decided to take them along. At length he gottogether his diary, his parasol, his Bible, his treasures, a suit ofclothes, his dog, and a hat. He had saved, too, his bow and arrows.These he decided to take along. Everything else he gave to his goodman Friday and the Spaniard who wished to be allowed to remain on theisland.
Robinson kissed Friday tenderly. He with great effort finally torehimself away and ran to the shore where the ship's boat awaited him.But Robinson had not counted on the strength of Friday's love for him.Robinson's boat had not yet reached the ship when Friday sprang intothe water and swam after him shouting, "Master, take me with you, Iwould rather die than stay here without you." Robinson was touchedat the devotion showed by the faithful Friday, and gave orders to turnthe boat back, and take him on board. The anchor was raised. The shipstarted on her way to the home Robinson had left so long ago.
ROBINSON LEAVING THE ISLAND]
The wind was favorable and in seven weeks the spires and buildingsof his native city were in sight. His vessel came slowly up to thewharf where he had taken ship so many years ago. Here, too, he hadplayed and idled his time away. He remembered it all. His idlenessand playing truant came back in sad memories. Before Robinson and Fridaylanded, their good friend the captain gave them each a new suit ofclothes.
Everything had changed. He scarcely knew the place. He was astonishedand confused by the din, hurry and bustle of a great city. Fridayseemed dazed by it all and clung to Robinson's side. The buildingswere so tall, the street cars, the carriages were different.Everywhere there were iron machines, casting out smoke, puffing andrunning about on iron rails. Robinson had never seen these.
Robinson, however, did not stop to admire; he pushed on to a certainstreet and house where lived his parents at the time of his departure.It was with difficulty that he found the place. It was now in theheart of the city. Upon inquiry he found, after much searching, thathis father had removed his store and home to another part of the city,his mother had died of grief for her disobedient son. Robinson wassorely grieved at this. He had hoped to see her and tell her how sorryhe was that he had caused her so much anxiety and sorrow.
When he had found the place where his father lived he stole quietlyup to the house and opened the door. His father, now a gray-hairedman, bent with age and sorrow, was sitting in his armchair reading.
Robinson came forward, but his father did not recognize him. "Who areyou?" he said. "I am Robinson, your long-lost son." He knelt by hisfather's side and asked forgiveness for all the trouble he had caused.His father was overcome. He could not speak. He drew Robinson withfeeble hands to his breast. "My son, I forgive you," he said.
Robinson's boyhood friends heard of his strange return. They hadthought him dead long ago. They never tired of hearing him tell hisstrange story. They pitied him in his misfortune. But Robinson toldthem that it all happened to him because he was idle and disobedientin his youth.
Robinson at once relieved his father at the store. The businessthrived. His father died. He soon had a home of his own with a happyfamily. Friday, the dog, and the parrot lived in it, dearly belovedand cared for by their master the rest of their days. In the homethere is a young Robinson who loves to hear his father read from hisdiary of the wonderful things that happened on the island.
Robinson tried many times to find the rightful owner of the gold andjewels, but never succeeded. At last he gave them to a school whereboys with idle habits were taught to lead useful and industriouslives.
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