Shargar

Arrived in the dark garret, he called Shargar, as usual, in a whisper -- received no reply -- thought he was asleep -- called louder (for he had had a penny from his grandmother that day for bringing home two pails of water for Betty, and had just spent it upon a loaf for him) -- but no Shargar replied.

Robert Falconer George MacDonald 1864

At the top lay a linen bag full of oatmeal; underneath that was a thick layer of oat-cake; underneath that two cheeses, a pound of butter, and six pots of jam, which ought to have tasted of roses, for it came from the old garden where the roses lived in such sweet companionship with the currant bushes; underneath that, &c.; and underneath, &c., a box which strangely recalled Shargar's garret, and one of the closets therein.

Robert Falconer George MacDonald 1864

'Shargar's as fine a crater as ever God made,' said Robert warmly.

Robert Falconer George MacDonald 1864

For the rest, he was dark-complexioned, with dark hair, destined to grow darker still, with hands and feet well modelled, but which would have made four feet and four hands such as Shargar's.

Robert Falconer George MacDonald 1864

Within this period Shargar had gone out to India, where he had distinguished himself particularly on a certain harassing march.

Robert Falconer George MacDonald 1864

One day, as Falconer sat at a late breakfast, Shargar burst into his room.

Robert Falconer George MacDonald 1864

Robert came home to dinner the next day a few minutes before Shargar.

Robert Falconer George MacDonald 1864

Elated, though awed, by the vision, he felt his way up the stair in the new darkness, as if walking in a holy dream, trod as if upon sacred ground as he crossed the landing where the angel had stood -- went up and up, and found Shargar wide awake with expectant hunger.

Robert Falconer George MacDonald 1864

Six hungry miles must be trudged by Shargar ere he got a morsel to eat.

Robert Falconer George MacDonald 1864

And Robert, growing more and more absorbed in his own thoughts and pursuits, paid him less and less attention as the weeks went on, till Shargar at length judged it for a time an evil day on which he first had slept under old Ronald Falconer's kilt.

Robert Falconer George MacDonald 1864