I'm assuming the goatherd has some kind of work in mind for our Pip. He didn't know the kid was sick at first: I'm sort of anxious as to the reason why he hasn't tried to get anything out of him at all yet.

Which of course means I'm just waiting for the next installment.

"The local" is jarring in both the places you use it. I know for sure any town big enough to support more than one prostitute also has more than one goatherd unless the people don't usually believe in herding goats and he's the exception.

Other than that - I'm rejoicing at another bit from xanthofile!

I expect our guy is actually getting off easy, getting away from his dad. . .

I don't really mind that this story is going to move slowly. I kind of look foreword to that actually.

I like that the goatherd doesn't talk much, making evident that he hasn't had much companionship except for the dog. I wonder if it has a name? Maybe it will get one later if it doesn't have one already.

I also like the character of Pip. He doesn't really angst/wangst over his situation, which I find endearing. You really want to give the poor kid a hug for all that he's been through.

I'm interested in finding out more about the goatherd as the story continues.

at first I was wondering if he was throwing up because the goatherd was a jerk and putting something in his food to teach him not to eat the goatherd's food without some kind of express verbal permission, and then I realized - oh, concussion - and suddenly the goatherd seemed a much more reasonable guy. I also love Pip/Pup's fears - fear of the dog (if you aren't used to them, they're friggen terrifying) fear of the water (he didn't understand that the man was getting him clean - I love that as a reader, WE can assume that, but at the same time, we read what Pip/Pup is assuming, and the poor fellow is assuming something entirely different about the outcome of the situation).

I look forward to more, when you write it - I'm terribly curious as to the character of the goatherd, who is thus far rather quiet, all things considered (he's said virtually nothing about himself, and hardly asked any questions of Pip/Pup at all, for all that they're to be living together. What a curious, hermit-like individual.)

Weirdly, I'm glad that the dog does not seem afraid of the goatherd - dogs remember when someone treats them badly - and at the very least, a man who recognizes that at the very least you have to take good care of a dog to keep it in working condition is likely to realize that the same is true about people.

While sleeping with a dog is undoubtedly terrifying for Pip/Pup, it's probably warmer than greasy blanket-scraps - a dog generates its own heat, if he can bear to be near enough to feel that.

BASICALLY THIS CHAPTER MADE ME VERY HAPPY. YAY

OMG I AM EXCITED FOR THIS

sorry, I'm so weird, I just - this has a really fun air to it (I like the dirty-misery it begins with, and how the kid is no saint himself - he steals things just like his father does, though it seems on a smaller, more sensible scale, and he's foolish enough to try drinking, same as his dad).

YAY CANNOT WAIT FOR MORE (which is why this is a relatively short review - I'm on to read chapter 2

i'm excited for this. poor kid, getting sold, but i like that its basically realistic. :) can't wait for the next chapter.

PLEASE UPDATE SOON. I like the story.

Yay! I'm so excited to read something of yours again. :)

"I fell asleep with a tautness in my belly that was as much my lifelong companion as Pa's drinking." Good line, very descriptive. I look forward to reading more. :)

This is off to a good start, I'm interested in seeing where this story goes from here.

Fascinating! I like the historical feel to this fic, and I look forward to seeing the rest of Pip's story. And congrats on your compilation :)

Xanthofile,

Great to see your wonderful writing again.

I like the story itself and you did a phenomenal job with the dialects. I dislike Pip's father in a good way and I'm excited to see more of the goatherd. Pip is an interesting character, because he helps his drunk father every night even though he knows that he'll get hit.

The title is a bit boring, but most are. It's not a real problem.

Can't wait to see some more,

Megan

P.S. Did I ever read your stories? I thought I saw a different name for author; now I'm confused.

Happy to read something of your again, this has an interesting start.

Thanks :)

Hi! Long time no write hm?

I like this, I have an image of Pip in my mind already - big brown eyes, a dirty scraggly mop of brown hair, thin body, and an innocent look on his face. He's quite a cutie ;)

His father seem like a bit of a bastard mind you though...

I think that this has a lot of promise to it and will be waiting for the next chapter. Thanks for posting :)

Annie x