robert falconer-第67章
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Robert； in whom he saw revived the hopes of his own youth； but in a
nature at once more robust and more ideal。 Where the doctor was
refined； Robert was strong； where the doctor was firm with a
firmness he had cultivated； Robert was imperious with an
imperiousness time would mellow； where the doctor was generous and
careful at once； Robert gave his mite and forgot it。 He was rugged
in the simplicity of his truthfulness； and his speech bewrayed him
as altogether of the people； but the doctor knew the hole of the pit
whence he had been himself digged。 All that would fall away as the
spiky shell from the polished chestnut； and be reabsorbed in the
growth of the grand cone…flowering tree； to stand up in the sun and
wind of the years a very altar of incense。 It is no wonder； I
repeat； that he loved the boy； and longed to further his plans。 But
he was too wise to overwhelm him with a cataract of fortune instead
of blessing him with the merciful dew of progress。
'The fellow will bring me in for no end of expense；' he said；
smiling to himself； as he drove home in his chariot。 'The less he
means it the more unconscionable he will be。 There's that
Ericsonbut that isn't worth thinking of。 I must do something for
that queer protégé of his； thoughthat Shargar。 The fellow is as
good as a dog； and that's saying not a little for him。 I wonder if
he can learnor if he takes after his father the marquis； who never
could spell。 Well； it is a comfort to have something to do worth
doing。 I did think of endowing a hospital； but I'm not sure that it
isn't better to endow a good man than a hospital。 I'll think about
it。 I won't say anything about Shargar either； till I see how he
goes on。 I might give him a job； though； now and then。 But where
to fall in with himprowling about after jobs？'
He threw himself back in his seat； and laughed with a delight he had
rarely felt。 He was a providence watching over the boys； who
expected nothing of him beyond advice for Ericson！ Might there not
be a Providence that equally transcended the vision of men； shaping
to nobler ends the blocked…out designs of their rough…hewn marbles？
His thoughts wandered back to his friend the Brahmin； who died
longing for that absorption into deity which had been the dream of
his life： might not the Brahmin find the grand idea shaped to yet
finer issues than his aspiration had dared contemplate？might he
not inherit in the purification of his will such an absorption as
should intensify his personality？
CHAPTER IX。
A HUMAN SOUL。
Ericson lay for several weeks； during which time Robert and Shargar
were his only nurses。 They contrived； by abridging both rest and
labour； to give him constant attendance。 Shargar went to bed early
and got up early； so as to let Robert have a few hours' sleep before
his classes began。 Robert again slept in the evening； after Shargar
came home； and made up for the time by reading while he sat by his
friend。 Mrs。 Fyvie's attendance was in requisition only for the
hours when he had to be at lectures。 By the greatest economy of
means； consisting of what Shargar brought in by jobbing about the
quay and the coach…offices； and what Robert had from Dr。 Anderson
for copying his manuscript； they contrived to procure for Ericson
all that he wanted。 The shopping of the two boys； in their utter
ignorance of such delicacies as the doctor told them to get for him；
the blunders they made as to the shops at which they were to be
bought； and the consultations they held； especially about the
preparing of the prescribed nutriment； afforded them many an amusing
retrospect in after years。 For the house was so full of lodgers；
that Robert begged Mrs。 Fyvie to give herself no trouble in the
matter。 Her conscience； however； was uneasy； and she spoke to Dr。
Anderson； but he assured her that she might trust the boys。 What
cooking they could not manage； she undertook cheerfully； and refused
to add anything to the rent on Shargar's account。
Dr。 Anderson watched everything； the two boys as much as his
patient。 He allowed them to work on； sending only the wine that was
necessary from his own cellar。 The moment the supplies should begin
to fail； or the boys to look troubled； he was ready to do more。
About Robert's perseverance he had no doubt： Shargar's faithfulness
he wanted to prove。
Robert wrote to his grandmother to tell her that Shargar was with
him； working hard。 Her reply was somewhat cold and offended； but
was inclosed in a parcel containing all Shargar's garments； and
ended with the assurance that as long as he did well she was ready
to do what she could。
Few English readers will like Mrs。 Falconer； but her grandchild
considered her one of the noblest women ever God made； and I； from
his account； am of the same mind。 Her care was fixed
To fill her odorous lamp with deeds of light；
And hope that reaps not shame。
And if one must choose between the how and the what； let me have the
what； come of the how what may。 I know of a man so sensitive； that
he shuts his ears to his sister's griefs； because it spoils his
digestion to think of them。
One evening Robert was sitting by the table in Ericson's room。 Dr。
Anderson had not called that day； and he did not expect to see him
now； for he had never come so late。 He was quite at his ease；
therefore； and busy with two things at once； when the doctor opened
the door and walked in。 I think it is possible that he came up
quietly with some design of surprising him。 He found him with a
stocking on one hand； a darning needle in the other； and a Greek
book open before him。 Taking no apparent notice of him； he walked
up to the bedside； and Robert put away his work。 After his
interview with his patient was over； the doctor signed to him to
follow him to the next room。 There Shargar lay on the rug already
snoring。 It was a cold night in December； but he lay in his
under…clothing； with a single blanket round him。
'Good training for a soldier；' said the doctor； 'and so was your
work a minute ago； Robert。'
'Ay；' answered Robert； colouring a little； 'I was readin' a bit o'
the Anabasis。'
The doctor smiled a far…off sly smile。
'I think it was rather the Katabasis； if one might venture to judge
from the direction of your labours。'
'Weel；' answered Robert； 'what wad ye hae me do？ Wad ye hae me lat
Mr。 Ericson gang wi' holes i' the heels o' 's hose； whan I can mak
them a' snod； an' learn my Greek at the same time？ Hoots； doctor！
dinna lauch at me。 I was doin' nae ill。 A body may please
themsel'swhiles surely； ohn sinned。'
'But it's such waste of time！ Why don't you buy him new ones？'
''Deed that's easier said than dune。 I hae eneuch ado wi' my siller
as 'tis； an' gin it warna for you； doctor； I do not ken what wad
come o' 's； for ye see I hae no richt to come upo' my grannie for
ither fowk。 There wad be nae en' to that。'
'But I could lend you the money to buy him some stockings。'
'An' whan wad I be able to pay ye； do ye think； doctor？ In anither
warl' maybe； whaur the currency micht be sae different there wad be
no possibility o' reckonin' the rate o' exchange。 Na； na。'
'But I will give you the money if you like。'
'Na； na。 You hae dune eneuch already； an' mony thanks。 Siller's no
sae easy come by to be wastit； as lang's a darn 'll do。 Forbye； gin
ye began wi' his claes； ye wadna ken whaur to haud； for it wad jist
be the new claith upo' the auld garment： ye micht as weel new cleed
him at ance。'
'And why not if I choose； Mr。 Falconer？'
'Speir ye that at him； an' see what ye'll geta luik 'at wad fess a
corbie （carrion crow） frae the lift （sky）。 I wadna hae ye try that。
Some fowk's poverty maun be han'let jist like a sair place； doctor。
He canna weel compleen o' a bit darnin'。He canna tak that ill；'
repeated Robert； in a to
