barnaby rudge(巴纳比·卢杰)-第135章
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yet； in pity。
How often； on their journey； did the widow remember with a
grateful heart； that out of his deprivation Barnaby’s cheerfulness
and affection sprung！ How often did she call to mind that but for
that； he might have been sullen； morose； unkind； far removed from
her—vicious； perhaps； and cruel！ How often had she cause for
comfort； in his strength； and hope； and in his simple nature！ Those
feeble powers of mind which rendered him so soon forgetful of the
past； save in brief gleams and flashes；—even they were a comfort
now。 The world to him was full of happiness； in every tree； and
plant； and flower； in every bird； and beast； and tiny insect whom a
breath of summer wind laid low upon the ground； he had delight。
His delight was hers； and where many a wise son would have
made her sorrowful； this poor light…hearted idiot filled her breast
with thankfulness and love。
Their stock of money was low； but from the hoard she had told
into the blind man’s hand； the widow had withheld one guinea。
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This； with the few pence she possessed besides； was to two
persons of their frugal habits； a goodly sum in bank。 Moreover
they had Grip in company； and when they must otherwise have
changed the guinea； it was but to make him exhibit outside an
alehouse door； or in a village street； or in the grounds or gardens
of a mansion of the better sort； and scores who would have given
nothing in charity； were ready to bargain for more amusement
from the talking bird。
One day—for they moved slowly； and although they had many
rides in carts and waggons； were on the road a week—Barnaby；
with Grip upon his shoulder and his mother following； begged
permission at a trim lodge to go up to the great house； at the other
end of the avenue； and show his raven。 The man within was
inclined to give them admittance； and was indeed about to do so；
when a stout gentleman with a long whip in his hand； and a
flushed face which seemed to indicate that he had had his
morning’s draught； rode up to the gate； and called in a loud voice
and with more oaths than the occasion seemed to warrant to have
it opened directly。
‘Who hast thou got here？’ said the gentleman angrily； as the
man threw the gate wide open； and pulled off his hat； ‘who are
these？ Eh？ art a beggar； woman？’
The widow answered with a curtsey； that they were poor
travellers。
‘Vagrants；’ said the gentleman； ‘vagrants and vagabonds。 Thee
wish to be made acquainted with the cage； dost thee—the cage；
the stocks； and the whipping…post？ Where dost come from？’
She told him in a timid manner；—for he was very loud； hoarse；
and red…faced；—and besought him not to be angry； for they meant
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no harm； and would go upon their way that moment。
‘Don’t he too sure of that；’ replied the gentleman； ‘we don’t
allow vagrants to roam about this place。 I know what thou
want’st—…stray linen drying on hedges； and stray poultry； eh？
What hast got in that basket； lazy hound？’
‘Grip； Grip； Grip—Grip the clever； Grip the wicked； Grip the
knowing—Grip； Grip； Grip；’ cried the raven； whom Barnaby had
shut up on the approach of this stern personage。 ‘I’m a devil I’m a
devil I’m a devil； Never say die Hurrah Bow wow wow； Polly put
the kettle on we’ll all have tea。’
‘Take the vermin out； scoundrel；’ said the gentleman； ‘and let
me see him。’
Barnaby； thus condescendingly addressed； produced his bird；
but not without much fear and trembling； and set him down upon
the ground； which he had no sooner done than Grip drew fifty
corks at least； and then began to dance； at the same time eyeing
the gentleman with surprising insolence of manner； and screwing
his head so much on one side that he appeared desirous of
screwing it off upon the spot。
The cork…drawing seemed to make a greater impression on the
gentleman’s mind； than the raven’s power of speech； and was
indeed particularly adapted to his habits and capacity。 He desired
to have that done again； but despite his being very peremptory；
and notwithstanding that Barnaby coaxed to the utmost； Grip
turned a deaf ear to the request； and preserved a dead silence。
‘Bring him along；’ said the gentleman； pointing to the house。
But Grip； who had watched the action； anticipated his master； by
hopping on before them；—constantly flapping his wings； and
screaming ‘cook！’ meanwhile； as a hint perhaps that there was
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company coming； and a small collation would be acceptable。
Barnaby and his mother walked on； on either side of the
gentleman on horseback； who surveyed each of them from time to
time in a proud and coarse manner； and occasionally thundered
out some question； the tone of which alarmed Barnaby so much
that he could find no answer； and； as a matter of course； could
make him no reply。 On one of these occasions； when the
gentleman appeared disposed to exercise his horsewhip； the
widow ventured to inform him in a low voice and with tears in her
eyes； that her son was of weak mind。
‘An idiot； eh？’ said the gentleman； looking at Barnaby as he
spoke。 ‘And how long hast thou been an idiot？’
‘She knows；’ was Barnaby’s timid answer； pointing to his
mother—‘I—always； I believe。’
‘From his birth；’ said the widow。
‘I don’t believe it；’ cried the gentleman； ‘not a bit of it。 It’s an
excuse not to work。 There’s nothing like flogging to cure that
disorder。 I’d make a difference in him in ten minutes； I’ll be
bound。’
‘Heaven has made none in more than twice ten years； sir；’ said
the widow mildly。
‘Then why don’t you shut him up？ we pay enough for county
institutions； damn ’em。 But thou’d rather drag him about to excite
charity—of course。 Ay； I know thee。’
Now； this gentleman had various endearing appellations among
his intimate friends。 By some he was called ‘a country gentleman
of the true school；’ by some ‘a fine old country gentleman；’ by
some ‘a sporting gentleman；’ by some ‘a thorough…bred
Englishman；’ by some ‘a genuine John Bull；’ but they all agreed in
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