barnaby rudge(巴纳比·卢杰)-第226章
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encouragement in the crowded windows and the concourse in the
streets； and how； even then； he felt the influence of the bright sky；
and looked up； smiling； into its deep unfathomable blue。 But there
had been many such sights since the riots were over—some so
moving in their nature； and so repulsive too； that they were far
more calculated to awaken pity for the sufferers； than respect for
that law whose strong arm seemed in more than one case to be as
wantonly stretched forth now that all was safe； as it had been
basely paralysed in time of danger。
Two cripples—both mere boys—one with a leg of wood； one
who dragged his twisted limbs along by the help of a crutch； were
hanged in this same Bloomsbury Square。 As the cart was about to
glide from under them； it was observed that they stood with their
faces from； not to； the house they had assisted to despoil； and their
misery was protracted that this omission might be remedied。
Another boy was hanged in Bow Street； other young lads in
various quarters of the town。 Four wretched women； too； were put
to death。 In a word； those who suffered as rioters were； for the
most part； the weakest； meanest； and most miserable among them。
It was a most exquisite satire upon the false religious cry which
had led to so much misery； that some of these people owned
themselves to be Catholics； and begged to be attended by their
own priests。
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One young man was hanged in Bishopsgate Street； whose aged
grey…headed father waited for him at the gallows； kissed him at its
foot when he arrived； and sat there； on the ground； till they took
him down。 They would have given him the body of his child； but
he had no hearse； no coffin； nothing to remove it in； being too
poor—and walked meekly away beside the cart that took it back to
prison； trying； as he went； to touch its lifeless hand。
But the crowd had forgotten these matters； or cared little about
them if they lived in their memory： and while one great multitude
fought and hustled to get near the gibbet before Newgate； for a
parting look； another followed in the train of poor lost Barnaby； to
swell the throng that waited for him on the spot。
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Chapter 78
n this same day； and about this very hour； Mr Willet the
elder sat smoking his pipe in a chamber at the Black Lion。
O
Although it was hot summer weather； Mr Willet sat close
to the fire。 He was in a state of profound cogitation； with his own
thoughts； and it was his custom at such times to stew himself
slowly； under the impression that that process of cookery was
favourable to the melting out of his ideas； which； when he began to
simmer； sometimes oozed forth so copiously as to astonish even
himself。
Mr Willet had been several thousand times comforted by his
friends and acquaintance； with the assurance that for the loss he
had sustained in the damage done to the Maypole； he could ‘come
upon the county。’ But as this phrase happened to bear an
unfortunate resemblance to the popular expression of ‘coming on
the parish；’ it suggested to Mr Willet’s mind no more consolatory
visions than pauperism on an extensive scale； and ruin in a
capacious aspect。 Consequently； he had never failed to receive the
intelligence with a rueful shake of the head； or a dreary stare； and
had been always observed to appear much more melancholy after
a visit of condolence than at any other time in the whole four…and…
twenty hours。
It chanced； however； that sitting over the fire on this particular
occasion—perhaps because he was； as it were； done to a turn；
perhaps because he was in an unusually bright state of mind；
perhaps because he had considered the subject so long； perhaps
because of all these favouring circumstances； taken together—it
chanced that； sitting over the fire on this particular occasion； Mr
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Willet did； afar off and in the remotest depths of his intellect；
perceive a kind of lurking hint or faint suggestion； that out of the
public purse there might issue funds for the restoration of the
Maypole to its former high place among the taverns of the earth。
And this dim ray of light did so diffuse itself within him； and did so
kindle up and shine； that at last he had it as plainly and visibly
before him as the blaze by which he sat； and； fully persuaded that
he was the first to make the discovery； and that he had started；
hunted down； fallen upon； and knocked on the head； a perfectly
original idea which had never presented itself to any other man；
alive or dead； he laid down his pipe； rubbed his hands； and
chuckled audibly。
‘Why； father！’ cried Joe； entering at the moment； ‘you’re in
spirits to…day！’
‘It’s nothing partickler；’ said Mr Willet； chuckling again。 ‘It’s
nothing at all partickler； Joseph。 Tell me something about the
Salwanners。’ Having preferred this request； Mr Willet chuckled a
third time； and after these unusual demonstrations of levity； he
put his pipe in his mouth again。
‘What shall I tell you； father？’ asked Joe； laying his hand upon
his sire’s shoulder； and looking down into his face。 ‘That I have
come back； poorer than a church mouse？ You know that。 That I
have come back； maimed and crippled？ You know that。’
‘It was took off；’ muttered Mr Willet； with his eyes upon the fire；
‘at the defence of the Salwanners； in America； where the war is。’
‘Quite right；’ returned Joe； smiling； and leaning with his
remaining elbow on the back of his father’s chair； ‘the very subject
I came to speak to you about。 A man with one arm； father； is not of
much use in the busy world。’
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This was one of those vast propositions which Mr Willet had
never considered for an instant； and required time to ‘tackle。’
Wherefore he made no answer。
‘At all events；’ said Joe； ‘he can’t pick and choose his means of
earning a livelihood； as another man may。 He can’t say “I will turn
my hand to this；” or “I won’t turn my hand to that；” but must take
what he can do； and be thankful it’s no worse。—What did you say？’
Mr Willet had been softly repeating to himself； in a musing
tone； the words ‘defence of the Salwanners：’ but he seemed
embar
