barnaby rudge(巴纳比·卢杰)-第239章
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preservers of youthful looks； depend upon it。
It was a long time； too； before there was such a country inn as
the Maypole； in all England： indeed it is a great question whether
there has ever been such another to this hour； or ever will be。 It
was a long time too—for Never； as the proverb says； is a long
day—before they forgot to have an interest in wounded soldiers at
the Maypole； or before Joe omitted to refresh them； for the sake of
his old campaign； or before the serjeant left off looking in there；
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now and then； or before they fatigued themselves； or each other；
by talking on these occasions of battles and sieges； and hard
weather and hard service； and a thousand things belonging to a
soldier’s life。 As to the great silver snuff…box which the King sent
Joe with his own hand； because of his conduct in the Riots； what
guest ever went to the Maypole without putting finger and thumb
into that box； and taking a great pinch； though he had never taken
a pinch of snuff before； and almost sneezed himself into
convulsions even then？ As to the purple…faced vintner； where is
the man who lived in those times and never saw him at the
Maypole： to all appearance as much at home in the best room； as if
he lived there？ And as to the feastings and christenings； and
revellings at Christmas； and celebrations of birthdays； wedding…
days； and all manner of days； both at the Maypole and the Golden
Key；—if they are not notorious； what facts are？
Mr Willet the elder； having been by some extraordinary means
possessed with the idea that Joe wanted to be married； and that it
would be well for him； his father； to retire into private life； and
enable him to live in comfort； took up his abode in a small cottage
at Chigwell； where they widened and enlarged the fireplace for
him； hung up the boiler； and furthermore planted in the little
garden outside the front…door； a fictitious Maypole； so that he was
quite at home directly。 To this； his new habitation； Tom Cobb； Phil
Parkes； and Solomon Daisy went regularly every night： and in the
chimney…corner； they all four quaffed； and smoked； and prosed；
and dozed； as they had done of old。 It being accidentally
discovered after a short time that Mr Willet still appeared to
consider himself a landlord by profession； Joe provided him with a
slate； upon which the old man regularly scored up vast accounts
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for meat； drink； and tobacco。 As he grew older this passion
increased upon him； and it became his delight to chalk against the
name of each of his cronies a sum of enormous magnitude； and
impossible to be paid： and such was his secret joy in these entries；
that he would be perpetually seen going behind the door to look at
them； and coming forth again； suffused with the liveliest
satisfaction。
He never recovered the surprise the Rioters had given him； and
remained in the same mental condition down to the last moment
of his life。 It was like to have been brought to a speedy termination
by the first sight of his first grandchild； which appeared to fill him
with the belief that some alarming miracle had happened to Joe。
Being promptly blooded； however； by a skilful surgeon； he rallied；
and although the doctors all agreed； on his being attacked with
symptoms of apoplexy six months afterwards； that he ought to die；
and took it very ill that he did not； he remained alive—possibly on
account of his constitutional slowness—for nearly seven years
more； when he was one morning found speechless in his bed。 He
lay in this state； free from all tokens of uneasiness； for a whole
week； when he was suddenly restored to consciousness by hearing
the nurse whisper in his son’s ear that he was going。 ‘I’m a…going；
Joseph；’ said Mr Willet； turning round upon the instant； ‘to the
Salwanners’—and immediately gave up the ghost。
He left a large sum of money behind him； even more than he
was supposed to have been worth； although the neighbours；
according to the custom of mankind in calculating the wealth that
other people ought to have saved； had estimated his property in
good round numbers。 Joe inherited the whole； so that he became a
man of great consequence in those parts； and was perfectly
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independent。
Some time elapsed before Barnaby got the better of the shock
he had sustained； or regained his old health and gaiety。 But he
recovered by degrees： and although he could never separate his
condemnation and escape from the idea of a terrific dream； he
became； in other respects； more rational。 Dating from the time of
his recovery； he had a better memory and greater steadiness of
purpose； but a dark cloud overhung his whole previous existence；
and never cleared away。
He was not the less happy for this； for his love of freedom and
interest in all that moved or grew； or had its being in the elements；
remained to him unimpaired。 He lived with his mother on the
Maypole farm； tending the poultry and the cattle； working in a
garden of his own； and helping everywhere。 He was known to
every bird and beast about the place； and had a name for every
one。 Never was there a lighter…hearted husbandman； a creature
more popular with young and old； a blither or more happy soul
than Barnaby； and though he was free to ramble where he would；
he never quitted Her； but was for evermore her stay and comfort。
It was remarkable that although he had that dim sense of the
past； he sought out Hugh’s dog； and took him under his care； and
that he never could be tempted into London。 When the Riots were
many years old； and Edward and his wife came back to England
with a family almost as numerous as Dolly’s； and one day
appeared at the Maypole porch； he knew them instantly； and wept
and leaped for joy。 But neither to visit them； nor on any other
pretence； no matter how full of promise and enjoyment； could he
be persuaded to set foot in the streets： nor did he ever conquer
this repugnance or look upon the town again。
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Grip soon recovered his looks； and became as glossy and sleek
as ever。 But he was profoundly silent。 Whether he had forgotten
the art of Polite Conversation in Newgate； or had made a vow in
those troubled ti
