barnaby rudge(巴纳比·卢杰)-第88章
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up； smoothed his contracted brow； hummed a gay tune with
greater gaiety of manner； and was his unruffled self again。
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Chapter 30
homely proverb recognises the existence of a troublesome
Aclass of persons who； having an inch conceded them； will
take an ell。 Not to quote the illustrious examples of those
heroic scourges of mankind； whose amiable path in life has been
from birth to death through blood； and fire； and ruin； and who
would seem to have existed for no better purpose than to teach
mankind that as the absence of pain is pleasure； so the earth；
purged of their presence； may be deemed a blessed place—not to
quote such mighty instances； it will be sufficient to refer to old
John Willet。
Old John having long encroached a good standard inch； full
measure； on the liberty of Joe； and having snipped off a Flemish
ell in the matter of the parole； grew so despotic and so great； that
his thirst for conquest knew no bounds。 The more young Joe
submitted； the more absolute old John became。 The ell soon faded
into nothing。 Yards； furlongs； miles arose； and on went old John in
the pleasantest manner possible； trimming off an exuberance in
this place； shearing away some liberty of speech or action in that；
and conducting himself in his small way with as much high
mightiness and majesty； as the most glorious tyrant that ever had
his statue reared in the public ways； of ancient or of modern times。
As great men are urged on to the abuse of power （when they
need urging； which is not often）； by their flatterers and
dependents； so old John was impelled to these exercises of
authority by the applause and admiration of his Maypole cronies；
who； in the intervals of their nightly pipes and pots； would shake
their heads and say that Mr Willet was a father of the good old
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English sort； that there were no new…fangled notions or modern
ways in him； that he put them in mind of what their fathers were
when they were boys； that there was no mistake about him； that it
would be well for the country if there were more like him； and
more was the pity that there were not； with many other original
remarks of that nature。 Then they would condescendingly give Joe
to understand that it was all for his good； and he would be
thankful for it one day； and in particular； Mr Cobb would acquaint
him； that when he was his age； his father thought no more of
giving him a parental kick； or a box on the ears； or a cuff on the
head； or some little admonition of that sort； than he did of any
other ordinary duty of life； and he would further remark； with
looks of great significance； that but for this judicious bringing up；
he might have never been the man he was at that present
speaking； which was probable enough； as he was； beyond all
question； the dullest dog of the party。 In short； between old John
and old John’s friends； there never was an unfortunate young
fellow so bullied； badgered； worried； fretted； and brow…beaten； so
constantly beset； or made so tired of his life； as poor Joe Willet。
This had come to be the recognised and established state of
things； but as John was very anxious to flourish his supremacy
before the eyes of Mr Chester； he did that day exceed himself； and
did so goad and chafe his son and heir； that but for Joe’s having
made a solemn vow to keep his hands in his pockets when they
were not otherwise engaged； it is impossible to say what he might
have done with them。 But the longest day has an end； and at
length Mr Chester came downstairs to mount his horse； which was
ready at the door。
As old John was not in the way at the moment； Joe； who was
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sitting in the bar ruminating on his dismal fate and the manifold
perfections of Dolly Varden； ran out to hold the guest’s stirrup and
assist him to mount。 Mr Chester was scarcely in the saddle； and
Joe was in the very act of making him a graceful bow； when old
John came diving out of the porch； and collared him。
‘None of that； sir；’ said John； ‘none of that； sir。 No breaking of
patroles。 How dare you come out of the door； sir； without leave？
You’re trying to get away； sir； are you； and to make a traitor of
yourself again？ What do you mean； sir？’
‘Let me go； father；’ said Joe； imploringly； as he marked the
smile upon their visitor’s face； and observed the pleasure his
disgrace afforded him。 ‘This is too bad。 Who wants to get away？’
‘Who wants to get away！’ cried John； shaking him。 ‘Why you do；
sir； you do。 You’re the boy； sir；’ added John； collaring with one
band； and aiding the effect of a farewell bow to the visitor with the
other； ‘that wants to sneak into houses； and stir up differences
between noble gentlemen and their sons； are you； eh？ Hold your
tongue； sir。’
Joe made no effort to reply。 It was the crowning circumstance
of his degradation。 He extricated himself from his father’s grasp；
darted an angry look at the departing guest； and returned into the
house。
‘But for her；’ thought Joe； as he threw his arms upon a table in
the common room； and laid his head upon them； ‘but for Dolly；
who I couldn’t bear should think me the rascal they would make
me out to be if I ran away； this house and I should part to…night。’
It being evening by this time； Solomon Daisy； Tom Cobb； and
Long Parkes； were all in the common room too； and had from the
window been witnesses of what had just occurred。 Mr Willet
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joining them soon afterwards； received the compliments of the
company with great composure； and lighting his pipe； sat down
among them。
‘We’ll see； gentlemen；’ said John； after a long pause； ‘who’s the
master of this house； and who isn’t。 We’ll see whether boys are to
govern men； or men are to govern boys。’
‘And quite right too；’ assented Solomon Daisy with some
approving nods； ‘quite right； Johnny。 Very good； Johnny。 Well
said； Mr Willet。 Brayvo； sir。’
John slowly brought his eyes to bear upon him； looked at him
for a long time； and finally made answer；
