_Hither._\"Letusgosomewherewherewecanquizthenativeswithoutbeingtoonearthem.\"
_LadyBar._\"Iamtiredofthisunbrokensolitude,Imustgoandthinktothesea,\"addedshe,inamocksoliloquy;andoutsheglidedwiththesameunconsciousairashislordshiphadworn.
Theothersmovedoffslowlytogether.
\"Mamma,\"saidMissVere,\"Ican’tunderstandhalfBarbaraSinclairsays.\"
\"Itisnotnecessary,mylove,\"repliedmamma;\"sheisrathereccentric,andIfearsheisspoilingLordIpsden.\"
\"PoorLordIpsden,\"murmuredthelovelyVere,\"heusedtobesonice,anddolikeeverybodyelse.Mamma,Ishallbringsomeworkthenexttime.\"
\"Do,mylove.\"
PICNICNO.2.
Inahouse,twohundredyardsfromthisscene,amerrydance,succeedingamerrysong,hadended,andtheywereinthemidstofaninterestingstory;ChristieJohnstonewasthenarrator.Shehadfoundthetaleinoneoftheviscount’sbooks——ithadmadeagreatimpressiononher.
Therestwerelisteningintently.Inaroomwhichhadlatelybeenallnoise,notasoundwasnowtobeheardbutthenarrator’svoice.
\"Aweel,lasses,herearethethreeweekistsset,theladsaretochuse——theanethatchusesreichtistogetPorsha,an’thelavetogetthebag,anddeebaitchelars——FluckerJohnstone,youthat’ssaeclever——areyeforgowd,orsiller,orleed?\"
_1stFishwife._\"Gowdforme!\"
_2dditto._\"Thewhitesiller’smytaste.\"
_Flucker._\"Na!there’sayesomedeevelishtrickinthirlassie’sstories.Ishallhato,tilltheitherladshaechused;themairpartwillputthemselsoot,anewillhititoffreichtmaybe,thenIshallgiehimahidin’an’carryoffthelass.You—hoo!\"
_JeanCarnie._\"That’syou,Flucker.\"
_ChristieJohnstone._\"Anddivyereallythinkwearegawntoletyouseea’theworldchuse?Na,lad,yeareputtenooto’theroom,likewitnesses.\"
_Flucker._\"ThenI’dtossapenny;forgienyetrusttoluck,shewhilesfavorsye,butgienyecommencetoreasonandargefy——ye’redone!\"
_Christie._\"Thesuitorshadnayourwit,mymanny,ormaybetheyhadnaapennytotoss,saeanechusedthegowd,anethesiller;buttheygotanawfu’affront.Thegoldkisthadjustaskullintil’t,andthesilleradeedcuddy’shead!\"
_ChorusofFemales._\"He!he!he!\"
_DittoofMales._\"Haw!haw!haw!haw!Ho!\"
_Christie._\"An’Porshaputtitthepairofgowkstothedoor.ThencameBassanio,theladfraVeeneece,thatPorshaloedinsecret.Veeneece,lasses,isawonderfulcity;thestreetso’’tarewater,andthecarriagesareboats——that’sinChambers’.\"
_Flucker._\"Whaareyemakingafoolo’?\"
_Christie._\"What’swrang?\"
_Flucker._\"Yon’sjustasbigaleeaseverIheerd.\"
Thewordswerescarcelyoutofhismoutherehehadreasontoregretthem;asevereboxontheearwasadministeredbyhisindignantsister.
Nobodypitiedhim.
_Christie._\"I’lllaernyet’affrontmebeforea’thecompany.\"
_JeanCarnie._\"Supposeit’salee,there’snaesilvertopayforit,Flucker.\"
_Christie._\"Jean,Ineverteltaleeina’mydays.\"
_Jean._\"There’sanetobeginwi’then.Goahead,Custy.\"
_Christie._\"Shebadethemusicplayforhim,formusicbrightensthoucht;onyway,hechosetheleedkist.Open’standwasn’ttherePorsha’spictur,andaposy,thatsaid:
’Ifyoubewellpleasedwiththis,Andholdyourfortuneforyourbliss;
Turnyouwhereyourleddyiss,Andgreetherwi’aloving——\"’_(Pause)._
\"Kess,\"roaredthecompany.
_Chorus,ledbyFlucker._\"Hurraih!\"
_Christie(pathetically)._\"Flucker,behave!\"
_SandyListon(drunk)._\"Hur—raih!\"Hethensolemnlyreflected.\"Na!butit’snahurraih,decencyrequiresamenfirstan’hurraihafterward;
here’skissinplenty,butIhearnaewordo’theminister.Ye’llobsairve,youngwoman,thatkissin’stheprologuetosin,andI’madecentmon,an’agray—headedmon,an’yourlichtstoriesarenoforme;
saeiftheminister’snoexpeckitIshallretire——an’takmyquietgillmylane.\"
_JeanCarnie._\"AnddivyereallythinkadecentcummerlikeCustywadlettheladandlassmisbehavethirsels?Na!lad,theminister’satthedoor,but\"(sinkinghervoicetoaconfidentialwhisper)\"Idaurnalethimin,forfearhe’dseeyehaeputtentheenemyinyourmoothsaeaerly.(That’sCusty’sword.)\"
\"JemmyDrysel,\"repliedSandy,addressingvacancy,forJemmywasmysteriouslyatworkinthekitchen,\"yehaegottenathoughtfu’wife.\"
(Then,withastrongrevulsionoffeeling.)\"Dinnalettheblackguard*inhere,\"criedhe,\"tospoiltheyoungfolk’ssporrt.\"
*AtpresentthisisaspondeeinEngland——atrocheeinScotlandThepronunciationofthisimportantwordoughttobefixed,representing,asitdoes,solargeaportionofthecommunityinbothcountries.
_Christie._\"Aweel,lassies,comesalettertoBassanio;hereadsit,andturnsaspaleasdeeth.\"
_AFishwife._\"Gudehelpus.\"
_Christie._\"Poorshabehoovedtokenhisgrief,whahadabetterreicht?
’Here’saletter,leddy,’sayshe,’thepaper’stheboedyofmyfreend,like,andeverywordinitagapingwound.’\"
_AFisherman._\"Maircyonus.\"
_Christie._\"Lad,itwasfrapuirAntonio,yemindo’him,Lasses.Hech!
theilllucko’yonman,noashipcomehame;anefounderedatsea,comingfraTri—po—lis;thepiratesscuttledanother,an’aneranashoreontheGoodwins,nearBright—helm—stane,that’sinEnglanditsel’,Idaursay.Saehecouldnapaythethreethoosandducats,an’Shylockhadgrippithim,an’soughtthepundo’fleshaffthebreesto’him,puirbody.\"
_SandyListon._\"Hewouldnabethewauro’aweebithiding,yonthunderingurang—utang;letthemanalane,yecursedoldcannibal.\"
_Christie._\"Poorshakeepithermanbutaehoortilltheywereunited,an’thensenthimwi’apuckleo’herainsillertoVeeneece,andAntonio——thinko’that,lassies——pairtedontheirwedding—day.\"
_LizzyJohnstone,aFishwife,aged12._\"Hech!hech!it’slamentable.\"
_JeanCarnie._\"I’msaying,mairriageisquickwark,insomepairts——herethere’sanawfu’troubletogetaman.\"
_AyoungFishwife._\"Ay,isthere.\"
_Omnes._\"Haw!haw!haw!\"(Thefish—wifehides.)
_Christie._\"Fillyourtaupsels,ladsandlasses,andawatoVeneece.\"
_SandyListon(sturdily)._\"I’llnogangtoseathisday.\"
_Christie._\"Noo,weareinthehallo’judgment.Herearesetthejudges,awfu’tobehold;there,onhisthrone,presidestheJuke.\"
_Flucker._\"She’sawatoherEnnglish.\"
_LizzyJohnstone._\"DidwecometoVeeneecetospeakScoetch,yeuselessfule?\"
_Christie._\"Here,paleandhopeless,butresigned,standsthebrokenmairchant,Antonio;there,wiscalesandknives,andrevengeinhismurderin’eye,standsthecrewelJewShylock.\"
\"Aweel,\"mutteredSandy,considerately,\"I’llnomakadisturbanceonaweddingday.\"
_Christie._\"TheywaitforBell——Idinnamindhismind——alaernedlawyer,onyway;he’ssick,butsendsanemairlaernedstill,and,whenthisanecomes,helooksnotoldernorwiserthanmysel.\"
_Flucker._\"Nopossible!\"
_Christie._\"Yeneednabesaesarcy,Flucker,forwhenhecomestohiswarkhesoonlets’emken——runshiseenlikelighteningowertheboend.
’Thisbond’sforfeit.IsAntonionotabletodischairgethemoney?’’Ay!’
criesBassanio,’here’sthesumthricetold.’SaystheyoungjudgeinabitwhispertoShylock,’Shylock,there’sthricethymoneyofferedthee.
Bemairceful,’sayshe,outloud.’Wha’llmakme?’saystheJewbody.
’Makye!’sayshe;’maircyisnoathingyestrainthroughasieve,mon;
itdroppethlikethegentledewfra’heavenupontheplacebeneath;itblesseshimthatgivesandhimthattaks;itbecomesthekingbetterthanhisthrone,andairthlypowerismaistlikeGod’spowerwhenmaircyseasonsjustice.’\"
_RobertHaw,Fisherman._\"Dinnaspeaklikethattome,onybody,orI
shallgieyemyboat,andflingmynetsintilit,asyesailawawi’
her.\"
_JeanCarnie._\"Saeheletthepuirdeevilgo.Oh!yekenwhacouldstandupagainstsiccanashowero’Ennglishasthaat.\"
_Christie._\"Hejustsaid,’Mydeedsuponmyheed.Iclaimthelaw,’sayshe;’thereisnopowerinthetongueo’mantoalterme.Istayhereonmyboend.’\"
_SandyListon._\"Ihaesatquiet!——quietIhaesatagainstmywill,notodisturbJamieDrysel’sweddin’;butyecarrythegameowerfar,Shylock,mylad.I’lljustgiveyonbluidy—mindedurang—utangahidin’,andbringTonyoff,thegude,puir—spiritedcreature.Andhim,an’me,an’
Bassanee,an’Porshee,we’llallhaeagillthegither.\"
Herose,andwasinstantlyseizedbytwoofthecompany,fromwhomheburstfuriously,afterastruggle,andthenextmomentwasheardtofallcleanfromthetoptothebottomofthestairs.FluckerandJeanranout;
therestappealedagainsttheinterruption.
_Christie._\"Hech!he’skilled.SandyListon’sbrakehisneck.\"
\"Whatabootit,lassy?\"saidayoungfisherman;\"it’sAntonioI’mfearedfor;savehim,lassy,ifpoessible;butIdootye’llnogethimclearo’
yondeevelichheathen.
\"AuldSandy’scheapsairved,\"addedhe,withalltheindifferenceahumantonecouldconvey.
\"Oh,Cursty,\"saidLizzieJohnstone,withapeevishaccent,\"dinnabreakthebonnyyarnfornaething.\"
_Flucker(returning)._\"He’sa’reicht.\"
_Christie._\"Ishenodead?\"
_Flucker._\"Himdeed?he’ssober——that’sa’thechangeIsee.\"
_Christie._\"Canhespeak?I’maskingye.\"
_Flucker._\"Yes,hecanspeak.\"
_Christie._\"Whatdoeshesay,puirbody?\"
_Flucker._\"Hesatup,an’soughtagillfra’thewife——puirbody!\"
_Christie._\"Hech!hech!hewasmypupilintheairto’sobriety!——aweel,theyoungjudgerisestodeliverthesentenceofthecoort.Silence!\"
thunderedChristie.Aladandalassthatwereslightlyflirtingwerediscountenanced.
_Christie._\"’Apundo’thatsamemairchant’sfleshisthine!thecoortawardsit,andthelawdoesgiveit.’\"
_AyoungFishwife._\"There,Ithouchtsae;he’sgauntocuthim,he’sgauntocuthim;I’llnocanbide.\"_(Exibat.)_
_Christie._\"There’safulishgoloshen.’Havebyadoctortostoptheblood.’——’Iseenaedoctorintheboend,’saystheJewbody.\"
_Flucker._\"Baityourhookwi’aboend,andyeshallcatchyoncarle’ssaul,Satin,mylad.\"
_Christie(withdismalpathos)._\"Oh,Flucker,dinnaspeakevilo’
deegneties——that’smaybefishingforyoursel’thenoo!———’An’yeshallcutthefleshfraeoffhisbreest.’——’Asentence,’saysShylock,’come,prepare.’\"
Christiemadeadash_enShylock,_andthecompanytrembled.
_Christie._\"’Bideawee,’saysthejudge,’thisboendgiesyenaadrapo’bluid;thewordsexpresslyare,apundo’flesh!’\"
_(ADramaticPause.)_
_JeanCarnie(drawingherbreath)._\"That’sintoyourmutton,Shylock\"
_Christie(withdismalpathos)._\"Oh,Jean!yon’sanawfu’voolgarexprassiontocomefra’awoman’smooth.\"
\"Couldyenohaesaid,’intilhisbacon’?\"saidLizzieJohnstone,confirmingtheremonstrance.
_Christie._\"’Thentakyourboend,an’yourpundo’flesh,butincuttingo’’t,ifthoudostshedonedropofChristianbluid,thoudiest!’\"
_JeanCarnie._\"Hech!\"
_Christie._\"’ThygoodsarebythelawsVeneececon—fis—cate,confiscate!’\"
Then,likeanartfulnarrator,shebegantowindupthestorymorerapidly.
\"SaeShylockgottobenosaesaucy.’Paytheboendthrice,’sayshe,’andletthepuirdeevilgo.’——’Hereit’s,’saysBassanio.——Na!theyoungjudgewadnalethim.——’Hehasrefuseditinopencoort;noabawbeeforShylockbutjusttheforfeiture;an’hedaurnatakit.’——’I’mawa’,’
sayshe.’Thedeiviltakyea’.’——Na!hewasnatowinclearsae;ancethey’dgottentheJewonthehep,theyworriedhim,likegoodChristians,that’safact.Thejudgefandalawthatfittedhim,forconspiringagainstthelifeofacitizen;an’hebehoovedtogiveuphoosean’
lands,andbeaChristian;yonwasasoordrap——hetarnednoweel,puirauldvillain,an’scairtit;an’thelawyerssentaneo’theirwearyparchmentstillhishoose,andthepuirauldheathensignedawa’hissiller,an’Abraham,an’Isaac,an’Jacob,ontheheedo’’t.Ipityhim,anauld,auldman;andhisdochterhadrinoffwi’aChristianlad——theyca’herJessica,anddidn’tshestealhisverydiamondringthathisainlassgiedhimwhenhewasyoung,an’maybenosaehard—hairted?\"
_JeanCarnie._\"Oh,thejaud!supposehewasaJew,itwasnaherbusinesstocleanhimoot.\"
_AyoungFishwife._\"Aweel,itwasonlyaJewbody,that’smycomfort.\"
_Christie._\"YespeakasaJewwasnaaman;hasnotaJeweyes,ifyeplease?\"
_LizzyJohnstone._\"Ay,hashe!——andtheawfuestlangnebatween’em.\"
_Christie._\"HasnotaJewaffections,paassions,organs?\"
_Jean._\"Na!Christie;thirladscomesfr’Italy!\"
_Christie._\"Ifyouprickhim,doeshenotbleed?ifyouticklehim,doesnahelauch?\"
_AyoungFishwife(pertly)._\"IneverkittletaJew,formypairt——saeI’llnocantellye.\"
_Christie._\"Ifyoupoisonhim,doeshenotdie?andifyouwranghim\"
(withfury)\"shallhenotrevenge?\"
_LizzieJohnstone._\"Oh!butye’reafearsomelass.\"
_Christie._\"Wha’llgivemeasangformybonnyyarn?\"
LordIpsden,whohadbeenanunobservedauditorofthelatterpartofthetale,hereinquiredwhethershehadbroughtherbook.
\"What’nbuik?\"
\"Yourmusic—book!\"
\"Here’smymusic—book,\"saidJean,roughlytappingherhead.
\"Andhere’smines,\"saidChristie,birdly,touchingherbosom.
\"Richard,\"saidshe,thoughtfully,\"Iwishyemaynohaebeengettinginvoolgarcompany.Divyethinkwehaemindslikerinningwater?\"
_Flucker(avecmalice)._\"Andtongueslikethemill—clackabuneit?
Becauseifyethinksae,captain——ye’renofarwrang!\"
_Christie._\"Na!wehaenamucklegowdmaybe;butourmindsaregowdenvessels.\"
_Jean._\"Aha!lad.\"
_Christie._\"Theyarenotsaxpennysieves,toletmusican’meterthrough,andleaveusnonethewiserorbetter.Dinnaganginlowvoolgarcompany,oryoualostladdy.\"
_Ipsden._\"Vulgar,again!everybodyhasadifferentsenseforthatword,Ithink.Whatisvulgar?\"
_Christie._\"Voolgarfolksitonanchair,ane,twa,whilesthreehours,eatin’an’abunedrinkin’,asstillashoegs,orgruntin’puirevery—dayclashes,goessip,rubbich;whenyeareasidethem,yemightasweelbeasideacuddy;theycannagieyeasang,theycannagieyeastory,theycannathinkyeathoucht,tosavetheiruselesslives;that’svoolgarfolk.\"
Shesings.\"Acaallerherrin’!\"
_Jean._\"Acaallerherrin’!\"
_Omnes._
\"Comebuymybonnycaallerherrin’,Sixapennycaallerfromthesea,\"
etc.
Themusicchimedin,andthemomentthesongwasdone,withoutpause,oranythingtoseparateorchillthesuccessionofthearts,thefiddlesdivergedwithagallantplungeinto\"TheDustyMiller.\"Thedancersfoundtheirfeetbyaninstinctasrapid,andarattlingreelshookthefloorlikethunder.JeanCarnieassumedtheprivilegeofabride,andseizedhislordship;Christie,whohadamindtodancewithhimtoo,tookFluckercaptive,andthesefourwereonereel!Thereweresevenothers.
Theprincipleofreeldancingisarticulation;thefootstrikesthegroundforevery_accented_note(and,bytheby,itistheirweaknessofaccentwhichmakesallEnglishreelandhornpipeplayerssuchfailures).
Andinthebeststepsofall,whichithasincommonwiththehornpipe,suchasthequick\"heelandtoe,\"\"thesailor’sfling,\"andthe\"doubleshuffle,\"thefootstrikesthegroundforevery_single_noteoftheinstrument.
Allgooddancingisbeautiful.
Butthisarticulatedancing,comparedwiththeloose,lawlessdiffluenceofmotionthatgoesbythatname,givesme(Imustconfessit)asmuchmorepleasureasarticulatesingingissuperiortotunesplayedonthevoicebyayounglady:
Orthecleanplayingofmymothertothepiano—fortesplashingofmydaughter;thoughthelatterdoesattacktheinstrumentasawasherwomanhersoapsuds,andtheformerworkslikealady.
Orskatingtosliding:
OrEnglishversetodactylsinEnglish:
Orpaintingtodaubing:
Orpreservedstrawberriestostrawberryjam.
WhatsaysGoldsmithofthetwostyles?\"Theyswam,sprawled,frisked,andlanguished;butOlivia’sfootwasaspattothemusicasitsecho.\"——_VicarofWakefield._
Newhavendancingaimsalsoatfun;laughtermingleswithagility;
grotesqueyetgracefulgesturesareflungin,andlittleinspiringcriesflungout.
Hislordshipsoonenteredintothespiritofit.Deepinthemysteryofthehornpipe,hedancedoneortwostepsJeanandChristiehadneverseen,buttheireyeswereinstantlyonhisfeet,andtheycaughtinaminuteandexecutedthesesamesteps.
ToseeChristieJohnstonedothedouble—shufflewithherarmssosaucilyakimbo,andherquickelasticfootatanangleofforty—five,wasatreat.
Thedancebecameinspiriting,inspiring,intoxicating;and,whenthefiddlesatlastleftoff,thefeetwentonanothersevenbarsbytheenthusiasticimpulse.
Andso,alternatelyspinningyarns,singingsongs,dancing,andmakingfun,andminglingsomethingofheartandbraininall,thesebenightedcreaturesmadethemselveshappyinsteadofpeevish,andwithadayofstout,vigorous,healthypleasure,refreshed,indemnified,andwarmedthemselvesformanyadayoftoil.
SuchwerethetwopicnicsofInchCoombe,andtheserivalcliques,agreeinginnothingelse,wouldhaveagreedinthis:each,ifallowed(butwewon’talloweither)tojudgetheother,wouldhavepronouncedthesameverdict:
_\"Ilsnesaventpasvivrecesgens—l’a.\"_
CHAPTERXI.
TwoofourpersonagesleftInchCoombelesshappythanwhentheycametoit.
LordIpsdenencounteredLadyBarbarawithMr.————,whohadjoinedherupontheisland.
Hefoundthemdiscoursing,asusual,abouttheshamsofthepresentday,andthesincerityofCromwellandMahomet,andhefoundhimself_detrop._
Theymadehim,forthefirsttime,regretthelossofthoseearnesttimeswhen,\"toavoidtheinconvenienceofbothaddressingthesamelady,\"youcouldcutarival’sthroatatonce,andbesmiledonbythefairandsociety.
Thatabook—makershouldblasphemehighcivilization,bywhichaloneheexists,andoneofwhosediseasesandflyingpainsheis,neithersurprisednormovedhim;butthatanyhumanbeing’sactionsshouldbeaffectedbysuchtempestuoustwaddlewasridiculous.
AndthatthewittyLadyBarbarashouldbecaughtbythischaffwasintolerable;hebegantofeelbitter.
Hehadtheblessingsofthepoor,thegoodopinionoftheworld;everylivingcreaturewasprepossessedinhisfavorbutone,andthatonedespisedhim;itwasadiabolicalprejudice;itwasthespitefulcapriceofhisfate.
Hisheart,foramoment,wasindangerofdeteriorating.Hewasmiserable;theDevilsuggestedtohim,\"makeothersmiserabletoo;\"andhelistenedtotheadvice.
Therewasafinebreeze,butinsteadofsailingonawind,ashemighthavedone,hemadeaseriesoftacks,andallwereill.
Theearnestmanfirst;andFluckerannouncedtheskipper’sinsanitytothewholetownofNewhaven,for,ofcourse,thesetackswereallmarinesolecisms.
TheotherdiscontentedPicnicianwasChristieJohnstone.Gattynevercame;andthis,coupledwithfiveorsixdays’previousneglect,couldnolongerpassunnoticed.
Hergayetyfailedherbeforetheafternoonwasended;andthelasttwohourswerespentbyheralone,watchingthewateronallsidesforhim.
Atlast,longafterthedepartureofhislordship’syacht,theNewhavenboatsailedfromInchCoombewiththeweddingparty.Therewasnowastrongbreeze,andthewatereverynowandthencameonboard.Sothemensettheforesailwithtworeefs,anddrewthemainsailoverthewomen;
andthere,astheyhuddledtogetherinthedark,JeanCarniediscoveredthatourgaystory—teller’seyeswerewetwithtears.
Jeansaidnothing;sheembracedher;andmadethemflowfaster.
But,whentheycamealongsidethepier,Jean,whowasthefirsttogetherheadfromunderthesail,whippeditbackagainandsaidtoChristie:
\"Hereheis,Christie;dinnaspeaktillhim.\"
Andsureenoughtherewas,inthetwilight,withapalefaceandanuneasylook——Mr.CharlesGatty!
Hepeeredtimidlyintotheboat,and,whenhesawChristie,an\"Ah!\"thatseemedtomeantwentydifferentthingsatonce,burstfromhisbosom.Heheldouthisarmtoassisther.
Shecastonhimoneglanceofmutereproach,and,placingherfootontheboat’sgunwale,spranglikeanantelopeuponthepier,withoutacceptinghisassistance.
Beforegoingfurther,wemustgobackforthisboy,andconducthimfromwherewelefthimuptothepresentpoint.
ThemomenthefoundhimselfalonewithJeanCarnie,inhisownhouse,hebegantotellherwhattroublehewasin;howhismotherhadconvincedhimofhisimprudenceinfallinginlovewithChristieJohnstone;andhowsheinsistedonaconnectionbeingbrokenoffwhichhadgivenhimhisfirstglimpseofheavenuponearth,andwascontrarytocommonsense.
Jeanheardhimout,andthen,withtheairofalunatic—asylumkeepertoarhodomontadingpatient,toldhim\"hewasonefool,andhismotherwasanother.\"Firstshetookhimuponthescoreofprudence.
\"You,\"saidshe,\"areabeggarlypainter,withoutarap;Christiehashouses,boats,nets,andmoney;youareindebt;shelaysbymoneyeveryweek.Itisnotprudentonherparttotakeupwithyou——thebetteryourbargain,mylad.\"
Undertheheadofcommonsense,whichshemaintainedwasallonthesamesideofthequestion,shecalmlyinquired:
\"Howcouldanoldwomanofsixtybecompetenttojudgehowfarhumanhappinessdependsonlove,whenshehasnoexperienceofthatpassion,andthereminiscencesofheryouthhavebecomedimanddark?Youmightaswellsetajudgeincourt,thathasforgottenthelaw——commonsense,\"
saidshe,\"theoldwifeissixty,andyouaretwenty——whatcanshedoforyouthefortyyearsyoumayreckontooutliveher?Whoistokeepyouthroughthosewearyyearsbutthewifeofyourownchoice,notyourmother’s?YouEnglishdoesnareadtheBible,orye’dkenthataladisto’leavehisfatherandmother,andcleaveuntilhiswife,’\"addedshe;
thenwithgreatcontemptsherepeated,\"commonsense,indeed!ye’refouwi’yourcommonsense;yehaethenameo’’tpateneuch——butthere’snamuckleo’thatmairchandiseinyourharns.\"
Gattywasastonished.What!wastherereallycommonsenseonthesideofbliss?andwhenJeantoldhimtojoinherpartyatInchCoombe,orneverlookherinthefaceagain,scalesseemedtofallfromhiseyes;and,withaheartthatturnedinamomentfromleadtoafeather,hevowedhewouldbeatInchCoombe.
HethenbeggedJeanonnoaccounttotellChristiethestrugglehehadbeensubjectedto,sincehisscrupleswerenowentirelyconquered.
Jeanacquiescedatonce,andsaid:\"Indeed,shewouldbeverysorrytogivethelassthatmucklepain.\"
Shehinted,moreover,thatherneebor’sspiritwassohigh,shewasquitecapableofbreakingwithhimatonceuponsuchanintimation;andshe,Jean,was\"naemischief—maker.\"
Intheenergyofhisgratitude,hekissedthisdark—browedbeauty,professingtoseeinherasister.
Andshemadenoresistancetothiswayofshowinggratitude,butmutteredbetweenherteeth,\"He’sjustabairn!\"
Andsoshewentaboutherbusiness.
Onherretreat,hismotherreturnedtohim,and,withasadair,hopednothingthatthatrudegirlhadsaidhadweakenedhisfilialduty.
\"No,mother,\"saidhe.
Shethen,withoutexplaininghowshecameacquaintedwithJean’sarguments,proceededtodemolishthemonebyone.
\"Ifyourmotherisoldandexperienced,\"saidshe,\"benefitbyherageandexperience.Shehasnotforgottenlove,northeillsitleadsto,whennotfortifiedbyprudence.Scripturesaysamanshallcleavetohiswifewhenhehaslefthisparents;butinmakingthat,themostimportantstepoflife,wheredoyoureadthatheistobreakthefifthcommandment?ButIdoyouwrong,Charles,younevercouldhavelistenedtothatvulgargirlwhenshetoldyouyourmotherwasnotyourbestfriend.\"
\"N——no,mother,ofcoursenot.\"
\"Thenyouwillnotgotothatplacetobreakmyheart,andundoallyouhavedonethisweek.\"
\"Ishouldliketogo,mother.\"
\"Youwillbreakmyheartifyoudo.\"
\"Christiewillfeelherselfslighted,andshehasnotdeservedthistreatmentfromme.\"
\"Theotherwillexplaintoher,andifsheisasgoodagirlasyousay——\"
\"Sheisanangel!\"
\"Howcanafishwifebeanangel?Well,then,shewillnotsetasontodisobeyhismother.\"
\"Idon’tthinkshewould!butisallthegoodnesstobeonherside?\"
\"No,Charles,youdoyourpart;denyyourself,beanobedientchild,andyourmother’sblessingandtheblessingofHeavenwillrestuponyou.\"
Inshort,hewasnottogotoInchCoombe.
Hestayedathome,hismothersethimtowork;hemadeapoorhandofit,hewassowretched.Sheatlasttookcompassiononhim,andintheevening,whenitwasnowtoolateforasailtoInchCoombe,sheherselfrecommendedawalktohim.
Thepoorboy’sfeettookhimtowardNewhaven,notthathemeanttogotohislove,buthecouldnotforbearfromlookingattheplacewhichheldher.
Hewasabouttoreturn,whenaspaciousbluejackethailedhim.SomewhereinsidethisjacketwasMasterFlucker,whohadreturnedintheyacht,leavinghissisterontheisland.
Gattyinstantlypouredoutafloodofquestions.
Thebaddishboyreciprocatedfluency.Heinformedhim\"thathissisterhadbeenthestarofagoodlycompany,andthat,herownladhavingstayedaway,shehadcondescendedtomakeaconquestoftheskipperhimself.
\"Hehadcomeinquiteatthetag—endofoneofherstories,butithadbeensufficienttodohisbusiness——hehaddancedwithher,hadevenwhistledwhileshesung.(Hech,itwasbonny!)
\"Andwhenthecuttersailed,he,Flucker,hadseenherperchedonarock,likeamermaid,watchingtheirprogress,whichhadbeenslow,becausetheskipper,infatuatedwithsosuddenapassion,hadmadeaseriesofungrammaticaltacks.\"
\"Forhisparthewasglad,\"saidthegraciousFlucker;\"thelasswasapridefulhussy,thathadgivensometwentyladsasoreheartandhimmanyasoreback;andhehopedhisskipper,withwhomhenaturallyidentifiedhimselfratherthanwithhissister,wouldavengethemalesexuponher.\"
Inshort,hewentuponthistacktillhedrovepoorGattynearlymad.
Herewasanewfeelingsuperadded;atfirsthefeltinjured,butonreflectionwhatcauseofcomplainthadhe?
Hehadneglectedher;hemighthavebeenherpartner——hehadlefthertofindonewhereshecould.
Fool,tosupposethatsobeautifulacreaturewouldeverbeneglected——exceptbyhim!
Itwasmorethanhecouldbear.
Hedeterminedtoseeher,toaskherforgiveness,totellhereverything,tobeghertodecide,and,forhispart,hewouldabidebyherdecision.
ChristieJohnstone,aswehavealreadyrelated,declinedhisarm,spranglikeadeeruponthepier,andwalkedtowardherhome,aquarterofamiledistant.
Gattyfollowedher,disconsolately,hardlyknowingwhattodo.
Atlast,observingthatshedrewnearenoughtothewalltoallowroomforanotheronthecauseway,hehadjustnousenoughtocreepalongsideandpullhersleevesomewhattimidly.
\"Christie,Iwanttospeaktoyou:\"
\"Whatcanyehaetosaytillme?\"
\"Christie,Iamveryunhappy;andIwanttotellyouwhy,butIhavehardlythestrengthorthecourage.\"
\"Yeshallcomebenmyhooseifyeareunhappy,andwe’llhearyourstory;
comeaway.
Hehadneverbeenadmittedintoherhousebefore.
Theyfounditcleanasasnowdrift.
Theyfoundabrightfire,andFluckerfryinginnumerablesteaks.
Thebaddishboyhadobtainedtheminhissister’snameandatherexpense,attheflesher’s,andclaimedcreditforhisaffection.
Potatoeshehadboiledintheirjackets,andsoskillfully,thatthosejacketshungbyathread.
Christielaidanunbleachedtable—cloth,thatsomehowlookedsweeterthanawhiteone,asbrownbreadissweeterthanwhite.
Butlo!Gattycouldnoteat;sothenChristiewouldnot,becauseherefusedhercheer.
Thebaddishboychuckled,andaddressedhimselftothenicebrownsteakswiththeirrichgravy.
OnsuchoccasionsasoloontheknifeandforkseemedbetterthanatriotothegraciousFlucker.
Christiemovedabouttheroom,doinglittlehouseholdmatters;Gatty’seyefollowedher.
Herbeautylostnothinginthissmallapartment;shewashere,likeabrilliantinsomequaint,roughsetting,whichallearth’sjewelersshoulddespise,andallitspoetsadmire,anditshouldshowoffthestoneandnotitself.
Herbeautyfilledtheroom,andalmostmadethespectatorsill.
Gattyaskedhimselfwhetherhecouldreallyhavebeensuchafoolastothinkofgivingupsopeerlessacreature.
Suddenlyanideaoccurredtohim,abrightone,andnotinconsistentwithatrueartist’scharacter——hewoulddeclinetoactinsodoubtfulacase.
Hewouldfloatpassivelydownthetideofevents——hewouldneitherdeserther,nordisobeyhismother;hewouldtakeeverythingasitcame,andtobegin,ashewasthere,hewouldforthepresentsaynothingbutwhathefelt,andwhathefeltwasthathelovedher.
Hetoldhersoaccordingly.
Shereplied,concealinghersatisfaction,\"that,ifhelikedher,hewouldnothaverefusedtoeatwhensheaskedhim.\"
Butourhero’sappetitehadreturnedwithhischangeofpurpose,andheinstantlyvolunteeredtogivetherequiredproofofaffection.
Accordinglytwopoundofsteaksfellbeforehim.Poorboy,hehadhardlyeatenagenuinemealforaweekpast.
Christiesatoppositehim,andeverytimehelookedoffhisplatehesawherrichblueeyesdwellingonhim.
Everythingcontributedtowarmhisheart,heyieldedtothespell,hebecamecontented,happy,gay.
Fluckerginger—cordialedhim,hissisterbewitchedhim.
Sherelatedtheday’seventsinamerrymood.
Mr.Gattyburstforthintosinging.
Hesungtwolightandsombertrifles,suchasinthepresentdayaredeemedgenerallyencouragingtospirits,andparticularlyinaccordancewiththesentimentofsupper——theywereaboutDeathandIvyGreen.
Thedog’svoicewasnotverypowerful,butsweetandroundashoneydroppingfromthecomb.
Histwohearerswereentranced,forthecreaturesangwithaninspirationgoodsingersdarenotindulge.
HeconcludedbyinformingChristiethattheivywassymbolicalofher,andtheoakprefiguredCharlesGatty,Esq.
Hemighthaveinvertedthesimilewithmoretruth.
Inshort,heneversaidawordtoChristieaboutpartingwithher,butseveralaboutbeingburiedinthesamegravewithher,sixtyyearshence,forwhichthespotheselectedwasWestminsterAbbey.
Andawayhewent,leavinggoldenopinionsbehindhim.
ThenextdayChristiewassoaffectedwithhisconduct,comingasitdidafteranapparentcoolness,thatsheconqueredherbashfulnessandcalledonthe\"vilecount,\"andwithsomeblushesandhesitationinquired,\"Whetherapainterladwasafitsubjectofcharity.\"
\"Whynot?\"saidhislordship.
ShetoldhimGatty’scase,andheinstantlypromisedtoseethatartist’spictures,particularlyan\"awfu’bonnyane;\"theheroofwhichshedescribedasanEnglishministerblessingthebairnswithonehand,andgivingorderstokillthepuirScoetchwiththeother.
\"C’este’gal,\"saidChristieinScotch,\"it’sawfu’bonny.\"
Gattyreachedhomelate;hismotherhadretiredtorest.
Butthenextmorningshedrewfromhimwhathadhappened,andthenensuedanotherofthosedialogueswhichIamashamedagaintogivethereader.
Sufficeittosay,thatsheoncemoreprevailed,thoughwithfargreaterdifficulty;timewastobegivenhimtounsewaconnectionwhichhecouldnotcutasunder,andhe,withtearfuleyesandaheavyheart,agreedtotakesomesteptheveryfirstopportunity.
Thisconcessionwashardlyoutofhismouth,erehismothermadehimkneeldownandbestowedherblessinguponhim.
Hereceiveditcoldlyanddully,andexpressedalanguidhopeitmightproveacharmtosavehimfromdespair;andsad,bitter,anddejected,forcedhimselftositdownandworkonthepicturethatwastomeethisunrelentingcreditor’sdemand.
Hewasworkingonhispicture,andhismother,withherneedle,atthetable,whenaknockwasheard,andgayasalark,andfreshasthedewontheshamrock,ChristieJohnstonestoodinpersonintheapartment.
Shewasevidentlythebearerofgoodtidings;but,beforeshecouldexpressthem,Mrs.Gattybeckonedhersonaside,andannouncing,\"sheshouldbewithinhearing,\"badehimtaketheoccasionthatsohappilypresenteditself,andmakethefirststep.
Atanothertime,Christie,whohadlearnedfromJeanthearrivalofMrs.
Gatty,wouldhavebeenstruckwiththeoldlady’ssilence;butshecametotellthedepressedpainterthatthecharitableviscountwasabouttovisithimandhispicture;andshewassofullofthegoodfortunelikelytoensue,thatshewasneglectfulofminorconsiderations.
Itsohappened,however,thatcertaininterruptionspreventedherfromeverdeliveringherselfofthenewsinquestion.
First,Gattyhimselfcametoher,and,castinguneasyglancesatthedoorbywhichhismotherhadjustgoneout,said:
\"Christie!\"
\"Mylad!\"
\"Iwanttopaintyourlikeness.\"
Thiswasfora_souvenir,_poorfellow!
\"Hech!Iwadlikefinetobepainted.\"
\"Itmustbeexactlythesamesizeasyourself,andsolikeyou,that,shouldwebeparted,Imayseemnottobequitealoneintheworld.\"
Herehewasobligedtoturnhisheadaway.
\"Butwe’llnopairt,\"repliedChristie,cheerfully.\"Supposeye’repuir,I’mrich,andit’sa’one;dinnabesocastdownforauchtypund.\"
Atthis,aslipshodservantentered,andsaid:\"There’safisherlad,inquiringforChristieJohnstone.\"
\"ItwillbeFlucker,\"saidChristie;\"showhimben.What’swrangthenooIwonder!\"
Thebaddishboyentered,tookupapositionandremainedapparentlypassive,handsinpockets.
_Christie._\"Aweel,whatest?\"
_Flucker._\"Custy.\"
_Christie._\"What’syourwill,mymanny?\"
_Flucker._\"Custy,IwasatInchKeiththeday.\"
_Christie._\"AndhaeyereallycometoEdinbro’totellmethaat?\"
_Flucker(dryly)._\"Oh!yekenthelassesareahantlewiserthanweare——willyehearme?SouthInchKeith,Iplayedabowli’thewater,justfordivairsion——andIcatchedtwarreefish!\"
_Christie._\"Floonders,Ibet.\"
_Flucker._\"Doesfloondersswimhigh?I’llletyouseehisgills,andifyeareareichtfishwifeye’llsmellbluid.\"
Hereheopenedhisjacket,andshowedabrightlittlefish.
InamomentallChristie’snonchalancegavewaytoafieryanimation.ShedartedtoFlucker’sside.
\"Yehaenabeensaedaftastell?\"askedshe.
Fluckershookhisheadcontemptuously.
\"Onybirdsattheisland,Flucker?\"
\"Sea—maws,plenty,andabirdIdinnaken;hemoontedsaehigh,thendoonlikethunderintilthesea,andgartthewaterfleeashighasHaman,andporpoisesasbigasmyboat.\"
\"Porr—poises,fulishladdy——yehaeseentheherrinwhaleathiswark,andthesolantguseyehaeseenheratwark;andbeneaththesea,Flucker,everycoedflshanddoegfish,andfishthathasteeth,isafterthem;andhalfScotlandwadbeatInchKeithIslandiftheykennedwhatyehaetell’tme——dinnaspeaktome.\"
Duringthis,Gatty,whodidnotcomprehendthissuddenexcitement,orthoughtitchildish,hadtriedinvaintowinherattention.
Atlasthesaid,alittlepeevishly,\"Willyounotattendtome,andtellmeatleastwhenyouwillsittome?\"
Set!\"criedshe.\"Whenthere’snaewarktobedonestanning.\"
Andwiththisshewasgone.
Atthefootofthestairs,shesaidtoherbrother:
\"Puirlad!I’llsunedrawauchtypundsfra’theseaforhim,withmyfeyther’snets.\"
Asshedisappeared,Mrs.Gattyappeared.\"Andthisisthewomanwhosemindwasnotinherdirtybusiness,\"criedshe.\"Doesnotthatopenyoureyes,Charles?\"
\"Ah!Charles,\"addedshe,tenderly,\"there’snofriendlikeamother.\"
Andoffshecarriedtheprize——hisvanityhadbeenmortified.
AndsothathappenedtoChristieJohnstonewhichhasbefallenmanyawoman——thegreatnessofherlovemadethatloveappearsmalltoherlover.
\"Ah!mother,\"criedhe,\"Imustliveforyouandmyart;IamnotsodeartoherasIthought.\"
Andso,withasadheart,heturnedawayfromher;whileshe,withalightheart,dartedawaytothinkandactforhim.
CHAPTERXII.
ITwassometwohoursafterthisthatagentleman,plainlydressed,butwhoseclothesseemedapartofhimself(whereasmineIhaveobservedhanguponme;andtheRev.JosiahSplitall’ssticktohim)——glidedintothepainter’sroom,withaninquirywhetherhehadnotapictureortwodisposable.
\"Ihaveonefinishedpicture,sir,\"saidthepoorboy;\"butthepriceishigh!\"
Hebroughtit,inafaint—heartedway;forhehadshownittofivepicture—dealers,andallfiveagreeditwashard.
Hehadpaintedalime—tree,distantfiftyyards,andsopainteditthatitlookedsomethinglikealime—treefiftyyardsoff.
\"Thatwas_mesquin,\"_saidhisjudges;\"thepoetryofpaintingrequiredabstracttrees,atmetaphysicaldistance,notthevarioustreesofnature,astheyappearunderpositiveaccidents.\"
OnthisMr.Gattyhaddelugedthemwithwords.
\"Whenitisart,truth,orsensetofuseacow,ahorse,andacriticintooneundistinguishablequadruped,withsixlegs,thenitwillbearttomeltanash,anelm,andalime,thingsthatdiffermorethanquadrupeds,intowhatyoucallabstracttrees,thatanymanwhohasseenatree,aswellaslookedatone,wouldcalldrunkenstinging—nettles.
You,whoneverlookatnature,howcanyoujudgethearts,whichareallbutcopiesofnature?Attwohundredyards’distance,full—growntreesaremoredistinguishablethantheanimaltribe.Paintmeanabstracthumanbeing,neithermannorawoman,\"saidhe,\"andthenIwillagreetopaintatreethatshallbenotree;and,ifnomanwillbuyit,perhapsthefatheroflieswilltakeitoffmyhands,andhangitintheonlyplaceitwouldnotdisgrace.\"
Inshort,heneverleftofftillhehadcrushedthenon—buyerswitheloquenceandsatire;buthecouldnotcrushthemintobuyers——theybeathimatthepassiveretort.
PoorGatty,whenthemomentaryexcitementofargumenthadsubsided,drankthebittercupallmustdrinkawhile,whosebarkisaliveandstrongenoughtostemthecurrentdownwhichthedead,weakthingsoftheworldaredrifting,manyofthemintosafeharbors.
Andnowhebroughtouthispicturewithaheavyheart.
\"Now,\"saidhetohimself,\"thisgentlemanwilltalkmedead,andleavemenoricherincoin,andpoorerintimeandpatience.\"
Thepicturewasplacedinalight,thevisitorsatdownbeforeit.
Alongpauseensued.
\"Hashefainted?\"thoughtGatty,ironically;\"hedoesn’tgabble.\"
\"Ifyoudonotmindpaintingbeforeme,\"saidthevisitor,\"IshouldbegladifyouwouldcontinuewhileIlookintothispicture.\"
Gattypainted.
Thevisitorheldhistongue.
Atfirstthesilencemadetheartistuneasy,butbydegreesitbegantogivehimpleasure;whoeverthiswas,itwasnotoneofthefliesthathadhithertostunghim,northejackdawsthathadchatteredhimdead.
Glorioussilence!hebegantopaintunderitsinfluencelikeoneinspired.
Halfanhourpassedthus.
\"Whatisthepriceofthisworkofart?\"
\"Eightypounds.\"
\"Itakeit,\"saidhisvisitor,quietly.
What,nomoredifficultythanthat?Hefeltalmostdisappointedatgaininghisobjectsoeasily.
\"Iamobligedtoyou,sir;muchobligedtoyou,\"headded,forhereflectedwhateightypoundsweretohimjustthen.
\"Itismydescendantswhoareobligedtoyou,\"repliedthegentleman;
\"thepictureisimmortal!\"
Thesewordswereanepochinthepainter’slife.
Thegrave,silentinspectionthathadprecededthem,thecool,deliberate,masterlytoneinwhichtheyweresaid,madethemoraculartohim.
Wordsofsuchimporttookhimbysurprise.
Hehadthirstedforaveragepraiseinvain.
Ahandhadtakenhim,andplacedhimatthetopofthetree.
Heretiredabruptly,orhewouldhaveburstintotears.
Herantohismother.
\"Mother,\"saidhe,\"Iamapainter;Ialwaysthoughtsoatbottom,butI
supposeitistheheightofmyideasmakesmediscontentedwithmywork.\"
\"Whathashappened?’
\"Thereisacriticinmyroom.Ihadnoideatherewasacriticinthecreation,andthereisoneinmyroom.
\"Hasheboughtyourpicture,mypoorboy?\"saidMrs.Gatty,distrustfully.
Tohersurprisehereplied:
\"Yes!hehasgotit;onlyeightypoundsforanimmortalpicture.\"
Mrs.Gattywasoverjoyed,Gattywasalittlesad;but,reviving,heprofessedhimselfglad;thepicturewasgoingtoajudge.
\"Itisnotmuchmoney,\"saidhe,\"butthemanhasspokenwordsthataretenthousandpoundstome.\"
Hereturnedtotheroom;hisvisitor,hatinhand,wasabouttogo;afewwordswerespokenabouttheartofpainting,thisledtoaconversation,andthentoashortdiscussion.
ThenewcomersoonshowedMr.CharlesGattyhisignoranceoffacts.
Thismanhadsatquietlybeforeamultitudeofgreatpictures,newandold,inEngland.
HecooleddownCharlesGatty,Esq.,monopolistofnatureandtruth.
HequotedtohimthirtypaintersinGermany,whopainteverystrokeofalandscapeintheopenair,andfortyinvariousnationswhohaddoneitintimespast.
\"You,sir,\"hewenton,\"appeartohangontheskirtsofacertainclique,whohandlethebrushwell,butdrawill,andlookatnaturethroughthespectaclesofcertainignorantpainterswhospoiledcanvasfourhundredyearsago.
\"Gonofurtherinthatdirection.
\"Thoseboys,likeallquacks,haveonegreattruthwhichtheydisfigurewithmorethanonefalsehood.
\"Holdfasttheirtruth,whichisatruththeworldhasalwayspossessed,thoughitspracticehasbeenconfinedtothehonestandlaboriousfew.
\"Eschewtheirwantofmindandtaste.
\"Shrinkwithhorrorfromthatprofane_cultedelaideur,_that’loveofthelopsided,’theyhaverecoveredfromthefoulreceptaclesofdecayedart.\"
Heremindedhimfurther,that\"Artisnotimitation,butillusion;thataplumberandglazierofourdayandamedievalpainteraremorealikethananytworepresentativesofgeneralstylesthatcanbefound;andforthesamereason,namely,thatwitheachoftheseartisinitsinfancy;thesetwosetsofbunglershavenotlearnedhowtoproducetheillusionsofart.\"
Toallthisheaddedafewwordsofcomplimentonthemind,aswellasmechanicaldexterity,ofthepurchasedpicture,badehimgoodmorning,andglidedawaylikeapassingsunbeam.
\"Amother’sblessingisagreatthingtohave,andtodeserve,\"saidMrs.
Gatty,whohadrejoinedherson.
\"Itis,indeed,\"saidCharles.Hecouldnothelpbeingstruckbythecoincidence.
Hehadmadeasacrificetohismother,andinafewhoursoneofhistroubleshadmeltedaway.
InthemidstofthesereflectionsarrivedMr.Saunderswithanote.
Thenotecontainedacheckforonehundredandfiftypounds,withtheselines,inwhichthewriterexcusedhimselffortheamendment:\"Iamapaintermyself,\"saidhe,\"anditisimpossiblethateightypoundscanremuneratethetimeexpendedonthispicture,tosaynothingoftheskill.\"
Wehavetreatedthispoorboy’spicturehithertowithjustcontempt,butnowthatitisgoneintoafamouscollection,mind,wealwaysadmiredit;
wealwayssaidso,wetakeouroathwedid;ifwehavehithertodeferredframingit,thatwasmerelybecauseitwasnotsold.
MR.GATTY’SPICTURE,ATPRESENTINTHECOLLECTIONOFLORDIPSDEN!
Therewas,hundredsofyearsago,acertainBishopofDurham,whousedtofightinpersonagainsttheScotch,anddefeatthem.Whenhewasnotwithhisflock,thenorthernwolvessometimesscatteredit;butwhentheholyfatherwastherewithhisprayersandhisbattle—ax,Englandwontheday!
ThisnettledtheScottishking,sohepenetratedoneday,withalargeband,asfarasDurhamitself,andforashorttimeblockedtheprelateupinhisstronghold.ThiswastheperiodofMr.Gatty’spicture.
Whosetitlewas:
_\"HalfChurchofGod,halfToweragainsttheScot.\"_
Inthebackgroundwasthecathedral,onthetowersofwhichpacedtoandfromeninarmor,withthewesternsunglitteringthereon.Inthecenter,ahorseandcart,ledbyaboy,werecarryingasheafofarrows,tiedwithastrawband.Inpartoftheforegroundwastheprelate,inahalfsuitofarmor,butbareheaded;hewasturningawayfromtheboytowhomhissinkinghandhadindicatedhiswayintotheholycastle,andhisbenignantglancerestedonachild,whomitsmotherwasholdingupforhisbenediction.Intheforegroundtheafternoonbeamssprinkledgoldonalonggrassyslope,correspondingtotheelevationonwhichthecathedralstood,separatedbytheriverWearfromthegroup;andthesecalmbeautiesofNature,withthemotherandchild,werethepeacefulsideofthistwofoldstory.
Sucharethedrydetails.Butthesoulofitscharmnopencanflingonpaper.Forthestatelycathedralstoodandlived;thelittleleavesslumberedyetlived;andthestoryfloatedandlived,inthepotablegoldofsummerafternoon.
Tolookatthispaintedpoemwastofeelathrillofpleasureinbareexistence;itwentthroughtheeyes,wherepaintingsstop,andwarmedthedepthsandrecessesoftheheartwithitssunshineanditsgloriousair.
CHAPTERXIII.
\"WHATisinthewindthisdarknight?SixNewhavenboatsandtwentyboysandhobbledehoys,hiredbytheJohnstonesathalfacrowneachforanight’sjob.\"
\"Secretservice!\"
\"Whatisitfor?\"
\"Ithinkitisasmugglinglay,\"suggestedFlucker,\"butweshallknowallingoodtime.\"
\"Smuggling!\"Theircountenancesfell;theyhadhopedforsomethingmorenearlyapproachingtheillegal.
\"Maybeshehasfandtheherrin’,\"saidaten—year—old.
\"Haw!haw!haw!\"wenttheothers.\"Shefindtheherrin’,whenthere’sfivehundredfishermenafterthembaithsidestheFirrth.\"
Theyoungsterwasdiscomfited.
Infacttheexpeditionborenosignsoffishing.
Thesixboatssailedatsundown,ledbyFlucker.HebroughttoonthesouthsideofInchKeith,andnothinghappenedforaboutanhour.
ThensuchboysaswereawakesawtwogreateyesoflightcomingupfromGranton;rattlewentthechaincable,andLordIpsden’scutterswungatanchorinfourfathomwater.
AthousandquestionstoFlucker.
Asinglepuffoftobacco—smokewashisanswer.
AndnowcreptupasingleeyeoflightfromLeith;shecameamongtheboats;theboysrecognizedacrazyoldcutterfromLeithharbor,withChristieJohnstoneonboard.
\"Whatisthatbrownheaponherdeck?\"
\"Amountainofnets——fiftystoutherring—nets.\"
_Tuncmanifestafides._
Ayellburstfromalltheboys.
\"He’sgauntotakustoDunbar.\"
\"Halfacrown!ye’renoblate.\"
Christieorderedtheboatsalongsidehercutter,andfivenetsweredroppedintoeachboat,sixintoFlucker’s.
Thedepthofthewaterwasgiventhem,andtheywereinstructedtoshoottheirnetssoastokeepafathomandahalfabovetherockybottom.
Aherringnetissimplyawallofmeshestwelvefeetdeep,fiftyfeetlong;itsinkstoaverticalpositionbytheweightofnettwine,andiskeptfromsinkingtothebottomoftheseabybladdersorcorks.Thesenetsaretiedtooneanother,andpaidoutatthesternoftheboat.Boatandnetsdriftwiththetide;if,therefore,thenetstouchedtherockstheywouldbetorntopieces,andthefishermanruined.
Andthissavestheherring——thatfishlieshoursandhoursattheverybottomofthesealikeastone,andthepoorfishermanshalldrivewithhisnetsayardortwooverasquaremileoffish,andnotcatchaherringtail;ontheotherhand,iftheyrisetoplayforfiveminutes,inthatfiveminutestheyshallfillsevenhundredboats.
Atnineo’clockalltheboatshadshottheirnets,andChristiewentalongsidehislordship’scutter;heaskedhermanyquestionsaboutherringfishery,towhichshegaveclearanswers,derivedfromherfather,whohadalwaysbeenwhatthefishermencallaluckyfisherman;
thatis,hehadopenedhiseyesandjudgedforhimself.
LordIpsdenthengaveherbluelightstodistributeamongtheboats,thatthefirstwhichcaughtherringmightsignalallhands.
Thiswasdone,andallwasexpectation.Eleveno’clockcame——nosignalfromanyboat.
Christiebecameanxious.Atlastshewentroundtotheboats;foundtheboysallasleepexceptthebaddishboy;wakedthemup,andmadethemallhaulintheirfirstnet.Thenetscameinasblackasink,nosignofaherring.
Therewasbutoneopinion;therewasnoherringatInchKeith;theyhadnotbeentherethissevenyears.
Atlast,Flucker,towhomshecameinturn,toldherhewasgoingintotwofathomwater,wherehewouldletoutthebladdersanddropthenetsontheircursedbacks.
AstrongremonstrancewasmadebyChristie,butthebaddishboyinsistedthathehadanequalrightinallhernets,and,settinghissail,heranintoshoalwater.
Christiebegantobesorrowful;insteadofmakingmoney,shewasgoingtothrowitaway,andthene’er—do—weelFluckerwouldtearsixnetsfromtheropes.
Fluckerhauleddownhissail,andunsteppedhismastintwofathomwater;
buthewasnotsuchafoolastoriskhissixnets;hedevotedonetohisexperiment,anddiditwell;heletouthisbladderlineafathom,sothatonehalfhisnetwouldliterallybehiggledy—piggledywiththerocks,unlessthefishwerethere_enmasse._
Nolongtimewasrequired.
Infiveminuteshebegantohaulinthenet;first,theboyshauledintherope,andthenthenetbegantoapproachthesurface.Fluckerlookedanxiouslydown,theotherladsincredulously;suddenlytheyallgaveayelloftriumph——anappearanceofsilverandlightningmixedhadglancedupfromthebottom;incamethefirsttwoyardsofthenet——therewerethreeherringsinit.ThesethreeprovedFlucker’spointaswellasthreemillion.
Theyhauledinthenet.Beforetheyhadaquarterofitin,thenetcameuptothesurface,andtheseawasalivewithmoltensilver.Theupperhalfofthenetwasempty,butthelowerhalfwasonesolidmassoffish.
Theboyscouldnotfindamesh,theyhadnothingtohandlebutfish.
Atthismomenttheeasternmostboatshowedabluelight.
\"Thefisharerising,\"saidFlucker,\"we’llnarisknaemairnets.\"
Soonafterthisasortofsongwasheardfromtheboatthathadshowedalight.Flucker,whohadgothisnetin,randowntoher,andfound,ashesuspected,thattheboyshadnotpowertodrawtheweightoffishoverthegunwale.
Theyweresinging,assailorsdo,thattheymightallpulltogether;hegavethemtwoofhiscrew,andrandowntohisownskipper.
Thesaidskippergavehimfourmen.
Anotherbluelight!
Christieandhercrewcamealittlenearertheboats,andshottwelvenets.
Theyachtsmenenteredthesportwithzeal,sodidhislordship.
Theboatswereallfullinafewminutes,andnetsstillout.
ThenFluckerbegantofearsomeofthesenetswouldsinkwiththeweightoffish;fortheherringdieafterawhileinanet,andadeadherringsinks.
Whatwastobedone?
Theygottwoboatsalongsidethecutter,andunloadedthemintoheraswellastheycould;butbeforetheycouldhalfdothistheotherboatshailedthem.
Theycametooneofthem;theboyswerestrugglingwithathingwhichnostrangerwouldhavedreamedwasanet.
Imagineawhitesheet,fiftyfeetlong,varnishedwithred—hotsilver.
Thereweretwentybarrelsinthissinglenet.Bydintoffreshhandstheygothalfofherin,andthenthemeshesbegantobreak;themenleanedoverthegunwale,andputtheirarmsroundblocksandmassesoffish,andsoflungthemonboard;andthecodfishanddogfishsnappedthemalmostoutofthemen’shandsliketigers.
Atlasttheycametoanetwhichwasadoublewallofherring;ithadbeensometimeinthewater,andmanyofthefishweredead;theytriedtheirbest,butitwasimpracticable;theylaidholdofthesolidherring,andwhentheyliftedupahundred—weightclearofthewater,awayitalltore,andsankbackagain.
Theywereobligedtocutawaythisnet,withtwentypoundssterlinginher.Theycutawaythetwinefromthehead—ropes,andnetandfishwenttothebottom.
Allhandswerenowaboutthecutter;Christie’snetswereallstrongandnew;theyhadbeensometimeinthewater;inhaulingthemupherside,quantitiesoffishfelloutofthenetintothewater,buttherewereenoughleft.
Sheaveragedtwelvebarrelsanet.
Suchoftheyawlsaswerenotquitefullcreptbetweenthecutterandthenets,andcaughtalltheywanted.
Theprojectorofthisfortunatespeculationsuddenlyannouncedthatshewasverysleepy.
Fluckerrolledherupinasail,andshesleptthesleepofinfancyonboardhercutter.
Whensheawokeitwasseveno’clockinthemorning,andhercutterwascreepingwithasmartbreezeabouttwomilesanhour,amilefromNewhavenpier.
TheyachthadreturnedtoGranton,andtheyawls,verylowinthewater,werecreepingalonglikesnails,withbothsailsset.
ThenewswasinEdinburghlongbeforetheylanded.TheyhadbeendiscernedunderInchKeithatthedawn.
Andthemanneroftheircreepingalong,whentherewassuchabreeze,toldthetaleatoncetothekeen,experiencedeyesthataresuretobescanningthesea.
Donkey—cartscamerattlingdownfromthecapital.
MerchantscamepeltingdowntoNewhavenpier.