WilsonwaschattingwithhimwhenRoxyarrived。Heaskedherhowshecouldbeartogooffchambermaidingandleaveherboys;andchaffinglyofferedtocopyoffaseriesoftheirfingerprints,reachinguptotheirtwelfthyear,forhertorememberthemby;butshesoberedinamoment,wonderingifhesuspectedanything;thenshesaidshebelievedshedidn’twantthem。Wilsonsaidtohimself,\"Thedropofblackbloodinherissuperstitious;shethinksthere’ssomedevilry,somewitchbusinessaboutmyglassmysterysomewhere;sheusedtocomeherewithanoldhorseshoeinherhand;itcouldhavebeenanaccident,butIdoubtit。\"
CHAPTER5
TheTwinsThrillDawson’sLandingTrainingiseverything。Thepeachwasonceabitteralmond;
cauliflowerisnothingbutcabbagewithacollegeeducation。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarRemarkofDr。Baldwin’s,concerningupstarts:Wedon’tcaretoeattoadstoolsthatthinktheyaretruffles。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarMrs。YorkDriscollenjoyedtwoyearsofblisswiththatprize,Tom——blissthatwastroubledalittleattimes,itistrue,butblissnevertheless;thenshedied,andherhusbandandhischildlesssister,Mrs。Pratt,continuedthisbliss—businessattheoldstand。Tomwaspettedandindulgedandspoiledtohisentirecontent——ornearlythat。Thiswentontillhewasnineteen,thenhewassenttoYale。Hewenthandsomelyequippedwith\"conditions,\"
butotherwisehewasnotanobjectofdistinctionthere。
HeremainedatYaletwoyears,andthenthrewupthestruggle。
Hecamehomewithhismannersagooddealimproved;hehadlosthissurlinessandbrusqueness,andwasratherpleasantlysoftandsmooth,now;
hewasfurtively,andsometimesopenly,ironicalofspeech,andgiventogentlytouchingpeopleontheraw,buthediditwithagood—naturedsemiconsciousairthatcarrieditoffsafely,andkepthimfromgettingintotrouble。Hewasasindolentaseverandshowednoverystrenuousdesiretohuntupanoccupation。Peoplearguedfromthisthathepreferredtobesupportedbyhisuncleuntilhisuncle’sshoesshouldbecomevacant。Hebroughtbackoneortwonewhabitswithhim,oneofwhichheratheropenlypracticed——tippling——butconcealedanother,whichwasgambling。Itwouldnotdotogamblewherehisunclecouldhearofit;heknewthatquitewell。
Tom’sEasternpolishwasnotpopularamongtheyoungpeople。
Theycouldhaveenduredit,perhaps,ifTomhadstoppedthere;
butheworegloves,andthattheycouldn’tstand,andwouldn’t;
sohewasmainlywithoutsociety。Hebroughthomewithhimasuitofclothesofsuchexquisitestyleandcutinfashion——
Easternfashion,cityfashion——thatitfilledeverybodywithanguishandwasregardedasapeculiarlywantonaffront。Heenjoyedthefeelingwhichhewasexciting,andparadedthetownsereneandhappyallday;buttheyoungfellowssetatailortoworkthatnight,andwhenTomstartedoutonhisparadenextmorning,hefoundtheolddeformedNegrobellringerstraddlingalonginhiswaketrickedoutinaflamboyantcurtain—calicoexaggerationofhisfinery,andimitatinghisfancyEasterngracesaswellashecould。
Tomsurrendered,andafterthatclothedhimselfinthelocalfashion。
Butthedullcountrytownwastiresometohim,sincehisacquaintanceshipwithlivelierregions,anditgrewdailymoreandmoreso。HebegantomakelittletripstoSt。Louisforrefreshment。
Therehefoundcompanionshiptosuithim,andpleasurestohistaste,alongwithmorefreedom,insomeparticulars,thanhecouldhaveathome。
So,duringthenexttwoyears,hisvisitstothecitygrewinfrequencyandhistarryingstheregrewsteadilylongerinduration。
Hewasgettingintodeepwaters。Hewastakingchances,privately,whichmightgethimintotroublesomeday——infact,_did_。
JudgeDriscollhadretiredfromthebenchandfromallbusinessactivitiesin1850,andhadnowbeencomfortablyidlethreeyears。
HewaspresidentoftheFreethinkers’Society,andPudd’nheadWilsonwastheothermember。Thesociety’sweeklydiscussionswerenowtheoldlawyer’smaininterestinlife。Pudd’nheadwasstilltoilinginobscurityatthebottomoftheladder,undertheblightofthatunluckyremarkwhichhehadletfalltwenty—threeyearsbeforeaboutthedog。
JudgeDriscollwashisfriend,andclaimedthathehadamindabovetheaverage,butthatwasregardedasoneofthejudge’swhims,anditfailedtomodifythepublicopinion。Orrather,thatwasoneofthereasonwhyitfailed,buttherewasanotherandbetterone。
Ifthejudgehadstoppedwithbareassertion,itwouldhavehadagooddealofeffect;buthemadethemistakeoftryingtoprovehisposition。
ForsomeyearsWilsonhadbeenprivatelyatworkonawhimsicalalmanac,forhisamusement——acalendar,withalittledabofostensiblephilosophy,usuallyinironicalform,appendedtoeachdate;andthejudgethoughtthatthesequipsandfanciesofWilson’swereneatlyturnedandcute;
sohecarriedahandfulofthemaroundoneday,andreadthemtosomeofthechiefcitizens。Butironywasnotforthosepeople;
theirmentalvisionwasnotfocusedforit。Theyreadthoseplayfultriflesinthesolidestterms,anddecidedwithouthesitancythatiftherehadeverbeenanydoubtthatDaveWilsonwasapudd’nhead——
whichtherehadn’t——thisrevelationremovedthatdoubtforgoodandall。
Thatisjustthewayinthisworld;anenemycanpartlyruinaman,butittakesagood—naturedinjudiciousfriendtocompletethethingandmakeitperfect。AfterthisthejudgefelttendererthanevertowardWilson,andsurerthaneverthathiscalendarhadmerit。
JudgeDriscollcouldbeafreethinkerandstillholdhisplaceinsocietybecausehewasthepersonofmostconsequencetothecommunity,andthereforecouldventuretogohisownwayandfollowouthisownnotions。Theothermemberofhispetorganizationwasallowedthelikelibertybecausehewasacipherintheestimationofthepublic,andnobodyattachedanyimportancetowhathethoughtordid。
Hewasliked,hewaswelcomeenoughallaround,buthesimplydidn’tcountforanything。
TheWidowCooper——affectionatelycalled\"AuntPatsy\"byeverybody——
livedinasnugandcomelycottagewithherdaughterRowena,whowasnineteen,romantic,amiable,andverypretty,butotherwiseofnoconsequence。Rowenahadacoupleofyoungbrothers——
alsoofnoconsequence。
Thewidowhadalargespareroom,whichshelettoalodger,withboard,whenshecouldfindone,butthisroomhadbeenemptyforayearnow,tohersorrow。Herincomewasonlysufficientforthefamilysupport,andsheneededthelodgingmoneyfortriflingluxuries。Butnow,atlast,onaflamingJuneday,shefoundherselfhappy;hertediouswaitwasended;
heryear—wornadvertisementhadbeenanswered;andnotbyavillageapplicant,no,no!——thisletterwasfromawayoffyonderinthedimgreatworldtotheNorth;itwasfromSt。Louis。ShesatonherporchgazingoutwithunseeingeyesupontheshiningreachesofthemightyMississippi,herthoughtssteepedinhergoodfortune。Indeeditwasspeciallygoodfortune,forshewastohavetwolodgersinsteadofone。
Shehadreadthelettertothefamily,andRowenahaddancedawaytoseetothecleaningandairingoftheroombytheslavewoman,Nancy,andtheboyshadrushedabroadinthetowntospreadthegreatnews,foritwasamatterofpublicinterest,andthepublicwouldwonderandnotbepleasedifnotinformed。PresentlyRowenareturned,allablushwithjoyousexcitement,andbeggedforarereadingoftheletter。
Itwasframedthus:
HONOREDMADAM:MybrotherandIhaveseenyouradvertisement,bychance,andbegleavetotaketheroomyouoffer。Wearetwenty—fouryearsofageandtwins。WeareItaliansbybirth,buthavelivedlonginthevariouscountriesofEurope,andseveralyearsintheUnitedStates。
OurnamesareLuigiandAngeloCapello。Youdesirebutoneguest;
but,dearmadam,ifyouwillallowustopayfortwo,wewillnotincommodeyou。WeshallbedownThursday。
\"Italians!Howromantic!Justthink,Ma——there’sneverbeenoneinthistown,andeverybodywillbedyingtoseethem,andthey’reallOURS!Thinkofthat!\"
\"Yes,Ireckonthey’llmakeagrandstir。\"
\"Oh,indeedtheywill。Thewholetownwillbeonitshead!
Think——they’vebeeninEuropeandeverywhere!There’sneverbeenatravelerinthistownbefore,Ma,Ishouldn’twonderifthey’veseenkings!\"
\"Well,abodycan’ttell,butthey’llmakestirenough,withoutthat。\"
\"Yes,that’sofcourse。Luigi——Angelo。They’relovelynames;
andsograndandforeign——notlikeJonesandRobinsonandsuch。
Thursdaytheyarecoming,andthisisonlyTuesday;it’sacruellongtimetowait。HerecomesJudgeDriscollinatthegate。
He’sheardaboutit。I’llgoandopenthedoor。\"
Thejudgewasfullofcongratulationsandcuriosity。Theletterwasreadanddiscussed。SoonJusticeRobinsonarrivedwithmorecongratulations,andtherewasanewreadingandanewdiscussion。
Thiswasthebeginning。Neighborafterneighbor,ofbothsexes,followed,andtheprocessiondriftedinandoutalldayandeveningandallWednesdayandThursday。Theletterwasreadandrereaduntilitwasnearlywornout;everybodyadmireditscourtlyandgracioustone,andsmoothandpracticedstyle,everybodywassympatheticandexcited,andtheCoopersweresteepedinhappinessallthewhile。
Theboatswereveryuncertaininlowwaterintheseprimitivetimes。
ThistimetheThursdayboathadnotarrivedattenatnight——
sothepeoplehadwaitedatthelandingalldayfornothing;
theyweredriventotheirhomesbyaheavystormwithouthavinghadaviewoftheillustriousforeigners。
Eleveno’clockcame;andtheCooperhousewastheonlyoneinthetownthatstillhadlightsburning。Therainandthunderwereboomingyet,andtheanxiousfamilywerestillwaiting,stillhoping。
Atlasttherewasaknockatthedoor,andthefamilyjumpedtoopenit。
TwoNegromenentered,eachcarryingatrunk,andproceededupstairstowardtheguestroom。Thenenteredthetwins——thehandsomest,thebestdressed,themostdistinguished—lookingpairofyoungfellowstheWesthadeverseen。Onewasalittlefairerthantheother,butotherwisetheywereexactduplicates。
CHAPTER6
SwimminginGloryLetusendeavorsotolivethatwhenwecometodieeventheundertakerwillbesorry。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarHabitishabit,andnottobeflungoutofthewindowbyanyman,butcoaxeddownstairsatstepatatime。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarAtbreakfastinthemorning,thetwins’charmofmannerandeasyandpolishedbearingmadespeedyconquestofthefamily’sgoodgraces。
Allconstraintandformalityquicklydisappeared,andthefriendliestfeelingsucceeded。AuntPatsycalledthembytheirChristiannamesalmostfromthebeginning。Shewasfullofthekeenestcuriosityaboutthem,andshowedit;theyrespondedbytalkingaboutthemselves,whichpleasedhergreatly。Itpresentlyappearedthatintheirearlyyouththeyhadknownpovertyandhardship。Asthetalkwanderedalong,theoldladywatchedfortherightplacetodropinaquestionortwoconcerningthatmatter,andwhenshefoundit,shesaidtotheblondtwin,whowasnowdoingthebiographiesinhisturnwhilethebrunetteonerested:
\"Ifitain’taskingwhatIoughtnottoask,Mr。Angelo,howdidyoucometobesofriendlessandinsuchtroublewhenyouwerelittle?
Doyoumindtelling?Butdon’t,ifyoudo。\"
\"Oh,wedon’tminditatall,madam;inourcaseitwasmerelymisfortune,andnobody’sfault。Ourparentswerewelltodo,thereinItaly,andweweretheironlychild。WewereoftheoldFlorentinenobility\"——
Rowena’sheartgaveagreatbound,hernostrilsexpanded,andafinelightplayedinhereyes——\"andwhenthewarbrokeout,myfatherwasonthelosingsideandhadtoflyforhislife。
Hisestateswereconfiscated,hispersonalpropertyseized,andtherewewere,inGermany,strangers,friendless,andinfactpaupers。
MybrotherandIweretenyearsold,andwelleducatedforthatage,verystudious,veryfondofourbooks,andwellgroundedintheGerman,French,Spanish,andEnglishlanguages。Also,weweremarvelousmusicalprodigies——ifyouwillallowmetosayit,itbeingonlythetruth。
\"Ourfathersurvivedhismisfortunesonlyamonth,ourmothersoonfollowedhim,andwewerealoneintheworld。Ourparentscouldhavemadethemselvescomfortablebyexhibitingusasashow,andtheyhadmanyandlargeoffers;butthethoughtrevoltedtheirpride,andtheysaidtheywouldstarveanddiefirst。Butwhattheywouldn’tconsenttodo,wehadtodowithouttheformalityofconsent。
Wewereseizedforthedebtsoccasionedbytheirillnessandtheirfunerals,andplacedamongtheattractionsofacheapmuseuminBerlintoearntheliquidationmoney。Ittookustwoyearstogetoutofthatslavery。
WetraveledallaboutGermany,receivingnowages,andnotevenourkeep。
Wehadtobeexhibitedfornothing,andbegourbread。
\"Well,madam,therestisnotofmuchconsequence。Whenweescapedfromthatslaveryattwelveyearsofage,wewereinsomerespectsmen。
Experiencehadtaughtussomevaluablethings;amongothers,howtotakecareofourselves,howtoavoidanddefeatsharksandsharpers,andhowtoconductourownbusinessforourownprofitandwithoutotherpeople’shelp。Wetraveledeverywhere——yearsandyears——
pickingupsmatteringsofstrangetongues,familiarizingourselveswithstrangesightsandstrangecustoms,accumulatinganeducationofawideandvariedandcurioussort。Itwasapleasantlife。
WewenttoVenice——toLondon,Paris,Russia,India,China,Japan——\"
AtthispointNancy,theslavewoman,thrustherheadinatthedoorandexclaimed:
\"OleMissus,dehouseofplum’jamfullo’people,endey’sjesa—spi’lin’toseedegen’lemen!\"Sheindicatedthetwinswithanodofherhead,andtuckeditbackoutofsightagain。
Itwasaproudoccasionforthewidow,andshepromisedherselfhighsatisfactioninshowingoffherfineforeignbirdsbeforeherneighborsandfriends——simplefolkwhohadhardlyeverseenaforeignerofanykind,andneveroneofanydistinctionorstyle。
YetherfeelingwasmoderateindeedwhencontrastedwithRowena’s。
Rowenawasintheclouds,shewalkedonair;thiswastobethegreatestday,themostromanticepisodeinthecolorlesshistoryofthatdullcountrytown。Shewastobefamiliarlynearthesourceofitsgloryandfeelthefullfloodofitpouroverherandabouther;
theothergirlscouldonlygazeandenvy,notpartake。
Thewidowwasready,Rowenawasready,soalsoweretheforeigners。
Thepartymovedalongthehall,thetwinsinadvance,andenteredtheopenparlordoor,whenceissuedalowhumofconversation。
Thetwinstookapositionnearthedoor,thewidowstoodatLuigi’sside,RowenastoodbesideAngelo,andthemarch—pastandtheintroductionsbegan。
Thewidowwasallsmilesandcontentment。ShereceivedtheprocessionandpasseditontoRowena。
\"Goodmornin’,SisterCooper\"——handshake。
\"Goodmorning,BrotherHiggins——CountLuigiCapello,Mr。Higgins\"——
handshake,followedbyadevouringstareand\"I’mgladtoseeye,\"
onthepartofHiggins,andacourteousinclinationoftheheadandapleasant\"Mosthappy!\"onthepartofCountLuigi。
\"Goodmornin’,Roweny\"——handshake。
\"Goodmorning,Mr。Higgins——presentyoutoCountAngeloCapello。\"
Handshake,admiringstare,\"Gladtoseeye\"——courteousnod,smily\"Mosthappy!\"andHigginspasseson。
Noneofthesevisitorswasatease,but,beinghonestpeople,theydidn’tpretendtobe。Noneofthemhadeverseenapersonbearingatitleofnobilitybefore,andnonehadbeenexpectingtoseeonenow,consequentlythetitlecameuponthemasakindofpile—drivingsurpriseandcaughtthemunprepared。Afewtriedtorisetotheemergency,andgotoutanawkward\"Mylord,\"or\"Yourlordship,\"
orsomethingofthatsort,butthegreatmajoritywereoverwhelmedbytheunaccustomedwordanditsdimandawfulassociationswithgildedcourtsandstatelyceremonyandanointedkingship,sotheyonlyfumbledthroughthehandshakeandpassedon,speechless。Nowandthen,ashappensatallreceptionseverywhere,amorethanordinaryfriendlysoulblockedtheprocessionandkeptitwaitingwhileheinquiredhowthebrotherslikedthevillage,andhowlongtheyweregoingtostay,andiftheirfamilywaswell,anddraggedintheweather,andhopeditwouldgetcoolersoon,andallthatsortofthing,soastobeabletosay,whenhegothome,\"Ihadquitealongtalkwiththem\";
butnobodydidorsaidanythingofaregrettablekind,andsothegreataffairwentthroughtotheendinacreditableandsatisfactoryfashion。
Generalconversationfollowed,andthetwinsdriftedaboutfromgrouptogroup,talkingeasilyandfluentlyandwinningapproval,compellingadmirationandachievingfavorfromall。
Thewidowfollowedtheirconqueringmarchwithaproudeye,andeverynowandthenRowenasaidtoherselfwithdeepsatisfaction,\"Andtothinktheyareours——allours!\"
Therewerenoidlemomentsformotherordaughter。Eagerinquiriesconcerningthetwinswerepouringintotheirenchantedearsallthetime;eachwastheconstantcenterofagroupofbreathlesslisteners;
eachrecognizedthatsheknewnowforthefirsttimetherealmeaningofthatgreatwordGlory,andperceivedthestupendousvalueofit,andunderstandwhymeninallageshadbeenwillingtothrowawaymeanerhappiness,treasure,lifeitself,togetatasteofitssublimeandsupremejoy。Napoleonandallhiskindstoodaccountedfor——
andjustified。
WhenRowenahadatlastdoneallherdutybythepeopleintheparlor,shewentupstairstosatisfythelongingsofanoverflowmeetingthere,fortheparlorwasnotbigenoughtoholdallthecomers。
Againshewasbesiegedbyeagerquestioners,andagainsheswaminsunsetseasofglory。Whentheforenoonwasnearlygone,sherecognizedwithapangthatthismostsplendidepisodeofherlifewasalmostover,thatnothingcouldprolongit,thatnothingquiteitsequalcouldeverfalltoherfortuneagain。Butnevermind,itwassufficientuntoitself,thegrandoccasionhadmovedonanascendingscalefromthestart,andwasanobleandmemorablesuccess。Ifthetwinscouldbutdosomecrowningactnowtoclimaxit,somethingusual,somethingstartling,somethingtoconcentrateuponthemselvesthecompany’sloftiestadmiration,somethinginthenatureofanelectricsurprise——
Hereaprodigiousslam—bangingbrokeoutbelow,andeverybodyrusheddowntosee。Itwasthetwins,knockingoutaclassicfour—handedpieceonthepianoingreatstyle。Rowenawassatisfied——satisfieddowntothebottomofherheart。
Theyoungstrangerswerekeptlongatthepiano。Thevillagerswereastonishedandenchantedwiththemagnificenceoftheirperformance,andcouldnotbeartohavethemstop。Allthemusicthattheyhadeverheardbeforeseemedspiritlessprentice—workandbarrenofgraceandcharmwhencomparedwiththeseintoxicatingfloodsofmelodioussound。
Theyrealizedthatforonceintheirlivestheywerehearingmasters。
CHAPTER7
TheUnknownNymphOneofthemoststrikingdifferencesbetweenacatandalieisthatacathasonlyninelives。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarThecompanybrokeupreluctantly,anddriftedtowardtheirseveralhomes,chattingwithvivacityandallagreeingthatitwouldbemanyalongdaybeforeDawson’sLandingwouldseetheequalofthisoneagain。
Thetwinshadacceptedseveralinvitationswhilethereceptionwasinprogress,andhadalsovolunteeredtoplaysomeduetsatanamateurentertainmentforthebenefitofalocalcharity。
Societywaseagertoreceivethemtoitsbosom。JudgeDriscollhadthegoodfortunetosecurethemforanimmediatedrive,andtobethefirsttodisplaytheminpublic。Theyenteredhisbuggywithhimandwereparadeddownthemainstreet,everybodyflockingtothewindowsandsidewalkstosee。
Thejudgeshowedthestrangersthenewgraveyard,andthejail,andwheretherichestmanlived,andtheFreemasons’hall,andtheMethodistchurch,andthePresbyterianchurch,andwheretheBaptistchurchwasgoingtobewhentheygotsomemoneytobuilditwith,andshowedthemthetownhallandtheslaughterhouse,andgotoutoftheindependentfirecompanyinuniformandhadthemputoutanimaginaryfire;thenhelettheminspectthemusketsofthemilitiacompany,andpouredoutanexhaustlessstreamofenthusiasmoverallthesesplendors,andseemedverywellsatisfiedwiththeresponseshegot,forthetwinsadmiredhisadmiration,andpaidhimbackthebesttheycould,thoughtheycouldhavedonebetterifsomefifteenorsixteenhundredthousandpreviousexperiencesofthissortinvariouscountrieshadnotalreadyrubbedoffaconsiderablepartofthenoveltyinit。
Thejudgelaidhimselfouthospitalitytomakethemhaveagoodtime,andiftherewasadefectanywhere,itwasnothisfault。
Hetoldthemagoodmanyhumorousanecdotes,andalwaysforgotthenub,buttheywerealwaysabletofurnishit,fortheseyarnswereofaprettyearlyvintage,andtheyhadhadmanyarejuvenatingpullatthembefore。Andhetoldthemallabouthisseveraldignities,andhowhehadheldthisandthatandtheotherplaceofhonororprofit,andhadoncebeentothelegislature,andwasnowpresidentoftheSocietyofFreethinkers。Hesaidthesocietyhadbeeninexistencefouryears,andalreadyhadtwomembers,andwasfirmlyestablished。
Hewouldcallforthebrothersintheevening,iftheywouldliketoattendameetingofit。
Accordinglyhecalledforthem,andonthewayhetoldthemallaboutPudd’nheadWilson,inorderthattheymightgetafavorableimpressionofhiminadvanceandbepreparedtolikehim。Thisschemesucceeded——
thefavorableimpressionwasachieved。LateritwasconfirmedandsolidifiedwhenWilsonproposedthatoutofcourtesytothestrangerstheusualtopicsbeputasideandthehourbedevotedtoconversationuponordinarysubjectsandthecultivationoffriendlyrelationsandgood—fellowship——apropositionwhichwasputtovoteandcarried。
Thehourpassedquicklyawayinlivelytalk,andwhenitwasended,thelonesomeandneglectedWilsonwasricherbytwofriendsthanhehadbeenwhenitbegan。Heinvitedthetwinstolookinathislodgingspresently,afterdisposingofaninterveningengagement,andtheyacceptedwithpleasure。
Towardthemiddleoftheevening,theyfoundthemselvesontheroadtohishouse。Pudd’nheadwasathomewaitingforthemandputtinginhistimepuzzlingoverathingwhichhadcomeunderhisnoticethatmorning。Thematterwasthis:Hehappenedtobeupveryearly——
atdawn,infact;andhecrossedthehall,whichdividedhiscottagethroughthecenter,andenteredaroomtogetsomethingthere。
Thewindowoftheroomhadnocurtains,forthatsideofthehousehadlongbeenunoccupied,andthroughthiswindowhecaughtsightofsomethingwhichsurprisedandinterestedhim。Itwasayoungwoman——
ayoungwomanwhereproperlynoyoungwomanbelonged;forshewasinJudgeDriscoll’shouse,andinthebedroomoverthejudge’sprivatestudyorsittingroom。ThiswasyoungTomDriscoll’sbedroom。
Heandthejudge,thejudge’swidowedsisterMrs。Pratt,andthreeNegroservantsweretheonlypeoplewhobelongedinthehouse。Who,then,mightthisyoungladybe?Thetwohouseswereseparatedbyanordinaryyard,withalowfencerunningbackthroughitsmiddlefromthestreetinfronttothelaneintherear。Thedistancewasnotgreat,andWilsonwasabletoseethegirlverywell,thewindowshadesoftheroomshewasinbeingup,andthewindowalso。
Thegirlhadonaneatandtrimsummerdress,patternedinbroadstripesofpinkandwhite,andherbonnetwasequippedwithapinkveil。
Shewaspracticingsteps,gaitsandattitudes,apparently;shewasdoingthethinggracefully,andwasverymuchabsorbedinherwork。
Whocouldshebe,andhowcameshetobeinyoungTomDriscoll’sroom?
Wilsonhadquicklychosenapositionfromwhichhecouldwatchthegirlwithoutrunningmuchriskofbeingseenbyher,andheremainedtherehopingshewouldraiseherveilandbetrayherface。Butshedisappointedhim。Afteramatteroftwentyminutesshedisappearedandalthoughhestayedathisposthalfanhourlonger,shecamenomore。
Towardnoonhedroppedinatthejudge’sandtalkedwithMrs。Prattaboutthegreateventoftheday,theleveeofthedistinguishedforeignersatAuntPatsyCooper’s。HeaskedafterhernephewTom,andshesaidhewasonhiswayhomeandthatshewasexpectinghimtoarrivealittlebeforenight,andaddedthatsheandthejudgeweregratifiedtogatherfromhislettersthathewasconductinghimselfverynicelyandcreditably——atwhichWilsonwinkedtohimselfprivately。
Wilsondidnotaskiftherewasanewcomerinthehouse,butheaskedquestionsthatwouldhavebroughtlight—throwinganswersastothatmatterifMrs。Pratthadhadanylighttothrow;sohewentawaysatisfiedthatheknewofthingsthatweregoingoninherhouseofwhichsheherselfwasnotaware。
Hewasnowawaitingforthetwins,andstillpuzzlingovertheproblemofwhothatgirlmightbe,andhowshehappenedtobeinthatyoungfellow’sroomatdaybreakinthemorning。
CHAPTER8
MarseTomTramplesHisChanceTheholypassionofFriendshipisofsosweetandsteadyandloyalandenduringanaturethatitwilllastthroughawholelifetime,ifnotaskedtolendmoney。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarConsiderwelltheproportionsofthings。ItisbettertobeayoungJunebugthananoldbirdofparadise。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarItisnecessarynowtohuntupRoxy。
Atthetimeshewassetfreeandwentawaychambermaiding,shewasthirty—five。ShegotaberthassecondchambermaidonaCincinnatiboatintheNewOrleanstrade,the_GrandMogul_。
Acoupleoftripsmadeherwontedandeasygoingatthework,andinfatuatedherwiththestirandadventureandindependenceofsteamboatlife。Thenshewaspromotedandbecomeheadchambermaid。
Shewasafavoritewiththeofficers,andexceedinglyproudoftheirjokingandfriendlywaywithher。
Duringeightyearssheservedthreepartsoftheyearonthatboat,andthewintersonaVicksburgpacket。Butnowfortwomonths,shehadhadrheumatisminherarms,andwasobligedtoletthewashtubalone。Sosheresigned。Butshewaswellfixed——
rich,asshewouldhavedescribedit;forshehadlivedasteadylife,andhadbankedfourdollarseverymonthinNewOrleansasaprovisionforheroldage。Shesaidinthestartthatshehad\"putshoesononebar’footedniggertotrompleonherwith,\"andthatonemistakelikethatwasenough;shewouldbeindependentofthehumanracethenceforthforevermoreifhardworkandeconomycouldaccomplishit。
WhentheboattouchedtheleveeatNewOrleansshebadegood—bytohercomradesonthe_GrandMogul_andmovedherkitashore。
Butshewasbackinahour。Thebankhadgonetosmashandcarriedherfourhundreddollarswithit。Shewasapauperandhomeless。
Alsodisabledbodily,atleastforthepresent。Theofficerswerefullofsympathyforherinhertrouble,andmadeupalittlepurseforher。Sheresolvedtogotoherbirthplace;shehadfriendsthereamongtheNegros,andtheunfortunatealwayshelptheunfortunate,shewaswellawareofthat;thoselowlycomradesofheryouthwouldnotletherstarve。
ShetookthelittlelocalpacketatCairo,andnowshewasonthehomestretch。Timehadwornawayherbitternessagainstherson,andshewasabletothinkofhimwithserenity。Sheputthevilesideofhimoutofhermind,anddweltonlyonrecollectionsofhisoccasionalactsofkindnesstoher。Shegildedandotherwisedecoratedthese,andmadethemverypleasanttocontemplate。Shebegantolongtoseehim。
Shewouldgoandfawnuponhimslavelike——forthiswouldhavetobeherattitude,ofcourse——andmaybeshewouldfindthattimehadmodifiedhim,andthathewouldbegladtoseehislong—forgottenoldnurseandtreathergently。Thatwouldbelovely;thatwouldmakeherforgetherwoesandherpoverty。
Herpoverty!Thatthoughtinspiredhertoaddanothercastletoherdream:
maybehewouldgiveheratriflenowandthen——maybeadollar,onceamonth,say;anylittlethinglikethatwouldhelp,oh,eversomuch。
BythetimeshereachedDawson’sLanding,shewasheroldselfagain;
herbluesweregone,shewasinhighfeather。Shewouldgetalong,surely;thereweremanykitchenswheretheservantswouldsharetheirmealswithher,andalsostealsugarandapplesandotherdaintiesforhertocarryhome——orgiveherachancetopilferthemherself,whichwouldanswerjustaswell。Andtherewasthechurch。
ShewasamorerabidanddevotedMethodistthanever,andherpietywasnosham,butwasstrongandsincere。Yes,withplentyofcreaturecomfortsandheroldplaceintheamencornerinherpossessionagain,shewouldbeperfectlyhappyandatpeacethenceforwardtotheend。
ShewenttoJudgeDriscoll’skitchenfirstofall。Shewasreceivedthereingreatformandwithvastenthusiasm。Herwonderfultravels,andthestrangecountriesshehadseen,andtheadventuresshehadhad,madeheramarvelandaheroineofromance。TheNegroshungenchanteduponagreatstoryofherexperiences,interruptingherallalongwitheagerquestions,withlaughter,exclamationsofdelight,andexpressionsofapplause;andshewasobligedtoconfesstoherselfthatiftherewasanythingbetterinthisworldthansteamboating,itwastheglorytobegotbytellingaboutit。Theaudienceloadedherstomachwiththeirdinners,andthenstolethepantrybaretoloadupherbasket。
TomwasinSt。Louis。Theservantssaidhehadspentthebestpartofhistimethereduringtheprevioustwoyears。Roxycameeveryday,andhadmanytalksaboutthefamilyanditsaffairs。OncesheaskedwhyTomwasawaysomuch。Theostensible\"Chambers\"said:
\"Defac’is,olemarsterkingitalongbetterwhenyoungmarster’sawaydenhekinwhenhe’sindetown;yes,enhelovehimbetter,too;
sohegiveshimfiftydollahsamonth——\"
\"No,isdatso?Chambers,you’sa—jokin’,ain’tyou?\"
\"’ClahtogoodnessIain’t,Mammy;MarseTomtolemesohisownself。
Butnemmine,’tain’tenough。\"
\"Mylan’,whatdereason’tain’tenough?\"
\"Well,I’sgwinetotellyou,ifyougimmeachanst,Mammy。
Dereasonitain’tenoughis’ca’seMarseTomgambles。\"
Roxythrewupherhandsinastonishment,andChamberswenton:
\"Olemarsterfounditout,’ca’sehehadtopaytwohundreddollahsforMarseTom’sgamblin’debts,endat’strue,Mammy,jesasdeadcertainasyou’sbawn。\"
\"Two——hund’ddollahs!Why,whatisyoutalkin’’bout?
Two——hund’d——dollahs。Sakesalive,it’s’mos’enoughtobuyatol’ablegoodsecondhandniggerwid。Enyouain’tlyin’,honey?
Youwouldn’tlietoyou’oldMammy?\"
\"It’sGod’sowntruth,jesasItellyou——twohund’ddollahs——
IwishtImayneverstiroutenmytracksifitain’tso。
En,oh,mylan’,oleMarsewasjesa—hoppin’!Hewasb’ilin’mad,Itellyou!Hetuck’n’dissenhurrithim。\"
\"Disen_whiched_him?\"
\"Dissenhurrithim。\"
\"What’sdat?Whatdoyoumean?\"
\"Meanshebu’steddewill。\"
\"Bu’s——teddewill!Hewouldn’t_ever_treathimso!Takeitback,youmis’ableimitationniggerdatIboreinsorrowentribbilation。\"
Roxy’spetcastle——anoccasionaldollarfromTom’spocket——
wastumblingtoruinbeforehereyes。Shecouldnotabidesuchadisasterasthat;shecouldn’tendurethethoughtofit。
HerremarkamusedChambers。
\"Yah—yah—yah!Jeslistentodat!IfI’simitation,whatisyou?
Bofeofusisimitation_white_——dat’swhatweis——enpow’fulgoodimitation,too。Yah—yah—yah!Wedon’t’mounttonoth’nasimitation_niggers_;enasfor——\"
\"Shetupyo’foolin’,’fo’Iknockyousidedehead,entellme’boutdewill。Tellme’tain’tbu’sted——do,honey,enI’llneverforgityou。\"
\"Well,_’tain’t_——’ca’sedey’sanewonemade,enMarseTom’sallrightag’in。Butwhatisyouinsichasweat’boutitfor,Mammy?’Tain’tnoneo’yourbusinessIdon’treckon。\"
\"’Tain’tnoneo’mybusiness?Whosebusinessisitden,I’dliketoknow?WuzIhismothertellhewasfifteenyearsold,orwusn’tI?——
youanswermedat。EnyouspeckIcouldseehimturnedoutpo’andorneryondeworl’ennevercarenoth’n’’boutit?Ireckonifyou’deverbe’namotheryo’self,ValetdeChambers,youwouldn’ttalksichfoolishnessasdat。\"
\"Well,den,oleMarseforgivehimenfixedupdewillag’in——dodatsatisfyyou?\"
Yes,shewassatisfiednow,andquitehappyandsentimentaloverit。
Shekeptcomingdaily,andatlastshewastoldthatTomhadcomehome。
Shebegantotremblewithemotion,andstraightwaysenttobeghimtolethis\"po’oleniggerMammyhavejesonesightofhimendieforjoy。\"
TomwasstretchedathislazyeaseonasofawhenChambersbroughtthepetition。Timehadnotmodifiedhisancientdetestationofthehumbledrudgeandprotectorofhisboyhood;itwasstillbitteranduncompromising。Hesatupandbentaseveregazeuponthefaceoftheyoungfellowwhosenamehewasunconsciouslyusingandwhosefamilyrightshewasenjoying。Hemaintainedthegazeuntilthevictimofithadbecomesatisfactorilypallidwithterror,thenhesaid:
\"Whatdoestheoldripwantwithme?\"
Thepetitionwasmeeklyrepeated。
\"Whogaveyoupermissiontocomeanddisturbmewiththesocialattentionsofniggers?\"
Tomhadrisen。Theotheryoungmanwastremblingnow,visibly。
Hesawwhatwascoming,andbenthisheadsideways,andputuphisleftarmtoshieldit。Tomrainedcuffsupontheheadanditsshield,sayingnoword:thevictimreceivedeachblowwithabeseeching,\"Please,MarseTom!——oh,please,MarseTom!\"Sevenblows——thenTomsaid,\"Facethedoor——march!\"Hefollowedbehindwithone,two,threesolidkicks。Thelastonehelpedthepure—whiteslaveoverthedoor—sill,andhelimpedawaymoppinghiseyeswithhisold,raggedsleeve。Tomshoutedafterhim,\"Sendherin!\"
Thenheflunghimselfpantingonthesofaagain,andraspedouttheremark,\"Hearrivedjustattherightmoment;Iwasfulltothebrimwithbitterthinkings,andnobodytotakeitoutof。Howrefreshingitwas!Ifeelbetter。\"
Tom’smotherenterednow,closingthedoorbehindher,andapproachedhersonwithallthewheedlingandsupplicationservilitiesthatfearandinterestcanimparttothewordsandattitudesofthebornslave。
Shestoppedayardfromherboyandmadetwoorthreeadmiringexclamationsoverhismanlystatureandgeneralhandsomeness,andTomputanarmunderhisheadandhoistedalegoverthesofabackinordertolookproperlyindifferent。
\"Mylan’,howyouisgrowed,honey!’Clahtogoodness,Iwouldn’ta—knowedyou,MarseTom!’DeedIwouldn’t!Lookatmegood;
doesyou’memberoldRoxy?Doesyouknowyo’oldniggermammy,honey?
Wellnow,Ikinlaydownendieinpeace,’ca’seI’seseed——\"
\"Cutitshort,Goddamnit,cutitshort!Whatisityouwant?\"
\"Youheahdat?JesthesameoldMarseTom,al’ayssogayandfunnin’
widdeolemammy。I’uzjesasshore——\"
\"Cutitshort,Itellyou,andgetalong!Whatdoyouwant?\"
Thiswasabitterdisappointment。RoxyhadforsomanydaysnourishedandfondledandpettedhernotionthatTomwouldbegladtoseehisoldnurse,andwouldmakeherproudandhappytothemarrowwithacordialwordortwo,thatittooktworebuffstoconvinceherthathewasnotfunning,andthatherbeautifuldreamwasafondandfoolishvariety,ashabbyandpitifulmistake。Shewashurttotheheart,andsoashamedthatforamomentshedidnotquiteknowwhattodoorhowtoact。Thenherbreastbegantoheave,thetearscame,andinherforlornnessshewasmovedtotrythatotherdreamofhers——
anappealtoherboy’scharity;andso,upontheimpulse,andwithoutreflection,sheofferedhersupplication:
\"Oh,MarseTom,depo’olemammyisinsichhardluckdesedays;
enshe’skindercrippledindearmsandcan’twork,enifyoucouldgimmeadollah——on’yjesonelittledol——\"
Tomwasonhisfeetsosuddenlythatthesupplicantwasstartledintoajumpherself。
\"Adollar!——giveyouadollar!I’veanotiontostrangleyou!
Is_that_yourerrandhere?Clearout!Andbequickaboutit!\"
Roxybackedslowlytowardthedoor。Whenshewashalfwayshestopped,andsaidmournfully:
\"MarseTom,Inussedyouwhenyouwasalittlebaby,enIraisedyouallbymyselftellyouwas’mostayoungman;ennowyouisyoungenrich,enIispo’engitt’nole,enIcomeheahb’leavin’datyouwouldhe’pdeolemammy’longdowndelittleroaddat’slef’’twix’
herendegrave,en——\"
Tomrelishedthistunelessthananythatheprecededit,foritbegantowakeupasortofechoinhisconscience;
soheinterruptedandsaidwithdecision,thoughwithoutasperity,thathewasnotinasituationtohelpher,andwasn’tgoingtodoit。
\"Ain’tyouevergwinetohe’pme,MarseTom?\"
\"No!Nowgoawayanddon’tbothermeanymore。\"
Roxy’sheadwasdown,inanattitudeofhumility。Butnowthefiresofheroldwrongsflamedupinherbreastandbegantoburnfiercely。
Sheraisedherheadslowly,tillitwaswellup,andatthesametimehergreatframeunconsciouslyassumedanerectandmasterfulattitude,withallthemajestyandgraceofhervanishedyouthinit。
Sheraisedherfingerandpunctuatedwithit。
\"Youhassaiddeword。Youhashadyo’chance,enyouhastrompleditunderyo’foot。Whenyougitanotherone,you’llgitdownonyo’
kneesen_beg_forit!\"
AcoldchillwenttoTom’sheart,hedidn’tknowwhy;forhedidnotreflectthatsuchwords,fromsuchanincongruoussource,andsosolemnlydelivered,couldnoteasilyfailofthateffect。
However,hedidthenaturalthing:herepliedwithblusterandmockery。
\"_You’ll_givemeachance——_you_!PerhapsI’dbettergetdownonmykneesnow!ButincaseIdon’t——justforargument’ssake——
what’sgoingtohappen,pray?\"
\"Disiswhatisgwinetohappen,I’sgwineasstraighttoyo’
uncleasIkinwalk,entellhimeverylas’thingIknows’boutyou。\"
Tom’scheekblenched,andshesawit。Disturbingthoughtsbegantochaseeachotherthroughhishead。\"Howcansheknow?
Andyetshemusthavefoundout——shelooksit。I’vehadthewillbackonlythreemonths,andamalreadydeepindebtagain,andmovingheavenandearthtosavemyselffromexposureanddestruction,withareasonablyfairshowofgettingthethingcoveredupifI’mletalone,andnowthisfiendhasgoneandfoundmeoutsomehoworother。
Iwonderhowmuchsheknows?Oh,oh,oh,it’senoughtobreakabody’sheart!ButI’vegottohumorher——there’snootherway。\"
Thenheworkeduparathersicklysampleofagaylaughandahollowchippernessofmanner,andsaid:
\"Well,well,Roxydear,oldfriendslikeyouandmemustn’tquarrel。
Here’syourdollar——nowtellmewhatyouknow。\"
Heheldoutthewildcatbill;shestoodasshewas,andmadenomovement。Itwasherturntoscornpersuasivefoolerynow,andshedidnotwasteit。Shesaid,withagrimimplacabilityinvoiceandmannerwhichmadeTomalmostrealizethatevenaformerslavecanrememberfortenminutesinsultsandinjuriesreturnedforcomplimentsandflatteriesreceived,andcanalsoenjoytakingrevengeforthemwhentheopportunityoffers:
\"WhatdoesIknow?I’lltellyouwhatIknows,Iknowsenoughtobu’stdatwilltoflinders——enmore,mindyou,_more!_\"
Tomwasaghast。
\"More?\"hesaid,\"Whatdoyoucallmore?Where’sthereanyroomformore?\"
Roxylaughedamockinglaugh,andsaidscoffingly,withatossofherhead,andherhandsonherhips:
\"Yes!——oh,Ireckon!_co’se_you’dliketoknow——widyo’po’littleoleragdollah。WhatyoureckonI’sgwinetotell_you_for?——
youain’tgotnomoney。I’sgwinetotellyo’uncle——enI’lldoitdisminute,too——he’llgimmeFIVEdollahsfordenews,enmightyglad,too。\"
Sheswungherselfarounddisdainfully,andstartedaway。
Tomwasinapanic。Heseizedherskirts,andimploredhertowait。
Sheturnedandsaid,loftily:
\"Look—a—heah,what’uzitItoleyou?\"
\"You——you——Idon’trememberanything。Whatwasityoutoldme?\"
\"ItoleyoudatdenexttimeIgiveyouachanceyou’dgitdownonyo’kneesenbegforit。\"
Tomwasstupefiedforamoment。Hewaspantingwithexcitement。
Thenhesaid:
\"Oh,Roxy,youwouldn’trequireyouryoungmastertodosuchahorriblething。Youcan’tmeanit。\"
\"I’llletyouknowmightyquickwhetherImeansitornot!
Youcallmenames,enasgoodasspitonmewhenIcomeshere,po’enorneryen’umble,topraiseyouforbein’growedupsofineandhandsome,entellyouhowIusedtonussyouentendyouenwatchyouwhenyou’uzsickenhadn’tnomotherbutmeindewholeworl’,enbegyoutogivedepo’oleniggeradollahfortogethersom’n’
toeat,enyoucallmenames——_names_,dadblameyou!Yassir,Igivesyoujesonechancemo’,anddat’s_now_,enitlas’on’yhalfasecond——youhear?\"
Tomslumpedtohiskneesandbegantobeg,saying:
\"YouseeI’mbegging,andit’shonestbegging,too!Nowtellme,Roxy,tellme。\"
Theheiroftwocenturiesofunatonedinsultandoutragelookeddownonhimandseemedtodrinkindeepdraughtsofsatisfaction。
Thenshesaid:
\"Fineniceyoungwhitegen’l’mankneelin’downtoaniggerwench!
I’swantedtoseedatjesoncebefo’I’scalled。Now,Gabr’el,blowdehawn,I’sready……Gitup!\"
Tomdidit。Hesaid,humbly:
\"Now,Roxy,don’tpunishmeanymore。IdeservedwhatI’vegot,butbegoodandletmeoffwiththat。Don’tgotouncle。Tellme——
I’llgiveyouthefivedollars。\"
\"Yes,Ibetyouwill;enyouwon’tstopdah,nuther。ButIain’tgwinetotellyouheah——\"
\"Goodgracious,no!\"
\"Isyou’fearedo’deha’ntedhouse?\"
\"N—no。\"
\"Well,den,youcometodeha’ntedhouse’bouttenor’leventonight,enclimbupdeladder,’ca’sedesta’rstepsisbrokedown,enyou’llfindme。I’sa—roostin’indeha’ntedhouse’ca’seIcan’t’fordtoroos’nowher’selse。\"Shestartedtowardthedoor,butstoppedandsaid,\"Gimmededollahbill!\"Hegaveittoher。
Sheexamineditandsaid,\"H’m——likeenoughdebank’sbu’sted。\"
Shestartedagain,buthaltedagain。\"Hasyougotanywhisky?\"
\"Yes,alittle。\"
\"Fetchit!\"
Herantohisroomoverheadandbroughtdownabottlewhichwastwo—thirdsfull。Shetilteditupandtookadrink。
Hereyessparkledwithsatisfaction,andshetuckedthebottleunderhershawl,saying,\"It’sprime。I’lltakeitalong。\"
Tomhumblyheldthedoorforher,andshemarchedoutasgrimanderectasagrenadier。
CHAPTER9
TomPracticesSycophancyWhyisitthatwerejoiceatabirthandgrieveatafuneral?
Itisbecausewearenotthepersoninvolved。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarItiseasytofindfault,ifonehasthatdisposition。Therewasonceamanwho,notbeingabletofindanyotherfaultwithhiscoal,complainedthatthereweretoomanyprehistorictoadsinit。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarTomflunghimselfonthesofa,andputhisthrobbingheadinhishands,andrestedhiselbowsonhisknees。Herockedhimselfbackandforthandmoaned。
\"I’veknelttoaniggerwench!\"hemuttered。\"IthoughtIhadstruckthedeepestdepthsofdegradationbefore,butoh,dear,itwasnothingtothis……Well,thereisoneconsolation,suchasitis——I’vestruckbottomthistime;there’snothinglower。\"
Butthatwasahastyconclusion。
Attenthatnightheclimbedtheladderinthehauntedhouse,pale,weak,andwretched。Roxywasstandinginthedoorofoneoftherooms,waiting,forshehadheardhim。
Thiswasatwo—storyloghousewhichhadacquiredthereputationafewyearsagoofbeinghaunted,andthatwastheendofitsusefulness。
Nobodywouldliveinitafterward,orgonearitbynight,andmostpeopleevengaveitawideberthinthedaytime。
Asithadnocompetition,itwascalled_the_hauntedhouse。
Itwasgettingcrazyandruinousnow,fromlongneglect。
ItstoodthreehundredyardsbeyondPudd’nheadWilson’shouse,withnothingbetweenbutvacancy。Itwasthelasthouseinthetownatthatend。
TomfollowedRoxyintotheroom。Shehadapileofcleanstrawinthecornerforabed,somecheapbutwell—keptclothingwashangingonthewall,therewasatinlanternfrecklingthefloorwithlittlespotsoflight,andtherewerevarioussoapandcandleboxesscatteredabout,whichservedforchairs。Thetwosatdown。Roxysaid:
\"Nowden,I’lltellyoustraightoff,enI’llbegintok’leckdemoneylateron;Iain’tinnohurry。WhatdoesyoureckonI’sgwinetotellyou?\"
\"Well,you——you——oh,Roxy,don’tmakeittoohardforme!
Comerightoutandtellmeyou’vefoundoutsomehowwhatashapeI’minonaccountofdissipationandfoolishness。\"
\"Dispositionenfoolishness!NOsir,datain’tit。Datjistain’tnothin’atall,’longsideo’what_I_knows。\"
Tomstaredather,andsaid:
\"Why,Roxy,whatdoyoumean?\"
Sherose,andgloomedabovehimlikeaFate。
\"Imeansdis——enit’sdeLord’struth。Youain’tnomorekintooleMarseDriscolldenIis!_dat’s_whatImeans!\"andhereyesflamedwithtriumph。
\"What?\"
\"Yassir,en_dat_ain’tall!You’sa_nigger!_——_bawn_aniggeranda_slave!_——enyou’saniggerenaslavedisminute;enifIopensmymoufoleMarseDriscoll’llsellyoudownderiverbefo’youistwodaysolderdenwhatyouisnow!\"
\"It’sathunderinglie,youmiserableoldblatherskite!\"
\"Itain’tnolie,nuther。It’sjustdetruth,ennothin’_but_detruth,sohe’pme。Yassir——you’smy_son_——\"
\"Youdevil!\"
\"Endatpo’boydatyou’sbe’na—kickin’ena—cuffin’todayisPercyDriscoll’ssonenyo’_marster_——\"
\"Youbeast!\"
\"En_his_nameisTomDriscoll,en_yo’s_name’sValetdeChambers,enyouain’tGOTnofamblyname,beca’seniggersdon’t_have_em!\"
Tomsprangupandseizedabilletofwoodandraisedit,buthismotheronlylaughedathim,andsaid:
\"Setdown,youpup!Doesyouthinkyoukinskyerme?Itain’tinyou,nordelikesofyou。Ireckonyou’dshootmeindeback,maybe,ifyougotachance,fordat’sjistyo’style——_I_knowsyou,throoenthroo——butIdon’tmindgitt’nkilled,beca’sealldisisdowninwritin’andit’sinsafehands,too,endemandat’sgotitknowswhahtolookforderightmanwhenIgitskilled。
Oh,blessyo’soul,ifyouputsyo’motherupforasbigafoolas_you_is,you’spow’fulmistaken,Ikintellyou!
Nowden,yousetstillenbehaveyo’self;endon’tyougitupag’intillItellyou!\"
Tomfrettedandchafedawhileinawhirlwindofdisorganizingsensationsandemotions,andfinallysaid,withsomethinglikesettledconviction:
\"Thewholethingismoonshine;nowthen,goaheadanddoyourworst;I’mdonewithyou。\"
Roxymadenoanswer。Shetookthelanternandstartedforthedoor。