These,thepeopletoretopiecesandscatteredfarandwidewithgreatenjoyment,whilethetradesmenhurriedlyshutuptheirshops;foracrowdinthosetimesstoppedatnothing,andwasamonstermuchdreaded.Theyhadalreadygotthelengthofopeningthehearsetotakethecoffinout,whensomebrightergeniusproposedinstead,itsbeingescortedtodestinationamidstgeneralrejoicing.Practicalsuggestionsbeingmuchneeded,thissuggestion,too,wasreceivedwithacclamation,andthecoachwasimmediatelyfilledwitheightinsideandadozenout,whileasmanypeoplegotontheroofofthehearseascouldbyanyexerciseofingenuitystickuponit.AmongthefirstofthesevolunteerswasJerryCruncherhimself,whomodestlyconcealedhisspikyheadfromtheobservationofTellson\'s,inthefurthercornerofthemourningcoach.
Theofficiatingundertakersmadesomeprotestagainstthesechangesintheceremonies;but,theriverbeingalarminglynear,andseveralvoicesremarkingontheefficacyofcoldimmersioninbringingrefractorymembersoftheprofessiontoreason,theprotestwasfaintandbrief.Theremodelledprocessionstarted,withachimney-sweepdrivingthehearse——advisedbytheregulardriver,whowasperchedbesidehim,undercloseinspection,forthepurpose——andwithapieman,alsoattendedbyhiscabinetminister,drivingthemourningcoach.Abear-leader,apopularstreetcharacterofthetime,wasimpressedasanadditionalornament,beforethecavalcadehadgonefardowntheStrand;andhisbear,whowasblackandverymangy,gavequiteanUndertakingairtothatpartoftheprocessioninwhichhewalked.
Thus,withbeer-drinking,pipe-smoking,song-roaring,andinfinitecaricaturingofwoe,thedisorderlyprocessionwentitsway,recruitingateverystep,andalltheshopsshuttingupbeforeit.ItsdestinationwastheoldchurchofSaintPancras,faroffinthefields.Itgotthereincourseoftime;insistedonpouringintotheburial-ground;finally,accomplishedtheintermentofthedeceasedRogerClyinitsownway,andhighlytoitsownsatisfaction.
Thedeadmandisposedof,andthecrowdbeingunderthenecessityofprovidingsomeotherentertainmentforitself,anotherbrightergenius(orperhapsthesame)conceivedthehumourofimpeachingcasualpassersby,asOldBaileyspies,andwreakingvengeanceonthem.ChasewasgiventosomescoresofinoffensivepersonswhohadneverbeenneartheOldBaileyintheirlives,intherealisationofthisfancy,andtheywereroughlyhustledandmaltreated.Thetransitiontothesportofwindow-breaking,andthencetotheplunderingofpublic-houses,waseasyandnatural.Atlast,afterseveralhours,whensundrysummerhouseshadbeenpulleddowandsomearea-railingshadbeentornup,toarmthemorebelligerentspirits,arumourgotaboutthattheGuardswecoming.Beforethisrumour,thecrowdgraduallymeltedaway,andperhapstheGuardscame,andperhapstheynevercame,andthiswastheusualprogressofamob.
Mr.Cruncherdidnotassistattheclosingsports,huthadremainedbehindinthechurchyard,toconferandcondolewiththeundertakers.Theplacehadasoothinginfluenceonhim.Heprocuredapipefromaneighbouringpublichouse,andsmokedit,lookinginattherailingsandmaturelyconsideringthespot.
`Jerry,\'saidMr.Cruncher,apostrophisinghimselfinhisusualway,`youseethatthereClythatday,andyouseewithyourowneyesthathewasayoung`unandastraightmade`un.\'
Havingsmokedhispipeout,andruminatedalittlelonger,heturnedhimselfabout,thathemightappear,beforethehourofclosing,onhisstationatTellson\'s.Whetherhismeditationsonmortalityhadtouchedhisliver,orwhetherhisgeneralhealthhadbeenpreviouslyatallamiss,orwhetherhedesiredtoshowalittleattentiontoaneminentman,isnotsomuchtothepurpose,asthathemadeashortcalluponhismedicaladviser——adistinguishedsurgeon——onhiswayback.
YoungJerryrelievedhisfatherwithdutifulinterest,andreportedNojobinhisabsence.Thebankclosed,theancientclerkscameOut,theusualwatchwasset,andMr.Cruncherandhissonwenthometotea.
`Now,Itellyouwhereitis!\'saidMr.Crunchertohiswife,onentering.`If,asahonesttradesman,mywentursgoeswrongtonight,Ishallmakesurethatyou\'vebeenprayingagainme,andIshallworkyouforitjustthesameasifIseenyoudoit.\'
ThedejectedMrs.Crunchershookherhead.
`Why,you\'reatitaforemyface!\'saidMr.Cruncher,withsignsofangryapprehension.
`Iamsayingnothing.\'
`Well,then;don\'tmeditatenothing.Youmightaswellmeditate.Youmayaswellgoagainmeonewayasanother.Dropitaltogether.\'
`YesJerry.\'
`Yes,Jerry,\'repeatedMr.Cruncher,sittingdowntotea.`Ah!Itisyes,Jerry.That\'saboutit.Youmaysayyes,Jerry.\'
Mr.Cruncherhadnoparticularmeaninginthesesulkycorroborations,butmadeuseofthem,aspeoplenotunfrequentlydo,toexpressgeneralironicaldissatisfaction.
`Youandyouryes,Jerry,\'saidMr.Cruncher,takingabiteoutofhisbread-and-butter,andseemingtohelpitdownwithalargeinvisibleoysteroutofhissaucer.`Ah!Ithinkso.Ibelieveyou.\'
`Youaregoingoutto-night?\'askedhisdecentwife,whenhetookanotherbite.
`Yes,Iam.\'
`MayIgowithyou,father?\'askedhisson,briskly.
`No,youmayn\'t.I\'magoing——asyourmotherknows——afishing.That\'swhereI\'mgoingto.Goingafishing.\'
`Yourfishingrodgetsratherrusty;don\'tit,father?\'
`Neveryoumind.\'
`Shallyoubringanyfishhome,father?\'
`IfIdon\'t,you\'llhaveshortcommons,tomorrow,\'returnedthatgentleman,shakinghishead;`that\'squestionsenoughforyou;Iain\'tagoingout,tillyou\'vebeenlonga-bed.\'
HedevotedhimselfduringtheremainderoftheeveningtokeepingamostvigilantwatchonMrs.Cruncher,andsullenlyholdingherinconversationthatshemightbepreventedfrommeditatinganypetitionstohisdisadvantage.Withthisview,heurgedhissontoholdherinconversationalso,andledtheunfortunatewomanahardlifebydwellingonanycausesofcomplaintliecouldbringagainsther,ratherthanhewouldleaveherforamomenttoherownreflections.ThedevoutestpersoncouldhaverenderednogreaterhomagetotheefficacyofanhonestprayerthanhedidinthisdistrustofhisMile.Itwasasifaprofessedunbelieveringhostsshouldbefrightenedbyaghoststory.
`Andmindyou!\'saidMr.Cruncher.`Nogamestomorrow!IfI,asahonesttradesman,succeedinprovidingajinteofmeatortwo,noneofyournottouchingofit,andstickingtobread.IfI,asahonesttradesman,amabletoprovidealittlebeer,noneofyourdeclaringonwater.WhenyougotoRome,doasRomedoes.Romewillbeauglycustomertoyou,ifyoudon\'t.`I\'myourRome,youknow.\'
Thenhebegangrumblingagain:
`Withyourflyingintothefaceofyourownwittlesanddrink!Idon\'tknowhowscarceyoumayn\'tmakethewittlesanddrinkhere,byyourfloppingtricksandyourunfeelingconduct.Lookatyourboy:heisyour\'n,ain\'the?He\'sasthinasalath.Doyoucallyourselfamother,andnotknowthatamother\'sfirstdutyistoblowherboyout?\'
ThistouchedYoungJerryonatenderplace;whoadjuredhismothertoperformherfirstduty,and,whateverelseshedidorneglected,aboveallthingstolayespecialstressonthedischargeofthatmaternalfunctionsoaffectinglyanddelicatelyindicatedbyhisotherparent.
ThustheeveningworeawaywiththeCruncherfamily,untilYoungJerrywasorderedtobed,andhismother,laidundersimilarinjunctions,obeyedthem.Mr.Cruncherbeguiledtheearlierwatchesofthenightwithsolitarypipes,anddidnotstartuponhisexcursionuntilnearlyoneo\'clock.Towardsthatsmallandghostlyhour,heroseupfromhischair,tookakeyoutofhispocket,openedalockedcupboard,andbroughtforthasack,acrowbarofconvenientsize,aropeandchain,andotherfishingtackleofthatnature.Disposingthesearticlesabouthiminskilfulmanner,hebestowedapartingdefianceonMrs.Cruncher,extinguishedthelight,andwentout.
YoungJerry,whohadonlymadeafeintofundressingwhenhewenttobed,wasnotlongafterhisfather.Undercoverofthedarknesshefollowedoutoftheroom,followeddownthestairs,followeddownthecourt,followedoutintothestreets.Hewasinnouneasinessconcerninghisgettingintothehouseagain,foritwasfulloflodgers,andthedoorstoodajarallnight.
Impelledbyalaudableambitiontostudytheartandmysteryofhisfather\'shonestcalling,YoungJerry,keepingasclosetohouse-fronts,walls,anddoorways,ashiseyeswereclosetooneanother,heldhishonouredparentinview.ThehonouredparentsteeringNorthward,hadnotgonefar,whenhewasjoinedbyanotherdiscipleofIzaakWalton,andthetwotrudgedontogether.
Withinhalfanhourfromthefirststarting,theywerebeyondthewinkinglamps,andthemorethanwinkingwatchmen,andwereoutuponalonelyroad.AnotherfishermanwasPickeduphere——andthatsosilently,thatifYoungJerryhadbeensuperstitious,hemighthavesupposedthesecondfollowerofthegentlecrafttohave,allofasudden,splithimselfintwo.
Thethreewenton,andYoungJerrywenton,untilthethreestoppedunderabankoverhangingtheroad.Uponthetopofthebankwasalowbrickwall,surmountedbyanironrailing.Intheshadowofbankandwallthethreeturnedoutoftheroad,andupablindlane,ofwhichthewall——there,risentosomeeightortenfeethigh——formedoneside.Crouchingdowninacorner,peepingupthelane,thenextobjectthatYoungJerrysaw,wastheformofhishonouredparent,prettywelldefinedagainstawateryandcloudedmoon,nimblyscalinganirongate.Hewassoonover,andthenthesecondfishermangotover,andthenthethird.Theyalldroppedsoftlyonthegroundwithinthegate,andlaytherealittle——listeningperhaps.Then,theymovedawayontheirhandsandknees.
ItwasnowYoungJerry\'sturntoapproachthegate:whichhedid,holdinghisbreath.Crouchingdownagaininacornerthere,andlookingin,hemadeoutthethreefishermencreepingthroughsomerankgrass,andallthegravestonesinthechurchyard——itwasalargechurchyardthattheywereinlooking——onlikeghostsinwhite,whilethechurchtoweritselflookedonliketheghostofamonstrousgiant.Theydidnotcreepfar,beforetheystoppedandstoodupright.Andthentheybegantofish.
Theyfishedwithaspade,atfirst.Presentlythehonouredparentappearedtobeadjustingsomeinstrumentlikeagreatcorkscrew.Whatevertoolstheyworkedwith,theyworkedhard,untiltheawfulstrikingofthechurchclocksoterrifiedYoung,Jerry,thathemadeoff,withhishairasstiffashisfather\'s.
But,hislong-cherisheddesiretoknowmoreaboutthesematters,notonlystoppedhiminhisrunningaway,butluredhimbackagain.Theywerestillfishingperseveringly,whenhepeepedinatthegateforthesecondtime;but,nowtheyseemedtohavegotabite.Therewasascrewingandcomplainingsounddownbelow,andtheirbentfigureswerestrained,asifbyaweight.Byslowdegreestheweightbrokeawaytheearthuponit,andcametothesurface.YoungJerryverywellknewwhatitwouldbe;but,whenhesawit,andsawhishonouredparentabouttowrenchitopen,hewassofrightened,beingnewtothesight,thathemadeoffagain,andneverstoppeduntilhehadrunamileormore.
Hewouldnothavestoppedthenforanythinglessnecessarythanbreath,itbeingaspectralsortofracethatheran,andonehighlydesirabletogettotheendof.Hehadastrongideathatthecoffinhehadseenwasrunningafterhim;and,picturedashoppingonbehindhim,boltupright,uponitsnarrowend,alwaysonthepointofovertakinghimandhoppingonathisside——perhapstakinghisarm——itwasapursuertoshun.Itwasaninconsistentandubiquitousfiendtoo,for,whileitwasmakingthewholenightbehindhimdreadful,hedartedoutintotheroadwaytoavoiddarkalleys,fearfulofitscominghoppingoutofthemlikeadropsicalboy\'sKitewithouttailandwings.Ithidindoorwaystoo,rubbingitshorribleshouldersagainstdoors,anddrawingthemuptoitsears,asifitwerelaughing.Itgotintoshadowsontheroad,andlaycunninglyonitsbacktotriphimup.Allthistimeitwasincessantlyhoppingonbehindandgainingonhim,sothatwhentheboygottohisowndoorliehadreasonforbeinghalfdead.Andeventhenitwouldnotleavehim,butfollowedhimupstairswithabumponeveryStair,scrambledintobedwithhim,andbumpeddown,deadandheavy,onhisbreastwhenhefellasleep.
Fromhisoppressedslumber,YoungJerryinhisclosetwasawakenedafterdaybreakandbeforesunrise,bythepresenceofhisfatherinthefamilyroom.Somethinghadgonebongwithhim;atleast,soYoungJerryinferred,fromthecircumstanceofhisholdingMrs.Cruncherbytheears,andknockingthebackofherheadagainsttheheadboardofthebed.
`ItoldyouIwould,\'saidMr.Cruncher,`andIdid.\'
`Jerry,Jerry,Jerry!\'hiswifeimplored.
`Youopposeyourselftotheprofitofthebusiness,\'saidJerry,`andmeandmypartnerssuffer.Youwastohonourandobey;whythedevildon\'tyou?\'
`Itrytobeagoodwife,Jerry,\'thepoorwomanprotested,withtears.
`Isitbeingagoodwifetoopposeyourhusband\'sbusiness?Isithonouringyourhusbandtodishonourhisbusiness?Isitobeyingyourhusbandtodisobeyhimonthewitalsubjectofhisbusiness?\'
`Youhadn\'ttakentothedreadfulbusinessthen,Jerry.\'
`It\'senoughforyou,\'retortedMr.Cruncher,`tobethewifeofahonesttradesman,andnottooccupyyourfemalemindwithcalculationswhenhetooktohistradeorwhenhedidn\'t.Ahonouringandobeyingwifewouldlethistradealonealtogether.Callyourselfareligiouswoman?Ifyou\'reareligiouswoman,givemeairreligiousone!Youhavenomorenat\'ralsenseofdutythanthebedofthishereThamesriverhasofapile,andsimilarlyitmustbeknockedintoyou.\'
Thealtercationwasconductedinalowtoneofvoice,andterminatedinthehonesttradesman\'skickingoffhisclay-soiledboots,andlyingdownathislengthonthefloor.Aftertakingatimidpeepathimlyingonhisback,withhisrustyhandsunderhisheadforapillow,hissonlaydowntoo,andfellasleepagain.
Therewasnofishforbreakfast,andnotmuchofanythingelse.Mr.Cruncherwasoutofspirits,andoutoftemper,andkeptanironpot-lidbyhimasaprojectileforthecorrectionofMrs.Cruncher,incaseheshouldobserveanysymptomsofhersayingGrace.Hewasbrushedandwashedattheusualhour,andsetoffwithhissontopursuehisostensiblecalling.
YoungJerry,walkingwiththestoolunderhisarmathisfather\'ssidealongsunnyandcrowdedFleetStreet,wasaverydifferentYoungJerryfromhimofthepreviousnight,runninghomethroughdarknessandsolitudefromhisgrimpursuer.Hiscunningwasfreshwiththeday,andhisqualmsweregonewiththenight——inwhichparticularsitisnotimprobablethathehadcompeersinFleetStreetandtheCityofLondon,thatfinemorning.
`Father,\'saidYoungJerry,astheywalkedalong:takingcaretokeepatarm\'slengthandtohavethestoolwellbetweenthem:`what\'saResurrection——Man?\'
Mr.Crunchercametoastoponthepavementbeforelieanswered,`HowshouldIknow?\'
`Ithoughtyouknowedeverything,father,\'saidtheartlessboy.
`Hem!Well,\'returnedMr.Cruncher,goingonagain,andliftingoffhishattogivehisspikesfreeplay,`he\'satradesman.\'
`What`shisgoods,father?\'askedthebriskYoungJerry.
`Hisgoods,\'saidMr.Cruncher,afterturningitoverinhismind,isabranchofScientificgoods.\'
`Persons\'bodies,ain\'tit,father?\'askedthelivelyboy.
`Ibelieveitissomethingofthatsort,\'saidMr.Cruncher.
`Oh,father,IshouldsoliketobeaResurrection——manwhenI`mquitegrowedup!\'
Mr.Cruncherwassoothed,butshookhisheadinadubiousandmoralway.`Itdependsuponhowyoudewelopyourtalents.Becarefultodewelopyourtalents,andnevertosaynomorethanyoucanhelptonobody,andthere\'snotellingatthepresenttimewhatyoumaynotcometobefitfor.\'AsYoungJerry,thusencouraged,wentonafewyardsinadvance,toplantthestoolintheshadowoftheBar,Mr.Cruncheraddedtohimself:`Jerry,youhonesttradesman,there\'shopeswotthatboywillyetbeablessingtoyou,andarecompensetoyouforhismother!
CHAPTERXV
Knitting
THEREhadbeenearlierdrinkingthanusualinthewineshopofMonsieurDefarge.Asearlyassixo\'clockinthemorning,sallowfacespeepingthroughitsbarredwindowshaddescriedotherfaceswithin,bendingovermeasuresofwine.MonsieurDefargesoldaverythinwineatthebestoftimes,butitwouldseemtohavebeenanunusuallythinwinethathesoldatthistime.Asourwine,moreover,orasouring,foritsinfluenceonthemoodofthosewhodrankitwastomakethemgloomy.NovivaciousBacchanalianflameleapedoutofthepressedgrapeofmonsieurDefarge:but,asmoulderingfirethatburntinthedark,layhiddeninthedregsofit.
Thishadbeenthethirdmorninginsuccession,onwhichtherehadbeenearlydrinkingatthewine-shopofMonsieurDefarge.IthadbegunonMonday,andherewasWednesdaycome.Therehadbeenmoreofearlybroodingthandrinking;for,manymenhadlistenedandwhisperedandslunkabouttherefromthetimeoftheopeningofthedoor,whocouldnotavelaidaPieceofmoneyonthecountertosavetheirsouls.Theseweretothefullasinterestedintheplace,however,asiftheycouldhavecommandedwholebarrelsofwine;andtheyglidedfromseattoseat,andfromcornertocorner,swallowingtalkinlieuofdrink,withgreedylooks.
Notwithstandinganunusualflowofcompany,themasterofthewine-shopwasnotvisible.Hewasnotmissed;for,nobodywhocrossedthethresholdlookedforhim,nobodyaskedforhim,nobodywonderedtoseeonlyMadameDefargeinherseat,presidingoverthedistributionofwine,withabowlofbatteredsmallcoinsbeforeher,asmuchdefacedandbeatenoutoftheiroriginalimpressasthesmallcoinageofhumanityfromwhoseraggedpocketstheyhadcome.
Asuspendedinterestandaprevalentabsenceofmind,wereperhapsobservedbythespieswholookedinatthewine-shop,astheylookedinateveryplace,highandlow,fromtheking\'spalacetothecriminal\'sgaol.Gamesatcardslanguished,playersatdominoesmusinglybuilttowerswiththem,drinkersdrewfiguresonthetableswithspiltdropsofwine,MadameDefargeherselfpickedoutthepatternonhersleevewithhertoothpick,andsawandheardsomethinginaudibleandinvisiblealongwayoff.
Thus,SaintAntoineinthisvinousfeatureofhis,untilmidday.Itwashighnoontide,whentwodustymenpassedthroughhisstreetsandunderhisswinginglamps:ofwhom,onewasMonsieurDefarge:theotheramenderofroadsinabluecap.Alladustandathirst,thetwoenteredthewine-shop.TheirarrivalhadlightedakindoffireinthebreastofSaintAntoine,fastspreadingastheycamealong,whichstirredandflickeredinflamesoffacesatmostdoorsandwindows.Yet,noonehadfollowedthem,andnomanspokewhentheyenteredthewine-shop,thoughtheeyesofeverymantherewereturneduponthem.
`Good-day,gentlemen!\'saidMonsieurDefarge.
Itmayhavebeenasignalforlooseningthegeneraltongue.Itelicitedanansweringchorusof`Good-day!\'
`Itisbadweather,gentlemen,\'saidDefarge,shakinghishead.Uponwhich,everymanlookedathisneighbour,andthenallcastdowntheireyesandsatsilent.Exceptoneman,whogotupandwentout.
`Mywife,\'saidDefargealoud,addressingMadameDefarge:`Ihavetravelledcertainleagueswiththisgoodmenderofroads,calledJacques.Imethim——byaccident——adayanhalf\'sjourneyOutofParis.Heisagoodchild,thismenderofroads,calledJacques.Givehimtodrink,mywife!\'
Asecondmangotupandwentout.MadameDefargesetwinebeforethemenderofroadscalledJacques,whodoffedhisbluecaptothecompany,anddrank.Inthebreastofhisblousehecarriedsomecoarsedarkbread;heateofthisbetweenwhiles,andsatmunchinganddrinkingnearMadameDefarge\'scounter.Athirdmangotupandwentout.
Defargerefreshedhimselfwithadraughtofwine——but,hetooklessthanwasgiventothestranger,asbeinghimselfamantowhomitwasnorarity——andstoodwaitinguntilthecountrymanhadmadehisbreakfast.Helookedatnoonepresent,andnoonenowlookedathim;notevenMadameDefarge,whohadtakenupherknitting,andwasatwork.
`Haveyoufinishedyourrepast,friend?\'heasked,indueseason.
`Yes,thankyou.\'
`Come,then!YoushallseetheapartmentthatItoldyouyoucouldoccupy.Itwillsuityoutoamarvel.\'
Outofthewine-shopintothestreet,outofthestreetintoacourtyard,outofthecourtyardupasteepstaircase,outofthestaircaseintoagarret——formerlythegarretwhereawhite-hairedmansatonalowbench,stoopingforwardandverybusy,makingshoes.
Nowhite-hairedmanwastherenow;but,thethreemenweretherewhohadgoneoutofthewine-shopsingly.Andbetweenthemandthewhite-hairedmanafaroff,wastheonesmalllink,thattheyhadoncelookedinathimthroughthechinksinthewail.
Defargeclosedthedoorcarefully,andspokeinasubduedvoice:
`JacquesOne,JacquesTwo,JacquesThree!Thisisthewitnessencounteredbyappointment,byme,JacquesFour.
Hewilltellyouall.Speak,JacquesFive!
Themenderofroads,bluecapinhand,wipedhisswarthyforeheadwithit,andsaid,`WhereshallIcommence,monsieur?\'
`Commence,\'wasMonsieurDefarge\'snotunreasonablereply,`atthecommencement.\'
`Isawhimthen,messieurs,\'beganthemenderofroads,ayearagothisrunningsummer,underneaththecarriageoftheMarquis,hangingbythechain.Beholdthemannerofit.Ileavingmyworkontheroad,thesungoingtobed,thecarriageoftheMarquisslowlyascendingthehill,hehangingbythechain——likethis.\'
Againthemenderofroadswentthroughthewholeperformance;inwhichheoughttohavebeenperfectbythattime,seeingthatithadbeentheinfallibleresourceandindispensableentertainmentofhisvillageduringawholeyear.
JacquesOnestruckin,andaskedifhehadeverseenthemanbefore?
`Never,\'answeredthemenderofroads,recoveringhisperpendicular.
JacquesThreedemandedhowheafterwardsrecognisedhimthen?
`Byhistallfigure,\'saidthemenderofroads,softly,andwithhisfingerathisnose.`WhenMonsieurtheMarquisdemandsthatevening,,``Say,whatishelike?\'\'Imakeresponse,``Tallasaspectre.\'\'\'
`Youshouldhavesaid,shortasadwarf,\'returnedJacquesTwo.
`ButwhatdidIknow?Thedeedwasnotthenaccomplished,neitherdidheconfideinme.Observe!Underthosecircumstanceseven,Idonotoffermytestimony.MonsieurtheMarquisindicatesmewithhisfinger,standingnearourlittlefountain,andsays,``Tome!Bringthatrascal!\'\'Myfaith,messieurs,Ioffernothing.\'
`Heisrightthere,Jacques,\'murmuredDefarge,tohimwhohadinterrupted.`Goon!\'
`Good!\'saidthemenderofroads,withanairofmystery.`Thetallmanislost,andheissought——howmanymonths?Nine,ten,eleven?\'
`Nomatter,thenumber,\'saidDefarge.`Heiswellhidden,butatlastheisunluckilyfound.Goon!\'
`Iamagainatworkuponthehillside,andthesunisagainabouttogotobed.Iamcollectingmytoolstodescendtomycottagedowninthevillagebelow,whereitisalreadydark,whenIraisemyeyes,andseecomingoverthehillsixsoldiers.Inthemidstofthemisatallmanwithhisarmsbound——tiedtohissides——likethis!\'
Withtheaidofhisindispensablecap,herepresentedamanwithhiselbowsboundfastathiships,withcordsthatwereknottedbehindhim.
`Istandaside,messieurs,bymyheapofstones,toseethesoldiersandtheirprisonerpass(foritisasolitaryroad,that,whereanyspectacleiswellworthlookingat),andatfirst,astheyapproach,Iseenomorethanthattheyaresixsoldierswithatallmanbound,andthattheyarealmostblacktomysight——exceptonthesideofthesungoingtobedwheretheyhavearededge,messieurs.Also,Iseethattheirlongshadowsareonthehollowridgeontheoppositesideoftheroad,andareonthehillaboveit,andareliketheshadowsofgiants.Also,Iseethattheyarecoveredwithdust,andthatthedustmoveswiththemastheycome,tramp,tramp!Butwhentheyadvancequiteneartome,Irecognisethetallman,andherecognisesme.Ah,buthewouldbewellcontenttoprecipitatehimselfoverthehillsideonceagain,asontheeveningwhenheandIfirstencountered,closetothesamespot!\'
Hedescribeditasifhewerethere,anditwasevidentthathesawitvividly;perhapshehadnotseenmuchinhislife.
`IdonotshowthesoldiersthatIrecognisethetallman;hedoesnotshowthesoldiersthatherecognisesme;wedoit,andweknowit,withoureyes.``Comeon!\'\'saysthechiefofthatcompany,pointingtothevillage,``bringhimfasttohistomb!\'\'andtheybringhimfaster.Ifollow.Hisarmsareswelledbecauseofbeingboundsotight,hiswoodenshoesarelargeandclumsy,andheislame.Becauseheislame,andconsequentlyslow,theydrivehimwiththeirguns——likethis!\'
Heimitatedtheactionofaman\'sbeingimpelledforwardbythebutt-endsofmuskets.
`Astheydescendthehilllikemadmenrunningarace,hefalls.Theylaughandpickhimupagain.Hisfaceisbleedingandcoveredwithdust,buthecannottouchit;thereupontheylaughagain.Theybringhimintothevillage;allthevillagerunstolook;theytakehimpastthemill,anduptotheprison;allthevillageseestheprisongateopeninthedarknessofthenight,andswallowhim——likethis!\'
Heopenedhismouthaswideashecould,andshutitwithasoundingsnapofhisteeth.Observantofhisunwillingnesstomartheeffectbyopeningitagain,Defargesaid,`Goon,Jacques.\'
`Allthevillage,\'pursuedthemenderofroads,ontiptoeandinalowvoice,`withdraws;allthevillagewhispersbythefountain;allthevillagesleeps;allthevillagedreamsofthatunhappyone,withinthelocksandbarsoftheprisononthecrag,andnevertocomeoutofit,excepttoperish.Inthemorning,withmytoolsuponmyshoulder,eatingmymorselofblackbreadasIgo,Imakeacircuitbytheprison,onmywaytomywork.ThereIseehim,highup,behindthebarsofaloftyironcage,bloodyanddustyaslastnight,lookingthrough.Hehasnohandfree,towavetome;Idarenotcalltohim;heregardsmelikeadeadman.\'
Defargeandthethreeglanceddarklyatoneanother.Thelooksofallofthemweredark,repressed,andrevengeful,astheylistenedtothecountryman\'sstory;themannerofallofthem,whileitwassecret,wasauthoritativetoo.Theyhadtheairofaroughtribunal;JacquesOneandTwosittingontheoldpallet-bed,eachwithhischinrestingonhishand,andhiseyesintentontheroad-mender;JacquesThree,equallyintent,ononekneebehindthem,withhisagitatedhandalwaysglidingoverthenetworkoffinenervesabouthismouthandnose;Defargestandingbetweenthemandthenarrator,whomhehadstationedinthelightofthewindow,byturnslookingfromhimtothem,andfromthemtohim.
`Goon,Jacques,\'saidDefarge.
`Heremainsupthereinhisironcagesomedays.Thevillagelooksathimbystealth,foritisafraid.Butitalwayslooksup,fromadistance,attheprisononthecrag;andintheevening,whentheworkofthedayisachievedanditassemblestogossipatthefountain,allfacesareturnedtowardstheprison.Formerly,theywereturnedtowardstheposting-house;now,theyareturnedtowardstheprison.Theywhisperatthefountain,thatalthoughcondemnedtodeathhewillnotbeexecuted;theysaythatpetitionshavebeenpresentedinParis,showingthathewasenragedandmademadbythedeathofhischild;theysaythatapetitionhasbeenpresentedtotheKinghimself.WhatdoIknow?Itispossible.Perhapsyes,perhapsno.\'
`Listenthen,Jacques,\'NumberOneofthatnamesternlyinterposed.`KnowthatapetitionwaspresentedtotheKingandQueen.Allhere,yourselfexcepted,sawtheKingtakeit,inhiscarriageinthestreet,sittingbesidetheQueen.ItisDefargewhomyouseehere,who,atthehazardofhislife,dartedoutbeforethehorses,withthepetitioninhishand.\'
`Andonceagainlisten,Jacques!\'saidthekneelingNumberThree:hisfingerseverwanderingoverandoverthosefinenerves,withastrikinglygreedyair,asifhehungeredforsomething——thatwasneitherfoodnordrink;`theguard,horseandfoot,surroundedthepetitioner,andstruckhimblows.Youhear?\'
`Ihear,messieurs.\'
`Goonthen,\'saidDefarge.
`Again;ontheotherhand,theywhisperatthefountain,\'resumedthecountryman,`thatheisbroughtdownintoourcountrytobeexecutedonthespot,andthathewillverycertainlybeexecuted.TheyevenwhisperthatbecausehehasslainMonseigneur,andbecauseMonseigneurwasthefatherofhistenants——serfs——whatyouwill——hewillbeexecutedasaparricide.Oneoldmansaysatthefountain,thathisrighthand,armedwiththeknife,willbeburntoffbeforehisface;that,intowoundswhichwillbemadeinhisarms,hisbreast,andhislegs,therewillbepouredboilingoil,meltedlead,hotresin,wax,andsulphur;finally,thathewillbetornlimbfromlimbbyfourstronghorses.Thatoldmansays,allthiswasactuallydonetoaprisonerwhomadeanattemptonthelifeofthelateKing,LouisFifteen.ButhowdoIknowifhelies?
Iamnotascholar.\'
`Listenonceagainthen,Jacques!\'saidthemanwiththerestlesshandandthecravingair.`ThenameofthatprisonerwasDamiens,anditwasalldoneinopenday,intheopenstreetsofthiscityofParis;andnothingwasmorenoticedinthevastconcoursethatsawitdone,thanthecrowdofladiesofqualityandfashion,whowerefullofeagerattentiontothelast——tothelast,Jacques,prolongeduntilnightfall,whenhehadlosttwolegsandanarm,andstillbreathed!Anditwasdone——why,howoldareyou?\'
`Thirty-five,\'saidthemenderofroads,wholookedsixty.
`Itwasdonewhenyouweremorethantenyearsold;youmighthaveseenit.\'
`Enough!\'saidDefarge,withgrimimpatience.`LonglivetheDevil!Goon.\'
`Well!Somewhisperthis,somewhisperthat;theyspedofnothingelse;eventhefountainappearstofalltothattune.Atlength,onSundaynightwhenallthevillageisasleep,comesoldiers,windingdownfromtheprison,andtheirgunsringonthestonesofthelittlestreet.Workmendig,workmenhammer,soldierslaughandsing;inthemorning,bythefountain,thereisraisedagallowsfortyfeethigh,poisoningthewater.\'
Themenderofroadslookedthroughratherthanatthelowceiling,andpointedasifhesawthegallowssomewhereinthesky.
`Allworkisstopped,allassemblethere,nobodyleadsthecowsout,thecowsaretherewiththerest.Atmidday,therollofdrums.Soldiershavemarchedintotheprisoninthenight,andheisinthemidstofmanysoldiers.Heisboundasbefore,andinhismouththereisagag——tiedso,withatightstring,makinghimlookalmostasifhelaughed.\'Hesuggestedit,bycreasinghisfacewithhistwothumbs,fromthecornersofhismouthtohisears.`Onthetopofthegallowsisfixedtheknife,bladeupwards,withitspointintheair.Heishangedtherefortyfeethigh——andislefthanging,poisoningthewater.
Theylookedatoneanother,asheusedhisbluecaptowipehisface,onwhichtheperspirationhadstartedafreshwhileherecalledthespectacle.
`Itisfrightful,messieurs.Howcanthewomenandthechildrendrawwater!Whocangossipofanevening,underthatshadow!Underit,haveIsaid?WhenIleftthevillage,Mondayeveningasthesunwasgoingtobed,andlookedbackfromthehill,theshadowstruckacrossthechurch,acrossthemill,acrosstheprison——seemedtostrikeacrosstheearth,messieurs,towheretheskyrestsuponit!\'
Thehungrymangnawedoneofhisfingersashelookedattheotherthree,andhisfingerquiveredwiththecravingthatwasonhim.
`That\'sall,messieurs.Ileftatsunset(asIhadbeenwarnedtodo),andIwalkedon,thatnightandhalfnextday,untilImet(asIwaswarnedIshould)thiscomrade.Withhim,Icameon,nowridingandnowwalking,throughtherestofyesterdayandthroughlastnight.Andhereyouseeme!\'
Afteragloomysilence,thefirstJacquessaid,`Good!Youhaveactedandrecountedfaithfully.Willyouwaitforusalittle,outsidethedoor?\'
`Verywillingly,\'saidthemenderofroads.WhomDefargeescortedtothetopofthestairs,and,leavingseatedthere,returned.
Thethreehadrisen,andtheirheadsweretogetherwhenhecamebacktothegarret.
`Howsayyou,Jacques?\'demandedNumberOne.`Toberegistered?\'
`Toberegistered,asdoomedtodestruction,\'returnedDefarge.
`Magnificent!\'croakedthemanwiththecraving.
`Thechateauandalltherace?\'inquiredthefirst.
`Thechateauandalltherace,\'returnedDefarge.`Extermination.\'
Thehungrymanrepeated,inarapturouscroak,`Magnificent!\'andbegangnawinganotherfinger.
`Areyousure,\'askedJacquesTwo,ofDefarge,`thatnoembarrassmentcanarisefromourmannerofkeepingtheregister?Withoutdoubtitissafe,fornoonebeyondourselvescandecipherit;butshallwealwaysbeabletodecipheritor,Ioughttosay,willshe?\'
`Jacques,\'returnedDefarge,drawinghimselfup,`ifmadamemywifeundertooktokeeptheregisterinhermemoryalone,shewouldnotloseawordofit——notasyllableofit.Knitted,inherownstitchesandherownsymbols,itwillalwaysbeasplaintoherasthesun.ConfideinMadameDefarge.Itwouldbeeasierfortheweakestpoltroonthatlives,toerasehimselffromexistence,thantoeraseoneletterofhisnameorcrimesfromtheknittedregisterofMadameDefarge.\'
Therewasamurmurofconfidenceandapproval,andthenthemanwhohungered,asked:`Isthisrustictobesentbacksoon?Ihopeso.Heisverysimple;ishenotalittledangerous?\'
`Heknowsnothing,\'saidDefarge;`atleastnothingmorethanwouldeasilyelevatehimselftogallowsofthesameheight.Ichargemyselfwithhim;lethimremainwithme;Iwilltakecareofhim,andsethimonhisroad.Hewishestoseethefineworld——theKing,theQueen,andCourt;lethimseethemonSunday.
`What?\'exclaimedthehungryman,staring.`Isitagoodsign,thathewishestoseeRoyaltyandNobility?\'
`Jacques,\'saidDefarge;judiciouslyshowacatmilk,ifyouwishhertothirstforit.Judiciouslyshowadoghisnaturalprey,ifyouwishhimtobringitdownoneday.\'
Nothingmorewassaid,andthemenderofroads,beingfoundalreadydozingonthetopmoststair,wasadvisedtolayhimselfdownonthepallet-bedandtakesomerest.Heneedednopersuasion,andwassoonasleep.
WorsequartersthanDefarge\'swine-shop,couldeasilyhavebeenfoundinParisforaprovincialslaveofthatdegree.Savingforamysteriousdreadofmadamebywhichhewasconstantlyhaunted,hislifewasverynewandagreeable.But,madamesatalldayathercounter,soexpresslyunconsciousofhim,andsoparticularlydeterminednottoperceivethathisbeingtherehadanyconnexionwithanythingbelowthesurface,thatheshookinhiswoodenshoeswheneverhiseyelightedonher.For,hecontendedwithhimselfthatitwasimpossibletoforeseewhatthatladymightpretendnext;andhefeltassuredthatifsheshouldtakeitintoherbrightlyornamentedheadtopretendthatshehadseenhimdoamurderandafterwardsRaythevictim,shewouldinfalliblygothroughwithituntiltheplaywasplayedout.
Therefore,whenSundaycame,themenderofroadswasnotenchanted(thoughhesaidhewas)tofindthatmadamewastoaccompanymonsieurandhimselftoVersailles.Itwasadditionallydisconcertingtohavemadameknittingallthewaythere,inapublicconveyance;itwasadditionallydisconcertingyet,tohavemadameinthecrowdintheafternoon,stillwithherknittinginherhandsasthecrowdwaitedtoseethecarriageoftheKingandQueen.
`Youworkhard,madame,\'saidamannearher.
`Yes,\'answeredMadameDefarge;`Ihaveagooddealtodo.\'
`Whatdoyoumake,madame?\'
`Manythings.\'
`Forinstance——\'
`Forinstance,\'returnedMadameDefarge,composedly,`shrouds.\'
Themanmovedalittlefurtheraway,assoonashecould,andthemenderofroadsfannedhimselfwithhisbluecap:feelingitmightilycloseandoppressive.IfheneededaKingandQueentorestorehim,hewasfortunateinhavinghisremedyathand;for,soonthelarge-facedKingandthefair-facedQueencameintheirgoldencoach,attendedbytheshiningBull\'sEyeoftheirCourt,aglitteringmultitudeoflaughingladiesandfinelords;andinjewelsandsilksandpowderandsplendourandelegantlyspurningfiguresandhandsomelydisdainfulfacesofbothsexes,themenderofroadsbathedhimself,somuchtohistemporaryintoxication,thathecriedLonglivetheKing,LonglivetheQueen,Longliveeverybodyandeverything!asifhehadneverheardofubiquitousJacquesinhistime.Then,thereweregardens,courtyards,terraces,fountains,greenbanks,moreKingandQueen,moreBull\'sEye,morelordsandladies,moreLonglivetheyall!untilheabsolutelyweptwithsentiment.Duringthewholeofthisscene,whichlastedsomethreehours,hehadplentyofshoutingandweepingandsentimentalcompany,andIthroughoutDefargeheldhimbythecollar,asiftorestrainhimfromflyingattheobjectsofhisbriefdevotionandtearingthempieces.
`Bravo\'saidDefarge,clappinghimonthebackwhenitwasOver,likeapatron;`youareagoodboy!\'
Themenderofroadswasnowcomingtohimself,andwasmistrustfulofhavingmadeamistakeinhislatedemonstrations;butno.
