Charles Dickens
The Life and Adventures of
Martin Chuzzlewit
Preface
What is exaggeration to one class of minds and perceptions is plain truth to
another That which is commonly called a longsight perceives in a prospect
innumerable features and bearings nonexistent to a shortsighted person I
sometimes ask myself whether there may occasionally be a difference of this kind
between some writers and some readers whether it is always the writer who
colours highly or whether it is now and then the reader whose eye for colour is
a little dull
On this head of exaggeration I have a positive experience more curious than
the speculation I have just set down It is this I have never touched a
character precisely from the life but some counterpart of that character has
incredulously asked me »Now really did I ever really see one like it«1
All the Pecksniff family upon earth are quite agreed I believe that Mr
Pecksniff is an exaggeration and that no such character ever existed I will
not offer any plea on his behalf to so powerful and genteel a body but will
make a remark on the character of Jonas Chuzzlewit
I conceive that the sordid coarseness and brutality of Jonas would be
unnatural if there had been nothing in his early education and in the precept
and example always before him to engender and develope the vices that make him
odious But so born and so bred admired for that which made him hateful and
justified from his cradle in cunning treachery and avarice I claim him as the
legitimate issue of the father upon whom those vices are seen to recoil And I
submit that their recoil upon that old man in his unhonoured age is not a mere
piece of poetical justice but is the extreme exposition of a direct truth
I make this comment and solicit the readers attention to it in his or her
consideration of this tale because nothing is more common in real life than a
want of profitable reflection on the causes of many vices and crimes that awaken
general horror What is substantially true of families in this respect is true
of a whole commonwealth As we sow we reap Let the reader go into the
childrens side of any prison in England or I grieve to add of many
workhouses and judge whether those are monsters who disgrace our streets
people our hulks and penitentiaries and overcrowd our penal colonies or are
creatures whom we have deliberately suffered to be bred for misery and ruin
The American portion of this story is in no other respect a caricature than
as it is an exhibition for the most part Mr Bevan excepted of a ludicrous
side only of the American character of that side which was fourandtwenty
years ago from its nature the most obtrusive and the most likely to be seen
by such travellers as Young Martin and Mark Tapley As I had never in writing
fiction had any disposition to soften what is ridiculous or wrong at home so I
then hoped that the goodhumoured people of the United States would not be
generally disposed to quarrel with me for carrying the same usage abroad I am
happy to believe that my confidence in that great nation was not misplaced
When this book was first published I was given to understand by some
authorities that the Watertoast Association and eloquence were beyond all
bounds of belief. Therefore I record the fact that all that portion of Martin
Chuzzlewits experiences is a literal paraphrase of some reports of public
proceedings in the United States especially of the proceedings of a certain
Brandywine Association which were printed in the Times Newspaper in June and
July 1843 at about the time when I was engaged in writing those parts of the
book and which remain on the file of the Times Newspaper of course
In all my writings I hope I have taken every available opportunity of
showing the want of sanitary improvements in the neglected dwellings of the
poor Mrs Sarah Gamp was fourandtwenty years ago a fair representation of
the hired attendant on the poor in sickness The Hospitals of London were in
many respects noble Institutions in others very defective I think it not the
least among the instances of their mismanagement that Mrs Betsey Prig was a
fair specimen of a Hospital Nurse and that the Hospitals with their means and
funds should have left it to private humanity and enterprise to enter on an
attempt to improve that class of persons since greatly improved through the
agency of good women
Chapter I
Introductory Concerning the Pedigree of the Chuzzlewit Family
As no lady or gentleman with any claims to polite breeding can possibly
sympathise with the Chuzzlewit Family without being first assured of the extreme
antiquity of the race it is a great satisfaction to know that it undoubtedly
descended in a direct line from Adam and Eve and was in the very earliest
times closely connected with the agricultural interest If it should ever be
urged by grudging and malicious persons that a Chuzzlewit in any period of the
family history displayed an overweening amount of family pride surely the
weakness will be considered not only pardonable but laudable when the immense
superiority of the house to the rest of mankind in respect of this its ancient
origin is taken into account
It is remarkable that as there was in the oldest family of which we have
any record a murderer and a vagabond so we never fail to meet in the records
of all old families with innumerable repetitions of the same phase of
character Indeed it may be laid down as a general principle that the more
extended the ancestry the greater the amount of violence and vagabondism for
in ancient days those two amusements combining a wholesome excitement with a
promising means of repairing shattered fortunes were at once the ennobling
pursuit and the healthful recreation of the Quality of this land
Consequently it is a source of inexpressible comfort and happiness to find
that in various periods of our history the Chuzzlewits were actively connected
with divers slaughterous conspiracies and bloody frays It is further recorded
of them that being clad from head to heel in steel of proof they did on many
occasions lead their leatherjerkined soldiers to the death with invincible
courage and afterwards return home gracefully to their relations and friends
There can be no doubt that at least one Chuzzlewit came over with William
the Conqueror It does not appear that this illustrious ancestor came over that
monarch to employ the vulgar phrase at any subsequent period inasmuch as the
Family do not seem to have been ever greatly distinguished by the possession of
landed estate And it is well known that for the bestowal of that kind of
property upon his favourites the liberality and gratitude of the Norman were as
remarkable as those virtues are usually found to be in great men when they give
away what belongs to other people
Perhaps in this place the history may pause to congratulate itself upon the
enormous amount of bravery wisdom eloquence virtue gentle birth and true
nobility that appears to have come into England with the Norman Invasion an
amount which the genealogy of every ancient family lends its aid to swell and
which would beyond all question have been found to be just as great and to the
full as prolific in giving birth to long lines of chivalrous descendants
boastful of their origin even though William the Conqueror had been William the
Conquered a change of circumstances which it is quite certain would have made
no manner of difference in this respect
There was unquestionably a Chuzzlewit in the Gunpowder Plot if indeed the
archtraitor Fawkes himself were not a scion of this remarkable stock as he
might easily have been supposing another Chuzzlewit to have emigrated to Spain
in the previous generation and there intermarried with a Spanish lady by whom
he had issue one olivecomplexioned son This probable conjecture is
strengthened if not absolutely confirmed by a fact which cannot fail to be
interesting to those who are curious in tracing the progress of hereditary
tastes through the lives of their unconscious inheritors It is a notable
circumstance that in these later times many Chuzzlewits being unsuccessful in
other pursuits have without the smallest rational hope of enriching
themselves or any conceivable reason set up as coalmerchants and have month
after month continued gloomily to watch a small stock of coals without in any
one instance negotiating with a purchaser The remarkable similarity between
this course of proceeding and that adopted by their Great Ancestor beneath the
vaults of the Parliament House at Westminster is too obvious and too full of
interest to stand in need of comment
It is also clearly proved by the oral traditions of the Family that there
existed at some one period of its history which is not distinctly stated a
matron of such destructive principles and so familiarised to the use and
composition of inflammatory and combustible engines that she was called The
Match Maker by which nickname and byword she is recognised in the Family
legends to this day Surely there can be no reasonable doubt that this was the
Spanish lady the mother of Chuzzlewit Fawkes
But there is one other piece of evidence bearing immediate reference to
their close connexion with this memorable event in English History which must
carry conviction even to a mind if such a mind there be remaining unconvinced
by these presumptive proofs
There was within a few years in the possession of a highly respectable and
in every way credible and unimpeachable member of the Chuzzlewit Family for his
bitterest enemy never dared to hint at his being otherwise than a wealthy man
a dark lantern of undoubted antiquity rendered still more interesting by being
in shape and pattern extremely like such as are in use at the present day Now
this gentleman since deceased was at all times ready to make oath and did
again and again set forth upon his solemn asseveration that he had frequently
heard his grandmother say when contemplating this venerable relic »Aye aye
This was carried by my fourth son on the fifth of November when he was a Guy
Fawkes« These remarkable words wrought as well they might a strong impression
on his mind and he was in the habit of repeating them very often The just
interpretation which they bear and the conclusion to which they lead are
triumphant and irresistible The old lady naturally strongminded was
nevertheless frail and fading she was notoriously subject to that confusion of
ideas, or, to say the least of speech to which age and garrulity are liable
The slight the very slight confusion apparent in these expressions is
manifest and is ludicrously easy of correction »Aye aye« quoth she and it
will be observed that no emendation whatever is necessary to be made in these
two initiative remarks »Aye aye This lantern was carried by my forefather«
not fourth son which is preposterous »on the fifth of November And he was
Guy Fawkes« Here we have a remark at once consistent clear natural and in
strict accordance with the character of the speaker Indeed the anecdote is so
plainly susceptible of this meaning and no other that it would be hardly worth
recording in its original state were it not a proof of what may be and very
often is affected not only in historical prose but in imaginative poetry by
the exercise of a little ingenious labour on the part of a commentator
It has been said that there is no instance in modern times of a Chuzzlewit
having been found on terms of intimacy with the Great But here again the
sneering detractors who weave such miserable figments from their malicious
brains are stricken dumb by evidence For letters are yet in the possession of
various branches of the family from which it distinctly appears being stated
in so many words that one Diggory Chuzzlewit was in the habit of perpetually
dining with Duke Humphrey So constantly was he a guest at that noblemans
table indeed and so unceasingly were His Graces hospitality and companionship
forced as it were upon him that we find him uneasy and full of constraint
and reluctance writing his friends to the effect that if they fail to do so and
so by bearer he will have no choice but to dine again with Duke Humphrey and
expressing himself in a very marked and extraordinary manner as one surfeited of
High Life and Gracious Company
It has been rumoured and it is needless to say the rumour originated in the
same base quarters that a certain male Chuzzlewit whose birth must be admitted
to be involved in some obscurity was of very mean and low descent How stands
the proof When the son of that individual to whom the secret of his fathers
birth was supposed to have been communicated by his father in his lifetime lay
upon his deathbed this question was put to him in a distinct solemn and
formal way »Toby Chuzzlewit who was your grandfather« To which he with his
last breath no less distinctly solemnly and formally replied and his words
were taken down at the time and signed by six witnesses each with his name and
address in full The Lord No Zoo It may be said it has been said for human
wickedness has no limits that there is no Lord of that name and that among
the titles which have become extinct none at all resembling this in sound
even is to be discovered But what is the irresistible inference Rejecting a
theory broached by some wellmeaning but mistaken persons that this Mr Toby
Chuzzlewits grandfather to judge from his name must surely have been a
Mandarin which is wholly insupportable for there is no pretence of his
grandmother ever having been out of this country or of any Mandarin having been
in it within some years of his fathers birth except those in the teashops
which cannot for a moment be regarded as having any bearing on the question one
way or other rejecting this hypothesis is it not manifest that Mr Toby
Chuzzlewit had either received the name imperfectly from his father or that he
had forgotten it or that he had mispronounced it and that even at the recent
period in question the Chuzzlewits were connected by a bend sinister or kind
of heraldic overtheleft with some unknown noble and illustrious House
From documentary evidence yet preserved in the family the fact is clearly
established that in the comparatively modern days of the Diggory Chuzzlewit
before mentioned one of its members had attained to very great wealth and
influence Throughout such fragments of his correspondence as have escaped the
ravages of the moths who in right of their extensive absorption of the
contents of deeds and papers may be called the general registers of the Insect
World we find him making constant reference to an uncle in respect of whom he
would seem to have entertained great expectations as he was in the habit of
seeking to propitiate his favour by presents of plate jewels books watches
and other valuable articles Thus he writes on one occasion to his brother in
reference to a gravyspoon the brothers property which he Diggory would
appear to have borrowed or otherwise possessed himself of »Do not be angry I
have parted with it to my uncle« On another occasion he expresses himself in
a similar manner with regard to a childs mug which had been entrusted to him to
get repaired On another occasion he says »I have bestowed upon that
irresistible uncle of mine everything I ever possessed« And that he was in the
habit of paying long and constant visits to this gentleman at his mansion if
indeed he did not wholly reside there is manifest from the following sentence
»With the exception of the suit of clothes I carry about with me the whole of
my wearing apparel is at present at my uncles« This gentlemans patronage and
influence must have been very extensive for his nephew writes »His interest is
too high« »It is too much« »It is tremendous« and the like Still it does
not appear which is strange to have procured for him any lucrative post at
court or elsewhere or to have conferred upon him any other distinction than
that which was necessarily included in the countenance of so great a man and
the being invited by him to certain entertainments so splendid and costly in
their nature that he calls them Golden Balls
It is needless to multiply instances of the high and lofty station and the
vast importance of the Chuzzlewits at different periods If it came within the
scope of reasonable probability that further proofs were required they might be
heaped upon each other until they formed an Alps of testimony beneath which the
boldest scepticism should be crushed and beaten flat As a goodly tumulus is
already collected and decently battened up above the Family grave the present
chapter is content to leave it as it is: merely adding by way of a final
spadeful that many Chuzzlewits both male and female are proved to
demonstration on the faith of letters written by their own mothers to have had
chiselled noses undeniable chins forms that might have served the sculptor for
a model exquisitelyturned limbs and polished foreheads of so transparent a
texture that the blue veins might be seen branching off in various directions
like so many roads on an ethereal map This fact in itself, though it had been a
solitary one would have utterly settled and clenched the business in hand for
it is well known on the authority of all the books which treat of such matters
that every one of these phenomena but especially that of the chiselling are
invariably peculiar to and only make themselves apparent in persons of the
very best condition
This history having to its own perfect satisfaction and, consequently,
to the full contentment of all its readers proved the Chuzzlewits to have had
an origin and to have been at one time or other of an importance which cannot
fail to render them highly improving and acceptable acquaintance to all
rightminded individuals may now proceed in earnest with its task And having
shown that they must have had by reason of their ancient birth a pretty large
share in the foundation and increase of the human family it will one day become
its province to submit that such of its members as shall be introduced in these
pages have still many counterparts and prototypes in the Great World about us
At present it contents itself with remarking in a general way on this head
Firstly that it may be safely asserted and yet without implying any direct
participation in the Monboddo doctrine touching the probability of the human
race having once been monkeys that men do play very strange and extraordinary
tricks Secondly and yet without trenching on the Blumenbach theory as to the
descendants of Adam having a vast number of qualities which belong more
particularly to swine than to any other class of animals in the creation that
some men certainly are remarkable for taking uncommon good care of themselves
Chapter II
Wherein Certain Persons Are Presented to the Reader with Whom He May if He
Please Become Better Acquainted
It was pretty late in the autumn of the year when the declining sun struggling
through the mist which had obscured it all day looked brightly down upon a
little Wiltshire village within an easy journey of the fair old town of
Salisbury
Like a sudden flash of memory or spirit kindling up the mind of an old man
it shed a glory upon the scene in which its departed youth and freshness seemed
to live again The wet grass sparkled in the light the scanty patches of
verdure in the hedges where a few green twigs yet stood together bravely
resisting to the last the tyranny of nipping winds and early frosts took heart
and brightened up the stream which had been dull and sullen all day long broke
out into a cheerful smile the birds began to chirp and twitter on the naked
boughs as though the hopeful creatures half believed that winter had gone by
and spring had come already The vane upon the tapering spire of the old church
glistened from its lofty station in sympathy with the general gladness and from
the ivyshaded windows such gleams of light shone back upon the glowing sky
that it seemed as if the quiet buildings were the hoardingplace of twenty
summers and all their ruddiness and warmth were stored within
Even those tokens of the season which emphatically whispered of the coming
winter graced the landscape and for the moment tinged its livelier features
with no oppressive air of sadness The fallen leaves with which the ground was
strewn gave forth a pleasant fragrance and subduing all harsh sounds of
distant feet and wheels created a repose in gentle unison with the light
scattering of seed hither and thither by the distant husbandman and with the
noiseless passage of the plough as it turned up the rich brown earth and
wrought a graceful pattern in the stubbled fields On the motionless branches of
some trees autumn berries hung like clusters of coral beads as in those fabled
orchards where the fruits were jewels others stripped of all their garniture
stood each the centre of its little heap of bright red leaves watching their
slow decay others again still wearing theirs had them all crunched and
crackled up as though they had been burnt about the stems of some were piled
in ruddy mounds the apples they had borne that year while others hardly
evergreens this class showed somewhat stern and gloomy in their vigour as
charged by nature with the admonition that it is not to her more sensitive and
joyous favourites she grants the longest term of life Still athwart their
darker boughs the sunbeams struck out paths of deeper gold and the red light
mantling in among their swarthy branches used them as foils to set its
brightness off and aid the lustre of the dying day
A moment and its glory was no more The sun went down beneath the long dark
lines of hill and cloud which piled up in the west an airy city wall heaped on
wall and battlement on battlement the light was all withdrawn the shining
church turned cold and dark the stream forgot to smile the birds were silent
and the gloom of winter dwelt on everything
An evening wind uprose too and the slighter branches cracked and rattled as
they moved in skeleton dances to its moaning music The withering leaves no
longer quiet hurried to and fro in search of shelter from its chill pursuit
the labourer unyoked his horses and with head bent down trudged briskly home
beside them and from the cottage windows lights began to glance and wink upon
the darkening fields
Then the village forge came out in all its bright importance The lusty
bellows roared Ha ha to the clear fire which roared in turn and bade the
shining sparks dance gaily to the merry clinking of the hammers on the anvil
The gleaming iron in its emulation sparkled too and shed its redhot gems
around profusely The strong smith and his men dealt such strokes upon their
work as made even the melancholy night rejoice and brought a glow into its
dark face as it hovered about the door and windows peeping curiously in above
the shoulders of a dozen loungers As to this idle company there they stood
spellbound by the place and casting now and then a glance upon the darkness
in their rear settled their lazy elbows more at ease upon the sill and leaned
a little further in no more disposed to tear themselves away than if they had
been born to cluster round the blazing hearth like so many crickets
Out upon the angry wind how from sighing it began to bluster round the
merry forge banging at the wicket and grumbling in the chimney as if it
bullied the jolly bellows for doing anything to order And what an impotent
swaggerer it was too for all its noise for if it had any influence on that
hoarse companion it was but to make him roar his cheerful song the louder and
by consequence to make the fire burn the brighter and the sparks to dance more
gaily yet at length they whizzed so madly round and round that it was too
much for such a surly wind to bear so off it flew with a howl giving the old
sign before the alehouse door such a cuff as it went that the Blue Dragon was
more rampant than usual ever afterwards and indeed before Christmas reared
clean out of its crazy frame
It was small tyranny for a respectable wind to go wreaking its vengeance on
such poor creatures as the fallen leaves but this wind happening to come up
with a great heap of them just after venting its humour on the insulted Dragon
did so disperse and scatter them that they fled away pellmell some here some
there rolling over each other whirling round and round upon their thin edges
taking frantic flights into the air and playing all manner of extraordinary
gambols in the extremity of their distress Nor was this enough for its
malicious fury for not content with driving them abroad it charged small
parties of them and hunted them into the wheelwrights sawpit and below the
planks and timbers in the yard and scattering the sawdust in the air it
looked for them underneath and when it did meet with any whew how it drove
them on and followed at their heels
The scared leaves only flew the faster for all this and a giddy chase it
was for they got into unfrequented places where there was no outlet and where
their pursuer kept them eddying round and round at his pleasure and they crept
under the eaves of houses and clung tightly to the sides of hayricks like
bats and tore in at open chamber windows and cowered close to hedges and in
short went anywhere for safety But the oddest feat they achieved was to take
advantage of the sudden opening of Mr Pecksniffs frontdoor to dash wildly
into his passage whither the wind following close upon them and finding the
backdoor open incontinently blew out the lighted candle held by Miss
Pecksniff and slammed the front door against Mr Pecksniff who was at that
moment entering with such violence that in the twinkling of an eye he lay on
his back at the bottom of the steps Being by this time weary of such trifling
performances the boisterous rover hurried away rejoicing roaring over moor and
meadow hill and flat until it got out to sea where it met with other winds
similarly disposed and made a night of it
In the meantime Mr Pecksniff having received from a sharp angle in the
bottom step but one that sort of knock on the head which lights up for the
patients entertainment an imaginary general illumination of very bright
shortsixes lay placidly staring at his own streetdoor And it would seem to
have been more suggestive in its aspect than streetdoors usually are for he
continued to lie there rather a lengthy and unreasonable time without so much
as wondering whether he was hurt or no neither when Miss Pecksniff inquired
through the keyhole in a shrill voice which might have belonged to a wind in
its teens »Whos there« did he make any reply nor when Miss Pecksniff opened
the door again and shading the candle with her hand peered out and looked
provokingly round him and about him and over him and everywhere but at him
did he offer any remark or indicate in any manner the least hint of a desire to
be picked up
»I see you« cried Miss Pecksniff to the ideal inflicter of a runaway
knock »Youll catch it sir«
Still Mr Pecksniff perhaps from having caught it already said nothing
»Youre round the corner now« cried Miss Pecksniff She said it at a
venture but there was appropriate matter in it too for Mr Pecksniff being in
the act of extinguishing the candles before mentioned pretty rapidly and of
reducing the number of brass knobs on his streetdoor from four or five hundred
which had previously been juggling of their own accord before his eyes in a
very novel manner to a dozen or so might in one sense have been said to be
coming round the corner and just turning it
With a sharplydelivered warning relative to the cage and the constable and
the stocks and the gallows Miss Pecksniff was about to close the door again
when Mr Pecksniff being still at the bottom of the steps raised himself on
one elbow and sneezed
»That voice« cried Miss Pecksniff »My parent«
At this exclamation another Miss Pecksniff bounced out of the parlour and
the two Miss Pecksniffs with many incoherent expressions dragged Mr Pecksniff
into an upright posture
»Pa« they cried in concert »Pa Speak Pa Do not look so wild my dearest
Pa«
But as a gentlemans looks in such a case of all others are by no means
under his own control Mr Pecksniff continued to keep his mouth and his eyes
very wide open and to drop his lower jaw somewhat after the manner of a toy
nutcracker and as his hat had fallen off and his face was pale and his hair
erect and his coat muddy the spectacle he presented was so very doleful that
neither of the Miss Pecksniffs could repress an involuntary screech
»Thatll do« said Mr Pecksniff »Im better«
»Hes come to himself« cried the youngest Miss Pecksniff
»He speaks again« exclaimed the eldest
With these joyful words they kissed Mr Pecksniff on either cheek and bore
him into the house Presently the youngest Miss Pecksniff ran out again to pick
up his hat his brown paper parcel his umbrella his gloves and other small
articles and that done and the door closed both young ladies applied
themselves to tending Mr Pecksniffs wounds in the back parlour
They were not very serious in their nature being limited to abrasions on
what the eldest Miss Pecksniff called the knobby parts of her parents anatomy
such as his knees and elbows and to the development of an entirely new organ
unknown to phrenologists on the back of his head These injuries having been
comforted externally with patches of pickled brown paper and Mr Pecksniff
having been comforted internally with some stiff brandyandwater the eldest
Miss Pecksniff sat down to make the tea which was all ready In the meantime
the youngest Miss Pecksniff brought from the kitchen a smoking dish of ham and
eggs and setting the same before her father took up her station on a low
stool at his feet thereby bringing her eyes on a level with the teaboard
It must not be inferred from this position of humility that the youngest
Miss Pecksniff was so young as to be as one may say forced to sit upon a
stool by reason of the shortness of her legs Miss Pecksniff sat upon a stool
because of her simplicity and innocence which were very great very great Miss
Pecksniff sat upon a stool because she was all girlishness and playfulness
and wildness and kittenish buoyancy She was the most arch and at the same time
the most artless creature was the youngest Miss Pecksniff that you can
possibly imagine It was her great charm She was too fresh and guileless and
too full of childlike vivacity was the youngest Miss Pecksniff to wear combs
in her hair or to turn it up or to frizzle it or braid it She wore it in a
crop a loosely flowing crop which had so many rows of curls in it that the
top row was only one curl Moderately buxom was her shape and quite womanly
too but sometimes yes sometimes she even wore a pinafore and how charming
that was Oh she was indeed »a gushing thing« as a young gentleman had
observed in verse in the Poetscorner of a provincial newspaper was the
youngest Miss Pecksniff
Mr Pecksniff was a moral man a grave man a man of noble sentiments and
speech and he had had her christened Mercy Mercy oh what a charming name for
such a puresouled being as the youngest Miss Pecksniff Her sisters name was
Charity There was a good thing Mercy and Charity And Charity with her fine
strong sense and her mild yet not reproachful gravity was so well named and
did so well set off and illustrate her sister What a pleasant sight was that
the contrast they presented to see each loved and loving one sympathising with
and devoted to and leaning on and yet correcting and counterchecking and as
it were antidoting the other To behold each damsel in her very admiration of
her sister setting up in business for herself on an entirely different
principle and announcing no connexion with overtheway and if the quality of
goods at that establishment dont please you you are respectfully invited to
favour ME with a call And the crowning circumstance of the whole delightful
catalogue was that both the fair creatures were so utterly unconscious of all
this They had no idea of it They no more thought or dreamed of it than Mr
Pecksniff did Nature played them off against each other they had no hand in
it the two Miss Pecksniffs
It has been remarked that Mr Pecksniff was a moral man So he was Perhaps
there never was a more moral man than Mr Pecksniff especially in his
conversation and correspondence It was once said of him by a homely admirer
that he had a Fortunatuss purse of good sentiments in his inside In this
particular he was like the girl in the fairy tale except that if they were not
actual diamonds which fell from his lips they were the very brightest paste
and shone prodigiously He was a most exemplary man fuller of virtuous precept
than a copybook Some people likened him to a directionpost which is always
telling the way to a place and never goes there but these were his enemies
the shadows cast by his brightness that was all His very throat was moral You
saw a good deal of it You looked over a very low fence of white cravat whereof
no man had ever beheld the tie for he fastened it behind and there it lay a
valley between two jutting heights of collar serene and whiskerless before you
It seemed to say on the part of Mr Pecksniff »There is no deception ladies
and gentlemen all is peace a holy calm pervades me« So did his hair just
grizzled with an irongray which was all brushed off his forehead and stood
bolt upright or slightly drooped in kindred action with his heavy eyelids So
did his person which was sleek though free from corpulency So did his manner
which was soft and oily In a word even his plain black suit and state of
widower and dangling double eyeglass all tended to the same purpose and cried
aloud »Behold the moral Pecksniff«
The brazen plate upon the door which being Mr Pecksniffs could not lie
bore this inscription »PECKSNIFF ARCHITECT« to which Mr Pecksniff on his
cards of business added »AND LAND SURVEYOR« In one sense and only one he
may be said to have been a Land Surveyor on a pretty large scale as an
extensive prospect lay stretched out before the windows of his house Of his
architectural doings nothing was clearly known except that he had never
designed or built anything but it was generally understood that his knowledge
of the science was almost awful in its profundity
Mr Pecksniffs professional engagements indeed were almost if not
entirely confined to the reception of pupils for the collection of rents with
which pursuit he occasionally varied and relieved his graver toils can hardly
be said to be a strictly architectural employment His genius lay in ensnaring
parents and guardians and pocketing premiums A young gentlemans premium being
paid and the young gentleman come to Mr Pecksniffs house Mr Pecksniff
borrowed his case of mathematical instruments if silvermounted or otherwise
valuable entreated him from that moment to consider himself one of the
family complimented him highly on his parents or guardians as the case might
be and turned him loose in a spacious room on the twopair front where in the
company of certain drawingboards parallel rulers very stifflegged compasses
and two or perhaps three other young gentlemen he improved himself for three
or five years according to his articles in making elevations of Salisbury
Cathedral from every possible point of sight and in constructing in the air a
vast quantity of Castles Houses of Parliament and other Public Buildings
Perhaps in no place in the world were so many gorgeous edifices of this class
erected as under Mr Pecksniffs auspices and if but onetwentieth part of the
churches which were built in that front room with one or other of the Miss
Pecksniffs at the altar in the act of marrying the architect could only be made
available by the parliamentary commissioners no more churches would be wanted
for at least five centuries
»Even the worldly goods of which we have just disposed« said Mr Pecksniff
glancing round the table when he had finished »even cream sugar tea toast
ham «
»And eggs« suggested Charity in a low voice
»And eggs« said Mr Pecksniff »even they have their moral See how they
come and go Every pleasure is transitory We cant even eat long If we
indulge in harmless fluids we get the dropsy if in exciting liquids we get
drunk What a soothing reflection is that«
»Dont say we get drunk Pa« urged the eldest Miss Pecksniff
»When I say we my dear« returned her father »I mean mankind in general
the human race considered as a body and not as individuals There is nothing
personal in morality my love Even such a thing as this« said Mr Pecksniff
laying the forefinger of his left hand upon the brown paper patch on the top of
his head »slight casual baldness though it be reminds us that we are but« he
was going to say »worms« but recollecting that worms were not remarkable for
heads of hair he substituted »flesh and blood«
»Which« cried Mr Pecksniff after a pause during which he seemed to have
been casting about for a new moral and not quite successfully »which is also
very soothing Mercy my dear stir the fire and throw up the cinders«
The young lady obeyed and having done so resumed her stool reposed one
arm upon her fathers knee and laid her blooming cheek upon it Miss Charity
drew her chair nearer the fire as one prepared for conversation and looked
towards her father
»Yes« said Mr Pecksniff after a short pause during which he had been
silently smiling and shaking his head at the fire »I have again been fortunate
in the attainment of my object A new inmate will very shortly come among us«
»A youth papa« asked Charity
»Yees a youth« said Mr Pecksniff »He will avail himself of the eligible
opportunity which now offers for uniting the advantages of the best practical
architectural education with the comforts of a home and the constant
association with some who however humble their sphere and limited their
capacity are not unmindful of their moral responsibilities«
»Oh Pa« cried Mercy holding up her finger archly »See advertisement«
»Playful playful warbler« said Mr Pecksniff It may be observed in
connexion with his calling his daughter a warbler that she was not at all
vocal but that Mr Pecksniff was in the frequent habit of using any word that
occurred to him as having a good sound and rounding a sentence well without
much care for its meaning And he did this so boldly and in such an imposing
manner that he would sometimes stagger the wisest people with his eloquence
and make them gasp again
His enemies asserted by the way that a strong trustfulness in sounds and
forms was the masterkey to Mr Pecksniffs character
»Is he handsome Pa« inquired the younger daughter
»Silly Merry« said the eldest Merry being fond for Mercy »What is the
premium Pa tell us that«
»Oh good gracious Cherry« cried Miss Mercy holding up her hands with the
most winning giggle in the world »what a mercenary girl you are oh you
naughty thoughtful prudent thing«
It was perfectly charming and worthy of the Pastoral age to see how the
two Miss Pecksniffs slapped each other after this and then subsided into an
embrace expressive of their different dispositions
»He is well looking« said Mr Pecksniff slowly and distinctly »well
looking enough I do not positively expect any immediate premium with him«
Notwithstanding their different natures both Charity and Mercy concurred in
opening their eyes uncommonly wide at this announcement and in looking for the
moment as blank as if their thoughts had actually had a direct bearing on the
mainchance
»But what of that« said Mr Pecksniff still smiling at the fire »There is
disinterestedness in the world I hope We are not all arrayed in two opposite
ranks the offensive and the defensive Some few there are who walk between who
help the needy as they go and take no part with either side Umph«
There was something in these morsels of philanthropy which reassured the
sisters They exchanged glances and brightened very much
»Oh let us not be for ever calculating devising and plotting for the
future« said Mr Pecksniff smiling more and more and looking at the fire as a
man might who was cracking a joke with it »I am weary of such arts If our
inclinations are but good and openhearted let us gratify them boldly though
they bring upon us Loss instead of Profit Eh Charity«
Glancing towards his daughters for the first time since he had begun these
reflections and seeing that they both smiled Mr Pecksniff eyed them for an
instant so jocosely though still with a kind of saintly waggishness that the
younger one was moved to sit upon his knee forthwith put her fair arms round
his neck and kiss him twenty times During the whole of this affectionate
display she laughed to a most immoderate extent in which hilarious indulgence
even the prudent Cherry joined
»Tut tut« said Mr Pecksniff pushing his latestborn away and running his
fingers through his hair as he resumed his tranquil face »What folly is this
Let us take heed how we laugh without reason lest we cry with it What is the
domestic news since yesterday John Westlock is gone I hope«
»Indeed no« said Charity
»And why not« returned her father »His term expired yesterday And his box
was packed I know for I saw it in the morning standing in the hall«
»He slept last night at the Dragon« returned the young lady »and had Mr
Pinch to dine with him They spent the evening together and Mr Pinch was not
home till very late«
»And when I saw him on the stairs this morning Pa« said Mercy with her
usual sprightliness »he looked oh goodness such a monster with his face all
manner of colours and his eyes as dull as if they had been boiled and his head
aching dreadfully I am sure from the look of it and his clothes smelling oh
its impossible to say how strong of« here the young lady shuddered »of
smoke and punch«
»Now I think« said Mr Pecksniff with his accustomed gentleness though
still with the air of one who suffered under injury without complaint »I think
Mr Pinch might have done better than choose for his companion one who at the
close of a long intercourse had endeavoured as he knew to wound my feelings
I am not quite sure that this was delicate in Mr Pinch I am not quite sure
that this was kind in Mr Pinch I will go further and say I am not quite sure
that this was even ordinarily grateful in Mr Pinch«
»But what can anyone expect from Mr Pinch« cried Charity with as strong
and scornful an emphasis on the name as if it would have given her unspeakable
pleasure to express it in an acted charade on the calf of that gentlemans
leg
»Ay ay« returned her father raising his hand mildly »it is very well to
say what can we expect from Mr Pinch but Mr Pinch is a fellowcreature my
dear Mr Pinch is an item in the vast total of humanity my love and we have a
right it is our duty to expect in Mr Pinch some development of those better
qualities the possession of which in our own persons inspires our humble
selfrespect No« continued Mr Pecksniff »No Heaven forbid that I should
say nothing can be expected from Mr Pinch or that I should say nothing can
be expected from any man alive even the most degraded which Mr Pinch is not
no really but Mr Pinch has disappointed me he has hurt me I think a little
the worse of him on this account but not of human nature Oh no no«
»Hark« said Miss Charity holding up her finger as a gentle rap was heard
at the streetdoor »There is the creature Now mark my words he has come back
with John Westlock for his box and is going to help him to take it to the mail
Only mark my words if that isnt his intention«
Even as she spoke the box appeared to be in progress of conveyance from the
house but after a brief murmuring of question and answer it was put down
again and somebody knocked at the parlour door
»Come in« cried Mr Pecksniff not severely only virtuously »Come in«
An ungainly awkwardlooking man extremely shortsighted and prematurely
bald availed himself of this permission and seeing that Mr Pecksniff sat with
his back towards him gazing at the fire stood hesitating with the door in his
hand He was far from handsome certainly and was drest in a snuffcoloured
suit of an uncouth make at the best which being shrunk with long wear was
twisted and tortured into all kinds of odd shapes but notwithstanding his
attire and his clumsy figure which a great stoop in his shoulders and a
ludicrous habit he had of thrusting his head forward by no means redeemed one
would not have been disposed unless Mr Pecksniff said so to consider him a
bad fellow by any means He was perhaps about thirty but he might have been
almost any age between sixteen and sixty being one of those strange creatures
who never decline into an ancient appearance but look their oldest when they
are very young and get it over at once
Keeping his hand upon the lock of the door he glanced from Mr Pecksniff to
Mercy from Mercy to Charity and from Charity to Mr Pecksniff again several
times but the young ladies being as intent upon the fire as their father was
and neither of the three taking any notice of him he was fain to say at last
»Oh I beg your pardon Mr Pecksniff I beg your pardon for intruding but
«
»No intrusion Mr Pinch« said that gentleman very sweetly but without
looking round »Pray be seated Mr Pinch Have the goodness to shut the door
Mr Pinch if you please«
»Certainly sir« said Pinch not doing so however but holding it rather
wider open than before and beckoning nervously to somebody without »Mr
Westlock sir hearing that you were come home «
»Mr Pinch Mr Pinch« said Pecksniff wheeling his chair about and
looking at him with an aspect of the deepest melancholy »I did not expect this
from you I have not deserved this from you«
»No but upon my word sir« urged Pinch
»The less you say Mr Pinch« interposed the other »the better I utter no
complaint Make no defence«
»No but do have the goodness sir« cried Pinch with great earnestness
»if you please Mr Westlock sir going away for good and all wishes to leave
none but friends behind him Mr Westlock and you sir had a little difference
the other day you have had many little differences«
»Little differences« cried Charity
»Little differences« echoed Mercy
»My loves« said Mr Pecksniff with the same serene upraising of his hand
»My dears« After a solemn pause he meekly bowed to Mr Pinch as who should
say »Proceed« but Mr Pinch was so very much at a loss how to resume and
looked so helplessly at the two Miss Pecksniffs that the conversation would
most probably have terminated there if a goodlooking youth newly arrived at
mans estate had not stepped forward from the doorway and taken up the thread
of the discourse
»Come Mr Pecksniff« he said with a smile »dont let there be any
illblood between us pray I am sorry we have ever differed and extremely
sorry I have ever given you offence Bear me no illwill at parting sir«
»I bear« answered Mr Pecksniff mildly »no illwill to any man on earth«
»I told you he didnt« said Pinch in an undertone »I knew he didnt He
always says he dont«
»Then you will shake hands sir« cried Westlock advancing a step or two
and bespeaking Mr Pinchs close attention by a glance
»Umph« said Mr Pecksniff in his most winning tone
»You will shake hands sir«
»No John« said Mr Pecksniff with a calmness quite ethereal »no I will
not shake hands John I have forgiven you I had already forgiven you even
before you ceased to reproach and taunt me I have embraced you in the spirit
John which is better than shaking hands«
»Pinch« said the youth turning towards him with a hearty disgust of his
late master »what did I tell you«
Poor Pinch looked down uneasily at Mr Pecksniff whose eye was fixed upon
him as it had been from the first and looking up at the ceiling again made no
reply
»As to your forgiveness Mr Pecksniff« said the youth »Ill not have it
upon such terms I wont be forgiven«
»Wont you John« retorted Mr Pecksniff with a smile »You must You
cant help it Forgiveness is a high quality an exalted virtue far above your
control or influence John I will forgive you You cannot move me to remember
any wrong you have ever done me John«
»Wrong« cried the other with all the heat and impetuosity of his age
»Heres a pretty fellow Wrong Wrong I have done him Hell not even remember
the five hundred pounds he had with me under false pretences or the seventy
pounds ayear for board and lodging that would have been dear at seventeen
Heres a martyr«
»Money John« said Mr Pecksniff »is the root of all evil I grieve to see
that it is already bearing evil fruit in you But I will not remember its
existence. I will not even remember the conduct of that misguided person« and
here although he spoke like one at peace with all the world he used an
emphasis that plainly said I have my eye upon the rascal now »that misguided
person who has brought you here tonight seeking to disturb it is a happiness
to say in vain the hearts repose and peace of one who would have shed his
dearest blood to serve him«
The voice of Mr Pecksniff trembled as he spoke and sobs were heard from
his daughters Sounds floated on the air moreover as if two spirit voices had
exclaimed one »Beast« the other »Savage«
»Forgiveness« said Mr Pecksniff »entire and pure forgiveness is not
incompatible with a wounded heart perchance when the heart is wounded it
becomes a greater virtue With my breast still wrung and grieved to its inmost
core by the ingratitude of that person I am proud and glad to say that I
forgive him Nay I beg« cried Mr Pecksniff raising his voice as Pinch
appeared about to speak »I beg that individual not to offer a remark he will
truly oblige me by not uttering one word just now I am not sure that I am
equal to the trial In a very short space of time I shall have sufficient
fortitude I trust to converse with him as if these events had never happened
But not« said Mr Pecksniff turning round again towards the fire and waving
his hand in the direction of the door »not now«
»Bah« cried John Westlock with the utmost disgust and disdain the
monosyllable is capable of expressing »Ladies good evening Come Pinch its
not worth thinking of I was right and you were wrong Thats a small matter
youll be wiser another time«
So saying he clapped that dejected companion on the shoulder turned upon
his heel and walked out into the passage whither poor Mr Pinch after
lingering irresolutely in the parlour for a few seconds expressing in his
countenance the deepest mental misery and gloom followed him Then they took up
the box between them and sallied out to meet the mail
That fleet conveyance passed every night the corner of a lane at some
distance towards which point they bent their steps For some minutes they
walked along in silence until at length young Westlock burst into a loud laugh
and at intervals into another and another Still there was no response from his
companion
»Ill tell you what Pinch« he said abruptly after another lengthened
silence »You havent half enough of the devil in you Half enough You havent
any«
»Well« said Pinch with a sigh »I dont know Im sure Its a compliment
to say so If I havent I suppose Im all the better for it«
»All the better« repeated his companion tartly »All the worse you mean to
say«
»And yet« said Pinch pursuing his own thoughts and not this last remark on
the part of his friend »I must have a good deal of what you call the devil in
me too or how could I make Pecksniff so uncomfortable I wouldnt have
occasioned him so much distress dont laugh please for a mine of money and
Heaven knows I could find good use for it too John How grieved he was«
»He grieved« returned the other
»Why didnt you observe that the tears were almost starting out of his
eyes« cried Pinch »Bless my soul John is it nothing to see a man moved to
that extent and know ones self to be the cause And did you hear him say that
he could have shed his blood for me«
»Do you want any blood shed for you« returned his friend with considerable
irritation »Does he shed anything for you that you do want Does he shed
employment for you instruction for you pocketmoney for you Does he shed even
legs of mutton for you in any decent proportion to potatoes and garden stuff«
»I am afraid« said Pinch sighing again »that I am a great eater I cant
disguise from myself that Im a great eater Now you know that John«
»You a great eater« retorted his companion with no less indignation than
before »How do you know you are«
There appeared to be forcible matter in this inquiry for Mr Pinch only
repeated in an undertone that he had a strong misgiving on the subject and
that he greatly feared he was
»Besides whether I am or no« he added »that has little or nothing to do
with his thinking me ungrateful John there is scarcely a sin in the world that
is in my eyes such a crying one as ingratitude and when he taxes me with that
and believes me to be guilty of it he makes me miserable and wretched«
»Do you think he dont know that« returned the other scornfully »But come
Pinch before I say anything more to you just run over the reasons you have for
being grateful to him at all will you change hands first for the box is
heavy Thatll do Now go on«
»In the first place« said Pinch »he took me as his pupil for much less
than he asked«
»Well« rejoined his friend perfectly unmoved by this instance of
generosity »What in the second place«
»What in the second place« cried Pinch in a sort of desperation »why
everything in the second place My poor old grandmother died happy to think that
she had put me with such an excellent man I have grown up in his house I am in
his confidence I am his assistant he allows me a salary when his business
improves my prospects are to improve too All this and a great deal more is
in the second place And in the very prologue and preface to the first place
John you must consider this which nobody knows better than I that I was born
for much plainer and poorer things that I am not a good hand for his kind of
business and have no talent for it or indeed for anything else but odds and
ends that are of no use or service to anybody«
He said this with so much earnestness and in a tone so full of feeling
that his companion instinctively changed his manner as he sat down on the box
they had by this time reached the fingerpost at the end of the lane motioned
him to sit down beside him and laid his hand upon his shoulder
»I believe you are one of the best fellows in the world« he said »Tom
Pinch«
»Not at all« rejoined Tom »If you only knew Pecksniff as well as I do you
might say it of him indeed and say it truly«
»Ill say anything of him you like« returned the other »and not another
word to his disparagement«
»Its for my sake then not his I am afraid« said Pinch shaking his head
gravely
»For whose you please Tom so that it does please you Oh Hes a famous
fellow He never scraped and clawed into his pouch all your poor grandmothers
hard savings she was a housekeeper wasnt she Tom«
»Yes« said Mr Pinch nursing one of his large knees and nodding his head
»a gentlemans housekeeper«
»He never scraped and clawed into his pouch all her hard savings dazzling
her with prospects of your happiness and advancement which he knew and no man
better never would be realised He never speculated and traded on her pride in
you and her having educated you and on her desire that you at least should
live to be a gentleman Not he Tom«
»No« said Tom looking into his friends face as if he were a little
doubtful of his meaning »of course not«
»So I say« returned the youth »of course he never did He didnt take less
than he had asked because that less was all she had and more than he expected
not he Tom He doesnt keep you as his assistant because you are of any use to
him because your wonderful faith in his pretensions is of inestimable service
in all his mean disputes because your honesty reflects honesty on him because
your wandering about this little place all your spare hours reading in ancient
books and foreign tongues gets noised abroad even as far as Salisbury making
of him Pecksniff the master a man of learning and of vast importance He gets
no credit from you Tom not he«
»Why of course he dont« said Pinch gazing at his friend with a more
troubled aspect than before »Pecksniff get credit from me Well«
»Dont I say that its ridiculous« rejoined the other »even to think of
such a thing«
»Why its madness« said Tom
»Madness« returned young Westlock »Certainly its madness Who but a
madman would suppose he cares to hear it said on Sundays that the volunteer who
plays the organ in the church and practises on summer evenings in the dark is
Mr Pecksniffs young man eh Tom Who but a madman would suppose it is the
game of such a man as he to have his name in everybodys mouth connected with
the thousand useless odds and ends you do and which of course he taught you
eh Tom Who but a madman would suppose you advertised him hereabouts much
cheaper and much better than a chalker on the walls could eh Tom As well
might one suppose that he doesnt on all occasions pour out his whole heart and
soul to you that he doesnt make you a very liberal and indeed rather an
extravagant allowance or to be more wild and monstrous still if that be
possible as well might one suppose« and here at every word he struck him
lightly on the breast »that Pecksniff traded in your nature and that your
nature was to be timid and distrustful of yourself and trustful of all other
men but most of all of him who least deserves it There would be madness
Tom«
Mr Pinch had listened to all this with looks of bewilderment which seemed
to be in part occasioned by the matter of his companions speech and in part by
his rapid and vehement manner Now that he had come to a close he drew a very
long breath and gazing wistfully in his face as if he were unable to settle in
his own mind what expression it wore and were desirous to draw from it as good
a clue to his real meaning as it was possible to obtain in the dark was about
to answer when the sound of the mail guards horn came cheerily upon their
ears putting an immediate end to the conference greatly as it seemed to the
satisfaction of the younger man who jumped up briskly and gave his hand to his
companion
»Both hands Tom I shall write to you from London mind«
»Yes« said Pinch »Yes Do please Good bye Good bye I can hardly
believe youre going It seems now but yesterday that you came Good bye my
dear old fellow«
John Westlock returned his parting words with no less heartiness of manner
and sprung up to his seat upon the roof Off went the mail at a canter down the
dark road the lamps gleaming brightly and the horn awakening all the echoes
far and wide
»Go your ways« said Pinch apostrophising the coach »I can hardly persuade
myself but youre alive and are some great monster who visits this place at
certain intervals to bear my friends away into the world Youre more exulting
and rampant than usual tonight I think and you may well crow over your prize
for he is a fine lad an ingenuous lad and has but one fault that I know of he
dont mean it but he is most cruelly unjust to Pecksniff«
Chapter III
In which Certain Other Persons Are Introduced on the Same Terms as in the Last
Chapter
Mention has been already made more than once of a certain Dragon who swung and
creaked complainingly before the village alehouse door A faded and an ancient
dragon he was and many a wintry storm of rain snow sleet and hail had
changed his colour from a gaudy blue to a faint lacklustre shade of gray But
there he hung rearing in a state of monstrous imbecility on his hind legs
waxing with every month that passed so much more dim and shapeless that as
you gazed at him on one side of the signboard it seemed as if he must be
gradually melting through it and coming out upon the other
He was a courteous and considerate dragon too or had been in his distincter
days for in the midst of his rampant feebleness he kept one of his fore paws
near his nose as though he would say »Dont mind me its only my fun« while
he held out the other in polite and hospitable entreaty Indeed it must be
conceded to the whole brood of dragons of modern times that they have made a
great advance in civilisation and refinement They no longer demand a beautiful
virgin for breakfast every morning with as much regularity as any tame single
gentleman expects his hot roll but rest content with the society of idle
bachelors and roving married men and they are now remarkable rather for holding
aloof from the softer sex and discouraging their visits especially on Saturday
nights than for rudely insisting on their company without any reference to
their inclinations as they are known to have done in days of yore
Nor is this tribute to the reclaimed animals in question so wide a
digression into the realms of Natural History as it may at first sight appear
to be for the present business of these pages is with the dragon who had his
retreat in Mr Pecksniffs neighbourhood and that courteous animal being
already on the carpet there is nothing in the way of its immediate transaction
For many years then he had swung and creaked and flapped himself about
before the two windows of the best bedroom in that house of entertainment to
which he lent his name but never in all his swinging creaking and flapping
had there been such a stir within its dingy precincts as on the evening next
after that upon which the incidents detailed in the last chapter occurred
when there was such a hurrying up and down stairs of feet such a glancing of
lights such a whispering of voices such a smoking and sputtering of wood newly
lighted in a damp chimney such an airing of linen such a scorching smell of
hot warmingpans such a domestic bustle and todo in short as never dragon
griffin unicorn or other animal of that species presided over since they
first began to interest themselves in household affairs
An old gentleman and a young lady travelling unattended in a rusty old
chariot with posthorses coming nobody knew whence and going nobody knew
whither had turned out of the high road and driven unexpectedly to the Blue
Dragon and here was the old gentleman who had taken this step by reason of his
sudden illness in the carriage suffering the most horrible cramps and spasms
yet protesting and vowing in the very midst of his pain that he wouldnt have a
doctor sent for and wouldnt take any remedies but those which the young lady
administered from a small medicinechest and wouldnt in a word do anything
but terrify the landlady out of her five wits and obstinately refuse compliance
with every suggestion that was made to him
Of all the five hundred proposals for his relief which the good woman poured
out in less than halfanhour he would entertain but one That was that he
should go to bed And it was in the preparation of his bed and the arrangement
of his chamber that all the stir was made in the room behind the Dragon
He was beyond all question very ill and suffered exceedingly not the
less perhaps because he was a strong and vigorous old man with a will of
iron and a voice of brass But neither the apprehensions which he plainly
entertained at times for his life nor the great pain he underwent influenced
his resolution in the least degree He would have no person sent for The worse
he grew the more rigid and inflexible he became in his determination If they
sent for any person to attend him man woman or child he would leave the
house directly so he told them though he quitted it on foot and died upon
the threshold of the door
Now there being no medical practitioner actually resident in the village
but a poor apothecary who was also a grocer and general dealer the landlady
had upon her own responsibility sent for him in the very first burst and
outset of the disaster Of course it followed as a necessary result of his
being wanted that he was not at home He had gone some miles away and was not
expected home until late at night so the landlady being by this time pretty
well beside herself despatched the same messenger in all haste for Mr
Pecksniff as a learned man who could bear a deal of responsibility and a moral
man who could administer a world of comfort to a troubled mind That her guest
had need of some efficient services under the latter head was obvious enough
from the restless expressions importing however rather a worldly than a
spiritual anxiety to which he gave frequent utterance
From this lastmentioned secret errand the messenger returned with no
better news than from the first Mr Pecksniff was not at home However they
got the patient into bed without him and in the course of two hours he
gradually became so far better that there were much longer intervals than at
first between his terms of suffering By degrees he ceased to suffer at all
though his exhaustion was occasionally so great that it suggested hardly less
alarm than his actual endurance had done
It was in one of his intervals of repose when looking round with great
caution and reaching uneasily out of his nest of pillows he endeavoured with
a strange air of secrecy and distrust to make use of the writing materials
which he had ordered to be placed on a table beside him that the young lady and
the mistress of the Blue Dragon found themselves sitting side by side before
the fire in the sick chamber
The mistress of the Blue Dragon was in outward appearance just what a
landlady should be broad buxom comfortable and goodlooking with a face of
clear red and white which by its jovial aspect at once bore testimony to her
hearty participation in the good things of the larder and cellar and to their
thriving and healthful influences She was a widow but years ago had passed
through her state of weeds and burst into flower again and in full bloom she
had continued ever since and in full bloom she was now with roses on her ample
skirts and roses on her boddice roses in her cap roses in her cheeks ay
and roses worth the gathering too on her lips for that matter She had still
a bright black eye and jet black hair was comely dimpled plump and tight as
a gooseberry and though she was not exactly what the world calls young you may
make an affidavit on trust before any mayor or magistrate in Christendom that
there are a great many young ladies in the world blessings on them one and
all whom you wouldnt like half as well or admire half as much as the
beaming hostess of the Blue Dragon
As this fair matron sat beside the fire she glanced occasionally with all
the pride of ownership about the room which was a large apartment such as one
may see in country places with a low roof and a sunken flooring all downhill
from the door and a descent of two steps on the inside so exquisitely
unexpected that strangers despite the most elaborate cautioning usually dived
in headfirst as into a plungingbath It was none of your frivolous and
preposterously bright bedrooms where nobody can close an eye with any kind of
propriety or decent regard to the association of ideas; but it was a good dull
leaden drowsy place where every article of furniture reminded you that you
came there to sleep and that you were expected to go to sleep There was no
wakeful reflection of the fire there as in your modern chambers which upon the
darkest nights have a watchful consciousness of French polish the old Spanish
mahogany winked at it now and then as a dozing cat or dog might nothing more
The very size and shape and hopeless immoveability of the bedstead and
wardrobe and in a minor degree of even the chairs and tables provoked sleep
they were plainly apoplectic and disposed to snore There were no staring
portraits to remonstrate with you for being lazy no roundeyed birds upon the
curtains disgustingly wide awake and insufferably prying The thick neutral
hangings and the dark blinds and the heavy heap of bedclothes were all
designed to hold in sleep and act as nonconductors to the day and getting up
Even the old stuffed fox upon the top of the wardrobe was devoid of any spark of
vigilance for his glass eye had fallen out and he slumbered as he stood
The wandering attention of the mistress of the Blue Dragon roved to these
things but twice or thrice and then for but an instant at a time It soon
deserted them and even the distant bed with its strange burden for the young
creature immediately before her who with her downcast eyes intently fixed upon
the fire sat wrapped in silent meditation
She was very young apparently no more than seventeen timid and shrinking
in her manner and yet with a greater share of self-possession and control over
her emotions than usually belongs to a far more advanced period of female life
This she had abundantly shown but now in her tending of the sick gentleman
She was short in stature and her figure was slight as became her years but
all the charms of youth and maidenhood set it off and clustered on her gentle
brow Her face was very pale in part no doubt from recent agitation Her dark
brown hair disordered from the same cause had fallen negligently from its
bonds and hung upon her neck for which instance of its waywardness no male
observer would have had the heart to blame it
Her attire was that of a lady but extremely plain and in her manner even
when she sat as still as she did then there was an indefinable something which
appeared to be in kindred with her scrupulously unpretending dress She had sat
at first looking anxiously towards the bed but seeing that the patient remained
quiet and was busy with his writing she had softly moved her chair into its
present place partly as it seemed from an instinctive consciousness that he
desired to avoid observation and partly that she might unseen by him give
some vent to the natural feelings she had hitherto suppressed
Of all this and much more the rosy landlady of the Blue Dragon took as
accurate note and observation as only woman can take of woman And at length she
said in a voice too low she knew to reach the bed
»You have seen the gentleman in this way before miss Is he used to these
attacks«
»I have seen him very ill before but not so ill as he has been tonight«
»What a Providence« said the landlady of the Dragon »that you had the
prescriptions and the medicines with you miss«
»They are intended for such an emergency We never travel without them«
»Oh« thought the hostess »then we are in the habit of travelling and of
travelling together«
She was so conscious of expressing this in her face that meeting the young
ladys eyes immediately afterwards and being a very honest hostess she was
rather confused
»The gentleman your grandpapa« she resumed after a short pause »being
so bent on having no assistance must terrify you very much miss«
»I have been very much alarmed tonight He he is not my grandfather«
»Father I should have said« returned the hostess sensible of having made
an awkward mistake
»Nor my father« said the young lady »Nor« she added slightly smiling
with a quick perception of what the landlady was going to add »Nor my uncle We
are not related«
»Oh dear me« returned the landlady still more embarrassed than before
»how could I be so very much mistaken knowing as anybody in their proper
senses might that when a gentleman is ill he looks so much older than he
really is That I should have called you Miss too Maam« But when she had
proceeded thus far she glanced involuntarily at the third finger of the young
ladys left hand and faltered again for there was no ring upon it
»When I told you we were not related« said the other mildly but not
without confusion on her own part »I meant not in any way Not even by
marriage Did you call me Martin«
»Call you« cried the old man looking quickly up and hurriedly drawing
beneath the coverlet the paper on which he had been writing »No«
She had moved a pace or two towards the bed but stopped immediately and
went no farther
»No« he repeated with a petulant emphasis »Why do you ask me If I had
called you what need for such a question«
»It was the creaking of the sign outside sir I dare say« observed the
landlady a suggestion by the way as she felt a moment after she had made it
not at all complimentary to the voice of the old gentleman
»No matter what maam« he rejoined »it wasnt I Why how you stand there
Mary as if I had the plague But theyre all afraid of me« he added leaning
helplessly backward on his pillow »even she There is a curse upon me What
else have I to look for«
»Oh dear no Oh no Im sure« said the goodtempered landlady rising and
going towards him »Be of better cheer sir These are only sick fancies«
»What are only sick fancies« he retorted »What do you know about fancies
Who told you about fancies The old story Fancies«
»Only see again there how you take one up« said the mistress of the Blue
Dragon with unimpaired good humour »Dear heart alive there is no harm in the
word sir if it is an old one Folks in good health have their fancies too and
strange ones every day«
Harmless as this speech appeared to be it acted on the travellers
distrust like oil on fire He raised his head up in the bed and fixing on her
two dark eyes whose brightness was exaggerated by the paleness of his hollow
cheeks as they in turn together with his straggling locks of long gray hair
were rendered whiter by the tight black velvet skullcap which he wore he
searched her face intently
»Ah you begin too soon« he said in so low a voice that he seemed to be
thinking it rather than addressing her »But you lose no time You do your
errand and you earn your fee Now who may be your client«
The landlady looked in great astonishment at her whom he called Mary and
finding no rejoinder in the drooping face looked back again at him At first
she had recoiled involuntarily supposing him disordered in his mind but the
slow composure of his manner and the settled purpose announced in his strong
features and gathering most of all about his puckered mouth forbade the
supposition
»Come« he said »tell me who is it Being here it is not very hard for me
to guess you may suppose«
»Martin« interposed the young lady laying her hand upon his arm »reflect
how short a time we have been in this house and that even your name is unknown
here«
»Unless« he said »you « He was evidently tempted to express a suspicion
of her having broken his confidence in favour of the landlady but either
remembering her tender nursing or being moved in some sort by her face he
checked himself and changing his uneasy posture in the bed was silent
»There« said Mrs Lupin for in that name the Blue Dragon was licensed to
furnish entertainment both to man and beast »Now you will be well again sir
You forgot for the moment that there were none but friends here«
»Oh« cried the old man moaning impatiently as he tossed one restless arm
upon the coverlet »why do you talk to me of friends Can you or anybody teach
me to know who are my friends and who my enemies«
»At least« urged Mrs Lupin gently »this young lady is your friend I am
sure«
»She has no temptation to be otherwise« cried the old man like one whose
hope and confidence were utterly exhausted »I suppose she is Heaven knows
There let me try to sleep Leave the candle where it is«
As they retired from the bed he drew forth the writing which had occupied
him so long and holding it in the flame of the taper burnt it to ashes That
done he extinguished the light and turning his face away with a heavy sigh
drew the coverlet about his head and lay quite still
This destruction of the paper both as being strangely inconsistent with the
labour he had devoted to it and as involving considerable danger of fire to the
Dragon occasioned Mrs Lupin not a little consternation But the young lady
evincing no surprise curiosity or alarm whispered her with many thanks for
her solicitude and company that she would remain there some time longer and
that she begged her not to share her watch as she was well used to being alone
and would pass the time in reading
Mrs Lupin had her full share and dividend of that large capital of
curiosity which is inherited by her sex and at another time it might have been
difficult so to impress this hint upon her as to induce her to take it But now
in sheer wonder and amazement at these mysteries she withdrew at once and
repairing straightway to her own little parlour below stairs sat down in her
easychair with unnatural composure At this very crisis a step was heard in
the entry and Mr Pecksniff looking sweetly over the halfdoor of the bar and
into the vista of snug privacy beyond murmured
»Good evening Mrs Lupin«
»Oh dear me sir« she cried advancing to receive him »I am so very glad
you have come«
»And I am very glad I have come« said Mr Pecksniff »if I can be of
service I am very glad I have come What is the matter Mrs Lupin«
»A gentleman taken ill upon the road has been so very bad up stairs sir«
said the tearful hostess
»A gentleman taken ill upon the road has been so very bad up stairs has
he« repeated Mr Pecksniff »Well well«
Now there was nothing that one may call decidedly original in this remark
nor can it be exactly said to have contained any wise precept theretofore
unknown to mankind or to have opened any hidden source of consolation but Mr
Pecksniffs manner was so bland and he nodded his head so soothingly and
showed in everything such an affable sense of his own excellence that anybody
would have been as Mrs Lupin was comforted by the mere voice and presence of
such a man and though he had merely said »a verb must agree with its
nominative case in number and person my good friend« or »eight times eight are
sixtyfour my worthy soul« must have felt deeply grateful to him for his
humanity and wisdom
»And how« asked Mr Pecksniff drawing off his gloves and warming his hands
before the fire as benevolently as if they were somebody elses not his »and
how is he now«
»He is better and quite tranquil« answered Mrs Lupin
»He is better and quite tranquil« said Mr Pecksniff »Very well very
well«
Here again though the statement was Mrs Lupins and not Mr Pecksniffs
Mr Pecksniff made it his own and consoled her with it It was not much when
Mrs Lupin said it but it was a whole book when Mr Pecksniff said it »I
observe« he seemed to say »and through me morality in general remarks that
he is better and quite tranquil«
»There must be weighty matters on his mind though« said the hostess
shaking her head »for he talks sir in the strangest way you ever heard He is
far from easy in his thoughts and wants some proper advice from those whose
goodness makes it worth his having«
»Then« said Mr Pecksniff »he is the sort of customer for me« But though
he said this in the plainest language he didnt speak a word He only shook his
head disparagingly of himself too
»I am afraid sir« continued the landlady first looking round to assure
herself that there was nobody within hearing and then looking down upon the
floor »I am very much afraid sir that his conscience is troubled by his not
being related to or or even married to a very young lady «
»Mrs Lupin« said Mr Pecksniff holding up his hand with something in his
manner as nearly approaching to severity as any expression of his mild being
that he was could ever do »Person Young person«
»A very young person« said Mrs Lupin courtesying and blushing » I beg
your pardon sir but I have been so hurried tonight that I dont know what I
say who is with him now«
»Who is with him now« ruminated Mr Pecksniff warming his back as he had
warmed his hands as if it were a widows back or an orphans back or an
enemys back or a back that any less excellent man would have suffered to be
cold »Oh dear me dear me«
»At the same time I am bound to say and I do say with all my heart«
observed the hostess earnestly »that her looks and manner almost disarm
suspicion«
»Your suspicion Mrs Lupin« said Mr Pecksniff gravely »is very natural«
Touching which remark let it be written down to their confusion that the
enemies of this worthy man unblushingly maintained that he always said of what
was very bad that it was very natural and that he unconsciously betrayed his
own nature in doing so
»Your suspicion Mrs Lupin« he repeated »is very natural and I have no
doubt correct I will wait upon these travellers«
With that he took off his greatcoat and having run his fingers through his
hair thrust one hand gently in the bosom of his waistcoat and meekly signed to
her to lead the way
»Shall I knock« asked Mrs Lupin when they reached the chamber door
»No« said Mr Pecksniff »enter if you please«
They went in on tiptoe or rather the hostess took that precaution for Mr
Pecksniff always walked softly The old gentleman was still asleep and his
young companion still sat reading by the fire
»I am afraid« said Mr Pecksniff pausing at the door and giving his head
a melancholy roll »I am afraid that this looks artful I am afraid Mrs Lupin
do you know that this looks very artful«
As he finished this whisper he advanced before the hostess and at the
same time the young lady hearing footsteps rose Mr Pecksniff glanced at the
volume she held and whispered Mrs Lupin again if possible with increased
despondency
»Yes maam« he said »it is a good book I was fearful of that beforehand
I am apprehensive that this is a very deep thing indeed«
»What gentleman is this« inquired the object of his virtuous doubts
»Hush dont trouble yourself maam« said Mr Pecksniff as the landlady
was about to answer »This young« in spite of himself he hesitated when person
rose to his lips and substituted another word »this young stranger Mrs
Lupin will excuse me for replying briefly that I reside in this village it
may be in an influential manner however undeserved and that I have been
summoned here by you I am here as I am everywhere I hope in sympathy for
the sick and sorry«
With these impressive words Mr Pecksniff passed over to the bedside
where after patting the counterpane once or twice in a very solemn manner as
if by that means he gained a clear insight into the patients disorder he took
his seat in a large armchair and in an attitude of some thoughtfulness and
much comfort waited for his waking Whatever objection the young lady urged to
Mrs Lupin went no further for nothing more was said to Mr Pecksniff and Mr
Pecksniff said nothing more to anybody else
Full halfanhour elapsed before the old man stirred but at length he
turned himself in bed and though not yet awake gave tokens that his sleep was
drawing to an end By little and little he removed the bedclothes from about
his head and turned still more towards the side where Mr Pecksniff sat In
course of time his eyes opened and he lay for a few moments as people newly
roused sometimes will gazing indolently at his visitor without any distinct
consciousness of his presence
There was nothing remarkable in these proceedings except the influence they
worked on Mr Pecksniff which could hardly have been surpassed by the most
marvellous of natural phenomena Gradually his hands became tightly clasped upon
the elbows of the chair his eyes dilated with surprise his mouth opened his
hair stood more erect upon his forehead than its custom was until at length
when the old man rose in bed and stared at him with scarcely less emotion than
he showed himself the Pecksniff doubts were all resolved and he exclaimed
aloud
»You are Martin Chuzzlewit«
His consternation of surprise was so genuine that the old man with all the
disposition that he clearly entertained to believe it assumed was convinced of
its reality.
»I am Martin Chuzzlewit« he said bitterly »and Martin Chuzzlewit wishes
you had been hanged before you had come here to disturb him in his sleep Why
I dreamed of this fellow« he said lying down again and turning away his face
»before I knew that he was near me«
»My good cousin « said Mr Pecksniff
»There His very first words« cried the old man shaking his gray head to
and fro upon the pillow and throwing up his hands »In his very first words he
asserts his relationship I knew he would they all do it Near or distant
blood or water its all one Ugh What a calendar of deceit and lying and
false the sound of any word of kindred opens before me«
»Pray do not be hasty Mr Chuzzlewit« said Pecksniff in a tone that was
at once in the sublimest degree compassionate and dispassionate for he had by
this time recovered from his surprise and was in full possession of his
virtuous self »You will regret being hasty I know you will«
»You know« said Martin contemptuously
»Yes« retorted Mr Pecksniff »Ay ay Mr Chuzzlewit and dont imagine
that I mean to court or flatter you for nothing is further from my intention
Neither sir need you entertain the least misgiving that I shall repeat that
obnoxious word which has given you so much offence already Why should I What
do I expect or want from you There is nothing in your possession that I know
of Mr Chuzzlewit which is much to be coveted for the happiness it brings
you«
»Thats true enough« muttered the old man
»Apart from that consideration« said Mr Pecksniff watchful of the effect
he made »it must be plain to you I am sure by this time that if I had wished
to insinuate myself into your good opinion I should have been of all things
careful not to address you as a relative knowing your humour and being quite
certain beforehand that I could not have a worse letter of recommendation«
Martin made not any verbal answer but he as clearly implied though only by
a motion of his legs beneath the bedclothes that there was reason in this and
that he could not dispute it as if he had said as much in good set terms
»No« said Mr Pecksniff keeping his hand in his waistcoat as though he
were ready on the shortest notice to produce his heart for Martin Chuzzlewits
inspection »I came here to offer my services to a stranger I make no offer of
them to you because I know you would distrust me if I did But lying on that
bed sir I regard you as a stranger and I have just that amount of interest in
you which I hope I should feel in any stranger circumstanced as you are Beyond
that I am quite as indifferent to you Mr Chuzzlewit as you are to me«
Having said which Mr Pecksniff threw himself back in the easychair so
radiant with ingenuous honesty that Mrs Lupin almost wondered not to see a
stainedglass Glory such as the Saint wore in the church shining about his
head
A long pause succeeded The old man with increased restlessness changed
his posture several times Mrs Lupin and the young lady gazed in silence at the
counterpane Mr Pecksniff toyed abstractedly with his eyeglass and kept his
eyes shut that he might ruminate the better
»Eh« he said at last opening them suddenly and looking towards the bed
»I beg your pardon I thought you spoke Mrs Lupin« he continued slowly
rising »I am not aware that I can be of any service to you here The gentleman
is better and you are as good a nurse as he can have Eh«
This last note of interrogation bore reference to another change of posture
on the old mans part which brought his face towards Mr Pecksniff for the
first time since he had turned away from him
»If you desire to speak to me before I go sir« continued that gentleman
after another pause »you may command my leisure but I must stipulate in
justice to myself that you do so as to a stranger strictly as to a stranger«
Now if Mr Pecksniff knew from anything Martin Chuzzlewit had expressed in
gestures that he wanted to speak to him he could only have found it out on
some such principle as prevails in melodramas and in virtue of which the
elderly farmer with the comic son always knows what the dumbgirl means when she
takes refuge in his garden and relates her personal memoirs in incomprehensible
pantomime But without stopping to make any inquiry on this point Martin
Chuzzlewit signed to his young companion to withdraw which she immediately did
along with the landlady leaving him and Mr Pecksniff alone together For some
time they looked at each other in silence or rather the old man looked at Mr
Pecksniff and Mr Pecksniff again closing his eyes on all outward objects
took an inward survey of his own breast That it amply repaid him for his
trouble and afforded a delicious and enchanting prospect was clear from the
expression of his face
»You wish me to speak to you as to a total stranger« said the old man »do
you«
Mr Pecksniff replied by a shrug of his shoulders and an apparent
turninground of his eyes in their sockets before he opened them that he was
still reduced to the necessity of entertaining that desire
»You shall be gratified« said Martin »Sir I am a rich man Not so rich as
some suppose perhaps but yet wealthy I am not a miser sir though even that
charge is made against me as I hear and currently believed I have no pleasure
in hoarding I have no pleasure in the possession of money The devil that we
call by that name can give me nothing but unhappiness«
It would be no description of Mr Pecksniffs gentleness of manner to adopt
the common parlance and say that he looked at this moment as if butter
wouldnt melt in his mouth He rather looked as if any quantity of butter might
have been made out of him by churning the milk of human kindness as it spouted
upwards from his heart
»For the same reason that I am not a hoarder of money« said the old man »I
am not lavish of it Some people find their gratification in storing it up and
others theirs in parting with it but I have no gratification connected with the
thing Pain and bitterness are the only goods it ever could procure for me I
hate it It is a spectre walking before me through the world and making every
social pleasure hideous«
A thought arose in Mr Pecksniffs mind which must have instantly mounted
to his face or Martin Chuzzlewit would not have resumed as quickly and as
sternly as he did
»You would advise me for my peace of mind to get rid of this source of
misery and transfer it to some one who could bear it better Even you perhaps
would rid me of a burden under which I suffer so grievously But kind
stranger« said the old man whose every feature darkened as he spoke »good
Christian stranger that is a main part of my trouble In other hands I have
known money do good in other hands I have known it triumphed in and boasted of
with reason as the masterkey to all the brazen gates that close upon the paths
to worldly honour fortune and enjoyment To what man or woman to what worthy
honest incorruptible creature shall I confide such a talisman either now or
when I die Do you know any such person Your virtues are of course inestimable
but can you tell me of any other living creature who will bear the test of
contact with myself«
»Of contact with yourself sir« echoed Mr Pecksniff
»Ay« returned the old man »the test of contact with me with me You have
heard of him whose misery the gratification of his own foolish wish was that
he turned every thing he touched into gold The curse of my existence, and the
realisation of my own mad desire is that by the golden standard which I bear
about me I am doomed to try the metal of all other men and find it false and
hollow«
Mr Pecksniff shook his head and said »You think so«
»Oh yes« cried the old man »I think so and in your telling me I think so
I recognise the true unworldly ring of your metal I tell you man« he added
with increasing bitterness »that I have gone a rich man among people of all
grades and kinds relatives friends and strangers among people in whom when
I was poor I had confidence and justly for they never once deceived me then
or to me wronged each other But I have never found one nature no not one
in which being wealthy and alone I was not forced to detect the latent
corruption that lay hid within it waiting for such as I to bring it forth
Treachery deceit and low design hatred of competitors real or fancied for
my favour meanness falsehood baseness and servility or« and here he looked
closely in his cousins eyes »or an assumption of honest independence almost
worse than all these are the beauties which my wealth has brought to light
Brother against brother child against parent friends treading on the faces of
friends this is the social company by whom my way has been attended There are
stories told they may be true or false of rich men who in the garb of
poverty have found out virtue and rewarded it They were dolts and idiots for
their pains They should have made the search in their own characters They
should have shown themselves fit objects to be robbed and preyed upon and
plotted against and adulated by any knaves who but for joy would have spat
upon their coffins when they died their dupes and then their search would have
ended as mine has done and they would be what I am«
Mr Pecksniff not at all knowing what it might be best to say in the
momentary pause which ensued upon these remarks made an elaborate demonstration
of intending to deliver something very oracular indeed trusting to the
certainty of the old man interrupting him before he should utter a word Nor
was he mistaken for Martin Chuzzlewit having taken breath went on to say
»Hear me to an end judge what profit you are like to gain from any
repetition of this visit and leave me I have so corrupted and changed the
nature of all those who have ever attended on me by breeding avaricious plots
and hopes within them I have engendered such domestic strife and discord by
tarrying even with members of my own family I have been such a lighted torch in
peaceful homes kindling up all the inflammable gases and vapours in their moral
atmosphere which but for me might have proved harmless to the end that I
have I may say fled from all who knew me and taking refuge in secret places
have lived of late the life of one who is hunted The young girl whom you just
now saw what your eye lightens when I talk of her You hate her already do
you«
»Upon my word sir« said Mr Pecksniff laying his hand upon his breast
and dropping his eyelids
»I forgot« cried the old man looking at him with a keenness which the
other seemed to feel although he did not raise his eyes so as to see it »I ask
your pardon I forgot you were a stranger For the moment you reminded me of one
Pecksniff a cousin of mine As I was saying the young girl whom you just now
saw is an orphan child whom with one steady purpose I have bred and
educated or if you prefer the word adopted For a year or more she has been
my constant companion and she is my only one I have taken as she knows a
solemn oath never to leave her sixpence when I die but while I live I make her
an annual allowance not extravagant in its amount and yet not stinted There is
a compact between us that no term of affectionate cajolery shall ever be
addressed by either to the other but that she shall call me always by my
Christian name I her by hers She is bound to me in life by ties of interest
and losing by my death and having no expectation disappointed will mourn it
perhaps though for that I care little This is the only kind of friend I have
or will have Judge from such premises what a profitable hour you have spent in
coming here and leave me to return no more«
With these words the old man fell slowly back upon his pillow Mr
Pecksniff as slowly rose and with a prefatory hem began as follows
»Mr Chuzzlewit«
»There Go« interposed the other »Enough of this I am weary of you«
»I am sorry for that sir« rejoined Mr Pecksniff »because I have a duty to
discharge from which depend upon it I shall not shrink No sir I shall not
shrink«
It is a lamentable fact that as Mr Pecksniff stood erect beside the bed
in all the dignity of Goodness and addressed him thus the old man cast an
angry glance towards the candlestick as if he were possessed by a strong
inclination to launch it at his cousins head But he constrained himself and
pointing with his finger to the door informed him that his road lay there
»Thank you« said Mr Pecksniff »I am aware of that I am going But before
I go I crave your leave to speak and more than that Mr Chuzzlewit I must
and will yes indeed I repeat it must and will be heard I am not
surprised sir at anything you have told me tonight It is natural very
natural and the greater part of it was known to me before I will not say«
continued Mr Pecksniff drawing out his pockethandkerchief and winking with
both eyes at once as it were against his will »I will not say that you are
mistaken in me While you are in your present mood I would not say so for the
world I almost wish indeed that I had a different nature that I might
repress even this slight confession of weakness which I cannot disguise from
you which I feel is humiliating but which you will have the goodness to
excuse We will say if you please« added Mr Pecksniff with great tenderness
of manner »that it arises from a cold in the head or is attributable to snuff
or smellingsalts or onions or anything but the real cause«
Here he paused for an instant and concealed his face behind his
pockethandkerchief Then smiling faintly and holding the bedfurniture with
one hand he resumed
»But Mr Chuzzlewit while I am forgetful of myself I owe it to myself
and to my character ay sir and I have a character which is very dear to me
and will be the best inheritance of my two daughters to tell you on behalf of
another that your conduct is wrong unnatural indefensible monstrous And I
tell you sir« said Mr Pecksniff towering on tiptoe among the curtains as if
he were literally rising above all worldly considerations and were fain to hold
on tight to keep himself from darting skyward like a rocket »I tell you
without fear or favour that it will not do for you to be unmindful of your
grandson young Martin who has the strongest natural claim upon you It will
not do sir« repeated Mr Pecksniff shaking his head »You may think it will
do but it wont You must provide for that young man you shall provide for
him you will provide for him I believe« said Mr Pecksniff glancing at the
penandink »that in secret you have already done so Bless you for doing so
Bless you for doing right sir Bless you for hating me And good night«
So saying Mr Pecksniff waved his right hand with much solemnity and once
more inserting it in his waistcoat departed There was emotion in his manner
but his step was firm Subject to human weaknesses he was upheld by conscience
Martin lay for some time with an expression on his face of silent wonder
not unmixed with rage at length he muttered in a whisper
»What does this mean Can the falsehearted boy have chosen such a tool as
yonder fellow who has just gone out Why not He has conspired against me like
the rest and they are but birds of one feather A new plot a new plot Oh
self self self At every turn nothing but self«
He fell to trifling as he ceased to speak with the ashes of the burnt
paper in the candlestick He did so at first in pure abstraction but they
presently became the subject of his thoughts
»Another will made and destroyed« he said »nothing determined on nothing
done and I might have died tonight I plainly see to what foul uses all this
money will be put at last« he cried almost writhing in the bed »after filling
me with cares and miseries all my life it will perpetuate discord and bad
passions when I am dead So it always is What lawsuits grow out of the graves
of rich men every day sowing perjury hatred and lies among near kindred
where there should be nothing but love Heaven help us we have much to answer
for Oh self self self Every man for himself and no creature for me«
Universal self Was there nothing of its shadow in these reflections and in
the history of Martin Chuzzlewit on his own showing
Chapter IV
From which It Will Appear that if Union Be Strength and Family Affection Be
Pleasant to Contemplate the Chuzzlewits Were the Strongest and Most Agreeable
Family in the World
That worthy man Mr Pecksniff having taken leave of his cousin in the solemn
terms recited in the last chapter withdrew to his own home and remained there
three whole days not so much as going out for a walk beyond the boundaries of
his own garden lest he should be hastily summoned to the bedside of his
penitent and remorseful relative whom in his ample benevolence he had made up
his mind to forgive unconditionally and to love on any terms But such was the
obstinacy and such the bitter nature of that stern old man that no repentant
summons came and the fourth day found Mr Pecksniff apparently much farther
from his Christian object than the first
During the whole of this interval he haunted the Dragon at all times and
seasons in the day and night and returning good for evil evinced the deepest
solicitude in the progress of the obdurate invalid insomuch that Mrs Lupin was
fairly melted by his disinterested anxiety for he often particularly required
her to take notice that he would do the same by any stranger or pauper in the
like condition and shed many tears of admiration and delight
Meantime old Martin Chuzzlewit remained shut up in his own chamber and saw
no person but his young companion saving the hostess of the Blue Dragon who
was at certain times admitted to his presence So surely as she came into the
room however Martin feigned to fall asleep It was only when he and the young
lady were alone that he would utter a word even in answer to the simplest
inquiry though Mr Pecksniff could make out by hard listening at the door
that they two being left together he was talkative enough
It happened on the fourth evening that Mr Pecksniff walking as usual
into the bar of the Dragon and finding no Mrs Lupin there went straight up
stairs purposing in the fervour of his affectionate zeal to apply his ear
once more to the keyhole and quiet his mind by assuring himself that the
hardhearted patient was going on well It happened that Mr Pecksniff coming
softly upon the dark passage into which a spiral ray of light usually darted
through the same keyhole was astonished to find no such ray visible and it
happened that Mr Pecksniff when he had felt his way to the chamberdoor
stooping hurriedly down to ascertain by personal inspection whether the jealousy
of the old man had caused this keyhole to be stopped on the inside brought his
head into such violent contact with another head that he could not help
uttering in an audible voice the monosyllable »Oh« which was as it were
sharply unscrewed and jerked out of him by very anguish It happened then and
lastly that Mr Pecksniff found himself immediately collared by something which
smelt like several damp umbrellas a barrel of beer a cask of warm
brandyandwater and a small parlourfull of stale tobacco smoke mixed and
was straightway led down stairs into the bar from which he had lately come
where he found himself standing opposite to and in the grasp of a perfectly
strange gentleman of still stranger appearance who with his disengaged hand
rubbed his own head very hard and looked at him Pecksniff with an evil
countenance
The gentleman was of that order of appearance which is currently termed
shabbygenteel though in respect of his dress he can hardly be said to have
been in any extremities as his fingers were a long way out of his gloves and
the soles of his feet were at an inconvenient distance from the upper leather of
his boots His nether garments were of a bluish gray violent in its colours
once but sobered now by age and dinginess and were so stretched and strained
in a tough conflict between his braces and his straps that they appeared every
moment in danger of flying asunder at the knees His coat in colour blue and of
a military cut was buttoned and frogged up to his chin His cravat was in hue
and pattern like one of those mantles which hairdressers are accustomed to
wrap about their clients during the progress of the professional mysteries His
hat had arrived at such a pass that it would have been hard to determine whether
it was originally white or black But he wore a moustache a shaggy moustache
too nothing in the meek and merciful way but quite in the fierce and scornful
style the regular Satanic sort of thing and he wore besides a vast quantity
of unbrushed hair He was very dirty and very jaunty very bold and very mean
very swaggering and very slinking very much like a man who might have been
something better and unspeakably like a man who deserved to be something worse
»You were eavesdropping at that door you vagabond« said this gentleman
Mr Pecksniff cast him off as Saint George might have repudiated the Dragon
in that animals last moments and said
»Where is Mrs Lupin I wonder can the good woman possibly be aware that
there is a person here who «
»Stay« said the gentleman »Wait a bit She does know What then«
»What then sir« cried Mr Pecksniff »What then Do you know sir that I
am the friend and relative of that sick gentleman That I am his protector his
guardian his «
»Not his nieces husband« interposed the stranger »Ill be sworn for he
was there before you«
»What do you mean« said Mr Pecksniff with indignant surprise »What do
you tell me sir«
»Wait a bit« cried the other »Perhaps you are a cousin the cousin who
lives in this place«
»I am the cousin who lives in this place« replied the man of worth
»Your name is Pecksniff« said the gentleman
»It is«
»I am proud to know you and I ask your pardon« said the gentleman
touching his hat and subsequently diving behind his cravat for a shirtcollar
which however he did not succeed in bringing to the surface »You behold in me
sir one who has also an interest in that gentleman up stairs Wait a bit«
As he said this he touched the tip of his high nose by way of intimation
that he would let Mr Pecksniff into a secret presently and pulling off his
hat began to search inside the crown among a mass of crumpled documents and
small pieces of what may be called the bark of broken cigars whence he
presently selected the cover of an old letter begrimed with dirt and redolent
of tobacco
»Read that« he cried giving it to Mr Pecksniff
»This is addressed to Chevy Slyme Esquire« said that gentleman
»You know Chevy Slyme Esquire I believe« returned the stranger
Mr Pecksniff shrugged his shoulders as though he would say »I know there is
such a person and I am sorry for it«
»Very good« remarked the gentleman »That is my interest and business
here« With that he made another dive for his shirtcollar and brought up a
string
»Now this is very distressing my friend« said Mr Pecksniff shaking his
head and smiling composedly »It is very distressing to me to be compelled to
say that you are not the person you claim to be I know Mr Slyme my friend
this will not do honesty is the best policy you had better not you had
indeed«
»Stop« cried the gentleman stretching forth his right arm which was so
tightly wedged into his threadbare sleeve that it looked like a cloth sausage
»Wait a bit«
He paused to establish himself immediately in front of the fire with his
back towards it Then gathering the skirts of his coat under his left arm and
smoothing his moustache with his right thumb and forefinger he resumed
»I understand your mistake and I am not offended Why Because its
complimentary You suppose I would set myself up for Chevy Slyme Sir if there
is a man on earth whom a gentleman would feel proud and honoured to be mistaken
for that man is my friend Slyme For he is without an exception the
highestminded the most independentspirited most original spiritual
classical talented the most thoroughly Shakspearian if not Miltonic and at
the same time the most disgustinglyunappreciated dog I know But sir I have
not the vanity to attempt to pass for Slyme Any other man in the wide world I
am equal to but Slyme is I frankly confess a great many cuts above me
Therefore you are wrong«
»I judged from this« said Mr Pecksniff holding out the cover of the
letter
»No doubt you did« returned the gentleman »But Mr Pecksniff the whole
thing resolves itself into an instance of the peculiarities of genius Every man
of true genius has his peculiarity Sir the peculiarity of my friend Slyme is
that he is always waiting round the corner He is perpetually round the corner
sir He is round the corner at this instant Now« said the gentleman shaking
his forefinger before his nose and planting his legs wider apart as he looked
attentively in Mr Pecksniffs face »that is a remarkably curious and
interesting trait in Mr Slymes character and whenever Slymes life comes to
be written that trait must be thoroughly worked out by his biographer or
society will not be satisfied Observe me society will not be satisfied«
Mr Pecksniff coughed
»Slymes biographer sir whoever he may be« resumed the gentleman »must
apply to me or if I am gone to that whatshisname from which no thingumbob
comes back he must apply to my executors for leave to search among my papers I
have taken a few notes in my poor way of some of that mans proceedings my
adopted brother sir which would amaze you He made use of an expression
sir only on the fifteenth of last month when he couldnt meet a little bill and
the other party wouldnt renew which would have done honour to Napoleon
Bonaparte in addressing the French army«
»And pray« asked Mr Pecksniff obviously not quite at his ease »what may
be Mr Slymes business here if I may be permitted to inquire who am compelled
by a regard for my own character to disavow all interest in his proceedings«
»In the first place« returned the gentleman »you will permit me to say
that I object to that remark and that I strongly and indignantly protest
against it on behalf of my friend Slyme In the next place you will give me
leave to introduce myself My name sir is Tigg The name of Montague Tigg will
perhaps be familiar to you in connection with the most remarkable events of the
Peninsular War«
Mr Pecksniff gently shook his head
»No matter« said the gentleman »That man was my father and I bear his
name I am consequently proud proud as Lucifer Excuse me one moment I desire
my friend Slyme to be present at the remainder of this conference«
With this announcement he hurried away to the outer door of the Blue Dragon
and almost immediately returned with a companion shorter than himself who was
wrapped in an old blue camlet cloak with a lining of faded scarlet His sharp
features being much pinched and nipped by long waiting in the cold and his
straggling red whiskers and frowzy hair being more than usually dishevelled from
the same cause he certainly looked rather unwholesome and uncomfortable than
Shakspearian or Miltonic
»Now« said Mr Tigg clapping one hand on the shoulder of his prepossessing
friend and calling Mr Pecksniffs attention to him with the other »you two
are related and relations never did agree and never will which is a wise
dispensation and an inevitable thing or there would be none but family parties
and everybody in the world would bore everybody else to death If you were on
good terms I should consider you a most confoundedly unnatural pair but
standing towards each other as you do I look upon you as a couple of devilish
deepthoughted fellows who may be reasoned with to any extent«
Here Mr Chevy Slyme whose great abilities seemed one and all to point
towards the sneaking quarter of the moral compass nudged his friend stealthily
with his elbow and whispered in his ear
»Chiv« said Mr Tigg aloud in the high tone of one who was not to be
tampered with »I shall come to that presently I act upon my own
responsibility or not at all To the extent of such a trifling loan as a
crownpiece to a man of your talents I look upon Mr Pecksniff as certain« and
seeing at this juncture that the expression of Mr Pecksniffs face by no means
betokened that he shared this certainty Mr Tigg laid his finger on his nose
again for that gentlemans private and especial behoof calling upon him thereby
to take notice that the requisition of small loans was another instance of the
peculiarities of genius as developed in his friend Slyme that he Tigg winked
at the same because of the strong metaphysical interest which these weaknesses
possessed and that in reference to his own personal advocacy of such small
advances he merely consulted the humour of his friend without the least regard
to his own advantage or necessities
»Oh Chiv Chiv« added Mr Tigg surveying his adopted brother with an air
of profound contemplation after dismissing this piece of pantomime »You are
upon my life a strange instance of the little frailties that beset a mighty
mind If there had never been a telescope in the world I should have been quite
certain from my observation of you Chiv that there were spots on the sun I
wish I may die if this isnt the queerest state of existence that we find
ourselves forced into without knowing why or wherefore Mr Pecksniff Well
never mind Moralise as we will the world goes on As Hamlet says Hercules may
lay about him with his club in every possible direction but he cant prevent
the cats from making a most intolerable row on the roofs of the houses or the
dogs from being shot in the hot weather if they run about the streets unmuzzled
Lifes a riddle a most infernally hard riddle to guess Mr Pecksniff My own
opinion is that like that celebrated conundrum Whys a man in jail like a man
out of jail theres no answer to it Upon my soul and body its the queerest
sort of thing altogether but theres no use in talking about it Ha ha«
With which consolatory deduction from the gloomy premises recited Mr Tigg
roused himself by a great effort and proceeded in his former strain
»Now Ill tell you what it is Im a most confoundedly softhearted kind of
fellow in my way and I cannot stand by and see you two blades cutting each
others throats when theres nothing to be got by it Mr Pecksniff youre the
cousin of the testator up stairs and were the nephew I say we meaning Chiv
Perhaps in all essential points you are more nearly related to him than we are
Very good If so so be it But you cant get at him neither can we I give you
my brightest word of honour sir that Ive been looking through that keyhole
with short intervals of rest ever since nine oclock this morning in
expectation of receiving an answer to one of the most moderate and gentlemanly
applications for a little temporary assistance only fifteen pounds and my
security that the mind of man can conceive In the mean time sir he is
perpetually closeted with and pouring his whole confidence into the bosom of a
stranger Now I say decisively with regard to this state of circumstances
that it wont do that it wont act that it cant be and that it must not be
suffered to continue«
»Every man« said Mr Pecksniff »has a right an undoubted right which I
for one would not call in question for any earthly consideration oh no to
regulate his own proceedings by his own likings and dislikings supposing they
are not immoral and not irreligious I may feel in my own breast that Mr
Chuzzlewit does not regard me for instance say me with exactly that amount
of Christian love which should subsist between us I may feel grieved and hurt
at the circumstance still I may not rush to the conclusion that Mr Chuzzlewit
is wholly without a justification in all his coldnesses Heaven forbid
Besides how Mr Tigg« continued Pecksniff even more gravely and impressively
than he had spoken yet »how could Mr Chuzzlewit be prevented from having these
peculiar and most extraordinary confidences of which you speak the existence of
which I must admit and which I cannot but deplore for his sake Consider my
good sir « and here Mr Pecksniff eyed him wistfully »how very much at random
you are talking«
»Why as to that« rejoined Tigg »it certainly is a difficult question«
»Undoubtedly it is a difficult question« Mr Pecksniff answered As he
spoke he drew himself aloft and seemed to grow more mindful suddenly of the
moral gulf between himself and the creature he addressed »Undoubtedly it is a
very difficult question And I am far from feeling sure that it is a question
any one is authorised to discuss Good evening to you«
»You dont know that the Spottletoes are here I suppose« said Mr Tigg
»What do you mean sir what Spottletoes« asked Pecksniff stopping
abruptly on his way to the door
»Mr and Mrs Spottletoe« said Chevy Slyme Esquire speaking aloud for the
first time and speaking very sulkily shambling with his legs the while
»Spottletoe married my fathers brothers child didnt he And Mrs Spottletoe
is Chuzzlewits own niece isnt she She was his favourite once You may well
ask what Spottletoes«
»Now upon my sacred word« cried Mr Pecksniff looking upwards »This is
dreadful The rapacity of these people is absolutely frightful«
»Its not only the Spottletoes either Tigg« said Slyme looking at that
gentleman and speaking at Mr Pecksniff »Anthony Chuzzlewit and his son have
got wind of it and have come down this afternoon I saw em not five minutes
ago when I was waiting round the corner«
»Oh Mammon Mammon« cried Mr Pecksniff smiting his forehead
»So there« said Slyme regardless of the interruption »are his brother and
another nephew for you already«
»This is the whole thing sir« said Mr Tigg »this is the point and
purpose at which I was gradually arriving when my friend Slyme here with six
words hit it full Mr Pecksniff now that your cousin and Chivs uncle has
turned up some steps must be taken to prevent his disappearing again and if
possible to counteract the influence which is exercised over him now by this
designing favourite Everybody who is interested feels it sir The whole family
is pouring down to this place The time has come when individual jealousies and
interests must be forgotten for a time sir and union must be made against the
common enemy When the common enemy is routed you will all set up for
yourselves again every lady and gentleman who has a part in the game will go
in on their own account and bowl away to the best of their ability at the
testators wicket and nobody will be in a worse position than before Think of
it Dont commit yourself now Youll find us at the Half Moon and Seven Stars
in this village at any time and open to any reasonable proposition Hem Chiv
my dear fellow go out and see what sort of a night it is«
Mr Slyme lost no time in disappearing and it is to be presumed in going
round the corner Mr Tigg planting his legs as wide apart as he could be
reasonably expected by the most sanguine man to keep them shook his head at Mr
Pecksniff and smiled
»We must not be too hard« he said »upon the little eccentricities of our
friend Slyme You saw him whisper me«
Mr Pecksniff had seen him
»You heard my answer I think«
Mr Pecksniff had heard it
»Five shillings eh« said Mr Tigg thoughtfully »Ah what an
extraordinary fellow Very moderate too«
Mr Pecksniff made no answer
»Five shillings« pursued Mr Tigg musing »and to be punctually repaid
next week thats the best of it You heard that«
Mr Pecksniff had not heard that
»No You surprise me« cried Tigg »Thats the cream of the thing sir I
never knew that man fail to redeem a promise in my life Youre not in want of
change are you«
»No« said Mr Pecksniff »thank you Not at all«
»Just so« returned Mr Tigg »If you had been Id have got it for you«
With that he began to whistle but a dozen seconds had not elapsed when he
stopped short and looking earnestly at Mr Pecksniff said
»Perhaps youd rather not lend Slyme five shillings«
»I would much rather not« Mr Pecksniff rejoined
»Egad« cried Tigg gravely nodding his head as if some ground of objection
occurred to him at that moment for the first time »its very possible you may
be right Would you entertain the same sort of objection to lending me five
shillings now«
»Yes I couldnt do it indeed« said Mr Pecksniff
»Not even halfacrown perhaps« urged Mr Tigg
»Not even halfacrown«
»Why then we come« said Mr Tigg »to the ridiculously small amount of
eighteenpence Ha ha«
»And that« said Mr Pecksniff »would be equally objectionable«
On receipt of this assurance Mr Tigg shook him heartily by both hands
protesting with much earnestness that he was one of the most consistent and
remarkable men he had ever met and that he desired the honour of his better
acquaintance He moreover observed that there were many little characteristics
about his friend Slyme of which he could by no means as a man of strict
honour approve but that he was prepared to forgive him all these slight
drawbacks and much more in consideration of the great pleasure he himself had
that day enjoyed in his social intercourse with Mr Pecksniff which had given
him a far higher and more enduring delight than the successful negotiation of
any small loan on the part of his friend could possibly have imparted With
which remarks he would beg leave he said to wish Mr Pecksniff a very good
evening And so he took himself off as little abashed by his recent failure as
any gentleman would desire to be
The meditations of Mr Pecksniff that evening at the bar of the Dragon and
that night in his own house were very serious and grave indeed the more
especially as the intelligence he had received from Messrs Tigg and Slyme
touching the arrival of other members of the family were fully confirmed on
more particular inquiry For the Spottletoes had actually gone straight to the
Dragon where they were at that moment housed and mounting guard and where
their appearance had occasioned such a vast sensation that Mrs Lupin scenting
their errand before they had been under her roof halfanhour carried the news
herself with all possible secrecy straight to Mr Pecksniffs house indeed it
was her great caution in doing so which occasioned her to miss that gentleman
who entered at the front door of the Dragon just as she emerged from the back
one Moreover Mr Anthony Chuzzlewit and his son Jonas were economically
quartered at the Half Moon and Seven Stars which was an obscure alehouse and
by the very next coach there came posting to the scene of action so many other
affectionate members of the family who quarrelled with each other inside and
out all the way down to the utter distraction of the coachman that in less
than fourandtwenty hours the scanty tavern accommodation was at a premium and
all the private lodgings in the place amounting to full four beds and a sofa
rose cent per cent in the market
In a word things came to that pass that nearly the whole family sat down
before the Blue Dragon and formally invested it and Martin Chuzzlewit was in a
state of siege But he resisted bravely refusing to receive all letters
messages and parcels obstinately declining to treat with anybody and holding
out no hope or promise of capitulation Meantime the family forces were
perpetually encountering each other in divers parts of the neighbourhood and
as no one branch of the Chuzzlewit tree had ever been known to agree with
another within the memory of man there was such a skirmishing and flouting
and snapping off of heads in the metaphorical sense of that expression such a
bandying of words and calling of names such an upturning of noses and wrinkling
of brows such a formal interment of good feelings and violent resurrection of
ancient grievances as had never been known in those quiet parts since the
earliest record of their civilised existence
At length in utter despair and hopelessness some few of the belligerents
began to speak to each other in only moderate terms of mutual aggravation and
nearly all addressed themselves with a show of tolerable decency to Mr
Pecksniff in recognition of his high character and influential position Thus
by little and little they made common cause of Martin Chuzzlewits obduracy
until it was agreed if such a word can be used in connection with the
Chuzzlewits that there should be a general council and conference held at Mr
Pecksniffs house upon a certain day at noon which all members of the family
who had brought themselves within reach of the summons were forthwith bidden
and invited solemnly to attend
If ever Mr Pecksniff wore an apostolic look he wore it on this memorable
day If ever his unruffled smile proclaimed the words »I am a messenger of
peace« that was its mission now If ever man combined within himself all the
mild qualities of the lamb with a considerable touch of the dove and not a dash
of the crocodile or the least possible suggestion of the very mildest seasoning
of the serpent that man was he And Oh the two Miss Pecksniffs Oh the
serene expression on the face of Charity which seemed to say »I know that all
my family have injured me beyond the possibility of reparation but I forgive
them for it is my duty so to do« And Oh the gay simplicity of Mercy so
charming innocent and infantlike that if she had gone out walking by
herself and it had been a little earlier in the season the robinredbreasts
might have covered her with leaves against her will believing her to be one of
the sweet children in the wood come out of it and issuing forth once more to
look for blackberries in the young freshness of her heart What words can paint
the Pecksniffs in that trying hour Oh none for words have naughty company
among them and the Pecksniffs were all goodness
But when the company arrived That was the time When Mr Pecksniff rising
from his seat at the tables head with a daughter on either hand received his
guests in the best parlour and motioned them to chairs with eyes so overflowing
and countenance so damp with gracious perspiration that he may be said to have
been in a kind of moist meekness And the company the jealous stonyhearted
distrustful company who were all shut up in themselves, and had no faith in
anybody and wouldnt believe anything and would no more allow themselves to be
softened or lulled asleep by the Pecksniffs than if they had been so many
hedgehogs or porcupines
First there was Mr Spottletoe who was so bald and had such big whiskers
that he seemed to have stopped his hair by the sudden application of some
powerful remedy in the very act of falling off his head and to have fastened
it irrevocably on his face Then there was Mrs Spottletoe who being much too
slim for her years and of a poetical constitution was accustomed to inform her
more intimate friends that the said whiskers were »the lodestar of her
existence« and who could now by reason of her strong affection for her uncle
Chuzzlewit and the shock it gave her to be suspected of testamentary designs
upon him do nothing but cry except moan Then there were Anthony Chuzzlewit
and his son Jonas the face of the old man so sharpened by the wariness and
cunning of his life that it seemed to cut him a passage through the crowded
room as he edged away behind the remotest chairs while the son had so well
profited by the precept and example of the father that he looked a year or two
the elder of the twain as they stood winking their red eyes side by side and
whispering to each other softly Then there was the widow of a deceased brother
of Mr Martin Chuzzlewit who being almost supernaturally disagreeable and
having a dreary face and a bony figure and a masculine voice was in right of
these qualities what is commonly called a strongminded woman and who if she
could would have established her claim to the title and have shown herself
mentally speaking a perfect Samson by shutting up her brotherinlaw in a
private madhouse until he proved his complete sanity by loving her very much
Beside her sat her spinster daughters three in number and of gentlemanly
deportment who had so mortified themselves with tight stays that their tempers
were reduced to something less than their waists and sharp lacing was expressed
in their very noses Then there was a young gentleman grandnephew of Mr
Martin Chuzzlewit very dark and very hairy and apparently born for no
particular purpose but to save lookingglasses the trouble of reflecting more
than just the first idea and sketchy notion of a face which had never been
carried out Then there was a solitary female cousin who was remarkable for
nothing but being very deaf and living by herself and always having the
toothache Then there was George Chuzzlewit a gay bachelor cousin who claimed
to be young but had been younger and was inclined to corpulency and rather
overfed himself to that extent indeed that his eyes were strained in their
sockets as if with constant surprise and he had such an obvious disposition to
pimples that the bright spots on his cravat the rich pattern on his waistcoat
and even his glittering trinkets seemed to have broken out upon him and not to
have come into existence comfortably Last of all there were present Mr Chevy
Slyme and his friend Tigg And it is worthy of remark that although each person
present disliked the other mainly because he or she did belong to the family
they one and all concurred in hating Mr Tigg because he didnt
Such was the pleasant little family circle now assembled in Mr Pecksniffs
best parlour agreeably prepared to fall foul of Mr Pecksniff or anybody else
who might venture to say anything whatever upon any subject
»This« said Mr Pecksniff rising and looking round upon them with folded
hands »does me good It does my daughters good We thank you for assembling
here We are grateful to you with our whole hearts It is a blessed distinction
that you have conferred upon us and believe me« it is impossible to conceive
how he smiled here »we shall not easily forget it«
»I am sorry to interrupt you Pecksniff« remarked Mr Spottletoe with his
whiskers in a very portentous state »but you are assuming too much to yourself
sir Who do you imagine has it in contemplation to confer a distinction upon
you sir«
A general murmur echoed this inquiry and applauded it
»If you are about to pursue the course with which you have begun sir«
pursued Mr Spottletoe in a great heat and giving a violent rap on the table
with his knuckles »the sooner you desist and this assembly separates the
better I am no stranger sir to your preposterous desire to be regarded as the
head of this family but I can tell you sir «
Oh yes indeed He tell He What He was the head was he From the
strongminded woman downwards everybody fell that instant upon Mr Spottletoe
who after vainly attempting to be heard in silence was fain to sit down again
folding his arms and shaking his head most wrathfully and giving Mrs
Spottletoe to understand in dumb show that that scoundrel Pecksniff might go on
for the present but he would cut in presently and annihilate him
»I am not sorry« said Mr Pecksniff in resumption of his address »I am
really not sorry that this little incident has happened It is good to feel that
we are met here without disguise It is good to know that we have no reserve
before each other but are appearing freely in our own characters«
Here the eldest daughter of the strongminded woman rose a little way from
her seat and trembling violently from head to foot more as it seemed with
passion than timidity expressed a general hope that some people would appear in
their own characters if it were only for such a proceeding having the
attraction of novelty to recommend it and that when they meaning the some
people before mentioned talked about their relations they would be careful to
observe who was present in company at the time otherwise it might come round to
those relations ears in a way they little expected and as to red noses she
observed she had yet to learn that a red nose was any disgrace inasmuch as
people neither made nor coloured their own noses but had that feature provided
for them without being first consulted though even upon that branch of the
subject she had great doubts whether certain noses were redder than other noses
or indeed half as red as some This remark being received with a shrill titter
by the two sisters of the speaker Miss Charity Pecksniff begged with much
politeness to be informed whether any of those very low observations were
levelled at her and receiving no more explanatory answer than was conveyed in
the adage »Those the cap fits let them wear it« immediately commenced a
somewhat acrimonious and personal retort wherein she was much comforted and
abetted by her sister Mercy who laughed at the same with great heartiness
indeed far more naturally than life And it being quite impossible that any
difference of opinion can take place among women without every woman who is
within hearing taking active part in it the strongminded lady and her two
daughters and Mrs Spottletoe and the deaf cousin who was not at all
disqualified from joining in the dispute by reason of being perfectly
unacquainted with its merits one and all plunged into the quarrel directly
The two Miss Pecksniffs being a pretty good match for the three Miss
Chuzzlewits and all five young ladies having in the figurative language of the
day a great amount of steam to dispose of the altercation would no doubt have
been a long one but for the high valour and prowess of the strongminded woman
who in right of her reputation for powers of sarcasm did so belabour and
pummel Mrs Spottletoe with taunting words that that poor lady before the
engagement was two minutes old had no refuge but in tears These she shed so
plentifully and so much to the agitation and grief of Mr Spottletoe that that
gentleman after holding his clenched fist close to Mr Pecksniffs eyes as if
it were some natural curiosity from the near inspection whereof he was likely to
derive high gratification and improvement and after offering for no particular
reason that anybody could discover to kick Mr George Chuzzlewit for and in
consideration of the trifling sum of sixpence took his wife under his arm and
indignantly withdrew This diversion by distracting the attention of the
combatants put an end to the strife which after breaking out afresh some
twice or thrice in certain inconsiderable spirts and dashes died away in
silence
It was then that Mr Pecksniff once more rose from his chair It was then
that the two Miss Pecksniffs composed themselves to look as if there were no
such beings not to say present but in the whole compass of the world as the
three Miss Chuzzlewits while the three Miss Chuzzlewits became equally
unconscious of the existence of the two Miss Pecksniffs
»It is to be lamented« said Mr Pecksniff with a forgiving recollection of
Mr Spottletoes fist »that our friend should have withdrawn himself so very
hastily though we have cause for mutual congratulation even in that since we
are assured that he is not distrustful of us in regard to anything we may say or
do while he is absent Now that is very soothing is it not«
»Pecksniff« said Anthony who had been watching the whole party with
peculiar keenness from the first »dont you be a hypocrite«
»A what my good sir« demanded Mr Pecksniff
»A hypocrite«
»Charity my dear« said Mr Pecksniff »when I take my chamber candlestick
tonight remind me to be more than usually particular in praying for Mr
Anthony Chuzzlewit who has done me an injustice«
This was said in a very bland voice and aside as being addressed to his
daughters private ear With a cheerfulness of conscience prompting almost a
sprightly demeanour he then resumed
»All our thoughts centring in our very dear but unkind relative and he
being as it were beyond our reach we are met today really as if we were a
funeral party except a blessed exception that there is no Body in the
house«
The strongminded lady was not at all sure that this was a blessed
exception Quite the contrary
»Well my dear madam« said Mr Pecksniff »Be that as it may here we are
and being here we are to consider whether it is possible by any justifiable
means «
»Why you know as well as I« said the strongminded lady »that any means
are justifiable in such a case dont you«
»Very good my dear madam very good whether it is possible by any means
we will say by any means to open the eyes of our valued relative to his present
infatuation Whether it is possible to make him acquainted by any means with the
real character and purpose of that young female whose strange whose very
strange position in reference to himself« here Mr Pecksniff sunk his voice to
an impressive whisper »really casts a shadow of disgrace and shame upon this
family and who we know« here he raised his voice again »else why is she his
companion harbours the very basest designs upon his weakness and his property«
In their strong feeling on this point they who agreed in nothing else all
concurred as one mind Good Heaven that she should harbour designs upon his
property The strongminded lady was for poison her three daughters were for
Bridewell and breadandwater the cousin with the toothache advocated Botany
Bay the two Miss Pecksniffs suggested flogging Nobody but Mr Tigg who
notwithstanding his extreme shabbiness was still understood to be in some sort
a ladys man in right of his upper lip and his frogs indicated a doubt of the
justifiable nature of these measures and he only ogled the three Miss
Chuzzlewits with the least admixture of banter in his admiration as though he
would observe »You are positively down upon her to too great an extent my
sweet creatures upon my soul you are«
»Now« said Mr Pecksniff crossing his two forefingers in a manner which
was at once conciliatory and argumentative »I will not upon the one hand go
so far as to say that she deserves all the inflictions which have been so very
forcibly and hilariously suggested« one of his ornamental sentences »nor will
I upon the other on any account compromise my common understanding as a man
by making the assertion that she does not What I would observe is that I think
some practical means might be devised of inducing our respected shall I say our
revered «
»No« interposed the strongminded woman in a loud voice
»Then I will not« said Mr Pecksniff »You are quite right my dear madam
and I appreciate and thank you for your discriminating objection our respected
relative to dispose himself to listen to the promptings of nature, and not to
the «
»Go on pa« cried Mercy
»Why the truth is my dear« said Mr Pecksniff smiling upon his assembled
kindred »that I am at a loss for a word The name of those fabulous animals
pagan I regret to say who used to sing in the water has quite escaped me«
Mr George Chuzzlewit suggested Swans
»No« said Mr Pecksniff »Not swans Very like swans too Thank you«
The nephew with the outline of a countenance speaking for the first and
last time on that occasion propounded »Oysters«
»No« said Mr Pecksniff with his own peculiar urbanity »nor oysters But
by no means unlike oysters a very excellent idea thank you my dear sir very
much Wait Sirens Dear me sirens of course I think I say that means might
be devised of disposing our respected relative to listen to the promptings of
nature, and not to the sirenlike delusions of art Now we must not lose sight
of the fact that our esteemed friend has a grandson to whom he was until
lately very much attached and whom I could have wished to see here today for
I have a real and deep regard for him A fine young man a very fine young man
I would submit to you whether we might not remove Mr Chuzzlewits distrust of
us and vindicate our own disinterestedness by «
»If Mr George Chuzzlewit has anything to say to me« interposed the
strongminded woman sternly »I beg him to speak out like a man and not to
look at me and my daughters as if he could eat us«
»As to looking I have heard it said Mrs Ned« returned Mr George
angrily »that a cat is free to contemplate a monarch and therefore I hope I
have some right having been born a member of this family to look at a person
who only came into it by marriage As to eating I beg to say whatever
bitterness your jealousies and disappointed expectations may suggest to you
that I am not a cannibal maam«
»I dont know that« cried the strongminded woman
»At all events if I was a cannibal« said Mr George Chuzzlewit greatly
stimulated by this retort »I think it would occur to me that a lady who had
outlived three husbands and suffered so very little from their loss must be
most uncommonly tough«
The strongminded woman immediately rose
»And I will further add« said Mr George nodding his head violently at
every second syllable »naming no names and therefore hurting nobody but those
whose consciences tell them they are alluded to that I think it would be much
more decent and becoming if those who hooked and crooked themselves into this
family by getting on the blind side of some of its members before marriage and
manslaughtering them afterwards by crowing over them to that strong pitch that
they were glad to die would refrain from acting the part of vultures in regard
to other members of this family who are living I think it would be full as
well if not better if those individuals would keep at home contenting
themselves with what they have got luckily for them already instead of
hovering about and thrusting their fingers into a family pie which they
flavour much more than enough I can tell them when they are fifty miles away«
»I might have been prepared for this« cried the strongminded woman
looking about her with a disdainful smile as she moved towards the door
followed by her three daughters »indeed I was fully prepared for it from the
first What else could I expect in such an atmosphere as this«
»Dont direct your halfpayofficers gaze at me maam if you please«
interposed Miss Charity »for I wont bear it«
This was a smart stab at a pension enjoyed by the strongminded woman
during her second widowhood and before her last coverture It told immensely
»I passed from the memory of a grateful country you very miserable minx«
said Mrs Ned »when I entered this family and I feel now though I did not
feel then that it served me right and that I lost my claim upon the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland when I so degraded myself Now my dears
if youre quite ready and have sufficiently improved yourselves by taking to
heart the genteel example of these two young ladies I think well go Mr
Pecksniff we are very much obliged to you really We came to be entertained
and you have far surpassed our utmost expectations in the amusement you have
provided for us Thank you Good bye«
With such departing words did this strongminded female paralyse the
Pecksniffian energies and so she swept out of the room and out of the house
attended by her daughters who as with one accord elevated their three noses
in the air and joined in a contemptuous titter As they passed the parlour
window on the outside they were seen to counterfeit a perfect transport of
delight among themselves and with this final blow and great discouragement for
those within they vanished
Before Mr Pecksniff or any of his remaining visitors could offer a remark
another figure passed this window coming at a great rate in the opposite
direction and immediately afterwards Mr Spottletoe burst into the chamber
Compared with his present state of heat he had gone out a man of snow or ice
His head distilled such oil upon his whiskers that they were rich and clogged
with unctuous drops his face was violently inflamed his limbs trembled and he
gasped and strove for breath
»My good sir« cried Mr Pecksniff
»Oh yes« returned the other »Oh yes certainly Oh to be sure Oh of
course You hear him You hear him all of you«
»Whats the matter« cried several voices
»Oh nothing« cried Spottletoe still gasping »Nothing at all Its of no
consequence Ask him Hell tell you«
»I do not understand our friend« said Mr Pecksniff looking about him in
utter amazement »I assure you that he is quite unintelligible to me«
»Unintelligible sir« cried the other »Unintelligible Do you mean to say
sir that you dont know what has happened That you havent decoyed us here
and laid a plot and a plan against us Will you venture to say that you didnt
know Mr Chuzzlewit was going sir and that you dont know hes gone sir«
»Gone« was the general cry
»Gone« echoed Mr Spottletoe »Gone while we were sitting here Gone
Nobody knows where hes gone Oh of course not Nobody knew he was going Oh of
course not The landlady thought up to the very last moment that they were
merely going for a ride she had no other suspicion Oh of course not Shes not
this fellows creature Oh of course not«
Adding to these exclamations a kind of ironical howl and gazing upon the
company for one brief instant afterwards in a sudden silence the irritated
gentleman started off again at the same tremendous pace and was seen no more
It was in vain for Mr Pecksniff to assure them that this new and opportune
evasion of the family was at least as great a shock and surprise to him as to
anybody else Of all the bullyings and denunciations that were ever heaped on
one unlucky head none can ever have exceeded in energy and heartiness those
with which he was complimented by each of his remaining relatives singly upon
bidding him farewell
The moral position taken by Mr Tigg was something quite tremendous and the
deaf cousin who had the complicated aggravation of seeing all the proceedings
and hearing nothing but the catastrophe actually scraped her shoes upon the
scraper and afterwards distributed impressions of them all over the top step
in token that she shook the dust from her feet before quitting that dissembling
and perfidious mansion
Mr Pecksniff had in short but one comfort and that was the knowledge
that all these his relations and friends had hated him to the very utmost extent
before and that he for his part had not distributed among them any more love
than with his ample capital in that respect he could comfortably afford to
part with This view of his affairs yielded him great consolation and the fact
deserves to be noted as showing with what ease a good man may be consoled under
circumstances of failure and disappointment
Chapter V
Containing a Full Account of the Installation of Mr Pecksniffs New Pupil into
the Bosom of Mr Pecksniffs Family With All the Festivities Held on that
Occasion and the Great Enjoyment of Mr Pinch
The best of architects and land surveyors kept a horse in whom the enemies
already mentioned more than once in these pages pretended to detect a fanciful
resemblance to his master Not in his outward person for he was a rawboned
haggard horse always on a much shorter allowance of corn than Mr Pecksniff
but in his moral character wherein said they he was full of promise but of
no performance He was always in a manner going to go and never going When
at his slowest rate of travelling he would sometimes lift up his legs so high
and display such mighty action that it was difficult to believe he was doing
less than fourteen miles an hour and he was for ever so perfectly satisfied
with his own speed and so little disconcerted by opportunities of comparing
himself with the fastest trotters that the illusion was the more difficult of
resistance He was a kind of animal who infused into the breasts of strangers a
lively sense of hope and possessed all those who knew him better with a grim
despair In what respect having these points of character he might be fairly
likened to his master that good mans slanderers only can explain But it is a
melancholy truth and a deplorable instance of the uncharitableness of the
world that they made the comparison
In this horse and the hooded vehicle whatever its proper name might be to
which he was usually harnessed it was more like a gig with a tumour than
anything else all Mr Pinchs thoughts and wishes centred one bright frosty
morning for with this gallant equipage he was about to drive to Salisbury
alone there to meet with the new pupil and thence to bring him home in
triumph
Blessings on thy simple heart Tom Pinch how proudly dost thou button up
that scanty coat called by a sad misnomer for these many years a great one
and how thoroughly as with thy cheerful voice thou pleasantly adjurest Sam the
hostler not to let him go yet dost thou believe that quadruped desires to go
and would go if he might Who could repress a smile of love for thee Tom
Pinch and not in jest at thy expense for thou art poor enough already Heaven
knows to think that such a holiday as lies before thee should awaken that
quick flow and hurry of the spirits in which thou settest down again almost
untasted on the kitchen windowsill that great white mug put by by thy own
hands last night that breakfast might not hold thee late and layest yonder
crust upon the seat beside thee to be eaten on the road when thou art calmer
in thy high rejoicing Who as thou drivest off a happy man and noddest with a
grateful lovingness to Pecksniff in his nightcap at his chamberwindow would
not cry »Heaven speed thee Tom and send that thou wert going off for ever to
some quiet home where thou mightst live at peace and sorrow should not touch
thee«
What better time for driving riding walking moving through the air by any
means than a fresh frosty morning when hope runs cheerily through the veins
with the brisk blood and tingles in the frame from head to foot This was the
glad commencement of a bracing day in early winter such as may put the languid
summer season speaking of it when it cant be had to the blush and shame the
spring for being sometimes cold by halves The sheepbells rang as clearly in
the vigorous air as if they felt its wholesome influence like living creatures
the trees in lieu of leaves or blossoms shed upon the ground a frosty rime
that sparkled as it fell and might have been the dust of diamonds So it was
to Tom From cottage chimneys smoke went streaming up high high as if the
earth had lost its grossness being so fair and must not be oppressed by heavy
vapour The crust of ice on the else rippling brook was so transparent and so
thin in texture that the lively water might of its own free will have stopped
in Toms glad mind it had to look upon the lovely morning And lest the sun
should break this charm too eagerly there moved between him and the ground a
mist like that which waits upon the moon on summer nights the very same to Tom
and wooed him to dissolve it gently
Tom Pinch went on not fast but with a sense of rapid motion which did
just as well and as he went all kinds of things occurred to keep him happy
Thus when he came within sight of the turnpike and was Oh a long way off
he saw the tollmans wife who had that moment checked a waggon run back into
the little house again like mad to say she knew that Mr Pinch was coming up
And she was right for when he drew within hail of the gate forth rushed the
tollmans children shrieking in tiny chorus »Mr Pinch« to Toms intense
delight The very tollman though an ugly chap in general and one whom folks
were rather shy of handling came out himself to take the toll and give him
rough good morning and that with all this and a glimpse of the family
breakfast on a little round table before the fire the crust Tom Pinch had
brought away with him acquired as rich a flavour as though it had been cut from
a fairy loaf
But there was more than this It was not only the married people and the
children who gave Tom Pinch a welcome as he passed No no Sparkling eyes and
snowy breasts came hurriedly to many an upper casement as he clattered by and
gave him back his greeting not stinted either but sevenfold good measure
They were all merry They all laughed And some of the wickedest among them even
kissed their hands as Tom looked back For who minded poor Mr Pinch There was
no harm in him
And now the morning grew so fair and all things were so wide awake and gay
that the sun seeming to say Tom had no doubt he said »I cant stand it any
longer I must have a look« streamed out in radiant majesty The mist too shy
and gentle for such lusty company fled off quite scared before it and as it
swept away the hills and mounds and distant pasture lands teeming with placid
sheep and noisy crows came out as bright as though they were unrolled bran new
for the occasion In compliment to which discovery the brook stood still no
longer but ran briskly off to bear the tidings to the watermill three miles
away
Mr Pinch was jogging along full of pleasant thoughts and cheerful
influences when he saw upon the path before him going in the same direction
with himself a traveller on foot who walked with a light quick step and sang
as he went for certain in a very loud voice but not unmusically He was a
young fellow of some five or sixandtwenty perhaps and was drest in such a
free and flyaway fashion that the long ends of his loose red neckcloth were
streaming out behind him quite as often as before and the bunch of bright
winter berries in the buttonhole of his velveteen coat was as visible to Mr
Pinchs rearward observation as if he had worn that garment wrong side
foremost He continued to sing with so much energy that he did not hear the
sound of wheels until it was close behind him when he turned a whimsical face
and a very merry pair of blue eyes on Mr Pinch and checked himself directly
»Why Mark« said Tom Pinch stopping »Whod have thought of seeing you
here Well this is surprising«
Mark touched his hat and said with a very sudden decrease of vivacity
that he was going to Salisbury
»And how spruce you are too« said Mr Pinch surveying him with great
pleasure »Really I didnt think you were half such a tightmade fellow Mark«
»Thankee Mr Pinch Pretty well for that I believe Its not my fault you
know With regard to being spruce sir thats where it is you see« And here
he looked particularly gloomy
»Where what is« Mr Pinch demanded
»Where the aggravation of it is Any man may be in good spirits and good
temper when hes well drest There aint much credit in that If I was very
ragged and very jolly then I should begin to feel I had gained a point Mr
Pinch«
»So you were singing just now to bear up as it were against being well
dressed eh Mark« said Pinch
»Your conversations always equal to print sir« rejoined Mark with a
broad grin »That was it«
»Well« cried Pinch »you are the strangest young man Mark I ever knew in
my life I always thought so but now I am quite certain of it I am going to
Salisbury too Will you get in I shall be very glad of your company«
The young fellow made his acknowledgments and accepted the offer stepping
into the carriage directly and seating himself on the very edge of the seat
with his body half out of it to express his being there on sufferance and by
the politeness of Mr Pinch As they went along the conversation proceeded
after this manner
»I more than half believed just now seeing you so very smart« said Pinch
»that you must be going to be married Mark«
»Well sir Ive thought of that too« he replied »There might be some
credit in being jolly with a wife specially if the children had the measles
and that and was very fractious indeed But Im amost afraid to try it I
dont see my way clear«
»Youre not very fond of anybody perhaps« said Pinch
»Not particular sir I think«
»But the way would be you know Mark according to your views of things«
said Mr Pinch »to marry somebody you didnt like and who was very
disagreeable«
»So it would sir but that might be carrying out a principle a little too
far mightnt it«
»Perhaps it might« said Mr Pinch At which they both laughed gaily
»Lord bless you sir« said Mark »you dont half know me though I dont
believe there ever was a man as could come out so strong under circumstances
that would make other men miserable as I could if I could only get a chance
But I cant get a chance Its my opinion that nobody never will know half of
whats in me unless something very unexpected turns up And I dont see any
prospect of that Im a going to leave the Dragon sir«
»Going to leave the Dragon« cried Mr Pinch looking at him with great
astonishment »Why Mark you take my breath away«
»Yes sir« he rejoined looking straight before him and a long way off as
men do sometimes when they cogitate profoundly »Whats the use of my stopping
at the Dragon It ant at all the sort of place for me When I left London Im
a Kentish man by birth though and took that sitivation here I quite made up
my mind that it was the dullest little outoftheway corner in England and
that there would be some credit in being jolly under such circumstances But
Lord theres no dulness at the Dragon Skittles cricket quoits ninepins
comic songs choruses company round the chimney corner every winters evening
Any man could be jolly at the Dragon Theres no credit in that«
»But if common report be true for once Mark as I think it is being able
to confirm it by what I know myself« said Mr Pinch »you are the cause of half
this merriment and set it going«
»There may be something in that too sir« answered Mark »But thats no
consolation«
»Well« said Mr Pinch after a short silence his usually subdued tone
being even more subdued than ever »I can hardly think enough of what you tell
me Why what will become of Mrs Lupin Mark«
Mark looked more fixedly before him and further off still as he answered
that he didnt suppose it would be much of an object to her There were plenty
of smart young fellows as would be glad of the place He knew a dozen himself
»Thats probable enough« said Mr Pinch »but I am not at all sure that
Mrs Lupin would be glad of them Why I always supposed that Mrs Lupin and you
would make a match of it Mark and so did every one as far as I know«
»I never« Mark replied in some confusion »said nothing as was in a direct
way courtinglike to her nor she to me but I dont know what I mightnt do one
of these odd times and what she mightnt say in answer Well sir that
wouldnt suit«
»Not to be landlord of the Dragon Mark« cried Mr Pinch
»No sir certainly not« returned the other withdrawing his gaze from the
horizon and looking at his fellowtraveller »Why that would be the ruin of a
man like me I go and sit down comfortably for life and no man never finds me
out What would be the credit of the landlord of the Dragons being jolly Why
he couldnt help it if he tried«
»Does Mrs Lupin know you are going to leave her« Mr Pinch inquired
»I havent broke it to her yet sir but I must Im looking out this
morning for something new and suitable« he said nodding towards the city
»What kind of thing now« Mr Pinch demanded
»I was thinking« Mark replied »of something in the gravedigging way«
»Good Gracious Mark« cried Mr Pinch
»Its a good damp wormy sort of business sir« said Mark shaking his
head argumentatively »and there might be some credit in being jolly with
ones mind in that pursuit unless gravediggers is usually given that way
which would be a drawback You dont happen to know how that is in general do
you sir«
»No« said Mr Pinch »I dont indeed I never thought upon the subject«
»In case of that not turning out as well as one could wish you know« said
Mark musing again »theres other businesses Undertaking now Thats gloomy
There might be credit to be gained there A brokers man in a poor neighbourhood
wouldnt be bad perhaps A jailor sees a deal of misery A doctors man is in
the very midst of murder A bailiffs ant a lively office natrally Even a
taxgatherer must find his feelings rather worked upon at times Theres lots
of trades in which I should have an opportunity I think«
Mr Pinch was so perfectly overwhelmed by these remarks that he could do
nothing but occasionally exchange a word or two on some indifferent subject and
cast sidelong glances at the bright face of his odd friend who seemed quite
unconscious of his observation until they reached a certain corner of the
road close upon the outskirts of the city when Mark said he would jump down
there if he pleased
»But bless my soul Mark« said Mr Pinch who in the progress of his
observation just then made the discovery that the bosom of his companions shirt
was as much exposed as if it were Midsummer and was ruffled by every breath of
air »why dont you wear a waistcoat«
»Whats the good of one sir« asked Mark
»Good of one« said Mr Pinch »Why to keep your chest warm«
»Lord love you sir« cried Mark »you dont know me My chest dont want no
warming Even if it did what would no waistcoat bring it to Inflammation of
the lungs perhaps Well thered be some credit in being jolly with a
inflammation of the lungs«
As Mr Pinch returned no other answer than such as was conveyed in his
breathing very hard and opening his eyes very wide and nodding his head very
much Mark thanked him for his ride and without troubling him to stop jumped
lightly down And away he fluttered with his red neckkerchief and his open
coat down a crosslane turning back from time to time to nod to Mr Pinch and
looking one of the most careless goodhumoured comical fellows in life His
late companion with a thoughtful face pursued his way to Salisbury
Mr Pinch had a shrewd notion that Salisbury was a very desperate sort of
place an exceeding wild and dissipated city and when he had put up the horse
and given the hostler to understand that he would look in again in the course of
an hour or two to see him take his corn he set forth on a stroll about the
streets with a vague and not unpleasant idea that they teemed with all kinds of
mystery and bedevilment To one of his quiet habits this little delusion was
greatly assisted by the circumstance of its being marketday and the
thoroughfares about the marketplace being filled with carts horses donkeys
baskets waggons gardenstuff meat tripe pies poultry and hucksters wares
of every opposite description and possible variety of character Then there were
young farmers and old farmers with smockfrocks brown greatcoats drab
greatcoats red worsted comforters leatherleggings wonderful shaped hats
huntingwhips and rough sticks standing about in groups or talking noisily
together on the tavern steps or paying and receiving huge amounts of greasy
wealth with the assistance of such bulky pocketbooks that when they were in
their pockets it was apoplexy to get them out and when they were out it was
spasms to get them in again Also there were farmers wives in beaver bonnets
and red cloaks riding shaggy horses purged of all earthly passions who went
soberly into all manner of places without desiring to know why and who if
required would have stood stock still in a chinashop with a complete
dinnerservice at each hoof Also a great many dogs who were strongly
interested in the state of the market and the bargains of their masters and a
great confusion of tongues both brute and human
Mr Pinch regarded everything exposed for sale with great delight and was
particularly struck by the itinerant cutlery which he considered of the very
keenest kind insomuch that he purchased a pocket knife with seven blades in it
and not a cut as he afterwards found out among them When he had exhausted the
marketplace and watched the farmers safe into the market dinner he went back
to look after the horse Having seen him eat unto his hearts content he issued
forth again to wander round the town and regale himself with the shop windows
previously taking a long stare at the bank and wondering in what direction
underground the caverns might be where they kept the money and turning to
look back at one or two young men who passed him whom he knew to be articled to
solicitors in the town and who had a sort of fearful interest in his eyes as
jolly dogs who knew a thing or two and kept it up tremendously
But the shops First of all there were the jewellers shops with all the
treasures of the earth displayed therein and such large silver watches hanging
up in every pane of glass that if they were anything but firstrate goers it
certainly was not because the works could decently complain of want of room In
good sooth they were big enough and perhaps as the saying is ugly enough to
be the most correct of all mechanical performers in Mr Pinchs eyes however
they were smaller than Geneva ware and when he saw one very bloated watch
announced as a repeater gifted with the uncommon power of striking every
quarter of an hour inside the pocket of its happy owner he almost wished that
he were rich enough to buy it
But what were even gold and silver precious stones and clockwork to the
bookshops whence a pleasant smell of paper freshly pressed came issuing forth
awakening instant recollections of some new grammar had at school long time
ago with »Master Pinch Grove House Academy« inscribed in faultless writing
on the flyleaf That whiff of russia leather too and all those rows on rows
of volumes neatly ranged within what happiness did they suggest And in the
window were the spickandspan new works from London with the titlepages and
sometimes even the first page of the first chapter laid wide open tempting
unwary men to begin to read the book and then in the impossibility of turning
over to rush blindly in and buy it Here too were the dainty frontispiece and
trim vignette pointing like handposts on the outskirts of great cities to the
rich stock of incident beyond and store of books with many a grave portrait
and timehonoured name whose matter he knew well and would have given mines to
have in any form upon the narrow shelf beside his bed at Mr Pecksniffs What
a heartbreaking shop it was
There was another not quite so bad at first but still a trying shop where
childrens books were sold and where poor Robinson Crusoe stood alone in his
might with dog and hatchet goatskin cap and fowlingpieces calmly surveying
Philip Quarll and the host of imitators round him and calling Mr Pinch to
witness that he of all the crowd impressed one solitary footprint on the
shore of boyish memory whereof the tread of generations should not stir the
lightest grain of sand And there too were the Persian tales with flying chests
and students of enchanted books shut up for years in caverns and there too was
Abudah the merchant with the terrible little old woman hobbling out of the box
in his bedroom and there the mighty talisman the rare Arabian Nights with
Cassim Baba divided by four like the ghost of a dreadful sum hanging up all
gory in the robbers cave Which matchless wonders coming fast on Mr Pinchs
mind did so rub up and chafe that wonderful lamp within him that when he
turned his face towards the busy street a crowd of phantoms waited on his
pleasure and he lived again with new delight the happy days before the
Pecksniff era
He had less interest now in the chemists shops with their great glowing
bottles with smaller repositories of brightness in their very stoppers and in
their agreeable compromises between medicine and perfumery in the shape of
toothsome lozenges and virgin honey Neither had he the least regard but he
never had much for the tailors where the newest metropolitan waistcoat
patterns were hanging up which by some strange transformation always looked
amazing there and never appeared at all like the same thing anywhere else But
he stopped to read the playbill at the theatre and surveyed the doorway with a
kind of awe which was not diminished when a sallow gentleman with long dark
hair came out and told a boy to run home to his lodgings and bring down his
broadsword Mr Pinch stood rooted to the spot on hearing this and might have
stood there until dark but that the old cathedral bell began to ring for vesper
service on which he tore himself away
Now the organists assistant was a friend of Mr Pinchs which was a good
thing for he too was a very quiet gentle soul and had been like Tom a kind
of oldfashioned boy at school though wellliked by the noisy fellows too As
good luck would have it Tom always said he had great good luck the assistant
chanced that very afternoon to be on duty by himself with no one in the dusty
organloft but Tom so while he played Tom helped him with the stops and
finally the service being just over Tom took the organ himself It was then
turning dark and the yellow light that streamed in through the ancient windows
in the choir was mingled with a murky red As the grand tones resounded through
the church they seemed to Tom to find an echo in the depth of every ancient
tomb no less than in the deep mystery of his own heart Great thoughts and
hopes came crowding on his mind as the rich music rolled upon the air and yet
among them something more grave and solemn in their purpose but the same
were all the images of that day down to its very lightest recollection of
childhood The feeling that the sounds awakened in the moment of their
existence seemed to include his whole life and being and as the surrounding
realities of stone and wood and glass grew dimmer in the darkness these visions
grew so much the brighter that Tom might have forgotten the new pupil and the
expectant master and have sat there pouring out his grateful heart till
midnight but for a very earthy old verger insisting on locking up the cathedral
forthwith So he took leave of his friend with many thanks groped his way out
as well as he could into the now lamplighted streets and hurried off to get
his dinner
All the farmers being by this time jogging homewards there was nobody in
the sanded parlour of the tavern where he had left the horse so he had his
little table drawn out close before the fire and fell to work upon a
wellcooked steak and smoking hot potatoes with a strong appreciation of their
excellence and a very keen sense of enjoyment Beside him too there stood a
jug of most stupendous Wiltshire beer and the effect of the whole was so
transcendent that he was obliged every now and then to lay down his knife and
fork rub his hands and think about it By the time the cheese and celery came
Mr Pinch had taken a book out of his pocket and could afford to trifle with
the viands now eating a little now drinking a little now reading a little
and now stopping to wonder what sort of a young man the new pupil would turn out
to be He had passed from this latter theme and was deep in his book again when
the door opened and another guest came in bringing with him such a quantity of
cold air that he positively seemed at first to put the fire out
»Very hard frost tonight sir« said the newcomer courteously
acknowledging Mr Pinchs withdrawal of the little table that he might have
place »Dont disturb yourself I beg«
Though he said this with a vast amount of consideration for Mr Pinchs
comfort he dragged one of the great leatherbottomed chairs to the very centre
of the hearth notwithstanding and sat down in front of the fire with a foot
on each hob
»My feet are quite numbed Ah Bitter cold to be sure«
»You have been in the air some considerable time I dare say« said Mr
Pinch
»All day Outside a coach too«
»That accounts for his making the room so cool« thought Mr Pinch »Poor
fellow How thoroughly chilled he must be«
The stranger became thoughtful likewise and sat for five or ten minutes
looking at the fire in silence At length he rose and divested himself of his
shawl and greatcoat which far different from Mr Pinchs was a very warm and
thick one but he was not a whit more conversational out of his greatcoat than
in it for he sat down again in the same place and attitude and leaning back in
his chair began to bite his nails He was young oneandtwenty perhaps and
handsome with a keen dark eye and a quickness of look and manner which made
Tom sensible of a great contrast in his own bearing and caused him to feel even
more shy than usual
There was a clock in the room which the stranger often turned to look at
Tom made frequent reference to it also partly from a nervous sympathy with its
taciturn companion and partly because the new pupil was to inquire for him at
half after six and the hands were getting on towards that hour Whenever the
stranger caught him looking at this clock a kind of confusion came upon Tom as
if he had been found out in something and it was a perception of his uneasiness
which caused the younger man to say perhaps with a smile
»We both appear to be rather particular about the time The fact is I have
an engagement to meet a gentleman here«
»So have I« said Mr Pinch
»At halfpast six« said the stranger
»At halfpast six« said Tom in the very same breath whereupon the other
looked at him with some surprise
»The young gentleman I expect« remarked Tom timidly »was to inquire at
that time for a person by the name of Pinch«
»Dear me« cried the other jumping up »And I have been keeping the fire
from you all this while I had no idea you were Mr Pinch I am the Mr Martin
for whom you were to inquire Pray excuse me How do you do Oh do draw nearer
pray«
»Thank you« said Tom »thank you I am not at all cold and you are and we
have a cold ride before us Well if you wish it I will I I am very glad«
said Tom smiling with an embarrassed frankness peculiarly his and which was as
plainly a confession of his own imperfections and an appeal to the kindness of
the person he addressed as if he had drawn one up in simple language and
committed it to paper »I am very glad indeed that you turn out to be the party
I expected I was thinking but a minute ago that I could wish him to be like
you«
»I am very glad to hear it« returned Martin shaking hands with him again
»for I assure you I was thinking there could be no such luck as Mr Pinchs
turning out like you«
»No really« said Tom with great pleasure »Are you serious«
»Upon my word I am« replied his new acquaintance »You and I will get on
excellently well I know which its no small relief to me to feel for to tell
you the truth I am not at all the sort of fellow who could get on with
everybody and thats the point on which I had the greatest doubts But theyre
quite relieved now Do me the favour to ring the bell will you«
Mr Pinch rose and complied with great alacrity the handle hung just over
Martins head as he warmed himself and listened with a smiling face to what
his friend went on to say It was
»If you like punch youll allow me to order a glass apiece as hot as it
can be made that we may usher in our friendship in a becoming manner To let
you into a secret Mr Pinch I never was so much in want of something warm and
cheering in my life but I didnt like to run the chance of being found drinking
it without knowing what kind of person you were for first impressions you
know often go a long way and last a long time«
Mr Pinch assented and the punch was ordered In due course it came hot
and strong After drinking to each other in the steaming mixture they became
quite confidential
»Im a sort of relation of Pecksniffs you know« said the young man
»Indeed« cried Mr Pinch
»Yes My grandfather is his cousin so hes kith and kin to me somehow if
you can make that out I cant«
»Then Martin is your Christian name« said Mr Pinch thoughtfully »Oh«
»Of course it is« returned his friend »I wish it was my surname for my
own is not a very pretty one and it takes a long time to sign Chuzzlewit is my
name«
»Dear me« cried Mr Pinch with an involuntary start
»Youre not surprised at my having two names I suppose« returned the
other setting his glass to his lips »Most people have«
»Oh no« said Mr Pinch »not at all Oh dear no Well« And then
remembering that Mr Pecksniff had privately cautioned him to say nothing in
reference to the old gentleman of the same name who had lodged at the Dragon
but to reserve all mention of that person for him he had no better means of
hiding his confusion than by raising his own glass to his mouth They looked at
each other out of their respective tumblers for a few seconds and then put them
down empty
»I told them in the stable to be ready for us ten minutes ago« said Mr
Pinch glancing at the clock again »Shall we go«
»If you please« returned the other
»Would you like to drive« said Mr Pinch his whole face beaming with a
consciousness of the splendour of his offer »You shall if you wish«
»Why that depends Mr Pinch« said Martin laughing »upon what sort of a
horse you have Because if hes a bad one I would rather keep my hands warm by
holding them comfortably in my greatcoat pockets«
He appeared to think this such a good joke that Mr Pinch was quite sure it
must be a capital one Accordingly he laughed too and was fully persuaded that
he enjoyed it very much Then he settled his bill and Mr Chuzzlewit paid for
the punch and having wrapped themselves up to the extent of their respective
means they went out together to the front door where Mr Pecksniffs property
stopped the way
»I wont drive thank you Mr Pinch« said Martin getting into the
sitters place »Bythebye theres a box of mine Can we manage to take it«
»Oh certainly« said Tom »Put it in Dick anywhere«
It was not precisely of that convenient size which would admit of its being
squeezed into any odd corner but Dick the hostler got it in somehow and Mr
Chuzzlewit helped him It was all on Mr Pinchs side and Mr Chuzzlewit said
he was very much afraid it would encumber him to which Tom said »Not at all«
though it forced him into such an awkward position that he had much ado to see
anything but his own knees But it is an ill wind that blows nobody any good
and the wisdom of the saying was verified in this instance for the cold air
came from Mr Pinchs side of the carriage and by interposing a perfect wall of
box and man between it and the new pupil he shielded that young gentleman
effectually which was a great comfort
It was a clear evening with a bright moon The whole landscape was silvered
by its light and by the hoarfrost and everything looked exquisitely beautiful
At first the great serenity and peace through which they travelled disposed
them both to silence but in a very short time the punch within them and the
healthful air without made them loquacious and they talked incessantly When
they were halfway home and stopped to give the horse some water Martin who
was very generous with his money ordered another glass of punch which they
drank between them and which had not the effect of making them less
conversational than before Their principal topic of discourse was naturally Mr
Pecksniff and his family of whom and of the great obligations they had heaped
upon him Tom Pinch with the tears standing in his eyes drew such a picture
as would have inclined any one of common feeling almost to revere them and of
which Mr Pecksniff had not the slightest foresight or preconceived idea or he
certainly being very humble would not have sent Tom Pinch to bring the pupil
home
In this way they went on and on and on in the language of the
storybooks until at last the village lights appeared before them and the
church spire cast a long reflection on the graveyard grass as if it were a
dial alas the truest in the world marking whatever light shone out of
Heaven the flight of days and weeks and years by some new shadow on that
solemn ground
»A pretty church« said Martin observing that his companion slackened the
slack pace of the horse as they approached
»Is it not« cried Tom with great pride »Theres the sweetest little organ
there you ever heard I play it for them«
»Indeed« said Martin »It is hardly worth the trouble I should think What
do you get for that now«
»Nothing« answered Tom
»Well« returned his friend »you are a very strange fellow«
To which remark there succeeded a brief silence
»When I say nothing« observed Mr Pinch cheerfully »I am wrong and dont
say what I mean because I get a great deal of pleasure from it and the means
of passing some of the happiest hours I know It led to something else the other
day but you will not care to hear about that I dare say«
»Oh yes I shall What«
»It led to my seeing« said Tom in a lower voice »one of the loveliest and
most beautiful faces you can possibly picture to yourself«
»And yet I am able to picture a beautiful one« said his friend
thoughtfully »or should be if I have any memory«
»She came« said Tom laying his hand upon the others arm »for the first
time very early in the morning when it was hardly light and when I saw her
over my shoulder standing just within the porch I turned quite cold almost
believing her to be a spirit A moments reflection got the better of that of
course and fortunately it came to my relief so soon that I didnt leave off
playing«
»Why fortunately«
»Why Because she stood there listening I had my spectacles on and saw
her through the chinks in the curtains as plainly as I see you and she was
beautiful After a while she glided off and I continued to play until she was
out of hearing«
»Why did you do that«
»Dont you see« responded Tom »Because she might suppose I hadnt seen
her and might return«
»And did she«
»Certainly she did Next morning and next evening too but always when
there were no people about and always alone I rose earlier and sat there
later that when she came she might find the church door open and the organ
playing and might not be disappointed She strolled that way for some days and
always staid to listen But she is gone now and of all unlikely things in this
wide world it is perhaps the most improbable that I shall ever look upon her
face again«
»You dont know anything more about her«
»No«
»And you never followed her when she went away«
»Why should I distress her by doing that« said Tom Pinch »Is it likely
that she wanted my company She came to hear the organ not to see me and would
you have had me scare her from a place she seemed to grow quite fond of Now
Heaven bless her« cried Tom »to have given her but a minutes pleasure every
day I would have gone on playing the organ at those times until I was an old
man quite contented if she sometimes thought of a poor fellow like me as a
part of the music and more than recompensed if she ever mixed me up with
anything she liked as well as she liked that«
The new pupil was clearly very much amazed by Mr Pinchs weakness and
would probably have told him so and given him some good advice but for their
opportune arrival at Mr Pecksniffs door the front door this time on account
of the occasion being one of ceremony and rejoicing The same man was in waiting
for the horse who had been adjured by Mr Pinch in the morning not to yield to
his rabid desire to start and after delivering the animal into his charge and
beseeching Mr Chuzzlewit in a whisper never to reveal a syllable of what he had
just told him in the fulness of his heart Tom led the pupil in for instant
presentation
Mr Pecksniff had clearly not expected them for hours to come for he was
surrounded by open books and was glancing from volume to volume with a
blacklead pencil in his mouth and a pair of compasses in his hand at a vast
number of mathematical diagrams of such extraordinary shapes that they looked
like designs for fireworks Neither had Miss Charity expected them for she was
busied with a capacious wicker basket before her in making impracticable
nightcaps for the poor Neither had Miss Mercy expected them for she was
sitting upon her stool tying on the oh good gracious the petticoat of a
large doll that she was dressing for a neighbours child really quite a
grownup doll which made it more confusing and had its little bonnet dangling
by the ribbon from one of her fair curls to which she had fastened it lest it
should be lost or sat upon It would be difficult if not impossible to
conceive a family so thoroughly taken by surprise as the Pecksniffs were on
this occasion
»Bless my life« said Mr Pecksniff looking up and gradually exchanging
his abstracted face for one of joyful recognition »Here already Martin my
dear boy I am delighted to welcome you to my poor house«
With this kind greeting Mr Pecksniff fairly took him to his arms and
patted him several times upon the back with his right hand the while as if to
express that his feelings during the embrace were too much for utterance
»But here« he said recovering »are my daughters Martin my two only
children whom if you ever saw them you have not beheld ah these sad family
divisions since you were infants together Nay my dears why blush at being
detected in your everyday pursuits We had prepared to give you the reception of
a visitor Martin in our little room of state« said Mr Pecksniff smiling
»but I like this better I like this better«
Oh blessed star of Innocence wherever you may be how did you glitter in
your home of ether when the two Miss Pecksniffs put forth each her lily hand
and gave the same with mantling cheeks to Martin How did you twinkle as if
fluttering with sympathy when Mercy reminded of the bonnet in her hair hid
her fair face and turned her head aside the while her gentle sister plucked it
out and smote her with a sisters soft reproof upon her buxom shoulder
»And how« said Mr Pecksniff turning round after the contemplation of
these passages and taking Mr Pinch in a friendly manner by the elbow »how has
our friend here used you Martin«
»Very well indeed sir We are on the best terms I assure you«
»Old Tom Pinch« said Mr Pecksniff looking on him with affectionate
sadness »Ah It seems but yesterday that Thomas was a boy fresh from a
scholastic course Yet years have passed I think since Thomas Pinch and I
first walked the world together«
Mr Pinch could say nothing He was too much moved But he pressed his
masters hand and tried to thank him
»And Thomas Pinch and I« said Mr Pecksniff in a deeper voice »will walk
it yet in mutual faithfulness and friendship And if it comes to pass that
either of us be run over in any of those busy crossings which divide the
streets of life the other will convey him to the hospital in Hope and sit
beside his bed in Bounty«
»Well well well« he added in a happier tone as he shook Mr Pinchs
elbow hard »No more of this Martin my dear friend that you may be at home
within these walls let me show you how we live and where Come«
With that he took up a lighted candle and attended by his young relative
prepared to leave the room At the door he stopped
»Youll bear us company Tom Pinch«
Ay cheerfully though it had been to death would Tom have followed him
glad to lay down his life for such a man
»This« said Mr Pecksniff opening the door of an opposite parlour »is the
little room of state I mentioned to you My girls have pride in it Martin
This« opening another door »is the little chamber in which my works slight
things at best have been concocted Portrait of myself by Spiller Bust by
Spoker The latter is considered a good likeness I seem to recognise something
about the lefthand corner of the nose myself«
Martin thought it was very like but scarcely intellectual enough Mr
Pecksniff observed that the same fault had been found with it before It was
remarkable it should have struck his young relation too He was glad to see he
had an eye for art
»Various books you observe« said Mr Pecksniff waving his hand towards the
wall »connected with our pursuit I have scribbled myself but have not yet
published Be careful how you come up stairs This« opening another door »is
my chamber I read here when the family suppose I have retired to rest
Sometimes I injure my health rather more than I can quite justify to myself by
doing so but art is long and time is short Every facility you see for jotting
down crude notions even here«
These latter words were explained by his pointing to a small round table on
which were a lamp divers sheets of paper a piece of India rubber and a case
of instruments all put ready in case an architectural idea should come into
Mr Pecksniffs head in the night in which event he would instantly leap out of
bed and fix it for ever
Mr Pecksniff opened another door on the same floor and shut it again all
at once as if it were a Blue Chamber But before he had well done so he looked
smilingly round and said »Why not«
Martin couldnt say why not because he didnt know anything at all about
it So Mr Pecksniff answered himself by throwing open the door and saying
»My daughters room A poor firstfloor to us but a bower to them Very
neat Very airy Plants you observe hyacinths books again birds« These
birds bythebye comprised in all one staggering old sparrow without a tail
which had been borrowed expressly from the kitchen »Such trifles as girls love
are here Nothing more Those who seek heartless splendour would seek here in
vain«
With that he led them to the floor above
»This« said Mr Pecksniff throwing wide the door of the memorable twopair
front »is a room where some talent has been developed I believe This is a
room in which an idea for a steeple occurred to me that I may one day give to
the world We work here my dear Martin Some architects have been bred in this
room a few I think Mr Pinch«
Tom fully assented and what is more fully believed it
»You see« said Mr Pecksniff passing the candle rapidly from roll to roll
of paper »some traces of our doings here Salisbury Cathedral from the north
From the south From the east From the west From the southeast From the
norwest A bridge An almshouse A jail A church A powdermagazine A
winecellar A portico A summerhouse An icehouse Plans elevations
sections every kind of thing And this« he added having by this time reached
another large chamber on the same story with four little beds in it »this is
your room of which Mr Pinch here is the quiet sharer A southern aspect a
charming prospect Mr Pinchs little library you perceive everything
agreeable and appropriate If there is any additional comfort you would desire
to have here at any time pray mention it Even to strangers far less to you
my dear Martin there is no restriction on that point«
It was undoubtedly true and may be stated in corroboration of Mr
Pecksniff that any pupil had the most liberal permission to mention anything in
this way that suggested itself to his fancy Some young gentlemen had gone on
mentioning the very same thing for five years without ever being stopped
»The domestic assistants« said Mr Pecksniff »sleep above and that is
all« After which and listening complacently as he went to the encomiums
passed by his young friend on the arrangements generally he led the way to the
parlour again
Here a great change had taken place for festive preparations on a rather
extensive scale were already completed and the two Miss Pecksniffs were
awaiting their return with hospitable looks There were two bottles of currant
wine white and red a dish of sandwiches very long and very slim another of
apples another of captains biscuits which are always a moist and jovial sort
of viand a plate of oranges cut up small and gritty with powdered sugar and
a highly geological homemade cake The magnitude of these preparations quite
took away Tom Pinchs breath for though the new pupils were usually let down
softly as one may say particularly in the wine department which had so many
stages of declension that sometimes a young gentleman was a whole fortnight in
getting to the pump still this was a banquet a sort of Lord Mayors feast in
private life a something to think of and hold on by afterwards
To this entertainment which apart from its own intrinsic merits had the
additional choice quality that it was in strict keeping with the night being
both light and cool Mr Pecksniff besought the company to do full justice
»Martin« he said »will seat himself between you two my dears and Mr
Pinch will come by me Let us drink to our new inmate and may we be happy
together Martin my dear friend my love to you Mr Pinch if you spare the
bottle we shall quarrel«
And trying in his regard for the feelings of the rest to look as if the
wine were not acid and didnt make him wink Mr Pecksniff did honour to his own
toast
»This« he said in allusion to the party not the wine »is a Mingling that
repays one for much disappointment and vexation Let us be merry« Here he took
a captains biscuit »It is a poor heart that never rejoices and our hearts are
not poor No«
With such stimulants to merriment did he beguile the time and do the
honours of the table while Mr Pinch perhaps to assure himself that what he
saw and heard was holiday reality, and not a charming dream ate of everything
and in particular disposed of the slim sandwiches to a surprising extent Nor
was he stinted in his draughts of wine but on the contrary remembering Mr
Pecksniffs speech attacked the bottle with such vigour that every time he
filled his glass anew Miss Charity despite her amiable resolves could not
repress a fixed and stony glare as if her eyes had rested on a ghost Mr
Pecksniff also became thoughtful at those moments not to say dejected but as
he knew the vintage it is very likely he may have been speculating on the
probable condition of Mr Pinch upon the morrow and discussing within himself
the best remedies for colic
Martin and the young ladies were excellent friends already and compared
recollections of their childish days to their mutual liveliness and
entertainment Miss Mercy laughed immensely at everything that was said and
sometimes after glancing at the happy face of Mr Pinch was seized with such
fits of mirth as brought her to the very confines of hysterics But for these
bursts of gaiety her sister in her better sense reproved her observing in
an angry whisper that it was far from being a theme for jest and that she had
no patience with the creature though it generally ended in her laughing too
but much more moderately and saying that indeed it was a little too
ridiculous and intolerable to be serious about
At length it became high time to remember the first clause of that great
discovery made by the ancient philosopher for securing health riches and
wisdom the infallibility of which has been for generations verified by the
enormous fortunes constantly amassed by chimneysweepers and other persons who
get up early and go to bed betimes The young ladies accordingly rose and
having taken leave of Mr Chuzzlewit with much sweetness and of their father
with much duty and of Mr Pinch with much condescension retired to their
bower Mr Pecksniff insisted on accompanying his young friend up stairs for
personal superintendence of his comforts and taking him by the arm conducted
him once more to his bedroom followed by Mr Pinch who bore the light
»Mr Pinch« said Pecksniff seating himself with folded arms on one of the
spare beds »I dont see any snuffers in that candlestick Will you oblige me by
going down and asking for a pair«
Mr Pinch only too happy to be useful went off directly
»You will excuse Thomas Pinchs want of polish Martin« said Mr Pecksniff
with a smile of patronage and pity as soon as he had left the room »He means
well«
»He is a very good fellow sir«
»Oh yes« said Mr Pecksniff »Yes Thomas Pinch means well He is very
grateful I have never regretted having befriended Thomas Pinch«
»I should think you never would sir«
»No« said Mr Pecksniff »No I hope not Poor fellow he is always
disposed to do his best but he is not gifted You will make him useful to you
Martin if you please If Thomas has a fault it is that he is sometimes a
little apt to forget his position But that is soon checked Worthy soul You
will find him easy to manage Good night«
»Good night sir«
By this time Mr Pinch had returned with the snuffers
»And good night to you Mr Pinch« said Pecksniff »And sound sleep to you
both Bless you Bless you«
Invoking this benediction on the heads of his young friends with great
fervour he withdrew to his own room while they being tired soon fell asleep
If Martin dreamed at all some clew to the matter of his visions may possibly be
gathered from the afterpages of this history Those of Thomas Pinch were all of
holidays church organs and seraphic Pecksniffs It was some time before Mr
Pecksniff dreamed at all or even sought his pillow as he sat for full two
hours before the fire in his own chamber looking at the coals and thinking
deeply But he too slept and dreamed at last Thus in the quiet hours of the
night one house shuts in as many incoherent and incongruous fancies as a
madmans head
Chapter VI
Comprises Among Other Important Matters Pecksniffian and Architectural an
Exact Relation of the Progress Made by Mr Pinch in the Confidence and
Friendship of the New Pupil
It was morning and the beautiful Aurora of whom so much hath been written
said and sung did with her rosy fingers nip and tweak Miss Pecksniffs nose
It was the frolicsome custom of the Goddess in her intercourse with the fair
Cherry so to do or in more prosaic phrase the tip of that feature in the
sweet girls countenance was always very red at breakfasttime For the most
part indeed it wore at that season of the day a scraped and frosty look as
if it had been rasped while a similar phenomenon developed itself in her
humour which was then observed to be of a sharp and acid quality as though an
extra lemon figuratively speaking had been squeezed into the nectar of her
disposition and had rather damaged its flavour
This additional pungency on the part of the fair young creature led on
ordinary occasions to such slight consequences as the copious dilution of Mr
Pinchs tea or to his coming off uncommonly short in respect of butter or to
other the like results But on the morning after the Installation Banquet she
suffered him to wander to and fro among the eatables and drinkables a perfectly
free and unchecked man so utterly to Mr Pinchs wonder and confusion that
like the wretched captive who recovered his liberty in his old age he could
make but little use of his enlargement and fell into a strange kind of flutter
for want of some kind hand to scrape his bread and cut him off in the article
of sugar with a lump and pay him those other little attentions to which he was
accustomed There was something almost awful too about the self-possession of
the new pupil who troubled Mr Pecksniff for the loaf and helped himself to a
rasher of that gentlemans own particular and private bacon with all the
coolness in life He even seemed to think that he was doing quite a regular
thing and to expect that Mr Pinch would follow his example since he took
occasion to observe of that young man »that he didnt get on« a speech of so
tremendous a character that Tom cast down his eyes involuntarily and felt as
if he himself had committed some horrible deed and heinous breach of Mr
Pecksniffs confidence Indeed the agony of having such an indiscreet remark
addressed to him before the assembled family was breakfast enough in itself,
and would without any other matter of reflection have settled Mr Pinchs
business and quenched his appetite for one meal though he had been never so
hungry
The young ladies however and Mr Pecksniff likewise remained in the very
best of spirits in spite of these severe trials though with something of a
mysterious understanding among themselves When the meal was nearly over Mr
Pecksniff smilingly explained the cause of their common satisfaction
»It is not often« he said »Martin that my daughters and I desert our
quiet home to pursue the giddy round of pleasures that revolves abroad But we
think of doing so today«
»Indeed sir« cried the new pupil
»Yes« said Mr Pecksniff tapping his left hand with a letter which he held
in his right »I have a summons here to repair to London on professional
business my dear Martin strictly on professional business and I promised my
girls long ago that whenever that happened again they should accompany me We
shall go forth tonight by the heavy coach like the dove of old my dear
Martin and it will be a week before we again deposit our olivebranches in the
passage When I say olivebranches« observed Mr Pecksniff in explanation »I
mean our unpretending luggage«
»I hope the young ladies will enjoy their trip« said Martin
»Oh that Im sure we shall« cried Mercy clapping her hands »Good
gracious Cherry my darling the idea of London«
»Ardent child« said Mr Pecksniff gazing on her in a dreamy way »And yet
there is a melancholy sweetness in these youthful hopes It is pleasant to know
that they never can be realised I remember thinking once myself in the days of
my childhood that pickled onions grew on trees and that every elephant was
born with an impregnable castle on his back I have not found the fact to be so
far from it and yet those visions have comforted me under circumstances of
trial Even when I have had the anguish of discovering that I have nourished in
my breast an ostrich and not a human pupil even in that hour of agony they
have soothed me«
At this dread allusion to John Westlock Mr Pinch precipitately choked in
his tea for he had that very morning received a letter from him as Mr
Pecksniff very well knew
»You will take care my dear Martin« said Mr Pecksniff resuming his
former cheerfulness »that the house does not run away in our absence We leave
you in charge of everything There is no mystery all is free and open Unlike
the young man in the Eastern tale who is described as a oneeyed almanack if
I am not mistaken Mr Pinch«
»A oneeyed calender I think sir« faltered Tom
»They are pretty nearly the same thing I believe« said Mr Pecksniff
smiling compassionately »or they used to be in my time Unlike that young man
my dear Martin you are forbidden to enter no corner of this house but are
requested to make yourself perfectly at home in every part of it You will be
jovial my dear Martin and will kill the fatted calf if you please«
There was not the least objection doubtless to the young mans
slaughtering and appropriating to his own use any calf fat or lean that he
might happen to find upon the premises but as no such animal chanced at that
time to be grazing on Mr Pecksniffs estate this request must be considered
rather as a polite compliment than a substantial hospitality It was the
finishing ornament of the conversation for when he had delivered it Mr
Pecksniff rose and led the way to that hotbed of architectural genius the
twopair front
»Let me see« he said searching among the papers »how you can best employ
yourself Martin while I am absent Suppose you were to give me your idea of a
monument to a Lord Mayor of London or a tomb for a sheriff or your notion of a
cowhouse to be erected in a noblemans park Do you know now« said Mr
Pecksniff folding his hands and looking at his young relation with an air of
pensive interest »that I should very much like to see your notion of a
cowhouse«
But Martin by no means appeared to relish this suggestion
»A pump« said Mr Pecksniff »is very chaste practice I have found that a
lamppost is calculated to refine the mind and give it a classical tendency An
ornamental turnpike has a remarkable effect upon the imagination What do you
say to beginning with an ornamental turnpike«
»Whatever Mr Pecksniff pleased« said Martin doubtfully
»Stay« said that gentleman »Come as youre ambitious and are a very neat
draughtsman you shall ha ha you shall try your hand on these proposals for
a grammarschool regulating your plan of course by the printed particulars
Upon my word now« said Mr Pecksniff merrily »I shall be very curious to see
what you make of the grammarschool Who knows but a young man of your taste
might hit upon something impracticable and unlikely in itself, but which I
could put into shape For it really is my dear Martin it really is in the
finishing touches alone that great experience and long study in these matters
tell Ha ha ha Now it really will be« continued Mr Pecksniff clapping his
young friend on the back in his droll humour »an amusement to me to see what
you make of the grammarschool«
Martin readily undertook this task and Mr Pecksniff forthwith proceeded to
entrust him with the materials necessary for its execution dwelling meanwhile
on the magical effect of a few finishing touches from the hand of a master
which indeed as some people said and these were the old enemies again was
unquestionably very surprising and almost miraculous as there were cases on
record in which the masterly introduction of an additional back window or a
kitchen door or halfadozen steps or even a water spout had made the design
of a pupil Mr Pecksniffs own work and had brought substantial rewards into
that gentlemans pocket But such is the magic of genius which changes all it
handles into gold
»When your mind requires to be refreshed by change of occupation« said Mr
Pecksniff »Thomas Pinch will instruct you in the art of surveying the back
garden or in ascertaining the dead level of the road between this house and the
fingerpost or in any other practical and pleasing pursuit There are a
cartload of loose bricks and a score or two of old flowerpots in the back
yard If you could pile them up my dear Martin into any form which would
remind me on my return say of St Peters at Rome or the Mosque of St Sophia
at Constantinople it would be at once improving to you and agreeable to my
feelings And now« said Mr Pecksniff in conclusion »to drop for the
present our professional relations and advert to private matters I shall be
glad to talk with you in my own room while I pack up my portmanteau«
Martin attended him and they remained in secret conference together for an
hour or more leaving Tom Pinch alone When the young man returned he was very
taciturn and dull in which state he remained all day so that Tom after trying
him once or twice with indifferent conversation felt a delicacy in obtruding
himself upon his thoughts and said no more
He would not have had leisure to say much had his new friend been ever so
loquacious for first of all Mr Pecksniff called him down to stand upon the top
of his portmanteau and represent ancient statues there until such time as it
would consent to be locked and then Miss Charity called him to come and cord
her trunk and then Miss Mercy sent for him to come and mend her box and then
he wrote the fullest possible cards for all the luggage and then he volunteered
to carry it all down stairs and after that to see it safely carried on a couple
of barrows to the old fingerpost at the end of the lane and then to mind it
till the coach came up In short his days work would have been a pretty heavy
one for a porter but his thorough goodwill made nothing of it and as he sat
upon the luggage at last waiting for the Pecksniffs escorted by the new pupil
to come down the lane his heart was light with the hope of having pleased his
benefactor
»I was almost afraid« said Tom taking a letter from his pocket and wiping
his face for he was hot with bustling about though it was a cold day »that I
shouldnt have had time to write it and that would have been a thousand pities
postage from such a distance being a serious consideration when ones not rich
She will be glad to see my hand poor girl and to hear that Pecksniff is as
kind as ever I would have asked John Westlock to call and see her and tell her
all about me by word of mouth but I was afraid he might speak against Pecksniff
to her and make her uneasy Besides they are particular people where she is
and it might have rendered her situation uncomfortable if she had had a visit
from a young man like John Poor Ruth«
Tom Pinch seemed a little disposed to be melancholy for half a minute or so
but he found comfort very soon and pursued his ruminations thus
»Im a nice man I dont think as John used to say John was a kind
merryhearted fellow I wish he had liked Pecksniff better to be feeling low
on account of the distance between us when I ought to be thinking instead of
my extraordinary goodluck in having ever got here I must have been born with a
silver spoon in my mouth I am sure to have ever come across Pecksniff And
here have I fallen again into my usual goodluck with the new pupil Such an
affable generous free fellow as he is I never saw Why we were companions
directly and he a relation of Pecksniffs too and a clever dashing youth who
might cut his way through the world as if it were a cheese Here he comes while
the words are on my lips« said Tom »walking down the lane as if the lane
belonged to him«
In truth the new pupil not at all disconcerted by the honour of having
Miss Mercy Pecksniff on his arm or by the affectionate adieux of that young
lady approached as Mr Pinch spoke followed by Miss Charity and Mr Pecksniff
As the coach appeared at the same moment Tom lost no time in entreating the
gentleman last mentioned to undertake the delivery of his letter
»Oh« said Mr Pecksniff glancing at the superscription »For your sister
Thomas Yes oh yes it shall be delivered Mr Pinch Make your mind easy upon
that score She shall certainly have it Mr Pinch«
He made the promise with so much condescension and patronage that Tom felt
he had asked a great deal this had not occurred to his mind before and
thanked him earnestly The Miss Pecksniffs according to a custom they had were
amused beyond description at the mention of Mr Pinchs sister Oh the fright
The bare idea of a Miss Pinch Good heavens
Tom was greatly pleased to see them so merry for he took it as a token of
their favour and goodhumoured regard Therefore he laughed too and rubbed his
hands and wished them a pleasant journey and safe return and was quite brisk
Even when the coach had rolled away with the olivebranches in the boot and the
family of doves inside he stood waving his hand and bowing so much gratified
by the unusually courteous demeanour of the young ladies that he was quite
regardless for the moment of Martin Chuzzlewit who stood leaning thoughtfully
against the fingerpost and who after disposing of his fair charge had hardly
lifted his eyes from the ground
The perfect silence which ensued upon the bustle and departure of the coach
together with the sharp air of the wintry afternoon roused them both at the
same time They turned as by mutual consent and moved off arminarm
»How melancholy you are« said Tom »what is the matter«
»Nothing worth speaking of« said Martin »Very little more than was the
matter yesterday and much more I hope than will be the matter tomorrow Im
out of spirits Pinch«
»Well« cried Tom »now do you know I am in capital spirits today and
scarcely ever felt more disposed to be good company It was a very kind thing in
your predecessor John to write to me was it not«
»Why yes« said Martin carelessly »I should have thought he would have had
enough to do to enjoy himself without thinking of you Pinch«
»Just what I felt to be so very likely« Tom rejoined »but no he keeps his
word and says My dear Pinch I often think of you and all sorts of kind and
considerate things of that description«
»He must be a devilish goodnatured fellow« said Martin somewhat
peevishly »because he cant mean that you know«
»I dont suppose he can eh« said Tom looking wistfully in his companions
face »He says so to please me you think«
»Why is it likely« rejoined Martin with greater earnestness »that a
young man newly escaped from this kennel of a place and fresh to all the
delights of being his own master in London can have much leisure or inclination
to think favourably of anything or anybody he has left behind him here I put it
to you Pinch is it natural«
After a short reflection Mr Pinch replied in a more subdued tone that to
be sure it was unreasonable to expect any such thing and that he had no doubt
Martin knew best
»Of course I know best« Martin observed
»Yes I feel that« said Mr Pinch mildly »I said so« And when he had
made this rejoinder they fell into a blank silence again which lasted until
they reached home by which time it was dark
Now Miss Charity Pecksniff in consideration of the inconvenience of
carrying them with her in the coach and the impossibility of preserving them by
artificial means until the familys return had set forth in a couple of
plates the fragments of yesterdays feast In virtue of which liberal
arrangement they had the happiness to find awaiting them in the parlour two
chaotic heaps of the remains of last nights pleasure consisting of certain
filmy bits of oranges some mummied sandwiches various disrupted masses of the
geological cake and several entire captains biscuits That choice liquor in
which to steep these dainties might not be wanting the remains of the two
bottles of currant wine had been poured together and corked with a curlpaper
so that every material was at hand for making quite a heavy night of it
Martin Chuzzlewit beheld these roystering preparations with infinite
contempt and stirring the fire into a blaze to the great destruction of Mr
Pecksniffs coals sat moodily down before it in the most comfortable chair he
could find That he might the better squeeze himself into the small corner that
was left for him Mr Pinch took up his position on Miss Mercy Pecksniffs
stool and setting his glass down upon the hearthrug and putting his plate upon
his knees began to enjoy himself
If Diogenes coming to life again could have rolled himself tub and all
into Mr Pecksniffs parlour and could have seen Tom Pinch as he sat on Mercy
Pecksniffs stool with his plate and glass before him he could not have faced
it out though in his surliest mood but must have smiled goodtemperedly The
perfect and entire satisfaction of Tom his surpassing appreciation of the husky
sandwiches which crumbled in his mouth like sawdust the unspeakable relish
with which he swallowed the thin wine by drops and smacked his lips as though
it were so rich and generous that to lose an atom of its fruity flavour were a
sin the look with which he paused sometimes with his glass in his hand
proposing silent toasts to himself and the anxious shade that came upon his
contented face when after wandering round the room exulting in its uninvaded
snugness his glance encountered the dull brow of his companion no cynic in the
world though in his hatred of its men a very griffin could have withstood
these things in Thomas Pinch
Some men would have slapped him on the back and pledged him in a bumper of
the currant wine though it had been the sharpest vinegar ay and liked its
flavour too some would have seized him by his honest hand and thanked him for
the lesson that his simple nature taught them Some would have laughed with and
others would have laughed at him of which last class was Martin Chuzzlewit
who unable to restrain himself at last laughed loud and long
»Thats right« said Tom nodding approvingly »Cheer up Thats capital«
At which encouragement young Martin laughed again and said as soon as he
had breath and gravity enough
»I never saw such a fellow as you are Pinch«
»Didnt you though« said Tom »Well its very likely you do find me
strange because I have hardly seen anything of the world and you have seen a
good deal I dare say«
»Pretty well for my time of life« rejoined Martin drawing his chair still
nearer to the fire and spreading his feet out on the fender »Deuce take it I
must talk openly to somebody Ill talk openly to you Pinch«
»Do« said Tom »I shall take it as being very friendly of you«
»Im not in your way am I« inquired Martin glancing down at Mr Pinch
who was by this time looking at the fire over his leg
»Not at all« cried Tom
»You must know then to make short of a long story« said Martin beginning
with a kind of effort as if the revelation were not agreeable to him »that I
have been bred up from childhood with great expectations and have always been
taught to believe that I should be one day very rich So I should have been
but for certain brief reasons which I am going to tell you and which have led
to my being disinherited«
»By your father« inquired Mr Pinch with open eyes
»By my grandfather I have had no parents these many years Scarcely within
my remembrance«
»Neither have I« said Tom touching the young mans hand with his own and
timidly withdrawing it again »Dear me«
»Why as to that you know Pinch« pursued the other stirring the fire
again and speaking in his rapid offhand way »its all very right and proper
to be fond of parents when we have them and to bear them in remembrance after
theyre dead if you have ever known anything of them But as I never did know
anything about mine personally you know why I cant be expected to be very
sentimental about em And I am not thats the truth«
Mr Pinch was just then looking thoughtfully at the bars But on his
companion pausing in this place he started and said »Oh of course« and
composed himself to listen again
»In a word« said Martin »I have been bred and reared all my life by this
grandfather of whom I have just spoken Now he has a great many good points
there is no doubt about that Ill not disguise the fact from you but he has
two very great faults which are the staple of his bad side In the first place
he has the most confirmed obstinacy of character you ever met with in any human
creature In the second he is most abominably selfish«
»Is he indeed« cried Tom
»In those two respects« returned the other »there never was such a man I
have often heard from those who know that they have been time out of mind the
failings of our family and I believe theres some truth in it But I cant say
of my own knowledge All I have to do you know is to be very thankful that
they havent descended to me and to be very careful that I dont contract em«
»To be sure« said Mr Pinch »Very proper«
»Well sir« resumed Martin stirring the fire once more and drawing his
chair still closer to it »his selfishness makes him exacting you see and his
obstinacy makes him resolute in his exactions The consequence is that he has
always exacted a great deal from me in the way of respect and submission and
selfdenial when his wishes were in question and so forth I have borne a great
deal from him because I have been under obligations to him if one can ever be
said to be under obligations to ones own grandfather and because I have been
really attached to him but we have had a great many quarrels for all that for
I could not accommodate myself to his ways very often not out of the least
reference to myself you understand but because « he stammered here and was
rather at a loss
Mr Pinch being about the worst man in the world to help anybody out of a
difficulty of this sort said nothing
»Well as you understand me« resumed Martin quickly »I neednt hunt for
the precise expression I want Now I come to the cream of my story and the
occasion of my being here I am in love Pinch«
Mr Pinch looked up into his face with increased interest
»I say I am in love I am in love with one of the most beautiful girls the
sun ever shone upon But she is wholly and entirely dependent upon the pleasure
of my grandfather and if he were to know that she favoured my passion she
would lose her home and every thing she possesses in the world There is nothing
very selfish in that love I think«
»Selfish« cried Tom »You have acted nobly To love her as I am sure you
do and yet in consideration for her state of dependence not even to disclose
«
»What are you talking about Pinch« said Martin pettishly »dont make
yourself ridiculous my good fellow What do you mean by not disclosing«
»I beg your pardon« answered Tom »I thought you meant that or I wouldnt
have said it«
»If I didnt tell her I loved her where would be the use of my being in
love« said Martin »unless to keep myself in a perpetual state of worry and
vexation«
»Thats true« Tom answered »Well I can guess what she said when you told
her« he added glancing at Martins handsome face
»Why not exactly Pinch« he rejoined with a slight frown »because she
has some girlish notions about duty and gratitude and all the rest of it which
are rather hard to fathom but in the main you are right Her heart was mine I
found«
»Just what I supposed« said Tom »Quite natural« and in his great
satisfaction he took a long sip out of his wineglass
»Although I had conducted myself from the first with the utmost
circumspection« pursued Martin »I had not managed matters so well but that my
grandfather who is full of jealousy and distrust suspected me of loving her
He said nothing to her but straightway attacked me in private and charged me
with designing to corrupt the fidelity to himself there you observe his
selfishness of a young creature whom he had trained and educated to be his
only disinterested and faithful companion when he should have disposed of me in
marriage to his hearts content Upon that I took fire immediately and told
him that with his good leave I would dispose of myself in marriage and would
rather not be knocked down by him or any other auctioneer to any bidder
whomsoever«
Mr Pinch opened his eyes wider and looked at the fire harder than he had
done yet
»You may be sure« said Martin »that this nettled him and that he began to
be the very reverse of complimentary to myself Interview succeeded interview
words engendered words as they always do and the upshot of it was that I was
to renounce her or be renounced by him Now you must bear in mind Pinch that
I am not only desperately fond of her for though she is poor her beauty and
intellect would reflect great credit on anybody I dont care of what
pretensions who might become her husband but that a chief ingredient in my
composition is a most determined «
»Obstinacy« suggested Tom in perfect good faith But the suggestion was not
so well received as he had expected for the young man immediately rejoined
with some irritation
»What a fellow you are Pinch«
»I beg your pardon« said Tom »I thought you wanted a word«
»I didnt want that word« he rejoined »I told you obstinacy was no part of
my character did I not I was going to say if you had given me leave that a
chief ingredient in my composition is a most determined firmness«
»Oh« cried Tom screwing up his mouth and nodding »Yes yes I see«
»And being firm« pursued Martin »of course I was not going to yield to
him or give way by so much as the thousandth part of an inch«
»No no« said Tom
»On the contrary the more he urged the more I was determined to oppose
him«
»To be sure« said Tom
»Very well« rejoined Martin throwing himself back in his chair with a
careless wave of both hands as if the subject were quite settled and nothing
more could be said about it »There is an end of the matter and here am I«
Mr Pinch sat staring at the fire for some minutes with a puzzled look such
as he might have assumed if some uncommonly difficult conundrum had been
proposed which he found it impossible to guess At length he said
»Pecksniff of course you had known before«
»Only by name No I had never seen him for my grandfather kept not only
himself but me aloof from all his relations But our separation took place in a
town in the adjoining county From that place I came to Salisbury and there I
saw Pecksniffs advertisement which I answered having always had some natural
taste I believe in the matters to which it referred and thinking it might
suit me As soon as I found it to be his I was doubly bent on coming to him if
possible on account of his being «
»Such an excellent man« interposed Tom rubbing his hands »so he is You
were quite right«
»Why not so much on that account if the truth must be spoken« returned
Martin »as because my grandfather has an inveterate dislike to him and after
the old mans arbitrary treatment of me I had a natural desire to run as
directly counter to all his opinions as I could Well As I said before here I
am My engagement with the young lady I have been telling you about is likely
to be a tolerably long one for neither her prospects nor mine are very
bright and of course I shall not think of marrying until I am well able to do
so It would never do you know for me to be plunging myself into poverty and
shabbiness and love in one room up three pair of stairs and all that sort of
thing«
»To say nothing of her« remarked Tom Pinch in a low voice
»Exactly so« rejoined Martin rising to warm his back and leaning against
the chimneypiece »To say nothing of her At the same time of course its not
very hard upon her to be obliged to yield to the necessity of the case first
because she loves me very much and secondly because I have sacrificed a great
deal on her account and might have done much better you know«
It was a very long time before Tom said »Certainly« so long that he might
have taken a nap in the interval but he did say it at last
»Now there is one odd coincidence connected with this lovestory« said
Martin »which brings it to an end You remember what you told me last night as
we were coming here about your pretty visitor in the church«
»Surely I do« said Tom rising from his stool and seating himself in the
chair from which the other had lately risen that he might see his face
»Undoubtedly«
»That was she«
»I knew what you were going to say« cried Tom looking fixedly at him and
speaking very softly »You dont tell me so«
»That was she« repeated the young man »After what I have heard from
Pecksniff I have no doubt that she came and went with my grandfather Dont you
drink too much of that sour wine or youll have a fit of some sort Pinch I
see«
»It is not very wholesome I am afraid« said Tom setting down the empty
glass he had for some time held »So that was she was it«
Martin nodded assent and adding with a restless impatience that if he had
been a few days earlier he would have seen her and that now she might be for
anything he knew hundreds of miles away threw himself after a few turns across
the room into a chair and chafed like a spoilt child
Tom Pinchs heart was very tender and he could not bear to see the most
indifferent person in distress still less one who had awakened an interest in
him and who regarded him either in fact or as he supposed with kindness and
in a spirit of lenient construction Whatever his own thoughts had been a few
moments before and to judge from his face they must have been pretty serious
he dismissed them instantly and gave his young friend the best counsel and
comfort that occurred to him
»All will be well in time« said Tom »I have no doubt and some trial and
adversity just now will only serve to make you more attached to each other in
better days I have always read that the truth is so and I have a feeling
within me which tells me how natural and right it is that it should be What
never ran smooth yet« said Tom with a smile which despite the homeliness of
his face was pleasanter to see than many a proud beautys brightest glance
»what never ran smooth yet can hardly be expected to change its character for
us so we must take it as we find it and fashion it into the very best shape we
can by patience and goodhumour I have no power at all I neednt tell you
that but I have an excellent will and if I could ever be of use to you in any
way whatever how very glad I should be«
»Thank you« said Martin shaking his hand »Youre a good fellow upon my
word and speak very kindly Of course you know« he added after a moments
pause as he drew his chair towards the fire again »I should not hesitate to
avail myself of your services if you could help me at all but mercy on us«
Here he rumpled his hair impatiently with his hand and looked at Tom as if he
took it rather ill that he was not somebody else »you might as well be a
toastingfork or a fryingpan Pinch for any help you can render me«
»Except in the inclination« said Tom gently
»Oh to be sure I meant that of course If inclination went for anything
I shouldnt want help I tell you what you may do though if you will and at
the present moment too«
»What is that« demanded Tom
»Read to me«
»I shall be delighted« cried Tom catching up the candle with enthusiasm
»Excuse my leaving you in the dark a moment and Ill fetch a book directly
What will you like Shakspeare«
»Ay« replied his friend yawning and stretching himself »Hell do I am
tired with the bustle of today and the novelty of everything about me and in
such a case theres no greater luxury in the world I think than being read to
sleep You wont mind my going to sleep if I can«
»Not at all« cried Tom
»Then begin as soon as you like You neednt leave off when you see me
getting drowsy unless you feel tired for its pleasant to wake gradually to
the sounds again Did you ever try that«
»No I never tried that« said Tom
»Well You can you know one of these days when were both in the right
humour Dont mind leaving me in the dark Look sharp«
Mr Pinch lost no time in moving away and in a minute or two returned with
one of the precious volumes from the shelf beside his bed Martin had in the
meantime made himself as comfortable as circumstances would permit by
constructing before the fire a temporary sofa of three chairs with Mercys stool
for a pillow and lying down at fulllength upon it
»Dont be too loud please« he said to Pinch
»No no« said Tom
»Youre sure youre not cold«
»Not at all« cried Tom
»I am quite ready then«
Mr Pinch accordingly after turning over the leaves of his book with as
much care as if they were living and highly cherished creatures made his own
selection and began to read Before he had completed fifty lines his friend
was snoring
»Poor fellow« said Tom softly as he stretched out his head to peep at him
over the backs of the chairs »He is very young to have so much trouble How
trustful and generous in him to bestow all this confidence in me And that was
she was it«
But suddenly remembering their compact he took up the poem at the place
where he had left off and went on reading always forgetting to snuff the
candle until its wick looked like a mushroom He gradually became so much
interested that he quite forgot to replenish the fire and was only reminded of
his neglect by Martin Chuzzlewit starting up after the lapse of an hour or so
and crying with a shiver
»Why its nearly out I declare No wonder I dreamed of being frozen Do
call for some coals What a fellow you are Pinch«
Chapter VII
In which Mr Chevy Slyme Asserts the Independence of His Spirit and the Blue
Dragon Loses a Limb
Martin began to work at the grammarschool next morning with so much vigour and
expedition that Mr Pinch had new reason to do homage to the natural endowments
of that young gentleman and to acknowledge his infinite superiority to himself
The new pupil received Toms compliments very graciously and having by this
time conceived a real regard for him in his own peculiar way predicted that
they would always be the very best of friends and that neither of them he was
certain but particularly Tom would ever have reason to regret the day on
which they became acquainted Mr Pinch was delighted to hear him say this and
felt so much flattered by his kind assurances of friendship and protection that
he was at a loss how to express the pleasure they afforded him And indeed it
may be observed of this friendship such as it was that it had within it more
likely materials of endurance than many a sworn brotherhood that has been rich
in promise for so long as the one party found a pleasure in patronising and
the other in being patronised which was in the very essence of their respective
characters it was of all possible events among the least probable that the
twin demons Envy and Pride would ever arise between them So in very many
cases of friendship or what passes for it the old axiom is reversed and like
clings to unlike more than to like
They were both very busy on the afternoon succeeding the familys departure
Martin with the grammarschool and Tom in balancing certain receipts of rents
and deducting Mr Pecksniffs commission from the same in which abstruse
employment he was much distracted by a habit his new friend had of whistling
aloud while he was drawing They were not a little startled by the unexpected
obtrusion into that sanctuary of genius of a human head which although a
shaggy and somewhat alarming head in appearance smiled affably upon them from
the doorway in a manner that was at once waggish conciliatory and expressive
of approbation
»I am not industrious myself gents both« said the head »but I know how to
appreciate that quality in others I wish I may turn gray and ugly if it isnt
in my opinion next to genius one of the very charmingest qualities of the
human mind Upon my soul I am grateful to my friend Pecksniff for helping me to
the contemplation of such a delicious picture as you present You remind me of
Whittington afterwards thrice Lord Mayor of London I give you my unsullied
word of honour that you very strongly remind me of that historical character
You are a pair of Whittingtons gents without the cat which is a most
agreeable and blessed exception to me for I am not attached to the feline
species My name is Tigg how do you do«
Martin looked to Mr Pinch for an explanation and Tom who had never in his
life set eyes on Mr Tigg before looked to that gentleman himself
»Chevy Slyme« said Mr Tigg interrogatively and kissing his left hand in
token of friendship »You will understand me when I say that I am the accredited
agent of Chevy Slyme that I am the ambassador from the court of Chiv Ha ha«
»Heyday« asked Martin starting at the mention of a name he knew »Pray
what does he want with me«
»If your name is Pinch« Mr Tigg began
»It is not« said Martin checking himself »That is Mr Pinch«
»If that is Mr Pinch« cried Tigg kissing his hand again and beginning to
follow his head into the room »he will permit me to say that I greatly esteem
and respect his character which has been most highly commended to me by my
friend Pecksniff and that I deeply appreciate his talent for the organ
notwithstanding that I do not if I may use the expression grind myself If
that is Mr Pinch I will venture to express a hope that I see him well and
that he is suffering no inconvenience from the easterly wind«
»Thank you« said Tom »I am very well«
»That is a comfort« Mr Tigg rejoined »Then« he added shielding his lips
with the palm of his hand and applying them close to Mr Pinchs ear »I have
come for the letter«
»For the letter« said Tom aloud »What letter«
»The letter« whispered Tigg in the same cautious manner as before »which
my friend Pecksniff addressed to Chevy Slyme Esquire and left with you«
»He didnt leave any letter with me« said Tom
»Hush« cried the other »Its all the same thing though not so delicately
done by my friend Pecksniff as I could have wished The money«
»The money« cried Tom quite scared
»Exactly so« said Mr Tigg With which he rapped Tom twice or thrice upon
the breast and nodded several times as though he would say that he saw they
understood each other that it was unnecessary to mention the circumstance
before a third person and that he would take it as a particular favour if Tom
would slip the amount into his hand as quietly as possible
Mr Pinch however was so very much astounded by this to him inexplicable
deportment that he at once openly declared there must be some mistake and that
he had been entrusted with no commission whatever having any reference to Mr
Tigg or to his friend either Mr Tigg received this declaration with a grave
request that Mr Pinch would have the goodness to make it again and on Toms
repeating it in a still more emphatic and unmistakable manner checked it off
sentence for sentence by nodding his head solemnly at the end of each When it
had come to a close for the second time Mr Tigg sat himself down in a chair
and addressed the young men as follows
»Then I tell you what it is gents both There is at this present moment in
this very place a perfect constellation of talent and genius who is involved
through what I cannot but designate as the culpable negligence of my friend
Pecksniff in a situation as tremendous perhaps as the social intercourse of
the nineteenth century will readily admit of There is actually at this instant
at the Blue Dragon in this village an alehouse observe a common paltry
lowminded clodhopping pipesmoking alehouse an individual of whom it may
be said in the language of the Poet that nobody but himself can in any way
come up to him who is detained there for his bill Ha ha For his bill I
repeat it For his bill Now« said Mr Tigg »we have heard of Foxs Book of
Martyrs I believe and we have heard of the Court of Requests and the Star
Chamber but I fear the contradiction of no man alive or dead when I assert
that my friend Chevy Slyme being held in pawn for a bill beats any amount of
cockfighting with which I am acquainted«
Martin and Mr Pinch looked first at each other and afterwards at Mr
Tigg who with his arms folded on his breast surveyed them half in despondency
and half in bitterness
»Dont mistake me gents both« he said stretching forth his right hand
»If it had been for anything but a bill I could have borne it and could still
have looked upon mankind with some feeling of respect but when such a man as my
friend Slyme is detained for a score a thing in itself essentially mean a low
performance on a slate or possibly chalked upon the back of a door I do feel
that there is a screw of such magnitude loose somewhere that the whole
framework of society is shaken and the very first principles of things can no
longer be trusted In short gents both« said Mr Tigg with a passionate
flourish of his hands and head »when a man like Slyme is detained for such a
thing as a bill I reject the superstitions of ages and believe nothing I
dont even believe that I dont believe curse me if I do«
»I am very sorry I am sure« said Tom after a pause »but Mr Pecksniff
said nothing to me about it and I couldnt act without his instructions
Wouldnt it be better sir if you were to go to to wherever you came from
yourself and remit the money to your friend«
»How can that be done when I am detained also« said Mr Tigg »and when
moreover owing to the astounding and I must add guilty negligence of my
friend Pecksniff I have no money for coachhire«
Tom thought of reminding the gentleman who no doubt in his agitation had
forgotten it that there was a postoffice in the land and that possibly if he
wrote to some friend or agent for a remittance it might not be lost upon the
road or at all events that the chance however desperate was worth trusting
to But as his goodnature presently suggested to him certain reasons for
abstaining from this hint he paused again and then asked
»Did you say sir that you were detained also«
»Come here« said Mr Tigg rising »You have no objection to my opening
this window for a moment«
»Certainly not« said Tom
»Very good« said Mr Tigg lifting the sash »You see a fellow down there
in a red neckcloth and no waistcoat«
»Of course I do« cried Tom »Thats Mark Tapley«
»Mark Tapley is it« said the gentleman »Then Mark Tapley had not only the
great politeness to follow me to this house but is waiting now to see me home
again And for that attention sir« added Mr Tigg stroking his moustache »I
can tell you that Mark Tapley had better in his infancy have been fed to
suffocation by Mrs Tapley than preserved to this time«
Mr Pinch was not so dismayed by this terrible threat but that he had voice
enough to call to Mark to come in and up stairs a summons which he so speedily
obeyed that almost as soon as Tom and Mr Tigg had drawn in their heads and
closed the window again he the denounced appeared before them
»Come here Mark« said Mr Pinch »Good gracious me whats the matter
between Mrs Lupin and this gentleman«
»What gentleman sir« said Mark »I dont see no gentleman here sir
excepting you and the new gentleman« to whom he made a rough kind of bow »and
theres nothing wrong between Mrs Lupin and either of you Mr Pinch I am
sure«
»Nonsense Mark« cried Tom »You see Mr «
»Tigg« interposed that gentleman »Wait a bit I shall crush him soon All
in good time«
»Oh him« rejoined Mark with an air of careless defiance »Yes I see him
I could see him a little better if hed shave himself and get his hair cut«
Mr Tigg shook his head with a ferocious look and smote himself once upon
the breast
»Its no use« said Mark »If you knock ever so much in that quarter youll
get no answer I know better Theres nothing there but padding and a greasy
sort it is«
»Nay Mark« urged Mr Pinch interposing to prevent hostilities »tell me
what I ask you Youre not out of temper I hope«
»Out of temper sir« cried Mark with a grin »why no sir Theres a
little credit not much in being jolly when such fellows as him is a going
about like roaring lions if there is any breed of lions at least as is all
roar and mane What is there between him and Mrs Lupin sir Why theres a
score between him and Mrs Lupin And I think Mrs Lupin lets him and his friend
off very easy in not charging em double prices for being a disgrace to the
Dragon Thats my opinion I wouldnt have any such Peter the Wild Boy as him in
my house sir not if I was paid raceweek prices for it Hes enough to turn
the very beer in the casks sour with his looks he is So he would if it had
judgment enough«
»Youre not answering my question you know Mark« observed Mr Pinch
»Well sir« said Mark »I dont know as theres much to answer further than
that Him and his friend goes and stops at the Moon and Stars till theyve run a
bill there and then comes and stops with us and does the same The running of
bills is common enough Mr Pinch it ant that as we object to its the ways
of this chap Nothings good enough for him all the women is dying for him he
thinks and is overpaid if he winks at em and all the men was made to be
ordered about by him This not being aggravation enough he says this morning to
me in his usual captivating way Were going tonight my man Are you sir
says I Perhaps youd like the bill got ready sir Oh no my man he says you
neednt mind that Ill give Pecksniff orders to see to that In reply to which
the Dragon makes answer Thankee sir youre very kind to honour us so far but
as we dont know any particular good of you and you dont travel with luggage
and Mr Pecksniff ant at home which perhaps you maynt happen to be aware of
sir we should prefer something more satisfactory and thats where the matter
stands And I ask« said Mr Tapley pointing in conclusion to Mr Tigg with
his hat »any lady or gentleman possessing ordinary strength of mind to say
whether hes a disagreeablelooking chap or not«
»Let me inquire« said Martin interposing between this candid speech and
the delivery of some blighting anathema by Mr Tigg »what the amount of this
debt may be«
»In point of money sir very little« answered Mark »Only just turned of
three pounds But it ant that its the «
»Yes yes you told us so before« said Martin »Pinch a word with you«
»What is it« asked Tom retiring with him to a corner of the room
»Why simply I am ashamed to say that this Mr Slyme is a relation of
mine of whom I never heard anything pleasant and that I dont want him here
just now and think he would be cheaply got rid of perhaps for three or four
pounds You havent enough money to pay this bill I suppose«
Tom shook his head to an extent that left no doubt of his entire sincerity
»Thats unfortunate for I am poor too and in case you had had it Id have
borrowed it of you But if we told this landlady we would see her paid I
suppose that would answer the same purpose«
»Oh dear yes« said Tom »She knows me bless you«
»Then let us go down at once and tell her so for the sooner we are rid of
their company the better As you have conducted the conversation with this
gentleman hitherto perhaps youll tell him what we purpose doing will you«
Mr Pinch complying at once imparted the intelligence to Mr Tigg who
shook him warmly by the hand in return assuring him that his faith in anything
and everything was again restored It was not so much he said for the
temporary relief of this assistance that he prized it as for its vindication of
the high principle that Natures Nobs felt with Natures Nobs and that true
greatness of soul sympathised with true greatness of soul all the world over
It proved to him he said that like him they admired genius even when it was
coupled with the alloy occasionally visible in the metal of his friend Slyme
and on behalf of that friend he thanked them as warmly and heartily as if the
cause were his own Being cut short in these speeches by a general move towards
the stairs he took possession at the streetdoor of the lapel of Mr Pinchs
coat as a security against further interruption and entertained that gentleman
with some highly improving discourse until they reached the Dragon whither they
were closely followed by Mark and the new pupil
The rosy hostess scarcely needed Mr Pinchs word as a preliminary to the
release of her two visitors of whom she was glad to be rid on any terms
indeed their brief detention had originated mainly with Mr Tapley who
entertained a constitutional dislike to gentlemen outatelbows who flourished
on false pretences and had conceived a particular aversion to Mr Tigg and his
friend as choice specimens of the species. The business in hand thus easily
settled Mr Pinch and Martin would have withdrawn immediately but for the
urgent entreaties of Mr Tigg that they would allow him the honour of presenting
them to his friend Slyme which were so very difficult of resistance that
yielding partly to these persuasions and partly to their own curiosity they
suffered themselves to be ushered into the presence of that distinguished
gentleman
He was brooding over the remains of yesterdays decanter of brandy and was
engaged in the thoughtful occupation of making a chain of rings on the top of
the table with the wet foot of his drinkingglass Wretched and forlorn as he
looked Mr Slyme had once been in his way the choicest of swaggerers putting
forth his pretensions boldly as a man of infinite taste and most undoubted
promise The stockintrade requisite to set up an amateur in this department of
business is very slight and easily got together a trick of the nose and a curl
of the lip sufficient to compound a tolerable sneer being ample provision for
any exigency But in an evil hour this offshoot of the Chuzzlewit trunk
being lazy and ill qualified for any regular pursuit and having dissipated
such means as he ever possessed had formally established himself as a professor
of Taste for a livelihood and finding too late that something more than his
old amount of qualifications was necessary to sustain him in this calling had
quickly fallen to his present level where he retained nothing of his old self
but his boastfulness and his bile and seemed to have no existence separate or
apart from his friend Tigg And now so abject and so pitiful was he at once so
maudlin insolent beggarly and proud that even his friend and parasite
standing erect beside him swelled into a Man by contrast
»Chiv« said Mr Tigg clapping him on the back »my friend Pecksniff not
being at home I have arranged our trifling piece of business with Mr Pinch and
friend Mr Pinch and friend Mr Chevy Slyme Chiv Mr Pinch and friend«
»These are agreeable circumstances in which to be introduced to strangers«
said Chevy Slyme turning his bloodshot eyes towards Tom Pinch »I am the most
miserable man in the world I believe«
Tom begged he wouldnt mention it and finding him in this condition
retired after an awkward pause followed by Martin But Mr Tigg so urgently
conjured them by coughs and signs to remain in the shadow of the door that
they stopped there
»I swear« cried Mr Slyme giving the table an imbecile blow with his fist
and then feebly leaning his head upon his hand while some drunken drops oozed
from his eyes »that I am the wretchedest creature on record Society is in a
conspiracy against me Im the most literary man alive Im full of scholarship
Im full of genius Im full of information Im full of novel views on every
subject yet look at my condition Im at this moment obliged to two strangers
for a tavern bill«
Mr Tigg replenished his friends glass pressed it into his hand and
nodded an intimation to the visitors that they would see him in a better aspect
immediately
»Obliged to two strangers for a tavern bill eh« repeated Mr Slyme after
a sulky application to his glass »Very pretty And crowds of impostors the
while becoming famous men who are no more on a level with me than Tigg I
take you to witness that I am the most persecuted hound on the face of the
earth«
With a whine not unlike the cry of the animal he named in its lowest state
of humiliation he raised his glass to his mouth again He found some
encouragement in it for when he set it down he laughed scornfully Upon that
Mr Tigg gesticulated to the visitors once more and with great expression
implying that now the time was come when they would see Chiv in his greatness
»Ha ha ha« laughed Mr Slyme »Obliged to two strangers for a tavern
bill Yet I think Ive a rich uncle Tigg who could buy up the uncles of fifty
strangers Have I or have I not I come of a good family I believe Do I or
do I not Im not a man of common capacity or accomplishments I think Am I or
am I not«
»You are the American aloe of the human race my dear Chiv« said Mr Tigg
»which only blooms once in a hundred years«
»Ha ha ha« laughed Mr Slyme again »Obliged to two strangers for a
tavern bill I Obliged to two architects apprentices Fellows who measure
earth with iron chains and build houses like bricklayers Give me the names of
those two apprentices How dare they oblige me«
Mr Tigg was quite lost in admiration of this noble trait in his friends
character as he made known to Mr Pinch in a neat little ballet of action
spontaneously invented for the purpose
»Ill let em know and Ill let all men know« cried Chevy Slyme »that Im
none of the mean grovelling tame characters they meet with commonly I have an
independent spirit I have a heart that swells in my bosom I have a soul that
rises superior to base considerations«
»Oh Chiv Chiv« murmured Mr Tigg »you have a nobly independent nature
Chiv«
»You go and do your duty sir« said Mr Slyme angrily »and borrow money
for travelling expenses and whoever you borrow it of let em know that I
possess a haughty spirit and a proud spirit and have infernally finelytouched
chords in my nature which wont brook patronage Do you hear Tell em I hate
em and that thats the way I preserve my selfrespect and tell em that no
man ever respected himself more than I do«
He might have added that he hated two sorts of men all those who did him
favours and all those who were better off than himself as in either case their
position was an insult to a man of his stupendous merits But he did not for
with the apt closing words above recited Mr Slyme of too haughty a stomach to
work to beg to borrow or to steal yet mean enough to be worked or borrowed
begged or stolen for by any catspaw that would serve his turn too insolent to
lick the hand that fed him in his need yet cur enough to bite and tear it in
the dark with these apt closing words Mr Slyme fell forward with his head
upon the table and so declined into a sodden sleep
»Was there ever« cried Mr Tigg joining the young men at the door and
shutting it carefully behind him »such an independent spirit as is possessed by
that extraordinary creature Was there ever such a Roman as our friend Chiv Was
there ever a man of such a purely classical turn of thought and of such a
togalike simplicity of nature? Was there ever a man with such a flow of
eloquence Might he not gents both I ask have sat upon a tripod in the
ancient times and prophesied to a perfectly unlimited extent if previously
supplied with ginandwater at the public cost«
Mr Pinch was about to contest this latter position with his usual mildness
when observing that his companion had already gone down stairs he prepared to
follow him
»You are not going Mr Pinch« said Tigg
»Thank you« answered Tom »Yes Dont come down«
»Do you know that I should like one little word in private with you Mr
Pinch« said Tigg following him »One minute of your company in the
skittleground would very much relieve my mind Might I beseech that favour«
»Oh certainly« replied Tom »if you really wish it« So he accompanied Mr
Tigg to the retreat in question on arriving at which place that gentleman took
from his hat what seemed to be the fossil remains of an antediluvian
pockethandkerchief and wiped his eyes therewith
»You have not beheld me this day« said Mr Tigg »in a favourable light«
»Dont mention that« said Tom »I beg«
»But you have not« cried Tigg »I must persist in that opinion If you
could have seen me Mr Pinch at the head of my regiment on the coast of
Africa charging in the form of a hollow square with the women and children and
the regimental platechest in the centre you would not have known me for the
same man You would have respected me sir«
Tom had certain ideas of his own upon the subject of glory and consequently
he was not quite so much excited by this picture as Mr Tigg could have desired
»But no matter« said that gentleman »The schoolboy writing home to his
parents and describing the milkandwater said This is indeed weakness I
repeat that assertion in reference to myself at the present moment and I ask
your pardon Sir you have seen my friend Slyme«
»No doubt« said Mr Pinch
»Sir you have been impressed by my friend Slyme«
»Not very pleasantly I must say« answered Tom after a little hesitation
»I am grieved but not surprised« cried Mr Tigg detaining him with both
hands »to hear that you have come to that conclusion for it is my own But
Mr Pinch though I am a rough and thoughtless man I can honour Mind I honour
Mind in following my friend To you of all men Mr Pinch I have a right to
make appeal on Minds behalf when it has not the art to push its fortune in the
world And so sir not for myself who have no claim upon you but for my
crushed my sensitive and independent friend who has I ask the loan of three
halfcrowns I ask you for the loan of three halfcrowns distinctly and
without a blush I ask it almost as a right And when I add that they will be
returned by post this week I feel that you will blame me for that sordid
stipulation«
Mr Pinch took from his pocket an oldfashioned redleather purse with a
steel clasp which had probably once belonged to his deceased grandmother It
held one halfsovereign and no more All Toms worldly wealth until next
quarterday
»Stay« cried Mr Tigg who had watched this proceeding keenly »I was just
about to say that for the convenience of posting you had better make it gold
Thank you A general direction I suppose to Mr Pinch at Mr Pecksniffs
will find you«
»Thatll find me« said Tom »You had better put Esquire to Mr Pecksniffs
name if you please Direct to me you know at Seth Pecksniffs Esquire«
»At Seth Pecksniffs Esquire« repeated Mr Tigg taking an exact note of
it with a stump of pencil »We said this week I believe«
»Yes or Monday will do« observed Tom
»No no I beg your pardon Monday will not do« said Mr Tigg »If we
stipulated for this week Saturday is the latest day Did we stipulate for this
week«
»Since you are so particular about it« said Tom »I think we did«
Mr Tigg added this condition to his memorandum read the entry over to
himself with a severe frown and that the transaction might be the more correct
and businesslike appended his initials to the whole That done he assured Mr
Pinch that everything was now perfectly regular and after squeezing his hand
with great fervour departed
Tom entertained enough suspicion that Martin might possibly turn this
interview into a jest to render him desirous to avoid the company of that young
gentleman for the present With this view he took a few turns up and down the
skittleground and did not reenter the house until Mr Tigg and his friend had
quitted it and the new pupil and Mark were watching their departure from one of
the windows
»I was just a saying sir that if one could live by it« observed Mark
pointing after their late guests »that would be the sort of service for me
Waiting on such individuals as them would be better than gravedigging sir«
»And staying here would be better than either Mark« replied Tom »So take
my advice and continue to swim easily in smooth water«
»Its too late to take it now sir« said Mark »I have broke it to her
sir I am off tomorrow morning«
»Off« cried Mr Pinch »where to«
»I shall go up to London sir«
»What to be« asked Mr Pinch
»Well I dont know yet sir Nothing turned up that day I opened my mind to
you as was at all likely to suit me All them trades I thought of was a deal
too jolly there was no credit at all to be got in any of em I must look for a
private service I suppose sir I might be brought out strong perhaps in a
serious family Mr Pinch«
»Perhaps you might come out rather too strong for a serious familys taste
Mark«
»Thats possible sir If I could get into a wicked family I might do
myself justice but the difficulty is to make sure of ones ground because a
young man cant very well advertise that he wants a place and wages ant so
much an object as a wicked sitivation can he sir«
»Why no« said Mr Pinch »I dont think he can«
»An envious family« pursued Mark with a thoughtful face »or a quarrelsome
family or a malicious family or even a good outandout mean family would
open a field of action as I might do something in The man as would have suited
me of all other men was that old gentleman as was took ill here for he really
was a trying customer Howsever I must wait and see what turns up sir and
hope for the worst«
»You are determined to go then« said Mr Pinch
»My box is gone already sir by the waggon and Im going to walk on
tomorrow morning and get a lift by the day coach when it overtakes me So I
wish you good bye Mr Pinch and you too sir and all good luck and
happiness«
They both returned his greeting laughingly and walked home arminarm Mr
Pinch imparting to his new friend as they went such further particulars of
Mark Tapleys whimsical restlessness as the reader is already acquainted with
In the mean time Mark having a shrewd notion that his mistress was in very
low spirits and that he could not exactly answer for the consequences of any
lengthened têteàtête in the bar kept himself obstinately out of her way all
the afternoon and evening In this piece of generalship he was very much
assisted by the great influx of company into the taproom for the news of his
intention having gone abroad there was a perfect throng there all the evening
and much drinking of healths and clinking of mugs At length the house was
closed for the night and there being now no help for it Mark put the best face
he could upon the matter and walked doggedly to the bardoor
»If I look at her« said Mark to himself »Im done I feel that Im a going
fast«
»You have come at last« said Mrs Lupin
Aye Mark said There he was
»And you are determined to leave us Mark« cried Mrs Lupin
»Why yes I am« said Mark keeping his eyes hard upon the floor
»I thought« pursued the landlady with a most engaging hesitation »that
you had been fond of the Dragon«
»So I am« said Mark
»Then« pursued the hostess and it really was not an unnatural inquiry
»why do you desert it«
But as he gave no manner of answer to this question not even on its being
repeated Mrs Lupin put his money into his hand and asked him not unkindly
quite the contrary what he would take
It is proverbial that there are certain things which flesh and blood cannot
bear Such a question as this propounded in such a manner at such a time and
by such a person proved at least as far as Marks flesh and blood were
concerned to be one of them He looked up in spite of himself directly and
having once looked up there was no looking down again for of all the tight
plump buxom brighteyed dimplefaced landladies that ever shone on earth
there stood before him then bodily in that bar the very pink and pineapple
»Why I tell you what« said Mark throwing off all his constraint in an
instant and seizing the hostess round the waist at which she was not at all
alarmed for she knew what a good young man he was »if I took what I liked
most I should take you If I only thought what was best for me I should take
you If I took what nineteen young fellows in twenty would be glad to take and
would take at any price I should take you Yes I should« cried Mr Tapley
shaking his head expressively enough and looking in a momentary state of
forgetfulness rather hard at the hostesss ripe lips »And no man wouldnt
wonder if I did«
Mrs Lupin said he amazed her She was astonished how he could say such
things She had never thought it of him
»Why I never thought it of myself till now« said Mark raising his
eyebrows with a look of the merriest possible surprise »I always expected we
should part and never have no explanation I meant to do it when I come in here
just now but theres something about you as makes a man sensible Then let us
have a word or two together letting it be understood beforehand« he added this
in a grave tone to prevent the possibility of any mistake »that Im not a
going to make no love you know«
There was for just one second a shade though not by any means a dark one
on the landladys open brow But it passed off instantly in a laugh that came
from her very heart
»Oh very good« she said »if there is to be no lovemaking you had better
take your arm away«
»Lord why should I« cried Mark »Its quite innocent«
»Of course its innocent« returned the hostess »or I shouldnt allow it«
»Very well« said Mark »Then let it be«
There was so much reason in this that the landlady laughed again suffered
it to remain and bade him say what he had to say and be quick about it But he
was an impudent fellow she added
»Ha ha I almost think I am« cried Mark »though I never thought so before
Why I can say anything tonight«
»Say what youre going to say if you please and be quick« returned the
landlady »for I want to get to bed«
»Why then my dear good soul« said Mark »and a kinder woman than you are
never drawed breath let me see the man as says she did what would be the
likely consequence of us two being «
»Oh nonsense« cried Mrs Lupin »Dont talk about that any more«
»No no but it ant nonsense« said Mark »and I wish youd attend What
would be the likely consequence of us two being married If I cant be content
and comfortable in this here lively Dragon now is it to be looked for as I
should be then By no means Very good Then you even with your good humour
would be always on the fret and worrit always uncomfortable in your own mind
always a thinking as you was getting too old for my taste always a picturing me
to yourself as being chained up to the Dragon door and wanting to break away I
dont know that it would be so« said Mark »but I dont know that it mightnt
be I am a roving sort of chap I know Im fond of change Im always a
thinking that with my good health and spirits it would be more creditable in me
to be jolly where theres things a going on to make one dismal It may be a
mistake of mine you see but nothing short of trying how it acts will set it
right Then ant it best that I should go particular when your free way has
helped me out to say all this and we can part as good friends as we have ever
been since first I entered this here noble Dragon which« said Mr Tapley in
conclusion »has my good word and my good wish to the day of my death«
The hostess sat quite silent for a little time but she very soon put both
her hands in Marks and shook them heartily
»For you are a good man« she said looking into his face with a smile
which was rather serious for her »And I do believe have been a better friend to
me tonight than ever I have had in all my life«
»Oh as to that you know« said Mark »thats nonsense But love my heart
alive« he added looking at her in a sort of rapture »if you are that way
disposed what a lot of suitable husbands there is as you may drive distracted«
She laughed again at this compliment and once more shaking him by both
hands and bidding him if he should ever want a friend to remember her turned
gaily from the little bar and up the Dragon staircase
»Humming a tune as she goes« said Mark listening »in case I should think
shes at all put out and should be made downhearted Come heres some credit
in being jolly at last«
With that piece of comfort very ruefully uttered he went in anything but
a jolly manner to bed
He rose early next morning and was afoot soon after sunrise But it was of
no use the whole place was up to see Mark Tapley off the boys the dogs the
children the old men the busy people and the idlers there they were all
calling out »Good bye Mark« after their own manner and all sorry he was
going Somehow he had a kind of sense that his old mistress was peeping from her
chamberwindow but he couldnt make up his mind to look back
»Good bye one good bye all« cried Mark waving his hat on the top of his
walkingstick as he strode at a quick pace up the little street »Hearty chaps
them wheelwrights hurrah Heres the butchers dog acoming out of the garden
down old fellow And Mr Pinch agoing to his organ good bye sir And the
terrierbitch from over the way hie then lass And children enough to hand
down human natur to the latest posterity good bye boys and girls Theres
some credit in it now Im acoming out strong at last These are the
circumstances that would try a ordinary mind but Im uncommon jolly Not quite
as jolly as I could wish to be but very near Good bye good bye«
Chapter VIII
Accompanies Mr Pecksniff and His Charming Daughters to the City of London and
Relates what Fell Out Upon Their Way Thither
When Mr Pecksniff and the two young ladies got into the heavy coach at the end
of the lane they found it empty which was a great comfort particularly as the
outside was quite full and the passengers looked very frosty For as Mr
Pecksniff justly observed when he and his daughters had burrowed their feet
deep in the straw wrapped themselves to the chin and pulled up both windows
it is always satisfactory to feel in keen weather that many other people are
not as warm as you are And this he said was quite natural and a very
beautiful arrangement not confined to coaches but extending itself into many
social ramifications »For« he observed »if every one were warm and wellfed
we should lose the satisfaction of admiring the fortitude with which certain
conditions of men bear cold and hunger And if we were no better off than
anybody else what would become of our sense of gratitude which« said Mr
Pecksniff with tears in his eyes as he shook his fist at a beggar who wanted to
get up behind »is one of the holiest feelings of our common nature«
His children heard with becoming reverence these moral precepts from the
lips of their father and signified their acquiescence in the same by smiles
That he might the better feed and cherish that sacred flame of gratitude in his
breast Mr Pecksniff remarked that he would trouble his eldest daughter even
in this early stage of their journey for the brandybottle And from the narrow
neck of that stone vessel he imbibed a copious refreshment
»What are we« said Mr Pecksniff »but coaches Some of us are slow
coaches«
»Goodness Pa« cried Charity
»Some of us I say« resumed her parent with increased emphasis »are slow
coaches some of us are fast coaches Our passions are the horses and rampant
animals too«
»Really Pa« cried both the daughters at once »How very unpleasant«
»And rampant animals too« repeated Mr Pecksniff with so much
determination that he may be said to have exhibited at the moment a sort of
moral rampancy himself »and Virtue is the drag We start from The Mothers
Arms and we run to The Dust Shovel«
When he had said this Mr Pecksniff being exhausted took some further
refreshment When he had done that he corked the bottle tight with the air of
a man who had effectually corked the subject also and went to sleep for three
stages
The tendency of mankind when it falls asleep in coaches is to wake up
cross to find its legs in its way and its corns an aggravation Mr Pecksniff
not being exempt from the common lot of humanity found himself at the end of
his nap so decidedly the victim of these infirmities that he had an
irresistible inclination to visit them upon his daughters which he had already
begun to do in the shape of divers random kicks and other unexpected motions of
his shoes when the coach stopped and after a short delay the door was opened
»Now mind« said a thin sharp voice in the dark »I and my son go inside
because the roof is full but you agree only to charge us outside prices Its
quite understood that we wont pay more Is it«
»All right sir« replied the guard
»Is there anybody inside now« inquired the voice
»Three passengers« returned the guard
»Then I ask the three passengers to witness this bargain if they will be so
good« said the voice »My boy I think we may safely get in«
In pursuance of which opinion two people took their seats in the vehicle
which was solemnly licensed by Act of Parliament to carry any six persons who
could be got in at the door
»That was lucky« whispered the old man when they moved on again »And a
great stroke of policy in you to observe it He he he We couldnt have gone
outside I should have died of the rheumatism«
Whether it occurred to the dutiful son that he had in some degree
overreached himself by contributing to the prolongation of his fathers days
or whether the cold had affected his temper is doubtful But he gave his father
such a nudge in reply that that good old gentleman was taken with a cough which
lasted for full five minutes without intermission and goaded Mr Pecksniff to
that pitch of irritation that he said at last and very suddenly
»There is no room There is really no room in this coach for any gentleman
with a cold in his head«
»Mine« said the old man after a moments pause »is upon my chest
Pecksniff«
The voice and manner together now that he spoke out the composure of the
speaker the presence of his son and his knowledge of Mr Pecksniff afforded a
clue to his identity which it was impossible to mistake
»Hem I thought« said Mr Pecksniff returning to his usual mildness »that
I addressed a stranger I find that I address a relative Mr Anthony Chuzzlewit
and his son Mr Jonas for they my dear children are our travelling
companions will excuse me for an apparently harsh remark It is not my desire
to wound the feelings of any person with whom I am connected in family bonds I
may be a Hypocrite« said Mr Pecksniff cuttingly »but I am not a Brute«
»Pooh pooh« said the old man »What signifies that word Pecksniff
Hypocrite why we are all hypocrites We were all hypocrites tother day I am
sure I felt that to be agreed upon among us or I shouldnt have called you one
We should not have been there at all if we had not been hypocrites The only
difference between you and the rest was shall I tell you the difference
between you and the rest now Pecksniff«
»If you please my good sir if you please«
»Why the annoying quality in you is« said the old man »that you never
have a confederate or partner in your juggling you would deceive everybody
even those who practise the same art and have a way with you as if you he
he he as if you really believed yourself Id lay a handsome wager now«
said the old man »if I laid wagers which I dont and never did that you keep
up appearances by a tacit understanding even before your own daughters here
Now I when I have a business scheme in hand tell Jonas what it is and we
discuss it openly Youre not offended Pecksniff«
»Offended my good sir« cried that gentleman as if he had received the
highest compliments that language could convey
»Are you travelling to London Mr Pecksniff« asked the son
»Yes Mr Jonas we are travelling to London We shall have the pleasure of
your company all the way I trust«
»Oh ecod you had better ask father that« said Jonas »I am not a going to
commit myself«
Mr Pecksniff was as a matter of course greatly entertained by this retort
His mirth having subsided Mr Jonas gave him to understand that himself and
parent were in fact travelling to their home in the metropolis and that since
the memorable day of the great family gathering they had been tarrying in that
part of the country watching the sale of certain eligible investments which
they had had in their copartnership eye when they came down for it was their
custom Mr Jonas said whenever such a thing was practicable to kill two birds
with one stone and never to throw away sprats but as bait for whales When he
had communicated to Mr Pecksniff these pithy scraps of intelligence he said
»That if it was all the same to him he would turn him over to father and have
a chat with the gals« and in furtherance of this polite scheme he vacated his
seat adjoining that gentleman and established himself in the opposite corner
next to the fair Miss Mercy
The education of Mr Jonas had been conducted from his cradle on the
strictest principles of the main chance The very first word he learnt to spell
was gain and the second when he got into two syllables money But for two
results which were not clearly foreseen perhaps by his watchful parent in the
beginning his training may be said to have been unexceptionable One of these
flaws was that having been long taught by his father to overreach everybody
he had imperceptibly acquired a love of overreaching that venerable monitor
himself The other that from his early habits of considering everything as a
question of property he had gradually come to look with impatience on his
parent as a certain amount of personal estate which had no right whatever to be
going at large but ought to be secured in that particular description of iron
safe which is commonly called a coffin and banked in the grave
»Well cousin« said Mr Jonas »Because we are cousins you know a few
times removed so youre going to London«
Miss Mercy replied in the affirmative pinching her sisters arm at the same
time and giggling excessively
»Lots of beaux in London cousin« said Mr Jonas slightly advancing his
elbow
»Indeed sir« cried the young lady »They wont hurt us sir I dare say«
And having given him this answer with great demureness she was so overcome by
her own humour that she was fain to stifle her merriment in her sisters shawl
»Merry« cried that more prudent damsel »really I am ashamed of you How
can you go on so You wild thing« At which Miss Merry only laughed the more of
course
»I saw a wildness in her eye tother day« said Mr Jonas addressing
Charity »But youre the one to sit solemn I say You were regularly prim
cousin«
»Oh The oldfashioned fright« cried Merry in a whisper »Cherry my dear
upon my word you must sit next him I shall die outright if he talks to me any
more I shall positively« To prevent which fatal consequence the buoyant
creature skipped out of her seat as she spoke and squeezed her sister into the
place from which she had risen
»Dont mind crowding me« cried Mr Jonas »I like to be crowded by gals
Come a little closer cousin«
»No thank you sir« said Charity
»Theres that other one a laughing again« said Mr Jonas »shes a laughing
at my father I shouldnt wonder If he puts on that old flannel nightcap of
his I dont know what shell do Is that my father a snoring Pecksniff«
»Yes Mr Jonas«
»Tread upon his foot will you be so good« said the young gentleman »The
foot next yous the gouty one«
Mr Pecksniff hesitating to perform this friendly office Mr Jonas did it
himself at the same time crying
»Come wake up father or youll be having the nightmare and screeching
out I know Do you ever have the nightmare cousin« he asked his neighbour
with characteristic gallantry as he dropped his voice again
»Sometimes« answered Charity »Not often«
»The other one« said Mr Jonas after a pause »Does she ever have the
nightmare«
»I dont know« replied Charity »You had better ask her«
»She laughs so« said Jonas »theres no talking to her Only hark how shes
a going on now Youre the sensible one cousin«
»Tut tut« cried Charity
»Oh But you are You know you are«
»Mercy is a little giddy« said Miss Charity »But shell sober down in
time«
»Itll be a very long time then if she does at all« rejoined her cousin
»Take a little more room«
»I am afraid of crowding you« said Charity But she took it
notwithstanding and after one or two remarks on the extreme heaviness of the
coach and the number of places it stopped at they fell into a silence which
remained unbroken by any member of the party until suppertime
Although Mr Jonas conducted Charity to the hotel and sat himself beside her
at the board it was pretty clear that he had an eye to the other one also for
he often glanced across at Mercy and seemed to draw comparisons between the
personal appearance of the two which were not unfavourable to the superior
plumpness of the younger sister He allowed himself no great leisure for this
kind of observation however being busily engaged with the supper which as he
whispered in his fair companions ear was a contract business and therefore
the more she ate the better the bargain was His father and Mr Pecksniff
probably acting on the same wise principle demolished everything that came
within their reach and by that means acquired a greasy expression of
countenance indicating contentment if not repletion which it was very
pleasant to contemplate
When they could eat no more Mr Pecksniff and Mr Jonas subscribed for two
sixpennyworths of hot brandyandwater which the latter gentleman considered a
more politic order than one shillingsworth there being a chance of their
getting more spirit out of the innkeeper under this arrangement than if it were
all in one glass Having swallowed his share of the enlivening fluid Mr
Pecksniff under pretence of going to see if the coach were ready went secretly
to the bar and had his own little bottle filled in order that he might refresh
himself at leisure in the dark coach without being observed
These arrangements concluded and the coach being ready they got into their
old places and jogged on again But before he composed himself for a nap Mr
Pecksniff delivered a kind of grace after meat in these words
»The process of digestion as I have been informed by anatomical friends is
one of the most wonderful works of nature. I do not know how it may be with
others but it is a great satisfaction to me to know when regaling on my humble
fare that I am putting in motion the most beautiful machinery with which we
have any acquaintance I really feel at such times as if I was doing a public
service When I have wound myself up if I may employ such a term« said Mr
Pecksniff with exquisite tenderness »and know that I am Going I feel that in
the lesson afforded by the works within me I am a Benefactor to my Kind«
As nothing could be added to this nothing was said and Mr Pecksniff
exulting it may be presumed in his moral utility went to sleep again
The rest of the night wore away in the usual manner Mr Pecksniff and Old
Anthony kept tumbling against each other and waking up much terrified or
crushed their heads in opposite corners of the coach and strangely tattooed the
surface of their faces Heaven knows how in their sleep The coach stopped
and went on and went on and stopped times out of number. Passengers got up and
passengers got down and fresh horses came and went and came again with
scarcely any interval between each team as it seemed to those who were dozing
and with a gap of a whole night between every one as it seemed to those who were
broad awake At length they began to jolt and rumble over horribly uneven
stones and Mr Pecksniff looking out of window said it was tomorrow morning
and they were there
Very soon afterwards the coach stopped at the office in the city and the
street in which it was situated was already in a bustle that fully bore out Mr
Pecksniffs words about its being morning though for any signs of day yet
appearing in the sky it might have been midnight There was a dense fog too as
if it were a city in the clouds which they had been travelling to all night up
a magic beanstalk and there was a thick crust upon the pavement like oilcake
which one of the outsides mad no doubt said to another his keeper of
course was Snow
Taking a confused leave of Anthony and his son and leaving the luggage of
himself and daughters at the office to be called for afterwards Mr Pecksniff
with one of the young ladies under each arm dived across the street and then
across other streets and so up the queerest courts and down the strangest
alleys and under the blindest archways in a kind of frenzy now skipping over a
kennel now running for his life from a coach and horses now thinking he had
lost his way now thinking he had found it now in a state of the highest
confidence now despondent to the last degree but always in a great
perspiration and flurry until at length they stopped in a kind of paved yard
near the Monument That is to say Mr Pecksniff told them so for as to
anything they could see of the Monument or anything else but the buildings
close at hand they might as well have been playing blindmans buff at
Salisbury
Mr Pecksniff looked about him for a moment and then knocked at the door of
a very dingy edifice even among the choice collection of dingy edifices at
hand on the front of which was a little oval board like a teatray with this
inscription »Commercial BoardingHouse M Todgers«
It seemed that M Todgers was not up yet for Mr Pecksniff knocked twice
and rang thrice without making any impression on anything but a dog over the
way At last a chain and some bolts were withdrawn with a rusty noise as if the
weather had made the very fastenings hoarse and a small boy with a large red
head and no nose to speak of and a very dirty Wellington boot on his left arm
appeared who being surprised rubbed the nose just mentioned with the back of
a shoebrush and said nothing
»Still abed my man« asked Mr Pecksniff
»Still abed« replied the boy »I wish they wos still abed Theyre very
noisy abed all calling for their boots at once I thought you was the Paper
and wondered why you didnt shove yourself through the grating as usual What do
you want«
Considering his years which were tender the youth may be said to have
preferred this question sternly and in something of a defiant manner But Mr
Pecksniff without taking umbrage at his bearing put a card in his hand and
bade him take that up stairs and show them in the meanwhile into a room where
there was a fire
»Or if theres one in the eating parlour« said Mr Pecksniff »I can find
it myself« So he led his daughters without waiting for any further
introduction into a room on the groundfloor where a tablecloth rather a
tight and scanty fit in reference to the table it covered was already spread
for breakfast displaying a mighty dish of pink boiled beef an instance of that
particular style of loaf which is known to housekeepers as a slackbaked crummy
quartern a liberal provision of cups and saucers and the usual appendages
Inside the fender were some halfdozen pairs of shoes and boots of various
sizes just cleaned and turned with the soles upwards to dry and a pair of
short black gaiters on one of which was chalked in sport it would appear by
some gentleman who had slipped down for the purpose pending his toilet and
gone up again Jinkinss Particular while the other exhibited a sketch in
profile claiming to be the portrait of Jinkins himself
M Todgerss Commercial BoardingHouse was a house of that sort which is
likely to be dark at any time but that morning it was especially dark There
was an odd smell in the passage as if the concentrated essence of all the
dinners that had been cooked in the kitchen since the house was built lingered
at the top of the kitchen stairs to that hour and like the Black Friar in Don
Juan »wouldnt be driven away« In particular there was a sensation of
cabbage as if all the greens that had ever been boiled there were evergreens
and flourished in immortal strength The parlour was wainscoted and
communicated to strangers a magnetic and instinctive consciousness of rats and
mice The staircase was very gloomy and very broad with balustrades so thick
and heavy that they would have served for a bridge In a sombre corner on the
first landing stood a gruff old giant of a clock with a preposterous coronet
of three brass balls on his head whom few had ever seen none ever looked in
the face and who seemed to continue his heavy tick for no other reason than to
warn heedless people from running into him accidentally It had not been papered
or painted hadnt Todgerss within the memory of man It was very black
begrimed and mouldy And at the top of the staircase was an old disjointed
rickety illfavoured skylight patched and mended in all kinds of ways which
looked distrustfully down at everything that passed below and covered Todgerss
up as if it were a sort of human cucumberframe and only people of a peculiar
growth were reared there
Mr Pecksniff and his fair daughters had not stood warming themselves at the
fire ten minutes when the sound of feet was heard upon the stairs and the
presiding deity of the establishment came hurrying in
M Todgers was a lady rather a bony and hardfeatured lady with a row of
curls in front of her head shaped like little barrels of beer and on the top
of it something made of net you couldnt call it a cap exactly which looked
like a black cobweb She had a little basket on her arm and in it a bunch of
keys that jingled as she came In her other hand she bore a flaming tallow
candle which after surveying Mr Pecksniff for one instant by its light she
put down upon the table to the end that she might receive him with the greater
cordiality
»Mr Pecksniff« cried Mrs Todgers »Welcome to London Who would have
thought of such a visit as this after so dear dear so many years How do
you do Mr Pecksniff«
»As well as ever and as glad to see you as ever« Mr Pecksniff made
response »Why you are younger than you used to be«
»You are I am sure« said Mrs Todgers »Youre not a bit changed«
»What do you say to this« cried Mr Pecksniff stretching out his hand
towards the young ladies »Does this make me no older«
»Not your daughters« exclaimed the lady raising her hands and clasping
them »Oh no Mr Pecksniff Your second and her bridesmaid«
Mr Pecksniff smiled complacently shook his head and said »My daughters
Mrs Todgers Merely my daughters«
»Ah« sighed the good lady »I must believe you for now I look at em I
think I should have known em anywhere My dear Miss Pecksniffs how happy your
Pa has made me«
She hugged them both and being by this time overpowered by her feelings or
the inclemency of the morning jerked a little pocket handkerchief out of the
little basket and applied the same to her face
»Now my good madam« said Mr Pecksniff »I know the rules of your
establishment and that you only receive gentlemen boarders But it occurred to
me when I left home that perhaps you would give my daughters houseroom and
make an exception in their favour«
»Perhaps« cried Mrs Todgers ecstatically »Perhaps«
»I may say then that I was sure you would« said Mr Pecksniff »I know
that you have a little room of your own and that they can be comfortable there
without appearing at the general table«
»Dear girls« said Mrs Todgers »I must take that liberty once more«
Mrs Todgers meant by this that she must embrace them once more which she
accordingly did with great ardour But the truth was that the house being
full with the exception of one bed which would now be occupied by Mr
Pecksniff she wanted time for consideration and so much time too for it was a
knotty point how to dispose of them that even when this second embrace was
over she stood for some moments gazing at the sisters with affection beaming
in one eye and calculation shining out of the other
»I think I know how to arrange it« said Mrs Todgers at length »A sofa
bedstead in the little third room which opens from my own parlour Oh you dear
girls«
Thereupon she embraced them once more observing that she could not decide
which was most like their poor mother which was highly probable seeing that
she had never beheld that lady but that she rather thought the youngest was
and then she said that as the gentlemen would be down directly and the ladies
were fatigued with travelling would they step into her room at once
It was on the same floor being in fact the back parlour and had as Mrs
Todgers said the great advantage in London of not being overlooked as they
would see when the fog cleared off Nor was this a vainglorious boast for it
commanded at a perspective of two feet a brown wall with a black cistern on the
top The sleeping apartment designed for the young ladies was approached from
this chamber by a mightily convenient little door which would only open when
fallen against by a strong person It commanded from a similar point of sight
another angle of the wall and another side of the cistern »Not the damp side«
said Mrs Todgers »That is Mr Jinkinss«
In the first of these sanctuaries a fire was speedily kindled by the
youthful porter who whistling at his work in the absence of Mrs Todgers not
to mention his sketching figures on his corduroys with burnt firewood and
being afterwards taken by that lady in the fact was dismissed with a box on his
ears Having prepared breakfast for the young ladies with her own hands she
withdrew to preside in the other room where the joke at Mr Jinkinss expense
seemed to be proceeding rather noisily
»I wont ask you yet my dears« said Mr Pecksniff looking in at the door
»how you like London Shall I«
»We havent seen much of it Pa« cried Merry
»Nothing I hope« said Cherry Both very miserably
»Indeed« said Mr Pecksniff »thats true We have our pleasure and our
business too before us All in good time All in good time«
Whether Mr Pecksniffs business in London was as strictly professional as
he had given his new pupil to understand we shall see to adopt that worthy
mans phraseology »all in good time«
Chapter IX
Town and Todgerss
Surely there never was in any other borough city or hamlet in the world such
a singular sort of a place as Todgerss And surely London to judge from that
part of it which hemmed Todgerss round and hustled it and crushed it and
stuck its brickandmortar elbows into it and kept the air from it and stood
perpetually between it and the light was worthy of Todgerss and qualified to
be on terms of close relationship and alliance with hundreds and thousands of
the odd family to which Todgerss belonged
You couldnt walk about in Todgerss neighbourhood as you could in any
other neighbourhood You groped your way for an hour through lanes and byeways
and courtyards and passages and you never once emerged upon anything that
might be reasonably called a street A kind of resigned distraction came over
the stranger as he trod those devious mazes and giving himself up for lost
went in and out and round about and quietly turned back again when he came to a
dead wall or was stopped by an iron railing and felt that the means of escape
might possibly present themselves in their own good time but that to anticipate
them was hopeless Instances were known of people who being asked to dine at
Todgerss had travelled round and round for a weary time with its very
chimneypots in view and finding it at last impossible of attainment had
gone home again with a gentle melancholy on their spirits tranquil and
uncomplaining Nobody had ever found Todgerss on a verbal direction though
given within a minutes walk of it Cautious emigrants from Scotland or the
North of England had been known to reach it safely by impressing a charityboy
townbred and bringing him along with them or by clinging tenaciously to the
postman but these were rare exceptions and only went to prove the rule that
Todgerss was in a labyrinth whereof the mystery was known but to a chosen few
Several fruitbrokers had their marts near Todgerss and one of the first
impressions wrought upon the strangers senses was of oranges of damaged
oranges with blue and green bruises on them festering in boxes or mouldering
away in cellars All day long a stream of porters from the wharves beside the
river each bearing on his back a bursting chest of oranges poured slowly
through the narrow passages while underneath the archway by the publichouse
the knots of those who rested and regaled within were piled from morning until
night Strange solitary pumps were found near Todgerss hiding themselves for
the most part in blind alleys and keeping company with fireladders There were
churches also by dozens with many a ghostly little churchyard all overgrown
with such straggling vegetation as springs up spontaneously from damp and
graves and rubbish In some of these dingy restingplaces which bore much the
same analogy to green churchyards as the pots of earth for mignonette and
wallflower in the windows overlooking them did to rustic gardens there were
trees tall trees still putting forth their leaves in each succeeding year
with such a languishing remembrance of their kind so one might fancy looking
on their sickly boughs as birds in cages have of theirs Here paralysed old
watchmen guarded the bodies of the dead at night year after year until at last
they joined that solemn brotherhood and saving that they slept below the
ground a sounder sleep than even they had ever known above it and were shut up
in another kind of box their condition can hardly be said to have undergone any
material change when they in turn were watched themselves
Among the narrow thoroughfares at hand there lingered here and there an
ancient doorway of carved oak from which of old the sounds of revelry and
feasting often came but now these mansions only used for storehouses were
dark and dull and being filled with wool and cotton and the like such
heavy merchandise as stifles sound and stops the throat of echo had an air of
palpable deadness about them which added to their silence and desertion made
them very grim In like manner there were gloomy courtyards in these parts
into which few but belated wayfarers ever strayed and where vast bags and packs
of goods upward or downward bound were for ever dangling between heaven and
earth from lofty cranes There were more trucks near Todgerss than you would
suppose a whole city could ever need not active trucks but a vagabond race
for ever lounging in the narrow lanes before their masters doors and stopping
up the pass so that when a stray hackneycoach or lumbering waggon came that
way they were the cause of such an uproar as enlivened the whole neighbourhood
and made the bells in the next churchtower vibrate again In the throats and
maws of dark nothoroughfares near Todgerss individual winemerchants and
wholesale dealers in groceryware had perfect little towns of their own and
deep among the foundations of these buildings the ground was undermined and
burrowed out into stables where carthorses troubled by rats might be heard
on a quiet Sunday rattling their halters as disturbed spirits in tales of
haunted houses are said to clank their chains
To tell of half the queer old taverns that had a drowsy and secret existence
near Todgerss would fill a goodly book while a second volume no less
capacious might be devoted to an account of the quaint old guests who frequented
their dimlylighted parlours These were in general ancient inhabitants of
that region born and bred there from boyhood who had long since become wheezy
and asthmatical and short of breath except in the article of storytelling in
which respect they were still marvellously longwinded These gentry were much
opposed to steam and all newfangled ways and held ballooning to be sinful and
deplored the degeneracy of the times which that particular member of each
little club who kept the keys of the nearest church professionally always
attributed to the prevalence of dissent and irreligion though the major part of
the company inclined to the belief that virtue went out with hairpowder and
that Old Englands greatness had decayed amain with barbers
As to Todgerss itself speaking of it only as a house in that
neighbourhood and making no reference to its merits as a commercial boarding
establishment it was worthy to stand where it did There was one
staircasewindow in it at the side of the house on the groundfloor which
tradition said had not been opened for a hundred years at least and which
abutting on an always dirty lane was so begrimed and coated with a centurys
mud that no one pane of glass could possibly fall out though all were cracked
and broken twenty times But the grand mystery of Todgerss was the cellarage
approachable only by a little back door and a rusty grating which cellarage
within the memory of man had had no connexion with the house but had always
been the freehold property of somebody else and was reported to be full of
wealth though in what shape whether in silver brass or gold or butts of
wine or casks of gunpowder was matter of profound uncertainty and supreme
indifference to Todgerss and all its inmates
The top of the house was worthy of notice There was a sort of terrace on
the roof with posts and fragments of rotten lines once intended to dry clothes
upon and there were two or three teachests out there full of earth with
forgotten plants in them like old walkingsticks Whoever climbed to this
observatory was stunned at first from having knocked his head against the
little door in coming out and after that was for the moment choked from having
looked perforce straight down the kitchen chimney but these two stages over
there were things to gaze at from the top of Todgerss well worth your seeing
too For first and foremost if the day were bright you observed upon the
housetops stretching far away a long dark path the shadow of the Monument
and turning round the tall original was close beside you with every hair erect
upon his golden head as if the doings of the city frightened him Then there
were steeples towers belfries shining vanes and masts of ships a very
forest Gables housetop garretwindows wilderness upon wilderness Smoke and
noise enough for all the world at once
After the first glance there were slight features in the midst of this
crowd of objects, which sprung out from the mass without any reason as it were
and took hold of the attention whether the spectator would or no Thus the
revolving chimneypots on one great stack of buildings seemed to be turning
gravely to each other every now and then and whispering the result of their
separate observation of what was going on below Others of a crookbacked
shape appeared to be maliciously holding themselves askew that they might shut
the prospect out and baffle Todgerss The man who was mending a pen at an upper
window over the way became of paramount importance in the scene and made a
blank in it ridiculously disproportionate in its extent when he retired The
gambols of a piece of cloth upon the dyers pole had far more interest for the
moment than all the changing motion of the crowd Yet even while the lookeron
felt angry with himself for this and wondered how it was the tumult swelled
into a roar the hosts of objects seemed to thicken and expand a hundredfold
and after gazing round him quite scared he turned into Todgerss again much
more rapidly than he came out and ten to one he told M Todgers afterwards that
if he hadnt done so he would certainly have come into the street by the
shortest cut that is to say headforemost
So said the two Miss Pecksniffs when they retired with Mrs Todgers from
this place of espial leaving the youthful porter to close the door and follow
them down stairs who being of a playful temperament and contemplating with a
delight peculiar to his sex and time of life any chance of dashing himself into
small fragments lingered behind to walk upon the parapet
It being the second day of their stay in London the Miss Pecksniffs and
Mrs Todgers were by this time highly confidential insomuch that the lastnamed
lady had already communicated the particulars of three early disappointments of
a tender nature and had furthermore possessed her young friends with a general
summary of the life conduct and character of Mr Todgers Who it seemed had
cut his matrimonial career rather short by unlawfully running away from his
happiness and establishing himself in foreign countries as a bachelor
»Your pa was once a little particular in his attentions my dears« said
Mrs Todgers »but to be your ma was too much happiness denied me Youd hardly
know who this was done for perhaps«
She called their attention to an oval miniature like a little blister
which was tacked up over the kettleholder and in which there was a dreamy
shadowing forth of her own visage
»Its a speaking likeness« cried the two Miss Pecksniffs
»It was considered so once« said Mrs Todgers warming herself in a
gentlemanly manner at the fire »but I hardly thought you would have known it
my loves«
They would have known it anywhere If they could have met with it in the
street or seen it in a shop window they would have cried »Good gracious Mrs
Todgers«
»Presiding over an establishment like this makes sad havoc with the
features my dear Miss Pecksniffs« said Mrs Todgers »The gravy alone is
enough to add twenty years to ones age I do assure you«
»Lor« cried the two Miss Pecksniffs
»The anxiety of that one item my dears« said Mrs Todgers »keeps the mind
continually upon the stretch There is no such passion in human nature as the
passion for gravy among commercial gentlemen Its nothing to say a joint wont
yield a whole animal wouldnt yield the amount of gravy they expect each day
at dinner And what I have undergone in consequence« cried Mrs Todgers
raising her eyes and shaking her head »no one would believe«
»Just like Mr Pinch Merry« said Charity »We have always noticed it in
him you remember«
»Yes my dear« giggled Merry »but we have never given it him you know«
»You my dears having to deal with your pas pupils who cant help
themselves are able to take your own way« said Mrs Todgers »but in a
commercial establishment where any gentleman may say any Saturday evening
Mrs Todgers this day week we part in consequence of the cheese it is not so
easy to preserve a pleasant understanding Your pa was kind enough« added the
good lady »to invite me to take a ride with you today and I think he
mentioned that you were going to call upon Miss Pinch Any relation to the
gentleman you were speaking of just now Miss Pecksniff«
»For goodness sake Mrs Todgers« interposed the lively Merry »dont call
him a gentleman My dear Cherry Pinch a gentleman The idea«
»What a wicked girl you are« cried Mrs Todgers embracing her with great
affection »You are quite a quiz I do declare My dear Miss Pecksniff what a
happiness your sisters spirits must be to your pa and self«
»Hes the most hideous goggleeyed creature Mrs Todgers in existence«
resumed Merry »quite an ogre The ugliest awkwardest frightfullest being you
can imagine This is his sister so I leave you to suppose what she is I shall
be obliged to laugh outright I know I shall« cried the charming girl »I never
shall be able to keep my countenance The notion of a Miss Pinch presuming to
exist at all is sufficient to kill one but to see her oh my stars«
Mrs Todgers laughed immensely at the dear loves humour and declared she
was quite afraid of her that she was She was so very severe
»Who is severe« cried a voice at the door »There is no such thing as
severity in our family I hope« And then Mr Pecksniff peeped smilingly into
the room and said »May I come in Mrs Todgers«
Mrs Todgers almost screamed for the little door of communication between
that room and the inner one being wide open there was a full disclosure of the
sofa bedstead in all its monstrous impropriety But she had the presence of mind
to close this portal in the twinkling of an eye and having done so said
though not without confusion »Oh yes Mr Pecksniff you can come in if you
please«
»How are we today« said Mr Pecksniff jocosely »and what are our plans
Are we ready to go and see Tom Pinchs sister Ha ha ha Poor Thomas Pinch«
»Are we ready« returned Mrs Todgers nodding her head with mysterious
intelligence »to send a favourable reply to Mr Jinkinss roundrobin Thats
the first question Mr Pecksniff«
»Why Mr Jinkinss robin my dear madam« asked Mr Pecksniff putting one
arm round Mercy and the other round Mrs Todgers whom he seemed in the
abstraction of the moment to mistake for Charity »Why Mr Jinkinss«
»Because he began to get it up and indeed always takes the lead in the
house« said Mrs Todgers playfully »Thats why sir«
»Jinkins is a man of superior talents« observed Mr Pecksniff »I have
conceived a great regard for Jinkins I take Jinkinss desire to pay polite
attention to my daughters as an additional proof of the friendly feeling of
Jinkins Mrs Todgers«
»Well now« returned that lady »having said so much you must say the rest
Mr Pecksniff so tell the dear young ladies all about it«
With these words she gently eluded Mr Pecksniffs grasp and took Miss
Charity into her own embrace though whether she was impelled to this proceeding
solely by the irrepressible affection she had conceived for that young lady or
whether it had any reference to a lowering not to say distinctly spiteful
expression which had been visible in her face for some moments has never been
exactly ascertained Be this as it may Mr Pecksniff went on to inform his
daughters of the purport and history of the roundrobin aforesaid which was in
brief that the commercial gentlemen who helped to make up the sum and substance
of that noun of multitude or signifying many called Todgerss desired the
honour of their presence at the general table so long as they remained in the
house and besought that they would grace the board at dinnertime next day the
same being Sunday He further said that Mrs Todgers being a consenting party
to this invitation he was willing for his part to accept it and so left them
that he might write his gracious answer the while they armed themselves with
their best bonnets for the utter defeat and overthrow of Miss Pinch
Tom Pinchs sister was governess in a family a lofty family perhaps the
wealthiest brass and copper founders family known to mankind They lived at
Camberwell in a house so big and fierce that its mere outside like the
outside of a giants castle struck terror into vulgar minds and made bold
persons quail There was a great front gate with a great bell whose handle was
in itself a note of admiration and a great lodge which being close to the
house rather spoilt the lookout certainly but made the lookin tremendous At
this entry a great porter kept constant watch and ward and when he gave the
visitor high leave to pass he rang a second great bell responsive to whose
note a great footman appeared in due time at the great halldoor with such
great tags upon his liveried shoulder that he was perpetually entangling and
hooking himself among the chairs and tables and led a life of torment which
could scarcely have been surpassed if he had been a bluebottle in a world of
cobwebs
To this mansion Mr Pecksniff accompanied by his daughters and Mrs
Todgers drove gallantly in a onehorse fly The foregoing ceremonies having
been all performed they were ushered into the house and so by degrees they
got at last into a small room with books in it where Mr Pinchs sister was at
that moment instructing her eldest pupil to wit a premature little woman of
thirteen years old who had already arrived at such a pitch of whalebone and
education that she had nothing girlish about her which was a source of great
rejoicing to all her relations and friends
»Visitors for Miss Pinch« said the footman He must have been an ingenious
young man for he said it very cleverly with a nice discrimination between the
cold respect with which he would have announced visitors to the family and the
warm personal interest with which he would have announced visitors to the cook
»Visitors for Miss Pinch«
Miss Pinch rose hastily with such tokens of agitation as plainly declared
that her list of callers was not numerous At the same time the little pupil
became alarmingly upright and prepared herself to take mental notes of all that
might be said and done For the lady of the establishment was curious in the
natural history and habits of the animal called Governess and encouraged her
daughters to report thereon whenever occasion served which was in reference to
all parties concerned very laudable improving and pleasant
It is a melancholy fact but it must be related that Mr Pinchs sister was
not at all ugly On the contrary she had a good face a very mild and
prepossessing face and a pretty little figure slight and short but
remarkable for its neatness There was something of her brother much of him
indeed in a certain gentleness of manner and in her look of timid
trustfulness but she was so far from being a fright or a dowdy or a horror
or anything else predicted by the two Miss Pecksniffs that those young ladies
naturally regarded her with great indignation feeling that this was by no means
what they had come to see
Miss Mercy as having the larger share of gaiety bore up the best against
this disappointment and carried it off in outward show at least with a
titter but her sister not caring to hide her disdain expressed it pretty
openly in her looks As to Mrs Todgers she leaned on Mr Pecksniffs arm and
preserved a kind of genteel grimness suitable to any state of mind and
involving any shade of opinion
»Dont be alarmed Miss Pinch« said Mr Pecksniff taking her hand
condescendingly in one of his and patting it with the other »I have called to
see you in pursuance of a promise given to your brother Thomas Pinch My name
compose yourself Miss Pinch is Pecksniff«
The good man emphasised these words as though he would have said »You see
in me young person the benefactor of your race the patron of your house the
preserver of your brother who is fed with manna daily from my table and in
right of whom there is a considerable balance in my favour at present standing
in the books beyond the sky But I have no pride for I can afford to do without
it«
The poor girl felt it all as if it had been Gospel Truth Her brother
writing in the fulness of his simple heart had often told her so and how much
more As Mr Pecksniff ceased to speak she hung her head and dropped a tear
upon his hand
»Oh very well Miss Pinch« thought the sharp pupil »crying before
strangers as if you didnt like the situation«
»Thomas is well« said Mr Pecksniff »and sends his love and this letter I
cannot say poor fellow that he will ever be distinguished in our profession
but he has the will to do well which is the next thing to having the power
and therefore we must bear with him Eh«
»I know he has the will sir« said Tom Pinchs sister »and I know how
kindly and considerately you cherish it for which neither he nor I can ever be
grateful enough as we very often say in writing to each other The young ladies
too« she added glancing gratefully at his two daughters »I know how much we
owe to them«
»My dears« said Mr Pecksniff turning to them with a smile »Thomass
sister is saying something you will be glad to hear I think«
»We cant take any merit to ourselves papa« cried Cherry as they both
apprised Tom Pinchs sister with a curtsey that they would feel obliged if she
would keep her distance »Mr Pinchs being so well provided for is owing to you
alone and we can only say how glad we are to hear that he is as grateful as he
ought to be«
»Oh very well Miss Pinch« thought the pupil again »Got a grateful
brother living on other peoples kindness«
»It was very kind of you« said Tom Pinchs sister with Toms own
simplicity and Toms own smile »to come here very kind indeed though how
great a kindness you have done me in gratifying my wish to see you and to thank
you with my own lips you who make so light of benefits conferred can scarcely
think«
»Very grateful very pleasant very proper« murmured Mr Pecksniff
»It makes me happy too« said Ruth Pinch who now that her first surprise
was over had a chatty cheerful way with her and a singlehearted desire to
look upon the best side of everything which was the very moral and image of
Tom »very happy to think that you will be able to tell him how more than
comfortably I am situated here and how unnecessary it is that he should ever
waste a regret on my being cast upon my own resources Dear me So long as I
heard that he was happy and he heard that I was« said Toms sister »we could
both bear without one impatient or complaining thought a great deal more than
ever we have had to endure I am very certain« And if ever the plain truth were
spoken on this occasionally false earth Toms sister spoke it when she said
that
»Ah« cried Mr Pecksniff whose eyes had in the mean time wandered to the
pupil »certainly And how do you do my very interesting child«
»Quite well I thank you sir« replied that frosty innocent
»A sweet face this my dears« said Mr Pecksniff turning to his daughters
»A charming manner«
Both young ladies had been in ecstasies with the scion of a wealthy house
through whom the nearest road and shortest cut to her parents might be supposed
to lie from the first Mrs Todgers vowed that anything one quarter so angelic
she had never seen »She wanted but a pair of wings a dear« said that good
woman »to be a young syrup« meaning possibly young sylph or seraph
»If you will give that to your distinguished parents my amiable little
friend« said Mr Pecksniff producing one of his professional cards »and will
say that I and my daughters «
»And Mrs Todgers pa« said Merry
»And Mrs Todgers of London« added Mr Pecksniff »that I and my
daughters and Mrs Todgers of London did not intrude upon them as our object
simply was to take some notice of Miss Pinch whose brother is a young man in my
employment but that I could not leave this very chaste mansion without adding
my humble tribute as an Architect to the correctness and elegance of the
owners taste and to his just appreciation of that beautiful art to the
cultivation of which I have devoted a life and to the promotion of whose glory
and advancement I have sacrificed a a fortune I shall be very much obliged
to you«
»Mississ compliments to Miss Pinch« said the footman suddenly appearing
and speaking in exactly the same key as before »and begs to know wot my young
lady is a learning of just now«
»Oh« said Mr Pecksniff »Here is the young man He will take the card
With my compliments if you please young man My dears we are interrupting the
studies Let us go«
Some confusion was occasioned for an instant by Mrs Todgerss unstrapping
her little flat handbasket and hurriedly entrusting the young man with one of
her own cards which in addition to certain detailed information relative to
the terms of the commercial establishment bore a footnote to the effect that
M T took that opportunity of thanking those gentlemen who had honoured her
with their favours and begged they would have the goodness if satisfied with
the table to recommend her to their friends But Mr Pecksniff with admirable
presence of mind recovered this document and buttoned it up in his own pocket
Then he said to Miss Pinch with more condescension and kindness than ever
for it was desirable the footman should expressly understand that they were not
friends of hers but patrons
»Good morning Good bye God bless you You may depend upon my continued
protection of your brother Thomas Keep your mind quite at ease Miss Pinch«
»Thank you« said Toms sister heartily »a thousand times«
»Not at all« he retorted patting her gently on the head »Dont mention
it You will make me angry if you do My sweet child« to the pupil »farewell
That fairy creature« said Mr Pecksniff looking in his pensive mood hard at
the footman as if he meant him »has shed a vision on my path refulgent in its
nature and not easily to be obliterated My dears are you ready«
They were not quite ready yet for they were still caressing the pupil But
they tore themselves away at length and sweeping past Miss Pinch with each a
haughty inclination of the head and a curtsey strangled in its birth flounced
into the passage
The young man had rather a long job in showing them out for Mr Pecksniffs
delight in the tastefulness of the house was such that he could not help often
stopping particularly when they were near the parlour door and giving it
expression in a loud voice and very learned terms Indeed he delivered
between the study and the hall a familiar exposition of the whole science of
architecture as applied to dwellinghouses and was yet in the freshness of his
eloquence when they reached the garden
»If you look« said Mr Pecksniff backing from the steps with his head on
one side and his eyes halfshut that he might the better take in the proportions
of the exterior »If you look my dears at the cornice which supports the roof
and observe the airiness of its construction especially where it sweeps the
southern angle of the building you will feel with me How do you do sir I
hope youre well«
Interrupting himself with these words he very politely bowed to a
middleaged gentleman at an upper window to whom he spoke not because the
gentleman could hear him for he certainly could not but as an appropriate
accompaniment to his salutation
»I have no doubt my dears« said Mr Pecksniff feigning to point out other
beauties with his hand »that this is the proprietor I should be glad to know
him It might lead to something Is he looking this way Charity«
»He is opening the window pa«
»Ha ha« cried Mr Pecksniff softly »All right He has found Im
professional He heard me inside just now I have no doubt Dont look With
regard to the fluted pillars in the portico my dears «
»Hallo« cried the gentleman
»Sir your servant« said Mr Pecksniff taking off his hat »I am proud to
make your acquaintance«
»Come off the grass will you« roared the gentleman
»I beg your pardon sir« said Mr Pecksniff doubtful of his having heard
aright »Did you «
»Come off the grass« repeated the gentleman warmly
»We are unwilling to intrude sir« Mr Pecksniff smilingly began
»But you are intruding« returned the other »unwarrantably intruding
Trespassing You see a gravel walk dont you What do you think its meant for
Open the gate there Show that party out«
With that he clapped down the window again and disappeared
Mr Pecksniff put on his hat and walked with great deliberation and in
profound silence to the fly gazing at the clouds as he went with great
interest After helping his daughters and Mrs Todgers into that conveyance he
stood looking at it for some moments as if he were not quite certain whether it
was a carriage or a temple but having settled this point in his mind he got
into his place spread his hands out on his knees and smiled upon the three
beholders
But his daughters less tranquilminded burst into a torrent of
indignation This came they said of cherishing such creatures as the Pinches
This came of lowering themselves to their level This came of putting themselves
in the humiliating position of seeming to know such bold audacious cunning
dreadful girls as that They had expected this They had predicted it to Mrs
Todgers as she Todgers could depone that very morning To this they added
that the owner of the house supposing them to be Miss Pinchs friends had
acted in their opinion quite correctly and had done no more than under such
circumstances might reasonably have been expected To that they added with a
trifling inconsistency that he was a brute and a bear and then they merged
into a flood of tears which swept away all wandering epithets before it
Perhaps Miss Pinch was scarcely so much to blame in the matter as the
Seraph who immediately on the withdrawal of the visitors had hastened to
report them at headquarters with a full account of their having presumptuously
charged her with the delivery of a message afterwards consigned to the footman
which outrage taken in conjunction with Mr Pecksniffs unobtrusive remarks on
the establishment might possibly have had some share in their dismissal Poor
Miss Pinch however had to bear the brunt of it with both parties being so
severely taken to task by the Seraphs mother for having such vulgar
acquaintances that she was fain to retire to her own room in tears which her
natural cheerfulness and submission and the delight of having seen Mr
Pecksniff and having received a letter from her brother were at first
insufficient to repress
As to Mr Pecksniff he told them in the fly that a good action was its own
reward and rather gave them to understand that if he could have been kicked in
such a cause he would have liked it all the better But this was no comfort to
the young ladies who scolded violently the whole way back and even exhibited
more than once a keen desire to attack the devoted Mrs Todgers on whose
personal appearance but particularly on whose offending card and handbasket
they were secretly inclined to lay the blame of half their failure
Todgerss was in a great bustle that evening partly owing to some
additional domestic preparations for the morrow and partly to the excitement
always inseparable in that house from Saturday night when every gentlemans
linen arrived at a different hour in its own little bundle with his private
account pinned on the outside There was always a great clinking of pattens down
stairs too until midnight or so on Saturdays together with a frequent
gleaming of mysterious lights in the area much working at the pump and a
constant jangling of the iron handle of the pail Shrill altercations from time
to time arose between Mrs Todgers and unknown females in remote back kitchens
and sounds were occasionally heard indicative of small articles of ironmongery
and hardware being thrown at the boy It was the custom of that youth on
Saturdays to roll up his shirt sleeves to his shoulders and pervade all parts
of the house in an apron of coarse green baize moreover he was more strongly
tempted on Saturdays than on other days it being a busy time to make
excursive bolts into the neighbouring alleys when he answered the door and
there to play at leapfrog and other sports with vagrant lads until pursued and
brought back by the hair of his head or the lobe of his ear thus he was quite
a conspicuous feature among the peculiar incidents of the last day in the week
at Todgerss
He was especially so on this particular Saturday evening and honoured the
Miss Pecksniffs with a deal of notice seldom passing the door of Mrs Todgerss
private room where they sat alone before the fire working by the light of a
solitary candle without putting in his head and greeting them with some such
compliments as »There you are agin« »Ant it nice« and similar humorous
attentions
»I say« he whispered stopping in one of his journeys to and fro »young
ladies theres soup tomorrow Shes a making it now Ant she a putting in the
water Oh not at all neither«
In the course of answering another knock he thrust in his head again
»I say Theres fowls tomorrow Not skinny ones Oh no«
Presently he called through the keyhole
»Theres a fish tomorrow Just come Dont eat none of him« And with this
special warning vanished again
Byandbye he returned to lay the cloth for supper it having been arranged
between Mrs Todgers and the young ladies that they should partake of an
exclusive vealcutlet together in the privacy of that apartment He entertained
them on this occasion by thrusting the lighted candle into his mouth and
exhibiting his face in a state of transparency after the performance of which
feat he went on with his professional duties brightening every knife as he
laid it on the table by breathing on the blade and afterwards polishing the
same on the apron already mentioned When he had completed his preparations he
grinned at the sisters and expressed his belief that the approaching collation
would be of »rather a spicy sort«
»Will it be long before its ready Bailey« asked Mercy
»No« said Bailey »it is cooked When I come up she was dodging among the
tender pieces with a fork and eating of em«
But he had scarcely achieved the utterance of these words when he received
a manual compliment on the head which sent him staggering against the wall and
Mrs Todgers dish in hand stood indignantly before him
»Oh you little villain« said that lady »Oh you bad false boy«
»No worse than yerself« retorted Bailey guarding his head on a principle
invented by Mr Thomas Cribb »Ah Come now Do that agin will yer«
»Hes the most dreadful child« said Mrs Todgers setting down the dish »I
ever had to deal with The gentlemen spoil him to that extent and teach him
such things that Im afraid nothing but hanging will ever do him any good«
»Wont it« cried Bailey »Oh Yes Wot do you go a lowerin the tablebeer
for then and destroying my constitooshun«
»Go down stairs you vicious boy« said Mrs Todgers holding the door open
»Do you hear me Go along«
After two or three dexterous feints he went and was seen no more that
night save once when he brought up some tumblers and hot water and much
disturbed the two Miss Pecksniffs by squinting hideously behind the back of the
unconscious Mrs Todgers Having done this justice to his wounded feelings he
retired underground where in company with a swarm of black beetles and a
kitchen candle he employed his faculties in cleaning boots and brushing clothes
until the night was far advanced
Benjamin was supposed to be the real name of this young retainer but he was
known by a great variety of names Benjamin for instance had been converted
into Uncle Ben and that again had been corrupted into Uncle which by an easy
transition had again passed into Barnwell in memory of the celebrated relative
in that degree who was shot by his nephew George while meditating in his garden
at Camberwell The gentlemen at Todgerss had a merry habit too of bestowing
upon him for the time being the name of any notorious malefactor or minister
and sometimes when current events were flat they even sought the pages of
history for these distinctions as Mr Pitt Young Brownrigg and the like At
the period of which we write he was generally known among the gentlemen as
Bailey junior a name bestowed upon him in contradistinction perhaps to Old
Bailey and possibly as involving the recollection of an unfortunate lady of the
same name who perished by her own hand early in life and has been immortalised
in a ballad
The usual Sunday dinnerhour at Todgerss was two oclock a suitable time
it was considered for all parties convenient to Mrs Todgers on account of
the bakers and convenient to the gentlemen with reference to their afternoon
engagements But on the Sunday which was to introduce the two Miss Pecksniffs to
a full knowledge of Todgerss and its society the dinner was postponed until
five in order that everything might be as genteel as the occasion demanded
When the hour drew nigh Bailey junior testifying great excitement
appeared in a complete suit of castoff clothes several sizes too large for him
and in particular mounted a clean shirt of such extraordinary magnitude that
one of the gentlemen remarkable for his ready wit called him collars on the
spot At about a quarter before five a deputation consisting of Mr Jinkins
and another gentleman whose name was Gander knocked at the door of Mrs
Todgerss room and being formally introduced to the two Miss Pecksniffs by
their parent who was in waiting besought the honour of conducting them up
stairs
The drawingroom at Todgerss was out of the common style so much so
indeed that you would hardly have taken it to be a drawingroom unless you
were told so by somebody who was in the secret It was floorclothed all over
and the ceiling including a great beam in the middle was papered Besides the
three little windows with seats in them commanding the opposite archway there
was another window looking point blank without any compromise at all about it
into Jinkinss bedroom and high up all along one side of the wall was a strip
of panes of glass twodeep giving light to the staircase There were the
oddest closets possible with little casements in them like eightday clocks
lurking in the wainscot and taking the shape of the stairs and the very door
itself which was painted black had two great glass eyes in its forehead with
an inquisitive green pupil in the middle of each
Here the gentlemen were all assembled There was a general cry of »Hear
hear« and »Bravo Jink« when Mr Jinkins appeared with Charity on his arm
which became quite rapturous as Mr Gander followed escorting Mercy and Mr
Pecksniff brought up the rear with Mrs Todgers
Then the presentations took place They included a gentleman of a sporting
turn who propounded questions on jockey subjects to the editors of Sunday
papers which were regarded by his friends as rather stiff things to answer and
they included a gentleman of a theatrical turn who had once entertained serious
thoughts of coming out but had been kept in by the wickedness of human nature
and they included a gentleman of a debating turn who was strong at
speechmaking and a gentleman of a literary turn who wrote squibs upon the
rest and knew the weak side of everybodys character but his own There was a
gentleman of a vocal turn and a gentleman of a smoking turn and a gentleman of
a convivial turn some of the gentlemen had a turn for whist and a large
proportion of the gentlemen had a strong turn for billiards and betting They
had all it may be presumed a turn for business being all commercially
employed in one way or other and had every one in his own way a decided turn
for pleasure to boot Mr Jinkins was of a fashionable turn being a regular
frequenter of the Parks on Sundays and knowing a great many carriages by sight
He spoke mysteriously too of splendid women and was suspected of having once
committed himself with a Countess Mr Gander was of a witty turn being indeed
the gentleman who had originated the sally about collars which sparkling
pleasantry was now retailed from mouth to mouth under the title of Ganders
Last and was received in all parts of the room with great applause Mr
Jinkins it may be added was much the oldest of the party being a
fishsalesmans bookkeeper aged forty He was the oldest boarder also and in
right of his double seniority took the lead in the house as Mrs Todgers had
already said
There was considerable delay in the production of dinner and poor Mrs
Todgers being reproached in confidence by Jinkins slipped in and out at least
twenty times to see about it always coming back as though she had no such thing
upon her mind and hadnt been out at all But there was no hitch in the
conversation nevertheless for one gentleman who travelled in the perfumery
line exhibited an interesting nicknack in the way of a remarkable cake of
shaving soap which he had lately met with in Germany and the gentleman of a
literary turn repeated by desire some sarcastic stanzas he had recently
produced on the freezing of the tank at the back of the house These amusements
with the miscellaneous conversation arising out of them passed the time
splendidly until dinner was announced by Bailey junior in these terms
»The wittles is up«
On which notice they immediately descended to the banquethall some of the
more facetious spirits in the rear taking down gentlemen as if they were ladies
in imitation of the fortunate possessors of the two Miss Pecksniffs
Mr Pecksniff said grace a short and pious grace invoking a blessing on
the appetites of those present and committing all persons who had nothing to
eat to the care of Providence whose business so said the grace in effect it
clearly was to look after them This done they fell to with less ceremony
than appetite the table groaning beneath the weight not only of the delicacies
whereof the Miss Pecksniffs had been previously forewarned but of boiled beef
roast veal bacon pies and abundance of such heavy vegetables as are
favourably known to housekeepers for their satisfying qualities Besides which
there were bottles of stout bottles of wine bottles of ale and divers other
strong drinks native and foreign
All this was highly agreeable to the two Miss Pecksniffs who were in
immense request sitting one on either hand of Mr Jinkins at the bottom of the
table and who were called upon to take wine with some new admirer every minute
They had hardly ever felt so pleasant and so full of conversation in their
lives Mercy in particular was uncommonly brilliant and said so many good
things in the way of lively repartee that she was looked upon as a prodigy »In
short« as that young lady observed »they felt now indeed that they were in
London and for the first time too«
Their young friend Bailey sympathised in these feelings to the fullest
extent and abating nothing of his patronage gave them every encouragement in
his power favouring them when the general attention was diverted from his
proceedings with many nods and winks and other tokens of recognition and
occasionally touching his nose with a corkscrew as if to express the
Bacchanalian character of the meeting In truth perhaps even the spirits of the
two Miss Pecksniffs and the hungry watchfulness of Mrs Todgers were less
worthy of note than the proceedings of this remarkable boy whom nothing
disconcerted or put out of his way If any piece of crockery a dish or
otherwise chanced to slip through his hands which happened once or twice he
let it go with perfect good breeding and never added to the painful emotions of
the company by exhibiting the least regret Nor did he by hurrying to and fro
disturb the repose of the assembly as many welltrained servants do on the
contrary feeling the hopelessness of waiting upon so large a party he left the
gentlemen to help themselves to what they wanted and seldom stirred from behind
Mr Jinkinss chair where with his hands in his pockets and his legs planted
pretty wide apart he led the laughter and enjoyed the conversation
The dessert was splendid No waiting either The puddingplates had been
washed in a little tub outside the door while cheese was on and though they
were moist and warm with friction still there they were again up to the mark
and true to time Quarts of almonds dozens of oranges pounds of raisins
stacks of biffins soupplates full of nuts Oh Todgerss could do it when it
chose Mind that
Then more wine came on red wines and white wines and a large china bowl of
punch brewed by the gentleman of a convivial turn who adjured the Miss
Pecksniffs not to be despondent on account of its dimensions as there were
materials in the house for the decoction of half a dozen more of the same size
Good gracious how they laughed How they coughed when they sipped it because
it was so strong and how they laughed again when somebody vowed that but for
its colour it might have been mistaken in regard of its innocuous qualities
for new milk What a shout of »No« burst from the gentlemen when they
pathetically implored Mr Jinkins to suffer them to qualify it with hot water
and how blushingly by little and little did each of them drink her whole
glassful down to its very dregs
Now comes the trying time The sun as Mr Jinkins says gentlemanly
creature Jinkins never at a loss is about to leave the firmament »Miss
Pecksniff« says Mrs Todgers softly »will you « »Oh dear no more Mrs
Todgers« Mrs Todgers rises the two Miss Pecksniffs rise all rise Miss Mercy
Pecksniff looks downward for her scarf Where is it Dear me where can it be
Sweet girl she has it on not on her fair neck but loose upon her flowing
figure A dozen hands assist her She is all confusion The youngest gentleman
in company thirsts to murder Jinkins She skips and joins her sister at the
door Her sister has her arm about the waist of Mrs Todgers She winds her arm
around her sister Diana what a picture The last things visible are a shape
and a skip »Gentlemen let us drink the ladies«
The enthusiasm is tremendous The gentleman of a debating turn rises in the
midst and suddenly lets loose a tide of eloquence which bears down everything
before it He is reminded of a toast a toast to which they will respond There
is an individual present he has him in his eye to whom they owe a debt of
gratitude He repeats it a debt of gratitude Their rugged natures have been
softened and ameliorated that day by the society of lovely woman There is a
gentleman in company whom two accomplished and delightful females regard with
veneration as the fountain of their existence Yes when yet the two Miss
Pecksniffs lisped in language scarce intelligible they called that individual
»Father« There is great applause He gives them »Mr Pecksniff and God bless
him« They all shake hands with Mr Pecksniff as they drink the toast The
youngest gentleman in company does so with a thrill for he feels that a
mysterious influence pervades the man who claims that being in the pink scarf
for his daughter
What saith Mr Pecksniff in reply Or rather let the question be What
leaves he unsaid Nothing More punch is called for and produced and drunk
Enthusiasm mounts still higher Every man comes out freely in his own character
The gentleman of a theatrical turn recites The vocal gentleman regales them
with a song Gander leaves the Gander of all former feasts whole leagues behind
He rises to propose a toast It is The Father of Todgerss It is their common
friend Jink It is Old Jink if he may call him by that familiar and endearing
appellation The youngest gentleman in company utters a frantic negative He
wont have it he cant bear it it mustnt be But his depth of feeling is
misunderstood He is supposed to be a little elevated and nobody heeds him
Mr Jinkins thanks them from his heart It is by many degrees the proudest
day in his humble career When he looks around him on the present occasion he
feels that he wants words in which to express his gratitude One thing he will
say He hopes it has been shown that Todgerss can be true to itself; and that
an opportunity arising it can come out quite as strong as its neighbours
perhaps stronger He reminds them amidst thunders of encouragement that they
have heard of a somewhat similar establishment in Cannon Street and that they
have heard it praised He wishes to draw no invidious comparisons he would be
the last man to do it but when that Cannon Street establishment shall be able
to produce such a combination of wit and beauty as has graced that board that
day and shall be able to serve up all things considered such a dinner as that
of which they have just partaken he will be happy to talk to it Until then
gentlemen he will stick to Todgerss
More punch more enthusiasm more speeches Everybodys health is drunk
saving the youngest gentlemans in company He sits apart with his elbow on the
back of a vacant chair and glares disdainfully at Jinkins Gander in a
convulsing speech gives them the health of Bailey junior hiccups are heard
and a glass is broken Mr Jinkins feels that it is time to join the ladies He
proposes as a final sentiment Mrs Todgers She is worthy to be remembered
separately Hear hear So she is no doubt of it They all find fault with her
at other times but every man feels now that he could die in her defence
They go up stairs where they are not expected so soon for Mrs Todgers is
asleep Miss Charity is adjusting her hair and Mercy who has made a sofa of
one of the windowseats is in a gracefully recumbent attitude She is rising
hastily when Mr Jinkins implores her for all their sakes not to stir she
looks too graceful and too lovely he remarks to be disturbed She laughs and
yields and fans herself and drops her fan and there is a rush to pick it up
Being now installed by one consent as the beauty of the party she is cruel
and capricious and sends gentlemen on messages to other gentlemen and forgets
all about them before they can return with the answer and invents a thousand
tortures rending their hearts to pieces Bailey brings up the tea and coffee
There is a small cluster of admirers round Charity but they are only those who
cannot get near her sister The youngest gentleman in company is pale but
collected and still sits apart for his spirit loves to hold communion with
itself, and his soul recoils from noisy revellers She has a consciousness of
his presence and adoration He sees it flashing sometimes in the corner of her
eye Have a care Jinkins ere you provoke a desperate man to frenzy
Mr Pecksniff had followed his younger friends up stairs and taken a chair
at the side of Mrs Todgers He had also spilt a cup of coffee over his legs
without appearing to be aware of the circumstance nor did he seem to know that
there was muffin on his knee
»And how have they used you down stairs sir« asked the hostess
»Their conduct has been such my dear madam« said Mr Pecksniff »as I can
never think of without emotion or remember without a tear Oh Mrs Todgers«
»My goodness« exclaimed that lady »How low you are in your spirits sir«
»I am a man my dear madam« said Mr Pecksniff shedding tears and
speaking with an imperfect articulation »but I am also a father I am also a
widower My feelings Mrs Todgers will not consent to be entirely smothered
like the young children in the Tower They are grown up and the more I press
the bolster on them the more they look round the corner of it«
He suddenly became conscious of the bit of muffin and stared at it
intently shaking his head the while in a forlorn and imbecile manner as if he
regarded it as his evil genius and mildly reproached it
»She was beautiful Mrs Todgers« he said turning his glazed eye again
upon her without the least preliminary notice »She had a small property«
»So I have heard« cried Mrs Todgers with great sympathy
»Those are her daughters« said Mr Pecksniff pointing out the young
ladies with increased emotion
Mrs Todgers had no doubt of it
»Mercy and Charity« said Mr Pecksniff »Charity and Mercy Not unholy
names I hope«
»Mr Pecksniff« cried Mrs Todgers »What a ghastly smile Are you ill
sir«
He pressed his hand upon her arm and answered in a solemn manner and a
faint voice »Chronic«
»Cholic« cried the frightened Mrs Todgers
»Chronic« he repeated with some difficulty »Chronic A chronic disorder
I have been its victim from childhood It is carrying me to my grave«
»Heaven forbid« cried Mrs Todgers
»Yes it is« said Mr Pecksniff reckless with despair »I am rather glad of
it upon the whole You are like her Mrs Todgers«
»Dont squeeze me so tight pray Mr Pecksniff If any of the gentlemen
should notice us«
»For her sake« said Mr Pecksniff »Permit me In honour of her memory For
the sake of a voice from the tomb You are very like her Mrs Todgers What a
world this is«
»Ah Indeed you may say that« cried Mrs Todgers
»Im afraid it is a vain and thoughtless world« said Mr Pecksniff
overflowing with despondency »These young people about us Oh what sense have
they of their responsibilities None Give me your other hand Mrs Todgers«
That lady hesitated and said »she didnt like«
»Has a voice from the grave no influence« said Mr Pecksniff with dismal
tenderness »This is irreligious My dear creature«
»Hush« urged Mrs Todgers »Really you mustnt«
»Its not me« said Mr Pecksniff »Dont suppose its me its the voice
its her voice«
Mrs Pecksniff deceased must have had an unusually thick and husky voice
for a lady and rather a stuttering voice and to say the truth somewhat of a
drunken voice if it had ever borne much resemblance to that in which Mr
Pecksniff spoke just then But perhaps this was delusion on his part
»It has been a day of enjoyment Mrs Todgers but still it has been a day
of torture It has reminded me of my loneliness What am I in the world«
»An excellent gentleman Mr Pecksniff« said Mrs Todgers
»There is consolation in that too« cried Mr Pecksniff »Am I«
»There is no better man living« said Mrs Todgers »I am sure«
Mr Pecksniff smiled through his tears and slightly shook his head »You
are very good« he said »thank you It is a great happiness to me Mrs
Todgers to make young people happy The happiness of my pupils is my chief
object I dote upon em They dote upon me too Sometimes«
»Always« said Mrs Todgers
»When they say they havent improved maam« whispered Mr Pecksniff
looking at her with profound mystery and motioning to her to advance her ear a
little closer to his mouth »When they say they havent improved maam and the
premium was too high they lie I shouldnt wish it to be mentioned you will
understand me but I say to you as to an old friend they lie«
»Base wretches they must be« said Mrs Todgers
»Madam« said Mr Pecksniff »you are right I respect you for that
observation A word in your ear To Parents and Guardians This is in
confidence Mrs Todgers«
»The strictest of course« cried that lady
»To Parents and Guardians« repeated Mr Pecksniff »An eligible opportunity
now offers which unites the advantages of the best practical architectural
education with the comforts of a home and the constant association with some
who however humble their sphere and limited their capacity observe are not
unmindful of their moral responsibilities«
Mrs Todgers looked a little puzzled to know what this might mean as well
she might for it was as the reader may perchance remember Mr Pecksniffs
usual form of advertisement when he wanted a pupil and seemed to have no
particular reference at present to anything But Mr Pecksniff held up his
finger as a caution to her not to interrupt him
»Do you know any parent or guardian Mrs Todgers« said Mr Pecksniff »who
desires to avail himself of such an opportunity for a young gentleman An orphan
would be preferred Do you know of any orphan with three or four hundred pound«
Mrs Todgers reflected and shook her head
»When you hear of an orphan with three or four hundred pound« said Mr
Pecksniff »let that dear orphans friends apply by letter postpaid to S P
Postoffice Salisbury I dont know who he is exactly Dont be alarmed Mrs
Todgers« said Mr Pecksniff falling heavily against her »Chronic chronic
Lets have a little drop of something to drink«
»Bless my life Miss Pecksniffs« cried Mrs Todgers aloud »your dear pas
took very poorly«
Mr Pecksniff straightened himself by a surprising effort as every one
turned hastily towards him and standing on his feet regarded the assembly with
a look of ineffable wisdom Gradually it gave place to a smile a feeble
helpless melancholy smile bland almost to sickliness »Do not repine my
friends« said Mr Pecksniff tenderly »Do not weep for me It is chronic« And
with these words after making a futile attempt to pull off his shoes he fell
into the fireplace
The youngest gentleman in company had him out in a second Yes before a
hair upon his head was singed he had him on the hearthrug Her father
She was almost beside herself So was her sister Jinkins consoled them
both They all consoled them Everybody had something to say except the
youngest gentleman in company who with a noble selfdevotion did the heavy
work and held up Mr Pecksniffs head without being taken notice of by anybody
At last they gathered round and agreed to carry him up stairs to bed The
youngest gentleman in company was rebuked by Jinkins for tearing Mr Pecksniffs
coat Ha ha But no matter
They carried him up stairs and crushed the youngest gentleman at every
step His bedroom was at the top of the house and it was a long way but they
got him there in course of time He asked them frequently on the road for a
little drop of something to drink It seemed an idiosyncrasy The youngest
gentleman in company proposed a draught of water Mr Pecksniff called him
opprobrious names for the suggestion
Jinkins and Gander took the rest upon themselves and made him as
comfortable as they could on the outside of his bed and when he seemed
disposed to sleep they left him But before they had all gained the bottom of
the staircase a vision of Mr Pecksniff strangely attired was seen to flutter
on the top landing He desired to collect their sentiments it seemed upon the
nature of human life
»My friends« cried Mr Pecksniff looking over the banisters »let us
improve our minds by mutual inquiry and discussion Let us be moral Let us
contemplate existence Where is Jinkins«
»Here« cried that gentleman »Go to bed again«
»To bed« said Mr Pecksniff »Bed Tis the voice of the sluggard I hear
him complain you have woke me too soon I must slumber again If any young
orphan will repeat the remainder of that simple piece from Doctor Wattss
collection an eligible opportunity now offers«
Nobody volunteered
»This is very soothing« said Mr Pecksniff after a pause »Extremely so
Cool and refreshing particularly to the legs The legs of the human subject my
friends are a beautiful production Compare them with wooden legs and observe
the difference between the anatomy of nature and the anatomy of art Do you
know« said Mr Pecksniff leaning over the banisters with an odd recollection
of his familiar manner among new pupils at home »that I should very much like
to see Mrs Todgerss notion of a wooden leg if perfectly agreeable to
herself«
As it appeared impossible to entertain any reasonable hopes of him after
this speech Mr Jinkins and Mr Gander went up stairs again and once more got
him into bed But they had not descended to the second floor before he was out
again nor when they had repeated the process, had they descended the first
flight before he was out again In a word as often as he was shut up in his
own room he darted out afresh charged with some new moral sentiment which he
continually repeated over the banisters with extraordinary relish and an
irrepressible desire for the improvement of his fellow creatures that nothing
could subdue
Under these circumstances when they had got him into bed for the thirtieth
time or so Mr Jinkins held him while his companion went down stairs in search
of Bailey junior with whom he presently returned That youth having been
apprised of the service required of him was in great spirits and brought up a
stool a candle and his supper to the end that he might keep watch outside the
bedroom door with tolerable comfort
When he had completed his arrangements they locked Mr Pecksniff in and
left the key on the outside charging the young page to listen attentively for
symptoms of an apoplectic nature with which the patient might be troubled and
in case of any such presenting themselves to summon them without delay To
which Mr Bailey modestly replied that »he hoped he knowed wot oclock it wos in
gineral and didnt date his letters to his friends from Todgerss for
nothing«
Chapter X
Containing Strange Matters on which Many Events in This History May for Their
Good or Evil Influence Chiefly Depend
But Mr Pecksniff came to town on business Had he forgotten that Was he always
taking his pleasure with Todgerss jovial brood unmindful of the serious
demands whatever they might be upon his calm consideration No
Time and tide will wait for no man saith the adage But all men have to
wait for time and tide That tide which taken at the flood would lead Seth
Pecksniff on to fortune was marked down in the table and about to flow No
idle Pecksniff lingered far inland unmindful of the changes of the stream but
there upon the waters edge over his shoes already stood the worthy creature
prepared to wallow in the very mud so that it slid towards the quarter of his
hope
The trustfulness of his two fair daughters was beautiful indeed They had
that firm reliance on their parents nature which taught them to feel certain
that in all he did he had his purpose straight and full before him And that
its noble end and object was himself which almost of necessity included them
they knew The devotion of these maids was perfect
Their filial confidence was rendered the more touching by their having no
knowledge of their parents real designs in the present instance All that they
knew of his proceedings was that every morning after the early breakfast he
repaired to the postoffice and inquired for letters That task performed his
business for the day was over and he again relaxed until the rising of another
sun proclaimed the advent of another post
This went on for four or five days At length one morning Mr Pecksniff
returned with a breathless rapidity strange to observe in him at other times
so calm and seeking immediate speech with his daughters shut himself up with
them in private conference for two whole hours Of all that passed in this
period only the following words of Mr Pecksniffs utterance are known
»How he has come to change so very much if it should turn out as I expect
that he has we neednt stop to inquire My dears I have my thoughts upon the
subject but I will not impart them It is enough that we will not be proud
resentful or unforgiving If he wants our friendship he shall have it We know
our duty I hope«
That same day at noon an old gentleman alighted from a hackneycoach at the
postoffice and giving his name inquired for a letter addressed to himself
and directed to be left till called for It had been lying there some days The
superscription was in Mr Pecksniffs hand and it was sealed with Mr
Pecksniffs seal
It was very short containing indeed nothing more than an address »with Mr
Pecksniffs respectful and notwithstanding what has passed sincerely
affectionate regards« The old gentleman tore off the direction scattering the
rest in fragments to the winds and giving it to the coachman bade him drive
as near that place as he could In pursuance of these instructions he was driven
to the Monument where he again alighted and dismissed the vehicle and walked
towards Todgerss
Though the face and form and gait of this old man and even his grip of
the stout stick on which he leaned were all expressive of a resolution not
easily shaken and a purpose it matters little whether right or wrong just
now such as in other days might have survived the rack and had its strongest
life in weakest death still there were grains of hesitation in his mind which
made him now avoid the house he sought and loiter to and fro in a gleam of
sunlight that brightened the little churchyard hard by There may have been in
the presence of those idle heaps of dust among the busiest stir of life
something to increase his wavering but there he walked awakening the echoes as
he paced up and down until the church clock striking the quarters for the
second time since he had been there roused him from his meditation Shaking off
his incertitude as the air parted with the sound of the bells he walked rapidly
to the house and knocked at the door
Mr Pecksniff was seated in the landladys little room and his visitor
found him reading by an accident he apologised for it an excellent
theological work There were cake and wine upon a little table by another
accident for which he also apologised Indeed he said he had given his visitor
up and was about to partake of that simple refreshment with his children when
he knocked at the door
»Your daughters are well« said old Martin laying down his hat and stick
Mr Pecksniff endeavoured to conceal his agitation as a father when he
answered Yes they were They were good girls he said very good He would not
venture to recommend Mr Chuzzlewit to take the easychair or to keep out of
the draught from the door If he made any such suggestion he would expose
himself he feared to most unjust suspicion He would therefore content
himself with remarking that there was an easychair in the room and that the
door was far from being airtight This latter imperfection he might perhaps
venture to add was not uncommonly to be met with in old houses
The old man sat down in the easychair and after a few moments silence
said
»In the first place let me thank you for coming to London so promptly at
my almost unexplained request I need scarcely add at my cost«
»At your cost my good sir« cried Mr Pecksniff in a tone of great
surprise
»It is not« said Martin waving his hand impatiently »my habit to put my
well my relatives to any personal expense to gratify my caprices«
»Caprices my good sir« cried Mr Pecksniff
»That is scarcely the proper word either in this instance« said the old
man »No You are right«
Mr Pecksniff was inwardly very much relieved to hear it though he didnt
at all know why
»You are right« repeated Martin »It is not a caprice It is built up on
reason proof and cool comparison Caprices never are Moreover I am not a
capricious man I never was«
»Most assuredly not« said Mr Pecksniff
»How do you know« returned the other quickly »You are to begin to know it
now You are to test and prove it in time to come You and yours are to find
that I can be constant and am not to be diverted from my end Do you hear«
»Perfectly« said Mr Pecksniff
»I very much regret« Martin resumed looking steadily at him and speaking
in a slow and measured tone »I very much regret that you and I held such a
conversation together as that which passed between us at our last meeting I
very much regret that I laid open to you what were then my thoughts of you so
freely as I did The intentions that I bear towards you now are of another
kind deserted by all in whom I have ever trusted hoodwinked and beset by all
who should help and sustain me I fly to you for refuge I confide in you to be
my ally to attach yourself to me by ties of Interest and Expectation« he laid
great stress upon these words though Mr Pecksniff particularly begged him not
to mention it »and to help me to visit the consequences of the very worst
species of meanness dissimulation and subtlety on the right heads«
»My noble sir« cried Mr Pecksniff catching at his outstretched hand »And
you regret the having harboured unjust thoughts of me you with those gray
hairs«
»Regrets« said Martin »are the natural property of gray hairs and I
enjoy in common with all other men at least my share of such inheritance And
so enough of that I regret having been severed from you so long If I had known
you sooner and sooner used you as you well deserve I might have been a happier
man«
Mr Pecksniff looked up to the ceiling and clasped his hands in rapture
»Your daughters« said Martin after a short silence »I dont know them
Are they like you«
»In the nose of my eldest and the chin of my youngest Mr Chuzzlewit«
returned the widower »their sainted parent not myself their mother lives
again«
»I dont mean in person« said the old man »Morally morally«
»Tis not for me to say« retorted Mr Pecksniff with a gentle smile »I
have done my best sir«
»I could wish to see them« said Martin »are they near at hand«
They were very near for they had in fact been listening at the door from
the beginning of this conversation until now when they precipitately retired
Having wiped the signs of weakness from his eyes and so given them time to get
up stairs Mr Pecksniff opened the door and mildly cried in the passage
»My own darlings where are you«
»Here my dear pa« replied the distant voice of Charity
»Come down into the back parlour if you please my love« said Mr
Pecksniff »and bring your sister with you«
»Yes my dear pa« cried Merry and down they came directly being all
obedience singing as they came
Nothing could exceed the astonishment of the two Miss Pecksniffs when they
found a stranger with their dear papa Nothing could surpass their mute
amazement when he said »My children Mr Chuzzlewit« But when he told them
that Mr Chuzzlewit and he were friends and that Mr Chuzzlewit had said such
kind and tender words as pierced his very heart the two Miss Pecksniffs cried
with one accord »Thank Heaven for this« and fell upon the old mans neck And
when they had embraced him with such fervour of affection that no words can
describe it they grouped themselves about his chair and hung over him as
figuring to themselves no earthly joy like that of ministering to his wants and
crowding into the remainder of his life the love they would have diffused over
their whole existence from infancy if he dear obdurate had but consented
to receive the precious offering
The old man looked attentively from one to the other and then at Mr
Pecksniff several times
»What« he asked of Mr Pecksniff happening to catch his eye in its
descent for until now it had been piously upraised with something of that
expression which the poetry of ages has attributed to a domestic bird when
breathing its last amid the ravages of an electric storm »What are their
names«
Mr Pecksniff told him and added rather hastily his calumniators would
have said with a view to any testamentary thoughts that might be flitting
through old Martins mind »Perhaps my dears you had better write them down
Your humble autographs are of no value in themselves, but affection may prize
them«
»Affection« said the old man »will expend itself on the living originals
Do not trouble yourselves my girls I shall not so easily forget you Charity
and Mercy as to need such tokens of remembrance Cousin«
»Sir« said Mr Pecksniff with alacrity
»Do you never sit down«
»Why yes occasionally sir« said Mr Pecksniff who had been standing all
this time
»Will you do so now«
»Can you ask me« returned Mr Pecksniff slipping into a chair immediately
»whether I will do anything that you desire«
»You talk confidently« said Martin »and you mean well but I fear you
dont know what an old mans humours are You dont know what it is to be
required to court his likings and dislikings to adapt yourself to his
prejudices to do his bidding be it what it may to bear with his distrusts and
jealousies and always still be zealous in his service When I remember how
numerous these failings are in me and judge of their occasional enormity by the
injurious thoughts I lately entertained of you I hardly dare to claim you for
my friend«
»My worthy sir« returned his relative »how can you talk in such a painful
strain What was more natural than that you should make one slight mistake when
in all other respects you were so very correct and have had such reason such
very sad and undeniable reason to judge of every one about you in the worst
light«
»True« replied the other »You are very lenient with me«
»We always said my girls and I« cried Mr Pecksniff with increasing
obsequiousness »that while we mourned the heaviness of our misfortune in being
confounded with the base and mercenary still we could not wonder at it My
dears you remember«
Oh vividly A thousand times
»We uttered no complaint« said Mr Pecksniff »Occasionally we had the
presumption to console ourselves with the remark that Truth would in the end
prevail and Virtue be triumphant but not often My loves you recollect«
Recollect Could he doubt it Dearest pa what strange unnecessary
questions
»And when I saw you« resumed Mr Pecksniff with still greater deference
»in the little unassuming village where we take the liberty of dwelling I said
you were mistaken in me my dear sir that was all I think«
»No not all« said Martin who had been sitting with his hand upon his brow
for some time past and now looked up again »you said much more which added
to other circumstances that have come to my knowledge opened my eyes You spoke
to me disinterestedly on behalf of I neednt name him You know whom I
mean«
Trouble was expressed in Mr Pecksniffs visage as he pressed his hot hands
together and replied with humility »Quite disinterestedly sir I assure
you«
»I know it« said old Martin in his quiet way »I am sure of it I said so
It was disinterested too in you to draw that herd of harpies off from me and
be their victim yourself most other men would have suffered them to display
themselves in all their rapacity and would have striven to rise by contrast
in my estimation You felt for me and drew them off for which I owe you many
thanks Although I left the place I know what passed behind my back you see«
»You amaze me sir« cried Mr Pecksniff which was true enough
»My knowledge of your proceedings« said the old man »does not stop at
this You have a new inmate in your house«
»Yes sir« rejoined the architect »I have«
»He must quit it« said Martin
»For for yours« asked Mr Pecksniff with a quavering mildness
»For any shelter he can find« the old man answered »He has deceived you«
»I hope not« said Mr Pecksniff eagerly »I trust not I have been
extremely well disposed towards that young man I hope it cannot be shown that
he has forfeited all claim to my protection Deceit deceit my dear Mr
Chuzzlewit would be final I should hold myself bound on proof of deceit to
renounce him instantly«
The old man glanced at both his fair supporters but especially at Miss
Mercy whom indeed he looked full in the face with a greater demonstration of
interest than had yet appeared in his features His gaze again encountered Mr
Pecksniff as he said composedly
»Of course you know that he has made his matrimonial choice«
»Oh dear« cried Mr Pecksniff rubbing his hair up very stiff upon his
head and staring wildly at his daughters »This is becoming tremendous«
»You know the fact« repeated Martin
»Surely not without his grandfathers consent and approbation my dear sir«
cried Mr Pecksniff »Dont tell me that For the honour of human nature say
youre not about to tell me that«
»I thought he had suppressed it« said the old man
The indignation felt by Mr Pecksniff at this terrible disclosure was only
to be equalled by the kindling anger of his daughters What Had they taken to
their hearth and home a secretly contracted serpent a crocodile who had made a
furtive offer of his hand an imposition on society a bankrupt bachelor with no
effects trading with the spinster world on false pretences And oh to think
that he should have disobeyed and practised on that sweet that venerable
gentleman whose name he bore that kind and tender guardian his more than
father to say nothing at all of mother horrible horrible To turn him out
with ignominy would be treatment much too good Was there nothing else that
could be done to him Had he incurred no legal pains and penalties Could it be
that the statutes of the land were so remiss as to have affixed no punishment to
such delinquency Monster how basely had they been deceived
»I am glad to find you second me so warmly« said the old man holding up
his hand to stay the torrent of their wrath »I will not deny that it is a
pleasure to me to find you so full of zeal We will consider that topic as
disposed of«
»No my dear sir« cried Mr Pecksniff »not as disposed of until I have
purged my house of this pollution«
»That will follow« said the old man »in its own time I look upon that as
done«
»You are very good sir« answered Mr Pecksniff shaking his hand »You do
me honour You may look upon it as done I assure you«
»There is another topic« said Martin »on which I hope you will assist me
You remember Mary cousin«
»The young lady that I mentioned to you my dears as having interested me
so very much« remarked Mr Pecksniff »Excuse my interrupting you sir«
»I told you her history« said the old man
»Which I also mentioned you will recollect my dears« cried Mr Pecksniff
»Silly girls Mr Chuzzlewit Quite moved by it they were«
»Why look now« said Martin evidently pleased »I feared I should have had
to urge her case upon you and ask you to regard her favourably for my sake But
I find you have no jealousies Well You have no cause for any to be sure She
has nothing to gain from me my dears and she knows it«
The two Miss Pecksniffs murmured their approval of this wise arrangement
and their cordial sympathy with its interesting object
»If I could have anticipated what has come to pass between us four« said
the old man thoughtfully »but it is too late to think of that You would
receive her courteously young ladies and be kind to her if need were«
Where was the orphan whom the two Miss Pecksniffs would not have cherished
in their sisterly bosom But when that orphan was commended to their care by one
on whom the dammedup love of years wag gushing forth what exhaustless stores
of pure affection yearned to expend themselves upon her
An interval ensued during which Mr Chuzzlewit in an absent frame of mind
sat gazing at the ground without uttering a word and as it was plain that he
had no desire to be interrupted in his meditations Mr Pecksniff and his
daughters were profoundly silent also During the whole of the foregoing
dialogue he had borne his part with a cold passionless promptitude as though
he had learned and painfully rehearsed it all a hundred times Even when his
expressions were warmest and his language most encouraging he had retained the
same manner without the least abatement But now there was a keener brightness
in his eye and more expression in his voice as he said awakening from his
thoughtful mood
»You know what will be said of this Have you reflected«
»Said of what my dear sir« Mr Pecksniff asked
»Of this new understanding between us«
Mr Pecksniff looked benevolently sagacious and at the same time far above
all earthly misconstruction as he shook his head and observed that a great
many things would be said of it no doubt
»A great many« rejoined the old man »Some will say that I dote in my old
age that illness has shaken me that I have lost all strength of mind and have
grown childish You can bear that«
Mr Pecksniff answered that it would be dreadfully hard to bear but he
thought he could if he made a great effort
»Others will say I speak of disappointed angry people only that you
have lied and fawned and wormed yourself through dirty ways into my favour by
such concessions and such crooked deeds such meannesses and vile endurances as
nothing could repay no not the legacy of half the world we live in You can
bear that«
Mr Pecksniff made reply that this would be also very hard to bear as
reflecting in some degree on the discernment of Mr Chuzzlewit Still he had a
modest confidence that he could sustain the calumny with the help of a good
conscience and that gentlemans friendship
»With the great mass of slanderers« said old Martin leaning back in his
chair »the tale as I clearly foresee will run thus That to mark my contempt
for the rabble whom I despised I chose from among them the very worst and made
him do my will and pampered and enriched him at the cost of all the rest That
after casting about for the means of a punishment which should rankle in the
bosoms of these kites the most and strike into their gall I devised this
scheme at a time when the last link in the chain of grateful love and duty that
held me to my race was roughly snapped asunder roughly for I loved him well
roughly for I had ever put my trust in his affection roughly for that he
broke it when I loved him most God help me and he without a pang could throw
me off while I clung about his heart Now« said the old man dismissing this
passionate outburst as suddenly as he had yielded to it »is your mind made up
to bear this likewise Lay your account with having it to bear and put no trust
in being set right by me«
»My dear Mr Chuzzlewit« cried Pecksniff in an ecstasy »for such a man as
you have shown yourself to be this day for a man so injured yet so very
humane for a man so I am at a loss what precise term to use yet at the same
time so remarkably I dont know how to express my meaning for such a man as I
have described I hope it is no presumption to say that I and I am sure I may
add my children also my dears we perfectly agree in this I think would
bear anything whatever«
»Enough« said Martin »You can charge no consequences on me When do you
return home«
»Whenever you please my dear sir Tonight if you desire it«
»I desire nothing« returned the old man »that is unreasonable Such a
request would be Will you be ready to return at the end of this week«
The very time of all others that Mr Pecksniff would have suggested if it
had been left to him to make his own choice As to his daughters the words
»Let us be at home on Saturday dear pa« were actually upon their lips
»Your expenses cousin« said Martin taking a folded slip of paper from his
pocketbook »may possibly exceed that amount If so let me know the balance
that I owe you when we next meet It would be useless if I told you where I
live just now indeed I have no fixed abode When I have you shall know it
You and your daughters may expect to see me before long in the mean time I need
not tell you that we keep our own confidence What you will do when you get
home is understood between us Give me no account of it at any time and never
refer to it in any way I ask that as a favour I am commonly a man of few
words cousin and all that need be said just now is said I think«
»One glass of wine one morsel of this homely cake« cried Mr Pecksniff
venturing to detain him »My dears«
The sisters flew to wait upon him
»Poor girls« said Mr Pecksniff »You will excuse their agitation my dear
sir They are made up of feeling A bad commodity to go through the world with
Mr Chuzzlewit My youngest daughter is almost as much of a woman as my eldest
is she not sir«
»Which is the youngest« asked the old man
»Mercy by five years« said Mr Pecksniff »We sometimes venture to
consider her rather a fine figure sir Speaking as an artist I may perhaps be
permitted to suggest that its outline is graceful and correct I am naturally«
said Mr Pecksniff drying his hands upon his handkerchief and looking
anxiously in his cousins face at almost every word »proud if I may use the
expression to have a daughter who is constructed on the best models«
»She seems to have a lively disposition« observed Martin
»Dear me« said Mr Pecksniff »That is quite remarkable You have defined
her character my dear sir as correctly as if you had known her from her birth
She has a lively disposition I assure you my dear sir that in our
unpretending home her gaiety is delightful«
»No doubt« returned the old man
»Charity upon the other hand« said Mr Pecksniff »is remarkable for
strong sense and for rather a deep tone of sentiment if the partiality of a
father may be excused in saying so A wonderful affection between them my dear
sir Allow me to drink your health Bless you«
»I little thought« retorted Martin »but a month ago that I should be
breaking bread and pouring wine with you I drink to you«
Not at all abashed by the extraordinary abruptness with which these latter
words were spoken Mr Pecksniff thanked him devoutly
»Now let me go« said Martin putting down the wine when he had merely
touched it with his lips »My dears good morning«
But this distant form of farewell was by no means tender enough for the
yearnings of the young ladies who again embraced him with all their hearts
with all their arms at any rate to which parting caresses their newfound
friend submitted with a better grace than might have been expected from one who
not a moment before had pledged their parent in such a very uncomfortable
manner These endearments terminated he took a hasty leave of Mr Pecksniff
and withdrew followed to the door by both father and daughters who stood
there kissing their hands and beaming with affection until he disappeared
though by the way he never once looked back after he had crossed the
threshold
When they returned into the house and were again alone in Mrs Todgerss
room the two young ladies exhibited an unusual amount of gaiety insomuch that
they clapped their hands and laughed and looked with roguish aspects and a
bantering air upon their dear papa This conduct was so very unaccountable that
Mr Pecksniff being singularly grave himself could scarcely choose but ask
them what it meant and took them to task in his gentle manner for yielding to
such light emotions
»If it was possible to divine any cause for this merriment even the most
remote« he said »I should not reprove you But when you can have none whatever
oh really really«
This admonition had so little effect on Mercy that she was obliged to hold
her handkerchief before her rosy lips and to throw herself back in her chair
with every demonstration of extreme amusement which want of duty so offended
Mr Pecksniff that he reproved her in set terms and gave her his parental
advice to correct herself in solitude and contemplation But at that juncture
they were disturbed by the sound of voices in dispute and as it proceeded from
the next room the subject matter of the altercation quickly reached their ears
»I dont care that Mrs Todgers« said the young gentleman who had been the
youngest gentleman in company on the day of the festival »I dont care that
maam« said he snapping his fingers »for Jinkins Dont suppose I do«
»I am quite certain you dont sir« replied Mrs Todgers »You have too
independent a spirit I know to yield to anybody And quite right There is no
reason why you should give way to any gentleman Everybody must be well aware of
that«
»I should think no more of admitting daylight into the fellow« said the
youngest gentleman in a desperate voice »than if he was a bulldog«
Mrs Todgers did not stop to inquire whether as a matter of principle
there was any particular reason for admitting daylight even into a bulldog
otherwise than by the natural channel of his eyes but she seemed to wring her
hands and she moaned
»Let him be careful« said the youngest gentleman »I give him warning No
man shall step between me and the current of my vengeance I know a Cove « he
used that familiar epithet in his agitation but corrected himself by adding
»a gentleman of property I mean who practises with a pair of pistols fellows
too of his own If I am driven to borrow em and to send a friend to Jinkins
a tragedy will get into the papers Thats all«
Again Mrs Todgers moaned
»I have borne this long enough« said the youngest gentleman »but now my
soul rebels against it and I wont stand it any longer I left home originally
because I had that within me which wouldnt be domineered over by a sister and
do you think Im going to be put down by him No«
»It is very wrong in Mr Jinkins I know it is perfectly inexcusable in Mr
Jinkins if he intends it« observed Mrs Todgers
»If he intends it« cried the youngest gentleman »Dont he interrupt and
contradict me on every occasion Does he ever fail to interpose himself between
me and anything or anybody that he sees I have set my mind upon Does he make a
point of always pretending to forget me when hes pouring out the beer Does he
make bragging remarks about his razors and insulting allusions to people who
have no necessity to shave more than once a week But let him look out Hell
find himself shaved pretty close before long and so I tell him«
The young gentleman was mistaken in this closing sentence inasmuch as he
never told it to Jinkins but always to Mrs Todgers
»However« he said »these are not proper subjects for ladies ears All
Ive got to say to you Mrs Todgers is a weeks notice from next Saturday
The same house cant contain that miscreant and me any longer If we get over
the intermediate time without bloodshed you may think yourself pretty
fortunate I dont myself expect we shall«
»Dear dear« cried Mrs Todgers »what would I have given to have prevented
this To lose you sir would be like losing the houses righthand So popular
as you are among the gentlemen so generally looked up to and so much liked I
do hope youll think better of it if on nobody elses account on mine«
»Theres Jinkins« said the youngest gentleman moodily »Your favourite
Hell console you and the gentlemen too for the loss of twenty such as me Im
not understood in this house I never have been«
»Dont run away with that opinion sir« cried Mrs Todgers with a show of
honest indignation »Dont make such a charge as that against the establishment
I must beg of you It is not so bad as that comes to sir Make any remark you
please against the gentlemen or against me but dont say youre not understood
in this house«
»Im not treated as if I was« said the youngest gentleman
»There you make a great mistake sir« returned Mrs Todgers in the same
strain »As many of the gentlemen and I have often said you are too sensitive
Thats where it is You are of too susceptible a nature its in your spirit«
The young gentleman coughed
»And as« said Mrs Todgers »as to Mr Jinkins I must beg of you if we
are to part to understand that I dont abet Mr Jinkins by any means Far from
it I could wish that Mr Jinkins would take a lower tone in this establishment
and would not be the means of raising differences between me and gentlemen that
I can much less bear to part with than I could with Mr Jinkins Mr Jinkins is
not such a boarder sir« added Mrs Todgers »that all considerations of
private feeling and respect give way before him Quite the contrary I assure
you«
The young gentleman was so much mollified by these and similar speeches on
the part of Mrs Todgers that he and that lady gradually changed positions so
that she became the injured party and he was understood to be the injurer but
in a complimentary not in an offensive sense his cruel conduct being
attributable to his exalted nature and to that alone So in the end the young
gentleman withdrew his notice and assured Mrs Todgers of his unalterable
regard and having done so went back to business
»Goodness me Miss Pecksniffs« cried that lady as she came into the back
room and sat wearily down with her basket on her knees and her hands folded
upon it »what a trial of temper it is to keep a house like this You must have
heard most of what has just passed Now did you ever hear the like«
»Never« said the two Miss Pecksniffs
»Of all the ridiculous young fellows that ever I had to deal with« resumed
Mrs Todgers »that is the most ridiculous and unreasonable Mr Jinkins is hard
upon him sometimes but not half as hard as he deserves To mention such a
gentleman as Mr Jinkins in the same breath with him You know its too much
And yet hes as jealous of him bless you as if he was his equal«
The young ladies were greatly entertained by Mrs Todgerss account no less
than with certain anecdotes illustrative of the youngest gentlemans character
which she went on to tell them But Mr Pecksniff looked quite stern and angry
and when she had concluded said in a solemn voice
»Pray Mrs Todgers if I may inquire what does that young gentleman
contribute towards the support of these premises«
»Why sir for what he has he pays about eighteen shillings a week« said
Mrs Todgers
»Eighteen shillings a week« repeated Mr Pecksniff
»Taking one week with another as near that as possible« said Mrs Todgers
Mr Pecksniff rose from his chair folded his arms looked at her and shook
his head
»And do you mean to say maam is it possible Mrs Todgers that for such
a miserable consideration as eighteen shillings a week a female of your
understanding can so far demean herself as to wear a double face even for an
instant«
»I am forced to keep things on the square if I can sir« faltered Mrs
Todgers »I must preserve peace among them and keep my connection together if
possible Mr Pecksniff The profit is very small«
»The profit« cried that gentleman laying great stress upon the word »The
profit Mrs Todgers You amaze me«
He was so severe that Mrs Todgers shed tears
»The profit« repeated Mr Pecksniff »The profit of dissimulation To
worship the golden calf of Baal for eighteen shillings a week«
»Dont in your own goodness be too hard upon me Mr Pecksniff« cried Mrs
Todgers taking out her handkerchief
»Oh Calf Calf« cried Mr Pecksniff mournfully »Oh Baal Baal Oh my
friend Mrs Todgers To barter away that precious jewel selfesteem and
cringe to any mortal creature for eighteen shillings a week«
He was so subdued and overcome by the reflection that he immediately took
down his hat from its peg in the passage and went out for a walk to compose
his feelings Anybody passing him in the street might have known him for a good
man at first sight for his whole figure teemed with a consciousness of the
moral homily he had read to Mrs Todgers
Eighteen shillings a week Just most just thy censure upright Pecksniff
Had it been for the sake of a ribbon star or garter sleeves of lawn a great
mans smile a seat in parliament a tap upon the shoulder from a courtly sword
a place a party or a thriving lie or eighteen thousand pounds or even
eighteen hundred but to worship the golden calf for eighteen shillings a
week Oh pitiful pitiful
Chapter XI
Wherein a Certain Gentleman Becomes Particular in His Attentions to a Certain
Lady and More Coming Events than One Cast Their Shadows Before
The family were within two or three days of their departure from Mrs Todgerss
and the commercial gentlemen were to a man despondent and not to be comforted
because of the approaching separation when Bailey junior at the jocund time of
noon presented himself before Miss Charity Pecksniff then sitting with her
sister in the banquet chamber hemming six new pockethandkerchiefs for Mr
Jinkins and having expressed a hope preliminary and pious that he might be
blest gave her in his pleasant way to understand that a visitor attended to pay
his respects to her and was at that moment waiting in the drawingroom Perhaps
this last announcement showed in a more striking point of view than many
lengthened speeches could have done the trustfulness and faith of Baileys
nature since he had in fact last seen the visitor on the doormat where
after signifying to him that he would do well to go up stairs he had left him
to the guidance of his own sagacity Hence it was at least an even chance that
the visitor was then wandering on the roof of the house or vainly seeking to
extricate himself from a maze of bedrooms Todgerss being precisely that kind
of establishment in which an unpiloted stranger is pretty sure to find himself
in some place where he least expects and least desires to be
»A gentleman for me« cried Charity pausing in her work »my gracious
Bailey«
»Ah« said Bailey »It is my gracious ant it Wouldnt I be gracious
neither not if I wos him«
The remark was rendered somewhat obscure in itself, by reason as the reader
may have observed of a redundancy of negatives but accompanied by action
expressive of a faithful couple walking arminarm towards a parochial church
mutually exchanging looks of love it clearly signified this youths conviction
that the callers purpose was of an amorous tendency Miss Charity affected to
reprove so great a liberty but she could not help smiling He was a strange boy
to be sure There was always some ground of probability and likelihood mingled
with his absurd behaviour That was the best of it
»But I dont know any gentleman Bailey« said Miss Pecksniff »I think you
must have made a mistake«
Mr Bailey smiled at the extreme wildness of such a supposition and
regarded the young ladies with unimpaired affability
»My dear Merry« said Charity »who can it be Isnt it odd I have a great
mind not to go to him really So very strange you know«
The younger sister plainly considered that this appeal had its origin in the
pride of being called upon and asked for and that it was intended as an
assertion of superiority and a retaliation upon her for having captured the
commercial gentlemen Therefore she replied with great affection and
politeness that it was no doubt very strange indeed and that she was totally
at a loss to conceive what the ridiculous person unknown could mean by it
»Quite impossible to divine« said Charity with some sharpness »though
still at the same time you neednt be angry my dear«
»Thank you« retorted Merry singing at her needle »I am quite aware of
that my love«
»I am afraid your head is turned you silly thing« said Cherry
»Do you know my dear« said Merry with engaging candour »that I have been
afraid of that myself all along So much incense and nonsense and all the
rest of it is enough to turn a stronger head than mine What a relief it must
be to you my dear to be so very comfortable in that respect and not to be
worried by those odious men How do you do it Cherry«
This artless inquiry might have led to turbulent results but for the strong
emotions of delight evinced by Bailey junior whose relish in the turn the
conversation had lately taken was so acute that it impelled and forced him to
the instantaneous performance of a dancing step extremely difficult in its
nature and only to be achieved in a moment of ecstasy which is commonly called
The Frogs Hornpipe A manifestation so lively brought to their immediate
recollection the great virtuous precept »Keep up appearances whatever you do«
in which they had been educated They forbore at once and jointly signified to
Mr Bailey that if he should presume to practise that figure any more in their
presence they would instantly acquaint Mrs Todgers with the fact and would
demand his condign punishment at the hands of that lady The young gentleman
having expressed the bitterness of his contrition by affecting to wipe away
scalding tears with his apron and afterwards feigning to wring a vast amount of
water from that garment held the door open while Miss Charity passed out and
so that damsel went in state up stairs to receive her mysterious adorer
By some strange occurrence of favourable circumstances he had found out the
drawingroom and was sitting there alone
»Ah cousin« he said »Here I am you see You thought I was lost Ill be
bound Well how do you find yourself by this time«
Miss Charity replied that she was quite well and gave Mr Jonas Chuzzlewit
her hand
»Thats right« said Mr Jonas »and youve got over the fatigues of the
journey have you I say Hows the other one«
»My sister is very well I believe« returned the young lady »I have not
heard her complain of any indisposition sir Perhaps you would like to see her
and ask her yourself«
»No no cousin« said Mr Jonas sitting down beside her on the
windowseat »Dont be in a hurry Theres no occasion for that you know What
a cruel girl you are«
»Its impossible for you to know« said Cherry »whether I am or not«
»Well perhaps it is« said Mr Jonas »I say Did you think I was lost You
havent told me that«
»I didnt think at all about it« answered Cherry
»Didnt you though« said Jonas pondering upon this strange reply » Did
the other one«
»I am sure its impossible for me to say what my sister may or may not have
thought on such a subject« cried Cherry »She never said anything to me about
it one way or other«
»Didnt she laugh about it« inquired Jonas
»No She didnt even laugh about it« answered Charity
»Shes a terrible one to laugh ant she« said Jonas lowering his voice
»She is very lively« said Cherry
»Liveliness is a pleasant thing when it dont lead to spending money Ant
it« asked Mr Jonas
»Very much so indeed« said Cherry with a demureness of manner that gave a
very disinterested character to her assent
»Such liveliness as yours I mean you know« observed Mr Jonas as he
nudged her with his elbow »I should have come to see you before but I didnt
know where you was How quick you hurried off that morning«
»I was amenable to my papas directions« said Miss Charity
»I wish he had given me his direction« returned her cousin »and then I
should have found you out before Why I shouldnt have found you even now if I
hadnt met him in the street this morning What a sleek sly chap he is Just
like a tomcat ant he«
»I must trouble you to have the goodness to speak more respectfully of my
papa Mr Jonas« said Charity »I cant allow such a tone as that even in
jest«
»Ecod you may say what you like of my father then and so I give you
leave« said Jonas »I think its liquid aggravation that circulates through his
veins and not regular blood How old should you think my father was cousin«
»Old no doubt« replied Miss Charity »but a fine old gentleman«
»A fine old gentleman« repeated Jonas giving the crown of his hat an angry
knock »Ah Its time he was thinking of being drawn out a little finer too
Why hes eighty«
»Is he indeed« said the young lady
»And ecod« cried Jonas »now hes gone so far without giving in I dont
see much to prevent his being ninety no nor even a hundred Why a man with
any feeling ought to be ashamed of being eighty let alone more Wheres his
religion I should like to know when he goes flying in the face of the Bible
like that Threescoreandtens the mark and no man with a conscience and a
proper sense of whats expected of him has any business to live longer«
Is any one surprised at Mr Jonas making such a reference to such a book for
such a purpose Does any one doubt the old saw that the Devil being a layman
quotes Scripture for his own ends If he will take the trouble to look about
him he may find a greater number of confirmations of the fact in the
occurrences of any single day than the steamgun can discharge balls in a
minute
»But theres enough of my father« said Jonas »its of no use to go putting
onesself out of the way by talking about him I called to ask you to come and
take a walk cousin and see some of the sights and to come to our house
afterwards and have a bit of something Pecksniff will most likely look in in
the evening he says and bring you home See heres his writing I made him
put it down this morning when he told me he shouldnt be back before I came
here in case you wouldnt believe me Theres nothing like proof is there Ha
ha I say youll bring the other one you know«
Miss Charity cast her eyes upon her fathers autograph which merely said
»Go my children with your cousin Let there be union among us when it is
possible« and after enough of hesitation to impart a proper value to her
consent withdrew to prepare her sister and herself for the excursion She soon
returned accompanied by Miss Mercy who was by no means pleased to leave the
brilliant triumphs of Todgerss for the society of Mr Jonas and his respected
father
»Aha« cried Jonas »There you are are you«
»Yes fright« said Mercy »here I am and I would much rather be anywhere
else I assure you«
»You dont mean that« cried Mr Jonas »You cant you know It isnt
possible«
»You can have what opinion you like fright« retorted Mercy »I am content
to keep mine and mine is that you are a very unpleasant odious disagreeable
person« Here she laughed heartily and seemed to enjoy herself very much
»Oh youre a sharp gal« said Mr Jonas »Shes a regular teazer ant she
cousin«
Miss Charity replied in effect that she was unable to say what the habits
and propensities of a regular teazer might be and that even if she possessed
such information it would ill become her to admit the existence of any creature
with such an unceremonious name in her family far less in the person of a
beloved sister »whatever« added Cherry with an angry glance »whatever her
real nature may be«
»Well my dear« said Merry »the only observation I have to make is that
if we dont go out at once I shall certainly take my bonnet off again and stay
at home«
This threat had the desired effect of preventing any farther altercation
for Mr Jonas immediately proposed an adjournment and the same being carried
unanimously they departed from the house straightway On the doorstep Mr
Jonas gave an arm to each cousin which act of gallantry being observed by
Bailey junior from the garret window was by him saluted with a loud and
violent fit of coughing to which paroxysm he was still the victim when they
turned the corner
Mr Jonas inquired in the first instance if they were good walkers and
being answered »Yes« submitted their pedestrian powers to a pretty severe
test for he showed them as many sights in the way of bridges churches
streets outsides of theatres and other free spectacles in that one forenoon
as most people see in a twelvemonth It was observable in this gentleman that
he had an insurmountable distaste to the insides of buildings and that he was
perfectly acquainted with the merits of all shows in respect of which there was
any charge for admission which it seemed were every one detestable and of the
very lowest grade of merit He was so thoroughly possessed with this opinion
that when Miss Charity happened to mention the circumstance of their having been
twice or thrice to the theatre with Mr Jinkins and party he inquired as a
matter of course »where the orders came from and being told that Mr Jinkins
and party paid was beyond description entertained observing that they must be
nice flats certainly« and often in the course of the walk bursting out again
into a perfect convulsion of laughter at the surpassing silliness of those
gentlemen and doubtless at his own superior wisdom
When they had been out for some hours and were thoroughly fatigued it being
by that time twilight Mr Jonas intimated that he would show them one of the
best pieces of fun with which he was acquainted This joke was of a practical
kind and its humour lay in taking a hackneycoach to the extreme limits of
possibility for a shilling Happily it brought them to the place where Mr Jonas
dwelt or the young ladies might have rather missed the point and cream of the
jest
The oldestablished firm of Anthony Chuzzlewit and Son Manchester
Warehousemen and so forth had its place of business in a very narrow street
somewhere behind the Post Office where every house was in the brightest summer
morning very gloomy and where light porters watered the pavement each before
his own employers premises in fantastic patterns in the dogdays and where
spruce gentlemen with their hands in the pockets of symmetrical trousers were
always to be seen in warm weather contemplating their undeniable boots in dusty
warehouse doorways which appeared to be the hardest work they did except now
and then carrying pens behind their ears A dim dirty smoky tumbledown
rotten old house it was as anybody would desire to see but there the firm of
Anthony Chuzzlewit and Son transacted all their business and their pleasure too
such as it was for neither the young man nor the old had any other residence
or any care or thought beyond its narrow limits
Business as may be readily supposed was the main thing in this
establishment insomuch indeed that it shouldered comfort out of doors and
jostled the domestic arrangements at every turn Thus in the miserable bedrooms
there were files of motheaten letters hanging up against the walls and linen
rollers and fragments of old patterns and odds and ends of spoiled goods
strewed upon the ground while the meagre bedsteads washingstands and scraps
of carpet were huddled away into corners as objects of secondary consideration
not to be thought of but as disagreeable necessities furnishing no profit and
intruding on the one affair of life The single sittingroom was on the same
principle a chaos of boxes and old papers and had more countinghouse stools
in it than chairs not to mention a great monster of a desk straddling over the
middle of the floor and an iron safe sunk into the wall above the fireplace
The solitary little table for purposes of refection and social enjoyment bore
as fair a proportion to the desk and other business furniture as the graces and
harmless relaxations of life had ever done in the persons of the old man and
his son to their pursuit of wealth It was meanly laid out now for dinner and
in a chair before the fire sat Anthony himself who rose to greet his son and
his fair cousins as they entered
An ancient proverb warns us that we should not expect to find old heads upon
young shoulders to which it may be added that we seldom meet with that
unnatural combination but we feel a strong desire to knock them off merely
from an inherent love we have of seeing things in their right places It is not
improbable that many men in no wise choleric by nature felt this impulse
rising up within them when they first made the acquaintance of Mr Jonas but
if they had known him more intimately in his own house and had sat with him at
his own board it would assuredly have been paramount to all other
considerations
»Well ghost« said Mr Jonas dutifully addressing his parent by that
title »Is dinner nearly ready«
»I should think it was« rejoined the old man
»Whats the good of that« rejoined the son »I should think it was I want
to know«
»Ah I dont know for certain« said Anthony
»You dont know for certain« rejoined his son in a lower tone »No You
dont know anything for certain you dont Give me your candle here I want it
for the gals«
Anthony handed him a battered old office candlestick with which Mr Jonas
preceded the young ladies to the nearest bedroom where he left them to take off
their shawls and bonnets and returning occupied himself in opening a bottle of
wine sharpening the carvingknife and muttering compliments to his father
until they and the dinner appeared together The repast consisted of a hot leg
of mutton with greens and potatoes and the dishes having been set upon the
table by a slipshod old woman they were left to enjoy it after their own
manner
»Bachelors Hall you know cousin« said Mr Jonas to Charity »I say the
other one will be having a laugh at this when she gets home wont she Here
you sit on the right side of me and Ill have her upon the left Other one
will you come here«
»Youre such a fright« replied Mercy »that I know I shall have no appetite
if I sit so near you but I suppose I must«
»Ant she lively« whispered Mr Jonas to the elder sister with his
favourite elbow emphasis
»Oh I really dont know« replied Miss Pecksniff tartly »I am tired of
being asked such ridiculous questions«
»Whats that precious old father of mine about now« said Mr Jonas seeing
that his parent was travelling up and down the room instead of taking his seat
at table »What are you looking for«
»Ive lost my glasses Jonas« said old Anthony
»Sit down without your glasses cant you« returned his son »You dont eat
or drink out of em I think and wheres that sleepyheaded old Chuffey got to
Now stupid Oh you know your name do you«
It would seem that he didnt for he didnt come until the father called As
he spoke the door of a small glass office which was partitioned off from the
rest of the room was slowly opened and a little bleareyed weazenfaced
ancient man came creeping out He was of a remote fashion and dusty like the
rest of the furniture he was dressed in a decayed suit of black with breeches
garnished at the knees with rusty wisps of ribbon the very paupers of
shoestrings on the lower portion of his spindle legs were dingy worsted
stockings of the same colour He looked as if he had been put away and forgotten
half a century before and somebody had just found him in a lumbercloset
Such as he was he came slowly creeping on towards the table until at last
he crept into the vacant chair from which as his dim faculties became
conscious of the presence of strangers and those strangers ladies he rose
again apparently intending to make a bow But he sat down once more without
having made it and breathing on his shrivelled hands to warm them remained
with his poor blue nose immoveable about his plate looking at nothing with
eyes that saw nothing and a face that meant nothing Take him in that state
and he was an embodiment of nothing Nothing else
»Our clerk« said Mr Jonas as host and master of the ceremonies »Old
Chuffey«
»Is he deaf« inquired one of the young ladies
»No I dont know that he is He ant deaf is he father«
»I never heard him say he was« replied the old man
»Blind« inquired the young ladies
»Nno I never understood that he was at all blind« said Jonas carelessly
»You dont consider him so do you father«
»Certainly not« replied Anthony
»What is he then«
»Why Ill tell you what he is« said Mr Jonas apart to the young ladies
»hes precious old for one thing and I ant best pleased with him for that
for I think my father must have caught it of him Hes a strange old chap for
another« he added in a louder voice »and dont understand any one hardly but
him« He pointed to his honoured parent with the carvingfork in order that
they might know whom he meant
»How very strange« cried the sisters
»Why you see« said Mr Jonas »hes been addling his old brains with
figures and bookkeeping all his life and twenty years ago or so he went and
took a fever All the time he was out of his head which was three weeks he
never left off casting up and he got to so many million at last that I dont
believe hes ever been quite right since We dont do much business now though
and he ant a bad clerk«
»A very good one« said Anthony
»Well He ant a dear one at all events« observed Jonas »and he earns his
salt which is enough for our lookout I was telling you that he hardly
understands any one except my father he always understands him though and
wakes up quite wonderful Hes been used to his ways so long you see Why Ive
seen him play whist with my father for a partner and a good rubber too when
he had no more notion what sort of people he was playing against than you
have«
»Has he no appetite« asked Merry
»Oh yes« said Jonas plying his own knife and fork very fast »He eats
when hes helped But he dont care whether he waits a minute or an hour as
long as fathers here so when Im at all sharp set as I am today I come to
him after Ive taken the edge off my own hunger you know Now Chuffey stupid
are you ready«
Chuffey remained immoveable
»Always a perverse old file he was« said Mr Jonas coolly helping himself
to another slice »Ask him father«
»Are you ready for your dinner Chuffey« asked the old man
»Yes yes« said Chuffey lighting up into a sentient human creature at the
first sound of the voice so that it was at once a curious and quite a moving
sight to see him »Yes yes Quite ready Mr Chuzzlewit Quite ready sir All
ready all ready all ready« With that he stopped smilingly and listened for
some further address but being spoken to no more the light forsook his face by
little and little until he was nothing again
»Hell be very disagreeable mind« said Jonas addressing his cousins as he
handed the old mans portion to his father »He always chokes himself when it
ant broth Look at him now Did you ever see a horse with such a walleyed
expression as hes got If it hadnt been for the joke of it I wouldnt have
let him come in today but I thought hed amuse you«
The poor old subject of this humane speech was happily for himself as
unconscious of its purport as of most other remarks that were made in his
presence But the mutton being tough and his gums weak he quickly verified the
statement relative to his choking propensities and underwent so much in his
attempts to dine that Mr Jonas was infinitely amused protesting that he had
seldom seen him better company in all his life and that he was enough to make a
man split his sides with laughing Indeed he went so far as to assure the
sisters that in this point of view he considered Chuffey superior to his own
father which as he significantly added was saying a great deal
It was strange enough that Anthony Chuzzlewit himself so old a man should
take a pleasure in these gibings of his estimable son at the expense of the
poor shadow at their table But he did unquestionably though not so much to
do him justice with reference to their ancient clerk as in exultation at the
sharpness of Jonas For the same reason that young mans coarse allusions even
to himself filled him with a stealthy glee causing him to rub his hands and
chuckle covertly as if he said in his sleeve »I taught him I trained him
This is the heir of my bringingup Sly cunning and covetous hell not
squander my money I worked for this I hoped for this it has been the great
end and aim of my life«
What a noble end and aim it was to contemplate in the attainment truly But
there be some who manufacture idols after the fashion of themselves and fail to
worship them when they are made charging their deformity on outraged nature
Anthony was better than these at any rate
Chuffey boggled over his plate so long that Mr Jonas losing patience
took it from him at last with his own hands and requested his father to signify
to that venerable person that he had better »peg away at his bread« which
Anthony did
»Aye aye« cried the old man brightening up as before when this was
communicated to him in the same voice »quite right quite right Hes your own
son Mr Chuzzlewit Bless him for a sharp lad Bless him bless him«
Mr Jonas considered this so particularly childish perhaps with some
reason that he only laughed the more and told his cousins that he was afraid
one of these fine days Chuffey would be the death of him The cloth was then
removed and the bottle of wine set upon the table from which Mr Jonas filled
the young ladies glasses calling on them not to spare it as they might be
certain there was plenty more where that came from But he added with some
haste after this sally that it was only his joke and they wouldnt suppose him
to be in earnest he was sure
»I shall drink« said Anthony »to Pecksniff Your father my dears A
clever man Pecksniff A wary man A hypocrite though eh A hypocrite girls
eh Ha ha ha Well so he is Now among friends he is I dont think the
worse of him for that unless it is that he overdoes it You may overdo
anything my darlings You may overdo even hypocrisy Ask Jonas«
»You cant overdo taking care of yourself« observed that hopeful gentleman
with his mouth full
»Do you hear that my dears« cried Anthony quite enraptured »Wisdom
wisdom A good exception Jonas No Its not easy to overdo that«
»Except« whispered Mr Jonas to his favourite cousin »except when one
lives too long Ha ha Tell the other one that I say«
»Good gracious me« said Cherry in a petulant manner »You can tell her
yourself if you wish cant you«
»She seems to make such game of one« replied Mr Jonas
»Then why need you trouble yourself about her« said Charity »I am sure she
doesnt trouble herself much about you«
»Dont she though« asked Jonas
»Good gracious me need I tell you that she dont« returned the young lady
Mr Jonas made no verbal rejoinder but he glanced at Mercy with an odd
expression in his face and said that wouldnt break his heart she might depend
upon it Then he looked on Charity with even greater favour than before and
besought her as his polite manner was to come a little closer
»Theres another thing thats not easily overdone father« remarked Jonas
after a short silence
»Whats that« asked the father grinning already in anticipation
»A bargain« said the son »Heres the rule for bargains Do other men for
they would do you Thats the true business precept All others are
counterfeits«
The delighted father applauded this sentiment to the echo and was so much
tickled by it that he was at the pains of imparting the same to his ancient
clerk who rubbed his hands nodded his palsied head winked his watery eyes
and cried in his whistling tones »Good good Your own son Mr Chuzzlewit«
with every feeble demonstration of delight that he was capable of making But
this old mans enthusiasm had the redeeming quality of being felt in sympathy
with the only creature to whom he was linked by ties of long association and by
his present helplessness And if there had been anybody there who cared to
think about it some dregs of a better nature unawakened might perhaps have
been descried through that very medium melancholy though it was yet lingering
at the bottom of the wornout cask called Chuffey
As matters stood nobody thought or said anything upon the subject so
Chuffey fell back into a dark corner on one side of the fireplace where he
always spent his evenings and was neither seen nor heard again that night save
once when a cup of tea was given him in which he was seen to soak his bread
mechanically There was no reason to suppose that he went to sleep at these
seasons or that he heard or saw or felt or thought He remained as it were
frozen up if any term expressive of such a vigorous process can be applied to
him until he was again thawed for the moment by a word or touch from Anthony
Miss Charity made tea by desire of Mr Jonas and felt and looked so like
the lady of the house that she was in the prettiest confusion imaginable the
more so from Mr Jonas sitting close beside her and whispering a variety of
admiring expressions in her ear Miss Mercy for her part felt the
entertainment of the evening to be so distinctly and exclusively theirs that
she silently deplored the commercial gentlemen at that moment no doubt
wearying for her return and yawned over yesterdays newspaper As to Anthony
he went to sleep outright so Jonas and Cherry had a clear stage to themselves
as long as they chose to keep possession of it
When the teatray was taken away as it was at last Mr Jonas produced a
dirty pack of cards and entertained the sisters with divers small feats of
dexterity whereof the main purpose of every one was that you were to decoy
somebody into laying a wager with you that you couldnt do it and were then
immediately to win and pocket his money Mr Jonas informed them that these
accomplishments were in high vogue in the most intellectual circles and that
large amounts were constantly changing hands on such hazards And it may be
remarked that he fully believed this for there is a simplicity of cunning no
less than a simplicity of innocence and in all matters where a lively faith in
knavery and meanness was required as the groundwork of belief, Mr Jonas was
one of the most credulous of men His ignorance which was stupendous may be
taken into account if the reader pleases separately
This fine young man had all the inclination to be a profligate of the first
water and only lacked the one good trait in the common catalogue of debauched
vices openhandedness to be a notable vagabond But there his griping and
penurious habits stepped in and as one poison will sometimes neutralise
another when wholesome remedies would not avail so he was restrained by a bad
passion from quaffing his full measure of evil when virtue might have sought to
hold him back in vain
By the time he had unfolded all the peddling schemes he knew upon the cards
it was growing late in the evening and Mr Pecksniff not making his appearance
the young ladies expressed a wish to return home But this Mr Jonas in his
gallantry would by no means allow until they had partaken of some bread and
cheese and porter and even then he was excessively unwilling to allow them to
depart often beseeching Miss Charity to come a little closer or to stop a
little longer and preferring many other complimentary petitions of that nature
in his own hospitable and earnest way When all his efforts to detain them were
fruitless he put on his hat and greatcoat preparatory to escorting them to
Todgerss remarking that he knew they would rather walk thither than ride and
that for his part he was quite of their opinion
»Good night« said Anthony »Good night remember me to ha ha ha to
Pecksniff Take care of your cousin my dears beware of Jonas hes a dangerous
fellow Dont quarrel for him in any case«
»Oh the creature« cried Mercy »The idea of quarrelling for him You may
take him Cherry my love all to yourself I make you a present of my share«
»What Im a sour grape am I cousin« said Jonas
Miss Charity was more entertained by this repartee than one would have
supposed likely considering its advanced age and simple character But in her
sisterly affection she took Mr Jonas to task for leaning so very hard upon a
broken reed and said that he must not be so cruel to poor Merry any more or
she Charity would positively be obliged to hate him Mercy who really had her
share of good humour only retorted with a laugh and they walked home in
consequence without any angry passages of words upon the way Mr Jonas being in
the middle and having a cousin on each arm sometimes squeezed the wrong one
so tightly too as to cause her not a little inconvenience but as he talked to
Charity in whispers the whole time and paid her great attention no doubt this
was an accidental circumstance When they arrived at Todgerss and the door was
opened Mercy broke hastily from them and ran up stairs but Charity and Jonas
lingered on the steps talking together for more than five minutes so as Mrs
Todgers observed next morning to a third party »It was pretty clear what was
going on there and she was glad of it for it really was high time Miss
Pecksniff thought of settling«
And now the day was coming on when that bright vision which had burst on
Todgerss so suddenly and made a sunshine in the shady breast of Jinkins was
to be seen no more when it was to be packed like a brown paper parcel or a
fishbasket or an oyster or a fat gentleman or any other dull reality of
life in a stagecoach and carried down into the country
»Never my dear Miss Pecksniffs« said Mrs Todgers when they retired to
rest on the last night of their stay »never have I seen an establishment so
perfectly brokenhearted as mine is at this present moment of time I dont
believe the gentlemen will be the gentlemen they were or anything like it no
not for weeks to come You have a great deal to answer for both of you«
They modestly disclaimed any wilful agency in this disastrous state of
things and regretted it very much
»Your pious Pa too« said Mrs Todgers »Theres a loss My dear Miss
Pecksniffs your Pa is a perfect missionary of peace and love«
Entertaining an uncertainty as to the particular kind of love supposed to be
comprised in Mr Pecksniffs mission the young ladies received the compliment
rather coldly
»If I dared« said Mrs Todgers perceiving this »to violate a confidence
which has been reposed in me and to tell you why I must beg of you to leave the
little door between your room and mine open tonight I think you would be
interested But I mustnt do it for I promised Mr Jinkins faithfully that I
would be as silent as the tomb«
»Dear Mrs Todgers What can you mean«
»Why then my sweet Miss Pecksniffs« said the lady of the house »my own
loves if you will allow me the privilege of taking that freedom on the eve of
our separation Mr Jinkins and the gentlemen have made up a little musical
party among themselves and do intend in the dead of this night to perform a
serenade upon the stairs outside the door I could have wished I own« said
Mrs Todgers with her usual foresight »that it had been fixed to take place an
hour or two earlier because when gentlemen sit up late they drink and when
they drink theyre not so musical perhaps as when they dont But this is the
arrangement and I know you will be gratified my dear Miss Pecksniffs by such
a mark of their attention«
The young ladies were at first so much excited by the news that they vowed
they couldnt think of going to bed until the serenade was over But half an
hour of cool waiting so altered their opinion that they not only went to bed
but fell asleep and were moreover not ecstatically charmed to be awakened some
time afterwards by certain dulcet strains breaking in upon the silent watches of
the night
It was very affecting very Nothing more dismal could have been desired by
the most fastidious taste The gentleman of a vocal turn was head mute or chief
mourner Jinkins took the bass and the rest took anything they could get The
youngest gentleman blew his melancholy into a flute He didnt blow much out of
it but that was all the better If the two Miss Pecksniffs and Mrs Todgers had
perished by spontaneous combustion and the serenade had been in honour of their
ashes it would have been impossible to surpass the unutterable despair
expressed in that one chorus »Go where glory waits thee« It was a requiem a
dirge a moan a howl a wail a lament an abstract of everything that is
sorrowful and hideous in sound The flute of the youngest gentleman was wild and
fitful It came and went in gusts like the wind For a long time together he
seemed to have left off and when it was quite settled by Mrs Todgers and the
young ladies that overcome by his feelings he had retired in tears he
unexpectedly turned up again at the very top of the tune gasping for breath He
was a tremendous performer There was no knowing where to have him and exactly
when you thought he was doing nothing at all then was he doing the very thing
that ought to astonish you most
There were several of these concerted pieces perhaps two or three too many
though that as Mrs Todgers said was a fault on the right side But even then
even at that solemn moment when the thrilling sounds may be presumed to have
penetrated into the very depths of his nature if he had any depths Jinkins
couldnt leave the youngest gentleman alone He asked him distinctly before the
second song began as a personal favour too mark the villain in that not to
play Yes he said so not to play The breathing of the youngest gentleman was
heard through the keyhole of the door He didnt play What vent was a flute
for the passions swelling up within his breast A trombone would have been a
world too mild
The serenade approached its close Its crowning interest was at hand The
gentleman of a literary turn had written a song on the departure of the ladies
and adapted it to an old tune They all joined except the youngest gentleman in
company who for the reasons aforesaid maintained a fearful silence The song
which was of a classical nature invoked the oracle of Apollo and demanded to
know what would become of Todgerss when CHARITY and MERCY were banished from
its walls The oracle delivered no opinion particularly worth remembering
according to the not infrequent practice of oracles from the earliest ages down
to the present time In the absence of enlightenment on that subject the strain
deserted it and went on to show that the Miss Pecksniffs were nearly related to
Rule Britannia and that if Great Britain hadnt been an island there could
have been no Miss Pecksniffs And being now on a nautical tack it closed with
this verse
»All hail to the vessel of Pecksniff the sire
And favouring breezes to fan
While Tritons flock round it and proudly admire
The architect artist and man«
As they presented this beautiful picture to the imagination the gentlemen
gradually withdrew to bed to give the music the effect of distance and so it
died away and Todgerss was left to its repose
Mr Bailey reserved his vocal offering until the morning when he put his
head into the room as the young ladies were kneeling before their trunks
packing up and treated them to an imitation of the voice of a young dog in
trying circumstances when that animal is supposed by persons of a lively fancy
to relieve his feelings by calling for pen and ink
»Well young ladies« said the youth »so youre a going home are you
worse luck«
»Yes Bailey were going home« returned Mercy
»Ant you a going to leave none of em a lock of your hair« inquired the
youth »Its real ant it«
They laughed at this and told him of course it was
»Oh is it of course though« said Bailey »I know better than that Hers
ant Why I see it hanging up once on that nail by the winder Besides I have
gone behind her at dinnertime and pulled it and she never knowd I say young
ladies Im a going to leave I ant a going to stand being called names by her
no longer«
Miss Mercy inquired what his plans for the future might be in reply to
whom Mr Bailey intimated that he thought of going either into topboots or
into the army
»Into the army« cried the young ladies with a laugh
»Ah« said Bailey »why not Theres a many drummers in the Tower Im
acquainted with em Dont their country set a valley on em mind you Not at
all«
»Youll be shot I see« observed Mercy
»Well« cried Mr Bailey »wot if I am Theres something gamey in it young
ladies ant there Id sooner be hit with a cannonball than a rollingpin and
shes always a catching up something of that sort and throwing it at me wen
the gentlemans appetites is good Wot« said Mr Bailey stung by the
recollection of his wrongs »wot if they do consume the pervishuns It ant my
fault is it«
»Surely no one says it is« said Mercy
»Dont they though« retorted the youth »No Yes Ah Oh No one maynt say
it is but some one knows it is But I ant a going to have every rise in prices
wisited on me I ant a going to be killed because the markets is dear I wont
stop And therefore« added Mr Bailey relenting into a smile »wotever you
mean to give me youd better give me all at once becos if ever you come back
agin I shant be here and as to the other boy he wont deserve nothing I
know«
The young ladies on behalf of Mr Pecksniff and themselves acted on this
thoughtful advice and in consideration of their private friendship presented
Mr Bailey with a gratuity so liberal that he could hardly do enough to show
his gratitude which found but an imperfect vent during the remainder of the
day in divers secret slaps upon his pocket and other such facetious pantomime
Nor was it confined to these ebullitions for besides crushing a bandbox with a
bonnet in it he seriously damaged Mr Pecksniffs luggage by ardently hauling
it down from the top of the house and in short evinced by every means in his
power a lively sense of the favours he had received from that gentleman and his
family
Mr Pecksniff and Mr Jinkins came home to dinner arminarm for the
latter gentleman had made halfholiday on purpose thus gaining an immense
advantage over the youngest gentleman and the rest whose time as it perversely
chanced was all bespoke until the evening The bottle of wine was Mr
Pecksniffs treat and they were very sociable indeed though full of
lamentations on the necessity of parting While they were in the midst of their
enjoyment old Anthony and his son were announced much to the surprise of Mr
Pecksniff and greatly to the discomfiture of Jinkins
»Come to say good bye you see« said Anthony in a low voice to Mr
Pecksniff as they took their seats apart at the table while the rest conversed
among themselves »Wheres the use of a division between you and me We are the
two halves of a pair of scissors when apart Pecksniff but together we are
something Eh«
»Unanimity my good sir« rejoined Mr Pecksniff »is always delightful«
»I dont know about that« said the old man »for there are some people I
would rather differ from than agree with But you know my opinion of you«
Mr Pecksniff still having Hypocrite in his mind only replied by a motion
of his head which was something between an affirmative bow and a negative
shake
»Complimentary« said Anthony »Complimentary upon my word It was an
involuntary tribute to your abilities even at the time and it was not a time
to suggest compliments either But we agreed in the coach you know that we
quite understood each other«
»Oh quite« assented Mr Pecksniff in a manner which implied that he
himself was misunderstood most cruelly but would not complain
Anthony glanced at his son as he sat beside Miss Charity and then at Mr
Pecksniff and then at his son again very many times It happened that Mr
Pecksniffs glances took a similar direction but when he became aware of it he
first cast down his eyes and then closed them as if he were determined that
the old man should read nothing there
»Jonas is a shrewd lad« said the old man
»He appears« rejoined Mr Pecksniff in his most candid manner »to be very
shrewd«
»And careful« said the old man
»And careful I have no doubt« returned Mr Pecksniff
»Lookye« said Anthony in his ear »I think he is sweet upon your daughter«
»Tut my good sir« said Mr Pecksniff with his eyes still closed »young
people young people A kind of cousins too No more sweetness than is in that
sir«
»Why there is very little sweetness in that according to our experience«
returned Anthony »Isnt there a trifle more here«
»Impossible to say« rejoined Mr Pecksniff »Quite impossible You surprise
me«
»Yes I know that« said the old man drily »It may last I mean the
sweetness not the surprise and it may die off Supposing it should last
perhaps you having feathered your nest pretty well and I having done the same
we might have a mutual interest in the matter«
Mr Pecksniff smiling gently was about to speak but Anthony stopped him
»I know what you are going to say Its quite unnecessary You have never
thought of this for a moment and in a point so nearly affecting the happiness
of your dear child you couldnt as a tender father express an opinion and so
forth Yes quite right And like you But it seems to me my dear Pecksniff«
added Anthony laying his hand upon his sleeve »that if you and I kept up the
joke of pretending not to see this one of us might possibly be placed in a
position of disadvantage and as I am very unwilling to be that party myself
you will excuse my taking the liberty of putting the matter beyond a doubt thus
early and having it distinctly understood as it is now that we do see it and
do know it Thank you for your attention We are now upon an equal footing
which is agreeable to us both I am sure«
He rose as he spoke and giving Mr Pecksniff a nod of intelligence moved
away from him to where the young people were sitting leaving that good man
somewhat puzzled and discomfited by such very plain dealing and not quite free
from a sense of having been foiled in the exercise of his familiar weapons
But the nightcoach had a punctual character and it was time to join it at
the office which was so near at hand that they had already sent their luggage
and arranged to walk Thither the whole party repaired therefore after no more
delay than sufficed for the equipment of the Miss Pecksniffs and Mrs Todgers
They found the coach already at its startingplace and the horses in there
too were a large majority of the commercial gentlemen including the youngest
who was visibly agitated and in a state of deep mental dejection
Nothing could equal the distress of Mrs Todgers in parting from the young
ladies except the strong emotions with which she bade adieu to Mr Pecksniff
Never surely was a pockethandkerchief taken in and out of a flat reticule so
often as Mrs Todgerss was as she stood upon the pavement by the coachdoor
supported on either side by a commercial gentleman and by the light of the
coachlamps caught such brief snatches and glimpses of the good mans face as
the constant interposition of Mr Jinkins allowed For Jinkins to the last the
youngest gentlemans rock ahead in life stood upon the coachstep talking to
the ladies Upon the other step was Mr Jonas who maintained that position in
right of his cousinship whereas the youngest gentleman who had been first
upon the ground was deep in the bookingoffice among the black and red
placards and the portraits of fast coaches where he was ignominiously harassed
by porters and had to contend and strive perpetually with heavy baggage This
false position combined with his nervous excitement brought about the very
consummation and catastrophe of his miseries for when in the moment of parting
he aimed a flower a hothouse flower that had cost money at the fair hand of
Mercy it reached instead the coachman on the box who thanked him kindly and
stuck it in his buttonhole
They were off now and Todgerss was alone again The two young ladies
leaning back in their separate corners resigned themselves to their own
regretful thoughts But Mr Pecksniff dismissing all ephemeral considerations
of social pleasure and enjoyment concentrated his meditations on the one great
virtuous purpose before him of casting out that ingrate and deceiver whose
presence yet troubled his domestic hearth and was a sacrilege upon the altars
of his household gods
Chapter XII
Will Be Seen in the Long Run if not in the Short One to Concern Mr Pinch and
Others Nearly Mr Pecksniff Asserts the Dignity of Outraged Virtue Young
Martin Chuzzlewit Forms a Desperate Resolution
Mr Pinch and Martin little dreaming of the stormy weather that impended made
themselves very comfortable in the Pecksniffian halls and improved their
friendship daily Martins facility both of invention and execution being
remarkable the grammarschool proceeded with great vigour and Tom repeatedly
declared that if there were anything like certainty in human affairs or
impartiality in human judges a design so new and full of merit could not fail
to carry off the first prize when the time of competition arrived Without being
quite so sanguine himself Martin had his hopeful anticipations too and they
served to make him brisk and eager at his task
»If I should turn out a great architect Tom« said the new pupil one day
as he stood at a little distance from his drawing and eyed it with much
complacency »Ill tell you what should be one of the things Id build«
»Aye« cried Tom »What«
»Why your fortune«
»No« said Tom Pinch quite as much delighted as if the thing were done
»Would you though How kind of you to say so«
»Id build it up Tom« returned Martin »on such a strong foundation that
it should last your life aye and your childrens lives too and their
childrens after them Id be your patron Tom Id take you under my
protection Let me see the man who should give the cold shoulder to anybody I
chose to protect and patronise if I were at the top of the tree Tom«
»Now I dont think« said Mr Pinch »upon my word that I was ever more
gratified than by this I really dont«
»Oh I mean what I say« retorted Martin with a manner as free and easy in
its condescension to not to say in its compassion for the other as if he were
already First Architect in Ordinary to all the Crowned Heads in Europe »Id do
it Id provide for you«
»I am afraid« said Tom shaking his head »that I should be a mighty
awkward person to provide for«
»Pooh pooh« rejoined Martin »Never mind that If I took it in my head to
say Pinch is a clever fellow I approve of Pinch I should like to know the man
who would venture to put himself in opposition to me Besides confound it Tom
you could be useful to me in a hundred ways«
»If I were not useful in one or two it shouldnt be for want of trying«
said Tom
»For instance« pursued Martin after a short reflection »youd be a
capital fellow now to see that my ideas were properly carried out and to
overlook the works in their progress before they were sufficiently advanced to
be very interesting to me and to take all that sort of plain sailing Then
youd be a splendid fellow to show people over my studio and to talk about Art
to em when I couldnt be bored myself and all that kind of thing For it
would be devilish creditable Tom Im quite in earnest I give you my word to
have a man of your information about one instead of some ordinary blockhead
Oh Id take care of you Youd be useful rely upon it«
To say that Tom had no idea of playing first fiddle in any social orchestra
but was always quite satisfied to be set down for the hundred and fiftieth
violin in the band or thereabouts is to express his modesty in very inadequate
terms He was much delighted therefore by these observations
»I should be married to her then Tom of course« said Martin
What was that which checked Tom Pinch so suddenly in the high flow of his
gladness bringing the blood into his honest cheeks and a remorseful feeling to
his honest heart as if he were unworthy of his friends regard
»I should be married to her then« said Martin looking with a smile towards
the light »and we should have I hope children about us Theyd be very fond
of you Tom«
But not a word said Mr Pinch The words he would have uttered died upon
his lips and found a life more spiritual in selfdenying thoughts
»All the children hereabouts are fond of you Tom and mine would be of
course« pursued Martin »Perhaps I might name one of em after you Tom eh
Well I dont know Toms not a bad name Thomas Pinch Chuzzlewit T P C on
his pinafores No objection to that I should say«
Tom cleared his throat and smiled
»She would like you Tom I know« said Martin
»Aye« cried Tom Pinch faintly
»I can tell exactly what she would think of you« said Martin leaning his
chin upon his hand and looking through the windowglass as if he read there
what he said »I know her so well She would smile Tom often at first when you
spoke to her or when she looked at you merrily too but you wouldnt mind
that A brighter smile you never saw«
»No no« said Tom »I wouldnt mind that«
»She would be as tender with you Tom« said Martin »as if you were a child
yourself So you are almost in some things ant you Tom«
Mr Pinch nodded his entire assent
»She would always be kind and goodhumoured and glad to see you« said
Martin »and when she found out exactly what sort of fellow you were which
shed do very soon she would pretend to give you little commissions to
execute and to ask little services of you which she knew you were burning to
render so that when she really pleased you most she would try to make you
think you most pleased her She would take to you uncommonly Tom and would
understand you far more delicately than I ever shall and would often say I
know that you were a harmless gentle wellintentioned good fellow«
How silent Tom Pinch was
»In honour of old times« said Martin »and of her having heard you play the
organ in this damp little church down here for nothing too we will have one
in the house I shall build an architectural musicroom on a plan of my own and
itll look rather knowing in a recess at one end There you shall play away
Tom till you tire yourself and as you like to do so in the dark it shall be
dark and manys the summer evening she and I will sit and listen to you Tom
be sure of that«
It may have required a stronger effort on Tom Pinchs part to leave the seat
on which he sat and shake his friend by both hands with nothing but serenity
and grateful feeling painted on his face it may have required a stronger effort
to perform this simple act with a pure heart than to achieve many and many a
deed to which the doubtful trumpet blown by Fame has lustily resounded
Doubtful because from its long hovering over scenes of violence the smoke and
steam of death have clogged the keys of that brave instrument and it is not
always that its notes are either true or tuneful
»Its a proof of the kindness of human nature« said Tom characteristically
putting himself quite out of sight in the matter »that everybody who comes
here as you have done is more considerate and affectionate to me than I should
have any right to hope if I were the most sanguine creature in the world or
should have any power to express if I were the most eloquent It really
overpowers me But trust me« said Tom »that I am not ungrateful that I never
forget and that if I can ever prove the truth of my words to you I will«
»Thats all right« observed Martin leaning back in his chair with a hand
in each pocket and yawning drearily »Very fine talking Tom but Im at
Pecksniffs I remember and perhaps a mile or so out of the highroad to
fortune just at this minute So youve heard again this morning from whats his
name eh«
»Who may that be« asked Tom seeming to enter a mild protest on behalf of
the dignity of an absent person
»You know What is it Northkey«
»Westlock« rejoined Tom in rather a louder tone than usual
»Ah to be sure« said Martin »Westlock I knew it was something connected
with a point of the compass and a door Well and what says Westlock«
»Oh he has come into his property« answered Tom nodding his head and
smiling
»Hes a lucky dog« said Martin »I wish it were mine instead Is that all
the mystery you were to tell me«
»No« said Tom »not all«
»Whats the rest« asked Martin
»For the matter of that« said Tom »its no mystery and you wont think
much of it but its very pleasant to me John always used to say when he was
here Mark my words Pinch When my fathers executors cash up he used strange
expressions now and then but that was his way«
»Cashups a very good expression« observed Martin »when other people
dont apply it to you Well What a slow fellow you are Pinch«
»Yes I am I know« said Tom »but youll make me nervous if you tell me so
Im afraid you have put me out a little now for I forget what I was going to
say«
»When Johns fathers executors cashed up« said Martin impatiently
»Oh yes to be sure« cried Tom »yes Then says John Ill give you a
dinner Pinch and come down to Salisbury on purpose Now when John wrote the
other day the morning Pecksniff left you know he said his business was on
the point of being immediately settled and as he was to receive his money
directly when could I meet him at Salisbury I wrote and said any day this
week and I told him besides that there was a new pupil here and what a fine
fellow you were and what friends we had become Upon which John writes back
this letter« Tom produced it »fixes tomorrow sends his compliments to you
and begs that we three may have the pleasure of dining together not at the
house where you and I were either but at the very first hotel in the town
Read what he says«
»Very well« said Martin glancing over it with his customary coolness
»much obliged to him Im agreeable«
Tom could have wished him to be a little more astonished a little more
pleased or in some form or other a little more interested in such a great
event But he was perfectly selfpossessed and falling into his favourite
solace of whistling took another turn at the grammarschool as if nothing at
all had happened
Mr Pecksniffs horse being regarded in the light of a sacred animal only
to be driven by him the chief priest of that temple or by some person
distinctly nominated for the time being to that high office by himself the two
young men agreed to walk to Salisbury and so when the time came they set off
on foot which was after all a better mode of travelling than in the gig as
the weather was very cold and very dry
Better A rare strong hearty healthy walk four statute miles an hour
preferable to that rumbling tumbling jolting shaking scraping creaking
villanous old gig Why the two things will not admit of comparison It is an
insult to the walk to set them side by side Where is an instance of a gig
having ever circulated a mans blood unless when putting him in danger of his
neck it awakened in his veins and in his ears and all along his spine a
tingling heat much more peculiar than agreeable When did a gig ever sharpen
anybodys wits and energies unless it was when the horse bolted and crashing
madly down a steep hill with a stone wall at the bottom his desperate
circumstances suggested to the only gentleman left inside some novel and
unheardof mode of dropping out behind Better than the gig
The air was cold Tom so it was there was no denying it but would it have
been more genial in the gig The blacksmiths fire burned very bright and
leaped up high as though it wanted men to warm but would it have been less
tempting looked at from the clammy cushions of a gig The wind blew keenly
nipping the features of the hardy wight who fought his way along blinding him
with his own hair if he had enough of it and wintry dust if he hadnt stopping
his breath as though he had been soused in a cold bath tearing aside his
wrappingsup and whistling in the very marrow of his bones but it would have
done all this a hundred times more fiercely to a man in a gig wouldnt it A
fig for gigs
Better than the gig When were travellers by wheels and hoofs seen with such
redhot cheeks as those when were they so good humouredly and merrily bloused
when did their laughter ring upon the air as they turned them round what time
the stronger gusts came sweeping up and facing round again as they passed by
dashed on in such a glow of ruddy health as nothing could keep pace with but
the high spirits it engendered Better than the gig Why here is a man in a gig
coming the same way now Look at him as he passes his whip into his left hand
chafes his numbed right fingers on his granite leg and beats those marble toes
of his upon the footboard Ha ha ha Who would exchange this rapid hurry of
the blood for yonder stagnant misery though its pace were twenty miles for one
Better than the gig No man in a gig could have such interest in the
milestones No man in a gig could see or feel or think like merry users of
their legs How as the wind sweeps on upon these breezy downs it tracks its
flight in darkening ripples on the grass and smoothest shadows on the hills
Look round and round upon this bare bleak plain and see even here upon a
winters day how beautiful the shadows are Alas it is the nature of their
kind to be so The loveliest things in life Tom are but shadows and they come
and go and change and fade away as rapidly as these
Another mile and then begins a fall of snow making the crow who skims
away so close above the ground to shirk the wind a blot of ink upon the
landscape But though it drives and drifts against them as they walk stiffening
on their skirts and freezing in the lashes of their eyes they wouldnt have it
fall more sparingly no not so much as by a single flake although they had to
go a score of miles And lo the towers of the Old Cathedral rise before them
even now and bye and bye they come into the sheltered streets made strangely
silent by their white carpet and so to the Inn for which they are bound where
they present such flushed and burning faces to the cold waiter and are so
brimful of vigour that he almost feels assaulted by their presence and having
nothing to oppose to the attack being fresh or rather stale from the blazing
fire in the coffeeroom is quite put out of his pale countenance
A famous Inn the hall a very grove of dead game and dangling joints of
mutton and in one corner an illustrious larder with glass doors developing
cold fowls and noble joints and tarts wherein the raspberry jam coyly withdrew
itself, as such a precious creature should behind a lattice work of pastry And
behold on the first floor at the courtend of the house in a room with all
the windowcurtains drawn a fire piled halfway up the chimney plates warming
before it wax candles gleaming everywhere and a table spread for three with
silver and glass enough for thirty John Westlock Not the old John of
Pecksniffs but a proper gentleman looking another and a grander person with
the consciousness of being his own master and having money in the bank and yet
in some respects the old John too for he seized Tom Pinch by both his hands the
instant he appeared and fairly hugged him in his cordial welcome
»And this« said John »is Mr Chuzzlewit I am very glad to see him« John
had an offhand manner of his own so they shook hands warmly and were friends
in no time
»Stand off a moment Tom« cried the old pupil laying one hand on each of
Mr Pinchs shoulders and holding him out at arms length »Let me look at you
Just the same Not a bit changed«
»Why its not so very long ago you know« said Tom Pinch »after all«
»It seems an age to me« cried John »and so it ought to seem to you you
dog« And then he pushed Tom down into the easiest chair and clapped him on the
back so heartily and so like his old self in their old bedroom at old
Pecksniffs that it was a tossup with Tom Pinch whether he should laugh or cry
Laughter won it and they all three laughed together
»I have ordered everything for dinner that we used to say wed have Tom«
observed John Westlock
»No« said Tom Pinch »Have you«
»Everything Dont laugh if you can help it before the waiters I couldnt
when I was ordering it Its like a dream«
John was wrong there because nobody ever dreamed such soup as was put upon
the table directly afterwards or such fish or such sidedishes or such a top
and bottom or such a course of birds and sweets or in short anything
approaching the reality of that entertainment at tenandsixpence a head
exclusive of wines As to them the man who can dream such iced champagne such
claret port or sherry had better go to bed and stop there
But perhaps the finest feature of the banquet was that nobody was half so
much amazed by everything as John himself who in his high delight was
constantly bursting into fits of laughter and then endeavouring to appear
preternaturally solemn lest the waiters should conceive he wasnt used to it
Some of the things they brought him to carve were such outrageous practical
jokes though that it was impossible to stand it and when Tom Pinch insisted
in spite of the deferential advice of an attendant not only on breaking down
the outer wall of a raised pie with a tablespoon but on trying to eat it
afterwards John lost all dignity and sat behind the gorgeous dishcover at the
head of the table roaring to that extent that he was audible in the kitchen
Nor had he the least objection to laugh at himself as he demonstrated when they
had all three gathered round the fire and the dessert was on the table at
which period the head waiter inquired with respectful solicitude whether that
port being a light and tawny wine was suited to his taste or whether he would
wish to try a fruity port with greater body To this John gravely answered that
he was well satisfied with what he had which he esteemed as one might say a
pretty tidy vintage for which the waiter thanked him and withdrew And then
John told his friends with a broad grin that he supposed it was all right but
he didnt know and went off into a perfect shout
They were very merry and full of enjoyment the whole time but not the least
pleasant part of the festival was when they all three sat about the fire
cracking nuts drinking wine and talking cheerfully It happened that Tom Pinch
had a word to say to his friend the organists assistant and so deserted his
warm corner for a few minutes at this season lest it should grow too late
leaving the other two young men together
They drank his health in his absence of course and John Westlock took that
opportunity of saying that he had never had even a peevish word with Tom during
the whole term of their residence in Mr Pecksniffs house This naturally led
him to dwell upon Toms character and to hint that Mr Pecksniff understood it
pretty well He only hinted this and very distantly knowing that it pained Tom
Pinch to have that gentleman disparaged and thinking it would be as well to
leave the new pupil to his own discoveries
»Yes« said Martin »Its impossible to like Pinch better than I do or to
do greater justice to his good qualities He is the most willing fellow I ever
saw«
»Hes rather too willing« observed John who was quick in observation
»Its quite a fault in him«
»So it is« said Martin »Very true There was a fellow only a week or so
ago a Mr Tigg who borrowed all the money he had on a promise to repay it
in a few days It was but half a sovereign to be sure but its well it was no
more for hell never see it again«
»Poor fellow« said John who had been very attentive to these few words
»Perhaps you have not had an opportunity of observing that in his own pecuniary
transactions Toms proud«
»You dont say so No I havent What do you mean Wont he borrow«
John Westlock shook his head
»Thats very odd« said Martin setting down his empty glass »Hes a
strange compound to be sure«
»As to receiving money as a gift« resumed John Westlock »I think hed die
first«
»Hes made up of simplicity« said Martin »Help yourself«
»You however« pursued John filling his own glass and looking at his
companion with some curiosity »who are older than the majority of Mr
Pecksniffs assistants and have evidently had much more experience understand
him I have no doubt and see how liable he is to be imposed upon«
»Certainly« said Martin stretching out his legs and holding his wine
between his eye and the light »Mr Pecksniff knows that too So do his
daughters Eh«
John Westlock smiled but made no answer
»By the bye« said Martin »that reminds me Whats your opinion of
Pecksniff How did he use you What do you think of him now Coolly you know
when its all over«
»Ask Pinch« returned the old pupil »He knows what my sentiments used to be
upon the subject They are not changed I assure you«
»No no« said Martin »Id rather have them from you«
»But Pinch says they are unjust« urged John with a smile
»Oh well Then I know what course they take beforehand« said Martin »and
therefore you can have no delicacy in speaking plainly Dont mind me I beg I
dont like him I tell you frankly I am with him because it happens from
particular circumstances to suit my convenience I have some ability I believe
in that way and the obligation if any will most likely be on his side and not
mine At the lowest mark the balance will be even and therell be no
obligation at all So you may talk to me as if I had no connexion with him«
»If you press me to give my opinion « returned John Westlock
»Yes I do« said Martin »Youll oblige me«
» I should say« resumed the other »that he is the most consummate
scoundrel on the face of the earth«
»Oh« said Martin as coolly as ever »Thats rather strong«
»Not stronger than he deserves« said John »and if he called upon me to
express my opinion of him to his face I would do so in the very same terms
without the least qualification His treatment of Pinch is in itself enough to
justify them but when I look back upon the five years I passed in that house
and remember the hypocrisy the knavery the meannesses the false pretences
the lip service of that fellow and his trading in saintly semblances for the
very worst realities when I remember how often I was the witness of all this
and how often I was made a kind of party to it by the fact of being there with
him for my teacher I swear to you that I almost despise myself«
Martin drained his glass and looked at the fire
»I dont mean to say that is a right feeling« pursued John Westlock
»because it was no fault of mine and I can quite understand you for
instance fully appreciating him and yet being forced by circumstances to
remain there I tell you simply what my feeling is and even now when as you
say its all over and when I have the satisfaction of knowing that he always
hated me and we always quarrelled and I always told him my mind even now I
feel sorry that I didnt yield to an impulse I often had as a boy of running
away from him and going abroad«
»Why abroad« asked Martin turning his eyes upon the speaker
»In search« replied John Westlock shrugging his shoulders »of the
livelihood I couldnt have earned at home There would have been something
spirited in that But come Fill your glass and let us forget him«
»As soon as you please« said Martin »In reference to myself and my
connexion with him I have only to repeat what I said before I have taken my
own way with him so far and shall continue to do so even more than ever for
the fact is to tell you the truth that I believe he looks to me to supply his
defects and couldnt afford to lose me I had a notion of that in first going
there Your health«
»Thank you« returned young Westlock »Yours And may the new pupil turn out
as well as you can desire«
»What new pupil«
»The fortunate youth born under an auspicious star« returned John
Westlock laughing »whose parents or guardians are destined to be hooked by
the advertisement What Dont you know that he has advertised again«
»No«
»Oh yes I read it just before dinner in the old newspaper I know it to be
his having some reason to remember the style Hush Heres Pinch Strange is
it not that the more he likes Pecksniff if he can like him better than he
does the greater reason one has to like him Not a word more or we shall
spoil his whole enjoyment«
Tom entered as the words were spoken with a radiant smile upon his face
and rubbing his hands more from a sense of delight than because he was cold
for he had been running fast sat down in his warm corner again and was as
happy as only Tom Pinch could be There is no other simile that will express his
state of mind
»And so« he said when he had gazed at his friend for some time in silent
pleasure »so you really are a gentleman at last John Well to be sure«
»Trying to be Tom trying to be« he rejoined goodhumouredly »There is no
saying what I may turn out in time«
»I suppose you wouldnt carry your own box to the mail now« said Tom Pinch
smiling »although you lost it altogether by not taking it«
»Wouldnt I« retorted John »Thats all you know about it Pinch It must
be a very heavy box that I wouldnt carry to get away from Pecksniffs Tom«
»There« cried Pinch turning to Martin »I told you so The great fault in
his character is his injustice to Pecksniff You mustnt mind a word he says on
that subject His prejudice is most extraordinary«
»The absence of anything like prejudice on Toms part you know« said John
Westlock laughing heartily as he laid his hand on Mr Pinchs shoulder »is
perfectly wonderful If one man ever had a profound knowledge of another and
saw him in a true light and in his own proper colours Tom has that knowledge
of Mr Pecksniff«
»Why of course I have« cried Tom »Thats exactly what I have so often
said to you If you knew him as well as I do John Id give almost any money
to bring that about youd admire respect and reverence him You couldnt
help it Oh how you wounded his feelings when you went away«
»If I had known whereabout his feelings lay« retorted young Westlock »Id
have done my best Tom with that end in view you may depend upon it But as I
couldnt wound him in what he has not and in what he knows nothing of except
in his ability to probe them to the quick in other people I am afraid I can lay
no claim to your compliment«
Mr Pinch being unwilling to protract a discussion which might possibly
corrupt Martin forbore to say anything in reply to this speech but John
Westlock whom nothing short of an iron gag would have silenced when Mr
Pecksniffs merits were once in question continued notwithstanding
»His feelings Oh hes a tenderhearted man His feelings Oh hes a
considerate conscientious selfexamining moral vagabond he is His feelings
Oh whats the matter Tom«
Mr Pinch was by this time erect upon the hearthrug buttoning his coat
with great energy
»I cant bear it« said Tom shaking his head »No I really cannot You
must excuse me John I have a great esteem and friendship for you I love you
very much and have been perfectly charmed and overjoyed today to find you
just the same as ever but I cannot listen to this«
»Why its my old way Tom and you say yourself that you are glad to find
me unchanged«
»Not in this respect« said Tom Pinch »You must excuse me John I cannot
really I will not Its very wrong you should be more guarded in your
expressions It was bad enough when you and I used to be alone together but
under existing circumstances I cant endure it really No I cannot indeed«
»You are quite right« exclaimed the other exchanging looks with Martin
»and I am quite wrong Tom I dont know how the deuce we fell on this unlucky
theme I beg your pardon with all my heart«
»You have a free and manly temper I know« said Pinch »and therefore your
being so ungenerous in this one solitary instance only grieves me the more
Its not my pardon you have to ask John You have done me nothing but
kindnesses«
»Well Pecksniffs pardon then« said young Westlock »Anything Tom or
anybody Pecksniffs pardon Will that do Here let us drink Pecksniffs
health«
»Thank you« cried Tom shaking hands with him eagerly and filling a
bumper »Thank you Ill drink it with all my heart John Mr Pecksniffs
health and prosperity to him«
John Westlock echoed the sentiment or nearly so for he drank Mr
Pecksniffs health and something to him but what was not quite audible The
general unanimity being then completely restored they drew their chairs closer
round the fire and conversed in perfect harmony and enjoyment until bedtime
No slight circumstance perhaps could have better illustrated the
difference of character between John Westlock and Martin Chuzzlewit than the
manner in which each of the young men contemplated Tom Pinch after the little
rupture just described There was a certain amount of jocularity in the looks of
both no doubt but there all resemblance ceased The old pupil could not do
enough to show Tom how cordially he felt towards him and his friendly regard
seemed of a graver and more thoughtful kind than before The new one on the
other hand had no impulse but to laugh at the recollection of Toms extreme
absurdity and mingled with his amusement there was something slighting and
contemptuous indicative as it appeared of his opinion that Mr Pinch was much
too far gone in simplicity to be admitted as the friend on serious and equal
terms of any rational man
John Westlock who did nothing by halves if he could help it had provided
beds for his two guests in the hotel and after a very happy evening they
retired Mr Pinch was sitting on the side of his bed with his cravat and shoes
off ruminating on the manifold good qualities of his old friend when he was
interrupted by a knock at his chamber door and the voice of John himself
»Youre not asleep yet are you Tom«
»Bless you no not I I was thinking of you« replied Tom opening the
door »Come in«
»I am not going to detain you« said John »but I have forgotten all the
evening a little commission I took upon myself and I am afraid I may forget it
again if I fail to discharge it at once You know a Mr Tigg Tom I believe«
»Tigg« cried Tom »Tigg The gentleman who borrowed some money of me«
»Exactly« said John Westlock »He begged me to present his compliments and
to return it with many thanks Here it is I suppose its a good one but he is
rather a doubtful kind of customer Tom«
Mr Pinch received the little piece of gold with a face whose brightness
might have shamed the metal and said he had no fear about that He was glad he
added to find Mr Tigg so prompt and honourable in his dealings very glad
»Why to tell you the truth Tom« replied his friend »he is not always so
If youll take my advice youll avoid him as much as you can in the event of
your encountering him again And by no means Tom pray bear this in mind for
I am very serious by no means lend him money any more«
»Aye aye« said Tom with his eyes wide open
»He is very far from being a reputable acquaintance« returned young
Westlock »and the more you let him know you think so the better for you Tom«
»I say John« quoth Mr Pinch as his countenance fell and he shook his
head in a dejected manner »I hope you are not getting into bad company«
»No no« he replied laughing »Dont be uneasy on that score«
»Oh but I am uneasy« said Tom Pinch »I cant help it when I hear you
talking in that way If Mr Tigg is what you describe him to be you have no
business to know him John You may laugh but I dont consider it by any means
a laughing matter I assure you«
»No no« returned his friend composing his features »Quite right It is
not certainly«
»You know John« said Mr Pinch »your very good nature and kindness of
heart make you thoughtless and you cant be too careful on such a point as
this Upon my word if I thought you were falling among bad companions I should
be quite wretched for I know how difficult you would find it to shake them off
I would much rather have lost this money John than I would have had it back
again on such terms«
»I tell you my dear good old fellow« cried his friend shaking him to and
fro with both hands and smiling at him with a cheerful open countenance that
would have carried conviction to a mind much more suspicious than Toms »I tell
you there is no danger«
»Well« cried Tom »I am glad to hear it I am overjoyed to hear it I am
sure there is not when you say so in that manner You wont take it ill John
that I said what I did just now«
»Ill« said the other giving his hand a hearty squeeze »why what do you
think I am made of Mr Tigg and I are not on such an intimate footing that you
need be at all uneasy I give you my solemn assurance of that Tom You are
quite comfortable now«
»Quite« said Tom
»Then once more good night«
»Good night« cried Tom »and such pleasant dreams to you as should attend
the sleep of the best fellow in the world«
» Except Pecksniff« said his friend stopping at the door for a moment
and looking gaily back
»Except Pecksniff« answered Tom with great gravity »of course«
And thus they parted for the night John Westlock full of lightheartedness
and good humour and poor Tom Pinch quite satisfied though still as he turned
over on his side in bed he muttered to himself »I really do wish for all
that though that he wasnt acquainted with Mr Tigg«
They breakfasted together very early next morning for the two young men
desired to get back again in good season and John Westlock was to return to
London by the coach that day As he had some hours to spare he bore them
company for three or four miles on their walk and only parted from them at last
in sheer necessity The parting was an unusually hearty one not only as between
him and Tom Pinch but on the side of Martin also who had found in the old
pupil a very different sort of person from the milksop he had prepared himself
to expect
Young Westlock stopped upon a rising ground when he had gone a little
distance and looked back They were walking at a brisk pace and Tom appeared
to be talking earnestly Martin had taken off his greatcoat the wind being now
behind them and carried it upon his arm As he looked he saw Tom relieve him
of it after a faint resistance and throwing it upon his own encumber himself
with the weight of both This trivial incident impressed the old pupil mightily
for he stood there gazing after them until they were hidden from his view
when he shook his head as if he were troubled by some uneasy reflection and
thoughtfully retraced his steps to Salisbury
In the meantime Martin and Tom pursued their way until they halted safe
and sound at Mr Pecksniffs house where a brief epistle from that good
gentleman to Mr Pinch announced the familys return by that nights coach As
it would pass the corner of the lane at about six oclock in the morning Mr
Pecksniff requested that the gig might be in waiting at the fingerpost about
that time together with a cart for the luggage And to the end that he might be
received with the greater honour the young men agreed to rise early and be
upon the spot themselves
It was the least cheerful day they had yet passed together Martin was out
of spirits and out of humour and took every opportunity of comparing his
condition and prospects with those of young Westlock much to his own
disadvantage always This mood of his depressed Tom and neither that mornings
parting nor yesterdays dinner helped to mend the matter So the hours dragged
on heavily enough and they were glad to go to bed early
They were not quite so glad to get up again at halfpast four oclock in
all the shivering discomfort of a dark winters morning but they turned out
punctually and were at the fingerpost full halfanhour before the appointed
time It was not by any means a lively morning for the sky was black and
cloudy and it rained hard but Martin said there was some satisfaction in
seeing that brute of a horse by this he meant Mr Pecksniffs Arab steed
getting very wet and that he rejoiced on his account that it rained so fast
From this it may be inferred that Martins spirits had not improved as indeed
they had not for while he and Mr Pinch stood waiting under a hedge looking at
the rain the gig the cart and its reeking driver he did nothing but grumble
and but that it is indispensable to any dispute that there should be two
parties to it he would certainly have picked a quarrel with Tom
At length the noise of wheels was faintly audible in the distance and
presently the coach came splashing through the mud and mire with one miserable
outside passenger crouching down among wet straw under a saturated umbrella
and the coachman guard and horses in a fellowship of dripping wretchedness
Immediately on its stopping Mr Pecksniff let down the windowglass and hailed
Tom Pinch
»Dear me Mr Pinch Is it possible that you are out upon this very
inclement morning«
»Yes sir« cried Tom advancing eagerly »Mr Chuzzlewit and I sir«
»Oh« said Mr Pecksniff looking not so much at Martin as at the spot on
which he stood »Oh Indeed Do me the favour to see to the trunks if you
please Mr Pinch«
Then Mr Pecksniff descended and helped his daughters to alight but
neither he nor the young ladies took the slightest notice of Martin who had
advanced to offer his assistance but was repulsed by Mr Pecksniffs standing
immediately before his person with his back towards him In the same manner
and in profound silence Mr Pecksniff handed his daughters into the gig and
following himself and taking the reins drove off home
Lost in astonishment Martin stood staring at the coach and when the coach
had driven away at Mr Pinch and the luggage until the cart moved off too
when he said to Tom »Now will you have the goodness to tell me what this
portends«
»What« asked Tom
»This fellows behaviour Mr Pecksniffs I mean You saw it«
»No Indeed I did not« cried Tom »I was busy with the trunks«
»It is no matter« said Martin »Come Let us make haste back« And without
another word started off at such a pace that Tom had some difficulty in keeping
up with him
He had no care where he went but walked through little heaps of mud and
little pools of water with the utmost indifference looking straight before him
and sometimes aughing in a strange manner within himself Tom felt that anything
he could say would only render him the more obstinate and therefore trusted to
Mr Pecksniffs manner when they reached the house to remove the mistaken
impression under which he felt convinced so great a favourite as the new pupil
must unquestionably be labouring But he was not a little amazed himself when
they did reach it and entered the parlour where Mr Pecksniff was sitting alone
before the fire drinking some hot tea to find that instead of taking
favourable notice of his relative and keeping him Mr Pinch in the
background he did exactly the reverse and was so lavish in his attentions to
Tom that Tom was thoroughly confounded
»Take some tea Mr Pinch take some tea« said Pecksniff stirring the
fire »You must be very cold and damp Pray take some tea and come into a warm
place Mr Pinch«
Tom saw that Martin looked at Mr Pecksniff as though he could have easily
found it in his heart to give him an invitation to a very warm place but he was
quite silent and standing opposite that gentleman at the table regarded him
attentively
»Take a chair Pinch« said Pecksniff »Take a chair if you please How
have things gone on in our absence Mr Pinch«
»You you will be very much pleased with the grammarschool sir« said
Tom »Its nearly finished«
»If you will have the goodness Mr Pinch« said Pecksniff waving his hand
and smiling »we will not discuss anything connected with that question at
present What have you been doing Thomas humph«
Mr Pinch looked from master to pupil and from pupil to master and was so
perplexed and dismayed that he wanted presence of mind to answer the question
In this awkward interval Mr Pecksniff who was perfectly conscious of Martins
gaze though he had never once glanced towards him poked the fire very much
and when he couldnt do that any more drank tea assiduously
»Now Mr Pecksniff« said Martin at last in a very quiet voice »if you
have sufficiently refreshed and recovered yourself I shall be glad to hear what
you mean by this treatment of me«
»And what« said Mr Pecksniff turning his eyes on Tom Pinch even more
placidly and gently than before »what have you been doing Thomas humph«
When he had repeated this inquiry he looked round the walls of the room as
if he were curious to see whether any nails had been left there by accident in
former times
Tom was almost at his wits end what to say between the two and had already
made a gesture as if he would call Mr Pecksniffs attention to the gentleman
who had last addressed him when Martin saved him further trouble by doing so
himself
»Mr Pecksniff« he said softly rapping the table twice or thrice and
moving a step or two nearer so that he could have touched him with his hand
»you heard what I said just now Do me the favour to reply if you please I ask
you« he raised his voice a little here »what you mean by this«
»I will talk to you sir« said Mr Pecksniff in a severe voice as he
looked at him for the first time »presently«
»You are very obliging« returned Martin »presently will not do I must
trouble you to talk to me at once«
Mr Pecksniff made a feint of being deeply interested in his pocketbook
but it shook in his hands he trembled so
»Now« retorted Martin rapping the table again »Now Presently will not
do Now«
»Do you threaten me sir« cried Mr Pecksniff
Martin looked at him and made no answer but a curious observer might have
detected an ominous twitching at his mouth and perhaps an involuntary
attraction of his right hand in the direction of Mr Pecksniffs cravat
»I lament to be obliged to say sir« resumed Mr Pecksniff »that it would
be quite in keeping with your character if you did threaten me You have
deceived me You have imposed upon a nature which you knew to be confiding and
unsuspicious You have obtained admission sir« said Mr Pecksniff rising »to
this house on perverted statements and on false pretences«
»Go on« said Martin with a scornful smile »I understand you now What
more«
»Thus much more sir« cried Mr Pecksniff trembling from head to foot and
trying to rub his hands as though he were only cold »Thus much more if you
force me to publish your shame before a third party which I was unwilling and
indisposed to do This lowly roof sir must not be contaminated by the presence
of one who has deceived and cruelly deceived an honourable beloved
venerated and venerable gentleman and who wisely suppressed that deceit from
me when he sought my protection and favour knowing that humble as I am I am
an honest man seeking to do my duty in this carnal universe and setting my
face against all vice and treachery I weep for your depravity sir« said Mr
Pecksniff »I mourn over your corruption I pity your voluntary withdrawal of
yourself from the flowery paths of purity and peace« here he struck himself
upon his breast or moral garden »but I cannot have a leper and a serpent for
an inmate Go forth« said Mr Pecksniff stretching out his hand »go forth
young man Like all who know you I renounce you«
With what intention Martin made a stride forward at these words it is
impossible to say It is enough to know that Tom Pinch caught him in his arms
and that at the same moment Mr Pecksniff stepped back so hastily that he
missed his footing tumbled over a chair and fell in a sitting posture on the
ground where he remained without an effort to get up again with his head in a
corner perhaps considering it the safest place
»Let me go Pinch« cried Martin shaking him away »Why do you hold me Do
you think a blow could make him a more abject creature than he is Do you think
that if I spat upon him I could degrade him to a lower level than his own Look
at him Look at him Pinch«
Mr Pinch involuntarily did so Mr Pecksniff sitting as has been already
mentioned on the carpet with his head in an acute angle of the wainscot and
all the damage and detriment of an uncomfortable journey about him was not
exactly a model of all that is prepossessing and dignified in man certainly
Still he was Pecksniff it was impossible to deprive him of that unique and
paramount appeal to Tom And he returned Toms glance as if he would have said
»Aye Mr Pinch look at me Here I am You know what the Poet says about an
honest man and an honest man is one of the few great works that can be seen for
nothing Look at me«
»I tell you« said Martin »that as he lies there disgraced bought used
a cloth for dirty hands a mat for dirty feet a lying fawning servile hound
he is the very last and worst among the vermin of the world And mark me Pinch
The day will come he knows it see it written on his face while I speak
when even you will find him out and will know him as I do and as he knows I
do He renounce me Cast your eyes on the Renouncer Pinch and be the wiser for
the recollection«
He pointed at him as he spoke with unutterable contempt and flinging his
hat upon his head walked from the room and from the house He went so rapidly
that he was already clear of the village when he heard Tom Pinch calling
breathlessly after him in the distance
»Well what now« he said when Tom came up
»Dear dear« cried Tom »are you going«
»Going« he echoed »Going«
»I didnt so much mean that as were you going now at once in this bad
weather on foot without your clothes with no money« cried Tom
»Yes« he answered sternly »I am«
»And where« cried Tom »Oh where will you go«
»I dont know« he said »Yes I do Ill go to America«
»No no« cried Tom in a kind of agony »Dont go there Pray dont Think
better of it Dont be so dreadfully regardless of yourself Dont go to
America«
»My mind is made up« he said »Your friend was right Ill go to America
God bless you Pinch«
»Take this« cried Tom pressing a book upon him in great agitation »I must
make haste back and cant say anything I would Heaven be with you Look at the
leaf I have turned down Good bye good bye«
The simple fellow wrung him by the hand with tears stealing down his
cheeks and they parted hurriedly upon their separate ways
Chapter XIII
Showing what Became of Martin and His Desperate Resolve after He Left Mr
Pecksniffs House what Persons He Encountered what Anxieties He Suffered and
what News He Heard
Carrying Tom Pinchs book quite unconsciously under his arm and not even
buttoning his coat as a protection against the heavy rain Martin went doggedly
forward at the same quick pace until he had passed the fingerpost and was on
the high road to London He slackened very little in his speed even then but he
began to think and look about him and to disengage his senses from the coil of
angry passions which hitherto had held them prisoner
It must be confessed that at that moment he had no very agreeable
employment either for his moral or his physical perceptions The day was dawning
from a patch of watery light in the east and sullen clouds came driving up
before it from which the rain descended in a thick wet mist It streamed from
every twig and bramble in the hedge made little gullies in the path ran down a
hundred channels in the road and punched innumerable holes into the face of
every pond and gutter It fell with an oozy slushy sound among the grass and
made a muddy kennel of every furrow in the ploughed fields No living creature
was anywhere to be seen The prospect could hardly have been more desolate if
animated nature had been dissolved in water and poured down upon the earth
again in that form
The range of view within the solitary traveller was quite as cheerless as
the scene without Friendless and penniless incensed to the last degree deeply
wounded in his pride and selflove full of independent schemes and perfectly
destitute of any means of realising them his most vindictive enemy might have
been satisfied with the extent of his troubles To add to his other miseries he
was by this time sensible of being wet to the skin and cold at his very heart
In this deplorable condition he remembered Mr Pinchs book more because
it was rather troublesome to carry than from any hope of being comforted by
that parting gift He looked at the dingy lettering on the back and finding it
to be an odd volume of the »Bachelor of Salamanca« in the French tongue cursed
Tom Pinchs folly twenty times He was on the point of throwing it away in his
illhumour and vexation when he bethought himself that Tom had referred him to
a leaf turned down and opening it at that place that he might have
additional cause of complaint against him for supposing that any cold scrap of
the Bachelors wisdom could cheer him in such circumstances found
Well well not much but Toms all The halfsovereign He had wrapped it
hastily in a piece of paper and pinned it to the leaf These words were
scrawled in pencil on the inside »I dont want it indeed I should not know
what to do with it if I had it«
There are some falsehoods Tom on which men mount as on bright wings
towards Heaven There are some truths cold bitter taunting truths wherein your
worldly scholars are very apt and punctual which bind men down to earth with
leaden chains Who would not rather have to fan him in his dying hour the
lightest feather of a falsehood such as thine than all the quills that have
been plucked from the sharp porcupine reproachful truth since time began
Martin felt keenly for himself and he felt this good deed of Toms keenly
After a few minutes it had the effect of raising his spirits and reminding him
that he was not altogether destitute as he had left a fair stock of clothes
behind him and wore a gold huntingwatch in his pocket He found a curious
gratification too in thinking what a winning fellow he must be to have made
such an impression on Tom and in reflecting how superior he was to Tom and how
much more likely to make his way in the world Animated by these thoughts and
strengthened in his design of endeavouring to push his fortune in another
country he resolved to get to London as a rallyingpoint in the best way he
could and to lose no time about it
He was ten good miles from the village made illustrious by being the
abidingplace of Mr Pecksniff when he stopped to breakfast at a little
roadside alehouse and resting upon a highbacked settle before the fire
pulled off his coat and hung it before the cheerful blaze to dry It was a
very different place from the last tavern in which he had regaled boasting no
greater extent of accommodation than the brickfloored kitchen yielded but the
mind so soon accommodates itself to the necessities of the body that this poor
waggoners houseofcall which he would have despised yesterday became now
quite a choice hotel while his dish of eggs and bacon and his mug of beer
were not by any means the coarse fare he had supposed but fully bore out the
inscription on the windowshutter which proclaimed those viands to be »Good
entertainment for Travellers«
He pushed away his empty plate and with a second mug upon the hearth before
him looked thoughtfully at the fire until his eyes ached Then he looked at the
highlycoloured scripture pieces on the walls in little black frames like
common shavingglasses and saw how the Wise Men with a strong family likeness
among them worshipped in a pink manger and how the Prodigal Son came home in
red rags to a purple father and already feasted his imagination on a seagreen
calf Then he glanced through the window at the falling rain coming down aslant
upon the signpost over against the house and overflowing the horsetrough and
then he looked at the fire again and seemed to descry a doublydistant London
retreating among the fragments of the burning wood
He had repeated this process in just the same order many times as if it
were a matter of necessity when the sound of wheels called his attention to the
window out of its regular turn and there he beheld a kind of light van drawn
by four horses and laden as well as he could see for it was covered in with
corn and straw The driver who was alone stopped at the door to water his
team and presently came stamping and shaking the wet off his hat and coat into
the room where Martin sat
He was a redfaced burly young fellow smart in his way and with a
goodhumoured countenance As he advanced towards the fire he touched his
shining forehead with the forefinger of his stiff leather glove by way of
salutation and said rather unnecessarily that it was an uncommon wet day
»Very wet« said Martin
»I dont know as ever I see a wetter«
»I never felt one« said Martin
The driver glanced at Martins soiled dress and his damp shirtsleeves and
his coat hung up to dry and said after a pause as he warmed his hands
»You have been caught in it sir«
»Yes« was the short reply
»Out riding maybe« said the driver
»I should have been if I owned a horse but I dont« returned Martin
»Thats bad« said the driver
»And may be worse« said Martin
Now the driver said »Thats bad« not so much because Martin didnt own a
horse as because he said he didnt with all the reckless desperation of his
mood and circumstances and so left a great deal to be inferred Martin put his
hands in his pockets and whistled when he had retorted on the driver thus
giving him to understand that he didnt care a pin for Fortune that he was
above pretending to be her favourite when he was not and that he snapped his
fingers at her the driver and everybody else
The driver looked at him stealthily for a minute or so and in the pauses of
his warming whistled too At length he asked as he pointed his thumb towards
the road
»Up or down«
»Which is up« said Martin
»London of course« said the driver
»Up then« said Martin He tossed his head in a careless manner afterwards
as if he would have added »Now you know all about it« put his hands deeper
into his pockets changed his tune and whistled a little louder
»Im going up« observed the driver »Hounslow ten miles this side London«
»Are you« cried Martin stopping short and looking at him
The driver sprinkled the fire with his wet hat until it hissed again and
answered »Ay to be sure he was«
»Why then« said Martin »Ill be plain with you You may suppose from my
dress that I have money to spare I have not All I can afford for coachhire is
a crown for I have but two If you can take me for that and my waistcoat or
this silk handkerchief do If you cant leave it alone«
»Short and sweet« remarked the driver
»You want more« said Martin »Then I havent got more and I cant get it
so theres an end of that« Whereupon he began to whistle again
»I didnt say I wanted more did I« asked the driver with something like
indignation
»You didnt say my offer was enough« rejoined Martin
»Why how could I when you wouldnt let me In regard to the waistcoat I
wouldnt have a mans waistcoat much less a gentlemans waistcoat on my mind
for no consideration but the silk handkerchiefs another thing and if you was
satisfied when we got to Hounslow I shouldnt object to that as a gift«
»Is it a bargain then« said Martin
»Yes it is« returned the other
»Then finish this beer« said Martin handing him the mug and pulling on
his coat with great alacrity »and let us be off as soon as you like«
In two minutes more he had paid his bill which amounted to a shilling was
lying at full length on a truss of straw high and dry at the top of the van
with the tilt a little open in front for the convenience of talking to his new
friend and was moving along in the right direction with a most satisfactory and
encouraging briskness
The drivers name as he soon informed Martin was William Simmons better
known as Bill and his spruce appearance was sufficiently explained by his
connexion with a large stagecoaching establishment at Hounslow whither he was
conveying his load from a farm belonging to the concern in Wiltshire He was
frequently up and down the road on such errands he said and to look after the
sick and rest horses of which animals he had much to relate that occupied a
long time in the telling He aspired to the dignity of the regular box and
expected an appointment on the first vacancy He was musical besides and had a
little keybugle in his pocket on which whenever the conversation nagged he
played the first part of a great many tunes and regularly broke down in the
second
»Ah« said Bill with a sigh as he drew the back of his hand across his
lips and put this instrument in his pocket after screwing off the mouthpiece
to drain it »Lummy Ned of the Light Salisbury he was the one for musical
talents He was a guard What you may call a Guardan Angel was Ned«
»Is he dead« asked Martin
»Dead« replied the other with a contemptuous emphasis »Not he You wont
catch Ned a dying easy No no He knows better than that«
»You spoke of him in the past tense« observed Martin »so I supposed he was
no more«
»Hes no more in England« said Bill »if thats what you mean He went to
the United States«
»Did he« asked Martin with sudden interest »When«
»Five year ago or thenabout« said Bill »He had set up in the public line
here and couldnt meet his engagements so he cut off to Liverpool one day
without saying anything about it and went and shipped himself for the United
States«
»Well« said Martin
»Well as he landed there without a penny to bless himself with of course
they wos very glad to see him in the United States«
»What do you mean« asked Martin with some scorn
»What do I mean« said Bill »Why that All men are alike in the United
States ant they It makes no odds whether a man has a thousand pound or
nothing there Particular in New York Im told where Ned landed«
»New York was it« asked Martin thoughtfully
»Yes« said Bill »New York I know that because he sent word home that it
brought Old York to his mind quite wivid in consequence of being so exactly
unlike it in every respect I dont understand wot particular business Ned
turned his mind to when he got there but he wrote home that him and his
friends was always a singing Ale Columbia and blowing up the President so I
suppose it was something in the public line or freeandeasy way again Any
how he made his fortune«
»No« cried Martin
»Yes he did« said Bill »I know that because he lost it all the day
after in sixandtwenty banks as broke He settled a lot of the notes on his
father when it was ascertained that they was really stopped and sent em over
with a dutiful letter I know that because they was shown down our yard for the
old gentlemans benefit that he might treat himself with tobacco in the
workus«
»He was a foolish fellow not to take care of his money when he had it« said
Martin indignantly
»There youre right« said Bill »especially as it was all in paper and he
might have took care of it so very easy by folding it up in a small parcel«
Martin said nothing in reply but soon afterwards fell asleep and remained
so for an hour or more When he awoke finding it had ceased to rain he took
his seat beside the driver and asked him several questions as how long had the
fortunate guard of the Light Salisbury been in crossing the Atlantic at what
time of the year had he sailed what was the name of the ship in which he made
the voyage how much had he paid for passagemoney did he suffer greatly from
seasickness and so forth But on these points of detail his friend was
possessed of little or no information either answering obviously at random or
acknowledging that he had never heard or had forgotten nor although he
returned to the charge very often could he obtain any useful intelligence on
these essential particulars
They jogged on all day and stopped so often now to refresh now to change
their team of horses now to exchange or bring away a set of harness now on one
point of business and now upon another connected with the coaching on that
line of road that it was midnight when they reached Hounslow A little short
of the stables for which the van was bound Martin got down paid his crown and
forced his silk handkerchief upon his honest friend notwithstanding the many
protestations that he didnt wish to deprive him of it with which he tried to
give the lie to his longing looks That done they parted company and when the
van had driven into its own yard and the gates were closed Martin stood in the
dark street with a pretty strong sense of being shut out alone upon the
dreary world without the key of it
But in this moment of despondency and often afterwards the recollection of
Mr Pecksniff operated as a cordial to him awakening in his breast an
indignation that was very wholesome in nerving him to obstinate endurance Under
the influence of this fiery dram he started off for London without more ado
Arriving there in the middle of the night and not knowing where to find a
tavern open he was fain to stroll about the streets and marketplaces until
morning
He found himself about an hour before dawn in the humbler regions of the
Adelphi and addressing himself to a man in a furcap who was taking down the
shutters of an obscure publichouse informed him that he was a stranger and
inquired if he could have a bed there It happened by good luck that he could
Though none of the gaudiest it was tolerably clean and Martin felt very glad
and grateful when he crept into it for warmth rest and forgetfulness
It was quite late in the afternoon when he awoke and by the time he had
washed and dressed and broken his fast it was growing dusk again This was all
the better for it was now a matter of absolute necessity that he should part
with his watch to some obliging pawnbroker He would have waited until after
dark for this purpose though it had been the longest day in the year and he
had begun it without a breakfast
He passed more Golden Balls than all the jugglers in Europe have juggled
with in the course of their united performances before he could determine in
favour of any particular shop where those symbols were displayed In the end he
came back to one of the first he had seen and entering by a sidedoor in a
court where the three balls with the legend »Money Lent« were repeated in a
ghastly transparency passed into one of a series of little closets or private
boxes erected for the accommodation of the more bashful and uninitiated
customers He bolted himself in pulled out his watch and laid it on the
counter
»Upon my life and soul« said a low voice in the next box to the shopman who
was in treaty with him »you must make it more you must make it a trifle more
you must indeed You must dispense with one halfquarter of an ounce in weighing
out your pound of flesh my best of friends and make it twoandsix«
Martin drew back involuntarily for he knew the voice at once
»Youre always full of your chaff« said the shopman rolling up the article
which looked like a shirt quite as a matter of course and nibbing his pen
upon the counter
»I shall never be full of my wheat« said Mr Tigg »as long as I come here
Ha ha Not bad Make it twoandsix my dear friend positively for this
occasion only Halfacrown is a delightful coin Twoandsix Going at
twoandsix For the last time at twoandsix«
»Itll never be the last time till its quite worn out« rejoined the
shopman »Its grown yellow in the service as it is«
»Its master has grown yellow in the service if you mean that my friend«
said Mr Tigg »in the patriotic service of an ungrateful country You are
making it twoandsix I think«
»Im making it« returned the shopman »what it always has been two
shillings Same name as usual I suppose«
»Still the same name« said Mr Tigg »my claim to the dormant peerage not
being yet established by the House of Lords«
»The old address«
»Not at all« said Mr Tigg »I have removed my town establishment from
thirtyeight Mayfair to number fifteenhundredandfortytwo Park Lane«
»Come Im not going to put down that you know« said the shopman with a
grin
»You may put down what you please my friend« quoth Mr Tigg »The fact is
still the same The apartments for the underbutler and the fifth footman being
of a most confounded low and vulgar kind at thirtyeight Mayfair I have been
compelled in my regard for the feelings which do them so much honour to take
on lease for seven fourteen or twentyone years renewable at the option of
the tenant the elegant and commodious family mansion number
fifteenhundredandfortytwo Park Lane Make it twoandsix and come and see
me«
The shopman was so highly entertained by this piece of humour that Mr Tigg
himself could not repress some little show of exultation It vented itself in
part in a desire to see how the occupant of the next box received his
pleasantry to ascertain which he glanced round the partition and immediately
by the gaslight recognised Martin
»I wish I may die« said Mr Tigg stretching out his body so far that his
head was as much in Martins little cell as Martins own head was »but this is
one of the most tremendous meetings in Ancient or Modern History How are you
What is the news from the agricultural districts How are our friends the Ps
Ha ha David pay particular attention to this gentleman immediately as a
friend of mine I beg«
»Here Please to give me the most you can for this« said Martin handing
the watch to the shopman »I want money sorely«
»He wants money sorely« cried Mr Tigg with excessive sympathy »David you
will have the goodness to do your very utmost for my friend who wants money
sorely You will deal with my friend as if he were myself A gold huntingwatch
David engineturned capped and jewelled in four holes escape movement
horizontal lever and warranted to perform correctly upon my personal
reputation who have observed it narrowly for many years under the most trying
circumstances« here he winked at Martin that he might understand this
recommendation would have an immense effect upon the shopman »what do you say
David to my friend Be very particular to deserve my custom and recommendation
David«
»I can lend you three pound on this if you like« said the shopman to
Martin confidentially »Its very oldfashioned I couldnt say more«
»And devilish handsome too« cried Mr Tigg »Twotwelvesix for the watch
and sevenandsix for personal regard I am gratified it may be weakness but I
am Three pound will do We take it The name of my friend is Smivey Chicken
Smivey of Holborn twentysixandahalf B lodger« Here he winked at Martin
again to apprise him that all the forms and ceremonies prescribed by law were
now complied with and nothing remained but the receipt of the money
In point of fact, this proved to be the case for Martin who had no
resource but to take what was offered him signified his acquiescence by a nod
of his head and presently came out with the cash in his pocket He was joined
in the entry by Mr Tigg who warmly congratulated him as he took his arm and
accompanied him into the street on the successful issue of the negotiation
»As for my part in the same« said Mr Tigg »dont mention it Dont
compliment me for I cant bear it«
»I have no such intention I assure you« retorted Martin releasing his arm
and stopping
»You oblige me very much« said Mr Tigg »Thank you«
»Now sir« observed Martin biting his lip »this is a large town and we
can easily find different ways in it If you will show me which is your way I
will take another«
Mr Tigg was about to speak but Martin interposed
»I need scarcely tell you after what you have just seen that I have
nothing to bestow upon your friend Mr Slyme And it is quite as unnecessary
for me to tell you that I dont desire the honour of your company«
»Stop« cried Mr Tigg holding out his hand »Hold There is a most
remarkably longheaded flowingbearded and patriarchal proverb which observes
that it is the duty of a man to be just before he is generous Be just now and
you can be generous presently Do not confuse me with the man Slyme Do not
distinguish the man Slyme as a friend of mine for he is no such thing I have
been compelled sir to abandon the party whom you call Slyme I have no
knowledge of the party whom you call Slyme I am sir« said Mr Tigg striking
himself upon the breast »a premium tulip of a very different growth and
cultivation from the cabbage Slyme sir«
»It matters very little to me« said Martin coolly »whether you have set up
as a vagabond on your own account or are still trading on behalf of Mr Slyme
I wish to hold no correspondence with you In the devils name man« said
Martin scarcely able despite his vexation to repress a smile as Mr Tigg stood
leaning his back against the shutters of a shop window adjusting his hair with
great composure »will you go one way or other«
»You will allow me to remind you sir« said Mr Tigg with sudden dignity
»that you not I that you I say emphatically you have reduced the
proceedings of this evening to a cold and distant matter of business when I was
disposed to place them on a friendly footing It being made a matter of
business sir I beg to say that I expect a trifle which I shall bestow in
charity as commission upon the pecuniary advance in which I have rendered you
my humble services After the terms in which you have addressed me sir«
concluded Mr Tigg »you will not insult me if you please by offering more
than halfacrown«
Martin drew that piece of money from his pocket and tossed it towards him
Mr Tigg caught it looked at it to assure himself of its goodness spun it in
the air after the manner of a pieman and buttoned it up Finally he raised his
hat an inch or two from his head with a military air and after pausing a
moment with deep gravity as to decide in which direction he should go and to
what Earl or Marquis among his friends he should give the preference in his next
call stuck his hands in his skirtpockets and swaggered round the corner
Martin took the directly opposite course and so to his great content they
parted company
It was with a bitter sense of humiliation that he cursed again and again
the mischance of having encountered this man in the pawnbrokers shop The only
comfort he had in the recollection was Mr Tiggs voluntary avowal of a
separation between himself and Slyme that would at least prevent his
circumstances so Martin argued from being known to any member of his family
the bare possibility of which filled him with shame and wounded pride
Abstractedly there was greater reason perhaps for supposing any declaration
of Mr Tiggs to be false than for attaching the least credence to it but
remembering the terms on which the intimacy between that gentleman and his bosom
friend had subsisted and the strong probability of Mr Tiggs having
established an independent business of his own on Mr Slymes connexion it had
a reasonable appearance of probability at all events Martin hoped so and that
went a long way
His first step now that he had a supply of ready money for his present
necessities was to retain his bed at the publichouse until further notice
and to write a formal note to Tom Pinch for he knew Pecksniff would see it
requesting to have his clothes forwarded to London by coach with a direction to
be left at the office until called for These measures taken he passed the
interval before the box arrived three days in making inquiries relative to
American vessels at the offices of various shippingagents in the city and in
lingering about the docks and wharves with the faint hope of stumbling upon
some engagement for the voyage as clerk or supercargo or custodian of
something or somebody which would enable him to procure a free passage But
finding soon that no such means of employment were likely to present
themselves and dreading the consequences of delay he drew up a short
advertisement stating what he wanted and inserted it in the leading
newspapers Pending the receipt of the twenty or thirty answers which he vaguely
expected he reduced his wardrobe to the narrowest limits consistent with decent
respectability and carried the overplus at different times to the pawnbrokers
shop for conversion into money
And it was strange very strange even to himself to find how by quick
though almost imperceptible degrees he lost his delicacy and selfrespect and
gradually came to do that as a matter of course without the least compunction
which but a few short days before had galled him to the quick The first time he
visited the pawnbrokers he felt on his way there as if every person whom he
passed suspected whither he was going and on his way back again as if the
whole human tide he stemmed knew well where he had come from When did he care
to think of their discernment now In his first wanderings up and down the weary
streets he counterfeited the walk of one who had an object in his view but
soon there came upon him the sauntering slipshod gait of listless idleness and
the lounging at streetcorners and plucking and biting of stray bits of straw
and strolling up and down the same place and looking into the same
shopwindows with a miserable indifference fifty times a day At first he
came out from his lodging with an uneasy sense of being observed even by those
chance passersby on whom he had never looked before and hundreds to one would
never see again issuing in the morning from a publichouse but now in his
comingsout and goingsin he did not mind to lounge about the door or to stand
sunning himself in careless thought beside the wooden stem studded from head to
heel with pegs on which the beerpots dangled like so many boughs upon a
pewtertree And yet it took but five weeks to reach the lowest round of this
tall ladder
Oh moralists who treat of happiness and selfrespect innate in every
sphere of life and shedding light on every grain of dust in Gods highway so
smooth below your carriagewheels so rough beneath the tread of naked feet
bethink yourselves in looking on the swift descent of men who have lived in
their own esteem that there are scores of thousands breathing now and
breathing thick with painful toil who in that high respect have never lived at
all nor had a chance of life Go ye who rest so placidly upon the sacred Bard
who had been young and when he strung his harp was old and had never seen the
righteous forsaken or his seed begging their bread go Teachers of content and
honest pride into the mine the mill the forge the squalid depths of deepest
ignorance and uttermost abyss of mans neglect and say can any hopeful plant
spring up in air so foul that it extinguishes the souls bright torch as fast as
it is kindled And oh ye Pharisees of the nineteen hundredth year of Christian
Knowledge who soundingly appeal to human nature see first that it be human
Take heed it has not been transformed during your slumber and the sleep of
generations into the nature of the Beasts
Five weeks Of all the twenty or thirty answers not one had come His
money even the additional stock he had raised from the disposal of his spare
clothes and that was not much for clothes though dear to buy are cheap to
pawn was fast diminishing Yet what could he do At times an agony came over
him in which he darted forth again though he was but newly home and returning
to some place where he had been already twenty times made some new attempt to
gain his end but always unsuccessfully He was years and years too old for a
cabinboy and years upon years too inexperienced to be accepted as a common
seaman His dress and manner too militated fatally against any such proposal
as the latter and yet he was reduced to making it for even if he could have
contemplated the being set down in America totally without money he had not
enough left now for a steerage passage and the poorest provisions upon the
voyage
It is an illustration of a very common tendency in the mind of man that all
this time he never once doubted one may almost say the certainty of doing great
things in the New World if he could only get there In proportion as he became
more and more dejected by his present circumstances and the means of gaining
America receded from his grasp the more he fretted himself with the conviction
that that was the only place in which he could hope to achieve any high end and
worried his brain with the thought that men going there in the meanwhile might
anticipate him in the attainment of those objects which were dearest to his
heart He often thought of John Westlock and besides looking out for him on all
occasions actually walked about London for three days together for the express
purpose of meeting with him But although he failed in this and although he
would not have scrupled to borrow money of him and although he believed that
John would have lent it yet still he could not bring his mind to write to Pinch
and inquire where he was to be found For although as we have seen he was fond
of Tom after his own fashion he could not endure the thought feeling so
superior to Tom of making him the steppingstone to his fortune or being
anything to him but a patron and his pride so revolted from the ideal that it
restrained him even now
It might have yielded however and no doubt must have yielded soon but for
a very strange and unlookedfor occurrence
The five weeks had quite run out and he was in a truly desperate plight
when one evening having just returned to his lodging and being in the act of
lighting his candle at the gas jet in the bar before stalking moodily up stairs
to his own room his landlord called him by his name Now as he had never told
it to the man but had scrupulously kept it to himself he was not a little
startled by this and so plainly showed his agitation that the landlord to
reassure him said »it was only a letter«
»A letter« cried Martin
»For Mr Martin Chuzzlewit« said the landlord reading the superscription
of one he held in his hand »Noon Chief office Paid«
Martin took it from him thanked him and walked up stairs It was not
sealed but pasted close the handwriting was quite unknown to him He opened
it and found enclosed without any name address or other inscription or
explanation of any kind whatever a Bank of England note for Twenty Pounds
To say that he was perfectly stunned with astonishment and delight that he
looked again and again at the note and the wrapper that he hurried below stairs
to make quite certain that the note was a good note and then hurried up again
to satisfy himself for the fiftieth time that he had not overlooked some scrap
of writing on the wrapper that he exhausted and bewildered himself with
conjectures and could make nothing of it but that there the note was and he
was suddenly enriched would be only to relate so many matters of course to no
purpose The final upshot of the business at that time was that he resolved to
treat himself to a comfortable but frugal meal in his own chamber and having
ordered a fire to be kindled went out to purchase it forthwith
He bought some cold beef and ham and French bread and butter and came
back with his pockets pretty heavily laden It was somewhat of a damping
circumstance to find the room full of smoke which was attributable to two
causes firstly to the flue being naturally vicious and a smoker and secondly
to their having forgotten in lighting the fire an odd sack or two and some
trifles which had been put up the chimney to keep the rain out They had
already remedied this oversight however and propped up the windowsash with a
bundle of firewood to keep it open so that except in being rather inflammatory
to the eyes and choking to the lungs the apartment was quite comfortable
Martin was in no vein to quarrel with it if it had been in less tolerable
order especially when a gleaming pint of porter was set upon the table and the
servantgirl withdrew bearing with her particular instructions relative to the
production of something hot when he should ring the bell The cold meat being
wrapped in a playbill Martin laid the cloth by spreading that document on the
little round table with the print downwards and arranging the collation upon
it The foot of the bed which was very close to the fire answered for a
sideboard and when he had completed these preparations he squeezed an old
armchair into the warmest corner and sat down to enjoy himself
He had begun to eat with great appetite glancing round the room meanwhile
with a triumphant anticipation of quitting it for ever on the morrow when his
attention was arrested by a stealthy footstep on the stairs and presently by a
knock at his chamber door which although it was a gentle knock enough
communicated such a start to the bundle of firewood that it instantly leaped
out of window and plunged into the street
»More coals I suppose« said Martin »Come in«
»It ant a liberty sir though it seems so« rejoined a mans voice »Your
servant sir Hope youre pretty well sir«
Martin started at the face that was bowing in the doorway perfectly
remembering the features and expression but quite forgetting to whom they
belonged
»Tapley sir« said his visitor »Him as formerly lived at the Dragon sir
and was forced to leave in consequence of a want of jollity sir«
»To be sure« cried Martin »Why how did you come here«
»Right through the passage and up the stairs sir« said Mark
»How did you find me out I mean« asked Martin
»Why sir« said Mark »Ive passed you once or twice in the street if Im
not mistaken and when I was a looking in at the beefandham shop just now
along with a hungry sweep as was very much calculated to make a man jolly sir
I see you a buying that«
Martin reddened as he pointed to the table and said somewhat hastily
»Well What then«
»Why then sir« said Mark »I made bold to foller and as I told em down
stairs that you expected me I was let up«
»Are you charged with any message that you told them you were expected«
inquired Martin
»No sir I ant« said Mark »That was what you may call a pious fraud
sir that was«
Martin cast an angry look at him but there was something in the fellows
merry face and in his manner which with all its cheerfulness was far from
being obtrusive or familiar that quite disarmed him He had lived a solitary
life too for many weeks and the voice was pleasant in his ear
»Tapley« he said »Ill deal openly with you From all I can judge and
from all I have heard of you through Pinch you are not a likely kind of fellow
to have been brought here by impertinent curiosity or any other offensive
motive Sit down Im glad to see you«
»Thankee sir« said Mark »Id as lieve stand«
»If you dont sit down« retorted Martin »Ill not talk to you«
»Very good sir« observed Mark »Your wills a law, sir Down it is« and
he sat down accordingly upon the bedstead
»Help yourself« said Martin handing him the only knife
»Thankee sir« rejoined Mark »After youve done«
»If you dont take it now youll not have any« said Martin
»Very good sir« rejoined Mark »That being your desire now it is« With
which reply he gravely helped himself and went on eating Martin having done
the like for a short time in silence said abruptly
»What are you doing in London«
»Nothing at all sir« rejoined Mark
»Hows that« asked Martin
»I want a place« said Mark
»Im sorry for you« said Martin
» To attend upon a single gentleman« resumed Mark »If from the country
the more desirable Makeshifts would be preferred Wages no object«
He said this so pointedly that Martin stopped in his eating and said
»If you mean me «
»Yes I do sir« interposed Mark
»Then you may judge from my style of living here of my means of keeping a
manservant Besides I am going to America immediately«
»Well sir« returned Mark quite unmoved by this intelligence »from all
that ever I heard about it I should say America is a very likely sort of place
for me to be jolly in«
Again Martin looked at him angrily and again his anger melted away in spite
of himself
»Lord bless you sir« said Mark »what is the use of us a going round and
round and hiding behind the corner and dodging up and down when we can come
straight to the point in six words Ive had my eye upon you any time this
fortnight I see well enough theres a screw loose in your affairs I knowd
well enough the first time I see you down at the Dragon that it must be so
sooner or later Now sir here am I without a sitiwation without any want of
wages for a year to come for I saved up I didnt mean to do it but I couldnt
help it at the Dragon here am I with a liking for whats wentersome and a
liking for you and a wish to come out strong under circumstances as would keep
other men down and will you take me or will you leave me«
»How can I take you« cried Martin
»When I say take« rejoined Mark »I mean will you let me go and when I say
will you let me go I mean will you let me go along with you for go I will
somehow or another Now that youve said America I see clear at once that
thats the place for me to be jolly in Therefore if I dont pay my own passage
in the ship you go in sir Ill pay my own passage in another And mark my
words if I go alone it shall be to carry out the principle, in the rottenest
craziest leakingest tub of a wessel that a place can be got in for love or
money So if Im lost upon the way sir therell be a drowned man at your door
and always a knocking double knocks at it too or never trust me«
»This is mere folly« said Martin
»Very good sir« returned Mark »Im glad to hear it because if you dont
mean to let me go youll be more comfortable perhaps on account of thinking
so Therefore I contradict no gentleman But all I say is that if I dont
emigrate to America in that case in the beastliest old cockleshell as goes out
of port Im «
»You dont mean what you say Im sure« said Martin
»Yes I do« cried Mark
»I tell you I know better« rejoined Martin
»Very good sir« said Mark with the same air of perfect satisfaction »Let
it stand that way at present sir and wait and see how it turns out Why love
my heart alive the only doubt I have is whether theres any credit in going
with a gentleman like you thats as certain to make his way there as a gimlet
is to go through soft deal«
This was touching Martin on his weak point and having him at a great
advantage He could not help thinking either what a brisk fellow this Mark
was and how great a change he had wrought in the atmosphere of the dismal
little room already
»Why certainly Mark« he said »I have hopes of doing well there or I
shouldnt go I may have the qualifications for doing well perhaps«
»Of course you have sir« returned Mark Tapley »Everybody knows that«
»You see« said Martin leaning his chin upon his hand and looking at the
fire »ornamental architecture applied to domestic purposes can hardly fail to
be in great request in that country for men are constantly changing their
residences there and moving further off and its clear they must have houses
to live in«
»I should say sir« observed Mark »that thats a state of things as opens
one of the jolliest lookouts for domestic architecture that ever I heerd tell
on«
Martin glanced at him hastily not feeling quite free from a suspicion that
this remark implied a doubt of the successful issue of his plans But Mr Tapley
was eating the boiled beef and bread with such entire good faith and singleness
of purpose expressed in his visage that he could not but be satisfied Another
doubt arose in his mind however as this one disappeared He produced the blank
cover in which the note had been enclosed and fixing his eyes on Mark as he put
it in his hands said
»Now tell me the truth Do you know anything about that«
Mark turned it over and over held it near his eyes held it away from him
at arms length held it with the superscription upwards and with the
superscription downwards and shook his head with such a genuine expression of
astonishment at being asked the question that Martin said as he took it from
him again
»No I see you dont How should you Though indeed your knowing about it
would not be more extraordinary than its being here Come Tapley« he added
after a moments thought »Ill trust you with my history such as it is and
then youll see more clearly what sort of fortunes you would link yourself to
if you followed me«
»I beg your pardon sir« said Mark »but afore you enter upon it will you
take me if I choose to go Will you turn off me Mark Tapley formerly of the
Blue Dragon as can be well recommended by Mr Pinch and as wants a gentleman
of your strength of mind to look up to or will you in climbing the ladder as
youre certain to get to the top of take me along with you at a respectful
distance Now sir« said Mark »its of very little importance to you I know
theres the difficulty but its of very great importance to me and will you be
so good as to consider of it«
If this were meant as a second appeal to Martins weak side founded on his
observation of the effect of the first Mr Tapley was a skilful and shrewd
observer Whether an intentional or an accidental shot it hit the mark full
for Martin relenting more and more said with a condescension which was
inexpressibly delicious to him after his recent humiliation
»Well see about it Tapley You shall tell me in what disposition you find
yourself tomorrow«
»Then sir« said Mark rubbing his hands »the jobs done Go on sir if
you please Im all attention«
Throwing himself back in his armchair and looking at the fire with now
and then a glance at Mark who at such times nodded his head sagely to express
his profound interest and attention Martin ran over the chief points in his
history to the same effect as he had related them weeks before to Mr Pinch
But he adapted them according to the best of his judgment to Mr Tapleys
comprehension and with that view made as light of his love affair as he could
and referred to it in very few words But here he reckoned without his host for
Marks interest was keenest in this part of the business and prompted him to
ask sundry questions in relation to it for which he apologised as one in some
measure privileged to do so from having seen as Martin explained to him the
young lady at the Blue Dragon
»And a young lady as any gentleman ought to feel more proud of being in love
with« said Mark energetically »dont draw breath«
»Aye You saw her when she was not happy« said Martin gazing at the fire
again »If you had seen her in the old times indeed «
»Why she certainly was a little downhearted sir and something paler in
her colour than I could have wished« said Mark »but none the worse in her
looks for that I think she seemed better sir after she come to London«
Martin withdrew his eyes from the fire stared at Mark as if he thought he
had suddenly gone mad and asked him what he meant
»No offence intended sir« urged Mark »I dont mean to say she was any the
happier without you but I thought she was a looking better sir«
»Do you mean to tell me she has been in London« asked Martin rising
hurriedly and pushing back his chair
»Of course I do« said Mark rising too in great amazement from the
bedstead
»Do you mean to tell me she is in London now«
»Most likely sir I mean to say she was a week ago«
»And you know where«
»Yes« cried Mark »What Dont you«
»My good fellow« exclaimed Martin clutching him by both arms »I have
never seen her since I left my grandfathers house«
»Why then« cried Mark giving the little table such a blow with his
clenched fist that the slices of beef and ham danced upon it while all his
features seemed with delight to be going up into his forehead and never
coming back again any more »if I ant your natral born servant hired by Fate
there ant such a thing in natur as a Blue Dragon What when I was a rambling
up and down a old churchyard in the City getting myself into a jolly state
didnt I see your grandfather a toddling to and fro for pretty nigh a mortal
hour Didnt I watch him into Todgerss commercial boardinghouse and watch him
out and watch him home to his hotel and go and tell him as his was the service
for my money and I had said so afore I left the Dragon Wasnt the young lady
a sitting with him then and didnt she fall a laughing in a manner as was
beautiful to see Didnt your grandfather say Come back again next week and
didnt I go next week and didnt he say that he couldnt make up his mind to
trust nobody no more and therefore wouldnt engage me but at the same time
stood something to drink as was handsome Why« cried Mr Tapley with a comical
mixture of delight and chagrin »wheres the credit of a mans being jolly under
such circumstances Who could help it when things come about like this«
For some moments Martin stood gazing at him as if he really doubted the
evidence of his senses and could not believe that Mark stood there in the
body before him At length he asked him whether if the young lady were still
in London he thought he could contrive to deliver a letter to her secretly
»Do I think I can« cried Mark »Think I can Here sit down sir Write it
out sir«
With that he cleared the table by the summary process of tilting everything
upon it into the fireplace snatched some writing materials from the
mantelshelf set Martins chair before them forced him down into it dipped a
pen into the ink and put it in his hand
»Cut away sir« cried Mark »Make it strong sir Let it be wery pinted
sir Do I think so I should think so Go to work sir«
Martin required no further adjuration but went to work at a great rate
while Mr Tapley installing himself without any more formalities into the
functions of his valet and general attendant divested himself of his coat and
went on to clear the fireplace and arrange the room talking to himself in a
low voice the whole time
»Jolly sort of lodgings« said Mark rubbing his nose with the knob at the
end of the fireshovel and looking round the poor chamber »thats a comfort
The rains come through the roof too That ant bad A lively old bedstead Ill
be bound popilated by lots of wampires no doubt Come my spirits is a getting
up again An uncommon ragged nightcap this A very good sign We shall do yet
Here Jane my dear« calling down the stairs »bring up that there hot tumbler
for my master as was a mixing when I come in Thats right sir« to Martin »Go
at it as if you meant it sir Be very tender sir if you please You cant
make it too strong sir«
Chapter XIV
In which Martin Bids Adieu to the Lady of his Love and Honours an Obscure
Individual Whose Fortune He Intends to Make by Commending Her to His
Protection
The letter being duly signed sealed and delivered was handed to Mark Tapley
for immediate conveyance if possible And he succeeded so well in his embassy as
to be enabled to return that same night just as the house was closing with the
welcome intelligence that he had sent it up stairs to the young lady enclosed
in a small manuscript of his own purporting to contain his further petition to
be engaged in Mr Chuzzlewits service and that she had herself come down and
told him in great haste and agitation that she would meet the gentleman at
eight oclock tomorrow morning in St Jamess Park It was then agreed between
the new master and the new man that Mark should be in waiting near the hotel in
good time to escort the young lady to the place of appointment and when they
had parted for the night with this understanding Martin took up his pen again
and before he went to bed wrote another letter whereof more will be seen
presently
He was up before daybreak and came upon the Park with the morning which
was clad in the least engaging of the three hundred and sixtyfive dresses in
the wardrobe of the year It was raw damp dark and dismal the clouds were as
muddy as the ground and the short perspective of ever street and avenue was
closed up by the mist as by a filthy curtain
»Fine weather indeed« Martin bitterly soliloquised »to be wandering up and
down here in like a thief Fine weather indeed for a meeting of lovers in the
open air and in a public walk I need be departing with all speed for another
country for I have come to a pretty pass in this«
He might perhaps have gone on to reflect that of all mornings in the year
it was not the best calculated for a young ladys coming forth on such an
errand either But he was stopped on the road to this reflection if his
thoughts tended that way by her appearance at a short distance on which he
hurried forward to meet her Her squire Mr Tapley at the same time fell
discreetly back and surveyed the fog above him with an appearance of attentive
interest
»My dear Martin« said Mary
»My dear Mary« said Martin and lovers are such a singular kind of people
that this is all they did say just then though Martin took her arm and her
hand too and they paced up and down a short walk that was least exposed to
observation halfadozen times
»If you have changed at all my love since we parted« said Martin at
length as he looked upon her with a proud delight »it is only to be more
beautiful than ever«
Had she been of the common metal of loveworn young ladies she would have
denied this in her most interesting manner and would have told him that she
knew she had become a perfect fright or that she had wasted away with weeping
and anxiety or that she was dwindling gently into an early grave or that her
mental sufferings were unspeakable or would either by tears or words or a
mixture of both have furnished him with some other information to that effect
and made him as miserable as possible But she had been reared up in a sterner
school than the minds of most young girls are formed in she had had her nature
strengthened by the hands of hard endurance and necessity had come out from her
young trials constant selfdenying earnest and devoted had acquired in her
maidenhood whether happily in the end for herself or him is foreign to our
present purpose to inquire something of that nobler quality of gentle hearts
which is developed often by the sorrows and struggles of matronly years but
often by their lessons only Unspoiled unpampered in her joys or griefs with
frank and full and deep affection for the object of her early love she saw in
him one who for her sake was an outcast from his home and fortune and she had
no more idea of bestowing that love upon him in other than cheerful and
sustaining words full of high hope and grateful trustfulness than she had of
being unworthy of it in her lightest thought or deed for any base temptation
that the world could offer
»What change is there in you Martin« she replied »for that concerns me
nearest You look more anxious and more thoughtful than you used«
»Why as to that my love« said Martin as he drew her waist within his arm
first looking round to see that there were no observers near and beholding Mr
Tapley more intent than ever on the fog »it would be strange if I did not for
my life especially of late has been a hard one«
»I know it must have been« she answered »When have I forgotten to think of
it and you«
»Not often I hope« said Martin »Not often I am sure Not often I have
some right to expect Mary for I have undergone a great deal of vexation and
privation and I naturally look for that return you know«
»A very very poor return« she answered with a fainter smile »But you have
it and will have it always You have paid a dear price for a poor heart
Martin but it is at least your own and a true one«
»Of course I feel quite certain of that« said Martin »or I shouldnt have
put myself in my present position And dont say a poor heart Mary for I say
a rich one Now I am about to break a design to you dearest which will
startle you at first but which is undertaken for your sake I am going« he
added slowly looking far into the deep wonder of her bright dark eyes
»abroad«
»Abroad Martin«
»Only to America See now How you droop directly«
»If I do or I hope I may say if I did« she answered raising her head
after a short silence and looking once more into his face »it was for grief to
think of what you are resolved to undergo for me I would not venture to
dissuade you Martin but it is a long long distance there is a wide ocean to
be crossed illness and want are sad calamities in any place but in a foreign
country dreadful to endure Have you thought of all this«
»Thought of it« cried Martin abating in his fondness and he was very
fond of her hardly an iota of his usual impetuosity »What am I to do Its
very well to say Have I thought of it my love but you should ask me in the
same breath have I thought of starving at home have I thought of doing
porters work for a living have I thought of holding horses in the streets to
earn my roll of bread from day to day Come come« he added in a gentler tone
»do not hang down your head my dear for I need the encouragement that your
sweet face alone can give me Why thats well Now you are brave again«
»I am endeavouring to be« she answered smiling through her tears
»Endeavouring to be anything thats good and being it is with you all
one Dont I know that of old« cried Martin gaily »So Thats famous Now I
can tell you all my plans as cheerfully as if you were my little wife already
Mary«
She hung more closely on his arm and looking upwards in his face bade him
speak on
»You see« said Martin playing with the little hand upon his wrist »that
my attempts to advance myself at home have been baffled and rendered abortive I
will not say by whom Mary for that would give pain to us both But so it is
Have you heard him speak of late of any relative of mine or his called
Pecksniff Only tell me what I ask you no more«
»I have heard to my surprise that he is a better man than was supposed«
»I thought so« interrupted Martin
»And that it is likely we may come to know him if not to visit and reside
with him and I think his daughters He has daughters has he love«
»A pair of them« Martin answered »A precious pair Gems of the first
water«
»Ah You are jesting«
»There is a sort of jesting which is very much in earnest and includes some
pretty serious disgust« said Martin »I jest in reference to Mr Pecksniff at
whose house I have been living as his assistant and at whose hands I have
received insult and injury in that vein Whatever betides or however closely
you may be brought into communication with this family never forget that Mary
and never for an instant whatever appearances may seem to contradict me lose
sight of this assurance Pecksniff is a scoundrel«
»Indeed«
»In thought and in deed and in everything else A scoundrel from the
topmost hair of his head to the nethermost atom of his heel Of his daughters I
will only say that to the best of my knowledge and belief they are dutiful
young ladies and take after their father closely This is a digression from the
main point and yet it brings me to what I was going to say«
He stopped to look into her eyes again and seeing in a hasty glance over
his shoulder that there was no one near and that Mark was still intent upon
the fog not only looked at her lips too but kissed them into the bargain
»Now I am going to America with great prospects of doing well and of
returning home myself very soon it may be to take you there for a few years
but at all events to claim you for my wife which after such trials I should
do with no fear of your still thinking it a duty to cleave to him who will not
suffer me to live for this is true if he can help it in my own land How
long I may be absent is of course uncertain but it shall not be very long
Trust me for that«
»In the meantime dear Martin «
»Thats the very thing I am coming to In the meantime you shall hear
constantly of all my goingson Thus«
He paused to take from his pocket the letter he had written overnight and
then resumed
»In this fellows employment and living in this fellows house by fellow
I mean Mr Pecksniff of course there is a certain person of the name of
Pinch Dont forget a poor strange simple oddity Mary but thoroughly honest
and sincere full of zeal and with a cordial regard for me Which I mean to
return one of these days by setting him up in life in some way or other«
»Your old kind nature Martin«
»Oh« said Martin »thats not worth speaking of my love Hes very
grateful and desirous to serve me and I am more than repaid Now one night I
told this Pinch my history and all about myself and you in which he was not a
little interested I can tell you for he knows you Aye you may look surprised
and the longer the better for it becomes you but you have heard him play
the organ in the church of that village before now and he has seen you
listening to his music and has caught his inspiration from you too«
»Was he the organist« cried Mary »I thank him from my heart«
»Yes he was« said Martin »and is and gets nothing for it either There
never was such a simple fellow Quite an infant But a very good sort of
creature I assure you«
»I am sure of that« she said with great earnestness »He must be«
»Oh yes no doubt at all about it« rejoined Martin in his usual careless
way »He is Well It has occurred to me but stay If I read you what I have
written and intend sending to him by post tonight it will explain itself My
dear Tom Pinch Thats rather familiar perhaps« said Martin suddenly
remembering that he was proud when they had last met »but I call him my dear
Tom Pinch because he likes it and it pleases him«
»Very right and very kind« said Mary
»Exactly so« cried Martin »Its as well to be kind whenever one can and
as I said before he really is an excellent fellow My dear Tom Pinch I address
this under cover to Mrs Lupin at the Blue Dragon and have begged her in a
short note to deliver it to you without saying anything about it elsewhere and
to do the same with all future letters she may receive from me My reason for so
doing will be at once apparent to you I dont know that it will be by the
bye« said Martin breaking off »for hes slow of comprehension poor fellow
but hell find it out in time My reason simply is that I dont want my letters
to be read by other people and particularly by the scoundrel whom he thinks an
angel«
»Mr Pecksniff again« asked Mary
»The same« said Martin » will be at once apparent to you I have
completed my arrangements for going to America and you will be surprised to
hear that I am to be accompanied by Mark Tapley upon whom I have stumbled
strangely in London and who insists on putting himself under my protection
meaning my love« said Martin breaking off again »our friend in the rear of
course«
She was delighted to hear this and bestowed a kind glance upon Mark which
he brought his eyes down from the fog to encounter and received with immense
satisfaction She said in his hearing too that he was a good soul and a merry
creature and would be faithful she was certain commendations which Mr Tapley
inwardly resolved to deserve from such lips if he died for it
»Now my dear Pinch« resumed Martin proceeding with his letter »I am
going to repose great trust in you knowing that I may do so with perfect
reliance on your honour and secrecy and having nobody else just now to trust
in«
»I dont think I would say that Martin«
»Wouldnt you Well Ill take that out Its perfectly true though«
»But it might seem ungracious perhaps«
»Oh I dont mind Pinch« said Martin »Theres no occasion to stand on any
ceremony with him However Ill take it out as you wish it and make the full
stop at secrecy Very well I shall not only this is the letter again you
know«
»I understand«
»I shall not only inclose my letters to the young lady of whom I have told
you to your charge to be forwarded as she may request but I most earnestly
commit her the young lady herself to your care and regard in the event of
your meeting in my absence I have reason to think that the probabilities of
your encountering each other perhaps very frequently are now neither remote
nor few and although in our position you can do very little to lessen the
uneasiness of hers I trust to you implicitly to do that much and so deserve
the confidence I have reposed in you You see my dear Mary« said Martin »it
will be a great consolation to you to have anybody no matter how simple with
whom you can speak about ME and the very first time you talk to Pinch youll
feel at once that there is no more occasion for any embarrassment or hesitation
in talking to him than if he were an old woman«
»However that may be« she returned smiling »he is your friend and that
is enough«
»Oh yes hes my friend« said Martin »certainly In fact I have told him
in so many words that well always take notice of him and protect him and its
a good trait in his character that hes grateful very grateful indeed Youll
like him of all things my love I know Youll observe very much thats comical
and oldfashioned about Pinch but you neednt mind laughing at him for hell
not care about it Hell rather like it indeed«
»I dont think I shall put that to the test Martin«
»You wont if you can help it of course« he said »but I think youll find
him a little too much for your gravity However thats neither here nor there
and it certainly is not the letter which ends thus Knowing that I need not
impress the nature and extent of that confidence upon you at any greater length
as it is already sufficiently established in your mind I will only say in
bidding you farewell and looking forward to our next meeting that I shall
charge myself from this time through all changes for the better with your
advancement and happiness as if they were my own You may rely upon that And
always believe me my dear Tom Pinch faithfully your friend Martin Chuzzlewit
P S I enclose the amount which you so kindly Oh« said Martin checking
himself and folding up the letter »thats nothing«
At this crisis Mark Tapley interposed with an apology for remarking that
the clock at the Horse Guards was striking
»Which I shouldnt have said nothing about sir« added Mark »if the young
lady hadnt begged me to be particular in mentioning it«
»I did« said Mary »Thank you You are quite right In another minute I
shall be ready to return We have time for a very few words more dear Martin
and although I had much to say it must remain unsaid until the happy time of
our next meeting Heaven send it may come speedily and prosperously But I have
no fear of that«
»Fear« cried Martin »Why who has What are a few months What is a whole
year When I come gaily back with a road through life hewn out before me then
indeed looking back upon this parting it may seem a dismal one But now I
swear I wouldnt have it happen under more favourable auspices if I could for
then I should be less inclined to go and less impressed with the necessity«
»Yes yes I feel that too When do you go«
»Tonight We leave for Liverpool tonight A vessel sails from that port
as I hear in three days In a month or less we shall be there Why whats a
month How many months have flown by since our last parting«
»Long to look back upon« said Mary echoing his cheerful tone »but nothing
in their course«
»Nothing at all« cried Martin »I shall have change of scene and change of
place change of people change of manners change of cares and hopes Time will
wear wings indeed I can bear anything so that I have swift action Mary«
Was he thinking solely of her care for him when he took so little heed of
her share in the separation of her quiet monotonous endurance and her slow
anxiety from day to day Was there nothing jarring and discordant even in his
tone of courage with this one note self for ever audible however high the
strain Not in her ears It had been better otherwise perhaps but so it was
She heard the same bold spirit which had flung away as dross all gain and profit
for her sake making light of peril and privation that she might be calm and
happy and she heard no more That heart where self has found no place and
raised no throne is slow to recognise its ugly presence when it looks upon it
As one possessed of an evil spirit was held in old time to be alone conscious of
the lurking demon in the breasts of other men so kindred vices know each other
in their hidingplaces every day when Virtue is incredulous and blind
»The quarters gone« cried Mr Tapley in a voice of admonition
»I shall be ready to return immediately« she said »One thing dear Martin
I am bound to tell you You entreated me a few minutes since only to answer what
you asked me in reference to one theme but you should and must know otherwise
I could not be at ease that since that separation of which I was the unhappy
occasion he has never once uttered your name has never coupled it or any
faint allusion to it with passion or reproach and has never abated in his
kindness to me«
»I thank him for that last act« said Martin »and for nothing else Though
on consideration I may thank him for his other forbearance also inasmuch as I
neither expect nor desire that he will mention my name again He may once
perhaps to couple it with reproach in his will Let him if he please By
the time it reaches me he will be in his grave a satire on his own anger God
help him«
»Martin If you would but sometimes in some quiet hour beside the winter
fire in the summer air when you hear gentle music or think of Death or Home
or Childhood if you would at such a season resolve to think but once a month
or even once a year of him or any one who ever wronged you you would forgive
him in your heart I know«
»If I believed that to be true Mary« he replied »I would resolve at no
such time to bear him in my mind wishing to spare myself the shame of such a
weakness I was not born to be the toy and puppet of any man far less his to
whose pleasure and caprice in return for any good he did me my whole youth was
sacrificed It became between us two a fair exchange a barter and no more and
there is no such balance against me that I need throw in a mawkish forgiveness
to poise the scale He has forbidden all mention of me to you I know« he added
hastily »Come Has he not«
»That was long ago« she returned »immediately after your parting before
you had left the house He has never done so since«
»He has never done so since because he has seen no occasion« said Martin
»but that is of little consequence one way or other Let all allusion to him
between you and me be interdicted from this time forth And therefore love« he
drew her quickly to him for the time of parting had now come »in the first
letter that you write to me through the Postoffice addressed to New York and
in all the others that you send through Pinch remember he has no existence but
has become to us as one who is dead Now God bless you This is a strange place
for such a meeting and such a parting but our next meeting shall be in a
better and our next and last parting in a worse«
»One other question Martin I must ask Have you provided money for this
journey«
»Have I« cried Martin it might have been in his pride it might have been
in his desire to set her mind at ease »Have I provided money Why theres a
question for an emigrants wife How could I move on land or sea without it
love«
»I mean enough«
»Enough More than enough Twenty times more than enough A pocketfull
Mark and I for all essential ends are quite as rich as if we had the purse of
Fortunatus in our baggage«
»The halfhours agoing« cried Mr Tapley
»Goodbye a hundred times« cried Mary in a trembling voice
But how cold the comfort in Goodbye Mark Tapley knew it perfectly Perhaps
he knew it from his reading perhaps from his experience perhaps from
intuition It is impossible to say but however he knew it his knowledge
instinctively suggested to him the wisest course of proceeding that any man
could have adopted under the circumstances He was taken with a violent fit of
sneezing and was obliged to turn his head another way In doing which he in a
manner fenced and screened the lovers into a corner by themselves
There was a short pause but Mark had an undefined sensation that it was a
satisfactory one in its way Then Mary with her veil lowered passed him with a
quick step and beckoned him to follow She stopped once more before they lost
that corner looked back and waved her hand to Martin He made a start towards
them at the moment as if he had some other farewell words to say but she only
hurried off the faster and Mr Tapley followed as in duty bound
When he rejoined Martin again in his own chamber he found that gentleman
seated moodily before the dusty grate with his two feet on the fender his two
elbows on his knees and his chin supported in a not very ornamental manner on
the palms of his hands
»Well Mark«
»Well sir« said Mark taking a long breath »I see the young lady safe
home and I feel pretty comfortable after it She sent a lot of kind words sir
and this« handing him a ring »for a parting keepsake«
»Diamonds« said Martin kissing it let us do him justice it was for her
sake not for theirs and putting it on his little finger »Splendid diamonds
My grandfather is a singular character Mark He must have given her this now«
Mark Tapley knew as well that she had bought it to the end that that
unconscious speaker might carry some article of sterling value with him in his
necessity as he knew that it was day and not night Though he had no more
acquaintance of his own knowledge with the history of the glittering trinket on
Martins outspread finger than Martin himself had he was as certain that in
its purchase she had expended her whole stock of hoarded money as if he had
seen it paid down coin by coin Her lovers strange obtuseness in relation to
this little incident promptly suggested to Marks mind its real cause and root
and from that moment he had a clear and perfect insight into the one absorbing
principle of Martins character
»She is worthy of the sacrifices I have made« said Martin folding his
arms and looking at the ashes in the stove as if in resumption of some former
thoughts »Well worthy of them No riches« here he stroked his chin and mused
»could have compensated for the loss of such a nature Not to mention that in
gaining her affection I have followed the bent of my own wishes and baulked
the selfish schemes of others who had no right to form them She is quite
worthy more than worthy of the sacrifices I have made Yes she is No doubt
of it«
These ruminations might or might not have reached Mark Tapley for though
they were by no means addressed to him yet they were softly uttered In any
case he stood there watching Martin with an indescribable and most involved
expression on his visage until that young man roused himself and looked towards
him when he turned away as being suddenly intent upon certain preparations for
the journey and without giving vent to any articulate sound smiled with
surpassing ghastliness and seemed by a twist of his features and a motion of
his lips to release himself of this word
»Jolly«
Chapter XV
The Burden whereof Is Hail Columbia
A dark and dreary night people nestling in their beds or circling late about
the fire Want colder than Charity shivering at the street comers
churchtowers humming with the faint vibration of their own tongues but newly
resting from the ghostly preachment One The earth covered with a sable pall as
for the burial of yesterday the clumps of dark trees its giant plumes of
funeral feathers waving sadly to and fro all hushed all noiseless and in
deep repose save the swift clouds that skim across the moon and the cautious
wind as creeping after them upon the ground it stops to listen and goes
rustling on and stops again and follows like a savage on the trail
Whither go the clouds and wind so eagerly If like guilty spirits they
repair to some dread conference with powers like themselves in what wild
regions do the elements hold council or where unbend in terrible disport
Here Free from that cramped prison called the earth and out upon the waste
of waters Here roaring raging shrieking howling all night long Hither
come the sounding voices from the caverns on the coast of that small island
sleeping a thousand miles away so quietly in the midst of angry waves and
hither to meet them rush the blasts from unknown desert places of the world
Here in the fury of their unchecked liberty they storm and buffet with each
other until the sea lashed into passion like their own leaps up in ravings
mightier than theirs and the whole scene is madness
On on on over the countless miles of angry space roll the long heaving
billows Mountains and caves are here and yet are not for what is now the one
is now the other then all is but a boiling heap of rushing water Pursuit and
flight and mad return of wave on wave and savage struggle ending in a
spoutingup of foam that whitens the black night incessant change of place and
form and hue constancy in nothing but eternal strife on on on they roll
and darker grows the night and louder howls the wind and more clamorous and
fierce become the million voices in the sea when the wild cry goes forth upon
the storm »A ship«
Onward she comes in gallant combat with the elements her tall masts
trembling and her timbers starting on the strain onward she comes now high
upon the curling billows now low down in the hollows of the sea as hiding for
the moment from its fury and every stormvoice in the air and water cries more
loudly yet »A ship«
Still she comes striving on and at her boldness and the spreading cry the
angry waves rise up above each others hoary heads to look and round about the
vessel far as the mariners on the decks can pierce into the gloom they press
upon her forcing each other down and starting up and rushing forward from
afar in dreadful curiosity High over her they break and round her surge and
roar and giving place to others moaningly depart and dash themselves to
fragments in their baffled anger Still she comes onward bravely And though the
eager multitude crowd thick and fast upon her all the night and dawn of day
discovers the untiring train yet bearing down upon the ship in an eternity of
troubled water onward she comes with dim lights burning in her hull and
people there asleep as if no deadly element were peering in at every seam and
chink and no drowned seamans grave with but a plank to cover it were yawning
in the unfathomable depths below
Among these sleeping voyagers were Martin and Mark Tapley who rocked into
a heavy drowsiness by the unaccustomed motion were as insensible to the foul
air in which they lay as to the uproar without It was broad day when the
latter awoke with a dim idea that he was dreaming of having gone to sleep in a
fourpost bedstead which had turned bottom upwards in the course of the night
There was more reason in this too than in the roasting of eggs for the first
objects Mr Tapley recognised when he opened his eyes were his own heels
looking down to him as he afterwards observed from a nearly perpendicular
elevation
»Well« said Mark getting himself into a sitting posture after various
ineffectual struggles with the rolling of the ship »This is the first time as
ever I stood on my head all night«
»You shouldnt go to sleep upon the ground with your head to leeward then«
growled a man in one of the berths
»With my head to where« asked Mark
The man repeated his previous sentiment
»No I wont another time« said Mark »when I know whereabouts on the map
that country is In the meanwhile I can give you a better piece of advice Dont
you nor any other friend of mine never go to sleep with his head in a ship any
more«
The man gave a grunt of discontented acquiescence turned over in his berth
and drew his blanket over his head
» For« said Mr Tapley pursuing the theme by way of soliloquy in a low
tone of voice »the sea is as nonsensical a thing as any going It never knows
what to do with itself. It hasnt got no employment for its mind and is always
in a state of vacancy Like them Polar bears in the wildbeastshows as is
constantly a nodding their heads from side to side it never can be quiet Which
is entirely owing to its uncommon stupidity«
»Is that you Mark« asked a faint voice from another berth
»Its as much of me as is left sir after a fortnight of this work« Mr
Tapley replied »What with leading the life of a fly ever since Ive been
aboard for Ive been perpetually holdingon to something or other in a
upsidedown position what with that sir and putting a very little into
myself and taking a good deal out of myself there ant too much of me to swear
by How do you find yourself this morning sir«
»Very miserable« said Martin with a peevish groan »Ugh This is wretched
indeed«
»Creditable« muttered Mark pressing one hand upon his aching head and
looking round him with a rueful grin »Thats the great comfort It is
creditable to keep up ones spirits here Virtues its own reward Sos
jollity«
Mark was so far right that unquestionably any man who retained his
cheerfulness among the steerage accommodations of that noble and fastsailing
lineofpacket ship The Screw was solely indebted to his own resources and
shipped his good humour like his provisions without any contribution or
assistance from the owners A dark low stifling cabin surrounded by berths
all filled to overflowing with men women and children in various stages of
sickness and misery is not the liveliest place of assembly at any time but
when it is so crowded as the steerage cabin of The Screw was every passage
out that mattresses and beds are heaped upon the floor to the extinction of
everything like comfort cleanliness and decency it is liable to operate not
only as a pretty strong barrier against amiability of temper but as a positive
encourager of selfish and rough humours Mark felt this as he sat looking about
him and his spirits rose proportionately
There were English people Irish people Welsh people and Scotch people
there all with their little store of coarse food and shabby clothes and nearly
all with their families of children There were children of all ages from the
baby at the breast to the slatterngirl who was as much a grown woman as her
mother Every kind of domestic suffering that is bred in poverty illness
banishment sorrow and long travel in bad weather was crammed into the little
space; and yet was there infinitely less of complaint and querulousness and
infinitely more of mutual assistance and general kindness to be found in that
unwholesome ark than in many brilliant ballrooms
Mark looked about him wistfully and his face brightened as he looked Here
an old grandmother was crooning over a sick child and rocking it to and fro in
arms hardly more wasted than its own young limbs here a poor woman with an
infant in her lap mended another little creatures clothes and quieted another
who was creeping up about her from their scanty bed upon the floor Here were
old men awkwardly engaged in little household offices wherein they would have
been ridiculous but for their goodwill and kind purpose and here were swarthy
fellows giants in their way doing such little acts of tenderness for those
about them as might have belonged to gentlesthearted dwarfs The very idiot in
the corner who sat mowing there all day had his faculty of imitation roused by
what he saw about him and snapped his fingers to amuse a crying child
»Now then« said Mark nodding to a woman who was dressing her three
children at no great distance from him and the grin upon his face had by this
time spread from ear to ear »Hand over one of them young uns according to
custom«
»I wish youd get breakfast Mark instead of worrying with people who dont
belong to you« observed Martin petulantly
»All right« said Mark »Shell do that Its a fair division of labour
sir I wash her boys and she makes our tea I never could make tea but any one
can wash a boy«
The woman who was delicate and ill felt and understood his kindness as
well she might for she had been covered every night with his greatcoat while
he had had for his own bed the bare boards and a rug But Martin who seldom got
up or looked about him was quite incensed by the folly of this speech and
expressed his dissatisfaction by an impatient groan
»So it is certainly« said Mark brushing the childs hair as coolly as if
he had been born and bred a barber
»What are you talking about now« asked Martin
»What you said« replied Mark »or what you meant when you gave that there
dismal vent to your feelings I quite go along with it sir It is very hard
upon her«
»What is«
»Making the voyage by herself along with these young impediments here and
going such a way at such a time of the year to join her husband If you dont
want to be driven mad with yellow soap in your eye young man« said Mr Tapley
to the second urchin who was by this time under his hands at the basin »youd
better shut it«
»Where does she join her husband« asked Martin yawning
»Why Im very much afraid« said Mr Tapley in a low voice »that she
dont know I hope she maynt miss him But she sent her last letter by hand
and it dont seem to have been very clearly understood between em without it
and if she dont see him a waving his pockethankerchief on the shore like a
pictur out of a songbook my opinion is shell break her heart«
»Why how in Follys name does the woman come to be on board ship on such
a wildgoose venture« cried Martin
Mr Tapley glanced at him for a moment as he lay prostrate in his berth and
then said very quietly
»Ah How indeed I cant think Hes been away from her for two year shes
been very poor and lonely in her own country and has always been a looking
forward to meeting him Its very strange she should be here Quite amazing A
little mad perhaps There cant be no other way of accounting for it«
Martin was too far gone in the lassitude of seasickness to make any reply
to these words or even to attend to them as they were spoken And the subject
of their discourse returning at this crisis with some hot tea effectually put a
stop to any resumption of the theme by Mr Tapley who when the meal was over
and he had adjusted Martins bed went up on deck to wash the breakfast service
which consisted of two halfpint tin mugs and a shavingpot of the same metal
It is due to Mark Tapley to state that he suffered at least as much from
seasickness as any man woman or child on board and that he had a peculiar
faculty of knocking himself about on the smallest provocation and losing his
legs at every lurch of the ship But resolved in his usual phrase to come out
strong under disadvantageous circumstances he was the life and soul of the
steerage and made no more of stopping in the middle of a facetious conversation
to go away and be excessively ill by himself and afterwards come back in the
very best and gayest of tempers to resume it than if such a course of
proceeding had been the commonest in the world
It cannot be said that as his illness wore off his cheerfulness and good
nature increased because they would hardly admit of augmentation but his
usefulness among the weaker members of the party was much enlarged and at all
times and seasons there he was exerting it If a gleam of sun shone out of the
dark sky down Mark tumbled into the cabin and presently up he came again with
a woman in his arms or halfadozen children or a man or a bed or a
saucepan or a basket or something animate or inanimate that he thought would
be the better for the air If an hour or two of fine weather in the middle of
the day tempted those who seldom or never came on deck at other times to crawl
into the longboat or lie down upon the spare spars and try to eat there in
the centre of the group was Mr Tapley handing about salt beef and biscuit or
dispensing tastes of grog or cutting up the childrens provisions with his
pocketknife for their greater ease and comfort or reading aloud from a
venerable newspaper or singing some roaring old song to a select party or
writing the beginnings of letters to their friends at home for people who
couldnt write or cracking jokes with the crew or nearly getting blown over
the side or emerging halfdrowned from a shower of spray or lending a hand
somewhere or other but always doing something for the general entertainment At
night when the cookingfire was lighted on the deck and the driving sparks
that flew among the rigging and the cloud of sails seemed to menace the ship
with certain annihilation by fire in case the elements of air and water failed
to compass her destruction there again was Mr Tapley with his coat off and
his shirtsleeves turned up to his elbows doing all kinds of culinary offices
compounding the strangest dishes recognised by every one as an established
authority and helping all parties to achieve something which left to
themselves they never could have done and never would have dreamed of In
short there never was a more popular character than Mark Tapley became on
board that noble and fastsailing lineofpacket ship the Screw and he
attained at last to such a pitch of universal admiration that he began to have
grave doubts within himself whether a man might reasonably claim any credit for
being jolly under such exciting circumstances
»If this was going to last« said Tapley »thered be no great difference as
I can perceive between the Screw and the Dragon I never am to get credit I
think I begin to be afraid that the Fates is determined to make the world easy
to me«
»Well Mark« said Martin near whose berth he had ruminated to this effect
»When will this be over«
»Another week they say sir« returned Mark »will most likely bring us
into port The ships agoing along at present as sensible as a ship can sir
though I dont mean to say as thats any very high praise«
»I dont think it is indeed« groaned Martin
»Youd feel all the better for it sir if you was to turn out« observed
Mark
»And be seen by the ladies and gentlemen on the afterdeck« returned
Martin with a scornful emphasis upon the words »mingling with the beggarly
crowd that are stowed away in this vile hole I should be greatly the better for
that no doubt«
»Im thankful that I cant say from my own experience what the feelings of a
gentleman may be« said Mark »but I should have thought sir as a gentleman
would feel a deal more uncomfortable down here than up in the fresh air
especially when the ladies and gentlemen in the aftercabin know just as much
about him as he does about them and are likely to trouble their heads about
him in the same proportion I should have thought that certainly«
»I tell you then« rejoined Martin »you would have thought wrong and do
think wrong«
»Very likely sir« said Mark with imperturbable good temper »I often do«
»As to lying here« cried Martin raising himself on his elbow and looking
angrily at his follower »Do you suppose its a pleasure to lie here«
»All the madhouses in the world« said Mr Tapley »couldnt produce such a
maniac as the man must be who could think that«
»Then why are you for ever goading and urging me to get up« asked Martin
»I lie here because I dont wish to be recognised in the better days to which I
aspire by any purseproud citizen as the man who came over with him among the
steerage passengers I lie here because I wish to conceal my circumstances and
myself and not to arrive in a new world badged and ticketed as an utterly
povertystricken man If I could have afforded a passage in the aftercabin I
should have held up my head with the rest As I couldnt I hide it Do you
understand that«
»I am very sorry sir« said Mark »I didnt know you took it so much to
heart as this comes to«
»Of course you didnt know« returned his master »How should you know
unless I told you Its no trial to you Mark to make yourself comfortable and
to bustle about Its as natural for you to do so under the circumstances as it
is for me not to do so Why you dont suppose there is a living creature in
this ship who can by possibility have half so much to undergo on board of her as
I have Do you« he asked sitting upright in his berth and looking at Mark
with an expression of great earnestness not unmixed with wonder
Mark twisted his face into a tight knot and with his head very much on one
side pondered upon this question as if he felt it an extremely difficult one to
answer He was relieved from his embarrassment by Martin himself who said as
he stretched himself upon his back again and resumed the book he had been
reading
»But what is the use of my putting such a case to you when the very essence
of what I have been saying is that you cannot by possibility understand it
Make me a little brandyandwater cold and very weak and give me a biscuit
and tell your friend who is a nearer neighbour of ours than I could wish to
try and keep her children a little quieter tonight than she did last night
thats a good fellow«
Mr Tapley set himself to obey these orders with great alacrity and pending
their execution it may be presumed his flagging spirits revived inasmuch as he
several times observed below his breath that in respect of its power of
imparting a credit to jollity the Screw unquestionably had some decided
advantages over the Dragon He also remarked that it was a high gratification
to him to reflect that he would carry its main excellence ashore with him and
have it constantly beside him wherever he went but what he meant by these
consolatory thoughts he did not explain
And now a general excitement began to prevail on board and various
predictions relative to the precise day and even the precise hour at which they
would reach New York were freely broached There was infinitely more crowding
on deck and looking over the ships side than there had been before and an
epidemic broke out for packing up things every morning which required unpacking
again every night Those who had any letters to deliver or any friends to meet
or any settled plans of going anywhere or doing anything discussed their
prospects a hundred times a day and as this class of passengers was very small
and the number of those who had no prospects whatever was very large there were
plenty of listeners and few talkers Those who had been ill all along got well
now and those who had been well got better An American gentleman in the
aftercabin who had been wrapped up in fur and oilskin the whole passage
unexpectedly appeared in a very shiny tall black hat and constantly
overhauled a very little valise of pale leather which contained his clothes
linen brushes shaving apparatus books trinkets and other baggage He
likewise stuck his hands deep into his pockets and walked the deck with his
nostrils dilated as already inhaling the air of Freedom which carries death to
all tyrants and can never under any circumstances worth mentioning be
breathed by slaves An English gentleman who was strongly suspected of having
run away from a bank with something in his possession belonging to its
strongbox besides the key grew eloquent upon the subject of the rights of man
and hummed the Marseillaise Hymn constantly In a word one great sensation
pervaded the whole ship and the soil of America lay close before them so close
at last that upon a certain starlight night they took a pilot on board and
within a few hours afterwards lay to until the morning awaiting the arrival of
a steamboat in which the passengers were to be conveyed ashore
Off she came soon after it was light next morning and lying alongside an
hour or more during which period her very firemen were objects of hardly less
interest and curiosity than if they had been so many angels good or bad took
all her living freight aboard Among them Mark who still had his friend and
her three children under his close protection and Martin who had once more
dressed himself in his usual attire but wore a soiled old cloak above his
ordinary clothes until such time as he should separate for ever from his late
companions
The steamer which with its machinery on deck looked as it worked its
long slim legs like some enormously magnified insect or antediluvian monster
dashed at great speed up a beautiful bay and presently they saw some heights
and islands and a long flat straggling city
»And this« said Mr Tapley looking far ahead »is the Land of Liberty is
it Very well Im agreeable Any land will do for me after so much water«
Chapter XVI
Martin Disembarks from That Noble and FastSailing LineofPacket Ship the
Screw at the Port of New York in the United States of America He Makes Some
Acquaintances and Dines at a BoardingHouse The Particulars of Those
Transactions
Some trifling excitement prevailed upon the very brink and margin of the land of
liberty for an alderman had been elected the day before and Party Feeling
naturally running rather high on such an exciting occasion the friends of the
disappointed candidate had found it necessary to assert the great principles of
Purity of Election and Freedom of Opinion by breaking a few legs and arms and
furthermore pursuing one obnoxious gentleman through the streets with the design
of slitting his nose These goodhumoured little outbursts of the popular fancy
were not in themselves sufficiently remarkable to create any great stir after
the lapse of a whole night but they found fresh life and notoriety in the
breath of the newsboys who not only proclaimed them with shrill yells in all
the highways and byeways of the town upon the wharves and among the shipping
but on the deck and down in the cabins of the steamboat which before she
touched the shore was boarded and overrun by a legion of those young citizens
»Heres this mornings New York Sewer« cried one »Heres this mornings
New York Stabber Heres the New York Family Spy Heres the New York Private
Listener Heres the New York Peeper Heres the New York Plunderer Heres the
New York Keyhole Reporter Heres the New York Rowdy Journal Heres all the New
York papers Heres full particulars of the patriotic locofoco movement
yesterday in which the whigs was so chawed up and the last Alabama gouging
case and the interesting Arkansas dooel with Bowie knives and all the
Political Commercial and Fashionable News Here they are Here they are
Heres the papers heres the papers«
»Heres the Sewer« cried another »Heres the New York Sewer Heres some
of the twelfth thousand of todays Sewer with the best accounts of the
markets and all the shipping news and four whole columns of country
correspondence and a full account of the Ball at Mrs Whites last night where
all the beauty and fashion of New York was assembled with the Sewers own
particulars of the private lives of all the ladies that was there Heres the
Sewer Heres some of the twelfth thousand of the New York Sewer Heres the
Sewers exposure of the Wall Street Gang and the Sewers exposure of the
Washington Gang and the Sewers exclusive account of a flagrant act of
dishonesty committed by the Secretary of State when he was eight years old now
communicated at a great expense by his own nurse Heres the Sewer Heres the
New York Sewer in its twelfth thousand with a whole column of New Yorkers to
be shown up and all their names printed Heres the Sewers article upon the
Judge that tried him day afore yesterday for libel and the Sewers tribute to
the independent Jury that didnt convict him and the Sewers account of what
they might have expected if they had Heres the Sewer heres the Sewer Heres
the wideawake Sewer always on the lookout the leading Journal of the United
States now in its twelfth thousand and still a printing off Heres the New
York Sewer«
»It is in such enlightened means« said a voice almost in Martins ear
»that the bubbling passions of my country find a vent«
Martin turned involuntarily and saw standing close at his side a sallow
gentleman with sunken cheeks black hair small twinkling eyes and a singular
expression hovering about that region of his face which was not a frown nor a
leer and yet might have been mistaken at the first glance for either Indeed it
would have been difficult on a much closer acquaintance to describe it in any
more satisfactory terms than as a mixed expression of vulgar cunning and
conceit This gentleman wore a rather broadbrimmed hat for the greater wisdom
of his appearance and had his arms folded for the greater impressiveness of his
attitude He was somewhat shabbily dressed in a blue surtout reaching nearly to
his ancles short loose trousers of the same colour and a faded buff waistcoat
through which a discoloured shirtfrill struggled to force itself into notice
as asserting an equality of civil rights with the other portions of his dress
and maintaining a declaration of Independence on its own account His feet
which were of unusually large proportions were leisurely crossed before him as
he half leaned against half sat upon the steamboats bulwark and his thick
cane shod with a mighty ferule at one end and armed with a great metal knob at
the other depended from a lineandtassel on his wrist Thus attired and thus
composed into an aspect of great profundity the gentleman twitched up the
righthand corner of his mouth and his right eye simultaneously and said once
more
»It is in such enlightened means that the bubbling passions of my country
find a vent«
As he looked at Martin and nobody else was by Martin inclined his head
and said
»You allude to «
»To the Palladium of rational Liberty at home sir and the dread of Foreign
oppression abroad« returned the gentleman as he pointed with his cane to an
uncommonly dirty newsboy with one eye »To the Envy of the world sir and the
leaders of Human Civilization Let me ask you sir« he added bringing the
ferule of his stick heavily upon the deck with the air of a man who must not be
equivocated with »how do you like my Country«
»I am hardly prepared to answer that question yet« said Martin »seeing
that I have not been ashore«
»Well I should expect you were not prepared sir« said the gentleman »to
behold such signs of National Prosperity as those«
He pointed to the vessels lying at the wharves and then gave a vague
flourish with his stick as if he would include the air and water generally in
this remark
»Really« said Martin »I dont know Yes I think I was«
The gentleman glanced at him with a knowing look and said he liked his
policy It was natural he said and it pleased him as a philosopher to observe
the prejudices of human nature
»You have brought I see sir« he said turning round towards Martin and
resting his chin on the top of his stick »the usual amount of misery and
poverty and ignorance and crime to be located in the bosom of the great
Republic Well sir let em come on in shiploads from the old country When
vessels are about to founder the rats are said to leave em There is
considerable of truth I find in that remark«
»The old ship will keep afloat a year or two longer yet perhaps« said
Martin with a smile partly occasioned by what the gentleman said and partly by
his manner of saying it which was odd enough for he emphasised all the small
words and syllables in his discourse and left the others to take care of
themselves as if he thought the larger parts of speech could be trusted alone
but the little ones required to be constantly looked after
»Hope is said by the poet sir« observed the gentleman »to be the nurse of
young Desire«
Martin signified that he had heard of the cardinal virtue in question
serving occasionally in that domestic capacity
»She will not rear her infant in the present instance sir youll find«
observed the gentleman
»Time will show« said Martin
The gentleman nodded his head gravely and said »What is your name sir«
Martin told him
»How old are you sir«
Martin told him
»What is your profession sir«
Martin told him that also
»What is your destination sir« inquired the gentleman
»Really« said Martin laughing »I cant satisfy you in that particular
for I dont know it myself«
»Yes« said the gentleman
»No« said Martin
The gentleman adjusted his cane under his left arm and took a more
deliberate and complete survey of Martin than he had yet had leisure to make
When he had completed his inspection he put out his right hand shook Martins
hand and said
»My name is Colonel Diver sir I am the Editor of the New York Rowdy
Journal«
Martin received the communication with that degree of respect which an
announcement so distinguished appeared to demand
»The New York Rowdy Journal sir« resumed the colonel »is as I expect you
know the organ of our aristocracy in this city«
»Oh there is an aristocracy here then« said Martin »Of what is it
composed«
»Of intelligence sir« replied the colonel »of intelligence and virtue
And of their necessary consequence in this republic Dollars sir«
Martin was very glad to hear this feeling well assured that if intelligence
and virtue led as a matter of course to the acquisition of dollars he would
speedily become a great capitalist He was about to express the gratification
such news afforded him when he was interrupted by the captain of the ship who
came up at the moment to shake hands with the colonel and who seeing a
welldressed stranger on the deck for Martin had thrown aside his cloak shook
hands with him also This was an unspeakable relief to Martin who in spite of
the acknowledged supremacy of Intelligence and virtue in that happy country
would have been deeply mortified to appear before Colonel Diver in the poor
character of a steerage passenger
»Well capen« said the colonel
»Well colonel« cried the captain »Youre looking most uncommon bright
sir I can hardly realise its being you and thats a fact«
»A good passage capen« inquired the colonel taking him aside
»Well now It was a pretty spanking run sir« said or rather sung the
captain who was a genuine New Englander »considerin the weather«
»Yes« said the colonel
»Well It was sir« said the captain »Ive just now sent a boy up to your
office with the passengerlist colonel«
»You havent got another boy to spare praps capen« said the colonel in
a tone almost amounting to severity
»I guess there air a dozen if you want em colonel« said the captain
»One moderate big un could convey a dozen of champagne perhaps« observed
the colonel musing »to my office You said a spanking run I think«
»Well so I did« was the reply
»Its very nigh you know« observed the colonel »Im glad it was a
spanking run capen Dont mind about quarts if youre short of em The boy
can as well bring fourandtwenty pints and travel twice as once A
firstrate spanker capen was it Yes«
»A most etarnal spanker« said the skipper
»I admire at your good fortun capen You might loan me a corkscrew at the
same time and halfadozen glasses if you liked However bad the elements
combine against my countrys noble packetship the Screw sir« said the
colonel turning to Martin and drawing a flourish on the surface of the deck
with his cane »her passage either way is almost certain to eventuate a
spanker«
The captain who had the Sewer below at that moment lunching expensively in
one cabin while the amiable Stabber was drinking himself into a state of blind
madness in another took a cordial leave of his friend the colonel and hurried
away to despatch the champagne well knowing as it afterwards appeared that if
he failed to conciliate the editor of the Rowdy Journal that potentate would
denounce him and his ship in large capitals before he was a day older and would
probably assault the memory of his mother also who had not been dead more than
twenty years The colonel being again left alone with Martin checked him as he
was moving away and offered in consideration of his being an Englishman to
show him the town and to introduce him if such were his desire to a genteel
boardinghouse But before they entered on these proceedings he said he would
beseech the honour of his company at the office of the Rowdy Journal to partake
of a bottle of champagne of his own importation
All this was so extremely kind and hospitable that Martin though it was
quite early in the morning readily acquiesced So instructing Mark who was
deeply engaged with his friend and her three children that when he had done
assisting them and had cleared the baggage he was to wait for further orders
at the Rowdy Journal Office Martin accompanied his new friend on shore
They made their way as they best could through the melancholy crowd of
emigrants upon the wharf who grouped about their beds and boxes with the bare
ground below them and the bare sky above might have fallen from another planet
for anything they knew of the country and walked for some short distance along
a busy street bounded on one side by the quays and shipping and on the other
by a long row of staring redbrick storehouses and offices ornamented with more
black boards and white letters and more white boards and black letters than
Martin had ever seen before in fifty times the space Presently they turned up
a narrow street and presently into other narrow streets until at last they
stopped before a house whereon was painted in great characters »ROWDY JOURNAL«
The colonel who had walked the whole way with one hand in his breast his
head occasionally wagging from side to side and his hat thrown back upon his
ears like a man who was oppressed to inconvenience by a sense of his own
greatness led the way up a dark and dirty flight of stairs into a room of
similar character all littered and bestrewn with odds and ends of newspapers
and other crumpled fragments both in proof and manuscript Behind a mangy old
writingtable in this apartment sat a figure with a stump of a pen in its mouth
and a great pair of scissors in its right hand clipping and slicing at a file
of Rowdy Journals and it was such a laughable figure that Martin had some
difficulty in preserving his gravity though conscious of the close observation
of Colonel Diver
The individual who sat clipping and slicing as aforesaid at the Rowdy
Journals was a small young gentleman of very juvenile appearance and
unwholesomely pale in the face partly perhaps from intense thought but
partly there is no doubt from the excessive use of tobacco which he was at
that moment chewing vigorously He wore his shirtcollar turned down over a
black ribbon and his lank hair a fragile crop was not only smoothed and
parted back from his brow that none of the Poetry of his aspect might be lost
but had here and there been grubbed up by the roots which accounted for his
loftiest developments being somewhat pimply He had that order of nose on which
the envy of mankind has bestowed the appellation snub and it was very much
turned up at the end as with a lofty scorn Upon the upper lip of this young
gentleman were tokens of a sandy down so very very smooth and scant that
though encouraged to the utmost it looked more like a recent trace of
gingerbread than the fair promise of a moustache and this conjecture his
apparently tender age went far to strengthen He was intent upon his work Every
time he snapped the great pair of scissors he made a corresponding motion with
his jaws which gave him a very terrible appearance
Martin was not long in determining within himself that this must be Colonel
Divers son the hope of the family and future mainspring of the Rowdy Journal
Indeed he had begun to say that he presumed this was the colonels little boy
and that it was very pleasant to see him playing at Editor in all the
guilelessness of childhood when the colonel proudly interposed and said
»My War Correspondent sir Mr Jefferson Brick«
Martin could not help starting at this unexpected announcement and the
consciousness of the irretrievable mistake he had nearly made
Mr Brick seemed pleased with the sensation he produced upon the stranger
and shook hands with him with an air of patronage designed to reassure him and
to let him know that there was no occasion to be frightened for he Brick
wouldnt hurt him
»You have heard of Jefferson Brick I see sir« quoth the colonel with a
smile »England has heard of Jefferson Brick Europe has heard of Jefferson
Brick Let me see When did you leave England sir«
»Five weeks ago« said Martin
»Five weeks ago« repeated the colonel thoughtfully as he took his seat
upon the table and swung his legs »Now let me ask you sir which of Mr
Bricks articles had become at that time the most obnoxious to the British
Parliament and the Court of Saint Jamess«
»Upon my word« said Martin »I «
»I have reason to know sir« interrupted the colonel »that the
aristocratic circles of your country quail before the name of Jefferson Brick I
should like to be informed sir from your lips which of his sentiments has
struck the deadliest blow «
»At the hundred heads of the Hydra of Corruption now grovelling in the dust
beneath the lance of Reason, and spouting up to the universal arch above us its
sanguinary gore« said Mr Brick putting on a little blue cloth cap with a
glazed front and quoting his last article
»The libation of freedom Brick« hinted the colonel
»Must sometimes be quaffed in blood colonel« cried Brick And when he said
»blood« he gave the great pair of scissors a sharp snap as if they said blood
too and were quite of his opinion
This done they both looked at Martin pausing for a reply
»Upon my life« said Martin who had by this time quite recovered his usual
coolness »I cant give you any satisfactory information about it for the truth
is that I «
»Stop« cried the colonel glancing sternly at his war correspondent and
giving his head one shake after every sentence »That you never heard of
Jefferson Brick sir That you never read Jefferson Brick sir That you never
saw the Rowdy Journal sir That you never knew sir of its mighty influence
upon the cabinets of Europe Yes«
»Thats what I was about to observe certainly« said Martin
»Keep cool Jefferson« said the colonel gravely »Dont bust oh you
Europeans Arter that lets have a glass of wine« So saying he got down from
the table and produced from a basket outside the door a bottle of champagne
and three glasses
»Mr Jefferson Brick sir« said the colonel filling Martins glass and his
own and pushing the bottle to that gentleman »will give us a sentiment«
»Well sir« cried the war correspondent »since you have concluded to call
upon me I will respond I will give you sir The Rowdy Journal and its
brethren the well of Truth whose waters are black from being composed of
printers ink but are quite clear enough for my country to behold the shadow of
her Destiny reflected in«
»Hear hear« cried the colonel with great complacency »There are flowery
components sir in the language of my friend«
»Very much so indeed« said Martin
»There is todays Rowdy sir« observed the colonel handing him a paper
»Youll find Jefferson Brick at his usual post in the van of human civilisation
and moral purity«
The colonel was by this time seated on the table again Mr Brick also took
up a position on that same piece of furniture and they fell to drinking pretty
hard They often looked at Martin as he read the paper and then at each other
When he laid it down which was not until they had finished a second bottle the
colonel asked him what he thought of it
»Why its horribly personal« said Martin
The colonel seemed much flattered by this remark and said he hoped it was
»We are independent here sir« said Mr Jefferson Brick »We do as we
like«
»If I may judge from this specimen« returned Martin »there must be a few
thousands here rather the reverse of independent who do as they dont like«
»Well They yield to the mighty mind of the Popular Instructor sir« said
the colonel »They rile up sometimes but in general we have a hold upon our
citizens both in public and in private life which is as much one of the
ennobling institutions of our happy country as «
»As nigger slavery itself« suggested Mr Brick
»Entirely so« remarked the colonel
»Pray« said Martin after some hesitation »may I venture to ask with
reference to a case I observe in this paper of yours whether the Popular
Instructor often deals in I am at a loss to express it without giving you
offence in forgery In forged letters for instance« he pursued for the
colonel was perfectly calm and quite at his ease »solemnly purporting to have
been written at recent periods by living men«
»Well sir« replied the colonel »It does now and then«
»And the popular instructed what do they do« asked Martin
»Buy em« said the colonel
Mr Jefferson Brick expectorated and laughed the former copiously the
latter approvingly
»Buy em by hundreds of thousands« resumed the colonel »We are a smart
people here and can appreciate smartness«
»Is smartness American for forgery« asked Martin
»Well« said the colonel »I expect its American for a good many things
that you call by other names But you cant help yourselves in Europe We can«
»And do sometimes« thought Martin »You help yourselves with very little
ceremony too«
»At all events whatever name we choose to employ« said the colonel
stooping down to roll the third empty bottle into a corner after the other two
»I suppose the art of forgery was not invented here sir«
»I suppose not« replied Martin
»Nor any other kind of smartness I reckon«
»Invented No I presume not«
»Well« said the colonel »then we got it all from the old country and the
old countrys to blame for it and not the new un Theres an end of that Now
if Mr Jefferson Brick and you will be so good as clear Ill come out last and
lock the door«
Rightly interpreting this as the signal for their departure Martin walked
down stairs after the war correspondent who preceded him with great majesty
The colonel following they left the Rowdy Journal Office and walked forth into
the streets Martin feeling doubtful whether he ought to kick the colonel for
having presumed to speak to him or whether it came within the bounds of
possibility that he and his establishment could be among the boasted usages of
that regenerated land
It was clear that Colonel Diver in the security of his strong position and
in his perfect understanding of the public sentiment cared very little what
Martin or anybody else thought about him His highspiced wares were made to
sell and they sold and his thousands of readers could as rationally charge
their delight in filth upon him as a glutton can shift upon his cook the
responsibility of his beastly excess Nothing would have delighted the colonel
more than to be told that no such man as he could walk in high success the
streets of any other country in the world for that would only have been a
logical assurance to him of the correct adaptation of his labours to the
prevailing taste and of his being strictly and peculiarly a national feature of
America
They walked a mile or more along a handsome street which the colonel said
was called Broadway and which Mr Jefferson Brick said »whipped the universe«
Turning at length into one of the numerous streets which branched from this
main thoroughfare they stopped before a rather meanlooking house with jalousie
blinds to every window a flight of steps before the green streetdoor a
shining white ornament on the rails on either side like a petrified pineapple
polished a little oblong plate of the same material over the knocker whereon
the name of Pawkins was engraved and four accidental pigs looking down the
area
The colonel knocked at this house with the air of a man who lived there and
an Irish girl popped her head out of one of the top windows to see who it was
Pending her journey down stairs the pigs were joined by two or three friends
from the next street in company with whom they lay down sociably in the gutter
»Is the major indoors« inquired the colonel as he entered
»Is it the master sir« returned the girl with a hesitation which seemed
to imply that they were rather flush of majors in that establishment
»The master« said Colonel Diver stopping short and looking round at his
war correspondent
»Oh The depressing institutions of that British empire colonel« said
Jefferson Brick »Master«
»Whats the matter with the word« asked Martin
»I should hope it was never heard in our country sir thats all« said
Jefferson Brick »except when it is used by some degraded Help as new to the
blessings of our form of government as this Help is There are no masters
here«
»All owners are they« said Martin
Mr Jefferson Brick followed in the Rowdy Journals footsteps without
returning any answer Martin took the same course thinking as he went that
perhaps the free and independent citizens who in their moral elevation owned
the colonel for their master might render better homage to the goddess
Liberty in nightly dreams upon the oven of a Russian Serf
The colonel led the way into a room at the back of the house upon the
groundfloor light and of fair dimensions but exquisitely uncomfortable
having nothing in it but the four cold white walls and ceiling a mean carpet a
dreary waste of diningtable reaching from end to end and a bewildering
collection of canebottomed chairs In the further region of this
banquetinghall was a stove garnished on either side with a great brass
spittoon and shaped in itself like three little iron barrels set up on end in a
fender and joined together on the principle of the Siamese Twins Before it
swinging himself in a rockingchair lounged a large gentleman with his hat on
who amused himself by spitting alternately into the spittoon on the right hand
of the stove and the spittoon on the left and then working his way back again
in the same order A negro lad in a soiled white jacket was busily engaged in
placing on the table two long rows of knives and forks relieved at intervals by
jugs of water and as he travelled down one side of this festive board he
straightened with his dirty hands the dirtier cloth which was all askew and
had not been removed since breakfast The atmosphere of this room was rendered
intensely hot and stifling by the stove but being further flavoured by a sickly
gush of soup from the kitchen and by such remote suggestions of tobacco as
lingered within the brazen receptacles already mentioned it became to a
strangers senses almost insupportable
The gentleman in the rockingchair having his back towards them and being
much engaged in his intellectual pastime was not aware of their approach until
the colonel walking up to the stove contributed his mite towards the support of
the lefthand spittoon just as the major for it was the major bore down
upon it Major Pawkins then reserved his fire and looking upward said with a
peculiar air of quiet weariness like a man who had been up all night an air
which Martin had already observed both in the colonel and Mr Jefferson Brick
»Well colonel«
»Here is a gentleman from England major« the colonel replied »who has
concluded to locate himself here if the amount of compensation suits him«
»I am glad to see you sir« observed the major shaking hands with Martin
and not moving a muscle of his face »You are pretty bright I hope«
»Never better« said Martin
»You are never likely to be« returned the major »You will see the sun
shine here«
»I think I remember to have seen it shine at home sometimes« said Martin
smiling
»I think not« replied the major He said so with a stoical indifference
certainly but still in a tone of firmness which admitted of no further dispute
on that point When he had thus settled the question he put his hat a little on
one side for the greater convenience of scratching his head and saluted Mr
Jefferson Brick with a lazy nod
Major Pawkins a gentleman of Pennsylvanian origin was distinguished by a
very large skull and a great mass of yellow forehead in deference to which
commodities it was currently held in barrooms and other such places of resort
that the major was a man of huge sagacity He was further to be known by a heavy
eye and a dull slow manner and for being a man of that kind who mentally
speaking requires a deal of room to turn himself in But in trading on his
stock of wisdom he invariably proceeded on the principle of putting all the
goods he had and more into his window and that went a great way with his
constituency of admirers It went a great way perhaps with Mr Jefferson
Brick who took occasion to whisper in Martins ear
»One of the most remarkable men in our country sir«
It must not be supposed however that the perpetual exhibition in the
marketplace of all his stockintrade for sale or hire was the majors sole
claim to a very large share of sympathy and support He was a great politician
and the one article of his creed in reference to all public obligations
involving the good faith and integrity of his country was »run a moist pen
slick through everything and start fresh« This made him a patriot In
commercial affairs he was a bold speculator In plainer words he had a most
distinguished genius for swindling and could start a bank or negotiate a loan
or form a landjobbing company entailing ruin pestilence and death on
hundreds of families with any gifted creature in the Union This made him an
admirable man of business He could hang about a barroom discussing the
affairs of the nation for twelve hours together and in that time could hold
forth with more intolerable dulness chew more tobacco smoke more tobacco
drink more rumtoddy mintjulep ginsling and cocktail than any private
gentleman of his acquaintance This made him an orator and a man of the people
In a word the major was a rising character and a popular character and was in
a fair way to be sent by the popular party to the State House of New York if
not in the end to Washington itself. But as a mans private prosperity does not
always keep pace with his patriotic devotion to public affairs and as
fraudulent transactions have their downs as well as ups the major was
occasionally under a cloud Hence just now Mrs Pawkins kept a boardinghouse
and Major Pawkins rather loafed his time away than otherwise
»You have come to visit our country sir at a season of great commercial
depression« said the major
»At an alarming crisis« said the colonel
»At a period of unprecedented stagnation« said Mr Jefferson Brick
»I am sorry to hear that« returned Martin »Its not likely to last I
hope«
Martin knew nothing about America or he would have known perfectly well
that if its individual citizens to a man are to be believed it always is
depressed and always is stagnated and always is at an alarming crisis and
never was otherwise though as a body they are ready to make oath upon the
Evangelists at any hour of the day or night that it is the most thriving and
prosperous of all countries on the habitable globe
»Its not likely to last I hope« said Martin
»Well« returned the major »I expect we shall get along somehow and come
right in the end«
»We are an elastic country« said the Rowdy Journal
»We are a young lion« said Mr Jefferson Brick
»We have revivifying and vigorous principles within ourselves« observed the
major »Shall we drink a bitter afore dinner colonel«
The colonel assenting to this proposal with great alacrity Major Pawkins
proposed an adjournment to a neighbouring barroom which as he observed was
»only in the next block« He then referred Martin to Mrs Pawkins for all
particulars connected with the rate of board and lodging and informed him that
he would have the pleasure of seeing that lady at dinner which would soon be
ready as the dinner hour was two oclock and it only wanted a quarter now
This reminded him that if the bitter were to be taken at all there was no time
to lose so he walked off without more ado and left them to follow if they
thought proper
When the major rose from his rockingchair before the stove and so disturbed
the hot air and balmy whiff of soup which fanned their brows the odour of stale
tobacco became so decidedly prevalent as to leave no doubt of its proceeding
mainly from that gentlemans attire Indeed as Martin walked behind him to the
barroom he could not help thinking that the great square major in his
listlessness and languor looked very much like a stale weed himself such as
might be hoed out of the public garden with great advantage to the decent
growth of that preserve and tossed on some congenial dunghill
They encountered more weeds in the barroom some of whom being thirsty
souls as well as dirty were pretty stale in one sense and pretty fresh in
another Among them was a gentleman who as Martin gathered from the
conversation that took place over the bitter started that afternoon for the Far
West on a six months business tour and who as his outfit and equipment for
this journey had just such another shiny hat and just such another little pale
valise as had composed the luggage of the gentleman who came from England in
the Screw
They were walking back very leisurely Martin arminarm with Mr Jefferson
Brick and the major and the colonel sidebyside before them when as they
came within a house or two of the majors residence they heard a bell ringing
violently The instant this sound struck upon their ears the colonel and the
major darted off dashed up the steps and in at the streetdoor which stood
ajar like lunatics while Mr Jefferson Brick detaching his arm from Martins
made a precipitate dive in the same direction and vanished also
»Good Heaven« thought Martin »The premises are on fire It was an alarm
bell«
But there was no smoke to be seen nor any flame nor was there any smell of
fire As Martin faltered on the pavement three more gentlemen with horror and
agitation depicted in their faces came plunging wildly round the street corner
jostled each other on the steps struggled for an instant and rushed into the
house a confused heap of arms and legs Unable to bear it any longer Martin
followed Even in his rapid progress he was run down thrust aside and passed
by two more gentlemen stark mad as it appeared with fierce excitement
»Where is it« cried Martin breathlessly to a negro whom he encountered in
the passage
»In a eatin room sa Kernell sa him kep a seat side himself sa«
»A seat« cried Martin
»For a dinnar sa«
Martin stared at him for a moment and burst into a hearty laugh to which
the negro out of his natural good humour and desire to please so heartily
responded that his teeth shone like a gleam of light »Youre the pleasantest
fellow I have seen yet« said Martin clapping him on the back »and give me a
better appetite than bitters«
With this sentiment he walked into the diningroom and slipped into a chair
next the colonel which that gentleman by this time nearly through his dinner
had turned down in reserve for him with its back against the table
It was a numerous company eighteen or twenty perhaps Of these some five or
six were ladies who sat wedged together in a little phalanx by themselves All
the knives and forks were working away at a rate that was quite alarming very
few words were spoken and everybody seemed to eat his utmost in self as if a
famine were expected to set in before breakfast time tomorrow morning and it
had become high time to assert the first law of nature. The poultry which may
perhaps be considered to have formed the staple of the entertainment for there
was a turkey at the top a pair of ducks at the bottom and two fowls in the
middle disappeared as rapidly as if every bird had had the use of its wings
and had flown in desperation down a human throat The oysters stewed and
pickled leaped from their capacious reservoirs and slid by scores into the
mouths of the assembly The sharpest pickles vanished whole cucumbers at once
like sugarplums and no man winked his eye Great heaps of indigestible matter
melted away as ice before the sun It was a solemn and an awful thing to see
Dyspeptic individuals bolted their food in wedges feeding not themselves but
broods of nightmares who were continually standing at livery within them Spare
men with lank and rigid cheeks came out unsatisfied from the destruction of
heavy dishes and glared with watchful eyes upon the pastry What Mrs Pawkins
felt each day at dinnertime is hidden from all human knowledge But she had one
comfort It was very soon over
When the colonel had finished his dinner which event took place while
Martin who had sent his plate for some turkey was waiting to begin he asked
him what he thought of the boarders who were from all parts of the Union and
whether he would like to know any particulars concerning them
»Pray« said Martin »who is that sickly little girl opposite with the
tight round eyes I dont see anybody here who looks like her mother or who
seems to have charge of her«
»Do you mean the matron in blue sir« asked the colonel with emphasis
»That is Mrs Jefferson Brick sir«
»No no« said Martin »I mean the little girl like a doll directly
opposite«
»Well sir« cried the colonel »That is Mrs Jefferson Brick«
Martin glanced at the colonels face but he was quite serious
»Bless my soul I suppose there will be a young Brick then one of these
days« said Martin
»There are two young Bricks already sir« returned the colonel
The matron looked so uncommonly like a child herself that Martin could not
help saying as much »Yes sir« returned the colonel »but some institutions
develop human nature others retard it«
»Jefferson Brick« he observed after a short silence in commendation of his
correspondent »is one of the most remarkable men in our country sir«
This had passed almost in a whisper for the distinguished gentleman alluded
to sat on Martins other hand
»Pray Mr Brick« said Martin turning to him and asking a question more
for conversations sake than from any feeling of interest in its subject »who
is that« he was going to say young but thought it prudent to eschew the word
»that very short gentleman yonder with the red nose«
»That is Professor Mullit sir« replied Jefferson
»May I ask what he is professor of« asked Martin
»Of education sir« said Jefferson Brick
»A sort of schoolmaster possibly« Martin ventured to observe
»He is a man of fine moral elements sir and not commonly endowed« said
the war correspondent »He felt it necessary at the last election for
President to repudiate and denounce his father who voted on the wrong
interest He has since written some powerful pamphlets under the signature of
Suturb or Brutus reversed He is one of the most remarkable men in our country
sir«
»There seem to be plenty of em« thought Martin »at any rate«
Pursuing his inquiries Martin found that there were no fewer than four
majors present two colonels one general and a captain so that he could not
help thinking how strongly officered the American militia must be and wondering
very much whether the officers commanded each other or if they did not where
on earth the privates came from There seemed to be no man there without a
title for those who had not attained to military honours were either doctors
professors or reverends Three very hard and disagreeable gentlemen were on
missions from neighbouring States one on monetary affairs one on political
one on sectarian Among the ladies there were Mrs Pawkins who was very
straight bony and silent and a wiryfaced old damsel who held strong
sentiments touching the rights of women and had diffused the same in lectures
but the rest were strangely devoid of individual traits of character insomuch
that any one of them might have changed minds with the other and nobody would
have found it out These by the way were the only members of the party who did
not appear to be among the most remarkable people in the country
Several of the gentlemen got up one by one and walked off as they
swallowed their last morsel pausing generally by the stove for a minute or so
to refresh themselves at the brass spittoons A few sedentary characters
however remained at table full a quarter of an hour and did not rise until the
ladies rose when all stood up
»Where are they going« asked Martin in the ear of Mr Jefferson Brick
»To their bedrooms sir«
»Is there no dessert or other interval of conversation« asked Martin who
was disposed to enjoy himself after his long voyage
»We are a busy people here sir and have no time for that« was the reply
So the ladies passed out in single file Mr Jefferson Brick and such other
married gentlemen as were left acknowledging the departure of their other
halves by a nod and there was an end of them Martin thought this an
uncomfortable custom but he kept his opinion to himself for the present being
anxious to hear and inform himself by the conversation of the busy gentlemen
who now lounged about the stove as if a great weight had been taken off their
minds by the withdrawal of the other sex and who made a plentiful use of the
spittoons and their toothpicks
It was rather barren of interest to say the truth and the greater part of
it may be summed up in one word Dollars All their cares hopes joys
affections virtues and associations seemed to be melted down into dollars
Whatever the chance contributions that fell into the slow cauldron of their
talk they made the gruel thick and slab with dollars Men were weighed by their
dollars measures gauged by their dollars life was auctioneered appraised put
up and knocked down for its dollars The next respectable thing to dollars was
any venture having their attainment for its end The more of that worthless
ballast honour and fairdealing which any man cast overboard from the ship of
his Good Name and Good Intent the more ample stowageroom he had for dollars
Make commerce one huge lie and mighty theft Deface the banner of the nation for
an idle rag pollute it star by star and cut out stripe by stripe as from the
arm of a degraded soldier Do anything for dollars What is a flag to them
One who rides at all hazards of limb and life in the chase of a fox will
prefer to ride recklessly at most times So it was with these gentlemen He was
the greatest patriot in their eyes who brawled the loudest and who cared the
least for decency He was their champion who in the brutal fury of his own
pursuit could cast no stigma upon them for the hot knavery of theirs Thus
Martin learned in the five minutes straggling talk about the stove that to
carry pistols into legislative assemblies and swords in sticks and other such
peaceful toys to seize opponents by the throat as dogs or rats might do to
bluster bully and overbear by personal assailment were glowing deeds Not
thrusts and stabs at Freedom striking far deeper into her House of Life than
any sultans scimitar could reach but rare incense on her altars having a
grateful scent in patriotic nostrils and curling upward to the seventh heaven
of Fame
Once or twice when there was a pause Martin asked such questions as
naturally occurred to him being a stranger about the national poets the
theatre literature and the arts But the information which these gentlemen
were in a condition to give him on such topics did not extend beyond the
effusions of such masterspirits of the time as Colonel Diver Mr Jefferson
Brick and others renowned as it appeared for excellence in the achievement
of a peculiar style of broadsideessay called a screamer
»We are a busy people sir« said one of the captains who was from the
West »and have no time for reading mere notions We dont mind em if they come
to us in newspapers along with almighty strong stuff of another sort but darn
your books«
Here the general who appeared to grow quite faint at the bare thought of
reading anything which was neither mercantile nor political and was not in a
newspaper inquired »if any gentleman would drink some« Most of the company
considering this a very choice and seasonable idea lounged out one by one to
the barroom in the next block Thence they probably went to their stores and
countinghouses thence to the barroom again to talk once more of dollars and
enlarge their minds with the perusal and discussion of screamers and thence
each man to snore in the bosom of his own family
»Which would seem« said Martin pursuing the current of his own thoughts
»to be the principal recreation they enjoy in common« With that he fell
amusing again on dollars demagogues and barrooms debating within himself
whether busy people of this class were really as busy as they claimed to be or
only had an inaptitude for social and domestic pleasure
It was a difficult question to solve and the mere fact of its being
strongly presented to his mind by all that he had seen and heard was not
encouraging He sat down at the deserted board and becoming more and more
despondent as he thought of all the uncertainties and difficulties of his
precarious situation sighed heavily
Now there had been at the dinnertable a middleaged man with a dark eye
and a sunburnt face who had attracted Martins attention by having something
very engaging and honest in the expression of his features but of whom he could
learn nothing from either of his neighbours who seemed to consider him quite
beneath their notice He had taken no part in the conversation round the stove
nor had he gone forth with the rest and now when he heard Martin sigh for the
third or fourth time he interposed with some casual remark as if he desired
without obtruding himself upon a strangers notice to engage him in cheerful
conversation if he could His motive was so obvious and yet so delicately
expressed that Martin felt really grateful to him and showed him so in the
manner of his reply
»I will not ask you« said this gentleman with a smile as he rose and moved
towards him »how you like my country for I can quite anticipate your feeling
on that point But as I am an American and consequently bound to begin with a
question Ill ask you how you like the colonel«
»You are so very frank« returned Martin »that I have no hesitation in
saying I dont like him at all Though I must add that I am beholden to him for
his civility in bringing me here and arranging for my stay on pretty
reasonable terms by the way« he added remembering that the colonel had
whispered him to that effect before going out
»Not much beholden« said the stranger drily »The colonel occasionally
boards packetship I have heard to glean the latest information for his
journal and he occasionally brings strangers to board here I believe with a
view to the little percentage which attaches to those good offices and which
the hostess deducts from his weekly bill I dont offend you I hope« he added
seeing that Martin reddened
»My dear sir« returned Martin as they shook hands »how is that possible
to tell you the truth I am «
»Yes« said the gentleman sitting down beside him
»I am rather at a loss since I must speak plainly« said Martin getting
the better of his hesitation »to know how this colonel escapes being beaten«
»Well He has been beaten once or twice« remarked the gentleman quietly
»He is one of a class of men in whom our own Franklin so long ago as ten years
before the close of the last century foresaw our danger and disgrace Perhaps
you dont know that Franklin in very severe terms published his opinion that
those who were slandered by such fellows as this colonel having no sufficient
remedy in the administration of this countrys laws or in the decent and
rightminded feeling of its people were justified in retorting on such public
nuisances by means of a stout cudgel«
»I was not aware of that« said Martin »but I am very glad to know it and
I think it worthy of his memory especially« here he hesitated again
»Go on« said the other smiling as if he knew what stuck in Martins
throat
»Especially« pursued Martin »as I can already understand that it may have
required great courage even in his time to write freely on any question which
was not a party one in this very free country«
»Some courage no doubt« returned his new friend »Do you think it would
require any to do so now«
»Indeed I think it would and not a little« said Martin
»You are right So very right that I believe no satirist could breathe this
air If another Juvenal or Swift could rise up among us tomorrow he would be
hunted down If you have any knowledge of our literature and can give me the
name of any man American born and bred who has anatomised our follies as a
people and not as this or that party and who has escaped the foulest and most
brutal slander the most inveterate hatred and intolerant pursuit it will be a
strange name in my ears believe me In some cases I could name to you where a
native writer has ventured on the most harmless and goodhumoured illustrations
of our vices or defects it has been found necessary to announce that in a
second edition the passage has been expunged or altered or explained away or
patched into praise«
»And how has this been brought about« asked Martin in dismay
»Think of what you have seen and heard today beginning with the colonel«
said his friend »and ask yourself How they came about is another question
Heaven forbid that they should be samples of the intelligence and virtue of
America but they come uppermost and in great numbers and too often represent
it Will you walk«
There was a cordial candour in his manner and an engaging confidence that
it would not be abused a manly bearing on his own part and a simple reliance
on the manly faith of a stranger which Martin had never seen before He linked
his arm readily in that of the American gentleman and they walked out together
It was perhaps to men like this his new companion that a traveller of
honoured name who trod those shores now nearly forty years ago and woke upon
that soil as many have done since to blots and stains upon its high
pretensions which in the brightness of his distant dreams were lost to view
appealed in these words
»Oh but for such Columbias days were done
Rank without ripeness quickened without sun
Crude at the surface rotten at the core
Her fruits would fall before her spring were oer«
Chapter XVII
Martin Enlarges His Circle of Acquaintance Increases His Stock of Wisdom and
Has an Excellent Opportunity of Comparing His Own Experiences with Those of
Lummy Ned of the Light Salisbury as Related by His Friend Mr William Simmons
It was characteristic of Martin that all this while he had either forgotten
Mark Tapley as completely as if there had been no such person in existence or
if for a moment the figure of that gentleman rose before his mental vision had
dismissed it as something by no means of a pressing nature which might be
attended to byandby and could wait his perfect leisure But being now in the
streets again it occurred to him as just coming within the bare limits of
possibility that Mr Tapley might in course of time grow tired of waiting on
the threshold of the Rowdy Journal Office so he intimated to his new friend
that if they could conveniently walk in that direction he would be glad to get
this piece of business off his mind
»And speaking of business« said Martin »may I ask in order that I may not
be behindhand with questions either whether your occupation holds you to this
city or like myself you are a visitor here«
»A visitor« replied his friend »I was raised in the State of
Massachusetts and reside there still My home is in a quiet country town I am
not often in these busy places and my inclination to visit them does not
increase with our better acquaintance I assure you«
»You have been abroad« asked Martin
»Oh yes«
»And like most people who travel have become more than ever attached to
your home and native country« said Martin eyeing him curiously
»To my home yes« rejoined his friend »To my native country as my home
yes also«
»You imply some reservation« said Martin
»Well« returned his new friend »if you ask me whether I came back here
with a greater relish for my countrys faults with a greater fondness for those
who claim at the rate of so many dollars a day to be her friends with a
cooler indifference to the growth of principles among us in respect of public
matters and of private dealings between man and man the advocacy of which
beyond the foul atmosphere of a criminal trial would disgrace your own Old
Bailey lawyers why then I answer plainly No«
»Oh« said Martin in so exactly the same key as his friends No that it
sounded like an echo
»If you ask me« his companion pursued »whether I came back here better
satisfied with a state of things which broadly divides society into two classes
whereof one the great mass asserts a spurious independence most miserably
dependent for its mean existence on the disregard of humanising
conventionalities of manner and social custom so that the coarser a man is the
more distinctly it shall appeal to his taste while the other disgusted with
the low standard thus set up and made adaptable to everything takes refuge
among the graces and refinements it can bring to bear on private life and
leaves the public weal to such fortune as may betide it in the press and uproar
of a general scramble then again I answer No«
And again Martin said »Oh« in the same odd way as before being anxious and
disconcerted not so much to say the truth on public grounds as with
reference to the fading prospects of domestic architecture
»In a word« resumed the other »do not find and cannot believe and
therefore will not allow that we are a model of wisdom and an example to the
world and the perfection of human reason, and a great deal more to the same
purpose which you may hear any hour in the day simply because we began our
political life with two inestimable advantages«
»What were they« asked Martin
»One that our history commenced at so late a period as to escape the ages
of bloodshed and cruelty through which other nations have passed and so had all
the light of their probation and none of its darkness The other that we have
a vast territory and not as yet too many people on it These facts
considered we have done little enough I think«
»Education« suggested Martin faintly
»Pretty well on that head« said the other shrugging his shoulders »still
no mighty matter to boast of for old countries and despotic countries too
have done as much if not more and made less noise about it We shine out
brightly in comparison with England certainly but hers is a very extreme case
You complimented me on my frankness you know« he added laughing
»Oh I am not at all astonished at your speaking thus openly when my country
is in question« returned Martin »It is your plainspeaking in reference to
your own that surprises me«
»You will not find it a scarce quality here I assure you saving among the
Colonel Divers and Jefferson Bricks and Major Pawkinses though the best of us
are something like the man in Goldsmiths comedy who wouldnt suffer anybody
but himself to abuse his master Come« he added »Let us talk of something
else You have come here on some design of improving your fortune I dare say
and I should grieve to put you out of heart I am some years older than you
besides and may on a few trivial points advise you perhaps«
There was not the least curiosity or impertinence in the manner of this
offer which was openhearted unaffected and goodnatured As it was next to
impossible that he should not have his confidence awakened by a deportment so
prepossessing and kind Martin plainly stated what had brought him into those
parts and even made the very difficult avowal that he was poor He did not say
how poor it must be admitted rather throwing off the declaration with an air
which might have implied that he had money enough for six months instead of as
many weeks but poor he said he was and grateful he said he would be for any
counsel that his friend would give him
It would not have been very difficult for any one to see but it was
particularly easy for Martin whose perceptions were sharpened by his
circumstances to discern that the strangers face grew infinitely longer as
the domesticarchitecture project was developed Nor although he made a great
effort to be as encouraging as possible could he prevent his head from shaking
once involuntarily as if it said in the vulgar tongue upon its own account
»No go« But he spoke in a cheerful tone and said that although there was no
such opening as Martin wished in that city he would make it matter of
immediate consideration and inquiry where one was most likely to exist; and then
he made Martin acquainted with his name which was Bevan and with his
profession which was physic though he seldom or never practised and with
other circumstances connected with himself and family which fully occupied the
time until they reached the Rowdy Journal Office
Mr Tapley appeared to be taking his ease on the landing of the first floor
for sounds as of some gentleman established in that region whistling Rule
Britannia with all his might and main greeted their ears before they reached
the house On ascending to the spot from whence this music proceeded they found
him recumbent in the midst of a fortification of luggage apparently performing
his national anthem for the gratification of a grayhaired black man who sat on
one of the outworks a portmanteau staring intently at Mark while Mark with
his head reclining on his hand returned the compliment in a thoughtful manner
and whistled all the time He seemed to have recently dined for his knife a
casebottle and certain broken meats in a handkerchief lay near at hand He
had employed a portion of his leisure in the decoration of the Rowdy Journal
door whereon his own initials now appeared in letters nearly half a foot long
together with the day of the month in smaller type the whole surrounded by an
ornamental border and looking very fresh and bold
»I was amost afraid you was lost sir« cried Mark rising and stopping
the tune at that point where Britons generally are supposed to declare when it
is whistled that they never never never
»Nothing gone wrong I hope sir«
»No Mark Wheres your friend«
»The mad woman sir« said Mr Tapley »Oh shes all right sir«
»Did she find her husband«
»Yes sir Leastways shes found his remains« said Mark correcting
himself
»The mans not dead I hope«
»Not altogether dead sir« returned Mark »but hes had more fevers and
agues than is quite reconcileable with being alive When she didnt see him a
waiting for her I thought shed have died herself I did«
»Was he not here then«
»He wasnt here There was a feeble old shadow come acreeping down at last
as much like his substance when she knowd him as your shadow when its drawn
out to its very finest and longest by the sun is like you But it was his
remains theres no doubt about that She took on with joy poor thing as much
as if it had been all of him«
»Had he bought land« asked Mr Bevan
»Ah Hed bought land« said Mark shaking his head »and paid for it too
Every sort of nateral advantage was connected with it the agents said and
there certainly was one quite unlimited No end to the water«
»Its a thing he couldnt have done without I suppose« observed Martin
peevishly
»Certainly not sir There it was any way always turned on and no
waterrate Independent of three or four slimy old rivers close by it varied on
the farm from four to six foot deep in the dry season He couldnt say how deep
it was in the rainy time for he never had anything long enough to sound it
with«
»Is this true« asked Martin of his companion
»Extremely probable« he answered »Some Mississippi or Missouri lot I dare
say«
»However« pursued Mark »he came from Idontknowwhereandall down to
New York here to meet his wife and children and they started off again in a
steamboat this blessed afternoon as happy to be along with each other as if
they were going to Heaven I should think they was pretty straight if I may
judge from the poor mans looks«
»And may I ask« said Martin glancing but not with any displeasure from
Mark to the negro »who this gentleman is Another friend of yours«
»Why sir« returned Mark taking him aside and speaking confidentially in
his ear »hes a man of colour sir«
»Do you take me for a blind man« asked Martin somewhat impatiently »that
you think it necessary to tell me that when his face is the blackest that ever
was seen«
»No no when I say a man of colour« returned Mark »I mean that hes been
one of them as theres picters of in the shops A man and a brother you know
sir« said Mr Tapley favouring his master with a significant indication of the
figure so often represented in tracts and cheap prints
»A slave« cried Martin in a whisper
»Ah« said Mark in the same tone »Nothing else A slave Why when that
there man was young dont look at him while Im a telling it he was shot in
the leg gashed in the arm scored in his live limbs like crimped fish beaten
out of shape had his neck galled with an iron collar and wore iron rings upon
his wrists and ankles The marks are on him to this day When I was having my
dinner just now he stripped off his coat and took away my appetite«
»Is this true« asked Martin of his friend who stood beside them
»I have no reason to doubt it« he answered shaking his head »It very
often is«
»Bless you« said Mark »I know it is from hearing his whole story That
master died so did his second master from having his head cut open with a
hatchet by another slave who when hed done it went and drowned himself then
he got a better one In years and years he saved up a little money and bought
his freedom which he got pretty cheap at last on account of his strength being
nearly gone and he being ill Then he come here And now hes a saving up to
treat himself afore he dies to one small purchase its nothing to speak of
only his own daughter thats all« cried Mr Tapley becoming excited »Liberty
for ever Hurrah Hail Columbia«
»Hush« cried Martin clapping his hand upon his mouth »and dont be an
idiot What is he doing here«
»Waiting to take our luggage off upon a truck« said Mark »Hed have come
for it byandby but I engaged him for a very reasonable charge out of my own
pocket to sit along with me and make me jolly and I am jolly and if I was
rich enough to contract with him to wait upon me once a day to be looked at
Id never be anything else«
The fact may cause a solemn impeachment of Marks veracity but it must be
admitted nevertheless that there was that in his face and manner at the moment
which militated strongly against this emphatic declaration of his state of mind
»Lord love you sir« he added »theyre so fond of Liberty in this part of
the globe that they buy her and sell her and carry her to market with em
Theyve such a passion for Liberty that they cant help taking liberties with
her Thats what its owing to«
»Very well« said Martin wishing to change the theme »Having come to that
conclusion Mark perhaps youll attend to me The place to which the luggage is
to go is printed on this card Mrs Pawkinss Boarding House«
»Mrs Pawkinss boardinghouse« repeated Mark »Now Cicero«
»Is that his name« asked Martin
»Thats his name sir« rejoined Mark And the negro grinning assent from
under a leathern portmanteau than which his own face was many shades deeper
hobbled down stairs with his portion of their worldly goods Mark Tapley having
already gone before with his share
Martin and his friend followed them to the door below and were about to
pursue their walk when the latter stopped and asked with some hesitation
whether that young man was to be trusted
»Mark Oh certainly with anything«
»You dont understand me I think he had better go with us He is an honest
fellow and speaks his mind so very plainly«
»Why the fact is« said Martin smiling »that being unaccustomed to a free
republic he is used to do so«
»I think he had better go with us« returned the other »He may get into
some trouble otherwise This is not a slave State but I am ashamed to say that
a spirit of Tolerance is not so common anywhere in these latitudes as the form.
We are not remarkable for behaving very temperately to each other when we
differ but to strangers No I really think he had better go with us«
Martin called to him immediately to be of their party so Cicero and the
truck went one way and they three went another
They walked about the city for two or three hours seeing it from the best
points of view and pausing in the principal streets and before such public
buildings as Mr Bevan pointed out Night then coming on apace Martin proposed
that they should adjourn to Mrs Pawkinss establishment for coffee but in this
he was overruled by his new acquaintance who seemed to have set his heart on
carrying him though it were only for an hour to the house of a friend of his
who lived hard by Feeling however disinclined he was being weary that it
would be in bad taste and not very gracious to object that he was
unintroduced when this openhearted gentleman was so ready to be his sponsor
Martin for once in his life at all events sacrificed his own will and
pleasure to the wishes of another and consented with a fair grace So
travelling had done him that much good already
Mr Bevan knocked at the door of a very neat house of moderate size from
the parlour windows of which lights were shining brightly into the now dark
street It was quickly opened by a man with such a thoroughly Irish face that
it seemed as if he ought as a matter of right and principle to be in rags and
could have no sort of business to be looking cheerfully at anybody out of a
whole suit of clothes
Commending Mark to the care of this phenomenon for such he may be said to
have been in Martins eyes Mr Bevan led the way into the room which had shed
its cheerfulness upon the street to whose occupants he introduced Mr
Chuzzlewit as a gentleman from England whose acquaintance he had recently had
the pleasure to make They gave him welcome in all courtesy and politeness and
in less than five minutes time he found himself sitting very much at his ease
by the fireside and becoming vastly well acquainted with the whole family
There were two young ladies one eighteen the other twenty both very
slender but very pretty their mother who looked as Martin thought much
older and more faded than she ought to have looked and their grandmother a
little sharpeyed quick old woman who seemed to have got past that stage and
to have come all right again Besides these there were the young ladies
father and the young ladies brother the first engaged in mercantile affairs
the second a student at college both in a certain cordiality of manner like
his own friend and not unlike him in face Which was no great wonder for it
soon appeared that he was their near relation Martin could not help tracing the
family pedigree from the two young ladies because they were foremost in his
thoughts not only from being as aforesaid very pretty but by reason of their
wearing miraculously small shoes and the thinnest possible silk stockings the
which their rockingchairs developed to a distracting extent
There is no doubt that it was a monstrous comfortable circumstance to be
sitting in a snug wellfurnished room warmed by a cheerful fire and full of
various pleasant decorations including four small shoes and the like amount of
silk stockings and yes why not the feet and legs therein enshrined And
there is no doubt that Martin was monstrous welldisposed to regard his position
in that light after his recent experience of the Screw and of Mrs Pawkinss
boardinghouse The consequence was that he made himself very agreeable indeed
and by the time the tea and coffee arrived with sweet preserves and cunning
teacakes in its train was in a highly genial state and much esteemed by the
whole family
Another delightful circumstance turned up before the first cup of tea was
drunk The whole family had been in England There was a pleasant thing But
Martin was not quite so glad of this when he found that they knew all the great
dukes lords viscounts marquesses duchesses knights and baronets quite
affectionately and were beyond everything interested in the least particular
concerning them However when they asked after the wearer of this or that
coronet and said »Was he quite well« Martin answered »Yes oh yes Never
better« and when they said »his lordships mother the duchess was she much
changed« Martin said »Oh dear no they would know her anywhere if they saw
her tomorrow« and so got on pretty well In like manner when the young ladies
questioned him touching the Gold Fish in that Grecian fountain in such and such
a noblemans conservatory and whether there were as many as there used to be
he gravely reported after mature consideration that there must be at least
twice as many and as to the exotics »Oh well it was of no use talking about
them they must be seen to be believed« which improved state of circumstances
reminded the family of the splendour of that brilliant festival comprehending
the whole British Peerage and Court Calendar to which they were specially
invited and which indeed had been partly given in their honour and
recollections of what Mr Norris the father had said to the marquess and of
what Mrs Norris the mother had said to the marchioness and of what the
marquess and marchioness had both said when they said that upon their words and
honours they wished Mr Norris the father and Mrs Norris the mother and the
Misses Norris the daughters and Mr Norris Junior the son would only take up
their permanent residence in England and give them the pleasure of their
everlasting friendship occupied a very considerable time
Martin thought it rather strange and in some sort inconsistent that during
the whole of these narrations and in the very meridian of their enjoyment
thereof both Mr Norris the father and Mr Norris Junior the son who
corresponded every post with four members of the English Peerage enlarged
upon the inestimable advantage of having no such arbitrary distinctions in that
enlightened land where there were no noblemen but natures noblemen and where
all society was based on one broad level of brotherly love and natural equality
Indeed Mr Norris the father gradually expanding into an oration on this
swelling theme was becoming tedious when Mr Bevan diverted his thoughts by
happening to make some casual inquiry relative to the occupier of the next
house in reply to which this same Mr Norris the father observed that »that
person entertained religious opinions of which he couldnt approve and
therefore he hadnt the honour of knowing the gentleman« Mrs Norris the mother
added another reason of her own the same in effect but varying in words to
wit that she believed the people were well enough in their way but they were
not genteel
Another little trait came out which impressed itself on Martin forcibly
Mr Bevan told them about Mark and the negro and then it appeared that all the
Norrises were abolitionists It was a great relief to hear this and Martin was
so much encouraged on finding himself in such company that he expressed his
sympathy with the oppressed and wretched blacks Now one of the young ladies
the prettiest and most delicate was mightily amused at the earnestness with
which he spoke and on his craving leave to ask her why was quite unable for a
time to speak for laughing As soon however as she could she told him that the
negroes were such a funny people so excessively ludicrous in their manners and
appearance that it was wholly impossible for those who knew them well to
associate any serious ideas with such a very absurd part of the creation Mr
Norris the father and Mrs Norris the mother and Miss Norris the sister and
Mr Norris Junior the brother and even Mrs Norris Senior the grandmother were
all of this opinion and laid it down as an absolute matter of fact. As if there
were nothing in suffering and slavery grim enough to cast a solemn air on any
human animal though it were as ridiculous physically as the most grotesque of
apes or morally as the mildest Nimrod among tufthunting republicans
»In short« said Mr Norris the father settling the question comfortably
»there is a natural antipathy between the races«
»Extending« said Martins friend in a low voice »to the cruellest of
tortures and the bargain and sale of unborn generations«
Mr Norris the son said nothing but he made a wry face and dusted his
fingers as Hamlet might after getting rid of Yoricks skull just as though he
had that moment touched a negro and some of the black had come off upon his
hands
In order that their talk might fall again into its former pleasant channel
Martin dropped the subject with a shrewd suspicion that it would be a dangerous
theme to revive under the best of circumstances and again addressed himself to
the young ladies who were very gorgeously attired in very beautiful colours
and had every article of dress on the same extensive scale as the little shoes
and the thin silk stockings This suggested to him that they were great
proficients in the French fashions which soon turned out to be the case for
though their information appeared to be none of the newest it was very
extensive and the eldest sister in particular who was distinguished by a
talent for metaphysics the laws of hydraulic pressure and the rights of human
kind had a novel way of combining these acquirements and bringing them to bear
on any subject from Millinery to the Millennium both inclusive which was at
once improving and remarkable so much so in short that it was usually
observed to reduce foreigners to a state of temporary insanity in five minutes
Martin felt his reason going and as a means of saving himself besought the
other sister seeing a piano in the room to sing With this request she
willingly complied and a bravura concert solely sustained by the Misses
Norris presently began They sang in all languages except their own German
French Italian Spanish Portuguese Swiss but nothing native nothing so low
as native For in this respect languages are like many other travellers
ordinary and commonplace enough at home but specially genteel abroad
There is little doubt that in course of time the Misses Norris would have
come to Hebrew if they had not been interrupted by an announcement from the
Irishman who flinging open the door cried in a loud voice
»Jiniral Fladdock«
»My« cried the sisters desisting suddenly »The general come back«
As they made the exclamation the general attired in full uniform for a
ball came darting in with such precipitancy that hitching his boot in the
carpet and getting his sword between his legs he came down headlong and
presented a curious little bald place on the crown of his head to the eyes of
the astonished company Nor was this the worst of it for being rather corpulent
and very tight the general being down could not get up again but lay there
writhing and doing such things with his boots as there is no other instance of
in military history
Of course there was an immediate rush to his assistance and the general was
promptly raised But his uniform was so fearfully and wonderfully made that he
came up stiff and without a bend in him like a dead clown and had no command
whatever of himself until he was put quite flat upon the soles of his feet when
he became animated as by a miracle and moving edgewise that he might go in a
narrower compass and be in less danger of fraying the gold lace on his
epaulettes by brushing them against anything advanced with a smiling visage to
salute the lady of the house
To be sure it would have been impossible for the family to testify purer
delight and joy than at this unlookedfor appearance of General Fladdock The
general was as warmly received as if New York had been in a state of siege and
no other general was to be got for love or money He shook hands with the
Norrises three times all round and then reviewed them from a little distance as
a brave commander might with his ample cloak drawn forward over the right
shoulder and thrown back upon the left side to reveal his manly breast
»And do I then« cried the general »once again behold the choicest spirits
of my country«
»Yes« said Mr Norris the father »Here we are general«
Then all the Norrises pressed round the general inquiring how and where he
had been since the date of his letter and how he had enjoyed himself in foreign
parts and particularly and above all to what extent he had become acquainted
with the great dukes lords viscounts marquesses duchesses knights and
baronets in whom the people of those benighted countries had delight
»Well then dont ask me« said the general holding up his hand »I was
among em all the time and have got public journals in my trunk with my name
printed« he lowered his voice and was very impressive here »among the
fashionable news But oh the conventionalities of that amazing Europe«
»Ah« cried Mr Norris the father giving his head a melancholy shake and
looking towards Martin as though he would say »I cant deny it sir I would if
I could«
»The limited diffusion of a moral sense in that country« exclaimed the
general »The absence of a moral dignity in man«
»Ah« sighed all the Norrises quite overwhelmed with despondency
»I couldnt have realised it« pursued the general »without being located
on the spot Norris your imagination is the imagination of a strong man but
you couldnt have realised it without being located on the spot«
»Never« said Mr Norris
»The exclusiveness the pride the form, the ceremony« exclaimed the
general emphasising the article more vigorously at every repetition »The
artificial barriers set up between man and man the division of the human race
into court cards and plain cards of every denomination into clubs diamonds
spades anything but hearts«
»Ah« cried the whole family »Too true general«
»But stay« cried Mr Norris the father taking him by the arm »Surely you
crossed in the Screw general«
»Well so I did« was the reply
»Possible« cried the young ladies »Only think«
The general seemed at a loss to understand why his having come home in the
Screw should occasion such a sensation nor did he seem at all clearer on the
subject when Mr Norris introducing him to Martin said
»A fellowpassenger of yours I think«
»Of mine« exclaimed the general »No«
He had never seen Martin but Martin had seen him and recognised him now
that they stood face to face as the gentleman who had stuck his hands in his
pockets towards the end of the voyage and walked the deck with his nostrils
dilated
Everybody looked at Martin There was no help for it The truth must out
»I came over in the same ship as the general« said Martin »but not in the
same cabin It being necessary for me to observe strict economy I took my
passage in the steerage«
If the general had been carried up bodily to a loaded cannon and required
to let it off that moment he could not have been in a state of greater
consternation than when he heard these words He Fladdock Fladdock in full
militia uniform Fladdock the General Fladdock the caressed of foreign
noblemen expected to know a fellow who had come over in the steerage of a
lineofpacket ship at the cost of four pound ten And meeting that fellow in
the very sanctuary of New York fashion and nestling in the bosom of the New
York aristocracy He almost laid his hand upon his sword
A deathlike stillness fell upon the Norrises If this story should get
wind their country relation had by his imprudence for ever disgraced them
They were the bright particular stars of an exalted New York sphere There were
other fashionable spheres above them and other fashionable spheres below and
none of the stars in any one of these spheres had anything to say to the stars
in any other of these spheres But through all the spheres it would go forth
that the Norrises deceived by gentlemanly manners and appearances had falling
from their high estate received a dollarless and unknown man O guardian eagle
of the pure Republic had they lived for this
»You will allow me« said Martin after a terrible silence »to take my
leave I feel that I am the cause of at least as much embarrassment here as I
have brought upon myself But I am bound before I go to exonerate this
gentleman who in introducing me to such society was quite ignorant of my
unworthiness I assure you«
With that he made his bow to the Norrises and walked out like a man of
snow very cool externally but pretty hot within
»Come come« said Mr Norris the father looking with a pale face on the
assembled circle as Martin closed the door »the young man has this night beheld
a refinement of social manner and an easy magnificence of social decoration to
which he is a stranger in his own country Let us hope it may awake a moral
sense within him«
If that peculiarly transatlantic article a moral sense for if native
statesmen orators and pamphleteers are to be believed America quite
monopolises the commodity if that peculiarly transatlantic article be
supposed to include a benevolent love of all mankind certainly Martins would
have borne just then a deal of waking As he strode along the street with
Mark at his heels his immoral sense was in active operation prompting him to
the utterance of some rather sanguinary remarks which it was well for his own
credit that nobody overheard He had so far cooled down however that he had
begun to laugh at the recollection of these incidents when he heard another
step behind him and turning round encountered his friend Bevan quite out of
breath
He drew his arm through Martins and entreating him to walk slowly was
silent for some minutes At length he said
»I hope you exonerate me in another sense«
»How do you mean« asked Martin
»I hope you acquit me of intending or foreseeing the termination of our
visit But I scarcely need ask you that«
»Scarcely indeed« said Martin »I am the more beholden to you for your
kindness when I find what kind of stuff the good citizens here are made of«
»I reckon« his friend returned »that they are made of pretty much the same
stuff as other folks if they would but own it and not set up on false
pretences«
»In good faith thats true« said Martin
»I dare say« resumed his friend »you might have such a scene as that in an
English comedy and not detect any gross improbability or anomaly in the matter
of it«
»Yes indeed«
»Doubtless it is more ridiculous here than anywhere else« said his
companion »but our professions are to blame for that So far as I myself am
concerned I may add that I was perfectly aware from the first that you came
over in the steerage for I had seen the list of passengers and knew it did not
comprise your name«
»I feel more obliged to you than before« said Martin
»Norris is a very good fellow in his way« observed Mr Bevan
»Is he« said Martin drily
»Oh yes there are a hundred good points about him If you or anybody else
addressed him as another order of being and sued to him in forma pauperis he
would be all kindness and consideration«
»I neednt have travelled three thousand miles from home to find such a
character as that« said Martin Neither he nor his friend said anything more on
the way back each appearing to find sufficient occupation in his own thoughts
The tea or the supper or whatever else they called the evening meal was
over when they reached the Majors but the cloth ornamented with a few
additional smears and stains was still upon the table At one end of the board
Mrs Jefferson Brick and two other ladies were drinking tea out of the ordinary
course evidently for they were bonneted and shawled and seemed to have just
come home By the light of three flaring candles of different lengths in as
many candlesticks of different patterns the room showed to almost as little
advantage as in broad day
These ladies were all three talking together in a very loud tone when Martin
and his friend entered but seeing those gentlemen they stopped directly and
became excessively genteel not to say frosty As they went on to exchange some
few remarks in whispers the very water in the teapot might have fallen twenty
degrees in temperature beneath their chilling coldness
»Have you been to meeting Mrs Brick« asked Martins friend with
something of a roguish twinkle in his eye
»To lecture sir«
»I beg your pardon I forgot You dont go to meeting I think«
Here the lady on the right of Mrs Brick gave a pious cough as much as to
say »I do« As indeed she did nearly every night in the week
»A good discourse maam« asked Mr Bevan addressing this lady
The lady raised her eyes in a pious manner and answered »Yes« She had been
much comforted by some good strong peppery doctrine which satisfactorily
disposed of all her friends and acquaintances and quite settled their business
Her bonnet too had far outshone every bonnet in the congregation so she was
tranquil on all accounts
»What course of lectures are you attending now maam« said Martins
friend turning again to Mrs Brick
»The Philosophy of the Soul on Wednesdays«
»On Mondays«
»The Philosophy of Crime«
»On Fridays«
»The Philosophy of Vegetables«
»You have forgotten Thursdays the Philosophy of Government my dear«
observed the third lady
»No« said Mrs Brick »Thats Tuesdays«
»So it is« cried the lady »The Philosophy of Matter on Thursdays of
course«
»You see Mr Chuzzlewit our ladies are fully employed« said Bevan
»Indeed you have reason to say so« answered Martin »Between these very
grave pursuits abroad and family duties at home their time must be pretty well
engrossed«
Martin stopped here for he saw that the ladies regarded him with no very
great favour though what he had done to deserve the disdainful expression which
appeared in their faces he was at a loss to divine But on their going up stairs
to their bedrooms which they very soon did Mr Bevan informed him that
domestic drudgery was far beneath the exalted range of these Philosophers and
that the chances were a hundred to one that not one of the three could perform
the easiest womans work for herself or make the simplest article of dress for
any of her children
»Though whether they might not be better employed with such blunt
instruments as knittingneedles than with these edgetools« he said »is
another question but I can answer for one thing they dont often cut
themselves Devotions and lectures are our balls and concerts They go to these
places of resort as an escape from monotony look at each others clothes and
come home again«
»When you say home do you mean a house like this«
»Very often But I see you are tired to death and will wish you good night
We will discuss your projects in the morning You cannot but feel already that
it is useless staying here with any hope of advancing them You will have to go
farther«
»And to fare worse« said Martin pursuing the old adage
»Well I hope not But sufficient for the day you know Good night«
They shook hands heartily and separated As soon as Martin was left alone
the excitement of novelty and change which had sustained him through all the
fatigues of the day departed and he felt so thoroughly dejected and worn out
that he even lacked the energy to crawl up stairs to bed
In twelve or fifteen hours how great a change had fallen on his hopes and
sanguine plans New and strange as he was to the ground on which he stood and
to the air he breathed he could not recalling all that he had crowded into
that one day but entertain a strong misgiving that his enterprise was doomed
Rash and illconsidered as it had often looked on shipboard but had never
seemed on shore it wore a dismal aspect now that frightened him Whatever
thoughts he called up to his aid they came upon him in depressing and
discouraging shapes and gave him no relief Even the diamonds on his finger
sparkled with the brightness of tears and had no ray of hope in all their
brilliant lustre
He continued to sit in gloomy rumination by the stove unmindful of the
boarders who dropped in one by one from their stores and countinghouses or the
neighbouring barrooms and after taking long pulls from a great white waterjug
upon the sideboard and lingering with a kind of hideous fascination near the
brass spittoons lounged heavily to bed until at length Mark Tapley came and
shook him by the arm supposing him asleep
»Mark« he cried starting
»All right sir« said that cheerful follower snuffing with his fingers the
candle he bore »It aint a very large bed yourn sir and a man as wasnt
thirsty might drink afore breakfast all the water youve got to wash in and
arterwards eat the towel But youll sleep without rocking tonight sir«
»I feel as if the house were on the sea« said Martin staggering when he
rose »and am utterly wretched«
»Im as jolly as a sandboy myself sir« said Mark »But Lord I have
reason to be I ought to have been born here thats my opinion Take care how
you go« for they were now ascending the stairs »You recollect the gentleman
aboard the Screw as had the very small trunk sir«
»The valise Yes«
»Well sir theres been a delivery of clean clothes from the wash tonight
and theyre put outside the bedroom doors here If you take notice as we go up
what a very few shirts there are and what a many fronts youll penetrate the
mystery of his packing«
But Martin was too weary and despondent to take heed of anything so had no
interest in this discovery Mr Tapley nothing dashed by his indifference
conducted him to the top of the house and into the bedchamber prepared for his
reception which was a very little narrow room with half a window in it a
bedstead like a chest without a lid two chairs a piece of carpet such as
shoes are commonly tried upon at a readymade establishment in England a little
lookingglass nailed against the wall and a washingtable with a jug and ewer
that might have been mistaken for a milkpot and slopbasin
»I suppose they polish themselves with a dry cloth in this country« said
Mark »Theyve certainly got a touch of the phoby sir«
»I wish you would pull off my boots for me« said Martin dropping into one
of the chairs »I am quite knocked up Dead beat Mark«
»You wont say that tomorrow morning sir« returned Mr Tapley »nor even
tonight sir when youve made a trial of this« With which he produced a very
large tumbler piled up to the brim with little blocks of clear transparent ice
through which one or two thin slices of lemon and a golden liquid of delicious
appearance appealed from the still depths below to the loving eye of the
spectator
»What do you call this« said Martin
But Mr Tapley made no answer merely plunging a reed into the mixture
which caused a pleasant commotion among the pieces of ice and signifying by an
expressive gesture that it was to be pumped up through that agency by the
enraptured drinker
Martin took the glass with an astonished look applied his lips to the
reed and cast up his eyes once in ecstasy He paused no more until the goblet
was drained to the last drop
»There sir« said Mark taking it from him with a triumphant face »if ever
you should happen to be dead beat again when I aint in the way all youve got
to do is to ask the nearest man to go and fetch a cobbler«
»To go and fetch a cobbler« repeated Martin
»This wonderful invention sir« said Mark tenderly patting the empty
glass »is called a cobbler Sherry cobbler when you name it long cobbler when
you name it short Now youre equal to having your boots took off and are in
every particular worth mentioning another man«
Having delivered himself of this solemn preface he brought the bootjack
»Mind I am not going to relapse Mark« said Martin »but good Heaven if
we should be left in some wild part of this country without goods or money«
»Well sir« replied the imperturbable Tapley »from what weve seen
already I dont know whether under those circumstances we shouldnt do better
in the wild parts than in the tame ones«
»Oh Tom Pinch Tom Pinch« said Martin in a thoughtful tone »what would I
give to be again beside you and able to hear your voice though it were even in
the old bedroom at Pecksniffs«
»Oh Dragon Dragon« echoed Mark cheerfully »if there warnt any water
between you and me and nothing faintheartedlike in going back I dont know
that I mightnt say the same But here am I Dragon in New York America and
there are you in Wiltshire Europe and theres a fortune to make Dragon and a
beautiful young lady to make it for and whenever you go to see the Monument
Dragon you mustnt give in on the doorsteps or youll never get up to the
top«
»Wisely said Mark« cried Martin »We must look forward«
»In all the storybooks as ever I read sir the people as looked backward
was turned into stones« replied Mark »and my opinion always was that they
brought it on themselves and it served em right I wish you good night sir
and pleasant dreams«
»They must be of home then« said Martin as he lay down in bed
»So I say too« whispered Mark Tapley when he was out of hearing and in
his own room »for if there dont come a time afore were well out of this when
therell be a little more credit in keeping up ones jollity Im a United
Statesman«
Leaving them to blend and mingle in their sleep the shadows of objects afar
off as they take fantastic shapes upon the wall in the dim light of thought
without control be it the part of this slight chronicle a dream within a
dream as rapidly to change the scene and cross the ocean to the English
shore
Chapter XVIII
Does Business with the House of Anthony Chuzzlewit and Son from which One of
the Partners Retires Unexpectedly
Change begets change Nothing propagates so fast If a man habituated to a
narrow circle of cares and pleasures out of which he seldom travels step
beyond it though for never so brief a space his departure from the monotonous
scene on which he has been an actor of importance would seem to be the signal
for instant confusion As if in the gap he had left the wedge of change were
driven to the head rending what was a solemn mass to fragments things cemented
and held together by the usages of years burst asunder in as many weeks The
mine which Time has slowly dug beneath familiar objects is sprung in an
instant and what was rock before becomes but sand and dust
Most men at one time or other have proved this in some degree The extent
to which the natural laws of change asserted their supremacy in that limited
sphere of action which Martin had deserted shall be faithfully set down in
these pages
»What a cold spring it is« whimpered old Anthony drawing near the evening
fire »It was a warmer season sure when I was young«
»You neednt go scorching your clothes into holes whether it was or not«
observed the amiable Jonas raising his eyes from yesterdays newspaper
»Broadcloth aint so cheap as that comes to«
»A good lad« cried the father breathing on his cold hands and feebly
chafing them against each other »A prudent lad He never delivered himself up
to the vanities of dress No no«
»I dont know but I would though mind you if I could do it for nothing«
said his son as he resumed the paper
»Ah« chuckled the old man »If indeed But its very cold«
»Let the fire be« cried Mr Jonas stopping his honoured parents hand in
the use of the poker »Do you mean to come to want in your old age that you
take to wasting now«
»Theres not time for that Jonas« said the old man
»Not time for what« bawled his heir
»For me to come to want I wish there was«
»You always were as selfish an old blade as need be« said Jonas in a voice
too low for him to hear and looking at him with an angry frown »You act up to
your character You wouldnt mind coming to want wouldnt you I dare say you
wouldnt And your own flesh and blood might come to want too might they for
anything you cared Oh you precious old flint«
After this dutiful address he took his teacup in his hand for that meal
was in progress and the father and son and Chuffey were partakers of it Then
looking steadfastly at his father and stopping now and then to carry a spoonful
of tea to his lips he proceeded in the same tone thus
»Want indeed Youre a nice old man to be talking of want at this time of
day Beginning to talk of want are you Well I declare There isnt time No
I should hope not But youd live to be a couple of hundred if you could and
after all be discontented I know you«
The old man sighed and still sat cowering before the fire Mr Jonas shook
his Britanniametal teaspoon at him and taking a loftier position went on to
argue the point on high moral grounds
»If youre in such a state of mind as that« he grumbled but in the same
subdued key »why dont you make over your property Buy an annuity cheap and
make your life interesting to yourself and everybody else that watches the
speculation But no that wouldnt suit you That would be natural conduct to
your own son and you like to be unnatural and to keep him out of his rights
Why I should be ashamed of myself if I was you and glad to hide my head in the
what you may call it«
Possibly this general phrase supplied the place of grave or tomb or
sepulchre or cemetery or mausoleum or other such word which the filial
tenderness of Mr Jonas made him delicate of pronouncing He pursued the theme
no further for Chuffey somehow discovering from his old corner by the
fireside that Anthony was in the attitude of a listener and that Jonas
appeared to be speaking suddenly cried out like one inspired
»He is your own son Mr Chuzzlewit Your own son sir«
Old Chuffey little suspected what depth of application these words had or
that in the bitter satire which they bore they might have sunk into the old
mans very soul could he have known what words were hanging on his own sons
lips or what was passing in his thoughts But the voice diverted the current of
Anthonys reflections and roused him
»Yes yes Chuffey Jonas is a chip of the old block Its a very old block
now Chuffey« said the old man with a strange look of discomposure
»Precious old« assented Jonas
»No no no« said Chuffey »No Mr Chuzzlewit Not old at all sir«
»Oh Hes worse than ever you know« cried Jonas quite disgusted »Upon my
soul father hes getting too bad Hold your tongue will you«
»He says youre wrong« cried Anthony to the old clerk
»Tut tut« was Chuffeys answer »I know better I say hes wrong I say
hes wrong Hes a boy Thats what he is So are you Mr Chuzzlewit a kind
of boy Ha ha ha Youre quite a boy to many I have known youre a boy to me
youre a boy to hundreds of us Dont mind him«
With which extraordinary speech for in the case of Chuffey this was a
burst of eloquence without a parallel the poor old shadow drew through his
palsied arm his masters hand and held it there with his own folded upon it
as if he would defend him
»I grow deafer every day Chuff« said Anthony with as much softness of
manner or to describe it more correctly with as little hardness as he was
capable of expressing
»No no« cried Chuffey »No you dont What if you did Ive been deaf this
twenty year«
»I grow blinder too« said the old man shaking his head
»Thats a good sign« cried Chuffey »Ha ha The best sign in the world
You saw too well before«
He patted Anthony upon the hand as one might comfort a child and drawing
the old mans arm still further through his own shook his trembling fingers
towards the spot where Jonas sat as though he would wave him off But Anthony
remaining quite still and silent he relaxed his hold by slow degrees and lapsed
into his usual niche in the corner merely putting forth his hand at intervals
and touching his old employer gently on the coat as with the design of assuring
himself that he was yet beside him
Mr Jonas was so very much amazed by these proceedings that he could do
nothing but stare at the two old men until Chuffey had fallen into his usual
state and Anthony had sunk into a doze when he gave some vent to his emotions
by going close up to the former personage and making as though he would in
vulgar parlance »punch his head«
»Theyve been carrying on this game« thought Jonas in a brown study »for
the last two or three weeks I never saw my father take so much notice of him as
he has in that time What Youre legacy hunting are you Mister Chuff Eh«
But Chuffey was as little conscious of the thought as of the bodily advance
of Mr Jonass clenched fist which hovered fondly about his ear When he had
scowled at him to his hearts content Jonas took the candle from the table and
walking into the glass office produced a bunch of keys from his pocket With
one of these he opened a secret drawer in the desk peeping stealthily out as
he did so to be certain that the two old men were still before the fire
»All as right as ever« said Jonas propping the lid of the desk open with
his forehead and unfolding a paper »Heres the will Mister Chuff Thirty
pound a year for your maintenance old boy and all the rest to his only son
Jonas You neednt trouble yourself to be too affectionate You wont get
anything by it Whats that«
It was startling certainly A face on the other side of the glass partition
looking curiously in and not at him but at the paper in his hand For the eyes
were attentively cast down upon the writing and were swiftly raised when he
cried out Then they met his own and were as the eyes of Mr Pecksniff
Suffering the lid of the desk to fall with a loud noise but not forgetting
even then to lock it Jonas pale and breathless gazed upon this phantom It
moved opened the door and walked in
»Whats the matter« cried Jonas falling back »Who is it Where do you
come from What do you want«
»Matter« cried the voice of Mr Pecksniff as Pecksniff in the flesh smiled
amiably upon him »The matter Mr Jonas«
»What are you prying and peering about here for« said Jonas angrily »What
do you mean by coming up to town in this way and taking one unawares Its
precious odd a man cant read the the newspaper in his own office without
being startled out of his wits by people coming in without notice Why didnt
you knock at the door«
»So I did Mr Jonas« answered Pecksniff »but no one heard me I was
curious« he added in his gentle way as he laid his hand upon the young mans
shoulder »to find out what part of the newspaper interested you so much but
the glass was too dim and dirty«
Jonas glanced in haste at the partition Well It wasnt very clean So far
he spoke the truth
»Was it poetry now« said Mr Pecksniff shaking the forefinger of his
right hand with an air of cheerful banter »Or was it politics Or was it the
price of stock The main chance Mr Jonas the main chance I suspect«
»You aint far from the truth« answered Jonas recovering himself and
snuffing the candle »but how the deuce do you come to be in London again Ecod
its enough to make a man stare to see a fellow looking at him all of a sudden
who he thought was sixty or seventy mile away«
»So it is« said Mr Pecksniff »No doubt of it my dear Mr Jonas For
while the human mind is constituted as it is «
»Oh bother the human mind« interrupted Jonas with impatience »what have
you come up for«
»A little matter of business« said Mr Pecksniff »which has arisen quite
unexpectedly«
»Oh« cried Jonas »is that all Well Heres father in the next room Hallo
father heres Pecksniff He gets more addlepated every day he lives I do
believe« muttered Jonas shaking his honoured parent roundly »Dont I tell you
Pecksniffs here stupid head«
The combined effects of the shaking and this loving remonstrance soon awoke
the old man who gave Mr Pecksniff a chuckling welcome which was attributable
in part to his being glad to see that gentleman and in part to his unfading
delight in the recollection of having called him a hypocrite As Mr Pecksniff
had not yet taken tea indeed he had but an hour before arrived in London the
remains of the late collation with a rasher of bacon were served up for his
entertainment and as Mr Jonas had a business appointment in the next street
he stepped out to keep it promising to return before Mr Pecksniff could finish
his repast
»And now my good sir« said Mr Pecksniff to Anthony »now that we are
alone pray tell me what I can do for you I say alone because I believe that
our dear friend Mr Chuffey is metaphysically speaking a shall I say a
dummy« asked Mr Pecksniff with his sweetest smile and his head very much on
one side
»He neither hears us« replied Anthony »nor sees us«
»Why then« said Mr Pecksniff »I will be bold to say with the utmost
sympathy for his afflictions and the greatest admiration of those excellent
qualities which do equal honour to his head and to his heart that he is what is
playfully termed a dummy You were going to observe my dear sir «
»I was not going to make any observation that I know of« replied the old
man
»I was« said Mr Pecksniff mildly
»Oh you were What was it«
»That I never« said Mr Pecksniff previously rising to see that the door
was shut and arranging his chair when he came back so that it could not be
opened in the least without his immediately becoming aware of the circumstance
»that I never in my life was so astonished as by the receipt of your letter
yesterday That you should do me the honour to wish to take counsel with me on
any matter amazed me but that you should desire to do so to the exclusion
even of Mr Jonas showed an amount of confidence in one to whom you had done a
verbal injury merely a verbal injury you were anxious to repair which
gratified which moved which overcame me«
He was always a glib speaker but he delivered this short address very
glibly having been at some pains to compose it outside the coach
Although he paused for a reply and truly said that he was there at
Anthonys request the old man sat gazing at him in profound silence and with a
perfectly blank face Nor did he seem to have the least desire or impulse to
pursue the conversation though Mr Pecksniff looked towards the door and
pulled out his watch and gave him many other hints that their time was short
and Jonas if he kept his word would soon return But the strangest incident in
all this strange behaviour was that of a sudden in a moment so swiftly that
it was impossible to trace how or to observe any process of change his
features fell into their old expression and he cried striking his hand
passionately upon the table as if no interval at all had taken place
»Will you hold your tongue sir and let me speak«
Mr Pecksniff deferred to him with a submissive bow and said within
himself »I knew his hand was changed and that his writing staggered I said so
yesterday Ahem Dear me«
»Jonas is sweet upon your daughter Pecksniff« said the old man in his
usual tone
»We spoke of that if you remember sir at Mrs Todgerss« replied the
courteous architect
»You neednt speak so loud« retorted Anthony »Im not so deaf as that«
Mr Pecksniff had certainly raised his voice pretty high not so much
because he thought Anthony was deaf as because he felt convinced that his
perceptive faculties were waxing dim but this quick resentment of his
considerate behaviour greatly disconcerted him and not knowing what tack to
shape his course upon he made another inclination of the head yet more
submissive than the last
»I have said« repeated the old man »that Jonas is sweet upon your
daughter«
»A charming girl sir« murmured Mr Pecksniff seeing that he waited for an
answer »A dear girl Mr Chuzzlewit though I say it who should not«
»You know better« cried the old man advancing his weazen face at least a
yard and starting forward in his chair to do it »You lie What you will be a
hypocrite will you«
»My good sir« Mr Pecksniff began
»Dont call me a good sir« retorted Anthony »and dont claim to be one
yourself If your daughter was what you would have me believe she wouldnt do
for Jonas Being what she is I think she will He might be deceived in a wife
She might run riot contract debts and waste his substance Now when I am dead
«
His face altered so horribly as he said the word that Mr Pecksniff really
was fain to look another way
» It will be worse for me to know of such doings than if I was alive for
to be tormented for getting that together which even while I suffer for its
acquisition is flung into the very kennels of the streets would be
insupportable torture No« said the old man hoarsely »let that be saved at
least let there be something gained and kept fast hold of when so much is
lost«
»My dear Mr Chuzzlewit« said Pecksniff »these are unwholesome fancies
quite unnecessary sir quite uncalled for I am sure The truth is my dear
sir that you are not well«
»Not dying though« cried Anthony with something like the snarl of a wild
animal »Not yet There are years of life in me Why look at him« pointing to
his feeble clerk »Death has no right to leave him standing and to mow me
down«
Mr Pecksniff was so much afraid of the old man and so completely taken
aback by the state in which he found him that he had not even presence of mind
enough to call up a scrap of morality from the great storehouse within his own
breast Therefore he stammered out that no doubt it was in fairness and
decency Mr Chuffeys turn to expire and that from all he had heard of Mr
Chuffey and the little he had the pleasure of knowing of that gentleman
personally he felt convinced in his own mind that he would see the propriety of
expiring with as little delay as possible
»Come here« said the old man beckoning him to draw nearer »Jonas will be
my heir Jonas will be rich and a great catch for you You know that Jonas is
sweet upon your daughter«
»I know that too« thought Mr Pecksniff »for you have said it often
enough«
»He might get more money than with her« said the old man »but she will
help him to take care of what they have She is not too young or heedless and
comes of a good hard griping stock But dont you play too fine a game She only
holds him by a thread and if you draw it too tight I know his temper itll
snap Bind him when hes in the mood Pecksniff bind him Youre too deep In
your way of leading him on youll leave him miles behind Bah you man of oil
have I no eyes to see how you have angled with him from the first«
»Now I wonder« thought Mr Pecksniff looking at him with a wistful face
»whether this is all he has to say«
Old Anthony rubbed his hands and muttered to himself complained again that
he was cold drew his chair before the fire and sitting with his back to Mr
Pecksniff and his chin sunk down upon his breast was in another minute quite
regardless or forgetful of his presence
Uncouth and unsatisfactory as this short interview had been it had
furnished Mr Pecksniff with a hint which supposing nothing further were
imparted to him repaid the journey up and home again For the good gentleman
had never for want of an opportunity dived into the depths of Mr Jonass
nature and any recipe for catching such a soninlaw much more one written on
a leaf out of his own fathers book was worth the having In order that he
might lose no chance of improving so fair an opportunity by allowing Anthony to
fall asleep before he had finished all he had to say Mr Pecksniff in the
disposal of the refreshments on the table a work to which he now applied
himself in earnest resorted to many ingenious contrivances for attracting his
attention such as coughing sneezing clattering the teacups sharpening the
knives dropping the loaf and so forth But all in vain for Mr Jonas
returned and Anthony had said no more
»What My father asleep again« he cried as he hung up his hat and cast a
look at him »Ah and snoring Only hear«
»He snores very deep« said Mr Pecksniff
»Snores deep« repeated Jonas »Yes let him alone for that Hell snore for
six at any time«
»Do you know Mr Jonas« said Pecksniff »that I think your father is
dont let me alarm you breaking«
»Oh is he though« replied Jonas with a shake of the head which expressed
the closeness of his dutiful observation »Ecod you dont know how tough he is
He aint upon the move yet«
»It struck me that he was changed both in his appearance and manner« said
Mr Pecksniff
»Thats all you know about it« returned Jonas seating himself with a
melancholy air »He never was better than he is now How are they all at home
Hows Charity«
»Blooming Mr Jonas blooming«
»And the other one hows she«
»Volatile trifler« said Mr Pecksniff fondly musing »She is well she is
well Roving from parlour to bedroom Mr Jonas like the bee skimming from
post to pillar like the butterfly dipping her young beak into our currant
wine like the hummingbird Ah were she a little less giddy than she is and
had she but the sterling qualities of Cherry my young friend«
»Is she so very giddy then« asked Jonas
»Well well« said Mr Pecksniff with great feeling »let me not be hard
upon my child Beside her sister Cherry she appears so A strange noise that
Mr Jonas«
»Something wrong in the clock I suppose« said Jonas glancing towards it
»So the other one aint your favourite aint she«
The fond father was about to reply and had already summoned into his face a
look of most intense sensibility when the sound he had already noticed was
repeated
»Upon my word Mr Jonas that is a very extraordinary clock« said
Pecksniff
It would have been if it had made the noise which startled them but
another kind of timepiece was fast running down and from that the sound
proceeded A scream from Chuffey rendered a hundred times more loud and
formidable by his silent habits made the house ring from roof to cellar and
looking round they saw Anthony Chuzzlewit extended on the floor with the old
clerk upon his knees beside him
He had fallen from his chair in a fit and lay there battling for each gasp
of breath with every shrivelled vein and sinew starting in its place as if it
were bent on bearing witness to his age and sternly pleading with Nature
against his recovery It was frightful to see how the principle of life shut up
within his withered frame fought like a strong devil mad to be released and
rent its ancient prisonhouse A young man in the fulness of his vigour
struggling with so much strength of desperation would have been a dismal sight
but an old old shrunken body endowed with preternatural might and giving the
lie in every motion of its every limb and joint to its enfeebled aspect was a
hideous spectacle indeed
They raised him up and fetched a surgeon with all haste who bled the
patient and applied some remedies but the fits held him so long that it was
past midnight when they got him quiet now but quite unconscious and exhausted
into bed
»Dont go« said Jonas putting his ashy lips to Mr Pecksniffs ear and
whispering across the bed »It was a mercy you were present when he was taken
ill Some one might have said it was my doing«
»Your doing« cried Mr Pecksniff
»I dont know but they might« he replied wiping the moisture from his
white face »People say such things How does he look now«
Mr Pecksniff shook his head
»I used to joke you know« said Jonas »but I I never wished him dead Do
you think hes very bad«
»The doctor said he was You heard« was Mr Pecksniffs answer
»Ah but he might say that to charge us more in case of his getting well«
said Jonas »You mustnt go away Pecksniff Now its come to this I wouldnt
be without a witness for a thousand pound«
Chuffey said not a word and heard not a word He had sat himself down in a
chair at the bedside and there he remained motionless except that he
sometimes bent his head over the pillow and seemed to listen He never changed
in this Though once in the dreary night Mr Pecksniff having dozed awoke with
a confused impression that he had heard him praying and strangely mingling
figures not of speech but arithmetic with his broken prayers
Jonas sat there too all night not where his father could have seen him
had his consciousness returned but hiding as it were behind him and only
reading how he looked in Mr Pecksniffs eyes He the coarse upstart who had
ruled the house so long That craven cur who was afraid to move and shook so
that his very shadow fluttered on the wall
It was broad bright stirring day when leaving the old clerk to watch him
they went down to breakfast People hurried up and down the street windows and
doors were opened thieves and beggars took their usual posts workmen bestirred
themselves tradesmen set forth their shops bailiffs and constables were on the
watch all kinds of human creatures strove in their several ways as hard to
live as the one sick old man who combated for every grain of sand in his
fastemptying glass as eagerly as if it were an empire
»If anything happens Pecksniff« said Jonas »you must promise me to stop
here till its all over You shall see that I do whats right«
»I know that you will do whats right Mr Jonas« said Pecksniff
»Yes yes but I wont be doubted No one shall have it in his power to say
a syllable against me« he returned »I know how people will talk Just as if he
wasnt old or I had the secret of keeping him alive«
Mr Pecksniff promised that he would remain if circumstances should render
it in his esteemed friends opinion desirable they were finishing their meal
in silence when suddenly an apparition stood before them so ghastly to the
view that Jonas shrieked aloud and both recoiled in horror
Old Anthony dressed in his usual clothes was in the room beside the
table He leaned upon the shoulder of his solitary friend and on his livid
face and on his horny hands and in his glassy eyes and traced by an eternal
finger in the very drops of sweat upon his brow was one word Death
He spoke to them in something of his own voice too but sharpened and made
hollow like a dead mans face What he would have said God knows He seemed to
utter words but they were such as man had never heard And this was the most
fearful circumstance of all to see him standing there gabbling in an unearthly
tongue
»Hes better now« said Chuffey »Better now Let him sit in his old chair
and hell be well again I told him not to mind I said so yesterday«
They put him in his easychair and wheeled it near the window then
setting open the door exposed him to the free current of morning air But not
all the air that is nor all the winds that ever blew twixt Heaven and Earth
could have brought new life to him
Plunge him to the throat in golden pieces now and his heavy fingers shall
not close on one
Chapter XIX
The Reader Is Brought into Communication with Some Professional Persons and
Sheds a Tear Over the Filial Piety of Good Mr Jonas
Mr Pecksniff was in a hackney cabriolet for Jonas Chuzzlewit had said »Spare
no expense« Mankind is evil in its thoughts and in its base constructions and
Jonas was resolved it should not have an inch to stretch into an ell against
him It never should be charged upon his fathers son that he had grudged the
money for his fathers funeral Hence until the obsequies should be concluded
Jonas had taken for his motto »Spend and spare not«
Mr Pecksniff had been to the undertaker and was now upon his way to
another officer in the train of mourning a female functionary a nurse and
watcher and performer of nameless offices about the persons of the dead whom
he had recommended Her name as Mr Pecksniff gathered from a scrap of writing
in his hand was Gamp her residence in Kingsgate Street High Holborn So Mr
Pecksniff in a hackney cab was rattling over Holborn stones in quest of Mrs
Gamp
This lady lodged at a birdfanciers next door but one to the celebrated
muttonpie shop and directly opposite to the original catsmeat warehouse the
renown of which establishments was duly heralded on their respective fronts It
was a little house and this was the more convenient for Mrs Gamp being in
her highest walk of art a monthly nurse or as her signboard boldly had it
Midwife and lodging in the firstfloor front was easily assailable at night by
pebbles walkingsticks and fragments of tobaccopipe all much more
efficacious than the streetdoor knocker which was so constructed as to wake
the street with ease and even spread alarms of fire in Holborn without making
the smallest impression on the premises to which it was addressed
It chanced on this particular occasion that Mrs Gamp had been up all the
previous night in attendance upon a ceremony to which the usage of gossips has
given that name which expresses in two syllables the curse pronounced on Adam
It chanced that Mrs Gamp had not been regularly engaged but had been called in
at a crisis in consequence of her great repute to assist another professional
lady with her advice and thus it happened that all points of interest in the
case being over Mrs Gamp had come home again to the birdfanciers and gone
to bed So when Mr Pecksniff drove up in the hackney cab Mrs Gamps curtains
were drawn close and Mrs Gamp was fast asleep behind them
If the birdfancier had been at home as he ought to have been there would
have been no great harm in this but he was out and his shop was closed The
shutters were down certainly and in every pane of glass there was at least one
tiny bird in a tiny birdcage twittering and hopping his little ballet of
despair and knocking his head against the roof while one unhappy goldfinch who
lived outside a red villa with his name on the door drew the water for his own
drinking and mutely appealed to some good man to drop a farthings worth of
poison in it Still the door was shut Mr Pecksniff tried the latch and shook
it causing a cracked bell inside to ring most mournfully but no one came The
birdfancier was an easy shaver also and a fashionable hairdresser also and
perhaps he had been sent for express from the court end of the town to trim a
lord or cut and curl a lady but however that might be there upon his own
ground he was not nor was there any more distinct trace of him to assist the
imagination of an inquirer than a professional print or emblem of his calling
much favoured in the trade representing a hairdresser of easy manners
curling a lady of distinguished fashion in the presence of a patent upright
grand pianoforte
Noting these circumstances Mr Pecksniff in the innocence of his heart
applied himself to the knocker but at the first double knock every window in
the street became alive with female heads and before he could repeat the
performance whole troops of married ladies some about to trouble Mrs Gamp
themselves very shortly came flocking round the steps all crying out with one
accord and with uncommon interest »Knock at the winder sir knock at the
winder Lord bless you dont lose no more time than you can help knock at the
winder«
Acting upon this suggestion and borrowing the drivers whip for the
purpose Mr Pecksniff soon made a commotion among the firstfloor flowerpots
and roused Mrs Gamp whose voice to the great satisfaction of the matrons
was heard to say »Im coming«
»Hes as pale as a muffin« said one lady in allusion to Mr Pecksniff
»So he ought to be if hes the feelings of a man« observed another
A third lady with her arms folded said she wished he had chosen any other
time for fetching Mrs Gamp but it always happened so with her
It gave Mr Pecksniff much uneasiness to find from these remarks that he
was supposed to have come to Mrs Gamp upon an errand touching not the close
of life but the other end Mrs Gamp herself was under the same impression
for throwing open the window she cried behind the curtains as she hastily
attired herself
»Is it Mrs Perkins«
»No« returned Mr Pecksniff sharply »Nothing of the sort«
»What Mr Whilks« cried Mrs Gamp »Dont say its you Mr Whilks and
that poor creetur Mrs Whilks with not even a pincushion ready Dont say its
you Mr Whilks«
»It isnt Mr Whilks« said Pecksniff »I dont know the man Nothing of the
kind A gentleman is dead and some person being wanted in the house you have
been recommended by Mr Mould the undertaker«
As she was by this time in a condition to appear Mrs Gamp who had a face
for all occasions looked out of the window with her mourning countenance and
said she would be down directly But the matrons took it very ill that Mr
Pecksniffs mission was of so unimportant a kind and the lady with her arms
folded rated him in good round terms signifying that she would be glad to know
what he meant by terrifying delicate females with his corpses and giving it as
her opinion that he was quite ugly enough to know better The other ladies were
not at all behindhand in expressing similar sentiments and the children of
whom some scores had now collected hooted and defied Mr Pecksniff quite
savagely So when Mrs Gamp appeared the unoffending gentleman was glad to
hustle her with very little ceremony into the cabriolet and drive off
overwhelmed with popular execration
Mrs Gamp had a large bundle with her a pair of pattens and a species of
gig umbrella the latter article in colour like a faded leaf except where a
circular patch of a lively blue had been dexterously let in at the top She was
much flurried by the haste she had made and laboured under the most erroneous
views of cabriolets which she appeared to confound with mailcoaches or
stagewaggons inasmuch as she was constantly endeavouring for the first half
mile to force her luggage through the little front window and clamouring to the
driver to put it in the boot When she was disabused of this idea her whole
being resolved itself into an absorbing anxiety about her pattens with which
she played innumerable games at quoits on Mr Pecksniffs legs It was not
until they were close upon the house of mourning that she had enough composure
to observe
»And so the gentlemans dead sir Ah The mores the pity« She didnt even
know his name »But its what we must all come to Its as certain as being
born except that we cant make our calculations as exact Ah Poor dear«
She was a fat old woman this Mrs Gamp with a husky voice and a moist eye
which she had a remarkable power of turning up and only showing the white of
it Having very little neck it cost her some trouble to look over herself if
one may say so at those to whom she talked She wore a very rusty black gown
rather the worse for snuff and a shawl and bonnet to correspond In these
dilapidated articles of dress she had on principle arrayed herself time out
of mind on such occasions as the present for this at once expressed a decent
amount of veneration for the deceased and invited the next of kin to present
her with a fresher suit of weeds an appeal so frequently successful that the
very fetch and ghost of Mrs Gamp bonnet and all might be seen hanging up any
hour in the day in at least a dozen of the secondhand clothes shop about
Holborn The face of Mrs Gamp the nose in particular was somewhat red and
swollen and it was difficult to enjoy her society without becoming conscious of
a smell of spirits Like most persons who have attained to great eminence in
their profession she took to hers very kindly insomuch that setting aside her
natural predilections as a woman she went to a lyingin or a layingout with
equal zest and relish
»Ah« repeated Mrs Gamp for it was always a safe sentiment in cases of
mourning »Ah dear When Gamp was summoned to his long home and I see him a
lying in Guys Hospital with a pennypiece on each eye and his wooden leg under
his left arm I thought I should have fainted away But I bore up«
If certain whispers current in the Kingsgate Street circles had any truth in
them she had indeed borne up surprisingly and had exerted such uncommon
fortitude as to dispose of Mr Gamps remains for the benefit of science. But
it should be added in fairness that this had happened twenty years before and
that Mr and Mrs Gamp had long been separated on the ground of incompatibility
of temper in their drink
»You have become indifferent since then I suppose« said Mr Pecksniff
»Use is second nature Mrs Gamp«
»You may well say second nater sir« returned that lady »Ones first ways
is to find sich things a trial to the feelings and so is ones lasting custom
If it wasnt for the nerve a little sip of liquor gives me I never was able to
do more than taste it I never could go through with what I sometimes has to
do Mrs Harris I says at the very last case as ever I acted in which it was
but a young person Mrs Harris I says leave the bottle on the chimleypiece
and dont ask me to take none but let me put my lips to it when I am so
dispoged and then I will do what Im engaged to do according to the best of my
ability Mrs Gamp she says in answer if ever there was a sober creetur to be
got at eighteen pence a day for working people and three and six for
gentlefolks night watching« said Mrs Gamp with emphasis »being a extra
charge you are that inwallable person Mrs Harris I says to her dont name
the charge for if I could afford to lay all my feller creeturs out for nothink
I would gladly do it sich is the love I bears em But what I always says to
them as has the management of matters Mrs Harris« here she kept her eye on
Mr Pecksniff »be they gents or be they ladies is dont ask me whether I
wont take none or whether I will but leave the bottle on the chimleypiece
and let me put my lips to it when I am so dispoged«
The conclusion of this affecting narrative brought them to the house In the
passage they encountered Mr Mould the undertaker a little elderly gentleman
bald and in a suit of black with a notebook in his hand a massive gold
watchchain dangling from his fob and a face in which a queer attempt at
melancholy was at odds with a smirk of satisfaction so that he looked as a man
might who in the very act of smacking his lips over choice old wine tried to
make believe it was physic
»Well Mrs Gamp and how are you Mrs Gamp« said this gentleman in a
voice as soft as his step
»Pretty well I thank you sir« dropping a curtsey
»Youll be very particular here Mrs Gamp This is not a common case Mrs
Gamp Let everything be very nice and comfortable Mrs Gamp if you please«
said the undertaker shaking his head with a solemn air
»It shall be sir« she replied curtseying again »You knows me of old
sir I hope«
»I hope so too Mrs Gamp« said the undertaker »and I think so also«
Mrs Gamp curtseyed again »This is one of the most impressive cases sir« he
continued addressing Mr Pecksniff »that I have seen in the whole course of my
professional experience«
»Indeed Mr Mould« cried that gentleman
»Such affectionate regret sir I never saw There is no limitation there
is positively NO limitation« opening his eyes wide and standing on tiptoe »in
point of expense I have orders sir to put on my whole establishment of mutes
and mutes come very dear Mr Pecksniff not to mention their drink To provide
silverplated handles of the very best description ornamented with angels
heads from the most expensive dies To be perfectly profuse in feathers In
short sir to turn out something absolutely gorgeous«
»My friend Mr Jonas is an excellent man« said Mr Pecksniff
»I have seen a good deal of what is filial in my time sir« retorted Mould
»and what is unfilial too It is our lot We come into the knowledge of those
secrets But anything so filial as this anything so honourable to human nature
so calculated to reconcile all of us to the world we live in never yet came
under my observation It only proves sir what was so forcibly observed by the
lamented theatrical poet buried at Stratford that there is good in
everything«
»It is very pleasant to hear you say so Mr Mould« observed Pecksniff
»You are very kind sir And what a man Mr Chuzzlewit was sir Ah what a
man he was You may talk of your lord mayors« said Mould waving his hand at
the public in general »your sheriffs your common councilmen your trumpery
but show me a man in this city who is worthy to walk in the shoes of the
departed Mr Chuzzlewit No no« cried Mould with bitter sarcasm »Hang em
up hang em up sole em and heel em and have em ready for his son against
hes old enough to wear em but dont try em on yourselves for they wont fit
you We knew him« said Mould in the same biting vein as he pocketed his
notebook »we knew him and are not to be caught with chaff Mr Pecksniff
sir good morning«
Mr Pecksniff returned the compliment and Mould sensible of having
distinguished himself was going away with a brisk smile when he fortunately
remembered the occasion Quickly becoming depressed again he sighed looked
into the crown of his hat as if for comfort put it on without finding any and
slowly departed
Mrs Gamp and Mr Pecksniff then ascended the staircase and the former,
having been shown to the chamber in which all that remained of Anthony
Chuzzlewit lay covered up with but one loving heart and that a halting one to
mourn it left the latter free to enter the darkened room below and rejoin Mr
Jonas from whom he had now been absent nearly two hours
He found that example to bereaved sons and pattern in the eyes of all
performers of funerals musing over a fragment of writingpaper on the desk and
scratching figures on it with a pen The old mans chair and hat and
walkingstick were removed from their accustomed places and put out of sight
the windowblinds as yellow as November fogs were drawn down close Jonas
himself was so subdued that he could scarcely be heard to speak and only seen
to walk across the room
»Pecksniff« he said in a whisper »you shall have the regulation of it
all mind You shall be able to tell anybody who talks about it that everything
was correctly and freely done There isnt any one youd like to ask to the
funeral is there«
»No Mr Jonas I think not«
»Because if there is you know« said Jonas »ask him We dont want to make
a secret of it«
»No« repeated Mr Pecksniff after a little reflection »I am not the less
obliged to you on that account Mr Jonas for your liberal hospitality but
there really is no one«
»Very well« said Jonas »then you and I and Chuffey and the doctor will
be just a coachful Well have the doctor Pecksniff because he knows what was
the matter with him and that it couldnt be helped«
»Where is our dear friend Mr Chuffey« asked Pecksniff looking round the
chamber and winking both his eyes at once For he was overcome by his feelings
But here he was interrupted by Mrs Gamp who divested of her bonnet and
shawl came sidling and bridling into the room and with some sharpness
demanded a conference outside the door with Mr Pecksniff
»You may say whatever you wish to say here Mrs Gamp« said that gentleman
shaking his head with a melancholy expression
»It is not much as I have to say when people is a mourning for the dead and
gone« said Mrs Gamp »but what I have to say is to the pint and purpose and
no offence intended must be so considered I have been at a many places in my
time gentlemen and I hope I knows what my duties is and how the same should
be performed in course if I did not it would be very strange and very wrong
in sich a gentleman as Mr Mould which has undertook the highest families in
this land and given every satisfaction so to recommend me as he does I have
seen a deal of trouble my own self« said Mrs Gamp laying greater and greater
stress upon her words »and I am feel for them as has their feelings tried but
I am not a Rooshan or a Prooshan and consequently cannot suffer spies to be set
over me«
Before it was possible that an answer could be returned Mrs Gamp growing
redder in the face went on to say
»It is not a easy matter gentlemen to live when you are left a widder
woman particular when your feelings works upon you to that extent that you
often find yourself a going out on terms which is a certain loss and never can
repay But in whatever way you earns your bread you may have rules and
regulations of your own which cannot be broke through Some people« said Mrs
Gamp again entrenching herself behind her strong point as if it were not
assailable by human ingenuity »may be Rooshans and others may be Prooshans
they are born so and will please themselves Them which is of other naturs
thinks different«
»If I understand this good lady« said Mr Pecksniff turning to Jonas »Mr
Chuffey is troublesome to her Shall I fetch him down«
»Do« said Jonas »I was going to tell you he was up there when she came
in Id go myself and bring him down only only Id rather you went if you
dont mind«
Mr Pecksniff promptly departed followed by Mrs Gamp who seeing that he
took a bottle and glass from the cupboard and carried it in his hand was much
softened
»I am sure« she said »that if it wasnt for his own happiness I should no
more mind his being there poor dear than if he was a fly But them as isnt
used to these things thinks so much of em afterwards that its a kindness to
em not to let em have their wish And even« said Mrs Gamp probably in
reference to some flowers of speech she had already strewn on Mr Chuffey »even
if one calls em names its only done to rouse em«
Whatever epithets she had bestowed on the old clerk they had not roused
him He sat beside the bed in the chair he had occupied all the previous night
with his hands folded before him and his head bowed down and neither looked
up on their entrance nor gave any sign of consciousness, until Mr Pecksniff
took him by the arm when he meekly rose
»Three score and ten« said Chuffey »ought and carry seven Some men are so
strong that they live to four score four times oughts an ought four times
twos an eight eighty Oh why why why didnt he live to four times
oughts an ought and four times twos an eight eighty«
»Ah what a wale of grief« cried Mrs Gamp possessing herself of the
bottle and glass
»Why did he die before his poor old crazy servant« said Chuffey clasping
his hands and looking up in anguish »Take him from me and what remains«
»Mr Jonas« returned Pecksniff »Mr Jonas my good friend«
»I loved him« cried the old man weeping »He was good to me We learnt
Tare and Tret together at school I took him down once six boys in the
arithmetic class God forgive me Had I the heart to take him down«
»Come Mr Chuffey« said Pecksniff »Come with me Summon up your
fortitude Mr Chuffey«
»Yes I will« returned the old clerk »Yes Ill sum up my forty How many
times forty Oh Chuzzlewit and Son Your own son Mr Chuzzlewit your own
son sir«
He yielded to the hand that guided him as he lapsed into this familiar
expression and submitted to be led away Mrs Gamp with the bottle on one
knee and the glass in the other sat upon a stool shaking her head for a long
time until in a moment of abstraction she poured out a dram of spirits and
raised it to her lips It was succeeded by a second and by a third and then
her eyes either in the sadness of her reflections upon life and death or in
her admiration of the liquor were so turned up as to be quite invisible But
she shook her head still
Poor Chuffey was conducted to his accustomed corner and there he remained
silent and quiet save at long intervals when he would rise and walk about the
room and wring his hands or raise some strange and sudden cry For a whole
week they all three sat about the hearth and never stirred abroad Mr Pecksniff
would have walked out in the evening time but Mr Jonas was so averse to his
being absent for a minute that he abandoned the idea and so from morning
until night they brooded together in the dark room without relief or
occupation
The weight of that which was stretched out stiff and stark in the awful
chamber abovestairs so crushed and bore down Jonas that he bent beneath the
load During the whole long seven days and nights he was always oppressed and
haunted by a dreadful sense of its presence in the house Did the door move he
looked towards it with a livid face and starting eye as if he fully believed
that ghostly fingers clutched the handle Did the fire flicker in a draught of
air he glanced over his shoulder as almost dreading to behold some shrouded
figure fanning and flapping at it with its fearful dress The lightest noise
disturbed him and once in the night at the sound of a footstep overhead he
cried out that the dead man was walking tramp tramp tramp about his coffin
He lay at night upon a mattress on the floor of the sittingroom his own
chamber having been assigned to Mrs Gamp and Mr Pecksniff was similarly
accommodated The howling of a dog before the house filled him with a terror he
could not disguise He avoided the reflection in the opposite windows of the
light that burned above as though it had been an angry eye He often in every
night rose up from his fitful sleep and looked and longed for dawn all
directions and arrangements even to the ordering of their daily meals he
abandoned to Mr Pecksniff That excellent gentleman deeming that the mourner
wanted comfort and that high feeding was likely to do him infinite service
availed himself of these opportunities to such good purpose that they kept
quite a dainty table during this melancholy season with sweetbreads stewed
kidneys oysters and other such light viands for supper every night over
which and sundry jorums of hot punch Mr Pecksniff delivered such moral
reflections and spiritual consolation as might have converted a Heathen
especially if he had had but an imperfect acquaintance with the English tongue
Nor did Mr Pecksniff alone indulge in the creature comforts during this sad
time Mrs Gamp proved to be very choice in her eating and repudiated hashed
mutton with scorn In her drinking too she was very punctual and particular
requiring a pint of mild porter at lunch a pint at dinner halfapint as a
species of stay or holdfast between dinner and tea and a pint of the celebrated
staggering ale or Real Old Brighton Tipper at supper besides the bottle on
the chimneypiece and such casual invitations to refresh herself with wine as
the good breeding of her employers might prompt them to offer In like manner
Mr Moulds men found it necessary to drown their grief like a young kitten in
the morning of its existence; for which reason they generally fuddled themselves
before they began to do anything lest it should make head and get the better of
them In short the whole of that strange week was a round of dismal joviality
and grim enjoyment and every one except poor Chuffey who came within the
shadow of Anthony Chuzzlewits grave feasted like a Ghoul
At length the day of the funeral pious and truthful ceremony that it was
arrived Mr Mould with a glass of generous port between his eye and the light
leaned against the desk in the little glass office with his gold watch in his
unoccupied hand and conversed with Mrs Gamp two mutes were at the housedoor
looking as mournful as could be reasonably expected of men with such a thriving
job in hand the whole of Mr Moulds establishment were on duty within the
house or without feathers waved horses snorted silk and velvets fluttered in
a word as Mr Mould emphatically said »everything that money could do was
done«
»And what can do more Mrs Gamp« exclaimed the undertaker as he emptied
his glass and smacked his lips
»Nothing in the world sir«
»Nothing in the world« repeated Mr Mould »You are right Mrs Gamp Why
do people spend more money« here he filled his glass again »upon a death Mrs
Gamp than upon a birth Come thats in your way you ought to know How do you
account for that now«
»Perhaps it is because an undertakers charges comes dearer than a nurses
charges sir« said Mrs Gamp tittering and smoothing down her new black dress
with her hands
»Ha ha« laughed Mr Mould »You have been breakfasting at somebodys
expense this morning Mrs Gamp« But seeing by the aid of a little
shavingglass which hung opposite that he looked merry he composed his
features and became sorrowful
»Manys the time that Ive not breakfasted at my own expense along of your
kind recommending sir and manys the time I hope to do the same in time to
come« said Mrs Gamp with an apologetic curtsey
»So be it« replied Mr Mould »please Providence No Mrs Gamp Ill tell
you why it is Its because the laying out of money with a wellconducted
establishment where the thing is performed upon the very best scale binds the
broken heart and sheds balm upon the wounded spirit Hearts want binding and
spirits want balming when people die not when people are born Look at this
gentleman today look at him«
»An openhanded gentleman« cried Mrs Gamp with enthusiasm
»No no« said the undertaker »not an openhanded gentleman in general by
any means There you mistake him but an afflicted gentleman an affectionate
gentleman who knows what it is in the power of money to do in giving him
relief and in testifying his love and veneration for the departed It can give
him« said Mr Mould waving his watchchain slowly round and round so that he
described one circle after every item »it can give him four horses to each
vehicle it can give him velvet trappings it can give him drivers in cloth
cloaks and topboots it can give him the plumage of the ostrich dyed black it
can give him any number of walking attendants dressed in the first style of
funeral fashion and carrying batons tipped with brass it can give him a
handsome tomb it can give him a place in Westminster Abbey itself if he choose
to invest it in such a purchase Oh do not let us say that gold is dross when
it can buy such things as these Mrs Gamp«
»But what a blessing sir« said Mrs Gamp »that there are such as you to
sell or let em out on hire«
»Ay Mrs Gamp you are right« rejoined the undertaker »We should be an
honoured calling We do good by stealth and blush to have it mentioned in our
little bills How much consolation may I even I« cried Mr Mould »have
diffused among my fellowcreatures by means of my four longtailed prancers
never harnessed under ten pund ten«
Mrs Gamp had begun to make a suitable reply when she was interrupted by
the appearance of one of Mr Moulds assistants his chief mourner in fact an
obese person with his waistcoat in closer connection with his legs than is
quite reconcilable with the established ideas of grace with that cast of
feature which is figuratively called a bottlenose and with a face covered all
over with pimples He had been a tender plant once upon a time but from
constant blowing in the fat atmosphere of funeral had run to seed
»Well Tacker« said Mr Mould »is all ready below«
»A beautiful show sir« rejoined Tacker »The horses are prouder and
fresher than ever I see em and toss their heads they do as if they knowed
how much their plumes cost One two three four« said Mr Tacker heaping
that number of black cloaks upon his left arm
»Is Tom there with the cake and wine« asked Mr Mould
»Ready to come in at a moments notice sir« said Tacker
»Then« rejoined Mr Mould putting up his watch and glancing at himself in
the little shavingglass that he might be sure his face had the right
expression on it »then I think we may proceed to business Give me the paper of
gloves Tacker Ah what a man he was Ah Tacker Tacker what a man he was«
Mr Tacker who from his great experience in the performance of funerals
would have made an excellent pantomime actor winked at Mrs Gamp without at all
disturbing the gravity of his countenance and followed his master into the next
room
It was a great point with Mr Mould and a part of his professional tact
not to seem to know the doctor though in reality they were near neighbours and
very often as in the present instance worked together So he advanced to fit
on his black kid gloves as if he had never seen him in all his life while the
doctor on his part looked as distant and unconscious as if he had heard and
read of undertakers and had passed their shops but had never before been
brought into communication with one
»Gloves eh« said the doctor »Mr Pecksniff after you«
»I couldnt think of it« returned Mr Pecksniff
»You are very good« said the doctor taking a pair »Well sir as I was
saying I was called up to attend that case at about halfpast one oclock Cake
and wine eh Which is port Thank you«
Mr Pecksniff took some also
»At about halfpast one oclock in the morning sir« resumed the doctor »I
was called up to attend that case At the first pull of the nightbell I turned
out threw up the window and put out my head Cloak eh Dont tie it too
tight Thatll do«
Mr Pecksniff having been likewise inducted into a similar garment the
doctor resumed
»And put out my head Hat eh My good friend that is not mine Mr
Pecksniff I beg your pardon but I think we have unintentionally made an
exchange Thank you Well sir I was going to tell you «
»We are quite ready« interrupted Mould in a low voice
»Ready eh« said the doctor »Very good Mr Pecksniff Ill take an
opportunity of relating the rest in the coach Its rather curious Ready eh
No rain I hope«
»Quite fair sir« returned Mould
»I was afraid the ground would have been wet« said the doctor »for my
glass fell yesterday We may congratulate ourselves upon our good fortune« But
seeing by this time that Mr Jonas and Chuffey were going out at the door he
put a white pockethandkerchief to his face as if a violent burst of grief had
suddenly come upon him and walked down side by side with Mr Pecksniff
Mr Mould and his men had not exaggerated the grandeur of the arrangements
They were splendid The four hearsehorses especially reared and pranced and
showed their highest action as if they knew a man was dead and triumphed in
it »They break us drive us ride us illtreat abuse and maim us for their
pleasure But they die Hurrah they die«
So through the narrow streets and winding city ways went Anthony
Chuzzlewits funeral Mr Jonas glancing stealthily out of the coachwindow now
and then to observe its effect upon the crowd Mr Mould as he walked along
listening with a sober pride to the exclamations of the bystanders the doctor
whispering his story to Mr Pecksniff without appearing to come any nearer the
end of it and poor old Chuffey sobbing unregarded in a corner But he had
greatly scandalised Mr Mould at an early stage of the ceremony by carrying his
handkerchief in his hat in a perfectly informal manner and wiping his eyes with
his knuckles And as Mr Mould himself had said already his behaviour was
indecent and quite unworthy of such an occasion and he never ought to have
been there
There he was however and in the churchyard there he was also conducting
himself in a no less unbecoming manner and leaning for support on Tacker who
plainly told him that he was fit for nothing better than a walking funeral But
Chuffey Heaven help him heard no sound but the echoes lingering in his own
heart of a voice for ever silent
»I loved him« cried the old man sinking down upon the grave when all was
done »He was very good to me Oh my dear old friend and master«
»Come come Mr Chuffey« said the doctor »this wont do its a clayey
soil Mr Chuffey You mustnt really«
»If it had been the commonest thing we do and Mr Chuffey had been a
Bearer gentlemen« said Mould casting an imploring glance upon them as he
helped to raise him »he couldnt have gone on worse than this«
»Be a man Mr Chuffey« said Pecksniff
»Be a gentleman Mr Chuffey« said Mould
»Upon my word my good friend« murmured the doctor in a tone of stately
reproof as be stepped up to the old mans side »this is worse than weakness
This is bad selfish very wrong Mr Chuffey You should take example from
others my good sir You forget that you were not connected by ties of blood
with our deceased friend and that he had a very near and very dear relation
Mr Chuffey«
»Ay his own son« cried the old man clasping his hands with remarkable
passion »His own own only son«
»Hes not right in his head you know« said Jonas turning pale »Youre
not to mind anything he says I shouldnt wonder if he was to talk some precious
nonsense But dont you mind him any of you I dont My father left him to my
charge and whatever he says or does thats enough Ill take care of him«
A hum of admiration rose from the mourners including Mr Mould and his
merry men at this new instance of magnanimity and kindfeeling on the part of
Jonas But Chuffey put it to the test no farther He said not a word more and
being left to himself for a little while crept back again to the coach
It has been said that Mr Jonas turned pale when the behaviour of the old
clerk attracted general attention his discomposure however was but momentary
and he soon recovered But these were not the only changes he had exhibited that
day The curious eyes of Mr Pecksniff had observed that as soon as they left
the house upon their mournful errand he began to mend that as the ceremonies
proceeded he gradually by little and little recovered his old condition his
old looks his old bearing his old agreeable characteristics of speech and
manner and became in all respects his old pleasant self And now that they
were seated in the coach on their return home and more when they got there and
found the windows open the light and air admitted and all traces of the late
event removed he felt so well convinced that Jonas was again the Jonas he had
known a week ago and not the Jonas of the intervening time that he voluntarily
gave up his recentlyacquired power without one faint attempt to exercise it
and at once fell back into his former position of mild and deferential guest
Mrs Gamp went home to the birdfanciers and was knocked up again that
very night for a birth of twins Mr Mould dined gaily in tire bosom of his
family and passed the evening facetiously at his club the hearse after
standing for a long time at the door of a roistering publichouse repaired to
its stables with the feathers inside and twelve rednosed undertakers on the
roof each holding on by a dingy peg to which in times of state a waving
plume was fitted the various trappings of sorrow were carefully laid by in
presses for the next hirer the fiery steeds were quenched and quiet in their
stalls the doctor got merry with wine at a weddingdinner and forgot the
middle of the story which had no end to it the pageant of a few short hours ago
was written nowhere half so legibly as in the undertakers books
Not in the churchyard Not even there The gates were closed the night was
dark and wet the rain fell silently among the stagnant weeds and nettles One
new mound was there which had not been there last night Time burrowing like a
mole below the ground had marked his track by throwing up another heap of
earth And that was all
Chapter XX
Is a Chapter of Love
»Pecksniff« said Jonas taking off his hat to see that the black crape band
was all right and finding that it was putting it on again complacently »what
do you mean to give your daughters when they marry«
»My dear Mr Jonas« cried the affectionate parent with an ingenuous smile
»what a very singular inquiry«
»Now dont you mind whether its a singular inquiry or a plural one«
retorted Jonas eyeing Mr Pecksniff with no great favour »but answer it or
let it alone One or the other«
»Hum The question my dear friend« said Mr Pecksniff laying his hand
tenderly upon his kinsmans knee »is involved with many considerations What
would I give them Eh«
»Ah what would you give em« repeated Jonas
»Why that« said Mr Pecksniff »would naturally depend in a great measure
upon the kind of husbands they might choose my dear young friend«
Mr Jonas was evidently disconcerted and at a loss how to proceed It was a
good answer It seemed a deep one but such is the wisdom of simplicity
»My standard for the merits I would require in a soninlaw« said Mr
Pecksniff after a short silence »is a high one Forgive me my dear Mr
Jonas« he added greatly moved »if I say that you have spoiled me and made it
a fanciful one an imaginative one a prismatically tinged one if I may be
permitted to call it so«
»What do you mean by that« growled Jonas looking at him with increased
disfavour
»Indeed my dear friend« said Mr Pecksniff »you may well inquire The
heart is not always a royal mint with patent machinery to work its metal into
current coin Sometimes it throws it out in strange forms not easily recognised
as coin at all But it is sterling gold It has at least that merit It is
sterling gold«
»Is it« grumbled Jonas with a doubtful shake of the head
»Ay« said Mr Pecksniff warming with his subject »it is To be plain with
you Mr Jonas if I could find two such sonsinlaw as you will one day make to
some deserving man capable of appreciating a nature such as yours I would
forgetful of myself bestow upon my daughters portions reaching to the very
utmost limit of my means«
This was strong language and it was earnestly delivered But who can wonder
that such a man as Mr Pecksniff after all he had seen and heard of Mr Jonas
should be strong and earnest upon such a theme a theme that touched even the
worldly lips of undertakers with the honey of eloquence
Mr Jonas was silent and looked thoughtfully at the landscape For they
were seated on the outside of the coach at the back and were travelling down
into the country He accompanied Mr Pecksniff home for a few days change of
air and scene after his recent trials
»Well« he said at last with captivating bluntness »suppose you got one
such soninlaw as me what then«
Mr Pecksniff regarded him at first with inexpressible surprise then
gradually breaking into a sort of dejected vivacity said
»Then well I know whose husband he would be«
»Whose« asked Jonas drily
»My eldest girls Mr Jonas« replied Pecksniff with moistening eyes »My
dear Cherrys my staff my scrip my treasure Mr Jonas A hard struggle but
it is in the nature of things I must one day part with her to a husband I know
it my dear friend I am prepared for it«
»Ecod youve been prepared for that a pretty long time I should think«
said Jonas
»Many have sought to bear her from me« said Mr Pecksniff »All have
failed I never will give my hand papa those were her words unless my heart
is won She has not been quite so happy as she used to be of late I dont know
why«
Again Mr Jonas looked at the landscape then at the coachman then at the
luggage on the roof finally at Mr Pecksniff
»I suppose youll have to part with the other one some of these days« he
observed as he caught that gentlemans eye
»Probably« said the parent »Years will tame down the wildness of my
foolish bird and then it will be caged Bu Cherry Mr Jonas Cherry«
»Oh ah« interrupted Jonas »Years have made her al right enough Nobody
doubts that But you havent answered what I asked you Of course youre not
obliged to do it you know if you dont like Youre the best judge«
There was a warning sulkiness in the manner of this speech which admonished
Mr Pecksniff that his dear friend was no to be trifled with or fenced off and
that he must either return a straightforward reply to his question or plainly
give him to understand that he declined to enlighten him upon the subject to
which it referred Mindful in this dilemma of the caution Old Anthony had given
him almost with his latest breath he resolved to speak to the point and so
told Mr Jonas enlarging upon the communication as a proof of his great
attachment and confidence that in the case he had put to wit in the event of
such a man as he proposing for his daughters hand he would endow her with a
fortune of four thousand pounds
»I should sadly pinch and cramp myself to do so« was his fatherly remark
»but that would be my duty and my conscience would reward me For myself my
conscience is my bank I have a trifle invested there a mere trifle Mr Jonas
but I prize it as a store of value I assure you«
The good mans enemies would have divided upon this question into two
parties One would have asserted without scruple that if Mr Pecksniffs
conscience were his bank and he kept a running account there he must have
overdrawn it beyond all mortal means of computation The other would have
contended that it was a mere fictitious form a perfectly blank book or one in
which entries were only made with a peculiar kind of invisible ink to become
legible at some indefinite time and that he never troubled it at all
»It would sadly pinch and cramp me my dear friend« repeated Mr Pecksniff
»but Providence perhaps I may be permitted to say a special Providence has
blessed my endeavours and I could guarantee to make the sacrifice«
A question of philosophy arises here whether Mr Pecksniff had or had not
good reason to say that he was specially patronised and encouraged in his
undertakings All his life long he had been walking up and down the narrow ways
and byeplaces with a hook in one hand and a crook in the other scraping all
sorts of valuable odds and ends into his pouch Now there being a special
Providence in the fall of a sparrow it follows so Mr Pecksniff would have
reasoned that there must also be a special Providence in the alighting of the
stone or stick or other substance which is aimed at the sparrow And Mr
Pecksniffs hook or crook having invariably knocked the sparrow on the head
and brought him down that gentleman may have been led to consider himself as
specially licensed to bag sparrows and as being specially seised and possessed
of all the birds he had got together That many undertakings national as well
as individual but especially the former are held to be specially brought to
a glorious and successful issue which never could be so regarded on any other
process of reasoning, must be clear to all men Therefore the precedents would
seem to show that Mr Pecksniff had good argument for what he said and might be
permitted to say it and did not say it presumptuously vainly or arrogantly
but in a spirit of high faith and great wisdom meriting all praise2
Mr Jonas not being much accustomed to perplex his mind with theories of
this nature expressed no opinion on the subject Nor did he receive his
companions announcement with one solitary syllable good bad or indifferent
He preserved this taciturnity for a quarter of an hour at least and during the
whole of that time appeared to be steadily engaged in subjecting some given
amount to the operation of every known rule in figures adding to it taking
from it multiplying it reducing it by long and short division working it by
the ruleofthree direct and inversed exchange or barter practice simple
interest compound interest and other means of arithmetical calculation The
result of these labours appeared to be satisfactory for when he did break
silence it was as one who had arrived at some specific result and freed
himself from a state of distressing uncertainty
»Come old Pecksniff« Such was his jocose address as he slapped that
gentleman on the back at the end of the stage »lets have something«
»With all my heart« said Mr Pecksniff
»Lets treat the driver« cried Jonas
»If you think it wont hurt the man or render him discontented with his
station certainly« faltered Mr Pecksniff
Jonas only laughed at this and getting down from the coachtop with great
alacrity cut a cumbersome kind of caper in the road After which he went into
the publichouse and there ordered spirituous drink to such an extent that Mr
Pecksniff had some doubts of his perfect sanity until Jonas set them quite at
rest by saying when the coach could wait no longer
»Ive been standing treat for a whole week and more and letting you have
all the delicacies of the season You shall pay for this Pecksniff« It was not
a joke either as Mr Pecksniff at first supposed for he went off to the coach
without further ceremony and left his respected victim to settle the bill
But Mr Pecksniff was a man of meek endurance and Mr Jonas was his friend
Moreover his regard for that gentleman was founded as we know on pure esteem
and a knowledge of the excellence of his character He came out from the tavern
with a smiling face and even went so far as to repeat the performance on a
less expensive scale at the next alehouse There was a certain wildness in the
spirits of Mr Jonas not usually a part of his character which was far from
being subdued by these means and for the rest of the journey he was so very
buoyant it may be said boisterous that Mr Pecksniff had some difficulty in
keeping pace with him
They were not expected Oh dear no Mr Pecksniff had proposed in London to
give the girls a surprise and had said he wouldnt write a word to prepare them
on any account in order that he and Mr Jonas might take them unawares and
just see what they were doing when they thought their dear papa was miles and
miles away As a consequence of this playful device there was nobody to meet
them at the fingerpost but that was of small consequence for they had come
down by the day coach and Mr Pecksniff had only a carpetbag while Mr Jonas
had only a portmanteau They took the portmanteau between them put the bag upon
it and walked off up the lane without delay Mr Pecksniff already going on
tiptoe as if without this precaution his fond children being then at a
distance of a couple of miles or so would have some filial sense of his
approach
It was a lovely evening in the springtime of the year and in the soft
stillness of the twilight all nature was very calm and beautiful The day had
been fine and warm but at the coming on of night the air grew cool and in the
mellowing distance smoke was rising gently from the cottage chimneys There
were a thousand pleasant scents diffused around from young leaves and fresh
buds the cuckoo had been singing all day long and was but just now hushed the
smell of earth newlyupturned first breath of hope to the first labourer after
his garden withered was fragrant in the evening breeze It was a time when most
men cherish good resolves and sorrow for the wasted past when most men
looking on the shadows as they gather think of that evening which must close on
all and that tomorrow which has none beyond
»Precious dull« said Mr Jonas looking about »Its enough to make a man
go melancholy mad«
»We shall have lights and a fire soon« observed Mr Pecksniff
»We shall need em by the time we get there« said Jonas »Why the devil
dont you talk What are you thinking of«
»To tell you the truth Mr Jonas« said Pecksniff with great solemnity »my
mind was running at that moment on our late dear friend your departed father«
Mr Jonas immediately let his burden fall and said threatening him with
his hand
»Drop that Pecksniff«
Mr Pecksniff not exactly knowing whether allusion was made to the subject
or the portmanteau stared at his friend in unaffected surprise
»Drop it I say« cried Jonas fiercely »Do you hear Drop it now and for
ever You had better I give you notice«
»It was quite a mistake« urged Mr Pecksniff very much dismayed »though I
admit it was foolish I might have known it was a tender string«
»Dont talk to me about tender strings« said Jonas wiping his forehead
with the cuff of his coat »Im not going to be crowed over by you because I
dont like dead company«
Mr Pecksniff had got out the words »Crowed over Mr Jonas« when that
young man with a dark expression in his countenance cut him short once more
»Mind« he said »I wont have it I advise you not to revive the subject
neither to me nor anybody else You can take a hint if you choose as well as
another man Theres enough said about it Come along«
Taking up his part of the load again when he had said these words he
hurried on so fast that Mr Pecksniff at the other end of the portmanteau
found himself dragged forward in a very inconvenient and ungraceful manner to
the great detriment of what is called by fancy gentlemen »the bark« upon his
shins which were most unmercifully bumped against the hard leather and the iron
buckles In the course of a few minutes however Mr Jonas relaxed his speed
and suffered his companion to come up with him and to bring the portmanteau
into a tolerably straight position
It was pretty clear that he regretted his late outbreak and that he
mistrusted its effect on Mr Pecksniff for as often as that gentleman glanced
towards Mr Jonas he found Mr Jonas glancing at him which was a new source of
embarrassment It was but a shortlived one though for Mr Jonas soon began to
whistle whereupon Mr Pecksniff taking his cue from his friend began to hum a
tune melodiously
»Pretty nearly there aint we« said Jonas when this had lasted some time
»Close my dear friend« said Mr Pecksniff
»Whatll they be doing do you suppose« asked Jonas
»Impossible to say« cried Mr Pecksniff »Giddy truants They may be away
from home perhaps I was going to he he he I was going to propose« said
Mr Pecksniff »that we should enter by the back way and come upon them like a
clap of thunder Mr Jonas«
It might not have been easy to decide in respect of which of their manifold
properties Jonas Mr Pecksniff the carpetbag and the portmanteau could be
likened to a clap of thunder But Mr Jonas giving his assent to this proposal
they stole round into the back yard and softly advanced towards the kitchen
window through which the mingled light of fire and candle shone upon the
darkening night
Truly Mr Pecksniff is blessed in his children In one of them at any rate
The prudent Cherry staff and scrip and treasure of her doting father there
she sits at a little table white as driven snow before the kitchen fire
making up accounts See the neat maiden as with pen in hand and calculating
look addressed towards the ceiling and bunch of keys within a little basket at
her side she checks the housekeeping expenditure From flatiron dishcover
and warmingpan from pot and kettle face of brass footman and blackleaded
stove bright glances of approbation wink and glow upon her The very onions
dangling from the beam mantle and shine like cherubs cheeks Something of the
influence of those vegetables sinks into Mr Pecksniffs nature He weeps
It is but for a moment and he hides it from the observation of his friend
very carefully by a somewhat elaborate use of his pockethandkerchief in
fact for he would not have his weakness known
»Pleasant« he murmured »pleasant to a fathers feelings My dear girl
Shall we let her know we are here Mr Jonas«
»Why I suppose you dont mean to spend the evening in the stable or the
coachhouse« he returned
»That indeed is not such hospitality as I would show to you my friend«
cried Mr Pecksniff pressing his hand And then he took a long breath and
tapping at the window shouted with stentorian blandness
»Boh«
Cherry dropped her pen and screamed But innocence is ever bold or should
be As they opened the door the valiant girl exclaimed in a firm voice and
with a presence of mind which even in that trying moment did not desert her
»Who are you What do you want Speak Or I will call my Pa«
Mr Pecksniff held out his arms She knew him instantly and rushed into his
fond embrace
»It was thoughtless of us Mr Jonas it was very thoughtless« said
Pecksniff smoothing his daughters hair »My darling do you see that I am not
alone«
Not she She had seen nothing but her father until now She saw Mr Jonas
now though and blushed and hung her head down as she gave him welcome
But where was Merry Mr Pecksniff didnt ask the question in reproach but
in a vein of mildness touched with a gentle sorrow She was up stairs reading
on the parlour couch Ah Domestic details had no charms for her »But call her
down« said Mr Pecksniff with a placid resignation »Call her down my love«
She was called and came all flushed and tumbled from reposing on the sofa
but none the worse for that No not at all Rather the better if anything
»Oh my goodness me« cried the arch girl turning to her cousin when she had
kissed her father on both cheeks and in her frolicsome nature had bestowed a
supernumerary salute upon the tip of his nose »you here fright Well Im very
thankful that you wont trouble me much«
»What youre as lively as ever are you« said Jonas »Oh Youre a wicked
one«
»There go along« retorted Merry pushing him away »Im sure I dont know
what I shall ever do if I have to see much of you Go along for gracious
sake«
Mr Pecksniff striking in here with a request that Mr Jonas would
immediately walk up stairs he so far complied with the young ladys adjuration
as to go at once But though he had the fair Cherry on his arm he could not
help looking back at her sister and exchanging some further dialogue of the
same bantering description as they all four ascended to the parlour where
for the young ladies happened by good fortune to be a little later than usual
that night the teaboard was at that moment being set out
Mr Pinch was not at home so they had it all to themselves and were very
snug and talkative Jonas sitting between the two sisters and displaying his
gallantry in that engaging manner which was peculiar to him It was a hard
thing Mr Pecksniff said when tea was done and cleared away to leave so
pleasant a little party but having some important papers to examine in his own
apartment he must beg them to excuse him for half an hour With this apology he
withdrew singing a careless strain as he went He had not been gone five
minutes when Merry who had been sitting in the window apart from Jonas and
her sister burst into a halfsmothered laugh and skipped towards the door
»Hallo« cried Jonas »Dont go«
»Oh I dare say« rejoined Merry looking back »Youre very anxious I
should stay fright aint you«
»Yes I am« said Jonas »Upon my word I am I want to speak to you« But as
she left the room notwithstanding he ran out after her and brought her back
after a short struggle in the passage which scandalised Miss Cherry very much
»Upon my word Merry« urged that young lady »I wonder at you There are
bounds even to absurdity my dear«
»Thank you my sweet« said Merry pursing up her rosy lips »Much obliged
to it for its advice Oh do leave me alone you monster do« This entreaty was
wrung from her by a new proceeding on the part of Mr Jonas who pulled her
down all breathless as she was into a seat beside him on the sofa having at
the same time Miss Cherry upon the other side
»Now« said Jonas clasping the waist of each »I have got both arms full
havent I«
»One of them will be black and blue tomorrow if you dont let me go«
cried the playful Merry
»Ah I dont mind your pinching« grinned Jonas »a bit«
»Pinch him for me Cherry pray« said Mercy »I never did hate anybody so
much as I hate this creature I declare«
»No no dont say that« urged Jonas »and dont pinch either because I
want to be serious I say Cousin Charity«
»Well what« she answered sharply
»I want to have some sober talk« said Jonas »I want to prevent any
mistakes you know and to put everything upon a pleasant understanding Thats
desirable and proper aint it«
Neither of the sisters spoke a word Mr Jonas paused and cleared his
throat which was very dry
»Shell not believe what I am going to say will she cousin« said Jonas
timidly squeezing Miss Charity
»Really Mr Jonas I dont know until I hear what it is Its quite
impossible«
»Why you see« said Jonas »her way always being to make game of people I
know shell laugh or pretend to I know that beforehand But you can tell her
Im in earnest cousin cant you Youll confess you know wont you Youll be
honourable Im sure« he added persuasively
No answer His throat seemed to grow hotter and hotter and to be more and
more difficult of control
»You see Cousin Charity« said Jonas »nobody but you can tell her what
pains I took to get into her company when you were both at the boardinghouse in
the city because nobodys so well aware of it you know Nobody else can tell
her how hard I tried to get to know you better in order that I might get to
know her without seeming to wish it can they I always asked you about her and
said where had she gone and when would she come and how lively she was and
all that didnt I cousin I know youll tell her so if you havent told her
so already and and I dare say you have because Im sure youre honourable
aint you«
Still not a word The right arm of Mr Jonas the elder sister sat upon his
right may have been sensible of some tumultuous throbbing which was not within
itself; but nothing else apprised him that his words had had the least effect
»Even if you kept it to yourself and havent told her« resumed Jonas »it
dont much matter because youll bear honest witness now wont you Weve been
very good friends from the first havent we And of course we shall be quite
friends in future and so I dont mind speaking before you a bit Cousin Mercy
youve heard what Ive been saying Shell confirm it every word she must
Will you have me for your husband Eh«
As he released his hold of Charity to put this question with better effect
she started up and hurried away to her own room marking her progress as she
went by such a train of passionate and incoherent sound as nothing but a
slighted woman in her anger could produce
»Let me go away Let me go after her« said Merry pushing him off and
giving him to tell the truth more than one sounding slap upon his
outstretched face
»Not till you say Yes You havent told me Will you have me for your
husband«
»No I wont I cant bear the sight of you I have told you so a hundred
times You are a fright Besides I always thought you liked my sister best We
all thought so«
»But that wasnt my fault« said Jonas
»Yes it was you know it was«
»Any trick is fair in love« said Jonas »She may have thought I liked her
best but you didnt«
»I did«
»No you didnt You never could have thought I liked her best when you
were by«
»Theres no accounting for tastes« said Merry »at least I didnt mean to
say that I dont know what I mean Let me go to her«
»Say Yes and then I will«
»If I ever brought myself to say so it should only be that I might hate
and tease you all my life«
»Thats as good« cried Jonas »as saying it right out Its a bargain
cousin Were a pair if ever there was one«
This gallant speech was succeeded by a confused noise of kissing and
slapping and then the fair but much dishevelled Merry broke away and
followed in the footsteps of her sister
Now whether Mr Pecksniff had been listening which in one of his character
appears impossible or divined almost by inspiration what the matter was
which in a man of his sagacity is far more probable or happened by sheer good
fortune to find himself in exactly the right place at precisely the right time
which under the special guardianship in which he lived might very reasonably
happen it is quite certain that at the moment when the sisters came together in
their own room he appeared at the chamber door And a marvellous contrast it
was They so heated noisy and vehement he so calm so selfpossessed so cool
and full of peace that not a hair upon his head was stirred
»Children« said Mr Pecksniff spreading out his hands in wonder but not
before he had shut the door and set his back against it »Girls Daughters
What is this«
»The wretch the apostate the false mean odious villain has before my
very face proposed to Mercy« was his eldest daughters answer
»Who has proposed to Mercy« asked Mr Pecksniff
»He has That thing Jonas down stairs«
»Jonas proposed to Mercy« said Mr Pecksniff »Aye aye Indeed«
»Have you nothing else to say« cried Charity »Am I to be driven mad papa
He has proposed to Mercy not to me«
»Oh fie For shame« said Mr Pecksniff gravely »Oh for shame Can the
triumph of a sister move you to this terrible display my child Oh really this
is very sad I am sorry I am surprised and hurt to see you so Mercy my girl
bless you See to her Ah envy envy what a passion you are«
Uttering this apostrophe in a tone full of grief and lamentation Mr
Pecksniff left the room taking care to shut the door behind him and walked
down stairs into the parlour There he found his intended soninlaw whom he
seized by both hands
»Jonas« cried Mr Pecksniff »Jonas the dearest wish of my heart is now
fulfilled«
»Very well Im glad to hear it« said Jonas »Thatll do I say As it
aint the one youre so fond of you must come down with another thousand
Pecksniff You must make it up five Its worth that to keep your treasure to
yourself you know You get off very cheap that way and havent a sacrifice to
make«
The grin with which he accompanied this set off his other attractions to
such unspeakable advantage that even Mr Pecksniff lost his presence of mind
for a moment and looked at the young man as if he were quite stupefied with
wonder and admiration But he quickly regained his composure and was in the
very act of changing the subject when a hasty step was heard without and Tom
Pinch in a state of great excitement came darting into the room
On seeing a stranger there apparently engaged with Mr Pecksniff in private
conversation Tom was very much abashed though he still looked as if he had
something of great importance to communicate which would be a sufficient
apology for his intrusion
»Mr Pinch« said Pecksniff »this is hardly decent You will excuse my
saying that I think your conduct scarcely decent Mr Pinch«
»I beg your pardon sir« replied Tom »for not knocking at the door«
»Rather beg this gentlemans pardon Mr Pinch« said Pecksniff »I know
you he does not My young man Mr Jonas«
The soninlaw that was to be gave him a slight nod not actively disdainful
or contemptuous only passively for he was in a good humour
»Could I speak a word with you sir if you please« said Tom »Its rather
pressing«
»It should be very pressing to justify this strange behaviour Mr Pinch«
returned his master »Excuse me for one moment my dear friend Now sir what
is the reason of this rough intrusion«
»I am very sorry sir I am sure« said Tom standing cap in hand before
his patron in the passage »and I know it must have a very rude appearance «
»It has a very rude appearance Mr Pinch«
»Yes I feel that sir but the truth is I was so surprised to see them
and knew you would be too that I ran home very fast indeed and really hadnt
enough command over myself to know what I was doing very well I was in the
church just now sir touching the organ for my own amusement when I happened
to look round and saw a gentleman and lady standing in the aisle listening
They seemed to be strangers sir as well as I could make out in the dusk and I
thought I didnt know them so presently I left off and said would they walk
up into the organloft or take a seat No they said they wouldnt do that
but they thanked me for the music they had heard In fact« observed Tom
blushing »they said Delicious music at least she did and I am sure that
was a greater pleasure and honour to me than any compliment I could have had I
I beg your pardon sir« he was all in a tremble and dropped his hat for
the second time »but I Im rather flurried and I fear Ive wandered from the
point«
»If you will come back to it Thomas« said Mr Pecksniff with an icy look
»I shall feel obliged«
»Yes sir« returned Tom »certainly They had a posting carriage at the
porch sir and had stopped to hear the organ they said And then they said
she said I mean I believe you live with Mr Pecksniff sir I said I had that
honour and I took the liberty sir« added Tom raising his eyes to his
benefactors face »of saying as I always will and must with your permission
that I was under great obligations to you and never could express my sense of
them sufficiently«
»That« said Mr Pecksniff »was very very wrong Take your time Mr
Pinch«
»Thank you sir« cried Tom »On that they asked me she asked I mean
Wasnt there a bridle road to Mr Pecksniffs house «
Mr Pecksniff suddenly became full of interest
»Without going by the Dragon When I said there was and said how happy I
should be to show it em they sent the carriage on by the road and came with
me across the meadows I left em at the turnstile to run forward and tell you
they were coming and theyll be here sir in in less than a minutes time I
should say« added Tom fetching his breath with difficulty
»Now who« said Mr Pecksniff pondering »who may these people be«
»Bless my soul sir« cried Tom »I meant to mention that at first I
thought I had I knew them her I mean directly The gentleman who was ill
at the Dragon sir last winter and the young lady who attended him«
Toms teeth chattered in his head and he positively staggered with
amazement at witnessing the extraordinary effect produced on Mr Pecksniff by
these simple words The dread of losing the old mans favour almost as soon as
they were reconciled through the mere fact of having Jonas in the house the
impossibility of dismissing Jonas or shutting him up or tying him hand and
foot and putting him in the coalcellar without offending him beyond recall
the horrible discordance prevailing in the establishment and the impossibility
of reducing it to decent harmony with Charity in loud hysterics Mercy in the
utmost disorder Jonas in the parlour and Martin Chuzzlewit and his young
charge upon the very doorsteps the total hopelessness of being able to disguise
or feasibly explain this state of rampant confusion the sudden accumulation
over his devoted head of every complicated perplexity and entanglement for his
extrication from which he had trusted to time good fortune chance and his own
plotting so filled the entrapped architect with dismay that if Tom could have
been a Gorgon staring at Mr Pecksniff and Mr Pecksniff could have been a
Gorgon staring at Tom they could not have horrified each other half so much as
in their own bewildered persons
»Dear dear« cried Tom »what have I done I hoped it would be a pleasant
surprise sir I thought you would like to know«
But at that moment a loud knocking was heard at the hall door
Chapter XXI
More American Experiences Martin Takes a Partner and Makes a Purchase Some
Account of Eden as It Appeared on Paper Also of the British Lion Also of the
Kind of Sympathy Professed and Entertained by the Watertoast Association of
United Sympathisers
The knocking at Mr Pecksniffs door though loud enough bore no resemblance
whatever to the noise of an American railway train at full speed It may be well
to begin the present chapter with this frank admission lest the reader should
imagine that the sounds now deafening this historys ears have any connection
with the knocker on Mr Pecksniffs door or with the great amount of agitation
pretty equally divided between that worthy man and Mr Pinch of which its
strong performance was the cause
Mr Pecksniffs house is more than a thousand leagues away and again this
happy chronicle has Liberty and Moral Sensibility for its high companions Again
it breathes the blessed air of Independence again it contemplates with pious
awe that moral sense which renders unto Cæsar nothing that is his again inhales
that sacred atmosphere which was the life of him oh noble patriot with many
followers who dreamed of Freedom in a slaves embrace and waking sold her
offspring and his own in public markets
How the wheels clank and rattle and the tramroad shakes as the train
rushes on And now the engine yells as it were lashed and tortured like a
living labourer and writhed in agony A poor fancy for steel and iron are of
infinitely greater account in this commonwealth than flesh and blood If the
cunning work of man be urged beyond its power of endurance it has within it the
elements of its own revenge whereas the wretched mechanism of the Divine Hand
is dangerous with no such property but may be tampered with and crushed and
broken at the drivers pleasure Look at that engine It shall cost a man more
dollars in the way of penalty and fine and satisfaction of the outraged law to
deface in wantonness that senseless mass of metal than to take the lives of
twenty human creatures Thus the stars wink upon the bloody stripes and Liberty
pulls down her cap upon her eyes and owns Oppression in its vilest aspect for
her sister
The enginedriver of the train whose noise awoke us to the present chapter
was certainly troubled with no such reflections as these nor is it very
probable that his mind was disturbed by any reflections at all He leaned with
folded arms and crossed legs against the side of the carriage smoking and
except when he expressed by a grunt as short as his pipe his approval of some
particularly dexterous aim on the part of his colleague the fireman who
beguiled his leisure by throwing logs of wood from the tender at the numerous
stray cattle on the line he preserved a composure so immovable and an
indifference so complete that if the locomotive had been a suckingpig he
could not have been more perfectly indifferent to its doings Notwithstanding
the tranquil state of this officer and his unbroken peace of mind the train
was proceeding with tolerable rapidity and the rails being but poorly laid the
jolts and bumps it met with in its progress were neither slight nor few
There were three great caravans or cars attached The ladies car the
gentlemens car and the car for negroes the latter painted black as an
appropriate compliment to its company Martin and Mark Tapley were in the first
as it was the most comfortable and being far from full received other
gentlemen who like them were unblessed by the society of ladies of their own
They were seated side by side and were engaged in earnest conversation
»And so Mark« said Martin looking at him with an anxious expression »and
so you are glad we have left New York far behind us are you«
»Yes sir« said Mark »I am Precious glad«
»Were you not jolly there« asked Martin
»On the contrairy sir« returned Mark »The jolliest week as ever I spent
in my life was that there week at Pawkinss«
»What do you think of our prospects« inquired Martin with an air that
plainly said he had avoided the question for some time
»Uncommon bright sir« returned Mark »Impossible for a place to have a
better name sir than the Walley of Eden No man couldnt think of settling in
a better place than the Walley of Eden And Im told« added Mark after a
pause »as theres lots of serpents there so we shall come out quite complete
and reglar«
So far from dwelling upon this agreeable piece of information with the least
dismay Marks face grew radiant as he called it to mind so very radiant that
a stranger might have supposed he had all his life been yearning for the society
of serpents and now hailed with delight the approaching consummation of his
fondest wishes
»Who told you that« asked Martin sternly
»A military officer« said Mark
»Confound you for a ridiculous fellow« cried Martin laughing heartily in
spite of himself »What military officer You know they spring up in every
field«
»As thick as scarecrows in England sir« interposed Mark »which is a sort
of militia themselves being entirely coat and wescoat with a stick inside Ha
ha Dont mind me sir its my way sometimes I cant help being jolly Why it
was one of them inwading conquerors at Pawkinss as told me Am I rightly
informed he says not exactly through his nose but as if hed got a stoppage
in it very high up that youre a going to the Walley of Eden I heard some
talk on it I told him Oh says he if you should ever happen to go to bed
there you may you know he says in course of time as civilisation progresses
dont forget to take a axe with you I looks at him tolerable hard Fleas
says I And more says he Wampires says I And more says he Musquitoes
perhaps says I And more says he What more says I Snakes more says he
rattlesnakes Youre right to a certain extent stranger There air some
catawampous chawers in the small way too as graze upon a human pretty strong
but dont mind them theyre company Its snakes he says as youll object to
and whenever you wake and see one in a upright poster on your bed he says like
a corkscrew with the handle off a sittin on its bottom ring cut him down for
he means wenom«
»Why didnt you tell me this before« cried Martin with an expression of
face which set off the cheerfulness of Marks visage to great advantage
»I never thought on it sir« said Mark »It come in at one ear and went
out at the other But Lord love us he was one of another Company I dare say
and only made up the story that we might go to his Eden and not the opposition
one«
»Theres some probability in that« observed Martin »I can honestly say
that I hope so with all my heart«
»Ive not a doubt about it sir« returned Mark who full of the
inspiriting influence of the anecdote upon himself had for the moment forgotten
its probable effect upon his master »anyhow we must live you know sir«
»Live« cried Martin »Yes its easy to say live but if we should happen
not to wake when rattlesnakes are making corkscrews of themselves upon our beds
it may be not so easy to do it«
»And thats a fact« said a voice so close in his ear that it tickled him
»Thats dreadful true«
Martin looked round and found that a gentleman on the seat behind had
thrust his head between himself and Mark and sat with his chin resting on the
back rail of their little bench entertaining himself with their conversation
He was as languid and listless in his looks as most of the gentlemen they had
seen his cheeks were so hollow that he seemed to be always sucking them in and
the sun had burnt him not a wholesome red or brown but dirty yellow He had
bright dark eyes which he kept half closed only peeping out of the corners
and even then with a glance that seemed to say »Now you wont overreach me you
want to but you wont« His arms rested carelessly on his knees as he leant
forward in the palm of his left hand as English rustics have their slice of
cheese he had a cake of tobacco in his right a penknife He struck into the
dialogue with as little reserve as if he had been specially called in days
before to hear the arguments on both sides and favour them with his opinion
and he no more contemplated or cared for the possibility of their not desiring
the honour of his acquaintance or interference in their private affairs than if
he had been a bear or a buffalo
»That« he repeated nodding condescendingly to Martin as to an outer
barbarian and foreigner »is dreadful true Darn all manner of vermin«
Martin could not help frowning for a moment as if he were disposed to
insinuate that the gentleman had unconsciously darned himself But remembering
the wisdom of doing at Rome as Romans do he smiled with the pleasantest
expression he could assume upon so short a notice
Their new friend said no more just then being busily employed in cutting a
quid or plug from his cake of tobacco and whistling softly to himself the
while When he had shaped it to his liking he took out his old plug and
deposited the same on the back of the seat between Mark and Martin while he
thrust the new one into the hollow of his cheek where it looked like a large
walnut or tolerable pippin Finding it quite satisfactory he struck the point
of his knife into the old plug and holding it out for their inspection remarked
with the air of a man who had not lived in vain that it was used up
considerable Then he tossed it away put his knife into one pocket and his
tobacco into another rested his chin upon the rail as before and approving of
the pattern on Martins waistcoat reached out his hand to feel the texture of
that garment
»What do you call this now« he asked
»Upon my word« said Martin »I dont know what its called«
»Itll cost a dollar or more a yard I reckon«
»I really dont know«
»In my country« said the gentleman »we know the cost of our own produce«
Martin not discussing the question there was a pause
»Well« resumed their new friend after staring at them intently during the
whole interval of silence »hows the unnatral old parent by this time«
Mr Tapley regarding this inquiry as only another version of the impertinent
English question »Hows your mother« would have resented it instantly but for
Martins prompt interposition
»You mean the old country« he said
»Ah« was the reply »Hows she Progressing backards I expect as usual
Well Hows Queen Victoria«
»In good health I believe« said Martin
»Queen Victoria wont shake in her royal shoes at all when she hears
tomorrow named« observed the stranger »No«
»Not that I am aware of Why should she«
»She wont be taken with a cold chill when she realises what is being done
in these diggings« said the stranger »No«
»No« said Martin »I think I could take my oath of that«
The strange gentleman looked at him as if in pity for his ignorance or
prejudice and said
»Well sir I tell you this there aint a engine with its biler bust in
God Amightys free United States so fixed and nipped and frizzled to a most
etarnal smash as that young critter in her luxurious location in the Tower of
London will be when she reads the next doubleextra Watertoast Gazette«
Several other gentlemen had left their seats and gathered round during the
foregoing dialogue They were highly delighted with this speech One very lank
gentleman in a loose limp white cravat long white waistcoat and a black
greatcoat who seemed to be in authority among them felt called upon to
acknowledge it
»Hem Mr La Fayette Kettle« he said taking off his hat
There was a grave murmur of »Hush«
»Mr La Fayette Kettle Sir«
Mr Kettle bowed
»In the name of this company sir and in the name of our common country
and in the name of that righteous cause of holy sympathy in which we are
engaged I thank you I thank you sir in the name of the Watertoast
Sympathisers and I thank you sir in the name of the Watertoast Gazette and I
thank you sir in the name of the starspangled banner of the Great United
States for your eloquent and categorical exposition And if sir« said the
speaker poking Martin with the handle of his umbrella to bespeak his attention
for he was listening to a whisper from Mark »if sir in such a place and at
such a time I might venture to conclude with a sentiment glancing however
slantindicularly at the subject in hand I would say sir may the British
Lion have his talons eradicated by the noble bill of the American Eagle and be
taught to play upon the Irish Harp and the Scotch Fiddle that music which is
breathed in every empty shell that lies upon the shores of green Columbia«
Here the lank gentleman sat down again amidst a great sensation and every
one looked very grave
»General Choke« said Mr La Fayette Kettle »you warm my heart sir you
warm my heart But the British Lion is not unrepresented here sir and I should
be glad to hear his answer to those remarks«
»Upon my word« cried Martin laughing »since you do me the honour to
consider me his representative I have only to say that I never heard of Queen
Victoria reading the Whatshisname Gazette and that I should scarcely think
it probable«
General Choke smiled upon the rest and said in patient and benignant
explanation
»It is sent to her sir It is sent to her Per mail«
»But if it is addressed to the Tower of London it would hardly come to
hand I fear« returned Martin »for she dont live there«
»The Queen of England gentlemen« observed Mr Tapley affecting the
greatest politeness and regarding them with an immovable face »usually lives
in the Mint to take care of the money She has lodgings in virtue of her
office with the Lord Mayor at the MansionHouse but dont often occupy them
in consequence of the parlour chimney smoking«
»Mark« said Martin »I shall be very much obliged to you if youll have the
goodness not to interfere with preposterous statements however jocose they may
appear to you I was merely remarking gentlemen though its a point of very
little import that the Queen of England does not happen to live in the Tower
of London«
»General« cried Mr La Fayette Kettle »You hear«
»General« echoed several others »General«
»Hush Pray silence« said General Choke holding up his hand and speaking
with a patient and complacent benevolence that was quite touching »I have
always remarked it as a very extraordinary circumstance which I impute to the
natur of British Institutions and their tendency to suppress that popular
inquiry and information which air so widely diffused even in the trackless
forests of this vast Continent of the Western Ocean that the knowledge of
Britishers themselves on such points is not to be compared with that possessed
by our intelligent and locomotive citizens This is interesting and confirms my
observation When you say sir« he continued addressing Martin »that your
Queen does not reside in the Tower of London you fall into an error not
uncommon to your countrymen even when their abilities and moral elements air
such as to command respect But sir you air wrong She does live there «
»When she is at the Court of Saint Jamess« interposed Kettle
»When she is at the Court of Saint Jamess of course« returned the
General in the same benignant way »for if her location was in Windsor Pavilion
it couldnt be in London at the same time Your Tower of London sir« pursued
the General smiling with a mild consciousness of his knowledge »is natrally
your royal residence Being located in the immediate neighbourhood of your
Parks your Drives your Triumphant Arches your Opera and your Royal Almacks
it natrally suggests itself as the place for holding a luxurious and
thoughtless court And, consequently,« said the General »consequently, the
court is held there«
»Have you been in England« asked Martin
»In print I have sir« said the General »not otherwise We air a reading
people here sir You will meet with much information among us that will
surprise you sir«
»I have not the least doubt of it« returned Martin But here he was
interrupted by Mr La Fayette Kettle who whispered in his ear
»You know General Choke«
»No« returned Martin in the same tone
»You know what he is considered«
»One of the most remarkable men in the country« said Martin at a venture
»Thats a fact« rejoined Kettle »I was sure you must have heard of him«
»I think« said Martin addressing himself to the General again »that I
have the pleasure of being the bearer of a letter of introduction to you sir
From Mr Bevan of Massachusetts« he added giving it to him
The General took it and read it attentively now and then stopping to glance
at the two strangers When he had finished the note he came over to Martin sat
down by him and shook hands
»Well« he said »and you think of settling in Eden«
»Subject to your opinion and the agents advice« replied Martin »I am
told there is nothing to be done in the old towns«
»I can introduce you to the agent sir« said the General »I know him In
fact I am a member of the Eden Land Corporation myself«
This was serious news to Martin for his friend had laid great stress upon
the Generals having no connection as he thought with any land company and
therefore being likely to give him disinterested advice The General explained
that he had joined the Corporation only a few weeks ago and that no
communication had passed between himself and Mr Bevan since
»We have very little to venture« said Martin anxiously »only a few pounds
but it is our all Now do you think that for one of my profession this would
be a speculation with any hope or chance in it«
»Well« observed the General gravely »if there wasnt any hope or chance
in the speculation it wouldnt have engaged my dollars I opinionate«
»I dont mean for the sellers« said Martin »For the buyers for the
buyers«
»For the buyers sir« observed the General in a most impressive manner
»Well you come from an old country from a country sir that has piled up
golden calves as high as Babel and worshipped em for ages We are a new
country sir man is in a more primeval state here sir we have not the excuse
of having lapsed in the slow course of time into degenerate practices we have
no false gods man sir here is man in all his dignity We fought for that or
nothing Here am I sir« said the General setting up his umbrella to represent
himself and a villanouslooking umbrella it was a very bad counter to stand
for the sterling coin of his benevolence »here am I with gray hairs sir and a
moral sense Would I with my principles invest capital in this speculation if
I didnt think it full of hopes and chances for my brother man«
Martin tried to look convinced but he thought of New York and found it
difficult
»What are the Great United States for sir« pursued the General »if not
for the regeneration of man But it is natral in you to make such an enquerry
for you come from England and you do not know my country«
»Then you think« said Martin »that allowing for the hardships we are
prepared to undergo there is a reasonable Heaven knows we dont expect much
a reasonable opening in this place«
»A reasonable opening in Eden sir But see the agent see the agent see
the maps and plans sir and conclude to go or stay according to the natur of
the settlement Eden hadnt need to go a begging yet sir« remarked the
General
»It is an awful lovely place surely And frightful wholesome likewise«
said Mr Kettle who had made himself a party to this conversation as a matter
of course
Martin felt that to dispute such testimony for no better reason than
because he had his secret misgivings on the subject would be ungentlemanly and
indecent So he thanked the General for his promise to put him in personal
communication with the agent and concluded to see that officer next morning He
then begged the General to inform him who the Watertoast Sympathisers were of
whom he had spoken in addressing Mr La Fayette Kettle and on what grievances
they bestowed their Sympathy To which the General looking very serious made
answer that he might fully enlighten himself on those points tomorrow by
attending a Great Meeting of the Body which would then be held at the town to
which they were travelling »over which sir« said the General »my
fellowcitizens have called on me to preside«
They came to their journeys end late in the evening Close to the railway
was an immense white edifice like an ugly hospital on which was painted
»NATIONAL HOTEL« There was a wooden gallery or verandah in front in which it
was rather startling when the train stopped to behold a great many pairs of
boots and shoes and the smoke of a great many cigars but no other evidences of
human habitation By slow degrees however some heads and shoulders appeared
and connecting themselves with the boots and shoes led to the discovery that
certain gentlemen boarders who had a fancy for putting their heels where the
gentlemen boarders in other countries usually put their heads were enjoying
themselves after their own manner in the cool of the evening
There was a great barroom in this hotel and a great public room in which
the general table was being set out for supper There were interminable
whitewashed staircases long whitewashed galleries up stairs and down stairs
scores of little whitewashed bedrooms and a foursided verandah to every story
in the house which formed a large brick square with an uncomfortable courtyard
in the centre where some clothes were drying Here and there some yawning
gentlemen lounged up and down with their hands in their pockets but within the
house and without wherever half a dozen people were collected together there
in their looks dress morals manners habits intellect and conversation
were Mr Jefferson Brick Colonel Diver Major Pawkins General Choke and Mr
La Fayette Kettle over and over and over again They did the same things
said the same things judged all subjects by and reduced all subjects to the
same standard Observing how they lived and how they were always in the
enchanting company of each other Martin even began to comprehend their being
the social cheerful winning airy men they were
At the sounding of a dismal gong this pleasant company went trooping down
from all parts of the house to the public room while from the neighbouring
stores other guests came flocking in in shoals for half the town married
folks as well as single resided at the National Hotel Tea coffee dried
meats tongue ham pickles cake toast preserves and bread and butter were
swallowed with the usual ravaging speed and then as before the company
dropped off by degrees and lounged away to the desk the counter or the
barroom The ladies had a smaller ordinary of their own to which their
husbands and brothers were admitted if they chose and in all other respects
they enjoyed themselves as at Pawkinss
»Now Mark my good fellow« said Martin closing the door of his little
chamber »we must hold a solemn council for our fate is decided tomorrow
morning You are determined to invest these savings of yours in the common
stock are you«
»If I hadnt been determined to make that wentur sir« answered Mr Tapley
»I shouldnt have come«
»How much is there here did you say« asked Martin holding up a little
bag
»Thirtyseven pound ten and sixpence The Savings Bank said so at least I
never counted it But they know bless you« said Mark with a shake of the head
expressive of his unbounded confidence in the wisdom and arithmetic of those
Institutions
»The money we brought with us« said Martin »is reduced to a few shillings
less than eight pounds«
Mr Tapley smiled and looked all manner of ways that he might not be
supposed to attach any importance to this fact
»Upon the ring her ring Mark« said Martin looking ruefully at his empty
finger
»Ah« sighed Mr Tapley »Beg your pardon sir«
» We raised in English money fourteen pounds So even with that your
share of the stock is still very much the larger of the two you see Now
Mark« said Martin in his old way just as he might have spoken to Tom Pinch
»I have thought of a means of making this up to you more than making it up to
you I hope and very materially elevating your prospects in life«
»Oh dont talk of that you know sir« returned Mark »I dont want no
elevating sir Im all right enough sir I am«
»No but hear me« said Martin »because this is very important to you and
a great satisfaction to me Mark you shall be a partner in the business an
equal partner with myself I will put in as my additional capital my
professional knowledge and ability and half the annual profits as long as it
is carried on shall be yours«
Poor Martin For ever building castles in the air For ever in his very
selfishness forgetful of all but his own teeming hopes and sanguine plans
Swelling at that instant with the consciousness of patronising and most
munificently rewarding Mark
»I dont know sir« Mark rejoined much more sadly than his custom was
though from a very different cause than Martin supposed »what I can say to
this in the way of thanking you Ill stand by you sir to the best of my
ability and to the last Thats all«
»We quite understand each other my good fellow« said Martin rising in
selfapproval and condescension »We are no longer master and servant but
friends and partners and are mutually gratified If we determine on Eden the
business shall be commenced as soon as we get there Under the name« said
Martin who never hammered upon an idea that wasnt red hot »under the name of
Chuzzlewit and Tapley«
»Lord love you sir« cried Mark »dont have my name in it I aint
acquainted with the business sir I must be Co I must Ive often thought«
he added in a low voice »as I should like to know a Co but I little thought
as ever I should live to be one«
»You shall have your own way Mark«
»Thankee sir If any country gentleman thereabouts in the public way or
otherwise wanted such a thing as a skittleground made I could take that part
of the bisness sir«
»Against any architect in the States« said Martin »Get a couple of
sherrycobblers Mark and well drink success to the firm«
Either he forgot already and often afterwards that they were no longer
master and servant or considered this kind of duty to be among the legitimate
functions of the Co But Mark obeyed with his usual alacrity and before they
parted for the night it was agreed between them that they should go together to
the agents in the morning but that Martin should decide the Eden question on
his own sound judgment And Mark made no merit even to himself in his jollity
of this concession perfectly well knowing that the matter would come to that in
the end any way
The General was one of the party at the public table next day and after
breakfast suggested that they should wait upon the agent without loss of time
They desiring nothing more agreed so off they all four started for the office
of the Eden Settlement which was almost within rifleshot of the National
Hotel
It was a small place something like a turnpike But a great deal of land
may be got into a dicebox and why may not a whole territory be bargained for
in a shed It was but a temporary office too for the Edeners were going to
build a superb establishment for the transaction of their business and had
already got so far as to mark out the site Which is a great way in America The
officedoor was wide open and in the doorway was the agent no doubt a
tremendous fellow to get through his work for he seemed to have no arrears but
was swinging backwards and forwards in a rockingchair with one of his legs
planted high up against the doorpost and the other doubled up under him as if
he were hatching his foot
He was a gaunt man in a huge straw hat and a coat of green stuff The
weather being hot he had no cravat and wore his shirt collar wide open so
that every time he spoke something was seen to twitch and jerk up in his throat
like the little hammers in a harpsichord when the notes are struck Perhaps it
was the Truth feebly endeavouring to leap to his lips If so it never reached
them
Two gray eyes lurked deep within this agents head but one of them had no
sight in it and stood stock still With that side of his face he seemed to
listen to what the other side was doing Thus each profile had a distinct
expression and when the movable side was most in action the rigid one was in
its coldest state of watchfulness It was like turning the man inside out to
pass to that view of his features in his liveliest mood and see how calculating
and intent they were
Each long black hair upon his head hung down as straight as any plummet
line but rumpled tufts were on the arches of his eyes as if the crow whose
foot was deeply printed in the corners had pecked and torn them in a savage
recognition of his kindred nature as a bird of prey
Such was the man whom they now approached and whom the General saluted by
the name of Scadder
»Well Genral« he returned »and how are you«
»Active and spry sir in my countrys service and the sympathetic cause
Two gentlemen on business Mr Scadder«
He shook hands with each of them nothing is done in America without shaking
hands then went on rocking
»I think I know what bisness you have brought these strangers here upon
then Genral«
»Well sir I expect you may«
»You air a tonguey person Genral For you talk too much and thats a
fact« said Scadder »You speak alarming well in public but you didnt ought
to go ahead so fast in private Now«
»If I can realise your meaning ride me on a rail« returned the General
after pausing for consideration
»You know we didnt wish to sell the lots off right away to any loafer as
might bid« said Scadder »but had concluded to reserve em for Aristocrats of
Natur Yes«
»And they are here sir« cried the General with warmth »They are here
sir«
»If they air here« returned the agent in reproachful accents »thats
enough But you didnt ought to have your dander ris with me Genral«
The General whispered Martin that Scadder was the honestest fellow in the
world and that he wouldnt have given him offence designedly for ten thousand
dollars
»I do my duty and I raise the dander of my feller critters as I wish to
serve« said Scadder in a low voice looking down the road and rocking still
»They rile up rough along of my objecting to their selling Eden off too cheap
Thats human natur Well«
»Mr Scadder« said the General assuming his oratorical deportment »Sir
Here is my hand and here my heart I esteem you sir and ask your pardon
These gentlemen air friends of mine or I would not have brought em here sir
being well aware sir that the lots at present go entirely too cheap But these
air friends sir these air partickler friends«
Mr Scadder was so satisfied by this explanation that he shook the General
warmly by the hand and got out of the rockingchair to do it He then invited
the Generals particular friends to accompany him into the office As to the
General he observed with his usual benevolence that being one of the company
he wouldnt interfere in the transaction on any account so he appropriated the
rockingchair to himself and looked at the prospect like a good Samaritan
waiting for a traveller
»Heyday« cried Martin as his eye rested on a great plan which occupied one
whole side of the office Indeed the office had little else in it but some
geological and botanical specimens one or two rusty ledgers a homely desk and
a stool »Heyday whats that«
»Thats Eden« said Scadder picking his teeth with a sort of young bayonet
that flew out of his knife when he touched a spring
»Why I had no idea it was a city«
»Hadnt you Oh its a city«
A flourishing city too An architectural city There were banks churches
cathedrals marketplaces factories hotels stores mansions wharves an
exchange a theatre public buildings of all kinds down to the office of the
Eden Stinger a daily journal all faithfully depicted in the view before them
»Dear me Its really a most important place« cried Martin turning round
»Oh its very important« observed the agent
»But I am afraid« said Martin glancing again at the Public Buildings
»that theres nothing left for me to do«
»Well it aint all built« replied the agent »Not quite«
This was a great relief
»The marketplace now« said Martin »Is that built«
»That« said the agent sticking his toothpick into the weathercock on the
top »Let me see No that aint built«
»Rather a good job to begin with Eh Mark« whispered Martin nudging him
with his elbow
Mark who with a very stolid countenance had been eyeing the plan and the
agent by turns merely rejoined »Uncommon«
A dead silence ensued Mr Scadder in some short recesses or vacations of
his toothpick whistled a few bars of Yankee Doodle and blew the dust off the
roof of the Theatre
»I suppose« said Martin feigning to look more narrowly at the plan but
showing by his tremulous voice how much depended in his mind upon the answer
»I suppose there are several architects there«
»There aint a single one« said Scadder
»Mark« whispered Martin pulling him by the sleeve »do you hear that But
whose work is all this before us then« he asked aloud
»The soil being very fruitful public buildings grows spontaneous perhaps«
said Mark
He was on the agents dark side as he said it but Scadder instantly changed
his place and brought his active eye to bear upon him
»Feel of my hands young man« he said
»What for« asked Mark declining
»Air they dirty or air they clean sir« said Scadder holding them out
In a physical point of view they were decidedly dirty But it being obvious
that Mr Scadder offered them for examination in a figurative sense as emblems
of his moral character Martin hastened to pronounce them pure as the driven
snow
»I entreat Mark« he said with some irritation »that you will not obtrude
remarks of that nature which however harmless and wellintentioned are quite
out of place and cannot be expected to be very agreeable to strangers I am
quite surprised«
»The Cos a putting his foot in it already« thought Mark »He must be a
sleeping partner fast asleep and snoring Co must I see«
Mr Scadder said nothing but he set his back against the plan and thrust
his toothpick into the desk some twenty times looking at Mark all the while as
if he were stabbing him in effigy
»You havent said whose work it is« Martin ventured to observe at length
in a tone of mild propitiation
»Well never mind whose work it is or isnt« said the agent sulkily »No
matter how it did eventuate Praps he cleared off handsome with a heap of
dollars praps he wasnt worth a cent Praps he was a loafin rowdy praps a
ringtailed roarer Now«
»All your doing Mark« said Martin
»Praps« pursued the agent »them ant plants of Edens raising No Praps
that desk and stool aint made from Eden lumber No Praps no end of squatters
aint gone out there No Praps there aint no such location in the territoary
of the Great United States Oh no«
»I hope youre satisfied with the success of your joke Mark« said Martin
But here at a most opportune and happy time the General interposed and
called out to Scadder from the doorway to give his friends the particulars of
that little lot of fifty acres with the house upon it which having belonged to
the company formerly had lately lapsed again into their hands
»You air a deal too openhanded Genral« was the answer »It is a lot as
should be rose in price It is«
He grumblingly opened his books notwithstanding and always keeping his
bright side towards Mark no matter at what amount of inconvenience to himself
displayed a certain leaf for their perusal Martin read it greedily and then
inquired
»Now where upon the plan may this place be«
»Upon the plan« said Scadder
»Yes«
He turned towards it and reflected for a short time as if having been put
upon his mettle he was resolved to be particular to the very minutest hairs
breadth of a shade At length after wheeling his toothpick slowly round and
round in the air as if it were a carrier pigeon just thrown up he suddenly
made a dart at the drawing and pierced the very centre of the main wharf
through and through
»There« he said leaving his knife quivering in the wall »thats where it
is«
Martin glanced with sparkling eyes upon his Co and his Co saw that the
thing was done
The bargain was not concluded as easily as might have been expected though
for Scadder was caustic and illhumoured and cast much unnecessary opposition
in the way at one time requesting them to think of it and call again in a week
or a fortnight at another predicting that they wouldnt like it at another
offering to retract and let them off and muttering strong imprecations upon the
folly of the General But the whole of the astoundingly small sumtotal of
purchasemoney it was only one hundred and fifty dollars or something more
than thirty pounds of the capital brought by Co into the architectural concern
was ultimately paid down and Martins head was two inches nearer the roof of
the little wooden office with the consciousness of being a landed proprietor in
the thriving city of Eden
»If it shouldnt happen to fit« said Scadder as he gave Martin the
necessary credentials on receipt of his money »dont blame me«
»No no« he replied merrily »Well not blame you General are you going«
»I am at your service sir and I wish you« said the General giving him
his hand with grave cordiality »joy of your possession You air now sir a
denizen of the most powerful and highlycivilised dominion that has ever graced
the world a dominion sir where man is bound to man in one vast bond of equal
love and truth May you sir be worthy of your adopted country«
Martin thanked him and took leave of Mr Scadder who had resumed his post
in the rockingchair immediately on the Generals rising from it and was once
more swinging away as if he had never been disturbed Mark looked back several
times as they went down the road towards the National Hotel but now his
blighted profile was towards them and nothing but attentive thoughtfulness was
written on it Strangely different to the other side He was not a man much
given to laughing and never laughed outright but every line in the print of
the crows foot and every little wiry vein in that division of his head was
wrinkled up into a grin The compound figure of Death and the Lady at the top of
the old ballad was not divided with a greater nicety and hadnt halves more
monstrously unlike each other than the two profiles of Zephaniah Scadder
The General posted along at a great rate for the clock was on the stroke of
twelve and at that hour precisely the Great Meeting of the Watertoast
Sympathisers was to be holden in the public room of the National Hotel Being
very curious to witness the demonstration and know what it was all about
Martin kept close to the General and keeping closer than ever when they
entered the Hall got by that means upon a little platform of tables at the
upper end where an armchair was set for the General and Mr La Fayette
Kettle as secretary was making a great display of some foolscap documents
Screamers no doubt
»Well sir« he said as he shook hands with Martin »here is a spectacle
calclated to make the British Lion put his tail between his legs and howl with
anguish I expect«
Martin certainly thought it possible that the British Lion might have been
rather out of his element in that Ark but he kept the idea to himself The
General was then voted to the chair on the motion of a pallid lad of the
Jefferson Brick school who forthwith set in for a highspiced speech with a
good deal about hearths and homes in it and unriveting the chains of Tyranny
Oh but it was a clincher for the British Lion it was The indignation of
the glowing young Columbian knew no bounds If he could only have been one of
his own forefathers he said wouldnt he have peppered that same Lion and been
to him as another Brute Tamer with a wire whip teaching him lessons not easily
forgotten »Lion cried that young Columbian where is he Who is he What is
he Show him to me Let me have him here Here« said the young Columbian in a
wrestling attitude »upon this sacred altar Here« cried the young Columbian
idealising the diningtable »upon ancestral ashes cemented with the glorious
blood poured out like water on our native plains of Chickabiddy Lick Bring
forth that Lion« said the young Columbian »Alone I dare him I taunt that
Lion I tell that Lion that Freedoms hand once twisted in his mane he rolls a
corse before me and the Eagles of the Great Republic laugh ha ha«
When it was found that the Lion didnt come but kept out of the way that
the young Columbian stood there with folded arms alone in his glory and
consequently that the Eagles were no doubt laughing wildly on the mountain tops
such cheers arose as might have shaken the hands upon the HorseGuards clock
and changed the very mean time of the day in Englands capital
»Who is this« Martin telegraphed to La Fayette
The Secretary wrote something very gravely on a piece of paper twisted it
up and had it passed to him from hand to hand It was an improvement on the old
sentiment »Perhaps as remarkable a man as any in our country«
This young Columbian was succeeded by another to the full as eloquent as
he who drew down storms of cheers But both remarkable youths in their great
excitement for your true poetry can never stoop to details forgot to say with
whom or what the Watertoasters sympathised and likewise why or wherefore they
were sympathetic Thus Martin remained for a long time as completely in the
dark as ever until at length a ray of light broke in upon him through the
medium of the Secretary who by reading the minutes of their past proceedings
made the matter somewhat clearer He then learned that the Watertoast
Association sympathised with a certain Public Man in Ireland who held a contest
upon certain points with England and that they did so because they didnt love
England at all not by any means because they loved Ireland much being indeed
horribly jealous and distrustful of its people always and only tolerating them
because of their working hard which made them very useful labour being held in
greater indignity in the simple republic than in any other country upon earth
This rendered Martin curious to see what grounds of sympathy the Watertoast
Association put forth nor was he long in suspense for the General rose to read
a letter to the Public Man which with his own hands he had written
»Thus« said the General »thus my friends and fellowcitizens it runs
Sir
I address you on behalf of the Watertoast Association of United
Sympathisers It is founded sir in the great republic of America and
now holds its breath and swells the blue veins in its forehead nigh to
bursting as it watches sir with feverish intensity and sympathetic
ardour your noble efforts in the cause of Freedom«
At the name of Freedom and at every repetition of that name all the
Sympathisers roared aloud cheering with nine times nine and nine times over
»In Freedoms name sir holy Freedom I address you In Freedoms
name I send herewith a contribution to the funds of your society In
Freedoms name sir I advert with indignation and disgust to that
accursed animal with gore stained whiskers whose rampant cruelty and
fiery lust have ever been a scourge a torment to the world The naked
visitors to Crusoes Island sir the flying wives of Peter Wilkins the
fruit smeared children of the tangled bush nay even the men of large
stature anciently bred in the mining districts of Cornwall alike bear
witness to its savage nature Where sir are the Cormorans the
Blunderbores the Great Feefofums named in History All all
exterminated by its destroying hand
I allude sir to the British Lion
Devoted mind and body heart and soul to Freedom sir to
Freedom blessed solace to the snail upon the cellardoor the oyster in
his pearly bed the still mite in his home of cheese the very winkle of
your country in his shelly lair in her unsullied name we offer you
our sympathy Oh sir in this our cherished and our happy land her
fires burn bright and clear and smokeless once lighted up in yours the
lion shall be roasted whole
I am sir in Freedoms name
Your affectionate friend and faithful Sympathiser
CYRUS CHOKE General U S M«
It happened that just as the General began to read this letter the railroad
train arrived bringing a new mail from England and a packet had been handed in
to the Secretary which during its perusal and the frequent cheerings in homage
to freedom he had opened Now its contents disturbed him very much and the
moment the General sat down he hurried to his side and placed in his hand a
letter and several printed extracts from English newspapers to which in a
state of infinite excitement he called his immediate attention
The General being greatly heated by his own composition was in a fit state
to receive any inflammable influence but he had no sooner possessed himself of
the contents of these documents than a change came over his face involving
such a huge amount of choler and passion that the noisy concourse were silent
in a moment in very wonder at the sight of him
»My friends« cried the General rising »my friends and fellowcitizens we
have been mistaken in this man«
»In what man« was the cry
»In this« panted the General holding up the letter he had read aloud a few
minutes before »I find that he has been and is the advocate consistent in
it always too of Nigger emancipation«
If anything beneath the sky be real those Sons of Freedom would have
pistolled stabbed in some way slain that man by coward hands and murderous
violence if he had stood among them at that time The most confiding of their
own countrymen would not have wagered then no nor would they ever peril one
dunghill straw upon the life of any man in such a strait They tore the
letter cast the fragments in the air trod down the pieces as they fell and
yelled and groaned and hissed till they could cry no longer
»I shall move« said the General when he could make himself heard »that
the Watertoast Association of United Sympathisers be immediately dissolved«
Down with it Away with it Dont hear of it Burn its records Pull the
room down Blot it out of human memory
»But my fellowcountrymen« said the General »the contributions We have
funds What is to be done with the funds«
It was hastily resolved that a piece of plate should be presented to a
certain constitutional Judge who had laid down from the Bench the noble
principle that it was lawful for any white mob to murder any black man and
that another piece of plate of similar value should be presented to a certain
Patriot who had declared from his high place in the Legislature that he and
his friends would hang without trial any Abolitionist who might pay them a
visit For the surplus it was agreed that it should be devoted to aiding the
enforcement of those free and equal laws, which render it incalculably more
criminal and dangerous to teach a negro to read and write than to roast him
alive in a public city These points adjusted the meeting broke up in great
disorder and there was an end of the Watertoast Sympathy
As Martin ascended to his bedroom his eye was attracted by the Republican
banner which had been hoisted from the housetop in honour of the occasion and
was fluttering before a window which he passed
»Tut« said Martin »Youre a gay flag in the distance But let a man be
near enough to get the light upon the other side and see through you and you
are but sorry fustian«
Chapter XXII
From which It Will Be Seen that Martin Became a Lion on His Own Account
Together with the Reason why
As soon as it was generally known in the National Hotel that the young
Englishman Mr Chuzzlewit had purchased a location in the Valley of Eden and
intended to betake himself to that earthly Paradise by the next steamboat he
became a popular character Why this should be or how it had come to pass
Martin no more knew than Mrs Gamp of Kingsgate Street High Holborn did but
that he was for the time being the lion by popular election of the Watertoast
community and that his society was in rather inconvenient request there could
be no kind of doubt
The first notification he received of this change in his position was the
following epistle written in a thin running hand with here and there a fat
letter or two to make the general effect more striking on a sheet of paper
ruled with blue lines
»National Hotel Monday Morning
Dear Sir
When I had the privillidge of being your fellowtraveller in the
cars the day before yesterday you offered some remarks upon the
subject of the Tower of London which in common with my fellowcitizens
generally I could wish to hear repeated to a public audience
As secretary to the Young Mens Watertoast Association of this town
I am requested to inform you that the Society will be proud to hear you
deliver a lecture upon the Tower of London at their Hall tomorrow
evening at seven oclock and as a large issue of quarterdollar
tickets may be expected your answer and consent by bearer will be
considered obliging
Dear Sir yours truly
LA FAYETTE KETTLE
The Honourable Mr Chuzzlewit
P S The Society would not be particular in limiting you to the Tower of
London Permit me to suggest that any remarks upon the Elements of Geology or
if more convenient upon the Writings of your talented and witty countryman
the honourable Mr Miller would be well received«
Very much aghast at this invitation Martin wrote back civilly declining it
and had scarcely done so when he received another letter
»Private
No 47 Bunker Hill Street Monday Morning«
»Sir
I was raised in those interminable solitudes where our mighty
Mississippi or Father of Waters rolls his turbid flood
I am young and ardent For there is a poetry in wildness and every
alligator basking in the slime is in himself an Epic selfcontained I
aspirate for fame It is my yearning and my thirst
Are you sir aware of any member of Congress in England who would
undertake to pay my expenses to that country and for six months after
my arrival
There is something within me which gives me the assurance that this
enlightened patronage would not be thrown away In literature or art
the bar the pulpit or the stage in one or other if not all I feel
that I am certain to succeed
If too much engaged to write to any such yourself please let me
have a list of three or four of those most likely to respond and I will
address them through the Post Office May I also ask you to favour me
with any critical observations that have ever presented themselves to
your reflective faculties on Cain a Mystery by the Right Honourable
Lord Byron
I am Sir
Yours forgive me if I add soaringly
PUTNAM SMIF
P S Address your answer to America Junior Messrs Hancock amp Floby Dry
Goods Store as above«
Both of which letters together with Martins reply to each were according to
a laudable custom much tending to the promotion of gentlemanly feeling and
social confidence published in the next number of the Watertoast Gazette
He had scarcely got through this correspondence when Captain Kedgick the
landlord kindly came up stairs to see how he was getting on The Captain sat
down upon the bed before he spoke and finding it rather hard moved to the
pillow
»Well sir« said the Captain putting his hat a little more on one side
for it was rather tight in the crown »Youre quite a public man I calclate«
»So it seems« retorted Martin who was very tired
»Our citizens sir« pursued the Captain »intend to pay their respects to
you You will have to hold a sort of levee sir while youre here«
»Powers above« cried Martin »I couldnt do that my good fellow«
»I reckon you must then« said the Captain
»Must is not a pleasant word Captain« urged Martin
»Well I didnt fix the mother language and I cant unfix it« said the
Captain coolly »else Id make it pleasant You must receive Thats all«
»But why should I receive people who care as much for me as I care for
them« asked Martin
»Well because I have had a muniment put up in the bar« returned the
Captain
»A what« cried Martin
»A muniment« rejoined the Captain
Martin looked despairingly at Mark who informed him that the Captain meant
a written notice that Mr Chuzzlewit would receive the Watertoasters that day
at and after two oclock which was in effect then hanging in the bar as Mark
from ocular inspection of the same could testify
»You wouldnt be unpoplar I know« said the Captain paring his nails
»Our citizens ant long of riling up I tell you and our Gazette could flay you
like a wild cat«
Martin was going to be very wroth but he thought better of it and said
»In Heavens name let them come then«
»Oh theyll come« returned the Captain »I have seen the big room fixed
apurpose with my eyes«
»But will you« said Martin seeing that the Captain was about to go »will
you at least tell me this What do they want to see me for what have I done
and how do they happen to have such a sudden interest in me«
Captain Kedgick put a thumb and three fingers to each side of the brim of
his hat lifted it a little way off his head put it on again carefully passed
one hand all down his face beginning at the forehead and ending at the chin
looked at Martin then at Mark then at Martin again winked and walked out
»Upon my life now« said Martin bringing his hand heavily upon the table
»such a perfectly unaccountable fellow as that I never saw Mark what do you
say to this«
»Why sir« returned his partner »my opinion is that we must have got to
the MOST remarkable man in the country at last So I hope theres an end to the
breed sir«
Although this made Martin laugh it couldnt keep off two oclock
Punctually as the hour struck Captain Kedgick returned to hand him to the room
of state and he had no sooner got him safe there than he bawled down the
staircase to his fellowcitizens below that Mr Chuzzlewit was receiving
Up they came with a rush Up they came until the room was full and through
the open door a dismal perspective of more to come was shown upon the stairs
One after another one after another dozen after dozen score after score
more more more up they came all shaking hands with Martin Such varieties of
hands the thick the thin the short the long the fat the lean the coarse
the fine such differences of temperature the hot the cold the dry the
moist the flabby such diversities of grasp the tight the loose the
shortlived and the lingering Still up up up more more more and ever and
anon the Captains voice was heard above the crowd »Theres more below theres
more below Now gentlemen you that have been introduced to Mr Chuzzlewit
will you clear gentlemen Will you clear Will you be so good as clear
gentlemen and make a little room for more«
Regardless of the Captains cries they didnt clear at all but stood
there bolt upright and staring Two gentlemen connected with the Watertoast
Gazette had come express to get the matter for an article on Martin They had
agreed to divide the labour One of them took him below the waistcoat one
above Each stood directly in front of his subject with his head a little on one
side intent on his department If Martin put one boot before the other the
lower gentleman was down upon him he rubbed a pimple on his nose and the upper
gentleman booked it He opened his mouth to speak and the same gentleman was on
one knee before him looking in at his teeth with the nice scrutiny of a
dentist Amateurs in the physiognomical and phrenological sciences roved about
him with watchful eyes and itching fingers and sometimes one more daring than
the rest made a mad grasp at the back of his head and vanished in the crowd
They had him in all points of view in front in profile threequarter face
and behind Those who were not professional or scientific audibly exchanged
opinions on his looks New lights shone in upon him in respect of his nose
Contradictory rumours were abroad on the subject of his hair And still the
Captains voice was heard so stifled by the concourse that he seemed to speak
from underneath a featherbed exclaiming »Gentlemen you that have been
introduced to Mr Chuzzlewit will you clear«
Even when they began to clear it was no better for then a stream of
gentlemen every one with a lady on each arm exactly like the chorus to the
National Anthem when Royalty goes in state to the play came gliding in every
new group fresher than the last and bent on staying to the latest moment If
they spoke to him which was not often they invariably asked the same
questions in the same tone with no more remorse or delicacy or
consideration than if he had been a figure of stone purchased and paid for
and set up there for their delight Even when in the slow course of time
these died off it was as bad as ever if not worse for then the boys grew
bold and came in as a class of themselves and did everything that the grownup
people had done Uncouth stragglers too appeared men of a ghostly kind who
being in didnt know how to get out again insomuch that one silent gentleman
with glazed and fishy eyes and only one button on his waistcoat which was a
very large metal one and shone prodigiously got behind the door and stood
there like a clock long after everybody else was gone
Martin felt from pure fatigue and heat and worry as if he could have
fallen on the ground and willingly remained there if they would but have had
the mercy to leave him alone But as letters and messages threatening his public
denouncement if he didnt see the senders poured in like hail and as more
visitors came while he took his coffee by himself and as Mark with all his
vigilance was unable to keep them from the door he resolved to go to bed Not
that he felt at all sure of bed being any protection but that he might not
leave a forlorn hope untried
He had communicated this design to Mark and was on the eve of escaping
when the door was thrown open in a great hurry and an elderly gentleman
entered bringing with him a lady who certainly could not be considered young
that was matter of fact; and probably could not be considered handsome but
that was matter of opinion She was very straight very tall and not at all
flexible in face or figure On her head she wore a great straw bonnet with
trimmings of the same in which she looked as if she had been thatched by an
unskilful labourer and in her hand she held a most enormous fan
»Mr Chuzzlewit I believe« said the gentleman
»That is my name«
»Sir« said the gentleman »I am pressed for time«
»Thank God« thought Martin
»I go back Toe my home sir« pursued the gentleman »by the return train
which starts immediate Start is not a word you use in your country sir«
»Oh yes it is« said Martin
»You air mistaken sir« returned the gentleman with great decision »but
we will not pursue the subject lest it should awake your prejudice Sir Mrs
Hominy«
Martin bowed
»Mrs Hominy sir is the lady of Major Hominy one of our chicest spirits
and belongs Toe one of our most aristocratic families You air praps
acquainted sir with Mrs Hominys writings«
Martin couldnt say he was
»You have much Toe learn and Toe enjoy sir« said the gentleman »Mrs
Hominy is going Toe stay until the end of the Fall sir with her married
daughter at the settlement of New Thermopylæ three days this side of Eden Any
attention sir that you can show Toe Mrs Hominy upon the journey will be very
grateful Toe the Major and our fellowcitizens Mrs Hominy I wish you good
night maam and a pleasant progress on your rout«
Martin could scarcely believe it but he had gone and Mrs Hominy was
drinking the milk
»Amost usedup I am I do declare« she observed »The jolting in the cars
is pretty nigh as bad as if the rail was full of snags and sawyers«
»Snags and sawyers maam« said Martin
»Well then I do suppose youll hardly realise my meaning sir« said Mrs
Hominy »My Only think Do tell«
It did not appear that these expressions although they seemed to conclude
with an urgent entreaty stood in need of any answer for Mrs Hominy untying
her bonnetstrings observed that she would withdraw to lay that article of
dress aside and would return immediately
»Mark« said Martin »Touch me will you Am I awake«
»Hominy is sir« returned his partner »Broad awake Just the sort of
woman sir as would be discovered with her eyes wide open and her mind
aworking for her countrys good at any hour of the day or night«
They had no opportunity of saying more for Mrs Hominy stalked in again
very erect in proof of her aristocratic blood and holding in her clasped hands
a red cotton pockethandkerchief perhaps a parting gift from that choice
spirit the Major She had laid aside her bonnet and now appeared in a highly
aristocratic and classical cap meeting beneath her chin a style of headdress
so admirably adapted to her countenance that if the late Mr Grimaldi had
appeared in the lappets of Mrs Siddons a more complete effect could not have
been produced
Martin handed her to a chair Her first words arrested him before he could
get back to his own seat
»Pray sir« said Mrs Hominy »where do you hail from«
»I am afraid I am dull of comprehension« answered Martin »being extremely
tired but upon my word I dont understand you«
Mrs Hominy shook her head with a melancholy smile that said not
inexpressively »They corrupt even the language in that old country« and added
then as coming down a step or two to meet his low capacity »Where was you
rose«
»Oh« said Martin »I was born in Kent«
»And how do you like our country sir« asked Mrs Hominy
»Very much indeed« said Martin half asleep »At least that is pretty
well maam«
»Most strangers and particklarly Britishers are much surprised by what
they see in the United States« remarked Mrs Hominy
»They have excellent reason to be so maam« said Martin »I never was so
much surprised in all my life«
»Our institutions make our people smart much sir« Mrs Hominy remarked
»The most shortsighted man could see that at a glance with his naked eye«
said Martin
Mrs Hominy was a philosopher and an authoress and consequently had a
pretty strong digestion but this coarse this indecorous phrase was almost too
much for her For a gentleman sitting alone with a lady although the door was
open to talk about a naked eye
A long interval elapsed before even she woman of masculine and towering
intellect though she was could call up fortitude enough to resume the
conversation But Mrs Hominy was a traveller Mrs Hominy was a writer of
reviews and analytical disquisitions Mrs Hominy had had her letters from
abroad beginning »My ever dearest blank« and signed »The Mother of the Modern
Gracchi« meaning the married Miss Hominy regularly printed in a public
journal with all the indignation in capitals and all the sarcasm in italics
Mrs Hominy had looked on foreign countries with the eye of a perfect republican
hot from the model oven and Mrs Hominy could talk or write about them by the
hour together So Mrs Hominy at last came down on Martin heavily and as he was
fast asleep she had it all her own way and bruised him to her hearts content
It is no great matter what Mrs Hominy said save that she had learnt it
from the cant of a class and a large class of her fellowcountrymen who in
their every word avow themselves to be as senseless to the high principles on
which America sprang a nation into life as any Orson in her legislative
halls Who are no more capable of feeling or of caring if they did feel that
by reducing their own country to the ebb of honest mens contempt they put in
hazard the rights of nations yet unborn and very progress of the human race
than are the swine who wallow in their streets Who think that crying out to
other nations old in their iniquity »We are no worse than you« No worse is
high defence and vantageground enough for that Republic but yesterday let
loose upon her noble course and but today so maimed and lame so full of sores
and ulcers foul to the eye and almost hopeless to the sense that her best
friends turn from the loathsome creature with disgust Who having by their
ancestors declared and won their Independence because they would not bend the
knee to certain Public vices and corruptions and would not abrogate the truth
run riot in the Bad and turn their backs upon the Good and lying down
contented with the wretched boast that other Temples also are of glass and
stones which batter theirs may be flung back show themselves in that alone as
immeasurably behind the import of the trust they hold and as unworthy to
possess it as if the sordid hucksterings of all their little governments each
one a kingdom in its small depravity were brought into a heap for evidence
against them
Martin by degrees became so far awake that he had a sense of a terrible
oppression on his mind an imperfect dream that he had murdered a particular
friend and couldnt get rid of the body When his eyes opened it was staring
him full in the face There was the horrible Hominy talking deep truths in a
melodious snuffle and pouring forth her mental endowments to such an extent
that the Majors bitterest enemy hearing her would have forgiven him from the
bottom of his heart Martin might have done something desperate if the gong had
not sounded for supper but sound it did most opportunely and having stationed
Mrs Hominy at the upper end of the table he took refuge at the lower end
himself whence after a hasty meal he stole away while the lady was yet
busied with dried beef and a saucerfull of pickled fixings
It would be difficult to give an adequate idea of Mrs Hominys freshness
next day or of the avidity with which she went headlong into moral philosophy
at breakfast Some little additional degree of asperity perhaps was visible in
her features but not more than the pickles would have naturally produced All
that day she clung to Martin She sat beside him while he received his friends
for there was another Reception yet more numerous than the former), propounded
theories and answered imaginary objections so that Martin really began to
think he must be dreaming and speaking for two she quoted interminable
passages from certain essays on government written by herself used the Majors
pockethandkerchief as if the snuffle were a temporary malady of which she was
determined to rid herself by some means or other and in short was such a
remarkable companion that Martin quite settled it between himself and his
conscience that in any new settlement it would be absolutely necessary to have
such a person knocked on the head for the general peace of society
In the meantime Mark was busy from early in the morning until late at
night in getting on board the steamboat such provisions tools and other
necessaries as they had been forewarned it would be wise to take The purchase
of these things and the settlement of their bill at the National reduced their
finances to so low an ebb that if the captain had delayed his departure any
longer they would have been in almost as bad a plight as the unfortunate poorer
emigrants who seduced on board by solemn advertisement had been living on the
lower deck a whole week and exhausting their miserable stock of provisions
before the voyage commenced There they were all huddled together with the
engine and the fires Farmers who had never seen a plough woodmen who had never
used an axe builders who couldnt make a box cast out of their own land with
not a hand to aid them newly come into an unknown world children in
helplessness but men in wants with younger children at their backs to live or
die as it might happen
The morning came and they would start at noon Noon came and they would
start at night But nothing is eternal in this world not even the
procrastination of an American skipper and at night all was ready
Dispirited and weary to the last degree but a greater lion than ever he
had done nothing all the afternoon but answer letters from strangers half of
them about nothing half about borrowing money and all requiring an
instantaneous reply Martin walked down to the wharf through a concourse of
people with Mrs Hominy upon his arm and went on board But Mark was bent on
solving the riddle of this lionship if he could and so not without the risk
of being left behind ran back to the hotel
Captain Kedgick was sitting in the colonnade with a julep on his knee and
a cigar in his mouth He caught Marks eye and said
»Why what the Tarnal brings you here«
»Ill tell you plainly what it is Captain« said Mark »I want to ask you a
question«
»A man may ask a question so he may« returned Kedgick strongly implying
that another man might not answer a question so he mightnt
»What have they been making so much of him for now« said Mark slyly
»Come«
»Our people like excitement« answered Kedgick sucking his cigar
»But how has he excited em« asked Mark
The Captain looked at him as if he were half inclined to unburden his mind
of a capital joke
»You air a going« he said
»Going« cried Mark »Aint every moment precious«
»Our people like excitement« said the Captain whispering »He aint like
emigrants in ginral and he excited em along of this« he winked and burst
into a smothered laugh »along of this Scadder is a smart man and and
nobody as goes to Eden ever comes back alive«
The wharf was close at hand and at that instant Mark could hear them
shouting out his name could even hear Martin calling to him to make haste or
they would be separated It was too late to mend the matter or put any face
upon it but the best He gave the Captain a parting benediction and ran off
like a racehorse
»Mark Mark« cried Martin
»Here am I sir« shouted Mark suddenly replying from the edge of the quay
and leaping at a bound on board »Never was half so jolly sir All right Haul
in Go ahead«
The sparks from the wood fire streamed upward from the two chimneys as if
the vessel were a great firework just lighted and they roared away upon the
dark water
Chapter XXIII
Martin and His Partner Take Possession of their Estate The Joyful Occasion
Involves Some Further Account of Eden
There happened to be on board the steamboat several gentlemen passengers of the
same stamp as Martins New York friend Mr Bevan and in their society he was
cheerful and happy They released him as well as they could from the
intellectual entanglements of Mrs Hominy and exhibited in all they said and
did so much good sense and high feeling that he could not like them too well
»If this were a republic of Intellect and Worth« he said »instead of vapouring
and jobbing they would not want the levers to keep it in motion«
»Having good tools and using bad ones« returned Mr Tapley »would look as
if they was rather a poor sort of carpenters sir wouldnt it«
Martin nodded »As if their work were infinitely above their powers and
purpose Mark and they botched it in consequence«
»The best on it is« said Mark »that when they do happen to make a decent
stroke such as better workmen with no such opportunities make every day of
their lives and think nothing of they begin to sing out so surprising loud
Take notice of my words sir If ever the defaulting part of this here country
pays its debts along of finding that not paying em wont do in a commercial
point of view you see and is inconvenient in its consequences theyll take
such a shine out of it and make such bragging speeches that a man might
suppose no borrowed money had ever been paid afore since the world was first
begun Thats the way they gammon each other sir Bless you I know em Take
notice of my words now«
»You seem to be growing profoundly sagacious« cried Martin laughing
»Whether that is« thought Mark »because Im a days journey nearer Eden
and am brightening up afore I die I cant say Prhaps by the time I get
there I shall have growed into a prophet«
He gave no utterance to these sentiments but the excessive joviality they
inspired within him and the merriment they brought upon his shining face were
quite enough for Martin Although he might sometimes profess to make light of
his partners inexhaustible cheerfulness and might sometimes as in the case of
Zephaniah Scadder find him too jocose a commentator he was always sensible of
the effect of his example in rousing him to hopefulness and courage Whether he
were in the humour to profit by it mattered not a jot It was contagious and
he could not choose but be affected
At first they parted with some of their passengers once or twice a day and
took in others to replace them But by degrees the towns upon their route
became more thinly scattered and for many hours together they would see no
other habitations than the huts of the woodcutters where the vessel stopped
for fuel Sky wood and water all the livelong day and heat that blistered
everything it touched
On they toiled through great solitudes where the trees upon the banks grew
thick and close and floated in the stream and held up shrivelled arms from out
the rivers depths and slid down from the margin of the land half growing
half decaying in the miry water On through the weary day and melancholy night
beneath the burning sun and in the mist and vapour of the evening on until
return appeared impossible and restoration to their home a miserable dream
They had now but few people on board and these few were as flat as dull
and stagnant as the vegetation that oppressed their eyes No sound of
cheerfulness or hope was heard no pleasant talk beguiled the tardy time no
little group made common cause against the dull depression of the scene But
that at certain periods they swallowed food together from a common trough it
might have been old Charons boat conveying melancholy shades to judgment
At length they drew near New Thermopylæ where that same evening Mrs
Hominy would disembark A gleam of comfort sunk into Martins bosom when she
told him this Mark needed none but he was not displeased
It was almost night when they came alongside the landingplace A steep bank
with an hotel like a barn on the top of it a wooden store or two and a few
scattered sheds
»You sleep here tonight and go on in the morning I suppose maam« said
Martin
»Where should I go on to« cried the mother of the modern Gracchi
»To New Thermopylæ«
»My aint I there« said Mrs Hominy
Martin looked for it all round the darkening panorama but he couldnt see
it and was obliged to say so
»Why thats it« cried Mrs Hominy pointing to the sheds just mentioned
»That« exclaimed Martin
»Ah that and work it which way you will it whips Eden« said Mrs Hominy
nodding her head with great expression
The married Miss Hominy who had come on board with her husband gave to
this statement her most unqualified support as did that gentleman also Martin
gratefully declined their invitation to regale himself at their house during the
half hour of the vessels stay and having escorted Mrs Hominy and the red
pockethandkerchief which was still on active service safely across the
gangway returned in a thoughtful mood to watch the emigrants as they removed
their goods ashore
Mark as he stood beside him glanced in his face from time to time anxious
to discover what effect this dialogue had had upon him and not unwilling that
his hopes should be dashed before they reached their destination so that the
blow he feared might be broken in its fall But saving that he sometimes looked
up quickly at the poor erections on the hill he gave him no clue to what was
passing in his mind until they were again upon their way
»Mark« he said then »are there really none but ourselves on board this
boat who are bound for Eden«
»None at all sir Most of em as you know have stopped short and the few
that are left are going further on What matters that More room there for us
sir«
»Oh to be sure« said Martin »But I was thinking« and there he paused
»Yes sir« observed Mark
»How odd it was that the people should have arranged to try their fortune at
a wretched hole like that for instance when there is such a much better and
such a very different kind of place near at hand as one may say«
He spoke in a tone so very different from his usual confidence and with
such an obvious dread of Marks reply that the goodnatured fellow was full of
pity
»Why you know sir« said Mark as gently as he could by any means
insinuate the observation »we must guard against being too sanguine Theres no
occasion for it either because were determined to make the best of
everything after we know the worst of it Aint we sir«
Martin looked at him but answered not a word
»Even Eden you know aint all built« said Mark
»In the name of Heaven man« cried Martin angrily »dont talk of Eden in
the same breath with that place Are you mad There God forgive me dont
think harshly of me for my temper«
After that he turned away and walked to and fro upon the deck full two
hours Nor did he speak again except to say »Good night« until next day nor
even then upon this subject but on other topics quite foreign to the purpose
As they proceeded further on their track and came more and more towards
their journeys end the monotonous desolation of the scene increased to that
degree that for any redeeming feature it presented to their eyes they might
have entered in the body on the grim domains of Giant Despair A flat morass
bestrewn with fallen timber a marsh on which the good growth of the earth
seemed to have been wrecked and cast away that from its decomposing ashes vile
and ugly things might rise where the very trees took the aspect of huge weeds
begotten of the slime from which they sprung by the hot sun that burnt them up
where fatal maladies seeking whom they might infect came forth at night in
misty shapes and creeping out upon the water hunted them like spectres until
day where even the blessed sun shining down on festering elements of
corruption and disease became a horror this was the realm of Hope through
which they moved
At last they stopped At Eden too The waters of the Deluge might have left
it but a week before so choked with slime and matted growth was the hideous
swamp which bore that name
There being no depth of water close in shore they landed from the vessels
boat with all their goods beside them There were a few loghouses visible
among the dark trees the best a cowshed or a rude stable But for the
wharves the marketplace the public buildings
»Here comes an Edener« said Mark »Hell get us help to carry these things
up Keep a good heart sir Hallo there«
The man advanced toward them through the thickening gloom very slowly
leaning on a stick As he drew nearer they observed that he was pale and worn
and that his anxious eyes were deeply sunken in his head His dress of homespun
blue hung about him in rags his feet and head were bare He sat down on a stump
halfway and beckoned them to come to him When they complied he put his hand
upon his side as if in pain and while he fetched his breath stared at them
wondering
»Strangers« he exclaimed as soon as he could speak
»The very same« said Mark »How are you sir«
»Ive had the fever very bad« he answered faintly »I havent stood upright
these many weeks Those are your notions I see« pointing to their property
»Yes sir« said Mark »they are You couldnt recommend us some one as
would lend a hand to help carry em up to the to the town could you sir«
»My eldest son would do it if he could« replied the man »but today he has
his chill upon him and is lying wrapped up in the blankets My youngest died
last week«
»Im sorry for it governor with all my heart« said Mark shaking him by
the hand »Dont mind us Come along with me and Ill give you an arm back The
goods is safe enough sir« to Martin »there aint many people about to make
away with em What a comfort that is«
»No« cried the man »You must look for such folk here« knocking his stick
upon the ground »or yonder in the bush towards the north Weve buried most of
em The rest have gone away Them that we have here dont come out at night«
»The night air aint quite wholesome I suppose« said Mark
»Its deadly poison« was the settlers answer
Mark showed no more uneasiness than if it had been commended to him as
ambrosia but he gave the man his arm and as they went along explained to him
the nature of their purchase and inquired where it lay Close to his own
loghouse he said so close that he had used their dwelling as a storehouse for
some corn they must excuse it that night but he would endeavour to get it
taken out upon the morrow He then gave them to understand as an additional
scrap of local chitchat that he had buried the last proprietor with his own
hands a piece of information which Mark also received without the least
abatement of his equanimity
In a word he conducted them to a miserable cabin rudely constructed of the
trunks of trees the door of which had either fallen down or been carried away
long ago and which was consequently open to the wild landscape and the dark
night Saving for the little store he had mentioned it was perfectly bare of
all furniture but they had left a chest upon the landingplace and he gave
them a rude torch in lieu of candle This latter acquisition Mark planted in the
earth and then declaring that the mansion »looked quite comfortable« hurried
Martin off again to help bring up the chest And all the way to the
landingplace and back Mark talked incessantly as if he would infuse into his
partners breast some faint belief that they had arrived under the most
auspicious and cheerful of all imaginable circumstances
But many a man who would have stood within a home dismantled strong in his
passion and design of vengeance has had the firmness of his nature conquered by
the razing of an airbuilt castle When the loghut received them for the second
time Martin lay down upon the ground and wept aloud
»Lord love you sir« cried Mr Tapley in great terror »Dont do that
Dont do that sir Anything but that It never helped man woman or child
over the lowest fence yet sir arid it never will Besides its being of no use
to you its worse than of no use to me for the least sound of it will knock me
flat down I cant stand up agin it sir Anything but that«
There is no doubt he spoke the truth for the extraordinary alarm with which
he looked at Martin as he paused upon his knees before the chest in the act of
unlocking it to say these words sufficiently confirmed him
»I ask your forgiveness a thousand times my dear fellow« said Martin »I
couldnt have helped it if death had been the penalty«
»Ask my forgiveness« said Mark with his accustomed cheerfulness as he
proceeded to unpack the chest »The head partner a asking forgiveness of Co
eh There must be something wrong in the firm when that happens I must have the
books inspected and the accounts gone over immediate Here we are Everything
in its proper place Heres the salt pork Heres the biscuit Heres the
whiskey Uncommon good it smells too Heres the tin pot This tin pots a small
fortun in itself! Heres the blankets Heres the axe Who says we aint got a
firstrate fit out I feel as if I was a cadet gone out to Indy and my noble
father was chairman of the Board of Directors Now when Ive got some water
from the stream afore the door and mixed the grog« cried Mark running out to
suit the action to the word »theres a supper ready comprising every delicacy
of the season Here we are sir all complete For what we are going to receive
et cetrer Lord bless you sir its very like a gipsy party«
It was impossible not to take heart in the company of such a man as this
Martin sat upon the ground beside the box took out his knife and ate and drank
sturdily
»Now you see« said Mark when they had made a hearty meal »with your knife
and mine I sticks this blanket right afore the door or where in a state of
high civilisation the door would be And very neat it looks Then I stops the
aperture below by putting the chest agin it And very neat that looks Then
theres your blanket sir Then heres mine And whats to hinder our passing a
good night«
For all his lighthearted speaking it was long before he slept himself He
wrapped his blanket round him put the axe ready to his hand and lay across the
threshold of the door too anxious and too watchful to close his eyes The
novelty of their dreary situation the dread of some rapacious animal or human
enemy the terrible uncertainty of their means of subsistence the apprehension
of death the immense distance and the hosts of obstacles between themselves and
England were fruitful sources of disquiet in the deep silence of the night
Though Martin would have had him think otherwise Mark felt that he was waking
also and a prey to the same reflections This was almost worse than all for if
he began to brood over their miseries instead of trying to make head against
them there could be little doubt that such a state of mind would powerfully
assist the influence of the pestilent climate Never had the light of day been
half so welcome to his eyes as when awaking from a fitful doze Mark saw it
shining through the blanket in the doorway
He stole out gently for his companion was sleeping now and having
refreshed himself by washing in the river where it flowed before the door took
a rough survey of the settlement There were not above a score of cabins in the
whole half of these appeared untenanted all were rotten and decayed The most
tottering abject and forlorn among them was called with great propriety the
Bank and National Credit Office It had some feeble props about it but was
settling deep down in the mud past all recovery
Here and there an effort had been made to clear the land and something
like a field had been marked out where among the stumps and ashes of burnt
trees a scanty crop of Indian corn was growing In some quarters a snake or
zigzag fence had been begun but in no instance had it been completed and the
fallen logs half hidden in the soil lay mouldering away Three or four meagre
dogs wasted and vexed with hunger some longlegged pigs wandering away into
the woods in search of food some children nearly naked gazing at him from the
huts were all the living things he saw A fetid vapour hot and sickening as
the breath of an oven rose up from the earth and hung on everything around
and as his footprints sunk into the marshy ground a black ooze started forth
to blot them out
Their own land was mere forest The trees had grown so thick and close that
they shouldered one another out of their places and the weakest forced into
shapes of strange distortion languished like cripples The best were stunted
from the pressure and the want of room and high about the stems of all grew
long rank grass dank weeds and frowsy underwood not devisable into their
separate kinds but tangled all together in a heap a jungle deep and dark with
neither earth nor water at its roots but putrid matter formed of the pulpy
offal of the two and of their own corruption
He went down to the landingplace where they had left their goods last
night and there he found some halfdozen men wan and forlorn to look at but
ready enough to assist who helped him to carry them to the loghouse They
shook their heads in speaking of the settlement and had no comfort to give him
Those who had the means of going away had all deserted it They who were left
had lost their wives their children friends or brothers there and suffered
much themselves Most of them were ill then none were the men they had been
once They frankly offered their assistance and advice and leaving him for
that time went sadly off upon their several tasks
Martin was by this time stirring but he had greatly changed even in one
night He was very pale and languid he spoke of pains and weakness in his
limbs and complained that his sight was dim and his voice feeble Increasing
in his own briskness as the prospect grew more and more dismal Mark brought
away a door from one of the deserted houses and fitted it to their own
habitation then went back again for a rude bench he had observed with which he
presently returned in triumph and having put this piece of furniture outside
the house arranged the notable tin pot and other such moveables upon it that
it might represent a dresser or a sideboard Greatly satisfied with this
arrangement he next rolled their cask of flour into the house and set it up on
end in one corner where it served for a sidetable No better diningtable
could be required than the chest which he solemnly devoted to that useful
service thenceforth Their blankets clothes and the like he hung on pegs and
nails And lastly he brought forth a great placard which Martin in the
exultation of his heart had prepared with his own hands at the National Hotel
bearing the inscription CHUZZLEWIT amp Co ARCHITECTS AND SURVEYORS which
he displayed upon the most conspicuous part of the premises with as much
gravity as if the thriving city of Eden had a real existence, and they expected
to be overwhelmed with business
»These here tools« said Mark bringing forward Martins case of instruments
and sticking the compasses upright in a stump before the door »shall be set out
in the open air to show that we come provided And now if any gentleman wants a
house built hed better give his orders afore were other ways bespoke«
Considering the intense heat of the weather this was not a bad mornings
work but without pausing for a moment though he was streaming at every pore
Mark vanished into the house again and presently reappeared with a hatchet
intent on performing some impossibilities with that implement
»Heres a ugly old tree in the way sir« he observed »whichll be all the
better down We can build the oven in the afternoon There never was such a
handy spot for clay as Eden is Thats convenient anyhow«
But Martin gave him no answer He had sat the whole time with his head upon
his hands gazing at the current as it rolled swiftly by thinking perhaps how
fast it moved towards the open sea the high road to the home he never would
behold again
Not even the vigorous strokes which Mark dealt at the tree awoke him from
his mournful meditation Finding all his endeavours to rouse him of no use Mark
stopped in his work and came towards him
»Dont give in sir« said Mr Tapley
»Oh Mark« returned his friend »what have I done in all my life that has
deserved this heavy fate«
»Why sir« returned Mark »for the matter of that evrybody as is here
might say the same thing many of em with better reason praps than you or me
Hold up sir Do something Couldnt you ease your mind now dont you think
by making some personal obserwations in a letter to Scadder«
»No« said Martin shaking his head sorrowfully »I am past that«
»But if youre past that already« returned Mark »you must be ill and
ought to be attended to«
»Dont mind me« said Martin »Do the best you can for yourself Youll soon
have only yourself to consider And then God speed you home and forgive me for
bringing you here I am destined to die in this place I felt it the instant I
set foot upon the shore Sleeping or waking Mark I dreamed it all last night«
»I said you must be ill« returned Mark tenderly »and now Im sure of it
A touch of fever and ague caught on these rivers I dare say but bless you
thats nothing Its only a seasoning and we must all be seasoned one way or
another Thats religion that is you know« said Mark
He only sighed and shook his head
»Wait half a minute« said Mark cheerily »till I run up to one of our
neighbours and ask whats best to be took and borrow a little of it to give
you and tomorrow youll find yourself as strong as ever again I wont be gone
a minute Dont give in while Im away whatever you do«
Throwing down his hatchet he sped away immediately but stopped when he had
got a little distance and looked back then hurried on again
»Now Mr Tapley« said Mark giving himself a tremendous blow in the chest
by way of reviver »just you attend to what Ive got to say Things is looking
about as bad as they can look young man Youll not have such another
opportunity for showing your jolly disposition my fine fellow as long as you
live And therefore Tapley Nows your time to come out strong or Never«
Chapter XXIV
Reports Progress in Certain Homely Matters of Love Hatred Jealousy and
Revenge
»Hallo Pecksniff« cried Mr Jonas from the parlour »Isnt somebody agoing to
open that precious old door of yours«
»Immediately Mr Jonas Immediately«
»Ecod« muttered the orphan »not before its time neither Whoever it is
has knocked three times and each one loud enough to wake the « he had such a
repugnance to the idea of waking the Dead that he stopped even then with the
words upon his tongue and said instead »the Seven Sleepers«
»Immediately Mr Jonas immediately« repeated Pecksniff »Thomas Pinch«
he couldnt make up his mind in his great agitation whether to call Tom his
dear friend or a villain so he shook his fist at him pro tem »go up to my
daughters room and tell them who is here Say Silence Silence Do you hear
me sir«
»Directly sir« cried Tom departing in a state of much amazement on his
errand
»Youll ha ha ha youll excuse me Mr Jonas if I close this door a
moment will you« said Pecksniff »This may be a professional call Indeed I am
pretty sure it is Thank you« Then Mr Pecksniff gently warbling a rustic
stave put on his garden hat seized a spade and opened the street door calmly
appearing on the threshold as if he thought he had from his vineyard heard a
modest rap but was not quite certain
Seeing a gentleman and lady before him he started back in as much confusion
as a good man with a crystal conscience might betray in mere surprise
Recognition came upon him the next moment and he cried
»Mr Chuzzlewit Can I believe my eyes My dear sir my good sir A joyful
hour a happy hour indeed Pray my dear sir walk in You find me in my
gardendress You will excuse it I know It is an ancient pursuit gardening
Primitive my dear sir or if I am not mistaken Adam was the first of our
calling My Eve I grieve to say is no more sir but« here he pointed to his
spade and shook his head as if he were not cheerful without an effort »but I
do a little bit of Adam still«
He had by this time got them into the best parlour where the portrait by
Spiller and the bust by Spoker were
»My daughters« said Mr Pecksniff »will be overjoyed If I could feel
weary upon such a theme I should have been worn out long ago my dear sir by
their constant anticipation of this happiness and their repeated allusions to
our meeting at Mrs Todgerss Their fair young friend too« said Mr
Pecksniff »whom they so desire to know and love indeed to know her is to
love I hope I see her well I hope in saying Welcome to my humble roof I
find some echo in her own sentiments If features are an index to the heart I
have no fears of that An extremely engaging expression of countenance Mr
Chuzzlewit my dear sir very much so«
»Mary« said the old man »Mr Pecksniff flatters you But flattery from him
is worth the having He is not a dealer in it and it comes from his heart We
thought Mr «
»Pinch« said Mary
»Mr Pinch would have arrived before us Pecksniff«
»He did arrive before you my dear sir« retorted Pecksniff raising his
voice for the edification of Tom upon the stairs »and was about I dare say to
tell me of your coming when I begged him first to knock at my daughters
chamber and inquire after Charity my dear child who is not so well as I could
wish No« said Mr Pecksniff answering their looks »I am sorry to say she is
not It is merely an hysterical affection nothing more I am not uneasy Mr
Pinch Thomas« exclaimed Pecksniff in his kindest accents »Pray come in I
shall make no stranger of you Thomas is a friend of mine of rather
longstanding Mr Chuzzlewit you must know«
»Thank you sir« said Tom »You introduce me very kindly and speak of me
in terms of which I am very proud«
»Old Thomas« cried his master pleasantly »God bless you«
Tom reported that the young ladies would appear directly and that the best
refreshments which the house afforded were even then in preparation under their
joint superintendence While he was speaking the old man looked at him
intently though with less harshness than was common to him nor did the mutual
embarrassment of Tom and the young lady to whatever cause he attributed it
seem to escape his observation
»Pecksniff« he said after a pause rising and taking him aside towards the
window »I was much shocked on hearing of my brothers death We had been
strangers for many years My only comfort is that he must have lived the
happier and better man for having associated no hopes or schemes with me Peace
to his memory We were playfellows once and it would have been better for us
both if we had died then«
Finding him in this gentle mood Mr Pecksniff began to see another way out
of his difficulties besides the casting overboard of Jonas
»That any man my dear sir could possibly be the happier for not knowing
you« he returned »you will excuse my doubting But that Mr Anthony in the
evening of his life was happier in the affection of his excellent son a
pattern my dear sir a pattern to all sons and in the care of a distant
relation who however lowly in his means of serving him had no bounds to his
inclination I can inform you«
»Hows this« said the old man »You are not a legatee«
»You dont« said Mr Pecksniff with a melancholy pressure of his hand
»quite understand my nature yet I find No sir I am not a legatee I am proud
to say I am not a legatee I am proud to say that neither of my children is a
legatee And yet sir I was with him at his own request He understood me
somewhat better sir He wrote and said I am sick I am sinking Come to me I
went to him I sat beside his bed sir and I stood beside his grave Yes at
the risk of offending even you I did it sir Though the avowal should lead to
our instant separation and to the severing of those tender ties between us
which have recently been formed I make it But I am not a legatee« said Mr
Pecksniff smiling dispassionately »and I never expected to be a legatee I
knew better«
»His son a pattern« cried old Martin »How can you tell me that My brother
had in his wealth the usual doom of wealth and root of misery He carried his
corrupting influence with him go where he would and shed it round him even on
his hearth It made of his own child a greedy expectant who measured every day
and hour the lessening distance between his father and the grave and cursed his
tardy progress on that dismal road«
»No« cried Mr Pecksniff boldly »Not at all sir«
»But I saw that shadow in his house« said Martin Chuzzlewit »the last time
we met and warned him of its presence I know it when I see it do I not I
who have lived within it all these years«
»I deny it« Mr Pecksniff answered warmly »I deny it altogether That
bereaved young man is now in this house sir seeking in change of scene the
peace of mind he has lost Shall I be backward in doing justice to that young
man when even undertakers and coffinmakers have been moved by the conduct he
has exhibited when even mutes have spoken in his praise and the medical man
hasnt known what to do with himself in the excitement of his feelings There is
a person of the name of Gamp sir Mrs Gamp ask her She saw Mr Jonas in a
trying time Ask her sir She is respectable but not sentimental and will
state the fact A line addressed to Mrs Gamp at the Bird Kingsgate Street
High Holborn London will meet with every attention I have no doubt Let her
be examined my good sir Strike but hear Leap Mr Chuzzlewit but look
Forgive me my dear sir« said Mr Pecksniff taking both his hands »if I am
warm but I am honest and must state the truth«
In proof of the character he gave himself Mr Pecksniff suffered tears of
honesty to ooze out of his eyes
The old man gazed at him for a moment with a look of wonder repeating to
himself »Here now In this house« But he mastered his surprise and said
after a pause
»Let me see him«
»In a friendly spirit I hope« said Mr Pecksniff »Forgive me sir but he
is in the receipt of my humble hospitality«
»I said« replied the old man »let me see him If I were disposed to regard
him in any other than a friendly spirit I should have said keep us apart«
»Certainly my dear sir So you would You are frankness itself I know I
will break this happiness to him« said Mr Pecksniff as he left the room »if
you will excuse me for a minute gently«
He paved the way to the disclosure so very gently that a quarter of an hour
elapsed before he returned with Mr Jonas In the meantime the young ladies had
made their appearance and the table had been set out for the refreshment of the
travellers
Now however well Mr Pecksniff in his morality had taught Jonas the
lesson of dutiful behaviour to his uncle and however perfectly Jonas in the
cunning of his nature had learnt it that young mans bearing when presented
to his fathers brother was anything but manly or engaging Perhaps indeed so
singular a mixture of defiance and obsequiousness of fear and hardihood of
dogged sullenness and an attempt at cringing and propitiation never was
expressed in any one human figure as in that of Jonas when having raised his
downcast eyes to Martins face he let them fall again and uneasily closing and
unclosing his hands without a moments intermission stood swinging himself from
side to side waiting to be addressed
»Nephew« said the old man »You have been a dutiful son I hear«
»As dutiful as sons in general I suppose« returned Jonas looking up and
down once more »I dont brag to have been any better than other sons but I
havent been any worse I dare say«
»A pattern to all sons I am told« said the old man glancing towards Mr
Pecksniff
»Ecod« said Jonas looking up again for a moment and shaking his head
»Ive been as good a son as ever you were a brother Its the pot and the
kettle if you come to that«
»You speak bitterly in the violence of your regret« said Martin after a
pause »Give me your hand«
Jonas did so and was almost at his ease »Pecksniff« he whispered as they
drew their chairs about the table »I gave him as good as he brought eh He had
better look at home before he looks out of window I think«
Mr Pecksniff only answered by a nudge of the elbow which might either be
construed into an indignant remonstrance or a cordial assent but which in any
case was an emphatic admonition to his chosen soninlaw to be silent He then
proceeded to do the honours of the house with his accustomed ease and
amiability
But not even Mr Pecksniffs guileless merriment could set such a party at
their ease or reconcile materials so utterly discordant and conflicting as
those with which he had to deal The unspeakable jealousy and hatred which that
nights explanation had sown in Charitys breast was not to be so easily kept
down and more than once it showed itself in such intensity as seemed to render
a full disclosure of all the circumstances then and there impossible to be
avoided The beauteous Merry too with all the glory of her conquest fresh upon
her so probed and lanced the rankling disappointment of her sister by her
capricious airs and thousand little trials of Mr Jonass obedience that she
almost goaded her into a fit of madness and obliged her to retire from table in
a burst of passion hardly less vehement than that to which she had abandoned
herself in the first tumult of her wrath The constraint imposed upon the family
by the presence among them for the first time of Mary Graham for by that name
old Martin Chuzzlewit had introduced her did not at all improve this state of
things gentle and quiet though her manner was Mr Pecksniffs situation was
peculiarly trying for what with having constantly to keep the peace between
his daughters to maintain a reasonable show of affection and unity in his
household to curb the growing ease and gaiety of Jonas which vented itself in
sundry insolences towards Mr Pinch and an indefinable coarseness of manner in
reference to Mary they being the two dependants to make no mention at all of
his having perpetually to conciliate his rich old relative and to smooth down
or explain away some of the ten thousand bad appearances and combinations of
bad appearances by which they were surrounded on that unlucky evening what
with having to do this and it would be difficult to sum up how much more
without the least relief or assistance from anybody it may be easily imagined
that Mr Pecksniff had in his enjoyment something more than that usual portion
of alloy which is mixed up with the best of mens delights Perhaps he had never
in his life felt such relief as when old Martin looking at his watch announced
that it was time to go
»We have rooms« he said »at the Dragon for the present I have a fancy
for the evening walk The nights are dark just now perhaps Mr Pinch would not
object to light us home«
»My dear sir« cried Pecksniff »I shall be delighted Merry my child the
lantern«
»The lantern if you please my dear« said Martin »but I couldnt think of
taking your father out of doors tonight and to be brief I wont«
Mr Pecksniff already had his hat in his hand but it was so emphatically
said that he paused
»I take Mr Pinch or go alone« said Martin »Which shall it be«
»It shall be Thomas sir« cried Pecksniff »since you are so resolute upon
it Thomas my friend be very careful if you please«
Tom was in some need of this injunction for he felt so nervous and
trembled to such a degree that he found it difficult to hold the lantern How
much more difficult when at the old mans bidding she drew her hand through
his Tom Pinchs arm
»And so Mr Pinch« said Martin on the way »you are very comfortably
situated here are you«
Tom answered with even more than his usual enthusiasm that he was under
obligations to Mr Pecksniff which the devotion of a lifetime would but
imperfectly repay
»How long have you known my nephew« asked Martin
»Your nephew sir« faltered Tom
»Mr Jonas Chuzzlewit« said Mary
»Oh dear yes« cried Tom greatly relieved for his mind was running upon
Martin »Certainly I never spoke to him before tonight sir«
»Perhaps half a lifetime will suffice for the acknowledgment of his
kindness« observed the old man
Tom felt that this was a rebuff for him and could not but understand it as
a lefthanded hit at his employer So he was silent Mary felt that Mr Pinch
was not remarkable for presence of mind and that he could not say too little
under existing circumstances So she was silent The old man disgusted by what
in his suspicious nature he considered a shameless and fulsome puff of Mr
Pecksniff which was a part of Toms hired service and in which he was
determined to persevere set him down at once for a deceitful servile
miserable fawner So he was silent And though they were all sufficiently
uncomfortable it is fair to say that Martin was perhaps the most so for he had
felt kindly towards Tom at first and had been interested by his seeming
simplicity
»Youre like the rest« he thought glancing at the face of the unconscious
Tom »You had nearly imposed upon me but you have lost your labour You are too
zealous a toadeater and betray yourself Mr Pinch«
During the whole remainder of the walk not another word was spoken First
among the meetings to which Tom had long looked forward with a beating heart it
was memorable for nothing but embarrassment and confusion They parted at the
Dragon door and sighing as he extinguished the candle in the lantern Tom
turned back again over the gloomy fields
As he approached the first stile which was in a lonely part made very dark
by a plantation of young firs a man slipped past him and went on before Coming
to the stile he stopped and took his seat upon it Tom was rather startled and
for a moment stood still but he stepped forward again immediately and went
close up to him
It was Jonas swinging his legs to and fro sucking the head of a stick and
looking with a sneer at Tom
»Good gracious me« cried Tom »who would have thought of its being you You
followed us then«
»Whats that to you« said Jonas »Go to the devil«
»You are not very civil I think« remarked Tom
»Civil enough for you« retorted Jonas »Who are you«
»One who has as good a right to common consideration as another« said Tom
mildly
»Youre a liar« said Jonas »You havent a right to any consideration You
havent a right to anything Youre a pretty sort of fellow to talk about your
rights upon my soul Ha ha Rights too«
»If you proceed in this way« returned Tom reddening »you will oblige me
to talk about my wrongs But I hope your joke is over«
»Its the way with you curs« said Mr Jonas »that when you know a mans in
real earnest you pretend to think hes joking so that you may turn it off But
that wont do with me Its too stale Now just attend to me for a bit Mr
Pitch or Witch or Stitch or whatever your name is«
»My name is Pinch« observed Tom »Have the goodness to call me by it«
»What You mustnt even be called out of your name mustnt you« cried
Jonas »Pauper prentices are looking up I think Ecod we manage em a little
better in the city«
»Never mind what you do in the city« said Tom »What have you got to say to
me«
»Just this Mister Pinch« retorted Jonas thrusting his face so close to
Toms that Tom was obliged to retreat a step »I advise you to keep your own
counsel and to avoid tittletattle and not to cut in where youre not wanted
Ive heard something of you my friend and your meek ways and I recommend you
to forget em till I am married to one of Pecksniffs gals and not to curry
favour among my relations but to leave the course clear You know when curs
wont leave the course clear theyre whipped off so this is kind advice Do
you understand Eh Damme who are you« cried Jonas with increased contempt
»that you should walk home with them unless it was behind em like any other
servant out of livery«
»Come« cried Tom »I see that you had better get off the stile and let me
pursue my way home Make room for me if you please«
»Dont think it« said Jonas spreading out his legs »Not till I choose
And I dont choose now What Youre afraid of my making you split upon some of
your babbling just now are you Sneak«
»I am not afraid of many things I hope« said Tom »and certainly not of
anything that you will do I am not a talebearer and I despise all meanness
You quite mistake me Ah« cried Tom indignantly »Is this manly from one in
your position to one in mine Please to make room for me to pass The less I
say the better«
»The less you say« retorted Jonas dangling his legs the more and taking
no heed of this request »You say very little dont you Ecod I should like to
know what goes on between you and a vagabond member of my family Theres very
little in that too I dare say«
»I know no vagabond member of your family« cried Tom stoutly
»You do« said Jonas
»I dont« said Tom »Your uncles namesake if you mean him is no
vagabond Any comparison between you and him« Tom snapped his fingers at him
for he was rising fast in wrath »is immeasurably to your disadvantage«
»Oh indeed« sneered Jonas »And what do you think of his deary his
beggarly leavings eh Mister Pinch«
»I dont mean to say another word or stay here another instant« replied
Tom
»As I told you before youre a liar« said Jonas coolly »Youll stay here
till I give you leave to go Now keep where you are will you«
He flourished his stick over Toms head but in a moment it was spinning
harmlessly in the air and Jonas himself lay sprawling in the ditch In the
momentary struggle for the stick Tom had brought it into violent contact with
his opponents forehead and the blood welled out profusely from a deep cut on
the temple Tom was first apprised of this by seeing that he pressed his
handkerchief to the wounded part and staggered as he rose being stunned
»Are you hurt« said Tom »I am very sorry Lean on me for a moment You can
do that without forgiving me if you still bear me malice But I dont know why
for I never offended you before we met on this spot«
He made him no answer not appearing at first to understand him or even to
know that he was hurt though he several times took his handkerchief from the
cut to look vacantly at the blood upon it After one of these examinations he
looked at Tom and then there was an expression in his features which showed
that he understood what had taken place and would remember it
Nothing more passed between them as they went home Jonas kept a little in
advance and Tom Pinch sadly followed thinking of the grief which the knowledge
of this quarrel must occasion his excellent benefactor When Jonas knocked at
the door Toms heart beat high higher when Miss Mercy answered it and seeing
her wounded lover shrieked aloud higher when he followed them into the family
parlour higher than at any other time when Jonas spoke
»Dont make a noise about it« he said »Its nothing worth mentioning I
didnt know the road the nights very dark and just as I came up with Mr
Pinch« he turned his face towards Tom but not his eyes »I ran against a tree
Its only skin deep«
»Cold water Merry my child« cried Mr Pecksniff »Brown paper Scissors
A piece of old linen Charity nay dear make a bandage Bless me Mr Jonas«
»Oh bother your nonsense« returned the gracious soninlaw elect »Be of
some use if you can If you cant get out«
Miss Charity though called upon to lend her aid sat upright in one corner
with a smile upon her face and didnt move a finger Though Mercy laved the
wound herself and Mr Pecksniff held the patients head between his two hands
as if without that assistance it must inevitably come in half and Tom Pinch in
his guilty agitation shook a bottle of Dutch Drops until they were nothing but
English Froth and in his other hand sustained a formidable carvingknife
really intended to reduce the swelling but apparently designed for the ruthless
infliction of another wound as soon as that was dressed Charity rendered not
the least assistance nor uttered a word But when Mr Jonass head was bound
up and he had gone to bed and everybody else had retired and the house was
quiet Mr Pinch as he sat mournfully on his bedstead ruminating heard a
gentle tap at his door and opening it saw her to his great astonishment
standing before him with her finger on her lip
»Mr Pinch« she whispered »Dear Mr Pinch Tell me the truth You did
that There was some quarrel between you and you struck him I am sure of it«
It was the first time she had ever spoken kindly to Tom in all the many
years they had passed together He was stupefied with amazement
»Was it so or not« she eagerly demanded
»I was very much provoked« said Tom
»Then it was« cried Charity with sparkling eyes
»Yeyes We had a struggle for the path« said Tom »But I didnt mean to
hurt him so much«
»Not so much« she repeated clenching her hand and stamping her foot to
Toms great wonder »Dont say that It was brave of you I honour you for it
If you should ever quarrel again dont spare him for the world but beat him
down and set your shoe upon him Not a word of this to anybody Dear Mr Pinch
I am your friend from tonight I am always your friend from this time«
She turned her flushed face upon Tom to confirm her words by its kindling
expression and seizing his right hand pressed it to her breast and kissed it
And there was nothing personal in this to render it at all embarrassing for
even Tom whose power of observation was by no means remarkable knew from the
energy with which she did it that she would have fondled any hand no matter how
bedaubed or dyed that had broken the head of Jonas Chuzzlewit
Tom went into his room and went to bed full of uncomfortable thoughts
That there should be any such tremendous division in the family as he knew must
have taken place to convert Charity Pecksniff into his friend for any reason
but above all for that which was clearly the real one that Jonas who had
assailed him with such exceeding coarseness should have been sufficiently
magnanimous to keep the secret of their quarrel and that any train of
circumstances should have led to the commission of an assault and battery by
Thomas Pinch upon any man calling himself the friend of Seth Pecksniff were
matters of such deep and painful cogitation that he could not close his eyes
His own violence in particular so preyed upon the generous mind of Tom that
coupling it with the many former occasions on which he had given Mr Pecksniff
pain and anxiety occasions of which that gentleman often reminded him he
really began to regard himself as destined by a mysterious fate to be the evil
genius and bad angel of his patron But he fell asleep at last and dreamed
new source of waking uneasiness that he had betrayed his trust and run away
with Mary Graham
It must be acknowledged that asleep or awake Toms position in reference
to this young lady was full of uneasiness The more he saw of her the more he
admired her beauty her intelligence the amiable qualities that even won on the
divided house of Pecksniff and in a few days restored at all events the
semblance of harmony and kindness between the angry sisters When she spoke Tom
held his breath so eagerly he listened when she sang he sat like one
entranced She touched his organ and from that bright epoch even it the old
companion of his happiest hours incapable as he had thought of elevation began
a new and deified existence
Gods love upon thy patience Tom Who that had beheld thee for three
summer weeks poring through half the deadlong night over the jingling anatomy
of that inscrutable old harpsichord in the back parlour could have missed the
entrance to thy secret heart albeit it was dimly known to thee Who that had
seen the glow upon thy cheek when leaning down to listen after hours of labour
for the sound of one incorrigible note thou foundest that it had a voice at
last and wheezed out a flat something distantly akin to what it ought to be
would not have known that it was destined for no common touch but one that
smote though gently as an angels hand upon the deepest chord within thee And
if a friendly glance ay even though it were as guileless as thine own Dear
Tom could but have pierced the twilight of that evening when in a voice well
tempered to the time sad sweet and low yet hopeful she first sang to the
altered instrument and wondered at the change and thou sitting apart at the
open window kept a glad silence and a swelling heart must not that glance have
read perforce the dawning of a story Tom that it were well for thee had never
been begun
Tom Pinchs situation was not made the less dangerous or difficult by the
fact of no one word passing between them in reference to Martin Honourably
mindful of his promise Tom gave her opportunities of all kinds Early and late
he was in the church in her favourite walks in the village in the garden in
the meadows and in any or all of these places he might have spoken freely But
no at all such times she carefully avoided him or never came in his way
unaccompanied It could not be that she disliked or distrusted him for by a
thousand little delicate means too slight for any notice but his own she
singled him out when others were present and showed herself the very soul of
kindness Could it be that she had broken with Martin or had never returned his
affection save in his own bold and heightened fancy Toms cheek grew red with
self as he dismissed the thought
All this time old Martin came and went in his own strange manner or sat
among the rest absorbed within himself and holding little intercourse with any
one Although he was unsocial he was not wilful in other things or
troublesome or morose being never better pleased than when they left him quite
unnoticed at his book and pursued their own amusements in his presence
unreserved It was impossible to discern in whom he took an interest or whether
he had an interest in any of them Unless they spoke to him directly he never
showed that he had ears or eyes for anything that passed
One day the lively Merry sitting with downcast eyes under a shady tree in
the churchyard whither she had retired after fatiguing herself by the
imposition of sundry trials on the temper of Mr Jonas felt that a new shadow
came between her and the sun Raising her eyes in the expectation of seeing her
betrothed she was not a little surprised to see old Martin instead Her
surprise was not diminished when he took his seat upon the turf beside her and
opened a conversation thus
»When are you to be married«
»Oh dear Mr Chuzzlewit my goodness me Im sure I dont know Not yet
awhile I hope«
»You hope« said the old man
It was very gravely said but she took it for banter and giggled
excessively
»Come« said the old man with unusual kindness »you are young
goodlooking and I think goodnatured Frivolous you are and love to be
undoubtedly but you must have some heart«
»I have not given it all away I can tell you« said Merry nodding her head
shrewdly and plucking up the grass
»Have you parted with any of it«
She threw the grass about and looked another way but said nothing
Martin repeated his question
»Lor my dear Mr Chuzzlewit really you must excuse me How very odd you
are«
»If it be odd in me to desire to know whether you love the young man whom I
understand you are to marry I am very odd« said Martin »For that is certainly
my wish«
»Hes such a monster you know« said Merry pouting
»Then you dont love him« returned the old man »Is that your meaning«
»Why my dear Mr Chuzzlewit Im sure I tell him a hundred times a day that
I hate him You must have heard me tell him that«
»Often« said Martin
»And so I do« cried Merry »I do positively«
»Being at the same time engaged to marry him« observed the old man
»Oh yes« said Merry »But I told the wretch my dear Mr Chuzzlewit I
told him when he asked me that if I ever did marry him it should only be that
I might hate and teaze him all my life«
She had a suspicion that the old man regarded Jonas with anything but
favour and intended these remarks to be extremely captivating He did not
appear however to regard them in that light by any means for when he spoke
again it was in a tone of severity
»Look about you« he said pointing to the graves »and remember that from
your bridal hour to the day which sees you brought as low as these and laid in
such a bed there will be no appeal against him Think and speak and act for
once like an accountable creature Is any control put upon your inclinations
Are you forced into this match Are you insidiously advised or tempted to
contract it by any one I will not ask by whom By any one«
»No« said Merry shrugging her shoulders »I dont know that I am«
»Dont know that you are Are you«
»No« replied Merry »Nobody ever said anything to me about it If any one
had tried to make me have him I wouldnt have had him at all«
»I am told that he was at first supposed to be your sisters admirer« said
Martin
»Oh good gracious My dear Mr Chuzzlewit it would be very hard to make
him though he is a monster accountable for other peoples vanity« said Merry
»And poor dear Cherry is the vainest darling«
»It was her mistake then«
»I hope it was« cried Merry »but all along the dear child has been so
dreadfully jealous and so across that upon my word and honour its
impossible to please her and its of no use trying«
»Not forced persuaded or controlled« said Martin thoughtfully »And
thats true I see There is one chance yet You may have lapsed into this
engagement in very giddiness It may have been the wanton act of a light head
Is that so«
»My dear Mr Chuzzlewit« simpered Merry »as to lightheadedness there
never was such a feather of a head as mine Its a perfect balloon I declare
You never did you know«
He waited quietly till she had finished and then said steadily and slowly
and in a softened voice as if he would still invite her confidence
»Have you any wish or is there anything within your breast that whispers
you may form the wish if you have time to think to be released from this
engagement«
Again Miss Merry pouted and looked down and plucked the grass and
shrugged her shoulders No She didnt know that she had She was pretty sure
she hadnt Quite sure she might say She »didnt mind it«
»Has it ever occurred to you« said Martin »that your married life may
perhaps be miserable full of bitterness and most unhappy«
Merry looked down again and now she tore the grass up by the roots
»My dear Mr Chuzzlewit what shocking words Of course I shall quarrel
with him I should quarrel with any husband Married people always quarrel I
believe But as to being miserable and bitter and all those dreadful things
you know why I couldnt be absolutely that unless he always had the best of
it and I mean to have the best of it myself I always do now« cried Merry
nodding her head and giggling very much »for I make a perfect slave of the
creature«
»Let it go on« said Martin rising »Let it go on I sought to know your
mind my dear and you have shown it me I wish you joy Joy« he repeated
looking full upon her and pointing to the wicketgate where Jonas entered at
the moment And then without waiting for his nephew he passed out at another
gate and went away
»Oh you terrible old man« cried the facetious Merry to herself »What a
perfectly hideous monster to be wandering about churchyards in the broad
daylight frightening people out of their wits Dont come here Griffin or
Ill go away directly«
Mr Jonas was the Griffin He sat down upon the grass at her side in spite
of this warning and sulkily inquired
»Whats my uncle been a talking about«
»About you« rejoined Merry »He says youre not half good enough for me«
»Oh yes I dare say We all know that He means to give you some present
worth having I hope Did he say anything that looked like it«
»That he didnt« cried Merry most decisively
»A stingy old dog he is« said Jonas »Well«
»Griffin« cried Miss Mercy in counterfeit amazement »what are you doing
Griffin«
»Only giving you a squeeze« said the discomfited Jonas »Theres no harm in
that I suppose«
»But there is a great deal of harm in it if I dont consider it agreeable«
returned his cousin »Do go along will you You make me so hot«
Mr Jonas withdrew his arm and for a moment looked at her more like a
murderer than a lover But he cleared his brow by degrees and broke silence
with
»I say Mel«
»What do you say you vulgar thing you low savage« cried his fair
betrothed
»When is it to be I cant afford to go on dawdling about here half my life
I neednt tell you and Pecksniff says that fathers being so lately dead makes
very little odds for we can be married as quiet as we please down here and my
being lonely is a good reason to the neighbours for taking a wife home so soon
especially one that he knew As to crossbones my uncle I mean hes sure not
to put a spoke in the wheel whatever we settle on for he told Pecksniff only
this morning that if you liked it hed nothing at all to say So Mel« said
Jonas venturing on another squeeze »when shall it be«
»Upon my word« cried Merry
»Upon my soul if you like« said Jonas »What do you say to next week
now«
»To next week If you had said next quarter I should have wondered at your
impudence«
»But I didnt say next quarter« retorted Jonas »I said next week«
»Then Griffin« cried Miss Merry pushing him off and rising »I say no
not next week It shant be till I choose and I may not choose it to be for
months There«
He glanced up at her from the ground almost as darkly as he had looked at
Tom Pinch but held his peace
»No fright of a Griffin with a patch over his eye shall dictate to me or
have a voice in the matter« said Merry »There«
Still Mr Jonas held his peace
»If its next month that shall be the very earliest but I wont say when
it shall be till tomorrow and if you dont like that it shall never be at
all« said Merry »and if you follow me about and wont leave me alone it shall
never be at all There And if you dont do everything I order you to do it
shall never be at all So dont follow me There Griffin«
And with that she skipped away among the trees
»Ecod my lady« said Jonas looking after her and biting a piece of straw
almost to powder »youll catch it for this when you are married Its all very
well now it keeps one on somehow and you know it but Ill pay you off scot
and lot by and bye This is a plaguy dull sort of a place for a man to be
sitting by himself in I never could abide a mouldy old churchyard«
As he turned into the avenue himself Miss Merry who was far ahead
happened to look back
»Ah« said Jonas with a sullen smile and a nod that was not addressed to
her »Make the most of it while it lasts Get in your hay while the sun shines
Take your own way as long as its in your power my lady«
Chapter XXV
Is in Part Professional and Furnishes the Reader with Some Valuable Hints in
Relation to the Management of a Sick Chamber
Mr Mould was surrounded by his household gods He was enjoying the sweets of
domestic repose and gazing on them with a calm delight The day being sultry
and the window open the legs of Mr Mould were on the windowseat and his back
reclined against the shutter Over his shining head a handkerchief was drawn to
guard his baldness from the flies The room was fragrant with the smell of
punch a tumbler of which grateful compound stood upon a small round table
convenient to the hand of Mr Mould so deftly mixed that as his eye looked
down into the cool transparent drink another eye peering brightly from behind
the crisp lemonpeel looked up at him and twinkled like a star
Deep in the City and within the ward of Cheap stood Mr Moulds
establishment His Harem or in other words, the common sittingroom of Mrs
Mould and family was at the back over the little countinghouse behind the
shop abutting on a churchyard small and shady In this domestic chamber Mr
Mould now sat gazing a placid man upon his punch and home If for a moment
at a time he sought a wider prospect whence he might return with freshened
zest to these enjoyments his moist glance wandered like a sunbeam through a
rural screen of scarlet runners trained on strings before the window and he
looked down with an artists eye upon the graves
The partner of his life and daughters twain were Mr Moulds companions
Plump as any partridge was each Miss Mould and Mrs M was plumper than the two
together So round and chubby were their fair proportions that they might have
been the bodies once belonging to the angels faces in the shop below grown up
with other heads attached to make them mortal Even their peachy cheeks were
puffed out and distended as though they ought of right to be performing on
celestial trumpets The bodiless cherubs in the shop who were depicted as
constantly blowing those instruments for ever and ever without any lungs
played it is to be presumed entirely by ear
Mr Mould looked lovingly at Mrs Mould who sat hard by and was a helpmate
to him in his punch as in all other things Each seraph daughter too enjoyed
her share of his regards and smiled upon him in return So bountiful were Mr
Moulds possessions and so large his stock in trade that even there within
his household sanctuary stood a cumbrous press whose mahogany maw was filled
with shrouds and windingsheets and other furniture of funerals But though
the Misses Mould had been brought up as one may say beneath his eye it had
cast no shadow on their timid infancy or blooming youth Sporting behind the
scenes of death and burial from cradlehood the Misses Mould knew better
Hatbands to them were but so many yards of silk or crape the final robe but
such a quantity of linen The Misses Mould could idealise a players habit or a
courtladys petticoat or even an act of parliament But they were not to be
taken in by palls They made them sometimes
The premises of Mr Mould were hard of hearing to the boisterous noises in
the great main streets and nestled in a quiet corner where the City strife
became a drowsy hum that sometimes rose and sometimes fell and sometimes
altogether ceased suggesting to a thoughtful mind a stoppage in Cheapside The
light came sparkling in among the scarlet runners as if the churchyard winked
at Mr Mould and said »We understand each other« and from the distant shop a
pleasant sound arose of coffinmaking with a low melodious hammer rat tat
tat tat alike promoting slumber and digestion
»Quite the buzz of insects« said Mr Mould closing his eyes in a perfect
luxury »It puts one in mind of the sound of animated nature in the agricultural
districts Its exactly like the woodpecker tapping«
»The woodpecker tapping the hollow elm tree« observed Mrs Mould adapting
the words of the popular melody to the description of wood commonly used in the
trade
»Ha ha« laughed Mr Mould »Not at all bad my dear We shall be glad to
hear from you again Mrs M Hollow elm tree eh Ha ha Very good indeed Ive
seen worse than that in the Sunday papers my love«
Mrs Mould thus encouraged took a little more of the punch and handed it
to her daughters who dutifully followed the example of their mother
»Hollow elm tree eh« said Mr Mould making a slight motion with his legs
in his enjoyment of the joke »Its beech in the song Elm eh Yes to be sure
Ha ha ha Upon my soul thats one of the best things I know« He was so
excessively tickled by the jest that he couldnt forget it but repeated twenty
times »Elm eh Yes to be sure Elm of course Ha ha ha Upon my life you
know that ought to be sent to somebody who could make use of it Its one of
the smartest things that ever was said Hollow elm tree eh Of course Very
hollow Ha ha ha«
Here a knock was heard at the room door
»Thats Tacker I know« said Mrs Mould »by the wheezing he makes Who
that hears him now would suppose hed ever had wind enough to carry the
feathers on his head Come in Tacker«
»Beg your pardon maam« said Tacker looking in a little way »I thought
our Governor was here«
»Well so he is« cried Mould
»Oh I didnt see you Im sure« said Tacker looking in a little farther
»You wouldnt be inclined to take a walking one of two with the plain wood and
a tin plate I suppose«
»Certainly not« replied Mr Mould »much too common Nothing to say to it«
»I told em it was precious low« observed Mr Tacker
»Tell em to go somewhere else We dont do that style of business here«
said Mr Mould »Like their impudence to propose it Who is it«
»Why« returned Tacker pausing »thats where it is you see Its the
beadles soninlaw«
»The beadles soninlaw eh« said Mould »Well Ill do it if the beadle
follows in his cocked hat not else We carry it off that way by looking
official but itll be low enough then His cocked hat mind«
»Ill take care sir« rejoined Tacker »Oh Mrs Gamps below and wants to
speak to you«
»Tell Mrs Gamp to come up stairs« said Mould »Now Mrs Gamp whats your
news«
The lady in question was by this time in the doorway curtseying to Mrs
Mould At the same moment a peculiar fragrance was borne upon the breeze as if
a passing fairy had hiccoughed and had previously been to a winevaults
Mrs Gamp made no response to Mr Mould but curtseyed to Mrs Mould again
and held up her hands and eyes as in a devout thanksgiving that she looked so
well She was neatly but not gaudily attired in the weeds she had worn when
Mr Pecksniff had the pleasure of making her acquaintance and was perhaps the
turning of a scale more snuffy
»There are some happy creeturs« Mrs Gamp observed »as time runs backards
with and you are one Mrs Mould not that he need do nothing except use you in
his most owldacious way for years to come Im sure for young you are and will
be I says to Mrs Harris« Mrs Gamp continued »only tother day the last
Monday evening fortnight as ever dawned upon this Piljians Projiss of a mortal
wale I says to Mrs Harris when she says to me Years and our trials Mrs
Gamp sets marks upon us all Say not the words Mrs Harris if you and me is
to be continual friends for sech is not the case Mrs Mould I says making so
free I will confess as use the name« she curtseyed here »is one of them
that goes agen the observation straight and never Mrs Harris whilst Ive a
drop of breath to draw will I set by and not stand up dont think it I ast
your pardon maam says Mrs Harris and I humbly grant your grace for if ever
a woman lived as would see her feller creeturs into fits to serve her friends
well do I know that womans name is Sairey Gamp«
At this point she was fain to stop for breath and advantage may be taken of
the circumstance to state that a fearful mystery surrounded this lady of the
name of Harris whom no one in the circle of Mrs Gamps acquaintance had ever
seen neither did any human being know her place of residence though Mrs Gamp
appeared on her own showing to be in constant communication with her There were
conflicting rumours on the subject but the prevalent opinion was that she was a
phantom of Mrs Gamps brain as Messrs Doe and Roe are fictions of the law
created for the express purpose of holding visionary dialogues with her on all
manner of subjects and invariably winding up with a compliment to the
excellence of her nature
»And likeways what a pleasure« said Mrs Gamp turning with a tearful smile
towards the daughters »to see them two young ladies as I knowd afore a tooth
in their pretty heads was cut and have many a day seen ah the sweet
creeturs playing at berryins down in the shop and follerin the orderbook
to its long home in the iron safe But thats all past and over Mr Mould« as
she thus got in a carefully regulated routine to that gentleman she shook her
head waggishly »Thats all past and over now sir ant it«
»Changes Mrs Gamp changes« returned the undertaker
»More changes too to come afore weve done with changes sir« said Mrs
Gamp nodding yet more waggishly than before »Young ladies with such faces
thinks of something else besides berryins dont they sir«
»I am sure I dont know Mrs Gamp« said Mould with a chuckle »Not bad
in Mrs Gamp my dear«
»Oh yes you do know sir« said Mrs Gamp »and so does Mrs Mould your
ansome pardner too sir and so do I although the blessing of a daughter was
deniged me which if we had had one Gamp would certainly have drunk its little
shoes right off its feet as with our precious boy he did and arterwards send
the child a errand to sell his wooden leg for any money it would fetch as
matches in the rough and bring it home in liquor which was truly done beyond
his years for evry individgle penny that child lost at toss or buy for kidney
ones and come home arterwards quite bold to break the news and offering to
drown himself if that would be a satisfaction to his parents Oh yes you do
know sir« said Mrs Gamp wiping her eye with her shawl and resuming the
thread of her discourse »Theres something besides births and berryins in the
newspapers ant there Mr Mould«
Mr Mould winked at Mrs Mould whom he had by this time taken on his knee
and said »No doubt A good deal more Mrs Gamp Upon my life Mrs Gamp is
very far from bad my dear«
»Theres marryings ant there sir« said Mrs Gamp while both the
daughters blushed and tittered »Bless their precious hearts and well they
knows it Well you knowd it too and well did Mrs Mould when you was at their
time of life But my opinion is youre all of one age now For as to you and
Mrs Mould sir ever having grandchildren «
»Oh Fie fie Nonsense Mrs Gamp« replied the undertaker »Devilish
smart though Capital« This was in a whisper »My dear« aloud again
»Mrs Gamp can drink a glass of rum I dare say Sit down Mrs Gamp sit down«
Mrs Gamp took the chair that was nearest the door and casting up her eyes
towards the ceiling feigned to be wholly insensible to the fact of a glass of
rum being in preparation until it was placed in her hand by one of the young
ladies when she exhibited the greatest surprise
»A thing« she said »as hardly ever Mrs Mould occurs with me unless it
is when I am indispoged and find my half a pint of porter settling heavy on the
chest Mrs Harris often and often says to me Sairey Gamp she says you raly
do amaze me Mrs Harris I says to her why so Give it a name I beg Telling
the truth then maam says Mrs Harris and shaming him as shall be nameless
betwixt you and me never did I think till I knowd you as any woman could
sicknurse and monthly likeways on the little that you takes to drink Mrs
Harris I says to her none on us knows what we can do till we tries and wunst
when me and Gamp kept ouse I thought so too But now I says my half a pint of
porter fully satisfies perwisin Mrs Harris that it is brought reglar and
drawd mild Whether I sicks or monthlies maam I hope I does my duty but I
am but a poor woman and I earns my living hard therefore I do require it
which I makes confession to be brought reglar and drawd mild«
The precise connexion between these observations and the glass of rum did
not appear for Mrs Gamp proposing as a toast »The best of lucks to all« took
off the dram in quite a scientific manner without any further remarks
»And whats your news Mrs Gamp« asked Mould again as that lady wiped her
lips upon her shawl and nibbled a corner off a soft biscuit which she appeared
to carry in her pocket as a provision against contingent drams »Hows Mr
Chuffey«
»Mr Chuffey sir« she replied »is jest as usual he ant no better and he
ant no worse I take it very kind in the gentleman to have wrote up to you and
said let Mrs Gamp take care of him till I come home but evry think he does
is kind There ant a many like him If there was we shouldnt want no
churches«
»What do you want to speak to me about Mrs Gamp« said Mould coming to
the point
»Jest this sir« Mrs Gamp returned »with thanks to you for asking There
is a gent sir at the Bull in Holborn as has been took ill there and is bad
abed They have a day nurse as was recommended from Bartholomews and well I
knows her Mr Mould her name bein Mrs Prig the best of creeturs But she is
otherways engaged at night and they are in wants of nightwatching consequent
she says to them having reposed the greatest friendliness in me for twenty
year The soberest person going and the best of blessings in a sick room is
Mrs Gamp Send a boy to Kingsgate Street she says and snap her up at any
price for Mrs Gamp is worth her weight and more in goldian guineas My
landlord brings the message down to me and says bein in a light place where
you are and this job promising so well why not unite the two No sir I says
not unbeknown to Mr Mould and therefore do not think it But I will go to Mr
Mould I says and ast him if you like« Here she looked sideways at the
undertaker and came to a stop
»Nightwatching eh« said Mould rubbing his chin
»From eight oclock till eight sir I will not deceive you« Mrs Gamp
rejoined
»And then go back eh« said Mould
»Quite free then sir to attend to Mr Chuffey His ways bein quiet and
his hours early hed be abed sir nearly all the time I will not deny« said
Mrs Gamp with meekness »that I am but a poor woman and that the money is a
object but do not let that act upon you Mr Mould Rich folks may ride on
camels but it aint so easy for em to see out of a needles eye That is my
comfort and I hope I knows it«
»Well Mrs Gamp« observed Mould »I dont see any particular objection to
your earning an honest penny under such circumstances I should keep it quiet I
think Mrs Gamp I wouldnt mention it to Mr Chuzzlewit on his return for
instance unless it were necessary or he asked you pointblank«
»The very words was on my lips sir« Mrs Gamp rejoined »Suppoging that
the gent should die I hope I might take the liberty of saying as I knowd some
one in the undertaking line and yet give no offence to you sir«
»Certainly Mrs Gamp« said Mould with much condescension »You may
casually remark in such a case that we do the thing pleasantly and in a great
variety of styles and are generally considered to make it as agreeable as
possible to the feelings of the survivors But dont obtrude it dont obtrude
it Easy easy My dear you may as well give Mrs Gamp a card or two if you
please«
Mrs Gamp received them and scenting no more rum in the wind for the
bottle was locked up again rose to take her departure
»Wishing evry happiness to this happy family« said Mrs Gamp »with all my
heart Good arternoon Mrs Mould If I was Mr Mould I should be jealous of
you maam and Im sure if I was you I should be jealous of Mr Mould«
»Tut tut Bah bah Go along Mrs Gamp« cried the delighted undertaker
»As to the young ladies« said Mrs Gamp dropping a curtsey »bless their
sweet looks how they can ever reconsize it with their duties to be so grown up
with such young parents it ant for sech as me to give a guess at«
»Nonsense nonsense Be off Mrs Gamp« cried Mould But in the height of
his gratification he actually pinched Mrs Mould as he said it
»Ill tell you what my dear« he observed when Mrs Gamp had at last
withdrawn and shut the door »thats a very shrewd woman Thats a woman whose
intellect is immensely superior to her station in life Thats a woman who
observes and reflects in an uncommon manner Shes the sort of woman now« said
Mould drawing his silk handkerchief over his head again and composing himself
for a nap »one would almost feel disposed to bury for nothing and do it
neatly too«
Mrs Mould and her daughters fully concurred in these remarks the subject
of which had by this time reached the street where she experienced so much
inconvenience from the air that she was obliged to stand under an archway for a
short time to recover herself Even after this precaution she walked so
unsteadily as to attract the compassionate regards of divers kindhearted boys
who took the liveliest interest in her disorder and in their simple language
bade her be of good cheer for she was only a little screwed
Whatever she was or whatever name the vocabulary of medical science would
have bestowed upon her malady Mrs Gamp was perfectly acquainted with the way
home again and arriving at the house of Anthony Chuzzlewit amp Son lay down
to rest Remaining there until seven oclock in the evening and then persuading
poor old Chuffey to betake himself to bed she sallied forth upon her new
engagement First she went to her private lodgings in Kingsgate Street for a
bundle of robes and wrappings comfortable in the night season and then repaired
to the Bull in Holborn which she reached as the clocks were striking eight
As she turned into the yard she stopped for the landlord landlady and
head chambermaid were all on the threshold together talking earnestly with a
young gentleman who seemed to have just come or to be just going away The first
words that struck upon Mrs Gamps ear obviously bore reference to the patient
and it being expedient that all good attendants should know as much as possible
about the case on which their skill is brought to bear Mrs Gamp listened as a
matter of duty
»No better then« observed the gentleman
»Worse« said the landlord
»Much worse« added the landlady
»Oh a deal badder« cried the chambermaid from the background opening her
eyes very wide and shaking her head
»Poor fellow« said the gentleman »I am sorry to hear it The worst of it
is that I have no idea what friends or relations he has or where they live
except that it certainly is not in London«
The landlord looked at the landlady the landlady looked at the landlord
and the chambermaid remarked hysterically »that of all the many wague
directions she had ever seen or heerd of and they wasnt few in an hotel that
was the waguest«
»The fact is you see« pursued the gentleman »as I told you yesterday when
you sent to me I really know very little about him We were schoolfellows
together but since that time I have only met him twice On both occasions I was
in London for a boys holiday having come up for a week or so from Wiltshire
and lost sight of him again directly The letter bearing my name and address
which you found upon his table and which led to your applying to me is in
answer you will observe to one he wrote from this house the very day he was
taken ill making an appointment with him at his own request Here is his
letter if you wish to see it«
The landlord read it the landlady looked over him The chambermaid in the
background made out as much of it as she could and invented the rest
believing it all from that time forth as a positive piece of evidence
»He has very little luggage you say« observed the gentleman who was no
other than our old friend John Westlock
»Nothing but a portmanteau« said the landlord »and very little in it«
»A few pounds in his purse though«
»Yes Its sealed up and in the cashbox I made a memorandum of the
amount which youre welcome to see«
»Well« said John »as the medical gentleman says the fever must take its
course and nothing can be done just now beyond giving him his drinks regularly
and having him carefully attended to nothing more can be said that I know of
until he is in a condition to give us some information Can you suggest anything
else«
»Nno« replied the landlord »except «
»Except whos to pay I suppose« said John
»Why« hesitated the landlord »it would be as well«
»Quite as well« said the landlady
»Not forgetting to remember the servants« said the chambermaid in a bland
whisper
»It is but reasonable I fully admit« said John Westlock »At all events
you have the stock in hand to go upon for the present and I will readily
undertake to pay the doctor and the nurses«
»Ah« cried Mrs Gamp »A rayal gentleman«
She groaned her admiration so audibly that they all turned round Mrs Gamp
felt the necessity of advancing bundle in hand and introducing herself
»The nightnurse« she observed »from Kingsgate Street well beknown to
Mrs Prig the daynurse and the best of creeturs How is the poor dear
gentleman tonight If he ant no better yet still that is what must be
expected and prepared for It ant the fust time by a many score maam«
dropping a curtsey to the landlady »that Mrs Prig and me has nussed together
turn and turn about one off one on We knows each others ways and often
gives relief when others failed Our charges is but low sir« Mrs Gamp
addressed herself to John on this head »considerin the nater of our painful
dooty If they wos made accordin to our wishes they would be easy paid«
Regarding herself as having now delivered her inauguration address Mrs
Gamp curtseyed all round and signified her wish to be conducted to the scene of
her official duties The chambermaid led her through a variety of intricate
passages to the top of the house and pointing at length to a solitary door at
the end of a gallery informed her that yonder was the chamber where the patient
lay That done she hurried off with all the speed she could make
Mrs Gamp traversed the gallery in a great heat from having carried her
large bundle up so many stairs and tapped at the door which was immediately
opened by Mrs Prig bonneted and shawled and all impatience to be gone Mrs
Prig was of the Gamp build but not so fat and her voice was deeper and more
like a mans She had also a beard
»I began to think you warnt a coming« Mrs Prig observed in some
displeasure
»It shall be made good tomorrow night« said Mrs Gamp »honorable I had
to go and fetch my things« She had begun to make signs of inquiry in reference
to the position of the patient and his overhearing them for there was a screen
before the door when Mrs Prig settled that point easily
»Oh« she said aloud »hes quiet but his wits is gone It ant no matter
wot you say«
»Anythin to tell afore you goes my dear« asked Mrs Gamp setting her
bundle down inside the door and looking affectionately at her partner
»The pickled salmon« Mrs Prig replied »is quite delicious I can
partickler recommend it Dont have nothink to say to the cold meat for it
tastes of the stable The drinks is all good«
Mrs Gamp expressed herself much gratified
»The physic and them things is on the drawers and mankleshelf« said Mrs
Prig cursorily »He took his last slime draught at seven The easychair ant
soft enough Youll want his piller«
Mrs Gamp thanked her for these hints and giving her a friendly good night
held the door open until she had disappeared at the other end of the gallery
Having thus performed the hospitable duty of seeing her safely off she shut it
locked it on the inside took up her bundle walked round the screen and
entered on her occupation of the sick chamber
»A little dull but not so bad as might be« Mrs Gamp remarked »Im glad
to see a parapidge in case of fire and lots of roofs and chimleypots to walk
upon«
It will be seen from these remarks that Mrs Gamp was looking out of window
When she had exhausted the prospect she tried the easychair which she
indignantly declared was »harder than a brickbadge« Next she pursued her
researches among the physicbottles glasses jugs and teacup and when she had
entirely satisfied her curiosity on all these subjects of investigation she
untied her bonnetstrings and strolled up to the bedside to take a look at the
patient
A young man dark and not illlooking with long black hair that seemed
the blacker for the whiteness of the bedclothes His eyes were partly open and
he never ceased to roll his head from side to side upon the pillow keeping his
body almost quiet He did not utter words but every now and then gave vent to
an expression of impatience or fatigue sometimes of surprise and still his
restless head oh weary weary hour went to and fro without a moments
intermission
Mrs Gamp solaced herself with a pinch of snuff and stood looking at him
with her head inclined a little sideways as a connoisseur might gaze upon a
doubtful work of art By degrees a horrible remembrance of one branch of her
calling took possession of the woman and stooping down she pinned his
wandering arms against his sides to see how he would look if laid out as a dead
man Hideous as it may appear her fingers itched to compose his limbs in that
last marble attitude
»Ah« said Mrs Gamp walking away from the bed »hed make a lovely
corpse«
She now proceeded to unpack her bundle lighted a candle with the aid of a
firebox on the drawers filled a small kettle as a preliminary to refreshing
herself with a cup of tea in the course of the night laid what she called »a
little bit of fire« for the same philanthropic purpose and also set forth a
small teaboard that nothing might be wanting for her comfortable enjoyment
These preparations occupied so long that when they were brought to a conclusion
it was high time to think about supper so she rang the bell and ordered it
»I think young woman« said Mrs Gamp to the assistant chambermaid in a
tone expressive of weakness »that I could pick a little bit of pickled salmon
with a nice little sprig of fennel and a sprinkling of white pepper I takes
new bread my dear with jest a little pat of fresh butter and a mossel of
cheese In case there should be such a thing as a cowcumber in the ouse will
you be so kind as bring it for Im rather partial to em and they does a world
of good in a sick room If they draws the Brighton Old Tipper here I takes that
ale at night my love it bein considered wakeful by the doctors And whatever
you do young woman dont bring more than a shillingsworth of gin and
waterwarm when I rings the bell a second time for that is always my allowance
and I never takes a drop beyond«
Having preferred these moderate requests Mrs Gamp observed that she would
stand at the door until the order was executed to the end that the patient
might not be disturbed by her opening it a second time and therefore she would
thank the young woman to look sharp
A tray was brought with everything upon it even to the cucumber and Mrs
Gamp accordingly sat down to eat and drink in high good humour The extent to
which she availed herself of the vinegar and supped up that refreshing fluid
with the blade of her knife can scarcely be expressed in narrative
»Ah« sighed Mrs Gamp as she meditated over the warm shillingsworth
»what a blessed thing it is living in a wale to be contented What a blessed
thing it is to make sick people happy in their beds and never mind ones self
as long as one can do a service I dont believe a finer cowcumber was ever
growd Fm sure I never see one«
She moralised in the same vein until her glass was empty and then
administered the patients medicine by the simple process of clutching his
windpipe to make him gasp and immediately pouring it down his throat
»I amost forgot the piller I declare« said Mrs Gamp drawing it away
»There Now hes comfortable as he can be Im sure I must try to make myself
as much so as I can«
With this view she went about the construction of an extemporaneous bed in
the easychair with the addition of the next easy one for her feet Having
formed the best couch that the circumstances admitted of she took out of her
bundle a yellow nightcap of prodigious size in shape resembling a cabbage
which article of dress she fixed and tied on with the utmost care previously
divesting herself of a row of bald old curls that could scarcely be called
false they were so very innocent of anything approaching to deception From the
same repository she brought forth a nightjacket in which she also attired
herself Finally she produced a watchmans coat which she tied round her neck
by the sleeves so that she became two people and looked behind as if she
were in the act of being embraced by one of the old patrol
All these arrangements made she lighted the rushlight coiled herself up on
her couch and went to sleep Ghostly and dark the room became and full of
lowering shadows The distant noises in the streets were gradually hushed the
house was quiet as a sepulchre the dead of night was coffined in the silent
city
Oh weary weary hour Oh haggard mind groping darkly through the past
incapable of detaching itself from the miserable present dragging its heavy
chain of care through imaginary feasts and revels and scenes of awful pomp
seeking but a moments rest among the longforgotten haunts of childhood and
the resorts of yesterday and dimly finding fear and horror everywhere Oh
weary weary hour What were the wanderings of Cain to these
Still without a moments interval the burning head tossed to and fro
Still from time to time fatigue impatience suffering and surprise found
utterance upon that rack and plainly too though never once in words At
length in the solemn hour of midnight he began to talk waiting awfully for
answers sometimes as though invisible companions were about his bed and so
replying to their speech and questioning again
Mrs Gamp awoke and sat up in her bed presenting on the wall the shadow of
a gigantic night constable struggling with a prisoner
»Come Hold your tongue« she cried in sharp reproof »Dont make none of
that noise here«
There was no alteration in the face or in the incessant motion of the head
but he talked on wildly
»Ah« said Mrs Gamp coming out of the chair with an impatient shiver »I
thought I was a sleepin too pleasant to last The devils in the night I
think ifs turned so chilly«
»Dont drink so much« cried the sick man »Youll ruin us all Dont you
see how the fountain sinks Look at the mark where the sparkling water was just
now«
»Sparkling water indeed« said Mrs Gamp »Ill have a sparkling cup o
tea I think I wish youd hold your noise«
He burst into a laugh which being prolonged fell off into a dismal wail
Checking himself with fierce inconstancy he began to count fast
»One two three four five six«
»One two buckle my shoe« said Mrs Gamp who was now on her knees
lighting the fire »three four shut the door I wish youd shut your mouth
young man five six picking up sticks If Id got a few handy I should have
the kettle biling all the sooner«
Awaiting this desirable consummation she sat down so close to the fender
which was a high one that her nose rested upon it and for some time she
drowsily amused herself by sliding that feature backwards and forwards along the
brass top as far as she could without changing her position to do it She
maintained all the while a running commentary upon the wanderings of the man
in bed
»That makes five hundred and twenty one men all dressed alike and with the
same distortion on their faces that have passed in at the window and out at
the door« he cried anxiously »Look there Five hundred and twentytwo
twentythree twentyfour Do you see them«
»Ah I see em« said Mrs Gamp »all the whole kit of em numbered like
hackneycoaches aint they«
»Touch me Let me be sure of this Touch me«
»Youll take your next draught when Ive made the kettle bile« retorted
Mrs Gamp composedly »and youll be touched then Youll be touched up too
if you dont take it quiet«
»Five hundred and twentyeight five hundred and twentynine five hundred
and thirty look here«
»Whats the matter now« said Mrs Gamp
»Theyre coming four abreast each man with his arm entwined in the next
mans and his hand upon his shoulder Whats that upon the arm of every man
and on the flag«
»Spiders praps« said Mrs Gamp
»Crape Black crape Good God why do they wear it outside«
»Would you have em carry black crape in their insides« Mrs Gamp retorted
»Hold your noise hold your noise«
The fire beginning by this time to impart a grateful warmth Mrs Gamp
became silent gradually rubbed her nose more and more slowly along the top of
the fender and fell into a heavy doze She was awakened by the room ringing as
she fancied with a name she knew
»Chuzzlewit«
The sound was so distinct and real and so full of agonised entreaty that
Mrs Gamp jumped up in terror and ran to the door She expected to find the
passage filled with people come to tell her that the house in the City had
taken fire But the place was empty not a soul was there She opened the
window and looked out Dark dull dingy and desolate housetop As she passed
to her seat again she glanced at the patient Just the same but silent Mrs
Gamp was so warm now that she threw off the watchmans coat and fanned
herself
»It seemed to make the wery bottles ring« she said »What could I have been
adreaming of That dratted Chuffey Ill be bound«
The supposition was probable enough At any rate a pinch of snuff and the
song of the steaming kettle quite restored the tone of Mrs Gamps nerves
which were none of the weakest She brewed her tea made some buttered toast
and sat down at the teaboard with her face to the fire
When once again in a tone more terrible than that which had vibrated in her
slumbering ear these words were shrieked out
»Chuzzlewit Jonas No«
Mrs Gamp dropped the cup she was in the act of raising to her lips and
turned round with a start that made the little teaboard leap The cry had come
from the bed
It was bright morning the next time Mrs Gamp looked out of the window and
the sun was rising cheerfully Lighter and lighter grew the sky and noisier the
streets and high into the summer air uprose the smoke of newly kindled fires
until the busy day was broad awake
Mrs Prig relieved punctually having passed a good night at her other
patients Mr Westlock came at the same time but he was not admitted the
disorder being infectious The doctor came too The doctor shook his head It
was all he could do under the circumstances and he did it well
»What sort of a night nurse«
»Restless sir« said Mrs Gamp
»Talk much«
»Middling sir« said Mrs Gamp
»Nothing to the purpose I suppose«
»Oh bless you no sir Only jargon«
»Well« said the doctor »we must keep him quiet keep the room cool give
him his draughts regularly and see that hes carefully looked to Thats all«
»And as long as Mrs Prig and me waits upon him sir no fear of that« said
Mrs Gamp
»I suppose« observed Mrs Prig when they had curtseyed the doctor out
»theres nothin new«
»Nothin at all my dear« said Mrs Gamp »Hes rather wearin in his talk
from making up a lot of names elseways you neednt mind him«
»Oh I shant mind him« Mrs Prig returned »I have somethin else to
think of«
»I pays my debts tonight you know my dear and comes afore my time« said
Mrs Gamp »But Betsey Prig« speaking with great feeling and laying her hand
upon her arm »try the cowcumbers God bless you«
Chapter XXVI
An Unexpected Meeting and a Promising Prospect
The laws of sympathy between beards and birds and the secret source of that
attraction which frequently impels a shaver of the one to be a dealer in the
other are questions for the subtle reasoning of scientific bodies not the less
so because their investigation would seem calculated to lead to no particular
result It is enough to know that the artist who had the honour of entertaining
Mrs Gamp as his firstfloor lodger united the two pursuits of barbering and
birdfancying and that it was not an original idea of his but one in which he
had dispersed about the byestreets and suburbs of the town a host of rivals
The name of the householder was Paul Sweedlepipe But he was commonly called
Poll Sweedlepipe and was not uncommonly believed to have been so christened
among his friends and neighbours
With the exception of the staircase and his lodgers private apartment
Poll Sweedlepipes house was one great birds nest Gamecocks resided in the
kitchen pheasants wasted the brightness of their golden plumage on the garret
bantams roosted in the cellar owls had possession of the bedroom and
specimens of all the smaller fry of birds chirrupped and twittered in the shop
The staircase was sacred to rabbits There in hutches of all shapes and kinds
made from old packingcases boxes drawers and teachests they increased in a
prodigious degree and contributed their share towards that complicated whiff
which quite impartially and without distinction of persons saluted every nose
that was put into Sweedlepipes easy shavingshop
Many noses found their way there for all that especially on Sunday
morning before churchtime Even archbishops shave or must be shaved on a
Sunday and beards will grow after twelve oclock on Saturday night though it
be upon the chins of base mechanics who not being able to engage their valets
by the quarter hire them by the job and pay them oh the wickedness of
copper coin in dirty pence Poll Sweedlepipe the sinner shaved all comers
at a penny each and cut the hair of any customer for twopence and being a lone
unmarried man and having some connection in the bird line Poll got on
tolerably well
He was a little elderly man with a clammy cold right hand from which even
rabbits and birds could not remove the smell of shavingsoap Poll had something
of the bird in his nature not of the hawk or eagle but of the sparrow that
builds in chimneystacks and inclines to human company He was not quarrelsome
though like the sparrow but peaceful like the dove In his walk he strutted
and in this respect he bore a faint resemblance to the pigeon as well as in a
certain prosiness of speech which might in its monotony be likened to the
cooing of that bird He was very inquisitive and when he stood at his shopdoor
in the eveningtide watching the neighbours with his head on one side and his
eye cocked knowingly there was a dash of the raven in him Yet there was no
more wickedness in Poll than in a robin Happily too when any of his
ornithological properties were on the verge of going too far they were
quenched dissolved melted down and neutralised in the barber just as his
bald head otherwise as the head of a shaved magpie lost itself in a wig of
curly black ringlets parted on one side and cut away almost to the crown to
indicate immense capacity of intellect
Poll had a very small shrill treble voice which might have led the wags
of Kingsgate Street to insist the more upon his feminine designation He had a
tender heart too for when he had a good commission to provide three or four
score sparrows for a shootingmatch he would observe in a compassionate tone
how singular it was that sparrows should have been made expressly for such
purposes The question whether men were made to shoot them never entered into
Polls philosophy
Poll wore in his sporting character a velveteen coat a great deal of blue
stocking ankle boots a neckerchief of some bright colour and a very tall hat
Pursuing his more quiet occupation of barber he generally subsided into an
apron not overclean a flannel jacket and corduroy kneeshorts It was in this
latter costume but with his apron girded round his waist as a token of his
having shut up shop for the night that he closed the door one evening some
weeks after the occurrences detailed in the last chapter and stood upon the
steps in Kingsgate Street listening until the little cracked bell within should
leave off ringing For until it did this was Mr Sweedlepipes reflection
the place never seemed quiet enough to be left to itself.
»Its the greediest little bell to ring« said Poll »that ever was But
its quiet at last«
He rolled his apron up a little tighter as he said these words and hastened
down the street Just as he was turning into Holborn he ran against a young
gentleman in a livery This youth was bold though small and with several
lively expressions of displeasure turned upon him instantly
»Now STOOPID« cried the young gentleman »Cant you look where youre a
going to eh Cant you mind where youre a coming to eh What do you think
your eyes was made for eh Ah Yes Oh Now then«
The young gentleman pronounced the two last words in a very loud tone and
with frightful emphasis as though they contained within themselves the essence
of the direst aggravation But he had scarcely done so when his anger yielded
to surprise and he cried in a milder tone
»What Polly«
»Why it aint you sure« cried Poll »It cant be you«
»No It aint me« returned the youth »Its my son my oldest one Hes a
credit to his father aint he Polly« With this delicate little piece of
banter he halted on the pavement and went round and round in circles for the
better exhibition of his figure rather to the inconvenience of the passengers
generally who were not in an equal state of spirits with himself
»I wouldnt have believed it« said Poll »What Youve left your old place
then Have you«
»Have I« returned his young friend who had by this time stuck his hands
into the pockets of his white cord breeches and was swaggering along at the
barbers side »Dye know a pair of topboots when you see em Polly Look
here«
»Beautiful« cried Mr Sweedlepipe
»Dye know a slapup sort of button when you see it« said the youth
»Dont look at mine if you aint a judge because these lions heads was made
for men of taste not snobs«
»Beautiful« cried the barber again »A grassgreen frockcoat too bound
with gold And a cockade in your hat«
»I should hope so« replied the youth »Blow the cockade though for
except that it dont turn round its like the wentilator that used to be in the
kitchen winder at Todgerss You aint seen the old ladys name in the Gazette
have you«
»No« returned the barber »Is she a bankrupt«
»If she aint she will be« retorted Bailey »That bisness never can be
carried on without me Well How are you«
»Oh Im pretty well« said Poll »Are you living at this end of the town
or were you coming to see me Was that the bisness that brought you to
Holborn«
»I havent got no bisness in Holborn« returned Bailey with some
displeasure »All my bisness lays at the Westend Ive got the right sort of
governor now You cant see his face for his whiskers and cant see his
whiskers for the dye upon em Thats a gentleman aint it You wouldnt like a
ride in a cab would you Why it wouldnt be safe to offer it Youd faint
away only to see me a comin at a mild trot round the corner«
To convey a slight idea of the effect of this approach Mr Bailey
counterfeited in his own person the action of a hightrotting horse and threw
up his head so high in backing against a pump that he shook his hat off
»Why hes own uncle to Capricorn« said Bailey »and brother to
Cauliflower Hes been through the winders of two chaney shops since weve had
him and wos sold for killin his missis Thats a horse I hope«
»Ah youll never want to buy any more redpolls now« observed Poll
looking on his young friend with an air of melancholy »Youll never want to buy
any more redpolls now to hang up over the sink will you«
»I should think not« replied Bailey »Reether so I wouldnt have nothin
to say to any bird below a Peacock and hed be wulgar Well how are you«
»Oh Im pretty well« said Poll He answered the question again because Mr
Bailey asked it again Mr Bailey asked it again because accompanied with a
straddling action of the white cords a bend of the knees and a strikingforth
of the topboots it was an easy horsefleshy turfy sort of thing to do
»Wot are you up to old feller« asked Mr Bailey with the same graceful
rakishness He was quite the manabouttown of the conversation while the
easyshaver was the child
»Why I am going to fetch my lodger home« said Paul
»A woman« cried Mr Bailey »for a twentypun note«
The little barber hastened to explain that she was neither a young woman
nor a handsome woman but a nurse who had been acting as a kind of housekeeper
to a gentleman for some weeks past and left her place that night in
consequence of being superseded by another and a more legitimate housekeeper
to wit the gentlemans bride
»Hes newlymarried and he brings his young wife home tonight« said the
barber »So Im going to fetch my lodger away Mr Chuzzlewits close behind
the Postoffice and carry her box for her«
»Jonas Chuzzlewits« said Bailey
»Ah« returned Paul »thats the name sure enough Do you know him«
»Oh no« cried Mr Bailey »not at all And I dont know her Not neither
Why they first kept company through me amost«
»Ah« said Paul
»Ah« said Mr Bailey with a wink »and she aint badlooking mind you
But her sister was the best She was the merry one I often used to have a bit
of fun with her in the hold times«
Mr Bailey spoke as if he already had a leg and threequarters in the grave
and this had happened twenty or thirty years ago Paul Sweedlepipe the meek
was so perfectly confounded by his precocious selfpossession and his
patronising manner as well as by his boots cockade and livery that a mist
swam before his eyes and he saw not the Bailey of acknowledged juvenility
from Todgerss Commercial Boarding House who had made his acquaintance within a
twelvemonth by purchasing at sundry times small birds at twopence each but
a highlycondensed embodiment of all the sporting grooms in London an abstract
of all the stableknowledge of the time a something at a highpressure that
must have had existence many years and was fraught with terrible experiences
And truly though in the cloudy atmosphere of Todgerss Mr Baileys genius had
ever shone out brightly in this particular respect it now eclipsed both time
and space cheated beholders of their senses and worked on their belief in
defiance of all natural laws He walked along the tangible and real stones of
Holborn Hill an undersized boy and yet he winked the winks and thought the
thoughts and did the deeds and said the sayings of an ancient man There was
an old principle within him and a young surface without He became an
inexplicable creature a breeched and booted Sphinx There was no course open to
the barber but to go distracted himself or to take Bailey for granted and he
wisely chose the latter
Mr Bailey was good enough to continue to bear him company and to entertain
him as they went with easy conversation on various sporting topics especially
on the comparative merits as a general principle, of horses with white
stockings and horses without In regard to the style of tail to be preferred
Mr Bailey had opinions of his own which he explained but begged they might by
no means influence his friends as here he knew he had the misfortune to differ
from some excellent authorities He treated Mr Sweedlepipe to a dram
compounded agreeably to his own directions which he informed him had been
invented by a member of the Jockey Club and as they were by this time near the
barbers destination he observed that as he had an hour to spare and knew the
parties he would if quite agreeable be introduced to Mrs Gamp
Paul knocked at Jonas Chuzzlewits and on the door being opened by that
lady made the two distinguished persons known to one another. It was a happy
feature in Mrs Gamps twofold profession that it gave her an interest in
everything that was young as well as in everything that was old She received
Mr Bailey with much kindness
»Its very good Im sure of you to come« she said to her landlord »as
well as bring so nice a friend But Im afraid that I must trouble you so far as
to step in for the young couple has not yet made appearance«
»Theyre late aint they« inquired her landlord when she had conducted
them down stairs into the kitchen
»Well sir considerin the Wings of Love they are« said Mrs Gamp
Mr Bailey inquired whether the Wings of Love had ever won a plate or could
be backed to do anything remarkable and being informed that it was not a horse
but merely a poetical or figurative expression evinced considerable disgust
Mrs Gamp was so very much astonished by his affable manners and great ease
that she was about to propound to her landlord in a whisper the staggering
inquiry whether he was a man or a boy when Mr Sweedlepipe anticipating her
design made a timely diversion
»He knows Mrs Chuzzlewit« said Paul aloud
»Theres nothin he dont know thats my opinion« observed Mrs Gamp »All
the wickedness of the world is Print to him«
Mr Bailey received this as a compliment and said adjusting his cravat
»reether so«
»As you knows Mrs Chuzzlewit you knows praps what her chrisn name is«
Mrs Gamp observed
»Charity« said Bailey
»That it aint« cried Mrs Gamp
»Cherry then« said Bailey »Cherrys short for it Its all the same«
»It dont begin with a C at all« retorted Mrs Gamp shaking her head »It
begins with a M«
»Whew« cried Mr Bailey slapping a little cloud of pipeclay out of his
left leg »then hes been and married the merry one«
As these words were mysterious Mrs Gamp called upon him to explain which
Mr Bailey proceeded to do that lady listening greedily to everything he said
He was yet in the fulness of his narrative when the sound of wheels and a
double knock at the street door announced the arrival of the newlymarried
couple Begging him to reserve what more he had to say for her hearing on the
way home Mrs Gamp took up the candle and hurried away to receive and welcome
the young mistress of the house
»Wishing you appiness and joy with all my art« said Mrs Gamp dropping a
curtsey as they entered the hall »and you too sir Your lady looks a little
tired with the journey Mr Chuzzlewit a pretty dear«
»She has bothered enough about it« grumbled Mr Jonas »Now show a light
will you«
»This way maam if you please« said Mrs Gamp going up stairs before
them »Things has been made as comfortable as they could be but theres many
things youll have to alter your own self when you gets time to look about you
Ah sweet thing But you dont« added Mrs Gamp internally »you dont look
much like a merry one I must say«
It was true she did not The death that had gone before the bridal seemed
to have left its shade upon the house The air was heavy and oppressive the
rooms were dark a deep gloom filled up every chink and corner Upon the
hearthstone like a creature of ill omen sat the aged clerk with his eyes
fixed on some withered branches in the stove He rose and looked at her
»So there you are Mr Chuff« said Jonas carelessly as he dusted his
boots »still in the land of the living eh«
»Still in the land of the living sir« retorted Mrs Gamp »And Mr Chuffey
may thank you for it as many and many a time Ive told him«
Mr Jonas was not in the best of humours for he merely said as he looked
round »We dont want you any more you know Mrs Gamp«
»Im a going immediate sir« returned the nurse »unless theres nothink I
can do for you maam Aint there« said Mrs Gamp with a look of great
sweetness and rummaging all the time in her pocket »aint there nothink I can
do for you my little bird«
»No« said Merry almost crying »You had better go away please«
With a leer of mingled sweetness and slyness with one eye on the future
one on the bride and an arch expression in her face partly spiritual partly
spirituous and wholly professional and peculiar to her art Mrs Gamp rummaged
in her pocket again and took from it a printed card whereon was an inscription
copied from her signboard
»Would you be so good my darling dovey of a dear young married lady« Mrs
Gamp observed in a low voice »as put that somewheres where you can keep it in
your mind Im well beknown to many ladies and its my card Gamp is my name
and Gamp my nater Livin quite handy I will make so bold as call in now and
then and make inquiry how your health and spirits is my precious chick«
And with innumerable leers winks coughs nods smiles and curtseys all
leading to the establishment of a mysterious and confidential understanding
between herself and the bride Mrs Gamp invoking a blessing upon the house
leered winked coughed nodded smiled and curtseyed herself out of the room
»But I will say and I would if I was led a Martha to the Stakes for it«
Mrs Gamp remarked below stairs in a whisper »that she dont look much like a
merry one at this present moment of time«
»Ah wait till you hear her laugh« said Bailey
»Hem« cried Mrs Gamp in a kind of groan »I will child«
They said no more in the house for Mrs Gamp put on her bonnet Mr
Sweedlepipe took up her box and Mr Bailey accompanied them towards Kingsgate
Street recounting to Mrs Gamp as they went along the origin and progress of
his acquaintance with Mrs Chuzzlewit and her sister It was a pleasant instance
of this youths precocity that he fancied Mrs Gamp had conceived a tenderness
for him and was much tickled by her misplaced attachment
As the door closed heavily behind them Mrs Jonas sat down in a chair and
felt a strange chill creep upon her whilst she looked about the room It was
pretty much as she had known it but appeared more dreary She had thought to
see it brightened to receive her
»It aint good enough for you I suppose« said Jonas watching her looks
»Why it is dull« said Merry trying to be more herself
»Itll be duller before youre done with it« retorted Jonas »if you give
me any of your airs Youre a nice article to turn sulky on first coming home
Ecod you used to have life enough when you could plague me with it The gals
down stairs Ring the bell for supper while I take my boots off«
She roused herself from looking after him as he left the room to do what he
had desired when the old man Chuffey laid his hand softly on her arm
»You are not married« he said eagerly »Not married«
»Yes A month ago Good Heaven what is the matter«
He answered nothing was the matter and turned from her But in her fear and
wonder turning also she saw him raise his trembling hands above his head and
heard him say
»Oh woe woe woe upon this wicked house«
It was her welcome HOME
Chapter XXVII
Showing that Old Friends May Not Only Appear with New Faces but in False
Colours That People Are Prone to Bite and that Biters May Sometimes Be Bitten
Mr Bailey Junior for the sporting character whilom of general utility at
Todgerss had now regularly set up in life under that name without troubling
himself to obtain from the legislature a direct licence in the form of a Private
Bill which of all kinds and classes of bills is without exception the most
unreasonable in its charges Mr Bailey Junior just tall enough to be seen by
an inquiring eye gazing indolently at society from beneath the apron of his
masters cab drove slowly up and down Pall Mall about the hour of noon in
waiting for his Governor The horse of distinguished family who had Capricorn
for his nephew and Cauliflower for his brother showed himself worthy of his
high relations by champing at the bit until his chest was white with foam and
rearing like a horse in heraldry the plated harness and the patent leather
glittered in the sun pedestrians admired Mr Bailey was complacent but
unmoved He seemed to say »A barrow good people a mere barrow nothing to
what we could do if we chose« and on he went squaring his short green arms
outside the apron as if he were hooked on to it by his armpits
Mr Bailey had a great opinion of brother to Cauliflower and estimated his
powers highly But he never told him so On the contrary it was his practice
in driving that animal to assail him with disrespectful if not injurious
expressions as »Ah would you« »Did you think it then« »Where are you going
to now« »No you wont my lad« and similar fragmentary remarks These being
usually accompanied by a jerk of the rein or a crack of the whip led to many
trials of strength between them and to many contentions for the upper hand
terminating now and then in china shops and other unusual goals as Mr
Bailey had already hinted to his friend Poll Sweedlepipe
On the present occasion Mr Bailey being in spirits was more than commonly
hard upon his charge in consequence of which that fiery animal confined himself
almost entirely to his hind legs in displaying his paces and constantly got
himself into positions with reference to the cabriolet that very much amazed the
passengers in the street But Mr Bailey not at all disturbed had still a
shower of pleasantries to bestow on any one who crossed his path as calling to
a fullgrown coalheaver in a wagon who for a moment blocked the way »Now
young un who trusted you with a cart« inquiring of elderly ladies who wanted
to cross and ran back again »Why they didnt go to the workhouse and get an
order to be buried« tempting boys with friendly words to get up behind and
immediately afterwards cutting them down and the like flashes of a cheerful
humour which he would occasionally relieve by going round St Jamess Square at
a hand gallop and coming slowly into Pall Mall by another entry as if in the
interval his pace had been a perfect crawl
It was not until these amusements had been very often repeated and the
applestall at the corner had sustained so many miraculous escapes as to appear
impregnable that Mr Bailey was summoned to the door of a certain house in Pall
Mall and turning short obeyed the call and jumped out It was not until he had
held the bridle for some minutes longer every jerk of Cauliflowers brothers
head and every twitch of Cauliflowers brothers nostril taking him off his
legs in the meanwhile that two persons entered the vehicle one of whom took
the reins and drove rapidly off Nor was it until Mr Bailey had run after it
some hundreds of yards in vain that he managed to lift his short leg into the
iron step and finally to get his boots upon the little footboard behind Then
indeed he became a sight to see and standing now on one foot and now upon
the other now trying to look round the cab on this side now on that and now
endeavouring to peep over the top of it as it went dashing in among the carts
and coaches was from head to heel Newmarket
The appearance of Mr Baileys governor as he drove along fully justified
that enthusiastic youths description of him to the wondering Poll He had a
world of jetblack shining hair upon his head upon his cheeks upon his chin
upon his upper lip His clothes symmetrically made were of the newest fashion
and the costliest kind Flowers of gold and blue and green and blushing red
were on his waistcoat precious chains and jewels sparkled on his breast his
fingers clogged with brilliant rings were as unwieldy as summer flies but
newly rescued from a honeypot The daylight mantled in his gleaming hat and
boots as in a polished glass And yet though changed his name and changed his
outward surface it was Tigg Though turned and twisted upside down and inside
out as great men have been sometimes known to be though no longer Montague
Tigg but Tigg Montague still it was Tigg the same Satanic gallant military
Tigg The brass was burnished lacquered newlystamped yet it was the true
Tigg metal notwithstanding
Beside him sat a smiling gentleman of less pretensions and of business
looks whom he addressed as David Surely not the David of the how shall it be
phrased the triumvirate of golden balls Not David tapster at the Lombards
Arms Yes The very man
»The secretarys salary David« said Mr Montague »the office being now
established is eight hundred pounds per annum with his houserent coals and
candles free His fiveandtwenty shares he holds of course Is that enough«
David smiled and nodded and coughed behind a little locked portfolio which
he carried with an air that proclaimed him to be the secretary in question
»If thats enough« said Montague »I will propose it at the Board today
in my capacity as chairman«
The secretary smiled again laughed indeed this time and said rubbing
his nose slily with one end of the portfolio
»It was a capital thought wasnt it«
»What was a capital thought David« Mr Montague inquired
»The AngloBengalee« tittered the secretary
»The AngloBengalee Disinterested Loan and Life Assurance Company is rather
a capital concern I hope David« said Montague
»Capital indeed« cried the secretary with another laugh »in one sense«
»In the only important one« observed the chairman »which is number one
David«
»What« asked the secretary bursting into another laugh »what will be the
paid up capital according to the next prospectus«
»A figure of two and as many oughts after it as the printer can get into
the same line« replied his friend »Ha ha«
At this they both laughed the secretary so vehemently that in kicking up
his feet he kicked the apron open and nearly started Cauliflowers brother
into an oystershop not to mention Mr Baileys receiving such a sudden swing
that he held on for a moment quite a young Fame by one strap and no legs
»What a chap you are« exclaimed David admiringly when this little alarm
had subsided
»Say genius David genius«
»Well upon my soul you are a genius then« said David »I always knew you
had the gift of the gab of course but I never believed you were half the man
you are How could I«
»I rise with circumstances David Thats a point of genius in itself,« said
Tigg »If you were to lose a hundred pound wager to me at this minute David
and were to pay it which is most confoundedly improbable I should rise in a
mental point of view directly«
It is due to Mr Tigg to say that he had really risen with his
opportunities peculating on a grander scale he had become a grander man
altogether
»Ha ha« cried the secretary laying his hand with growing familiarity
upon the chairmans arm »When I look at you and think of your property in
Bengal being ha ha ha «
The halfexpressed idea seemed no less ludicrous to Mr Tigg than to his
friend for he laughed too heartily
» Being« resumed David »being amenable your property in Bengal being
amenable to all claims upon the company when I look at you and think of that
you might tickle me into fits by waving the feather of a pen at me Upon my soul
you might«
»Its a devilish fine property« said Tigg Montague »to be amenable to any
claims The preserve of tigers alone is worth a mint of money David«
David could only reply in the intervals of his laughter »Oh what a chap
you are« and so continued to laugh and hold his sides and wipe his eyes for
some time without offering any other observation
»A capital idea« said Tigg returning after a time to his companions first
remark »no doubt it was a capital idea It was my idea«
»No no It was my idea« said David »Hang it let a man have some credit
Didnt I say to you that Id saved a few pounds «
»You said Didnt I say to you« interposed Tigg »that I had come into a
few pounds«
»Certainly you did« returned David warmly »but thats not the idea Who
said that if we put the money together we could furnish an office and make a
show«
»And who said« retorted Mr Tigg »that provided we did it on a
sufficiently large scale we could furnish an office and make a show without
any money at all Be rational and just and calm and tell me whose idea was
that«
»Why there« David was obliged to confess »you had the advantage of me I
admit But I dont put myself on a level with you I only want a little credit
in the business«
»All the credit you deserve you have« said Tigg »The plain work of the
company David figures books circulars advertisements pen ink and paper
sealingwax and wafers is admirably done by you You are a firstrate
groveller I dont dispute it But the ornamental department David the
inventive and poetical department «
»Is entirely yours« said his friend »No question of it But with such a
swell turnout as this and all the handsome things youve got about you and
the life you lead I mean to say its a precious comfortable department too«
»Does it gain the purpose Is it AngloBengalee« asked Tigg
»Yes« said David
»Could you undertake it yourself« demanded Tigg
»No« said David
»Ha ha« laughed Tigg »Then be contented with your station and your
profits David my fine fellow and bless the day that made us acquainted across
the counter of our common uncle for it was a golden day to you«
It will have been already gathered from the conversation of these worthies
that they were embarked in an enterprise of some magnitude in which they
addressed the public in general from the strong position of having everything to
gain and nothing at all to lose and which based upon this great principle
was thriving pretty comfortably
The AngloBengalee Disinterested Loan and Life Assurance Company started
into existence one morning not an Infant Institution but a Grownup Company
running alone at a great pace and doing business right and left with a branch
in a first floor over a tailors at the Westend of the town and main offices
in a new street in the City comprising the upper part of a spacious house
resplendent in stucco and plateglass with wire blinds in all the windows and
AngloBengalee worked into the pattern of every one of them On the doorpost
was painted again in large letters »Offices of the AngloBengalee Disinterested
Loan and Life Assurance Company« and on the door was a large brass plate with
the same inscription always kept very bright as courting inquiry staring the
City out of countenance after office hours on working days and all day long on
Sundays and looking bolder than the Bank Within the offices were newly
plastered newly painted newly papered newly countered newly floorclothed
newly tabled newly chaired newly fittedup in every way with goods that were
substantial and expensive and designed like the company to last Business
Look at the green ledgers with red backs like strong cricketballs beaten flat
thecourtguides directories daybooks almanacks letterboxes
weighingmachines for letters rows of firebuckets for dashing out a
conflagration in its first spark and saving the immense wealth in notes and
bonds belonging to the company look at the iron safes the clock the office
seal in its capacious self security for anything Solidity Look at the
massive blocks of marble in the chimneypieces and the gorgeous parapet on the
top of the house Publicity Why AngloBengalee Disinterested Loan and Life
Assurance Company is painted on the very coalscuttles It is repeated at every
turn until the eyes are dazzled with it and the head is giddy It is engraved
upon the top of all the letter paper and it makes a scrollwork round the seal
and it shines out of the porters buttons and it is repeated twenty times in
every circular and public notice wherein one David Crimple Esquire Secretary
and resident Director takes the liberty of inviting your attention to the
accompanying statement of the advantages offered by the AngloBengalee
Disinterested Loan and Life Assurance Company and fully proves to you that any
connection on your part with that establishment must result in a perpetual
Christmas Box and constantly increasing Bonus to yourself and that nobody can
run any risk by the transaction except the office which in its great
liberality is pretty sure to lose And this David Crimple Esquire submits to
you and the odds are heavy you believe him is the best guarantee that can
reasonably be suggested by the Board of Management for its permanence and
stability
This gentlemans name by the way had been originally Crimp but as the
word was susceptible of an awkward construction and might be misrepresented he
had altered it to Crimple
Lest with all these proofs and confirmations any man should be suspicious
of the AngloBengalee Disinterested Loan and Life Assurance Company should
doubt in tiger cab or person Tigg Montague Esquire of Pall Mall and
Bengal or any other name in the imaginative List of Directors there was a
porter on the premises a wonderful creature in a vast red waistcoat and a
shorttailed pepperandsalt coat who carried more conviction to the minds of
sceptics than the whole establishment without him No confidences existed
between him and the Directorship nobody knew where he had served last no
character or explanation had been given or required No questions had been asked
on either side This mysterious being relying solely on his figure had applied
for the situation and had been instantly engaged on his own terms They were
high but he knew doubtless that no man could carry such an extent of
waistcoat as himself and felt the full value of his capacity to such an
institution When he sat upon a seat erected for him in a corner of the office
with his glazed hat hanging on a peg over his head it was impossible to doubt
the respectability of the concern It went on doubling itself with every square
inch of his red waistcoat until like the problem of the nails in the horses
shoes the total became enormous People had been known to apply to effect an
insurance on their lives for a thousand pounds and looking at him to beg
before the form of proposal was filled up that it might be made two And yet he
was not a giant His coat was rather small than otherwise The whole charm was
in his waistcoat Respectability competence property in Bengal or anywhere
else responsibility to any amount on the part of the company that employed him
were all expressed in that one garment
Rival offices had endeavoured to lure him away Lombard Street itself had
beckoned to him rich companies had whispered »Be a Beadle« but he still
continued faithful to the AngloBengalee Whether he was a deep rogue or a
stately simpleton it was impossible to make out but he appeared to believe in
the AngloBengalee He was grave with imaginary cares of office and having
nothing whatever to do and something less to take care of would look as if the
pressure of his numerous duties and a sense of the treasure in the companys
strongroom made him a solemn and a thoughtful man
As the cabriolet drove up to the door this officer appeared bareheaded on
the pavement crying aloud »Room for the chairman room for the chairman if you
please« much to the admiration of the bystanders who it is needless to say
had their attention directed to the AngloBengalee Company thenceforth by that
means Mr Tigg leaped gracefully out followed by the Managing Director who
was by this time very distant and respectful and ascended the stairs still
preceded by the porter who cried as he went »By your leave there by your
leave The Chairman of the Board Gentle MEN« In like manner but in a still
more stentorian voice he ushered the chairman through the public office where
some humble clients were transacting business into an awful chamber labelled
Boardroom the door of which sanctuary immediately closed and screened the
great capitalist from vulgar eyes
The boardroom had a Turkey carpet in it a sideboard a portrait of Tigg
Montague Esquire as chairman a very imposing chair of office garnished with
an ivory hammer and a little handbell and a longtable set out at intervals
with sheets of blottingpaper foolscap clean pens and inkstands The chairman
having taken his seat with great solemnity the secretary supported him on his
right hand and the porter stood bolt upright behind them forming a warm
background of waistcoat This was the board everything else being a
lighthearted little fiction
»Bullamy« said Mr Tigg
»Sir« replied the Porter
»Let the Medical Officer know with my compliments that I wish to see him«
Bullamy cleared his throat and bustled out into the office crying »The
Chairman of the Board wishes to see the Medical Officer By your leave there By
your leave« He soon returned with the gentleman in question and at both
openings of the boardroom door at his coming in and at his going out simple
clients were seen to stretch their necks and stand upon their toes thirsting to
catch the slightest glimpse of that mysterious chamber
»Jobling my dear friend« said Mr Tigg »how are you Bullamy wait
outside Crimple dont leave us Jobling my good fellow I am glad to see
you«
»And how are you Mr Montague eh« said the Medical Officer throwing
himself luxuriously into an easychair they were all easychairs in the
boardroom and taking a handsome gold snuffbox from the pocket of his black
satin waistcoat »How are you A little worn with business eh If so rest A
little feverish from wine humph If so water Nothing at all the matter and
quite comfortable Then take some lunch A very wholesome thing at this time of
day to strengthen the gastric juices with lunch Mr Montague«
The Medical Officer he was the same medical officer who had followed poor
old Anthony Chuzzlewit to the grave and who had attended Mrs Gamps patient at
the Bull smiled in saying these words and casually added as he brushed some
grains of snuff from his shirtfrill »I always take it myself about this time
of day do you know«
»Bullamy« said the Chairman ringing the little bell
»Sir«
»Lunch«
»Not on my account I hope« said the doctor »You are very good Thank you
Im quite ashamed Ha ha if I had been a sharp practitioner Mr Montague I
shouldnt have mentioned it without a fee for you may depend upon it my dear
sir that if you dont make a point of taking lunch youll very soon come under
my hands Allow me to illustrate this In Mr Crimples leg «
The resident Director gave an involuntary start for the doctor in the heat
of his demonstration caught it up and laid it across his own as if he were
going to take it off then and there
»In Mr Crimples leg youll observe« pursued the doctor turning back his
cuffs and spanning the limb with both hands »where Mr Crimples knee fits into
the socket here there is that is to say between the bone and the socket a
certain quantity of animal oil«
»What do you pick my leg out for« said Mr Crimple looking with something
of an anxious expression at his limb »Its the same with other legs aint it«
»Never you mind my good sir« returned the doctor shaking his head
»whether it is the same with other legs or not the same«
»But I do mind« said David
»I take a particular case Mr Montague« returned the doctor »as
illustrating my remark you observe In this portion of Mr Crimples leg sir
there is a certain amount of animal oil In every one of Mr Crimples joints
sir there is more or less of the same deposit Very good If Mr Crimple
neglects his meals or fails to take his proper quantity of rest that oil
wanes and becomes exhausted What is the consequence Mr Crimples bones sink
down into their sockets sir and Mr Crimple becomes a weazen puny stunted
miserable man«
The doctor let Mr Crimples leg fall suddenly as if he were already in
that agreeable condition turned down his wristbands again and looked
triumphantly at the chairman
»We know a few secrets of nature in our profession sir« said the doctor
»Of course we do We study for that we pass the Hall and the College for that
and we take our station in society by that Its extraordinary how little is
known on these subjects generally Where do you suppose now« the doctor closed
one eye as he leaned back smilingly in his chair and formed a triangle with
his hands of which his two thumbs composed the base »where do you suppose Mr
Crimples stomach is«
Mr Crimple more agitated than before clapped his hand immediately below
his waistcoat
»Not at all« cried the doctor »not at all Quite a popular mistake My
good sir youre altogether deceived«
»I feel it there when its out of order thats all I know« said Crimple
»You think you do« replied the doctor »but science knows better There was
a patient of mine once« touching one of the many mourning rings upon his
fingers and slightly bowing his head »a gentleman who did me the honour to
make a very handsome mention of me in his will in testimony as he was pleased
to say of the unremitting zeal talent and attention of my friend and medical
attendant John Jobling Esquire M R C S who was so overcome by the idea
of having all his life laboured under an erroneous view of the locality of this
important organ that when I assured him on my professional reputation he was
mistaken he burst into tears put out his hand and said Jobling God bless
you Immediately afterwards he became speechless and was ultimately buried at
Brixton«
»By your leave there« cried Bullamy without »By your leave Refreshment
for the Boardroom«
»Ha« said the doctor jocularly as he rubbed his hands and drew his chair
nearer to the table »The true Life Assurance Mr Montague The best Policy in
the world my dear sir We should be provident and eat and drink whenever we
can Eh Mr Crimple«
The resident Director acquiesced rather sulkily as if the gratification of
replenishing his stomach had been impaired by the unsettlement of his
preconceived opinions in reference to its situation But the appearance of the
porter and under porter with a tray covered with a snowwhite cloth which
being thrown back displayed a pair of cold roast fowls flanked by some potted
meats and a cool salad quickly restored his good humour It was enhanced still
further by the arrival of a bottle of excellent madeira and another of
champagne and he soon attacked the repast with an appetite scarcely inferior to
that of the medical officer
The lunch was handsomely served with a profusion of rich glass plate and
china which seemed to denote that eating and drinking on a showy scale formed
no unimportant item in the business of the AngloBengalee Directorship As it
proceeded the Medical Officer grew more and more joyous and red insomuch that
every mouthful he ate and every drop of wine he swallowed seemed to impart new
lustre to his eyes and to light up new sparks in his nose and forehead
In certain quarters of the City and its neighbourhood Mr Jobling was as
we have already seen in some measure a very popular character He had a
portentously sagacious chin and a pompous voice with a rich huskiness in some
of its tones that went directly to the heart like a ray of light shining
through the ruddy medium of choice old burgundy His neckkerchief and
shirtfrill were ever of the whitest his clothes of the blackest and sleekest
his gold watchchain of the heaviest and his seals of the largest His boots
which were always of the brightest creaked as he walked Perhaps he could shake
his head rub his hands or warm himself before a fire better than any man
alive and he had a peculiar way of smacking his lips and saying »Ah« at
intervals while patients detailed their symptoms which inspired great
confidence It seemed to express »I know what youre going to say better than
you do but go on go on« As he talked on all occasions whether he had anything
to say or not it was unanimously observed of him that he was full of anecdote
and his experience and profit from it were considered for the same reason to
be something much too extensive for description His female patients could never
praise him too highly and the coldest of his male admirers would always say
this for him to their friends »that whatever Joblings professional skill might
be and it could not be denied that he had a very high reputation he was one
of the most comfortable fellows you ever saw in your life«
Jobling was for many reasons and not last in the list because his
connection lay principally among tradesmen and their families exactly the sort
of person whom the AngloBengalee Company wanted for a medical officer But
Jobling was far too knowing to connect himself with the company in any closer
ties than as a paid and wellpaid functionary or to allow his connection to
be misunderstood abroad if he could help it Hence he always stated the case to
an inquiring patient after this manner
»Why my dear sir with regard to the AngloBengalee my information you
see is limited very limited I am the medical officer in consideration of a
certain monthly payment The labourer is worthy of his hire Bis dat qui citò
dat« »Classical scholar Jobling« thinks the patient »wellread man«
»and I receive it regularly Therefore I am bound so far as my own knowledge
goes to speak well of the establishment« »Nothing can be fairer than
Joblings conduct« thinks the patient who has just paid Joblings bill
himself »If you put any question to me my dear friend« says the doctor
»touching the responsibility or capital of the company there I am at fault for
I have no head for figures and not being a shareholder am delicate of showing
any curiosity whatever on the subject Delicacy your amiable lady will agree
with me I am sure should be one of the first characteristics of a medical
man« »Nothing can be finer or more gentlemanly than Joblings feeling« thinks
the patient »Very good my dear sir so the matter stands You dont know Mr
Montague Im sorry for it A remarkably handsome man and quite the gentleman
in every respect Property I am told in India House and everything belonging
to him beautiful Costly furniture on the most elegant and lavish scale And
pictures which even in an anatomical point of view are perfection In case
you should ever think of doing anything with the company Ill pass you you may
depend upon it I can conscientiously report you a healthy subject If I
understand any mans constitution it is yours and this little indisposition
has done him more good maam« says the doctor turning to the patients wife
»than if he had swallowed the contents of half the nonsensical bottles in my
surgery For they are nonsense to tell the honest truth one half of them are
nonsense compared with such a constitution as his« »Jobling is the most
friendly creature I ever met with in my life« thinks the patient »and upon my
word and honour Ill consider of it«
»Commission to you doctor on four new policies and a loan this morning
eh« said Crimple looking when they had finished lunch over some papers
brought in by the porter »Well done«
»Jobling my dear friend« said Tigg »long life to you«
»No no Nonsense Upon my word Ive no right to draw the commission« said
the doctor »I havent really Its picking your pocket I dont recommend
anybody here I only say what I know My patients ask me what I know and I tell
em what I know Nothing else Caution is my weak side thats the truth and
always was from a boy That is« said the doctor filling his glass »caution in
behalf of other people Whether I would repose confidence in this company
myself if I had not been paying money elsewhere for many years thats quite
another question«
He tried to look as if there were no doubt about it but feeling that he did
it but indifferently changed the theme and praised the wine
»Talking of wine« said the doctor »reminds me of one of the finest glasses
of light old port I ever drank in my life and that was at a funeral You have
not seen anything of of that party Mr Montague have you« handing him a
card
»He is not buried I hope« said Tigg as he took it »The honour of his
company is not requested if he is«
»Ha ha« laughed the doctor »No not quite He was honourably connected
with that very occasion though«
»Oh« said Tigg smoothing his moustache as he cast his eyes upon the name
»I recollect No He has not been here«
The words were on his lips when Bullamy entered and presented a card to
the Medical Officer
»Talk of the whats his name« observed the doctor rising
»And hes sure to appear eh« said Tigg
»Why no Mr Montague no« returned the doctor »We will not say that in
the present case for this gentleman is very far from it«
»So much the better« retorted Tigg »So much the more adaptable to the
AngloBengalee Bullamy clear the table and take the things out by the other
door Mr Crimple business«
»Shall I introduce him« asked Jobling
»I shall be eternally delighted« answered Tigg kissing his hand and
smiling sweetly
The doctor disappeared into the outer office and immediately returned with
Jonas Chuzzlewit
»Mr Montague« said Jobling »Allow me My friend Mr Chuzzlewit My dear
friend our chairman Now do you know« he added checking himself with
infinite policy and looking round with a smile »thats a very singular
instance of the force of example It really is a very remarkable instance of the
force of example I say our chairman Why do I say our chairman Because he is
not my chairman you know I have no connection with the company farther than
giving them for a certain fee and reward my poor opinion as a medical man
precisely as I may give it any day to Jack Noakes or Tom Styles Then why do I
say our chairman Simply because I hear the phrase constantly repeated about me
Such is the involuntary operation of the mental faculty in the imitative biped
man Mr Crimple I believe you never take snuff Injudicious You should«
Pending these remarks on the part of the doctor and the lengthened and
sonorous pinch with which he followed them up Jonas took a seat at the board
as ungainly a man as ever he has been within the readers knowledge It is too
common with all of us but it is especially in the nature of a mean mind to be
overawed by fine clothes and fine furniture They had a very decided influence
on Jonas
»Now you two gentlemen have business to discuss I know« said the doctor
»and your time is precious So is mine for several lives are waiting for me in
the next room and I have a round of visits to make after after I have taken
em Having had the happiness to introduce you to each other I may go about my
business Good bye But allow me Mr Montague before I go to say this of my
friend who sits beside you That gentleman has done more sir« rapping his
snuffbox solemnly »to reconcile me to human nature than any man alive or
dead Good bye«
With these words Jobling bolted abruptly out of the room and proceeded in
his own official department to impress the lives in waiting with a sense of his
keen conscientiousness in the discharge of his duty and the great difficulty of
getting into the AngloBengalee by feeling their pulses looking at their
tongues listening at their ribs poking them in the chest and so forth
though if he didnt well know beforehand that whatever kind of lives they were
the AngloBengalee would accept them readily he was far from being the Jobling
that his friend considered him and was not the original Jobling but a spurious
imitation
Mr Crimple also departed on the business of the morning and Jonas
Chuzzlewit and Tigg were left alone
»I learn from our friend« said Tigg drawing his chair towards Jonas with a
winning ease of manner »that you have been thinking «
»Oh Ecod then hed no right to say so« cried Jonas interrupting »I
didnt tell him my thoughts If he took it into his head that I was coming here
for such or such a purpose why thats his lookout I dont stand committed by
that«
Jonas said this offensively enough for over and above the habitual distrust
of his character it was in his nature to seek to revenge himself on the fine
clothes and the fine furniture in exact proportion as he had been unable to
withstand their influence
»If I come here to ask a question or two and get a document or two to
consider of I dont bind myself to anything Lets understand that you know«
said Jonas
»My dear fellow« cried Tigg clapping him on the shoulder »I applaud your
frankness If men like you and I speak openly at first all possible
misunderstanding is avoided Why should I disguise what you know so well but
what the crowd never dream of We companies are all birds of prey mere birds of
prey The only question is whether in serving our own turn we can serve yours
too whether in doublelining our own nest we can put a single lining into
yours Oh youre in our secret Youre behind the scenes Well make a merit of
dealing plainly with you when we know we cant help it«
It was remarked on the first introduction of Mr Jonas into these pages
that there is a simplicity of cunning no less than a simplicity of innocence
and that in all matters involving a faith in knavery he was the most credulous
of men If Mr Tigg had preferred any claim to high and honourable dealing
Jonas would have suspected him though he had been a very model of probity but
when he gave utterance to Jonass own thoughts of everything and everybody
Jonas began to feel that he was a pleasant fellow and one to be talked to
freely
He changed his position in the chair not for a less awkward but for a more
boastful attitude and smiling in his miserable conceit rejoined
»You ant a bad man of business Mr Montague You know how to set about it
I will say«
»Tut tut« said Tigg nodding confidentially and showing his white teeth
»we are not children Mr Chuzzlewit we are grown men I hope«
Jonas assented and said after a short silence first spreading out his
legs and sticking one arm akimbo to show how perfectly at home he was
»The truth is «
»Dont say the truth« interposed Tigg with another grin »Its so like
humbug«
Greatly charmed by this Jonas began again
»The long and the short of it is «
»Better« muttered Tigg »Much better«
» That I didnt consider myself very well used by one or two of the old
companies in some negotiations I have had with em Once had I mean They
started objections they had no right to start and put questions they had no
right to put and carried things much too high for my taste«
As he made these observations he cast down his eyes and looked curiously at
the carpet Mr Tigg looked curiously at him
He made so long a pause that Tigg came to the rescue and said in his
pleasantest manner
»Take a glass of wine«
»No no« returned Jonas with a cunning shake of the head »none of that
thankee No wine over business All very well for you but it wouldnt do for
me«
»What an old hand you are Mr Chuzzlewit« said Tigg leaning back in his
chair and leering at him through his halfshut eyes
Jonas shook his head again as much as to say »Youre right there« and
then resumed jocosely
»Not such an old hand either but that Ive been and got married Thats
rather green youll say Perhaps it is especially as shes young But one
never knows what may happen to these women so Im thinking of insuring her
life It is but fair you know that a man should secure some consolation in
case of meeting with such a loss«
»If anything can console him under such heartbreaking circumstances«
murmured Tigg with his eyes shut up as before
»Exactly« returned Jonas »if anything can Now supposing I did it here I
should do it cheap I know and easy without bothering her about it which Id
much rather not do for its just in a womans way to take it into her head if
you talk to her about such things that shes going to die directly«
»So it is« cried Tigg kissing his hand in honour of the sex »Youre quite
right Sweet silly fluttering little simpletons«
»Well« said Jonas »on that account you know and because offence has been
given me in other quarters I wouldnt mind patronising this Company But I want
to know what sort of security there is for the Companys going on Thats the «
»Not the truth« cried Tigg holding up his jewelled hand »Dont use that
Sunday School expression please«
»The long and the short of it« said Jonas »The long and the short of it
is whats the security«
»The paidup capital my dear sir« said Tigg referring to some papers on
the table »is at this present moment «
»Oh I understand all about paidup capitals you know« said Jonas
»You do« cried Tigg stopping short
»I should hope so«
He turned the papers down again and moving nearer to him said in his ear
»I know you do I know you do Look at me«
It was not much in Jonass way to look straight at anybody but thus
requested he made shift to take a tolerable survey of the chairmans features
The chairman fell back a little to give him the better opportunity
»You know me« he inquired elevating his eyebrows »You recollect Youve
seen me before«
»Why I thought I remembered your face when I first came in« said Jonas
gazing at it »but I couldnt call to mind where I had seen it No I dont
remember even now Was it in the street«
»Was it in Pecksniffs parlour« said Tigg
»In Pecksniffs parlour« echoed Jonas fetching a long breath »You dont
mean when «
»Yes« cried Tigg »when there was a very charming and delightful little
family party at which yourself and your respected father assisted«
»Well never mind him« said Jonas »Hes dead and theres no help for it«
»Dead is he« cried Tigg »Venerable old gentleman is he dead Youre very
like him«
Jonas received this compliment with anything but a good grace perhaps
because of his own private sentiments in reference to the personal appearance of
his deceased parent perhaps because he was not best pleased to find that
Montague and Tigg were one That gentleman perceived it and tapping him
familiarly on the sleeve beckoned him to the window From this moment Mr
Montagues jocularity and flow of spirits were remarkable
»Do you find me at all changed since that time« he asked »Speak plainly«
Jonas looked hard at his waistcoat and jewels and said »Rather ecod«
»Was I at all seedy in those days« asked Montague
»Precious seedy« said Jonas
Mr Montague pointed down into the street where Bailey and the cab were in
attendance
»Neat perhaps dashing Do you know whose it is«
»No«
»Mine Do you like this room«
»It must have cost a lot of money« said Jonas
»Youre right Mine too Why dont you« he whispered this and nudged him
in the side with his elbow »why dont you take premiums instead of paying
em Thats what a man like you should do Join us«
Jonas stared at him in amazement
»Is that a crowded street« asked Montague calling his attention to the
multitude without
»Very« said Jonas only glancing at it and immediately afterwards looking
at him again
»There are printed calculations« said his companion »which will tell you
pretty nearly how many people will pass up and down that thoroughfare in the
course of a day I can tell you how many of em will come in here merely
because they find this office here knowing no more about it than they do of the
Pyramids Ha ha Join us You shall come in cheap«
Jonas looked at him harder and harder
»I can tell you« said Tigg in his ear »how many of em will buy annuities
effect insurances bring us their money in a hundred shapes and ways force it
upon us trust us as if we were the Mint yet know no more about us than you do
of that crossingsweeper at the corner Not so much Ha ha«
Jonas gradually broke into a smile
»Yah« said Montague giving him a pleasant thrust in the breast »youre
too deep for us you dog or I wouldnt have told you Dine with me tomorrow
in Pall Mall«
»I will« said Jonas
»Done« cried Montague »Wait a bit Take these papers with you and look
em over See« he said snatching some printed forms from the table »B is a
little tradesman clerk parson artist author any common thing you like«
»Yes« said Jonas looking greedily over his shoulder »Well«
»B wants a loan Say fifty or a hundred pound perhaps more no matter B
proposes self and two securities B is accepted Two securities give a bond B
assures his own life for double the amount and brings two friends lives also
just to patronise the office Ha ha ha Is that a good notion«
»Ecod thats a capital notion« cried Jonas »But does he really do it«
»Do it« repeated the chairman »Bs hardup my good fellow and will do
anything Dont you see Its my idea«
»It does you honour Im blest if it dont« said Jonas
»I think it does« replied the chairman »and Im proud to hear you say so
B pays the highest lawful interest «
»That ant much« interrupted Jonas
»Right quite right« retorted Tigg »And hard it is upon the part of the
law that it should be so confoundedly down upon us unfortunate victims when it
takes such amazing good interest for itself from all its clients But charity
begins at home and justice begins next door Well The law being hard upon us
were not exactly soft upon B for besides charging B the regular interest we
get Bs premium and B's friends premiums and we charge B for the bond and
whether we accept him or not we charge B for inquiries we keep a man at a
pound a week to make em and we charge B a trifle for the secretary and in
short my good fellow we stick it into B up hill and down dale and make a
devilish comfortable little property out of him Ha ha ha I drive B in point
of fact,« said Tigg pointing to the cabriolet »and a thoroughbred horse he
is Ha ha ha«
Jonas enjoyed this joke very much indeed It was quite in his peculiar vein
of humour
»Then« said Tigg Montague »we grant annuities on the very lowest and most
advantageous terms known in the money market and the old ladies and gentlemen
down in the country buy em Ha ha ha And we pay em too perhaps Ha ha
ha«
»But theres responsibility in that« said Jonas looking doubtful
»I take it all myself« said Tigg Montague »Here I am responsible for
everything The only responsible person in the establishment Ha ha ha Then
there are the Life Assurances without loans the common policies Very
profitable very comfortable Money down you know repeated every year capital
fun«
»But when they begin to fall in« observed Jonas »Its all very well while
the office is young but when the policies begin to die thats what I am
thinking of«
»At the first start my dear fellow« said Montague »to show you how
correct your judgment is we had a couple of unlucky deaths that brought us down
to a grand piano«
»Brought you down where« cried Jonas
»I give you my sacred word of honour« said Tigg Montague »that I raised
money on every other individual piece of property and was left alone in the
world with a grand piano And it was an uprightgrand too so that I couldnt
even sit upon it But my dear fellow we got over it We granted a great many
new policies that week liberal allowance to solicitors by the bye and got
over it in no time Whenever they should chance to fall in heavily as you very
justly observe they may one of these days then « he finished the sentence in
so low a whisper that only one disconnected word was audible and that
imperfectly But it sounded like Bolt
»Why youre as bold as brass« said Jonas in the utmost admiration
»A man can well afford to be as bold as brass my good fellow when he gets
gold in exchange« cried the chairman with a laugh that shook him from head to
foot »Youll dine with me tomorrow«
»At what time« asked Jonas
»Seven Heres my card Take the documents I see youll join us«
»I dont know about that« said Jonas »Theres a good deal to be looked
into first«
»You shall look« said Montague slapping him on the back »into anything
and everything you please But youll join us I am convinced You were made for
it Bullamy«
Obedient to the summons and the little bell the waistcoat appeared Being
charged to show Jonas out it went before and the voice within it cried as
usual »By your leave there by your leave Gentleman from the boardroom by
your leave«
Mr Montague being left alone pondered for some moments and then said
raising his voice
»Is Nadgett in the office there«
»Here he is sir« And he promptly entered shutting the boardroom door
after him as carefully as if he were about to plot a murder
He was the man at a pound a week who made the inquiries It was no virtue or
merit in Nadgett that he transacted all his AngloBengalee business secretly and
in the closest confidence for he was born to be a secret He was a short
driedup withered old man who seemed to have secreted his very blood for
nobody would have given him credit for the possession of six ounces of it in his
whole body How he lived was a secret where he lived was a secret and even
what he was was a secret In his musty old pocketbook he carried contradictory
cards in some of which he called himself a coalmerchant in others a
winemerchant in others a commissionagent in others a collector in others an
accountant as if he really didnt know the secret himself He was always
keeping appointments in the City and the other man never seemed to come He
would sit on Change for hours looking at everybody who walked in and out and
would do the like at Garraways and in other business coffeehouses in some of
which he would be occasionally seen drying a very damp pockethandkerchief
before the fire and still looking over his shoulder for the man who never
appeared He was mildewed threadbare shabby always had flue upon his legs and
back and kept his linen so secret by buttoning up and wrapping over that he
might have had none perhaps he hadnt He carried one stained beaver glove
which he dangled before him by the forefinger as he walked or sat but even its
fellow was a secret Some people said he had been a bankrupt others that he had
gone an infant into an ancient Chancery suit which was still depending but it
was all a secret He carried bits of sealingwax and a hieroglyphical old copper
seal in his pocket and often secretly indited letters in corner boxes of the
trystingplaces before mentioned but they never appeared to go to anybody for
he would put them into a secret place in his coat and deliver them to himself
weeks afterwards very much to his own surprise quite yellow He was that sort
of man that if he had died worth a million of money or had died worth twopence
halfpenny everybody would have been perfectly satisfied and would have said it
was just as they expected And yet he belonged to a class a race peculiar to
the City who are secrets as profound to one another, as they are to the rest of
mankind
»Mr Nadgett« said Montague copying Jonas Chuzzlewits address upon a
piece of paper from the card which was still lying on the table »any
information about this name I shall be glad to have myself Dont you mind what
it is Any you can scrape together bring me Bring it to me Mr Nadgett«
Nadgett put on his spectacles and read the name attentively then looked at
the chairman over his glasses and bowed then took them off and put them in
their case and then put the case in his pocket When he had done so he looked
without his spectacles at the paper as it lay before him and at the same time
produced his pocketbook from somewhere about the middle of his spine Large as
it was it was very full of documents but he found a place for this one and
having clasped it carefully passed it by a kind of solemn legerdemain into the
same region as before
He withdrew with another bow and without a word opening the door no wider
than was sufficient for his passage out and shutting it as carefully as before
The chairman of the board employed the rest of the morning in affixing his
signmanual of gracious acceptance to various new proposals of annuitypurchase
and assurance The Company was looking up for they flowed in gaily
Chapter XXVIII
Mr Montague at Home And Mr Jonas Chuzzlewit at Home
There were many powerful reasons for Jonas Chuzzlewit being strongly
prepossessed in favour of the scheme which its great originator had so boldly
laid open to him but three among them stood prominently forward Firstly there
was money to be made by it Secondly the money had the peculiar charm of being
sagaciously obtained at other peoples cost Thirdly it involved much outward
show of homage and distinction a board being an awful institution in its own
sphere and a director a mighty man »To make a swingeing profit have a lot of
chaps to order about and get into regular good society by one and the same
means and them so easy to ones hand aint such a bad look out« thought
Jonas The latter considerations were only second to his avarice for conscious
that there was nothing in his person conduct character or accomplishments to
command respect he was greedy of power and was in his heart as much a tyrant
as any laurelled conqueror on record
But he determined to proceed with cunning and caution and to be very keen
in his observation of the gentility of Mr Montagues private establishment For
it no more occurred to this shallow knave that Montague wanted him to be so or
he wouldnt have invited him while his decision was yet in abeyance than the
possibility of that genius being able to overreach him in any way pierced
through his selfconceit by the inlet of a needles point He had said in the
outset that Jonas was too sharp for him and Jonas who would have been sharp
enough to believe him in nothing else though he had solemnly sworn it believed
him in that instantly
It was with a faltering hand and yet with an imbecile attempt at a swagger
that he knocked at his new friends door in Pall Mall when the appointed hour
arrived Mr Bailey quickly answered to the summons He was not proud and was
kindly disposed to take notice of Jonas but Jonas had forgotten him
»Mr Montague at home«
»I should hope he wos at home and waiting dinner too« said Bailey with
the ease of an old acquaintance »Will you take your hat up along with you or
leave it here«
Mr Jonas preferred leaving it there
»The hold name I suppose« said Bailey with a grin
Mr Jonas stared at him in mute indignation
»What dont you remember hold mother Todgerss« said Mr Bailey with his
favourite action of the knees and boots »Dont you remember my taking your name
up to the young ladies when you come a courting there A reglar scaly old
shop warnt it Times is changed aint they I say how youve growed«
Without pausing for any acknowledgment of this compliment he ushered the
visitor up stairs and having announced him retired with a private wink
The lower story of the house was occupied by a wealthy tradesman but Mr
Montague had all the upper portion and splendid lodging it was The room in
which he received Jonas was a spacious and elegant apartment furnished with
extreme magnificence decorated with pictures copies from the antique in
alabaster and marble china vases lofty mirrors crimson hangings of the
richest silk gilded carvings luxurious couches glistening cabinets inlaid
with precious woods costly toys of every sort in negligent abundance The only
guests besides Jonas were the doctor the resident Director and two other
gentlemen whom Montague presented in due form
»My dear friend I am delighted to see you Jobling you know I believe«
»I think so« said the doctor pleasantly as he stepped out of the circle to
shake hands »I trust I have that honour I hope so My dear sir I see you
well Quite well Thats well«
»Mr Wolf« said Montague as soon as the doctor would allow him to
introduce the two others »Mr Chuzzlewit Mr Pip Mr Chuzzlewit«
Both gentlemen were exceedingly happy to have the honour of making Mr
Chuzzlewits acquaintance The doctor drew Jonas a little apart and whispered
behind his hand
»Men of the world my dear sir men of the world Hem Mr Wolf literary
character you neednt mention it remarkably clever weekly paper oh
remarkably clever Mr Pip theatrical man capital man to know oh capital
man«
»Well« said Wolf folding his arms and resuming a conversation which the
arrival of Jonas had interrupted »And what did Lord Nobley say to that«
»Why« returned Pip with an oath »He didnt know what to say Damme sir
if he wasnt as mute as a poker But you know what a good fellow Nobley is«
»The best fellow in the world« cried Wolf »It was only last week that
Nobley said to me By Gad Wolf Ive got a living to bestow and if you had but
been brought up at the University strike me blind if I wouldnt have made a
parson of you«
»Just like him« said Pip with another oath »And hed have done it«
»Not a doubt of it« said Wolf »But you were going to tell us «
»Oh yes« cried Pip »To be sure So I was At first he was dumb sewn up
dead sir but after a minute he said to the Duke Heres Pip Ask Pip Pips
our mutual friend Ask Pip He knows Damme said the Duke I appeal to Pip
then Come Pip Bandy or not bandy Speak out Bandy your Grace by the Lord
Harry said I Ha ha laughed the Duke To be sure she is Bravo Pip Well
said Pip I wish I may die if youre not a trump Pip Pop me down among your
fashionable visitors whenever Im in town Pip And so I do to this day«
The conclusion of this story gave immense satisfaction which was in no
degree lessened by the announcement of dinner Jonas repaired to the
diningroom along with his distinguished host and took his seat at the board
between that individual and his friend the doctor The rest fell into their
places like men who were well accustomed to the house and dinner was done full
justice to by all parties
It was as good a one as money or credit no matter which could produce
The dishes wines and fruits were of the choicest kind Everything was
elegantly served The plate was gorgeous Mr Jonas was in the midst of a
calculation of the value of this item alone when his host disturbed him
»A glass of wine«
»Oh« said Jonas who had had several glasses already »As much of that as
you like Its too good to refuse«
»Well said Mr Chuzzlewit« cried Wolf
»Tom Gag upon my soul« said Pip
»Positively you know thats ha ha ha« observed the doctor laying
down his knife and fork for one instant and then going to work again pellmell
»thats epigrammatic quite«
»Youre tolerably comfortable I hope« said Tigg apart to Jonas
»Oh You neednt trouble your head about me« he replied »Famous«
»I thought it best not to have a party« said Tigg »You feel that«
»Why what do you call this« retorted Jonas »You dont mean to say you do
this every day do you«
»My dear fellow« said Montague shrugging his shoulders »every day of my
life when I dine at home This is my common style It was of no use having
anything uncommon for you Youd have seen through it Youll have a party said
Crimple No I wont I said he shall take us in the rough«
»And pretty smooth too ecod« said Jonas glancing round the table »This
dont cost a trifle«
»Why to be candid with you it does not« returned the other »But I like
this sort of thing Its the way I spend my money«
Jonas thrust his tongue into his cheek and said »Was it«
»When you join us you wont get rid of your share of the profits in the
same way« said Tigg
»Quite different« retorted Jonas
»Well and youre right« said Tigg with friendly candour »You neednt
Its not necessary One of a Company must do it to hold the connexion together
but as I take a pleasure in it thats my department You dont mind dining
expensively at another mans expense I hope«
»Not a bit« said Jonas
»Then I hope youll often dine with me«
»Ah« said Jonas »I dont mind On the contrary«
»And Ill never attempt to talk business to you over wine I take my oath«
said Tigg »Oh deep deep deep of you this morning I must tell em that
Theyre the very men to enjoy it Pip my good fellow Ive a splendid little
trait to tell you of my friend Chuzzlewit who is the deepest dog I know I give
you my sacred word of honour he is the deepest dog I know Pip«
Pip swore a frightful oath that he was sure of it already and the anecdote
being told was received with loud applause as an incontestable proof of Mr
Jonass greatness Pip in a natural spirit of emulation then related some
instances of his own depth and Wolf not to be left behindhand recited the
leading points of one or two vastly humorous articles he was then preparing
These lucubrations being of what he called a warm complexion were highly
approved and all the company agreed that they were full of point
»Men of the world my dear sir« Jobling whispered to Jonas »thorough men
of the world To a professional person like myself its quite refreshing to
come into this kind of society Its not only agreeable and nothing can be
more agreeable but its philosophically improving Its character my dear
sir character«
It is so pleasant to find real merit appreciated whatever its particular
walk in life may be that the general harmony of the company was doubtless much
promoted by their knowing that the two men of the world were held in great
esteem by the upper classes of society and by the gallant defenders of their
country in the army and navy but particularly the former. The least of their
stories had a colonel in it lords were as plentiful as oaths and even the
Blood Royal ran in the muddy channel of their personal recollections
»Mr Chuzzlewit didnt know him Im afraid« said Wolf in reference to a
certain personage of illustrious descent who had previously figured in a
reminiscence
»No« said Tigg »But we must bring him into contact with this sort of
fellows«
»He was very fond of literature« observed Wolf
»Was he« said Tigg
»Oh yes he took my paper regularly for many years Do you know he said
some good things now and then He asked a certain Viscount whos a friend of
mine Pip knows him Whats the editors name whats the editors name Wolf
Wolf eh Sharp biter Wolf We must keep the Wolf from the door as the proverb
says It was very well And being complimentary I printed it«
»But the Viscounts the boy« cried Pip who invented a new oath for the
introduction of everything he said »The Viscounts the boy He came into our
place one night to take Her home rather slued but not much and said Wheres
Pip I want to see Pip Produce Pip Whats the row my lord Shakspeares
an infernal humbug Pip Whats the good of Shakspeare Pip I never read him
What the devil is it all about Pip Theres a lot of feet in Shakspeares
verse but there aint any legs worth mentioning in Shakspeares plays are
there Pip Juliet Desdemona Lady Macbeth and all the rest of em whatever
their names are might as well have no legs at all for anything the audience
know about it Pip Why in that respect theyre all Miss Biffins to the
audience Pip Ill tell you what it is What the people call dramatic poetry is
a collection of sermons Do I go to the theatre to be lectured No Pip If I
wanted that Id go to church Whats the legitimate object of the drama Pip
Human nature What are legs Human nature Then let us have plenty of leg
pieces Pip and Ill stand by you my buck And I am proud to say« added Pip
»that he did stand by me handsomely«
The conversation now becoming general Mr Jonass opinion was requested on
this subject and as it was in full accordance with the sentiments of Mr Pip
that gentleman was extremely gratified Indeed both himself and Wolf had so
much in common with Jonas that they became very amicable and between their
increasing friendship and the fumes of wine Jonas grew talkative
It does not follow in the case of such a person that the more talkative he
becomes the more agreeable he is on the contrary his merits show to most
advantage perhaps in silence Having no means as he thought of putting
himself on an equality with the rest but by the assertion of that depth and
sharpness on which he had been complimented Jonas exhibited that faculty to the
utmost and was so deep and sharp that he lost himself in his own profundity
and cut his fingers with his own edgetools
It was especially in his way and character to exhibit his quality at his
entertainers expense and while he drank of his sparkling wines and partook of
his monstrous profusion to ridicule the extravagance which had set such costly
fare before him Even at such a wanton board and in such more than doubtful
company this might have proved a disagreeable experiment but that Tigg and
Crimple studying to understand their man thoroughly gave him what license he
chose knowing that the more he took the better for their purpose And thus
while the blundering cheat gull that he was for all his cunning thought
himself rolled up hedgehog fashion with his sharpest points towards them he
was in fact betraying all his vulnerable parts to their unwinking
watchfulness
Whether the two gentlemen who contributed so much to the doctors
philosophical knowledge by the way the doctor slipped off quietly after
swallowing his usual amount of wine had had their cue distinctly from the host
or took it from what they saw and heard they acted their parts very well They
solicited the honour of Jonass better acquaintance trusted that they would
have the pleasure of introducing him into that elevated society in which he was
so well qualified to shine and informed him in the most friendly manner that
the advantages of their respective establishments were entirely at his control
In a word they said »Be one of us« And Jonas said he was infinitely obliged to
them and he would be adding within himself that so long as they stood treat
there was nothing he would like better
After coffee which was served in the drawingroom there was a short
interval mainly sustained by Pip and Wolf of conversation rather highly
spiced and strongly seasoned When it flagged Jonas took it up and showed
considerable humour in appraising the furniture inquiring whether such an
article was paid for what it had originally cost and the like In all of this
he was as he considered desperately hard on Montague and very demonstrative
of his own brilliant parts
Some Champagne Punch gave a new though temporary fillip to the
entertainments of the evening For after leading to some noisy proceedings
which were not intelligible it ended in the unsteady departure of the two
gentlemen of the world and the slumber of Mr Jonas upon one of the sofas
As he could not be made to understand where he was Mr Bailey received
orders to call a hackneycoach and take him home which that young gentleman
roused himself from an uneasy sleep in the hall to do It being now almost
three oclock in the morning
»Is he hooked do you think« whispered Crimple as himself and partner
stood in a distant part of the room observing him as he lay
»Ay« said Tigg in the same tone »With a strong iron perhaps Has Nadgett
been here tonight«
»Yes I went out to him Hearing you had company he went away«
»Why did he do that«
»He said he would come back early in the morning before you were out of
bed«
»Tell them to be sure and send him up to my bedside Hush Heres the boy
Now Mr Bailey take this gentleman home and see him safely in Hallo here Why
Chuzzlewit halloa«
They got him upright with some difficulty and assisted him down stairs
where they put his hat upon his head and tumbled him into the coach Mr
Bailey having shut him in mounted the box beside the coachman and smoked his
cigar with an air of particular satisfaction the undertaking in which he was
engaged having a free and sporting character about it which was quite congenial
to his taste
Arriving in due time at the house in the City Mr Bailey jumped down and
expressed the lively nature of his feelings in a knock the like of which had
probably not been heard in that quarter since the great fire of London Going
out into the road to observe the effect of this feat he saw that a dim light
previously visible at an upper window had been already removed and was
travelling down stairs To obtain a foreknowledge of the bearer of this taper
Mr Bailey skipped back to the door again and put his eye to the keyhole
It was the merry one herself But sadly strangely altered So careworn and
dejected so faltering and full of fear so fallen humbled broken that to
have seen her quiet in her coffin would have been a less surprise
She set the light upon a bracket in the hall and laid her hand upon her
heart upon her eyes upon her burning head Then she came on towards the door
with such a wild and hurried step that Mr Bailey lost his selfpossession and
still had his eye where the keyhole had been when she opened it
»Aha« said Mr Bailey with an effort »There you are are you Whats the
matter Aint you well though«
In the midst of her astonishment as she recognised him in his altered dress
so much of her old smile came back to her face that Bailey was glad But next
moment he was sorry again for he saw tears standing in her poor dim eyes
»Dont be frightened« said Bailey »There aint nothing the matter Ive
brought home Mr Chuzzlewit He aint ill Hes only a little swipey you know«
Mr Bailey reeled in his boots to express intoxication
»Have you come from Mrs Todgerss« asked Merry trembling
»Todgerss bless you No« cried Mr Bailey »I havent got nothing to do
with Todgerss I cut that connexion long ago Hes been a dining with my
governor at the Westend Didnt you know he was a coming to see us«
»No« she said faintly
»Oh yes Were heavy swells too and so I tell you Dont you come out a
catching cold in your head Ill wake him« Mr Bailey expressing in his
demeanour a perfect confidence that he could carry him in with ease if
necessary opened the coach door let down the steps and giving Jonas a shake
cried »Weve got home my flower Tumble up then«
He was so far recovered as to be able to respond to this appeal and to come
stumbling out of the coach in a heap to the great hazard of Mr Baileys
person When he got upon the pavement Mr Bailey first butted at him in front
and then dexterously propped him up behind and having steadied him by these
means he assisted him into the house
»You go up first with the light« said Bailey to Mrs Jonas »and well
foller Dont tremble so He wont hurt you When Ive had a drop too much Im
full of good natur myself«
She went on before and her husband and Bailey by dint of tumbling over
each other and knocking themselves about got at last into the sittingroom
above stairs where Jonas staggered into a seat
»There« said Mr Bailey »Hes all right now You aint got nothing to cry
for bless you Hes righter than a trivet«
The illfavoured brute with dress awry and sodden face and rumpled hair
sat blinking and drooping and rolling his idiotic eyes about until becoming
conscious by degrees he recognised his wife and shook his fist at her
»Ah« cried Mr Bailey squaring his arms with a sudden emotion »What
youre wicious are you Would you though Youd better not«
»Pray go away« said Merry »Bailey my good boy go home Jonas« she
said timidly laying her hand upon his shoulder and bending her head down over
him »Jonas«
»Look at her« cried Jonas pushing her off with his extended arm »Look
here Look at her Heres a bargain for a man«
»Dear Jonas«
»Dear Devil« he replied with a fierce gesture »Youre a pretty clog to be
tied to a man for life you mewling whitefaced cat Get out of my sight«
»I know you dont mean it Jonas You wouldnt say it if you were sober«
With affected gaiety she gave Bailey a piece of money and again implored
him to be gone Her entreaty was so earnest that the boy had not the heart to
stay there But he stopped at the bottom of the stairs and listened
»I wouldnt say it if I was sober« retorted Jonas »You know better Have I
never said it when I was sober«
»Often indeed« she answered through her tears
»Hark ye« cried Jonas stamping his foot upon the ground »You made me bear
your pretty humours once and ecod Ill make you bear mine now I always
promised myself I would I married you that I might Ill know whos master and
whos slave«
»Heaven knows I am obedient« said the sobbing girl »Much more so than I
ever thought to be«
Jonas laughed in his drunken exultation »What youre finding it out are
you Patience and you will in time Griffins have claws my girl Theres not a
pretty slight you ever put upon me nor a pretty trick you ever played me nor a
pretty insolence you ever showed me that I wont pay back a hundredfold What
else did I marry you for You too« he said with coarse contempt
It might have softened him to hear her turn a little fragment of a song he
used to say he liked trying with a heart so full to win him back
»Oho« he said »youre deaf are you You dont hear me eh So much the
better for you I hate you I hate myself for having been fool enough to strap
a pack upon my back for the pleasure of treading on it whenever I choose Why
things have opened to me now so that I might marry almost where I liked But I
wouldnt Id keep single I ought to be single among the friends I know
Instead of that here I am tied like a log to you Pah Why do you show your
pale face when I come home Am I never to forget you«
»How late it is« she said cheerfully opening the shutter after an interval
of silence »Broad day Jonas«
»Broad day or black night what do I care« was the kind rejoinder
»The night passed quickly too I dont mind sitting up at all«
»Sit up for me again if you dare« growled Jonas
»I was reading« she proceeded »all night long I began when you went out
and read till you came home again The strangest story Jonas And true the
book says Ill tell it you tomorrow«
»True was it« said Jonas doggedly
»So the book says«
»Was there anything in it about a mans being determined to conquer his
wife break her spirit bend her temper crush all her humours like so many
nutshells kill her for aught I know« said Jonas
»No Not a word« she answered quickly
»Ah« he returned »Thatll be a true story though before long for all the
book says nothing about it Its a lying book I see A fit book for a lying
reader But youre deaf I forgot that«
There was another interval of silence and the boy was stealing away when
he heard her footstep on the floor and stopped She went up to him as it
seemed and spoke lovingly saying that she would defer to him in everything
and would consult his wishes and obey them and they might be very happy if he
would be gentle with her He answered with an imprecation and
Not with a blow Yes Stern truth against the basesouled villain with a
blow
No angry cries no loud reproaches Even her weeping and her sobs were
stifled by her clinging round him She only said repeating it in agony of
heart How could he could he could he And lost utterance in tears
Oh woman God beloved in old Jerusalem The best among us need deal lightly
with thy faults if only for the punishment thy nature will endure in bearing
heavy evidence against us on the Day of Judgment
Chapter XXIX
In Which Some People Are Precocious Others Professional and Others Mysterious
All in Their Several Ways
It may have been the restless remembrance of what he had seen and heard
overnight or it may have been no deeper mental operation than the discovery
that he had nothing to do which caused Mr Bailey on the following afternoon
to feel particularly disposed for agreeable society and prompted him to pay a
visit to his friend Poll Sweedlepipe
On the little bell giving clamorous notice of a visitors approach for Mr
Bailey came in at the door with a lunge to get as much sound out of the bell as
possible Poll Sweedlepipe desisted from the contemplation of a favourite owl
and gave his young friend hearty welcome
»Why you look smarter by day« said Poll »than you do by candlelight I
never see such a tight young dasher«
»Reether so Polly Hows our fair friend Sairah«
»Oh shes pretty well« said Poll »Shes at home«
»Theres the remains of a fine woman about Sairah Poll« observed Mr
Bailey with genteel indifference
»Oh« thought Poll »hes old He must be very old«
»Too much crumb you know« said Mr Bailey »too fat Poll But theres
many worse at her time of life«
»The very owls a opening his eyes« thought Poll »I dont wonder at it in
a bird of his opinions«
He happened to have been sharpening his razors which were lying open in a
row while a huge strop dangled from the wall Glancing at these preparations
Mr Bailey stroked his chin and a thought appeared to occur to him
»Poll« he said »I aint as neat as I could wish about the gills Being
here I may as well have a shave and get trimmed close«
The barber stood aghast but Mr Bailey divested himself of his neckcloth
and sat down in the easy shaving chair with all the dignity and confidence in
life There was no resisting his manner The evidence of sight and touch became
as nothing His chin was as smooth as a newlaid egg or a scraped Dutch cheese
but Poll Sweedlepipe wouldnt have ventured to deny on affidavit that he had
the beard of a Jewish rabbi
»Go with the grain Poll all round please« said Mr Bailey screwing up
his face for the reception of the lather »You may do wot you like with the bits
of whisker I dont care for em«
The meek little barber stood gazing at him with the brush and soapdish in
his hand stirring them round and round in a ludicrous uncertainty as if he
were disabled by some fascination from beginning At last he made a dash at Mr
Baileys cheek Then he stopped again as if the ghost of a beard had suddenly
receded from his touch but receiving mild encouragement from Mr Bailey in the
form of an adjuration to »Go in and win« he lathered him bountifully Mr
Bailey smiled through the suds in his satisfaction
»Gently over the stones Poll Go a tiptoe over the pimples«
Poll Sweedlepipe obeyed and scraped the lather off again with particular
care Mr Bailey squinted at every successive dab as it was deposited on a
cloth on his left shoulder and seemed with a microscopic eye to detect some
bristles in it for he murmured more than once »Reether redder than I could
wish Poll« The operation being concluded Poll fell back and stared at him
again while Mr Bailey wiping his face on the jacktowel remarked »that
arter late hours nothing freshened up a man so much as a easy shave«
He was in the act of tying his cravat at the glass without his coat and
Poll had wiped his razor ready for the next customer when Mrs Gamp coming
down stairs looked in at the shopdoor to give the barber neighbourly good day
Feeling for her unfortunate situation in having conceived a regard for himself
which it was not in the nature of things that he could return Mr Bailey
hastened to soothe her with words of kindness
»Hallo« he said »Sairah I neednt ask you how youve been this long time
for youre in full bloom All a blowin and a growin aint she Polly«
»Why drat the Bragian boldness of that boy« cried Mrs Gamp though not
displeased »What a imperent young sparrow it is I wouldnt be that creeturs
mother not for fifty pound«
Mr Bailey regarded this as a delicate confession of her attachment and a
hint that no pecuniary gain could recompense her for its being rendered
hopeless He felt flattered Disinterested affection is always flattering
»Ah dear« moaned Mrs Gamp sinking into the shaving chair »That there
blessed Bull Mr Sweedlepipe has done his wery best to conker me Of all the
trying inwalieges in this walley of the shadder that one beats em black and
blue«
It was the practice of Mrs Gamp and her friends in the profession to say
this of all the easy customers as having at once the effect of discouraging
competitors for office and accounting for the necessity of high living on the
part of the nurses
»Talk of constitooshun« Mrs Gamp observed »A persons constitooshun need
be made of Bricks to stand it Mrs Harris jestly says to me but tother day
Oh Sairey Gamp she says how is it done Mrs Harris maam I says to her we
gives no trust ourselves and puts a deal o trust elsevere these is our
religious feelins and we finds em answer Sairey says Mrs Harris sech is
life Vich likeways is the hend of all things«
The barber gave a soft murmur as much as to say that Mrs Harriss remark
though perhaps not quite so intelligible as could be desired from such an
authority did equal honour to her head and to her heart
»And here« continued Mrs Gamp »and here am I a goin twenty mile in
distant on as wentersome a chance as ever any one as monthlied ever run I do
believe Says Mrs Harris with a womans and a mothers art a beatin in her
human breast she says to me Youre not a goin Sairey Lord forgive you Why
am I not a going Mrs Harris I replies Mrs Gill I says wos never wrong
with six and is it likely maam I ask you as a mother that she will begin
to be unreglar now Often and often have I heerd him say I says to Mrs
Harris meaning Mr Gill that he would back his wife agen Moores almanack to
name the very day and hour for ninepence farden Is it likely maam I says
as she will fail this once Says Mrs Harris No maam not in the course of
nater But she says the tears a fillin in her eyes you knows much betterer
than me with your experienge how little puts us out A Punchs show she says
a chimbley sweep a newfundlandog or a drunkin man a comin round the corner
sharp may do it So it may Mr Sweedlepipes« said Mrs Gamp »theres no
deniging of it and though my books is clear for a full week I takes a anxious
art along with me I do assure you sir«
»Youre so full of zeal you see« said Poll »You worrit yourself so«
»Worrit myself« cried Mrs Gamp raising her hands and turning up her eyes
»You speak truth in that sir if you never speaks no more twixt this and when
two Sundays jines together I feels the sufferins of other people more than I
feels my own though no one maynt suppoge it The families Ive had« said Mrs
Gamp »if all was knowd and credit done where credits doo would take a week
to chrisen at Saint Polges fontin«
»Wheres the patient goin« asked Sweedlepipe
»Into Harfordshire which is his native air But native airs nor native
graces neither« Mrs Gamp observed »wont bring him round«
»So bad as that« inquired the wistful barber »Indeed«
Mrs Gamp shook her head mysteriously and pursed up her lips »Theres
fevers of the mind,« she said »as well as body You may take your slime drafts
till you flies into the air with efferwescence but you wont cure that«
»Ah« said the barber opening his eyes and putting on his raven aspect
»Lor«
»No You may make yourself as light as any gash balloon« said Mrs Gamp
»But talk when youre wrong in your head and when youre in your sleep of
certain things and youll be heavy in your mind«
»Of what kind of things now« inquired Poll greedily biting his nails in
his great interest »Ghosts«
Mrs Gamp who perhaps had been already tempted further than she had
intended to go by the barbers stimulating curiosity gave a sniff of uncommon
significance and said it didnt signify
»Im a going down with my patient in the coach this arternoon« she
proceeded »Im a going to stop with him a day or so till he gets a country
nuss drat them country nusses much the orkard hussies knows about their
bisness and then Im a comin back and thats my trouble Mr Sweedlepipes
But I hope that everythink ll only go on right and comfortable as long as Im
away perwisin which as Mrs Harris says Mrs Gill is welcome to choose her
own time all times of the day and night bein equally the same to me«
During the progress of the foregoing remarks which Mrs Gamp had addressed
exclusively to the barber Mr Bailey had been tying his cravat getting on his
coat and making hideous faces at himself in the glass Being now personally
addressed by Mrs Gamp he turned round and mingled in the conversation
»You aint been in the City I suppose sir since we was all three there
together« said Mrs Gamp »at Mr Chuzzlewits«
»Yes I have Sairah I was there last night«
»Last night« cried the barber
»Yes Poll reether so You can call it this morning if you like to be
particular He dined with us«
»Who does that young Limb mean by hus« said Mrs Gamp with most impatient
emphasis
»Me and my Governor Sairah He dined at our house We wos very merry
Sairah So much so that I was obliged to see him home in a hackney coach at
three oclock in the morning« It was on the tip of the boys tongue to relate
what had followed but remembering how easily it might be carried to his
masters ears and the repeated cautions he had had from Mr Crimple »not to
chatter« he checked himself adding only »She was sitting up expecting him«
»And all things considered« said Mrs Gamp sharply »she might have knowd
better than to go a tiring herself out by doin anythink of the sort Did they
seem pretty pleasant together sir«
»Oh yes« answered Bailey »pleasant enough«
»Im glad on it« said Mrs Gamp with a second sniff of significance
»They havent been married so long« observed Poll rubbing his hands »that
they need be anything but pleasant yet awhile«
»No« said Mrs Gamp with a third significant signal
»Especially« pursued the barber »when the gentleman bears such a character
as you gave him«
»I speak as I find Mr Sweedlepipes« said Mrs Gamp »Forbid it should be
otherways But we never knows wots hidden in each others hearts and if we had
glass winders there wed need keep the shetters up some on us I do assure
you«
»But you dont mean to say« Poll Sweedlepipe began
»No« said Mrs Gamp cutting him very short »I dont Dont think I do
The torters of the Imposition shouldnt make me own I did All I says is« added
the good woman rising and folding her shawl about her »that the Bulls a
waitin and the precious moments is a flyin fast«
The little barber having in his eager curiosity a great desire to see Mrs
Gamps patient proposed to Mr Bailey that they should accompany her to the
Bull and witness the departure of the coach That young gentleman assenting
they all went out together
Arriving at the tavern Mrs Gamp who was fulldressed for the journey in
her latest suit of mourning left her friends to entertain themselves in the
yard while she ascended to the sick room where her fellowlabourer Mrs Prig
was dressing the invalid
He was so wasted that it seemed as if his bones would rattle when they
moved him His cheeks were sunken and his eyes unnaturally large He lay back
in the easychair like one more dead than living and rolled his languid eyes
towards the door when Mrs Gamp appeared as painfully as if their weight alone
were burdensome to move
»And how are we by this time« Mrs Gamp observed »We looks charming«
»We looks a deal charminger than we are then« returned Mrs Prig a little
chafed in her temper »We got out of bed backards I think for were as cross
as two sticks I never see sich a man He wouldnt have been washed if hed had
his own way«
»She put the soap in my mouth« said the unfortunate patient feebly
»Couldnt you keep it shut then« retorted Mrs Prig »Who do you thinks to
wash one feater and miss another and wear ones eyes out with all manner of
finework of that description for halfacrown a day If you wants to be
tittivated you must pay accordin«
»Oh dear me« cried the patient »oh dear dear«
»There« said Mrs Prig »thats the way hes been a conducting of himself
Sarah ever since I got him out of bed if youll believe it«
»Instead of being grateful« Mrs Gamp observed »for all our little ways
Oh fie for shame sir fie for shame«
Here Mrs Prig seized the patient by the chin and began to rasp his unhappy
head with a hairbrush
»I suppose you dont like that neither« she observed stopping to look at
him
It was just possible that he didnt for the brush was a specimen of the
hardest kind of instrument producible by modern art and his very eyelids were
red with the friction Mrs Prig was gratified to observe the correctness of her
supposition and said triumphantly »she knowd as much«
When his hair was smoothed down comfortably into his eyes Mrs Prig and
Mrs Gamp put on his neckerchief adjusting his shirtcollar with great nicety
so that the starched points should also invade those organs and afflict them
with an artificial ophthalmia His waistcoat and coat were next arranged and as
every button was wrenched into a wrong buttonhole and the order of his boots
was reversed he presented on the whole rather a melancholy appearance
»I dont think its right« said the poor weak invalid »I feel as if I was
in somebody elses clothes Im all on one side and youve made one of my legs
shorter than the other Theres a bottle in my pocket too What do you make me
sit upon a bottle for«
»Deuce take the man« cried Mrs Gamp drawing it forth »If he aint been
and got my nightbottle here I made a little cupboard of his coat when it hung
behind the door and quite forgot it Betsey Youll find a ingun or two and a
little tea and sugar in his tother pocket my dear if youll just be good
enough to take em out«
Betsey produced the property in question together with some other articles
of general chandlery and Mrs Gamp transferred them to her own pocket which
was a species of nankeen pannier Refreshment then arrived in the form of chops
and strong ale for the ladies and a basin of beeftea for the patient which
refection was barely at an end when John Westlock appeared
»Up and dressed« cried John sitting down beside him »Thats brave How do
you feel«
»Much better But very weak«
»No wonder You have had a hard bout of it But country air and change of
scene« said John »will make another man of you Why Mrs Gamp« he added
laughing as he kindly arranged the sick mans garments »you have odd notions
of a gentlemans dress«
»Mr Lewsome ant a easy gent to get into his clothes sir« Mrs Gamp
replied with dignity »as me and Betsey Prig can certify afore the Lord Mayor
and Uncommon Counsellors if needful«
John at that moment was standing close in front of the sick man in the act
of releasing him from the torture of the collars before mentioned when he said
in a whisper
»Mr Westlock I dont wish to be overheard I have something very
particular and strange to say to you something that has been a dreadful weight
on my mind through this long illness«
Quick in all his motions John was turning round to desire the women to
leave the room when the sick man held him by the sleeve
»Not now Ive not the strength Ive not the courage May I tell it when I
have May I write it if I find that easier and better«
»May you« cried John »Why Lewsome what is this«
»Dont ask me what it is Its unnatural and cruel Frightful to think of
Frightful to tell Frightful to know Frightful to have helped in Let me kiss
your hand for all your goodness to me Be kinder still and dont ask me what it
is«
At first John gazed at him in great surprise but remembering how very
much reduced he was and how recently his brain had been on fire with fever
believed that he was labouring under some imaginary horror or despondent fancy
For farther information on this point he took an opportunity of drawing Mrs
Gamp aside while Betsey Prig was wrapping him in cloaks and shawls and asked
her whether he was quite collected in his mind
»Oh bless you no« said Mrs Gamp »He hates his nusses to this hour They
always does it sir Its a certain sign If you could have heerd the poor dear
soul a findin fault with me and Betsey Prig not half an hour ago you would
have wondered how it is we dont get fretted to the tomb«
This almost confirmed John in his suspicion so not taking what had passed
into any serious account he resumed his former cheerful manner and assisted by
Mrs Gamp and Betsey Prig conducted Lewsome down stairs to the coach just then
upon the point of starting
Poll Sweedlepipe was at the door with his arms tight folded and his eyes
wide open and looked on with absorbing interest while the sick man was slowly
moved into the vehicle His bony hands and haggard face impressed Poll
wonderfully and he informed Mr Bailey in confidence that he wouldnt have
missed seeing him for a pound Mr Bailey who was of a different constitution
remarked that he would have stayed away for five shillings
It was a troublesome matter to adjust Mrs Gamps luggage to her
satisfaction for every package belonging to that lady had the inconvenient
property of requiring to be put in a boot by itself, and to have no other
luggage near it on pain of actions at law for heavy damages against the
proprietors of the coach The umbrella with the circular patch was particularly
hard to be got rid of and several times thrust out its battered brass nozzle
from improper crevices and chinks to the great terror of the other passengers
Indeed in her intense anxiety to find a haven of refuge for this chattel Mrs
Gamp so often moved it in the course of five minutes that it seemed not one
umbrella but fifty At length it was lost or said to be and for the next five
minutes she was face to face with the coachman go wherever he might protesting
that it should be made good though she took the question to the House of
Commons
At last her bundle and her pattens and her basket and everything else
being disposed of she took a friendly leave of Poll and Mr Bailey dropped a
curtsey to John Westlock and parted as from a cherished member of the
sisterhood with Betsey Prig
»Wishin you lots of sickness my darling creetur« Mrs Gamp observed »and
good places It wont be long I hope afore we works together off and on
again Betsey and may our next meetin be at a large familys where they all
takes it reglar one from another turn and turn about and has it
businesslike«
»I dont care how soon it is« said Mrs Prig »nor how many weeks it
lasts«
Mrs Gamp with a reply in a congenial spirit was backing to the coach when
she came in contact with a lady and gentleman who were passing along the
footway
»Take care take care here« cried the gentleman »Halloo My dear Why
its Mrs Gamp«
»What Mr Mould« exclaimed the nurse »And Mrs Mould who would have
thought as we should ever have a meetin here Im sure«
»Going out of town Mrs Gamp« cried Mould »Thats unusual isnt it«
»It is unusual sir« said Mrs Gamp »But only for a day or two at most
The gent« she whispered »as I spoke about«
»What in the coach« cried Mould »The one you thought of recommending
Very odd My dear this will interest you The gentleman that Mrs Gamp thought
likely to suit us is in the coach my love«
Mrs Mould was greatly interested
»Here my dear You can stand upon the doorstep« said Mould »and take a
look at him Ha There he is Wheres my glass Oh all right Ive got it Do
you see him my dear«
»Quite plain« said Mrs Mould
»Upon my life you know this is a very singular circumstance« said Mould
quite delighted »This is the sort of thing my dear I wouldnt have missed on
any account It tickles one Its interesting Its almost a little play you
know Ah There he is To be sure Looks poorly Mrs M dont he«
Mrs Mould assented
»Hes coming our way perhaps after all« said Mould »Who knows I feel as
if I ought to show him some little attention really He dont seem a stranger
to me Im very much inclined to move my hat my dear«
»Hes looking hard this way« said Mrs Mould
»Then I will« cried Mould »How dye do sir I wish you good day Ha He
bows too Very gentlemanly Mrs Gamp has the cards in her pocket I have no
doubt This is very singular my dear and very pleasant I am not
superstitious but it really seems as if one was destined to pay him those
little melancholy civilities which belong to our peculiar line of business
There can be no kind of objection to your kissing your hand to him my dear«
Mrs Mould did so
»Ha« said Mould »Hes evidently gratified Poor fellow Im quite glad you
did it my love Bye bye Mrs Gamp« waving his hand »There he goes there he
goes«
So he did for the coach rolled off as the words were spoken Mr and Mrs
Mould in high good humour went their merry way Mr Bailey retired with Poll
Sweedlepipe as soon as possible but some little time elapsed before he could
remove his friend from the ground owing to the impression wrought upon the
barbers nerves by Mrs Prig whom he pronounced in admiration of her beard to
be a woman of transcendent charms
When the light cloud of bustle hanging round the coach was thus dispersed
Nadgett was seen in the darkest box of the Bull coffeeroom looking wistfully
up at the clock as if the man who never appeared were a little behind his
time
Chapter XXX
Proves that Changes May Be Rung in the BestRegulated Families and that Mr
Pecksniff Was a Special Hand at a TripleBobMajor
As the surgeons first care after amputating a limb is to take up the arteries
the cruel knife has severed so it is the duty of this history which in its
remorseless course has cut from the Pecksniffian trunk its right arm Mercy to
look to the parent stem and see how in all its various ramifications it got on
without her
And first of Mr Pecksniff it may be observed that having provided for his
youngest daughter that choicest of blessings a tender and indulgent husband
and having gratified the dearest wish of his parental heart by establishing her
in life so happily he renewed his youth and spreading the plumage of his own
bright conscience felt himself equal to all kinds of flights It is customary
with fathers in stageplays after giving their daughters to the men of their
hearts to congratulate themselves on having no other business on their hands
but to die immediately though it is rarely found that they are in a hurry to do
it Mr Pecksniff being a father of a more sage and practical class appeared
to think that his immediate business was to live and having deprived himself of
one comfort to surround himself with others
But however much inclined the good man was to be jocose and playful and in
the garden of his fancy to disport himself if one may say so like an
architectural kitten he had one impediment constantly opposed to him The
gentle Cherry stung by a sense of slight and injury which far from softening
down or wearing out rankled and festered in her heart was in flat rebellion
She waged fierce war against her dear Papa she led her parent what is usually
called for want of a better figure of speech the life of a dog But never did
that dog live in kennel stableyard or house whose life was half as hard as
Mr Pecksniffs with his gentle child
The father and daughter were sitting at their breakfast Tom had retired
and they were alone Mr Pecksniff frowned at first but having cleared his
brow looked stealthily at his child Her nose was very red indeed and screwed
up tight with hostile preparation
»Cherry« cried Mr Pecksniff »what is amiss between us My child why are
we disunited«
Miss Pecksniffs answer was scarcely a response to this gush of affection
for it was simply »Bother Pa«
»Bother« repeated Mr Pecksniff in a tone of anguish
»Oh tis too late Pa« said his daughter calmly »to talk to me like
this I know what it means and what its value is«
»This is hard« cried Mr Pecksniff addressing his breakfastcup »This is
very hard She is my child I carried her in my arms when she wore shapeless
worsted shoes I might say mufflers many years ago«
»You neednt taunt me with that Pa« retorted Cherry with a spiteful look
»I am not so many years older than my sister either though she is married to
your friend«
»Ah human nature human nature Poor human nature« said Mr Pecksniff
shaking his head at human nature as if he didnt belong to it »To think that
this discord should arise from such a cause oh dear oh dear«
»From such a cause indeed« cried Cherry »State the real cause Pa or Ill
state it myself Mind I will«
Perhaps the energy with which she said this was infectious However that may
be Mr Pecksniff changed his tone and the expression of his face for one of
anger if not downright violence when he said
»You will you have You did yesterday You do always You have no decency
you make no secret of your temper you have exposed yourself to Mr Chuzzlewit a
hundred times«
»Myself« cried Cherry with a bitter smile »Oh indeed I dont mind that«
»Me too then« said Mr Pecksniff
His daughter answered with a scornful laugh
»And since we have come to an explanation Charity« said Mr Pecksniff
rolling his head portentously »let me tell you that I wont allow it None of
your nonsense Miss I wont permit it to be done«
»I shall do« said Charity rocking her chair backwards and forwards and
raising her voice to a high pitch »I shall do Pa what I please and what I
have done I am not going to be crushed in everything depend upon it Ive been
more shamefully used than anybody ever was in this world« here she began to cry
and sob »and may expect the worse treatment from you I know But I dont care
for that No I dont«
Mr Pecksniff was made so desperate by the loud tone in which she spoke
that after looking about him in frantic uncertainty for some means of softening
it he rose and shook her until the ornamental bow of hair upon her head nodded
like a plume She was so very much astonished by this assault that it really
had the desired effect
»Ill do it again« cried Mr Pecksniff as he resumed his seat and fetched
his breath »if you dare to talk in that loud manner How do you mean about
being shamefully used If Mr Jonas chose your sister in preference to you who
could help it I should wish to know What have I to do with it«
»Wasnt I made a convenience of Wernt my feelings trifled with Didnt he
address himself to me first« sobbed Cherry clasping her hands »and oh good
gracious that I should live to be shook«
»Youll live to be shaken again« returned her parent »if you drive me to
that means of maintaining the decorum of this humble roof You surprise me I
wonder you have not more spirit If Mr Jonas didnt care for you how could you
wish to have him«
»I wish to have him« exclaimed Cherry »I wish to have him Pa«
»Then what are you making all this piece of work for« retorted her father
»if you didnt wish to have him«
»Because I was treated with duplicity« said Cherry »and because my own
sister and my own father conspired against me I am not angry with her« said
Cherry looking much more angry than ever »I pity her Im sorry for her I
know the fate thats in store for her with that Wretch«
»Mr Jonas will survive your calling him a wretch my child I dare say«
said Mr Pecksniff with returning resignation »but call him what you like and
make an end of it«
»Not an end Pa« said Charity »No not an end Thats not the only point
on which we're not agreed I wont submit to it Its better you should know
that at once No I wont submit to it indeed Pa I am not quite a fool and I
am not blind All I have got to say is I wont submit to it«
Whatever she meant she shook Mr Pecksniff now for his lame attempt to
seem composed was melancholy in the last degree His anger changed to meekness
and his words were mild and fawning
»My dear« he said »if in the short excitement of an angry moment I
resorted to an unjustifiable means of suppressing a little outbreak calculated
to injure you as well as myself its possible I may have done so perhaps I
did I ask your pardon A father asking pardon of his child« said Mr
Pecksniff »is I believe a spectacle to soften the most rugged nature«
But it didnt at all soften Miss Pecksniff perhaps because her nature was
not rugged enough On the contrary she persisted in saying over and over
again that she wasnt quite a fool and wasnt blind and wouldnt submit to
it
»You labour under some mistake my child« said Mr Pecksniff »but I will
not ask you what it is I dont desire to know No pray« he added holding out
his hand and colouring again »let us avoid the subject my dear whatever it
is«
»Its quite right that the subject should be avoided between us sir« said
Cherry »But I wish to be able to avoid it altogether and consequently must beg
you to provide me with a home«
Mr Pecksniff looked about the room and said »A home my child«
»Another home Papa« said Cherry with increasing stateliness »Place me at
Mrs Todgerss or somewhere on an independent footing but I will not live
here if such is to be the case«
It is possible that Miss Pecksniff saw in Mrs Todgerss a vision of
enthusiastic men pining to fall in adoration at her feet It is possible that
Mr Pecksniff in his newborn juvenility saw in the suggestion of that same
establishment an easy means of relieving himself from an irksome charge in the
way of temper and watchfulness It is undoubtedly a fact that in the attentive
ears of Mr Pecksniff the proposition did not sound quite like the dismal knell
of all his hopes
But he was a man of great feeling and acute sensibility and he squeezed
his pockethandkerchief against his eyes with both hands as such men always
do especially when they are observed »One of my birds« Mr Pecksniff said
»has left me for the strangers breast the other would take wing to Todgerss
Well well what am I I dont know what I am exactly Never mind«
Even this remark made more pathetic perhaps by his breaking down in the
middle of it had no effect upon Charity She was grim rigid and inflexible
»But I have ever« said Mr Pecksniff »sacrificed my childrens happiness
to my own I mean my own happiness to my childrens and I will not begin to
regulate my life by other rules of conduct now If you can be happier at Mrs
Todgerss than in your fathers house my dear go to Mrs Todgerss Do not
think of me my girl« said Mr Pecksniff with emotion »I shall get on pretty
well no doubt«
Miss Charity who knew he had a secret pleasure in the contemplation of the
proposed change suppressed her own and went on to negotiate the terms His
views upon this subject were at first so very limited that another difference
involving possibly another shaking threatened to ensue but by degrees they
came to something like an understanding and the storm blew over Indeed Miss
Charitys idea was so agreeable to both that it would have been strange if they
had not come to an amicable agreement It was soon arranged between them that
the project should be tried and that immediately and that Cherrys not being
well and needing change of scene and wishing to be near her sister should form
the excuse for her departure to Mr Chuzzlewit and Mary to both of whom she had
pleaded indisposition for some time past These premises agreed on Mr
Pecksniff gave her his blessing with all the dignity of a self-denying man who
had made a hard sacrifice but comforted himself with the reflection that virtue
is its own reward Thus they were reconciled for the first time since that not
easily forgiven night when Mr Jonas repudiating the elder had confessed his
passion for the younger sister and Mr Pecksniff had abetted him on moral
grounds
But how happened it in the name of an unexpected addition to that small
family the Seven Wonders of the World whatever and wherever they may be how
happened it that Mr Pecksniff and his daughter were about to part How
happened it that their mutual relations were so greatly altered Why was Miss
Pecksniff so clamorous to have it understood that she was neither blind nor
foolish and she wouldnt bear it It is not possible that Mr Pecksniff had any
thoughts of marrying again or that his daughter with the sharp eye of a single
woman fathomed his design
Let us inquire into this
Mr Pecksniff as a man without reproach from whom the breath of slander
passed like common breath from any other polished surface could afford to do
what common men could not He knew the purity of his own motives and when he
had a motive worked at it as only a very good man or a very bad one can Did
he set before himself any strong and palpable motives for taking a second wife
Yes and not one or two of them but a combination of very many
Old Martin Chuzzlewit had gradually undergone an important change Even upon
the night when he made such an illtimed arrival at Mr Pecksniffs house he
was comparatively subdued and easy to deal with This Mr Pecksniff attributed
at the time to the effect his brothers death had had upon him But from that
hour his character seemed to have modified by regular degrees and to have
softened down into a dull indifference for almost every one but Mr Pecksniff
His looks were much the same as ever but his mind was singularly altered It
was not that this or that passion stood out in brighter or in dimmer hues but
that the colour of the whole man was faded As one trait disappeared no other
trait sprung up to take its place His senses dwindled too He was less keen of
sight was deaf sometimes took little notice of what passed before him and
would be profoundly taciturn for days together The process of this alteration
was so easy that almost as soon as it began to be observed it was complete But
Mr Pecksniff saw it first and having Anthony Chuzzlewit fresh in his
recollection saw in his brother Martin the same process of decay
To a gentleman of Mr Pecksniffs tenderness this was a very mournful
sight He could not but foresee the probability of his respected relative being
made the victim of designing persons and of his riches falling into worthless
hands It gave him so much pain that he resolved to secure the property to
himself to keep bad testamentary suitors at a distance to wall up the old
gentleman as it were for his own use By little and little therefore he
began to try whether Mr Chuzzlewit gave any promise of becoming an instrument
in his hands and finding that he did and indeed that he was very supple in his
plastic fingers he made it the business of his life kind soul to establish an
ascendancy over him and every little test he durst apply meeting with a success
beyond his hopes he began to think he heard old Martins cash already chinking
in his own unworldly pockets
But when Mr Pecksniff pondered on this subject as in his zealous way he
often did and thought with an uplifted heart of the train of circumstances
which had delivered the old gentleman into his hands for the confusion of
evildoers and the triumph of a righteous nature he always felt that Mary
Graham was his stumblingblock Let the old man say what he would Mr Pecksniff
knew he had a strong affection for her He knew that he showed it in a thousand
little ways that he liked to have her near him and was never quite at ease
when she was absent long That he had ever really sworn to leave her nothing in
his will Mr Pecksniff greatly doubted That even if he had there were many
ways by which he could evade the oath and satisfy his conscience Mr Pecksniff
knew That her unprotected state was no light burden on the old mans mind he
also knew for Mr Chuzzlewit had plainly told him so »Then« said Mr
Pecksniff »what if I married her What« repeated Mr Pecksniff sticking up
his hair and glancing at his bust by Spoker »What if making sure of his
approval first he is nearly imbecile poor gentleman I married her«
Mr Pecksniff had a lively sense of the Beautiful especially in women His
manner towards the sex was remarkable for its insinuating character It is
recorded of him in another part of these pages that he embraced Mrs Todgers on
the smallest provocation and it was a way he had it was a part of the gentle
placidity of his disposition Before any thought of matrimony was in his mind
he had bestowed on Mary many little tokens of his spiritual admiration They had
been indignantly received but that was nothing True as the idea expanded
within him these had become too ardent to escape the piercing eye of Cherry
who read his scheme at once but he had always felt the power of Marys charms
So Interest and Inclination made a pair and drew the curricle of Mr
Pecksniffs plan
As to any thought of revenging himself on young Martin for his insolent
expressions when they parted and of shutting him out still more effectually
from any hope of reconciliation with his grandfather Mr Pecksniff was much too
meek and forgiving to be suspected of harbouring it As to being refused by
Mary Mr Pecksniff was quite satisfied that in her position she could never
hold out if he and Mr Chuzzlewit were both against her As to consulting the
wishes of her heart in such a case it formed no part of Mr Pecksniffs moral
code for he knew what a good man he was and what a blessing he must be to
anybody His daughter having broken the ice and the murder being out between
them Mr Pecksniff had now only to pursue his design as cleverly as he could
and by the craftiest approaches
»Well my good sir« said Mr Pecksniff meeting old Martin in the garden
for it was his habit to walk in and out by that way as the fancy took him »and
how is my dear friend this delicious morning«
»Do you mean me« asked the old man
»Ah« said Mr Pecksniff »one of his deaf days I see Could I mean any one
else my dear sir«
»You might have meant Mary« said the old man
»Indeed I might Quite true I might speak of her as a dear dear friend I
hope« observed Mr Pecksniff
»I hope so« returned old Martin »I think she deserves it«
»Think« cried Pecksniff »Think Mr Chuzzlewit«
»You are speaking I know« returned Martin »but I dont catch what you say
Speak up«
»Hes getting deafer than a flint« said Pecksniff »I was saying my dear
sir that I am afraid I must make up my mind to part with Cherry«
»What has she been doing« asked the old man
»He puts the most ridiculous questions I ever heard« muttered Mr
Pecksniff »Hes a child today« After which he added in a mild roar »She
hasnt been doing anything my dear friend«
»What are you going to part with her for« demanded Martin
»She hasnt her health by any means« said Mr Pecksniff »She misses her
sister my dear sir they doated on each other from the cradle And I think of
giving her a run in London for a change A good long run sir if I find she
likes it«
»Quite right« cried Martin »Its judicious«
»I am glad to hear you say so I hope you mean to bear me company in this
dull part while shes away« said Mr Pecksniff
»I have no intention of removing from it« was Martins answer
»Then why« said Mr Pecksniff taking the old mans arm in his and walking
slowly on »Why my good sir cant you come and stay with me I am sure I could
surround you with more comforts lowly as is my cot than you can obtain at a
village house of entertainment And pardon me Mr Chuzzlewit pardon me if I
say that such a place as the Dragon however wellconducted and as far as I
know Mrs Lupin is one of the worthiest creatures in this county is hardly a
home for Miss Graham«
Martin mused a moment and then said as he shook him by the hand »No
Youre quite right it is not«
»The very sight of skittles« Mr Pecksniff eloquently pursued »is far from
being congenial to a delicate mind«
»Its an amusement of the vulgar« said old Martin »certainly«
»Of the very vulgar« Mr Pecksniff answered »Then why not bring Miss
Graham here sir Here is the house Here am I alone in it for Thomas Pinch I
do not count as any one Our lovely friend shall occupy my daughters chamber
you shall choose your own we shall not quarrel I hope«
»We are not likely to do that« said Martin
Mr Pecksniff pressed his hand »We understand each other my dear sir I
see I can wind him« he thought with exultation »round my little finger«
»You leave the recompense to me« said the old man after a minutes
silence
»Oh do not speak of recompense« cried Pecksniff
»I say« repeated Martin with a glimmer of his old obstinacy »you leave
the recompense to me Do you«
»Since you desire it my good sir«
»I always desire it« said the old man »You know I always desire it I wish
to pay as I go even when I buy of you Not that I do not leave a balance to be
settled one day Pecksniff«
The architect was too much overcome to speak He tried to drop a tear upon
his patrons hand but couldnt find one in his dry distillery
»May that day be very distant« was his pious exclamation »Ah sir If I
could say how deep an interest I have in you and yours I allude to our
beautiful young friend«
»True« he answered »True She need have some one interested in her I did
her wrong to train her as I did Orphan though she was she would have found
some one to protect her whom she might have loved again When she was a child I
pleased myself with the thought that in gratifying my whim of placing her
between me and falsehearted knaves I had done her a kindness Now she is a
woman I have no such comfort She has no protector but herself I have put her
at such odds with the world that any dog may bark or fawn upon her at his
pleasure Indeed she stands in need of delicate consideration Yes indeed she
does«
»If her position could be altered and defined sir« Mr Pecksniff hinted
»How can that be done Should I make a seamstress of her or a governess«
»Heaven forbid« said Mr Pecksniff »My dear sir there are other ways
There are indeed But I am much excited and embarrassed at present and would
rather not pursue the subject I scarcely know what I mean Permit me to resume
it at another time«
»You are not unwell« asked Martin anxiously
»No no« cried Pecksniff »No Permit me to resume it at another time Ill
walk a little Bless you«
Old Martin blessed him in return and squeezed his hand As he turned away
and slowly walked towards the house Mr Pecksniff stood gazing after him being
pretty well recovered from his late emotion which in any other man one might
have thought had been assumed as a machinery for feeling Martins pulse The
change in the old man found such a slight expression in his figure that Mr
Pecksniff looking after him could not help saying to himself
»And I can wind him round my little finger Only think«
Old Martin happening to turn his head saluted him affectionately Mr
Pecksniff returned the gesture
»Why the time was« said Mr Pecksniff »and not long ago when he wouldnt
look at me How soothing is this change Such is the delicate texture of the
human heart so complicated is the process of its being softened Externally he
looks the same and I can wind him round my little finger Only think«
In sober truth there did appear to be nothing on which Mr Pecksniff might
not have ventured with Martin Chuzzlewit for whatever Mr Pecksniff said or did
was right and whatever he advised was done Martin had escaped so many snares
from needy fortunehunters and had withered in the shell of his suspicion and
distrust for so many years but to become the good mans tool and plaything
With the happiness of this conviction painted on his face the architect went
forth upon his morning walk
The summer weather in his bosom was reflected in the breast of Nature.
Through deep green vistas where the boughs arched overhead and showed the
sunlight flashing in the beautiful perspective through dewy fern from which the
startled hares leaped up and fled at his approach by mantled pools and fallen
trees and down in hollow places rustling among last years leaves whose scent
woke memory of the past the placid Pecksniff strolled By meadow gates and
hedges fragrant with wild roses and by thatchedroofed cottages whose inmates
humbly bowed before him as a man both good and wise the worthy Pecksniff walked
in tranquil meditation The bee passed onward humming of the work he had to do
the idle gnats for ever going round and round in one contracting and expanding
ring yet always going on as fast as he danced merrily before him the colour
of the long grass came and went as if the light clouds made it timid as they
floated through the distant air The birds so many Pecksniff consciences sang
gaily upon every branch and Mr Pecksniff paid his homage to the day by
ruminating on his projects as he walked along
Chancing to trip in his abstraction over the spreading root of an old
tree he raised his pious eyes to take a survey of the ground before him It
startled him to see the embodied image of his thoughts not far ahead Mary
herself And alone
At first Mr Pecksniff stopped as if with the intention of avoiding her but
his next impulse was to advance which he did at a brisk pace carolling as he
went so sweetly and with so much innocence that he only wanted feathers and
wings to be a bird
Hearing notes behind her not belonging to the songsters of the grove she
looked round Mr Pecksniff kissed his hand and was at her side immediately
»Communing with nature« said Mr Pecksniff »So am I«
She said the morning was so beautiful that she had walked further than she
intended and would return Mr Pecksniff said it was exactly his case and he
would return with her
»Take my arm sweet girl« said Mr Pecksniff
Mary declined it and walked so very fast that he remonstrated »You were
loitering when I came upon you« Mr Pecksniff said »Why be so cruel as to
hurry now You would not shun me would you«
»Yes I would« she answered turning her glowing cheek indignantly upon
him »you know I would Release me Mr Pecksniff Your touch is disagreeable to
me«
His touch What That chaste patriarchal touch which Mrs Todgers surely a
discreet lady had endured not only without complaint but with apparent
satisfaction This was positively wrong Mr Pecksniff was sorry to hear her say
it
»If you have not observed« said Mary »that it is so pray take assurance
from my lips and not as you are a gentleman continue to offend me«
»Well well« said Mr Pecksniff mildly »I feel that I might consider this
becoming in a daughter of my own and why should I object to it in one so
beautiful Its harsh It cuts me to the soul« said Mr Pecksniff »but I
cannot quarrel with you Mary«
She tried to say she was sorry to hear it but burst into tears Mr
Pecksniff now repeated the Todgers performance on a comfortable scale as if he
intended it to last some time and in his disengaged hand catching hers
employed himself in separating the fingers with his own and sometimes kissing
them as he pursued the conversation thus
»I am glad we met I am very glad we met I am able now to ease my bosom of
a heavy load and speak to you in confidence Mary« said Mr Pecksniff in his
tenderest tones indeed they were so very tender that he almost squeaked »My
soul I love you«
A fantastic thing that maiden affectation She made believe to shudder
»I love you« said Mr Pecksniff »my gentle life with a devotion which is
quite surprising even to myself I did suppose that the sensation was buried in
the silent tomb of a lady only second to you in qualities of the mind and form
but I find I am mistaken«
She tried to disengage her hand but might as well have tried to free
herself from the embrace of an affectionate boaconstrictor if anything so wily
may be brought into comparison with Pecksniff
»Although I am a widower« said Mr Pecksniff examining the rings upon her
fingers and tracing the course of one delicate blue vein with his fat thumb »a
widower with two daughters still I am not encumbered my love One of them as
you know is married The other by her own desire but with a view I will
confess why not to my altering my condition is about to leave her fathers
house I have a character I hope People are pleased to speak well of me I
think My person and manner are not absolutely those of a monster I trust Ah
naughty Hand« said Mr Pecksniff apostrophising the reluctant prize »why did
you take me prisoner Go go«
He slapped the hand to punish it but relenting folded it in his waistcoat
to comfort it again
»Blessed in each other and in the society of our venerable friend my
darling« said Mr Pecksniff »we shall be happy When he is wafted to a haven
of rest we will console each other My pretty primrose what do you say«
»It is possible« Mary answered in a hurried manner »that I ought to feel
grateful for this mark of your confidence I cannot say that I do but I am
willing to suppose you may deserve my thanks Take them and pray leave me Mr
Pecksniff«
The good man smiled a greasy smile and drew her closer to him
»Pray pray release me Mr Pecksniff I cannot listen to your proposal I
cannot receive it There are many to whom it may be acceptable but it is not so
to me As an act of kindness and an act of pity leave me«
Mr Pecksniff walked on with his arm round her waist and her hand in his
as contentedly as if they had been all in all to each other and were joined in
the bonds of truest love
»If you force me by your superior strength« said Mary who finding that
good words had not the least effect upon him made no further effort to suppress
her indignation »if you force me by your superior strength to accompany you
back and to be the subject of your insolence upon the way you cannot constrain
the expression of my thoughts I hold you in the deepest abhorrence I know your
real nature and despise it«
»No no« said Mr Pecksniff sweetly »No no no«
»By what arts or unhappy chances you have gained your influence over Mr
Chuzzlewit I do not know« said Mary »it may be strong enough to soften even
this but he shall know of this trust me sir«
Mr Pecksniff raised his heavy eyelids languidly and let them fall again
It was saying with perfect coolness »Aye aye Indeed«
»Is it not enough« said Mary »that you warp and change his nature adapt
his every prejudice to your bad ends and harden a heart naturally kind by
shutting out the truth and allowing none but false and distorted views to reach
it is it not enough that you have the power of doing this and that you
exercise it but must you also be so coarse so cruel and so cowardly to me«
Still Mr Pecksniff led her calmly on and looked as mild as any lamb that
ever pastured in the fields
»Will nothing move you sir« cried Mary
»My dear« observed Mr Pecksniff with a placid leer »a habit of
self-examination and the practice of shall I say of virtue«
»Of hypocrisy« said Mary
»No no« resumed Mr Pecksniff chafing the captive hand reproachfully »of
virtue have enabled me to set such guards upon myself that it is really
difficult to ruffle me It is a curious fact but it is difficult do you know
for any one to ruffle me And did she think« said Mr Pecksniff with a playful
tightening of his grasp »that she could How little did she know his heart«
Little indeed Her mind was so strangely constituted that she would have
preferred the caresses of a toad an adder or a serpent nay the hug of a
bear to the endearments of Mr Pecksniff
»Come come« said that good gentleman »a word or two will set this matter
right and establish a pleasant understanding between us I am not angry my
love«
»You angry«
»No« said Mr Pecksniff »I am not I say so Neither are you«
There was a beating heart beneath his hand that told another story though
»I am sure you are not« said Mr Pecksniff »and I will tell you why There
are two Martin Chuzzlewits my dear and your carrying your anger to one might
have a serious effect who knows upon the other You wouldnt wish to hurt
him would you«
She trembled violently and looked at him with such a proud disdain that he
turned his eyes away No doubt lest he should be offended with her in spite of
his better self
»A passive quarrel my love« said Mr Pecksniff »may be changed into an
active one remember It would be sad to blight even a disinherited young man in
his already blighted prospects but how easy to do it Ah how easy Have I
influence with our venerable friend do you think Well perhaps I have Perhaps
I have«
He raised his eyes to hers and nodded with an air of banter that was
charming
»No« he continued thoughtfully »Upon the whole my sweet if I were you
Id keep my secret to myself I am not at all sure very far from it that it
would surprise our friend in any way for he and I have had some conversation
together only this morning and he is anxious very anxious to establish you in
some more settled manner But whether he was surprised or not surprised the
consequence of your imparting it might be the same Martin junior might suffer
severely Id have compassion on Martin junior do you know« said Mr
Pecksniff with a persuasive smile »Yes He dont deserve it but I would«
She wept so bitterly now and was so much distressed that he thought it
prudent to unclasp her waist and hold her only by the hand
»As to our own share in the precious little mystery« said Mr Pecksniff
»we will keep it to ourselves and talk of it between ourselves and you shall
think it over You will consent my love you will consent I know Whatever you
may think you will I seem to remember to have heard I really dont know
where or how« he added with bewitching frankness »that you and Martin
junior when you were children had a sort of childish fondness for each other
When we are married you shall have the satisfaction of thinking that it didnt
last to ruin him but passed away to do him good for well see then what we
can do to put some trifling help in Martin juniors way Have I any influence
with our venerable friend Well Perhaps I have Perhaps I have«
The outlet from the wood in which these tender passages occurred was close
to Mr Pecksniffs house They were now so near it that he stopped and holding
up her little finger said in playful accents as a parting fancy
»Shall I bite it«
Receiving no reply he kissed it instead and then stooping down inclined
his flabby face to hers he had a flabby face although he was a good man and
with a blessing which from such a source was quite enough to set her up in
life and prosper her for that time forth permitted her to leave him
Gallantry in its true sense is supposed to ennoble and dignify a man and
love has shed refinements on innumerable Cymons But Mr Pecksniff perhaps
because to one of his exalted nature these were mere grossnesses certainly did
not appear to any unusual advantage now that he was left alone On the
contrary he seemed to be shrunk and reduced to be trying to hide himself
within himself and to be wretched at not having the power to do it His shoes
looked too large his sleeve looked too long his hair looked too limp his
features looked too mean his exposed throat looked as if a halter would have
done it good For a minute or two in fact he was hot and pale and mean and
shy and slinking and consequently not at all Pecksniffian But after that he
recovered himself and went home with as beneficent an air as if he had been the
High Priest of the summer weather
»I have arranged to go Papa« said Charity »tomorrow«
»So soon my child«
»I cant go too soon« said Charity »under the circumstances I have
written to Mrs Todgers to propose an arrangement and have requested her to
meet me at the coach at all events Youll be quite your own master now Mr
Pinch«
Mr Pecksniff had just gone out of the room and Tom had just come into it
»My own master« repeated Tom
»Yes youll have nobody to interfere with you« said Charity »At least I
hope you wont Hem Its a changing world«
»What are you going to be married Miss Pecksniff« asked Tom in great
surprise
»Not exactly« faltered Cherry »I havent made up my mind to be I believe
I could be if I choose Mr Pinch«
»Of course you could« said Tom And he said it in perfect good faith He
believed it from the bottom of his heart
»No« said Cherry »I am not going to be married Nobody is that I know of
Hem But I am not going to live with Papa I have my reasons but its all a
secret I shall always feel very kindly towards you I assure you for the
boldness you showed that night As to you and me Mr Pinch we part the best
friends possible«
Tom thanked her for her confidence and for her friendship but there was a
mystery in the former which perfectly bewildered him In his extravagant
devotion to the family he had felt the loss of Merry more than any one but
those who knew that for all the slights he underwent he thought his own demerits
were to blame could possibly have understood He had scarcely reconciled
himself to that when here was Charity about to leave them She had grown up as
it were under Toms eye The sisters were a part of Pecksniff and a part of
Tom items in Pecksniffs goodness and in Toms service He couldnt bear it
not two hours sleep had Tom that night through dwelling in his bed upon these
dreadful changes
When morning dawned he thought he must have dreamed this piece of
ambiguity but no on going down stairs he found them packing trunks and cording
boxes and making other preparations for Miss Charitys departure which lasted
all day long In good time for the eveningcoach Miss Charity deposited her
housekeeping keys with much ceremony upon the parlour table took a gracious
leave of all the house and quitted her paternal roof a blessing for which
the Pecksniffian servant was observed by some profane persons to be particularly
active in the thanksgiving at church next Sunday
Chapter XXXI
Mr Pinch Is Discharged of a Duty which He Never Owed to Anybody and Mr
Pecksniff Discharges a Duty which He Owes to Society
The closing words of the last chapter lead naturally to the commencement of
this, its successor for it has to do with a church With the church so often
mentioned heretofore in which Tom Pinch played the organ for nothing
One sultry afternoon about a week after Miss Charitys departure for
London Mr Pecksniff being out walking by himself took it into his head to
stray into the churchyard As he was lingering among the tombstones
endeavouring to extract an available sentiment or two from the epitaphs for he
never lost an opportunity of making up a few moral crackers to be let off as
occasion served Tom Pinch began to practise Tom could run down to the church
and do so whenever he had time to spare for it was a simple little organ
provided with wind by the action of the musicians feet and he was independent
even of a bellowsblower Though if Tom had wanted one at any time there was
not a man or boy in all the village and away to the turnpike tollman
included but would have blown away for him till he was black in the face
Mr Pecksniff had no objection to music not the least He was tolerant of
everything he often said so He considered it a vagabond kind of trifling in
general just suited to Toms capacity But in regard to Toms performance upon
this same organ he was remarkably lenient singularly amiable for when Tom
played it on Sundays Mr Pecksniff in his unbounded sympathy felt as if he
played it himself and were a benefactor to the congregation So whenever it was
impossible to devise any other means of taking the value of Toms wages out of
him Mr Pecksniff gave him leave to cultivate this instrument For which mark
of his consideration Tom was very grateful
The afternoon was remarkably warm and Mr Pecksniff had been strolling a
long way He had not what may be called a fine ear for music but he knew when
it had a tranquillising influence on his soul and that was the case now for it
sounded to him like a melodious snore He approached the church and looking
through the diamond lattice of a window near the porch saw Tom with the
curtains in the loft drawn back playing away with great expression and
tenderness
The church had an inviting air of coolness The old oak roof supported by
crossbeams the hoary walls the marble tablets and the cracked stone
pavement were refreshing to look at There were leaves of ivy tapping gently at
the opposite windows and the sun poured in through only one leaving the body
of the church in tempting shade But the most tempting spot of all was one
redcurtained and softcushioned pew wherein the official dignitaries of the
place of whom Mr Pecksniff was the head and chief enshrined themselves on
Sundays Mr Pecksniffs seat was in the corner a remarkably comfortable
corner where his very large PrayerBook was at that minute making the most of
its quarto self upon the desk He determined to go in and rest
He entered very softly in part because it was a church in part because his
tread was always soft in part because Tom played a solemn tune in part because
he thought he would surprise him when he stopped Unbolting the door of the high
pew of state he glided in and shut it after him then sitting in his usual
place and stretching out his legs upon the hassocks he composed himself to
listen to the music
It is an unaccountable circumstance that he should have felt drowsy there
where the force of association might surely have been enough to keep him wide
awake but he did He had not been in the snug little corner five minutes before
he began to nod He had not recovered himself one minute before he began to nod
again In the very act of opening his eyes indolently he nodded again In the
very act of shutting them he nodded again So he fell out of one nod into
another until at last he ceased to nod at all and was as fast as the church
itself
He had a consciousness of the organ long after he fell asleep though as to
its being an organ he had no more idea of that than he had of its being a Bull
After a while he began to have at intervals the same dreamy impressions of
voices and awakening to an indolent curiosity upon the subject opened his
eyes
He was so indolent that after glancing at the hassocks and the pew he was
already halfway off to sleep again when it occurred to him that there really
were voices in the church low voices talking earnestly hard by while the
echoes seemed to mutter responses He roused himself and listened
Before he had listened half a dozen seconds he became as broad awake as
ever he had been in all his life With eyes and ears and mouth wide open he
moved himself a very little with the utmost caution and gathering the curtain
in his hand peeped out
Tom Pinch and Mary Of course He had recognised their voices and already
knew the topic they discussed Looking like the small end of a guillotined man
with his chin on a level with the top of the pew so that he might duck down
immediately in case of either of them turning round he listened Listened with
such concentrated eagerness that his very hair and shirtcollar stood bristling
up to help him
»No« cried Tom »No letters have ever reached me except that one from New
York But dont be uneasy on that account for its very likely they have gone
away to some faroff place where the posts are neither regular nor frequent He
said in that very letter that it might be so even in that city to which they
thought of travelling Eden you know«
»It is a great weight upon my mind« said Mary
»Oh but you mustnt let it be« said Tom »Theres a true saying that
nothing travels so fast as ill news and if the slightest harm had happened to
Martin you may be sure you would have heard of it long ago I have often wished
to say this to you« Tom continued with an embarrassment that became him very
well »but you have never given me an opportunity«
»I have sometimes been almost afraid« said Mary »that you might suppose I
hesitated to confide in you Mr Pinch«
»No« Tom stammered »I I am not aware that I ever supposed that I am
sure that if I have I have checked the thought directly as an injustice to
you I feel the delicacy of your situation in having to confide in me at all«
said Tom »but I would risk my life to save you from one days uneasiness
indeed I would«
Poor Tom
»I have dreaded sometimes« Tom continued »that I might have displeased you
by by having the boldness to try and anticipate your wishes now and then At
other times I have fancied that your kindness prompted you to keep aloof from
me«
»Indeed«
»It was very foolish very presumptuous and ridiculous to think so« Tom
pursued »but I feared you might suppose it possible that I I should admire
you too much for my own peace and so denied yourself the slight assistance you
would otherwise have accepted from me If such an idea has ever presented itself
to you« faltered Tom »pray dismiss it I am easily made happy and I shall
live contented here long after you and Martin have forgotten me I am a poor
shy awkward creature not at all a man of the world and you should think no
more of me bless you than if I were an old friar«
It friars bear such hearts as thine Tom let friars multiply though they
have no such rule in all their stern arithmetic
»Dear Mr Pinch« said Mary giving him her hand »I cannot tell you how
your kindness moves me I have never wronged you by the lightest doubt and have
never for an instant ceased to feel that you were all much more than all that
Martin found you Without the silent care and friendship I have experienced from
you my life here would have been unhappy But you have been a good angel to me
filling me with gratitude of heart hope and courage«
»I am as little like an angel I am afraid« replied Tom shaking his head
»as any stone cherubim among the gravestones and I dont think there are many
real angels of that pattern But I should like to know if you will tell me why
you have been so very silent about Martin«
»Because I have been afraid« said Mary »of injuring you«
»Of injuring me« cried Tom
»Of doing you an injury with your employer«
The gentleman in question dived
»With Pecksniff« rejoined Tom with cheerful confidence »Oh dear hed
never think of us Hes the best of men The more at ease you were the happier
he would be Oh dear you neednt be afraid of Pecksniff He is not a spy«
Many a man in Mr Pecksniffs place if he could have dived through the
floor of the pew of state and come out at Calcutta or any inhabited region on
the other side of the earth would have done it instantly Mr Pecksniff sat
down upon a hassock and listening more attentively than ever smiled
Mary seemed to have expressed some dissent in the meanwhile for Tom went on
to say with honest energy
»Well I dont know how it is but it always happens whenever I express
myself in this way to anybody almost that I find they wont do justice to
Pecksniff It is one of the most extraordinary circumstances that ever came
within my knowledge but it is so Theres John Westlock who used to be a pupil
here one of the besthearted young men in the world in all other matters I
really believe John would have Pecksniff flogged at the carts tail if he could
And John is not a solitary case for every pupil we have had in my time has gone
away with the same inveterate hatred of him There was Mark Tapley too quite
in another station of life« said Tom »the mockery he used to make of Pecksniff
when he was at the Dragon was shocking Martin too Martin was worse than any of
em But I forgot He prepared you to dislike Pecksniff of course So you came
with a prejudice you know Miss Graham and are not a fair witness«
Tom triumphed very much in this discovery and rubbed his hands with great
satisfaction
»Mr Pinch« said Mary »you mistake him«
»No no« cried Tom »You mistake him But« he added with a rapid change
in his tone »what is the matter Miss Graham what is the matter«
Mr Pecksniff brought up to the top of the pew by slow degrees his hair
his forehead his eyebrow his eye She was sitting on a bench beside the door
with her hands before her face and Tom was bending over her
»What is the matter« cried Tom »Have I said anything to hurt you Has any
one said anything to hurt you Dont cry Pray tell me what it is I cannot bear
to see you so distressed Mercy on us I never was so surprised and grieved in
all my life«
Mr Pecksniff kept his eye in the same place He could have moved it now for
nothing short of a gimlet or a redhot wire
»I wouldnt have told you Mr Pinch« said Mary »if I could have helped
it but your delusion is so absorbing and it is so necessary that we should be
upon our guard that you should not be compromised and to that end that you
should know by whom I am beset that no alternative is left me I came here
purposely to tell you but I think I should have wanted courage if you had not
chanced to lead me so directly to the object of my coming«
Tom gazed at her steadfastly and seemed to say »What else« But he said
not a word
»That person whom you think the best of men« said Mary looking up and
speaking with a quivering lip and flashing eye
»Lord bless me« muttered Tom staggering back »Wait a moment That person
whom I think the best of men You mean Pecksniff of course Yes I see you mean
Pecksniff Good gracious me dont speak without authority What has he done If
he is not the best of men what is he«
»The worst The falsest craftiest meanest cruellest most sordid most
shameless« said the trembling girl trembling with her indignation
Tom sat down on a seat and clasped his hands
»What is he« said Mary »who receiving me in his house as his guest his
unwilling guest knowing my history and how defenceless and alone I am
presumes before his daughters to affront me so that if I had a brother but a
child who saw it he would instinctively have helped me«
»He is a scoundrel« exclaimed Tom »Whoever he may be he is a scoundrel«
Mr Pecksniff dived again
»What is he« said Mary »who when my only friend a dear and kind one
too was in full health of mind humbled himself before him but was spurned
away for he knew him then like a dog Who in his forgiving spirit now that
that friend is sunk into a failing state can crawl about him again and use the
influence he basely gains for every base and wicked purpose and not for one
not one thats true or good«
»I say he is a scoundrel« answered Tom
»But what is he oh Mr Pinch what is he who thinking he could compass
these designs the better if I were his wife assails me with the cowards
argument that if I marry him Martin on whom I have brought so much misfortune
shall be restored to something of his former hopes and if I do not shall be
plunged in deeper ruin What is he who makes my very constancy to one I love
with all my heart a torture to myself and wrong to him who makes me do what I
will the instrument to hurt a head I would heap blessings on What is he who
winding all these cruel snares about me explains their purpose to me with a
smooth tongue and a smiling face in the broad light of day dragging me on the
while in his embrace and holding to his lips a hand« pursued the agitated
girl extending it »which I would have struck off if with it I could lose the
shame and degradation of his touch«
»I say« cried Tom in great excitement »he is a scoundrel and a villain I
dont care who he is I say he is a doubledyed and most intolerable villain«
Covering her face with her hands again as if the passion which had
sustained her through these disclosures lost itself in an overwhelming sense of
shame and grief she abandoned herself to tears
Any sight of distress was sure to move the tenderness of Tom but this
especially Tears and sobs from her were arrows in his heart He tried to
comfort her sat down beside her expended all his store of homely eloquence
and spoke in words of praise and hope of Martin Ay though he loved her from
his soul with such a self-denying love as woman seldom wins he spoke from first
to last of Martin Not the wealth of the rich Indies would have tempted Tom to
shirk one mention of her lovers name
When she was more composed she impressed upon Tom that this man she had
described was Pecksniff in his real colours and word by word and phrase by
phrase as well as she remembered it related what had passed between them in
the wood which was no doubt a source of high gratification to that gentleman
himself who in his desire to see and his dread of being seen was constantly
diving down into the state pew and coming up again like the intelligent
householder in Punchs Show who avoids being knocked on the head with a cudgel
When she had concluded her account and had besought Tom to be very distant and
unconscious in his manner towards her after this explanation and had thanked
him very much they parted on the alarm of footsteps in the burialground and
Tom was left alone in the church again
And now the full agitation and misery of the disclosure came rushing upon
Tom indeed The star of his whole life from boyhood had become in a moment
putrid vapour It was not that Pecksniff Toms Pecksniff had ceased to exist,
but that he never had existed In his death Tom would have had the comfort of
remembering what he used to be but in this discovery he had the anguish of
recollecting what he never was For as Toms blindness in this matter had been
total and not partial so was his restored sight His Pecksniff could never have
worked the wickedness of which he had just now heard but any other Pecksniff
could and the Pecksniff who could do that could do anything and no doubt had
been doing anything and everything except the right thing all through his
career From the lofty height on which poor Tom had placed his idol it was
tumbled down headlong and
Not all the kings horses nor all the kings men
Could have set Mr Pecksniff up again
Legions of Titans couldnt have got him out of the mud and serve him right But
it was not he who suffered it was Tom His compass was broken his chart
destroyed his chronometer had stopped his masts were gone by the board his
anchor was adrift ten thousand leagues away
Mr Pecksniff watched him with a lively interest for he divined the purpose
of Toms ruminations and was curious to see how he conducted himself For some
time Tom wandered up and down the aisle like a man demented stopping
occasionally to lean against a pew and think it over then he stood staring at a
blank old monument bordered tastefully with skulls and crossbones as if it
were the finest work of Art he had ever seen although at other times he held it
in unspeakable contempt then he sat down then walked to and fro again then
went wandering up into the organloft and touched the keys But their
minstrelsy was changed their music gone and sounding one long melancholy
chord Tom drooped his head upon his hands and gave it up as hopeless
»I wouldnt have cared« said Tom Pinch rising from his stool and looking
down into the church as if he had been the Clergyman »I wouldnt have cared for
anything he might have done to Me for I have tried his patience often and have
lived upon his sufferance and have never been the help to him that others could
have been I wouldnt have minded Pecksniff« Tom continued little thinking
who heard him »if you had done Me any wrong I could have found plenty of
excuses for that and though you might have hurt me could have still gone on
respecting you But why did you ever fall so low as this in my esteem Oh
Pecksniff Pecksniff there is nothing I would not have given to have had you
deserve my old opinion of you nothing«
Mr Pecksniff sat upon the hassock pulling up his shirtcollar while Tom
touched to the quick delivered this apostrophe After a pause he heard Tom
coming down the stairs jingling the church keys and bringing his eye to the
top of the pew again saw him go slowly out and lock the door
Mr Pecksniff durst not issue from his place of concealment for through the
windows of the church he saw Tom passing on among the graves and sometimes
stopping at a stone and leaning there as if he were a mourner who had lost a
friend Even when he had left the churchyard Mr Pecksniff still remained shut
up not being at all secure but that in his restless state of mind Tom might
come wandering back At length he issued forth and walked with a pleasant
countenance into the vestry where he knew there was a window near the ground
by which he could release himself by merely stepping out
He was in a curious frame of mind Mr Pecksniff being in no hurry to go
but rather inclining to a dilatory trifling with the time which prompted him to
open the vestry cupboard and look at himself in the parsons little glass that
hung within the door Seeing that his hair was rumpled he took the liberty of
borrowing the canonical brush and arranging it He also took the liberty of
opening another cupboard but he shut it up again quickly being rather startled
by the sight of a black and a white surplice dangling against the wall which
had very much the appearance of two curates who had committed suicide by hanging
themselves Remembering that he had seen in the first cupboard a portwine
bottle and some biscuits he peeped into it again and helped himself with much
deliberation cogitating all the time though in a very deep and weighty manner
as if his thoughts were otherwise employed
He soon made up his mind if it had ever been in doubt and putting back the
bottle and biscuits opened the casement He got out into the churchyard without
any difficulty shut the window after him and walked straight home
»Is Mr Pinch indoors« asked Mr Pecksniff of his servingmaid
»Just come in sir«
»Just come in eh« repeated Mr Pecksniff cheerfully »And gone up stairs
I suppose«
»Yes sir Gone up stairs Shall I call him sir«
»No« said Mr Pecksniff »no You neednt call him Jane Thank you Jane
How are your relations Jane«
»Pretty well I thank you sir«
»I am glad to hear it Let them know I asked about them Jane Is Mr
Chuzzlewit in the way Jane«
»Yes sir Hes in the parlour reading«
»Hes in the parlour reading is he Jane« said Mr Pecksniff »Very well
Then I think Ill go and see him Jane«
Never had Mr Pecksniff been beheld in a more pleasant humour
But when he walked into the parlour where the old man was engaged as Jane
had said with pen and ink and paper on a table close at hand for Mr Pecksniff
was always very particular to have him well supplied with writing materials he
became less cheerful He was not angry he was not vindictive he was not cross
he was not moody but he was grieved he was sorely grieved As he sat down by
the old mans side two tears not tears like those with which recording angels
blot their entries out but drops so precious that they use them for their ink
stole down his meritorious cheeks
»What is the matter« asked old Martin »Pecksniff what ails you man«
»I am sorry to interrupt you my dear sir and I am still more sorry for the
cause My good my worthy friend I am deceived«
»You are deceived«
»Ah« cried Mr Pecksniff in an agony »deceived in the tenderest point
Cruelly deceived in that quarter sir in which I placed the most unbounded
confidence Deceived Mr Chuzzlewit by Thomas Pinch«
»Oh bad bad bad« said Martin laying down his book »Very bad I hope
not Are you certain«
»Certain my good sir My eyes and ears are witnesses I wouldnt have
believed it otherwise I wouldnt have believed it Mr Chuzzlewit if a Fiery
Serpent had proclaimed it from the top of Salisbury Cathedral I would have
said« cried Mr Pecksniff »that the Serpent lied Such was my faith in Thomas
Pinch that I would have cast the falsehood back into the Serpents teeth and
would have taken Thomas to my heart But I am not a Serpent sir myself I
grieve to say and no excuse or hope is left me«
Martin was greatly disturbed to see him so much agitated and to hear such
unexpected news He begged him to compose himself and asked upon what subject
Mr Pinchs treachery had been developed
»That is almost the worst of all sir« Mr Pecksniff answered »On a
subject nearly concerning you Oh is it not enough« said Mr Pecksniff
looking upward »that these blows must fall on me but must they also hit my
friends«
»You alarm me« cried the old man changing colour »I am not so strong as I
was You terrify me Pecksniff«
»Cheer up my noble sir« said Mr Pecksniff taking courage »and we will
do what is required of us You shall know all sir and shall be righted But
first excuse me sir excuse me I have a duty to discharge which I owe to
society«
He rang the bell and Jane appeared »Send Mr Pinch here if you please
Jane«
Tom came Constrained and altered in his manner downcast and dejected
visibly confused not liking to look Pecksniff in the face
The honest man bestowed a glance on Mr Chuzzlewit as who should say »You
see« and addressed himself to Tom in these terms
»Mr Pinch I have left the vestrywindow unfastened Will you do me the
favour to go and secure it then bring the keys of the sacred edifice to me«
»The vestrywindow sir« cried Tom
»You understand me Mr Pinch I think« returned his patron »Yes Mr
Pinch the vestrywindow I grieve to say that sleeping in the church after a
fatiguing ramble I overheard just now some fragments« he emphasised that word
»of a dialogue between two parties and one of them locking the church when he
went out I was obliged to leave it myself by the vestrywindow Do me the
favour to secure that vestrywindow Mr Pinch and then come back to me«
No physiognomist that ever dwelt on earth could have construed Toms face
when he heard these words Wonder was in it and a mild look of reproach but
certainly no fear or guilt although a host of strong emotions struggled to
display themselves He bowed and without saying one word good or bad
withdrew
»Pecksniff« cried Martin in a tremble »what does all this mean You are
not going to do anything in haste you may regret«
»No my good sir« said Mr Pecksniff firmly »No But I have a duty to
discharge which I owe to society and it shall be discharged my friend at any
cost«
Oh lateremembered muchforgotten mouthing braggart duty always owed
and seldom paid in any other coin than punishment and wrath when will mankind
begin to know thee When will men acknowledge thee in thy neglected cradle and
thy stunted youth and not begin their recognition in thy sinful manhood and thy
desolate old age Oh ermined Judge whose duty to society is now to doom the
ragged criminal to punishment and death hadst thou never Man a duty to
discharge in barring up the hundred open gates that wooed him to the felons
dock and throwing but ajar the portals to a decent life Oh prelate prelate
whose duty to society it is to mourn in melancholy phrase the sad degeneracy of
these bad times in which thy lot of honours has been cast did nothing go before
thy elevation to the lofty seat from which thou dealest out thy homilies to
other tarriers for dead mens shoes whose duty to society has not begun Oh
magistrate so rare a country gentleman and brave a squire had you no duty to
society before the ricks were blazing and the mob were mad or did it spring
up armed and booted from the earth a corps of yeomanry fullgrown
Mr Pecksniffs duty to society could not be paid till Tom came back The
interval which preceded the return of that young man he occupied in a close
conference with his friend so that when Tom did arrive he found the two quite
ready to receive him Mary was in her own room above whither Mr Pecksniff
always considerate had besought old Martin to entreat her to remain some
halfhour longer that her feelings might be spared
When Tom came back he found old Martin sitting by the window and Mr
Pecksniff in an imposing attitude at the table On one side of him was his
pockethandkerchief and on the other a little heap a very little heap of
gold and silver and odd pence Tom saw at a glance that it was his own salary
for the current quarter
»Have you fastened the vestrywindow Mr Pinch« said Pecksniff
»Yes sir«
»Thank you Put down the keys if you please Mr Pinch«
Tom placed them on the table He held the bunch by the key of the organloft
though it was one of the smallest and looked hard at it as he laid it down
It had been an old old friend of Toms a kind companion to him many and many
a day
»Mr Pinch« said Pecksniff shaking his head »Oh Mr Pinch I wonder you
can look me in the face«
Tom did it though and notwithstanding that he has been described as
stooping generally he stood as upright then as man could stand
»Mr Pinch« said Pecksniff taking up his handkerchief as if he felt that
he should want it soon »I will not dwell upon the past I will spare you and I
will spare myself that pain at least«
Toms was not a very bright eye but it was a very expressive one when he
looked at Mr Pecksniff and said
»Thank you sir I am very glad you will not refer to the past«
»The present is enough« said Mr Pecksniff dropping a penny »and the
sooner that is past the better Mr Pinch I will not dismiss you without a
word of explanation Even such a course would be quite justifiable under the
circumstances but it might wear an appearance of hurry and I will not do it
for I am« said Mr Pecksniff knocking down another penny »perfectly
selfpossessed Therefore I will say to you what I have already said to Mr
Chuzzlewit«
Tom glanced at the old gentleman who nodded now and then as approving of
Mr Pecksniffs sentences and sentiments but interposed between them in no
other way
»From fragments of a conversation which I overheard in the church just now
Mr Pinch« said Pecksniff »between yourself and Miss Graham I say fragments
because I was slumbering at a considerable distance from you when I was roused
by your voices and from what I saw I ascertained I would have given a great
deal not to have ascertained Mr Pinch that you forgetful of all ties of duty
and of honour sir regardless of the sacred laws of hospitality to which you
were pledged as an inmate of this house have presumed to address Miss Graham
with unreturned professions of attachment and proposals of love«
Tom looked at him steadily
»Do you deny it sir« asked Mr Pecksniff dropping one pound two and
fourpence and making a great business of picking it up again
»No sir« replied Tom »I do not«
»You do not« said Mr Pecksniff glancing at the old gentleman »Oblige me
by counting this money Mr Pinch and putting your name to this receipt You do
not«
No Tom did not He scorned to deny it He saw that Mr Pecksniff having
overheard his own disgrace cared not a jot for sinking lower yet in his
contempt He saw that he had devised this fiction as the readiest means of
getting rid of him at once but that it must end in that any way He saw that
Mr Pecksniff reckoned on his not denying it because his doing so and
explaining would incense the old man more than ever against Martin and against
Mary while Pecksniff himself would only have been mistaken in his fragments
Deny it No
»You find the amount correct do you Mr Pinch« said Pecksniff
»Quite correct sir« answered Tom
»A person is waiting in the kitchen« said Mr Pecksniff »to carry your
luggage wherever you please We part Mr Pinch at once and are strangers from
this time«
Something without a name compassion sorrow old tenderness mistaken
gratitude habit none of these and yet all of them smote upon Toms gentle
heart at parting There was no such soul as Pecksniffs in that carcase and
yet though his speaking out had not involved the compromise of one he loved he
couldnt have denounced the very shape and figure of the man Not even then
»I will not say« cried Mr Pecksniff shedding tears »what a blow this is
I will not say how much it tries me how it works upon my nature how it grates
upon my feelings I do not care for that I can endure as well as another man
But what I have to hope and what you have to hope Mr Pinch otherwise a great
responsibility rests upon you is that this deception may not alter my ideas
of humanity that it may not impair my freshness or contract if I may use the
expression my Pinions I hope it will not I dont think it will It may be a
comfort to you if not now at some future time to know that I shall endeavour
not to think the worse of my fellowcreatures in general for what has passed
between us Farewell«
Tom had meant to spare him one little puncturation with a lancet which he
had it in his power to administer but he changed his mind on hearing this and
said
»I think you left something in the church sir«
»Thank you Mr Pinch« said Pecksniff »I am not aware that I did«
»This is your double eyeglass I believe« said Tom
»Oh« cried Pecksniff with some degree of confusion »I am obliged to you
Put it down if you please«
»I found it« said Tom slowly »when I went to bolt the vestrywindow in
the pew«
So he had Mr Pecksniff had taken it off when he was bobbing up and down
lest it should strike against the panelling and had forgotten it Going back to
the church with his mind full of having been watched and wondering very much
from what part Toms attention was caught by the door of the state pew standing
open Looking into it he found the glass And thus he knew and by returning it
gave Mr Pecksniff the information that he knew where the listener had been
and that instead of overhearing fragments of the conversation he must have
rejoiced in every word of it
»I am glad hes gone« said Martin drawing a long breath when Tom had left
the room
»It is a relief« assented Mr Pecksniff »It is a great relief But having
discharged I hope with tolerable firmness the duty which I owed to society
I will now my dear sir if you will give me leave retire to shed a few tears
in the back garden as an humble individual«
Tom went up stairs cleared his shelf of books packed them up with his
music and an old fiddle in his trunk got out his clothes they were not so many
that they made his head ache put them on the top of his books and went into
the workroom for his case of instruments There was a ragged stool there with
the horsehair all sticking out of the top like a wig a very Beast of a stool in
itself: on which he had taken up his daily seat year after year during the
whole period of his service They had grown older and shabbier in company
Pupils had served their time seasons had come and gone Tom and the wornout
stool had held together through it all That part of the room was traditionally
called »Toms Corner« It had been assigned to him at first because of its being
situated in a strong draught and a great way from the fire and he had occupied
it ever since There were portraits of him on the walls with all his weak
points monstrously portrayed Diabolical sentiments foreign to his character
were represented as issuing from his mouth in fat balloons Every pupil had
added something even unto fancy portraits of his father with one eye and of
his mother with a disproportionate nose and especially of his sister who
always being presented as extremely beautiful made full amends to Tom for any
other joke Under less uncommon circumstances it would have cut Tom to the
heart to leave these things and think that he saw them for the last time but
it didnt now There was no Pecksniff there never had been a Pecksniff and all
his other griefs were swallowed up in that
So when he returned into the bedroom and having fastened his box and a
carpetbag put on his walking gaiters and his greatcoat and his hat and
taken his stick in his hand looked round it for the last time Early on summer
mornings and by the light of private candleends on winter nights he had read
himself half blind in this same room He had tried in this same room to learn
the fiddle under the bedclothes but yielding to objections from the other
pupils had reluctantly abandoned the design At any other time he would have
parted from it with a pang thinking of all he had learned there of the many
hours he had passed there for the love of his very dreams But there was no
Pecksniff there never had been a Pecksniff and the unreality of Pecksniff
extended itself to the chamber in which sitting on one particular bed the
thing supposed to be that Great Abstraction had often preached morality with
such effect that Tom had felt a moisture in his eyes while hanging breathless
on the words
The man engaged to bear his box Tom knew him well a Dragon man came
stamping up the stairs and made a roughish bow to Tom to whom in common times
he would have nodded with a grin as though he were aware of what had happened
and wished him to perceive it made no difference to him It was clumsily done
he was a mere waterer of horses but Tom liked the man for it and felt it more
than going away
Tom would have helped him with the box but he made no more of it though it
was a heavy one than an elephant would have made of a castle just swinging it
on his back and bowling down stairs as if being naturally a heavy sort of
fellow he could carry a box infinitely better than he could go alone Tom took
the carpetbag and went down stairs along with him At the outer door stood
Jane crying with all her might and on the steps was Mrs Lupin sobbing
bitterly and putting out her hand for Tom to shake
»Youre coming to the Dragon Mr Pinch«
»No« said Tom »no I shall walk to Salisbury tonight I couldnt stay
here For goodness sake dont make me so unhappy Mrs Lupin«
»But youll come to the Dragon Mr Pinch If its only for tonight To see
me you know not as a traveller«
»God bless my soul« said Tom wiping his eyes »The kindness of people is
enough to break ones heart I mean to go to Salisbury tonight my dear good
creature If youll take care of my box for me till I write for it I shall
consider it the greatest kindness you can do me«
»I wish« cried Mrs Lupin »there were twenty boxes Mr Pinch that I
might have em all«
»Thankee« said Tom »Its like you Good bye Good bye«
There were several people young and old standing about the door some of
whom cried with Mrs Lupin while others tried to keep up a stout heart as Tom
did and others were absorbed in admiration of Mr Pecksniff a man who could
build a church as one may say by squinting at a sheet of paper and others
were divided between that feeling and sympathy with Tom Mr Pecksniff had
appeared on the top of the steps simultaneously with his old pupil and while
Tom was talking with Mrs Lupin kept his hand stretched out as though he said
»Go forth« When Tom went forth and had turned the corner Mr Pecksniff shook
his head shut his eyes and heaving a deep sigh shut the door On which the
best of Toms supporters said he must have done some dreadful deed or such a
man as Mr Pecksniff never could have felt like that If it had been a common
quarrel they observed he would have said something but when he didnt Mr
Pinch must have shocked him dreadfully
Tom was out of hearing of their shrewd opinions and plodded on as steadily
as he could go until he came within sight of the turnpike where the tollmans
family had cried out »Mr Pinch« that frosty morning when he went to meet young
Martin He had got through the village and this tollbar was his last trial
but when the infant tolltakers came screeching out he had half a mind to run
for it and make a bolt across the country
»Why deary Mr Pinch oh deary sir« cried the tollmans wife »What an
unlikely time for you to be a going this way with a bag«
»I am going to Salisbury« said Tom
»Why goodness wheres the gig then« cried the tollmans wife looking
down the road as if she thought Tom might have been upset without observing it
»I havent got it« said Tom »I « he couldnt evade it he felt she would
have him in the next question if he got over this one »I have left Mr
Pecksniff«
The tollman a crusty customer always smoking solitary pipes in a Windsor
chair inside set artfully between two little windows that looked up and down
the road so that when he saw anything coming up he might hug himself on having
toll to take and when he saw it going down might hug himself on having taken
it the tollman was out in an instant
»Left Mr Pecksniff« cried the tollman
»Yes« said Tom »left him«
The tollman looked at his wife uncertain whether to ask her if she had
anything to suggest or to order her to mind the children Astonishment making
him surly he preferred the latter and sent her into the tollhouse with a
flea in her ear
»You left Mr Pecksniff« cried the tollman folding his arms and spreading
his legs »I should as soon have thought of his head leaving him«
»Ay« said Tom »so should I yesterday Good night«
If a heavy drove of oxen hadnt come by immediately the tollman would have
gone down to the village straight to inquire into it As things turned out he
smoked another pipe and took his wife into his confidence But their united
sagacity could make nothing of it and they went to bed metaphorically in
the dark But several times that night when a waggon or other vehicle came
through and the driver asked the tollkeeper »What news« he looked at the man
by the light of his lantern to assure himself that he had an interest in the
subject and then said wrapping his watchcoat round his legs
»Youve heerd of Mr Pecksniff down yonder«
»Ah surely«
»And of his young man Mr Pinch praps«
»Ah«
»Theyve parted«
After every one of these disclosures the tollman plunged into his house
again and was seen no more while the other side went on in great amazement
But this was long after Tom was abed and Tom was now with his face towards
Salisbury doing his best to get there The evening was beautiful at first but
it became cloudy and dull at sunset and the rain fell heavily soon afterwards
For ten long miles he plodded on wet through until at last the lights
appeared and he came into the welcome precincts of the city
He went to the inn where he had waited for Martin and briefly answering
their inquiries after Mr Pecksniff ordered a bed He had no heart for tea or
supper meat or drink of any kind but sat by himself before an empty table in
the public room while the bed was getting ready revolving in his mind all that
had happened that eventful day and wondering what he could or should do for the
future It was a great relief when the chambermaid came in and said the bed was
ready
It was a low fourposter shelving downward in the centre like a trough and
the room was crowded with impracticable tables and exploded chests of drawers
full of damp linen A graphic representation in oil of a remarkably fat ox hung
over the fireplace and the portrait of some former landlord who might have
been the oxs brother he was so like him stared roundly in at the foot of the
bed A variety of queer smells were partially quenched in the prevailing scent
of very old lavender and the window had not been opened for such a long space
of time that it pleaded immemorial usage and wouldnt come open now
These were trifles in themselves, but they added to the strangeness of the
place and did not induce Tom to forget his new position Pecksniff had gone out
of the world had never been in it and it was as much as Tom could do to say
his prayers without him But he felt happier afterwards and went to sleep and
dreamed about him as he Never Was
Chapter XXXII
Treats of Todgerss Again and of Another Blighted Plant Besides the Plants upon
the Leads
Early on the day next after that on which she bade adieu to the halls of her
youth and the scenes of her childhood Miss Pecksniff arriving safely at the
coachoffice in London was there received and conducted to her peaceful home
beneath the shadow of the Monument by Mrs Todgers M Todgers looked a little
worn by cares of gravy and other such solicitudes arising out of her
establishment but displayed her usual earnestness and warmth of manner
»And how my sweet Miss Pecksniff« said she »how is your princely pa«
Miss Pecksniff signified in confidence that he contemplated the
introduction of a princely ma and repeated the sentiment that she wasnt blind
and wasnt quite a fool and wouldnt bear it
Mrs Todgers was more shocked by the intelligence than any one could have
expected She was quite bitter She said there was no truth in man and that the
warmer he expressed himself as a general principle the falser and more
treacherous he was She foresaw with astonishing clearness that the object of
Mr Pecksniffs attachment was designing worthless and wicked and receiving
from Charity the fullest confirmation of these views protested with tears in
her eyes that she loved Miss Pecksniff like a sister and felt her injuries as
if they were her own
»Your real darling sister I have not seen her more than once since her
marriage« said Mrs Todgers »and then I thought her looking poorly My sweet
Miss Pecksniff I always thought that you was to be the lady«
»Oh dear no« cried Cherry shaking her head »Oh no Mrs Todgers Thank
you No not for any consideration he could offer«
»I dare say you are right« said Mrs Todgers with a sigh »I feared it all
along But the misery we have had from that match here among ourselves in this
house my dear Miss Pecksniff nobody would believe«
»Lor Mrs Todgers«
»Awful awful« repeated Mrs Todgers with strong emphasis »You recollect
our youngest gentleman my dear«
»Of course I do« said Cherry
»You might have observed« said Mrs Todgers »how he used to watch your
sister and that a kind of stony dumbness came over him whenever she was in
company«
»I am sure I never saw anything of the sort« said Cherry in a peevish
manner »What nonsense Mrs Todgers«
»My dear« returned that lady in a hollow voice »I have seen him again and
again sitting over his pie at dinner with his spoon a perfect fixture in his
mouth looking at your sister I have seen him standing in a corner of our
drawingroom gazing at her in such a lonely melancholy state that he was
more like a Pump than a man and might have drawed tears«
»I never saw it« cried Cherry »thats all I can say«
»But when the marriage took place« said Mrs Todgers proceeding with her
subject »when it was in the paper and was read out here at breakfast I
thought he had taken leave of his senses I did indeed The violence of that
young man my dear Miss Pecksniff the frightful opinions he expressed upon the
subject of self-destruction the extraordinary actions he performed with his
tea the clenching way in which he bit his bread and butter the manner in which
he taunted Mr Jinkins all combined to form a picture never to be forgotten«
»Its a pity he didnt destroy himself I think« observed Miss Pecksniff
»Himself« said Mrs Todgers »it took another turn at night He was for
destroying other people then There was a little chaffing going on I hope you
dont consider that a low expression Miss Pecksniff it is always in our
gentlemens mouths a little chaffing going on my dear among em all in good
nature when suddenly he rose up foaming with his fury and but for being held
by three would have had Mr Jinkinss life with a bootjack«
Miss Pecksniffs face expressed supreme indifference
»And now« said Mrs Todgers »now he is the meekest of men You can almost
bring the tears into his eyes by looking at him He sits with me the whole day
long on Sundays talking in such a dismal way that I find it next to impossible
to keep my spirits up equal to the accommodation of the boarders His only
comfort is in female society He takes me halfprice to the play to an extent
which I sometimes fear is beyond his means and I see the tears a standing in
his eyes during the whole performance particularly if it is anything of a
comic nature The turn I experienced only yesterday« said Mrs Todgers putting
her hand to her side »when the housemaid threw his bedside carpet out of the
window of his room while I was sitting here no one can imagine I thought it
was him and that he had done it at last«
The contempt with which Miss Charity received this pathetic account of the
state to which the youngest gentleman in company was reduced did not say much
for her power of sympathising with that unfortunate character She treated it
with great levity and went on to inform herself then and afterwards whether
any other changes had occurred in the commercial boardinghouse
Mr Bailey was gone and had been succeeded such is the decay of human
greatness by an old woman whose name was reported to be Tamaroo which seemed
an impossibility Indeed it appeared in the fulness of time that the jocular
boarders had appropriated the word from an English ballad in which it is
supposed to express the bold and fiery nature of a certain hackneycoachman and
that it was bestowed upon Mr Baileys successor by reason of her having nothing
fiery about her except an occasional attack of that fire which is called St
Anthonys This ancient female had been engaged in fulfilment of a vow
registered by Mrs Todgers that no more boys should darken the commercial
doors and she was chiefly remarkable for a total absence of all comprehension
upon every subject whatever She was a perfect Tomb for messages and small
parcels and when despatched to the Postoffice with letters had been
frequently seen endeavouring to insinuate them into casual chinks in private
doors under the delusion that any door with a hole in it would answer the
purpose She was a very little old woman and always wore a very coarse apron
with a bib before and a loop behind together with bandages on her wrists which
appeared to be afflicted with an everlasting sprain She was on all occasions
chary of opening the streetdoor and ardent to shut it again and she waited at
table in a bonnet
This was the only great change over and above the change which had fallen on
the youngest gentleman As for him he more than corroborated the account of
Mrs Todgers possessing greater sensibility than even she had given him credit
for He entertained some terrible notions of Destiny among other matters and
talked much about peoples »Missions« upon which he seemed to have some private
information not generally attainable as he knew it had been poor Merrys
mission to crush him in the bud He was very frail and tearful for being aware
that a shepherds mission was to pipe to his flocks and that a boatswains
mission was to pipe all hands and that one mans mission was to be a paid
piper and another mans mission was to pay the piper so he had got it into his
head that his own peculiar mission was to pipe his eye Which he did
perpetually
He often informed Mrs Todgers that the sun had set upon him that the
billows had rolled over him that the Car of Juggernaut had crushed him and
also that the deadly Upas tree of Java had blighted him His name was Moddle
Towards this most unhappy Moddle Miss Pecksniff conducted herself at first
with distant haughtiness being in no humour to be entertained with dirges in
honour of her married sister The poor young gentleman was additionally crushed
by this and remonstrated with Mrs Todgers on the subject
»Even she turns from me Mrs Todgers« said Moddle
»Then why dont you try and be a little bit more cheerful sir« retorted
Mrs Todgers
»Cheerful Mrs Todgers cheerful« cried the youngest gentleman »when she
reminds me of days for ever fled Mrs Todgers«
»Then you had better avoid her for a short time if she does« said Mrs
Todgers »and come to know her again by degrees Thats my advice«
»But I cant avoid her« replied Moddle »I havent strength of mind to do
it Oh Mrs Todgers if you knew what a comfort her nose is to me«
»Her nose sir« Mrs Todgers cried
»Her profile in general« said the youngest gentleman »but particularly
her nose Its so like« here he yielded to a burst of grief »its so like hers
who is Anothers Mrs Todgers«
The observant matron did not fail to report this conversation to Charity
who laughed at the time but treated Mr Moddle that very evening with increased
consideration and presented her sideface to him as much as possible Mr
Moddle was not less sentimental than usual was rather more so if anything but
he sat and stared at her with glistening eyes and seemed grateful
»Well sir« said the lady of the BoardingHouse next day »You held up your
head last night Youre coming round I think«
»Only because shes so like her who is Anothers Mrs Todgers« rejoined
the youth »When she talks and when she smiles I think Im looking on HER brow
again Mrs Todgers«
This was likewise carried to Charity who talked and smiled next evening in
her most engaging manner and rallying Mr Moddle on the lowness of his spirits
challenged him to play a rubber at cribbage Mr Moddle taking up the gauntlet
they played several rubbers for sixpences and Charity won them all This may
have been partially attributable to the gallantry of the youngest gentleman but
it was certainly referable to the state of his feelings also for his eyes being
frequently dimmed by tears he thought that aces were tens and knaves queens
which at times occasioned some confusion in his play
On the seventh night of cribbage when Mrs Todgers sitting by proposed
that instead of gambling they should play for »love« Mr Moddle was seen to
change colour On the fourteenth night he kissed Miss Pecksniffs snuffers in
the passage when she went up stairs to bed meaning to have kissed her hand
but missing it
In short Mr Moddle began to be impressed with the idea that Miss
Pecksniffs mission was to comfort him and Miss Pecksniff began to speculate on
the probability of its being her mission to become ultimately Mrs Moddle He
was a young gentleman Miss Pecksniff was not a very young lady with rising
prospects and »almost« enough to live on Really it looked very well
Besides besides he had been regarded as devoted to Merry Merry had joked
about him and had once spoken of it to her sister as a conquest He was better
looking better shaped better spoken better tempered better mannered than
Jonas He was easy to manage could be made to consult the humours of his
Betrothed and could be shown off like a lamb when Jonas was a bear There was
the rub
In the meantime the cribbage went on and Mrs Todgers went off for the
youngest gentleman dropping her society began to take Miss Pecksniff to the
play He also began as Mrs Todgers said to slip home »in his dinnertimes«
and to get away from »the office« at unholy seasons and twice as he informed
Mrs Todgers himself he received anonymous letters inclosing cards from
Furniture Warehouses clearly the act of that ungentlemanly ruffian Jinkins
only he hadnt evidence enough to call him out upon All of which so Mrs
Todgers told Miss Pecksniff spoke as plain English as the shining sun
»My dear Miss Pecksniff you may depend upon it« said Mrs Todgers »that
he is burning to propose«
»My goodness me why dont he then« cried Cherry
»Men are so much more timid than we think em my dear« returned Mrs
Todgers »They baulk themselves continually I saw the words on Todgerss lips
for months and months and months before he said em«
Miss Pecksniff submitted that Todgers might not have been a fair specimen
»Oh yes he was Oh bless you yes my dear I was very particular in those
days I assure you« said Mrs Todgers bridling »No no You give Mr Moddle a
little encouragement Miss Pecksniff if you wish him to speak and hell speak
fast enough depend upon it«
»I am sure I dont know what encouragement he would have Mrs Todgers«
returned Charity »He walks with me and plays cards with me and he comes and
sits alone with me«
»Quite right« said Mrs Todgers »Thats indispensable my dear«
»And he sits very close to me«
»Also quite correct« said Mrs Todgers
»And he looks at me«
»To be sure he does« said Mrs Todgers
»And he has his arm upon the back of the chair or sofa or whatever it is
behind me you know«
»I should think so« said Mrs Todgers
»And then he begins to cry«
Mrs Todgers admitted that he might do better than that and might
undoubtedly profit by the recollection of the great Lord Nelsons signal at the
battle of Trafalgar Still she said he would come round or not to mince the
matter would be brought round if Miss Pecksniff took up a decided position
and plainly showed him that it must be done
Determining to regulate her conduct by this opinion the young lady received
Mr Moddle on the earliest subsequent occasion with an air of constraint and
gradually leading him to inquire in a dejected manner why she was so changed
confessed to him that she felt it necessary for their mutual peace and happiness
to take a decided step They had been much together lately she observed much
together and had tasted the sweets of a genuine reciprocity of sentiment She
never could forget him nor could she ever cease to think of him with feelings
of the liveliest friendship but people had begun to talk the thing had been
observed and it was necessary that they should be nothing more to each other
than any gentleman and lady in society usually are She was glad she had had the
resolution to say thus much before her feelings had been tried too far they had
been greatly tried she would admit but though she was weak and silly she
would soon get the better of it she hoped
Moddle who had by this time become in the last degree maudlin and wept
abundantly inferred from the foregoing avowal that it was his mission to
communicate to others the blight which had fallen on himself and that being a
kind of unintentional Vampire he had had Miss Pecksniff assigned to him by the
Fates as Victim Number One Miss Pecksniff controverting this opinion as
sinful Moddle was goaded on to ask whether she could be contented with a
blighted heart and it appearing on further examination that she could be
plighted his dismal troth which was accepted and returned
He bore his good fortune with the utmost moderation Instead of being
triumphant he shed more tears than he had ever been known to shed before and
sobbing said
»Oh what a day this has been I cant go back to the office this afternoon
Oh what a trying day this has been Good Gracious«
Chapter XXXIII
Further Proceedings in Eden and a Proceeding Out of It Martin Makes a
Discovery of Some Importance
From Mr Moddle to Eden is an easy and natural transition Mr Moddle living in
the atmosphere of Miss Pecksniffs love dwelt if he had but known it in a
terrestrial Paradise The thriving city of Eden was also a terrestrial Paradise
upon the showing of its proprietors The beautiful Miss Pecksniff might have
been poetically described as a something too good for man in his fallen and
degraded state That was exactly the character of the thriving city of Eden as
poetically heightened by Zephaniah Scadder General Choke and other worthies
part and parcel of the talons of that great American Eagle which is always
airing itself skyhigh in purest æther and never no never never tumbles down
with draggled wings into the mud
When Mark Tapley leaving Martin in the architectural and surveying offices
had effectually strengthened and encouraged his own spirits by the contemplation
of their joint misfortunes he proceeded with new cheerfulness in search of
help congratulating himself as he went along on the enviable position to
which he had at last attained
»I used to think sometimes« said Mr Tapley »as a desolate island would
suit me but I should only have had myself to provide for there and being
naterally a easy man to manage there wouldnt have been much credit in that
Now here Ive got my partner to take care on and hes something like the sort
of man for the purpose I want a man as is always a sliding off his legs when he
ought to be on em I want a man as is so low down in the school of life that
hes always a making figures of one in his copybook and cant get no further I
want a man as is his own greatcoat and cloak and is always a wrapping himself
up in himself And I have got him too« said Mr Tapley after a moments
silence »What a happiness«
He paused to look round uncertain to which of the loghouses he should
repair
»I dont know which to take« he observed »thats the truth Theyre
equally prepossessing outside and equally commodious no doubt within being
fitted up with every convenience that a Alligator in a state of natur could
possibly require Let me see The citizen as turned out last night lives under
water in the righthanded dogkennel at the corner I dont want to trouble him
if I can help it poor man for he is a melancholy object a reglar Settler in
every respect Theres a house with a winder but I am afraid of their being
proud I dont know whether a door aint too aristocratic but here goes for the
first one«
He went up to the nearest cabin and knocked with his hand Being desired to
enter he complied
»Neighbour« said Mark »for I am a neighbour though you dont know me
Ive come a begging Hallo hallo Am I abed and dreaming«
He made this exclamation on hearing his own name pronounced and finding
himself clasped about the skirts by two little boys whose faces he had often
washed and whose suppers he had often cooked on board of that noble and
fastsailing lineofpacket ship the Screw
»My eyes is wrong« said Mark »I dont believe em That aint my
fellowpassenger yonder a nursing her little girl who I am sorry to see is
so delicate and that aint her husband as come to New York to fetch her Nor
these« he added looking down upon the boys »aint them two young shavers as
was so familiar to me though they are uncommon like em That I must confess«
The woman shed tears in very joy to see him the man shook both his hands
and would not let them go the two boys hugged his legs the sick child in the
mothers arms stretched out her burning little fingers and muttered in her
hoarse dry throat his wellremembered name
It was the same family sure enough Altered by the salubrious air of Eden
But the same
»This is a new sort of a morning call« said Mark drawing a long breath
»It strikes one all of a heap Wait a little bit Im a coming round fast
Thatll do These gentlemen aint my friends Are they on the visiting list of
the house«
The inquiry referred to certain gaunt pigs who had walked in after him and
were much interested in the heels of the family As they did not belong to the
mansion they were expelled by the two little boys
»I aint superstitious about toads« said Mark looking round the room »but
if you could prevail upon the two or three I see in company to step out at the
same time my young friends I think theyd find the open air refreshing Not
that I at all object to em A very handsome animal is a toad« said Mr Tapley
sitting down upon a stool »very spotted very like a partickler style of old
gentleman about the throat very brighteyed very cool and very slippy But
one sees em to the best advantage out of doors perhaps«
While pretending with such talk as this to be perfectly at his ease and
to be the most indifferent and careless of men Mark Tapley had an eye on all
around him The wan and meagre aspect of the family the changed looks of the
poor mother the fevered child she held in her lap the air of great despondency
and little hope on everything were plain to him and made a deep impression on
his mind He saw it all as clearly and as quickly as with his bodily eyes he
saw the rough shelves supported by pegs driven between the logs of which the
house was made the flourcask in the corner serving also for a table the
blankets spades and other articles against the walls the damp that blotched
the ground or the crop of vegetable rottenness in every crevice of the hut
»How is it that you have come here« asked the man when their first
expressions of surprise were over
»Why we come by the steamer last night« replied Mark »Our intention is to
make our fortuns with punctuality and dispatch and to retire upon our property
as soon as ever its realised But how are you all Youre looking noble«
»We are but sickly now« said the poor woman bending over her child »But
we shall do better when we are seasoned to the place«
»There are some here« thought Mark »whose seasoning will last for ever«
But he said cheerfully »Do better To be sure you will We shall all do
better What weve got to do is to keep up our spirits and be neighbourly We
shall come all right in the end never fear That reminds me by the bye that
my partners all wrong just at present and that I looked in to beg for him I
wish youd come and give me your opinion of him master«
That must have been a very unreasonable request on the part of Mark Tapley
with which in their gratitude for his kind offices on board the ship they
would not have complied instantly The man rose to accompany him without a
moments delay Before they went Mark took the sick child in his arms and
tried to comfort the mother but the hand of death was on it then he saw
They found Martin in the house lying wrapped up in his blanket on the
ground He was to all appearance very ill indeed and shook and shivered
horribly not as people do from cold but in a frightful kind of spasm or
convulsion that racked his whole body Marks friend pronounced his disease an
aggravated kind of fever accompanied with ague which was very common in those
parts and which he predicted would be worse tomorrow and for many more
tomorrows He had had it himself off and on he said for a couple of years or
so but he was thankful that while so many he had known had died about him he
had escaped with life
»And with not too much of that« thought Mark surveying his emaciated form
»Eden for ever«
They had some medicine in their chest and this man of sad experience showed
Mark how and when to administer it and how he could best alleviate the
sufferings of Martin His attentions did not stop there for he was backwards
and forwards constantly and rendered Mark good service in all his brisk
attempts to make their situation more endurable Hope or comfort for the future
he could not bestow The season was a sickly one the settlement a grave His
child died that night and Mark keeping the secret from Martin helped to bury
it beneath a tree next day
With all his various duties of attendance upon Martin who became the more
exacting in his claims the worse he grew Mark worked out of doors early and
late and with the assistance of his friend and others laboured to do something
with their land Not that he had the least strength of heart or hope or steady
purpose in so doing beyond the habitual cheerfulness of his disposition and
his amazing power of self-sustainment for within himself he looked on their
condition as beyond all hope and in his own words »came out strong« in
consequence
»As to coming out as strong as I could wish sir« he confided to Martin in
a leisure moment that is to say one evening while he was washing the linen of
the establishment after a hard days work »that I give up Its a piece of
good fortune as never is to happen to me I see«
»Would you wish for circumstances stronger than these« Martin retorted with
a groan from underneath his blanket
»Why only see how easy they might have been stronger sir« said Mark »if
it wasnt for the envy of that uncommon fortun of mine which is always after
me and tripping me up The night we landed here I thought things did look
pretty jolly I wont deny it I thought they did look pretty jolly«
»How do they look now« groaned Martin
»Ah« said Mark »Ah to be sure Thats the question How do they look now
On the very first morning of my going out what do I do Stumble on a family I
know who are constantly assisting of us in all sorts of ways from that time to
this That wont do you know that aint what Id a right to expect If I had
stumbled on a serpent and got bit or stumbled on a firstrate patriot and got
bowieknifed or stumbled on a lot of Sympathisers with inverted shirtcollars
and got made a lion of I might have distinguished myself and earned some
credit As it is the great object of my voyage is knocked on the head So it
would be wherever I went How do you feel tonight sir«
»Worse than ever« said poor Martin
»Thats something« returned Mark »but not enough Nothing but being very
bad myself and jolly to the last will ever do me justice«
»In Heavens name dont talk of that« said Martin with a thrill of
terror »What should I do Mark if you were taken ill«
Mr Tapleys spirits appeared to be stimulated by this remark although it
was not a very flattering one He proceeded with his washing in a brighter mood
and observed »that his glass was arising«
»Theres one good thing in this place sir« said Mr Tapley scrubbing away
at the linen »as disposes me to be jolly and that is that its a reglar
little United States in itself. Theres two or three American settlers left and
they coolly comes over one even here sir as if it was the wholesomest and
loveliest spot in the world But theyre like the cock that went and hid himself
to save his life and was found out by the noise he made They cant help
crowing They was born to do it and do it they must whatever comes of it«
Glancing from his work out at the door as he said these words Marks eyes
encountered a lean person in a blue frock and a straw hat with a short black
pipe in his mouth and a great hickory stick studded all over with knots in
his hand who smoking and chewing as he came along and spitting frequently
recorded his progress by a train of decomposed tobacco on the ground
»Heres one on em« cried Mark »Hannibal Chollop«
»Dont let him in« said Martin feebly
»He wont want any letting in« replied Mark »Hell come in sir« Which
turned out to be quite true for he did His face was almost as hard and knobby
as his stick and so were his hands His head was like an old black
hearthbroom He sat down on the chest with his hat on and crossing his legs
and looking up at Mark said without removing his pipe
»Well Mr Co and how do you git along sir«
It may be necessary to observe that Mr Tapley had gravely introduced
himself to all strangers by that name
»Pretty well sir pretty well« said Mark
»If this aint Mr Chuzzlewit aint it« exclaimed the visitor »How do you
git along sir«
Martin shook his head and drew the blanket over it involuntarily for he
felt that Hannibal was going to spit and his eye as the song says was upon
him
»You need not regard me sir« observed Mr Chollop complacently »I am
feverproof and likewise agur«
»Mine was a more selfish motive« said Martin looking out again »I was
afraid you were going to «
»I can calclate my distance sir« returned Mr Chollop »to an inch«
With a proof of which happy faculty he immediately favoured him
»I require sir« said Hannibal »two foot clear in a circlar direction
and can engage myself toe keep within it I have gone ten foot in a circlar
direction but that was for a wager«
»I hope you won it sir« said Mark
»Well sir I realised the stakes« said Chollop »Yes sir«
He was silent for a time during which he was actively engaged in the
formation of a magic circle round the chest on which he sat When it was
completed he began to talk again
»How do you like our country sir« he inquired looking at Martin
»Not at all« was the invalids reply
Chollop continued to smoke without the least appearance of emotion until he
felt disposed to speak again That time at length arriving he took his pipe
from his mouth and said
»I am not surprised to hear you say so It requires An elevation and A
preparation of the intellect The mind of man must be prepared for Freedom Mr
Co«
He addressed himself to Mark because he saw that Martin who wished him to
go being already half with feverish irritation which the droning voice of
this new horror rendered almost insupportable had closed his eyes and turned
on his uneasy bed
»A little bodily preparation wouldnt be amiss either would it sir« said
Mark »in the case of a blessed old swamp like this«
»Do you consider this a swamp sir« inquired Chollop gravely
»Why yes sir« returned Mark »I havent a doubt about it myself«
»The sentiment is quite Europian« said the major »and does not surprise
me what would your English millions say to such a swamp in England sir«
»Theyd say it was an uncommon nasty one I should think« said Mark »and
that they would rather be inoculated for fever in some other way«
»Europian« remarked Chollop with sardonic pity »Quite Europian«
And there he sat Silent and cool as if the house were his smoking away
like a factory chimney
Mr Chollop was of course one of the most remarkable men in the country
but he really was a notorious person besides He was usually described by his
friends in the South and West as »a splendid sample of our native raw
material sir« and was much esteemed for his devotion to rational Liberty for
the better propagation whereof he usually carried a brace of revolving pistols
in his coat pocket with seven barrels apiece He also carried amongst other
trinkets a swordstick which he called his Tickler and a great knife which
for he was a man of a pleasant turn of humour he called Ripper in allusion to
its usefulness as a means of ventilating the stomach of any adversary in a close
contest He had used these weapons with distinguished effect in several
instances all duly chronicled in the newspapers and was greatly beloved for
the gallant manner in which he had jobbed out the eye of one gentleman as he
was in the act of knocking at his own streetdoor
Mr Chollop was a man of a roving disposition and in any less advanced
community might have been mistaken for a violent vagabond But his fine
qualities being perfectly understood and appreciated in those regions where his
lot was cast and where he had many kindred spirits to consort with he may be
regarded as having been born under a fortunate star which is not always the
case with a man so much before the age in which he lives Preferring with a
view to the gratification of his tickling and ripping fancies to dwell upon the
outskirts of society and in the more remote towns and cities he was in the
habit of emigrating from place to place and establishing in each some business
usually a newspaper which he presently sold for the most part closing the
bargain by challenging stabbing pistolling or gouging the new editor before
he had quite taken possession of the property
He had come to Eden on a speculation of this kind but had abandoned it and
was about to leave He always introduced himself to strangers as a worshipper of
Freedom was the consistent advocate of Lynch law and slavery and invariably
recommended both in print and speech the »tarring and feathering« of any
unpopular person who differed from himself He called this »planting the
standard of civilisation in the wilder gardens of My country«
There is little doubt that Chollop would have planted this standard in Eden
at Marks expense in return for his plainness of speech for the genuine
Freedom is dumb save when she vaunts herself but for the utter desolation and
decay prevailing in the settlement and his own approaching departure from it
As it was he contented himself with showing Mark one of the revolvingpistols
and asking him what he thought of that weapon
»It aint long since I shot a man down with that sir in the State of Illin
oy« observed Chollop
»Did you indeed« said Mark without the smallest agitation »Very free of
you And very independent«
»I shot him down sir« pursued Chollop »for asserting in the Spartan
Portico a triweekly journal that the ancient Athenians went ahead of the
present Locofoco Ticket«
»And whats that« asked Mark
»Europian not to know« said Chollop smoking placidly »Europian quite«
After a short devotion to the interests of the magic circle he resumed the
conversation by observing
»You wont half feel yourself at home in Eden now«
»No« said Mark »I dont«
»You miss the imposts of your country You miss the house dues« observed
Chollop
»And the houses rather« said Mark
»No window dues here sir« observed Chollop
»And no windows to put em on« said Mark
»No stakes no dungeons no blocks no racks no scaffolds no thumbscrews
no pikes no pillories« said Chollop
»Nothing but rewolwers and bowieknives« returned Mark »And what are they
Not worth mentioning«
The man who had met them on the night of their arrival came crawling up at
this juncture and looked in at the door
»Well sir« said Chollop »How do you git along«
He had considerable difficulty in getting along at all and said as much in
reply
»Mr Co And me sir« observed Chollop »are disputating a piece He ought
to be slicked up pretty smart to disputate between the Old World and the New I
do expect«
»Well« returned the miserable shadow »So he had«
»I was merely observing sir« said Mark addressing this new visitor »that
I looked upon the city in which we have the honour to live as being swampy
Whats your sentiments«
»I opinionate its moist perhaps at certain times« returned the man
»But not as moist as England sir« cried Chollop with a fierce expression
in his face
»Oh Not as moist as England let alone its Institutions« said the man
»I should hope there aint a swamp in all Americay as dont whip that small
island into mush and molasses« observed Chollop decisively »You bought slick
straight and right away of Scadder sir« to Mark
He answered in the affirmative Mr Chollop winked at the other citizen
»Scadder is a smart man sir He is a rising man He is a man as will come
upards right side up sir« Mr Chollop winked again at the other citizen
»He should have his right side very high up if I had my way« said Mark
»As high up as the top of a good tall gallows perhaps«
Mr Chollop was so delighted at the smartness of his excellent countryman
having been too much for the Britisher and at the Britishers resenting it
that he could contain himself no longer and broke forth in a shout of delight
But the strangest exposition of this ruling passion was in the other the
pestilencestricken broken miserable shadow of a man who derived so much
entertainment from the circumstance that he seemed to forget his own ruin in
thinking of it and laughed outright when he said »that Scadder was a smart man
and had drawd a lot of British capital that way as sure as sunup«
After a full enjoyment of this joke Mr Hannibal Chollop sat smoking and
improving the circle without making any attempts either to converse or to take
leave apparently labouring under the not uncommon delusion that for a free and
enlightened citizen of the United States to convert another mans house into a
spittoon for two or three hours together was a delicate attention full of
interest and politeness of which nobody could ever tire At last he rose
»I am a going easy« he observed
Mark entreated him to take particular care of himself
»Afore I go« he said sternly »I have got a leetle word to say to you You
are darnnation cute you are«
Mark thanked him for the compliment
»But you are much too cute to last I cant conceive of any spotted
Painter in the bush as ever was so riddled through and through as you will be
I bet«
»What for« asked Mark
»We must be crackedup sir« retorted Chollop in a tone of menace »You
are not now in A despotic land We are a model to the airth and must be jist
crackedup I tell you«
»What I speak too free do I« cried Mark
»I have drawd upon A man and fired upon A man for less« said Chollop
frowning »I have knowd strong men obleeged to make themselves uncommon skase
for less I have knowd men Lynched for less and beaten into punkinsarse for
less by an enlightened people We are the intellect and virtue of the airth
the cream Of human natur and the flower Of moral force Our backs is easy ris
We must be crackedup or they rises and we snarls We shows our teeth I tell
you fierce Youd better crack us up you had«
After the delivery of this caution Mr Chollop departed with Ripper
Tickler and the revolvers all ready for action on the shortest notice
»Come out from under the blanket sir« said Mark »hes gone Whats this«
he added softly kneeling down to look into his partners face and taking his
hot hand »Whats come of all that chattering and swaggering Hes wandering in
his mind tonight and dont know me«
Martin indeed was dangerously ill very near his death He lay in that state
many days during which time Marks poor friends regardless of themselves
attended him Mark fatigued in mind and body working all the day and sitting
up at night worn with hard living and the unaccustomed toil of his new life
surrounded by dismal and discouraging circumstances of every kind never
complained or yielded in the least degree If ever he had thought Martin selfish
or inconsiderate or had deemed him energetic only by fits and starts and then
too passive for their desperate fortunes he now forgot it all He remembered
nothing but the better qualities of his fellowwanderer and was devoted to him
heart and hand
Many weeks elapsed before Martin was strong enough to move about with the
help of a stick and Marks arm and even then his recovery for want of
wholesome air and proper nourishment was very slow He was yet in a feeble and
weak condition when the misfortune he had so much dreaded fell upon them Mark
was taken ill
Mack fought against it but the malady fought harder and his efforts were
in vain
»Floored for the present sir« he said one morning sinking back upon his
bed »but jolly«
Floored indeed and by a heavy blow As any one but Martin might have known
beforehand
If Marks friends had been kind to Martin and they had been very they
were twenty times kinder to Mark And now it was Martins turn to work and sit
beside the bed and watch and listen through the long long nights to every
sound in the gloomy wilderness and hear poor Mr Tapley in his wandering
fancy playing at skittles in the Dragon making loveremonstrances to Mrs
Lupin getting his sealegs on board the Screw travelling with old Tom Pinch on
English roads and burning stumps of trees in Eden all at once
But whenever Martin gave him drink or medicine or tended him in any way or
came into the house returning from some drudgery without the patient Mr Tapley
brightened up and cried »Im jolly sir Im jolly«
Now when Martin began to think of this and to look at Mark as he lay
there never reproaching him by so much as an expression of regret never
murmuring always striving to be manful and staunch he began to think how was
it that this man who had had so few advantages was so much better than he who
had had so many And attendance upon a sick bed but especially the sick bed of
one whom we have been accustomed to see in full activity and vigour being a
great breeder of reflection he began to ask himself in what they differed
He was assisted in coming to a conclusion on this head by the frequent
presence of Marks friend their fellowpassenger across the ocean which
suggested to him that in regard to having aided her for example, they had
differed very much Somehow he coupled Tom Pinch with this train of reflection
and thinking that Tom would be very likely to have struck up the same sort of
acquaintance under similar circumstances began to think in what respects two
people so extremely different were like each other and were unlike him At
first sight there was nothing very distressing in these meditations but they
did undoubtedly distress him for all that
Martins nature was a frank and generous one but he had been bred up in his
grandfathers house and it will usually be found that the meaner domestic vices
propagate themselves to be their own antagonists Selfishness does this
especially so do suspicion cunning stealth and covetous propensities Martin
had unconsciously reasoned as a child »My guardian takes so much thought of
himself that unless I do the like by myself I shall be forgotten« So he had
grown selfish
But he had never known it If any one had taxed him with the vice he would
have indignantly repelled the accusation and conceived himself unworthily
aspersed He never would have known it but that being newly risen from a bed of
dangerous sickness to watch by such another couch he felt how nearly Self had
dropped into the grave and what a poor dependent miserable thing it was
It was natural for him to reflect he had months to do it in upon his own
escape and Marks extremity This led him to consider which of them could be
the better spared and why Then the curtain slowly rose a very little way and
Self Self Self was shown below
He asked himself besides when dreading Marks decease as all men do and
must at such a time whether he had done his duty by him and had deserved and
made a good response to his fidelity and zeal No Short as their companionship
had been he felt in many many instances that there was blame against himself
and still inquiring why the curtain slowly rose a little more and Self Self
Self dilated on the scene
It was long before he fixed the knowledge of himself so firmly in his mind
that he could thoroughly discern the truth but in the hideous solitude of that
most hideous place with Hope so far removed Ambition quenched and Death
beside him rattling at the very door reflection came as in a
plaguebeleaguered town and so he felt and knew the failing of his life and
saw distinctly what an ugly spot it was
Eden was a hard school to learn so hard a lesson in but there were teachers
in the swamp and thicket and the pestilential air who had a searching method
of their own
He made a solemn resolution that when his strength returned he would not
dispute the point or resist the conviction but would look upon it as an
established fact that selfishness was in his breast and must be rooted out He
was so doubtful and with justice of his own character that he determined not
to say one word of vain regret or good resolve to Mark but steadily to keep his
purpose before his own eyes solely and there was not a jot of pride in this
nothing but humility and steadfastness the best armour he could wear So low
had Eden brought him down So high had Eden raised him up
After a long and lingering illness in certain forlorn stages of which when
too far gone to speak he had feebly written »jolly« on a slate Mark showed
some symptoms of returning health They came and went and flickered for a time
but he began to mend at last decidedly and after that continued to improve
from day to day
As soon as he was well enough to talk without fatigue Martin consulted him
upon a project he had in his mind and which a few months back he would have
carried into execution without troubling anybodys head but his own
»Ours is a desperate case« said Martin »Plainly The place is deserted
its failure must have become known and selling what we have bought to any one
for anything is hopeless even if it were honest We left home on a mad
enterprise and have failed The only hope left us the only one end for which
we have now to try is to quit this settlement for ever and get back to
England Anyhow by any means Only to get back there Mark«
»Thats all sir« returned Mr Tapley with a significant stress upon the
words »only that«
»Now upon this side of the water« said Martin »we have but one friend who
can help us and that is Mr Bevan«
»I thought of him when you was ill« said Mark
»But for the time that would be lost I would even write to my grandfather«
Martin went on to say »and implore him for money to free us from this trap into
which we were so cruelly decoyed Shall I try Mr Bevan first«
»Hes a very pleasant sort of a gentleman« said Mark »I think so«
»The few goods we brought here and in which we spent our money would
produce something if sold« resumed Martin »and whatever they realise shall be
paid him instantly But they cant be sold here«
»Theres nobody but corpses to buy em« said Mr Tapley shaking his head
with a rueful air »and pigs«
»Shall I tell him so and only ask him for money enough to enable us by the
cheapest means to reach New York or any port from which we may hope to get a
passage home by serving in any capacity Explaining to him at the same time how
I am connected and that I will endeavour to repay him even through my
grandfather immediately on our arrival in England«
»Why to be sure« said Mark »he can only say no and he may say yes If you
dont mind trying him sir «
»Mind« exclaimed Martin »I am to blame for coming here and I would do
anything to get away I grieve to think of the past If I had taken your opinion
sooner Mark we never should have been here I am certain«
Mr Tapley was very much surprised at this admission but protested with
great vehemence that they would have been there all the same and that he had
set his heart upon coming to Eden from the first word he had ever heard of it
Martin then read him a letter to Mr Bevan which he had already prepared
It was frankly and ingenuously written and described their situation without
the least concealment plainly stated the miseries they had undergone and
preferred their request in modest but straightforward terms Mark highly
commended it and they determined to despatch it by the next steamboat going the
right way that might call to take in wood at Eden where there was plenty of
wood to spare Not knowing how to address Mr Bevan at his own place of abode
Martin superscribed it to the care of the memorable Mr Norris of New York and
wrote upon the cover an entreaty that it might be forwarded without delay
More than a week elapsed before a boat appeared but at length they were
awakened very early one morning by the highpressure snorting of the Esau
Slodge named after one of the most remarkable men in the country who had been
very eminent somewhere Hurrying down to the landingplace they got it safe on
board and waiting anxiously to see the boat depart stopped up the gangway an
instance of neglect which caused the Capting of the Esau Slodge to »wish he
might be sifted fine as flour and whittled small as chips that if they didnt
come off that there fixing right smart too hed spill em in the drink«
whereby the Capting metaphorically said hed throw them in the river
They were not likely to receive an answer for eight or ten weeks at the
earliest In the meantime they devoted such strength as they had to the
attempted improvement of their land to clearing some of it and preparing it
for useful purposes Monstrously defective as their farming was still it was
better than their neighbours for Mark had some practical knowledge of such
matters and Martin learned of him whereas the other settlers who remained upon
the putrid swamp a mere handful and those withered by disease appeared to
have wandered there with the idea that husbandry was the natural gift of all
mankind They helped each other after their own manner in these struggles and
in all others but they worked as hopelessly and sadly as a gang of convicts in
a penal settlement
Often at night when Mark and Martin were alone and lying down to sleep
they spoke of home familiar places houses roads and people whom they knew
sometimes in the lively hope of seeing them again and sometimes with a
sorrowful tranquillity as if that hope were dead It was a source of great
amazement to Mark Tapley to find pervading all these conversations a singular
alteration in Martin
»I dont know what to make of him« he thought one night »he aint what I
supposed He dont think of himself half as much Ill try him again Asleep
sir«
»No Mark«
»Thinking of home sir«
»Yes Mark«
»So was I sir I was wondering how Mr Pinch and Mr Pecksniff gets on
now«
»Poor Tom« said Martin thoughtfully
»Weakminded man sir« observed Mr Tapley »Plays the organ for nothing
sir Takes no care of himself«
»I wish he took a little more indeed« said Martin »Though I dont know
why I should We shouldnt like him half as well perhaps«
»He gets put upon sir« hinted Mark
»Yes« said Martin after a short silence »I know that Mark«
He spoke so regretfully that his partner abandoned the theme and was
silent for a short time until he had thought of another
»Ah sir« said Mark with a sigh »Dear me Youve ventured a good deal for
a young ladys love«
»I tell you what Im not so sure of that Mark« was the reply so hastily
and energetically spoken that Martin sat up in his bed to give it »I begin to
be far from clear upon it You may depend upon it she is very unhappy She has
sacrificed her peace of mind she has endangered her interests very much she
cant run away from those who are jealous of her and opposed to her as I have
done She has to endure Mark to endure without the possibility of action poor
girl I begin to think she has more to bear than ever I have had Upon my soul I
do«
Mr Tapley opened his eyes wide in the dark but did not interrupt
»And Ill tell you a secret Mark« said Martin »since we are upon this
subject That ring «
»Which ring sir« Mark inquired opening his eyes still wider
»That ring she gave me when we parted Mark She bought it bought it
knowing I was poor and proud Heaven help me Proud and wanted money«
»Who says so sir« asked Mark
»I say so I know it I thought of it my good fellow hundreds of times
while you were lying ill And like a beast I took it from her hand and wore it
on my own and never dreamed of this even at the moment when I parted with it
when some faint glimmering of the truth might surely have possessed me But its
late« said Martin checking himself »and you are weak and tired I know You
only talk to cheer me up Good night God bless you Mark«
»God bless you sir But Im reglarly defrauded« thought Mr Tapley
turning round with a happy face »Its a swindle I never entered for this sort
of service Therell be no credit in being jolly with him«
The time wore on and other steamboats coming from the point on which their
hopes were fixed arrived to take in wood but still no answer to the letter
Rain heat foul slime and noxious vapour with all the ills and filthy things
they bred prevailed The earth the air the vegetation and the water that
they drank all teemed with deadly properties Their fellowpassenger had lost
two children long before and buried now her last Such things are much too
common to be widely known or cared for Smart citizens grow rich and friendless
victims smart and die and are forgotten That is all
At last a boat came panting up the ugly river and stopped at Eden Mark
was waiting at the wood hut when it came and had a letter handed to him from
on board He bore it off to Martin They looked at one another, trembling
»It feels heavy« faltered Martin And opening it a little roll of
dollarnotes fell out upon the ground
What either of them said or did or felt at first neither of them knew
All Mark could ever tell was that he was at the rivers bank again out of
breath before the boat had gone inquiring when it would retrace its track and
put in there
The answer was in ten or twelve days notwithstanding which they began to
get their goods together and to tie them up that very night When this stage of
excitement was passed each of them believed they found this out in talking of
it afterwards that he would surely die before the boat returned
They lived however and it came after the lapse of three long crawling
weeks At sunrise on an autumn day they stood upon her deck
»Courage We shall meet again« cried Martin waving his hand to two thin
figures on the bank »In the Old World«
»Or in the next one« added Mark below his breath »To see them standing
side by side so quiet is amost the worst of all«
They looked at one another, as the vessel moved away and then looked
backward at the spot from which it hurried fast The loghouse with the open
door and drooping trees about it the stagnant morning mist and red sun dimly
seen beyond the vapour rising up from land and river the quick stream making
the loathsome banks it washed more flat and dull how often they returned in
dreams How often it was happiness to wake and find them Shadows that had
vanished
Chapter XXXIV
In which the Travellers Move Homeward and Encounter Some Distinguished
Characters upon the Way
Among the passengers on board the steamboat there was a faint gentleman sitting
on a low campstool with his legs on a high barrel of flour as if he were
looking at the prospect with his ankles who attracted their attention speedily
He had straight black hair parted up the middle of his head and hanging
down upon his coat a little fringe of hair upon his chin wore no neckcloth a
white hat a suit of black long in the sleeves and short in the legs soiled
brown stockings and laced shoes His complexion naturally muddy was rendered
muddier by too strict an economy of soap and water and the same observation
will apply to the washable part of his attire which he might have changed with
comfort to himself and gratification to his friends He was about five and
thirty was crushed and jammed up in a heap under the shade of a large green
cotton umbrella and ruminated over his tobaccoplug like a cow
He was not singular to be sure in these respects for every gentleman on
board appeared to have had a difference with his laundress and to have left off
washing himself in early youth Every gentleman too was perfectly stopped up
with tight plugging and was dislocated in the greater part of his joints But
about this gentleman there was a peculiar air of sagacity and wisdom which
convinced Martin that he was no common character and this turned out to be the
case
»How do you do sir« said a voice in Martins ear
»How do you do sir« said Martin
It was a tall thin gentleman who spoke to him with a carpetcap on and a
long loose coat of green baize ornamented about the pockets with black velvet
»You air from Europe sir«
»I am« said Martin
»You air fortunate sir«
Martin thought so too but he soon discovered that the gentleman and he
attached different meanings to this remark
»You air fortunate sir in having an opportunity of beholding our Elijah
Pogram sir«
»Your Elijahpogram« said Martin thinking it was all one word and a
building of some sort
»Yes sir«
Martin tried to look as if he understood him but he couldnt make it out
»Yes sir« repeated the gentleman »Our Elijah Pogram sir is at this
minute identically settin by the engine biler«
The gentleman under the umbrella put his right forefinger to his eyebrow as
if he were revolving schemes of state
»That is Elijah Pogram is it« said Martin
»Yes sir« replied the other »That is Elijah Pogram«
»Dear me« said Martin »I am astonished« But he had not the least idea who
this Elijah Pogram was having never heard the name in all his life
»If the biler of this vessel was Toe bust sir« said his new acquaintance
»and Toe bust now this would be a festival day in the calendar of despotism
pretty nigh equallin sir in its effects upon the human race our Fourth of
glorious July Yes sir that is the Honourable Elijah Pogram Member of
Congress one of the masterminds of our country sir There is a brow sir
there«
»Quite remarkable« said Martin
»Yes sir Our own immortal Chiggle sir is said to have observed when he
made the celebrated Pogram statter in marble which rose so much contest and
prejudice in Europe that the brow was more than mortal This was before the
Pogram Defiance and was therefore a prediction cruel smart«
»What is the Pogram Defiance« asked Martin thinking perhaps it was the
sign of a publichouse
»An oration sir« returned his friend
»Oh to be sure« cried Martin »What am I thinking of It defied «
»It defied the world sir« said the other gravely »Defied the world in
general to compete with our country upon any hook and devellopd our internal
resources for making war upon the universal airth You would like to know Elijah
Pogram sir«
»If you please« said Martin
»Mr Pogram« said the stranger Mr Pogram having overheard every word of
the dialogue »this is a gentleman from Europe sir from England sir But
genrous enemies may meet upon the neutral sile of private life I think«
The languid Mr Pogram shook hands with Martin like a clockwork figure
that was just running down But he made amends by chewing like one that was just
wound up
»Mr Pogram« said the introducer »is a public servant sir When Congress
is recessed he makes himself acquainted with those free United States, of which
he is the gifted son«
It occurred to Martin that if the Honourable Elijah Pogram had stayed at
home and sent his shoes upon a tour they would have answered the same purpose
for they were the only part of him in a situation to see anything
In course of time however Mr Pogram rose and having ejected certain
plugging consequences which would have impeded his articulation took up a
position where there was something to lean against and began to talk to Martin
shading himself with the green umbrella all the time
As he began with the words »How do you like « Martin took him up and
said
»The country I presume«
»Yes sir« said Elijah Pogram A knot of passengers gathered round to hear
what followed and Martin heard his friend say as he whispered to another
friend and rubbed his hands »Pogram will smash him into skyblue fits I know«
»Why« said Martin after a moments hesitation »I have learned by
experience that you take an unfair advantage of a stranger when you ask that
question You dont mean it to be answered except in one way Now I dont
choose to answer it in that way for I cannot honestly answer it in that way
And therefore I would rather not answer it at all«
But Mr Pogram was going to make a great speech in the next session about
foreign relations and was going to write strong articles on the subject and as
he greatly favoured the free and independent custom a very harmless and
agreeable one of procuring information of any sort in any kind of confidence
and afterwards perverting it publicly in any manner that happened to suit him
he had determined to get at Martins opinions somehow or other For if he could
have got nothing out of him he would have had to invent it for him and that
would have been laborious He made a mental note of his answer and went in
again
»You are from Eden sir How did you like Eden«
Martin said what he thought of that part of the country in pretty strong
terms
»It is strange« said Pogram looking round upon the group »this hatred of
our country and her Institutions This national antipathy is deeply rooted in
the British mind«
»Good Heaven sir« cried Martin »Is the Eden Land Corporation with Mr
Scadder at its head and all the misery it has worked at its door an
Institution of America A part of any form of government that ever was known or
heard of«
»I consider the cause of this to be« said Pogram looking round again and
taking himself up where Martin had interrupted him »partly jealousy and
prejudice and partly the natral unfitness of the British people to appreciate
the exalted Institutions of our native land I expect sir« turning to Martin
again »that a gentleman named Chollop happened in upon you during your
location in the town of Eden«
»Yes« answered Martin »but my friend can answer this better than I can
for I was very ill at the time Mark The gentleman is speaking of Mr Chollop«
»Oh Yes sir Yes I see him« observed Mark
»A splendid example of our native raw material sir« said Pogram
interrogatively
»Indeed sir« cried Mark
The Honourable Elijah Pogram glanced at his friends as though he would have
said »Observe this See what follows« and they rendered tribute to the Pogram
genius by a gentle murmur
»Our fellowcountryman is a model of a man quite fresh from Naturs mould«
said Pogram with enthusiasm »He is a trueborn child of this free hemisphere
Verdant as the mountains of our country bright and flowing as our mineral
Licks unspiled by withering conventionalities as air our broad and boundless
Perearers Rough he may be So air our Barrs Wild he may be So air our
Buffalers But he is a child of Natur and a child of Freedom and his boastful
answer to the Despot and the Tyrant is that his bright home is in the Settin
Sun«
Part of this referred to Chollop and part to a Western postmaster who
being a public defaulter not very long before a character not at all uncommon
in America had been removed from office and on whose behalf Mr Pogram he
voted for Pogram had thundered the last sentence from his seat in Congress at
the head of an unpopular President It told brilliantly for the bystanders were
delighted and one of them said to Martin »that he guessed he had now seen
something of the eloquential aspect of our country and was chawed up pritty
small«
Mr Pogram waited until his hearers were calm again before he said to Mark
»You do not seem to coincide sir«
»Why« said Mark »I didnt like him much and thats the truth sir I
thought he was a bully and I didnt admire his carryin them murderous little
persuaders and being so ready to use em«
»Its singler« said Pogram lifting his umbrella high enough to look all
round from under it »Its strange You observe the settled opposition to our
Institutions which pervades the British mind«
»What an extraordinary people you are« cried Martin »Are Mr Chollop and
the class he represents an Institution here Are pistols with revolving
barrels swordsticks bowieknives and such things Institutions on which you
pride yourselves Are bloody duels brutal combats savage assaults shooting
down and stabbing in the streets your Institutions Why I shall hear next
that Dishonour and Fraud are among the Institutions of the great republic«
The moment the words passed his lips the Honourable Elijah Pogram looked
round again
»This morbid hatred of our Institutions« he observed »is quite a study for
the psychological observer Hes alludin to Repudiation now«
»Oh You may make anything an Institution if you like« said Martin
laughing »and I confess you had me there for you certainly have made that
one But the greater part of these things are one Institution with us and we
call it by the generic name of Old Bailey«
The bell being rung for dinner at this moment everybody ran away into the
cabin whither the Honourable Elijah Pogram fled with such precipitation that he
forgot his umbrella was up and fixed it so tightly in the cabin door that it
could neither be let down nor got out For a minute or so this accident created
a perfect rebellion among the hungry passengers behind who seeing the dishes
and hearing the knives and forks at work well knew what would happen unless
they got there instantly and were nearly mad while several virtuous citizens
at the table were in deadly peril of choking themselves in their unnatural
efforts to get rid of all the meat before these others came
They carried the umbrella by storm however and rushed in at the breach
The Honourable Elijah Pogram and Martin found themselves after a severe
struggle side by side as they might have come together in the pit of a London
theatre and for four whole minutes afterwards Pogram was snapping up great
blocks of everything he could get hold of like a raven When he had taken this
unusually protracted dinner he began to talk to Martin and begged him not to
have the least delicacy in speaking with perfect freedom to him for he was a
calm philosopher Which Martin was extremely glad to hear for he had begun to
speculate on Elijah being a disciple of that other school of republican
philosophy whose noble sentiments are carved with knives upon a pupils body
and written not with pen and ink but tar and feathers
»What do you think of my countrymen who are present sir« inquired Elijah
Pogram
»Oh very pleasant« said Martin
They were a very pleasant party No man had spoken a word every one had
been intent as usual on his own private gorging and the greater part of the
company were decidedly dirty feeders
The Honourable Elijah Pogram looked at Martin as if he thought »You dont
mean that I know« and he was soon confirmed in this opinion
Sitting opposite to them was a gentleman in a high state of tobacco who
wore quite a little beard composed of the overflowings of that weed as they
had dried about his mouth and chin so common an ornament that it would scarcely
have attracted Martins observation but that this good citizen burning to
assert his equality against all comers sucked his knife for some moments and
made a cut with it at the butter just as Martin was in the act of taking some
There was a juiciness about the deed that might have sickened a scavenger
When Elijah Pogram to whom this was an everyday incident saw that Martin
put the plate away and took no butter he was quite delighted and said
»Well The morbid hatred of you British to the Institutions of our country
is asTONishing«
»Upon my life« cried Martin in his turn »This is the most wonderful
community that ever existed A man deliberately makes a hog of himself and
thats an Institution«
»We have no time to acquire forms sir« said Elijah Pogram
»Acquire« cried Martin »But its not a question of acquiring anything
Its a question of losing the natural politeness of a savage and that
instinctive good breeding which admonishes one man not to offend and disgust
another Dont you think that man over the way for instance naturally knows
better but considers it a very fine and independent thing to be a brute in
small matters«
»He is a native of our country and is natrally bright and spry of
course« said Mr Pogram
»Now observe what this comes to Mr Pogram« pursued Martin »The mass of
your countrymen begin by stubbornly neglecting little social observances which
have nothing to do with gentility custom usage government or country but
are acts of common decent natural human politeness You abet them in this by
resenting all attacks upon their social offences as if they were a beautiful
national feature From disregarding small obligations they come in regular
course to disregard great ones and so refuse to pay their debts What they may
do or what they may refuse to do next I dont know but any man may see if he
will that it will be something following in natural succession and a part of
one great growth which is rotten at the root«
The mind of Mr Pogram was too philosophical to see this so they went on
deck again where resuming his former post he chewed until he was in a
lethargic state amounting to insensibility
After a weary voyage of several days they came again to that same wharf
where Mark had been so nearly left behind on the night of starting for Eden
Captain Kedgick the landlord was standing there and was greatly surprised to
see them coming from the boat
»Why what the tarnal« cried the Captain »Well I do admire at this I
do«
»We can stay at your house until tomorrow Captain I suppose« said
Martin
»I reckon you can stay there for a twelvemonth if you like« retorted
Kedgick coolly »But our people wont best like your coming back«
»Wont like it Captain Kedgick« said Martin
»They did expect you was agoing to settle« Kedgick answered as he shook
his head »Theyve been took in you cant deny«
»What do you mean« cried Martin
»You didnt ought to have received em« said the Captain »No you didnt«
»My good friend« returned Martin »did I want to receive them Was it any
act of mine Didnt you tell me they would rile up and that I should be flayed
like a wild cat and threaten all kinds of vengeance if I didnt receive
them«
»I dont know about that« returned the Captain »But when our peoples
frills is out theyre starched up pretty stiff I tell you«
With that he fell into the rear to walk with Mark while Martin and Elijah
Pogram went on to the National
»Weve come back alive you see« said Mark
»It aint the thing I did expect« the Captain grumbled »A man aint got no
right to be a public man unless he meets the public views Our fashionable
people wouldnt have attended his levee if they had knowd it«
Nothing mollified the Captain who persisted in taking it very ill that they
had not both died in Eden The boarders at the National felt strongly on the
subject too but it happened by good fortune that they had not much time to
think about this grievance for it was suddenly determined to pounce upon the
Honourable Elijah Pogram and give him a levee forthwith
As the general evening meal of the house was over before the arrival of the
boat Martin Mark and Pogram were taking tea and fixings at the public table
by themselves when the deputation entered to announce this honour consisting
of six gentlemen boarders and a very shrill boy
»Sir« said the spokesman
»Mr Pogram« cried the shrill boy
The spokesman thus reminded of the shrill boys presence introduced him
»Doctor Ginery Dunkle sir A gentleman of great poetical elements He has
recently jined us here sir and is an acquisition to us sir I do assure you
Yes sir Mr Jodd sir Mr Izzard sir Mr Julius Bib sir«
»Julius Washington Merryweather Bib« said the gentleman himself to himself
»I beg your pardon sir Excuse me Mr Julius Washington Merryweather Bib
sir a gentleman in the lumber line sir and much esteemed Colonel Groper
sir Professor Piper sir My own name sir is Oscar Buffum«
Each man took one slide forward as he was named butted at the Honourable
Elijah Pogram with his head shook hands and slid back again The introductions
being completed the spokesman resumed
»Sir«
»Mr Pogram« cried the shrill boy
»Perhaps« said the spokesman with a hopeless look »you will be so good
Dr Ginery Dunkle as to charge yourself with the execution of our little
office sir«
As there was nothing the shrill boy desired more he immediately stepped
forward
»Mr Pogram Sir A handful Of your fellowcitizens sir hearing Of your
arrival at the National Hotel and feeling the patriotic character Of your
public services wish sir to have the gratification Of beholding you and
mixing with you sir and unbending with you sir in those moments which «
»Air« suggested Buffum
»Which air so peculiarly the lot sir Of our great and happy country«
»Hear« cried Colonel Groper in a loud voice »Good Hear him Good«
»And therefore sir« pursued the Doctor »they request as A mark Of their
respect the honour of your company at a little leVee sir in the ladies
ordinary at eight oclock«
Mr Pogram bowed and said
»Fellowcountrymen«
»Good« cried the Colonel »Hear him Good«
Mr Pogram bowed to the Colonel individually and then resumed
»Your approbation of My labours in the common cause goes to My heart At
all times and in all places in the ladies ordinary My friends and in the
Battle Field «
»Good very good Hear him Hear him« said the Colonel
»The name Of Pogram will be proud to jine you And may it My friends be
written on My tomb He was a member of the Congress of our common country and
was acTive in his trust«
»The Committee sir« said the shrill boy »will wait upon you at five
minutes afore eight I take My leave sir«
Mr Pogram shook hands with him and everybody else once more and when
they came back again at five minutes before eight they said one by one in a
melancholy voice »How do you do sir« and shook hands with Mr Pogram all over
again as if he had been abroad for a twelvemonth in the meantime and they met
now at a funeral
But by this time Mr Pogram had freshened himself up and had composed his
hair and features after the Pogram statue so that any one with half an eye
might cry out »There he is as he delivered the Defiance« The Committee were
embellished also and when they entered the ladies ordinary in a body there
was much clapping of hands from ladies and gentlemen accompanied by cries of
»Pogram Pogram« and some standing up on chairs to see him
The object of the popular caress looked round the room as he walked up it
and smiled at the same time observing to the shrill boy that he knew something
of the beauty of the daughters of their common country but had never seen it in
such lustre and perfection as at that moment Which the shrill boy put in the
paper next day to Elijah Pograms great surprise
»We will request you sir if you please« said Buffum laying hands on Mr
Pogram as if he were taking his measure for a coat »to stand up with your back
agin the wall right in the furthest corner that there may be more room for our
fellow citizens If you could set your back right slap agin that curtain sir
keeping your left leg everlastingly behind the stove we should be fixed quite
slick«
Mr Pogram did as he was told and wedged himself into such a little corner
that the Pogram statue wouldnt have known him
The entertainments of the evening then began Gentlemen brought ladies up
and brought themselves up and brought each other up and asked Elijah Pogram
what he thought of this political question and what he thought of that and
looked at him and looked at one another, and seemed very unhappy indeed The
ladies on the chairs looked at Elijah Pogram through their glasses and said
audibly »I wish hed speak Why dont he speak Oh do ask him to speak« And
Elijah Pogram looked sometimes at the ladies and sometimes elsewhere
delivering senatorial opinions as he was asked for them But the great end and
object of the meeting seemed to be not to let Elijah Pogram out of the corner
on any account so there they kept him hard and fast
A great bustle at the door in the course of the evening announced the
arrival of some remarkable person and immediately afterwards an elderly
gentleman much excited was seen to precipitate himself upon the crowd and
battle his way towards the Honourable Elijah Pogram Martin who had found a
snug place of observation in a distant corner where he stood with Mark beside
him for he did not so often forget him now as formerly though he still did
sometimes thought he knew this gentleman but had no doubt of it when he
cried as loud as he could with his eyes starting out of his head
»Sir Mrs Hominy«
»Lord bless that woman Mark She has turned up again«
»Here she comes sir« answered Mr Tapley »Pogram knows her A public
character Always got her eye upon her country sir If that there ladys
husband is of my opinion what a jolly old gentleman he must be«
A lane was made and Mrs Hominy with the aristocratic stalk the pocket
handkerchief the clasped hands and the classical cap came slowly up it in a
procession of one Mr Pogram testified emotions of delight on seeing her and a
general hush prevailed For it was known that when a woman like Mrs Hominy
encountered a man like Pogram something interesting must be said
Their first salutations were exchanged in a voice too low to reach the
impatient ears of the throng but they soon became audible for Mrs Hominy felt
her position and knew what was expected of her
Mrs H was hard upon him at first and put him through a rigid catechism in
reference to a certain vote he had given which she had found it necessary as
the mother of the modern Gracchi to deprecate in a line by itself, set up
expressly for the purpose in German text But Mr Pogram evading it by a
welltimed allusion to the starspangled banner which it appeared had the
remarkable peculiarity of flouting the breeze whenever it was hoisted where the
wind blew she forgave him They now enlarged on certain questions of tariff
commercial treaty boundary importation and exportation with great effect And
Mrs Hominy not only talked as the saying is like a book but actually did
talk her own books word for word
»My what is this« cried Mrs Hominy opening a little note which was
handed her by her excited gentlemanusher »Do tell oh well now ony think«
And then she read aloud as follows
»Two literary ladies present their compliments to the mother of the modern
Gracchi and claim her kind introduction as their talented countrywoman to the
honourable and distinguished Elijah Pogram whom the two L Ls have often
contemplated in the speaking marble of the soulsubduing Chiggle On a verbal
intimation from the mother of the M G that she will comply with the request
of the two L Ls they will have the immediate pleasure of joining the galaxy
assembled to do honour to the patriotic conduct of a Pogram It may be another
bond of union between the two L Ls and the mother of the M G to observe
that the two L Ls are Transcendental«
Mrs Hominy promptly rose and proceeded to the door whence she returned
after a minutes interval with the two L Ls whom she led through the lane
in the crowd with all that stateliness of deportment which was so remarkably
her own up to the great Elijah Pogram It was as the shrill boy cried out in
an ecstasy quite the Last Scene from Coriolanus
One of the L Ls wore a brown wig of uncommon size Sticking on the
forehead of the other by invisible means was a massive cameo in size and
shape like the raspberry tart which is ordinarily sold for a penny representing
on its front the Capitol at Washington
»Miss Toppit and Miss Codger« said Mrs Hominy
»Codgers the lady so often mentioned in the English newspapers I should
think sir« whispered Mark »The oldest inhabitant as never remembers
anything«
»To be presented to a Pogram« said Miss Codger »by a Hominy indeed a
thrilling moment is it in its impressiveness on what we call our feelings But
why we call them so or why impressed they are or if impressed they are at all
or if at all we are or if there really is oh gasping one a Pogram or a
Hominy or any active principle to which we give those titles is a topic
Spirit searching light abandoned much too vast to enter on at this
unlookedfor crisis«
»Mind and matter« said the lady in the wig »glide swift into the vortex of
immensity Howls the sublime and softly sleeps the calm Ideal in the
whispering chambers of Imagination To hear it sweet it is But then outlaughs
the stern philosopher and saith to the Grotesque What ho arrest for me that
Agency Go bring it here And so the vision fadeth«
After this they both took Mr Pogram by the hand and pressed it to their
lips as a patriotic palm That homage paid the mother of the modern Gracchi
called for chairs and the three literary ladies went to work in earnest to
bring poor Pogram out and make him show himself in all his brilliant colours
How Pogram got out of his depth instantly and how the three L Ls were
never in theirs is a piece of history not worth recording Suffice it that
being all four out of their depths and all unable to swim they splashed up
words in all directions and floundered about famously On the whole it was
considered to have been the severest mental exercise ever heard in the National
Hotel Tears stood in the shrill boys eyes several times and the whole company
observed that their heads ached with the effort as well they might
When it at last became necessary to release Elijah Pogram from the corner
and the Committee saw him safely back again to the next room they were fervent
in their admiration
»Which« said Mr Buffum »must have vent or it will bust Toe you Mr
Pogram I am grateful Toewards you sir I am inspired with lofty veneration
and with deep emotion The sentiment Toe which I would propose to give
expression sir is this May you ever be as firm sir as your marble statter
May it ever be as great a terror Toe its enemies as you«
There is some reason to suppose that it was rather terrible to its friends
being a statue of the Elevated or Goblin School in which the Honourable Elijah
Pogram was represented as in a very high wind with his hair all standing on
end and his nostrils blown wide open But Mr Pogram thanked his friend and
countryman for the aspiration to which he had given utterance and the
Committee after another solemn shaking of hands retired to bed except the
Doctor who immediately repaired to the newspaperoffice and there wrote a
short poem suggested by the events of the evening beginning with fourteen
stars and headed »A Fragment Suggested by witnessing the Honourable Elijah
Pogram engaged in a philosophical disputation with three of Columbias fairest
daughters By Doctor Ginery Dunkle Of Troy«
If Pogram was as glad to get to bed as Martin was he must have been well
rewarded for his labours They started off again next day Martin and Mark
previously disposing of their goods to the storekeepers of whom they had
purchased them for anything they would bring and were fellowtravellers to
within a short distance of New York When Pogram was about to leave them he grew
thoughtful and after pondering for some time took Martin aside
»We air going to part sir« said Pogram
»Pray dont distress yourself« said Martin »we must bear it«
»It aint that sir« returned Pogram »not at all But I should wish you to
accept a copy of My oration«
»Thank you« said Martin »you are very good I shall be most happy«
»It aint quite that sir neither« resumed Pogram »air you bold enough to
introduce a copy into your country«
»Certainly« said Martin »Why not«
»Its sentiments air strong sir« hinted Pogram darkly
»That makes no difference« said Martin »Ill take a dozen if you like«
»No sir« retorted Pogram »Not A dozen That is more than I require If
you are content to run the hazard sir here is one for your Lord Chancellor«
producing it »and one for Your principal Secretary of State I should wish them
to see it sir as expressing what my opinions air That they may not plead
ignorance at a future time But dont get into danger sir on my account«
»There is not the least danger I assure you« said Martin So he put the
pamphlets in his pocket and they parted
Mr Bevan had written in his letter that at a certain time which fell out
happily just then he would be at a certain hotel in the city anxiously
expecting to see them To this place they repaired without a moments delay
They had the satisfaction of finding him within and of being received by their
good friend with his own warmth and heartiness
»I am truly sorry and ashamed« said Martin »to have begged of you But
look at us See what we are and judge to what we are reduced«
»So far from claiming to have done you any service« returned the other »I
reproach myself with having been unwittingly the original cause of your
misfortunes I no more supposed you would go to Eden on such representations as
you received or indeed that you would do anything but be dispossessed by the
readiest means of your idea that fortunes were so easily made here than I
thought of going to Eden myself«
»The fact is I closed with the thing in a mad and sanguine manner« said
Martin »and the less said about it the better for me Mark here hadnt a
voice in the matter«
»Well But he hadnt a voice in any other matter had he« returned Mr
Bevan laughing with an air that showed his understanding of Mark and Martin
too
»Not a very powerful one I am afraid« said Martin with a blush »But live
and learn Mr Bevan Nearly die and learn and we learn the quicker«
»Now« said their friend »about your plans You mean to return home at
once«
»Oh I think so« returned Martin hastily for he turned pale at the thought
of any other suggestion »That is your opinion too I hope«
»Unquestionably For I dont know why you ever came here though its not
such an unusual case I am sorry to say that we need go any farther into that
You dont know that the ship in which you came over with our friend General
Fladdock is in port of course«
»Indeed« said Martin
»Yes And is advertised to sail tomorrow«
This was tempting news but tantalising too for Martin knew that his
getting any employment on board a ship of that class was hopeless The money in
his pocket would not pay onefourth of the sum he had already borrowed and if
it had been enough for their passagemoney he could hardly have resolved to
spend it He explained this to Mr Bevan and stated what their project was
»Why thats as wild as Eden every bit« returned his friend »You must take
your passage like a Christian at least as like a Christian as a forecabin
passenger can and owe me a few more dollars than you intend If Mark will go
down to the ship and see what passengers there are and finds that you can go in
her without being actually suffocated my advice is go You and I will look
about us in the meantime we wont call at the Norriss unless you like and we
will all three dine together in the afternoon«
Martin had nothing to express but gratitude and so it was arranged But he
went out of the room after Mark and advised him to take their passage in the
Screw though they lay upon the bare deck which Mr Tapley who needed no
entreaty on the subject readily promised to do
When he and Martin met again and were alone he was in high spirits and
evidently had something to communicate in which he gloried very much
»Ive done Mr Bevan sir« said Mark
»Done Mr Bevan« repeated Martin
»The cook of the Screw went and got married yesterday sir« said Mr
Tapley
Martin looked at him for farther explanation
»And when I got on board and the word was passed that it was me« said
Mark »the mate he comes and asks me whether Id engage to take this said cooks
place upon the passage home For youre used to it he says you were always a
cooking for everybody on your passage out And so I was« said Mark »although I
never cooked before Ill take my oath«
»What did you say« demanded Martin
»Say« cried Mark »That Id take anything I could get If thats so says
the mate why bring a glass of rum which they brought according And my wages
sir« said Mark in high glee »pays your passage and Ive put the rollingpin
in your berth to take it its the easy one up in the corner and there we are
Rule Britannia and Britons strike home«
»There never was such a good fellow as you are« cried Martin seizing him
by the hand »But what do you mean by doing Mr Bevan Mark«
»Why dont you see« said Mark »We dont tell him you know We take his
money but we dont spend it and we dont keep it What we do is write him a
little note explaining this engagement and roll it up and leave it at the
bar to be given to him after we are gone Dont you see«
Martins delight in this idea was not inferior to Marks It was all done as
he proposed They passed a cheerful evening slept at the hotel left the letter
as arranged and went off to the ship betimes next morning with such light
hearts as the weight of their past miseries engendered
»Good bye a hundred thousand times good bye« said Martin to their friend
»How shall I remember all your kindness How shall I ever thank you«
»If you ever become a rich man or a powerful one« returned his friend
»you shall try to make your Government more careful of its subjects when they
roam abroad to live Tell it what you know of emigration in your own case and
impress upon it how much suffering may be prevented with a little pains«
Cheerily lads cheerily Anchor weighed Ship in full sail Her sturdy
bowsprit pointing true to England America a cloud upon the sea behind them
»Why Cook what are you thinking of so steadily« said Martin
»Why I was a thinking sir« returned Mark »that if I was a painter and
was called upon to paint the American Eagle how should I do it«
»Paint it as like an Eagle as you could I suppose«
»No« said Mark »That wouldnt do for me sir I should want to draw it
like a Bat for its shortsightedness like a Bantam for its bragging like a
Magpie for its honesty like a Peacock for its vanity like a Ostrich for its
putting its head in the mud and thinking nobody sees it «
»And like a Phoenix for its power of springing from the ashes of its faults
and vices and soaring up anew into the sky« said Martin »Well Mark Let us
hope so«
Chapter XXXV
Arriving in England Martin Witnesses a Ceremony from Which He Derives the
Cheering Information that He Has not Been Forgotten in His Absence
It was midday and high water in the English port for which the Screw was
bound when borne in gallantly upon the fulness of the tide she let go her
anchor in the river
Bright as the scene was fresh and full of motion; airy free and
sparkling it was nothing to the life and exultation in the breasts of the two
travellers at sight of the old churches roofs and darkened chimney stacks of
Home The distant roar that swelled up hoarsely from the busy streets was
music in their ears the lines of people gazing from the wharves were friends
held dear the canopy of smoke that overhung the town was brighter and more
beautiful to them than if the richest silks of Persia had been waving in the
air And though the water going on its glistening track turned ever and again
aside to dance and sparkle round great ships and heave them up and leaped from
off the blades of oars a shower of diving diamonds and wantoned with the idle
boats and swiftly passed in many a sportive chase through obdurate old iron
rings set deep into the stonework of the quays not even it was half so
buoyant and so restless as their fluttering hearts when yearning to set foot
once more on native ground
A year had passed since those same spires and roofs had faded from their
eyes It seemed to them a dozen years Some trifling changes here and there
they called to mind and wondered that they were so few and slight In health
and fortune prospect and resource they came back poorer men than they had gone
away But it was home And though home is a name a word it is a strong one
stronger than magician ever spoke or spirit answered to in strongest
conjuration
Being set ashore with very little money in their pockets and no definite
plan of operation in their heads they sought out a cheap tavern where they
regaled upon a smoking steak and certain flowing mugs of beer as only men just
landed from the sea can revel in the generous dainties of the earth When they
had feasted as two gratefultempered giants might have done they stirred the
fire drew back the glowing curtain from the window and making each a sofa for
himself by union of the great unwieldy chairs gazed blissfully into the
street
Even the street was made a fairy street by being half hidden in an
atmosphere of steak and strong stout standup English beer For on the
windowglass hung such a mist that Mr Tapley was obliged to rise and wipe it
with his handkerchief before the passengers appeared like common mortals And
even then a spiral little cloud went curling up from their two glasses of hot
grog which nearly hid them from each other
It was one of those unaccountable little rooms which are never seen anywhere
but in a tavern and are supposed to have got into taverns by reason of the
facilities afforded to the architect for getting drunk while engaged in their
construction It had more corners in it than the brain of an obstinate man was
full of mad closets into which nothing could be put that was not specially
invented and made for that purpose had mysterious shelvings and bulkheads and
indications of staircases in the ceiling and was elaborately provided with a
bell that rung in the room itself about two feet from the handle and had no
connection whatever with any other part of the establishment It was a little
below the pavement and abutted close upon it so that passengers grated against
the windowpanes with their buttons and scraped it with their baskets and
fearful boys suddenly coming between a thoughtful guest and the light derided
him or put out their tongues as if he were a physician or made white knobs on
the ends of their noses by flattening the same against the glass and vanished
awfully like spectres
Martin and Mark sat looking at the people as they passed debating every now
and then what their first step should be
»We want to see Miss Mary of course« said Mark
»Of course« said Martin »But I dont know where she is Not having had the
heart to write in our distress you yourself thought silence most advisable
and consequently, never having heard from her since we left New York the first
time I dont know where she is my good fellow«
»My opinion is sir« returned Mark »that what weve got to do is to
travel straight to the Dragon Theres no need for you to go there where youre
known unless you like You may stop ten mile short of it Ill go on Mrs
Lupin will tell me all the news Mr Pinch will give me every information that
we want and right glad Mr Pinch will be to do it My proposal is To set off
walking this afternoon To stop when we are tired To get a lift when we can To
walk when we cant To do it at once and do it cheap«
»Unless we do it cheap we shall have some difficulty in doing it at all«
said Martin pulling out the bank and telling it over in his hand
»The greater reason for losing no time sir« replied Mark »Whereas when
youve seen the young lady and know what state of mind the old gentlemans in
and all about it then youll know what to do next«
»No doubt« said Martin »You are quite right«
They were raising their glasses to their lips when their hands stopped
midway and their gaze was arrested by a figure which slowly very slowly and
reflectively passed the window at that moment
Mr Pecksniff Placid calm but proud Honestly proud Dressed with
peculiar care smiling with even more than usual blandness pondering on the
beauties of his art with a mild abstraction from all sordid thoughts and gently
travelling across the disc as if he were a figure in a magic lantern
As Mr Pecksniff passed a person coming in the opposite direction stopped
to look after him with great interest and respect almost with veneration and
the landlord bouncing out of the house as if he had seen him too joined this
person and spoke to him and shook his head gravely and looked after Mr
Pecksniff likewise
Martin and Mark sat staring at each other as if they could not believe it
but there stood the landlord and the other man still In spite of the
indignation with which this glimpse of Mr Pecksniff had inspired him Martin
could not help laughing heartily Neither could Mark
»We must inquire into this« said Martin »Ask the landlord in Mark«
Mr Tapley retired for that purpose and immediately returned with their
largeheaded host in safe convoy
»Pray landlord« said Martin »who is that gentleman who passed just now
and whom you were looking after«
The landlord poked the fire as if in his desire to make the most of his
answer he had become indifferent even to the price of coals and putting his
hands in his pockets said after inflating himself to give still further effect
to his reply
»That gentlemen is the great Mr Pecksniff The celebrated architect
gentlemen«
He looked from one to the other while he said it as if he were ready to
assist the first man who might be overcome by the intelligence
»The great Mr Pecksniff the celebrated architect gentlemen« said the
landlord »has come down here to help to lay the first stone of a new and
splendid public building«
»Is it to be built from his designs« asked Martin
»The great Mr Pecksniff the celebrated architect gentlemen« returned the
landlord who seemed to have an unspeakable delight in the repetition of these
words »carried off the First Premium and will erect the building«
»Who lays the stone« asked Martin
»Our member has come down express« returned the landlord »No scrubs would
do for no such a purpose Nothing less would satisfy our Directors than our
member in the House of Commons who is returned upon the Gentlemanly Interest«
»Which interest is that« asked Martin
»What dont you know« returned the landlord
It was quite clear the landlord didnt They always told him at election
time that it was the Gentlemanly side and he immediately put on his topboots
and voted for it
»When does the ceremony take place« asked Martin
»This day« replied the landlord Then pulling out his watch he added
impressively »almost this minute«
Martin hastily inquired whether there was any possibility of getting in to
witness it and finding that there would be no objection to the admittance of
any decent person unless indeed the ground were full hurried off with Mark as
hard as they could go
They were fortunate enough to squeeze themselves into a famous corner on the
ground where they could see all that passed without much dread of being beheld
by Mr Pecksniff in return They were not a minute too soon for as they were in
the act of congratulating each other a great noise was heard at some distance
and everybody looked towards the gate Several ladies prepared their pocket
handkerchiefs for waving and a stray teacher belonging to the charity school
being much cheered by mistake was immensely groaned at when detected
»Perhaps he has Tom Pinch with him« Martin whispered Mr Tapley
»It would be rather too much of a treat for him wouldnt it sir«
whispered Mr Tapley in return
There was no time to discuss the probabilities either way for the charity
school in clean linen came filing in two and two so much to the self-approval
of all the people present who didnt subscribe to it that many of them shed
tears A band of music followed led by a conscientious drummer who never left
off Then came a great many gentlemen with wands in their hands and bows on
their breasts whose share in the proceedings did not appear to be distinctly
laid down and who trod upon each other and blocked up the entry for a
considerable period These were followed by the Mayor and Corporation all
clustering round the member for the Gentlemanly Interest who had the great Mr
Pecksniff the celebrated architect on his right hand and conversed with him
familiarly as they came along Then the ladies waved their handkerchiefs and
the gentlemen their hats and the charity children shrieked and the member for
the Gentlemanly Interest bowed
Silence being restored the member for the Gentlemanly Interest rubbed his
hands and wagged his head and looked about him pleasantly and there was
nothing this member did at which some lady or other did not burst into an
ecstatic waving of her pocket handkerchief When he looked up at the stone they
said how graceful when he peeped into the hole they said how condescending
when he chatted with the Mayor they said how easy when he folded his arms they
cried with one accord how statesmanlike
Mr Pecksniff was observed too closely When he talked to the Mayor they
said Oh really what a courtly man he was When he laid his hand upon the
masons shoulder giving him directions how pleasant his demeanour to the
working classes just the sort of man who made their toil a pleasure to them
poor dear souls
But now a silver trowel was brought and when the member for the Gentlemanly
Interest tucking up his coatsleeve did a little sleightofhand with the
mortar the air was rent so loud was the applause The workmanlike manner in
which he did it was amazing No one could conceive where such a gentlemanly
creature could have picked the knowledge up
When he had made a kind of dirtpie under the direction of the mason they
brought a little vase containing coins the which the member for the Gentlemanly
Interest jingled as if he were going to conjure Whereat they said how droll
how cheerful what a flow of spirits This put into its place an ancient
scholar read the inscription which was in Latin not in English that would
never do It gave great satisfaction especially every time there was a good
long substantive in the third declension ablative case with an adjective to
match at which periods the assembly became very tender and were much affected
And now the stone was lowered down into its place amidst the shouting of
the concourse When it was firmly fixed the member for the Gentlemanly Interest
struck upon it thrice with the handle of the trowel as if inquiring with a
touch of humour whether anybody was at home Mr Pecksniff then unrolled his
Plans prodigious plans they were and people gathered round to look at and
admire them
Martin who had been fretting himself quite unnecessarily as Mark thought
during the whole of these proceedings could no longer restrain his
impatience but stepping forward among several others looked straight over the
shoulder of the unconscious Mr Pecksniff at the designs and plans he had
unrolled He returned to Mark boiling with rage
»Why whats the matter sir« cried Mark
»Matter This is my building«
»Your building sir« said Mark
»My grammarschool I invented it I did it all He has only put four
windows in the villain and spoilt it«
Mark could hardly believe it at first but being assured that it was really
so actually held him to prevent his interference foolishly until his temporary
heat was past In the meantime the member addressed the company on the
gratifying deed which he had just performed
He said that since he had sat in Parliament to represent the Gentlemanly
Interest of that town and he might add the Lady Interest he hoped besides
pocket handkerchiefs it had been his pleasant duty to come among them and to
raise his voice on their behalf in Another Place pocket handkerchiefs and
laughter often But he had never come among them and had never raised his
voice with half such pure such deep each unalloyed delight as now »The
present occasion« he said »will ever be memorable to me not only for the
reasons I have assigned but because it has afforded me an opportunity of
becoming personally known to a gentleman «
Here he pointed the trowel at Mr Pecksniff who was greeted with vociferous
cheering and laid his hand upon his heart
»To a gentleman who I am happy to believe will reap both distinction and
profit from this field whose fame had previously penetrated to me as to whose
ears has it not but whose intellectual countenance I never had the
distinguished honour to behold until this day and whose intellectual
conversation I had never before the improving pleasure to enjoy«
Everybody seemed very glad of this and applauded more than ever
»But I hope my Honourable Friend« said the Gentlemanly member of course
he added if he will allow me to call him so and of course Mr Pecksniff bowed
»will give me many opportunities of cultivating the knowledge of him and that I
may have the extraordinary gratification of reflecting in after time that I laid
on this day two first stones both belonging to structures which shall last my
life«
Great cheering again All this time Martin was cursing Mr Pecksniff up
hill and down dale
»My friends« said Mr Pecksniff in reply »My duty is to build not speak
to act not talk to deal with marble stone and brick not language I am very
much affected God bless you«
This address pumped out apparently from Mr Pecksniffs very heart brought
the enthusiasm to its highest pitch The pocket handkerchiefs were waved again
the charity children were admonished to grow up Pecksniffs every boy among
them the Corporation gentlemen with wands member for the Gentlemanly
Interest all cheered for Mr Pecksniff Three cheers for Mr Pecksniff Three
more for Mr Pecksniff Three more for Mr Pecksniff gentlemen if you please
One more gentlemen for Mr Pecksniff and let it be a good one to finish with
In short Mr Pecksniff was supposed to have done a great work and was very
kindly courteously and generously rewarded When the procession moved away
and Martin and Mark were left almost alone upon the ground his merits and a
desire to acknowledge them formed the common topic He was only second to the
Gentlemanly member
»Compare that fellows situation today with ours« said Martin bitterly
»Lord bless you sir« cried Mark »whats the use Some architects are
clever at making foundations and some architects are clever at building on em
when theyre made But itll all come right in the end sir itll all come
right«
»And in the meantime « began Martin
»In the meantime as you say sir we have a deal to do and far to go So
sharps the word and Jolly«
»You are the best master in the world Mark« said Martin »and I will not
be a bad scholar if I can help it I am resolved So come Best foot foremost
old fellow«
Chapter XXXVI
Tom Pinch Departs to Seek His Fortune What He Finds at Starting
Oh what a different town Salisbury was in Tom Pinchs eyes to be sure when the
substantial Pecksniff of his heart melted away into an idle dream He possessed
the same faith in the wonderful shops the same intensified appreciation of the
mystery and wickedness of the place made the same exalted estimate of its
wealth population and resources and yet it was not the old city nor anything
like it He walked into the market while they were getting breakfast ready for
him at the Inn and though it was the same market as of old crowded by the same
buyers and sellers brisk with the same business noisy with the same confusion
of tongues and cluttering of fowls in coops fair with the same display of rolls
of butter newly made set forth in linen cloths of dazzling whiteness green
with the same fresh show of dewy vegetables dainty with the same array in
higglers baskets of small shavingglasses laces braces trouserstraps and
hardware savoury with the same unstinted show of delicate pigs feet and pies
made precious by the pork that once had walked upon them still it was strangely
changed to Tom For in the centre of the marketplace he missed a statue he
had set up there as in all other places of his personal resort and it looked
cold and bare without that ornament
The change lay no deeper than this for Tom was far from being sage enough
to know that having been disappointed in one man it would have been a
strictly rational and eminently wise proceeding to have revenged himself upon
mankind in general by mistrusting them one and all Indeed this piece of
justice though it is upheld by the authority of divers profound poets and
honourable men bears a nearer resemblance to the justice of that good Vizier in
the Thousandandone Nights who issues orders for the destruction of all the
Porters in Bagdad because one of that unfortunate fraternity is supposed to have
misconducted himself than to any logical not to say Christian system of
conduct known to the world in later times
Tom had so long been used to steep the Pecksniff of his fancy in his tea
and spread him out upon his toast and take him as a relish with his beer that
he made but a poor breakfast on the first morning after his expulsion Nor did
he much improve his appetite for dinner by seriously considering his own
affairs and taking counsel thereon with his friend the organists assistant
The organists assistant gave it as his decided opinion that whatever Tom
did he must go to London for there was no place like it Which may be true in
the main though hardly perhaps in itself, a sufficient reason for Toms going
there
But Tom had thought of London before and had coupled with it thoughts of
his sister and of his old friend John Westlock whose advice he naturally felt
disposed to seek in this important crisis of his fortunes To London therefore
he resolved to go and he went away to the coachoffice at once to secure his
place The coach being already full he was obliged to postpone his departure
until the next night but even this circumstance had its bright side as well as
its dark one for though it threatened to reduce his poor purse with unexpected
countrycharges it afforded him an opportunity of writing to Mrs Lupin and
appointing his box to be brought to the old fingerpost at the old time which
would enable him to take that treasure with him to the metropolis and save the
expense of its carriage »So« said Tom comforting himself »its very nearly
as broad as its long«
And it cannot be denied that when he had made up his mind to even this
extent he felt an unaccustomed sense of freedom a vague and indistinct
impression of holidaymaking which was very luxurious He had his moments of
depression and anxiety and they were with good reason pretty numerous but
still it was wonderfully pleasant to reflect that he was his own master and
could plan and scheme for himself It was startling thrilling vast difficult
to understand it was a stupendous truth teeming with responsibility and
selfdistrust but in spite of all his cares it gave a curious relish to the
viands at the Inn and interposed a dreamy haze between him and his prospects
in which they sometimes showed to magical advantage
In this unsettled state of mind Tom went once more to bed in the low
fourposter to the same immoveable surprise of the effigies of the former
landlord and the fat ox and in this condition passed the whole of the
succeeding day When the coach came round at last with London blazoned in
letters of gold upon the boot it gave Tom such a turn that he was half
disposed to run away But he didnt do it for he took his seat upon the box
instead and looking down upon the four grays felt as if he were another gray
himself or at all events a part of the turnout and was quite confused by
the novelty and splendour of his situation
And really it might have confused a less modest man than Tom to find himself
sitting next that coachman for of all the swells that ever flourished a whip
professionally he might have been elected emperor He didnt handle his gloves
like another man but put them on even when he was standing on the pavement
quite detached from the coach as if the four grays were somehow or other at
the ends of the fingers It was the same with his hat He did things with his
hat which nothing but an unlimited knowledge of horses and the wildest freedom
of the road could ever have made him perfect in Valuable little parcels were
brought to him with particular instructions and he pitched them into this hat
and stuck it on again as if the laws of gravity did not admit of such an event
as its being knocked off or blown off and nothing like an accident could befall
it The guard too Seventy breezy miles aday were written in his very
whiskers His manners were a canter his conversation a round trot He was a
fast coach upon a downhill turnpike road he was all pace A waggon couldnt
have moved slowly with that guard and his keybugle on the top of it
These were all foreshadowings of London Tom thought as he sat upon the
box and looked about him Such a coachman and such a guard never could have
existed between Salisbury and any other place The coach was none of your
steadygoing yokel coaches but a swaggering rakish dissipated London coach
up all night and lying by all day and leading a devil of a life It cared no
more for Salisbury than if it had been a hamlet It rattled noisily through the
best streets defied the Cathedral took the worst corners sharpest went
cutting in everywhere making everything get out of its way and spun along the
open countryroad blowing a lively defiance out of its keybugle as its last
glad parting legacy
It was a charming evening Mild and bright And even with the weight upon
his mind which arose out of the immensity and uncertainty of London Tom could
not resist the captivating sense of rapid motion through the pleasant air The
four grays skimmed along as if they liked it quite as well as Tom did the
bugle was in as high spirits as the grays the coachman chimed in sometimes with
his voice the wheels hummed cheerfully in unison the brass work on the harness
was an orchestra of little bells and thus as they went clinking jingling
rattling smoothly on the whole concern from the buckles of the leaders
couplingreins to the handle of the hind boot was one great instrument of
music
Yoho past hedges gates and trees past cottages and barns and people
going home from work Yoho past donkeychaises drawn aside into the ditch and
empty carts with rampant horses whipped up at a bound upon the little
watercourse and held by struggling carters close to the fivebarred gate until
the coach had passed the narrow turning in the road Yoho by churches dropped
down by themselves in quiet nooks with rustic burialgrounds about them where
the graves are green and daisies sleep for it is evening on the bosoms of
the dead Yoho past streams in which the cattle cool their feet and where the
rushes grow past paddockfences farms and rickyards past last years
stacks cut slice by slice away and showing in the waning light like ruined
gables old and brown Yoho down the pebbly dip and through the merry
watersplash and up at a canter to the level road again Yoho Yoho
Was the box there when they came up to the old fingerpost The box Was
Mrs Lupin herself Had she turned out magnificently as a hostess should in her
own chaisecart and was she sitting in a mahogany chair driving her own horse
Dragon who ought to have been called Dumpling and looking lovely Did the
stagecoach pull up beside her shaving her very wheel and even while the guard
helped her man up with the trunk did he send the glad echoes of his bugle
careering down the chimneys of the distant Pecksniff as if the coach expressed
its exultation in the rescue of Tom Pinch
»This is kind indeed« said Tom bending down to shake hands with her »I
didnt mean to give you this trouble«
»Trouble Mr Pinch« cried the hostess of the Dragon
»Well Its a pleasure to you I know« said Tom squeezing her hand
heartily »Is there any news«
The hostess shook her head
»Say you saw me« said Tom »and that I was very bold and cheerful and not
a bit downhearted and that I entreated her to be the same for all is certain
to come right at last Good bye«
»Youll write when you get settled Mr Pinch« said Mrs Lupin
»When I get settled« cried Tom with an involuntary opening of his eyes
»Oh yes Ill write when I get settled Perhaps I had better write before
because I may find that it takes a little time to settle myself not having too
much money and having only one friend I shall give your love to the friend by
the way You were always great with Mr Westlock you know Good bye«
»Good bye« said Mrs Lupin hastily producing a basket with a long bottle
sticking out of it »Take this Good bye«
»Do you want me to carry it to London for you« cried Tom She was already
turning the chaisecart round
»No no« said Mrs Lupin »Its only a little something for refreshment on
the road Sit fast Jack Drive on sir All right Good bye«
She was a quarter of a mile off before Tom collected himself and then he
was waving his hand lustily and so was she
»And thats the last of the old fingerpost« thought Tom straining his
eyes »where I have so often stood to see this very coach go by and where I
have parted with so many companions I used to compare this coach to some great
monster that appeared at certain times to bear my friends away into the world
And now its bearing me away to seek my fortune Heaven knows where and how«
It made Tom melancholy to picture himself walking up the lane and back to
Pecksniffs as of old and being melancholy he looked downwards at the basket
on his knee which he had for the moment forgotten
»She is the kindest and most considerate creature in the world« thought
Tom »Now I know that she particularly told that man of hers not to look at me
on purpose to prevent my throwing him a shilling I had it ready for him all the
time and he never once looked towards me whereas that man naturally for I
know him very well would have done nothing but grin and stare Upon my word
the kindness of people perfectly melts me«
Here he caught the coachmans eye The coachman winked »Remarkable fine
woman for her time of life« said the coachman
»I quite agree with you« returned Tom »So she is«
»Finer than many a young un I mean to say« observed the coachman »Eh«
»Than many a young one« Tom assented
»I dont care for em myself when theyre too young« remarked the coachman
This was a matter of taste which Tom did not feel himself called upon to
discuss
»Youll seldom find em possessing correct opinions about refreshment for
instance when theyre too young you know« said the coachman »a woman must
have arrived at maturity before her minds equal to coming provided with a
basket like that«
»Perhaps you would like to know what it contains« said Tom smiling
As the coachman only laughed and as Tom was curious himself he unpacked
it and put the articles one by one upon the footboard A cold roast fowl a
packet of ham in slices a crusty loaf a piece of cheese a paper of biscuits
half a dozen apples a knife some butter a screw of salt and a bottle of old
sherry There was a letter besides which Tom put in his pocket
The coachman was so earnest in his approval of Mrs Lupins provident
habits and congratulated Tom so warmly on his good fortune that Tom felt it
necessary for the ladys sake to explain that the basket was a strictly
Platonic basket and had merely been presented to him in the way of friendship
When he had made the statement with perfect gravity for he felt it incumbent on
him to disabuse the mind of this lax rover of any incorrect impressions on the
subject he signified that he would be happy to share the gifts with him and
proposed that they should attack the basket in a spirit of good fellowship at
any time in the course of the night which the coachmans experience and
knowledge of the road might suggest as being best adapted to the purpose From
this time they chatted so pleasantly together that although Tom knew infinitely
more of unicorns than horses the coachman informed his friend the guard at the
end of the next stage »that rum as the boxseat looked he was as good a one to
go in pint of conversation as ever hed wish to sit by«
Yoho among the gathering shades making of no account the deep reflections
of the trees but scampering on through light and darkness all the same as if
the light of London fifty miles away were quite enough to travel by and some
to spare Yoho beside the villagegreen where cricketplayers linger yet and
every little indentation made in the fresh grass by bat or wicket ball or
players foot sheds out its perfume on the night Away with four fresh horses
from the Baldfaced Stag where topers congregate about the door admiring and
the last team with traces hanging loose go roaming off towards the pond until
observed and shouted after by a dozen throats while volunteering boys pursue
them Now with a clattering of hoofs and striking out of fiery sparks across
the old stone bridge and down again into the shadowy road and through the open
gate and far away away into the wold Yoho
Yoho behind there stop that bugle for a moment Come creeping over to the
front along the coachroof guard and make one at this basket Not that we
slacken in our pace the while not we we rather put the bits of blood upon
their metal for the greater glory of the snack Ah It is long since this
bottle of old wine was brought into contact with the mellow breath of night you
may depend and rare good stuff it is to wet a buglers whistle with Only try
it Dont be afraid of turning up your finger Bill another pull Now take
your breath and try the bugle Bill Theres music Theres a tone »Over the
hills and far away« indeed Yoho The skittish mare is all alive tonight
Yoho Yoho
See the bright moon High up before we know it making the earth reflect the
objects on its breast like water Hedges trees low cottages church steeples
blighted stumps and flourishing young slips have all grown vain upon the
sudden and mean to contemplate their own fair images till morning The poplars
yonder rustle that their quivering leaves may see themselves upon the ground
Not so the oak trembling does not become him and he watches himself in his
stout old burly steadfastness without the motion of a twig The mossgrown
gate illpoised upon its creaking hinges crippled and decayed swings to and
fro before its glass like some fantastic dowager while our own ghostly
likeness travels on Yoho Yoho through ditch and brake upon the ploughed land
and the smooth along the steep hillside and steeper wall as if it were a
phantomHunter
Clouds too And a mist upon the Hollow Not a dull fog that hides it but a
light airy gauzelike mist which in our eyes of modest admiration gives a new
charm to the beauties it is spread before as real gauze has done ere now and
would again so please you though we were the Pope Yoho Why now we travel
like the Moon herself Hiding this minute in a grove of trees next minute in a
patch of vapour emerging now upon our broad clear course withdrawing now but
always dashing on our journey is a counterpart of hers Yoho A match against
the Moon
The beauty of the night is hardly felt when Day comes leaping up Yoho Two
stages and the country roads are almost changed to a continuous street Yoho
past marketgardens rows of houses villas crescents terraces and squares
past waggons coaches carts past early workmen late stragglers drunken men
and sober carriers of loads past brick and mortar in its every shape and in
among the rattling pavements where a jauntyseat upon a coach is not so easy to
preserve Yoho down countless turnings and through countless mazy ways until
an old Innyard is gained and Tom Pinch getting down quite stunned and giddy
is in London
»Five minutes before the time too« said the driver as he received his fee
of Tom
»Upon my word« said Tom »I should not have minded very much if we had
been five hours after it for at this early hour I dont know where to go or
what to do with myself«
»Dont they expect you then« inquired the driver
»Who« said Tom
»Why them« returned the driver
His mind was so clearly running on the assumption of Toms having come to
town to see an extensive circle of anxious relations and friends that it would
have been pretty hard work to undeceive him Tom did not try He cheerfully
evaded the subject and going into the Inn fell fast asleep before a fire in
one of the public rooms opening from the yard When he awoke the people in the
house were all astir so he washed and dressed himself to his great refreshment
after the journey and it being by that time eight oclock went forth at once
to see his old friend John
John Westlock lived in Furnivals Inn High Holborn which was within a
quarter of an hours walk of Toms startingpoint but seemed a long way off by
reason of his going two or three miles out of the straight road to make a short
cut When at last he arrived outside Johns door two stories up he stood
faltering with his hand upon the knocker and trembled from head to foot For he
was rendered very nervous by the thought of having to relate what had fallen out
between himself and Pecksniff and he had a misgiving that John would exult
fearfully in the disclosure
»But it must be made« thought Tom »sooner or later and I had better get
it over«
Rat tat
»I am afraid thats not a London knock« thought Tom »It didnt sound bold
Perhaps thats the reason why nobody answers the door«
It is quite certain that nobody came and that Tom stood looking at the
knocker wondering whereabouts in the neighbourhood a certain gentleman resided
who was roaring out to somebody »Come in« with all his might
»Bless my soul« thought Tom at last »Perhaps he lives here and is calling
to me I never thought of that Can I open the door from the outside I wonder
Yes to be sure I can«
To be sure he could by turning the handle and to be sure when he did turn
it the same voice came rushing out crying »Why dont you come in Come in do
you hear What are you standing there for« quite violently
Tom stepped from the little passage into the room from which these sounds
proceeded and had barely caught a glimpse of a gentleman in a dressinggown and
slippers with his boots beside him ready to put on sitting at his breakfast
with a newspaper in his hand when the said gentleman at the imminent hazard of
oversetting his teatable made a plunge at Tom and hugged him
»Why Tom my boy« cried the gentleman »Tom«
»How glad I am to see you Mr Westlock« said Tom Pinch shaking both his
hands and trembling more than ever »How kind you are«
»Mr Westlock« repeated John »what do you mean by that Pinch You have
not forgotten my Christian name I suppose«
»No John no I have not forgotten it« said Thomas Pinch »Good gracious
me how kind you are«
»I never saw such a fellow in all my life« cried John »What do you mean by
saying that over and over again What did you expect me to be I wonder Here
sit down Tom and be a reasonable creature How are you my boy I am delighted
to see you«
»And I am delighted to see you« said Tom
»Its mutual of course« returned John »It always was I hope If I had
known you had been coming Tom I would have had something for breakfast I
would rather have such a surprise than the best breakfast in the world myself
but yours is another case and I have no doubt you are as hungry as a hunter
You must make out as well as you can Tom and well recompense ourselves at
dinnertime You take sugar I know I recollect the sugar at Pecksniffs Ha
ha ha How is Pecksniff When did you come to town Do begin at something or
other Tom There are only scraps here but they are not at all bad Boars Head
potted Try it Tom Make a beginning whatever you do What an old Blade you
are I am delighted to see you«
While he delivered himself of these words in a state of great commotion
John was constantly running backwards and forwards to and from the closet
bringing out all sorts of things in pots scooping extraordinary quantities of
tea out of the caddy dropping French rolls into his boots pouring hot water
over the butter and making a variety of similar mistakes without disconcerting
himself in the least
»There« said John sitting down for the fiftieth time and instantly
starting up again to make some other addition to the breakfast »Now we are as
well off as we are likely to be till dinner And now let us have the news Tom
Imprimis hows Pecksniff«
»I dont know how he is« was Toms grave answer
John Westlock put the teapot down and looked at him in astonishment
»I dont know how he is« said Thomas Pinch »and saving that I wish him no
ill I dont care I have left him John I have left him for ever«
»Voluntarily«
»Why no for he dismissed me But I had first found out that I was mistaken
in him and I could not have remained with him under any circumstances I grieve
to say that you were right in your estimate of his character It may be a
ridiculous weakness John but it has been very painful and bitter to me to find
this out I do assure you«
Tom had no need to direct that appealing look towards his friend in mild
and gentle deprecation of his answering with a laugh John Westlock would as
soon have thought of striking him down upon the floor
»It was all a dream of mine« said Tom »and it is over Ill tell you how
it happened at some other time Bear with my folly John I do not just now
like to think or speak about it«
»I swear to you Tom« returned his friend with great earnestness of
manner after remaining silent for a few moments »that when I see as I do now
how deeply you feel this I dont know whether to be glad or sorry that you have
made the discovery at last I reproach myself with the thought that I ever
jested on the subject I ought to have known better«
»My dear friend« said Tom extending his hand »it is very generous and
gallant in you to receive me and my disclosure in this spirit it makes me blush
to think that I should have felt a moments uneasiness as I came along You
cant think what a weight is lifted off my mind« said Tom taking up his knife
and fork again and looking very cheerful »I shall punish the Boars Head
dreadfully«
The host thus reminded of his duties instantly betook himself to piling up
all kinds of irreconcilable and contradictory viands in Toms plate and a very
capital breakfast Tom made and very much the better for it Tom felt
»Thats all right« said John after contemplating his visitors
proceedings with infinite satisfaction »Now about our plans You are going to
stay with me of course Wheres your box«
»Its at the Inn« said Tom »I didnt intend «
»Never mind what you didnt intend« John Westlock interposed »What you did
intend is more to the purpose You intended in coming here to ask my advice
did you not Tom«
»Certainly«
»And to take it when I gave it to you«
»Yes« rejoined Tom smiling »if it were good advice which being yours I
have no doubt it will be«
»Very well Then dont be an obstinate old humbug in the outset Tom or I
shall shut up shop and dispense none of that invaluable commodity You are on a
visit to me I wish I had an organ for you Tom«
»So do the gentlemen down stairs and the gentlemen overhead I have no
doubt« was Toms reply
»Let me see In the first place you will wish to see your sister this
morning« pursued his friend »and of course you will like to go there alone
Ill walk part of the way with you and see about a little business of my own
and meet you here again in the afternoon Put that in your pocket Tom Its
only the key of the door If you come home first youll want it«
»Really« said Tom »quartering ones self upon a friend in this way «
»Why there are two keys« interposed John Westlock »I cant open the door
with them both at once can I What a ridiculous fellow you are Tom Nothing
particular youd like for dinner is there«
»Oh dear no« said Tom
»Very well then you may as well leave it to me Have a glass of cherry
brandy Tom«
»Not a drop What remarkable chambers these are« said Pinch »theres
everything in em«
»Bless your soul Tom nothing but a few little bachelor contrivances the
sort of impromptu arrangements that might have suggested themselves to Philip
Quarll or Robinson Crusoe thats all What do you say Shall we walk«
»By all means« cried Tom »As soon as you like«
Accordingly John Westlock took the French rolls out of his boots and put
his boots on and dressed himself giving Tom the paper to read in the
meanwhile When he returned equipped for walking he found Tom in a brown
study with the paper in his hand
»Dreaming Tom«
»No« said Mr Pinch »No I have been looking over the advertising sheet
thinking there might be something in it which would be likely to suit me But
as I often think the strange thing seems to be that nobody is suited Here are
all kinds of employers wanting all sorts of servants and all sorts of servants
wanting all kinds of employers and they never seem to come together Here is a
gentleman in a public office in a position of temporary difficulty who wants to
borrow five hundred pounds and in the very next advertisement here is another
gentleman who has got exactly that sum to lend But hell never lend it to him
John youll find Here is a lady possessing a moderate independence who wants
to board and lodge with a quiet cheerful family and here is a family
describing themselves in those very words a quiet cheerful family who want
exactly such a lady to come and live with them But shell never go John
Neither do any of these single gentlemen who want an airy bedroom with the
occasional use of a parlour ever appear to come to terms with these other
people who live in a rural situation remarkable for its bracing atmosphere
within five minutes walk of the Royal Exchange Even those letters of the
alphabet who are always running away from their friends and being entreated at
the tops of columns to come back never do come back if we may judge from the
number of times they are asked to do it and dont It really seems« said Tom
relinquishing the paper with a thoughtful sigh »as if people had the same
gratification in printing their complaints as in making them known by word of
mouth as if they found it a comfort and consolation to proclaim I want such and
such a thing and I cant get it and I dont expect I ever shall«
John Westlock laughed at the idea and they went out together So many years
had passed since Tom was last in London and he had known so little of it then
that his interest in all he saw was very great He was particularly anxious
among other notorious localities to have those streets pointed out to him which
were appropriated to the slaughter of countrymen and was quite disappointed to
find after a halfanhours walking that he hadnt had his pocket picked But
on John Westlocks inventing a pickpocket for his gratification and pointing
out a highly respectable stranger as one of that fraternity he was much
delighted
His friend accompanied him to within a short distance of Camberwell and
having put him beyond the possibility of mistaking the wealthy brassandcopper
founders left him to make his visit Arriving before the great bellhandle
Tom gave it a gentle pull The porter appeared
»Pray does Miss Pinch live here« said Tom
»Miss Pinch is Governess here« replied the porter
At the same time he looked at Tom from head to foot as if he would have
said »You are a nice man you are where did you come from«
»Its the same young lady« said Tom »Its quite right Is she at home«
»I dont know Im sure« rejoined the porter
»Do you think you could have the goodness to ascertain« said Tom He had
quite a delicacy in offering the suggestion for the possibility of such a step
did not appear to present itself to the porters mind at all
The fact was that the porter in answering the gatebell had according to
usage rung the housebell for it is as well to do these things in the Baronial
style while you are about it and that there the functions of his office had
ceased Being hired to open and shut the gate and not to explain himself to
strangers he left this little incident to be developed by the footman with the
tags who at this juncture called out from the door steps
»Hollo there wot are you up to This way young man«
»Oh« said Tom hurrying towards him »I didnt observe that there was
anybody else Pray is Miss Pinch at home«
»Shes in« replied the footman As much as to say to Tom »But if you think
she has anything to do with the proprietorship of this place you had better
abandon that idea«
»I wish to see her if you please« said Tom
The footman being a lively young man happened to have his attention caught
at that moment by the flight of a pigeon in which he took so warm an interest
that his gaze was rivetted on the bird until it was quite out of sight He then
invited Tom to come in and showed him into a parlour
»Hany neem« said the young man pausing languidly at the door
It was a good thought because without providing the stranger in case he
should happen to be of a warm temper with a sufficient excuse for knocking him
down it implied this young mans estimate of his quality and relieved his
breast of the oppressive burden of rating him in secret as a nameless and
obscure individual
»Say her brother if you please« said Tom
»Mother« drawled the footman
»Brother« repeated Tom slightly raising his voice »And if you will say
in the first instance, a gentleman and then say her brother I shall be obliged
to you as she does not expect me or know I am in London and I do not wish to
startle her«
The young mans interest in Toms observations had ceased long before this
time but he kindly waited until now when shutting the door he withdrew
»Dear me« said Tom »This is very disrespectful and uncivil behaviour I
hope these are new servants here and that Ruth is very differently treated«
His cogitations were interrupted by the sound of voices in the adjoining
room They seemed to be engaged in high dispute or in indignant reprimand of
some offender and gathering strength occasionally broke out into a perfect
whirlwind It was in one of these gusts as it appeared to Tom that the footman
announced him for an abrupt and unnatural calm took place and then a dead
silence He was standing before the window wondering what domestic quarrel
might have caused these sounds and hoping Ruth had nothing to do with it when
the door opened and his sister ran into his arms
»Why bless my soul« said Tom looking at her with great pride when they
had tenderly embraced each other »how altered you are Ruth I should scarcely
have known you my love if I had seen you anywhere else I declare You are so
improved« said Tom with inexpressible delight »you are so womanly you are so
positively you know you are so handsome«
»If you think so Tom «
»Oh but everybody must think so you know« said Tom gently smoothing down
her hair »Its a matter of fact; not opinion But whats the matter« said Tom
looking at her more intently »how flushed you are and you have been crying«
»No I have not Tom«
»Nonsense« said her brother stoutly »Thats a story Dont tell me I know
better What is it dear Im not with Mr Pecksniff now I am going to try and
settle myself in London and if you are not happy here as I very much fear you
are not for I begin to think you have been deceiving me with the kindest and
most affectionate intention you shall not remain here«
Oh Toms blood was rising mind that Perhaps the Boars Head had something
to do with it but certainly the footman had So had the sight of his pretty
sister a great deal to do with it Tom could bear a good deal himself but he
was proud of her and pride is a sensitive thing He began to think »there are
more Pecksniffs than one perhaps« and by all the pins and needles that run up
and down in angry veins Tom was in a most unusual tingle all at once
»We will talk about it Tom« said Ruth giving him another kiss to pacify
him »I am afraid I cannot stay here«
»Cannot« replied Tom »Why then you shall not my love Heyday You are
not an object of charity Upon my word«
Tom was stopped in these exclamations by the footman who brought a message
from his master importing that he wished to speak with him before he went and
with Miss Pinch also
»Show the way« said Tom »Ill wait upon him at once«
Accordingly they entered the adjoining room from which the noise of
altercation had proceeded and there they found a middleaged gentleman with a
pompous voice and manner and a middleaged lady with what may be termed an
exciseable face or one in which starch and vinegar were decidedly employed
There was likewise present that eldest pupil of Miss Pinch whom Mrs Todgers
on a previous occasion had called a syrup and who was now weeping and sobbing
spitefully
»My brother sir« said Ruth Pinch timidly presenting Tom
»Oh« cried the gentleman surveying Tom attentively »You really are Miss
Pinchs brother I presume You will excuse my asking I dont observe any
resemblance«
»Miss Pinch has a brother I know« observed the lady
»Miss Pinch is always talking about her brother when she ought to be
engaged upon my education« sobbed the pupil
»Sophia Hold your tongue« observed the gentleman »Sit down if you
please« addressing Tom
Tom sat down looking from one face to another in mute surprise
»Remain here if you please Miss Pinch« pursued the gentleman looking
slightly over his shoulder
Tom interrupted him here by rising to place a chair for his sister Having
done which he sat down again
»I am glad you chance to have called to see your sister today sir«
resumed the brassandcopper founder »For although I do not approve as a
principle, of any young person engaged in my family in the capacity of a
governess receiving visitors it happens in this case to be welltimed I am
sorry to inform you that we are not at all satisfied with your sister«
»We are very much dissatisfied with her« observed the lady
»Id never say another lesson to Miss Pinch if I was to be beat to death for
it« sobbed the pupil
»Sophia« cried her father »Hold your tongue«
»Will you allow me to inquire what your ground of dissatisfaction is« asked
Tom
»Yes« said the gentleman »I will I dont recognise it as a right but I
will Your sister has not the slightest innate power of commanding respect It
has been a constant source of difference between us Although she has been in
this family for some time and although the young lady who is now present has
almost as it were grown up under her tuition that young lady has no respect
for her Miss Pinch has been perfectly unable to command my daughters respect
or to win my daughters confidence Now« said the gentleman allowing the palm
of his hand to fall gravely down upon the table »I maintain that there is
something radically wrong in that You as her brother may be disposed to deny
it «
»I beg your pardon sir« said Tom »I am not at all disposed to deny it I
am sure that there is something radically wrong radically monstrous in that«
»Good Heavens« cried the gentleman looking round the room with dignity
»what do I find to be the case what results obtrude themselves upon me as
flowing from this weakness of character on the part of Miss Pinch What are my
feelings as a father when after my desire repeatedly expressed to Miss Pinch
as I think she will not venture to deny that my daughter should be choice in
her expressions genteel in her deportment as becomes her station in life and
politely distant to her inferiors in society I find her only this very
morning addressing Miss Pinch herself as a beggar«
»A beggarly thing« observed the lady in correction
»Which is worse« said the gentleman triumphantly »which is worse A
beggarly thing A low coarse despicable expression«
»Most despicable« cried Tom »I am glad to find that there is a just
appreciation of it here«
»So just sir« said the gentleman lowering his voice to be the more
impressive »So just that but for my knowing Miss Pinch to be an unprotected
young person an orphan and without friends I would as I assured Miss Pinch
upon my veracity and personal character a few minutes ago I would have severed
the connection between us at that moment and from that time«
»Bless my soul sir« cried Tom rising from his seat for he was now unable
to contain himself any longer »dont allow such considerations as those to
influence you pray They dont exist sir She is not unprotected She is ready
to depart this instant Ruth my dear get your bonnet on«
»Oh a pretty family« cried the lady »Oh hes her brother Theres no
doubt about that«
»As little doubt madam« said Tom »as that the young lady yonder is the
child of your teaching and not my sisters Ruth my dear get your bonnet on«
»When you say young man« interposed the brassandcopper founder
haughtily »with that impertinence which is natural to you and which I
therefore do not condescend to notice further that the young lady my eldest
daughter has been educated by any one but Miss Pinch you I neednt proceed
You comprehend me fully I have no doubt you are used to it«
»Sir« cried Tom after regarding him in silence for some little time »If
you do not understand what I mean I will tell you If you do understand what I
mean I beg you not to repeat that mode of expressing yourself in answer to it
My meaning is that no man can expect his children to respect what he degrades«
»Ha ha ha« laughed the gentleman »Cant cant The common cant«
»The common story sir« said Tom »the story of a common mind Your
governess cannot win the confidence and respect of your children forsooth Let
her begin by winning yours and see what happens then«
»Miss Pinch is getting her bonnet on I trust my dear« said the gentleman
»I trust she is« said Tom forestalling the reply »I have no doubt she is
In the meantime I address myself to you sir You made your statement to me
sir you required to see me for that purpose and I have a right to answer it I
am not loud or turbulent« said Tom which was quite true »though I can
scarcely say as much for you in your manner of addressing yourself to me And I
wish on my sisters behalf to state the simple truth«
»You may state anything you like young man« returned the gentleman
affecting to yawn »My dear Miss Pinchs money«
»When you tell me« resumed Tom who was not the less indignant for keeping
himself quiet »that my sister has no innate power of commanding the respect of
your children I must tell you it is not so and that she has She is as well
bred as well taught as well qualified by nature to command respect as any
hirer of a governess you know But when you place her at a disadvantage in
reference to every servant in your house how can you suppose if you have the
gift of common sense that she is not in a tenfold worse position in reference
to your daughters«
»Pretty well Upon my word« exclaimed the gentleman »this is pretty well«
»It is very ill sir« said Tom »It is very bad and mean and wrong and
cruel Respect I believe young people are quick enough to observe and imitate
and why or how should they respect whom no one else respects and everybody
slights And very partial they must grow oh very partial to their studies
when they see to what a pass proficiency in those same tasks has brought their
governess Respect Put anything the most deserving of respect before your
daughters in the light in which you place her and you will bring it down as
low no matter what it is«
»You speak with extreme impertinence young man« observed the gentleman
»I speak without passion but with extreme indignation and contempt for such
a course of treatment and for all who practise it« said Tom »Why how can
you as an honest gentleman profess displeasure or surprise at your daughter
telling my sister she is something beggarly and humble when you are for ever
telling her the same thing yourself in fifty plain outspeaking ways though
not in words and when your very porter and footman make the same delicate
announcement to all comers As to your suspicion and distrust of her even of
her word if she is not above their reach you have no right to employ her«
»No right« cried the brassandcopper founder
»Distinctly not« Tom answered »If you imagine that the payment of an
annual sum of money gives it to you you immensely exaggerate its power and
value Your money is the least part of your bargain in such a case You may be
punctual in that to half a second on the clock and yet be Bankrupt I have
nothing more to say« said Tom much flushed and flustered now that it was
over »except to crave permission to stand in your garden until my sister is
ready«
Not waiting to obtain it Tom walked out
Before he had well begun to cool his sister joined him She was crying and
Tom could not bear that any one about the house should see her doing that
»They will think you are sorry to go« said Tom »You are not sorry to go«
»No Tom no I have been anxious to go for a very long time«
»Very well then Dont cry« said Tom
»I am so sorry for you dear« sobbed Toms sister
»But you ought to be glad on my account« said Tom »I shall be twice as
happy with you for a companion Hold up your head There Now we go out as we
ought Not blustering you know but firm and confident in ourselves«
The idea of Tom and his sister blustering under any circumstances was a
splendid absurdity But Tom was very far from feeling it to be so in his
excitement and passed out at the gate with such severe determination written in
his face that the porter hardly knew him again
It was not until they had walked some short distance and Tom found himself
getting cooler and more collected that he was quite restored to himself by an
inquiry from his sister who said in her pleasant little voice
»Where are we going Tom«
»Dear me« said Tom stopping »I dont know«
»Dont you dont you live anywhere dear« asked Toms sister looking
wistfully in his face
»No« said Tom »Not at present Not exactly I only arrived this morning
We must have some lodgings«
He didnt tell her that he had been going to stay with his friend John and
could on no account think of billeting two inmates upon him of whom one was a
young lady for he knew that would make her uncomfortable and would cause her
to regard herself as being an inconvenience to him Neither did he like to leave
her anywhere while he called on John and told him of this change in his
arrangements for he was delicate of seeming to encroach upon the generous and
hospitable nature of his friend Therefore he said again »We must have some
lodgings of course« and said it as stoutly as if he had been a perfect
Directory and GuideBook to all the lodgings in London
»Where shall we go and look for em« said Tom »What do you think«
Toms sister was not much wiser on such a topic than he was So she squeezed
her little purse into his coatpocket and folding the little hand with which
she did so on the other little hand with which she clasped his arm said
nothing
»It ought to be a cheap neighbourhood« said Tom »and not too far from
London Let me see Should you think Islington a good place«
»I should think it was an excellent place Tom«
»It used to be called Merry Islington once upon a time« said Tom »Perhaps
its merry now if so its all the better Eh«
»If its not too dear« said Toms sister
»Of course if its not too dear« assented Tom »Well where is Islington
We cant do better than go there I should think Lets go«
Toms sister would have gone anywhere with him so they walked off arm in
arm as comfortably as possible Finding presently that Islington was not in
that neighbourhood Tom made inquiries respecting a public conveyance thither
which they soon obtained As they rode along they were very full of conversation
indeed Tom relating what had happened to him and Toms sister relating what
had happened to her and both finding a great deal more to say than time to say
it in for they had only just begun to talk in comparison with what they had to
tell each other when they reached their journeys end
»Now« said Tom »we must first look out for some very unpretending streets
and then look out for bills in the windows«
So they walked off again quite as happily as if they had just stepped out
of a snug little house of their own to look for lodgings on account of somebody
else Toms simplicity was unabated Heaven knows but now that he had somebody
to rely upon him he was stimulated to rely a little more upon himself and was
in his own opinion quite a desperate fellow
After roaming up and down for hours looking at some scores of lodgings
they began to find it rather fatiguing especially as they saw none which were
at all adapted to their purpose At length however in a singular little
oldfashioned house up a blind street they discovered two small bedrooms and
a triangular parlour which promised to suit them well enough Their desiring to
take possession immediately was a suspicious circumstance but even this was
surmounted by the payment of their first weeks rent and a reference to John
Westlock Esquire Furnivals Inn High Holborn
Ah It was a goodly sight when this important point was settled to behold
Tom and his sister trotting round to the bakers and the butchers and the
grocers with a kind of dreadful delight in the unaccustomed cares of
housekeeping taking secret counsel together as they gave their small orders
and distracted by the least suggestion on the part of the shopkeeper When they
got back to the triangular parlour and Toms sister bustling to and fro busy
about a thousand pleasant nothings stopped every now and then to give old Tom a
kiss or smile upon him Tom rubbed his hands as if all Islington were his
It was late in the afternoon now though and high time for Tom to keep his
appointment So after agreeing with his sister that in consideration of not
having dined they would venture on the extravagance of chops for supper at
nine he walked out again to narrate these marvellous occurrences to John
»I am quite a family man all at once« thought Tom »If I can only get
something to do how comfortable Ruth and I may be Ah that if But its of no
use to despond I can but do that when I have tried everything and failed and
even then it wont serve me much Upon my word« thought Tom quickening his
pace »I dont know what John will think has become of me Hell begin to be
afraid I have strayed into one of those streets where the countrymen are
murdered and that I have been made meat pies of or some such horrible thing«
Chapter XXXVII
Tom Pinch Going Astray Finds that He Is not the Only Person in that
Predicament He Retaliates upon a Fallen Foe
Toms evil genius did not lead him into the dens of any of those preparers of
cannibalic pastry who are represented in many standard country legends as
doing a lively retail business in the Metropolis nor did it mark him out as the
prey of ringdroppers pea and thimbleriggers duffers touters or any of
those bloodless sharpers who are perhaps a little better known to the Police
He fell into conversation with no gentleman who took him into a publichouse
where there happened to be another gentleman who swore he had more money than
any gentleman and very soon proved he had more money than one gentleman by
taking his away from him neither did he fall into any other of the numerous
mantraps which are set up without notice in the public grounds of this city
But he lost his way He very soon did that and in trying to find it again he
lost it more and more
Now Tom in his guileless distrust of London thought himself very knowing
in coming to the determination that he would not ask to be directed to
Furnivals Inn if he could help it unless indeed he should happen to find
himself near the Mint or the Bank of England in which case he would step in
and ask a civil question or two confiding in the perfect respectability of the
concern So on he went looking up all the streets he came near and going up
half of them and thus by dint of not being true to Goswell Street and filing
off into Aldermanbury and bewildering himself in Barbican and being constant
to the wrong point of the compass in London Wall and then getting himself
crosswise into Thames Street by an instinct that would have been marvellous if
he had had the least desire or reason to go there he found himself at last
hard by the Monument
The Man in the Monument was quite as mysterious a being to Tom as the Man in
the Moon It immediately occurred to him that the lonely creature who held
himself aloof from all mankind in that pillar like some old hermit was the very
man of whom to ask his way Cold he might be little sympathy he had perhaps
with human passion the column seemed too tall for that but if Truth didnt
live in the base of the Monument notwithstanding Popes couplet about the
outside of it where in London thought Tom was she likely to be found
Coming close below the pillar it was a great encouragement to Tom to find
that the Man in the Monument had simple tastes that stony and artificial as his
residence was he still preserved some rustic recollections that he liked
plants hung up birdcages was not wholly cut off from fresh groundsel and
kept young trees in tubs The Man in the Monument himself was sitting outside
the door his own door the Monumentdoor what a grand idea and was
actually yawning as if there were no Monument to stop his mouth and give him a
perpetual interest in his own existence
Tom was advancing towards this remarkable creature to inquire the way to
Furnivals Inn when two people came to see the Monument They were a gentleman
and a lady and the gentleman said »How much apiece«
The Man in the Monument replied »A Tanner«
It seemed a low expression compared with the Monument
The gentleman put a shilling into his hand and the Man in the Monument
opened a dark little door When the gentleman and lady had passed out of view
he shut it again and came slowly back to his chair
He sat down and laughed
»They dont know what a many steps there is« he said »Its worth twice the
money to stop here Oh my eye«
The Man in the Monument was a Cynic a worldly man Tom couldnt ask his way
of him He was prepared to put no confidence in anything he said
»My Gracious« cried a wellknown voice behind Mr Pinch »Why to be sure
it is«
At the same time he was poked in the back by a parasol Turning round to
inquire into this salute he beheld the eldest daughter of his late patron
»Miss Pecksniff« said Tom
»Why my goodness Mr Pinch« cried Cherry »What are you doing here«
»I have rather wandered from my way« said Tom »I «
»I hope you have run away« said Charity »It would be quite spirited and
proper if you had when my Papa so far forgets himself«
»I have left him« returned Tom »But it was perfectly understood on both
sides It was not done clandestinely«
»Is he married« asked Cherry with a spasmodic shake of her chin
»No not yet« said Tom colouring »to tell you the truth I dont think he
is likely to be if if Miss Graham is the object of his passion«
»Tcha Mr Pinch« cried Charity with sharp impatience »youre very easily
deceived You dont know the arts of which such a creature is capable Oh its
a wicked world«
»You are not married« Tom hinted to divert the conversation
»Nno« said Cherry tracing out one particular paving stone in Monument
Yard with the end of her parasol »I but really its quite impossible to
explain Wont you walk in«
»You live here then« said Tom
»Yes« returned Miss Pecksniff pointing with her parasol to Todgerss »I
reside with this lady at present«
The great stress on the two last words suggested to Tom that he was expected
to say something in reference to them So he said
»Only at present Are you going home again soon«
»No Mr Pinch« returned Charity »No thank you No A motherinlaw who
is younger than I mean to say who is as nearly as possible about the same age
as ones self would not quite suit my spirit Not quite« said Cherry with a
spiteful shiver
»I thought from your saying at present« Tom observed
»Really upon my word I had no idea you would press me so very closely on
the subject Mr Pinch« said Charity blushing »or I should not have been so
foolish as to allude to Oh really wont you walk in«
Tom mentioned to excuse himself that he had an appointment in Furnivals
Inn and that coming from Islington he had taken a few wrong turnings and
arrived at the Monument instead Miss Pecksniff simpered very much when he asked
her if she knew the way to Furnivals Inn and at length found courage to reply
»A gentleman who is a friend of mine or at least who is not exactly a
friend so much as a sort of acquaintance Oh upon my word I hardly know what
I say Mr Pinch you mustnt suppose there is any engagement between us or at
least if there is that it is at all a settled thing as yet is going to
Furnivals Inn immediately I believe upon a little business and I am sure he
would be very glad to accompany you so as to prevent your going wrong again
You had better walk in You will very likely find my sister Merry here« she
said with a curious toss of her head and anything but an agreeable smile
»Then I think Ill endeavour to find my way alone« said Tom »for I fear
she would not be very glad to see me That unfortunate occurrence in relation
to which you and I had some amicable words together in private is not likely
to have impressed her with any friendly feeling towards me Though it really was
not my fault«
»She has never heard of that you may depend« said Cherry gathering up the
corners of her mouth and nodding at Tom »I am far from sure that she would
bear you any mighty ill will for it if she had«
»You dont say so« cried Tom who was really concerned by this insinuation
»I say nothing« said Charity »If I had not already known what shocking
things treachery and deceit are in themselves, Mr Pinch I might perhaps have
learnt it from the success they meet with from the success they meet with«
Here she smiled as before »But I dont say anything On the contrary I should
scorn it You had better walk in«
There was something hidden here which piqued Toms interest and troubled
his tender heart When in a moments irresolution he looked at Charity he
could not but observe a struggle in her face between a sense of triumph and a
sense of shame nor could he but remark how meeting even his eyes which she
cared so little for she turned away her own for all the splenetic defiance in
her manner
An uneasy thought entered Toms head a shadowy misgiving that the altered
relations between himself and Pecksniff were somehow to involve an altered
knowledge on his part of other people and were to give him an insight into much
of which he had had no previous suspicion And yet he put no definite
construction upon Charitys proceedings He certainly had no idea that as he had
been the audience and spectator of her mortification she grasped with eager
delight at any opportunity of reproaching her sister with his presence in her
far deeper misery for he knew nothing of it and only pictured that sister as
the same giddy careless trivial creature she always had been with the same
slight estimation of himself which she had never been at the least pains to
conceal In short he had merely a confused impression that Miss Pecksniff was
not quite sisterly or kind and being curious to set it right accompanied her
as she desired
The housedoor being opened she went in before Tom requesting him to
follow her and led the way to the parlour door
»Oh Merry« she said looking in »I am so glad you have not gone home Who
do you think I have met in the street and brought to see you Mr Pinch There
Now you are surprised I am sure«
Not more surprised than Tom was when he looked upon her Not so much Not
half so much
»Mr Pinch has left Papa my dear« said Cherry »and his prospects are
quite flourishing I have promised that Augustus who is going that way shall
escort him to the place he wants Augustus my child where are you«
With these words Miss Pecksniff screamed her way out of the parlour calling
on Augustus Moddle to appear and left Tom Pinch alone with her sister
If she had always been his kindest friend if she had treated him through
all his servitude with such consideration as was never yet received by
struggling man if she had lightened every moment of those many years and had
ever spared and never wounded him his honest heart could not have swelled
before her with a deeper pity or a purer freedom from all base remembrance than
it did then
»My gracious me You are really the last person in the world I should have
thought of seeing I am sure«
Tom was sorry to hear her speaking in her old manner He had not expected
that Yet he did not feel it a contradiction that he should be sorry to see her
so unlike her old self and sorry at the same time to hear her speaking in her
old manner The two things seemed quite natural
»I wonder you find any gratification in coming to see me I cant think what
put it in your head I never had much in seeing you There was no love lost
between us Mr Pinch at any time I think«
Her bonnet lay beside her on the sofa and she was very busy with the
ribbons as she spoke Much too busy to be conscious of the work her fingers did
»We never quarrelled« said Tom Tom was right in that for one person can
no more quarrel without an adversary than one person can play at chess or
fight a duel »I hoped you would be glad to shake hands with an old friend
Dont let us rake up byegones« said Tom »If I ever offended you forgive me«
She looked at him for a moment dropped her bonnet from her hands spread
them before her altered face and burst into tears
»Oh Mr Pinch« she said »although I never used you well I did believe
your nature was forgiving I did not think you could be cruel«
She spoke as little like her old self now for certain as Tom could
possibly have wished But she seemed to be appealing to him reproachfully and
he did not understand her
»I seldom showed it never I know that But I had that belief in you
that if I had been asked to name the person in the world least likely to retort
upon me I would have named you confidently«
»Would have named me« Tom repeated
»Yes« she said with energy »and I have often thought so«
After a moments reflection Tom sat himself upon a chair beside her
»Do you believe« said Tom »oh can you think that what I said just now I
said with any but the true and plain intention which my words professed I mean
it in the spirit and the letter If I ever offended you forgive me I may have
done so many times You never injured or offended me How then could I
possibly retort if even I were stern and bad enough to wish to do it«
After a little while she thanked him through her tears and sobs and told
him she had never been at once so sorry and so comforted since she left home
Still she wept bitterly and it was the greater pain to Tom to see her weeping
from her standing in especial need just then of sympathy and tenderness
»Come come« said Tom »you used to be as cheerful as the day was long«
»Ah used« she cried in such a tone as rent Toms heart
»And will be again« said Tom
»No never more No never never more If you should talk with old Mr
Chuzzlewit at any time« she added looking hurriedly into his face »I
sometimes thought he liked you but suppressed it will you promise me to tell
him that you saw me here and that I said I bore in mind the time we talked
together in the churchyard«
Tom promised that he would
»Many times since then when I have wished I had been carried there before
that day I have recalled his words I wish that he should know how true they
were although the least acknowledgment to that effect has never passed my lips
and never will«
Tom promised this conditionally too He did not tell her how improbable it
was that he and the old man would ever meet again because he thought it might
disturb her more
»If he should ever know this through your means dear Mr Pinch« said
Mercy »tell him that I sent the message not for myself but that he might be
more forbearing and more patient and more trustful to some other person in
some other time of need Tell him that if he could know how my heart trembled in
the balance that day and what a very little would have turned the scale his
own would bleed with pity for me«
»Yes yes« said Tom »I will«
»When I appeared to him the most unworthy of his help I was I know I was
for I have often often thought about it since the most inclined to yield to
what he showed me Oh if he had relented but a little more if he had thrown
himself in my way for but one other quarter of an hour if he had extended his
compassion for a vain unthinking miserable girl in but the least degree he
might and I believe he would have saved her Tell him that I dont blame him
but am grateful for the effort that he made but ask him for the love of God
and youth and in merciful consideration for the struggle which an illadvised
and unawakened nature makes to hide the strength it thinks its weakness ask
him never never to forget this when he deals with one again«
Although Tom did not hold the clue to her full meaning he could guess it
pretty nearly Touched to the quick he took her hand and said or meant to say
some words of consolation She felt and understood them whether they were
spoken or no He was not quite certain afterwards but that she had tried to
kneel down at his feet and bless him
He found that he was not alone in the room when she had left it Mrs
Todgers was there shaking her head Tom had never seen Mrs Todgers it is
needless to say but he had a perception of her being the lady of the house and
he saw some genuine compassion in her eyes that won his good opinion
»Ah sir You are an old friend I see« said Mrs Todgers
»Yes« said Tom
»And yet« quoth Mrs Todgers shutting the door softly »she hasnt told
you what her troubles are Im certain«
Tom was struck by these words for they were quite true »Indeed« he said
»she has not«
»And never would« said Mrs Todgers »if you saw her daily She never makes
the least complaint to me or utters a single word of explanation or reproach
But I know« said Mrs Todgers drawing in her breath »I know«
Tom nodded sorrowfully »so do I«
»I fully believe« said Mrs Todgers taking her pockethandkerchief from
the flat reticule »that nobody can tell one half of what that poor young
creature has to undergo But though she comes here constantly to ease her poor
full heart without his knowing it and saying Mrs Todgers I am very low
today I think that I shall soon be dead sits crying in my room until the fit
is past I know no more from her And I believe« said Mrs Todgers putting
back her handkerchief again »that she considers me a good friend too«
Mrs Todgers might have said her best friend Commercial gentlemen and gravy
had tried Mrs Todgerss temper the main chance it was such a very small one
in her case that she might have been excused for looking sharp after it lest
it should entirely vanish from her sight had taken a firm hold on Mrs
Todgerss attention But in some odd nook in Mrs Todgerss breast up a great
many steps and in a corner easy to be overlooked there was a secret door with
»Woman« written on the spring which at a touch from Mercys hand had flown
wide open and admitted her for shelter
When boardinghouse accounts are balanced with all other ledgers and the
books of the Recording Angel are made up for ever perhaps there may be seen an
entry to thy credit lean Mrs Todgers which shall make thee beautiful
She was growing beautiful so rapidly in Toms eyes for he saw that she was
poor and that this good had sprung up in her from among the sordid strivings of
her life that she might have been a very Venus in a minute more if Miss
Pecksniff had not entered with her friend
»Mr Thomas Pinch« said Charity performing the ceremony of introduction
with evident pride »Mr Moddle Wheres my sister«
»Gone Miss Pecksniff« Mrs Todgers answered »She had appointed to be
home«
»Ah« said Charity looking at Tom »Oh dear me«
»Shes greatly altered since shes been Anoth since shes been married
Mrs Todgers« observed Moddle
»My dear Augustus« said Miss Pecksniff in a low voice »I verily believe
you have said that fifty thousand times in my hearing What a Prose you are«
This was succeeded by some trifling love passages which appeared to
originate with if not to be wholly carried on by Miss Pecksniff At any rate
Mr Moddle was much slower in his responses than is customary with young lovers
and exhibited a lowness of spirits which was quite oppressive
He did not improve at all when Tom and he were in the streets but sighed so
dismally that it was dreadful to hear him As a means of cheering him up Tom
told him that he wished him joy
»Joy« cried Moddle »Ha ha«
»What an extraordinary young man« thought Tom
»The Scorner has not set his seal upon you You care what becomes of you«
said Moddle
Tom admitted that it was a subject in which he certainly felt some interest
»I dont« said Mr Moddle »The Elements may have me when they please Im
ready«
Tom inferred from these and other expressions of the same nature that he
was jealous Therefore he allowed him to take his own course which was such a
gloomy one that he felt a load removed from his mind when they parted company
at the gate of Furnivals Inn
It was now a couple of hours past John Westlocks dinnertime and he was
walking up and down the room quite anxious for Toms safety The table was
spread the wine was carefully decanted and the dinner smelt delicious
»Why Tom old boy where on earth have you been Your box is here Get your
boots off instantly and sit down«
»I am sorry to say I cant stay John« replied Tom Pinch who was
breathless with the haste he had made in running up the stairs
»Cant stay«
»If youll go on with your dinner« said Tom »Ill tell you my reason the
while I mustnt eat myself or I shall have no appetite for the chops«
»There are no chops here my good fellow«
»No But there are at Islington« said Tom
John Westlock was perfectly confounded by this reply and vowed he would not
touch a morsel until Tom had explained himself fully So Tom sat down and told
him all to which he listened with the greatest interest
He knew Tom too well and respected his delicacy too much to ask him why he
had taken these measures without communicating with him first He quite
concurred in the expediency of Toms immediately returning to his sister as he
knew so little of the place in which he had left her and goodhumouredly
proposed to ride back with him in a cab in which he might convey his box Toms
proposition that he should sup with them that night he flatly rejected but
made an appointment with him for the morrow »And now Tom« he said as they
rode along »I have a question to ask you to which I expect a manly and
straightforward answer Do you want any money I am pretty sure you do«
»I dont indeed« said Tom
»I believe you are deceiving me«
»No With many thanks to you I am quite in earnest« Tom replied »My
sister has some money and so have I If I had nothing else John I have a
fivepound note which that good creature Mrs Lupin of the Dragon handed up
to me outside the coach in a letter begging me to borrow it and then drove
off as hard as she could go«
»And a blessing on every dimple in her handsome face say I« cried John
»though why you should give her the preference over me I dont know Never
mind I bide my time Tom«
»And I hope youll continue to bide it« returned Tom gaily »For I owe you
more already in a hundred other ways than I can ever hope to pay«
They parted at the door of Toms new residence John Westlock sitting in
the cab and catching a glimpse of a blooming little busy creature darting out
to kiss Tom and to help him with his box would not have had the least objection
to change places with him
Well she was a cheerful little thing and had a quaint bright quietness
about her that was infinitely pleasant Surely she was the best sauce for chops
ever invented The potatoes seemed to take a pleasure in sending up their
grateful steam before her the froth upon the pint of porter pouted to attract
her notice But it was all in vain She saw nothing but Tom Tom was the first
and last thing in the world
As she sat opposite to Tom at supper fingering one of Toms pet tunes upon
the tablecloth and smiling in his face he had never been so happy in his
life
Chapter XXXVIII
Secret Service
In walking from the City with his sentimental friend Tom Pinch had looked into
the face and brushed against the threadbare sleeve of Mr Nadgett man of
mystery to the AngloBengalee Disinterested Loan and Life Assurance Company Mr
Nadgett naturally passed away from Toms remembrance as he passed out of his
view for he didnt know him and had never heard his name
As there are a vast number of people in the huge metropolis of England who
rise up every morning not knowing where their heads will rest at night so there
are a multitude who shooting arrows over houses as their daily business never
know on whom they fall Mr Nadgett might have passed Tom Pinch ten thousand
times might even have been quite familiar with his face his name pursuits
and character yet never once have dreamed that Tom had any interest in any act
or mystery of his Tom might have done the like by him of course But the same
private man out of all the men alive was in the mind of each at the same
moment was prominently connected though in a different manner with the days
adventures of both and formed when they passed each other in the street the
one absorbing topic of their thoughts
Why Tom had Jonas Chuzzlewit in his mind requires no explanation Why Mr
Nadgett should have had Jonas Chuzzlewit in his is quite another thing
But somehow or other that amiable and worthy orphan had become a part of
the mystery of Mr Nadgetts existence Mr Nadgett took an interest in his
lightest proceedings and it never flagged or wavered He watched him in and out
of the Assurance Office where he was now formally installed as a Director he
dogged his footsteps in the streets he stood listening when he talked he sat
in coffeerooms entering his name in the great pocketbook over and over again
he wrote letters to himself about him constantly and when he found them in his
pocket put them in the fire with such distrust and caution that he would bend
down to watch the crumpled tinder while it floated upward as if his mind
misgave him that the mystery it had contained might come out at the
chimneypot
And yet all this was quite a secret Mr Nadgett kept it to himself and
kept it close Jonas had no more idea that Mr Nadgetts eyes were fixed on him
than he had that he was living under the daily inspection and report of a whole
order of Jesuits Indeed Mr Nadgetts eyes were seldom fixed on any other
objects than the ground the clock or the fire but every button on his coat
might have been an eye he saw so much
The secret manner of the man disarmed suspicion in this wise suggesting
not that he was watching any one but that he thought some other man was
watching him He went about so stealthily and kept himself so wrapped up in
himself that the whole object of his life appeared to be to avoid notice and
preserve his own mystery Jonas sometimes saw him in the street hovering in the
outer office waiting at the door for the man who never came or slinking off
with his immoveable face and drooping head and the one beaver glove dangling
before him but he would as soon have thought of the cross upon the top of St
Pauls Cathedral taking note of what he did or slowly winding a great net about
his feet as of Nadgetts being engaged in such an occupation
Mr Nadgett made a mysterious change about this time in his mysterious life
for whereas he had until now been first seen every morning coming down
Cornhill so exactly like the Nadgett of the day before as to occasion a popular
belief that he never went to bed or took his clothes off he was now first seen
in Holborn coming out of Kingsgate Street and it was soon discovered that he
actually went every morning to a barbers shop in that street to get shaved and
that the barbers name was Sweedlepipe He seemed to make appointments with the
man who never came to meet him at this barbers for he would frequently take
long spells of waiting in the shop and would ask for pen and ink and pull out
his pocketbook and be very busy over it for an hour at a time Mrs Gamp and
Mr Sweedlepipe had many deep discoursings on the subject of this mysterious
customer but they usually agreed that he had speculated too much and was
keeping out of the way
He must have appointed the man who never kept his word to meet him at
another new place too for one day he was found for the first time by the
waiter at the Mourning CoachHorse the Houseofcall for Undertakers down in
the City there making figures with a pipestem in the sawdust of a clean
spittoon and declining to call for anything on the ground of expecting a
gentleman presently As the gentleman was not honourable enough to keep his
engagement he came again next day with his pocketbook in such a state of
distention that he was regarded in the bar as a man of large property After
that he repeated his visits every day and had so much writing to do that he
made nothing of emptying a capacious leaden inkstand in two sittings Although
he never talked much still by being there among the regular customers he made
their acquaintance and in course of time became quite intimate with Mr Tacker
Mr Moulds foreman and even with Mr Mould himself who openly said he was a
longheaded man a dry one a salt fish a deep file a rasper and made him the
subject of many other flattering encomiums
At the same time too he told the people at the Assurance Office in his
own mysterious way that there was something wrong secretly wrong of course
in his liver and that he feared he must put himself under the doctors hands
He was delivered over to Jobling upon this representation and though Jobling
could not find out where his liver was wrong wrong Mr Nadgett said it was
observing that it was his own liver and he hoped he ought to know Accordingly
he became Mr Joblings patient and detailing his symptoms in his slow and
secret way was in and out of that gentlemans room a dozen times aday
As he pursued all these occupations at once and all steadily and all
secretly and never slackened in his watchfulness of everything that Mr Jonas
said and did and left unsaid and undone it is not improbable that they were
secretly essential parts of some great scheme which Mr Nadgett had on foot
It was on the morning of this very day on which so much had happened to Tom
Pinch that Nadgett suddenly appeared before Mr Montagues house in Pall Mall
he always made his appearance as if he had that moment come up a trap when the
clocks were striking nine He rang the bell in a covert underhanded way as
though it were a treasonable act and passed in at the door the moment it was
opened wide enough to receive his body That done he shut it immediately with
his own hands
Mr Bailey taking up his name without delay returned with a request that
he would follow him into his masters chamber The chairman of the
AngloBengalee Disinterested Loan and Life Assurance Board was dressing and
received him as a business person who was often backwards and forwards and was
received at all times for his business sake
»Well Mr Nadgett«
Mr Nadgett put his hat upon the ground and coughed The boy having
withdrawn and shut the door he went to it softly examined the handle and
returned to within a pace or two of the chair in which Mr Montague sat
»Any news Mr Nadgett«
»I think we have some news at last sir«
»I am happy to hear it I began to fear you were off the scent Mr
Nadgett«
»No sir It grows cold occasionally It will sometimes We cant help
that«
»You are truth itself Mr Nadgett Do you report a great success«
»That depends upon your judgment and construction of it« was his answer as
he put on his spectacles
»What do you think of it yourself Have you pleased yourself«
Mr Nadgett rubbed his hands slowly stroked his chin looked round the
room and said »Yes yes I think its a good case I am disposed to think its
a good case Will you go into it at once«
»By all means«
Mr Nadgett picked out a certain chair from among the rest and having
planted it in a particular spot as carefully as if he had been going to vault
over it placed another chair in front of it leaving room for his own legs
between them He then sat down in chair number two and laid his pocketbook
very carefully on chair number one He then untied the pocketbook and hung
the string over the back of chair number one He then drew both the chairs a
little nearer Mr Montague and opening the pocketbook spread out its contents
Finally he selected a certain memorandum from the rest and held it out to his
employer who during the whole of these preliminary ceremonies had been making
violent efforts to conceal his impatience
»I wish you wouldnt be so fond of making notes my excellent friend« said
Tigg Montague with a ghastly smile »I wish you would consent to give me their
purport by word of mouth«
»I dont like word of mouth« said Mr Nadgett gravely »We never know whos
listening«
Mr Montague was going to retort when Nadgett handed him the paper and
said with quiet exultation in his tone »Well begin at the beginning and take
that one first if you please sir«
The chairman cast his eyes upon it coldly and with a smile which did not
render any great homage to the slow and methodical habits of his spy But he had
not read halfadozen lines when the expression of his face began to change and
before he had finished the perusal of the paper it was full of grave and
serious attention
»Number Two« said Mr Nadgett handing him another and receiving back the
first »Read Number Two sir if you please There is more interest as you go
on«
Tigg Montague leaned backward in his chair and cast upon his emissary such
a look of vacant wonder not unmingled with alarm that Mr Nadgett considered
it necessary to repeat the request he had already twice preferred with the view
of recalling his attention to the point in hand Profiting by the hint Mr
Montague went on with Number Two and afterwards with Numbers Three and Four
and Five and so on
These documents were all in Mr Nadgetts writing and were apparently a
series of memoranda jotted down from time to time upon the backs of old
letters or any scrap of paper that came first to hand Loose straggling scrawls
they were and of very uninviting exterior but they had weighty purpose in
them if the chairmans face were any index to the character of their contents
The progress of Mr Nadgetts secret satisfaction arising out of the effect
they made kept pace with the emotions of the reader At first Mr Nadgett sat
with his spectacles low down upon his nose looking over them at his employer
and nervously rubbing his hands After a little while he changed his posture in
his chair for one of greater ease and leisurely perused the next document he
held ready as if an occasional glance at his employers face were now enough
and all occasion for anxiety or doubt were gone And finally he rose and looked
out of the window where he stood with a triumphant air until Tigg Montague had
finished
»And this is the last Mr Nadgett« said that gentleman drawing a long
breath
»That sir is the last«
»You are a wonderful man Mr Nadgett«
»I think it is a pretty good case« he returned as he gathered up his
papers »It cost some trouble sir«
»The trouble shall be well rewarded Mr Nadgett« Nadgett bowed »There is
a deeper impression of Somebodys Hoof here than I had expected Mr Nadgett I
may congratulate myself upon your being such a good hand at a secret«
»Oh nothing has an interest to me thats not a secret« replied Nadgett as
he tied the string about his pocketbook and put it up »It almost takes away
any pleasure I may have had in this inquiry even to make it known to you«
»A most invaluable constitution« Tigg retorted »A great gift for a
gentleman employed as you are Mr Nadgett Much better than discretion though
you possess that quality also in an eminent degree I think I heard a double
knock Will you put your head out of window and tell me whether there is
anybody at the door«
Mr Nadgett softly raised the sash and peered out from the very corner as
a man might who was looking down into a street from whence a brisk discharge of
musketry might be expected at any moment Drawing in his head with equal
caution he observed not altering his voice or manner
»Mr Jonas Chuzzlewit«
»I thought so« Tigg retorted
»Shall I go«
»I think you had better Stay though No remain here Mr Nadgett if you
please«
It was remarkable how pale and flurried he had become in an instant There
was nothing to account for it His eye had fallen on his razors but what of
them
Mr Chuzzlewit was announced
»Show him up directly Nadgett Dont you leave us alone together Mind you
dont now By the Lord« he added in a whisper to himself »We dont know what
may happen«
Saying this he hurriedly took up a couple of hairbrushes and began to
exercise them on his own head as if his toilet had not been interrupted Mr
Nadgett withdrew to the stove in which there was a small fire for the
convenience of heating curlingirons and taking advantage of so favourable an
opportunity for drying his pockethandkerchief produced it without loss of
time There he stood during the whole interview holding it before the bars
and sometimes but not often glancing over his shoulder
»My dear Chuzzlewit« cried Montague as Jonas entered »you rise with the
lark Though you go to bed with the nightingale you rise with the lark You
have superhuman energy my dear Chuzzlewit«
»Ecod« said Jonas with an air of languor and illhumour as he took a
chair »I should be very glad not to get up with the lark if I could help it
But I am a light sleeper and its better to be up than lying awake counting
the dismal old churchclocks in bed«
»A light sleeper« cried his friend »Now what is a light sleeper I often
hear the expression but upon my life I have not the least conception what a
light sleeper is«
»Hallo« said Jonas »Whos that Oh old whatshisname looking as
usual as if he wanted to skulk up the chimney«
»Ha ha I have no doubt he does«
»Well Hes not wanted here I suppose« said Jonas »He may go maynt he«
»Oh let him stay let him stay« said Tigg »Hes a mere piece of
furniture He has been making his report and is waiting for further orders He
has been told« said Tigg raising his voice »not to lose sight of certain
friends of ours or to think that he has done with them by any means He
understands his business«
»He need« replied Jonas »for of all the precious old dummies in appearance
that ever I saw hes about the worst Hes afraid of me I think«
»Its my belief« said Tigg »that you are Poison to him Nadgett give me
that towel«
He had as little occasion for a towel as Jonas had for a start But Nadgett
brought it quickly and having lingered for a moment fell back upon his old
post by the fire
»You see my dear fellow« resumed Tigg »you are too Whats the matter
with your lips How white they are«
»I took some vinegar just now« said Jonas »I had oysters for my breakfast
Where are they white« he added muttering an oath and rubbing them upon his
handkerchief »I dont believe they are white«
»Now I look again they are not« replied his friend »They are coming right
again«
»Say what you were going to say« cried Jonas angrily »and let my face be
As long as I can show my teeth when I want to and I can do that pretty well
the colour of my lips is not material«
»Quite true« said Tigg »I was only going to say that you are too quick and
active for our friend He is too shy to cope with such a man as you but does
his duty well Oh very well But what is a light sleeper«
»Hang a light sleeper« exclaimed Jonas pettishly
»No no« interrupted Tigg »No Well not do that«
»A light sleeper aint a heavy one« said Jonas in his sulky way »dont
sleep much and dont sleep well and dont sleep sound«
»And dreams« said Tigg »and cries out in an ugly manner and when the
candle burns down in the night is in an agony and all that sort of thing I
see«
They were silent for a little time Then Jonas spoke
»Now weve done with childs talk I want to have a word with you I want to
have a word with you before we meet up yonder today I am not satisfied with
the state of affairs«
»Not satisfied« cried Tigg »The money comes in well«
»The money comes in well enough« retorted Jonas »but it dont come out
well enough It cant be got at easily enough I havent sufficient power it
is all in your hands Ecod what with one of your byelaws and another of your
byelaws and your votes in this capacity and your votes in that capacity and
your official rights and your individual rights and other peoples rights who
are only you again there are no rights left for me Everybody elses rights are
my wrongs Whats the use of my having a voice if its always drowned I might
as well be dumb and it would be much less aggravating Im not agoing to stand
that you know«
»No« said Tigg in an insinuating tone
»No« returned Jonas »Im not indeed Ill play Old Gooseberry with the
office and make you glad to buy me out at a good high figure if you try any of
your tricks with me«
»I give you my honour « Montague began
»Oh confound your honour« interrupted Jonas who became more coarse and
quarrelsome as the other remonstrated which may have been a part of Mr
Montagues intention »I want a little more control over the money You may have
all the honour if you like Ill never bring you to book for that But Im not
agoing to stand it as it is now If you should take it into your honourable
head to go abroad with the bank I dont see much to prevent you Well That
wont do Ive had some very good dinners here but theyd come too dear on such
terms and therefore that wont do«
»I am unfortunate to find you in this humour« said Tigg with a remarkable
kind of smile »for I was going to propose to you for your own advantage
solely for your own advantage that you should venture a little more with us«
»Was you by G« said Jonas with a short laugh
»Yes And to suggest« pursued Montague »that surely you have friends
indeed I know you have who would answer our purpose admirably and whom we
should be delighted to receive«
»How kind of you Youd be delighted to receive em would you« said Jonas
bantering
»I give you my sacred honour quite transported As your friends observe«
»Exactly« said Jonas »as my friends of course Youll be very much
delighted when you get em I have no doubt And itll be all to my advantage
wont it«
»It will be very much to your advantage« answered Montague poising a brush
in each hand and looking steadily upon him »It will be very much to your
advantage I assure you«
»And you can tell me how« said Jonas »cant you«
»SHALL I tell you how« returned the other
»I think you had better« said Jonas »Strange things have been done in the
Assurance way before now by strange sorts of men and I mean to take care of
myself«
»Chuzzlewit« replied Montague leaning forward with his arms upon his
knees and looking full into his face »Strange things have been done and are
done every day not only in our way but in a variety of other ways and no one
suspects them But ours as you say my good friend is a strange way and we
strangely happen sometimes to come into the knowledge of very strange events«
He beckoned to Jonas to bring his chair nearer and looking slightly round
as if to remind him of the presence of Nadgett whispered in his ear
From red to white from white to red again from red to yellow then to a
cold dull awful sweatbedabbled blue In that short whisper all these
changes fell upon the face of Jonas Chuzzlewit and when at last he laid his
hand upon the whisperers mouth appalled lest any syllable of what he said
should reach the ears of the third person present it was as bloodless and as
heavy as the hand of Death
He drew his chair away and sat a spectacle of terror misery and rage He
was afraid to speak or look or move or sit still Abject crouching and
miserable he was a greater degradation to the form he bore than if he had been
a loathsome wound from head to heel
His companion leisurely resumed his dressing and completed it glancing
sometimes with a smile at the transformation he had effected but never speaking
once
»Youll not object« he said when he was quite equipped »to venture
further with us Chuzzlewit my friend«
His pale lips faintly stammered out a »No«
»Well said Thats like yourself Do you know I was thinking yesterday that
your fatherinlaw relying on your advice as a man of great sagacity in money
matters as no doubt you are would join us if the thing were well presented to
him He has money«
»Yes he has money«
»Shall I leave Mr Pecksniff to you Will you undertake for Mr Pecksniff«
»Ill try Ill do my best«
»A thousand thanks« replied the other clapping him upon the shoulder
»Shall we walk down stairs Mr Nadgett Follow us if you please«
They went down in that order Whatever Jonas felt in reference to Montague
whatever sense he had of being caged and barred and trapped and having fallen
down into a pit of deepest ruin whatever thoughts came crowding on his mind
even at that early time of one terrible chance of escape of one red glimmer in
a sky of blackness he no more thought that the slinking figure half a dozen
stairs behind him was his pursuing Fate than that the other figure at his side
was his Good Angel
Chapter XXXIX
Containing Some Further Particulars of the Domestic Economy of the Pinches with
Strange News from the City Narrowly Concerning Tom
Pleasant little Ruth Cheerful tidy bustling quiet little Ruth No dolls
house ever yielded greater delight to its young mistress than little Ruth
derived from her glorious dominion over the triangular parlour and the two small
bedrooms
To be Toms housekeeper What dignity Housekeeping upon the commonest
terms associated itself with elevated responsibilities of all sorts and kinds
but housekeeping for Tom implied the utmost complication of grave trusts and
mighty charges Well might she take the keys out of the little chiffonier which
held the tea and sugar and out of the two little damp cupboards down by the
fireplace where the very black beetles got mouldy and had the shine taken out
of their backs by envious mildew and jingle them upon a ring before Toms eyes
when he came down to breakfast Well might she laughing musically put them up
in that blessed little pocket of hers with a merry pride For it was such a
grand novelty to be mistress of anything that if she had been the most
relentless and despotic of all little housekeepers she might have pleaded just
that much for her excuse and have been honourably acquitted
So far from being despotic however there was a coyness about her very way
of pouring out the tea which Tom quite revelled in And when she asked him what
he would like to have for dinner and faltered out chops as a reasonably good
suggestion after their last nights successful supper Tom grew quite facetious
and rallied her desperately
»I dont know Tom« said his sister blushing »I am not quite confident
but I think I could make a beefsteak pudding if I tried Tom«
»In the whole catalogue of cookery there is nothing I should like so much
as a beefsteak pudding« cried Tom slapping his leg to give the greater force
to this reply
»Yes dear thats excellent But if it should happen not to come quite
right the first time« his sister faltered »if it should happen not to be a
pudding exactly but should turn out a stew or a soup or something of that
sort youll not be vexed Tom will you«
The serious way in which she looked at Tom the way in which Tom looked at
her and the way in which she gradually broke into a merry laugh at her own
expense would have enchanted you
»Why« said Tom »this is capital It gives us a new and quite an uncommon
interest in the dinner We put into a lottery for a beefsteak pudding and it
is impossible to say what we may get We may make some wonderful discovery
perhaps and produce such a dish as never was known before«
»I shall not be at all surprised if we do Tom« returned his sister still
laughing merrily »or if it should prove to be such a dish as we shall not feel
very anxious to produce again but the meat must come out of the saucepan at
last somehow or other you know We cant cook it into nothing at all thats a
great comfort So if you like to venture I will«
»I have not the least doubt« rejoined Tom »that it will come out an
excellent pudding or at all events I am sure that I shall think it so There
is naturally something so handy and brisk about you Ruth that if you said you
could make a bowl of faultless turtle soup I should believe you«
And Tom was right She was precisely that sort of person Nobody ought to
have been able to resist her coaxing manner and nobody had any business to try
Yet she never seemed to know it was her manner at all That was the best of it
Well she washed up the breakfast cups chatting away the whole time and
telling Tom all sorts of anecdotes about the brassandcopper founder put
everything in its place made the room as neat as herself you must not
suppose its shape was half as neat as hers though or anything like it and
brushed Toms old hat round and round and round again until it was as sleek as
Mr Pecksniff Then she discovered all in a moment that Toms shirtcollar was
frayed at the edge and flying up stairs for a needle and thread came flying
down again with her thimble on and set it right with wonderful expertness
never once sticking the needle into his face although she was humming his pet
tune from first to last and beating time with the fingers of her left hand upon
his neckcloth She had no sooner done this than off she was again and there
she stood once more as brisk and busy as a bee tying that compact little chin
of hers into an equally compact little bonnet intent on bustling out to the
butchers without a minutes loss of time and inviting Tom to come and see the
steak cut with his own eyes As to Tom he was ready to go anywhere so off
they trotted arminarm as nimbly as you please saying to each other what a
quiet street it was to lodge in and how very cheap and what an airy situation
To see the butcher slap the steak before he laid it on the block and give
his knife a sharpening was to forget breakfast instantly It was agreeable too
it really was to see him cut it off so smooth and juicy There was nothing
savage in the act although the knife was large and keen it was a piece of art
high art there was delicacy of touch clearness of tone skilful handling of
the subject fine shading It was the triumph of mind over matter quite
Perhaps the greenest cabbageleaf ever grown in a garden was wrapped about
this steak before it was delivered over to Tom But the butcher had a sentiment
for his business and knew how to refine upon it When he saw Tom putting the
cabbageleaf into his pocket awkwardly he begged to be allowed to do it for
him for meat he said with some emotion »must be humoured not drove«
Back they went to the lodgings again after they had bought some eggs and
flour and such small matters and Tom sat gravely down to write at one end of
the parlour table while Ruth prepared to make the pudding at the other end
for there was nobody in the house but an old woman the landlord being a
mysterious sort of man who went out early in the morning and was scarcely ever
seen and saving in mere household drudgery they waited on themselves
»What are you writing Tom« inquired his sister laying her hand upon his
shoulder
»Why you see my dear« said Tom leaning back in his chair and looking up
in her face »I am very anxious of course to obtain some suitable employment
and before Mr Westlock comes this afternoon I think I may as well prepare a
little description of myself and my qualifications such as he could show to any
friend of his«
»You had better do the same for me Tom also« said his sister casting
down her eyes »I should dearly like to keep house for you and take care of you
always Tom but we are not rich enough for that«
»We are not rich« returned Tom »certainly and we may be much poorer But
we will not part if we can help it No no we will make up our minds, Ruth
that unless we are so very unfortunate as to render me quite sure that you
would be better off away from me than with me we will battle it out together I
am certain we shall be happier if we can battle it out together Dont you think
we shall«
»Think Tom«
»Oh tut tut« interposed Tom tenderly »You mustnt cry«
»No no I wont Tom But you cant afford it dear You cant indeed«
»We dont know that« said Tom »How are we to know that yet awhile and
without trying Lord bless my soul« Toms energy became quite grand »There is
no knowing what may happen if we try hard And I am sure we can live
contentedly upon a very little if we can only get it«
»Yes that I am sure we can Tom«
»Why then« said Tom »we must try for it My friend John Westlock is a
capital fellow and very shrewd and intelligent Ill take his advice Well
talk it over with him both of us together Youll like John very much when
you come to know him I am certain Dont cry dont cry You make a beefsteak
pudding indeed« said Tom giving her a gentle push »Why you havent boldness
enough for a dumpling«
»You will call it a pudding Tom Mind I told you not«
»I may as well call it that till it proves to be something else« said Tom
»Oh you are going to work in earnest are you«
Aye aye That she was And in such pleasant earnest moreover that Toms
attention wandered from his writing every moment First she tripped down stairs
into the kitchen for the flour then for the pieboard then for the eggs then
for the butter then for a jug of water then for the rollingpin then for a
puddingbasin then for the pepper then for the salt making a separate journey
for everything and laughing every time she started off afresh When all the
materials were collected she was horrified to find she had no apron on and so
ran up stairs by way of variety to fetch it She didnt put it on up stairs
but came dancing down with it in her hand and being one of those little women
to whom an apron is a most becoming little vanity it took an immense time to
arrange having to be carefully smoothed down beneath Oh heaven what a
wicked little stomacher and to be gathered up into little plaits by the strings
before it could be tied and to be tapped rebuked and wheedled at the
pockets before it would set right which at last it did and when it did but
never mind this is a sober chronicle And then there were her cuffs to be
tucked up for fear of flour and she had a little ring to pull off her finger
which wouldnt come off foolish little ring and during the whole of these
preparations she looked demurely every now and then at Tom from under her dark
eyelashes as if they were all a part of the pudding and indispensable to its
composition
For the life and soul of him Tom could get no further in his writing than
»A respectable young man aged thirtyfive« and this notwithstanding the show
she made of being supernaturally quiet and going about on tiptoe lest she
should disturb him which only served as an additional means of distracting his
attention and keeping it upon her
»Tom« she said at last in high glee »Tom«
»What now« said Tom repeating to himself »aged thirtyfive«
»Will you look here a moment please«
As if he hadnt been looking all the time
»I am going to begin Tom Dont you wonder why I butter the inside of the
basin« said his busy little sister
»Not more than you do I dare say« replied Tom laughing »For I believe
you dont know anything about it«
»What an Infidel you are Tom How else do you think it would turn out
easily when it was done For a civilengineer and landsurveyor not to know
that My goodness Tom«
It was wholly out of the question to try to write Tom lined out
»respectable young man aged thirtyfive« and sat looking on pen in hand with
one of the most loving smiles imaginable
Such a busy little woman as she was So full of self-importance and trying
so hard not to smile or seem uncertain about anything It was a perfect treat
to Tom to see her with her brows knit and her rosy lips pursed up kneading
away at the crust rolling it out cutting it up into strips lining the basin
with it shaving it off fine round the rim chopping up the steak into small
pieces raining down pepper and salt upon them packing them into the basin
pouring in cold water for gravy and never venturing to steal a look in his
direction lest her gravity should be disturbed until at last the basin being
quite full and only wanting the top crust she clapped her hands all covered
with paste and flour at Tom and burst out heartily into such a charming little
laugh of triumph that the pudding need have had no other seasoning to commend
it to the taste of any reasonable man on earth
»Wheres the pudding« said Tom For he was cutting his jokes Tom was
»Where« she answered holding it up with both hands »Look at it«
»That a pudding« said Tom
»It will be you stupid fellow when its covered in« returned his sister
Tom still pretending to look incredulous she gave him a tap on the head with
the rollingpin and still laughing merrily had returned to the composition of
the top crust when she started and turned very red Tom started too for
following her eyes he saw John Westlock in the room
»Why my goodness John How did you come in«
»I beg pardon« said John »your sisters pardon especially but I met an
old lady at the street door who requested me to enter here and as you didnt
hear me knock and the door was open I made bold to do so I hardly know« said
John with a smile »why any of us should be disconcerted at my having
accidentally intruded upon such an agreeable domestic occupation so very
agreeably and skilfully pursued but I must confess that I am Tom will you
kindly come to my relief«
»Mr John Westlock« said Tom »My sister«
»I hope that as the sister of so old a friend« said John laughing »you
will have the goodness to detach your first impressions of me from my
unfortunate entrance«
»My sister is not indisposed perhaps to say the same to you on her own
behalf« retorted Tom
John said of course that this was quite unnecessary for he had been
transfixed in silent admiration and he held out his hand to Miss Pinch who
couldnt take it however by reason of the flour and paste upon her own This
which might seem calculated to increase the general confusion and render matters
worse had in reality the best effect in the world for neither of them could
help laughing and so they both found themselves on easy terms immediately
»I am delighted to see you« said Tom »Sit down«
»I can only think of sitting down on one condition« returned his friend
»and that is that your sister goes on with the pudding as if you were still
alone«
»That I am sure she will« said Tom »On one other condition and that is
that you stay and help us to eat it«
Poor little Ruth was seized with a palpitation of the heart when Tom
committed this appalling indiscretion for she felt that if the dish turned out
a failure she never would be able to hold up her head before John Westlock
again Quite unconscious of her state of mind John accepted the invitation with
all imaginable heartiness and after a little more pleasantry concerning this
same pudding and the tremendous expectations he made believe to entertain of
it she blushingly resumed her occupation and he took a chair
»I am here much earlier than I intended Tom but I will tell you what
brings me and I think I can answer for your being glad to hear it Is that
anything you wish to show me«
»Oh dear no« cried Tom who had forgotten the blotted scrap of paper in his
hand until this inquiry brought it to his recollection »A respectable young
man aged thirtyfive The beginning of a description of myself Thats all«
»I dont think you will have occasion to finish it Tom But how is it you
never told me you had friends in London«
Tom looked at his sister with all his might and certainly his sister looked
with all her might at him
»Friends in London« echoed Tom
»Ah« said Westlock »to be sure«
»Have you any friends in London Ruth my dear« asked Tom
»No Tom«
»I am very happy to hear that I have« said Tom »but its news to me I
never knew it They must be capital people to keep a secret John«
»You shall judge for yourself« returned the other »Seriously Tom here is
the plain state of the case As I was sitting at breakfast this morning there
comes a knock at my door«
»On which you cried out very loud Come in« suggested Tom
»So I did And the person who knocked not being a respectable young man
aged thirtyfive from the country came in when he was invited instead of
standing gaping and staring about him on the landing Well When he came in I
found he was a stranger a grave businesslike sedatelooking stranger Mr
Westlock said he That is my name said I The favour of a few words with you
said he Pray be seated sir said I«
Here John stopped for an instant to glance towards the table where Toms
sister listening attentively was still busy with the basin which by this time
made a noble appearance Then he resumed
»The pudding having taken a chair Tom «
»What« cried Tom
»Having taken a chair«
»You said a pudding«
»No no« replied John colouring rather »a chair The idea of a stranger
coming into my rooms at halfpast eight oclock in the morning and taking a
pudding Having taken a chair Tom a chair amazed me by opening the
conversation thus I believe you are acquainted sir with Mr Thomas Pinch«
»No« cried Tom
»His very words I assure you I told him I was Did I know where you were
at present residing Yes In London Yes He had casually heard in a roundabout
way that you had left your situation with Mr Pecksniff Was that the fact
Yes it was Did you want another Yes you did«
»Certainly« said Tom nodding his head
»Just what I impressed upon him You may rest assured that I set that point
beyond the possibility of any mistake and gave him distinctly to understand
that he might make up his mind about it Very well
Then said he I think I can accommodate him«
Toms sister stopped short
»Lord bless me« cried Tom »Ruth my dear think I can accommodate him«
»Of course I begged him« pursued John Westlock glancing at Toms sister
who was not less eager in her interest than Tom himself »to proceed and said
that I would undertake to see you immediately He replied that he had very
little to say being a man of few words but such as it was it was to the
purpose and so indeed it turned out for he immediately went on to tell me
that a friend of his was in want of a kind of secretary and librarian and that
although the salary was small being only a hundred pounds a year with neither
board nor lodging still the duties were not heavy and there the post was
Vacant and ready for your acceptance«
»Good gracious me« cried Tom »a hundred pounds a year My dear John Ruth
my love A hundred pounds a year«
»But the strangest part of the story« resumed John Westlock laying his
hand on Toms wrist to bespeak his attention and repress his ecstasies for the
moment »the strangest part of the story Miss Pinch is this I dont know this
man from Adam neither does this man know Tom«
»He cant« said Tom in great perplexity »if hes a Londoner I dont know
any one in London«
»And on my observing« John resumed still keeping his hand upon Toms
wrist »that I had no doubt he would excuse the freedom I took in inquiring who
directed him to me how he came to know of the change which had taken place in
my friends position and how he came to be acquainted with my friends peculiar
fitness for such an office as he had described he drily said that he was not at
liberty to enter into any explanations«
»Not at liberty to enter into any explanations« repeated Tom drawing a
long breath
»I must be perfectly aware he said« John added »that to any person who
had ever been in Mr Pecksniffs neighbourhood Mr Thomas Pinch and his
acquirements were as well known as the Church steeple or the Blue Dragon«
»The Blue Dragon« repeated Tom staring alternately at his friend and his
sister
»Aye think of that He spoke as familiarly of the Blue Dragon I give you
my word as if he had been Mark Tapley I opened my eyes I can tell you when
he did so but I could not fancy I had ever seen the man before although he
said with a smile You know the Blue Dragon Mr Westlock you kept it up there
once or twice yourself Kept it up there So I did You remember Tom«
Tom nodded with great significance and falling into a state of deeper
perplexity than before observed that this was the most unaccountable and
extraordinary circumstance he had ever heard of in his life
»Unaccountable« his friend repeated »I became afraid of the man Though it
was broad day and bright sunshine I was positively afraid of him I declare I
half suspected him to be a supernatural visitor and not a mortal until he took
out a commonplace description of pocketbook and handed me this card«
»Mr Fips« said Tom reading it aloud »Austin Friars Austin Friars sounds
ghostly John«
»Fips dont I think« was Johns reply »But there he lives Tom and there
he expects us to call this morning And now you know as much of this strange
incident as I do upon my honour«
Toms face between his exultation in the hundred pounds a year and his
wonder at this narration was only to be equalled by the face of his sister on
which there sat the very best expression of blooming surprise that any painter
could have wished to see What the beefsteak pudding would have come to if it
had not been by this time finished astrology itself could hardly determine
»Tom« said Ruth after a little hesitation »perhaps Mr Westlock in his
friendship for you knows more of this than he chooses to tell«
»No indeed« cried John eagerly »It is not so I assure you I wish it
were I cannot take credit to myself Miss Pinch for any such thing All that I
know or so far as I can judge am likely to know I have told you«
»Couldnt you know more if you thought proper« said Ruth scraping the
pieboard industriously
»No« retorted John »Indeed no It is very ungenerous in you to be so
suspicious of me when I repose implicit faith in you I have unbounded
confidence in the pudding Miss Pinch«
She laughed at this but they soon got back into a serious vein and
discussed the subject with profound gravity Whatever else was obscure in the
business it appeared to be quite plain that Tom was offered a salary of one
hundred pounds a year and this being the main point the surrounding obscurity
rather set it off than otherwise
Tom being in a great flutter wished to start for Austin Friars instantly
but they waited nearly an hour by Johns advice before they departed Tom made
himself as spruce as he could before leaving home and when John Westlock
through the halfopened parlour door had glimpses of that brave little sister
brushing the collar of his coat in the passage taking up loose stitches in his
gloves and hovering lightly about and about him touching him up here and there
in the height of her quaint little oldfashioned tidiness he called to mind
the fancyportraits of her on the wall of the Pecksniffian workroom and
decided with uncommon indignation that they were gross libels and not half
pretty enough though as hath been mentioned in its place the artists always
made those sketches beautiful and he had drawn at least a score of them with
his own hands
»Tom« he said as they were walking along »I begin to think you must be
somebodys son«
»I suppose I am« Tom answered in his quiet way
»But I mean somebodys of consequence«
»Bless your heart« replied Tom »my poor father was of no consequence nor
my mother either«
»You remember them perfectly then«
»Remember them oh dear yes My poor mother was the last She died when Ruth
was a mere baby and then we both became a charge upon the savings of that good
old grandmother I used to tell you of You remember Oh Theres nothing
romantic in our history John«
»Very well« said John in quiet despair »Then there is no way of accounting
for my visitor of this morning So well not try Tom«
They did try notwithstanding and never left off trying until they got to
Austin Friars where in a very dark passage on the first floor oddly situated
at the back of a house across some leads they found a little bleareyed glass
door up in one corner with MR FIPS painted on it in characters which were
meant to be transparent There was also a wicked old sideboard hiding in the
gloom hard by meditating designs upon the ribs of visitors and an old mat
worn into lattice work which being useless as a mat even if anybody could
have seen it which was impossible had for many years directed its industry
into another channel and regularly tripped up every one of Mr Fipss clients
Mr Fips hearing a violent concussion between a human hat and his office
door was apprised by the usual means of communication that somebody had come
to call upon him and giving that somebody admission observed that it was
»rather dark«
»Dark indeed« John whispered in Tom Pinchs ear »Not a bad place to
dispose of a countryman in I should think Tom«
Tom had been already turning over in his mind the possibility of their
having been tempted into that region to furnish forth a pie but the sight of
Mr Fips who was small and spare and looked peaceable and wore black shorts
and powder dispelled his doubts
»Walk in« said Mr Fips
They walked in And a mighty yellowjaundiced little office Mr Fips had of
it with a great black sprawling splash upon the floor in one corner as if
some old clerk had cut his throat there years ago and had let out ink instead
of blood
»I have brought my friend Mr Pinch sir« said John Westlock
»Be pleased to sit« said Mr Fips
They occupied the two chairs and Mr Fips took the office stool from the
stuffing whereof he drew forth a piece of horsehair of immense length which he
put into his mouth with a great appearance of appetite
He looked at Tom Pinch curiously but with an entire freedom from any such
expression as could be reasonably construed into an unusual display of interest
After a short silence during which Mr Fips was so perfectly unembarrassed as
to render it manifest that he could have broken it sooner without hesitation if
he had felt inclined to do so he asked if Mr Westlock had made his offer fully
known to Mr Pinch
John answered in the affirmative
»And you think it worth your while sir do you« Mr Fips inquired of Tom
»I think it a piece of great good fortune sir« said Tom »I am exceedingly
obliged to you for the offer«
»Not to me« said Mr Fips »I act upon instructions«
»To your friend sir then« said Tom »To the gentleman with whom I am to
engage and whose confidence I shall endeavour to deserve When he knows me
better sir I hope he will not lose his good opinion of me He will find me
punctual and vigilant and anxious to do what is right That I think I can
answer for and so« looking towards him »can Mr Westlock«
»Most assuredly« said John
Mr Fips appeared to have some little difficulty in resuming the
conversation To relieve himself he took up the waferstamp and began stamping
capital Fs all over his legs
»The fact is« said Mr Fips »that my friend is not at this present
moment in town«
Toms countenance fell for he thought this equivalent to telling him that
his appearance did not answer and that Fips must look out for somebody else
»When do you think he will be in town sir« he asked
»I cant say its impossible to tell I really have no idea But« said
Fips taking off a very deep impression of the waferstamp upon the calf of his
left leg and looking steadily at Tom »I dont know that its a matter of much
consequence«
Poor Tom inclined his head deferentially but appeared to doubt that
»I say« repeated Mr Fips »that I dont know its a matter of much
consequence The business lies entirely between yourself and me Mr Pinch With
reference to your duties I can set you going and with reference to your
salary I can pay it Weekly« said Mr Fips putting down the waferstamp and
looking at John Westlock and Tom Pinch by turns »weekly in this office at any
time between the hours of four and five oclock in the afternoon« As Mr Fips
said this he made up his face as if he were going to whistle But he didnt
»You are very good« said Tom whose countenance was now suffused with
pleasure »and nothing can be more satisfactory or straightforward My
attendance will be required «
»From halfpast nine to four oclock or so I should say« interrupted Mr
Fips »About that«
»I did not mean the hours of attendance« retorted Tom »which are light and
easy I am sure but the place«
»Oh the place The place is in the Temple«
Tom was delighted
»Perhaps« said Mr Fips »you would like to see the place«
»Oh dear« cried Tom »I shall only be too glad to consider myself engaged
if you will allow me without any further reference to the place«
»You may consider yourself engaged by all means« said Mr Fips »you
couldnt meet me at the Temple Gate in Fleet Street in an hour from this time
I suppose could you«
Certainly Tom could
»Good« said Mr Fips rising »Then I will show you the place and you can
begin your attendance tomorrow morning In an hour therefore I shall see you
You too Mr Westlock Very good Take care how you go Its rather dark«
With this remark which seemed superfluous he shut them out upon the
staircase and they groped their way into the street again
The interview had done so little to remove the mystery in which Toms new
engagement was involved and had done so much to thicken it that neither could
help smiling at the puzzled looks of the other They agreed however that the
introduction of Tom to his new office and office companions could hardly fail to
throw a light upon the subject and therefore postponed its further
consideration until after the fulfilment of the appointment they had made with
Mr Fips
After looking at John Westlocks chambers and devoting a few spare minutes
to the Boars Head they issued forth again to the place of meeting The time
agreed upon had not quite come but Mr Fips was already at the Temple Gate and
expressed his satisfaction at their punctuality
He led the way through sundry lanes and courts into one more quiet and more
gloomy than the rest and singling out a certain house ascended a common
staircase taking from his pocket as he went a bunch of rusty keys Stopping
before a door upon an upper story which had nothing but a yellow smear of paint
where custom would have placed the tenants name he began to beat the dust out
of one of these keys very deliberately upon the great broad handrail of the
balustrade
»You had better have a little plug made« he said looking round at Tom
after blowing a shrill whistle into the barrel of the key »Its the only way of
preventing them from getting stopped up Youll find the lock go the better
too I dare say for a little oil«
Tom thanked him but was too much occupied with his own speculations and
John Westlocks looks to be very talkative In the meantime Mr Fips opened
the door which yielded to his hand very unwillingly and with a horribly
discordant sound He took the key out when he had done so and gave it to Tom
»Aye aye« said Mr Fips »The dust lies rather thick here«
Truly it did Mr Fips might have gone so far as to say very thick It had
accumulated everywhere lay deep on everything and in one part where a ray of
sun shone through a crevice in the shutter and struck upon the opposite wall it
went twirling round and round like a gigantic squirrelcage
Dust was the only thing in the place that had any motion about it When
their conductor admitted the light freely and lifting up the heavy windowsash
let in the summer air he showed the mouldering furniture discoloured
wainscoting and ceiling rusty stove and ashy hearth in all their inert
neglect Close to the door there stood a candlestick with an extinguisher upon
it as if the last man who had been there had paused after securing a retreat
to take a parting look at the dreariness he left behind and then had shut out
light and life together and closed the place up like a tomb
There were two rooms on that floor and in the first or outer one a narrow
staircase leading to two more above These last were fitted up as bedchambers
Neither in them nor in the rooms below was any scarcity of convenient
furniture observable although the fittings were of a bygone fashion but
solitude and want of use seemed to have rendered it unfit for any purposes of
comfort and to have given it a grisly haunted air
Moveables of every kind lay strewn about without the least attempt at
order and were intermixed with boxes hampers and all sorts of lumber On all
the floors were piles of books to the amount perhaps of some thousands of
volumes these still in bales those wrapped in paper as they had been
purchased others scattered singly or in heaps not one upon the shelves which
lined the walls To these Mr Fips called Toms attention
»Before anything else can be done we must have them put in order
catalogued and ranged upon the bookshelves Mr Pinch That will do to begin
with I think sir«
Tom rubbed his hands in the pleasant anticipation of a task so congenial to
his taste and said
»An occupation full of interest for me I assure you It will occupy me
perhaps until Mr »
»Until Mr « repeated Fips as much as to ask Tom what he was stopping
for
»I forgot that you had not mentioned the gentlemans name« said Tom
»Oh« cried Mr Fips pulling on his glove »didnt I No bythebye I
dont think I did Ah I dare say hell be here soon You will get on very well
together I have no doubt I wish you success I am sure You wont forget to
shut the door Itll lock of itself if you slam it Halfpast nine you know
Let us say from halfpast nine to four or halfpast four or thereabouts one
day perhaps a little earlier another day perhaps a little later according
as you feel disposed and as you arrange your work Mr Fips Austin Friars of
course youll remember And you wont forget to slam the door if you please«
He said all this in such a comfortable easy manner that Tom could only rub
his hands and nod his head and smile in acquiescence which he was still
doing when Mr Fips walked coolly out
»Why hes gone« cried Tom
»And whats more Tom« said John Westlock seating himself upon a pile of
books and looking up at his astonished friend »he is evidently not coming back
again so here you are installed Under rather singular circumstances Tom«
It was such an odd affair throughout and Tom standing there among the books
with his hat in one hand and the key in the other looked so prodigiously
confounded that his friend could not help laughing heartily Tom himself was
tickled no less by the hilarity of his friend than by the recollection of the
sudden manner in which he had been brought to a stop in the very height of his
urbane conference with Mr Fips so by degrees Tom burst out laughing too and
each making the other laugh more they fairly roared
When they had had their laugh out which did not happen very soon for give
John an inch that way and he was sure to take several ells being a jovial
goodtempered fellow they looked about them more closely groping among the
lumber for any stray means of enlightenment that might turn up But no scrap or
shred of information could they find The books were marked with a variety of
owners names having no doubt been bought at sales and collected here and
there at different times but whether any one of these names belonged to Toms
employer and if so which of them they had no means whatever of determining
It occurred to John as a very bright thought to make inquiry at the stewards
office to whom the chambers belonged or by whom they were held but he came
back no wiser than he went the answer being »Mr Fips of Austin Friars«
»After all Tom I begin to think it lies no deeper than this Fips is an
eccentric man has some knowledge of Pecksniff despises him of course has
heard or seen enough of you to know that you are the man he wants and engages
you in his own whimsical manner«
»But why in his own whimsical manner« asked Tom
»Oh why does any man entertain his own whimsical taste Why does Mr Fips
wear shorts and powder and Mr Fipss nextdoor neighbour boots and a wig«
Tom being in that state of mind in which any explanation is a great relief
adopted this last one which indeed was quite as feasible as any other readily
and said he had no doubt of it Nor was his faith at all shaken by his having
said exactly the same thing to each suggestion of his friends in turn and
being perfectly ready to say it again if he had any new solution to propose
As he had not Tom drew down the window sash and folded the shutter and
they left the rooms He closed the door heavily as Mr Fips had desired him
tried it found it all safe and put the key in his pocket
They made a pretty wide circuit in going back to Islington as they had time
to spare and Tom was never tired of looking about him It was well he had John
Westlock for his companion for most people would have been weary of his
perpetual stoppages at shopwindows and his frequent dashes into the crowded
carriageway at the peril of his life to get the better view of church
steeples and other public buildings But John was charmed to see him so much
interested and every time Tom came back with a beaming face from among the
wheels of carts and hackneycoaches wholly unconscious of the personal
congratulations addressed to him by the drivers John seemed to like him better
than before
There was no flour on Ruths hands when she received them in the triangular
parlour but there were pleasant smiles upon her face and a crowd of welcomes
shining out of every smile and gleaming in her bright eyes Bythebye how
bright they were Looking into them for but a moment when you took her hand
you saw in each such a capital miniature of yourself representing you as such
a restless flashing eager brilliant little fellow
Ah if you could only have kept them for your own miniature But wicked
roving restless too impartial eyes it was enough for any one to stand before
them and straightway there he danced and sparkled quite as merrily as you
The table was already spread for dinner and though it was spread with
nothing very choice in the way of glass or linen and with greenhandled knives
and very mountebanks of twopronged forks which seemed to be trying how far
asunder they could possibly stretch their legs without converting themselves
into double the number of iron toothpicks it wanted neither damask silver
gold nor china no nor any other garniture at all There it was and being
there nothing else would have done as well
The success of that initiative dish that first experiment of hers in
cookery was so entire so unalloyed and perfect that John Westlock and Tom
agreed she must have been studying the art in secret for a long time past and
urged her to make a full confession of the fact They were exceedingly merry
over this jest and many smart things were said concerning it but John was not
as fair in his behaviour as might have been expected for after luring Tom
Pinch on for a long time he suddenly went over to the enemy and swore to
everything his sister said However as Tom observed the same night before going
to bed it was only in joke and John had always been famous for being polite to
ladies even when he was quite a boy Ruth said »Oh indeed« She didnt say
anything else
It is astonishing how much three people may find to talk about They
scarcely left off talking once And it was not all lively chat which occupied
them for when Tom related how he had seen Mr Pecksniffs daughters and what
a change had fallen on the younger they were very serious
John Westlock became quite absorbed in her fortunes asking many questions
of Tom Pinch about her marriage inquiring whether her husband was the gentleman
whom Tom had brought to dine with him at Salisbury in what degree of
relationship they stood towards each other being different persons and taking
in short the greatest interest in the subject Tom then went into it at full
length he told how Martin had gone abroad and had not been heard of for a long
time how Dragon Mark had borne him company how Mr Pecksniff had got the poor
old doting grandfather into his power and how he basely sought the hand of Mary
Graham But not a word said Tom of what lay hidden in his heart his heart so
deep and true and full of honour and yet with so much room for every gentle
and unselfish thought not a word
Tom Tom The man in all this world most confident in his sagacity and
shrewdness the man in all this world most proud of his distrust of other men
and having most to show in gold and silver as the gains belonging to his creed
the meekest favourer of that wise doctrine Every man for himself and God for
us all there being high wisdom in the thought that the Eternal Majesty of
Heaven ever was or can be on the side of selfish lust and love shall never
find oh never find be sure of that the time come home to him when all his
wisdom is an idiots folly weighed against a simple heart
Well well Tom it was simple too though simple in a different way to be
so eager touching that same theatre of which John said when tea was done he
had the absolute command so far as taking parties in without the payment of a
sixpence was concerned and simpler yet perhaps never to suspect that when he
went in first alone he paid the money Simple in thee dear Tom to laugh and
cry so heartily at such a sorry show so poorly shown simple to be so happy
and loquacious trudging home with Ruth simple to be so surprised to find that
merry present of a cookerybook awaiting her in the parlour next morning with
the beefsteakpuddingleaf turned down and blotted out There Let the record
stand Thy quality of soul was simple simple quite contemptible Tom Pinch
Chapter XL
The Pinches Make a New Acquaintance and Have Fresh Occasion for Surprise and
Wonder
There was a ghostly air about these uninhabited chambers in the Temple and
attending every circumstance of Toms employment there which had a strange
charm in it Every morning when he shut his door at Islington he turned his
face towards an atmosphere of unaccountable fascination as surely as he turned
it to the London smoke and from that moment it thickened round and round him
all day long until the time arrived for going home again and leaving it like
a motionless cloud behind
It seemed to Tom every morning that he approached this ghostly mist and
became enveloped in it by the easiest succession of degrees imaginable Passing
from the roar and rattle of the streets into the quiet courtyards of the
Temple was the first preparation Every echo of his footsteps sounded to him
like a sound from the old walls and pavements wanting language to relate the
histories of the dim dismal rooms to tell him what lost documents were
decaying in forgotten corners of the shutup cellars from whose lattices such
mouldy sighs came breathing forth as he went past to whisper of dark bins of
rare old wine bricked up in vaults among the old foundations of the Halls or
mutter in a lower tone yet darker legends of the crosslegged knights whose
marble effigies were in the church With the first planting of his foot upon the
staircase of his dusty office all these mysteries increased until ascending
step by step as Tom ascended they attained their full growth in the solitary
labours of the day
Every day brought one recurring neverfailing source of speculation This
employer would he come today and what would he be like For Tom could not
stop short at Mr Fips he quite believed that Mr Fips had spoken truly when
he said he acted for another and what manner of man that other was became a
fullblown flower of wonder in the garden of Toms fancy which never faded or
got trodden down
At one time he conceived that Mr Pecksniff repenting of his falsehood
might by exertion of his influence with some third person have devised these
means of giving him employment He found this idea so insupportable after what
had taken place between that good man and himself that he confided it to John
Westlock on the very same day informing John that he would rather ply for hire
as a porter than fall so low in his own esteem as to accept the smallest
obligation from the hands of Mr Pecksniff But John assured him that he Tom
Pinch was far from doing justice to the character of Mr Pecksniff yet if he
supposed that gentleman capable of performing a generous action and that he
might make his mind quite easy on that head until he saw the sun turn green and
the moon black and at the same time distinctly perceived with the naked eye
twelve firstrate comets careering round those planets In which unusual state
of things he said and not before it might become not absolutely lunatic to
suspect Mr Pecksniff of anything so monstrous In short he laughed the idea
down completely and Tom abandoning it was thrown upon his beamends again
for some other solution
In the meantime Tom attended to his duties daily and made considerable
progress with the books which were already reduced to some sort of order and
made a great appearance in his fairlywritten catalogue During his business
hours he indulged himself occasionally with snatches of reading which were
often indeed a necessary part of his pursuit and as he usually made bold to
carry one of these goblin volumes home at night always bringing it back again
next morning in case his strange employer should appear and ask what had become
of it he led a happy quiet studious kind of life after his own heart
But though the books were never so interesting and never so full of
novelty to Tom they could not so enchain him in those mysterious chambers as
to render him unconscious for a moment of the lightest sound Any footstep on
the flags without set him listening attentively and when it turned into that
house and came up up up the stairs he always thought with a beating heart
»Now I am coming face to face with him at last« But no footstep ever passed
the floor immediately below except his own
This mystery and loneliness engendered fancies in Toms mind the folly of
which his common sense could readily discover but which his common sense was
quite unable to keep away notwithstanding that quality being with most of us
in such a case like the old French Police quick at detection but very weak
as a preventive power Misgivings undefined absurd inexplicable that there
was some one hiding in the inner room walking softly overhead peeping in
through the doorchink doing something stealthy anywhere where he was not
came over him a hundred times a day making it pleasant to throw up the sash
and hold communication even with the sparrows who had built in the roof and
waterspout and were twittering about the windows all day long
He sat with the outer door wide open at all times that he might hear the
footsteps as they entered and turned off into the chambers on the lower floor
He formed odd prepossessions too regarding strangers in the streets and would
say within himself of such or such a man who struck him as having anything
uncommon in his dress or aspect »I shouldnt wonder now if that were he« But
it never was And though he actually turned back and followed more than one of
these suspected individuals in a singular belief that they were going to the
place he was then upon his way from he never got any other satisfaction by it
than the satisfaction of knowing it was not the case
Mr Fips of Austin Friars rather deepened than illumined the obscurity of
his position for on the first occasion of Toms waiting on him to receive his
weekly pay he said
»Oh bythebye Mr Pinch you neednt mention it if you please«
Tom thought he was going to tell him a secret so he said that he wouldnt
on any account and that Mr Fips might entirely depend upon him But as Mr
Fips said »Very good« in reply and nothing more Tom prompted him
»Not on any account« repeated Tom
Mr Fips repeated »Very good«
»You were going to say« Tom hinted
»Oh dear no« cried Fips »Not at all« However seeing Tom confused he
added »I mean that you neednt mention any particulars about your place of
employment to people generally Youll find it better not«
»I have not had the pleasure of seeing my employer yet sir« observed Tom
putting his weeks salary in his pocket
»Havent you« said Fips »No I dont suppose you have though«
»I should like to thank him and to know that what I have done so far is
done to his satisfaction« faltered Tom
»Quite right« said Mr Fips with a yawn »Highly creditable Very proper«
Tom hastily resolved to try him on another tack
»I shall soon have finished with the books« he said »I hope that will not
terminate my engagement sir or render me useless«
»Oh dear no« retorted Fips »Plenty to do plenty to do Be careful how
you go Its rather dark«
This was the very utmost extent of information Tom could ever get out of
him So it was dark enough in all conscience and if Mr Fips expressed himself
with a double meaning he had good reason for doing so
But now a circumstance occurred which helped to divert Toms thoughts from
even this mystery and to divide them between it and a new channel which was a
very Nile in itself.
The way it came about was this Having always been an early riser and
having now no organ to engage him in sweet converse every morning it was his
habit to take a long walk before going to the Temple and naturally inclining
as a stranger towards those parts of the town which were conspicuous for the
life and animation pervading them he became a great frequenter of the
marketplaces bridges quays and especially the steamboat wharves for it was
very lively and fresh to see the people hurrying away upon their many schemes of
business or pleasure and it made Tom glad to think that there was that much
change and freedom in the monotonous routine of city lives
In most of these morning excursions Ruth accompanied him As their landlord
was always up and away at his business whatever that might be no one seemed to
know at a very early hour the habits of the people of the house in which they
lodged corresponded with their own Thus they had often finished their
breakfast and were out in the summerair by seven oclock After a two hours
stroll they parted at some convenient point Tom going to the Temple and his
sister returning home as methodically as you please
Many and many a pleasant stroll they had in CoventGarden Market snuffing
up the perfume of the fruits and flowers wondering at the magnificence of the
pineapples and melons catching glimpses down side avenues of rows and rows of
old women seated on inverted baskets shelling peas looking unutterable things
at the fat bundles of asparagus with which the dainty shops were fortified as
with a breastwork and at the herbalists doors gratefully inhaling scents as
of vealstuffing yet uncooked dreamily mixed up with capsicums brownpaper
seeds even with hints of lusty snails and fine young curly leeches Many and
many a pleasant stroll they had among the poultry markets where ducks and
fowls with necks unnaturally long lay stretched out in pairs ready for
cooking where there were speckled eggs in mossy baskets white country sausages
beyond impeachment by surviving cat or dog or horse or donkey new cheeses to
any wild extent live birds in coops and cages looking much too big to be
natural in consequence of those receptacles being much too little rabbits
alive and dead innumerable Many a pleasant stroll they had among the cool
refreshing silvery fishstalls with a kind of moonlight effect about their
stock in trade excepting always for the ruddy lobsters Many a pleasant stroll
among the waggonloads of fragrant hay beneath which dogs and tired waggoners
lay fast asleep oblivious of the pieman and the publichouse But never half
so good a stroll as down among the steamboats on a bright morning
There they lay alongside of each other hard and fast for ever to all
appearance but designing to get out somehow and quite confident of doing it
and in that faith shoals of passengers and heaps of luggage were proceeding
hurriedly on board Little steamboats dashed up and down the stream
incessantly Tiers upon tiers of vessels scores of masts labyrinths of tackle
idle sails splashing oars gliding rowboats lumbering barges sunken piles
with ugly lodgings for the waterrat within their muddiscoloured nooks church
steeples warehouses houseroofs arches bridges men and women children
casks cranes boxes horses coaches idlers and hardlabourers there they
were all jumbled up together any summer morning far beyond Toms power of
separation
In the midst of all this turmoil there was an incessant roar from every
packets funnel which quite expressed and carried out the uppermost emotion of
the scene They all appeared to be perspiring and bothering themselves exactly
as their passengers did they never left off fretting and chafing in their own
hoarse manner once but were always panting out without any stops »Come along
do make haste Im very nervous come along oh good gracious we shall never get
there how late you are do make haste Im off directly come along« Even when
they had left off and had got safely out into the current on the smallest
provocation they began again for the bravest packet of them all being stopped
by some entanglement in the river would immediately begin to fume and pant
afresh »Oh heres a stoppage whats the matter do go on there Im in a hurry
its done on purpose did you ever oh my goodness do go on here« and so in a
state of mind bordering on distraction would be last seen drifting slowly
through the mist into the summer light beyond that made it red
Toms ship however or at least the packetboat in which Tom and his
sister took the greatest interest on one particular occasion was not off yet
by any means but was at the height of its disorder The press of passengers was
very great another steamboat lay on each side of her the gangways were choked
up distracted women obviously bound for Gravesend but turning a deaf ear to
all representations that this particular vessel was about to sail for Antwerp
persisted in secreting baskets of refreshments behind bulkheads and
watercasks and under seats and very great confusion prevailed
It was so amusing that Tom with Ruth upon his arm stood looking down from
the wharf as nearly regardless as it was in the nature of flesh and blood to
be of an elderly lady behind him who had brought a large umbrella with her
and didnt know what to do with it This tremendous instrument had a hooked
handle and its vicinity was first made known to him by a painful pressure on
the windpipe consequent upon its having caught him round the throat Soon after
disengaging himself with perfect good humour he had a sensation of the ferule
in his back immediately afterwards of the hook entangling his ankles then of
the umbrella generally wandering about his hat and flapping at it like a great
bird and lastly of a poke or thrust below the ribs which gave him such
exceeding anguish that he could not refrain from turning round to offer a mild
remonstrance
Upon his turning round he found the owner of the umbrella struggling on
tiptoe with a countenance expressive of violent animosity to look down upon
the steamboats from which he inferred that she had attacked him standing in
the front row by design and as her natural enemy
»What a very illnatured person you must be« said Tom
The lady cried out fiercely »Wheres the pelisse« meaning the constabulary
and went on to say shaking the handle of the umbrella at Tom that but for
them fellers never being in the way when they was wanted shed have given him
in charge she would
»If they greased their whiskers less and minded the duties which theyre
paid so heavy for a little more« she observed »no one neednt be drove mad by
scrouding so«
She had been grievously knocked about no doubt for her bonnet was bent
into the shape of a cocked hat Being a fat little woman too she was in a
state of great exhaustion and intense heat Instead of pursuing the altercation
therefore Tom civilly inquired what boat she wanted to go on board of
»I suppose« returned the lady »as nobody but yourself can want to look at
a steam package without wanting to go a boarding of it can they Booby«
»Which one do you want to look at then« said Tom »Well make room for you
if we can Dont be so illtempered«
»No blessed creetur as ever I was with in trying times« returned the lady
somewhat softened »and theyre a many in their numbers ever brought it as a
charge again myself that I was anythin but mild and equal in my spirits Never
mind a contradicting of me if you seems to feel it does you good maam I
often says for well you know that Sairey may be trusted not to give it back
again But I will not denige that I am worrited and wexed this day and with
good reagion Lord forbid«
By this time Mrs Gamp for it was no other than that experienced
practitioner had with Toms assistance squeezed and worked herself into a
small corner between Ruth and the rail where after breathing very hard for
some little time and performing a short series of dangerous evolutions with her
umbrella she managed to establish herself pretty comfortably
»And which of all them smoking monsters is the Ankworks boat I wonder
Goodness me« cried Mrs Gamp
»What boat did you want« asked Ruth
»The Ankworks package« Mrs Gamp replied »I will not deceive you my
sweet Why should I«
»That is the Antwerp packet in the middle« said Ruth
»And I wish it was in Jonadges belly I do« cried Mrs Gamp appearing to
confound the prophet with the whale in this miraculous aspiration
Ruth said nothing in reply but as Mrs Gamp laying her chin against the
cool iron of the rail continued to look intently at the Antwerp boat and every
now and then to give a little groan she inquired whether any child of hers was
going abroad that morning Or perhaps her husband she said kindly
»Which shows« said Mrs Gamp casting up her eyes »what a little way
youve travelled into this wale of life my dear young creetur As a good friend
of mine has frequent made remark to me which her name my love is Harris Mrs
Harris through the square and up the steps a turnin round by the tobacker shop
Oh Sairey Sairey little do we know wot lays afore us Mrs Harris maam I
says not much its true but more than you suppoge Our calcilations maam I
says respectin wot the number of a family will be comes most times within
one and oftener than you would suppoge exact Sairey says Mrs Harris in a
awful way Tell me wot is my indiwidgle number No Mrs Harris I says to her
excuge me if you please My own I says has fallen out of threepair backs
and had damp doorsteps settled on their lungs and one was turned up smilin in
a bedstead unbeknown Therefore maam I says seek not to proticipate but
take em as they come and as they go Mine« said Mrs Gamp »mine is all gone
my dear young chick And as to husbands theres a wooden leg gone likeways
home to its account which in its constancy of walkin into wine vaults and
never comin out again till fetched by force was quite as weak as flesh if
not weaker«
When she had delivered this oration Mrs Gamp leaned her chin upon the cool
iron again and looking intently at the Antwerp packet shook her head and
groaned
»I wouldnt« said Mrs Gamp »I wouldnt be a man and have such a think
upon my mind but nobody as owned the name of man could do it«
Tom and his sister glanced at each other and Ruth after a moments
hesitation asked Mrs Gamp what troubled her so much
»My dear« returned that lady dropping her voice »you are single aint
you«
Ruth laughed blushed and said »Yes«
»Worse luck« proceeded Mrs Gamp »for all parties But others is married
and in the marriage state and there is a dear young creetur a comin down this
mornin to that very package which is no more fit to trust herself to sea than
nothin is«
She paused here to look over the deck of the packet in question and on the
steps leading down to it and on the gangways Seeming to have thus assured
herself that the object of her commiseration had not yet arrived she raised her
eyes gradually up to the top of the escapepipe and indignantly apostrophised
the vessel
»Oh drat you« said Mrs Gamp shaking her umbrella at it »youre a nice
spluttering nisy monster for a delicate young creetur to go and be a passinger
by aint you You never do no harm in that way do you With your hammering
and roaring and hissing and lampiling you brute Them Confugion steamers«
said Mrs Gamp shaking her umbrella again »has done more to throw us out of
our reglar work and bring ewents on at times when nobody counted on em
especially them screeching railroad ones than all the other frights that ever
was took I have heerd of one young man a guard upon a railway only three
years opened well does Mrs Harris know him which indeed he is her own
relation by her sisters marriage with a master sawyer as is godfather at this
present time to sixandtwenty blessed little strangers equally unexpected and
all on um named after the Ingeins as was the cause Ugh« said Mrs Gamp
resuming her apostrophe »one might easy know you was a mans invention from
your disregardlessness of the weakness of our naturs so one might you brute«
It would not have been unnatural to suppose from the first part of Mrs
Gamps lamentations that she was connected with the stagecoaching or
posthorsing trade She had no means of judging of the effect of her concluding
remarks upon her young companion for she interrupted herself at this point and
exclaimed
»There she identically goes Poor sweet young creetur there she goes like
a lamb to the sacrifige If theres any illness when that wessel gets to sea«
said Mrs Gamp prophetically »its murder and Im the witness for the
persecution«
She was so very earnest on the subject that Toms sister being as kind as
Tom himself could not help saying something to her in reply
»Pray which is the lady« she inquired »in whom you are so much
interested«
»There« groaned Mrs Gamp »There she goes Acrossin the little wooden
bridge at this minute Shes a slippin on a bit of orangepeel« tightly
clutching her umbrella »What a turn it give me«
»Do you mean the lady who is with that man wrapped up from head to foot in a
large cloak so that his face is almost hidden«
»Well he may hide it« Mrs Gamp replied »Hes good call to be ashamed of
himself Did you see him a jerking of her wrist then«
»He seems to be hasty with her indeed«
»Now hes a taking of her down into the close cabin« said Mrs Gamp
impatiently »Whats the man about The deuce is in him I think Why cant he
leave her in the open air«
He did not whatever his reason was but led her quickly down and
disappeared himself without loosening his cloak or pausing on the crowded deck
one moment longer than was necessary to clear their way to that part of the
vessel
Tom had not heard this little dialogue for his attention had been engaged
in an unexpected manner A hand upon his sleeve had caused him to look round
just when Mrs Gamp concluded her apostrophe to the steamengine and on his
right arm Ruth being on his left he found their landlord to his great
surprise
He was not so much surprised at the mans being there as at his having got
close to him so quietly and swiftly for another person had been at his elbow
one instant before and he had not in the meantime been conscious of any change
or pressure in the knot of people among whom he stood He and Ruth had
frequently remarked how noiselessly this landlord of theirs came into and went
out of his own house but Tom was not the less amazed to see him at his elbow
now
»I beg your pardon Mr Pinch« he said in his ear »I am rather infirm and
out of breath and my eyes are not very good I am not as young as I was sir
You dont see a gentleman in a large cloak down yonder with a lady on his arm
a lady in a veil and a black shawl do you«
If he did not it was curious that in speaking he should have singled out
from all the crowd the very people whom he described and should have glanced
hastily from them to Tom as if he were burning to direct his wandering eyes
»A gentleman in a large cloak« said Tom »and a lady in a black shawl Let
me see«
»Yes yes« replied the other with keen impatience »A gentleman muffled up
from head to foot strangely muffled up for such a morning as this like an
invalid with his hand to his face at this minute perhaps No no no not
there« he added following Toms gaze »the other way in that direction down
yonder« Again he indicated but this time in his hurry with his outstretched
finger the very spot on which the progress of these persons was checked at that
moment
»There are so many people and so much motion and so many objects« said
Tom »that I find it difficult to no I really dont see a gentleman in a
large cloak and a lady in a black shawl Theres a lady in a red shawl over
there«
»No no no« cried his landlord pointing eagerly again »not there The
other way the other way Look at the cabin steps To the left They must be
near the cabin steps Do you see the cabin steps Theres the bell ringing
already Do you see the steps«
»Stay« said Tom »youre right Look there they go now Is that the
gentleman you mean Descending at this minute with the folds of a great cloak
trailing down after him«
»The very man« returned the other not looking at what Tom pointed out
however but at Toms own face »Will you do me a kindness sir a great
kindness Will you put that letter in his hand Only give him that He expects
it I am charged to do it by my employers but I am late in finding him and
not being as young as I have been should never be able to make my way on board
and off the deck again in time Will you pardon my boldness and do me that
great kindness«
His hands shook and his face bespoke the utmost interest and agitation as
he pressed the letter upon Tom and pointed to its destination like the Tempter
in some grim old carving
To hesitate in the performance of a goodnatured or compassionate office
was not in Toms way He took the letter whispered Ruth to wait till he
returned which would be immediately and ran down the steps with all the
expedition he could make There were so many people going down so many others
coming up such heavy goods in course of transit to and fro such a ringing of
bells blowingoff of steam and shouting of mens voices that he had much ado
to force his way or keep in mind to which boat he was going But he reached
the right one with good speed and going down the cabinstairs immediately
descried the object of his search standing at the upper end of the saloon with
his back towards him reading some notice which was hung against the wall As
Tom advanced to give him the letter he started hearing footsteps and turned
round
What was Toms astonishment to find in him the man with whom he had had the
conflict in the field poor Mercys husband Jonas
Tom understood him to say what the devil did he want but it was not easy
to make out what he said he spoke so indistinctly
»I want nothing with you for myself« said Tom »I was asked a moment
since to give you this letter You were pointed out to me but I didnt know
you in your strange dress Take it«
He did so opened it and read the writing on the inside The contents were
evidently very brief not more perhaps than one line but they struck upon him
like a stone from a sling He reeled back as he read
His emotion was so different from any Tom had ever seen before that he
stopped involuntarily Momentary as his state of indecision was the bell ceased
while he stood there and a hoarse voice calling down the steps inquired if
there was any one to go ashore
»Yes« cried Jonas »I I am coming Give me time Wheres that woman Come
back come back here«
He threw open another door as he spoke and dragged rather than led her
forth She was pale and frightened and amazed to see her old acquaintance but
had no time to speak for they were making a great stir above and Jonas drew
her rapidly towards the deck
»Where are we going What is the matter«
»We are going back« said Jonas »I have changed my mind I cant go Dont
question me or I shall be the death of you or some one else Stop there Stop
Were for the shore Do you hear Were for the shore«
He turned even in the madness of his hurry and scowling darkly back at
Tom shook his clenched hand at him There are not many human faces capable of
the expression with which he accompanied that gesture
He dragged her up and Tom followed them Across the deck over the side
along the crazy plank and up the steps he dragged her fiercely not bestowing
any look on her but gazing upwards all the while among the faces on the wharf
Suddenly he turned again and said to Tom with a tremendous oath
»Where is he«
Before Tom in his indignation and amazement could return an answer to a
question he so little understood a gentleman approached Tom behind and saluted
Jonas Chuzzlewit by name He was a gentleman of foreign appearance with a black
moustache and whiskers and addressed him with a polite composure strangely
different from his own distracted and desperate manner
»Chuzzlewit my good fellow« said the gentleman raising his hat in
compliment to Mrs Chuzzlewit »I ask your pardon twenty thousand times I am
most unwilling to interfere between you and a domestic trip of this nature
always so very charming and refreshing I know although I have not the
happiness to be a domestic man myself which is the great infelicity of my
existence but the beehive my dear friend the beehive will you introduce
me«
»This is Mr Montague« said Jonas whom the words appeared to choke
»The most unhappy and most penitent of men Mrs Chuzzlewit« pursued that
gentleman »for having been the means of spoiling this excursion but as I tell
my friend the beehive the beehive You projected a short little continental
trip my dear friend of course«
Jonas maintained a dogged silence
»May I die« cried Montague »but I am shocked Upon my soul I am shocked
But that confounded beehive of ours in the city must be paramount to every
other consideration when there is honey to be made and that is my best excuse
Here is a very singular old female dropping curtseys on my right« said
Montague breaking off in his discourse and looking at Mrs Gamp »who is not a
friend of mine Does anybody know her«
»Ah Well they knows me bless their precious hearts« said Mrs Gamp »not
forgettin your own merry one sir and long may it be so Wishin as every
one« she delivered this in the form of a toast or sentiment »was as merry
and as handsomelooking as a little bird has whispered me a certain gent is
which I will not name for fear I give offence where none is doo My precious
lady« here she stopped short in her merriment for she had until now affected
to be vastly entertained »youre too pale by half«
»You are here too are you« muttered Jonas »Ecod there are enough of
you«
»I hope sir« returned Mrs Gamp dropping an indignant curtsey »as no
bones is broke by me and Mrs Harris a walkin down upon a public wharf Which
was the very words she says to me although they was the last I ever had to
speak was these Sairey she says is it a public wharf Mrs Harris I makes
answer can you doubt it You have knowd me now maam eight and thirty year
and did you ever know me go or wish to go where I was not made welcome say
the words No Sairey Mrs Harris says contrairy quite And well she knows it
too I am but a poor woman but Ive been sought arter sir though you may not
think it Ive been knocked up at all hours of the night and warned out by a
many landlords in consequence of being mistook for Fire I goes out working for
my bread tis true but I maintains my indepency with your kind leave and
which I will till death I has my feelins as a woman sir and I have been a
mother likeways but touch a pipkin as belongs to me or make the least remarks
on what I eats or drinks and though you was the favouritest young forard hussy
of a servantgal as ever come into a house either you leaves the place or me
My earnings is not great sir but I will not be impoged upon Bless the babe
and save the mother is my mortar sir but I makes so free as add to that
Dont try no impogician with the Nuss for she will not abear it«
Mrs Gamp concluded by drawing her shawl tightly over herself with both
hands and as usual referring to Mrs Harris for full corroboration of these
particulars She had that peculiar trembling of the head which in ladies of
her excitable nature may be taken as a sure indication of their breaking out
again very shortly when Jonas made a timely interposition
»As you are here« he said »you had better see to her and take her home I
am otherwise engaged« He said nothing more but looked at Montague as if to
give him notice that he was ready to attend him
»I am sorry to take you away« said Montague
Jonas gave him a sinister look which long lived in Toms memory and which
he often recalled afterwards
»I am upon my life« said Montague »Why did you make it necessary«
With the same dark glance as before Jonas replied after a moments
silence
»The necessity is none of my making You have brought it about yourself«
He said nothing more He said even this as if he were bound and in the
others power but had a sullen and suppressed devil within him which he could
not quite resist His very gait as they walked away together was like that of
a fettered man but striving to work out at his clenched hands knitted brows
and fastset lips was the same imprisoned devil still
They got into a handsome cabriolet which was waiting for them and drove
away
The whole of this extraordinary scene had passed so rapidly and the tumult
which prevailed around was so unconscious of any impression from it that
although Tom had been one of the chief actors it was like a dream No one had
noticed him after they had left the packet He had stood behind Jonas and so
near him that he could not help hearing all that passed He had stood there
with his sister on his arm expecting and hoping to have an opportunity of
explaining his strange share in this yet stranger business But Jonas had not
raised his eyes from the ground no one else had even looked towards him and
before he could resolve on any course of action they were all gone
He gazed round for his landlord But he had done that more than once
already and no such man was to be seen He was still pursuing this search with
his eyes when he saw a hand beckoning to him from a hackneycoach and hurrying
towards it found it was Merrys She addressed him hurriedly but bent out of
the window that she might not be overheard by her companion Mrs Gamp
»What is it« she said »Good Heaven what is it Why did he tell me last
night to prepare for a long journey and why have you brought us back like
criminals Dear Mr Pinch« she clasped her hands distractedly »be merciful to
us Whatever this dreadful secret is be merciful and God will bless you«
»If any power of mercy lay with me« cried Tom »trust me you shouldnt ask
in vain But I am far more ignorant and weak than you«
She withdrew into the coach again and he saw the hand waving towards him
for a moment but whether in reproachfulness or incredulity or misery or
grief or sad adieu or what else he could not being so hurried understand
She was gone now and Ruth and he were left to walk away and wonder
Had Mr Nadgett appointed the man who never came to meet him upon London
Bridge that morning He was certainly looking over the parapet and down upon
the steamboatwharf at that moment It could not have been for pleasure he
never took pleasure No He must have had some business there
Chapter XLI
Mr Jonas and His Friend Arriving at a Pleasant Understanding Set Forth upon
an Enterprise
The office of the AngloBengalee Disinterested Loan and Life Assurance Company
being near at hand and Mr Montague driving Jonas straight there they had very
little way to go But the journey might have been one of several hours
duration without provoking a remark from either for it was clear that Jonas
did not mean to break the silence which prevailed between them and that it was
not as yet his dear friends cue to tempt him into conversation
He had thrown aside his cloak as having now no motive for concealment and
with that garment huddled on his knees sat as far removed from his companion as
the limited space in such a carriage would allow There was a striking
difference in his manner compared with what it had been within a few minutes
when Tom encountered him so unexpectedly on board the packet or when the ugly
change had fallen on him in Mr Montagues dressingroom He had the aspect of a
man found out and held at bay of being baffled hunted and beset but there
was now a dawning and increasing purpose in his face which changed it very
much It was gloomy distrustful lowering pale with anger and defeat it
still was humbled abject cowardly and mean but let the conflict go on as it
would there was one strong purpose wrestling with every emotion of his mind
and casting the whole series down as they arose
Not prepossessing in appearance at the best of times it may be readily
supposed that he was not so now He had left deep marks of his front teeth in
his nether lip and those tokens of the agitation he had lately undergone
improved his looks as little as the heavy corrugations in his forehead But he
was selfpossessed now unnaturally selfpossessed indeed as men quite
otherwise than brave are known to be in desperate extremities and when the
carriage stopped he waited for no invitation but leapt hardily out and went
up stairs
The chairman followed him and closing the boardroom door as soon as they
had entered threw himself upon a sofa Jonas stood before the window looking
down into the street and leaned against the sash resting his head upon his
arms
»This is not handsome Chuzzlewit« said Montague at length »Not handsome
upon my soul«
»What would you have me do« he answered looking round abruptly »what do
you expect«
»Confidence my good fellow Some confidence« said Montague in an injured
tone
»Ecod You show great confidence in me« retorted Jonas »Dont you«
»Do I not« said his companion raising his head and looking at him but he
had turned again »Do I not Have I not confided to you the easy schemes I have
formed for our advantage our advantage mind not mine alone and what is my
return Attempted flight«
»How do you know that Who said I meant to fly«
»Who said Come come A foreign boat my friend an early hour a figure
wrapped up for disguise Who said If you didnt mean to jilt me why were you
there If you didnt mean to jilt me why did you come back«
»I came back« said Jonas »to avoid disturbance«
»You were wise« rejoined his friend
Jonas stood quite silent still looking down into the street and resting
his head upon his arms
»Now Chuzzlewit« said Montague »notwithstanding what has passed I will
be plain with you Are you attending to me there I only see your back«
»I hear you Go on«
»I say that notwithstanding what has passed I will be plain with you«
»You said that before And I have told you once I heard you say it Go on«
»You are a little chafed but I can make allowance for that and am
fortunately myself in the very best of tempers Now let us see how
circumstances stand A day or two ago I mentioned to you my dear fellow that
I thought I had discovered «
»Will you hold your tongue« said Jonas looking fiercely round and
glancing at the door
»Well well« said Montague »Judicious Quite correct My discoveries being
published would be like many other mens discoveries in this honest world of
no further use to me You see Chuzzlewit how ingenuous and frank I am in
showing you the weakness of my own position To return I make or think I make
a certain discovery which I take an early opportunity of mentioning in your
ear in that spirit of confidence which I really hoped did prevail between us
and was reciprocated by you Perhaps there is something in it perhaps there is
nothing I have my knowledge and opinion on the subject You have yours We will
not discuss the question But my good fellow you have been weak what I wish
to point out to you is that you have been weak I may desire to turn this
little incident to my account indeed I do Ill not deny it but my account
does not lie in probing it or using it against you«
»What do you call using it against me« asked Jonas who had not yet changed
his attitude
»Oh« said Montague with a laugh »Well not enter into that«
»Using it to make a beggar of me Is that the use you mean«
»No«
»Ecod« muttered Jonas bitterly »Thats the use in which your account does
lie You speak the truth there«
»I wish you to venture its a very safe venture a little more with us
certainly and to keep quiet« said Montague »You promised me you would and
you must I say it plainly Chuzzlewit you MUST Reason the matter If you
dont my secret is worthless to me and being so it may as well become the
public property as mine better for I shall gain some credit bringing it to
light I want you besides to act as a decoy in a case I have already told you
of You dont mind that I know You care nothing for the man you care nothing
for any man you are too sharp so am I I hope and could bear any loss of
his with pious fortitude Ha ha ha You have tried to escape from the first
consequence You cannot escape it I assure you I have shown you that today
Now I am not a moral man you know I am not the least in the world affected by
anything you may have done by any little indiscretion you may have committed
but I wish to profit by it if I can and to a man of your intelligence I make
that free confession I am not at all singular in that infirmity Everybody
profits by the indiscretion of his neighbour and the people in the best repute
the most Why do you give me this trouble It must come to a friendly agreement,
or an unfriendly crash It must If the former, you are very little hurt If the
latter well you know best what is likely to happen then«
Jonas left the window and walked up close to him He did not look him in
the face it was not his habit to do that but he kept his eyes towards him on
his breast or thereabouts and was at great pains to speak slowly and
distinctly in reply Just as a man in a state of conscious drunkenness might
be
»Lying is of no use now« he said »I did think of getting away this
morning and making better terms with you from a distance«
»To be sure To be sure« replied Montague »Nothing more natural I foresaw
that and provided against it But I am afraid I am interrupting you«
»How the devil« pursued Jonas with a still greater effort »you made
choice of your messenger and where you found him Ill not ask you I owed him
one good turn before today If you are so careless of men in general as you
said you were just now you are quite indifferent to what becomes of such a
crop cur as that and will leave me to settle my account with him in my own
manner«
If he had raised his eyes to his companions face he would have seen that
Montague was evidently unable to comprehend his meaning But continuing to
stand before him with his furtive gaze directed as before and pausing here
only to moisten his dry lips with his tongue the fact was lost upon him It
might have struck a close observer that this fixed and steady glance of Jonass
was a part of the alteration which had taken place in his demeanour He kept it
rivetted on one spot with which his thoughts had manifestly nothing to do like
as a juggler walking on a cord or wire to any dangerous end holds some object
in his sight to steady him and never wanders from it lest he trip
Montague was quick in his rejoinder though he made it at a venture There
was no difference of opinion between him and his friend on that point Not the
least
»Your great discovery« Jonas proceeded with a savage sneer that got the
better of him for the moment »may be true and may be false Whichever it is I
dare say Im no worse than other men«
»Not a bit« said Tigg »Not a bit Were all alike or nearly so«
»I want to know this« Jonas went on to say »is it your own Youll not
wonder at my asking the question«
»My own« repeated Montague
»Aye« returned the other gruffly »Is it known to anybody else Come
Dont waver about that«
»No« said Montague without the smallest hesitation »What would it be
worth do you think unless I had the keeping of it«
Now for the first time Jonas looked at him After a pause he put out his
hand and said with a laugh
»Come make things easy to me and Im yours I dont know that I may not be
better off here after all than if I had gone away this morning But here I am
and here Ill stay now Take your oath«
He cleared his throat for he was speaking hoarsely and said in a lighter
tone
»Shall I go to Pecksniff When Say when«
»Immediately« cried Montague »He cannot be enticed too soon«
»Ecod« cried Jonas with a wild laugh »Theres some fun in catching that
old hypocrite I hate him Shall I go tonight«
»Aye This« said Montague ecstatically »is like business We understand
each other now Tonight my good fellow by all means«
»Come with me« cried Jonas »We must make a dash go down in state and
carry documents for hes a deep file to deal with and must be drawn on with an
artful hand or hell not follow I know him As I cant take your lodgings or
your dinners down I must take you Will you come tonight«
His friend appeared to hesitate and neither to have anticipated this
proposal nor to relish it very much
»We can concert our plans upon the road« said Jonas »We must not go direct
to him but cross over from some other place and turn out of our way to see
him I may not want to introduce you but I must have you on the spot I know
the man I tell you«
»But what if the man knows me« said Montague shrugging his shoulders
»He know« cried Jonas »Dont you run that risk with fifty men a day Would
your father know you Did I know you Ecod you were another figure when I saw
you first Ha ha ha I see the rents and patches now No false hair then no
black dye You were another sort of joker in those days you were You even
spoke different then Youve acted the gentleman so seriously since that
youre taken in yourself If he should know you what does it matter Such a
change is a proof of your success You know that or you would not have made
yourself known to me Will you come«
»My good fellow« said Montague still hesitating »I can trust you alone«
»Trust me Ecod you may trust me now far enough Ill try to go away no
more no more« He stopped and added in a more sober tone »I cant get on
without you Will you come«
»I will« said Montague »if thats your opinion« And they shook hands upon
it
The boisterous manner which Jonas had exhibited during the latter part of
this conversation and which had gone on rapidly increasing with almost every
word he had spoken from the time when he looked his honourable friend in the
face until now did not now subside but remaining at its height abided by
him Most unusual with him at any period most inconsistent with his temper and
constitution especially unnatural it would appear in one so darkly
circumstanced it abided by him It was not like the effect of wine or any
ardent drink for he was perfectly coherent It even made him proof against the
usual influence of such means of excitement for although he drank deeply
several times that day with no reserve or caution he remained exactly the same
man and his spirits neither rose nor fell in the least observable degree
Deciding after some discussion to travel at night in order that the days
business might not be broken in upon they took counsel together in reference to
the means Mr Montague being of opinion that four horses were advisable at all
events for the first stage as throwing a great deal of dust into peoples eyes
in more senses than one a travelling chariot and four lay under orders for nine
oclock Jonas did not go home observing that his being obliged to leave town
on business in so great a hurry would be a good excuse for having turned back
so unexpectedly in the morning So he wrote a note for his portmanteau and sent
it by a messenger who duly brought his luggage back with a short note from
that other piece of luggage his wife expressive of her wish to be allowed to
come and see him for a moment To this request he sent for answer »she had
better« and one such threatening affirmative being sufficient in defiance of
the English grammar to express a negative she kept away
Mr Montague being much engaged in the course of the day Jonas bestowed
his spirits chiefly on the doctor with whom he lunched in the medical officers
own room On his way thither encountering Mr Nadgett in the outer room he
bantered that stealthy gentleman on always appearing anxious to avoid him and
inquired if he were afraid of him Mr Nadgett slyly answered »No but he
believed it must be his way as he had been charged with much the same kind of
thing before«
Mr Montague was listening to or to speak with greater elegance he
overheard this dialogue As soon as Jonas was gone he beckoned Nadgett to him
with the feather of his pen and whispered in his ear
»Who gave him my letter this morning«
»My lodger sir« said Nadgett behind the palm of his hand
»How came that about«
»I found him on the wharf sir Being so much hurried and you not arrived
it was necessary to do something It fortunately occurred to me that if I gave
it him myself I could be of no further use I should have been blown upon
immediately«
»Mr Nadgett you are a jewel« said Montague patting him on the back
»Whats your lodgers name«
»Pinch sir Thomas Pinch«
Montague reflected for a little while and then asked
»From the country do you know«
»From Wiltshire sir he told me«
They parted without another word To see Mr Nadgetts bow when Montague and
he next met and to see Mr Montague acknowledge it anybody might have
undertaken to swear that they had never spoken to each other confidentially in
all their lives
In the meanwhile Mr Jonas and the doctor made themselves very comfortable
up stairs over a bottle of the old Madeira and some sandwiches for the doctor
having been already invited to dine below at six oclock preferred a light
repast for lunch It was advisable he said in two points of view First as
being healthy in itself. Secondly as being the better preparation for dinner
»And you are bound for all our sakes to take particular care of your
digestion Mr Chuzzlewit my dear sir« said the doctor smacking his lips
after a glass of wine »for depend upon it it is worth preserving It must be
in admirable condition sir perfect chronometerwork Otherwise your spirits
could not be so remarkable Your bosoms lord sits lightly on its throne Mr
Chuzzlewit as whatshisname says in the play I wish he said it in a play
which did anything like common justice to our profession bythebye There is
an apothecary in that drama sir which is a low thing vulgar sir out of
nature altogether«
Mr Jobling pulled out his shirtfrill of fine linen as though he would
have said »This is what I call nature in a medical man sir« and looked at
Jonas for an observation
Jonas not being in a condition to pursue the subject took up a case of
lancets that was lying on the table and opened it
»Ah« said the doctor leaning back in his chair »I always take em out of
my pocket before I eat My pockets are rather tight Ha ha ha«
Jonas had opened one of the shining little instruments and was scrutinising
it with a look as sharp and eager as its own bright edge
»Good steel doctor Good steel Eh«
»Yees« replied the doctor with the faltering modesty of ownership »One
might open a vein pretty dexterously with that Mr Chuzzlewit«
»It has opened a good many in its time I suppose« said Jonas looking at
it with a growing interest
»Not a few my dear sir not a few It has been engaged in a in a pretty
good practice I believe I may say« replied the doctor coughing as if the
matterof-fact were so very dry and literal that he couldnt help it »In a
pretty good practice« repeated the doctor putting another glass of wine to his
lips
»Now could you cut a mans throat with such a thing as this« demanded
Jonas
»Oh certainly certainly if you took him in the right place« returned the
doctor »It all depends upon that«
»Where you have your hand now hey« cried Jonas bending forward to look at
it
»Yes« said the doctor »thats the jugular«
Jonas in his vivacity made a sudden sawing in the air so close behind the
doctors jugular that he turned quite red Then Jonas in the same strange
spirit of vivacity burst into a loud discordant laugh
»No no« said the doctor shaking his head »edge tools edge tools never
play with em A very remarkable instance of the skilful use of edgetools by
the way occurs to me at this moment It was a case of murder I am afraid it
was a case of murder committed by a member of our profession it was so
artistically done«
»Aye« said Jonas »How was that«
»Why sir« returned Jobling »the thing lies in a nutshell A certain
gentleman was found one morning in an obscure street lying in an angle of a
doorway I should rather say leaning in an upright position in the angle of
a doorway and supported consequently by the doorway Upon his waistcoat there
was one solitary drop of blood He was dead and cold and had been murdered
sir«
»Only one drop of blood« said Jonas
»Sir that man« replied the doctor »had been stabbed to the heart Had
been stabbed to the heart with such dexterity sir that he had died instantly
and had bled internally It was supposed that a medical friend of his to whom
suspicion attached had engaged him in conversation on some pretence had taken
him very likely by the button in a conversational manner had examined his
ground at leisure with his other hand had marked the exact spot drawn out the
instrument whatever it was when he was quite prepared and «
»And done the trick« suggested Jonas
»Exactly so« replied the doctor »It was quite an operation in its way and
very neat The medical friend never turned up and as I tell you he had the
credit of it Whether he did it or not I cant say But having had the honour
to be called in with two or three of my professional brethren on the occasion
and having assisted to make a careful examination of the wound I have no
hesitation in saying that it would have reflected credit on any medical man and
that in an unprofessional person it could not but be considered either as an
extraordinary work of art or the result of a still more extraordinary happy
and favourable conjunction of circumstances«
His hearer was so much interested in this case that the doctor went on to
elucidate it with the assistance of his own finger and thumb and waistcoat and
at Jonass request he took the further trouble of going into a corner of the
room and alternately representing the murdered man and the murderer which he
did with great effect The bottle being emptied and the story done Jonas was in
precisely the same boisterous and unusual state as when they had sat down If
as Jobling theorised his good digestion were the cause he must have been a
very ostrich
At dinner it was just the same and after dinner too though wine was drunk
in abundance and various rich meats eaten At nine oclock it was still the
same There being a lamp in the carriage he swore they would take a pack of
cards and a bottle of wine and with these things under his cloak went down to
the door
»Out of the way Tom Thumb and get to bed«
This was the salutation he bestowed on Mr Bailey who booted and wrapped
up stood at the carriagedoor to help him in
»To bed sir Im a going too« said Bailey
He alighted quickly and walked back into the hall where Montague was
lighting a cigar conducting Mr Bailey with him by the collar
»You are not a going to take this monkey of a boy are you«
»Yes« said Montague
He gave the boy a shake and threw him roughly aside There was more of his
familiar self in the action than in anything he had done that day but he broke
out laughing immediately afterwards and making a thrust at the doctor with his
hand in imitation of his representation of the medical friend went out to the
carriage again and took his seat His companion followed immediately Mr
Bailey climbed into the rumble
»It will be a stormy night« exclaimed the doctor as they started
Chapter XLII
Continuation of the Enterprise of Mr Jonas and His Friend
The Doctors prognostication in reference to the weather was speedily verified
Although the weather was not a patient of his and no third party had required
him to give an opinion on the case the quick fulfilment of his prophecy may be
taken as an instance of his professional tact for unless the threatening
aspect of the night had been perfectly plain and unmistakeable Mr Jobling
would never have compromised his reputation by delivering any sentiments on the
subject He used this principle in Medicine with too much success to be
unmindful of it in his commonest transactions
It was one of those hot silent nights when people sit at windows
listening for the thunder which they know will shortly break when they recall
dismal tales of hurricanes and earthquakes and of lonely travellers on open
plains and lonely ships at sea struck by lightning Lightning flashed and
quivered on the black horizon even now and hollow murmurings were in the wind
as though it had been blowing where the thunder rolled and still was charged
with its exhausted echoes But the storm though gathering swiftly had not yet
come up and the prevailing stillness was the more solemn from the dull
intelligence that seemed to hover in the air of noise and conflict afar off
It was very dark but in the murky sky there were masses of cloud which
shone with a lurid light like monstrous heaps of copper that had been heated in
a furnace and were growing cold These had been advancing steadily and slowly
but they were now motionless or nearly so As the carriage clattered round the
corners of the streets it passed at every one a knot of persons who had come
there many from their houses close at hand without hats to look up at that
quarter of the sky And now a very few large drops of rain began to fall and
thunder rumbled in the distance
Jonas sat in a corner of the carriage with his bottle resting on his knee
and gripped as tightly in his hand as if he would have ground its neck to
powder if he could Instinctively attracted by the night he had laid aside the
pack of cards upon the cushion and with the same involuntary impulse so
intelligible to both of them as not to occasion a remark on either side his
companion had extinguished the lamp The front glasses were down and they sat
looking silently out upon the gloomy scene before them
They were clear of London or as clear of it as travellers can be whose way
lies on the Western Road within a stage of that enormous city Occasionally
they encountered a footpassenger hurrying to the nearest place of shelter or
some unwieldy cart proceeding onward at a heavy trot with the same end in view
Little clusters of such vehicles were gathered round the stableyard or
baitingplace of every wayside tavern while their drivers watched the weather
from the doors and open windows or made merry within Everywhere the people
were disposed to bear each other company rather than sit alone so that groups
of watchful faces seemed to be looking out upon the night and them from almost
every house they passed
It may appear strange that this should have disturbed Jonas or rendered him
uneasy but it did After muttering to himself and often changing his position
he drew up the blind on his side of the carriage and turned his shoulder
sulkily towards it But he neither looked at his companion nor broke the
silence which prevailed between them and which had fallen so suddenly upon
himself by addressing a word to him
The thunder rolled the lightning flashed the rain poured down like
Heavens wrath Surrounded at one moment by intolerable light and at the next
by pitchy darkness they still pressed forward on their journey Even when they
arrived at the end of the stage and might have tarried they did not but
ordered horses out immediately Nor had this any reference to some five
minutes lull which at that time seemed to promise a cessation of the storm
They held their course as if they were impelled and driven by its fury Although
they had not exchanged a dozen words and might have tarried very well they
seemed to feel by joint consent that onward they must go
Louder and louder the deep thunder rolled as through the myriad halls of
some vast temple in the sky fiercer and brighter became the lightning more and
more heavily the rain poured down The horses they were travelling now with a
single pair plunged and started from the rills of quivering fire that seemed to
wind along the ground before them but there these two men sat and forward they
went as if they were led on by an invisible attraction
The eye partaking of the quickness of the flashing light saw in its every
gleam a multitude of objects which it could not see at steady noon in fifty
times that period Bells in steeples with the rope and wheel that moved them
ragged nests of birds in cornices and nooks faces full of consternation in the
tilted waggons that came tearing past their frightened teams ringing out a
warning which the thunder drowned harrows and ploughs left out in fields miles
upon miles of hedgedivided country with the distant fringe of trees as obvious
as the scarecrow in the beanfield close at hand in a trembling vivid
flickering instant everything was clear and plain then came a flush of red
into the yellow light a change to blue a brightness so intense that there was
nothing else but light and then the deepest and profoundest darkness
The lightning being very crooked and very dazzling may have presented or
assisted a curious optical illusion which suddenly rose before the startled
eyes of Montague in the carriage and as rapidly disappeared He thought he saw
Jonas with his hand lifted and the bottle clenched in it like a hammer making
as if he would aim a blow at his head At the same time he observed or so
believed an expression in his face a combination of the unnatural excitement
he had shown all day with a wild hatred and fear which might have rendered a
wolf a less terrible companion
He uttered an involuntary exclamation and called to the driver who brought
his horses to a stop with all speed
It could hardly have been as he supposed for although he had not taken his
eyes off his companion and had not seen him move he sat reclining in his
corner as before
»Whats the matter« said Jonas »Is that your general way of waking out of
your sleep«
»I could swear« returned the other »that I have not closed my eyes«
»When you have sworn it« said Jonas composedly »we had better go on
again if you have only stopped for that«
He uncorked the bottle with the help of his teeth and putting it to his
lips took a long draught
»I wish we had never started on this journey This is not« said Montague
recoiling instinctively and speaking in a voice that betrayed his agitation
»this is not a night to travel in«
»Ecod youre right there« returned Jonas »and we shouldnt be out in it
but for you If you hadnt kept me waiting all day we might have been at
Salisbury by this time snug abed and fast asleep What are we stopping for«
His companion put his head out of window for a moment and drawing it in
again observed as if that were his cause of anxiety that the boy was
drenched to the skin
»Serve him right« said Jonas »Im glad of it What the devil are we
stopping for Are you going to spread him out to dry«
»I have half a mind to take him inside« observed the other with some
hesitation
»Oh thankee« said Jonas »We dont want any damp boys here especially a
young imp like him Let him be where he is He aint afraid of a little thunder
and lightning I dare say whoever else is Go on driver We had better have
him inside perhaps« he muttered with a laugh »and the horses«
»Dont go too fast« cried Montague to the postillion »and take care how
you go You were nearly in the ditch when I called to you«
This was not true and Jonas bluntly said so as they moved forward again
Montague took little or no heed of what he said but repeated that it was not a
night for travelling and showed himself both then and afterwards unusually
anxious
From this time Jonas recovered his former spirits if such a term may be
employed to express the state in which he had left the city He had his bottle
often at his mouth roared out snatches of songs without the least regard to
time or tune or voice or anything but loud discordance and urged his silent
friend to be merry with him
»Youre the best company in the world my good fellow« said Montague with
an effort »and in general irresistible but tonight do you hear it«
»Ecod I hear and see it too« cried Jonas shading his eyes for the moment
from the lightning which was flashing not in any one direction but all around
them »What of that It dont change you nor me nor our affairs Chorus
chorus
It may lighten and storm
Till it hunt the red worm
From the grass where the gibbet is driven
But it cant hurt the dead
And it wont save the head
That is doomd to be rifled and riven
That must be a precious old song« he added with an oath as he stopped short in
a kind of wonder at himself »I havent heard it since I was a boy and how it
comes into my head now unless the lightning put it there I dont know Cant
hurt the dead No no And wont save the head No no No Ha ha ha«
His mirth was of such a savage and extraordinary character and was in an
inexplicable way at once so suited to the night and yet such a coarse
intrusion on its terrors that his fellowtraveller always a coward shrunk
from him in positive fear Instead of Jonas being his tool and instrument their
places seemed to be reversed But there was reason for this too Montague
thought since the sense of his debasement might naturally inspire such a man
with the wish to assert a noisy independence and in that license to forget his
real condition Being quick enough in reference to such subjects of
contemplation he was not long in taking this argument into account and giving
it its full weight But still he felt a vague sense of alarm and was
depressed and uneasy
He was certain he had not been asleep but his eyes might have deceived him
for looking at Jonas now in any interval of darkness he could represent his
figure to himself in any attitude his state of mind suggested On the other
hand he knew full well that Jonas had no reason to love him and even taking
the piece of pantomime which had so impressed his mind to be a real gesture and
not the working of his fancy the most that could be said of it was that it
was quite in keeping with the rest of his diabolical fun and had the same
impotent expression of truth in it »If he could kill me with a wish« thought
the swindler »I should not live long«
He resolved that when he should have had his use of Jonas he would
restrain him with an iron curb in the meantime that he could not do better
than leave him to take his own way and preserve his own peculiar description of
goodhumour after his own uncommon manner It was no great sacrifice to bear
with him »for when all is got that can be got« thought Montague »I shall
decamp across the water and have the laugh on my side and the gains«
Such were his reflections from hour to hour his state of mind being one in
which the same thoughts constantly present themselves over and over again in
wearisome repetition while Jonas who appeared to have dismissed reflection
altogether entertained himself as before They agreed that they would go to
Salisbury and would cross to Mr Pecksniffs in the morning and at the
prospect of deluding that worthy gentleman the spirits of his amiable
soninlaw became more boisterous than ever
As the night wore on the thunder died away but still rolled gloomily and
mournfully in the distance The lightning too though now comparatively
harmless was yet bright and frequent The rain was quite as violent as it had
ever been
It was their illfortune at about the time of dawn and in the last stage of
their journey to have a restive pair of horses These animals had been greatly
terrified in their stable by the tempest and coming out into the dreary
interval between night and morning when the glare of the lightning was yet
unsubdued by day and the various objects in their view were presented in
indistinct and exaggerated shapes which they would not have worn by night they
gradually became less and less capable of control until taking a sudden fright
at something by the roadside they dashed off wildly down a steep hill flung
the driver from his saddle drew the carriage to the brink of a ditch stumbled
headlong down and threw it crashing over
The travellers had opened the carriage door and had either jumped or fallen
out Jonas was the first to stagger to his feet He felt sick and weak and very
giddy and reeling to a fivebarred gate stood holding by it looking drowsily
about as the whole landscape swam before his eyes But by degrees he grew
more conscious and presently observed that Montague was lying senseless in the
road within a few feet of the horses
In an instant as if his own faint body were suddenly animated by a demon
he ran to the horses heads and pulling at their bridles with all his force
set them struggling and plunging with such mad violence as brought their hoofs
at every effort nearer to the skull of the prostrate man and must have led in
half a minute to his brains being dashed out on the highway
As he did this he fought and contended with them like a man possessed
making them wilder by his cries
»Whoop« cried Jonas »Whoop again another A little more a little more
Up ye devils Hillo«
As he heard the driver who had risen and was hurrying up crying to him to
desist his violence increased
»Hillo Hillo« cried Jonas
»For Gods sake« cried the driver »The gentleman in the road hell be
killed«
The same shouts and the same struggles were his only answer But the man
darting in at the peril of his own life saved Montagues by dragging him
through the mire and water out of the reach of present harm That done he ran
to Jonas and with the aid of his knife they very shortly disengaged the horses
from the broken chariot and got them cut and bleeding on their legs again
The postillion and Jonas had now leisure to look at each other which they had
not had yet
»Presence of mind presence of mind« cried Jonas throwing up his hands
wildly »What would you have done without me«
»The other gentleman would have done badly without me« returned the man
shaking his head »You should have moved him first I gave him up for dead«
»Presence of mind you croaker presence of mind« cried Jonas with a harsh
loud laugh »Was he struck do you think«
They both turned to look at him Jonas muttered something to himself when
he saw him sitting up beneath the hedge looking vacantly round
»Whats the matter« asked Montague »Is anybody hurt«
»Ecod« said Jonas »it dont seem so There are no bones broke after all«
They raised him and he tried to walk He was a good deal shaken and
trembled very much But with the exception of a few cuts and bruises this was
all the damage he had sustained
»Cuts and bruises eh« said Jonas »Weve all got them Only cuts and
bruises eh«
»I wouldnt have given sixpence for the gentlemans head in half a dozen
seconds more for all hes only cut and bruised« observed the postboy »If
ever youre in an accident of this sort again sir which I hope you wont be
never you pull at the bridle of a horse thats down when theres a mans head
in the way That cant be done twice without there being a dead man in the case
it would have ended in that this time as sure as ever you were born if I
hadnt come up just when I did«
Jonas replied by advising him with a curse to hold his tongue and to go
somewhere whither he was not very likely to go of his own accord But Montague
who had listened eagerly to every word himself diverted the subject by
exclaiming »Wheres the boy«
»Ecod I forgot that monkey« said Jonas »Whats become of him« A very
brief search settled that question The unfortunate Mr Bailey had been thrown
sheer over the hedge or the fivebarred gate and was lying in the neighbouring
field to all appearance dead
»When I said tonight that I wished I had never started on this journey«
cried his master »I knew it was an illfated one Look at this boy«
»Is that all« growled Jonas »If you call that a sign of it «
»Why what should I call a sign of it« asked Montague hurriedly »What do
you mean«
»I mean« said Jonas stooping down over the body »that I never heard you
were his father or had any particular reason to care much about him Halloa
Hold up here«
But the boy was past holding up or being held up or giving any other sign
of life than a faint and fitful beating of the heart After some discussion
the driver mounted the horse which had been least injured and took the lad in
his arms as well as he could while Montague and Jonas leading the other horse
and carrying a trunk between them walked by his side towards Salisbury
»Youd get there in a few minutes and be able to send assistance to meet
us if you went forward postboy« said Jonas »Trot on«
»No no« cried Montague »well keep together«
»Why what a chicken you are You are not afraid of being robbed are you«
said Jonas
»I am not afraid of anything« replied the other whose looks and manner
were in flat contradiction to his words »But well keep together«
»You were mighty anxious about the boy a minute ago« said Jonas »I
suppose you know that he may die in the meantime«
»Aye aye I know But well keep together«
As it was clear that he was not to be moved from this determination Jonas
made no other rejoinder than such as his face expressed and they proceeded in
company They had three or four good miles to travel and the way was not made
easier by the state of the road the burden by which they were embarrassed or
their own stiff and sore condition After a sufficiently long and painful walk
they arrived at the Inn and having knocked the people up it being yet very
early in the morning sent out messengers to see to the carriage and its
contents and roused a surgeon from his bed to tend the chief sufferer All the
service he could render he rendered promptly and skilfully But he gave it as
his opinion that the boy was labouring under a severe concussion of the brain
and that Mr Baileys mortal course was run
If Montagues strong interest in the announcement could have been considered
as unselfish in any degree it might have been a redeeming trait in a character
that had no such lineaments to spare But it was not difficult to see that for
some unexpressed reason best appreciated by himself he attached a strange value
to the company and presence of this mere child When after receiving some
assistance from the surgeon himself he retired to the bedroom prepared for
him and it was broad day his mind was still dwelling on this theme
»I would rather have lost« he said »a thousand pounds than lost the boy
just now But Ill return home alone I am resolved upon that Chuzzlewit shall
go forward first and I will follow in my own time Ill have no more of this«
he added wiping his damp forehead »Twentyfour hours of this would turn my
hair grey«
After examining his chamber and looking under the bed and in the
cupboards and even behind the curtains with unusual caution although it was
as has been said broad day he doublelocked the door by which he had entered
and retired to rest There was another door in the room but it was locked on
the outer side and with what place it communicated he knew not
His fears or evil conscience reproduced this door in all his dreams He
dreamed that a dreadful secret was connected with it a secret which he knew
and yet did not know for although he was heavily responsible for it and a
party to it he was harassed even in his vision by a distracting uncertainty in
reference to its import Incoherently entwined with this dream was another
which represented it as the hidingplace of an enemy a shadow a phantom and
made it the business of his life to keep the terrible creature closed up and
prevent it from forcing its way in upon him With this view Nadgett and he and
a strange man with a bloody smear upon his head who told him that he had been
his playfellow and told him too the real name of an old schoolmate forgotten
until then worked with iron plates and nails to make the door secure but
though they worked never so hard it was all in vain for the nails broke or
changed to soft twigs or what was worse to worms between their fingers the
wood of the door splintered and crumbled so that even nails would not remain in
it and the iron plates curled up like hot paper All this time the creature on
the other side whether it was in the shape of man or beast he neither knew
nor sought to know was gaining on them But his greatest terror was when the
man with the bloody smear upon his head demanded of him if he knew this
creatures name and said that he would whisper it At this the dreamer fell
upon his knees his whole blood thrilling with inexplicable fear and held his
ears But looking at the speakers lips he saw that they formed the utterance
of the letter J and crying out aloud that the secret was discovered and they
were all lost he awoke
Awoke to find Jonas standing at his bedside watching him And that very door
wide open
As their eyes met Jonas retreated a few paces and Montague sprang out of
bed
»Heyday« said Jonas »Youre all alive this morning«
»Alive« the other stammered as he pulled the bellrope violently »What
are you doing here«
»Its your room to be sure« said Jonas »but Im almost inclined to ask you
what you are doing here My room is on the other side of that door No one told
me last night not to open it I thought it led into a passage and was coming
out to order breakfast Theres theres no bell in my room«
Montague had in the meantime admitted the man with his hot water and boots
who hearing this said yes there was and passed into the adjoining room to
point it out at the head of the bed
»I couldnt find it then« said Jonas »its all the same Shall I order
breakfast«
Montague answered in the affirmative When Jonas had retired whistling
through his own room he opened the door of communication to take out the key
and fasten it on the inner side But it was taken out already
He dragged a table against the door and sat down to collect himself as if
his dreams still had some influence upon his mind
»An evil journey« he repeated several times »An evil journey But Ill
travel home alone Ill have no more of this«
His presentiment or superstition that it was an evil journey did not at
all deter him from doing the evil for which the journey was undertaken With
this in view he dressed himself more carefully than usual to make a favourable
impression on Mr Pecksniff and reassured by his own appearance the beauty of
the morning and the flashing of the wet boughs outside his window in the merry
sunshine was soon sufficiently inspirited to swear a few round oaths and hum
the fagend of a song
But he still muttered to himself at intervals for all that »Ill travel
home alone«
Chapter XLIII
Has an Influence on the Fortunes of Several People Mr Pecksniff Is Exhibited
in the Plenitude of Power and Wields the Same with Fortitude and Magnanimity
On the night of the storm Mrs Lupin hostess of the Blue Dragon sat by
herself in her little bar Her solitary condition or the bad weather or both
united made Mrs Lupin thoughtful not to say sorrowful As she sat with her
chin upon her hand looking out through a low back lattice rendered dim in the
brightest daytime by clustering vineleaves she shook her head very often and
said »Dear me Ah dear dear me«
It was a melancholy time even in the snugness of the Dragon bar The rich
expanse of cornfield pastureland green slope and gentle undulation with
its sparkling brooks its many hedgerows and its clumps of beautiful trees was
black and dreary from the diamond panes of the lattice away to the far horizon
where the thunder seemed to roll along the hills The heavy rain beat down the
tender branches of vine and jessamine and trampled on them in its fury and
when the lightning gleamed it showed the tearful leaves shivering and cowering
together at the window and tapping at it urgently as if beseeching to be
sheltered from the dismal night
As a mark of her respect for the lightning Mrs Lupin had removed her
candle to the chimneypiece Her basket of needlework stood unheeded at her
elbow her supper spread on a round table not far off was untasted and the
knives had been removed for fear of attraction She had sat for a long time with
her chin upon her hand saying to herself at intervals »Dear me Ah dear dear
me«
She was on the eve of saying so once more when the latch of the housedoor
closed to keep the rain out rattled on its wellworn catch and a traveller
came in who shutting it after him and walking straight up to the halfdoor of
the bar said rather gruffly
»A pint of the best old beer here«
He had some reason to be gruff for if he had passed the day in a waterfall
he could scarcely have been wetter than he was He was wrapped up to the eyes in
a rough blue sailors coat and had an oilskin hat on from the capacious brim
of which the rain fell trickling down upon his breast and back and shoulders
Judging from a certain liveliness of chin he had so pulled down his hat and
pulled up his collar to defend himself from the weather that she could only see
his chin and even across that he drew the wet sleeve of his shaggy coat as she
looked at him Mrs Lupin set him down for a goodnatured fellow too
»A bad night« observed the hostess cheerfully
The traveller shook himself like a Newfoundland dog and said it was
rather
»Theres a fire in the kitchen« said Mrs Lupin »and very good company
there Hadnt you better go and dry yourself«
»No thankee« said the man glancing towards the kitchen as he spoke he
seemed to know the way
»Its enough to give you your death of cold« observed the hostess
»I dont take my death easy« returned the traveller »or I should most
likely have took it afore tonight Your health maam«
Mrs Lupin thanked him but in the act of lifting the tankard to his mouth
he changed his mind and put it down again Throwing his body back and looking
about him stiffly as a man does who is wrapped up and has his hat low down
over his eyes he said
»What do you call this house Not the Dragon do you«
Mrs Lupin complacently made answer »Yes the Dragon«
»Why then youve got a sort of a relation of mine here maam« said the
traveller »a young man of the name of Tapley What Mark my boy«
apostrophising the premises »have I come upon you at last old buck«
This was touching Mrs Lupin on a tender point She turned to trim the
candle on the chimneypiece and said with her back towards the traveller
»Nobody should be made more welcome at the Dragon master than any one who
brought me news of Mark But its many and many a long day and month since he
left here and England And whether hes alive or dead poor fellow Heaven above
us only knows«
She shook her head and her voice trembled her hand must have done so too
for the light required a deal of trimming
»Where did he go maam« asked the traveller in a gentler voice
»He went« said Mrs Lupin with increased distress »to America He was
always tenderhearted and kind and perhaps at this moment may be lying in
prison under sentence of death for taking pity on some miserable black and
helping the poor runaway creetur to escape How could he ever go to America Why
didnt he go to some of those countries where the savages eat each other fairly
and give an equal chance to every one«
Quite subdued by this time Mrs Lupin sobbed and was retiring to a chair
to give her grief free vent when the traveller caught her in his arms and she
uttered a glad cry of recognition
»Yes I will« cried Mark »another one more twenty more You didnt
know me in that hat and coat I thought you would have known me anywheres Ten
more«
»So I should have known you if I could have seen you but I couldnt and
you spoke so gruff I didnt think you could speak gruff to me Mark at first
coming back«
»Fifteen more« said Mr Tapley »How handsome and how young you look Six
more The last halfdozen warnt a fair one and must be done over again Lord
bless you what a treat it is to see you One more Well I never was so jolly
Just a few more on account of there not being any credit in it«
When Mr Tapley stopped in these calculations in simple addition he did it
not because he was at all tired of the exercise but because he was out of
breath The pause reminded him of other duties
»Mr Martin Chuzzlewits outside« he said »I left him under the cartshed
while I came on to see if there was anybody here We want to keep quiet
tonight till we know the news from you and what its best for us to do«
»Theres not a soul in the house except the kitchen company« returned the
hostess »If they were to know you had come back Mark theyd have a bonfire in
the street late as it is«
»But they mustnt know it tonight my precious soul« said Mark »so have
the house shut and the kitchen fire made up and when its all ready put a
light in the winder and well come in One more I long to hear about old
friends Youll tell me all about em wont you Mr Pinch and the butchers
dog down the street and the terrier over the way and the wheelwrights and
every one of em When I first caught sight of the church tonight I thought
the steeple would have choked me I did One more Wont you Not a very little
one to finish off with«
»You have had plenty I am sure« said the hostess »Go along with your
foreign manners«
»That aint foreign bless you« cried Mark »Native as oysters that is
One more because its native As a mark of respect for the land we live in
This dont count as between you and me you understand« said Mr Tapley »I
aint a kissing you now youll observe I have been among the patriots Im a
kissin my country«
It would have been very unreasonable to complain of the exhibition of his
patriotism with which he followed up this explanation that it was all lukewarm
or indifferent When he had given full expression to his nationality he hurried
off to Martin while Mrs Lupin in a state of great agitation and excitement
prepared for their reception
The company soon came tumbling out insisting to each other that the Dragon
clock was half an hour too fast and that the thunder must have affected it
Impatient wet and weary though they were Martin and Mark were overjoyed to
see these old faces and watched them with delighted interest as they departed
from the house and passed close by them
»Theres the old tailor Mark« whispered Martin
»There he goes sir A little bandier than he was I think sir aint he
His figures so far altered as it seems to me that you might wheel a rather
larger barrow between his legs as he walks than you could have done
conveniently when we knowd him Theres Sam a coming out sir«
»Ah to be sure« cried Martin »Sam the hostler I wonder whether that
horse of Pecksniffs is alive still«
»Not a doubt on it sir« returned Mark »Thats a description of animal
sir as will go on in a bony way peculiar to himself for a long time and get
into the newspapers at last under the title of Singlar Tenacity of Life in a
Quadruped As if he had ever been alive in all his life worth mentioning
Theres the clerk sir wery drunk as usual«
»I see him« said Martin laughing »But my life how wet you are Mark«
»I am What do you consider yourself sir«
»Oh not half as bad« said his fellowtraveller with an air of great
vexation »I told you not to keep on the windy side Mark but to let us change
and change about The rain has been beating on you ever since it began«
»You dont know how it pleases me sir« said Mark after a short silence
»if I may make so bold as say so to hear you a going on in that there uncommon
considerate way of yours which I dont mean to attend to never but which
ever since that time when I was floored in Eden you have showed«
»Ah Mark« sighed Martin »the less we say of that the better Do I see the
light yonder«
»Thats the light« cried Mark »Lord bless her what briskness she
possesses Now for it sir Neat wines good beds and firstrate entertainment
for man or beast«
The kitchen fire burnt clear and red the table was spread out the kettle
boiled the slippers were there the bootjack too sheets of ham were there
cooking on the gridiron halfadozen eggs were there poaching in the
fryingpan a plethoric cherrybrandy bottle was there winking at a foaming jug
of beer upon the table rare provisions were there dangling from the rafters as
if you had only to open your mouth and something exquisitely ripe and good
would be glad of the excuse for tumbling into it Mrs Lupin who for their
sakes had dislodged the very cook high priestess of the temple with her own
genial hands was dressing their repast
It was impossible to help it a ghost must have hugged her The Atlantic
Ocean and the Red Sea being in that respect all one Martin hugged her
instantly Mr Tapley as if the idea were quite novel and had never occurred
to him before followed with much gravity on the same side
»Little did I ever think« said Mrs Lupin adjusting her cap and laughing
heartily yes and blushing too »often as I have said that Mr Pecksniffs
young gentlemen were the life and soul of the Dragon and that without them it
would be too dull to live in little did I ever think I am sure that any one
of them would ever make so free as you Mr Martin And still less that I
shouldnt be angry with him but should be glad with all my heart to be the
first to welcome him home from America with Mark Tapley for his «
»For his friend Mrs Lupin« interposed Martin
»For his friend« said the hostess evidently gratified by this distinction
but at the same time admonishing Mr Tapley with a fork to remain at a
respectful distance »Little did I ever think that But still less that I
should ever have the changes to relate that I shall have to tell you of when
you have done your supper«
»Good Heaven« cried Martin changing colour »what changes«
»She« said the hostess »is quite well and now at Mr Pecksniffs Dont
be at all alarmed about her She is everything you could wish Its of no use
mincing matters or making secrets is it« added Mrs Lupin »I know all about
it you see«
»My good creature« returned Martin »you are exactly the person who ought
to know all about it I am delighted to think you do know all about it But what
changes do you hint at Has any death occurred«
»No no« said the hostess »Not so bad as that But I declare now that I
will not be drawn into saying another word till you have had your supper If you
ask me fifty questions in the meantime I wont answer one«
She was so positive that there was nothing for it but to get the supper
over as quickly as possible and as they had been walking a great many miles
and had fasted since the middle of the day they did no great violence to their
own inclinations in falling on it tooth and nail It took rather longer to get
through than might have been expected for halfadozen times when they
thought they had finished Mrs Lupin exposed the fallacy of that impression
triumphantly But at last in the course of time and nature they gave in Then
sitting with their slippered feet stretched out upon the kitchen hearth which
was wonderfully comforting for the night had grown by this time raw and
chilly and looking with involuntary admiration at their dimpled buxom
blooming hostess as the firelight sparkled in her eyes and glimmered in her
raven hair they composed themselves to listen to her news
Many were the exclamations of surprise which interrupted her when she told
them of the separation between Mr Pecksniff and his daughters and between the
same good gentleman and Mr Pinch But these were nothing to the indignant
demonstrations of Martin when she related as the common talk of the
neighbourhood what entire possession he had obtained over the mind and person
of old Mr Chuzzlewit and what high honour he designed for Mary On receipt of
this intelligence Martins slippers flew off in a twinkling and he began
pulling on his wet boots with that indefinite intention of going somewhere
instantly and doing something to somebody which is the first safetyvalve of a
hot temper
»He« said Martin »smoothtongued villain that he is He Give me that
other boot Mark«
»Where was you a thinking of going to sir« inquired Mr Tapley drying the
sole at the fire and looking coolly at it as he spoke as if it were a slice of
toast
»Where« repeated Martin »You dont suppose I am going to remain here do
you«
The imperturbable Mark confessed that he did
»You do« retorted Martin angrily »I am much obliged to you What do you
take me for«
»I take you for what you are sir« said Mark »and, consequently, am quite
sure that whatever you do will be right and sensible The boot sir«
Martin darted an impatient look at him without taking it and walked
rapidly up and down the kitchen several times with one boot and a stocking on
But mindful of his Eden resolution he had already gained many victories over
himself when Mark was in the case and he resolved to conquer now So he came
back to the bootjack laid his hand on Marks shoulder to steady himself
pulled the boot off picked up his slippers put them on and sat down again He
could not help thrusting his hands to the very bottom of his pockets and
muttering at intervals »Pecksniff too That fellow Upon my soul Indeed What
next« and so forth nor could he help occasionally shaking his fist at the
chimney with a very threatening countenance but this did not last long and he
heard Mrs Lupin out if not with composure at all events in silence
»As to Mr Pecksniff himself« observed the hostess in conclusion spreading
out the skirts of her gown with both hands and nodding her head a great many
times as she did so »I dont know what to say Somebody must have poisoned his
mind or influenced him in some extraordinary way I cannot believe that such a
noblespoken gentleman would go and do wrong of his own accord«
A noblespoken gentleman How many people are there in the world who for
no better reason uphold their Pecksniffs to the last and abandon virtuous men
when Pecksniffs breathe upon them
»As to Mr Pinch« pursued the landlady »if ever there was a dear good
pleasant worthy soul alive Pinch and no other is his name But how do we
know that old Mr Chuzzlewit himself was not the cause of difference arising
between him and Mr Pecksniff No one but themselves can tell for Mr Pinch has
a proud spirit though he has such a quiet way and when he left us and was so
sorry to go he scorned to make his story good even to me«
»Poor old Tom« said Martin in a tone that sounded like remorse
»Its a comfort to know« resumed the landlady »that he has his sister
living with him and is doing well Only yesterday he sent me back by post a
little« here the colour came into her cheeks »a little trifle I was bold
enough to lend him when he went away saying with many thanks that he had good
employment and didnt want it It was the same note he hadnt broken it I
never thought I could have been so little pleased to see a banknote come back
to me as I was to see that«
»Kindly said and heartily« said Martin »Is it not Mark«
»She cant say anything as does not possess them qualities« returned Mr
Tapley »which as much belong to the Dragon as its licence And now that we have
got quite cool and fresh to the subject again sir what will you do If youre
not proud and can make up your mind to go through with what you spoke of
coming along thats the course for you to take If you started wrong with your
grandfather which youll excuse my taking the liberty of saying appears to
have been the case up with you sir and tell him so and make an appeal to
his affections Dont stand out Hes a great deal older than you and if he was
hasty you was hasty too Give way sir give way«
The eloquence of Mr Tapley was not without its effect on Martin but he
still hesitated and expressed his reason thus
»Thats all very true and perfectly correct Mark and if it were a mere
question of humbling myself before him I would not consider it twice But dont
you see that being wholly under this hypocrites government and having if
what we hear be true no mind or will of his own I throw myself in fact not
at his feet but at the feet of Mr Pecksniff And when I am rejected and
spurned away« said Martin turning crimson at the thought »it is not by him
my own blood stirred against me but by Pecksniff Pecksniff Mark«
»Well but we know beforehand« returned the politic Mr Tapley »that
Pecksniff is a wagabond a scoundrel and a willain«
»A most pernicious villain« said Martin
»A most pernicious willain We know that beforehand sir and, consequently,
its no shame to be defeated by Pecksniff Blow Pecksniff« cried Mr Tapley in
the fervour of his eloquence »Whos he Its not in the natur of Pecksniff to
shame us unless he agreed with us or done us a service and in case he
offered any outdacity of that description we could express our sentiments in
the English language I hope Pecksniff« repeated Mr Tapley with ineffable
disdain »Whats Pecksniff whos Pecksniff wheres Pecksniff that hes to be
so much considered Were not a calculating for ourselves« he laid uncommon
emphasis on the last syllable of that word and looked full in Martins face
»were making a effort for a young lady likewise as has undergone her share and
whatever little hope we have this here Pecksniff is not to stand in its way I
expect I never heard of any act of Parliament as was made by Pecksniff
Pecksniff Why I wouldnt see the man myself I wouldnt hear him I wouldnt
choose to know he was in company Id scrape my shoes on the scraper of the
door and call that Pecksniff if you liked but I wouldnt condescend no
further«
The amazement of Mrs Lupin and indeed of Mr Tapley himself for that
matter at this impassioned flow of language was immense But Martin after
looking thoughtfully at the fire for a short time said
»You are right Mark Right or wrong it shall be done Ill do it«
»One word more sir« returned Mark »Only think of him so far as not to
give him a handle against you Dont you do anything secret that he can report
before you get there Dont you even see Miss Mary in the morning but let this
here dear friend of ours« Mr Tapley bestowed a smile upon the hostess
»prepare her for whats a going to happen and carry any little message as may
be agreeable She knows how Dont you« Mrs Lupin laughed and tossed her head
»Then you go in bold and free as a gentleman should I havent done nothing
underhanded says you I havent been a skulking about the premises here I am
forgive me I ask your pardon God Bless You«
Martin smiled but felt that it was good advice notwithstanding and
resolved to act upon it When they had ascertained from Mrs Lupin that
Pecksniff had already returned from the great ceremonial at which they had
beheld him in his glory and when they had fully arranged the order of their
proceedings they went to bed intent upon the morrow
In pursuance of their project as agreed upon at this discussion Mr Tapley
issued forth next morning after breakfast charged with a letter from Martin to
his grandfather requesting leave to wait upon him for a few minutes And
postponing as he went along the congratulations of his numerous friends until a
more convenient season he soon arrived at Mr Pecksniffs house At that
gentlemans door with a face so immovable that it would have been next to an
impossibility for the most acute physiognomist to determine what he was thinking
about or whether he was thinking at all he straightway knocked
A person of Mr Tapleys observation could not long remain insensible to the
fact that Mr Pecksniff was making the end of his nose very blunt against the
glass of the parlour window in an angular attempt to discover who had knocked
at the door Nor was Mr Tapley slow to baffle this movement on the part of the
enemy by perching himself on the top step and presenting the crown of his hat
in that direction But possibly Mr Pecksniff had already seen him for Mark
soon heard his shoes creaking as he advanced to open the door with his own
hands
Mr Pecksniff was as cheerful as ever and sang a little song in the
passage
»How dye do sir« said Mark
»Oh« cried Mr Pecksniff »Tapley I believe The Prodigal returned We
dont want any beer my friend«
»Thankee sir« said Mark »I couldnt accommodate you if you did A
letter sir Wait for an answer«
»For me« cried Mr Pecksniff »And an answer eh«
»Not for you I think sir« said Mark pointing out the direction
»Chuzzlewit I believe the name is sir«
»Oh« returned Mr Pecksniff »Thank you Yes Whos it from my good young
man«
»The gentleman it comes from wrote his name inside sir« returned Mr
Tapley with extreme politeness »I see him a signing of it at the end while I
was a waitin«
»And he said he wanted an answer did he« asked Mr Pecksniff in his most
persuasive manner
Mark replied in the affirmative
»He shall have an answer Certainly« said Mr Pecksniff tearing the letter
into small pieces as mildly as if that were the most flattering attention a
correspondent could receive »Have the goodness to give him that with my
compliments if you please Good morning« Whereupon he handed Mark the scraps
retired and shut the door
Mark thought it prudent to subdue his personal emotions and return to
Martin at the Dragon They were not unprepared for such a reception and
suffered an hour or so to elapse before making another attempt When this
interval had gone by they returned to Mr Pecksniffs house in company Martin
knocked this time while Mr Tapley prepared himself to keep the door open with
his foot and shoulder when anybody came and by that means secure an enforced
parley But this precaution was needless for the servantgirl appeared almost
immediately Brushing quickly past her as he had resolved in such a case to do
Martin closely followed by his faithful ally opened the door of that parlour
in which he knew a visitor was most likely to be found passed at once into the
room and stood without a word of notice or announcement in the presence of
his grandfather
Mr Pecksniff also was in the room and Mary In the swift instant of their
mutual recognition Martin saw the old man droop his grey head and hide his
face in his hands
It smote him to the heart In his most selfish and most careless day this
lingering remnant of the old mans ancient love this buttress of a ruined tower
he had built up in the time gone by with so much pride and hope would have
caused a pang in Martins heart But now changed for the better in his worst
respect looking through an altered medium on his former friend the guardian of
his childhood so broken and bowed down resentment sullenness
selfconfidence and pride were all swept away before the starting tears upon
the withered cheeks He could not bear to see them He could not bear to think
they fell at sight of him He could not bear to view reflected in them the
reproachful and irrevocable Past
He hurriedly advanced to seize the old mans hand in his when Mr
Pecksniff interposed himself between them
»No young man« said Mr Pecksniff striking himself upon the breast and
stretching out his other arm towards his guest as if it were a wing to shelter
him »No sir None of that Strike here sir here Launch your arrows at me
sir if youll have the goodness not at Him«
»Grandfather« cried Martin »Hear me I implore you let me speak«
»Would you sir Would you« said Mr Pecksniff dodging about so as to
keep himself always between them »Is it not enough sir that you come into my
house like a thief in the night or I should rather say for we can never be too
particular on the subject of Truth like a thief in the daytime bringing your
dissolute companions with you to plant themselves with their backs against the
insides of parlour doors and prevent the entrance or issuing forth of any of my
household« Mark had taken up this position and held it quite unmoved »but
would you also strike at venerable Virtue Would you Know that it is not
defenceless I will be its shield young man Assail me Come on sir Fire
away«
»Pecksniff« said the old man in a feeble voice »Calm yourself Be quiet«
»I cant be calm« cried Mr Pecksniff »and I wont be quiet My benefactor
and my friend Shall even my house be no refuge for your hoary pillow«
»Stand aside« said the old man stretching out his hand »and let me see
what it is I used to love so dearly«
»It is right that you should see it my friend« said Mr Pecksniff »It is
well that you should see it my noble sir It is desirable that you should
contemplate it in its true proportions Behold it There it is sir There it
is«
Martin could hardly be a mortal man and not express in his face something
of the anger and disdain with which Mr Pecksniff inspired him But beyond this
he evinced no knowledge whatever of that gentlemans presence or existence
True he had once and that at first glanced at him involuntarily and with
supreme contempt but for any other heed he took of him there might have been
nothing in his place save empty air
As Mr Pecksniff withdrew from between them agreeably to the wish just now
expressed which he did during the delivery of the observations last recorded
old Martin who had taken Mary Grahams hand in his and whispered kindly to
her as telling her she had no cause to be alarmed gently pushed her from him
behind his chair and looked steadily at his grandson
»And that« he said »is he Ah that is he Say what you wish to say But
come no nearer«
»His sense of justice is so fine« said Mr Pecksniff »that he will hear
even him although he knows beforehand that nothing can come of it Ingenuous
mind« Mr Pecksniff did not address himself immediately to any person in saying
this but assuming the position of the Chorus in a Greek Tragedy delivered his
opinion as a commentary on the proceedings
»Grandfather« said Martin with great earnestness »From a painful journey
from a hard life from a sickbed from privation and distress from gloom and
disappointment from almost hopelessness and despair I have come back to you«
»Rovers of this sort« observed Mr Pecksniff as Chorus »very commonly come
back when they find they dont meet with the success they expected in their
marauding ravages«
»But for this faithful man« said Martin turning towards Mark »whom I
first knew in this place and who went away with me voluntarily as a servant
but has been throughout my zealous and devoted friend but for him I must
have died abroad Far from home far from any help or consolation far from the
probability even of my wretched fate being ever known to any one who cared to
hear it oh that you would let me say of being known to you«
The old man looked at Mr Pecksniff Mr Pecksniff looked at him »Did you
speak my worthy sir« said Mr Pecksniff with a smile The old man answered in
the negative. »I know what you thought« said Mr Pecksniff with another smile
»Let him go on my friend The development of self-interest in the human mind is
always a curious study Let him go on sir«
»Go on« observed the old man in a mechanical obedience it appeared to
Mr Pecksniffs suggestion
»I have been so wretched and so poor« said Martin »that I am indebted to
the charitable help of a stranger in a land of strangers for the means of
returning here All this tells against me in your mind I know I have given you
cause to think I have been driven here wholly by want and have not been led on
in any degree by affection or regret When I parted from you Grandfather I
deserved that suspicion but I do not now I do not now«
The Chorus put its hand in its waistcoat and smiled »Let him go on my
worthy sir« it said »I know what you are thinking of but dont express it
prematurely«
Old Martin raised his eyes to Mr Pecksniffs face and appearing to derive
renewed instruction from his looks and words said once again
»Go on«
»I have little more to say« returned Martin »And as I say it now with
little or no hope Grandfather whatever dawn of hope I had on entering the
room believe it to be true At least believe it to be true«
»Beautiful Truth« exclaimed the Chorus looking upward »How is your name
profaned by vicious persons You dont live in a well my holy principle but on
the lips of false mankind It is hard to bear with mankind dear sir«
addressing the elder Mr Chuzzlewit »but let us do so meekly It is our duty so
to do Let us be among the Few who do their duty If« pursued the Chorus
soaring up into a lofty flight »as the poet informs us England expects Every
man to do his duty England is the most sanguine country on the face of the
earth and will find itself continually disappointed«
»Upon that subject« said Martin looking calmly at the old man as he spoke
but glancing once at Mary whose face was now buried in her hands upon the back
of his easychair »upon that subject which first occasioned a division between
us my mind and heart are incapable of change Whatever influence they have
undergone since that unhappy time has not been one to weaken but to strengthen
me I cannot profess sorrow for that nor irresolution in that nor shame in
that Nor would you wish me I know But that I might have trusted to your love
if I had thrown myself manfully upon it that I might have won you over with
ease if I had been more yielding and more considerate that I should have best
remembered myself in forgetting myself and recollecting you reflection
solitude and misery have taught me I came resolved to say this and to ask
your forgiveness not so much in hope for the future as in regret for the past
for all that I would ask of you is that you would aid me to live Help me to
get honest work to do and I would do it My condition places me at the
disadvantage of seeming to have only my selfish ends to serve but try if that
be so or not Try if I be selfwilled obdurate and haughty as I was or have
been disciplined in a rough school Let the voice of nature and association
plead between us Grandfather and do not for one fault however thankless
quite reject me«
As he ceased the grey head of the old man drooped again and he concealed
his face behind his outspread fingers
»My dear sir« cried Mr Pecksniff bending over him »you must not give way
to this It is very natural and very amiable but you must not allow the
shameless conduct of one whom you long ago cast off to move you so far Rouse
yourself Think« said Pecksniff »think of Me my friend«
»I will« returned old Martin looking up into his face »You recall me to
myself I will«
»Why what« said Mr Pecksniff sitting down beside him in a chair which he
drew up for the purpose and tapping him playfully on the arm »what is the
matter with my strongminded compatriot if I may venture to take the liberty of
calling him by that endearing expression Shall I have to scold my coadjutor or
to reason with an intellect like his I think not«
»No no There is no occasion« said the old man »A momentary feeling
Nothing more«
»Indignation« observed Mr Pecksniff »will bring the scalding tear into
the honest eye I know« he wiped his own elaborately »But we have higher
duties to perform than that Rouse yourself Mr Chuzzlewit Shall I give
expression to your thoughts my friend«
»Yes« said old Martin leaning back in his chair and looking at him half
in vacancy and half in admiration as if he were fascinated by the man »Speak
for me Pecksniff Thank you You are true to me Thank you«
»Do not unman me sir« said Mr Pecksniff shaking his hand vigorously »or
I shall be unequal to the task It is not agreeable to my feelings my good sir
to address the person who is now before us for when I ejected him from this
house after hearing of his unnatural conduct from your lips I renounced
communication with him for ever But you desire it and that is sufficient
Young man The door is immediately behind the companion of your infamy Blush if
you can begone without a blush if you cant«
Martin looked as steadily at his grandfather as if there had been a dead
silence all this time The old man looked no less steadily at Mr Pecksniff
»When I ordered you to leave this house upon the last occasion of your being
dismissed from it with disgrace« said Mr Pecksniff »when stung and
stimulated beyond endurance by your shameless conduct to this extraordinarily
nobleminded individual I exclaimed Go forth I told you that I wept for your
depravity Do not suppose that the tear which stands in my eye at this moment
is shed for you It is shed for him sir It is shed for him«
Here Mr Pecksniff accidentally dropping the tear in question on a bald
part of Mr Chuzzlewits head wiped the place with his pockethandkerchief and
begged pardon
»It is shed for him sir whom you seek to make the victim of your arts«
said Mr Pecksniff »whom you seek to plunder to deceive and to mislead It is
shed in sympathy with him and admiration of him not in pity for him for
happily he knows what you are You shall not wrong him further sir in any
way« said Mr Pecksniff quite transported with enthusiasm »while I have life
You may bestride my senseless corse sir That is very likely I can imagine a
mind like yours deriving great satisfaction from any measure of that kind But
while I continue to be called upon to exist, sir you must strike at him through
me Aye« said Mr Pecksniff shaking his head at Martin with indignant
jocularity »and in such a cause you will find me my young sir an Ugly
Customer«
Still Martin looked steadily and mildly at his grandfather »Will you give
me no answer« he said at length »not a word«
»You hear what has been said« replied the old man without averting his
eyes from the face of Mr Pecksniff who nodded encouragingly
»I have not heard your voice I have not heard your spirit« returned
Martin
»Tell him again« said the old man still gazing up in Mr Pecksniffs face
»I only hear« replied Martin strong in his purpose from the first and
stronger in it as he felt how Pecksniff winced and shrunk beneath his contempt
»I only hear what you say to me grandfather«
Perhaps it was well for Mr Pecksniff that his venerable friend found in his
Mr Pecksniffs features an exclusive and engrossing object of contemplation
for if his eyes had gone astray and he had compared young Martins bearing with
that of his zealous defender the latter disinterested gentleman would scarcely
have shown to greater advantage than on the memorable afternoon when he took Tom
Pinchs last receipt in full of all demands One really might have thought there
was some quality in Mr Pecksniff an emanation from the brightness and purity
within him perhaps which set off and adorned his foes they looked so gallant
and so manly beside him
»Not a word« said Martin for the second time
»I remember that I have a word to say Pecksniff« observed the old man
»But a word You spoke of being indebted to the charitable help of some stranger
for the means of returning to England Who is he And what help in money did he
render you«
Although he asked this question of Martin he did not look towards him but
kept his eyes on Mr Pecksniff as before It appeared to have become a habit
with him both in a literal and figurative sense to look to Mr Pecksniff
alone
Martin took out his pencil tore a leaf from his pocketbook and hastily
wrote down the particulars of his debt to Mr Bevan The old man stretched out
his hand for the paper and took it but his eyes did not wander from Mr
Pecksniffs face
»It would be a poor pride and a false humility« said Martin in a low
voice »to say I do not wish that to be paid or that I have any present hope
of being able to pay it But I never felt my poverty so deeply as I feel it
now«
»Read it to me Pecksniff« said the old man
Mr Pecksniff after approaching the perusal of the paper as if it were a
manuscript confession of a murder complied
»I think Pecksniff« said old Martin »I could wish that to be discharged
I should not like the lender who was abroad who had no opportunity of making
inquiry and who did as he thought a kind action to suffer«
»An honourable sentiment my dear sir Your own entirely But a dangerous
precedent« said Mr Pecksniff »permit me to suggest«
»It shall not be a precedent« returned the old man »It is the only
recognition of him But we will talk of it again You shall advise me There is
nothing else«
»Nothing else« said Mr Pecksniff buoyantly »but for you to recover this
intrusion this cowardly and indefensible outrage on your feelings with all
possible dispatch and smile again«
»You have nothing more to say« inquired the old man laying his hand with
unusual earnestness on Mr Pecksniffs sleeve
Mr Pecksniff would not say what rose to his lips For reproaches he
observed were useless
»You have nothing at all to urge You are sure of that If you have no
matter what it is speak freely I will oppose nothing that you ask of me« said
the old man
The tears rose in such abundance to Mr Pecksniffs eyes at this proof of
unlimited confidence on the part of his friend that he was fain to clasp the
bridge of his nose convulsively before he could at all compose himself When he
had the power of utterance again he said with great emotion that he hoped he
should live to deserve this and added that he had no other observation
whatever to make
For a few moments the old man sat looking at him with that blank and
motionless expression which is not uncommon in the faces of those whose
faculties are on the wane in age But he rose up firmly too and walked towards
the door from which Mark withdrew to make way for him
The obsequious Mr Pecksniff proffered his arm The old man took it Turning
at the door he said to Martin waving him off with his hand
»You have heard him Go away It is all over Go«
Mr Pecksniff murmured certain cheering expressions of sympathy and
encouragement as they retired and Martin awakening from the stupor into which
the closing portion of this scene had plunged him to the opportunity afforded
by their departure caught the innocent cause of all in his embrace and pressed
her to his heart
»Dear girl« said Martin »He has not changed you Why what an impotent
and harmless knave the fellow is«
»You have restrained yourself so nobly You have borne so much«
»Restrained myself« cried Martin cheerfully »You were by and were
unchanged I knew What more advantage did I want The sight of me was such a
bitterness to the dog that I had my triumph in his being forced to endure it
But tell me love for the few hasty words we can exchange now are precious
what is this which has been rumoured to me Is it true that you are persecuted
by this knaves addresses«
»I was dear Martin and to some extent am now but my chief source of
unhappiness has been anxiety for you Why did you leave us in such terrible
suspense«
»Sickness distance the dread of hinting at our real condition the
impossibility of concealing it except in perfect silence the knowledge that the
truth would have pained you infinitely more than uncertainty and doubt« said
Martin hurriedly as indeed everything else was done and said in those few
hurried moments »were the causes of my writing only once But Pecksniff You
neednt fear to tell me the whole tale for you saw me with him face to face
hearing him speak and not taking him by the throat what is the history of his
pursuit of you Is it known to my grandfather«
»Yes«
»And he assists him in it«
»No« she answered eagerly
»Thank Heaven« cried Martin »that it leaves his mind unclouded in that one
respect«
»I do not think« said Mary »it was known to him at first When this man
had sufficiently prepared his mind he revealed it to him by degrees I think
so but I only know it from my own impression not from anything they told me
Then he spoke to me alone«
»My grandfather did« said Martin
»Yes spoke to me alone and told me «
»What the hound had said« cried Martin »Dont repeat it«
»And said I knew well what qualities he possessed that he was moderately
rich in good repute and high in his favour and confidence But seeing me very
much distressed he said that he would not control or force my inclinations but
would content himself with telling me the fact He would not pain me by dwelling
on it or reverting to it nor has he ever done so since but has truly kept his
word«
»The man himself « asked Martin
»He has had few opportunities of pursuing his suit I have never walked out
alone or remained alone an instant in his presence Dear Martin I must tell
you« she continued »that the kindness of your grandfather to me remains
unchanged I am his companion still An indescribable tenderness and compassion
seem to have mingled themselves with his old regard and if I were his only
child I could not have a gentler father What former fancy or old habit
survives in this when his heart has turned so cold to you is a mystery I
cannot penetrate but it has been and it is a happiness to me that I remained
true to him that if he should wake from his delusion even at the point of
death I am here love to recall you to his thoughts«
Martin looked with admiration on her glowing face and pressed his lips to
hers
»I have sometimes heard and read« she said »that those whose powers had
been enfeebled long ago and whose lives had faded as it were into a dream
have been known to rouse themselves before death and inquire for familiar faces
once very dear to them but forgotten unrecognised hated even in the
meantime Think if with his old impressions of this man he should suddenly
resume his former self and find in him his only friend«
»I would not urge you to abandon him dearest« said Martin »though I could
count the years we are to wear out asunder But the influence this fellow
exercises over him has steadily increased I fear«
She could not help admitting that Steadily imperceptibly and surely
until now it was paramount and supreme She herself had none and yet he treated
her with more affection than at any previous time Martin thought the
inconsistency a part of his weakness and decay
»Does the influence extend to fear« said Martin »Is he timid of asserting
his own opinion in the presence of this infatuation I fancied so just now«
»I have thought so often Often when we are sitting alone almost as we
used to do and I have been reading a favourite book to him or he has been
talking quite cheerfully I have observed that the entrance of Mr Pecksniff has
changed his whole demeanour He has broken off immediately and become what you
have seen today When we first came here he had his impetuous outbreaks in
which it was not easy for Mr Pecksniff with his utmost plausibility to appease
him But these have long since dwindled away He defers to him in everything
and has no opinion upon any question but that which is forced upon him by this
treacherous man«
Such was the account rapidly furnished in whispers and interrupted brief
as it was by many false alarms of Mr Pecksniffs return which Martin received
of his grandfathers decline and of that good gentlemans ascendancy He heard
of Tom Pinch too and Jonas too with not a little about himself into the
bargain for though lovers are remarkable for leaving a great deal unsaid on all
occasions and very properly desiring to come back and say it they are
remarkable also for a wonderful power of condensation and can in one way or
other give utterance to more language eloquent language in any given short
space of time than all the six hundred and fifty eight members in the Commons
House of Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland who are
strong lovers no doubt but of their country only which makes all the
difference for in a passion of that kind which is not always returned it is
the custom to use as many words as possible and express nothing whatever
A caution from Mr Tapley a hasty interchange of farewells and of
something else which the proverb says must not be told of afterwards a white
hand held out to Mr Tapley himself which he kissed with the devotion of a
knighterrant more farewells more something elses a parting word from Martin
that he would write from London and would do great things there yet Heaven
knows what but he quite believed it and Mark and he stood on the outside of
the Pecksniffian halls
»A short interview after such an absence« said Martin sorrowfully »But we
are well out of the house We might have placed ourselves in a false position by
remaining there even so long Mark«
»I dont know about ourselves sir« he returned »but somebody else would
have got into a false position if he had happened to come back again while we
was there I had the door all ready sir If Pecksniff had showed his head or
had only so much as listened behind it I would have caught him like a walnut
Hes the sort of man« added Mr Tapley musing »as would squeeze soft I
know«
A person who was evidently going to Mr Pecksniffs house passed them at
this moment He raised his eyes at the mention of the architects name and when
he had gone on a few yards stopped and gazed at them Mr Tapley also looked
over his shoulder and so did Martin for the stranger as he passed had looked
very sharply at them
»Who may that be I wonder« said Martin »The face seems familiar to me
but I dont know the man«
»He seems to have a amiable desire that his face should be tolerable
familiar to us« said Mr Tapley »for hes a staring pretty hard Hed better
not waste his beauty for he aint got much to spare«
Coming in sight of the Dragon they saw a travelling carriage at the door
»And a Salisbury carriage eh« said Mr Tapley »Thats what he came in
depend upon it Whats in the wind now A new pupil I shouldnt wonder Praps
its a order for another grammarschool of the same pattern as the last«
Before they could enter at the door Mrs Lupin came running out and
beckoning them to the carriage showed them a portmanteau with the name of
CHUZZLEWIT upon it
»Miss Pecksniffs husband that was« said the good woman to Martin »I
didnt know what terms you might be on and was quite in a worry till you came
back«
»He and I have never interchanged a word yet« observed Martin »and as I
have no wish to be better or worse acquainted with him I will not put myself in
his way We passed him on the road I have no doubt I am glad he timed his
coming as he did Upon my word Miss Pecksniffs husband travels gaily«
»A very finelooking gentleman with him in the best room now« whispered
Mrs Lupin glancing up at the window as they went into the house »He has
ordered everything that can be got for dinner and has the glossiest moustaches
and whiskers ever you saw«
»Has he« cried Martin »why then well endeavour to avoid him too in the
hope that our selfdenial may be strong enough for the sacrifice It is only for
a few hours« said Martin dropping wearily into a chair behind the little
screen in the bar »Our visit has met with no success my dear Mrs Lupin and I
must go to London«
»Dear dear« cried the hostess
»Yes One foul wind no more makes a winter than one swallow makes a summer
Ill try it again Tom Pinch has succeeded With his advice to guide me I may
do the same I took Tom under my protection once God save the mark« said
Martin with a melancholy smile »and promised I would make his fortune Perhaps
Tom will take me under his protection now and teach me how to earn my bread«
Chapter XLIV
Further Continuation of the Enterprise of Mr Jonas and His Friend
It was a special quality among the many admirable qualities possessed by Mr
Pecksniff that the more he was found out the more hypocrisy he practised Let
him be discomforted in one quarter and he refreshed and recompensed himself by
carrying the war into another If his workings and windings were detected by A
so much the greater reason was there for practising without loss of time on B
if it were only to keep his hand in He had never been such a saintly and
improving spectacle to all about him as after his detection by Thomas Pinch He
had scarcely ever been at once so tender in his humanity and so dignified and
exalted in his virtue as when young Martins scorn was fresh and hot upon him
Having this large stock of superfluous sentiment and morality on hand which
must positively be cleared off at any sacrifice Mr Pecksniff no sooner heard
his soninlaw announced than he regarded him as a kind of wholesale or general
order to be immediately executed Descending therefore swiftly to the
parlour and clasping the young man in his arms he exclaimed with looks and
gestures that denoted the perturbation of his spirit
»Jonas My child She is well There is nothing the matter«
»What youre at it again are you« replied his soninlaw »Even with me
Get away with you will you«
»Tell me she is well then« said Mr Pecksniff »Tell me she is well my
Boy«
»Shes well enough« retorted Jonas disengaging himself »Theres nothing
the matter with her«
»There is nothing the matter with her« cried Mr Pecksniff sitting down in
the nearest chair and rubbing up his hair »Fie upon my weakness I cannot help
it Jonas Thank you I am better now How is my other child my eldest my
Cherrywerrychigo« said Mr Pecksniff inventing a playful little name for her
in the restored lightness of his heart
»Shes much about the same as usual« returned Jonas »She sticks pretty
close to the vinegarbottle You know shes got a sweetheart I suppose«
»I have heard of it« said Mr Pecksniff »from headquarters from my child
herself I will not deny that it moved me to contemplate the loss of my
remaining daughter Jonas I am afraid we parents are selfish I am afraid we
are but it has ever been the study of my life to qualify them for the domestic
hearth and it is a sphere which Cherry will adorn«
»She need adorn some sphere or other« observed his soninlaw »for she
aint very ornamental in general«
»My girls are now provided for« said Mr Pecksniff »They are now happily
provided for and I have not laboured in vain«
This is exactly what Mr Pecksniff would have said if one of his daughters
had drawn a prize of thirty thousand pounds in the lottery or if the other had
picked up a valuable purse in the street which nobody appeared to claim In
either of these cases he would have invoked a patriarchal blessing on the
fortunate head with great solemnity and would have taken immense credit to
himself as having meant it from the infants cradle
»Suppose we talk about something else now« observed Jonas drily »just
for a change Are you quite agreeable«
»Quite« said Mr Pecksniff »Ah you wag you naughty wag You laugh at
poor old fond papa Well He deserves it And he dont mind it either for his
feelings are their own reward You have come to stay with me Jonas«
»No Ive got a friend with me« said Jonas
»Bring your friend« cried Mr Pecksniff in a gush of hospitality »Bring
any number of your friends«
»This aint the sort of man to be brought« said Jonas contemptuously »I
think I see myself bringing him to your house for a treat Thankee all the
same but hes a little too near the top of the tree for that Pecksniff«
The good man pricked up his ears his interest was awakened A position near
the top of the tree was greatness virtue goodness sense genius or it
should rather be said a dispensation from all and in itself something
immeasurably better than all with Mr Pecksniff A man who was able to look
down upon Mr Pecksniff could not be looked up at by that gentleman with too
great an amount of deference or from a position of too much humility So it
always is with great spirits
»Ill tell you what you may do if you like« said Jonas »you may come and
dine with us at the Dragon We were forced to come down to Salisbury last night
on some business and I got him to bring me over here this morning in his
carriage at least not his own carriage for we had a breakdown in the night
but one we hired instead its all the same Mind what youre about you know
Hes not used to all sorts he only mixes with the best«
»Some young nobleman who has been borrowing money of you at good interest
eh« said Mr Pecksniff shaking his forefinger facetiously »I shall be
delighted to know the gay sprig«
»Borrowing« echoed Jonas »Borrowing When youre a twentieth part as rich
as he is you may shut up shop We should be pretty well off if we could buy
his furniture and plate and pictures by clubbing together A likely man to
borrow Mr Montague Why since I was lucky enough come and Ill say sharp
enough too to get a share in the Assurance Office that hes President of Ive
made never mind what Ive made« said Jonas seeming to recover all at once
his usual caution »You know me pretty well and I dont blab about such things
But Ecod Ive made a trifle«
»Really my dear Jonas« cried Mr Pecksniff with much warmth »a gentleman
like this should receive some attention Would he like to see the church Or if
he has a taste for the fine arts which I have no doubt he has from the
description you give of his circumstances I can send him down a few
portfolios Salisbury Cathedral my dear Jonas« said Mr Pecksniff the mention
of the portfolios and his anxiety to display himself to advantage suggesting
his usual phraseology in that regard »is an edifice replete with venerable
associations and strikingly suggestive of the loftiest emotions It is here we
contemplate the work of bygone ages It is here we listen to the swelling organ
as we stroll through the reverberating aisles We have drawings of this
celebrated structure from the North from the South from the East from the
West from the SouthEast from the NorWest «
During this digression and indeed during the whole dialogue Jonas had been
rocking on his chair with his hands in his pockets and his head thrown
cunningly on one side He looked at Mr Pecksniff now with such shrewd meaning
twinkling in his eyes that Mr Pecksniff stopped and asked him what he was
going to say
»Ecod« he answered »Pecksniff if I knew how you meant to leave your
money I could put you in the way of doubling it in no time It wouldnt be bad
to keep a chance like this snug in the family But youre such a deep one«
»Jonas« cried Mr Pecksniff much affected »I am not a diplomatical
character my heart is in my hand By far the greater part of the inconsiderable
savings I have accumulated in the course of I hope a not dishonourable or
useless career is already given devised and bequeathed correct me my dear
Jonas if I am technically wrong with expressions of confidence which I will
not repeat and in securities which it is unnecessary to mention to a person
whom I cannot whom I will not whom I need not name« Here he gave the hand of
his soninlaw a fervent squeeze as if he would have added »God bless you be
very careful of it when you get it«
Mr Jonas only shook his head and laughed and seeming to think better of
what he had had in his mind said »No He would keep his own counsel« But as
he observed that he would take a walk Mr Pecksniff insisted on accompanying
him remarking that he could leave a card for Mr Montague as they went along
by way of gentlemanusher to himself at dinnertime Which he did
In the course of their walk Mr Jonas affected to maintain that close
reserve which had operated as a timely check upon him during the foregoing
dialogue And as he made no attempt to conciliate Mr Pecksniff but on the
contrary was more boorish and rude to him than usual that gentleman so far
from suspecting his real design laid himself out to be attacked with advantage
For it is in the nature of a knave to think the tools with which he works
indispensable to knavery and knowing what he would do himself in such a case
Mr Pecksniff argued »if this young man wanted anything of me for his own ends
he would be polite and deferential«
The more Jonas repelled him in his hints and inquiries the more solicitous
therefore Mr Pecksniff became to be initiated into the golden mysteries at
which he had obscurely glanced Why should there be cold and worldly secrets he
observed between relations What was life without confidence If the chosen
husband of his daughter the man to whom he had delivered her with so much pride
and hope such bounding and such beaming joy if he were not a green spot in the
barren waste of life where was that Oasis to be found
Little did Mr Pecksniff think on what a very green spot he planted one foot
at that moment Little did he foresee when he said »All is but dust« how very
shortly he would come down with his own
Inch by inch in his grudging and illconditioned way sustained to the
life for the hope of making Mr Pecksniff suffer in that tender place the
pocket where Jonas smarted so terribly himself gave him an additional and
malicious interest in the wiles he was set on to practise inch by inch and bit
by bit Jonas rather allowed the dazzling prospects of the AngloBengalee
establishment to escape him than paraded them before his greedy listener And
in the same niggardly spirit he left Mr Pecksniff to infer if he chose which
he did choose of course that a consciousness of not having any great natural
gifts of speech and manner himself rendered him desirous to have the credit of
introducing to Mr Montague some one who was well endowed in those respects and
so atone for his own deficiencies Otherwise he muttered discontentedly he
would have seen his beloved fatherinlaw »far enough off« before he would have
taken him into his confidence
Primed in this artful manner Mr Pecksniff presented himself at dinnertime
in such a state of suavity benevolence cheerfulness politeness and
cordiality as even he had perhaps never attained before The frankness of the
country gentleman the refinement of the artist the goodhumoured allowance of
the man of the world philanthropy forbearance piety toleration all blended
together in a flexible adaptability to anything and everything were expressed
in Mr Pecksniff as he shook hands with the great speculator and capitalist
»Welcome respected sir« said Mr Pecksniff »to our humble village We are
a simple people primitive clods Mr Montague but we can appreciate the honour
of your visit as my dear soninlaw can testify It is very strange« said Mr
Pecksniff pressing his hand almost reverentially »but I seem to know you That
towering forehead my dear Jonas« said Mr Pecksniff aside »and those
clustering masses of rich hair I must have seen you my dear sir in the
sparkling throng«
Nothing was more probable they all agreed
»I could have wished« said Mr Pecksniff »to have had the honour of
introducing you to an elderly inmate of our house to the uncle of our friend
Mr Chuzzlewit sir would have been proud indeed to have taken you by the
hand«
»Is the gentleman here now« asked Montague turning deeply red
»He is« said Mr Pecksniff
»You said nothing about that Chuzzlewit«
»I didnt suppose youd care to hear of it« returned Jonas »You wouldnt
care to know him I can promise you«
»Jonas my dear Jonas« remonstrated Mr Pecksniff »Really«
»Oh its all very well for you to speak up for him« said Jonas »You have
nailed him Youll get a fortune by him«
»Oho Is the wind in that quarter« cried Montague »Ha ha ha« and here
they all laughed especially Mr Pecksniff
»No no« said that gentleman clapping his soninlaw playfully upon the
shoulder »You must not believe all that my young relative says Mr Montague
You may believe him in official business and trust him in official business
but you must not attach importance to his flights of fancy«
»Upon my life Mr Pecksniff« cried Montague »I attach the greatest
importance to that last observation of his I trust and hope its true Money
cannot be turned and turned again quickly enough in the ordinary course Mr
Pecksniff There is nothing like building our fortune on the weaknesses of
mankind«
»Oh fie Oh fie for shame« cried Mr Pecksniff But they all laughed again
especially Mr Pecksniff
»I give you my honour that we do it« said Montague
»Oh fie fie« cried Mr Pecksniff »You are very pleasant That I am sure
you dont That I am sure you dont How can you you know«
Again they all laughed in concert and again Mr Pecksniff laughed
especially
This was very agreeable indeed It was confidential easy straightforward
and still left Mr Pecksniff in the position of being in a gentle way the Mentor
of the party The greatest achievements in the article of cookery that the
Dragon had ever performed were set before them the oldest and best wines in
the Dragons cellar saw the light on that occasion a thousand bubbles
indicative of the wealth and station of Mr Montague in the depths of his
pursuits were constantly rising to the surface of the conversation and they
were as frank and merry as three honest men could be Mr Pecksniff thought it a
pity he said so that Mr Montague should think lightly of mankind and their
weaknesses He was anxious upon this subject his mind ran upon it in one way
or another he was constantly coming back to it he must make a convert of him
he said And as often as Mr Montague repeated his sentiment about building
fortunes on the weaknesses of mankind and added frankly »We do it« just as
often as Mr Pecksniff repeated »Oh fie Oh fie for shame I am sure you dont
How can you you know« laying a greater stress each time on those last words
The frequent repetition of this playful inquiry on the part of Mr
Pecksniff led at last to playful answers on the part of Mr Montague but after
some little sharpshooting on both sides Mr Pecksniff became grave almost to
tears observing that if Mr Montague would give him leave he would drink the
health of his young kinsman Mr Jonas congratulating him upon the valuable and
distinguished friendship he had formed but envying him he would confess his
usefulness to his fellowcreatures For if he understood the objects of that
Institution with which he was newly and advantageously connected knowing them
but imperfectly they were calculated to do Good and for his Mr Pecksniffs
part if he could in any way promote them he thought he would be able to lay
his head upon his pillow every night with an absolute certainty of going to
sleep at once
The transition from this accidental remark for it was quite accidental and
had fallen from Mr Pecksniff in the openness of his soul to the discussion of
the subject as a matter of business was easy Books papers statements
tables calculations of various kinds were soon spread out before them and as
they were all framed with one object it is not surprising that they should all
have tended to one end But still whenever Montague enlarged upon the profits
of the office and said that as long as there were gulls upon the wing it must
succeed Mr Pecksniff mildly said »Oh fie« and might indeed have
remonstrated with him but that he knew he was joking Mr Pecksniff did know he
was joking because he said so
There never had been before and there never would be again such an
opportunity for the investment of a considerable sum the rate of advantage
increased in proportion to the amount invested as at that moment The only
time that had at all approached it was the time when Jonas had come into the
concern which made him illnatured now and inclined him to pick out a doubt in
this place and a flaw in that and grumblingly to advise Mr Pecksniff to think
better of it The sum which would complete the proprietorship in this snug
concern was nearly equal to Mr Pecksniffs whole hoard not counting Mr
Chuzzlewit that is to say whom he looked upon as money in the Bank the
possession of which inclined him the more to make a dash with his own private
sprats for the capture of such a whale as Mr Montague described The returns
began almost immediately and were immense The end of it was that Mr
Pecksniff agreed to become the last partner and proprietor in the
AngloBengalee and made an appointment to dine with Mr Montague at Salisbury
on the next day but one then and there to complete the negotiation
It took so long to bring the subject to this head that it was nearly
midnight when they parted When Mr Pecksniff walked down stairs to the door he
found Mrs Lupin standing there looking out
»Ah my good friend« he said »not abed yet Contemplating the stars Mrs
Lupin«
»Its a beautiful starlight night sir«
»A beautiful starlight night« said Mr Pecksniff looking up »Behold the
planets how they shine Behold the those two persons who were here this
morning have left your house I hope Mrs Lupin«
»Yes sir They are gone«
»I am glad to hear it« said Mr Pecksniff »Behold the wonders of the
firmament Mrs Lupin How glorious is the scene When I look up at those
shining orbs I think that each of them is winking to the other to take notice
of the vanity of mens pursuits My fellowmen« cried Mr Pecksniff shaking
his head in pity »you are much mistaken my wormy relatives you are much
deceived The stars are perfectly contented I suppose so in their several
spheres Why are not you Oh do not strive and struggle to enrich yourselves
or to get the better of each other my deluded friends but look up there with
me«
Mrs Lupin shook her head and heaved a sigh It was very affecting
»Look up there with me« repeated Mr Pecksniff stretching out his hand
»with me an humble individual who is also an Insect like yourselves Can
silver gold or precious stones sparkle like those constellations I think
not Then do not thirst for silver gold or precious stones but look up there
with me«
With those words the good man patted Mrs Lupins hand between his own as
if he would have added »think of this my good woman« and walked away in a sort
of ecstasy or rapture with his hat under his arm
Jonas sat in the attitude in which Mr Pecksniff had left him gazing
moodily at his friend who surrounded by a heap of documents was writing
something on an oblong slip of paper
»You mean to wait at Salisbury over the day after tomorrow do you then«
said Jonas
»You heard our appointment« returned Montague without raising his eyes
»In any case I should have waited to see after the boy«
They appeared to have changed places again Montague being in high spirits
Jonas gloomy and lowering
»You dont want me I suppose« said Jonas
»I want you to put your name here« he returned glancing at him with a
smile »as soon as I have filled up the stamp I may as well have your note of
hand for that extra capital Thats all I want If you wish to go home I can
manage Mr Pecksniff now alone There is a perfect understanding between us«
Jonas sat scowling at him as he wrote in silence When he had finished his
writing and had dried it on the blottingpaper in his travellingdesk he
looked up and tossed the pen towards him
»What not a days grace not a days trust eh« said Jonas bitterly »Not
after the pains I have taken with tonights work«
»Tonights work was a part of our bargain« replied Montague »and so was
this«
»You drive a hard bargain« said Jonas advancing to the table »You know
best Give it here«
Montague gave him the paper After pausing as if he could not make up his
mind to put his name to it Jonas dipped his pen hastily in the nearest
inkstand and began to write But he had scarcely marked the paper when he
started back in a panic
»Why what the devils this« he said »Its bloody«
He had dipped the pen as another moment showed into red ink But he
attached a strange degree of importance to the mistake He asked how it had come
there who had brought it why it had been brought and looked at Montague at
first as if he thought he had put a trick upon him Even when he used a
different pen and the right ink he made some scratches on another paper first
as halfbelieving they would turn red also
»Black enough this time« he said handing the note to Montague
»Goodbye«
»Going now How do you mean to get away from here«
»I shall cross early in the morning to the high road before you are out of
bed and catch the daycoach going up Goodbye«
»You are in a hurry«
»I have Something to do« said Jonas »Goodbye«
His friend looked after him as he went out in surprise which gradually
gave place to an air of satisfaction and relief
»It happens all the better It brings about what I wanted without any
difficulty I shall travel home alone«
Chapter XLV
In which Tom Pinch and His Sister Take a Little Pleasure but Quite in a
Domestic Way and with no Ceremony about It
Tom Pinch and his sister having to part for the dispatch of the mornings
business immediately after the dispersion of the other actors in the scene upon
the Wharf with which the reader has been already made acquainted had no
opportunity of discussing the subject at that time But Tom in his solitary
office and Ruth in the triangular parlour thought about nothing else all day
and when their hour of meeting in the afternoon approached they were very full
of it to be sure
There was a little plot between them that Tom should always come out of the
Temple by one way and that was past the fountain Coming through Fountain
Court he was just to glance down the steps leading into Garden Court and to
look once all round him and if Ruth had come to meet him there he would see
her not sauntering you understand on account of the clerks but coming
briskly up with the best little laugh upon her face that ever played in
opposition to the fountain and beat it all to nothing For fifty to one Tom
had been looking for her in the wrong direction and had quite given her up
while she had been tripping towards him from the first jingling that little
reticule of hers with all the keys in it to attract his wandering observation
Whether there was life enough left in the slow vegetation of Fountain Court
for the smoky shrubs to have any consciousness of the brightest and
puresthearted little woman in the world is a question for gardeners and those
who are learned in the loves of plants But that it was a good thing for that
same paved yard to have such a delicate little figure flitting through it that
it passed like a smile from the grimy old houses and the worn flagstones and
left them duller darker sterner than before there is no sort of doubt The
Temple fountain might have leaped up twenty feet to greet the spring of hopeful
maidenhood that in her person stole on sparkling through the dry and dusty
channels of the Law the chirping sparrows bred in Temple chinks and crannies
might have held their peace to listen to imaginary skylarks as so fresh a
little creature passed the dingy boughs unused to droop otherwise than in
their puny growth might have bent down in a kindred gracefulness to shed their
benedictions on her graceful head old love letters shut up in iron boxes in
the neighbouring offices and made of no account among the heaps of family
papers into which they had strayed and of which in their degeneracy they
formed a part might have stirred and fluttered with a moments recollection of
their ancient tenderness as she went lightly by Anything might have happened
that did not happen and never will for the love of Ruth
Something happened too upon the afternoon of which the history treats Not
for her love Oh no quite by accident and without the least reference to her
at all
Either she was a little too soon or Tom was a little too late she was so
precise in general that she timed it to half a minute but no Tom was there
Well But was anybody else there that she blushed so deeply after looking
round and tripped off down the steps with such unusual expedition
Why the fact is that Mr Westlock was passing at that moment The Temple
is a public thoroughfare they may write up on the gates that it is not but so
long as the gates are left open it is and will be and Mr Westlock had as good
a right to be there as anybody else But why did she run away then Not being
ill dressed for she was much too neat for that why did she run away The brown
hair that had fallen down beneath her bonnet and had one impertinent imp of a
false flower clinging to it boastful of its license before all men that could
not have been the cause for it looked charming Oh foolish panting
frightened little heart why did she run away
Merrily the tiny fountain played and merrily the dimples sparkled on its
sunny face John Westlock hurried after her Softly the whispering water broke
and fell and roguishly the dimples twinkled as he stole upon her footsteps
Oh foolish panting timid little heart why did she feign to be
unconscious of his coming Why wish herself so far away yet be so flutteringly
happy there
»I felt sure it was you« said John when he overtook her in the sanctuary
of Garden Court »I knew I couldnt be mistaken«
She was so surprised
»You are waiting for your brother« said John »Let me bear you company«
So light was the touch of the coy little hand that he glanced down to
assure himself he had it on his arm But his glance stopping for an instant at
the bright eyes forgot its first design and went no farther
They walked up and down three or four times speaking about Tom and his
mysterious employment Now that was a very natural and innocent subject surely
Then why whenever Ruth lifted up her eyes did she let them fall again
immediately and seek the uncongenial pavement of the court They were not such
eyes as shun the light they were not such eyes as require to be hoarded to
enhance their value They were much too precious and too genuine to stand in
need of arts like those Somebody must have been looking at them
They found out Tom though quickly enough This pair of eyes descried him
in the distance the moment he appeared He was staring about him as usual in
all directions but the right one and was as obstinate in not looking towards
them as if he had intended it As it was plain that being left to himself he
would walk away home John Westlock darted off to stop him
This made the approach of poor little Ruth by herself one of the most
embarrassing of circumstances There was Tom manifesting extreme surprise he
had no presence of mind that Tom on small occasions there was John making
as light of it as he could but explaining at the same time with most
unnecessary elaboration and here was she coming towards them with both of
them looking at her conscious of blushing to a terrible extent but trying to
throw up her eyebrows carelessly and pout her rosy lips as if she were the
coolest and most unconcerned of little women
Merrily the fountain plashed and plashed until the dimples merging into
one another, swelled into a general smile that covered the whole surface of the
basin
»What an extraordinary meeting« said Tom »I should never have dreamed of
seeing you two together here«
»Quite accidental« John was heard to murmur
»Exactly« cried Tom »thats what I mean you know If it wasnt
accidental there would be nothing remarkable in it«
»To be sure« said John
»Such an outoftheway place for you to have met in« pursued Tom quite
delighted »Such an unlikely spot«
John rather disputed that On the contrary he considered it a very likely
spot indeed He was constantly passing to and fro there he said He shouldnt
wonder if it were to happen again His only wonder was that it had never
happened before
By this time Ruth had got round on the farther side of her brother and had
taken his arm She was squeezing it now as much as to say »Are you going to
stop here all day you dear old blundering Tom«
Tom answered the squeeze as if it had been a speech »John« he said »if
youll give my sister your arm well take her between us and walk on I have a
curious circumstance to relate to you Our meeting could not have happened
better«
Merrily the fountain leaped and danced and merrily the smiling dimples
twinkled and expanded more and more until they broke into a laugh against the
basins rim and vanished
»Tom« said his friend as they turned into the noisy street »I have a
proposition to make It is that you and your sister if she will so far honour
a poor bachelors dwelling give me a great pleasure and come and dine with
me«
»What today« cried Tom
»Yes today Its close by you know Pray Miss Pinch insist upon it It
will be very disinterested for I have nothing to give you«
»Oh you must not believe that Ruth« said Tom »He is the most tremendous
fellow in his housekeeping that I ever heard of for a single man He ought to
be Lord Mayor Well what do you say Shall we go«
»If you please Tom« rejoined his dutiful little sister
»But I mean« said Tom regarding her with smiling admiration »is there
anything you ought to wear and havent got I am sure I dont know John she
may not be able to take her bonnet off for anything I can tell«
There was a great deal of laughing at this and there were divers
compliments from John Westlock not compliments he said at least and really
he was right but good plain honest truths, which no one could deny Ruth
laughed and all that but she made no objection so it was an engagement
»If I had known it a little sooner« said John »I would have tried another
pudding Not in rivalry but merely to exalt that famous one I wouldnt on any
account have had it made with suet«
»Why not« asked Tom
»Because that cookerybook advises suet« said John Westlock »and ours was
made with flour and eggs«
»Oh good gracious« cried Tom »Ours was made with flour and eggs was it
Ha ha ha A beefsteak pudding made with flour and eggs Why anybody knows
better than that I know better than that Ha ha ha«
It is unnecessary to say that Tom had been present at the making of the
pudding and had been a devoted believer in it all through But he was so
delighted to have this joke against his busy little sister and was tickled to
that degree at having found her out that he stopped in Temple Bar to laugh and
it was no more to Tom that he was anathematised and knocked about by the surly
passengers than it would have been to a post for he continued to exclaim with
unabated good humour »flour and eggs A beefsteak pudding made with flour and
eggs« until John Westlock and his sister fairly ran away from him and left him
to have his laugh out by himself which he had and then came dodging across the
crowded street to them with such sweet temper and tenderness it was quite a
tender joke of Toms beaming in his face God bless it that it might have
purified the air though Temple Bar had been as in the golden days gone by
embellished with a row of rotting human heads
There are snug chambers in those Inns where the bachelors live and for the
desolate fellows they pretend to be it is quite surprising how well they get
on John was very pathetic on the subject of his dreary life and the deplorable
makeshifts and apologetic contrivances it involved but he really seemed to make
himself pretty comfortable His rooms were the perfection of neatness and
convenience at any rate and if he were anything but comfortable the fault was
certainly not theirs
He had no sooner ushered Tom and his sister into his best room where there
was a beautiful little vase of fresh flowers on the table all ready for Ruth
Just as if he had expected her Tom said than seizing his hat he bustled out
again in his most energetically bustling way and presently came hurrying back
as they saw through the halfopened door attended by a fieryfaced matron
attired in a crunched bonnet with particularly long strings to it hanging down
her back in conjunction with whom he instantly began to lay the cloth for
dinner polishing up the wineglasses with his own hands brightening the silver
top of the peppercastor on his coatsleeve drawing corks and filling
decanters with a skill and expedition that were quite dazzling And as if in
the course of this rubbing and polishing he had rubbed an enchanted lamp or a
magic ring obedient to which there were twenty thousand supernatural slaves at
least suddenly there appeared a being in a white waistcoat carrying under his
arm a napkin and attended by another being with an oblong box upon his head
from which a banquet piping hot was taken out and set upon the table
Salmon lamb peas innocent young potatoes a cool salad sliced cucumber
a tender duckling and a tart all there They all came at the right time
Where they came from didnt appear but the oblong box was constantly going and
coming and making its arrival known to the man in the white waistcoat by
bumping modestly against the outside of the door for after its first
appearance it entered the room no more He was never surprised this man he
never seemed to wonder at the extraordinary things he found in the box but took
them out with a face expressive of a steady purpose and impenetrable character
and put them on the table He was a kind man gentle in his manners and much
interested in what they ate and drank He was a learned man and knew the
flavour of John Westlocks private sauces which he softly and feelingly
described as he handed the little bottles round He was a grave man and a
noiseless for dinner being done and wine and fruit arranged upon the board he
vanished box and all like something that had never been
»Didnt I say he was a tremendous fellow in his housekeeping« cried Tom
»Bless my soul Its wonderful«
»Ah Miss Pinch« said John »This is the bright side of the life we lead in
such a place It would be a dismal life indeed if it didnt brighten up
today«
»Dont believe a word he says« cried Tom »He lives here like a monarch
and wouldnt change his mode of life for any consideration He only pretends to
grumble«
No John really did not appear to pretend for he was uncommonly earnest in
his desire to have it understood that he was as dull solitary and
uncomfortable on ordinary occasions as an unfortunate young man could in
reason be It was a wretched life he said a miserable life He thought of
getting rid of the chambers as soon as possible and meant in fact to put a
bill up very shortly
»Well« said Tom Pinch »I dont know where you can go John to be more
comfortable Thats all I can say What do you say Ruth«
Ruth trifled with the cherries on her plate and said that she thought Mr
Westlock ought to be quite happy and that she had no doubt he was
Ah foolish panting frightened little heart how timidly she said it
»But you are forgetting what you had to tell Tom what occurred this
morning« she added in the same breath
»So I am« said Tom »We have been so talkative on other topics that I
declare I have not had time to think of it Ill tell it you at once John in
case I should forget it altogether«
On Toms relating what had passed upon the wharf his friend was very much
surprised and took such a great interest in the narrative as Tom could not
quite understand He believed he knew the old lady whose acquaintance they had
made he said and that he might venture to say from their description of her
that her name was Gamp But of what nature the communication could have been
which Tom had borne so unexpectedly why its delivery had been entrusted to him
how it happened that the parties were involved together and what secret lay at
the bottom of the whole affair perplexed him very much Tom had been sure of
his taking some interest in the matter but was not prepared for the strong
interest he showed It held John Westlock to the subject even after Ruth had
left the room and evidently made him anxious to pursue it further than as a
mere subject of conversation
»I shall remonstrate with my landlord of course« said Tom »though he is a
very singular secret sort of man and not likely to afford me much satisfaction
even if he knew what was in the letter«
»Which you may swear he did« John interposed
»You think so«
»I am certain of it«
»Well« said Tom »I shall remonstrate with him when I see him he goes in
and out in a strange way but I will try to catch him tomorrow morning on his
having asked me to execute such an unpleasant commission And I have been
thinking John that if I went down to Mrs Whatshernames in the City where
I was before you know Mrs Todgerss tomorrow morning I might find poor
Mercy Pecksniff there perhaps and be able to explain to her how I came to have
any hand in the business«
»You are perfectly right Tom« returned his friend after a short interval
of reflection »You cannot do better It is quite clear to me that whatever the
business is there is little good in it and it is so desirable for you to
disentangle yourself from any appearance of wilful connection with it that I
would counsel you to see her husband if you can and wash your hands of it by
a plain statement of the facts I have a misgiving that there is something dark
at work here Tom I will tell you why at another time when I have made an
inquiry or two myself«
All this sounded very mysterious to Tom Pinch But as he knew he could rely
upon his friend he resolved to follow this advice
Ah but it would have been a good thing to have had a coat of invisibility
wherein to have watched little Ruth when she was left to herself in John
Westlocks chambers and John and her brother were talking thus over their
wine The gentle way in which she tried to get up a little conversation with the
fieryfaced matron in the crunched bonnet who was waiting to attend her after
making a desperate rally in regard of her dress and attiring herself in a
washedout yellow gown with sprigs of the same upon it so that it looked like a
tesselated work of pats of butter That would have been pleasant The grim and
griffinlike inflexibility with which the fieryfaced matron repelled these
engaging advances as proceeding from a hostile and dangerous power who could
have no business there unless it were to deprive her of a customer or suggest
what became of the self-consuming tea and sugar and other general trifles That
would have been agreeable The bashful winning glorious curiosity with which
little Ruth when fieryface was gone peeped into the books and nicknacks that
were lying about and had a particular interest in some delicate papermatches
on the chimneypiece wondering who could have made them That would have been
worth seeing The faltering hand with which she tied those flowers together
with which almost blushing at her own fair self as imaged in the glass she
arranged them in her breast and looking at them with her head aside now half
resolved to take them out again now half resolved to leave them where they
were That would have been delightful
John seemed to think it all delightful for coming in with Tom to tea he
took his seat beside her like a man enchanted And when the teaservice had been
removed and Tom sitting down at the piano became absorbed in some of his old
organ tunes he was still beside her at the open window looking out upon the
twilight
There is little enough to see in Furnivals Inn It is a shady quiet
place echoing to the footsteps of the stragglers who have business there and
rather monotonous and gloomy on summer evenings What gave it such a charm to
them that they remained at the window as unconscious of the flight of time as
Tom himself the dreamer while the melodies which had so often soothed his
spirit were hovering again about him What power infused into the fading light
the gathering darkness the stars that here and there appeared the evening air
the Citys hum and stir the very chiming of the old church clocks such
exquisite enthralment that the divinest regions of the earth spread out before
their eyes could not have held them captive in a stronger chain
The shadows deepened deepened and the room became quite dark Still Toms
fingers wandered over the keys of the piano and still the window had its pair
of tenants
At length her hand upon his shoulder and her breath upon his forehead
roused Tom from his reverie
»Dear me« he cried desisting with a start »I am afraid I have been very
inconsiderate and unpolite«
Tom little thought how much consideration and politeness he had shown
»Sing something to us my dear« said Tom »Let us hear your voice Come«
John Westlock added his entreaties with such earnestness that a flinty
heart alone could have resisted them Hers was not a flinty heart Oh dear no
Quite another thing
So down she sat and in a pleasant voice began to sing the ballads Tom loved
well Old rhyming stories with here and there a pause for a few simple chords
such as a harper might have sounded in the ancient time while looking upward for
the current of some halfremembered legend words of old poets wedded to such
measures that the strain of music might have been the poets breath giving
utterance and expression to his thoughts and now a melody so joyous and
lighthearted that the singer seemed incapable of sadness until in her
inconstancy oh wicked little singer she relapsed and broke the listeners
hearts again these were the simple means she used to please them And that
these simple means prevailed and she did please them let the still darkened
chamber and its longdeferred illumination witness
The candles came at last and it was time for moving homeward Cutting paper
carefully and rolling it about the stalks of those same flowers occasioned
some delay but even this was done in time and Ruth was ready
»Good night« said Tom »A memorable and delightful visit John Good
night«
John thought he would walk with them
»No no Dont« said Tom »What nonsense We can get home very well alone
I couldnt think of taking you out«
But John said he would rather
»Are you sure you would rather« said Tom »I am afraid you only say so out
of politeness«
John being quite sure gave his arm to Ruth and led her out Fieryface
who was again in attendance acknowledged her departure with so cold a curtsey
that it was hardly visible and cut Tom dead
Their host was bent on walking the whole distance and would not listen to
Toms dissuasions Happy time happy walk happy parting happy dreams But
there are some sweet daydreams so there are that put the visions of the night
to shame
Busily the Temple fountain murmured in the moonlight while Ruth lay
sleeping with her flowers beside her and John Westlock sketched a portrait
whose from memory
Chapter XLVI
In which Miss Pecksniff Makes Love Mr Jonas Makes Wrath Mrs Gamp Makes Tea
and Mr Chuffey Makes Business
On the next days official duties coming to a close Tom hurried home without
losing any time by the way and after dinner and a short rest sallied out
again accompanied by Ruth to pay his projected visit to Todgerss Tom took
Ruth with him not only because it was a great pleasure to him to have her for
his companion whenever he could but because he wished her to cherish and
comfort poor Merry which she for her own part having heard the wretched
history of that young wife from Tom was all eagerness to do
»She was so glad to see me« said Tom »that I am sure she will be glad to
see you Your sympathy is certain to be much more delicate and acceptable than
mine«
»I am very far from being certain of that Tom« she replied »and indeed
you do yourself an injustice Indeed you do But I hope she may like me Tom«
»Oh she is sure to do that« cried Tom confidently
»What a number of friends I should have if everybody was of your way of
thinking Shouldnt I Tom dear« said his little sister pinching him upon the
cheek
Tom laughed and said that with reference to this particular case he had no
doubt at all of finding a disciple in Merry »For you women« said Tom »you
women my dear are so kind and in your kindness have such nice perception you
know so well how to be affectionate and full of solicitude without appearing to
be your gentleness of feeling is like your touch so light and easy that the
one enables you to deal with wounds of the mind as tenderly as the other enables
you to deal with wounds of the body You are such «
»My goodness Tom« his sister interposed »You ought to fall in love
immediately«
Tom put this observation off good humouredly but somewhat gravely too and
they were soon very chatty again on some other subject
As they were passing through a street in the City not very far from Mrs
Todgerss place of residence Ruth checked Tom before the window of a large
Upholstery and Furniture Warehouse to call his attention to something very
magnificent and ingenious displayed there to the best advantage for the
admiration and temptation of the public Tom had hazarded some most erroneous
and extravagantly wrong guess in relation to the price of this article and had
joined his sister in laughing heartily at his mistake when he pressed her arm
in his and pointed to two persons at a little distance who were looking in at
the same window with a deep interest in the chests of drawers and tables
»Hush« Tom whispered »Miss Pecksniff and the young gentleman to whom she
is going to be married«
»Why does he look as if he was going to be buried Tom« inquired his little
sister
»Why he is naturally a dismal young gentleman I believe« said Tom »but
he is very civil and inoffensive«
»I suppose they are furnishing their house« whispered Ruth
»Yes I suppose they are« replied Tom »We had better avoid speaking to
them«
They could not very well avoid looking at them however especially as some
obstruction on the pavement at a little distance happened to detain them where
they were for a few moments Miss Pecksniff had quite the air of having taken
the unhappy Moddle captive and brought him up to the contemplation of the
furniture like a lamb to the altar He offered no resistance but was perfectly
resigned and quiet The melancholy depicted in the turn of his languishing head
and in his dejected attitude was extreme and though there was a fullsized
fourpost bedstead in the window such a tear stood trembling in his eye as
seemed to blot it out
»Augustus my love« said Miss Pecksniff »ask the price of the eight
rosewood chairs and the loo table«
»Perhaps they are ordered already« said Augustus »Perhaps they are
Anothers«
»They can make more like them if they are« rejoined Miss Pecksniff
»No no they cant« said Moddle »Its impossible«
He appeared for the moment to be quite overwhelmed and stupefied by the
prospect of his approaching happiness but recovering entered the shop He
returned immediately saying in a tone of despair
»Twentyfour pound ten«
Miss Pecksniff turning to receive this announcement became conscious of
the observation of Tom Pinch and his sister
»Oh really« cried Miss Pecksniff glancing about her as if for some
convenient means of sinking into the earth »Upon my word I there never was
such a to think that one should be so very Mr Augustus Moddle Miss Pinch«
Miss Pecksniff was quite gracious to Miss Pinch in this triumphant
introduction exceedingly gracious She was more than gracious she was kind and
cordial Whether the recollection of the old service Tom had rendered her in
knocking Mr Jonas on the head had wrought this change in her opinions or
whether her separation from her parent had reconciled her to all humankind or
to all that increasing portion of humankind which was not friendly to him or
whether the delight of having some new female acquaintance to whom to
communicate her interesting prospects was paramount to every other
consideration cordial and kind Miss Pecksniff was And twice Miss Pecksniff
kissed Miss Pinch upon the cheek
»Augustus Mr Pinch you know My dear girl« said Miss Pecksniff aside
»I never was so ashamed in my life«
Ruth begged her not to think of it
»I mind your brother less than anybody else« simpered Miss Pecksniff »But
the indelicacy of meeting any gentleman under such circumstances Augustus my
child did you «
Here Miss Pecksniff whispered in his ear The suffering Moddle repeated
»Twentyfour pound ten«
»Oh you silly man I dont mean them« said Miss Pecksniff »I am speaking
of the «
Here she whispered him again
»If its the same patterned chintz as that in the window thirtytwo
twelve six« said Moddle with a sigh »And very dear«
Miss Pecksniff stopped him from giving any further explanation by laying her
hand upon his lips and betraying a soft embarrassment She then asked Tom Pinch
which way he was going
»I was going to see if I could find your sister« answered Tom »to whom I
wished to say a few words We were going to Mrs Todgerss where I had the
pleasure of seeing her before«
»Its of no use your going on then« said Cherry »for we have not long
left there and I know she is not at home But Ill take you to my sisters
house if you please Augustus Mr Moddle I mean and myself are on our way
to tea there now You neednt think of him« she added nodding her head as
she observed some hesitation on Toms part »He is not at home«
»Are you sure« asked Tom
»Oh I am quite sure of that I dont want any more revenge« said Miss
Pecksniff expressively »But really I must beg you two gentlemen to walk on
and allow me to follow with Miss Pinch My dear I never was so taken by
surprise«
In furtherance of this bashful arrangement Moddle gave his arm to Tom and
Miss Pecksniff linked her own in Ruths
»Of course my love« said Miss Pecksniff »it would be useless for me to
disguise after what you have seen that I am about to be united to the
gentleman who is walking with your brother It would be in vain to conceal it
What do you think of him Pray let me have your candid opinion«
Ruth intimated that as far as she could judge he was a very eligible
swain
»I am curious to know« said Miss Pecksniff with loquacious frankness
»whether you have observed or fancied in this very short space of time that
he is of a rather melancholy turn«
»So very short a time« Ruth pleaded
»No no but dont let that interfere with your answer« returned Miss
Pecksniff »I am curious to hear what you say«
Ruth acknowledged that he had impressed her at first sight as looking rather
low
»No really« said Miss Pecksniff »Well that is quite remarkable
Everybody says the same Mrs Todgers says the same and Augustus informs me
that it is quite a joke among the gentlemen in the house Indeed but for the
positive commands I have laid upon him I believe it would have been the
occasion of loaded firearms being resorted to more than once What do you think
is the cause of his appearance of depression«
Ruth thought of several things such as his digestion his tailor his
mother and the like But hesitating to give utterance to any one of them she
refrained from expressing an opinion
»My dear« said Miss Pecksniff »I shouldnt wish it to be known but I
dont mind mentioning it to you having known your brother for so many years I
refused Augustus three times He is of a most amiable and sensitive nature
always ready to shed tears if you look at him which is extremely charming and
he has never recovered the effect of that cruelty For it was cruel« said Miss
Pecksniff with a self-convicting candour that might have adorned the diadem of
her own papa »There is no doubt of it I look back upon my conduct now with
blushes I always liked him I felt that he was not to me what the crowd of
young men who had made proposals had been but something very different Then
what right had I to refuse him three times«
»It was a severe trial of his fidelity no doubt« said Ruth
»My dear« returned Miss Pecksniff »It was wrong But such is the caprice
and thoughtlessness of our sex Let me be a warning to you Dont try the
feelings of any one who makes you an offer as I have tried the feelings of
Augustus but if you ever feel towards a person as I really felt towards him at
the very time when I was driving him to distraction let that feeling find
expression if that person throws himself at your feet as Augustus Moddle did
at mine Think« said Miss Pecksniff »what my feelings would have been if I
had goaded him to suicide and it had got into the papers«
Ruth observed that she would have been full of remorse no doubt
»Remorse« cried Miss Pecksniff in a sort of snug and comfortable
penitence »What my remorse is at this moment even after making reparation by
accepting him it would be impossible to tell you Looking back upon my giddy
self my dear now that I am sobered down and made thoughtful by treading on
the very brink of matrimony and contemplating myself as I was when I was like
what you are now I shudder I shudder What is the consequence of my past
conduct Until Augustus leads me to the altar he is not sure of me I have
blighted and withered the affections of his heart to that extent that he is not
sure of me I see that preying on his mind and feeding on his vitals What are
the reproaches of my conscience when I see this in the man I love«
Ruth endeavoured to express some sense of her unbounded and flattering
confidence and presumed that she was going to be married soon
»Very soon indeed« returned Miss Pecksniff »As soon as our house is ready
We are furnishing now as fast as we can«
In the same vein of confidence Miss Pecksniff ran through a general
inventory of the articles that were already bought with the articles that
remained to be purchased what garments she intended to be married in and where
the ceremony was to be performed and gave Miss Pinch in short as she told
her early and exclusive information on all points of interest connected with
the event
While this was going forward in the rear Tom and Mr Moddle walked on arm
in arm in the front in a state of profound silence which Tom at last broke
after thinking for a long time what he could say that should refer to an
indifferent topic in respect of which he might rely with some degree of
certainty on Mr Moddles bosom being unruffled
»I wonder« said Tom »that in these crowded streets the footpassengers
are not oftener run over«
Mr Moddle with a dark look replied
»The drivers wont do it«
»Do you mean« Tom began
»That there are some men« interrupted Moddle with a hollow laugh »who
cant get run over They live a charmed life Coal waggons recoil from them and
even cabs refuse to run them down Ah« said Augustus marking Toms
astonishment »There are such men One of em is a friend of mine«
»Upon my word and honour« thought Tom »this young gentleman is in a state
of mind which is very serious indeed« Abandoning all idea of conversation he
did not venture to say another word but he was careful to keep a tight hold
upon Augustuss arm lest he should fly into the road and making another and a
more successful attempt should get up a private little Juggernaut before the
eyes of his betrothed Tom was so afraid of his committing this rash act that
he had scarcely ever experienced such mental relief as when they arrived in
safety at Mrs Jonas Chuzzlewits house
»Walk up pray Mr Pinch« said Miss Pecksniff for Tom halted
irresolutely at the door
»I am doubtful whether I should be welcome« replied Tom »or I ought
rather to say I have no doubt about it I will send up a message I think«
»But what nonsense that is« returned Miss Pecksniff speaking apart to Tom
»He is not at home I am certain I know he is not and Merry hasnt the least
idea that you ever «
»No« interrupted Tom »Nor would I have her know it on any account I am
not so proud of that scuffle I assure you«
»Ah but then you are so modest you see« returned Miss Pecksniff with a
smile »But pray walk up If you dont wish her to know it and do wish to speak
to her pray walk up Pray walk up Miss Pinch Dont stand here«
Tom still hesitated for he felt that he was in an awkward position But
Cherry passing him at this juncture and leading his sister up stairs and the
housedoor being at the same time shut behind them he followed without quite
knowing whether it was well or illjudged so to do
»Merry my darling« said the fair Miss Pecksniff opening the door of the
usual sittingroom »Here are Mr Pinch and his sister come to see you I
thought we should find you here Mrs Todgers How do you do Mrs Gamp And how
do you do Mr Chuffey though its of no use asking you the question I am well
aware«
Honouring each of these parties as she severally addressed them with an
acid smile Miss Charity presented Mr Moddle
»I believe you have seen him before« she pleasantly observed »Augustus my
sweet child bring me a chair«
The sweet child did as he was told and was then about to retire into a
corner to mourn in secret when Miss Charity calling him in an audible whisper
a little pet gave him leave to come and sit beside her It is to be hoped for
the general cheerfulness of mankind that such a doleful little pet was never
seen as Mr Moddle looked when he complied So despondent was his temper that
he showed no outward thrill of ecstasy when Miss Pecksniff placed her lily hand
in his and concealed this mark of her favour from the vulgar gaze by covering
it with a corner of her shawl Indeed he was infinitely more rueful then than
he had been before and sitting uncomfortably upright in his chair surveyed
the company with watery eyes which seemed to say without the aid of language
»Oh good gracious look here Wont some kind Christian help me«
But the ecstasies of Mrs Gamp were sufficient to have furnished forth a
score of young lovers and they were chiefly awakened by the sight of Tom Pinch
and his sister Mrs Gamp was a lady of that happy temperament which can be
ecstatic without any other stimulating cause than a general desire to establish
a large and profitable connection She added daily so many strings to her bow
that she made a perfect harp of it and upon that instrument she now began to
perform an extemporaneous concerto
»Why goodness me« she said »Mrs Chuzzlewit To think as I should see
beneath this blessed ouse which well I know it Miss Pecksniff my sweet young
lady to be a ouse as there is not a many like worse luck and wishin it ware
not so which then this tearful walley would be changed into a flowerin
guardian Mr Chuffey to think as I should see beneath this indiwidgle roof
identically comin Mr Pinch I take the liberty though almost unbeknown and
do assure you of it sir the smilinest and sweetest face as ever Mrs
Chuzzlewit I see exceptin yourn my dear good lady and your good ladys too
sir Mr Moddle if I may make so bold as speak so plain of what is plain enough
to them as neednt look through millstones Mrs Todgers to find out wot is
wrote upon the wall behind Which no offence is meant ladies and gentlemen
none bein took I hope To think as I should see that smilinest and sweetest
face which me and another friend of mine took notige of among the packages down
London Bridge in this promiscous place is a surprige indeed«
Having contrived in this happy manner to invest every member of her
audience with an individual share and immediate personal interest in her
address Mrs Gamp dropped several curtseys to Ruth and smilingly shaking her
head a great many times pursued the thread of her discourse
»Now aint we rich in beauty this here joyful arternoon Im sure I knows
a lady which her name Ill not deceive you Mrs Chuzzlewit is Harris her
husbands brother bein six foot three and marked with a mad bull in Wellington
boots upon his left arm on account of his precious mother havin been worrited
by one into a shoemakers shop when in a sitiwation which blessed is the man as
has his quiver full of sech as many times Ive said to Gamp when words has roge
betwixt us on account of the expense and often have I said to Mrs Harris Oh
Mrs Harris maam your countenance is quite a angels Which but for Pimples
it would be No Sairey Gamp says she you best of hardworking and industrious
creeturs as ever was underpaid at any price which underpaid you are quite
diffrent Harris had it done afore marriage at ten and six she says and wore
it faithful next his heart till the colour run when the money was declined to
be give back and no arrangement could be come to But he never said it was a
angels Sairey wotever he might have thought If Mrs Harriss husband was
here now« said Mrs Gamp looking round and chuckling as she dropped a general
curtsey »hed speak out plain he would and his dear wife would be the last to
blame him For if ever a woman lived as knowd not wot it was to form a wish to
pizon them as had good looks and had no reagion give her by the best of
husbands Mrs Harris is that evnly dispogician«
With these words the worthy woman who appeared to have dropped in to take
tea as a delicate little attention rather than to have any engagement on the
premises in an official capacity crossed to Mr Chuffey who was seated in the
same corner as of old and shook him by the shoulder
»Rouge yourself and look up Come« said Mrs Gamp »Heres company Mr
Chuffey«
»I am sorry for it« cried the old man looking humbly round the room »I
know Im in the way I ask pardon but Ive nowhere else to go to Where is
she«
Merry went to him
»Ah« said the old man patting her on the cheek »Here she is Here she is
Shes never hard on poor old Chuffey Poor old Chuff«
As she took her seat upon a low chair by the old mans side and put herself
within the reach of his hand she looked up once at Tom It was a sad look that
she cast upon him though there was a faint smile trembling on her face It was
a speaking look and Tom knew what it said »You see how misery has changed me
I can feel for a dependant now and set some value on his attachment«
»Ay ay« cried Chuffey in a soothing tone »Ay ay ay Never mind him
Its hard to bear but never mind him Hell die one day There are three
hundred and sixtyfive days in the year three hundred and sixtysix in leap
year and he may die on any one of em«
»Youre a wearing old soul and thats the sacred truth« said Mrs Gamp
contemplating him from a little distance with anything but favour as he
continued to mutter to himself »Its a pity that you dont know wot you say
for youd tire your own patience out if you did and fret yourself into a happy
releage for all as knows you«
»His son« murmured the old man lifting up his hand »His son«
»Well Im sure« said Mrs Gamp »youre a settlin of it Mr Chuffey To
your satigefaction sir I hope But I wouldnt lay a new pincushion on it
myself sir though you are so well informed Drat the old creetur hes a
layin down the law tolerable confident too A deal he knows of sons Or
darters either Suppose you was to favour us with some remarks on twins sir
would you be so good«
The bitter and indignant sarcasm which Mrs Gamp conveyed into these taunts
was altogether lost on the unconscious Chuffey who appeared to be as little
cognizant of their delivery as of his having given Mrs Gamp offence But that
highminded woman being sensitively alive to any invasion of her professional
province and imagining that Mr Chuffey had given utterance to some prediction
on the subject of sons which ought to have emanated in the first instance from
herself as the only lawful authority or which should at least have been on no
account proclaimed without her sanction and concurrence was not so easily
appeased She continued to sidle at Mr Chuffey with looks of sharp hostility
and to defy him with many other ironical remarks uttered in that low key which
commonly denotes suppressed indignation until the entrance of the teaboard
and a request from Mrs Jonas that she would make tea at a sidetable for the
party that had unexpectedly assembled restored her to herself She smiled
again and entered on her ministration with her own particular urbanity
»And quite a family it is to make tea for« said Mrs Gamp »and wot a
happiness to do it My good young ooman« to the servantgirl »praps
somebody would like to try a newlaid egg or two not biled too hard Likeways
a few rounds o buttered toast first cuttin off the crust in consequence of
tender teeth and not too many of em which Gamp himself Mrs Chuzzlewit at
one blow being in liquor struck out four two single and two double as was
took by Mrs Harris for a keepsake and is carried in her pocket at this present
hour along with two crampbones a bit o ginger and a grater like a blessed
infants shoe in tin with a little heel to put the nutmeg in as many times
Ive seen and said and used for caudle when required within the month«
As the privileges of the sidetable besides including the small
prerogatives of sitting next the toast and taking two cups of tea to other
peoples one and always taking them at a crisis that is to say before putting
fresh water into the teapot and after it had been standing for some time
also comprehended a full view of the company and an opportunity of addressing
them as from a rostrum Mrs Gamp discharged the functions entrusted to her with
extreme goodhumour and affability Sometimes resting her saucer on the palm of
her outspread hand and supporting her elbow on the table she stopped between
her sips of tea to favour the circle with a smile a wink a roll of the head
or some other mark of notice and at those periods her countenance was lighted
up with a degree of intelligence and vivacity which it was almost impossible to
separate from the benignant influence of distilled waters
But for Mrs Gamp it would have been a curiously silent party Miss
Pecksniff only spoke to her Augustus and to him in whispers Augustus spoke to
nobody but sighed for every one and occasionally gave himself such a sounding
slap upon the forehead as would make Mrs Todgers who was rather nervous start
in her chair with an involuntary exclamation Mrs Todgers was occupied in
knitting and seldom spoke Poor Merry held the hand of cheerful little Ruth
between her own and listening with evident pleasure to all she said but rarely
speaking herself sometimes smiled and sometimes kissed her on the cheek and
sometimes turned aside to hide the tears that trembled in her eyes Tom felt
this change in her so much and was so glad to see how tenderly Ruth dealt with
her and how she knew and answered to it that he had not the heart to make any
movement towards their departure although he had long since given utterance to
all he came to say
The old clerk subsiding into his usual state remained profoundly silent
while the rest of the little assembly were thus occupied intent upon the
dreams whatever they might be which hardly seemed to stir the surface of his
sluggish thoughts The bent of these dull fancies combining probably with the
silent feasting that was going on about him and some struggling recollection of
the last approach to revelry he had witnessed suggested a strange question to
his mind He looked round upon a sudden and said
»Whos lying dead up stairs«
»No one« said Merry turning to him »What is the matter We are all here«
»All here« cried the old man »All here Where is he then my old master
Mr Chuzzlewit who had the only son Where is he«
»Hush Hush« said Merry speaking kindly to him »That happened long ago
Dont you recollect«
»Recollect« rejoined the old man with a cry of grief »As if I could
forget As if I ever could forget«
He put his hand up to his face for a moment and then repeated turning
round exactly as before
»Whos lying dead up stairs«
»No one« said Merry
At first he gazed angrily upon her as upon a stranger who endeavoured to
deceive him but peering into her face and seeing that it was indeed she he
shook his head in sorrowful compassion
»You think not But they dont tell you No no poor thing They dont tell
you Who are these and why are they merrymaking here if there is no one dead
Foul play Go see who it is«
She made a sign to them not to speak to him which indeed they had little
inclination to do and remained silent herself So did he for a short time but
then he repeated the same question with an eagerness that had a peculiar terror
in it
»Theres some one dead« he said »or dying and I want to know who it is
Go see go see Wheres Jonas«
»In the country« she replied
The old man gazed at her as if he doubted what she said or had not heard
her and rising from his chair walked across the room and up stairs
whispering as he went »Foul play« They heard his footsteps overhead going up
into that corner of the room in which the bed stood it was there old Anthony
had died and then they heard him coming down again immediately His fancy was
not so strong or wild that it pictured to him anything in the deserted
bedchamber which was not there for he returned much calmer and appeared to
have satisfied himself
»They dont tell you« he said to Merry in his quavering voice as he sat
down again and patted her upon the head »They dont tell me either but Ill
watch Ill watch They shall not hurt you dont be frightened When you have
sat up watching I have sat up watching too Ay ay I have« he piped out
clenching his weak shrivelled hand »Many a night I have been ready«
He said this with such trembling gaps and pauses in his want of breath and
said it in his jealous secrecy so closely in her ear that little or nothing of
it was understood by the visitors But they had heard and seen enough of the old
man to be disquieted and to have left their seats and gathered about him
thereby affording Mrs Gamp whose professional coolness was not so easily
disturbed an eligible opportunity for concentrating the whole resources of her
powerful mind and appetite upon the toast and butter tea and eggs She had
brought them to bear upon those viands with such vigour that her face was in the
highest state of inflammation when she now there being nothing left to eat or
drink saw fit to interpose
»Why highty tighty sir« cried Mrs Gamp »is these your manners You want
a pitcher of cold water throwd over you to bring you round thats my belief
and if you was under Betsey Prig youd have it too I do assure you Mr
Chuffey Spanish Flies is the only thing to draw this nonsense out of you and
if anybody wanted to do you a kindness theyd clap a blister of em on your
head and put a mustard poultige on your back Whos dead indeed It wouldnt
be no grievous loss if some one was I think«
»Hes quiet now Mrs Gamp« said Merry »Dont disturb him«
»Oh bother the old wictim Mrs Chuzzlewit« replied that zealous lady »I
aint no patience with him You give him his own way too much by half A
worritin wexagious creetur«
No doubt with the view of carrying out the precepts she enforced and
bothering the old wictim in practice as well as in theory Mrs Gamp took him by
the collar of his coat and gave him some dozen or two of hearty shakes backward
and forward in his chair that exercise being considered by the disciples of the
Prig school of nursing who are very numerous among professional ladies as
exceedingly conducive to repose and highly beneficial to the performance of the
nervous functions Its effect in this instance was to render the patient so
giddy and addleheaded that he could say nothing more which Mrs Gamp regarded
as the triumph of her art
»There« she said loosening the old mans cravat in consequence of his
being rather black in the face after this scientific treatment »Now I hope
youre easy in your mind If you should turn at all faint we can soon rewive
you sir I promige you Bite a persons thumbs or turn their fingers the wrong
way« said Mrs Gamp smiling with the consciousness of at once imparting
pleasure and instruction to her auditors »and they comes to wonderful Lord
bless you«
As this excellent woman had been formally entrusted with the care of Mr
Chuffey on a previous occasion neither Mrs Jonas nor anybody else had the
resolution to interfere directly with her mode of treatment though all present
Tom Pinch and his sister especially appeared to be disposed to differ from her
views For such is the rash boldness of the uninitiated that they will
frequently set up some monstrous abstract principle such as humanity or
tenderness or the like idle folly in obstinate defiance of all precedent and
usage and will even venture to maintain the same against the persons who have
made the precedents and established the usage and who must therefore be the
best and most impartial judges of the subject
»Ah Mr Pinch« said Miss Pecksniff »It all comes of this unfortunate
marriage If my sister had not been so precipitate and had not united herself
to a Wretch there would have been no Mr Chuffey in the house«
»Hush« cried Tom »Shell hear you«
»I should be very sorry if she did hear me Mr Pinch« said Cherry raising
her voice a little »for it is not in my nature to add to the uneasiness of any
person far less of my own sister I know what a sisters duties are Mr Pinch
and I hope I always showed it in my practice Augustus my dear child find my
pockethandkerchief and give it to me«
Augustus obeyed and took Mrs Todgers aside to pour his griefs into her
friendly bosom
»I am sure Mr Pinch« said Charity looking after her betrothed and
glancing at her sister »that I ought to be very grateful for the blessings I
enjoy and those which are yet in store for me When I contrast Augustus« here
she was modest and embarrassed »who I dont mind saying to you is all
softness mildness and devotion with the detestable man who is my sisters
husband and when I think Mr Pinch that in the dispensations of this world
our cases might have been reversed I have much to be thankful for indeed and
much to make me humble and contented«
Contented she might have been but humble she assuredly was not Her face
and manner experienced something so widely different from humility that Tom
could not help understanding and despising the base motives that were working in
her breast He turned away and said to Ruth that it was time for them to go
»I will write to your husband« said Tom to Merry »and explain to him as I
would have done if I had met him here that if he has sustained any
inconvenience through my means it is not my fault a postman not being more
innocent of the news he brings than I was when I handed him that letter«
»I thank you« said Merry »It may do some good«
She parted tenderly from Ruth who with her brother was in the act of
leaving the room when a key was heard in the lock of the door below and
immediately afterwards a quick footstep in the passage Tom stopped and looked
at Merry
It was Jonas she said timidly
»I had better not meet him on the stairs perhaps« said Tom drawing his
sisters arm through his and coming back a step or two »Ill wait for him
here a moment«
He had scarcely said it when the door opened and Jonas entered His wife
came forward to receive him but he put her aside with his hand and said in a
surly tone
»I didnt know youd got a party«
As he looked at the same time either by accident or design towards Miss
Pecksniff and as Miss Pecksniff was only too delighted to quarrel with him she
instantly resented it
»Oh dear« she said rising »Pray dont let us intrude upon your domestic
happiness That would be a pity We have taken tea here sir in your absence
but if you will have the goodness to send us a note of the expense receipted
we shall be happy to pay it Augustus my love we will go if you please Mrs
Todgers unless you wish to remain here we shall be happy to take you with us
It would be a pity indeed to spoil the bliss which this gentleman always
brings with him especially into his own home«
»Charity Charity« remonstrated her sister in such a heartfelt tone that
she might have been imploring her to show the cardinal virtue whose name she
bore
»Merry my dear I am much obliged to you for your advice« returned Miss
Pecksniff with a stately scorn by the way she had not been offered any »but
I am not his slave «
»No nor wouldnt have been if you could« interrupted Jonas »We know all
about it«
»What did you say sir« cried Miss Pecksniff sharply
»Didnt you hear« retorted Jonas lounging down upon a chair »I am not
agoing to say it again If you like to stay you may stay If you like to go
you may go But if you stay please to be civil«
»Beast« cried Miss Pecksniff sweeping past him »Augustus He is beneath
your notice« Augustus had been making some faint and sickly demonstration of
shaking his fist »Come away child« screamed Miss Pecksniff »I command you«
The scream was elicited from her by Augustus manifesting an intention to
return and grapple with him But Miss Pecksniff giving the fiery youth a pull
and Mrs Todgers giving him a push they all three tumbled out of the room
together to the music of Miss Pecksniffs shrill remonstrances
All this time Jonas had seen nothing of Tom and his sister for they were
almost behind the door when he opened it and he had sat down with his back
towards them and had purposely kept his eyes upon the opposite side of the
street during his altercation with Miss Pecksniff in order that his seeming
carelessness might increase the exasperation of that wronged young damsel His
wife now faltered out that Tom had been waiting to see him and Tom advanced
The instant he presented himself Jonas got up from his chair and swearing
a great oath caught it in his grasp as if he would have felled Tom to the
ground with it As he most unquestionably would have done but that his very
passion and surprise made him irresolute and gave Tom in his calmness an
opportunity of being heard
»You have no cause to be violent sir« said Tom »Though what I wish to say
relates to your own affairs I know nothing of them and desire to know nothing
of them«
Jonas was too enraged to speak He held the door open and stamping his foot
upon the ground motioned Tom away
»As you cannot suppose« said Tom »that I am here with any view of
conciliating you or pleasing myself I am quite indifferent to your reception
of me or your dismissal of me Hear what I have to say if you are not a
madman I gave you a letter the other day when you were about to go abroad«
»You Thief you did« retorted Jonas »Ill pay you for the carriage of it
one day and settle an old score besides I will«
»Tut tut« said Tom »you neednt waste words or threats I wish you to
understand plainly because I would rather keep clear of you and everything
that concerns you not because I have the least apprehension of your doing me
any injury which would be weak indeed that I am no party to the contents of
that letter That I know nothing of it That I was not even aware that it was to
be delivered to you and that I had it from «
»By the Lord« cried Jonas fiercely catching up the chair »Ill knock your
brains out if you speak another word«
Tom nevertheless persisting in his intention and opening his lips to
speak again Jonas set upon him like a savage and in the quickness and ferocity
of his attack would have surely done him some grievous injury defenceless as he
was and embarrassed by having his frightened sister clinging to his arm if
Merry had not run between them crying to Tom for the love of Heaven to leave
the house The agony of this poor creature the terror of his sister the
impossibility of making himself audible and the equal impossibility of bearing
up against Mrs Gamp who threw herself upon him like a featherbed and forced
him backwards down the stairs by the mere oppression of her deadweight
prevailed Tom shook the dust of that house off his feet without having
mentioned Nadgetts name
If the name could have passed his lips if Jonas in the insolence of his
vile nature had never roused him to do that old act of manliness for which
and not for his last offence he hated him with such malignity if Jonas could
have learned as then he could and would have learned through Toms means what
unsuspected spy there was upon him he would have been saved from the commission
of a Guilty Deed then drawing on towards its black accomplishment But the
fatality was of his own working the pit was of his own digging the gloom that
gathered round him was the shadow of his own life
His wife had closed the door and thrown herself before it on the ground
upon her knees She held up her hands to him now and besought him not to be
harsh with her for she had interposed in fear of bloodshed
»So so« said Jonas looking down upon her as he fetched his breath
»These are your friends are they when I am away You plot and tamper with this
sort of people do you«
»No indeed I have no knowledge of these secrets and no clue to their
meaning I have never seen him since I left home but once but twice before
today«
»Oh« sneered Jonas catching at this correction »But once but twice eh
Which do you mean Twice and once perhaps Three times How many more you lying
jade«
As he made an angry motion with his hand she shrunk down hastily A
suggestive action Full of a cruel truth
»How many more times« he repeated
»No more The other morning and today and once besides«
He was about to retort upon her when the clock struck He started stopped
and listened appearing to revert to some engagement or to some other subject
a secret within his own breast recalled to him by this record of the progress
of the hours
»Dont lie there Get up«
Having helped her to rise or rather hauled her up by the arm he went on to
say
»Listen to me young lady and dont whine when you have no occasion or I
may make some for you If I find him in my house again or find that you have
seen him in anybody elses house youll repent it If you are not deaf and dumb
to everything that concerns me unless you have my leave to hear and speak
youll repent it If you dont obey exactly what I order youll repent it Now
attend Whats the time«
»It struck Eight a minute ago«
He looked towards her intently and said with a laboured distinctness as
if he had got the words off by heart
»I have been travelling day and night and am tired I have lost some money
and that dont improve me Put my supper in the little offroom below and have
the trucklebed made I shall sleep there tonight and maybe tomorrow night
and if I can sleep all day tomorrow so much the better for Ive got trouble
to sleep off if I can Keep the house quiet and dont call me Mind Dont
call me Dont let anybody call me Let me lie there«
She said it should be done Was that all
»All what You must be prying and questioning« he angrily retorted »What
more do you want to know«
»I want to know nothing Jonas but what you tell me All hope of confidence
between us has long deserted me«
»Ecod I should hope so« he muttered
»But if you will tell me what you wish I will be obedient and will try to
please you I make no merit of that for I have no friend in my father or my
sister but am quite alone I am very humble and submissive You told me you
would break my spirit and you have done so Do not break my heart too«
She ventured as she said these words to lay her hand upon his shoulder He
suffered it to rest there in his exultation and the whole mean abject
sordid pitiful soul of the man looked at her for the moment through his
wicked eyes
For the moment only for with the same hurried return to something within
himself he bade her in a surly tone show her obedience by executing his
commands without delay When she had withdrawn he paced up and down the room
several times but always with his right hand clenched as if it held something
which it did not being empty When he was tired of this he threw himself into
a chair and thoughtfully turned up the sleeve of his right arm as if he were
rather musing about its strength than examining it but even then he kept the
hand clenched
He was brooding in this chair with his eyes cast down upon the ground when
Mrs Gamp came in to tell him that the little room was ready Not being quite
sure of her reception after interfering in the quarrel Mrs Gamp as a means of
interesting and propitiating her patron affected a deep solicitude in Mr
Chuffey
»How is he now sir« she said
»Who« cried Jonas raising his head and staring at her
»To be sure« returned the matron with a smile and a curtsey »What am I
thinking of You wasnt here sir when he was took so strange I never see a
poor dear creetur took so strange in all my life except a patient much about
the same age as I once nussed which his calling was the custom us and his
name was Mrs Harriss own father as pleasant a singer Mr Chuzzlewit as ever
you heerd with a voice like a Jewsharp in the bass notes that it took six
men to hold at sech times foaming frightful«
»Chuffey eh« said Jonas carelessly seeing that she went up to the old
clerk and looked at him »Ha«
»The creeturs heads so hot« said Mrs Gamp »that you might eat a
flatiron at it And no wonder I am sure considerin the things he said«
»Said« cried Jonas »What did he say«
Mrs Gamp laid her hand upon her heart to put some check upon its
palpitations and turning up her eyes replied in a faint voice
»The awfullest things Mr Chuzzlewit as ever I heerd Which Mrs Harriss
father never spoke a word when took so some does and some dont except sayin
when he come round Where is Sairey Gamp But raly sir when Mr Chuffey comes
to ask whos lyin dead up stairs and «
»Whos lying dead up stairs« repeated Jonas standing aghast
Mrs Gamp nodded made as if she were swallowing and went on
»Whos lying dead up stairs such was his Bible language and where was Mr
Chuzzlewit as had the only son and when he goes up stairs a looking in the beds
and wandering about the rooms and comes down again a whisperin softly to
hisself about foul play and that it give me sich a turn I dont deny it Mr
Chuzzlewit that I never could have kep myself up but for a little drain of
spirits which I seldom touches but could always wish to know where to find if
so dispoged never knowin wot may happen next the world bein so uncertain«
»Why the old fools mad« cried Jonas much disturbed
»Thats my opinion sir« said Mrs Gamp »and I will not deceive you I
believe as Mr Chuffey sir rekwires attention if I may make so bold and
should not have his liberty to wex and worrit your sweet lady as he doos«
»Why who minds what he says« retorted Jonas
»Still he is worritin sir« said Mrs Gamp »No one dont mind him but he
is a ill conwenience«
»Ecod youre right« said Jonas looking doubtfully at the subject of this
conversation »I have half a mind to shut him up«
Mrs Gamp rubbed her hands and smiled and shook her head and sniffed
expressively as scenting a job
»Could you could you take care of such an idiot now in some spare room
up stairs« asked Jonas
»Me and a friend of mine one off one on could do it Mr Chuzzlewit«
replied the nurse »our charges not bein high but wishin they was lower and
allowance made considerin not strangers Me and Betsey Prig sir would
undertake Mr Chuffey reasonable« said Mrs Gamp looking at him with her head
on one side as if he had been a piece of goods for which she was driving a
bargain »and give every satigefaction Betsey Prig has nussed a many lunacies
and well she knows their ways which puttin em right close afore the fire
when fractious is the certainest and most compoging«
While Mrs Gamp discoursed to this effect Jonas was walking up and down the
room again glancing covertly at the old clerk as he did so He now made a
stop and said
»I must look after him I suppose or I may have him doing some mischief
What say you«
»Nothin more likely« Mrs Gamp replied »As well I have experienged I do
assure you sir«
»Well Look after him for the present and let me see three days from
this time let the other woman come here and well see if we can make a bargain
of it About nine or ten oclock at night say Keep your eye upon him in the
meanwhile and dont talk about it Hes as mad as a March hare«
»Madder« cried Mrs Gamp »A deal madder«
»See to him then take care that he does no harm and recollect what I have
told you«
Leaving Mrs Gamp in the act of repeating all she had been told and of
producing in support of her memory and trustworthiness many commendations
selected from among the most remarkable opinions of the celebrated Mrs Harris
he descended to the little room prepared for him and pulling off his coat and
his boots put them outside the door before he locked it In locking it he was
careful so to adjust the key as to baffle any curious person who might try to
peep in through the keyhole and when he had taken these precautions he sat
down to his supper
»Mr Chuff« he muttered »itll be pretty easy to be even with you Its of
no use doing things by halves and as long as I stop here Ill take good care
of you When Im off you may say what you please But its a dd strange thing«
he added pushing away his untouched plate and striding moodily to and fro
»that his drivellings should have taken this turn just now«
After pacing the little room from end to end several times he sat down in
another chair
»I say just now but for anything I know he may have been carrying on the
same game all along Old dog He shall be gagged«
He paced the room again in the same restless and unsteady way and then sat
down upon the bedstead leaning his chin upon his hand and looking at the
table When he had looked at it for a long time he remembered his supper and
resuming the chair he had first occupied began to eat with great rapacity not
like a hungry man but as if he were determined to do it He drank too roundly
sometimes stopping in the middle of a draught to walk and change his seat and
walk again and dart back to the table and fall to in a ravenous hurry as
before
It was now growing dark As the gloom of evening deepening into night came
on another dark shade emerging from within him seemed to overspread his face
and slowly change it Slowly slowly darker and darker more and more haggard
creeping over him by little and little until it was black night within him and
without
The room in which he had shut himself up was on the ground floor at the
back of the house It was lighted by a dirty skylight and had a door in the
wall opening into a narrow covered passage or blindalley very little
frequented after five or six oclock in the evening and not in much use as a
thoroughfare at any hour But it had an outlet in a neighbouring street
The ground on which this chamber stood had at one time not within his
recollection been a yard and had been converted to its present purpose for
use as an office But the occasion for it died with the man who built it and
saving that it had sometimes served as an apology for a spare bedroom and that
the old clerk had once held it but that was years ago as his recognised
apartment it had been little troubled by Anthony Chuzzlewit and Son It was a
blotched stained mouldering room like a vault and there were waterpipes
running through it which at unexpected times in the night when other things
were quiet clicked and gurgled suddenly as if they were choking
The door into the court had not been open for a long long time but the key
had always hung in one place and there it hung now He was prepared for its
being rusty for he had a little bottle of oil in his pocket and the feather of
a pen with which he lubricated the key and the lock too carefully All this
while he had been without his coat and had nothing on his feet but his
stockings He now got softly into bed in the same state and tossed from side
to side to tumble it In his restless condition that was easily done
When he arose he took from his portmanteau which he had caused to be
carried into that place when he came home a pair of clumsy shoes and put them
on his feet also a pair of leather leggings such as countrymen are used to
wear with straps to fasten them to the waistband In these he dressed himself
at leisure Lastly he took out a common frock of coarse dark jean which he
drew over his own underclothing and a felt hat he had purposely left his own
up stairs He then sat himself down by the door with the key in his hand
waiting
He had no light the time was dreary long and awful The ringers were
practising in a neighbouring church and the clashing of the bells was almost
maddening Curse the clamouring bells they seemed to know that he was listening
at the door and to proclaim it in a crowd of voices to all the town Would they
never be still
They ceased at last and then the silence was so new and terrible that it
seemed the prelude to some dreadful noise Footsteps in the court Two men He
fell back from the door on tiptoe as if they could have seen him through its
wooden panels
They passed on talking he could make out about a skeleton which had been
dug up yesterday in some work of excavation near at hand and was supposed to
be that of a murdered man »So murder is not always found out you see« they
said to one another as they turned the corner
Hush
He put the key into the lock and turned it The door resisted for a while
but soon came stiffly open mingling with the sense of fever in his mouth a
taste of rust and dust and earth and rotting wood He looked out passed out
locked it after him
All was clear and quiet as he fled away
Chapter XLVII
Conclusion of the Enterprise of Mr Jonas and His Friend
Did no men passing through the dim streets shrink without knowing why when he
came stealing up behind them As he glided on had no child in its sleep an
indistinct perception of a guilty shadow falling on its bed that troubled its
innocent rest Did no dog howl and strive to break its rattling chain that it
might tear him no burrowing rat scenting the work he had in hand essay to
gnaw a passage after him that it might hold a greedy revel at the feast of his
providing When he looked back across his shoulder was it to see if his quick
footsteps still fell dry upon the dusty pavement or were already moist and
clogged with the red mire that stained the naked feet of Cain
He shaped his course for the main western road and soon reached it riding
a part of the way then alighting and walking on again He travelled for a
considerable distance upon the roof of a stagecoach which came up while he was
afoot and when it turned out of his road bribed the driver of a return
postchaise to take him on with him and then made across the country at a run
and saved a mile or two before he struck again into the road At last as his
plan was he came up with a certain lumbering slow nightcoach which stopped
wherever it could and was stopping then at a publichouse while the guard and
coachman ate and drank within
He bargained for a seat outside this coach and took it And he quitted it
no more until it was within a few miles of its destination but occupied the
same place all night
All night It is a common fancy that nature seems to sleep by night It is a
false fancy as who should know better than he
The fishes slumbered in the cold bright glistening streams and rivers
perhaps and the birds roosted on the branches of the trees and in their stalls
and pastures beasts were quiet and human creatures slept But what of that
when the solemn night was watching when it never winked when its darkness
watched no less than its light The stately trees the moon and shining stars
the softlystirring wind the overshadowed lane the broad bright
countryside they all kept watch There was not a blade of growing grass or
corn but watched and the quieter it was the more intent and fixed its watch
upon him seemed to be
And yet he slept Riding on among those sentinels of God he slept and did
not change the purpose of his journey If he forgot it in his troubled dreams
it came up steadily and woke him But it never woke him to remorse or to
abandonment of his design
He dreamed at one time that he was lying calmly in his bed thinking of a
moonlight night and the noise of wheels when the old clerk put his head in at
the door and beckoned him At this signal he arose immediately being already
dressed in the clothes he actually wore at that time and accompanied him into
a strange city where the names of the streets were written on the walls in
characters quite new to him which gave him no surprise or uneasiness for he
remembered in his dream to have been there before Although these streets were
very precipitous insomuch that to get from one to another it was necessary to
descend great heights by ladders that were too short and ropes that moved deep
bells and swung and swayed as they were clung to the danger gave him little
emotion beyond the first thrill of terror his anxieties being concentrated on
his dress which was quite unfitted for some festival that was about to be
holden there and in which he had come to take a part Already great crowds
began to fill the streets and in one direction myriads of people came rushing
down an interminable perspective strewing flowers and making way for others on
white horses when a terrible figure started from the throng and cried out that
it was the Last Day for all the world The cry being spread there was a wild
hurrying on to Judgment and the press became so great that he and his companion
who was constantly changing and was never the same man two minutes together
though he never saw one man come or another go stood aside in a porch
fearfully surveying the multitude in which there were many faces that he knew
and many that he did not know but dreamed he did when all at once a struggling
head rose up among the rest livid and deadly but the same as he had known it
and denounced him as having appointed that direful day to happen They closed
together As he strove to free the hand in which he held a club and strike the
blow he had so often thought of he started to the knowledge of his waking
purpose and the rising of the sun
The sun was welcome to him There were life and motion and a world astir
to divide the attention of Day It was the eye of Night of wakeful watchful
silent and attentive Night with so much leisure for the observation of his
wicked thoughts that he dreaded most There is no glare in the night Even
Glory shows to small advantage in the night upon a crowded battlefield How
then shows Glorys bloodrelation bastard Murder
Ay He made no compromise and held no secret with himself now Murder He
had come to do it
»Let me get down here« he said
»Short of the town eh« observed the coachman
»I may get down where I please I suppose«
»You got up to please yourself and may get down to please yourself It
wont break our hearts to lose you and it wouldnt have broken em if wed
never found you Be a little quicker Thats all«
The guard had alighted and was waiting in the road to take his money In
the jealousy and distrust of what he contemplated he thought this man looked at
him with more than common curiosity
»What are you staring at« said Jonas
»Not at a handsome man« returned the guard »If you want your fortune told
Ill tell you a bit of it You wont be drowned Thats a consolation for you«
Before he could retort or turn away the coachman put an end to the dialogue
by giving him a cut with his whip and bid him get out for a surly dog The
guard jumped up to his seat at the same moment and they drove off laughing
leaving him to stand in the road and shake his fist at them He was not
displeased though on second thoughts to have been taken for an illconditioned
common country fellow but rather congratulated himself upon it as a proof that
he was well disguised
Wandering into a copse by the roadside but not in that place two or
three miles off he tore out from a fence a thick hard knotted stake and
sitting down beneath a hayrick spent some time in shaping it in peeling off
the bark and fashioning its jagged head with his knife
The day passed on Noon afternoon evening Sunset
At that serene and peaceful time two men riding in a gig came out of the
city by a road not much frequented It was the day on which Mr Pecksniff had
agreed to dine with Montague He had kept his appointment and was now going
home His host was riding with him for a short distance meaning to return by a
pleasant track which Mr Pecksniff had engaged to show him through some
fields Jonas knew their plans He had hung about the innyard while they were
at dinner and had heard their orders given
They were loud and merry in their conversation and might have been heard at
some distance far above the sound of their carriage wheels or horses hoofs
They came on noisily to where a stile and footpath indicated their point of
separation Here they stopped
»Its too soon Much too soon« said Mr Pecksniff »But this is the place
my dear sir Keep the path and go straight through the little wood youll come
to The path is narrower there but you cant miss it When shall I see you
again Soon I hope«
»I hope so« replied Montague
»Goodnight«
»Goodnight And a pleasant ride«
So long as Mr Pecksniff was in sight and turned his head at intervals to
salute him Montague stood in the road smiling and waving his hand But when
his new partner had disappeared and this show was no longer necessary he sat
down on the stile with looks so altered that he might have grown ten years
older in the meantime
He was flushed with wine but not gay His scheme had succeeded but he
showed no triumph The effort of sustaining his difficult part before his late
companion had fatigued him perhaps or it may be that the evening whispered to
his conscience or it may be as it has been that a shadowy veil was dropping
round him closing out all thoughts but the presentiment and vague foreknowledge
of impending doom
If there be fluids as we know there are which conscious of a coming wind
or rain or frost will shrink and strive to hide themselves in their glass
arteries may not that subtle liquor of the blood perceive by properties within
itself, that hands are raised to waste and spill it and in the veins of men run
cold and dull as his did in that hour
So cold although the air was warm so dull although the sky was bright
that he rose up shivering from his seat and hastily resumed his walk He
checked himself as hastily undecided whether to pursue the footpath which was
lonely and retired or to go back by the road
He took the footpath
The glory of the departing sun was on his face The music of the birds was
in his ears Sweet wild flowers bloomed about him Thatched roofs of poor mens
homes were in the distance and an old grey spire surmounted by a Cross rose
up between him and the coming night
He had never read the lesson which these things conveyed he had ever mocked
and turned away from it but before going down into a hollow place he looked
round once upon the evening prospect sorrowfully Then he went down down
down into the dell
It brought him to the wood a close thick shadowy wood through which the
path went winding on dwindling away into a slender sheeptrack He paused
before entering for the stillness of this spot almost daunted him
The last rays of the sun were shining in aslant making a path of golden
light along the stems and branches in its range which even as he looked began
to die away yielding gently to the twilight that came creeping on It was so
very quiet that the soft and stealthy moss about the trunks of some old trees
seemed to have grown out of the silence and to be its proper offspring Those
other trees which were subdued by blasts of wind in winter time had not quite
tumbled down but being caught by others lay all bare and scathed across their
leafy arms as if unwilling to disturb the general repose by the crash of their
fall Vistas of silence opened everywhere into the heart and innermost recesses
of the wood beginning with the likeness of an aisle a cloister or a ruin open
to the sky then tangling off into a deep green rustling mystery through which
gnarled trunks and twisted boughs and ivycovered stems and trembling leaves
and barkstripped bodies of old trees stretched out at length were faintly seen
in beautiful confusion
As the sunlight died away and evening fell upon the wood he entered it
Moving here and there a bramble or a drooping bough which stretched across his
path he slowly disappeared At intervals a narrow opening showed him passing
on or the sharp cracking of some tender branch denoted where he went then he
was seen or heard no more
Never more beheld by mortal eye or heard by mortal ear one man excepted
That man parting the leaves and branches on the other side near where the path
emerged again came leaping out soon afterwards
What had he left within the wood that he sprang out of it as if it were a
hell
The body of a murdered man In one thick solitary spot it lay among the
last years leaves of oak and beech just as it had fallen headlong down
Sopping and soaking in among the leaves that formed its pillow oozing down into
the boggy ground as if to cover itself from human sight forcing its way
between and through the curling leaves as if those senseless things rejected
and forswore it and were coiled up in abhorrence went a dark dark stain that
dyed the whole summer night from earth to heaven
The doer of this deed came leaping from the wood so fiercely that he cast
into the air a shower of fragments of young boughs torn away in his passage
and fell with violence upon the grass But he quickly gained his feet again and
keeping underneath a hedge with his body bent went running on towards the road
The road once reached he fell into a rapid walk and set on towards London
And he was not sorry for what he had done He was frightened when he thought
of it when did he not think of it but he was not sorry He had had a terror
and dread of the wood when he was in it but being out of it and having
committed the crime his fears were now diverted strangely to the dark room he
had left shut up at home He had a greater horror infinitely greater of that
room than of the wood Now that he was on his return to it it seemed beyond
comparison more dismal and more dreadful than the wood His hideous secret was
shut up in the room and all its terrors were there to his thinking it was not
in the wood at all
He walked on for ten miles and then stopped at an alehouse for a coach
which he knew would pass through on its way to London before long and which
he also knew was not the coach he had travelled down by for it came from
another place He sat down outside the door here on a bench beside a man who
was smoking his pipe Having called for some beer and drunk he offered it to
this companion who thanked him and took a draught He could not help thinking
that if the man had known all he might scarcely have relished drinking out of
the same cup with him
»A fine night master« said this person »And a rare sunset«
»I didnt see it« was his hasty answer
»Didnt see it« returned the man
»How the devil could I see it if I was asleep«
»Asleep Ay ay« The man appeared surprised by his unexpected irritability
and saying no more smoked his pipe in silence They had not sat very long when
there was a knocking within
»Whats that« cried Jonas
»Cant say Im sure« replied the man
He made no further inquiry for the last question had escaped him in spite
of himself But he was thinking at the moment of the closedup room of the
possibility of their knocking at the door on some special occasion of their
being alarmed at receiving no answer of their bursting it open of their
finding the room empty of their fastening the door into the court and
rendering it impossible for him to get into the house without showing himself
in the garb he wore which would lead to rumour rumour to detection detection
to death At that instant as if by some design and order of circumstances the
knocking had come
It still continued like a warning echo of the dread reality he had conjured
up As he could not sit and hear it he paid for his beer and walked on again
And having slunk about in places unknown to him all day and being out at
night in a lonely road in an unusual dress and in that wandering and
unsettled frame of mind he stopped more than once to look about him hoping he
might be in a dream
Still he was not sorry No He had hated the man too much and had been
bent too desperately and too long on setting himself free If the thing could
have come over again he would have done it again His malignant and revengeful
passions were not so easily laid There was no more penitence or remorse within
him now than there had been while the deed was brewing
Dread and fear were upon him To an extent he had never counted on and
could not manage in the least degree He was so horribly afraid of that infernal
room at home This made him in a gloomy murderous mad way not only fearful
for himself but of himself for being as it were a part of the room a
something supposed to be there yet missing from it he invested himself with
its mysterious terrors and when he pictured in his mind the ugly chamber false
and quiet false and quiet through the dark hours of two nights and the
tumbled bed and he not in it though believed to be he became in a manner his
own ghost and phantom and was at once the haunting spirit and the haunted man
When the coach came up which it soon did he got a place outside and was
carried briskly onward towards home Now in taking his seat among the people
behind who were chiefly country people he conceived a fear that they knew of
the murder and would tell him that the body had been found which considering
the time and place of the commission of the crime were events almost impossible
to have happened yet as he very well knew But although he did know it and
had therefore no reason to regard their ignorance as anything but the natural
sequence to the facts still this very ignorance of theirs encouraged him So
far encouraged him that he began to believe the body never would be found and
began to speculate on that probability Setting off from this point and
measuring time by the rapid hurry of his guilty thoughts and what had gone
before the bloodshed and the troops of incoherent and disordered images of
which he was the constant prey he came by daylight to regard the murder as an
old murder and to think himself comparatively safe because it had not been
discovered yet Yet When the sun which looked into the wood and gilded with
its rising light a dead mans face had seen that man alive and sought to win
him to a thought of Heaven on its going down last night
But here were London streets again Hush
It was but five oclock He had time enough to reach his own house
unobserved and before there were many people in the streets if nothing had
happened so far tending to his discovery He slipped down from the coach
without troubling the driver to stop his horses and hurrying across the road
and in and out of every byway that lay near his course at length approached
his own dwelling He used additional caution in his immediate neighbourhood
halting first to look all down the street before him then gliding swiftly
through that one and stopping to survey the next and so on
The passageway was empty when his murderers face looked into it He stole
on to the door on tiptoe as if he dreaded to disturb his own imaginary rest
He listened Not a sound As he turned the key with a trembling hand and
pushed the door softly open with his knee a monstrous fear beset his mind
What if the murdered man were there before him
He cast a fearful glance all round But there was nothing there
He went in locked the door drew the key through and through the dust and
damp in the fireplace to sully it again and hung it up as of old He took off
his disguise tied it up in a bundle ready for carrying away and sinking in the
river before night and locked it up in a cupboard These precautions taken he
undressed and went to bed
The raging thirst the fire that burnt within him as he lay beneath the
clothes the augmented horror of the room when they shut it out from his view
the agony of listening in which he paid enforced regard to every sound and
thought the most unlikely one the prelude to that knocking which should bring
the news the starts with which he left his couch and looking in the glass
imagined that his deed was broadly written in his face and lying down and
burying himself once more beneath the blankets heard his own heart beating
Murder Murder Murder in the bed what words can paint tremendous truths like
these
The morning advanced There were footsteps in the house He heard the blinds
drawn up and shutters opened and now and then a stealthy tread outside his own
door He tried to call out more than once but his mouth was dry as if it had
been filled with sand At last he sat up in his bed and cried
»Whos there«
It was his wife
He asked her what it was oclock Nine
»Did did no one knock at my door yesterday« he faltered »Something
disturbed me but unless you had knocked the door down you would have got no
notice from me«
»No one« she replied That was well He had waited almost breathless for
her answer It was a relief to him if anything could be
»Mr Nadgett wanted to see you« she said »but I told him you were tired
and had requested not to be disturbed He said it was of little consequence and
went away As I was opening my window to let in the cool air I saw him passing
through the street this morning very early but he hasnt been again«
Passing through the street that morning Very early Jonas trembled at the
thought of having had a narrow chance of seeing him himself even him who had
no object but to avoid people and sneak on unobserved and keep his own
secrets and who saw nothing
He called to her to get his breakfast ready and prepared to go up stairs
attiring himself in the clothes he had taken off when he came into that room
which had been ever since outside the door In his secret dread of meeting the
household for the first time after what he had done he lingered at the door on
slight pretexts that they might see him without looking in his face and left it
ajar while he dressed and called out to have the windows opened and the
pavement watered that they might become accustomed to his voice Even when he
had put off the time by one means or other so that he had seen or spoken to
them all he could not muster courage for a long while to go in among them but
stood at his own door listening to the murmur of their distant conversation
He could not stop there for ever and so joined them His last glance at the
glass had seen a telltale face but that might have been because of his anxious
looking in it He dared not look at them to see if they observed him but he
thought them very silent
And whatsoever guard he kept upon himself he could not help listening and
showing that he listened Whether he attended to their talk or tried to think
of other things or talked himself or held his peace or resolutely counted the
dull tickings of a hoarse clock at his back he always lapsed as if a spell
were on him into eager listening For he knew it must come and his present
punishment and torture and distraction were to listen for its coming
Hush
Chapter XLVIII
Bears Tidings of Martin and of Mark as Well as of a Third Person not Quite
Unknown to the Reader Exhibits Filial Piety in an Ugly Aspect and Casts a
Doubtful Ray of Light upon a Very Dark Place
Tom Pinch and Ruth were sitting at their early breakfast with the window open
and a row of the freshest little plants ranged before it on the inside by Ruths
own hands and Ruth had fastened a sprig of geranium in Toms buttonhole to
make him very smart and summerlike for the day it was obliged to be fastened
in or that dear old Tom was certain to lose it and people were crying flowers
up and down the street and a blundering bee who had got himself in between the
two sashes of the window was bruising his head against the glass endeavouring
to force himself out into the fine morning and considering himself enchanted
because he couldnt do it and the morning was as fine a morning as ever was
seen and the fragrant air was kissing Ruth and rustling about Tom as if it
said »How are you my dears I came all this way on purpose to salute you« and
it was one of those glad times when we form or ought to form the wish that
every one on earth were able to be happy and catching glimpses of the summer of
the heart to feel the beauty of the summer of the year
It was even a pleasanter breakfast than usual and it was always a pleasant
one For little Ruth had now two pupils to attend each three times a week and
each two hours at a time and besides this she had painted some screens and
cardracks and unknown to Tom was there ever anything so delightful had
walked into a certain shop which dealt in such articles after often peeping
through the window and had taken courage to ask the mistress of that shop
whether she would buy them And the mistress had not only bought them but had
ordered more and that very morning Ruth had made confession of these facts to
Tom and had handed him the money in a little purse she had worked expressly for
the purpose They had been in a flutter about this and perhaps had shed a happy
tear or two for anything the history knows to the contrary but it was all over
now and a brighter face than Toms or a brighter face than Ruths the bright
sun had not looked on since he went to bed last night
»My dear girl« said Tom coming so abruptly on the subject that he
interrupted himself in the act of cutting a slice of bread and left the knife
sticking in the loaf »what a queer fellow our landlord is I dont believe he
has been home once since he got me into that unsatisfactory scrape I begin to
think he will never come home again What a mysterious life that man does lead
to be sure«
»Very strange Is it not Tom«
»Really« said Tom »I hope it is only strange I hope there may be nothing
wrong in it Sometimes I begin to be doubtful of that I must have an
explanation with him« said Tom shaking his head as if this were a most
tremendous threat »when I can catch him«
A short double knock at the door put Toms menacing looks to flight and
awakened an expression of surprise instead
»Heyday« said Tom »An early hour for visitors It must be John I
suppose«
»I I dont think it was his knock Tom« observed his little sister
»No« said Tom »It surely cant be my employer suddenly arrived in town
directed here by Mr Fips and come for the key of the office Its somebody
inquiring for me I declare Come in if you please«
But when the person came in Tom Pinch instead of saying »Did you wish to
speak with me sir« or »My name is Pinch sir what is your business may I
ask« or addressing him in any such distant terms cried out »Good gracious
Heaven« and seized him by both hands with the liveliest manifestations of
astonishment and pleasure
The visitor was not less moved than Tom himself and they shook hands a
great many times without another word being spoken on either side Tom was the
first to find his voice
»Mark Tapley too« said Tom running towards the door and shaking hands
with somebody else »My dear Mark come in How are you Mark He dont look a
day older than he used to do at the Dragon How are you Mark«
»Uncommonly jolly sir thankee« returned Mr Tapley all smiles and bows
»I hope I see you well sir«
»Good gracious me« cried Tom patting him tenderly on the back »How
delightful it is to hear his old voice again My dear Martin sit down My
sister Martin Mr Chuzzlewit my love Mark Tapley from the Dragon my dear
Good gracious me what a surprise this is Sit down Lord bless me«
Tom was in such a state of excitement that he couldnt keep himself still
for a moment but was constantly running between Mark and Martin shaking hands
with them alternately and presenting them over and over again to his sister
»I remember the day we parted Martin as well as if it were yesterday«
said Tom »What a day it was and what a passion you were in And dont you
remember my overtaking you in the road that morning Mark when I was going to
Salisbury in the gig to fetch him and you were looking out for a situation And
dont you recollect the dinner we had at Salisbury Martin with John Westlock
eh Good gracious me Ruth my dear Mr Chuzzlewit Mark Tapley my love from
the Dragon More cups and saucers if you please Bless my soul how glad I am
to see you both«
And then Tom as John Westlock had done on his arrival ran off to the loaf
to cut some bread and butter for them and before he had spread a single slice
remembered something else and came running back again to tell it and then he
shook hands with them again and then he introduced his sister again and then
he did everything he had done already all over again and nothing Tom could do
and nothing Tom could say was half sufficient to express his joy at their safe
return
Mr Tapley was the first to resume his composure In a very short space of
time he was discovered to have somehow installed himself in office as waiter
or attendant upon the party a fact which was first suggested to them by his
temporary absence in the kitchen and speedy return with a kettle of boiling
water from which he replenished the teapot with a self-possession that was
quite his own
»Sit down and take your breakfast Mark« said Tom »Make him sit down and
take his breakfast Martin«
»Oh I gave him up long ago as incorrigible« Martin replied »He takes
his own way Tom You would excuse him Miss Pinch if you knew his value«
»She knows it bless you« said Tom »I have told her all about Mark Tapley
Have I not Ruth«
»Yes Tom«
»Not all« returned Martin in a low voice »The best of Mark Tapley is only
known to one man Tom and but for Mark he would hardly be alive to tell it«
»Mark« said Tom Pinch energetically »if you dont sit down this minute
Ill swear at you«
»Well sir« returned Mr Tapley »sooner than you should do that Ill
comply Its a considerable invasion of a mans jollity to be made so
partickler welcome but a Werb is a word as signifies to be to do or to suffer
which is all the grammar and enough too as ever I wos taught and if theres
a Werb alive Im it For Im always a bein sometimes a doin and continually
a sufferin«
»Not jolly yet« asked Tom with a smile
»Why I was rather so over the water sir« returned Mr Tapley »and not
entirely without credit But Human Natur is in a conspiracy again me I cant
get on I shall have to leave it in my will sir to be wrote upon my tomb He
was a man as might have come out strong if he could have got a chance But it
was denied him«
Mr Tapley took this occasion of looking about him with a grin and
subsequently attacking the breakfast with an appetite not at all expressive of
blighted hopes or insurmountable despondency
In the meanwhile Martin drew his chair a little nearer to Tom and his
sister and related to them what had passed at Mr Pecksniffs house adding in
few words a general summary of the distresses and disappointments he had
undergone since he left England
»For your faithful stewardship in the trust I left with you Tom« he said
»and for all your goodness and disinterestedness I can never thank you enough
When I add Marys thanks to mine «
Ah Tom The blood retreated from his cheeks and came rushing back so
violently that it was pain to feel it ease though ease compared with the
aching of his wounded heart
»When I add Marys thanks to mine« said Martin »I have made the only poor
acknowledgment it is in our power to offer but if you knew how much we feel
Tom you would set some store by it I am sure«
And if they had known how much Tom felt but that no human creature ever
knew they would have set some store by him Indeed they would
Tom changed the topic of discourse He was sorry he could not pursue it as
it gave Martin pleasure but he was unable at that moment No drop of envy or
bitterness was in his soul but he could not master the firm utterance of her
name
He inquired what Martins projects were
»No longer to make your fortune Tom« said Martin »but to try to live I
tried that once in London Tom and failed If you will give me the benefit of
your advice and friendly counsel I may succeed better under your guidance I
will do anything Tom anything to gain a livelihood by my own exertions My
hopes do not soar above that now«
Highhearted noble Tom Sorry to find the pride of his old companion
humbled and to hear him speaking in this altered strain at once at once he
drove from his breast the inability to contend with its deep emotions and spoke
out bravely
»Your hopes do not soar above that« cried Tom »Yes they do How can you
talk so They soar up to the time when you will be happy with her Martin They
soar up to the time when you will be able to claim her Martin They soar up to
the time when you will not be able to believe that you were ever cast down in
spirit or poor in pocket Martin Advice and friendly counsel Why of course
But you shall have better advice and counsel though you cannot have more
friendly than mine You shall consult John Westlock Well go there
immediately It is yet so early that I shall have time to take you to his
chambers before I go to business they are in my way and I can leave you there
to talk over your affairs with him So come along Come along I am a man of
occupation now you know« said Tom with his pleasantest smile »and have no
time to lose Your hopes dont soar higher than that I dare say they dont I
know you pretty well Theyll be soaring out of sight soon Martin and leaving
all the rest of us leagues behind«
»Ay But I may be a little changed« said Martin »since you knew me pretty
well Tom«
»What nonsense« exclaimed Tom »Why should you be changed You talk as if
you were an old man I never heard such a fellow Come to John Westlocks come
Come along Mark Tapley Its Marks doing I have no doubt and it serves you
right for having such a grumbler for your companion«
»Theres no credit to be got through being jolly with you Mr Pinch
anyways« said Mark with his face all wrinkled up with grins »A parish doctor
might be jolly with you Theres nothing short of goin to the United States
for a second trip as would make it at all creditable to be jolly arter seein
you again«
Tom laughed and taking leave of his sister hurried Mark and Martin out
into the street and away to John Westlocks by the nearest road for his hour
of business was very near at hand and he prided himself on always being exact
to his time
John Westlock was at home but strange to say was rather embarrassed to
see them and when Tom was about to go into the room where he was breakfasting
said he had a stranger there It appeared to be a mysterious stranger for John
shut that door as he said it and led them into the next room
He was very much delighted though to see Mark Tapley and received Martin
with his own frank courtesy But Martin felt that he did not inspire John
Westlock with any unusual interest and twice or thrice observed that he looked
at Tom Pinch doubtfully not to say compassionately He thought and blushed to
think that he knew the cause of this
»I apprehend you are engaged« said Martin when Tom had announced the
purport of their visit »If you will allow me to come again at your own time I
shall be glad to do so«
»I am engaged« replied John with some reluctance »but the matter on which
I am engaged is one to say the truth more immediately demanding your knowledge
than mine«
»Indeed« cried Martin
»It relates to a member of your family and is of a serious nature If you
will have the kindness to remain here it will be a satisfaction to me to have
it privately communicated to you in order that you may judge of its importance
for yourself«
»And in the meantime« said Tom »I must really take myself off without any
further ceremony«
»Is your business so very particular« asked Martin »that you cannot remain
with us for half an hour I wish you could What is your business Tom«
It was Toms turn to be embarrassed now but he plainly said after a little
hesitation
»Why I am not at liberty to say what it is Martin though I hope soon to
be in a condition to do so and am aware of no other reason to prevent my doing
so now than the request of my employer Its an awkward position to be placed
in« said Tom with an uneasy sense of seeming to doubt his friend »as I feel
every day but I really cannot help it can I John«
John Westlock replied in the negative; and Martin expressing himself
perfectly satisfied begged them not to say another word though he could not
help wondering very much what curious office Tom held and why he was so
secret and embarrassed and unlike himself in reference to it Nor could he
help reverting to it in his own mind several times after Tom went away which
he did as soon as this conversation was ended taking Mr Tapley with him who
as he laughingly said might accompany him as far as Fleet Street without
injury
»And what do you mean to do Mark« asked Tom as they walked on together
»Mean to do sir« returned Mr Tapley
»Ay What course of life do you mean to pursue«
»Well sir« said Mr Tapley »The fact is that I have been athinking
rather of the matrimonial line sir«
»You dont say so Mark« cried Tom
»Yes sir Ive been aturnin of it over«
»And who is the lady Mark«
»The which sir« said Mr Tapley
»The lady Come You know what I said« replied Tom laughing »as well as I
do«
Mr Tapley suppressed his own inclination to laugh and with one of his most
whimsicallytwisted looks replied
»You couldnt guess I suppose Mr Pinch«
»How is it possible« said Tom »I dont know any of your flames Mark
Except Mrs Lupin indeed«
»Well sir« retorted Mr Tapley »And supposing it was her«
Tom stopping in the street to look at him Mr Tapley for a moment presented
to his view an utterly stolid and expressionless face a perfect dead wall of
countenance But opening window after window in it with astonishing rapidity
and lighting them all up as for a general illumination he repeated
»Supposin for the sake of argument as it was her sir«
»Why I thought such a connexion wouldnt suit you Mark on any terms«
cried Tom
»Well sir I used to think so myself once« said Mark »But I aint so
clear about it now A dear sweet creetur sir«
»A dear sweet creature To be sure she is« cried Tom »But she always was
a dear sweet creature was she not«
»Was she not« assented Mr Tapley
»Then why on earth didnt you marry her at first Mark instead of wandering
abroad and losing all this time and leaving her alone by herself liable to be
courted by other people«
»Why sir« retorted Mr Tapley in a spirit of unbounded confidence »Ill
tell you how it come about You know me Mr Pinch sir there aint a gentleman
alive as knows me better Youre acquainted with my constitution and youre
acquainted with my weakness My constitution is to be jolly and my weakness
is to wish to find a credit in it Wery good sir In this state of mind I
gets a notion in my head that she looks on me with a eye of with what you may
call a favourable sort of a eye in fact« said Mr Tapley with modest
hesitation
»No doubt« replied Tom »We knew that perfectly well when we spoke on this
subject long ago before you left the Dragon«
Mr Tapley nodded assent »Well sir But bein at that time full of hopeful
wisions I arrives at the conclusion that no credit is to be got out of such a
way of life as that where everything agreeable would be ready to ones hand
Lookin on the bright side of human life in short one of my hopeful wisions is
that theres a deal of misery awaitin for me in the midst of which I may come
out tolerable strong and be jolly under circumstances as reflects some credit
I goes into the world sir wery boyant and I tries this I goes aboard ship
first and wery soon discovers by the ease with which Im jolly mind you as
theres no credit to be got there I might have took warning by this and gave
it up but I didnt I gets to the United States and then I do begin I wont
deny it to feel some little credit in sustaining my spirits What follows Jest
as Im a beginning to come out and am a treadin on the werge my master
deceives me«
»Deceives you« cried Tom
»Swindles me« retorted Mr Tapley with a beaming face »Turns his back on
evry thing as made his service a creditable one and leaves me high and dry
without a leg to stand upon In which state I returns home Wery good Then all
my hopeful wisions bein crushed and findin that there aint no credit for me
nowhere I abandons myself to despair and says Let me do that as has the least
credit in it of all marry a dear sweet creetur as is wery fond of me me
being at the same time wery fond of her lead a happy life and struggle no
more again the blight which settles on my prospects«
»If your philosophy Mark« said Tom who laughed heartily at this speech
»be the oddest I ever heard of it is not the least wise Mrs Lupin has said
yes of course«
»Why no sir« replied Mr Tapley »she hasnt gone so far as that yet
Which I attribute principally to my not havin asked her But we was wery
agreeable together comfortable I may say the night I come home Its all
right sir«
»Well« said Tom stopping at the Temple Gate »I wish you joy Mark with
all my heart I shall see you again today I dare say Goodbye for the
present«
»Goodbye sir Goodbye Mr Pinch« he added by way of soliloquy as he
stood looking after him »Although you are a damper to a honourable ambition
You little think it but you was the first to dash my hopes Pecksniff would
have built me up for life but your sweet temper pulled me down Goodbye Mr
Pinch«
While these confidences were interchanged between Tom Pinch and Mark Martin
and John Westlock were very differently engaged They were no sooner left alone
together than Martin said with an effort he could not disguise
»Mr Westlock we have met only once before but you have known Tom a long
while and that seems to render you familiar to me I cannot talk freely with
you on any subject unless I relieve my mind of what oppresses it just now I see
with pain that you so far mistrust me that you think me likely to impose on
Toms regardlessness of himself or on his kind nature or some of his good
qualities«
»I had no intention« replied John »of conveying any such impression to
you and am exceedingly sorry to have done so«
»But you entertain it« said Martin
»You ask me so pointedly and directly« returned the other »that I cannot
deny the having accustomed myself to regard you as one who not in wantonness
but in mere thoughtlessness of character did not sufficiently consider his
nature and did not quite treat it as it deserves to be treated It is much
easier to slight than to appreciate Tom Pinch«
This was not said warmly but was energetically spoken too for there was no
subject in the world but one on which the speaker felt so strongly
»I grew into the knowledge of Tom« he pursued »as I grew towards manhood
and I have learned to love him as something infinitely better than myself I did
not think that you understood him when we met before I did not think that you
greatly cared to understand him The instances of this which I observed in you
were like my opportunities for observation very trivial and were very
harmless I dare say But they were not agreeable to me and they forced
themselves upon me for I was not upon the watch for them believe me You will
say« added John with a smile as he subsided into more of his accustomed
manner »that I am not by any means agreeable to you I can only assure you in
reply that I would not have originated this topic on any account«
»I originated it« said Martin »and so far from having any complaint to
make against you highly esteem the friendship you entertain for Tom and the
very many proofs you have given him of it Why should I endeavour to conceal
from you« he coloured deeply though »that I neither understood him nor cared
to understand him when I was his companion and that I am very truly sorry for
it now«
It was so sincerely said at once so modestly and manfully that John
offered him his hand as if he had not done so before and Martin giving his in
the same open spirit all constraint between the young men vanished
»Now pray« said John »when I tire your patience very much in what I am
going to say recollect that it has an end to it and that the end is the point
of the story«
With this preface he related all the circumstances connected with his
having presided over the illness and slow recovery of the patient at the Bull
and tacked on to the skirts of that narrative Toms own account of the business
on the wharf Martin was not a little puzzled when he came to an end for the
two stories seemed to have no connexion with each other and to leave him as
the phrase is all abroad
»If you will excuse me for one moment« said John rising »I will beg you
almost immediately to come into the next room«
Upon that he left Martin to himself in a state of considerable
astonishment and soon came back again to fulfil his promise Accompanying him
into the next room Martin found there a third person no doubt the stranger of
whom his host had spoken when Tom Pinch introduced him
He was a young man with deep black hair and eyes He was gaunt and pale
and evidently had not long recovered from a severe illness He stood as Martin
entered but sat again at Johns desire His eyes were cast downward and but
for one glance at them both half in humiliation and half in entreaty he kept
them so and sat quite still and silent
»This persons name is Lewsome« said John Westlock »whom I have mentioned
to you as having been seized with an illness at the Inn near here and undergone
so much He has had a very hard time of it ever since he began to recover but
as you see he is now doing well«
As he did not move or speak and John Westlock made a pause Martin not
knowing what to say said that he was glad to hear it
»The short statement that I wish you to hear from his own lips Mr
Chuzzlewit« John pursued looking attentively at him and not at Martin »he
made to me for the first time yesterday and repeated to me this morning
without the least variation of any essential particular I have already told you
that he informed me before he was removed from the Inn that he had a secret to
disclose to me which lay heavy on his mind But fluctuating between sickness
and health and between his desire to relieve himself of it and his dread of
involving himself by revealing it he has until yesterday avoided the
disclosure I never pressed him for it having no idea of its weight or import
or of my right to do so until within a few days past when understanding from
him on his own voluntary avowal in a letter from the country that it related
to a person whose name was Jonas Chuzzlewit and thinking that it might throw
some light on that little mystery which made Tom anxious now and then I urged
the point upon him and heard his statement as you will now from his own lips
It is due to him to say that in the apprehension of death he committed it to
writing sometime since and folded it in a sealed paper addressed to me which
he could not resolve however to place of his own act in my hands He has the
paper in his breast I believe at this moment«
The young man touched it hastily in corroboration of the fact
»It will be well to leave that in our charge perhaps« said John »But do
not mind it now«
As he said this he held up his hand to bespeak Martins attention It was
already fixed upon the man before him who after a short silence said in a
low weak hollow voice
»What relation was Mr Anthony Chuzzlewit who «
» Who died to me« said Martin »He was my grandfathers brother«
»I fear he was made away with Murdered«
»My God« said Martin »By whom«
The young man Lewsome looked up in his face and casting down his eyes
again replied
»I fear by me«
»By you« cried Martin
»Not by my act but I fear by my means«
»Speak out« said Martin »and speak the truth«
»I fear this is the truth«
Martin was about to interrupt him again but John Westlock saying softly
»Let him tell his story in his own way« Lewsome went on thus
»I have been bred a surgeon and for the last few years have served a
general practitioner in the City as his assistant While I was in his
employment I became acquainted with Jonas Chuzzlewit He is the principal in
this deed«
»What do you mean« demanded Martin sternly »Do you know he is the son of
the old man of whom you have spoken«
»I do« he answered
He remained silent for some moments when he resumed at the point where he
had left off
»I have reason to know it for I have often heard him wish his old father
dead and complain of his being wearisome to him and a drag upon him He was in
the habit of doing so at a place of meeting we had three or four of us at
night There was no good in the place you may suppose when you hear that he
was the chief of the party I wish I had died myself and never seen it«
He stopped again and again resumed as before
»We met to drink and game not for large sums but for sums that were large
to us He generally won Whether or no he lent money at interest to those who
lost and in this way though I think we all secretly hated him he came to be
the master of us To propitiate him we made a jest of his father it began with
his debtors I was one and we used to toast a quicker journey to the old man
and a swift inheritance to the young one«
He paused again
»One night he came there in a very bad humour He had been greatly tried he
said by the old man that day He and I were alone together and he angrily told
me that the old man was in his second childhood that he was weak imbecile
and drivelling as unbearable to himself as he was to other people and that it
would be a charity to put him out of the way He swore that he had often thought
of mixing something with the stuff he took for his cough which should help him
to die easily People were sometimes smothered who were bitten by mad dogs he
said and why not help these lingering old men out of their troubles too He
looked full at me as he said so and I looked full at him but it went no
farther that night«
He stopped once more and was silent for so long an interval that John
Westlock said »Go on« Martin had never removed his eyes from his face but was
so absorbed in horror and astonishment that he could not speak
»It may have been a week after that or it may have been less or more the
matter was in my mind all the time but I cannot recollect the time as I should
any other period when he spoke to me again We were alone then too being
there before the usual hour of assembling There was no appointment between us
but I think I went there to meet him and I know he came there to meet me He
was there first He was reading a newspaper when I went in and nodded to me
without looking up or leaving off reading I sat down opposite and close to
him He said immediately that he wanted me to get him some of two sorts of
drugs One that was instantaneous in its effect of which he wanted very little
One that was slow and not suspicious in appearance of which he wanted more
While he was speaking to me he still read the newspaper He said Drugs and
never used any other word Neither did I«
»This all agrees with what I have heard before« observed John Westlock
»I asked him what he wanted the drugs for He said for no harm to physic
cats what did it matter to me I was going out to a distant colony I had
recently got the appointment which as Mr Westlock knows I have since lost by
my sickness and which was my only hope of salvation from ruin and what did it
matter to me He could get them without my aid at half a hundred places but not
so easily as he could get them of me This was true He might not want them at
all he said and he had no present idea of using them but he wished to have
them by him All this time he still read the newspaper We talked about the
price He was to forgive me a small debt I was quite in his power and to pay
me five pounds and there the matter dropped through others coming in But
next night under exactly similar circumstances I gave him the drugs on his
saying I was a fool to think that he should ever use them for any harm and he
gave me the money We have never met since I only know that the poor old father
died soon afterwards just as he would have died from this cause and that I
have undergone and suffer now intolerable misery Nothing« he added
stretching out his hands »can paint my misery It is well deserved but nothing
can paint it«
With that he hung his head and said no more Wasted and wretched he was
not a creature upon whom to heap reproaches that were unavailing
»Let him remain at hand« said Martin turning from him »but out of sight
in Heavens name«
»He will remain here« John whispered »Come with me« Softly turning the
key upon him as they went out he conducted Martin into the adjoining room in
which they had been before
Martin was so amazed so shocked and confounded by what he had heard that
it was some time before he could reduce it to any order in his mind or could
sufficiently comprehend the bearing of one part upon another to take in all the
details at one view When he at length had the whole narrative clearly before
him John Westlock went on to point out the great probability of the guilt of
Jonas being known to other people who traded in it for their own benefit and
who were by such means able to exert that control over him which Tom Pinch had
accidentally witnessed and unconsciously assisted This appeared so plain that
they agreed upon it without difficulty but instead of deriving the least
assistance from this source they found that it embarrassed them the more
They knew nothing of the real parties who possessed this power The only
person before them was Toms landlord They had no right to question Toms
landlord even if they could find him which according to Toms account it
would not be easy to do And granting that they did question him and he
answered which was taking a good deal for granted he had only to say with
reference to the adventure on the wharf that he had been sent from such and
such a place to summon Jonas back on urgent business and there was an end of
it
Besides there was the great difficulty and responsibility of moving at all
in the matter Lewsomes story might be false in his wretched state it might be
greatly heightened by a diseased brain or admitting it to be entirely true the
old man might have died a natural death Mr Pecksniff had been there at the
time as Tom immediately remembered when he came back in the afternoon and
shared their counsels and there had been no secrecy about it Martins
grandfather was of right the person to decide upon the course that should be
taken but to get at his views would be impossible for Mr Pecksniffs views
were certain to be his And the nature of Mr Pecksniffs views in reference to
his own soninlaw might be easily reckoned upon
Apart from these considerations Martin could not endure the thought of
seeming to grasp at this unnatural charge against his relative and using it as
a steppingstone to his grandfathers favour But that he would seem to do so
if he presented himself before his grandfather in Mr Pecksniffs house again
for the purpose of declaring it and that Mr Pecksniff of all men would
represent his conduct in that despicable light he perfectly well knew On the
other hand to be in possession of such a statement and take no measures of
further inquiry in reference to it was tantamount to being a partner in the
guilt it professed to disclose
In a word they were wholly unable to discover any outlet from this maze of
difficulty which did not lie through some perplexed and entangled thicket And
although Mr Tapley was promptly taken into their confidence and the fertile
imagination of that gentleman suggested many bold expedients which to do him
justice he was quite ready to carry into instant operation on his own personal
responsibility still bating the general zeal of Mr Tapleys nature nothing
was made particularly clearer by these offers of service
It was in this position of affairs that Toms account of the strange
behaviour of the decayed clerk on the night of the teaparty became of great
moment and finally convinced them that to arrive at a more accurate knowledge
of the workings of that old mans mind and memory would be to take a most
important stride in their pursuit of the truth So having first satisfied
themselves that no communication had ever taken place between Lewsome and Mr
Chuffey which would have accounted at once for any suspicions the latter might
entertain they unanimously resolved that the old clerk was the man they
wanted
But like the unanimous resolution of a public meeting which will
oftentimes declare that this or that grievance is not to be borne a moment
longer which is nevertheless borne for a century or two afterwards without any
modification they only reached in this the conclusion that they were all of one
mind For it was one thing to want Mr Chuffey and another thing to get at
him and to do that without alarming him or without alarming Jonas or without
being discomfited by the difficulty of striking in an instrument so out of tune
and so unused the note they sought was an end as far from their reach as ever
The question then became who of those about the old clerk had had most
influence with him that night Tom said his young mistress clearly But Tom and
all of them shrunk from the thought of entrapping her and making her the
innocent means of bringing retribution on her cruel husband Was there nobody
else Why yes In a very different way Tom said he was influenced by Mrs
Gamp the nurse who had once had the control of him as he understood for some
time
They caught at this immediately Here was a new way out developed in a
quarter until then overlooked John Westlock knew Mrs Gamp he had given her
employment he was acquainted with her place of residence for that good lady
had obligingly furnished him at parting with a pack of her professional cards
for general distribution It was decided that Mrs Gamp should be approached
with caution but approached without delay and that the depths of that discreet
matrons knowledge of Mr Chuffey and means of bringing them or one of them
into communication with him should be carefully sounded
On this service Martin and John Westlock determined to proceed that night
waiting on Mrs Gamp first at her lodgings and taking their chance of finding
her in the repose of private life or of having to seek her out elsewhere in
the exercise of her professional duties Tom returned home that he might lose
no opportunity of having an interview with Nadgett by being absent in the event
of his reappearance And Mr Tapley remained by his own particular desire for
the time being in Furnivals Inn to look after Lewsome who might safely have
been left to himself however for any thought he seemed to entertain of giving
them the slip
Before they parted on their several errands they caused him to read aloud
in the presence of them all the paper which he had about him and the
declaration he had attached to it which was to the effect that he had written
it voluntarily in the fear of death and in the torture of his mind And when he
had done so they all signed it and taking it from him of his free will
locked it in a place of safety
Martin also wrote by Johns advice a letter to the trustees of the famous
Grammar School boldly claiming the successful design as his and charging Mr
Pecksniff with the fraud he had committed In this proceeding also John was
hotly interested observing with his usual irreverence that Mr Pecksniff had
been a successful rascal all his life through and that it would be a lasting
source of happiness to him John if he could help to do him justice in the
smallest particular
A busy day But Martin had no lodgings yet so when these matters were
disposed of he excused himself from dining with John Westlock and was fain to
wander out alone and look for some He succeeded after great trouble in
engaging two garrets for himself and Mark situated in a court in the Strand
not far from Temple Bar Their luggage which was waiting for them at a
coachoffice he conveyed to this new place of refuge and it was with a glow of
satisfaction which as a selfish man he never could have known and never had
that thinking how much pains and trouble he had saved Mark and how pleased and
astonished Mark would be he afterwards walked up and down in the Temple
eating a meatpie for his dinner
Chapter XLIX
In which Mrs Harris Assisted by a TeaPot Is the Cause of a Division Between
Friends
Mrs Gamps apartment in Kingsgate Street High Holborn wore metaphorically
speaking a robe of state It was swept and garnished for the reception of a
visitor That visitor was Betsey Prig Mrs Prig of Bartlemys or as some said
Barklemys or as some said Bardlemys for by all these endearing and familiar
appellations had the hospital of Saint Bartholomew become a household word
among the sisterhood which Betsey Prig adorned
Mrs Gamps apartment was not a spacious one but to a contented mind a
closet is a palace and the firstfloor front at Mr Sweedlepipes may have
been in the imagination of Mrs Gamp a stately pile If it were not exactly
that to restless intellects it at least comprised as much accommodation as any
person not sanguine to insanity could have looked for in a room of its
dimensions For only keep the bedstead always in your mind and you were safe
That was the grand secret Remembering the bedstead you might even stoop to
look under the little round table for anything you had dropped without hurting
yourself much against the chest of drawers or qualifying as a patient of Saint
Bartholomew by falling into the fire
Visitors were much assisted in their cautious efforts to preserve an
unflagging recollection of this piece of furniture by its size which was
great It was not a turnup bedstead nor yet a French bedstead nor yet a
fourpost bedstead but what is poetically called a tent the sacking whereof
was low and bulgy insomuch that Mrs Gamps box would not go under it but
stopped halfway in a manner which while it did violence to the reason
likewise endangered the legs of a stranger The frame too which would have
supported the canopy and hangings if there had been any was ornamented with
divers pippins carved in timber which on the slightest provocation and
frequently on none at all came tumbling down harassing the peaceful guest with
inexplicable terrors
The bed itself was decorated with a patchwork quilt of great antiquity and
at the upper end upon the side nearest to the door hung a scanty curtain of
blue check which prevented the Zephyrs that were abroad in Kingsgate Street
from visiting Mrs Gamps head too roughly Some rusty gowns and other articles
of that ladys wardrobe depended from the posts and these had so adapted
themselves by long usage to her figure that more than one impatient husband
coming in precipitately at about the time of twilight had been for an instant
stricken dumb by the supposed discovery that Mrs Gamp had hanged herself One
gentleman coming on the usual hasty errand had said indeed that they looked
like guardian angels »watching of her in her sleep« But that as Mrs Gamp
said »was his first« and he never repeated the sentiment though he often
repeated his visit
The chairs in Mrs Gamps apartment were extremely large and broadbacked
which was more than a sufficient reason for there being but two in number They
were both elbowchairs of ancient mahogany and were chiefly valuable for the
slippery nature of their seats which had been originally horsehair but were
now covered with a shiny substance of a bluish tint from which the visitor
began to slide away with a dismayed countenance immediately after sitting down
What Mrs Gamp wanted in chairs she made up in bandboxes of which she had a
great collection devoted to the reception of various miscellaneous valuables
which were not however as well protected as the good woman by a pleasant
fiction seemed to think for though every bandbox had a carefully closed lid
not one among them had a bottom owing to which cause the property within was
merely as it were extinguished The chest of drawers having been originally
made to stand upon the top of another chest had a dwarfish elfin look alone
but in regard of its security it had a great advantage over the bandboxes for
as all the handles had been long ago pulled off it was very difficult to get at
its contents This indeed was only to be done by one of two devices either by
tilting the whole structure forward until all the drawers fell out together or
by opening them singly with knives like oysters
Mrs Gamp stored all her household matters in a little cupboard by the
fireplace beginning below the surface as in nature) with the coals and
mounting gradually upwards to the spirits which from motives of delicacy she
kept in a teapot The chimneypiece was ornamented with a small almanack
marked here and there in Mrs Gamps own hand with a memorandum of the date at
which some lady was expected to fall due It was also embellished with three
profiles one in colours of Mrs Gamp herself in early life one in bronze
of a lady in feathers supposed to be Mrs Harris as she appeared when dressed
for a ball and one in black of Mr Gamp deceased The last was a full
length in order that the likeness might be rendered more obvious and forcible
by the introduction of the wooden leg
A pair of bellows a pair of pattens a toastingfork a kettle a papboat
a spoon for the administration of medicine to the refractory and lastly Mrs
Gamps umbrella which as something of great price and rarity was displayed with
particular ostentation completed the decorations of the chimneypiece and
adjacent wall Towards these objects Mrs Gamp raised her eyes in satisfaction
when she had arranged the teaboard and had concluded her arrangements for the
reception of Betsey Prig even unto the setting forth of two pounds of Newcastle
salmon intensely pickled
»There Now drat you Betsey dont be long« said Mrs Gamp apostrophising
her absent friend »For I cant abear to wait I do assure you To wotever place
I goes I sticks to this one mortar Im easy pleased it is but little as I
wants but I must have that little of the best and to the minute when the clock
strikes else we do not part as I could wish but bearin malice in our arts«
Her own preparations were of the best for they comprehended a delicate new
loaf a plate of fresh butter a basin of fine white sugar and other
arrangements on the same scale Even the snuff with which she now refreshed
herself was so choice in quality that she took a second pinch
»Theres the little bell a ringing now« said Mrs Gamp hurrying to the
stairhead and looking over »Betsey Prig my why its that there disapintin
Sweedlepipes I do believe«
»Yes its me« said the barber in a faint voice »Ive just come in«
»Youre always a comin in I think« muttered Mrs Gamp to herself »except
wen youre a going out I hant no patience with that man«
»Mrs Gamp« said the barber »I say Mrs Gamp«
»Well« cried Mrs Gamp impatiently as she descended the stairs »What is
it Is the Thames afire and cooking its own fish Mr Sweedlepipes Why wots
the man gone and been adoin of to himself Hes as white as chalk«
She added the latter clause of inquiry when she got down stairs and found
him seated in the shavingchair pale and disconsolate
»You recollect« said Poll »You recollect young «
»Not young Wilkins« cried Mrs Gamp »Dont say young Wilkins wotever you
do If young Wilkinss wife is took «
»It isnt anybodys wife« exclaimed the little barber »Bailey young
Bailey«
»Why wot do you mean to say that chits been adoin of« retorted Mrs
Gamp sharply »Stuff and nonsense Mr Sweedlepipes«
»He hasnt been adoing anything« exclaimed poor Poll quite desperate
»What do you catch me up so short for when you see me put out to that extent
that I can hardly speak Hell never do anything again Hes done for Hes
killed The first time I ever see that boy« said Poll »I charged him too much
for a redpoll I asked him threehalfpence for a penny one because I was
afraid hed beat me down But he didnt And now hes dead and if you was to
crowd all the steamengines and electric fluids that ever was into this shop
and set em every one to work their hardest they couldnt square the account
though its only a hapenny«
Mr Sweedlepipe turned aside to the towel and wiped his eyes with it
»And what a clever boy he was« he said »What a surprising young chap he
was How he talked and what a deal he knowd Shaved in this very chair he was
only for fun it was all his fun he was full of it Ah to think that hell
never be shaved in earnest The birds might every one have died and welcome«
cried the little barber looking round him at the cages and again applying to
the towel »sooner than Id have heard this news«
»How did you ever come to hear it« said Mrs Gamp »Who told you«
»I went out« returned the little barber »into the City to meet a sporting
Gent upon the Stock Exchange that wanted a few slow pigeons to practise at
and when Id done with him I went to get a little drop of beer and there I
heard everybody atalking about it Its in the papers«
»You are in a nice state of confugion Mr Sweedlepipes you are« said Mrs
Gamp shaking her head »and my opinion is as halfadudgeon fresh young lively
leeches on your temples wouldnt be too much to clear your mind which so I
tell you Wot were they atalkin on and wot was in the papers«
»All about it« cried the barber »What else do you suppose Him and his
master were upset on a journey and he was carried to Salisbury and was
breathing his last when the account came away He never spoke afterwards Not a
single word Thats the worst of it to me but that aint all His master cant
be found The other manager of their office in the city Crimple David Crimple
has gone off with the money and is advertised for with a reward upon the
walls Mr Montague poor young Baileys master what a boy he was is
advertised for too Some say hes slipped off to join his friend abroad some
say he maynt have got away yet and theyre looking for him high and low Their
office is a smash a swindle altogether But whats a Life Assurance Office to a
Life And what a Life Young Baileys was«
»He was born into a wale« said Mrs Gamp with philosophical coolness »and
he lived in a wale and he must take the consequences of sech a sitiwation But
dont you hear nothink of Mr Chuzzlewit in all this«
»No« said Poll »nothing to speak of His name wasnt printed as one of the
board though some people say it was just going to be Some believe he was took
in and some believe he was one of the takersin but however that may be they
cant prove nothing against him This morning he went up of his own accord afore
the Lord Mayor or some of them City bigwigs and complained that hed been
swindled and that these two persons had gone off and cheated him and that he
had just found out that Montagues name wasnt even Montague but something
else And they do say that he looked like Death owing to his losses But Lord
forgive me« cried the barber coming back again to the subject of his
individual grief »whats his looks to me He might have died and welcome fifty
times and not been such a loss as Bailey«
At this juncture the little bell rang and the deep voice of Mrs Prig
struck into the conversation
»Oh Youre atalkin about it are you« observed that lady »Well I hope
youve got it over for I aint interested in it myself«
»My precious Betsey« said Mrs Gamp »how late you are«
The worthy Mrs Prig replied with some asperity »that if perwerse people
went off dead when they was least expected it warnt no fault of hern« And
further »that it was quite aggrawation enough to be made late when one was
dropping for ones tea without hearing on it again«
Mrs Gamp deriving from this exhibition of repartee some clue to the state
of Mrs Prigs feelings instantly conducted her up stairs deeming that the
sight of pickled salmon might work a softening change
But Betsey Prig expected pickled salmon It was obvious that she did for
her first words after glancing at the table were
»I knowd she wouldnt have a coucumber«
Mrs Gamp changed colour and sat down upon the bedstead
»Lord bless you Betsey Prig your words is true I quite forgot it«
Mrs Prig looking steadfastly at her friend put her hand in her pocket
and with an air of surly triumph drew forth either the oldest of lettuces or
youngest of cabbages but at any rate a green vegetable of an expansive nature
and of such magnificent proportions that she was obliged to shut it up like an
umbrella before she could pull it out She also produced a handful of mustard
and cress a trifle of the herb called dandelion three bunches of radishes an
onion rather larger than an average turnip three substantial slices of
beetroot and a short prong or antler of celery the whole of this gardenstuff
having been publicly exhibited but a short time before as a twopenny salad
and purchased by Mrs Prig on condition that the vendor could get it all into
her pocket Which had been happily accomplished in High Holborn to the
breathless interest of a hackneycoach stand And she laid so little stress on
this surprising forethought that she did not even smile but returning her
pocket into its accustomed sphere merely recommended that these productions of
nature should be sliced up for immediate consumption in plenty of vinegar
»And dont go a dropping none of your snuff in it« said Mrs Prig »In
gruel barleywater appletea muttonbroth and that it dont signify It
stimilates a patient But I dont relish it myself«
»Why Betsey Prig« cried Mrs Gamp »how can you talk so«
»Why aint your patients wotever their diseases is always a sneezin
their wery heads off along of your snuff« said Mrs Prig
»And wot if they are« said Mrs Gamp
»Nothing if they are« said Mrs Prig »But dont deny it Sairah«
»Who deniges of it« Mrs Gamp inquired
Mrs Prig returned no answer
»WHO deniges of it Betsey« Mrs Gamp inquired again Then Mrs Gamp by
reversing the question imparted a deeper and more awful character of solemnity
to the same »Betsey who deniges of it«
It was the nearest possible approach to a very decided difference of opinion
between these ladies but Mrs Prigs impatience for the meal being greater at
the moment than her impatience of contradiction she replied for the present
»Nobody if you dont Sairah« and prepared herself for tea For a quarrel can
be taken up at any time but a limited quantity of salmon cannot
Her toilet was simple She had merely to chuck her bonnet and shawl upon the
bed give her hair two pulls one upon the right side and one upon the left as
if she were ringing a couple of bells and all was done The tea was already
made Mrs Gamp was not long over the salad and they were soon at the height of
their repast
The temper of both parties was improved for the time being by the
enjoyments of the table When the meal came to a termination which it was
pretty long in doing and Mrs Gamp having cleared away produced the teapot
from the topshelf simultaneously with a couple of wineglasses they were
quite amiable
»Betsey« said Mrs Gamp filling her own glass and passing the teapot »I
will now propoge a toast My frequent pardner Betsey Prig«
»Which altering the name to Sairah Gamp I drink« said Mrs Prig »with
love and tenderness«
From this moment symptoms of inflammation began to lurk in the nose of each
lady and perhaps notwithstanding all appearances to the contrary in the
temper also
»Now Sairah« said Mrs Prig »joining business with pleasure wot is this
case in which you wants me«
Mrs Gamp betraying in her face some intention of returning an evasive
answer Betsey added
»Is it Mrs Harris«
»No Betsey Prig it aint« was Mrs Gamps reply
»Well« said Mrs Prig with a short laugh »Im glad of that at any rate«
»Why should you be glad of that Betsey« Mrs Gamp retorted warmly »She
is unbeknown to you except by hearsay why should you be glad If you have
anythink to say contrairy to the character of Mrs Harris which well I knows
behind her back afore her face or anywheres is not to be impeaged out with
it Betsey I have knowd that sweetest and best of women« said Mrs Gamp
shaking her head and shedding tears »ever since afore her First which Mr
Harris who was dreadful timid went and stopped his ears in a empty dogkennel
and never took his hands away or come out once till he was showed the baby wen
bein took with fits the doctor collared him and laid him on his back upon the
airy stones and she was told to ease her mind his owls was organs And I have
knowd her Betsey Prig when he has hurt her feelin art by sayin of his Ninth
that it was one too many if not two while that dear innocent was cooin in his
face which thrive it did though bandy but I have never knowd as you had
occagion to be glad Betsey on accounts of Mrs Harris not requiring you
Require she never will depend upon it for her constant words in sickness is
and will be Send for Sairey«
During this touching address Mrs Prig adroitly feigning to be the victim
of that absence of mind which has its origin in excessive attention to one
topic helped herself from the teapot without appearing to observe it Mrs
Gamp observed it however and came to a premature close in consequence
»Well it aint her it seems« said Mrs Prig coldly »who is it then«
»You have heerd me mention Betsey« Mrs Gamp replied after glancing in an
expressive and marked manner at the teapot »a person as I took care on at the
time as you and me was pardners off and on in that there fever at the Bull«
»Old Snuffey« Mrs Prig observed
Sarah Gamp looked at her with an eye of fire for she saw in this mistake of
Mrs Prig another wilful and malignant stab at that same weakness or custom of
hers an ungenerous allusion to which on the part of Betsey had first
disturbed their harmony that evening And she saw it still more clearly when
politely but firmly correcting that lady by the distinct enunciation of the word
Chuffey Mrs Prig received the correction with a diabolical laugh
The best among us have their failings and it must be conceded of Mrs Prig
that if there were a blemish in the goodness of her disposition it was a habit
she had of not bestowing all its sharp and acid properties upon her patients as
a thoroughly amiable woman would have done but of keeping a considerable
remainder for the service of her friends Highly pickled salmon and lettuces
chopped up in vinegar may as viands possessing some acidity of their own have
encouraged and increased this failing in Mrs Prig and every application to the
teapot certainly did for it was often remarked of her by her friends that
she was most contradictory when most elevated It is certain that her
countenance became about this time derisive and defiant and that she sat with
her arms folded and one eye shut up in a somewhat offensive because
obtrusively intelligent manner
Mrs Gamp observing this felt it the more necessary that Mrs Prig should
know her place and be made sensible of her exact station in society as well as
of her obligations to herself She therefore assumed an air of greater patronage
and importance as she went on to answer Mrs Prig a little more in detail
»Mr Chuffey Betsey« said Mrs Gamp »is weak in his mind Excuge me if I
makes remark that he may neither be so weak as people thinks nor people may
not think he is so weak as they pretends and what I knows I knows and what
you dont you dont so do not ask me Betsey But Mr Chuffeys friends has
made propojals for his bein took care on and has said to me Mrs Gamp will
you undertake it We couldnt think they says of trusting him to nobody but
you for Sairey you are gold as has passed the furnage Will you undertake it
at your own price day and night and by your own self No I says I will not
Do not reckon on it There is I says but one creetur in the world as I would
undertake on sech terms and her name is Harris But I says I am acquainted
with a friend whose name is Betsey Prig that I can recommend and will assist
me Betsey I says is always to be trusted under me and will be guided as I
could desire«
Here Mrs Prig without any abatement of her offensive manner again
counterfeited abstraction of mind and stretched out her hand to the teapot It
was more than Mrs Gamp could bear She stopped the hand of Mrs Prig with her
own and said with great feeling
»No Betsey Drink fair wotever you do«
Mrs Prig thus baffled threw herself back in her chair and closing the
same eye more emphatically and folding her arms tighter suffered her head to
roll slowly from side to side while she surveyed her friend with a contemptuous
smile
Mrs Gamp resumed
»Mrs Harris Betsey «
»Bother Mrs Harris« said Betsey Prig
Mrs Gamp looked at her with amazement incredulity and indignation when
Mrs Prig shutting her eye still closer and folding her arms still tighter
uttered these memorable and tremendous words
»I dont believe theres no sich a person«
After the utterance of which expressions she leaned forward and snapped
her fingers once twice thrice each time nearer to the face of Mrs Gamp and
then rose to put on her bonnet as one who felt that there was now a gulf
between them which nothing could ever bridge across
The shock of this blow was so violent and sudden that Mrs Gamp sat staring
at nothing with uplifted eyes and her mouth open as if she were gasping for
breath until Betsey Prig had put on her bonnet and her shawl and was gathering
the latter about her throat Then Mrs Gamp rose morally and physically rose
and denounced her
»What« said Mrs Gamp »you bage creetur have I knowd Mrs Harris five
and thirty year to be told at last that there aint no sech a person livin
Have I stood her friend in all her troubles great and small for it to come at
last to sech a end as this which her own sweet picter hanging up afore you all
the time to shame your Bragian words But well you maynt believe theres no
sech a creetur for she wouldnt demean herself to look at you and often has
she said when I have made mention of your name which to my sinful sorrow I
have done What Sairey Gamp debage yourself to her Go along with you«
»Im a goin maam aint I« said Mrs Prig stopping as she said it
»You had better maam« said Mrs Gamp
»Do you know who youre talking to maam« inquired her visitor
»Aperiently« said Mrs Gamp surveying her with scorn from head to foot
»to Betsey Prig Aperiently so I know her No one better Go along with you«
»And you was a going to take me under you« cried Mrs Prig surveying Mrs
Gamp from head to foot in her turn »You was was you Oh how kind Why deuce
take your imperence« said Mrs Prig with a rapid change from banter to
ferocity »what do you mean«
»Go along with you« said Mrs Gamp »I blush for you«
»You had better blush a little for yourself while you are about it« said
Mrs Prig »You and your Chuffeys What the poor old creetur isnt mad enough
isnt he Aha«
»Hed very soon be mad enough if you had anything to do with him« said
Mrs Gamp
»And thats what I was wanted for is it« cried Mrs Prig triumphantly
»Yes But youll find yourself deceived I wont go near him We shall see how
you get on without me I wont have nothink to do with him«
»You never spoke a truer word than that« said Mrs Gamp »Go along with
you«
She was prevented from witnessing the actual retirement of Mrs Prig from
the room notwithstanding the great desire she had expressed to behold it by
that lady in her angry withdrawal coming into contact with the bedstead and
bringing down the previously mentioned pippins three or four of which came
rattling on the head of Mrs Gamp so smartly that when she recovered from this
wooden showerbath Mrs Prig was gone
She had the satisfaction however of hearing the deep voice of Betsey
proclaiming her injuries and her determination to have nothing to do with Mr
Chuffey down the stairs and along the passage and even out in Kingsgate
Street Likewise of seeing in her own apartment in the place of Mrs Prig Mr
Sweedlepipe and two gentlemen
»Why bless my life« exclaimed the little barber »whats amiss The noise
you ladies have been making Mrs Gamp Why these two gentlemen have been
standing on the stairs outside the door nearly all the time trying to make
you hear while you were pelting away hammer and tongs Itll be the death of
the little bullfinch in the shop that draws his own water In his fright hes
been a straining himself all to bits drawing more water than he could drink in
a twelvemonth He must have thought it was Fire«
Mrs Gamp had in the meanwhile sunk into her chair from whence turning up
her overflowing eyes and clasping her hands she delivered the following
lamentation
»Oh Mr Sweedlepipes which Mr Westlock also if my eyes do not deceive
and a friend not havin the pleasure of bein beknown wot I have took from
Betsey Prig this blessed night no mortial creetur knows If she had abuged me
bein in liquor which I thought I smelt her wen she come but could not so
believe not bein used mysef« Mrs Gamp by the way was pretty far gone
and the fragrance of the teapot was strong in the room »I could have bore it
with a thankful art But the words she spoke of Mrs Harris lambs could not
forgive No Betsey« said Mrs Gamp in a violent burst of feeling »nor worms
forget«
The little barber scratched his head and shook it and looked at the
teapot and gradually got out of the room John Westlock taking a chair sat
down on one side of Mrs Gamp Martin taking the foot of the bed supported her
on the other
»You wonder what we want I dare say« observed John »Ill tell you
presently when you have recovered Its not pressing for a few minutes or so
How do you find yourself Better«
Mrs Gamp shed more tears shook her head and feebly pronounced Mrs
Harriss name
»Have a little « John was at a loss what to call it
»Tea« suggested Martin
»It aint tea« said Mrs Gamp
»Physic of some sort I suppose« cried John »Have a little«
Mrs Gamp was prevailed upon to take a glassful »On condition« she
passionately observed »as Betsey never has another stroke of work from me«
»Certainly not« said John »She shall never help to nurse me«
»To think« said Mrs Gamp »as she should ever have helped to nuss that
friend of yourn and been so near of hearing things that Ah«
John looked at Martin
»Yes« he said »That was a narrow escape Mrs Gamp«
»Narrer indeed« she returned »It was only my having the night and
hearin of him in his wanderins and her the day that saved it Wot would she
have said and done if she had knowd what I know that perfeejus wretch Yet
oh good gracious me« cried Mrs Gamp trampling on the floor in the absence of
Mrs Prig »that I should hear from that same womans lips what I have heerd her
speak of Mrs Harris«
»Never mind« said John »You know it is not true«
»Isnt true« cried Mrs Gamp »True Dont I know as that dear woman is
expecting of me at this minnit Mr Westlock and is a lookin out of window
down the street with little Tommy Harris in her arms as calls me his own
Gammy and truly calls for bless the mottled little legs of that there precious
child like Canterbury Brawn his own dear father says which so they are his
own I have been ever since I found him Mr Westlock with his small red
worsted shoe a gurglin in his throat where he had put it in his play a chick
wile they was leavin of him on the floor a looking for it through the ouse and
him a choakin sweetly in the parlour Oh Betsey Prig what wickedness youve
showed this night but never shall you darken Saireys doors agen you twining
serpiant«
»You were always so kind to her too« said John consolingly
»Thats the cutting part Thats where it hurts me Mr Westlock« Mrs Gamp
replied holding out her glass unconsciously while Martin filled it
»Chosen to help you with Mr Lewsome« said John »Chosen to help you with
Mr Chuffey«
»Chose once but chose no more« cried Mrs Gamp »No pardnership with
Betsey Prig agen sir«
»No no« said John »That would never do«
»I dont know as it ever would have done sir« Mrs Gamp replied with the
solemnity peculiar to a certain stage of intoxication »Now that the marks« by
which Mrs Gamp is supposed to have meant mask »is off that creeturs face I
do not think it ever would have done There are reagions in families for keeping
things a secret Mr Westlock and havin only them about you as you knows you
can repoge in Who could repoge in Betsey Prig arter her words of Mrs Harris
setting in that chair afore my eyes«
»Quite true« said John »quite I hope you have time to find another
assistant Mrs Gamp«
Between her indignation and the teapot her powers of comprehending what
was said to her began to fail She looked at John with tearful eyes and
murmuring the wellremembered name which Mrs Prig had challenged as if it
were a talisman against all earthly sorrows seemed to wander in her mind
»I hope« repeated John »that you have time to find another assistant«
»Which short it is indeed« cried Mrs Gamp turning up her languid eyes
and clasping Mr Westlocks wrist with matronly affection »Tomorrow evenin
sir I waits upon his friends Mr Chuzzlewit apinted it from nine to ten«
»From nine to ten« said John with a significant glance at Martin »and
then Mr Chuffey retires into safe keeping does he«
»He needs to be kep safe I do assure you« Mrs Gamp replied with a
mysterious air »Other people besides me has had a happy deliverance from Betsey
Prig I little knowd that woman Shed have let it out«
»Let him out you mean« said John
»Do I« retorted Mrs Gamp »Oh«
The severely ironical character of this reply was strengthened by a very
slow nod and a still slower drawing down of the corners of Mrs Gamps mouth
She added with extreme stateliness of manner after indulging in a short doze
»But I am a keepin of you gentlemen and time is precious«
Mingling with that delusion of the teapot which inspired her with the
belief that they wanted her to go somewhere immediately a shrewd avoidance of
any further reference to the topics into which she had lately strayed Mrs Gamp
rose and putting away the teapot in its accustomed place and locking the
cupboard with much gravity proceeded to attire herself for a professional
visit
This preparation was easily made as it required nothing more than the
snuffy black bonnet the snuffy black shawl the pattens and the indispensable
umbrella without which neither a lyingin nor a layingout could by any
possibility be attempted When Mrs Gamp had invested herself with these
appendages she returned to her chair and sitting down again declared herself
quite ready
»Its a appiness to know as one can benefit the poor sweet creetur« she
observed »Im sure It isnt all as can The torters Betsey Prig inflicts is
frightful«
Closing her eyes as she made this remark in the acuteness of her
commiseration for Betseys patients she forgot to open them again until she
dropped a patten Her nap was also broken at intervals like the fabled slumbers
of Friar Bacon by the dropping of the other patten and of the umbrella But
when she had got rid of those incumbrances her sleep was peaceful
The two young men looked at each other ludicrously enough and Martin
stifling his disposition to laugh whispered in John Westlocks ear
»What shall we do now«
»Stay here« he replied
Mrs Gamp was heard to murmur »Mrs Harris« in her sleep
»Rely upon it« whispered John looking cautiously towards her »that you
shall question this old clerk though you go as Mrs Harris herself We know
quite enough to carry her our own way now at all events thanks to this
quarrel which confirms the old saying that when rogues fall out honest people
get what they want Let Jonas Chuzzlewit look to himself and let her sleep as
long as she likes We shall gain our end in good time«
Chapter L
Surprises Tom Pinch Very Much and Shows how Certain Confidences Passed Between
Him and His Sister
It was the next evening and Tom and his sister were sitting together before
tea talking in their usual quiet way about a great many things but not at
all about Lewsomes story or anything connected with it for John Westlock
really John for so young a man was one of the most considerate fellows in the
world had particularly advised Tom not to mention it to his sister just yet
in case it should disquiet her »And I wouldnt Tom« he said with a little
hesitation »I wouldnt have a shadow on her happy face or an uneasy thought in
her gentle heart for all the wealth and honours of the universe« Really John
was uncommonly kind extraordinarily kind If he had been her father Tom said
he could not have taken a greater interest in her
But although Tom and his sister were extremely conversational they were
less lively and less cheerful than usual Tom had no idea that this originated
with Ruth but took it for granted that he was rather dull himself In truth he
was for the lightest cloud upon the Heaven of her quiet mind cast its shadow
upon Tom
And there was a cloud on little Ruth that evening Yes indeed When Tom was
looking in another direction her bright eyes stealing on towards his face
would sparkle still more brightly than their custom was and then grow dim When
Tom was silent looking out upon the summer weather she would sometimes make a
hasty movement as if she were about to throw herself upon his neck then check
the impulse and when he looked round show a laughing face and speak to him
very merrily when she had anything to give Tom or had any excuse for coming
near him she would flutter about him and lay her bashful hand upon his
shoulder and not be willing to withdraw it and would show by all such means
that there was something on her heart which in her great love she longed to say
to him but had not the courage to utter
So they were sitting she with her work before her but not working and Tom
with his book beside him but not reading when Martin knocked at the door
Anticipating who it was Tom went to open it and he and Martin came back into
the room together Tom looked surprised for in answer to his cordial greeting
Martin had hardly spoken a word
Ruth also saw that there was something strange in the manner of their
visitor and raised her eyes inquiringly to Toms face as if she were seeking
an explanation there Tom shook his head and made the same mute appeal to
Martin
Martin did not sit down but walked up to the window and stood there
looking out He turned round after a few moments to speak but hastily averted
his head again without doing so
»What has happened Martin« Tom anxiously inquired »My dear fellow what
bad news do you bring«
»Oh Tom« replied Martin in a tone of deep reproach »To hear you feign
that interest in anything that happens to me hurts me even more than your
ungenerous dealing«
»My ungenerous dealing Martin My « Tom could say no more
»How could you Tom how could you suffer me to thank you so fervently and
sincerely for your friendship and not tell me like a man that you had
deserted me Was it true Tom Was it honest Was it worthy of what you used to
be of what I am sure you used to be to tempt me when you had turned against
me into pouring out my heart Oh Tom«
His tone was one of such strong injury and yet of so much grief for the loss
of a friend he had trusted in it expressed such high past love for Tom and so
much sorrow and compassion for his supposed unworthiness that Tom for a
moment put his hand before his face and had no more power of justifying
himself than if he had been a monster of deceit and falsehood
»I protest as I must die« said Martin »that I grieve over the loss of
what I thought you and have no anger in the recollection of my own injuries It
is only at such a time and after such a discovery that we know the full
measure of our old regard for the subject of it I swear little as I showed it
little as I know I showed it that when I had the least consideration for you
Tom I loved you like a brother«
Tom was composed by this time and might have been the Spirit of Truth in a
homely dress it very often wears a homely dress thank God when he replied
to him
»Martin« he said »I dont know what is in your mind or who has abused it
or by what extraordinary means But the means are false There is no truth
whatever in the impression under which you labour It is a delusion from first
to last and I warn you that you will deeply regret the wrong you do me I can
honestly say that I have been true to you and to myself You will be very sorry
for this Indeed you will be very sorry for it Martin«
»I am sorry« returned Martin shaking his head »I think I never knew what
it was to be sorry in my heart until now«
»At least« said Tom »if I had always been what you charge me with being
now and had never had a place in your regard but had always been despised by
you and had always deserved it you should tell me in what you have found me to
be treacherous and on what grounds you proceed I do not intreat you
therefore to give me that satisfaction as a favour Martin but I ask it of you
as a right«
»My own eyes are my witnesses« returned Martin »Am I to believe them«
»No« said Tom calmly »Not if they accuse me«
»Your own words Your own manner« pursued Martin »Am I to believe them«
»No« replied Tom calmly »Not if they accuse me But they never have
accused me Whoever has perverted them to such a purpose has wronged me almost
as cruelly« his calmness rather failed him here »as you have done«
»I came here« said Martin »and I appeal to your good sister to hear me «
»Not to her« interrupted Tom »Pray do not appeal to her She will never
believe you«
He drew her arm through his own as he said it
»I believe it Tom«
»No no« cried Tom »of course not I said so Why tut tut tut What a
silly little thing you are«
»I never meant« said Martin hastily »to appeal to you against your
brother Do not think me so unmanly and unkind I merely appealed to you to hear
my declaration that I came here for no purpose of reproach I have not one
reproach to vent but in deep regret You could not know in what bitterness of
regret unless you knew how often I have thought of Tom how long in almost
hopeless circumstances I have looked forward to the better estimation of his
friendship and how steadfastly I have believed and trusted in him«
»Tut tut« said Tom stopping her as she was about to speak »He is
mistaken He is deceived Why should you mind He is sure to be set right at
last«
»Heaven bless the day that sets me right« cried Martin »if it could ever
come«
»Amen« said Tom »And it will«
Martin paused and then said in a still milder voice
»You have chosen for yourself Tom and will be relieved by our parting It
is not an angry one There is no anger on my side «
»There is none on mine« said Tom
» It is merely what you have brought about and worked to bring about I
say again you have chosen for yourself You have made the choice that might
have been expected in most people situated as you are but which I did not
expect in you For that perhaps I should blame my own judgment more than you
There is wealth and favour worth having on one side and there is the worthless
friendship of an abandoned struggling fellow on the other You were free to
make your election and you made it and the choice was not difficult But those
who have not the courage to resist such temptations should have the courage to
avow what they have yielded to them and I do blame you for this Tom that you
received me with a show of warmth encouraged me to be frank and plainspoken
tempted me to confide in you and professed that you were able to be mine when
you had sold yourself to others I do not believe« said Martin with emotion
»hear me say it from my heart I cannot believe Tom now that I am standing
face to face with you that it would have been in your nature to do me any
serious harm even though I had not discovered by chance in whose employment
you were But I should have encumbered you I should have led you into more
doubledealing I should have hazarded your retaining the favour for which you
have paid so high a price bartering away your former self and it is best for
both of us that I have found out what you so much desired to keep secret«
»Be just« said Tom who had not removed his mild gaze from Martins face
since the commencement of this last address »be just even in your injustice
Martin You forget You have not yet told me what your accusation is«
»Why should I« returned Martin waving his hand and moving towards the
door »You could not know it the better for my dwelling on it and though it
would be really none the worse it might seem to me to be No Tom Bygones
shall be bygones between us I can take leave of you at this moment and in this
place in which you are so amiable and so good as heartily if not as
cheerfully as ever I have done since we first met All good go with you Tom
I «
»You leave me so You can leave me so can you« said Tom
»I you you have chosen for yourself Tom I I hope it was a rash
choice« Martin faltered »I think it was I am sure it was Goodbye«
And he was gone
Tom led his little sister to her chair and sat down in his own He took his
book and read or seemed to read Presently he said aloud turning a leaf as he
spoke »He will be very sorry for this« And a tear stole down his face and
dropped upon the page
Ruth nestled down beside him on her knees and clasped her arms about his
neck
»No Tom No no Be comforted Dear Tom«
»I am quite comforted« said Tom »It will be set right«
»Such a cruel bad return« cried Ruth
»No no« said Tom »He believes it I cannot imagine why But it will be
set right«
More closely yet she nestled down about him and wept as if her heart would
break
»Dont Dont« said Tom »Why do you hide your face my dear«
Then in a burst of tears it all broke out at last
»Oh Tom dear Tom I know your secret heart I have found it out you
couldnt hide the truth from me Why didnt you tell me I am sure I could have
made you happier if you had You love her Tom so dearly«
Tom made a motion with his hand as if he would have put his sister hurriedly
away but it clasped upon hers and all his little history was written in the
action All its pathetic eloquence was in the silent touch
»In spite of that« said Ruth »you have been so faithful and so good dear
in spite of that you have been so true and selfdenying and have struggled
with yourself in spite of that you have been so gentle and so kind and
eventempered that I have never seen you give a hasty look or heard you say
one irritable word In spite of all you have been so cruelly mistaken Oh Tom
dear Tom will this be set right too Will it Tom Will you always have this
sorrow in your breast you who deserve to be so happy or is there any hope«
And still she hid her face from Tom and clasped him round the neck and
wept for him and poured out all her womans heart and soul in the relief and
pain of this disclosure
It was not very long before she and Tom were sitting side by side and she
was looking with an earnest quietness in Toms face Then Tom spoke to her thus
cheerily though gravely
»I am very glad my dear that this has passed between us Not because it
assures me of your tender affection for I was well assured of that before but
because it relieves my mind of a great weight«
Toms eyes glistened when he spoke of her affection and he kissed her on
the cheek
»My dear girl« said Tom »with whatever feeling I regard her« they seemed
to avoid the name by mutual consent »I have long ago I am sure I may say from
the very first looked upon it as a dream As something that might possibly
have happened under very different circumstances but which can never be Now
tell me What would you have set right«
She gave Tom such a significant little look that he was obliged to take it
for an answer whether he would or no and to go on
»By her own choice and free consent my love she is betrothed to Martin
and was long before either of them knew of my existence You would have her
betrothed to me«
»Yes« she said directly
»Yes« rejoined Tom »but that might be setting it wrong instead of right
Do you think« said Tom with a grave smile »that even if she had never seen
him it is very likely she would have fallen in love with Me«
»Why not dear Tom«
Tom shook his head and smiled again
»You think of me Ruth« said Tom »and it is very natural that you should
as if I were a character in a book and you make it a sort of poetical justice
that I should by some impossible means or other come at last to marry the
person I love But there is a much higher justice than poetical justice my
dear and it does not order events upon the same principle Accordingly people
who read about heroes in books and choose to make heroes of themselves out of
books consider it a very fine thing to be discontented and gloomy and
misanthropical and perhaps a little blasphemous because they cannot have
everything ordered for their individual accommodation Would you like me to
become one of that sort of people«
»No Tom But still I know« she added timidly »that this is a sorrow to
you in your own better way«
Tom thought of disputing the position But it would have been mere folly
and he gave it up
»My dear« said Tom »I will repay your affection with the Truth and all
the Truth It is a sorrow to me I have proved it to be so sometimes though I
have always striven against it But somebody who is precious to you may die and
you may dream that you are in heaven with the departed spirit and you may find
it a sorrow to wake to the life on earth which is no harder to be borne than
when you fell asleep It is sorrowful to me to contemplate my dream which I
always knew was a dream even when it first presented itself; but the realities
about me are not to blame They are the same as they were My sister my sweet
companion who makes this place so dear is she less devoted to me Ruth than
she would have been if this vision had never troubled me My old friend John
who might so easily have treated me with coldness and neglect is he less
cordial to me The world about me is there less good in that Are my words to
be harsh and my looks to be sour and is my heart to grow cold because there
has fallen in my way a good and beautiful creature who but for the selfish
regret that I cannot call her my own would like all other good and beautiful
creatures make me happier and better No my dear sister No« said Tom
stoutly »Remembering all my means of happiness I hardly dare to call this
lurking something a sorrow but whatever name it may justly bear I thank
Heaven that it renders me more sensible of affection and attachment and softens
me in fifty ways Not less happy Not less happy Ruth«
She could not speak to him but she loved him as he well deserved Even as
he deserved she loved him
»She will open Martins eyes« said Tom with a glow of pride »and that
which is indeed wrong will be set right Nothing will persuade her I know
that I have betrayed him It will be set right through her and he will be very
sorry for it Our secret Ruth is our own and lives and dies with us I dont
believe I ever could have told it you« said Tom with a smile »but how glad I
am to think you have found it out«
They had never taken such a pleasant walk as they took that night Tom told
her all so freely and so simply and was so desirous to return her tenderness
with his fullest confidence that they prolonged it far beyond their usual hour
and sat up late when they came home And when they parted for the night there
was such a tranquil beautiful expression in Toms face that she could not bear
to shut it out but going back on tiptoe to his chamberdoor looked in and
stood there till he saw her and then embracing him again withdrew And in her
prayers and in her sleep good times to be remembered with such fervour Tom
his name was uppermost
When he was left alone Tom pondered very much on this discovery of hers
and greatly wondered what had led her to it »Because« thought Tom »I have
been so very careful It was foolish and unnecessary in me as I clearly see
now when I am so relieved by her knowing it but I have been so very careful to
conceal it from her Of course I knew that she was intelligent and quick and
for that reason was more upon my guard but I was not in the least prepared for
this I am sure her discovery has been sudden too Dear me« said Tom »Its a
most singular instance of penetration«
Tom could not get it out of his head There it was when his head was on his
pillow
»How she trembled when she began to tell me she knew it« thought Tom
recalling all the little incidents and circumstances »and how her face flushed
But that was natural Oh quite natural That needs no accounting for«
Tom little thought how natural it was Tom little knew that there was that
in Ruths own heart but newly set there which had helped her to the reading of
his mystery Ah Tom He didnt understand the whispers of the Temple Fountain
though he passed it every day
Who so lively and cheerful as busy Ruth next morning Her early tap at Toms
door and her light foot outside would have been music to him though she had
not spoken But she said it was the brightest morning ever seen and so it was
and if it had been otherwise she would have made it so to Tom
She was ready with his neat breakfast when he went down stairs and had her
bonnet ready for the early walk and was so full of news that Tom was lost in
wonder She might have been up all night collecting it for his entertainment
There was Mr Nadgett not come home yet and there was bread down a penny a
loaf and there was twice as much strength in this tea as in the last and the
milkwomans husband had come out of the hospital cured and the curlyheaded
child over the way had been lost all yesterday and she was going to make all
sorts of preserves in a desperate hurry and there happened to be a saucepan in
the house which was the very saucepan for the purpose and she knew all about
the last book Tom had brought home all through though it was a teazer to read
and she had so much to tell him that she had finished breakfast first Then she
had her little bonnet on and the tea and sugar locked up and the keys in her
reticule and the flower as usual in Toms coat and was in all respects quite
ready to accompany him before Tom knew she had begun to prepare And in short
as Tom said with a confidence in his own assertion which amounted to a defiance
of the public in general there never was such a little woman
She made Tom talkative It was impossible to resist her She put such
enticing questions to him about books and about dates of churches and about
organs and about the Temple and about all kinds of things Indeed she
lightened the way and Toms heart with it to that degree that the Temple
looked quite blank and solitary when he parted from her at the gate
»No Mr Fipss friend today I suppose« thought Tom as he ascended the
stairs
Not yet at any rate for the door was closed as usual and Tom opened it
with his key He had got the books into perfect order now and had mended the
torn leaves and had pasted up the broken backs and substituted neat labels for
the wornout letterings It looked a different place it was so orderly and
neat Tom felt some pride in contemplating the change he had wrought though
there was no one to approve or disapprove of it
He was at present occupied in making a fair copy of his draught of the
catalogue on which as there was no hurry he was painfully concentrating all
the ingenious and laborious neatness he had ever expended on map or plan in Mr
Pecksniffs workroom It was a very marvel of a catalogue for Tom sometimes
thought he was really getting his money too easily and he had determined within
himself that this document should take a little of his superfluous leisure out
of him
So with pens and ruler and compasses and indiarubber and pencil and
black ink and red ink Tom worked away all the morning He thought a good deal
about Martin and their interview of yesterday and would have been far easier
in his mind if he could have resolved to confide it to his friend John and to
have taken his opinion on the subject But besides that he knew what Johns
boiling indignation would be he bethought himself that he was helping Martin
now in a matter of great moment and that to deprive the latter of his
assistance at such a crisis of affairs would be to inflict a serious injury
upon him
»So Ill keep it to myself« said Tom with a sigh »Ill keep it to
myself«
And to work he went again more assiduously than ever with the pens and
the ruler and the indiarubber and the pencil and the black ink and the red
ink that he might forget it
He had laboured away for another hour or more when he heard a footstep in
the entry down below
»Ah« said Tom looking towards the door »time was not long ago either
when that would have set me wondering and expecting But I have left off now«
The footstep came on up the stairs
»Thirtysix thirtyseven thirtyeight« said Tom counting »Now youll
stop Nobody ever comes past the thirtyeighth stair«
The person did stop certainly but only to take breath for up the footstep
came again Forty fortyone fortytwo and so on
The door stood open As the tread advanced Tom looked impatiently and
eagerly towards it When a figure came upon the landing and arriving in the
doorway stopped and gazed at him he rose up from his chair and half believed
he saw a spirit
Old Martin Chuzzlewit The same whom he had left at Mr Pecksniffs weak
and sinking
The same No not the same for this old man though old was strong and
leaned upon his stick with a vigorous hand while with the other he signed to
Tom to make no noise One glance at the resolute face the watchful eye the
vigorous hand upon the staff the triumphant purpose in the figure and such a
light broke in on Tom as blinded him
»You have expected me« said Martin »a long time«
»I was told that my employer would arrive soon« said Tom »but «
»I know You were ignorant who he was It was my desire I am glad it has
been so well observed I intended to have been with you much sooner I thought
the time had come I thought I could know no more and no worse of him than I
did on that day when I saw you last But I was wrong«
He had by this time come up to Tom and now he grasped his hand
»I have lived in his house Pinch and had him fawning on me days and weeks
and months You know it I have suffered him to treat me like his tool and
instrument You know it you have seen me there I have undergone ten thousand
times as much as I could have endured if I had been the miserable weak old man
he took me for You know it I have seen him offer love to Mary You know it
who better who better my true heart I have had his base soul bare before me
day by day and have not betrayed myself once I never could have undergone such
torture but for looking forward to this time«
He stopped even in the passion of his speech if that can be called passion
which was so resolute and steady to press Toms hand again Then he said in
great excitement
»Close the door close the door He will not be long after me but may come
too soon The time now drawing on« said the old man hurriedly his eyes and
whole face brightening as he spoke »will make amends for all I wouldnt have
him die or hang himself for millions of golden pieces Close the door«
Tom did so hardly knowing yet whether he was awake or in a dream
Chapter LI
Sheds New and Brighter Light upon the Very Dark Place and Contains the Sequel
of the Enterprise of Mr Jonas and His Friend
The night had now come when the old clerk was to be delivered over to his
keepers In the midst of his guilty distractions Jonas had not forgotten it
It was a part of his guilty state of mind to remember it for on his
persistence in the scheme depended one of his precautions for his own safety A
hint a word from the old man uttered at such a moment in attentive ears
might fire the train of suspicion and destroy him His watchfulness of every
avenue by which the discovery of his guilt might be approached sharpened with
his sense of the danger by which he was encompassed With murder on his soul
and its innumerable alarms and terrors dragging at him night and day he would
have repeated the crime if he had seen a path of safety stretching out beyond
It was in his punishment it was in his guilty condition The very deed which
his fears rendered insupportable his fears would have impelled him to commit
again
But keeping the old man close according to his design would serve his
turn His purpose was to escape when the first alarm and wonder had subsided
and when he could make the attempt without awakening instant suspicion In the
meanwhile these women would keep him quiet and if the talking humour came upon
him would not be easily startled He knew their trade
Nor had he spoken idly when he said the old man should be gagged He had
resolved to ensure his silence and he looked to the end not the means He had
been rough and rude and cruel to the old man all his life and violence was
natural to his mind in connection with him »He shall be gagged if he speaks
and pinioned if he writes« said Jonas looking at him for they sat alone
together »He is mad enough for that Ill go through with it«
Hush
Still listening To every sound He had listened ever since and it had not
come yet The exposure of the Assurance office the flight of Crimple and
Bullamy with the plunder and among the rest as he feared with his own bill
which he had not found in the pocketbook of the murdered man and which with
Mr Pecksniffs money had probably been remitted to one or other of those trusty
friends for safe deposit at the bankers his immense losses and peril of being
still called to account as a partner in the broken firm all these things rose
in his mind at one time and always but he could not contemplate them He was
aware of their presence and of the rage discomfiture and despair they
brought along with them but he thought of his own controlling power and
direction he thought of the one dread question only When they would find the
body in the wood
He tried he had never left off trying not to forget it was there for
that was impossible but to forget to weary himself by drawing vivid pictures of
it in his fancy by going softly about it and about it among the leaves
approaching it nearer and nearer through a gap in the boughs and startling the
very flies that were thickly sprinkled all over it like heaps of dried
currants His mind was fixed and fastened on the discovery for intelligence of
which he listened intently to every cry and shout listened when any one came
in or went out watched from the window the people who passed up and down the
street mistrusted his own looks and words And the more his thoughts were set
upon the discovery the stronger was the fascination which attracted them to the
thing itself lying alone in the wood He was for ever showing and presenting
it as it were to every creature whom he saw »Look here Do you know of this
Is it found Do you suspect me« If he had been condemned to bear the body in
his arms and lay it down for recognition at the feet of every one he met it
could not have been more constantly with him or a cause of more monotonous and
dismal occupation than it was in this state of his mind
Still he was not sorry It was no contrition or remorse for what he had done
that moved him it was nothing but alarm for his own security The vague
consciousness he possessed of having wrecked his fortune in the murderous
venture intensified his hatred and revenge and made him set the greater store
by what he had gained The man was dead nothing could undo that He felt a
triumph yet in the reflection
He had kept a jealous watch on Chuffey ever since the deed seldom leaving
him but on compulsion and then for as short intervals as possible They were
alone together now It was twilight and the appointed time drew near at hand
Jonas walked up and down the room The old man sat in his accustomed corner
The slightest circumstance was matter of disquiet to the murderer and he
was made uneasy at this time by the absence of his wife who had left home early
in the afternoon and had not returned yet No tenderness for her was at the
bottom of this but he had a misgiving that she might have been waylaid and
tempted into saying something that would criminate him when the news came For
anything he knew she might have knocked at the door of his room while he was
away and discovered his plot Confound her it was like her pale face to be
wandering up and down the house Where was she now
»She went to her good friend Mrs Todgers« said the old man when he asked
the question with an angry oath
Aye To be sure Always stealing away into the company of that woman She
was no friend of his Who could tell what devils mischief they might hatch
together Let her be fetched home directly
The old man muttering some words softly rose as if he would have gone
himself but Jonas thrust him back into his chair with an impatient imprecation
and sent a servantgirl to fetch her When he had charged her with her errand he
walked to and fro again and never stopped till she came back which she did
pretty soon the way being short and the woman having made good haste
Well Where was she Had she come
No She had left there full three hours
»Left there Alone«
The messenger had not asked taking that for granted
»Curse you for a fool Bring candles«
She had scarcely left the room when the old clerk who had been unusually
observant of him ever since he had asked about his wife came suddenly upon him
»Give her up« cried the old man »Come Give her up to me Tell me what you
have done with her Quick I have made no promises on that score Tell me what
you have done with her«
He laid his hands upon his collar as he spoke and grasped it tightly too
»You shall not leave me« cried the old man »I am strong enough to cry out
to the neighbours and I will unless you give her up Give her up to me«
Jonas was so dismayed and consciencestricken that he had not even
hardihood enough to unclench the old mans hands with his own but stood looking
at him as well as he could in the darkness without moving a finger It was as
much as he could do to ask him what he meant
»I will know what you have done with her« retorted Chuffey »If you hurt a
hair of her head you shall answer it Poor thing Poor thing Where is she«
»Why you old madman« said Jonas in a low voice and with trembling lips
»What Bedlam fit has come upon you now«
»It is enough to make me mad seeing what I have seen in this house« cried
Chuffey »Where is my dear old master Where is his only son that I have nursed
upon my knee a child Where is she she who was the last she that Ive seen
pining day by day and heard weeping in the dead of night She was the last the
last of all my friends Heaven help me she was the very last«
Seeing that the tears were stealing down his face Jonas mustered courage to
unclench his hands and push him off before he answered
»Did you hear me ask for her Did you hear me send for her How can I give
you up what I havent got idiot Ecod Id give her up to you and welcome if I
could and a precious pair youd be«
»If she has come to any harm« cried Chuffey »mind Im old and silly but
I have my memory sometimes and if she has come to any harm «
»Devil take you« interrupted Jonas but in a suppressed voice still »what
harm do you suppose she has come to I know no more where she is than you do I
wish I did Wait till she comes home and see she cant be long Will that
content you«
»Mind« exclaimed the old man »Not a hair of her head not a hair of her
head illused I wont bear it I I have borne it too long Jonas I am
silent but I I I can speak I I I can speak « he stammered as he
crept back to his chair and turned a threatening though a feeble look upon
him
»You can speak can you« thought Jonas »So so well stop your speaking
Its well I knew of this in good time Prevention is better than cure«
He had made a poor show of playing the Bully and evincing a desire to
conciliate at the same time but was so afraid of the old man that great drops
had started out upon his brow and they stood there yet His unusual tone of
voice and agitated manner had sufficiently expressed his fear but his face
would have done so now without that aid as he again walked to and fro
glancing at him by the candlelight
He stopped at the window to think An opposite shop was lighted up and the
tradesman and a customer were reading some printed bill together across the
counter The sight brought him back instantly to the occupation he had
forgotten »Look here Do you know of this Is it found Do you suspect me«
A hand upon the door »Whats that«
»A pleasant evenin« said the voice of Mrs Gamp »though warm which
bless you Mr Chuzzlewit we must expect when cowcumbers is three for twopence
How does Mr Chuffey find his self tonight sir«
Mrs Gamp kept particularly close to the door in saying this and curtseyed
more than usual She did not appear to be quite so much at her ease as she
generally was
»Get him to his room« said Jonas walking up to her and speaking in her
ear »He has been raving tonight stark mad Dont talk while hes here but
come down again«
»Poor sweet dear« cried Mrs Gamp with uncommon tenderness »Hes all of a
tremble«
»Well he may be« said Jonas »after the mad fit he has had Get him up
stairs«
She was by this time assisting him to rise
»Theres my blessed old chick« cried Mrs Gamp in a tone that was at once
soothing and encouraging »Theres my darlin Mr Chuffey Now come up to your
own room sir and lay down on your bed a bit for youre a shakin all over as
if your precious jints was hung upon wires Thats a good creetur Come with
Sairey«
»Is she come home« inquired the old man
»Shell be here directly minnit« returned Mrs Gamp »Come with Sairey Mr
Chuffey Come with your own Sairey«
The good woman had no reference to any female in the world in promising this
speedy advent of the person for whom Mr Chuffey inquired but merely threw it
out as a means of pacifying the old man It had its effect for he permitted her
to lead him away and they quitted the room together
Jonas looked out of the window again They were still reading the printed
paper in the shop opposite and a third man had joined in the perusal What
could it be to interest them so
A dispute or discussion seemed to arise among them for they all looked up
from their reading together and one of the three who had been glancing over
the shoulder of another stepped back to explain or illustrate some action by
his gestures
Horror How like the blow he had struck in the wood
It beat him from the window as if it had lighted on himself As he staggered
into a chair he thought of the change in Mrs Gamp exhibited in her newborn
tenderness to her charge Was that because it was found because she knew of
it because she suspected him
»Mr Chuffey is a lyin down« said Mrs Gamp returning »and much good may
it do him Mr Chuzzlewit which harm it cant and good it may be joyful«
»Sit down« said Jonas hoarsely »and let us get this business done Where
is the other woman«
»The other persons with him now« she answered
»Thats right« said Jonas »He is not fit to be left to himself Why he
fastened on me tonight here upon my coat like a savage dog Old as he is
and feeble as he is usually I had some trouble to shake him off You Hush
Its nothing You told me the other womans name I forget it«
»I mentioned Betsey Prig« said Mrs Gamp
»She is to be trusted is she«
»That she aint« said Mrs Gamp »nor have I brought her Mr Chuzzlewit
Ive brought another which engages to give every satigefaction«
»What is her name« asked Jonas
Mrs Gamp looked at him in an odd way without returning any answer but
appeared to understand the question too
»What is her name« repeated Jonas
»Her name« said Mrs Gamp »is Harris«
It was extraordinary how much effort it cost Mrs Gamp to pronounce the name
she was commonly so ready with She made some three or four gasps before she
could get it out and when she had uttered it pressed her hand upon her side
and turned up her eyes as if she were going to faint away But knowing her to
labour under a complication of internal disorders which rendered a few drops of
spirits indispensable at certain times to her existence, and which came on very
strong when that remedy was not at hand Jonas merely supposed her to be the
victim of one of these attacks
»Well« he said hastily for he felt how incapable he was of confining his
wandering attention to the subject »You and she have arranged to take care of
him have you«
Mrs Gamp replied in the affirmative and softly discharged herself of her
familiar phrase »Turn and turn about one off one on« But she spoke so
tremulously that she felt called upon to add »which fiddlestrings is weakness
to expredge my nerves this night«
Jonas stopped to listen Then said hurriedly
»We shall not quarrel about terms Let them be the same as they were before
Keep him close and keep him quiet He must be restrained He has got it in his
head tonight that my wifes dead and has been attacking me as if I had killed
her Its its common with mad people to take the worst fancies of those they
like best Isnt it«
Mrs Gamp assented with a short groan
»Keep him close then or in one of his fits hell be doing me a mischief
And dont trust him at any time for when he seems most rational hes wildest
in his talk But that you know already Let me see the other«
»The tother person sir« said Mrs Gamp
»Ay Go you to him and send the other Quick Im busy«
Mrs Gamp took two or three backward steps towards the door and stopped
there
»It is your wishes Mr Chuzzlewit« she said in a sort of quavering croak
»to see the tother person Is it«
But the ghastly change in Jonas told her that the other person was already
seen Before she could look round towards the door she was put aside by old
Martins hand and Chuffey and John Westlock entered with him
»Let no one leave the house« said Martin »This man is my brothers son
Illmet illtrained illbegotten If he moves from the spot on which he
stands or speaks a word above his breath to any person here open the window
and call for help«
»What right have you to give such directions in this house« asked Jonas
faintly
»The right of your wrongdoing Come in there«
An irrepressible exclamation burst from the lips of Jonas as Lewsome
entered at the door It was not a groan or a shriek or a word but was wholly
unlike any sound that had ever fallen on the ears of those who heard it while
at the same time it was the most sharp and terrible expression of what was
working in his guilty breast that nature could have invented
He had done murder for this He had girdled himself about with perils
agonies of mind innumerable fears for this He had hidden his secret in the
wood pressed and stamped it down into the bloody ground and here it started up
when least expected miles upon miles away known to many proclaiming itself
from the lips of an old man who had renewed his strength and vigour as by a
miracle to give it voice against him
He leaned his hand on the back of a chair and looked at them It was in
vain to try to do so scornfully or with his usual insolence He required the
chair for his support But he made a struggle for it
»I know that fellow« he said fetching his breath at every word and
pointing his trembling finger towards Lewsome »Hes the greatest liar alive
Whats his last tale Ha ha Youre rare fellows too Why that uncle of mine
is childish hes even a greater child than his brother my father was in his
old age or than Chuffey is What the devil do you mean« he added looking
fiercely at John Westlock and Mark Tapley the latter had entered with Lewsome
»by coming here and bringing two idiots and a knave with you to take my house
by storm Hallo there Open the door Turn these strangers out«
»I tell you what« cried Mr Tapley coming forward »if it wasnt for your
name Id drag you through the streets of my own accord and singlehanded I
would Ah I would Dont try and look bold at me You cant do it Now go on
sir« this was to old Martin »Bring the murderin wagabond upon his knees If
he wants noise he shall have enough of it for as sure as hes a shiverin from
head to foot Ill raise a uproar at this winder that shall bring half London
in Go on sir Let him try me once and see whether Im a man of my word or
not«
With that Mark folded his arms and took his seat upon the windowledge
with an air of general preparation for anything which seemed to imply that he
was equally ready to jump out himself or to throw Jonas out upon receiving the
slightest hint that it would be agreeable to the company
Old Martin turned to Lewsome
»This is the man« he said extending his hand towards Jonas »Is it«
»You need do no more than look at him to be sure of that or of the truth of
what I have said« was the reply »He is my witness«
»Oh brother« cried old Martin clasping his hands and lifting up his eyes
»Oh brother brother Were we strangers half our lives that you might breed a
wretch like this and I make life a desert by withering every flower that grew
about me Is it the natural end of your precepts and mine that this should be
the creature of your rearing training teaching hoarding striving for and I
the means of bringing him to punishment when nothing can repair the wasted
past«
He sat down upon a chair as he spoke and turning away his face was silent
for a few moments Then with recovered energy he proceeded
»But the accursed harvest of our mistaken lives shall be trodden down It is
not too late for that You are confronted with this man yon monster there not
to be spared but to be dealt with justly Hear what he says Reply be silent
contradict repeat defy do what you please My course will be the same Go on
And you« he said to Chuffey »for the love of your old friend speak out good
fellow«
»I have been silent for his love« cried the old man »He urged me to it He
made me promise it upon his dying bed I never would have spoken but for your
finding out so much I have thought about it ever since I couldnt help that
and sometimes I have had it all before me in a dream but in the daytime not
in sleep Is there such a kind of dream« said Chuffey looking anxiously in old
Martins face
As Martin made him an encouraging reply he listened attentively to his
voice and smiled
»Ah ay I« he cried »He often spoke to me like that We were at school
together he and I I couldnt turn against his son you know his only son
Mr Chuzzlewit«
»I would to heaven you had been his son« said Martin
»You speak so like my dear old master« cried the old man with a childish
delight »that I almost think I hear him I can hear you quite as well as I used
to hear him It makes me young again He never spoke unkindly to me and I
always understood him I could always see him too though my sight was dim
Well well Hes dead hes dead He was very good to me my dear old master«
He shook his head mournfully over the brothers hand At this moment Mark
who had been glancing out of the window left the room
»I couldnt turn against his only son you know« said Chuffey »He has
nearly driven me to do it sometimes he very nearly did tonight Ah« cried the
old man with a sudden recollection of the cause »Where is she Shes not come
home«
»Do you mean his wife« said Mr Chuzzlewit
»Yes«
»I have removed her She is in my care and will be spared the present
knowledge of what is passing here She has known misery enough without that
addition«
Jonas heard this with a sinking heart He knew that they were on his heels
and felt that they were resolute to run him to destruction Inch by inch the
ground beneath him was sliding from his feet faster and faster the encircling
ruin contracted and contracted towards himself its wicked centre until it
should close in and crush him
And now he heard the voice of his accomplice stating to his face with every
circumstance of time and place and incident and openly proclaiming with no
reserve suppression passion or concealment all the truth The truth which
nothing would keep down which blood would not smother and earth would not
hide the truth whose terrible inspiration seemed to change dotards into strong
men and on whose avenging wings one whom he had supposed to be at the
extremest corner of the earth came swooping down upon him
He tried to deny it but his tongue would not move He conceived some
desperate thought of rushing away and tearing through the streets but his
limbs would as little answer to his will as his stark stiff staring face All
this time the voice went slowly on denouncing him It was as if every drop of
blood in the wood had found a voice to jeer him with
When it ceased another voice took up the tale but strangely for the old
clerk who had watched and listened to the whole and had wrung his hands from
time to time as if he knew its truth and could confirm it broke in with these
words
»No no no youre wrong youre wrong all wrong together Have patience
for the truth is only known to me«
»How can that be« said his old masters brother »after what you have
heard Besides you said just now above stairs when I told you of the
accusation against him that you knew he was his fathers murderer«
»Ay yes and so he was« cried Chuffey wildly »But not as you suppose
not as you suppose Stay Give me a moments time I have it all here all
here It was foul foul cruel bad but not as you suppose Stay stay«
He put his hands up to his head as if it throbbed or pained him After
looking about him in a wandering and vacant manner for some moments his eyes
rested upon Jonas when they kindled up with sudden recollection and
intelligence
»Yes« cried old Chuffey »yes Thats how it was Its all upon me now He
he got up from his bed before he died to be sure to say that he forgave him
and he came down with me into this room and when he saw him his only son the
son he loved his speech forsook him he had no speech for what he knew and
no one understood him except me But I did I did«
Old Martin regarded him in amazement so did his companions Mrs Gamp who
had said nothing yet but had kept twothirds of herself behind the door ready
for escape and onethird in the room ready for siding with the strongest
party came a little further in and remarked with a sob that Mr Chuffey was
»the sweetest old creetur goin«
»He bought the stuff« said Chuffey stretching out his arm towards Jonas
while an unwonted fire shone in his eye and lightened up his face »he bought
the stuff no doubt as you have heard and brought it home He mixed the stuff
look at him with some sweetmeat in a jar exactly as the medicine for his
fathers cough was mixed and put it in a drawer in that drawer yonder in the
desk he knows which drawer I mean He kept it there locked up But his courage
failed him or his heart was touched my God I hope it was his heart He was
his only son and he did not put it in the usual place where my old master
would have taken it twenty times aday«
The trembling figure of the old man shook with the strong emotions that
possessed him But with the same light in his eye and with his arm
outstretched and with his grey hair stirring on his head he seemed to grow in
size and was like a man inspired Jonas shrunk from looking at him and cowered
down into the chair by which he had held It seemed as if this tremendous Truth
could make the dumb speak
»I know it every word now« cried Chuffey »Every word He put it in that
drawer as I have said He went so often there and was so secret that his
father took notice of it and when he was out had it opened We were there
together and we found the mixture Mr Chuzzlewit and I He took it into his
possession and made light of it at the time but in the night he came to my
bedside weeping and told me that his own son had it in his mind to poison him
Oh Chuff he said oh dear old Chuff a voice came into my room tonight and
told me that this crime began with me It began when I taught him to be too
covetous of what I have to leave and made the expectation of it his great
business Those were his words ay they are his very words If he was a hard
man now and then it was for his only son He loved his only son and he was
always good to me«
Jonas listened with increased attention Hope was breaking in upon him
»He shall not weary for my death Chuff that was what he said next«
pursued the old clerk as he wiped his eyes »that was what he said next crying
like a little child He shall not weary for my death Chuff He shall have it
now he shall marry where he has a fancy Chuff although it dont please me
and you and I will go away and live upon a little I always loved him perhaps
hell love me then Its a dreadful thing to have my own child thirsting for my
death But I might have known it I have sown and I must reap He shall believe
that I am taking this and when I see that he is sorry and has all he wants
Ill tell him that I found it out and Ill forgive him Hell make a better man
of his own son and be a better man himself perhaps Chuff«
Poor Chuffey paused to dry his eyes again Old Martins face was hidden in
his hands Jonas listened still more keenly and his breast heaved like a
swollen water but with hope With growing hope
»My dear old master made believe next day« said Chuffey »that he had
opened the drawer by mistake with a key from the bunch which happened to fit it
we had one made and hung upon it and that he had been surprised to find his
fresh supply of cough medicine in such a place but supposed it had been put
there in a hurry when the drawer stood open We burnt it but his son believed
that he was taking it he knows he did Once Mr Chuzzlewit to try him took
heart to say it had a strange taste and he got up directly and went out«
Jonas gave a short dry cough and changing his position for an easier one
folded his arms without looking at them though they could now see his face
»Mr Chuzzlewit wrote to her father I mean the father of the poor thing
whos his wife« said Chuffey »and got him to come up intending to hasten on
the marriage But his mind like mine went a little wrong through grief and
then his heart broke He sank and altered from the time when he came to me in
the night and never held up his head again It was only a few days but he had
never changed so much in twice the years Spare him Chuff he said before he
died They were the only words he could speak Spare him Chuff I promised him
I would Ive tried to do it Hes his only son«
In his recollection of the last scene in his old friends life poor
Chuffeys voice which had grown weaker and weaker quite deserted him Making a
motion with his hand as if he would have said that Anthony had taken it and
had died with it in his he retreated to the corner where he usually concealed
his sorrows and was silent
Jonas could look at his company now and vauntingly too »Well« he said
after a pause »Are you satisfied Or have you any more of your plots to broach
Why that fellow Lewsome can invent em for you by the score Is this all Have
you nothing else«
Old Martin looked at him steadily
»Whether you are what you seemed to be at Pecksniffs or are something else
and a mountebank I dont know and I dont care« said Jonas looking downward
with a smile »but I dont want you here You were here so often when your
brother was alive and were always so fond of him your dear dear brother and
you would have been cuffing one another before this ecod that I am not
surprised at your being attached to the place but the place is not attached to
you and you cant leave it too soon though you may leave it too late And for
my wife old man send her home straight or it will be the worse for her Ha
ha You carry it with a high hand too But it isnt hanging yet for a man to
keep a pennorth of poison for his own purposes and have it taken from him by
two old crazy jolterheads who go and act a play about it Ha ha Do you see
the door«
His base triumph struggling with his cowardice and shame and guilt was
so detestable that they turned away from him as if he were some obscene and
filthy animal repugnant to the sight And here that last black crime was busy
with him too working within him to his perdition But for that the old clerks
story might have touched him though never so lightly but for that the sudden
removal of so great a load might have brought about some wholesome change even
in him With that deed done however with that unnecessary wasteful danger
haunting him despair was in his very triumph and relief wild ungovernable
raging despair for the uselessness of the peril into which he had plunged
despair that hardened him and maddened him and set his teeth a grinding in a
moment of his exultation
»My good friend« said old Martin laying his hand on Chuffeys sleeve
»This is no place for you to remain in Come with me«
»Just his old way« cried Chuffey looking up into his face »I almost
believe its Mr Chuzzlewit alive again Yes Take me with you Stay though
stay«
»For what« asked old Martin
»I cant leave her poor thing« said Chuffey »She has been very good to
me I cant leave her Mr Chuzzlewit Thank you kindly Ill remain here I
havnt long to remain its no great matter«
As he meekly shook his poor grey head and thanked old Martin in these
words Mrs Gamp now entirely in the room was affected to tears
»The mercy as it is« she said »as sech a dear good reverend creetur
never got into the clutches of Betsey Prig which but for me he would have done
undoubted facts bein stubborn and not easy drove«
»You heard me speak to you just now old man« said Jonas to his uncle
»Ill have no more tampering with my people man or woman Do you see the door«
»Do you see the door« returned the voice of Mark coming from that
direction »Look at it«
He looked and his gaze was nailed there Fatal illomened blighted
threshold cursed by his fathers footsteps in his dying hour cursed by his
young wifes sorrowing tread cursed by the daily shadow of the old clerks
figure cursed by the crossing of his murderers feet what men were standing
in the doorway
Nadgett foremost
Hark It came on roaring like a sea Hawkers burst into the street crying
it up and down windows were thrown open that the inhabitants might hear it
people stopped to listen in the road and on the pavement the bells the same
bells began to ring tumbling over one another in a dance of boisterous joy at
the discovery that was the sound they had in his distempered thoughts and
making their airy playground rock
»That is the man« said Nadgett »By the window«
Three others came in laid hands upon him and secured him It was so
quickly done that he had not lost sight of the informers face for an instant
when his wrists were manacled together
»Murder« said Nadgett looking round on the astonished group »Let no one
interfere«
The sounding street repeated Murder barbarous and dreadful Murder Murder
Murder Murder Rolling on from house to house and echoing from stone to stone
until the voices died away into the distant hum which seemed to mutter the same
word
They all stood silent listening and gazing in each others faces as the
noise passed on
»Old Martin was the first to speak What terrible history is this« he
demanded
»Ask him« said Nadgett »Youre his friend sir He can tell you if he
will He knows more of it than I do though I know much«
»How do you know much«
»I have not been watching him so long for nothing« returned Nadgett »I
never watched a man so close as I have watched him«
Another of the phantom forms of this terrific Truth Another of the many
shapes in which it started up about him out of vacancy This man of all men in
the world a spy upon him this man changing his identity casting off his
shrinking purblind unobservant character and springing up into a watchful
enemy The dead man might have come out of his grave and not confounded and
appalled him more
The game was up The race was at an end the rope was woven for his neck
If by a miracle he could escape from this strait he had but to turn his face
another way no matter where and there would rise some new avenger front to
front with him some infant in an hour grown old or old man in an hour grown
young or blind man with his sight restored or deaf man with his hearing given
him There was no chance He sank down in a heap against the wall and never
hoped again from that moment
»I am not his friend although I have the dishonour to be his relative«
said Mr Chuzzlewit »You may speak to me Where have you watched and what have
you seen«
»I have watched in many places« returned Nadgett »night and day I have
watched him lately almost without rest or relief« his anxious face and
bloodshot eyes confirmed it »I little thought to what my watching was to lead
As little as he did when he slipped out in the night dressed in those clothes
which he afterwards sunk in a bundle at London Bridge«
Jonas moved upon the ground like a man in bodily torture He uttered a
suppressed groan as if he had been wounded by some cruel weapon and plucked at
the iron band upon his wrists as though his hands being free he would have
torn himself
»Steady kinsman« said the chief officer of the party »Dont be violent«
»Whom do you call kinsman« asked old Martin sternly
»You« said the man »among others«
Martin turned his scrutinising gaze upon him He was sitting lazily across a
chair with his arms resting on the back eating nuts and throwing the shells
out of window as he cracked them which he still continued to do while speaking
»Ay« he said with a sulky nod »You may deny your nephews till you die
but Chevy Slyme is Chevy Slyme still all the world over Perhaps even you may
feel it some disgrace to your own blood to be employed in this way Im to be
bought off«
»At every turn« cried Martin »Self self self Every one among them for
himself«
»You had better save one or two among them the trouble then and be for them
as well as yourself« replied his nephew »Look here at me Can you see the man
of your family who has more talent in his little finger than all the rest in
their united brains dressed as a police officer without being ashamed I took
up with this trade on purpose to shame you I didnt think I should have to make
a capture in the family though«
»If your debauchery and that of your chosen friends has really brought you
to this level« returned the old man »keep it You are living honestly I hope
and thats something«
»Dont be hard upon my chosen friends« returned Slyme »for they were
sometimes your chosen friends too Dont say you never employed my friend Tigg
for I know better We quarrelled upon it«
»I hired the fellow« retorted Mr Chuzzlewit »and I paid him«
»Its well you paid him« said his nephew »for it would be too late to do
so now He has given his receipt in full or had it forced from him rather«
The old man looked at him as if he were curious to know what he meant but
scorned to prolong the conversation
»I have always expected that he and I would be brought together again in the
course of business« said Slyme taking a fresh handful of nuts from his pocket
»but I thought he would be wanted for some swindling job it never entered my
head that I should hold a warrant for the apprehension of his murderer«
»His murderer« cried Mr Chuzzlewit looking from one to another
»His or Mr Montagues« said Nadgett »They are the same I am told I
accuse him yonder of the murder of Mr Montague who was found last night
killed in a wood You will ask me why I accuse him as you have already asked
me how I know so much Ill tell you It cant remain a secret long«
The ruling passion of the man expressed itself even then in the tone of
regret in which he deplored the approaching publicity of what he knew
»I told you I had watched him« he proceeded »I was instructed to do so by
Mr Montague in whose employment I have been for some time We had our
suspicions of him and you know what they pointed at for you have been
discussing it since we have been waiting here outside the room If you care to
hear now its all over in what our suspicions began Ill tell you plainly in
a quarrel it first came to our ears through a hint of his own between him and
another office in which his fathers life was insured and which had so much
doubt and distrust upon the subject that he compounded with them and took half
the money and was glad to do it Bit by bit I ferreted out more circumstances
against him and not a few It required a little patience but its my calling
I found the nurse here she is to confirm me I found the doctor I found the
undertaker I found the undertakers man I found out how the old gentleman
there Mr Chuffey had behaved at the funeral and I found out what this man«
touching Lewsome on the arm »had talked about in his fever I found out how he
conducted himself before his fathers death and how since and how at the time
and writing it all down and putting it carefully together made case enough for
Mr Montague to tax him with the crime which as he himself believed until
tonight he had committed I was by when this was done You see him now He is
only worse than he was then«
Oh miserable miserable fool oh insupportable excruciating torture To
find alive and active a party to it all the brain and righthand of the
secret he had thought to crush In whom though he had walled the murdered man
up by enchantment in a rock the story would have lived and walked abroad He
tried to stop his ears with his fettered arms that he might shut out the rest
As he crouched upon the floor they drew away from him as if a pestilence
were in his breath They fell off one by one from that part of the room
leaving him alone upon the ground Even those who had him in their keeping
shunned him and with the exception of Slyme who was still occupied with his
nuts kept apart
»From that garretwindow opposite« said Nadgett pointing across the narrow
street »I have watched this house and him for days and nights From that
garretwindow opposite I saw him return home alone from a journey on which he
had set out with Mr Montague That was my token that Mr Montagues end was
gained and I might rest easy on my watch though I was not to leave it until he
dismissed me But standing at the door opposite after dark that same night I
saw a countryman steal out of this house by a sidedoor in the court who had
never entered it I knew his walk and that it was himself disguised I
followed him immediately I lost him on the western road still travelling
westward«
Jonas looked up at him for an instant and muttered an oath
»I could not comprehend what this meant« said Nadgett »but having seen so
much I resolved to see it out and through And I did Learning on inquiry at
his house from his wife that he was supposed to be sleeping in the room from
which I had seen him go out and that he had given strict orders not to be
disturbed I knew that he was coming back and for his coming back I watched I
kept my watch in the street in doorways and such places all that night at
the same window all next day and when night came on again in the street once
more For I knew he would come back as he had gone out when this part of the
town was empty He did Early in the morning the same countryman came creeping
creeping creeping home«
»Look sharp« interposed Slyme who had now finished his nuts »This is
quite irregular Mr Nadgett«
»I kept at the window all day« said Nadgett without heeding him »I think
I never closed my eyes At night I saw him come out with a bundle I followed
him again He went down the steps at London Bridge and sunk it in the river I
now began to entertain some serious fears and made a communication to the
Police which caused that bundle to be «
»To be fished up« interrupted Slyme »Be alive Mr Nadgett«
»It contained the dress I had seen him wear« said Nadgett »stained with
clay and spotted with blood Information of the murder was received in town
last night The wearer of that dress is already known to have been seen near the
place to have been lurking in that neighbourhood and to have alighted from a
coach coming from that part of the country at a time exactly tallying with the
very minute when I saw him returning home The warrant has been out and these
officers have been with me some hours We chose our time and seeing you come
in and seeing this person at the window «
»Beckoned to him« said Mark taking up the thread of the narrative on
hearing this allusion to himself »to open the door which he did with a deal of
pleasure«
»Thats all at present« said Nadgett putting up his great pocketbook
which from mere habit he had produced when he began his revelation and had kept
in his hand all the time »but there is plenty more to come You asked me for
the facts so far I have related them and need not detain these gentlemen any
longer Are you ready Mr Slyme«
»And something more« replied that worthy rising »If you walk round to the
office we shall be there as soon as you Tom Get a coach«
The officer to whom he spoke departed for that purpose Old Martin lingered
for a few moments as if he would have addressed some words to Jonas but
looking round and seeing him still seated on the floor rocking himself in a
savage manner to and fro took Chuffeys arm and slowly followed Nadgett out
John Westlock and Mark Tapley accompanied them Mrs Gamp had tottered out
first for the better display of her feelings in a kind of walking swoon for
Mrs Gamp performed swoons of different sorts upon a moderate notice as Mr
Mould did Funerals
»Ha« muttered Slyme looking after them »Upon my soul As insensible of
being disgraced by having such a nephew as myself in such a situation as he
was of my being an honour and a credit to the family Thats the return I get
for having humbled my spirit such a spirit as mine to earn a livelihood is
it«
He got up from his chair and kicked it away indignantly
»And such a livelihood too When there are hundreds of men not fit to hold
a candle to me rolling in carriages and living on their fortunes Upon my soul
its a nice world«
His eyes encountered Jonas who looked earnestly towards him and moved his
lips as if he were whispering
»Eh« said Slyme
Jonas glanced at the attendant whose back was towards him and made a clumsy
motion with his bound hands towards the door
»Humph« said Slyme thoughtfully »I couldnt hope to disgrace him into
anything when you have shot so far ahead of me though I forgot that«
Jonas repeated the same look and gesture
»Jack« said Slyme
»Hallo« returned his man
»Go down to the door ready for the coach Call out when it comes Id
rather have you there Now then« he added turning hastily to Jonas when the
man was gone »Whats the matter«
Jonas essayed to rise
»Stop a bit« said Slyme »Its not so easy when your wrists are tight
together Now then Up What is it«
»Put your hand in my pocket Here The breast pocket on the left« said
Jonas
He did so and drew out a purse
»Theres a hundred pound in it« said Jonas whose words were almost
unintelligible as his face in its pallor and agony was scarcely human
Slyme looked at him gave it into his hands and shook his head
»I cant I darent I couldnt if I dared Those fellows below «
»Escapes impossible« said Jonas »I know it One hundred pound for only
five minutes in the next room«
»What to do« he asked
The face of his prisoner as he advanced to whisper in his ear made him
recoil involuntarily But he stopped and listened to him The words were few
but his own face changed as he heard them
»I have it about me« said Jonas putting his hands to his throat as though
whatever he referred to were hidden in his neckkerchief »How should you know
of it How could you know A hundred pound for only five minutes in the next
room The times passing Speak«
»It would be more more creditable to the family« observed Slyme with
trembling lips »I wish you hadnt told me half so much Less would have served
your purpose You might have kept it to yourself«
»A hundred pound for only five minutes in the next room Speak« cried
Jonas desperately
He took the purse Jonas with a wild unsteady step retreated to the door
in the glass partition
»Stop« cried Slyme catching at his skirts »I dont know about this Yet
it must end so at last Are you guilty«
»Yes« said Jonas
»Are the proofs as they were told just now«
»Yes« said Jonas
»Will you will you engage to say a a Prayer now or something of that
sort« faltered Slyme
Jonas broke from him without replying and closed the door between them
Slyme listened at the keyhole After that he crept away on tiptoe as far
off as he could and looked awfully towards the place He was roused by the
arrival of the coach and their letting down the steps
»Hes getting a few things together« he said leaning out of window and
speaking to the two men below who stood in the full light of a streetlamp
»Keep your eye upon the back one of you for forms sake«
One of the men withdrew into the court The other seating himself on the
steps of the coach remained in conversation with Slyme at the window who
perhaps had risen to be his superior in virtue of his old propensity one so
much lauded by the murdered man of being always round the corner A useful
habit in his present calling
»Where is he« asked the man
Slyme looked into the room for an instant and gave his head a jerk as much
as to say »Close at hand I see him«
»Hes booked« observed the man
»Through« said Slyme
They looked at each other and up and down the street The man on the
coachsteps took his hat off and put it on again and whistled a little
»I say Hes taking his time« he remonstrated
»I allowed him five minutes« said Slyme »Times more than up though Ill
bring him down«
He withdrew from the window accordingly and walked on tiptoe to the door in
the partition He listened There was not a sound within He set the candles
near it that they might shine through the glass
It was not easy he found to make up his mind to the opening of the door
But he flung it wide open suddenly and with a noise then retreated After
peeping in and listening again he entered
He started back as his eyes met those of Jonas standing in an angle of the
wall and staring at him His neckkerchief was off his face was ashy pale
»Youre too soon« said Jonas with an abject whimper »Ive not had time I
have not been able to do it I five minutes more two minutes more Only
one«
Slyme gave him no reply but thrusting the purse upon him and forcing it
back into his pocket called up his men
He whined and cried and cursed and entreated them and struggled and
submitted in the same breath and had no power to stand They got him away and
into the coach where they put him on a seat but he soon fell moaning down
among the straw at the bottom and lay there
The two men were with him Slyme being on the box with the driver and they
let him lie Happening to pass a fruiterers on their way the door of which was
open though the shop was by this time shut one of them remarked how faint the
peaches smelt
The other assented at the moment but presently stooped down in quick alarm
and looked at the prisoner
»Stop the coach He has poisoned himself The smell comes from this bottle
in his hand«
The hand had shut upon it tight With that rigidity of grasp with which no
living man in the full strength and energy of life can clutch a prize he has
won
They dragged him out into the dark street but jury judge and hangman
could have done no more and could do nothing now Dead dead dead
Chapter LII
In which the Tables Are Turned Completely Upside Down
Old Martins cherished projects so long hidden in his own breast so frequently
in danger of abrupt disclosure through the bursting forth of the indignation he
had hoarded up during his residence with Mr Pecksniff were retarded but not
beyond a few hours by the occurrences just now related Stunned as he had been
at first by the intelligence conveyed to him through Tom Pinch and John
Westlock of the supposed manner of his brothers death overwhelmed as he was
by the subsequent narratives of Chuffey and Nadgett and the forging of that
chain of circumstances ending in the death of Jonas of which catastrophe he was
immediately informed scattered as his purposes and hopes were for the moment
by the crowding in of all these incidents between him and his end still their
very intensity and the tumult of their assemblage nerved him to the rapid and
unyielding execution of his scheme In every single circumstance whether it
were cruel cowardly or false he saw the flowering of the same pregnant seed
Self grasping eager narrowranging overreaching self with its long train
of suspicions lusts deceits and all their growing consequences was the root
of the vile tree Mr Pecksniff had so presented his character before the old
mans eyes that he the good the tolerant enduring Pecksniff had become
the incarnation of all selfishness and treachery and the more odious the shapes
in which those vices ranged themselves before him now the sterner consolation
he had in his design of setting Mr Pecksniff right and Mr Pecksniffs victims
too
To this work he brought not only the energy and determination natural to
his character which as the reader may have observed in the beginning of his or
her acquaintance with this gentleman was remarkable for the strong development
of those qualities but all the forced and unnaturally nurtured energy
consequent upon their long suppression And these two tides of resolution
setting into one and sweeping on became so strong and vigorous that to
prevent themselves from being carried away before it Heaven knows where was as
much as John Westlock and Mark Tapley together though they were tolerably
energetic too could manage to effect
He had sent for John Westlock immediately on his arrival and John under
the conduct of Tom Pinch had waited on him Having a lively recollection of Mr
Tapley he had caused that gentlemans attendance to be secured through Johns
means without delay and thus as we have seen they had all repaired
together to the City But his grandson he had refused to see until tomorrow
when Mr Tapley was instructed to summon him to the Temple at ten oclock in the
forenoon Tom he would not allow to be employed in anything lest he should be
wrongfully suspected but he was a party to all their proceedings and was with
them until late at night until after they knew of the death of Jonas when he
went home to tell all these wonders to little Ruth and to prepare her for
accompanying him to the Temple in the morning agreeably to Mr Chuzzlewits
particular injunction
It was characteristic of old Martin and his looking on to something which
he had distinctly before him that he communicated to them nothing of his
intentions beyond such hints of reprisal on Mr Pecksniff as they gathered from
the game he had played in that gentlemans house and the brightening of his
eyes whenever his name was mentioned Even to John Westlock in whom he was
evidently disposed to place great confidence which may indeed be said of every
one of them he gave no explanation whatever He merely requested him to return
in the morning and with this for their utmost satisfaction they left him when
the night was far advanced alone
The events of such a day might have worn out the body and spirit of a much
younger man than he but he sat in deep and painful meditation until the morning
was bright Nor did he even then seek any prolonged repose but merely slumbered
in his chair until seven oclock when Mr Tapley had appointed to come to him
by his desire and came as fresh and clean and cheerful as the morning itself
»You are punctual« said Mr Chuzzlewit opening the door to him in reply to
his light knock which had roused him instantly
»My wishes sir« replied Mr Tapley whose mind would appear from the
context to have been running on the matrimonial service »is to love honour
and obey The clocks astriking now sir«
»Come in«
»Thankee sir« rejoined Mr Tapley »what could I do for you first sir«
»You gave my message to Martin« said the old man bending his eyes upon
him
»I did sir« returned Mark »and you never see a gentleman more surprised
in all your born days than he was«
»What more did you tell him« Mr Chuzzlewit inquired
»Why sir« said Mr Tapley smiling »I should have liked to tell him a
deal more but not being able sir I didnt tell it him«
»You told him all you knew«
»But it was precious little sir« retorted Mr Tapley »There was very
little respectin you that I was able to tell him sir I only mentioned my
opinion that Mr Pecksniff would find himself deceived sir and that you would
find yourself deceived and that he would find himself deceived sir«
»In what« asked Mr Chuzzlewit
»Meaning him sir«
»Meaning both him and me«
»Well sir« said Mr Tapley »In your old opinions of each other As to
him sir and his opinions I know hes a altered man I know it I knowd it
long afore he spoke to you tother day and I must say it Nobody dont know
half as much of him as I do Nobody cant There was always a deal of good in
him but a little of it got crusted over somehow I cant say who rolled the
paste of that ere crust myself but «
»Go on« said Martin »Why do you stop«
»But it well I beg your pardon but I think it may have been you sir
Unintentional I think it may have been you I dont believe that neither of you
gave the other quite a fair chance There Now Ive got rid on it« said Mr
Tapley in a fit of desperation »I cant go a carryin it about in my own mind
bustin myself with it yesterday was quite long enough Its out now I cant
help it Im sorry for it Dont wisit it on him sir thats all«
It was clear that Mark expected to be ordered out immediately and was quite
prepared to go
»So you think« said Martin »that his old faults are in some degree of my
creation do you«
»Well sir« retorted Mr Tapley »Im wery sorry but I cant unsay it
Its hardly fair of you sir to make a ignorant man conwict himself in this
way but I do think so I am as respectful disposed to you sir as a man can
be but I do think so«
The light of a faint smile seemed to break through the dull steadiness of
Martins face as he looked attentively at him without replying
»Yet you are an ignorant man you say« he observed after a long pause
»Wery much so« Mr Tapley replied
»And I a learned wellinstructed man you think«
»Likewise wery much so« Mr Tapley answered
The old man with his chin resting on his hand paced the room twice or
thrice before he added
»You have left him this morning«
»Come straight from him now sir«
»For what does he suppose«
»He dont know what to suppose sir no more than myself I told him jest
wot passed yesterday sir and that you had said to me Can you be here by seven
in the morning and that you had said to him through me Can you be here by ten
in the morning and that I had said Yes to both Thats all sir«
His frankness was so genuine that it plainly was all
»Perhaps« said Martin »he may think you are going to desert him and to
serve me«
»I have served him in that sort of way sir« replied Mark without the loss
of any atom of his selfpossession »and we have been that sort of companions in
misfortune that my opinion is he dont believe a word on it No more than you
do sir«
»Will you help me to dress and get me some breakfast from the hotel« asked
Martin
»With pleasure sir« said Mark
»And byandby« pursued Martin »remaining in the room as I wish you to
do will you attend to the door yonder give admission to visitors I mean
when they knock«
»Certainly sir« said Mr Tapley
»You will not find it necessary to express surprise at their appearance«
Martin suggested
»Oh dear no sir« said Mr Tapley »not at all«
Although he pledged himself to this with perfect confidence he was in a
state of unbounded astonishment even now Martin appeared to observe it and to
have some sense of the ludicrous bearing of Mr Tapley under these perplexing
circumstances for in spite of the composure of his voice and the gravity of his
face the same indistinct light flickered on the latter several times Mark
bestirred himself however to execute the offices with which he was entrusted
and soon lost all tendency to any outward expression of his surprise in the
occupation of being brisk and busy
But when he had put Mr Chuzzlewits clothes in good order for dressing and
when that gentleman was dressed and sitting at his breakfast Mr Tapleys
feelings of wonder began to return upon him with great violence and standing
beside the old man with a napkin under his arm it was as natural and easy a
joke to Mark to be a butler in the Temple as it had been to volunteer as cook
on board the Screw he found it difficult to resist the temptation of casting
sidelong glances at him very often Nay he found it impossible and accordingly
yielded to this impulse so often that Martin caught him in the fact some fifty
times The extraordinary things Mr Tapley did with his own face when any of
these detections occurred the sudden occasions he had to rub his eyes or his
nose or his chin the look of wisdom with which he immediately plunged into the
deepest thought or became intensely interested in the habits and customs of the
flies upon the ceiling or the sparrows out of doors or the overwhelming
politeness with which he endeavoured to hide his confusion by handing the
muffin may not unreasonably be assumed to have exercised the utmost power of
feature that even Martin Chuzzlewit the elder possessed
But he sat perfectly quiet and took his breakfast at his leisure or made a
show of doing so for he scarcely ate or drank and frequently lapsed into long
intervals of musing When he had finished Mark sat down to his breakfast at the
same table and Mr Chuzzlewit quite silent still walked up and down the room
Mark cleared away in due course and set a chair out for him in which as
the time drew on towards ten oclock he took his seat leaning his hands upon
his stick and clenching them upon the handle and resting his chin on them
again All his impatience and abstraction of manner had vanished now and as he
sat there looking with his keen eyes steadily towards the door Mark could
not help thinking what a firm square powerful face it was or exulting in the
thought that Mr Pecksniff after playing a pretty long game of bowls with its
owner seemed to be at last in a very fair way of coming in for a rubber or two
Marks uncertainty in respect of what was going to be done or said and by
whom to whom would have excited him in itself. But knowing for a certainty
besides that young Martin was coming and in a very few minutes must arrive he
found it by no means easy to remain quiet and silent But excepting that he
occasionally coughed in a hollow and unnatural manner to relieve himself he
behaved with great decorum through the longest ten minutes he had ever known
A knock at the door Mr Westlock Mr Tapley in admitting him raised his
eyebrows to the highest possible pitch implying thereby that he considered
himself in an unsatisfactory position Mr Chuzzlewit received him very
courteously
Mark waited at the door for Tom Pinch and his sister who were coming up the
stairs The old man went to meet them took their hands in his and kissed her
on the cheek As this looked promising Mr Tapley smiled benignantly
Mr Chuzzlewit had resumed his chair before young Martin who was close
behind them entered The old man scarcely looking at him pointed to a distant
seat This was less encouraging and Mr Tapleys spirits fell again
He was quickly summoned to the door by another knock He did not start or
cry or tumble down at sight of Miss Graham and Mrs Lupin but he drew a very
long breath and came back perfectly resigned looking on them and on the rest
with an expression which seemed to say that nothing could surprise him any
more and that he was rather glad to have done with that sensation for ever
The old man received Mary no less tenderly than he had received Tom Pinchs
sister A look of friendly recognition passed between himself and Mrs Lupin
which implied the existence of a perfect understanding between them It
engendered no astonishment in Mr Tapley for as he afterwards observed he had
retired from the business and sold off the stock
Not the least curious feature in this assemblage was that everybody present
was so much surprised and embarrassed by the sight of everybody else that
nobody ventured to speak Mr Chuzzlewit alone broke silence
»Set the door open Mark« he said »and come here« Mark obeyed
The last appointed footstep sounded now upon the stairs They all knew it
It was Mr Pecksniffs and Mr Pecksniff was in a hurry too for he came
bounding up with such uncommon expedition that he stumbled twice or thrice
»Where is my venerable friend« he cried upon the upper landing and then
with open arms came darting in
Old Martin merely looked at him but Mr Pecksniff started back as if he had
received the charge of an electric battery
»My venerable friend is well« cried Mr Pecksniff
»Quite well«
It seemed to reassure the anxious inquirer He clasped his hands and
looking upwards with a pious joy silently expressed his gratitude He then
looked round on the assembled group and shook his head reproachfully For such
a man severely quite severely
»Oh vermin« said Mr Pecksniff »Oh bloodsuckers Is it not enough that
you have embittered the existence of an individual wholly unparalleled in the
biographical records of amiable persons but must you now even now when he has
made his election and reposed his trust in a Numble but at least sincere and
disinterested relative must you now vermin and swarmers I regret to make use
of these strong expressions my dear sir but there are times when honest
indignation will not be controlled must you now vermin and swarmers for I
WILL repeat it taking advantage of his unprotected state assemble round him
from all quarters as wolves and vultures and other animals of the feathered
tribe assemble round I will not say round carrion or a carcass for Mr
Chuzzlewit is quite the contrary but round their prey their prey to rifle
and despoil gorging their voracious maws and staining their offensive beaks
with every description of carnivorous enjoyment«
As he stopped to fetch his breath he waved them off in a solemn manner
with his hand
»Horde of unnatural plunderers and robbers« he continued »leave him leave
him I say Begone Abscond You had better be off Wander over the face of the
earth young sirs like vagabonds as you are and do not presume to remain in a
spot which is hallowed by the grey hairs of the patriarchal gentleman to whose
tottering limbs I have the honour to act as an unworthy but I hope an
unassuming prop and staff And you my tender sir« said Mr Pecksniff
addressing himself in a tone of gentle remonstrance to the old man »how could
you ever leave me though even for this short period You have absented
yourself I do not doubt upon some act of kindness to me bless you for it but
you must not do it you must not be so venturesome I should really be angry
with you if I could my friend«
He advanced with outstretched arms to take the old mans hand But he had
not seen how the hand clasped and clutched the stick within its grasp As he
came smiling on and got within his reach old Martin with his burning
indignation crowded into one vehement burst and flashing out of every line and
wrinkle in his face rose up and struck him down upon the ground
With such a welldirected nervous blow that down he went as heavily and
true as if the charge of a Life had tumbled him out of a saddle And whether he
was stunned by the shock or only confused by the wonder and novelty of this
warm reception he did not offer to get up again but lay there looking about
him with a disconcerted meekness in his face so enormously ridiculous that
neither Mark Tapley nor John Westlock could repress a smile though both were
actively interposing to prevent a repetition of the blow which the old mans
gleaming eyes and vigorous attitude seemed to render one of the most probable
events in the world
»Drag him away Take him out of my reach« said Martin »or I cant help it
The strong restraint I have put upon my hands has been enough to palsy them I
am not master of myself while he is within their range Drag him away«
Seeing that he still did not rise Mr Tapley without any compromise about
it actually did drag him away and stick him up on the floor with his back
against the opposite wall
»Hear me rascal« said Mr Chuzzlewit »I have summoned you here to witness
your own work I have summoned you here to witness it because I know it will be
gall and wormwood to you I have summoned you here to witness it because I know
the sight of everybody here must be a dagger in your mean false heart What do
you know me as I am at last«
Mr Pecksniff had cause to stare at him for the triumph in his face and
speech and figure was a sight to stare at
»Look there« said the old man pointing at him and appealing to the rest
»Look there And then come hither my dear Martin look here here here« At
every repetition of the word he pressed his grandson closer to his breast
»The passion I felt Martin when I dared not do this« he said »was in the
blow I struck just now Why did we ever part How could we ever part How could
you ever fly from me to him«
Martin was about to answer but he stopped him and went on
»The fault was mine no less than yours Mark has told me so today and I
have known it long though not so long as I might have done Mary my love come
here«
As she trembled and was very pale he sat her in his own chair and stood
beside it with her hand in his and Martin standing by him
»The curse of our house« said the old man looking kindly down upon her
»has been the love of self; has ever been the love of self. How often have I
said so when I never knew that I had wrought it upon others«
He drew one hand through Martins arm and standing so between them
proceeded thus
»You all know how I bred this orphan up to tend me None of you can know by
what degrees I have come to regard her as a daughter for she has won upon me
by her selfforgetfulness her tenderness her patience all the goodness of her
nature when Heaven is her witness that I took but little pains to draw it
forth It blossomed without cultivation and it ripened without heat I cannot
find it in my heart to say that I am sorry for it now or yonder fellow might be
holding up his head«
Mr Pecksniff put his hand into his waistcoat and slightly shook that part
of him to which allusion had been made as if to signify that it was still
uppermost
»There is a kind of selfishness« said Martin »I have learned it in my own
experience of my own breast which is constantly upon the watch for selfishness
in others and holding others at a distance by suspicions and distrusts wonders
why they dont approach and dont confide and calls that selfishness in them
Thus I once doubted those about me not without reason in the beginning and
thus I once doubted you Martin«
»Not without reason« Martin answered »either«
»Listen hypocrite Listen smoothtongued servile crawling knave« said
Martin »Listen you shallow dog What When I was seeking him you had already
spread your nets you were already fishing for him were ye When I lay ill in
this good womans house and your meek spirit pleaded for my grandson you had
already caught him had ye Counting on the restoration of the love you knew I
bore him you designed him for one of your two daughters did ye Or failing
that you traded in him as a speculation which at any rate should blind me with
the lustre of your charity and found a claim upon me Why even then I knew
you and I told you so Did I tell you that I knew you even then«
»I am not angry sir« said Mr Pecksniff softly »I can bear a great deal
from you I will never contradict you Mr Chuzzlewit«
»Observe« said Martin looking round »I put myself in that mans hands on
terms as mean and base and as degrading to himself as I could render them in
words I stated them at length to him before his own children syllable by
syllable as coarsely as I could and with as much offence and with as plain an
exposition of my contempt as words not looks and manner merely could
convey If I had only called the angry blood into his face I would have wavered
in my purpose If I had only stung him into being a man for a minute I would
have abandoned it If he had offered me one word of remonstrance in favour of
the grandson whom he supposed I had disinherited if he had pleaded with me
though never so faintly against my appeal to him to abandon him to misery and
cast him from his house I think I could have borne with him for ever
afterwards But not a word not a word Pandering to the worst of human passions
was the office of his nature and faithfully he did his work«
»I am not angry« observed Mr Pecksniff »I am hurt Mr Chuzzlewit
wounded in my feelings but I am not angry my good sir«
Mr Chuzzlewit resumed
»Once resolved to try him I was resolute to pursue the trial to the end
but while I was bent on fathoming the depth of his duplicity I made a sacred
compact with myself that I would give him credit on the other side for any
latent spark of goodness honour forbearance any virtue that might glimmer
in him From first to last there has been no such thing Not once He cannot
say I have not given him opportunity He cannot say I have ever led him on He
cannot say I have not left him freely to himself in all things or that I have
not been a passive instrument in his hands which he might have used for good as
easily as evil Or if he can he Lies And thats his nature too«
»Mr Chuzzlewit« interrupted Pecksniff shedding tears »I am not angry
sir I cannot be angry with you But did you never my dear sir express a
desire that the unnatural young man who by his wicked arts has estranged your
good opinion from me for the time being only for the time being that your
grandson Mr Chuzzlewit should be dismissed my house Recollect yourself my
Christian friend«
»I have said so have I not« retorted the old man sternly »I could not
tell how far your specious hypocrisy had deceived him knave and knew no better
way of opening his eyes than by presenting you before him in your own servile
character Yes I did express that desire And you leaped to meet it and you
met it and turning in an instant on the hand you had licked and beslavered as
only such hounds can you strengthened and confirmed and justified me in my
scheme«
Mr Pecksniff made a bow a submissive not to say a grovelling and an
abject bow If he had been complimented on his practice of the loftiest virtues
he never could have bowed as he bowed then
»The wretched man who has been murdered« Mr Chuzzlewit went on to say
»then passing by the name of «
»Tigg« suggested Mark
»Of Tigg brought begging messages to me on behalf of a friend of his and
an unworthy relative of mine and finding him a man well enough suited to my
purpose I employed him to glean some news of you Martin for me It was from
him I learned that you had taken up your abode with yonder fellow It was he
who meeting you here in town one evening you remember where«
»At the pawnbrokers shop« said Martin
»Yes watched you to your lodging and enabled me to send you a Bank note«
»I little thought« said Martin greatly moved »that it had come from you
I little thought that you were interested in my fate If I had «
»If you had« returned the old man sorrowfully »you would have shown less
knowledge of me as I seemed to be and as I really was I hoped to bring you
back Martin penitent and humbled I hoped to distress you into coming back to
me Much as I loved you I had that to acknowledge which I could not reconcile
it to myself to avow then unless you made submission to me first Thus it was
I lost you If I have had indirectly any act or part in the fate of that
unhappy man by putting means however small within his reach Heaven forgive
me I might have known perhaps that he would misuse money that it was
illbestowed upon him and that sown by his hands it could engender mischief
only But I never thought of him at that time as having the disposition or
ability to be a serious impostor or otherwise than as a thoughtless
idlehumoured dissipated spendthrift sinning more against himself than others
and frequenting low haunts and indulging vicious tastes to his own ruin only«
»Beggin your pardon sir« said Mr Tapley who had Mrs Lupin on his arm
by this time quite agreeably »if I may make so bold as say so my opinion is
as you was quite correct and that he turned out perfectly natral for all that
Theres a surprisin number of men sir who as long as theyve only got their
own shoes and stockings to depend upon will walk downhill along the gutters
quiet enough and by themselves and not do much harm But set any on em up
with a coach and horses sir and its wonderful what a knowledge of drivin
hell show and how hell fill his wehicle with passengers and start off in the
middle of the road neck or nothing to the Devil Bless your heart sir
theres ever so many Tiggs a passing this here Templegate any hour in the day
that only want a chance to turn out fullblown Montagues every one«
»Your ignorance as you call it Mark« said Mr Chuzzlewit »is wiser than
some mens enlightenment and mine among them You are right not for the first
time today Now hear me out my dears And hear me you who if what I have
been told be accurately stated are Bankrupt in pocket no less than in good
name And when you have heard me leave this place and poison my sight no
more«
Mr Pecksniff laid his hand upon his breast and bowed again
»The penance I have done in his house« said Mr Chuzzlewit »has carried
this reflection with it constantly above all others That if it had pleased
Heaven to visit such infirmity on my old age as really had reduced me to the
state in which I feigned to be I should have brought its misery upon myself Oh
you whose wealth like mine has been a source of continual unhappiness leading
you to distrust the nearest and dearest and to dig yourself a living grave of
suspicion and reserve take heed that having cast off all whom you might have
bound to you and tenderly you do not become in your decay the instrument of
such a man as this and waken in another world to the knowledge of such wrong
as would embitter Heaven itself if wrong or you could ever reach it«
And then he told them how he had sometimes thought in the beginning that
love might grow up between Mary and Martin and how he had pleased his fancy
with the picture of observing it when it was new and taking them to task
apart in counterfeited doubt and then confessing to them that it had been an
object dear to his heart and by his sympathy with them and generous provision
for their young fortunes establishing a claim on their affection and regard
which nothing should wither and which should surround his old age with means of
happiness How in the first dawn of this design and when the pleasure of such a
scheme for the happiness of others was new and indistinct within him Martin had
come to tell him that he had already chosen for himself knowing that he the
old man had some faint project on that head but ignorant whom it concerned
How it was little comfort to him to know that Martin had chosen Her because the
grace of his design was lost and because finding that she had returned his
love he tortured himself with the reflection that they so young to whom he
had been so kind a benefactor were already like the world and bent on their
own selfish stealthy ends How in the bitterness of this impression and of his
past experience he had reproached Martin so harshly forgetting that he had
never invited his confidence on such a point and confounding what he had meant
to do with what he had done that high words sprung up between them and they
separated in wrath How he loved him still and hoped he would return How on
the night of his illness at the Dragon he had secretly written tenderly of him
and made him his heir and sanctioned his marriage with Mary and how after his
interview with Mr Pecksniff he had distrusted him again and burnt the paper
to ashes and had lain down in his bed distracted by suspicions doubts and
regrets
And then he told them how resolved to probe this Pecksniff and to prove
the constancy and truth of Mary to himself no less than Martin he had
conceived and entered on his plan and how beneath her gentleness and patience
he had softened more and more still more and more beneath the goodness and
simplicity the honour and the manly faith of Tom And when he spoke of Tom he
said God bless him and the tears were in his eyes for he said that Tom
mistrusted and disliked by him at first had come like summer rain upon his
heart and had disposed it to believe in better things And Martin took him by
the hand and Mary too and John his old friend stoutly too and Mark and
Mrs Lupin and his sister little Ruth And peace of mind deep tranquil peace
of mind was on Tom Pinch
The old man then related how nobly Mr Pecksniff had performed the duty in
which he stood indebted to society in the matter of Toms dismissal and how
having often heard disparagement of Mr Westlock from Pecksniffian lips and
knowing him to be a friend to Tom he had used through his confidential agent
and solicitor that little artifice which had kept him in readiness to receive
his unknown friend in London And he called on Mr Pecksniff by the name of
Scoundrel to remember that there again he had not trapped him to do evil but
that he had done it of his own free will and agency nay that he had cautioned
him against it And once again he called on Mr Pecksniff by the name of
Hangdog to remember that when Martin coming home at last an altered man had
sued for the forgiveness which awaited him he Pecksniff had rejected him in
language of his own and had remorselessly stepped in between him and the least
touch of natural tenderness »For which« said the old man »if the bending of
my finger would remove a halter from your neck I wouldnt bend it«
»Martin« he added »your rival has not been a dangerous one but Mrs Lupin
here has played duenna for some weeks not so much to watch your love as to
watch her lover For that Ghoul« his fertility in finding names for Mr
Pecksniff was astonishing »would have crawled into her daily walks otherwise
and polluted the fresh air Whats this Her hand is trembling strangely See if
you can hold it«
Hold it If he clasped it half as tightly as he did her waist Well well
But it was good in him that even then in his high fortune and happiness
with her lips nearly printed on his own and her proud young beauty in his close
embrace he had a hand still left to stretch out to Tom Pinch
»Oh Tom Dear Tom I saw you accidentally coming here Forgive me«
»Forgive« cried Tom »Ill never forgive you as long as I live Martin if
you say another syllable about it Joy to you both Joy my dear fellow fifty
thousand times«
Joy There is not a blessing on earth that Tom did not wish them There is
not a blessing on earth that Tom would not have bestowed upon them if he could
»I beg your pardon sir« said Mr Tapley stepping forward »but you was
mentionin just now a lady of the name of Lupin sir«
»I was« returned old Martin
»Yes sir Its a pretty name sir«
»A very good name« said Martin
»It seems amost a pity to change such a name into Tapley Dont it sir«
said Mark
»That depends upon the lady What is her opinion«
»Why sir« said Mr Tapley retiring with a bow towards the buxom
hostess »her opinion is as the name aint a change for the better but the
indiwidual may be and therefore if nobody aint acquainted with no jest cause
or impediment et cetrer the Blue Dragon will be conwerted into the Jolly
Tapley A sign of my own inwention sir Wery new conwivial and expressive«
The whole of these proceedings were so agreeable to Mr Pecksniff that he
stood with his eyes fixed upon the floor and his hands clasping one another
alternately as if a host of penal sentences were being passed upon him Not
only did his figure appear to have shrunk but his discomfiture seemed to have
extended itself even to his dress His clothes seemed to have grown shabbier
his linen to have turned yellow his hair to have become lank and frowsy his
very boots looked villanous and dim as if their gloss had departed with his
own
Feeling rather than seeing that the old man now pointed to the door he
raised his eyes picked up his hat and thus addressed him
»Mr Chuzzlewit sir you have partaken of my hospitality«
»And paid for it« he observed
»Thank you That savours« said Mr Pecksniff taking out his
pockethandkerchief »of your old familiar frankness You have paid for it I
was about to make the remark You have deceived me sir Thank you again I am
glad of it To see you in the possession of your health and faculties on any
terms is in itself, a sufficient recompense To have been deceived implies a
trusting nature Mine is a trusting nature I am thankful for it I would rather
have a trusting nature do you know sir than a doubting one«
Here Mr Pecksniff with a sad smile bowed and wiped his eyes
»There is hardly any person present Mr Chuzzlewit« said Pecksniff »by
whom I have not been deceived I have forgiven those persons on the spot That
was my duty and of course I have done it Whether it was worthy of you to
partake of my hospitality and to act the part you did act in my house that
sir is a question which I leave to your own conscience And your conscience
does not acquit you No sir no«
Pronouncing these last words in a loud and solemn voice Mr Pecksniff was
not so absolutely lost in his own fervour as to be unmindful of the expediency
of getting a little nearer to the door
»I have been struck this day« said Mr Pecksniff »with a walkingstick
which I have every reason to believe has knobs upon it on that delicate and
exquisite portion of the human anatomy the brain Several blows have been
inflicted sir without a walkingstick upon that tenderer portion of my frame
my heart You have mentioned sir my being bankrupt in my purse Yes sir I
am By an unfortunate speculation combined with treachery I find myself
reduced to poverty at a time sir when the child of my bosom is widowed and
affliction and disgrace are in my family«
Here Mr Pecksniff wiped his eyes again and gave himself two or three
little knocks upon the breast as if he were answering two or three other little
knocks from within given by the tinkling hammer of his conscience to express
»Cheer up my boy«
»I know the human mind although I trust it That is my weakness Do I not
know sir« here he became exceedingly plaintive and was observed to glance
towards Tom Pinch »that my misfortunes bring this treatment on me Do I not
know sir that but for them I never should have heard what I have heard today
Do I not know that in the silence and the solitude of night a little voice
will whisper in your ear Mr Chuzzlewit This was not well This was not well
sir Think of this sir if you will have the goodness remote from the
impulses of passion and apart from the specialities if I may use that strong
remark of prejudice And if you ever contemplate the silent tomb sir which
you will excuse me for entertaining some doubt of your doing after the conduct
into which you have allowed yourself to be betrayed this day if you ever
contemplate the silent tomb sir think of me If you find yourself approaching
to the silent tomb sir think of me If you should wish to have anything
inscribed upon your silent tomb sir let it be that I ah my remorseful sir
that I the humble individual who has now the honour of reproaching you
forgave you That I forgave you when my injuries were fresh and when my bosom
was newly wrung It may be bitterness to you to hear it now sir but you will
live to seek a consolation in it May you find a consolation in it when you want
it sir Good morning«
With this sublime address Mr Pecksniff departed But the effect of his
departure was much impaired by his being immediately afterwards run against and
nearly knocked down by a monstrouslyexcited little man in velveteen shorts and
a very tall hat who came bursting up the stairs and straight into the chambers
of Mr Chuzzlewit as if he were deranged
»Is there anybody here that knows him« cried the little man »Is there
anybody here that knows him Oh my stars is there anybody here that knows
him«
They looked at each other for an explanation but nobody knew anything more
than that here was an excited little man with a very tall hat on running in and
out of the room as hard as he could go making his single pair of bright blue
stockings appear at least a dozen and constantly repeating in a shrill voice »
Is there anybody here that knows him«
»If your brains is not turned topjy turjey Mr Sweedlepipes« exclaimed
another voice »hold that there nige of yourn I beg you sir«
At the same time Mrs Gamp was seen in the doorway out of breath from
coming up so many stairs and panting fearfully but dropping curtseys to the
last
»Excuge the weakness of the man« said Mrs Gamp eyeing Mr Sweedlepipe
with great indignation »and well I might expect it as I should have knowd
and wishin he was drownded in the Thames afore I had brought him here which
not a blessed hour ago he nearly shaved the noge off from the father of as
lovely a family as ever Mr Chuzzlewit was born three sets of twins and would
have done it only he see it a goin in the glass and dodged the rager And
never Mr Sweedlepipes I do assure you sir did I so well know what a
misfortun it was to be acquainted with you as now I do which so I say sir
and I dont deceive you«
»I ask your pardon ladies and gentlemen all« cried the little barber
taking off his hat »and yours too Mrs Gamp But but« he added this
halflaughing and halfcrying »Is there anybody here that knows him«
As the barber said these words a something in topboots with its head
bandaged up staggered into the room and began going round and round and round
apparently under the impression that it was walking straight forward
»Look at him« cried the excited little barber »Here he is Thatll soon
wear off and then hell be all right again Hes no more dead than I am Hes
all alive and hearty Aint you Bailey«
»Rrreether so Poll« replied that gentleman
»Look here« cried the little barber laughing and crying in the same
breath »When I steady him he comes all right There Hes all right now
Nothings the matter with him now except that hes a little shook and rather
giddy is there Bailey«
»Rrreether shook Poll reether so« said Mr Bailey »What my lovely
Sairey There you air«
»What a boy he is« cried the tenderhearted Poll actually sobbing over
him »I never see sech a boy Its all his fan Hes full of it He shall go
into the business along with me I am determined he shall Well make it
Sweedlepipe and Bailey He shall have the sporting branch what a one hell be
for the matches and me the shavin Ill make over the birds to him as soon as
ever hes well enough He shall have the little bullfinch in the shop and all
Hes sech a boy I ask your pardon ladies and gentlemen but I thought there
might be some one here that knowd him«
Mrs Gamp had observed not without jealousy and scorn that a favourable
impression appeared to exist in behalf of Mr Sweedlepipe and his young friend
and that she had fallen rather into the background in consequence She now
struggled to the front therefore and stated her business
»Which Mr Chuzzlewit« she said »is well beknown to Mrs Harris as has
one sweet infant though she do not wish it known in her own family by the
mothers side kep in spirits in a bottle and that sweet babe she see at
Greenwich Fair a travelling in company with the pinkeyed lady Prooshan dwarf
and livin skelinton which judge her feelins when the barrel organ played and
she was showed her own dear sisters child the same not bein expected from the
outside picter where it was painted quite contrairy in a livin state a many
sizes larger and performing beautiful upon the Arp which never did that dear
child know or do since breathe it never did to speak on in this wale And
Mrs Harris Mr Chuzzlewit has knowed me many year and can give you
information that the lady which is widdered cant do better and may do worse
than let me wait upon her which I hope to do Permittin the sweet faces as I
see afore me«
»Oh« said Mr Chuzzlewit »Is that your business Was this good person paid
for the trouble we gave her«
»I paid her sir« returned Mark Tapley »liberal«
»The young mans words is true« said Mrs Gamp »and thank you kindly«
»Then here we will close our acquaintance Mrs Gamp« retorted Mr
Chuzzlewit »And Mr Sweedlepipe is that your name«
»That is my name sir« replied Poll accepting with a profusion of
gratitude some chinking pieces which the old man slipped into his hand
»Mr Sweedlepipe take as much care of your ladylodger as you can and give
her a word or two of good advice now and then Such« said old Martin looking
gravely at the astonished Mrs Gamp »as hinting at the expediency of a little
less liquor and a little more humanity said a little less regard for herself
and a little more regard for her patients and perhaps a trifle of additional
honesty Or when Mrs Gamp gets into trouble Mr Sweedlepipe it had better not
be at a time when I am near enough to the Old Bailey to volunteer myself as a
witness to her character Endeavour to impress that upon her at your leisure if
you please«
Mrs Gamp clasped her hands turned up her eyes until they were quite
invisible threw back her bonnet for the admission of fresh air to her heated
brow and in the act of saying faintly »Less liquor Sairey Gamp Bottle on
the chimneypiece and let me put my lips to it when I am so dispoged« fell
into one of the walking swoons in which pitiable state she was conducted forth
by Mr Sweedlepipe who between his two patients the swooning Mrs Gamp and
the revolving Bailey had enough to do poor fellow
The old man looked about him with a smile until his eyes rested on Tom
Pinchs sister when he smiled the more
»We will all dine here together« he said »and as you and Mary have enough
to talk of Martin you shall keep house for us until the afternoon with Mr
and Mrs Tapley I must see your lodgings in the meanwhile Tom«
Tom was quite delighted So was Ruth She would go with them
»Thank you my love« said Mr Chuzzlewit »But I am afraid I must take Tom
a little out of the way on business Suppose you go on first my dear«
Pretty little Ruth was equally delighted to do that
»But not alone« said Martin »not alone Mr Westlock I dare say will
escort you«
Why of course he would what else had Mr Westlock in his mind How dull
these old men are
»You are sure you have no engagement« he persisted
Engagement As if he could have any engagement
So they went off arm in arm When Tom and Mr Chuzzlewit went off arm in arm
a few minutes after them the latter was still smiling and really for a
gentleman of his habits in rather a knowing manner
Chapter LIII
What John Westlock Said to Tom Pinchs Sister what Tom Pinchs Sister Said to
John Westlock what Tom Pinch Said to Both of Them and how They All Passed the
Remainder of the Day
Brilliantly the Temple Fountain sparkled in the sun and laughingly its liquid
music played and merrily the idle drops of water danced and danced and peeping
out in sport among the trees plunged lightly down to hide themselves as little
Ruth and her companion came towards it
And why they came towards the Fountain at all is a mystery for they had no
business there It was not in their way It was quite out of their way They had
no more to do with the Fountain bless you than they had with with Love or
any outoftheway thing of that sort
It was all very well for Tom and his sister to make appointments by the
Fountain but that was quite another affair Because of course when she had to
wait a minute or two it would have been very awkward for her to have had to
wait in any but a tolerably quiet spot and that was as quiet a spot everything
considered, as they could choose But when she had John Westlock to take care of
her and was going home with her arm in his home being in a different direction
altogether their coming anywhere near that Fountain was quite extraordinary
However there they found themselves And another extraordinary part of the
matter was that they seemed to have come there by a silent understanding Yet
when they got there they were a little confused by being there which was the
strangest part of all because there is nothing naturally confusing in a
Fountain We all know that
What a good old place it was John said With quite an earnest affection for
it
»A pleasant place indeed« said little Ruth »So shady«
Oh wicked little Ruth
They came to a stop when John began to praise it The day was exquisite and
stopping at all it was quite natural nothing could be more so that they
should glance down Garden Court because Garden Court ends in the Garden and
the Garden ends in the River and that glimpse is very bright and fresh and
shining on a summers day Then oh little Ruth why not look boldly at it Why
fit that tiny precious blessed little foot into the cracked corner of an
insensible old flagstone in the pavement and be so very anxious to adjust it to
a nicety
If the Fieryfaced matron in the crunched bonnet could have seen them as
they walked away how many years purchase might Fiery Face have been disposed
to take for her situation in Furnivals Inn as laundress to Mr Westlock
They went away but not through Londons streets Through some enchanted
city where the pavements were of air where all the rough sounds of a stirring
town were softened into gentle music where every thing was happy where there
was no distance and no time There were two goodtempered burly draymen letting
down big butts of beer into a cellar somewhere and when John helped her
almost lifted her the lightest easiest neatest thing you ever saw across
the rope they said he owed them a good turn for giving him the chance
Celestial draymen
Green pastures in the summer tide deeplittered strawyards in the winter
no stint of corn and clover ever to that noble horse who would dance on the
pavement with a gig behind him and who frightened her and made her clasp his
arm with both hands both hands meeting one upon the other so endearingly
and caused her to implore him to take refuge in the pastrycooks and
afterwards to peep out at the door so shrinkingly and then looking at him with
those eyes to ask him was he sure now was he sure they might go safely on
Oh for a string of rampant horses For a lion for a bear for a mad bull for
anything to bring the little hands together on his arm again
They talked of course They talked of Tom and all these changes and the
attachment Mr Chuzzlewit had conceived for him and the bright prospects he had
in such a friend and a great deal more to the same purpose The more they
talked the more afraid this fluttering little Ruth became of any pause and
sooner than have a pause she would say the same things over again and if she
hadnt courage or presence of mind enough for that to say the truth she very
seldom had she was ten thousand times more charming and irresistible than she
had been before
»Martin will be married very soon now I suppose« said John
She supposed he would Never did a bewitching little woman suppose anything
in such a famt voice as Ruth supposed that
But seeing that another of those alarming pauses was approaching she
remarked that he would have a beautiful wife Didnt Mr Westlock think so
»Yeyes« said John »oh yes«
She feared he was rather hard to please he spoke so coldly
»Rather say already pleased« said John »I have scarcely seen her I had no
care to see her I had no eyes for her this morning«
Oh good gracious
It was well they had reached their destination She never could have gone
any further It would have been impossible to walk in such a tremble
Tom had not come in They entered the triangular parlour together and
alone Fiery Face Fiery Face how many years purchase now
She sat down on the little sofa and untied her bonnetstrings He sat down
by her side and very near her very very near her Oh rapid swelling
bursting little heart you knew that it would come to this and hoped it would
Why beat so wildly heart
»Dear Ruth Sweet Ruth If I had loved you less I could have told you that
I loved you long ago I have loved you from the first There never was a
creature in the world more truly loved than you dear Ruth by me«
She clasped her little hands before her face The gushing tears of joy and
pride and hope and innocent affection would not be restrained Fresh from her
full young heart they came to answer him
»My dear love If this is I almost dare to hope it is now not painful
or distressing to you you make me happier than I can tell or you imagine
Darling Ruth My own good gentle winning Ruth I hope I know the value of your
heart I hope I know the worth of your angel nature Let me try and show you
that I do and you will make me happier Ruth «
»Not happier« she sobbed »than you make me No one can be happier John
than you make me«
Fiery Face provide yourself The usual wages or the usual warning Its all
over Fiery Face We neednt trouble you any further
The little hands could meet each other now without a rampant horse to urge
them There was no occasion for lions bears or mad bulls It could all be
done and infinitely better without their assistance No burly drayman or big
butts of beer were wanted for apologies No apology at all was wanted The soft
light touch fell coyly but quite naturally upon the lovers shoulder the
delicate waist the drooping head the blushing cheek the beautiful eyes the
exquisite mouth itself were all as natural as possible If all the horses in
Araby had run away at once they couldnt have improved upon it
They soon began to talk of Tom again
»I hope he will be glad to hear of it« said John with sparkling eyes
Ruth drew the little hands a little tighter when he said it and looked up
seriously into his face
»I am never to leave him am I dear I could never leave Tom I am sure you
know that«
»Do you think I would ask you« he returned with a well Never mind with
what
»I am sure you never would« she answered the bright tears standing in her
eyes
»And I will swear it Ruth my darling if you please Leave Tom That would
be a strange beginning Leave Tom dear If Tom and we be not inseparable and
Tom God bless him have not all honour and all love in our home my little
wife may that home never be And thats a strong oath Ruth«
Shall it be recorded how she thanked him Yes it shall In all simplicity
and innocence and purity of heart yet with a timid graceful halfdetermined
hesitation she set a little rosy seal upon the vow whose colour was reflected
in her face and flashed up to the braiding of her dark brown hair
»Tom will be so happy and so proud and glad« she said clasping her
little hands »But so surprised I am sure he had never thought of such a
thing«
Of course John asked her immediately because you know they were in that
foolish state when great allowances must be made when she had begun to think
of such a thing and this made a little diversion in their talk a charming
diversion to them but not so interesting to us at the end of which they came
back to Tom again
»Ah dear Tom« said Ruth »I suppose I ought to tell you everything now I
should have no secrets from you Should I John love«
It is of no use saying how that preposterous John answered her because he
answered in a manner which is untranslatable on paper though highly
satisfactory in itself. But what he conveyed was No no no sweet Ruth or
something to that effect
Then she told him Toms great secret not exactly saying how she had found
it out but leaving him to understand it if he liked and John was sadly grieved
to hear it and was full of sympathy and sorrow But they would try he said
only the more on this account to make him happy and to beguile him with his
favourite pursuits And then in all the confidence of such a time he told her
how he had a capital opportunity of establishing himself in his old profession
in the country and how he had been thinking in the event of that happiness
coming upon him which had actually come there was another slight diversion
here how he had been thinking that it would afford occupation to Tom and
enable them to live together in the easiest manner without any sense of
dependence on Toms part and to be as happy as the day was long And Ruth
receiving this with joy they went on catering for Tom to that extent that they
had already purchased him a select library and built him an organ on which he
was performing with the greatest satisfaction when they heard him knocking at
the door
Though she longed to tell him what had happened poor little Ruth was
greatly agitated by his arrival the more so because she knew that Mr
Chuzzlewit was with him So she said all in a tremble
»What shall I do dear John I cant bear that he should hear it from any
one but me and I could not tell him unless we were alone«
»Do my love« said John »whatever is natural to you on the impulse of the
moment and I am sure it will be right«
He had hardly time to say thus much and Ruth had hardly time to just to
get a little farther off upon the sofa when Tom and Mr Chuzzlewit came in
Mr Chuzzlewit came first and Tom was a few seconds behind him
Now Ruth had hastily resolved that she would beckon Tom up stairs after a
short time and would tell him in his little bedroom But when she saw his dear
old face come in her heart was so touched that she ran into his arms and laid
her head down on his breast and sobbed out »Bless me Tom My dearest
brother«
Tom looked up in surprise and saw John Westlock close beside him holding
out his hand
»John« cried Tom »John«
»Dear Tom« said his friend »give me your hand We are brothers Tom«
Tom wrung it with all his force embraced his sister fervently and put her
in John Westlocks arms
»Dont speak to me John Heaven is very good to us I « Tom could find no
further utterance but left the room and Ruth went after him
And when they came back which they did byandby she looked more
beautiful and Tom more good and true if that were possible than ever And
though Tom could not speak upon the subject even now being yet too newly glad
he put both his hands in both of Johns with emphasis sufficient for the best
speech ever spoken
»I am glad you chose today« said Mr Chuzzlewit to John with the same
knowing smile as when they had left him »I thought you would I hoped Tom and I
lingered behind a discreet time Its so long since I had any practical
knowledge of these subjects that I have been anxious I assure you«
»Your knowledge is still pretty accurate sir« returned John laughing »if
it led you to foresee what would happen today«
»Why I am not sure Mr Westlock« said the old man »that any great spirit
of prophecy was needed after seeing you and Ruth together Come hither pretty
one See what Tom and I purchased this morning while you were dealing in
exchange with that young merchant there«
The old mans way of seating her beside him and humouring his voice as if
she were a child was whimsical enough but full of tenderness and not ill
adapted somehow to little Ruth
»See here« he said taking a case from his pocket »what a beautiful
necklace Ah How it glitters Earrings too and bracelets and a zone for your
waist This set is yours and Mary has another like it Tom couldnt understand
why I wanted two What a shortsighted Tom Earrings and bracelets and a zone
for your waist Ah beautiful Let us see how brave they look Ask Mr Westlock
to clasp them on«
It was the prettiest thing to see her holding out her round white arm and
John oh deep deep John pretending that the bracelet was very hard to fasten
it was the prettiest thing to see her girding on the precious little zone and
yet obliged to have assistance because her fingers were in such terrible
perplexity it was the prettiest thing to see her so confused and bashful with
the smiles and blushes playing brightly on her face like the sparkling light
upon the jewels it was the prettiest thing that you would see in the common
experiences of a twelvemonth rely upon it
»The set of jewels and the wearer are so well matched« said the old man
»that I dont know which becomes the other most Mr Westlock could tell me I
have no doubt but Ill not ask him for he is bribed Health to wear them my
dear and happiness to make you forgetful of them except as a remembrance from
a loving friend«
He patted her upon the cheek and said to Tom
»I must play the part of a father here Tom also There are not many
fathers who marry two such daughters on the same day but we will overlook the
improbability for the gratification of an old mans fancy I may claim that much
indulgence« he added »for I have gratified few fancies enough in my life
tending to the happiness of others Heaven knows«
These various proceedings had occupied so much time and they fell into such
a pleasant conversation now that it was within a quarter of an hour of the time
appointed for dinner before any of them thought about it A hackneycoach soon
carried them to the Temple however and there they found everything prepared
for their reception
Mr Tapley having been furnished with unlimited credentials relative to the
ordering of dinner had so exerted himself for the honour of the party that a
prodigious banquet was served under the joint direction of himself and his
Intended Mr Chuzzlewit would have had them of the party and Martin urgently
seconded his wish but Mark could by no means be persuaded to sit down at table
observing that in having the honour of attending to their comforts he felt
himself indeed the landlord of the Jolly Tapley and could almost delude
himself into the belief that the entertainment was actually being held under the
Jolly Tapleys roof
For the better encouragement of himself in this fable Mr Tapley took it
upon him to issue divers general directions to the waiters from the hotel
relative to the disposal of the dishes and so forth and as they were usually in
direct opposition to all precedent and were always issued in his most facetious
form of thought and speech they occasioned great merriment among those
attendants in which Mr Tapley participated with an infinite enjoyment of his
own humour He likewise entertained them with short anecdotes of his travels
appropriate to the occasion and now and then with some comic passage or other
between himself and Mrs Lupin so that explosive laughs were constantly issuing
from the sideboard and from the backs of chairs and the headwaiter who wore
powder and kneesmalls and was usually grave man got to be a bright scarlet
in the face and broke his waistcoatstrings audibly
Young Martin sat at the head of the table and Tom Pinch at the foot and if
there were a genial face at that board it was Toms They all took their tone
from Tom Everybody drank to him everybody looked to him everybody thought of
him everybody loved him If he so much as laid down his knife and fork
somebody put out a hand to shake with him Martin and Mary had taken him aside
before dinner and spoken to him so heartily of the time to come laying such
fervent stress upon the trust they had in his completion of their felicity by
his society and closest friendship that Tom was positively moved to tears He
couldnt bear it His heart was full he said of happiness And so it was Tom
spoke the honest truth It was Large as thy heart was dear Tom Pinch it had
no room that day for anything but happiness and sympathy
And there was Fips old Fips of Austin Friars present at the dinner and
turning out to be the jolliest old dog that ever did violence to his convivial
sentiments by shutting himself up in a dark office »Where is he« said Fips
when he came in And then he pounced on Tom and told him that he wanted to
relieve himself of all his old constraint and in the first place shook him by
one hand and in the second place shook him by the other and in the third place
nudged him in the waistcoat and in the fourth place said »How are you« and
in a great many other places did a great many other things to show his
friendliness and joy And he sang songs did Fips and made speeches did Fips
and knocked off his wine pretty handsomely did Fips and in short he showed
himself a perfect Trump did Fips in all respects
But ah the happiness of strolling home at night obstinate little Ruth
she wouldnt hear of riding as they had done on that dear night from
Furnivals Inn The happiness of being able to talk about it and to confide
their happiness to each other The happiness of stating all their little plans
to Tom and seeing his bright face grow brighter as they spoke
When they reached home Tom left John and his sister in the parlour and
went up stairs into his own room under pretence of seeking a book And Tom
actually winked to himself when he got up stairs he thought it such a deep
thing to have done
»They like to be by themselves of course« said Tom »and I came away so
naturally that I have no doubt they are expecting me every moment to return
Thats capital«
But he had not sat reading very long when he heard a tap at his door
»May I come in« said John
»Oh surely« Tom replied
»Dont leave us Tom Dont sit by yourself We want to make you merry not
melancholy«
»My dear friend« said Tom with a cheerful smile
»Brother Tom Brother«
»My dear brother« said Tom »there is no danger of my being melancholy
how can I be melancholy when I know that you and Ruth are so blest in each
other I think I can find my tongue tonight John« he added after a moments
pause »But I never can tell you what unutterable joy this day has given me It
would be unjust to you to speak of your having chosen a portionless girl for I
feel that you know her worth I am sure you know her worth Nor will it diminish
in your estimation John which money might«
»Which money would Tom« he returned »Her worth Oh who could see her
here and not love her Who could know her Tom and not honour her Who could
ever stand possessed of such a heart as hers and grow indifferent to the
treasure Who could feel the rapture that I feel today and love as I love her
Tom without knowing something of her worth Your joy unutterable No no Tom
Its mine its mine«
»No no John« said Tom »Its mine its mine«
Their friendly contention was brought to a close by little Ruth herself who
came peeping in at the door And oh the look the glorious halfproud
halftimid look she gave Tom when her lover drew her to his side As much as to
say »Yes indeed Tom he will do it But then he has a right you know Because
I am fond of him Tom«
As to Tom he was perfectly delighted He could have sat and looked at them
just as they were for hours
»I have told Tom love as we agreed that we are not going to permit him to
run away and that we cannot possibly allow it The loss of one person and such
a person as Tom too out of our small household of three is not to be endured
and so I have told him Whether he is considerate or whether he is only
selfish I dont know But he neednt be considerate for he is not the least
restraint upon us Is he dearest Ruth«
Well He really did not seem to be any particular restraint upon them
Judging from what ensued
Was it folly in Tom to be so pleased by their remembrance of him at such a
time Was their graceful love a folly were their dear caresses follies was
their lengthened parting folly Was it folly in him to watch her window from the
street and rate its scantiest gleam of light above all diamonds folly in her
to breathe his name upon her knees and pour out her pure heart before that
Being from whom such hearts and such affections come
If these be follies then Fiery Face go on and prosper If they be not then
Fiery Face avaunt But set the crunched bonnet at some other single gentleman
in any case for one is lost to thee for ever
Chapter LIV
Gives the Author Great Concern For It Is the Last in the Book
Todgerss was in high feather and mighty preparations for a late breakfast were
astir in its commercial bowers The blissful morning had arrived when Miss
Pecksniff was to be united in holy matrimony to Augustus
Miss Pecksniff was in a frame of mind equally becoming to herself and the
occasion She was full of clemency and conciliation She had laid in several
chaldrons of live coals and was prepared to heap them on the heads of her
enemies She bore no spite nor malice in her heart Not the least
Quarrels Miss Pecksniff said were dreadful things in families and though
she never could forgive her dear papa she was willing to receive her other
relations They had been separated she observed too long It was enough to
call down a judgment upon the family She believed the death of Jonas was a
judgment on them for their internal dissensions And Miss Pecksniff was
confirmed in this belief by the lightness with which the visitation had fallen
on herself
By way of doing sacrifice not in triumph not of course in triumph but
in humiliation of spirit this amiable young person wrote therefore to her
kinswoman of the strong mind and informed her that her nuptials would take
place on such a day That she had been much hurt by the unnatural conduct of
herself and daughters and hoped they might not have suffered in their
consciences That being desirous to forgive her enemies and make her peace with
the world before entering into the most solemn of covenants with the most
devoted of men she now held out the hand of friendship That if the
strongminded woman took that hand in the temper in which it was extended to
her she Miss Pecksniff did invite her to be present at the ceremony of her
marriage and did furthermore invite the three rednosed spinsters her
daughters but Miss Pecksniff did not particularise their noses to attend as
bridesmaids
The strongminded woman returned for answer that herself and daughters
were as regarded their consciences in the enjoyment of robust health which
she knew Miss Pecksniff would be glad to hear That she had received Miss
Pecksniffs note with unalloyed delight because she never had attached the
least importance to the paltry and insignificant jealousies with which herself
and circle had been assailed otherwise than as she found them in the
contemplation a harmless source of innocent mirth That she would joyfully
attend Miss Pecksniffs bridal and that her three dear daughters would be happy
to assist on so interesting and so very unexpected which the strongminded
woman underlined so very unexpected an occasion
On the receipt of this gracious reply Miss Pecksniff extended her
forgiveness and her invitations to Mr and Mrs Spottletoe to Mr George
Chuzzlewit the bachelor cousin to the solitary female who usually had the
toothache and to the hairy young gentleman with the outline of a face
surviving remnants of the party that had once assembled in Mr Pecksniffs
parlour After which Miss Pecksniff remarked that there was a sweetness in
doing our duty which neutralised the bitter in our cups
The wedding guests had not yet assembled and indeed it was so early that
Miss Pecksniff herself was in the act of dressing at her leisure when a
carriage stopped near the Monument and Mark dismounting from the rumble
assisted Mr Chuzzlewit to alight The carriage remained in waiting so did Mr
Tapley Mr Chuzzlewit betook himself to Todgerss
He was shown by the degenerate successor of Mr Bailey into the
diningparlour where for his visit was expected Mrs Todgers immediately
appeared
»You are dressed I see for the wedding« he said
Mrs Todgers who was greatly flurried by the preparations replied in the
affirmative
»It goes against my wishes to have it in progress just now I assure you
sir« said Mrs Todgers »but Miss Pecksniffs mind was set upon it and it
really is time that Miss Pecksniff was married That cannot be denied sir«
»No« said Mr Chuzzlewit »assuredly not Her sister takes no part in the
proceedings«
»Oh dear no sir Poor thing« said Mrs Todgers shaking her head and
dropping her voice »Since she has known the worst she has never left my room
the next room«
»Is she prepared to see me« he inquired
»Quite prepared sir«
»Then let us lose no time«
Mrs Todgers conducted him into the little back chamber commanding the
prospect of the cistern and there sadly different from when it had first been
her lodging sat poor Merry in mourning weeds The room looked very dark and
sorrowful and so did she but she had one friend beside her faithful to the
last Old Chuffey
When Mr Chuzzlewit sat down at her side she took his hand and put it to
her lips She was in great grief He too was agitated for he had not seen her
since their parting in the churchyard
»I judged you hastily« he said in a low voice »I fear I judged you
cruelly Let me know that I have your forgiveness«
She kissed his hand again and retaining it in hers thanked him in a
broken voice for all his kindness to her since
»Tom Pinch« said Martin »has faithfully related to me all that you desired
him to convey at a time when he deemed it very improbable that he would ever
have an opportunity of delivering your message Believe me that if I ever deal
again with an illadvised and unawakened nature hiding the strength it thinks
its weakness I will have long and merciful consideration for it«
»You had for me even for me« she answered »I quite believe it I said the
words you have repeated when my distress was very sharp and hard to bear I say
them now for others but I cannot urge them for myself You spoke to me after
you had seen and watched me day by day There was great consideration in that
You might have spoken perhaps more kindly you might have tried to invite my
confidence by greater gentleness but the end would have been the same«
He shook his head in doubt and not without some inward selfreproach
»How can I hope« she said »that your interposition would have prevailed
with me when I know how obdurate I was I never thought at all dear Mr
Chuzzlewit I never thought at all I had no thought no heart no care to find
one at that time It has grown out of my trouble I have felt it in my trouble
I wouldnt recall my trouble such as it is and has been and it is light in
comparison with trials which hundreds of good people suffer every day I know
I wouldnt recall it tomorrow if I could It has been my friend for without
it no one could have changed me nothing could have changed me Do not mistrust
me because of these tears I cannot help them I am grateful for it in my soul
Indeed I am«
»Indeed she is« said Mrs Todgers »I believe it sir«
»And so do I« said Mr Chuzzlewit »Now attend to me my dear Your late
husbands estate if not wasted by the confession of a large debt to the broken
office which document being useless to the runaways has been sent over to
England by them not so much for the sake of the creditors as for the
gratification of their dislike to him whom they suppose to be still living
will be seized upon by law for it is not exempt as I learn from the claims of
those who have suffered by the fraud in which he was engaged Your fathers
property was all or nearly all embarked in the same transaction If there be
any left it will be seized on in like manner There is no home there«
»I couldnt return to him« she said with an instinctive reference to his
having forced her marriage on »I could not return to him«
»I know it« Mr Chuzzlewit resumed »and I am here because I know it Come
with me From all who are about me you are certain I have ascertained it of a
generous welcome But until your health is reestablished and you are
sufficiently composed to bear that welcome you shall have your abode in any
quiet retreat of your own choosing near London not so far removed but that
this kindhearted lady may still visit you as often as she pleases You have
suffered much but you are young and have a brighter and a better future
stretching out before you Come with me Your sister is careless of you I know
She hurries on and publishes her marriage in a spirit which to say no more of
it is barely decent is unsisterly and bad Leave the house before her guests
arrive She means to give you pain Spare her the offence and come with me«
Mrs Todgers though most unwilling to part with her added her persuasions
Even poor old Chuffey of course included in the project added his She
hurriedly attired herself and was ready to depart when Miss Pecksniff dashed
into the room
Miss Pecksniff dashed in so suddenly that she was placed in an embarrassing
position For though she had completed her bridal toilette as to her head on
which she wore a bridal bonnet with orange flowers she had not completed it as
to her skirts which displayed no choicer decoration than a dimity bedgown She
had dashed in in fact about halfway through to console her sister in her
affliction with a sight of the aforesaid bonnet and being quite unconscious of
the presence of a visitor until she found Mr Chuzzlewit standing face to face
with her her surprise was an uncomfortable one
»So young lady« said the old man eyeing her with strong disfavour »You
are to be married today«
»Yes sir« returned Miss Pecksniff modestly »I am I my dress is rather
really Mrs Todgers«
»Your delicacy« said old Martin »is troubled I perceive I am not
surprised to find it so You have chosen the period of your marriage
unfortunately«
»I beg your pardon Mr Chuzzlewit« retorted Cherry very red and angry in
a moment »but if you have anything to say on that subject I must beg to refer
you to Augustus You will scarcely think it manly I hope to force an argument
on me when Augustus is at all times ready to discuss it with you I have
nothing to do with any deceptions that may have been practised on my parent«
said Miss Pecksniff pointedly »and as I wish to be on good terms with
everybody at such a time I should have been glad if you would have favoured us
with your company at breakfast But I will not ask you as it is seeing that you
have been prepossessed and set against me in another quarter I hope I have my
natural affections for another quarter and my natural pity for another quarter
but I cannot always submit to be subservient to it Mr Chuzzlewit That would
be a little too much I trust I have more respect for myself as well as for the
man who claims me as his Bride«
»Your sister meeting as I think not as she says for she has said
nothing about it with little consideration from you is going away with me«
said Mr Chuzzlewit
»I am very happy to find that she has some good fortune at last« returned
Miss Pecksniff tossing her head »I congratulate her I am sure I am not
surprised that this event should be painful to her painful to her but I
cant help that Mr Chuzzlewit Its not my fault«
»Come Miss Pecksniff« said the old man quietly »I should like to see a
better parting between you I should like to see a better parting on your side
in such circumstances It would make me your friend You may want a friend one
day or other«
»Every relation of life Mr Chuzzlewit begging your pardon and every
friend in life« returned Miss Pecksniff with dignity »is now bound up and
cemented in Augustus So long as Augustus is my own I cannot want a friend
When you speak of friends sir I must beg once for all to refer you to
Augustus That is my impression of the religious ceremony in which I am so soon
to take a part at that altar to which Augustus will conduct me I bear no malice
at any time much less in a moment of triumph towards any one much less
towards my sister On the contrary I congratulate her If you didnt hear me
say so I am not to blame And as I owe it to Augustus to be punctual on an
occasion when he may naturally be supposed to be to be impatient really
Mrs Todgers I must beg your leave sir to retire«
After these words the bridal bonnet disappeared with as much state as the
dimity bedgown left in it
Old Martin gave his arm to the younger sister without speaking and led her
out Mrs Todgers with her holiday garments fluttering in the wind accompanied
them to the carriage clung round Merrys neck at parting and ran back to her
own dingy house crying the whole way She had a lean lank body Mrs Todgers
but a wellconditioned soul within Perhaps the Good Samaritan was lean and
lank and found it hard to live Who knows
Mr Chuzzlewit followed her so closely with his eyes that until she had
shut her own door they did not encounter Mr Tapleys face
»Why Mark« he said as soon as he observed it »whats the matter«
»The wonderfullest ewent sir« returned Mark pumping at his voice in a
most laborious manner and hardly able to articulate with all his efforts »A
coincidence as never was equalled Im blessed if here aint two old neighbours
of ourn sir«
»What neighbours« cried old Martin looking out of window »Where«
»I was a walkin up and down not five yards from this spot« said Mr
Tapley breathless »and they come upon me like their own ghosts as I thought
they was Its the wonderfullest ewent that ever happened Bring a feather
somebody and knock me down with it«
»What do you mean« exclaimed old Martin quite as much excited by the
spectacle of Marks excitement as that strange person was himself »Neighbours
where«
»Here sir« replied Mr Tapley »Here in the city of London Here upon
these very stones Here they are sir Dont I know em Lord love their welcome
faces dont I know em«
With which ejaculations Mr Tapley not only pointed to a decentlooking man
and woman standing by but commenced embracing them alternately over and over
again in Monument Yard
»Neighbours WHERE« old Martin shouted almost maddened by his ineffectual
efforts to get out at the coachdoor
»Neighbours in America Neighbours in Eden« cried Mark »Neighbours in the
swamp neighbours in the bush neighbours in the fever Didnt she nurse us
Didnt he help us Shouldnt we both have died without em Havnt they come a
strugglin back without a single child for their consolation And talk to me of
neighbours«
Away he went again in a perfectly wild state hugging them and skipping
round them and cutting in between them as if he were performing some frantic
and outlandish dance
Mr Chuzzlewit no sooner gathered who these people were than he burst open
the coachdoor somehow or other and came tumbling out among them and as if the
lunacy of Mr Tapley were contagious he immediately began to shake hands too
and exhibit every demonstration of the liveliest joy
»Get up behind« he said »Get up in the rumble Come along with me Go you
on the box Mark Home Home«
»Home« cried Mr Tapley seizing the old mans hand in a burst of
enthusiasm »Exactly my opinion sir Home for ever Excuse the liberty sir I
cant help it Success to the Jolly Tapley Theres nothin in the house they
shant have for the askin for except a bill Home to be sure Hurrah«
Home they rolled accordingly when he had got the old man in again as fast
as they could go Mark abating nothing of his fervour by the way but allowing
it to vent itself as unrestrainedly as if he had been on Salisbury Plain
And now the wedding party began to assemble at Todgerss Mr Jinkins the
only boarder invited was on the ground first He wore a white favour in his
buttonhole and a brand new extra super doublemilled blue saxony dress coat
that was its description in the bill with a variety of tortuous
embellishments about the pockets invented by the artist to do honour to the
day The miserable Augustus no longer felt strongly even on the subject of
Jinkins He hadnt strength of mind enough to do it »Let him come« he had
said in answer to Miss Pecksniff when she urged the point »Let him come He
has ever been my rock ahead through life Tis meet he should be there Ha ha
Oh yes let Jinkins come«
Jinkins had come with all the pleasure in life and there he was For some
few minutes he had no companion but the breakfast which was set forth in the
drawingroom with unusual taste and ceremony But Mrs Todgers soon joined him
and the bachelor cousin the hairy young gentleman and Mr and Mrs Spottletoe
arrived in quick succession
Mr Spottletoe honoured Jinkins with an encouraging bow »Glad to know you
sir« he said »Give you joy« Under the impression that Jinkins was the happy
man
Mr Jinkins explained He was merely doing the honours for his friend
Moddle who had ceased to reside in the house and had not yet arrived
»Not arrived sir« exclaimed Spottletoe in a great heat
»Not yet« said Mr Jinkins
»Upon my soul« cried Spottletoe »He begins well Upon my life and honour
this young man begins well But I should very much like to know how it is that
every one who comes into contact with this family is guilty of some gross insult
to it Death Not arrived yet Not here to receive us«
The nephew with the outline of a countenance suggested that perhaps he had
ordered a new pair of boots and they hadnt come home
»Dont talk to me of Boots sir« retorted Spottletoe with immense
indignation »He is bound to come here in his slippers then he is bound to come
here barefoot Dont offer such a wretched and evasive plea to me on behalf of
your friend as Boots sir«
»He is not my friend« said the nephew »I never saw him«
»Very well sir« returned the fiery Spottletoe »Then dont talk to me«
The door was thrown open at this juncture and Miss Pecksniff entered
tottering and supported by her three bridesmaids The strongminded woman
brought up the rear having waited outside until now for the purpose of
spoiling the effect
»How do you do maam« said Spottletoe to the strongminded woman in a tone
of defiance »I believe you see Mrs Spottletoe maam«
The strongminded woman with an air of great interest in Mrs Spottletoes
health regretted that she was not more easily seen Nature erring in that
ladys case upon the slim side
»Mrs Spottletoe is at least more easily seen than the bridegroom maam«
returned that ladys husband »That is unless he has confined his attentions to
any particular part or branch of this family which would be quite in keeping
with its usual proceedings«
»If you allude to me sir « the strongminded woman began
»Pray« interposed Miss Pecksniff »do not allow Augustus at this awful
moment of his life and mine to be the means of disturbing that harmony which it
is ever Augustuss and my wish to maintain Augustus has not been introduced to
any of my relations now present He preferred not«
»Why then I venture to assert« cried Mr Spottletoe »that the man who
aspires to join this family and prefers not to be introduced to its members is
an impertinent Puppy That is my opinion of him«
The strongminded woman remarked with great suavity that she was afraid he
must be Her three daughters observed aloud that it was »shameful«
»You do not know Augustus« said Miss Pecksniff tearfully »indeed you do
not know him Augustus is all mildness and humility Wait till you see Augustus
and I am sure he will conciliate your affections«
»The question arises« said Spottletoe folding his arms »How long we are
to wait I am not accustomed to wait thats the fact And I want to know how
long we are expected to wait«
»Mrs Todgers« said Charity »Mr Jinkins I am afraid there must be some
mistake I think Augustus must have gone straight to the Altar«
As such a thing was possible and the church was close at hand Mr Jinkins
ran off to see accompanied by Mr George Chuzzlewit the bachelor cousin who
preferred anything to the aggravation of sitting near the breakfast without
being able to eat it But they came back with no other tidings than a familiar
message from the clerk importing that if they wanted to be married that morning
they had better look sharp as the curate wasnt going to wait there all day
The bride was now alarmed seriously alarmed Good Heavens what could have
happened Augustus Dear Augustus
Mr Jinkins volunteered to take a cab and seek him at the newlyfurnished
house The strongminded woman administered comfort to Miss Pecksniff »It was a
specimen of what she had to expect It would do her good It would dispel the
romance of the affair« The rednosed daughters also administered the kindest
comfort »Perhaps hed come« they said The sketchy nephew hinted that he might
have fallen off a bridge The wrath of Mr Spottletoe resisted all the
entreaties of his wife Everybody spoke at once and Miss Pecksniff with
clasped hands sought consolation everywhere and found it nowhere when Jinkins
having met the postman at the door came back with a letter which he put into
her hand
Miss Pecksniff opened it glanced at it uttered a piercing shriek threw it
down upon the ground and fainted away
They picked it up and crowding round and looking over one another's
shoulders read in the words and dashes following this communication
»Off Gravesend
Clipper Schooner Cupid
Wednesday night
EverInjured Miss Pecksniff
Ere this reaches you the undersigned will be if not a corpse on
the way to Van Diemans Land Send not in pursuit I never will be taken
alive
The burden 300 tons per register forgive if in my distraction
I allude to the ship on my mind has been truly dreadful Frequently
when you have sought to soothe my brow with kisses has
selfdestruction flashed across me Frequently incredible as it may
seem have I abandoned the idea
I love another She is Anothers Everything appears to be somebody
elses Nothing in the world is mine not even my Situation which I
have forfeited by my rash conduct in running away
If you ever loved me hear my last appeal The last appeal of a
miserable and blighted exile Forward the inclosed it is the key of my
desk to the office by hand Please address to Bobbs and Cholberry
I mean to Chobbs and Bolberry but my mind is totally unhinged I left
a penknife with a buckhorn handle in your workbox It will repay
the messenger May it make him happier than ever it did me
Oh Miss Pecksniff why didnt you leave me alone Was it not cruel
cruel Oh my goodness have you not been a witness of my feelings
have you not seen them flowing from my eyes did you not yourself
reproach me with weeping more than usual on that dreadful night when
last we met in that house where I once was peaceful though
blighted in the society of Mrs Todgers
But it was written in the Talmud that you should involve
yourself in the inscrutable and gloomy Fate which it is my mission to
accomplish and which wreathes itself een now about my temples I
will not reproach for I have wronged you May the Furniture make some
amends
Farewell Be the proud bride of a ducal coronet and forget me Long
may it be before you know the anguish with which I now subscribe myself
amid the tempestuous howlings of the sailors
Unalterably never yours
AUGUSTUS«
They thought as little of Miss Pecksniff while they greedily perused this
letter as if she were the very last person on earth whom it concerned But Miss
Pecksniff really had fainted away The bitterness of her mortification the
bitterness of having summoned witnesses and such witnesses to behold it the
bitterness of knowing that the strongminded woman and the rednosed daughters
towered triumphant in this hour of their anticipated overthrow was too much to
be borne Miss Pecksniff had fainted away in earnest
What sounds are these that fall so grandly on the ear What darkening room is
this
And that mild figure seated at an organ who is he Ah Tom dear Tom old
friend
Thy head is prematurely grey though Time has passed between thee and our
old association Tom But in those sounds with which it is thy wont to bear the
twilight company the music of thy heart speaks out the story of thy life
relates itself
Thy life is tranquil calm and happy Tom In the soft strain which ever
and again comes stealing back upon the ear the memory of thine old love may
find a voice perhaps but it is a pleasant softened whispering memory like
that in which we sometimes hold the dead and does not pain or grieve thee God
be thanked
Touch the notes lightly Tom as lightly as thou wilt but never will thine
hand fall half so lightly on that Instrument as on the head of thine old tyrant
brought down very very low and never will it make as hollow a response to any
touch of thine as he does always
For a drunken squalid beggingletterwriting man called Pecksniff with a
shrewish daughter haunts thee Tom and when he makes appeals to thee for
cash reminds thee that he built thy fortunes better than his own and when he
spends it entertains the alehouse company with tales of thine ingratitude and
his munificence towards thee once upon a time and then he shows his elbows worn
in holes and puts his soleless shoes up on a bench and begs his auditors look
there while thou art comfortably housed and clothed All known to thee and yet
all borne with Tom
So with a smile upon thy face thou passest gently to another measure to
a quicker and more joyful one and little feet are used to dance about thee at
the sound and bright young eyes to glance up into thine And there is one
slight creature Tom her child not Ruths whom thine eyes follow in the
romp and dance who wondering sometimes to see thee look so thoughtful runs to
climb up on thy knee and put her cheek to thine who loves thee Tom above the
rest if that can be and falling sick once chose thee for her nurse and never
knew impatience Tom when Thou wert by her side
Thou glidest now into a graver air an air devoted to old friends and
bygone times and in thy lingering touch upon the keys and the rich swelling of
the mellow harmony they rise before thee The spirit of that old man dead who
delighted to anticipate thy wants and never ceased to honour thee is there
among the rest repeating with a face composed and calm the words he said to
thee upon his bed and blessing thee
And coming from a garden Tom bestrewn with flowers by childrens hands
thy sister little Ruth as light of foot and heart as in old days sits down
beside thee From the Present and the Past with which she is so tenderly
entwined in all thy thoughts thy strain soars onward to the Future As it
resounds within thee and without the noble music rolling round ye both shuts
out the grosser prospect of an earthly parting and uplifts ye both to Heaven
Postscript
At a Public Dinner given to me on Saturday the 18th of April 1868 in the City
of New York by two hundred representatives of the Press of the United States of
America I made the following observations among others
»So much of my voice has lately been heard in the land that I might have
been contented with troubling you no further from my present standingpoint
were it not a duty with which I henceforth charge myself not only here but on
every suitable occasion whatsoever and wheresoever to express my high and
grateful sense of my second reception in America and to bear my honest
testimony to the national generosity and magnanimity Also to declare how
astounded I have been by the amazing changes I have seen around me on every
side changes moral changes physical changes in the amount of land subdued
and peopled changes in the rise of vast new cities changes in the growth of
older cities almost out of recognition changes in the graces and amenities of
life changes in the Press without whose advancement no advancement can take
place anywhere Nor am I believe me so arrogant as to suppose that in five and
twenty years there have been no changes in me and that I had nothing to learn
and no extreme impressions to correct when I was here first And this brings me
to a point on which I have ever since I landed in the United States last
November observed a strict silence though sometimes tempted to break it but
in reference to which I will with your good leave take you into my confidence
now Even the Press being human may be sometimes mistaken or misinformed and
I rather think that I have in one or two rare instances observed its information
to be not strictly accurate with reference to myself Indeed I have now and
again been more surprised by printed news that I have read of myself than by
any printed news that I have ever read in my present state of existence Thus
the vigour and perseverance with which I have for some months past been
collecting materials for and hammering away at a new book on America has much
astonished me seeing that all that time my declaration has been perfectly well
known to my publishers on both sides of the Atlantic that no consideration on
earth would induce me to write one But what I have intended what I have
resolved upon and this is the confidence I seek to place in you is on my
return to England in my own person in my own Journal to bear for the behoof
of my countrymen such testimony to the gigantic changes in this country as I
have hinted at tonight Also to record that wherever I have been in the
smallest places equally with the largest I have been received with
unsurpassable politeness delicacy sweet temper hospitality consideration
and with unsurpassable respect for the privacy daily enforced upon me by the
nature of my avocation here and the state of my health This testimony so long
as I live and so long as my descendants have any legal right in my books I
shall cause to be republished as an appendix to every copy of those two books
of mine in which I have referred to America And this I will do and cause to be
done not in mere love and thankfulness but because I regard it as an act of
plain justice and honour«
I said these words with the greatest earnestness that I could lay upon them
and I repeat them in print here with equal earnestness So long as this book
shall last I hope that they will form a part of it and will be fairly read as
inseparable from my experiences and impressions of America
CHARLES DICKENS
May 1868
Notes
1 Mrs Nickleby that is Mrs Dickens mère asked her son if he supposed there
ever was a real Mrs Nickleby So Dickens told Forster
2 The most credulous reader will scarcely believe that Mr Pecksniffs reasoning
was once set upon as the Authors