第4章

Sheheldhimcloserroundtheneck,androckedhimonherbreastlikeachild.

`If"whenItellyou,dearestdear,thatyouragonyisover,andthatIhavecomeheretotakeyoufromit,andthatwegotoEnglandtobeatpeaceandatrest,Icauseyoutothinkofyourusefullifelaidwaste,andofournativeFrancesowickedtoyou,weepforit,weepforit!Andif"whenIshalltellyouofmyname,andofmyfatherwhoisliving,andofmymotherwhoisdead,youlearnthatIhavetokneeltomyhonouredfather,andimplorehispardonforhavingneverforhissakestrivenalldayandlainawakeandweptallnight,becausetheloveofmypoormotherhidhistorturefromme,weepforit,weepforit!Weepforher,then,andforme!Goodgentlemen,thankGod!Ifeelhissacredtearsuponmyface,andhissobsstrikeagainstmyheart.O,seeThankGodforus,thankGod!"

Hehadsunkinherarms,andhisfacedroppedonherbreast:asightsotouching,yetsoterribleinthetremendouswrongandsufferingwhichhadgonebeforeit,thatthetwobeholderscoveredtheirfaces.

Whenthequietofthegarrethadbeenlongundisturbed,andhisheavingbreastandshakenformhadlongyieldedtothecalmthatmustfollowallstorms——emblemtohumanity,oftherestandsilenceintowhichthestormcalledLifemusthushatlast——theycameforwardtoraisethefatheranddaughterfromtheground.Hehadgraduallydroppedtothefloor,andlaythereinalethargy,wornout.Shehadnestleddownwithhim,thathisheadmightlieuponherarm;andherhairdroopingoverhimcurtainedhimfromthelight.

`If,withoutdisturbinghim,"shesaid,raisingherhandtoMr.Lorryashestoopedoverthem,afterrepeatedblowingsofhisnose,`allcouldbearrangedforourleavingParisatonce,sothat,fromtheverydoor,hecouldbetakenaway——"

`But,consider.Ishefitforthejourney?"askedMr.Lorry.

`Morefitforthat,Ithink,thantoremaininthiscity,sodreadfultohim."

`Itistrue,"saidDefarge,whowaskneelingtolookonandhear.`Morethanthat;MonsieurManetteis,forallreasons,bestoutofFrance.Say,shallIhireacarriageandpost-horses?"

`That"sbusiness,"saidMr.Lorry,resumingontheshortestnoticehismethodicalmanners;`andifbusinessistobedune,Ihadbetterdoit."

`Thenbesokind,"urgedMissManette,`astoleaveushere.Youseehowcomposedhehasbecome,andyoucannotbeafraidtoleavehimwithmenow.Whyshouldyoube?Ifyouwilllockthedoortosecureusfrominterruption,Idonotdoubtthatyouwillfindhim,whenyoucomeback,asquietasyouleavehim.Inanycase,Iwilltakecareofhimuntilyoureturn,andthenwewillremovehimstraight."

BothMr.LorryandDefargewereratherdisinclinedtothiscourse,andinfavourofoneofthemremaining.But,astherewerenotonlycarriageandhorsestobeseento,buttravellingpapers;andastimepressed,forthedaywasdrawingtoanend,itcameatlasttotheirhastilydividingthebusinessthatwasnecessarytobedone,andhurryingawaytodoit.

Then,asthedarknessclosedin,thedaughterlaidherheaddownonthehardgroundcloseatthefather"sside,andwatchedhim.Thedarknessdeepenedanddeepened,andtheybothlayquiet,untilalightgleamedthroughthechinksinthewall.

Mr.LorryandMonsieurDefargehadmadeallreadyforthejourney,andhadbroughtwiththem,besidestravellingcloaksandwrappers,breadandmeat,wine,andhotcoffee.MonsieurDefargeputthisprovender,andthelamphecarried,ontheshoemaker"sbench(therewasnothingelseinthegarretbutapalletbed),andheandMr.Lorryrousedthecaptive,andassistedhimtohisfeet.

Nohumanintelligencecouldhavereadthemysteriesofhismind,inthescaredblankwonderofhisface.Whetherheknewwhathadhappened,whetherherecollectedwhattheyhadsaidtohim,whetherheknewthathewasfree,werequestionswhichnosagacitycouldhavesolved.Theytriedspeakingtohim;but,hewassoconfused,andsoveryslowtoanswer,thattheytookfrightathisbewilderment,andagreedforthetimetotamperwithhimnomore.Hehadawild,lostmannerofoccasionallyclaspinghisheadinhishands,thathadnotbeenseeninhimbefore;yet,hehadsomepleasureinthemeresoundofhisdaughter"svoice,andinvariablyturnedtoitwhenshespoke.

Inthesubmissivewayofonelongaccustomedtoobeyundercoercion,heateanddrankwhattheygavehimtoeatanddrink,andputonthecloakandotherwrappings,thattheygavehimtowear.Hereadilyrespondedtohisdaughter"sdrawingherarmthroughhis,andtook——andkept——herhandinbothhisown.

Theybegantodescend;MonsieurDefargegoingfirstwiththelamp,Mr.Lorryclosingthelittleprocession.Theyhadnottraversedmanystepsofthelongmainstaircasewhenhestopped,andstaredattheroofandroundatthewalls.

`Youremembertheplace,myfather?Youremembercominguphere?

`Whatdidyousay?"

But,beforeshecouldrepeatthequestion,hemurmuredananswerasifshehadrepeatedit.

`Remember?No,Idon"tremember.Itwassoverylongago."

Thathehadnorecollectionwhateverofhishavingbeenbroughtfromhisprisontothathouse,wasapparenttothem.Theyheardhimmutter,`OneHundredandFive,NorthTower;"andwhenhelookedabouthim,itevidentlywasforthestrongfortress-wallswhichhadlongencompassedhim.Ontheirreachingthecourtyardheinstinctivelyalteredhistread,asbeinginexpectationofadrawbridge;andwhentherewasnodrawbridge,andhesawthecarriagewaitingintheopenstreet,hedroppedhisdaughter"shandandclaspedhisheadagain.

Nocrowdwasaboutthedoor;nopeoplewerediscernibleatanyofthemanywindows;notevenachancepasser-bywasinthestreet.Anunnaturalsilenceanddesertionreignedthere.Onlyonesoulhastobeseen,andthatwasMadameDefarge——wholeanedagainstthedoor-post,knitting,andsawnothing.

Theprisonerhadgotintoacoach,andhisdaughterhadfollowedhim,whenMr.Lorry"sfeetwerearrestedonthestepbyhisasking,miserably,forhisshoemakingtoolsandtheunfinishedshoes.MadameDefargeimmediatelycalledtoherhusbandthatshewouldgetthem,andwent,knitting,outofthelamplight,throughthecourt-yard.Shequicklybroughtthemdownandhandedthemin;——andimmediatelyafterwardsleanedagainstthedoor-post,knitting,andsawnothing.

Defargegotuponthebox,andgavetheword`TotheBarrier!"Thepostilioncrackedhiswhip,andtheyclatteredawayundertheFeebleoverswinginglamps.

Undertheover-swinginglamps——swingingeverbrighterinthebetterstreets,andeverdimmerintheworse——andbylightedshops,gaycrowds,illuminatedcoffee-houses,andtheatre-doors,tooneofthecitygates.Soldierswithlanterns,attheguard-housethere.`Yourpapers,travellers!"`Seeherethen,MonsieurtheOfficer,"saidDefarge,gettingdown,andtakinghimgravelyapart,`thesearethepapersofmonsieurinside,withthewhitehead.Theywereconsignedtome,withhim,atthe——"Hedroppedhisvoice,therewasaflutteramongthemilitarylanterns,andoneofthembeinghandedintothecoachbyanarminuniform,theeyesconnectedwiththearmlooked,notanevery-dayoranevery-nightlook,atmonsieurwiththewhitehead.`Itiswell.Forward!"fromtheuniform.`Adieu!"fromDefarge.Andso,underashortgroveoffeeblerandfeebleroverswinginglamps,outunderthegreatgroveofstars.

Beneaththatarchofunmovedandeternallights;some,soremotefromthislittleearththatthelearnedtellusitisdoubtfulwhethertheirrayshaveevenyetdiscoveredit,asapointinspacewhereanythingissufferedordone:theshadowsofthenightwerebroadandblack.Allthroughthecoldandrestlessinterval,untildawn,theyoncemorewhisperedintheearsofMr.JarvisLorry——sittingoppositetheburiedmanwhohadbeendugout,andwonderingwhatsubtlepowerswereforeverlosttohim,andwhatwerecapableofrestoration——theoldinquiry:

`Ihopeyoucaretoberecalledtolife?"

Andtheoldanswer:

`Ican"tsay."

TELLSON"SBankbyTempleBarwasanold-fashionedplace,evenintheyearonethousandsevenhundredandeighty.Itwasverysmall,verydark,veryugly,veryincommodious.Itwasanold-fashionedplace,moreover,inthemoralattributethatthepartnersintheHousewereproudofitssmallness,proudofitsdarkness,proudofitsugliness,proudofitsincommodiousness.Theywereevenboastfulofitseminenceinthoseparticulars,andwerefiredbyanempressconvictionthat,ifitwerelessobjectionable,itwouldbelessrespectable.Thiswasnopassivebelief,butanactiveweaponwhichtheyflashedatmoreconvenientplacesofbusiness.Tellson"s(theysaid)wantednoelbow-room,Tellson"swantednolight,Tellson"swantednoembellishment.NoakesandCo."smight,orSnooksBrothers"might;butTellson"s,thankHeaven!——

AnyoneofthesepartnerswouldhavedisinheritedhissononthequestionofrebuildingTellson"s.InthisrespecttheHousewasmuchonaparwiththeCountry;whichdidveryoftendisinherititssonsforsuggestingimprovementsinlawsandcustomsthathadlongbeenhighlyobjectionable,butwereonlythemorerespectable.

Thusithadcometopass,thatTellson"swasthetriumphantperfectionofinconvenience.Afterburstingopenadoorofidioticobstinacywithaweakrattleinitsthroat,youfellintoTellson"sdowntwosteps,andcametoyoursensesinamiser-ablelittleshop,withtwolittlecounters,wheretheoldestofmenmadeyourchequeshakeasifthewindrustledit,whiletheyexaminedthesignaturebythedingiestofwindows,whichwerealwaysunderashower-bathofmudfromFleet-street,andwhichweremadethedingierbytheirownironbarsproper,andtheheavyshadowofTempleBar.Ifyourbusinessnecessitatedyourseeing`theHouse,"youwereputintoaspeciesofCondemnedHoldattheback,whereyoumeditatedonamisspentlife,untiltheHousecamewithitshandsinitspockets,andyoucouldhardlyblinkatitinthedismaltwilight.Yourmoneycameoutof"orwentinto,wormyoldwoodendrawers,particlesofwhichflewupyournoseanddownyourthroatwhentheywereopenedandshut.Yourbank-noteshadamustyodour,asiftheywerefastdecomposingintoragsagain.Yourplatewasstowedawayamongtheneighbouringcesspools,andevilcommunicationscorrupteditsgoodpolishinadayortwo.Yourdeedsgotintoextemporisedstrong-roomsmadeofkitchensandsculleries,andfrettedallthefatoutoftheirparchmentsintothebankinghouseair.Yourlighterboxesoffamilypaperswentup-stairsintoaBarmecideroom,thatalwayshadagreatdining-tableinitandneverhadadinner,andwhere,evenintheyearonethousandsevenhundredandeighty,thefirstletterswrittentoyoubyyouroldlove,orbyyourlittlechildren,werebutnewlyreleasedfromthehorrorofbeingogledthroughthewindows,bytheheadsexposedonTempleBarwithaninsensatebrutalityandferocityworthyofAbyssiniaorAshantee.

Butindeed,atthattime,puttingtodeathwasarecipemuchinvoguewithalltradesandprofessions,andnotleastofallwithTellson"s.DeathisNature"sremedyforallthings,andwhynotLegislation"s?Accordingly,theforgerwasputtodeath;theuttererofabadnotewasputtoDeath;theunlawfulopenerofaletterwasputtoDeath;thepurloineroffortyshillingsandsixpencewasputtoDeath;theholderofahorseatTellson"sdoor,whomadeoffwithit,wasputtoDeath;thecoinerofabadshillingwasputtoDeath;thesoundersofthree-fourthsofthenotesinthewholegamutofGrime,wereputtoDeath.Notthatitdidtheleastgoodinthewayofprevention——itmightalmosthavebeenworthremarkingthatthefactwasexactlythereverse——but,itclearedoff(astothisworld)thetroubleofeachparticularcase,andleftnothingelseconnectedwithittobelookedafter.Thus,Tellson"s,initsday,likegreaterplacesofbusiness,itscontemporaries,hadtakensomanylives,that,iftheheadslaidlowbeforeithadbeenrangedonTempleBarinsteadofbeingprivatelydisposedof"theywouldprobablyhaveexcludedwhatlittlelightthegroundfloorhad,inarathersignificantmanner.

CrampedinallkindsofdimcupboardsandhutchesatTellson"s,theoldestofmencarriedonthebusinessgravely.

WhentheytookayoungmanintoTellson"sLondonhouse,theyhidhimsomewheretillhewasold.Theykepthiminadarkplace,likeacheese,untilhehadthefullTellsonflavourandblue-moulduponhim.Thenonlywashepermittedtobeseen,spectacularlyporingoverlargebooks,andcastinghisbreechesandgaitersintothegeneralweightoftheestablishment.

OutsideTellson"s——neverbyanymeansinit,unlesscalledin——wasanodd-job-man,anoccasionalporterandmessenger,whoservedasthelivesignofthehouse.Hewasneverabsentduringbusinesshours,unlessuponanerrand,andthenhewasrepresentedbyhisson:agrislyurchinoftwelve,whowashisexpressimage.PeopleunderstoodthatTellson"s,inastatelyway,toleratedtheodd-job-man.Thehousehadalwaystoleratedsomepersoninthatcapacity,andtimeandtidehaddriftedthispersontothepost.HissurnamewasCruncher,andontheyouthfuloccasionofhisrenouncingbyproxytheworksofdarkness,intheeasterlyparishchurchofHoundsditch,hehadreceivedtheaddedappellationofJerry.

ThescenewasMr.Cruncher"sprivatelodginginHanging-sword-alley,Whitefriars:thetime,half-pastsevenoftheclockonawindyMarchmorning,AnnoDominiseventeenhundredandeighty.(Mr.CruncherhimselfalwaysspokeoftheyearofourLordasAnnaDominoes:apparentlyundertheimpressionthattheChristianeradatedfromtheinventionofapopulargame,byaladywhohadbestowedhernameuponit.)

Mr.Cruncher"sapartmentswerenotinasavouryneighbourhood,andwerebuttwoinnumber,evenifaclosetwithasinglepaneofglassinitmightbecountedasone.Buttheywereverydecentlykept.Earlyasitwas,onthewindyMarchmorning,theroominwhichhelaya-bedwasalreadyscrubbedthroughout;andbetweenthecupsandsaucersarrangedforbreakfast,andthelumberingdealtable,averycleanwhiteclothwasspread.

Mr.Cruncherreposedunderapatchworkcounterpane,likeaHarlequinathome.Atfirst,hesleptheavily,but,bydegrees,begantorollandsurgeinbed,untilheroseabovethesurface,withhisspikyhairlookingasifitmusttearthesheetstoribbons.Atwhichjuncture,heexclaimed,inavoiceofdireexasperation:

`Bustme,ifsheain"tatitagin!"

Awomanoforderlyandindustriousappearancerosefromherkneesinacorner,withsufficienthasteandtrepidationtoshowthatshewasthepersonreferredto.

`What!"saidMr.Cruncher,lookingoutofbedforaboot.

`You"reatitagin,areyou?

Afterhailingthemornwiththissecondsalutation,hethrewabootatthewomanasathird.Itwasaverymuddyboot,andmayintroducetheoddcircumstanceconnectedwithMr.Cruncher"sdomesticeconomy,that,whereasheoftencamehomeafterbankinghourswithcleanboots,heoftengotupnextmorningtofindthesamebootscoveredwithclay.

`What,"saidMr.Cruncher,varyinghisapostropheaftermissinghismark——"whatareyou,upto,Aggerawayter?"

`Iwasonlysayingmyprayers.

`Sayingyourprayers!You"reanicewoman!Whatdoyoumeanbyfloppingyourselfdownandprayingaginme?"

`Iwasnotprayingagainstyou;Iwasprayingforyou."

`Youweren"t.Andifyouwere,Iwon"tbetookthelibertywith.Here!yourmother"sanicewoman,youngJerry,goingaprayingaginyourfather"sprosperity.You"vegotadutifulmother,youhave,myson.You"vegotareligiousmother,youhave,myboy:goingandfloppingherselfdown,andprayingthatthebread-and-buttermaybesnatchedoutofthemouthofheronlychild."

Mastercruncher(whowasinhisshirt)tookthisveryill,and,turningtohismother,stronglydeprecatedanyprayingawayofhispersonalboard.

`Andwhatdoyousuppose,youconceitedfemale,"saidMr.Cruncher,withunconsciousinconsistency,`thattheworthofyourprayersmaybe?Namethepricethatyouputyourprayersat!"

`Theyonlycomefromtheheart,Jerry.Theyareworthnomorethanthat."

`Worthnomorethanthat,"repeatedMr.Cruncher.`Theyain"tworthmuch,then.Whetherorno,Iwon"tbeprayedagin,Itellyou.Ican"taffordit.I"mnotagoingtobemadeunluckybyyoursneaking.Ifyoumustgofloppingyourselfdown,flopinfavourofyourhusbandandchild,andnotinoppositionto"em.IfIhadhadanybutaunnat"ralwife,andthispoorboyhadhadanybutaunnat"ralmother,Imighthavemadesomemoneylastweekinsteadofbeingcounter-prayedandcounterminedandreligiouslycircumwentedintotheworstofluck.B-u-u-ustme`saidMr.

Cruncher,whoallthistimehadbeenputtingonhisclothes,`ifIain"t,whatwithpietyandoneblowedthingandanother,beenchousedthislastweekintoasbadluckaseverapoordevilofahonesttradesmanmetwith!YoungJerry,dressyourself,myboy,andwhileIcleanmybootskeepaeyeuponyourmothernowandthen,andifyouseeanysignsofmoreflopping,givemeacall.For,Itellyou,"hereheaddressedhiswifeoncemore,`Iwon"tbegoneagin,inthismanner.Iamasricketyasahackneycoach,I"massleepyaslaudanum,mylinesisstrainedtothatdegreethatIshouldn"tknow,ifitwasn"tforthepainin"em,whichwasmeandwhichsomebodyelse,yetI"mnonethebetterforitinpocket;andit"smysuspicionthatyou"vebeenatitfrommorningtonighttopreventmefrombeingthebetterforitinpocket,andIwon"tputupwithit,Aggerawayter,andwhatdoyousaynow!"

Growling,inaddition,suchphrasesas`Ah!yes!You"rereligious,too.Youwouldn"tputyourselfinoppositiontotheinterestsofyourhusbandandchild,wouldyou?Notyou!"andthrowingoffothersarcasticsparksfromthewhirlinggrindstoneofhisindignation,Mr.Cruncherbetookhimselftohisboot-cleaningandhisgeneralpreparationforbusiness.Inthemeantime,hisson,whoseheadwasgarnishedwithtendererspikes,andwhoseyoungeyesstoodclosebyoneanother,ashisfather"sdid,kepttherequiredwatchuponhismother.Hegreatlydisturbedthatpoorwomanatintervals,bydartingoutofhissleepingcloset,wherehemadehistoilet,withasuppressedcryof`Youaregoingtoflop,mother——Halloa,father!"and,afterraisingthisfictitiousalarm,dartinginagainwithanundutifulgrin.

Mr.Cruncher"stemperwasnotatallimprovedwhenhecametohisbreakfast.HeresentedMrs.Cruncher"ssayinggracewithparticularanimosity.

`Now,Aggerawayter!Whatareyouupto?Atitagin?"

Hiswifeexplainedthatshehadmerely`askedablessing."

`Don"tdoit!"saidMr.Cruncher,lookingabout,asifheratherexpectedtoseetheloafdisappearundertheefficacyofhiswife"spetitions.`Iain"tagoingtobeblestoutofhouseandhome.Iwon"thavemywittlesblestoffmytable.Keepstill!"

Exceedinglyred-eyedandgrim,asifhehadbeenupallnightatapartywhichhadtakenanythingbutaconvivialturn,JerryCruncherworriedhisbreakfastratherthanateit,growlingoveritlikeanyfour-footedinmateofamenagerie.Towardsnineo"clockhesmoothedhisruffledaspect,and,presentingasrespectfulandbusiness-likeanexteriorashecouldoverlayhisnaturalselfwith,issuedforthtotheoccupationoftheday.

Itcouldscarcelybecalledatrade,inspiteofhisfavouritedescriptionofhimselfas`ahonesttradesman."Hisstockconsistedofawoodenstool,madeoutofabroken-backedchaircutdown,whichstool,youngJerry,walkingathisfather"sside,carriedeverymorningtobeneaththebanking-housewindowthatwasnearestTempleBar:where,withtheadditionofthefirsthandfulofstrawthatcouldbegleanedfromanypassingvehicletokeepthecoldandwetfromtheodd-job-man"sfeet,itformedtheencampmentfortheday.Onthispostofhis,Mr.CruncherwasaswellknowntoFleet-streetandtheTemple,astheBaritself,——andwasalmostasill-looking.

Encampedataquarterbeforenine,ingoodtimetotouchhisthree-corneredhattotheoldestofmenastheypassedintoTellson"s,JerrytookuphisstationonthiswindyMarchmorning,withyoungJerrystandingbyhim,whennotengagedinmakingforaysthroughtheBar,toinflictbodilyandmentalinjuriesofanacutedescriptiononpassingboyswhoweresmallenoughforhisamiablepurpose.Fatherandson,extremelylikeeachother,lookingsilentlyonatthemorningtrafficinFleet-street,withtheirtwoheadsasneartooneanotherasthetwoeyesofeachwere,boreaconsiderableresemblancetoapairofmonkeys.Theresemblancewasnotlessenedbytheaccidentalcircumstance,thatthematureJerrybitandspatoutstraw,whilethetwinklingeyesoftheyouthfulJerrywereasrestlesslywatchfulofhimasofeverythingelseinFleet-street.

TheheadofoneoftheregularindoormessengersattachedtoTellson"sestablishmentwasputthroughthedoor,andthewordwasgiven.

`Porterwanted!"

`Hooray,father!Here"sanearlyjobtobeginwith!"

HavingthusgivenhisparentGodspeed,youngJerryseatedhimselfonthestool,enteredonhisreversionaryinterestinthestrawhisfatherhadbeenchewing,andcogitated.

`Alwaysrusty!Hisfingersisal-waysrusty!"mutteredyoungJerry.`Wheredoesmyfathergetallthatironrustfrom?Hedon"tgetnoironrusthere!"

CHAPTERII

ASight

`YOUknowtheOldBaileywell,nodoubt?"saidoneoftheoldestofclerkstoJerrythemessenger.

`Ye-es,sir,"returnedJerry,insomethingofadoggedmanner.`IdoknowtheBailey."

`Justso.AndyouknowMr.Lorry."

`IknowMr.Lorry,sir,muchbetterthanIknowtheBailey.Muchbetter,"saidJerry,notunlikeareluctantwitnessattheestablishmentinquestion,`thanI,asahonesttradesman,wishtoknowtheBailey."

`Verywell.Findthedoorwherethewitnessesgoin,andshowthedoor-keeperthisnoteforMr.Lorry.Hewillthenletyouin."

`Intothecourt,sir?"

`Intothecourt."

Mr.Cruncher"seyesseemedtogetalittleclosertooneanother,andtointerchangetheinquiry,`Whatdoyouthinkofthis?"

`AmItowaitinthecourt,sir?"heasked,astheresultofthatconference.

`Iamgoingtotellyou.Thedoor-keeperwillpassthenotetoMr.Lorry,anddoyoumakeanygesturethatwillattractMr.Lorry"sattention,andshowhimwhereyoustand.Thenwhatyouhavetodo,is,toremainthereuntilhewantsyou."

`Isthatall,sir?"

`That"sall.Hewishestohaveamessengerathand.Thisistotellhimyouarethere."

Astheancientclerkdeliberatelyfoldedandsuperscribedthenote,Mr.Cruncher,aftersurveyinghiminsilenceuntilhecametotheblotting-paperstage,remarked:

`Isupposethey"llbetryingForgeriesthismorning?"

`Treason!"

`That"squartering,"saidJerry.`Barbarous!"

`Itisthelaw,"remarkedtheancientclerk,turninghissurprisedspectaclesuponhim.`Itisthelaw.

`It`shardinthelawtospileaman,Ithink.It`shardenoughtokillhim,butit"sweryhardtospilehim,sir."

`Notatall,"returnedtheancientclerk.`Speakwellofthelaw.Takecareofyourchestandvoice,mygoodfriend,andleavethelawtotakecareofitself.Igiveyouthatadvice."

`It"sthedamp,sir,whatsettlesonmychestandvoice,"saidJerry.`Ileaveyoutojudgewhatadampwayofearningalivingmineis."

`Well,well,"saidtheoldclerk;`weallhaveourvariouswaysofgainingalivelihood.Someofushavedampways,andsomeofushavedryways.Hereistheletter.Goalong."

Jerrytooktheletter,and,remarkingtohimselfwithlessinternaldeferencethanhemadeanoutwardshowof,`Youarealeanoldone,too,"madehisbow,informedhisson,inpassing,of[`isdestination,andwenthisway.

TheyhangedatTyburn,inthosedays,sothestreetoutsideNewgatehadnotobtainedoneinfamousnotorietythathassinceattachedtoit.But,thegaolwasavileplace,inwhichmostkindsofdebaucheryandvillainywerepractised,andwheredirediseaseswerebred,thatcameintocourtwiththeprisoners,andsometimesrushedstraightfromthedockatmyLordChiefJusticehimself,andpulledhimoffthebench.Ithadmorethanoncehappened,thattheJudgeintheblackcappronouncedhisowndoomascertainlyastheprisoner"s,andevendiedbeforehim.Fortherest,theOldBaileywasfamousasakindofdeadlyinn-yard,fromwhichpaletravellerssetoutcontinually,incartsandcoaches,onaviolentpassageintotheotherworld:traversingsometwomilesandahalfofpublicstreetandroad,andshamingfewgoodcitizens,ifany.Sopowerfulisuse,andsodesirabletobegooduseinthebeginning.Itwasfamous,too,forthepillory,awiseoldinstitution,thatinflictedapunishmentofwhichnoonecouldforeseetheextent;also,forthewhipping-post,anotherdearoldinstitution,veryhumanisingandsofteningtobeholdinaction;also,forextensivetransactionsinblood-money,anotherfragmentofancestralwisdom,systematicallyleadingtothemostfrightfulmercenarycrimesthatcouldbecommittedunderHeaven.Altogether,theOldBailey,atthatdate,wasachoiceillustrationoftheprecept,that`Whateverisisright;"anaphorismthatwouldbeasfinalasitislazy,diditnotincludethetroublesomeconsequence,thatnothingthateverwas,waswrong.

Makinghiswaythroughthetaintedcrowd,dispersedupanddownthishideoussceneofaction,withtheskillofamanaccustomedtomakehiswayquietly,themessengerfoundoutthedoorhesought,andhandedinhisletterthroughatrapinit.ForpeoplethenpaidtoseetheplayattheOldBailey,justastheypaidtoseetheplayinBedlam——onlytheformerentertainmentwasmuchthedearer.Therefore,alltheOldBaileydoorswerewellguarded——except,indeed,thesocialdoorsbywhichthecriminalsgotthere,andthosewerealwaysleftwideopen.

Aftersomedelayanddemur,thedoorgrudginglyturnedonitshingesaverylittleway,andallowedMr.JerryCrunchertosqueezehimselfintocourt.