第11章

These,thepeopletoretopiecesandscatteredfarandwidewithgreatenjoyment,whilethetradesmenhurriedlyshutuptheirshops;foracrowdinthosetimesstoppedatnothing,andwasamonstermuchdreaded.Theyhadalreadygotthelengthofopeningthehearsetotakethecoffinout,whensomebrightergeniusproposedinstead,itsbeingescortedtodestinationamidstgeneralrejoicing.Practicalsuggestionsbeingmuchneeded,thissuggestion,too,wasreceivedwithacclamation,andthecoachwasimmediatelyfilledwitheightinsideandadozenout,whileasmanypeoplegotontheroofofthehearseascouldbyanyexerciseofingenuitystickuponit.AmongthefirstofthesevolunteerswasJerryCruncherhimself,whomodestlyconcealedhisspikyheadfromtheobservationofTellson"s,inthefurthercornerofthemourningcoach.

Theofficiatingundertakersmadesomeprotestagainstthesechangesintheceremonies;but,theriverbeingalarminglynear,andseveralvoicesremarkingontheefficacyofcoldimmersioninbringingrefractorymembersoftheprofessiontoreason,theprotestwasfaintandbrief.Theremodelledprocessionstarted,withachimney-sweepdrivingthehearse——advisedbytheregulardriver,whowasperchedbesidehim,undercloseinspection,forthepurpose——andwithapieman,alsoattendedbyhiscabinetminister,drivingthemourningcoach.Abear-leader,apopularstreetcharacterofthetime,wasimpressedasanadditionalornament,beforethecavalcadehadgonefardowntheStrand;andhisbear,whowasblackandverymangy,gavequiteanUndertakingairtothatpartoftheprocessioninwhichhewalked.

Thus,withbeer-drinking,pipe-smoking,song-roaring,andinfinitecaricaturingofwoe,thedisorderlyprocessionwentitsway,recruitingateverystep,andalltheshopsshuttingupbeforeit.ItsdestinationwastheoldchurchofSaintPancras,faroffinthefields.Itgotthereincourseoftime;insistedonpouringintotheburial-ground;finally,accomplishedtheintermentofthedeceasedRogerClyinitsownway,andhighlytoitsownsatisfaction.

Thedeadmandisposedof,andthecrowdbeingunderthenecessityofprovidingsomeotherentertainmentforitself,anotherbrightergenius(orperhapsthesame)conceivedthehumourofimpeachingcasualpassersby,asOldBaileyspies,andwreakingvengeanceonthem.ChasewasgiventosomescoresofinoffensivepersonswhohadneverbeenneartheOldBaileyintheirlives,intherealisationofthisfancy,andtheywereroughlyhustledandmaltreated.Thetransitiontothesportofwindow-breaking,andthencetotheplunderingofpublic-houses,waseasyandnatural.Atlast,afterseveralhours,whensundrysummerhouseshadbeenpulleddowandsomearea-railingshadbeentornup,toarmthemorebelligerentspirits,arumourgotaboutthattheGuardswecoming.Beforethisrumour,thecrowdgraduallymeltedaway,andperhapstheGuardscame,andperhapstheynevercame,andthiswastheusualprogressofamob.

Mr.Cruncherdidnotassistattheclosingsports,huthadremainedbehindinthechurchyard,toconferandcondolewiththeundertakers.Theplacehadasoothinginfluenceonhim.Heprocuredapipefromaneighbouringpublichouse,andsmokedit,lookinginattherailingsandmaturelyconsideringthespot.

`Jerry,"saidMr.Cruncher,apostrophisinghimselfinhisusualway,`youseethatthereClythatday,andyouseewithyourowneyesthathewasayoung`unandastraightmade`un."

Havingsmokedhispipeout,andruminatedalittlelonger,heturnedhimselfabout,thathemightappear,beforethehourofclosing,onhisstationatTellson"s.Whetherhismeditationsonmortalityhadtouchedhisliver,orwhetherhisgeneralhealthhadbeenpreviouslyatallamiss,orwhetherhedesiredtoshowalittleattentiontoaneminentman,isnotsomuchtothepurpose,asthathemadeashortcalluponhismedicaladviser——adistinguishedsurgeon——onhiswayback.

YoungJerryrelievedhisfatherwithdutifulinterest,andreportedNojobinhisabsence.Thebankclosed,theancientclerkscameOut,theusualwatchwasset,andMr.Cruncherandhissonwenthometotea.

`Now,Itellyouwhereitis!"saidMr.Crunchertohiswife,onentering.`If,asahonesttradesman,mywentursgoeswrongtonight,Ishallmakesurethatyou"vebeenprayingagainme,andIshallworkyouforitjustthesameasifIseenyoudoit."

ThedejectedMrs.Crunchershookherhead.

`Why,you"reatitaforemyface!"saidMr.Cruncher,withsignsofangryapprehension.

`Iamsayingnothing."

`Well,then;don"tmeditatenothing.Youmightaswellmeditate.Youmayaswellgoagainmeonewayasanother.Dropitaltogether."

`YesJerry."

`Yes,Jerry,"repeatedMr.Cruncher,sittingdowntotea.`Ah!Itisyes,Jerry.That"saboutit.Youmaysayyes,Jerry."

Mr.Cruncherhadnoparticularmeaninginthesesulkycorroborations,butmadeuseofthem,aspeoplenotunfrequentlydo,toexpressgeneralironicaldissatisfaction.

`Youandyouryes,Jerry,"saidMr.Cruncher,takingabiteoutofhisbread-and-butter,andseemingtohelpitdownwithalargeinvisibleoysteroutofhissaucer.`Ah!Ithinkso.Ibelieveyou."

`Youaregoingoutto-night?"askedhisdecentwife,whenhetookanotherbite.

`Yes,Iam."

`MayIgowithyou,father?"askedhisson,briskly.

`No,youmayn"t.I"magoing——asyourmotherknows——afishing.That"swhereI"mgoingto.Goingafishing."

`Yourfishingrodgetsratherrusty;don"tit,father?"

`Neveryoumind."

`Shallyoubringanyfishhome,father?"

`IfIdon"t,you"llhaveshortcommons,tomorrow,"returnedthatgentleman,shakinghishead;`that"squestionsenoughforyou;Iain"tagoingout,tillyou"vebeenlonga-bed."

HedevotedhimselfduringtheremainderoftheeveningtokeepingamostvigilantwatchonMrs.Cruncher,andsullenlyholdingherinconversationthatshemightbepreventedfrommeditatinganypetitionstohisdisadvantage.Withthisview,heurgedhissontoholdherinconversationalso,andledtheunfortunatewomanahardlifebydwellingonanycausesofcomplaintliecouldbringagainsther,ratherthanhewouldleaveherforamomenttoherownreflections.ThedevoutestpersoncouldhaverenderednogreaterhomagetotheefficacyofanhonestprayerthanhedidinthisdistrustofhisMile.Itwasasifaprofessedunbelieveringhostsshouldbefrightenedbyaghoststory.

`Andmindyou!"saidMr.Cruncher.`Nogamestomorrow!IfI,asahonesttradesman,succeedinprovidingajinteofmeatortwo,noneofyournottouchingofit,andstickingtobread.IfI,asahonesttradesman,amabletoprovidealittlebeer,noneofyourdeclaringonwater.WhenyougotoRome,doasRomedoes.Romewillbeauglycustomertoyou,ifyoudon"t.`I"myourRome,youknow."

Thenhebegangrumblingagain:

`Withyourflyingintothefaceofyourownwittlesanddrink!Idon"tknowhowscarceyoumayn"tmakethewittlesanddrinkhere,byyourfloppingtricksandyourunfeelingconduct.Lookatyourboy:heisyour"n,ain"the?He"sasthinasalath.Doyoucallyourselfamother,andnotknowthatamother"sfirstdutyistoblowherboyout?"

ThistouchedYoungJerryonatenderplace;whoadjuredhismothertoperformherfirstduty,and,whateverelseshedidorneglected,aboveallthingstolayespecialstressonthedischargeofthatmaternalfunctionsoaffectinglyanddelicatelyindicatedbyhisotherparent.

ThustheeveningworeawaywiththeCruncherfamily,untilYoungJerrywasorderedtobed,andhismother,laidundersimilarinjunctions,obeyedthem.Mr.Cruncherbeguiledtheearlierwatchesofthenightwithsolitarypipes,anddidnotstartuponhisexcursionuntilnearlyoneo"clock.Towardsthatsmallandghostlyhour,heroseupfromhischair,tookakeyoutofhispocket,openedalockedcupboard,andbroughtforthasack,acrowbarofconvenientsize,aropeandchain,andotherfishingtackleofthatnature.Disposingthesearticlesabouthiminskilfulmanner,hebestowedapartingdefianceonMrs.Cruncher,extinguishedthelight,andwentout.

YoungJerry,whohadonlymadeafeintofundressingwhenhewenttobed,wasnotlongafterhisfather.Undercoverofthedarknesshefollowedoutoftheroom,followeddownthestairs,followeddownthecourt,followedoutintothestreets.Hewasinnouneasinessconcerninghisgettingintothehouseagain,foritwasfulloflodgers,andthedoorstoodajarallnight.

Impelledbyalaudableambitiontostudytheartandmysteryofhisfather"shonestcalling,YoungJerry,keepingasclosetohouse-fronts,walls,anddoorways,ashiseyeswereclosetooneanother,heldhishonouredparentinview.ThehonouredparentsteeringNorthward,hadnotgonefar,whenhewasjoinedbyanotherdiscipleofIzaakWalton,andthetwotrudgedontogether.

Withinhalfanhourfromthefirststarting,theywerebeyondthewinkinglamps,andthemorethanwinkingwatchmen,andwereoutuponalonelyroad.AnotherfishermanwasPickeduphere——andthatsosilently,thatifYoungJerryhadbeensuperstitious,hemighthavesupposedthesecondfollowerofthegentlecrafttohave,allofasudden,splithimselfintwo.

Thethreewenton,andYoungJerrywenton,untilthethreestoppedunderabankoverhangingtheroad.Uponthetopofthebankwasalowbrickwall,surmountedbyanironrailing.Intheshadowofbankandwallthethreeturnedoutoftheroad,andupablindlane,ofwhichthewall——there,risentosomeeightortenfeethigh——formedoneside.Crouchingdowninacorner,peepingupthelane,thenextobjectthatYoungJerrysaw,wastheformofhishonouredparent,prettywelldefinedagainstawateryandcloudedmoon,nimblyscalinganirongate.Hewassoonover,andthenthesecondfishermangotover,andthenthethird.Theyalldroppedsoftlyonthegroundwithinthegate,andlaytherealittle——listeningperhaps.Then,theymovedawayontheirhandsandknees.

ItwasnowYoungJerry"sturntoapproachthegate:whichhedid,holdinghisbreath.Crouchingdownagaininacornerthere,andlookingin,hemadeoutthethreefishermencreepingthroughsomerankgrass,andallthegravestonesinthechurchyard——itwasalargechurchyardthattheywereinlooking——onlikeghostsinwhite,whilethechurchtoweritselflookedonliketheghostofamonstrousgiant.Theydidnotcreepfar,beforetheystoppedandstoodupright.Andthentheybegantofish.

Theyfishedwithaspade,atfirst.Presentlythehonouredparentappearedtobeadjustingsomeinstrumentlikeagreatcorkscrew.Whatevertoolstheyworkedwith,theyworkedhard,untiltheawfulstrikingofthechurchclocksoterrifiedYoung,Jerry,thathemadeoff,withhishairasstiffashisfather"s.

But,hislong-cherisheddesiretoknowmoreaboutthesematters,notonlystoppedhiminhisrunningaway,butluredhimbackagain.Theywerestillfishingperseveringly,whenhepeepedinatthegateforthesecondtime;but,nowtheyseemedtohavegotabite.Therewasascrewingandcomplainingsounddownbelow,andtheirbentfigureswerestrained,asifbyaweight.Byslowdegreestheweightbrokeawaytheearthuponit,andcametothesurface.YoungJerryverywellknewwhatitwouldbe;but,whenhesawit,andsawhishonouredparentabouttowrenchitopen,hewassofrightened,beingnewtothesight,thathemadeoffagain,andneverstoppeduntilhehadrunamileormore.

Hewouldnothavestoppedthenforanythinglessnecessarythanbreath,itbeingaspectralsortofracethatheran,andonehighlydesirabletogettotheendof.Hehadastrongideathatthecoffinhehadseenwasrunningafterhim;and,picturedashoppingonbehindhim,boltupright,uponitsnarrowend,alwaysonthepointofovertakinghimandhoppingonathisside——perhapstakinghisarm——itwasapursuertoshun.Itwasaninconsistentandubiquitousfiendtoo,for,whileitwasmakingthewholenightbehindhimdreadful,hedartedoutintotheroadwaytoavoiddarkalleys,fearfulofitscominghoppingoutofthemlikeadropsicalboy"sKitewithouttailandwings.Ithidindoorwaystoo,rubbingitshorribleshouldersagainstdoors,anddrawingthemuptoitsears,asifitwerelaughing.Itgotintoshadowsontheroad,andlaycunninglyonitsbacktotriphimup.Allthistimeitwasincessantlyhoppingonbehindandgainingonhim,sothatwhentheboygottohisowndoorliehadreasonforbeinghalfdead.Andeventhenitwouldnotleavehim,butfollowedhimupstairswithabumponeveryStair,scrambledintobedwithhim,andbumpeddown,deadandheavy,onhisbreastwhenhefellasleep.

Fromhisoppressedslumber,YoungJerryinhisclosetwasawakenedafterdaybreakandbeforesunrise,bythepresenceofhisfatherinthefamilyroom.Somethinghadgonebongwithhim;atleast,soYoungJerryinferred,fromthecircumstanceofhisholdingMrs.Cruncherbytheears,andknockingthebackofherheadagainsttheheadboardofthebed.

`ItoldyouIwould,"saidMr.Cruncher,`andIdid."

`Jerry,Jerry,Jerry!"hiswifeimplored.

`Youopposeyourselftotheprofitofthebusiness,"saidJerry,`andmeandmypartnerssuffer.Youwastohonourandobey;whythedevildon"tyou?"

`Itrytobeagoodwife,Jerry,"thepoorwomanprotested,withtears.

`Isitbeingagoodwifetoopposeyourhusband"sbusiness?Isithonouringyourhusbandtodishonourhisbusiness?Isitobeyingyourhusbandtodisobeyhimonthewitalsubjectofhisbusiness?"

`Youhadn"ttakentothedreadfulbusinessthen,Jerry."

`It"senoughforyou,"retortedMr.Cruncher,`tobethewifeofahonesttradesman,andnottooccupyyourfemalemindwithcalculationswhenhetooktohistradeorwhenhedidn"t.Ahonouringandobeyingwifewouldlethistradealonealtogether.Callyourselfareligiouswoman?Ifyou"reareligiouswoman,givemeairreligiousone!Youhavenomorenat"ralsenseofdutythanthebedofthishereThamesriverhasofapile,andsimilarlyitmustbeknockedintoyou."

Thealtercationwasconductedinalowtoneofvoice,andterminatedinthehonesttradesman"skickingoffhisclay-soiledboots,andlyingdownathislengthonthefloor.Aftertakingatimidpeepathimlyingonhisback,withhisrustyhandsunderhisheadforapillow,hissonlaydowntoo,andfellasleepagain.

Therewasnofishforbreakfast,andnotmuchofanythingelse.Mr.Cruncherwasoutofspirits,andoutoftemper,andkeptanironpot-lidbyhimasaprojectileforthecorrectionofMrs.Cruncher,incaseheshouldobserveanysymptomsofhersayingGrace.Hewasbrushedandwashedattheusualhour,andsetoffwithhissontopursuehisostensiblecalling.

YoungJerry,walkingwiththestoolunderhisarmathisfather"ssidealongsunnyandcrowdedFleetStreet,wasaverydifferentYoungJerryfromhimofthepreviousnight,runninghomethroughdarknessandsolitudefromhisgrimpursuer.Hiscunningwasfreshwiththeday,andhisqualmsweregonewiththenight——inwhichparticularsitisnotimprobablethathehadcompeersinFleetStreetandtheCityofLondon,thatfinemorning.

`Father,"saidYoungJerry,astheywalkedalong:takingcaretokeepatarm"slengthandtohavethestoolwellbetweenthem:`what"saResurrection——Man?"

Mr.Crunchercametoastoponthepavementbeforelieanswered,`HowshouldIknow?"

`Ithoughtyouknowedeverything,father,"saidtheartlessboy.

`Hem!Well,"returnedMr.Cruncher,goingonagain,andliftingoffhishattogivehisspikesfreeplay,`he"satradesman."

`What`shisgoods,father?"askedthebriskYoungJerry.

`Hisgoods,"saidMr.Cruncher,afterturningitoverinhismind,isabranchofScientificgoods."

`Persons"bodies,ain"tit,father?"askedthelivelyboy.

`Ibelieveitissomethingofthatsort,"saidMr.Cruncher.

`Oh,father,IshouldsoliketobeaResurrection——manwhenI`mquitegrowedup!"

Mr.Cruncherwassoothed,butshookhisheadinadubiousandmoralway.`Itdependsuponhowyoudewelopyourtalents.Becarefultodewelopyourtalents,andnevertosaynomorethanyoucanhelptonobody,andthere"snotellingatthepresenttimewhatyoumaynotcometobefitfor."AsYoungJerry,thusencouraged,wentonafewyardsinadvance,toplantthestoolintheshadowoftheBar,Mr.Cruncheraddedtohimself:`Jerry,youhonesttradesman,there"shopeswotthatboywillyetbeablessingtoyou,andarecompensetoyouforhismother!

CHAPTERXV

Knitting

THEREhadbeenearlierdrinkingthanusualinthewineshopofMonsieurDefarge.Asearlyassixo"clockinthemorning,sallowfacespeepingthroughitsbarredwindowshaddescriedotherfaceswithin,bendingovermeasuresofwine.MonsieurDefargesoldaverythinwineatthebestoftimes,butitwouldseemtohavebeenanunusuallythinwinethathesoldatthistime.Asourwine,moreover,orasouring,foritsinfluenceonthemoodofthosewhodrankitwastomakethemgloomy.NovivaciousBacchanalianflameleapedoutofthepressedgrapeofmonsieurDefarge:but,asmoulderingfirethatburntinthedark,layhiddeninthedregsofit.

Thishadbeenthethirdmorninginsuccession,onwhichtherehadbeenearlydrinkingatthewine-shopofMonsieurDefarge.IthadbegunonMonday,andherewasWednesdaycome.Therehadbeenmoreofearlybroodingthandrinking;for,manymenhadlistenedandwhisperedandslunkabouttherefromthetimeoftheopeningofthedoor,whocouldnotavelaidaPieceofmoneyonthecountertosavetheirsouls.Theseweretothefullasinterestedintheplace,however,asiftheycouldhavecommandedwholebarrelsofwine;andtheyglidedfromseattoseat,andfromcornertocorner,swallowingtalkinlieuofdrink,withgreedylooks.

Notwithstandinganunusualflowofcompany,themasterofthewine-shopwasnotvisible.Hewasnotmissed;for,nobodywhocrossedthethresholdlookedforhim,nobodyaskedforhim,nobodywonderedtoseeonlyMadameDefargeinherseat,presidingoverthedistributionofwine,withabowlofbatteredsmallcoinsbeforeher,asmuchdefacedandbeatenoutoftheiroriginalimpressasthesmallcoinageofhumanityfromwhoseraggedpocketstheyhadcome.

Asuspendedinterestandaprevalentabsenceofmind,wereperhapsobservedbythespieswholookedinatthewine-shop,astheylookedinateveryplace,highandlow,fromtheking"spalacetothecriminal"sgaol.Gamesatcardslanguished,playersatdominoesmusinglybuilttowerswiththem,drinkersdrewfiguresonthetableswithspiltdropsofwine,MadameDefargeherselfpickedoutthepatternonhersleevewithhertoothpick,andsawandheardsomethinginaudibleandinvisiblealongwayoff.

Thus,SaintAntoineinthisvinousfeatureofhis,untilmidday.Itwashighnoontide,whentwodustymenpassedthroughhisstreetsandunderhisswinginglamps:ofwhom,onewasMonsieurDefarge:theotheramenderofroadsinabluecap.Alladustandathirst,thetwoenteredthewine-shop.TheirarrivalhadlightedakindoffireinthebreastofSaintAntoine,fastspreadingastheycamealong,whichstirredandflickeredinflamesoffacesatmostdoorsandwindows.Yet,noonehadfollowedthem,andnomanspokewhentheyenteredthewine-shop,thoughtheeyesofeverymantherewereturneduponthem.

`Good-day,gentlemen!"saidMonsieurDefarge.

Itmayhavebeenasignalforlooseningthegeneraltongue.Itelicitedanansweringchorusof`Good-day!"

`Itisbadweather,gentlemen,"saidDefarge,shakinghishead.Uponwhich,everymanlookedathisneighbour,andthenallcastdowntheireyesandsatsilent.Exceptoneman,whogotupandwentout.

`Mywife,"saidDefargealoud,addressingMadameDefarge:`Ihavetravelledcertainleagueswiththisgoodmenderofroads,calledJacques.Imethim——byaccident——adayanhalf"sjourneyOutofParis.Heisagoodchild,thismenderofroads,calledJacques.Givehimtodrink,mywife!"

Asecondmangotupandwentout.MadameDefargesetwinebeforethemenderofroadscalledJacques,whodoffedhisbluecaptothecompany,anddrank.Inthebreastofhisblousehecarriedsomecoarsedarkbread;heateofthisbetweenwhiles,andsatmunchinganddrinkingnearMadameDefarge"scounter.Athirdmangotupandwentout.

Defargerefreshedhimselfwithadraughtofwine——but,hetooklessthanwasgiventothestranger,asbeinghimselfamantowhomitwasnorarity——andstoodwaitinguntilthecountrymanhadmadehisbreakfast.Helookedatnoonepresent,andnoonenowlookedathim;notevenMadameDefarge,whohadtakenupherknitting,andwasatwork.

`Haveyoufinishedyourrepast,friend?"heasked,indueseason.

`Yes,thankyou."

`Come,then!YoushallseetheapartmentthatItoldyouyoucouldoccupy.Itwillsuityoutoamarvel."

Outofthewine-shopintothestreet,outofthestreetintoacourtyard,outofthecourtyardupasteepstaircase,outofthestaircaseintoagarret——formerlythegarretwhereawhite-hairedmansatonalowbench,stoopingforwardandverybusy,makingshoes.

Nowhite-hairedmanwastherenow;but,thethreemenweretherewhohadgoneoutofthewine-shopsingly.Andbetweenthemandthewhite-hairedmanafaroff,wastheonesmalllink,thattheyhadoncelookedinathimthroughthechinksinthewail.

Defargeclosedthedoorcarefully,andspokeinasubduedvoice:

`JacquesOne,JacquesTwo,JacquesThree!Thisisthewitnessencounteredbyappointment,byme,JacquesFour.

Hewilltellyouall.Speak,JacquesFive!

Themenderofroads,bluecapinhand,wipedhisswarthyforeheadwithit,andsaid,`WhereshallIcommence,monsieur?"

`Commence,"wasMonsieurDefarge"snotunreasonablereply,`atthecommencement."

`Isawhimthen,messieurs,"beganthemenderofroads,ayearagothisrunningsummer,underneaththecarriageoftheMarquis,hangingbythechain.Beholdthemannerofit.Ileavingmyworkontheroad,thesungoingtobed,thecarriageoftheMarquisslowlyascendingthehill,hehangingbythechain——likethis."

Againthemenderofroadswentthroughthewholeperformance;inwhichheoughttohavebeenperfectbythattime,seeingthatithadbeentheinfallibleresourceandindispensableentertainmentofhisvillageduringawholeyear.

JacquesOnestruckin,andaskedifhehadeverseenthemanbefore?

`Never,"answeredthemenderofroads,recoveringhisperpendicular.

JacquesThreedemandedhowheafterwardsrecognisedhimthen?

`Byhistallfigure,"saidthemenderofroads,softly,andwithhisfingerathisnose.`WhenMonsieurtheMarquisdemandsthatevening,,``Say,whatishelike?""Imakeresponse,``Tallasaspectre."""

`Youshouldhavesaid,shortasadwarf,"returnedJacquesTwo.

`ButwhatdidIknow?Thedeedwasnotthenaccomplished,neitherdidheconfideinme.Observe!Underthosecircumstanceseven,Idonotoffermytestimony.MonsieurtheMarquisindicatesmewithhisfinger,standingnearourlittlefountain,andsays,``Tome!Bringthatrascal!""Myfaith,messieurs,Ioffernothing."

`Heisrightthere,Jacques,"murmuredDefarge,tohimwhohadinterrupted.`Goon!"

`Good!"saidthemenderofroads,withanairofmystery.`Thetallmanislost,andheissought——howmanymonths?Nine,ten,eleven?"

`Nomatter,thenumber,"saidDefarge.`Heiswellhidden,butatlastheisunluckilyfound.Goon!"

`Iamagainatworkuponthehillside,andthesunisagainabouttogotobed.Iamcollectingmytoolstodescendtomycottagedowninthevillagebelow,whereitisalreadydark,whenIraisemyeyes,andseecomingoverthehillsixsoldiers.Inthemidstofthemisatallmanwithhisarmsbound——tiedtohissides——likethis!"

Withtheaidofhisindispensablecap,herepresentedamanwithhiselbowsboundfastathiships,withcordsthatwereknottedbehindhim.

`Istandaside,messieurs,bymyheapofstones,toseethesoldiersandtheirprisonerpass(foritisasolitaryroad,that,whereanyspectacleiswellworthlookingat),andatfirst,astheyapproach,Iseenomorethanthattheyaresixsoldierswithatallmanbound,andthattheyarealmostblacktomysight——exceptonthesideofthesungoingtobedwheretheyhavearededge,messieurs.Also,Iseethattheirlongshadowsareonthehollowridgeontheoppositesideoftheroad,andareonthehillaboveit,andareliketheshadowsofgiants.Also,Iseethattheyarecoveredwithdust,andthatthedustmoveswiththemastheycome,tramp,tramp!Butwhentheyadvancequiteneartome,Irecognisethetallman,andherecognisesme.Ah,buthewouldbewellcontenttoprecipitatehimselfoverthehillsideonceagain,asontheeveningwhenheandIfirstencountered,closetothesamespot!"

Hedescribeditasifhewerethere,anditwasevidentthathesawitvividly;perhapshehadnotseenmuchinhislife.

`IdonotshowthesoldiersthatIrecognisethetallman;hedoesnotshowthesoldiersthatherecognisesme;wedoit,andweknowit,withoureyes.``Comeon!""saysthechiefofthatcompany,pointingtothevillage,``bringhimfasttohistomb!""andtheybringhimfaster.Ifollow.Hisarmsareswelledbecauseofbeingboundsotight,hiswoodenshoesarelargeandclumsy,andheislame.Becauseheislame,andconsequentlyslow,theydrivehimwiththeirguns——likethis!"

Heimitatedtheactionofaman"sbeingimpelledforwardbythebutt-endsofmuskets.

`Astheydescendthehilllikemadmenrunningarace,hefalls.Theylaughandpickhimupagain.Hisfaceisbleedingandcoveredwithdust,buthecannottouchit;thereupontheylaughagain.Theybringhimintothevillage;allthevillagerunstolook;theytakehimpastthemill,anduptotheprison;allthevillageseestheprisongateopeninthedarknessofthenight,andswallowhim——likethis!"

Heopenedhismouthaswideashecould,andshutitwithasoundingsnapofhisteeth.Observantofhisunwillingnesstomartheeffectbyopeningitagain,Defargesaid,`Goon,Jacques."

`Allthevillage,"pursuedthemenderofroads,ontiptoeandinalowvoice,`withdraws;allthevillagewhispersbythefountain;allthevillagesleeps;allthevillagedreamsofthatunhappyone,withinthelocksandbarsoftheprisononthecrag,andnevertocomeoutofit,excepttoperish.Inthemorning,withmytoolsuponmyshoulder,eatingmymorselofblackbreadasIgo,Imakeacircuitbytheprison,onmywaytomywork.ThereIseehim,highup,behindthebarsofaloftyironcage,bloodyanddustyaslastnight,lookingthrough.Hehasnohandfree,towavetome;Idarenotcalltohim;heregardsmelikeadeadman."

Defargeandthethreeglanceddarklyatoneanother.Thelooksofallofthemweredark,repressed,andrevengeful,astheylistenedtothecountryman"sstory;themannerofallofthem,whileitwassecret,wasauthoritativetoo.Theyhadtheairofaroughtribunal;JacquesOneandTwosittingontheoldpallet-bed,eachwithhischinrestingonhishand,andhiseyesintentontheroad-mender;JacquesThree,equallyintent,ononekneebehindthem,withhisagitatedhandalwaysglidingoverthenetworkoffinenervesabouthismouthandnose;Defargestandingbetweenthemandthenarrator,whomhehadstationedinthelightofthewindow,byturnslookingfromhimtothem,andfromthemtohim.

`Goon,Jacques,"saidDefarge.

`Heremainsupthereinhisironcagesomedays.Thevillagelooksathimbystealth,foritisafraid.Butitalwayslooksup,fromadistance,attheprisononthecrag;andintheevening,whentheworkofthedayisachievedanditassemblestogossipatthefountain,allfacesareturnedtowardstheprison.Formerly,theywereturnedtowardstheposting-house;now,theyareturnedtowardstheprison.Theywhisperatthefountain,thatalthoughcondemnedtodeathhewillnotbeexecuted;theysaythatpetitionshavebeenpresentedinParis,showingthathewasenragedandmademadbythedeathofhischild;theysaythatapetitionhasbeenpresentedtotheKinghimself.WhatdoIknow?Itispossible.Perhapsyes,perhapsno."

`Listenthen,Jacques,"NumberOneofthatnamesternlyinterposed.`KnowthatapetitionwaspresentedtotheKingandQueen.Allhere,yourselfexcepted,sawtheKingtakeit,inhiscarriageinthestreet,sittingbesidetheQueen.ItisDefargewhomyouseehere,who,atthehazardofhislife,dartedoutbeforethehorses,withthepetitioninhishand."

`Andonceagainlisten,Jacques!"saidthekneelingNumberThree:hisfingerseverwanderingoverandoverthosefinenerves,withastrikinglygreedyair,asifhehungeredforsomething——thatwasneitherfoodnordrink;`theguard,horseandfoot,surroundedthepetitioner,andstruckhimblows.Youhear?"

`Ihear,messieurs."

`Goonthen,"saidDefarge.

`Again;ontheotherhand,theywhisperatthefountain,"resumedthecountryman,`thatheisbroughtdownintoourcountrytobeexecutedonthespot,andthathewillverycertainlybeexecuted.TheyevenwhisperthatbecausehehasslainMonseigneur,andbecauseMonseigneurwasthefatherofhistenants——serfs——whatyouwill——hewillbeexecutedasaparricide.Oneoldmansaysatthefountain,thathisrighthand,armedwiththeknife,willbeburntoffbeforehisface;that,intowoundswhichwillbemadeinhisarms,hisbreast,andhislegs,therewillbepouredboilingoil,meltedlead,hotresin,wax,andsulphur;finally,thathewillbetornlimbfromlimbbyfourstronghorses.Thatoldmansays,allthiswasactuallydonetoaprisonerwhomadeanattemptonthelifeofthelateKing,LouisFifteen.ButhowdoIknowifhelies?

Iamnotascholar."

`Listenonceagainthen,Jacques!"saidthemanwiththerestlesshandandthecravingair.`ThenameofthatprisonerwasDamiens,anditwasalldoneinopenday,intheopenstreetsofthiscityofParis;andnothingwasmorenoticedinthevastconcoursethatsawitdone,thanthecrowdofladiesofqualityandfashion,whowerefullofeagerattentiontothelast——tothelast,Jacques,prolongeduntilnightfall,whenhehadlosttwolegsandanarm,andstillbreathed!Anditwasdone——why,howoldareyou?"

`Thirty-five,"saidthemenderofroads,wholookedsixty.

`Itwasdonewhenyouweremorethantenyearsold;youmighthaveseenit."

`Enough!"saidDefarge,withgrimimpatience.`LonglivetheDevil!Goon."

`Well!Somewhisperthis,somewhisperthat;theyspedofnothingelse;eventhefountainappearstofalltothattune.Atlength,onSundaynightwhenallthevillageisasleep,comesoldiers,windingdownfromtheprison,andtheirgunsringonthestonesofthelittlestreet.Workmendig,workmenhammer,soldierslaughandsing;inthemorning,bythefountain,thereisraisedagallowsfortyfeethigh,poisoningthewater."

Themenderofroadslookedthroughratherthanatthelowceiling,andpointedasifhesawthegallowssomewhereinthesky.

`Allworkisstopped,allassemblethere,nobodyleadsthecowsout,thecowsaretherewiththerest.Atmidday,therollofdrums.Soldiershavemarchedintotheprisoninthenight,andheisinthemidstofmanysoldiers.Heisboundasbefore,andinhismouththereisagag——tiedso,withatightstring,makinghimlookalmostasifhelaughed."Hesuggestedit,bycreasinghisfacewithhistwothumbs,fromthecornersofhismouthtohisears.`Onthetopofthegallowsisfixedtheknife,bladeupwards,withitspointintheair.Heishangedtherefortyfeethigh——andislefthanging,poisoningthewater.

Theylookedatoneanother,asheusedhisbluecaptowipehisface,onwhichtheperspirationhadstartedafreshwhileherecalledthespectacle.

`Itisfrightful,messieurs.Howcanthewomenandthechildrendrawwater!Whocangossipofanevening,underthatshadow!Underit,haveIsaid?WhenIleftthevillage,Mondayeveningasthesunwasgoingtobed,andlookedbackfromthehill,theshadowstruckacrossthechurch,acrossthemill,acrosstheprison——seemedtostrikeacrosstheearth,messieurs,towheretheskyrestsuponit!"

Thehungrymangnawedoneofhisfingersashelookedattheotherthree,andhisfingerquiveredwiththecravingthatwasonhim.

`That"sall,messieurs.Ileftatsunset(asIhadbeenwarnedtodo),andIwalkedon,thatnightandhalfnextday,untilImet(asIwaswarnedIshould)thiscomrade.Withhim,Icameon,nowridingandnowwalking,throughtherestofyesterdayandthroughlastnight.Andhereyouseeme!"

Afteragloomysilence,thefirstJacquessaid,`Good!Youhaveactedandrecountedfaithfully.Willyouwaitforusalittle,outsidethedoor?"

`Verywillingly,"saidthemenderofroads.WhomDefargeescortedtothetopofthestairs,and,leavingseatedthere,returned.

Thethreehadrisen,andtheirheadsweretogetherwhenhecamebacktothegarret.

`Howsayyou,Jacques?"demandedNumberOne.`Toberegistered?"

`Toberegistered,asdoomedtodestruction,"returnedDefarge.

`Magnificent!"croakedthemanwiththecraving.

`Thechateauandalltherace?"inquiredthefirst.

`Thechateauandalltherace,"returnedDefarge.`Extermination."

Thehungrymanrepeated,inarapturouscroak,`Magnificent!"andbegangnawinganotherfinger.

`Areyousure,"askedJacquesTwo,ofDefarge,`thatnoembarrassmentcanarisefromourmannerofkeepingtheregister?Withoutdoubtitissafe,fornoonebeyondourselvescandecipherit;butshallwealwaysbeabletodecipheritor,Ioughttosay,willshe?"

`Jacques,"returnedDefarge,drawinghimselfup,`ifmadamemywifeundertooktokeeptheregisterinhermemoryalone,shewouldnotloseawordofit——notasyllableofit.Knitted,inherownstitchesandherownsymbols,itwillalwaysbeasplaintoherasthesun.ConfideinMadameDefarge.Itwouldbeeasierfortheweakestpoltroonthatlives,toerasehimselffromexistence,thantoeraseoneletterofhisnameorcrimesfromtheknittedregisterofMadameDefarge."

Therewasamurmurofconfidenceandapproval,andthenthemanwhohungered,asked:`Isthisrustictobesentbacksoon?Ihopeso.Heisverysimple;ishenotalittledangerous?"

`Heknowsnothing,"saidDefarge;`atleastnothingmorethanwouldeasilyelevatehimselftogallowsofthesameheight.Ichargemyselfwithhim;lethimremainwithme;Iwilltakecareofhim,andsethimonhisroad.Hewishestoseethefineworld——theKing,theQueen,andCourt;lethimseethemonSunday.

`What?"exclaimedthehungryman,staring.`Isitagoodsign,thathewishestoseeRoyaltyandNobility?"

`Jacques,"saidDefarge;judiciouslyshowacatmilk,ifyouwishhertothirstforit.Judiciouslyshowadoghisnaturalprey,ifyouwishhimtobringitdownoneday."

Nothingmorewassaid,andthemenderofroads,beingfoundalreadydozingonthetopmoststair,wasadvisedtolayhimselfdownonthepallet-bedandtakesomerest.Heneedednopersuasion,andwassoonasleep.

WorsequartersthanDefarge"swine-shop,couldeasilyhavebeenfoundinParisforaprovincialslaveofthatdegree.Savingforamysteriousdreadofmadamebywhichhewasconstantlyhaunted,hislifewasverynewandagreeable.But,madamesatalldayathercounter,soexpresslyunconsciousofhim,andsoparticularlydeterminednottoperceivethathisbeingtherehadanyconnexionwithanythingbelowthesurface,thatheshookinhiswoodenshoeswheneverhiseyelightedonher.For,hecontendedwithhimselfthatitwasimpossibletoforeseewhatthatladymightpretendnext;andhefeltassuredthatifsheshouldtakeitintoherbrightlyornamentedheadtopretendthatshehadseenhimdoamurderandafterwardsRaythevictim,shewouldinfalliblygothroughwithituntiltheplaywasplayedout.

Therefore,whenSundaycame,themenderofroadswasnotenchanted(thoughhesaidhewas)tofindthatmadamewastoaccompanymonsieurandhimselftoVersailles.Itwasadditionallydisconcertingtohavemadameknittingallthewaythere,inapublicconveyance;itwasadditionallydisconcertingyet,tohavemadameinthecrowdintheafternoon,stillwithherknittinginherhandsasthecrowdwaitedtoseethecarriageoftheKingandQueen.

`Youworkhard,madame,"saidamannearher.

`Yes,"answeredMadameDefarge;`Ihaveagooddealtodo."

`Whatdoyoumake,madame?"

`Manythings."

`Forinstance——"

`Forinstance,"returnedMadameDefarge,composedly,`shrouds."

Themanmovedalittlefurtheraway,assoonashecould,andthemenderofroadsfannedhimselfwithhisbluecap:feelingitmightilycloseandoppressive.IfheneededaKingandQueentorestorehim,hewasfortunateinhavinghisremedyathand;for,soonthelarge-facedKingandthefair-facedQueencameintheirgoldencoach,attendedbytheshiningBull"sEyeoftheirCourt,aglitteringmultitudeoflaughingladiesandfinelords;andinjewelsandsilksandpowderandsplendourandelegantlyspurningfiguresandhandsomelydisdainfulfacesofbothsexes,themenderofroadsbathedhimself,somuchtohistemporaryintoxication,thathecriedLonglivetheKing,LonglivetheQueen,Longliveeverybodyandeverything!asifhehadneverheardofubiquitousJacquesinhistime.Then,thereweregardens,courtyards,terraces,fountains,greenbanks,moreKingandQueen,moreBull"sEye,morelordsandladies,moreLonglivetheyall!untilheabsolutelyweptwithsentiment.Duringthewholeofthisscene,whichlastedsomethreehours,hehadplentyofshoutingandweepingandsentimentalcompany,andIthroughoutDefargeheldhimbythecollar,asiftorestrainhimfromflyingattheobjectsofhisbriefdevotionandtearingthempieces.

`Bravo"saidDefarge,clappinghimonthebackwhenitwasOver,likeapatron;`youareagoodboy!"

Themenderofroadswasnowcomingtohimself,andwasmistrustfulofhavingmadeamistakeinhislatedemonstrations;butno.