第6章

Shewasupandfacingtowardthequeeninamoment.Sheindicatedme,andsaid:

"Madame,HEsaiththismaynotbe.Recallthecommandment,orhewilldissolvethecastleanditshallvanishawayliketheinstablefabricofadream!"

Confoundit,whatacrazycontracttopledgeapersonto!Whatifthequeen——

Butmyconsternationsubsidedthere,andmypanicpassedoff;forthequeen,allinacollapse,madenoshowofresistancebutgaveacountermandingsignandsunkintoherseat.Whenshereacheditshewassober.Soweremanyoftheothers.Theassemblagerose,whiffedceremonytothewinds,andrushedforthedoorlikeamob;overturningchairs,smashingcrockery,tugging,struggling,shouldering,crowding——anythingtogetoutbeforeIshouldchangemymindandpuffthecastleintothemeasurelessdimvacanciesofspace.Well,well,well,theyWEREasuperstitiouslot.Itisallabodycandotoconceiveofit.

Thepoorqueenwassoscaredandhumbledthatshewasevenafraidtohangthecomposerwithoutfirstconsultingme.Iwasverysorryforher——indeed,anyonewouldhavebeen,forshewasreallysuffering;soI

waswillingtodoanythingthatwasreasonable,andhadnodesiretocarrythingstowantonextremities.Ithereforeconsideredthematterthoughtfully,andendedbyhavingthemusiciansorderedintoourpresencetoplaythatSweetByeandByeagain,whichtheydid.ThenIsawthatshewasright,andgaveherpermissiontohangthewholeband.Thislittlerelaxationofsternnesshadagoodeffectuponthequeen.Astatesmangainslittlebythearbitraryexerciseofiron-cladauthorityuponalloccasionsthatoffer,forthiswoundsthejustprideofhissubordinates,andthustendstounderminehisstrength.Alittleconcession,nowandthen,whereitcandonoharm,isthewiserpolicy.

Nowthatthequeenwasateaseinhermindoncemore,andmeasurablyhappy,herwinenaturallybegantoassertitselfagain,anditgotalittlethestartofher.Imeanitsethermusicgoing——hersilverbellofatongue.Dearme,shewasamastertalker.ItwouldnotbecomemetosuggestthatitwasprettylateandthatIwasatiredmanandverysleepy.IwishedIhadgoneofftobedwhenIhadthechance.NowImuststickitout;therewasnootherway.Soshetinkledalongandalong,intheotherwiseprofoundandghostlyhushofthesleepingcastle,untilbyandbytherecame,asiffromdeepdownunderus,afar-awaysound,asofamuffledshriek——

withanexpressionofagonyaboutitthatmademyfleshcrawl.Thequeenstopped,andhereyeslightedwithpleasure;shetiltedhergracefulheadasabirddoeswhenitlistens.Thesoundboreditswayupthroughthestillnessagain.

"Whatisit?"Isaid.

"Itistrulyastubbornsoul,andendurethlong.Itismanyhoursnow."

"Endurethwhat?"

"Therack.Come——yeshallseeablithesight.Anheyieldnothissecretnow,yeshallseehimtornasunder."

Whatasilkysmoothhellionshewas;andsocomposedandserene,whenthecordsalldownmylegswerehurtinginsympathywiththatman"spain.

Conductedbymailedguardsbearingflaringtorches,wetrampedalongechoingcorridors,anddownstonestairwaysdankanddripping,andsmellingofmouldandagesofimprisonednight——achill,uncannyjourneyandalongone,andnotmadetheshorterorthecheerierbythesorceress"stalk,whichwasaboutthissuffererandhiscrime.Hehadbeenaccusedbyananonymousinformer,ofhavingkilledastagintheroyalpreserves.Isaid:

"Anonymoustestimonyisn"tjusttherightthing,yourHighness.Itwerefairertoconfronttheaccusedwiththeaccuser."

"Ihadnotthoughtofthat,itbeingbutofsmallconsequence.ButanIwould,Icouldnot,forthattheaccusercamemaskedbynight,andtoldtheforester,andstraightwaygothimhenceagain,andsotheforesterknowethhimnot."

"ThenisthisUnknowntheonlypersonwhosawthestagkilled?"

"Marry,NOmanSAWthekilling,butthisUnknownsawthishardywretchneartothespotwherethestaglay,andcamewithrightloyalzealandbetrayedhimtotheforester."

"SotheUnknownwasnearthedeadstag,too?Isn"titjustpossiblethathedidthekillinghimself?Hisloyalzeal——inamask——looksjustashadesuspicious.Butwhatisyourhighness"sideaforrackingtheprisoner?

Whereistheprofit?"

"Hewillnotconfess,else;andthenwerehissoullost.Forhiscrimehislifeisforfeitedbythelaw——andofasuretywillIseethathepayethit!——butitwereperiltomyownsoultolethimdieunconfessedandunabsolved.Nay,IwereafooltoflingmeintohellforHISaccommodation."

"But,yourHighness,supposehehasnothingtoconfess?"

"Astothat,weshallsee,anon.AnIrackhimtodeathandheconfessnot,itwillperadventureshowthathehadindeednaughttoconfess——

yewillgrantthatthatissooth?ThenshallInotbedamnedforanunconfessedmanthathadnaughttoconfess——wherefore,Ishallbesafe."

Itwasthestubbornunreasoningofthetime.Itwasuselesstoarguewithher.Argumentshavenochanceagainstpetrifiedtraining;theywearitaslittleasthewaveswearacliff.Andhertrainingwaseverybody"s.

Thebrightestintellectinthelandwouldnothavebeenabletoseethatherpositionwasdefective.

Asweenteredtherack-cellIcaughtapicturethatwillnotgofromme;Iwishitwould.Anativeyounggiantofthirtyorthereaboutslaystretchedupontheframeonhisback,withhiswristsandanklestiedtoropeswhichledoverwindlassesateitherend.Therewasnocolorinhim;

hisfeatureswerecontortedandset,andsweat-dropsstooduponhisforehead.

Apriestbentoverhimoneachside;theexecutionerstoodby;guardswereonduty;smokingtorchesstoodinsocketsalongthewalls;inacornercrouchedapooryoungcreature,herfacedrawnwithanguish,ahalf-wildandhuntedlookinhereyes,andinherlaplayalittlechildasleep.

Justaswesteppedacrossthethresholdtheexecutionergavehismachineaslightturn,whichwrungacryfromboththeprisonerandthewoman;

butIshouted,andtheexecutionerreleasedthestrainwithoutwaitingtoseewhospoke.Icouldnotletthishorrorgoon;itwouldhavekilledmetoseeit.Iaskedthequeentoletmecleartheplaceandspeaktotheprisonerprivately;andwhenshewasgoingtoobjectIspokeinalowvoiceandsaidIdidnotwanttomakeascenebeforeherservants,butImusthavemyway;forIwasKingArthur"srepresentative,andwasspeakinginhisname.Shesawshehadtoyield.Iaskedhertoindorsemetothesepeople,andthenleaveme.Itwasnotpleasantforher,butshetookthepill;andevenwentfurtherthanIwasmeaningtorequire.Ionlywantedthebackingofherownauthority;butshesaid:

"Yewilldoinallthingsasthislordshallcommand.ItisTheBoss."

Itwascertainlyagoodwordtoconjurewith:youcouldseeitbythesquirmingoftheserats.Thequeen"sguardsfellintoline,andsheandtheymarchedaway,withtheirtorch-bearers,andwoketheechoesofthecavernoustunnelswiththemeasuredbeatoftheirretreatingfootfalls.

Ihadtheprisonertakenfromtherackandplaceduponhisbed,andmedicamentsappliedtohishurts,andwinegivenhimtodrink.Thewomancreptnearandlookedon,eagerly,lovingly,buttimorously,——likeonewhofearsarepulse;indeed,shetriedfurtivelytotouchtheman"sforehead,andjumpedback,thepictureoffright,whenIturnedunconsciouslytowardher.Itwaspitifultosee.

"Lord,"Isaid,"strokehim,lass,ifyouwantto.Doanythingyou"reamindto;don"tmindme."

Why,hereyeswereasgratefulasananimal"s,whenyoudoitakindnessthatitunderstands.Thebabywasoutofherwayandshehadhercheekagainsttheman"sinaminute.andherhandsfondlinghishair,andherhappytearsrunningdown.Themanrevivedandcaressedhiswifewithhiseyes,whichwasallhecoulddo.IjudgedImightcleartheden,now,andIdid;cleareditofallbutthefamilyandmyself.ThenIsaid:

"Now,myfriend,tellmeyoursideofthismatter;Iknowtheotherside."

Themanmovedhisheadinsignofrefusal.Butthewomanlookedpleased——asitseemedtome——pleasedwithmysuggestion.Iwenton——

"Youknowofme?"

"Yes.Alldo,inArthur"srealms."

"Ifmyreputationhascometoyourightandstraight,youshouldnotbeafraidtospeak."

Thewomanbrokein,eagerly:

"Ah,fairmylord,dothoupersuadehim!Thoucanstanthouwilt.Ah,hesufferethso;anditisforme——forME!AndhowcanIbearit?IwouldImightseehimdie——asweet,swiftdeath;oh,myHugo,Icannotbearthisone!"

Andshefelltosobbingandgrovellingaboutmyfeet,andstillimploring.

Imploringwhat?Theman"sdeath?Icouldnotquitegetthebearingsofthething.ButHugointerruptedherandsaid:

"Peace!Yewitnotwhatyeask.ShallIstarvewhomIlove,towinagentledeath?Iwendthouknewestmebetter."

"Well,"Isaid,"Ican"tquitemakethisout.Itisapuzzle.Now——"

"Ah,dearmylord,anyewillbutpersuadehim!Considerhowthesehistortureswoundme!Oh,andhewillnotspeak!——whereas,thehealing,thesolacethatlieinablessedswiftdeath——"

"WhatAREyoumaunderingabout?He"sgoingoutfromhereafreemanandwhole——he"snotgoingtodie."

Theman"swhitefacelitup,andthewomanflungherselfatmeinamostsurprisingexplosionofjoy,andcriedout:

"Heissaved!——foritistheking"swordbythemouthoftheking"sservant——Arthur,thekingwhosewordisgold!"

"Well,thenyoudobelieveIcanbetrusted,afterall.Whydidn"tyoubefore?"

"Whodoubted?NotI,indeed;andnotshe."

"Well,whywouldn"tyoutellmeyourstory,then?"

"Yehadmadenopromise;elsehaditbeenotherwise."

"Isee,IseeAndyetIbelieveIdon"tquitesee,afterall.Youstoodthetortureandrefusedtoconfess;whichshowsplainenoughtoeventhedullestunderstandingthatyouhadnothingtoconfess——"

"I,mylord?Howso?ItwasIthatkilledthedeer!"

"YouDID?Oh,dear,thisisthemostmixed-upbusinessthatever——"

"Dearlord,Ibeggedhimonmykneestoconfess,but——"

"YouDID!Itgetsthickerandthicker.Whatdidyouwanthimtodothatfor?"

"Sithitwouldbringhimaquickdeathandsavehimallthiscruelpain."

"Well——yes,thereisreasoninthat.ButHEdidn"twantthequickdeath."

"He?Why,ofasuretyheDID."

"Well,then,whyintheworldDIDN"Theconfess?"

"Ah,sweetsir,andleavemywifeandchickwithoutbreadandshelter?"

"Oh,heartofgold,nowIseeit!Thebitterlawtakestheconvictedman"sestateandbeggarshiswidowandhisorphans.Theycouldtortureyoutodeath,butwithoutconvictionorconfessiontheycouldnotrobyourwifeandbaby.Youstoodbythemlikeaman;andYOU——truewifeandthewomanthatyouare——youwouldhaveboughthimreleasefromtortureatcosttoyourselfofslowstarvationanddeath——well,ithumblesabodytothinkwhatyoursexcandowhenitcomestoself-sacrifice.I"llbookyoubothformycolony;you"lllikeitthere;it"saFactorywhereI"mgoingtoturngropingandgrubbingautomataintoMEN."

AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur"sCourt-Chapter18Chapter18-InTheQueen"sDungeonsWELL,Iarrangedallthat;andIhadthemansenttohishome.Ihadagreatdesiretoracktheexecutioner;notbecausehewasagood,painstakingandpaingivingofficial,——forsurelyitwasnottohisdiscreditthatheperformedhisfunctionswell——buttopayhimbackforwantonlycuffingandotherwisedistressingthatyoungwoman.Theprieststoldmeaboutthis,andweregenerouslyhottohavehimpunished.Somethingofthisdisagreeablesortwasturningupeverynowandthen.Imean,episodesthatshowedthatnotallpriestswerefraudsandself-seekers,butthatmany,eventhegreatmajority,ofthesethatweredownonthegroundamongthecommonpeople,weresincereandright-hearted,anddevotedtothealleviationofhumantroublesandsufferings.Well,itwasathingwhichcouldnotbehelped,soIseldomfrettedaboutit,andnevermanyminutesatatime;ithasneverbeenmywaytobothermuchaboutthingswhichyoucan"tcure.ButIdidnotlikeit,foritwasjustthesortofthingtokeeppeoplereconciledtoanEstablishedChurch.WeMUSThaveareligion——itgoeswithoutsaying——butmyideais,tohaveitcutupintofortyfreesects,sothattheywillpoliceeachother,ashadbeenthecaseintheUnitedStatesinmytime.Concentrationofpowerinapoliticalmachineisbad;andandanEstablishedChurchisonlyapoliticalmachine;itwasinventedforthat;

itisnursed,cradled,preservedforthat;itisanenemytohumanliberty,anddoesnogoodwhichitcouldnotbetterdoinasplit-upandscatteredcondition.Thatwasn"tlaw;itwasn"tgospel:itwasonlyanopinion——

myopinion,andIwasonlyaman,oneman:soitwasn"tworthanymorethanthepope"s——oranyless,forthatmatter.

Well,Icouldn"tracktheexecutioner,neitherwouldIoverlookthejustcomplaintofthepriests.Themanmustbepunishedsomehoworother,soIdegradedhimfromhisofficeandmadehimleaderoftheband——thenewonethatwastobestarted.Hebeggedhard,andsaidhecouldn"tplay——aplausibleexcuse,buttoothin;therewasn"tamusicianinthecountrythatcould.

Thequeenwasagooddealoutraged,nextmorningwhenshefoundshewasgoingtohaveneitherHugo"slifenorhisproperty.ButItoldhershemustbearthiscross;thatwhilebylawandcustomshecertainlywasentitledtoboththeman"slifeandhisproperty,therewereextenuatingcircumstances,andsoinArthurtheking"snameIhadpardonedhim.Thedeerwasravagingtheman"sfields,andhehadkilleditinsuddenpassion,andnotforgain;andhehadcarrieditintotheroyalforestinthehopethatthatmightmakedetectionofthemisdoerimpossible.Confoundher,Icouldn"tmakeherseethatsuddenpassionisanextenuatingcircumstanceinthekillingofvenison——orofaperson——soIgaveitupandlethersulkitoutIDIDthinkIwasgoingtomakeherseeitbyremarkingthatherownsuddenpassioninthecaseofthepagemodifiedthatcrime.

"Crime!"sheexclaimed."Howthoutalkest!Crime,forsooth!Man,IamgoingtoPAYforhim!"

Oh,itwasnousetowastesenseonher.Training——trainingiseverything;

trainingisallthereisTOaperson.Wespeakofnature;itisfolly;

thereisnosuchthingasnature;whatwecallbythatmisleadingnameismerelyheredityandtraining.Wehavenothoughtsofourown,noopinionsofourown;theyaretransmittedtous,trainedintous.Allthatisoriginalinus,andthereforefairlycreditableordiscreditabletous,canbecoveredupandhiddenbythepointofacambricneedle,alltherestbeingatomscontributedby,andinheritedfrom,aprocessionofancestorsthatstretchesbackabillionyearstotheAdam-clamorgrasshopperormonkeyfromwhomourracehasbeensotediouslyandostentatiouslyandunprofitablydeveloped.

Andasforme,allthatIthinkaboutinthisploddingsadpilgrimage,thispatheticdriftbetweentheeternities,istolookoutandhumblyliveapureandhighandblamelesslife,andsavethatonemicroscopicatominmethatistrulyME:therestmaylandinSheolandwelcomeforallIcare.

No,confoundher,herintellectwasgood,shehadbrainsenough,buthertrainingmadeheranass——thatis,fromamany-centuries-laterpointofview.Tokillthepagewasnocrime——itwasherright;anduponherrightshestood,serenelyandunconsciousofoffense.Shewasaresultofgenerationsoftrainingintheunexaminedandunassailedbeliefthatthelawwhichpermittedhertokillasubjectwhenshechosewasaperfectlyrightandrighteousone.

Well,wemustgiveevenSatanhisdue.Shedeservedacomplimentforonething;andItriedtopayit,butthewordsstuckinmythroat.Shehadarighttokilltheboy,butshewasinnowiseobligedtopayforhim.Thatwaslawforsomeotherpeople,butnotforher.Sheknewquitewellthatshewasdoingalargeandgenerousthingtopayforthatlad,andthatIoughtincommonfairnesstocomeoutwithsomethinghandsomeaboutit,butIcouldn"t——mymouthrefused.Icouldn"thelpseeing,inmyfancy,thatpooroldgrandmawiththebrokenheart,andthatfairyoungcreaturelyingbutchered,hislittlesilkenpompsandvanitieslacedwithhisgoldenblood.HowcouldshePAYforhim!WHOMcouldshepay?Andso,wellknowingthatthiswoman,trainedasshehadbeen,deservedpraise,evenadulation,Iwasyetnotabletoutterit,trainedasIhadbeen.

ThebestIcoulddowastofishupacomplimentfromoutside,sotospeak——andthepityofitwas,thatitwastrue:

"Madame,yourpeoplewilladoreyouforthis."

Quitetrue,butImeanttohangherforitsomedayifIlived.Someofthoselawsweretoobad,altogethertoobad.Amastermightkillhisslavefornothing——formerespite,malice,ortopassthetime——justaswehaveseenthatthecrownedheadcoulddoitwithHISslave,thatistosay,anybody.Agentlemancouldkillafreecommoner,andpayforhim——cashorgarden-truck.Anoblecouldkillanoblewithoutexpense,asfarasthelawwasconcerned,butreprisalsinkindweretobeexpected.

ANYbodycouldkillSOME-body,exceptthecommonerandtheslave;thesehadnoprivileges.Iftheykilled,itwasmurder,andthelawwouldn"tstandmurder.Itmadeshortworkoftheexperimenter——andofhisfamily,too,ifhemurderedsomebodywhobelongedupamongtheornamentalranks.

IfacommonergaveanobleevensomuchasaDamiens-scratchwhichdidn"tkillorevenhurt,hegotDamiens"doseforitjustthesame;theypulledhimtoragsandtatterswithhorses,andalltheworldcametoseetheshow,andcrackjokes,andhaveagoodtime;andsomeoftheperformancesofthebestpeoplepresentwereastough,andasproperlyunprintable,asanythathavebeenprintedbythepleasantCasanovainhischapteraboutthedismembermentofLouisXV."spoorawkwardenemy.

Ihadhadenoughofthisgrislyplacebythistime,andwantedtoleave,butIcouldn"t,becauseIhadsomethingonmymindthatmyconsciencekeptproddingmeabout,andwouldn"tletmeforget.IfIhadtheremakingofman,hewouldn"thaveanyconscience.Itisoneofthemostdisagreeablethingsconnectedwithaperson;andalthoughitcertainlydoesagreatdealofgood,itcannotbesaidtopay,inthelongrun;itwouldbemuchbettertohavelessgoodandmorecomfort.Still,thisisonlymyopinion,andIamonlyoneman;others,withlessexperience,maythinkdifferently.

Theyhavearighttotheirview.Ionlystandtothis:Ihavenoticedmyconscienceformanyyears,andIknowitismoretroubleandbothertomethananythingelseIstartedwith.IsupposethatinthebeginningI

prizedit,becauseweprizeanythingthatisours;andyethowfoolishitwastothinkso.Ifwelookatitinanotherway,weseehowabsurditis:ifIhadananvilinmewouldIprizeit?Ofcoursenot.Andyetwhenyoucometothink,thereisnorealdifferencebetweenaconscienceandananvil——Imeanforcomfort.Ihavenoticeditathousandtimes.

Andyoucoulddissolveananvilwithacids,whenyoucouldn"tstanditanylonger;butthereisn"tanywaythatyoucanworkoffaconscience——atleastsoitwillstayworkedoff;notthatIknowof,anyway.

TherewassomethingIwantedtodobeforeleaving,butitwasadisagreeablematter,andIhatedtogoatit.Well,itbotheredmeallthemorning.

Icouldhavementionedittotheoldking,butwhatwouldbetheuse?——

hewasbutanextinctvolcano;hehadbeenactiveinhistime,buthisfirewasout,thisgoodwhile,hewasonlyastatelyash-pilenow;gentleenough,andkindlyenoughformypurpose,withoutdoubt,butnotusable.

Hewasnothing,thisso-calledking:thequeenwastheonlypowerthere.

AndshewasaVesuvius.Asafavor,shemightconsenttowarmaflockofsparrowsforyou,butthenshemighttakethatveryopportunitytoturnherselflooseandburyacity.However,Ireflectedthatasoftenasanyotherway,whenyouareexpectingtheworst,yougetsomethingthatisnotsobad,afterall.

SoIbracedupandplacedmymatterbeforeherroyalHighness.IsaidIhadbeenhavingageneraljail-deliveryatCamelotandamongneighboringcastles,andwithherpermissionIwouldliketoexaminehercollection,herbric-a-brac——thatistosay,herprisoners.Sheresisted;butIwasexpectingthat.Butshefinallyconsented.Iwasexpectingthat,too,butnotsosoon.Thataboutendedmydiscomfort.Shecalledherguardsandtorches,andwewentdownintothedungeons.Theseweredownunderthecastle"sfoundations,andmainlyweresmallcellshollowedoutofthelivingrock.Someofthesecellshadnolightatall.Inoneofthemwasawoman,infoulrags,whosatontheground,andwouldnotansweraquestionorspeakaword,butonlylookedupatusonceortwice,throughacobweboftangledhair,asiftoseewhatcasualthingitmightbethatwasdisturbingwithsoundandlightthemeaninglessdulldreamthatwasbecomeherlife;

afterthat,shesatbowed,withherdirt-cakedfingersidlyinterlockedinherlap,andgavenofurthersign.Thispoorrackofboneswasawomanofmiddleage,apparently;butonlyapparently;shehadbeentherenineyears,andwaseighteenwhensheentered.Shewasacommoner,andhadbeensenthereonherbridalnightbySirBreuseSancePite,aneighboringlordwhosevassalherfatherwas,andtowhichsaidlordshehadrefusedwhathassincebeencalledledroitduseigneur,and,moreover,hadopposedviolencetoviolenceandspilthalfagillofhisalmostsacredblood.

Theyounghusbandhadinterferedatthatpoint.believingthebride"slifeindanger,andhadflungthenobleoutintothemidstofthehumbleandtremblingweddingguests,intheparlor,andlefthimthereastonishedatthisstrangetreatment,andimplacablyembitteredagainstbothbrideandgroom.Thesaidlordbeingcrampedfordungeon-roomhadaskedthequeentoaccommodatehistwocriminals,andhereinherbastiletheyhadbeeneversince;hither,indeed,theyhadcomebeforetheircrimewasanhourold,andhadneverseeneachothersince.Heretheywere,kenneledliketoadsinthesamerock;theyhadpassedninepitchdarkyearswithinfiftyfeetofeachother,yetneitherknewwhethertheotherwasaliveornot.

Allthefirstyears,theironlyquestionhadbeen——askedwithbeseechingsandtearsthatmighthavemovedstones,intime,perhaps,butheartsarenotstones:"Ishealive?""Isshealive?"Buttheyhadnevergotananswer;

andatlastthatquestionwasnotaskedanymore——oranyother.

Iwantedtoseetheman,afterhearingallthis.Hewasthirty-fouryearsold,andlookedsixty.Hesatuponasquaredblockofstone,withhisheadbentdown,hisforearmsrestingonhisknees,hislonghairhanginglikeafringebeforehisface,andhewasmutteringtohimself.Heraisedhischinandlookedusslowlyover,inalistlessdullway,blinkingwiththedistressofthetorchlight,thendroppedhisheadandfelltomutteringagainandtooknofurthernoticeofus.Thereweresomepatheticallysuggestivedumbwitnessespresent.Onhiswristsandankleswerecicatrices,oldsmoothscars,andfastenedtothestoneonwhichhesatwasachainwithmanaclesandfettersattached;butthisapparatuslayidleontheground,andwasthickwithrust.Chainsceasetobeneededafterthespirithasgoneoutofaprisoner.

Icouldnotrousetheman;soIsaidwewouldtakehimtoher,andsee——tothebridewhowasthefairestthingintheearthtohim,once——

roses,pearls,anddewmadeflesh,forhim;awonder-work,themaster-workofnature:witheyeslikenoothereyes,andvoicelikenoothervoice,andafreshness,andlitheyounggrace,andbeauty,thatbelongedproperlytothecreaturesofdreams——ashethought——andtonoother.Thesightofherwouldsethisstagnantbloodleaping;thesightofher——

Butitwasadisappointment.Theysattogetheronthegroundandlookeddimlywonderingintoeachother"sfacesawhile,withasortofweakanimalcuriosity;thenforgoteachother"spresence,anddroppedtheireyes,andyousawthattheywereawayagainandwanderinginsomefarlandofdreamsandshadowsthatweknownothingabout.

Ihadthemtakenoutandsenttotheirfriends.Thequeendidnotlikeitmuch.Notthatshefeltanypersonalinterestinthematter,butshethoughtitdisrespectfultoSirBreuseSancePite.However,Iassuredherthatifhefoundhecouldn"tstanditIwouldfixhimsothathecould.

Isetforty-sevenprisonerslooseoutofthoseawfulrat-holes,andleftonlyoneincaptivity.Hewasalord,andhadkilledanotherlord,asortofkinsmanofthequeen.Thatotherlordhadambushedhimtoassassinatehim,butthisfellowhadgotthebestofhimandcuthisthroat.However,itwasnotforthatthatIlefthimjailed,butformaliciouslydestroyingtheonlypublicwellinoneofhiswretchedvillages.Thequeenwasboundtohanghimforkillingherkinsman,butIwouldnotallowit:itwasnocrimetokillanassassin.ButIsaidIwaswillingtoletherhanghimfordestroyingthewell;sosheconcludedtoputupwiththat,asitwasbetterthannothing.

Dearme,forwhattriflingoffensesthemostofthoseforty-sevenmenandwomenwereshutupthere!Indeed,someweretherefornodistinctoffenseatall,butonlytogratifysomebody"sspite;andnotalwaysthequeen"sbyanymeans,butafriend"s.Thenewestprisoner"scrimewasamereremarkwhichhehadmade.Hesaidhebelievedthatmenwereaboutallalike,andonemanasgoodasanother,barringclothes.Hesaidhebelievedthatifyouweretostripthenationnakedandsendastrangerthroughthecrowd,hecouldn"ttellthekingfromaquackdoctor,noradukefromahotelclerk.Apparentlyherewasamanwhosebrainshadnotbeenreducedtoanineffectualmushbyidiotictraining.IsethimlooseandsenthimtotheFactory.

Someofthecellscarvedinthelivingrockwerejustbehindthefaceoftheprecipice,andineachoftheseanarrow-slithadbeenpiercedoutwardtothedaylight,andsothecaptivehadathinrayfromtheblessedsunforhiscomfort.Thecaseofoneofthesepoorfellowswasparticularlyhard.Fromhisduskyswallow"sholehighupinthatvastwallofnativerockhecouldpeeroutthroughthearrow-slitandseehisownhomeoffyonderinthevalley;andfortwenty-twoyearshehadwatchedit,withheartacheandlonging,throughthatcrack.Hecouldseethelightsshinethereatnight,andinthedaytimehecouldseefiguresgoinandcomeout——hiswifeandchildren,someofthem,nodoubt,thoughhecouldnotmakeoutatthatdistance.Inthecourseofyearshenotedfestivitiesthere,andtriedtorejoice,andwonderediftheywereweddingsorwhattheymightbe.Andhenotedfunerals;andtheywrunghisheart.Hecouldmakeoutthecoffin,buthecouldnotdetermineitssize,andsocouldnottellwhetheritwaswifeorchild.Hecouldseetheprocessionform,withpriestsandmourners,andmovesolemnlyaway,bearingthesecretwiththem.Hehadleftbehindhimfivechildrenandawife;andinnineteenyearshehadseenfivefuneralsissue,andnoneofthemhumbleenoughinpomptodenoteaservant.Sohehadlostfiveofhistreasures;theremuststillbeoneremaining——onenowinfinitely,unspeakablyprecious,——

butWHICHone?wife,orchild?Thatwasthequestionthattorturedhim,bynightandbyday,asleepandawake.Well,tohaveaninterest,ofsomesort,andhalfarayoflight,whenyouareinadungeon,isagreatsupporttothebodyandpreserveroftheintellect.Thismanwasinprettygoodconditionyet.Bythetimehehadfinishedtellingmehisdistressfultale,Iwasinthesamestateofmindthatyouwouldhavebeeninyourself,ifyouhavegotaveragehumancuriosity;thatistosay,Iwasasburningupashewastofindoutwhichmemberofthefamilyitwasthatwasleft.

SoItookhimoverhomemyself;andanamazingkindofasurprisepartyitwas,too——typhoonsandcyclonesoffranticjoy,andwholeNiagarasofhappytears;andbyGeorge!wefoundtheaforetimeyoungmatrongrayingtowardtheimminentvergeofherhalfcentury,andthebabiesallmenandwomen,andsomeofthemmarriedandexperimentingfamilywisethemselves——fornotasoulofthetribewasdead!Conceiveoftheingeniousdevilishnessofthatqueen:shehadaspecialhatredforthisprisoner,andshehadINVENTEDallthosefuneralsherself,toscorchhisheartwith;andthesublimeststrokeofgeniusofthewholethingwasleavingthefamily-invoiceafuneralSHORT,soastolethimwearhispooroldsouloutguessing.

Butforme,heneverwouldhavegotout.MorganleFayhatedhimwithherwholeheart,andsheneverwouldhavesoftenedtowardhim.Andyethiscrimewascommittedmoreinthoughtlessnessthandeliberatedepravity.

Hehadsaidshehadredhair.Well,shehad;butthatwasnowaytospeakofit.Whenredheadedpeopleareaboveacertainsocialgradetheirhairisauburn.

Considerit:amongtheseforty-sevencaptivestherewerefivewhosenames,offenses,anddatesofincarcerationwerenolongerknown!Onewomanandfourmen——allbent,andwrinkled,andmind-extinguishedpatriarchs.

Theythemselveshadlongagoforgottenthesedetails;atanyratetheyhadmerevaguetheoriesaboutthem,nothingdefiniteandnothingthattheyrepeatedtwiceinthesameway.ThesuccessionofpriestswhoseofficeithadbeentopraydailywiththecaptivesandremindthemthatGodhadputthemthere,forsomewisepurposeorother,andteachthemthatpatience,humbleness,andsubmissiontooppressionwaswhatHelovedtoseeinpartiesofasubordinaterank,hadtraditionsaboutthesepooroldhumanruins,butnothingmore.Thesetraditionswentbutlittleway,fortheyconcernedthelengthoftheincarcerationonly,andnotthenamesoftheoffenses.

Andevenbythehelpoftraditiontheonlythingthatcouldbeprovenwasthatnoneofthefivehadseendaylightforthirty-fiveyears:howmuchlongerthisprivationhaslastedwasnotguessable.Thekingandthequeenknewnothingaboutthesepoorcreatures,exceptthattheywereheirlooms,assetsinherited,alongwiththethrone,fromtheformerfirm.Nothingoftheirhistoryhadbeentransmittedwiththeirpersons,andsotheinheritingownershadconsideredthemofnovalue,andhadfeltnointerestinthem.

Isaidtothequeen:

"Thenwhyintheworlddidn"tyousetthemfree?"

Thequestionwasapuzzler.Shedidn"tknowWHYshehadn"t,thethinghadnevercomeupinhermind.Sohereshewas,forecastingtheveritablehistoryoffutureprisonersoftheCastled"If,withoutknowingit.Itseemedplaintomenow,thatwithhertraining,thoseinheritedprisonersweremerelyproperty——nothingmore,nothingless.Well,whenweinheritproperty,itdoesnotoccurtoustothrowitaway,evenwhenwedonotvalueit.

WhenIbroughtmyprocessionofhumanbatsupintotheopenworldandtheglareoftheafternoonsun——previouslyblindfoldingthem,incharityforeyessolonguntorturedbylight——theywereaspectacletolookat.

Skeletons,scarecrows,goblins,patheticfrights,everyone;legitimatestpossiblechildrenofMonarchybytheGraceofGodandtheEstablishedChurch.

Imutteredabsently:

"IWISHIcouldphotographthem!"

Youhaveseenthatkindofpeoplewhowillneverletonthattheydon"tknowthemeaningofanewbigword.Themoreignoranttheyare,themorepitifullycertaintheyaretopretendyouhaven"tshotovertheirheads.

Thequeenwasjustoneofthatsort,andwasalwaysmakingthestupidestblundersbyreasonofit.Shehesitatedamoment;thenherfacebrightenedupwithsuddencomprehension,andshesaidshewoulddoitforme.

Ithoughttomyself:She?whywhatcansheknowaboutphotography?Butitwasapoortimetobethinking.WhenIlookedaround,shewasmovingontheprocessionwithanaxe!

Well,shecertainlywasacuriousone,wasMorganleFay.Ihaveseenagoodmanykindsofwomeninmytime,butshelaidoverthemallforvariety.

Andhowsharplycharacteristicofherthisepisodewas.Shehadnomoreideathanahorseofhowtophotographaprocession;butbeingindoubt,itwasjustlikehertotrytodoitwithanaxe.

AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur"sCourt-Chapter19Chapter19-Knight-ErrantryasaTradeSANDYandIwereontheroadagain,nextmorning,brightandearly.Itwassogoodtoopenupone"slungsandtakeinwholelusciousbarrels-fuloftheblessedGod"suntainted,dew-fashioned,woodlandscentedaironcemore,aftersuffocatingbodyandmindfortwodaysandnightsinthemoralandphysicalstenchesofthatintolerableoldbuzzard-roost!mean,forme:ofcoursetheplacewasallrightandagreeableenoughforSandy,forshehadbeenusedtohighlifeallherdays.

Poorgirl,herjawshadhadawearisomerestnowforawhile,andI

wasexpectingtogettheconsequences.Iwasright;butshehadstoodbymemosthelpfullyinthecastle,andhadmightilysupportedandreinforcedmewithgiganticfoolishnesseswhichwereworthmorefortheoccasionthanwisdomsdoubletheirsize;soIthoughtshehadearnedarighttoworkhermillforawhile,ifshewantedto,andIfeltnotapangwhenshestarteditup:

"NowturnweuntoSirMarhausthatrodewiththedamselofthirtywinterofagesouthward——"

"Areyougoingtoseeifyoucanworkupanotherhalf-stretchonthetrailofthecowboys,Sandy?"

"Evenso,fairmylord."

"Goahead,then.Iwon"tinterruptthistime,ifIcanhelpit.Beginoveragain;startfair,andshakeoutallyourreefs,andIwillloadmypipeandgivegoodattention."

"NowturnweuntoSirMarhausthatrodewiththedamselofthirtywinterofagesouthward.Andsotheycameintoadeepforest,andbyfortunetheywerenighted,androdealonginadeepway,andatthelasttheycameintoacourtelagewhereabodethedukeofSouthMarches,andtheretheyaskedharbour.AndonthemornthedukesentuntoSirMarhaus,andbadhimmakehimready.AndsoSirMarhausaroseandarmedhim,andtherewasamasssungaforehim,andhebrakehisfast,andsomountedonhorsebackinthecourtofthecastle,theretheyshoulddothebattle.Sotherewasthedukealreadyonhorseback,cleanarmed,andhissixsonsbyhim,andeveryeachhadaspearinhishand,andsotheyencountered,whereasthedukeandhistwosonsbraketheirspearsuponhim,butSirMarhaushelduphisspearandtouchednoneofthem.Thencamethefoursonsbycouples,andtwoofthembraketheirspears,andsodidtheothertwo.AndallthiswhileSirMarhaustouchedthemnot.ThenSirMarhausrantotheduke,andsmotehimwithhisspearthathorseandmanfelltotheearth.Andsoheservedhissons.AndthenSirMarhausalightdown,andbadthedukeyieldhimorelsehewouldslayhim.Andthensomeofhissonsrecovered,andwouldhavesetuponSirMarhaus.ThenSirMarhaussaidtotheduke,Ceasethysons,orelseIwilldotheuttermosttoyouall.Whenthedukesawhemightnotescapethedeath,hecriedtohissons,andchargedthemtoyieldthemtoSirMarhaus.Andtheykneeledalldownandputthepommelsoftheirswordstotheknight,andsohereceivedthem.Andthentheyholpuptheirfather,andsobytheircommonassentpromiseduntoSirMarhausnevertobefoesuntoKingArthur,andthereuponatWhitsuntideafter,tocomeheandhissons,andputthemintheking"sgrace.*

[*Footnote:Thestoryisborrowed,languageandall,fromtheMorted"Arthur——M.T.]

"Evensostandeththehistory,fairSirBoss.NowyeshallwitthatthatverydukeandhissixsonsaretheywhombutfewdayspastyoualsodidovercomeandsendtoArthur"scourt!"

"Why,Sandy,youcan"tmeanit!"

"AnIspeaknotsooth,letitbetheworseforme."

"Well,well,well,——nowwhowouldeverhavethoughtit?Onewholedukeandsixdukelets;why,Sandy,itwasaneleganthaul.Knight-errantryisamostchuckle-headedtrade,anditistedioushardwork,too,butI

begintoseethatthereISmoneyinit,afterall,ifyouhaveluck.NotthatIwouldeverengageinitasabusiness,forIwouldn"t.Nosoundandlegitimatebusinesscanbeestablishedonabasisofspeculation.A

successfulwhirlintheknight-errantryline——nowwhatisitwhenyoublowawaythenonsenseandcomedowntothecoldfacts?It"sjustacornerinpork,that"sall,andyoucan"tmakeanythingelseoutofit.You"rerich——yes,——suddenlyrich——foraboutaday,maybeaweek;thensomebodycornersthemarketonYOU,anddowngoesyourbucketshop;ain"tthatso,Sandy?"

"Whethersoeveritbethatmymindmiscarrieth,bewrayingsimplelanguageinsuchsortthatthewordsdoseemtocomeendlongandoverthwart——"

"There"snouseinbeatingaboutthebushandtryingtogetarounditthatway,Sandy,it"sSO,justasIsay.IKNOWit"sso.And,moreover,whenyoucomerightdowntothebedrock,knight-errantryisWORSEthanpork;forwhateverhappens,thepork"sleft,andsosomebody"sbenefitedanyway;butwhenthemarketbreaks,inaknight-errantrywhirl,andeveryknightinthepoolpassesinhischecks,whathaveyougotforassets?

Justarubbish-pileofbatteredcorpsesandabarrelortwoofbustedhardware.

CanyoucallTHOSEassets?Givemepork,everytime.AmIright?"

"Ah,peradventuremyheadbeingdistraughtbythemanifoldmatterswhereuntotheconfusionsofthesebutlateadventuredhapsandfortuningswherebynotIalonenoryoualone,buteveryeachofus,meseemeth——"

"No,it"snotyourhead,Sandy.Yourhead"sallright,asfarasitgoes,butyoudon"tknowbusiness;that"swherethetroubleis.Itunfitsyoutoargueaboutbusiness,andyou"rewrongtobealwaystrying.However,thataside,itwasagoodhaul,anyway,andwillbreedahandsomecropofreputationinArthur"scourt.Andspeakingofthecowboys,whatacuriouscountrythisisforwomenandmenthatnevergetold.Nowthere"sMorganleFay,asfreshandyoungasaVassarpullet,toallappearances,andhereisthisolddukeoftheSouthMarchesstillslashingawaywithswordandlanceathistimeoflife,afterraisingsuchafamilyashehasraised.

AsIunderstandit,SirGawainekilledsevenofhissons,andstillhehadsixleftforSirMarhausandmetotakeintocamp.Andthentherewasthatdamselofsixtywinterofagestillexcursioningaroundinherfrostybloom——Howoldareyou,Sandy?"

ItwasthefirsttimeIeverstruckastillplaceinher.Themillhadshutdownforrepairs,orsomething.

AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur"sCourt-Chapter20Chapter20-TheOgre"sCastleBETWEENsixandninewemadetenmiles,whichwasplentyforahorsecarryingtriple——man,woman,andarmor;thenwestoppedforalongnooningundersometreesbyalimpidbrook.

Rightsocamebyandbyaknightriding;andashedrewnearhemadedolorousmoan,andbythewordsofitIperceivedthathewascursingandswearing;yetneverthelesswasIgladofhiscoming,forthatIsawheboreabulletin-boardwhereoninlettersallofshininggoldwaswrit:

"USEPETERSONSPROPHYLACTICTOOTH-BRUSH——ALLTHEGO."

Iwasgladofhiscoming,forevenbythistokenIknewhimforknightofmine.ItwasSirMadokdelaMontaine,aburlygreatfellowwhosechiefdistinctionwasthathehadcomewithinanaceofsendingSirLauncelotdownoverhishorse-tailonce.Hewasneverlonginastranger"spresencewithoutfindingsomepretextorothertoletoutthatgreatfact.Buttherewasanotherfactofnearlythesamesize,whichheneverpusheduponanybodyunasked,andyetneverwithheldwhenasked:thatwas,thatthereasonhedidn"tquitesucceedwas,thathewasinterruptedandsentdownoverhorse-tailhimself.Thisinnocentvastlubberdidnotseeanyparticulardifferencebetweenthetwofacts.Ilikedhim,forhewasearnestinhiswork,andveryvaluable.Andhewassofinetolookat,withhisbroadmailedshoulders,andthegrandleoninesetofhisplumedhead,andhisbigshieldwithitsquaintdeviceofagauntletedhandclutchingaprophylactictooth-brush,withmotto:"TryNoyoudont."Thiswasatooth-washthatIwasintroducing.

Hewasaweary,hesaid,andindeedhelookedit;buthewouldnotalight.