投诉 阅读记录

第5章

IseewhatHEwasupto;butIneversaidnothing,ofcourse。WhenI

gotbackwiththedukewehidthecanoe,andthentheysetdownonalog,andthekingtoldhimeverything,justliketheyoungfellowhadsaidit——everylastwordofit。Andallthetimehewasa-doingithetriedtotalklikeanEnglishman;andhedoneitprettywell,too,foraslouch。

Ican”timitatehim,andsoIain”ta-goingtotryto;buthereallydoneitprettygood。Thenhesays:

“Howareyouonthedeefanddumb,Bilgewater?“

Thedukesaid,leavehimaloneforthat;saidhehadplayedadeefanddumbpersononthehistronicboards。Sothentheywaitedforasteamboat。

Aboutthemiddleoftheafternoonacoupleoflittleboatscomealong,buttheydidn”tcomefromhighenoughuptheriver;butatlasttherewasabigone,andtheyhailedher。Shesentoutheryawl,andwewentaboard,andshewasfromCincinnati;andwhentheyfoundweonlywantedtogofourorfivemiletheywasboomingmad,andgaveusacussing,andsaidtheywouldn”tlandus。Butthekingwasca”m。Hesays:

“Ifgentlemenkinaffordtopayadollaramileapiecetobetookonandputoffinayawl,asteamboatkinaffordtocarry”em,can”tit?“

Sotheysofteneddownandsaiditwasallright;andwhenwegottothevillagetheyyawledusashore。Abouttwodozenmenflockeddownwhentheyseetheyawla-coming,andwhenthekingsays:

“Kinanyofyougentlementellmewher”Mr。PeterWilkslives?“theygiveaglanceatoneanother,andnoddedtheirheads,asmuchastosay,“Whatd”Itellyou?“Thenoneofthemsays,kindofsoftandgentle:

“I”msorry。sir,butthebestwecandoistotellyouwhereheDID

liveyesterdayevening。”

Suddenaswinkingtheorneryoldcreturwentantosmash,andfellupagainsttheman,andputhischinonhisshoulder,andcrieddownhisback,andsays:

“Alas,alas,ourpoorbrother——gone,andwenevergottoseehim;

oh,it”stoo,toohard!“

Thenheturnsaround,blubbering,andmakesalotofidioticsignstothedukeonhishands,andblamedifhedidn”tdropacarpet-bagandbustouta-crying。Iftheywarn”tthebeatenestlot,themtwofrauds,thateverIstruck。

Well,themengatheredaroundandsympathizedwiththem,andsaidallsortsofkindthingstothem,andcarriedtheircarpet-bagsupthehillforthem,andletthemleanonthemandcry,andtoldthekingallabouthisbrother”slastmoments,andthekinghetolditalloveragainonhishandstotheduke,andbothofthemtookonaboutthatdeadtannerlikethey”dlostthetwelvedisciples。Well,ifeverIstruckanythinglikeit,I”manigger。Itwasenoughtomakeabodyashamedofthehumanrace。

TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter25Chapter25THEnewswasallovertownintwominutes,andyoucouldseethepeopletearingdownontherunfromeverywhichway,someofthemputtingontheircoatsastheycome。Prettysoonwewasinthemiddleofacrowd,andthenoiseofthetrampingwaslikeasoldiermarch。Thewindowsanddooryardswasfull;andeveryminutesomebodywouldsay,overafence:

“IsitTHEM?“

Andsomebodytrottingalongwiththegangwouldanswerbackandsay:

“Youbetitis。”

Whenwegottothehousethestreetinfrontofitwaspacked,andthethreegirlswasstandinginthedoor。MaryJaneWASred-headed,butthatdon”tmakenodifference,shewasmostawfulbeautiful,andherfaceandhereyeswasalllituplikeglory,shewassogladheruncleswascome。

Thekinghespreadhisarms,andMarsyJaneshejumpedforthem,andthehare-lipjumpedfortheduke,andtheretheyHADit!Everybodymost,leastwayswomen,criedforjoytoseethemmeetagainatlastandhavesuchgoodtimes。

Thenthekinghehunchedthedukeprivate——Iseehimdoit——andthenhelookedaroundandseethecoffin,overinthecornerontwochairs;

sothenhimandtheduke,withahandacrosseachother”sshoulder,andt”otherhandtotheireyes,walkedslowandsolemnoverthere,everybodydroppingbacktogivethemroom,andallthetalkandnoisestopping,peoplesaying“Sh!“andallthementakingtheirhatsoffanddroopingtheirheads,soyoucouldaheardapinfall。Andwhentheygottheretheybentoverandlookedinthecoffin,andtookonesight,andthentheybustouta-cryingsoyoucouldaheardthemtoOrleans,most;andthentheyputtheirarmsaroundeachother”snecks,andhungtheirchinsovereachother”sshoulders;

andthenforthreeminutes,ormaybefour,Ineverseetwomenleakthewaytheydone。And,mindyou,everybodywasdoingthesame;andtheplacewasthatdampIneverseeanythinglikeit。Thenoneofthemgotononesideofthecoffin,andt”otheront”otherside,andtheykneeleddownandrestedtheirforeheadsonthecoffin,andletontoprayalltothemselves。

Well,whenitcometothatitworkedthecrowdlikeyouneverseeanythinglikeit,andeverybodybrokedownandwenttosobbingrightoutloud——

thepoorgirls,too;andeverywoman,nearly,wentuptothegirls,withoutsayingaword,andkissedthem,solemn,ontheforehead,andthenputtheirhandontheirhead,andlookeduptowardsthesky,withthetearsrunningdown,andthenbustedoutandwentoffsobbingandswabbing,andgivethenextwomanashow。Ineverseeanythingsodisgusting。

Well,byandbythekinghegetsupandcomesforwardalittle,andworkshimselfupandslobbersoutaspeech,allfulloftearsandflapdoodleaboutitsbeingasoretrialforhimandhispoorbrothertolosethediseased,andtomissseeingdiseasedaliveafterthelongjourneyoffourthousandmile,butit”satrialthat”ssweetenedandsanctifiedtousbythisdearsympathyandtheseholytears,andsohethanksthemoutofhisheartandoutofhisbrother”sheart,becauseoutoftheirmouthstheycan”t,wordsbeingtooweakandcold,andallthatkindofrotandslush,tillitwasjustsickening;andthenheblubbersoutapiousgoody-goodyAmen,andturnshimselflooseandgoestocryingfittobust。

Andtheminutethewordswereoutofhismouthsomebodyoverinthecrowdstruckupthedoxolojer,andeverybodyjoinedinwithalltheirmight,anditjustwarmedyouupandmadeyoufeelasgoodaschurchlettingout。

Musicisagoodthing;andafterallthatsoul-butterandhogwashIneverseeitfreshenupthingsso,andsoundsohonestandbully。

Thenthekingbeginstoworkhisjawagain,andsayshowhimandhisnieceswouldbegladifafewofthemainprincipalfriendsofthefamilywouldtakesupperherewiththemthisevening,andhelpsetupwiththeashesofthediseased;andsaysifhispoorbrotherlayingyondercouldspeakheknowswhohewouldname,fortheywasnamesthatwasverydeartohim,andmentionedofteninhisletters;andsohewillnamethesame,towit,asfollows,vizz。:——Rev。Mr。Hobson,andDeaconLotHovey,andMr。BenRucker,andAbnerShackleford,andLeviBell,andDr。Robinson,andtheirwives,andthewidowBartley。

Rev。HobsonandDr。Robinsonwasdowntotheendofthetowna-huntingtogether——thatis,Imeanthedoctorwasshippingasickmantot”otherworld,andthepreacherwaspintinghimright。LawyerBellwasawayuptoLouisvilleonbusiness。Buttherestwasonhand,andsotheyallcomeandshookhandswiththekingandthankedhimandtalkedtohim;andthentheyshookhandswiththedukeanddidn”tsaynothing,butjustkepta-smilingandbobbingtheirheadslikeapasselofsapheadswhilsthemadeallsortsofsignswithhishandsandsaid“Goo-goo——goo-goo-goo“allthetime,likeababythatcan”ttalk。

Sothekingheblatteredalong,andmanagedtoinquireaboutprettymucheverybodyanddogintown,byhisname,andmentionedallsortsoflittlethingsthathappenedonetimeoranotherinthetown,ortoGeorge”sfamily,ortoPeter。AndhealwaysletonthatPeterwrotehimthethings;

butthatwasalie:hegoteveryblessedoneofthemoutofthatyoungflatheadthatwecanoeduptothesteamboat。

ThenMaryJaneshefetchedtheletterherfatherleftbehind,andthekinghereaditoutloudandcriedoverit。Itgivethedwelling-houseandthreethousanddollars,gold,tothegirls;anditgivethetanyard(whichwasdoingagoodbusiness),alongwithsomeotherhousesandland(worthaboutseventhousand),andthreethousanddollarsingoldtoHarveyandWilliam,andtoldwherethesixthousandcashwashiddowncellar。

Sothesetwofraudssaidthey”dgoandfetchitup,andhaveeverythingsquareandaboveboard;andtoldmetocomewithacandle。Weshutthecellardoorbehindus,andwhentheyfoundthebagtheyspiltitoutonthefloor,anditwasalovelysight,allthemyaller-boys。My,thewaytheking”seyesdidshine!Heslapsthedukeontheshoulderandsays:

“Oh,THISain”tbullynornoth”n!Oh,no,Ireckonnot!Why,Biljy,itbeatstheNonesuch,DON”Tit?“

Thedukealloweditdid。Theypawedtheyallerboys,andsiftedthemthroughtheirfingersandletthemjingledownonthefloor;andthekingsays:

“Itain”tnousetalkin”;bein”brotherstoarichdeadmanandrepresentativesoffurrinheirsthat”sgotleftisthelineforyouandme,Bilge。Thishyercomesoftrust”ntoProvidence。It”sthebestway,inthelongrun。

I”vetried”emall,andther”ain”tnobetterway。”

Mosteverybodywouldabeensatisfiedwiththepile,andtookitontrust;butno,theymustcountit。Sotheycountsit,anditcomesoutfourhundredandfifteendollarsshort。Saystheking:

“Dernhim,Iwonderwhathedonewiththatfourhundredandfifteendollars?“

Theyworriedoverthatawhile,andransackedallaroundforit。Thenthedukesays:

“Well,hewasaprettysickman,andlikelyhemadeamistake——Ireckonthat”sthewayofit。Thebestway”stoletitgo,andkeepstillaboutit。Wecanspareit。”

“Oh,shucks,yes,wecanSPAREit。Idon”tk”yernoth”n”boutthat——

it”stheCOUNTI”mthinkin”about。Wewanttobeawfulsquareandopenandabove-boardhere,youknow。Wewanttolugthish-yermoneyupstairsandcountitbeforeeverybody——thenther”ain”tnoth”nsuspicious。Butwhenthedeadmansaysther”ssixthous”ndollars,youknow,wedon”twantto”

“Holdon,“saystheduke。“Le”smakeupthedeffisit,“andhebeguntohauloutyaller-boysoutofhispocket。

“It”samostamaz”n”goodidea,duke——youHAVEgotarattlin”cleverheadonyou,“saystheking。“BlestiftheoldNonesuchain”taheppin”

usoutagin,“andHEbeguntohauloutyaller-jacketsandstackthemup。

Itmostbustedthem,buttheymadeupthesixthousandcleanandclear。

“Say,“saystheduke,“Igotanotheridea。Le”sgoupstairsandcountthismoney,andthentakeandGIVEITTOTHEGIRLS。”

“Goodland,duke,lemmehugyou!It”sthemostdazzlingidea”ateveramanstruck。Youhavecert”nlygotthemostastonishin”headIeversee。

Oh,thisisthebossdodge,ther”ain”tnomistake”boutit。Let”emfetchalongtheirsuspicionsnowiftheywantto——this”lllay”emout。”

Whenwegotup-stairseverybodygetheredaroundthetable,andthekinghecounteditandstackeditup,threehundreddollarsinapile——twentyelegantlittlepiles。Everybodylookedhungryatit,andlickedtheirchops。

Thentheyrakeditintothebagagain,andIseethekingbegintoswellhimselfupforanotherspeech。Hesays:

“Friendsall,mypoorbrotherthatlaysyonderhasdonegenerousbythemthat”sleftbehindinthevaleofsorrers。Hehasdonegenerousbytheseyerpoorlittlelambsthathelovedandsheltered,andthat”sleftfatherlessandmotherless。Yes,andwethatknowedhimknowsthathewouldadoneMOREgenerousby”emifhehadn”tbenafeardo”woundin”hisdearWilliamandme。Now,WOULDN”The?Ther”ain”tnoquestion”boutitinMY

mind。Well,then,whatkindo”brotherswoulditbethat”dstandinhiswayatsechatime?Andwhatkindo”uncleswoulditbethat”drob——

yes,ROB——sechpoorsweetlambsasthese”athelovedsoatsechatime?

IfIknowWilliam——andITHINKIdo——he——well,I”lljestaskhim。”

Heturnsaroundandbeginstomakealotofsignstothedukewithhishands,andthedukehelooksathimstupidandleatherheadedawhile;thenallofasuddenheseemstocatchhismeaning,andjumpsfortheking,goo-gooingwithallhismightforjoy,andhugshimaboutfifteentimesbeforeheletsup。Thenthekingsays,“Iknowedit;IreckonTHAT”llconvinceanybodythewayHEfeelsaboutit。Here,MaryJane,Susan,Joanner,takethemoney——takeitALL。It”sthegiftofhimthatlaysyonder,coldbutjoyful。”

MaryJaneshewentforhim,Susanandthehare-lipwentfortheduke,andthensuchanotherhuggingandkissingIneverseeyet。Andeverybodycrowdedupwiththetearsintheireyes,andmostshookthehandsoffofthemfrauds,sayingallthetime:

“YouDEARgoodsouls!——howLOVELY!——howCOULDyou!“

Well,then,prettysoonallhandsgottotalkingaboutthediseasedagain,andhowgoodhewas,andwhatalosshewas,andallthat;andbeforelongabigiron-jawedmanworkedhimselfintherefromoutside,andstooda-listeningandlooking,andnotsayinganything;andnobodysayinganythingtohimeither,becausethekingwastalkingandtheywasallbusylistening。

Thekingwassaying——inthemiddleofsomethinghe”dstartedinon——

“——theybein”particklerfriendso”thediseased。That”swhythey”reinvitedherethisevenin”;buttomorrowwewantALLtocome——everybody;

forherespectedeverybody,helikedeverybody,andsoit”sfittenthathisfuneralorgiessh”dbepublic。”

Andsohewenta-mooningonandon,likingtohearhimselftalk,andeverylittlewhilehefetchedinhisfuneralorgiesagain,tillthedukehecouldn”tstanditnomore;sohewritesonalittlescrapofpaper,“OBSEQUIES,youoldfool,“andfoldsitup,andgoestogoo-gooingandreachingitoverpeople”sheadstohim。Thekinghereadsitandputsitinhispocket,andsays:

“PoorWilliam,afflictedasheis,hisHEART”Saluzright。Asksmetoinviteeverybodytocometothefuneral——wantsmetomake”emallwelcome。

Butheneedn”taworried——itwasjestwhatIwasat。”

Thenheweavesalongagain,perfectlyca”m,andgoestodroppinginhisfuneralorgiesagaineverynowandthen,justlikehedonebefore。

Andwhenhedoneitthethirdtimehesays:

“Isayorgies,notbecauseit”sthecommonterm,becauseitain”t——

obsequiesbein”thecommonterm——butbecauseorgiesistherightterm。

Obsequiesain”tusedinEnglandnomorenow——it”sgoneout。WesayorgiesnowinEngland。Orgiesisbetter,becauseitmeansthethingyou”reaftermoreexact。It”sawordthat”smadeupout”ntheGreekORGO,outside,open,abroad;andtheHebrewJEESUM,toplant,coverup;henceinTER。So,yousee,funeralorgiesisanopenerpublicfuneral。”

HewastheWORSTIeverstruck。Well,theironjawedmanhelaughedrightinhisface。Everybodywasshocked。Everybodysays,“Why,DOCTOR!“andAbnerShacklefordsays:

“Why,Robinson,hain”tyouheardthenews?ThisisHarveyWilks。”

Thekinghesmiledeager,andshovedouthisflapper,andsays:

“Isitmypoorbrother”sdeargoodfriendandphysician?I”

“Keepyourhandsoffofme!“saysthedoctor。“YOUtalklikeanEnglishman,DON”Tyou?It”stheworstimitationIeverheard。YOUPeterWilks”sbrother!

You”reafraud,that”swhatyouare!“

Well,howtheyalltookon!Theycrowdedaroundthedoctorandtriedtoquiethimdown,andtriedtoexplaintohimandtellhimhowHarvey”dshowedinfortywaysthatheWASHarvey,andknowedeverybodybyname,andthenamesoftheverydogs,andbeggedandBEGGEDhimnottohurtHarvey”sfeelingsandthepoorgirl”sfeelings,andallthat。Butitwarn”tnouse;

hestormedrightalong,andsaidanymanthatpretendedtobeanEnglishmanandcouldn”timitatethelingonobetterthanwhathedidwasafraudandaliar。Thepoorgirlswashangingtothekingandcrying;andallofasuddenthedoctorupsandturnsonTHEM。Hesays:

“Iwasyourfather”sfriend,andI”myourfriend;andIwarnyouasafriend,andanhonestonethatwantstoprotectyouandkeepyououtofharmandtrouble,toturnyourbacksonthatscoundrelandhavenothingtodowithhim,theignoranttramp,withhisidioticGreekandHebrew,ashecallsit。Heisthethinnestkindofanimpostor——hascomeherewithalotofemptynamesandfactswhichhepickedupsomewheres,andyoutakethemforPROOFS,andarehelpedtofoolyourselvesbythesefoolishfriendshere,whooughttoknowbetter。MaryJaneWilks,youknowmeforyourfriend,andforyourunselfishfriend,too。Nowlistentome;turnthispitifulrascalout——IBEGyoutodoit。Willyou?“

MaryJanestraightenedherselfup,andmy,butshewashandsome!Shesays:

“HEREismyanswer。”Shehoveupthebagofmoneyandputitintheking”shands,andsays,“Takethissixthousanddollars,andinvestformeandmysistersanywayyouwantto,anddon”tgiveusnoreceiptforit。”

Thensheputherarmaroundthekingononeside,andSusanandthehare-lipdonethesameontheother。Everybodyclappedtheirhandsandstompedonthefloorlikeaperfectstorm,whilstthekinghelduphisheadandsmiledproud。Thedoctorsays:

“Allright;IwashMYhandsofthematter。ButIwarnyouallthatatime”scomingwhenyou”regoingtofeelsickwheneveryouthinkofthisday。”Andawayhewent。

“Allright,doctor,“saystheking,kindermockinghim;“we”lltryandget”emtosendforyou;“whichmadethemalllaugh,andtheysaiditwasaprimegoodhit。

TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter26Chapter26WELL,whentheywasallgonethekingheasksMaryJanehowtheywasoffforsparerooms,andshesaidshehadonespareroom,whichwoulddoforUncleWilliam,andshe”dgiveherownroomtoUncleHarvey,whichwasalittlebigger,andshewouldturnintotheroomwithhersistersandsleeponacot;andupgarretwasalittlecubby,withapalletinit。Thekingsaidthecubbywoulddoforhisvalley——meaningme。

SoMaryJanetookusup,andsheshowedthemtheirrooms,whichwasplainbutnice。Shesaidshe”dhaveherfrocksandalotofothertrapstookoutofherroomiftheywasinUncleHarvey”sway,buthesaidtheywarn”t。Thefrockswashungalongthewall,andbeforethemwasacurtainmadeoutofcalicothathungdowntothefloor。Therewasanoldhairtrunkinonecorner,andaguitar-boxinanother,andallsortsoflittleknickknacksandjimcracksaround,likegirlsbriskenuparoomwith。Thekingsaiditwasallthemorehomelyandmorepleasanterforthesefixings,andsodon”tdisturbthem。Theduke”sroomwasprettysmall,butplentygoodenough,andsowasmycubby。

Thatnighttheyhadabigsupper,andallthemmenandwomenwasthere,andIstoodbehindthekingandtheduke”schairsandwaitedonthem,andtheniggerswaitedontherest。MaryJaneshesetattheheadofthetable,withSusanalongsideofher,andsaidhowbadthebiscuitswas,andhowmeanthepreserveswas,andhoworneryandtoughthefriedchickenswas——andallthatkindofrot,thewaywomenalwaysdofortoforceoutcompliments;

andthepeopleallknowedeverythingwastiptop,andsaidso——said“HowDOyougetbiscuitstobrownsonice?“and“Where,fortheland”ssake,DIDyougettheseamaz”npickles?“andallthatkindofhumbugtalky-talk,justthewaypeoplealwaysdoesatasupper,youknow。

Andwhenitwasalldonemeandthehare-liphadsupperinthekitchenoffoftheleavings,whilsttheotherswashelpingtheniggerscleanupthethings。Thehare-lipshegottopumpingmeaboutEngland,andblestifIdidn”tthinktheicewasgettingmightythinsometimes。Shesays:

“Didyoueverseetheking?“

“Who?WilliamFourth?Well,IbetIhave——hegoestoourchurch。”

Iknowedhewasdeadyearsago,butIneverleton。SowhenIsayshegoestoourchurch,shesays:

“What——regular?“

“Yes——regular。Hispew”srightoveroppositeourn——ont”othersidethepulpit。”

“IthoughthelivedinLondon?“

“Well,hedoes。WhereWOULDhelive?“

“ButIthoughtYOUlivedinSheffield?“

IseeIwasupastump。Ihadtoletontogetchokedwithachickenbone,soastogettimetothinkhowtogetdownagain。ThenIsays:

“Imeanhegoestoourchurchregularwhenhe”sinSheffield。That”sonlyinthesummertime,whenhecomestheretotaketheseabaths。”

“Why,howyoutalk——Sheffieldain”tonthesea。”

“Well,whosaiditwas?“

“Why,youdid。”

“IDIDN”Tnuther。”

“Youdid!“

“Ididn”t。”

“Youdid。”

“Ineversaidnothingofthekind。”

“Well,whatDIDyousay,then?“

“SaidhecometotaketheseaBATHS——that”swhatIsaid。”

“Well,then,how”shegoingtotaketheseabathsifitain”tonthesea?“

“Lookyhere,“Isays;“didyoueverseeanyCongress-water?“

“Yes。”

“Well,didyouhavetogotoCongresstogetit?“

“Why,no。”

“Well,neitherdoesWilliamFourthhavetogototheseatogetaseabath。”

“Howdoeshegetit,then?“

“GetsitthewaypeopledownheregetsCongresswater——inbarrels。

ThereinthepalaceatSheffieldthey”vegotfurnaces,andhewantshiswaterhot。Theycan”tbilethatamountofwaterawayoffthereatthesea。

Theyhaven”tgotnoconveniencesforit。”

“Oh,Isee,now。Youmightasaidthatinthefirstplaceandsavedtime。”

WhenshesaidthatIseeIwasoutofthewoodsagain,andsoIwascomfortableandglad。Next,shesays:

“Doyougotochurch,too?“

“Yes——regular。”

“Wheredoyouset?“

“Why,inourpew。”

“WHOSEpew?“

“Why,OURN——yourUncleHarvey”s。”

“His”n?WhatdoesHEwantwithapew?“

“Wantsittosetin。WhatdidyouRECKONhewantedwithit?“

“Why,Ithoughthe”dbeinthepulpit。”

Rothim,Iforgothewasapreacher。IseeIwasupastumpagain,soIplayedanotherchickenboneandgotanotherthink。ThenIsays:

“Blameit,doyousupposethereain”tbutonepreachertoachurch?“

“Why,whatdotheywantwithmore?“

“What!——topreachbeforeaking?Ineverdidseesuchagirlasyou。

Theydon”thavenolessthanseventeen。”

“Seventeen!Myland!Why,Iwouldn”tsetoutsuchastringasthat,notifINEVERgottoglory。Itmusttake”emaweek。”

“Shucks,theydon”tALLof”empreachthesameday——onlyONEof”em。”

“Well,then,whatdoestherestof”emdo?“

“Oh,nothingmuch。Lollaround,passtheplate——andonethingoranother。

Butmainlytheydon”tdonothing。”

“Well,then,whataretheyFOR?“

“Why,they”reforSTYLE。Don”tyouknownothing?“

“Well,Idon”tWANTtoknownosuchfoolishnessasthat。HowisservantstreatedinEngland?Dotheytreat”embetter”nwetreatourniggers?“

“NO!Aservantain”tnobodythere。Theytreatthemworsethandogs。”

“Don”ttheygive”emholidays,thewaywedo,ChristmasandNewYear”sweek,andFourthofJuly?“

“Oh,justlisten!AbodycouldtellYOUhain”teverbeentoEnglandbythat。Why,Hare-l——why,Joanna,theyneverseeaholidayfromyear”sendtoyear”send;nevergotothecircus,northeater,norniggershows,nornowheres。”

“Norchurch?“

“Norchurch。”

“ButYOUalwayswenttochurch。”

Well,Iwasgoneupagain。IforgotIwastheoldman”sservant。ButnextminuteIwhirledinonakindofanexplanationhowavalleywasdifferentfromacommonservantandHADtogotochurchwhetherhewantedtoornot,andsetwiththefamily,onaccountofitsbeingthelaw。ButIdidn”tdoitprettygood,andwhenIgotdoneIseeshewarn”tsatisfied。Shesays:

“Honestinjun,now,hain”tyoubeentellingmealotoflies?“

“Honestinjun,“saysI。

“Noneofitatall?“

“Noneofitatall。Notalieinit,“saysI。

“Layyourhandonthisbookandsayit。”

Iseeitwarn”tnothingbutadictionary,soIlaidmyhandonitandsaidit。Sothenshelookedalittlebettersatisfied,andsays:

“Well,then,I”llbelievesomeofit;butIhopetograciousifI”llbelievetherest。”

“Whatisityouwon”tbelieve,Joe?“saysMaryJane,steppinginwithSusanbehindher。“Itain”trightnorkindforyoutotalksotohim,andhimastrangerandsofarfromhispeople。Howwouldyouliketobetreatedso?“

“That”salwaysyourway,Maim——alwayssailingintohelpsomebodybeforethey”rehurt。Ihain”tdonenothingtohim。He”stoldsomestretchers,Ireckon,andIsaidIwouldn”tswallowitall;andthat”severybitandgrainIDIDsay。Ireckonhecanstandalittlethinglikethat,can”the?“

“Idon”tcarewhether”twaslittleorwhether”twasbig;he”shereinourhouseandastranger,anditwasn”tgoodofyoutosayit。Ifyouwasinhisplaceitwouldmakeyoufeelashamed;andsoyououghtn”ttosayathingtoanotherpersonthatwillmakeTHEMfeelashamed。”

“Why,Maim,hesaid”

“Itdon”tmakenodifferencewhatheSAID——thatain”tthething。ThethingisforyoutotreathimKIND,andnotbesayingthingstomakehimrememberheain”tinhisowncountryandamongsthisownfolks。”

Isaystomyself,THISisagirlthatI”mlettingthatoldreptlerobherofhermoney!

ThenSusanSHEwaltzedin;andifyou”llbelieveme,shedidgiveHare-lipharkfromthetomb!

SaysItomyself,andthisisANOTHERonethatI”mlettinghimrobherofhermoney!

ThenMaryJaneshetookanotherinning,andwentinsweetandlovelyagain——whichwasherway;butwhenshegotdonetherewarn”thardlyanythinglefto”poorHare-lip。Soshehollered。

“Allright,then,“saystheothergirls;“youjustaskhispardon。”

Shedoneit,too;andshedoneitbeautiful。Shedoneitsobeautifulitwasgoodtohear;andIwishedIcouldtellherathousandlies,soshecoulddoitagain。

Isaystomyself,thisisANOTHERonethatI”mlettinghimrobherofhermoney。AndwhenshegotthroughtheyalljestlaidtheirselvesouttomakemefeelathomeandknowIwasamongstfriends。IfeltsoorneryandlowdownandmeanthatIsaystomyself,mymind”smadeup;I”llhivethatmoneyforthemorbust。

SothenIlitout——forbed,Isaid,meaningsometimeoranother。

WhenIgotbymyselfIwenttothinkingthethingover。Isaystomyself,shallIgotothatdoctor,private,andblowonthesefrauds?No——thatwon”tdo。Hemighttellwhotoldhim;thenthekingandthedukewouldmakeitwarmforme。ShallIgo,private,andtellMaryJane?No——Idasn”tdoit。Herfacewouldgivethemahint,sure;they”vegotthemoney,andthey”dsliderightoutandgetawaywithit。IfshewastofetchinhelpI”dgetmixedupinthebusinessbeforeitwasdonewith,Ijudge。No;

thereain”tnogoodwaybutone。Igottostealthatmoney,somehow;andIgottostealitsomewaythattheywon”tsuspicionthatIdoneit。They”vegotagoodthinghere,andtheyain”ta-goingtoleavetillthey”veplayedthisfamilyandthistownforallthey”reworth,soI”llfindachancetimeenough。I”llstealitandhideit;andbyandby,whenI”mawaydowntheriver,I”llwritealetterandtellMaryJanewhereit”shid。ButI

betterhiveittonightifIcan,becausethedoctormaybehasn”tletupasmuchasheletsonhehas;hemightscarethemoutofhereyet。

So,thinksI,I”llgoandsearchthemrooms。Upstairsthehallwasdark,butIfoundtheduke”sroom,andstartedtopawarounditwithmyhands;

butIrecollecteditwouldn”tbemuchlikethekingtoletanybodyelsetakecareofthatmoneybuthisownself;sothenIwenttohisroomandbeguntopawaroundthere。ButIseeIcouldn”tdonothingwithoutacandle,andIdasn”tlightone,ofcourse。SoIjudgedI”dgottodotheotherthing——layforthemandeavesdrop。AboutthattimeIhearstheirfootstepscoming,andwasgoingtoskipunderthebed;Ireachedforit,butitwasn”twhereIthoughtitwouldbe;butItouchedthecurtainthathidMaryJane”sfrocks,soIjumpedinbehindthatandsnuggledinamongstthegowns,andstoodthereperfectlystill。

Theycomeinandshutthedoor;andthefirstthingthedukedonewastogetdownandlookunderthebed。ThenIwasgladIhadn”tfoundthebedwhenIwantedit。Andyet,youknow,it”skindofnaturaltohideunderthebedwhenyouareuptoanythingprivate。Theysetsdownthen,andthekingsays:

“Well,whatisit?Andcutitmiddlin”short,becauseit”sbetterforustobedowntherea-whoopin”upthemournin”thanupheregivin””emachancetotalkusover。”

“Well,thisisit,Capet。Iain”teasy;Iain”tcomfortable。Thatdoctorlaysonmymind。Iwantedtoknowyourplans。I”vegotanotion,andI

thinkit”sasoundone。”

“Whatisit,duke?“

“Thatwebetterglideoutofthisbeforethreeinthemorning,andclipitdowntheriverwithwhatwe”vegot。Specially,seeingwegotitsoeasy——GIVENbacktous,flungatourheads,asyoumaysay,whenofcourseweallowedtohavetostealitback。I”mforknockingoffandlightingout。”

Thatmademefeelprettybad。Aboutanhourortwoagoitwouldabeenalittledifferent,butnowitmademefeelbadanddisappointed,Thekingripsoutandsays:

“What!Andnotsellouttheresto”theproperty?Marchofflikeapasseloffoolsandleaveeightorninethous”n”dollars”wortho”propertylayin”

aroundjestsufferin”tobescoopedin?——andallgood,salablestuff,too。”

Thedukehegrumbled;saidthebagofgoldwasenough,andhedidn”twanttogonodeeper——didn”twanttorobalotoforphansofEVERYTHING

theyhad。

“Why,howyoutalk!“saystheking。“Wesha”n”trob”emofnothingatallbutjestthismoney。ThepeoplethatBUYSthepropertyisthesuff”rers;

becauseassoon”sit”sfoundout”atwedidn”townit——whichwon”tbelongafterwe”veslid——thesalewon”tbevalid,andit”llallgobacktotheestate。Theseyerorphans”llgittheirhousebackagin,andthat”senoughforTHEM;they”reyoungandspry,andk”neasyearnalivin”。THEY

ain”ta-gointosuffer。Why,jestthink——there”sthous”n”sandthous”n”sthatain”tnighsowelloff。Blessyou,THEYain”tgotnoth”n”tocomplainof。”

Well,thekinghetalkedhimblind;soatlasthegivein,andsaidallright,butsaidhebelieveditwasblamedfoolishnesstostay,andthatdoctorhangingoverthem。Butthekingsays:

“Cussthedoctor!Whatdowek”yerforHIM?Hain”twegotallthefoolsintownonourside?Andain”tthatabigenoughmajorityinanytown?“

Sotheygotreadytogodownstairsagain。Thedukesays:

“Idon”tthinkweputthatmoneyinagoodplace。”

Thatcheeredmeup。I”dbeguntothinkIwarn”tgoingtogetahintofnokindtohelpme。Thekingsays:

“Why?“

“BecauseMaryJane”llbeinmourningfromthisout;andfirstyouknowtheniggerthatdoesuptheroomswillgetanordertoboxthesedudsupandput”emaway;anddoyoureckonaniggercanrunacrossmoneyandnotborrowsomeofit?“

“Yourhead”slevelagin,duke,“saystheking;andhecomesa-fumblingunderthecurtaintwoorthreefootfromwhereIwas。Istucktighttothewallandkeptmightystill,thoughquivery;andIwonderedwhatthemfellowswouldsaytomeiftheycatchedme;andItriedtothinkwhatI”dbetterdoiftheydidcatchme。ButthekinghegotthebagbeforeIcouldthinkmorethanaboutahalfathought,andheneversuspicionedIwasaround。Theytookandshovedthebagthrougharipinthestrawtickthatwasunderthefeather-bed,andcrammeditinafootortwoamongstthestrawandsaiditwasallrightnow,becauseaniggeronlymakesupthefeather-bed,anddon”tturnoverthestrawtickonlyabouttwiceayear,andsoitwarn”tinnodangerofgettingstolenow。

ButIknowedbetter。Ihaditoutoftherebeforetheywashalf-waydownstairs。Igropedalonguptomycubby,andhidittheretillIcouldgetachancetodobetter。IjudgedIbetterhideitoutsideofthehousesomewheres,becauseiftheymissedittheywouldgivethehouseagoodransacking:Iknowedthatverywell。ThenIturnedin,withmyclothesallon;butIcouldn”tagonetosleepifI”dawantedto,Iwasinsuchasweattogetthroughwiththebusiness。ByandbyIheardthekingandthedukecomeup;soIrolledoffmypalletandlaidwithmychinatthetopofmyladder,andwaitedtoseeifanythingwasgoingtohappen。Butnothingdid。

SoIheldontillallthelatesoundshadquitandtheearlyoneshadn”tbegunyet;andthenIslippeddowntheladder。

TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter27Chapter27ICREPTtotheirdoorsandlistened;theywassnoring。SoItiptoedalong,andgotdownstairsallright。Therewarn”tasoundanywheres。Ipeepedthroughacrackofthedining-roomdoor,andseethementhatwaswatchingthecorpseallsoundasleepontheirchairs。Thedoorwasopenintotheparlor,wherethecorpsewaslaying,andtherewasacandleinbothrooms。

Ipassedalong,andtheparlordoorwasopen;butIseetherewarn”tnobodyintherebuttheremaindersofPeter;soIshovedonby;butthefrontdoorwaslocked,andthekeywasn”tthere。JustthenIheardsomebodycomingdownthestairs,backbehindme。Irunintheparlorandtookaswiftlookaround,andtheonlyplaceIseetohidethebagwasinthecoffin。Thelidwasshovedalongaboutafoot,showingthedeadman”sfacedowninthere,withawetclothoverit,andhisshroudon。Ituckedthemoneybaginunderthelid,justdownbeyondwherehishandswascrossed,whichmademecreep,theywassocold,andthenIrunbackacrosstheroomandinbehindthedoor。

ThepersoncomingwasMaryJane。Shewenttothecoffin,verysoft,andkneeleddownandlookedin;thensheputupherhandkerchief,andI

seeshebeguntocry,thoughIcouldn”thearher,andherbackwastome。

Islidout,andasIpassedthedining-roomIthoughtI”dmakesurethemwatchershadn”tseenme;soIlookedthroughthecrack,andeverythingwasallright。Theyhadn”tstirred。

Islippeduptobed,feelingrutherblue,onaccountsofthethingplayingoutthatwayafterIhadtooksomuchtroubleandrunsomuchreskaboutit。SaysI,ifitcouldstaywhereitis,allright;becausewhenwegetdowntheriverahundredmileortwoIcouldwritebacktoMaryJane,andshecoulddighimupagainandgetit;butthatain”tthethingthat”sgoingtohappen;thethingthat”sgoingtohappenis,themoney”llbefoundwhentheycometoscrewonthelid。Thentheking”llgetitagain,andit”llbealongdaybeforehegivesanybodyanotherchancetosmouchitfromhim。OfcourseIWANTEDtoslidedownandgetitoutofthere,butIdasn”ttryit。Everyminuteitwasgettingearliernow,andprettysoonsomeofthemwatcherswouldbegintostir,andImightgetcatched——catchedwithsixthousanddollarsinmyhandsthatnobodyhadn”thiredmetotakecareof。Idon”twishtobemixedupinnosuchbusinessasthat,Isaystomyself。

WhenIgotdownstairsinthemorningtheparlorwasshutup,andthewatcherswasgone。Therewarn”tnobodyaroundbutthefamilyandthewidowBartleyandourtribe。Iwatchedtheirfacestoseeifanythinghadbeenhappening,butIcouldn”ttell。

Towardsthemiddleofthedaytheundertakercomewithhisman,andtheysetthecoffininthemiddleoftheroomonacoupleofchairs,andthensetallourchairsinrows,andborrowedmorefromtheneighborstillthehallandtheparlorandthedining-roomwasfull。Iseethecoffinlidwasthewayitwasbefore,butIdasn”tgotolookinunderit,withfolksaround。

Thenthepeoplebeguntoflockin,andthebeatsandthegirlstookseatsinthefrontrowattheheadofthecoffin,andforahalfanhourthepeoplefiledaroundslow,insinglerank,andlookeddownatthedeadman”sfaceaminute,andsomedroppedinatear,anditwasallverystillandsolemn,onlythegirlsandthebeatsholdinghandkerchiefstotheireyesandkeepingtheirheadsbent,andsobbingalittle。Therewarn”tnoothersoundbutthescrapingofthefeetonthefloorandblowingnoses——becausepeoplealwaysblowsthemmoreatafuneralthantheydoatotherplacesexceptchurch。

Whentheplacewaspackedfulltheundertakerheslidaroundinhisblackgloveswithhissoftysootheringways,puttingonthelasttouches,andgettingpeopleandthingsallship-shapeandcomfortable,andmakingnomoresoundthanacat。Heneverspoke;hemovedpeoplearound,hesqueezedinlateones,heopeneduppassageways,anddoneitwithnods,andsignswithhishands。Thenhetookhisplaceoveragainstthewall。Hewasthesoftest,glidingest,stealthiestmanIeversee;andtherewarn”tnomoresmiletohimthanthereistoaham。

Theyhadborrowedamelodeum——asickone;andwheneverythingwasreadyayoungwomansetdownandworkedit,anditwasprettyskreekyandcolicky,andeverybodyjoinedinandsung,andPeterwastheonlyonethathadagoodthing,accordingtomynotion。ThentheReverendHobsonopenedup,slowandsolemn,andbeguntotalk;andstraightoffthemostoutrageousrowbustedoutinthecellarabodyeverheard;itwasonlyonedog,buthemadeamostpowerfulracket,andhekeptituprightalong;theparsonhehadtostandthere,overthecoffin,andwait——youcouldn”thearyourselfthink。Itwasrightdownawkward,andnobodydidn”tseemtoknowwhattodo。Butprettysoontheyseethatlong-leggedundertakermakeasigntothepreacherasmuchastosay,“Don”tyouworry——justdependonme。”

Thenhestoopeddownandbeguntoglidealongthewall,justhisshouldersshowingoverthepeople”sheads。Soheglidedalong,andthepowwowandracketgettingmoreandmoreoutrageousallthetime;andatlast,whenhehadgonearoundtwosidesoftheroom,hedisappearsdowncellar。Theninabouttwosecondsweheardawhack,andthedoghefinishedupwithamostamazinghowlortwo,andtheneverythingwasdeadstill,andtheparsonbegunhissolemntalkwhereheleftoff。Inaminuteortwoherecomesthisundertaker”sbackandshouldersglidingalongthewallagain;

andsoheglidedandglidedaroundthreesidesoftheroom,andthenroseup,andshadedhismouthwithhishands,andstretchedhisneckouttowardsthepreacher,overthepeople”sheads,andsays,inakindofacoarsewhisper,“HEHADARAT!“Thenhedroopeddownandglidedalongthewallagaintohisplace。Youcouldseeitwasagreatsatisfactiontothepeople,becausenaturallytheywantedtoknow。Alittlethinglikethatdon”tcostnothing,andit”sjustthelittlethingsthatmakesamantobelookeduptoandliked。Therewarn”tnomorepopularmanintownthanwhatthatundertakerwas。

Well,thefuneralsermonwasverygood,butpisonlongandtiresome;

andthenthekingheshovedinandgotoffsomeofhisusualrubbage,andatlastthejobwasthrough,andtheundertakerbeguntosneakuponthecoffinwithhisscrew-driver。Iwasinasweatthen,andwatchedhimprettykeen。Buthenevermeddledatall;justslidthelidalongassoftasmush,andscreweditdowntightandfast。SothereIwas!Ididn”tknowwhetherthemoneywasinthereornot。So,saysI,s”posesomebodyhashoggedthatbagonthesly?——nowhowdoIknowwhethertowritetoMaryJaneornot?

S”poseshedughimupanddidn”tfindnothing,whatwouldshethinkofme?Blameit,Isays,Imightgethuntedupandjailed;I”dbetterlaylowandkeepdark,andnotwriteatall;thething”sawfulmixednow;tryingtobetterit,I”veworseneditahundredtimes,andIwishtogoodnessI”djustletitalone,dadfetchthewholebusiness!

Theyburiedhim,andwecomebackhome,andIwenttowatchingfacesagain——Icouldn”thelpit,andIcouldn”tresteasy。Butnothingcomeofit;thefacesdidn”ttellmenothing。

Thekinghevisitedaroundintheevening,andsweetenedeverybodyup,andmadehimselfeversofriendly;andhegiveouttheideathathiscongregationoverinEnglandwouldbeinasweatabouthim,sohemusthurryandsettleuptheestaterightawayandleaveforhome。Hewasverysorryhewassopushed,andsowaseverybody;theywishedhecouldstaylonger,buttheysaidtheycouldseeitcouldn”tbedone。AndhesaidofcoursehimandWilliamwouldtakethegirlshomewiththem;andthatpleasedeverybodytoo,becausethenthegirlswouldbewellfixedandamongsttheirownrelations;

anditpleasedthegirls,too——tickledthemsotheycleanforgottheyeverhadatroubleintheworld;andtoldhimtoselloutasquickashewantedto,theywouldbeready。Thempoorthingswasthatgladandhappyitmademyheartachetoseethemgettingfooledandliedtoso,butI

didn”tseenosafewayformetochipinandchangethegeneraltune。

Well,blamedifthekingdidn”tbillthehouseandtheniggersandallthepropertyforauctionstraightoff——saletwodaysafterthefuneral;

butanybodycouldbuyprivatebeforehandiftheywantedto。

Sothenextdayafterthefuneral,alongaboutnoontime,thegirls”

joygotthefirstjolt。Acoupleofniggertraderscomealong,andthekingsoldthemtheniggersreasonable,forthree-daydraftsastheycalledit,andawaytheywent,thetwosonsuptherivertoMemphis,andtheirmotherdowntherivertoOrleans。Ithoughtthempoorgirlsandthemniggerswouldbreaktheirheartsforgrief;theycriedaroundeachother,andtookonsoitmostmademedownsicktoseeit。Thegirlssaidtheyhadn”teverdreamedofseeingthefamilyseparatedorsoldawayfromthetown。Ican”tevergetitoutofmymemory,thesightofthempoormiserablegirlsandniggershangingaroundeachother”snecksandcrying;andIreckonIcouldn”tastooditall,butwouldahadtobustoutandtellonourgangifIhadn”tknowedthesalewarn”tnoaccountandtheniggerswouldbebackhomeinaweekortwo。

Thethingmadeabigstirinthetown,too,andagoodmanycomeoutflatfootedandsaiditwasscandaloustoseparatethemotherandthechildrenthatway。Itinjuredthefraudssome;buttheoldfoolhebulledrightalong,spiteofallthedukecouldsayordo,andItellyouthedukewaspowerfuluneasy。

Nextdaywasauctionday。Aboutbroaddayinthemorningthekingandthedukecomeupinthegarretandwokemeup,andIseebytheirlookthattherewastrouble。Thekingsays:

“Wasyouinmyroomnightbeforelast?“

“No,yourmajesty“——whichwasthewayIalwayscalledhimwhennobodybutourgangwarn”taround。

“Wasyouinthereyisterdayerlastnight?“

“No,yourmajesty。”

“Honorbright,now——nolies。”

“Honorbright,yourmajesty,I”mtellingyouthetruth。Ihain”tbeena-nearyourroomsinceMissMaryJanetookyouandthedukeandshowedittoyou。”

Thedukesays:

“Haveyouseenanybodyelsegointhere?“

“No,yourgrace,notasIremember,Ibelieve。”

“Stopandthink。”

Istudiedawhileandseemychance;thenIsays:

“Well,Iseetheniggersgointhereseveraltimes。”

Bothofthemgavealittlejump,andlookedliketheyhadn”teverexpectedit,andthenliketheyHAD。Thenthedukesays:

“What,allofthem?“

“No——leastways,notallatonce——thatis,Idon”tthinkIeverseethemallcomeOUTatoncebutjustonetime。”

“Hello!Whenwasthat?“

“Itwasthedaywehadthefuneral。Inthemorning。Itwarn”tearly,becauseIoverslept。Iwasjuststartingdowntheladder,andIseethem。”

“Well,goon,GOon!Whatdidtheydo?How”dtheyact?“

“Theydidn”tdonothing。Andtheydidn”tactanywaymuch,asfurasIsee。Theytiptoedaway;soIseen,easyenough,thatthey”dshovedintheretodoupyourmajesty”sroom,orsomething,s”posingyouwasup;

andfoundyouWARN”Tup,andsotheywashopingtoslideoutofthewayoftroublewithoutwakingyouup,iftheyhadn”talreadywakedyouup。”

“Greatguns,THISisago!“saystheking;andbothofthemlookedprettysickandtolerablesilly。Theystoodtherea-thinkingandscratchingtheirheadsaminute,andthedukehebustintoakindofalittleraspychuckle,andsays:

“Itdoesbeatallhowneattheniggersplayedtheirhand。TheyletontobeSORRYtheywasgoingoutofthisregion!AndIbelievedtheyWAS

sorry,andsodidyou,andsodideverybody。Don”tevertellMEanymorethataniggerain”tgotanyhistrionictalent。Why,thewaytheyplayedthatthingitwouldfoolANYBODY。Inmyopinion,there”safortunein”em。

IfIhadcapitalandatheater,Iwouldn”twantabetterlay-outthanthat——andherewe”vegoneandsold”emforasong。Yes,andain”tprivilegedtosingthesongyet。Say,whereISthatsong——thatdraft?“

“Inthebankfortobecollected。WhereWOULDitbe?“

“Well,THAT”Sallrightthen,thankgoodness。”

SaysI,kindoftimid-like:

“Issomethinggonewrong?“

Thekingwhirlsonmeandripsout:

“Noneo”yourbusiness!Youkeepyourheadshet,andmindy”rownaffairs——ifyougotany。Longasyou”reinthistowndon”tyouforgitTHAT——

youhear?“Thenhesaystotheduke,“Wegottojestswalleritandsaynoth”n”:mum”sthewordforUS。”

Astheywasstartingdowntheladderthedukehechucklesagain,andsays:

“QuicksalesANDsmallprofits!It”sagoodbusiness——yes。”

Thekingsnarlsaroundonhimandsays:

“Iwastryingtodoforthebestinsellin””emoutsoquick。Iftheprofitshasturnedouttobenone,lackin”considable,andnonetocarry,isitmyfaultanymore”nit”syourn?“

“Well,THEY”DbeinthishouseyetandweWOULDN”TifIcouldagotmyadvicelistenedto。”

Thekingsassedbackasmuchaswassafeforhim,andthenswappedaroundandlitintoMEagain。HegivemedownthebanksfornotcomingandTELLING

himIseetheniggerscomeoutofhisroomactingthatway——saidanyfoolwouldaKNOWEDsomethingwasup。AndthenwaltzedinandcussedHIMSELF

awhile,andsaiditallcomeofhimnotlayinglateandtakinghisnaturalrestthatmorning,andhe”dbeblamedifhe”deverdoitagain。Sotheywentoffa-jawing;andIfeltdreadfulgladI”dworkeditalloffontotheniggers,andyethadn”tdonetheniggersnoharmbyit。

TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter28Chapter28BYandbyitwasgetting-uptime。SoIcomedowntheladderandstartedfordown-stairs;butasIcometothegirls”roomthedoorwasopen,andIseeMaryJanesettingbyheroldhairtrunk,whichwasopenandshe”dbeenpackingthingsinit——gettingreadytogotoEngland。Butshehadstoppednowwithafoldedgowninherlap,andhadherfaceinherhands,crying。Ifeltawfulbadtoseeit;ofcourseanybodywould。Iwentinthereandsays:

“MissMaryJane,youcan”ta-beartoseepeopleintrouble,andIcan”t——mostalways。Tellmeaboutit。”

Soshedoneit。Anditwastheniggers——Ijustexpectedit。ShesaidthebeautifultriptoEnglandwasmostaboutspoiledforher;shedidn”tknowHOWshewasevergoingtobehappythere,knowingthemotherandthechildrenwarn”tevergoingtoseeeachothernomore——andthenbustedoutbittererthanever,andflungupherhands,andsays:

“Oh,dear,dear,tothinktheyain”tEVERgoingtoseeeachotheranymore!“

“ButtheyWILL——andinsideoftwoweeks——andIKNOWit!“saysI。

Laws,itwasoutbeforeIcouldthink!AndbeforeIcouldbudgeshethrowsherarmsaroundmyneckandtoldmetosayitAGAIN,sayitAGAIN,sayitAGAIN!

IseeIhadspoketoosuddenandsaidtoomuch,andwasinacloseplace。

Iaskedhertoletmethinkaminute;andshesetthere,veryimpatientandexcitedandhandsome,butlookingkindofhappyandeased-up,likeapersonthat”shadatoothpulledout。SoIwenttostudyingitout。I

saystomyself,Ireckonabodythatupsandtellsthetruthwhenheisinatightplaceistakingconsiderablemanyresks,thoughIain”thadnoexperience,andcan”tsayforcertain;butitlookssotome,anyway;

andyethere”sacasewhereI”mblestifitdon”tlooktomelikethetruthisbetterandactulySAFERthanalie。Imustlayitbyinmymind,andthinkitoversometimeorother,it”ssokindofstrangeandunregular。

Ineverseenothinglikeit。Well,Isaystomyselfatlast,I”ma-goingtochanceit;I”llupandtellthetruththistime,thoughitdoesseemmostlikesettingdownonakagofpowderandtouchingitoffjusttoseewhereyou”llgoto。ThenIsays:

“MissMaryJane,isthereanyplaceoutoftownalittlewayswhereyoucouldgoandstaythreeorfourdays?“

“Yes;Mr。Lothrop”s。Why?“

“Nevermindwhyyet。IfI”lltellyouhowIknowtheniggerswillseeeachotheragaininsideoftwoweeks——hereinthishouse——andPROVE

howIknowit——willyougotoMr。Lothrop”sandstayfourdays?“

“Fourdays!“shesays;“I”llstayayear!“

“Allright,“Isays,“Idon”twantnothingmoreoutofYOUthanjustyourword——Idrutherhaveitthananotherman”skiss-the-Bible。”Shesmiledandreddenedupverysweet,andIsays,“Ifyoudon”tmindit,I”llshutthedoor——andboltit。”

ThenIcomebackandsetdownagain,andsays:

“Don”tyouholler。Justsetstillandtakeitlikeaman。Igottotellthetruth,andyouwanttobraceup,MissMary,becauseit”sabadkind,andgoingtobehardtotake,butthereain”tnohelpforit。Theseunclesofyournain”tnounclesatall;they”reacoupleoffrauds——regulardead-beats。There,nowwe”reovertheworstofit,youcanstandtherestmiddlingeasy。”

Itjoltedheruplikeeverything,ofcourse;butIwasovertheshoalwaternow,soIwentrightalong,hereyesa-blazinghigherandhigherallthetime,andtoldhereveryblamething,fromwherewefirststruckthatyoungfoolgoinguptothesteamboat,clearthroughtowheresheflungherselfontotheking”sbreastatthefrontdoorandhekissedhersixteenorseventeentimes——andthenupshejumps,withherfaceafirelikesunset,andsays:

“Thebrute!Come,don”twasteaminute——notaSECOND——we”llhavethemtarredandfeathered,andflungintheriver!“

SaysI:

“Cert”nly。ButdoyoumeanBEFOREyougotoMr。Lothrop”s,or”

“Oh,“shesays,“whatamITHINKINGabout!“shesays,andsetrightdownagain。“Don”tmindwhatIsaid——pleasedon”t——youWON”T,now,WILLyou?“LayinghersilkyhandonmineinthatkindofawaythatIsaidIwoulddiefirst。“Ineverthought,Iwassostirredup,“shesays;“nowgoon,andIwon”tdosoanymore。Youtellmewhattodo,andwhateveryousayI”lldoit。”

“Well,“Isays,“it”saroughgang,themtwofrauds,andI”mfixedsoIgottotravelwiththemawhilelonger,whetherIwanttoornot——I

druthernottellyouwhy;andifyouwastoblowonthemthistownwouldgetmeoutoftheirclaws,andI”dbeallright;butthere”dbeanotherpersonthatyoudon”tknowaboutwho”dbeinbigtrouble。Well,wegottosaveHIM,hain”twe?Ofcourse。Well,then,wewon”tblowonthem。”

Sayingthemwordsputagoodideainmyhead。IseehowmaybeIcouldgetmeandJimridofthefrauds;getthemjailedhere,andthenleave。

ButIdidn”twanttoruntheraftinthedaytimewithoutanybodyaboardtoanswerquestionsbutme;soIdidn”twanttheplantobeginworkingtillprettylateto-night。Isays:

“MissMaryJane,I”lltellyouwhatwe”lldo,andyouwon”thavetostayatMr。Lothrop”ssolong,nuther。Howfurisit?“

“Alittleshortoffourmiles——rightoutinthecountry,backhere。”

“Well,that”llanswer。Nowyougoalongoutthere,andlaylowtillnineorhalf-pastto-night,andthengetthemtofetchyouhomeagain——

tellthemyou”vethoughtofsomething。Ifyougetherebeforeelevenputacandleinthiswindow,andifIdon”tturnupwaitTILLeleven,andTHEN

ifIdon”tturnupitmeansI”mgone,andoutoftheway,andsafe。Thenyoucomeoutandspreadthenewsaround,andgetthesebeatsjailed。”

“Good,“shesays,“I”lldoit。”

“AndifitjusthappenssothatIdon”tgetaway,butgettookupalongwiththem,youmustupandsayItoldyouthewholethingbeforehand,andyoumuststandbymeallyoucan。”

“Standbyyou!indeedIwill。Theysha”n”ttouchahairofyourhead!“

shesays,andIseehernostrilsspreadandhereyessnapwhenshesaidit,too。

“IfIgetawayIsha”n”tbehere,“Isays,“toprovetheserapscallionsain”tyouruncles,andIcouldn”tdoitifIWAShere。Icouldsweartheywasbeatsandbummers,that”sall,thoughthat”sworthsomething。Well,there”sotherscandothatbetterthanwhatIcan,andthey”repeoplethatain”tgoingtobedoubtedasquickasI”dbe。I”lltellyouhowtofindthem。Gimmeapencilandapieceofpaper。There——”RoyalNonesuch,Bricksville。”

Putitaway,anddon”tloseit。Whenthecourtwantstofindoutsomethingaboutthesetwo,letthemsenduptoBricksvilleandsaythey”vegotthementhatplayedtheRoyalNonesuch,andaskforsomewitnesses——why,you”llhavethatentiretowndownherebeforeyoucanhardlywink,MissMary。Andthey”llcomea-biling,too。”

Ijudgedwehadgoteverythingfixedaboutrightnow。SoIsays:

“Justlettheauctiongorightalong,anddon”tworry。Nobodydon”thavetopayforthethingstheybuytillawholedayaftertheauctiononaccountsoftheshortnotice,andtheyain”tgoingoutofthistilltheygetthatmoney;andthewaywe”vefixeditthesaleain”tgoingtocount,andtheyain”tgoingtogetnomoney。It”sjustlikethewayitwaswiththeniggers——itwarn”tnosale,andtheniggerswillbebackbeforelong。Why,theycan”tcollectthemoneyfortheNIGGERSyet——they”reintheworstkindofafix,MissMary。”

“Well,“shesays,“I”llrundowntobreakfastnow,andthenI”llstartstraightforMr。Lothrop”s。”

“”Deed,THATain”ttheticket,MissMaryJane,“Isays,“bynomannerofmeans;goBEFOREbreakfast。”

“Why?“

“WhatdidyoureckonIwantedyoutogoatallfor,MissMary?“

“Well,Ineverthought——andcometothink,Idon”tknow。Whatwasit?“

“Why,it”sbecauseyouain”toneoftheseleatherfacepeople。Idon”twantnobetterbookthanwhatyourfaceis。Abodycansetdownandreaditofflikecoarseprint。Doyoureckonyoucangoandfaceyouruncleswhentheycometokissyougoodmorning,andnever”

“There,there,don”t!Yes,I”llgobeforebreakfast——I”llbegladto。Andleavemysisterswiththem?“

“Yes;nevermindaboutthem。They”vegottostandityetawhile。Theymightsuspicionsomethingifallofyouwastogo。Idon”twantyoutoseethem,noryoursisters,nornobodyinthistown;ifaneighborwastoaskhowisyourunclesthismorningyourfacewouldtellsomething。

No,yougorightalong,MissMaryJane,andI”llfixitwithallofthem。

I”lltellMissSusantogiveyourlovetoyourunclesandsayyou”vewentawayforafewhoursfortogetalittlerestandchange,ortoseeafriend,andyou”llbebackto-nightorearlyinthemorning。”

“Gonetoseeafriendisallright,butIwon”thavemylovegiventothem。”

“Well,then,itsha”n”tbe。”ItwaswellenoughtotellHERso——noharminit。Itwasonlyalittlethingtodo,andnotrouble;andit”sthelittlethingsthatsmoothspeople”sroadsthemost,downherebelow;

itwouldmakeMaryJanecomfortable,anditwouldn”tcostnothing。ThenIsays:“There”sonemorething——thatbagofmoney。”

“Well,they”vegotthat;anditmakesmefeelprettysillytothinkHOWtheygotit。”

“No,you”reout,there。Theyhain”tgotit。”

“Why,who”sgotit?“

“IwishIknowed,butIdon”t。IHADit,becauseIstoleitfromthem;

andIstoleittogivetoyou;andIknowwhereIhidit,butI”mafraiditain”ttherenomore。I”mawfulsorry,MissMaryJane,I”mjustassorryasIcanbe;butIdonethebestIcould;Ididhonest。Icomenighgettingcaught,andIhadtoshoveitintothefirstplaceIcometo,andrun——

anditwarn”tagoodplace。”

“Oh,stopblamingyourself——it”stoobadtodoit,andIwon”tallowit——youcouldn”thelpit;itwasn”tyourfault。Wheredidyouhideit?“

Ididn”twanttosethertothinkingabouthertroublesagain;andI

couldn”tseemtogetmymouthtotellherwhatwouldmakeherseethatcorpselayinginthecoffinwiththatbagofmoneyonhisstomach。SoforaminuteIdidn”tsaynothing;thenIsays:

“I”druthernotTELLyouwhereIputit,MissMaryJane,ifyoudon”tmindlettingmeoff;butI”llwriteitforyouonapieceofpaper,andyoucanreaditalongtheroadtoMr。Lothrop”s,ifyouwantto。Doyoureckonthat”lldo?“

“Oh,yes。”

SoIwrote:“Iputitinthecoffin。Itwasintherewhenyouwascryingthere,awayinthenight。Iwasbehindthedoor,andIwasmightysorryforyou,MissMaryJane。”

Itmademyeyeswateralittletorememberhercryingthereallbyherselfinthenight,andthemdevilslayingthererightunderherownroof,shamingherandrobbingher;andwhenIfoldeditupandgiveittoherIseethewatercomeintohereyes,too;andsheshookmebythehand,hard,andsays:

“GOOD-bye。I”mgoingtodoeverythingjustasyou”vetoldme;andifIdon”teverseeyouagain,Isha”n”teverforgetyou。andI”llthinkofyouamanyandamanyatime,andI”llPRAYforyou,too!“——andshewasgone。

Prayforme!Ireckonedifsheknowedmeshe”dtakeajobthatwasmorenearerhersize。ButIbetshedoneit,justthesame——shewasjustthatkind。ShehadthegrittoprayforJudusifshetookthenotion——therewarn”tnoback-downtoher,Ijudge。Youmaysaywhatyouwantto,butinmyopinionshehadmoresandinherthananygirlIeversee;inmyopinionshewasjustfullofsand。Itsoundslikeflattery,butitain”tnoflattery。Andwhenitcomestobeauty——andgoodness,too——shelaysoverthemall。Ihain”teverseenhersincethattimethatIseehergooutofthatdoor;no,Ihain”teverseenhersince,butIreckonI”vethoughtofheramanyandamanyamilliontimes,andofhersayingshewouldprayforme;andifeverI”dathoughtitwoulddoanygoodformetoprayforHER,blamedifIwouldn”tadoneitorbust。

Well,MaryJaneshelitoutthebackway,Ireckon;becausenobodyseehergo。WhenIstruckSusanandthehare-lip,Isays:

“What”sthenameofthempeopleoveront”othersideoftheriverthatyouallgoestoseesometimes?“

Theysays:

“There”sseveral;butit”stheProctors,mainly。”

“That”sthename,“Isays;“Imostforgotit。Well,MissMaryJaneshetoldmetotellyoushe”sgoneoverthereinadreadfulhurry——oneofthem”ssick。”

“Whichone?“

“Idon”tknow;leastways,Ikinderforget;butIthinksit”s”

“Sakesalive,Ihopeitain”tHANNER?“

“I”msorrytosayit,“Isays,“butHanner”stheveryone。”

“Mygoodness,andshesowellonlylastweek!Isshetookbad?“

“Itain”tnonameforit。Theysetupwithherallnight,MissMaryJanesaid,andtheydon”tthinkshe”lllastmanyhours。”

“Onlythinkofthat,now!What”sthematterwithher?“

Icouldn”tthinkofanythingreasonable,rightoffthatway,soIsays:

“Mumps。”

“Mumpsyourgranny!Theydon”tsetupwithpeoplethat”sgotthemumps。”

“Theydon”t,don”tthey?YoubetterbettheydowithTHESEmumps。Thesemumpsisdifferent。It”sanewkind,MissMaryJanesaid。”

“How”sitanewkind?“

“Becauseit”smixedupwithotherthings。”

“Whatotherthings?“

“Well,measles,andwhooping-cough,anderysiplas,andconsumption,andyallerjanders,andbrain-fever,andIdon”tknowwhatall。”

“Myland!AndtheycallittheMUMPS?“

“That”swhatMissMaryJanesaid。”

“Well,whatinthenationdotheycallittheMUMPSfor?“

“Why,becauseitISthemumps。That”swhatitstartswith。”

“Well,ther”ain”tnosenseinit。Abodymightstumphistoe,andtakepison,andfalldownthewell,andbreakhisneck,andbusthisbrainsout,andsomebodycomealongandaskwhatkilledhim,andsomenumskullupandsay,”Why,hestumpedhisTOE。”Wouldther”beanysenseinthat?

NO。Andther”ain”tnosenseinTHIS,nuther。Isitketching?“

“IsitKETCHING?Why,howyoutalk。IsaHARROWcatching——inthedark?

Ifyoudon”thitchontoonetooth,you”reboundtoonanother,ain”tyou?

Andyoucan”tgetawaywiththattoothwithoutfetchingthewholeharrowalong,canyou?Well,thesekindofmumpsisakindofaharrow,asyoumaysay——anditain”tnoslouchofaharrow,nuther,youcometogetithitchedongood。”

“Well,it”sawful,Ithink,“saysthehare-lip。“I”llgotoUncleHarveyand”

“Oh,yes,“Isays,“IWOULD。OfCOURSEIwould。Iwouldn”tlosenotime。”

“Well,whywouldn”tyou?“

“Justlookatitaminute,andmaybeyoucansee。Hain”tyourunclesobleegdtogetalonghometoEnglandasfastastheycan?Anddoyoureckonthey”dbemeanenoughtogooffandleaveyoutogoallthatjourneybyyourselves?YOUknowthey”llwaitforyou。Sofur,sogood。YouruncleHarvey”sapreacher,ain”the?Verywell,then;isaPREACHERgoingtodeceiveasteamboatclerk?ishegoingtodeceiveaSHIPCLERK?——soastogetthemtoletMissMaryJanegoaboard?NowYOUknowheain”t。WhatWILLhedo,then?Why,he”llsay,”It”sagreatpity,butmychurchmattershasgottogetalongthebestwaytheycan;formyniecehasbeenexposedtothedreadfulpluribus-unummumps,andsoit”smyboundendutytosetdownhereandwaitthethreemonthsittakestoshowonherifshe”sgotit。”Butnevermind,ifyouthinkit”sbesttotellyouruncleHarvey”

“Shucks,andstayfoolingaroundherewhenwecouldallbehavinggoodtimesinEnglandwhilstwewaswaitingtofindoutwhetherMaryJane”sgotitornot?Why,youtalklikeamuggins。”

“Well,anyway,maybeyou”dbettertellsomeoftheneighbors。”

“Listenatthat,now。Youdobeatallfornaturalstupidness。Can”tyouSEEthatTHEY”Dgoandtell?Ther”ain”tnowaybutjusttonottellanybodyatALL。”

“Well,maybeyou”reright——yes,IjudgeyouAREright。”

“ButIreckonweoughttotellUncleHarveyshe”sgoneoutawhile,anyway,sohewon”tbeuneasyabouther?“

“Yes,MissMaryJaneshewantedyoutodothat。Shesays,”TellthemtogiveUncleHarveyandWilliammyloveandakiss,andsayI”verunovertherivertoseeMr。”——Mr——whatISthenameofthatrichfamilyyourunclePeterusedtothinksomuchof?——Imeantheonethat”

“Why,youmustmeantheApthorps,ain”tit?“

“Ofcourse;botherthemkindofnames,abodycan”teverseemtorememberthem,halfthetime,somehow。Yes,shesaid,sayshehasrunoverfortoasktheApthorpstobesureandcometotheauctionandbuythishouse,becausesheallowedherunclePeterwouldruthertheyhaditthananybodyelse;andshe”sgoingtosticktothemtilltheysaythey”llcome,andthen,ifsheain”ttootired,she”scominghome;andifsheis,she”llbehomeinthemorninganyway。Shesaid,don”tsaynothingabouttheProctors,butonlyabouttheApthorps——which”llbeperfectlytrue,becausesheisgoingtheretospeakabouttheirbuyingthehouse;Iknowit,becauseshetoldmesoherself。”

“Allright,“theysaid,andclearedouttolayfortheiruncles,andgivethemtheloveandthekisses,andtellthemthemessage。

Everythingwasallrightnow。Thegirlswouldn”tsaynothingbecausetheywantedtogotoEngland;andthekingandthedukewouldrutherMaryJanewasoffworkingfortheauctionthanaroundinreachofDoctorRobinson。

Ifeltverygood;IjudgedIhaddoneitprettyneat——IreckonedTomSawyercouldn”tadoneitnoneaterhimself。Ofcoursehewouldathrowedmorestyleintoit,butIcan”tdothatveryhandy,notbeingbrunguptoit。

Well,theyheldtheauctioninthepublicsquare,alongtowardstheendoftheafternoon,anditstrungalong,andstrungalong,andtheoldmanhewasonhandandlookinghislevelpisonest,uptherelongsideoftheauctioneer,andchippinginalittleScripturenowandthen,oralittlegoody-goodysayingofsomekind,andthedukehewasaroundgoo-gooingforsympathyallheknowedhow,andjustspreadinghimselfgenerly。

Butbyandbythethingdraggedthrough,andeverythingwassold——

everythingbutalittleoldtriflinglotinthegraveyard。Sothey”dgottoworkthatoff——IneverseesuchagirafftasthekingwasforwantingtoswallowEVERYTHING。Well,whilsttheywasatitasteamboatlanded,andinabouttwominutesupcomesacrowda-whoopingandyellingandlaughingandcarryingon,andsingingout:

“HERE”Syouroppositionline!here”syourtwosetso”heirstooldPeterWilks——andyoupaysyourmoneyandyoutakesyourchoice!“

TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter29Chapter29THEYwasfetchingaverynice-lookingoldgentlemanalong,andanice-lookingyoungerone,withhisrightarminasling。And,mysouls,howthepeopleyelledandlaughed,andkeptitup。ButIdidn”tseenojokeaboutit,andIjudgeditwouldstrainthedukeandthekingsometoseeany。Ireckonedthey”dturnpale。Butno,naryapaledidTHEYturn。Thedukeheneverletonhesuspicionedwhatwasup,butjustwentagoo-gooingaround,happyandsatisfied,likeajugthat”sgooglingoutbuttermilk;andasfortheking,hejustgazedandgazeddownsorrowfulonthemnew-comerslikeitgivehimthestomach-acheinhisveryhearttothinktherecouldbesuchfraudsandrascalsintheworld。Oh,hedoneitadmirable。Lotsoftheprincipalpeoplegetheredaroundtheking,tolethimseetheywasonhisside。Thatoldgentlemanthathadjustcomelookedallpuzzledtodeath。

Prettysoonhebeguntospeak,andIseestraightoffhepronouncedLIKE

anEnglishman——nottheking”sway,thoughtheking”sWASprettygoodforanimitation。Ican”tgivetheoldgent”swords,norIcan”timitatehim;butheturnedaroundtothecrowd,andsays,aboutlikethis:

“ThisisasurprisetomewhichIwasn”tlookingfor;andI”llacknowledge,candidandfrank,Iain”tverywellfixedtomeetitandanswerit;formybrotherandmehashadmisfortunes;he”sbrokehisarm,andourbaggagegotputoffatatownaboveherelastnightinthenightbyamistake。

IamPeterWilks”brotherHarvey,andthisishisbrotherWilliam,whichcan”thearnorspeak——andcan”tevenmakesignstoamounttomuch,now”the”sonlygotonehandtoworkthemwith。Wearewhowesayweare;andinadayortwo,whenIgetthebaggage,Icanproveit。ButuptillthenIwon”tsaynothingmore,butgotothehotelandwait。”

Sohimandthenewdummystartedoff;andthekinghelaughs,andblethersout:

“Brokehisarm——VERYlikely,AIN”Tit?——andveryconvenient,too,forafraudthat”sgottomakesigns,andain”tlearnthow。Losttheirbaggage!That”sMIGHTYgood!——andmightyingenious——undertheCIRCUMSTANCES!

Sohelaughedagain;andsodideverybodyelse,exceptthreeorfour,ormaybehalfadozen。Oneofthesewasthatdoctor;anotheronewasasharplookinggentleman,withacarpet-bagoftheoldfashionedkindmadeoutofcarpet-stuff,thathadjustcomeoffofthesteamboatandwastalkingtohiminalowvoice,andglancingtowardsthekingnowandthenandnoddingtheirheads——itwasLeviBell,thelawyerthatwasgoneuptoLouisville;

andanotheronewasabigroughhuskythatcomealongandlistenedtoalltheoldgentlemansaid,andwaslisteningtothekingnow。Andwhenthekinggotdonethishuskyupandsays:

“Say,lookyhere;ifyouareHarveyWilks,when”dyoucometothistown?“

“Thedaybeforethefuneral,friend,“saystheking。

“Butwhattimeo”day?“

“Intheevenin”——”boutanhourertwobeforesundown。”

“HOW”Dyoucome?“

“IcomedownontheSusanPowellfromCincinnati。”

“Well,then,how”dyoucometobeupatthePintintheMORNIN”——inacanoe?“

“Iwarn”tupatthePintinthemornin”。”

“It”salie。”

Severalofthemjumpedforhimandbeggedhimnottotalkthatwaytoanoldmanandapreacher。

“Preacherbehanged,he”safraudandaliar。HewasupatthePintthatmornin”。Iliveupthere,don”tI?Well,Iwasupthere,andhewasupthere。Iseehimthere。Hecomeinacanoe,alongwithTimCollinsandaboy。”

Thedoctorheupandsays:

“Wouldyouknowtheboyagainifyouwastoseehim,Hines?“

“IreckonIwould,butIdon”tknow。Why,yonderheis,now。Iknowhimperfectlyeasy。”

Itwasmehepointedat。Thedoctorsays:

“Neighbors,Idon”tknowwhetherthenewcoupleisfraudsornot;butifTHESEtwoain”tfrauds,Iamanidiot,that”sall。Ithinkit”sourdutytoseethattheydon”tgetawayfromheretillwe”velookedintothisthing。Comealong,Hines;comealong,therestofyou。We”lltakethesefellowstothetavernandaffrontthemwitht”othercouple,andIreckonwe”llfindoutSOMETHINGbeforewegetthrough。”

Itwasnutsforthecrowd,thoughmaybenotfortheking”sfriends;

soweallstarted。Itwasaboutsundown。Thedoctorheledmealongbythehand,andwasplentykindenough,butheneverletgomyhand。

Weallgotinabigroominthehotel,andlitupsomecandles,andfetchedinthenewcouple。First,thedoctorsays:

“Idon”twishtobetoohardonthesetwomen,butIthinkthey”refrauds,andtheymayhavecomplicesthatwedon”tknownothingabout。Iftheyhave,won”tthecomplicesgetawaywiththatbagofgoldPeterWilksleft?Itain”tunlikely。Ifthesemenain”tfrauds,theywon”tobjecttosendingforthatmoneyandlettinguskeepittilltheyprovethey”reallright——ain”tthatso?“

Everybodyagreedtothat。SoIjudgedtheyhadourganginaprettytightplacerightattheoutstart。Butthekingheonlylookedsorrowful,andsays:

“Gentlemen,Iwishthemoneywasthere,forIain”tgotnodispositiontothrowanythinginthewayofafair,open,out-and-outinvestigationo”thismisablebusiness;but,alas,themoneyain”tthere;youk”nsendandsee,ifyouwantto。”

“Whereisit,then?“

“Well,whenmyniecegiveittometokeepforherItookandhiditinsideo”thestrawticko”mybed,notwishin”tobankitforthefewdayswe”dbehere,andconsiderin”thebedasafeplace,wenotbein”usedtoniggers,andsuppos”n””emhonest,likeservantsinEngland。Theniggersstoleittheverynextmornin”afterIhadwentdownstairs;andwhenI

sold”emIhadn”tmissedthemoneyyit,sotheygotcleanawaywithit。

Myservantherek”ntellyou”boutit,gentlemen。”

Thedoctorandseveralsaid“Shucks!“andIseenobodydidn”taltogetherbelievehim。OnemanaskedmeifIseetheniggersstealit。Isaidno,butIseethemsneakingoutoftheroomandhustlingaway,andIneverthoughtnothing,onlyIreckonedtheywasafraidtheyhadwakedupmymasterandwastryingtogetawaybeforehemadetroublewiththem。Thatwasalltheyaskedme。Thenthedoctorwhirlsonmeandsays:

“AreYOUEnglish,too?“

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