david elginbrod-第61章

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glass　of　ale；　and　was　astonished　to　find　how　much　he　enjoyed　them。
In　fact；　abstinence　gave　his　very　plain　dinner　more　than　all　the
charms　of　a　feasta　fact　of　which　Hugh　has　not　been　the　only
discoverer。　　He　studied　Punch　all　the　time　he　ate；　and　rose　with　his
spirits　perfectly　restored。

〃Now　I　am　in　for　it；〃　said　he；　〃I　will　be　extravagant　for　once。〃　　So
he　went　and　bought　a　cigar；　which　he　spun　out　into　three　miles　of
smoke；　as　he　wandered　through　Shoreditch；　and　Houndsditch；　and
Petticoat…lane；　gazing　at　the　faces　of　his　brothers　and　sisters；
which　faces　having　been　so　many　years　wrapt　in　a　fog　both　moral　and
physical；　now　looked　out　of　it　as　if　they　were　only　the　condensed
nuclei　of　the　same　fog　and　filth。

As　he　was　returning　through　Whitechapel；　he　passed　a　man　on　the
pavement；　whose　appearance　was　so　remarkable　that　he　could　not　help
looking　back　after　him。　　When　he　reflected　about　it；　he　thought　that
it　must　have　been　a　certain　indescribable　resemblance　to　David
Elginbrod　that　had　so　attracted　him。　　The　man　was　very　tall。
Six…foot。　　Hugh　felt　dwarfed　beside　him；　for　he　had　to　look　right
up；　as　he　passed；　to　see　his　face。　　He　was　dressed　in　loose；　shabby
black。　　He　had　high　and　otherwise　very　marked　features；　and　a　dark
complexion。　　A　general　carelessness　of　demeanour　was　strangely
combined　with　an　expression　of　reposeful　strength　and　quiet
concentration　of　will。　　At　how　much　of　this　conclusion　Hugh　arrived
after　knowing　more　of　him；　I　cannot　tell；　but　such　was　the
description　he　gave　of　him　as　he　saw　him　first：　and　it　was
thoroughly　correct。　　His　countenance　always　seemed　to　me　（for　I　knew
him　well）　to　represent　a　nature　ever　bent　in　one　direction；　but
never　in　haste；　because　never　in　doubt。

To　carry　his　extravagance　and　dissipation　still　further；　Hugh　now
betook　himself　to　the　pit　of　the　Olympic　Theatre；　and　no　one　could
have　laughed　more　heartily；　or　cried　more　helplessly；　that　night；
than　he；　for　he　gave　himself　wholly　up　to　the　influences　of　the
ruler　of　the　hour；　the　admirable　Robson。　　But　what　was　his　surprise
when；　standing　up　at　the　close　of　the　first　act；　and　looking　around
and　above　him；　he　saw；　unmistakeably；　the　same　remarkable
countenance　looking　down　upon　him　from　the　front　row　of　the　gallery。
He　continued　his　circuit　of　observation；　trying　to　discover　the
face　of　Funkelstein　in　the　boxes　or　circles；　but　involuntarily　he
turned　his　gaze　back　to　the　strange　countenance；　which　still　seemed
bent　towards　his。　　The　curtain　rose；　and　during　the　second　act　he
forgot　all　about　everything　else。　　At　its　close　he　glanced　up　to　the
gallery　again；　and　there　was　the　face　still；　and　still　looking　at
him。　　At　the　close　of　the　third　act　it　had　vanished；　and　he　saw
nothing　more　of　it　that　evening。　　When　the　after…piece　was　over；　for
he　sat　it　out；　he　walked　quietly　home；　much　refreshed。　　He　had
needed　some　relaxation；　after　many　days　of　close　and　continuous
labour。

But　awfully　solemn　was　the　face　of　good　Miss　Talbot；　as　she　opened
the　door　for　him　at　midnight。　　Hugh　took　especial　pains　with　his
boots　and　the　door…mat；　but　it　was　of　no　use：　the　austerity　of　her
countenance　would　not　relax　in　the　least。　　So　he　took　his　candle　and
walked　up…stairs　to　his　room；　saying　only　as　he　wentbeing　unable
to　think　of　anything　else：

〃Good　night；　Miss　Talbot。〃

But　no　response　proceeded　from　the　offended　divinity　of　the　place。

He　went　to　bed；　somewhat　distressed　at　the　behaviour　of　Miss　Talbot；
for　he　had　a　weakness　for　being　on　good　terms　with　everybody。　　But
he　resolved　to　have　it　out　with　her　next　morning；　and　so　fell　asleep
and　dreamed　of　the　strange　man　who　had　watched　him　at　the　theatre。

He　rose　next　morning　at　the　usual　time。　　But　his　breakfast　was
delayed　half　an　hour；　and　when　it　came；　the　maid　waited　upon　him；
and　not　her　mistress；　as　usual。　　When　he　had　finished；　and　she
returned　to　take　away　the　ruins；　he　asked　her　to　say　to　her　mistress
that　he　wanted　to　speak　to　her。　　She　brought　back　a　message；　which
she　delivered　with　some　difficulty；　and　evidently　under
compulsionthat　if　Mr。　Sutherland　wanted　to　speak　to　her；　he　would
find　her　in　the　back　parlour。　　Hugh　went　down　instantly；　and　found
Miss　Talbot　in　a　doubly　frozen　condition；　her　face　absolutely　blue
with　physical　and　mental　cold　combined。　　She　waited　for　him　to
speak。　　Hugh　began：

〃Miss　Talbot；　it　seems　something　is　wrong　between　you　and　me。〃

〃Yes；　Mr。　Sutherland。〃

〃Is　it　because　I　was　rather　late　last　night。〃

〃Rather　late；　Mr。　Sutherland？〃

Miss　Talbot　showed　no　excitement。　　With　her；　the　thermometer；　in
place　of　rising　under　the　influence　of　irritation；　steadily　sank。

〃I　cannot　make　myself　a　prisoner　on　parole；　you　know；　Miss　Talbot。
You　must　leave　me　my　liberty。〃

〃Oh；　yes；　Mr。　Sutherland。　　Take　your　liberty。　　You'll　go　the　way　of
all　the　rest。　　It's　no　use　trying　to　save　any　of　you。〃

〃But　I'm　not　aware　that　I　am　in　any　particular　want　of　saving；　Miss
Talbot。〃

〃There　it　is！Well；　till　a　sinner　is　called　and　awakened；　of　course
it's　no　use。　　So　I'll　just　do　the　best　I　can　for　you。　　Who　can　tell
when　the　Spirit　may　be　poured　from　on　high？　　But　it's　very　sad　to
me；　Mr。　Sutherland；　to　see　an　amiable　young　man　like　you　going　the
way　of　transgressors；　which　is　hard。　　I　am　sorry　for　you；　Mr。
Sutherland。〃

Though　the　ice　was　not　gone　yet；　it　had　begun　to　melt　under　the
influences　of　Hugh's　good…temper；　and　Miss　Talbot's　sympathy　with
his　threatening　fate。　　Conscience；　too；　had　something　to　do　with　the
change；　for；　much　as　one　of　her　temperament　must　have　disliked
making　such　a　confession；　she　ended　by　adding；　after　a　pause：

〃And　very　sorry；　Mr。　Sutherland；　that　I　showed　you　any　bad　temper
last　night。〃

Poor　Miss　Talbot！　　Hugh　saw　that　she　was　genuinely　troubled　about
him；　and　resolved　to　offend　but　seldom；　while　he　was　under　her　roof。

〃Perhaps；　when　you　know　me　longer；　you　will　find　I　am　steadier　than
you　think。〃

〃Well；　it　may　be。　　But　steadiness　won't　make　a　Christian　of　you。〃

〃It　may　make　a　tolerable　lodger　of　me；　though；〃　answered　Hugh；　〃and
you　wouldn't　turn　me　into　the　street　because　I　am　steady　and　nothing
more；　would　you？〃

〃I　said　I　was　sorry；　Mr。　Sutherland。　　Do　you　wish　me　to　say　more？〃

〃Bless　your　kind　heart！〃　said　Hugh。　〃I　was　only　joking。〃

He　held　out　his　hand　to　Miss　Talbot；　and　her　eyes　glistened　as　she
took　it。　　She　pressed　it　kindly；　and　abandoned　it　instantly。

So　all　was　right　between　them　once　more。

〃Who　knows；〃　murmured　Miss　Talbot；　〃but　the　Lord　may　save　him？　　He's
surely　not　far　from　the　kingdom　of　heaven。　　I'll　do　all　I　can　to
make　him　comfortable。〃




CHAPTER　VI。

A　SUNDAY'S　DINNER。

Some　books　are　lies　frae　end　to　end；
And　some　great　lies　were　never　penned：
Even　ministers；　they　hae　been　kenned；
　　　　　In　holy　rapture；
Great　lies　and　nonsense　baith　to　vend；
　　　　　And　nail't　wi'　Scripture。

BURNS。


To　the　great　discomposure　of　Hugh；　Sunday　was　inevitable；　and　he　had
to　set　out　for　Salem　Chapel。　　He　found　it　a　neat　little　Noah's　Ark
of　a　place；　built　in　the　shape　of　a　cathedral；　and　consequently
sharing　in　the　general　disadvantages　to　which　dwarfs　of　all　kinds
are　subjected；　absurdity　included。　　He　was　shown　to　Mr。　Appleditch's
pew。　　That　worthy　man　received　him　in　sleek　black　clothes；　with
white　neck…cloth；　and　Sunday　face　composed　of　an　absurd　mixture　of
stupidity　and　sanctity。　　He　stood　up；　and　Mrs。　Appleditch　stood　up；
and　Master　Appleditch　stood　up；　and　Hugh　saw　that　the　ceremony　of
the　place　required　that　he　should　force　his　way　between　the　front　of
the　pew　and　the　person　of　each　of　the　human　beings　occupying　it；
till　he　reached　the　top；　where　there　was　room　for　him　to　sit　down。
No　other　recognition　was　taken　till　after　service。

Meantime　the　minister　ascended　the　pulpit　stair；　with　all　the
solemnity　of　one　of　the　self…elect；　and　a　priest　besides。　　He　was
just　old　enough　for　the　intermittent　attacks　of　self…importance　to
which　all　youth　is　exposed；　to　have　in　his　case　become　chronic。　　He
stood　up　and　worshipped　his　creator　aloud；　after　a　manner　which
seemed　to　say　in　every　tone：　〃Behold　I　am　he　that　worshippeth　Thee！
How　mighty　art　Thou！〃　　Then　he　read　the　Bible　in　a　quarrelsome　sort
of　way；　as　if　he　were　a　bantam；　and　every　verse　were　a　crow　of
defiance　to　the　sinner。　　Then　they　sang　a　hymn　in　a　fashion　which
brought　dear　old　Scotland　to　Hugh's　mind；　which　has　the　sweetest
songs　in　its　cottages；　and　the　worst　singing　in　its　churches；　of　any
country　in　the　world。　　But　it　was　almost　equalled　here；　the　chief
cause　of　its　badness　being　the　absence　of　a　modest　self…restraint；
and　consequent　tempering　of　the　tones；　on　the　part　of　the　singers；
so　that　the　result　was　what　Hugh　could　describe　only　as　scraichin。1

I　was　once　present　at　the　worship　of　some　being　who　is　supposed　by
negroes　to　love　drums　and　cymbals；　and　all　clangorous　noises。　　The
resemblance；　according　to　Hugh's　description；　could　not　have　been　a
very　distant　one。　　And　yet　I　doubt　not　that　some　thoughts　of
worshipping　love　mingled　with　the　noise；　and　perhaps　the　harmony　of
these　with　the　spheric　melodies；　sounded　the　sweeter　to　the　angels；
from　the　earthly　discord　in　which　they　were　lapped。

Then　came　the　sermon。　　The　text　was　the　story　of　the　good　Samaritan。
Some　idea；　if　not　of　the　sermon；　yet　of　the　value　of　it；　may　be
formed　from　the　fact；　that　the　first　thing　to　be　considered；　or；　in
other　words；　the　first　head　was；　〃The　culpable　imprudence　of　the　man
in　going　from　Jerusalem　to　Jericho　without　an　escort。〃

It　was　in　truth　a　strange；　grotesque；　and　somewhat　awful　medleynot
unlike　a　dance　of　death；　in　which　the　painter　has　given　here　a
lovely　face；　and　there　a　beautiful　arm　or　an　exquisite　foot；　to　the
wild…prancing　and　exultant　skeletons。　　But　the　parts　of　the　sermon
corresponding　to　the　beautiful　face　or　arm　or　foot；　were　but　the
fragments　of　Scripture；　shining　like　gold　amidst　the　worthless　ore
of　the　man's　own　productionworthless；　save　as　gravel　or　chaff　or
husks　have　worth；　in　a　world　where　dilution；　and　not　always
concentration；　is　necessary　for　healthfulness。

But　there　are　Indians　who　eat　clay；　and　thrive　on　it　more　or　less；　I
suppose。　　The　power　of　assimilation　which　a　growing　nature　must
possess　is　astonishing。　　It　will　find　its　food；　its　real　Sunday
dinner；　in　the　midst　of　a　whole　cartload　of　refuse；　and　it　will　do
the　whole　week's　work　on　it。　　On　no　other　supposition　would　it　be
possible　to　account　for　the　earnest　face　of　Miss　Talbot；　which　Hugh
espied　turned　up　to　the　preacher；　as　if　his　face　were　the　very　star
in　the　east；　shining　to　guide　the　chosen　kings。　　It　was　well　for
Hugh's　power　of　endurance；　that　he　had　heard　much　the　same　thing　in
Scotland；　and　the　same　thing　better　dressed；　and　less　grotesque；　but
more　lifeless；　and　at　heart　as　ill…mannered；　in　the　church　of
Arnstead。

Just　before　concluding　the　service；　the　pastor　made　an　announcement
in　the　following　terms：　〃After　the　close　of　the　present　service；　I
shall　be　found　in　the　adjoining　vestry　by　all　persons　desirous　of
communicating　with　me　on　the　state　of　their　souls；　or　of　being
admitted　to　the　privileges　of　church…fellowship。　　Brethren；　we　have
this　treasure　in　earthen　vessels；　and　so　long　a