the diary of a nobody-第16章

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ght。〃

I　don't　think　I　ever　felt　more　humiliated　in　my　life；　and　I　determined　to　keep　this　misfortune　from　Carrie；　　for　it　would　entirely　destroy　the　pleasant　evening　she　was　enjoying。　　I　felt　there　was　no　more　enjoyment　for　me　that　evening；　and　it　being　late；　I　sought　Carrie　and　Mrs。　Lupkin。　　Carrie　said　she　was　quite　ready　to　go；　and　Mrs。　Lupkin；　as　we　were　wishing　her　〃Good…night；〃　asked　Carrie　and　myself　if　we　ever　paid　a　visit　to　Southend？　　On　my　replying　that　I　hadn't　been　there　for　many　years；　she　very　kindly　said：　　〃Well；　why　don't　you　come　down　and　stay　at　our　place？〃　　As　her　invitation　was　so　pressing；　and　observing　that　Carrie　wished　to　go；　we　promised　we　would　visit　her　the　next　Saturday　week；　and　stay　till　Monday。　　Mrs。　Lupkin　said　she　would　write　to　us　to…morrow；　giving　us　the　address　and　particulars　of　trains；　etc。

When　we　got　outside　the　Drill　Hall　it　was　raining　so　hard　that　the　roads　resembled　canals；　and　I　need　hardly　say　we　had　great　difficulty　in　getting　a　cabman　to　take　us　to　Holloway。　　After　waiting　a　bit；　a　man　said　he　would　drive　us；　anyhow；　as　far　as　〃The　Angel；〃　at　Islington；　and　we　could　easily　get　another　cab　from　there。　　It　was　a　tedious　journey；　the　rain　was　beating　against　the　windows　and　trickling　down　the　inside　of　the　cab。

When　we　arrived　at　〃The　Angel〃　the　horse　seemed　tired　out。　　Carrie　got　out　and　ran　into　a　doorway；　and　when　I　came　to　pay；　to　my　absolute　horror　I　remembered　I　had　no　money；　nor　had　Carrie。　　I　explained　to　the　cabman　how　we　were　situated。　　Never　in　my　life　have　I　ever　been　so　insulted；　the　cabman；　who　was　a　rough　bully　and　to　my　thinking　not　sober；　called　me　every　name　he　could　lay　his　tongue　to；　and　positively　seized　me　by　the　beard；　which　he　pulled　till　the　tears　came　into　my　eyes。　　I　took　the　number　of　a　policeman　（who　witnessed　the　assault）　for　not　taking　the　man　in　charge。　　The　policeman　said　he　couldn't　interfere；　that　he　had　seen　no　assault；　and　that　people　should　not　ride　in　cabs　without　money。

We　had　to　walk　home　in　the　pouring　rain；　nearly　two　miles；　and　when　I　got　in　I　put　down　the　conversation　I　had　with　the　cabman；　word　for　word；　as　I　intend　writing　to　the　TELEGRAPH　for　the　purpose　of　proposing　that　cabs　should　be　driven　only　by　men　under　Government　control；　to　prevent　civilians　being　subjected　to　the　disgraceful　insult　and　outrage　that　I　had　had　to　endure。

April　17。　…　No　water　in　our　cistern　again。　　Sent　for　Putley；　who　said　he　would　soon　remedy　that；　the　cistern　being　zinc。

April　18。　…　Water　all　right　again　in　the　cistern。　　Mrs。　James；　of　Sutton；　called　in　the　afternoon。　　She　and　Carrie　draped　the　mantelpiece　in　the　drawing…room；　and　put　little　toy　spiders；　frogs　and　beetles　all　over　it；　as　Mrs。　James　says　it's　quite　the　fashion。　It　was　Mrs。　James'　suggestion；　and　of　course　Carrie　always　does　what　Mrs。　James　suggests。　　For　my　part；　I　preferred　the　mantelpiece　as　it　was；　but　there；　I'm　a　plain　man；　and　don't　pretend　to　be　in　the　fashion。

April　19。　…　Our　next…door　neighbour；　Mr。　Griffin；　called；　and　in　a　rather　offensive　tone　accused　me；　or　〃someone；〃　of　boring　a　hole　in　his　cistern　and　letting　out　his　water　to　supply　our　cistern；　which　adjoined　his。　　He　said　he　should　have　his　repaired；　and　send　us　in　the　bill。

April　20。　…　Cummings　called；　hobbling　in　with　a　stick；　saying　he　had　been　on　his　back　for　a　week。　　It　appears　he　was　trying　to　shut　his　bedroom　door；　which　is　situated　just　at　the　top　of　the　staircase；　and　unknown　to　him　a　piece　of　cork　the　dog　had　been　playing　with　had　got　between　the　door；　and　prevented　it　shutting；　and　in　pulling　the　door　hard；　to　give　it　an　extra　slam；　the　handle　came　off　in　his　hands；　and　he　fell　backwards　downstairs。

On　hearing　this；　Lupin　suddenly　jumped　up　from　the　couch　and　rushed　out　of　the　room　sideways。　　Cummings　looked　very　indignant；　and　remarked　it　was　very　poor　fun　a　man　nearly　breaking　his　back；　and　though　I　had　my　suspicions　that　Lupin　was　laughing；　I　assured　Cummings　that　he　had　only　run　out　to　open　the　door　to　a　friend　he　expected。　　Cummings　said　this　was　the　second　time　he　had　been　laid　up；　and　we　had　never　sent　to　inquire。　　I　said　I　knew　nothing　about　it。　　Cummings　said：　　〃It　was　mentioned　in　the　BICYCLE　NEWS。〃

April　22。　…　I　have　of　late　frequently　noticed　Carrie　rubbing　her　nails　a　good　deal　with　an　instrument；　and　on　asking　her　what　she　was　doing；　she　replied：　　〃Oh；　I'm　going　in　for　manicuring。　　It's　all　the　fashion　now。〃　　I　said：　　〃I　suppose　Mrs。　James　introduced　that　into　your　head。〃　　Carrie　laughingly　replied：　　〃Yes；　but　everyone　does　it　now。〃

I　wish　Mrs。　James　wouldn't　come　to　the　house。　　Whenever　she　does　she　always　introduces　some　new…fandangled　rubbish　into　Carrie's　head。　　One　of　these　days　I　feel　sure　I　shall　tell　her　she's　not　welcome。　　I　am　sure　it　was　Mrs。　James　who　put　Carrie　up　to　writing　on　dark　slate…coloured　paper　with　white　ink。　　Nonsense！

April　23。　…　Received　a　letter　from　Mrs。　Lupkin；　of　Southend；　telling　us　the　train　to　come　by　on　Saturday；　and　hoping　we　will　keep　our　promise　to　stay　with　her。　　The　letter　concluded：　　〃You　must　come　and　stay　at　our　house；　we　shall　charge　you　half　what　you　will　have　to　pay　at　the　Royal；　and　the　view　is　every　bit　as　good。〃　Looking　at　the　address　at　the　top　of　the　note…paper；　I　found　it　was　〃Lupkin's　Family　and　Commercial　Hotel。〃

I　wrote　a　note；　saying　we　were　compelled　to　〃decline　her　kind　invitation。〃　　Carrie　thought　this　very　satirical；　and　to　the　point。

By…the…by；　I　will　never　choose　another　cloth　pattern　at　night。　　I　ordered　a　new　suit　of　dittos　for　the　garden　at　Edwards'；　and　chose　the　pattern　by　gaslight；　and　they　seemed　to　be　a　quiet　pepper…and…　salt　mixture　with　white　stripes　down。　　They　came　home　this　morning；　and；　to　my　horror；　I　found　it　was　quite　a　flash…looking　suit。　There　was　a　lot　of　green　with　bright　yellow…coloured　stripes。

I　tried　on　the　coat；　and　was　annoyed　to　find　Carrie　giggling。　　She　said：　　〃What　mixture　did　you　say　you　asked　for？〃

I　said：　　〃A　quiet　pepper　and　salt。〃

Carrie　said：　　〃Well；　it　looks　more　like　mustard；　if　you　want　to　know　the　truth。〃



CHAPTER　XIX。



Meet　Teddy　Finsworth；　an　old　schoolfellow。　　We　have　a　pleasant　and　quiet　dinner　at　his　uncle's；　marred　only　by　a　few　awkward　mistakes　on　my　part　respecting　Mr。　Finsworth's　pictures。　　A　discussion　on　dreams。


April　27。　…　Kept　a　little　later　than　usual　at　the　office；　and　as　I　was　hurrying　along　a　man　stopped　me；　saying：　　〃Hulloh！　　That's　a　face　I　know。〃　　I　replied　politely：　　〃Very　likely；　lots　of　people　know　me；　although　I　may　not　know　them。〃　　He　replied：　　〃But　you　know　me　…　Teddy　Finsworth。〃　　So　it　was。　　He　was　at　the　same　school　with　me。　　I　had　not　seen　him　for　years　and　years。　　No　wonder　I　did　not　know　him！　　At　school　he　was　at　least　a　head　taller　than　I　was；　now　I　am　at　least　a　head　taller　than　he　is；　and　he　has　a　thick　beard；　almost　grey。　　He　insisted　on　my　having　a　glass　of　wine　（a　thing　I　never　do）；　and　told　me　he　lived　at　Middlesboro'；　where　he　was　Deputy　Town　Clerk；　a　position　which　was　as　high　as　the　Town　Clerk　of　London　…　in　fact；　higher。　　He　added　that　he　was　staying　for　a　few　days　in　London；　with　his　uncle；　Mr。　Edgar　Paul　Finsworth　（of　Finsworth　and　Pultwell）。　　He　said　he　was　sure　his　uncle　would　be　only　too　pleased　to　see　me；　and　he　had　a　nice　house；　Watney　Lodge；　only　a　few　minutes'　walk　from　Muswell　Hill　Station。　　I　gave　him　our　address；　and　we　parted。

In　the　evening；　to　my　surprise；　he　called　with　a　very　nice　letter　from　Mr。　Finsworth；　saying　if　we　（including　Carrie）　would　dine　with　them　to…morrow　（Sunday）；　at　two　o'clock；　he　would　be　delighted。　Carrie　did　not　like　to　go；　but　Teddy　Finsworth　pressed　us　so　much　we　consented。　　Carrie　sent　Sarah　round　to　the　butcher's　and　countermanded　our　half…leg　of　mutton；　which　we　had　ordered　for　to…　morrow。

April　28；　Sunday。　…　We　found　Watney　Lodge　farther　off　than　we　anticipated；　and　only　arrived　as　the　clock　struck　two；　both　feeling　hot　and　uncomfortable。　　To　make　matters　worse；　a　large　collie　dog　pounced　forward　to　receive　us。　　He　barked　loudly　and　jumped　up　at　Carrie；　covering　her　light　skirt；　which　she　was　wearing　for　the　first　time；　with　mud。　　Teddy　Finsworth　came　out　and　drove　the　dog　off　and　apologised。　　We　were　shown　into　the　drawing…room；　which　was　beautifully　decorated。　　It　was　full　of　knick…knacks；　and　some　plates　hung　up　on　the　wall。　　There　were　several　little　wooden　milk…　stools　with　paintings　on　them；　also　a　white　wooden　banjo；　painted　by　one　of　Mr。　Paul　Finsworth's　nieces　…　a　cousin　of　Teddy's。

Mr。　Paul　Finsworth　seemed　quite　a　distinguished…looking　elderly　gentleman；　and　was　most　gallant　to　Carrie。　　There　were　a　great　many　water…colours　hanging　on　the　walls；　mostly　different　views　of　India；　which　were　very　bright。　　Mr。　Finsworth　said　they　were　painted　by　〃Simpz；〃　and　added　that　he　was　no　judge　of　pictures　himself　but　had　been　informed　on　good　authority　that　they　were　worth　some　hundreds　of　pounds；　although　he　had　only　paid　a　few　shillings　apiece　for　them；　frames　included；　at　a　sale　in　the　neighbourhood。

There　was　also　a　large　picture　in　a　very　handsome　frame；　done　in　coloured　crayons。　　It　looked　like　a　religious　subject。　　I　was　very　much　struck　with　the　lace　collar；　it　looked　so　real；　but　I　unfortunately　made　the　remark　that　there　was　something　about　the　expression　of　the　face　that　was　not　quite　pleasing。　　It　looked　pinched。　　Mr。　Finsworth　sorrowfully　replied：　　〃Yes；　the　face　was　done　after　death　…　my　wife's　sister。〃

I　felt　terribly　awkward　and　bowed　apologetically；　and　in　a　whisper　said　I　hoped　I　had　not　hurt　his　feelings。　　We　both　stood　looking　at　the　picture　for　a　few　minutes　in　silence；　when　Mr。　Finsworth　took　out　a　handkerchief　and　said：　　〃She　was　sitting　in　our　garden　last　summer；〃　and　blew　his　nose　violently。　　He　seemed　quite　affected；　so　I　turned　to　look　at　something　else　and　stood　in　front　of　a　portrait　of　a　jolly…looking　middle…aged　gentleman；　with　a　red　face　and　straw　hat。　　I　said　to　Mr。　Finsworth：　　〃Who　is　this　jovial…looking　gentleman？　　Life　doesn't　seem　to　trouble　him　much。〃　　Mr。　Finsworth　said：　　〃No；　it　doesn't。　　HE　IS　DEAD　TOO　…　my　brother。〃

I　was　absolutely　horrified　at　my　own　awkwardness。　　Fortunately　at　this　moment　Carrie　entered　with　Mrs。　Finsworth；　who　had　taken　her　upstairs　to　take　off　her　bonnet　and　brush　her　skirt。　　Teddy　said：　〃Short　is　late；〃　but　at　that　moment　the　gentleman　referred　to　arrived；　and　I　was　introduced　to　him　by　Teddy；　who　said：　　〃Do　you　know　Mr。　Short？〃　　I　replied；　smiling；　that　I　had　not　that　pleasure；　but　I　hoped　it　would　not　be　long　before　I　knew　Mr。　SHORT。　　He　evidently　did　not　see　my　little　joke；　although　I　repeated　it　twice　with　a　little　laugh。　　I　suddenly　remembered　it　was　Sunday；　and　Mr。　Short　was　perhaps　VERY　PARTICULAR。　　In　this　I　was　mistaken；　for　he　was　not　at　all　particular　in　several　of　his　remarks　after　dinner。　In　fact　I　was　so　ashamed　of　one　of　his　observations　that　I　took　the　opportunity　to　say　to　Mrs。　Finsworth　that　I　feared　she　found　Mr。　Short　occasionally　a　little　embarrassing。　　To　my　surprise　she　said：　〃Oh！　he　is　privileged　you　know。〃　　I　did　not　know　as　a　matter　of　fact；　and　so　I　bowed　apologetically。　　I　fail　to　see　why　Mr。　Short　should　be　privileged。

Another　thing　that　annoyed　me　at　dinner　was　that　the　collie　dog；　which　jumped　up　at　Carrie；　was　allowed　to　remain　under　the　dining…　room　tabl