the diary of a nobody-第7章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！



Things　might　have　become　rather　disagreeable　but　for　Gowing　（who　seems　to　have　taken　to　Lupin）　suggesting　they　should　invent　games。　Lupin　said：　　〃Let's　play　'monkeys。'〃　　He　then　led　Gowing　all　round　the　room；　and　brought　him　in　front　of　the　looking…glass。　　I　must　confess　I　laughed　heartily　at　this。　　I　was　a　little　vexed　at　everybody　subsequently　laughing　at　some　joke　which　they　did　not　explain；　and　it　was　only　on　going　to　bed　I　discovered　I　must　have　been　walking　about　all　the　evening　with　an　antimacassar　on　one　button　of　my　coat…tails。

August　28。　…　Found　a　large　brick　in　the　middle　bed　of　geraniums；　evidently　come　from　next　door。　　Pattles　and　Pattles　can't　find　a　place　for　Lupin。

August　29。　…　Mrs。　James　is　making　a　positive　fool　of　Carrie。　Carrie　appeared　in　a　new　dress　like　a　smock…frock。　　She　said　〃smocking〃　was　all　the　rage。　　I　replied　it　put　me　in　a　rage。　　She　also　had　on　a　hat　as　big　as　a　kitchen　coal…scuttle；　and　the　same　shape。　　Mrs。　James　went　home；　and　both　Lupin　and　I　were　somewhat　pleased　…　the　first　time　we　have　agreed　on　a　single　subject　since　his　return。　　Merkins　and　Son　write　they　have　no　vacancy　for　Lupin。

October　30。　…　I　should　very　much　like　to　know　who　has　wilfully　torn　the　last　five　or　six　weeks　out　of　my　diary。　　It　is　perfectly　monstrous！　　Mine　is　a　large　scribbling　diary；　with　plenty　of　space　for　the　record　of　my　everyday　events；　and　in　keeping　up　that　record　I　take　（with　much　pride）　a　great　deal　of　pains。

I　asked　Carrie　if　she　knew　anything　about　it。　　She　replied　it　was　my　own　fault　for　leaving　the　diary　about　with　a　charwoman　cleaning　and　the　sweeps　in　the　house。　　I　said　that　was　not　an　answer　to　my　question。　　This　retort　of　mine；　which　I　thought　extremely　smart；　would　have　been　more　effective　had　I　not　jogged　my　elbow　against　a　vase　on　a　table　temporarily　placed　in　the　passage；　knocked　it　over；　and　smashed　it。

Carrie　was　dreadfully　upset　at　this　disaster；　for　it　was　one　of　a　pair　of　vases　which　cannot　be　matched；　given　to　us　on　our　wedding…　day　by　Mrs。　Burtsett；　an　old　friend　of　Carrie's　cousins；　the　Pommertons；　late　of　Dalston。　　I　called　to　Sarah；　and　asked　her　about　the　diary。　　She　said　she　had　not　been　in　the　sitting…room　at　all；　after　the　sweep　had　left；　Mrs。　Birrell　（the　charwoman）　had　cleaned　the　room　and　lighted　the　fire　herself。　　Finding　a　burnt　piece　of　paper　in　the　grate；　I　examined　it；　and　found　it　was　a　piece　of　my　diary。　　So　it　was　evident　some　one　had　torn　my　diary　to　light　the　fire。　　I　requested　Mrs。　Birrell　to　be　sent　to　me　to…　morrow。

October　31。　…　Received　a　letter　from　our　principal；　Mr。　Perkupp；　saying　that　he　thinks　he　knows　of　a　place　at　last　for　our　dear　boy　Lupin。　　This；　in　a　measure；　consoles　me　for　the　loss　of　a　portion　of　my　diary；　for　I　am　bound　to　confess　the　last　few　weeks　have　been　devoted　to　the　record　of　disappointing　answers　received　from　people　to　whom　I　have　applied　for　appointments　for　Lupin。　　Mrs。　Birrell　called；　and；　in　reply　to　me；　said：　　〃She　never　SEE　no　book；　much　less　take　such　a　liberty　as　TOUCH　it。〃

I　said　I　was　determined　to　find　out　who　did　it；　whereupon　she　said　she　would　do　her　best　to　help　me；　but　she　remembered　the　sweep　lighting　the　fire　with　a　bit　of　the　ECHO。　　I　requested　the　sweep　to　be　sent　to　me　to…morrow。　　I　wish　Carrie　had　not　given　Lupin　a　latch…key；　we　never　seem　to　see　anything　of　him。　　I　sat　up　till　past　one　for　him；　and　then　retired　tired。

November　1。　…　My　entry　yesterday　about　〃retired　tired；〃　which　I　did　not　notice　at　the　time；　is　rather　funny。　　If　I　were　not　so　worried　just　now；　I　might　have　had　a　little　joke　about　it。　　The　sweep　called；　but　had　the　audacity　to　come　up　to　the　hall…door　and　lean　his　dirty　bag　of　soot　on　the　door…step。　　He；　however；　was　so　polite；　I　could　not　rebuke　him。　　He　said　Sarah　lighted　the　fire。　Unfortunately；　Sarah　heard　this；　for　she　was　dusting　the　banisters；　and　she　ran　down；　and　flew　into　a　temper　with　the　sweep；　causing　a　row　on　the　front　door…steps；　which　I　would　not　have　had　happen　for　anything。　　I　ordered　her　about　her　business；　and　told　the　sweep　I　was　sorry　to　have　troubled　him；　and　so　I　was；　for　the　door…steps　were　covered　with　soot　in　consequence　of　his　visit。　　I　would　willingly　give　ten　shillings　to　find　out　who　tore　my　diary。

November　2。　…　I　spent　the　evening　quietly　with　Carrie；　of　whose　company　I　never　tire。　　We　had　a　most　pleasant　chat　about　the　letters　on　〃Is　Marriage　a　Failure？〃　　It　has　been　no　failure　in　our　case。　　In　talking　over　our　own　happy　experiences；　we　never　noticed　that　it　was　past　midnight。　　We　were　startled　by　hearing　the　door　slam　violently。　　Lupin　had　come　in。　　He　made　no　attempt　to　turn　down　the　gas　in　the　passage；　or　even　to　look　into　the　room　where　we　were；　but　went　straight　up　to　bed；　making　a　terrible　noise。　　I　asked　him　to　come　down　for　a　moment；　and　he　begged　to　be　excused；　as　he　was　〃dead　beat；〃　an　observation　that　was　scarcely　consistent　with　the　fact　that；　for　a　quarter　of　an　hour　afterwards；　he　was　positively　dancing　in　his　room；　and　shouting　out；　〃See　me　dance　the　polka！〃　or　some　such　nonsense。

November　3。　…　Good　news　at　last。　　Mr。　Perkupp　has　got　an　appointment　for　Lupin；　and　he　is　to　go　and　see　about　it　on　Monday。　Oh；　how　my　mind　is　relieved！　　I　went　to　Lupin's　room　to　take　the　good　news　to　him；　but　he　was　in　bed；　very　seedy；　so　I　resolved　to　keep　it　over　till　the　evening。

He　said　he　had　last　night　been　elected　a　member　of　an　Amateur　Dramatic　Club；　called　the　〃Holloway　Comedians〃；　and；　though　it　was　a　pleasant　evening；　he　had　sat　in　a　draught；　and　got　neuralgia　in　the　head。　　He　declined　to　have　any　breakfast；　so　I　left　him。　　　In　the　evening　I　had　up　a　special　bottle　of　port；　and；　Lupin　being　in　for　a　wonder；　we　filled　our　glasses；　and　I　said：　　〃Lupin　my　boy；　I　have　some　good　and　unexpected　news　for　you。　　Mr。　Perkupp　has　procured　you　an　appointment！〃　　Lupin　said：　　〃Good　biz！〃　and　we　drained　our　glasses。

Lupin　then　said：　　〃Fill　up　the　glasses　again；　for　I　have　some　good　and　unexpected　news　for　you。〃

I　had　some　slight　misgivings；　and　so　evidently　had　Carrie；　for　she　said：　　〃I　hope　we　shall　think　it　good　news。〃

Lupin　said：　　〃Oh；　it's　all　right！　　I'M　ENGAGED　TO　BE　MARRIED！〃



CHAPTER　VIII。



Daisy　Mutlar　sole　topic　of　conversation。　　Lupin's　new　berth。　Fireworks　at　the　Cummings'。　　The　〃Holloway　Comedians。〃　　Sarah　quarrels　with　the　charwoman。　　Lupin's　uncalled…for　interference。　Am　introduced　to　Daisy　Mutlar。　　We　decide　to　give　a　party　in　her　honour。


November　5；　Sunday。　…　Carrie　and　I　troubled　about　that　mere　boy　Lupin　getting　engaged　to　be　married　without　consulting　us　or　anything。　　After　dinner　he　told　us　all　about　it。　　He　said　the　lady's　name　was　Daisy　Mutlar；　and　she　was　the　nicest；　prettiest；　and　most　accomplished　girl　he　ever　met。　　He　loved　her　the　moment　he　saw　her；　and　if　he　had　to　wait　fifty　years　he　would　wait；　and　he　knew　she　would　wait　for　him。

Lupin　further　said；　with　much　warmth；　that　the　world　was　a　different　world　to　him　now；　…　it　was　a　world　worth　living　in。　　He　lived　with　an　object　now；　and　that　was　to　make　Daisy　Mutlar　…　Daisy　Pooter；　and　he　would　guarantee　she　would　not　disgrace　the　family　of　the　Pooters。　　Carrie　here　burst　out　crying；　and　threw　her　arms　round　his　neck；　and　in　doing　so；　upset　the　glass　of　port　he　held　in　his　hand　all　over　his　new　light　trousers。

I　said　I　had　no　doubt　we　should　like　Miss　Mutlar　when　we　saw　her；　but　Carrie　said　she　loved　her　already。　　I　thought　this　rather　premature；　but　held　my　tongue。　　Daisy　Mutlar　was　the　sole　topic　of　conversation　for　the　remainder　of　the　day。　　I　asked　Lupin　who　her　people　were；　and　he　replied：　　〃Oh；　you　know　Mutlar；　Williams　and　Watts。〃　　I　did　not　know；　but　refrained　from　asking　any　further　questions　at　present；　for　fear　of　irritating　Lupin。

November　6。　…　Lupin　went　with　me　to　the　office；　and　had　a　long　conversation　with　Mr。　Perkupp；　our　principal；　the　result　of　which　was　that　he　accepted　a　clerkship　in　the　firm　of　Job　Cleanands　and　Co。；　Stock　and　Share　Brokers。　　Lupin　told　me；　privately；　it　was　an　advertising　firm；　and　he　did　not　think　much　of　it。　　I　replied：　〃Beggars　should　not　be　choosers；〃　and　I　will　do　Lupin　the　justice　to　say；　he　looked　rather　ashamed　of　himself。

In　the　evening　we　went　round　to　the　Cummings'；　to　have　a　few　fireworks。　　It　began　to　rain；　and　I　thought　it　rather　dull。　　One　of　my　squibs　would　not　go　off；　and　Gowing　said：　　〃Hit　it　on　your　boot；　boy；　it　will　go　off　then。〃　　I　gave　it　a　few　knocks　on　the　end　of　my　boot；　and　it　went　off　with　one　loud　explosion；　and　burnt　my　fingers　rather　badly。　　I　gave　the　rest　of　the　squibs　to　the　little　Cummings'　boy　to　let　off。

Another　unfortunate　thing　happened；　which　brought　a　heap　of　abuse　on　my　head。　　Cummings　fastened　a　large　wheel　set…piece　on　a　stake　in　the　ground　by　way　of　a　grand　finale。　　He　made　a　great　fuss　about　it；　said　it　cost　seven　shillings。　　There　was　a　little　difficulty　in　getting　it　alight。　　At　last　it　went　off；　but　after　a　couple　of　slow　revolutions　it　stopped。　　I　had　my　stick　with　me；　so　I　gave　it　a　tap　to　send　it　round；　and；　unfortunately；　it　fell　off　the　stake　on　to　the　grass。　　Anybody　would　have　thought　I　had　set　the　house　on　fire　from　the　way　in　which　they　stormed　at　me。　　I　will　never　join　in　any　more　firework　parties。　　It　is　a　ridiculous　waste　of　time　and　money。

November　7。　…　Lupin　asked　Carrie　to　call　on　Mrs。　Mutlar；　but　Carrie　said　she　thought　Mrs。　Mutlar　ought　to　call　on　her　first。　　I　agreed　with　Carrie；　and　this　led　to　an　argument。　　However；　the　matter　was　settled　by　Carrie　saying　she　could　not　find　any　visiting　cards；　and　we　must　get　some　more　printed；　and　when　they　were　finished　would　be　quite　time　enough　to　discuss　the　etiquette　of　calling。

November　8。　…　I　ordered　some　of　our　cards　at　Black's；　the　stationers。　　I　ordered　twenty…five　of　each；　which　will　last　us　for　a　good　long　time。　　In　the　evening；　Lupin　brought　in　Harry　Mutlar；　Miss　Mutlar's　brother。　　He　was　rather　a　gawky　youth；　and　Lupin　said　he　was　the　most　popular　and　best　amateur　in　the　club；　referring　to　the　〃Holloway　Comedians。〃　　Lupin　whispered　to　us　that　if　we　could　only　〃draw　out〃　Harry　a　bit；　he　would　make　us　roar　with　laughter。

At　supper；　young　Mutlar　did　several　amusing　things。　　He　took　up　a　knife；　and　with　the　flat　part　of　it　played　a　tune　on　his　cheek　in　a　wonderful　manner。　　He　also　gave　an　imitation　of　an　old　man　with　no　teeth；　smoking　a　big　cigar。　　The　way　he　kept　dropping　the　cigar　sent　Carrie　into　fits。

In　the　course　of　conversation；　Daisy's　name　cropped　up；　and　young　Mutlar　said　he　would　bring　his　sister　round　to　us　one　evening　…　his　parents　being　rather　old…fashioned；　and　not　going　out　much。　　Carrie　said　we　would　get　up　a　little　special　party。　　As　young　Mutlar　showed　no　inclination　to　go；　and　it　was　approaching　eleven　o'clock；　as　a　hint　I　reminded　Lupin　that　he　had　to　be　up　early　to…morrow。　Instead　of　taking　the　hint；　Mutlar　began　a　series　of　comic　imitations。　　He　went　on　for　an　hour　without　cessation。　　Poor　Carrie　could　scarcely　keep　her　eyes　open。　　At　last　she　made　an　excuse；　and　said　〃Good…night。〃

Mutlar　then　left；　and　I　heard　him　and　Lupin　whispering　in　the　hall　something　about　the　〃Holloway　Comedians；〃　and　to　my　disgust；　although　it　was　past　midnight；　Lupin　put　on　his　hat　and　coat；　and　went　out　with　his　new　companion。

November　9。　…　My　endeavours　to　discover　who　tore　the