English
AttheappointedtimeIreturnedtoMissHavisham’s,andmyhesitatingringatthegatebroughtoutEstella.
Shelockeditafteradmittingme,asshehaddonebefore,andagainprecededmeintothedarkpassagewherehercandlestood.
Shetooknonoticeofmeuntilshehadthecandleinherhand,whenshelookedoverhershoulder,superciliouslysaying,“Youaretocomethiswaytoday,”andtookmetoquiteanotherpartofthehouse.
Thepassagewasalongone,andseemedtopervadethewholesquarebasementoftheManorHouse.
Wetraversedbutonesideofthesquare,however,andattheendofitshestopped,andputhercandledownandopenedadoor.
Here,thedaylightreappeared,andIfoundmyselfinasmallpavedcourt-yard,theoppositesideofwhichwasformedbyadetacheddwelling-house,thatlookedasifithadoncebelongedtothemanagerorheadclerkoftheextinctbrewery.
Therewasaclockintheouterwallofthishouse.
LiketheclockinMissHavisham’sroom,andlikeMissHavisham’swatch,ithadstoppedattwentyminutestonine.
Wewentinatthedoor,whichstoodopen,andintoagloomyroomwithalowceiling,onthegroundfloorattheback.
Therewassomecompanyintheroom,andEstellasaidtomeasshejoinedit,“Youaretogoandstandthere,boy,tillyouarewanted.”
“There”,beingthewindow,Icrossedtoit,andstood“there,”inaveryuncomfortablestateofmind,lookingout.
Itopenedtotheground,andlookedintoamostmiserablecorneroftheneglectedgarden,uponarankruinofcabbage-stalks,andoneboxtreethathadbeenclippedroundlongago,likeapudding,andhadanewgrowthatthetopofit,outofshapeandofadifferentcolour,asifthatpartofthepuddinghadstucktothesaucepanandgotburnt.
Thiswasmyhomelythought,asIcontemplatedthebox-tree.
Therehadbeensomelightsnow,overnight,anditlaynowhereelsetomyknowledge;but,ithadnotquitemeltedfromthecoldshadowofthisbitofgarden,andthewindcaughtitupinlittleeddiesandthrewitatthewindow,asifitpeltedmeforcomingthere.
Idivinedthatmycominghadstoppedconversationintheroom,andthatitsotheroccupantswerelookingatme.
Icouldseenothingoftheroomexcepttheshiningofthefireinthewindowglass,butIstiffenedinallmyjointswiththeconsciousnessthatIwasundercloseinspection.
Therewerethreeladiesintheroomandonegentleman.
BeforeIhadbeenstandingatthewindowfiveminutes,theysomehowconveyedtomethattheywerealltoadiesandhumbugs,butthateachofthempretendednottoknowthattheothersweretoadiesandhumbugs:becausetheadmissionthatheorshedidknowit,wouldhavemadehimorherouttobeatoadyandhumbug.
Theyallhadalistlessanddrearyairofwaitingsomebody’spleasure,andthemosttalkativeoftheladieshadtospeakquiterigidlytorepressayawn.
Thislady,whosenamewasCamilla,verymuchremindedmeofmysister,withthedifferencethatshewasolder,and(asIfoundwhenIcaughtsightofher)ofabluntercastoffeatures.
Indeed,whenIknewherbetterIbegantothinkitwasaMercyshehadanyfeaturesatall,soveryblankandhighwasthedeadwallofherface.
“Poordearsoul!”saidthislady,withanabruptnessofmannerquitemysister’s.“Nobody’senemybuthisown!”
“Itwouldbemuchmorecommendabletobesomebodyelse’senemy,”saidthegentleman;“farmorenatural.”
“CousinRaymond,”observedanotherlady,“wearetoloveourneighbour.”
“SarahPocket,”returnedCousinRaymond,“ifamanisnothisownneighbour,whois?”
MissPocketlaughed,andCamillalaughedandsaid(checkingayawn),“Theidea!”
ButIthoughttheyseemedtothinkitratheragoodideatoo.
Theotherlady,whohadnotspokenyet,saidgravelyandemphatically,“Verytrue!”
“Poorsoul!”Camillapresentlywenton(Iknewtheyhadallbeenlookingatmeinthemeantime),“heissoverystrange!
WouldanyonebelievethatwhenTom’swifedied,heactuallycouldnotbeinducedtoseetheimportanceofthechildren’shavingthedeepestoftrimmingstotheirmourning?‘GoodLord!’
sayshe,‘Camilla,whatcanitsignifysolongasthepoorbereavedlittlethingsareinblack?’SolikeMatthew!Theidea!”
“Goodpointsinhim,goodpointsinhim,”saidCousinRaymond;“HeavenforbidIshoulddenygoodpointsinhim;butheneverhad,andheneverwillhave,anysenseoftheproprieties.”
“YouknowIwasobliged,”saidCamilla,“Iwasobligedtobefirm.
Isaid,‘ItWILLNOTDO,forthecreditofthefamily.’
Itoldhimthat,withoutdeeptrimmings,thefamilywasdisgraced.
Icriedaboutitfrombreakfasttilldinner.Iinjuredmydigestion.
Andatlastheflungoutinhisviolentway,andsaid,withaD,‘Thendoasyoulike.’
ThankGoodnessitwillalwaysbeaconsolationtometoknowthatIinstantlywentoutinapouringrainandboughtthethings.”
“Hepaidforthem,didhenot?”askedEstella.
“It’snotthequestion,mydearchild,whopaidforthem,”returnedCamilla.“Iboughtthem.AndIshalloftenthinkofthatwithpeace,whenIwakeupinthenight.”
Theringingofadistantbell,combinedwiththeechoingofsomecryorcallalongthepassagebywhichIhadcome,interruptedtheconversationandcausedEstellatosaytome,“Now,boy!”
Onmyturninground,theyalllookedatmewiththeutmostcontempt,and,asIwentout,IheardSarahPocketsay,“WellIamsure!Whatnext!”
andCamillaadd,withindignation,“Wasthereeversuchafancy!Thei-de-a!”
Asweweregoingwithourcandlealongthedarkpassage,Estellastoppedallofasudden,and,facinground,saidinhertauntingmannerwithherfacequiteclosetomine:
“Well?”
“Well,miss?”Ianswered,almostfallingoverherandcheckingmyself.
Shestoodlookingatme,and,ofcourse,Istoodlookingather.
“AmIpretty?”
“Yes;Ithinkyouareverypretty.”
“AmIinsulting?”
“Notsomuchsoasyouwerelasttime,”saidI.
“Notsomuchso?”
“No.”
Shefiredwhensheaskedthelastquestion,andsheslappedmyfacewithsuchforceasshehad,whenIansweredit.
“Now?”saidshe.“Youlittlecoarsemonster,whatdoyouthinkofmenow?”
“Ishallnottellyou.”
“Becauseyouaregoingtotell,up-stairs.Isthatit?”
“No,”saidI,“that’snotit.”
“Whydon’tyoucryagain,youlittlewretch?”
“BecauseI’llnevercryforyouagain,”saidI.Whichwas,Isuppose,asfalseadeclarationaseverwasmade;forIwasinwardlycryingforherthen,andIknowwhatIknowofthepainshecostmeafterwards.
Wewentonourwayup-stairsafterthisepisode;and,asweweregoingup,wemetagentlemangropinghiswaydown.
“Whomhavewehere?”askedthegentleman,stoppingandlookingatme.
“Aboy,”saidEstella.
Hewasaburlymanofanexceedinglydarkcomplexion,withanexceedinglylargeheadandacorrespondinglargehand.
Hetookmychininhislargehandandturnedupmyfacetohavealookatmebythelightofthecandle.
Hewasprematurelybaldonthetopofhishead,andhadbushyblackeyebrowsthatwouldn’tliedownbutstoodupbristling.
Hiseyesweresetverydeepinhishead,andweredisagreeablysharpandsuspicious.
Hehadalargewatchchain,andstrongblackdotswherehisbeardandwhiskerswouldhavebeenifhehadletthem.
Hewasnothingtome,andIcouldhavehadnoforesightthen,thatheeverwouldbeanythingtome,butithappenedthatIhadthisopportunityofobservinghimwell.
“Boyoftheneighbourhood?Hey?”saidhe.
“Yes,sir,”saidI.
“Howdoyoucomehere?”
“MissHavishamsentforme,sir,”Iexplained.
“Well!Behaveyourself.
Ihaveaprettylargeexperienceofboys,andyou’reabadsetoffellows.Nowmind!”
saidhe,bitingthesideofhisgreatforefingerashefrownedatme,“youbehaveyourself!”
Withthosewords,hereleasedme—whichIwasgladof,forhishandsmeltofscentedsoap—andwenthiswaydown-stairs.
Iwonderedwhetherhecouldbeadoctor;butno,Ithought;hecouldn’tbeadoctor,orhewouldhaveaquieterandmorepersuasivemanner.
Therewasnotmuchtimetoconsiderthesubject,forweweresooninMissHavisham’sroom,wheresheandeverythingelsewerejustasIhadleftthem.
Estellaleftmestandingnearthedoor,andIstoodthereuntilMissHavishamcasthereyesuponmefromthedressing-table.
“So!”shesaid,withoutbeingstartledorsurprised;“thedayshavewornaway,havethey?”
“Yes,ma’am.To-dayis—”
“There,there,there!”withtheimpatientmovementofherfingers.“Idon’twanttoknow.Areyoureadytoplay?”
Iwasobligedtoanswerinsomeconfusion,“Idon’tthinkIam,ma’am.”
“Notatcardsagain?”shedemanded,withasearchinglook.
“Yes,ma’am;Icoulddothat,ifIwaswanted.”
“Sincethishousestrikesyouoldandgrave,boy,”saidMissHavisham,impatiently,“andyouareunwillingtoplay,areyouwillingtowork?”
IcouldanswerthisinquirywithabetterheartthanIhadbeenabletofindfortheotherquestion,andIsaidIwasquitewilling.
“Thengointothatoppositeroom,”saidshe,pointingatthedoorbehindmewithherwitheredhand,“andwaittheretillIcome.”
Icrossedthestaircaselanding,andenteredtheroomsheindicated.
Fromthatroom,too,thedaylightwascompletelyexcluded,andithadanairlesssmellthatwasoppressive.
Afirehadbeenlatelykindledinthedampold-fashionedgrate,anditwasmoredisposedtogooutthantoburnup,andthereluctantsmokewhichhungintheroomseemedcolderthantheclearerair—likeourownmarshmist.
Certainwintrybranchesofcandlesonthehighchimneypiecefaintlylightedthechamber:or,itwouldbemoreexpressivetosay,faintlytroubleditsdarkness.
Itwasspacious,andIdaresayhadoncebeenhandsome,buteverydiscerniblethinginitwascoveredwithdustandmould,anddroppingtopieces.
Themostprominentobjectwasalongtablewithatableclothspreadonit,asifafeasthadbeeninpreparationwhenthehouseandtheclocksallstoppedtogether.
Anepergneorcentrepieceofsomekindwasinthemiddleofthiscloth;itwassoheavilyoverhungwithcobwebsthatitsformwasquiteundistinguishable;and,asIlookedalongtheyellowexpanseoutofwhichIrememberitsseemingtogrow,likeablackfungus,Isawspeckled-leggedspiderswithblotchybodiesrunninghometoit,andrunningoutfromit,asifsomecircumstancesofthegreatestpublicimportancehadjusttranspiredinthespidercommunity.
Iheardthemicetoo,rattlingbehindthepanels,asifthesameoccurrencewereimportanttotheirinterests.
But,theblackbeetlestooknonoticeoftheagitation,andgropedaboutthehearthinaponderouselderlyway,asiftheywereshort-sightedandhardofhearing,andnotontermswithoneanother.
ThesecrawlingthingshadfascinatedmyattentionandIwaswatchingthemfromadistance,whenMissHavishamlaidahanduponmyshoulder.
Inherotherhandshehadacrutch-headedstickonwhichsheleaned,andshelookedliketheWitchoftheplace.
“This,”saidshe,pointingtothelongtablewithherstick,“iswhereIwillbelaidwhenIamdead.Theyshallcomeandlookatmehere.”
Withsomevaguemisgivingthatshemightgetuponthetablethenandthereanddieatonce,thecompleterealizationoftheghastlywaxworkattheFair,Ishrankunderhertouch.
“Whatdoyouthinkthatis?”sheaskedme,againpointingwithherstick;“that,wherethosecobwebsare?”
“Ican’tguesswhatitis,ma’am.”
“It’sagreatcake.Abride-cake.Mine!”
Shelookedallroundtheroominaglaringmanner,andthensaid,leaningonmewhileherhandtwitchedmyshoulder,“Come,come,come!Walkme,walkme!”
Imadeoutfromthis,thattheworkIhadtodo,wastowalkMissHavishamroundandroundtheroom.
Accordingly,Istartedatonce,andsheleaneduponmyshoulder,andwewentawayatapacethatmighthavebeenanimitation(foundedonmyfirstimpulseunderthatroof)ofMr.Pumblechook’schaise-cart.
Shewasnotphysicallystrong,andafteralittletimesaid,“Slower!”
Still,wewentatanimpatientfitfulspeed,andaswewent,shetwitchedthehanduponmyshoulder,andworkedhermouth,andledmetobelievethatweweregoingfastbecauseherthoughtswentfast.Afterawhileshesaid,“CallEstella!”
soIwentoutonthelandingandroaredthatnameasIhaddoneonthepreviousoccasion.
Whenherlightappeared,IreturnedtoMissHavisham,andwestartedawayagainroundandroundtheroom.
IfonlyEstellahadcometobeaspectatorofourproceedings,Ishouldhavefeltsufficientlydiscontented;but,asshebroughtwithherthethreeladiesandthegentlemanwhomIhadseenbelow,Ididn’tknowwhattodo.
Inmypoliteness,Iwouldhavestopped;but,MissHavishamtwitchedmyshoulder,andwepostedon—withashame-facedconsciousnessonmypartthattheywouldthinkitwasallmydoing.
“DearMissHavisham,”saidMissSarahPocket.“Howwellyoulook!”
“Idonot,”returnedMissHavisham.“Iamyellowskinandbone.”
CamillabrightenedwhenMissPocketmetwiththisrebuff;andshemurmured,assheplaintivelycontemplatedMissHavisham,“Poordearsoul!
Certainlynottobeexpectedtolookwell,poorthing.Theidea!”
“Andhowareyou?”saidMissHavishamtoCamilla.
AswewereclosetoCamillathen,Iwouldhavestoppedasamatterofcourse,onlyMissHavishamwouldn’tstop.
Weswepton,andIfeltthatIwashighlyobnoxioustoCamilla.
“Thankyou,MissHavisham,”shereturned,“Iamaswellascanbeexpected.”
“Why,what’sthematterwithyou?”askedMissHavisham,withexceedingsharpness.
“Nothingworthmentioning,”repliedCamilla.“Idon’twishtomakeadisplayofmyfeelings,butIhavehabituallythoughtofyoumoreinthenightthanIamquiteequalto.”
“Thendon’tthinkofme,”retortedMissHavisham.
“Veryeasilysaid!”remarkedCamilla,amiablyrepressingasob,whileahitchcameintoherupperlip,andhertearsoverflowed.
“RaymondisawitnesswhatgingerandsalvolatileIamobligedtotakeinthenight.
RaymondisawitnesswhatnervousjerkingsIhaveinmylegs.
Chokingsandnervousjerkings,however,arenothingnewtomewhenIthinkwithanxietyofthoseIlove.
IfIcouldbelessaffectionateandsensitive,Ishouldhaveabetterdigestionandanironsetofnerves.IamsureIwishitcouldbeso.
Butastonotthinkingofyouinthenight—Theidea!”Here,aburstoftears.
TheRaymondreferredto,Iunderstoodtobethegentlemanpresent,andhimIunderstoodtobeMr.Camilla.
Hecametotherescueatthispoint,andsaidinaconsolatoryandcomplimentaryvoice,“Camilla,mydear,itiswellknownthatyourfamilyfeelingsaregraduallyunderminingyoutotheextentofmakingoneofyourlegsshorterthantheother.”
“Iamnotaware,”observedthegraveladywhosevoiceIhadheardbutonce,“thattothinkofanypersonistomakeagreatclaimuponthatperson,mydear.”
MissSarahPocket,whomInowsawtobealittledrybrowncorrugatedoldwoman,withasmallfacethatmighthavebeenmadeofwalnutshells,andalargemouthlikeacat’swithoutthewhiskers,supportedthispositionbysaying,“No,indeed,mydear.Hem!”
“Thinkingiseasyenough,”saidthegravelady.
“Whatiseasier,youknow?”assentedMissSarahPocket.
“Oh,yes,yes!”criedCamilla,whosefermentingfeelingsappearedtorisefromherlegstoherbosom.“It’sallverytrue!
It’saweaknesstobesoaffectionate,butIcan’thelpit.
Nodoubtmyhealthwouldbemuchbetterifitwasotherwise,stillIwouldn’tchangemydispositionifIcould.
It’sthecauseofmuchsuffering,butit’saconsolationtoknowIpossesit,whenIwakeupinthenight.”Hereanotherburstoffeeling.
MissHavishamandIhadneverstoppedallthistime,butkeptgoingroundandroundtheroom:now,brushingagainsttheskirtsofthevisitors:now,givingthemthewholelengthofthedismalchamber.
“There’sMatthew!”saidCamilla.
“Nevermixingwithanynaturalties,nevercomingheretoseehowMissHavishamis!
Ihavetakentothesofawithmystaylacecut,andhavelaintherehours,insensible,withmyheadovertheside,andmyhairalldown,andmyfeetIdon’tknowwhere—”
(“Muchhigherthanyourhead,mylove,”saidMr.Camilla.)
“Ihavegoneoffintothatstate,hoursandhours,onaccountofMatthew’sstrangeandinexplicableconduct,andnobodyhasthankedme.”
“ReallyImustsayIshouldthinknot!”interposedthegravelady.
“Yousee,mydear,”addedMissSarahPocket(ablandlyviciouspersonage),“thequestiontoputtoyourselfis,whodidyouexpecttothankyou,mylove?”
“Withoutexpectinganythanks,oranythingofthesort,”resumedCamilla,“Ihaveremainedinthatstate,hoursandhours,andRaymondisawitnessoftheextenttowhichIhavechoked,andwhatthetotalinefficacyofgingerhasbeen,andIhavebeenheardatthepianoforte-tuner’sacrossthestreet,wherethepoormistakenchildrenhaveevensupposedittobepigeonscooingatadistance-andnowtobetold—.”
HereCamillaputherhandtoherthroat,andbegantobequitechemicalastotheformationofnewcombinationsthere.
WhenthissameMatthewwasmentioned,MissHavishamstoppedmeandherself,andstoodlookingatthespeaker.ThischangehadagreatinfluenceinbringingCamilla’schemistrytoasuddenend.
“Matthewwillcomeandseemeatlast,”saidMissHavisham,sternly,whenIamlaidonthattable.
Thatwillbehisplace—there,”strikingthetablewithherstick,“atmyhead!Andyourswillbethere!Andyourhusband’sthere!AndSarahPocket’sthere!AndGeorgiana’sthere!
Nowyouallknowwheretotakeyourstationswhenyoucometofeastuponme.Andnowgo!”
Atthementionofeachname,shehadstruckthetablewithherstickinanewplace.Shenowsaid,“Walkme,walkme!”andwewentonagain.
“Isupposethere’snothingtobedone,”exclaimedCamilla,“butcomplyanddepart.
It’ssomethingtohaveseentheobjectofone’sloveandduty,forevensoshortatime.
IshallthinkofitwithamelancholysatisfactionwhenIwakeupinthenight.
IwishMatthewcouldhavethatcomfort,buthesetsitatdefiance.
Iamdeterminednottomakeadisplayofmyfeelings,butit’sveryhardtobetoldonewantstofeastonone’srelations—asifonewasaGiant—andtobetoldtogo.Thebareidea!”
Mr.Camillainterposing,asMrs.Camillalaidherhanduponherheavingbosom,thatladyassumedanunnaturalfortitudeofmannerwhichIsupposedtobeexpressiveofanintentiontodropandchokewhenoutofview,andkissingherhandtoMissHavisham,wasescortedforth.
SarahPocketandGeorgianacontendedwhoshouldremainlast;but,Sarahwastooknowingtobeoutdone,andambledroundGeorgianawiththatartfulslipperiness,thatthelatterwasobligedtotakeprecedence.
SarahPocketthenmadeherseparateeffectofdepartingwith“Blessyou,MissHavishamdear!”
andwithasmileofforgivingpityonherwalnut-shellcountenancefortheweaknessesoftherest.
WhileEstellawasawaylightingthemdown,MissHavishamstillwalkedwithherhandonmyshoulder,butmoreandmoreslowly.
Atlastshestoppedbeforethefire,andsaid,aftermutteringandlookingatitsomeseconds:
“Thisismybirthday,Pip.”
Iwasgoingtowishhermanyhappyreturns,whensheliftedherstick.
“Idon’tsufferittobespokenof.Idon’tsufferthosewhowereherejustnow,oranyone,tospeakofit.Theycomehereontheday,buttheydarenotrefertoit.”
OfcourseImadenofurtherefforttorefertoit.
“Onthisdayoftheyear,longbeforeyouwereborn,thisheapofdecay,”stabbingwithhercrutchedstickatthepileofcobwebsonthetablebutnottouchingit,“wasbroughthere.ItandIhavewornawaytogether.
Themicehavegnawedatit,andsharperteeththanteethofmicehavegnawedatme.”
Sheheldtheheadofherstickagainstherheartasshestoodlookingatthetable;sheinheroncewhitedress,allyellowandwithered;theoncewhiteclothallyellowandwithered;everythingaround,inastatetocrumbleunderatouch.
“Whentheruiniscomplete,”saidshe,withaghastlylook,“andwhentheylaymedead,inmybride’sdressonthebride’stable—whichshallbedone,andwhichwillbethefinishedcurseuponhim—somuchthebetterifitisdoneonthisday!”
Shestoodlookingatthetableasifshestoodlookingatherownfigurelyingthere.Iremainedquiet.
Estellareturned,andshetooremainedquiet.
Itseemedtomethatwecontinuedthusforalongtime.
Intheheavyairoftheroom,andtheheavydarknessthatbroodedinitsremotercorners,IevenhadanalarmingfancythatEstellaandImightpresentlybegintodecay.
Atlength,notcomingoutofherdistraughtstatebydegrees,butinaninstant,MissHavishamsaid,“Letmeseeyoutwoplaycards;whyhaveyounotbegun?”
Withthat,wereturnedtoherroom,andsatdownasbefore;Iwasbeggared,asbefore;andagain,asbefore,MissHavishamwatchedusallthetime,directedmyattentiontoEstella’sbeauty,andmademenoticeitthemorebytryingherjewelsonEstella’sbreastandhair.
Estella,forherpart,likewisetreatedmeasbefore;exceptthatshedidnotcondescendtospeak.
Whenwehadplayedsomehalfdozengames,adaywasappointedformyreturn,andIwastakendownintotheyardtobefedintheformerdog-likemanner.
There,too,IwasagainlefttowanderaboutasIliked.
ItisnotmuchtothepurposewhetheragateinthatgardenwallwhichIhadscrambleduptopeepoveronthelastoccasionwas,onthatlastoccasion,openorshut.
EnoughthatIsawnogatethem,andthatIsawonenow.
Asitstoodopen,andasIknewthatEstellahadletthevisitorsout—for,shehadreturnedwiththekeysinherhand—Istrolledintothegardenandstrolledalloverit.
Itwasquiteawilderness,andtherewereoldmelon-framesandcucumber-framesinit,whichseemedintheirdeclinetohaveproducedaspontaneousgrowthofweakattemptsatpiecesofoldhatsandboots,withnowandthenaweedyoffshootintothelikenessofabatteredsaucepan.
WhenIhadexhaustedthegarden,andagreenhousewithnothinginitbutafallen-downgrape-vineandsomebottles,IfoundmyselfinthedismalcorneruponwhichIhadlookedoutofthewindow.
Neverquestioningforamomentthatthehousewasnowempty,Ilookedinatanotherwindow,andfoundmyself,tomygreatsurprise,exchangingabroadstarewithapaleyounggentlemanwithredeyelidsandlighthair.
Thispaleyounggentlemanquicklydisappeared,andre-appearedbesideme.HehadbeenathisbookswhenIhadfoundmyselfstaringathim,andInowsawthathewasinky.
“Halloa!”saidhe,“youngfellow!”
HalloabeingageneralobservationwhichIhadusuallyobservedtobebestansweredbyitself,Isaid,“Halloa!”politelyomittingyoungfellow.
“Wholetyouin?”saidhe.
“MissEstella.”
“Whogaveyouleavetoprowlabout?”
“MissEstella.”
“Comeandfight,”saidthepaleyounggentleman.
WhatcouldIdobutfollowhim?Ihaveoftenaskedmyselfthequestionsince:but,whatelsecouldIdo?
HismannerwassofinalandIwassoastonished,thatIfollowedwhereheled,asifIhadbeenunderaspell.
“Stopaminute,though,”hesaid,wheelingroundbeforewehadgonemanypaces.
“Ioughttogiveyouareasonforfighting,too.Thereitis!”
Inamostirritatingmannerheinstantlyslappedhishandsagainstoneanother,daintilyflungoneofhislegsupbehindhim,pulledmyhair,slappedhishandsagain,dippedhishead,andbutteditintomystomach.
Thebull-likeproceedinglastmentioned,besidesthatitwasunquestionablytoberegardedinthelightofaliberty,wasparticularlydisagreeablejustafterbreadandmeat.
Ithereforehitoutathimandwasgoingtohitoutagain,whenhesaid,“Aha!Wouldyou?”
andbegandancingbackwardsandforwardsinamannerquiteunparalleledwithinmylimitedexperience.
“Lawsofthegame!”saidhe.
Here,heskippedfromhisleftlegontohisright.“Regularrules!”
Here,heskippedfromhisrightlegontohisleft.
“Cometotheground,andgothroughthepreliminaries!”
Here,hedodgedbackwardsandforwards,anddidallsortsofthingswhileIlookedhelplesslyathim.
IwassecretlyafraidofhimwhenIsawhimsodexterous;but,Ifeltmorallyandphysicallyconvincedthathislightheadofhaircouldhavehadnobusinessinthepitofmystomach,andthatIhadarighttoconsideritirrelevantwhensoobtrudedonmyattention.
Therefore,Ifollowedhimwithoutaword,toaretirednookofthegarden,formedbythejunctionoftwowallsandscreenedbysomerubbish.
OnhisaskingmeifIwassatisfiedwiththeground,andonmyreplyingYes,hebeggedmyleavetoabsenthimselfforamoment,andquicklyreturnedwithabottleofwaterandaspongedippedinvinegar.
“Availableforboth,”hesaid,placingtheseagainstthewall.
Andthenfelltopullingoff,notonlyhisjacketandwaistcoat,buthisshirttoo,inamanneratoncelight-hearted,businesslike,andbloodthirsty.
Althoughhedidnotlookveryhealthy—havingpimplesonhisface,andabreakingoutathismouth—thesedreadfulpreparationsquiteappalledme.
Ijudgedhimtobeaboutmyownage,buthewasmuchtaller,andhehadawayofspinninghimselfaboutthatwasfullofappearance.
Fortherest,hewasayounggentlemaninagreysuit(whennotdenudedforbattle),withhiselbows,knees,wrists,andheels,considerablyinadvanceoftherestofhimastodevelopment.
MyheartfailedmewhenIsawhimsquaringatmewitheverydemonstrationofmechanicalnicety,andeyeingmyanatomyasifhewereminutelychoosinghisbone.
Ineverhavebeensosurprisedinmylife,asIwaswhenIletoutthefirstblow,andsawhimlyingonhisback,lookingupatmewithabloodynoseandhisfaceexceedinglyfore-shortened.
But,hewasonhisfeetdirectly,andaftersponginghimselfwithagreatshowofdexteritybegansquaringagain.
ThesecondgreatestsurpriseIhaveeverhadinmylifewasseeinghimonhisbackagain,lookingupatmeoutofablackeye.
Hisspiritinspiredmewithgreatrespect.
Heseemedtohavenostrength,andheneveroncehitmehard,andhewasalwaysknockeddown;but,hewouldbeupagaininamoment,sponginghimselfordrinkingoutofthewater-bottle,withthegreatestsatisfactioninsecondinghimselfaccordingtoform,andthencameatmewithanairandashowthatmademebelievehereallywasgoingtodoformeatlast.
Hegotheavilybruised,forIamsorrytorecordthatthemoreIhithim,theharderIhithim;but,hecameupagainandagainandagain,untilatlasthegotabadfallwiththebackofhisheadagainstthewall.
Evenafterthatcrisisinouraffairs,hegotupandturnedroundandroundconfusedlyafewtimes,notknowingwhereIwas;butfinallywentonhiskneestohisspongeandthrewitup:atthesametimepantingout,“Thatmeansyouhavewon.”
Heseemedsobraveandinnocent,thatalthoughIhadnotproposedthecontestIfeltbutagloomysatisfactioninmyvictory.
Indeed,IgosofarastohopethatIregardedmyselfwhiledressing,asaspeciesofsavageyoungwolf,orotherwildbeast.
However,Igotdressed,darklywipingmysanguinaryfaceatintervals,andIsaid,“CanIhelpyou?”
andhesaid“Nothankee,”andIsaid“Goodafternoon,”andhesaid“Sametoyou.”
WhenIgotintothecourt-yard,IfoundEstellawaitingwiththekeys.
But,sheneitheraskedmewhereIhadbeen,norwhyIhadkeptherwaiting;andtherewasabrightflushuponherface,asthoughsomethinghadhappenedtodelighther.
Insteadofgoingstraighttothegate,too,shesteppedbackintothepassage,andbeckonedme.
“Comehere!Youmaykissme,ifyoulike.”
Ikissedhercheekassheturnedittome.
IthinkIwouldhavegonethroughagreatdealtokisshercheek.
But,Ifeltthatthekisswasgiventothecoarsecommonboyasapieceofmoneymighthavebeen,andthatitwasworthnothing.
Whatwiththebirthdayvisitors,andwhatwiththecards,andwhatwiththefight,mystayhadlastedsolong,thatwhenInearedhomethelightonthespitofsandoffthepointonthemarsheswasgleamingagainstablacknight-sky,andJoe’sfurnacewasflingingapathoffireacrosstheroad.
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