English
Eighto’clockhadstruckbeforeIgotintotheairthatwasscented,notdisagreeably,bythechipsandshavingsofthelong-shoreboatbuilders,andmastoarandblockmakers.
Allthatwater-sideregionoftheupperandlowerPoolbelowBridge,wasunknowngroundtome,andwhenIstruckdownbytheriver,IfoundthatthespotIwantedwasnotwhereIhadsupposedittobe,andwasanythingbuteasytofind.
ItwascalledMillPondBank,Chinks’sBasin;andIhadnootherguidetoChinks’sBasinthantheOldGreenCopperRope-Walk.
ItmattersnotwhatstrandedshipsrepairingindrydocksIlostmyselfamong,whatoldhullsofshipsincourseofbeingknockedtopieces,whatoozeandslimeandotherdregsoftide,whatyardsofship-buildersandship-breakers,whatrustyanchorsblindlybitingintothegroundthoughforyearsoffduty,whatmountainouscountryofaccumulatedcasksandtimber,howmanyrope-walksthatwerenottheOldGreenCopper.
Afterseveraltimesfallingshortofmydestinationandasoftenover-shootingit,Icameunexpectedlyroundacorner,uponMillPondBank.
Itwasafreshkindofplace,allcircumstancesconsidered,wherethewindfromtheriverhadroomtoturnitselfround;andthereweretwoorthreetreesinit,andtherewasthestumpofaruinedwindmill,andtherewastheOldGreenCopperRope-Walk—whoselongandnarrowvistaIcouldtraceinthemoonlight,alongaseriesofwoodenframessetintheground,thatlookedlikesuperannuatedhaymaking-rakeswhichhadgrownoldandlostmostoftheirteeth.
SelectingfromthefewqueerhousesuponMillPondBank,ahousewithawoodenfrontandthreestoriesofbow-window(notbay-window,whichisanotherthing),Ilookedattheplateuponthedoor,andreadthere,Mrs.Whimple.
ThatbeingthenameIwanted,Iknocked,andanelderlywomanofapleasantandthrivingappearanceresponded.
Shewasimmediatelydeposed,however,byHerbert,whosilentlyledmeintotheparlourandshutthedoor.
Itwasanoddsensationtoseehisveryfamiliarfaceestablishedquiteathomeinthatveryunfamiliarroomandregion;andIfoundmyselflookingathim,muchasIlookedatthecorner-cupboardwiththeglassandchina,theshellsuponthechimney-piece,andthecolouredengravingsonthewall,representingthedeathofCaptainCook,aship-launch,andhisMajestyKingGeorgetheThirdinastate-coachman’swig,leather-breeches,andtop-boots,ontheterraceatWindsor.
“Alliswell,Handel,”saidHerbert,“andheisquitesatisfied,thougheagertoseeyou.
Mydeargirliswithherfather;andifyou’llwaittillshecomesdown,I’llmakeyouknowntoher,andthenwe’llgoup-stairs.—That’sherfather.”
Ihadbecomeawareofanalarminggrowlingoverhead,andhadprobablyexpressedthefactinmycountenance.
“Iamafraidheisasadoldrascal,”saidHerbert,smiling,“butIhaveneverseenhim.Don’tyousmellrum?Heisalwaysatit.”
“Atrum?”saidI.
“Yes,”returnedHerbert,“andyoumaysupposehowmilditmakeshisgout.
Hepersists,too,inkeepingalltheprovisionsupstairsinhisroom,andservingthemout.
Hekeepsthemonshelvesoverhishead,andwillweighthemall.
Hisroommustbelikeachandler’sshop.”
Whilehethusspoke,thegrowlingnoisebecameaprolongedroar,andthendiedaway.
“Whatelsecanbetheconsequence,”saidHerbert,inexplanation,“ifhewillcutthecheese?
Amanwiththegoutinhisrighthand—andeverywhereelse—can’texpecttogetthroughaDoubleGloucesterwithouthurtinghimself.”
Heseemedtohavehurthimselfverymuch,forhegaveanotherfuriousroar.
“TohaveProvisforanupperlodgerisquiteagodsendtoMrs.Whimple,”saidHerbert,“forofcoursepeopleingeneralwon’tstandthatnoise.Acuriousplace,Handel;isn’tit?”
Itwasacuriousplace,indeed;butremarkablywellkeptandclean.
“Mrs.Whimple,”saidHerbert,whenItoldhimso,“isthebestofhousewives,andIreallydonotknowwhatmyClarawoulddowithouthermotherlyhelp.
For,Clarahasnomotherofherown,Handel,andnorelationintheworldbutoldGruffandgrim.”
“Surelythat’snothisname,Herbert?”
“No,no,”saidHerbert,“that’smynameforhim.HisnameisMr.Barley.
Butwhatablessingitisforthesonofmyfatherandmother,toloveagirlwhohasnorelations,andwhocanneverbotherherself,oranybodyelse,aboutherfamily!”
Herberthadtoldmeonformeroccasions,andnowremindedme,thathefirstknewMissClaraBarleywhenshewascompletinghereducationatanestablishmentatHammersmith,andthatonherbeingrecalledhometonurseherfather,heandshehadconfidedtheiraffectiontothemotherlyMrs.Whimple,bywhomithadbeenfosteredandregulatedwithequalkindnessanddiscretion,eversince.
ItwasunderstoodthatnothingofatendernaturecouldpossiblybeconfidedtooldBarley,byreasonofhisbeingtotallyunequaltotheconsiderationofanysubjectmorepsychologicalthanGout,Rum,andPurser’sstores.
AswewerethusconversinginalowtonewhileOldBarley’ssustainedgrowlvibratedinthebeamthatcrossedtheceiling,theroomdooropened,andaveryprettyslightdark-eyedgirloftwentyorso,cameinwithabasketinherhand:whomHerberttenderlyrelievedofthebasket,andpresentedblushing,as“Clara.”
Shereallywasamostcharminggirl,andmighthavepassedforacaptivefairy,whomthattruculentOgre,OldBarley,hadpressedintohisservice.
“Lookhere,”saidHerbert,showingmethebasket,withacompassionateandtendersmileafterwehadtalkedalittle;“here’spoorClara’ssupper,servedouteverynight.
Here’sherallowanceofbread,andhere’shersliceofcheese,andhere’sherrum—whichIdrink.
ThisisMr.Barley’sbreakfastforto-morrow,servedouttobecooked.
Twomuttonchops,threepotatoes,somesplitpeas,alittleflour,twoouncesofbutter,apinchofsalt,andallthisblackpepper.
It’ssteweduptogether,andtakenhot,andit’sanicethingforthegout,Ishouldthink!”
TherewassomethingsonaturalandwinninginClara’sresignedwayoflookingatthesestoresindetail,asHerbertpointedthemout,—andsomethingsoconfiding,loving,andinnocent,inhermodestmannerofyieldingherselftoHerbert’sembracingarm—andsomethingsogentleinher,somuchneedingprotectiononMillPondBank,byChinks’sBasin,andtheOldGreenCopperRope-Walk,withOldBarleygrowlinginthebeam—thatIwouldnothaveundonetheengagementbetweenherandHerbert,forallthemoneyinthepocket-bookIhadneveropened.
Iwaslookingatherwithpleasureandadmiration,whensuddenlythegrowlswelledintoaroaragain,andafrightfulbumpingnoisewasheardabove,asifagiantwithawoodenlegweretryingtoboreitthroughtheceilingtocometous.
UponthisClarasaidtoHerbert,“Papawantsme,darling!”andranaway.
“Thereisanunconscionableoldsharkforyou!”saidHerbert.“Whatdoyousupposehewantsnow,Handel?”
“Idon’tknow,”saidI.“Somethingtodrink?”
“That’sit!”criedHerbert,asifIhadmadeaguessofextraordinarymerit.
“Hekeepshisgrogready-mixedinalittletubonthetable.
Waitamoment,andyou’llhearClaralifthimuptotakesome.—Therehegoes!”
Anotherroar,withaprolongedshakeattheend.
“Now,”saidHerbert,asitwassucceededbysilence,“he’sdrinking.
Now,”saidHerbert,asthegrowlresoundedinthebeamoncemore,“he’sdownagainonhisback!”
Clarareturnedsoonafterwards,andHerbertaccompaniedmeup-stairstoseeourcharge.
AswepassedMr.Barley’sdoor,hewasheardhoarselymutteringwithin,inastrainthatroseandfelllikewind,thefollowingRefrain;inwhichIsubstitutegoodwishesforsomethingquitethereverse.
“Ahoy!Blessyoureyes,here’soldBillBarley.
Here’soldBillBarley,blessyoureyes.
Here’soldBillBarleyontheflatofhisback,bytheLord.
Lyingontheflatofhisback,likeadriftingolddeadflounder,here’syouroldBillBarley,blessyoureyes.Ahoy!Blessyou.”
Inthisstrainofconsolation,HerbertinformedmetheinvisibleBarleywouldcommunewithhimselfbythedayandnighttogether;oftenwhileitwaslight,having,atthesametime,oneeyeatatelescopewhichwasfittedonhisbedfortheconvenienceofsweepingtheriver.
Inhistwocabinroomsatthetopofthehouse,whichwerefreshandairy,andinwhichMr.Barleywaslessaudiblethanbelow,IfoundProviscomfortablysettled.
Heexpressednoalarm,andseemedtofeelnonethatwasworthmentioning;butitstruckmethathewassoftened—indefinably,forIcouldnothavesaidhow,andcouldneverafterwardsrecallhowwhenItried;butcertainly.
Theopportunitythattheday’sresthadgivenmeforreflection,hadresultedinmyfullydeterminingtosaynothingtohimrespectingCompeyson.
ForanythingIknew,hisanimositytowardsthemanmightotherwiseleadtohisseekinghimoutandrushingonhisowndestruction.
Therefore,whenHerbertandIsatdownwithhimbyhisfire,IaskedhimfirstofallwhetherhereliedonWemmick’sjudgmentandsourcesofinformation?
“Ay,ay,dearboy!”heanswered,withagravenod,“Jaggersknows.”
“Then,IhavetalkedwithWemmick,”saidI,“andhavecometotellyouwhatcautionhegavemeandwhatadvice.”
ThisIdidaccurately,withthereservationjustmentioned;andItoldhimhowWemmickhadheard,inNewgateprison(whetherfromofficersorprisonersIcouldnotsay),thathewasundersomesuspicion,andthatmychambershadbeenwatched;howWemmickhadrecommendedhiskeepingcloseforatime,andmykeepingawayfromhim;andwhatWemmickhadsaidaboutgettinghimabroad.
Iadded,thatofcourse,whenthetimecame,Ishouldgowithhim,orshouldfollowcloseuponhim,asmightbesafestinWemmick’sjudgment.
Whatwastofollowthat,Ididnottouchupon;neitherindeedwasIatallclearorcomfortableaboutitinmyownmind,nowthatIsawhiminthatsoftercondition,andindeclaredperilformysake.
Astoalteringmywayofliving,byenlargingmyexpenses,Iputittohimwhetherinourpresentunsettledanddifficultcircumstances,itwouldnotbesimplyridiculous,ifitwerenoworse?
Hecouldnotdenythis,andindeedwasveryreasonablethroughout.
Hiscomingbackwasaventure,hesaid,andhehadalwaysknownittobeaventure.
Hewoulddonothingtomakeitadesperateventure,andhehadverylittlefearofhissafetywithsuchgoodhelp.
Herbert,whohadbeenlookingatthefireandpondering,heresaidthatsomethinghadcomeintohisthoughtsarisingoutofWemmick’ssuggestion,whichitmightbeworthwhiletopursue.
“Wearebothgoodwatermen,Handel,andcouldtakehimdowntheriverourselveswhentherighttimecomes.
Noboatwouldthenbehiredforthepurpose,andnoboatmen;thatwouldsaveatleastachanceofsuspicion,andanychanceisworthsaving.
Nevermindtheseason;don’tyouthinkitmightbeagoodthingifyoubeganatoncetokeepaboatattheTemplestairs,andwereinthehabitofrowingupanddowntheriver?
Youfallintothathabit,andthenwhonoticesorminds?
Doittwentyorfiftytimes,andthereisnothingspecialinyourdoingitthetwenty-firstorfifty-first.”
Ilikedthisscheme,andProviswasquiteelatedbyit.
Weagreedthatitshouldbecarriedintoexecution,andthatProvisshouldneverrecognizeusifwecamebelowBridgeandrowedpastMillPondBank.
But,wefurtheragreedthatheshouldpulldowntheblindinthatpartofhiswindowwhichgaveupontheeast,wheneverhesawusandallwasright.
Ourconferencebeingnowended,andeverythingarranged,Irosetogo;remarkingtoHerbertthatheandIhadbetternotgohometogether,andthatIwouldtakehalfanhour’sstartofhim.
“Idon’tliketoleaveyouhere,”IsaidtoProvis,“thoughIcannotdoubtyourbeingsaferherethannearme.Good-bye!”
“Dearboy,”heanswered,claspingmyhands,“Idon’tknowwhenwemaymeetagain,andIdon’tlikeGood-bye.SayGoodNight!”
“Goodnight!Herbertwillgoregularlybetweenus,andwhenthetimecomesyoumaybecertainIshallbeready.Goodnight,Goodnight!”
Wethoughtitbestthatheshouldstayinhisownrooms,andwelefthimonthelandingoutsidehisdoor,holdingalightoverthestair-railtolightusdownstairs.
Lookingbackathim,Ithoughtofthefirstnightofhisreturnwhenourpositionswerereversed,andwhenIlittlesupposedmyheartcouldeverbeasheavyandanxiousatpartingfromhimasitwasnow.
OldBarleywasgrowlingandswearingwhenwerepassedhisdoor,withnoappearanceofhavingceasedorofmeaningtocease.
Whenwegottothefootofthestairs,IaskedHerbertwhetherhehadpreservedthenameofProvis.
Hereplied,certainlynot,andthatthelodgerwasMr.Campbell.
HealsoexplainedthattheutmostknownofMr.Campbellthere,was,thathe(Herbert)hadMr.Campbellconsignedtohim,andfeltastrongpersonalinterestinhisbeingwellcaredfor,andlivingasecludedlife.
So,whenwewentintotheparlourwhereMrs.WhimpleandClarawereseatedatwork,IsaidnothingofmyowninterestinMr.Campbell,butkeptittomyself.
WhenIhadtakenleaveoftheprettygentledark-eyedgirl,andofthemotherlywomanwhohadnotoutlivedherhonestsympathywithalittleaffairoftruelove,IfeltasiftheOldGreenCopperRope-Walkhadgrownquiteadifferentplace.
OldBarleymightbeasoldasthehills,andmightswearlikeawholefieldoftroopers,buttherewereredeemingyouthandtrustandhopeenoughinChinks’sBasintofillittooverflowing.
AndthenIthoughtofEstella,andofourparting,andwenthomeverysadly.
AllthingswereasquietintheTempleaseverIhadseenthem.
Thewindowsoftheroomsonthatside,latelyoccupiedbyProvis,weredarkandstill,andtherewasnoloungerinGardenCourt.
IwalkedpastthefountaintwiceorthricebeforeIdescendedthestepsthatwerebetweenmeandmyrooms,butIwasquitealone.
Herbertcomingtomybedsidewhenhecamein—forIwentstraighttobed,dispiritedandfatigued—madethesamereport.
Openingoneofthewindowsafterthat,helookedoutintothemoonlight,andtoldmethatthepavementwasasolemnlyemptyasthepavementofanyCathedralatthatsamehour.
Nextday,Isetmyselftogettheboat.Itwassoondone,andtheboatwasbroughtroundtotheTemplestairs,andlaywhereIcouldreachherwithinaminuteortwo.
Then,Ibegantogooutasfortrainingandpractice:sometimesalone,sometimeswithHerbert.
Iwasoftenoutincold,rain,andsleet,butnobodytookmuchnoteofmeafterIhadbeenoutafewtimes.
Atfirst,IkeptaboveBlackfriarsBridge;butasthehoursofthetidechanged,ItooktowardsLondonBridge.
ItwasOldLondonBridgeinthosedays,andatcertainstatesofthetidetherewasaraceandfallofwatertherewhichgaveitabadreputation.
ButIknewwellenoughhowto“shoot’thebridgeafterseeingitdone,andsobegantorowaboutamongtheshippinginthePool,anddowntoErith.
ThefirsttimeIpassedMillPondBank,HerbertandIwerepullingapairofoars;and,bothingoingandreturning,wesawtheblindtowardstheeastcomedown.
Herbertwasrarelytherelessfrequentlythanthreetimesinaweek,andheneverbroughtmeasinglewordofintelligencethatwasatallalarming.
Still,Iknewthattherewascauseforalarm,andIcouldnotgetridofthenotionofbeingwatched.
Oncereceived,itisahauntingidea;howmanyundesigningpersonsIsuspectedofwatchingme,itwouldbehardtocalculate.
Inshort,Iwasalwaysfulloffearsfortherashmanwhowasinhiding.
Herberthadsometimessaidtomethathefounditpleasanttostandatoneofourwindowsafterdark,whenthetidewasrunningdown,andtothinkthatitwasflowing,witheverythingitbore,towardsClara.
ButIthoughtwithdreadthatitwasflowingtowardsMagwitch,andthatanyblackmarkonitssurfacemightbehispursuers,goingswiftly,silently,andsurely,totakehim.
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