English
Inthefaceofallhishandicaps,Jurgiswasobligedtomakethepriceofalodging,andofadrinkeveryhourortwo,underpenaltyoffreezingtodeath.
Dayafterdayheroamedaboutinthearcticcold,hissoulfilledfullofbitternessanddespair.
Hesawtheworldofcivilizationthenmoreplainlythaneverhehadseenitbefore;aworldinwhichnothingcountedbutbrutalmight,anorderdevisedbythosewhopossesseditforthesubjugationofthosewhodidnot.
Hewasoneofthelatter;andalloutdoors,alllife,wastohimonecolossalprison,whichhepacedlikeapent-uptiger,tryingonebarafteranother,andfindingthemallbeyondhispower.
Hehadlostinthefiercebattleofgreed,andsowasdoomedtobeexterminated;andallsocietywasbusiedtoseethathedidnotescapethesentence.
Everywherethatheturnedwereprisonbars,andhostileeyesfollowinghim;thewell-fed,sleekpolicemen,fromwhoseglancesheshrank,andwhoseemedtogriptheirclubsmoretightlywhentheysawhim;thesaloon-keepers,whoneverceasedtowatchhimwhilehewasintheirplaces,whowerejealousofeverymomenthelingeredafterhehadpaidhismoney;thehurryingthrongsuponthestreets,whoweredeaftohisentreaties,obliviousofhisveryexistence—andsavageandcontemptuouswhenheforcedhimselfuponthem.
Theyhadtheirownaffairs,andtherewasnoplaceforhimamongthem.
Therewasnoplaceforhimanywhere—everydirectionheturnedhisgaze,thisfactwasforceduponhim:Everythingwasbuilttoexpressittohim:theresidences,withtheirheavywallsandbolteddoors,andbasementwindowsbarredwithiron;thegreatwarehousesfilledwiththeproductsofthewholeworld,andguardedbyironshuttersandheavygates;thebankswiththeirunthinkablebillionsofwealth,allburiedinsafesandvaultsofsteel.
AndthenonedaytherebefellJurgistheoneadventureofhislife.
Itwaslateatnight,andhehadfailedtogetthepriceofalodging.
Snowwasfalling,andhehadbeenoutsolongthathewascoveredwithit,andwaschilledtothebone.
Hewasworkingamongthetheatercrowds,flittinghereandthere,takinglargechanceswiththepolice,inhisdesperationhalfhopingtobearrested.
Whenhesawabluecoatstarttowardhim,however,hisheartfailedhim,andhedasheddownasidestreetandfledacoupleofblocks.
Whenhestoppedagainhesawamancomingtowardhim,andplacedhimselfinhispath.
“Please,sir,”hebegan,intheusualformula,“willyougivemethepriceofalodging?
I’vehadabrokenarm,andIcan’twork,andI’venotacentinmypocket.
I’manhonestworking-man,sir,andIneverbeggedbefore!It’snotmyfault,sir—”
Jurgisusuallywentonuntilhewasinterrupted,butthismandidnotinterrupt,andsoatlasthecametoabreathlessstop.
Theotherhadhalted,andJurgissuddenlynoticedthathestoodalittleunsteadily.“Whuzzatyousay?”hequeriedsuddenly,inathickvoice.
Jurgisbeganagain,speakingmoreslowlyanddistinctly;beforehewashalfthroughtheotherputouthishandandrestedituponhisshoulder.“Poorolechappie!”hesaid.“Beenup—hic—up—againstit,hey?”
ThenhelurchedtowardJurgis,andthehanduponhisshoulderbecameanarmabouthisneck.“Upagainstitmyself,olesport,”hesaid.“She’sahardoleworld.”
Theywereclosetoalamppost,andJurgisgotaglimpseoftheother.
Hewasayoungfellow—notmuchovereighteen,withahandsomeboyishface.
Heworeasilkhatandarichsoftovercoatwithafurcollar;andhesmiledatJurgiswithbenignantsympathy.
“I’mhardup,too,mygoo’fren’,”hesaid.
“I’vegotcruelparents,orI’dsetyouup.Whuzzamatterwhizyer?”
“I’vebeeninthehospital.”
“Hospital!”exclaimedtheyoungfellow,stillsmilingsweetly,“thasstoobad!Same’smyAuntPolly—hic—myAuntPolly’sinthehospital,too—oleauntie’sbeenhavin’twins!Whuzzamatterwhizyou?”
“I’vegotabrokenarm—”Jurgisbegan.
“So,”saidtheother,sympathetically.“Thatain’tsobad—yougetoverthat.
Iwishsomebody’dbreakmyarm,olechappie—damfidon’t!
Thenthey’dtreatmebetter—hic—holemeup,olesport!Whuzzityouwammmedo?”
“I’mhungry,sir,”saidJurgis.
“Hungry!Whydon’tyouhassomesupper?”
“I’vegotnomoney,sir.”
“Nomoney!Ho,ho—lessbechums,oleboy—jesslikeme!Nomoney,either—a’mostbusted!Whydon’tyougohome,then,same’sme?”
“Ihaven’tanyhome,”saidJurgis.
“Nohome!Strangerinthecity,hey?Goo’God,thassbad!
Bettercomehomewizme—yes,byHarry,thassthetrick,you’llcomehomean’hassomesupper—hic—wizme!Awfullonesome—nobodyhome!
Guv’nergoneabroad—Bubbyon’shoneymoon—Pollyhavin’twins—everydamnsoulgoneaway!
Nuff—hic—nufftodriveafellertodrink,Isay!
OnlyoleHamstandin’by,passin’plates—damficaneatlikethat,nosir!
Theclubformeeverytime,myboy,Isay.
Butthentheywon’tlemmesleepthere—guv’ner’sorders,byHarry—homeeverynight,sir!Everhearanythin’likethat?‘Everymornin’do?’Iaskedhim.
‘No,sir,everynight,ornoallowanceatall,sir.’
Thassmyguv’ner—’niceasnails,byHarry!
ToleoleHamtowatchme,too—servantsspyin’onme—whuzyerthinkthat,myfren’?
Anice,quiet—hic—goodheartedyoungfellerlikeme,an’hisdaddycan’tgotoEurope—hup!—an’leavehiminpeace!Ain’tthatashame,sir?
An’Igottergohomeeveryevenin’an’missallthefun,byHarry!
Thasswhuzzamatternow—thasswhyI’mhere!
Haddacomeawayan’leaveKitty—hic—lefthercryin’,too—whujjathinkofthat,olesport?
‘Lemmego,Kittens,’saysI—’comeearlyan’often—Igowhereduty—hic—callsme.
Farewell,farewell,myowntruelove—farewell,farewehell,my—owntrue—love!’”
Thislastwasasong,andtheyounggentleman’svoicerosemournfulandwailing,whileheswunguponJurgis’sneck.
Thelatterwasglancingaboutnervously,lestsomeoneshouldapproach.Theywerestillalone,however.
“ButIcameallright,allright,”continuedtheyoungster,aggressively,“Ican—hic—IcanhavemyownwaywhenIwantit,byHarry—FreddieJonesisahardmantohandlewhenhegetsgoin’!
‘No,sir,’saysI,‘bythunder,andIdon’tneedanybodygoin’homewithme,either—whujjatakemefor,hey?ThinkI’mdrunk,dontcha,hey?—Iknowyou!
ButI’mnomoredrunkthanyouare,Kittens,’saysItoher.
Andthensaysshe,‘Thasstrue,Freddiedear’(she’sasmartone,isKitty),‘butI’mstayin’intheflat,an’you’regoin’outintothecold,coldnight!’
‘Putitinapome,lovelyKitty,’saysI.‘Nojokin’,Freddie,myboy,’saysshe.
‘Lemmecallacabnow,likeagooddear’—butIcancallmyowncabs,dontchafoolyourself—andIknowwhatI’ma-doin’,youbet!
Say,myfren’,whatchasay—willyecomehomean’seeme,an’hassomesupper?
Come‘longlikeagoodfeller—don’tbehaughty!
You’reupagainstit,sameasme,an’youcanunerstan’afeller;yourheart’sintherightplace,byHarry—come‘long,olechappie,an’we’lllightupthehouse,an’havesomefizz,an’we’llraisehell,wewill—whoop-la!
S’long’sI’minsidethehouseIcandoasIplease—theguv’ner’sownveryorders,b’God!Hip!hip!”
Theyhadstarteddownthestreet,arminarm,theyoungmanpushingJurgisalong,halfdazed.
Jurgiswastryingtothinkwhattodo—heknewhecouldnotpassanycrowdedplacewithhisnewacquaintancewithoutattractingattentionandbeingstopped.
Itwasonlybecauseofthefallingsnowthatpeoplewhopassedheredidnotnoticeanythingwrong.
Suddenly,therefore,Jurgisstopped.“Isitveryfar?”heinquired.
“Notvery,”saidtheother,“Tired,areyou,though?Well,we’llride—whatchasay?Good!Callacab!”
Andthen,grippingJurgistightwithonehand,theyoungfellowbegansearchinghispocketswiththeother.“Youcall,olesport,an’I’llpay,”hesuggested.“How’sthat,hey?”
Andhepulledoutfromsomewhereabigrollofbills.ItwasmoremoneythanJurgishadeverseeninhislifebefore,andhestaredatitwithstartledeyes.
“Lookslikealot,hey?”saidMasterFreddie,fumblingwithit.
“Foolyou,though,olechappie—they’realllittleones!
I’llbebustedinoneweekmore,surething—wordofhonor.
An’notacentmoretillthefirst—hic—guv’ner’sorders—hic—notacent,byHarry!Nufftosetafellercrazy,itis.
Isenthimacable,thisaf’noon—thassonereasonmorewhyI’mgoin’home.
‘Hangin’onthevergeofstarvation,’Isays—’forthehonorofthefamily—hic—sen’mesomebread.
Hungerwillcompelmetojoinyou—Freddie.’
ThasswhatIwiredhim,byHarry,an’Imeanit—I’llrunawayfromschool,b’God,ifhedon’tsen’mesome.”
Afterthisfashiontheyounggentlemancontinuedtoprattleon—andmeantimeJurgiswastremblingwithexcitement.
Hemightgrabthatwadofbillsandbeoutofsightinthedarknessbeforetheothercouldcollecthiswits.Shouldhedoit?
Whatbetterhadhetohopefor,ifhewaitedlonger?
ButJurgishadnevercommittedacrimeinhislife,andnowhehesitatedhalfasecondtoolong.
“Freddie”gotonebillloose,andthenstuffedtherestbackintohistrousers’pocket.
“Here,oleman,”hesaid,“youtakeit.”Hehelditoutfluttering.
Theywereinfrontofasaloon;andbythelightofthewindowJurgissawthatitwasahundred-dollarbill!“Youtakeit,”theotherrepeated.
“Paythecabbiean’keepthechange—I’vegot—hic—noheadforbusiness!
Guv’nersayssohisself,an’theguv’nerknows—theguv’ner’sgotaheadforbusiness,youbet!
‘Allright,guv’ner,’Itoldhim,‘youruntheshow,andI’lltakethetickets!’
An’sohesetAuntPollytowatchme—hic—an’nowPolly’soffinthehospitalhavin’twins,an’meoutraisin’Cain!Hello,there!Hey!Callhim!”
Acabwasdrivingby;andJurgissprangandcalled,anditswungroundtothecurb.
MasterFreddieclamberedinwithsomedifficulty,andJurgishadstartedtofollow,whenthedrivershouted:“Hi,there!Getout—you!”
Jurgishesitated,andwashalfobeying;buthiscompanionbrokeout:“Whuzzat?Whuzzamatterwizyou,hey?”
Andthecabbiesubsided,andJurgisclimbedin.
ThenFreddiegaveanumberontheLakeShoreDrive,andthecarriagestartedaway.
TheyoungsterleanedbackandsnuggleduptoJurgis,murmuringcontentedly;inhalfaminutehewassoundasleep,Jurgissatshivering,speculatingastowhetherhemightnotstillbeabletogetholdoftherollofbills.
Hewasafraidtotrytogothroughhiscompanion’spockets,however;andbesidesthecabbiemightbeonthewatch.
Hehadthehundredsafe,andhewouldhavetobecontentwiththat.
Attheendofhalfanhourorsothecabstopped.
Theywereoutonthewaterfront,andfromtheeastafreezinggalewasblowingofftheice-boundlake.
“Hereweare,”calledthecabbie,andJurgisawakenedhiscompanion.
MasterFreddiesatupwithastart.
“Hello!”hesaid.“Wherearewe?Whuzzis?Whoareyou,hey?Oh,yes,surenuff!Mos’forgotyou—hic—olechappie!Home,arewe?Lessee!Br-r-r—it’scold!
Yes—come‘long—we’rehome—iteverso—hic—humble!”
Beforethemthereloomedanenormousgranitepile,setfarbackfromthestreet,andoccupyingawholeblock.
BythelightofthedrivewaylampsJurgiscouldseethatithadtowersandhugegables,likeamedievalcastle.
Hethoughtthattheyoungfellowmusthavemadeamistake—itwasinconceivabletohimthatanypersoncouldhaveahomelikeahotelorthecityhall.
Buthefollowedinsilence,andtheywentupthelongflightofsteps,arminarm.
“There’sabuttonhere,olesport,”saidMasterFreddie.“HolemyarmwhileIfindher!Steady,now—oh,yes,heresheis!Saved!”
Abellrang,andinafewsecondsthedoorwasopened.Amaninblueliverystoodholdingit,andgazingbeforehim,silentasastatue.
Theystoodforamomentblinkinginthelight.
ThenJurgisfelthiscompanionpulling,andhesteppedin,andtheblueautomatonclosedthedoor.
Jurgis’sheartwasbeatingwildly;itwasaboldthingforhimtodo—intowhatstrangeunearthlyplacehewasventuringhehadnoidea.
Aladdinenteringhiscavecouldnothavebeenmoreexcited.
Theplacewherehestoodwasdimlylighted;buthecouldseeavasthall,withpillarsfadingintothedarknessabove,andagreatstaircaseopeningatthefarendofit.
Thefloorwasoftesselatedmarble,smoothasglass,andfromthewallsstrangeshapesloomedout,wovenintohugeportieresinrich,harmoniouscolors,orgleamingfrompaintings,wonderfulandmysterious-lookinginthehalf-light,purpleandredandgolden,likesunsetglimmersinashadowyforest.
Themaninliveryhadmovedsilentlytowardthem;MasterFreddietookoffhishatandhandedittohim,andthen,lettinggoofJurgis’arm,triedtogetoutofhisovercoat.
Aftertwoorthreeattemptsheaccomplishedthis,withthelackey’shelp,andmeantimeasecondmanhadapproached,atallandportlypersonage,solemnasanexecutioner.
HeborestraightdownuponJurgis,whoshrankawaynervously;heseizedhimbythearmwithoutaword,andstartedtowardthedoorwithhim.
ThensuddenlycameMasterFreddie’svoice,“Hamilton!Myfren’willremainwizme.”
ThemanpausedandhalfreleasedJurgis.“Come‘longolechappie,”saidtheother,andJurgisstartedtowardhim.
“MasterFrederick!”exclaimedtheman.
“Seethatthecabbie—hic—ispaid,”wastheother’sresponse;andhelinkedhisarminJurgis’.
Jurgiswasabouttosay,“Ihavethemoneyforhim,”butherestrainedhimself.
Thestoutmaninuniformsignaledtotheother,whowentouttothecab,whilehefollowedJurgisandhisyoungmaster.
Theywentdownthegreathall,andthenturned.Beforethemweretwohugedoors.
“Hamilton,”saidMasterFreddie.
“Well,sir?”saidtheother.
“Whuzzamatterwizzedinin’-roomdoors?”
“Nothingisthematter,sir.”
“Thenwhydontchaopenum?”
Themanrolledthemback;anothervistalostitselfinthedarkness.
“Lights,”commandedMasterFreddie;andthebutlerpressedabutton,andafloodofbrilliantincandescencestreamedfromabove,half-blindingJurgis.
Hestared;andlittlebylittlehemadeoutthegreatapartment,withadomedceilingfromwhichthelightpoured,andwallsthatwereoneenormouspainting—nymphsanddryadsdancinginaflower-strewnglade—Dianawithherhoundsandhorses,dashingheadlongthroughamountainstreamlet—agroupofmaidensbathinginaforestpool—alllife-size,andsorealthatJurgisthoughtthatitwassomeworkofenchantment,thathewasinadreampalace.
Thenhiseyepassedtothelongtableinthecenterofthehall,atableblackasebony,andgleamingwithwroughtsilverandgold.
Inthecenterofitwasahugecarvenbowl,withtheglisteninggleamoffernsandtheredandpurpleofrareorchids,glowingfromalighthiddensomewhereintheirmidst.
“This’sthedinin’room,”observedMasterFreddie.“Howyoulikeit,hey,olesport?”
Healwaysinsistedonhavingananswertohisremarks,leaningoverJurgisandsmilingintohisface.Jurgislikedit.
“Rummyoleplacetofeedinall‘lone,though,”wasFreddie’scomment—”rummy’shell!Whuzyathink,hey?”
Thenanotherideaoccurredtohimandhewenton,withoutwaiting:“Maybeyouneversawanythin—hic—likethis‘fore?Hey,olechappie?”
“No,”saidJurgis.
“Comefromcountry,maybe—hey?”
“Yes,”saidJurgis.
“Aha!Ithosso!
Lossafolksfromcountryneversawsuchaplace.
Guv’nerbrings‘em—freeshow—hic—reg’larcircus!Gohometellfolksaboutit.
Olemanlones’splace—lonesthepacker—beef-trustman.
Madeitalloutofhogs,too,damnolescoundrel.
Nowweseewhereourpenniesgo—rebates,an’privatecarlines—hic—byHarry!Bullyplace,though—worthseein’!
Everhearoflonesthepacker,hey,olechappie?”
Jurgishadstartedinvoluntarily;theother,whosesharpeyesmissednothing,demanded:“Whuzzamatter,hey?Heardofhim?”
AndJurgismanagedtostammerout:“Ihaveworkedforhimintheyards.”
“What!”criedMasterFreddie,withayell.“You!Intheyards?Ho,ho!Why,say,thassgood!Shakehandsonit,oleman—byHarry!
Guv’neroughttobehere—gladtoseeyou.
Greatfren’swiththemen,guv’ner—laboran’capital,commun’ty‘fint’rests,an’allthat—hic!
Funnythingshappeninthisworld,don’tthey,oleman?
Hamilton,lemmeinterduceyou—fren’thefamily—olefren’theguv’ner’s—worksintheyards.
Cometospendthenightwizme,Hamilton—haveahottime.Mefren’,Mr.—whuzyaname,olechappie?Tellusyourname.”
“Rudkus—JurgisRudkus.”
“Myfren’,Mr.Rednose,Hamilton—shakehan’s.”
Thestatelybutlerbowedhishead,butmadenotasound;andsuddenlyMasterFreddiepointedaneagerfingerathim.
“Iknowwhuzzamatterwizyou,Hamilton—layyouadollarIknow!Youthink—hic—youthinkI’mdrunk!Hey,now?”
Andthebutleragainbowedhishead.“Yes,sir,”hesaid,atwhichMasterFreddiehungtightlyuponJurgis’sneckandwentintoafitoflaughter.
“Hamilton,youdamnolescoundrel,”heroared,“I’ll‘schargeyouforimpudence,yousee‘fIdon’t!Ho,ho,ho!I’mdrunk!Ho,ho!”
Thetwowaiteduntilhisfithadspentitself,toseewhatnewwhimwouldseizehim.“Whatchawantado?”hequeriedsuddenly.“Wantaseetheplace,olechappie?Wammeplaytheguv’ner—showyouroun’?
Stateparlors—LooeeCans—LooeeSez—chairscostthreethousandapiece.
TearoomMaryanntnet—pictureofshepherdsdancing—Ruysdael—twenty-threethousan’!
Ballroom—balc’nypillars—hic—imported—specialship—sixty-eightthousan’!
Ceilin’paintedinRome—whuzzatfeller’sname,Hamilton—Mattatoni?Macaroni?
Thenthisplace—silverbowl—BenvenutoCellini—rummyoleDago!
An’theorgan—thirtythousan’dollars,sir—starterup,Hamilton,letMr.Rednosehearit.
No—nevermind—cleanforgot—sayshe’shungry,Hamilton—lesshavesomesupper.
Only—hic—don’tlesshaveithere—comeuptomyplace,olesport—nicean’cosy.
Thisway—steadynow,don’tsliponthefloor.
Hamilton,we’llhaveacolespread,an’somefizz—don’tleaveoutthefizz,byHarry.
We’llhavesomeoftheeighteen-thirtyMadeira.Hearme,sir?”
“Yes,sir,”saidthebutler,“but,MasterFrederick,yourfatherleftorders—”
AndMasterFrederickdrewhimselfuptoastatelyheight.
“Myfather’sorderswerelefttome—hic—an’nottoyou,”hesaid.
Then,claspingJurgistightlybytheneck,hestaggeredoutoftheroom;onthewayanotherideaoccurredtohim,andheasked:“Any—hic—cablemessageforme,Hamilton?”
“No,sir,”saidthebutler.
“Guv’nermustbetravelin’.An’how’sthetwins,Hamilton?”
“Theyaredoingwell,sir.”
“Good!”saidMasterFreddie;andaddedfervently:“Godbless‘em,thelittlelambs!”
Theywentupthegreatstaircase,onestepatatime;atthetopofittheregleamedatthemoutoftheshadowsthefigureofanymphcrouchingbyafountain,afigureravishinglybeautiful,thefleshwarmandglowingwiththehuesoflife.
Abovewasahugecourt,withdomedroof,thevariousapartmentsopeningintoit.
Thebutlerhadpausedbelowbutafewminutestogiveorders,andthenfollowedthem;nowhepressedabutton,andthehallblazedwithlight.
Heopenedadoorbeforethem,andthenpressedanotherbutton,astheystaggeredintotheapartment.
Itwasfittedupasastudy.Inthecenterwasamahoganytable,coveredwithbooks,andsmokers’implements;thewallsweredecoratedwithcollegetrophiesandcolors—flags,posters,photographsandknickknacks—tennisrackets,canoepaddles,golfclubs,andpolosticks.
Anenormousmoosehead,withhornssixfeetacross,facedabuffaloheadontheoppositewall,whilebearandtigerskinscoveredthepolishedfloor.
Therewereloungingchairsandsofas,windowseatscoveredwithsoftcushionsoffantasticdesigns;therewasonecornerfittedinPersianfashion,withahugecanopyandajeweledlampbeneath.
Beyond,adooropeneduponabedroom,andbeyondthatwasaswimmingpoolofthepurestmarble,thathadcostaboutfortythousanddollars.
MasterFreddiestoodforamomentortwo,gazingabouthim;thenoutofthenextroomadogemerged,amonstrousbulldog,themosthideousobjectthatJurgishadeverlaideyesupon.
Heyawned,openingamouthlikeadragon’s;andhecametowardtheyoungman,wagginghistail.“Hello,Dewey!”criedhismaster.“Beenhavin’asnooze,oleboy?Well,well—hellothere,whuzzamatter?”(ThedogwassnarlingatJurgis.)
“Why,Dewey—this’myfren’,Mr.Rednose—olefren’theguv’ner’s!
Mr.Rednose,AdmiralDewey;shakehan’s—hic.
Ain’theadaisy,though—blueribbonattheNewYorkshow—eighty-fivehundredataclip!How’sthat,hey?”
Thespeakersankintooneofthebigarmchairs,andAdmiralDeweycrouchedbeneathit;hedidnotsnarlagain,buthenevertookhiseyesoffJurgis.Hewasperfectlysober,wastheAdmiral.
Thebutlerhadclosedthedoor,andhestoodbyit,watchingJurgiseverysecond.
Nowtherecamefootstepsoutside,and,asheopenedthedooramaninliveryentered,carryingafoldingtable,andbehindhimtwomenwithcoveredtrays.
Theystoodlikestatueswhilethefirstspreadthetableandsetoutthecontentsofthetraysuponit.
Therewerecoldpates,andthinslicesofmeat,tinybreadandbuttersandwicheswiththecrustcutoff,abowlofslicedpeachesandcream(inJanuary),littlefancycakes,pinkandgreenandyellowandwhite,andhalfadozenice-coldbottlesofwine.
“Thassthestuffforyou!”criedMasterFreddie,exultantly,ashespiedthem.“Come‘long,olechappie,moveup.”
Andheseatedhimselfatthetable;thewaiterpulledacork,andhetookthebottleandpouredthreeglassesofitscontentsinsuccessiondownhisthroat.
Thenhegavealong-drawnsigh,andcriedagaintoJurgistoseathimself.
Thebutlerheldthechairattheoppositesideofthetable,andJurgisthoughtitwastokeephimoutofit;butfinallyheunderstandthatitwastheother’sintentiontoputitunderhim,andsohesatdown,cautiouslyandmistrustingly.
MasterFreddieperceivedthattheattendantsembarrassedhim,andheremarkedwithanodtothem,“Youmaygo.”
Theywent,allsavethebutler.
“Youmaygotoo,Hamilton,”hesaid.
“MasterFrederick—”themanbegan.
“Go!”criedtheyoungster,angrily.“Damnyou,don’tyouhearme?”
Themanwentoutandclosedthedoor;Jurgis,whowasassharpashe,observedthathetookthekeyoutofthelock,inorderthathemightpeerthroughthekeyhole.
MasterFrederickturnedtothetableagain.“Now,”hesaid,“goforit.”
Jurgisgazedathimdoubtingly.“Eat!”criedtheother.“Pilein,olechappie!”
“Don’tyouwantanything?”Jurgisasked.
“Ain’thungry,”wasthereply—”onlythirsty.Kittyandmehadsomecandy—yougoon.”
SoJurgisbegan,withoutfurtherparley.
Heateaswithtwoshovels,hisforkinonehandandhisknifeintheother;whenheoncegotstartedhiswolf-hungergotthebetterofhim,andhedidnotstopforbreathuntilhehadclearedeveryplate.“Geewhiz!”
saidtheother,whohadbeenwatchinghiminwonder.
ThenheheldJurgisthebottle.“Lesseeyoudrinknow,”hesaid;andJurgistookthebottleandturnedituptohismouth,andawonderfullyunearthlyliquidecstasypoureddownhisthroat,ticklingeverynerveofhim,thrillinghimwithjoy.
Hedranktheverylastdropofit,andthenhegaveventtoalong-drawn“Ah!”
“Goodstuff,hey?”saidFreddie,sympathetically;hehadleanedbackinthebigchair,puttinghisarmbehindhisheadandgazingatJurgis.
AndJurgisgazedbackathim.Hewascladinspotlesseveningdress,wasFreddie,andlookedveryhandsome—hewasabeautifulboy,withlightgoldenhairandtheheadofanAntinous.
HesmiledatJurgisconfidingly,andthenstartedtalkingagain,withhisblissfulinsouciance.
Thistimehetalkedfortenminutesatastretch,andinthecourseofthespeechhetoldJurgisallofhisfamilyhistory.
HisbigbrotherCharliewasinlovewiththeguilelessmaidenwhoplayedthepartof“LittleBright-Eyes”in“TheKaliphofKamskatka.”
Hehadbeenonthevergeofmarryingheronce,only“theguv’ner”hadsworntodisinherithim,andhadpresentedhimwithasumthatwouldstaggertheimagination,andthathadstaggeredthevirtueof“LittleBright-Eyes.”
NowCharliehadgotleavefromcollege,andhadgoneawayinhisautomobileonthenextbestthingtoahoneymoon.
“Theguv’ner”hadmadethreatstodisinheritanotherofhischildrenalso,sisterGwendolen,whohadmarriedanItalianmarquiswithastringoftitlesandaduelingrecord.
Theylivedinhischateau,orratherhad,untilhehadtakentofiringthebreakfastdishesather;thenshehadcabledforhelp,andtheoldgentlemanhadgoneovertofindoutwhatwerehisGrace’sterms.
SotheyhadleftFreddieallalone,andhewithlessthantwothousanddollarsinhispocket.
Freddiewasupinarmsandmeantseriousbusiness,astheywouldfindintheend—iftherewasnootherwayofbringingthemtotermshewouldhavehis“Kittens”wirethatshewasabouttomarryhim,andseewhathappenedthen.
Sothecheerfulyoungsterrattledon,untilhewastiredout.
HesmiledhissweetestsmileatJurgis,andthenheclosedhiseyes,sleepily.
Thenheopenedthemagain,andsmiledoncemore,andfinallyclosedthemandforgottoopenthem.
ForseveralminutesJurgissatperfectlymotionless,watchinghim,andrevelinginthestrangesensationofthechampagne.
Oncehestirred,andthedoggrowled;afterthathesatalmostholdinghisbreath—untilafterawhilethedooroftheroomopenedsoftly,andthebutlercamein.
HewalkedtowardJurgisupontiptoe,scowlingathim;andJurgisroseup,andretreated,scowlingback.
Sountilhewasagainstthewall,andthenthebutlercameclose,andpointedtowardthedoor.“Getoutofhere!”hewhispered.
Jurgishesitated,givingaglanceatFreddie,whowassnoringsoftly.“Ifyoudo,yousonofa—”hissedthebutler,“I’llmashinyourfaceforyoubeforeyougetoutofhere!”
AndJurgiswaveredbutaninstantmore.Hesaw“AdmiralDewey”comingupbehindthemanandgrowlingsoftly,tobackuphisthreats.Thenhesurrenderedandstartedtowardthedoor.
Theywentoutwithoutasound,anddownthegreatechoingstaircase,andthroughthedarkhall.Atthefrontdoorhepaused,andthebutlerstrodeclosetohim.
“Holdupyourhands,”hesnarled.Jurgistookastepback,clinchinghisonewellfist.
“Whatfor?”hecried;andthenunderstandingthatthefellowproposedtosearchhim,heanswered,“I’llseeyouinhellfirst.”
“Doyouwanttogotojail?”demandedthebutler,menacingly.“I’llhavethepolice—”
“Have‘em!”roaredJurgis,withfiercepassion.“Butyouwon’tputyourhandsonmetillyoudo!Ihaven’ttouchedanythinginyourdamnedhouse,andI’llnothaveyoutouchme!”
Sothebutler,whowasterrifiedlesthisyoungmastershouldwaken,steppedsuddenlytothedoor,andopenedit.“Getoutofhere!”
hesaid;andthenasJurgispassedthroughtheopening,hegavehimaferociouskickthatsenthimdownthegreatstonestepsatarun,andlandedhimsprawlinginthesnowatthebottom.
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