第11章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"A Tale of Two Cities",免费读到尾

  These,thepeopletoretopiecesandscatteredfarandwidewithgreatenjoyment,whilethetradesmenhurriedlyshutuptheirshops;foracrowdinthosetimesstoppedatnothing,andwasamonstermuchdreaded.Theyhadalreadygotthelengthofopeningthehearsetotakethecoffinout,whensomebrightergeniusproposedinstead,itsbeingescortedtodestinationamidstgeneralrejoicing.Practicalsuggestionsbeingmuchneeded,thissuggestion,too,wasreceivedwithacclamation,andthecoachwasimmediatelyfilledwitheightinsideandadozenout,whileasmanypeoplegotontheroofofthehearseascouldbyanyexerciseofingenuitystickuponit.AmongthefirstofthesevolunteerswasJerryCruncherhimself,whomodestlyconcealedhisspikyheadfromtheobservationofTellson\'s,inthefurthercornerofthemourningcoach.

  Theofficiatingundertakersmadesomeprotestagainstthesechangesintheceremonies;but,theriverbeingalarminglynear,andseveralvoicesremarkingontheefficacyofcoldimmersioninbringingrefractorymembersoftheprofessiontoreason,theprotestwasfaintandbrief.Theremodelledprocessionstarted,withachimney-sweepdrivingthehearse——advisedbytheregulardriver,whowasperchedbesidehim,undercloseinspection,forthepurpose——andwithapieman,alsoattendedbyhiscabinetminister,drivingthemourningcoach.Abear-leader,apopularstreetcharacterofthetime,wasimpressedasanadditionalornament,beforethecavalcadehadgonefardowntheStrand;andhisbear,whowasblackandverymangy,gavequiteanUndertakingairtothatpartoftheprocessioninwhichhewalked.

  Thus,withbeer-drinking,pipe-smoking,song-roaring,andinfinitecaricaturingofwoe,thedisorderlyprocessionwentitsway,recruitingateverystep,andalltheshopsshuttingupbeforeit.ItsdestinationwastheoldchurchofSaintPancras,faroffinthefields.Itgotthereincourseoftime;insistedonpouringintotheburial-ground;finally,accomplishedtheintermentofthedeceasedRogerClyinitsownway,andhighlytoitsownsatisfaction.

  Thedeadmandisposedof,andthecrowdbeingunderthenecessityofprovidingsomeotherentertainmentforitself,anotherbrightergeniusorperhapsthesameconceivedthehumourofimpeachingcasualpassersby,asOldBaileyspies,andwreakingvengeanceonthem.ChasewasgiventosomescoresofinoffensivepersonswhohadneverbeenneartheOldBaileyintheirlives,intherealisationofthisfancy,andtheywereroughlyhustledandmaltreated.Thetransitiontothesportofwindow-breaking,andthencetotheplunderingofpublic-houses,waseasyandnatural.Atlast,afterseveralhours,whensundrysummerhouseshadbeenpulleddowandsomearea-railingshadbeentornup,toarmthemorebelligerentspirits,arumourgotaboutthattheGuardswecoming.Beforethisrumour,thecrowdgraduallymeltedaway,andperhapstheGuardscame,andperhapstheynevercame,andthiswastheusualprogressofamob.

  Mr.Cruncherdidnotassistattheclosingsports,huthadremainedbehindinthechurchyard,toconferandcondolewiththeundertakers.Theplacehadasoothinginfluenceonhim.Heprocuredapipefromaneighbouringpublichouse,andsmokedit,lookinginattherailingsandmaturelyconsideringthespot.

  `Jerry,\'saidMr.Cruncher,apostrophisinghimselfinhisusualway,`youseethatthereClythatday,andyouseewithyourowneyesthathewasayoung`unandastraightmade`un.\'

  Havingsmokedhispipeout,andruminatedalittlelonger,heturnedhimselfabout,thathemightappear,beforethehourofclosing,onhisstationatTellson\'s.Whetherhismeditationsonmortalityhadtouchedhisliver,orwhetherhisgeneralhealthhadbeenpreviouslyatallamiss,orwhetherhedesiredtoshowalittleattentiontoaneminentman,isnotsomuchtothepurpose,asthathemadeashortcalluponhismedicaladviser——adistinguishedsurgeon——onhiswayback.

  YoungJerryrelievedhisfatherwithdutifulinterest,andreportedNojobinhisabsence.Thebankclosed,theancientclerkscameOut,theusualwatchwasset,andMr.Cruncherandhissonwenthometotea.

  `Now,Itellyouwhereitis!\'saidMr.Crunchertohiswife,onentering.`If,asahonesttradesman,mywentursgoeswrongtonight,Ishallmakesurethatyou\'vebeenprayingagainme,andIshallworkyouforitjustthesameasifIseenyoudoit.\'

  ThedejectedMrs.Crunchershookherhead.

  `Why,you\'reatitaforemyface!\'saidMr.Cruncher,withsignsofangryapprehension.

  `Iamsayingnothing.\'

  `Well,then;don\'tmeditatenothing.Youmightaswellmeditate.Youmayaswellgoagainmeonewayasanother.Dropitaltogether.\'

  `YesJerry.\'

  `Yes,Jerry,\'repeatedMr.Cruncher,sittingdowntotea.`Ah!Itisyes,Jerry.That\'saboutit.Youmaysayyes,Jerry.\'

  Mr.Cruncherhadnoparticularmeaninginthesesulkycorroborations,butmadeuseofthem,aspeoplenotunfrequentlydo,toexpressgeneralironicaldissatisfaction.

  `Youandyouryes,Jerry,\'saidMr.Cruncher,takingabiteoutofhisbread-and-butter,andseemingtohelpitdownwithalargeinvisibleoysteroutofhissaucer.`Ah!Ithinkso.Ibelieveyou.\'

  `Youaregoingoutto-night?\'askedhisdecentwife,whenhetookanotherbite.

  `Yes,Iam.\'

  `MayIgowithyou,father?\'askedhisson,briskly.

  `No,youmayn\'t.I\'magoing——asyourmotherknows——afishing.That\'swhereI\'mgoingto.Goingafishing.\'

  `Yourfishingrodgetsratherrusty;don\'tit,father?\'

  `Neveryoumind.\'

  `Shallyoubringanyfishhome,father?\'

  `IfIdon\'t,you\'llhaveshortcommons,tomorrow,\'returnedthatgentleman,shakinghishead;`that\'squestionsenoughforyou;Iain\'tagoingout,tillyou\'vebeenlonga-bed.\'

  HedevotedhimselfduringtheremainderoftheeveningtokeepingamostvigilantwatchonMrs.Cruncher,andsullenlyholdingherinconversationthatshemightbepreventedfrommeditatinganypetitionstohisdisadvantage.Withthisview,heurgedhissontoholdherinconversationalso,andledtheunfortunatewomanahardlifebydwellingonanycausesofcomplaintliecouldbringagainsther,ratherthanhewouldleaveherforamomenttoherownreflections.ThedevoutestpersoncouldhaverenderednogreaterhomagetotheefficacyofanhonestprayerthanhedidinthisdistrustofhisMile.Itwasasifaprofessedunbelieveringhostsshouldbefrightenedbyaghoststory.

  `Andmindyou!\'saidMr.Cruncher.`Nogamestomorrow!IfI,asahonesttradesman,succeedinprovidingajinteofmeatortwo,noneofyournottouchingofit,andstickingtobread.IfI,asahonesttradesman,amabletoprovidealittlebeer,noneofyourdeclaringonwater.WhenyougotoRome,doasRomedoes.Romewillbeauglycustomertoyou,ifyoudon\'t.`I\'myourRome,youknow.\'

  Thenhebegangrumblingagain:

  `Withyourflyingintothefaceofyourownwittlesanddrink!Idon\'tknowhowscarceyoumayn\'tmakethewittlesanddrinkhere,byyourfloppingtricksandyourunfeelingconduct.Lookatyourboy:heisyour\'n,ain\'the?He\'sasthinasalath.Doyoucallyourselfamother,andnotknowthatamother\'sfirstdutyistoblowherboyout?\'

  ThistouchedYoungJerryonatenderplace;whoadjuredhismothertoperformherfirstduty,and,whateverelseshedidorneglected,aboveallthingstolayespecialstressonthedischargeofthatmaternalfunctionsoaffectinglyanddelicatelyindicatedbyhisotherparent.

  ThustheeveningworeawaywiththeCruncherfamily,untilYoungJerrywasorderedtobed,andhismother,laidundersimilarinjunctions,obeyedthem.Mr.Cruncherbeguiledtheearlierwatchesofthenightwithsolitarypipes,anddidnotstartuponhisexcursionuntilnearlyoneo\'clock.Towardsthatsmallandghostlyhour,heroseupfromhischair,tookakeyoutofhispocket,openedalockedcupboard,andbroughtforthasack,acrowbarofconvenientsize,aropeandchain,andotherfishingtackleofthatnature.Disposingthesearticlesabouthiminskilfulmanner,hebestowedapartingdefianceonMrs.Cruncher,extinguishedthelight,andwentout.

  YoungJerry,whohadonlymadeafeintofundressingwhenhewenttobed,wasnotlongafterhisfather.Undercoverofthedarknesshefollowedoutoftheroom,followeddownthestairs,followeddownthecourt,followedoutintothestreets.Hewasinnouneasinessconcerninghisgettingintothehouseagain,foritwasfulloflodgers,andthedoorstoodajarallnight.

  Impelledbyalaudableambitiontostudytheartandmysteryofhisfather\'shonestcalling,YoungJerry,keepingasclosetohouse-fronts,walls,anddoorways,ashiseyeswereclosetooneanother,heldhishonouredparentinview.ThehonouredparentsteeringNorthward,hadnotgonefar,whenhewasjoinedbyanotherdiscipleofIzaakWalton,andthetwotrudgedontogether.

  Withinhalfanhourfromthefirststarting,theywerebeyondthewinkinglamps,andthemorethanwinkingwatchmen,andwereoutuponalonelyroad.AnotherfishermanwasPickeduphere——andthatsosilently,thatifYoungJerryhadbeensuperstitious,hemighthavesupposedthesecondfollowerofthegentlecrafttohave,allofasudden,splithimselfintwo.

  Thethreewenton,andYoungJerrywenton,untilthethreestoppedunderabankoverhangingtheroad.Uponthetopofthebankwasalowbrickwall,surmountedbyanironrailing.Intheshadowofbankandwallthethreeturnedoutoftheroad,andupablindlane,ofwhichthewall——there,risentosomeeightortenfeethigh——formedoneside.Crouchingdowninacorner,peepingupthelane,thenextobjectthatYoungJerrysaw,wastheformofhishonouredparent,prettywelldefinedagainstawateryandcloudedmoon,nimblyscalinganirongate.Hewassoonover,andthenthesecondfishermangotover,andthenthethird.Theyalldroppedsoftlyonthegroundwithinthegate,andlaytherealittle——listeningperhaps.Then,theymovedawayontheirhandsandknees.

  ItwasnowYoungJerry\'sturntoapproachthegate:whichhedid,holdinghisbreath.Crouchingdownagaininacornerthere,andlookingin,hemadeoutthethreefishermencreepingthroughsomerankgrass,andallthegravestonesinthechurchyard——itwasalargechurchyardthattheywereinlooking——onlikeghostsinwhite,whilethechurchtoweritselflookedonliketheghostofamonstrousgiant.Theydidnotcreepfar,beforetheystoppedandstoodupright.Andthentheybegantofish.

  Theyfishedwithaspade,atfirst.Presentlythehonouredparentappearedtobeadjustingsomeinstrumentlikeagreatcorkscrew.Whatevertoolstheyworkedwith,theyworkedhard,untiltheawfulstrikingofthechurchclocksoterrifiedYoung,Jerry,thathemadeoff,withhishairasstiffashisfather\'s.

  But,hislong-cherisheddesiretoknowmoreaboutthesematters,notonlystoppedhiminhisrunningaway,butluredhimbackagain.Theywerestillfishingperseveringly,whenhepeepedinatthegateforthesecondtime;but,nowtheyseemedtohavegotabite.Therewasascrewingandcomplainingsounddownbelow,andtheirbentfigureswerestrained,asifbyaweight.Byslowdegreestheweightbrokeawaytheearthuponit,andcametothesurface.YoungJerryverywellknewwhatitwouldbe;but,whenhesawit,andsawhishonouredparentabouttowrenchitopen,hewassofrightened,beingnewtothesight,thathemadeoffagain,andneverstoppeduntilhehadrunamileormore.

  Hewouldnothavestoppedthenforanythinglessnecessarythanbreath,itbeingaspectralsortofracethatheran,andonehighlydesirabletogettotheendof.Hehadastrongideathatthecoffinhehadseenwasrunningafterhim;and,picturedashoppingonbehindhim,boltupright,uponitsnarrowend,alwaysonthepointofovertakinghimandhoppingonathisside——perhapstakinghisarm——itwasapursuertoshun.Itwasaninconsistentandubiquitousfiendtoo,for,whileitwasmakingthewholenightbehindhimdreadful,hedartedoutintotheroadwaytoavoiddarkalleys,fearfulofitscominghoppingoutofthemlikeadropsicalboy\'sKitewithouttailandwings.Ithidindoorwaystoo,rubbingitshorribleshouldersagainstdoors,anddrawingthemuptoitsears,asifitwerelaughing.Itgotintoshadowsontheroad,andlaycunninglyonitsbacktotriphimup.Allthistimeitwasincessantlyhoppingonbehindandgainingonhim,sothatwhentheboygottohisowndoorliehadreasonforbeinghalfdead.Andeventhenitwouldnotleavehim,butfollowedhimupstairswithabumponeveryStair,scrambledintobedwithhim,andbumpeddown,deadandheavy,onhisbreastwhenhefellasleep.

  Fromhisoppressedslumber,YoungJerryinhisclosetwasawakenedafterdaybreakandbeforesunrise,bythepresenceofhisfatherinthefamilyroom.Somethinghadgonebongwithhim;atleast,soYoungJerryinferred,fromthecircumstanceofhisholdingMrs.Cruncherbytheears,andknockingthebackofherheadagainsttheheadboardofthebed.

  `ItoldyouIwould,\'saidMr.Cruncher,`andIdid.\'

  `Jerry,Jerry,Jerry!\'hiswifeimplored.

  `Youopposeyourselftotheprofitofthebusiness,\'saidJerry,`andmeandmypartnerssuffer.Youwastohonourandobey;whythedevildon\'tyou?\'

  `Itrytobeagoodwife,Jerry,\'thepoorwomanprotested,withtears.

  `Isitbeingagoodwifetoopposeyourhusband\'sbusiness?Isithonouringyourhusbandtodishonourhisbusiness?Isitobeyingyourhusbandtodisobeyhimonthewitalsubjectofhisbusiness?\'

  `Youhadn\'ttakentothedreadfulbusinessthen,Jerry.\'

  `It\'senoughforyou,\'retortedMr.Cruncher,`tobethewifeofahonesttradesman,andnottooccupyyourfemalemindwithcalculationswhenhetooktohistradeorwhenhedidn\'t.Ahonouringandobeyingwifewouldlethistradealonealtogether.Callyourselfareligiouswoman?Ifyou\'reareligiouswoman,givemeairreligiousone!Youhavenomorenat\'ralsenseofdutythanthebedofthishereThamesriverhasofapile,andsimilarlyitmustbeknockedintoyou.\'

  Thealtercationwasconductedinalowtoneofvoice,andterminatedinthehonesttradesman\'skickingoffhisclay-soiledboots,andlyingdownathislengthonthefloor.Aftertakingatimidpeepathimlyingonhisback,withhisrustyhandsunderhisheadforapillow,hissonlaydowntoo,andfellasleepagain.

  Therewasnofishforbreakfast,andnotmuchofanythingelse.Mr.Cruncherwasoutofspirits,andoutoftemper,andkeptanironpot-lidbyhimasaprojectileforthecorrectionofMrs.Cruncher,incaseheshouldobserveanysymptomsofhersayingGrace.Hewasbrushedandwashedattheusualhour,andsetoffwithhissontopursuehisostensiblecalling.

  YoungJerry,walkingwiththestoolunderhisarmathisfather\'ssidealongsunnyandcrowdedFleetStreet,wasaverydifferentYoungJerryfromhimofthepreviousnight,runninghomethroughdarknessandsolitudefromhisgrimpursuer.Hiscunningwasfreshwiththeday,andhisqualmsweregonewiththenight——inwhichparticularsitisnotimprobablethathehadcompeersinFleetStreetandtheCityofLondon,thatfinemorning.

  `Father,\'saidYoungJerry,astheywalkedalong:takingcaretokeepatarm\'slengthandtohavethestoolwellbetweenthem:`what\'saResurrection——Man?\'

  Mr.Crunchercametoastoponthepavementbeforelieanswered,`HowshouldIknow?\'

  `Ithoughtyouknowedeverything,father,\'saidtheartlessboy.

  `Hem!Well,\'returnedMr.Cruncher,goingonagain,andliftingoffhishattogivehisspikesfreeplay,`he\'satradesman.\'

  `What`shisgoods,father?\'askedthebriskYoungJerry.

  `Hisgoods,\'saidMr.Cruncher,afterturningitoverinhismind,isabranchofScientificgoods.\'

  `Persons\'bodies,ain\'tit,father?\'askedthelivelyboy.

  `Ibelieveitissomethingofthatsort,\'saidMr.Cruncher.

  `Oh,father,IshouldsoliketobeaResurrection——manwhenI`mquitegrowedup!\'

  Mr.Cruncherwassoothed,butshookhisheadinadubiousandmoralway.`Itdependsuponhowyoudewelopyourtalents.Becarefultodewelopyourtalents,andnevertosaynomorethanyoucanhelptonobody,andthere\'snotellingatthepresenttimewhatyoumaynotcometobefitfor.\'AsYoungJerry,thusencouraged,wentonafewyardsinadvance,toplantthestoolintheshadowoftheBar,Mr.Cruncheraddedtohimself:`Jerry,youhonesttradesman,there\'shopeswotthatboywillyetbeablessingtoyou,andarecompensetoyouforhismother!

  CHAPTERXV

  Knitting

  THEREhadbeenearlierdrinkingthanusualinthewineshopofMonsieurDefarge.Asearlyassixo\'clockinthemorning,sallowfacespeepingthroughitsbarredwindowshaddescriedotherfaceswithin,bendingovermeasuresofwine.MonsieurDefargesoldaverythinwineatthebestoftimes,butitwouldseemtohavebeenanunusuallythinwinethathesoldatthistime.Asourwine,moreover,orasouring,foritsinfluenceonthemoodofthosewhodrankitwastomakethemgloomy.NovivaciousBacchanalianflameleapedoutofthepressedgrapeofmonsieurDefarge:but,asmoulderingfirethatburntinthedark,layhiddeninthedregsofit.

  Thishadbeenthethirdmorninginsuccession,onwhichtherehadbeenearlydrinkingatthewine-shopofMonsieurDefarge.IthadbegunonMonday,andherewasWednesdaycome.Therehadbeenmoreofearlybroodingthandrinking;for,manymenhadlistenedandwhisperedandslunkabouttherefromthetimeoftheopeningofthedoor,whocouldnotavelaidaPieceofmoneyonthecountertosavetheirsouls.Theseweretothefullasinterestedintheplace,however,asiftheycouldhavecommandedwholebarrelsofwine;andtheyglidedfromseattoseat,andfromcornertocorner,swallowingtalkinlieuofdrink,withgreedylooks.

  Notwithstandinganunusualflowofcompany,themasterofthewine-shopwasnotvisible.Hewasnotmissed;for,nobodywhocrossedthethresholdlookedforhim,nobodyaskedforhim,nobodywonderedtoseeonlyMadameDefargeinherseat,presidingoverthedistributionofwine,withabowlofbatteredsmallcoinsbeforeher,asmuchdefacedandbeatenoutoftheiroriginalimpressasthesmallcoinageofhumanityfromwhoseraggedpocketstheyhadcome.

  Asuspendedinterestandaprevalentabsenceofmind,wereperhapsobservedbythespieswholookedinatthewine-shop,astheylookedinateveryplace,highandlow,fromtheking\'spalacetothecriminal\'sgaol.Gamesatcardslanguished,playersatdominoesmusinglybuilttowerswiththem,drinkersdrewfiguresonthetableswithspiltdropsofwine,MadameDefargeherselfpickedoutthepatternonhersleevewithhertoothpick,andsawandheardsomethinginaudibleandinvisiblealongwayoff.

  Thus,SaintAntoineinthisvinousfeatureofhis,untilmidday.Itwashighnoontide,whentwodustymenpassedthroughhisstreetsandunderhisswinginglamps:ofwhom,onewasMonsieurDefarge:theotheramenderofroadsinabluecap.Alladustandathirst,thetwoenteredthewine-shop.TheirarrivalhadlightedakindoffireinthebreastofSaintAntoine,fastspreadingastheycamealong,whichstirredandflickeredinflamesoffacesatmostdoorsandwindows.Yet,noonehadfollowedthem,andnomanspokewhentheyenteredthewine-shop,thoughtheeyesofeverymantherewereturneduponthem.

  `Good-day,gentlemen!\'saidMonsieurDefarge.

  Itmayhavebeenasignalforlooseningthegeneraltongue.Itelicitedanansweringchorusof`Good-day!\'

  `Itisbadweather,gentlemen,\'saidDefarge,shakinghishead.Uponwhich,everymanlookedathisneighbour,andthenallcastdowntheireyesandsatsilent.Exceptoneman,whogotupandwentout.

  `Mywife,\'saidDefargealoud,addressingMadameDefarge:`Ihavetravelledcertainleagueswiththisgoodmenderofroads,calledJacques.Imethim——byaccident——adayanhalf\'sjourneyOutofParis.Heisagoodchild,thismenderofroads,calledJacques.Givehimtodrink,mywife!\'

  Asecondmangotupandwentout.MadameDefargesetwinebeforethemenderofroadscalledJacques,whodoffedhisbluecaptothecompany,anddrank.Inthebreastofhisblousehecarriedsomecoarsedarkbread;heateofthisbetweenwhiles,andsatmunchinganddrinkingnearMadameDefarge\'scounter.Athirdmangotupandwentout.

  Defargerefreshedhimselfwithadraughtofwine——but,hetooklessthanwasgiventothestranger,asbeinghimselfamantowhomitwasnorarity——andstoodwaitinguntilthecountrymanhadmadehisbreakfast.Helookedatnoonepresent,andnoonenowlookedathim;notevenMadameDefarge,whohadtakenupherknitting,andwasatwork.

  `Haveyoufinishedyourrepast,friend?\'heasked,indueseason.

  `Yes,thankyou.\'

  `Come,then!YoushallseetheapartmentthatItoldyouyoucouldoccupy.Itwillsuityoutoamarvel.\'

  Outofthewine-shopintothestreet,outofthestreetintoacourtyard,outofthecourtyardupasteepstaircase,outofthestaircaseintoagarret——formerlythegarretwhereawhite-hairedmansatonalowbench,stoopingforwardandverybusy,makingshoes.

  Nowhite-hairedmanwastherenow;but,thethreemenweretherewhohadgoneoutofthewine-shopsingly.Andbetweenthemandthewhite-hairedmanafaroff,wastheonesmalllink,thattheyhadoncelookedinathimthroughthechinksinthewail.

  Defargeclosedthedoorcarefully,andspokeinasubduedvoice:

  `JacquesOne,JacquesTwo,JacquesThree!Thisisthewitnessencounteredbyappointment,byme,JacquesFour.

  Hewilltellyouall.Speak,JacquesFive!

  Themenderofroads,bluecapinhand,wipedhisswarthyforeheadwithit,andsaid,`WhereshallIcommence,monsieur?\'

  `Commence,\'wasMonsieurDefarge\'snotunreasonablereply,`atthecommencement.\'

  `Isawhimthen,messieurs,\'beganthemenderofroads,ayearagothisrunningsummer,underneaththecarriageoftheMarquis,hangingbythechain.Beholdthemannerofit.Ileavingmyworkontheroad,thesungoingtobed,thecarriageoftheMarquisslowlyascendingthehill,hehangingbythechain——likethis.\'

  Againthemenderofroadswentthroughthewholeperformance;inwhichheoughttohavebeenperfectbythattime,seeingthatithadbeentheinfallibleresourceandindispensableentertainmentofhisvillageduringawholeyear.

  JacquesOnestruckin,andaskedifhehadeverseenthemanbefore?

  `Never,\'answeredthemenderofroads,recoveringhisperpendicular.

  JacquesThreedemandedhowheafterwardsrecognisedhimthen?

  `Byhistallfigure,\'saidthemenderofroads,softly,andwithhisfingerathisnose.`WhenMonsieurtheMarquisdemandsthatevening,,``Say,whatishelike?\'\'Imakeresponse,``Tallasaspectre.\'\'\'

  `Youshouldhavesaid,shortasadwarf,\'returnedJacquesTwo.

  `ButwhatdidIknow?Thedeedwasnotthenaccomplished,neitherdidheconfideinme.Observe!Underthosecircumstanceseven,Idonotoffermytestimony.MonsieurtheMarquisindicatesmewithhisfinger,standingnearourlittlefountain,andsays,``Tome!Bringthatrascal!\'\'Myfaith,messieurs,Ioffernothing.\'

  `Heisrightthere,Jacques,\'murmuredDefarge,tohimwhohadinterrupted.`Goon!\'

  `Good!\'saidthemenderofroads,withanairofmystery.`Thetallmanislost,andheissought——howmanymonths?Nine,ten,eleven?\'

  `Nomatter,thenumber,\'saidDefarge.`Heiswellhidden,butatlastheisunluckilyfound.Goon!\'

  `Iamagainatworkuponthehillside,andthesunisagainabouttogotobed.Iamcollectingmytoolstodescendtomycottagedowninthevillagebelow,whereitisalreadydark,whenIraisemyeyes,andseecomingoverthehillsixsoldiers.Inthemidstofthemisatallmanwithhisarmsbound——tiedtohissides——likethis!\'

  Withtheaidofhisindispensablecap,herepresentedamanwithhiselbowsboundfastathiships,withcordsthatwereknottedbehindhim.

  `Istandaside,messieurs,bymyheapofstones,toseethesoldiersandtheirprisonerpassforitisasolitaryroad,that,whereanyspectacleiswellworthlookingat,andatfirst,astheyapproach,Iseenomorethanthattheyaresixsoldierswithatallmanbound,andthattheyarealmostblacktomysight——exceptonthesideofthesungoingtobedwheretheyhavearededge,messieurs.Also,Iseethattheirlongshadowsareonthehollowridgeontheoppositesideoftheroad,andareonthehillaboveit,andareliketheshadowsofgiants.Also,Iseethattheyarecoveredwithdust,andthatthedustmoveswiththemastheycome,tramp,tramp!Butwhentheyadvancequiteneartome,Irecognisethetallman,andherecognisesme.Ah,buthewouldbewellcontenttoprecipitatehimselfoverthehillsideonceagain,asontheeveningwhenheandIfirstencountered,closetothesamespot!\'

  Hedescribeditasifhewerethere,anditwasevidentthathesawitvividly;perhapshehadnotseenmuchinhislife.

  `IdonotshowthesoldiersthatIrecognisethetallman;hedoesnotshowthesoldiersthatherecognisesme;wedoit,andweknowit,withoureyes.``Comeon!\'\'saysthechiefofthatcompany,pointingtothevillage,``bringhimfasttohistomb!\'\'andtheybringhimfaster.Ifollow.Hisarmsareswelledbecauseofbeingboundsotight,hiswoodenshoesarelargeandclumsy,andheislame.Becauseheislame,andconsequentlyslow,theydrivehimwiththeirguns——likethis!\'

  Heimitatedtheactionofaman\'sbeingimpelledforwardbythebutt-endsofmuskets.

  `Astheydescendthehilllikemadmenrunningarace,hefalls.Theylaughandpickhimupagain.Hisfaceisbleedingandcoveredwithdust,buthecannottouchit;thereupontheylaughagain.Theybringhimintothevillage;allthevillagerunstolook;theytakehimpastthemill,anduptotheprison;allthevillageseestheprisongateopeninthedarknessofthenight,andswallowhim——likethis!\'

  Heopenedhismouthaswideashecould,andshutitwithasoundingsnapofhisteeth.Observantofhisunwillingnesstomartheeffectbyopeningitagain,Defargesaid,`Goon,Jacques.\'

  `Allthevillage,\'pursuedthemenderofroads,ontiptoeandinalowvoice,`withdraws;allthevillagewhispersbythefountain;allthevillagesleeps;allthevillagedreamsofthatunhappyone,withinthelocksandbarsoftheprisononthecrag,andnevertocomeoutofit,excepttoperish.Inthemorning,withmytoolsuponmyshoulder,eatingmymorselofblackbreadasIgo,Imakeacircuitbytheprison,onmywaytomywork.ThereIseehim,highup,behindthebarsofaloftyironcage,bloodyanddustyaslastnight,lookingthrough.Hehasnohandfree,towavetome;Idarenotcalltohim;heregardsmelikeadeadman.\'

  Defargeandthethreeglanceddarklyatoneanother.Thelooksofallofthemweredark,repressed,andrevengeful,astheylistenedtothecountryman\'sstory;themannerofallofthem,whileitwassecret,wasauthoritativetoo.Theyhadtheairofaroughtribunal;JacquesOneandTwosittingontheoldpallet-bed,eachwithhischinrestingonhishand,andhiseyesintentontheroad-mender;JacquesThree,equallyintent,ononekneebehindthem,withhisagitatedhandalwaysglidingoverthenetworkoffinenervesabouthismouthandnose;Defargestandingbetweenthemandthenarrator,whomhehadstationedinthelightofthewindow,byturnslookingfromhimtothem,andfromthemtohim.

  `Goon,Jacques,\'saidDefarge.

  `Heremainsupthereinhisironcagesomedays.Thevillagelooksathimbystealth,foritisafraid.Butitalwayslooksup,fromadistance,attheprisononthecrag;andintheevening,whentheworkofthedayisachievedanditassemblestogossipatthefountain,allfacesareturnedtowardstheprison.Formerly,theywereturnedtowardstheposting-house;now,theyareturnedtowardstheprison.Theywhisperatthefountain,thatalthoughcondemnedtodeathhewillnotbeexecuted;theysaythatpetitionshavebeenpresentedinParis,showingthathewasenragedandmademadbythedeathofhischild;theysaythatapetitionhasbeenpresentedtotheKinghimself.WhatdoIknow?Itispossible.Perhapsyes,perhapsno.\'

  `Listenthen,Jacques,\'NumberOneofthatnamesternlyinterposed.`KnowthatapetitionwaspresentedtotheKingandQueen.Allhere,yourselfexcepted,sawtheKingtakeit,inhiscarriageinthestreet,sittingbesidetheQueen.ItisDefargewhomyouseehere,who,atthehazardofhislife,dartedoutbeforethehorses,withthepetitioninhishand.\'

  `Andonceagainlisten,Jacques!\'saidthekneelingNumberThree:hisfingerseverwanderingoverandoverthosefinenerves,withastrikinglygreedyair,asifhehungeredforsomething——thatwasneitherfoodnordrink;`theguard,horseandfoot,surroundedthepetitioner,andstruckhimblows.Youhear?\'

  `Ihear,messieurs.\'

  `Goonthen,\'saidDefarge.

  `Again;ontheotherhand,theywhisperatthefountain,\'resumedthecountryman,`thatheisbroughtdownintoourcountrytobeexecutedonthespot,andthathewillverycertainlybeexecuted.TheyevenwhisperthatbecausehehasslainMonseigneur,andbecauseMonseigneurwasthefatherofhistenants——serfs——whatyouwill——hewillbeexecutedasaparricide.Oneoldmansaysatthefountain,thathisrighthand,armedwiththeknife,willbeburntoffbeforehisface;that,intowoundswhichwillbemadeinhisarms,hisbreast,andhislegs,therewillbepouredboilingoil,meltedlead,hotresin,wax,andsulphur;finally,thathewillbetornlimbfromlimbbyfourstronghorses.Thatoldmansays,allthiswasactuallydonetoaprisonerwhomadeanattemptonthelifeofthelateKing,LouisFifteen.ButhowdoIknowifhelies?

  Iamnotascholar.\'

  `Listenonceagainthen,Jacques!\'saidthemanwiththerestlesshandandthecravingair.`ThenameofthatprisonerwasDamiens,anditwasalldoneinopenday,intheopenstreetsofthiscityofParis;andnothingwasmorenoticedinthevastconcoursethatsawitdone,thanthecrowdofladiesofqualityandfashion,whowerefullofeagerattentiontothelast——tothelast,Jacques,prolongeduntilnightfall,whenhehadlosttwolegsandanarm,andstillbreathed!Anditwasdone——why,howoldareyou?\'

  `Thirty-five,\'saidthemenderofroads,wholookedsixty.

  `Itwasdonewhenyouweremorethantenyearsold;youmighthaveseenit.\'

  `Enough!\'saidDefarge,withgrimimpatience.`LonglivetheDevil!Goon.\'

  `Well!Somewhisperthis,somewhisperthat;theyspedofnothingelse;eventhefountainappearstofalltothattune.Atlength,onSundaynightwhenallthevillageisasleep,comesoldiers,windingdownfromtheprison,andtheirgunsringonthestonesofthelittlestreet.Workmendig,workmenhammer,soldierslaughandsing;inthemorning,bythefountain,thereisraisedagallowsfortyfeethigh,poisoningthewater.\'

  Themenderofroadslookedthroughratherthanatthelowceiling,andpointedasifhesawthegallowssomewhereinthesky.

  `Allworkisstopped,allassemblethere,nobodyleadsthecowsout,thecowsaretherewiththerest.Atmidday,therollofdrums.Soldiershavemarchedintotheprisoninthenight,andheisinthemidstofmanysoldiers.Heisboundasbefore,andinhismouththereisagag——tiedso,withatightstring,makinghimlookalmostasifhelaughed.\'Hesuggestedit,bycreasinghisfacewithhistwothumbs,fromthecornersofhismouthtohisears.`Onthetopofthegallowsisfixedtheknife,bladeupwards,withitspointintheair.Heishangedtherefortyfeethigh——andislefthanging,poisoningthewater.

  Theylookedatoneanother,asheusedhisbluecaptowipehisface,onwhichtheperspirationhadstartedafreshwhileherecalledthespectacle.

  `Itisfrightful,messieurs.Howcanthewomenandthechildrendrawwater!Whocangossipofanevening,underthatshadow!Underit,haveIsaid?WhenIleftthevillage,Mondayeveningasthesunwasgoingtobed,andlookedbackfromthehill,theshadowstruckacrossthechurch,acrossthemill,acrosstheprison——seemedtostrikeacrosstheearth,messieurs,towheretheskyrestsuponit!\'

  Thehungrymangnawedoneofhisfingersashelookedattheotherthree,andhisfingerquiveredwiththecravingthatwasonhim.

  `That\'sall,messieurs.IleftatsunsetasIhadbeenwarnedtodo,andIwalkedon,thatnightandhalfnextday,untilImetasIwaswarnedIshouldthiscomrade.Withhim,Icameon,nowridingandnowwalking,throughtherestofyesterdayandthroughlastnight.Andhereyouseeme!\'

  Afteragloomysilence,thefirstJacquessaid,`Good!Youhaveactedandrecountedfaithfully.Willyouwaitforusalittle,outsidethedoor?\'

  `Verywillingly,\'saidthemenderofroads.WhomDefargeescortedtothetopofthestairs,and,leavingseatedthere,returned.

  Thethreehadrisen,andtheirheadsweretogetherwhenhecamebacktothegarret.

  `Howsayyou,Jacques?\'demandedNumberOne.`Toberegistered?\'

  `Toberegistered,asdoomedtodestruction,\'returnedDefarge.

  `Magnificent!\'croakedthemanwiththecraving.

  `Thechateauandalltherace?\'inquiredthefirst.

  `Thechateauandalltherace,\'returnedDefarge.`Extermination.\'

  Thehungrymanrepeated,inarapturouscroak,`Magnificent!\'andbegangnawinganotherfinger.

  `Areyousure,\'askedJacquesTwo,ofDefarge,`thatnoembarrassmentcanarisefromourmannerofkeepingtheregister?Withoutdoubtitissafe,fornoonebeyondourselvescandecipherit;butshallwealwaysbeabletodecipheritor,Ioughttosay,willshe?\'

  `Jacques,\'returnedDefarge,drawinghimselfup,`ifmadamemywifeundertooktokeeptheregisterinhermemoryalone,shewouldnotloseawordofit——notasyllableofit.Knitted,inherownstitchesandherownsymbols,itwillalwaysbeasplaintoherasthesun.ConfideinMadameDefarge.Itwouldbeeasierfortheweakestpoltroonthatlives,toerasehimselffromexistence,thantoeraseoneletterofhisnameorcrimesfromtheknittedregisterofMadameDefarge.\'

  Therewasamurmurofconfidenceandapproval,andthenthemanwhohungered,asked:`Isthisrustictobesentbacksoon?Ihopeso.Heisverysimple;ishenotalittledangerous?\'

  `Heknowsnothing,\'saidDefarge;`atleastnothingmorethanwouldeasilyelevatehimselftogallowsofthesameheight.Ichargemyselfwithhim;lethimremainwithme;Iwilltakecareofhim,andsethimonhisroad.Hewishestoseethefineworld——theKing,theQueen,andCourt;lethimseethemonSunday.

  `What?\'exclaimedthehungryman,staring.`Isitagoodsign,thathewishestoseeRoyaltyandNobility?\'

  `Jacques,\'saidDefarge;judiciouslyshowacatmilk,ifyouwishhertothirstforit.Judiciouslyshowadoghisnaturalprey,ifyouwishhimtobringitdownoneday.\'

  Nothingmorewassaid,andthemenderofroads,beingfoundalreadydozingonthetopmoststair,wasadvisedtolayhimselfdownonthepallet-bedandtakesomerest.Heneedednopersuasion,andwassoonasleep.

  WorsequartersthanDefarge\'swine-shop,couldeasilyhavebeenfoundinParisforaprovincialslaveofthatdegree.Savingforamysteriousdreadofmadamebywhichhewasconstantlyhaunted,hislifewasverynewandagreeable.But,madamesatalldayathercounter,soexpresslyunconsciousofhim,andsoparticularlydeterminednottoperceivethathisbeingtherehadanyconnexionwithanythingbelowthesurface,thatheshookinhiswoodenshoeswheneverhiseyelightedonher.For,hecontendedwithhimselfthatitwasimpossibletoforeseewhatthatladymightpretendnext;andhefeltassuredthatifsheshouldtakeitintoherbrightlyornamentedheadtopretendthatshehadseenhimdoamurderandafterwardsRaythevictim,shewouldinfalliblygothroughwithituntiltheplaywasplayedout.

  Therefore,whenSundaycame,themenderofroadswasnotenchantedthoughhesaidhewastofindthatmadamewastoaccompanymonsieurandhimselftoVersailles.Itwasadditionallydisconcertingtohavemadameknittingallthewaythere,inapublicconveyance;itwasadditionallydisconcertingyet,tohavemadameinthecrowdintheafternoon,stillwithherknittinginherhandsasthecrowdwaitedtoseethecarriageoftheKingandQueen.

  `Youworkhard,madame,\'saidamannearher.

  `Yes,\'answeredMadameDefarge;`Ihaveagooddealtodo.\'

  `Whatdoyoumake,madame?\'

  `Manythings.\'

  `Forinstance——\'

  `Forinstance,\'returnedMadameDefarge,composedly,`shrouds.\'

  Themanmovedalittlefurtheraway,assoonashecould,andthemenderofroadsfannedhimselfwithhisbluecap:feelingitmightilycloseandoppressive.IfheneededaKingandQueentorestorehim,hewasfortunateinhavinghisremedyathand;for,soonthelarge-facedKingandthefair-facedQueencameintheirgoldencoach,attendedbytheshiningBull\'sEyeoftheirCourt,aglitteringmultitudeoflaughingladiesandfinelords;andinjewelsandsilksandpowderandsplendourandelegantlyspurningfiguresandhandsomelydisdainfulfacesofbothsexes,themenderofroadsbathedhimself,somuchtohistemporaryintoxication,thathecriedLonglivetheKing,LonglivetheQueen,Longliveeverybodyandeverything!asifhehadneverheardofubiquitousJacquesinhistime.Then,thereweregardens,courtyards,terraces,fountains,greenbanks,moreKingandQueen,moreBull\'sEye,morelordsandladies,moreLonglivetheyall!untilheabsolutelyweptwithsentiment.Duringthewholeofthisscene,whichlastedsomethreehours,hehadplentyofshoutingandweepingandsentimentalcompany,andIthroughoutDefargeheldhimbythecollar,asiftorestrainhimfromflyingattheobjectsofhisbriefdevotionandtearingthempieces.

  `Bravo\'saidDefarge,clappinghimonthebackwhenitwasOver,likeapatron;`youareagoodboy!\'

  Themenderofroadswasnowcomingtohimself,andwasmistrustfulofhavingmadeamistakeinhislatedemonstrations;butno.

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