第5章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN",免费读到尾

  IseewhatHEwasupto;butIneversaidnothing,ofcourse。WhenI

  gotbackwiththedukewehidthecanoe,andthentheysetdownonalog,andthekingtoldhimeverything,justliketheyoungfellowhadsaidit——everylastwordofit。Andallthetimehewasa-doingithetriedtotalklikeanEnglishman;andhedoneitprettywell,too,foraslouch。

  Ican”timitatehim,andsoIain”ta-goingtotryto;buthereallydoneitprettygood。Thenhesays:

  “Howareyouonthedeefanddumb,Bilgewater?“

  Thedukesaid,leavehimaloneforthat;saidhehadplayedadeefanddumbpersononthehistronicboards。Sothentheywaitedforasteamboat。

  Aboutthemiddleoftheafternoonacoupleoflittleboatscomealong,buttheydidn”tcomefromhighenoughuptheriver;butatlasttherewasabigone,andtheyhailedher。Shesentoutheryawl,andwewentaboard,andshewasfromCincinnati;andwhentheyfoundweonlywantedtogofourorfivemiletheywasboomingmad,andgaveusacussing,andsaidtheywouldn”tlandus。Butthekingwasca”m。Hesays:

  “Ifgentlemenkinaffordtopayadollaramileapiecetobetookonandputoffinayawl,asteamboatkinaffordtocarry”em,can”tit?“

  Sotheysofteneddownandsaiditwasallright;andwhenwegottothevillagetheyyawledusashore。Abouttwodozenmenflockeddownwhentheyseetheyawla-coming,andwhenthekingsays:

  “Kinanyofyougentlementellmewher”Mr。PeterWilkslives?“theygiveaglanceatoneanother,andnoddedtheirheads,asmuchastosay,“Whatd”Itellyou?“Thenoneofthemsays,kindofsoftandgentle:

  “I”msorry。sir,butthebestwecandoistotellyouwhereheDID

  liveyesterdayevening。”

  Suddenaswinkingtheorneryoldcreturwentantosmash,andfellupagainsttheman,andputhischinonhisshoulder,andcrieddownhisback,andsays:

  “Alas,alas,ourpoorbrother——gone,andwenevergottoseehim;

  oh,it”stoo,toohard!“

  Thenheturnsaround,blubbering,andmakesalotofidioticsignstothedukeonhishands,andblamedifhedidn”tdropacarpet-bagandbustouta-crying。Iftheywarn”tthebeatenestlot,themtwofrauds,thateverIstruck。

  Well,themengatheredaroundandsympathizedwiththem,andsaidallsortsofkindthingstothem,andcarriedtheircarpet-bagsupthehillforthem,andletthemleanonthemandcry,andtoldthekingallabouthisbrother”slastmoments,andthekinghetolditalloveragainonhishandstotheduke,andbothofthemtookonaboutthatdeadtannerlikethey”dlostthetwelvedisciples。Well,ifeverIstruckanythinglikeit,I”manigger。Itwasenoughtomakeabodyashamedofthehumanrace。

  TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter25Chapter25THEnewswasallovertownintwominutes,andyoucouldseethepeopletearingdownontherunfromeverywhichway,someofthemputtingontheircoatsastheycome。Prettysoonwewasinthemiddleofacrowd,andthenoiseofthetrampingwaslikeasoldiermarch。Thewindowsanddooryardswasfull;andeveryminutesomebodywouldsay,overafence:

  “IsitTHEM?“

  Andsomebodytrottingalongwiththegangwouldanswerbackandsay:

  “Youbetitis。”

  Whenwegottothehousethestreetinfrontofitwaspacked,andthethreegirlswasstandinginthedoor。MaryJaneWASred-headed,butthatdon”tmakenodifference,shewasmostawfulbeautiful,andherfaceandhereyeswasalllituplikeglory,shewassogladheruncleswascome。

  Thekinghespreadhisarms,andMarsyJaneshejumpedforthem,andthehare-lipjumpedfortheduke,andtheretheyHADit!Everybodymost,leastwayswomen,criedforjoytoseethemmeetagainatlastandhavesuchgoodtimes。

  Thenthekinghehunchedthedukeprivate——Iseehimdoit——andthenhelookedaroundandseethecoffin,overinthecornerontwochairs;

  sothenhimandtheduke,withahandacrosseachother”sshoulder,andt”otherhandtotheireyes,walkedslowandsolemnoverthere,everybodydroppingbacktogivethemroom,andallthetalkandnoisestopping,peoplesaying“Sh!“andallthementakingtheirhatsoffanddroopingtheirheads,soyoucouldaheardapinfall。Andwhentheygottheretheybentoverandlookedinthecoffin,andtookonesight,andthentheybustouta-cryingsoyoucouldaheardthemtoOrleans,most;andthentheyputtheirarmsaroundeachother”snecks,andhungtheirchinsovereachother”sshoulders;

  andthenforthreeminutes,ormaybefour,Ineverseetwomenleakthewaytheydone。And,mindyou,everybodywasdoingthesame;andtheplacewasthatdampIneverseeanythinglikeit。Thenoneofthemgotononesideofthecoffin,andt”otheront”otherside,andtheykneeleddownandrestedtheirforeheadsonthecoffin,andletontoprayalltothemselves。

  Well,whenitcometothatitworkedthecrowdlikeyouneverseeanythinglikeit,andeverybodybrokedownandwenttosobbingrightoutloud——

  thepoorgirls,too;andeverywoman,nearly,wentuptothegirls,withoutsayingaword,andkissedthem,solemn,ontheforehead,andthenputtheirhandontheirhead,andlookeduptowardsthesky,withthetearsrunningdown,andthenbustedoutandwentoffsobbingandswabbing,andgivethenextwomanashow。Ineverseeanythingsodisgusting。

  Well,byandbythekinghegetsupandcomesforwardalittle,andworkshimselfupandslobbersoutaspeech,allfulloftearsandflapdoodleaboutitsbeingasoretrialforhimandhispoorbrothertolosethediseased,andtomissseeingdiseasedaliveafterthelongjourneyoffourthousandmile,butit”satrialthat”ssweetenedandsanctifiedtousbythisdearsympathyandtheseholytears,andsohethanksthemoutofhisheartandoutofhisbrother”sheart,becauseoutoftheirmouthstheycan”t,wordsbeingtooweakandcold,andallthatkindofrotandslush,tillitwasjustsickening;andthenheblubbersoutapiousgoody-goodyAmen,andturnshimselflooseandgoestocryingfittobust。

  Andtheminutethewordswereoutofhismouthsomebodyoverinthecrowdstruckupthedoxolojer,andeverybodyjoinedinwithalltheirmight,anditjustwarmedyouupandmadeyoufeelasgoodaschurchlettingout。

  Musicisagoodthing;andafterallthatsoul-butterandhogwashIneverseeitfreshenupthingsso,andsoundsohonestandbully。

  Thenthekingbeginstoworkhisjawagain,andsayshowhimandhisnieceswouldbegladifafewofthemainprincipalfriendsofthefamilywouldtakesupperherewiththemthisevening,andhelpsetupwiththeashesofthediseased;andsaysifhispoorbrotherlayingyondercouldspeakheknowswhohewouldname,fortheywasnamesthatwasverydeartohim,andmentionedofteninhisletters;andsohewillnamethesame,towit,asfollows,vizz。:——Rev。Mr。Hobson,andDeaconLotHovey,andMr。BenRucker,andAbnerShackleford,andLeviBell,andDr。Robinson,andtheirwives,andthewidowBartley。

  Rev。HobsonandDr。Robinsonwasdowntotheendofthetowna-huntingtogether——thatis,Imeanthedoctorwasshippingasickmantot”otherworld,andthepreacherwaspintinghimright。LawyerBellwasawayuptoLouisvilleonbusiness。Buttherestwasonhand,andsotheyallcomeandshookhandswiththekingandthankedhimandtalkedtohim;andthentheyshookhandswiththedukeanddidn”tsaynothing,butjustkepta-smilingandbobbingtheirheadslikeapasselofsapheadswhilsthemadeallsortsofsignswithhishandsandsaid“Goo-goo——goo-goo-goo“allthetime,likeababythatcan”ttalk。

  Sothekingheblatteredalong,andmanagedtoinquireaboutprettymucheverybodyanddogintown,byhisname,andmentionedallsortsoflittlethingsthathappenedonetimeoranotherinthetown,ortoGeorge”sfamily,ortoPeter。AndhealwaysletonthatPeterwrotehimthethings;

  butthatwasalie:hegoteveryblessedoneofthemoutofthatyoungflatheadthatwecanoeduptothesteamboat。

  ThenMaryJaneshefetchedtheletterherfatherleftbehind,andthekinghereaditoutloudandcriedoverit。Itgivethedwelling-houseandthreethousanddollars,gold,tothegirls;anditgivethetanyardwhichwasdoingagoodbusiness,alongwithsomeotherhousesandlandworthaboutseventhousand,andthreethousanddollarsingoldtoHarveyandWilliam,andtoldwherethesixthousandcashwashiddowncellar。

  Sothesetwofraudssaidthey”dgoandfetchitup,andhaveeverythingsquareandaboveboard;andtoldmetocomewithacandle。Weshutthecellardoorbehindus,andwhentheyfoundthebagtheyspiltitoutonthefloor,anditwasalovelysight,allthemyaller-boys。My,thewaytheking”seyesdidshine!Heslapsthedukeontheshoulderandsays:

  “Oh,THISain”tbullynornoth”n!Oh,no,Ireckonnot!Why,Biljy,itbeatstheNonesuch,DON”Tit?“

  Thedukealloweditdid。Theypawedtheyallerboys,andsiftedthemthroughtheirfingersandletthemjingledownonthefloor;andthekingsays:

  “Itain”tnousetalkin”;bein”brotherstoarichdeadmanandrepresentativesoffurrinheirsthat”sgotleftisthelineforyouandme,Bilge。Thishyercomesoftrust”ntoProvidence。It”sthebestway,inthelongrun。

  I”vetried”emall,andther”ain”tnobetterway。”

  Mosteverybodywouldabeensatisfiedwiththepile,andtookitontrust;butno,theymustcountit。Sotheycountsit,anditcomesoutfourhundredandfifteendollarsshort。Saystheking:

  “Dernhim,Iwonderwhathedonewiththatfourhundredandfifteendollars?“

  Theyworriedoverthatawhile,andransackedallaroundforit。Thenthedukesays:

  “Well,hewasaprettysickman,andlikelyhemadeamistake——Ireckonthat”sthewayofit。Thebestway”stoletitgo,andkeepstillaboutit。Wecanspareit。”

  “Oh,shucks,yes,wecanSPAREit。Idon”tk”yernoth”n”boutthat——

  it”stheCOUNTI”mthinkin”about。Wewanttobeawfulsquareandopenandabove-boardhere,youknow。Wewanttolugthish-yermoneyupstairsandcountitbeforeeverybody——thenther”ain”tnoth”nsuspicious。Butwhenthedeadmansaysther”ssixthous”ndollars,youknow,wedon”twantto”

  “Holdon,“saystheduke。“Le”smakeupthedeffisit,“andhebeguntohauloutyaller-boysoutofhispocket。

  “It”samostamaz”n”goodidea,duke——youHAVEgotarattlin”cleverheadonyou,“saystheking。“BlestiftheoldNonesuchain”taheppin”

  usoutagin,“andHEbeguntohauloutyaller-jacketsandstackthemup。

  Itmostbustedthem,buttheymadeupthesixthousandcleanandclear。

  “Say,“saystheduke,“Igotanotheridea。Le”sgoupstairsandcountthismoney,andthentakeandGIVEITTOTHEGIRLS。”

  “Goodland,duke,lemmehugyou!It”sthemostdazzlingidea”ateveramanstruck。Youhavecert”nlygotthemostastonishin”headIeversee。

  Oh,thisisthebossdodge,ther”ain”tnomistake”boutit。Let”emfetchalongtheirsuspicionsnowiftheywantto——this”lllay”emout。”

  Whenwegotup-stairseverybodygetheredaroundthetable,andthekinghecounteditandstackeditup,threehundreddollarsinapile——twentyelegantlittlepiles。Everybodylookedhungryatit,andlickedtheirchops。

  Thentheyrakeditintothebagagain,andIseethekingbegintoswellhimselfupforanotherspeech。Hesays:

  “Friendsall,mypoorbrotherthatlaysyonderhasdonegenerousbythemthat”sleftbehindinthevaleofsorrers。Hehasdonegenerousbytheseyerpoorlittlelambsthathelovedandsheltered,andthat”sleftfatherlessandmotherless。Yes,andwethatknowedhimknowsthathewouldadoneMOREgenerousby”emifhehadn”tbenafeardo”woundin”hisdearWilliamandme。Now,WOULDN”The?Ther”ain”tnoquestion”boutitinMY

  mind。Well,then,whatkindo”brotherswoulditbethat”dstandinhiswayatsechatime?Andwhatkindo”uncleswoulditbethat”drob——

  yes,ROB——sechpoorsweetlambsasthese”athelovedsoatsechatime?

  IfIknowWilliam——andITHINKIdo——he——well,I”lljestaskhim。”

  Heturnsaroundandbeginstomakealotofsignstothedukewithhishands,andthedukehelooksathimstupidandleatherheadedawhile;thenallofasuddenheseemstocatchhismeaning,andjumpsfortheking,goo-gooingwithallhismightforjoy,andhugshimaboutfifteentimesbeforeheletsup。Thenthekingsays,“Iknowedit;IreckonTHAT”llconvinceanybodythewayHEfeelsaboutit。Here,MaryJane,Susan,Joanner,takethemoney——takeitALL。It”sthegiftofhimthatlaysyonder,coldbutjoyful。”

  MaryJaneshewentforhim,Susanandthehare-lipwentfortheduke,andthensuchanotherhuggingandkissingIneverseeyet。Andeverybodycrowdedupwiththetearsintheireyes,andmostshookthehandsoffofthemfrauds,sayingallthetime:

  “YouDEARgoodsouls!——howLOVELY!——howCOULDyou!“

  Well,then,prettysoonallhandsgottotalkingaboutthediseasedagain,andhowgoodhewas,andwhatalosshewas,andallthat;andbeforelongabigiron-jawedmanworkedhimselfintherefromoutside,andstooda-listeningandlooking,andnotsayinganything;andnobodysayinganythingtohimeither,becausethekingwastalkingandtheywasallbusylistening。

  Thekingwassaying——inthemiddleofsomethinghe”dstartedinon——

  “——theybein”particklerfriendso”thediseased。That”swhythey”reinvitedherethisevenin”;buttomorrowwewantALLtocome——everybody;

  forherespectedeverybody,helikedeverybody,andsoit”sfittenthathisfuneralorgiessh”dbepublic。”

  Andsohewenta-mooningonandon,likingtohearhimselftalk,andeverylittlewhilehefetchedinhisfuneralorgiesagain,tillthedukehecouldn”tstanditnomore;sohewritesonalittlescrapofpaper,“OBSEQUIES,youoldfool,“andfoldsitup,andgoestogoo-gooingandreachingitoverpeople”sheadstohim。Thekinghereadsitandputsitinhispocket,andsays:

  “PoorWilliam,afflictedasheis,hisHEART”Saluzright。Asksmetoinviteeverybodytocometothefuneral——wantsmetomake”emallwelcome。

  Butheneedn”taworried——itwasjestwhatIwasat。”

  Thenheweavesalongagain,perfectlyca”m,andgoestodroppinginhisfuneralorgiesagaineverynowandthen,justlikehedonebefore。

  Andwhenhedoneitthethirdtimehesays:

  “Isayorgies,notbecauseit”sthecommonterm,becauseitain”t——

  obsequiesbein”thecommonterm——butbecauseorgiesistherightterm。

  Obsequiesain”tusedinEnglandnomorenow——it”sgoneout。WesayorgiesnowinEngland。Orgiesisbetter,becauseitmeansthethingyou”reaftermoreexact。It”sawordthat”smadeupout”ntheGreekORGO,outside,open,abroad;andtheHebrewJEESUM,toplant,coverup;henceinTER。So,yousee,funeralorgiesisanopenerpublicfuneral。”

  HewastheWORSTIeverstruck。Well,theironjawedmanhelaughedrightinhisface。Everybodywasshocked。Everybodysays,“Why,DOCTOR!“andAbnerShacklefordsays:

  “Why,Robinson,hain”tyouheardthenews?ThisisHarveyWilks。”

  Thekinghesmiledeager,andshovedouthisflapper,andsays:

  “Isitmypoorbrother”sdeargoodfriendandphysician?I”

  “Keepyourhandsoffofme!“saysthedoctor。“YOUtalklikeanEnglishman,DON”Tyou?It”stheworstimitationIeverheard。YOUPeterWilks”sbrother!

  You”reafraud,that”swhatyouare!“

  Well,howtheyalltookon!Theycrowdedaroundthedoctorandtriedtoquiethimdown,andtriedtoexplaintohimandtellhimhowHarvey”dshowedinfortywaysthatheWASHarvey,andknowedeverybodybyname,andthenamesoftheverydogs,andbeggedandBEGGEDhimnottohurtHarvey”sfeelingsandthepoorgirl”sfeelings,andallthat。Butitwarn”tnouse;

  hestormedrightalong,andsaidanymanthatpretendedtobeanEnglishmanandcouldn”timitatethelingonobetterthanwhathedidwasafraudandaliar。Thepoorgirlswashangingtothekingandcrying;andallofasuddenthedoctorupsandturnsonTHEM。Hesays:

  “Iwasyourfather”sfriend,andI”myourfriend;andIwarnyouasafriend,andanhonestonethatwantstoprotectyouandkeepyououtofharmandtrouble,toturnyourbacksonthatscoundrelandhavenothingtodowithhim,theignoranttramp,withhisidioticGreekandHebrew,ashecallsit。Heisthethinnestkindofanimpostor——hascomeherewithalotofemptynamesandfactswhichhepickedupsomewheres,andyoutakethemforPROOFS,andarehelpedtofoolyourselvesbythesefoolishfriendshere,whooughttoknowbetter。MaryJaneWilks,youknowmeforyourfriend,andforyourunselfishfriend,too。Nowlistentome;turnthispitifulrascalout——IBEGyoutodoit。Willyou?“

  MaryJanestraightenedherselfup,andmy,butshewashandsome!Shesays:

  “HEREismyanswer。”Shehoveupthebagofmoneyandputitintheking”shands,andsays,“Takethissixthousanddollars,andinvestformeandmysistersanywayyouwantto,anddon”tgiveusnoreceiptforit。”

  Thensheputherarmaroundthekingononeside,andSusanandthehare-lipdonethesameontheother。Everybodyclappedtheirhandsandstompedonthefloorlikeaperfectstorm,whilstthekinghelduphisheadandsmiledproud。Thedoctorsays:

  “Allright;IwashMYhandsofthematter。ButIwarnyouallthatatime”scomingwhenyou”regoingtofeelsickwheneveryouthinkofthisday。”Andawayhewent。

  “Allright,doctor,“saystheking,kindermockinghim;“we”lltryandget”emtosendforyou;“whichmadethemalllaugh,andtheysaiditwasaprimegoodhit。

  TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter26Chapter26WELL,whentheywasallgonethekingheasksMaryJanehowtheywasoffforsparerooms,andshesaidshehadonespareroom,whichwoulddoforUncleWilliam,andshe”dgiveherownroomtoUncleHarvey,whichwasalittlebigger,andshewouldturnintotheroomwithhersistersandsleeponacot;andupgarretwasalittlecubby,withapalletinit。Thekingsaidthecubbywoulddoforhisvalley——meaningme。

  SoMaryJanetookusup,andsheshowedthemtheirrooms,whichwasplainbutnice。Shesaidshe”dhaveherfrocksandalotofothertrapstookoutofherroomiftheywasinUncleHarvey”sway,buthesaidtheywarn”t。Thefrockswashungalongthewall,andbeforethemwasacurtainmadeoutofcalicothathungdowntothefloor。Therewasanoldhairtrunkinonecorner,andaguitar-boxinanother,andallsortsoflittleknickknacksandjimcracksaround,likegirlsbriskenuparoomwith。Thekingsaiditwasallthemorehomelyandmorepleasanterforthesefixings,andsodon”tdisturbthem。Theduke”sroomwasprettysmall,butplentygoodenough,andsowasmycubby。

  Thatnighttheyhadabigsupper,andallthemmenandwomenwasthere,andIstoodbehindthekingandtheduke”schairsandwaitedonthem,andtheniggerswaitedontherest。MaryJaneshesetattheheadofthetable,withSusanalongsideofher,andsaidhowbadthebiscuitswas,andhowmeanthepreserveswas,andhoworneryandtoughthefriedchickenswas——andallthatkindofrot,thewaywomenalwaysdofortoforceoutcompliments;

  andthepeopleallknowedeverythingwastiptop,andsaidso——said“HowDOyougetbiscuitstobrownsonice?“and“Where,fortheland”ssake,DIDyougettheseamaz”npickles?“andallthatkindofhumbugtalky-talk,justthewaypeoplealwaysdoesatasupper,youknow。

  Andwhenitwasalldonemeandthehare-liphadsupperinthekitchenoffoftheleavings,whilsttheotherswashelpingtheniggerscleanupthethings。Thehare-lipshegottopumpingmeaboutEngland,andblestifIdidn”tthinktheicewasgettingmightythinsometimes。Shesays:

  “Didyoueverseetheking?“

  “Who?WilliamFourth?Well,IbetIhave——hegoestoourchurch。”

  Iknowedhewasdeadyearsago,butIneverleton。SowhenIsayshegoestoourchurch,shesays:

  “What——regular?“

  “Yes——regular。Hispew”srightoveroppositeourn——ont”othersidethepulpit。”

  “IthoughthelivedinLondon?“

  “Well,hedoes。WhereWOULDhelive?“

  “ButIthoughtYOUlivedinSheffield?“

  IseeIwasupastump。Ihadtoletontogetchokedwithachickenbone,soastogettimetothinkhowtogetdownagain。ThenIsays:

  “Imeanhegoestoourchurchregularwhenhe”sinSheffield。That”sonlyinthesummertime,whenhecomestheretotaketheseabaths。”

  “Why,howyoutalk——Sheffieldain”tonthesea。”

  “Well,whosaiditwas?“

  “Why,youdid。”

  “IDIDN”Tnuther。”

  “Youdid!“

  “Ididn”t。”

  “Youdid。”

  “Ineversaidnothingofthekind。”

  “Well,whatDIDyousay,then?“

  “SaidhecometotaketheseaBATHS——that”swhatIsaid。”

  “Well,then,how”shegoingtotaketheseabathsifitain”tonthesea?“

  “Lookyhere,“Isays;“didyoueverseeanyCongress-water?“

  “Yes。”

  “Well,didyouhavetogotoCongresstogetit?“

  “Why,no。”

  “Well,neitherdoesWilliamFourthhavetogototheseatogetaseabath。”

  “Howdoeshegetit,then?“

  “GetsitthewaypeopledownheregetsCongresswater——inbarrels。

  ThereinthepalaceatSheffieldthey”vegotfurnaces,andhewantshiswaterhot。Theycan”tbilethatamountofwaterawayoffthereatthesea。

  Theyhaven”tgotnoconveniencesforit。”

  “Oh,Isee,now。Youmightasaidthatinthefirstplaceandsavedtime。”

  WhenshesaidthatIseeIwasoutofthewoodsagain,andsoIwascomfortableandglad。Next,shesays:

  “Doyougotochurch,too?“

  “Yes——regular。”

  “Wheredoyouset?“

  “Why,inourpew。”

  “WHOSEpew?“

  “Why,OURN——yourUncleHarvey”s。”

  “His”n?WhatdoesHEwantwithapew?“

  “Wantsittosetin。WhatdidyouRECKONhewantedwithit?“

  “Why,Ithoughthe”dbeinthepulpit。”

  Rothim,Iforgothewasapreacher。IseeIwasupastumpagain,soIplayedanotherchickenboneandgotanotherthink。ThenIsays:

  “Blameit,doyousupposethereain”tbutonepreachertoachurch?“

  “Why,whatdotheywantwithmore?“

  “What!——topreachbeforeaking?Ineverdidseesuchagirlasyou。

  Theydon”thavenolessthanseventeen。”

  “Seventeen!Myland!Why,Iwouldn”tsetoutsuchastringasthat,notifINEVERgottoglory。Itmusttake”emaweek。”

  “Shucks,theydon”tALLof”empreachthesameday——onlyONEof”em。”

  “Well,then,whatdoestherestof”emdo?“

  “Oh,nothingmuch。Lollaround,passtheplate——andonethingoranother。

  Butmainlytheydon”tdonothing。”

  “Well,then,whataretheyFOR?“

  “Why,they”reforSTYLE。Don”tyouknownothing?“

  “Well,Idon”tWANTtoknownosuchfoolishnessasthat。HowisservantstreatedinEngland?Dotheytreat”embetter”nwetreatourniggers?“

  “NO!Aservantain”tnobodythere。Theytreatthemworsethandogs。”

  “Don”ttheygive”emholidays,thewaywedo,ChristmasandNewYear”sweek,andFourthofJuly?“

  “Oh,justlisten!AbodycouldtellYOUhain”teverbeentoEnglandbythat。Why,Hare-l——why,Joanna,theyneverseeaholidayfromyear”sendtoyear”send;nevergotothecircus,northeater,norniggershows,nornowheres。”

  “Norchurch?“

  “Norchurch。”

  “ButYOUalwayswenttochurch。”

  Well,Iwasgoneupagain。IforgotIwastheoldman”sservant。ButnextminuteIwhirledinonakindofanexplanationhowavalleywasdifferentfromacommonservantandHADtogotochurchwhetherhewantedtoornot,andsetwiththefamily,onaccountofitsbeingthelaw。ButIdidn”tdoitprettygood,andwhenIgotdoneIseeshewarn”tsatisfied。Shesays:

  “Honestinjun,now,hain”tyoubeentellingmealotoflies?“

  “Honestinjun,“saysI。

  “Noneofitatall?“

  “Noneofitatall。Notalieinit,“saysI。

  “Layyourhandonthisbookandsayit。”

  Iseeitwarn”tnothingbutadictionary,soIlaidmyhandonitandsaidit。Sothenshelookedalittlebettersatisfied,andsays:

  “Well,then,I”llbelievesomeofit;butIhopetograciousifI”llbelievetherest。”

  “Whatisityouwon”tbelieve,Joe?“saysMaryJane,steppinginwithSusanbehindher。“Itain”trightnorkindforyoutotalksotohim,andhimastrangerandsofarfromhispeople。Howwouldyouliketobetreatedso?“

  “That”salwaysyourway,Maim——alwayssailingintohelpsomebodybeforethey”rehurt。Ihain”tdonenothingtohim。He”stoldsomestretchers,Ireckon,andIsaidIwouldn”tswallowitall;andthat”severybitandgrainIDIDsay。Ireckonhecanstandalittlethinglikethat,can”the?“

  “Idon”tcarewhether”twaslittleorwhether”twasbig;he”shereinourhouseandastranger,anditwasn”tgoodofyoutosayit。Ifyouwasinhisplaceitwouldmakeyoufeelashamed;andsoyououghtn”ttosayathingtoanotherpersonthatwillmakeTHEMfeelashamed。”

  “Why,Maim,hesaid”

  “Itdon”tmakenodifferencewhatheSAID——thatain”tthething。ThethingisforyoutotreathimKIND,andnotbesayingthingstomakehimrememberheain”tinhisowncountryandamongsthisownfolks。”

  Isaystomyself,THISisagirlthatI”mlettingthatoldreptlerobherofhermoney!

  ThenSusanSHEwaltzedin;andifyou”llbelieveme,shedidgiveHare-lipharkfromthetomb!

  SaysItomyself,andthisisANOTHERonethatI”mlettinghimrobherofhermoney!

  ThenMaryJaneshetookanotherinning,andwentinsweetandlovelyagain——whichwasherway;butwhenshegotdonetherewarn”thardlyanythinglefto”poorHare-lip。Soshehollered。

  “Allright,then,“saystheothergirls;“youjustaskhispardon。”

  Shedoneit,too;andshedoneitbeautiful。Shedoneitsobeautifulitwasgoodtohear;andIwishedIcouldtellherathousandlies,soshecoulddoitagain。

  Isaystomyself,thisisANOTHERonethatI”mlettinghimrobherofhermoney。AndwhenshegotthroughtheyalljestlaidtheirselvesouttomakemefeelathomeandknowIwasamongstfriends。IfeltsoorneryandlowdownandmeanthatIsaystomyself,mymind”smadeup;I”llhivethatmoneyforthemorbust。

  SothenIlitout——forbed,Isaid,meaningsometimeoranother。

  WhenIgotbymyselfIwenttothinkingthethingover。Isaystomyself,shallIgotothatdoctor,private,andblowonthesefrauds?No——thatwon”tdo。Hemighttellwhotoldhim;thenthekingandthedukewouldmakeitwarmforme。ShallIgo,private,andtellMaryJane?No——Idasn”tdoit。Herfacewouldgivethemahint,sure;they”vegotthemoney,andthey”dsliderightoutandgetawaywithit。IfshewastofetchinhelpI”dgetmixedupinthebusinessbeforeitwasdonewith,Ijudge。No;

  thereain”tnogoodwaybutone。Igottostealthatmoney,somehow;andIgottostealitsomewaythattheywon”tsuspicionthatIdoneit。They”vegotagoodthinghere,andtheyain”ta-goingtoleavetillthey”veplayedthisfamilyandthistownforallthey”reworth,soI”llfindachancetimeenough。I”llstealitandhideit;andbyandby,whenI”mawaydowntheriver,I”llwritealetterandtellMaryJanewhereit”shid。ButI

  betterhiveittonightifIcan,becausethedoctormaybehasn”tletupasmuchasheletsonhehas;hemightscarethemoutofhereyet。

  So,thinksI,I”llgoandsearchthemrooms。Upstairsthehallwasdark,butIfoundtheduke”sroom,andstartedtopawarounditwithmyhands;

  butIrecollecteditwouldn”tbemuchlikethekingtoletanybodyelsetakecareofthatmoneybuthisownself;sothenIwenttohisroomandbeguntopawaroundthere。ButIseeIcouldn”tdonothingwithoutacandle,andIdasn”tlightone,ofcourse。SoIjudgedI”dgottodotheotherthing——layforthemandeavesdrop。AboutthattimeIhearstheirfootstepscoming,andwasgoingtoskipunderthebed;Ireachedforit,butitwasn”twhereIthoughtitwouldbe;butItouchedthecurtainthathidMaryJane”sfrocks,soIjumpedinbehindthatandsnuggledinamongstthegowns,andstoodthereperfectlystill。

  Theycomeinandshutthedoor;andthefirstthingthedukedonewastogetdownandlookunderthebed。ThenIwasgladIhadn”tfoundthebedwhenIwantedit。Andyet,youknow,it”skindofnaturaltohideunderthebedwhenyouareuptoanythingprivate。Theysetsdownthen,andthekingsays:

  “Well,whatisit?Andcutitmiddlin”short,becauseit”sbetterforustobedowntherea-whoopin”upthemournin”thanupheregivin””emachancetotalkusover。”

  “Well,thisisit,Capet。Iain”teasy;Iain”tcomfortable。Thatdoctorlaysonmymind。Iwantedtoknowyourplans。I”vegotanotion,andI

  thinkit”sasoundone。”

  “Whatisit,duke?“

  “Thatwebetterglideoutofthisbeforethreeinthemorning,andclipitdowntheriverwithwhatwe”vegot。Specially,seeingwegotitsoeasy——GIVENbacktous,flungatourheads,asyoumaysay,whenofcourseweallowedtohavetostealitback。I”mforknockingoffandlightingout。”

  Thatmademefeelprettybad。Aboutanhourortwoagoitwouldabeenalittledifferent,butnowitmademefeelbadanddisappointed,Thekingripsoutandsays:

  “What!Andnotsellouttheresto”theproperty?Marchofflikeapasseloffoolsandleaveeightorninethous”n”dollars”wortho”propertylayin”

  aroundjestsufferin”tobescoopedin?——andallgood,salablestuff,too。”

  Thedukehegrumbled;saidthebagofgoldwasenough,andhedidn”twanttogonodeeper——didn”twanttorobalotoforphansofEVERYTHING

  theyhad。

  “Why,howyoutalk!“saystheking。“Wesha”n”trob”emofnothingatallbutjestthismoney。ThepeoplethatBUYSthepropertyisthesuff”rers;

  becauseassoon”sit”sfoundout”atwedidn”townit——whichwon”tbelongafterwe”veslid——thesalewon”tbevalid,andit”llallgobacktotheestate。Theseyerorphans”llgittheirhousebackagin,andthat”senoughforTHEM;they”reyoungandspry,andk”neasyearnalivin”。THEY

  ain”ta-gointosuffer。Why,jestthink——there”sthous”n”sandthous”n”sthatain”tnighsowelloff。Blessyou,THEYain”tgotnoth”n”tocomplainof。”

  Well,thekinghetalkedhimblind;soatlasthegivein,andsaidallright,butsaidhebelieveditwasblamedfoolishnesstostay,andthatdoctorhangingoverthem。Butthekingsays:

  “Cussthedoctor!Whatdowek”yerforHIM?Hain”twegotallthefoolsintownonourside?Andain”tthatabigenoughmajorityinanytown?“

  Sotheygotreadytogodownstairsagain。Thedukesays:

  “Idon”tthinkweputthatmoneyinagoodplace。”

  Thatcheeredmeup。I”dbeguntothinkIwarn”tgoingtogetahintofnokindtohelpme。Thekingsays:

  “Why?“

  “BecauseMaryJane”llbeinmourningfromthisout;andfirstyouknowtheniggerthatdoesuptheroomswillgetanordertoboxthesedudsupandput”emaway;anddoyoureckonaniggercanrunacrossmoneyandnotborrowsomeofit?“

  “Yourhead”slevelagin,duke,“saystheking;andhecomesa-fumblingunderthecurtaintwoorthreefootfromwhereIwas。Istucktighttothewallandkeptmightystill,thoughquivery;andIwonderedwhatthemfellowswouldsaytomeiftheycatchedme;andItriedtothinkwhatI”dbetterdoiftheydidcatchme。ButthekinghegotthebagbeforeIcouldthinkmorethanaboutahalfathought,andheneversuspicionedIwasaround。Theytookandshovedthebagthrougharipinthestrawtickthatwasunderthefeather-bed,andcrammeditinafootortwoamongstthestrawandsaiditwasallrightnow,becauseaniggeronlymakesupthefeather-bed,anddon”tturnoverthestrawtickonlyabouttwiceayear,andsoitwarn”tinnodangerofgettingstolenow。

  ButIknowedbetter。Ihaditoutoftherebeforetheywashalf-waydownstairs。Igropedalonguptomycubby,andhidittheretillIcouldgetachancetodobetter。IjudgedIbetterhideitoutsideofthehousesomewheres,becauseiftheymissedittheywouldgivethehouseagoodransacking:Iknowedthatverywell。ThenIturnedin,withmyclothesallon;butIcouldn”tagonetosleepifI”dawantedto,Iwasinsuchasweattogetthroughwiththebusiness。ByandbyIheardthekingandthedukecomeup;soIrolledoffmypalletandlaidwithmychinatthetopofmyladder,andwaitedtoseeifanythingwasgoingtohappen。Butnothingdid。

  SoIheldontillallthelatesoundshadquitandtheearlyoneshadn”tbegunyet;andthenIslippeddowntheladder。

  TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter27Chapter27ICREPTtotheirdoorsandlistened;theywassnoring。SoItiptoedalong,andgotdownstairsallright。Therewarn”tasoundanywheres。Ipeepedthroughacrackofthedining-roomdoor,andseethementhatwaswatchingthecorpseallsoundasleepontheirchairs。Thedoorwasopenintotheparlor,wherethecorpsewaslaying,andtherewasacandleinbothrooms。

  Ipassedalong,andtheparlordoorwasopen;butIseetherewarn”tnobodyintherebuttheremaindersofPeter;soIshovedonby;butthefrontdoorwaslocked,andthekeywasn”tthere。JustthenIheardsomebodycomingdownthestairs,backbehindme。Irunintheparlorandtookaswiftlookaround,andtheonlyplaceIseetohidethebagwasinthecoffin。Thelidwasshovedalongaboutafoot,showingthedeadman”sfacedowninthere,withawetclothoverit,andhisshroudon。Ituckedthemoneybaginunderthelid,justdownbeyondwherehishandswascrossed,whichmademecreep,theywassocold,andthenIrunbackacrosstheroomandinbehindthedoor。

  ThepersoncomingwasMaryJane。Shewenttothecoffin,verysoft,andkneeleddownandlookedin;thensheputupherhandkerchief,andI

  seeshebeguntocry,thoughIcouldn”thearher,andherbackwastome。

  Islidout,andasIpassedthedining-roomIthoughtI”dmakesurethemwatchershadn”tseenme;soIlookedthroughthecrack,andeverythingwasallright。Theyhadn”tstirred。

  Islippeduptobed,feelingrutherblue,onaccountsofthethingplayingoutthatwayafterIhadtooksomuchtroubleandrunsomuchreskaboutit。SaysI,ifitcouldstaywhereitis,allright;becausewhenwegetdowntheriverahundredmileortwoIcouldwritebacktoMaryJane,andshecoulddighimupagainandgetit;butthatain”tthethingthat”sgoingtohappen;thethingthat”sgoingtohappenis,themoney”llbefoundwhentheycometoscrewonthelid。Thentheking”llgetitagain,andit”llbealongdaybeforehegivesanybodyanotherchancetosmouchitfromhim。OfcourseIWANTEDtoslidedownandgetitoutofthere,butIdasn”ttryit。Everyminuteitwasgettingearliernow,andprettysoonsomeofthemwatcherswouldbegintostir,andImightgetcatched——catchedwithsixthousanddollarsinmyhandsthatnobodyhadn”thiredmetotakecareof。Idon”twishtobemixedupinnosuchbusinessasthat,Isaystomyself。

  WhenIgotdownstairsinthemorningtheparlorwasshutup,andthewatcherswasgone。Therewarn”tnobodyaroundbutthefamilyandthewidowBartleyandourtribe。Iwatchedtheirfacestoseeifanythinghadbeenhappening,butIcouldn”ttell。

  Towardsthemiddleofthedaytheundertakercomewithhisman,andtheysetthecoffininthemiddleoftheroomonacoupleofchairs,andthensetallourchairsinrows,andborrowedmorefromtheneighborstillthehallandtheparlorandthedining-roomwasfull。Iseethecoffinlidwasthewayitwasbefore,butIdasn”tgotolookinunderit,withfolksaround。

  Thenthepeoplebeguntoflockin,andthebeatsandthegirlstookseatsinthefrontrowattheheadofthecoffin,andforahalfanhourthepeoplefiledaroundslow,insinglerank,andlookeddownatthedeadman”sfaceaminute,andsomedroppedinatear,anditwasallverystillandsolemn,onlythegirlsandthebeatsholdinghandkerchiefstotheireyesandkeepingtheirheadsbent,andsobbingalittle。Therewarn”tnoothersoundbutthescrapingofthefeetonthefloorandblowingnoses——becausepeoplealwaysblowsthemmoreatafuneralthantheydoatotherplacesexceptchurch。

  Whentheplacewaspackedfulltheundertakerheslidaroundinhisblackgloveswithhissoftysootheringways,puttingonthelasttouches,andgettingpeopleandthingsallship-shapeandcomfortable,andmakingnomoresoundthanacat。Heneverspoke;hemovedpeoplearound,hesqueezedinlateones,heopeneduppassageways,anddoneitwithnods,andsignswithhishands。Thenhetookhisplaceoveragainstthewall。Hewasthesoftest,glidingest,stealthiestmanIeversee;andtherewarn”tnomoresmiletohimthanthereistoaham。

  Theyhadborrowedamelodeum——asickone;andwheneverythingwasreadyayoungwomansetdownandworkedit,anditwasprettyskreekyandcolicky,andeverybodyjoinedinandsung,andPeterwastheonlyonethathadagoodthing,accordingtomynotion。ThentheReverendHobsonopenedup,slowandsolemn,andbeguntotalk;andstraightoffthemostoutrageousrowbustedoutinthecellarabodyeverheard;itwasonlyonedog,buthemadeamostpowerfulracket,andhekeptituprightalong;theparsonhehadtostandthere,overthecoffin,andwait——youcouldn”thearyourselfthink。Itwasrightdownawkward,andnobodydidn”tseemtoknowwhattodo。Butprettysoontheyseethatlong-leggedundertakermakeasigntothepreacherasmuchastosay,“Don”tyouworry——justdependonme。”

  Thenhestoopeddownandbeguntoglidealongthewall,justhisshouldersshowingoverthepeople”sheads。Soheglidedalong,andthepowwowandracketgettingmoreandmoreoutrageousallthetime;andatlast,whenhehadgonearoundtwosidesoftheroom,hedisappearsdowncellar。Theninabouttwosecondsweheardawhack,andthedoghefinishedupwithamostamazinghowlortwo,andtheneverythingwasdeadstill,andtheparsonbegunhissolemntalkwhereheleftoff。Inaminuteortwoherecomesthisundertaker”sbackandshouldersglidingalongthewallagain;

  andsoheglidedandglidedaroundthreesidesoftheroom,andthenroseup,andshadedhismouthwithhishands,andstretchedhisneckouttowardsthepreacher,overthepeople”sheads,andsays,inakindofacoarsewhisper,“HEHADARAT!“Thenhedroopeddownandglidedalongthewallagaintohisplace。Youcouldseeitwasagreatsatisfactiontothepeople,becausenaturallytheywantedtoknow。Alittlethinglikethatdon”tcostnothing,andit”sjustthelittlethingsthatmakesamantobelookeduptoandliked。Therewarn”tnomorepopularmanintownthanwhatthatundertakerwas。

  Well,thefuneralsermonwasverygood,butpisonlongandtiresome;

  andthenthekingheshovedinandgotoffsomeofhisusualrubbage,andatlastthejobwasthrough,andtheundertakerbeguntosneakuponthecoffinwithhisscrew-driver。Iwasinasweatthen,andwatchedhimprettykeen。Buthenevermeddledatall;justslidthelidalongassoftasmush,andscreweditdowntightandfast。SothereIwas!Ididn”tknowwhetherthemoneywasinthereornot。So,saysI,s”posesomebodyhashoggedthatbagonthesly?——nowhowdoIknowwhethertowritetoMaryJaneornot?

  S”poseshedughimupanddidn”tfindnothing,whatwouldshethinkofme?Blameit,Isays,Imightgethuntedupandjailed;I”dbetterlaylowandkeepdark,andnotwriteatall;thething”sawfulmixednow;tryingtobetterit,I”veworseneditahundredtimes,andIwishtogoodnessI”djustletitalone,dadfetchthewholebusiness!

  Theyburiedhim,andwecomebackhome,andIwenttowatchingfacesagain——Icouldn”thelpit,andIcouldn”tresteasy。Butnothingcomeofit;thefacesdidn”ttellmenothing。

  Thekinghevisitedaroundintheevening,andsweetenedeverybodyup,andmadehimselfeversofriendly;andhegiveouttheideathathiscongregationoverinEnglandwouldbeinasweatabouthim,sohemusthurryandsettleuptheestaterightawayandleaveforhome。Hewasverysorryhewassopushed,andsowaseverybody;theywishedhecouldstaylonger,buttheysaidtheycouldseeitcouldn”tbedone。AndhesaidofcoursehimandWilliamwouldtakethegirlshomewiththem;andthatpleasedeverybodytoo,becausethenthegirlswouldbewellfixedandamongsttheirownrelations;

  anditpleasedthegirls,too——tickledthemsotheycleanforgottheyeverhadatroubleintheworld;andtoldhimtoselloutasquickashewantedto,theywouldbeready。Thempoorthingswasthatgladandhappyitmademyheartachetoseethemgettingfooledandliedtoso,butI

  didn”tseenosafewayformetochipinandchangethegeneraltune。

  Well,blamedifthekingdidn”tbillthehouseandtheniggersandallthepropertyforauctionstraightoff——saletwodaysafterthefuneral;

  butanybodycouldbuyprivatebeforehandiftheywantedto。

  Sothenextdayafterthefuneral,alongaboutnoontime,thegirls”

  joygotthefirstjolt。Acoupleofniggertraderscomealong,andthekingsoldthemtheniggersreasonable,forthree-daydraftsastheycalledit,andawaytheywent,thetwosonsuptherivertoMemphis,andtheirmotherdowntherivertoOrleans。Ithoughtthempoorgirlsandthemniggerswouldbreaktheirheartsforgrief;theycriedaroundeachother,andtookonsoitmostmademedownsicktoseeit。Thegirlssaidtheyhadn”teverdreamedofseeingthefamilyseparatedorsoldawayfromthetown。Ican”tevergetitoutofmymemory,thesightofthempoormiserablegirlsandniggershangingaroundeachother”snecksandcrying;andIreckonIcouldn”tastooditall,butwouldahadtobustoutandtellonourgangifIhadn”tknowedthesalewarn”tnoaccountandtheniggerswouldbebackhomeinaweekortwo。

  Thethingmadeabigstirinthetown,too,andagoodmanycomeoutflatfootedandsaiditwasscandaloustoseparatethemotherandthechildrenthatway。Itinjuredthefraudssome;buttheoldfoolhebulledrightalong,spiteofallthedukecouldsayordo,andItellyouthedukewaspowerfuluneasy。

  Nextdaywasauctionday。Aboutbroaddayinthemorningthekingandthedukecomeupinthegarretandwokemeup,andIseebytheirlookthattherewastrouble。Thekingsays:

  “Wasyouinmyroomnightbeforelast?“

  “No,yourmajesty“——whichwasthewayIalwayscalledhimwhennobodybutourgangwarn”taround。

  “Wasyouinthereyisterdayerlastnight?“

  “No,yourmajesty。”

  “Honorbright,now——nolies。”

  “Honorbright,yourmajesty,I”mtellingyouthetruth。Ihain”tbeena-nearyourroomsinceMissMaryJanetookyouandthedukeandshowedittoyou。”

  Thedukesays:

  “Haveyouseenanybodyelsegointhere?“

  “No,yourgrace,notasIremember,Ibelieve。”

  “Stopandthink。”

  Istudiedawhileandseemychance;thenIsays:

  “Well,Iseetheniggersgointhereseveraltimes。”

  Bothofthemgavealittlejump,andlookedliketheyhadn”teverexpectedit,andthenliketheyHAD。Thenthedukesays:

  “What,allofthem?“

  “No——leastways,notallatonce——thatis,Idon”tthinkIeverseethemallcomeOUTatoncebutjustonetime。”

  “Hello!Whenwasthat?“

  “Itwasthedaywehadthefuneral。Inthemorning。Itwarn”tearly,becauseIoverslept。Iwasjuststartingdowntheladder,andIseethem。”

  “Well,goon,GOon!Whatdidtheydo?How”dtheyact?“

  “Theydidn”tdonothing。Andtheydidn”tactanywaymuch,asfurasIsee。Theytiptoedaway;soIseen,easyenough,thatthey”dshovedintheretodoupyourmajesty”sroom,orsomething,s”posingyouwasup;

  andfoundyouWARN”Tup,andsotheywashopingtoslideoutofthewayoftroublewithoutwakingyouup,iftheyhadn”talreadywakedyouup。”

  “Greatguns,THISisago!“saystheking;andbothofthemlookedprettysickandtolerablesilly。Theystoodtherea-thinkingandscratchingtheirheadsaminute,andthedukehebustintoakindofalittleraspychuckle,andsays:

  “Itdoesbeatallhowneattheniggersplayedtheirhand。TheyletontobeSORRYtheywasgoingoutofthisregion!AndIbelievedtheyWAS

  sorry,andsodidyou,andsodideverybody。Don”tevertellMEanymorethataniggerain”tgotanyhistrionictalent。Why,thewaytheyplayedthatthingitwouldfoolANYBODY。Inmyopinion,there”safortunein”em。

  IfIhadcapitalandatheater,Iwouldn”twantabetterlay-outthanthat——andherewe”vegoneandsold”emforasong。Yes,andain”tprivilegedtosingthesongyet。Say,whereISthatsong——thatdraft?“

  “Inthebankfortobecollected。WhereWOULDitbe?“

  “Well,THAT”Sallrightthen,thankgoodness。”

  SaysI,kindoftimid-like:

  “Issomethinggonewrong?“

  Thekingwhirlsonmeandripsout:

  “Noneo”yourbusiness!Youkeepyourheadshet,andmindy”rownaffairs——ifyougotany。Longasyou”reinthistowndon”tyouforgitTHAT——

  youhear?“Thenhesaystotheduke,“Wegottojestswalleritandsaynoth”n”:mum”sthewordforUS。”

  Astheywasstartingdowntheladderthedukehechucklesagain,andsays:

  “QuicksalesANDsmallprofits!It”sagoodbusiness——yes。”

  Thekingsnarlsaroundonhimandsays:

  “Iwastryingtodoforthebestinsellin””emoutsoquick。Iftheprofitshasturnedouttobenone,lackin”considable,andnonetocarry,isitmyfaultanymore”nit”syourn?“

  “Well,THEY”DbeinthishouseyetandweWOULDN”TifIcouldagotmyadvicelistenedto。”

  Thekingsassedbackasmuchaswassafeforhim,andthenswappedaroundandlitintoMEagain。HegivemedownthebanksfornotcomingandTELLING

  himIseetheniggerscomeoutofhisroomactingthatway——saidanyfoolwouldaKNOWEDsomethingwasup。AndthenwaltzedinandcussedHIMSELF

  awhile,andsaiditallcomeofhimnotlayinglateandtakinghisnaturalrestthatmorning,andhe”dbeblamedifhe”deverdoitagain。Sotheywentoffa-jawing;andIfeltdreadfulgladI”dworkeditalloffontotheniggers,andyethadn”tdonetheniggersnoharmbyit。

  TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter28Chapter28BYandbyitwasgetting-uptime。SoIcomedowntheladderandstartedfordown-stairs;butasIcometothegirls”roomthedoorwasopen,andIseeMaryJanesettingbyheroldhairtrunk,whichwasopenandshe”dbeenpackingthingsinit——gettingreadytogotoEngland。Butshehadstoppednowwithafoldedgowninherlap,andhadherfaceinherhands,crying。Ifeltawfulbadtoseeit;ofcourseanybodywould。Iwentinthereandsays:

  “MissMaryJane,youcan”ta-beartoseepeopleintrouble,andIcan”t——mostalways。Tellmeaboutit。”

  Soshedoneit。Anditwastheniggers——Ijustexpectedit。ShesaidthebeautifultriptoEnglandwasmostaboutspoiledforher;shedidn”tknowHOWshewasevergoingtobehappythere,knowingthemotherandthechildrenwarn”tevergoingtoseeeachothernomore——andthenbustedoutbittererthanever,andflungupherhands,andsays:

  “Oh,dear,dear,tothinktheyain”tEVERgoingtoseeeachotheranymore!“

  “ButtheyWILL——andinsideoftwoweeks——andIKNOWit!“saysI。

  Laws,itwasoutbeforeIcouldthink!AndbeforeIcouldbudgeshethrowsherarmsaroundmyneckandtoldmetosayitAGAIN,sayitAGAIN,sayitAGAIN!

  IseeIhadspoketoosuddenandsaidtoomuch,andwasinacloseplace。

  Iaskedhertoletmethinkaminute;andshesetthere,veryimpatientandexcitedandhandsome,butlookingkindofhappyandeased-up,likeapersonthat”shadatoothpulledout。SoIwenttostudyingitout。I

  saystomyself,Ireckonabodythatupsandtellsthetruthwhenheisinatightplaceistakingconsiderablemanyresks,thoughIain”thadnoexperience,andcan”tsayforcertain;butitlookssotome,anyway;

  andyethere”sacasewhereI”mblestifitdon”tlooktomelikethetruthisbetterandactulySAFERthanalie。Imustlayitbyinmymind,andthinkitoversometimeorother,it”ssokindofstrangeandunregular。

  Ineverseenothinglikeit。Well,Isaystomyselfatlast,I”ma-goingtochanceit;I”llupandtellthetruththistime,thoughitdoesseemmostlikesettingdownonakagofpowderandtouchingitoffjusttoseewhereyou”llgoto。ThenIsays:

  “MissMaryJane,isthereanyplaceoutoftownalittlewayswhereyoucouldgoandstaythreeorfourdays?“

  “Yes;Mr。Lothrop”s。Why?“

  “Nevermindwhyyet。IfI”lltellyouhowIknowtheniggerswillseeeachotheragaininsideoftwoweeks——hereinthishouse——andPROVE

  howIknowit——willyougotoMr。Lothrop”sandstayfourdays?“

  “Fourdays!“shesays;“I”llstayayear!“

  “Allright,“Isays,“Idon”twantnothingmoreoutofYOUthanjustyourword——Idrutherhaveitthananotherman”skiss-the-Bible。”Shesmiledandreddenedupverysweet,andIsays,“Ifyoudon”tmindit,I”llshutthedoor——andboltit。”

  ThenIcomebackandsetdownagain,andsays:

  “Don”tyouholler。Justsetstillandtakeitlikeaman。Igottotellthetruth,andyouwanttobraceup,MissMary,becauseit”sabadkind,andgoingtobehardtotake,butthereain”tnohelpforit。Theseunclesofyournain”tnounclesatall;they”reacoupleoffrauds——regulardead-beats。There,nowwe”reovertheworstofit,youcanstandtherestmiddlingeasy。”

  Itjoltedheruplikeeverything,ofcourse;butIwasovertheshoalwaternow,soIwentrightalong,hereyesa-blazinghigherandhigherallthetime,andtoldhereveryblamething,fromwherewefirststruckthatyoungfoolgoinguptothesteamboat,clearthroughtowheresheflungherselfontotheking”sbreastatthefrontdoorandhekissedhersixteenorseventeentimes——andthenupshejumps,withherfaceafirelikesunset,andsays:

  “Thebrute!Come,don”twasteaminute——notaSECOND——we”llhavethemtarredandfeathered,andflungintheriver!“

  SaysI:

  “Cert”nly。ButdoyoumeanBEFOREyougotoMr。Lothrop”s,or”

  “Oh,“shesays,“whatamITHINKINGabout!“shesays,andsetrightdownagain。“Don”tmindwhatIsaid——pleasedon”t——youWON”T,now,WILLyou?“LayinghersilkyhandonmineinthatkindofawaythatIsaidIwoulddiefirst。“Ineverthought,Iwassostirredup,“shesays;“nowgoon,andIwon”tdosoanymore。Youtellmewhattodo,andwhateveryousayI”lldoit。”

  “Well,“Isays,“it”saroughgang,themtwofrauds,andI”mfixedsoIgottotravelwiththemawhilelonger,whetherIwanttoornot——I

  druthernottellyouwhy;andifyouwastoblowonthemthistownwouldgetmeoutoftheirclaws,andI”dbeallright;butthere”dbeanotherpersonthatyoudon”tknowaboutwho”dbeinbigtrouble。Well,wegottosaveHIM,hain”twe?Ofcourse。Well,then,wewon”tblowonthem。”

  Sayingthemwordsputagoodideainmyhead。IseehowmaybeIcouldgetmeandJimridofthefrauds;getthemjailedhere,andthenleave。

  ButIdidn”twanttoruntheraftinthedaytimewithoutanybodyaboardtoanswerquestionsbutme;soIdidn”twanttheplantobeginworkingtillprettylateto-night。Isays:

  “MissMaryJane,I”lltellyouwhatwe”lldo,andyouwon”thavetostayatMr。Lothrop”ssolong,nuther。Howfurisit?“

  “Alittleshortoffourmiles——rightoutinthecountry,backhere。”

  “Well,that”llanswer。Nowyougoalongoutthere,andlaylowtillnineorhalf-pastto-night,andthengetthemtofetchyouhomeagain——

  tellthemyou”vethoughtofsomething。Ifyougetherebeforeelevenputacandleinthiswindow,andifIdon”tturnupwaitTILLeleven,andTHEN

  ifIdon”tturnupitmeansI”mgone,andoutoftheway,andsafe。Thenyoucomeoutandspreadthenewsaround,andgetthesebeatsjailed。”

  “Good,“shesays,“I”lldoit。”

  “AndifitjusthappenssothatIdon”tgetaway,butgettookupalongwiththem,youmustupandsayItoldyouthewholethingbeforehand,andyoumuststandbymeallyoucan。”

  “Standbyyou!indeedIwill。Theysha”n”ttouchahairofyourhead!“

  shesays,andIseehernostrilsspreadandhereyessnapwhenshesaidit,too。

  “IfIgetawayIsha”n”tbehere,“Isays,“toprovetheserapscallionsain”tyouruncles,andIcouldn”tdoitifIWAShere。Icouldsweartheywasbeatsandbummers,that”sall,thoughthat”sworthsomething。Well,there”sotherscandothatbetterthanwhatIcan,andthey”repeoplethatain”tgoingtobedoubtedasquickasI”dbe。I”lltellyouhowtofindthem。Gimmeapencilandapieceofpaper。There——”RoyalNonesuch,Bricksville。”

  Putitaway,anddon”tloseit。Whenthecourtwantstofindoutsomethingaboutthesetwo,letthemsenduptoBricksvilleandsaythey”vegotthementhatplayedtheRoyalNonesuch,andaskforsomewitnesses——why,you”llhavethatentiretowndownherebeforeyoucanhardlywink,MissMary。Andthey”llcomea-biling,too。”

  Ijudgedwehadgoteverythingfixedaboutrightnow。SoIsays:

  “Justlettheauctiongorightalong,anddon”tworry。Nobodydon”thavetopayforthethingstheybuytillawholedayaftertheauctiononaccountsoftheshortnotice,andtheyain”tgoingoutofthistilltheygetthatmoney;andthewaywe”vefixeditthesaleain”tgoingtocount,andtheyain”tgoingtogetnomoney。It”sjustlikethewayitwaswiththeniggers——itwarn”tnosale,andtheniggerswillbebackbeforelong。Why,theycan”tcollectthemoneyfortheNIGGERSyet——they”reintheworstkindofafix,MissMary。”

  “Well,“shesays,“I”llrundowntobreakfastnow,andthenI”llstartstraightforMr。Lothrop”s。”

  “”Deed,THATain”ttheticket,MissMaryJane,“Isays,“bynomannerofmeans;goBEFOREbreakfast。”

  “Why?“

  “WhatdidyoureckonIwantedyoutogoatallfor,MissMary?“

  “Well,Ineverthought——andcometothink,Idon”tknow。Whatwasit?“

  “Why,it”sbecauseyouain”toneoftheseleatherfacepeople。Idon”twantnobetterbookthanwhatyourfaceis。Abodycansetdownandreaditofflikecoarseprint。Doyoureckonyoucangoandfaceyouruncleswhentheycometokissyougoodmorning,andnever”

  “There,there,don”t!Yes,I”llgobeforebreakfast——I”llbegladto。Andleavemysisterswiththem?“

  “Yes;nevermindaboutthem。They”vegottostandityetawhile。Theymightsuspicionsomethingifallofyouwastogo。Idon”twantyoutoseethem,noryoursisters,nornobodyinthistown;ifaneighborwastoaskhowisyourunclesthismorningyourfacewouldtellsomething。

  No,yougorightalong,MissMaryJane,andI”llfixitwithallofthem。

  I”lltellMissSusantogiveyourlovetoyourunclesandsayyou”vewentawayforafewhoursfortogetalittlerestandchange,ortoseeafriend,andyou”llbebackto-nightorearlyinthemorning。”

  “Gonetoseeafriendisallright,butIwon”thavemylovegiventothem。”

  “Well,then,itsha”n”tbe。”ItwaswellenoughtotellHERso——noharminit。Itwasonlyalittlethingtodo,andnotrouble;andit”sthelittlethingsthatsmoothspeople”sroadsthemost,downherebelow;

  itwouldmakeMaryJanecomfortable,anditwouldn”tcostnothing。ThenIsays:“There”sonemorething——thatbagofmoney。”

  “Well,they”vegotthat;anditmakesmefeelprettysillytothinkHOWtheygotit。”

  “No,you”reout,there。Theyhain”tgotit。”

  “Why,who”sgotit?“

  “IwishIknowed,butIdon”t。IHADit,becauseIstoleitfromthem;

  andIstoleittogivetoyou;andIknowwhereIhidit,butI”mafraiditain”ttherenomore。I”mawfulsorry,MissMaryJane,I”mjustassorryasIcanbe;butIdonethebestIcould;Ididhonest。Icomenighgettingcaught,andIhadtoshoveitintothefirstplaceIcometo,andrun——

  anditwarn”tagoodplace。”

  “Oh,stopblamingyourself——it”stoobadtodoit,andIwon”tallowit——youcouldn”thelpit;itwasn”tyourfault。Wheredidyouhideit?“

  Ididn”twanttosethertothinkingabouthertroublesagain;andI

  couldn”tseemtogetmymouthtotellherwhatwouldmakeherseethatcorpselayinginthecoffinwiththatbagofmoneyonhisstomach。SoforaminuteIdidn”tsaynothing;thenIsays:

  “I”druthernotTELLyouwhereIputit,MissMaryJane,ifyoudon”tmindlettingmeoff;butI”llwriteitforyouonapieceofpaper,andyoucanreaditalongtheroadtoMr。Lothrop”s,ifyouwantto。Doyoureckonthat”lldo?“

  “Oh,yes。”

  SoIwrote:“Iputitinthecoffin。Itwasintherewhenyouwascryingthere,awayinthenight。Iwasbehindthedoor,andIwasmightysorryforyou,MissMaryJane。”

  Itmademyeyeswateralittletorememberhercryingthereallbyherselfinthenight,andthemdevilslayingthererightunderherownroof,shamingherandrobbingher;andwhenIfoldeditupandgiveittoherIseethewatercomeintohereyes,too;andsheshookmebythehand,hard,andsays:

  “GOOD-bye。I”mgoingtodoeverythingjustasyou”vetoldme;andifIdon”teverseeyouagain,Isha”n”teverforgetyou。andI”llthinkofyouamanyandamanyatime,andI”llPRAYforyou,too!“——andshewasgone。

  Prayforme!Ireckonedifsheknowedmeshe”dtakeajobthatwasmorenearerhersize。ButIbetshedoneit,justthesame——shewasjustthatkind。ShehadthegrittoprayforJudusifshetookthenotion——therewarn”tnoback-downtoher,Ijudge。Youmaysaywhatyouwantto,butinmyopinionshehadmoresandinherthananygirlIeversee;inmyopinionshewasjustfullofsand。Itsoundslikeflattery,butitain”tnoflattery。Andwhenitcomestobeauty——andgoodness,too——shelaysoverthemall。Ihain”teverseenhersincethattimethatIseehergooutofthatdoor;no,Ihain”teverseenhersince,butIreckonI”vethoughtofheramanyandamanyamilliontimes,andofhersayingshewouldprayforme;andifeverI”dathoughtitwoulddoanygoodformetoprayforHER,blamedifIwouldn”tadoneitorbust。

  Well,MaryJaneshelitoutthebackway,Ireckon;becausenobodyseehergo。WhenIstruckSusanandthehare-lip,Isays:

  “What”sthenameofthempeopleoveront”othersideoftheriverthatyouallgoestoseesometimes?“

  Theysays:

  “There”sseveral;butit”stheProctors,mainly。”

  “That”sthename,“Isays;“Imostforgotit。Well,MissMaryJaneshetoldmetotellyoushe”sgoneoverthereinadreadfulhurry——oneofthem”ssick。”

  “Whichone?“

  “Idon”tknow;leastways,Ikinderforget;butIthinksit”s”

  “Sakesalive,Ihopeitain”tHANNER?“

  “I”msorrytosayit,“Isays,“butHanner”stheveryone。”

  “Mygoodness,andshesowellonlylastweek!Isshetookbad?“

  “Itain”tnonameforit。Theysetupwithherallnight,MissMaryJanesaid,andtheydon”tthinkshe”lllastmanyhours。”

  “Onlythinkofthat,now!What”sthematterwithher?“

  Icouldn”tthinkofanythingreasonable,rightoffthatway,soIsays:

  “Mumps。”

  “Mumpsyourgranny!Theydon”tsetupwithpeoplethat”sgotthemumps。”

  “Theydon”t,don”tthey?YoubetterbettheydowithTHESEmumps。Thesemumpsisdifferent。It”sanewkind,MissMaryJanesaid。”

  “How”sitanewkind?“

  “Becauseit”smixedupwithotherthings。”

  “Whatotherthings?“

  “Well,measles,andwhooping-cough,anderysiplas,andconsumption,andyallerjanders,andbrain-fever,andIdon”tknowwhatall。”

  “Myland!AndtheycallittheMUMPS?“

  “That”swhatMissMaryJanesaid。”

  “Well,whatinthenationdotheycallittheMUMPSfor?“

  “Why,becauseitISthemumps。That”swhatitstartswith。”

  “Well,ther”ain”tnosenseinit。Abodymightstumphistoe,andtakepison,andfalldownthewell,andbreakhisneck,andbusthisbrainsout,andsomebodycomealongandaskwhatkilledhim,andsomenumskullupandsay,”Why,hestumpedhisTOE。”Wouldther”beanysenseinthat?

  NO。Andther”ain”tnosenseinTHIS,nuther。Isitketching?“

  “IsitKETCHING?Why,howyoutalk。IsaHARROWcatching——inthedark?

  Ifyoudon”thitchontoonetooth,you”reboundtoonanother,ain”tyou?

  Andyoucan”tgetawaywiththattoothwithoutfetchingthewholeharrowalong,canyou?Well,thesekindofmumpsisakindofaharrow,asyoumaysay——anditain”tnoslouchofaharrow,nuther,youcometogetithitchedongood。”

  “Well,it”sawful,Ithink,“saysthehare-lip。“I”llgotoUncleHarveyand”

  “Oh,yes,“Isays,“IWOULD。OfCOURSEIwould。Iwouldn”tlosenotime。”

  “Well,whywouldn”tyou?“

  “Justlookatitaminute,andmaybeyoucansee。Hain”tyourunclesobleegdtogetalonghometoEnglandasfastastheycan?Anddoyoureckonthey”dbemeanenoughtogooffandleaveyoutogoallthatjourneybyyourselves?YOUknowthey”llwaitforyou。Sofur,sogood。YouruncleHarvey”sapreacher,ain”the?Verywell,then;isaPREACHERgoingtodeceiveasteamboatclerk?ishegoingtodeceiveaSHIPCLERK?——soastogetthemtoletMissMaryJanegoaboard?NowYOUknowheain”t。WhatWILLhedo,then?Why,he”llsay,”It”sagreatpity,butmychurchmattershasgottogetalongthebestwaytheycan;formyniecehasbeenexposedtothedreadfulpluribus-unummumps,andsoit”smyboundendutytosetdownhereandwaitthethreemonthsittakestoshowonherifshe”sgotit。”Butnevermind,ifyouthinkit”sbesttotellyouruncleHarvey”

  “Shucks,andstayfoolingaroundherewhenwecouldallbehavinggoodtimesinEnglandwhilstwewaswaitingtofindoutwhetherMaryJane”sgotitornot?Why,youtalklikeamuggins。”

  “Well,anyway,maybeyou”dbettertellsomeoftheneighbors。”

  “Listenatthat,now。Youdobeatallfornaturalstupidness。Can”tyouSEEthatTHEY”Dgoandtell?Ther”ain”tnowaybutjusttonottellanybodyatALL。”

  “Well,maybeyou”reright——yes,IjudgeyouAREright。”

  “ButIreckonweoughttotellUncleHarveyshe”sgoneoutawhile,anyway,sohewon”tbeuneasyabouther?“

  “Yes,MissMaryJaneshewantedyoutodothat。Shesays,”TellthemtogiveUncleHarveyandWilliammyloveandakiss,andsayI”verunovertherivertoseeMr。”——Mr——whatISthenameofthatrichfamilyyourunclePeterusedtothinksomuchof?——Imeantheonethat”

  “Why,youmustmeantheApthorps,ain”tit?“

  “Ofcourse;botherthemkindofnames,abodycan”teverseemtorememberthem,halfthetime,somehow。Yes,shesaid,sayshehasrunoverfortoasktheApthorpstobesureandcometotheauctionandbuythishouse,becausesheallowedherunclePeterwouldruthertheyhaditthananybodyelse;andshe”sgoingtosticktothemtilltheysaythey”llcome,andthen,ifsheain”ttootired,she”scominghome;andifsheis,she”llbehomeinthemorninganyway。Shesaid,don”tsaynothingabouttheProctors,butonlyabouttheApthorps——which”llbeperfectlytrue,becausesheisgoingtheretospeakabouttheirbuyingthehouse;Iknowit,becauseshetoldmesoherself。”

  “Allright,“theysaid,andclearedouttolayfortheiruncles,andgivethemtheloveandthekisses,andtellthemthemessage。

  Everythingwasallrightnow。Thegirlswouldn”tsaynothingbecausetheywantedtogotoEngland;andthekingandthedukewouldrutherMaryJanewasoffworkingfortheauctionthanaroundinreachofDoctorRobinson。

  Ifeltverygood;IjudgedIhaddoneitprettyneat——IreckonedTomSawyercouldn”tadoneitnoneaterhimself。Ofcoursehewouldathrowedmorestyleintoit,butIcan”tdothatveryhandy,notbeingbrunguptoit。

  Well,theyheldtheauctioninthepublicsquare,alongtowardstheendoftheafternoon,anditstrungalong,andstrungalong,andtheoldmanhewasonhandandlookinghislevelpisonest,uptherelongsideoftheauctioneer,andchippinginalittleScripturenowandthen,oralittlegoody-goodysayingofsomekind,andthedukehewasaroundgoo-gooingforsympathyallheknowedhow,andjustspreadinghimselfgenerly。

  Butbyandbythethingdraggedthrough,andeverythingwassold——

  everythingbutalittleoldtriflinglotinthegraveyard。Sothey”dgottoworkthatoff——IneverseesuchagirafftasthekingwasforwantingtoswallowEVERYTHING。Well,whilsttheywasatitasteamboatlanded,andinabouttwominutesupcomesacrowda-whoopingandyellingandlaughingandcarryingon,andsingingout:

  “HERE”Syouroppositionline!here”syourtwosetso”heirstooldPeterWilks——andyoupaysyourmoneyandyoutakesyourchoice!“

  TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter29Chapter29THEYwasfetchingaverynice-lookingoldgentlemanalong,andanice-lookingyoungerone,withhisrightarminasling。And,mysouls,howthepeopleyelledandlaughed,andkeptitup。ButIdidn”tseenojokeaboutit,andIjudgeditwouldstrainthedukeandthekingsometoseeany。Ireckonedthey”dturnpale。Butno,naryapaledidTHEYturn。Thedukeheneverletonhesuspicionedwhatwasup,butjustwentagoo-gooingaround,happyandsatisfied,likeajugthat”sgooglingoutbuttermilk;andasfortheking,hejustgazedandgazeddownsorrowfulonthemnew-comerslikeitgivehimthestomach-acheinhisveryhearttothinktherecouldbesuchfraudsandrascalsintheworld。Oh,hedoneitadmirable。Lotsoftheprincipalpeoplegetheredaroundtheking,tolethimseetheywasonhisside。Thatoldgentlemanthathadjustcomelookedallpuzzledtodeath。

  Prettysoonhebeguntospeak,andIseestraightoffhepronouncedLIKE

  anEnglishman——nottheking”sway,thoughtheking”sWASprettygoodforanimitation。Ican”tgivetheoldgent”swords,norIcan”timitatehim;butheturnedaroundtothecrowd,andsays,aboutlikethis:

  “ThisisasurprisetomewhichIwasn”tlookingfor;andI”llacknowledge,candidandfrank,Iain”tverywellfixedtomeetitandanswerit;formybrotherandmehashadmisfortunes;he”sbrokehisarm,andourbaggagegotputoffatatownaboveherelastnightinthenightbyamistake。

  IamPeterWilks”brotherHarvey,andthisishisbrotherWilliam,whichcan”thearnorspeak——andcan”tevenmakesignstoamounttomuch,now”the”sonlygotonehandtoworkthemwith。Wearewhowesayweare;andinadayortwo,whenIgetthebaggage,Icanproveit。ButuptillthenIwon”tsaynothingmore,butgotothehotelandwait。”

  Sohimandthenewdummystartedoff;andthekinghelaughs,andblethersout:

  “Brokehisarm——VERYlikely,AIN”Tit?——andveryconvenient,too,forafraudthat”sgottomakesigns,andain”tlearnthow。Losttheirbaggage!That”sMIGHTYgood!——andmightyingenious——undertheCIRCUMSTANCES!

  Sohelaughedagain;andsodideverybodyelse,exceptthreeorfour,ormaybehalfadozen。Oneofthesewasthatdoctor;anotheronewasasharplookinggentleman,withacarpet-bagoftheoldfashionedkindmadeoutofcarpet-stuff,thathadjustcomeoffofthesteamboatandwastalkingtohiminalowvoice,andglancingtowardsthekingnowandthenandnoddingtheirheads——itwasLeviBell,thelawyerthatwasgoneuptoLouisville;

  andanotheronewasabigroughhuskythatcomealongandlistenedtoalltheoldgentlemansaid,andwaslisteningtothekingnow。Andwhenthekinggotdonethishuskyupandsays:

  “Say,lookyhere;ifyouareHarveyWilks,when”dyoucometothistown?“

  “Thedaybeforethefuneral,friend,“saystheking。

  “Butwhattimeo”day?“

  “Intheevenin”——”boutanhourertwobeforesundown。”

  “HOW”Dyoucome?“

  “IcomedownontheSusanPowellfromCincinnati。”

  “Well,then,how”dyoucometobeupatthePintintheMORNIN”——inacanoe?“

  “Iwarn”tupatthePintinthemornin”。”

  “It”salie。”

  Severalofthemjumpedforhimandbeggedhimnottotalkthatwaytoanoldmanandapreacher。

  “Preacherbehanged,he”safraudandaliar。HewasupatthePintthatmornin”。Iliveupthere,don”tI?Well,Iwasupthere,andhewasupthere。Iseehimthere。Hecomeinacanoe,alongwithTimCollinsandaboy。”

  Thedoctorheupandsays:

  “Wouldyouknowtheboyagainifyouwastoseehim,Hines?“

  “IreckonIwould,butIdon”tknow。Why,yonderheis,now。Iknowhimperfectlyeasy。”

  Itwasmehepointedat。Thedoctorsays:

  “Neighbors,Idon”tknowwhetherthenewcoupleisfraudsornot;butifTHESEtwoain”tfrauds,Iamanidiot,that”sall。Ithinkit”sourdutytoseethattheydon”tgetawayfromheretillwe”velookedintothisthing。Comealong,Hines;comealong,therestofyou。We”lltakethesefellowstothetavernandaffrontthemwitht”othercouple,andIreckonwe”llfindoutSOMETHINGbeforewegetthrough。”

  Itwasnutsforthecrowd,thoughmaybenotfortheking”sfriends;

  soweallstarted。Itwasaboutsundown。Thedoctorheledmealongbythehand,andwasplentykindenough,butheneverletgomyhand。

  Weallgotinabigroominthehotel,andlitupsomecandles,andfetchedinthenewcouple。First,thedoctorsays:

  “Idon”twishtobetoohardonthesetwomen,butIthinkthey”refrauds,andtheymayhavecomplicesthatwedon”tknownothingabout。Iftheyhave,won”tthecomplicesgetawaywiththatbagofgoldPeterWilksleft?Itain”tunlikely。Ifthesemenain”tfrauds,theywon”tobjecttosendingforthatmoneyandlettinguskeepittilltheyprovethey”reallright——ain”tthatso?“

  Everybodyagreedtothat。SoIjudgedtheyhadourganginaprettytightplacerightattheoutstart。Butthekingheonlylookedsorrowful,andsays:

  “Gentlemen,Iwishthemoneywasthere,forIain”tgotnodispositiontothrowanythinginthewayofafair,open,out-and-outinvestigationo”thismisablebusiness;but,alas,themoneyain”tthere;youk”nsendandsee,ifyouwantto。”

  “Whereisit,then?“

  “Well,whenmyniecegiveittometokeepforherItookandhiditinsideo”thestrawticko”mybed,notwishin”tobankitforthefewdayswe”dbehere,andconsiderin”thebedasafeplace,wenotbein”usedtoniggers,andsuppos”n””emhonest,likeservantsinEngland。Theniggersstoleittheverynextmornin”afterIhadwentdownstairs;andwhenI

  sold”emIhadn”tmissedthemoneyyit,sotheygotcleanawaywithit。

  Myservantherek”ntellyou”boutit,gentlemen。”

  Thedoctorandseveralsaid“Shucks!“andIseenobodydidn”taltogetherbelievehim。OnemanaskedmeifIseetheniggersstealit。Isaidno,butIseethemsneakingoutoftheroomandhustlingaway,andIneverthoughtnothing,onlyIreckonedtheywasafraidtheyhadwakedupmymasterandwastryingtogetawaybeforehemadetroublewiththem。Thatwasalltheyaskedme。Thenthedoctorwhirlsonmeandsays:

  “AreYOUEnglish,too?“

点击下载App,搜索"THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN",免费读到尾