three ghost stories(三个鬼故事)-第12节
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self…betrayal。 The danger and escape occurred upon a Sunday。 We were all
ten ranged in a conspicuous part of the gallery at church； with Miss Griffin
at our headas we were every Sundayadvertising the establishment in an
unsecular sort of waywhen the description of Solomon in his domestic
glory happened to be read。 The moment that monarch was thus referred to；
conscience whispered me； 〃Thou； too； Haroun！〃 The officiating minister
had a cast in his eye； and it assisted conscience by giving him the
appearance of reading personally at me。 A crimson blush； attended by a
fearful perspiration； suffused my features。 The Grand Vizier became more
dead than alive； and the whole Seraglio reddened as if the sunset of
Bagdad shone direct upon their lovely faces。 At this portentous time the
awful Griffin rose； and balefully surveyed the children of Islam。 My own
impression was； that Church and State had entered into a conspiracy with
Miss Griffin to expose us； and that we should all be put into white sheets；
and exhibited in the centre aisle。 But； so Westerlyif I may be allowed the
expression as opposite to Eastern associationswas Miss Griffin's sense of
rectitude； that she merely suspected Apples； and we were saved。
I have called the Seraglio； united。 Upon the question； solely； whether
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the Commander of the Faithful durst exercise a right of kissing in that
sanctuary of the palace； were its peerless inmates divided。 Zobeide
asserted a counter…right in the Favourite to scratch； and the fair Circassian
put her face； for refuge； into a green baize bag； originally designed for
books。 On the other hand； a young antelope of transcendent beauty from
the fruitful plains of Camden Town （whence she had been brought； by
traders； in the half… yearly caravan that crossed the intermediate desert
after the holidays）； held more liberal opinions； but stipulated for limiting
the benefit of them to that dog； and son of a dog； the Grand Vizier… …who
had no rights； and was not in question。 At length； the difficulty was
compromised by the installation of a very youthful slave as Deputy。 She；
raised upon a stool； officially received upon her cheeks the salutes
intended by the gracious Haroun for other Sultanas； and was privately
rewarded from the coffers of the Ladies of the Hareem。
And now it was； at the full height of enjoyment of my bliss； that I
became heavily troubled。 I began to think of my mother； and what she
would say to my taking home at Midsummer eight of the most beautiful of
the daughters of men； but all unexpected。 I thought of the number of beds
we made up at our house； of my father's income； and of the baker； and my
despondency redoubled。 The Seraglio and malicious Vizier； divining the
cause of their Lord's unhappiness； did their utmost to augment it。 They
professed unbounded fidelity； and declared that they would live and die
with him。 Reduced to the utmost wretchedness by these protestations of
attachment； I lay awake； for hours at a time； ruminating on my frightful lot。
In my despair； I think I might have taken an early opportunity of falling on
my knees before Miss Griffin； avowing my resemblance to Solomon； and
praying to be dealt with according to the outraged laws of my country； if
an unthought…of means of escape had not opened before me。
One day； we were out walking； two and twoon which occasion the
Vizier had his usual instructions to take note of the boy at the turn…pike；
and if he profanely gazed （which he always did） at the beauties of the
Hareem； to have him bowstrung in the course of the nightand it
happened that our hearts were veiled in gloom。 An unaccountable action
on the part of the antelope had plunged the State into disgrace。 That
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charmer； on the representation that the previous day was her birthday； and
that vast treasures had been sent in a hamper for its celebration （both
baseless assertions）； had secretly but most pressingly invited thirty…five
neighbouring princes and princesses to a ball and supper： with a special
stipulation that they were 〃not to be fetched till twelve。〃 This wandering of
the antelope's fancy； led to the surprising arrival at Miss Griffin's door； in
divers equipages and under various escorts； of a great company in full
dress； who were deposited on the top step in a flush of high expectancy；
and who were dismissed in tears。 At the beginning of the double knocks
attendant on these ceremonies； the antelope had retired to a back attic； and
bolted herself in； and at every new arrival； Miss Griffin had gone so much
more and more distracted； that at last she had been seen to tear her front。
Ultimate capitulation on the part of the offender； had been followed by
solitude in the linen…closet； bread and water and a lecture to all； of
vindictive length； in which Miss Griffin had used expressions： Firstly； 〃I
believe you all of you knew of it；〃 Secondly； 〃Every one of you is as
wicked as another；〃 Thirdly； 〃A pack of little wretches。〃
Under these circumstances； we were walking drearily along； and I
especially； with my。 Moosulmaun responsibilities heavy on me； was in a
very low state of mind； when a strange man accosted Miss Griffin； and；
after walking on at her side for a little while and talking with her； looked
at me。 Supposing him to be a minion of the law； and that my hour was
come； I instantly ran away； with the general purpose of making for Egypt。
The whole Seraglio cried out； when they saw me making off as fast as
my legs would carry me （I had an impression that the first turning on the
left； and round by the public…house； would be the shortest way to the
Pyramids）； Miss Griffin screamed after me； the faithless Vizier ran after
me； and the boy at the turnpike dodged me into a corner； like a sheep； and
cut me off。 Nobody scolded me when I was taken and brought back； Miss
Griffin only said； with a stunning gentleness； This was very curious！ Why
had I run away when the gentleman looked at me？
If I had had any breath to answer with； I dare say I should have made
no answer； having no breath； I certainly made none。 Miss Griffin and the
strange man took me between them； and walked me back to the palace in a
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sort of state； but not at all （as I couldn't help feeling； with astonishment） in
culprit state。
When we got there； we went into a room by ourselves； and Miss
Griffin called in to her assistance； Mesrour； chief of the dusky guards of
the Hareem。 Mesrour； on being whispered to； began to shed tears。 〃Bless
you； my precious！〃 said that officer； turning to me； 〃your Pa's took bitter
bad！〃
I asked； with a fluttered heart； 〃Is he very ill？〃
〃Lord temper the wind to you； my lamb！〃 said the good Mesrour；
kneeling down； that I might have a comforting shoulder for my head to
rest on； 〃your Pa's dead！〃
Haroun Alraschid took to flight at the words； the Seraglio vanished；
from that moment； I never again saw one of the eight of the fairest of the
daughters of men。
I was taken home； and there was Debt at home as well as Death； and
we had a sale there。 My own little bed was so superciliously looked upon
by a Power unknown to me； hazily called 〃The Trade；〃 that a brass coal…
scuttle； a roasting…jack； and a birdcage； were obliged to be put into it to
make a Lot of it； and then it went for a song。 So I heard mentioned； and I
wondered what song； and thought what a dismal song it must have been to
sing！
Then； I was sent to a great； cold； bare； school of big boys； where
everything to eat and wear was thick and clumpy； without being enough；
where everybody； largo and small； was cruel； where the boys knew all
about the sale； before I got
