barnaby rudge(巴纳比·卢杰)-第101节
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happiness of society； that he is；’ said Mr Tappertit； rubbing his
palm upon his legs； and looking at it between whiles。 ‘Is your other
hand at all cleaner？ Much the same。 Well； I’ll owe you another
shake。 We’ll suppose it done； if you’ve no objection。’
Hugh laughed again； and with such thorough abandonment to
his mad humour； that his limbs seemed dislocated； and his whole
frame in danger of tumbling to pieces； but Mr Tappertit； so far
from receiving this extreme merriment with any irritation； was
pleased to regard it with the utmost favour； and even to join in it；
so far as one of his gravity and station could； with any regard to
that decency and decorum which men in high places are expected
to maintain。
Mr Tappertit did not stop here； as many public characters
might have done； but calling up his brace of lieutenants；
introduced Hugh to them with high commendation； declaring him
to be a man who； at such times as those in which they lived； could
not be too much cherished。 Further； he did him the honour to
remark； that he would be an acquisition of which even the United
Bulldogs might be proud； and finding； upon sounding him； that he
was quite ready and willing to enter the society （for he was not at
all particular； and would have leagued himself that night with
anything； or anybody； for any purpose whatsoever）； caused the
necessary preliminaries to be gone into upon the spot。 This tribute
to his great merit delighted no man more than Mr Dennis； as he
himself proclaimed with several rare and surprising oaths； and
indeed it gave unmingled satisfaction to the whole assembly。
‘Make anything you like of me！’ cried Hugh； flourishing the can
he had emptied more than once。 ‘Put me on any duty you please。
I’m your man。 I’ll do it。 Here’s my captain—here’s my leader。 Ha
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ha ha！ Let him give me the word of command； and I’ll fight the
whole Parliament House single…handed； or set a lighted torch to
the King’s Throne itself！’ With that； he smote Mr Tappertit on the
back； with such violence that his little body seemed to shrink into
a mere nothing； and roared again until the very foundlings near at
hand were startled in their beds。
In fact； a sense of something whimsical in their companionship
seemed to have taken entire possession of his rude brain。 The bare
fact of being patronised by a great man whom he could have
crushed with one hand； appeared in his eyes so eccentric and
humorous； that a kind of ferocious merriment gained the mastery
over him； and quite subdued his brutal nature。 He roared and
roared again； toasted Mr Tappertit a hundred times； declared
himself a Bulldog to the core； and vowed to be faithful to him to
the last drop of blood in his veins。
All these compliments Mr Tappertit received as matters of
course—flattering enough in their way； but entirely attributable to
his vast superiority。 His dignified self…possession only delighted
Hugh the more； and in a word； this giant and dwarf struck up a
friendship which bade fair to be of long continuance； as the one
held it to be his right to command； and the other considered it an
exquisite pleasantry to obey。 Nor was Hugh by any means a
passive follower； who scrupled to act without precise and definite
orders； for when Mr Tappertit mounted on an empty cask which
stood by way of rostrum in the room； and volunteered a speech
upon the alarming crisis then at hand； he placed himself beside
the orator； and though he grinned from ear to ear at every word he
said； threw out such expressive hints to scoffers in the
management of his cudgel； that those who were at first the most
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disposed to interrupt； became remarkably attentive； and were the
loudest in their approbation。
It was not all noise and jest； however； at The Boot； nor were the
whole party listeners to the speech。 There were some men at the
other end of the room （which was a long； low…roofed chamber） in
earnest conversation all the time； and when any of this group went
out； fresh people were sure to come in soon afterwards and sit
down in their places； as though the others had relieved them on
some watch or duty； which it was pretty clear they did； for these
changes took place by the clock； at intervals of half an hour。 These
persons whispered very much among themselves； and kept aloof；
and often looked round； as jealous of their speech being
overheard； some two or three among them entered in books what
seemed to be reports from the others； when they were not thus
employed） one of them would turn to the newspapers which were
strewn upon the table； and from the St James’s Chronicle； the
Herald； Chronicle； or Public Advertiser； would read to the rest in a
low voice some passage having reference to the topic in which
they were all so deeply interested。 But the great attraction was a
pamphlet called The Thunderer； which espoused their own
opinions； and was supposed at that time to emanate directly from
the Association。 This was always in request； and whether read
aloud； to an eager knot of listeners； or by some solitary man； was
certain to be followed by stormy talking and excited looks。
In the midst of all his merriment； and admiration of his captain；
Hugh was made sensible by these and other tokens； of the
presence of an air of mystery； akin to that which had so much
impressed him out of doors。 It was impossible to discard a sense
that something serious was going on； and that under the noisy
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revel of the public…house； there lurked unseen and dangerous
matter。 Little affected by this； however； he was perfectly satisfied
with his quarters and would have remained there till morning； but
that his conductor rose soon after midnight； to go home； Mr
Tappertit following his example； left him no excuse to stay。 So
they all three left the house together： roaring a No…Popery song
until the fields resounded with the dismal noise。
Cheer up； captain！’ cried Hugh； when they had roared
themselves out of breath。 ‘Another stave！’
Mr Tappertit； nothing loath； began again； and so the three went
staggering on； arm…in…arm； shouting like madmen； and defying the
watch with great valour。 Indeed this did not require any unusual
bravery or boldness； as the watchmen of that time； being selected
for the office on account of excessive age and extraordinary
infirmity； had a custom of shutting themselves up tight in their
boxes on the first symptoms of disturbance； and remaining there
until they disappeared。 In these proceedings； Mr Dennis； who had
a gruff voice and lungs of considerable power； distinguished
himself very much； and acquired great credit with his two
companions。
‘What a queer fellow you are！’ said Mr Tappertit。 ‘You’re so
precious sly and close。 Why don’t you ever tell what trade you’re
of？’
‘Answer the captain instantly；’ cried Hugh； beating his hat
down on his head； ‘why don’t you ever tell what trade you’re of？’
‘I’m of as gen…teel a calling； brother； as any man in England—as
light a business as any gentleman could desire。’
‘Was you ’prenticed to it？’ asked Mr Tappertit。
‘No。 Natural genius；’ said Mr Dennis。 ‘No ’prenticing。 It come
