the professor at the breakfast table-第62节
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of the stone seats； with an interest which could be nothing less
than maternal。 I at once recognized my old friend； the young fellow
whom we called John。 He was delighted to see me； introduced me to
〃Madam；〃 and would have the lusty infant out of the carriage； and
hold him up for me to look at。
Now； then；he said to the two…year…old；show the gentleman how you
hit from the shoulder。 Whereupon the little imp pushed his fat fist
straight into my eye； to his father's intense satisfaction。
Fust…rate little chap；said the papa。 Chip of the old block。
Regl'r little Johnny； you know。
I was so much pleased to find the young fellow settled in life； and
pushing about one of 〃them little articles〃 he had seemed to want so
much； that I took my 〃punishment〃 at the hands of the infant
pugilist with great equanimity。 And how is the old boarding…
house？I asked。
A 1；he answered。 Painted and papered as good as new。 Gabs in
all the rooms up to the skyparlors。 Old woman's layin' up money；
they say。 Means to send Ben Franklin to college。 Just then the
first bell rang for church； and my friend； who； I understand； has
become a most exemplary member of society； said he must be off to
get ready for meetin'； and told the young one to 〃shake dada；〃 which
he did with his closed fist； in a somewhat menacing manner。 And so
the young man John； as we used to call him； took the pole of the
miniature carriage； and pushed the small pugilist before him
homewards； followed； in a somewhat leisurely way； by his pleasant…
looking lady…companion； and I sent a sigh and a smile after him。
That evening； as soon as it was dark； I could not help going round
by the old boarding…house。 The 〃gahs〃 was lighted； but the
curtains； or more properly； the painted shades； were not down。 And
so I stood there and looked in along the table where the boarders
sat at the evening meal；our old breakfast…table； which some of us
feel as if we knew so well。 There were new faces at it； but also
old and familiar ones。 The landlady； in a wonderfully smart cap；
looking young； comparatively speaking； and as if half the wrinkles
had been ironed out of her forehead。 Her daughter； in rather
dressy half…mourning； with a vast brooch of jet； got up； apparently；
to match the gentleman next her； who was in black costume and sandy
hair；the last rising straight from his forehead； like the marble
flame one sometimes sees at the top of a funeral urn。 The Poor
Relation； not in absolute black； but in a stuff with specks of
white； as much as to say； that； if there were any more Hirams left
to sigh for her； there were pin…holes in the night of her despair；
through which a ray of hope might find its way to an adorer。
Master Benjamin Franklin； grown taller of late； was in the act of
splitting his face open with a wedge of pie； so that his features
were seen to disadvantage for the moment。 The good old gentleman
was sitting still and thoughtful。 All at once he turned his face
toward the window where I stood； and； just as if he had seen me；
smiled his benignant smile。 It was a recollection of some past
pleasant moment； but it fell upon me like the blessing of a father。
I kissed my hand to them all； unseen as I stood in the outer
darkness； and as I turned and went my way； the table and all around
it faded into the realm of twilight shadows and of midnight dreams。
…
And so my year's record is finished。 The Professor has talked less
than his predecessor； but he has heard and seen more。 Thanks to all
those friends who from time to time have sent their messages of
kindly recognition and fellow…feeling！ Peace to all such as may
have been vexed in spirit by any utterance these pages have
repeated！ They will； doubtless； forget for the moment the
difference in the hues of truth we look at through our human prisms；
and join in singing （inwardly） this hymn to the Source of the light
we all need to lead us； and the warmth which alone can make us all
brothers。
A SUN…DAY HYMN。
Lord of all being！ throned afar；
Thy glory flames from sun and star；
Centre and soul of every sphere；
Yet to each loving heart how near！
Sun of our life； thy quickening ray
Sheds on our path the glow of day；
Star of our hope； thy softened light
Cheers the long watches of the night。
Our midnight is thy smile withdrawn；
Our noontide is thy gracious dawn；
Our rainbow arch thy mercy's sign；
All； save the clouds of sin； are thine！
Lord of all life； below； above；
Whose light is truth； whose warmth is love；
Before thy ever…blazing throne
We ask no lustre of our own。
Grant us thy truth to make us free；
And kindling hearts that burn for thee；
Till all thy living altars claim
One holy light； one heavenly flame。
End
