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.