Sylvia'sLoversOhforthyvoicetosootheandbless!Whathopeofanswer,orredress?Behindtheveil!Behindtheveil!TennysonCHAPTERIMONKSHAVENOnthenorth—easternshoresofEnglandthereisatowncalledMonkshaven,containingatthepresentdayaboutfifteenthousandinhabitants。Therewere,however,buthalfthenumberattheendofthelastcentury,anditwasatthatperiodthattheeventsnarratedinthefollowingpagesoccurred。MonkshavenwasanamenotunknowninthehistoryofEngland,andtraditionsofitshavingbeenthelanding—placeofathronelessqueenwerecurrentinthetown。Atthattimetherehadbeenafortifiedcastleontheheightsaboveit,thesiteofwhichwasnowoccupiedbyadesertedmanor—house;
andatanevenearlierdatethanthearrivalofthequeen,andcoevalwiththemostancientremainsofthecastle,agreatmonasteryhadstoodonthosecliffs,overlookingthevastoceanthatblendedwiththedistantsky。MonkshavenitselfwasbuiltbythesideoftheDee,justwheretheriverfallsintotheGermanOcean。Theprincipalstreetofthetownranparalleltothestream,andsmallerlanesbranchedoutofthis,andstraggledupthesidesofthesteephill,betweenwhichandtheriverthehouseswerepentin。TherewasabridgeacrosstheDee,andconsequentlyaBridgeStreetrunningatrightanglestotheHighStreet;andonthesouthsideofthestreamtherewereafewhousesofmorepretension,aroundwhichlaygardensandfields。Itwasonthissideofthetownthatthelocalaristocracylived。Andwhowerethegreatpeopleofthissmalltown?Nottheyoungerbranchesofthecountyfamiliesthatheldhereditarystateintheirmanor—housesonthewildbleakmoors,thatshutinMonkshavenalmostaseffectuallyonthelandsideaseverthewatersdidonthesea—board。No;theseoldfamilieskeptalooffromtheunsavouryyetadventuroustradewhichbroughtwealthtogenerationaftergenerationofcertainfamiliesinMonkshaven。ThemagnatesofMonkshavenwerethosewhohadthelargestnumberofshipsengagedinthewhaling—trade。SomethinglikethefollowingwasthecourseoflifewithaMonkshavenladofthisclass:——Hewasapprenticedasasailortooneofthegreatshipowners——tohisownfather,possibly——alongwithtwentyotherboys,or,itmightbe,evenmore。DuringthesummermonthsheandhisfellowapprenticesmadevoyagestotheGreenlandseas,returningwiththeircargoesintheearlyautumn;andemployingthewintermonthsinwatchingthepreparationoftheoilfromtheblubberinthemelting—sheds,andlearningnavigationfromsomequaintbutexperiencedteacher,halfschoolmaster,halfsailor,whoseasonedhisinstructionsbystirringnarrationsofthewildadventuresofhisyouth。ThehouseoftheshipownertowhomhewasapprenticedwashishomeandthatofhiscompanionsduringtheidleseasonbetweenOctoberandMarch。Thedomesticpositionoftheseboysvariedaccordingtothepremiumpaid;sometookrankwiththesonsofthefamily,otherswereconsideredaslittlebetterthanservants。Yetonceonboardanequalityprevailed,inwhich,ifanyclaimedsuperiority,itwasthebravestandbrightest。
AfteracertainnumberofvoyagestheMonkshavenladwouldrisebydegreestobecaptain,andassuchwouldhaveashareintheventure;alltheseprofits,aswellasallhissavings,wouldgotowardsbuildingawhalingvesselofhisown,ifhewasnotsofortunateastobethechildofashipowner。
AtthetimeofwhichIwrite,therewasbutlittledivisionoflabourintheMonkshavenwhalefishery。Thesamemanmightbetheownerofsixorsevenships,anyoneofwhichhehimselfwasfittedbyeducationandexperiencetocommand;themasterofascoreofapprentices,eachofwhompaidaprettysufficientpremium;andtheproprietorofthemelting—shedsintowhichhiscargoesofblubberandwhalebonewereconveyedtobefittedforsale。Itwasnowonderthatlargefortuneswereacquiredbytheseshipowners,northattheirhousesonthesouthsideoftheriverDeewerestatelymansions,fullofhandsomeandsubstantialfurniture。Itwasalsonotsurprisingthatthewholetownhadanamphibiousappearance,toadegreeunusualeveninaseaport。
Everyonedependedonthewhalefishery,andalmosteverymaleInhabitanthadbeen,orhopedtobe,asailor。DownbytheriverthesmellwasalmostintolerabletoanybutMonkshavenpeopleduringcertainseasonsoftheyear;
butontheseunsavoury'staithes'theoldmenandchildrenloungedforhours,almostasiftheyrevelledintheodoursoftrain—oil。Thisis,perhaps,enoughofadescriptionofthetownitself。Ihavesaidthatthecountryformilesallaroundwasmoorland;highabovetheleveloftheseatoweredthepurplecrags,whosesummitswerecrownedwithgreenswardthatstoledownthesidesofthescauralittlewayingrassyveins。Hereandthereabrookforceditswayfromtheheightsdowntothesea,makingitschannelintoavalleymoreorlessbroadinlongprocessoftime。Andinthemoorlandhollows,asinthesevalleys,treesandunderwoodgrewandflourished;sothat,whileonthebareswellsofthehighlandyoushiveredatthewastedesolationofthescenery,whenyoudroppedintothesewooded'bottoms'
youwerecharmedwiththenestlingshelterwhichtheygave。Butaboveandaroundtheserareandfertilevalesthereweremoorsformanyamile,hereandtherebleakenough,withtheredfreestonecroppingoutabovethescantyherbage;then,perhaps,therewasabrowntractofpeatandbog,uncertainfootingforthepedestrianwhotriedtomakeashortcuttohisdestination;
thenonthehighersandysoiltherewasthepurpleling,orcommonestspeciesofheathergrowinginbeautifulwildluxuriance。Tuffsoffineelasticgrasswereoccasionallytobefound,onwhichthelittleblack—facedsheepbrowsed;
buteitherthescantyfood,ortheirgoat—likeagility,kepttheminaleanconditionthatdidnotpromisemuchforthebutcher,noryetwastheirwoolofaqualityfineenoughtomakethemprofitableinthatwaytotheirowners。Insuchdistrictsthereislittlepopulationatthepresentday;
therewasmuchlessinthelastcentury,beforeagriculturewassufficientlyscientifictohaveachanceofcontendingwithsuchnaturaldisqualificationsasthemoorspresented,andwhentherewerenofacilitiesofrailroadstobringsportsmenfromadistancetoenjoytheshootingseason,andmakeanannualdemandforaccommodation。Therewereoldstonehallsinthevalleys;therewerebarefarmhousestobeseenonthemoorsatlongdistancesapart,withsmallstacksofcoarsepoorhay,andalmostlargerstacksofturfforwinterfuelintheirfarmyards。
Thecattleinthepasturefieldsbelongingtothesefarmslookedhalfstarved;
butsomehowtherewasanodd,intelligentexpressionintheirfaces,aswellasinthoseoftheblack—visagedsheep,whichisseldomseenintheplacidlystupidcountenancesofwell—fedanimals。Allthefenceswereturfbanks,withloosestonespiledintowallsonthetopofthese。Therewascomparativefertilityandluxuriancedownbelowintheraregreendales。Thenarrowmeadowsstretchingalongthebrooksideseemedasthoughthecowscouldreallysatisfytheirhungerinthedeeprichgrass;whereasonthehigherlandsthescantyherbagewashardlyworththefatigueofmovingaboutinsearchofit。Eveninthese'bottoms'thepipingsea—winds,followingthecurrentofthestream,stuntedandcutlowanytrees;butstilltherewasrichthickunderwood,tangledandtiedtogetherwithbrambles,andbrier—rose,[sic]andhoneysuckle;andifthefarmerinthesecomparativelyhappyvalleyshadhadwifeordaughterwhocaredforgardening,manyaflowerwouldhavegrownonthewesternorsouthernsideoftheroughstonehouse。ButatthattimegardeningwasnotapopularartinanypartofEngland;inthenorthitisnotyet。Noblemenandgentlemenmayhavebeautifulgardens;
butfarmersandday—labourerscarelittleforthemnorthoftheTrent,whichisallIcananswerfor。Afew'berry'bushes,ablackcurranttreeortwo(theleavestobeusedinheighteningtheflavouroftea,thefruitasmedicinalforcoldsandsorethroats),apotatoground(andthiswasnotsocommonatthecloseofthelastcenturyasitisnow),acabbagebed,abushofsage,andbalm,andthyme,andmarjoram,withpossiblyarosetree,and'oldman'growinginthemidst;alittleplotofsmallstrongcoarseonions,andperhapssomemarigolds,thepetalsofwhichflavouredthesalt—beefbroth;suchplantsmadeupawell—furnishedgardentoafarmhouseatthetimeandplacetowhichmystorybelongs。Butfortwentymilesinlandtherewasnoforgettingthesea,northesea—trade;refuseshell—fish,seaweed,theoffalofthemelting—houses,werethestaplemanureofthedistrict;
greatghastlywhale—jaws,bleachedbareandwhite,werethearchesoverthegate—poststomanyafieldormoorlandstretch。Outofeveryfamilyofseveralsons,howeveragriculturaltheirpositionmightbe,onehadgonetosea,andthemotherlookedwistfullyseawardatthechangesofthekeeppipingmoorlandwinds。Theholidayramblesweretothecoast;noonecaredtogoinlandtoseeaught,unlessindeeditmightbetothegreatannualhorse—fairsheldwherethedrearylandbrokeintohabitationandcultivation。Somehowinthiscountryseathoughtsfollowedthethinkerfarinland;whereasinmostotherpartsoftheisland,atfivemilesfromtheocean,hehasallbutforgottentheexistenceofsuchanelementassaltwater。ThegreatGreenlandtradeofthecoastingtownswasthemainandprimarycauseofthis,nodoubt。Buttherewasalsoadreadandanirritationineveryone'smind,atthetimeofwhichIwrite,inconnectionwiththeneighbouringsea。SincetheterminationoftheAmericanwar,therehadbeennothingtocallforanyunusualenergyinmanningthenavy;andthegrantsrequiredbyGovernmentforthispurposediminishedwitheveryyearofpeace。In1792thisgranttoucheditsminimumformanyyears。In1793theproceedingsoftheFrenchhadsetEuropeonfire,andtheEnglishwereragingwithanti—Gallicanexcitement,fomentedintoactionbyeveryexpedientoftheCrownanditsMinisters。Wehadourships;butwherewereourmen?TheAdmiraltyhad,however,areadyremedyathand,withampleprecedentforitsuse,andwithcommon(ifnotstatute)lawtosanctionitsapplication。Theyissued'presswarrants,'
callinguponthecivilpowerthroughoutthecountrytosupporttheirofficersinthedischargeoftheirduty。Thesea—coastwasdividedintodistricts,underthechargeofacaptaininthenavy,whoagaindelegatedsub—districtstolieutenants;andinthismannerallhomeward—boundvesselswerewatchedandwaitedfor,allportswereundersupervision;andinaday,ifneedwere,alargenumberofmencouldbeaddedtotheforcesofhisMajesty'snavy。ButiftheAdmiraltybecameurgentintheirdemands,theywerealsowillingtobeunscrupulous。Landsmen,ifable—bodied,mightsoonbetrainedintogoodsailors;andonceintheholdofthetender,whichalwaysawaitedthesuccessoftheoperationsofthepress—gang,itwasdifficultforsuchprisonerstobringevidenceofthenatureoftheirformeroccupations,especiallywhennonehadleisuretolistentosuchevidence,orwerewillingtobelieveitiftheydidlisten,orwouldactuponitforthereleaseofthecaptiveiftheyhadbypossibilitybothlistenedandbelieved。Menwerekidnapped,literallydisappeared,andnothingwaseverheardofthemagain。Thestreetofabusytownwasnotsafefromsuchpress—gangcaptures,asLordThurlowcouldhavetold,afteracertainwalkhetookaboutthistimeonTowerHill,whenhe,theattorney—generalofEngland,wasimpressed,whentheAdmiraltyhaditsownpeculiarwaysofgettingridoftiresomebesiegersandpetitioners。
Noryetwerelonelyinlanddwellersmoresecure;manyarusticwenttoastatutefairor'mop,'andnevercamehometotellofhishiring;manyastoutyoungfarmervanishedfromhisplacebythehearthofhisfather,andwasnomoreheardofbymotherorlover;sogreatwasthepressformentoserveinthenavyduringtheearlyyearsofthewarwithFrance,andaftereverygreatnavalvictoryofthatwar。TheservantsoftheAdmiraltylayinwaitforallmerchantmenandtraders;
thereweremanyinstancesofvesselsreturninghomeafterlongabsence,andladenwithrichcargo,beingboardedwithinaday'sdistanceofland,andsomanymenpressedandcarriedoff,thattheship,withhercargo,becameunmanageablefromthelossofhercrew,driftedoutagainintothewildwideocean,andwassometimesfoundinthehelplessguidanceofoneortwoinfirmorignorantsailors;sometimessuchvesselswereneverheardofmore。Thementhuspressedweretakenfromtheneargraspofparentsorwives,andwereoftendeprivedofthehardearningsofyears,whichremainedinthehandsofthemastersofthemerchantmaninwhichtheyhadserved,subjecttoallthechancesofhonestyordishonesty,lifeordeath。
Nowallthistyranny(forIcanusenootherword)ismarvelloustous;
wecannotimaginehowitisthatanationsubmittedtoitforsolong,evenunderanywarlikeenthusiasm,anypanicsofinvasion,anyamountofloyalsubserviencetothegoverningpowers。Whenwereadofthemilitarybeingcalledintoassistthecivilpowerinbackingupthepress—gang,ofpartiesofsoldierspatrollingthestreets,andsentrieswithscrewedbayonetsplacedateverydoorwhilethepress—gangenteredandsearchedeachholeandcornerofthedwelling;whenwehearofchurchesbeingsurroundedduringdivineservicebytroops,whilethepress—gangstoodreadyatthedoortoseizemenastheycameoutfromattendingpublicworship,andtaketheseinstancesasmerelytypesofwhatwasconstantlygoingonindifferentforms,wedonotwonderatLordMayors,andothercivicauthoritiesinlargetowns,complainingthatastopwasputtobusinessbythedangerwhichthetradesmenandtheirservantsincurredinleavingtheirhousesandgoingintothestreets,infestedbypress—gangs。Whetheritwasthatlivingincloserneighbourhoodtothemetropolis——thecentreofpoliticsandnews——inspiredtheinhabitantsofthesoutherncountieswithastrongfeelingofthatkindofpatriotismwhichconsistsinhatingallothernations;orwhetheritwasthatthechancesofcaptureweresomuchgreateratallthesouthernportsthatthemerchantsailorsbecameinuredtothedanger;orwhetheritwasthatservinginthenavy,tothosefamiliarwithsuchtownsasPortsmouthandPlymouth,hadanattractiontomostmenfromthedashandbrilliancyoftheadventurousemployment——itiscertainthatthesouthernerstooktheoppressionofpress—warrantsmoresubmissivelythanthewildnorth—easternpeople。ForwiththemthechancesofprofitbeyondtheirwagesinthewhalingorGreenlandtradeextendedtothelowestdescriptionofsailor。Hemightrisebydaringandsavingtobeashipownerhimself。Numbersaroundhimhaddoneso;andthisveryfactmadethedistinctionbetweenclassandclasslessapparent;andthecommonventuresanddangers,theuniversalinterestfeltinonepursuit,boundtheinhabitantsofthatlineofcoasttogetherwithastrongtie,theseveranceofwhichbyanyviolentextraneousmeasure,gaverisetopassionateangerandthirstforvengeance。AYorkshiremanoncesaidtome,'Mycountyfolkareallalike。
Theirfirstthoughtishowtoresist。Why!Imyself,ifIhearamansayitisafineday,catchmyselftryingtofindoutthatitisnosuchthing。
Itissointhought;itissoinword;itissoindeed。'Soyoumayimaginethepress—ganghadnoeasytimeofitontheYorkshirecoast。Inotherplacestheyinspiredfear,buthererageandhatred。TheLordMayorofYorkwaswarnedon20thJanuary,1777,byananonymousletter,that'ifthosemenwerenotsentfromthecityonorbeforethefollowingTuesday,hislordship'sowndwelling,andtheMansion—housealso,shouldbeburnedtotheground。'Perhapssomethingoftheill—feelingthatprevailedonthesubjectwasowingtothefactwhichIhavenoticedinotherplacessimilarlysituated。
Wherethelandedpossessionsofgentlemenofancientfamilybutlimitedincomesurroundacentreofanykindofprofitabletradeormanufacture,thereisasortoflatentill—willonthepartofthesquirestothetradesman,behemanufacturer,merchant,orshipowner,inwhosehandsisheldapowerofmoney—making,whichnohereditarypride,orgentlemanlyloveofdoingnothing,preventshimfromusing。Thisill—will,tobesure,ismostlyofanegativekind;itsmostcommonformofmanifestationisinabsenceofspeechoraction,asortoftorpidandgenteelignoringallunpleasantneighbours;
butreallythewhale—fisheriesofMonkshavenhadbecomesoimpertinentlyandobtrusivelyprosperousoflateyearsatthetimeofwhichIwrite,theMonkshavenshipownersweregrowingsowealthyandconsequential,thatthesquires,wholivedathomeateaseintheoldstonemanor—housesscatteredupanddownthesurroundingmoorland,feltthatthecheckupontheMonkshaventradelikelytobeinflictedbythepress—gang,waswiselyordainedbythehigherpowers(howhightheyplacedthesepowersIwillnotventuretosay),topreventoverhasteingettingrich,whichwasascripturalfault,andtheyalsothoughtthattheywereonlydoingtheirdutyinbackinguptheAdmiraltywarrantsbyallthecivilpowerattheirdisposal,whenevertheywerecalledupon,andwhenevertheycoulddosowithouttakingtoomuchtroubleinaffairswhichdidnotafterallmuchconcernthemselves。Therewasjustanothermotiveinthemindsofsomeprovidentparentsofmanydaughters。Thecaptainsandlieutenantsemployedonthisserviceweremostlyagreeablebachelors,broughtuptoagenteelprofession,attheleasttheywereverypleasantvisitors,whentheyhadadaytospare;whoknewwhatmightcomeofit?Indeed,thesebraveofficerswerenotunpopularinMonkshavenitself,exceptatthetimewhentheywerebroughtintoactualcollisionwiththepeople。
Theyhadthefrankmannersoftheirprofession;theywereknowntohaveservedinthoseengagements,theverynarrativeofwhichatthisdaywillwarmtheheartofaquaker,andtheythemselvesdidnotcomeprominentlyforwardinthedirtyworkwhich,nevertheless,waspermittedandquietlysanctionedbythem。SowhilefewMonkshavenpeoplepassedthelowpublic—houseoverwhichthenavyblue—flagstreamed,asasignthatitwastherendezvousofthepress—gang,withoutspittingtowardsitinsignofabhorrence,yet,perhaps,theverysamepersonswouldgivesomeroughtokenofrespecttoLieutenantAtkinsoniftheymethiminHighStreet。Touchingtheirhatswasanunknowngestureinthoseparts,buttheywouldmovetheirheadsinadroll,familiarkindofway,neitherawagnoranod,butmeantallthesametoimplyfriendlyregard。Theshipowners,too,invitedhimtoanoccasionaldinnerorsupper,allthetimelookingforwardtothechancesofhisturningoutanactiveenemy,andnotbyanymeansinclinedtogivehim'therunofthehouse,'howevermanyunmarrieddaughtersmightgracetheirtable。Stillashecouldtellarattlingstory,drinkhard,andwasseldomtoobusytocomeatashortnotice,hegotonbetterthananyonecouldhaveexpectedwiththeMonkshavenfolk。Andtheprincipalshareoftheodiumofhisbusinessfellonhissubordinates,whowereoneandallregardedinthelightofmeankidnappersandspies——'varmint,'
asthecommonpeopleesteemedthem:andassuchtheywerereadyatthefirstprovocationtohuntandtoworrythem,andlittlecaredthepress—gangforthis。Whateverelsetheywere,theywerebraveanddaring。Theyhadlawtobackthem,thereforetheirbusinesswaslawful。Theywereservingtheirkingandcountry。Theywereusingalltheirfaculties,andthatisalwayspleasant。Therewasplentyofscopeforthegloryandtriumphofoutwitting;
plentyofadventureintheirlife。Itwasalawfulandloyalemployment,requiringsense,readiness,courage,andbesidesitcalledoutthatstrangeloveofthechaseinherentineveryman。FourteenorfifteenmilesatsealaytheAurora,goodman—of—war;andtoherwereconveyedthelivingcargoesofseveraltenders,whichwerestationedatlikelyplacesalongthesea—coast。One,theLivelyLady,mightbeseenfromthecliffsaboveMonkshaven,notsofaraway,buthiddenbytheangleofthehighlandsfromtheconstantsightofthetownspeople;andtherewasalwaystheRandyvow—house(asthepublic—housewiththenavyblue—flagwascalledthereabouts)forthecrewoftheLivelyLadytoloungeabout,andtheretoofferdrinktounwarypassers—by。Atpresentthiswasallthatthepress—ganghaddoneatMonkshaven。
chapter02CHAPTERIIHOMEFROMGREENLANDOnehotday,earlyinOctoberoftheyear1796,twogirlssetofffromtheircountryhomestoMonkshaventoselltheirbutterandeggs,fortheywerebothfarmers'daughters,thoughratherindifferentcircumstances;
forMollyCorneywasoneofalargefamilyofchildren,andhadtoroughitaccordingly;SylviaRobsonwasanonlychild,andwasmuchmadeofinmorepeople'sestimationthanMary'sbyherelderlyparents。Theyhadeachpurchasestomakeaftertheirsaleswereeffected,assalesofbutterandeggswereeffectedinthosedaysbythemarket—womensittingonthestepsofthegreatoldmutilatedcrosstillacertainhourintheafternoon,afterwhich,ifalltheirgoodswerenotdisposedof,theytookthemunwillinglytotheshopsandsoldthematalowerprice。ButgoodhousewivesdidnotdespisecomingthemselvestotheButterCross,and,smellinganddepreciatingthearticlestheywanted,keptupaperpetualstruggleofwords,trying,ofteninvain,tobeatdownprices。Ahousekeeperofthelastcenturywouldhavethoughtthatshedidnotknowherbusiness,ifshehadnotgonethroughthispreliminaryprocess;andthefarmers'wivesanddaughterstreateditallasamatterofcourse,replyingwithagooddealofindependenthumourtothecustomer,who,oncehavingdiscoveredwheregoodbutterandfresheggsweretobesold,cametimeaftertimetodepreciatethearticlesshealwaysendedintaking。Therewasleisureforallthiskindofworkinthosedays。Mollyhadtiedaknotonherpink—spottedhandkerchiefforeachofthevariouspurchasesshehadtomake;dullbutimportantarticlesneededfortheweek'sconsumptionathome;ifsheforgotanyoneofthemsheknewshewassureofagood'rating'fromhermother。Thenumberofthemmadeherpocket—handkerchieflooklikeoneofthenine—tailsofa'cat;'butnotasinglethingwasforherself,nor,indeed,foranyoneindividualofhernumerousfamily。TherewasneithermuchthoughtnormuchmoneytospendforanybutcollectivewantsintheCorneyfamily。ItwasdifferentwithSylvia。Shewasgoingtochooseherfirstcloak,nottohaveanoldoneofhermother's,thathadgonedownthroughtwosisters,dyedforthefourthtime(andMollywouldhavebeengladhadeventhischancebeenhers),buttobuyabran—newdufflecloakallforherself,withnotevenanelderauthoritytocurbherastoprice,onlyMollytogiveheradmiringcounsel,andasmuchsympathyaswasconsistentwithalittlepatientenvyofSylvia'shappiercircumstances。Everynowandthentheywanderedofffromtheonegrandsubjectofthought,butSylvia,withunconsciousart,soonbroughttheconversationroundtothefreshconsiderationoftherespectivemeritsofgrayandscarlet。Thesegirlswerewalkingbare—footandcarryingtheirshoesandstockingsintheirhandsduringthefirstpartoftheirway;butastheyweredrawingnearMonkshaventheystopped,andturnedasidealongafoot—paththatledfromthemain—roaddowntothebanksoftheDee。Thereweregreatstonesintheriverabouthere,roundwhichthewatersgatheredandeddiedandformeddeeppools。Mollysatedownonthegrassybanktowashherfeet;butSylvia,moreactive(orperhapslighter—heartedwiththenotionofthecloakinthedistance),placedherbasketonagravellybitofshore,and,givingalongspring,seatedherselfonastonealmostinthemiddleofthestream。
Thenshebegandippingherlittlerosytoesinthecoolrushingwaterandwhiskingthemoutwithchildishglee。'Bequiet,wi'the',Sylvia?Thou'stsplashingmeallower,andmyfeyther'llnoanebesokeeno'givingmeanewcloakasthineis,seemingly。'Sylviawasquiet,nottosaypenitent,inamoment。Shedrewupherfeetinstantly;and,asiftotakeherselfoutoftemptation,sheturnedawayfromMollytothatsideofherstonyseatonwhichthecurrentranshallow,andbrokenbypebbles。Butoncedisturbedinherplay,herthoughtsrevertedtothegreatsubjectofthecloak。Shewasnowasstillasaminutebeforeshehadbeenfulloffrolicandgambollinglife。Shehadtuckedherselfuponthestone,asifithadbeenacushion,andshealittlesultana。Mollywasdeliberatelywashingherfeetanddrawingonherstockings,whensheheardasuddensigh,andhercompanionturnedroundsoastofaceher,andsaid,'Iwishmotherhadn'tspokenupfort'gray。''Why,Sylvia,thouwertsayingaswetoppedt'brow,asshedidnoughtbutbidtheethinktwiceaforesettlingonscarlet。''Ay!butmother'swordsarescarce,andweighheavy。Feyther'slikerme,andwetalkadealo'rubble;butmother'swordsarelikertohewnstoneSheputsadealo'meaningin'em。Andthen,'saidSylvia,asifshewasputoutbythesuggestion,'shebidmeaskcousinPhilipforhisopinion。
Ihateamanashasgettenanopiniononsuch—likethings。''Well!weshallnivergettoMonkshaventhisday,eitherfortoselloureggsandstuff,ortobuythycloak,ifwe'resittin'heremuchlonger。
T'sun'sforslantinglow,socomealong,lass,andlet'sbegoing。''ButifIputonmystockingsandshoonhere,andjumpbackintoyonwetgravel,I'senotbefittobeseen,'saidSylvia,inapathetictoneofbewilderment,thatwasfunnilychildlike。Shestoodup,herbarefeetcurvedroundthecurvingsurfaceofthestone,herslightfigurebalancingasifinacttospring。'Thouknowsthou'llhavejusttojumpbackbarefoot,andwashthyfeetafresh,withoutmakingallthatado;thoushouldstha'doneitatfirst,likeme,andallothersensiblefolk。Butthou'stgettennogumption。'Molly'smouthwasstoppedbySylvia'shand。Shewasalreadyontheriverbankbyherfriend'sside。'Nowdunnotlectureme;I'mnoneforasermonhungoneverypego'words。
I'mgoingtohaveanewcloak,lass,andIcannotheedtheeifthoudostlecture。Thoushallhaveallthegumption,andI'llhavemycloak。'ItmaybedoubtedwhetherMollythoughtthisanequaldivision。Eachgirlworetightly—fittingstockings,knitbyherownhands,oftheblueworstedcommoninthatcountry;theyhadonneathigh—heeledblackleathershoes,comingwellovertheinstep,andfastenedaswellasornamentedwithbrightsteelbuckles。Theydidnotwalksolightlyandfreelynowastheydidbeforetheywereshod,buttheirstepswerestillspringywiththebuoyancyofearlyyouth;forneitherofthemwastwenty,indeedIbelieveSylviawasnotmorethanseventeenatthistime。Theyclamberedupthesteepgrassypath,withbramblescatchingattheirkiltedpetticoats,throughthecopse—wood,tilltheyregainedthehighroad;andthenthey'settledthemselves,'astheycalledit;thatistosay,theytookofftheirblackfelthats,andtieduptheirclusteringhairafresh;theyshookoffeveryspeckofwaysidedust;straightenedthelittleshawls(orlargeneck—kerchiefs,callthemwhichyouwill)thatwerespreadovertheirshoulders,pinnedbelowthethroat,andconfinedatthewaistbytheirapron—strings;andthenputtingontheirhatsagain,andpickinguptheirbaskets,theypreparedtowalkdecorouslyintothetownofMonkshaven。Thenextturnoftheroadshowedthemtheredpeakedroofsofthecloselypackedhouseslyingalmostdirectlybelowthehillonwhichtheywere。
Thefullautumnsunbroughtouttheruddycolourofthetiledgables,anddeepenedtheshadowsinthenarrowstreets。Thenarrowharbouratthemouthoftheriverwascrowdedwithsmallvesselsofalldescriptions,makinganintricateforestofmasts。Beyondlaythesea,likeaflatpavementofsapphire,scarcelyaripplevaryingitssunnysurface,thatstretchedoutleaguesawaytillitblendedwiththesoftenedazureofthesky。Onthisbluetracklesswaterfloatedscoresofwhite—sailedfishingboats,apparentlymotionless,unlessyoumeasuredtheirprogressbysomeland—mark;
butstill,andsilent,anddistantastheyseemed,theconsciousnessthatthereweremenonboard,eachgoingforthintothegreatdeep,addedunspeakablytotheinterestfeltinwatchingthem。ClosetothebaroftheriverDeealargervessellayto。Sylvia,whohadonlyrecentlycomeintotheneighbourhood,lookedatthiswiththesamequietinterestasshedidatalltheothers;
butMolly,assoonashereyecaughtthebuildofit,criedoutaloud——'She'sawhaler!she'sawhalerhomefromt'Greenlandseas!T'firstthisseason!Godblessher!'andsheturnedroundandshookbothSylvia'shandsinthefulnessofherexcitement。Sylvia'scolourrose,andhereyessparkledoutofsympathy。'Istasure?'sheasked,breathlessinherturn;forthoughshedidnotknowbytheaspectofthedifferentshipsonwhattradetheywerebound,yetshewaswellawareoftheparamountinterestattachedtowhalingvessels。'Threeo'clock!andit'snothighwatertillfive!'saidMolly。'Ifwe'resharpwecanselloureggs,andbedowntothestaithesbeforeshecomesintoport。Besharp,lass!'Anddownthesteeplonghilltheywentatapacethatwasalmostarun。
Aruntheydarednotmakeit;andasitwas,therateatwhichtheywalkedwouldhavecauseddestructionamongeggslesscarefullypacked。Whenthedescentwasended,therewasyetthelongnarrowstreetbeforethem,bendingandswervingfromthestraightline,asitfollowedthecourseoftheriver。
Thegirlsfeltasiftheyshouldnevercometothemarket—place,whichwassituatedatthecrossingofBridgeStreetandHighStreet。Theretheoldstonecrosswasraisedbythemonkslongago;nowwornandmutilated,nooneesteemeditasaholysymbol,butonlyastheButterCross,wheremarket—womenclusteredonWednesday,andwhencethetowncriermadeallhisproclamationsofhouseholdsales,thingslostorfound,beginningwith'Oh!yes,oh!yes,oh!yes!'andendingwith'Godblessthekingandthelordofthismanor,'andaverybrisk'Amen,'beforehewentonhiswayandtookoffthelivery—coat,thecoloursofwhichmarkedhimasaservantoftheBurnabys,thefamilywhoheldmanorialrightsoverMonkshaven。OfcoursethemuchfrequentedspacesurroundingtheButterCrosswasthefavouritecentreforshops;andonthisday,afinemarket—day,justwhengoodhousewivesbegintolookovertheirwinterstoreofblanketsandflannels,anddiscovertheirneedsbetimes,theseshopsoughttohavehadplentyofcustomers。Buttheywereemptyandofevenquieteraspectthantheirevery—daywont。Thethree—leggedcreepie—stoolsthatwerehiredoutatapennyanhourtosuchmarket—womenascametoolatetofindroomonthestepswereunoccupied;knockedoverhereandthere,asifpeoplehadpassedbyinhaste。Mollytookinallataglance,andinterpretedthesigns,thoughshehadnotimetoexplaintheirmeaning,andherconsequentcourseofaction,toSylvia,butdartedintoacornershop。'T'whalersiscominghome!There'sonelyingoutsidet'bar!'Thiswasputintheformofanassertion;butthetonewasthatofeagercross—questioning。'Ay!'saidalameman,mendingfishing—netsbehindaroughdealcounter。
'She'scomebackairly,andshe'sbroughtgoodnewso't'others,asI'veheeredsay。TimewasIshouldha'beenonth'staithesthrowingupmycapwit't'beston'em;butnowitpleasest'Lordtokeepmeathome,andsetmetomindotherfolks'gear。Seethee,wench,there'savasto'folkha'lefttheirskepso'thingswi'mewhilethey'reawaydowntot'quayside。Leavemeyoureggsandbeoffwi'yefort'seet'fun,formebbeye'lllivetobepalsiedyet,andthenye'llbefrettingowerspiltmilk,andthatyedidn'ttak'allchanceswhenyewasyoung。Ay,well!they'reouto'hearin'o'mymoralities;I'dbetterfindalamiterlikemysentopreachto,forit'snotiverybodyhast'luckt'clargyhasofsayingtheirsayoutwhetherfolkslikesitornot。'Heputthebasketscarefullyawaywithmuchofsuchtalkasthisaddressedtohimselfwhilehedidso。Thenhesighedonceortwice;andthenhetookthebettercourseandbegantosingoverhistarrywork。MollyandSylviawerefaralongthestaithesbythetimehegottothispointofcheerfulness。Theyranon,regardlessofstitchesandpainsintheside;onalongtheriverbanktowheretheconcourseofpeoplewasgathered。TherewasnogreatlengthofwaybetweentheButterCrossandtheharbour;infiveminutesthebreathlessgirlswereclosetogetherinthebestplacetheycouldgetforseeing,ontheoutsideofthecrowd;
andinasshortatimelongertheywerepressedinwards,byfresharrivals,intotheverymidstofthethrong。Alleyesweredirectedtotheship,beatingheranchorjustoutsidethebar,notaquarterofamileaway。
Thecustom—houseofficerwasjustgoneaboardofhertoreceivethecaptain'sreportofhiscargo,andmakedueexamination。Themenwhohadtakenhimoutinhisboatwererowingbacktotheshore,andbroughtsmallfragmentsofnewswhentheylandedalittledistancefromthecrowd,whichmovedasonemantohearwhatwastobetold。SylviatookahardgraspofthehandoftheolderandmoreexperiencedMolly,andlistenedopen—mouthedtotheanswersshewasextractingfromagruffoldsailorshehappenedtofindnearher。'Whatshipisshe?''T'ResolutionofMonkshaven!'saidhe,indignantly,asifanygoosemighthaveknownthat。'An'agoodResolution,andablessedshipshe'sbeentome,'pipedoutanoldwoman,closeatMary'selbow。'She'sbroughtmehomemyae'