IseewhatHEwasupto;butIneversaidnothing,ofcourse。WhenI
gotbackwiththedukewehidthecanoe,andthentheysetdownonalog,andthekingtoldhimeverything,justliketheyoungfellowhadsaidit——everylastwordofit。Andallthetimehewasa-doingithetriedtotalklikeanEnglishman;andhedoneitprettywell,too,foraslouch。
Ican”timitatehim,andsoIain”ta-goingtotryto;buthereallydoneitprettygood。Thenhesays:
“Howareyouonthedeefanddumb,Bilgewater?“
Thedukesaid,leavehimaloneforthat;saidhehadplayedadeefanddumbpersononthehistronicboards。Sothentheywaitedforasteamboat。
Aboutthemiddleoftheafternoonacoupleoflittleboatscomealong,buttheydidn”tcomefromhighenoughuptheriver;butatlasttherewasabigone,andtheyhailedher。Shesentoutheryawl,andwewentaboard,andshewasfromCincinnati;andwhentheyfoundweonlywantedtogofourorfivemiletheywasboomingmad,andgaveusacussing,andsaidtheywouldn”tlandus。Butthekingwasca”m。Hesays:
“Ifgentlemenkinaffordtopayadollaramileapiecetobetookonandputoffinayawl,asteamboatkinaffordtocarry”em,can”tit?“
Sotheysofteneddownandsaiditwasallright;andwhenwegottothevillagetheyyawledusashore。Abouttwodozenmenflockeddownwhentheyseetheyawla-coming,andwhenthekingsays:
“Kinanyofyougentlementellmewher”Mr。PeterWilkslives?“theygiveaglanceatoneanother,andnoddedtheirheads,asmuchastosay,“Whatd”Itellyou?“Thenoneofthemsays,kindofsoftandgentle:
“I”msorry。sir,butthebestwecandoistotellyouwhereheDID
liveyesterdayevening。”
Suddenaswinkingtheorneryoldcreturwentantosmash,andfellupagainsttheman,andputhischinonhisshoulder,andcrieddownhisback,andsays:
“Alas,alas,ourpoorbrother——gone,andwenevergottoseehim;
oh,it”stoo,toohard!“
Thenheturnsaround,blubbering,andmakesalotofidioticsignstothedukeonhishands,andblamedifhedidn”tdropacarpet-bagandbustouta-crying。Iftheywarn”tthebeatenestlot,themtwofrauds,thateverIstruck。
Well,themengatheredaroundandsympathizedwiththem,andsaidallsortsofkindthingstothem,andcarriedtheircarpet-bagsupthehillforthem,andletthemleanonthemandcry,andtoldthekingallabouthisbrother”slastmoments,andthekinghetolditalloveragainonhishandstotheduke,andbothofthemtookonaboutthatdeadtannerlikethey”dlostthetwelvedisciples。Well,ifeverIstruckanythinglikeit,I”manigger。Itwasenoughtomakeabodyashamedofthehumanrace。
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter25Chapter25THEnewswasallovertownintwominutes,andyoucouldseethepeopletearingdownontherunfromeverywhichway,someofthemputtingontheircoatsastheycome。Prettysoonwewasinthemiddleofacrowd,andthenoiseofthetrampingwaslikeasoldiermarch。Thewindowsanddooryardswasfull;andeveryminutesomebodywouldsay,overafence:
“IsitTHEM?“
Andsomebodytrottingalongwiththegangwouldanswerbackandsay:
“Youbetitis。”
Whenwegottothehousethestreetinfrontofitwaspacked,andthethreegirlswasstandinginthedoor。MaryJaneWASred-headed,butthatdon”tmakenodifference,shewasmostawfulbeautiful,andherfaceandhereyeswasalllituplikeglory,shewassogladheruncleswascome。
Thekinghespreadhisarms,andMarsyJaneshejumpedforthem,andthehare-lipjumpedfortheduke,andtheretheyHADit!Everybodymost,leastwayswomen,criedforjoytoseethemmeetagainatlastandhavesuchgoodtimes。
Thenthekinghehunchedthedukeprivate——Iseehimdoit——andthenhelookedaroundandseethecoffin,overinthecornerontwochairs;
sothenhimandtheduke,withahandacrosseachother”sshoulder,andt”otherhandtotheireyes,walkedslowandsolemnoverthere,everybodydroppingbacktogivethemroom,andallthetalkandnoisestopping,peoplesaying“Sh!“andallthementakingtheirhatsoffanddroopingtheirheads,soyoucouldaheardapinfall。Andwhentheygottheretheybentoverandlookedinthecoffin,andtookonesight,andthentheybustouta-cryingsoyoucouldaheardthemtoOrleans,most;andthentheyputtheirarmsaroundeachother”snecks,andhungtheirchinsovereachother”sshoulders;
andthenforthreeminutes,ormaybefour,Ineverseetwomenleakthewaytheydone。And,mindyou,everybodywasdoingthesame;andtheplacewasthatdampIneverseeanythinglikeit。Thenoneofthemgotononesideofthecoffin,andt”otheront”otherside,andtheykneeleddownandrestedtheirforeheadsonthecoffin,andletontoprayalltothemselves。
Well,whenitcometothatitworkedthecrowdlikeyouneverseeanythinglikeit,andeverybodybrokedownandwenttosobbingrightoutloud——
thepoorgirls,too;andeverywoman,nearly,wentuptothegirls,withoutsayingaword,andkissedthem,solemn,ontheforehead,andthenputtheirhandontheirhead,andlookeduptowardsthesky,withthetearsrunningdown,andthenbustedoutandwentoffsobbingandswabbing,andgivethenextwomanashow。Ineverseeanythingsodisgusting。
Well,byandbythekinghegetsupandcomesforwardalittle,andworkshimselfupandslobbersoutaspeech,allfulloftearsandflapdoodleaboutitsbeingasoretrialforhimandhispoorbrothertolosethediseased,andtomissseeingdiseasedaliveafterthelongjourneyoffourthousandmile,butit”satrialthat”ssweetenedandsanctifiedtousbythisdearsympathyandtheseholytears,andsohethanksthemoutofhisheartandoutofhisbrother”sheart,becauseoutoftheirmouthstheycan”t,wordsbeingtooweakandcold,andallthatkindofrotandslush,tillitwasjustsickening;andthenheblubbersoutapiousgoody-goodyAmen,andturnshimselflooseandgoestocryingfittobust。
Andtheminutethewordswereoutofhismouthsomebodyoverinthecrowdstruckupthedoxolojer,andeverybodyjoinedinwithalltheirmight,anditjustwarmedyouupandmadeyoufeelasgoodaschurchlettingout。
Musicisagoodthing;andafterallthatsoul-butterandhogwashIneverseeitfreshenupthingsso,andsoundsohonestandbully。
Thenthekingbeginstoworkhisjawagain,andsayshowhimandhisnieceswouldbegladifafewofthemainprincipalfriendsofthefamilywouldtakesupperherewiththemthisevening,andhelpsetupwiththeashesofthediseased;andsaysifhispoorbrotherlayingyondercouldspeakheknowswhohewouldname,fortheywasnamesthatwasverydeartohim,andmentionedofteninhisletters;andsohewillnamethesame,towit,asfollows,vizz。:——Rev。Mr。Hobson,andDeaconLotHovey,andMr。BenRucker,andAbnerShackleford,andLeviBell,andDr。Robinson,andtheirwives,andthewidowBartley。
Rev。HobsonandDr。Robinsonwasdowntotheendofthetowna-huntingtogether——thatis,Imeanthedoctorwasshippingasickmantot”otherworld,andthepreacherwaspintinghimright。LawyerBellwasawayuptoLouisvilleonbusiness。Buttherestwasonhand,andsotheyallcomeandshookhandswiththekingandthankedhimandtalkedtohim;andthentheyshookhandswiththedukeanddidn”tsaynothing,butjustkepta-smilingandbobbingtheirheadslikeapasselofsapheadswhilsthemadeallsortsofsignswithhishandsandsaid“Goo-goo——goo-goo-goo“allthetime,likeababythatcan”ttalk。
Sothekingheblatteredalong,andmanagedtoinquireaboutprettymucheverybodyanddogintown,byhisname,andmentionedallsortsoflittlethingsthathappenedonetimeoranotherinthetown,ortoGeorge”sfamily,ortoPeter。AndhealwaysletonthatPeterwrotehimthethings;
butthatwasalie:hegoteveryblessedoneofthemoutofthatyoungflatheadthatwecanoeduptothesteamboat。
ThenMaryJaneshefetchedtheletterherfatherleftbehind,andthekinghereaditoutloudandcriedoverit。Itgivethedwelling-houseandthreethousanddollars,gold,tothegirls;anditgivethetanyardwhichwasdoingagoodbusiness,alongwithsomeotherhousesandlandworthaboutseventhousand,andthreethousanddollarsingoldtoHarveyandWilliam,andtoldwherethesixthousandcashwashiddowncellar。
Sothesetwofraudssaidthey”dgoandfetchitup,andhaveeverythingsquareandaboveboard;andtoldmetocomewithacandle。Weshutthecellardoorbehindus,andwhentheyfoundthebagtheyspiltitoutonthefloor,anditwasalovelysight,allthemyaller-boys。My,thewaytheking”seyesdidshine!Heslapsthedukeontheshoulderandsays:
“Oh,THISain”tbullynornoth”n!Oh,no,Ireckonnot!Why,Biljy,itbeatstheNonesuch,DON”Tit?“
Thedukealloweditdid。Theypawedtheyallerboys,andsiftedthemthroughtheirfingersandletthemjingledownonthefloor;andthekingsays:
“Itain”tnousetalkin”;bein”brotherstoarichdeadmanandrepresentativesoffurrinheirsthat”sgotleftisthelineforyouandme,Bilge。Thishyercomesoftrust”ntoProvidence。It”sthebestway,inthelongrun。
I”vetried”emall,andther”ain”tnobetterway。”
Mosteverybodywouldabeensatisfiedwiththepile,andtookitontrust;butno,theymustcountit。Sotheycountsit,anditcomesoutfourhundredandfifteendollarsshort。Saystheking:
“Dernhim,Iwonderwhathedonewiththatfourhundredandfifteendollars?“
Theyworriedoverthatawhile,andransackedallaroundforit。Thenthedukesays:
“Well,hewasaprettysickman,andlikelyhemadeamistake——Ireckonthat”sthewayofit。Thebestway”stoletitgo,andkeepstillaboutit。Wecanspareit。”
“Oh,shucks,yes,wecanSPAREit。Idon”tk”yernoth”n”boutthat——
it”stheCOUNTI”mthinkin”about。Wewanttobeawfulsquareandopenandabove-boardhere,youknow。Wewanttolugthish-yermoneyupstairsandcountitbeforeeverybody——thenther”ain”tnoth”nsuspicious。Butwhenthedeadmansaysther”ssixthous”ndollars,youknow,wedon”twantto”
“Holdon,“saystheduke。“Le”smakeupthedeffisit,“andhebeguntohauloutyaller-boysoutofhispocket。
“It”samostamaz”n”goodidea,duke——youHAVEgotarattlin”cleverheadonyou,“saystheking。“BlestiftheoldNonesuchain”taheppin”
usoutagin,“andHEbeguntohauloutyaller-jacketsandstackthemup。
Itmostbustedthem,buttheymadeupthesixthousandcleanandclear。
“Say,“saystheduke,“Igotanotheridea。Le”sgoupstairsandcountthismoney,andthentakeandGIVEITTOTHEGIRLS。”
“Goodland,duke,lemmehugyou!It”sthemostdazzlingidea”ateveramanstruck。Youhavecert”nlygotthemostastonishin”headIeversee。
Oh,thisisthebossdodge,ther”ain”tnomistake”boutit。Let”emfetchalongtheirsuspicionsnowiftheywantto——this”lllay”emout。”
Whenwegotup-stairseverybodygetheredaroundthetable,andthekinghecounteditandstackeditup,threehundreddollarsinapile——twentyelegantlittlepiles。Everybodylookedhungryatit,andlickedtheirchops。
Thentheyrakeditintothebagagain,andIseethekingbegintoswellhimselfupforanotherspeech。Hesays:
“Friendsall,mypoorbrotherthatlaysyonderhasdonegenerousbythemthat”sleftbehindinthevaleofsorrers。Hehasdonegenerousbytheseyerpoorlittlelambsthathelovedandsheltered,andthat”sleftfatherlessandmotherless。Yes,andwethatknowedhimknowsthathewouldadoneMOREgenerousby”emifhehadn”tbenafeardo”woundin”hisdearWilliamandme。Now,WOULDN”The?Ther”ain”tnoquestion”boutitinMY
mind。Well,then,whatkindo”brotherswoulditbethat”dstandinhiswayatsechatime?Andwhatkindo”uncleswoulditbethat”drob——
yes,ROB——sechpoorsweetlambsasthese”athelovedsoatsechatime?
IfIknowWilliam——andITHINKIdo——he——well,I”lljestaskhim。”
Heturnsaroundandbeginstomakealotofsignstothedukewithhishands,andthedukehelooksathimstupidandleatherheadedawhile;thenallofasuddenheseemstocatchhismeaning,andjumpsfortheking,goo-gooingwithallhismightforjoy,andhugshimaboutfifteentimesbeforeheletsup。Thenthekingsays,“Iknowedit;IreckonTHAT”llconvinceanybodythewayHEfeelsaboutit。Here,MaryJane,Susan,Joanner,takethemoney——takeitALL。It”sthegiftofhimthatlaysyonder,coldbutjoyful。”
MaryJaneshewentforhim,Susanandthehare-lipwentfortheduke,andthensuchanotherhuggingandkissingIneverseeyet。Andeverybodycrowdedupwiththetearsintheireyes,andmostshookthehandsoffofthemfrauds,sayingallthetime:
“YouDEARgoodsouls!——howLOVELY!——howCOULDyou!“
Well,then,prettysoonallhandsgottotalkingaboutthediseasedagain,andhowgoodhewas,andwhatalosshewas,andallthat;andbeforelongabigiron-jawedmanworkedhimselfintherefromoutside,andstooda-listeningandlooking,andnotsayinganything;andnobodysayinganythingtohimeither,becausethekingwastalkingandtheywasallbusylistening。
Thekingwassaying——inthemiddleofsomethinghe”dstartedinon——
“——theybein”particklerfriendso”thediseased。That”swhythey”reinvitedherethisevenin”;buttomorrowwewantALLtocome——everybody;
forherespectedeverybody,helikedeverybody,andsoit”sfittenthathisfuneralorgiessh”dbepublic。”
Andsohewenta-mooningonandon,likingtohearhimselftalk,andeverylittlewhilehefetchedinhisfuneralorgiesagain,tillthedukehecouldn”tstanditnomore;sohewritesonalittlescrapofpaper,“OBSEQUIES,youoldfool,“andfoldsitup,andgoestogoo-gooingandreachingitoverpeople”sheadstohim。Thekinghereadsitandputsitinhispocket,andsays:
“PoorWilliam,afflictedasheis,hisHEART”Saluzright。Asksmetoinviteeverybodytocometothefuneral——wantsmetomake”emallwelcome。
Butheneedn”taworried——itwasjestwhatIwasat。”
Thenheweavesalongagain,perfectlyca”m,andgoestodroppinginhisfuneralorgiesagaineverynowandthen,justlikehedonebefore。
Andwhenhedoneitthethirdtimehesays:
“Isayorgies,notbecauseit”sthecommonterm,becauseitain”t——
obsequiesbein”thecommonterm——butbecauseorgiesistherightterm。
Obsequiesain”tusedinEnglandnomorenow——it”sgoneout。WesayorgiesnowinEngland。Orgiesisbetter,becauseitmeansthethingyou”reaftermoreexact。It”sawordthat”smadeupout”ntheGreekORGO,outside,open,abroad;andtheHebrewJEESUM,toplant,coverup;henceinTER。So,yousee,funeralorgiesisanopenerpublicfuneral。”
HewastheWORSTIeverstruck。Well,theironjawedmanhelaughedrightinhisface。Everybodywasshocked。Everybodysays,“Why,DOCTOR!“andAbnerShacklefordsays:
“Why,Robinson,hain”tyouheardthenews?ThisisHarveyWilks。”
Thekinghesmiledeager,andshovedouthisflapper,andsays:
“Isitmypoorbrother”sdeargoodfriendandphysician?I”
“Keepyourhandsoffofme!“saysthedoctor。“YOUtalklikeanEnglishman,DON”Tyou?It”stheworstimitationIeverheard。YOUPeterWilks”sbrother!
You”reafraud,that”swhatyouare!“
Well,howtheyalltookon!Theycrowdedaroundthedoctorandtriedtoquiethimdown,andtriedtoexplaintohimandtellhimhowHarvey”dshowedinfortywaysthatheWASHarvey,andknowedeverybodybyname,andthenamesoftheverydogs,andbeggedandBEGGEDhimnottohurtHarvey”sfeelingsandthepoorgirl”sfeelings,andallthat。Butitwarn”tnouse;
hestormedrightalong,andsaidanymanthatpretendedtobeanEnglishmanandcouldn”timitatethelingonobetterthanwhathedidwasafraudandaliar。Thepoorgirlswashangingtothekingandcrying;andallofasuddenthedoctorupsandturnsonTHEM。Hesays:
“Iwasyourfather”sfriend,andI”myourfriend;andIwarnyouasafriend,andanhonestonethatwantstoprotectyouandkeepyououtofharmandtrouble,toturnyourbacksonthatscoundrelandhavenothingtodowithhim,theignoranttramp,withhisidioticGreekandHebrew,ashecallsit。Heisthethinnestkindofanimpostor——hascomeherewithalotofemptynamesandfactswhichhepickedupsomewheres,andyoutakethemforPROOFS,andarehelpedtofoolyourselvesbythesefoolishfriendshere,whooughttoknowbetter。MaryJaneWilks,youknowmeforyourfriend,andforyourunselfishfriend,too。Nowlistentome;turnthispitifulrascalout——IBEGyoutodoit。Willyou?“
MaryJanestraightenedherselfup,andmy,butshewashandsome!Shesays:
“HEREismyanswer。”Shehoveupthebagofmoneyandputitintheking”shands,andsays,“Takethissixthousanddollars,andinvestformeandmysistersanywayyouwantto,anddon”tgiveusnoreceiptforit。”
Thensheputherarmaroundthekingononeside,andSusanandthehare-lipdonethesameontheother。Everybodyclappedtheirhandsandstompedonthefloorlikeaperfectstorm,whilstthekinghelduphisheadandsmiledproud。Thedoctorsays:
“Allright;IwashMYhandsofthematter。ButIwarnyouallthatatime”scomingwhenyou”regoingtofeelsickwheneveryouthinkofthisday。”Andawayhewent。
“Allright,doctor,“saystheking,kindermockinghim;“we”lltryandget”emtosendforyou;“whichmadethemalllaugh,andtheysaiditwasaprimegoodhit。
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter26Chapter26WELL,whentheywasallgonethekingheasksMaryJanehowtheywasoffforsparerooms,andshesaidshehadonespareroom,whichwoulddoforUncleWilliam,andshe”dgiveherownroomtoUncleHarvey,whichwasalittlebigger,andshewouldturnintotheroomwithhersistersandsleeponacot;andupgarretwasalittlecubby,withapalletinit。Thekingsaidthecubbywoulddoforhisvalley——meaningme。
SoMaryJanetookusup,andsheshowedthemtheirrooms,whichwasplainbutnice。Shesaidshe”dhaveherfrocksandalotofothertrapstookoutofherroomiftheywasinUncleHarvey”sway,buthesaidtheywarn”t。Thefrockswashungalongthewall,andbeforethemwasacurtainmadeoutofcalicothathungdowntothefloor。Therewasanoldhairtrunkinonecorner,andaguitar-boxinanother,andallsortsoflittleknickknacksandjimcracksaround,likegirlsbriskenuparoomwith。Thekingsaiditwasallthemorehomelyandmorepleasanterforthesefixings,andsodon”tdisturbthem。Theduke”sroomwasprettysmall,butplentygoodenough,andsowasmycubby。
Thatnighttheyhadabigsupper,andallthemmenandwomenwasthere,andIstoodbehindthekingandtheduke”schairsandwaitedonthem,andtheniggerswaitedontherest。MaryJaneshesetattheheadofthetable,withSusanalongsideofher,andsaidhowbadthebiscuitswas,andhowmeanthepreserveswas,andhoworneryandtoughthefriedchickenswas——andallthatkindofrot,thewaywomenalwaysdofortoforceoutcompliments;
andthepeopleallknowedeverythingwastiptop,andsaidso——said“HowDOyougetbiscuitstobrownsonice?“and“Where,fortheland”ssake,DIDyougettheseamaz”npickles?“andallthatkindofhumbugtalky-talk,justthewaypeoplealwaysdoesatasupper,youknow。
Andwhenitwasalldonemeandthehare-liphadsupperinthekitchenoffoftheleavings,whilsttheotherswashelpingtheniggerscleanupthethings。Thehare-lipshegottopumpingmeaboutEngland,andblestifIdidn”tthinktheicewasgettingmightythinsometimes。Shesays:
“Didyoueverseetheking?“
“Who?WilliamFourth?Well,IbetIhave——hegoestoourchurch。”
Iknowedhewasdeadyearsago,butIneverleton。SowhenIsayshegoestoourchurch,shesays:
“What——regular?“
“Yes——regular。Hispew”srightoveroppositeourn——ont”othersidethepulpit。”
“IthoughthelivedinLondon?“
“Well,hedoes。WhereWOULDhelive?“
“ButIthoughtYOUlivedinSheffield?“
IseeIwasupastump。Ihadtoletontogetchokedwithachickenbone,soastogettimetothinkhowtogetdownagain。ThenIsays:
“Imeanhegoestoourchurchregularwhenhe”sinSheffield。That”sonlyinthesummertime,whenhecomestheretotaketheseabaths。”
“Why,howyoutalk——Sheffieldain”tonthesea。”
“Well,whosaiditwas?“
“Why,youdid。”
“IDIDN”Tnuther。”
“Youdid!“
“Ididn”t。”
“Youdid。”
“Ineversaidnothingofthekind。”
“Well,whatDIDyousay,then?“
“SaidhecometotaketheseaBATHS——that”swhatIsaid。”
“Well,then,how”shegoingtotaketheseabathsifitain”tonthesea?“
“Lookyhere,“Isays;“didyoueverseeanyCongress-water?“
“Yes。”
“Well,didyouhavetogotoCongresstogetit?“
“Why,no。”
“Well,neitherdoesWilliamFourthhavetogototheseatogetaseabath。”
“Howdoeshegetit,then?“
“GetsitthewaypeopledownheregetsCongresswater——inbarrels。
ThereinthepalaceatSheffieldthey”vegotfurnaces,andhewantshiswaterhot。Theycan”tbilethatamountofwaterawayoffthereatthesea。
Theyhaven”tgotnoconveniencesforit。”
“Oh,Isee,now。Youmightasaidthatinthefirstplaceandsavedtime。”
WhenshesaidthatIseeIwasoutofthewoodsagain,andsoIwascomfortableandglad。Next,shesays:
“Doyougotochurch,too?“
“Yes——regular。”
“Wheredoyouset?“
“Why,inourpew。”
“WHOSEpew?“
“Why,OURN——yourUncleHarvey”s。”
“His”n?WhatdoesHEwantwithapew?“
“Wantsittosetin。WhatdidyouRECKONhewantedwithit?“
“Why,Ithoughthe”dbeinthepulpit。”
Rothim,Iforgothewasapreacher。IseeIwasupastumpagain,soIplayedanotherchickenboneandgotanotherthink。ThenIsays:
“Blameit,doyousupposethereain”tbutonepreachertoachurch?“
“Why,whatdotheywantwithmore?“
“What!——topreachbeforeaking?Ineverdidseesuchagirlasyou。
Theydon”thavenolessthanseventeen。”
“Seventeen!Myland!Why,Iwouldn”tsetoutsuchastringasthat,notifINEVERgottoglory。Itmusttake”emaweek。”
“Shucks,theydon”tALLof”empreachthesameday——onlyONEof”em。”
“Well,then,whatdoestherestof”emdo?“
“Oh,nothingmuch。Lollaround,passtheplate——andonethingoranother。
Butmainlytheydon”tdonothing。”
“Well,then,whataretheyFOR?“
“Why,they”reforSTYLE。Don”tyouknownothing?“
“Well,Idon”tWANTtoknownosuchfoolishnessasthat。HowisservantstreatedinEngland?Dotheytreat”embetter”nwetreatourniggers?“
“NO!Aservantain”tnobodythere。Theytreatthemworsethandogs。”
“Don”ttheygive”emholidays,thewaywedo,ChristmasandNewYear”sweek,andFourthofJuly?“
“Oh,justlisten!AbodycouldtellYOUhain”teverbeentoEnglandbythat。Why,Hare-l——why,Joanna,theyneverseeaholidayfromyear”sendtoyear”send;nevergotothecircus,northeater,norniggershows,nornowheres。”
“Norchurch?“
“Norchurch。”
“ButYOUalwayswenttochurch。”
Well,Iwasgoneupagain。IforgotIwastheoldman”sservant。ButnextminuteIwhirledinonakindofanexplanationhowavalleywasdifferentfromacommonservantandHADtogotochurchwhetherhewantedtoornot,andsetwiththefamily,onaccountofitsbeingthelaw。ButIdidn”tdoitprettygood,andwhenIgotdoneIseeshewarn”tsatisfied。Shesays:
“Honestinjun,now,hain”tyoubeentellingmealotoflies?“
“Honestinjun,“saysI。
“Noneofitatall?“
“Noneofitatall。Notalieinit,“saysI。
“Layyourhandonthisbookandsayit。”
Iseeitwarn”tnothingbutadictionary,soIlaidmyhandonitandsaidit。Sothenshelookedalittlebettersatisfied,andsays:
“Well,then,I”llbelievesomeofit;butIhopetograciousifI”llbelievetherest。”
“Whatisityouwon”tbelieve,Joe?“saysMaryJane,steppinginwithSusanbehindher。“Itain”trightnorkindforyoutotalksotohim,andhimastrangerandsofarfromhispeople。Howwouldyouliketobetreatedso?“
“That”salwaysyourway,Maim——alwayssailingintohelpsomebodybeforethey”rehurt。Ihain”tdonenothingtohim。He”stoldsomestretchers,Ireckon,andIsaidIwouldn”tswallowitall;andthat”severybitandgrainIDIDsay。Ireckonhecanstandalittlethinglikethat,can”the?“
“Idon”tcarewhether”twaslittleorwhether”twasbig;he”shereinourhouseandastranger,anditwasn”tgoodofyoutosayit。Ifyouwasinhisplaceitwouldmakeyoufeelashamed;andsoyououghtn”ttosayathingtoanotherpersonthatwillmakeTHEMfeelashamed。”
“Why,Maim,hesaid”
“Itdon”tmakenodifferencewhatheSAID——thatain”tthething。ThethingisforyoutotreathimKIND,andnotbesayingthingstomakehimrememberheain”tinhisowncountryandamongsthisownfolks。”
Isaystomyself,THISisagirlthatI”mlettingthatoldreptlerobherofhermoney!
ThenSusanSHEwaltzedin;andifyou”llbelieveme,shedidgiveHare-lipharkfromthetomb!
SaysItomyself,andthisisANOTHERonethatI”mlettinghimrobherofhermoney!
ThenMaryJaneshetookanotherinning,andwentinsweetandlovelyagain——whichwasherway;butwhenshegotdonetherewarn”thardlyanythinglefto”poorHare-lip。Soshehollered。
“Allright,then,“saystheothergirls;“youjustaskhispardon。”
Shedoneit,too;andshedoneitbeautiful。Shedoneitsobeautifulitwasgoodtohear;andIwishedIcouldtellherathousandlies,soshecoulddoitagain。
Isaystomyself,thisisANOTHERonethatI”mlettinghimrobherofhermoney。AndwhenshegotthroughtheyalljestlaidtheirselvesouttomakemefeelathomeandknowIwasamongstfriends。IfeltsoorneryandlowdownandmeanthatIsaystomyself,mymind”smadeup;I”llhivethatmoneyforthemorbust。
SothenIlitout——forbed,Isaid,meaningsometimeoranother。
WhenIgotbymyselfIwenttothinkingthethingover。Isaystomyself,shallIgotothatdoctor,private,andblowonthesefrauds?No——thatwon”tdo。Hemighttellwhotoldhim;thenthekingandthedukewouldmakeitwarmforme。ShallIgo,private,andtellMaryJane?No——Idasn”tdoit。Herfacewouldgivethemahint,sure;they”vegotthemoney,andthey”dsliderightoutandgetawaywithit。IfshewastofetchinhelpI”dgetmixedupinthebusinessbeforeitwasdonewith,Ijudge。No;
thereain”tnogoodwaybutone。Igottostealthatmoney,somehow;andIgottostealitsomewaythattheywon”tsuspicionthatIdoneit。They”vegotagoodthinghere,andtheyain”ta-goingtoleavetillthey”veplayedthisfamilyandthistownforallthey”reworth,soI”llfindachancetimeenough。I”llstealitandhideit;andbyandby,whenI”mawaydowntheriver,I”llwritealetterandtellMaryJanewhereit”shid。ButI
betterhiveittonightifIcan,becausethedoctormaybehasn”tletupasmuchasheletsonhehas;hemightscarethemoutofhereyet。
So,thinksI,I”llgoandsearchthemrooms。Upstairsthehallwasdark,butIfoundtheduke”sroom,andstartedtopawarounditwithmyhands;
butIrecollecteditwouldn”tbemuchlikethekingtoletanybodyelsetakecareofthatmoneybuthisownself;sothenIwenttohisroomandbeguntopawaroundthere。ButIseeIcouldn”tdonothingwithoutacandle,andIdasn”tlightone,ofcourse。SoIjudgedI”dgottodotheotherthing——layforthemandeavesdrop。AboutthattimeIhearstheirfootstepscoming,andwasgoingtoskipunderthebed;Ireachedforit,butitwasn”twhereIthoughtitwouldbe;butItouchedthecurtainthathidMaryJane”sfrocks,soIjumpedinbehindthatandsnuggledinamongstthegowns,andstoodthereperfectlystill。
Theycomeinandshutthedoor;andthefirstthingthedukedonewastogetdownandlookunderthebed。ThenIwasgladIhadn”tfoundthebedwhenIwantedit。Andyet,youknow,it”skindofnaturaltohideunderthebedwhenyouareuptoanythingprivate。Theysetsdownthen,andthekingsays:
“Well,whatisit?Andcutitmiddlin”short,becauseit”sbetterforustobedowntherea-whoopin”upthemournin”thanupheregivin””emachancetotalkusover。”
“Well,thisisit,Capet。Iain”teasy;Iain”tcomfortable。Thatdoctorlaysonmymind。Iwantedtoknowyourplans。I”vegotanotion,andI
thinkit”sasoundone。”
“Whatisit,duke?“
“Thatwebetterglideoutofthisbeforethreeinthemorning,andclipitdowntheriverwithwhatwe”vegot。Specially,seeingwegotitsoeasy——GIVENbacktous,flungatourheads,asyoumaysay,whenofcourseweallowedtohavetostealitback。I”mforknockingoffandlightingout。”
Thatmademefeelprettybad。Aboutanhourortwoagoitwouldabeenalittledifferent,butnowitmademefeelbadanddisappointed,Thekingripsoutandsays:
“What!Andnotsellouttheresto”theproperty?Marchofflikeapasseloffoolsandleaveeightorninethous”n”dollars”wortho”propertylayin”
aroundjestsufferin”tobescoopedin?——andallgood,salablestuff,too。”
Thedukehegrumbled;saidthebagofgoldwasenough,andhedidn”twanttogonodeeper——didn”twanttorobalotoforphansofEVERYTHING
theyhad。
“Why,howyoutalk!“saystheking。“Wesha”n”trob”emofnothingatallbutjestthismoney。ThepeoplethatBUYSthepropertyisthesuff”rers;
becauseassoon”sit”sfoundout”atwedidn”townit——whichwon”tbelongafterwe”veslid——thesalewon”tbevalid,andit”llallgobacktotheestate。Theseyerorphans”llgittheirhousebackagin,andthat”senoughforTHEM;they”reyoungandspry,andk”neasyearnalivin”。THEY
ain”ta-gointosuffer。Why,jestthink——there”sthous”n”sandthous”n”sthatain”tnighsowelloff。Blessyou,THEYain”tgotnoth”n”tocomplainof。”
Well,thekinghetalkedhimblind;soatlasthegivein,andsaidallright,butsaidhebelieveditwasblamedfoolishnesstostay,andthatdoctorhangingoverthem。Butthekingsays:
“Cussthedoctor!Whatdowek”yerforHIM?Hain”twegotallthefoolsintownonourside?Andain”tthatabigenoughmajorityinanytown?“
Sotheygotreadytogodownstairsagain。Thedukesays:
“Idon”tthinkweputthatmoneyinagoodplace。”
Thatcheeredmeup。I”dbeguntothinkIwarn”tgoingtogetahintofnokindtohelpme。Thekingsays:
“Why?“
“BecauseMaryJane”llbeinmourningfromthisout;andfirstyouknowtheniggerthatdoesuptheroomswillgetanordertoboxthesedudsupandput”emaway;anddoyoureckonaniggercanrunacrossmoneyandnotborrowsomeofit?“
“Yourhead”slevelagin,duke,“saystheking;andhecomesa-fumblingunderthecurtaintwoorthreefootfromwhereIwas。Istucktighttothewallandkeptmightystill,thoughquivery;andIwonderedwhatthemfellowswouldsaytomeiftheycatchedme;andItriedtothinkwhatI”dbetterdoiftheydidcatchme。ButthekinghegotthebagbeforeIcouldthinkmorethanaboutahalfathought,andheneversuspicionedIwasaround。Theytookandshovedthebagthrougharipinthestrawtickthatwasunderthefeather-bed,andcrammeditinafootortwoamongstthestrawandsaiditwasallrightnow,becauseaniggeronlymakesupthefeather-bed,anddon”tturnoverthestrawtickonlyabouttwiceayear,andsoitwarn”tinnodangerofgettingstolenow。
ButIknowedbetter。Ihaditoutoftherebeforetheywashalf-waydownstairs。Igropedalonguptomycubby,andhidittheretillIcouldgetachancetodobetter。IjudgedIbetterhideitoutsideofthehousesomewheres,becauseiftheymissedittheywouldgivethehouseagoodransacking:Iknowedthatverywell。ThenIturnedin,withmyclothesallon;butIcouldn”tagonetosleepifI”dawantedto,Iwasinsuchasweattogetthroughwiththebusiness。ByandbyIheardthekingandthedukecomeup;soIrolledoffmypalletandlaidwithmychinatthetopofmyladder,andwaitedtoseeifanythingwasgoingtohappen。Butnothingdid。
SoIheldontillallthelatesoundshadquitandtheearlyoneshadn”tbegunyet;andthenIslippeddowntheladder。
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter27Chapter27ICREPTtotheirdoorsandlistened;theywassnoring。SoItiptoedalong,andgotdownstairsallright。Therewarn”tasoundanywheres。Ipeepedthroughacrackofthedining-roomdoor,andseethementhatwaswatchingthecorpseallsoundasleepontheirchairs。Thedoorwasopenintotheparlor,wherethecorpsewaslaying,andtherewasacandleinbothrooms。
Ipassedalong,andtheparlordoorwasopen;butIseetherewarn”tnobodyintherebuttheremaindersofPeter;soIshovedonby;butthefrontdoorwaslocked,andthekeywasn”tthere。JustthenIheardsomebodycomingdownthestairs,backbehindme。Irunintheparlorandtookaswiftlookaround,andtheonlyplaceIseetohidethebagwasinthecoffin。Thelidwasshovedalongaboutafoot,showingthedeadman”sfacedowninthere,withawetclothoverit,andhisshroudon。Ituckedthemoneybaginunderthelid,justdownbeyondwherehishandswascrossed,whichmademecreep,theywassocold,andthenIrunbackacrosstheroomandinbehindthedoor。
ThepersoncomingwasMaryJane。Shewenttothecoffin,verysoft,andkneeleddownandlookedin;thensheputupherhandkerchief,andI
seeshebeguntocry,thoughIcouldn”thearher,andherbackwastome。
Islidout,andasIpassedthedining-roomIthoughtI”dmakesurethemwatchershadn”tseenme;soIlookedthroughthecrack,andeverythingwasallright。Theyhadn”tstirred。
Islippeduptobed,feelingrutherblue,onaccountsofthethingplayingoutthatwayafterIhadtooksomuchtroubleandrunsomuchreskaboutit。SaysI,ifitcouldstaywhereitis,allright;becausewhenwegetdowntheriverahundredmileortwoIcouldwritebacktoMaryJane,andshecoulddighimupagainandgetit;butthatain”tthethingthat”sgoingtohappen;thethingthat”sgoingtohappenis,themoney”llbefoundwhentheycometoscrewonthelid。Thentheking”llgetitagain,andit”llbealongdaybeforehegivesanybodyanotherchancetosmouchitfromhim。OfcourseIWANTEDtoslidedownandgetitoutofthere,butIdasn”ttryit。Everyminuteitwasgettingearliernow,andprettysoonsomeofthemwatcherswouldbegintostir,andImightgetcatched——catchedwithsixthousanddollarsinmyhandsthatnobodyhadn”thiredmetotakecareof。Idon”twishtobemixedupinnosuchbusinessasthat,Isaystomyself。
WhenIgotdownstairsinthemorningtheparlorwasshutup,andthewatcherswasgone。Therewarn”tnobodyaroundbutthefamilyandthewidowBartleyandourtribe。Iwatchedtheirfacestoseeifanythinghadbeenhappening,butIcouldn”ttell。
Towardsthemiddleofthedaytheundertakercomewithhisman,andtheysetthecoffininthemiddleoftheroomonacoupleofchairs,andthensetallourchairsinrows,andborrowedmorefromtheneighborstillthehallandtheparlorandthedining-roomwasfull。Iseethecoffinlidwasthewayitwasbefore,butIdasn”tgotolookinunderit,withfolksaround。
Thenthepeoplebeguntoflockin,andthebeatsandthegirlstookseatsinthefrontrowattheheadofthecoffin,andforahalfanhourthepeoplefiledaroundslow,insinglerank,andlookeddownatthedeadman”sfaceaminute,andsomedroppedinatear,anditwasallverystillandsolemn,onlythegirlsandthebeatsholdinghandkerchiefstotheireyesandkeepingtheirheadsbent,andsobbingalittle。Therewarn”tnoothersoundbutthescrapingofthefeetonthefloorandblowingnoses——becausepeoplealwaysblowsthemmoreatafuneralthantheydoatotherplacesexceptchurch。
Whentheplacewaspackedfulltheundertakerheslidaroundinhisblackgloveswithhissoftysootheringways,puttingonthelasttouches,andgettingpeopleandthingsallship-shapeandcomfortable,andmakingnomoresoundthanacat。Heneverspoke;hemovedpeoplearound,hesqueezedinlateones,heopeneduppassageways,anddoneitwithnods,andsignswithhishands。Thenhetookhisplaceoveragainstthewall。Hewasthesoftest,glidingest,stealthiestmanIeversee;andtherewarn”tnomoresmiletohimthanthereistoaham。
Theyhadborrowedamelodeum——asickone;andwheneverythingwasreadyayoungwomansetdownandworkedit,anditwasprettyskreekyandcolicky,andeverybodyjoinedinandsung,andPeterwastheonlyonethathadagoodthing,accordingtomynotion。ThentheReverendHobsonopenedup,slowandsolemn,andbeguntotalk;andstraightoffthemostoutrageousrowbustedoutinthecellarabodyeverheard;itwasonlyonedog,buthemadeamostpowerfulracket,andhekeptituprightalong;theparsonhehadtostandthere,overthecoffin,andwait——youcouldn”thearyourselfthink。Itwasrightdownawkward,andnobodydidn”tseemtoknowwhattodo。Butprettysoontheyseethatlong-leggedundertakermakeasigntothepreacherasmuchastosay,“Don”tyouworry——justdependonme。”
Thenhestoopeddownandbeguntoglidealongthewall,justhisshouldersshowingoverthepeople”sheads。Soheglidedalong,andthepowwowandracketgettingmoreandmoreoutrageousallthetime;andatlast,whenhehadgonearoundtwosidesoftheroom,hedisappearsdowncellar。Theninabouttwosecondsweheardawhack,andthedoghefinishedupwithamostamazinghowlortwo,andtheneverythingwasdeadstill,andtheparsonbegunhissolemntalkwhereheleftoff。Inaminuteortwoherecomesthisundertaker”sbackandshouldersglidingalongthewallagain;
andsoheglidedandglidedaroundthreesidesoftheroom,andthenroseup,andshadedhismouthwithhishands,andstretchedhisneckouttowardsthepreacher,overthepeople”sheads,andsays,inakindofacoarsewhisper,“HEHADARAT!“Thenhedroopeddownandglidedalongthewallagaintohisplace。Youcouldseeitwasagreatsatisfactiontothepeople,becausenaturallytheywantedtoknow。Alittlethinglikethatdon”tcostnothing,andit”sjustthelittlethingsthatmakesamantobelookeduptoandliked。Therewarn”tnomorepopularmanintownthanwhatthatundertakerwas。
Well,thefuneralsermonwasverygood,butpisonlongandtiresome;
andthenthekingheshovedinandgotoffsomeofhisusualrubbage,andatlastthejobwasthrough,andtheundertakerbeguntosneakuponthecoffinwithhisscrew-driver。Iwasinasweatthen,andwatchedhimprettykeen。Buthenevermeddledatall;justslidthelidalongassoftasmush,andscreweditdowntightandfast。SothereIwas!Ididn”tknowwhetherthemoneywasinthereornot。So,saysI,s”posesomebodyhashoggedthatbagonthesly?——nowhowdoIknowwhethertowritetoMaryJaneornot?
S”poseshedughimupanddidn”tfindnothing,whatwouldshethinkofme?Blameit,Isays,Imightgethuntedupandjailed;I”dbetterlaylowandkeepdark,andnotwriteatall;thething”sawfulmixednow;tryingtobetterit,I”veworseneditahundredtimes,andIwishtogoodnessI”djustletitalone,dadfetchthewholebusiness!
Theyburiedhim,andwecomebackhome,andIwenttowatchingfacesagain——Icouldn”thelpit,andIcouldn”tresteasy。Butnothingcomeofit;thefacesdidn”ttellmenothing。
Thekinghevisitedaroundintheevening,andsweetenedeverybodyup,andmadehimselfeversofriendly;andhegiveouttheideathathiscongregationoverinEnglandwouldbeinasweatabouthim,sohemusthurryandsettleuptheestaterightawayandleaveforhome。Hewasverysorryhewassopushed,andsowaseverybody;theywishedhecouldstaylonger,buttheysaidtheycouldseeitcouldn”tbedone。AndhesaidofcoursehimandWilliamwouldtakethegirlshomewiththem;andthatpleasedeverybodytoo,becausethenthegirlswouldbewellfixedandamongsttheirownrelations;
anditpleasedthegirls,too——tickledthemsotheycleanforgottheyeverhadatroubleintheworld;andtoldhimtoselloutasquickashewantedto,theywouldbeready。Thempoorthingswasthatgladandhappyitmademyheartachetoseethemgettingfooledandliedtoso,butI
didn”tseenosafewayformetochipinandchangethegeneraltune。
Well,blamedifthekingdidn”tbillthehouseandtheniggersandallthepropertyforauctionstraightoff——saletwodaysafterthefuneral;
butanybodycouldbuyprivatebeforehandiftheywantedto。
Sothenextdayafterthefuneral,alongaboutnoontime,thegirls”
joygotthefirstjolt。Acoupleofniggertraderscomealong,andthekingsoldthemtheniggersreasonable,forthree-daydraftsastheycalledit,andawaytheywent,thetwosonsuptherivertoMemphis,andtheirmotherdowntherivertoOrleans。Ithoughtthempoorgirlsandthemniggerswouldbreaktheirheartsforgrief;theycriedaroundeachother,andtookonsoitmostmademedownsicktoseeit。Thegirlssaidtheyhadn”teverdreamedofseeingthefamilyseparatedorsoldawayfromthetown。Ican”tevergetitoutofmymemory,thesightofthempoormiserablegirlsandniggershangingaroundeachother”snecksandcrying;andIreckonIcouldn”tastooditall,butwouldahadtobustoutandtellonourgangifIhadn”tknowedthesalewarn”tnoaccountandtheniggerswouldbebackhomeinaweekortwo。
Thethingmadeabigstirinthetown,too,andagoodmanycomeoutflatfootedandsaiditwasscandaloustoseparatethemotherandthechildrenthatway。Itinjuredthefraudssome;buttheoldfoolhebulledrightalong,spiteofallthedukecouldsayordo,andItellyouthedukewaspowerfuluneasy。
Nextdaywasauctionday。Aboutbroaddayinthemorningthekingandthedukecomeupinthegarretandwokemeup,andIseebytheirlookthattherewastrouble。Thekingsays:
“Wasyouinmyroomnightbeforelast?“
“No,yourmajesty“——whichwasthewayIalwayscalledhimwhennobodybutourgangwarn”taround。
“Wasyouinthereyisterdayerlastnight?“
“No,yourmajesty。”
“Honorbright,now——nolies。”
“Honorbright,yourmajesty,I”mtellingyouthetruth。Ihain”tbeena-nearyourroomsinceMissMaryJanetookyouandthedukeandshowedittoyou。”
Thedukesays:
“Haveyouseenanybodyelsegointhere?“
“No,yourgrace,notasIremember,Ibelieve。”
“Stopandthink。”
Istudiedawhileandseemychance;thenIsays:
“Well,Iseetheniggersgointhereseveraltimes。”
Bothofthemgavealittlejump,andlookedliketheyhadn”teverexpectedit,andthenliketheyHAD。Thenthedukesays:
“What,allofthem?“
“No——leastways,notallatonce——thatis,Idon”tthinkIeverseethemallcomeOUTatoncebutjustonetime。”
“Hello!Whenwasthat?“
“Itwasthedaywehadthefuneral。Inthemorning。Itwarn”tearly,becauseIoverslept。Iwasjuststartingdowntheladder,andIseethem。”
“Well,goon,GOon!Whatdidtheydo?How”dtheyact?“
“Theydidn”tdonothing。Andtheydidn”tactanywaymuch,asfurasIsee。Theytiptoedaway;soIseen,easyenough,thatthey”dshovedintheretodoupyourmajesty”sroom,orsomething,s”posingyouwasup;
andfoundyouWARN”Tup,andsotheywashopingtoslideoutofthewayoftroublewithoutwakingyouup,iftheyhadn”talreadywakedyouup。”
“Greatguns,THISisago!“saystheking;andbothofthemlookedprettysickandtolerablesilly。Theystoodtherea-thinkingandscratchingtheirheadsaminute,andthedukehebustintoakindofalittleraspychuckle,andsays:
“Itdoesbeatallhowneattheniggersplayedtheirhand。TheyletontobeSORRYtheywasgoingoutofthisregion!AndIbelievedtheyWAS
sorry,andsodidyou,andsodideverybody。Don”tevertellMEanymorethataniggerain”tgotanyhistrionictalent。Why,thewaytheyplayedthatthingitwouldfoolANYBODY。Inmyopinion,there”safortunein”em。
IfIhadcapitalandatheater,Iwouldn”twantabetterlay-outthanthat——andherewe”vegoneandsold”emforasong。Yes,andain”tprivilegedtosingthesongyet。Say,whereISthatsong——thatdraft?“
“Inthebankfortobecollected。WhereWOULDitbe?“
“Well,THAT”Sallrightthen,thankgoodness。”
SaysI,kindoftimid-like:
“Issomethinggonewrong?“
Thekingwhirlsonmeandripsout:
“Noneo”yourbusiness!Youkeepyourheadshet,andmindy”rownaffairs——ifyougotany。Longasyou”reinthistowndon”tyouforgitTHAT——
youhear?“Thenhesaystotheduke,“Wegottojestswalleritandsaynoth”n”:mum”sthewordforUS。”
Astheywasstartingdowntheladderthedukehechucklesagain,andsays:
“QuicksalesANDsmallprofits!It”sagoodbusiness——yes。”
Thekingsnarlsaroundonhimandsays:
“Iwastryingtodoforthebestinsellin””emoutsoquick。Iftheprofitshasturnedouttobenone,lackin”considable,andnonetocarry,isitmyfaultanymore”nit”syourn?“
“Well,THEY”DbeinthishouseyetandweWOULDN”TifIcouldagotmyadvicelistenedto。”
Thekingsassedbackasmuchaswassafeforhim,andthenswappedaroundandlitintoMEagain。HegivemedownthebanksfornotcomingandTELLING
himIseetheniggerscomeoutofhisroomactingthatway——saidanyfoolwouldaKNOWEDsomethingwasup。AndthenwaltzedinandcussedHIMSELF
awhile,andsaiditallcomeofhimnotlayinglateandtakinghisnaturalrestthatmorning,andhe”dbeblamedifhe”deverdoitagain。Sotheywentoffa-jawing;andIfeltdreadfulgladI”dworkeditalloffontotheniggers,andyethadn”tdonetheniggersnoharmbyit。
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter28Chapter28BYandbyitwasgetting-uptime。SoIcomedowntheladderandstartedfordown-stairs;butasIcometothegirls”roomthedoorwasopen,andIseeMaryJanesettingbyheroldhairtrunk,whichwasopenandshe”dbeenpackingthingsinit——gettingreadytogotoEngland。Butshehadstoppednowwithafoldedgowninherlap,andhadherfaceinherhands,crying。Ifeltawfulbadtoseeit;ofcourseanybodywould。Iwentinthereandsays:
“MissMaryJane,youcan”ta-beartoseepeopleintrouble,andIcan”t——mostalways。Tellmeaboutit。”
Soshedoneit。Anditwastheniggers——Ijustexpectedit。ShesaidthebeautifultriptoEnglandwasmostaboutspoiledforher;shedidn”tknowHOWshewasevergoingtobehappythere,knowingthemotherandthechildrenwarn”tevergoingtoseeeachothernomore——andthenbustedoutbittererthanever,andflungupherhands,andsays:
“Oh,dear,dear,tothinktheyain”tEVERgoingtoseeeachotheranymore!“
“ButtheyWILL——andinsideoftwoweeks——andIKNOWit!“saysI。
Laws,itwasoutbeforeIcouldthink!AndbeforeIcouldbudgeshethrowsherarmsaroundmyneckandtoldmetosayitAGAIN,sayitAGAIN,sayitAGAIN!
IseeIhadspoketoosuddenandsaidtoomuch,andwasinacloseplace。
Iaskedhertoletmethinkaminute;andshesetthere,veryimpatientandexcitedandhandsome,butlookingkindofhappyandeased-up,likeapersonthat”shadatoothpulledout。SoIwenttostudyingitout。I
saystomyself,Ireckonabodythatupsandtellsthetruthwhenheisinatightplaceistakingconsiderablemanyresks,thoughIain”thadnoexperience,andcan”tsayforcertain;butitlookssotome,anyway;
andyethere”sacasewhereI”mblestifitdon”tlooktomelikethetruthisbetterandactulySAFERthanalie。Imustlayitbyinmymind,andthinkitoversometimeorother,it”ssokindofstrangeandunregular。
Ineverseenothinglikeit。Well,Isaystomyselfatlast,I”ma-goingtochanceit;I”llupandtellthetruththistime,thoughitdoesseemmostlikesettingdownonakagofpowderandtouchingitoffjusttoseewhereyou”llgoto。ThenIsays:
“MissMaryJane,isthereanyplaceoutoftownalittlewayswhereyoucouldgoandstaythreeorfourdays?“
“Yes;Mr。Lothrop”s。Why?“
“Nevermindwhyyet。IfI”lltellyouhowIknowtheniggerswillseeeachotheragaininsideoftwoweeks——hereinthishouse——andPROVE
howIknowit——willyougotoMr。Lothrop”sandstayfourdays?“
“Fourdays!“shesays;“I”llstayayear!“
“Allright,“Isays,“Idon”twantnothingmoreoutofYOUthanjustyourword——Idrutherhaveitthananotherman”skiss-the-Bible。”Shesmiledandreddenedupverysweet,andIsays,“Ifyoudon”tmindit,I”llshutthedoor——andboltit。”
ThenIcomebackandsetdownagain,andsays:
“Don”tyouholler。Justsetstillandtakeitlikeaman。Igottotellthetruth,andyouwanttobraceup,MissMary,becauseit”sabadkind,andgoingtobehardtotake,butthereain”tnohelpforit。Theseunclesofyournain”tnounclesatall;they”reacoupleoffrauds——regulardead-beats。There,nowwe”reovertheworstofit,youcanstandtherestmiddlingeasy。”
Itjoltedheruplikeeverything,ofcourse;butIwasovertheshoalwaternow,soIwentrightalong,hereyesa-blazinghigherandhigherallthetime,andtoldhereveryblamething,fromwherewefirststruckthatyoungfoolgoinguptothesteamboat,clearthroughtowheresheflungherselfontotheking”sbreastatthefrontdoorandhekissedhersixteenorseventeentimes——andthenupshejumps,withherfaceafirelikesunset,andsays:
“Thebrute!Come,don”twasteaminute——notaSECOND——we”llhavethemtarredandfeathered,andflungintheriver!“
SaysI:
“Cert”nly。ButdoyoumeanBEFOREyougotoMr。Lothrop”s,or”
“Oh,“shesays,“whatamITHINKINGabout!“shesays,andsetrightdownagain。“Don”tmindwhatIsaid——pleasedon”t——youWON”T,now,WILLyou?“LayinghersilkyhandonmineinthatkindofawaythatIsaidIwoulddiefirst。“Ineverthought,Iwassostirredup,“shesays;“nowgoon,andIwon”tdosoanymore。Youtellmewhattodo,andwhateveryousayI”lldoit。”
“Well,“Isays,“it”saroughgang,themtwofrauds,andI”mfixedsoIgottotravelwiththemawhilelonger,whetherIwanttoornot——I
druthernottellyouwhy;andifyouwastoblowonthemthistownwouldgetmeoutoftheirclaws,andI”dbeallright;butthere”dbeanotherpersonthatyoudon”tknowaboutwho”dbeinbigtrouble。Well,wegottosaveHIM,hain”twe?Ofcourse。Well,then,wewon”tblowonthem。”
Sayingthemwordsputagoodideainmyhead。IseehowmaybeIcouldgetmeandJimridofthefrauds;getthemjailedhere,andthenleave。
ButIdidn”twanttoruntheraftinthedaytimewithoutanybodyaboardtoanswerquestionsbutme;soIdidn”twanttheplantobeginworkingtillprettylateto-night。Isays:
“MissMaryJane,I”lltellyouwhatwe”lldo,andyouwon”thavetostayatMr。Lothrop”ssolong,nuther。Howfurisit?“
“Alittleshortoffourmiles——rightoutinthecountry,backhere。”
“Well,that”llanswer。Nowyougoalongoutthere,andlaylowtillnineorhalf-pastto-night,andthengetthemtofetchyouhomeagain——
tellthemyou”vethoughtofsomething。Ifyougetherebeforeelevenputacandleinthiswindow,andifIdon”tturnupwaitTILLeleven,andTHEN
ifIdon”tturnupitmeansI”mgone,andoutoftheway,andsafe。Thenyoucomeoutandspreadthenewsaround,andgetthesebeatsjailed。”
“Good,“shesays,“I”lldoit。”
“AndifitjusthappenssothatIdon”tgetaway,butgettookupalongwiththem,youmustupandsayItoldyouthewholethingbeforehand,andyoumuststandbymeallyoucan。”
“Standbyyou!indeedIwill。Theysha”n”ttouchahairofyourhead!“
shesays,andIseehernostrilsspreadandhereyessnapwhenshesaidit,too。
“IfIgetawayIsha”n”tbehere,“Isays,“toprovetheserapscallionsain”tyouruncles,andIcouldn”tdoitifIWAShere。Icouldsweartheywasbeatsandbummers,that”sall,thoughthat”sworthsomething。Well,there”sotherscandothatbetterthanwhatIcan,andthey”repeoplethatain”tgoingtobedoubtedasquickasI”dbe。I”lltellyouhowtofindthem。Gimmeapencilandapieceofpaper。There——”RoyalNonesuch,Bricksville。”
Putitaway,anddon”tloseit。Whenthecourtwantstofindoutsomethingaboutthesetwo,letthemsenduptoBricksvilleandsaythey”vegotthementhatplayedtheRoyalNonesuch,andaskforsomewitnesses——why,you”llhavethatentiretowndownherebeforeyoucanhardlywink,MissMary。Andthey”llcomea-biling,too。”
Ijudgedwehadgoteverythingfixedaboutrightnow。SoIsays:
“Justlettheauctiongorightalong,anddon”tworry。Nobodydon”thavetopayforthethingstheybuytillawholedayaftertheauctiononaccountsoftheshortnotice,andtheyain”tgoingoutofthistilltheygetthatmoney;andthewaywe”vefixeditthesaleain”tgoingtocount,andtheyain”tgoingtogetnomoney。It”sjustlikethewayitwaswiththeniggers——itwarn”tnosale,andtheniggerswillbebackbeforelong。Why,theycan”tcollectthemoneyfortheNIGGERSyet——they”reintheworstkindofafix,MissMary。”
“Well,“shesays,“I”llrundowntobreakfastnow,andthenI”llstartstraightforMr。Lothrop”s。”
“”Deed,THATain”ttheticket,MissMaryJane,“Isays,“bynomannerofmeans;goBEFOREbreakfast。”
“Why?“
“WhatdidyoureckonIwantedyoutogoatallfor,MissMary?“
“Well,Ineverthought——andcometothink,Idon”tknow。Whatwasit?“
“Why,it”sbecauseyouain”toneoftheseleatherfacepeople。Idon”twantnobetterbookthanwhatyourfaceis。Abodycansetdownandreaditofflikecoarseprint。Doyoureckonyoucangoandfaceyouruncleswhentheycometokissyougoodmorning,andnever”
“There,there,don”t!Yes,I”llgobeforebreakfast——I”llbegladto。Andleavemysisterswiththem?“
“Yes;nevermindaboutthem。They”vegottostandityetawhile。Theymightsuspicionsomethingifallofyouwastogo。Idon”twantyoutoseethem,noryoursisters,nornobodyinthistown;ifaneighborwastoaskhowisyourunclesthismorningyourfacewouldtellsomething。
No,yougorightalong,MissMaryJane,andI”llfixitwithallofthem。
I”lltellMissSusantogiveyourlovetoyourunclesandsayyou”vewentawayforafewhoursfortogetalittlerestandchange,ortoseeafriend,andyou”llbebackto-nightorearlyinthemorning。”
“Gonetoseeafriendisallright,butIwon”thavemylovegiventothem。”
“Well,then,itsha”n”tbe。”ItwaswellenoughtotellHERso——noharminit。Itwasonlyalittlethingtodo,andnotrouble;andit”sthelittlethingsthatsmoothspeople”sroadsthemost,downherebelow;
itwouldmakeMaryJanecomfortable,anditwouldn”tcostnothing。ThenIsays:“There”sonemorething——thatbagofmoney。”
“Well,they”vegotthat;anditmakesmefeelprettysillytothinkHOWtheygotit。”
“No,you”reout,there。Theyhain”tgotit。”
“Why,who”sgotit?“
“IwishIknowed,butIdon”t。IHADit,becauseIstoleitfromthem;
andIstoleittogivetoyou;andIknowwhereIhidit,butI”mafraiditain”ttherenomore。I”mawfulsorry,MissMaryJane,I”mjustassorryasIcanbe;butIdonethebestIcould;Ididhonest。Icomenighgettingcaught,andIhadtoshoveitintothefirstplaceIcometo,andrun——
anditwarn”tagoodplace。”
“Oh,stopblamingyourself——it”stoobadtodoit,andIwon”tallowit——youcouldn”thelpit;itwasn”tyourfault。Wheredidyouhideit?“
Ididn”twanttosethertothinkingabouthertroublesagain;andI
couldn”tseemtogetmymouthtotellherwhatwouldmakeherseethatcorpselayinginthecoffinwiththatbagofmoneyonhisstomach。SoforaminuteIdidn”tsaynothing;thenIsays:
“I”druthernotTELLyouwhereIputit,MissMaryJane,ifyoudon”tmindlettingmeoff;butI”llwriteitforyouonapieceofpaper,andyoucanreaditalongtheroadtoMr。Lothrop”s,ifyouwantto。Doyoureckonthat”lldo?“
“Oh,yes。”
SoIwrote:“Iputitinthecoffin。Itwasintherewhenyouwascryingthere,awayinthenight。Iwasbehindthedoor,andIwasmightysorryforyou,MissMaryJane。”
Itmademyeyeswateralittletorememberhercryingthereallbyherselfinthenight,andthemdevilslayingthererightunderherownroof,shamingherandrobbingher;andwhenIfoldeditupandgiveittoherIseethewatercomeintohereyes,too;andsheshookmebythehand,hard,andsays:
“GOOD-bye。I”mgoingtodoeverythingjustasyou”vetoldme;andifIdon”teverseeyouagain,Isha”n”teverforgetyou。andI”llthinkofyouamanyandamanyatime,andI”llPRAYforyou,too!“——andshewasgone。
Prayforme!Ireckonedifsheknowedmeshe”dtakeajobthatwasmorenearerhersize。ButIbetshedoneit,justthesame——shewasjustthatkind。ShehadthegrittoprayforJudusifshetookthenotion——therewarn”tnoback-downtoher,Ijudge。Youmaysaywhatyouwantto,butinmyopinionshehadmoresandinherthananygirlIeversee;inmyopinionshewasjustfullofsand。Itsoundslikeflattery,butitain”tnoflattery。Andwhenitcomestobeauty——andgoodness,too——shelaysoverthemall。Ihain”teverseenhersincethattimethatIseehergooutofthatdoor;no,Ihain”teverseenhersince,butIreckonI”vethoughtofheramanyandamanyamilliontimes,andofhersayingshewouldprayforme;andifeverI”dathoughtitwoulddoanygoodformetoprayforHER,blamedifIwouldn”tadoneitorbust。
Well,MaryJaneshelitoutthebackway,Ireckon;becausenobodyseehergo。WhenIstruckSusanandthehare-lip,Isays:
“What”sthenameofthempeopleoveront”othersideoftheriverthatyouallgoestoseesometimes?“
Theysays:
“There”sseveral;butit”stheProctors,mainly。”
“That”sthename,“Isays;“Imostforgotit。Well,MissMaryJaneshetoldmetotellyoushe”sgoneoverthereinadreadfulhurry——oneofthem”ssick。”
“Whichone?“
“Idon”tknow;leastways,Ikinderforget;butIthinksit”s”
“Sakesalive,Ihopeitain”tHANNER?“
“I”msorrytosayit,“Isays,“butHanner”stheveryone。”
“Mygoodness,andshesowellonlylastweek!Isshetookbad?“
“Itain”tnonameforit。Theysetupwithherallnight,MissMaryJanesaid,andtheydon”tthinkshe”lllastmanyhours。”
“Onlythinkofthat,now!What”sthematterwithher?“
Icouldn”tthinkofanythingreasonable,rightoffthatway,soIsays:
“Mumps。”
“Mumpsyourgranny!Theydon”tsetupwithpeoplethat”sgotthemumps。”
“Theydon”t,don”tthey?YoubetterbettheydowithTHESEmumps。Thesemumpsisdifferent。It”sanewkind,MissMaryJanesaid。”
“How”sitanewkind?“
“Becauseit”smixedupwithotherthings。”
“Whatotherthings?“
“Well,measles,andwhooping-cough,anderysiplas,andconsumption,andyallerjanders,andbrain-fever,andIdon”tknowwhatall。”
“Myland!AndtheycallittheMUMPS?“
“That”swhatMissMaryJanesaid。”
“Well,whatinthenationdotheycallittheMUMPSfor?“
“Why,becauseitISthemumps。That”swhatitstartswith。”
“Well,ther”ain”tnosenseinit。Abodymightstumphistoe,andtakepison,andfalldownthewell,andbreakhisneck,andbusthisbrainsout,andsomebodycomealongandaskwhatkilledhim,andsomenumskullupandsay,”Why,hestumpedhisTOE。”Wouldther”beanysenseinthat?
NO。Andther”ain”tnosenseinTHIS,nuther。Isitketching?“
“IsitKETCHING?Why,howyoutalk。IsaHARROWcatching——inthedark?
Ifyoudon”thitchontoonetooth,you”reboundtoonanother,ain”tyou?
Andyoucan”tgetawaywiththattoothwithoutfetchingthewholeharrowalong,canyou?Well,thesekindofmumpsisakindofaharrow,asyoumaysay——anditain”tnoslouchofaharrow,nuther,youcometogetithitchedongood。”
“Well,it”sawful,Ithink,“saysthehare-lip。“I”llgotoUncleHarveyand”
“Oh,yes,“Isays,“IWOULD。OfCOURSEIwould。Iwouldn”tlosenotime。”
“Well,whywouldn”tyou?“
“Justlookatitaminute,andmaybeyoucansee。Hain”tyourunclesobleegdtogetalonghometoEnglandasfastastheycan?Anddoyoureckonthey”dbemeanenoughtogooffandleaveyoutogoallthatjourneybyyourselves?YOUknowthey”llwaitforyou。Sofur,sogood。YouruncleHarvey”sapreacher,ain”the?Verywell,then;isaPREACHERgoingtodeceiveasteamboatclerk?ishegoingtodeceiveaSHIPCLERK?——soastogetthemtoletMissMaryJanegoaboard?NowYOUknowheain”t。WhatWILLhedo,then?Why,he”llsay,”It”sagreatpity,butmychurchmattershasgottogetalongthebestwaytheycan;formyniecehasbeenexposedtothedreadfulpluribus-unummumps,andsoit”smyboundendutytosetdownhereandwaitthethreemonthsittakestoshowonherifshe”sgotit。”Butnevermind,ifyouthinkit”sbesttotellyouruncleHarvey”
“Shucks,andstayfoolingaroundherewhenwecouldallbehavinggoodtimesinEnglandwhilstwewaswaitingtofindoutwhetherMaryJane”sgotitornot?Why,youtalklikeamuggins。”
“Well,anyway,maybeyou”dbettertellsomeoftheneighbors。”
“Listenatthat,now。Youdobeatallfornaturalstupidness。Can”tyouSEEthatTHEY”Dgoandtell?Ther”ain”tnowaybutjusttonottellanybodyatALL。”
“Well,maybeyou”reright——yes,IjudgeyouAREright。”
“ButIreckonweoughttotellUncleHarveyshe”sgoneoutawhile,anyway,sohewon”tbeuneasyabouther?“
“Yes,MissMaryJaneshewantedyoutodothat。Shesays,”TellthemtogiveUncleHarveyandWilliammyloveandakiss,andsayI”verunovertherivertoseeMr。”——Mr——whatISthenameofthatrichfamilyyourunclePeterusedtothinksomuchof?——Imeantheonethat”
“Why,youmustmeantheApthorps,ain”tit?“
“Ofcourse;botherthemkindofnames,abodycan”teverseemtorememberthem,halfthetime,somehow。Yes,shesaid,sayshehasrunoverfortoasktheApthorpstobesureandcometotheauctionandbuythishouse,becausesheallowedherunclePeterwouldruthertheyhaditthananybodyelse;andshe”sgoingtosticktothemtilltheysaythey”llcome,andthen,ifsheain”ttootired,she”scominghome;andifsheis,she”llbehomeinthemorninganyway。Shesaid,don”tsaynothingabouttheProctors,butonlyabouttheApthorps——which”llbeperfectlytrue,becausesheisgoingtheretospeakabouttheirbuyingthehouse;Iknowit,becauseshetoldmesoherself。”
“Allright,“theysaid,andclearedouttolayfortheiruncles,andgivethemtheloveandthekisses,andtellthemthemessage。
Everythingwasallrightnow。Thegirlswouldn”tsaynothingbecausetheywantedtogotoEngland;andthekingandthedukewouldrutherMaryJanewasoffworkingfortheauctionthanaroundinreachofDoctorRobinson。
Ifeltverygood;IjudgedIhaddoneitprettyneat——IreckonedTomSawyercouldn”tadoneitnoneaterhimself。Ofcoursehewouldathrowedmorestyleintoit,butIcan”tdothatveryhandy,notbeingbrunguptoit。
Well,theyheldtheauctioninthepublicsquare,alongtowardstheendoftheafternoon,anditstrungalong,andstrungalong,andtheoldmanhewasonhandandlookinghislevelpisonest,uptherelongsideoftheauctioneer,andchippinginalittleScripturenowandthen,oralittlegoody-goodysayingofsomekind,andthedukehewasaroundgoo-gooingforsympathyallheknowedhow,andjustspreadinghimselfgenerly。
Butbyandbythethingdraggedthrough,andeverythingwassold——
everythingbutalittleoldtriflinglotinthegraveyard。Sothey”dgottoworkthatoff——IneverseesuchagirafftasthekingwasforwantingtoswallowEVERYTHING。Well,whilsttheywasatitasteamboatlanded,andinabouttwominutesupcomesacrowda-whoopingandyellingandlaughingandcarryingon,andsingingout:
“HERE”Syouroppositionline!here”syourtwosetso”heirstooldPeterWilks——andyoupaysyourmoneyandyoutakesyourchoice!“
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter29Chapter29THEYwasfetchingaverynice-lookingoldgentlemanalong,andanice-lookingyoungerone,withhisrightarminasling。And,mysouls,howthepeopleyelledandlaughed,andkeptitup。ButIdidn”tseenojokeaboutit,andIjudgeditwouldstrainthedukeandthekingsometoseeany。Ireckonedthey”dturnpale。Butno,naryapaledidTHEYturn。Thedukeheneverletonhesuspicionedwhatwasup,butjustwentagoo-gooingaround,happyandsatisfied,likeajugthat”sgooglingoutbuttermilk;andasfortheking,hejustgazedandgazeddownsorrowfulonthemnew-comerslikeitgivehimthestomach-acheinhisveryhearttothinktherecouldbesuchfraudsandrascalsintheworld。Oh,hedoneitadmirable。Lotsoftheprincipalpeoplegetheredaroundtheking,tolethimseetheywasonhisside。Thatoldgentlemanthathadjustcomelookedallpuzzledtodeath。
Prettysoonhebeguntospeak,andIseestraightoffhepronouncedLIKE
anEnglishman——nottheking”sway,thoughtheking”sWASprettygoodforanimitation。Ican”tgivetheoldgent”swords,norIcan”timitatehim;butheturnedaroundtothecrowd,andsays,aboutlikethis:
“ThisisasurprisetomewhichIwasn”tlookingfor;andI”llacknowledge,candidandfrank,Iain”tverywellfixedtomeetitandanswerit;formybrotherandmehashadmisfortunes;he”sbrokehisarm,andourbaggagegotputoffatatownaboveherelastnightinthenightbyamistake。
IamPeterWilks”brotherHarvey,andthisishisbrotherWilliam,whichcan”thearnorspeak——andcan”tevenmakesignstoamounttomuch,now”the”sonlygotonehandtoworkthemwith。Wearewhowesayweare;andinadayortwo,whenIgetthebaggage,Icanproveit。ButuptillthenIwon”tsaynothingmore,butgotothehotelandwait。”
Sohimandthenewdummystartedoff;andthekinghelaughs,andblethersout:
“Brokehisarm——VERYlikely,AIN”Tit?——andveryconvenient,too,forafraudthat”sgottomakesigns,andain”tlearnthow。Losttheirbaggage!That”sMIGHTYgood!——andmightyingenious——undertheCIRCUMSTANCES!
Sohelaughedagain;andsodideverybodyelse,exceptthreeorfour,ormaybehalfadozen。Oneofthesewasthatdoctor;anotheronewasasharplookinggentleman,withacarpet-bagoftheoldfashionedkindmadeoutofcarpet-stuff,thathadjustcomeoffofthesteamboatandwastalkingtohiminalowvoice,andglancingtowardsthekingnowandthenandnoddingtheirheads——itwasLeviBell,thelawyerthatwasgoneuptoLouisville;
andanotheronewasabigroughhuskythatcomealongandlistenedtoalltheoldgentlemansaid,andwaslisteningtothekingnow。Andwhenthekinggotdonethishuskyupandsays:
“Say,lookyhere;ifyouareHarveyWilks,when”dyoucometothistown?“
“Thedaybeforethefuneral,friend,“saystheking。
“Butwhattimeo”day?“
“Intheevenin”——”boutanhourertwobeforesundown。”
“HOW”Dyoucome?“
“IcomedownontheSusanPowellfromCincinnati。”
“Well,then,how”dyoucometobeupatthePintintheMORNIN”——inacanoe?“
“Iwarn”tupatthePintinthemornin”。”
“It”salie。”
Severalofthemjumpedforhimandbeggedhimnottotalkthatwaytoanoldmanandapreacher。
“Preacherbehanged,he”safraudandaliar。HewasupatthePintthatmornin”。Iliveupthere,don”tI?Well,Iwasupthere,andhewasupthere。Iseehimthere。Hecomeinacanoe,alongwithTimCollinsandaboy。”
Thedoctorheupandsays:
“Wouldyouknowtheboyagainifyouwastoseehim,Hines?“
“IreckonIwould,butIdon”tknow。Why,yonderheis,now。Iknowhimperfectlyeasy。”
Itwasmehepointedat。Thedoctorsays:
“Neighbors,Idon”tknowwhetherthenewcoupleisfraudsornot;butifTHESEtwoain”tfrauds,Iamanidiot,that”sall。Ithinkit”sourdutytoseethattheydon”tgetawayfromheretillwe”velookedintothisthing。Comealong,Hines;comealong,therestofyou。We”lltakethesefellowstothetavernandaffrontthemwitht”othercouple,andIreckonwe”llfindoutSOMETHINGbeforewegetthrough。”
Itwasnutsforthecrowd,thoughmaybenotfortheking”sfriends;
soweallstarted。Itwasaboutsundown。Thedoctorheledmealongbythehand,andwasplentykindenough,butheneverletgomyhand。
Weallgotinabigroominthehotel,andlitupsomecandles,andfetchedinthenewcouple。First,thedoctorsays:
“Idon”twishtobetoohardonthesetwomen,butIthinkthey”refrauds,andtheymayhavecomplicesthatwedon”tknownothingabout。Iftheyhave,won”tthecomplicesgetawaywiththatbagofgoldPeterWilksleft?Itain”tunlikely。Ifthesemenain”tfrauds,theywon”tobjecttosendingforthatmoneyandlettinguskeepittilltheyprovethey”reallright——ain”tthatso?“
Everybodyagreedtothat。SoIjudgedtheyhadourganginaprettytightplacerightattheoutstart。Butthekingheonlylookedsorrowful,andsays:
“Gentlemen,Iwishthemoneywasthere,forIain”tgotnodispositiontothrowanythinginthewayofafair,open,out-and-outinvestigationo”thismisablebusiness;but,alas,themoneyain”tthere;youk”nsendandsee,ifyouwantto。”
“Whereisit,then?“
“Well,whenmyniecegiveittometokeepforherItookandhiditinsideo”thestrawticko”mybed,notwishin”tobankitforthefewdayswe”dbehere,andconsiderin”thebedasafeplace,wenotbein”usedtoniggers,andsuppos”n””emhonest,likeservantsinEngland。Theniggersstoleittheverynextmornin”afterIhadwentdownstairs;andwhenI
sold”emIhadn”tmissedthemoneyyit,sotheygotcleanawaywithit。
Myservantherek”ntellyou”boutit,gentlemen。”
Thedoctorandseveralsaid“Shucks!“andIseenobodydidn”taltogetherbelievehim。OnemanaskedmeifIseetheniggersstealit。Isaidno,butIseethemsneakingoutoftheroomandhustlingaway,andIneverthoughtnothing,onlyIreckonedtheywasafraidtheyhadwakedupmymasterandwastryingtogetawaybeforehemadetroublewiththem。Thatwasalltheyaskedme。Thenthedoctorwhirlsonmeandsays:
“AreYOUEnglish,too?“