登陆注册
5150400000013

第13章

Poor Mrs.Leigh, as one who had long since learned to have no self, and to live not only for her children but in them, submitted without a murmur, and only said, smiling, to her stern friend--"You took away my mastiff-pup, and now you must needs have my fair greyhound also.""Would you have your fair greyhound, dear lady, grow up a tall and true Cotswold dog, that can pull down a stag of ten, or one of those smooth-skinned poppets which the Florence ladies lead about with a ring of bells round its neck, and a flannel farthingale over its loins?"Mrs.Leigh submitted; and was rewarded after a few months by a letter, sent through Sir Richard, from none other than Gloriana herself, in which she thanked her for "the loan of that most delicate and flawless crystal, the soul of her excellent son," with more praises of him than I have room to insert, and finished by exalting the poor mother above the famed Cornelia; "for those sons, whom she called her jewels, she only showed, yet kept them to herself: but you, madam, having two as precious, I doubt not, as were ever that Roman dame's, have, beyond her courage, lent them both to your country and to your queen, who therein holds herself indebted to you for that which, if God give her grace, she will repay as becomes both her and you." Which epistle the sweet mother bedewed with holy tears, and laid by in the cedar-box which held her household gods, by the side of Frank's innumerable diplomas and letters of recommendation, the Latin whereof she was always spelling over (although she understood not a word of it), in hopes of finding, here and there, that precious excellentissimus Noster Franciscus Leighius Anglus, which was all in all to the mother's heart.

But why did Amyas go to the South Seas? Amyas went to the South Seas for two causes, each of which has, before now, sent many a lad to far worse places: first, because of an old schoolmaster;secondly, because of a young beauty.I will take them in order and explain.

Vindex Brimblecombe, whilom servitor of Exeter College, Oxford (commonly called Sir Vindex, after the fashion of the times), was, in those days, master of the grammar-school of Bideford.He was, at root, a godly and kind-hearted pedant enough; but, like most schoolmasters in the old flogging days, had his heart pretty well hardened by long, baneful license to inflict pain at will on those weaker than himself; a power healthful enough for the victim (for, doubtless, flogging is the best of all punishments, being not only the shortest, but also a mere bodily and animal, and not, like most of our new-fangled "humane" punishments, a spiritual and fiendish torture), but for the executioner pretty certain to eradicate, from all but the noblest spirits, every trace of chivalry and tenderness for the weak, as well, often, as all self-control and command of temper.Be that as it may, old Sir Vindex had heart enough to feel that it was now his duty to take especial care of the fatherless boy to whom he tried to teach his qui, quae, quod: but the only outcome of that new sense of responsibility was a rapid increase in the number of floggings, which rose from about two a week to one per diem, not without consequences to the pedagogue himself.

For all this while, Amyas had never for a moment lost sight of his darling desire for a sea-life; and when he could not wander on the quay and stare at the shipping, or go down to the pebble-ridge at Northam, and there sit, devouring, with hungry eyes, the great expanse of ocean, which seemed to woo him outward into boundless space, he used to console himself, in school-hours, by drawing ships and imaginary charts upon his slate, instead of minding his "humanities."Now it befell, upon an afternoon, that he was very busy at a map, or bird's-eye view of an island, whereon was a great castle, and at the gate thereof a dragon, terrible to see; while in the foreground came that which was meant for a gallant ship, with a great flag aloft, but which, by reason of the forest of lances with which it was crowded, looked much more like a porcupine carrying a sign-post; and, at the roots of those lances, many little round o's, whereby was signified the heads of Amyas and his schoolfellows, who were about to slay that dragon, and rescue the beautiful princess who dwelt in that enchanted tower.To behold which marvel of art, all the other boys at the same desk must needs club their heads together, and with the more security, because Sir Vindex, as was his custom after dinner, was lying back in his chair, and slept the sleep of the just.

But when Amyas, by special instigation of the evil spirit who haunts successful artists, proceeded further to introduce, heedless of perspective, a rock, on which stood the lively portraiture of Sir Vindex--nose, spectacles, gown, and all; and in his hand a brandished rod, while out of his mouth a label shrieked after the runaways, "You come back!" while a similar label replied from the gallant bark, "Good-bye, master!" the shoving and tittering rose to such a pitch that Cerberus awoke, and demanded sternly what the noise was about.To which, of course, there was no answer.

"You, of course, Leigh! Come up, sir, and show me your exercitation."Now of Amyas's exercitation not a word was written; and, moreover, he was in the very article of putting the last touches to Mr.

Brimblecombe's portrait.Whereon, to the astonishment of all hearers, he made answer--"All in good time, sir!" and went on drawing.

In good time, sir! Insolent, veni et vapula!"But Amyas went on drawing.

"Come hither, sirrah, or I'll flay you alive!""Wait a bit!" answered Amyas.

The old gentleman jumped up, ferula in hand, and darted across the school, and saw himself upon the fatal slate.

同类推荐
  • 山水小牍

    山水小牍

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 衡藩重刻胥台先生集

    衡藩重刻胥台先生集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 注进法相宗章疏

    注进法相宗章疏

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 法华游意

    法华游意

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 朝野佥言

    朝野佥言

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 女主她画风清奇

    女主她画风清奇

    每个和平安乐的年代的背后都有着不为人知的黑暗,那里有赃乱,更有弱肉强食,互相倾轧是家常便饭。……
  • 我的女友是神

    我的女友是神

    时间是一条线,每个人的时间相互独立,前无尽头,后无退路。这仅仅是对人类而言。人生不过一场游戏,游戏都尽头是什么?绝地求生—(虚拟实境)英雄联盟宇宙—刀塔自走棋—(虚拟实境)飞车—(英雄联盟)英雄等你召唤—世界游戏
  • 玉妃引

    玉妃引

    他是乱世枭雄,老谋深算,铁血手腕,终究成就如画帝业。她是江湖奇女,肩负使命,坠入红尘,与他半生纠缠不休。悬崖边缘,漫天火光,凄楚惨烈。那一夜,她伫立崖边,衣炔飘飘,动人婉约,目光清澈如水,淡笑宛如飞仙。“你若自此跳下去,我生生世世不会原谅你!因为……因为你杀了我最爱的女人!”他的悲伤无助皆化为愤怒彷徨,目光如嗜血般惊悚。她不过淡淡一笑,手轻抚还未显山露水的平坦小腹:“你永远休想得到梅花令,还有……你的骨肉。”话音未落,人已坠下。那如噩梦般的前世因果,如何在这一世去偿还?一段荡气回肠的帝王之爱,一场刻骨铭心的痴缠纠葛,成就了一曲流芳百世的《玉妃引》。
  • 风的诺言

    风的诺言

    程逸;天赋极强、却又玩世不恭的搞笑男主角。庞琪;身世显赫、却又寄人篱下的可爱女主角。是偶然的一次相遇让他们形影不离,,还是十年前的偶遇让他们注定永恒相依。历经磨难的他们会在一起吗。。。幸福到底在何方、其实、它一直在你身边。
  • 金丹九品

    金丹九品

    长生不死,这是一切智慧生灵最本能的追求。在地球上,这种最本能的追求如同镜花水月。任何人,任凭你权势惊天,富甲天下,百年之后,都只是一撮尘土。但,在这个全新的世界当中,李浩却是用他瘦弱的双手,紧紧的抓住了命运留给他的那一线机会,一线长生永恒的机会!
  • 炼剑

    炼剑

    为剑,他们涉家弃业,义无反顾。为剑,他们迷失心智,沉沦炼狱。风云动,灵剑生,为剑生,为剑死。少年炼剑师横空出世,异火融生,成就炼剑宗师。他淬炼亘古未有利刃,披荆斩棘,问鼎炼剑之巅。
  • 农家有喜

    农家有喜

    一朝穿越,赠送空间之余也配备了一堆各种打算的极品亲戚,面对家中两个营养不良的小包子,陆灵只有挑起重担,当家做主。不料捡到一个威武雄壮的壮士,本想把他培养成免费的劳动力,只不过周围的人为什么总用诡异的目光看着自己呢?
  • 圣皇天威

    圣皇天威

    何谓圣,乃大功德之人,何谓皇,乃身具龙脉之人。圣与皇于一身便是天威
  • 型世言

    型世言

    《型世言》为明代陆人龙创作的一部优秀白话短篇小说集。所记皆为明代时事、风俗人情,情节曲折,笔调清新,可读性强,达到较高的艺术成就。此书在国内早佚,历代书目从未著录,近年发现于韩国汉城大学奎章阁。
  • 让孩子自由成长

    让孩子自由成长

    《让孩子自由成长》作者力求突破目前许多家长的“制约式”、“强硬式”、“填鸭式”教育方法,期望让孩子自由成长的同时,也给教育一个恰当的定位。孩子是属于大自然的,是天然的存在,这是人的本能,是自然的意志,而不属于家长意识的一部分。教育的目的、蓝图、对人的期待,应当符合人的天性,而不能违背自然规律。