登陆注册
5168500000013

第13章

Upon his right arm, tattooed with warlike emblems in red and blue colors, two scars, deep enough to admit the finger, were distinctly visible.No wonder then, that, while smoking their pipes, and emptying their pots of beer, the Germans should display some surprise at the singular occupation of this tall, moustached, bald-headed old man, with the forbidding countenance--for the features of Dagobert assumed a harsh and grim expression, when he was no longer in presence of the two girls.

The sustained attention, of which he saw himself the object, began to put him out of patience, for his employment appeared to him quite natural.

At this moment, the Prophet entered the porch, and, perceiving the soldier, eyed him attentively for several seconds; then approaching, he said to him in French, in a rather sly tone: "It would seem, comrade, that you have not much confidence in the washerwomen of Mockern?"

Dagobert, without discontinuing his work, half turned his head with a frown, looked askant at the Prophet, and made him no answer.

Astonished at this silence, Morok resumed: "If I do not deceive myself, you are French, my fine fellow.The words on your arm prove it, and your military air stamps you as an old soldier of the Empire.Therefore I find, that, for a hero, you have taken rather late to wear petticoats."

Dagobert remained mute, but he gnawed his moustache, and plied the soap, with which he was rubbing the linen, in a most hurried, not to say angry style; for the face and words of the beast-tamer displeased him more than he cared to show.Far from being discouraged, the Prophet continued: "I am sure, my fine fellow, that you are neither deaf nor dumb; why, then, will you not answer me?"

Losing all patience, Dagobert turned abruptly round, looked Morok full in the face, and said to him in a rough voice: "I don't know you: I don't wish to know you! Chain up your curb!" And he betook himself again to his washing.

"But we may make acquaintance.We can drink a glass of Rhine-wine together, and talk of our campaigns.I also have seen some service, I assure you; and that, perhaps, will induce you to be more civil."

The veins on the bald forehead of Dagobert swelled perceptibly; he saw in the look and accent of the man, who thus obstinately addressed him, something designedly provoking; still he contained himself.

"I ask you, why should you not drink a glass of wine with me--we could talk about France.I lived there a long time; it is a fine country; and when I meet Frenchmen abroad, I feel sociable--particularly when they know how to use the soap as well as you do.If I had a housewife I'd send her to your school."

The sarcastic meaning was no longer disguised; impudence and bravado were legible in the Prophet's looks.Thinking that, with such an adversary, the dispute might become serious, Dagobert, who wished to avoid a quarrel at any price, carried off his tub to the other end of the porch, hoping thus to put an end to the scene which was a sore trial of his temper.

A flash of joy lighted up the tawny eyes of the brute-tamer.The white circle, which surrounded the pupil seemed to dilate.He ran his crooked fingers two or three times through his yellow beard, in token of satisfaction; then he advanced slowly towards the soldier, accompanied by several idlers from the common-room.

Notwithstanding his coolness, Dagobert, amazed and incensed at the impudent pertinacity of the Prophet, was at first disposed to break the washing-board on his head; but, remembering the orphans, he thought better of it.

Folding his arms upon his breast, Morok said to him, in a dry and insolent tone: "It is very certain you are not civil, my man of suds!"

Then, turning to the spectators, he continued in German: "I tell this Frenchman, with his long moustache, that he is not civil.We shall see what answer he'll make.Perhaps it will be necessary to give him a lesson.Heaven preserve me from quarrels!" he added, with mock compunction; "but the Lord has enlightened me--I am his creature, and I ought to make his work respected."

The mystical effrontery of this peroration was quite to the taste of the idlers; the fame of the Prophet had reached Mockern, and, as a performance was expected on the morrow, this prelude much amused the company.On hearing the insults of his adversary, Dagobert could not help saying in the German language: "I know German.Speak in German--

the rest will understand you.'

New spectators now arrived, and joined the first comers; the adventure had become exciting, and a ring was formed around the two persons most concerned.

The Prophet resumed in German: "I said that you were not civil, and I now say you are grossly rude.What do you answer to that?"

"Nothing!" said Dagobert, coldly, as he proceeded to rinse out another piece of linen.

"Nothing!" returned Morok; "that is very little.I will be less brief, and tell you, that, when an honest man offers a glass of wine civilly to a stranger, that stranger has no right to answer with insolence, and deserves to be taught manners if he does so."

Great drops of sweat ran down Dagobert's forehead and cheeks; his large imperial was incessantly agitated by nervous trembling--but he restrained himself.Taking, by two of the corners, the handkerchief which he had just dipped in the water, he shook it, wrung it, and began to hum to himself the burden of the old camp ditty:

"Out of Tirlemont's flea-haunted den, We ride forth next day of the sen, With sabre in hand, ah!

Good-bye to Amanda," etc.

The silence to which Dagobert had condemned himself, almost choked him;

this song afforded him some relief.

Morok, turning towards the spectators, said to them, with an air of hypocritical restraint: "We knew that the soldiers of Napoleon were pagans, who stabled their horses in churches, and offended the Lord a hundred times a day, and who, for their sins, were justly drowned in the Beresino, like so many Pharaohs; but we did not know that the Lord, to punish these miscreants, had deprived them of courage--their single gift.

同类推荐
  • The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg

    The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg

    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。
  • 博物志

    博物志

    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。
  • 狐狸缘全传

    狐狸缘全传

    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。
  • 佛说决定义经

    佛说决定义经

    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。
  • 咏慵

    咏慵

    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
  • 广告哲学

    广告哲学

    《广告哲学》首次将广告学纳入哲学框架以哲学视角进行研究,通过“广告美学”、“广告思维学”、“广告道德学”、“广告哲学”、“技术哲学与广”等章阐述,力图将广告学研究推进到一个更高层次,以探索出其发展变化中的本质规律,力图对广告学做出科学严谨之总结,并试图以此理论更好地指导人们的广告活动实践。
  • 光之雇员

    光之雇员

    我只是个玩FF14的光之跑腿,一觉醒来,发现自己来到了和FF14几乎一模一样的世界里,还是个辅助的NPC雇员角色。FF14的故事里,本没有雇员什么戏份。这怎么可以?那些虐主的主线任务,怎么能拿来让我的雇主伤神?且看我如何在剧情的框架中偷天换日,硬生生给你闯出一个完美结局!
  • 重生之一品郡王妃

    重生之一品郡王妃

    前世,她是性情纯善的千金大小姐。一朝嫁入深宅大院,辅佐夫君上位,成为一人之下万人之上的朝中近臣,她却在刚刚产子之后,便亲眼目睹了最爱的夫君和自己的庶妹,恩爱无双,致死缠绵。直到自己被陷害枉死、儿子被夫君亲手摔死,她才幡然醒悟,明白了后母、庶妹和夫君给的“宠爱”背后的真相。一场背叛,一朝重生,她回到豆蔻年华,心藏智谋,胸怀才略。沉着冷静,化解危机于无形,保护母亲和兄长;奇谋巧计,敌人让她痛三分,她以十分痛还之!她翻云覆雨中,将自己的命运掌握在自己的手上!他是风华绝代的郡王,权势倾天下,财富可敌国,运筹帷幄,天下尽在掌握之中,却独为她一人倾心,携她之手,共赏江山如画。
  • 正太老公自养成

    正太老公自养成

    男友生日,她准备一份惊喜,没有想到回收了一份惊吓。她又不是垃圾桶,什么都能容!出门溜达,踢到一个不明物体,谁知那货赖着他不走。什么?我是你妈咪?请问,你爸爸是谁?孩子乖乖,妈咪没奶,谁有奶找谁去…为了报答恩情,她被当礼物给人抵债。嫁给一个大自己二十岁的男人。结婚当日,新郎心脏病突发,她就要新婚守寡?可是打开门,那扑过来的又是谁?望着小鬼头可怜兮兮的小脸儿,安苒苒无奈望天从此,安苒苒有了个新身份---妈咪!谁说飞机场不是身材,谁说没有奶不能当妈!推荐自己完结文:《娘子,包养我》《王的绝世娇妻》【争风吃醋篇】“苒苒,今天有空吗?我想…”电话中王睿热情邀约。“有,当然有…”急忙答复,安苒苒心似小鹿乱撞。“我妈咪没有空……”“啪”只听见手机坠地的声音。“呜呜…”红唇被封,安冉冉瞪大眼睛,看着面前坏笑的某人!妈咪,你很不乖哦!【相亲篇】“墨擎,你快来咖啡厅,有惊喜哦……”“好!我马上过去……”墨擎嘴角上挑,莫非她开窍了。一刻钟后……“墨擎,这边……”安冉冉挥舞着小手,一副迫不及待!墨擎很是满意,笑的春风拂面…一秒钟后,一声爆喝传来。“安苒苒!!!”安苒苒笑的狗腿,将身前女子推给他,打算立刻遁逃:“墨擎,你和这位小姐聊聊……聊……”该死的女人,居然让自己来相亲!墨擎黑着脸,看着飞速消失的背影,咬牙切齿。当夜,某别墅中,车震,床震,地板震...
  • 王妃不吃素

    王妃不吃素

    梅淡儿滚下山崖穿成了一名道姑!好不容易接受身份决定做个逍遥道姑,谁知一纸圣意,迫她还俗还顺带指婚!指给谁!那个忒碍眼的修罗王?靠,这个王上能不能不乱点鸳鸯谱啊?那个修罗王心心念念的只有他的暗影子侍卫好不好?她这样硬挤进去算哪根葱啊!果然,大婚之夜他撕了红喜幛摔了合衾酒还对她几番言语羞辱,转身进了别的女人房间!大红盖头下的她真想奋起抽他丫的,可是思量思量,好像不是他的对手,算了,大女人不和这般小男人计较,反正她心中的良人也不是他,他不碰她,她刚好可以保存清白找下家
  • 筋门

    筋门

    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。
  • 用女人的方式轰轰烈烈

    用女人的方式轰轰烈烈

    《用女人的方式轰轰烈烈》本书是一本关于中国商界奇女子的暖心励志之作。
  • 新加坡风土记

    新加坡风土记

    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。
  • 从蛇化龙

    从蛇化龙

    本书轻松升级,张贤重生为蛇,看看一条现代蛇,究竟怎么成为一条神龙。怎么兴云布雨。本书纯虚构,请不要拘泥文中的细节。
  • 城主暴走:姐姐不吃小鲜肉

    城主暴走:姐姐不吃小鲜肉

    勾搭勾搭,勾搭个屁!穿越到这上没天理下没人权,被有钱人家的狗咬了哼都不敢哼一声的古代,已经够倒霉了!还要奉父命去勾搭一个未成年的“小鲜肉”?真是老天不长眼啊!好歹她也是来自21世纪的文艺女青年好不好!让那该死的勾搭见鬼去吧!谁知......什么?不勾搭不给饭吃?还不给衣穿?小命还受威胁?咬咬牙,她忍了,为了小命勾搭就勾搭吧。但作为一个文艺女青年,保守底线不能破!“小鲜肉男人”坚决只勾不搭!谁料想,背后某爷一声暴跳怒喝:“女人!不做妻就种田!”