登陆注册
5197700000009

第9章

BIRTHDAY-PRESENTS.

"It's my brother!" the Sub-warden exclaimed, in a warning whisper.

"Speak out, and be quick about it!"

The appeal was evidently addressed to the Lord Chancellor, who instantly replied, in a shrill monotone, like a little boy repeating the alphabet, "As I was remarking, your Sub-Excellency, this portentous movement--""You began too soon!" the other interrupted, scarcely able to restrain himself to a whisper, so great was his excitement."He couldn't have heard you.Begin again!" "As I was remarking," chanted the obedient Lord Chancellor, "this portentous movement has already assumed the dimensions of a Revolution!""And what are the dimensions of a Revolution?" The voice was genial and mellow, and the face of the tall dignified old man, who had just entered the room, leading Sylvie by the hand, and with Bruno riding triumphantly on his shoulder, was too noble and gentle to have scared a less guilty man: but the Lord Chancellor turned pale instantly, and could hardly articulate the words "The dimensions your--your High Excellency? I--I--scarcely comprehend!""Well, the length, breadth, and thickness, if you like it better!"And the old man smiled, half-contemptuously.

The Lord Chancellor recovered himself with a great effort, and pointed to the open window."If your High Excellency will listen for a moment to the shouts of the exasperated populace--" ("of the exasperated populace!" the Sub-Warden repeated in a louder tone, as the Lord Chancellor, being in a state of abject terror, had dropped almost into a whisper) "--you will understand what it is they want."And at that moment there surged into the room a hoarse confused cry, in which the only clearly audible words were "Less--bread--More--taxes!"The old man laughed heartily."What in the world--" he was beginning:

but the Chancellor heard him not."Some mistake!" he muttered, hurrying to the window, from which he shortly returned with an air of relief."Now listen!" he exclaimed, holding up his hand impressively.

And now the words came quite distinctly, and with the regularity of the ticking of a clock, "More--bread--Less taxes!'""More bread!" the Warden repeated in astonishment."Why, the new Government Bakery was opened only last week, and I gave orders to sell the bread at cost-price during the present scarcity! What can they expect more?""The Bakery's closed, y'reince!" the Chancellor said, more loudly and clearly than he had spoken yet.He was emboldened by the consciousness that here, at least, he had evidence to produce: and he placed in the Warden's hands a few printed notices, that were lying ready, with some open ledgers, on a side-table.

"Yes, yes, I see!" the Warden muttered, glancing carelessly through them."Order countermanded by my brother, and supposed to be my doing!

Rather sharp practice! It's all right!" he added in a louder tone.

"My name is signed to it: so I take it on myself.But what do they mean by 'Less Taxes'? How can they be less? I abolished the last of them a month ago!""It's been put on again, y'reince, and by y'reince's own orders!", and other printed notices were submitted for inspection.

The Warden, whilst looking them over, glanced once or twice at the Sub-Warden, who had seated himself before one of the open ledgers, and was quite absorbed in adding it up; but he merely repeated "It's all right.I accept it as my doing.""And they do say," the Chancellor went on sheepishly--looking much more like a convicted thief than an Officer of State, "that a change of Government, by the abolition of the Sub-Warden---I mean," he hastily added, on seeing the Warden's look of astonishment, "the abolition of the office of Sub-Warden, and giving the present holder the right to act as Vice-Warden whenever the Warden is absent --would appease all this seedling discontent I mean," he added, glancing at a paper he held in his hand, "all this seething discontent!""For fifteen years," put in a deep but very harsh voice, "my husband has been acting as Sub-Warden.It is too long! It is much too long!"My Lady was a vast creature at all times: but, when she frowned and folded her arms, as now, she looked more gigantic than ever, and made one try to fancy what a haystack would look like, if out of temper.

"He would distinguish himself as a Vice!" my Lady proceeded, being far too stupid to see the double meaning of her words."There has been no such Vice in Outland for many a long year, as he would be!""What course would you suggest, Sister?" the Warden mildly enquired.

My Lady stamped, which was undignified: and snorted, which was ungraceful."This is no jesting matter!" she bellowed.

"I will consult my brother, said the Warden."Brother!""--and seven makes a hundred and ninety-four, which is sixteen and two-pence," the Sub-Warden replied."Put down two and carry sixteen."The Chancellor raised his hands and eyebrows, lost in admiration.

"Such a man of business!" he murmured.

"Brother, could I have a word with you in my Study?" the Warden said in a louder tone.The Sub-Warden rose with alacrity, and the two left the room together.

同类推荐
  • 今世说

    今世说

    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。
  • 舍利弗悔过经

    舍利弗悔过经

    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。
  • 佛说文殊悔过经

    佛说文殊悔过经

    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。
  • 花韵楼医案

    花韵楼医案

    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。
  • Poetics

    Poetics

    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
  • 拿得起,还要放得下

    拿得起,还要放得下

    我们每一个人都希望成功,渴望拥有一份理想的工作,有一个幸福美满的家庭,因为我们每天都为之奋斗。但我们在奋斗的过程中往往会忘记我们的初衷,在每天的勾心斗角和尔虞我中慢慢迷失了自己,当所有的一切都堆积在我们面前,压抑在我们心上的时候,我们茫然了。我们不知道自己如何拿得起,放得下。所以,就从这些角度出发,本书为你一一解开心中的疑惑,让我们都能在人生的道路上,不再徘徊、迷惑,更好地找准位置,走出一条自己的路来。真诚地希望每一位阅读者都能从中受益!
  • 倾世红颜一臂独秀

    倾世红颜一臂独秀

    “我们就到这……?”“啊。不然呢?”她肝肠寸断,然而面前的男子却是一脸不耐烦。女子的心一寸寸的冷了……失恋,她心如死灰;意外,她失去左臂。绝望之余,她服下毒药准备静静安眠。然而,再次醒来,满眼陌生的风景。身旁衣着华贵的男子笑的嗜血:“女人,你醒了。”随后淡漠的扔下一句话:“三日后,我娶你为妻……”她在现代是无依无靠的孤儿,一朝穿越,使得一颗纤细敏感的心在几段恋情中沉浮。雨过天晴后谁主天下谁住她。世上可有愿意牵手只有一只手可以动的人。PS:其实本文不悲来的。。小虐,大宠,放心入坑。。
  • 梅谱序

    梅谱序

    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。
  • 魔欲仙缘

    魔欲仙缘

    穿越来到异界,身体健康,家境殷实,内无同族欺凌,外无鬼怪肆虐。少年想平平安安过下去,可惜他身怀“元魔”至宝“转生葫芦”,逆行阴阳、颠倒生死。因而转动命运巨轮,卷入上古秘辛,生活步步荆棘、充满变数!
  • 像时光一样漫长

    像时光一样漫长

    《像时光一样漫长》作者吴明泉的文字里,可以看到很多矛盾:低与高的矛盾,低姿态的叙述和目光向上的注视;冷与热的矛盾,调子的冷静和情感的温暖;简与繁的矛盾,简朴的文字和丰富的意味。所以,读这些文字,一定会让你心中涌过一股复杂的滋味,看到幽暗中的一丝光,感受到简单中的一种力量。
  • 钱眼

    钱眼

    历史上富人发家的方式有很多,但李家可谓独树一帜!大家族的传奇铸就了“讨债鬼”的不平凡:为求当家,他代替大伯坐牢;为谋发展,他开始了多元经商之路;为求官位,他从商人爬到道尹;他开炉房,开钱庄,办报纸,修铁路。
  • 临安慢慢是长情

    临安慢慢是长情

    文案一:路慢慢第一次遇见宋临安,被连累扣掉一大笔工资。路慢慢第二次遇见宋临安,狠狠踩了宋临安一脚。路慢慢第三次遇见宋临安,宋临安成了她的学长。出于对学长的敬爱之情,路慢慢谨小慎微,乖乖在宋临安面前扮演着人畜无害的兔子学妹。没成想,宋学长却是筹谋许久、步步紧逼、攻城略地。学妹,谈个恋爱吗?文案二:路慢慢她妈是个颜控,所以找了路慢慢她爸。从小眼瞅着路爸路妈美貌长大的路慢慢,就如同吃惯山珍海味的皇帝偏爱清粥白菜一样,初三时就立志,坚决不和长的帅的男生谈恋爱。偏偏,她又遇见了宋临安。宋临安,文韬武略,足智多谋,貌比潘安,玉树临风……什么都好,就一点,长的太好看。路慢慢摇头又晃脑,可惜啊可惜。但大概宋临安也是个偏爱清粥白菜的怪皇帝,那么多崇拜他的美貌奉他为神袛的女生,他不要。偏盯上了对他没那么有非分之想的路慢慢。她还能怎么办呢?当然是收了这众多小妖精垂涎的唐僧肉!毕竟她随路妈,是个颜控啊!呐,听说你长的很好看~
  • 追忆逝去的时光:女囚(第5卷)

    追忆逝去的时光:女囚(第5卷)

    《女囚》法国现代主义文学的主要代表人物马塞尔·普鲁斯特的意识流代表作《追寻逝去的时光》(或译《追忆逝水年华》)的第5卷。本版系“周克希译文集”的一种。全书为周先生的全新翻译,首次在国内出版。小说叙述男主人公如何将女友阿尔贝蒂娜“囚”于家中,直至某一日醒来,却发现她已逃之夭夭。恋爱双方互为陌生人,又渴望了解对方,产生出一场嫉妒型的爱情,作者对这种心态作了淋漓尽致的剖析。
  • 再婚再爱

    再婚再爱

    盛大的订婚宴,身着婚纱的女子哭着扑进了她未婚夫的怀里:“晨川,我若嫁,你娶不娶?”俊逸温润的男子歉然回眸,在满座宾客前垂首:“楚玥,对不起。”她笑,眸间冷意成灾。下一刻,他一身新郎礼服,执她之手,绝艳性感:“新娘子怎么可以乱跑?”洛少琰,京城艳少,许给她的,却唯有一纸婚书。她所求不多,可是不算上门的彩旗是为何?呵,既然你无情无信,我又何必用情守诺?欺她无权无势?这婚书,不要也罢,撕掉离婚协议书,她决然转身。他愤怒,他不甘,百般查证却唯有一个结果——查无此人。再见面,他还是他,情根深种的他,守着大红本子的他。她已不是她,而是身份尊贵的她,手段凌厉的她。当再婚遇上再爱,当怒火遇上欲火,于是……;【剧透一】:“你得补偿我。”“凭什么?”“曾经的京城艳少,此时已是再婚男,还差点犯了重婚罪,作为罪魁祸首,你不该有点表示?”想起当初那张A4纸,有人就笑的很欢畅:“京城艳少,不缺金,不少银,有什么好表示的。”“缺,我还缺个夫人。”★☆★海言海语★☆★此文乃:男强女强,豪门大作战。极致宠溺无大虐,再婚再爱乐无穷。PPPPP:此乃小言,请勿较真儿。欢迎跳坑。
  • 凶案谜局:被诅咒的十字架

    凶案谜局:被诅咒的十字架

    一起十字架杀人引发的凶案,两个截然不同的相反结论,揭开一段尘封的往事。真相扑朔迷离,到底谁在撒谎?是天命的诅咒,还是人性的丑恶?一场智慧的较量就此展开......