登陆注册
5243100000039

第39章 Chapter XV(2)

"He asked me and he questioned me, and then 'a wouldn't hear my points!"said Abel, to the yard in general. "Now, I shall twitch like a moment-hand all night tonight for fear o' him!"The journey to be taken by the waggons next day was a long one into Blackmoor Vale, and at four o'clock lanterns were moving about the yard.

But Abel was missing. Before either of the other men could run to Abel's and warn him, Henchard appeared in the garden doorway. "Where's Abel Whittle?

Not come after all I've said? Now I'll carry out my word, by my blessed fathers - nothing else will do him any good! I'm going up that way."Henchard went off, entered Abel's house, a little cottage in Back Street, the door of which was never locked because the inmates had nothing to lose.

Reaching Whittle's bedside the corn factor shouted a bass note so vigorously that Abel started up instantly, and beholding Henchard standing over him, was galvanized into spasmodic movements which had not much relation to getting on his clothes.

"Out of bed, sir, and off to the granary, or you leave my employ today!

'Tis to teach ye a lesson. March on; never mind your breeches!"The unhappy Whittle threw on his sleeve waistcoat, and managed to get into his boots at the bottom of the stairs, while Henchard thrust his hat over his head. Whittle then trotted on down Back Street, Henchard walking sternly behind.

Just at this time Farfrae, who had been to Henchard's house to look for him, came out of the back gate, and saw something white fluttering in the morning gloom, which he soon perceived to be the part of Abel's shirt that showed below his waistcoat.

"For maircy's sake, what object's this?" said Farfrae, following Abel into the yard, Henchard being some way in the rear by this time.

"Ye see, Mr Farfrae," gibbered Abel with a resigned smile of terror, "he said he'd mortify my flesh if so be I didn't get up sooner, and now he's a-doing on't! Ye see it can't be helped, Mr Farfrae; things do happen queer sometimes! Yes - I'll go to Blackmoor Vale half naked as I be, since he do command; but I shall kill myself afterwards; I can't outlive the disgrace; for the women-folk will be looking out of their winders at my mortification all the way along, and laughing me to scorn as a man 'ithout breeches! You know how I feel such things, Maister Farfrae, and how forlorn thoughts get hold upon me. Yes - I shall do myself harm - I feel it coming on!""Get back home, and slip on your breeches, and come to wark like a man!

If ye go not, you'll ha'e your death standing there!""I'm afeard I mustn't! Mr Henchard said - "

"I don't care what Mr Henchard said, nor anybody else!'Tis simple foolishness to do this. Go and dress yourself instantly, Whittle.""Hullo, hullo!" said Henchard, coming up behind. "Who's sending him back?"All the men looked towards Farfrae.

"I am," said Donald. "I say this joke has been carried far enough.""And I say it hasn't! Get up in the waggon, Whittle.""Not if I am manager," said Farfrae. "He either goes home, or I march out of this yard for good."Henchard looked at him with a face stern and red. But he paused for a moment, and their eyes met. Donald went up to him, for he saw in Henchard's look that he began to regret this.

"Come," said Donald quietly, "a man o' your position should ken better, sir! It is tyrannical and no worthy of you.""'Tis not tyrannical!" murmured Henchard, like a sullen boy. "It is to make him remember!" He presently added, in a tone of one bitterly hurt:

"Why did you speak to me before them like that, Farfrae? You might have stopped till we were alone. Ah - I know why! I've told ye the secret o' my life - fool that I was to do't - and you take advantage of me!""I had forgot it," said Farfrae simply.

同类推荐
  • 佛说大白伞盖总持陀罗尼经

    佛说大白伞盖总持陀罗尼经

    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。
  • 华阳陶隐居集

    华阳陶隐居集

    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。
  • Indian Summer of a Forsyte

    Indian Summer of a Forsyte

    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。
  • MY WORLD

    MY WORLD

    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。
  • 解除篇

    解除篇

    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
  • 殷塬

    殷塬

    万年前,世间唯一的祖帝刑洛炼化十大神器,打造世界第一神器,结果十大神器力量排斥外溢,四界所有异能者修为全部被削减一阶,天道规则紊乱,异能者再无一人踏出那一步,刑洛也遭反噬重伤,不久后死亡,十大神器也破损遗失在四界各地,世间再无出祖帝,直到一个少年的出现,一切发生了转变,奇迹从这里上演……
  • 商女妖娆,霸主夫君请休妻

    商女妖娆,霸主夫君请休妻

    一朝穿越,她重生为商人之女。似乎挣钱成了她的消遣。消遣的余时,她和他开始了一段荡人心肠的爱情曲谱。【情节虚构,请勿模仿】
  • 于君指上听梵音:那些参透凡尘的经典禅意美文

    于君指上听梵音:那些参透凡尘的经典禅意美文

    人生朝露,居世屯蹇;何以解忧,唯有慧禅。 兴逐时来,芳草中撒履闲行,野鸟忘机时作伴;景与心会,落花下披襟兀坐。白云无语漫相留。收录118篇沁人心脾的禅意美文,118段引人沉思的禅思感悟,在传承中滋养心灵,在关爱中呵护成长。置身其中,感悟智者的悲悯情怀,心灵的超脱将永无止境。
  • 掌上帝国之短暂的西晋

    掌上帝国之短暂的西晋

    成王败寇,命也运也。但机会永远只留给有准备的人,准备好了,看准时机,你就能成就霸业。正所谓命运要掌握在自己的手上才是王道,把命运交给别人只能任人宰割。
  • 英雄联盟之最强王牌

    英雄联盟之最强王牌

    展惕一名高中生,以idChineseADC盘踞在韩美两服的最强ADC。为何冠军都是别国的?国服的水平不够?莫知啊……一切从一场车祸开始!(申明一点,这里的赛场赛制是我重新构思的新面貌,有些是取决于现实的资料,但有些我注入了新的思路,还请各位书友不要拿现实里的来一一对比。)
  • 护法论

    护法论

    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。
  • 你好薄先生

    你好薄先生

    (甜酥宠文1对1)他是帝都豪门继承人,全球最大集团幕后boss,位高权重,传说霸道凶狠杀人不眨眼,高冷禁欲不近女色。她前世识人不明,惨遭男友背叛,后妈陷害,死于非命。一朝重生,没想到却遭到薄祁瑾的骗婚,她将计就计,用尽办法讨好薄祁瑾,想借他复仇。婚后薄祁瑾花式宠妻,陪她斗后妈,治渣男,整绿茶,打白莲,让她从十八线一跃成为万众瞩目的影后……他就像只老虎,而她,最擅长的就是扮猪吃老虎……
  • 迷失的国度

    迷失的国度

    在这座城市里,关于工作,处在时尚潮流杂志这个华丽浮躁的圈子的种种潜规则之中。跌宕起伏的公司间的竞争还有内部的明争暗斗,商界精英与都市丽人之间的情感纠葛。
  • 末日断章

    末日断章

    从天而降的流星,孕育了世界光明下的阴影。绝望的碎片,希望的心灵。于无数次的追寻中,追溯一切的开始。
  • 重生之我真不是咸鱼

    重生之我真不是咸鱼

    小职员余弦一场酒醉,重生回到2001年。这一世发财把妹吃香喝辣,绝不再咸鱼!