登陆注册
5363000000092

第92章

At last she could bear his nervous way no longer, it made her equally nervous and fidgety. She would speak. "When are you going, father? I don't know the time o' the trains." "And why shouldst thou know?" replied he, gruffly. "Meddle with thy ironing, but donnot be asking questions about what doesn't concern thee." "I wanted to get you something to eat first," answered she, gently. "Thou dost not know that I'm laming to do without food," said he. Mary looked at him to see if he spoke jestingly. No! he looked savagely grave. She finished her bit of ironing, and began preparing the food she was sure her father needed; for by this time her experience in the degrees of hunger had taught her that his present irritability was increased, if not caused, by want of food. He had had a sovereign given him to pay his expenses as delegate to Glasgow, and out of this he had given Mary a few shillings in the morning; so she bad been able to buy a sufficient meal, and now her care was to cook it so as most to tempt him. "If thou'rt doing that for me, Mary, thou may'st spare thy labour. I telled thee I were not for eating." "Just a little bit, father, before starting," coaxed Mary, perseveringly. At that instant who should come in but Job Legh. It was not often he came, but when he did pay visits, Mary knew from past experience they were anything but short. Her father's countenance fell back into the deep gloom from which it was but just emerging at the sound of Mary's sweet voice, and pretty pleading. He became again restless and fidgety, scarcely giving Job Legh the greeting necessary for a host in his own house. Job, however, did not stand upon ceremony. He had come to pay a visit, and was not to be daunted from his purpose. He was interested in John Barton's mission to Glasgow, and wanted to hear all about it; so he sat down, and made himself comfortable, in a manner that Mary saw was meant to be stationary. "So thou'rt off to Glasgow, art thou?" he began his catechism. "Aye." "When art starting?" "To-night." "That I knowed. But by what train?" That was just what Mary wanted to know; but what apparently her father was in no mood to tell. He got up without speaking, and went up-stairs.

Mary knew from his step, and his way, how much he was put out, and feared Job would see it, too. But no! Job seemed imperturbable. So much the better, and perhaps she could cover her father's rudeness by her own civility to so kind a friend. So, half listening to her father's movements up-stairs (passionate, violent, restless motions they were), and half attending to Job Legh, she tried to pay him all due regard. "When does thy father start, Mary?" That plaguing question again. "Oh! very soon. I'm just getting him a bit of supper. Is Margaret very well?" "Yes, she's well enough. She's meaning to go and keep Alice Wilson company for an hour or so this evening; as soon as she thinks her nephew will have started for Liverpool; for she fancies the old woman will feel a bit lonesome.

Th' Union is paying for your father, I suppose?" "Yes, they've giv'n him a sovereign. You're one of th' Union, Job?" "Aye! I'm one, sure enough; but I'm but a sleeping partner in the concern.

I were obliged to become a member for peace, else I don't go along with 'em. Yo see they think themselves wise, and me silly, for differing with them! Well! there's no harm in that. But then they won't let me be silly in peace and quietness, but will force me to be as wise as they are; now that's not British liberty, I say. I'm forced to be wise according to their notions, else they persecute me, and starve me out." What could her father be doing up-stairs? Tramping and banging about. Why did he not come down? Or why did not Job go? The supper would be spoilt. But Job had no notion of going. "You see my folly is this, Mary. I would take what I could get; I think half a loaf is better than no bread. I would work for low wages rather than sit idle and starve. But, comes the Trades' Union, and says, 'Well, if you take the half-loaf; we'll worry you out of your life. Will you be clemmed, or will you be worried?' Now clemming is a quiet death, and worrying isn't, so I choose clemming, and come into th' Union. But I'd wish they'd leave me free, if I am a fool." Creak, creak, went the stairs. Her father was coming down at last. Yes, he came down, but more doggedly fierce than before, and made up for the journey, too; with his little bundle on his arm. He went up to Job, and, more civilly than Mary expected, wished him good-bye. He then turned to her, and in a short cold manner, bade her farewell. "Oh! father, don't go yet. Your supper is all ready. Stay one moment." But he pushed her away, and was gone. She followed him to the door, her eyes blinded by sudden tears; she stood there looking after him. He was so strange, so cold, so hard. Suddenly, at the end of the court, he turned, and saw her standing there; he came back quickly, and took her in his arms. "God bless thee, Mary!--God in heaven bless thee, poor child!" She threw her arms round his neck. "Don't go yet, father; I can't bear you to go yet. Come in, and eat some supper; you look so ghastly; dear father, do!" "No," he said, faintly and mournfully. "It's best as it is. I couldn't eat, and it's best to be off. I cannot be still at home. I must be moving." So saying, he unlaced her soft twining arms, and kissing her once more, set off on his fierce errand. And he was out of sight! She did not know why, but she had never before felt so depressed, so desolate. She turned in to Job, who sat there still.

同类推荐
  • 家世旧闻

    家世旧闻

    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。
  • Twenty-Two Goblins

    Twenty-Two Goblins

    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。
  • 太微灵书紫文仙忌真记上经

    太微灵书紫文仙忌真记上经

    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。
  • 偷闲庐诗话

    偷闲庐诗话

    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。
  • 大方广如来藏经

    大方广如来藏经

    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。
热门推荐
  • 魔尊愤怒了妖界公主快逃跑

    魔尊愤怒了妖界公主快逃跑

    在校园里,每天都发生着有趣的事。让我们去看看吧!
  • 心灵茶坊

    心灵茶坊

    很多人都想改造这个世界,却很少有人想改造自己。改变也许不难,也许一条故事,就能点亮你心灵的人生感悟。本书汇集古今中外最贴近青少年的心理励志故事,一起重温心灵鸡汤带来的感动。
  • 异星垦荒团

    异星垦荒团

    异虫大军:嗷嗷嗷!人类枪兵:哒哒哒哒!灵能利刃:唰唰唰!
  • 最强大脑训练课:越玩越好玩的365个猜谜游戏

    最强大脑训练课:越玩越好玩的365个猜谜游戏

    谜语在我国源远流长、历史悠久,自古以来就是一种广为流传的民间文学形式。本书共包含十个章节,让每天处于忙碌生活的人们能够在猜谜的游戏中获得快乐,既能陶冶情操,又能学到知识,促进智力的增长。
  • 帝少心尖宠:夜少耍无赖!

    帝少心尖宠:夜少耍无赖!

    “不是说了不准接近陌生男人吗?”某男黑着脸问。“他是我的学长.”“那他呢?”某男说。“他是影帝,我前辈!”“他呢?”他只是我小时候救的一个男孩。”“不行!小白脸,还想跟我抢老婆!”某男非常霸道地把某女圈在怀中。某女欲哭无泪,渣男背叛,她居然傻乎乎地拉着一个醋缸子去结婚,遭报应了吧!然而,突然有一天,一个小奶包横空出世……“哪来的给我滚哪去!”某男黑着脸说道。“哼!听你的是猪!”小奶包不服气的做了个鬼脸。“就你这小身板,跟我抢老婆!”某男脸更黑了。“那也总比你好!看着父子俩的互怼,某女黑了脸:“滚!今晚你们谁也别想上我床!”某女狠狠关上了门。某父子俩相视得出一个结论……看来今晚又要爬窗了
  • 醉妄澜笙

    醉妄澜笙

    身份本迷,老先生言十八既去。她临近崩溃,红簪指引,记忆寻回。那时试炼,恰与君逢,缘解成迷。—“你父母呢?”—“不重要。”不重要吗?不是,只是他并没有见过几面。秋心坛碎,愁亦难消。那人予笛。琴笛相闻,逢忆,未言,百劫倾恋。终晓。一曲了,“曲名,醉妄澜笙”
  • 憩园词话

    憩园词话

    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。
  • 远去的日子

    远去的日子

    长大是记忆渐遥,回忆不深。美好的、不好的终将流逝。
  • 外科瘿瘤疣痣门

    外科瘿瘤疣痣门

    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。
  • 我只是忘了忘记你

    我只是忘了忘记你

    北大有史以来最离奇的一场学生会选举。一场缺席胜选引出的却是一段虐心恋战。一个是名门之后、高贵儒雅、痴心独恋;一个是孤行游侠、风流倜傥、野性正义。两位候选人背后却站着同一个女人。选择爱,还是选择被爱?这是每个人内心的终极问题。