the cruise of the jasper b[1].(杰斯帕·b·之游)-第54章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
millions。
Then he withdrew permanently from business； as Lady Agatha
complained that it took too much of his time； moreover； he shrank from
notoriety； which his stock market operations were beginning to bring upon
him。
Giuseppe Jones； who recovered of his wounds； forswore anarchy and
185
… Page 186…
THE CRUISE OF THE JASPER B。
became a newspaper reporter； and grew to be a fast friend of Cleggett；
who discovered that he was a lad of parts。 Cleggett eventually made him
president of a college of journalism which he founded。 While he was
establishing the institution the man Wharton； his old managing editor；
broken； shattered； out of work； and a hopeless drunkard； came to him and
begged for a position。 The man had sunk so low that he was repeatedly
arrested for pretending to be blind on the street corners； and had
debauched an innocent dog to assist in this deception。 Cleggett forgave
him the slights of many years and made him an assistant janitor in the new
college of journalism。
The post is a sinecure； and well within even the man Wharton's
powers。
Cap'n Abernethy travels with the Cleggetts a great deal； under the
hallucination； which they humor； that he is of service to them。 The
children are very fond of him。 At Claiborne Castle Cleggett has had a
shallow lake constructed for him。 There the Captain； still firm in the
belief that he is a sailor； loves to potter about with catboats and rafts。
Dr。 Farnsworth enjoys a lucrative position as physician to the Cleggett
family； and Kuroki is their butler。
By 1925 the prejudice against militants had abated in certain exalted
circles in England； and Lady Agatha Cleggett and her husband were much
at court。
Cleggett； hating notoriety； had endeavored to conceal the story of his
adventures along the dangerous coasts of Long Island； but concealment
was impossible。 After the death of the old Earl of Claiborne； and the
demise of Reginald Maltravers； and Cleggett's purchase of the Claiborne
estate； the King wished Cleggett to take the title of Earl of Claiborne。
His Majesty sent the Premier to sound Cleggett upon the matter。
〃No； no；〃 said Cleggett affably。 〃I couldn't think of it。 I am quite
democratic； you know。〃
The second time the King sent one of the Royal Dukes to see Cleggett。
They were at a house party in Wales； and Cleggett was a little disturbed
186
… Page 187…
THE CRUISE OF THE JASPER B。
that this business affair should be brought up at a gathering so distinctly
social in its nature。 He was too tactful to let it be seen； but secretly he
felt that in approaching the matter in that fashion the Duke had erred in
taste。
〃But we need men like you in the House of Lords；〃 pleaded the Duke。
〃I cannot think of it；〃 said Cleggett。 And then； not wishing to hurt the
Englishman's feelings； he said kindly： 〃But I will promise you this： if I
should change my mind and decide to become a member of any
aristocracy at all； it will be the English aristocracy。〃
The Duke thanked Cleggett for the compliment； and Cleggett thought
he had heard the end of it。
He was； therefore； surprised； a few weeks later； as he was conversing
with the King at Buckingham Palace； when His Majesty himself； laying
his hand familiarly on Cleggett's shoulder； renewed the petition in person。
It is hard to refuse things continually without seeming unappreciative。 In
fact； Cleggett felt trapped； if the truth must be known； he was a little
angry。
〃Come； come； Cleggett；〃 said the King； 〃lay aside your prejudices and
oblige me。 After all； it is not the sort of thing I run about offering to
every American in London！〃
〃Your Majesty；〃 said Cleggett； politely but with a note of firmness and
finality in his voice； 〃since you mention the word American you force me
to speak plainly。 I would not willingly wound your sensibilities in any
particular； butpardon me if I am directyou have been very persistent。
I AM an American； your Majesty； and I consider the honor of being an
American citizen far above any that it is within your power to bestow。 If
I have not mentioned this before； it was because I did not wish to hurt you。
I hope our friendship will not cease； but I must tell you flatly that I desire
to hear no more of this。 You will oblige me by not mentioning it again；
Your Majesty。〃
The King begged Cleggett's pardon with a becoming sincerity； and was
about to withdraw。 Cleggett； who liked him immensely； was sudden
187
… Page 188…
THE CRUISE OF THE JASPER B。
smitten with a regret that it had been so impossible to oblige him。
〃Your Majesty；〃 he cried impulsively； 〃I BEG of you not to get the
idea that there is anything personal in this refusal。〃
〃I respect principle；〃 said the King gravely。 But he WAS hurt and
could not help showing it； and he was a little stiff。
〃We will compromise；〃 said Cleggett； with a flash of inspiration。
〃I will let you have my second son； Athos Cleggett。 You may make
him Earl of Claiborne； if you choose。 After all； HE is half English！〃
〃That is like your generosity； Cleggett；〃 said the King； smiling； and
giving Cleggett his hand。
End Project Gutenberg Etext of The Cruise of the Jasper B。
188
