the professor(教授)-第14章
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has seldom existed。”
“Sirrah！ sirrah！” reiterated Crimsworth； and to complete his
apostrophe； he cracked the whip straight over my head。
A minute sufficed to wrest it from him； break it in two pieces；
and throw it under the grate。 He made a headlong rush at me；
which I evaded； and said—
“Touch me； and I’ll have you up before the nearest magistrate。”
Men like Crimsworth； if firmly and calmly resisted； always
abate something of their exorbitant insolence； he had no mind to
be brought before a magistrate； and I suppose he saw I meant
what I said。 After an odd and long stare at me； at once bull…like
and amazed； he seemed to bethink himself that； after all； his
money gave him sufficient superiority over a beggar like me； and
that he had in his hands a surer and more dignified mode of
revenge than the somewhat hazardous one of personal
chastisement。
“Take your hat；” said he。 “Take what belongs to you； and go out
at that door； get away to your parish； you pauper： beg； steal；
starve； get transported； do what you like； but at your peril venture
again into my sight！ If ever I hear of your setting foot on an inch of
ground belonging to me； I’ll hire a man to cane you。”
“It is not likely you’ll have the chance； once off your premises；
what temptation can I have to return to them？ I leave a prison； I
leave a tyrant； I leave what is worse than the worst that can lie
before me； so no fear of my coming back。”
“Go； or I’ll make you！” exclaimed Crimsworth。
I walked deliberately to my desk； took out such of its contents
as were my own property； put them in my pocket； locked the desk；
and placed the key on the top。
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The Professor 53
“What are you abstracting from that desk？” demanded the mill…
owner。 “Leave all behind in its place； or I’ll send for a policeman
to search you。”
“Look sharp about it； then；” said I； and I took down my hat；
drew on my gloves； and walked leisurely out of the counting…house
—walked out of it to enter it no more。
I recollect that when the mill…bell rang the dinner hour； before
Mr。 Crimsworth entered； and the scene above related took place； I
had had rather a sharp appetite； and had been waiting somewhat
impatiently to hear the signal of feeding time。 I forgot it now；
however； the images of potatoes and roast mutton were effaced
from my mind by the stir and tumult which the transaction of the
last half…hour had there excited。 I only thought of walking； that the
action of my muscles might harmonize with the action of my
nerves； and walk I did； fast and far。 How could I do otherwise？ A
load was lifted off my heart； I felt light and liberated。 I had got
away from Bigben Close without a breach of resolution； without
injury to my self…respect。 I had not forced circumstances；
circumstances had freed me。 Life was again open to me； no longer
was its horizon limited by the high black wall surrounding
Crimsworth’s mill。 Two hours had elapsed before my sensations
had so far subsided as to leave me calm enough to remark for what
wider and clearer boundaries I had exchanged that sooty girdle。
When I did look up； lo！ straight before me lay Grovetown； a village
of villas about five miles out of X—。 The short winter day； as I
perceived from the far…declined sun； was already approaching its
close； a chill frost…mist was rising from the river on which X—
stands； and along whose banks the road I had taken lay； it dimmed
the earth； but did not obscure the clear icy blue of the January
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The Professor 54
sky。 There was a great stillness near and far； the time of the day
favoured tranquillity； as the people were all employed within…
doors； the hour of evening release from the factories not being yet
arrived； a sound of full…flowing water alone pervaded the air； for
the river was deep and abundant； swelled by the melting of a late
snow。 I stood awhile； leaning over a wall； and looking down at the
current： I watched the rapid rush of its waves。 I desired memory to
take a clear and permanent impression of the scene； and treasure
it for future years。 Grovetown church clock struck four； looking
up； I beheld the last of that day’s sun； glinting red through the
leafless boughs of some very old oak trees surrounding the
church—its light coloured and characterized the picture as I
wished。 I paused yet a moment； till the sweet； slow sound of the
bell had quite died out of the air； then ear； eye and feeling
satisfied； I quitted the wall and once more turned my face towards
X—。
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Chapter VI
re…entered the town a hungry man； the dinner I had forgotten
recurred seductively to my recollection； and it was with a
Iquick step and sharp appetite I ascended the narrow street
leading to my lodgings。 It was dark when I opened the front door
and walked into the house。 I wondered how my fire would be； the
night was cold； and I shuddered at the prospect of a grate full of
sparkless cinders。 To my joyful surprise； I found； on entering my
sitting…room； a good fire and a clean hearth。 I had hardly noticed
this phenomenon； when I became aware of another subject for
wonderment； the chair I usually occupied near the hearth was
already filled； a person sat there with his。 arms folded on his chest；
and his legs stretched out on the rug。 Short…sighted as I am；
doubtful as was the gleam of the firelight； a moment’s examination
enabled me to recognize in this person my acquaintance； Mr。
Hunsden。 I could not of course be much pleased to see him；
considering the manner in which I had parted from him the night
before； and as I walked to the hearth； stirred the fire； and said
coolly； “Good evening；” my demeanour evinced as little cordiality
as I felt； yet I wondered in my own mind what had brought him
there； and I wondered； also； what motives had induced him to
interfere so actively between me and Edward； it was to him； it
appeared； that I owed my welcome dismissal； still I could not bring
myself to ask him questions； to show any eagerness of curiosity； if
he chose to explain； he might； but the explanation should be a
perfectly voluntary one on his part； I thought he was entering
upon it。
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