the poet at the breakfast table-第73章
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boarders was heard with regret by all who met around her table。 The
Member of the Haouse inquired of me whether I could tell him if the
Lamb Tahvern was kept well abaout these times。 He knew that members
from his place used to stop there； but he hadn't heerd much abaout it
of late years。 I had to inform him that that fold of rural innocence
had long ceased offering its hospitalities to the legislative； flock。
He found refuge at last； I have learned； in a great public house in
the northern section of the city； where； as he said； the folks all
went up stairs in a rat…trap； and the last I heard of him was looking
out of his somewhat elevated attic…window in a northwesterly
direction in hopes that he might perhaps get a sight of the Grand
Monadnock； a mountain in New Hampshire which I have myself ；seen from
the top of Bunker Hill Monument。
The Member of the Haouse seems to have been more in a hurry to find a
new resting…place than the other boarders。 By the first of January；
however； our whole company was scattered； never to meet again around
the board where we had been so long together。
The Lady moved to the house where she had passed many of her
prosperous years。 It had been occupied by a rich family who had
taken it nearly as it stood； and as the pictures had been dusted
regularly； and the books had never been handled； she found everything
in many respects as she had left it； and in some points improved； for
the rich people did not know what else to do； and so they spent money
without stint on their house and its adornments； by all of which she
could not help profiting。 I do not choose to give the street and
number of the house where she lives； but a…great many poor people
know very well where it is； and as a matter of course the rich ones
roll up to her door in their carriages by the dozen every fine Monday
while anybody is in town。
It is whispered that our two young folks are to be married before
another season； and that the Lady has asked them to come and stay
with her for a while。 Our Scheherezade is to write no more stories。
It is astonishing to see what a change for the better in her aspect a
few weeks of brain…rest and heart's ease have wrought in her。 I
doubt very much whether she ever returns to literary labor。 The work
itself was almost heart…breaking； but the effect upon her of the
sneers and cynical insolences of the literary rough who came at her
in mask and brass knuckles was to give her what I fear will be a
lifelong disgust against any writing for the public； especially in
any of the periodicals。 I am not sorry that she should stop writing；
but I am sorry that she should have been silenced in such a rude way。
I doubt； too； whether the Young Astronomer will pass the rest of his
life in hunting for comets and planets。 I think he has found an
attraction that will call him down from the celestial luminaries to a
light not less pure and far less remote。 And I am inclined to
believe that the best answer to many of those questions which have
haunted him and found expression in his verse will be reached by a
very different channel from that of lonely contemplation； the duties；
the cares； the responsible realities of a life drawn out of itself by
the power of newly awakened instincts and affections。 The double
star was prophetic；I thought it would be。
The Register of Deeds is understood to have been very handsomely
treated by the boarder who owes her good fortune to his sagacity and
activity。 He has engaged apartments at a very genteel boarding…house
not far from the one where we have all been living。 The Salesman
found it a simple matter to transfer himself to an establishment over
the way； he had very little to move； and required very small
accommodations。
The Capitalist； however； seems to have felt it impossible to move
without ridding himself of a part atleast of his encumbrances。 The
community was startled by the announcement that a citizen who did not
wish his name to be known had made a free gift of a large sum of
moneyit was in tens of thousandsto an institution of long
standing and high character in the city of which he was a quiet
resident。 The source of such a gift could not long be kept secret。
It； was our economical； not to say parsimonious Capitalist who had
done this noble act； and the poor man had to skulk through back
streets and keep out of sight； as if he were a show character in a
travelling caravan； to avoid the acknowledgments of his liberality；
which met him on every hand and put him fairly out of countenance。
That Boy has gone； in virtue of a special invitation； to make a visit
of indefinite length at the house of the father of the older boy；
whom we know by the name of Johnny。 Of course he is having a good
time； for Johnny's father is full of fun； and tells first…rate
stories； and if neither of the boys gets his brains kicked out by the
pony； or blows himself up with gunpowder； or breaks through the ice
and gets drowned； they will have a fine time of it this winter。
The Scarabee could not bear to remove his collections； and the old
Master was equally unwilling to disturb his books。 It was arranged；
therefore； that they should keep their apartments until the new
tenant should come into the house； when； if they were satisfied with
her management； they would continue as her boarders。
The last time I saw the Scarabee he was still at work on the meloe
question。 He expressed himself very pleasantly towards all of us；
his fellow…boarders； and spoke of the kindness and consideration with
which the Landlady had treated him when he had been straitened at
times for want of means。 Especially he seemed to be interested in
our young couple who were soon to be united。 His tired old eyes
glistened as he asked about them；could it be that their little
romance recalled some early vision of his own？ However that may be；
he got up presently and went to a little box in which； as he said； he
kept some choice specimens。 He brought to me in his hand something
which glittered。 It was an exquisite diamond beetle。
If you could get that to her；he said；they tell me that ladies
sometimes wear them in their hair。 If they are out of fashion； she
can keep it till after they're married； and then perhaps after a
while there may beyou knowyou know what I meanthere may
be larvae； that 's what I 'm thinking there may be； and they 'll like
to look at it。
As he got out the word larvae； a faint sense of the ridiculous
seemed to take hold of the Scarabee； and for the first and only time
during my acquaintance with him a slight attempt at a smile showed
itself on his features。 It was barely perceptible and gone almost as
soon as seen； yet I am pleased to put it on record that on one
occasion at least in his life the Scarabee smiled。
The old Master keeps adding notes and reflections and new suggestions
to his interleaved volume； but I doubt if he ever gives them to the
public。 The study he has proposed to himself does not grow easier
the longer it is pursued。 The whole Order of Things can hardly be
completely unravelled in any single person's lifetime； and I suspect
he will have to adjourn the final stage of his investigations to that
more luminous realm where the Landlady hopes to rejoin the company of
boarders who are nevermore to meet around her cheerful and well…
ordered table。
The curtain has now fallen； and I show myself a moment before it to
thank my audience and say farewell。 The second comer is commonly
less welcome than the first； and the third makes but a rash venture。
I hope I have not wholly disappointed those who have been so kind to
my predecessors。
To you； Beloved； who have never failed to cut the leaves which hold
my record； who have never nodded over its pages； who have never
hesitated in your allegiance； who have greeted me with unfailing
smiles and part from me with unfeigned regrets； to you I look my last
adieu as I bow myself out of sight； trusting my poor efforts to your
always kind remembrance。
EPILOGUE TO THE BREAKFAST…TABLE SERIES
AUTOCRATPROFESSORPOET。
AT A BOOKSTORE。
