levelplatform,andsawtheengine-driver,andaskedhimifhewasgoingtoKingston。Hesaidhecouldn\'tsayforcertainofcourse,butthatheratherthoughthewas。Anyhow,ifhewasn\'tthe11。5forKingston,hesaidhewasprettyconfidenthewasthe9。32forVirginiaWater,orthe10a。m。expressfortheIsleofWight,orsomewhereinthatdirection,andweshouldallknowwhenwegotthere。Weslippedhalf-a-crownintohishand,andbeggedhimtobethe11。5forKingston。
\"Nobodywilleverknow,onthisline,\"wesaid,\"whatyouare,orwhereyou\'regoing。Youknowtheway,youslipoffquietlyandgotoKingston。\"
\"Well,Idon\'tknow,gents,\"repliedthenoblefellow,\"butIsupposeSOMEtrain\'sgottogotoKingston;andI\'lldoit。Gimmethehalf-
crown。\"
ThuswegottoKingstonbytheLondonandSouth-WesternRailway。
Welearnt,afterwards,thatthetrainwehadcomebywasreallytheExetermail,andthattheyhadspenthoursatWaterloo,lookingforit,andnobodyknewwhathadbecomeofit。
OurboatwaswaitingforusatKingstonjustbelowbridge,andtoitwewendedourway,androunditwestoredourluggage,andintoitwestepped。
\"Areyouallright,sir?\"saidtheman。
\"Rightitis,\"weanswered;andwithHarrisatthescullsandIatthetiller-lines,andMontmorency,unhappyanddeeplysuspicious,intheprow,outweshotontothewaterswhich,forafortnight,weretobeourhome。
CHAPTERVI。
KINGSTON-INSTRUCTIVEREMARKSONEARLYENGLISHHISTORY-INSTRUCTIVE
OBSERVATIONSONCARVEDOAKANDLIFEINGENERAL-SADCASEOFSTIVVINGS,JUNIOR-MUSINGSONANTIQUITY-IFORGETTHATIAMSTEERING-
INTERESTINGRESULT-HAMPTONCOURTMAZE-HARRISASAGUIDE。
ITwasagloriousmorning,latespringorearlysummer,asyoucaretotakeit,whenthedaintysheenofgrassandleafisblushingtoadeepergreen;andtheyearseemslikeafairyoungmaid,tremblingwithstrange,wakeningpulsesonthebrinkofwomanhood。
ThequaintbackstreetsofKingston,wheretheycamedowntothewater\'sedge,lookedquitepicturesqueintheflashingsunlight,theglintingriverwithitsdriftingbarges,thewoodedtowpath,thetrim-keptvillasontheotherside,Harris,inaredandorangeblazer,gruntingawayatthesculls,thedistantglimpsesofthegreyoldpalaceoftheTudors,allmadeasunnypicture,sobrightbutcalm,sofulloflife,andyetsopeaceful,that,earlyinthedaythoughitwas,Ifeltmyselfbeingdreamilylulledoffintoamusingfit。
ImusedonKingston,or\"Kyningestun,\"asitwasoncecalledinthedayswhenSaxon\"kinges\"werecrownedthere。GreatCaesarcrossedtheriverthere,andtheRomanlegionscampeduponitsslopinguplands。Caesar,like,inlateryears,Elizabeth,seemstohavestoppedeverywhere:onlyhewasmorerespectablethangoodQueenBess;hedidn\'tputupatthepublic-houses。
Shewasnutsonpublic-houses,wasEngland\'sVirginQueen。There\'sscarcelyapub。ofanyattractionswithintenmilesofLondonthatshedoesnotseemtohavelookedinat,orstoppedat,orsleptat,sometimeorother。Iwondernow,supposingHarris,say,turnedoveranewleaf,andbecameagreatandgoodman,andgottobePrimeMinister,anddied,iftheywouldputupsignsoverthepublic-housesthathehadpatronised:
\"Harrishadaglassofbitterinthishouse;\"\"HarrishadtwoofScotchcoldhereinthesummerof`88;\"\"HarriswaschuckedfromhereinDecember,1886。\"
No,therewouldbetoomanyofthem!Itwouldbethehousesthathehadneverenteredthatwouldbecomefamous。\"OnlyhouseinSouthLondonthatHarrisneverhadadrinkin!\"Thepeoplewouldflocktoittoseewhatcouldhavebeenthematterwithit。
Howpoorweak-mindedKingEdwymusthavehatedKyningestun!Thecoronationfeasthadbeentoomuchforhim。Maybeboar\'sheadstuffedwithsugar-plumsdidnotagreewithhim(itwouldn\'twithme,Iknow),andhehadhadenoughofsackandmead;soheslippedfromthenoisyreveltostealaquietmoonlighthourwithhisbelovedElgiva。
Perhaps,fromthecasement,standinghand-in-hand,theywerewatchingthecalmmoonlightontheriver,whilefromthedistanthallstheboisterousrevelryfloatedinbrokenburstsoffaint-hearddinandtumult。
ThenbrutalOdoandSt。Dunstanforcetheirrudewayintothequietroom,andhurlcoarseinsultsatthesweet-facedQueen,anddragpoorEdwybacktotheloudclamourofthedrunkenbrawl。
Yearslater,tothecrashofbattle-music,SaxonkingsandSaxonrevelrywereburiedsidebyside,andKingston\'sgreatnesspassedawayforatime,toriseoncemorewhenHamptonCourtbecamethepalaceoftheTudorsandtheStuarts,andtheroyalbargesstrainedattheirmooringsontheriver\'sbank,andbright-cloakedgallantsswaggereddownthewater-stepstocry:\"WhatFerry,ho!Gadzooks,gramercy。\"
Manyoftheoldhouses,roundabout,speakveryplainlyofthosedayswhenKingstonwasaroyalborough,andnoblesandcourtierslivedthere,neartheirKing,andthelongroadtothepalacegateswasgayalldaywithclankingsteelandprancingpalfreys,andrustlingsilksandvelvets,andfairfaces。Thelargeandspacioushouses,withtheiroriel,latticedwindows,theirhugefireplaces,andtheirgabledroofs,breatheofthedaysofhoseanddoublet,ofpearl-embroideredstomachers,andcomplicatedoaths。Theywereupraisedinthedays\"whenmenknewhowtobuild。\"Thehardredbrickshaveonlygrownmorefirmlysetwithtime,andtheiroakstairsdonotcreakandgruntwhenyoutrytogodownthemquietly。
SpeakingofoakstaircasesremindsmethatthereisamagnificentcarvedoakstaircaseinoneofthehousesinKingston。Itisashopnow,inthemarket-place,butitwasevidentlyoncethemansionofsomegreatpersonage。Afriendofmine,wholivesatKingston,wentintheretobuyahatoneday,and,inathoughtlessmoment,puthishandinhispocketandpaidforitthenandthere。
Theshopman(heknowsmyfriend)wasnaturallyalittlestaggeredatfirst;but,quicklyrecoveringhimself,andfeelingthatsomethingoughttobedonetoencouragethissortofthing,askedourheroifhewouldliketoseesomefineoldcarvedoak。Myfriendsaidhewould,andtheshopman,thereupon,tookhimthroughtheshop,andupthestaircaseofthehouse。Thebalusterswereasuperbpieceofworkmanship,andthewallallthewayupwasoak-panelled,withcarvingthatwouldhavedonecredittoapalace。
Fromthestairs,theywentintothedrawing-room,whichwasalarge,brightroom,decoratedwithasomewhatstartlingthoughcheerfulpaperofablueground。Therewasnothing,however,remarkableabouttheapartment,andmyfriendwonderedwhyhehadbeenbroughtthere。Theproprietorwentuptothepaper,andtappedit。Itgaveforthawoodensound。
\"Oak,\"heexplained。\"Allcarvedoak,rightuptotheceiling,justthesameasyousawonthestaircase。\"
\"But,greatCaesar!man,\"expostulatedmyfriend;\"youdon\'tmeantosayyouhavecoveredovercarvedoakwithbluewall-paper?\"
\"Yes,\"wasthereply:\"itwasexpensivework。Hadtomatch-boarditalloverfirst,ofcourse。Buttheroomlookscheerfulnow。Itwasawfulgloomybefore。\"
Ican\'tsayIaltogetherblametheman(whichisdoubtlessagreatrelieftohismind)。Fromhispointofview,whichwouldbethatoftheaveragehouseholder,desiringtotakelifeaslightlyaspossible,andnotthatoftheold-curiosity-shopmaniac,thereisreasononhisside。Carvedoakisverypleasanttolookat,andtohavealittleof,butitisnodoubtsomewhatdepressingtolivein,forthosewhosefancydoesnotliethatway。Itwouldbelikelivinginachurch。
No,whatwassadinhiscasewasthathe,whodidn\'tcareforcarvedoak,shouldhavehisdrawing-roompanelledwithit,whilepeoplewhodocareforithavetopayenormouspricestogetit。Itseemstobetheruleofthisworld。Eachpersonhaswhathedoesn\'twant,andotherpeoplehavewhathedoeswant。
Marriedmenhavewives,anddon\'tseemtowantthem;andyoungsinglefellowscryoutthattheycan\'tgetthem。Poorpeoplewhocanhardlykeepthemselveshaveeightheartychildren。Richoldcouples,withnoonetoleavetheirmoneyto,diechildless。
Thentherearegirlswithlovers。Thegirlsthathaveloversneverwantthem。Theysaytheywouldratherbewithoutthem,thattheybotherthem,andwhydon\'ttheygoandmakelovetoMissSmithandMissBrown,whoareplainandelderly,andhaven\'tgotanylovers?Theythemselvesdon\'twantlovers。Theynevermeantomarry。
Itdoesnotdotodwellonthesethings;itmakesonesosad。
Therewasaboyatourschool,weusedtocallhimSandfordandMerton。
HisrealnamewasStivvings。HewasthemostextraordinaryladIevercameacross。Ibelievehereallylikedstudy。HeusedtogetintoawfulrowsforsittingupinbedandreadingGreek;andasforFrenchirregularverbstherewassimplynokeepinghimawayfromthem。Hewasfullofweirdandunnaturalnotionsaboutbeingacredittohisparentsandanhonourtotheschool;andheyearnedtowinprizes,andgrowupandbeacleverman,andhadallthosesortsofweak-mindedideas。Ineverknewsuchastrangecreature,yetharmless,mindyou,asthebabeunborn。
Well,thatboyusedtogetillabouttwiceaweek,sothathecouldn\'tgotoschool。ThereneverwassuchaboytogetillasthatSandfordandMerton。Iftherewasanyknowndiseasegoingwithintenmilesofhim,hehadit,andhaditbadly。Hewouldtakebronchitisinthedog-days,andhavehay-feveratChristmas。Afterasixweeks\'periodofdrought,hewouldbestrickendownwithrheumaticfever;andhewouldgooutinaNovemberfogandcomehomewithasunstroke。
Theyputhimunderlaughing-gasoneyear,poorlad,anddrewallhisteeth,andgavehimafalseset,becausehesufferedsoterriblywithtoothache;andthenitturnedtoneuralgiaandear-ache。Hewasneverwithoutacold,exceptoncefornineweekswhilehehadscarletfever;
andhealwayshadchilblains。Duringthegreatcholerascareof1871,ourneighbourhoodwassingularlyfreefromit。Therewasonlyonereputedcaseinthewholeparish:thatcasewasyoungStivvings。
Hehadtostopinbedwhenhewasill,andeatchickenandcustardsandhot-housegrapes;andhewouldliethereandsob,becausetheywouldn\'tlethimdoLatinexercises,andtookhisGermangrammarawayfromhim。
Andweotherboys,whowouldhavesacrificedtentermsofourschool-lifeforthesakeofbeingillforaday,andhadnodesirewhatevertogiveourparentsanyexcuseforbeingstuck-upaboutus,couldn\'tcatchsomuchasastiffneck。Wefooledaboutindraughts,anditdidusgood,andfreshenedusup;andwetookthingstomakeussick,andtheymadeusfat,andgaveusanappetite。Nothingwecouldthinkofseemedtomakeusilluntiltheholidaysbegan。Then,onthebreaking-upday,wecaughtcolds,andwhoopingcough,andallkindsofdisorders,whichlastedtillthetermrecommenced;when,inspiteofeverythingwecouldmanoeuvretothecontrary,wewouldgetsuddenlywellagain,andbebetterthanever。
Suchislife;andwearebutasgrassthatiscutdown,andputintotheovenandbaked。
Togobacktothecarved-oakquestion,theymusthavehadveryfairnotionsoftheartisticandthebeautiful,ourgreat-great-grandfathers。
Why,allourarttreasuresofto-dayareonlythedug-upcommonplacesofthreeorfourhundredyearsago。Iwonderifthereisrealintrinsicbeautyintheoldsoup-plates,beer-mugs,andcandle-snuffersthatweprizesonow,orifitisonlythehaloofageglowingaroundthemthatgivesthemtheircharmsinoureyes。The\"oldblue\"thatwehangaboutourwallsasornamentswerethecommonevery-dayhouseholdutensilsofafewcenturiesago;andthepinkshepherdsandtheyellowshepherdessesthatwehandroundnowforallourfriendstogushover,andpretendtheyunderstand,weretheunvaluedmantel-ornamentsthatthemotheroftheeighteenthcenturywouldhavegiventhebabytosuckwhenhecried。
Willitbethesameinthefuture?Willtheprizedtreasuresofto-dayalwaysbethecheaptriflesofthedaybefore?Willrowsofourwillow-
patterndinner-platesberangedabovethechimneypiecesofthegreatintheyears2000andodd?Willthewhitecupswiththegoldrimandthebeautifulgoldflowerinside(speciesunknown),thatourSarahJanesnowbreakinsheerlight-heartednessofspirit,becarefullymended,andstooduponabracket,anddustedonlybytheladyofthehouse?
Thatchinadogthatornamentsthebedroomofmyfurnishedlodgings。Itisawhitedog。Itseyesblue。Itsnoseisadelicatered,withspots。
Itsheadispainfullyerect,itsexpressionisamiabilitycarriedtovergeofimbecility。Idonotadmireitmyself。Consideredasaworkofart,Imaysayitirritatesme。Thoughtlessfriendsjeeratit,andevenmylandladyherselfhasnoadmirationforit,andexcusesitspresencebythecircumstancethatherauntgaveittoher。
Butin200years\'timeitismorethanprobablethatthatdogwillbedugupfromsomewhereorother,minusitslegs,andwithitstailbroken,andwillbesoldforoldchina,andputinaglasscabinet。Andpeoplewillpassitround,andadmireit。Theywillbestruckbythewonderfuldepthofthecolouronthenose,andspeculateastohowbeautifulthebitofthetailthatislostnodoubtwas。
We,inthisage,donotseethebeautyofthatdog。Wearetoofamiliarwithit。Itislikethesunsetandthestars:wearenotawedbytheirlovelinessbecausetheyarecommontooureyes。Soitiswiththatchinadog。In2288peoplewillgushoverit。Themakingofsuchdogswillhavebecomealostart。Ourdescendantswillwonderhowwedidit,andsayhowcleverwewere。Weshallbereferredtolovinglyas\"thosegrandoldartiststhatflourishedinthenineteenthcentury,andproducedthosechinadogs。\"
The\"sampler\"thattheeldestdaughterdidatschoolwillbespokenofas\"tapestryoftheVictorianera,\"andbealmostpriceless。Theblue-and-
whitemugsofthepresent-dayroadsideinnwillbehuntedup,allcrackedandchipped,andsoldfortheirweightingold,andrichpeoplewillusethemforclaretcups;andtravellersfromJapanwillbuyupallthe\"PresentsfromRamsgate,\"and\"SouvenirsofMargate,\"thatmayhaveescapeddestruction,andtakethembacktoJedoasancientEnglishcurios。
AtthispointHarristhrewawaythesculls,gotupandlefthisseat,andsatonhisback,andstuckhislegsintheair。Montmorencyhowled,andturnedasomersault,andthetophamperjumpedup,andallthethingscameout。
Iwassomewhatsurprised,butIdidnotlosemytemper。Isaid,pleasantlyenough:
\"Hulloa!what\'sthatfor?\"
\"What\'sthatfor?Why-\"
No,onsecondthoughts,IwillnotrepeatwhatHarrissaid。Imayhavebeentoblame,Iadmitit;butnothingexcusesviolenceoflanguageandcoarsenessofexpression,especiallyinamanwhohasbeencarefullybroughtup,asIknowHarrishasbeen。Iwasthinkingofotherthings,andforgot,asanyonemighteasilyunderstand,thatIwassteering,andtheconsequencewasthatwehadgotmixedupagooddealwiththetow-
path。Itwasdifficulttosay,forthemoment,whichwasusandwhichwastheMiddlesexbankoftheriver;butwefoundoutafterawhile,andseparatedourselves。
Harris,however,saidhehaddoneenoughforabit,andproposedthatI
shouldtakeaturn;so,aswewerein,Igotoutandtookthetow-line,andrantheboatonpastHamptonCourt。Whatadearoldwallthatisthatrunsalongbytheriverthere!Ineverpassitwithoutfeelingbetterforthesightofit。Suchamellow,bright,sweetoldwall;whatacharmingpictureitwouldmake,withthelichencreepinghere,andthemossgrowingthere,ashyyoungvinepeepingoverthetopatthisspot,toseewhatisgoingonuponthebusyriver,andthesoberoldivyclusteringalittlefartherdown!Therearefiftyshadesandtintsandhuesineverytenyardsofthatoldwall。IfIcouldonlydraw,andknewhowtopaint,Icouldmakealovelysketchofthatoldwall,I\'msure。
I\'veoftenthoughtIshouldliketoliveatHamptonCourt。Itlookssopeacefulandsoquiet,anditissuchadearoldplacetorambleroundintheearlymorningbeforemanypeopleareabout。
But,there,Idon\'tsupposeIshouldreallycareforitwhenitcametoactualpractice。Itwouldbesoghastlydullanddepressingintheevening,whenyourlampcastuncannyshadowsonthepanelledwalls,andtheechoofdistantfeetrangthroughthecoldstonecorridors,andnowdrewnearer,andnowdiedaway,andallwasdeath-likesilence,savethebeatingofone\'sownheart。
Wearecreaturesofthesun,wemenandwomen。Welovelightandlife。
Thatiswhywecrowdintothetownsandcities,andthecountrygrowsmoreandmoredesertedeveryyear。Inthesunlight-inthedaytime,whenNatureisaliveandbusyallaroundus,weliketheopenhill-sidesandthedeepwoodswellenough:butinthenight,whenourMotherEarthhasgonetosleep,andleftuswaking,oh!theworldseemssolonesome,andwegetfrightened,likechildreninasilenthouse。Thenwesitandsob,andlongforthegas-litstreets,andthesoundofhumanvoices,andtheansweringthrobofhumanlife。Wefeelsohelplessandsolittleinthegreatstillness,whenthedarktreesrustleinthenight-wind。Therearesomanyghostsabout,andtheirsilentsighsmakeusfeelsosad。
Letusgathertogetherinthegreatcities,andlighthugebonfiresofamilliongas-jets,andshoutandsingtogether,andfeelbrave。
HarrisaskedmeifI\'deverbeeninthemazeatHamptonCourt。Hesaidhewentinoncetoshowsomebodyelsetheway。Hehadstudieditupinamap,anditwassosimplethatitseemedfoolish-hardlyworththetwopencechargedforadmission。Harrissaidhethoughtthatmapmusthavebeengotupasapracticaljoke,becauseitwasn\'tabitliketherealthing,andonlymisleading。ItwasacountrycousinthatHarristookin。Hesaid:
\"We\'lljustgoinhere,sothatyoucansayyou\'vebeen,butit\'sverysimple。It\'sabsurdtocallitamaze。Youkeepontakingthefirstturningtotheright。We\'lljustwalkroundfortenminutes,andthengoandgetsomelunch。\"
Theymetsomepeoplesoonaftertheyhadgotinside,whosaidtheyhadbeenthereforthree-quartersofanhour,andhadhadaboutenoughofit。
Harristoldthemtheycouldfollowhim,iftheyliked;hewasjustgoingin,andthenshouldturnroundandcomeoutagain。Theysaiditwasverykindofhim,andfellbehind,andfollowed。
Theypickedupvariousotherpeoplewhowantedtogetitover,astheywentalong,untiltheyhadabsorbedallthepersonsinthemaze。Peoplewhohadgivenupallhopesofevergettingeitherinorout,orofeverseeingtheirhomeandfriendsagain,pluckedupcourageatthesightofHarrisandhisparty,andjoinedtheprocession,blessinghim。Harrissaidheshouldjudgetheremusthavebeentwentypeople,followinghim,inall;andonewomanwithababy,whohadbeenthereallthemorning,insistedontakinghisarm,forfearoflosinghim。
Harriskeptonturningtotheright,butitseemedalongway,andhiscousinsaidhesupposeditwasaverybigmaze。
\"Oh,oneofthelargestinEurope,\"saidHarris。
\"Yes,itmustbe,\"repliedthecousin,\"becausewe\'vewalkedagoodtwomilesalready。\"
Harrisbegantothinkitratherstrangehimself,butheheldonuntil,atlast,theypassedthehalfofapennybunonthegroundthatHarris\'scousinsworehehadnoticedtheresevenminutesago。Harrissaid:\"Oh,impossible!\"butthewomanwiththebabysaid,\"Notatall,\"assheherselfhadtakenitfromthechild,andthrownitdownthere,justbeforeshemetHarris。ShealsoaddedthatshewishedsheneverhadmetHarris,andexpressedanopinionthathewasanimpostor。ThatmadeHarrismad,andheproducedhismap,andexplainedhistheory。
\"Themapmaybeallrightenough,\"saidoneoftheparty,\"ifyouknowwhereaboutsinitwearenow。\"
Harrisdidn\'tknow,andsuggestedthatthebestthingtodowouldbetogobacktotheentrance,andbeginagain。Forthebeginningagainpartofittherewasnotmuchenthusiasm;butwithregardtotheadvisabilityofgoingbacktotheentrancetherewascompleteunanimity,andsotheyturned,andtrailedafterHarrisagain,intheoppositedirection。Abouttenminutesmorepassed,andthentheyfoundthemselvesinthecentre。
Harristhoughtatfirstofpretendingthatthatwaswhathehadbeenaimingat;butthecrowdlookeddangerous,andhedecidedtotreatitasanaccident。
Anyhow,theyhadgotsomethingtostartfromthen。Theydidknowwheretheywere,andthemapwasoncemoreconsulted,andthethingseemedsimplerthanever,andofftheystartedforthethirdtime。
Andthreeminuteslatertheywerebackinthecentreagain。
Afterthat,theysimplycouldn\'tgetanywhereelse。Whateverwaytheyturnedbroughtthembacktothemiddle。Itbecamesoregularatlength,thatsomeofthepeoplestoppedthere,andwaitedfortheotherstotakeawalkround,andcomebacktothem。Harrisdrewouthismapagain,afterawhile,butthesightofitonlyinfuriatedthemob,andtheytoldhimtogoandcurlhishairwithit。Harrissaidthathecouldn\'thelpfeelingthat,toacertainextent,hehadbecomeunpopular。
Theyallgotcrazyatlast,andsangoutforthekeeper,andthemancameandclimbeduptheladderoutside,andshoutedoutdirectionstothem。
Butalltheirheadswere,bythistime,insuchaconfusedwhirlthattheywereincapableofgraspinganything,andsothemantoldthemtostopwheretheywere,andhewouldcometothem。Theyhuddledtogether,andwaited;andheclimbeddown,andcamein。
Hewasayoungkeeper,asluckwouldhaveit,andnewtothebusiness;
andwhenhegotin,hecouldn\'tfindthem,andhewanderedabout,tryingtogettothem,andthenHEgotlost。Theycaughtsightofhim,everynowandthen,rushingabouttheothersideofthehedge,andhewouldseethem,andrushtogettothem,andtheywouldwaitthereforaboutfiveminutes,andthenhewouldreappearagaininexactlythesamespot,andaskthemwheretheyhadbeen。
Theyhadtowaittilloneoftheoldkeeperscamebackfromhisdinnerbeforetheygotout。
Harrissaidhethoughtitwasaveryfinemaze,sofarashewasajudge;
andweagreedthatwewouldtrytogetGeorgetogointoit,onourwayback。
CHAPTERVII。
THERIVERINITSSUNDAYGARB-DRESSONTHERIVER-ACHANCEFORTHE
MEN-ABSENCEOFTASTEINHARRIS-GEORGE\'SBLAZER-ADAYWITHTHE
FASHION-PLATEYOUNGLADY-MRS。THOMAS\'STOMB-THEMANWHOLOVESNOT
GRAVESANDCOFFINSANDSKULLS-HARRISMAD-HISVIEWSONGEORGEAND
BANKSANDLEMONADE-HEPERFORMSTRICKS。
ITwaswhilepassingthroughMoulseyLockthatHarristoldmeabouthismazeexperience。Ittookussometimetopassthrough,asweweretheonlyboat,anditisabiglock。Idon\'tthinkIeverremembertohaveseenMoulseyLock,before,withonlyoneboatinit。Itis,Isuppose,Boulter\'snotevenexcepted,thebusiestlockontheriver。
Ihavestoodandwatchedit,sometimes,whenyoucouldnotseeanywateratall,butonlyabrillianttangleofbrightblazers,andgaycaps,andsaucyhats,andmany-colouredparasols,andsilkenrugs,andcloaks,andstreamingribbons,anddaintywhites;whenlookingdownintothelockfromthequay,youmightfancyitwasahugeboxintowhichflowersofeveryhueandshadehadbeenthrownpell-mell,andlaypiledupinarainbowheap,thatcoveredeverycorner。
OnafineSundayitpresentsthisappearancenearlyalldaylong,while,upthestream,anddownthestream,lie,waitingtheirturn,outsidethegates,longlinesofstillmoreboats;andboatsaredrawingnearandpassingaway,sothatthesunnyriver,fromthePalaceuptoHamptonChurch,isdottedanddeckedwithyellow,andblue,andorange,andwhite,andred,andpink。AlltheinhabitantsofHamptonandMoulseydressthemselvesupinboatingcostume,andcomeandmouchroundthelockwiththeirdogs,andflirt,andsmoke,andwatchtheboats;and,altogether,whatwiththecapsandjacketsofthemen,theprettycoloureddressesofthewomen,theexciteddogs,themovingboats,thewhitesails,thepleasantlandscape,andthesparklingwater,itisoneofthegayestsightsIknowofnearthisdulloldLondontown。
Theriveraffordsagoodopportunityfordress。Foronceinaway,wemenareabletoshowourtasteincolours,andIthinkwecomeoutverynatty,ifyouaskme。Ialwayslikealittleredinmythings-redandblack。Youknowmyhairisasortofgoldenbrown,ratheraprettyshadeI\'vebeentold,andadarkredmatchesitbeautifully;andthenIalwaysthinkalight-bluenecktiegoessowellwithit,andapairofthoseRussian-leathershoesandaredsilkhandkerchiefroundthewaist-ahandkerchieflookssomuchbetterthanabelt。
Harrisalwayskeepstoshadesormixturesoforangeoryellow,butI
don\'tthinkheisatallwiseinthis。Hiscomplexionistoodarkforyellows。Yellowsdon\'tsuithim:therecanbenoquestionaboutit。I
wanthimtotaketoblueasabackground,withwhiteorcreamforrelief;
but,there!thelesstasteapersonhasindress,themoreobstinatehealwaysseemstobe。Itisagreatpity,becausehewillneverbeasuccessasitis,whilethereareoneortwocoloursinwhichhemightnotreallylooksobad,withhishaton。
Georgehasboughtsomenewthingsforthistrip,andI\'mrathervexedaboutthem。Theblazerisloud。IshouldnotlikeGeorgetoknowthatI
thoughtso,buttherereallyisnootherwordforit。HebroughtithomeandshowedittousonThursdayevening。Weaskedhimwhatcolourhecalledit,andhesaidhedidn\'tknow。Hedidn\'tthinktherewasanameforthecolour。ThemanhadtoldhimitwasanOrientaldesign。Georgeputiton,andaskeduswhatwethoughtofit。Harrissaidthat,asanobjecttohangoveraflower-bedinearlyspringtofrightenthebirdsaway,heshouldrespectit;butthat,consideredasanarticleofdressforanyhumanbeing,exceptaMargatenigger,itmadehimill。Georgegotquitehuffy;but,asHarrissaid,ifhedidn\'twanthisopinion,whydidheaskforit?
WhattroublesHarrisandmyself,withregardtoit,isthatweareafraiditwillattractattentiontotheboat。
Girls,also,don\'tlookhalfbadinaboat,ifprettilydressed。Nothingismorefetching,tomythinking,thanatastefulboatingcostume。Buta\"boatingcostume,\"itwouldbeaswellifallladieswouldunderstand,oughttobeacostumethatcanbeworninaboat,andnotmerelyunderaglass-case。Itutterlyspoilsanexcursionifyouhavefolkintheboatwhoarethinkingallthetimeagooddealmoreoftheirdressthanofthetrip。Itwasmymisfortuneoncetogoforawaterpicnicwithtwoladiesofthiskind。Wedidhavealivelytime!
Theywerebothbeautifullygotup-alllaceandsilkystuff,andflowers,andribbons,anddaintyshoes,andlightgloves。Buttheyweredressedforaphotographicstudio,notforariverpicnic。Theywerethe\"boatingcostumes\"ofaFrenchfashion-plate。Itwasridiculous,foolingaboutinthemanywherenearrealearth,air,andwater。
Thefirstthingwasthattheythoughttheboatwasnotclean。Wedustedalltheseatsforthem,andthenassuredthemthatitwas,buttheydidn\'tbelieveus。Oneofthemrubbedthecushionwiththeforefingerofherglove,andshowedtheresulttotheother,andtheybothsighed,andsatdown,withtheairofearlyChristianmartyrstryingtomakethemselvescomfortableupagainstthestake。Youareliabletooccasionallysplashalittlewhensculling,anditappearedthatadropofwaterruinedthosecostumes。Themarknevercameout,andastainwasleftonthedressforever。
Iwasstroke。Ididmybest。Ifeatheredsometwofeethigh,andI
pausedattheendofeachstroketoletthebladesdripbeforereturningthem,andIpickedoutasmoothbitofwatertodropthemintoagaineachtime。(Bowsaid,afterawhile,thathedidnotfeelhimselfasufficientlyaccomplishedoarsmantopullwithme,butthathewouldsitstill,ifIwouldallowhim,andstudymystroke。Hesaiditinterestedhim。)But,notwithstandingallthis,andtryasIwould,Icouldnothelpanoccasionalflickerofwaterfromgoingoverthosedresses。
Thegirlsdidnotcomplain,buttheyhuddledupclosetogether,andsettheirlipsfirm,andeverytimeadroptouchedthem,theyvisiblyshrankandshuddered。Itwasanoblesighttoseethemsufferingthusinsilence,butitunnervedmealtogether。Iamtoosensitive。Igotwildandfitfulinmyrowing,andsplashedmoreandmore,theharderItriednotto。
Igaveitupatlast;IsaidI\'drowbow。Bowthoughtthearrangementwouldbebettertoo,andwechangedplaces。Theladiesgaveaninvoluntarysighofreliefwhentheysawmego,andquitebrightenedupforamoment。Poorgirls!theyhadbetterhaveputupwithme。Themantheyhadgotnowwasajolly,light-hearted,thick-headedsortofachap,withaboutasmuchsensitivenessinhimastheremightbeinaNewfoundlandpuppy。Youmightlookdaggersathimforanhourandhewouldnotnoticeit,anditwouldnottroublehimifhedid。Hesetagood,rollicking,dashingstrokethatsentthesprayplayingallovertheboatlikeafountain,andmadethewholecrowdsitupstraightinnotime。Whenhespreadmorethanpintofwateroveroneofthosedresses,hewouldgiveapleasantlittlelaugh,andsay:
\"Ibegyourpardon,I\'msure;\"andofferthemhishandkerchieftowipeitoffwith。
\"Oh,it\'sofnoconsequence,\"thepoorgirlswouldmurmurinreply,andcovertlydrawrugsandcoatsoverthemselves,andtryandprotectthemselveswiththeirlaceparasols。
Atlunchtheyhadaverybadtimeofit。Peoplewantedthemtositonthegrass,andthegrasswasdusty;andthetree-trunks,againstwhichtheywereinvitedtolean,didnotappeartohavebeenbrushedforweeks;
sotheyspreadtheirhandkerchiefsonthegroundandsatonthose,boltupright。Somebody,inwalkingaboutwithaplateofbeef-steakpie,trippedupoveraroot,andsentthepieflying。Noneofitwentoverthem,fortunately,buttheaccidentsuggestedafreshdangertothem,andagitatedthem;and,wheneveranybodymovedabout,afterthat,withanythinginhishandthatcouldfallandmakeamess,theywatchedthatpersonwithgrowinganxietyuntilhesatdownagain。
\"Nowthen,yougirls,\"saidourfriendBowtothem,cheerily,afteritwasallover,\"comealong,you\'vegottowashup!\"
Theydidn\'tunderstandhimatfirst。Whentheygraspedtheidea,theysaidtheyfearedtheydidnotknowhowtowashup。
\"Oh,I\'llsoonshowyou,\"hecried;\"it\'srarefun!Youliedownonyour-Imeanyouleanoverthebank,youknow,andsloushthethingsaboutinthewater。\"
Theeldersistersaidthatshewasafraidthattheyhadn\'tgotondressessuitedtothework。
\"Oh,they\'llbeallright,\"saidhelight-heartedly;\"tuck`emup。\"
Andhemadethemdoit,too。Hetoldthemthatthatsortofthingwashalfthefunofapicnic。Theysaiditwasveryinteresting。
NowIcometothinkitover,wasthatyoungmanasdense-headedaswethought?orwashe-no,impossible!therewassuchasimple,child-likeexpressionabouthim!
HarriswantedtogetoutatHamptonChurch,togoandseeMrs。Thomas\'stomb。
\"WhoisMrs。Thomas?\"Iasked。
\"HowshouldIknow?\"repliedHarris。\"She\'saladythat\'sgotafunnytomb,andIwanttoseeit。\"
Iobjected。Idon\'tknowwhetheritisthatIambuiltwrong,butI
neverdidseemtohankeraftertombstonesmyself。Iknowthattheproperthingtodo,whenyougettoavillageortown,istorushofftothechurchyard,andenjoythegraves;butitisarecreationthatIalwaysdenymyself。Itakenointerestincreepingrounddimandchillychurchesbehindwheezyoldmen,andreadingepitaphs。NoteventhesightofabitofcrackedbrassletintoastoneaffordsmewhatIcallrealhappiness。
IshockrespectablesextonsbytheimperturbabilityIamabletoassumebeforeexcitinginscriptions,andbymylackofenthusiasmforthelocalfamilyhistory,whilemyill-concealedanxietytogetoutsidewoundstheirfeelings。
Onegoldenmorningofasunnyday,Ileantagainstthelowstonewallthatguardedalittlevillagechurch,andIsmoked,anddrankindeep,calmgladnessfromthesweet,restfulscene-thegreyoldchurchwithitsclusteringivyanditsquaintcarvedwoodenporch,thewhitelanewindingdownthehillbetweentallrowsofelms,thethatched-roofcottagespeepingabovetheirtrim-kepthedges,thesilverriverinthehollow,thewoodedhillsbeyond!
Itwasalovelylandscape。Itwasidyllic,poetical,anditinspiredme。
Ifeltgoodandnoble。IfeltIdidn\'twanttobesinfulandwickedanymore。Iwouldcomeandlivehere,andneverdoanymorewrong,andleadablameless,beautifullife,andhavesilverhairwhenIgotold,andallthatsortofthing。
InthatmomentIforgaveallmyfriendsandrelationsfortheirwickednessandcussedness,andIblessedthem。TheydidnotknowthatI
blessedthem。TheywenttheirabandonedwayallunconsciousofwhatI,farawayinthatpeacefulvillage,wasdoingforthem;butIdidit,andIwishedthatIcouldletthemknowthatIhaddoneit,becauseIwantedtomakethemhappy。Iwasgoingonthinkingawayallthesegrand,tenderthoughts,whenmyreveriewasbrokeninuponbyashrillpipingvoicecryingout:
\"Allright,sur,I\'ma-coming,I\'ma-coming。It\'sallright,sur;don\'tyoubeinahurry。\"
Ilookedup,andsawanoldbald-headedmanhobblingacrossthechurchyardtowardsme,carryingahugebunchofkeysinhishandthatshookandjingledateverystep。
Imotionedhimawaywithsilentdignity,buthestilladvanced,screechingoutthewhile:
\"I\'ma-coming,sur,I\'ma-coming。I\'malittlelame。Iain\'tasspryasIusedtobe。Thisway,sur。\"
\"Goaway,youmiserableoldman,\"Isaid。
\"I\'vecomeassoonasIcould,sur,\"hereplied。\"Mymissisneverseeyoutilljustthisminute。Youfollowme,sur。\"
\"Goaway,\"Irepeated;\"leavemebeforeIgetoverthewall,andslayyou。\"
Heseemedsurprised。
\"Don\'tyouwanttoseethetombs?\"hesaid。
\"No,\"Ianswered,\"Idon\'t。Iwanttostophere,leaningupagainstthisgrittyoldwall。Goaway,anddon\'tdisturbme。Iamchockfullofbeautifulandnoblethoughts,andIwanttostoplikeit,becauseitfeelsniceandgood。Don\'tyoucomefoolingabout,makingmemad,chivyingawayallmybetterfeelingswiththissillytombstonenonsenseofyours。Goaway,andgetsomebodytoburyyoucheap,andI\'llpayhalftheexpense。\"
Hewasbewilderedforamoment。Herubbedhiseyes,andlookedhardatme。Iseemedhumanenoughontheoutside:hecouldn\'tmakeitout。
Hesaid:
\"Yuiseastrangerintheseparts?Youdon\'tlivehere?\"
\"No,\"Isaid,\"Idon\'t。YOUwouldn\'tifIdid。\"
\"Wellthen,\"hesaid,\"youwanttoseethetombs-graves-folksbeenburied,youknow-coffins!\"
\"Youareanuntruther,\"Ireplied,gettingroused;\"Idonotwanttoseetombs-notyourtombs。WhyshouldI?Wehavegravesofourown,ourfamilyhas。WhymyunclePodgerhasatombinKensalGreenCemetery,thatistheprideofallthatcountry-side;andmygrandfather\'svaultatBowiscapableofaccommodatingeightvisitors,whilemygreat-auntSusanhasabrickgraveinFinchleyChurchyard,withaheadstonewithacoffee-
potsortofthinginbas-reliefuponit,andasix-inchbestwhitestonecopingallthewayround,thatcostpounds。WhenIwantgraves,itistothoseplacesthatIgoandrevel。Idonotwantotherfolk\'s。Whenyouyourselfareburied,Iwillcomeandseeyours。ThatisallIcandoforyou。\"
Heburstintotears。Hesaidthatoneofthetombshadabitofstoneuponthetopofitthathadbeensaidbysometobeprobablypartoftheremainsofthefigureofaman,andthatanotherhadsomewords,carveduponit,thatnobodyhadeverbeenabletodecipher。
Istillremainedobdurate,and,inbroken-heartedtones,hesaid:
\"Well,won\'tyoucomeandseethememorialwindow?\"
Iwouldnotevenseethat,sohefiredhislastshot。Hedrewnear,andwhisperedhoarsely:
\"I\'vegotacoupleofskullsdowninthecrypt,\"hesaid;\"comeandseethose。Oh,docomeandseetheskulls!Youareayoungmanoutforaholiday,andyouwanttoenjoyyourself。Comeandseetheskulls!\"
ThenIturnedandfled,andasIspedIheardhimcallingtome:
\"Oh,comeandseetheskulls;comebackandseetheskulls!\"
Harris,however,revelsintombs,andgraves,andepitaphs,andmonumentalinscriptions,andthethoughtofnotseeingMrs。Thomas\'sgravemadehimcrazy。HesaidhehadlookedforwardtoseeingMrs。
Thomas\'sgravefromthefirstmomentthatthetripwasproposed-saidhewouldn\'thavejoinedifithadn\'tbeenfortheideaofseeingMrs。
Thomas\'stomb。
IremindedhimofGeorge,andhowwehadtogettheboatuptoSheppertonbyfiveo\'clocktomeethim,andthenhewentforGeorge。WhywasGeorgetofoolaboutallday,andleaveustolugthislumberingoldtop-heavybargeupanddowntheriverbyourselvestomeethim?Whycouldn\'tGeorgecomeanddosomework?Whycouldn\'thehavegotthedayoff,andcomedownwithus?Bankbeblowed!Whatgoodwasheatthebank?
\"Ineverseehimdoinganyworkthere,\"continuedHarris,\"wheneverIgoin。Hesitsbehindabitofglassallday,tryingtolookasifhewasdoingsomething。What\'sthegoodofamanbehindabitofglass?Ihavetoworkformyliving。Whycan\'thework。Whatuseishethere,andwhat\'sthegoodoftheirbanks?Theytakeyourmoney,andthen,whenyoudrawacheque,theysenditbacksmearedalloverwith`Noeffects,\'
`Refertodrawer。\'What\'sthegoodofthat?That\'sthesortoftricktheyservedmetwicelastweek。I\'mnotgoingtostanditmuchlonger。
Ishallwithdrawmyaccount。Ifhewashere,wecouldgoandseethattomb。Idon\'tbelievehe\'satthebankatall。He\'slarkingaboutsomewhere,that\'swhathe\'sdoing,leavingustodoallthework。I\'mgoingtogetout,andhaveadrink。\"
Ipointedouttohimthatweweremilesawayfromapub。;andthenhewentonabouttheriver,andwhatwasthegoodoftheriver,andwaseveryonewhocameontherivertodieofthirst?
ItisalwaysbesttoletHarrishavehisheadwhenhegetslikethis。
Thenhepumpshimselfout,andisquietafterwards。
Iremindedhimthattherewasconcentratedlemonadeinthehamper,andagallon-jarofwaterinthenoseoftheboat,andthatthetwoonlywantedmixingtomakeacoolandrefreshingbeverage。
Thenheflewoffaboutlemonade,and\"such-likeSunday-schoolslops,\"ashetermedthem,ginger-beer,raspberrysyrup,&c。,&c。Hesaidtheyallproduceddyspepsia,andruinedbodyandsoulalike,andwerethecauseofhalfthecrimeinEngland。
Hesaidhemustdrinksomething,however,andclimbedupontheseat,andleantovertogetthebottle。Itwasrightatthebottomofthehamper,andseemeddifficulttofind,andhehadtoleanoverfurtherandfurther,and,intryingtosteeratthesametime,fromatopsy-turvypointofview,hepulledthewrongline,andsenttheboatintothebank,andtheshockupsethim,andhediveddownrightintothehamper,andstoodthereonhishead,holdingontothesidesoftheboatlikegrimdeath,hislegsstickingupintotheair。Hedarednotmoveforfearofgoingover,andhadtostaytheretillIcouldgetholdofhislegs,andhaulhimback,andthatmadehimmadderthanever。
CHAPTERVIII。
BLACKMAILING-THEPROPERCOURSETOPURSUE-SELFISHBOORISHNESSOF
RIVER-SIDELANDOWNER-\"NOTICE\"BOARDS-UNCHRISTIANLIKEFEELINGSOF
HARRIS-HOWHARRISSINGSACOMICSONG-AHIGH-CLASSPARTY-SHAMEFUL
CONDUCTOFTWOABANDONEDYOUNGMEN-SOMEUSELESSINFORMATION-GEORGE
BUYSABANJO。
WEstoppedunderthewillowsbyKemptonPark,andlunched。Itisaprettylittlespotthere:apleasantgrassplateau,runningalongbythewater\'sedge,andoverhungbywillows。Wehadjustcommencedthethirdcourse-thebreadandjam-whenagentlemaninshirt-sleevesandashortpipecamealong,andwantedtoknowifweknewthatweweretrespassing。Wesaidwehadn\'tgiventhemattersufficientconsiderationasyettoenableustoarriveatadefiniteconclusiononthatpoint,butthat,ifheassuredusonhiswordasagentlemanthatweWERE
trespassing,wewould,withoutfurtherhesitation,believeit。
Hegaveustherequiredassurance,andwethankedhim,buthestillhungabout,andseemedtobedissatisfied,soweaskedhimiftherewasanythingfurtherthatwecoulddoforhim;andHarris,whoisofachummydisposition,offeredhimabitofbreadandjam。
Ifancyhemusthavebelongedtosomesocietysworntoabstainfrombreadandjam;forhedeclineditquitegruffly,asifhewerevexedatbeingtemptedwithit,andheaddedthatitwashisdutytoturnusoff。
Harrissaidthatifitwasadutyitoughttobedone,andaskedthemanwhatwashisideawithregardtothebestmeansforaccomplishingit。
Harrisiswhatyouwouldcallawell-mademanofaboutnumberonesize,andlookshardandbony,andthemanmeasuredhimupanddown,andsaidhewouldgoandconsulthismaster,andthencomebackandchuckusbothintotheriver。
Ofcourse,weneversawhimanymore,and,ofcourse,allhereallywantedwasashilling。Thereareacertainnumberofriversideroughswhomakequiteanincome,duringthesummer,byslouchingaboutthebanksandblackmailingweak-mindednoodlesinthisway。Theyrepresentthemselvesassentbytheproprietor。Thepropercoursetopursueistoofferyournameandaddress,andleavetheowner,ifhereallyhasanythingtodowiththematter,tosummonyou,andprovewhatdamageyouhavedonetohislandbysittingdownonabitofit。Butthemajorityofpeoplearesointenselylazyandtimid,thattheyprefertoencouragetheimpositionbygivingintoitratherthanputanendtoitbytheexertionofalittlefirmness。
Whereitisreallytheownersthataretoblame,theyoughttobeshownup。Theselfishnessoftheriparianproprietorgrowswitheveryyear。
IfthesemenhadtheirwaytheywouldclosetheriverThamesaltogether。
Theyactuallydothisalongtheminortributarystreamsandinthebackwaters。Theydrivepostsintothebedofthestream,anddrawchainsacrossfrombanktobank,andnailhugenotice-boardsoneverytree。Thesightofthosenotice-boardsrouseseveryevilinstinctinmynature。I
feelIwanttoteareachonedown,andhammeritovertheheadofthemanwhoputitup,untilIhavekilledhim,andthenIwouldburyhim,andputtheboardupoverthegraveasatombstone。
ImentionedthesefeelingsofminetoHarris,andhesaidhehadthemworsethanthat。Hesaidhenotonlyfelthewantedtokillthemanwhocausedtheboardtobeputup,butthatheshouldliketoslaughterthewholeofhisfamilyandallhisfriendsandrelations,andthenburndownhishouse。Thisseemedtometobegoingtoofar,andIsaidsotoHarris;butheanswered:
\"Notabitofit。Serve`emalljollywellright,andI\'dgoandsingcomicsongsontheruins。\"
IwasvexedtohearHarrisgooninthisblood-thirstystrain。Weneveroughttoallowourinstinctsofjusticetodegenerateintomerevindictiveness。ItwasalongwhilebeforeIcouldgetHarristotakeamoreChristianviewofthesubject,butIsucceededatlast,andhepromisedmethathewouldsparethefriendsandrelationsatallevents,andwouldnotsingcomicsongsontheruins。
YouhaveneverheardHarrissingacomicsong,oryouwouldunderstandtheserviceIhadrenderedtomankind。ItisoneofHarris\'sfixedideasthatheCANsingacomicsong;thefixedidea,onthecontrary,amongthoseofHarris\'sfriendswhohaveheardhimtry,isthatheCAN\'Tandneverwillbeableto,andthatheoughtnottobeallowedtotry。
WhenHarrisisataparty,andisaskedtosing,hereplies:\"Well,IcanonlysingaCOMICsong,youknow;\"andhesaysitinatonethatimpliesthathissingingofTHAT,however,isathingthatyououghttohearonce,andthendie。
\"Oh,thatISnice,\"saysthehostess。\"Dosingone,Mr。Harris;\"andHarrisgetsup,andmakesforthepiano,withthebeamingcheerinessofagenerous-mindedmanwhoisjustabouttogivesomebodysomething。
\"Now,silence,please,everybody\"saysthehostess,turninground;\"Mr。
Harrisisgoingtosingacomicsong!\"
\"Oh,howjolly!\"theymurmur;andtheyhurryinfromtheconservatory,andcomeupfromthestairs,andgoandfetcheachotherfromalloverthehouse,andcrowdintothedrawing-room,andsitround,allsmirkinginanticipation。
ThenHarrisbegins。
Well,youdon\'tlookformuchofavoiceinacomicsong。Youdon\'texpectcorrectphrasingorvocalization。Youdon\'tmindifamandoesfindout,wheninthemiddleofanote,thatheistoohigh,andcomesdownwithajerk。Youdon\'tbotherabouttime。Youdon\'tmindamanbeingtwobarsinfrontoftheaccompaniment,andeasingupinthemiddleofalinetoargueitoutwiththepianist,andthenstartingtheverseafresh。Butyoudoexpectthewords。
Youdon\'texpectamantoneverremembermorethanthefirstthreelinesofthefirstverse,andtokeeponrepeatingtheseuntilitistimetobeginthechorus。Youdon\'texpectamantobreakoffinthemiddleofaline,andsnigger,andsay,it\'sveryfunny,buthe\'sblestifhecanthinkoftherestofit,andthentryandmakeitupforhimself,and,afterwards,suddenlyrecollectit,whenhehasgottoanentirelydifferentpartofthesong,andbreakoff,withoutawordofwarning,togobackandletyouhaveitthenandthere。Youdon\'t-well,IwilljustgiveyouanideaofHarris\'scomicsinging,andthenyoucanjudgeofitforyourself。