第3章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"Three Men in a Boat",免费读到尾

  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。

点击下载App,搜索"Three Men in a Boat",免费读到尾