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bound myself to a lie； I have leagued myself with you； and though I
did so with a righteous motive； and though it cost me such an
effort as haply few men know； I hate and despise myself for the
deed。’
‘You are very warm；’ said Mr Chester with a languid smile。
‘I am warm。 I am maddened by your coldness。 ‘Death； Chester；
if your blood ran warmer in your veins； and there were no
restraints upon me； such as those that hold and drag me back—
well； it is done； you tell me so； and on such a point I may believe
you。 When I am most remorseful for this treachery； I will think of
you and your marriage； and try to justify myself in such
remembrances； for having torn asunder Emma and your son； at
any cost。 Our bond is cancelled now； and we may part。’
Mr Chester kissed his hand gracefully； and with the same
tranquil face he had preserved throughout—even when he had
seen his companion so tortured and transported by his passion
that his whole frame was shaken—lay in his lounging posture on
the seat and watched him as he walked away。
‘My scapegoat and my drudge at school；’ he said； raising his
head to look after him； ‘my friend of later days； who could not
keep his mistress when he had won her； and threw me in her way
to carry off the prize； I triumph in the present and the past。 Bark
on； ill…favoured； ill…conditioned cur； fortune has ever been with
me—I like to hear you。’
The spot where they had met； was in an avenue of trees。 Mr
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Haredale not passing out on either hand； had walked straight on。
He chanced to turn his head when at some considerable distance；
and seeing that his late companion had by that time risen and was
looking after him； stood still as though he half expected him to
follow and waited for his coming up。
‘It may come to that one day； but not yet；’ said Mr Chester；
waving his hand； as though they were the best of friends； and
turning away。 ‘Not yet； Haredale。 Life is pleasant enough to me；
dull and full of heaviness to you。 No。 To cross swords with such a
man—to indulge his humour unless upon extremity—would be
weak indeed。’
For all that； he drew his sword as he walked along； and in an
absent humour ran his eye from hilt to point full twenty times。 But
thoughtfulness begets wrinkles； remembering this； he soon put it
up； smoothed his contracted brow； hummed a gay tune with
greater gaiety of manner； and was his unruffled self again。
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Chapter 30
homely proverb recognises the existence of a troublesome
Aclass of persons who； having an inch conceded them； will
take an ell。 Not to quote the illustrious examples of those
heroic scourges of mankind； whose amiable path in life has been
from birth to death through blood； and fire； and ruin； and who
would seem to have existed for no better purpose than to teach
mankind that as the absence of pain is pleasure； so the earth；
purged of their presence； may be deemed a blessed place—not to
quote such mighty instances； it will be sufficient to refer to old
John Willet。
Old John having long encroached a good standard inch； full
measure； on the liberty of Joe； and having snipped off a Flemish
ell in the matter of the parole； grew so despotic and so great； that
his thirst for conquest knew no bounds。 The more young Joe
submitted； the more absolute old John became。 The ell soon faded
into nothing。 Yards； furlongs； miles arose； and on went old John in
the pleasantest manner possible； trimming off an exuberance in
this place； shearing away some liberty of speech or action in that；
and conducting himself in his small way with as much high
mightiness and majesty； as the most glorious tyrant that ever had
his statue reared in the public ways； of ancient or of modern times。
As great men are urged on to the abuse of power （when they
need urging； which is not often）； by their flatterers and
dependents； so old John was impelled to these exercises of
authority by the applause and admiration of his Maypole cronies；
who； in the intervals of their nightly pipes and pots； would shake
their heads and say that Mr Willet was a father of the good old
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English sort； that there were no new…fangled notions or modern
ways in him； that he put them in mind of what their fathers were
when they were boys； that there was no mistake about him； that it
would be well for the country if there were more like him； and
more was the pity that there were not； with many other original
remarks of that nature。 Then they would condescendingly give Joe
to understand that it was all for his good； and he would be
thankful for it one day； and in particular； Mr Cobb would acquaint
him； that when he was his age； his father thought no more of
giving him a parental kick； or a box on the ears； or a cuff on the
head； or some little admonition of that sort； than he did of any
other ordinary duty of life； and he would further remark； with
looks of great significance； that but for this judicious bringing up；
he might have never been the man he was at that present
speaking； which was probable enough； as he was； beyond all
question； the dullest dog of the party。 In short； between old John
and old John’s friends； there never was an unfortunate young
fellow so bullied； badgered； worried； fretted； and brow…beaten； so
constantly