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against a heap of spittoons in one corner； plunging into which；
head foremost； with a tremendous crash； he lay at full length
among the ruins； stunned and motionless。 Then； without waiting
to receive the compliments of the bystanders on the victory be had
won； he retreated to his own bedchamber； and considering himself
in a state of siege； piled all the portable furniture against the door
by way of barricade。
‘I have done it now；’ said Joe； as he sat down upon his bedstead
and wiped his heated face。 ‘I knew it would come at last。 The
Maypole and I must part company。 I’m a roving vagabond—she
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hates me for evermore—it’s all over！’
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Chapter 31
ondering on his unhappy lot； Joe sat and listened for a
long time； expecting every moment to hear their creaking
Pfootsteps on the stairs； or to be greeted by his worthy
father with a summons to capitulate unconditionally； and deliver
himself up straightway。 But neither voice nor footstep came； and
though some distant echoes； as of closing doors and people
hurrying in and out of rooms； resounding from time to time
through the great passages； and penetrating to his remote
seclusion； gave note of unusual commotion downstairs； no nearer
sound disturbed his place of retreat； which seemed the quieter for
these far…off noises； and was as dull and full of gloom as any
hermit’s cell。
It came on darker and darker。 The old…fashioned furniture of
the chamber； which was a kind of hospital for all the invalided
movables in the house； grew indistinct and shadowy in its many
shapes； chairs and tables； which by day were as honest cripples as
need be； assumed a doubtful and mysterious character； and one
old leprous screen of faded India leather and gold binding； which
had kept out many a cold breath of air in days of yore and shut in
many a jolly face； frowned on him with a spectral aspect； and stood
at full height in its allotted corner； like some gaunt ghost who
waited to be questioned。 A portrait opposite the window—a queer；
old grey…eyed general； in an oval frame—seemed to wink and doze
as the light decayed； and at length； when the last faint glimmering
speck of day went out； to shut its eyes in good earnest； and fall
sound asleep。 There was such a hush and mystery about
everything； that Joe could not help following its example； and so
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went off into a slumber likewise； and dreamed of Dolly； till the
clock of Chigwell church struck two。
Still nobody came。 The distant noises in the house had ceased；
and out of doors all was quiet； save for the occasional barking of
some deep…mouthed dog； and the shaking of the branches by the
night wind。 He gazed mournfully out of window at each well…
known object as it lay sleeping in the dim light of the moon； and
creeping back to his former seat； thought about the late uproar；
until； with long thinking of； it seemed to have occurred a month
ago。 Thus； between dozing； and thinking； and walking to the
window and looking out； the night wore away； the grim old screen；
and the kindred chairs and tables； began slowly to reveal
themselves in their accustomed forms； the grey…eyed general
seemed to wink and yawn and rouse himself； and at last he was
broad awake again； and very uncomfortable and cold and haggard
he looked； in the dull grey light of morning。
The sun had begun to peep above the forest trees； and already
flung across the curling mist bright bars of gold； when Joe
dropped from his window on the ground below； a little bundle and
his trusty stick； and prepared to descend himself。
It was not a very difficult task； for there were so many
projections and gable ends in the way； that they formed a series of
clumsy steps； with no greater obstacle than a jump of some few
feet at last。 Joe； with his stick and bundle on his shoulder； quickly
stood on the firm earth； and looked up at the old Maypole； it might
be for the last time。
He didn’t apostrophise it； for he was no great scholar。 He didn’t
curse it； for he had little ill…will to give to anything on earth。 He felt
more affectionate and kind to it than ever he had done in all his
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life before； so said with all his heart； ‘God bless you！’ as a parting
wish； and turned away。
He walked along at a brisk pace； big with great thoughts of
going for a soldier and dying in some foreign country where it was
very hot and sandy； and leaving God knows what unheard…of
wealth in prize…money to Dolly； who would be very much affected
when she came to know of it； and full of such youthful visions；
which were sometimes sanguine and sometimes melancholy； but
always had her for their main point and centre； pushed on
vigorously until the noise of London sounded in his ears； and the
Black Lion hove in sight。
It was only eight o’clock then； and very much astonished the
Black Lion was； to see him come walking in with dust upon his
feet at that early hour； with no grey mare to bear him company。
But as he ordered breakfast to be got ready with all speed； and on
its being set before him gave indisputable tokens of a hearty
appetite； the Lion received him； as usual； with a hospitable
welcome； and treated him with