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Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
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Barnaby Rudge 345
day； next week； next month； the odds are a hundred to one she
would have treated him in the very same manner； and have wept
for it afterwards with the very same distress。
She had no sooner left the workshop than there cautiously
peered out from behind the chimney of the forge； a face which had
already emerged from the same concealment twice or thrice；
unseen； and which； after satisfying itself that it was now alone； was
followed by a leg； a shoulder； and so on by degrees； until the form
of Mr Tappertit stood confessed； with a brown…paper cap stuck
negligently on one side of its head； and its arms very much a…
kimbo。
‘Have my ears deceived me；’ said the ’prentice； ‘or do I dream！
am I to thank thee； Fortun’； or to cus thee—which？’
He gravely descended from his elevation； took down his piece of
looking…glass； planted it against the wall upon the usual bench；
twisted his head round； and looked closely at his legs。
‘If they’re a dream；’ said Sim； ‘let sculptures have such wisions；
and chisel ’em out when they wake。 This is reality。 Sleep has no
such limbs as them。 Tremble； Willet； and despair。 She’s mine！
She’s mine！’
With these triumphant expressions； he seized a hammer and
dealt a heavy blow at a vice； which in his mind’s eye represented
the sconce or head of Joseph Willet。 That done； he burst into a
peal of laughter which startled Miss Miggs even in her distant
kitchen； and dipping his head into a bowl of water； had recourse to
a jack…towel inside the closet door； which served the double
purpose of smothering his feelings and drying his face。
Joe； disconsolate and down…hearted； but full of courage too； on
leaving the locksmith’s house made the best of his way to the
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
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Crooked Billet； and there inquired for his friend the serjeant； who；
expecting no man less； received him with open arms。 In the course
of five minutes after his arrival at that house of entertainment； he
was enrolled among the gallant defenders of his native land； and
within half an hour； was regaled with a steaming supper of boiled
tripe and onions； prepared； as his friend assured him more than
once； at the express command of his most Sacred Majesty the
King。 To this meal； which tasted very savoury after his long
fasting； he did ample justice； and when he had followed it up； or
down； with a variety of loyal and patriotic toasts； he was
conducted to a straw mattress in a loft over the stable； and locked
in there for the night。
The next morning； he found that the obliging care of his martial
friend had decorated his hat with sundry parti…coloured
streamers； which made a very lively appearance； and in company
with that officer； and three other military gentlemen newly
enrolled； who were under a cloud so dense that it only left three
shoes； a boot； and a coat and a half visible among them； repaired
to the riverside。 Here they were joined by a corporal and four
more heroes； of whom two were drunk and daring； and two sober
and penitent； but each of whom； like Joe； had his dusty stick and
bundle。 The party embarked in a passage…boat bound for
Gravesend； whence they were to proceed on foot to Chatham； the
wind was in their favour； and they soon left London behind them；
a mere dark mist—a giant phantom in the air。
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
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Barnaby Rudge 347
Chapter 32
isfortunes； saith the adage； never come singly。 There is
little doubt that troubles are exceedingly gregarious in
M
their nature； and flying in flocks； are apt to perch
capriciously； crowding on the heads of some poor wights until
there is not an inch of room left on their unlucky crowns； and
taking no more notice of others who offer as good resting…places
for the soles of their feet； than if they had no existence。 It may
have happened that a flight of troubles brooding over London； and
looking out for Joseph Willet； whom they couldn’t find； darted
down haphazard on the first young man that caught their fancy；
and settled on him instead。 However this may be； certain it is that
on the very day of Joe’s departure they swarmed about the ears of
Edward Chester； and did so buzz and flap their wings； and
persecute him； that he was most profoundly wretched。
It was evening； and just eight o’clock； when he and his father；
having wine and dessert set before them； were left to themselves
for the first time that day。 They had dined together； but a third
person had been present during the meal； and until they met at
table they had not seen each other since the previous night。
Edward was reserved and silent。 Mr Chester was more than
usually gay； but not caring； as it seemed； to open a conversation
with one whose humour was so different； he vented the lightness
of his spirit in smiles and sparkling looks； and made no effort to
awaken his attention。 So they remained for some time： the father
lying on a sofa with his accustomed air of graceful negligence； the
son seated opposite to him with downcast eyes； busied； it was
plain； with painful and uneasy thoughts。
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‘My dear Edward；’ said Mr Chester at length； with a most
engaging laugh； ‘do not extend your drowsy influence to the
decanter。 Suffer that to circulate； let your spirits be never so
stagnant。’