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merriment； which manifested itself on his solemn old features
like a funny inscription on a tombstone。 Then Robin seemed to
hear the voices of the barbers； of the guests of the inn； and of
all who had made sport of him that night。 The contagion was
spreading among the multitude； when all at once； it seized upon
Robin； and he sent forth a shout of laughter that echoed through
the street；every man shook his sides； every man emptied his
lungs； but Robin's shout was the loudest there。 The cloud…spirits
peeped from their silvery islands； as the congregated mirth went
roaring up the sky！ The Man in the Moon heard the far bellow。
〃Oho；〃 quoth he； 〃the old earth is frolicsome to…night！〃
When there was a momentary calm in that tempestuous sea of sound；
the leader gave the sign； the procession resumed its march。 On
they went； like fiends that throng in mockery around some dead
potentate； mighty no more； but majestic still in his agony。 On
they went； in counterfeited pomp； in senseless uproar； in
frenzied merriment； trampling all on an old man's heart。 On swept
the tumult； and left a silent street behind。
。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。
〃Well； Robin； are you dreaming？〃 inquired the gentleman； laying
his hand on the youth's shoulder。
Robin started； and withdrew his arm from the stone post to which
he had instinctively clung； as the living stream rolled by him。
His cheek was somewhat pale； and his eye not quite as lively as
in the earlier part of the evening。
〃Will you be kind enough to show me the way to the ferry？〃 said
he； after a moment's pause。
〃You have； then； adopted a new subject of inquiry？〃 observed his
companion； with a smile。
〃Why； yes； sir；〃 replied Robin； rather dryly。 〃Thanks to you； and
to my other friends； I have at last met my kinsman； and he will
scarce desire to see my face again。 I begin to grow weary of a
town life； sir。 Will you show me the way to the ferry？〃
〃No； my good friend Robin；not to…night； at least；〃 said the
gentleman。 〃Some few days hence； if you wish it； I will speed you
on your journey。 Or； if you prefer to remain with us； perhaps； as
you are a shrewd youth； you may rise in the world without the
help of your kinsman； Major Molineux。〃
End