Ralph Newton certainly liked it, though he assumed an air of laughing at it all. "One would think that old Hossy thought that I am going to go on with this kind of thing," he said one morning to Mr. Pepper as the two of them were standing19 about near the stable doors with pipes in their mouths. Old Hossy was the affectionate nickname by which Mr. Horsball was known among the hunting men of the B. B. Mr. Pepper and Ralph had already breakfasted, and were dressed for hunting except that they had not yet put on their scarlet20 coats. The meet was within three miles of their head-quarters; the captain and the lieutenant were taking advantage of the occasion by prolonged slumbers21; and Ralph had passed the morning in discussing hunting matters with Mr. Pepper.
"He don't think that," said Mr. Pepper, taking a very convenient little implement22 out of his pocket, contrived23 for purposes of pipe-smoking accommodation. He stopped down his tobacco, and drew the smoke, and seemed by his manner to be giving his undivided attention to his pipe. But that was Mr. Pepper's manner. He was short in speech, but always spoke24 with a meaning.
"Of course he doesn't really," said Ralph. "I don't suppose I shall ever see the old house again after next week. You see when a man has a place of one's own, if there be hunting there, one is bound to take it; if there isn't, one can go elsewhere and pick and choose."
"Just so," said Mr. Pepper.
"I like this kind of thing amazingly, you know."
"It has its advantages."
"Oh dear, yes. There is no trouble, you know. Everything done for you. No servants to look after,—except just the fellow who brings you your breeches and rides your second horse." Mr. Pepper never had a second horse, or a man of his own to bring him his breeches, but the allusion25 did not on that account vex26 him. "And then you can do what you like a great deal more than you can in a house of your own."
"I should say so," remarked Mr. Pepper.
"I tell you what it is, Fred," continued Ralph, becoming very confidential27. "I don't mind telling you, because you are a man who understands things. There isn't such a great pull after all in having a property of your own."
"I shouldn't mind trying it,—just for a year or so," said Mr. Pepper.
"I suppose not," said Ralph, chuckling28 in his triumph. "And yet there isn't so much in it. What does it amount to when it's all told? You keep horses for other fellows to ride, you buy wine for other fellows to drink, you build a house for other fellows to live in. You've a deal of business to do, and if you don't mind it you go very soon to the dogs. You have to work like a slave, and everybody gets a pull at you. The chances are you never have any ready money, and become as stingy as an old file. You have to get married because of the family, and the place, and all that kind of thing. Then you have to give dinners to every old fogy, male and female, within twenty miles of you, and before you know where you are you become an old fogy yourself. That's about what it is."
"You ought to know," said Mr. Pepper.
"I've been expecting it all my life,—of course. It was what I was born to, and everybody has been telling me what a lucky fellow I am since I can remember. Now I've got it, and I don't find it comes to so very much. I shall always look back upon the dear old Moonbeam, and the B. B., and Hossy's wonderful port wine with regret. It hasn't been very swell29, you know, but it's been uncommonly31 cosy32. Don't you think so?"
"You see I wasn't born to anything better," said Mr. Pepper.
Just at this moment Cox and Fooks came out of the house. They had not as yet breakfasted, but had thought that a mouthful of air in the stable-yard might enable them to get through their toast and red herrings with an amount of appetite which had not as yet been vouchsafed33 to them. Second and third editions of that wonderful port had been produced on the previous evening, and the two warriors34 had played their parts with it manfully. Fooks was bearing up bravely as he made his way across the yard; but Cox looked as though his friends ought to see to his making that journey to Australia very soon if they intended him to make it at all. "I'm blessed if you fellows haven't been and breakfasted," said Captain Fooks.
"That's about it," said the Squire.
"You must be uncommon30 fond of getting up early."
"Do you know who gets the worm?" asked Mr. Pepper.
"Oh, bother that," said Cox.
"There's nothing I hate so much as being told about that nasty worm," said Captain Fooks. "I don't want a worm."
"But the early birds do," said Mr. Pepper.
Captain Fooks was rather given to be cross of mornings. "I think, you know, that when fellows say over night they'll breakfast together, it isn't just the sort of thing for one or two to have all the things brought up at any unconscionable hour they please. Eh, Cox?"
"I'm sure I don't know," said Cox. "I shall just have another go of soda35 and brandy with a devilled biscuit. That's all I want."
"Fooks had better go to bed again, and see if he can't get out the other side," said Ralph.
"Chaff36 doesn't mean anything," said Captain Fooks.
"That's as you take it," said Mr. Pepper.
"I shall take it just as I please," said Captain Fooks.
Just at this moment Mr. Horsball came up to them, touching37 his hat cheerily in sign of the commencement of the day. "You'll ride Mr. Pepper's little 'orse, I suppose, sir?" he said, addressing himself to the young Squire.
"Certainly,—I told Larking38 I would."
"Exactly, Mr. Newton. And Banker might as well go out as second."
"I said Brewer39. Banker was out on Friday."
"That won't be no odds40, Mr. Newton. The fact is. Brewer's legs is a little puffed41."
"All right," said the Squire.
"Well, old Hossy," said Lieutenant Cox, summing up all his energy in an attempt at matutinal joviality42 as he slapped the landlord on the back, "how are things going with you?"
Mr. Horsball knew his customers, and did not like being slapped on the back with more than ordinary vigour43 by such a customer as Lieutenant Cox. "Pretty well, I thank you, Mr. Cox," said he. "I didn't take too much last night, and I eat my breakfast 'earty this morning."
"There is one for you, young man," said Captain Fooks. Whereupon the Squire laughed heartily44. Mr. Horsball went on nodding his head, intending to signify his opinion that he had done his work thoroughly45; Mr. Pepper, standing on one foot with the other raised on a horse-block, looked on without moving a muscle of his face. The lieutenant was disgusted, but was too weak in his inner man to be capable of instant raillery;—when, on a sudden, the whole aspect of things was changed by the appearance of Mr. Neefit in the yard.
"D——tion!" exclaimed our friend Ralph. The apparition46 had been so sudden that the Squire was unable to restrain himself. Mr. Neefit, as the reader will perhaps remember, had been at the Moonbeam before. He had written letters which had been answered, and then letters,—many letters,—to which no reply had been given. In respect of the Neefit arrangements Ralph Newton felt himself to be peculiarly ill-used by persecutions such as these, because he had honestly done his best to make Polly his wife. No doubt he acknowledged that fortune had favoured him almost miraculously47, in first saving him from so injurious a marriage by the action of the young lady, and then at once bestowing48 upon him his estate. But the escape was the doing of fortune and Polly Neefit combined, and had not come of any intrigue49 on his own part. He was in a position,—so he thought,—absolutely to repudiate50 Neefit, and to throw himself upon facts for his protection;—but then it was undoubtedly51 the case that for a year or two Mr. Neefit could make his life a burden to him. He would have bought off Neefit at a considerable price, had Neefit been purchaseable. But Neefit was not in this matter greedy for himself. He wanted to make his daughter a lady, and he thought that this was the readiest way to accomplish that object. The Squire, in his unmeasurable disgust, uttered the curse aloud; but then, remembering himself, walked up to the breeches-maker with his extended hand. He had borrowed the man's money. "What's in the wind now, Mr. Neefit?" he said.
"What's in the wind, Captain? Oh, you know. When are you coming to see us at the cottage?"
"I don't think my coming would do any good. I'm not in favour with the ladies there." Ralph was aware that all the men standing round him had heard the story, and that nothing was to be gained by an immediate52 attempt at concealment53. It behoved him, above all things, to be upon his metal, to put a good face upon it, and to be at any rate equal to the breeches-maker in presence of mind and that kind of courage which he himself would have called "cheek."
"My money was in favour with you, Captain, when you promised as how you would be on the square with me in regard to our Polly."
"Mr. Neefit," said Ralph, speaking in a low voice, but still clearly, so that all around him could hear him, "your daughter and I can never be more to each other than we are at present. She has decided54 that. But I value her character and good name too highly to allow even you to injure them by such a discussion in a stableyard." And, having said this, he walked away into the house.
"My Polly's character!" said the infuriated breeches-maker, turning round to the audience, and neglecting to follow his victim in his determination to vindicate55 his daughter. "If my girl's character don't stand higher nor his or any one's belonging to him I'll eat it!"
"Mr. Newton meant to speak in favour of the young lady, not against her," said Mr. Pepper.
"Then why don't he come out on the square? Now, gents, I'll tell you just the whole of it. He came down to my little box, where I, and my missus, and my girl lives quiet and decent, to borrow money;—and he borrowed it. He won't say as that wasn't so."
"And he's paid you the money back again," said Mr. Pepper.
"He have;—but just you listen. I know you, Mr. Pepper, and all about you; and do you listen. He have paid it back. But when he come there borrowing money, he saw my girl; and, says he,—'I've got to sell that 'eritance of mine for just what it 'll fetch.' 'That's bad, Captain,' says I. 'It is bad,' says he. Then says he again, 'Neefit, that girl of yours there is the sweetest girl as ever I put my eyes on.' And so she is,—as sweet as a rose, and as honest as the sun, and as good as gold. I says it as oughtn't; but she is. 'It's a pity, Neefit,' says he,' about the 'eritance; ain't it?' 'Captain,' says I,—I used to call him Captain 'cause he come down quite familiar like to eat his bit of salmon56 and drink his glass of wine. Laws,—he was glad enough to come then, mighty57 grand as he is now."
"I don't think he's grand at all," said Mr. Horsball.
"Well;—do you just listen, gents. 'Captain,' says I, 'that 'eritance of yourn mustn't be sold no how. I says so. What's the figure as is wanted?' Well; then he went on to say as how Polly was the sweetest girl he ever see;—and so we came to an understanding. He was to have what money he wanted at once, and then ￡20,000 down when he married Polly. He did have a thousand. And, now,—see what his little game is."
"But the young lady wouldn't have anything to say to him," suggested Captain Fooks, who, even for the sake of his breakfast, could not omit to hear the last of so interesting a conversation.
"Laws, Captain Fooks, to hear the likes of that from you, who is an officer and a gentleman by Act of Parliament! When you have anything sweet to say to a young woman, does she always jump down your throat the first go off?"
"If she don't come at the second time of asking I always go elsewhere," said Captain Fooks.
"Then it's my opinion you have a deal of travelling to do," said Mr. Neefit, "and don't get much at the end of it. It's because he's come in for his 'eritance, which he never would have had only for me, that he's demeaning himself this fashion. It ain't acting58 the gentleman; it ain't the thing; it's off the square. Only for me and my money there wouldn't be an acre his this blessed minute;—d——d if there would! I saved it for him, by my ready money,—just that I might see my Polly put into a station as she'd make more genteel than she found it. That's what she would;—she has that manners, not to talk of her being as pretty a girl as there is from here to,—to anywheres. He made me a promise, and he shall keep it. I'll worry the heart out of him else. Pay me back my money! Who cares for the money? I can tell guineas with him now, I'll be bound. I'll put it all in the papers,—I will. There ain't a soul shan't know it. I'll put the story of it into the pockets of every pair of breeches as leaves my shop. I'll send it to every M. F. H. in the kingdom."
"You'll about destroy your trade, old fellow," said Mr. Pepper.
"I don't care for the trade, Mr. Pepper. Why have I worked like a 'orse? It's only for my girl."
"I suppose she's not breaking her heart for him?" said Captain Fooks.
"What she's a doing with her heart ain't no business of yours, Captain Fooks. I'm her father, and I know what I'm about. I'll make that young man's life a burden to him, if 'e ain't on the square with my girl. You see if I don't. Mr. 'Orsball, I want a 'orse to go a 'unting on to-day. You lets 'em. Just tell your man to get me a 'orse. I'll pay for him."
"I didn't know you ever did anything in that way," said Mr. Horsball.
"I may begin if I please, I suppose. If I can't go no other way, I'll go on a donkey, and I'll tell every one that's out. Oh, 'e don't know me yet,—don't that young gent."
Mr. Neefit did not succeed in getting any animal out of Mr. Horsball's stables, nor did he make further attempt to carry his last threat into execution on that morning. Mr. Horsball now led the way into the house, while Mr. Pepper mounted his nag59. Captain Fooks and Lieutenant Cox went in to their breakfast, and the unfortunate father followed them. It was now nearly eleven o'clock, and it was found that Ralph's horses had been taken round to the other door, and that he had already started. He said very little to any one during the day, though he was somewhat comforted by information conveyed to him by Mr. Horsball in the course of the afternoon that Mr. Neefit had returned to London. "You send your lawyer to him, Squire," said Mr. Horsball. "Lawyers cost a deal of money, but they do make things straight." This suggestion had also been made to him by his brother Gregory.
On the following day Ralph went up to London, and explained all the circumstances of the case to Mr. Carey. Mr. Carey undertook to do his best to straighten this very crooked60 episode in his client's life.
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1
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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4
bosoms
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| 胸部( bosom的名词复数 )； 胸怀； 女衣胸部（或胸襟）； 和爱护自己的人在一起的情形 | |
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5
dilatory
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| adj.迟缓的，不慌不忙的 | |
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6
secluded
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| adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
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7
smirked
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| v.傻笑( smirk的过去分词 ) | |
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squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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10
champagne
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| n.香槟酒；微黄色 | |
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11
advantageous
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| adj.有利的；有帮助的 | |
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12
discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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13
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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14
capability
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| n.能力；才能；(pl)可发展的能力或特性等 | |
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15
plentiful
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| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
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16
milestone
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| n.里程碑；划时代的事件 | |
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17
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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18
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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19
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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20
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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21
slumbers
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| 睡眠，安眠( slumber的名词复数 ) | |
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22
implement
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| n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行 | |
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23
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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24
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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allusion
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| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
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26
vex
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| vt.使烦恼，使苦恼 | |
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27
confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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28
chuckling
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的现在分词 ) | |
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29
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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30
uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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uncommonly
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| adv. 稀罕(极，非常) | |
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32
cosy
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| adj.温暖而舒适的，安逸的 | |
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33
vouchsafed
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| v.给予，赐予( vouchsafe的过去式和过去分词 )；允诺 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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35
soda
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| n.苏打水；汽水 | |
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36
chaff
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| v.取笑，嘲笑；n.谷壳 | |
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37
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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38
larking
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| v.百灵科鸟（尤指云雀）( lark的现在分词 )；一大早就起床；鸡鸣即起；（因太费力而不想干时说）算了 | |
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39
brewer
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| n. 啤酒制造者 | |
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40
odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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41
puffed
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| adj.疏松的v.使喷出( puff的过去式和过去分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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42
joviality
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| n.快活 | |
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vigour
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| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
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44
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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45
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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46
apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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47
miraculously
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| ad.奇迹般地 | |
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48
bestowing
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| 砖窑中砖堆上层已烧透的砖 | |
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49
intrigue
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| vt.激起兴趣，迷住；vi.耍阴谋；n.阴谋，密谋 | |
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50
repudiate
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| v.拒绝，拒付，拒绝履行 | |
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51
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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52
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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53
concealment
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| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
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54
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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55
vindicate
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| v.为…辩护或辩解，辩明；证明…正确 | |
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56
salmon
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| n.鲑，大马哈鱼，橙红色的 | |
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57
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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58
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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59
nag
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| v.(对…)不停地唠叨；n.爱唠叨的人 | |
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60
crooked
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| adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的 | |
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