Then there was Crowdy,—Crowdy, whose high-flown ideas hardly tallied15 with the stern realities of his life. Crowdy was the leader of those who had once held firmly by Protection. Crowdy had been staunchly true to his party since he had a party, though it had been said of him that the adventures of Crowdy in search of a party had been very long and very various. There had been no Goose with a bitterer tongue than Crowdy; but now in these days a spirit of quiescence16 had fallen on him; and though he spoke17 as often as ever, he did not wield18 so deadly a tomahawk.
Then there was the burly Buggins, than whom no Goose had a more fluent use of his vernacular19. He was not polished as Robinson, nor had he ever possessed20 the exquisite21 keenness of Crowdy. But in speaking he always hit the nail on the head, and carried his hearers with him by the energy and perspicuity22 of his argument. But by degrees the world of the Goose and Gridiron had learned that Buggins talked of things which he did not understand, and which he had not studied. His facts would not bear the light. Words fell from his mouth sweeter than honey; but sweet as they were they were of no avail. It was pleasant to hear Buggins talk, but men knew that it was useless.
But perhaps the most remarkable23 Goose in that assembly, as decidedly he was the most popular, was old Pan. He traced his birth to the mighty24 blood of the great Pancabinets, whose noble name he still proudly bore. Every one liked old Pancabinet, and though he did not now possess, and never had possessed, those grand oratorical25 powers which distinguished26 so highly the worthy Geese above mentioned, no Goose ever rose upon his legs more sure of respectful attention. The sway which he bore in that assembly was very wonderful, for he was an old man, and there were there divers27 Geese of unruly spirit. Lately he had associated himself much with our friend Robinson, for which many blamed him. But old Pancabinet generally knew what he was about, and having recognized the tremendous power of the young merchant from Bishopsgate Street, was full sure that he could get on better with him than he could against him.
It was pleasant to see "My Grand" as he sat in his big arm-chair, with his beer before him, and his long pipe in his mouth. A benign28 smile was ever on his face, and yet he showed himself plainly conscious that authority lived in his slightest word, and that he had but to nod to be obeyed. That pipe was constant in his hand, and was the weapon with which he signified his approbation29 of the speakers. When any great orator9 would arise and address him as Most Worthy Grand, he would lay his pipe for an instant on the table, and, crossing his hands on his ample waistcoat, would bow serenely30 to the Goose on his legs. Then, not allowing the spark to be extinguished on his tobacco, he would resume the clay, and spread out over his head and shoulders a long soft cloud of odorous smoke. But when any upstart so addressed him,—any Goose not entitled by character to use the sonorous31 phrase,—he would still retain his pipe, and simply wink32 his eye. It was said that this distinction quite equalled the difference between big type and little. Perhaps the qualification which was most valued among The Geese, and most specially33 valued by The Worthy Grand, was a knowledge of the Forms of the Room, as it was called. These rules or formulas, which had probably been gradually invented for the complication of things which had once been too simple, were so numerous that no Goose could remember them all who was not very constant in his attention, and endowed with an accurate memory. And in this respect they were no doubt useful;—that when young and unskilled Geese tried to monopolize34 the attention of the Room, they would be constantly checked and snubbed, and at last subdued35 and silenced, by some reference to a forgotten form. No Goose could hope to get through a lengthy36 speech without such interruption till he had made the Forms of the Room a long and painful study.
On the evening in question,—that same evening on which Robinson had endeavoured to tear out the tongue of Brisket,—the Geese were assembled before eight o'clock. A motion that had been made elsewhere for the repeal37 of the paper duties was to be discussed. It was known that the minds of many Geese were violently set against a measure which they presumed to be most deleterious to the country; but old Pan, under the rigorous instigation of Robinson, had given in his adhesion, and was prepared to vote for the measure,—and to talk for it also, should there be absolute necessity. Buggins also was on the same side,—for Buggins was by trade a radical38. But it was felt by all that the debate would be nothing unless Robinson should be there to "chaw up" Crowdy, as had been intimated to our friend by that worthy Goose the young Poppins.
But at eight o'clock and at a quarter past eight Robinson was not there. Crowdy, not wishing to lacerate his foe till that foe should be there to feel the wounds, sat silent in his usual seat. Pancabinet, who understood well the beauty of silence, would not begin the fray39. Buggins was ever ready to talk, but he was cunning enough to know that a future opportunity might be more valuable than the present one. Then up jumped Poppins. Now Poppins was no orator, but he felt that as the friend of Robinson, he was bound to address the meeting on the present occasion. There were circumstances which should be explained. "Most worthy Grand,—" he began, starting suddenly to his legs; whereupon the worthy Grand slightly drew back his head, still holding his pipe between his lips, and winked40 at the unhappy Poppins. "As the friend of the absent Robinson—" he went on; but he was at once interrupted by loud cries of "order" from every side of the Room. And, worse than that, the Grand frowned at him. There was no rule more established than that which forbade the name of any Goose to be mentioned. "I beg the Grand's pardon," continued Poppins; "I mean the absent worthy Goose. As his friend I rise to say a few words. I know he feels the greatest interest about this measure, which has been brought forward in the House of C—" But again he was interrupted. "Order, order, order," was shouted at him by vociferous41 Geese on every side, and the Grand frowned at him twice. When the Grand had frowned at a member three times, that member was silenced for the night. In this matter the assembly at the "Goose and Gridiron" had not copied their rule from any other Body. But it is worthy of consideration whether some other Body might not do well to copy theirs. "I beg the Grand's pardon again," said the unhappy Poppins; "but I meant in another place." Hereupon a worthy Goose got up and suggested that their numbers should be counted. Now there was a rule that no debate could be continued unless a dozen Geese were present; and a debate once closed, was closed for that night. When such a hint was given to the Grand, it became the Grand's duty to count his Geese, and in order to effect this in accordance with the constitution of the assembly, it was necessary that the servants should withdraw. Strangers also were sometimes present, and at such moments they were politely asked to retire. When the suggestion was made, the suggestor no doubt knew that the requisite42 number was not there, but it usually happened on such occasions that some hangers-on were at hand to replenish43 the room. A Goose or two might be eating bread and cheese in the little parlour,—for food could not be introduced into the debating-room; and a few of the younger Geese might often be found amusing themselves with the young lady at the bar. Word would be passed to them that the Grand was about to count, and indeed they would hear the tap of his tobacco-stopper on the table. Then there would be a rush among these hungry and amorous44 Geese, and so the number would be made up. That they called making a flock.
When the suggestion was given on the present occasion the Grand put down his tankard from his hand and proceeded to the performance of his duty. Turning the mouthpiece of his long pipe-clay out from him, he pointed45 it slowly to one after another, counting them as he so pointed. First he counted up old Pancabinet, and a slight twinkle might be seen in the eyes of the two old men as he did so. Then, turning his pipe round the room, he pointed at them all, and it was found that there were fifteen present. "There is a flock, and the discreet46 and worthy Goose is in possession of the room," he said, bowing to Poppins. And Poppins again began his speech.
It was but a blundering affair, as was too often the case with the speeches made there; and then when Poppins sat down, the great Crowdy rose slowly to his legs. We will not attempt to give the speech of this eloquent47 Goose at length, for the great Crowdy often made long speeches. It may suffice to say that having a good cause he made the best of it, and that he pitched into our poor Robinson most unmercifully, always declaring as he did so that as his friend the enterprising and worthy Goose was absent, his own mouth was effectually closed. It may be noted48 here that whenever a Goose was in commerce the epithet49 "enterprising" was always used when he was mentioned; and if he held or ever had held a service of trust, as Poppins did, he was called the "discreet" Goose. And then, just as Crowdy finished his speech, the swinging door of the room was opened, and Robinson himself started up to his accustomed place.
It was easy to see that both the inner man had been disturbed and the outer. His hair and clothes had been ruffled50 in the embrace with Brisket, and his heart had been ruffled in its encounter with Maryanne. He had come straight from Bishopsgate Street to the "Goose and Gridiron;" and now when he walked up to his seat, all the Geese remained silent waiting for him to declare himself.
"Most worthy Grand," he began; and immediately the long pipe was laid upon the table and the hands of the Grand were crossed upon his bosom51. "A circumstance has occurred to-night, which unfits me for these debates." "No, no, no," was shouted on one side; and "hear, hear, hear," on the other; during which the Grand again bowed and then resumed his pipe.
"If the chamber52 will allow me to wander away from paper for a moment, and to open the sores of a bleeding heart—"
"Question, question," was then called by a jealous voice.
"The enterprising and worthy Goose is perfectly53 in order," said the burly Buggins. "Many a good heart will bleed before long if this debate is to be choked and smothered54 by the cackle of the incapable55."
"I submit that the question before the chamber is the repeal of the paper duties," said the jealous voice, "and not the bleeding heart of the enterprising and worthy Goose."
"The question before the cabinet is," said My Grand, "that the chamber considers that two millions a-year will be lost for ever by the repeal of the paper duties; but if the enterprising and worthy Goose have any personal remarks to make bearing on that subject, he will be in order."
"It is a matter of privilege," suggested Poppins.
"A personal explanation is always allowed," said Robinson, indignantly; "nor did I think that any member of this chamber would have had the baseness to stop my voice when—"
"Order—order—order!"
"I may have been wrong to say baseness in this chamber, however base the worthy Goose may be; and, therefore, with permission of our worthy Grand, I will substitute 'hardihood.'" Whereupon the worthy Grand again bowed. But still there were cries of question from the side of the room opposite to that on which Robinson sat.
Then old Pancabinet rose from his seat, and all voices were hushed.
"If I may be allowed to make a suggestion," said he, "I would say that the enterprising and worthy Goose should be heard on a matter personal to himself. It may very probably be that the privileges of this chamber are concerned; and I think I may say that any worthy Goose speaking on matters affecting privilege in this chamber is always heard with that attention which the interest of the subject demands." After that there was no further interruption, and Robinson was allowed to open his bleeding heart.
"Most worthy Grand," he again began, and again the pipe was laid down, for Robinson was much honoured. "I come here hot from a scene of domestic woe56, which has robbed me of all political discretion57, and made the paper duty to me an inscrutable mystery. The worthy Geese here assembled see before them a man who has been terribly injured; one in whose mangled58 breast Fate has fixed59 her sharpest dagger60, and poisoned the blade before she fixed it." "No—no—no." "Hear—hear—hear." "Yes, my Grand; she poisoned the blade before she fixed it. On Tuesday next I had hoped—" and here his voice became inexpressibly soft and tender, "on Tuesday next I had hoped to become one bone and one flesh with a fair girl whom I have loved for months;—fair indeed to the outer eye, as flesh and form can make her; but ah! how hideously61 foul62 within. And I had hoped on this day se'nnight to have received the congratulations of this chamber. I need not say that it would have been the proudest moment of my life. But, my Grand, that has all passed away. Her conduct has been the conduct of a Harpy. She is a Regan. She is false, heartless, and cruel; and this night I have renounced63 her."
Hereupon a small Goose, very venomous, but vehemently64 attached to the privileges of his chamber, gave notice of a motion that that false woman should be brought before the Most Worthy Grand, and heard at the bar of the "Goose and Gridiron." But another worthy Goose showed that the enterprising and worthy Goose had by his own showing renounced the lady himself, and that, therefore, there could have been no breach65 of the privilege of the chamber. The notice of motion was then withdrawn66.
"O woman!" continued Robinson, "how terrible is thy witchcraft67, and how powerful are thy charms! Thou spakest, and Adam fell. Thou sangest, and Samson's strength was gone. The head of the last of the prophets was the reward of thy meretricious68 feet. 'Twas thy damnable eloquence that murdered the noble Duncan. 'Twas thy lascivious69 beauty that urged the slaughter70 of the noble Dane. As were Adam and Samson, so am I. As were Macbeth and the foul king in the play, so is my rival Brisket. Most worthy Grand, this chamber must hold me excused if I decline to-night to enter upon the subject of the paper duties." Then Robinson left the chamber, and the discussion was immediately adjourned71 to that day se'nnight.
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1
ostensible
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| adj.(指理由)表面的，假装的 | |
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2
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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3
dominant
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| adj.支配的，统治的；占优势的；显性的；n.主因，要素，主要的人(或物)；显性基因 | |
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aspirants
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| n.有志向或渴望获得…的人( aspirant的名词复数 )v.渴望的，有抱负的，追求名誉或地位的( aspirant的第三人称单数 )；有志向或渴望获得…的人 | |
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5
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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7
invoking
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| v.援引( invoke的现在分词 )；行使（权利等）；祈求救助；恳求 | |
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8
arrogance
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| n.傲慢，自大 | |
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orator
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| n.演说者，演讲者，雄辩家 | |
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10
orators
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| n.演说者，演讲家( orator的名词复数 ) | |
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elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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12
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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13
dispensed
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| v.分配( dispense的过去式和过去分词 )；施与；配（药） | |
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14
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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15
tallied
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| v.计算，清点( tally的过去式和过去分词 )；加标签（或标记）于；（使）符合；（使）吻合 | |
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16
quiescence
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| n.静止 | |
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17
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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18
wield
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| vt.行使，运用，支配；挥，使用(武器等) | |
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19
vernacular
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| adj.地方的，用地方语写成的；n.白话；行话；本国语；动植物的俗名 | |
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20
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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21
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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perspicuity
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| n.（文体的）明晰 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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oratorical
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| adj.演说的，雄辩的 | |
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26
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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27
divers
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| adj.不同的；种种的 | |
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benign
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| adj.善良的，慈祥的；良性的，无危险的 | |
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approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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serenely
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| adv.安详地，宁静地，平静地 | |
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31
sonorous
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| adj.响亮的，回响的；adv.圆润低沉地；感人地；n.感人，堂皇 | |
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32
wink
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| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
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specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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monopolize
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| v.垄断，独占，专营 | |
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subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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36
lengthy
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| adj.漫长的，冗长的 | |
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repeal
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| n.废止，撤消；v.废止，撤消 | |
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radical
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| n.激进份子，原子团，根号；adj.根本的，激进的，彻底的 | |
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39
fray
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| v.争吵；打斗；磨损，磨破；n.吵架；打斗 | |
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40
winked
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| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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41
vociferous
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| adj.喧哗的，大叫大嚷的 | |
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42
requisite
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| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
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43
replenish
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| vt.补充；(把…)装满；(再)填满 | |
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44
amorous
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| adj.多情的；有关爱情的 | |
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45
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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46
discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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47
eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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48
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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49
epithet
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| n.（用于褒贬人物等的）表述形容词，修饰语 | |
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50
ruffled
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| adj. 有褶饰边的, 起皱的 动词ruffle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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51
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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52
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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53
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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54
smothered
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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55
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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56
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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57
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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58
mangled
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| vt.乱砍（mangle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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59
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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60
dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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61
hideously
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| adv.可怕地，非常讨厌地 | |
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62
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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63
renounced
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| v.声明放弃( renounce的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布放弃；宣布与…决裂；宣布摒弃 | |
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64
vehemently
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| adv. 热烈地 | |
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65
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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66
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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67
witchcraft
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| n.魔法，巫术 | |
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68
meretricious
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| adj.华而不实的，俗艳的 | |
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69
lascivious
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| adj.淫荡的，好色的 | |
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70
slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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71
adjourned
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| （使）休会， （使）休庭( adjourn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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