The cold, feeble dawn of a January morning was stealing in at the windows of the common sleeping-room, when Nicholas, raising himself on his arm, looked among the prostrate3 forms which on every side surrounded him, as though in search of some particular object.
It needed a quick eye to detect, from among the huddled4 mass of sleepers6, the form of any given individual. As they lay closely packed together, covered, for warmth’s sake, with their patched and ragged7 clothes, little could be distinguished8 but the sharp outlines of pale faces, over which the sombre light shed the same dull heavy colour; with, here and there, a gaunt arm thrust forth9: its thinness hidden by no covering, but fully11 exposed to view, in all its shrunken ugliness. There were some who, lying on their backs with upturned faces and clenched12 hands, just visible in the leaden light, bore more the aspect of dead bodies than of living creatures; and there were others coiled up into strange and fantastic postures13, such as might have been taken for the uneasy efforts of pain to gain some temporary relief, rather than the freaks of slumber14. A few—and these were among the youngest of the children—slept peacefully on, with smiles upon their faces, dreaming perhaps of home; but ever and again a deep and heavy sigh, breaking the stillness of the room, announced that some new sleeper5 had awakened15 to the misery16 of another day; and, as morning took the place of night, the smiles gradually faded away, with the friendly darkness which had given them birth.
Dreams are the bright creatures of poem and legend, who sport on earth in the night season, and melt away in the first beam of the sun, which lights grim care and stern reality on their daily pilgrimage through the world.
Nicholas looked upon the sleepers; at first, with the air of one who gazes upon a scene which, though familiar to him, has lost none of its sorrowful effect in consequence; and, afterwards, with a more intense and searching scrutiny17, as a man would who missed something his eye was accustomed to meet, and had expected to rest upon. He was still occupied in this search, and had half risen from his bed in the eagerness of his quest, when the voice of Squeers was heard, calling from the bottom of the stairs.
‘Now then,’ cried that gentleman, ‘are you going to sleep all day, up there—’
‘You lazy hounds?’ added Mrs. Squeers, finishing the sentence, and producing, at the same time, a sharp sound, like that which is occasioned by the lacing of stays.
‘We shall be down directly, sir,’ replied Nicholas.
‘Down directly!’ said Squeers. ‘Ah! you had better be down directly, or I’ll be down upon some of you in less. Where’s that Smike?’
Nicholas looked hurriedly round again, but made no answer.
‘Smike!’ shouted Squeers.
Still there was no reply, and still Nicholas stared about him, as did the greater part of the boys, who were by this time roused.
‘Confound his impudence19!’ muttered Squeers, rapping the stair-rail impatiently with his cane20. ‘Nickleby!’
‘Well, sir.’
‘He is not here, sir,’ replied Nicholas.
‘Don’t tell me a lie,’ retorted the schoolmaster. ‘He is.’
‘He is not,’ retorted Nicholas angrily, ‘don’t tell me one.’
‘We shall soon see that,’ said Mr. Squeers, rushing upstairs. ‘I’ll find him, I warrant you.’
With which assurance, Mr. Squeers bounced into the dormitory, and, swinging his cane in the air ready for a blow, darted22 into the corner where the lean body of the drudge23 was usually stretched at night. The cane descended24 harmlessly upon the ground. There was nobody there.
‘What does this mean?’ said Squeers, turning round with a very pale face. ‘Where have you hid him?’
‘I have seen nothing of him since last night,’ replied Nicholas.
‘Come,’ said Squeers, evidently frightened, though he endeavoured to look otherwise, ‘you won’t save him this way. Where is he?’
‘At the bottom of the nearest pond for aught I know,’ rejoined Nicholas in a low voice, and fixing his eyes full on the master’s face.
‘Damn you, what do you mean by that?’ retorted Squeers in great perturbation. Without waiting for a reply, he inquired of the boys whether any one among them knew anything of their missing schoolmate.
There was a general hum of anxious denial, in the midst of which, one shrill25 voice was heard to say (as, indeed, everybody thought):
‘Please, sir, I think Smike’s run away, sir.’
‘Ha!’ cried Squeers, turning sharp round. ‘Who said that?’
‘Tomkins, please sir,’ rejoined a chorus of voices. Mr. Squeers made a plunge26 into the crowd, and at one dive, caught a very little boy, habited still in his night-gear, and the perplexed27 expression of whose countenance28, as he was brought forward, seemed to intimate that he was as yet uncertain whether he was about to be punished or rewarded for the suggestion. He was not long in doubt.
‘You think he has run away, do you, sir?’ demanded Squeers.
‘Yes, please sir,’ replied the little boy.
‘And what, sir,’ said Squeers, catching29 the little boy suddenly by the arms and whisking up his drapery in a most dexterous30 manner, ‘what reason have you to suppose that any boy would want to run away from this establishment? Eh, sir?’
The child raised a dismal31 cry, by way of answer, and Mr. Squeers, throwing himself into the most favourable32 attitude for exercising his strength, beat him until the little urchin33 in his writhings actually rolled out of his hands, when he mercifully allowed him to roll away, as he best could.
‘There,’ said Squeers. ‘Now if any other boy thinks Smike has run away, I shall be glad to have a talk with him.’
There was, of course, a profound silence, during which Nicholas showed his disgust as plainly as looks could show it.
‘Well, Nickleby,’ said Squeers, eyeing him maliciously34. ‘You think he has run away, I suppose?’
‘I think it extremely likely,’ replied Nicholas, in a quiet manner.
‘I know nothing of the kind.’
‘He didn’t tell you he was going, I suppose, did he?’ sneered Squeers.
‘He did not,’ replied Nicholas; ‘I am very glad he did not, for it would then have been my duty to have warned you in time.’
‘I should indeed,’ replied Nicholas. ‘You interpret my feelings with great accuracy.’
Mrs. Squeers had listened to this conversation, from the bottom of the stairs; but, now losing all patience, she hastily assumed her night-jacket, and made her way to the scene of action.
‘What’s all this here to-do?’ said the lady, as the boys fell off right and left, to save her the trouble of clearing a passage with her brawny37 arms. ‘What on earth are you a talking to him for, Squeery!’
‘Why, my dear,’ said Squeers, ‘the fact is, that Smike is not to be found.’
‘Well, I know that,’ said the lady, ‘and where’s the wonder? If you get a parcel of proud-stomached teachers that set the young dogs a rebelling, what else can you look for? Now, young man, you just have the kindness to take yourself off to the schoolroom, and take the boys off with you, and don’t you stir out of there till you have leave given you, or you and I may fall out in a way that’ll spoil your beauty, handsome as you think yourself, and so I tell you.’
‘Indeed!’ said Nicholas.
‘Yes; and indeed and indeed again, Mister Jackanapes,’ said the excited lady; ‘and I wouldn’t keep such as you in the house another hour, if I had my way.’
‘Nor would you if I had mine,’ replied Nicholas. ‘Now, boys!’
‘Ah! Now, boys,’ said Mrs. Squeers, mimicking38, as nearly as she could, the voice and manner of the usher39. ‘Follow your leader, boys, and take pattern by Smike if you dare. See what he’ll get for himself, when he is brought back; and, mind! I tell you that you shall have as bad, and twice as bad, if you so much as open your mouths about him.’
‘If I catch him,’ said Squeers, ‘I’ll only stop short of flaying40 him alive. I give you notice, boys.’
‘If you catch him,’ retorted Mrs. Squeers, contemptuously; ‘you are sure to; you can’t help it, if you go the right way to work. Come! Away with you!’
With these words, Mrs. Squeers dismissed the boys, and after a little light skirmishing with those in the rear who were pressing forward to get out of the way, but were detained for a few moments by the throng41 in front, succeeded in clearing the room, when she confronted her spouse42 alone.
‘He is off,’ said Mrs. Squeers. ‘The cow-house and stable are locked up, so he can’t be there; and he’s not downstairs anywhere, for the girl has looked. He must have gone York way, and by a public road too.’
‘Why must he?’ inquired Squeers.
‘Stupid!’ said Mrs. Squeers angrily. ‘He hadn’t any money, had he?’
‘Never had a penny of his own in his whole life, that I know of,’ replied Squeers.
‘To be sure,’ rejoined Mrs. Squeers, ‘and he didn’t take anything to eat with him; that I’ll answer for. Ha! ha! ha!’
‘Ha! ha! ha!’ laughed Squeers.
‘Then, of course,’ said Mrs. S., ‘he must beg his way, and he could do that, nowhere, but on the public road.’
‘That’s true,’ exclaimed Squeers, clapping his hands.
‘True! Yes; but you would never have thought of it, for all that, if I hadn’t said so,’ replied his wife. ‘Now, if you take the chaise and go one road, and I borrow Swallow’s chaise, and go the other, what with keeping our eyes open, and asking questions, one or other of us is pretty certain to lay hold of him.’
The worthy43 lady’s plan was adopted and put in execution without a moment’s delay. After a very hasty breakfast, and the prosecution44 of some inquiries45 in the village, the result of which seemed to show that he was on the right track, Squeers started forth in the pony46-chaise, intent upon discovery and vengeance47. Shortly afterwards, Mrs. Squeers, arrayed in the white top-coat, and tied up in various shawls and handkerchiefs, issued forth in another chaise and another direction, taking with her a good-sized bludgeon, several odd pieces of strong cord, and a stout48 labouring man: all provided and carried upon the expedition, with the sole object of assisting in the capture, and (once caught) insuring the safe custody49 of the unfortunate Smike.
Nicholas remained behind, in a tumult50 of feeling, sensible that whatever might be the upshot of the boy’s flight, nothing but painful and deplorable consequences were likely to ensue from it. Death, from want and exposure to the weather, was the best that could be expected from the protracted51 wandering of so poor and helpless a creature, alone and unfriended, through a country of which he was wholly ignorant. There was little, perhaps, to choose between this fate and a return to the tender mercies of the Yorkshire school; but the unhappy being had established a hold upon his sympathy and compassion52, which made his heart ache at the prospect53 of the suffering he was destined54 to undergo. He lingered on, in restless anxiety, picturing a thousand possibilities, until the evening of next day, when Squeers returned, alone, and unsuccessful.
‘No news of the scamp!’ said the schoolmaster, who had evidently been stretching his legs, on the old principle, not a few times during the journey. ‘I’ll have consolation55 for this out of somebody, Nickleby, if Mrs Squeers don’t hunt him down; so I give you warning.’
‘It is not in my power to console you, sir,’ said Nicholas. ‘It is nothing to me.’
‘Isn’t it?’ said Squeers in a threatening manner. ‘We shall see!’
‘We shall,’ rejoined Nicholas.
‘Here’s the pony run right off his legs, and me obliged to come home with a hack56 cob, that’ll cost fifteen shillings besides other expenses,’ said Squeers; ‘who’s to pay for that, do you hear?’
‘I’ll have it out of somebody, I tell you,’ said Squeers, his usual harsh crafty58 manner changed to open bullying59 ‘None of your whining60 vapourings here, Mr. Puppy, but be off to your kennel61, for it’s past your bedtime! Come! Get out!’
Nicholas bit his lip and knit his hands involuntarily, for his fingerends tingled62 to avenge63 the insult; but remembering that the man was drunk, and that it could come to little but a noisy brawl64, he contented65 himself with darting66 a contemptuous look at the tyrant67, and walked, as majestically68 as he could, upstairs: not a little nettled69, however, to observe that Miss Squeers and Master Squeers, and the servant girl, were enjoying the scene from a snug70 corner; the two former indulging in many edifying71 remarks about the presumption72 of poor upstarts, which occasioned a vast deal of laughter, in which even the most miserable73 of all miserable servant girls joined: while Nicholas, stung to the quick, drew over his head such bedclothes as he had, and sternly resolved that the outstanding account between himself and Mr. Squeers should be settled rather more speedily than the latter anticipated.
Another day came, and Nicholas was scarcely awake when he heard the wheels of a chaise approaching the house. It stopped. The voice of Mrs. Squeers was heard, and in exultation74, ordering a glass of spirits for somebody, which was in itself a sufficient sign that something extraordinary had happened. Nicholas hardly dared to look out of the window; but he did so, and the very first object that met his eyes was the wretched Smike: so bedabbled with mud and rain, so haggard and worn, and wild, that, but for his garments being such as no scarecrow was ever seen to wear, he might have been doubtful, even then, of his identity.
‘Lift him out,’ said Squeers, after he had literally75 feasted his eyes, in silence, upon the culprit. ‘Bring him in; bring him in!’
‘Take care,’ cried Mrs. Squeers, as her husband proffered76 his assistance. ‘We tied his legs under the apron77 and made’em fast to the chaise, to prevent his giving us the slip again.’
With hands trembling with delight, Squeers unloosened the cord; and Smike, to all appearance more dead than alive, was brought into the house and securely locked up in a cellar, until such time as Mr. Squeers should deem it expedient78 to operate upon him, in presence of the assembled school.
Upon a hasty consideration of the circumstances, it may be matter of surprise to some persons, that Mr. and Mrs. Squeers should have taken so much trouble to repossess themselves of an incumbrance of which it was their wont79 to complain so loudly; but their surprise will cease when they are informed that the manifold services of the drudge, if performed by anybody else, would have cost the establishment some ten or twelve shillings per week in the shape of wages; and furthermore, that all runaways80 were, as a matter of policy, made severe examples of, at Dotheboys Hall, inasmuch as, in consequence of the limited extent of its attractions, there was but little inducement, beyond the powerful impulse of fear, for any pupil, provided with the usual number of legs and the power of using them, to remain.
The news that Smike had been caught and brought back in triumph, ran like wild-fire through the hungry community, and expectation was on tiptoe all the morning. On tiptoe it was destined to remain, however, until afternoon; when Squeers, having refreshed himself with his dinner, and further strengthened himself by an extra libation or so, made his appearance (accompanied by his amiable partner) with a countenance of portentous81 import, and a fearful instrument of flagellation, strong, supple82, wax-ended, and new,—in short, purchased that morning, expressly for the occasion.
‘Is every boy here?’ asked Squeers, in a tremendous voice.
Every boy was there, but every boy was afraid to speak, so Squeers glared along the lines to assure himself; and every eye drooped83, and every head cowered84 down, as he did so.
‘Each boy keep his place,’ said Squeers, administering his favourite blow to the desk, and regarding with gloomy satisfaction the universal start which it never failed to occasion. ‘Nickleby! to your desk, sir.’
It was remarked by more than one small observer, that there was a very curious and unusual expression in the usher’s face; but he took his seat, without opening his lips in reply. Squeers, casting a triumphant85 glance at his assistant and a look of most comprehensive despotism on the boys, left the room, and shortly afterwards returned, dragging Smike by the collar—or rather by that fragment of his jacket which was nearest the place where his collar would have been, had he boasted such a decoration.
In any other place, the appearance of the wretched, jaded86, spiritless object would have occasioned a murmur87 of compassion and remonstrance88. It had some effect, even there; for the lookers-on moved uneasily in their seats; and a few of the boldest ventured to steal looks at each other, expressive89 of indignation and pity.
They were lost on Squeers, however, whose gaze was fastened on the luckless Smike, as he inquired, according to custom in such cases, whether he had anything to say for himself.
‘Nothing, I suppose?’ said Squeers, with a diabolical90 grin.
Smike glanced round, and his eye rested, for an instant, on Nicholas, as if he had expected him to intercede91; but his look was riveted92 on his desk.
‘Have you anything to say?’ demanded Squeers again: giving his right arm two or three flourishes to try its power and suppleness93. ‘Stand a little out of the way, Mrs. Squeers, my dear; I’ve hardly got room enough.’
‘Spare me, sir!’ cried Smike.
‘Oh! that’s all, is it?’ said Squeers. ‘Yes, I’ll flog you within an inch of your life, and spare you that.’
‘Ha, ha, ha,’ laughed Mrs. Squeers, ‘that’s a good ‘un!’
‘Driven to do it, were you?’ said Squeers. ‘Oh! it wasn’t your fault; it was mine, I suppose—eh?’
‘A nasty, ungrateful, pig-headed, brutish, obstinate, sneaking95 dog,’ exclaimed Mrs. Squeers, taking Smike’s head under her arm, and administering a cuff96 at every epithet97; ‘what does he mean by that?’
‘Stand aside, my dear,’ replied Squeers. ‘We’ll try and find out.’
Mrs. Squeers, being out of breath with her exertions98, complied. Squeers caught the boy firmly in his grip; one desperate cut had fallen on his body—he was wincing99 from the lash100 and uttering a scream of pain—it was raised again, and again about to fall—when Nicholas Nickleby, suddenly starting up, cried ‘Stop!’ in a voice that made the rafters ring.
‘I,’ said Nicholas, stepping forward. ‘This must not go on.’
‘No!’ thundered Nicholas.
Aghast and stupefied by the boldness of the interference, Squeers released his hold of Smike, and, falling back a pace or two, gazed upon Nicholas with looks that were positively103 frightful104.
Squeers continued to gaze upon him, with his eyes starting out of his head; but astonishment106 had actually, for the moment, bereft107 him of speech.
‘You have disregarded all my quiet interference in the miserable lad’s behalf,’ said Nicholas; ‘you have returned no answer to the letter in which I begged forgiveness for him, and offered to be responsible that he would remain quietly here. Don’t blame me for this public interference. You have brought it upon yourself; not I.’
‘Sit down, beggar!’ screamed Squeers, almost beside himself with rage, and seizing Smike as he spoke108.
‘Wretch,’ rejoined Nicholas, fiercely, ‘touch him at your peril109! I will not stand by, and see it done. My blood is up, and I have the strength of ten such men as you. Look to yourself, for by Heaven I will not spare you, if you drive me on!’
‘Stand back,’ cried Squeers, brandishing110 his weapon.
‘I have a long series of insults to avenge,’ said Nicholas, flushed with passion; ‘and my indignation is aggravated111 by the dastardly cruelties practised on helpless infancy112 in this foul113 den10. Have a care; for if you do raise the devil within me, the consequences shall fall heavily upon your own head!’
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He had scarcely spoken, when Squeers, in a violent outbreak of wrath114, and with a cry like the howl of a wild beast, spat115 upon him, and struck him a blow across the face with his instrument of torture, which raised up a bar of livid flesh as it was inflicted116. Smarting with the agony of the blow, and concentrating into that one moment all his feelings of rage, scorn, and indignation, Nicholas sprang upon him, wrested117 the weapon from his hand, and pinning him by the throat, beat the ruffian till he roared for mercy.
The boys—with the exception of Master Squeers, who, coming to his father’s assistance, harassed118 the enemy in the rear—moved not, hand or foot; but Mrs. Squeers, with many shrieks119 for aid, hung on to the tail of her partner’s coat, and endeavoured to drag him from his infuriated adversary120; while Miss Squeers, who had been peeping through the keyhole in expectation of a very different scene, darted in at the very beginning of the attack, and after launching a shower of inkstands at the usher’s head, beat Nicholas to her heart’s content; animating121 herself, at every blow, with the recollection of his having refused her proffered love, and thus imparting additional strength to an arm which (as she took after her mother in this respect) was, at no time, one of the weakest.
Nicholas, in the full torrent123 of his violence, felt the blows no more than if they had been dealt with feathers; but, becoming tired of the noise and uproar124, and feeling that his arm grew weak besides, he threw all his remaining strength into half-a-dozen finishing cuts, and flung Squeers from him with all the force he could muster125. The violence of his fall precipitated126 Mrs. Squeers completely over an adjacent form; and Squeers striking his head against it in his descent, lay at his full length on the ground, stunned127 and motionless.
Having brought affairs to this happy termination, and ascertained129, to his thorough satisfaction, that Squeers was only stunned, and not dead (upon which point he had had some unpleasant doubts at first), Nicholas left his family to restore him, and retired130 to consider what course he had better adopt. He looked anxiously round for Smike, as he left the room, but he was nowhere to be seen.
After a brief consideration, he packed up a few clothes in a small leathern valise, and, finding that nobody offered to oppose his progress, marched boldly out by the front-door, and shortly afterwards, struck into the road which led to Greta Bridge.
When he had cooled sufficiently131 to be enabled to give his present circumstances some little reflection, they did not appear in a very encouraging light; he had only four shillings and a few pence in his pocket, and was something more than two hundred and fifty miles from London, whither he resolved to direct his steps, that he might ascertain128, among other things, what account of the morning’s proceedings132 Mr. Squeers transmitted to his most affectionate uncle.
Lifting up his eyes, as he arrived at the conclusion that there was no remedy for this unfortunate state of things, he beheld133 a horseman coming towards him, whom, on nearer approach, he discovered, to his infinite chagrin134, to be no other than Mr. John Browdie, who, clad in cords and leather leggings, was urging his animal forward by means of a thick ash stick, which seemed to have been recently cut from some stout sapling.
‘I am in no mood for more noise and riot,’ thought Nicholas, ‘and yet, do what I will, I shall have an altercation135 with this honest blockhead, and perhaps a blow or two from yonder staff.’
In truth, there appeared some reason to expect that such a result would follow from the encounter, for John Browdie no sooner saw Nicholas advancing, than he reined136 in his horse by the footpath137, and waited until such time as he should come up; looking meanwhile, very sternly between the horse’s ears, at Nicholas, as he came on at his leisure.
‘Servant, young genelman,’ said John.
‘Yours,’ said Nicholas.
‘Weel; we ha’ met at last,’ observed John, making the stirrup ring under a smart touch of the ash stick.
‘Yes,’ replied Nicholas, hesitating. ‘Come!’ he said, frankly138, after a moment’s pause, ‘we parted on no very good terms the last time we met; it was my fault, I believe; but I had no intention of offending you, and no idea that I was doing so. I was very sorry for it, afterwards. Will you shake hands?’
‘Shake honds!’ cried the good-humoured Yorkshireman; ‘ah! that I weel;’ at the same time, he bent139 down from the saddle, and gave Nicholas’s fist a huge wrench140: ‘but wa’at be the matther wi’ thy feace, mun? it be all brokken loike.’
‘It is a cut,’ said Nicholas, turning scarlet141 as he spoke,—‘a blow; but I returned it to the giver, and with good interest too.’
‘Noa, did ‘ee though?’ exclaimed John Browdie. ‘Well deane! I loike ‘un for thot.’
‘The fact is,’ said Nicholas, not very well knowing how to make the avowal142, ‘the fact is, that I have been ill-treated.’
‘Noa!’ interposed John Browdie, in a tone of compassion; for he was a giant in strength and stature143, and Nicholas, very likely, in his eyes, seemed a mere144 dwarf145; ‘dean’t say thot.’
‘Yes, I have,’ replied Nicholas, ‘by that man Squeers, and I have beaten him soundly, and am leaving this place in consequence.’
‘What!’ cried John Browdie, with such an ecstatic shout, that the horse quite shied at it. ‘Beatten the schoolmeasther! Ho! ho! ho! Beatten the schoolmeasther! who ever heard o’ the loike o’ that noo! Giv’ us thee hond agean, yoongster. Beatten the schoolmeasther! Dang it, I loov’ thee for’t.’
With these expressions of delight, John Browdie laughed and laughed again—so loud that the echoes, far and wide, sent back nothing but jovial146 peals147 of merriment—and shook Nicholas by the hand meanwhile, no less heartily148. When his mirth had subsided149, he inquired what Nicholas meant to do; on his informing him, to go straight to London, he shook his head doubtfully, and inquired if he knew how much the coaches charged to carry passengers so far.
‘No, I do not,’ said Nicholas; ‘but it is of no great consequence to me, for I intend walking.’
‘Every step of the way,’ replied Nicholas. ‘I should be many steps further on by this time, and so goodbye!’
‘Nay noo,’ replied the honest countryman, reining151 in his impatient horse, ‘stan’ still, tellee. Hoo much cash hast thee gotten?’
‘Not much,’ said Nicholas, colouring, ‘but I can make it enough. Where there’s a will, there’s a way, you know.’
John Browdie made no verbal answer to this remark, but putting his hand in his pocket, pulled out an old purse of solid leather, and insisted that Nicholas should borrow from him whatever he required for his present necessities.
‘Dean’t be afeard, mun,’ he said; ‘tak’ eneaf to carry thee whoam. Thee’lt pay me yan day, a’ warrant.’
Nicholas could by no means be prevailed upon to borrow more than a sovereign, with which loan Mr. Browdie, after many entreaties152 that he would accept of more (observing, with a touch of Yorkshire caution, that if he didn’t spend it all, he could put the surplus by, till he had an opportunity of remitting153 it carriage free), was fain to content himself.
‘Tak’ that bit o’ timber to help thee on wi’, mun,’ he added, pressing his stick on Nicholas, and giving his hand another squeeze; ‘keep a good heart, and bless thee. Beatten the schoolmeasther! ‘Cod it’s the best thing a’ve heerd this twonty year!’
So saying, and indulging, with more delicacy154 than might have been expected from him, in another series of loud laughs, for the purpose of avoiding the thanks which Nicholas poured forth, John Browdie set spurs to his horse, and went off at a smart canter: looking back, from time to time, as Nicholas stood gazing after him, and waving his hand cheerily, as if to encourage him on his way. Nicholas watched the horse and rider until they disappeared over the brow of a distant hill, and then set forward on his journey.
He did not travel far that afternoon, for by this time it was nearly dark, and there had been a heavy fall of snow, which not only rendered the way toilsome, but the track uncertain and difficult to find, after daylight, save by experienced wayfarers155. He lay, that night, at a cottage, where beds were let at a cheap rate to the more humble156 class of travellers; and, rising betimes next morning, made his way before night to Boroughbridge. Passing through that town in search of some cheap resting-place, he stumbled upon an empty barn within a couple of hundred yards of the roadside; in a warm corner of which, he stretched his weary limbs, and soon fell asleep.
When he awoke next morning, and tried to recollect122 his dreams, which had been all connected with his recent sojourn157 at Dotheboys Hall, he sat up, rubbed his eyes and stared—not with the most composed countenance possible—at some motionless object which seemed to be stationed within a few yards in front of him.
‘Strange!’ cried Nicholas; ‘can this be some lingering creation of the visions that have scarcely left me! It cannot be real—and yet I—I am awake! Smike!’
The form moved, rose, advanced, and dropped upon its knees at his feet. It was Smike indeed.
‘Why do you kneel to me?’ said Nicholas, hastily raising him.
‘To go with you—anywhere—everywhere—to the world’s end—to the churchyard grave,’ replied Smike, clinging to his hand. ‘Let me, oh do let me. You are my home—my kind friend—take me with you, pray.’
He had followed him, it seemed; had never lost sight of him all the way; had watched while he slept, and when he halted for refreshment159; and had feared to appear before, lest he should be sent back. He had not intended to appear now, but Nicholas had awakened more suddenly than he looked for, and he had had no time to conceal160 himself.
‘Poor fellow!’ said Nicholas, ‘your hard fate denies you any friend but one, and he is nearly as poor and helpless as yourself.’
‘May I—may I go with you?’ asked Smike, timidly. ‘I will be your faithful hard-working servant, I will, indeed. I want no clothes,’ added the poor creature, drawing his rags together; ‘these will do very well. I only want to be near you.’
‘And you shall,’ cried Nicholas. ‘And the world shall deal by you as it does by me, till one or both of us shall quit it for a better. Come!’
With these words, he strapped161 his burden on his shoulders, and, taking his stick in one hand, extended the other to his delighted charge; and so they passed out of the old barn, together.
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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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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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sleeper
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| n.睡眠者，卧车，卧铺 | |
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sleepers
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| n.卧铺（通常以复数形式出现）；卧车( sleeper的名词复数 )；轨枕；睡觉（呈某种状态）的人；小耳环 | |
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7
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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8
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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9
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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10
den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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12
clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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13
postures
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| 姿势( posture的名词复数 )； 看法； 态度； 立场 | |
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14
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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15
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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16
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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17
scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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18
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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19
impudence
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| n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼 | |
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20
cane
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| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
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21
obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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22
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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23
drudge
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| n.劳碌的人；v.做苦工，操劳 | |
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24
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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25
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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26
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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27
perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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28
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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29
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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30
dexterous
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| adj.灵敏的；灵巧的 | |
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31
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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32
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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33
urchin
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| n.顽童；海胆 | |
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34
maliciously
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| adv.有敌意地 | |
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35
sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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36
taunting
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| 嘲讽( taunt的现在分词 )； 嘲弄； 辱骂； 奚落 | |
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37
brawny
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| adj.强壮的 | |
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38
mimicking
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| v.（尤指为了逗乐而）模仿( mimic的现在分词 )；酷似 | |
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39
usher
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| n.带位员，招待员；vt.引导，护送；vi.做招待，担任引座员 | |
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40
flaying
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| v.痛打( flay的现在分词 )；把…打得皮开肉绽；剥（通常指动物）的皮；严厉批评 | |
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41
throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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42
spouse
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| n.配偶(指夫或妻) | |
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43
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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44
prosecution
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| n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营 | |
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45
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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46
pony
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| adj.小型的；n.小马 | |
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47
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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49
custody
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| n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留 | |
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50
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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51
protracted
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| adj.拖延的；延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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52
compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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53
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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54
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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55
consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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56
hack
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| n.劈，砍，出租马车；v.劈，砍，干咳 | |
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57
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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58
crafty
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| adj.狡猾的，诡诈的 | |
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59
bullying
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| v.恐吓，威逼( bully的现在分词 )；豪；跋扈 | |
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60
whining
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| n. 抱怨，牢骚 v. 哭诉，发牢骚 | |
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61
kennel
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| n.狗舍，狗窝 | |
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62
tingled
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| v.有刺痛感( tingle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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63
avenge
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| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
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64
brawl
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| n.大声争吵，喧嚷；v.吵架，对骂 | |
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65
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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66
darting
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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67
tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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68
majestically
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| 雄伟地； 庄重地； 威严地； 崇高地 | |
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69
nettled
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| v.拿荨麻打，拿荨麻刺（nettle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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70
snug
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| adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房 | |
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71
edifying
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|
| adj.有教训意味的，教训性的，有益的v.开导，启发( edify的现在分词 ) | |
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72
presumption
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| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
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73
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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74
exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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75
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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76
proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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77
apron
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| n.围裙；工作裙 | |
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78
expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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79
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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80
runaways
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| （轻而易举的）胜利( runaway的名词复数 ) | |
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81
portentous
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| adj.不祥的，可怕的，装腔作势的 | |
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82
supple
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|
| adj.柔软的，易弯的，逢迎的，顺从的，灵活的；vt.使柔软，使柔顺，使顺从；vi.变柔软，变柔顺 | |
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83
drooped
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| 弯曲或下垂，发蔫( droop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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84
cowered
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| v.畏缩，抖缩( cower的过去式 ) | |
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85
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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86
jaded
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| adj.精疲力竭的；厌倦的；（因过饱或过多而）腻烦的；迟钝的 | |
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87
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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88
remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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89
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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90
diabolical
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|
| adj.恶魔似的，凶暴的 | |
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91
intercede
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| vi.仲裁，说情 | |
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92
riveted
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| 铆接( rivet的过去式和过去分词 )； 把…固定住； 吸引； 引起某人的注意 | |
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93
suppleness
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| 柔软； 灵活； 易弯曲； 顺从 | |
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94
imploring
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| 恳求的，哀求的 | |
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95
sneaking
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| a.秘密的，不公开的 | |
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96
cuff
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| n.袖口；手铐；护腕；vt.用手铐铐；上袖口 | |
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97
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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98
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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99
wincing
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| 赶紧避开，畏缩( wince的现在分词 ) | |
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100
lash
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| v.系牢；鞭打；猛烈抨击；n.鞭打；眼睫毛 | |
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101
savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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102
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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103
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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104
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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105
daunted
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| 使（某人）气馁，威吓( daunt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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106
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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107
bereft
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| adj.被剥夺的 | |
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108
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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109
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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110
brandishing
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| v.挥舞( brandish的现在分词 )；炫耀 | |
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111
aggravated
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| 使恶化( aggravate的过去式和过去分词 )； 使更严重； 激怒； 使恼火 | |
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112
infancy
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| n.婴儿期；幼年期；初期 | |
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113
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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114
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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115
spat
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| n.口角，掌击；v.发出呼噜呼噜声 | |
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116
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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117
wrested
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| （用力）拧( wrest的过去式和过去分词 )； 费力取得； （从…）攫取； （ 从… ） 强行取去… | |
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118
harassed
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| adj. 疲倦的，厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词 | |
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119
shrieks
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| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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120
adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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121
animating
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| v.使有生气( animate的现在分词 )；驱动；使栩栩如生地动作；赋予…以生命 | |
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122
recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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123
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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124
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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125
muster
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| v.集合，收集，鼓起，激起；n.集合，检阅，集合人员，点名册 | |
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126
precipitated
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| v.（突如其来地）使发生( precipitate的过去式和过去分词 )；促成；猛然摔下；使沉淀 | |
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127
stunned
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| adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词 | |
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128
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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129
ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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130
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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131
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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132
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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133
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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134
chagrin
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| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
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135
altercation
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| n.争吵，争论 | |
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136
reined
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| 勒缰绳使（马）停步( rein的过去式和过去分词 )； 驾驭； 严格控制； 加强管理 | |
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137
footpath
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| n.小路，人行道 | |
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138
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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139
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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140
wrench
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| v.猛拧；挣脱；使扭伤；n.扳手；痛苦，难受 | |
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141
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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142
avowal
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| n.公开宣称，坦白承认 | |
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143
stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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144
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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145
dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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146
jovial
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| adj.快乐的，好交际的 | |
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147
peals
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| n.（声音大而持续或重复的）洪亮的响声( peal的名词复数 )；隆隆声；洪亮的钟声；钟乐v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的第三人称单数 ) | |
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148
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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149
subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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150
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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151
reining
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| 勒缰绳使（马）停步( rein的现在分词 )； 驾驭； 严格控制； 加强管理 | |
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152
entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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153
remitting
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| v.免除（债务），宽恕( remit的现在分词 )；使某事缓和；寄回，传送 | |
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154
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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155
wayfarers
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| n.旅人，（尤指）徒步旅行者( wayfarer的名词复数 ) | |
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156
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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157
sojourn
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| v./n.旅居，寄居；逗留 | |
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158
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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159
refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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160
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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161
strapped
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| adj.用皮带捆住的，用皮带装饰的；身无分文的；缺钱；手头紧v.用皮带捆扎(strap的过去式和过去分词)；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带 | |
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