CHAPTER VII A STRANGE HOTEL

From the upper window in the farmhouse¹, which was situated² on elevated ground, Tony saw his old guardian³ follow Abner. Thus the way was opened for his escape.

Won’t you stay longer with us?” asked the farmer.

Thank you,” answered Tony, “but I wouldn’t dare to. Rudolph may be back for me, and I want to get away before he has a chance.”

“Are you going to walk?” asked the farmer’s wife.

Yes,” said Tony. “I’ve only got five cents in my pocket, and I can’t ride far on that.”

“I’m afraid you will be tired,” she said.

Oh, I’m used to tramping,” returned Tony lightly.

Can’t you put up some dinner for him, wife?” suggested the farmer. “It’ll make him hungry walking.”

“To be sure, I will,” she replied, and a large supply of eatables were put in a paper, sufficient to last Tony twenty-four hours at least.

The farmer deliberated whether he should not offer our hero half a dollar, but he was close, so far as money was concerned, and he decided⁴ in the negative.

So Tony set out, taking a course directly opposite to that pursued by Abner. In this way he thought he should best avoid the chance of meeting Rudolph.

About five o’clock he felt that it was about time to look about for a night’s rest. A hotel was, of course, out of the question, and he looked about for a farmhouse. The nearest dwelling⁵ was a small one, of four rooms, setting back from the road, down a lane.

Perhaps I can get in there,” thought Tony.

An old man, with a patriarchal beard, whose neglected and squalid dress seemed to indicate poverty, was sitting on the doorstep.

Good-evening,” said Tony.

Who are you?” demanded the old man suspiciously.

I am a poor traveler,” said Tony.

A tramp,” said the old man, in the same tone.

Yes, I suppose so,” said Tony.

Well, I’ve got nothing for you.”

“I don’t want anything except the chance to sleep.”

“Don’t you want any supper?”

“No; I’ve got my supper here,” returned our hero.

What have you got there?” asked the old man.

Some bread and butter, and cold meat.”

“It looks good,” said the other, with what Tony thought to be a longing⁶ look.

I’ll share it with you, if you’ll let me sleep here to-night,” said Tony.

The old man was a miser⁷, as Tony suspected. He was able to live comfortably, but he deprived himself of the necessaries of life in order to hoard⁸ away money. His face revealed that to Tony. He had nearly starved himself, but he had not overcome his natural appetites, and the sight of Tony’s supper gave him a craving⁹ for it.

I don’t know,” he said doubtfully. “If I let you sleep here, you might get up in the night and rob me.”

“You don’t look as if you had anything worth stealing.”

“You’re quite right,” said old Ben Hayden. “I’ve only saved a little money—a very little—to pay my funeral expenses. You wouldn’t take that.”

“Oh, no,” said Tony. “I wouldn’t take it if you’d give it to me.”

“You wouldn’t? Why not?”

“Because you need it yourself. If you were a rich man it would be different.”

“So it would,” said old Hayden. “You’re a good boy—an excellent boy. I’ll trust you. You can stay.”

“Then let us eat supper,” said Tony.

He sat down on the doorstep and gave the old man half of his supply of food. He was interested to see the avidity with which he ate it.

Is it good?” he asked.

I haven’t eaten anything so good for a long time. I couldn’t afford to buy food.”

“I am sorry for you.”

“You haven’t got any left for breakfast.”

“Oh, somebody will give me breakfast,” said Tony.

Do you travel round all the time?”

“Yes; but I hope to get a chance to go to work soon. I’d rather live in one place.”

“You might live with me, if I were not so poor.”

“Thank you,” answered Tony politely, but it did not appear that it was such a home as he would choose.

Do you live alone?” he asked.

Yes.”

“I didn’t know but you might be married.”

“I was married but my wife died long ago.”

“Why don’t you marry again?” inquired Tony.

I couldn’t afford it,” answered Hayden, frightened at the suggestion. “Women have terrible appetites.”

“Have they?” returned Tony, amused.

And I can’t get enough for myself to eat.”

“Have you always lived here?”

“No; I lived in England when I was a young man.”

“What made you leave it?”

“Why do you ask me that?” demanded old Ben.

“Oh, if it’s a secret, don’t tell me,” said Tony.

Who said it was a secret?” said the old man irritably¹⁰.

Nobody that I know of.”

“Then why do you ask me such questions?”

“Don’t answer anything you don’t want to,” said our hero. “I only asked for the sake of saying something.”

“I don’t mind telling,” said old Ben, more calmly. “It was because I was so poor. I thought I could do better in America.”

“Do you own this place?”

“Yes, but it’s a very poor place. It isn’t worth much.”

“I shouldn’t think it was,” said Tony.

You’re a good lad. You see how poor I am.”

“Of course I do, and I’m sorry for you. I would help you only I am very poor myself.”

“Have you got any money?” asked Ben, with interest.

I’ve got five cents,” answered Tony, laughing. “I hope you’ve got more than that.”

“A little more—a very little more,” said Ben.

The old miser began to consider whether he couldn’t charge Tony five cents for his lodging¹¹, but sighed at the recollection that Tony had already paid for it in advance by giving him a supper.

At eight o’clock the miser suggested going to bed.

I haven’t any lights,” he said; “candles cost so much. Besides, a body’s better off in bed.”

“I’m willing to go to bed,” said Tony. “I’ve walked a good deal to-day, and I’m tired.”

They went into the house. There was a heap of rags in the corner of the room when they entered.

That’s my bed,” said old Ben; “it’s all I have.”

“I can sleep on the floor,” said Tony.

He took off his jacket, rolled it up for a pillow, and stretched himself out on the bare floor. He had often slept so before.

1 farmhouse   

n.农场住宅（尤指主要住房）

参考例句：

• We fell for the farmhouse as soon as we saw it.我们对那所农舍一见倾心。
• We put up for the night at a farmhouse.我们在一间农舍投宿了一夜。

2 situated   

adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的

参考例句：

• The village is situated at the margin of a forest.村子位于森林的边缘。
• She is awkwardly situated.她的处境困难。

3 guardian   

n.监护人；守卫者，保护者

参考例句：

• The form must be signed by the child's parents or guardian. 这张表格须由孩子的家长或监护人签字。
• The press is a guardian of the public weal. 报刊是公共福利的卫护者。

4 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

5 dwelling   

n.住宅，住所，寓所

参考例句：

• Those two men are dwelling with us.那两个人跟我们住在一起。
• He occupies a three-story dwelling place on the Park Street.他在派克街上有一幢3层楼的寓所。

6 longing   

n.（for）渴望

参考例句：

• Hearing the tune again sent waves of longing through her.再次听到那首曲子使她胸中充满了渴望。
• His heart burned with longing for revenge.他心中燃烧着急欲复仇的怒火。

7 miser   

n.守财奴，吝啬鬼 (adj.miserly)

参考例句：

• The miser doesn't like to part with his money.守财奴舍不得花他的钱。
• The demon of greed ruined the miser's happiness.贪得无厌的恶习毁掉了那个守财奴的幸福。

8 hoard   

n./v.窖藏，贮存，囤积

参考例句：

• They have a hoard of food in the basement.地下室里有他们贮藏的食物。
• How many curios do you hoard in your study?你在你书房里聚藏了多少古玩？

9 craving   

n.渴望,热望

参考例句：

• a craving for chocolate 非常想吃巧克力
• She skipped normal meals to satisfy her craving for chocolate and crisps. 她不吃正餐，以便满足自己吃巧克力和炸薯片的渴望。

10 irritably   

ad.易生气地

参考例句：

• He lost his temper and snapped irritably at the children. 他发火了，暴躁地斥责孩子们。
• On this account the silence was irritably broken by a reproof. 为了这件事，他妻子大声斥责，令人恼火地打破了宁静。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹

11 lodging   

n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍

参考例句：

• The bill is inclusive of the food and lodging. 账单包括吃、住费用。
• Where can you find lodging for the night? 你今晚在哪里借宿?