Frank often looked up from his own studies and looked down with an amused glance at little Pomp's coal-back face and glistening4 eyes riveted5 upon the book before him. There was no lack of brightness or intelligence in the earnest face of his young pupil. He seemed to be studying with all his might. In a wonderfully short time he would uncoil himself, and, coming to his teacher, would say, “I guess I can say it, Mass' Frank.”
Finding how readily Pomp learned his lessons, Frank judiciously6 lengthened7 them, so that, in two or three months, Pomp could read words of one syllable8 with considerable ease, and promised very soon to read as well as most boys of his age.
Frank also took considerable pains to cure Pomp of his mischievous9 propensities10, but this he found a more difficult task than teaching him to read. Pomp had an innate11 love of fun which seemed almost irrepressible, and his convictions of duty sat too lightly upon him to interfere12 very seriously with its gratification. One adventure into which he was led came near having serious consequences.
Pomp, in common with other village boys of his age, had watched with considerable interest the boys 'company, as they drilled publicly or paraded through the main street, and he had conceived a strong desire to get hold of a musket13, to see if he, too, could not go through with the manual.
Frank generally put his musket carefully away, only bringing it out when it was needful. One morning, however, he had been out on a hunting-expedition, and on his return left the musket in the corner of the shed.
Pomp espied14 it when he entered the house, and resolved, if possible, to take temporary possession of it after his lesson was over. Having this in view, he worked with an uncommon15 degree of industry, and in less time than usual had learned and said his lesson.
“Very well, Pomp,” said his teacher approvingly. “You have worked unusually well to-day. If you keep on you will make quite a scholar some day.”
“I's improvin', isn't I?” inquired Pomp, with an appearance of interest.
“Yes, Pomp, you have improved rapidly. By and by you can teach your mother how to read.”
“She couldn't learn, Mass' Frank. She's poor ignorant nigger.”
“You shouldn't speak so of your mother, Pomp. She's a good mother to you, and works hard to earn money to support you.”
“Yes, Mass' Frank,” said Pomp, who was getting impatient to go. “I guess I'll go home and help her.”
Frank thought that what he had said was producing a good effect. He did not know the secret of Pomp's haste.
Pomp left the room, and, proceeding17 to the wood-shed, hastily possessed18 himself of the musket. In a stealthy manner he crept with it through a field behind the house, until he got into the neighboring woods.
He found it a hard tug19 to carry the gun, which was heavier than those made at the present day. At length he reached an open space in the woods, only a few rods from the road which led from the farmhouse20, past the shanty21 occupied by old Chloe. As this road was not much traveled, Pomp felt pretty safe from discovery, and accordingly here it was that he halted, and made preparations to go through the manual.
“It begins dis yer way,” said Pomp, after a little reflection.
Grasping the musket with one hand he called out in an important tone:
“'Tention, squab!”
“S'port arms!”
Pomp found it considerably23 easier to give the word of command than to obey it. With some difficulty he succeeded in accomplishing this movement, and proceeded with the manual, with several original variations which would have astonished a military instructor24.
Meanwhile, though Pomp did not realize it, he was exposing himself to considerable danger. The gun had been loaded with buckshot in the morning, and the charge had not been withdrawn25.
It seemed to be the lot of poor Mrs. Payson to suffer fright or disaster whenever she encountered Pomp, and this memorable26 afternoon was to make no exception to the rule.
“Cynthy Ann,” she said to her daughter, in the afternoon, “I guess I'll go and spend the arternoon with Mis' Forbes. I hain't been to see her for nigh a month, and I calc'late she'll be glad to see me. Besides, she ginerally bakes Thursdays, an' mos' likely she'll have some hot gingerbread. I'm partic'larly fond of gingerbread, an' she does know how to make it about the best of anybody I know on. You needn't wait supper for me, Cynthy Ann, for ef I don't find Mis' Forbes to home I'll go on to Mis' Frost's.”
Mrs. Payson put on her cloak and hood27, and, armed with the work-bag and the invariable blue cotton umbrella, sallied out. Mrs. Forbes lived at the distance of a mile, but Mrs. Payson was a good walker for a woman of her age, and less than half an hour brought her to the door of the brown farmhouse in which Mrs. Forbes lived.
She knocked on the door with the handle of her umbrella. The summons was answered by a girl of twelve.
“How dy do, Betsy?” said Mrs. Payson. “Is your ma'am to home?”
“Then she won't be home to tea,” said Mrs. Payson, considerably disappointed.
“No, ma'am, I don't expect her before to-morrow.”
“Well, I declare for't, I am disapp'inted,” said the old lady regretfully. “I've walked a mile on puppus to see her. I'm most tuckered out.”
“Won't you step in and sit down?”
“Well, I don't keer ef I do a few minutes. I feel like to drop. Do you do the cooking while you maam's gone?”
“No, she baked up enough to last before she went away.”
“You hain't got any gingerbread in the house?” asked Mrs. Payson, with subdued29 eagerness. “I always did say Mis' Forbes beat the world at makin' gingerbread.”
“I'm very sorry, Mrs. Payson, but we ate the last for supper last night.”
“Oh, dear!” sighed the old lady, “I feel sort of faint—kinder gone at the stomach. I didn't have no appetite at dinner, and I s'pose it don't agree with me walkin' so fur on an empty stomach.”
“Couldn't you eat a piece of pie?” asked Betsy sympathizingly.
“Well,” said the old lady reflectively, “I don't know but I could eat jest a bite. But you needn't trouble yourself. I hate to give trouble to anybody.”
“Oh, it won't be any trouble,” said Betsy cheerfully.
“And while you're about it,” added Mrs. Payson, “ef you have got any of that cider you give me when I was here before, I don't know but I could worry down a little of it.”
“Yes, we've got plenty. I'll bring it in with the pie.”
“Well,” murmured the old lady, “I'll get something for my trouble. I guess I'll go and take supper at Mis' Frost's a'terward.”
Betsy brought in a slice of apple and one of pumpkin30 pie, and set them down before the old lady. In addition she brought a generous mug of cider.
The old lady's eyes brightened, as she saw this substantial refreshment31.
“You're a good gal32, Betsy,” she said in the overflow33 of her emotions. “I was saying to my darter yesterday that I wish all the gals34 round here was as good and considerate as you be.”
“Oh, no, Mrs. Payson,” said Betsy modestly. “I ain't any better than girls generally.”
“Yes, you be. There's my granddarter, Jane, ain't so respectful as she'd arter be to her old grandma'am. I often tell her that when she gets to have children of her own, she'll know what tis to be a pilgrim an' a sojourner35 on the arth without nobody to consider her feelin's. Your cider is putty good.” Here the old lady took a large draft, and set down the mug with a sigh of satisfaction. “It's jest the thing to take when a body's tired. It goes to the right spot. Cynthy Ann's husband didn't have none made this year. I wonder ef your ma would sell a quart or two of it.”
“You can have it and welcome, Mrs. Payson.”
“Can I jest as well as not? Well, that's kind. But I didn't expect you to give it to me.”
“Oh, we have got plenty.”
“I dunno how I can carry it home,” said the lady hesitatingly. “I wonder ef some of your folks won't be going up our way within a day or two.”
“We will send it. I guess father'll be going up to-morrow.”
“Then ef you can spare it you might send round a gallon, an' ef there's anything to pay I'll pay for it.”
This little business arrangement being satisfactorily adjusted, and the pie consumed, Mrs. Payson got up and said she must be going.
“I'm afraid you haven't got rested yet, Mrs. Payson.”
“I ain't hardly,” was the reply; “but I guess I shall stop on the way at Mis' Frost's. Tell your ma I'll come up an' see her ag'in afore long.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
“An' you won't forget to send over that cider?”
“No, ma'am.”
“I'm ashamed to trouble ye, but their ain't anybody over to our house that I can send. There's Tom grudges36 doin' anything for his old grandma'am. A'ter all that I do for him, too! Good-by!”
The old lady set out on her way to Mrs. Frost's.
Her road lay through the woods, where an unforeseen danger lay in wait for her.
Meanwhile Pomp was pursuing military science under difficulties. The weight of the musket made it very awkward for him to handle. Several times he got out of patience with it, and apostrophized it in terms far from complimentary37. At last, in one of his awkward maneuvers38, he accidentally pulled the trigger. Instantly there was a loud report, followed by a piercing shriek39 from the road. The charge had entered old Mrs. Payson's umbrella and knocked it out of her hand. The old lady fancied herself hit, and fell backward, kicking energetically, and screaming “murder” at the top of her lungs.
The musket had done double execution. It was too heavily loaded, and as it went off, 'kicked,' leaving Pomp, about as scared as the old lady, sprawling40 on the ground.
Henry Morton was only a few rods off when he heard the explosion. He at once ran to the old lady's assistance, fancying her hurt. She shrieked41 the louder on his approach, imagining that he was a robber, and had fired at her.
“What do you take me for?” inquired Mr. Morton, somewhat amazed at this mode of address.
“Ain't you a highwayman?” asked the old lady.
“If you look at me close I think you will be able to answer that question for yourself.”
The old lady cautiously rose to a sitting posture43, and, mechanically adjusting her spectacles, took a good look at the young man.
“Why, I declare for it, ef it ain't Mr. Morton! I thought 'twas you that fired at me.”
“I hope you are not hurt,” said Mr. Morton, finding a difficulty in preserving his gravity.
“I dunno,” said the old lady dubiously44, pulling up her sleeve, and examining her arm. “I don't see nothin'; but I expect I've had some injury to my inards. I feel as ef I'd had a shock somewhere. Do you think he'll fire again?” she asked, with a sudden alarm.
Turning suddenly, he espied Pomp peering from behind a tree, with eyes and mouth wide open. The little contraband essayed a hasty flight; but Mr. Morton, by a masterly flank movement, came upon him, and brought forward the captive kicking and struggling.
“Le' me go!” said Pomp. “I ain't done noffin'!”
“Didn't you fire a gun at this lady?”
“No,” said Pomp boldly. “Wish I may be killed ef I did!”
“I know 'twas you—you—you imp16!” exclaimed Mrs. Payson, in violent indignation. “I seed you do it. You're the wust boy that ever lived, and you'll be hung jest as sure as I stan' here!”
“How did it happen, Pomp?” asked Mr. Morton quietly.
“It jest shooted itself!” said Pomp, in whom the old lady's words inspired a vague feeling of alarm. “I 'clare to gracious, Mass' Morton, it did!”
“Didn't you have the gun in your hand, Pomp? Where did you get it?”
“I jest borrered it of Mass' Frank, to play sojer a little while,” said Pomp reluctantly.
“Does he know that you have got it?”
“I 'clare I done forgot to tell him,” said Pomp reluctantly.
“Will you promise never to touch it again?”
“Don't want to!” ejaculated Pomp, adding spitefully, “He kick me over!”
“I'm glad on't,” said the old lady emphatically, with a grim air of satisfaction. “That'll l'arn you not to fire it off at your elders ag'in. I've a great mind to box your ears, and sarve you right, too.”
Mrs. Payson advanced, to effect her purpose; but Pomp was wary46, and, adroitly47 freeing himself from Mr. Morton's grasp, butted48 at the old lady with such force that she would have fallen backward but for the timely assistance of Mr. Morton, who sprang to her side. Her bag fell to the ground, and she struggled to regain49 her lost breath.
“Oh!” groaned50 the old lady, gasping51 for breath, “he's mos' knocked the breath out of me. I sha'n't live long a'ter such a shock. I'm achin' all over. Why did you let him do it?”
“He was too quick for me, Mrs. Payson. I hope you feel better.”
“I dunno as I shall ever feel any better,” said Mrs. Payson gloomily. “If Cynthy Ann only knew how her poor old ma'am had been treated! I dunno as I shall live to get home!”
“Oh, yes, you will,” said the young man cheerfully, “and live to see a good many years more. Would you like to have me attend you home?”
“I ain't got strength to go so fur,” said Mrs. Payson, who had not given up her plan of taking tea out. “I guess I could go as fur as Mis' Frost's, an' mebbe some on you will tackle up an' carry me back to Cynthy Ann's a'ter tea.”
Arrived at the farmhouse, Mrs. Payson indulged in a long detail of grievances52; but it was observed that they did not materially affect her appetite at tea.
The offending musket was found by Frank under a tree, where Pomp had dropped it when it went off.
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1
exacting
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| adj.苛求的，要求严格的 | |
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contraband
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| n.违禁品，走私品 | |
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liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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4
glistening
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| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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5
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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6
judiciously
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| adv.明断地，明智而审慎地 | |
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7
lengthened
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| （时间或空间）延长，伸长( lengthen的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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8
syllable
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| n.音节；vt.分音节 | |
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9
mischievous
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| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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10
propensities
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| n.倾向，习性( propensity的名词复数 ) | |
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11
innate
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| adj.天生的，固有的，天赋的 | |
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12
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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13
musket
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| n.滑膛枪 | |
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14
espied
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| v.看到( espy的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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15
uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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16
imp
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| n.顽童 | |
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17
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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18
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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19
tug
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| v.用力拖(或拉)；苦干；n.拖；苦干；拖船 | |
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20
farmhouse
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| n.农场住宅（尤指主要住房） | |
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21
shanty
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| n.小屋，棚屋；船工号子 | |
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22
squad
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| n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组 | |
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23
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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24
instructor
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| n.指导者，教员，教练 | |
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25
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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26
memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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27
hood
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| n.头巾，兜帽，覆盖；v.罩上，以头巾覆盖 | |
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28
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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29
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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30
pumpkin
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| n.南瓜 | |
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31
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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32
gal
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| n.姑娘，少女 | |
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overflow
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| v.(使)外溢，(使)溢出；溢出，流出，漫出 | |
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34
gals
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| abbr.gallons （复数）加仑（液量单位）n.女孩，少女( gal的名词复数 ) | |
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35
sojourner
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| n.旅居者，寄居者 | |
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36
grudges
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| 不满，怨恨，妒忌( grudge的名词复数 ) | |
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complimentary
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| adj.赠送的，免费的，赞美的，恭维的 | |
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maneuvers
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| n.策略，谋略，花招( maneuver的名词复数 ) | |
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shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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40
sprawling
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| adj.蔓生的，不规则地伸展的v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的现在分词 )；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
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41
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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42
destitute
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| adj.缺乏的；穷困的 | |
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43
posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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44
dubiously
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| adv.可疑地，怀疑地 | |
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45
soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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46
wary
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| adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的 | |
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47
adroitly
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| adv.熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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48
butted
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| 对接的 | |
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49
regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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50
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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51
gasping
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| adj. 气喘的, 痉挛的 动词gasp的现在分词 | |
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52
grievances
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| n.委屈( grievance的名词复数 )；苦衷；不满；牢骚 | |
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