This was said openly to Philip by more than one; but he was modest, and had too much tact1 and good taste to openly agree with them. This modesty2 raised him higher in the opinion of his admirers.
He was invited by the Blakes to prolong his visit, but preferred to continue on his journey—though his plans were, necessarily, not clearly defined.
Andrew Blake carried him five miles on his way, and from that point our hero used the means of locomotion3 with which nature had supplied him.
Some six miles farther on there was a manufacturing town of considerable size, named Wilkesville, and it occurred to him that this would be a good place at which to pass the night.
Something might turn up for him there. He hardly knew what, but the two unexpected strokes of luck which he had had thus far encouraged him to think that a third might come to him.
Philip continued on his way—his small pack of clothing in one hand and his violin under his arm. Being in no especial hurry—for it was only the middle of the forenoon—he bethought himself to sit down and rest at the first convenient and inviting4 place.
He soon came to a large elm tree, which, with its spreading branches, offered a pleasant and grateful shade.
He threw himself down and lay back on the greensward, in pleasant contemplation, when he heard a gentle cough—as of one who wished to attract attention. Looking up he observed close at hand, a tall man, dressed in black, with long hair, which fell over his shirt collar and shoulders.
He wore a broad collar and black satin necktie, and his hair was parted in the middle. His appearance was certainly peculiar5, and excited our hero's curiosity.
“My young friend,” he said, “you have chosen a pleasant resting-place beneath this umbrageous6 monarch7 of the grove8.” “Yes, sir,” answered Philip, wondering whether the stranger was a poet.
“May I also recline beneath it?” asked the newcomer.
“Certainly, sir. It is large enough to shelter us both.”
“My meditations are not of much account,” answered Philip, laughing.
“I see you are modest. Am I right in supposing that yonder case contains a violin?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then you are a musician?”
“A little of one,” replied Philip.
“May I ask—excuse my curiosity—if you play professionally?”
“Perhaps he may help me to an engagement,” thought our hero, and he said readily, “I do.”
“Indeed!” said the stranger, appearing pleased. “What style of music do you play?”
“For each of the last two evenings I have played for dancing-parties.”
“Alone?”
“Yes.”
“You do not confine yourself to dancing-music?”
“Oh, no! I prefer other kinds; but dancing-tunes seem most in demand, and I have my living to make.” The stranger seemed still more gratified.
“I am delighted to have met you, Mr.—— Ahem!” he paused, and looked inquiringly at Philip.
“Gray.”
“Mr. Gray, I believe Providence11 has brought us together. I see you are surprised.”
Philip certainly did look puzzled, as he well might.
“I must explain myself more clearly. I am Professor Lorenzo Riccabocca, the famous elocutionist and dramatic reader.”
Philip bowed.
“Doubtless you have heard of me?” said the professor inquiringly.
“I have never lived in large places,” answered Philip, in some embarrassment12, “or no doubt your name would be familiar to me.”
“To be sure, that must make a difference. For years,” said the professor, “I have given dramatic readings to crowded houses, and everywhere my merits have been conceded by the educated and refined.”
Philip could not help wondering how it happened in that case that the professor should look so seedy. A genius appreciated so highly ought to have brought in more gold and silver.
Perhaps Professor Riccabocca understood Philip's expressive13 look, for he went to to say:
“The public has repaid me richly for the exercise of my talent; but, alas14, my young friend, I must confess that I have no head for business. I invested my savings15 unwisely, and ascertained16 a month since that I had lost all.”
“That was a great pity!” said Philip sympathizingly.
“It was, indeed! It quite unmanned me!” said the professor, wiping away a tear. “I felt that all ambition was quite gone, and I was mad and sick. Indeed, only a week since I rose from a sick-bed. But Lorenzo is himself again!” he exclaimed, striking his breast energetically. “I will not succumb17 to Fate. I will again court the favor of the public, and this time I will take care of the ducats my admirers bestow18 upon me.”
“I should think that was a good plan,” said Philip.
“I will begin at once. Nearby is a town devoted19 to the mammon of trade, yet among its busy thousands there must be many that will appreciate the genius of Lorenzo Riccabocca.”
“I hope so,” answered Philip politely.
He could not help thinking that the professor was rather self-conceited, and he hardly thought it in good taste for him to refer so boastfully to his genius.
“I wish you, Mr. Gray, to assist me in my project,” continued the professor.
“How can I do so, sir?” inquired Philip.
“Let me tell you. I propose that we enter into a professional partnership20, that we give an entertainment partly musical, partly dramatic. I will draw up a program, including some of my most humorous recitations and impersonations, while interspersed21 among them will be musical selections contributed by yourself. Do you comprehend?”
“Yes,” answered Philip, nodding.
“And what do you think of it?”
“I think well of it,” replied the boy-musician.
He did think well of it. It might not draw a large audience, this mixed entertainment, but it would surely pay something; and it would interfere22 with no plans of his own, for, in truth, he had none.
“Then you will cooperate with me?” said the professor.
“Yes, professor.”
“Give me your hand!” exclaimed Riccabocca dramatically. “Mr. Gray, it is a perfect bonanza23 of an idea. I may tell you, in confidence, I was always a genius for ideas. Might I ask a favor of you?”
“Certainly, sir.”
“Give me a touch of your quality. Let me hear you play.”
Philip drew his violin from its case and played for his new professional partner “The Carnival24 of Venice,” with variations—the same which had been received with so much favor the evening previous.
Professor Riccabocca listened attentively25, and was evidently agreeably surprised. He was not a musician, but he saw that Philip was a much better player than he had anticipated, and this, of course, was likely to improve their chances of pecuniary26 success.
“You are a splendid performer,” he said enthusiastically. “You shall come out under my auspices27 and win fame. I predict for you a professional triumph.”
“Thank you,” said Philip, gratified by this tribute from a man of worldly experience. “I hope you will prove a true prophet.”
“And now, Mr. Gray, let us proceed on our way. We must get lodgings28 in Wilkesville, and make arrangements for our entertainment. I feel new courage, now that I have obtained so able a partner. Wilkesville little knows what is in store for her. We shall go, see, and conquer!”
An hour later Philip and his new partner entered Wilkesville.
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1
tact
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| n.机敏，圆滑，得体 | |
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modesty
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| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
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locomotion
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| n.运动，移动 | |
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inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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umbrageous
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| adj.多荫的 | |
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monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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9
intrude
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| vi.闯入；侵入；打扰，侵扰 | |
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meditations
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| 默想( meditation的名词复数 )； 默念； 沉思； 冥想 | |
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providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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12
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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savings
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| n.存款，储蓄 | |
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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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succumb
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| v.屈服，屈从；死 | |
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bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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partnership
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| n.合作关系，伙伴关系 | |
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interspersed
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| adj.[医]散开的；点缀的v.intersperse的过去式和过去分词 | |
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22
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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bonanza
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| n.富矿带，幸运，带来好运的事 | |
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carnival
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| n.嘉年华会，狂欢，狂欢节，巡回表演 | |
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25
attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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26
pecuniary
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| adj.金钱的；金钱上的 | |
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auspices
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| n.资助，赞助 | |
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lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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