His uncle laughed and patted the boy's arm good-naturedly. "Never mind," he said; "these crowded streets will soon become as homelike to you as one of your Devonshire fields."
Mr. Bowdon was right, and at the end of a week Samuel could go alone about the quarter of the city where his uncle resided, and his ears grew so accustomed[Pg 134] to the mighty4 din5 that he quite forgot there was any noise to hear.
Samuel was the youngest of thirteen children. His mother was a widow, and gradually she had become too poor to provide food and shelter for so great a family. To be sure, the oldest brothers and sisters aided her as best they could, but times were hard, money was scarce at best, and when Uncle Bowdon proposed to undertake the care and education of Samuel his offer was thankfully accepted. It was planned that the boy should visit at his uncle's house for several weeks, and that later in the summer he should enter the famous charity school known as Christ's Hospital. Many families sought to send their sons to this school, but only those pupils were admitted who were too poor to pay for their education.
Samuel was tall for his age, and very dark. He was attractive without being handsome, for his striking look of intelligence, his slight, straight figure and[Pg 135] ready laughter, earned for him the frankest approval of friends and strangers too.
Mr. Bowdon was exceedingly proud of him, and often took him to his club, that his friends might become acquainted with his young guest. Also Mr. Bowdon planned frequent excursions about the city, so that his nephew might enjoy the notable sights of London. These were indeed gala days for Samuel, and when the time came for him to go to school he could scarcely believe that ten weeks had flown since he had come up by the coach from his country home. It is doubtful whether Mr. Bowdon would have been willing to part with the lad even after so long a visit, but his business just at this time compelled him to take a long journey to the East Indies, and he desired to see the boy safely established before departing from London.
Accordingly, one fine July afternoon, uncle and nephew arrived at the great school in Newgate Street, through whose high iron gate they were admitted by a[Pg 136] boy wearing a queer costume of blue and yellow. Samuel had no eyes for the stately buildings grouped about the enclosure, for across the shaded central grass-plot marched a veritable army of boys, walking four abreast6 with military precision. Like the page at the gate, they wore long blue coats reaching nearly to the ankle and trimly girdled with red, bright yellow stockings, low buckled7 shoes and neckbands of snowy whiteness. Oddly enough, their heads were bare, and Samuel supposed that they had left their caps behind, though he learned later that the "king's boys," as these were called, never wore head coverings of any description, but went serenely9 abroad in all weathers, guiltless of beaver10, helmet, or turban.
On they came, more boys and more boys, until Samuel grew fairly dizzy with watching the steadily11 moving column.
"What is the occasion?" inquired Mr. Bowdon of the gatekeeper.
"The lord mayor is visiting the school[Pg 137] to-day, sir, and the scholars are going now to hear his address."
When the gayly apparelled procession had gone in, the steward12 of the school, a young man in russet gown, came to greet the strangers and to show them about the place. He conducted them through the twelve dormitories, where rows of narrow white beds stood side by side down either wall; to the dining-hall with its long tables, where all the students sat down at once; and to the office of the registrar16, a spectacled old gentleman, who took down a great book and gravely wrote upon one of its yellowish pages,—
"Samuel Taylor Coleridge, aged17 ten; born at Ottery St. Mary, Devonshire, October, 1772. Regularly entered at Christ's Hospital, July 18, 1782."
Then Mr. Bowdon took his departure, for he was to leave the city at nightfall. Samuel accompanied him to the gate, where he received his uncle's affectionate farewells, then peering wistfully through[Pg 138] the iron palings, he watched the portly figure move slowly down Newgate Street, until it was lost to view in the passing crowds.
With the last glimpse of Mr. Bowdon, Samuel was seized with a sudden panic of fear and loneliness, for never before had he been out of the sight of kindred faces, nor out of the sound of kindred voices. Even the page had left the gate, and Samuel clung to the palings in strange dismay. His attention was arrested by the doors of the lecture-hall being thrown open and the blue and yellow procession reappearing, headed by the lord mayor of London and a company of white-wigged, black-gowned masters and tutors. The gate swung back, the lord mayor received a military salute19 from the boys, and passed out to his waiting carriage, and at sound of a clanging bell the procession turned and wound its way to the dining-hall, leaving the campus deserted20 except for the presence of one young stranger.
[Pg 139]
"I wonder if I am to go in, or if I am to have any supper at all," queried21 the boy, looking anxiously about, as he suddenly awakened22 to the fact that he was fearfully hungry. "Nobody knows that I am here but the steward and the old man with the book."
His doubts were relieved by the appearance of the brown-robed steward, who beckoned23 to him from the entrance of the dining-hall.
Samuel sped to his side, and was ushered24 into the vast apartment where the pupils sat at dinner. Quiet reigned25 here, broken only by a subdued26 conversation at the masters' table, and the voice of a tutor who from a desk at the upper end of the room read a Latin oration27 for the entertainment of those present.
Samuel was conducted to a vacant seat at one of the long tables, where a wooden bowl of soup and a slice of bread awaited him. These he quickly despatched, and turning to the boy on his right, was about to inquire modestly how he should[Pg 140] get a fresh supply, when his neighbor hastily pressed his finger to his lips, as a sign that speech was forbidden. Samuel was surprised at this injunction, especially as he was still hungry, and glancing about the board, he discovered that every other bowl was as empty as his own, and that no single crumb30 of bread was to be seen.
No one addressed him, but he was aware that numerous pairs of eyes were fixed31 curiously32 upon him. He shrank from this open scrutiny33, although the boys at his table were all near his own age; and reddening, he gazed persistently34 at his bowl.
"Ss—ss!" came in a soft hiss35 from a lad across the table.
"Ss—ss! Ss—ss!" cautiously echoed a dozen others.
Samuel wriggled36 uncomfortably in his chair, but to his surprise, his neighbor on the right reached over and grasped his knee with friendly force. Samuel instantly responded by seizing the stranger's[Pg 141] knee, and, fortified37 by this unlooked-for support, threw back his head and eyed in turn each lad at the table. There was something in his fearless glance that caused the hisses38 quickly to subside39; and when the bell rang, and the students trooped out, no word of challenge was offered to him. Moreover, no other kind of words came either, for it was the hour of recreation, and the boys swarmed40 the campus, shouting, whistling, singing, and engaging in various athletic41 games. The most popular sports seemed to be leap-frog and basting-the-bear, for groups everywhere were indulging in these rollicking pastimes.
Samuel stood alone watching, for even his neighbor at table had joined the merry-makers. He decided42 that if he wished to become one of them he must make a bold move; so, marching up to one of the leap-frog companies, he ventured to enter the game. The effort was quickly foiled, however, for one pupil seized him by the leg, another by the[Pg 142] hair, while twenty voices shouted at once,—
"Clear out! Don't you know you can't play with us till you get your blue coat?"
Samuel retired43, much crestfallen44, wondering when he should be promoted to the prevailing45 uniform. He wandered up and down the schoolyard, watching here, watching there, hearing never a word of greeting, nor meeting with a friendly nod or smile. At length he came upon an outer stairway, which seemed to lead somewhere, and climbing it, more with the desire to get away from the hordes46 of strangers than to explore the premises47, he came out upon a flat, leaded roof. Resting his folded arms upon the parapet, he stood gazing at the evening sky, solitary48 and sad. Up to him came the shouts of the students and the roar of the city's noises, and for the first time since he had come to London, his heart turned back with a mighty longing49 to the fields, the river, and the[Pg 143] simple folk of his native village. If only he might hear the lapping of the water and the tinkling50 of the sheep bells, he would give all that he possessed51 in the world. He thought of his mother and of his big brother Luke, and the vision of their faces came before him with such startling plainness that he set his teeth and clenched52 his hands to stem the tide of homesickness that surged over him.
At sound of the deep-toned bell, he hurried down the stair, suspecting that the slender supper was about to be supplemented by a tea or luncheon53 of some sort; but he was mistaken, for, although the western sky was still ablaze54, the boys were filing toward the dormitories.
"This way, Coleridge," called the steward, appearing on the green.
"Where are they going?" inquired Samuel.
"To bed," rejoined the other briefly55.
"To bed!" ejaculated Samuel; "why, it's only seven o'clock!"
"Seven is the hour for bed at this[Pg 144] school," explained the other shortly, and Samuel gathered from his tone that further comment would be unacceptable.
Awakened next morning by the signal bell, Samuel sat up in his narrow cot and blinked sleepily. Across his bed was thrown a complete uniform such as the other boys wore, and springing up, he gladly donned the costume, and marched down with the others.
At breakfast he sat in the same seat he had occupied last night, and his right-hand neighbor greeted him with a cordial pinch on the arm.
The meal this morning consisted of a quarter-of-a-penny-loaf, on a wooden plate, and a small leathern cup of beer. Samuel was accustomed to rich country milk, fruit, and vegetables; but with yesterday's hunger still unappeased, he could not afford to be fastidious. In a twinkling the bread and beer had disappeared, and he was unconsciously glancing about in search of some one who would serve him with more, when he chanced to[Pg 145] notice that every plate and cup at the table was swept clean, and that the lads were shifting about in their chairs as though anxious to be dismissed. Then it was that Samuel realized with a curious pang56 that plates were never refilled at Christ's Hospital, and that the allowance was always distressingly58 small. Almost as hungry as when he had sat down, he rose with the others and passed outside.
He was about to speak to his table neighbor, when that young person suddenly set off for the high iron palings. Without stood a half-grown girl, holding a little basket on her arm, and when the boy came up with her, she took something from the tiny hamper59, and passed it through the fence. That the gift was in the nature of food of some sort, Samuel discovered from the alacrity60 with which the boy proceeded to devour61 it; and the lad from Devonshire stood watching the operation with the strangest of gnawing62 sensations inside him. Other boys looked greedily at this [Pg 146]spectacle, but went about their affairs as though the sight were a familiar one; and Samuel, following their example, was turning mechanically away when a beckoning63 gesture from the lad at the fence called him thither64.
"Here, I like you, and I'll give you a bit. Come on!"
Before Samuel had time to accept or decline, the stranger had crowded into his hand a hot roll, and was all but pouring a small can of tea down his throat.
"Thank you—it's fine," gurgled Samuel, "but I don't want to take the things you ought to have."
"I can spare some. You see I'm ashamed to have this stuff brought to me when the other boys can't get any, but when it comes, I'm so starved I eat it anyway. My sister brings a little breakfast over every day, for our house isn't very far away, and it helps out, I can tell you. Here's another piece of crust. Eat it, quick, for I know you want it."
[Pg 147]
Samuel accepted the proffered65 fragments gladly, frankly66 confessing that he had not felt quite satisfied at breakfast.
"Oh, we never have enough here," remarked the other calmly. "Wednesdays are the best, for then they give us meat stew13; but that happens only one day in seven."
While Samuel swallowed the pleasing morsels67, he keenly examined the face of his generous host. The strange boy was apparently68 a year or two younger than himself, slightly Jewish in appearance, and very handsome. He was frail-looking, with curling black hair, bright dark eyes, and sensitive lips. His expression was thoughtful, and something in his impulsive69 manner had attracted Samuel from the beginning.
"What's your name?" demanded the younger lad, when Samuel had finished his unexpected breakfast.
"Samuel Taylor Coleridge. What's yours?"
[Pg 148]
"Charles Lamb; and this is my sister Mary."
The girl smiled prettily70, and waving her basket as she turned to go, called back, "You must come to see us some time with Charles."
Samuel thanked her and promised; and as the bell rang, summoning the pupils to lessons, he inquired,—
"How many boys are there here?"
"Six hundred."
"Plus one, now I've come."
"I like you," declared Charles again, linking his arm with that of the new boy, as they fell into line.
"I like you, too," responded the other warmly; and so began a friendship that grew stronger with each succeeding day.
Samuel was speedily installed in school work, and having been a book-lover from the age of three, he was placed in a class of boys who were generally older than himself. With these he made friends at once, for his originality71, both in work and play, won the [Pg 149]admiration of the lads. With the teachers, too, Samuel fared better than most, for while James Bowyer was not a man to be trifled with, having always a birch twig72 within reach for the correction of young offenders73, his wrath74 seldom descended76 upon pupils so apt as Samuel.
"But," cautioned Charles, "look out for Jemmy Bowyer when he wears his passy wig18!" He meant passionate77, for on some occasions the head master appeared in the school-room with his smooth and carefully powdered wig replaced by an old, unkempt, and discolored one, and woe78 to the pupil who failed in his lessons or otherwise displeased79 him while thus decorated! His head-dress was the barometer80 that warned the boys of his moods, and they modelled their conduct accordingly.
Mr. Bowyer was a conscientious81 teacher, who desired to give the lads most thorough and careful instruction, and the boys who studied earnestly were safe from the touch of his rod except on[Pg 150] the days when he wore the "passy wig." Then his temper was most uncertain, and worker and laggard82 alike were frequently brought to judgment83.
At the end of a week, Samuel felt as though he had been a member of Christ's Hospital for a long, long time. Each day was spent like every other day, and he soon found himself going through the routine of study, recitation, play, and sleep as familiarly as the oldest student there.
On Saturday morning Charles said,—
"This is our weekly holiday, you know. Where will you go?"
"Nowhere, I suppose," replied Samuel. "My uncle has left town, and I don't know anybody else in London, so I think I'll have to stay here."
"You can't do that."
"Why not?"
"Because nobody is allowed to stay inside the grounds on leave-days. We are all turned out as soon as breakfast is over, the gates are locked, and we can't come in again until evening."
[Pg 151]
"But surely they won't send us out who have no friends in London!"
"Oh, yes, they will. But come along, and we'll spend the day together somewhere. I'm not going home this time, because my people are away at work."
At eight o'clock six hundred boys filed into Newgate Street and scattered84 in all directions. For those whose parents resided in town, this weekly holiday was always most welcome; but to the boys who had neither kindred nor friends within reach, the enforced leave-day was often a difficult one.
To-day Samuel and Charles walked about the streets for a time, then made their way to the bank of the New River. Here, to Samuel's delight, green fields stretched before them, birds twittered in the trees, and sleek85 cows browsed86 along the shore.
"Oh, oh!" he exclaimed, "this is almost as good as the real country."
With one accord the boys snatched off their garments and plunged87 into the[Pg 152] stream. Both were good swimmers, and they splashed about, diving, floating, and showing their skill in various ways, until they grew tired. Ascending88 the bank, they dressed quickly and wandered farther up the stream. For a while they threw stones into the current, watching the eddies89 widen from each pebble90 that sank into the water; and after a time they lounged against a convenient tree, Samuel relating stories that he had read of ancient heroes, and Charles eagerly listening.
"I wonder what time it is," hinted the latter at length.
"Not much past noon," replied Samuel, glancing at the sun with the experienced eye of the country-bred.
"Wouldn't it be fine if we were cows, with a whole field-full of dinner spread before us," murmured Charles, gazing at the Alderneys beyond.
"And see how fat that bird is! He must eat four or five meals every day!" exclaimed Samuel; then hastening to[Pg 153] turn the conversation to topics less vital, he asked genially,—
"What things do you like best in the world?"
"Let me see," mused91 Charles; "yes, I know very well. I like money, vegetables, and my sister Mary. What do you?"
"Homes, churches, trees, and old people's faces," returned Samuel promptly92. "What shall we do now,—go back into town?"
"Not yet, for if we do, we must keep on walking for four or five hours."
"Let's go swimming again, then."
"I'm with you," and a minute later they descended into the river for the second time.
Both were almost as much at home in water as on land, and they swam about, teaching one another aquatic93 tricks until they became quite breathless. Making for the shore, they climbed weakly up the bank, and only partially94 robing, dropped side by side upon the sward.
[Pg 154]
Overcome by fatigue95, Charles fell asleep, while Samuel lay panting and composing verses about the Seven Champions of Christendom.
Finally they rose, languid and drooping96, and trudged97 back to the school in Newgate Street, sorry that their holiday was done, but thankful for the supper, however meagre, that would presently be served to them.
As the weeks passed by and summer slowly gave place to autumn, Samuel made rapid progress in his classes. He studied almost constantly, not that he meant to be especially dutiful, but because he loved printed pages better than any other company. He was born with a thirst for books, which made him con14 his lessons eagerly in the absence of other and more entertaining volumes; and at Christ's Hospital the boys had no access to books of any kind besides the text-books used in their regular courses.
With no fresh stories, histories, or poems to feed his ravenous98 young mind,[Pg 155] Samuel was obliged to dwell upon the tales and truths he had read before coming to London. He soon became known among the students as a capital storyteller, and often he would be found seated tailor-fashion in a remote corner of the playground, surrounded by a dozen choice spirits who listened open-eyed and open-mouthed to his dramatic recitals99.
One Saturday in November he was walking down the Strand100. Charles had gone to spend this leave-day with his parents, and Samuel was tramping about the streets alone. His thoughts were busy with his favorite hero, Leander, and so absorbed did he become in the story that he entirely101 forgot the presence of the crowds in the busy thoroughfare. Reviewing the stirring scene when Leander swims the Hellespont to visit the priestess, on the opposite shore, Samuel unconsciously threw out both arms as though buffeting102 the waves, and one hand smartly rapped the coat tails of a[Pg 156] respectable gentleman walking immediately before him.
Samuel started in confusion at being brought back so suddenly from Grecian clouds to London pavements, and offered a stammering103 apology; but the citizen wheeled abruptly104, grasped his arm, and frowned down upon him with mingled105 horror and distaste.
"What! So young and so wicked! Who could believe that a stripling like you would attempt to pick my pocket in broad daylight! Mm—mm!"
"You're mistaken, you're mistaken, indeed you are," protested Samuel; "I was thinking about Leander crossing the Hellespont, and I must have been swimming too. I didn't even see you, sir, truly I didn't."
"Leander! Well, my young gentleman, what do you know about Leander?"
Samuel explained that he had read and re-read all the mythical106 tales of Greece, and that he often thought them over for amusement.
[Pg 157]
The stranger's expression softened107.
"You are fond of books, then?"
"I love 'em, sir!"
"Do you read every day?"
"Not since I came to London, for we have no books except our lesson books at school."
"Mm—mm! Should you like to read if you had the opportunity?"
"Wouldn't I?" burst out Samuel, with enthusiasm.
"I think we can arrange matters then. A boy who swims with Leander down London Strand, causing people to take him for a sneak108 thief, ought surely to have books to read," and pressing a yellow card into Samuel's hand, he continued,—
"This is a ticket to a circulating library in Cheapside. By showing this to the librarian you can draw as many books as you like. Good day, my young gentleman!"
Without waiting to hear Samuel's exclamations109 of gratitude110, the stranger[Pg 158] was off, leaving the boy overjoyed in the street.
From that day the school life was made more bearable by the precious fruit of the yellow ticket. Hunger, cold, loneliness, and punishments were daily forgotten in the adventures of knights111 of old. Samuel took all risks in slipping out to get the books, but, fortunately, he was never detected, and he proceeded to read straight through the library at the rate of two volumes daily.
The ruggedness112 of his present life, however, could not be entirely smoothed by stories and poetry. Christ's Hospital did not differ from other charity schools of the time in its discipline and arrangements for the welfare of its inmates113; and indeed many of the great schools of England, Germany, and France, whose walls could be entered only by the payment of extravagant114 fees, were similarly conducted. Instructors115 had not yet learned that young bodies should be cared for as zealously116 as young brains, and that [Pg 159]happiness promotes better work than does distress57. They managed their schools exactly as had their fathers before them, deeming it the most natural thing in the world that growing boys should be poorly nourished and poorly warmed.
As winter drew on, Samuel yearned117 deeply for his home. He pictured to himself the family in the comfortable old house in Devonshire, and his thoughts clung so feverishly118 to the images of his mother and his big brother Luke that even his dreams enfolded them, and often he awoke weeping in the night. He could not inform the loved ones of his dreary119 condition, for all letters written by the students were read by the masters before being posted, and if unfavorable comments were found therein, the notes were promptly destroyed.
Charles Lamb was ever Samuel's greatest solace120. They met their little world together, fighting, dreaming, hoping, and depending upon each other for company at all times. Both were gayly disposed[Pg 160] and many were the daring pranks121 they played on their mates and upon each other. The leave-days were almost the hardest of the week for Samuel, as Charles usually went home, and he was left to walk the streets alone from morning till night. Sometimes he, too, paid a visit to the Lambs, but finding that they were very poor and very busy people, he feared that his presence might seem an intrusion, so he usually stayed away.
One winter's day Samuel was walking slowly round Newgate market. He had no interest in Newgate market, but he must walk somewhere, and this was as good a place as any. A cold rain beat pitilessly upon his uncovered head, and from time to time he drew his blue coat more closely about him. Everyone but himself seemed in a hurry to get to places of shelter, and occasionally persons would pause to stare curiously at the lad who stood motionless in the downpour, gazing listlessly into shop windows. Whenever he found a deserted stair or[Pg 161] vestibule, he stole in and read until he was curtly122 despatched by owner or policeman. Round and round the square he trod, jaded123, famished124, waiting for the hours to drag themselves by.
Suddenly revolting at the sights and sounds of the market, Samuel hurried into a by-street, turning to the right here, to the left there, bent125 only upon leaving the deadly familiar spot behind. On he went, shivering and footsore. On he went, purposeless and oppressed. He was usually able to gather odd bits of pleasure and information from these weekly excursions, but to-day the city seemed like a dull and winding126 lane, where one had no choice but to walk and walk until nightfall brought the end. Even cathedrals, bird-stores, and persons attired127 in black, which ordinarily proved highly diverting, failed to arrest his attention, and he tramped the flooded pavements hour after hour and mile upon mile.
Finally he halted before a toy-shop[Pg 162] whose windows looked into a narrow court, and was glancing over the display of balls, dolls, and fishing-rods, when a delicious odor of cooked food greeted him from behind. Samuel faced about so sharply that he almost sent a baker128's boy sprawling129, who chanced to be turning into the court with a huge basket on his shoulder.
"Look out! Look out! Would you try to upset a hard-workin' cove8?" bawled130 the white-capped 'prentice; but Samuel allowed him to pass unanswered, for with the whiff of meaty fragrance131 his stomach gave a furious lurch132, and his head seemed about to swim off his shoulders. He swayed unsteadily, caught blindly at the window ledge133, and leaned his forehead against the dripping stone as he struggled to regain134 his self-command.
"Blue Coat!"
The name was shouted into his ear, and Samuel was dizzily conscious of being collared from behind, while a strong arm pulled him smartly erect135.
[Pg 163]
"I beg your pardon, sir," quavered the boy, alarmed at the gruff tone and iron hand. Twisting his head about, he got a glimpse of a very fat man with a round red face and protruding136 blue eyes.
"What made ye look so hard at my baker's boy? Anything wrong?"
"No-o!"
"Must ha' been. You glared after him like a tiger."
"Nothing was the matter except I was so hungry,—and—when I smelled the bread and meat—I couldn't help it, I suppose."
For the first time since he had become a pupil at Christ's Hospital, Samuel gave voice to his privations, and, unmanned by sheer want and exhaustion137, the truth came out, while tears of misery138 rained down his pallid139 cheeks.
"Hungry!" The ejaculation came like the report of a small cannon140.
Samuel could only nod in speechless, desperate assent141.
[Pg 164]
"Come in here!" roared the captor, enforcing his order with a ferocious142 tug143 at the blue collar.
Samuel feared that he had somehow trespassed144 upon the big man's rights, and that punishment was likely to follow. He longed vaguely145 to run, but weakness held him chained, and he felt himself being pushed before his jailer through the toy-shop and into a small parlor146 at the rear.
"Mother! This Blue Coat is so hungry that he nearly devoured147 our dinner through his eyes as the baker brought it in."
"Hungry?" echoed a piping feminine voice, and from the farther corner of the parlor a little woman approached with a napkin thrown over her arm.
"Sakes alive, ain't you had no dinner over to the school?" she asked in a motherly tone that set Samuel's heart beating.
"No. We don't have any dinner on Saturdays. They give us a little supper[Pg 165] when we go back," and Samuel explained the holiday system.
"What, then, did you have for breakfast?"
"A slice of bread and a cup of beer."
"How perfectly148 outraging149! Our dinner is just ready, so sit up to the table as quick as you can. 'Tain't a fancy meal, but it's good enough to fill up a hollow, faintin' stomach. How perfectly outraging!"
Before Samuel could consent or object, he was thrust into a chair at the small round table, where several steaming dishes awaited the pleasure of the party. Host and hostess took their places, and a heaped-up plate was speedily set before the astonished guest.
"Eat that slice of hot mutton," adjured150 the woman pleasantly; "and after that, you'll find those potatoes and beans pretty satisfyin'."
The substantial repast seemed a kingly banquet to Samuel, and he ate with [Pg 166]almost wolfish appreciation151. His plate was like the widow's cruse of oil, which was promptly refilled as soon as emptied; and the fat man and the little woman looked on, the while, with benevolence152 shining from their faces.
"Now," said the hostess, when Samuel could take no more, not even a second slice of currant pudding, "while we sip153 our tea, we'll tell each other who each other is. My husband over there is Mr. Crispin, and I'm Mrs. Crispin. He has the toy-shop that you came through, and he is a shoemaker, besides. We never had any children, and we just live along here, contented154 with what good things we have. Now Mr. Crispin is the best man in the world—"
"Hush155, hush, my dear!" burst out the big man, a tremendous blush spreading over his honest face.
"He is, so there! He talks loud and kind o' scary, but he couldn't say 'no' to a kitten. Now, little Blue Coat, tell us who you are."
[Pg 167]
Samuel had quite regained156 his usual bright manner under the spell of their hospitality, and he gladly told them of the home and loved ones he had left behind in Devonshire. Pleased to see the Crispins interested, he described many droll157 adventures of the boys at school, and these set the worthy158 pair laughing mightily159.
After dinner, Mr. Crispin showed his young visitor all the glories of the toy-shop and the shoemaking den15. Mrs. Crispin with much pride exhibited four canaries, a yellow patchwork160 quilt, and a coral breastpin; and Samuel was warmed to the heart by their simple kindliness161.
The afternoon wore away all too soon, and when he was leaving, Samuel held Mrs. Crispin's hand tightly in both of his, as he tried to thank her for the blessed visit.
"'Tain't nothing at all!" protested she earnestly. "Who wouldn't give a nice-spoken lad a bite when he was faintin' with hungriness on the very doorstep, an' him a Blue Coat, too? Now listen,[Pg 168] Sammy; you are to come here every Saturday. If we shouldn't be to home, you'll find the key under the rubber door-mat, an' you can come right in an' help yourself in the pantry. 'T ain't just that we feel sorry to see you starvin', but we like children, we always did, 'specially29 nice ones, an' you seem so gentlemanly mannered, an' we'd feel honored to have you here. Remember, every Saturday, now, rain or shine."
His acquaintance with the shoemaker and his wife proved the greatest relief to Samuel. Not only did a toothsome dinner await him every leave-day in their modest parlor, but the whole-souled friendliness163 of their innocent welcome cheered him through all the following days. The Crispins looked forward to the Saturday visits as eagerly as did Samuel himself, and this assurance gave the boy courage to come with regularity164.
During the springtime Mr. Crispin and Samuel even planned that the boy should gain permission from the head[Pg 169] master to leave Christ's Hospital altogether and learn the shoemaking trade under Mr. Crispin's direction. It was arranged that the shoemaker, instead of Samuel, should approach Mr. Bowyer with the request, it being thought that his age and size would carry more influence with the head master; but on the day set for the interview Mr. Bowyer chanced to wear his "passy wig," and he disposed of the subject by shouting violently,—
"'O'ds my life, man, what d'ye mean?" and pushing the astounded165 Crispin bodily out of the room.
Samuel was so disappointed at the failure of the dazzling scheme, and so mortified166 at the treatment his friend had received, that he was rushing past Mr. Bowyer with the intention of apologizing to Mr. Crispin for having drawn167 him into his own petty troubles, when the head master stopped him.
"Some one is waiting to see you in my lower office, Master Coleridge."
[Pg 170]
"To see me, sir?"
Samuel was taken aback, for never before had any one paid him a call at Christ's Hospital.
"Who can it be, I wonder. Surely Mrs. Crispin would not come here."
Crossing the threshold of the office, he descried168 a stalwart manly162 form at the window.
The first glance seemed to stupefy the lad. He halted abruptly in the doorway169, his hands fell limply at his sides, and he seemed unable to advance or retreat. It only needed a slight movement on the visitor's part to break the tension, when Samuel bounded forward with a great cry, and threw himself into the stranger's arms.
"Luke, Luke, my brother, my Luke, my Luke!"
"Here I am, little fellow. I wanted to surprise you, so I didn't write."
"Oh, Luke, you won't go away again and leave me here, will you? Please, please tell me that you won't!"
[Pg 171]
"I shan't leave you alone in the city for a day," declared the young man warmly. "I have come up to walk the London Hospital, so I shall be within easy reach hereafter. Your holidays you shall spend with me, and I have already arranged with the master to make you comfortable here at school. Bless you, little fellow, you mustn't quite suffocate170 me with your hugging, for I want to live and take good care of you. I have waited and worked for this ever since you came to London, and now you're going to have fair weather all round. Come along; I've just begged a holiday for you. What should you like to do?"
"Introduce you to the Crispins."
"Very well. We'll get the Crispins, and go for a ride on the good old river Thames."
"A boat ride! A boat ride! Luke, do you care if I ask Charles Lamb to go with us?"
"Not a bit. This is the day when we are going to do just as we please, you know."
[Pg 172]
"Oh, Luke, you're so good, and you'll like the Crispins, and Charles 'll like you—and—and—isn't the world beautiful to-day, Luke?"
In a cosy171 little parlor, at the top of a London stair, a dozen persons were chatting together. The sounds of wind and rain upon the casement172 only served to increase the warmth and brightness of the snug173 apartment.
Everybody seemed in the highest spirits, and finally one of the guests, a man whom the others called "Southey," turned gayly to the hostess and inquired with the ease of old friendship,—
"My good lady, when are we to have our supper? Please remember that Wordsworth and I have journeyed all the way from Keswick solely174 for the delight of supping with you. Do you realize that eleven o'clock has come and gone?"
Mary Lamb laughed merrily, but shook her head with decision.
"Fifteen minutes more you must[Pg 173] wait, so curb175 your hunger as best you can. The guest of honor has not yet arrived, and when he comes, you will all agree, I am sure, that it would be worth while to delay supper until to-morrow, if only we might have him with us."
"A mystery! A mystery!" cried the visitors, and thereupon they began to ply28 Miss Mary's brother with questions as to who the expected personage might be.
To all these, the young host gave jovial176 but vague replies, exchanging with his sister frequent nods and smiles over their heads.
Presently there sounded a quick step on the stair, and Charles Lamb threw open the door, shouting joyfully,—
"Welcome, Samuel, my blessed old friend! Welcome, a thousand times!"
At his words, the guests sprang up with a single impulse, crying in astonishment,—
"Coleridge!"
Then for an instant they turned their eyes away from the two who stood [Pg 174]clasping one another's hands in wordless, heartfelt greeting.
The silence endured but a moment; then the new-comer was quickly surrounded, and the room rang with the hearty177 good-will of his reception.
Charles hastened to relieve him of his travelling cloak and hat, Mary summoned the party to the table, temptingly laid, and the guests sat down to the enjoyment178 of the viands179 and the company of their unexpected friend.
Samuel Coleridge had just returned after a two years' absence from England, and the tales he related of his visit, the accounts he gave of his adventures abroad, captivated the company. Every word that fell from his lips was received with keen attention, and whether his mood was grave or gay, serious or sprightly180, his hearers sat enthralled181.
"To be sure, Coleridge is a wonderful poet," whispered Southey to the lady next him, "but in my judgment he talks even better than he writes."
[Pg 175]
"He holds us with his expressive182 eyes," mused Mary.
"I can see," decided Charles, "that his power lies in his magnetic voice, the voice that charmed us all in the old school-days."
Whatever was the source of his singular influence, hours passed as the visitors sat under the spell of Samuel's presence, and morning was stealing across the threshold when they rose from the table and took their departure.
Coleridge was the last to go, and when about to descend75 the stair, he again clasped the hand of his host with a warm and fervent183 pressure.
"I am fond of them all," he said slowly, indicating those whose footfalls still sounded in the passage below; "I am fond of them all: Southey, Wordsworth, Lovell, and the rest; but you, Charles Lamb, you are to me as though you had been born my younger brother."
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1
rattled
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| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
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tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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abreast
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| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
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buckled
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| a. 有带扣的 | |
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cove
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| n.小海湾，小峡谷 | |
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serenely
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| adv.安详地，宁静地，平静地 | |
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beaver
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| n.海狸，河狸 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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steward
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| n.乘务员，服务员；看管人；膳食管理员 | |
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stew
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| n.炖汤，焖，烦恼；v.炖汤，焖，忧虑 | |
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con
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| n.反对的观点，反对者，反对票，肺病；vt.精读，学习，默记；adv.反对地，从反面；adj.欺诈的 | |
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15
den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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16
registrar
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| n.记录员，登记员；(大学的)注册主任 | |
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17
aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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18
wig
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| n.假发 | |
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19
salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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20
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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queried
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| v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 )；询问 | |
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22
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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23
beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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24
ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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26
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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27
oration
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| n.演说，致辞，叙述法 | |
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28
ply
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| v.(搬运工等)等候顾客，弯曲 | |
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29
specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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30
crumb
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| n.饼屑，面包屑，小量 | |
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31
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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32
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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33
scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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34
persistently
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| ad.坚持地；固执地 | |
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35
hiss
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| v.发出嘶嘶声；发嘘声表示不满 | |
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36
wriggled
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| v.扭动，蠕动，蜿蜒行进( wriggle的过去式和过去分词 )；（使身体某一部位）扭动；耍滑不做，逃避（应做的事等） | |
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37
fortified
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| adj. 加强的 | |
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hisses
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| 嘶嘶声( hiss的名词复数 ) | |
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subside
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| vi.平静，平息；下沉，塌陷，沉降 | |
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40
swarmed
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| 密集( swarm的过去式和过去分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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41
athletic
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| adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的 | |
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42
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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43
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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44
crestfallen
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| adj. 挫败的，失望的，沮丧的 | |
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45
prevailing
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| adj.盛行的；占优势的；主要的 | |
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46
hordes
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| n.移动着的一大群( horde的名词复数 )；部落 | |
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47
premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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48
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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49
longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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50
tinkling
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| n.丁当作响声 | |
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51
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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52
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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53
luncheon
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| n.午宴，午餐，便宴 | |
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54
ablaze
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| adj.着火的，燃烧的；闪耀的，灯火辉煌的 | |
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55
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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56
pang
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| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
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57
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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58
distressingly
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| adv. 令人苦恼地；悲惨地 | |
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59
hamper
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| vt.妨碍，束缚，限制；n.(有盖的)大篮子 | |
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60
alacrity
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| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
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61
devour
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| v.吞没；贪婪地注视或谛听，贪读；使着迷 | |
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62
gnawing
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| a.痛苦的，折磨人的 | |
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63
beckoning
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| adj.引诱人的，令人心动的v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的现在分词 ) | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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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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66
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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67
morsels
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| n.一口( morsel的名词复数 )；（尤指食物）小块，碎屑 | |
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68
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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69
impulsive
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| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
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70
prettily
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| adv.优美地；可爱地 | |
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71
originality
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| n.创造力，独创性；新颖 | |
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72
twig
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| n.小树枝，嫩枝；v.理解 | |
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73
offenders
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| n.冒犯者( offender的名词复数 )；犯规者；罪犯；妨害…的人（或事物） | |
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74
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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75
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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78
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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79
displeased
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| a.不快的 | |
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80
barometer
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| n.气压表，睛雨表，反应指标 | |
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81
conscientious
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| adj.审慎正直的，认真的，本着良心的 | |
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82
laggard
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| n.落后者；adj.缓慢的，落后的 | |
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83
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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84
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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85
sleek
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| adj.光滑的，井然有序的；v.使光滑，梳拢 | |
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86
browsed
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| v.吃草( browse的过去式和过去分词 )；随意翻阅；（在商店里）随便看看；（在计算机上）浏览信息 | |
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87
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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88
ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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89
eddies
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| （水、烟等的）漩涡，涡流( eddy的名词复数 ) | |
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90
pebble
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| n.卵石，小圆石 | |
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91
mused
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| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
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92
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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93
aquatic
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| adj.水生的，水栖的 | |
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94
partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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96
drooping
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| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
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97
trudged
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| vt.& vi.跋涉，吃力地走（trudge的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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98
ravenous
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| adj.极饿的，贪婪的 | |
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99
recitals
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| n.独唱会( recital的名词复数 )；独奏会；小型音乐会、舞蹈表演会等；一系列事件等的详述 | |
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100
strand
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| vt.使（船）搁浅，使（某人）困于（某地） | |
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101
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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102
buffeting
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| 振动 | |
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103
stammering
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的现在分词 ) | |
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104
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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105
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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106
mythical
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| adj.神话的；虚构的；想像的 | |
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107
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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108
sneak
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| vt.潜行(隐藏,填石缝)；偷偷摸摸做；n.潜行；adj.暗中进行 | |
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109
exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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110
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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111
knights
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| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
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112
ruggedness
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| 险峻，粗野； 耐久性； 坚固性 | |
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113
inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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114
extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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115
instructors
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| 指导者，教师( instructor的名词复数 ) | |
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116
zealously
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| adv.热心地；热情地；积极地；狂热地 | |
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117
yearned
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| 渴望，切盼，向往( yearn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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118
feverishly
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| adv. 兴奋地 | |
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119
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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120
solace
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| n.安慰；v.使快乐；vt.安慰(物)，缓和 | |
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121
pranks
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| n.玩笑，恶作剧( prank的名词复数 ) | |
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122
curtly
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| adv.简短地 | |
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123
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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124
famished
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| adj.饥饿的 | |
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125
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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126
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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127
attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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128
baker
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| n.面包师 | |
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129
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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130
bawled
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| v.大叫，大喊( bawl的过去式和过去分词 )；放声大哭；大声叫出；叫卖（货物） | |
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131
fragrance
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| n.芬芳，香味，香气 | |
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132
lurch
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| n.突然向前或旁边倒；v.蹒跚而行 | |
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133
ledge
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| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
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134
regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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135
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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136
protruding
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的现在分词 )；凸 | |
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137
exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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138
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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139
pallid
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| adj.苍白的，呆板的 | |
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140
cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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141
assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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142
ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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143
tug
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| v.用力拖(或拉)；苦干；n.拖；苦干；拖船 | |
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144
trespassed
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| （trespass的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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145
vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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146
parlor
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| n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅 | |
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147
devoured
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| 吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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148
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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149
outraging
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| 引起…的义愤，激怒( outrage的现在分词 ) | |
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150
adjured
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| v.（以起誓或诅咒等形式）命令要求( adjure的过去式和过去分词 )；祈求；恳求 | |
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151
appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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152
benevolence
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| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
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153
sip
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| v.小口地喝，抿，呷；n.一小口的量 | |
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154
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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155
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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156
regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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157
droll
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| adj.古怪的，好笑的 | |
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158
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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159
mightily
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| ad.强烈地；非常地 | |
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160
patchwork
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| n.混杂物；拼缝物 | |
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161
kindliness
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| n.厚道，亲切，友好的行为 | |
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162
manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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163
friendliness
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| n.友谊，亲切，亲密 | |
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164
regularity
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| n.规律性，规则性；匀称，整齐 | |
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165
astounded
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| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
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166
mortified
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| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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167
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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168
descried
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| adj.被注意到的，被发现的，被看到的 | |
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169
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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170
suffocate
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| vt.使窒息，使缺氧，阻碍；vi.窒息，窒息而亡，阻碍发展 | |
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171
cosy
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| adj.温暖而舒适的，安逸的 | |
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172
casement
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| n.竖铰链窗；窗扉 | |
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173
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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174
solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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175
curb
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| n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制 | |
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176
jovial
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| adj.快乐的，好交际的 | |
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177
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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178
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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179
viands
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| n.食品，食物 | |
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180
sprightly
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| adj.愉快的，活泼的 | |
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181
enthralled
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| 迷住，吸引住( enthrall的过去式和过去分词 )； 使感到非常愉快 | |
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182
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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183
fervent
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| adj.热的，热烈的，热情的 | |
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