But two days later a mild sensation fluttered the gossips of North Oxford and splashed into the conversation of the Common rooms. The Vicegerent of the University, who had an absolute veto upon performances at the Oxford theatre,[Pg 122] suddenly decided9 that the play must not be presented.
Peter heard the news at dinner. For the remaining weeks of the term he was a raging prophet. Too excited to eat, he left the table and walked under the trees, smouldering with plans for exposing this foolish and complacent10 tyranny.
First he would exhaust clearly and forcibly upon paper its thousand absurdities. Peter wrote far into the night, caught in a frenzy11 of inspired logic12. Having argued his position point by point, having rooted it firm in reason, morality, and justice, he flung loose the rein13 of his indignation. He ended by the first light of day, and read over his composition in a glow of accomplishment14. Surely this conspiracy15 must collapse16 in a shout of laughter.
He took his MS. to a friend who at that time was editing the principal undergraduate magazine. Half an hour later he returned to his room gleaming with fresh anger. His friend had refused to publish his MS., saying it was too rude, and that he did not want to draw the evil eye of authority. Peter called him coward, and shook his fist under the editorial nose.
In the evening he arranged with a local publisher to print a thousand copies in pamphlet form. Later he attended a seminar class under the Vicegerent, and at the end of the hour waited to speak with him.
"Well, Mr. Paragon17?"
Peter was outwardly calm, but for sixty [Pg 123]interminable minutes he had boiled with impatient anger.
"Sir, I wish to resign from the seminar."
The Vicegerent detected a tremor18 of suppressed excitement. He looked keenly at Peter.
"What are your reasons?" he asked.
"I need more time for private reading."
"For example?"
"I am interested in the modern theatre."
Peter had intended merely to resign. He had not intended to offer reasons. But he could not resist this. The words shot rudely and clumsily out of him.
The Vicegerent saw a light in Peter's eye. He was a man of humour, and he smiled.
"H'm. This, I take it, is a sort of challenge?" he said.
"It is a protest," Peter suggested.
The Vicegerent twinkled, and Peter helplessly chafed19. The Vicegerent put a gentle hand upon his arm.
"Well, Mr. Paragon, I'm sorry your protest has taken this particular form. I shall be sorry to lose you. However, your protest seems to be quite in order. So I suppose you are at liberty to make it."
"And to publish my reasons?" Peter flared20.
"I have published mine," smiled the Vicegerent.
He took up a copy of the Oxford magazine, underlined a brief passage in blue pencil, and handed it to Peter. Peter read:
[Pg 124]
"The Vicegerent has decided that Gingerbread Fair is not a suitable play for performance at the Oxford Theatre. He does not think the moral of the play is one that can suitably be offered to an audience of young people. It will be remembered that this play was licensed21 by the Lord Chamberlain only after serious consideration of its ethical22 purport23."
Peter choked.
"These are not reasons," he flamed.
"Mr. Paragon," said the Vicegerent, "this is not for discussion."
Peter dropped the magazine upon the table between them and went from the room without a word.
The Paggers joyfully24 roared when Peter's pamphlet issued from the press. Peter had improved it in proof with an Appendix, wherein, helped by his learned friends, he presented an anthology of indecorous passages collected from classical texts recommended for study by the Examiners. Peter explained to the world that the young people whose minds must not be contaminated by Gingerbread Fair would in default of its performance spend the evening with masterpieces by Aristophanes, Petronius, and Ovid of the "ethical purport" indicated in the cited examples.
Peter posted a copy of his pamphlet to every resident Master of Arts in Oxford, and awaited the result. He expected at least to rank with Shelley in conspicuous25 and reputable martyrdom.[Pg 125] But nothing happened. The Warden26 met him with the usual friendly smile. The Vicegerent nodded to him affably in the Corn Market. They did not seem to have suffered any rude or shattering experience. The walls of learning stood yet, solemn and grey.
Words, it seemed, were wasted. Reason was of no account. Peter was resolved somehow to be noticed. He would break down this cynical27 indifference28 of authority to truth and humour.
Upon the morning when Gingerbread Fair should first have been performed in Oxford, Peter saw its place upon the placards taken by a play from London. The picture of a young woman in lace knickerbockers was evidence that the play would abound29 in precisely30 that sort of indecency which, as Peter had proved in his pamphlet, must necessarily flourish in a Censor-ridden theatre. That this kind of play should, by authority, be encouraged at the expense of the new, clean drama of the militant31 men whom Peter loved, pricked32 him to the point of delirium33. He then and there resolved that the day should end in riot.
The Paggers were ready. They cared not a straw for Peter's principles; but, when he suggested that the play at the Oxford theatre should be arrested, they rented four stage-boxes and waited for the word. Peter, at urgent speed, had leaflets printed, in which were briefly34 set forth35 the grounds on which the men of Oxford protested against a change of bill which substituted the[Pg 126] woman in knickerbockers for Gingerbread Fair. The play dragged on. Peter waited for the bedroom, and with grim patience watched the gradual undressing of the principal lady. He intended to make a speech.
The interruption came sooner than Peter intended. He was about to scatter36 his leaflets and leap to the stage when an outrageous37 innuendo38 from one of the actors inspired a small demonstration39 from some Paggers in the pit.
"Isn't it shocking?" said a voice in an awed40, but audible, undertone.
"Order! order!" shouted some people of the town.
There were counter-cries of "Shame!" and in a moment the theatre was in an uproar41. Peter scattered42 his leaflets with a magnificent gesture and jumped on to the stage. The Paggers tumbled out of their boxes, arrested the stage manager in the act of lowering the curtain, and began to carry off the stage properties as lawful43 spoil.
Peter had counted on being able to make a speech—to explain his position with dignity. He did not know how quickly an uproar can be raised. Also he had reckoned without the Paggers. They wanted fun.
When it was over Peter remembered best the frightened eyes of the woman on the stage. For no reason at all madness had burst into the theatre. She heard a great noise, and saw Peter with a gleaming face leap towards her. She[Pg 127] screamed, and continued screaming, but her voice was lost.
Meantime her husband and manager, inferring that his wife had been insulted, came rushing from the wings.
Peter vainly trying to make himself heard, suddenly felt a violent push in the back. He turned and saw a furious man, apparently44 speaking, but his words were drowned. This man all at once hit Peter in the face.
Peter forgot all about the Censor, and shot out hard with his left. The man went down. Peter noticed that more than one person was rolling on the floor.
Seeing another member of the player's company before him with a lifted fist he hit him hard on the jaw45. This man fell away, and Peter prepared to hit another. Then he noticed that the next man to be hit was a policeman; also that the Paggers were climbing hastily back into their boxes loaded with booty. He started after them, but, as he was stepping over a prostrate46 carcase, the carcase gripped him by the leg. He fell to the stage with a crash, knocking his head violently on the boards.
When Peter came to himself he was in the open air. The police were disputing for his body with the Senior Proctor. He sat up and felt his head. By this time the Senior Proctor had established his rights of jurisdiction47, and the police, leaving Peter to the University, departed.
When Peter was able to stand, he confessed his[Pg 128] name and accepted a summons to appear before the Vicegerent in his court of justice. He then went back to Gamaliel.
The Paggers were assembled in his room when he returned, telling stories of the evening and dividing the spoil. There was eager competition for some of the articles, more especially for personal property of the principal lady. All such garments as she had already discarded had been thoughtfully secured. They lay in a fascinating heap upon Peter's rug. It had just been decided, when Peter arrived, that they should be knocked down to the highest bidder48, and that the proceeds should be handed over to the college chaplain for charitable uses.
At sight of Peter these proceedings49 were interrupted. It was admitted that Peter had first claim.
"Peter," they said, "has suffered."
"I have an idea," said a man from the colonies. "I know what Peter would like to do."
Peter was racked with headache, and sick with a sense of futility50.
"Shut up, you fools," he growled51 at them.
"Peter is ungrateful after all we have done for him; but we know what Peter would like to do with these pretty things. He would like to wrap them up in a parcel, and send them to St. James' Palace. Won't the Lord Chamberlain be surprised? We will enclose a schedule—List of Garments Discarded by Principal Lady under the[Pg 129] Aegis52 of the Lord Chamberlain at the Oxford Theatre on the Fourteenth Instant."
"There cannot be a schedule," said another wag. "How are we to name these pretty things?"
"Our definitions will be arbitrary. Here, for instance, is a charming trifle, fragrant53 as flowers in April. Mark it down as 'A Transparency—Precise Function Unknown.'"
"Camisole," suggested a voice.
"Will the expert kindly54 come forward?"
It seemed hours before Peter, after much perfunctory ribaldry, was left alone with his remorse55. The little heap of white garments accused him from the table of rowdiness and vulgarity. They filled his room with the scent56 of violets, and he remembered now the eyes of the woman he had so rudely frightened.
In the immediate57 future he saw the red tape of being formally sent down—a grave reprimand from the authorities, twinkling amusement from the Warden. They would treat him like a child. Had he not behaved like a child? All his fine passion had turned to ridicule58. Peter, solitary59 in his room, found comfort in one thought alone. The world was waiting for him in London, where he would be received as a man, and be understood—where passion and a keen mind could be turned to high ends and worthily60 expended61. He accused authority of his excesses, and dedicated62 himself afresh to resist and discredit63 his rulers. He was[Pg 130] now a responsible revolutionary, with a hard world in front of him to be accused and beaten down. He thought again of his father—now a bright legend of intellectual revolt.
Next day Peter listened quietly to all that was said to him, receiving as of course an intimation that he was finally expelled from the College. This time the funeral was spared. Peter's friends were too busy packing for the vacation. His last farewell was spoken on the platform of Oxford station. Marbury, returning for a night to college, hailed him as he jumped from the cab.
"Hullo, Peter," he said at once. "You're a famous man!"
"Don't rot."
"Have you seen the local paper?"
"Why?"
"There are some rather good headlines," answered Marbury, unfolding the sheet.
RAID UPON THE OXFORD THEATRE
SUDDEN UPROAR
DESTRUCTION OF STAGE PROPERTIES
PRINCIPAL LADY PROSTRATED64 WITH SHOCK
He finished reading, and handed the paper to Peter.
"What on earth have you been doing?" he asked, as Peter seized and devoured65 it.
Peter ran his eye over the lines. Reported in the common form of a local scribe it read like a drunken brawl66.
[Pg 131]
"Were you tight?" asked Marbury briefly.
"No, I was not tight," Peter snapped. "Look here, Marbury," he continued, "this wasn't a picnic. It was damn serious."
"Serious?"
"It was a protest."
"This is interesting," said Marbury. "What was it about?"
"It was a protest," Peter declared with high dignity, "against the censorship of stage plays."
Marbury looked at Peter for a moment. Then went into peals67 of laughter. Peter looked at him intending to kill.
"Don't be angry, Peter. I don't often laugh. But this is funny."
"I don't agree with you."
"Peter, dear boy, come away from your golden throne."
Marbury smoothed his face. "I suppose this means you're going down for good."
"Thank Heaven for that!"
"Look me up in London. I'm going down myself next term."
"Sick of it?" asked Peter.
"Not at all. But my uncle is far from well, and I'm next man on the estate. I have just been seeing the lawyers."
"We're going different ways, Marbury."
"Stuff."
"I'm in the other camp," Peter insisted.
"Very well," said Marbury cheerfully; "when[Pg 132] you're tired of the other camp remember you've a friend outside. Good-bye, and good-luck."
Peter could not resist Marbury's good temper. He was beginning to feel in the wrong.
"Marbury," he said, "why am I always rude?"
Marbury smiled into Peter's lighted face:
"You were born younger than most of us. Meantime, your train is moving."
Peter scrambled68 into a passing carriage, and Marbury threw his luggage in at the window.
Peter waved him a friendly farewell, and retired69 to reflect upon his inveterate70 want of grace.
Marbury looked after the train in smiling meditation71. He expected to see Peter within the year. He rather enjoyed the prospect72 of Peter loose among the intellectuals of London. He knew what these people were like.
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1
Oxford
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| n.牛津（英国城市） | |
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censor
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| n./vt.审查，审查员；删改 | |
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licensing
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| v.批准，许可，颁发执照( license的现在分词 ) | |
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absurdities
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| n.极端无理性( absurdity的名词复数 )；荒谬；谬论；荒谬的行为 | |
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hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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farce
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| n.闹剧，笑剧，滑稽戏；胡闹 | |
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intentionally
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| ad.故意地，有意地 | |
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edifying
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| adj.有教训意味的，教训性的，有益的v.开导，启发( edify的现在分词 ) | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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10
complacent
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| adj.自满的；自鸣得意的 | |
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frenzy
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| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
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logic
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| n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性 | |
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13
rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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accomplishment
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| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
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conspiracy
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| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
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16
collapse
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| vi.累倒；昏倒；倒塌；塌陷 | |
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paragon
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| n.模范，典型 | |
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tremor
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| n.震动，颤动，战栗，兴奋，地震 | |
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chafed
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| v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的过去式 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒 | |
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20
Flared
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| adj. 端部张开的, 爆发的, 加宽的, 漏斗式的 动词flare的过去式和过去分词 | |
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licensed
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| adj.得到许可的v.许可，颁发执照(license的过去式和过去分词) | |
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22
ethical
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| adj.伦理的，道德的，合乎道德的 | |
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purport
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| n.意义，要旨，大要；v.意味著，做为...要旨，要领是... | |
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joyfully
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| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
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conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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warden
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| n.监察员，监狱长，看守人，监护人 | |
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27
cynical
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| adj.(对人性或动机)怀疑的，不信世道向善的 | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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abound
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| vi.大量存在；(in，with)充满，富于 | |
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30
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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militant
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| adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士 | |
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32
pricked
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| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
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delirium
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| n. 神智昏迷,说胡话;极度兴奋 | |
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briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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scatter
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| vt.撒，驱散，散开；散布/播；vi.分散，消散 | |
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outrageous
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| adj.无理的，令人不能容忍的 | |
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innuendo
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| n.暗指，讽刺 | |
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demonstration
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| n.表明，示范，论证，示威 | |
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awed
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| adj.充满敬畏的，表示敬畏的v.使敬畏，使惊惧( awe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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lawful
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| adj.法律许可的，守法的，合法的 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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45
jaw
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| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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jurisdiction
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| n.司法权，审判权，管辖权，控制权 | |
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48
bidder
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| n.(拍卖时的)出价人，报价人，投标人 | |
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49
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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futility
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| n.无用 | |
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51
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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52
aegis
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| n.盾；保护，庇护 | |
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53
fragrant
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| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
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54
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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57
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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ridicule
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| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
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solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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60
worthily
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| 重要地，可敬地，正当地 | |
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61
expended
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| v.花费( expend的过去式和过去分词 )；使用（钱等）做某事；用光；耗尽 | |
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dedicated
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| adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的 | |
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discredit
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| vt.使不可置信；n.丧失信义；不信，怀疑 | |
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prostrated
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| v.使俯伏，使拜倒( prostrate的过去式和过去分词 )；（指疾病、天气等）使某人无能为力 | |
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65
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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brawl
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| n.大声争吵，喧嚷；v.吵架，对骂 | |
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peals
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| n.（声音大而持续或重复的）洪亮的响声( peal的名词复数 )；隆隆声；洪亮的钟声；钟乐v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的第三人称单数 ) | |
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68
scrambled
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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inveterate
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| adj.积习已深的，根深蒂固的 | |
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71
meditation
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| n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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