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lavengro-第104部分
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extent; you are right … bygones are bygones … I am no longer what I
was; nor ever will be again; the truth; however; is the truth … a
convict I have been … a convict at Sydney Cove。'
'And you have served out the period for which you were sentenced;
and are now returned?'
'As to serving out my sentence;' replied the man; 'I can't say that
I did; I was sentenced for fourteen years; and I was in Sydney Cove
little more than half that time。 The truth is that I did the
Government a service。 There was a conspiracy amongst some of the
convicts to murder and destroy … I overheard and informed the
Government; mind one thing; however; I was not concerned in it;
those who got it up were no comrades of mine; but a bloody gang of
villains。 Well; the Government; in consideration of the service I
had done them; remitted the remainder of my sentence; and some kind
gentlemen interested themselves about me; gave me good books and
good advice; and; being satisfied with my conduct; procured me
employ in an exploring expedition; by which I earned money。 In
fact; the being sent to Sydney was the best thing that ever
happened to me in all my life。'
'And you have now returned to your native country。 Longing to see
home brought you from New South Wales。'
'There you are mistaken;' said the man。 'Wish to see England again
would never have brought me so far; for; to tell you the truth;
master; England was a hard mother to me; as she has proved to many。
No; a wish to see another kind of mother … a poor old woman; whose
son I am … has brought me back。'
'You have a mother; then?' said I。 'Does she reside in London?'
'She used to live in London;' said the man; 'but I am afraid she is
long since dead。'
'How did she support herself?' said I。
'Support herself! with difficulty enough; she used to keep a small
stall on London Bridge; where she sold fruit; I am afraid she is
dead; and that she died perhaps in misery。 She was a poor sinful
creature; but I loved her; and she loved me。 I came all the way
back merely for the chance of seeing her。'
'Did you ever write to her;' said I; 'or cause others to write to
her?'
'I wrote to her myself;' said the man; 'about two years ago; but I
never received an answer。 I learned to write very tolerably over
there; by the assistance of the good people I spoke of。 As for
reading; I could do that very well before I went … my poor mother
taught me to read; out of a book that she was very fond of; a
strange book it was; I remember。 Poor dear! … what I would give
only to know that she is alive。'
'Life is very uncertain;' said I。
'That is true;' said the man; with a sigh。
'We are here one moment; and gone the next;' I continued。 'As I
passed through the streets of a neighbouring town; I saw a
respectable woman drop down; and people said she was dead。 Who
knows but that she too had a son coming to see her from a distance;
at that very time?'
'Who knows; indeed?' said the man。 'Ah; I am afraid my mother is
dead。 Well; God's will be done。'
'However;' said I; 'I should not wonder at your finding your mother
alive。'
'You wouldn't?' said the man; looking at me wistfully。
'I should not wonder at all;' said I; 'indeed; something within me
seems to tell me you will; I should not much mind betting five
shillings to fivepence that you will see your mother within a week。
Now; friend; five shillings to fivepence … '
'Is very considerable odds;' said the man; rubbing his hands; 'sure
you must have good reason to hope; when you are willing to give
such odds。'
'After all;' said I; 'it not unfrequently happens that those who
lay the long odds lose。 Let us hope; however。 What do you mean to
do in the event of finding your mother alive?'
'I scarcely know;' said the man; 'I have frequently thought that if
I found my mother alive I would attempt to persuade her to
accompany me to the country which I have left … it is a better
country for a man … that is; a free man … to live in than this;
however; let me first find my mother … if I could only find my
mother … '
'Farewell;' said I; rising。 'Go your way; and God go with you … I
will go mine。' 'I have but one thing to ask you;' said the man。
'What is that?' I inquired。 'That you would drink with me before
we part … you have done me so much good。' 'How should we drink?'
said I; 'we are on the top of a hill where there is nothing to
drink。' 'But there is a village below;' said the man; 'do let us
drink before we part。' 'I have been through that village already;'
said I; 'and I do not like turning back。' 'Ah;' said the man;
sorrowfully; 'you will not drink with me because I told you I was …
' 'You are quite mistaken;' said I; 'I would as soon drink with a
convict as with a judge。 I am by no means certain that; under the
same circumstances; the judge would be one whit better than the
convict。 Come along! I will go back to oblige you。 I have an odd
sixpence in my pocket; which I will change that I may drink with
you。' So we went down the hill together to the village through
which I had already passed; where; finding a public…house; we drank
together in true English fashion; after which we parted; the
sailor…looking man going his way and I mine。
After walking about a dozen miles; I came to a town; where I rested
for the night。 The next morning I set out again in the direction
of the north…west。 I continued journeying for four days; my daily
journeys varying from twenty to twenty…five miles。 During this
time nothing occurred to me worthy of any especial notice。 The
weather was brilliant; and I rapidly improved both in strength and
spirits。 On the fifth day; about two o'clock; I arrived at a small
town。 Feeling hungry; I entered a decent…looking inn … within a
kind of bar I saw a huge; fat; landlord…looking person; with a very
pretty; smartly…dressed maiden。 Addressing myself to the fat man;
'House!' said I; 'house! Can I have dinner; house?'
CHAPTER LXIII
Primitive habits … Rosy…faced damsel … A pleasant moment … Suit of
black … The furtive glance … The mighty round … Degenerate times …
The newspaper … The evil chance … I congratulate you。
'YOUNG gentleman;' said the huge fat landlord; 'you are come at the
right time; dinner will be taken up in a few minutes; and such a
dinner;' he continued; rubbing his hands; 'as you will not see
every day in these times。'
'I am hot and dusty;' said I; 'and should wish to cool my hands and
face。'
'Jenny!' said the huge landlord; with the utmost gravity; 'show the
gentleman into number seven; that he may wash his hands and face。'
'By no means;' said I; 'I am a person of primitive habits; and
there is nothing like the pump in weather like this。'
'Jenny;' said the landlord; with the same gra
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