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lavengro-第159部分
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his nose was slightly aquiline; his mouth rather large … a kind of
sneering smile played continually on his lips; his complexion was
somewhat rubicund。
'A bad countenance;' said Belle; in the language of the roads;
observing that my eyes were fixed on his face。
'Does not my countenance please you; fair damsel?' said the man in
black; resuming his hat; and speaking in a peculiarly gentle voice。
'How;' said I; 'do you understand the language of the roads?'
'As little as I do Armenian;' said the man in black; 'but I
understand look and tone。'
'So do I; perhaps;' retorted Belle; 'and; to tell you the truth; I
like your tone as little as your face。'
'For shame;' said I; 'have you forgot what I was saying just now
about the duties of hospitality? You have not yet answered my
question;' said I; addressing myself to the man; 'with respect to
your visit。'
'Will you permit me to ask who you are?'
'Do you see the place where I live?' said I。
'I do;' said the man in black; looking around。
'Do you know the name of this place?'
'I was told it was Mumpers' or Gypsies' Dingle;' said the man in
black。
'Good;' said I; 'and this forge and tent; what do they look like?'
'Like the forge and tent of a wandering Zigan; I have seen the like
in Italy。'
'Good;' said I; 'they belong to me。'
'Are you; then; a gypsy?' said the man in black。
'What else should I be?'
'But you seem to have been acquainted with various individuals with
whom I have likewise had acquaintance; and you have even alluded to
matters; and even words; which have passed between me and them。'
'Do you know how gypsies live?' said I。
'By hammering old iron; I believe; and telling fortunes。'
'Well;' said I; 'there's my forge; and yonder is some iron; though
not old; and by your own confession I am a soothsayer。'
'But how did you come by your knowledge?'
'Oh;' said I; 'if you want me to reveal the secrets of my trade; I
have; of course; nothing further to say。 Go to the scarlet dyer;
and ask him how he dyes cloth。'
'Why scarlet?' said the man in black。 'Is it because gypsies blush
like scarlet?'
'Gypsies never blush;' said I; 'but gypsies' cloaks are scarlet。'
'I should almost take you for a gypsy;' said the man in black; 'but
for … '
'For what?' said I。
'But for that same lesson in Armenian; and your general knowledge
of languages; as for your manners and appearance I will say
nothing;' said the man in black; with a titter。
'And why should not a gypsy possess a knowledge of languages?' said
I。
'Because the gypsy race is perfectly illiterate;' said the man in
black; 'they are possessed; it is true; of a knavish acuteness; and
are particularly noted for giving subtle and evasive answers … and
in your answers; I confess; you remind me of them; but that one of
the race should acquire a learned language like the Armenian; and
have a general knowledge of literature; is a thing che io non credo
afatto。'
'What do you take me for?' said I。
'Why;' said the man in black; 'I should consider you to be a
philologist; who; for some purpose; has taken up a gypsy life; but
I confess to you that your way of answering questions is far too
acute for a philologist。'
'And why should not a philologist be able to answer questions
acutely?' said I。
'Because the philological race is the most stupid under heaven;'
said the man in black; 'they are possessed; it is true; of a
certain faculty for picking up words; and a memory for retaining
them; but that any one of the sect should be able to give a
rational answer; to say nothing of an acute one; on any subject …
even though the subject were philology … is a thing of which I have
no idea。'
'But you found me giving a lesson in Armenian to this handmaid?'
'I believe I did;' said the man in black。
'And you heard me give what you are disposed to call acute answers
to the questions you asked me?'
'I believe I did;' said the man in black。
'And would any one but a philologist think of giving a lesson in
Armenian to a handmaid in a dingle?
'I should think not;' said the man in black。
'Well; then; don't you see that it is possible for a philologist to
give not only a rational; but an acute answer?'
'I really don't know;' said the man in black。
'What's the matter with you?' said I。
'Merely puzzled;' said the man in black。
'Puzzled?
'Yes。'
'Really puzzled?'
'Yes。'
'Remain so。'
'Well;' said the man in black; rising; 'puzzled or not; I will no
longer trespass upon your and this young lady's retirement; only
allow me; before I go; to apologise for my intrusion。'
'No apology is necessary;' said I; 'will you please to take
anything before you go? I think this young lady; at my request;
would contrive to make you a cup of tea。'
'Tea!' said the man in black; 'he! he! I don't drink tea; I don't
like it … if; indeed; you had;' and here he stopped。
'There's nothing like gin and water; is there?' said I; 'but I am
sorry to say I have none。'
'Gin and water;' said the man in black; 'how do you know that I am
fond of gin and water?'
'Did I not see you drinking some at the public…house?'
'You did;' said the man in black; 'and I remember that; when I
called for some you repeated my words … permit me to ask; is gin
and water an unusual drink in England?'
'It is not usually drunk cold; and with a lump of sugar;' said I。
'And did you know who I was by my calling for it so?'
'Gypsies have various ways of obtaining information;' said I。
'With all your knowledge;' said the man in black; 'you do not
appear to have known that I was coming to visit you?'
'Gypsies do not pretend to know anything which relates to
themselves;' said I; 'but I advise you; if you ever come again; to
come openly。'
'Have I your permission to come again?' said the man in black。
'Come when you please; this dingle is as free for you as me。'
'I will visit you again;' said the man in black … 'till then;
addio。'
'Belle;' said I; after the man in black had departed; 'we did not
treat that man very hospitably; he left us without having eaten or
drunk at our expense。'
'You offered him some tea;' said Belle; 'which; as it is mine; I
should have grudged him; for I like him not。'
'Our liking or disliking him had nothing to do with the matter; he
was our visitor; and ought not to have been permitted to depart
dry; living as we do in this desert; we ought always to be prepared
to administer to the wants of our visitors。 Belle; do you know
where to procure any good Hollands?'
'I think I do;' said Belle; 'but … '
'I will have no buts。 Belle; I expect that with as little delay as
possible you procure; at my expense; the best Holland
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