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lavengro-第93部分

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Turning to the right; I entered a park or wood consisting of 

enormous trees; occupying the foot; sides; and top of a hill which 

rose behind the town; there were multitudes of people among the 

trees; diverting themselves in various ways。  Coming to the top of 

the hill; I was present' y stopped by a lofty wall; along which I 

walked; till; coming to a small gate; I passed through; and found 

myself on an extensive green plain; on one side bounded in part by 

the wall of the park; and on the others; in the distance; by 

extensive ranges of houses; to the south…east was a lofty eminence; 

partially clothed with wood。  The plain exhibited an animated 

scene; a kind of continuation of the fair below; there were 

multitudes of people upon it; many tents; and shows; there was also 

horse…racing; and much noise and shouting; the sun shining brightly 

overhead。  After gazing at the horse…racing for a little time; 

feeling myself somewhat tired; I went up to one of the tents; and 

laid myself down on the grass。  There was much noise in the tent。  

'Who will stand me?' said a voice with a slight tendency to lisp。  

'Will you; my lord?'  'Yes;' said another voice。  Then there was a 

sound as of a piece of money banging on a table。  'Lost! lost! 

lost!' cried several voices; and then the banging down of the 

money; and the 'lost! lost! lost!' were frequently repeated; at 

last the second voice exclaimed; 'I will try no more; you have 

cheated me。'  'Never cheated any one in my life; my lord … all fair 

… all chance。  Them that finds; wins … them that can't finds; 

loses。  Anyone else try?  Who'll try?  Will you; my lord?' and then 

it appeared that some other lord tried; for I heard more money 

flung down。  Then again the cry of 'lost! lost!' … then again the 

sound of money; and so on。  Once or twice; but not more; I heard 

'Won! won!' but the predominant cry was 'Lost! lost!'  At last 

there was a considerable hubbub; and the words 'Cheat!' 'Rogue!' 

and 'You filched away the pea!' were used freely by more voices 

than one; to which the voice with the tendency to lisp replied; 

'Never filched a pea in my life; would scorn it。  Always glad when 

folks wins; but; as those here don't appear to be civil; not to 

wish to play any more; I shall take myself off with my table; so; 

good…day; gentlemen。'







CHAPTER LIII







Singular table … No money … Out of employ … My bonnet … We of the 

thimble … Good wages … Wisely resolved … Strangest way in the world 

… Fat gentleman … Not such another … First edition … Not very easy 

… Won't close … Avella gorgio … Alarmed look。



PRESENTLY a man emerged from the tent; bearing before him a rather 

singular table; it appeared to be of white deal; was exceedingly 

small at the top; and with very long legs。  At a few yards from the 

entrance he paused; and looked round; as if to decide on the 

direction which he should take; presently; his eye glancing on me 

as I lay upon the ground; he started; and appeared for a moment 

inclined to make off as quick as possible; table and all。  In a 

moment; however; he seemed to recover assurance; and; coming up to 

the place where I was; the long legs of the table projecting before 

him; he cried; 'Glad to see you here; my lord。'



'Thank you;' said I; 'it's a fine day。'



'Very fine; my lord; will your lordship play?  Them that finds; 

wins … them that don't finds; loses。'



'Play at what?' said I。



'Only at the thimble and pea; my lord。'



'I never heard of such a game。'



'Didn't you?  Well; I'll soon teach you;' said he; placing the 

table down。  'All you have to do is to put a sovereign down on my 

table; and to find the pea; which I put under one of my thimbles。  

If you find it; … and it is easy enough to find it; … I give you a 

sovereign besides your own:  for them that finds; wins。'



'And them that don't finds; loses;' said I; 'no; I don't wish to 

play。'



'Why not; my lord?'



'Why; in the first place; I have no money。'



'Oh; you have no money; that of course alters the case。  If you 

have no money; you can't play。  Well; I suppose I must be seeing 

after my customers;' said he; glancing over the plain。



'Good…day;' said I。



'Good…day;' said the man slowly; but without moving; and as if in 

reflection。  After a moment or two; looking at me inquiringly; he 

added; 'Out of employ?'



'Yes;' said I; 'out of employ。'



The man measured me with his eye as I lay on the ground。  At length 

he said; 'May I speak a word or two to you; my lord?'



'As many as you please;' said I。



'Then just come a little out of hearing; a little farther on the 

grass; if you please; my lord。'



'Why do you call me my lord?' said I; as I arose and followed him。



'We of the thimble always calls our customers lords;' said the man; 

'but I won't call you such a foolish name any more; come along。'



The man walked along the plain till he came to the side of a dry 

pit; when; looking round to see that no one was nigh; he laid his 

table on the grass; and; sitting down with his legs over the side 

of the pit; he motioned me to do the same。  'So you are in want of 

employ?' said he; after I had sat down beside him。



'Yes;' said I; 'I am very much in want of employ。'



'I think I can find you some。'



'What kind?' said I。



'Why;' said the man; 'I think you would do to be my bonnet。'



'Bonnet!' said I; 'what is that?'



'Don't you know?  However; no wonder; as you had never heard of the 

thimble and pea game; but I will tell you。  We of the game are very 

much exposed; folks when they have lost their money; as those who 

play with us mostly do; sometimes uses rough language; calls us 

cheats; and sometimes knocks our hats over our eyes; and what's 

more; with a kick under our table; cause the top deals to fly off; 

this is the third table I have used this day; the other two being 

broken by uncivil customers:  so we of the game generally like to 

have gentlemen go about with us to take our part; and encourage us; 

though pretending to know nothing about us; for example; when the 

customer says; 〃I'm cheated;〃 the bonnet must say; 〃No; you ain't; 

it is all right〃; or; when my hat is knocked over my eyes; the 

bonnet must square; and say; 〃I never saw the man before in all my 

life; but I won't see him ill…used〃; and so; when they kicks at the 

table; the bonnet must say; 〃I won't see the table ill…used; such a 

nice table; too; besides; I want to play myself〃; and then I would 

say to the bonnet; 〃Thank you; my lord; them that finds; wins〃; and 

then the bonnet plays; and I lets the bonnet win。'



'In a word;' said I; 'the bonnet means the man who covers you; even 

as the real bonnet covers the head。'



'I just so;' said the man; 'I see you are awake; and would soon 

make a first…rate bonnet。'



'Bonnet;' said I; musingly; 'bonnet; it is metaphorical。'



'Is it?' said
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