Kitabı oku: «Лавка древностей / The Old Curiosity Shop», sayfa 13
17
The Jolly Sandboys51 was a small roadside inn52 of pretty ancient date. The travellers arrived, drenched with the rain and presenting a most miserable appearance. The landlord rushed into the kitchen and took the cover off53. The effect was magical. They all came in with smiling faces though the wet was dripping from their clothes upon the floor, and Short’s first remark was, “What a delicious smell!”
It is not very difficult to forget rain and mud by the side of a cheerful fire, and in a bright room. They were given slippers and dry garments. Nelly and the old man sat by the fire and fell asleep.
“Who are they?” whispered the landlord.
Short shook his head.
“Don’t you know?” asked the host, turning to Mr. Codlin.
“Not I,” he replied. “They’re no good, I suppose.”
“They’re no harm,” said Short. “And I tell you: the old man isn’tin his right mind54. They’re not used to this way of life. Don’t tell me that that handsome child has been in the habit of prowling about55.”
“Well, who does tell you she has?” growled Mr. Codlin.
“Hear me out, the old man ran away from his relatives and took this delicate young creature to be his guide and companion. Now I’mnot a going to stand that56.”
“You’re not a going to stand that!” cried Mr. Codlin, pulling his hair with both hands.
“I,” repeated Short emphatically and slowly, “am not a going to stand it. I am not a going to see this fair young child in an inappropriate company. Therefore I shall take measures for detaining of them, and restoring them to their relatives.”
“Short,” said Mr. Codlin, “it’s possible that there may be good sense in what you’ve said. If there is, and there can be a reward, Short, remember that we’re partners in everything!”
His companion nodded, and the child awoke at the instant.
18
The next day, after bidding the old man goodnight, Nell retired to her poor garret, but had scarcely closed the door, when it gently opened. She was a little startled by the sight of Mr. Thomas Codlin, whom she had left down-stairs.
“What is the matter?” said the child.
“Nothing’s the matter, my dear,” returned her visitor. “I’m your friend. Perhaps you haven’t thought so, but it’s me that’s your friend not him.”
“Not who?” the child inquired.
“Short, my dear. I tell you what,” said Codlin, “You see, I’m the real, open-hearted man. I don’t look it, but I am indeed. Short’s very well, and seems kind, buthe overdoes it57. Now I don’t.”
The child was puzzled, and did not know not tell what to say.
“Take my advice,” said Codlin: “don’t ask me why, but take it. As long as you travel with us, keep as near me as you can. Don’t offer to leave us but always stick to me and say that I’m your friend. Will you bear that in mind, my dear, and always say that it was me that was your friend?”
“Say so where, and when?” inquired the child innocently.
“O, nowhere in particular,” replied Codlin; “I’m only worried about you. Why didn’t you tell me your little history that about you and the poor old gentleman? I’m the best adviser that ever was, and so interested in you so much more interested than Short. And you needn’t tell Short, you know, that we’ve had this little talk together. God bless you. Recollect the friend. Codlin’s the friend, not Short. Your real friend is Codlin, not Short.”
Thomas Codlin stole away ontip-toe58, leaving the child in a state of extreme surprise. And suddenly somebody knocked at hers.
“Yes,” said the child.
“It’s me, Short” a voice called through the key-hole. “I only wanted to say that we must be off early tomorrow morning, my dear. Will you go with us? I’ll call you.”
The child answered “Yes”. She felt some uneasiness at the anxiety of these men.
