an unsocial socialist-第26章

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〃Yes；　it　is　so　comfortable　since　we　built　the　billiard　room　and
took　away　those　nasty　hangings　in　the　hall。　I　was　ever　so　long
trying　to　per〃

She　was　interrupted　by　an　old　laborer；　who　hobbled　up　as　fast　as
his　rheumatism　would　allow　him；　and　began　to　speak　without
further　ceremony　than　snatching　off　his　cap。

〃Th'ave　coom　to　the　noo　groups；　my　lady；　crowds　of　'em。　An'　a
parson　with　'em；　an'　a　flag！　Sur　Chorles　he　don't　know　what　to
say；　an'　sooch　doin's　never　was。〃

Lady　Brandon　turned　pale　and　pulled　at　her　horse　as　if　to　back
him　out　of　some　danger。　Her　visitor；　puzzled；　asked　the　old　man
what　he　meant。

〃There's　goin'　to　be　a　proceyshon　through　the　noo　groups；〃　he
replied；　〃an'　the　master　can't　stop　'em。　Th'ave　throon　down　the
wall；　three　yards　of　it　is　lyin'　on　Riverside　Road。　An'　there's　a
parson　with　'em；　and　a　flag。　An'　him　that　lives　in　Sallust's
hoos；　he's　there；　hoddin''em　on。〃

〃Thrown　down　the　wall！〃　exclaimed　Lady　Brandon；　scarlet　with
indignation　and　pale　with　apprehension　by　turns。　〃What　a
disgraceful　thing！　Where　are　the　police？　Chester；　will　you　come
with　me　and　see　what　they　are　doing？　Sir　Charles　is　no　use。　Do
you　think　there　is　any　danger？〃

〃There's　two　police；〃　said　the　old　man；　〃an'　him　that　lives　at
Sallust's　dar'd　them　stop　him。　They're　lookin'　on。　An'　there's　a
parson　among　'em。　I　see　him　pullin'　away　at　the　wall　with　his　own
han's。〃

〃I　will　go　and　see　the　fun；〃　said　Chester。

Lady　Brandon　hesitated。　But　her　anger　and　curiosity　vanquished
her　fears。　She　overtook　the　bicycle；　and　they　went　together
through　the　gates　and　by　the　highroad　to　the　scene　the　old　man
had　described。　A　heap　of　bricks　and　mortar　lay　in　the　roadway　on
each　side　of　a　breach　in　the　newly　built　wall；　over　which　Lady
Brandon；　from　her　eminence　on　horseback；　could　see；　coming
towards　her　across　the　pleasure　ground；　a　column　of　about　thirty
persons。　They　marched　three　abreast　in　good　order　and　in　silence；
the　expression　of　all　except　a　few　mirthful　faces　being　that　of
devotees　fulfilling　a　rite。　The　gravity　of　the　procession　was
deepened　by　the　appearance　of　a　clergyman　in　its　ranks；　which
were　composed　of　men　of　the　middle　class；　and　a　few　workmen
carrying　a　banner　inscribed　THE　SOIL　or　ENGLAND　THE　BIRTHRIGHT　OF
ALL　HER　PEOPLE。　There　were　also　four　women；　upon　whom　Lady
Brandon　looked　with　intense　indignation　and　contempt。　None　of　the
men　of　the　neighborhood　had　dared　to　join；　they　stood　in　the　road
whispering；　and　occasionally　venturing　to　laugh　at　the　jests　of　a
couple　of　tramps　who　had　stopped　to　see　the　fun；　and　who　cared
nothing　for　Sir　Charles。

He；　standing　a　little　way　within　the　field；　was　remonstrating
angrily　with　a　man　of　his　own　class；　who　stood　with　his　back　to
the　breach　and　his　hands　in　the　pockets　of　his　snuff…colored
clothes；　contemplating　the　procession　with　elate　satisfaction。
Lady　Brandon；　at　once　suspecting　that　this　was　the　man　from
Sallust's　House；　and　encouraged　by　the　loyalty　of　the　crowd；　most
of　whom　made　way　for　her　and　touched　their　hats；　hit　the　bay
horse　smartly　with　her　whip　and　rode　him；　with　a　clatter　of　hoofs
and　scattering　of　clods；　right　at　the　snuff…colored　enemy；　who
had　to　spring　hastily　aside　to　avoid　her。　There　was　a　roar　of
laughter　from　the　roadway；　and　the　man　turned　sharply　on　her。　But
he　suddenly　smiled　affably；　replaced　his　hands　in　his　pockets
after　raising　his　hat；　and　said：

〃How　do　you　do；　Miss　Carpenter？　I　thought　you　were　a　charge　of
cavalry。〃

〃I　am　not　Miss　Carpenter；　I　am　Lady　Brandon；　and　you　ought　to　be
ashamed　of　yourself；　Mr。　Smilash；　if　it　is　you　that　have　brought
these　disgraceful　people　here。〃

His　eyes　as　he　replied　were　eloquent　with　reproach　to　her　for
being　no　longer　Miss　Carpenter。　〃I　am　not　Smilash；〃　he　said；　〃I
am　Sidney　Trefusis。　I　have　just　had　the　pleasure　of　meeting　Sir
Charles　for　the　first　time；　and　we　shall　be　the　best　friends
possible　when　I　have　convinced　him　that　it　is　hardly　fair　to
seize　on　a　path　belonging　to　the　people　and　compel　them　to　walk　a
mile　and　a　half　round　his　estate　instead　of　four　hundred　yards
between　two　portions　of　it。〃　

〃I　have　already　told　you；　sir；〃　said　Sir　Charles；　〃that　I　intend
to　open　a　still　shorter　path；　and　to　allow　all　the　well…conducted
work…people　to　pass　through　twice　a　day。　This　will　enable　them　to
go　to　their　work　and　return　from　it；　and　I　will　be　at　the　cost　of
keeping　the　path　in　repair。〃

〃Thank　you；〃　said　Trefusis　drily；　〃but　why　should　we　trouble　you
when　we　have　a　path　of　our　own　to　use　fifty　times　a　day　if　we
choose；　without　any　man　barring　our　way　until　our　conduct　happens
to　please　him？　Besides；　your　next　heir　would　probably　shut　the
path　up　the　moment　he　came　into　possession。〃

〃Offering　them　a　path　is　just　what　makes　them　impudent；〃　said
Lady　Brandon　to　her　husband。　〃Why　did　you　promise　them　anything？
They　would　not　think　it　a　hardship　to　walk　a　mile　and　a　half；　or
twenty　miles；　to　a　public…house；　but　when　they　go　to　their　work
they　think　it　dreadful　to　have　to　walk　a　yard。　Perhaps　they　would
like　us　to　lend　them　the　wagonette　to　drive　in？〃

〃I　have　no　doubt　they　would；〃　said　Trefusis；　beaming　at　her。

〃Pray　leave　me　to　manage　here；　Jane；　this　is　no　place　for　you。
Bring　Erskine　to　the　house。　He　must　be〃

〃Why　don't　the　police　make　them　go　away？〃　said　Lady　Brandon；　too
excited　to　listen　to　her　husband。

〃Hush；　Jane；　pray。　What　can　three　men　do　against　thirty　or
forty？〃

〃They　ought　to　take　up　somebody　as　an　example　to　the　rest。〃

〃They　have　offered；　in　the　handsomest　manner；　to　arrest　me　if　Sir
Charles　will　give　me　in　charge；〃　said　Trefusis。

〃There！〃　said　Lady　Jane；　turning　to　her　husband。　〃Why　don't　you
give　himor　someonein　charge？〃

〃You　know　nothing　about　it；〃　said　Sir　Charles；　vexed　by　a　sense
that　she　was　publicly　making　him　ridiculous。

〃If　you　don't；　I　will；〃　she　persisted。　〃The　idea　of　having　our
ground　broken　into　and　our　new　wall　knocked　down！　A　nice　state　of
things　it　would　be　if　people　were　allowed　to　do　as　they　liked
with　other　peoples'　property。　I　will　give　every　one　of　them　in
charge。〃

〃Would　you　consign　me　to　a　dungeon？〃　said　Trefusis；　in　melancholy
tones。

〃I　don't　mean　you　exactly；〃　she　said；　relenting。　〃But　I　will　give
that　clergyman　into　charge；　because　he　ought　to　know　better。　He
is　the　ringleader　of　the　whole　thing。〃

〃He　will　be　delighted；　Lady　Brandon；　he　pines　for　martyrdom。　But
will　you　really　give　him　into　custody？〃

〃I　will；〃　she　said　vehemently；　emphasizing　the　assurance　by　a
plunge　in　the　saddle　that　made　the　bay　stagger。

〃On　what　charge？〃　he　said；　patting　the　horse　and　looking　up　at
her。

〃I　don't　care　what　charge；〃　she　replied；　conscious　that　she　was
being　admired；　and　not　displeased。　〃Let　them　take　him　up；　that's
all。〃

Human　beings　on　horseback　are　so　far　centaurs　that　liberties
taken　with　their　horses　are　almost　as　personal　as　liberties　taken
with　themselves。　When　Sir　Charles　saw　Trefusis　patting　the　bay　he
felt　as　much　outraged　as　if　Lady　Brandon　herself　were　being
patted；　and　he　felt　bitterly　towards　her　for　permitting　the
familiarity。　He　uas　relieved　by　the　arrival　of　the　procession。　It
halted　as　the　1eadere　came　up　to　Trefusis；　who　said　gravely：

〃Gentlemen；　I　congratulate　you　on　the　firmness　with　which　you
have　this　day　asserted　the　rights　of　the　people　of　this　place　to
the　use　of　one　of　the　few　scraps　of　mother　earth　of　which　they
have　not　been　despoiled。〃

〃Gentlemen；〃　shouted　an　excited　member　of　the　procession；　〃three
cheers　for　the　resumption　of　the　land　of　England　by　the　people　of
England！　Hip；　hip；　hurrah！〃

The　cheers　were　given　with　much　spirit；　Sir　Charles's　cheeks
becoming　redder　at　each　repetition。　He　looked　angrily　at　the
clergyman；　now　distracted　by　the　charms　of　Lady　Brandon；　whose
scorn；　as　she　surveyed　the　crowd；　expressed　itself　by　a　pout
which　became　her　pretty　lips　extremely。

Then　a　middle…aged　laborer　stepped　from　the　road　into　the　field；
hat　in　hand；　ducked　respectfully；　and　said：　〃Look　'e　here；　Sir
Charles。　Don't　'e　mind　them　fellers。　There　ain't　a　man　belonging
to　this　neighborhood　among　'em；　not　one　in　your　employ　or　on　your
land。　Our　dooty　to　you　and　your　ladyship；　and　we　will　trust　to
you　to　do　what　is　fair　by　us。　We　want　no　interlopers　from　Lunnon
to　get　us　into　trouble　with　your　honor；　and〃

〃You　unmitigated　cur；〃　exclaimed　Trefusis　fiercely；　〃what　right
have　you　to　give　away　to　his　unborn　children　the　liberty　of　your
own？〃

〃They're　not　unborn；〃　said　Lady　Brandon　indignantly。　〃That　just
shows　how　little　you　know　about　it。〃

〃No；　nor　mine　either；〃　said　the　man；　emboldened　by　her　ladyship's
support。　〃And　who　are　you　that　call　me　a　cur？〃

〃Who　am　I！　I　am　a　rich　manone　of　your　masters；　and　privileged
to　call　you　what　I　please。　You　are　a　grovelling　famine…broken
slave。　Now　go　and　seek　redress　against　me　from　the　law。　I　can　buy
law　enough　to　ruin　you　for　less　money　than　it　would　cost　me　to
shoot　deer　in　Scotland　or　vermin　here。　How　do　you　like　that　state
of　things？　Eh？〃

The　man　was　taken　aback。　〃Sir　Charles　will　stand　by　me；〃　he　said；
after　a　pause；　with　assumed　confidence；　but　with　an　anxious
glance　at　the　baronet。

〃If　he　does；　after　witnessing　the　return　you　have　made　me　for
standing　by　you；　he　is　a　greater　fool　than　I　take　him　to　be。〃

〃Gently；　gently；〃　said　the　clergyman。　〃There　is　much　excuse　to　be
made　for　the　poor　fellow。〃

〃As　gently　as　you　please　with　any　man　that　is　a　free　man　at
heart；〃　said　Trefusis；　〃but　slaves　must　be　driven；　and　this
fellow　is　a　slave　to　the　marrow。〃

〃Still；　we　must　be　patient。　He　does　not　know〃

〃He　knows　a　great　deal　better　than　you　do；〃　said　Lady　Brandon；
interrupting。　〃And　the　more　shame　for　you；　because　you　ought　to
know　best。　I　suppose　you　were　educated　somewhere。　You　will　not　be
satisfied　with　yourself　when　your　bishop　hears　of　this。　Yes；〃　she
added；　turning　to　Trefusis　with　an　infantile　air　of　wanting　to
cry　and　being　forced　to　laugh　against　her　will；　〃you　may　laugh　as
much　as　you　pleasedon't　trouble　to　pretend　it's　only
coughingbut　we　will　write　to　his　bishop；　as　he　shall　find　to
his　cost。〃

〃Hold　your　tongue；　Jane；　for　God's　sake；〃　said　Sir　Charles；
taking　her　horse　by　the　bridle　and　backing　him　from　Trefusis。

〃I　will　not。　If　you　choose　to　stand　here　and　allow　them　to　walk
away　with　the　walls　in　their　pockets；　I　don't；　and　won't。　Why
cannot　you　make　the　police　do　something？〃

〃They　can　do　nothing；〃　said　Sir　Charles；　almost　beside　himself
with　humiliation。　〃I　cannot　do　anything　until　I　see　my　solicitor。
How　can　you　bear　to　stay　here　wrangling　with　these　fellows？　It　is
SO　undignified！〃

〃It's　all　very　well　to　talk　of　dignity；　but　I　don't　see　the
dignity　of　letting　people　trample　on　our　grounds　without　leave。
Mr。　Smilash；　will　you　make　them　all　go　away；　and　tell　them　that
they　shall　all　be　prosecuted　and　put　in　prison？〃

〃They　are　going　to　the　crossroads；　to　hold　a　public　meeting
andof　coursemake　speeches。　I　am　desired　to　say　that　they
deeply　regret　that　their　demonstration　should　have　disturbed　you
personally；　Lady　Brandon。〃

〃So　they　ought；〃　she　replied。　〃They　don't　look　very　sorry。　They
are　getting　frightened　at　what　they　have　done；　and　they　would　be
glad　to　escape