Всего за 5.99 руб. Купить полную версию
He sat down again by his table, but instead of continuing his work he remained for a time, one hand partly shading his eyes, while he indulged in a meditation. Yes; he must save as much money as possible; for Roys education must begin early. Roy must have this, Roy must have that. He did not think of Faith at all. Faith was but a girl. He began to consider by what means he could add to his earnings, by what means he could retrench his present expenses. The rooms they now lived in were comfortable, but far from cheap. Ought they not to go into poorer lodgings? for now they spent all he earned, and where, if that was so, would be the money to put little Roy to school by-and-by?
In the midst of these thoughts, the door was pushed softly open, and a mans face appeared. It just appeared above the frame of the door, and looked in with timid, bloodshot eyes.
I cannot assist you, Peter Davis, called out Warden in his full, loud tones. Theres no manner of use in your waiting here. You know my opinion of such conduct as yours.
Yes; but I means to reform I do indeed, replied Davis. He had so far gathered courage now as to advance a step or two into the room. Tis hall so ard on a feller. When hes down hevery one throws a stone at him. Im hever so sorry fur givin way to the drink, and Im goin to take the pledge I am indeed.
It is disgusting, any man drinking himself into the condition of a beast lower, far lower than a beast, answered Warden, in his most bitter tones. There now, Davis, you know my opinion. I am pleased, however, to hear you mean to change your ways.
Yes, indeed, indeed I do Mr Mr Warden; and wot I made bold to come yere fur were to axe ef youd may be help me. I dont mean fur myself, but fur the poor wife. The wife, her ad a little un last night, and we hant never a sup nor a bite in the house. I thought, may be, Mr Mr Warden, as seeing we belonged to the werry same club, as youd may be let me have the loan of five shillings, or even harf-a-crown, jest one harf-crown, and returned most faithful, Mr Warden.
Warden laughed loudly.
No; not a shilling, nor a sixpence, he said. I never encourage drunkards; and as to your belonging to our club, you wont have that to say long unless you mend yer ways.
But
tis fur the wife, continued Davis. The wife, as honest a body as hever breathed, and shes starving. No, no, it haint, hindeed it aint, to spend on drink. Im none so low as that comes to. I wont spend a penny of it on drink. Oh! Mr Warden, the wife and the new-born babe is a dying of hunger. Lend us jest one shilling, heven one shilling, for the love of hAlmighty God! How ud you like ef yer hown little lad there were starving?
Look here, said Warden, rising to his feet. Im busy, and I cant be interrupted. If you dont leave the room at once I must just put you out I may as well tell you plainly that I dont believe a word you say , and not one farthing will you ever get from me.
Then God furgive yer fur the werry ardest man I hever met, said poor Davis. I think, he added, as Id as lief ave my chance wid the hAlmighty as yourn, when hall is reckoned up. I never, never heerd as you did a real kind thing in yer life, and I pity them children as his to be brought hup by you.
Warden laughed again disagreeably, and, shutting the door on Davis, returned to his work; but the little incident and the burning, angry words of the despairing man shook him unpleasantly, and his temper, never one of the best, was in such a ruffled condition, that it only wanted the faintest provocation to kindle it into a blaze. This provocation (not a very slight one) came in the shape of his little son. Roy had awakened, and after looking round in vain for Faith, had slid down off the horse-hair sofa. He was thoroughly refreshed by his sleep, and was just in the mood when a very little child, in its eager desire for occupation, may do incalculable mischief.
Warden did not know that the little fellow had awakened. He sat with his back to the sofa, and was now thoroughly absorbed in his work. He was drawing up a prospectus for the new society, and his head was bent low over the paper. By his side lay, in a neat and complete form, a prize essay, which he had taken some three months of hard work and hard thought to put together. The subject was one of the popular subjects of the day. The prize was only open to working men. Warden had every hope of gaining the prize. If so, he would win 50 pounds. His essay was complete. He had sat up late the night before, finishing it, and it was to be posted to its destination that very evening. Now, with an unconscious jerk of his elbow, he tossed the neatly pinned together pages on to the floor. He knew nothing of this fact; but as they lay wide open from their fall on the floor, they presented a very tempting spectacle to the eager eyes of little Roy. He approached the precious manuscript softly, sat down on the carpet, and began the delicious work of tearing it into pieces. For a quarter of an hour there was perfect stillness, at the end of which time nothing whatever remained of Wardens prize essay but a pile of scattered fragments which surrounded little Roy. When the deed of mischief was fully done, and not before, the little fellow gave utterance to a deep sigh of satisfaction, and, raising his clear, baby voice, exclaimed, in a tone of triumph: