第17章

WhileLovedayandhisneighbourswerethusramblingforth，fullofexpectancy，someofthem，includingAnneintherear，heardthecracklingoflightwheelsalongthecurvedlanetowhichthepathwasthechord。AtonceAnnethought，’Perhapsthat’she，andwearemissinghim。’Butrecenteventswerenotofakindtoinducehertosayanything；andtheothersofthecompanydidnotreflectonthesound。

Hadtheygoneacrosstothehedgewhichhidthelane，andlookedthroughit，theywouldhaveseenalightcartdrivenbyaboy，besidewhomwasseatedaseafaringman，apparentlyofgoodstandinginthemerchantservice，withhisfeetoutsideontheshaft。Thevehiclewentoverthemainbridge，turnedinupontheotherbridgeatthetailofthemill，andhaltedbythedoor。Thesailoralighted，showinghimselftobeawell-shaped，active，andfineyoungman，withabrighteye，ananonymousnose，andofsucharichcomplexionbyexposuretoripeningsunsthathemighthavebeensomeconnexionoftheforeignerwhocallshislikenessthePortraitofaGentlemaningalleriesoftheOldMasters。Yetinspiteofthis，andthoughBobLovedayhadbeenallovertheworldfromCapeHorntoPekin，andfromIndia’scoralstrandtotheWhiteSea，themostconspicuousofallthemarksthathehadbroughtbackwithhimwasanincreasedresemblancetohismother，whohadlainallthetimebeneathOvercombechurchwall。

CaptainLovedaytriedthehousedoor；findingthislockedhewenttothemilldoor:thiswaslockedalso，themillbeingstoppedforthenight。

’Theyarenotathome，’hesaidtotheboy。’Butnevermindthat。

JusthelptounloadthethingsandthenI’llpayyou，andyoucandriveoffhome。’

Thecartwasunloaded，andtheboywasdismissed，thankingthesailorprofuselyforthepaymentrendered。ThenBobLoveday，findingthathehadstillsomeleisureonhishands，lookedmusinglyeast，west，north，south，andnadir；afterwhichhebestirredhimselfbycarryinghisgoods，articlebyarticle，roundtothebackdoor，outofthewayofcasualpassers。Thisdone，hewalkedroundthemillinamoreregardfulattitude，andsurveyeditsfamiliarfeaturesonebyone——thepanesofthegrinding-room，nowasheretoforecloudedwithflouraswithstalehoar-frost；themeallodgedinthecornersofthewindow-sills，formingasoilinwhichlichensgrewwithoutevergettinganybigger，astheyhaddonesincehissmallestinfancy；themossesontheplinthtowardstheriver，reachingashighasthecapillarypowerofthewallswouldfetchupmoisturefortheirnourishment，andthepennedmill-pond，nowaseveronthepointofoverflowingintothegarden。Everythingwasthesame。

WhenhehadhadenoughofthisitoccurredtoLovedaythathemightgetintothehouseinspiteofthelockeddoors；andbyenteringthegarden，placingapolefromtheforkofanapple-treetothewindow-sillofabedroomonthatside，andclimbingacrosslikeaBarbaryape，heenteredthewindowandsteppeddowninside。Therewassomethinganomalousinbeingclosetothefamiliarfurniturewithouthavingfirstseenhisfather，anditssilent，impassiveshinewasnotcheering；itwasasifhisrelationswerealldead，andonlytheirtablesandchestsofdrawerslefttogreethim。Hewentdownstairsandseatedhimselfinthedarkparlour。Findingthisplace，too，rathersolitary，andthetickoftheinvisibleclockpreternaturallyloud，heunearthedthetinder-box，obtainedalight，andsetaboutmakingthehousecomfortableforhisfather’sreturn，diviningthatthemillerhadgoneouttomeethimbythewrongroad。

Robert’sinterestinthisworkincreasedasheproceeded，andhebustledroundandroundthekitchenaslightlyasagirl。David，theindoorfactotum，havinglosthimselfamongthequartpotsofBudmouth，therehadbeennobodyleftheretopreparesupper，andBobhaditalltohimself。Inashorttimeafireblazedupthechimney，atableclothwasfound，theplateswereclappeddown，andasearchmadeforwhatprovisionsthehouseafforded，which，inadditiontovariousmeats，includedsomefresheggsoftheelongatedshapethatproducescockerelswhenhatched，andhadbeensetasideonthataccountforputtingunderthenextbroodyhen。

AmorerecklesscrackingofeggsthanthatwhichnowwentonhadneverbeenknowninOvercombesincethelastlargechristening；andasLovedaygashedoneontheside，anotherattheend，anotherlongways，andanotherdiagonally，heacquiredadroitnessbypractice，andatlastmadeeverysonofahenofthemfallintotwohemispheresasneatlyasifitopenedbyahinge。Fromeggsheproceededtoham，andfromhamtokidneys，theresultbeingabrilliantfry。

Nottobetemptedtofalltobeforehisfathercameback，thereturnednavigatoremptiedthewholeintoadish，laidaplateoverthetop，hiscoatovertheplate，andhishatoverhiscoat。Thuscompletelystoppingintheappetizingsmell，hesatdowntoawaitevents。Hewasrelievedfromthetediousnessofdoingthisbyhearingvoicesoutside；andinaminutehisfatherentered。

’Gladtowelcomeyehome，father，’saidBob。’Andsupperisjustready。’

’Lard，lard——why，CaptainBob’shere！’saidMrs。Garland。

’Andwe’vebeenoutwaitingtomeetthee！’saidthemiller，asheenteredtheroom，followedbyrepresentativesofthehousesofCripplestraw，Comfort，Mitchell，Beach，andSnooks，togetherwithsomesmallbeginningsofFencibleTremlett’sposterity。IntherearcameDavid，andquiteinthevanishing-pointofthecomposition，Annethefair。

’Idroveover；andsowasforcedtocomebytheroad，’saidBob。

’Andwewentacrossthefields，thinkingyou’dwalk，’saidhisfather。

’Ishouldhavebeenherethismorning；butnotsomuchasawheelbarrowcouldIgetformytraps；everythingwasgonetothereview。SoIwenttoo，thinkingImightmeetyouthere。Iwasthenobligedtoreturntotheharbourfortheluggage。’

ThentherewasawelcomingofCaptainBobbypullingouthisarmslikedrawersandshuttingthemagain，smackinghimonthebackasifhewerechoking，holdinghimatarm’slengthasifhewereoftoolargetypetoreadclose。AllwhichpersecutionBobborewithawide，genialsmilethatwasshakenintofragmentsandscatteredpromiscuouslyamongthespectators。

’Getachairfor’n！’saidthemillertoDavid，whomtheyhadmetinthefieldsandfoundtohavegotnothingworsebyhisabsencethanaslightslantinhiswalk。

’Nevermind——Iamnottired——Ihavebeenhereeversolong，’saidBob。’AndI——’Butthechairhavingbeenplacedbehindhim，andasmarttouchinthehollowofaperson’skneebytheedgeofthatpieceoffurniturehavingatendencytomakethepersonsitwithoutfurtherargument，Bobsankdowndumb，andtheothersdrewupotherchairsataconvenientnearnessforeasyanalyticvisionandthesubtlerformsofgoodfellowship。Themillerwentaboutsaying，’David，theninebestglassesfromthecornercupboard！’——’David，thecorkscrew！’——’David，whiskthetailofthysmock-frockroundtheinsideofthesequartpotsaforeyoudrawdrinkin’em——theybeaninchthickindust！’——’David，lowerthatchimney-crookacoupleofnotchesthattheflamemaytouchthebottomofthekettle，andlightthreemoreofthelargestcandles！’——’Ifyoucan’tgetthecorkoutofthejar，David，boreaholeinthetubofHollandsthat’sburiedunderthescroffinthefuel-house；d’yehear？——DanBrownleftenthereyesterdayasareturnforthelittleporkerIgieden。’

Whentheyhadallhadathimblefulround，andthesuperfluousneighbourshadreluctantlydeparted，onebyone，theinmatesgavetheirmindstothesupper，whichDavidhadbeguntoserveup。

’Whatbeyourollingbackthetableclothfor，David？’saidthemiller。

’MaisterBobhaveputdownoneoftheundersheetsbymistake，andI

thoughtyoumightnotlikeit，sir，asthere’sladiespresent！’

’Faith，’twasthefirstthingthatcametohand，’saidRobert。’Itseemedatableclothtome。’

’Nevermind——don’tpulloffthethingsnowhe’slaid’emdown——letitbide，’saidthemiller。’Butwhere’sWidowGarlandandMaidyAnne？’

’Theywereherebutaminuteago，’saidDavid。’Dependuponittheyhaveslinkedoff’causetheybeshy。’

Themilleratoncewentroundtoaskthemtocomebackandsupwithhim；andwhilehewasgoneDavidtoldBobinconfidencewhatanexcellentplacehehadforanoldman。

’Yes，Cap’nBob，asIsupposeImustcallye；I’veworkedforyerfathertheseeight-and-thirtyyears，andwehavealwaysgotonverywelltogether。Trustsmewithallthekeys，lendsmehissleeve-waistcoat，andleavesthehouseentirelytome。WidowGarlandnextdoor，too，isjustthesamewithme，andtreatsmeasifIwasherownchild。’

’Shemusthavemarriedyoungtomakeyouthat，David。’

’Yes，yes——I’myearsolderthanshe。’Tisonlymycommonwayofspeaking。’

Mrs。Garlandwouldnotcomeintosupper，andthemealproceededwithouther，Bobrecommendingtohisfatherthedishhehadcooked，inthemannerofahouseholdertoastrangerjustcome。Themillerwasanxioustoknowmoreabouthisson’splansforthefuture，butwouldnotforthepresentinterrupthiseating，lookingupfromhisownplatetoappreciateBob’stravelledwayofputtingEnglishvictualsoutofsight，ashewouldhavelookedatamillonimprovedprinciples。

Davidhadonlyjustgotthetableclear，andsettheplatesinarowunderthebakehousetableforthecatstolick，whenthedoorwashastilyopened，andMrs。Garlandcamein，lookingconcerned。

’Ihavebeenwaitingtoheartheplatesremovedtotellyouhowfrightenedweareatsomethingwehearattheback-door。Itseemslikerobbersmuttering；butwhenIlookoutthere’snobodythere！’

’Thismustbeseento，’saidthemiller，risingpromptly。’David，lightthemiddle-sizedlantern。I’llgoandsearchthegarden。’

’AndI’llgotoo，’saidhisson，takingupacudgel。’LuckyI’vecomehomejustintime！’

Theywentoutstealthily，followedbythewidowandAnne，whohadbeenafraidtostayaloneinthehouseunderthecircumstances。Nosoonerweretheybeyondthedoorwhen，sureenough，therewasthemutteringalmostcloseathand，andlowupontheground，asfrompersonslyingdowninhiding。

’Blessmyheart！’saidBob，strikinghisheadasthoughitweresomeenemy’s:’why，’tismyluggage。I’dquiteforgotit！’

’What！’askedhisfather。

’Myluggage。Really，ifithadn’tbeenforMrs。Garlanditwouldhavestayedthereallnight，andthey，poorthings！wouldhavebeenstarved。I’vegotallsortsofarticlesforye。Yougoinside，andI’llbring’emin。’Tisparrotsthatyouhearamuttering，Mrs。

Garland。Youneedn’tbeafraidanymore。’

’Parrots？’saidthemiller。’Well，I’mglad’tisnoworse。Buthowcouldstforgetso，Bob？’

ThepackagesweretakeninbyDavidandBob，andthefirstunfastenedwerethree，wrappedincloths，whichbeingstrippedoffrevealedthreecages，withagorgeousparrotineach。

’Thisoneisforyou，father，tohangupoutsidethedoor，andamuseus，’saidBob。’He’lltalkverywell，buthe’ssleepyto-night。

ThisotheroneIbroughtalongforanyneighbourthatwouldliketohavehim。Hiscoloursarenotsobright；but’tisagoodbird。Ifyouwouldliketohavehimyouarewelcometohim，’hesaid，turningtoAnne，whohadbeentemptedforwardbythebirds。’Youhavehardlyspokenyet，MissAnne，butIrecollectyouverywell。Howmuchtalleryouhavegot，tobesure！’

Annesaidshewasmuchobliged，butdidnotknowwhatshecoulddowithsuchapresent。Mrs。Garlandaccepteditforher，andthesailorwenton——’NowthisotherbirdIhardlyknowwhattodowith；

butIdaresayhe’llcomeinforsomethingorother。’

’Heisbyfartheprettiest，’saidthewidow。’Iwouldratherhaveitthantheother，ifyoudon’tmind。’

’Yes，’saidBob，withembarrassment。’Butthefactis，thatbirdwillhardlydoforye，ma’am。He’sahardswearer，totellthetruth；andIamafraidhe’stoooldtobebrokenofit。’

’Howdreadful！’saidMrs。Garland。

’Wecouldkeephiminthemill，’suggestedthemiller。’Itwon’tmatteraboutthegrinderhearinghim，forhecan’tlearntocussworsethanhedoalready！’

’Thegrindershallhavehim，then，’saidBob。’TheoneIhavegivenyou，ma’am，hasnoharminhimatall。Youmighttakehimtochurcho’Sundaysasfarasthatgoes。’

Thesailornowuntiedasmallwoodenboxaboutafootsquare，perforatedwithholes。’Herearetwomarmosets，’hecontinued。

’Youcan’tseethemtonight；buttheyarebeauties——thetuftedsort。’

’What’samarmoset？’saidthemiller。

’O，alittlekindofmonkey。Theybitestrangersratherhard，butyou’llsoongetusedto’em。’

’Theyarewrappedupinsomething，Ideclare，’saidMrs。Garland，peepinginthroughachink。

’Yes，that’smyflannelshirt，’saidBobapologetically。’Theysufferterriblyfromcoldinthisclimate，poorthings！andIhadnothingbettertogivethem。Well，now，inthisnextboxI’vegotthingsofdifferentsorts。’

Thelatterwasaregularseaman’schest，andoutofitheproducedshellsofmanysizesandcolours，carvedivories，queerlittlecaskets，gorgeousfeathers，andseveralsilkhandkerchiefs，whicharticleswerespreadoutuponalltheavailabletablesandchairstillthehousebegantolooklikeabazaar。

’Whatalovelyshawl！’exclaimedWidowGarland，inherinterestforestallingtheregularexhibitionbylookingintotheboxatwhatwascoming。

’Oyes，’saidthemate，pullingoutacoupleofthemostbewitchingshawlsthateyeseversaw。’OneoftheseIamgoingtogivetothatyoungladyIamshortlytobemarriedto，youknow，Mrs。Garland。