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98 |
THE CHIMES. |
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without shoes and stockings. Mind, my young friend ! I'll convict 'em summarily, every one, for I am determined to Put boys without shoes and stockings, Down. Perhaps your husband will die young (most likely) and leave you with a baby. Then you'll be turned out of doors, and wander up and down the streets. Now, don't wander near me, my dear, for I am resolved to Put all wandering mothers Down. All young mothers, of all sorts and kinds, it's my determination to Put Down. Don't think to plead illness as an excuse with me; or babies as an excuse with me; for all sick persons and young children (I hope you know the Church Service, but I'm afraid not) I am determined to Put Down. And if you attempt, desperately, and ungratefully, and impiously, and fraudulently attempt, to drown yourself, or hang yourself, I'll have no pity on you, for I have made up my mind to Put all suicide Down. If there is one thing," said the Alderman, with his self-satisfied smile, " on which I can be said to have made up my mind more than on another, it is to Put suicide Down. So don't try it on. That's the phrase, isn't it! Ha, ha ! now we understand each other."
Toby knew not whether to be agonised or glad to see that Meg had turned a deadly white, and dropped her lover's hand.
" As for you, you dull dog," said the Alderman, turning with even increased cheerfulness and urbanity to the young smith, " what are you thinking of being married for ? What do you want to be married for, you silly fellow ! If I was a fine, young, strapping chap like you, I should be ashamed of being milksop enough to pin myself to a woman's apron-strings ! Why, she'll be an old woman before you're a middle-aged man! And a pretty figure you'll cut then, with a draggle-tailed wife and a crowd of squalling children crying after you wherever you go !"
0, he knew how to banter the common people, Alderman Cute !
" There! Go along with you," said the Alderman, " and repent. Don't make such a fool of yourself as to get married on New Year's Day. You'll think very differently of it long before next New Year's Day; a trim young fellow like you, with all the girls looking after you. There ! Go along with you ! "
They went along. Not arm in arm, or hand in hand, or interchanging bright glances: but she in tears, he gloomy and down-looking. Were these the hearts that had so lately made old Toby's leap up from its faintness? No, no. The Alderman (a blessing on his head !) had Put them Down.
"As you happen to be here," said the Alderman to Toby, "you shall carry a letter for mc. Can you be quick ? You're an old man." |
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