the daisy chain, or aspirations-第47部分
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gazed round in despair; he could not see his brother's face; but
Edward Anderson; from the second form; returned him a glance of
contemptuous encouragement。
〃This book;〃 said Mr。 Harrison; 〃was left in school for a quarter of
an hour yesterday。 When I opened it again; it was in this condition。
Do any of you know how it happened?〃 A silence; and he continued;
〃Who was in school at this time? Anderson junior; can you tell me
anything of it?〃
〃No; sir。〃
〃You know nothing of it?〃
〃No; sir。〃
Cold chills crept over Tom; as Mr。 Harrison looked round to refresh
his memory。 〃Larkins; do you know how this happened?〃
〃No; sir;〃 said Larkins boldly; satisfying his conscience because he
had not seen the manner of the overthrow。
〃Ernescliffe; were you there?〃
〃No; sir。〃
Tom's timid heart fluttered in dim hope that he had been overlooked;
as Mr。 Harrison paused; then said; 〃Remember; it is concealment that
is the evil; not the damage to the book。 I shall have a good opinion
ever after of a boy honest enough to confess; May junior; I saw you;〃
he added; hopefully and kindly。 〃Don't be afraid to speak out if you
did meet with a mischance。〃
Tom coloured and turned pale。 Anderson and Larkins grimaced at him;
to remind him that they had told untruths for his sake; and that he
must not betray them。 It was the justification he wanted; he was
relieved to fancy himself obliged to tell the direct falsehood; for
which a long course of petty acted deceits had paved the way; for he
was in deadly terror of the effects of truth。
〃No; sir。〃 He could hardly believe he had said the words; or that
they would be so readily accepted; for Mr。 Harrison had only the
impression that he knew who the guilty person was; and would not
tell; and; therefore; put no more questions to him; but; after a few
more vain inquiries; was baffled; and gave up the investigation。
Tom thought he should have been very unhappy; he had always heard
that deceit was a heavy burden; and would give continual stings; but
he was surprised to find himself very comfortable on the whole; and
able to dismiss repentance as well as terror。 His many underhand
ways with Richard had taken away the tenderness of his conscience;
though his knowledge of what was right was clear; and he was quite
ready to accept the feeling prevalent at Stoneborough; that truth was
not made for schoolboys。
The axiom was prevalent; but not universal; and parties were running
high。 Norman May; who as head boy had; in play…hours; the
responsibility; and almost the authority of a master; had taken
higher ground than was usual even with the well…disposed; and felt it
his duty to check abuses and malpractices that his predecessors had
allowed。 His friend; Cheviot; and the right…minded set; maintained
his authority with all their might; but Harvey Anderson regarded his
interference as vexatious; always took the part of the offenders; and
opposed him in every possible way; thus gathering as his adherents
not only the idle and mischievous; but the weak and mediocre; and;
among this set; there was a positive bitterness of feeling to May;
and all whom they considered as belonging to him。
In shielding Tom May and leading him to deceive; the younger Anderson
had gained a conquestin him the Mays had fallen from that pinnacle
of truth which was a standing reproach to the average Stoneborough
codeand; from that time; he was under the especial patronage of his
friend。 He was taught the most ingenious arts of saying a lesson
without learning it; and of showing up other people's tasks; whispers
and signs were directed to him to help him out of difficulties; and
he was sought out and put forward whenever a forbidden pleasure was
to be enjoyed by stealth。 These were his stimulants under a heavy
bondage; he was teased and frightened; bullied and tormented;
whenever it was the fancy of Ned Anderson and his associates to make
his timidity their sport; he was scorned and ill…treated; and driven;
by bodily terror; into acts alarming to his conscience; dangerous in
their consequences; and painful in the perpetration; and yet; among
all his sufferings; the little coward dreaded nothing so much as
truth; though it would have set him free at once from this wretched
tyranny。
Excepting on holidays; and at hours when the town…boys were allowed
to go home; there were strict rules confining all except the sixth
form to their bounds; consisting of two large courts; and an
extensive field bordered by the river and the road。 On the opposite
side of the bridge was a turnpike gate; where the keeper exposed
stalls of various eatables; very popular among the boys; chiefly
because they were not allowed to deal there。 Ginger…beer could also
be procured; and there were suspicions that the bottles so called
contained something contraband。
〃August;〃 said Norman; as they were coming home from school one
evening; 〃did I see you coming over the bridge?〃
Tom would not answer。
〃So you have been at Ballhatchet's gate? I can't think what could
take you there。 If you want tarts; I am sure poor old Betty's are
just as good。 What made you go there?〃
〃Nothing;〃 said Tom。
〃Well; mind you don't do it again; or I shall have to take you in
hand; which I shall be very sorry to do。 That man is a regular bad
character; and neither my father nor Dr。 Hoxton would have one of us
have anything to do with him; as you know。〃
Tom was in hopes it was over; but Norman went on。 〃I am afraid you
are getting into a bad way。 Why won't you mind what I have told you
plenty of times before; that no good comes of going after Ned
Anderson; and Axworthy; and that set。 What were you doing with them
to…day?〃 But; receiving no answer; he went on。 〃You always sulk
when I speak to you。 I suppose you think I have no right to row you;
but I do it to save you from worse。 You can't never be found out。〃
This startled Tom; but Norman had no suspicion。 〃If you go on; you
will get into some awful scrape; and papa will be grieved。 I would
not; for all the world; have him put out of heart about you。 Think
of him; Tom; and try to keep straight。〃 Tom would say nothing; only
reflecting that his elder brother was harder upon him than any one
else would be; and Norman grew warmer。 〃If you let Anderson junior
get hold of you; and teach you his tricks; you'll never be good for
anything。 He seems good…natured now; but he will turn against you;
as he did with Harry。 I know how it is; and you had better take my
word; and trust to me and straightforwardness; when you get into a
mess。〃
〃I'm in no scrape;〃 said Tom; so doggedly; that Norman lost patience;
and spoke with more displeasure。 〃You will be then; if you go out of
bounds; and run Anderson's errands; and shirk work。 You'd better
take care。 It is my place to keep order; and I can't let you off for
being my brother; so remember; if I catch you going to Ballhatchet's
again; you may make sure of a licking。〃
So the warning closedTom more alarmed at the aspect of right; which
he fancied terrific; and Norman with some compunction at having lost
temper and threatened; when he meant to have gained him by kindness。
Norman recollected his threat with a qualm of dismay when; at the end
of the week; as he was returning from a walk with Cheviot; Tom darted
out of the gate…house。 He was flying across the bridge; with
something under his arm; when Norman laid a detaining hand on his
collar; making a sign at the same time to Cheviot to leave them。
〃What are you doing here?〃 said Norman sternly; marching Tom into the
field。 〃So you've been there again。 〃What's that under your
jacket?〃
〃Onlyonly what I was sent for;〃 and he tried to squeeze it under
the flap。
〃What is it? a bottle〃
〃Onlyonly a bottle of ink。〃
Norman seized it; and gave Tom a fierce angry shake; but the
indignation was mixed with sorrow。 〃Oh; Tom; Tom; these fellows have
brought you a pretty pass。 Who would have thought of such a thing
from us!〃
Tom cowered; but felt only terror。
〃Speak truth;〃 said Norman; ready to shake it out of him; 〃is this
for Anderson junior?〃
Under those eyes; flashing with generous; sorrowful wrath; he dared
not utter another falsehood; but Anderson's threats chained him; and
he preferred his thraldom to throwing himself on the mercy of his
brother who loved him。 He would not speak。
〃I am glad it is not for yourself;〃 said Norman; 〃but do you remember
what I said; in case I found you there again?〃
〃Oh! don't; don't!〃 cried the boy。 〃I would never have gone if they
had not made me。〃
〃Made you?〃 said Norman; disdainfully; 〃how?〃
〃They would have thrashed methey pinched my fingers in the box
they pulled my earsoh; don't〃
〃Poor little fellow!〃 said Norman; 〃but it is your own fault。 If you
won't keep with me; or Ernescliffe; of course they will bully you。
But I must not let you offI must keep my word!〃 Tom cried; sobbed;
and implored in vain。 〃I can't help it;〃 he said; 〃and now; don't
howl! I had rather no one knew it。 It will soon be over。 I never
thought to have this to do to one of us。〃 Tom roared and struggled;
till; releasing him; he said; 〃There; that will do。 Stop bellowing;
I was obliged; and I can't have hurt you much; have I?〃 he added more
kindly; while Tom went on crying; and turning from him。 〃It is
nothing to care about; I am sure; look up;〃 and he pulled down his
hands。 〃Say you are sorryspeak the truthkeep with me; and no one
shall hurt you again。〃
Very different this from Tom's chosen associates; but he was still
obdurate; sullen; and angry; and would not speak; nor open his heart
to those kind words。 After one more; 〃I could not help it; Tom;
you've no business to be sulky;〃 Norman took up the bottle; opened
it; smelled; and tasted; and was about to throw it into the river;
when Tom exclaimed; 〃Oh; don't; don't! what will they do to me? give
it to me!〃
〃Did they give you the money to pay for it?〃
〃Yes; let me have it。〃
〃How much was it?〃
〃Fourpence。〃
〃I'll settle that;〃 and the bottle splashed in the river。 〃Now then;
Tom; don't brood on it any more。 Here's a chance for you of getting
quit of t