按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
… Page 147…
The Story of a Bad Boy
and hinted broadly that he was game for any amount of riotous dissipation；
even to the extent of going to see a play if I wanted to。 I declined
haughtily。 I was dying to go。
He then threw out a feeler on the subject of dominos and checkers； and
observed in a general way that 〃seven up〃 was a capital game； but I
repulsed him at every point。
I saw that the Admiral was beginning to feel hurt by my systematic
coldness。 'We had always been such hearty friends until now。 It was too
bad of me to fret that tender； honest old heart even for an hour。 I really did
love the ancient boy； and when； in a disconsolate way； he ordered up a
pitcher of beer； I unbent so far as to partake of some in a teacup。 He
recovered his spirits instantly； and took out his cuddy clay pipe for a
smoke。
Between the beer and the soothing fragrance of the navy…plug； I fell
into a pleasanter mood myself； and； it being too late now to go to the
theatre； I condescended to say…addressing the northwest corner of the
ceiling…that 〃seven up〃 was a capital game。 Upon this hint the Admiral
disappeared； and returned shortly with a very dirty pack of cards。
As we played； with varying fortunes； by the flickering flame of the
lamp； he sipped his beer and became communicative。 He seemed
immensely tickled by the fact that I had come to Boston。 It leaked out
presently that he and the Captain had had a wager on the subject。
The discovery of my plans and who had discovered them were points
on which the Admiral refused to throw any light。 They had been
discovered； however； and the Captain had laughed at the idea of my
running away。 Sailor Ben； on the contrary； had stoutly contended that I
meant to slip cable and be off。 Whereupon the Captain offered to bet him a
dollar that I wouldn't go。 And it was partly on account of this wager that
Sailor Ben refrained from capturing me when he might have done so at the
start。
Now； as the fare to and from Boston； with the lodging expenses； would
cost him at least five dollars； I didn't see what he gained by winning the
wager。 The Admiral rubbed his nose violently when this view of the case
presented itself。
147
… Page 148…
The Story of a Bad Boy
I asked him why he didn't take me from the train at the first stopping…
place and return to Rivermouth by the down train at 4。30。 He explained
having purchased a ticket for Boston； he considered himself bound to the
owners （the stockholders of the road） to fulfil his part of the contract！ To
use his own words； he had 〃shipped for the viage。〃
This struck me as being so deliciously funny； that after I was in bed
and the light was out； I couldn't help laughing aloud once or twice。 I
suppose the Admiral must have thought I was meditating another escape；
for he made periodical visits to my bed throughout the night； satisfying
himself by kneading me all over that I hadn't evaporated。
I was all there the next morning； when Sailor Ben half awakened me
by shouting merrily； 〃All hands on deck！〃 The words rang in my ears like
a part of my own dream； for I was at that instant climbing up the side of
the Rawlings to offer myself as cabin…boy。
The Admiral was obliged to shake me roughly two or three times
before he could detach me from the dream。 I opened my eyes with effort；
and stared stupidly round the room。 Bit by bit my real situation dawned on
me。 'What a sickening sensation that is； when one is in trouble； to wake up
feeling free for a moment； and then to find yesterday's sorrow all ready to
go on again！
〃'Well； little messmate； how fares it？〃
I was too much depressed to reply。 The thought of returning to
Rivermouth chilled me。 How could I face Captain Nutter； to say nothing
of Miss Abigail and Kitty？ How the Temple Grammar School boys would
look at me！ How Conway and Seth Rodgers would exult over my
mortification！ And what if the Rev。 'Wibird Hawkins should allude to me
in his next Sunday's sermon？
Sailor Ben was wise in keeping an eye on me； for after these thoughts
took possession of my mind； I wanted only the opportunity to give him the
slip。
The keeper of the lodgings did not supply meals to his guests； so we
breakfasted at a small chophouse in a crooked street on our way to the cars。
The city was not astir yet； and looked glum and careworn in the damp
morning atmosphere。
148
… Page 149…
The Story of a Bad Boy
Here and there as we passed along was a sharp…faced shop…boy taking
down shutters； and now and then we met a seedy man who had evidently
spent the night in a doorway。 Such early birds and a few laborers with
their tin kettles were the only signs of life to be seen until we came to the
station； where I insisted on paying for my own ticket。 I didn't relish being
conveyed from place to place； like a felon changing prisons； at somebody
else's expense。
On entering the car I sunk into a seat next the window； and Sailor Ben
deposited himself beside me； cutting off all chance of escape。
The car filled up soon after this； and I wondered if there was anything
in my mien that would lead the other passengers to suspect I was a boy
who had run away and was being brought back。
A man in front of us…he was near…sighted； as I discovered later by his
reading a guide…book with his nose…brought the blood to my cheeks by
turning round and peering at me steadily。 I rubbed a clear spot on the
cloudy window…glass at my elbow； and looked out to avoid him。
There； in the travellers' room； was the severe…looking young lady
piling up her blocks of sponge…cake in alluring pyramids and industriously
intrenching herself behind a breastwork of squash…pie。 I saw with cynical
pleasure numerous victims walk up to the counter and recklessly sow the
seeds of death in their constitutions by eating her doughnuts。 I had got
quite interested in her； when the whistle sounded and the train began to
move。
The Admira