Japhet, in Search of a Father. Фредерик Марриет

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СКАЧАТЬ are a very good judge of character, Japhet. But what a dear little child is that Fleta! She may exclaim with you—'Who is my father?'"

      "Yes, we are both in much the same predicament, and that it is which I believe has so much increased my attachment to her. We are brother and sister in misfortune, and a sister she ever shall be to me, if such is the will of Heaven. But we must rise early to-morrow, Tim; so good-night."

      "Yes, to-morrow it will be juggle and tumble—eat fire—um—and so on, as Mr. Cophagus would have said; so good-night, Japhet."

      The next morning we arrayed ourselves in our new habiliments; mine were silk stockings, shoes, and white kerseymere kneed breeches, a blue silk waistcoat loaded with tinsel, and a short jacket to correspond of blue velvet, a sash round my waist, a hat and a plume of feathers. Timothy declared I looked very handsome, and as the glass said the same as plain as it could speak, I believed him. Timothy's dress was a pair of wide Turkish trousers and red jacket, with spangles. The others were much the same. Fleta was attired in small, white satin, Turkish trousers, blue muslin and silver embroidered frock, worked sandals, and her hair braided and plaited in long tails behind, and she looked like a little sylph. Melchior's dress was precisely the same as mine, and a more respectable company was seldom seen. Some musicians had been hired, and handbills were now circulated all over the town, stating that Signor Eugenio Velotti, with his company, would have the honour of performing before the nobility and gentry. The bill contained the fare which was to be provided, and intimated the hour of the performance, and the prices to be paid for the seats. The performance was to take place in a very large room attached to the inn, which, previous to the decadence of the town, had been used as an assembly-room. A platform was erected on the outside, on which were placed the musicians, and where we all occasionally made our appearance in our splendid dresses to attract the wonder of the people. There we strutted up and down, all but poor little Fleta, who appeared to shrink at the display from intuitive modesty. When the music ceased, a smart parley between Melchior and me, and Philotas, and Timothy, as the two fools, would take place; and Melchior declared, after the performance was over, that we conducted ourselves to admiration.

      "Pray, Mr. Philotas, do me the favour to tell me how many people you think are now present?" said Melchior to Num, in an imperative voice.

      "I don't know," said Num, looking up with his idiotical, melancholy face.

      "Ha! ha! ha'" roared the crowd at Num's stupid answer.

      "The fellow's a fool'" said Melchior, to the gaping audience.

      "Well, then, if he can't tell, perhaps you may, Mr. Dionysius," said I, addressing Tim.

      "How many, sir? Do you want to know exactly and directly?"

      "Yes, sir, immediately."

      "Without counting, sir?"

      "Yes, sir, without counting."

      "Well then, sir, I will tell, and make no mistake; there's exactly as many again as half."

      "Ha! ha! ha!" from the crowd.

      "That won't do, sir. How many may be the half?"

      "How many may be the half? Do you know yourself, sir?"

      "Yes, sir, to be sure I do."

      "Then there's no occasion for me to tell you."

      "Ha! ha! ha!"

      "Well then, sir," continued Melchior to Philotas, "perhaps you'll tell how many ladies and gentlemen we may expect to honour us with their company to-night."

      "How many, sir?"

      "Yes, sir, how many."

      "I'm sure I don't know," said Num, after a pause.

      "Positively you are the greatest fool I ever met with," said Melchior.

      "Well, he does act the fool as natural as life," observed the crowd. "What a stupid face he does put on!"

      "Perhaps you will be able to answer that question, Mr. Dionysius," said I to Tim.

      "Yes, sir, I know exactly."

      "Well, sir, let's hear."

      "In the first place, all the pretty women will come, and all the ugly ones stay away; and as for the men, all those who have got any money will be certain to come; those who haven't, poor devils, must stay outside."

      "Suppose, sir, you make a bow to the ladies."

      "A very low one, sir?"

      "Yes, very low indeed."

      Tim bent his body to the ground, and threw a somerset forward. "There, sir; I bowed so low, that I came up on the other side."

      "Ha! ha! capital!" from the crowd.

      "I've got a round turn in my back, sir," continued Tim, rubbing himself. "Hadn't I better take it out again?"

      "By all means."

      Tim threw a somerset backwards. "There, sir, all's right now. One good turn deserves another. Now I'll be off."

      "Where are you going to, sir?"

      "Going, sir!! Why, I left my lollipop in the tinder-box, and I'm going to fetch it."

      "Ha! ha! ha!"

      "Strike up, music!" and Master Jumbo commenced tumbling.

      Such was the elegant wit with which we amused and attracted the audience. Perhaps, had we been more refined, we should not have been so successful.

      That evening we had the room as full as it could hold. Signor Velotti alias Melchior astonished them. The cards appeared to obey his commands—rings were discovered in lady's shoes—watches were beat to a powder and made whole—canary birds flew out of eggs. The audience were delighted. The entertainment closed with Fleta's performance on the slack wire; and certainly never was there anything more beautiful and graceful. Balanced on the wire in a continual, waving motion, her eyes fixed upon a point to enable her to maintain her position, she performed several feats, such as the playing with five oranges, balancing swords, &c. Her extreme beauty—her very picturesque and becoming dress—her mournful expression and downcast eyes—her gentle manner, appeared to win the hearts of the audience; and when she was assisted off from her perilous situation by Melchior and me, and made her graceful courtesy, the plaudits were unanimous.

      When the company dispersed I went to her, intending to praise her, but I found her in tears. "What is the matter, my dear Fleta?"

      "O nothing! don't say I have been crying—but I cannot bear it—so many people looking at me. Don't say a word to Melchior—I won't cry any more."

Chapter XII

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      It is very easy to humbug those who are so eager to be humbugged as people are in СКАЧАТЬ