English fiction -- 19th century; Labor unions -- Fiction
“That's right,” said Reynolds, sullenly, “throw every thing on the
Union. If we knew who it was, he'd lie by the side of this one in less
than a minute, and, happen, not get up again so soon.” A growl of assent
confirmed the speaker's words. Cheetham interposed and drew Amboyne
aside, and began to tell him who the man was and what the dispute; but
Amboyne cut the latter explanation short. “What,” said he, “is this the
carver whose work I saw up at Mr. Carden's?”
“This is the very man, no doubt.”
“Why, he's a sculptor: Praxiteles in wood. A fine choice they have made
for their gunpowder, a workman that did honor to the town.”
A faint flush of gratified pride colored the ghastly cheek a moment.
“Doctor, shall I live to finish the bust?” said Henry, piteously.
“That and hundreds more, if you obey me. The fact is, Mr. Cheetham, this
young man is not hurt, but his nerves have received a severe shock; and
the sooner he is out of this place the better. Ah, there is my brougham
at the gate. Come, put him into it, and I'll take him to the infirmary.”
“No,” said Little, “I won't go there; my mother would hear of it.”
“Oh, then your mother is not to know?”
“Not for all the world! She has had trouble enough. I'll just wash my
face and buy a clean shirt, and she'll never know what has happened. It
would kill her. Oh, yes, it would kill her!”
The doctor eyed him with warm approval. “You are a fine young fellow.
I'll see you safe through this, and help you throw dust in your mother's
eyes. If you go to her with that scratched face, we are lost. Come, get
into my carriage, and home with me.”
“Mayn't I wash my face first? And look at my shirt: as black as a
cinder.”
“Wash your face, by all means: but you can button your coat over your
shirt.”
The coat was soon brought, and so was a pail of water and a piece of
yellow soap. Little dashed his head and face into the bucket, and soon
inked all the water. The explosion had filled his hair with black dust,
and grimed his face and neck like a sweep's. This ablution made him
clean, but did not bring back his ruddy color. He looked pale and
scratched.
The men helped him officiously into the carriage, though he could have
walked very well alone.
Henry asked leave to buy a clean shirt. The doctor said he would lend
him one at home.
While Henry was putting it on Dr. Amboyne ordered his dog-cart instead
of his brougham, and mixed some medicines. And soon Henry found himself
seated in the dog-cart, with a warm cloak over him, and whisking over
the stones of Hillsborough.
All this had been done so rapidly and unhesitatingly that Henry, injured
and shaken as he was, had yielded passive obedience. But now he began to
demur a little. “But where are we going, sir?” he asked.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account