登陆注册
15439600000162

第162章

It is a nuisance to which no man should subject himself in any weather. But when it rains there is superadded a squalor and an ill humour to all the party which makes it almost impossible for them not to quarrel before the day is over. To talk politics to Mrs Bubbs under any circumstances is bad, but to do so with the conviction that the moisture is penetrating from your greatcoat through your shirt to your bones, and that while so employed you are breathing the steam from those seven other wet men, at the door, is abominable. To have to go through this is enough to take away all the pride which a man might otherwise take from becoming a member of Parliament. But to go through it and then not become a member is base indeed! To go through it and to feel that you are probably paying the rate of a hundred pounds a day for the privilege is mot disheartening. Silverbridge as he backed up Tregear in the uncomfortable work, congratulated himself on the comfort of having a Mr Sprugeon and Mr Sprout who could manage his borough for him without a contest.

They worked on that day all the morning till one, when they took luncheon, all reeking with wet, at the King's Head,--so that a little money might be legitimately spent in the cause. Then, at two, they sallied out again, vainly endeavouring to make their twenty calls within the hour. About four, when it was beginning to be dusk, they were very tired, and Silverbridge had ventured to suggest that as they were all wet through, and as there was to be another meeting in the Assembly Room that night, and as nobody in that part of town seemed to be at home, they might perhaps be allowed to adjourn for the present. He was thinking how nice it would be to have a glass of brandy-and-water and then lounge till dinner-time. But the philosophers received the proposition with stern disdain. Was his Lordship aware that Mr Carbottle had been out all day from eight in the morning, and was still at work; that the Carbottleites had already sent for lanterns and were determined to go on till eight o'clock among the artisans who would then have returned from their work? When a man had put his hand to the plough, the philosophers thought that a man should complete the furrows!

The philosophers' view had just carried the day, the discussion having been held under seven or eight wet umbrellas at the corner of a dirty little lane leading into the High Street, when suddenly, on the other side of the way, Mr Carbottles cortege made its appearance. The philosophers at once informed them that on such occasions it was customary that the rival candidates should be introduced. 'It will take ten minutes,' said the philosophers;

'but then it will take them ten minutes too.' Upon this Tregear, as being the younger of the two, crossed over the road, and the introduction was made.

There was something comfortable in it to the Tregear party, as no imagination could conceive anything more wretched than the appearance of Mr Carbottle. He was a very stout man of sixty, and seemed to be almost carried along by his companions. He had pulled his coat-collar up and his hat down till very little of his face was visible, and in attempting to look at Tregear and Silverbridge he had to lift up his chin till the rain ran off his hat on to his nose. He had an umbrella in one hand and a stick in the other, and was wet through to his very skin. What were his own feelings cannot be told, but his philosophers, guides, and friends would allow him no rest. Very hard work, Mr Tregear,' he said, shaking his head.

'Very hard indeed, Mr Carbottle.' Then the two parties went on, each their own way, without another word.

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 天使来自修罗界

    天使来自修罗界

    曾经那么多次,我们擦肩而过,但是谁也只是沉默着,之后悄然离去,在这个只有黑色白色的宇宙,我们没有选择。。在这个灰色时期,谁也不得不戴上面具,不找他说了多少次再见,但最后都只是短暂的团聚,他便弃我而去。不会再见了,再见的时候,我们只是陌生的过客而已,等我离开了这个虚伪的世界,一切的一切都会结束,这只是做了一个噩梦。。。
  • 往生筮

    往生筮

    长生是多么令人向往,可却无人能及,而长生的世界真的那么令所有人向往吗?
  • 唤风少年

    唤风少年

    “天二,这两天咱们省都旱成这样了,你也不管管!”“米国现在都这么猖狂了,咱还不管吗?”“方舟会再这么弄要出大事,得管了……”
  • 消失的B队

    消失的B队

    卢克斯公司在西南某地的一个生物基地,出现了一些不明事件。调查此事的调查员和一个小队的警卫神秘消失。
  • 七颂堂词绎

    七颂堂词绎

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 破立无双

    破立无双

    一动一静、一阴一阳、一枯一荣、一破一立,天地万物在对立中统一、矛盾中共存,生命的繁衍生息、生生灭灭亦在此理之中。有少年名昊,随星而来,出于石中,生而知之,怀着对天地大道的追求创《破立决》,携四位追随者,在天地大潮中披荆斩棘、逆流而上。虽千难万阻,吾道心不动!
  • 遗星之城

    遗星之城

    这个故事,是以很久很久以后的未来为背景的,但这个未来,我们都不知道到底会不会来。女孩明明抛弃一切独身闯入陌生世界,谁知希望过后竟被冷酷现实背叛;少年浸入黑暗多年,保存的阳光微笑下有一颗千疮百孔的心。还有因为古代返祖血统而度过痛苦童年的男孩,为了追寻自己以为的幸福最终却毁于同伴之手;有着贪婪面孔的女人也偶尔有着恻隐之心,为不知名的孩子挡下战争无情的炮火。他们不只有一面,他们是双面人。但是,他们的微笑,他们的欢乐,他们的失落,他们的痛苦和背叛,都足以让每个人为之感叹。也许,那里,那个城市里,就有你。
  • 佳人一笑似沐熙

    佳人一笑似沐熙

    十年之前,几次的擦肩而过似乎是冥冥之中注定的,相遇在那炫动的音符中,却拼不成一首动听的音乐。十年之后,在哪个咖啡厅,一位女孩穿着婚纱等待着她的哪位新郎。十年等待换来执子之手与子偕老。不思量自难忘。
  • 霸道总裁:老婆别躲

    霸道总裁:老婆别躲

    林初夏因与沈家毁了婚约,沈安语诽谤她哥哥林艺卖假药被抓,为了救出哥哥答应了当寒江北的妻子......
  • 帝血莲华

    帝血莲华

    帝皇圣神,宁有种乎?武道巅峰路,是寂寞,是孤独,是一往无前,是凌驾九霄高处不胜寒。热血浩荡九重天,斗战天地我为仙!