Лавка древностей

Chapter 17

           Ifpeoplehurriedtothewindows,MrCodlinpitchedthetemple,andhastilyunfurlingthedraperyandconcealingShorttherewith,flourishedhystericallyonthepipesandperformedanair.Thentheentertainmentbeganassoonasmightbe;MrCodlinhavingtheresponsibilityofdecidingonitslengthandofprotractingorexpeditingthetimeforthehero’sfinaltriumphovertheenemyofmankind,accordingashejudgedthattheafter-cropofhalf-pencewouldbeplentifulorscant.Whenithadbeengatheredintothelastfarthing,heresumedhisloadandontheywentagain.

           Sometimestheyplayedoutthetollacrossabridgeorferry,andonceexhibitedbyparticulardesireataturnpike,wherethecollector,beingdrunkinhissolitude,paiddownashillingtohaveittohimself.Therewasonesmallplaceofrichpromiseinwhichtheirhopeswereblighted,forafavouritecharacterintheplayhavinggold-laceuponhiscoatandbeingameddlingwooden-headedfellowwasheldtobealibelonthebeadle,forwhichreasontheauthoritiesenforcedaquickretreat;buttheyweregenerallywellreceived,andseldomleftatownwithoutatroopofraggedchildrenshoutingattheirheels.

           Theymadealongday’sjourney,despitetheseinterruptions,andwereyetupontheroadwhenthemoonwasshininginthesky.Shortbeguiledthetimewithsongsandjests,andmadethebestofeverythingthathappened.MrCodlinontheotherhand,cursedhisfate,andallthehollowthingsofearth(butPunchespecially),andlimpedalongwiththetheatreonhisback,apreytothebitterestchagrin.

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