Викрадений
Chapter 27
EvenifthingswereasIconceived,itwouldinalllikelihoodtaketimetoestablishmycontentions;andwhattimehadItosparewithlessthanthreeshillingsinmypocket,andacondemned,huntedmanuponmyhandstoshipoutofthecountry?Truly,ifmyhopebrokewithme,itmightcometothegallowsyetforbothofus.AndasIcontinuedtowalkupanddown,andsawpeoplelookingaskanceatmeuponthestreetoroutofwindows,andnudgingorspeakingonetoanotherwithsmiles,Ibegantotakeafreshapprehension:thatitmightbenoeasymattereventocometospeechofthelawyer,farlesstoconvincehimofmystory.
ForthelifeofmeIcouldnotmusterupthecouragetoaddressanyofthesereputableburghers;Ithoughtshameeventospeakwiththeminsuchapickleofragsanddirt;andifIhadaskedforthehouseofsuchamanasMr.Rankeillor,Isupposetheywouldhaveburstoutlaughinginmyface.SoIwentupanddown,andthroughthestreet,anddowntotheharbour-side,likeadogthathaslostitsmaster,withastrangegnawinginmyinwards,andeverynowandthenamovementofdespair.Itgrewtobehighdayatlast,perhapsnineintheforenoon;andIwaswornwiththesewanderings,andchancedtohavestoppedinfrontofaverygoodhouseonthelandwardside,ahousewithbeautiful,clearglasswindows,floweringknotsuponthesills,thewallsnew-harledandachase-dogsittingyawningonthesteplikeonethatwasathome.
