Part 22 (1/2)
”How many?”
”Two.”
”Then--hum!--get into the ditch,” said Barnabas.
Now the ditch, as has been said, was deep and dry, and next moment, the miserable fugitive was hidden from view by reason of this, and of the gra.s.ses and wild flowers that grew luxuriantly there; seeing which, Barnabas went back to his reading.
”It is permitted,” solemnly writes the Person of Quality, ”that white waistcoats be worn,--though sparingly, for caution is always advisable, and a buff waistcoat therefore is recommended as safer.
Coats, on the contrary, may occasionally vary both as to the height of the collar, which must, of course, roll, and the number of b.u.t.tons--”
Thus far the Person of Quality when:
”Hallo, theer” roared a stentorian voice.
”Breeches, on the other hand,” continues the Person of Quality gravely, ”are governed as inexorably as the Medes and Persians; thus, for mornings they must be either pantaloons and Hessians--”
”Hallo theer! oho!--hi!--waken oop will 'ee!”
”Or buckskins and top boots--”
”Hi!” roared the voice, louder than ever, ”you theer under th' 'edge,--oho!”
Once more Barnabas marked the place with his finger, and glancing up, straightway espied Stentor, somewhat red-faced, as was but natural, clad in a velveteen jacket and with a long barrelled gun on his shoulder.
”Might you be shouting at me?” inquired Barnabas.
”Well,” replied Stentor, looking up and down the lane, ”I don't see n.o.body else to shout at, so let's s'pose as I be shouting at ye, bean't deaf, be ye?”
”No, thank G.o.d.”
”'Cause if so be as y' are deaf, a can shout a tidy bit louder nor that a reckon.”
”I can hear you very well as it is.”
”Don't go for to be too sartin, now; ye see I've got a tidy voice, I have, which I aren't noways afeared o' usin'!”
”So it would appear!” nodded Barnabas.
”You're quite sure as ye can 'ear me, then?”
”Quite.”
”Werry good then, if you are sure as you can 'ear me I'd like to ax 'ee a question, though, mark me, I'll shout it, ah! an' willin'; if so be you're minded, say the word!”
But, before Barnabas could reply, another man appeared, being also clad in velveteens and carrying a long barrelled gun.
”Wot be doin', Jarge?” he inquired of Stentor, in a surly tone, ”wot be wastin' time for”
”W'y, lookee, I be about to ax this 'ere deaf chap a question, though ready, ah! an' willin' to shout it, if so be 'e gives the word.”
”Stow yer gab, Jarge,” retorted Surly, more surly than ever, ”you be a sight too fond o' usin' that theer voice o' your'n!” saying which he turned to Barnabas: