Part 6 (1/2)
”Brother Norman, I perceive that thou dost set a continual example of Industry to the men around you who are tempted by the false promises of Slothfulness. All of this I understand-”
”Oh, there are hard workers among us, Brother Daniel, otherwise how could we perform such works as these?”
”Thy point is well taken, Brother Norman, and yet my confusion only worsens; for I have never seen a s.h.i.+p-yard so prodigious, with workers so few; where is everyone?”
”Why, Brother Daniel, I am grieved to inform thee that they are in h.e.l.l. Or as close a thing to h.e.l.l as there is on this earth.”
Daniel's first guesses at this riddle were prison prison or or a battlefield a battlefield but these did not seem likely. He had almost settled on but these did not seem likely. He had almost settled on wh.o.r.ehouse wh.o.r.ehouse when he heard the sound of men erupting into cheers on the far side of Lavender Lane. when he heard the sound of men erupting into cheers on the far side of Lavender Lane.
”A theatre? No! Bear-baiting,” he guessed.
Brother Norman closed his eyes prayerfully, and nodded.
This outburst of cheering was the signal for several of the men who had been eating to rise up and quit the s.h.i.+p-yard. They ascended the stairs in a bunch, followed at a cautious distance by the two Russians Daniel had noticed earlier. Other than Brother Norman, perhaps half a dozen workers now remained in the entire yard.
”I say,” Daniel exclaimed, ”is it Mr. Orney's custom to suspend all work, in the middle of the day, so that his workers can run off to attend a b.l.o.o.d.y and disgraceful spectacle? It is a miracle anything gets done in this place.”
”I am Mr. Orney,” Brother Norman said pleasantly.
Forty years ago, Daniel might now have flung himself into the river from sheer mortification. In light of recent months' events, he knew he would survive this, like it or not. The best he could do was to soldier on. He was more concerned about the waterman who'd brought him here. That man had been listening shrewdly to the exchange, and now looked as if he might topple backward off the pier.
”I do beg your pardon, Brother Norman,” said Daniel.
”Oh, not at all, Brother Daniel, for how are we to come closer to G.o.d, if our ears be not open to the criticism of G.o.dly brethren?”
”Very true, Brother Norman.”
”Thou mightst never wot, O Son of Drake, what a ridiculous figure thou makest, in thy foppish periwig and whorish clothing, unless I were to lovingly put thee in mind of it.”
Another cheer from beyond Lavender Lane reminded Daniel that, as usual, the unrepentant sinners were having more fun.
”I have acquainted the workers with my views on such entertainments,” Brother Norman continued. ”Several of our Brethren are there now, handing out tracts. Only G.o.d can save them.”
”I thought you were a rigger,” Daniel said idiotically.
”To be an examplar, in a s.h.i.+p-yard, is to show excellence in all of its tributary trades.”
”I see.”
”The baiting-ring is yonder. Tuppence a head. Enjoy!”
”Oh, no, Brother Norman, I have not come for that.”
”Why hast hast thou come then, Brother Daniel? thou come then, Brother Daniel? Solely Solely to offer me thy opinions as to how I might better look after my affairs? Wouldst thou care to audit my books? The day is young.” to offer me thy opinions as to how I might better look after my affairs? Wouldst thou care to audit my books? The day is young.”
”Splendid of you to offer, but-”
”I am afraid my fingernails are dirty, and might not meet with thine approval, but if thou wouldst come back tomorrow-”
”That is really quite all right, Brother Norman. My father, the smuggler, smuggler, who employed diverse who employed diverse pirates and Vagabonds, pirates and Vagabonds, was frequently observed to have a bit of dirt under his nails after we had been up all night loading contraband.” was frequently observed to have a bit of dirt under his nails after we had been up all night loading contraband.”
”Very well, then, how may I be of help to thee, Brother Daniel?”
”By loading these parcels aboard the first of yonder s.h.i.+ps that, if G.o.d wills it, does set sail for St. Petersburg.”
”This is not a warehouse. I cannot accept responsibility for aught that happens to them while they are stored in my yard.”
”Agreed. The thief who makes off with them is in for bitter disappointment.”
”You must secure the permission of Mr. Kikin.”
”And he is-”
”The short one. Approach Mr. Kikin from directly in front, with thine hands in plain view, or the tall one shall kill thee.”
”Thank you for that advice, Brother Norman.”
”Not at all. Mr. Kikin is quite certain that London is alive with Raskolniks.”
”What's a Raskolnik?”
”From the nature of Mr. Kikin's precautions, I infer that it is a sort of Russian Huguenot, bearded, ten feet tall, and good at throwing things.”
”Well, I don't think I quite match that description-”
”One can never be too careful. Thou couldst be a Raskolnik disguised as a superannuated dandy dandy.”
”Brother Norman, 'tis such a pleasure to be free of the stuffy courtesies of London.”
”The pleasure is entirely mine, Brother Daniel.”
”Tell me, please, have you heard any news of an East Indiaman called Minerva Minerva?”
”The s.h.i.+p Minerva Minerva of Rumor and Legend? Or the real one?” of Rumor and Legend? Or the real one?”
”I have heard no rumors, know no legends...I a.s.sure you my interest is practical.”
”I saw a Minerva Minerva in dry-dock, round the bend, a fortnight ago, and so I can promise thee she was not the one of legend.” in dry-dock, round the bend, a fortnight ago, and so I can promise thee she was not the one of legend.”
”How does that follow, Brother Norman? I am wanting some knowledge, concerning Minerva Minerva, that would transform your riddle riddle into a into a story story.”
”Forgive me, Brother Daniel, I a.s.sumed you were as knowledgeable about maritime legends, as you are in s.h.i.+p-yard management s.h.i.+p-yard management. Some of the French sailors impose on the credulous, by insisting that there was once a s.h.i.+p, of that name, whose hull, below the waterline, was clad in gold.”
”Gold!?”
”Which could only be seen when she was heeled over, as when a stiff breeze was coming in abeam.”
”What a preposterous notion!”