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perceived from the far…declined sun； was already approaching its
close； a chill frost…mist was rising from the river on which X—
stands； and along whose banks the road I had taken lay； it dimmed
the earth； but did not obscure the clear icy blue of the January
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sky。 There was a great stillness near and far； the time of the day
favoured tranquillity； as the people were all employed within…
doors； the hour of evening release from the factories not being yet
arrived； a sound of full…flowing water alone pervaded the air； for
the river was deep and abundant； swelled by the melting of a late
snow。 I stood awhile； leaning over a wall； and looking down at the
current： I watched the rapid rush of its waves。 I desired memory to
take a clear and permanent impression of the scene； and treasure
it for future years。 Grovetown church clock struck four； looking
up； I beheld the last of that day’s sun； glinting red through the
leafless boughs of some very old oak trees surrounding the
church—its light coloured and characterized the picture as I
wished。 I paused yet a moment； till the sweet； slow sound of the
bell had quite died out of the air； then ear； eye and feeling
satisfied； I quitted the wall and once more turned my face towards
X—。
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The Professor 55
Chapter VI
re…entered the town a hungry man； the dinner I had forgotten
recurred seductively to my recollection； and it was with a
Iquick step and sharp appetite I ascended the narrow street
leading to my lodgings。 It was dark when I opened the front door
and walked into the house。 I wondered how my fire would be； the
night was cold； and I shuddered at the prospect of a grate full of
sparkless cinders。 To my joyful surprise； I found； on entering my
sitting…room； a good fire and a clean hearth。 I had hardly noticed
this phenomenon； when I became aware of another subject for
wonderment； the chair I usually occupied near the hearth was
already filled； a person sat there with his。 arms folded on his chest；
and his legs stretched out on the rug。 Short…sighted as I am；
doubtful as was the gleam of the firelight； a moment’s examination
enabled me to recognize in this person my acquaintance； Mr。
Hunsden。 I could not of course be much pleased to see him；
considering the manner in which I had parted from him the night
before； and as I walked to the hearth； stirred the fire； and said
coolly； “Good evening；” my demeanour evinced as little cordiality
as I felt； yet I wondered in my own mind what had brought him
there； and I wondered； also； what motives had induced him to
interfere so actively between me and Edward； it was to him； it
appeared； that I owed my welcome dismissal； still I could not bring
myself to ask him questions； to show any eagerness of curiosity； if
he chose to explain； he might； but the explanation should be a
perfectly voluntary one on his part； I thought he was entering
upon it。
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“You owe me a debt of gratitude；” were his first words。
“Do I？” said I； “I hope it is not a large one； for I am much too
poor to charge myself with heavy liabilities of any kind。”
“Then declare yourself bankrupt at once； for this liability is a
ton weight at least。 When I came in I found your fire out； and I had
it lit again； and made that sulky drab of a servant stay and blow at
it with the bellows till it had burnt up properly； now； say ‘Thank
you！’”
“Not till I have had something to eat； I can thank nobody while
I am so famished。”
I rang the bell and ordered tea and some cold meat。
“Cold meat！” exclaimed Hunsden； as the servant closed the
door； “what a glutton you are； man！ Meat with tea！ you’ll die of
eating too much。”
“No； Mr。 Hunsden； I shall not。” I felt a necessity for
contradicting him； I was irritated with hunger； and irritated at
seeing him there； and irritated at the continued roughness of his
manner。
“It is over…eating that makes you so ill…tempered；” said he。
“How do you know？” I demanded。 “It is like you to give a
pragmatical opinion without being acquainted with any of the
circumstances of the case； I have had no dinner。”
What I said was petulant and snappish enough； and Hunsden
only replied by looking in my face and laughing。
“Poor thing！” he whined； after a pause。 “It has had no dinner；
has it？ What！ I suppose its master would not let it come home。 Did
Crimsworth order you to fast by way of punishment； William！”
“No； Mr。 Hunsden。 Fortunately at this sulky juncture； tea； was
brought in； and I fell to upon some bread and butter and cold beef
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directly。 Having cleared a plateful； I became so far humanized as
to intimate to Mr。 Hunsden “that he need not sit there staring； but
might come to the table and do as I did； if he liked。”
“But I don’t like in the least；” said he； and therewith he
summoned the servant by a fresh pull of the bell…rope； and
intimated a desire to have a glass of toast…and…water。 “And some
more coal；” he added； “Mr。 Crimsworth shall keep a good fire
while I stay。”
His orders being executed； he wheeled his chair round to the
table； so as to be opposite me。
“Well；” he proceeded。 “You are out of work； I suppose。”
“Yes；” said I； and not disposed to show the satisfaction I felt on
this point； I； yielding to the whim of the moment； took up the
subject as though I considered myself aggrieved rather than
benefited by what had been done。 “Yes—thanks to you； I am。
Crimsworth turned me off at a minute’s notice； owing to some
interference of yours at a public meeting； I understand。”
“Ah！ what！ he mentioned that？ He observed me signalling the
lads； did he？ What had he to say about his friend Hunsden—
anything sweet？”
“He called you a treacherous villain。”
“Oh； he hardly knows me yet！ I’m one of those shy people who
don’t come out all at once； and he is only just beginning to make
my acquaintance； but he’ll find I’ve some good qualities —
excellent ones！ The Hunsdens were always unrivalled at tracking
a rascal； a downright； dishonourable villain is their natural prey—
they could not keep off him wherever they met him； you used the
word pragmatical just now—that word is the property of our
family； it has been applied to us from generation to generation； we
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have fine noses for abuses； we scent a scoundrel a mile off； we are
reformers born； radical reformers； and it was impossible for me to
live in the same town with Crimsworth； to come into weekly
contact with him； to witness some of his conduct to you （for whom
personally I care nothing； I only consider the brutal injustice with
which he violated your natural claim to equality）—I say it was
impossible for me to be thus situated and not feel the angel or the
demon of my race at work within me。 I followed my