We stood swaying and then came forward with a weak motion of his arms
like a man who cannot see distinctly, and caught at and leant upon the
stile. For a moment we were absolutely still. He made a clumsy gesture
towards the great futility below and choked. I discovered that his face
was wet with tears, that his wet glasses blinded him. He put up his
little fat hand and clawed them off clumsily, felt inefficiently for
his pocket-handkerchief, and then, to my horror, as he clung to me, he
began to weep aloud, this little, old worldworn swindler. It wasn’t
just sobbing or shedding tears, it was crying as a child cries. It was
oh! terrible!
“It’s cruel,” he blubbered at last. “They asked me questions. They
_kep_’ asking me questions, George.”
He sought for utterance, and spluttered.
“The Bloody bullies!” he shouted. “The Bloody Bullies.”
He ceased to weep. He became suddenly rapid and explanatory.
“It’s not a fair game, George. They tire you out. And I’m not well. My
stomach’s all wrong. And I been and got a cold. I always been li’ble to
cold, and this one’s on my chest. And then they tell you to speak up.
They bait you—and bait you, and bait you. It’s torture. The strain of
it. You can’t remember what you said. You’re bound to contradict
yourself. It’s like Russia, George.... It isn’t fair play.... Prominent
man. I’ve been next at dinners with that chap, Neal; I’ve told him
stories—and he’s bitter! Sets out to ruin me. Don’t ask a civil
question—bellows.” He broke down again. “I’ve been bellowed at, I been
bullied, I been treated like a dog. Dirty cads they are! Dirty cads!
I’d rather be a Three-Card Sharper than a barrister; I’d rather sell
cat’s-meat in the streets.
“They sprung things on me this morning, things I didn’t expect. They
rushed me! I’d got it all in my hands and then I was jumped. By Neal!
Neal I’ve given city tips to! Neal! I’ve helped Neal....
“I couldn’t swallow a mouthful—not in the lunch hour. I couldn’t face
it. It’s true, George—I couldn’t face it. I said I’d get a bit of air
and slipped out and down to the Embankment, and there I took a boat to
Richmond. Some idee. I took a rowing boat when I got there and I rowed
about on the river for a bit. A lot of chaps and girls there was on the
bank laughed at my shirt-sleeves and top hat. Dessay they thought it
was a pleasure trip. Fat lot of pleasure! I rowed round for a bit and
came in. Then I came on here. Windsor way. And there they are in London
doing what they like with me.... I don’t care!”
“But” I said, looking down at him, perplexed.
“It’s abscondin’. They’ll have a warrant.”
“I don’t understand,” I said.
“It’s all up, George—all up and over.
“And I thought I’d live in that place, George and die a lord! It’s a
great place, reely, an imperial—if anyone has the sense to buy it and
finish it. That terrace—”