第12章

theforenoon,theheaddrawerattheRoyalGeorge Hotelopenedthecoach-doorashiscustomwas.Hedid itwithsomeflourishofceremony,foramailjourneyfromLondon inwinterwasanachievementtocongratulateanadventurous travellerupon. Bythattime,therewasonlyoneadventuroustravellerlefttobe congratulated:forthetwoothershadbeensetdownattheir respectiveroadsidedestinations.Themildewyinsideofthecoach, withitsdampanddirtystraw,itsdisagreeablesmell,andits obscurity,wasratherlikealargerdog-kennel.Mr.Lorry,the passenger,shakinghimselfoutofitinchainsofstraw,atangleof shaggywrapper,flappinghat,andmuddylegs,wasratherlikea largersortofdog. “TherewillbeapackettoCalais,tomorrow,drawer?” “Yes,sir,iftheweatherholdsandthewindsetstolerablefair. Thetidewillserveprettynicelyatabouttwointheafternoon,sir. Bed,sir?” “IshallnotgotobedtillnightbutIwantabedroom,anda barber.” “Andthenbreakfast,sir?Yes,sir,Thatway,sir,ifyouplease. ShowConcord!Gentleman’svaliseandhotwatertoConcord.Pull offgentleman’sbootsinConcord.(Youwillfindafinesea-coalfire, sir.)FetchbarbertoConcord.Stiraboutthere,now,forConcord!” CharlesDickensElecBookClassics TheConcordbed-chamberbeingalwaysassignedtoa passengerbythemail,andpassengersbythemailbeingalways heavilywrappedupfromheadtofoot,thero