Frank Fairlegh | Page 9

had no idea such things ever could take place, and he a clergyman, too!--dreadful! but what in the world am I to do? I have not got a pair of trousers to put on. Oh! if he would but have taken anything else, even my watch instead, I should not have minded--what shall I do?"
"Why really," replied Coleman, "it is not so easy to advise: you can't go down as you are, that's certain. Suppose you were to wrap yourself up in a blanket, and go and tell him you have found him out, and that you will call a policeman if he does not give you your clothes instantly; have it out with him fairly, and check the thing effectually once for all--eh?"
"No, that won't do," said Lawless. "I should say, sit down quietly (how cold you must be!) and write him a civil note, saying, that you had reason to believe he had borrowed your trousers (that's the way I should put it), and that you would be very much gratified by his lending you a pair to wear to-day; and then you can stick in something about your having been always accustomed to live with people who were very particular in regard to dress, and that you are sorry you are obliged to trouble him for such a trifle; in fact, do a bit of the respectful, and then pull up short with 'obedient pupil,' etc."
"Ay, that's the way to do it," said Coleman, "in the shop-fellow's style, you know--much obliged for past favours, and hope for a continuance of the same--more than you do, though, Fairlegh, I should fancy; but there goes the bell--I am off," and away he scudded, followed by Lawless humming:--
"Brian O'Lynn had no breeches to wear, So he took an old catskin, and made him a pair."
Here was a pretty state of things: the breakfast bell had rung, and I, who considered being too late a crime of the first magnitude, was unable even to begin dressing from the melancholy fact that every pair of trousers I possessed in the world had disappeared; while, to complete my misery, I was led to believe the delinquent who had abstracted them was no less a person than the tutor, whom I had come fully prepared to regard with feelings of the utmost respect and veneration.
~16~~However, in such a situation, thinking over my miseries was worse than useless; something must be done at once--but what? Write the note as Lawless had advised? No, it was useless to think of that; I felt I could not do it. "Ah! a bright idea!--I'll try it." So, suiting the action to the word, I rang the bell, and then jumping into bed muffled myself up in the bedclothes.
"Well, sir, have you found them?" asked Thomas, entering.
"No, Thomas," replied I dolefully, "nor ever shall, I fear; but will you go to 'Dr. Mildman, and tell him, with my respects, that I cannot get up to breakfast this morning, and, if he asks what is the matter with me, say that I am prevented from coming down by severe cold. I am sure that is true enough," added I, shivering.
"Well, sir, I will, if you wish it; but I don't exactly see the good of it; you must get up some time or other."
"I don't know," replied I gloomily, "we shall see; only do you take my message."
And he accordingly left the room, muttering as he did so, "Well, I calls this a great deal too bad, and I'll tell master of it myself, if nobody else won't".
"Tell master of it himself!"--he also suspected him then. This crushed my last faint hope that, after all, it might turn out to be only a trick of the pupils; and, overpowered by the utter vileness and depravity of him who was set in authority over me, I buried my face in the pillow, feeling a strong inclination to renew the lamentations of the preceding night. Not many minutes had elapsed when the sound of a heavy footstep slowly ascending the stairs attracted my attention. I raised my head, and beheld the benevolent countenance (for even then it certainly did wear a benevolent expression) of my wicked tutor, regarding me with a mingled look of scrutiny and pity.
"Why, Fairlegh, what's all this?--Thomas tells me you are not able to come down to breakfast; you are not ill, I hope?"
"No, sir," replied I, "I don't think I am very ill, but I can't come down to breakfast."
"Not ill, and yet you can't come down to breakfast! pray, what in the world prevents you?"
"Perhaps," said I (for I was becoming angry at what I considered his unparalleled effrontery, and thought I would give him a hint that he could not deceive me so easily as