双城记 Book1-2c The Mail
`I want a passenger, if it is.'
`What passenger?',`Mr. Jarvis Lorry.'
Our booked passenger showed in a moment that it was his name.
The guard, the coachman, and the two other passengers eyed himdistrustfully.
`Keep where you are,' the guard called to the voice in themist, `because, if I should make a mistake, it could never beset right in your lifetime. Gentleman of the name of Lorryanswer straight.'
`What is the matter?' asked the passenger, then, with mildlyquavering speech. `Who wants me? Is it Jerry?'
(`I don't like Jerry's voice, if it is Jerry,' growled theguard to himself. `He's hoarser than suits me, is Jerry.')`Yes, Mr. Lorry.'
`What is the matter?'
`A despatch sent after you from over yonder. T. and Co.'
`I know this messenger, guard,' said Mr. Lorry, getting downinto the road--assisted from behind more swiftly than politelyby the other two passengers, who immediately scrambled into hecoach, shut the door, and pulled, up the window. `He may comeclose; there's nothing wrong.'
`I hope there ain't, but I can't make so `Nation sure ofthat,' said the guard, in gruff soliloquy. `Hallo you!'
`Well! And hallo you!' said Jerry, more hoarsely than before.
`Come on at a footpace! d'ye mind me? And if you've gotholsters to that saddle o' yourn, don't let me see your handgo nigh 'em. For I'm a devil at a quick mistake, and when Imake one it takes the form of Lead. So now let's look at you.'
The figures of a horse and rider came slowly through theeddying mist, and came to the side of the mail, where thepassenger stood. The rider stooped, and, casting up his eyesat the guard, handed the passenger a small folded paper. Therider's horse was blown, and both horse and rider were coveredwith mud, from the hoofs of the horse to the hat of the man.
`Guard!' said the passenger, in a tone of quiet businessconfidence.
