In all three of
these men, as in the case of Clark's companions, there had been
developed, partly I suppose by the circumstance of enforced idleness
of brain, the most loathsome tendency to obscenity. This was the one
subject which was common ground, and upon which they could talk. It
was fostered too by a passion for beer, which was supplied by the
publican across the way, who was perpetually travelling to and fro
with cans. My horror when I first found out into what society I was
thrust was unspeakable. There was a clock within a hundred yards of
my window which struck the hours and quarters. How I watched that
clock! My spirits rose or fell with each division of the day. From
ten to twelve there was nothing but gloom. By half-past twelve I
began to discern dinner time, and the prospect was brighter. After
dinner there was nothing to be done but doggedly to endure until
five, and at five I was able to see over the distance from five to
seven. My disgust at my companions, however, came to be mixed with
pity. I found none of them cruel, and I received many little
kindnesses from them. I discovered that their trade was largely
answerable for the impurity of thought and speech which so shocked
me.
Pages:
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142