Master Humphrey's Clock (Illustrated) E-Book

Charles Dickens.

• Herausgeber: Bauer Books
• Kategorie: Für Kinder und Jugendliche
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

Master Humphrey is a lonely man who lives in London. He keeps old manuscripts in an antique longcase clock by the chimney-corner. One day, he decides that he would start a little club, called Master Humphrey's Clock, where the members would read out their manuscripts to the others. The members include Master Humphrey; a deaf gentleman, Jack Redburn; retired merchant Owen Miles; and Mr. Pickwick from The Pickwick Papers. A mirror club in the kitchen, Mr. Weller's Watch, run by Mr. Weller, has members including Humphrey's maid, the barber and Sam Weller.

Leseprobe

Charles

Master Humphrey's Clock (Illustrated)

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Table of contents

IMASTER HUMPHREY, FROM HIS CLOCK-SIDE IN THE CHIMNEY CORNER

The reader must not expect to know where I live. At present, it is true, my abode may be a question of little or no import to anybody; but if I should carry my readers with me, as I hope to do, and there should spring up between them and me feelings of homely affection and regard attaching something of interest to matters ever so slightly connected with my fortunes or my speculations, even my place of residence might one day have a kind of charm for them. Bearing this possible contingency in mind, I wish them to understand, in the outset, that they must never expect to know it.

I am not a churlish old man. Friendless I can never be, for all mankind are my kindred, and I am on ill terms with no one member of my great family. But for many years I have led a lonely, solitary life;—what wound I sought to heal, what sorrow to forget, originally, matters not now; it is sufficient that retirement has become a habit with me, and that I am unwilling to break the spell which for so long a time has shed its quiet influence upon my home and heart.

I live in a venerable suburb of London, in an old house which in bygone days was a famous resort for merry roysterers and peerless ladies, long since departed. It is a silent, shady place, with a paved courtyard so full of echoes, that sometimes I am tempted to believe that faint responses to the noises of old times linger there yet, and that these ghosts of sound haunt my footsteps as I pace it up and down. I am the more confirmed in this belief, because, of late years, the echoes that attend my walks have been less loud and marked than they were wont to be; and it is pleasanter to imagine in them the rustling of silk brocade, and the light step of some lovely girl, than to recognise in their altered note the failing tread of an old man.

One night in every week, as the clock strikes ten, we meet. At the second stroke of two, I am alone. * * * THE CLOCK-CASE. The manuscript runs thus: INTRODUCTION TO THE GIANT CHRONICLES. 'Do you remember,' said the other, stepping forward,—'do you remember little Joe Toddyhigh?' His attention gradually relaxed, and he fell fast asleep. FIRST NIGHT OF THE GIANT CHRONICLES. 'Your rapier, worthy sir!' CORRESPONDENCE TO MASTER HUMPHREY 'Expecting your reply, 'I am, '&c. &c.' 'I see that you speak earnestly,' he replied, 'and kindly I am very sure, but——' These are my friends; I have now introduced myself and them. * * * THE CLOCK-CASE. A CONFESSION FOUND IN A PRISON IN THE TIME OF CHARLES THE SECOND 'Bloodhounds!' cried my visitors. 'They scent some prey,' said they, both together. 'They scent no prey!' cried I. 'In Heaven's name, move!' said the one I knew, very earnestly, 'or you will be torn to pieces.' ["The Old Curiosity Shop" begins here] * * * CORRESPONDENCE Bath, Wednesday night. BELINDA. 'And who is it?' said I. 'Well!' said I, 'bid the gentleman come here.' a pleasure it is to think that you knew me directly!' 'But now,' said Mr. Pickwick, 'don't you wonder how I found you out?' 'You have not told me,' said I, 'anything about MR. PICKWICK'S TALE.