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Chapter   2

   -   Segment  4

The Chimes
A
Goblin
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Level 2
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Level 3
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Goblin1
Story of Some Bells that
Rang an Old Year Out
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Rang an Old Year Out1
and a New Year In
Charles Dickens

I heartily wish it was otherwise, sir, said Trotty, anxious to excuse himself.   We have been tried very hard.
Sir Joseph still repeating Take the letter, take the letter! and Mr. Fish not only saying the same thing, but giving additional force to the request by motioning the bearer to the door, he had nothing for it but to make his bow and leave the house.   And in the street, poor Trotty pulled his worn old hat down on his head, to hide the grief he felt at getting no hold on the New Year, anywhere.
He didn’t even lift his hat to look up at the Bell tower when he came to the old church on his return.   He halted there a moment, from habit: and knew that it was growing dark, and that the steeple rose above him, indistinct and faint, in the murky air.   He knew, too, that the Chimes would ring immediately; and that they sounded to his fancy, at such a time, like voices in the clouds.   But he only made the more haste to deliver the Alderman’s letter, and get out of the way before they began; for he dreaded to hear them tagging Friends and Fathers, Friends and Fathers, to the burden they had rung out last.
Toby discharged himself of his commission, therefore, with all possible speed, and set off trotting homeward.   But what with his pace, which was at best an awkward one in the street; and what with his hat, which didn’t improve it; he trotted against somebody in less than no time, and was sent staggering out into the road.
I beg your pardon, I’m sure! said Trotty, pulling up his hat in great confusion, and between the hat and the torn lining, fixing his head into a kind of bee-hive.   I hope I haven’t hurt you.
As to hurting anybody, Toby was not such an absolute Samson, but that he was much more likely to be hurt himself: and indeed, he had flown out into the road, like a
shuttlecock
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shuttlecock1
.   He had such an opinion of his own strength, however, that he was in real concern for the other party: and said again,
I hope I haven’t hurt you?
The man against whom he had run; a sun-browned, sinewy, country-looking man, with grizzled hair, and a rough chin; stared at him for a moment, as if he suspected him to be in jest.   But, satisfied of his good faith, he answered:
No, friend.   You have not hurt me.
Nor the child, I hope? said Trotty.
Nor the child, returned the man.   I thank you kindly.
As he said so, he glanced at a little girl he carried in his arms, asleep: and shading her face with the long end of the poor handkerchief he wore about his throat, went slowly on.
The tone in which he said I thank you kindly, penetrated Trotty’s heart.   He was so jaded and foot-sore, and so soiled with travel, and looked about him so forlorn and strange, that it was a comfort to him to be able to thank any one: no matter for how little.   Toby stood gazing after him as he plodded wearily away, with the child’s arm clinging round his neck.
At the figure in the worn shoes now the very shade and ghost of shoes rough leather leggings, common frock, and broad slouched hat, Trotty stood gazing, blind to the whole street.   And at the child’s arm, clinging round its neck.
Before he merged into the darkness the traveller stopped; and looking round, and seeing Trotty standing there yet, seemed undecided whether to return or go on.   After doing first the one and then the other, he came back, and Trotty went half-way to meet him.
You can tell me, perhaps, said the man with a faint smile, and if you can I am sure you will, and I’d rather ask you than another where Alderman Cute lives.
Close at hand, replied Toby.   I’ll show you his house with pleasure.
I was to have gone to him elsewhere to-morrow, said the man, accompanying Toby, but I’m uneasy under suspicion, and want to clear myself, and to be free to go and seek my bread I don’t know where.   So, maybe he’ll forgive my going to his house to-night.
It’s impossible, cried Toby with a start, that your name’s Fern!
Eh! cried the other, turning on him in astonishment.
Fern!   Will Fern! said Trotty.
That’s my name, replied the other.
Why then, said Trotty, seizing him by the arm, and looking cautiously round, for Heaven’s sake don’t go to him!   Don’t go to him!   He’ll put you down as sure as ever you were born.   Here! come up this alley, and I’ll tell you what I mean.   Don’t go to _ him _.
His new acquaintance looked as if he thought him mad; but he bore him company nevertheless.   When they were shrouded from observation, Trotty told him what he knew, and what character he had received, and all about it.
The subject of his history listened to it with a calmness that surprised him.   He did not contradict or interrupt it, once.   He nodded his head now and then more in corroboration of an old and worn-out story, it appeared, than in refutation of it; and once or twice threw back his hat, and passed his freckled hand over a brow, where every furrow he had ploughed seemed to have set its image in little.   But he did no more.