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Sylvie and Bruno-Part4_Lewis Carrol(1832-1898)_English Literature(文学名著)-第2页

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"And what are the dimensions of a Revolution?" The voice was genial and

mellow, and the face of the tall dignified old man, who had just



entered the room, leading Sylvie by the hand, and with Bruno riding

triumphantly on his shoulder, was too noble and gentle to have scared a



less guilty man: but the Lord Chancellor turned pale instantly,

and could hardly articulate the words "The dimensions your--



your High Excellency? I--I--scarcely comprehend!"

"Well, the length, breadth, and thickness, if you like it better!"



And the old man smiled, half-contemptuously.

The Lord Chancellor recovered himself with a great effort, and pointed



to the open window. "If your High Excellency will listen for a moment

to the shouts of the exasperated populace--" ("of the exasperated



populace!" the Sub-Warden repeated in a louder tone, as the Lord

Chancellor, being in a state of abjectterror, had dropped almost into



a whisper) "--you will understand what it is they want. "

And at that moment there surged into the room a hoarse confused cry, in



which the only clearly audible words were "Less--bread--More--taxes!"

The old man laughed heartily. "What in the world--" he was beginning:



but the Chancellor heard him not. "Some mistake!" he muttered,

hurrying to the window, from which he shortly returned with an air of



relief. "Now listen!" he exclaimed, holding up his hand impressively.

And now the words came quite distinctly, and with the regularity of the



ticking of a clock, "More--bread--Less taxes!'"

"More bread!" the Warden repeated in astonishment. "Why, the new



Government Bakery was opened only last week, and I gave orders to sell

the bread at cost-price during the present scarcity! What can they



expect more?"

"The Bakery's closed, y'reince!" the Chancellor said, more loudly and



clearly than he had spoken yet. He was emboldened by the consciousness

that here, at least, he had evidence to produce: and he placed in the



Warden's hands a few printed notices, that were lying ready, with some

open ledgers, on a side-table.



"Yes, yes, I see!" the Warden muttered, glancing carelessly through

them. "Order countermanded by my brother, and supposed to be my doing!



Rather sharp practice! It's all right!" he added in a louder tone.

"My name is signed to it: so I take it on myself. But what do they



mean by 'Less Taxes'? How can they be less? I abolished the last of

them a month ago!"



"It's been put on again, y'reince, and by y'reince's own orders!",

and other printed notices were submitted for inspection.



The Warden, whilst looking them over, glanced once or twice at the

Sub-Warden, who had seated himself before one of the open ledgers,



and was quite absorbed in adding it up; but he merely repeated

"It's all right. I accept it as my doing."



"And they do say," the Chancellor went on sheepishly--looking much

more like a convicted thief than an Officer of State, "that a change of



Government, by the abolition of the Sub-Warden---I mean," he hastily

added, on seeing the Warden's look of astonishment, "the abolition of



the office of Sub-Warden, and giving the present holder the right to

act as Vice-Warden whenever the Warden is absent --would appease all



this seedlingdiscontent I mean," he added, glancing at a paper he held

in his hand, "all this seething discontent!"



"For fifteen years," put in a deep but very harsh voice, "my husband

has been acting as Sub-Warden. It is too long! It is much too long!"



My Lady was a vast creature at all times: but, when she frowned and

folded her arms, as now, she looked more gigantic than ever, and made



one try to fancy what a haystack would look like, if out of temper.

"He would distinguish himself as a Vice!" my Lady proceeded, being far



too stupid to see the double meaning of her words. "There has been no

such Vice in Outland for many a long year, as he would be!"



"What course would you suggest, Sister?" the Warden mildly enquired.

My Lady stamped, which was undignified: and snorted, which was



ungraceful. "This is no jesting matter!" she bellowed.

"I will consult my brother, said the Warden. "Brother!"



"--and seven makes a hundred and ninety-four, which is sixteen and

two-pence," the Sub-Warden replied. "Put down two and carry sixteen."



The Chancellor raised his hands and eyebrows, lost in admiration.

"Such a man of business!" he murmured.



"Brother, could I have a word with you in my Study?" the Warden said in




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