Reading Help DRACULA by Bram Stoker Ch.1-12
INTERVIEW WITH THE KEEPER IN THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS `
` `
` After many inquiries and almost as many refusals, and perpetually `
` using the words 'PALL MALL GAZETTE' as a sort of talisman, I managed `
` to find the keeper of the section of the Zoological Gardens in which `
` the wolf department is included. Thomas Bilder lives in one of the `
` cottages in the enclosure behind the elephant house, and was just `
` sitting down to his tea when I found him. Thomas and his wife are `
` hospitable folk, elderly, and without children, and if the specimen `
` I enjoyed of their hospitality be of the average kind, their lives `
` must be pretty comfortable. The keeper would not enter on what he `
` called business until the supper was over, and we were all `
` satisfied. Then when the table was cleared, and he had lit his `
` pipe, he said, `
` `
` "Now, Sir, you can go on and arsk me what you want. You'll excoose `
` me refoosin' to talk of perfeshunal subjucts afore meals. I gives `
` the wolves and the jackals and the hyenas in all our section their `
` tea afore I begins to arsk them questions." `
` `
` "How do you mean, ask them questions?" I queried, wishful to get him `
` into a talkative humor. `
` `
` "'Ittin' of them over the 'ead with a pole is one way. Scratchin' of `
` their ears in another, when gents as is flush wants a bit of a show- `
` orf to their gals. I don't so much mind the fust, the 'ittin of the `
` pole part afore I chucks in their dinner, but I waits till they've `
` 'ad their sherry and kawffee, so to speak, afore I tries on with the `
` ear scratchin'. Mind you," he added philosophically, "there's a `
` deal of the same nature in us as in them theer animiles. Here's you `
` a-comin' and arskin' of me questions about my business, and I that `
` grump-like that only for your bloomin' 'arf-quid I'd 'a' seen you `
` blowed fust 'fore I'd answer. Not even when you arsked me sarcastic `
` like if I'd like you to arsk the Superintendent if you might arsk me `
` questions. Without offence did I tell yer to go to 'ell?" `
` `
` "You did." `
` `
` "An' when you said you'd report me for usin' obscene language that `
` was 'ittin' me over the 'ead. But the 'arf-quid made that all `
` right. I weren't a-goin' to fight, so I waited for the food, and `
` did with my 'owl as the wolves and lions and tigers does. But, lor' `
` love yer 'art, now that the old 'ooman has stuck a chunk of her tea- `
` cake in me, an' rinsed me out with her bloomin' old teapot, and I've `
` lit hup, you may scratch my ears for all you're worth, and won't `
` even get a growl out of me. Drive along with your questions. I `
` know what yer a-comin' at, that 'ere escaped wolf." `
` `
` "Exactly. I want you to give me your view of it. Just tell me how `
` it happened, and when I know the facts I'll get you to say what you `
` consider was the cause of it, and how you think the whole affair `
` will end." `
` `
` "All right, guv'nor. This 'ere is about the 'ole story. `
` That 'ere wolf what we called Bersicker was one of three gray `
` ones that came from Norway to Jamrach's, which we bought `
` off him four years ago. He was a nice well-behaved wolf, `
` that never gave no trouble to talk of. I'm more surprised `
` at 'im for wantin' to get out nor any other animile in the `
` place. But, there, you can't trust wolves no more nor women." `
` `
` "Don't you mind him, Sir!" broke in Mrs. Tom, with a cheery `
` laugh. "'E's got mindin' the animiles so long that blest `
` if he ain't like a old wolf 'isself! But there ain't no `
` 'arm in 'im." `
` `
` "Well, Sir, it was about two hours after feedin' yesterday when I `
` first hear my disturbance. I was makin' up a litter in the monkey `
` house for a young puma which is ill. But when I heard the yelpin' `
` and 'owlin' I kem away straight. There was Bersicker a-tearin' like `
` a mad thing at the bars as if he wanted to get out. There wasn't `
` much people about that day, and close at hand was only one man, a `
` tall, thin chap, with a 'ook nose and a pointed beard, with a few `
` white hairs runnin' through it. He had a 'ard, cold look and red `
` eyes, and I took a sort of mislike to him, for it seemed as if it `
` was 'im as they was hirritated at. He 'ad white kid gloves on 'is `
` 'ands, and he pointed out the animiles to me and says, 'Keeper, `
` these wolves seem upset at something.' `
` `
` "'Maybe it's you,' says I, for I did not like the airs as he `
` give 'isself. He didn't get angry, as I 'oped he would, but `
` he smiled a kind of insolent smile, with a mouth full of white, `
` sharp teeth. 'Oh no, they wouldn't like me,' 'e says. `
` `
` "'Ow yes, they would,' says I, a-imitatin' of him. 'They `
` always like a bone or two to clean their teeth on about tea `
` time, which you 'as a bagful.' `
` `
` "Well, it was a odd thing, but when the animiles see us `
` a-talkin' they lay down, and when I went over to Bersicker `
` he let me stroke his ears same as ever. That there man kem `
` over, and blessed but if he didn't put in his hand and stroke `
` the old wolf's ears too! `
` `
` "'Tyke care,' says I. 'Bersicker is quick.' `
` `
` "'Never mind,' he says. I'm used to 'em!' `
` `
` "'Are you in the business yourself?' I says, tyking off my `
` 'at, for a man what trades in wolves, anceterer, is a good `
` friend to keepers. `
` `
` "'Nom,' says he, 'not exactly in the business, but I 'ave made pets `
` of several.' And with that he lifts his 'at as perlite as a lord, `
` and walks away. Old Bersicker kep' a-lookin' arter 'im till 'e was `
` out of sight, and then went and lay down in a corner and wouldn't `
` come hout the 'ole hevening. Well, larst night, so soon as the moon `
` was hup, the wolves here all began a-'owling. There warn't nothing `
` for them to 'owl at. There warn't no one near, except some one that `
` was evidently a-callin' a dog somewheres out back of the gardings in `
` the Park road. Once or twice I went out to see that all was right, `
` and it was, and then the 'owling stopped. Just before twelve `
` o'clock I just took a look round afore turnin' in, an', bust me, but `
` when I kem opposite to old Bersicker's cage I see the rails broken `
` and twisted about and the cage empty. And that's all I know for `
` certing." `
` `
` "Did any one else see anything?" `
` `
` "One of our gard'ners was a-comin' 'ome about that time from a `
` 'armony, when he sees a big gray dog comin' out through the garding `
` 'edges. At least, so he says, but I don't give much for it myself, `
` for if he did 'e never said a word about it to his missis when 'e `
` got 'ome, and it was only after the escape of the wolf was made `
` known, and we had been up all night a-huntin' of the Park for `
` Bersicker, that he remembered seein' anything. My own belief was `
` that the 'armony 'ad got into his 'ead." `
` `
` "Now, Mr. Bilder, can you account in any way for the escape `
` of the wolf?" `
` `
` "Well, Sir," he said, with a suspicious sort of modesty, "I think I `
` can, but I don't know as 'ow you'd be satisfied with the theory." `
` `
` "Certainly I shall. If a man like you, who knows the animals from `
` experience, can't hazard a good guess at any rate, who is even to `
` try?" `
` `
` "Well then, Sir, I accounts for it this way. It seems to me that `
` 'ere wolf escaped--simply because he wanted to get out." `
` `
` From the hearty way that both Thomas and his wife laughed at the `
` joke I could see that it had done service before, and that the whole `
` explanation was simply an elaborate sell. I couldn't cope in `
` badinage with the worthy Thomas, but I thought I knew a surer way to `
` his heart, so I said, "Now, Mr. Bilder, we'll consider that first `
` `
` half-sovereign worked off, and this brother of his is waiting to be `
` claimed when you've told me what you think will happen." `
` `
` "Right y'are, Sir," he said briskly. "Ye'll excoose me, I `
` know, for a-chaffin' of ye, but the old woman here winked at `
` me, which was as much as telling me to go on." `
` `
` "Well, I never!" said the old lady. `
` `
` "My opinion is this: that 'ere wolf is a'idin' of, somewheres. The `
` gard'ner wot didn't remember said he was a-gallopin' northward `
` faster than a horse could go, but I don't believe him, for, yer see, `
` Sir, wolves don't gallop no more nor dogs does, they not bein' built `
` that way. Wolves is fine things in a storybook, and I dessay when `
` they gets in packs and does be chivyin' somethin' that's more `
` afeared than they is they can make a devil of a noise and chop it `
` up, whatever it is. But, Lor' bless you, in real life a wolf is `
` only a low creature, not half so clever or bold as a good dog, and `
` not half a quarter so much fight in 'im. This one ain't been used `
` to fightin' or even to providin' for hisself, and more like he's `
` somewhere round the Park a'hidin' an' a'shiverin' of, and if he `
` thinks at all, wonderin' where he is to get his breakfast from. Or `
` maybe he's got down some area and is in a coal cellar. My eye, `
` won't some cook get a rum start when she sees his green eyes `
` a-shinin' at her out of the dark! If he can't get food he's bound to `
` look for it, and mayhap he may chance to light on a butcher's shop `
` in time. If he doesn't, and some nursemaid goes out walkin' or orf `
` with a soldier, leavin' of the hinfant in the perambulator--well, `
` then I shouldn't be surprised if the census is one babby the less. `
` That's all." `
` `
` I was handing him the half-sovereign, when something came bobbing up `
` against the window, and Mr. Bilder's face doubled its natural length `
` with surprise. `
` `
` "God bless me!" he said. "If there ain't old Bersicker come back by `
` 'isself!" `
` `
` He went to the door and opened it, a most unnecessary proceeding it `
` seemed to me. I have always thought that a wild animal never looks `
` so well as when some obstacle of pronounced durability is between `
` us. A personal experience has intensified rather than diminished `
` that idea. `
` `
` After all, however, there is nothing like custom, for neither Bilder `
` nor his wife thought any more of the wolf than I should of a dog. `
` The animal itself was a peaceful and well-behaved as that father of `
` all picture-wolves, Red Riding Hood's quondam friend, whilst moving `
` her confidence in masquerade. `
` `
` The whole scene was a unutterable mixture of comedy and `
` pathos. The wicked wolf that for a half a day had `
` paralyzed London and set all the children in town shivering `
` in their shoes, was there in a sort of penitent mood, and `
`
` `
` After many inquiries and almost as many refusals, and perpetually `
` using the words 'PALL MALL GAZETTE' as a sort of talisman, I managed `
` to find the keeper of the section of the Zoological Gardens in which `
` the wolf department is included. Thomas Bilder lives in one of the `
` cottages in the enclosure behind the elephant house, and was just `
` sitting down to his tea when I found him. Thomas and his wife are `
` hospitable folk, elderly, and without children, and if the specimen `
` I enjoyed of their hospitality be of the average kind, their lives `
` must be pretty comfortable. The keeper would not enter on what he `
` called business until the supper was over, and we were all `
` satisfied. Then when the table was cleared, and he had lit his `
` pipe, he said, `
` `
` "Now, Sir, you can go on and arsk me what you want. You'll excoose `
` me refoosin' to talk of perfeshunal subjucts afore meals. I gives `
` the wolves and the jackals and the hyenas in all our section their `
` tea afore I begins to arsk them questions." `
` `
` "How do you mean, ask them questions?" I queried, wishful to get him `
` into a talkative humor. `
` `
` "'Ittin' of them over the 'ead with a pole is one way. Scratchin' of `
` their ears in another, when gents as is flush wants a bit of a show- `
` orf to their gals. I don't so much mind the fust, the 'ittin of the `
` pole part afore I chucks in their dinner, but I waits till they've `
` 'ad their sherry and kawffee, so to speak, afore I tries on with the `
` ear scratchin'. Mind you," he added philosophically, "there's a `
` deal of the same nature in us as in them theer animiles. Here's you `
` a-comin' and arskin' of me questions about my business, and I that `
` grump-like that only for your bloomin' 'arf-quid I'd 'a' seen you `
` blowed fust 'fore I'd answer. Not even when you arsked me sarcastic `
` like if I'd like you to arsk the Superintendent if you might arsk me `
` questions. Without offence did I tell yer to go to 'ell?" `
` `
` "You did." `
` `
` "An' when you said you'd report me for usin' obscene language that `
` was 'ittin' me over the 'ead. But the 'arf-quid made that all `
` right. I weren't a-goin' to fight, so I waited for the food, and `
` did with my 'owl as the wolves and lions and tigers does. But, lor' `
` love yer 'art, now that the old 'ooman has stuck a chunk of her tea- `
` cake in me, an' rinsed me out with her bloomin' old teapot, and I've `
` lit hup, you may scratch my ears for all you're worth, and won't `
` even get a growl out of me. Drive along with your questions. I `
` know what yer a-comin' at, that 'ere escaped wolf." `
` `
` "Exactly. I want you to give me your view of it. Just tell me how `
` it happened, and when I know the facts I'll get you to say what you `
` consider was the cause of it, and how you think the whole affair `
` will end." `
` `
` "All right, guv'nor. This 'ere is about the 'ole story. `
` That 'ere wolf what we called Bersicker was one of three gray `
` ones that came from Norway to Jamrach's, which we bought `
` off him four years ago. He was a nice well-behaved wolf, `
` that never gave no trouble to talk of. I'm more surprised `
` at 'im for wantin' to get out nor any other animile in the `
` place. But, there, you can't trust wolves no more nor women." `
` `
` "Don't you mind him, Sir!" broke in Mrs. Tom, with a cheery `
` laugh. "'E's got mindin' the animiles so long that blest `
` if he ain't like a old wolf 'isself! But there ain't no `
` 'arm in 'im." `
` `
` "Well, Sir, it was about two hours after feedin' yesterday when I `
` first hear my disturbance. I was makin' up a litter in the monkey `
` house for a young puma which is ill. But when I heard the yelpin' `
` and 'owlin' I kem away straight. There was Bersicker a-tearin' like `
` a mad thing at the bars as if he wanted to get out. There wasn't `
` much people about that day, and close at hand was only one man, a `
` tall, thin chap, with a 'ook nose and a pointed beard, with a few `
` white hairs runnin' through it. He had a 'ard, cold look and red `
` eyes, and I took a sort of mislike to him, for it seemed as if it `
` was 'im as they was hirritated at. He 'ad white kid gloves on 'is `
` 'ands, and he pointed out the animiles to me and says, 'Keeper, `
` these wolves seem upset at something.' `
` `
` "'Maybe it's you,' says I, for I did not like the airs as he `
` give 'isself. He didn't get angry, as I 'oped he would, but `
` he smiled a kind of insolent smile, with a mouth full of white, `
` sharp teeth. 'Oh no, they wouldn't like me,' 'e says. `
` `
` "'Ow yes, they would,' says I, a-imitatin' of him. 'They `
` always like a bone or two to clean their teeth on about tea `
` time, which you 'as a bagful.' `
` `
` "Well, it was a odd thing, but when the animiles see us `
` a-talkin' they lay down, and when I went over to Bersicker `
` he let me stroke his ears same as ever. That there man kem `
` over, and blessed but if he didn't put in his hand and stroke `
` the old wolf's ears too! `
` `
` "'Tyke care,' says I. 'Bersicker is quick.' `
` `
` "'Never mind,' he says. I'm used to 'em!' `
` `
` "'Are you in the business yourself?' I says, tyking off my `
` 'at, for a man what trades in wolves, anceterer, is a good `
` friend to keepers. `
` `
` "'Nom,' says he, 'not exactly in the business, but I 'ave made pets `
` of several.' And with that he lifts his 'at as perlite as a lord, `
` and walks away. Old Bersicker kep' a-lookin' arter 'im till 'e was `
` out of sight, and then went and lay down in a corner and wouldn't `
` come hout the 'ole hevening. Well, larst night, so soon as the moon `
` was hup, the wolves here all began a-'owling. There warn't nothing `
` for them to 'owl at. There warn't no one near, except some one that `
` was evidently a-callin' a dog somewheres out back of the gardings in `
` the Park road. Once or twice I went out to see that all was right, `
` and it was, and then the 'owling stopped. Just before twelve `
` o'clock I just took a look round afore turnin' in, an', bust me, but `
` when I kem opposite to old Bersicker's cage I see the rails broken `
` and twisted about and the cage empty. And that's all I know for `
` certing." `
` `
` "Did any one else see anything?" `
` `
` "One of our gard'ners was a-comin' 'ome about that time from a `
` 'armony, when he sees a big gray dog comin' out through the garding `
` 'edges. At least, so he says, but I don't give much for it myself, `
` for if he did 'e never said a word about it to his missis when 'e `
` got 'ome, and it was only after the escape of the wolf was made `
` known, and we had been up all night a-huntin' of the Park for `
` Bersicker, that he remembered seein' anything. My own belief was `
` that the 'armony 'ad got into his 'ead." `
` `
` "Now, Mr. Bilder, can you account in any way for the escape `
` of the wolf?" `
` `
` "Well, Sir," he said, with a suspicious sort of modesty, "I think I `
` can, but I don't know as 'ow you'd be satisfied with the theory." `
` `
` "Certainly I shall. If a man like you, who knows the animals from `
` experience, can't hazard a good guess at any rate, who is even to `
` try?" `
` `
` "Well then, Sir, I accounts for it this way. It seems to me that `
` 'ere wolf escaped--simply because he wanted to get out." `
` `
` From the hearty way that both Thomas and his wife laughed at the `
` joke I could see that it had done service before, and that the whole `
` explanation was simply an elaborate sell. I couldn't cope in `
` badinage with the worthy Thomas, but I thought I knew a surer way to `
` his heart, so I said, "Now, Mr. Bilder, we'll consider that first `
` `
` half-sovereign worked off, and this brother of his is waiting to be `
` claimed when you've told me what you think will happen." `
` `
` "Right y'are, Sir," he said briskly. "Ye'll excoose me, I `
` know, for a-chaffin' of ye, but the old woman here winked at `
` me, which was as much as telling me to go on." `
` `
` "Well, I never!" said the old lady. `
` `
` "My opinion is this: that 'ere wolf is a'idin' of, somewheres. The `
` gard'ner wot didn't remember said he was a-gallopin' northward `
` faster than a horse could go, but I don't believe him, for, yer see, `
` Sir, wolves don't gallop no more nor dogs does, they not bein' built `
` that way. Wolves is fine things in a storybook, and I dessay when `
` they gets in packs and does be chivyin' somethin' that's more `
` afeared than they is they can make a devil of a noise and chop it `
` up, whatever it is. But, Lor' bless you, in real life a wolf is `
` only a low creature, not half so clever or bold as a good dog, and `
` not half a quarter so much fight in 'im. This one ain't been used `
` to fightin' or even to providin' for hisself, and more like he's `
` somewhere round the Park a'hidin' an' a'shiverin' of, and if he `
` thinks at all, wonderin' where he is to get his breakfast from. Or `
` maybe he's got down some area and is in a coal cellar. My eye, `
` won't some cook get a rum start when she sees his green eyes `
` a-shinin' at her out of the dark! If he can't get food he's bound to `
` look for it, and mayhap he may chance to light on a butcher's shop `
` in time. If he doesn't, and some nursemaid goes out walkin' or orf `
` with a soldier, leavin' of the hinfant in the perambulator--well, `
` then I shouldn't be surprised if the census is one babby the less. `
` That's all." `
` `
` I was handing him the half-sovereign, when something came bobbing up `
` against the window, and Mr. Bilder's face doubled its natural length `
` with surprise. `
` `
` "God bless me!" he said. "If there ain't old Bersicker come back by `
` 'isself!" `
` `
` He went to the door and opened it, a most unnecessary proceeding it `
` seemed to me. I have always thought that a wild animal never looks `
` so well as when some obstacle of pronounced durability is between `
` us. A personal experience has intensified rather than diminished `
` that idea. `
` `
` After all, however, there is nothing like custom, for neither Bilder `
` nor his wife thought any more of the wolf than I should of a dog. `
` The animal itself was a peaceful and well-behaved as that father of `
` all picture-wolves, Red Riding Hood's quondam friend, whilst moving `
` her confidence in masquerade. `
` `
` The whole scene was a unutterable mixture of comedy and `
` pathos. The wicked wolf that for a half a day had `
` paralyzed London and set all the children in town shivering `
` in their shoes, was there in a sort of penitent mood, and `
`