Sylvie and Bruno | Page 9

exasperated
populace!" the Sub-Warden repeated in a louder tone, as the Lord
Chancellor, being in a state of abject terror, 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 seedling discontent 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 a louder tone. The Sub-Warden rose with alacrity, and the two left
the room together.
My Lady turned to the Professor, who had uncovered the urn, and was
taking its temperature with his pocket-thermometer. "Professor!" she
began, so loudly and suddenly that even Uggug, who had gone to sleep
in his chair, left off snoring and opened one eye. The Professor
pocketed his thermometer in a moment, clasped his hands, and put his
head on one side with a meek smile
"You were teaching my son before breakfast, I believe?" my Lady
loftily remarked. "I hope he strikes you as having talent?"

"Oh, very much so indeed, my Lady!" the Professor hastily replied,
unconsciously rubbing his ear, while some painful recollection seemed
to cross his mind. "I was very forcibly struck by His Magnificence, I
assure you!"
"He is a charming boy!" my Lady exclaimed. "Even his snores are
more musical than those of other boys!"
If that were so, the Professor seemed to think, the snores of other boys
must be something too awful to be