Johnny Ludlow

Updated: 2024-4-18

Status: Completed

Johnny Ludlow Novel Chapters

List of most recent chapters published for the Johnny Ludlow novel. A total of 580 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024

Latest Release: Chapter 1 : Johnny Ludlow.First Series.by Mrs. Henry Wood.I.LOSING LENA.We lived chiefly at d.y.k.e
Johnny Ludlow.First Series.by Mrs. Henry Wood.I.LOSING LENA.We lived chiefly at d.y.k.e Manor. A fine old place, so close upon the borders of Warwicks.h.i.+re and Worcesters.h.i.+re, that many people did not know which of the two counties it was really in

1 Johnny Ludlow.First Series.by Mrs. Henry Wood.I.LOSING LENA.We lived chiefly at d.y.k.e Manor. A fine old place, so close upon the borders of Warwicks.h.i.+re and Worcesters.h.i.+re, that many people did not know which of the two counties it was really in 2024-4-22
2 "Pale blue silk; straw hat with wreath of daisies round it; open-worked white stockings, and thin black shoes; white drawers," recounted Tod, as if he had prepared the list by heart coming along."That's bad, that dress is," said J 2024-4-22
3 "Was the house far from here!""A few miles.""Then he have sunk down of weakness on his way, and can't get back."Putting her head on her knees, she began to sob and moan. The child--the living one--began to bawl; one coul 2024-4-22
4 "I'll take it, sir, for my child's sake; it may help to put the strength into her. Otherwise I'd not. We're honest; we've never begged. Thank ye both, masters, once again."It was only a s.h.i.+lling or two. Tod spent, an 2024-4-22
5 Where had I seen those eyes, and their brightness? Recollection flashed over me before Tod's whisper: "Jake's boy; the youngster we saw in the tent."To get across the line was impossible: manners would not permit it, let alone the jave 2024-4-22
6 I saw the eager look that arose for a moment to Jake's face at sight of the meat: three slices of nice cold boiled beef, better than what we got at school. Dor held out one of them; the man broke off a morsel, put it into his mouth, and had a choking 2024-4-22
7 "The reading-gentleman have been in," cried the woman suddenly. "He's coming again, he says, the night or the morning."Tod looked puzzled, and Jake explained. A good young clergyman, who had found him out a day or two before, had 2024-4-22
8 "Who is that man?" cried Barrington, as Blair turned away."Mathematical master. Sees to us out of hours," answered Bill Whitney."And what the devil did you mean by making a sneaking appeal to _him_?"continued Barrington, seiz 2024-4-22
9 "Well, I think he's hurt a little," was Tod's answer. "He has had a kick here."Tod touched the left temple with his finger, drawing it down as far as the back of the ear. It must have been a good wide kick, I thought."It 2024-4-22
10 She took the light from his hand quietly, and went up. Just then, the Doctor and Mrs. Frost, who had been walking all the way home from Sir John Whitney's, where they had spent the evening, came in, and learnt what had happened.Featherstone was there 2024-4-22
11 "Jessup's under punishment."His face looked the same as ever, and that was all that could be seen of him. He lay on his back, covered over. As to the low bed, it might have been a board, to judge by its flatness. And perhaps was so."I 2024-4-22
12 "You--have--known--it?" stammered Wolfe in disbelief."Yes. I thought it was likely. I felt nearly sure of it. Don't let it trouble you now. Archie forgave, you know, and I forgave; and G.o.d will forgive.""How could you come 2024-4-22
13 Good! Mrs. Reed might have gone a little further. She began her instruction, but Cathy would not learn. Cathy was always good-humoured; but of work she would do none. If she attempted it, Mrs. Reed had to do it over again."Where on earth will the gen 2024-4-22
14 "Never mind the fellow at school. Go on with your own argument.""To turn Reed out of the place where he has always lived, out of the garden he has done so well by, just because a rich man wants to get possession of it, would be fearfully un 2024-4-22
15 "Reed is not a man to say he did not do a thing if he did," interrupted Tod.The Major glared at him for an instant, and then put out of hand a big gold pencil he was waving majestically."Clear the room of spectators," said he to the po 2024-4-22
16 To hear a demand made for a daughter when the Major had possibly been thinking the demand might be for his life, was undoubtedly a relief. It brought back his courage."What do you mean, fellow?" he growled, stamping out the fire of the cigar. &q 2024-4-22
17 The Squire nodded."My belief is," continued old Jacobson, with a wink over the rim of the cider gla.s.s, "that granting that summons was as good as a play to Brandon and the rest. I'd as lieve, though, that they'd not brought Blos 2024-4-22
18 The winter holidays came round again. We went home for Christmas, as usual, and found George Reed down with some sort of illness. There's an old saying, "When the mind's at ease the body's delicate," but Mr.Duffham always maintain 2024-4-22
19 The Major recognized her then. Cathy Reed! He was a man whose bl.u.s.ter rarely failed him, but he had none ready at that moment. Three-parts astounded, various perplexities held him tongue-tied."That is to say, Mrs. Spencer Parrifer," continued 2024-4-22
20 LEASE, THE POINTSMAN.It happened when we were staying at our other house, Crabb Cot. In saying "we" were staying at it, I mean the family, for Tod and I were at school.Crabb Cot lay beyond the village of Crabb. Just across the road, a few yards 2024-4-22
21 "I don't know," he answered then. "They say that I never turned the points; I'm trying to remember doing it, Mary. My senses have been scared out of me.""But _don't_ you remember doing it?"He put his hands to h 2024-4-22
22 "So you see, sir, I don't think much of the imprisonment; if I did, I might be wanting to get the suspense over. It's not any term of imprisonment, no, not though it were for life, that can wash out the past. I'd give my own life, sir, 2024-4-22
23 "If I were willing, you know Mr. Todhetley would not be so. He can't forgive Lease for his carelessness. Every time Lena wakes up from sleep in a fright, fancying it is another accident, his anger returns to him.We often hear her crying out, you 2024-4-22
24 It was one of the worst days we had that winter. Lease had a night's walk home of many miles, the sleet and wind beating upon him all the way. He was not well clad either, for his best things had been p.a.w.ned.So that when the inquest a.s.sembled tw 2024-4-22
25 "Do you wish to keep out all _three_ of these inkstands, Jacob? It is not necessary, I should think. Shall I put one up?"The parson took his eyes off his sermon to answer. "I don't see that they do any harm there, Rebecca. The children 2024-4-22
26 Mrs. Dean had worked on always to accomplish her ends. Slowly and imperceptibly, but surely; Herbert must be the heir; John must s.h.i.+ft for himself. The parson had had this dinned into him so often now, in her apparently frank and reasoning way, that h 2024-4-22
27 "Yes, dear. He brought a letter from Alice.""And nothing from Timberdale?""Well, I don't know that you could quite expect it by this post, Jack.Your father might like to take a little time for consideration. You may read Alic 2024-4-22
28 "Only a hundred and fifty left to me!" cried Jack, when he was told the news. "Well, perhaps Herbert may require more than I, poor fellow," he added in his good nature; "he may not get a good living, and then he'll be glad of 2024-4-22
29 A servant, in undress livery, came to the door, and touched his hat, which had a c.o.c.kade on it, as he spoke to the dark man."Your ticket, my lord."Lords are not travelled with every day, and some of us looked up. The gentleman took the ticket 2024-4-22
30 "He does not bite, sir; he never bites," she answered softly, as if sorry for the escapade, and wis.h.i.+ng to conciliate him. "The poor little bijou is frightened at darkness, and leaped from my arms unawares.There! I'll promise that 2024-4-22
31 "_Is_ he a lunatic?" I whispered to the Squire."He a lunatic!" he roared. "You must be a lunatic for asking it, Johnny.Why, that's--that's----"Instead of saying any more, he showed me the card, and the name nearly t 2024-4-22
32 We were on the chain-pier at Brighton, Tod and I. It was about eight or nine months after. I had put my arms on the rails at the end, looking at a pleasure-party sailing by. Tod, next to me, was bewailing his ill-fortune in not possessing a yacht and oppo 2024-4-22
33 I did not relate this story by my own wish. To my mind there's nothing very much in it to relate. At the time it was written the newspapers were squabbling about farmers' boys and field labour and political economy. "And," said a gentl 2024-4-22
34 Old Duff went with us across the first field, turning off there to take the short-cut to his home. It was a warm, still, lovely evening, the moon rising. The gleaners were busy in the square paddock: Mrs.Todhetley spoke to some as we pa.s.sed. At the othe 2024-4-22
35 Carters and ploughmen do not spare their boys; and on a large farm like this they are the immediate rulers, not the master himself. Had d.i.c.k been under Mr. Jacobson's personal eye, perhaps it might have been lightened a little, for he was a humane 2024-4-22
36 "It's the strap," he said. "I ha' got to take it to Cawson's.""Oh, I'll step round with that. Let's see what there is to do."He seemed unwilling, saying he must take it back to Hall in the morning.Ver 2024-4-22
37 "Well I never!--why, that's Mitchel's d.i.c.k!" cried Jones, peering down in the candle-light. "What's took _him_?""Jones, if you and the girl will rub his hands, I'll go and get some brandy. We can't let 2024-4-22
38 "Sanker! was _he_ the thief?""Hold your tongue, Ludlow," returned Sanker, in a fright. "I told you I'd give him a chance again, didn't I? But I never thought he would come back to take it.""I would have believe 2024-4-22
39 The time went on. We missed Mrs. Frost; and Hall, the crabbed woman with the cross face, made a mean subst.i.tute. She had it all her own way now.The puddings had less jam in them, and the pies hardly any fruit. Little Landon fell ill; and one day, after 2024-4-22
40 Vale broke down with a gasp and a sob. His piteous aspect might have moved even Tod."Look here," said he, "I don't care in general to punish a coward; I regard him as an abject animal beneath me: but I cannot go from my word.Ducking is 2024-4-22
41 She told this for my benefit; just as if she had divined the night's work; Sanker knew it before. I felt sick with remorse as I listened--and Tod had called him a coward! Let us get away."I wish you could stay, my lads," cried Mr. Vale; &qu 2024-4-22
42 As I followed, a startling recollection came over me, and I wondered how it was that all of us had been so senseless as to forget it: that one particular spot on the river was known to be dangerous."Bear up; I'm coming," shouted Vale. " 2024-4-22
43 Which of course caused Blair to suppose it might be a child from one of the cottages come to ask for help of some sort; as they did come sometimes. He thought Hall might have been called to her, but he went down at once; without his coat, and his invalid- 2024-4-22
44 "And pays herself out by being tarter than ever when we are well," I could not help saying: for it was the truth."Blair saved Todhetley's life," Sanker went on. "We used to call him Baked Pie before, and give him all the trou 2024-4-22
45 remarked Mrs. Todhetley. "If what Mr. Lockett says of the school be true; that is, if the people who have the disposal of it are not deceiving him; it must be a very good thing.""I suppose you mean that half the purchase-money should remain 2024-4-22
46 "But why?""Because he from whom I had it is dead, and the executors have called it in. It was Mr Wells."She recognized the name as that of a gentleman with whom they had been slightly acquainted; he had died suddenly, in the prime of l 2024-4-22
47 We all spoke at once. He stared at the letters and then at us. We stared back again."It _is_ _Jerry's Gazette_--as I think. Come and see, Joe."Tod looked over the Squire's shoulder. It certainly looked like "_Jerry's Gazette_ 2024-4-22
48 "It is a power I never heard of before, sir. We have a parson, down our way, who tells us every Sunday the world's coming to an end. I think it must be. I know it's getting too clever for me to understand. If a man has the misfortune (perha 2024-4-22
49 "Lord bless us!" cried the Squire, in what would have been a solemn tone but for surprise. And Mr. Blair began faintly to offer a kind of apology for his illness, hoping he should soon get over it now.It was nothing but the awful look, putting o 2024-4-22
50 "Don't grieve for me," murmured poor Blair. "Hard though it seems to leave her, I have learnt to say, 'G.o.d's will be done.' It is all for the best--oh, it is all for the best. We must through much tribulation enter int 2024-4-22
51 "I'm glad I ordered a duck for dinner, in addition to the boiled veal and bacon, Johnny," whispered Mrs. Todhetley again. "The fish won't be much: it is only the cold cod done up in parsley sauce."Tod, at home long before, wa 2024-4-22
52 First of all, after moving to her mother's at Worcester, she tried to get a living at making gloves. Her two youngest children caught some disorder, and died; and then she took to go out nursing. In that she succeeded so well--for it seemed to be her 2024-4-22
53 We all trooped off. It was a small square room with a shabby carpet and worn horse-hair chairs. Helen stirred up the fire; and Sophie sat down on a low stool and said she'd tell us a fairy tale.We had been there just a week when it came out. The week 2024-4-22
54 "We are so sorry this has happened, Lettice," Anna gently said, going up to the gig. "I do hope it will be cleared up soon. Remember one thing--I shall think well of you, until it is. _I_ do not suspect you.""I am turned out like 2024-4-22
55 "Just like her foolishness! Take care you don't get your pockets picked: there's sure to be a thief at every corner. And don't you pick them yourself, Master Johnny. I knew a young fellow once who went up to London with ten pounds in h 2024-4-22
56 Suddenly Bill shouted out "Miss Chalk," threw off the bandage, and caught her hands to kiss her! It was all in the forfeits: he had a right to do it, because he guessed her name. She laughed and struggled, the children and Helen were as wild Ind 2024-4-22
57 A wine-merchant! Well, I was surprised. Could there be any mistake? No, it was the right number. But I thought there must be, and stood staring at the place with both eyes. That _was_ a come-down. Not but that wine-merchants are as good as other people; o 2024-4-22
58 "Not much; but she might as well have been candid with us at d.y.k.e Manor.""A governess is a lady.""Ought to be. But why did she make out to us that she had been a visitor at the Diffords', when she was only the teacher? We 2024-4-22
59 But for having promised that lame child to call again in Torriana Square, I should not have cared to go. It was afternoon this time. The servant showed me upstairs, and said her mistress was for the moment engaged. Mabel Smith sat in the same seat in her 2024-4-22
60 THE GAME FINISHED.The clang of the distant church bell was ringing out for the daily morning service, and Miss Cattledon was picking her way across the road to attend to it, her thin white legs displayed, and a waterproof cloak on. It had rained in the ni 2024-4-22
61 "And how did he come by them?""He won't tell me much about it--except that they took in the goods some weeks ago in the ordinary course of business. The fact is he is vexed: for he has really been careful and has managed to avoid these 2024-4-22
62 "You think it was----""Mrs. Hughes. What else can I think? She is very nice, and I could not have believed it of her. I suppose the sight of the jewels, combined with her poverty, must have proved the temptation. I shall get back the emeral 2024-4-22
63 "I'm sure it's no liberty; I shall be glad to welcome him," replied Sir John, dismally. "There'll not be much here but stupid boys and girls. We shall get no whist to-night. The plague only knows who invented b.a.l.l.s." 2024-4-22
64 Harry laughed. Sophie Chalk's blue eyes happened to rest on Mr. James's face: they took a puzzled expression, as if wondering where she had seen it. Mr. James rose and bowed to her. She must have recognized him then, for her features turned livi 2024-4-22
65 Mrs. Todhetley elbowed her way amongst them. So did I. She spoke to one or two, but nothing came of it. Whom should we come upon, to my intense surprise, but our dairy-maid--the one who had taken herself off the previous day!"I hope you will get a be 2024-4-22
66 "It is those blue ribbons she's so fond of!" said Mrs. Todhetley to us two, with a sigh. "I doubted them from the first.""I should say it is the blue eyes," dissented Tod."And I the white teeth and laughing face. _n 2024-4-22
67 Molly banged her pans about worse than ever, partly in envy at the good luck of the girl, partly because she had to do the dairy work during Grizzel's absence in Gloucesters.h.i.+re: a day and a half, which was given her by Mrs. Todhetley."There 2024-4-22
68 "Der Grisl, saterdy evenin, this comes hoppin you be wel as it leves me at presint, Which this is to declar to you der grisl that our marage is at an end, it hav ben to much for me and praid on my sperits, I cant stand it no longer nohow and hav took 2024-4-22
69 "Where be your whiskers--and your hair?" burst forth Molly.The man gazed at her for a minute or two, taking in the question gradually; he then raised his trembling hand to either side his face--feeling for the whiskers that were no longer there. 2024-4-22
70 "I know I am, sir. But there's no help for it.""It is a pity.""Why it should begin to tell upon me so early I don't know. There are numbers of other men, who work as long and as hard as I do, and are seemingly none the w 2024-4-22
71 "Look here," said the Squire: "suppose you take French leave, and stay?""In that case my discharge would doubtless arrive by the first post.""Look here again: suppose in a month or two you break down and have to leave? W 2024-4-22
72 Mrs. Stockleigh did not see her way clear to turn this lady from the house, though she would have liked to do it. She made a show of hospitality, and ordered wine and cake to be put on the table. Of which wine, Mrs. Marks noticed with surprise, she drank 2024-4-22
73 "Better of this cough, perhaps: I don't know: but not better yet of my true illness that I think most of--the overtaxed nerves and brain. Oh, if I could only have taken a sufficient rest in time!""Mr. Todhetley said you ought to have s 2024-4-22
74 We Worcesters.h.i.+re people call North Crabb a village; but one might count the houses in it, little and great, and not find four-and-twenty. South Crabb, half a mile off, is ever so much larger; but the church and school are at North Crabb.John Ferrar h 2024-4-22
75 "The what?" cried Mrs. Lease, bending her ear."The day of the dead. All Souls' Day. But you English don't go to the cemeteries to pray."Mrs. Lease put on her spectacles, which lay upon the open pages of the Bible, and stared 2024-4-22
76 I was getting near home then. The sounds came from the back of a building standing alone in a solitary place on the left-hand side of the road. It belonged to the Squire, and was called the yellow barn, its walls being covered with a yellow wash; but it w 2024-4-22
77 Close against the yellow barn, the scene of last night's trouble, whom should I come upon but Maria Lease. She was standing still, and turned quickly at the sound of my footsteps. Her face was bright again, but had a puzzled look upon it."I have 2024-4-22
78 David had halted in his work at the tea-cups, his brown eyes fixed on his mother. That it was not the first time he had listened to the superst.i.tion, and that he was every whit as bad as she, might plainly be seen."I have never liked the thought of 2024-4-22
79 Unlocking the door, he went in; and, the first thing, fell against something or other in the dark. Hill swore a little at that, and struck a light, the fire having gone out. This lower room was full of articles, thrown down out of hand; the putting things 2024-4-22
80 The notion a.s.sumed by Mrs. Hill was, that her husband had started the boy off from the cottage direct to the train. She felt thoroughly vexed."He had all his old clothes on, Hill. I would not have had him go to Worcester in that plight for any mone 2024-4-22
81 "About David?" added Mrs. Hill, "I was so vexed that he went over in his old clothes! It was Hill's fault. Have you brought me a letter from him?""How could I bring you a letter from him?" returned Miss Timmens. "A 2024-4-22
82 "Nothing in particular," she answered. "He said the cupboard door stood open, and hid the best part of the room. David would not be likely to run away and leave his boots behind him.""Unless he was in too great a fright to stop to 2024-4-22
83 "I did not from the first like that midnight call, or the apparently causeless terror the poor mother awoke in," said Mrs. Todhetley, to me."The child's spirit must have cried out to her in his death-agony. I have known a case like thi 2024-4-22
84 "How are you, Hill? What are you up to here?"It was Louis Roe--who had married Mademoiselle Henriette the previous Easter. Where they had been since, or what they had done, was a sort of mystery, for Harriet had written only one letter. By that 2024-4-22
85 "Lawk a mercy!--not a living creature in it but the ghost!" quaked Luke.As I have said, this was not much from Luke, taking what he was into consideration; but it was to be confirmed by others. One of the Coneys'maid-servants came along, as 2024-4-22
86 "Harriet, what's the matter with you?" she asked, in a kinder tone."Nothing.""_Nothing!_ Why, you look as ill as you can look. You are trembling all over.""It's true I don't feel very well this evening, au 2024-4-22
87 "No, I never saw him," said Harriet. "But, after all the reports and talk, I was timid at being in the house alone--James and his wife had not come then--and that's why I asked you to let me stay at the school-house the night my husban 2024-4-22
88 "Why do you play?""I'll be shot if I would ever have touched one of their cards, or their billiard b.a.l.l.s either, had I known what was to come of it. Let me once get out of this hole, and neither Gusty Pell nor Crayton shall ever dr 2024-4-22
89 "The Tavistock; Covent Garden.""Johnny, what the mischief brings _him_ here?" whispered Tod, as we went downstairs."I don't know. I thought it must be his ghost at first."From the billiard-rooms we went on to Gusty' 2024-4-22
90 He dropped the paper in his heat. I picked it up."And that's only one phase of their fast life, these billiard-rooms,"he continued. "There are other things: singing-halls, and cider cellars--and all sorts of places. You steer clear of 2024-4-22
91 I sprang up from the chair in terror. It was as if some blast had swept over me, "Ninety-two pounds! Tod! do you owe _that_?""I suppose I do.""_Ninety-two pounds!_ It cannot be. Why, it is close upon a hundred!"Crayton laughe 2024-4-22
92 "But I thought he was coming back again.""So I believe he is, sir. But he has not come yet.""Do you know where he is?""At Brighton, sir."It was about as complete a floorer as I ever wished to get. All the way along, 2024-4-22
93 "No, sir, that he never would. He may go deeper into the mire if he does not get it. Enlist, or something.""Are you going already, Johnny?""Yes, sir. I must catch the next train, and it's a good way to the station."" 2024-4-22
94 "Well, perhaps so.""Look here, Tod. If we had a home to keep up and a lot of mouths to feed and weekly rent to pay, and a strike stopped the supplies, we might be in a worse humour than h.o.a.r is.""Right, Johnny." And Tod we 2024-4-22
95 "I don't say they are wrong to try to get more wages if they can; it would be odd if we were to be debarred from bettering ourselves," spoke the Squire. "But to throw up their work whilst they are trying, there's the folly; there& 2024-4-22
96 "Our poor-rates are getting higher every day; what do you suppose they'll come to if this is to go on?" continued the Squire. "I'd be glad for the men to get better pay if they are underpaid now: whether they are or not, I cannot 2024-4-22
97 "Then _do_ it," returned the Squire in a pa.s.sion; and went stamping away with his gun."Johnny, they are all pig-headed together," he presently said, as we crossed the stile into the field of stubble whence the corn had been reaped. & 2024-4-22
98 The strike have lasted long, you see, sir. Any way, she's too weak to take much of anything.""If I--if I could bring some beef-tea--or some wine--would it do her good?""It might just be the saving of her life, Mr. Ludlow, sir.&quo 2024-4-22
99 "And don't you see as they tell upon us men, too!" he retorted with a sob that was half pitiful, half savage. "Ay, and worst of all; for if they should be mistaken steps stead of right ones, we've got 'em on our conscience.&q 2024-4-22
100 "But I don't mean that kind of greyness, Johnny; grey hairs. His _face_ looks grey.""It was the reflection of these green leaves, good mother.""Well--perhaps it might be," she doubtfully agreed, looking up. "What a 2024-4-22