The Giant, O'Brien: A Novel by Hilary Mantel

Author:Hilary Mantel
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9780312426880
Publisher: Picador
Published: 2007-06-11T22:00:00+00:00

In September, the days innocent of chill, they went to Bartholomew Fair. The Giant was confined indoors, as usual, but they told him everything when they got home. Dancing dogs and monkeys. Musical operas, a French puppet show with Mr. Punch and the Devil behind doors.

“We had some cabbage to eat at Pye Corner,” Pybus said, “and a slice of beef each. Joe treated us.”

“That was handsome of him,” the Giant said.

“We ought to go down, Charlie,” said Claffey. “Get you a booth.”

“What, like a dancing monkey?”

“It’s where the crowds are, and where the crowds are, that’s where the money is.”

Pybus blurted out, “Joe Vance says you are growing.”

“Do you not see the change in me?”

“We see you every day,” Claffey said. “If it’s gradual, we might miss it.”

“But it’s proved by the measuring stick,” Pybus said. The late sunlight caught his red hair and made a fire in it. “By God, Charlie, I’m glad I decided to come on this voyage. Our fame is assured. We shall ride in sedan chairs!”

“Carry one, more like. That’s an attribute of Irishmen.” He looked up, at Claffey. “So—you have your own notions of taking me to market, do you? You think you know better than my accredited agent?”

Claffey puffed himself up. “I certainly know this town, Charlie, I can say I know this town. What say we ship Joe back to Ireland to fight it out with Paddy’s people, and I take on managing you, at a reduced percentage?”

The Giant studied Claffey. Narrow grey eyes close-set. An unintelligent expression, but an avaricious one. “So,” he said, “did you bring anything for Mary, from your day at the fair?”

“Oh, he did,” shouted Jankin. “Oh, he did and I liked the Devil behind doors. Oh, he did bring her Cyprian Wash-Balls.”

“Come forward, Bitch Mary,” shouted the Giant.

Mary crept from her bedding. She stood before Claffey without meeting his eyes.

“Claffey means to pay you his proper addresses,” Pybus said. “He is advanced in the art of courtship. He don’t mean to force you against a wall, but wait till you’re ready and you give him the word.”

“That’ll be enough,” Claffey snarled, practically spitting in his ire. He took a shuddering breath—calming himself, so as not to split and rupture Pybus on the spot: only because, afterwards, the woman would have to clean the floor. “Mary,” he said, “I am giving you these Cyprian Wash-Balls, but on one condition.”

“And what is that?”

“I have seen you at the gate these nights, when I am coming in, talking with that whore that wears a green kerchief.”

“Bride is her name.”

“I want you to keep away. Never greet her more.”

“Because she piqued your vanity,” the Giant said. “She did so, that night in the cellar. She worsted you and Joe both.”

“Not for that,” Claffey said. “But because she is a whoremonger. The very tips of her fingers are creeping with disease.”

“I’ll do what I must, and when I must,” Bitch Mary said. “Till then, I reserve my opinion. Will that content you?”

“I don’t like it,” Claffey said.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.