Page 77 - erewhon

wall so that I managed to play a sort of hand fives, which
prevented my feeling the bad effects of my confinement,
though it was stupid work playing alone. In the course of
time people from the town and neighbourhood began to
pester the jailor to be allowed to see me, and on receiving
handsome fees he let them do so. The people were good to
me; almost too good, for they were inclined to make a lion
of me, which I hated—at least the women were; only they
had to beware of Yram, who was a young lady of a jealous
temperament, and kept a sharp eye both on me and on my
lady visitors. However, I felt so kindly towards her, and was
so entirely dependent upon her for almost all that made my
life a blessing and a comfort to me, that I took good care
not to vex her, and we remained excellent friends. The men
were far less inquisitive, and would not, I believe, have come
near me of their own accord; but the women made them
come as escorts. I was delighted with their handsome mien,
and pleasant genial manners.
My food was plain, but always varied and wholesome,
and the good red wine was admirable. I had found a sort of
wort in the garden, which I sweated in heaps and then dried,
obtaining thus a substitute for tobacco; so that what with
Yram, the language, visitors, fives in the garden, smoking,
and bed, my time slipped by more rapidly and pleasantly
than might have been expected. I also made myself a small
flute; and being a tolerable player, amused myself at times
with playing snatches from operas, and airs such as ‘O
where and oh where,’ and ‘Home, sweet home.’ This was of
great advantage to me, for the people of the country were

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