Chapter iii.
Wherein the history goes back to commemorate a trifling incident thathappened some years since; but which, trifling as it was, had somefuture consequences.
The amiable Sophia was now in her eighteenth year, when she isintroduced into this history. Her father, as hath been said, wasfonder of her than of any other human creature. To her, therefore, TomJones applied, in order to engage her interest on the behalf of hisfriend the gamekeeper.
But before we proceed to this business, a short recapitulation of someprevious matters may be necessary.
Though the different tempers of Mr Allworthy and of Mr Western did notadmit of a very intimate correspondence, yet they lived upon what iscalled a decent footing together; by which means the young people ofboth families had been acquainted from their infancy; and as they wereall near of the same age, had been frequent playmates together.
The gaiety of Tom's temper suited better with Sophia, than the graveand sober disposition of Master Blifil. And the preference which shegave the former of these, would often appear so plainly, that a lad ofa more passionate turn than Master Blifil was, might have shown somedispleasure at it.
As he did not, however, outwardly express any such disgust, it wouldbe an ill office in us to pay a visit to the inmost recesses of hismind, as some scandalous people search into the most secret affairs oftheir friends, and often pry into their closets and cupboards, only todiscover their poverty and meanness to the world.
However, as persons who suspect they have given others cause ofoffence, are apt to conclude they are offended; so Sophia imputed anaction of Master Blifil to his anger, which the superior sagacity ofThwackum and Square discerned to have arisen from a much betterprinciple.
Tom Jones, when very young, had presented Sophia with a little bird,which he had taken from the nest, had nursed up, and taught to sing.
Of this bird, Sophia, then about thirteen years old, was so extremelyfond, that her chief business was to feed and tend it, and her chiefpleasure to play with it. By these means little Tommy, for so the birdwas called, was become so tame, that it would feed out of the hand ofits mistress, would perch upon the finger, and lie contented in herbosom, where it seemed almost sensible of its own happiness; thoughshe always kept a small string about its leg, nor would ever trust itwith the liberty of flying away.
One day, when Mr Allworthy and his whole family dined at Mr Western's,Master Blifil, being in the garden with little Sophia, and observingthe extreme fondness that she showed for her little bird, desired herto trust it for a moment in his hands. Sophia presently complied withthe young gentleman's request, and after some previous caution,delivered him her bird; of which he was no sooner in possession, thanhe slipt the string from its leg and tossed it into the air.
The foolish animal no sooner perceived itself at liberty, thanforgetting all the favours it had received from Sophia, it flewdirectly from her, and perched on a bough at some distance.
Sophia, seeing her bird gone, screamed out so loud, that Tom Jones,who was at a little distance, immediately ran to her assistance.
He was no sooner informed of what had happened, than he cursed Blifilfor a pitiful malicious rascal; and then immediately stripping off hiscoat he applied himself to climbing the tree to which the birdescaped.
Tom had almost recovered his little namesake, when the branch on whichit was perched, and that hung over a canal, broke, and the poor ladplumped over head and ears into the water.
Sophia's concern now changed its object. And as she apprehended theboy's life was in danger, she screamed ten times louder than before;and indeed Master Blifil himself now seconded her with all thevociferation in his power.
The company, who were sitting in a room next the garden, wereinstantly alarmed, and came all forth; but just as they reached thecanal, Tom (for the water was luckily pretty shallow in that part)arrived safely on shore.
Thwackum fell violently on poor Tom, who stood dropping and shiveringbefore him, when Mr Allworthy desired him to have patience; andturning to Master Blifil, said, "Pray, child, what is the reason ofall this disturbance?"
Master Blifil answered, "Indeed, uncle, I am very sorry for what Ihave done; I have been unhappily the occasion of it all. I had MissSophia's bird in my hand, and thinking the poor creature languishedfor liberty, I own I could not forbear giving it what it desired; forI always thought there was something very cruel in confining anything.It seemed to be against the law of nature, by which everything hath aright to liberty; nay, it is even unchristian, for it is not doingwhat we would be done by; but if I had imagined Miss Sophia would havebeen so much concerned at it, I am sure I never would have done it;nay, if I had known what would have happened to the bird itself: forwhen Master Jones, who climbed up that tree after it, fell into thewater, the bird took a second flight, and presently a nasty hawkcarried it away."
Poor Sophia, who now first heard of her little Tommy's fate (for herconcern for Jones had prevented her perceiving it when it happened),shed a shower of tears. These Mr Allworthy endeavoured to assuage,promising her a much finer bird: but she declared she would never haveanother. Her father chid her for crying so for a foolish bird; butcould not help telling young Blifil, if he was a son of his, hisbackside should be well flead.
Sophia now returned to her chamber, the two young gentlemen were senthome, and the rest of the company returned to their bottle; where aconversation ensued on the subject of the bird, so curious, that wethink it deserves a chapter by itself.