The Shadow of Great Britain

447: Chapter 249: Wonderful Journey (5K4) 447: Chapter 249: Wonderful Journey (5K4) East End of London, Tower Hamlets, Whitechapel.

Business at Martin’s Tavern was booming today, as always.

Perhaps it was because the business was so prosperous that not long ago, Mr.

Martin, the owner, had also taken over the neighboring grocery store and had carefully renovated the tavern.

Nowadays, the former counterfeit tradesman could proudly announce to everyone that Martin’s Tavern was the most attractive landmark in Brick Lane.

Unfortunately, the customers who came to Martin’s Tavern never cared about the interior decorations; they only knew that the Martin Family’s beer was not only abundant but also cheap.

Those who cared about decor would never deign to venture to a tavern in the slums, where the air was thick with brickworks dust and slaughterhouse effluent, to gulp down what they considered horse piss.

But as the saying goes, a large forest hosts all kinds of birds, and Martin’s Tavern attracted not only warblers but occasionally an owl that belonged to the birds of prey but was in fact very much herbivorous.

In the evening, Mr.

Owl pushed open the door of the tavern, setting off the wind chimes hanging in front of it.

A delightful, tinkling sound was heard as Mr.

Owl lightly tipped the brim of his hat and spoke softly, “Mr.

Martin, I always thought you were a rugged English tough.

Do you actually have an interest in these trinkets?”

Martin saw Arthur coming, hurriedly approached with a smile, “Mr.

Hasting, where do I have the mind to fuss over these trinkets?

Just counting the accounts every day is enough to trouble me.

This wind chime was something Annie nagged me to buy, it wasn’t expensive, and it gives us a heads-up when customers come in, so I thought, why not buy it.”

Arthur removed his hat, fanning himself with it, and looked around at the noisy hall full of drinkers and the two busy assistants.

He leaned against an empty table and casually chatted with Martin, “I haven’t seen Annie today.

Let me guess, did you find her a nice family, and have you finally married off this grown girl?”

Martin laughed and shook his head, “If it were only as you say, that’d be great, but little Annie isn’t that lucky.

There was a scoundrel who had his eyes on her recently, almost tricked her with sweet nothings and almost got her into his hands.

If I hadn’t discovered it in time, she might be crying now, pregnant and begging for her Uncle Martin to take her in.”

Arthur spoke up, “Really?

Annie always seems shrewd, and she deals with the riffraff in the tavern all the time.

Hasn’t she seen through the true nature of those thugs?”

Martin sighed, “Mr.

Hasting, what you don’t know is that this is how girls are.

When they haven’t been sweet-talked, they’re sharper than anyone.

But once they’re charmed by someone, even if you lock them up with an iron chain, it’s not much use.

I’ve seen too many such women in the East End, unsophisticated, easily deceived by a few flattering words, a bottle of wine, or a pretty dress.

After half a year or a year, when these men are tired of them, they’ll kick them into the gutter.

If these women have a bit of conscience, then all they can do for the rest of their lives is to raise that little bastard, whose father is unknown, while doing some odd jobs like laundering to make ends meet.

If they are heartless, well, that’s another story.

Mr.

Hasting, you must be aware that occasionally, the Thames River turns up a few dead infants, and the hungry little mouths in the Poorhouse are usually the result of such affairs.

Alas…

my God!

Open your eyes and look at what sins are being committed!

I can’t control other people’s nieces, but my niece can’t bear such damned sins.

She must find an honest man to marry; if she dares to elope with that sweet-talking rascal, then from now on she’s not to step foot in my tavern again.

Whoever got her pregnant can take responsibility; the Martin Family’s money isn’t for just any shameless scoundrel to spend.”

As he spoke, Martin’s face reddened with anger.

It was clear he was quite upset about Annie’s near transgression.

Upon hearing this, all Arthur could do was to offer a few words of comfort, “Mr.

Martin, you don’t have to be so angry.

Hasn’t Annie already been persuaded by you to return?

When people are young, they always make careless mistakes.

As long as no serious harm has been done, what’s past is past.”

Email at this, Martin could only respond helplessly, “You don’t understand; the girl has only admitted her fault verbally, but I can tell she’s not convinced.

She always thinks I’m trying to scare her.

She doesn’t believe that what I’m saying is true.

Sigh…

anyway, I’ve said my piece, if she insists on living a hard life, let her be.

I guarantee, if she hooks up with that scoundrel, in two or three years’ time, she’ll turn into a haggard-looking, coarse-skinned woman with a waist as wide as a barrel.

Does she really think it’s that easy to find someone to share her life with?

She still thinks she’s going to be a Countess in some great house!”

After hearing this, Arthur pondered for a while, “Although I don’t know if the young man wooing Annie is truly that unsavory, if his behavior is indeed beyond redemption.

Mr.

Martin, please don’t forget, you still have a friend here.”