The Adventures of Roderick Random

第四十六章

This is Chapter XLVI (chapter index 46, chapter number 47) of the work, with no associated text fragments. The chapter chronicles Random’s evening out with Dr. Wagtail and Wagtail’s circle of acquaintances at a tavern, covering their initial introductions, cruel pranks targeted at Wagtail, a staged paternity accusation against the doctor, a forced acrobatic stunt for a disruptive companion, and the chaotic conclusion to the night’s revelry.

Wagtail Introduces Random to Tavern Companions

Wagtail brings Random to meet his group of acquaintances at a tavern, where Random immediately recognizes the group as the men whose laughter the night prior had raised his suspicion of the woman he had previously protected. Wagtail formally introduces each member of the circle to Random: Bragwell, Banter, Chatter, Slyboot, and Ranter. Random notices Slyboot sticks his tongue out at him during their handshake, and Ranter mimics his mannerisms, voice, and features, but Random chooses to ignore the slights initially, planning to address the insolence at a more convenient time.

Initial Introduction to Wagtail’s Acquaintances

Following the formal introductions, Slyboot, guessing Random is a stranger, asks if he has recently traveled to France and visited the Luxembourg Gallery. When Random confirms he has studied the gallery in detail, the two discuss the artwork, and Random learns Slyboot works as a painter. Shortly after, Banter questions Wagtail about Random’s background; Wagtail boasts Random is a wealthy gentleman from an ancient northern family and a distant relation of his own, while Banter jokes Random is a French valet-de-chambre. Random is offended by the jab but chooses to tolerate the slight to preserve his access to the group’s social connections.