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第73章

little dorrit-信丽(英文版)-第73章

小说: little dorrit-信丽(英文版) 字数: 每页3500字

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circle; that he feared Mr Clennam was not a man of high instincts。
He was happy; he observed; in his public capacity as leader and
representative of the College; to receive Mr Clennam when he called to
pay his respects; but he didn't find that he got on with him personally。
There appeared to be something (he didn't know what it was) wanting in
him。 Howbeit; the father did not fail in any outward show of politeness;
but; on the contrary; honoured him with much attention; perhaps
cherishing the hope that; although not a man of a sufficiently
brilliant and spontaneous turn of mind to repeat his former testimonial
unsolicited; it might still be within the pass of his nature to
bear the part of a responsive gentleman; in any correspondence that way
tending。

In the threefold capacity; of the gentleman from outside who had been
accidentally locked in on the night of his first appearance; of the
gentleman from outside who had inquired into the affairs of the Father
of the Marshalsea with the stupendous idea of getting him out; and of
the gentleman from outside who took an interest in the child of the
Marshalsea; Clennam soon became a visitor of mark。

He was not surprised by the attentions he received from Mr Chivery when
that officer was on the lock; for he made little distinction between
Mr Chivery's politeness and that of the other turnkeys。 It was on one
particular afternoon that Mr Chivery surprised him all at once; and
stood forth from his panions in bold relief。

Mr Chivery; by some artful exercise of his power of clearing the Lodge;
had contrived to rid it of all sauntering Collegians; so that Clennam;
ing out of the prison; should find him on duty alone。

'(Private) I ask your pardon; sir;' said Mr Chivery in a secret manner;
'but which way might you be going?'

'I am going over the Bridge。' He saw in Mr Chivery; with some
astonishment; quite an Allegory of Silence; as he stood with his key on
his lips。

'(Private) I ask your pardon again;' said Mr Chivery; 'but could you go
round by Horsemonger Lane? Could you by any means find time to look in
at that address?' handing him a little card; printed for circulation
among the connection of Chivery and Co。; Tobacconists; Importers of pure
Havannah Cigars; Bengal Cheroots; and fine…flavoured Cubas; Dealers in
Fancy Snuffs; &C。 &C。

'(Private) It an't tobacco business;' said Mr Chivery。 'The truth is;
it's my wife。 She's wishful to say a word to you; sir; upon a point
respecting……yes;' said Mr Chivery; answering Clennam's look of
apprehension with a nod; 'respecting her。'

'I will make a point of seeing your wife directly。'

'Thank you; sir。 Much obliged。 It an't above ten minutes out of your
way。 Please to ask for Mrs Chivery!' These instructions; Mr Chivery; who
had already let him out; cautiously called through a little slide in the
outer door; which he could draw back from within for the inspection of
visitors when it pleased him。

Arthur Clennam; with the card in his hand; betook himself to the address
set forth upon it; and speedily arrived there。 It was a very small
establishment; wherein a decent woman sat behind the counter working
at her needle。 Little jars of tobacco; little boxes of cigars; a
little assortment of pipes; a little jar or two of snuff; and a little
instrument like a shoeing horn for serving it out; posed the retail
stock in trade。

Arthur mentioned his name; and his having promised to call; on the
solicitation of Mr Chivery。 About something relating to Miss Dorrit; he
believed。 Mrs Chivery at once laid aside her work; rose up from her seat
behind the counter; and deploringly shook her head。

'You may see him now;' said she; 'if you'll condescend to take a peep。'

With these mysterious words; she preceded the visitor into a little
parlour behind the shop; with a little window in it manding a very
little dull back…yard。 In this yard a wash of sheets and table…cloths
tried (in vain; for want of air) to get itself dried on a line or two;
and among those flapping articles was sitting in a chair; like the
last mariner left alive on the deck of a damp ship without the power of
furling the sails; a little woe…begone young man。

'Our John;' said Mrs Chivery。

Not to be deficient in interest; Clennam asked what he might be doing
there?

'It's the only change he takes;' said Mrs Chivery; shaking her head
afresh。 'He won't go out; even in the back…yard; when there's no linen;
but when there's linen to keep the neighbours' eyes off; he'll sit
there; hours。 Hours he will。 Says he feels as if it was groves!' Mrs
Chivery shook her head again; put her apron in a motherly way to her
eyes; and reconducted her visitor into the regions of the business。

'Please to take a seat; sir;' said Mrs Chivery。 'Miss Dorrit is the
matter with Our John; sir; he's a breaking his heart for her; and I
would wish to take the liberty to ask how it's to be made good to his
parents when bust?'

Mrs Chivery; who was a fortable…looking woman much respected about
Horsemonger Lane for her feelings and her conversation; uttered this
speech with fell posure; and immediately afterwards began again to
shake her head and dry her eyes。

'Sir;' said she in continuation; 'you are acquainted with the family;
and have interested yourself with the family; and are influential with
the family。 If you can promote views calculated to make two young people
happy; let me; for Our john's sake; and for both their sakes; implore
you so to do!'

'I have been so habituated;' returned Arthur; at a loss; 'during
the short time I have known her; to consider Little……I have been so
habituated to consider Miss Dorrit in a light altogether removed from
that in which you present her to me; that you quite take me by surprise。
Does she know your son?'

'Brought up together; sir;' said Mrs Chivery。 'Played together。'

'Does she know your son as her admirer?'

'Oh! bless you; sir;' said Mrs Chivery; with a sort of triumphant
shiver; 'she never could have seen him on a Sunday without knowing he
was that。 His cane alone would have told it long ago; if nothing else
had。 Young men like John don't take to ivory hands a pinting; for
nothing。 How did I first know it myself? Similarly。'

'Perhaps Miss Dorrit may not be so ready as you; you see。'

'Then she knows it; sir;' said Mrs Chivery; 'by word of mouth。'

'Are you sure?'

'Sir;' said Mrs Chivery; 'sure and certain as in this house I am。 I see
my son go out with my own eyes when in this house I was; and I see my
son e in with my own eyes when in this house I was; and I know he
done it!' Mrs Chivery derived a surprising force of emphasis from the
foregoing circumstantiality and repetition。

'May I ask you how he came to fall into the desponding state which
causes you so much uneasiness?'

'That;' said Mrs Chivery; 'took place on that same day when to this
house I see that John with these eyes return。 Never been himself in this
house since。 Never was like what he has been since; not from the hour
when to this house seven year ago me and his father; as tenants by the
quarter; came!' An effect in the nature of an affidavit was gained from
this speech by Mrs Chivery's peculiar power of construction。 'May I
venture to inquire what is your version of the matter?'

'You may;' said Mrs Chivery; 'and I will give it to you in honour and in
word as true as in this shop I stand。 Our John has every one's good word
and every one's good wish。 He played with her as a child when in that
yard a child she played。 He has known her ever since。 He went out upon
the Sunday afternoon when in this very parlour he had dined; and met
her; with appointment or without appointment; which; I do not pretend to
say。 He made his offer to her。 Her brother and sister is high in their
views; and against Our John。 Her father is all for himself in his views
and against sharing her with any one。 Under which circumstances she
has answered Our John; 〃No; John; I cannot have you; I cannot have
any husband; it is not my intentions ever to bee a wife; it is my
intentions to be always a sacrifice; farewell; find another worthy of
you; and forget me!〃 This is the way in which she is do

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