太子爷小说网 > 英语电子书 > david copperfield(大卫.科波维尔) >

第8节

david copperfield(大卫.科波维尔)-第8节

小说: david copperfield(大卫.科波维尔) 字数: 每页4000字

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!



applause; and such hearty laughter that it made me laugh too; at 
which they laughed the more。 In short; we quite enjoyed 
ourselves。 

We walked about on the cliff after that; and sat on the grass; 
and looked at things through a telescope—I could make out 
nothing myself when it was put to my eye; but I pretended I 
could—and then we came back to the hotel to an early dinner。 All 
the time we were out; the two gentlemen smoked incessantly— 
which; I thought; if I might judge from the smell of their rough 
coats; they must have been doing; ever since the coats had first 
come home from the tailor’s。 I must not forget that we went on 
board the yacht; where they all three descended into the cabin; 
and were busy with some papers。 I saw them quite hard at work; 

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics 


David Copperfield 

when I looked down through the open skylight。 They left me; 
during this time; with a very nice man with a very large head of 
red hair and a very small shiny hat upon it; who had got a cross…
barred shirt or waistcoat on; with ‘Skylark’ in capital letters across 
the chest。 I thought it was his name; and that as he lived on board 
ship and hadn’t a street door to put his name on; he put it there 
instead; but when I called him Mr。 Skylark; he said it meant the 
vessel。 

I observed all day that Mr。 Murdstone was graver and steadier 
than the two gentlemen。 They were very gay and careless。 They 
joked freely with one another; but seldom with him。 It appeared to 
me that he was more clever and cold than they were; and that they 
regarded him with something of my own feeling。 I remarked that; 
once or twice when Mr。 Quinion was talking; he looked at Mr。 
Murdstone sideways; as if to make sure of his not being 
displeased; and that once when Mr。 Passnidge (the other 
gentleman) was in high spirits; he trod upon his foot; and gave him 
a secret caution with his eyes; to observe Mr。 Murdstone; who was 
sitting stern and silent。 Nor do I recollect that Mr。 Murdstone 
laughed at all that day; except at the Sheffield joke—and that; by 
the by; was his own。 

We went home early in the evening。 It was a very fine evening; 
and my mother and he had another stroll by the sweetbriar; while 
I was sent in to get my tea。 When he was gone; my mother asked 
me all about the day I had had; and what they had said and done。 I 
mentioned what they had said about her; and she laughed; and 
told me they were impudent fellows who talked nonsense—but I 
knew it pleased her。 I knew it quite as well as I know it now。 I took 
the opportunity of asking if she was at all acquainted with Mr。 

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics 


David Copperfield 

Brooks of Sheffield; but she answered No; only she supposed he 
must be a manufacturer in the knife and fork way。 

Can I say of her face—altered as I have reason to remember it; 
perished as I know it is—that it is gone; when here it comes before 
me at this instant; as distinct as any face that I may choose to look 
on in a crowded street? Can I say of her innocent and girlish 
beauty; that it faded; and was no more; when its breath falls on my 
cheek now; as it fell that night? Can I say she ever changed; when 
my remembrance brings her back to life; thus only; and; truer to 
its loving youth than I have been; or man ever is; still holds fast 
what it cherished then? 

I write of her just as she was when I had gone to bed after this 
talk; and she came to bid me good night。 She kneeled down 
playfully by the side of the bed; and laying her chin upon her 
hands; and laughing; said: 

‘What was it they said; Davy? Tell me again。 I can’t believe it。’ 

‘“Bewitching—”’ I began。 

My mother put her hands upon my lips to stop me。 

‘It was never bewitching;’ she said; laughing。 ‘It never could 
have been bewitching; Davy。 Now I know it wasn’t!’ 

‘Yes; it was。 “Bewitching Mrs。 Copperfield”;’ I repeated stoutly。 
‘And; “pretty。”’ 

‘No; no; it was never pretty。 Not pretty;’ interposed my mother; 
laying her fingers on my lips again。 

‘Yes it was。 “Pretty little widow。”’ 

‘What foolish; impudent creatures!’ cried my mother; laughing 
and covering her face。 ‘What ridiculous men! An’t they? Davy 
dear—’ 

‘Well; Ma。’ 

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics 


David Copperfield 

‘Don’t tell Peggotty; she might be angry with them。 I am 
dreadfully angry with them myself; but I would rather Peggotty 
didn’t know。’ 

I promised; of course; and we kissed one another over and over 
again; and I soon fell fast asleep。 

It seems to me; at this distance of time; as if it were the next day 
when Peggotty broached the striking and adventurous proposition 
I am about to mention; but it was probably about two months 
afterwards。 

We were sitting as before; one evening (when my mother was 
out as before); in company with the stocking and the yard…
measure; and the bit of wax; and the box with St。 Paul’s on the lid; 
and the crocodile book; when Peggotty; after looking at me several 
times; and opening her mouth as if she were going to speak; 
without doing it—which I thought was merely gaping; or I should 
have been rather alarmed—said coaxingly: 

‘Master Davy; how should you like to go along with me and 
spend a fortnight at my brother’s at Yarmouth? Wouldn’t that be a 
treat?’ 

‘Is your brother an agreeable man; Peggotty?’ I inquired; 
provisionally。 

‘Oh; what an agreeable man he is!’ cried Peggotty; holding up 
her hands。 ‘Then there’s the sea; and the boats and ships; and the 
fishermen; and the beach; and Am to play with—’ 

Peggotty meant her nephew Ham; mentioned in my first 
chapter; but she spoke of him as a morsel of English Grammar。 

I was flushed by her summary of delights; and replied that it 
would indeed be a treat; but what would my mother say? 

‘Why then I’ll as good as bet a guinea;’ said Peggotty; intent 

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics 


David Copperfield 

upon my face; ‘that she’ll let us go。 I’ll ask her; if you like; as soon 
as ever she comes home。 There now!’ 

‘But what’s she to do while we’re away?’ said I; putting my 
small elbows on the table to argue the point。 ‘She can’t live by 
herself。’ 

If Peggotty were looking for a hole; all of a sudden; in the heel 
of that stocking; it must have been a very little one indeed; and not 
worth darning。 

‘I say! Peggotty! She can’t live by herself; you know。’ 

‘Oh; bless you!’ said Peggotty; looking at me again at last。 ‘Don’t 
you know? She’s going to stay for a fortnight with Mrs。 Grayper。 
Mrs。 Grayper’s going to have a lot of company。’ 

Oh! If that was it; I was quite ready to go。 I waited; in the 
utmost impatience; until my mother came home from Mrs。 
Grayper’s (for it was that identical neighbour); to ascertain if we 
could get leave to carry out this great idea。 Without being nearly 
so much surprised as I had expected; my mother entered into it 
readily; and it was all arranged that night; and my board and 
lodging during the visit were to be paid for。 

The day soon came for our going。 It was such an early day that 
it came soon; even to me; who was in a fever of expectation; and 
half afraid that an earthquake or a fiery mountain; or some other 
great convulsion of nature; might interpose to stop the expedition。 
We were to go in a carrier’s cart; which departed in the morning 
after breakfast。 I would have given any money to have been 
allowed to wrap myself up over…night; and sleep in my hat and 
boots。 

It touches me nearly now; although I tell it lightly; to recollect 
how eager I was to leave my happy home; to think how little I 

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics 


David Copperfield 

suspected what I did leave for ever。 

I am glad to recollect that when the carrier’s cart was at the 
gate; and my mother stood there kissing me; a grateful fondness 
for her and for the old place I had never turned my back upon 
before; made me cry。 I am glad to know that my mother cried too; 
and that I felt her heart beat against mine。 

I am glad to recollect that when the carrier began to move; my 
mother ran out at the gate; and called to him to stop; that she 
might kiss me once more。 I am glad to dwell upon the earnestness 
and love with which she lifted up her face to mine; and did so。 

As we left her standing in the road; Mr。 Murdstone came up to 
where she was; and seemed to expostulate with her for being so 
moved。 I was looking back round the awning of the cart; and 
wondered what business it was of his。 Peggotty; who was also 
looking back on the other side; seemed anything but satisfied; as 
the face she brought back in the cart denoted。 

I sat looking at Peggotty for some time; in a reverie on this 
supposititious case: whether; if she were employed to lose me like 
the boy in the fairy tale; I should be able to track my way home 
again by the buttons she would shed。 

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics 


David Copperfield 

Chapter 3 

I HAVE A CHANGE 

The carrier’s horse was the laziest horse in the world; I 

返回目录 上一页 下一页 回到顶部 0 0

你可能喜欢的