cranford(克兰弗德)-第35节
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good deal； and occasioned her much uneasiness； it was possible that
Carlo's death might be the greater affliction。 But there was always a
tinge of cynicism in Miss Pole's remarks。 However； one thing was clear
and certain … it was necessary for Mrs Jamieson to have some change of
scene； and Mr Mulliner was very impressive on this point； shaking his
head whenever we inquired after his mistress； and speaking of her loss
of appetite and bad nights very ominously； and with justice too； for if
she had two characteristics in her natural state of health they were a
facility of eating and sleeping。 If she could neither eat nor sleep； she
must be indeed out of spirits and out of health。
Lady Glenmire （who had evidently taken very kindly to Cranford） did
not like the idea of Mrs Jamieson's going to Cheltenham； and more than
once insinuated pretty plainly that it was Mr Mulliner's doing； who had
been much alarmed on the occasion of the house being attacked； and
since had said； more than once； that he felt it a very responsible charge
to have to defend so many women。 Be that as it might； Mrs Jamieson
went to Cheltenham； escorted by Mr Mulliner； and Lady Glenmire
remained in possession of the house； her ostensible office being to take
care that the maid…servants did not pick up followers。 She made a very
pleasant…looking dragon； and； as soon as it was arranged for her stay in
Cranford； she found out that Mrs Jamieson's visit to Cheltenham was
just the best thing in the world。 She had let her house in Edinburgh；
and was for the time house…less； so the charge of her sister…in…law's
comfortable abode was very convenient and acceptable。
Miss Pole was very much inclined to instal herself as a heroine；
because of the decided steps she had taken in flying from the two men
and one woman； whom she entitled 〃that murderous gang。〃 She
described their appearance in glowing colours； and I noticed that every
time she went over the story some fresh trait of villainy was added to
their appearance。 One was tall … he grew to be gigantic in height before
we had done with him； he of course had black hair … and by…and…by it
hung in elf…locks over his forehead and down his back。 The other was
short and broad … and a hump sprouted out on his shoulder before we
heard the last of him； he had red hair … which deepened into carroty； and
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she was almost sure he had a cast in the eye … a decided squint。 As for
the woman； her eyes glared； and she was masculine…looking … a perfect
virago； most probably a man dressed in woman's clothes； afterwards； we
heard of a beard on her chin； and a manly voice and a stride。
If Miss Pole was delighted to recount the events of that afternoon to
all inquirers； others were not so proud of their adventures in the robbery
line。 Mr Hoggins； the surgeon； had been attacked at his own door by
two ruffians； who were concealed in the shadow of the porch； and so
effectually silenced him that he was robbed in the interval between
ringing his bell and the servant's answering it。 Miss Pole was sure it
would turn out that this robbery had been commited by 〃her men；〃 and
went the very day she heard the report to have her teeth examined； and
to question Mr Hoggins。 She came to us afterwards； so we heard what
she had heard； straight and direct from the source； while we were yet in
the excitement and flutter of the agitation caused by the first intelligence；
for the event had only occurred the night before。
〃Well！〃 said Miss Pole； sitting down with the decision of a person
who has made up her mind as to the nature of life and the world （and
such people never tread lightly； or seat themselves without a bump）；
〃well； Miss Matty！ men will be men。 Every mother's son of them
wishes to be considered Samson and Solomon rolled into one … too
strong ever to be beaten or discomfited … too wise ever to be outwitted。
If you will notice； they have always foreseen events； though they never
tell one for one's warning before the events happen。 My father was a
man； and I know the sex pretty well。〃
She had talked herself out of breath； and we should have been very
glad to fill up the necessary pause as chorus； but we did not exactly
know what to say； or which man had suggested this diatribe against the
sex； so we only joined in generally； with a grave shake of the head； and a
soft murmur of 〃They are very incomprehensible； certainly！〃
〃Now； only think；〃 said she。 〃There； I have undergone the risk of
having one of my remaining teeth drawn （for one is terribly at the mercy
of any surgeon…dentist； and I； for one； always speak them fair till I have
got my mouth out of their clutches）； and； after all； Mr Hoggins is too
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much of a man to own that he was robbed last night。〃
〃Not robbed！〃 exclaimed the chorus。
〃Don't tell me！〃 Miss Pole exclaimed； angry that we could be for a
moment imposed upon。 〃I believe he was robbed； just as Betty told me；
and he is ashamed to own it； and； to be sure； it was very silly of him to
be robbed just at his own door； I daresay he feels that such a thing won't
raise him in the eyes of Cranford society； and is anxious to conceal it …
but he need not have tried to impose upon me； by saying I must have
heard an exaggerated account of some petty theft of a neck of mutton；
which； it seems； was stolen out of the safe in his yard last week； he had
the impertinence to add； he believed that that was taken by the cat。 I
have no doubt； if I could get at the bottom of it； it was that Irishman
dressed up in woman's clothes； who came spying about my house； with
the story about the starving children。〃
After we had duly condemned the want of candour which Mr Hoggins
had evinced； and abused men in general； taking him for the
representative and type； we got round to the subject about which we had
been talking when Miss Pole came in； namely； how far； in the present
disturbed state of the country； we could venture to accept an invitation
which Miss Matty had just received from Mrs Forrester； to come as
usual and keep the anniversary of her wedding…day by drinking tea with
her at five o'clock； and playing a quiet pool afterwards。 Mrs Forrester
had said that she asked us with some diffidence； because the roads were；
she feared； very unsafe。 But she suggested that perhaps one of us
would not object to take the sedan； and that the others； by walking
briskly； might keep up with the long trot of the chairmen； and so we
might all arrive safely at Over Place； a suburb of the town。 （No； that is
too large an expression： a small cluster of houses separated from
Cranford by about two hundred yards of a dark and lonely lane。） There
was no doubt but that a similar note was awaiting Miss Pole at home； so
her call was a very fortunate affair；
