cranford(克兰弗德)-第36节
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her call was a very fortunate affair； as it enabled us to consult together。
We would all much rather have declined this invitation； but we felt that
it would not be quite kind to Mrs Forrester； who would otherwise be left
to a solitary retrospect of her not very happy or fortunate life。 Miss
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Matty and Miss Pole had been visitors on this occasion for many years；
and now they gallantly determined to nail their colours to the mast； and
to go through Darkness Lane rather than fail in loyalty to their friend。
But when the evening came； Miss Matty （for it was she who was voted
into the chair； as she had a cold）； before being shut down in the sedan；
like jack…in…a…box； implored the chairmen； whatever might befall； not to
run away and leave her fastened up there； to be murdered； and even after
they had promised； I saw her tighten her features into the stern
determination of a martyr； and she gave me a melancholy and ominous
shake of the head through the glass。 However； we got there safely； only
rather out of breath； for it was who could trot hardest through Darkness
Lane； and I am afraid poor Miss Matty was sadly jolted。
Mrs Forrester had made extra preparations； in acknowledgment of our
exertion in coming to see her through such dangers。 The usual forms
of genteel ignorance as to what her servants might send up were all gone
through； and harmony and Preference seemed likely to be the order of
the evening； but for an interesting conversation that began I don't know
how； but which had relation； of course； to the robbers who infested the
neighbourhood of Cranford。
Having braved the dangers of Darkness Lane； and thus having a little
stock of reputation for courage to fall back upon； and also； I daresay；
desirous of proving ourselves superior to men （VIDELICET Mr Hoggins）
in the article of candour； we began to relate our individual fears； and the
private precautions we each of us took。 I owned that my pet
apprehension was eyes … eyes looking at me； and watching me； glittering
out from some dull； flat； wooden surface； and that if I dared to go up to
my looking…glass when I was panic… stricken； I should certainly turn it
round； with its back towards me； for fear of seeing eyes behind me
looking out of the darkness。 I saw Miss Matty nerving herself up for a
confession； and at last out it came。 She owned that； ever since she had
been a girl； she had dreaded being caught by her last leg； just as she was
getting into bed； by some one concealed under it。 She said； when she
was younger and more active； she used to take a flying leap from a
distance； and so bring both her legs up safely into bed at once； but that
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this had always annoyed Deborah； who piqued herself upon getting into
bed gracefully； and she had given it up in consequence。 But now the
old terror would often come over her； especially since Miss Pole's house
had been attacked （we had got quite to believe in the fact of the attack
having taken place）； and yet it was very unpleasant to think of looking
under a bed； and seeing a man concealed； with a great； fierce face staring
out at you； so she had bethought herself of something … perhaps I had
noticed that she had told Martha to buy her a penny ball； such as
children play with … and now she rolled this ball under the bed every
night： if it came out on the other side； well and good； if not she always
took care to have her hand on the bell…rope； and meant to call out John
and Harry； just as if she expected men… servants to answer her ring。
We all applauded this ingenious contrivance； and Miss Matty sank
back into satisfied silence； with a look at Mrs Forrester as if to ask for
HER private weakness。
Mrs Forrester looked askance at Miss Pole； and tried to change the
subject a little by telling us that she had borrowed a boy from one of the
neighbouring cottages and promised his parents a hundredweight of
coals at Christmas； and his supper every evening； for the loan of him at
nights。 She had instructed him in his possible duties when he first
came； and； finding him sensible； she had given him the Major's sword
（the Major was her late husband）； and desired him to put it very
carefully behind his pillow at night； turning the edge towards the head of
the pillow。 He was a sharp lad； she was sure； for； spying out the
Major's cocked hat； he had said； if he might have that to wear； he was
sure he could frighten two Englishmen； or four Frenchmen any day。
But she had impressed upon him anew that he was to lose no time in
putting on hats or anything else； but； if he heard any noise； he was to run
at it with his drawn sword。 On my suggesting that some accident might
occur from such slaughterous and indiscriminate directions； and that he
might rush on Jenny getting up to wash； and have spitted her before he
had discovered that she was not a Frenchman； Mrs Forrester said she did
not think that that was likely； for he was a very sound sleeper； and
generally had to be well shaken or cold… pigged in a morning before they
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could rouse him。 She sometimes thought such dead sleep must be
owing to the hearty suppers the poor lad ate； for he was half…starved at
home； and she told Jenny to see that he got a good meal at night。
Still this was no confession of Mrs Forrester's peculiar timidity； and
we urged her to tell us what she thought would frighten her more than
anything。 She paused； and stirred the fire； and snuffed the candles； and
then she said； in a sounding whisper …
〃Ghosts！〃
She looked at Miss Pole； as much as to say； she had declared it； and
would stand by it。 Such a look was a challenge in itself。 Miss Pole
came down upon her with indigestion； spectral illusions； optical
delusions； and a great deal out of Dr Ferrier and Dr Hibbert besides。
Miss Matty had rather a leaning to ghosts； as I have mentioned before；
and what little she did say was all on Mrs Forrester's side； who；
emboldened by sympathy； protested that ghosts were a part of her
religion； that surely she； the widow of a major in the army； knew what to
be frightened at； and what not； in short； I never saw Mrs Forrester so
warm either before or since； for she was a gentle； meek； enduring old
lady in most things。 Not all the elder…wine that ever was mulled could
this night wash out the remembrance of this difference between Miss
Pole and her hostess。 Indeed； when the elder…wine was brought in； it
gave rise to a new burst of discussion； for Jenny； the little maiden who
staggered under the tray； had to give evidence of having seen a ghost
with her own eyes； not so many nights ago； in Darkness Lane； the very
lane we were to go through on our way home。
In spite of the uncomfortable feeling which this last consideration
gave me； I could not help being amused at Jenny's position； which was
exceedingly like that of a witness being examined and cross… examined by
two counsel who are no
