cranford(克兰弗德)-第44节
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which had been regarded by Miss Jenkyns as a glorious opportunity for
giving advice and benefiting her fellow…creatures。 Miss Matty would
steal the money all in a lump into his hand； as if she were ashamed of
herself。 Miss Jenkyns gave him each individual coin separate； with a
〃There！ that's for yourself； that's for Jenny；〃 etc。 Miss Matty would
even beckon Martha out of the kitchen while he ate his food： and once；
to my knowledge； winked at its rapid disappearance into a blue cotton
pocket…handkerchief。 Miss Jenkyns almost scolded him if he did not
leave a clean plate； however heaped it might have been； and gave an
injunction with every mouthful。
I have wandered a long way from the two letters that awaited us on
the breakfast…table that Tuesday morning。 Mine was from my father。
Miss Matty's was printed。 My father's was just a man's letter； I mean it
was very dull； and gave no information beyond that he was well； that
they had had a good deal of rain； that trade was very stagnant； and there
were many disagreeable rumours afloat。 He then asked me if I knew
whether Miss Matty still retained her shares in the Town and County
Bank； as there were very unpleasant reports about it； though nothing
more than he had always foreseen； and had prophesied to Miss Jenkyns
years ago； when she would invest their little property in it … the only
unwise step that clever woman had ever taken； to his knowledge （the
only time she ever acted against his advice； I knew）。 However； if
anything had gone wrong； of course I was not to think of leaving Miss
Matty while I could be of any use； etc。
〃Who is your letter from； my dear？ Mine is a very civil invitation；
signed 'Edwin Wilson；' asking me to attend an important meeting of the
shareholders of the Town and County Bank； to be held in Drumble； on
Thursday the twenty…first。 I am sure； it is very attentive of them to
remember me。〃
I did not like to hear of this 〃important meeting；〃 for； though I did
not know much about business； I feared it confirmed what my father said：
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however； I thought； ill news always came fast enough； so I resolved to
say nothing about my alarm； and merely told her that my father was well；
and sent his kind regards to her。 She kept turning over and admiring
her letter。 At last she spoke …
〃I remember their sending one to Deborah just like this； but that I did
not wonder at； for everybody knew she was so clear…headed。 I am
afraid I could not help them much； indeed； if they came to accounts； I
should be quite in the way； for I never could do sums in my head。
Deborah； I know； rather wished to go； and went so far as to order a new
bonnet for the occasion： but when the time came she had a bad cold； so
they sent her a very polite account of what they had done。 Chosen a
director； I think it was。 Do you think they want me to help them to
choose a director？ I am sure I should choose your father at once！'
〃My father has no shares in the bank；〃 said I。
〃Oh； no！ I remember。 He objected very much to Deborah's buying
any； I believe。 But she was quite the woman of business； and always
judged for herself； and here； you see； they have paid eight per cent。 all
these years。〃
It was a very uncomfortable subject to me； with my half…knowledge；
so I thought I would change the conversation； and I asked at what time
she thought we had better go and see the fashions。 〃Well； my dear；〃
she said； 〃the thing is this： it is not etiquette to go till after twelve； but
then； you see； all Cranford will be there； and one does not like to be too
curious about dress and trimmings and caps with all the world looking
on。 It is never genteel to be over…curious on these occasions。
Deborah had the knack of always looking as if the latest fashion was
nothing new to her； a manner she had caught from Lady Arley； who did
see all the new modes in London； you know。 So I thought we would
just slip down … for I do want this morning； soon after breakfast half…a…
pound of tea … and then we could go up and examine the things at our
leisure； and see exactly how my new silk gown must be made； and then；
after twelve； we could go with our minds disengaged； and free from
thoughts of dress。〃
We began to talk of Miss Matty's new silk gown。 I discovered that
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it would be really the first time in her life that she had had to choose
anything of consequence for herself： for Miss Jenkyns had always been
the more decided character； whatever her taste might have been； and it is
astonishing how such people carry the world before them by the mere
force of will。 Miss Matty anticipated the sight of the glossy folds with
as much delight as if the five sovereigns； set apart for the purchase；
could buy all the silks in the shop； and （remembering my own loss of
two hours in a toyshop before I could tell on what wonder to spend a
silver threepence） I was very glad that we were going early； that dear
Miss Matty might have leisure for the delights of perplexity。
If a happy sea…green could be met with； the gown was to be sea… green：
if not； she inclined to maize； and I to silver gray； and we discussed the
requisite number of breadths until we arrived at the shop…door。 We
were to buy the tea； select the silk； and then clamber up the iron
corkscrew stairs that led into what was once a loft； though now a fashion
show…room。
The young men at Mr Johnson's had on their best looks； and their
best cravats； and pivoted themselves over the counter with surprising
activity。 They wanted to show us upstairs at once； but on the principle
of business first and pleasure afterwards； we stayed to purchase the tea。
Here Miss Matty's absence of mind betrayed itself。 If she was made
aware that she had been drinking green tea at any time； she always
thought it her duty to lie awake half through the night afterward （I have
known her take it in ignorance many a time without such effects）； and
consequently green tea was prohibited the house； yet to…day she herself
asked for the obnoxious article； under the impression that she was
talking about the silk。 However； the mistake was soon rectified； and
then the silks were unrolled in good truth。 By this time the shop was
pretty well filled； for it was Cranford market…day； and many of the
farmers and country people from the neighbourhood round came in；
sleeking down their hair； and glancing shyly about； from under their
eyelids； as anxious to take back some notion of the unusual gaiety to the
mistress or the lasses at home； and yet feeling that they were out of place
among the smart shopmen and gay shawls and summer prints。 One
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honest…looking man； however； made his way up to
