adam bede(亚当[1].比德)-第31章
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rose…petal； that dimples played about her pouting lips； that her
large dark eyes hid a soft roguishness under their long lashes； and
that her curly hair； though all pushed back under her round cap
while she was at work； stole back in dark delicate rings on her
forehead； and about her white shell…like ears； it is of little use for
me to say how lovely was the contour of her pink…and…white
neckerchief； tucked into her low plum…coloured stuff bodice； or
how the linen butter…making apron； with its bib； seemed a thing to
be imitated in silk by duchesses； since it fell in such charming
lines； or how her brown stockings and thick…soled buckled shoes
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lost all that clumsiness which they must certainly have had when
empty of her foot and ankle—of little use； unless you have seen a
woman who affected you as Hetty affected her beholders； for
otherwise； though you might conjure up the image of a lovely
woman； she would not in the least resemble that distracting
kitten…like maiden。 I might mention all the divine charms of a
bright spring day； but if you had never in your life utterly
forgotten yourself in straining your eyes after the mounting lark；
or in wandering through the still lanes when the fresh…opened
blossoms fill them with a sacred silent beauty like that of fretted
aisles； where would be the use of my descriptive catalogue？ I
could never make you know what I meant by a bright spring day。
Hetty’s was a spring…tide beauty； it was the beauty of young
frisking things； round…limbed； gambolling； circumventing you by a
false air of innocence—the innocence of a young star…browed calf；
for example； that； being inclined for a promenade out of bounds；
leads you a severe steeplechase over hedge and ditch； and only
comes to a stand in the middle of a bog。
And they are the prettiest attitudes and movements into which
a pretty girl is thrown in making up butter—tossing movements
that give a charming curve to the arm； and a sideward inclination
of the round white neck； little patting and rolling movements with
the palm of the hand； and nice adaptations and finishings which
cannot at all be effected without a great play of the pouting mouth
and the dark eyes。 And then the butter itself seems to
communicate a fresh charm—it is so pure； so sweet…scented； it is
turned off the mould with such a beautiful firm surface； like
marble in a pale yellow light！ Moreover； Hetty was particularly
clever at making up the butter； it was the one performance of hers
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that her aunt allowed to pass without severe criticism； so she
handled it with all the grace that belongs to mastery。
“I hope you will be ready for a great holiday on the thirtieth of
July； Mrs。 Poyser；” said Captain Donnithorne； when he had
sufficiently admired the dairy and given several improvised
opinions on Swede turnips and shorthorns。 “You know what is to
happen then； and I shall expect you to be one of the guests who
come earliest and leave latest。 Will you promise me your hand for
two dances； Miss Hetty？ If I don’t get your promise now； I know I
shall hardly have a chance； for all the smart young farmers will
take care to secure you。”
Hetty smiled and blushed； but before she could answer； Mrs。
Poyser interposed； scandalised at the mere suggestion that the
young squire could be excluded by any meaner partners。
“Indeed； sir； you are very kind to take that notice of her。 And
I’m sure； whenever you’re pleased to dance with her； she’ll be
proud and thankful； if she stood still all the rest o’ th’ evening。”
“Oh no； no； that would be too cruel to all the other young
fellows who can dance。 But you will promise me two dances； won’t
you？” the captain continued； determined to make Hetty look at
him and speak to him。
Hetty dropped the prettiest little curtsy； and stole a half…shy；
half…coquettish glance at him as she said； “Yes； thank you； sir。”
“And you must bring all your children； you know； Mrs。 Poyser；
your little Totty； as well as the boys。 I want all the youngest
children on the estate to be there—all those who will be fine young
men and women when I’m a bald old fellow。”
“Oh dear； sir； that ’ull be a long time first；” said Mrs。 Poyser；
quite overcome at the young squire’s speaking so lightly of
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himself； and thinking how her husband would be interested in
hearing her recount this remarkable specimen of high…born
humour。 The captain was thought to be “very full of his jokes；”
and was a great favourite throughout the estate on account of his
free manners。 Every tenant was quite sure things would be
different when the reins got into his hands—there was to be a
millennial abundance of new gates； allowances of lime； and
returns of ten per cent。
“But where is Totty to…day？” he said。 “I want to see her。”
“Where is the little un； Hetty？” said Mrs。 Poyser。 “She came in
here not long ago。”
“I don’t know。 She went into the brewhouse to Nancy； I think。”
The proud mother； unable to resist the temptation to show her
Totty； passed at once into the back kitchen； in search of her； not；
however； without misgivings lest something should have
happened to render her person and attire unfit for presentation。
“And do you carry the butter to market when you’ve made it？”
said the Captain to Hetty； meanwhile。
“Oh no； sir； not when it’s so heavy。 I’m not strong enough to
carry it。 Alick takes it on horseback。”
“No； I’m sure your pretty arms were never meant for such
heavy weights。 But you go out a walk sometimes these pleasant
evenings； don’t you？ Why don’t you have a walk in the Chase
sometimes； now it’s so green and pleasant？ I hardly ever see you
anywhere except at home and at church。”
“Aunt doesn’t like me to go a…walking only when I’m going
somewhere；” said Hetty。 “But I go through the Chase sometimes。”
“And don’t you ever go to see Mrs。 Best； the housekeeper？ I
think I saw you once in the housekeeper’s room。”
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“It isn’t Mrs。
