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第14章

the stokesley secret-第14章

小说: the stokesley secret 字数: 每页4000字

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oss;〃 and David lay flat on his face; puffing at his own particular oven; like a little Wind in an old picture。  Sam waited; leaning on the ashen stick that served him as a poker。  It was the most audacious thing he had ever heard。  Rob them of their bonfire!  Would that old traitor of a Purday abet her?

Perhaps Purday was as much astonished as the rest; but; after all; much as the children tormented his bonfires; overset his haycocks; and disturbed his wood…pile; he did not like anyone to scold them but himself; much less the new London Lady; so he made up an odd sort of grin; and said; 〃No; no; Ma'am; it ain't that they do so much harm; let 'em bide;〃 and he proceeded to shake on the rest of his barrowful; tumbling the weeds down over David's cherished oven in utter disregard; but the children cried with one voice; 〃Hurrah! hurrah!  Purday; we don't do any harm; so don't ever grumble again。 Hurrah!〃

〃And I don't care for HER; the crosspatch;〃 said Johnnie to Annie; never hearing or heeding Miss Fosbrook's fervent 〃I am so glad!〃

And as long as the foolish boy remembered it; he always did believe that Miss Fosbrook was so cross as to want to hinder them from their bonfire; only Purday would not let her。

Miss Fosbrook did not trouble herself to be understood; she was relieved to have done her duty; and be free to rejoice in and share the pleasure。  She ran about and collected materials for Sam till she was out of breath; and joined in all the excitement as the fire showed symptoms of reviving; after being apparently crushed out by Purday。  Sam and Susan; at least; believed that she had only spoken to Purday because she thought it right; but even for them to forgive interference with their bonfire privileges was a great stretch。

At last she thought it time to leave them to their own devices; and seize the moment for some quiet reading; but she had not reached the house before little steps came after her; and she saw Elizabeth running fast。

〃They are so tiresome;〃 she said。  〃Sam won't let me stand anywhere but where the smoke gets into my eyes; and George plagues so!  May I come in with you; dear Christabel?〃

〃You are very welcome;〃 said Miss Fosbrook; 〃but I am sorry to hear so many complaints。〃

〃They are so cross to me;〃 said Bessie; 〃they always are。〃

〃You must try to be cheerful and good…humoured with them; and they will leave off vexing you。〃

〃But may I come in?  It will be a nice time for my secret。〃

Christabel saw little hope for her intended reading; but she was always glad of a space for making Bessie happy; so she kindly consented to the bringing out of the little girl's treasury; and the dismal face grew happy and eager。  The subjects of the drawings were all clear in her head; that was not the difficulty; but the cardboard; the ribbon; the real good paints。  One little slip of card Miss Fosbrook hunted out of her portfolio; she cut a pencil of her own; and advised the first attempt to be made upon a piece of paper。 The little bird that Bessie produced was really not at all bad; and her performance was quite fair enough to make it worth while to go on; since Miss Fosbrook well knew that mammas are pleased with works of their children; showing more good…will than skill。  For why? Their value is in the love and thought they show。

The little bird was made into a robin with the colours in a paint…box that Bessie had long ago bought; but they were so weak and muddy; that the result was far from good enough for a present; and it was agreed that real paints must be procured as well as ribbon。  Miss Fosbrook offered to commission her sisters to buy the Prussian blue; lake; and gamboge in London; and send them in a letter。  This was a new idea to Bessie; and she was only not quite decided between the certainty that London paints must be better than country ones; and the desire of the walk to Bonchamp to buy some; but the thought that the ribbon; after all; might be procured there; satisfied her。  The little doleful maid was changed into an eager; happy; chattering child; full of intelligence and contrivance; and showing many pretty fancies; since there was no one to tease her and laugh at her; and her governess listened kindly and helpfully。

Miss Fosbrook could not help thinking how much happier her little companion would have been as an only child; or with one sister; and parents who would have made the most of her love of taste and refinement; instead of the hearty busy parents; and the rude brothers and sisters; who held her cheap for being unlike themselves。  But then she bethought her; that perhaps Bessie might have grown up vain and affected; had all these tastes been petted and fostered; and that perhaps her little hardships might make her the stronger; steadier; more useful woman; instead of living in fancies。  It was the unkindness on one side; and the temper on the other; that made Miss Fosbrook uneasy。

The work had gone on happily for nearly an hour; and Bessie was copying a forget…me…not off a little painted card…board pincushion of her own; when steps were heard; little trotting steps; and Susan came in with little George。  He had been pushed down by Johnnie; and was rather in a fretful mood; and Susan had left all her happy play to bring him in to rest and comfort him; coming to the school…room because Nurse Freeman was out。  Before Elizabeth had time to hide away her doings; George had seen the bright pincushion; and was holding out his hands for it。  Bessie hastily pocketed it。  George burst out crying; and Susan; without more ado; threw herself on her sister; and; pinioning Bessie's slight arm by the greater strength of her firm one; was diving into her pocket in spite of her struggles。

〃Susan; leave off;〃 said Miss Fosbrook; 〃let your sister alone。  She has a right to do what she likes with her own。〃

〃It is so cross in her;〃 said Susan; obeying however; but only to snatch up little George; and hug and kiss him。  〃Poor dear little man! is Betty cross to him?  There! there! come with Sue; and SHE'LL get him something pretty。〃

〃Susie; Susie; indeed it's only that I don't want him to spoil it;〃 said Elizabeth; distressed。

〃A foolish thing like that!  Why; the only use of it is to please the children; but you are just such a baby as he is;〃 said Susan; still pitying George。

〃You had better put your things away; Bessie;〃 said Miss Fosbrook; interfering to stop the dispute; and as soon as Elizabeth was gone; and George a little pacified by an ivory ribbon…measure out of Miss Fosbrook's work…box; she observed to Susan; 〃My dear; you must not let your love for the little ones make you unjust and unkind to Bessie。〃

〃She always is so unkind to them;〃 said Susan resentfully。

〃I don't think she feels unkindly; but if you tyrannize over her; and force her to give way to them; you cannot expect her to like it。〃

〃Mamma says the elder must give way to the younger;〃 said Susan。

〃You did not try whether she would give way。〃

〃No; because I knew she wouldn't; and I could not have my little Georgie vexed。〃

〃And I could not see my little Susie violent and unjust;〃 said Miss Fosbrook cheerfully。  〃Justice first; Susan; you had no right to rob Bessie for George; any more than I should have to give away a dinner of your papa's because he had refused a beggar。〃

〃Papa never would;〃 said Susan; rather going off from the point。

〃Very likely; but do you understand me; Susan?  I will not have Bessie FORCED out of her rights for the little ones。  Not Bessie only; but nobody is to be tyrannized over; it is not right。〃

〃Bessie is so nonsensical;〃 was all Susan said; looking glum。

〃Very likely she may seem so to you; but if you knew more; you would see that all is not nonsense that seems so to you。  Some people would admire her ways。〃

〃Yes; I know;〃 said Susan。  〃Mrs。 Greville told Mrs。 Brownlow that Bessie was the only one among us that was capable of civilisation; but Mrs。 Greville is a fine lady; and we always laugh at her。〃

〃And now;〃 as Bessie returned; 〃you want to go out to your play again; my dear。  Will you leave Georgie with us?〃

Susan was a little doubtful about trusting her darling with anyone; especially one who could take Bessie's part against

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