cranford(克兰弗德)-第31章
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Cranford
hair powder； which also extended itself over his coat…collar down to his
very waist； and this imposing back was always engaged in reading the
ST JAMES'S CHRONICLE； opened wide； which； in some degree；
accounted for the length of time the said newspaper was in reaching us …
equal subscribers with Mrs Jamieson； though； in right of her
honourableness； she always had the reading of it first。 This very
Tuesday； the delay in forwarding the last number had been particularly
aggravating； just when both Miss Pole and Miss Matty； the former more
especially； had been wanting to see it； in order to coach up the Court
news ready for the evening's interview with aristocracy。 Miss Pole told
us she had absolutely taken time by the forelock； and been dressed by
five o'clock； in order to be ready if the ST JAMES'S CHRONICLE
should come in at the last moment … the very ST JAMES'S
CHRONICLE which the powdered head was tranquilly and composedly
reading as we passed the accustomed window this evening。
〃The impudence of the man！〃 said Miss Pole； in a low indignant
whisper。 〃I should like to ask him whether his mistress pays her
quarter…share for his exclusive use。〃
We looked at her in admiration of the courage of her thought； for Mr
Mulliner was an object of great awe to all of us。 He seemed never to
have forgotten his condescension in coming to live at Cranford。 Miss
Jenkyns； at times； had stood forth as the undaunted champion of her sex；
and spoken to him on terms of equality； but even Miss Jenkyns could get
no higher。 In his pleasantest and most gracious moods he looked like a
sulky cockatoo。 He did not speak except in gruff monosyllables。 He
would wait in the hall when we begged him not to wait； and then look
deeply offended because we had kept him there； while； with trembling；
hasty hands we prepared ourselves for appearing in company。
Miss Pole ventured on a small joke as we went upstairs； intended；
though addressed to us； to afford Mr Mulliner some slight amusement。
We all smiled； in order to seem as if we felt at our ease； and timidly
looked for Mr Mulliner's sympathy。 Not a muscle of that wooden face
had relaxed； and we were grave in an instant。
Mrs Jamieson's drawing…room was cheerful； the evening sun came
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Cranford
streaming into it； and the large square window was clustered round with
flowers。 The furniture was white and gold； not the later style； Louis
Quatorze； I think they call it； all shells and twirls； no； Mrs Jamieson's
chairs and tables had not a curve or bend about them。 The chair and
table legs diminished as they neared the ground； and were straight and
square in all their corners。 The chairs were all a…row against the walls；
with the exception of four or five which stood in a circle round the fire。
They were railed with white bars across the back and knobbed with gold；
neither the railings nor the knobs invited to ease。 There was a japanned
table devoted to literature； on which lay a Bible； a Peerage； and a
Prayer…Book。 There was another square Pembroke table dedicated to
the Fine Arts； on which were a kaleidoscope； conversation…cards； puzzle…
cards （tied together to an interminable length with faded pink satin
ribbon）； and a box painted in fond imitation of the drawings which
decorate tea…chests。 Carlo lay on the worsted… worked rug； and
ungraciously barked at us as we entered。 Mrs Jamieson stood up；
giving us each a torpid smile of welcome； and looking helplessly beyond
us at Mr Mulliner； as if she hoped he would place us in chairs； for； if he
did not； she never could。 I suppose he thought we could find our way
to the circle round the fire； which reminded me of Stonehenge； I don't
know why。 Lady Glenmire came to the rescue of our hostess； and；
somehow or other； we found ourselves for the first time placed agreeably；
and not formally； in Mrs Jamieson's house。 Lady Glenmire； now we
had time to look at her； proved to be a bright little woman of middle age；
who had been very pretty in the days of her youth； and who was even yet
very pleasant…looking。 I saw Miss Pole appraising her dress in the first
five minutes； and I take her word when she said the next day …
〃My dear！ ten pounds would have purchased every stitch she had on …
lace and all。〃
It was pleasant to suspect that a peeress could be poor； and partly
reconciled us to the fact that her husband had never sat in the House of
Lords； which； when we first heard of it； seemed a kind of swindling us
out of our prospects on false pretences； a sort of 〃A Lord and No Lord〃
business。
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We were all very silent at first。 We were thinking what we could
talk about； that should be high enough to interest My Lady。 There had
been a rise in the price of sugar； which； as preserving…time was near； was
a piece of intelligence to all our house…keeping hearts； and would have
been the natural topic if Lady Glenmire had not been by。 But we were
not sure if the peerage ate preserves … much less knew how they were
made。 At last； Miss Pole； who had always a great deal of courage and
SAVOIR FAIRE； spoke to Lady Glenmire； who on her part had seemed
just as much puzzled to know how to break the silence as we were。
〃Has your ladyship been to Court lately？〃 asked she； and then gave a
little glance round at us； half timid and half triumphant； as much as to
say； 〃See how judiciously I have chosen a subject befitting the rank of
the stranger。〃
〃I never was there in my life；〃 said Lady Glenmire； with a broad
Scotch accent； but in a very sweet voice。 And then； as if she had been
too abrupt； she added： 〃We very seldom went to London … only twice； in
fact； during all my married life； and before I was married my father had
far too large a family〃 （fifth daughter of Mr Campbell was in all our
minds； I am sure） 〃to take us often from our home； even to Edinburgh。
Ye'll have been in Edinburgh； maybe？〃 said she； suddenly brightening up
with the hope of a common interest。 We had none of us been there； but
Miss Pole had an uncle who once had passed a night there； which was
very pleasant。
Mrs Jamieson； meanwhile； was absorbed in wonder why Mr
