cranford(克兰弗德)-第39章
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had changed their tactics and gone to Mrs Jamieson's； and no one knew
what might have happened if Carlo had not barked； like a good dog as he
was！
Poor Carlo！ his barking days were nearly over。 Whether the gang
who infested the neighbourhood were afraid of him； or whether they
were revengeful enough； for the way in which he had baffled them on
the night in question； to poison him； or whether； as some among the
more uneducated people thought； he died of apoplexy； brought on by too
much feeding and too little exercise； at any rate； it is certain that； two
days after this eventful night； Carlo was found dead； with his poor legs
stretched out stiff in the attitude of running； as if by such unusual
exertion he could escape the sure pursuer； Death。
We were all sorry for Carlo； the old familiar friend who had snapped
at us for so many years； and the mysterious mode of his death made us
very uncomfortable。 Could Signor Brunoni be at the bottom of this？
He had apparently killed a canary with only a word of command； his
will seemed of deadly force； who knew but what he might yet be
lingering in the neighbourhood willing all sorts of awful things！
We whispered these fancies among ourselves in the evenings； but in
the mornings our courage came back with the daylight； and in a week's
time we had got over the shock of Carlo's death； all but Mrs Jamieson。
She； poor thing； felt it as she had felt no event since her husband's death；
indeed； Miss Pole said； that as the Honourable Mr Jamieson drank a
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good deal； and occasioned her much uneasiness； it was possible that
Carlo's death might be the greater affliction。 But there was always a
tinge of cynicism in Miss Pole's remarks。 However； one thing was clear
and certain … it was necessary for Mrs Jamieson to have some change of
scene； and Mr Mulliner was very impressive on this point； shaking his
head whenever we inquired after his mistress； and speaking of her loss
of appetite and bad nights very ominously； and with justice too； for if
she had two characteristics in her natural state of health they were a
facility of eating and sleeping。 If she could neither eat nor sleep； she
must be indeed out of spirits and out of health。
Lady Glenmire （who had evidently taken very kindly to Cranford） did
not like the idea of Mrs Jamieson's going to Cheltenham； and more than
once insinuated pretty plainly that it was Mr Mulliner's doing； who had
been much alarmed on the occasion of the house being attacked； and
since had said； more than once； that he felt it a very responsible charge
to have to defend so many women。 Be that as it might； Mrs Jamieson
went to Cheltenham； escorted by Mr Mulliner； and Lady Glenmire
remained in possession of the house； her ostensible office being to take
care that the maid…servants did not pick up followers。 She made a very
pleasant…looking dragon； and； as soon as it was arranged for her stay in
Cranford； she found out that Mrs Jamieson's visit to Cheltenham was
just the best thing in the world。 She had let her house in Edinburgh；
and was for the time house…less； so the charge of her sister…in…law's
comfortable abode was very convenient and acceptable。
Miss Pole was very much inclined to instal herself as a heroine；
because of the decided steps she had taken in flying from the two men
and one woman； whom she entitled 〃that murderous gang。〃 She
described their appearance in glowing colours； and I noticed that every
time she went over the story some fresh trait of villainy was added to
their appearance。 One was tall … he grew to be gigantic in height before
we had done with him； he of course had black hair … and by…and…by it
hung in elf…locks over his forehead and down his back。 The other was
short and broad … and a hump sprouted out on his shoulder before we
heard the last of him； he had red hair … which deepened into carroty； and
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she was almost sure he had a cast in the eye … a decided squint。 As for
the woman； her eyes glared； and she was masculine…looking … a perfect
virago； most probably a man dressed in woman's clothes； afterwards； we
heard of a beard on her chin； and a manly voice and a stride。
If Miss Pole was delighted to recount the events of that afternoon to
all inquirers； others were not so proud of their adventures in the robbery
line。 Mr Hoggins； the surgeon； had been attacked at his own door by
two ruffians； who were concealed in the shadow of the porch； and so
effectually silenced him that he was robbed in the interval between
ringing his bell and the servant's answering it。 Miss Pole was sure it
would turn out that this robbery had been commited by 〃her men；〃 and
went the very day she heard the report to have her teeth examined； and
to question Mr Hoggins。 She came to us afterwards； so we heard what
she had heard； straight and direct from the source； while we were yet in
the excitement and flutter of the agitation caused by the first intelligence；
for the event had only occurred the night before。
〃Well！〃 said Miss Pole； sitting down with the decision of a person
who has made up her mind as to the nature of life and the world （and
such people never tread lightly； or seat themselves without a bump）；
〃well； Miss Matty！ men will be men。 Every mother's son of them
wishes to be considered Samson and Solomon rolled into one … too
strong ever to be beaten or discomfited … too wise ever to be outwitted。
If you will notice； they have always foreseen events； though they never
tell one for one's warning before the events happen。 My father was a
man； and I know the sex pretty well。〃
She had talked herself out of breath； and we should have been very
glad to fill up the necessary pause as chorus； but we did not exactly
know what to say； or which man had suggested this diatribe against the
sex； so we only joined in generally； with a grave shake of the head； and a
soft murmur of 〃They are very incomprehensible； certainly！〃
〃Now； only think；〃 said she。 〃There； I have undergone the risk of
having one of my remaining teeth drawn （for one is terribly at the mercy
of any surgeo
