cranford(克兰弗德)-第50章
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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 the counter at which
we stood； and boldly asked to look at a shawl or two。 The other
country folk confined themselves to the grocery side； but our neighbour
was evidently too full of some kind intention towards mistress； wife or
daughter； to be shy； and it soon became a question with me； whether he
or Miss Matty would keep their shopmen the longest time。 He thought
each shawl more beautiful than the last； and； as for Miss Matty； she
smiled and sighed over each fresh bale that was brought out； one colour
set off another； and the heap together would； as she said； make even
the rainbow look poor。
〃I am afraid；〃 said she； hesitating； 〃Whichever I choose I shall wish I
had taken another。 Look at this lovely crimson！ it would be so warm in
winter。 But spring is coming on； you know。 I wish I could have a
gown for every season；〃 said she； dropping her voice … as we all did in
Cranford whenever we talked of anything we wished for but could not
afford。 〃However；〃 she continued in a louder and more cheerful tone；
〃it would give me a great deal of trouble to take care of them if I had
them； so； I think； I'll only take one。 But which must it be； my dear？〃
And now she hovered over a lilac with yellow spots； while I pulled
out a quiet sage…green that had faded into insignificance under the more
brilliant colours； but which was nevertheless a good silk in its humble
way。 Our attention was called off to our neighbour。 He had chosen a
shawl of about thirty shillings' value； and his face looked broadly happy；
under the anticipation； no doubt； of the pleasant surprise he would give
to some Molly or Jenny at home； he had tugged a leathern purse out of
his breeches…pocket； and had offered a five…pound note in payment for
the shawl； and for some parcels which had been brought round to him
from the grocery counter； and it was just at this point that he attracted
our notice。 The shopman was examining the note with a puzzled；
doubtful air。
〃Town and County Bank！ I am not sure； sir； but I believe we have
received a warning against notes issued by this bank only this morning。
I will just step and ask Mr Johnson； sir； but I'm afraid I must trouble you
for payment in cash； or in a note of a different bank。〃
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I never saw a man's countenance fall so suddenly into dismay and
bewilderment。 It was almost piteous to see the rapid change。
〃Dang it！〃 said he； striking his fist down on the table； as if to try
which was the harder； 〃the chap talks as if notes and gold were to be had
for the picking up。〃
Miss Matty had forgotten her silk gown in her interest for the man。
I don't think she had caught the name of the bank； and in my nervous
cowardice I was anxious that she should not； and so I began admiring
the yellow…spotted lilac gown that I had been utterly condemning only a
minute before。 But it was of no use。
〃What bank was it？ I mean； what bank did your note belong to？〃
〃Town and County Bank。〃
〃Let me see it；〃 said she quietly to the shopman； gently taking it out
of his hand； as he brought it back to return it to the farmer。
