cranford(克兰弗德)-第61章
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that I said as little as possible about myself； and endeavoured rather to
comfort Martha under all the probable and possible misfortunes which
came crowding upon her imagination。
I then stole out of the house…door； and made my appearance as if I
were a customer in the shop； just to take Miss Matty by surprise； and
gain an idea of how she looked in her new situation。 It was warm May
weather； so only the little half…door was closed； and Miss Matty sat
behind the counter； knitting an elaborate pair of garters； elaborate they
seemed to me； but the difficult stitch was no weight upon her mind； for
she was singing in a low voice to herself as her needles went rapidly in
and out。 I call it singing； but I dare say a musician would not use that
word to the tuneless yet sweet humming of the low worn voice。 I
found out from the words； far more than from the attempt at the tune；
that it was the Old Hundredth she was crooning to herself； but the quiet
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continuous sound told of content； and gave me a pleasant feeling； as I
stood in the street just outside the door； quite in harmony with that soft
May morning。 I went in。 At first she did not catch who it was； and
stood up as if to serve me； but in another minute watchful pussy had
clutched her knitting； which was dropped in eager joy at seeing me。 I
found； after we had had a little conversation； that it was as Martha said；
and that Miss Matty had no idea of the approaching household event。
So I thought I would let things take their course； secure that when I went
to her with the baby in my arms； I should obtain that forgiveness for
Martha which she was needlessly frightening herself into believing that
Miss Matty would withhold； under some notion that the new claimant
would require attentions from its mother that it would be faithless
treason to Miss Matty to render。
But I was right。 I think that must be an hereditary quality； for my
father says he is scarcely ever wrong。 One morning； within a week
after I arrived； I went to call Miss Matty； with a little bundle of flannel in
my arms。 She was very much awe…struck when I showed her what it
was； and asked for her spectacles off the dressing…table； and looked at it
curiously； with a sort of tender wonder at its small perfection of parts。
She could not banish the thought of the surprise all day； but went about
on tiptoe； and was very silent。 But she stole up to see Martha and they
both cried with joy； and she got into a complimentary speech to Jem； and
did not know how to get out of it again； and was only extricated from
her dilemma by the sound of the shop…bell； which was an equal relief to
the shy； proud； honest Jem； who shook my hand so vigorously when I
congratulated him； that I think I feel the pain of it yet。
I had a busy life while Martha was laid up。 I attended on Miss
Matty； and prepared her meals； I cast up her accounts； and examined into
the state of her canisters and tumblers。 I helped her； too； occasionally；
in the shop； and it gave me no small amusement； and sometimes a little
uneasiness； to watch her ways there。 If a little child came in to ask for
an ounce of almond…comfits （and four of the large kind which Miss
Matty sold weighed that much）； she always added one more by 〃way of
make…weight；〃 as she called it； although the scale was handsomely
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turned before； and when I remonstrated against this； her reply was； 〃The
little things like it so much！〃 There was no use in telling her that the
fifth comfit weighed a quarter of an ounce； and made every sale into a
loss to her pocket。 So I remembered the green tea； and winged my
shaft with a feather out of her own plumage。 I told her how
unwholesome almond…comfits were； and how ill excess in them might
make the little children。 This argument produced some effect； for；
henceforward； instead of the fifth comfit； she always told them to hold
out their tiny palms； into which she shook either peppermint or ginger
lozenges； as a preventive to the dangers that might arise from the
previous sale。 Altogether the lozenge trade； conducted on these
principles； did not promise to be remunerative； but I was happy to find
she had made more than twenty pounds during the last year by her sales
of tea； and； moreover； that now she was accustomed to it； she did not
dislike the employment； which brought her into kindly intercourse with
many of the people round about。 If she gave them good weight； they； in
their turn； brought many a little country present to the 〃old rector's
daughter〃； a cream cheese； a few new…laid eggs； a little fresh ripe fruit； a
bunch of flowers。 The counter was quite loaded with these offerings
sometimes； as she told me。
As for Cranford in general； it was going on much as usual。 The
Jamieson and Hoggins feud still raged； if a feud it could be called； when
only one side cared much about it。 Mr and Mrs Hoggins were very
happy together； and； like most very happy people； quite ready to be
friendly； indeed； Mrs Hoggins was really desirous to be restored to Mrs
Jamieson's good graces； because of the former intimacy。 But Mrs
Jamieson considered their very happiness an insult to the Glenmire
family； to which she had still the honour to belong； and she doggedly
refused and rejected every advance。 Mr Mulliner； like a faithful
clansman； espoused his mistress' side with ardour。 If he saw either Mr
or Mrs Hoggins； he would cross the street； and appear absorbed in the
contemplation of life in general； and his own path in particular； until he
had passed them by。 Miss Pole used to amuse herself with wondering
what in the world Mrs Jamieson would do； if either she； or Mr Mulliner；
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or any other member of her household was taken ill； she could hardly
have the face to call in Mr Hoggins after the way she had behaved to
them。 Miss Pole grew quite impatient for some indisposition or
accident to befall Mrs Jamieson or her dependents； in order that
Cranford might
