cranford(克兰弗德)-第66章
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that Miss Pole was equally busy。 I had never seen Mrs Jamieson so
roused and animated before； her face looked full of interest in what Mr
Peter was saying。 I drew near to listen。 My relief was great when I
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caught that his words were not words of love； but that； for all his grave
face； he was at his old tricks。 He was telling her of his travels in India；
and describing the wonderful height of the Himalaya mountains： one
touch after another added to their size； and each exceeded the former in
absurdity； but Mrs Jamieson really enjoyed all in perfect good faith。 I
suppose she required strong stimulants to excite her to come out of her
apathy。 Mr Peter wound up his account by saying that； of course； at
that altitude there were none of the animals to be found that existed in
the lower regions； the game； … everything was different。 Firing one day
at some flying creature； he was very much dismayed when it fell； to find
that he had shot a cherubim！ Mr Peter caught my eye at this moment；
and gave me such a funny twinkle； that I felt sure he had no thoughts of
Mrs Jamieson as a wife from that time。 She looked uncomfortably
amazed …
〃But； Mr Peter； shooting a cherubim … don't you think … I am afraid
that was sacrilege！〃
Mr Peter composed his countenance in a moment； and appeared
shocked at the idea； which； as he said truly enough； was now presented
to him for the first time； but then Mrs Jamieson must remember that he
had been living for a long time among savages … all of whom were
heathens … some of them； he was afraid； were downright Dissenters。
Then； seeing Miss Matty draw near； he hastily changed the conversation；
and after a little while； turning to me； he said； 〃Don't be shocked； prim
little Mary； at all my wonderful stories。 I consider Mrs Jamieson fair
game； and besides I am bent on propitiating her； and the first step
towards it is keeping her well awake。 I bribed her here by asking her to
let me have her name as patroness for my poor conjuror this evening；
and I don't want to give her time enough to get up her rancour against
the Hogginses； who are just coming in。 I want everybody to be friends；
for it harasses Matty so much to hear of these quarrels。 I shall go at it
again by…and…by； so you need not look shocked。 I intend to enter the
Assembly Room to…night with Mrs Jamieson on one side； and my lady；
Mrs Hoggins； on the other。 You see if I don't。〃
Somehow or another he did； and fairly got them into conversation
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together。 Major and Mrs Gordon helped at the good work with their
perfect ignorance of any existing coolness between any of the
inhabitants of Cranford。
Ever since that day there has been the old friendly sociability in
Cranford society； which I am thankful for； because of my dear Miss
Matty's love of peace and kindliness。 We all love Miss Matty； and I
somehow think we are all of us better when she is near us。
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