barnaby rudge(巴纳比·卢杰)-第130章
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were birds to watch； fish； ants； worms； hares or rabbits； as they
darted across the distant pathway in the wood and so were gone：
millions of living things to have an interest in； and lie in wait for；
and clap hands and shout in memory of； when they had
disappeared。 In default of these； or when they wearied； there was
the merry sunlight to hunt out； as it crept in aslant through leaves
and boughs of trees； and hid far down—deep； deep； in hollow
places—like a silver pool； where nodding branches seemed to
bathe and sport； sweet scents of summer air breathing over fields
of beans or clover； the perfume of wet leaves or moss； the life of
waving trees； and shadows always changing。 When these or any of
them tired； or in excess of pleasing tempted him to shut his eyes；
there was slumber in the midst of all these soft delights； with the
gentle wind murmuring like music in his ears； and everything
around melting into one delicious dream。
Their hut—for it was little more—stood on the outskirts of the
town； at a short distance from the high road； but in a secluded
place； where few chance passengers strayed at any season of the
year。 It had a plot of garden…ground attached； which Barnaby； in
fits and starts of working； trimmed； and kept in order。 Within
doors and without； his mother laboured for their common good；
and hail； rain； snow； or sunshine； found no difference in her。
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Barnaby Rudge 483
Though so far removed from the scenes of her past life； and
with so little thought or hope of ever visiting them again； she
seemed to have a strange desire to know what happened in the
busy world。 Any old newspaper； or scrap of intelligence from
London； she caught at with avidity。 The excitement it produced
was not of a pleasurable kind； for her manner at such times
expressed the keenest anxiety and dread； but it never faded in the
least degree。 Then； and in stormy winter nights； when the wind
blew loud and strong； the old expression came into her face； and
she would be seized with a fit of trembling； like one who had an
ague。 But Barnaby noted little of this； and putting a great
constraint upon herself； she usually recovered her accustomed
manner before the change had caught his observation。
Grip was by no means an idle or unprofitable member of the
humble household。 Partly by dint of Barnaby’s tuition； and partly
by pursuing a species of self…instruction common to his tribe； and
exerting his powers of observation to the utmost； he had acquired
a degree of sagacity which rendered him famous for miles round。
His conversational powers and surprising performances were the
universal theme： and as many persons came to see the wonderful
raven； and none left his exertions unrewarded—when he
condescended to exhibit； which was not always； for genius is
capricious—his earnings formed an important item in the common
stock。 Indeed； the bird himself appeared to know his value well；
for though he was perfectly free and unrestrained in the presence
of Barnaby and his mother； he maintained in public an amazing
gravity； and never stooped to any other gratuitous performances
than biting the ankles of vagabond boys （an exercise in which he
much delighted）； killing a fowl or two occasionally； and swallowing
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Barnaby Rudge 484
the dinners of various neighbouring dogs； of whom the boldest
held him in great awe and dread。
Time had glided on in this way； and nothing had happened to
disturb or change their mode of life； when； one summer’s night in
June； they were in their little garden； resting from the labours of
the day。 The widow’s work was yet upon her knee； and strewn
upon the ground about her； and Barnaby stood leaning on his
spade； gazing at the brightness in the west； and singing softly to
himself。
‘A brave evening； mother！ If we had； chinking in our pockets；
but a few specks of that gold which is piled up yonder in the sky；
we should be rich for life。’
‘We are better as we are；’ returned the widow with a quiet
smile。 ‘Let us be contented； and we do not want and need not care
to have it； though it lay shining at our feet。’
‘Ay！’ said Barnaby； resting with crossed arms on his spade； and
looking wistfully at the sunset； that’s well enough； mother； but
gold’s a good thing to have。 I wish that I knew where to find it。
Grip and I could do much with gold； be sure of that。’
‘What would you do？’ she asked。
‘What！ A world of things。 We’d dress finely—you and I； I mean；
not Grip—keep horses； dogs； wear bright colours and feathers； do
no more work； live delicately and at our ease。 Oh； we’d find uses
for it； mother； and uses that would do us good。 I would I knew
where gold was buried。 How hard I’d work to dig it up！’
‘You do not know；’ said his mother； rising from her seat and
laying her hand upon his shoulder； ‘what men have done to win it；
and how they have found； too late； that it glitters brightest at a
distance； and turns quite dim and dull when handled。’
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Barnaby Rudge 485
‘Ay； ay； so you say； so you think；’ he answered； still looking
eagerly in the same direction。 ‘For all that； mother； I should like to
try。’
‘Do you not see；’ she said； ‘how red it is？ Nothing bears so many
stains of blood； as gold。 Avoid it。 None have such cause to hate its
name as we have。 Do not so much as think of it； dear love。 It has
brought such misery and suffering on your head and mine as few
have known； and God grant few may have to undergo。 I would
rather we were dead and laid down in our graves； than you should
ever come to love it。’
For a moment Barnaby withdrew his eyes and looked at her
with wonder。 Then； glancing from the redness in the sky to the
mark upon his wrist as if he would compare the two； he seemed
about to question her with earnestness； when a new object caught
his wandering attention； and made him quite forgetful of his
purpose。
This was a man with dusty feet and garments； who stood； bare…
headed； behind the hedge that divided their patch of garden from
the pathway； and leant meekly forward as if he sought to mingle
with their conversation； and waited for his time to speak。 His face
was turned towards the brightness； too； but the light that fell upon
it showed that he was blind； and saw it not。
‘A blessing on those voices！’ said the wayfarer。 ‘I feel the beauty
of the night more keenly； when I hear them。 They are like eyes to
