the life and perambulations of a mouse(小耗子游记)-第14章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
kissed both the children； and； giving them the cakes； they； the gentleman；
and another lady； all departed； and she instantly began to move the boxes
and jars from the closet； whilst we； terrified almost out of our wits； sat
trembling behind one of them； not daring to stir； yet dreading the cat's
approach every moment。
We were soon； however； obliged to move our quarters； for the lady
taking down the very jar which concealed us； we were forced （without
knowing where we were） to jump down instantly。 In vain we sought all
round the room for some avenue whereat we might escape； the apartment
was too well fitted up to admit the smallest crack； and we must then
certainly have been destroyed； had we not； with uncommon presence of
mind； ran up the back of the lady's gown； by which means she lost sight of
us； and gave us an opportunity to make our escape； as she opened the door
to order the cat to be brought in。 We seized the lucky moment； and；
dropping from her gown； fled with the utmost haste out at the house door；
which happened to be wide open； and I； without once looking behind me；
ran on till I discovered a little crack in the brick wall； which I entered； and
which； after many turnings and windings； brought me to this house； where
37
… Page 38…
THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
I have now continued skulking about in its different apartments for above
a month； during which time I have not heard the least tidings of my
beloved brother Longtail。 Whether； therefore； any mischief befell him as
he followed me； or whether he entered the crack with me and then lost
sight of me； I know not； but in vain have I sought him every day since my
arrival within these walls； and so anxious am I to learn what is become of
him； that I am now come forth； contrary to my nature； to engage your
compassion； and to beseech you； in case
At this moment； the door of my room opened； and my servant coming
hastily in； the mouse jumped from my table； and precipitately retreated to
the same hole from whence it first addressed me； and though I have
several times peeped into it； and even laid little bits of cake to entice it
back again； yet have I never been able to see it any where since。 Should
either that； or any other； ever again favour me so far with their confidence；
as to instruct me with their history； I will certainly communicate it with all
possible speed to my little readers； who I hope have been wise enough to
attend to the advice given them in the preceding pages； although it was
delivered to them by one as insignificant as a MOUSE。
38
… Page 39…
THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
PART II。
INTRODUCTION
It is now some months ago since I took leave of my little readers；
promising； in case I should ever hear any further tidings of either Nimble
or Longtail； I would certainly communicate it to them； and； as I think it
extremely wrong not to fulfil any engagement we enter into； I look upon
myself bound to give them all the information I have since gained； relating
to those two little animals； and I doubt not but they will be glad to hear
what happened to them； after Nimble was frightened from my writing
table by the entrance of my servant。 If I recollect right； I have already
told you； that I frequently peeped into the hole in the skirting…board； and
laid bits of cake to try to entice my little companion back； but all to no
purpose： and I had quite given over all hopes of ever again seeing him；
when one day； as I was putting my hand into a large jar； which had some
Turkey figs in it； I felt something soft at the bottom； and taking it out；
found it to be a poor little mouse； not quite dead； but so starved and weak；
that upon my placing it upon the table； it had not strength sufficient to get
from me。 A little boy happened to be standing by me； who； upon the
sight of the mouse； began to beg me to give it to the cat； or kill it； 'for I
don't like mice；' said he； 'pray； ma'am； put it away。' 'Not like mice；'
replied I； 'what can be your objection to such a little soft creature as this？'
and taking advantage of its weakness； I picked it up； and held it in the
palm of one hand； whilst I stroked it with the fingers of my right。 'Poor
little mouse；' said I； 'who can be afraid of such a little object as this？ Do
you not feel ashamed of yourself； Joe； to fear such a little creature as this？
Only look at it； observe how small it is； and then consider your own size；
and surely； my dear； you will blush to think of being no more of a man
than to fear a mouse！ Look at me； Joe；' continued I； 'see； I will kiss it； I
am not at all afraid that it will hurt me。' When； lifting it up toward my face；
I heard it say； in the faintest voice possible； 'Do you not know me？' I
instantly recollected my little friend Nimble； and rejoiced at so
unexpectedly finding him。 'What； is it you； little Nimble；' exclaimed I；
'that I again behold？ Believe me； I am heartily rejoiced once more to
39
… Page 40…
THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
find you； but tell me； where have you been； what have you done； whom
have you seen； and what have you learned since you last left me？' 'Oh！'
replied he； in a voice so low I could scarcely hear him； 'I have seen many
things； but I am so faint and weak for want of food and fresh air； that I
doubt I shall never live to tell you； but； for pity's sake have compassion on
me； either put me out of my present misery by instantly killing me； or else
give me something to eat； for； if you knew my sufferings； I am sure it
would grieve your heart。' 'Kill you！' returned I； 'no； that I will not： on
the contrary； I will try by every method to restore you to health； and all the
happiness a mouse is capable of feeling。' I then instantly sent for some
bread； and had the satisfaction of seeing him eat very heartily of it； after
which he seemed much refreshed； and began to move about a little more
suitable to his name； for； in truth； when I first found him； no living
creature in the world could appear less deserving of the appellation of
Nimble。 I then fetched him a little milk； and gave him a lump of sugar to
nibble； after eating of which he begged to retire into some safe little hole
to take a nap； from whence he promised to return as soon as he should
wake； and accordingly； in about an hour he again appeared on my table；
and began as follows。
I was frightened away from you just as I was going to implore your
compassion for any unfortunate mouse that might happen to fall within
your power； lest you should destroy my dear and only surviving brother；
Longtail； but somebody entering the room； prevented me； and after I had
regained my hiding place； I resolved to quit the house； and once mor
