the life and perambulations of a mouse(小耗子游记)-第3章
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think at all； if she had given herself time for that； she could not have acted
so ridiculously。 Another time； when she was walking； from the same
want of reflection； she very nearly drowned herself。 She was passing
over a bridge； the outside rails of which were in some places broken down：
while she was there； some cows； which a man was driving； met her：
immediately； without minding whither she went； she shrieked out； and at
the same time jumped on one side just where the rail happened to be
broken； and down she fell into the river； nor was it without the greatest
difficulty that she was taken out time enough to save her life。 However；
she caught a violent cold and fever； and was again； by her own foolish
fears； confined to her bed for some weeks。 Another accident she once
met with； which though not quite so bad as the two former； yet might have
been attended with fatal consequences。 She was sitting in a window；
when a wasp happened to fly toward her； she hastily drew back her head；
and broke the pane of glass behind her； some of which stuck in her neck。
It bled prodigiously； but a surgeon happily being present； made some
application to it； which prevented its being followed by any other ill
effects than only a few days weakness； occasioned by the loss of blood。
Many other misfortunes of the like kind she frequently experienced； but
these which I have now related may serve to convince you how extremely
absurd it is for people to give way to and indulge themselves in such
groundless apprehensions； and； by being afraid when there is no danger；
subject themselves to real misfortunes and most fatal accidents。 And if
being afraid of cows； dogs； and wasps （all of which； if they please； can
certainly hurt us） is so ridiculous； what must be the folly of those people
who are terrified at a little silly mouse； which never was known to hurt
anybody？'
Here the conversation was interrupted by the entrance of some
gentlemen and ladies； and we having enjoyed a very fine repast under one
of the chairs during the time that the mother and daughter had held the
above discourse； on the chairs being removed for some of the visitors to sit
upon； we thought it best to retire： highly pleased with our meal； and not
less with the kind goodwill which the lady had； we thought； expressed
towards us。 We related to our brother Brighteyes all that had passed； and
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THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
assured him he had no reason to apprehend any danger from venturing
himself with us。 Accordingly he promised； if such was the case； that the
next time we went and found it safe； if we would return back and call him；
he would certainly accompany us。 'In the mean time； do pray； Nimble；'
said he； addressing himself to me； 'come with me to some other place； for I
long to taste some more delicate food than our mother has provided for us：
besides； as perhaps it may be a long while before we shall be strong
enough to bring anything away with us； we had better leave that； in case
we should ever be prevented from going abroad to seek for fresh supplies。'
'Very true；' replied I； 'what you say is quite just and wise； therefore I will
with all my heart attend you now； and see what we can find。' So saying；
we began to climb； but not without difficulty； for very frequently the bits
of mortar which we stepped upon gave way beneath our feet； and tumbled
us down together with them lower than when we first set off。 However；
as we were very light； we were not much hurt by our falls； only indeed
poor Brighteyes； by endeavouring to save himself； caught by his nails on a
rafter； and tore one of them from off his right fore…foot； which was very
sore and inconvenient。 At length we surmounted all difficulties； and；
invited by a strong scent of plum…cake； entered a closet； where we found a
fine large one； quite whole and entire。 We immediately set about making
our way into it； which we easily effected； as it was most deliciously nice；
and not at all hard to our teeth。
Brighteyes； who had not before partaken of the bird…seed； was
overjoyed at the sight。 He almost forgot the pain of his foot； and soon
buried himself withinside the cake； whilst I； who had pretty well satisfied
my hunger before； only ate a few of the crumbs； and then went to take a
survey of the adjoining apartment。 I crept softly under the door of the
closet into a room； as large as that which I had before been in； though not
so elegantly furnished； for； instead of being covered with a carpet； there
was only a small one round the bed； and near the fire was a cradle； with a
cleanly…looking woman sitting by it； rocking it with her foot； whilst at the
same time she was combing the head of a little boy about four years old。
In the middle of the room stood a table； covered with a great deal of litter；
and in one corner was the little girl whom I had before seen with her
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THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
mamma； crying and sobbing as if her heart would break。 As I made not
the least noise at my entrance； no one observed me for some time； so
creeping under one of the beds； I heard the following discourse：
'It does not signify； miss；' said the woman； who I found was the
children's nurse； 'I never will put up with such behaviour： you know that
I always do everything for you when you speak prettily； but to be ordered
to dress you in such a manner； is what I never will submit to： and you
shall go undressed all day before I will dress you； unless you ask me as
you ought to do。' Nancy made no reply； but only continued crying。
'Aye！ you may cry and sob as much as you please；' said the nurse； 'I do not
care for that： I shall not dress you for crying and roaring； but for being
good and speaking with civility。' Just as she said these words； the door
opened； and in came the lady whom I before saw； and whose name I
afterwards found was Artless。 As soon as she entered； the nurse
addressed her； saying； 'Pray； madam； is it by your desire that Miss Nancy
behaves so rudely； and bids me dress her directly； and change the buckles
in her shoes； or else she will slap my face？ Indeed she did give me a slap
upon my hand； so I told her； that I would not dress her at all； for really；
madam； I thought you would not wish me to do it； whilst she behaved so；
and I took the liberty of putting her to stand in the corner。' 'I do not
think；' replied Mrs。 Artless； 'that she deserves to stand in the room at all； or
in the house either； if she behaves in that manner： if she does not speak
civilly when she wants to be assisted； let her go without help； and see what
will become of her then。 I am quite ashamed of you； Nancy！ I could
not have thought you would behave so； but since you have； I promise that
you shall not be dressed today； or have any assis
