the life and perambulations of a mouse(小耗子游记)-第5章
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making the opening a little wider； he would escape： accordingly we all
began； he on the inside； and we all on the out； and by our diligence had
made some very considerable progress； when we were interrupted by the
entrance of Mrs。 Nurse with the child in her arms。
Upon the sight of her； though much grieved to leave our brother in his
distress； yet fearing instant death would be the fate of all of us if we stayed；
to preserve our own existence； we retired as quick as possible； but not
without her seeing some of us； for we heard her say to herself； or to the
babe in her arms； 'I declare； this closet swarms with mice； they spoil
everything one puts here。' Then taking up the box in which was poor
Softdown （and which I afterwards learned was called a trap） she carried it
intO the room。 I crept softly after her； to see what would be the fate of
my beloved brother。 But what words can express my horror； when I saw
her holding it in one hand close to the candle； whilst in the other she held
the child； singing to her with the utmost composure； and bidding her to
look at the mousy！ mousy！
What were the actions or sensations of poor Softdown at that dreadful
moment I know not： but my own anguish； which it is impossible to
describe； was still augmented every moment by seeing her shake the trap
almost topsy…turvy； then blow through the trap at one end； at which times I
saw the dear creature's tail come out between the wires on the contrary
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THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
side； as he was striving； I suppose； to retreat from her。 At length； after
she had thus tortured him for some time； she set the trap on the table； so
close to a large fire； that I am sure he must have been much incommoded
by the heat； and began to undress her child。
Then hearing somebody go by the door； she cried out； 'Who is there？ is
it you； Betty？ if it is； I wish you would come and take down the mouse…
trap； for I have caught a mouse。' Betty instantly obeyed her call； and
desired to know what she wanted。 'I want you to take down the mouse…
trap；' she replied； 'for I cannot leave the child。 I am glad that I have got it；
I am sure； for the closet swarms so； there is no such thing as bearing it。
They devour everything： I declare they have eaten up a whole pound of
sugar； which cost me elevenpence； sugar is now so monstrously dear！
indeed the man made a favour to let me have it for that； only； he said； as
our family were good customers； and I was but a servant； he would take no
more。 And enough too I thought it was； to have only a penny back in
change out of a whole shilling for one pound of sugar： and then to think
of the poison mice to have it all； but I will break their filthy necks。 Do；
Betty； pray take the trap down； and return with it as soon as you can； and I
will set it again： for I dare say I shall catch another before I go to bed；
for I heard some more rustling among the things。' 'O lauk！' replied Betty；
'yon do not think that I will take down the trap； do you？ I would not touch
it for twenty pounds。 I am always frightened； and ready to die at the
sight of a mouse。 Once； when I was a girl； I had one thrown in my face；
and ever since I have always been scared out of my wits at them； and if
ever I see one running loose； as I did one night in the closet below stairs；
where the candles are kept； I scream as if I was being killed。' 'Why then；'
answered Nurse； 'I think you behave like a great fool； for what harm could
a mouse do to you？' 'O la！ I hate them；' returned she； and then ran away
without the trap。 Greatly was I rejoiced at her departure； as I hoped that；
by some means； Softdown might still be able to make his escape。 But；
alas！ no such good fortune attended him。 Some person again passing the
door； Nurse once more called out； 'Who is there？ John is it you？' 'Yes；'
replied a man's voice。 'Then do you step in； will you； for a moment？'
rejoined Mrs。 Nurse： and instantly entered a man whom I had never
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THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
before seen。 'What do you want； Nurse？' said he。 'I only want to get rid
of a mouse；' returned she； 'and； do you know； Betty is such a fool that she
is afraid of taking it； and I want the trap to set it again； for they swarm
here like bees in a hive； one can have no peace for them： they devour
and spoil every thing； I say sometimes that I believe they will eat me up at
last。' While she was saying this； John took the trap in his hand； held it up
once more to the candle； then taking a piece of thread out of a paper； that
lay bound round with a dirty blue ribbon upon the table； he shook the trap
about till he got my brother's tail through the wires； when catching hold of
it； he tied the thread tight round it and dragged him by it to the door of the
trap； which he opened； and took him out； suspending the weight of his
body upon his tail。
Softdown； who till the thread was tied had patiently continued
perfectly quiet； could no longer support the pain without dismal cries and
anguish： he squeaked as loud as his little throat would let him； exerting
at the same time the utmost of his strength to disengage himself。 But in
such a position； with his head downward； in vain were all his efforts to
procure relief； and the barbarous monster who held him discovered not the
smallest emotions of pity for his sufferings。 Oh！ how at that moment did
I abhor my own existence； and wish that I could be endowed with size and
strength sufficient； at once both to rescue him； and severely punish his
tormentors。 But my wish was ineffectual； and I had the inexpressible
affliction of seeing the inhuman wretch hold him down upon the hearth；
whilst； without remorse； he crushed him beneath his foot； and then
carelessly kicked him into the ashes； saying； 'There！ The cat will smell it
out when she comes up。' My very blood runs cold within me at the
recollection of seeing Softdown's as it spurted from beneath the monster's
foot； whilst the crunch of his bones almost petrified me with horror。 At
length； however； recollecting the impossibility of restoring my beloved
brother to life； and the danger of my own situation； I； with trembling feet
and palpitating heart； crept softly back to my remaining two brothers； who
were impatiently expecting me behind the closet。 There I related to them
the horrid scene which had passed before my eyes； whilst the anguish it
caused in their gentle bosoms far exceeds my power to describe。
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THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
After having mingled our lamentations for some time； I thus addressed
them： 'We have this night； my brothers； tasted the severest affliction in
the cruel death of our dear brother； companion； and friend； let us not；
however； only mourn his loss； but also gather wisdo
