madam how and lady why(豪夫人和怀女士)-第50章
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ours。 See！ As we have been talking we have got nearly home： and
luncheon must be ready。
* * *
Why are you opening your eyes at me like the dog when he wants to
go out walking？
Because I want to go out。 But I don't want to go out walking。 I
want to go in the yacht。
In the yacht？ It does not belong to me。
Oh； that is only fun。 I know everybody is going out in it to see such a
beautiful island full of ferns； and have a picnic on the rocks； and I know
you are going。
Then you know more than I do myself。
But I heard them say you were going。
Then they know more than I do myself。
But would you not like to go？
I might like to go very much indeed； but as I have been knocked about
at sea a good deal； and perhaps more than I intend to be again； it is no
novelty to me； and there might be other things which I liked still better：
for instance； spending the afternoon with you。
Then am I not to go？
I think not。 Don't pull such a long face： but be a man； and make up
your mind to it； as the geese do to going barefoot。
But why may I not go？
Because I am not Madam How； but your Daddy。
What can that have to do with it？
If you asked Madam How； do you know what she would answer in a
moment； as civilly and kindly as could be？ She would sayOh yes； go
by all means； and please yourself； my pretty little man。 My world is the
Paradise which the Irishman talked of； in which 〃a man might do what
was right in the sight of his own eyes； and what was wrong too； as he liked
it。〃
Then Madam How would let me go in the yacht？
Of course she would； or jump overboard when you were in it； or put
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your finger in the fire； and your head afterwards； or eat Irish spurge； and
die like the salmon； or anything else you liked。 Nobody is so indulgent as
Madam How： and she would be the dearest old lady in the world； but for
one ugly trick that she has。 She never tells any one what is coming； but
leaves them to find it out for themselves。 She lets them put their fingers
in the fire； and never tells them that they will get burnt。
But that is very cruel and treacherous of her。
My boy； our business is not to call hard names； but to take things as we
find them； as the Highlandman said when he ate the braxy mutton。 Now
shall I； because I am your Daddy； tell you what Madam How would not
have told you？ When you get on board the yacht； you will think it all
very pleasant for an hour； as long as you are in the bay。 But presently
you will get a little bored； and run about the deck； and disturb people； and
want to sit here； there； and everywhere； which I should not like。 And
when you get beyond that headland； you will find the great rollers coming
in from the Atlantic； and the cutter tossing and heaving as you never felt
before； under a burning sun。 And then my merry little young gentleman
will begin to feel a little sick； and then very sick； and more miserable than
he ever felt in his life； and wish a thousand times over that he was safe at
home； even doing sums in long division； and he will give a great deal of
trouble to various kind ladieswhich no one has a right to do； if he can
help it。
Of course I do not wish to be sick： only it looks such beautiful
weather。
And so it is： but don't fancy that last night's rain and wind can have
passed without sending in such a swell as will frighten you； when you see
the cutter climbing up one side of a wave； and running down the other；
Madam How tells me that； though she will not tell you yet。 Then why do
they go out？
Because they are accustomed to it。 They have come hither all round
from Cowes； past the Land's End； and past Cape Clear； and they are not
afraid or sick either。 But shall I tell you how you would end this
evening？at least so I suspect。 Lying miserable in a stuffy cabin； on a
sofa； and not quite sure whether you were dead or alive； till you were
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bundled into a boat about twelve o'clock at night； when you ought to be
safe asleep； and come home cold； and wet； and stupid； and ill； and lie in
bed all to…morrow。
But will they be wet and cold？
I cannot be sure； but from the look of the sky there to westward； I
think some of them will be。 So do you make up your mind to stay with
me。 But if it is fine and smooth to…morrow； perhaps we may row down
the bay； and see plenty of wonderful things。
But why is it that Madam How will not tell people beforehand what
will happen to them； as you have told me？
Now I will tell you a great secret； which； alas！ every one has not found
out yet。 Madam How will teach you； but only by experience。 Lady Why
will teach you； but by something very differentby something which has
been calledand I know no better names for itgrace and inspiration； by
putting into your heart feelings which no man； not even your father and
mother； can put there； by making you quick to love what is right； and hate
what is wrong； simply because they are right and wrong； though you don't
know why they are right and wrong； by making you teachable； modest；
reverent； ready to believe those who are older and wiser than you when
they tell you what you could never find out for yourself： and so you will
be prudent； that is provident； foreseeing； and know what will happen if
you do so…and…so； and therefore what is really best and wisest for you。
But why will she be kind enough to do that for me？
For the very same reason that I do it。 For God's sake。 Because God
is your Father in heaven； as I am your father on earth； and He does not
wish His little child to be left to the hard teaching of Nature and Law； but
to be helped on by many； many unsought and undeserved favours； such as
are rightly called 〃Means of Grace；〃 and above all by the Gospel and good
news that you are God's child； and that God loves you； and has helped and
taught you； and will help you and teach you； in a thousand ways of which
you are not aware； if only you will be a wise child； and listen to Lady Why；
when she cries from her Palace of Wisdom； and the feast which she has
prepared； 〃Whoso is simple let him turn in hither；〃 and says to him who
wants understanding〃Come； eat of my bread； and drink of the wine
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which I have mingled。〃
〃Counsel is mine； and sound wisdom： I am understanding； I have
strength。 By me kings reign； and princes decree justice。 By me princes
rule； and nobles； even all the judges of the earth。 I love them that love
me； and those that seek me early shall find me。 Riches and honour are
with me； yea； durable riches and righteousness。〃
Yes； I will try and listen to Lady Why： but what will happen if I do
not？
That will happen to you； my childbut God forbid it ever should
happenwhich happens to wicked kings and rulers； and all men； even the
greatest and cleverest； if they do not choose
