the vicar of wakefield-第13章
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t; after a few previous enquiries; they hoped to be perfectly satisfied。 'Ay;' cried my wife; I now see it is no easy matter to get into the families of the great; but when one once gets in; then; as Moses says; one may go sleep。' To this piece of humour; for she intended it for wit; my daughters assented with a loud laugh of pleasure。 In short; such was her satisfaction at this message; that she actually put her hand in her pocket; and gave the messenger seven…pence halfpenny。
This was to be our visiting…day。 The next that came was Mr Burchell; who had been at the fair。 He brought my little ones a pennyworth of gingerbread each; which my wife undertook to keep for them; and give them by letters at a time。 He brought my daughters also a couple of boxes; in which they might keep wafers; snuff; patches; or even money; when they got it。 My wife was usually fond of a weesel skin purse; as being the most lucky; but this by the bye。 We had still a regard for Mr Burchell; though his late rude behaviour was in some measure displeasing; nor could we now avoid communicating our happiness to him; and asking his advice: although we seldom followed advice; we were all ready enough to ask it。 When he read the note from the two ladies; he shook his head; and observed; that an affair of this sort demanded the utmost circumspection。This air of diffidence highly displeased my wife。 'I never doubted; Sir;' cried she; 'your readiness to be against my daughters and me。 You have more circumspection than is wanted。 However; I fancy when we come to ask advice; we will apply to persons who seem to have made use of it themselves。''Whatever my own conduct may have been; madam;' replied he; 'is not the present question; tho' as I have made no use of advice myself; I should in conscience give it to those that will。'As I was apprehensive this answer might draw on a repartee; making up by abuse what it wanted in wit; I changed the subject; by seeming to wonder what could keep our son so long at the fair; as it was now almost nightfall。'Never mind our son;' cried my wife; 'depend upon it he knows what he is about。 I'll warrant we'll never see him sell his hen of a rainy day。 I have seen him buy such bargains as would amaze one。 I'll tell you a good story about that; that will make you split your sides with laughingBut as I live; yonder comes Moses; without an horse; and the box at his back。'
As she spoke; Moses came slowly on foot; and sweating under the deal box; which he had strapt round his shoulders like a pedlar。… … 'Welcome; welcome; Moses; well; my boy; what have you brought us from the fair?''I have brought you myself;' cried Moses; with a sly look; and resting the box on the dresser。'Ay; Moses;' cried my wife; 'that we know; but where is the horse?' 'I have sold him;' cried Moses; 'for three pounds five shillings and two… pence。''Well done; my goqd boy;' returned she; 'I knew you would touch them off。 Between ourselves; three pounds five shillings and two…pence is no bad day's work。 Come; let us have it then。''I have brought back no money;' cried Moses'again。 'I have laid it all out in a bargain; and here it is;' pulling out a bundle from his breast: 'here they are; a groce of green spectacles; with silver rims and shagreen cases。''A groce of green spectacles!' repeated my wife in a faint voice。 'And you have parted with the Colt; and brought us back nothing but a groce of green paltry spectacles!''Dear mother;' cried the boy; 'why won't you listen to reason? I had them a dead bargain; or I should not have bought them。 The silver rims alone will sell for double money。''A fig for the silver rims;' cried my wife; in a passion: 'I dare swear they won't sell for above half the money at the rate of broken silver; five shillings an ounce。''You need be under no uneasiness;' cried I; 'about selling the rims; for they are not worth six…pence; for I perceive they are only copper varnished over。''What;' cried my wife; 'not silver; the rims not silver!' 'No;' cried I; 'no more silver than your saucepan;' 'And so;' returned she; 'we have parted with the Colt; and have only got a groce of green spectacles; with copper rims and shagreen cases! A murrain take such trumpery。 The blockhead has been imposed upon; and should have known his company better。' 'There; my dear;' cried I; 'you are wrong; he should not have known them at all。''Marry; hang the ideot;' returned she; 'to bring me such stuff; if I had them; I would throw them in the fire。' 'There again you are wrong; my dear;' cried I; 'for though they be copper; we will keep them by us; as copper spectacles; you know; are better than nothing。'
By this time the unfortunate Moses was undeceived。 He now saw that he had indeed been imposed upon by a prowling sharper; who; observing his figure; had marked him for an easy prey。 I therefore asked the circumstances of his deception。 He sold the horse; it seems; and walked the fair in search of another。 A reverend looking man brought him to a tent; under pretence of having one to sell。 'Here;' continued Moses; 'we met another man; very well drest; who desired to borrow twenty pounds upon these; saying; that he wanted money; and would dispose of them for a third of the value。 The first gentleman; who pretended to be my friend; whispered me to buy them; and cautioned me not to let so good an offer pass。 I sent for Mr Flamborough; and they talked him up as finely as they did me; and so at last we were persuaded to buy the two groce between us。'
CHAPTER 13
Mr Burchell is found to be an enemy; for he has the confidence to give disagreeable advice
Our family had now made several attempts to be fine; but some unforeseen disaster demolished each as soon as projected。 I endeavoured to take the advantage of every disappointment; to improve their good sense in proportion as they were frustrated in ambition。 'You see; my children;' cried I; 'how little is to be got by attempts to impose upon the world; in coping with our betters。 Such as are poor and will associate with none but the rich; are hated by those they avoid; and despised by these they follow。 Unequal combinations are always disadvantageous to the weaker side: the rich having the pleasure; and the poor the inconveniencies that result from them。 But come; Dick; my boy; and repeat the fable that you were reading to…day; for the good of the company。'。
'Once upon a time;' cried the child; 'a Giant and a Dwarf were friends; and kept together。 They made a bargain that they would never forsake each other; but go seek adventures。 The first battle they fought was with two Saracens; and the Dwarf; who was very courageous; dealt one of the champions a most angry blow。 It did the Saracen but very little injury; who lifting up his sword; fairly struck off the poor Dwarf's arm。 He was now in a woeful plight; but the Giant coming to his assistance; in a short time left the two Saracens dead on the plain; and the Dwarf cut off the dead man's head out of spite。 They then travelled on to another adventure。 This was against three bloody…minded Satyrs; who were carrying away a damsel in distress。 The Dwarf was not quite so fierce now as before; but for all that; struck the first blow; which was returned by another; that knocked out his eye: but the Giant was soon up with them; and had they not fled; would certainly have killed them every one。 They were all very joyful for this victory; and the damsel who was relieved fell in love with the Giant; and married him。 They now travelled far; and farther than I can tell; till they met with a company of robbers。 The Giant; for the first time; was foremost now; but the Dwarf was not far behind。 The battle was stout and long。 Wherever the Giant came all fell before him; but the Dwarf had like to have been killed more than once。 At last the victory declared for the two adventurers; but the Dwarf lost his leg。 The Dwarf was now without an arm; a leg; and an eye; while the Giant was without a single wound。 Upon which he cried out to his little companion; My little heroe; this is glorious sport; let us get one victory more; and then we shall have honour for ever。 No; cries the Dwarf who was by this time grown wiser; no; I declare off; I'll fight no more; for I find in every battle that y