cranford(克兰弗德)-第50节
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for it by saying that the thought of Martha being married so soon gave
her quite a shock； and that she should never forgive herself if she
thought she was hurrying the poor creature。 I think my pity was more
for Jem； of the two； but both Miss Matty and I appreciated to the full the
kindness of the honest couple； although we said little about this； and a
good deal about the chances and dangers of matrimony。
The next morning； very early； I received a note from Miss Pole； so
mysteriously wrapped up； and with so many seals on it to secure secrecy；
that I had to tear the paper before I could unfold it。 And when I came to
the writing I could hardly understand the meaning； it was so involved
and oracular。 I made out； however； that I was to go to Miss Pole's at
eleven o'clock； the number ELEVEN being written in full length as well
as in numerals； and A。M。 twice dashed under； as if I were very likely to
come at eleven at night； when all Cranford was usually a…bed and asleep
by ten。 There was no signature except Miss Pole's initials reversed； P。E。；
but as Martha had given me the note； 〃with Miss Pole's kind regards；〃 it
needed no wizard to find out who sent it； and if the writer's name was to
be kept secret； it was very well that I was alone when Martha delivered
it。
I went as requested to Miss Pole's。 The door was opened to me by
her little maid Lizzy in Sunday trim； as if some grand event was
impending over this work…day。 And the drawing…room upstairs was
arranged in accordance with this idea。 The table was set out with the
best green card…cloth； and writing materials upon it。 On the little
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chiffonier was a tray with a newly…decanted bottle of cowslip wine； and
some ladies'…finger biscuits。 Miss Pole herself was in solemn array； as
if to receive visitors； although it was only eleven o'clock。 Mrs
Forrester was there； crying quietly and sadly； and my arrival seemed
only to call forth fresh tears。 Before we had finished our greetings；
performed with lugubrious mystery of demeanour； there was another rat…
tat…tat； and Mrs Fitz… Adam appeared； crimson with walking and
excitement。 It seemed as if this was all the company expected； for now
Miss Pole made several demonstrations of being about to open the
business of the meeting； by stirring the fire； opening and shutting the
door； and coughing and blowing her nose。 Then she arranged us all
round the table； taking care to place me opposite to her； and last of all；
she inquired of me if the sad report was true； as she feared it was； that
Miss Matty had lost all her fortune？
Of course； I had but one answer to make； and I never saw more
unaffected sorrow depicted on any countenances than I did there on the
three before me。
I wish Mrs Jamieson was here！〃 said Mrs Forrester at last； but to
judge from Mrs Fitz…Adam's face； she could not second the wish。
〃But without Mrs Jamieson；〃 said Miss Pole； with just a sound of
offended merit in her voice； 〃we； the ladies of Cranford； in my drawing…
room assembled； can resolve upon something。 I imagine we are none
of us what may be called rich； though we all possess a genteel
competency； sufficient for tastes that are elegant and refined； and would
not； if they could； be vulgarly ostentatious。〃 （Here I observed Miss Pole
refer to a small card concealed in her hand； on which I imagine she had
put down a few notes。）
〃Miss Smith；〃 she continued； addressing me （familiarly known as
〃Mary〃 to all the company assembled； but this was a state occasion）； 〃I
have conversed in private … I made it my business to do so yesterday
afternoon … with these ladies on the misfortune which has happened to
our friend； and one and all of us have agreed that while we have a
superfluity； it is not only a duty； but a pleasure … a true pleasure； Mary！〃 …
her voice was rather choked just here； and she had to wipe her spectacles
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before she could go on … 〃to give what we can to assist her … Miss
Matilda Jenkyns。 Only in consideration of the feelings of delicate
independence existing in the mind of every refined female〃 … I was sure
she had got back to the card now … 〃we wish to contribute our mites in a
secret and concealed manner； so as not to hurt the feelings I have
referred to。 And our object in requesting you to meet us this morning is
that； believing you are the daughter … that your father is； in fact； her
confidential adviser； in all pecuniary matters； we imagined that； by
consulting with him； you might devise some mode in which our
contribution could be made to appear the legal due which Miss Matilda
Jenkyns ought to receive from … Probably your father； knowing her
investments； can fill up the blank。〃
Miss Pole concluded her address； and looked round for approval and
agreement。
〃I have expressed your meaning； ladies； have I not？ And while Miss
Smith considers what reply to make； allow me to offer you some little
refreshment。〃
I had no great reply to make： I had more thankfulness at my heart for
their kind thoughts than I cared to put into words； and so I only
mumbled out something to the effect 〃that I would name what Miss Pole
had said to my father； and that if anything could be arranged for dear
Miss Matty；〃 … and here I broke down utterly； and had to be refreshed
with a glass of cowslip wine before I could check the crying which had
been repressed for the last two or three days。 The worst was； all the
ladies cried in concert。 Even Miss Pole cried； who had said a hundred
times that to betray emotion before any one was a sign of weakness and
want of self…control。 She recovered herself into a slight degree of
impatient anger； directed against me； as having set them all off； and；
moreover； I think she was vexed that I could not make a speech back in
return for hers； and if I had known beforehand what was to be said； and
had a card on which to express the probable feelings that would rise in
my heart； I would have tried to gratify her。 As it was； Mrs Forrester
was the person to speak when we had recovered our composure。
〃I don't mind； among friends； stating that I … no！ I'm not poor
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exactly； but I don't think I'm what you may call rich； I wish I were； for
dear Miss Matty's sake … but； if you please； I'll write down in a sealed
paper what I can give。 I only wish it was more； my dear Mary； I do
indeed。〃
Now I saw why paper； pens； and ink were provided。 Every lady
wrote down the sum she could give annually； signed the paper； and
sealed it mysteriously。 If their proposal was acceded to； my father was
to be allowed to open the papers； under pledge of secrecy。 If not； they
were to be returned to their writers。
When the ceremony had been gone through； I rose to depart； but each
lady seemed to wish to have a private conference with me。
