the vicar of wakefield-第39节
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
which means； upon our return to the inn； we had the pleasure of finding the two Miss Flamboroughs alighted before us。 Mr Jenkinson gave his hand to the eldest； and my son Moses led up the other； （and I have since found that he has taken a real liking to the girl； and my consent and bounty he shall have whenever he thinks proper to demand them。） We were no sooner returned to the inn； but numbers of my parishioners； hearing of my success； came to congratulate me； but among the rest were those who rose to rescue me； and whom I formerly rebuked with such sharpness。 I told the story to Sir William； my son…in…law； who went out and reprove them with great severity； but finding them quite disheartened by his harsh reproof； he gave them half a guinea a piece to drink his health and raise their dejected spirits。
Soon after this we were called to a very genteel entertainment； which was drest by Mr Thornhill's cook。 And it may not be improper to observe with respect to that gentleman； that he now resides in quality of companion at a relation's house； being very well liked and seldom sitting at the side…table； except when there is no room at the other； for they make no stranger of him。 His time is pretty much taken up in keeping his relation； who is a little melancholy； in spirits； and in learning to blow the French… horn。 My eldest daughter； however； still remembers him with regret； and she has even told me； though I make a great secret of it； that when he reforms she may be brought to relent。 But to return； for I am not apt to digress thus； when we were to sit down to dinner our ceremonies were going to be renewed。 The question was whether my eldest daughter； as being a matron； should not sit above the two young brides； but the debate was cut short by my son George； who proposed； that the company should sit indiscriminately； every gentleman by his lady。 This was received with great approbation by all； excepting my wife； who I could perceive was not perfectly satisfied； as she expected to have had the pleasure of sitting at the head of the table and carving all the meat for all the company。 But notwithstanding this； it is impossible to describe our good humour。 I can't say whether we had more wit amongst us now than usual； but I am certain we had more laughing； which answered the end as well。 One jest I particularly remember； old Mr Wilmot drinking to Moses； whose head was turned another way； my son replied； 'Madam； I thank you。' Upon which the old gentleman； winking upon the rest of the company； observed that he was thinking of his mistress。 At which jest I thought the two miss Flamboroughs would have died with laughing。 As soon as dinner was over； according to my old custom； I requested that the table might be taken away； to have the pleasure of seeing all my family assembled once more by a chearful fireside。 My two little ones sat upon each knee； the rest of the company by their partners。 I had nothing now on this side of the grave to wish for； all my cares were over； my pleasure was unspeakable。 It now only remained that my gratitude in good fortune should exceed my former submission in adversity。
End
