the chimes(教堂钟声)-第24节
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Meg!' 'A Happy Wedding!' 'Many of em!' and other fragmentary good
wishes of that sort。 The Drum (who was a private friend of Trotty's) then
stepped forward; and said:
'Trotty Veck; my boy! It's got about; that your daughter is going to be
married to…morrow。 There an't a soul that knows you that don't wish you
well; or that knows her and don't wish her well。 Or that knows you both;
and don't wish you both all the happiness the New Year can bring。 And
here we are; to play it in and dance it in; accordingly。'
Which was received with a general shout。 The Drum was rather
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drunk; by…the…bye; but; never mind。
'What a happiness it is; I'm sure;' said Trotty; 'to be so esteemed!
How kind and neighbourly you are! It's all along of my dear daughter。
She deserves it!'
They were ready for a dance in half a second (Meg and Richard at the
top); and the Drum was on the very brink of feathering away with all his
power; when a combination of prodigious sounds was heard outside; and a
good…humoured comely woman of some fifty years of age; or thereabouts;
came running in; attended by a man bearing a stone pitcher of terrific size;
and closely followed by the marrow…bones and cleavers; and the bells; not
THE Bells; but a portable collection on a frame。
Trotty said; 'It's Mrs。 Chickenstalker!' And sat down and beat his
knees again。
'Married; and not tell me; Meg!' cried the good woman。 'Never! I
couldn't rest on the last night of the Old Year without coming to wish you
joy。 I couldn't have done it; Meg。 Not if I had been bed…ridden。 So
here I am; and as it's New Year's Eve; and the Eve of your wedding too;
my dear; I had a little flip made; and brought it with me。'
Mrs。 Chickenstalker's notion of a little flip did honour to her character。
The pitcher steamed and smoked and reeked like a volcano; and the man
who had carried it; was faint。
'Mrs。 Tugby!' said Trotty; who had been going round and round her; in
an ecstasy。 … 'I SHOULD say; Chickenstalker … Bless your heart and soul!
A Happy New Year; and many of 'em! Mrs。 Tugby;' said Trotty when he
had saluted her; … 'I SHOULD say; Chickenstalker … This is William Fern
and Lilian。'
The worthy dame; to his surprise; turned very pale and very red。
'Not Lilian Fern whose mother died in Dorsetshire!' said she。
Her uncle answered 'Yes;' and meeting hastily; they exchanged some
hurried words together; of which the upshot was; that Mrs。 Chickenstalker
shook him by both hands; saluted Trotty on his cheek again of her own
free will; and took the child to her capacious breast。
'Will Fern!' said Trotty; pulling on his right…hand muffler。 'Not the
friend you was hoping to find?'
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'Ay!' returned Will; putting a hand on each of Trotty's shoulders。 'And
like to prove a'most as good a friend; if that can be; as one I found。'
'O!' said Trotty。 'Please to play up there。 Will you have the
goodness!'
To the music of the band; and; the bells; the marrow…bones and
cleavers; all at once; and while the Chimes were yet in lusty operation out
of doors; Trotty; making Meg and Richard; second couple; led off Mrs。
Chickenstalker down the dance; and danced it in a step unknown before or
since; founded on his own peculiar trot。
Had Trotty dreamed? Or; are his joys and sorrows; and the actors in
them; but a dream; himself a dream; the teller of this tale a dreamer;
waking but now? If it be so; O listener; dear to him in all his visions; try
to bear in mind the stern realities from which these shadows come; and in
your sphere … none is too wide; and none too limited for such an end …
endeavour to correct; improve; and soften them。 So may the New Year
be a happy one to you; happy to many more whose happiness depends on
you! So may each year be happier than the last; and not the meanest of
our brethren or sisterhood debarred their rightful share; in what our Great
Creator formed them to enjoy。
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