太子爷小说网 > 英语电子书 > the chimes(教堂钟声) >

第24节

the chimes(教堂钟声)-第24节

小说: the chimes(教堂钟声) 字数: 每页4000字

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!




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 



                                              80 


… Page 81…

                                        The Chimes 



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?' 



                                               81 


… Page 82…

                                         The Chimes 



     '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。 



                                                82 


返回目录 上一页 回到顶部 0 0

你可能喜欢的