St. Bernard's Rectory, September 1st.
MY DEAR MR. GISSING:
I regret that I cannot conscientiously1 see my way to writing to the Bishop2 in your behalf. Any testimonial I could compose would be doubtful at best, for I cannot agree with you that the Church is your true vocation3. I do not believe that one who has deserted4 his family, as you have, and whose record (even on the most charitable interpretation) cannot be described as other than eccentric, would be useful in Holy Orders. You say that your life in the city has been a great purgation. If so, I suggest that you return and take up the burdens laid upon you. It has meant great mortification5 to me that one of my own parish has been the cause of these painful rumours6 that have afflicted7 our quiet community. Notwithstanding, I wish you well, and hope that chastening experience may bring you peace.
Very truly yours,
J. ROVER POODLE.
Gissing meditated8 this letter in the silence of along evening in his room. He brought to the problem his favourite aid to clear thinking—strong coffee mixed with condensed milk. Mrs. Purp had made concession9 to his peculiarities10 when he had risen so high in the world: better to break any rules, she thought, than lose so notable a tenant11. She had even installed a small gas-plate for him, so that he could brew12 his morning and evening coffee.
So he took counsel with his percolator, whose bubbling was a sound he found both soothing13 and stimulating14. He regarded it as a kind of private oracle15, with a calm voice of its own. He listened attentively16 as he waited for the liquid to darken. Appeal—to—the—Bishop, Appeal—to-the—Bishop, seemed to be the speech of the jetting gurgitation under the glass lid.
He determined17 to act upon this, and lay his case before Bishop Borzoi even without the introduction he had hoped for. Fortunately he still had some sheets of Beagle and Company notepaper, with the engraved18 lettering and Office of the General Manager embossed thereon. He was in some doubt as to the proper formality and style of address in communicating with a Bishop: was it “Very Reverend,” or “Right Reverend”? and which of these indicated a superior grade of reverendability? But he decided19 that a masculine frankness would not be amiss. He wrote:—
VERY RIGHT REVEREND BISHOP BORZOI,
Dear Bishop:—
May one of the least of your admirers solicit20 an interview with your very right reverence21, to discuss matters pertaining22 to religion, theology, and a possible vacancy23 in the Church? If there are any sees outstanding, it would be a favour. This is very urgent. I enclose a stamped addressed envelope.
Respectfully yours,
MR. GISSING.
A prompt reply from the Bishop's secretary granted him an appointment.
Scrupulously24 attired25 in his tail-coat and silk hat, Gissing proceeded toward the rendezvous26. To tell the truth, he was nervous: his mind flitted uneasily among possible embarrassments27. Suppose Mr. Poodle had written to the Bishop to prejudice his application? Another, but more absurd, idea troubled him. One of the problems in visiting the houses of the Great (he had learned in his brief career in Big Business) is to find the door-bell. It is usually mysteriously concealed28. Suppose he should have to peer hopelessly about the vestibule, in a shameful29 and suspicious manner, until some flunky came out to chide30? In the sunny park below the Cathedral he saw nurses sitting by their puppy-carriages; for an instant he almost envied their gross tranquillity31. THEY have not got (he said to himself) to call on a Bishop!
He was early, so he strolled for a few minutes in the park that lies underneath32 that rocky scarp. On the summit, clear-surging against the blue, the great church rode like a ship on a long ridge33 of sea. The angel with a trumpet34 on the jut35 of the roof was like a valiant36 seaman37 in the crow's nest. His agitation38 was calmed by this noble sight. Yes, he said, the Church is a ship behind whose bulwarks39 I will find rest. She sails an unworldly sea: her crew are exempt40 from earthly ambition and fallacy.
He ran nimbly up the long steps that scale the cliff, and approached the episcopal residence. The bell was plainly visible. He rang, and presently came a tidy little housemaid. He had meditated a form of words. It would be absurd to say “Is the Bishop in?” for he knew the Bishop WAS in. So he said “This is Mr. Gissing. I think the Bishop is expecting me.”
Bishop Borzoi was an impressive figure—immensely tall and slender, with long, narrow ascetic41 face and curly white hair. He was surprisingly cordial.
“Ah, Mr. Gissing?” he said. “Sit down, sir. I know Beagle and Company very well. Too well, in fact-Mrs. Borzoi has an account there.”
Gissing, feeling rather aghast and tentative, had no comment ready. He was still worrying a little as to the proper mode of address.
“It is very pleasant to find you Influential42 Merchants interested in the Church,” continued the Bishop. “I often thought of approaching the late Mr. Beagle on the subject of a small contribution to the cathedral. Indeed, I have spent so much in your store that it would be only a fair return. Mr. Collie, of Greyhound, Collie and Company, has been very handsome with us: he has just provided for repaving the choir43.”
Gissing began to fear that the object of his visit had perhaps been misunderstood, but the prelate's eyes were bright with benignant enthusiasm and he dared not interrupt.
“You inquired most kindly44 in your letter as to a possible vacancy in the Church. Indeed there is a niche45 in the transept that I should be happy to see filled. It is intended for some kind of memorial statue, and perhaps, in honour of the late Mr. Beagle—”
“I must explain, Sir Bishop,” said Gissing, very much disturbed, “that I have left Beagle and Company. The contribution I wish to make to the Church is not a decorative46 one, I fear. It is myself.”
The Bishop was plainly amazed, and his long, aristocratic nose seemed longer than ever as he gazed keenly at his caller.
“But have you had any formal training in theology?”
“None, right reverend Bishop,” said Gissing, “But it's this way,” and, incoherently at first, but with increasing energy and copious51 eloquence52, he poured out the story of his mental struggles.
“This is singularly interesting,” said the Bishop at length. “I can see that you are wholly lacking in the rudiments53 of divinity. Of modern exegesis54 and criticism you are quite innocent. But you evidently have something which is much rarer—what the Quakers call a CONCERN. Of course you should really go to the theological seminary and establish this naif intuitive mysticism upon a disciplined basis. You will realize that we churchmen can only meet modern rationalism by a rationalism of our own—by a philosophical55 scholarship which is unshakable. I do not suppose that you can even harmonize the Gospels?”
Gissing ruefully admitted his ignorance.
“Well, at least I must make sure of a few fundamentals,” said the Bishop. “Of course a symbological latitude56 is permissible57, but there are some essentials of dogma and creed58 that may not be foregone.”
He subjected the candidate to a rapid catechism. Gissing, in a state of mind curiously59 mingled60 of excitement and awe61, found himself assenting62 to much that, in a calmer moment, he would hardly have admitted; but having plunged64 so deep into the affair he felt it would be the height of discourtesy to give negative answers to any of the Bishop's queries65. By dint66 of hasty mental adjustments and symbolic67 interpretations68, he satisfied his conscience.
“It is very irregular,” the Bishop admitted, “but I must confess that your case interests me greatly. Of course I cannot admit you to ordination69 until you have passed through the regular theological curriculum. Yet I find you singularly apt for one without proper training.”
He brooded a while, fixing the candidate with a clear darkly burning eye.
“It struck me that you were a trifle vague upon some of the Articles of Religion, and the Table of Kindred and Affinity70. You must remember that these articles are not to be subjected to your own sense or comment, but must be taken in the literal and grammatical meaning. However, you show outward and visible signs of an inward and spiritual grace. It so happens that I know of a small chapel71, in the country, that has been closed for lack of a minister. I can put you in charge there as lay reader.”
“And wear a cassock?” he cried.
“Certainly not,” said the Bishop sternly. “Not even a surplice. You must remember you have not been ordained73. If you are serious in your zeal74, you must work your way up gradually, beginning at the bottom.”
“I have seen some of your cloth with a little purple dickey which looks very well in the aperture75 of the waistcoat,” said Gissing humbly76. “How long would it take me to work up to that?”
“Look here,” he said. “It's a fine afternoon: I'll order my car and we'll drive out to Dalmatian Heights. I'll show you your chapel, and tell you exactly what your duties will be.”
Gissing was startled. Dalmatian Heights was only a few miles from the Canine78 Estates. If the news should reach Mr. Poodle...
“Sir Bishop,” he said nervously79, “I begin to fear that perhaps after all I am unworthy. Now about those Articles of Religion: I may perhaps have given some of them a conjectural80 and commentating assent63. Possibly I have presumed too far—”
“Not at all, not at all,” he said cheerily. “In a mere49 lay reader, a slight laxity is allowable. You understand, of course, that you are expressly restricted from the pulpit. You will have to read the lessons, conduct the service, and may address the congregation upon matters not homiletic nor doctrinal; preaching and actual entry into the pulpit are defended. But I see excellent possibility in you. Perform the duties punctually in this very lowly office, and high ranks of service in the church militant82 will be open.”
It was a very uncomfortable ride for Gissing. A silk hat is the least stable apparel for swift motoring, and the chauffeur84 drove at high speed. The Bishop, leaning back in the open tonneau, crossed one delicately slender shank over another, gazed in a kind of ecstasy85 at the countryside, and talked gaily86 about his days as a young curate. Gissing sat holding his hat on. He saw only too well that, by the humiliating oddity of chance, they were going to take the road that led exactly past his own house. He could only hope that Mrs. Spaniel and the various children would not be visible, for explanations would be too complicated. Desperately87 he praised the view to be obtained on another road, but Bishop Borzoi was too interested in his own topic to pay much attention.
“By the way,” said the latter, as they drew near the familiar region, “I must introduce you to Miss Airedale. She lives in the big place on the hill over there. Her family always used to attend what I will now call YOUR chapel; she is a very ardent88 churchgoer, and it was a sincere grief to her when the place had to be closed. You will find her a great aid and comfort; not only that, she is—what one does not always find in the devouter members of her sex—young and beautiful. I think I understood you to say you are a bachelor?”
They were approaching the last turning at which it was still possible to avoid the fatal road, and Gissing's attention was divided.
“Yes, after a fashion,” he replied. “Bishop, do you know that road down into the valley? The view is really superb—Yes, that road—Oh, no, I am a bachelor—”
It was too late. The chauffeur, unconscious of this private crisis, was spinning along the homeward way. With a tender emotion Gissing saw the spires89 of the poplar trees, the hemlocks90 down beyond the pond, the fringe of woods that concealed the house until you were quite upon it—
The car swerved91 suddenly and the driver only saved it by a quick and canny92 manoeuvre93 from going down the bank. He came to a stop, and almost from underneath the rear wheels appeared a scuffling dusty group of youngsters who had been playing in the road. There they were—Bunks, Groups, and Yelpers (inordinately grown!) and two of the Spaniels. Their clothes were deplorable, their faces grimed, their legs covered with burrs, their whole demeanour was ragamuffin and wild: yet Gissing felt a pang94 of pride to see his godchildren's keen, independent bearing contrasted with the rowdier, disreputable look of the young Spaniels. Quickly he averted95 his head to escape recognition. But the urchins96 were all gaping97 at the Bishop's shovel hat.
“Hot dog!” cried Yelpers “Some hat!”
To his horror, Gissing now saw Mrs. Spaniel, hastening in alarm down from the house, spilling potatoes from her apron98 as she ran. He hurriedly urged the driver to proceed.
“What terrible looking children,” observed the Bishop, who seemed fascinated by their stare. “Really, my good sister,” he said to Mrs. Spaniel, who was now panting by the running board; “you must keep them off the road or someone will get hurt.”
Gissing was looking for an imaginary object on the floor of the car. To his great relief he heard the roar of the motor as they started again. But he sat up a little too soon. A simultaneous roar of “Daddy!” burst from the trio.
“What was that they were shouting at us?” inquired the Bishop, looking back.
Gissing shook his head. He was too overcome to speak.
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1
conscientiously
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| adv.凭良心地；认真地，负责尽职地；老老实实 | |
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bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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3
vocation
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| n.职业，行业 | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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5
mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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6
rumours
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| n.传闻( rumour的名词复数 )；风闻；谣言；谣传 | |
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afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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meditated
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| 深思，沉思，冥想( meditate的过去式和过去分词 )； 内心策划，考虑 | |
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concession
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| n.让步，妥协；特许(权) | |
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10
peculiarities
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| n. 特质, 特性, 怪癖, 古怪 | |
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11
tenant
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| n.承租人；房客；佃户；v.租借，租用 | |
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12
brew
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| v.酿造，调制 | |
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soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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14
stimulating
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| adj.有启发性的，能激发人思考的 | |
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15
oracle
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| n.神谕，神谕处，预言 | |
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attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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17
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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18
engraved
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| v.在（硬物）上雕刻（字，画等）( engrave的过去式和过去分词 )；将某事物深深印在（记忆或头脑中） | |
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19
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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20
solicit
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| vi.勾引；乞求；vt.请求，乞求；招揽(生意) | |
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21
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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22
pertaining
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| 与…有关系的，附属…的，为…固有的(to) | |
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23
vacancy
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| n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺 | |
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24
scrupulously
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| adv.一丝不苟地；小心翼翼地，多顾虑地 | |
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25
attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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26
rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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27
embarrassments
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| n.尴尬( embarrassment的名词复数 )；难堪；局促不安；令人难堪或耻辱的事 | |
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28
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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29
shameful
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| adj.可耻的，不道德的 | |
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30
chide
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| v.叱责；谴责 | |
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31
tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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32
underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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33
ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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35
jut
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| v.突出；n.突出，突出物 | |
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36
valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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37
seaman
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| n.海员，水手，水兵 | |
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38
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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39
bulwarks
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| n.堡垒( bulwark的名词复数 )；保障；支柱；舷墙 | |
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40
exempt
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| adj.免除的；v.使免除；n.免税者，被免除义务者 | |
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41
ascetic
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| adj.禁欲的；严肃的 | |
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42
influential
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| adj.有影响的，有权势的 | |
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43
choir
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| n.唱诗班，唱诗班的席位，合唱团，舞蹈团；v.合唱 | |
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44
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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45
niche
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| n.壁龛；合适的职务(环境、位置等) | |
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46
decorative
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| adj.装饰的，可作装饰的 | |
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47
queried
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| v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 )；询问 | |
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48
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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49
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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50
ministry
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| n.(政府的)部；牧师 | |
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51
copious
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| adj.丰富的，大量的 | |
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52
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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53
rudiments
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| n.基础知识，入门 | |
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54
exegesis
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| n.注释，解释 | |
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55
philosophical
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| adj.哲学家的，哲学上的，达观的 | |
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56
latitude
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| n.纬度，行动或言论的自由(范围)，(pl.)地区 | |
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57
permissible
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| adj.可允许的，许可的 | |
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58
creed
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| n.信条；信念，纲领 | |
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59
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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60
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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61
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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62
assenting
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| 同意，赞成( assent的现在分词 ) | |
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63
assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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64
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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65
queries
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| n.问题( query的名词复数 )；疑问；询问；问号v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的第三人称单数 )；询问 | |
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66
dint
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| n.由于，靠；凹坑 | |
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67
symbolic
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| adj.象征性的，符号的，象征主义的 | |
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68
interpretations
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| n.解释( interpretation的名词复数 )；表演；演绎；理解 | |
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69
ordination
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| n.授任圣职 | |
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70
affinity
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| n.亲和力，密切关系 | |
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71
chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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72
elation
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| n.兴高采烈，洋洋得意 | |
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73
ordained
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| v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的过去式和过去分词 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定 | |
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74
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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75
aperture
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| n.孔，隙，窄的缺口 | |
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76
humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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77
genially
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| adv.亲切地，和蔼地；快活地 | |
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canine
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| adj.犬的，犬科的 | |
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nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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conjectural
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| adj.推测的 | |
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81
novice
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| adj.新手的，生手的 | |
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82
militant
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| adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士 | |
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83
shovel
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| n.铁锨，铲子，一铲之量；v.铲，铲出 | |
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chauffeur
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| n.(受雇于私人或公司的)司机；v.为…开车 | |
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85
ecstasy
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| n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷 | |
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gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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89
spires
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| n.（教堂的） 塔尖，尖顶( spire的名词复数 ) | |
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90
hemlocks
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| 由毒芹提取的毒药( hemlock的名词复数 ) | |
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91
swerved
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| v.（使）改变方向，改变目的( swerve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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canny
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| adj.谨慎的，节俭的 | |
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manoeuvre
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| n.策略，调动；v.用策略，调动 | |
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pang
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| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
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95
averted
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| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
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96
urchins
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| n.顽童( urchin的名词复数 )；淘气鬼；猬；海胆 | |
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97
gaping
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| adj.口的；张口的；敞口的；多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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apron
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| n.围裙；工作裙 | |
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