“Dinny!” and she saw her Aunt May. Mrs. Hilary Cherrell had her usual air of surmounting7 the need for being in three places at once; she looked leisurely8, detached, and pleased — not unnaturally9, for she liked her niece.
“Up for shopping, dear?”
“No, Aunt May, I’ve come to win an introduction off Uncle Hilary.”
“Your Uncle’s in the Police Court.”
A bubble rose to Dinny’s surface.
“Why, what’s he done, Aunt May?”
Mrs. Hilary smiled.
“Nothing at present, but I won’t answer for him if the magistrate10 isn’t sensible. One of our young women has been charged with accosting11.”
“Not Uncle Hilary?”
“No, dear, hardly that. Your uncle is a witness to her character.”
“And is there really a character to witness to, Aunt May?”
“Well, that’s the point. Hilary says so; but I’m not so sure.”
“Men are very trustful. I’ve never been in a Police Court. I should love to go and catch Uncle there.”
“Well, I’m going in that direction. We might go together as far as the Court.”
Five minutes later they issued, and proceeded by way of streets ever more arresting to the eyes of Dinny, accustomed only to the picturesque12 poverty of the countryside.
“I never quite realised before,” she said, suddenly, “that London was such a bad dream.”
“From which there is no awakening13. That’s the chilling part of it. Why on earth, with all this unemployment, don’t they organise14 a national Slum Clearance15 Scheme? It would pay for itself within twenty years. Politicians are marvels16 of energy and principle when they’re out of office, but when they get in, they simply run behind the machine.”
“They’re not women, you see, Auntie.”
“Are you chaffing, Dinny?”
“Oh! no. Women haven’t the sense of difficulty that men have; women’s difficulties are physical and real, men’s difficulties are mental and formal, they always say: ‘It’ll never do!’ Women never say that. They act, and find out whether it will do or not.”
Mrs. Hilary was silent a moment.
“I suppose women ARE more actual; they have a fresher eye, and less sense of responsibility.”
“I wouldn’t be a man for anything.”
“That’s refreshing17; but on the whole they get a better time, my dear, even now.”
“They think so, but I doubt it. Men are awfully18 like ostriches19, it seems to me. They can refuse to see what they don’t want to, better than we can; but I don’t think that’s an advantage.”
“If you lived in the Meads, Dinny, you might.”
“If I lived in the Meads, dear, I should die.”
Mrs. Hilary contemplated20 her niece by marriage. Certainly she looked a little transparent21 and as if she could be snapped off, but she also had a look of ‘breeding,’ as if her flesh were dominated by her spirit. She might be unexpectedly durable22, and impermeable23 by outside things.
“I’m not so sure, Dinny; yours is a toughened breed. But for that your uncle would have been dead long ago. Well! Here’s the Police Court. I’m sorry I can’t spare time to come in. But everybody will be nice to you. It’s a very human place, if somewhat indelicate. Be a little careful about your next-door neighbours.”
Dinny raised an eyebrow24: “Lousy, Aunt May?”
“Well, I wouldn’t go so far as to say not. Come back to tea, if you can.”
She was gone.
The exchange and mart of human indelicacy was crowded, for with the infallible flair25 of the Public for anything dramatic, the case in which Hilary was a witness to character had caught on, since it involved the integrity of the Police. Its second remand was in progress when Dinny took the last remaining fifteen square inches of standing26 room. Her neighbours on the right reminded her of the nursery rhyme: ‘The butcher, the baker27, the candlestick-maker.’ Her neighbour on the left was a tall policeman. Many women were among the throng28 at the back of the Court. The air was close and smelled of clothes. Dinny looked at the magistrate, ascetic29 and as if pickled, and wondered why he did not have incense30 fuming31 on his desk. Her eyes passed on to the figure in the dock, a girl of about her own age and height, neatly32 dressed, with good features except that her mouth was perhaps more sensuous33 than was fortunate for one in her position. Dinny estimated that her hair was probably fair. She stood very still, with a slight fixed34 flush on her pale cheeks, and a frightened restlessness in her eyes. Her name appeared to be Millicent Pole. Dinny gathered that she was alleged35 by a police constable36 to have accosted37 two men in the Euston Road, neither of whom had appeared to give evidence. In the witness-box a young man who resembled a tobacconist was testifying that he had seen the girl pass twice or three times — had noticed her specially38 as a ‘nice bit’; she had seemed worried, as if looking for something.
For somebody, did he mean?
That or the other, how should he know? No, she wasn’t looking on the pavement; no, she didn’t stop, she passed HIM, anyway, without a look. Had he spoken to her? No fear! Doing? Oh, he was just outside his shop for a breath of air after closing. Did he see her speak to anyone? No, he didn’t, but he wasn’t there long.
“The Reverend Hilary Charwell.”
Dinny saw her uncle rise from a bench and step up under the canopy40 of the witness box. He looked active and unclerical, and her eyes rested with pleasure on his long firm face, so wrinkled and humorous.
“Your name is Hilary Charwell?”
“Cherrell, if you don’t mind.”
“Quite. And you are the incumbent41 of St. Augustine’s-inthe-Meads?”
Hilary bowed.
“For how long?”
“Thirteen years.”
“You are acquainted with the defendant42?”
“Since she was a child.”
“Tell us, please, Mr. Cherrell, what you know of her?”
Dinny saw her uncle turn more definitely to the magistrate.
“Her father and mother, sir, were people for whom I had every respect; they brought up their children well. He was a shoemaker — poor, of course; we’re all poor in my parish. I might almost say they died of poverty five and six years ago, and their two daughters have been more or less under my eye since. They work at Petter and Poplin’s. I’ve never heard anything against Millicent here. So far as I know, she’s a good honest girl.”
“I take it, Mr. Cherrell, your opportunities of judging of her are not very great?”
“Well, I visit the house in which she lodges43 with her sister. If you saw it, sir, you would agree that it requires some self-respect to deal as well as they do with the conditions there.”
“Is she a member of your congregation?”
A smile came on her uncle’s lips, and was reflected on the magistrate’s.
“Hardly, sir. Their Sundays are too precious to young people nowadays. But Millicent is one of the girls who goes for her holidays to our Rest House near Dorking. They are always very good girls down there. My niece by marriage, Mrs. Michael Mont, who runs the house, has reported well of her. Shall I read what she says?
“‘DEAR UNCLE HILARY,
“‘You ask about Millicent Pole. She has been down three times, and the matron reports that she is a nice girl and not at all flighty. My own impression of her is the same.’”
“Then it comes to this, Mr. Cherrell: in your view a mistake has been made in this case?”
“Yes, sir; I am convinced of it.”
The girl in the dock put her handkerchief to her eyes. And Dinny felt, suddenly, indignant at the extreme wretchedness of her position. To stand there before all those people, even if she had done as they said! And why shouldn’t a girl ask a man for his companionship? He wasn’t obliged to give it.
The tall policeman stirred, looked down at her, as if scenting44 unorthodoxy, and cleared his throat.
“Thank you, Mr. Cherrell.”
Hilary stepped out of the witness box and in doing so caught sight of his niece and waved a finger. Dinny became aware that the case was over, the magistrate making up his mind. He sat perfectly46 silent, pressing his finger-tips together and staring at the girl, who had finished mopping her eyes and was staring back at him. Dinny held her breath. On the next minute — a life, perhaps, hung in the balance! The tall policeman changed his feet. Was his sympathy with his fellow in the force, or with that girl? All the little noises in the Court had ceased, the only sound was the scratching of a pen. The magistrate held his finger-tips apart and spoke39:
“I am not satisfied that this case has been made out. The defendant will be dismissed. You may go.”
The girl made a little choking sound. To her right the candlestick-maker uttered a hoarse47: “‘Ear! ‘ear!”
“‘Ush!” said the tall policeman. Dinny saw her uncle walking out beside the girl; he smiled as he passed.
“Wait for me, Dinny — shan’t be two minutes!”
Slipping out behind the tall policeman, Dinny waited in the lobby. The nature of things around gave her the shuddery48 feeling one had turning up the light in a kitchen at night; the scent45 of Condy’s Fluid assailed49 her nostrils50; she moved nearer to the outer door. A police sergeant51 said:
“Anything I can do for you, Miss?”
“Thank you, I’m waiting for my uncle; he’s just coming.”
“The reverend gentleman?”
Dinny nodded.
“Ah! He’s a good man, is the Vicar. That girl got off?”
“Yes.”
“Well! Mistakes will ‘appen. Here he is, Miss.”
Hilary came up and put his arm through Dinny’s.
“Ah! Sergeant,” he said, “how’s the Missis?”
“Prime, Sir. So you pulled her out of it?”
“Yes,” said Hilary; “and I want a pipe. Come along, Dinny.” And, nodding to the sergeant, he led her into the air.
“What brought YOU into this galley52, Dinny?”
“I came after you, Uncle. Aunt May brought me. Did that girl really not do it?”
“Ask me another. But to convict her was the surest way to send her to hell. She’s behind with her rent, and her sister’s ill. Hold on a minute while I light up.” He emitted a cloud of smoke and resumed her arm. “What do you want of me, my dear?”
“An introduction to Lord Saxenden.”
“Snubby Bantham? Why?”
“Because of Hubert.”
“Oh! Going to vamp him?”
“If you’ll bring us together.”
“I was at Harrow with Snubby, he was only a baronet then — I haven’t seen him since.”
“But you’ve got Wilfred Bentworth in your pocket, Uncle, and their estates march.”
“Well, I daresay Bentworth will give me a note to him for you.”
“That’s not what I want. I want to meet him socially.”
“Um! Yes, you can hardly vamp him without. What’s the point, exactly?”
“Hubert’s future. We want to get at the fountain-head before worse befalls.”
“I see. But look here, Dinny, Lawrence is your man. He has Bentworth going to them at Lippinghall on Tuesday next week, for partridge driving. You could go too.”
“I thought of Uncle Lawrence, but I couldn’t miss the chance of seeing you, Uncle.”
“My dear,” said Hilary, “attractive nymphs mustn’t say things like that. They go to the head. Well, here we are! Come in and have tea.”
In the drawing room of the Vicarage Dinny was startled to see again her Uncle Adrian. He was sitting in a corner with his long legs drawn53 in, surrounded by two young women who looked like teachers. He waved his spoon, and presently came over to her.
“After we parted, Dinny, who should appear but the man of wrath54 himself, to see my Peruvians.”
“Not Hallorsen?”
Adrian held out a card: ‘Professor Edward Hallorsen,’ and in pencil, ‘Piedmont Hotel.’
“He’s a much more personable bloke than I thought when I met him husky and bearded in the Dolomites; and I should say he’s no bad chap if taken the right way. And what I was going to say to you was: Why not take him the right way?”
“You haven’t read Hubert’s diary, Uncle.”
“I should like to.”
“You probably will. It may be published.”
Adrian whistled faintly.
“Perpend, my dear. Dog-fighting is excellent for all except the dogs.”
“Hallorsen’s had his innings. It’s Hubert’s turn to bat.”
“Well, Dinny — no harm in having a look at the bowling55 before he goes in. Let me arrange a little dinner. Diana Ferse will have us at her house, and you can stay the night with her for it. So what about Monday?”
Dinny wrinkled her rather tip-tilted nose. If, as she intended, she went to Lippinghall next week, Monday WOULD be handy. It might, after all, be as well to see this American before declaring war on him.
“All right, Uncle, and thank you very much. If you’re going West may I come with you? I want to see Aunt Emily and Uncle Lawrence. Mount Street’s on your way home.”
“Right! When you’ve had your fill, we’ll start.”
“I’m quite full,” said Dinny, and got up.
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1
hilarity
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| n.欢乐；热闹 | |
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motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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altruism
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| n.利他主义，不自私 | |
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ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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contemplating
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| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
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surmounting
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| 战胜( surmount的现在分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
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leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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unnaturally
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| adv.违反习俗地；不自然地；勉强地；不近人情地 | |
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magistrate
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| n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官 | |
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accosting
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的现在分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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awakening
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| n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的 | |
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organise
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| vt.组织，安排，筹办 | |
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clearance
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| n.净空；许可(证)；清算；清除，清理 | |
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marvels
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| n.奇迹( marvel的名词复数 )；令人惊奇的事物（或事例）；不平凡的成果；成就v.惊奇，对…感到惊奇( marvel的第三人称单数 ) | |
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refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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awfully
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| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
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ostriches
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| n.鸵鸟( ostrich的名词复数 )；逃避现实的人，不愿正视现实者 | |
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contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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transparent
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| adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的 | |
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durable
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| adj.持久的，耐久的 | |
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impermeable
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| adj.不能透过的，不渗透的 | |
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eyebrow
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| n.眉毛，眉 | |
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flair
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| n.天赋，本领，才华；洞察力 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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baker
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| n.面包师 | |
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throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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ascetic
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| adj.禁欲的；严肃的 | |
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incense
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| v.激怒；n.香，焚香时的烟，香气 | |
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fuming
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| 愤怒( fume的现在分词 )； 大怒； 发怒； 冒烟 | |
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neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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sensuous
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| adj.激发美感的；感官的，感觉上的 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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alleged
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| a.被指控的，嫌疑的 | |
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constable
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| n.(英国)警察，警官 | |
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accosted
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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canopy
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| n.天篷，遮篷 | |
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incumbent
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| adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的 | |
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defendant
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| n.被告；adj.处于被告地位的 | |
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lodges
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| v.存放( lodge的第三人称单数 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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scenting
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| vt.闻到（scent的现在分词形式） | |
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scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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shuddery
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assailed
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| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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50
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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51
sergeant
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| n.警官，中士 | |
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52
galley
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| n.（飞机或船上的）厨房单层甲板大帆船；军舰舰长用的大划艇； | |
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53
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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bowling
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| n.保龄球运动 | |
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