But Susan Henchard's fear of losing her dearly loved daughter's heart by a revelation had little to do with any sense of wrong-doing on her own part. Her simplicity--the original ground of Henchard's contempt for her--had allowed her to live on in the conviction that Newson had acquired a morally real and justifiable6 right to her by his purchase-though the exact bearings and legal limits of that right were vague. It may seem strange to sophisticated minds that a sane7 young matron could believe in the seriousness of such a transfer; and were there not numerous other instances of the same belief the thing might scarcely be credited. But she was by no means the first or last peasant woman who had religiously adhered to her purchaser, as too many rural records show.
The history of Susan Henchard's adventures in the interim8 can be told in two or three sentences. Absolutely helpless she had been taken off to Canada where they had lived several years without any great worldly success, though she worked as hard as any woman could to keep their cottage cheerful and well-provided. When Elizabeth-Jane was about twelve years old the three returned to England, and settled at Falmouth, where Newson made a living for a few years as boatman and general handy shoreman.
He then engaged in the Newfoundland trade, and it was during this period that Susan had an awakening9. A friend to whom she confided10 her history ridiculed11 her grave acceptance of her position; and all was over with her peace of mind. When Newson came home at the end of one winter he saw that the delusion12 he had so carefully sustained had vanished for ever.
There was then a time of sadness, in which she told him her doubts if she could live with him longer. Newson left home again on the Newfoundland trade when the season came round. The vague news of his loss at sea a little later on solved a problem which had become torture to her meek14 conscience. She saw him no more.
Of Henchard they heard nothing. To the liege subjects of Labour, the England of those days was a continent, and a mile a geographical15 degree.
Elizabeth-Jane developed early into womanliness. One day a month or so after receiving intelligence of Newson's death off the Bank of Newfoundland, when the girl was about eighteen, she was sitting on a willow16 chair in the cottage they still occupied, working twine17 nets for the fishermen. Her mother was in a back corner of the same room engaged in the same labour, and dropping the heavy wood needle she was filling she surveyed her daughter thoughtfully. The sun shone in at the door upon the young woman's head and hair, which was worn loose, so that the rays streamed into its depths as into a hazel copse. Her face, though somewhat wan18 and incomplete, possessed19 the raw materials of beauty in a promising20 degree. There was an under-handsomeness in it, struggling to reveal itself through the provisional curves of immaturity21, and the casual disfigurements that resulted from the straitened circumstances of their lives. She was handsome in the bone, hardly as yet handsome in the flesh. She possibly might never be fully13 handsome, unless the carking accidents of her daily existence could be evaded22 before the mobile parts of her countenance24 had settled to their final mould.
The sight of the girl made her mother sad--not vaguely25 but by logical inference. They both were still in that straitwaistcoat of poverty from which she had tried so many times to be delivered for the girl's sake. The woman had long perceived how zealously26 and constantly the young mind of her companion was struggling for enlargement; and yet now, in her eighteenth year, it still remained but little unfolded. The desire--sober and repressed--of Elizabeth-Jane's heart was indeed to see, to hear, and to understand. How could she become a woman of wider knowledge, higher repute-"better," as she termed it--this was her constant inquiry27 of her mother. She sought further into things than other girls in her position ever did, and her mother groaned28 as she felt she could not aid in the search.
The sailor, drowned or no, was probably now lost to them; and Susan's staunch, religious adherence29 to him as her husband in principle, till her views had been disturbed by enlightenment, was demanded no more. She asked herself whether the present moment, now that she was a free woman again, were not as opportune30 a one as she would find in a world where everything had been so inopportune, for making a desperate effort to advance Elizabeth. To pocket her pride and search for the first husband seemed, wisely or not, the best initiatory31 step. He had possibly drunk himself into his tomb. But he might, on the other hand, have had too much sense to do so; for in her time with him he had been given to bouts32 only, and was not a habitual33 drunkard.
At any rate, the propriety34 of returning to him, if he lived, was unquestionable. The awkwardness of searching for him lay in enlightening Elizabeth, a proceeding35 which her mother could not endure to contemplate. She finally resolved to undertake the search without confiding36 to the girl her former relations with Henchard, leaving it to him if they found him to take what steps he might choose to that end. This will account for their conversation at the fair and the half-informed state at which Elizabeth was led onward37.
In this attitude they proceeded on their journey, trusting solely38 to the dim light afforded of Henchard's whereabouts by the furmity woman. The strictest economy was indispensable. Sometimes they might have been seen on foot, sometimes on farmers' waggons39, sometimes in carriers' vans; and thus they drew near to Casterbridge. Elizabeth-Jane discovered to her alarm that her mother's health was not what it once had been, and there was ever and anon in her talk that renunciatory tone which showed that, but for the girl, she would not be very sorry to quit a life she was growing thoroughly40 weary of.
It was on a Friday evening, near the middle of September and just before dusk, that they reached the summit of a hill within a mile of the place they sought. There were high banked hedges to the coach-road here, and they mounted upon the green turf within, and sat down. The spot commanded a full view of the town and its environs.
"What an old-fashioned place it seems to be!" said Elizabeth-Jane, while her silent mother mused41 on other things than topography. "It is huddled42 all together; and it is shut in by a square wall of trees, like a plot of garden ground by a box-edging."
Its squareness was, indeed, the characteristic which most struck the eye in this antiquated43 borough44, the borough of Casterbridge--at that time, recent as it was, untouched by the faintest sprinkle of modernism. It was compact as a box of dominoes. It had no suburbs--in the ordinary sense. Country and town met at a mathematical line.
To birds of the more soaring kind Casterbridge must have appeared on this fine evening as a mosaic-work of subdued45 reds, browns, greys, and crystals, held together by a rectangular frame of deep green. To the level eye of humanity it stood as an indistinct mass behind a dense46 stockade47 of limes and chestnuts48, set in the midst of miles of rotund down and concave field. The mass became gradually dissected49 by the vision into towers, gables, chimneys, and casements50, the highest glazings shining bleared and bloodshot with the coppery fire they caught from the belt of sunlit cloud in the west.
From the centre of each side of this tree-bound square ran avenues east, west, and south into the wide expanse of cornland and coomb to the distance of a mile or so. It was by one of these avenues that the pedestrians51 were about to enter. Before they had risen to proceed two men passed outside the hedge, engaged in argumentative conversation.
"Why, surely," said Elizabeth, as they receded52, "those men mentioned the name of Henchard in their talk--the name of our relative?"
"I thought so too," said Mrs. Newson.
"That seems a hint to us that he is still here."
"Yes."
"Shall I run after them, and ask them about him----"
"No, no, no! Not for the world just yet. He may be in the workhouse, or in the stocks, for all we know."
"Dear me--why should you think that, mother?"
"'Twas just something to say--that's all! But we must make private inquiries53."
Having sufficiently54 rested they proceeded on their way at evenfall. The dense trees of the avenue rendered the road dark as a tunnel, though the open land on each side was still under a faint daylight, in other words, they passed down a midnight between two gloamings. The features of the town had a keen interest for Elizabeth's mother, now that the human side came to the fore23. As soon as they had wandered about they could see that the stockade of gnarled trees which framed in Casterbridge was itself an avenue, standing55 on a low green bank or escarpment, with a ditch yet visible without. Within the avenue and bank was a wall more or less discontinuous, and within the wall were packed the abodes56 of the burghers.
Though the two women did not know it these external features were but the ancient defences of the town, planted as a promenade57.
The lamplights now glimmered58 through the engirdling trees, conveying a sense of great smugness and comfort inside, and rendering59 at the same time the unlighted country without strangely solitary60 and vacant in aspect, considering its nearness to life. The difference between burgh and champaign was increased, too, by sounds which now reached them above others--the notes of a brass61 band. The travellers returned into the High Street, where there were timber houses with overhanging stories, whose small-paned lattices were screened by dimity curtains on a drawingstring, and under whose bargeboards old cobwebs waved in the breeze. There were houses of brick-nogging, which derived62 their chief support from those adjoining. There were slate63 roofs patched with tiles, and tile roofs patched with slate, with occasionally a roof of thatch64.
The agricultural and pastoral character of the people upon whom the town depended for its existence was shown by the class of objects displayed in the shop windows. Scythes65, reap-hooks, sheep-shears, bill-hooks, spades, mattocks, and hoes at the iron-monger's; bee-hives, butter-firkins, churns, milking stools and pails, hay-rakes, field-flagons, and seed-lips at the cooper's; cart-ropes and plough-harness at the saddler's; carts, wheel-barrows, and mill-gear at the wheelwright's and machinist's, horse-embrocations at the chemist's; at the glover's and leather-cutter's, hedginggloves, thatchers' knee-caps, ploughmen's leggings, villagers' pattens and clogs66.
They came to a grizzled church, whose massive square tower rose unbroken into the darkening sky, the lower parts being illuminated67 by the nearest lamps sufficiently to show how completely the mortar68 from the joints69 of the stonework had been nibbled70 out by time and weather, which had planted in the crevices71 thus made little tufts of stone-crop and grass almost as far up as the very battlements. From this tower the clock struck eight, and thereupon a bell began to toll72 with a peremptory73 clang. The curfew was still rung in Casterbridge, and it was utilized74 by the inhabitants as a signal for shutting their shops. No sooner did the deep notes of the bell throb75 between the house-fronts than a clatter76 of shutters77 arose through the whole length of the High Street. In a few minutes business at Casterbridge was ended for the day.
Other clocks struck eight from time to time--one gloomily from the gaol78, another from the gable of an almshouse, with a preparative creak of machinery79, more audible than the note of the bell; a row of tall, varnished80 case-clocks from the interior of a clock-maker's shop joined in one after another just as the shutters were enclosing them, like a row of actors delivering their final speeches before the fall of the curtain; then chimes were heard stammering81 out the Sicilian Mariners82' Hymn83; so that chronologists of the advanced school were appreciably84 on their way to the next hour before the whole business of the old one was satisfactorily wound up.
In an open space before the church walked a woman with her gown-sleeves rolled up so high that the edge of her underlinen was visible, and her skirt tucked up through her pocket hole. She carried a load under her arm from which she was pulling pieces of bread, and handing them to some other women who walked with her, which pieces they nibbled critically. The sight reminded Mrs. Henchard-Newson and her daughter that they had an appetite; and they inquired of the woman for the nearest baker's.
"Ye may as well look for manna-food as good bread in Casterbridge just now," she said, after directing them. "They can blare their trumpets85 and thump86 their drums, and have their roaring dinners"--waving her hand towards a point further along the street, where the brass band could be seen standing in front of an illuminated building--"but we must needs be put-to for want of a wholesome87 crust. There's less good bread than good beer in Casterbridge now."
"And less good beer than swipes," said a man with his hands in his pockets.
"How does it happen there's no good bread?" asked Mrs. Henchard.
"Oh, 'tis the corn-factor--he's the man that our millers88 and bakers89 all deal wi', and he has sold 'em growed wheat, which they didn't know was growed, so they SAY, till the dough90 ran all over the ovens like quicksilver; so that the loaves be as fiat91 as toads92, and like suet pudden inside. I've been a wife, and I've been a mother, and I never see such unprincipled bread in Casterbridge as this before.--But you must be a real stranger here not to know what's made all the poor volks' insides plim like blowed bladders this week?"
"I am," said Elizabeth's mother shyly.
Not wishing to be observed further till she knew more of her future in this place, she withdrew with her daughter from the speaker's side. Getting a couple of biscuits at the shop indicated as a temporary substitute for a meal, they next bent93 their steps instinctively94 to where the music was playing.
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1
tragical
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| adj. 悲剧的, 悲剧性的 | |
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maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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contemplate
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| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 | |
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folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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justifiable
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| adj.有理由的，无可非议的 | |
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sane
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| adj.心智健全的，神志清醒的，明智的，稳健的 | |
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8
interim
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| adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间 | |
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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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confided
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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ridiculed
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| v.嘲笑，嘲弄，奚落( ridicule的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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delusion
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| n.谬见，欺骗，幻觉，迷惑 | |
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13
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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meek
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| adj.温顺的，逆来顺受的 | |
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geographical
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| adj.地理的；地区(性)的 | |
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willow
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| n.柳树 | |
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twine
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| v.搓，织，编饰；（使）缠绕 | |
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wan
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| (wide area network)广域网 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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immaturity
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| n.不成熟；未充分成长；未成熟；粗糙 | |
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22
evaded
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| 逃避( evade的过去式和过去分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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25
vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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zealously
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| adv.热心地；热情地；积极地；狂热地 | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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28
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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adherence
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| n.信奉，依附，坚持，固着 | |
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opportune
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| adj.合适的，适当的 | |
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31
initiatory
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| adj.开始的；创始的；入会的；入社的 | |
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32
bouts
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| n.拳击（或摔跤）比赛( bout的名词复数 )；一段（工作）；（尤指坏事的）一通；（疾病的）发作 | |
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33
habitual
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| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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34
propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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36
confiding
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| adj.相信人的，易于相信的v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的现在分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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waggons
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| 四轮的运货马车( waggon的名词复数 )； 铁路货车； 小手推车 | |
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40
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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41
mused
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| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
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42
huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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43
antiquated
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| adj.陈旧的，过时的 | |
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44
borough
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| n.享有自治权的市镇；(英)自治市镇 | |
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45
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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46
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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47
stockade
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| n.栅栏，围栏；v.用栅栏防护 | |
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48
chestnuts
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| n.栗子( chestnut的名词复数 )；栗色；栗树；栗色马 | |
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49
dissected
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| adj.切开的，分割的，（叶子）多裂的v.解剖（动物等）( dissect的过去式和过去分词 )；仔细分析或研究 | |
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50
casements
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| n.窗扉( casement的名词复数 ) | |
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51
pedestrians
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| n.步行者( pedestrian的名词复数 ) | |
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52
receded
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的过去式和过去分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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53
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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54
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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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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56
abodes
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| 住所( abode的名词复数 )； 公寓； （在某地的）暂住； 逗留 | |
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57
promenade
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| n./v.散步 | |
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58
glimmered
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| v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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rendering
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| n.表现，描写 | |
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solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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62
derived
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| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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63
slate
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| n.板岩，石板，石片，石板色，候选人名单；adj.暗蓝灰色的，含板岩的；vt.用石板覆盖，痛打，提名，预订 | |
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64
thatch
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| vt.用茅草覆盖…的顶部；n.茅草(屋) | |
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65
scythes
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| n.（长柄）大镰刀( scythe的名词复数 )v.（长柄）大镰刀( scythe的第三人称单数 ) | |
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clogs
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| 木屐； 木底鞋，木屐( clog的名词复数 ) | |
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67
illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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68
mortar
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| n.灰浆，灰泥；迫击炮；v.把…用灰浆涂接合 | |
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69
joints
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| 接头( joint的名词复数 )； 关节； 公共场所（尤指价格低廉的饮食和娱乐场所） （非正式）； 一块烤肉 （英式英语） | |
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70
nibbled
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| v.啃，一点一点地咬（吃）( nibble的过去式和过去分词 )；啃出（洞），一点一点咬出（洞）；慢慢减少；小口咬 | |
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crevices
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| n.（尤指岩石的）裂缝，缺口( crevice的名词复数 ) | |
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72
toll
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| n.过路(桥)费；损失，伤亡人数；v.敲(钟) | |
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73
peremptory
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| adj.紧急的，专横的，断然的 | |
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74
utilized
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| v.利用，使用( utilize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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75
throb
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| v.震颤，颤动；(急速强烈地)跳动，搏动 | |
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76
clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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77
shutters
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| 百叶窗( shutter的名词复数 )； （照相机的）快门 | |
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78
gaol
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| n.(jail)监狱；(不加冠词)监禁；vt.使…坐牢 | |
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79
machinery
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| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
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80
varnished
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| 浸渍过的，涂漆的 | |
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81
stammering
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的现在分词 ) | |
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82
mariners
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| 海员，水手（mariner的复数形式） | |
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83
hymn
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| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌 | |
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84
appreciably
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| adv.相当大地 | |
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85
trumpets
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| 喇叭( trumpet的名词复数 )； 小号； 喇叭形物； （尤指）绽开的水仙花 | |
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86
thump
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| v.重击，砰然地响；n.重击，重击声 | |
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87
wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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88
millers
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| n.（尤指面粉厂的）厂主( miller的名词复数 )；磨房主；碾磨工；铣工 | |
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89
bakers
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| n.面包师( baker的名词复数 )；面包店；面包店店主；十三 | |
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90
dough
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| n.生面团；钱，现款 | |
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91
fiat
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| n.命令，法令，批准；vt.批准，颁布 | |
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92
toads
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| n.蟾蜍，癞蛤蟆( toad的名词复数 ) | |
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93
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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94
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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