As soon as the mother and daughter were comfortably installed, with a white-aproned servant and all complete, Henchard paid them a visit, and remained to tea. During the entertainment Elizabeth was carefully hoodwinked by the very general tone of the conversation that prevailed--a proceeding8 which seemed to afford some humour to Henchard, though his wife was not particularly happy in it. The visit was repeated again and again with business-like determination by the Mayor, who seemed to have schooled himself into a course of strict mechanical rightness towards this woman of prior claim, at any expense to the later one and to his own sentiments.
One afternoon the daughter was not indoors when Henchard came, and he said drily, "This is a very good opportunity for me to ask you to name the happy day, Susan."
The poor woman smiled faintly; she did not enjoy pleasantries on a situation into which she had entered solely9 for the sake of her girl's reputation. She liked them so little, indeed, that there was room for wonder why she had countenanced11 deception13 at all, and had not bravely let the girl know her history. But the flesh is weak; and the true explanation came in due course.
"O Michael!" she said, "I am afraid all this is taking up your time and giving trouble--when I did not expect any such thing!" And she looked at him and at his dress as a man of affluence14, and at the furniture he had provided for the room--ornate and lavish15 to her eyes.
"Not at all," said Henchard, in rough benignity16. "This is only a cottage--it costs me next to nothing. And as to taking up my time"--here his red and black visage kindled17 with satisfaction--"I've a splendid fellow to superintend my business now--a man whose like I've never been able to lay hands on before. I shall soon be able to leave everything to him, and have more time to call my own than I've had for these last twenty years."
Henchard's visits here grew so frequent and so regular that it soon became whispered, and then openly discussed in Casterbridge that the masterful, coercive Mayor of the town was raptured18 and enervated19 by the genteel widow Mrs. Newson. His well-known haughty20 indifference21 to the society of womankind, his silent avoidance of converse22 with the sex, contributed a piquancy23 to what would otherwise have been an unromantic matter enough. That such a poor fragile woman should be his choice was inexplicable24, except on the ground that the engagement was a family affair in which sentimental25 passion had no place; for it was known that they were related in some way. Mrs. Henchard was so pale that the boys called her "The Ghost." Sometimes Henchard overheard this epithet26 when they passed together along the Walks--as the avenues on the walls were named--at which his face would darken with an expression of destructiveness towards the speakers ominous27 to see; but he said nothing.
He pressed on the preparations for his union, or rather reunion, with this pale creature in a dogged, unflinching spirit which did credit to his conscientiousness28. Nobody would have conceived from his outward demeanour that there was no amatory fire or pulse of romance acting29 as stimulant30 to the bustle31 going on in his gaunt, great house; nothing but three large resolves--one, to make amends32 to his neglected Susan, another, to provide a comfortable home for Elizabeth-Jane under his paternal33 eye; and a third, to castigate34 himself with the thorns which these restitutory acts brought in their train; among them the lowering of his dignity in public opinion by marrying so comparatively humble35 a woman.
Susan Henchard entered a carriage for the first time in her life when she stepped into the plain brougham which drew up at the door on the wedding-day to take her and ElizabethJane to church. It was a windless morning of warm November rain, which floated down like meal, and lay in a powdery form on the nap of hats and coats. Few people had gathered round the church door though they were well packed within. The Scotchman, who assisted as groomsman, was of course the only one present, beyond the chief actors, who knew the true situation of the contracting parties. He, however, was too inexperienced, too thoughtful, too judicial36, too strongly conscious of the serious side of the business, to enter into the scene in its dramatic aspect. That required the special genius of Christopher Coney, Solomon Longways, Buzzford, and their fellows. But they knew nothing of the secret; though, as the time for coming out of church drew on, they gathered on the pavement adjoining, and expounded37 the subject according to their lights.
"'Tis five-and-forty years since I had my settlement in this here town," said Coney; "but daze38 me if I ever see a man wait so long before to take so little! There's a chance even for thee after this, Nance12 Mockridge." The remark was addressed to a woman who stood behind his shoulder--the same who had exhibited Henchard's bad bread in public when Elizabeth and her mother entered Casterbridge.
"Be cust if I'd marry any such as he, or thee either," replied that lady. "As for thee, Christopher, we know what ye be, and the less said the better. And as for he--well, there--(lowering her voice) 'tis said 'a was a poor parish 'prentice--I wouldn't say it for all the world--but 'a was a poor parish 'prentice, that began life wi' no more belonging to 'en than a carrion39 crow."
"And now he's worth ever so much a minute," murmured Longways. "When a man is said to be worth so much a minute, he's a man to be considered!"
Turning, he saw a circular disc reticulated with creases40, and recognized the smiling countenance10 of the fat woman who had asked for another song at the Three Mariners41. "Well, Mother Cuxsom," he said, "how's this? Here's Mrs. Newson, a mere42 skellinton, has got another husband to keep her, while a woman of your tonnage have not."
"I have not. Nor another to beat me....Ah, yes, Cuxsom's gone, and so shall leather breeches!"
"Yes; with the blessing43 of God leather breeches shall go."
"'Tisn't worth my old while to think of another husband," continued Mrs. Cuxsom. "And yet I'll lay my life I'm as respectable born as she."
"True; your mother was a very good woman--I can mind her. She were rewarded by the Agricultural Society for having begot44 the greatest number of healthy children without parish assistance, and other virtuous45 marvels46."
"'Twas that that kept us so low upon ground--that great hungry family."
"Ay. Where the pigs be many the wash runs thin."
"And dostn't mind how mother would sing, Christopher?" continued Mrs. Cuxsom, kindling47 at the retrospection; "and how we went with her to the party at Mellstock, do ye mind?-at old Dame48 Ledlow's, farmer Shinar's aunt, do ye mind?-she we used to call Toad-skin, because her face were so yaller and freckled49, do ye mind?"
"I do, hee-hee, I do!" said Christopher Coney.
"And well do I--for I was getting up husband-high at that time--one-half girl, and t'other half woman, as one may say. And canst mind"--she prodded50 Solomon's shoulder with her finger-tip, while her eyes twinkled between the crevices51 of their lids--"canst mind the sherry-wine, and the zilversnuffers, and how Joan Dummett was took bad when we were coming home, and Jack52 Griggs was forced to carry her through the mud; and how 'a let her fall in Dairyman Sweet-apple's cow-barton, and we had to clane her gown wi' grass--never such a mess as a' were in?"
"Ay--that I do--hee-hee, such doggery as there was in them ancient days, to be sure! Ah, the miles I used to walk then; and now I can hardly step over a furrow53!"
Their reminiscences were cut short by the appearance of the reunited pair--Henchard looking round upon the idlers with that ambiguous gaze of his, which at one moment seemed to mean satisfaction, and at another fiery54 disdain55.
"Well--there's a difference between 'em, though he do call himself a teetotaller," said Nance Mockridge. "She'll wish her cake dough56 afore she's done of him. There's a bluebeardy look about 'en; and 'twill out in time."
"Stuff--he's well enough! Some folk want their luck buttered. If I had a choice as wide as the ocean sea I wouldn't wish for a better man. A poor twanking woman like her--'tis a godsend for her, and hardly a pair of jumps or night-rail to her name."
The plain little brougham drove off in the mist, and the idlers dispersed57. "Well, we hardly know how to look at things in these times!" said Solomon. "There was a man dropped down dead yesterday, not so very many miles from here; and what wi' that, and this moist weather, 'tis scarce worth one's while to begin any work o' consequence to-day. I'm in such a low key with drinking nothing but small table ninepenny this last week or two that I shall call and warm up at the Mar'ners as I pass along."
"I don't know but that I may as well go with 'ee, Solomon," said Christopher; "I'm as clammy as a cockle-snail."
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
boughs
|
|
| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
dwelling
|
|
| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
shutters
|
|
| 百叶窗( shutter的名词复数 )； （照相机的）快门 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
foliage
|
|
| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
sitting-room
|
|
| n.（BrE）客厅，起居室 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
melancholy
|
|
| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
prospect
|
|
| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
proceeding
|
|
| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
solely
|
|
| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
countenanced
|
|
| v.支持，赞同，批准( countenance的过去式 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
12
nance
|
|
| n.娘娘腔的男人，男同性恋者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
deception
|
|
| n.欺骗，欺诈；骗局，诡计 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
affluence
|
|
| n.充裕，富足 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
lavish
|
|
| adj.无节制的；浪费的；vt.慷慨地给予，挥霍 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
benignity
|
|
| n.仁慈 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
kindled
|
|
| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
raptured
|
|
| 欢天喜地的，狂喜的，销魂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
19
enervated
|
|
| adj.衰弱的，无力的v.使衰弱，使失去活力( enervate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
haughty
|
|
| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
indifference
|
|
| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
converse
|
|
| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
piquancy
|
|
| n.辛辣，辣味，痛快 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
inexplicable
|
|
| adj.无法解释的，难理解的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
sentimental
|
|
| adj.多愁善感的，感伤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
epithet
|
|
| n.（用于褒贬人物等的）表述形容词，修饰语 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
ominous
|
|
| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
conscientiousness
|
|
| 责任心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
acting
|
|
| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
stimulant
|
|
| n.刺激物，兴奋剂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
bustle
|
|
| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
amends
|
|
| n. 赔偿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
paternal
|
|
| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
castigate
|
|
| v.谴责；惩治 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
humble
|
|
| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
judicial
|
|
| adj.司法的，法庭的，审判的，明断的，公正的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
expounded
|
|
| 论述，详细讲解( expound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
daze
|
|
| v.(使)茫然，(使)发昏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
carrion
|
|
| n.腐肉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
creases
|
|
| （使…）起折痕，弄皱( crease的第三人称单数 )； （皮肤）皱起，使起皱纹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
mariners
|
|
| 海员，水手（mariner的复数形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
mere
|
|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
blessing
|
|
| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
begot
|
|
| v.为…之生父( beget的过去式 )；产生，引起 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
virtuous
|
|
| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
marvels
|
|
| 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 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
kindling
|
|
| n. 点火, 可燃物 动词kindle的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
dame
|
|
| n.女士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
freckled
|
|
| adj.雀斑；斑点；晒斑；（使）生雀斑v.雀斑，斑点( freckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
prodded
|
|
| v.刺，戳( prod的过去式和过去分词 )；刺激；促使；（用手指或尖物）戳 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
crevices
|
|
| n.（尤指岩石的）裂缝，缺口( crevice的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
jack
|
|
| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
furrow
|
|
| n.沟；垄沟；轨迹；车辙；皱纹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
fiery
|
|
| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
disdain
|
|
| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
dough
|
|
| n.生面团；钱，现款 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
dispersed
|
|
| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |