Chapter LXXX Ruby Prepares for Service

Our poor old honest friend John Crumb¹ was taken away to durance vile² after his performance in the street with Sir Felix, and was locked up for the remainder of the night. This indignity³ did not sit so heavily on his spirits as it might have done on those of a quicker nature. He was aware that he had not killed the baronet, and that he had therefore enjoyed his revenge without the necessity of ‘swinging for it at Bury.’ That in itself was a comfort to him. Then it was a great satisfaction to think that he had ‘served the young man out’ in the actual presence of his Ruby⁴. He was not prone⁵ to give himself undue⁶ credit for his capability⁷ and willingness to knock his enemies about; but he did think that Ruby must have observed on this occasion that he was the better man of the two. And, to John, a night in the station-house was no great personal inconvenience. Though he was very proud of his four-post bed at home, he did not care very much for such luxuries as far as he himself was concerned. Nor did he feel any disgrace from being locked up for the night. He was very good-humoured with the policeman, who seemed perfectly⁸ to understand his nature, and was as meek⁹ as a child when the lock was turned upon him. As he lay down on the hard bench, he comforted himself with thinking that Ruby would surely never care any more for the ‘baronite’ since she had seen him go down like a cur without striking a blow. He thought a good deal about Ruby, but never attributed any blame to her for her share in the evils that had befallen him.

The next morning he was taken before the magistrates¹⁰, but was told at an early hour of the day that he was again free. Sir Felix was not much the worse for what had happened to him, and had refused to make any complaint against the man who had beaten him. John Crumb shook hands cordially with the policeman who had had him in charge, and suggested beer. The constable¹¹, with regrets, was forced to decline, and bade adieu to his late prisoner with the expression of a hope that they might meet again before long. ‘You come down to Bungay,’ said John, ‘and I’ll show you how we live there.’

From the police-office he went direct to Mrs Pipkin’s house, and at once asked for Ruby. He was told that Ruby was out with the children, and was advised both by Mrs Pipkin and Mrs Hurtle not to present himself before Ruby quite yet. ‘You see,’ said Mrs Pipkin, ‘she’s a thinking how heavy you were upon that young gentleman.’

‘But I wasn’t; — not particular. Lord love you, he ain’t a hair the wuss.’

‘You let her alone for a time,’ said Mrs Hurtle. ‘A little neglect will do her good.’

‘Maybe,’ said John — ‘only I wouldn’t like her to have it bad. You’ll let her have her wittles regular, Mrs Pipkin.’

It was then explained to him that the neglect proposed should not extend to any deprivation¹² of food, and he took his leave, receiving an assurance from Mrs Hurtle that he should be summoned to town as soon as it was thought that his presence there would serve his purposes; and with loud promises repeated to each of the friendly women that as soon as ever a ‘line should be dropped’ he would appear again upon the scene, he took Mrs Pipkin aside, and suggested that if there were ‘any hextras,’ he was ready to pay for them. Then he took his leave without seeing Ruby, and went back to Bungay.

When Ruby returned with the children she was told that John Crumb had called. ‘I thought as he was in prison,’ said Ruby.

‘What should they keep him in prison for?’ said Mrs Pipkin. ‘He hasn’t done nothing as he oughtn’t to have done. That young man was dragging you about as far as I can make out, and Mr Crumb just did as anybody ought to have done to prevent it. Of course they weren’t going to keep him in prison for that. Prison indeed! It isn’t him as ought to be in prison.’

‘And where is he now, aunt?’

‘Gone down to Bungay to mind his business, and won’t be coming here any more of a fool’s errand. He must have seen now pretty well what’s worth having, and what ain’t. Beauty is but skin deep, Ruby.’

‘John Crumb’d be after me again to-morrow, if I’d give him encouragement,’ said Ruby. ‘If I’d hold up my finger he’d come.’

‘Then John Crumb’s a fool for his pains, that’s all; and now do you go about your work.’ Ruby didn’t like to be told to go about her work, and tossed her head, and slammed the kitchen door, and scolded the servant girl, and then sat down to cry. What was she to do with herself now? She had an idea that Felix would not come back to her after the treatment he had received; — and a further idea that if he did come he was not, as she phrased it to herself, ‘of much account.’ She certainly did not like him the better for having been beaten, though, at the time, she had been disposed to take his part. She did not believe that she would ever dance with him again. That had been the charm of her life in London, and that was now all over. And as for marrying her — she began to feel certain that he did not intend it. John Crumb was a big, awkward, dull, uncouth¹³ lump of a man, with whom Ruby thought it impossible that a girl should be in love. Love and John Crumb were poles asunder¹⁴. But —! Ruby did not like wheeling the perambulator about Islington, and being told by her aunt Pipkin to go about her work. What Ruby did like was being in love and dancing; but if all that must come to an end, then there would be a question whether she could not do better for herself, than by staying with her aunt and wheeling the perambulator about Islington.

Mrs Hurtle was still living in solitude¹⁵ in the lodgings¹⁶, and having but little to do on her own behalf, had devoted¹⁷ herself to the interest of John Crumb. A man more unlike one of her own countrymen she had never seen. ‘I wonder whether he has any ideas at all in his head,’ she had said to Mrs Pipkin. Mrs Pipkin had replied that Mr Crumb had certainly a very strong idea of marrying Ruby Ruggles. Mrs Hurtle had smiled, thinking that Mrs Pipkin was also very unlike her own countrywomen. But she was very kind to Mrs Pipkin, ordering rice-puddings on purpose that the children might eat them, and she was quite determined¹⁸ to give John Crumb all the aid in her power.

In order that she might give effectual aid she took Mrs Pipkin into confidence, and prepared a plan of action in reference to Ruby. Mrs Pipkin was to appear as chief actor on the scene, but the plan was altogether Mrs Hurtle’s plan. On the day following John’s return to Bungay Mrs Pipkin summoned Ruby into the back parlour, and thus addressed her. ‘Ruby, you know, this must come to an end now.’

‘What must come to an end?’

‘You can’t stay here always, you know.’

‘I’m sure I work hard, Aunt Pipkin, and I don’t get no wages.’

‘I can’t do with more than one girl — and there’s the keep if there isn’t wages. Besides, there’s other reasons. Your grandfather won’t have you back there; that’s certain.’

‘I wouldn’t go back to grandfather, if it was ever so.’

‘But you must go somewheres. You didn’t come to stay here always — nor I couldn’t have you. You must go into service.’

‘I don’t know anybody as’d have me,’ said Ruby.

‘You must put a ‘vertisement into the paper. You’d better say as nursemaid, as you seems to take kindly¹⁹ to children. And I must give you a character; — only I shall say just the truth. You mustn’t ask much wages just at first.’ Ruby looked very sorrowful, and the tears were near her eyes. The change from the glories of the music hall was so startling and so oppressive! ‘It has got to be done sooner or later, so you may as well put the ‘vertisement in this afternoon.’

‘You’r going to turn me out, Aunt Pipkin.’

‘Well; — if that’s turning out, I am. You see you never would be said by me as though I was your mistress. You would go out with that rapscallion when I bid you not. Now when you’re in a regular place like, you must mind when you’re spoke²⁰ to, and it will be best for you. You’ve had your swing, and now you see you’ve got to pay for it. You must earn your bread, Ruby, as you’ve quarrelled both with your lover and your grandfather.’

There was no possible answer to this, and therefore the necessary notice was put into the paper — Mrs Hurtle paying for its insertion. ‘Because, you know,’ said Mrs Hurtle, ‘she must stay here really, till Mr Crumb comes and takes her away.’ Mrs Pipkin expressed her opinion that Ruby was a ‘baggage’ and John Crumb a ‘soft.’ Mrs Pipkin was perhaps a little jealous at the interest which her lodger²¹ took in her niece, thinking perhaps that all Mrs Hurtle’s sympathies were due to herself.

Ruby went hither and thither²² for a day or two, calling upon the mothers of children who wanted nursemaids. The answers which she had received had not come from the highest members of the aristocracy, and the houses which she visited did not appal²³ her by their splendour. Many objections were made to her. A character from an aunt was objectionable. Her ringlets were objectionable. She was a deal too flighty-looking. She spoke up much too free. At last one happy mother of five children offered to take her on approval for a month, at ￡12 a year, Ruby to find her own tea and wash for herself. This was slavery; — abject²⁴ slavery. And she too, who had been the beloved of a baronet, and who might even now be the mistress of a better house than that into which she was to go as a servant — if she would only hold up her finger! But the place was accepted, and with broken-hearted sobbings Ruby prepared herself for her departure from Aunt Pipkin’s roof.

‘I hope you like your place, Ruby,’ Mrs Hurtle said on the afternoon of her last day.

‘Indeed then I don’t like it at all. They’re the ugliest children you ever see, Mrs Hurtle.’

‘Ugly children must be minded as well as pretty ones.’

‘And the mother of ’em is as cross as cross.’

‘It’s your own fault, Ruby; isn’t it?’

‘I don’t know as I’ve done anything out of the way.’

‘Don’t you think it’s anything out of the way to be engaged to a young man and then to throw him over? All this has come because you wouldn’t keep your word to Mr Crumb. Only for that your grandfather wouldn’t have turned you out of his house.’

‘He didn’t turn me out. I ran away. And it wasn’t along of John Crumb, but because grandfather hauled me about by the hair of my head.’

‘But he was angry with you about Mr Crumb. When a young woman becomes engaged to a young man, she ought not to go back from her word.’ No doubt Mrs Hurtle, when preaching this doctrine²⁵, thought that the same law might be laid down with propriety²⁶ for the conduct of young men. ‘Of course you have brought trouble on yourself. I am sorry you don’t like the place. I’m afraid you must go to it now.’

‘I am agoing — I suppose,’ said Ruby, probably feeling that if she could but bring herself to condescend²⁷ so far there might yet be open for her a way of escape.

‘I shall write and tell Mr Crumb where you are placed.’

‘Oh, Mrs Hurtle, don’t. What should you write to him for? It ain’t nothing to him.’

‘I told him I’d let him know if any steps were taken.’

‘You can forget that, Mrs Hurtle. Pray don’t write. I don’t want him to know as I’m in service.’

‘I must keep my promise. Why shouldn’t he know? I don’t suppose you care much now what he hears about you.’

‘Yes I do. I wasn’t never in service before, and I don’t want him to know.’

‘What harm can it do you?’

‘Well, I don’t want him to know. It’s such a come down, Mrs Hurtle.’

‘There is nothing to be ashamed of in that. What you have to be ashamed of is jilting him. It was a bad thing to do; — wasn’t it, Ruby?’

‘I didn’t mean nothing bad, Mrs Hurtle; only why couldn’t he say what he had to say himself, instead of bringing another to say it for him? What would you feel, Mrs Hurtle, if a man was to come and say it all out of another man’s mouth?’

‘I don’t think I should much care if the thing was well said at last. You know he meant it.’

‘Yes; — I did know that.’

‘And you know he means it now?’

‘I’m not so sure about that. He’s gone back to Bungay, and he isn’t no good at writing letters no more than at speaking. Oh — he’ll go and get somebody else now.’

‘Of course he will if he hears nothing about you. I think I’d better tell him. I know what would happen.’

‘What would happen, Mrs Hurtle?’

‘He’d be up in town again in half a jiffey to see what sort of a place you’d got. Now, Ruby, I’ll tell you what I’ll do, if you’ll say the word. I’ll have him up here at once and you shan’t go to Mrs Buggins’.’ Ruby dropped her hands and stood still, staring at Mrs Hurtle. ‘I will. But if he comes you mustn’t behave this time as you did before.’

‘But I’m to go to Mrs Buggins’ to-morrow.’

‘We’ll send to Mrs Buggins and tell her to get somebody else. You’re breaking your heart about going there; — are you not?’

‘I don’t like it, Mrs Hurtle.’

‘And this man will make you mistress of his house. You say he isn’t good at speaking; but I tell you I never came across an honester man in the whole course of my life, or one who I think would treat a woman better. What’s the use of a glib²⁸ tongue if there isn’t a heart with it? What’s the use of a lot of tinsel and lacker, if the real metal isn’t there? Sir Felix Carbury could talk, I dare say, but you don’t think now he was a very fine fellow.’

‘He was so beautiful, Mrs Hurtle!’

‘But he hadn’t the spirit of a mouse in his bosom²⁹. Well, Ruby, you have one more choice left you. Shall it be John Crumb or Mrs Buggins?’

‘He wouldn’t come, Mrs Hurtle.’

‘Leave that to me, Ruby. May I bring him if I can?’ Then Ruby in a very low whisper told Mrs Hurtle, that if she thought proper she might bring John Crumb back again. ‘And there shall be no more nonsense?’

‘No,’ whispered Ruby.

On that same night a letter was sent to Mrs Buggins, which Mrs Hurtle also composed, informing that lady that unforeseen circumstances prevented Ruby Ruggles from keeping the engagement she had made; to which a verbal answer was returned that Ruby Ruggles was an impudent³⁰ hussey. And then Mrs Hurtle in her own name wrote a short note to Mr John Crumb.

DEAR MR CRUMB,

If you will come back to London I think you will find Miss Ruby Ruggles all that you desire.

Yours faithfully,

WINIFRED HURTLE.

‘She’s had a deal more done for her than I ever knew to be done for young women in my time,’ said Mrs Pipkin, ‘and I’m not at all so sure that she has deserved it.’

‘John Crumb will think she has.’

‘John Crumb’s a fool; — and as to Ruby; well, I haven’t got no patience with girls like them. Yes; it is for the best; and as for you, Mrs Hurtle, there’s no words to say how good you’ve been. I hope, Mrs Hurtle, you ain’t thinking of going away because this is all done.’

1 crumb   

n.饼屑，面包屑，小量

参考例句：

• It was the only crumb of comfort he could salvage from the ordeal.这是他从这场磨难里能找到的唯一的少许安慰。
• Ruth nearly choked on the last crumb of her pastry.鲁斯几乎被糕点的最后一块碎屑所噎住。

2 vile   

adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的

参考例句：

• Who could have carried out such a vile attack?会是谁发起这么卑鄙的攻击呢？
• Her talk was full of vile curses.她的话里充满着恶毒的咒骂。

3 indignity   

n.侮辱，伤害尊严，轻蔑

参考例句：

• For more than a year we have suffered the indignity.在一年多的时间里,我们丢尽了丑。
• She was subjected to indignity and humiliation.她受到侮辱和羞辱。

4 ruby   

n.红宝石，红宝石色

参考例句：

• She is wearing a small ruby earring.她戴着一枚红宝石小耳环。
• On the handle of his sword sat the biggest ruby in the world.他的剑柄上镶有一颗世上最大的红宝石。

5 prone   

adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的

参考例句：

• Some people are prone to jump to hasty conclusions.有些人往往作出轻率的结论。
• He is prone to lose his temper when people disagree with him.人家一不同意他的意见,他就发脾气。

6 undue   

adj.过分的；不适当的；未到期的

参考例句：

• Don't treat the matter with undue haste.不要过急地处理此事。
• It would be wise not to give undue importance to his criticisms.最好不要过分看重他的批评。

7 capability   

n.能力；才能；(pl)可发展的能力或特性等

参考例句：

• She has the capability to become a very fine actress.她有潜力成为杰出演员。
• Organizing a whole department is beyond his capability.组织整个部门是他能力以外的事。

8 perfectly   

adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
• Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。

9 meek   

adj.温顺的，逆来顺受的

参考例句：

• He expects his wife to be meek and submissive.他期望妻子温顺而且听他摆布。
• The little girl is as meek as a lamb.那个小姑娘像羔羊一般温顺。

10 magistrates   

地方法官，治安官( magistrate的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• to come up before the magistrates 在地方法院出庭
• He was summoned to appear before the magistrates. 他被传唤在地方法院出庭。

11 constable   

n.(英国)警察，警官

参考例句：

• The constable conducted the suspect to the police station.警官把嫌疑犯带到派出所。
• The constable kept his temper,and would not be provoked.那警察压制着自己的怒气，不肯冒起火来。

12 deprivation   

n.匮乏；丧失；夺去，贫困

参考例句：

• Many studies make it clear that sleep deprivation is dangerous.多实验都证实了睡眠被剥夺是危险的。
• Missing the holiday was a great deprivation.错过假日是极大的损失。

13 uncouth   

adj.无教养的，粗鲁的

参考例句：

• She may embarrass you with her uncouth behavior.她的粗野行为可能会让你尴尬。
• His nephew is an uncouth young man.他的侄子是一个粗野的年轻人。

14 asunder   

adj.分离的，化为碎片

参考例句：

• The curtains had been drawn asunder.窗帘被拉向两边。
• Your conscience,conviction,integrity,and loyalties were torn asunder.你的良心、信念、正直和忠诚都被扯得粉碎了。

15 solitude   

n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方

参考例句：

• People need a chance to reflect on spiritual matters in solitude. 人们需要独处的机会来反思精神上的事情。
• They searched for a place where they could live in solitude. 他们寻找一个可以过隐居生活的地方。

16 lodgings   

n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍

参考例句：

• When he reached his lodgings the sun had set. 他到达公寓房间时，太阳已下山了。
• I'm on the hunt for lodgings. 我正在寻找住所。

17 devoted   

adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的

参考例句：

• He devoted his life to the educational cause of the motherland.他为祖国的教育事业贡献了一生。
• We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。

18 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

19 kindly   

adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地

参考例句：

• Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
• A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。

20 spoke   

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

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

21 lodger   

n.寄宿人，房客

参考例句：

• My friend is a lodger in my uncle's house.我朋友是我叔叔家的房客。
• Jill and Sue are at variance over their lodger.吉尔和休在对待房客的问题上意见不和。

22 thither   

adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的

参考例句：

• He wandered hither and thither looking for a playmate.他逛来逛去找玩伴。
• He tramped hither and thither.他到处流浪。

23 appal   

vt.使胆寒，使惊骇

参考例句：

• I was appalled at the news.我被这消息吓坏了。
• This "Hamlet" will appal some for being so resolutely unclassical.新版《哈姆雷特 》如此违背经典，确实惊世骇俗。

24 abject   

adj.极可怜的，卑屈的

参考例句：

• This policy has turned out to be an abject failure.这一政策最后以惨败而告终。
• He had been obliged to offer an abject apology to Mr.Alleyne for his impertinence.他不得不低声下气，为他的无礼举动向艾莱恩先生请罪。

25 doctrine   

n.教义；主义；学说

参考例句：

• He was impelled to proclaim his doctrine.他不得不宣扬他的教义。
• The council met to consider changes to doctrine.宗教议会开会考虑更改教义。

26 propriety   

n.正当行为；正当；适当

参考例句：

• We hesitated at the propriety of the method.我们对这种办法是否适用拿不定主意。
• The sensitive matter was handled with great propriety.这件机密的事处理得极为适当。

27 condescend   

v.俯就，屈尊；堕落，丢丑

参考例句：

• Would you condescend to accompany me?你肯屈尊陪我吗？
• He did not condescend to answer.He turned his back on me.他不愿屈尊回答我的问题。他不理睬我。

28 glib   

adj.圆滑的，油嘴滑舌的

参考例句：

• His glib talk sounds as sweet as a song.他说的比唱的还好听。
• The fellow has a very glib tongue.这家伙嘴油得很。

29 bosom   

n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的

参考例句：

• She drew a little book from her bosom.她从怀里取出一本小册子。
• A dark jealousy stirred in his bosom.他内心生出一阵恶毒的嫉妒。

30 impudent   

adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的

参考例句：

• She's tolerant toward those impudent colleagues.她对那些无礼的同事采取容忍的态度。
• The teacher threatened to kick the impudent pupil out of the room.老师威胁着要把这无礼的小学生撵出教室。