The first is a gentleman of perhaps forty-five, rather stout1, and with a pleasant expression of countenance2. He has finished his cup of coffee, and taken up the morning paper,[126] which he scans carefully, more especially those parts relating to business.
At the opposite side of the table is a young lady of ten, with mirthful black eyes, and very red cheeks, which are well set off by her black hair. Altogether, she is very handsome, a fact of which she is not altogether unconscious. She is lively, fresh, original, and impulsive3, not under very much restraint, but with an excellent disposition4 and kindly5 feelings, which do not allow her to go very far wrong. Yet it must be confessed that thus far her education has been sadly neglected, so that, as far as learning goes, she probably knows less than most girls two years younger.
The room, in which the father and daughter were seated, is tastefully furnished with that regard to comfort which is found in our American houses.
The two whom we have thus introduced are Benjamin Bowman, a wealthy merchant, and his daughter Bertha, though, in that shortening of names which is apt to take place in a family, hers has been shortened to Bert,[127] which she appears to prefer to the longer and more strictly7 feminine name.
"Papa," she said, pushing away her plate, "you ain't good company at all."
"Thank you for the compliment, Bert," he said.
"But you're not, though. There you are wearing out your eyes over that stupid paper, and leaving me to talk to myself or Topsy. Here, Topsy, isn't it so?"
At this summons a kitten, black as the ace6 of spades, and very much addicted8 to fun and frolic, jumped into the lap of her young mistress, and purred a noisy acquiescence9.
"There," said Bert, triumphantly10, "Topsy says I am right. I don't know what I should do without Topsy."
"She makes a very suitable companion for you, Bert," said Mr. Bowman, smiling.
"Why?" asked the cat's mistress, suspiciously.
"Because you can sympathize so well. Both are equally mischievous11, and it is very difficult to tell which knows the most of books."
[128]
"Now, papa, that is a slander12. I will sue you for libel."
"On your own account, or the kitten's?" asked Mr. Bowman. "I really don't know which I have done injustice13 to."
"Now you are laughing at me, papa. I know you are."
"Not entirely14, Bert. The fact is, you are terribly ignorant for one of your age."
"I suppose I am," said Bert, shaking her head in comic despair.
"You'll grow up with no more knowledge than a Hottentot."
"Don't they have any schools among the Hottentots?"
"I suppose not."
"How delightful15 that must be! Why can't we move out where they live?"
"I don't know but we shall have to," said her father, "as, hereabouts, young ladies are expected to know something about books. But that reminds me I don't know but I shall succeed in engaging a governess for you to-day."
[129]
"A governess to-day!" exclaimed Bert, in dismay.
"Yes. I have made an appointment with a lady to call here at nine o'clock, and, if I am satisfied with her, I intend to engage her."
"And if I am satisfied with her," added Bert.
"Is that essential?" asked her father, smiling.
"Yes, for you know she will be with me most of the time. If she is like Julia Campbell's governess, I sha'n't like her."
"Well, and what fault do you find with Julia Campbell's governess?" asked Mr. Bowman, with more interest than his tone conveyed; for he knew that if Bert did not fancy her governess she would be a most incorrigible16 little rebel, and would be likely to profit very little by her instructions.
"Oh, she's as disagreeable as she can be. In the first place, she's an old maid,—not that that's so very bad. In fact, I've about made up my mind to be an old maid myself."
[130]
"Indeed!" said Mr. Bowman, amused. "May I inquire your reasons?"
"Too numerous to mention."
"Perhaps one is, that you don't expect to have any chance to change your name."
"I have had a chance already," said Bert, in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Had a chance already!" exclaimed her father, in amazement17.
"Yes," said the young lady of ten, "Charlie Morrill offered himself the other day, and I refused him."
"What is the world coming to?" thought Mr. Bowman. "Why did you refuse him?"
"Because," said Bert, soberly, "I don't like the way he parts his hair. But as for Julia's governess, I know she never had an offer. She's as homely18 as—as—well, I don't know who. Then she wears glasses, and has a nose ever so long, and a long face, and she never smiles, and she makes Julia study terrible hard."
And Bert drew a long breath.
"Not a very charming picture, certainly," said Mr. Bowman; "but I'll promise you that,[131] if the lady who applies for the post of governess to-day should be anything like this, I won't engage her."
"That's right, papa. When do you expect her?"
"Let me see. She was to be here at nine, and now it wants only ten minutes of that time."
"And you won't send me out of the room, papa, will you?"
Mr. Bowman hesitated.
"You know I am very anxious to see how she looks. If I like her, I will make a sign to you, and then you can engage her."
"What sign will you make, Bert?" asked her father, amused, and yet alive to the necessity of securing his daughter's acquiescence in his choice.
"I don't know," said Bert, reflecting; "suppose I wink19."
"And suppose the lady should see you winking20 at me? What do you suppose she would think?"
"Oh, I could tell her afterwards, you[132] know, and she would feel flattered, knowing it was a sign that I liked her."
"She might not think it very lady-like in you."
"What's the use of being lady-like? I don't want to be. There's Florence Gates; I suppose she's lady-like. I'll show you how she walks."
Bert imitated the gait of the young lady, swaying herself from side to side, as she walked with mincing21 step, tossing her head, and exhibiting a caricature of the airs and affectations which girls sometimes delight to display.
"Why, she wouldn't run for a thousand dollars," exclaimed Bert. "She would think it beneath her dignity. If she is lady-like, I don't want to be. But, hark! there goes the bell. She's coming. Now, papa, just remember, I shall wink if I like her, and if I don't I'll make up a face."
Bert transferred herself to an ottoman, and took Topsy into her lap.
Both she and her father looked towards the door with curiosity.
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2
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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3
impulsive
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| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
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4
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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5
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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6
ace
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| n.A牌；发球得分；佼佼者；adj.杰出的 | |
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7
strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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8
addicted
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| adj.沉溺于....的，对...上瘾的 | |
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9
acquiescence
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| n.默许；顺从 | |
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10
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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11
mischievous
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| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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12
slander
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| n./v.诽谤，污蔑 | |
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13
injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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14
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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15
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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16
incorrigible
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| adj.难以纠正的，屡教不改的 | |
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17
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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18
homely
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| adj.家常的，简朴的；不漂亮的 | |
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19
wink
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| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
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20
winking
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| n.瞬眼，目语v.使眼色( wink的现在分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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21
mincing
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| adj.矫饰的；v.切碎；切碎 | |
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