It was an odd household under Holcroft's roof on the evening of the Sunday we have described. The farmer, in a sense, had "taken sanctuary1" in his own room, that he might escape the maneuvering2 wiles3 of his tormenting4 housekeeper5. If she would content herself with general topics he would try to endure her foolish, high-flown talk until the three months expired; but that she should speedily and openly take the initiative in matrimonial designs was proof of such an unbalanced mind that he was filled with nervous dread6. "Hanged if one can tell what such a silly, hairbrained woman will do next!" he thought, as he brooded by the fire. "Sunday or no Sunday, I feel as if I'd like to take my horsewhip and give Lemuel Weeks a piece of my mind."
Such musings did not promise well for Mrs. Mumpson, scheming in the parlor7 below; but, as we have seen, she had the faculty8 of arranging all future events to her mind. That matters had not turned out in the past as she had expected, counted for nothing. She was one who could not be taught, even by experience. The most insignificant9 thing in Holcroft's dwelling10 had not escaped her scrutiny11 and pretty accurate guess as to value, yet she could not see or understand the intolerable disgust and irritation12 which her ridiculous conduct excited. In a weak mind egotism and selfishness, beyond a certain point, pass into practical insanity13. All sense of delicacy14, of the fitness of things, is lost; even the power to consider the rights and feelings of others is wanting. Unlike poor Holcroft, Mrs. Mumpson had few misgivings15 in regard to coming years. As she rocked unceasingly before the parlor fire, she arranged everything in regard to his future as well as her own.
Jane, quite forgotten, was oppressed with a miserable16 presentiment17 of evil. Her pinched but intense little mind was concentrated on two facts--Holcroft's anger and her mother's lack of sense. From such premises19 it did not take her long to reason out but one conclusion--"visitin' again;" and this was the summing up of all evils. Now and then a tear would force its way out of one of her little eyes, but otherwise she kept her troubles to herself.
Mrs. Wiggins was the only complacent20 personage in the house, and she unbent with a garrulous21 affability to Jane, which could be accounted for in but one way--Holcroft had forgotten about his cider barrel, thereby22 unconsciously giving her the chance to sample its contents freely. She was now smoking her pipe with much content, and indulging in pleasing reminiscences which the facts of her life scarcely warranted.
"Ven hi vas as leetle a gal24 as ye are," she began, and then she related experiences quite devoid25 of the simplicity26 and innocence27 of childhood. The girl soon forgot her fears and listened with avidity until the old dame's face grew heavier, if possible, with sleep, and she stumbled off to bed.
Having no wish to see or speak to her mother again, the child blew out the candle and stole silently up the stairway. At last Mrs. Mumpson took her light and went noisily around, seeing to the fastenings of doors and windows. "I know he is listening to every sound from me, and he shall learn what a caretaker I am," she murmured softly.
Once out of doors in the morning, with his foot on the native heath of his farm, Holcroft's hopefulness and courage always returned. He was half angry with himself at his nervous irritation of the evening before. "If she becomes so cranky that I can't stand her, I'll pay the three months' wages and clear her out," he had concluded, and he went about his morning work with a grim purpose to submit to very little nonsense.
Cider is akin28 to vinegar, and Mrs. Wiggins' liberal potations of the evening before had evidently imparted a marked acidity30 to her temper. She laid hold of the kitchen utensils31 as if she had a spite against them, and when Jane, confiding32 in her friendliness33 shown so recently, came down to assist, she was chased out of doors with language we forbear to repeat. Mrs. Mumpson, therefore, had no intimation of the low state of the barometer34 in the region of the kitchen. "I have taken time to think deeply and calmly," she murmured. "The proper course has been made clear to me. He is somewhat uncouth35; he is silent and unable to express his thoughts and emotions--in brief, undeveloped; he is awfully36 irreligious. Moth18 and rust37 are busy in this house; much that would be so useful is going to waste. He must learn to look upon me as the developer, the caretaker, a patient and healthful embodiment of female influence. I will now begin actively38 my mission of making him an ornerment to society. That mountainous Mrs. Viggins must be replaced by a deferential39 girl who will naturally look up to me. How can I be a true caretaker--how can I bring repose40 and refinement41 to this dwelling with two hundred pounds of female impudence42 in my way? Mr. Holcroft shall see that Mrs. Viggins is an unseemly and jarring discord43 in our home," and she brought the rocking chair from the parlor to the kitchen, with a serene44 and lofty air. Jane hovered45 near the window, watching.
At first, there was an ominous46 silence in respect to words. Portentous47 sounds increased, however, for Mrs. Wiggins strode about with martial48 tread, making the boards creak and the dishes clatter49, while her red eyes shot lurid50 and sanguinary gleams. She would seize a dipper as if it were a foe51, slamming it upon the table again as if striking an enemy. Under her vigorous manipulation, kettles and pans resounded52 with reports like firearms.
Mrs. Mumpson was evidently perturbed53; her calm superiority was forsaking54 her; every moment she rocked faster--a sure indication that she was not at peace. At last she said, with great dignity: "Mrs. Viggins, I must request you to perform your tasks with less clamor. My nerves are not equal to this peculiar55 way of taking up and laying down things."
"Vell, jes' ye vait a minute, han hi'll show ye 'ow hi kin23 take hup things han put 'em down hag'in hout o' my vay," and before Mrs. Mumpson could interfere56, she found herself lifted, chair and all bodily, and carried to the parlor. Between trepidation57 and anger, she could only gasp58 during the transit59, and when left in the middle of the parlor floor she looked around in utter bewilderment.
It so happened that Holcroft, on his way from the barn, had seen Jane looking in at the window, and, suspecting something amiss, had arrived just in time for the spectacle. Convulsed with laughter, he returned hastily to the barn; while Jane expressed her feelings, whatever they were, by executing something like a hornpipe before the window.
Mrs. Mumpson, however, was not vanquished60. She had only made a compulsory61 retreat from the scene of hostilities62; and, after rallying her shattered faculties63, advanced again with the chair. "How dared you, you disreputerble female?" she began.
Mrs. Wiggins turned slowly and ominously64 upon her. "Ye call me a disrupterbul female hag'in, han ye vont find hit 'ealthy."
Mrs. Mumpson prudently65 backed toward the door before delivering her return fire.
"Woman!" she cried, "are you out of your mind? Don't you know I'm housekeeper here, and that it's my duty to superintend you and your work?"
"Vell, then, hi'll double ye hup hand put ye hon the shelf hof the dresser han' lock the glass door hon ye. From hup there ye kin see all that's goin' hon and sup'intend to yer 'eart's content," and she started for her superior officer.
Mrs. Mumpson backed so precipitately66 with her chair that it struck against the door case, and she sat down hard. Seeing that Mrs. Wiggins was almost upon her, she darted67 back into the parlor, leaving the chair as a trophy68 in the hands of her enemy. Mrs. Wiggins was somewhat appeased69 by this second triumph, and with the hope of adding gall70 and bitterness to Mrs. Mumpson's defeat, she took the chair to her rival's favorite rocking place, lighted her pipe, and sat down in grim complacency. Mrs. Mumpson warily71 approached to recover a support which, from long habit, had become moral as well as physical, and her indignation knew no bounds when she saw it creaking under the weight of her foe. It must be admitted, however, that her ire was not so great that she did not retain the "better part of valor," for she stepped back, unlocked the front door, and set it ajar. On returning, she opened with a volubility that awed72 even Mrs. Wiggins for a moment. "You miserable, mountainous pauper73; you interloper; you unrefined, irresponserble, unregenerate female, do you know what you have done in thus outraging74 ME? I'm a respecterble woman, respecterbly connected. I'm here in a responserble station. When Mr. Holcroft appears he'll drive you from the dwelling which you vulgarize. Your presence makes this apartment a den29. You are a wild beast--"
"Hi'm a vile75 beastes, ham hi?" cried Mrs. Wiggins, at last stung into action, and she threw her lighted pipe at the open mouth that was discharging high-sounding epithets76 by the score.
It struck the lintel over the widow's head, was shattered, and sent down upon her a shower of villainously smelling sparks. Mrs. Mumpson shrieked77 and sought frantically78 to keep her calico wrapper from taking fire. Meanwhile, Mrs. Wiggins rose and took a step or two that she might assist should there be any positive danger, for she had not yet reached a point of malignity79 which would lead her to witness calmly an auto-da-fe. This was Jane's opportunity. Mrs. Wiggins had alienated80 this small and hitherto friendly power, and now, with a returning impulse of loyalty81, it took sides with the weaker party. The kitchen door was on a crack; the child pushed it noiselessly open, darted around behind the stove, and withdrew the rocking chair.
Mrs. Wiggins' brief anxiety and preoccupation passed, and she stepped backward again to sit down. She did sit down, but with such terrific force that the stove and nearly everything else in the room threatened to fall with her. She sat helplessly for a bewildered moment, while Jane, with the chair, danced before her exclaiming, tauntingly82, "That's for chasing me out as if I was a cat!"
"Noo hi'll chase ye both hout," cried the ireful Wiggins, scrambling83 to her feet. She made good her threat, for Holcroft, a moment later, saw mother and daughter, the latter carrying the chair, rushing from the front door, and Mrs. Wiggins, armed with a great wooden spoon, waddling84 after them, her objurgations mingling85 with Mrs. Mumpson's shrieks86 and Jane's shrill87 laughter. The widow caught a glimpse of him standing88 in the barn door, and, as if borne by the wind, she flew toward him, crying, "He shall be my protector!"
He barely had time to whisk through a side door and close it after him. The widow's impetuous desire to pant out the story of her wrongs carried her into the midst of the barnyard, where she was speedily confronted by an unruly young heifer that could scarcely be blamed for hostility89 to such a wild-looking object.
The animal shook its head threateningly as it advanced. Again the widow's shrieks resounded. This time Holcroft was about to come to the rescue, when the beleaguered90 woman made a dash for the top of the nearest fence, reminding her amused looker-on of the night of her arrival when she had perched like some strange sort of bird on the wagon91 wheel.
Seeing that she was abundantly able to escape alone, the farmer remained in concealment92. Although disgusted and angry at the scenes taking place, he was scarcely able to restrain roars of laughter. Perched upon the fence, the widow called piteously for him to lift her down, but he was not to be caught by any such device. At last, giving up hope and still threatened by the heifer, she went over on the other side. Knowing that she must make a detour93 before reaching the dwelling, Holcroft went thither94 rapidly with the purpose of restoring order at once. "Jane," he said sternly, "take that chair to the parlor and leave it there. Let there be no more such nonsense."
At his approach, Mrs. Wiggins had retreated sullenly95 to the kitchen. "Come," he ordered good-naturedly, "hasten breakfast and let there be no more quarreling."
"Hif hi vas left to do me work hin peace--" she began.
"Well, you shall do it in peace."
At this moment Mrs. Mumpson came tearing in, quite oblivious96 of the fact that she had left a goodly part of her calico skirt on a nail of the fence. She was rushing toward Holcroft, when he said sternly, and with a repellent gesture, "Stop and listen to me. If there's any more of this quarreling like cats and dogs in my house, I'll send for the constable97 and have you all arrested. If you are not all utterly98 demented and hopeless fools, you will know that you came here to do my work, and nothing else." Then catching99 a glimpse of Mrs. Mumpson's dress, and fearing he should laugh outright100, he turned abruptly101 on his heel and went to his room, where he was in a divided state between irrepressible mirth and vexation.
Mrs. Mumpson also fled to her room. She felt that the proper course for her at this juncture102 was a fit of violent hysterics; but a prompt douche from the water pitcher103, administered by the unsympathetic Jane, effectually checked the first symptoms. "Was ever a respecterble woman--"
"You aint respectable," interrupted the girl, as she departed. "You look like a scarecrow. 'Fi's you I'd begin to show some sense now."
收听单词发音 |
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sanctuary
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| n.圣所，圣堂，寺庙；禁猎区，保护区 | |
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maneuvering
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| v.移动，用策略( maneuver的现在分词 )；操纵 | |
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wiles
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| n.（旨在欺骗或吸引人的）诡计，花招；欺骗，欺诈( wile的名词复数 ) | |
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tormenting
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| 使痛苦的，使苦恼的 | |
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housekeeper
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| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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parlor
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| n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅 | |
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faculty
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| n.才能；学院，系；(学院或系的)全体教学人员 | |
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insignificant
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| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
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dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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irritation
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| n.激怒，恼怒，生气 | |
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insanity
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| n.疯狂，精神错乱；极端的愚蠢，荒唐 | |
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delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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misgivings
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| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕；疑虑，担心，恐惧( misgiving的名词复数 )；疑惧 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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presentiment
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| n.预感，预觉 | |
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moth
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| n.蛾，蛀虫 | |
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premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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complacent
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| adj.自满的；自鸣得意的 | |
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garrulous
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| adj.唠叨的，多话的 | |
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thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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gal
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| n.姑娘，少女 | |
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devoid
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| adj.全无的，缺乏的 | |
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simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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akin
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| adj.同族的，类似的 | |
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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acidity
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| n.酸度，酸性 | |
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utensils
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| 器具，用具，器皿( utensil的名词复数 )； 器物 | |
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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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friendliness
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| n.友谊，亲切，亲密 | |
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barometer
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| n.气压表，睛雨表，反应指标 | |
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uncouth
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| adj.无教养的，粗鲁的 | |
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awfully
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| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
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rust
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| n.锈；v.生锈；(脑子)衰退 | |
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actively
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| adv.积极地，勤奋地 | |
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deferential
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| adj. 敬意的，恭敬的 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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refinement
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| n.文雅；高尚；精美；精制；精炼 | |
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impudence
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| n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼 | |
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discord
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| n.不和，意见不合，争论，（音乐）不和谐 | |
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serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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hovered
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| 鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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portentous
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| adj.不祥的，可怕的，装腔作势的 | |
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martial
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| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
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clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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lurid
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| adj.可怕的；血红的；苍白的 | |
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foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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resounded
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| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
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perturbed
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| adj.烦燥不安的v.使（某人）烦恼，不安( perturb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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54
forsaking
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| 放弃( forsake的现在分词 )； 弃绝； 抛弃； 摒弃 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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trepidation
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| n.惊恐，惶恐 | |
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gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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transit
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| n.经过，运输；vt.穿越，旋转；vi.越过 | |
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vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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compulsory
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| n.强制的，必修的；规定的，义务的 | |
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hostilities
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| n.战争；敌意(hostility的复数)；敌对状态；战事 | |
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faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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ominously
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| adv.恶兆地，不吉利地；预示地 | |
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prudently
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| adv. 谨慎地，慎重地 | |
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precipitately
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| adv.猛进地 | |
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darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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trophy
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| n.优胜旗，奖品，奖杯，战胜品，纪念品 | |
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appeased
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| 安抚，抚慰( appease的过去式和过去分词 )； 绥靖（满足另一国的要求以避免战争） | |
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gall
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| v.使烦恼，使焦躁，难堪；n.磨难 | |
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warily
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| adv.留心地 | |
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awed
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| adj.充满敬畏的，表示敬畏的v.使敬畏，使惊惧( awe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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pauper
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| n.贫民，被救济者，穷人 | |
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outraging
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| 引起…的义愤，激怒( outrage的现在分词 ) | |
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vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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epithets
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| n.（表示性质、特征等的）词语( epithet的名词复数 ) | |
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shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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frantically
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| ad.发狂地, 发疯地 | |
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malignity
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| n.极度的恶意，恶毒；（病的）恶性 | |
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80
alienated
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| adj.感到孤独的，不合群的v.使疏远( alienate的过去式和过去分词 )；使不友好；转让；让渡（财产等） | |
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81
loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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82
tauntingly
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| 嘲笑地，辱骂地； 嘲骂地 | |
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83
scrambling
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的现在分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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84
waddling
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| v.（像鸭子一样）摇摇摆摆地走( waddle的现在分词 ) | |
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85
mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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86
shrieks
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| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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87
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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88
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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89
hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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90
beleaguered
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| adj.受到围困[围攻]的；包围的v.围攻( beleaguer的过去式和过去分词)；困扰；骚扰 | |
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wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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92
concealment
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| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
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detour
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| n.绕行的路，迂回路；v.迂回，绕道 | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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95
sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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96
oblivious
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| adj.易忘的，遗忘的，忘却的，健忘的 | |
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97
constable
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| n.(英国)警察，警官 | |
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98
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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outright
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| adv.坦率地；彻底地；立即；adj.无疑的；彻底的 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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102
juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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103
pitcher
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| n.(有嘴和柄的)大水罐；(棒球)投手 | |
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