"Oh, mamma, that's the most horrible man!" he began, in a whisper. "You know the cheese you brought in on Saturday, that we might not eat our bread quite dry; well, he has eaten it up, every morsel1, and half a loaf of bread! And he has burnt the whole scuttleful of coal! And he swore because there was no meat; and he swore at us because we would not go to the public-house and buy him some beer. He said we were to buy it and pay for it."
"I said you would not allow us to go, mamma," interrupted William, who now came up. "I told him that if he wanted beer he must go and get it for himself. I spoke2 civilly, you know, not rudely. He went into such a passion, and said such things! It is a good thing Jane was out."
"Where is Gar?" she asked.
"Gar was frightened at the man, and the tobacco-smoke made him sick, and he cried; and then he lay down on the floor, and went to sleep."
She felt sick. She drew her two boys into the parlour—dark there, except for the lamp in the road, which shone in. Pressing them in her arms, completely subdued3 by the miseries4 of her situation, she leaned her forehead upon William's shoulder, and burst once more into a most distressing6 flood of tears.
They were alarmed. They cried with her. "Oh, mamma! what is it? Why don't you order the man to go away?"
"My boys, I must tell you; I cannot keep it from you," she sobbed7. "That man is put here to remain, until I can pay the rent. If I cannot pay it, our things will be taken and sold."
William's pulses and heart alike beat, but he was silent, Frank spoke. "Whatever shall we do, mamma?"
Patience came in, for about the sixth time, to see whether Jane had returned, and how the mission had sped. They called her into the cold, dark room. Jane gave her the history of the whole day, and Patience listened in astonishment9.
"I cannot but believe that Thomas Ashley must have been mis-informed," said she, presently. "But that you are strangers in the place, I should say you had an enemy who may have gone to him with a tale that thee can pay, but will not. Still, even in that case, it would be unlike Thomas Ashley. He is a kind and a good man; not a harsh one."
"Well, I say that I cannot understand it," repeated Patience. "It is not like Thomas Ashley. I will give thee an instance of his disposition11 and general character. There was a baker12 rented under him, living in a house of Thomas Ashley's. The baker got behind with his rent; other bakers13 were more favoured than he; but he kept on at his trade, hoping times would mend. Year by year he failed in his rent—Thomas Ashley, mark thee, still paying him regularly for the bread supplied to his family. 'Why do you not stop his bread-money?' asked one, who knew of this, of Thomas Ashley. 'Because he is poor, and looks to my weekly money, with that of others, to buy his flour,' was Thomas Ashley's answer. Well, when he owed several years' rent, the baker died, and the widow was going to move. Anthony Dare hastened to Thomas Ashley. 'Which day shall I levy14 a distress5 upon the goods?' asked he. 'Not at all,' replied Thomas Ashley. And he went to the widow, and told her the rent was forgiven, and the goods were her own, to take with her when she left. That is Thomas Ashley."
"He has had his tea and gone back to the manufactory, but he will be home soon after eight. I will keep Jane till bedtime. She and Anna are happy over their puzzles."
"Patience, am I obliged to find that man in food?"
"That thee art. It is the law."
The noise made by Patience in going away, brought the man forth16 from the study, a candle in his hand. "When is that mother of yours coming back?" he roared out to the boys. Jane advanced. "Oh, you are here!" he uttered, wrathfully. "What are you going to give me to eat and drink? A pretty thing this is, to have an officer in, and starve him!"
"You shall have tea directly. You shall have what we have," she answered, in a low tone.
The kettle was boiling on the study fire. Jane lighted a fire in the parlour, and sent Frank out for butter. The man smoked over the study fire, as he had done all the afternoon, and Gar slept beside him on the floor, but William went now and brought the child away. Jane sent the man his tea in, and the loaf and butter.
The fare did not please him. He came to the parlour and said he must have meat; he had had none for his dinner.
"I cannot give it you," replied Jane. "We are eating dry toast and bread, as you may see. I sent butter to you."
He stood there for some minutes, giving vent17 to his feelings in rather strong language; and then he went back to revenge himself upon the butter for the want of meat. Jane laid her hand upon her beating throat: beating with its tribulation18.
Between eight and nine Jane went to the next door. Samuel Lynn had come home for the evening, and was sitting at the table in his parlour, helping19 the two little girls with a geographical20 puzzle, which had baffled their skill. He was a little man, quiet in movement, pale and sedate21 in feature, dry and unsympathising in manner.
"Thee art in trouble, friend, I hear," he said, placing a chair for Jane, whilst Patience came and called the children away. "It is sad for thee."
"In great trouble," answered Jane. "I came in to ask if you would serve me in my trouble. I fancy perhaps you can do so if you will."
"In what way, friend?"
"Would you interest yourself for me with Mr. Ashley? He might listen to you. Were he assured that the money would be forthcoming in February, I think he might agree to give me time."
"Friend, I cannot do this," was the reply of the Quaker. "My relations with Thomas Ashley are confined to business matters, and I cannot overstep them. To interfere22 with his private affairs would not be seemly; neither might he deem it so. I am but his servant, remember."
The words fell upon her heart as ice. She believed it her only chance—some one interceding23 for her with Mr. Ashley. She said so.
"Why not go to him thyself, friend?"
"Would he hear me?" hastily asked Jane. "I am a stranger to him."
"Thee art his tenant24. As to hearing thee, that he certainly would. Thomas Ashley is of a courteous25 nature. The poorest workman in our manufactory, going to the master with a grievance26, is sure of a patient hearing. But if thee ask me would he grant thy petition, there I cannot inform thee. Patience opines that thee, or thy intentions, may have been falsely represented to him. I never knew him resort to harsh measures before."
"When would be the best time to see him? Is it too late to-night?"
"To-night would not be a likely time, friend, to trouble him. He has not long returned from a day's journey, and is, no doubt, cold and tired. I met James Meeking driving down as I came home; he had left the master at his house. They have been out on business connected with the manufactory. Thee might see him in the morning, at his breakfast hour."
Jane rose and thanked the Quaker. "I will certainly go," she said.
"There is no need to say to him that I suggested it to thee, friend. Go as of thy own accord."
Jane went home with her little girl. Their undesirable27 visitor looked out at the study door, and began a battle about supper. It ought to comprise, in his opinion, meat and beer. He insisted that one of the boys should go out for beer. Jane steadily28 refused. She was tempted29 to tell him that the children of a gentleman were not despatched to public-houses on such errands. She offered him the money to go and get some for himself.
It aroused his anger. He accused her of wanting to get him out of the house by stratagem30, that she might lock him out; and he flung the pence back amongst them. Janey screamed, and Gar burst out crying. As Patience had said, he was not a pleasant inmate31. Jane ran upstairs, and the children followed her.
"Where is he to sleep?" inquired William.
It is a positive fact that, until that moment, Jane had forgotten all about the sleeping. Of course he must sleep there, though she had not thought of it. Amidst the poor in her father's parish in London, Jane had seen many phases of distress; but with this particular annoyance32 she had never been brought into contact. However, it had to be done.
What a night that was for her! She paced her room nearly throughout it, with quiet movement, Janey sleeping placidly—now giving way to all the dark appearances of her position, to uncontrollable despondency; now kneeling and crying for help in her heartfelt anguish33.
Morning came; the black frost had gone, and the sun shone. After breakfast Jane put on her shawl and bonnet34.
Mr. Ashley's residence was very near to them—only a little higher up the road. It was a large house, almost a mansion35, surrounded by a beautiful garden. Jane had passed it two or three times, and thought what a nice place it was. She repeatedly saw Mr. Ashley walk past her house as he went to or came from the manufactory: she was not a bad reader of countenances36, and she judged him to be a thorough gentleman. His face was a refined one, his manner pleasant.
She found that she had gone at an untoward37 time. Standing38 before the hall door was Mr. Ashley's open carriage, the groom39 standing at the horse's head. Even as Jane ascended40 the steps the door opened, and Mr. and Mrs. Ashley were coming forth. Feeling terribly distressed41 and disappointed, she scarcely defined why, Jane accosted42 the former, and requested a few minutes' interview.
Mr. Ashley looked at her. A fair young widow, evidently a lady. He did not recognise her. He had seen her before, but she was in a different style of dress now.
Mr. Ashley raised his hat as he replied to her. "Is your business with me pressing? I was just going out."
"Indeed it is pressing," she said; "or I would not think of asking to detain you."
"Then walk in," he returned. "A little delay will not make much difference."
Opening the door of a small sitting-room43, apparently44 his own, he invited her to a seat near the fire. As she took it, Jane untied45 the crape strings46 of her bonnet and threw back her heavy veil. She was as white as a sheet, and felt choking.
"I fear you are ill," Mr. Ashley remarked. "Can I get you anything?"
"I shall be better in a minute, thank you," she panted. "Perhaps you do not know me, sir. I live in your house, a little lower down. I am Mrs. Halliburton."
"Oh, I beg your pardon, madam; I did not remember you at first. I have seen you in passing."
His manner was perfectly47 kind and open. Not in the least like that of a landlord who had just put a distress into his tenant's house.
"I have come here to beseech48 your mercy," she began in agitation49. "I have not the rent now, but if you will consent to wait until the middle of February, it will be ready. Oh, Mr. Ashley, do not oppress me for it! Think of my situation."
"I never oppressed any one in my life," was the quiet rejoinder of Mr. Ashley, spoken, however, in a somewhat surprised tone.
"Sir, it is oppression. I beg your pardon for saying so. I promise that the rent shall be paid to you in a few weeks: to force my furniture from me now, is oppression."
"I do not understand you," returned Mr. Ashley.
"To sell my furniture under the distress will be utter ruin to me and my children," she continued. "We have no resource, no home; we shall have to lie in the streets, or die. Oh, sir, do not take it!"
"But you are agitating50 yourself unnecessarily, Mrs. Halliburton. I have no intention of taking your furniture."
"No intention, sir!" she echoed. "You have put in a distress."
"Put in a what?" cried he, in unbounded surprise.
"A distress. The man has been in since yesterday morning."
Mr. Ashley looked at her a few moments in silence. "Did the man tell you where he came from?"
"It was Mr. Dare who put him in—acting for you. I went to Mr. Dare, and he kept me waiting nearly five hours in his outer office before he would see me. When he did see me, he declined to hear me. All he would say was, that I must pay the rent or he should take the furniture: acting for Mr. Ashley."
A strangely severe expression darkened Mr. Ashley's face. "First of all, my dear lady, let me assure you that I knew nothing of this, or it should never have been done. I am surprised at Mr. Dare."
Could she fail to trust that open countenance—that benevolent51 eye? Her hopes rose high within her. "Sir, will you withdraw the man, and give me time?"
"I will."
The revulsion of feeling, from despair and grief, was too great. She burst into tears, having struggled against them in vain. Mr. Ashley rose and looked from the window; and presently she grew calmer. When he sat down again she gave him the outline of her situation; of her present dilemma52; of her hopes—poor hopes that they were!—of getting a scanty53 living through letting her rooms and doing some sewing, or by other employment. "Were I to lose my furniture, it would take from me this only chance," she concluded.
"You shall not lose it through me," warmly spoke Mr. Ashley. "The man shall be dismissed from your house in half an hour's time."
"Oh, thank you, thank you!" she breathed, rising to leave. "I have not been able to supply him with great things in the shape of food, and he uses very bad language in the hearing of my children. Thank you, Mr. Ashley."
He shook hands with her cordially, and attended her to the hall door. Mrs. Ashley, a pretty, lady-like woman, somewhat stately in general, stood there still. Well wrapped in velvet54 and furs, she did not care to return to the warm rooms. Jane said a few words of apology for detaining her, and passed on.
Mr. Ashley turned back to his room, drew his desk towards him, and began to write. His wife followed him. "Who was that, Thomas?"
"Mrs. Halliburton: our widowed tenant, next door to Samuel Lynn's. You remember I told you of meeting the funeral. Two little boys were following alone."
"Oh, poor little things! yes. What did she want?"
Mr. Ashley made no reply: he was writing rapidly. The note, when finished, was sealed and directed to Mr. Dare. He then helped his wife into the carriage, took the reins55, and sat down beside her. The groom took his place in the seat behind, and Mr. Ashley drove round the gravel56 drive, out at the gate, and turned towards Helstonleigh.
"Thomas, you are going the wrong way!" said Mrs. Ashley, in consternation57. "What are you thinking of?"
"I shall turn directly," he answered. There was a severe look upon his face, and he drove very fast, by which signs Mrs. Ashley knew something had put him out. She inquired, and he gave her the outline of what he had just heard.
"How could Anthony Dare act so?" involuntarily exclaimed Mrs. Ashley.
"I don't know. I shall give him a piece of my mind to-morrow more plainly than he will like. This is not the first time he has attempted a rascally58 action under cover of my name."
"Shall you lose the rent?"
"I think not, Margaret. She said not, and she carries sincerity59 in her face. I am sure I shall not lose it if she can help it. If I do, I must, that's all. I never yet added to the trouble of those in distress, and I never will."
He pulled up at Mrs. Halliburton's house, which she had just reached also. The groom came to the horse, and Mr. Ashley entered. The "man" was comfortably stretched before the study fire, smoking his short pipe. Up he jumped when he saw Mr. Ashley, and smuggled60 his pipe into his pocket. His offensive manner had changed to humble61 servility.
"Do you know me?" shortly inquired Mr. Ashley.
The man pulled his hair in token of respect. "Certainly, sir. Mr. Ashley."
"Very well. Carry this note to Mr. Dare."
The man received the note in his hand, and held it there, apparently, in some perplexity. "May I leave, sir, without the authority of Mr. Dare?"
"I beg pardon, sir," replied the man, pulling his hair again, and making a movement of departure. "I suppose I bain't a-coming back, sir?"
"You are not."
He took up a small bundle tied in a blue handkerchief, which he had brought with him and appeared excessively careful of, caught at his battered63 hat, ducked his head to Mr. Ashley, and left the house, the note held between his fingers. Would you like to see what it contained?
"Dear Sir,—I find that you have levied64 a distress on Mrs. Halliburton's goods for rent due to me. That you should have done so without my authority astonishes me much; that you should have done so at all, knowing what you do of my principles, astonishes me more. I send the man back to you. The costs of this procedure you will either set down to me, or pay out of your own pocket, whichever you may deem the more just; but you will not charge them to Mrs. Halliburton. Have the goodness to call upon me to-morrow morning in East Street.
"Thomas Ashley."
"He will not trouble you again, Mrs. Halliburton," observed Mr. Ashley, with a pleasant smile, as he went out to his carriage.
Jane stood at her window. She watched the man go towards Helstonleigh with the note; she watched Mr. Ashley step into his seat, turn his horse, and drive up the road. But all things were looking misty65 to her, for her eyes were dim.
"God did hear me," was her earnest thought.
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1
morsel
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| n.一口，一点点 | |
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spoke
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| 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 | |
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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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4
miseries
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| n.痛苦( misery的名词复数 )；痛苦的事；穷困；常发牢骚的人 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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distressing
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| a.使人痛苦的 | |
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sobbed
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| 哭泣，啜泣( sob的过去式和过去分词 )； 哭诉，呜咽地说 | |
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wailed
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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9
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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baker
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| n.面包师 | |
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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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levy
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| n.征收税或其他款项，征收额 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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tribulation
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| n.苦难，灾难 | |
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helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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geographical
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| adj.地理的；地区(性)的 | |
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sedate
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| adj.沉着的，镇静的，安静的 | |
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interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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interceding
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| v.斡旋，调解( intercede的现在分词 )；说情 | |
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tenant
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| n.承租人；房客；佃户；v.租借，租用 | |
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courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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grievance
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| n.怨愤，气恼，委屈 | |
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undesirable
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| adj.不受欢迎的，不良的，不合意的，讨厌的；n.不受欢迎的人，不良分子 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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stratagem
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| n.诡计，计谋 | |
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inmate
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| n.被收容者；(房屋等的)居住人；住院人 | |
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annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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bonnet
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| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
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mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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untoward
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| adj.不利的，不幸的，困难重重的 | |
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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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groom
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| vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁 | |
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ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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accosted
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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sitting-room
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| n.（BrE）客厅，起居室 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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untied
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| 松开，解开( untie的过去式和过去分词 )； 解除，使自由； 解决 | |
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strings
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| n.弦 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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beseech
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| v.祈求，恳求 | |
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agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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agitating
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| 搅动( agitate的现在分词 )； 激怒； 使焦虑不安； （尤指为法律、社会状况的改变而）激烈争论 | |
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51
benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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dilemma
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| n.困境，进退两难的局面 | |
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scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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54
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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56
gravel
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| n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石 | |
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57
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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58
rascally
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| adj. 无赖的，恶棍的 adv. 无赖地，卑鄙地 | |
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sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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60
smuggled
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| 水货 | |
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61
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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62
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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63
battered
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| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
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64
levied
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| 征（兵）( levy的过去式和过去分词 )； 索取； 发动（战争）； 征税 | |
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65
misty
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| adj.雾蒙蒙的，有雾的 | |
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