hard cash-第66章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！



〃Ah！〃

〃A　wreath　of　orange　blossoms〃

〃Oh　you　good　boy！〃

〃Four　pair　of　gloves：　two　whiteone　is　safe　to　breaktwo　dark；　very　dark：　invisible　green；　or　visible　black；　last　the　honeymoon。　All　the　rest　you　must　find　in　the　house。〃

〃What；　fit　her　out　with　a　parcel　of　old　things？　so　cruel；　so　unreasonable；　dear　Edward？〃

〃Old　things！　Why；　where　is　all　your　gorgeous　attire　from　Oriental　climes？　I　see　the　splendiferous　articles　arrive；　and　then　they　vanish　for　ever。〃

〃Now；　shawls　and　Indian　muslins！　pray　what　use　are　they　to　a　bride？〃

〃Why；　what　looks　nicer　than　a　white　muslin　dress？〃

〃Married　in　muslin？　The　very　idea　makes　me　shiver。〃

〃Well；　clap　her　on　another　petticoat。〃

〃How　can　you　be　so　childish？　Muslin　is　not　the　_the　thing。_〃

〃No　more　is　running　in　debt。〃

He　then　suggested　that　a　white　shawl　or　two　should　be　cut　into　a　bridal　dress。　At　this　both　ladies'　fair　throats　opened　on　him　with　ridicule：　cut　fifty　guinea　shawls　into　ten…pound　dresses；　that　was　male　economy！　was　it？　Total；　a　wedding　was　a　wedding：　new　things　always　_had_　had　to　be　bought　for　a　wedding；　and　always　would　_in　secula　seculorum。_

〃New　things？　Yes；〃　said　the　pertinacious　wretch；　〃but　they　need　not　be　new…bought　things。　You　ladies　go　and　confound　the　world's　eyes　with　your　own　in　the　drollest　way：　If　Gorgeous　Attire　has　lain　long　in　your　drawers；　you　fancy　the　world　will　detect　on　its　glossy　surface　how　long　you　had　it；　and　gloated　over　it；　and　made　it　stale　to　your　eye；　before　you　could　bring　your　mind　to　wear　it。　That　is　your　delusion；　that　and　the　itch　for　going　out　shopping；　oh；　I'm　down　on　you。　Mamma　dear；　you　open　that　gigantic　wardrobe　of　yours；　and　I'll　oil　my　hair；　white…wash　my　mug　（a　little　moan　from　Mrs。　D。）　and　do　the　counterjumping　business　to　the　life；　hand　the　things　down　to　you；　unrol　'em；　grin；　charge　you　100　per　cent　over　value；　note　them　down　in　a　penny　memorandum…book；　sing　out　'Caesh！　Caesh！'　&c。　&c。：　and　so　we　shall　get　all　Julia　wants；　and　go　through　the　ritual　of　shopping　without　the　substantial　disgrace　of　running　in　debt。〃

Mrs。　Dodd　smiled　admiringly；　as　ladies　generally　do　at　the　sauciness　of　a　young　male；　but　proposed　an　amendment。　She　would　open　her　wardrobe；　and　look　out　all　the　contents　for　Edward's　inspection；　and；　if　the　mere　sight　of　them　did　not　convince　him　they　were　inappropriate　to　a　bride；　why　then　she　would　coincide　with　his　views；　and　resign　her　own。

〃All　right！〃　said　he。　〃That　will　take　a　jolly　time；　I　know；　so　I'll　go　to　my　governor　first　for　the　bonnet　and　wreath。〃

Mrs。　Dodd　drew　in　at　this　last　slang　word；　she　had　heard　young　gentlemen　apply　it　to　their　fathers。　Edward；　she　felt　sure；　would　not　so　sully　that　sacred　relation；　still　the　word　was　obnoxious　for　its　past　offences；　and　she　froze　at　it：　〃I　have　not　the　honour　to　know　who　the　personage　is　you　so　describe；〃　said　she　formally。　Edward　replied　very　carelessly　that　it　was　an　upholsterer　at　the　north　end　of　the　town。

〃Ah；　a　tradesman　you　patronise。〃

〃Humph！　Well；　yes；　that　is　the　word；　mamma；　haw！　haw！　I　have　been　making　the　bloke　a　lot　of　oak　candlesticks；　and　human　heads　with　sparkling　eyes；　for　walking…sticks；　&c。　And　now　I'll　go　and　draw　myprotege'sblunt。〃　The　lady's　hands　were　uplifted　towards　pitying　Heaven　with　one　impulse。　The　young　workman　grinned：　〃Soyons　de　notre　siecle；〃　said　he；　and　departed　whistling　in　the　tenor　clef。　He　had　the　mellowest　whistle。

After　a　few　minutes　well　spent　in　deploring　the　fall　of　her　Oxonian；　and　gently　denouncing　his　motto；　and　his　century；　its　ways；　and　above　all　its　words；　Mrs。　Dodd　took　Julia　to　her　bedroom；　and　unlocked　drawers　and　doors　in　her　wardrobe；　and　straightway　Sarah；　who　was　hurriedly　flogging　the　chairs　with　a　duster；　relaxed；　and　began　to　work　on　a　cheval…glass　as　slowly　as　if　she　was　drawing　Nelson's　lions　at　a　thousand　pounds　the　tail。　Mrs。　Dodd　opened　a　drawer　and　took　out　three　pieces　of　worked　Indian　muslin；　a　little　discoloured　by　hoarding：　〃There；　that　must　be　bleached　and　make　you　some　wrappers　for　the　honeymoon；　if　the　weather　is　at　all　fine；　and　petticoats　to　match；〃　next　an　envelope　consisting　of　two　foolscap　sheets　tacked：　this；　carefully　undone　upon　the　bed　revealed　a　Brussels　lace　flounce　and　a　veil：　〃It　was　my　own；〃　said　Mrs。　Dodd　softly。　〃I　saved　it　for　you；　see　here　is　your　name　written　on　it　seventeen　years　ago。　I　thought　'this　dear　little　toddler　will　have　wings　some　day；　and　then　she　will　leave　me。'　But　now　I　am　almost　afraid　to　let　you　wear　it；　it　might　bring　you　misfortune：　suppose　after　years　of　wedded　love　you　should　be　bereaved　of〃　Mrs。　Dodd　choked；　and　Julia's　arms　were　round　her　neck　in　a　moment。

〃I'll　risk　it；〃　cried　she　impetuously。　〃If　it　but　makes　me　as　beloved　as　you　are；　I'll　wear　it；　come　weal　come　woe！　And　then　I　shall　feel　it　over　me　at　the　altar　like　my　guardian　angel's　wings；　my　own　sweet；　darling　mamma。　Oh　what　an　idiot；　what　a　wretch　I　am；　to　leave　you　at　all。〃

This　unfortunate；　unexpected　burst；　interrupted　business　sadly。　Mrs。　Dodd　sank　down　directly　on　the　bed　and　wept；　Julia　cried　over　her；　and　Sarah　plumped　herself　down　in　a　chair　and　blubbered。　But　wedding　flowers　are　generally　well　watered　in　the　private　apartments。

Patient　Mrs。　Dodd　soon　recovered　herself：　〃This　is　childish　of　me。　When　I　think　that　there　are　mothers　who　see　their　children　go　from　the　house　corpses；　not　brides；　I　ought　to　be　ashamed　of　myself。　Come！　a　l'oeuvre。　Ah；　here　is　something。〃　And　she　produced　a　white　China　crape　shawl。　〃Oh；　how　sweet；〃　said　Julia；　〃why　have　you　never　worn　it？〃

〃Dear　me；　child；　what　use　would　things　be　to　those　I　love；　if　I　went　and　_wore_　them？〃

The　next　article　she　laid　her　hand　on　was　a　roll　of　white　poplin；　and　drew　an　exclamation　from　Mrs。　Dodd　herself：　〃If　I　had　not　forgotten　this；　and　it　is　the　very　thing。　Your　dear　papa　bought　me　this　in　London；　and　I　remonstrated　with　him　well　for　buying　me　such　a　delicate　thing；　only　once　wear。　I　kissed　it　and　put　it　away；　and　forgot　it。　They　_say_　if　you　keep　a　thing　seven　years。　It　_is_　just　seven　years　since　he　gave　it　to　me。　Really；　the　dear　boy　is　a　witch：　this　is　your　wedding　dress；　my　precious　precious。〃　She　unrolled　a　few　yards　on　the　bed　to　show　it；　and　asked　the　gloating　Sarah　with　a　great　appearance　of　consideration　whether　they　were　not　detaining　her　from　her　occupations？

〃Oh　no；　mum。　This　glass　have　got　so　dull；　I'm　just　polishing　of　it　a　bit。　I　shan't　be　a　minute　now；　mum。〃

From　silver　tissue　paper；　Mrs。　Dodd　evolved　a　dress　（unmade）　of　white　crape　embroidered　in　true　lover's…knots　of　violet　silk；　and　ears　of　wheat　in　gold。　Then　there　was　a　scream　at　the　glass；　and　Sarah　seen　in　it　with　ten　claws　in　the　air　very　wide　apart：　she　had　slily　turned　the　mirror　and　was　devouring　the　reflexion　of　the　finery；　and　this　last　Indian　fabric　overpowered　her。　Her　exclamation　was　instantly　followed　by　much　polishing；　but　Mrs。　Dodd　replied　to　it　after　the　manner　of　her　sex：　〃Well　it　_is_　lovely；〃　said　she　to　Julia：　〃but　where　is　the　one　with　beetle　wings？　Oh　here。〃

〃Real　beetles'　wings；　mamma？〃　inquired　Julia。

〃Yes；　love。〃

〃So　they　are；　and　how　wicked！　and　what　a　lovely　green！　I　will　never　wear　them：　they　are　prismatic：　now；　if　ever　I　am　to　be　a　Christian；　I　had　better　begin：　everything　_has_　a　beginning。　Oh　vanity　of　women；　you　stick　at　nothing。　A　thousand　innocent　lives　stolen　to　make　one　dress！〃　And　she　put　one　hand　before　her　eyes；　and　with　the　other　ordered　the　dress　back　into　the　wardrobe　with　genuine　agitation。

〃My　dear；　what　expressions！　And　you　need　not　wear　it；　indeed　neither　of　them　is　fit　for　that　purpose。　But　you　_must_　have　a　pretty　thing　or　two　about　you。　I　have　hoarded　these　a　good　many　years；　now　it　is　your　turn　to　have　them　by　you。　And　let　me　see；　you　want　a　travelling　cloak：　but　the　dear　boy　will　not　let　us；　so　choose　a　warm　shawl。〃

A　rich　but　modest　one　was　soon　found；　and　Julia　tried　it　on；　arching　her　supple　neck；　and　looking　down　over　her　shoulder　to　see　the　effect　behind；　in　which　attitude　oh　for　an　immortal　brush　to　paint　her；　or　anything　half　as　bright；　supple；　graceful；　and　every　inch　a　woman。　At　this　moment　Mrs。　Dodd　threw　a　lovely　blue　Indian　shawl　on　the　bed；　galvanising　Sarah　so　that　up　went　her　hands　again；　and　the　door　opened　softly　and　a　handsome　head　in　a　paper　cap　peeped　on　the　scene；　inquiring　with　mock　timidity　〃May　'The　British　Workman'　come　in？〃

He　was　invited　warmly；　Julia　whipped　his　cap　off；　and　tore　it　in　two；　reddening；　and　Mrs。　Dodd；　intending　to　compliment　his　foresight；　showed　him　the　bed　laden　with　the　treasures　they　had　disinterred　from　vanity's　mahogany　tomb。

〃Well；　mother；〃　said　he；　〃you　were　right；　and　I　was　wrong：　they　are　inappropriate　enough；　the　whole　lot。〃

The　ladies　looked　at　one　another；　and　Sarah　permitted　herself　a　species　of　snort。

〃Do　we　want　Sarah？〃　he　asked　quietly。　She　retired　bridling。

〃Inappropriate？〃　exclaimed　Mrs。　Dodd。　〃There　is　nothing　here　unfit　for　a　bride's　trousseau。〃

〃Good　Heavens！　Would　you　trick　her　out　like　a　Princess？〃

〃We　must。　We　are　too　poor　to　dress　her　like　a　lady。〃

〃Cinderella；　at　your　service；〃　observed　Julia　complacently；　and　pirouetted　before　him　in　her　new　shawl。

Ideas　rejected　peremptorily　at　the　time　often　rankle；　and　bear　fruit　by…and…bye。　Mrs。　Dodd　took　up　the　blue　shawl；　and　said　she　would　make　Julia　a　peignoir　of　it；　and　the　border；　being　narrowish；　would　do　for　the　bottom。　〃That　was　a　good　notion；　of　yours；　darling；〃　said　she；　bestowing　a　sweet　smile　on　Edward。　He　grunted。　Then　she　took　out　a　bundle　of　lace：　〃Oh；　for　pity's　sake；　no　more；〃　cried　the　〃British　Workman。〃

〃Now；　dearest；　you　have　interfered　once　in　feminine　affairs；　and　we　submitted。　But；　if　you　say　another　word；　I　will　trim　her　poplin　with　Honiton　two　feet　deep。〃

〃Quarter！　quarter！〃　cried　Edward。　〃I'm　dumb；　grant　me　but　this；　have　nothing　made　up　for　her　out　of　the　house：　you　know　there　is　no　dressmaker　in　Barkington　can　cut　like　you：　and　then　that　will　put　some　limit　to　our　inconsistency。〃　Mrs。　Dodd　agreed；　but　she　must　have　a　woman　in　to　sew。

Edward　grunted　at　this；　and　said：　〃I　wish　I　could　turn　you　these　gowns　with　my　lathe；　what　a　deal　of　time　and　bother　it　would　save。　However；　if　you　want　any　stuffing；　come　to　me；　I'll　lend　you　lots　of　shavings；　make　the　silk　rustle。　Oh；　here　is　my　governor's　contribution。〃　And　he　produced　L。　7；　10s。

〃Now；　look　there；〃　said　Julia　sorrowfully；　〃it　is　money。　And　I　thought　you　were　going　to　bring　me　the　very　bonnet　yourself。　Then　I　should　have　valued　it。〃

〃Oh　yes；〃　replied　the　young　gentleman　ironically；　〃can　I　choose　a　bonnet　to　satisfy　such　swells　as　you　and　mamma？　I'll　tell　you　what　I'll　do；　I'll　go　with　you　and　look　as　wise　as　Solomon；　all　the　time　you　are　choosing　it〃

〃A　capital　plan；〃　said　Julia。

Edward　then　shook　his　fist　at　the　finery：　and　retired　to　work　again　for　his　governor：　〃Flowers；〃　he　observed；　〃are　indispensable；　at　a　wedding　breakfast；　I　hear　too　it　is　considered　the　right　cheese　to　add　something　in　the　shape　of　grub。〃　Exit　whistling　in　the　tenor　clef；　and　keeping　their　hearts　up；　like　a　man。

So　now　there　were　two　workshops　in　Albion　Villa。　Ned's　study；　as　he　called　it；　and　the　drawing…room。　In　the　former　shavings　flew；　and　settled　at　their　ease；　and　the　whirr　of　the　lathe　slept　not；　the　latter　wa