a simpleton-第38章

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〃Heaven　forbid！　　What　is　known？〃

〃What　you　would　give　the　world　to　keep　from　her。　　Why；　sir；　the
moment　you　cautioned　me；　of　course　I　saw　there　was　trouble。　　But
little　I　thoughtsir；　not　a　servant　in　the　kitchen　or　the　stable
but　knows　that　her　husbandpoor　thing！　poor　thing！Ah！　there　goes
the　housemaidto　have　a　look　at　her。〃

〃Stop　her！〃

Mrs。　Briscoe　had　not　waited　for　this；　she　rushed　after　the　woman；
and　told　her　Mrs。　Staines　was　sleeping；　and　the　room　must　not　be
entered　on　any　account。

〃Oh；　very　well；〃　said　the　maid；　rather　sullenly。

Mrs。　Briscoe　saw　her　return　to　the　kitchen；　and　came　back　to　Dr。
Staines；　he　was　pacing　the　room　in　torments　of　anxiety。

〃Doctor；〃　said　she；　〃it　is　the　old　story：　'Servants'　friends；　the
master's　enemies。'　　An　old　servant　came　here　to　gossip　with　her
friend　the　cook　（she　never　could　abide　her　while　they　were
together；　by　all　accounts）；　and　told　her　the　whole　story　of　his
being　drowned　at　sea。〃

Dr。　Philip　groaned；　〃Cursed　chatterbox！〃　said　he。　　〃What　is　to　be
done？　　Must　we　break　it　to　her　now？　　Oh；　if　I　could　only　buy　a　few
days　more！　　The　heart　to　be　crushed　while　the　body　is　weak！　　It　is
too　cruel。　　Advise　me；　Mrs。　Briscoe。　　You　are　an　experienced　woman；
and　I　think　you　are　a　kind…hearted　woman。〃

〃Well；　sir；〃　said　Mrs。　Briscoe；　〃I　had　the　name　of　it；　when　I　was
youngerbefore　Briscoe　failed；　and　I　took　to　nursing；　which　it
hardens；　sir；　by　use；　and　along　of　the　patients　themselves；　for
sick　folk　are　lumps　of　selfishness；　we　see　more　of　them　than　you
do；　sir。　　But　this　I　WILL　say；　'tisn't　selfishness　that　lies　now　in
that　room；　waiting　for　the　blow　that　will　bring　her　to　death's
door；　I'm　sore　afraid；　but　a　sweet；　gentle；　thoughtful　creature；　as
ever　supped　sorrow；　for　I　don't　know　how　'tis；　doctor；　nor　why
'tis；　but　an　angel　like　that　has　always　to　sup　sorrow。〃

〃But　you　do　not　advise　me；〃　said　the　doctor；　in　agitation；　〃and
something　must　be　done。〃

〃Advise　you；　sir；　it　is　not　for　me　to　do　that。　　I　am　sure　I'm　at　my
wits'　ends；　poor　thing！　　Well；　sir；　I　don't　see　what　you　can　do；
but　try　and　break　it　to　her。　　Better　so；　than　let　it　come　to　her
like　a　clap　of　thunder。　　But　I　think；　sir；　I'd　have　a　wet…nurse
ready；　before　I　said　much：　for　she　is　very　quickand　ten　to　one
but　the　first　word　of　such　a　thing　turns　her　blood　to　gall。　　Sir；　I
once　knew　a　poor　womanshe　was　a　carpenter's　wifea…nursing　her
child　in　the　afternoonand　in　runs　a　foolish　woman；　and　tells　her
he　was　killed　dead；　off　a　scaffold。　　'Twas　the　man's　sister　told
her。　　Well；　sir；　she　was　knocked　stupid　like；　and　she　sat　staring；
and　nursing　of　her　child；　before　she　could　take　it　in　rightly。　　The
child　was　dead　before　supper…time；　and　the　woman　was　not　long
after。　　The　whole　family　was　swept　away；　sir；　in　a　few　hours；　and　I
mind　the　table　was　not　cleared　he　had　dined　on；　when　they　came　to
lay　them　out。　　Well…a…day；　nurses　see　sorrow！〃

〃We　all　see　sorrow　that　live　long；　Mrs。　Briscoe。　　I　am　heart…broken
myself；　I　am　desperate。　　You　are　a　good　soul；　and　I'll　tell　you。
When　my　nephew　married　this　poor　girl；　I　was　very　angry　with　him；
and　I　soon　found　she　was　not　fit　to　be　a　struggling　man's　wife；　and
then　I　was　very　angry　with　her。　　She　had　spoiled　a　first…rate
physician；　I　thought。　　But；　since　I　knew　her　better；　it　is　all
changed。　　She　is　so　lovable。　　How　I　shall　ever　tell　her　this
terrible　thing；　God　knows。　　All　I　know　is；　that　I　will　not　throw　a
chance　away。　　Her　body　SHALL　be　stronger；　before　I　break　her　heart。
Cursed　idiots；　that　could　not　save　a　single　man；　with　their　boats；
in　a　calm　sea！　　Lord　forgive　me　for　blaming　people；　when　I　was　not
there　to　see。　　I　say　I　will　give　her　every　chance。　　She　shall　not
know　it　till　she　is　stronger：　no；　not　if　I　live　at　her　door；　and
sleep　there；　and　all。　　Good　God！　inspire　me　with　something。　　There
is　always　something　to　be　done；　if　one　could　but　see　it。〃

Mrs。　Briscoe　sighed　and　said；　〃Sir；　I　think　anything　is　better　than
for　her　to　hear　it　from　a　servantand　they　are　sure　to　blurt　it
out。　　Young　women　are　such　fools。〃

〃No；　no；　I　see　what　it　is；〃　said　Dr。　Philip。　　〃I　have　gone　all
wrong　from　the　first。　　I　have　been　acting　like　a　woman；　when　I
should　have　acted　like　a　man。　　Why；　I　only　trusted　YOU　by　halves。
There　was　a　fool　for　you。　　Never　trust　people　by　halves。〃

〃That　is　true；　sir。〃

〃Well；　then；　now　I　shall　go　at　it　like　a　man。　　I　have　a　vile
opinion　of　servants；　but　no　matter。　　I'll　try　them：　they　are　human；
I　suppose。　　I'll　hit　them　between　the　eyes　like　a　man。　　Go　to　the
kitchen；　Mrs。　Briscoe；　and　tell　them　I　wish　to　speak　to　all　the
servants；　indoors　or　out。〃

〃Yes；　sir。〃

She　stopped　at　the　door；　and　said；　〃I　had　better　get　back　to　her；
as　soon　as　I　have　told　them。〃

〃Certainly。〃

〃And　what　shall　I　tell　her；　sir？　　Her　first　word　will　be　to　ask　me
what　you　wanted　me　for。　　I　saw　that　in　her　eye。　　She　was　curious：
that　is　why　she　sent　me　after　you　so　quick。〃

Dr。　Philip　groaned。　　He　felt　he　was　walking　among　pitfalls。　　He
rapidly　flavored　some　distilled　water　with　orange…flower；　then
tinted　it　a　beautiful　pink；　and　bottled　it。　　〃There；〃　said　he；　〃I
was　mixing　a　new　medicine。　　Tablespoon；　four　times　a　day：　had　to
filter　it。　　Any　lie　you　like。〃

Mrs。　Briscoe　went　to　the　kitchen；　and　gave　her　message：　then　went
to　Mrs。　Staines　with　the　mixture。

Dr。　Philip　went　down　to　the　kitchen；　and　spoke　to　the　servants　very
solemnly。　　He　said；　〃My　good　friends；　I　am　come　to　ask　your　help　in
a　matter　of　life　and　death。　　There　is　a　poor　young　woman　up…stairs；
she　is　a　widow；　and　does　not　know　it；　and　must　not　know　it　yet。　　If
the　blow　fell　now；　I　think　it　would　kill　her：　indeed；　if　she　hears
it　all　of　a　sudden；　at　any　time；　that　might　destroy　her。　　We　are　in
so　sore　a　strait　that　a　feather　may　turn　the　scale。　　So　we　must　try
all　we　can　to　gain　a　little　time；　and　then　trust　to　God's　mercy
after　all。　　Well；　now；　what　do　you　say？　　Will　you　help　me　keep　it
from　her；　till　the　tenth　of　March；　say？　and　then　I　will　break　it　to
her　by　degrees。　　Forget　she　is　your　mistress。　　Master　and　servant；
that　is　all　very　well　at　a　proper　time；　but　this　is　the　time　to
remember　nothing　but　that　we　are　all　one　flesh　and　blood。　　We　lie
down　together　in　the　churchyard；　and　we　hope　to　rise　together　where
there　will　be　no　master　and　servant。　　Think　of　the　poor　unfortunate
creature　as　your　own　flesh　and　blood；　and　tell　me；　will　you　help　me
try　and　save　her；　under　this　terrible　blow？〃

〃Ay；　doctor；　that　we　will；〃　said　the　footman。　　〃Only　you　give　us
our　orders；　and　you　will　see。〃

〃I　have　no　right　to　give　you　orders；　but　I　entreat　you　not　to　show
her　by　word　or　look；　that　calamity　is　upon　her。　　Alas！　it　is　only　a
reprieve　you　can　give　her　and　to　me。　　The　bitter　hour　MUST　come
when　I　must　tell　her　she　is　a　widow；　and　her　boy　an　orphan。　　When
that　day　comes；　I　will　ask　you　all　to　pray　for　me　that　I　may　find
words。　　But　now　I　ask　you　to　give　me　that　ten　days'　reprieve。　　Let
the　poor　creature　recover　a　little　strength；　before　the　thunderbolt
of　affliction　falls　on　her　head。　　Will　you　promise　me？〃

They　promised　heartily；　and　more　than　one　of　the　women　began　to
cry。

〃A　general　assent　will　not　satisfy　me；〃　said　Dr。　Philip。　　〃I　want
every　man；　and　every　woman；　to　give　me　a　hand　upon　it；　then　I　shall
feel　sure　of　you。〃

The　men　gave　him　their　hands　at　once。　　The　women　wiped　their　hands
with　their　aprons；　to　make　sure　they　were　clean；　and　gave　him　their
hands　too。　　The　cook　said；　〃If　any　one　of　us　goes　from　it；　this
kitchen　will　be　too　hot　to　hold　her。〃

〃Nobody　will　go　from　it；　cook；〃　said　the　doctor。　　〃I'm　not　afraid
of　that；　and　now　since　you　have　promised　me；　out　of　your　own　good
hearts；　I'll　try　and　be　even　with　you。　　If　she　knows　nothing　of　it
by　the　tenth　of　March；　five　guineas　to　every　man　and　woman　in　this
kitchen。　　You　shall　see　that；　if　you　can　be　kind；　we　can　be
grateful。〃

He　then　hurried　away。　　He　found　Mr。　Lusignan　in　the　drawing…room；
and　told　him　all　this。　　Lusignan　was　fluttered；　but　grateful。　　〃Ah；
my　good　friend；〃　said　he；　〃this　is　a　hard　trial　to　two　old　men；
like　you　and　me。〃

〃It　is；〃　said　Philip。　　〃It　has　shown　me　my　age。　　I　declare　I　am
trembling；　I；　whose　nerves　were　iron。　　But　I　have　a　particular
contempt　for　servants。　　Mercenary　wretches！　　I　think　Heaven
inspired　me　to　talk　to　them。　　After　all；　who　knows？　perhaps　we
might　find　a　way　to　their　hearts；　if　we　did　not　eternally　shock
their　vanity；　and　forget　that　it　is；　and　must　be；　far　greater　than
our　own。　　The　women　gave　me　their　tears；　and　the　men　were　earnest。
Not　one　hand　lay　cold　in　mine。　　As　for　your　kitchen…maid；　I'd　trust
my　life　to　that　girl。　　What　a　grip　she　gave　me！　　What　strength！
What　fidelity　was　in　it！　　My　hand　was　never　GRASPED　before。　　I
think　we　are　safe　for　a　few　days　more。〃

Lusignan　sighed。　　〃What　does　it　all　come　to？　　We　are　pulling　the
trigger　gently；　that　is　all。〃

〃No；　no；　that　is　not　it。　　Don't　let　us　confound　the　matter　with
similes；　please。　　Keep　them　for　children。〃

Mrs。　Staines　left　her　bed；　and　would　have　left　her　room；　but　Dr。
Philip　forbade　it　strictly。

One　day；　seated　in　her　arm…chair；　she　said　to　the　nurse；　before　Dr。
Philip；　〃Nurse；　why　do　the　servants　look　so　curiously　at　me？〃

Mrs。　Briscoe　cast　a　hasty　glance　at　Dr。　Philip；　and　then　said；　〃I
don't　know；　madam。　　I　never　noticed　that。〃

〃Uncle；　why　did　nurse　look　at　you　before　she　answered　such　a　simple
question？〃

〃I　don't　know。　　What　question？〃

〃About　the　servants。〃

〃Oh；　about　the　servants！〃　said　he　contemptuously。

〃You　should　not　turn　up　your　nose　at　them；　for　they　are　all　most
kind　and　attentive。　　Only；　I　catch　them　looking　at　me　so　strangely；
reallyas　if　they〃

〃Rosa；　you　are　taking　me　quite　out　of　my　depth。　　The　looks　of
servant　girls！　　Why；　of　course　a　lady　in　your　condition　is　an
object　of　especial　interest　to　them。　　I　dare　say　they　are　saying　to
one　another；　'I　wonder　when　my　turn　will　come！'　　A　fellow…feeling
makes　us　wondrous　kindthat　is　a　proverb；　is　it　not？〃

〃To　be　sure。　　I　forgot　that。〃

She　said　no　more；　but　seemed　thoughtful；　and　not　quite　satisfied。

On　this　Dr。　Philip　begged　the　maids　to　go　near　her　as　little　as
possible。　　〃You　are　not　aware　of　it；〃　said　he；　〃but　your　looks；　and
your　manner　of　speaking；　rouse　her　attention；　and　she　is　quicker
than　I　thought　she　was；　and　observes　very　subtly。〃

This　was　done；　and　then　she　complained　that　nobody　came　near　her。
She　insisted　on　coming　down…stairs；　it　was　so　dull。

Dr。　Philip　consented；　if　she　would　be　content　to　receive　no　visits
for　a　week。

She　assented　to　that；　and　now　passed　some　hours　every　day　in　the
drawing…room。　　In　her　morning　wrappers；　so　fresh　and　crisp；　she
looked　lovely；　and　increased　in　health　and　strength　every　day。

Dr。　Philip　used　to　look　at　her；　and　his　very　flesh　would　creep　at
the　thought　that；　ere　long；　he　must　hurl　this　fair　creature　into
the　dust　of　affliction；　must；　with　a　word；　take　the　ruby　from　her
lips；　the　rose　from　her　cheeks；　the　sparkle　from　her　glorious　eyes
eyes　that　beamed　on　him　with　sweet　affection；　and　a　mouth　that
never　opened；　but　to　show　some　simplicity　of　mind；　or　some　pretty
burst　of　the　sensitive　heart。

He　put　off；　and　put　off；　and　at　last　co