cranford(克兰弗德)-第44章
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heard her put a stop to the asseverations of the man who brought her
coals by quietly saying； 〃I am sure you would be sorry to bring me
wrong weight；〃 and if the coals were short measure that time； I don't
believe they ever were again。 People would have felt as much ashamed
of presuming on her good faith as they would have done on that of a
child。 But my father says 〃such simplicity might be very well in
Cranford； but would never do in the world。〃 And I fancy the world
must be very bad； for with all my father's suspicion of every one with
whom he has dealings； and in spite of all his many precautions； he lost
upwards of a thousand pounds by roguery only last year。
I just stayed long enough to establish Miss Matty in her new mode of
life； and to pack up the library； which the rector had purchased。 He had
written a very kind letter to Miss Matty； saying 〃how glad he should be
to take a library； so well selected as he knew that the late Mr Jenkyns's
must have been； at any valuation put upon them。〃 And when she
agreed to this； with a touch of sorrowful gladness that they would go
back to the rectory and be arranged on the accustomed walls once more；
he sent word that he feared that he had not room for them all； and
perhaps Miss Matty would kindly allow him to leave some volumes on
her shelves。 But Miss Matty said that she had her Bible and 〃Johnson's
Dictionary；〃 and should not have much time for reading； she was afraid；
still； I retained a few books out of consideration for the rector's
kindness。
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The money which he had paid； and that produced by the sale； was
partly expended in the stock of tea； and part of it was invested against a
rainy day … I。E。 old age or illness。 It was but a small sum； it is true； and
it occasioned a few evasions of truth and white lies （all of which I think
very wrong indeed … in theory … and would rather not put them in
practice）； for we knew Miss Matty would be perplexed as to her duty if
she were aware of any little reserve … fund being made for her while the
debts of the bank remained unpaid。 Moreover； she had never been told
of the way in which her friends were contributing to pay the rent。 I
should have liked to tell her this； but the mystery of the affair gave a
piquancy to their deed of kindness which the ladies were unwilling to
give up； and at first Martha had to shirk many a perplexed question as to
her ways and means of living in such a house； but by…and…by Miss
Matty's prudent uneasiness sank down into acquiescence with the
existing arrangement。
I left Miss Matty with a good heart。 Her sales of tea during the first
two days had surpassed my most sanguine expectations。 The whole
country round seemed to be all out of tea at once。 The only alteration I
could have desired in Miss Matty's way of doing business was； that she
should not have so plaintively entreated some of her customers not to
buy green tea … running it down as a slow poison； sure to destroy the
nerves； and produce all manner of evil。 Their pertinacity in taking it； in
spite of all her warnings； distressed her so much that I really thought she
would relinquish the sale of it； and so lose half her custom； and I was
driven to my wits' end for instances of longevity entirely attributable to a
persevering use of green tea。 But the final argument； which settled the
question； was a happy reference of mine to the train…oil and tallow
candles which the Esquimaux not only enjoy but digest。 After that she
acknowledged that 〃one man's meat might be another man's poison；〃 and
contented herself thence… forward with an occasional remonstrance when
she thought the purchaser was too young and innocent to be acquainted
with the evil effects green tea produced on some constitutions； and an
habitual sigh when people old enough to choose more wisely would
prefer it。
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I went over from Drumble once a quarter at least to settle the
accounts； and see after the necessary business letters。 And； speaking of
letters； I began to be very much ashamed of remembering my letter to
the Aga Jenkyns； and very glad I had never named my writing to any one。
I only hoped the letter was lost。 No answer came。 No sign was made。
About a year after Miss Matty set up shop； I received one of
Martha's hieroglyphics； begging me to come to Cranford very soon。 I
was afraid that Miss Matty was ill； and went off that very afternoon； and
took Martha by surprise when she saw me on opening the door。 We
went into the kitchen as usual； to have our confidential conference； and
then Martha told me she was expecting her confinement very soon … in a
week or two； and she did not think Miss Matty was aware of it； and she
wanted me to break the news to her； 〃for indeed； miss；〃 continued
Martha； crying hysterically； 〃I'm afraid she won't approve of it； and I'm
sure I don't know who is to take care of her as she should be taken care
of when I am laid up。〃
I comforted Martha by telling her I would remain till she was about
again； and only wished she had told me her reason for this sudden
summons； as then I would have brought the requisite stock of clothes。
But Martha was so tearful and tender…spirited； and unlike her usual self；
that I said as little as possible about myself； and endeavoured rather to
comfort Martha under all the probable and possible misfortunes which
came crowding upon her imagination。
I then stole out of the house…door； and made my appearance as if I
were a customer in the shop； just to take Miss Matty by surprise； and
gain an idea of how she looked in her new situation。 It was warm May
weather； so only the little half…door was closed； and Miss Matty sat
behind the counter； knitting an elaborate pair of garters； elaborate they
seemed to me； but the difficult stitch was no weight upon her mind； for
she was singing in a low voice to herself as her needles went rapidly in
and out。 I call it singing； but I dare say a musician would not use that
word to the tuneless yet sweet humming of the low worn voice。 I
found out from the words； far more than from the attempt at the tune；
that it was the Old Hundredth she was crooning to herself； but the quiet
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continuous sound told of content； and gave me a pleasant feeling； as I
stood in the street just outside the door； quite in harmony with that soft
May morning。 I went in。 At first she did not catch who it was； and
stood up as if to serve me； but in another minute watchful pussy had
clutched her knitting； which was dropped in eager joy at seeing me。 I
found； after we had had a little conversation； that it was as Martha said；
and that Miss Matty had no idea of the approaching household event。
So I thought I would let things take their course； secure that when I went
to her with the baby in my arms； I should obtain that forgiveness for
Martha which she was needlessly frightening herself into believing that
Miss Matty would withhold； under some notion that the new claimant
would require attentions from its mother that it would be faithless
treason to Miss Matty to render。
But I was right。 I think that must be an hereditary quality； for my
father says he is scarcely ever wrong。 One morning； within a week
after I arrived； I went to call Miss Matty； with a little bundle of flannel in
my arms。 She was very much awe…struck when I showed her what it
was； and asked for her spectacles off the dressing…table； and looked at it
curiously； with a sort of tender wonder at its small perfection of parts。
She could not banish the thought of the surprise all day； but went about
on tiptoe； and was very silent。 But she stole up to see Martha and they
both cried with joy； and she got into a complimentary speech to Jem； and
did not know how to get out of it again； and was only extricated from
her dilemma by the sound of the shop…bell； which was an equal relief to
the shy； proud； honest Jem； who shook my hand so vigorously when I
congratulated him； that I think I feel the pain of it yet。
I had a busy life while Martha was laid up。 I attended on Miss
Matty； and prepared her meals； I cast up her accounts； and examined into
the state of her canisters and tumblers。 I helped her； too； occasionally；
in the shop； and it gave me no small amusement； and sometimes a little
uneasiness； to watch her ways there。 If a little
