the life and perambulations of a mouse-第5章

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　it　grew　toward　evening；　we　agreed　to　find　our　way　out　of　that　detested　house；　and　seek　for　some　other　habitation；　which　might　be　more　propitious。　　But　we　found　more　difficulty　in　this　undertaking　than　we　were　at　all　aware　of；　for　though　we　could　with　tolerable　ease　go　from　room　to　room　within　the　house；　still；　when　we　attempted　to　quit　it；　we　found　it　every　way　surrounded　with　so　thick　a　brick　wall；　that　it　was　impossible　for　us　to　make　our　way　through　it：　　we　therefore　ran　round　and　round　it　several　times；　searching　for　some　little　crevice　through　which　we　might　escape；　but　all　to　no　purpose；　not　the　least　crack　could　we　discover：　　and　we　might　have　continued　there　till　this　time；　had　we　not　at　length；　after　the　family　were　in　bed；　resolved　to　venture　through　one　of　the　apartments　into　the　hall；　and　so　creep　out　under　the　house　door。　　But　the　dangers　we　exposed　ourselves　to　in　this　expedition　were　many　and　great；　we　knew　that　traps　were　set　for　us　about　the　house；　and　where　they　might　chance　to　be　placed　we　could　not　tell。　　I　had　likewise　been　eye…witness　to　no　less　than　four　cats；　who　might；　for　ought　we　knew　to　the　contrary；　at　that　hour　of　darkness；　be　prowling　in　search　of　some　of　our　unhappy　species。

But；　in　spite　of　every　difficulty　and　hazard；　we　determined　to　venture　rather　than　continue　in　opposition　to　our　mother's　commands；　and；　to　reward　our　obedience；　we　escaped　with　trembling　hearts；　unobserved；　at　least　unmolested；　by　any　one。　　And　now；　for　the　first　time　since　our　birth；　we　found　ourselves　exposed　to　the　inclemency　of　the　weather。　　The　night　was　very　dark　and　tempestuous；　the　rain　poured　down　in　torrents；　and　the　wind　blew　so　exceedingly　high；　that；　low　upon　the　ground　as　we　were；　it　was　with　difficulty　that　we　could　keep　our　legs：　　added　to　which；　even　step　we　took；　we　were　in　water　up　to　our　stomachs。　　In　this　wretched　condition　we　knew　not　which　way　to　turn　ourselves；　or　where　to　seek　for　shelter。　　The　spattering　of　the　rain；　the　howling　of　the　wind；　together　with　the　rattling　and　shaking　of　the　trees；　all　contributed　to　make　such　a　noise　as　rendered　it　impossible　for　us　to　hear　whether　any　danger　was　approaching　us　or　not。

In　this　truly　melancholy　situation　we　waded　on　for　a　considerable　time；　till　at　length　we　reached　a　small　house；　and　very　easily　gained　admittance　through　a　pretty　large　hole　on　one　side　of　the　door。　　Most　heartily　did　we　rejoice　at　finding　ourselves　once　more　under　shelter　from　the　cold　and　rain；　and　for　some　time　only　busied　ourselves　in　drying　our　hair；　which　was　as　thoroughly　wet　as　if　we　had　been　served　as　the　boy　threatened　my　brother　Brighteyes；　and　we　had　really　been　drawn　through　a　pond。　　After　we　had　done　this；　and　had　a　little　rested　ourselves；　we　began　to　look　about　in　search　of　food；　but　we　could　find　nothing。　　except　a　few　crumbs　of　bread　and　cheese　in　a　man's　coat　pocket；　and　a　piece　of　tallow…candle　stuck　on　the　top　of　a　tinder…box。　　This；　however；　though　not　such　delicate　eating　as　we　had　been　used　to；　yet　served　to　satisfy　our　present　hunger；　and　we　had　just　finished　the　candle　when　we　were　greatly　alarmed　by　the　sight　of　a　human　hand　（for　we　mice　can　see　a　little　in　the　dark）　feeling　about　the　very　chair　on　which　we　stood。　　We　jumped　down　in　an　instant；　and　hid　ourselves　in　a　little　hole　behind　a　black　trunk　that　stood　in　one　corner　of　the　room。

We　then　heard　very　distinctly　a　man　say；　'Betty；　did　you　not　put　the　candle　by　the　bedside？'　　'Yes；　that　I　am　very　sure　I　did；'　replied　a　female　voice。　　'I　thought　so；'　answered　the　man；　'but　I　am　sure　it　is　not　here　now。　　Tom！　Tom！　Tom！'　continued　he。　　'What；　father？'　replied　a　boy；　starting　up；　'what　is　the　matter？'　　'Why；　do　you　know　anything　of　the　candle？　　I　cannot　find　it；　my　dear；　and　I　want　it　sadly；　for　I　fancy　it　is　time　we　should　be　up　and　be　jogging。　　Dost　know　any　thing　of　it；　my　lad？'　　'Not　I；　truly；　father；'　said　the　boy；　'I　only　know　that　I　saw　mother　stick　it　in　the　box…lid　last　night；　and　put　it　upon　the　chair；　which　she　set　by　the　bedside；　after　you　had　put　your　clothes　upon　the　back　of　it；　I　know　I　saw　her　put　it　there；　so　it　must　be　there　now；　I　fancy。'　　'Well；　I　cannot　find　it；'　replied　the　father；　so　we　must　e'en　get　up　in　the　dark；　for　I　am　sure　it　must　be　time。'　The　father　and　son　then　both　dressed　themselves；　and　the　man；　taking　a　shilling　out　of　his　pocket；　laid　it　upon　the　chair；　saying　at　the　same　time；　'There；　Betty。　　I　have　left　a　shilling　for　you；　take　care　it　does　not　go　after　the　candle；　for　where　that　is　I　cannot　tell　any　more　than　the　carp　at　the　bottom　of　the　squire's　fish…pond。'　He　then　unlocked　the　door；　and　went　away；　accompanied　by　his　son。

After　their　departure；　we　again　came　out；　and　took　another　walk　round　the　room；　and　found　our　way　into　a　little　cupboard；　which　we　had　not　before　observed。　　Here　we　discovered　half　a　loaf　of　bread；　a　piece　of　cold　pudding；　a　lump　of　salt　butter；　some　soft　sugar　in　a　basin；　and　a　fine　large　slice　of　bacon。　　On　these　dainties　we　feasted　very　amply；　and　agreed　that　we　should　again　hide　ourselves　behind　the　black　trunk　all　day；　and　at　night；　when　the　family　were　in　bed；　return　to　take　another　meal　on　the　plenty　of　nice　provision　which　we　so　happily　discovered。　　Accordingly；　we　crept　back　just　as　the　woman　went　to　fill　her　teakettle　at　a　pump；　which　stood　between　her　house　and　the　next　neighbour's。　　When　she　returned；　she　put　it　upon　the　fire　she　had　just　lit；　and；　taking　a　pair　of　bellows　in　her　hand；　sat　down　to　blow　it。

While　she　was　so　employed；　a　young　gentleman；　about　ten　years　of　age；　very　genteelly　dressed；　entered　the　room；　and　in　a　familiar　manner　asked　her　how　she　did。　　'I　am　very　well；　thank　you；　my　dear；'　replied　she：　　'and　pray；　Master　George；　how　does　your　mamma　and　papa　do；　and　all　your　brothers　and　sisters？'　　'They　are　all　very　well；　thank　you；'　returned　the　boy：　　'And　I　am　come　to　bring　you　a　slice　of　cake；　which　my　grandpapa　gave　me　yesterday。'　Then　throwing　his　arms　round　her　neck；　he　went　on　saying；　'Oh！　my　dear；　dear　Betty　Flood；　how　I　do　love　you！　　I　would　do　anything　in　the　world　to　serve　you。　　I　shall　save　all　my　Christmas…boxes　to　give　to　you；　and　when　I　am　a　man；　I　will　give　you　a　great　deal　of　money。　　I　wish　you　were　a　lady；　and　not　so　poor。'　　'I　am　much　obliged　to　you；　my　dear；'　said　she；　'for　your　kind　good…wishes；　but；　indeed；　love；　I　am　very　well　contented　with　my　station：　　I　have　a　good　husband；　and　three　good　children；　and　that　is　more　than　many　a　lady　can　say；　and　riches；　Master　George；　unless　people　are　good；　and　those　one　lives　with　are　kind　and　obliging；　will　never　make　anybody　happy。　　What　comfort；　now；　do　you　think　a　body　could　ever　have　at　Squire　Stately's？　　I　declare；　if　it　was　put　to　my　choice；　I　would　rather　a　thousand　times　be　as　I　am。　　To　be　sure；　they　are　very　rich；　but　what　of　that？　they　cannot　eat　gold；　neither　can　gold　ease　their　hearts　when　they　are　bursting　almost　with　pride　and　ill…nature。　　They　say；　indeed；　that　Madam　Stately　would　be　kind　enough；　if　they　would　let　her　rest；　but　what　with　the　Squire's　drinking　and　swearing；　and　the　young　gentleman's　extravagance；　and　her　daughter's　pride　and　quarrelling；　she　is　almost　tired　out　of　her　life。　　And　so；　Master　George；　I　say　I　had　rather　be　poor　Betty　Flood；　with　honest　Abraham　for　my　husband；　than　the　finest　lady　in　the　land；　if　I　must　live　at　such　a　rate。　　To　be　sure；　nobody　can　deny　but　that　money　is　very　desirable；　and　people　that　are　rich　can　do　many　agreeable　things　which　we　poor　ones　cannot；　but　yet；　for　all　that；　money　does　not　make　people　happy。　　Happiness；　Master　George；　depends　greatly　upon　people's　own　tempers　and　dispositions：　　a　person　who　is　fretful　and　cross　will　never　be　happy；　though　he　should　be　made　king　of　all　England；　and　a　person　who　is　contented　and　good…humoured　will　never　be　wretched；　though　he　should　be　as　poor　as　a　beggar。　　So　never　fret　yourself；　love；　because　Betty　Flood　is　poor；　for　though　I　am　poor；　I　am　honest；　and　whilst　my　husband　and　I　are　happy　enough　to　be　blessed　with　health；　and　the　use　of　our　limbs；　we　can　work　for　our　living；　and　though　we　have　no　great　plenty；　still　we　have　sufficient　to　support　us。　　So　pray；　dear；　eat　your　cake　yourself；　for　I　would　not　take　it　from　you　for　ever　so　much。'　　They　then　disputed　for　some　time　who　should　have　it：　　at　last；　George　scuffled　away　from　her；　and　put　it　into　the　closet；　and　then；　nodding　his　head　at　her；　ran　away；　saying；　he　must　go　to　school　that　moment。

Betty　Flood　then　ate　her　breakfast；　and　we　heard　her　say　something　about　the　nasty　mice；　but　what　we　could　not　make　out；　as　she　muttered　softly　to　herself。　　She　then　came　to　the　trunk　behind　which　we　lay；　and　taking　out　of　it　a　roll　of　new　linen；　sat　down　to　needlework。　　At　twelve　o'clock　her　husband　and　son　returned；　so　moving　her　table　out　of　the　way；　she　made　room　for　them　at　the　fire；　and；　fetching　the　frying　pan；　dressed　some　rashers　of　the　nice　bacon　we　had　before　tasted　in　the　cupboard。　　The　boy；　in　the　mean　time；　spread　a　cloth　on　the　table；　and　placed　the　bread　and　cold　pudding　on　it　likewise：　　then；　returning　to　the　closet　for　their　plates；　he　cried　out；　'Lauk！　father；　here　is　a　nice　hunch　of　plum…cake；　can　you　tell　how　it　came？'　　'Not　I；　indeed；　Tom；'　replied　his　father；　'I　can　tell　no　more　than　the　carp　at　the　bottom　of　the　squire's　fish…pond。'　　'Oh；　I　will　tell　you。'　said　Mrs。　Flood；　'I　know　how　it　came。　　Do　you　know；　that　dear　child；　Master　George　Kendall；　brought　it　for　me；　he　called　as　he　went　to　school　this　morning。　　I　told　him　I　would　not　have　it；　but　the　dear　little　soul　popped　it　into　the　cupboard；　and　ran　away　without　it。　　Bless　his　little　heart！　　I　do　think　he　is　the　sweetest　child　that　ever　was　born。　　You　may　laugh　at　me　for　saying　so；　but　I　am　sure　I　should　have　thought　the　same　if　I　had　not　nursed　him　myself。'　　'Indeed；'　replied　her　husband；　'I　do　not　laugh　at　you　for　saying　so；　for　I　think　so　too；　and　so　must　everyone　who　knows　him；　for　when　young　gentlemen　behave　as　he　does；　everybody　must　love　and　admire　them。　　There　is　nothing　I　would　not　do　to　help　and　serve　that　child；　or　any　of　his　family；　they　always　are　so　kind；　and　speak　as　civilly　to　us　poor　folk　as　if　we　were　the　first　lords　or　ladies　in　the　land。　　I　am　sure；　if　it　were　needful；　I　would　go　through　fire　and　water　for　their　sakes；　and　so　would　every　man　in　the　parish；　I　dare　say。　　But　I　wonder　who　would　do　as　much　to　help　Squire　Stately　or　any　of　his　family；　if　it　was　not　that　I　should　think　it　my　duty　（and　an　honest　man　ought　always　to　do　that；　whether　he　likes　it　or　not）；　but　I　say；　if　it　was　not　that　it　would　be　my　duty　to　help　my　fellow…creature；　I　would　scarcely　be　at　the　trouble　of　stepping　over　the　threshold　to　serve　them；　they　are　such　a　set　of　cross；　good…for…nothing　gentry。　　I　declare；　it　was　but　as　we　came　home　to　dinner　now；　that　we　saw　Master　Sam　throwing　sticks　and　stones　at　Dame　Frugal's　ducks；　for　the　sake　of　seeing　them　waddle；　and　then；　when　they　got　to　the　pond；　he　sent　his　dog　in　after　them　to　bark　and　frighten　them　out　of　their　wits。　　And　as　I　came　by；　nothing　would　serve　him　but　throwing　a　great　dab　of　mud　all　over　the　sleeve　of　my　coat。　　So　I　said；　〃Why；　Master　Sam；　you　need　not　have　done　that；　I　did　nothing　to　offend　you；　and　however　amusing　you　may　think　it　to　insult　poor　people；　I　assure　you　it　is　very　wicked；　and　w