°®°®Ð¡ËµÍø > ÆäËûµç×ÓÊé > hard times(¼èÄÑʱÊÀ) >

µÚ27ÕÂ

hard times(¼èÄÑʱÊÀ)-µÚ27ÕÂ

С˵£º hard times(¼èÄÑʱÊÀ) ×ÖÊý£º ÿҳ3500×Ö

°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·­Ò³£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡




inspectors¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡appointed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡look¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡works£»¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡

ruined¡¡when¡¡such¡¡inspectors¡¡considered¡¡it¡¡doubtful¡¡whether¡¡they¡¡

were¡¡quite¡¡justified¡¡in¡¡chopping¡¡¡¡people¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡machinery£»¡¡

they¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡utterly¡¡¡¡undone£»¡¡¡¡¡¡When¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡hinted¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡perhaps¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡



Charles¡¡Dickens¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ElecBook¡¡Classics¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡145¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Hard¡¡Times¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡145¡¡



need¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡always¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡make¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡quite¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡much¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡smoke¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Besides¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡¡

Bounderby¡¯s¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡gold¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡spoon¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡generally¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡received¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡

Coketown£»¡¡¡¡¡¡another¡¡¡¡¡¡prevalent¡¡¡¡¡¡fiction¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡very¡¡¡¡¡¡popular¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡

took¡¡the¡¡form¡¡of¡¡a¡¡threat¡£¡¡Whenever¡¡a¡¡Coketowner¡¡felt¡¡he¡¡was¡¡ill¡­¡¡

used¡ªthat¡¡is¡¡to¡¡say£»¡¡whenever¡¡he¡¡was¡¡not¡¡left¡¡entirely¡¡alone£»¡¡and¡¡it¡¡

was¡¡proposed¡¡to¡¡hold¡¡him¡¡accountable¡¡for¡¡the¡¡consequences¡¡of¡¡any¡¡

of¡¡his¡¡acts¡¡he¡¡was¡¡sure¡¡to¡¡come¡¡out¡¡with¡¡the¡¡awful¡¡menace£»¡¡that¡¡he¡¡

would¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡°sooner¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡pitch¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡property¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡Atlantic¡±¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡This¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡

terrified¡¡the¡¡Home¡¡Secretary¡¡within¡¡an¡¡inch¡¡of¡¡his¡¡life£»¡¡on¡¡several¡¡

occasions¡¡¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡However£»¡¡the¡¡Coketowners¡¡were¡¡so¡¡patriotic¡¡after¡¡all£»¡¡that¡¡they¡¡

never¡¡had¡¡pitched¡¡their¡¡property¡¡into¡¡the¡¡Atlantic¡¡yet£»¡¡but¡¡on¡¡the¡¡

contrary£»¡¡had¡¡been¡¡kind¡¡enough¡¡to¡¡take¡¡mighty¡¡good¡¡care¡¡of¡¡it¡£¡¡So¡¡

there¡¡it¡¡was£»¡¡in¡¡the¡¡haze¡¡yonder£»¡¡and¡¡it¡¡increased¡¡and¡¡multiplied¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡streets¡¡were¡¡hot¡¡and¡¡dusty¡¡on¡¡the¡¡summer¡¡day£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡sun¡¡

was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡bright¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡even¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡shone¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡heavy¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡vapour¡¡

drooping¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡over¡¡¡¡¡¡Coketown£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡looked¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡steadily¡£¡¡

Stokers¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡emerged¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡low¡¡¡¡¡¡underground¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡doorways¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡factory¡¡

yards£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡sat¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡steps£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡posts£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡palings£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡wiping¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡

swarthy¡¡visages£»¡¡and¡¡contemplating¡¡coals¡£¡¡The¡¡whole¡¡town¡¡seemed¡¡

to¡¡be¡¡frying¡¡in¡¡oil¡£¡¡There¡¡was¡¡a¡¡stifling¡¡smell¡¡of¡¡hot¡¡oil¡¡everywhere¡£¡¡

The¡¡¡¡¡¡steam¡­engines¡¡¡¡¡¡shone¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡it£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡dresses¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Hands¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡

soiled¡¡with¡¡it£»¡¡the¡¡mills¡¡throughout¡¡their¡¡many¡¡storeys¡¡oozed¡¡and¡¡

trickled¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡atmosphere¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡those¡¡¡¡¡¡Fairy¡¡¡¡¡¡Palaces¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

breath¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡simoon£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡inhabitants£»¡¡¡¡¡¡wasting¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡heat£»¡¡

toiled¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡languidly¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡desert¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡temperature¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡made¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

melancholy¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡mad¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡elephants¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡mad¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡sane¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Their¡¡

wearisome¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡heads¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡went¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡down¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡same¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡rate£»¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡hot¡¡

weather¡¡and¡¡cold£»¡¡wet¡¡weather¡¡and¡¡dry£»¡¡fair¡¡weather¡¡and¡¡foul¡£¡¡The¡¡



Charles¡¡Dickens¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ElecBook¡¡Classics¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡146¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Hard¡¡Times¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡146¡¡



measured¡¡motion¡¡of¡¡their¡¡shadows¡¡on¡¡the¡¡walls£»¡¡was¡¡the¡¡substitute¡¡

Coketown¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡show¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡shadows¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡rustling¡¡¡¡woods£»¡¡¡¡¡¡while£»¡¡

for¡¡the¡¡summer¡¡hum¡¡of¡¡insects£»¡¡it¡¡could¡¡offer£»¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡year¡¡¡¡round£»¡¡

from¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡dawn¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡Monday¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡night¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡Saturday£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡whirr¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡

shafts¡¡and¡¡wheels¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Drowsily¡¡they¡¡whirred¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡sunny¡¡day£»¡¡¡¡¡¡making¡¡¡¡the¡¡

passenger¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡sleepy¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡hot¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡passed¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡humming¡¡

walls¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡mills¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Sun¡­blinds£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡sprinklings¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡water£»¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡

cooled¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡main¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡streets¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡shops£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡mills£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

courts¡¡and¡¡alleys£»¡¡baked¡¡at¡¡a¡¡fierce¡¡heat¡£¡¡Down¡¡upon¡¡the¡¡river¡¡that¡¡

was¡¡black¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡thick¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡dye£»¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡Coketown¡¡¡¡¡¡boys¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡

large¡ªa¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡rare¡¡¡¡¡¡sight¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡ªrowed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡crazy¡¡¡¡¡¡boat£»¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡made¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

spumous¡¡track¡¡upon¡¡the¡¡water¡¡as¡¡it¡¡jogged¡¡along£»¡¡while¡¡every¡¡dip¡¡

of¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡oar¡¡¡¡¡¡stirred¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡vile¡¡¡¡smells¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡sun¡¡¡¡¡¡itself£»¡¡¡¡however¡¡

beneficent¡¡¡¡generally£»¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡less¡¡¡¡¡¡kind¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡Coketown¡¡¡¡¡¡than¡¡¡¡¡¡hard¡¡¡¡¡¡frost£»¡¡

and¡¡¡¡¡¡rarely¡¡¡¡¡¡looked¡¡¡¡¡¡intently¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡any¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡¡¡closer¡¡¡¡¡¡regions¡¡¡¡¡¡without¡¡

engendering¡¡more¡¡death¡¡than¡¡life¡£¡¡So¡¡does¡¡the¡¡eye¡¡of¡¡Heaven¡¡itself¡¡

become¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡evil¡¡¡¡¡¡eye£»¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡incapable¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡sordid¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡hands¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡

interposed¡¡between¡¡it¡¡and¡¡the¡¡things¡¡it¡¡looks¡¡upon¡¡to¡¡bless¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mrs¡¡Sparsit¡¡sat¡¡in¡¡her¡¡afternoon¡¡apartment¡¡at¡¡the¡¡Bank£»¡¡on¡¡the¡¡

shadier¡¡¡¡¡¡side¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡frying¡¡¡¡¡¡street¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Office¡­hours¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡over£º¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡

that¡¡period¡¡of¡¡the¡¡day£»¡¡in¡¡warm¡¡weather£»¡¡she¡¡usually¡¡embellished¡¡

with¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡genteel¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡presence£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡managerial¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡boardroom¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡over¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

public¡¡office¡£¡¡Her¡¡own¡¡private¡¡sitting¡­room¡¡was¡¡a¡¡storey¡¡higher£»¡¡at¡¡

the¡¡¡¡¡¡window¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡post¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡observation¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡ready£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡every¡¡

morning£»¡¡to¡¡greet¡¡Mr¡¡Bounderby¡¡as¡¡he¡¡came¡¡across¡¡the¡¡road£»¡¡with¡¡

the¡¡sympathising¡¡recognition¡¡appropriate¡¡to¡¡a¡¡Victim¡£¡¡He¡¡had¡¡been¡¡

married¡¡now£»¡¡a¡¡year£»¡¡and¡¡Mrs¡¡Sparsit¡¡had¡¡never¡¡released¡¡him¡¡from¡¡

her¡¡determined¡¡pity¡¡a¡¡moment¡£¡¡



Charles¡¡Dickens¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ElecBook¡¡Classics¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡147¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Hard¡¡Times¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡147¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡Bank¡¡¡¡¡¡offered¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡violence¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡wholesome¡¡¡¡¡¡monotony¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡

the¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡town¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡another¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡red¡¡¡¡¡¡brick¡¡¡¡¡¡house£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡black¡¡¡¡¡¡outside¡¡

shutters£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡green¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡inside¡¡¡¡¡¡blinds£»¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡black¡¡¡¡¡¡street¡­door¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡two¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡white¡¡

steps£»¡¡a¡¡brazen¡¡door¡­plate£»¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡brazen¡¡door¡­handle¡¡¡¡full¡¡¡¡¡¡stop¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡

was¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡size¡¡¡¡¡¡larger¡¡¡¡¡¡than¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡¡¡¡¡¡Bounderby¡¯s¡¡¡¡¡¡house£»¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡other¡¡¡¡¡¡houses¡¡

were¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡size¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡half¡­a¡­dozen¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡sizes¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡smaller£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡other¡¡

particulars£»¡¡it¡¡was¡¡strictly¡¡according¡¡to¡¡pattern¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mrs¡¡¡¡¡¡Sparsit¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡conscious¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡by¡¡coming¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡evening¡­tide¡¡

among¡¡the¡¡desks¡¡and¡¡writing¡¡implements£»¡¡she¡¡shed¡¡a¡¡feminine£»¡¡not¡¡

to¡¡¡¡¡¡say¡¡¡¡¡¡also¡¡¡¡¡¡aristocratic£»¡¡¡¡¡¡grace¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡office¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Seated£»¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡

needlework¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡netting¡¡¡¡¡¡apparatus£»¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡window£»¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡self¡­¡¡

laudatory¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡sense¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡correcting£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡ladylike¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡deportment£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

rude¡¡¡¡¡¡business¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡aspect¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡place¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡With¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡impression¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡her¡¡

interesting¡¡character¡¡upon¡¡her£»¡¡Mrs¡¡Sparsit¡¡considered¡¡herself£»¡¡in¡¡

some¡¡sort£»¡¡the¡¡Bank¡¡Fairy¡£¡¡The¡¡townspeople¡¡who£»¡¡in¡¡their¡¡passing¡¡

and¡¡repassing£»¡¡¡¡¡¡saw¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡there£»¡¡¡¡¡¡regarded¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Bank¡¡¡¡¡¡Dragon£»¡¡

keeping¡¡watch¡¡over¡¡the¡¡treasures¡¡of¡¡the¡¡mine¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡What¡¡¡¡those¡¡¡¡¡¡treasures¡¡¡¡¡¡were£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Mrs¡¡¡¡¡¡Sparsit¡¡¡¡knew¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡

did¡£¡¡Gold¡¡and¡¡silver¡¡coin£»¡¡precious¡¡paper£»¡¡secrets¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡if¡¡divulged¡¡

would¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡bring¡¡¡¡¡¡vague¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡destruction¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡vague¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡persons¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨generally£»¡¡

however£»¡¡people¡¡¡¡¡¡whom¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡disliked£©£»¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡chief¡¡¡¡items¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡

ideal¡¡¡¡¡¡catalogue¡¡¡¡¡¡thereof¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡rest£»¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡knew¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡after¡¡¡¡¡¡office¡­¡¡

hours£»¡¡she¡¡reigned¡¡supreme¡¡over¡¡all¡¡the¡¡office¡¡furniture£»¡¡and¡¡over¡¡

a¡¡locked¡­up¡¡iron¡¡room¡¡with¡¡three¡¡locks£»¡¡against¡¡the¡¡door¡¡of¡¡which¡¡

strong¡¡¡¡¡¡chamber¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡light¡¡¡¡¡¡porter¡¡¡¡¡¡laid¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡head¡¡¡¡¡¡every¡¡¡¡¡¡night£»¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

truckle¡¡bed£»¡¡that¡¡disappeared¡¡at¡¡cockcrow¡£¡¡Further£»¡¡she¡¡was¡¡lady¡¡

paramount¡¡over¡¡certain¡¡vaults¡¡in¡¡the¡¡basement£»¡¡sharply¡¡spiked¡¡off¡¡

from¡¡communication¡¡with¡¡the¡¡predatory¡¡world£»¡¡and¡¡over¡¡the¡¡relics¡¡

of¡¡the¡¡current¡¡day¡¯s¡¡work£»¡¡consisting¡¡of¡¡blots¡¡of¡¡ink£»¡¡worn¡­out¡¡pens£»¡¡



Charles¡¡Dickens¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ElecBook¡¡Classics¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡148¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Hard¡¡Times¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡148¡¡



fragments¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡wafers£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡scraps¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡paper¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡torn¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡small£»¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡

nothing¡¡interesting¡¡could¡¡ever¡¡¡¡be¡¡deciphered¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡them¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡Mrs¡¡

Sparsit¡¡¡¡¡¡tried¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Lastly¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡guardian¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡over¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡armoury¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡

cutlasses¡¡and¡¡carbines£»¡¡arrayed¡¡in¡¡vengeful¡¡order¡¡above¡¡one¡¡of¡¡the¡¡

official¡¡chimney¡­pieces£»¡¡and¡¡over¡¡that¡¡¡¡respectable¡¡¡¡¡¡tradition¡¡never¡¡

to¡¡be¡¡separated¡¡from¡¡a¡¡place¡¡of¡¡business¡¡claiming¡¡to¡¡be¡¡wealthy¡ªa¡¡

row¡¡of¡¡fire¡­buckets¡ªvessels¡¡calculated¡¡to¡¡be¡¡of¡¡no¡¡physical¡¡utility¡¡

on¡¡any¡¡occasion£»¡¡but¡¡observed¡¡to¡¡exercise¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡fine¡¡¡¡¡¡moral¡¡¡¡¡¡influence£»¡¡

almost¡¡equal¡¡to¡¡bullion£»¡¡on¡¡most¡¡beholders¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡deaf¡¡¡¡¡¡serving¡­woman¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡light¡¡¡¡porter¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡completed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mrs¡¡

Sparsit¡¯s¡¡¡¡¡¡empire¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡deaf¡¡¡¡¡¡serving¡­woman¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡rumoured¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡

wealthy£»¡¡and¡¡a¡¡saying¡¡had¡¡for¡¡years¡¡gone¡¡about¡¡among¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡lower¡¡

orders¡¡of¡¡Coketown£»¡¡that¡¡she¡¡would¡¡be¡¡murdered¡¡some¡¡night¡¡when¡¡

the¡¡¡¡¡¡Bank¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡shut£»¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡sake¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡money¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡generally¡¡

considered£»¡¡indeed£»¡¡that¡¡she¡¡had¡¡been¡¡due¡¡some¡¡time£»¡¡and¡¡ought¡¡to¡¡

have¡¡fallen¡¡long¡¡ago£»¡¡but¡¡she¡¡had¡¡kept¡¡her¡¡life£»¡¡and¡¡her¡¡situation£»¡¡

with¡¡an¡¡ill¡­conditioned¡¡tenacity¡¡that¡¡occasioned¡¡much¡¡offence¡¡and¡¡

disappointment¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mrs¡¡Sparsit¡¯s¡¡tea¡¡was¡¡just¡¡set¡¡for¡¡her¡¡on¡¡a¡¡pert¡¡little¡¡table£»¡¡with¡¡

its¡¡tripod¡¡of¡¡legs¡¡in¡¡an¡¡attitude£»¡¡which¡¡she¡¡insinuated¡¡after¡¡office¡­¡¡

hours£»¡¡into¡¡the¡¡company¡¡of¡¡the¡¡stern£»¡¡leathern¡­topped£»¡¡long¡¡board¡­¡¡

table¡¡that¡¡bestrode¡¡the¡¡middle¡¡of¡¡the¡¡room¡£¡¡The¡¡light¡¡porter¡¡placed¡¡

the¡¡tea¡­tray¡¡on¡¡it£»¡¡knuckling¡¡his¡¡forehead¡¡as¡¡a¡¡form¡¡of¡¡homage¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡°Thank¡¡you£»¡¡Bitzer£»¡±¡¡said¡¡Mrs¡¡Sparsit¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡°Thank¡¡you£»¡¡ma¡¯am£»¡±¡¡returned¡¡the¡¡light¡¡porter¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡very¡¡

light¡¡¡¡¡¡porter¡¡¡¡¡¡indeed£»¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡light¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡days¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡blinkingly¡¡

defined¡¡a¡¡horse£»¡¡for¡¡girl¡¡number¡¡twenty¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡°All¡¡is¡¡shut¡¡up£»¡¡Bitzer£¿¡±¡¡said¡¡Mrs¡¡Sparsit¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡°All¡¡is¡¡shut¡¡up£»¡¡ma¡¯am¡£¡±¡¡



Charles¡¡Dickens¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ElecBook¡¡Classics¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡149¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Hard¡¡Times¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡149¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡°And¡¡what£»¡±¡¡said¡¡Mrs¡¡Sparsit£»¡¡pouring¡¡out¡¡her¡¡tea£»¡¡¡°is¡¡the¡¡news¡¡

of¡¡the¡¡day£¿¡¡Anything£¿¡±¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡°Well£»¡¡ma¡¯am£»¡¡I¡¡can¡¯t¡¡say¡¡that¡¡I¡¡have¡¡heard¡¡anything¡¡particular¡£¡¡

Our¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡people¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡bad¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡lot£»¡¡¡¡ma¡¯am£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡news£»¡¡

unfortunately¡£¡¡¡°¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡°What¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡restless¡¡¡¡¡¡wretches¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡doing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡now£¿¡±¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡asked¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mrs¡¡

Sparsit¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡°Merely¡¡going¡¡on¡¡in¡¡the¡¡old¡¡way£»¡¡ma¡¯am¡£¡¡Uniting£»¡¡and¡¡leaguing£»¡¡

and¡¡engaging¡¡to¡¡stand¡¡by¡¡one¡¡another¡£¡±¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡°It¡¡is¡¡much¡¡to¡¡be¡¡regretted£»¡±¡¡said¡¡Mrs¡¡Sparsit£»¡¡making¡¡her¡¡nose¡¡

more¡¡Roman¡¡and¡¡her¡¡eyebrows¡¡more¡¡Coriolanian¡¡in¡¡the¡¡strength¡¡

of¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡severity£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡°that¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡united¡¡¡¡¡¡masters¡¡allow¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡any¡¡¡¡such¡¡¡¡¡¡class¡­¡¡

combinations¡£¡±¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡°Yes£»¡¡ma¡¯am£»¡±¡¡said¡¡Bitzer¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡°Being¡¡¡¡¡¡united¡¡¡¡¡¡themselves£»¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡ought¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡set¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡

faces¡¡¡¡¡¡against¡¡¡¡¡¡employing¡¡¡¡¡¡any¡¡¡¡¡¡man¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡united¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡any¡¡¡¡¡¡other¡¡

man£»¡±¡¡said¡¡Mrs¡¡Sparsit¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡°They¡¡have¡¡done¡¡that£»¡¡ma¡¯am£»¡±¡¡returned¡¡Bitzer£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡°but¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡rather¡¡

fell¡¡through£»¡¡ma¡¯am¡£¡±¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡°I¡¡do¡¡not¡¡pretend¡¡to¡¡understand¡¡these¡¡things£»¡±¡¡said¡¡Mrs¡¡Sparsit£»¡¡

with¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡dignity£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡°my¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡lot¡¡¡¡having¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡originally¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡cast¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡widely¡¡


·µ»ØĿ¼ ÉÏÒ»Ò³ ÏÂÒ»Ò³ »Øµ½¶¥²¿ ÔÞ£¨0£© ²È£¨1£©

Äã¿ÉÄÜϲ»¶µÄ