hard times(艰难时世)-第66章
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some representation to Stephen Blackpool—perhaps in my name；
perhaps in his own—which induced him to do in good faith and
honesty； what he had never done before； and to wait about the
Bank those two or three nights before he left the town。”
“Too plain！” returned the father。 “Too plain！”
He shaded his face； and remained silent for some moments。
Recovering himself； he said：
“And now； how is he to be found？ How is he to be saved from
justice？ In the few hours that I can possibly allow to elapse before
I publish the truth； how is he to be found by us； and only by us？
Ten thousand pounds could not effect it。”
“Sissy has effected it； father。”
He raised his eyes to where she stood； like a good fairy in his
house； and said in a tone of softened gratitude and grateful
kindness； “It is always you； my child！”
“We had our fears。” Sissy explained； glancing at Louisa； “before
yesterday； and when I saw you brought to the side of the litter last
night； and heard what passed （being close to Rachael all the time）；
I went to him when no one saw； and said to him； ‘Don’t look at me。
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See where your father is。 Escape at once； for his sake and your
own！’ He was in a tremble before I whispered to him； and he
started and trembled more then； and said； ‘Where can I go？ I have
very little money； and I don’t know who will hide me！” I thought of
father’s old circus。 I have not forgotten where Mr Sleary goes at
this time of year； and I read of him in a paper only the other day。 I
told him to hurry there； and tell his name； and ask Mr Sleary to
hide him till I came。 ‘I’ll get to him before the morning；’ he said。
And I saw him shrink away among the people。”
“Thank Heaven！” exclaimed his father。 “He may be got abroad
yet。”
It was the more hopeful as the town to which Sissy had directed
him was within three hours’ journey of Liverpool； whence he
could be swiftly dispatched to any part of the world。 But； caution
being necessary in communicating with him—for there was a
greater danger every moment of his being suspected now； and
nobody could be sure at heart； but that Mr Bounderby himself； in
a bullying vein of public zeal； might play a Roman part—it was
consented that Sissy and Louisa should repair to the place in
question； by a circuitous course alone； and that the unhappy
father； setting forth in an opposite direction； should get round to
the same bourne by another and wider route。 It was further
agreed that he should not present himself to Mr Sleary； lest his
intentions should be mistrusted； or the intelligence of his arrival
should cause his son to take flight anew； but； that the
communication should be left to Sissy and Louisa to open； and
that they should inform the cause of so much misery and disgrace；
of his father’s being at hand and of the purpose for which they had
come。 When these arrangements had been well considered and
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were fully understood by all three； it was time to begin to carry
them into execution。 Early in the afternoon； Mr Gradgrind walked
direct from his own house into the country； to be taken up on the
line by which he was to travel； and at night the remaining two set
forth upon their different course； encouraged by not seeing any
face they knew。
The two travelled all night； except when they were left； for odd
numbers of minutes； at branch…places up illimitable flights of
steps； or down wells—which was the only variety of those
branches—and； early in the morning； were turned out on a
swamp； a mile or two from the town they sought。 From this dismal
spot they were rescued by a savage old postilion； who happened to
be up early； kicking a horse in a fly； and so were smuggled into the
town by all the back lanes where the pigs lived： which； although
not a magnificent or even savoury approach； was； as is usual in
such cases； the legitimate highway。
The first thing they saw on entering the town was the skeleton
of Sleary’s Circus。 The company had departed for another town
more than twenty miles off； and had opened there last night。 The
connection between the two places was by a hilly turnpike…road；
and the travelling on that road was very slow。 Though they took
but a hasty breakfast； and no rest （which it would have been in
vain to seek under such circumstances）； it was noon before they
began to find the bills of Sleary’s Horse…riding on barns and walls；
and one o’clock when they stopped in the market…place。
A Grand Morning Performance by the Riders； commencing at
that very hour； was in course of announcement by the bellman as
they set their feet upon the stones of the street。 Sissy
recommended that； to avoid making inquiries and attracting
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attention in the town； they should present themselves to pay at the
door。 If Mr Sleary were taking the money； he would be sure to
know her； and would proceed with discretion。 If he were not； he
would be sure to see them inside； and； knowing what he had done
with the fugitive； would proceed with discretion still。
Therefore； they repaired； with fluttering hearts； to the well
remembered booth。 The flag with the inscription SLEARY’S
HORSE…RIDING； was there； and the Gothic niche was there； but
Mr Sleary was not there。 Master Kidderminster； grown too
maturely turfy to be received by the wildest credulity as Cupid any
more； had yielded to the invincible force of circumstances （and his
beard）； and； in the capacity of a man who made himself generally
useful； presided on this occasion over the exchequer—having also
a drum in reserve； on which to expend his leisure moments and
superfluous forces。 In the extreme sharpness of his look out for
base coin； Mr Kidderminster； as at present situated； never saw
anything but money； so Sissy passed him unrecognised； and they
went in。
The Emperor of Japan； on a steady old white horse stencilled
with black spots； was twirling five wash…hand basins at once； as it
is the favourite recreation of that monarch to do。 Sissy； though
well acquainted with his Royal line； had no personal knowledge of
the present Emperor； and his reign was peaceful。 Miss Josephine
Sleary； in her celebrated graceful Equestrian Tyrolean Flower…Act
was then announced by a new clown （who humorously said
Cauliflower Act）； and Mr Sleary appeared； leading her in。
Mr Sleary had only made one cut at the Clown with his long
whip…lash； and the Clown had only said； “If you do it again； I’ll
throw the horse at you！” when Sissy was recognised both by father
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and daughter。 But they got through the Act with great self…
possession； and Mr Sleary； saving for the first instant； conveyed no
more expression into his locomotive eye than into his fixed one。
The performance seemed a little long to Sissy and Louisa；
particularly when it stopped to afford the Clown an opportunity of
telling Mr Sleary （who said “Indeed； sir！” to all his observations in
the calmest way； and with his eye on the house）； about two legs
sitting on three legs looking at one leg； when in came four legs；
and laid hold of one leg； and up got two legs； caught hold of three
legs； and threw ’em at four legs； who ran away with one leg。 For；
although an ingenious Allegory relating to a butcher； a three…
legged stool； a dog； and a leg of mutton； this narrative consumed
time； and they were in great suspense。 At last； however； little fair…
haired Josephine made her curtsey amid great applause； and the
Clown； left alone in the ring； had just warmed himself； and said；
“Now I’ll have a turn！” when Sissy was touched on the shoulder；
and beckoned out。
She took Louisa with her； and they were received by Mr Sleary
in a very little private apartment； with canvas sides； a grass floor；
and a wooden ceiling all aslant； on which the box company
stamped their approbation； as if they were coming through。
“Thethilia；” said Mr Sleary； who had brandy and water at hand；
“it doth me good to thee you。 You wath alwayth a favourite with
uth； and you’ve have done uth credit thinth the old timeth I’m
thure。 You mutht thee our people； my dear； afore we thpeak of
bithnith； or they’ll break their hearts—ethpethially the women。
Here’th Jothphine hath been and got married to E。 W。 B。
Childerth； and thee hath got a boy； and though he’th only three
yearth old； he thtickth on to any pony you can bring againth him。
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He’th named The Little Wonder Of T
