the seven poor travellers(七个可怜的旅行者)-第7章
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purpose。 The outer air was dull and cold enough in the street； when I
came down there； and the one candle in our supper… room at Watts's
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THE SEVEN POOR TRAVELLERS
Charity looked as pale in the burning as if it had had a bad night too。 But
my Travellers had all slept soundly； and they took to the hot coffee； and
the piles of bread…and…butter； which Ben had arranged like deals in a
timber…yard； as kindly as I could desire。
While it was yet scarcely daylight； we all came out into the street
together； and there shook hands。 The widow took the little sailor towards
Chatham； where he was to find a steamboat for Sheerness； the lawyer；
with an extremely knowing look； went his own way； without committing
himself by announcing his intentions； two more struck off by the cathedral
and old castle for Maidstone； and the book…pedler accompanied me over
the bridge。 As for me； I was going to walk by Cobham Woods； as far
upon my way to London as I fancied。
When I came to the stile and footpath by which I was to diverge from
the main road； I bade farewell to my last remaining Poor Traveller； and
pursued my way alone。 And now the mists began to rise in the most
beautiful manner； and the sun to shine； and as I went on through the
bracing air； seeing the hoarfrost sparkle everywhere； I felt as if all Nature
shared in the joy of the great Birthday。
Going through the woods； the softness of my tread upon the mossy
ground and among the brown leaves enhanced the Christmas sacredness
by which I felt surrounded。 As the whitened stems environed me； I
thought how the Founder of the time had never raised his benignant hand；
save to bless and heal； except in the case of one unconscious tree。 By
Cobham Hall； I came to the village； and the churchyard where the dead
had been quietly buried； 〃in the sure and certain hope〃 which Christmas
time inspired。 What children could I see at play； and not be loving of；
recalling who had loved them！ No garden that I passed was out of unison
with the day； for I remembered that the tomb was in a garden； and that
〃she； supposing him to be the gardener；〃 had said； 〃Sir； if thou have borne
him hence； tell me where thou hast laid him； and I will take him away。〃
In time； the distant river with the ships came full in view； and with it
pictures of the poor fishermen； mending their nets； who arose and
followed him；of the teaching of the people from a ship pushed off a little
way from shore； by reason of the multitude；of a majestic figure walking
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THE SEVEN POOR TRAVELLERS
on the water； in the loneliness of night。 My very shadow on the ground
was eloquent of Christmas； for did not the people lay their sick where the
more shadows of the men who had heard and seen him might fall as they
passed along？
Thus Christmas begirt me； far and near； until I had come to Blackheath；
and had walked down the long vista of gnarled old trees in Greenwich
Park； and was being steam…rattled through the mists now closing in once
more； towards the lights of London。 Brightly they shone； but not so
brightly as my own fire； and the brighter faces around it； when we came
together to celebrate the day。 And there I told of worthy Master Richard
Watts； and of my supper with the Six Poor Travellers who were neither
Rogues nor Proctors； and from that hour to this I have never seen one of
them again。
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