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the daisy chain, or aspirations-第101部分
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angry; she heard the doctor approach。 She was a gentle; tearful
woman; one of those who are often called meek; under an erroneous
idea that meekness consists in making herself exceedingly miserable
under every kind of grievance; and she now had a sort of melancholy
satisfaction in believing that the young ladies had fabricated an
exaggerated complaint of her temper; and that she was going to become
injured innocence。 To think herself accused of a great wrong;
excused her from perceiving herself guilty of a lesser one。
〃Miss Bracy;〃 said Dr。 May; entering with his frank; sweet look; 〃I
am concerned that I vexed you by taking the children to walk with me
yesterday。 I thought such little brats would be troublesome to any
but their spoiling papa; but they would have been in safer hands with
you。 You would not have been as weak as I was; in regard to sugar…
plums。〃 Such amends as these confused Miss Bracy; who found it
pleasanter to be lamentable with Ethel; than to receive a full
apology for her imagined offence from the master of the house。
Feeling both small and absurd; she murmured something of 〃oh; no;〃
and 〃being sure;〃 and hoped he was going; so that she might sit down
to pity herself; for those girls having made her appear so
ridiculous。
No such thing! Dr。 May put a chair for her; and sat down himself;
saying; with a smile; 〃You see; you must trust us sometimes; and
overlook it; if we are less considerate than we might be。 We have
rough; careless habits with each other; and forget that all are not
used to them。〃
Miss Bracy exclaimed; 〃Oh; no; never; they were most kind。〃
〃We wish to be;〃 said Dr。 May; 〃but there are little neglectsor you
think there are。 I will not say there are none; for that would be
answering too much for human nature; or that they are fancifulfor
that would be as little comfort as to tell a patient that the pain is
only nervous〃
Miss Bracy smiled; for she could remember instances when; after
suffering much at the time; she had found the affront imaginary。
He was glad of that smile; and proceeded。 〃You will let me speak to
you; as to one of my own girls? To them; I should say; use the only
true cure。 Don't brood over vexations; small or great; but think of
them as trials that; borne bravely; become blessings。〃
〃Oh! but Dr。 May!〃 she exclaimed; shocked; 〃nothing in your house
could call for such feelings。〃
〃I hope we are not very savage;〃 he said; smiling; 〃but; indeed; I
still say it is the safest rule。 It would be the only one if you
were really among unkind people; and; if you take so much to heart an
unlucky neglect of mine; what would you do if the slight were a true
one?〃
〃You are right; but my feelings were always over…sensitive;〃 and this
she said with a sort of complacency。
〃Well; we must try to brace them;〃 said Dr。 May; much as if
prescribing for her。 〃Will not you believe in our confidence and
esteem; and harden yourself against any outward unintentional piece
of incivility?〃
She felt as if she could at that moment。
〃Or at least; try to forgive and forget them。 Talking them over only
deepens the sense of them; and discussions do no good to any one。 My
daughters are anxious to be your best friends; as I hope you know。〃
〃Oh! they are most kind〃
〃But; you see; I must say this;〃 added Dr。 May; somewhat hesitating;
〃as they have no mother toto spare all this;〃 and then; growing
clearer; he proceeded; 〃I must beg you to be forbearing with them;
and not perplex yourself and them with arguing on what cannot be
helped。 They have not the experience that could enable them to
finish such a discussion without unkindness; and it can only waste
the spirits; and raise fresh subjects of regret。 I must leave youI
hear myself called。〃
Miss Bracy began to be sensible that she had somewhat abused Ethel's
patience; and the unfortunate speech about the source of her
sensitiveness did not appear to her so direfully cruel as at first。
She hoped every one would forget all about it; and resolved not to
take umbrage so easily another time; or else be silent about it; but
she was not a person of much resolution。
The doctor found that Meta Rivers and her brother had brought Flora
home; and were in the drawing…room; where Margaret was hearing
another edition of the history of the fair; and a by…play was going
on; of teasing Blanche about the chain。
George Rivers was trying to persuade her to make one for him; and her
refusal came out at last; in an almost passionate key; in the midst
of the other conversation 〃No! I say…no!〃
〃Another no; and that will be yes。〃
〃No! I won't! I don't like you well enough!〃
Margaret gravely sent Blanche and the other children away to take
their walk; and the brother and sister soon after took leave; when
Flora called Ethel to hasten to the Ladies' Committee; that they
might arrange the disposal of the one hundred and fifty pounds; the
amount of their gains。
〃To see the fate of Cocksmoor;〃 said Ethel。
〃Do you think I cannot manage the Stoneborough folk?〃 said Flora;
looking radiant with good humour; and conscious of power。 〃Poor
Ethel! I am doing you good against your will! Never mind; here is
wherewith to build the school; and the management will be too happy
to fall into our hands。 Do you think every one is as ready as you
are; to walk three miles and back continually?〃
There was sense in this; there always was sense in what Flora said;
but it jarred on Ethel; and it seemed almost unsympathising in her to
be so gay; when the rest were wearied or perturbed。 Ethel would have
been very glad of a short space to recollect herself; and recover her
good temper; but it was late; and Flora hurried her to put on her
bonnet; and come to the committee。 〃I'll take care of your
interests;〃 she said; as they set out。 〃You look as doleful as if
you thought you should be robbed of Cocksmoor; but that is the last
thing that will happen; you will see。〃
〃It would not be acting fairly to let them build for us; and then for
us to put them out of the management;〃 said Ethel。
〃My dear; they want importance; not action。 They will leave the real
power to us of themselves。〃
〃You like to build Cocksmoor with such instruments;〃 said Ethel;
whose ruffled condition made her forget her resolution not to argue
with Flora。
〃Bricks are made of clay!〃 said Flora。 〃There; that was said like
Norman himself! On your plan; we might have gone on for forty years;
saving seven shillings a year; and spending six; whenever there was
an illness in the place。〃
〃You; who used to dislike these people more than even I did!〃 said
Ethel。
〃That was when I was an infant; my dear; and did not know how to deal
with them。 I will take careI will even save Cherry Elwood for you;
if I can。 Alan Ernescliffe's ten pounds is a noble weapon。〃
〃You always mean to manage everything; and then you have no time!〃
said Ethel; sensible all the time of her own ill…humour; and of her
sister's patience and amiability; yet propelled to speak the
unpleasant truths that in her better moods were held back。
Still Flora was good…tempered; though Ethel would almost have
preferred her being provoked; 〃I know;〃 she said; 〃I have been using
you ill; and leaving the world on your shoulders; but it was all in
your service and Cocksmoor's; and now we shall begin to be reasonable
and useful again。〃
〃I hope so;〃 said Ethel。
〃Really; Ethel; to comfort you; I think I shall send you with Norman
to dine at Abbotstoke Grange on Wednesday。 Mr。 Rivers begged us to
come; he is so anxious to make it lively for his son。〃
〃Thank you; I do not think Mr。 George Rivers and I should be likely
to get on together。 What a bad style of wit! You heard what Mary
said about him? and Ethel repeated the doubt between hating and
detesting。
〃Young men never know how to talk to little girls;〃 was Flora's
reply。
At this moment they came up with one of the Miss Andersons; and Flora
began to exchange civilities; and talk over yesterday's events with
great animation。 Her notice always gave pleasure; brightened as it
was by the peculiarly engaging address which she had inherited from
her father; and which; therefore; was perfectly easy and natural。
Fanny Anderson was flattered and gratified; rather by the manner than
the words; and; on excellent terms; they entered the committee…room;
namely; the schoolmistress's parlour。
There were nine ladies on the committeenine muses; as the doctor
called them; because they produced anything but harmony。 Mrs。
Ledwich was in the chair; Miss Rich was secretary; and had her pen
and ink; and account…book ready。 Flora came in; smiling and
greeting; Ethel; grave; earnest; and annoyed; behind her; trying to
be perfectly civil; but not at all enjoying the congratulations on
the successful bazaar。 The ladies all talked and discussed their
yesterday's adventures; gathering in little knots; as they traced the
fate of favourite achievements of their skill; while Ethel;
lugubrious and impatient; beside Flora; the only one not engaged;
and; therefore; conscious of the hubbub of clacking tongues。
At last Mrs。 Ledwich glanced at the mistres
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