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the daisy chain, or aspirations-第46部分
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her mother's words; that it only proved her happiness。 It was not
till that moment that Margaret realised the change; found her eyes
filling with tears; as she looked round; and saw the familiar
furniture and ornaments。
They were instantly checked as she heard her father returning; but
not so that he did not perceive them; and exclaim that it had been
too much for her。 〃Oh; noit was only the first time;〃 said
Margaret; losing the sense of the painful vacancy in her absorbing
desire not to distress her father; and thinking only of him as she
watched him standing for some minutes leaning on the mantel…shelf
with his hand shading his forehead。
She began to speak as soon as she thought he was ready to have his
mind turned away: 〃How nicely Ritchie managed! He carried me so
comfortably and easily。 It is enough to spoil me to be so deftly
waited on。〃
〃I'm glad of it;〃 said Dr。 May; 〃I am sure the change is better for
you;〃 but he came and looked at her still with great solicitude。
〃Ritchie can take excellent care of me;〃 she continued; most anxious
to divert his thoughts。 〃You see it will do very well indeed for you
to take Harry to school。〃
〃I should like to do so。 I should like to see his master; and to
take Norman with me;〃 said the doctor。 〃It would be just the thing
for him nowwe would show him the dockyard; and all those matters;
and such a thorough holiday would set him up again。〃
〃He is very much better。〃
〃Much betterhe is recovering spirits and tone very fast。 That
leaf…work of yours came at a lucky time。 I like to see him looking
out for a curious fern in the hedgerowsthe pursuit has quite
brightened him up。〃
〃And he does it so thoroughly;〃 said Margaret。 〃Ethel fancies it is
rather frivolous of him; I believe; but it amuses me to see how men
give dignity to what women make trifling。 He will know everything
about the leaves; hunts up my botany books; and has taught me a
hundred times more of the construction and wonders of them than I
ever learned。〃
〃Ay;〃 said the doctor; 〃he has been talking a good deal to me about
vegetable chemistry。 He would make a good scientific botanist; if he
were to be nothing else。 I should be glad if he sticks to it as a
pursuit'tis pretty work; and I should like to have gone further
with it; if I had ever had time for it。〃
〃I dare say he will;〃 said Margaret。 〃It will be very pleasant if he
can go with you。 How he would enjoy the British Museum; if there was
time for him to see it! Have you said anything to him yet?〃
〃No; I waited to see how you were; as it all depends on that。〃
〃I think it depends still more on something else; whether Norman is
as fit to take care of you as Richard is。〃
〃That's another point。 There's nothing but what he could manage now;
but I don't like saying anything to him。 I know he would undertake
anything I wished; without a word; and then; perhaps; dwell on it in
fancy; and force himself; till it would turn to a perfect misery; and
upset his nerves again。 I'm sorry for it。 I meant him to have
followed my trade; but he'll never do for that。 However; he has wits
enough to make himself what he pleases; and I dare say he will keep
at the head of the school after all。〃
〃How very good he has been in refraining from restlessness!〃
〃It's beautiful!〃 said Dr。 May; with strong emotion。 〃Poor boy! I
trust he'll not be disappointed; and I don't think he will; but I've
promised him I won't be annoyed if he should lose his placeso we
must take especial care not to show any anxiety。 However; for this
matter; Margaret; I wish you would sound him; and see whether it
would be more pleasure or pain。 Only mind you don't let him think
that I shall be vexed; if he feels that he can't make up his mind; I
would not have him fancy that; for more than I can tell。〃
This consultation revived the spirits of both; and the others
returning; found Margaret quite disposed for companionship。 If to
her the evening was sad and strange; like a visit in a dream to some
old familiar haunt; finding all unnatural; to the rest it was
delightful。 The room was no longer dreary; now that there was a
centre for care and attentions; and the party was no longer broken
upthe sense of comfort; cheerfulness; and home…gathering had
returned; and the pleasant evening household gossip went round the
table almost as it used to do。 Dr。 May resumed his old habit of
skimming a club book; and imparting the cream to the listeners; and
Flora gave them some music; a great treat to Margaret; who had long
only heard its distant sounds。
Margaret found an opportunity of talking to Norman; and judged
favourably。 He was much pleased at the prospect of the journey; and
of seeing a ship; so as to have a clearer notion of the scene where
Harry's life was to be spent; and though the charge of the arm was a
drawback; he did not treat it as insurmountable。
A few days' attendance in his father's room gave him confidence in
taking Richard's place; and; accordingly; the third important measure
was decided on; namely; that he and his father should accompany Harry
to the naval school; and be absent three nights。 Some relations
would be glad to receive them in London; and Alan Ernescliffe; who
was studying steam navigation at Woolwich; volunteered to meet them;
and go with them to Portsmouth。
It was a wonderful event; Norman and Harry had never been beyond
Whitford in their lives; and none of the young ones could recollect
their papa's ever going from home for more than one night。 Dr。 May
laughed at Margaret for her anxiety and excitement on the subject;
and was more amused at overhearing Richard's precise directions to
Norman over the packing up。
〃Ay; Ritchie;〃 said the doctor; as he saw his portmanteau locked; and
the key given to Norman; 〃you may well look grave upon it。 You won't
see it look so tidy when it comes back again; and I believe you are
thinking it will be lucky if you see it at all。〃
There was a very affectionate leave…taking of Harry; who; growing
rather soft…hearted; thought it needful to be disdainful; scolded
Mary and Blanche for 〃lugging off his figure…head;〃 and assured them
they made as much work about it as if he was going to sea at once。
Then; to put an end to any more embraces; he marched off to the
station with Tom; and nearly caused the others to be too late; by the
search for him that ensued。
In due time; Dr。 May and Norman returned; looking the better for the
journey。 There was; first; to tell of Harry's school and its master;
and Alan Ernescliffe's introduction of him to a nice…looking boy of
his own age; then they were eloquent on the wonders of the dockyard;
the Victory; the block machinery。 And Londonwhile Dr。 May went to
transact some business; Norman had been with Alan at the British
Museum; and though he had intended to see half London besides; there
was no tearing him away from the Elgin marbles; and nothing would
serve him; but bringing Dr。 May the next morning to visit the
Ninevite bulls。 Norman further said; that whereas papa could never
go out of his house without meeting people who had something to say
to him; it was the same elsewhere。 Six acquaintances he had met
unexpectedly in London; and two at Portsmouth。
So the conversation went on all the evening; to the great delight of
all。 It was more about things than people; though Flora inquired
after Mr。 Ernescliffe; and was told he had met them at the station;
had been everywhere with them; and had dined at the Mackenzies' each
day。 〃How was he looking?〃 Ethel asked; and was told pretty much the
same as when he went away; and; on a further query from Flora; it
appeared that an old naval friend of his father's had hopes of a
ship; and had promised to have him with him; and thereupon warm hopes
were expressed that Harry might have a berth in the same。
〃And when is he coming here again; papa?〃 said Ethel。
〃Eh! oh! I can't tell。 I say; isn't it high time to ring?〃
When they went up at night; every one felt that half the say had not
been said; and there were fresh beginnings on the stairs。 Norman
triumphantly gave the key to Richard; and then called to Ethel; 〃I
say; won't you come into my room while I unpack?〃
〃Oh; yes; I should like it very much。〃
Ethel sat on the bed; rolled up in a cloak; while Norman undid his
bag; announcing at the same time; 〃Well; Ethel; papa says I may get
to my Euripides to…morrow; if I please; and only work an hour at a
time!〃
〃Oh; I am so glad。 Then he thinks you quite well?〃
〃Yes; I am quite well。 I hope I've done with nonsense。〃
〃And how did you get on with his arm?〃
〃Very wellhe was so patient; and told me how to manage。 You heard
that Sir Matthew said it had got much better in these few weeks。 Oh;
here it is! There's a present for you。〃
〃Oh; thank you。 From you; or from papa?〃
〃This is mine。 Papa has a present for every one in his bag。 He
said; at last; that a man with eleven children hadn't need to go to
London very often。〃
〃And you got this beautiful 'Lyra Innocentium' for me? How very kind
of you; Norman。 It is just what I wished for。 Such lovely binding
and those embossed
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