第 59 节
作者:这就是结局      更新:2022-08-21 16:40      字数:9322
  didglowing sunshine streaming over the shaven turf; and penetrating
  even the solid masses of the great cedar。
  The carriage was sent for the Misses May; and at two o'clock they
  arrived。  Flora; extremely anxious that Ethel should comport herself
  discreetly; and Ethel full of curiosity and eagerness; the only
  drawback her fears that her papa was doing what he disliked。  She was
  not in the least shy; and did not think about her manner enough to be
  troubled by the consciousness that it had a good deal of abruptness
  and eagerness; and that her short sight made her awkward。  Meta met
  them with outstretched hands and a face beaming with welcome。  〃I
  told you I should get my way!〃 she said triumphantly; and; after her
  warm greeting; she looked with some respect at the face of the Miss
  May who was so very clever。  It certainly was not what she expected;
  not at all like either of the four sisters she had already seen
  brown; sallow; and with that sharp long nose; and the eager eyes; and
  brow a little knit by the desire to see as far as she could。  It was
  pleasanter to look at Flora。
  Ethel left the talk chiefly to Florathere was wonder and study
  enough farther in the grounds and garden; and when Mrs。 Larpent tried
  to enter into conversation with her; she let it drop two or three
  times while she was peering hard at a picture and trying to make out
  its subject。  However; when they all went out to walk to church;
  Ethel lighted up; and talked; admired; and asked questions in her
  quick; eager way; which interested Mrs。 Larpent greatly。  The
  governess asked after Norman; and no more was wanted to produce a
  volume of histories of his successes; till Flora turned as she walked
  before with Meta; saying; 〃Why; Ethel; you are quite overwhelming
  Mrs。 Larpent。〃
  But some civil answer convinced Ethel that what she said was
  interesting; and she would not be stopped in her account of their
  anxieties on the day of the examination。  Flora was pleased that
  Meta; catching some words; begged to hear more; and Flora gave an
  account of the matter; soberer in terms; but quietly setting Norman
  at a much greater distance from all his competitors。
  After church came the feast in the school。  It was a large commodious
  building。  Meta declared it was very tiresome that it was so good
  inside; it was so ugly; she should never rest till papa had built her
  a real beauty。  They found Mr。 and Mrs。 Charles Wilmot in the school;
  with a very nice well…dressed set of boys and girls; and But there
  is no need to describe the roast…beef and plum…pudding; 〃the feast
  ate merrily;〃 and Ethel was brilliantly happy waiting on the
  children; and so was sunny…hearted Meta。  Flora was too busy in
  determining what the Riverses might be thinking of her and her sister
  to give herself up to the enjoyment。
  Ethel found a small boy looking ready to cry at an untouched slice of
  beef。  She examined him whether he could cut it; and at last
  discovered that; as had been the case with one or two of her own
  brothers at the same age; meat was repugnant to him。  In her vehement
  manner she flew off to fetch him some pudding; and hurrying up; as
  she thought; to Mr。 Charles Wilmot; who had been giving it out; she
  thrust her plate between him and the dish; and had begun her
  explanation when she perceived it was a stranger; and she stood;
  utterly discomfited; not saying; 〃I beg your pardon;〃 but only
  blushing; awkward and confused; as he spoke to her; in a good…
  natured; hospitable manner; which showed her it must be Mr。 Rivers。
  She obtained her pudding; and; turning hastily; retreated。
  〃Meta;〃 said Mr。 Rivers; as his daughter came out of the school with
  him; for; open and airy as it was; the numbers and the dinner made
  him regard it as Norman had viewed the Cocksmoor room; 〃was that one
  of the Miss Mays?〃
  〃Yes; papa; Ethel; the third; the clever one。〃
  〃I thought she must be one of them from her dress; but what a
  difference between her and the others!〃
  Mr。 Rivers was a great admirer of beauty; and Meta; brought up to be
  the same; was disappointed; but consoled herself by admiring Flora。
  Ethel; after the awkwardness was over; thought no more of the matter;
  but went on in full enjoyment f the feast。  The eating finished; the
  making of presents commenced; and choice ones they were。 The smiles
  of Meta and of the children were a pretty sight; and Ethel thought
  she had never seen anything so like a beneficent fairy。  Mr。 and Mrs。
  Wilmot said their words of counsel and encouragement; and; by five
  o'clock; all was over。
  〃Oh; I am sorry!〃 said Meta; 〃Easter won't come again for a whole
  year; and it has been so delightful。  How that dear little Annie
  smiled and nursed her doll!  I wish I could see her show it to her
  mother!  Oh; how nice it is!  I am so glad papa brought me to live in
  the country。  I don't think anything can be so charming in all the
  world as seeing little children happy!〃
  Ethel could not think how the Wilmots could have found it in their
  heart to regret the liberality of this sweet damsel; on whom she
  began to look with Norman's enthusiastic admiration。
  There was time for a walk round the grounds; Meta doing the honours
  to Flora; and Ethel walking with Mrs。 Larpent。  Both pairs were very
  good friends; and the two sisters admired and were charmed with the
  beauty of the gardens and conservatoriesEthel laying up a rich
  store of intelligence for Margaret; but still she was not entirely
  happy; her papa was more and more on her mind。  He had looked
  dispirited at breakfast; he had a long hard day's work before him;
  and she was increasingly uneasy at the thought that it would be a
  painful effort to him to join them in the evening。  Her mind was full
  of it when she was conducted; with Flora; to the room where they were
  to dress; and when Flora began to express her delight; her answer was
  only that she hoped it was not very unpleasant to papa。
  〃It is not worth while to be unhappy about that; Ethel。  If it is an
  effort; it will be good for him when he is once here。  I know he will
  enjoy it。〃
  〃Yes; I should think he wouldI hope he will。  He must like you to
  have such a friend as Miss Rivers。  How pretty she is!〃
  〃Now; Ethel; it is high time to dress。  Pray make yourself look nice…
  …don't twist up your hair in that any…how fashion。〃
  Ethel sighed; then began talking fast about some hints on school…
  keeping which she had picked up for Cocksmoor。
  Flora's glossy braids were in full order; while Ethel was still
  struggling to get her plait smooth; and was extremely beholden to her
  sister for taking it into her own hands and doing the best with it
  that its thinness and roughness permitted。  And then Flora pinched
  and pulled and arranged Ethel's frock; in vain attempts to make it
  sit like her ownthose sharp high bones resisted all attempts to
  disguise them。  〃Never mind; Flora; it is quite tidy; I am sure;
  theredo let me be in peace。  You are like old nurse。〃
  〃So those are all the thanks I get?〃
  〃Well; thank you very much; dear Flora。  You are a famous person。
  How I wish Margaret could see that lovely mimosa!〃
  〃And; Ethel; do take care。  Pray don't poke and spy when you come
  into the room; and don't frown when you are trying to see。  I hope
  you won't have anything to help at dinner。  Take care how you
  manage。〃
  〃I'll try;〃 said Ethel meekly; though a good deal tormented; as Flora
  went on with half a dozen more injunctions; closed by Meta's coming
  to fetch them。  Little Meta did not like to show them her own
  bedroomshe pitied them so much when she thought of the contrast。
  She would have liked to put Flora's arm through her's; but she
  thought; it would look neglectful of Ethel; so she only showed the
  way downstairs。  Ethel forgot all her sister's orders; for there
  stood her father; and she looked most earnestly at his face。  It was
  cheerful; and his voice sounded well pleased as he greeted Meta; then
  resumed an animated talk with Mr。 Rivers。  Ethel drew as near him as
  she could; she had a sense of protection; and could open to full
  enjoyment when she saw him bright。  At the first pause in the
  conversation; the gentlemen turned to the young ladies。  Mr。 Rivers
  began talking to Flora; and Dr。 May; after a few pleasant words to
  Meta; went back to Ethel。  He wanted her to see his favourite
  pictureshe led her up to them; made her put on his spectacles to
  see them better; and showed her their special merits。  Mr。 Rivers and
  the others joined them; Ethel said little; except a remark or two in
  answer to her papa; but she was very happyshe felt that he liked to
  have her with him; and Meta; too; was struck by the soundness of her
  few sayings; and the participation there seemed to be in all things
  between the father and daughter。
  At dinner Ethel went on pretty well。  She was next to her father; and
  was very glad to find the dinner so grand; that no side…dish fell to
  her lot to be carved。  There was a great deal of pleasant talk; such
  as the girls could understand; though they did not join much in it;
  except that now and then Dr。 May turned to Ethel as a reference for
  names and dates。  To make up for silence at dinner; there was a most
  confidential chatter in the d