第 99 节
作者:这就是结局      更新:2022-08-21 16:40      字数:9322
  their full width; not understanding what could have befallen her
  sisters。
  〃And what is Ethel doing?〃 asked the doctor。
  〃Packing up parcels; papa;〃 and Ethel's face was raised; looking very
  merry。
  〃Packing parcels!  How long will they last tied up?〃 said Dr。 May;
  laughing。
  〃Lasting is the concern of nothing in the fair; papa;〃 answered she;
  in the same tone。
  For Ethel was noted as the worst packer in the house; but; having
  offered to wrap up a pincushion; sold by a hurried Miss Hoxton; she
  became involved in the office for the rest of the daythe same which
  Bellairs and her companion performed at the Langdale counter。  Flora
  was too ready and dexterous to need any such aid; but the Misses
  Hoxton were glad to be spared the trouble; and Blanche; whose fingers
  were far neater than Ethel's; made the task much easier; and was kept
  constant to it by her dread of the dark moustache; which was often
  visible near their tent; searching; she thought; for her。
  Their humble employment was no sinecure; for this was the favourite
  stall with the purchasers of better style; since the articles were;
  in general; tasteful; and fairly worth the moderate price set on
  them。  At Miss Cleveland's counter there was much noisy laughter
  many jocular cheatstricks for gaining money; and refusals to give
  change; and it seemed to be very popular with the Stoneborough
  people; and to carry on a brisk trade。  The only languor was in Lady
  Leonora's quarterthe articles were too costly; and hung on hand;
  nor were the ladies sufficiently well known; nor active enough; to
  gain custom; excepting Meta; who drove a gay traffic at her end of
  the stall; which somewhat redeemed the general languor。
  Her eyes were; all the time; watching for her father; and; suddenly
  perceiving him; she left her trade in charge of the delighted and
  important Mary; and hastened to walk round with him; and show him the
  humours of the fair。
  Mary; in her absence; had the supreme happiness of obtaining Norman
  as a customer。  He wanted a picture for his rooms at Oxford; and
  water…coloured drawings were; as Tom had observed; suitable staple
  commodities for Miss Rivers。  Mary tried to make him choose a
  brightly…coloured pheasant; with a pencil background; and; then; a
  fine foaming sea…piece; by some unknown Lady Adelaide; that much
  dazzled her imagination; but nothing would serve him but a sketch of
  an old cedar tree; with Stoneborough Minster in the distance; and the
  Welsh hills beyond; which Mary thought a remarkable piece of bad
  taste; sincecould he not see all that any day of his life? and was
  it worth while to give fourteen shillings and sixpence for it?  But
  he said it was all for the good of Cocksmoor; and Mary was only too
  glad to add to her hoard of coin; so she only marvelled at his
  extravagance; and offered to take care of it for him; but; to this;
  he would not consent。  He made her pack it up for him; and had just
  put the whitey…brown parcel under his arm; when Mr。 Rivers and his
  daughter came up; before he was aware。  Mary proudly advertised Meta
  that she had sold something for her。
  〃Indeed!  What was it?〃
  〃Your great picture of Stoneborough!〃 said Mary。
  〃Is that gone?  I am sorry you have parted with that; my dear; it was
  one of your best;〃 said Mr。 Rivers; in his soft; sleepy; gentle tone。
  〃Oh; papa; I can do another。  But; I wonder!  I put that extortionate
  price on it; thinking no one would give it; and so that I should keep
  it for you。  Who has it; Mary?〃
  〃Norman; there。  He would have it; though I told him it was very
  dear。〃
  Norman; pressed near them by the crowd; had been unable to escape;
  and stood blushing; hesitating; and doubting whether he ought to
  restore the prize; which he had watched so long; and obtained so
  eagerly。
  〃Oh! it is you?〃 said Mr。 Rivers politely。  〃Oh; no; do not think of
  exchanging it。  I am rejoiced that one should have it who can
  appreciate it。  It was its falling into the hands of a stranger that
  I disliked。  You think with me; that it is one of her best drawings?〃
  〃Yes; I do;〃 said Norman; still rather hesitating。  〃She did that
  with C; when he was here last year。  He taught her very well。  Have
  you that other here; that you took with him; my dear?  The view from
  the gate; I mean。〃
  〃No; dear papa。  You told me not to sell that。〃
  〃Ah! I remember; that is right。  But there are some very pretty
  copies from Prout here。〃
  While he was seeking them; Meta contrived to whisper; 〃If you could
  persuade him to go indoorsthis confusion of people is so bad for
  him; and I must not come away。  I was in hopes of Dr。 May; but he is
  with the little ones。〃
  Norman signed comprehension; and Meta said; 〃Those copies are not
  worth seeing; but you know; papa; you have the originals in the
  library。〃
  Mr。 Rivers looked pleased; but was certain that Norman could not
  prefer the sketches to this gay scene。  However; it took very little
  persuasion to induce him to do what he wished; and he took Norman's
  arm; crossed the lawn; and arrived in his own study; where it was a
  great treat to him to catch any one who would admire his accumulation
  of prints; drawings; coins; etc。; and his young friend was both very
  well amused and pleased to be setting Miss Rivers's mind at ease on
  her father's account。  It was not till half…past four that Dr。 May
  knocked at the door; and stood surprised at finding his son there。
  Mr。 Rivers spoke warmly of the young Oxonian's kindness in leaving
  the fair for an old man; and praised Norman's taste in art。  Norman
  rose to take leave; but still thought it incumbent on him to offer to
  give up the picture; if Mr。 Rivers set an especial value on it。  But
  Mr。 Rivers went to the length of being very glad that it was in his
  possession; and added to it a very pretty drawing of the same size;
  by a noted master; which had been in the water…colour exhibition;
  and; while Norman walked away; well pleased; Mr。 Rivers began to
  extol him to his father; as a very superior and sensible young man;
  of great promise; and began to wish George had the same turn。
  Norman; on returning to the fancy fair; found the world in all the
  ardour of raffles。  Lady Leonora's contributions were the chief
  prizes; which attracted every one; and; of course; the result was
  delightfully incongruous。  Poor Ethel; who had been persuaded to
  venture a shilling to please Blanche; who had spent all her own;
  obtained the two jars in potichomanie; and was regarding them with a
  face worth painting。  Harvey Anderson had a doll; George Rivers a
  wooden monkey; that jumped over a stick; and; if Hector Ernescliffe
  was enchanted at winning a beautiful mother…of…pearl inlaid workbox;
  which he had vainly wished to buy for Margaret; Flora only gained a
  match…box of her own; well known always to miss fire; but which had
  been decided to be good enough for the bazaar。
  Bv fair means or foul; the commodities were cleared off; and; while
  the sunbeams faded from the trodden grass; the crowds disappeared;
  and the vague compliment; 〃a very good bazaar;〃 was exchanged between
  the lingering sellers and their friends。
  Flora was again to sleep at the Grange; and return the next day; for
  a committee to be held over the gains; which were not yet fully
  ascertained。  So Dr。 May gathered his flock together; and packed
  them; boys and all; into the two conveyances; and Ethel bade Meta
  good…night; almost wondering to hear her merry voice say; 〃It has
  been a delightful day; has it not?  It was so kind of your brother to
  take care of papa。〃
  〃Oh; it was delightful!〃 echoed Mary; 〃and I took one pound fifteen
  and sixpence!〃
  〃I hope it will do great good to Cocksmoor;〃 added Meta; 〃but; if you
  want real help; you know; you must come to us。〃
  Ethel smiled; but hurried her departure; for she saw Blanche again
  tormented by Mr。 George Rivers; to know what had become of the guard;
  telling her that; if she would not say; he should be furiously
  jealous。
  Blanche hid her face on Ethel's arm; when they were in the carriage;
  and almost cried with indignant 〃shamefastness。〃  That long…desired
  day had not been one of unmixed happiness to her; poor child; and
  Ethel doubted whether it had been so to any one; except; indeed; to
  Mary; whose desires never soared so high but that they were easily
  fulfilled; and whose placid content was not easily wounded。  All she
  was wishing now was; that Harry were at home to receive his paper…
  case。
  The return to Margaret was real pleasure。  The narration of all that
  had passed was an event to her。  She was so charmed with her
  presents; of every degree; things; unpleasant at the time; could; by
  drollery in the relating; be made mirthful fun ever after; Dr。 May
  and the boys were so comical in their observationsMary's wonder and
  simplicity came in so amazinglyand there was such merriment at
  Ethel's two precious jars; that she could hardly wish they had not
  come to her。  On one head they were all agreed; in dislike of George
  Rivers; whom Mary pronounced to be a detestable man; and; when gently
  called to order by Margaret; defended it; by saying that Miss Bracy
  said it was better to detest than to hate; while Blanche coloured up
  to the ears;