第 2 节
作者:左思右想      更新:2021-02-19 19:45      字数:9322
  Dixonary in the closet; and never venture to take such
  a liberty in future。〃
  〃Well; sister; it's only two…and…ninepence; and poor
  Becky will be miserable if she don't get one。〃
  〃Send Miss Sedley instantly to me;〃 said Miss Pinkerton。
  And so venturing not to say another word; poor
  Jemima trotted off; exceedingly flurried and nervous。
  Miss Sedley's papa was a merchant in London; and a
  man of some wealth; whereas Miss Sharp was an articled
  pupil; for whom Miss Pinkerton had done; as she thought;
  quite enough; without conferring upon her at parting the
  high honour of the Dixonary。
  Although schoolmistresses' letters are to be trusted no
  more nor less than churchyard epitaphs; yet; as it sometimes
  happens that a person departs this life who is really
  deserving of all the praises the stone cutter carves over
  his bones; who IS a good Christian; a good parent; child;
  wife; or husband; who actually DOES leave a disconsolate
  family to mourn his loss; so in academies of the male
  and female sex it occurs every now and then that the
  pupil is fully worthy of the praises bestowed by the
  disinterested instructor。  Now; Miss Amelia Sedley was a
  young lady of this singular species; and deserved not only
  all that Miss Pinkerton said in her praise; but had many
  charming qualities which that pompous old Minerva of a
  woman could not see; from the differences of rank and
  age between her pupil and herself。
  For she could not only sing like a lark; or a Mrs。
  Billington; and dance like Hillisberg or Parisot; and
  embroider beautifully; and spell as well as a Dixonary
  itself; but she had such a kindly; smiling; tender; gentle;
  generous heart of her own; as won the love of everybody
  who came near her; from Minerva herself down to the poor
  girl in the scullery; and the one…eyed tart…woman's
  daughter; who was permitted to vend her wares once a
  week to the young ladies in the Mall。  She had twelve intimate
  and bosom friends out of the twenty…four young ladies。
  Even envious Miss Briggs never spoke ill of her; high
  and mighty Miss Saltire (Lord Dexter's granddaughter)
  allowed that her figure was genteel; and as for Miss
  Swartz; the rich woolly…haired mulatto from St。 Kitt's; on
  the day Amelia went away; she was in such a passion of
  tears that they were obliged to send for Dr。 Floss; and half
  tipsify her with salvolatile。  Miss Pinkerton's attachment
  was; as may be supposed from the high position and
  eminent virtues of that lady; calm and dignified; but Miss
  Jemima had already whimpered several times at the idea
  of Amelia's departure; and; but for fear of her sister;
  would have gone off in downright hysterics; like the
  heiress (who paid double) of St。 Kitt's。  Such luxury of
  grief; however; is only allowed to parlour…boarders。
  Honest Jemima had all the bills; and the washing; and the
  mending; and the puddings; and the plate and crockery;
  and the servants to superintend。  But why speak about
  her?  It is probable that we shall not hear of her again
  from this moment to the end of time; and that when the
  great filigree iron gates are once closed on her; she and
  her awful sister will never issue therefrom into this little
  world of history。
  But as we are to see a great deal of Amelia; there is
  no harm in saying; at the outset of our acquaintance; that
  she was a dear little creature; and a great mercy it is;
  both in life and in novels; which (and the latter especially)
  abound in villains of the most sombre sort; that
  we are to have for a constant companion so guileless
  and good…natured a person。  As she is not a heroine; there
  is no need to describe her person; indeed I am afraid
  that her nose was rather short than otherwise; and her
  cheeks a great deal too round and red for a heroine; but
  her face blushed with rosy health; and her lips with the
  freshest of smiles; and she had a pair of eyes which
  sparkled with the brightest and honestest good…humour;
  except indeed when they filled with tears; and that was
  a great deal too often; for the silly thing would cry over
  a dead canary…bird; or over a mouse; that the cat haply
  had seized upon; or over the end of a novel; were it ever
  so stupid; and as for saying an unkind word to her; were
  any persons hard…hearted enough to do sowhy; so much
  the worse for them。  Even Miss Pinkerton; that austere
  and godlike woman; ceased scolding her after the first
  time; and though she no more comprehended sensibility
  than she did Algebra; gave all masters and teachers
  particular orders to treat Miss Sedley with the utmost
  gentleness; as harsh treatment was injurious to her。
  So that when the day of departure came; between her
  two customs of laughing and crying; Miss Sedley was
  greatly puzzled how to act。  She was glad to go home;
  and yet most woefully sad at leaving school。  For three
  days before; little Laura Martin; the orphan; followed her
  about like a little dog。  She had to make and receive at
  least fourteen presentsto make fourteen solemn promises
  of writing every week:  〃Send my letters under cover
  to my grandpapa; the Earl of Dexter;〃 said Miss Saltire
  (who; by the way; was rather shabby)。  〃Never mind the
  postage; but write every day; you dear darling;〃 said the
  impetuous and woolly…headed; but generous and
  affectionate Miss Swartz; and the orphan little Laura Martin
  (who was just in round…hand); took her friend's hand
  and said; looking up in her face wistfully; 〃Amelia; when
  I write to you I shall call you Mamma。〃 All which details;
  I have no doubt; JONES; who reads this book at his
  Club; will pronounce to be excessively foolish; trivial;
  twaddling; and ultra…sentimental。  Yes; I can see Jones
  at this minute (rather flushed with his joint of mutton
  and half pint of wine); taking out his pencil and scoring
  under the words 〃foolish; twaddling;〃 &c。; and adding to
  them his own remark of 〃QUITE TRUE。〃 Well; he is a lofty
  man of genius; and admires the great and heroic in life
  and novels; and so had better take warning and go elsewhere。
  Well; then。  The flowers; and the presents; and the
  trunks; and bonnet…boxes of Miss Sedley having been
  arranged by Mr。 Sambo in the carriage; together with a
  very small and weather…beaten old cow's…skin trunk with
  Miss Sharp's card neatly nailed upon it; which was
  delivered by Sambo with a grin; and packed by the
  coachman with a corresponding sneerthe hour for parting
  came; and the grief of that moment was considerably
  lessened by the admirable discourse which Miss Pinkerton
  addressed to her pupil。  Not that the parting speech caused
  Amelia to philosophise; or that it armed her in any
  way with a calmness; the result of argument; but it was
  intolerably dull; pompous; and tedious; and having the
  fear of her schoolmistress greatly before her eyes; Miss
  Sedley did not venture; in her presence; to give way to
  any ebullitions of private grief。  A seed…cake and a bottle
  of wine were produced in the drawing…room; as on the
  solemn occasions of the visits of parents; and these
  refreshments being partaken of; Miss Sedley was at
  liberty to depart。
  〃You'll go in and say good…by to Miss Pinkerton;
  Becky!〃 said Miss Jemima to a young lady of whom
  nobody took any notice; and who was coming downstairs
  with her own bandbox。
  〃I suppose I must;〃 said Miss Sharp calmly; and much
  to the wonder of Miss Jemima; and the latter having
  knocked at the door; and receiving permission to come
  in; Miss Sharp advanced in a very unconcerned manner;
  and said in French; and with a perfect accent; 〃Mademoiselle;
  je viens vous faire mes adieux。〃
  Miss Pinkerton did not understand French; she only
  directed those who did: but biting her lips and throwing
  up her venerable and Roman…nosed head (on the top of
  which figured a large and solemn turban); she said; 〃Miss
  Sharp; I wish you a good morning。〃 As the Hammersmith
  Semiramis spoke; she waved one hand; both by way of
  adieu; and to give Miss Sharp an opportunity of shaking
  one of the fingers of the hand which was left out for
  that purpose。
  Miss Sharp only folded her own hands with a very
  frigid smile and bow; and quite declined to accept the
  proffered honour; on which Semiramis tossed up her
  turban more indignantly than ever。  In fact; it was a little
  battle between the young lady and the old one; and the
  latter was worsted。  〃Heaven bless you; my child;〃 said
  she; embracing Amelia; and scowling the while over the
  girl's shoulder at Miss Sharp。  〃Come away; Becky;〃 said
  Miss Jemima; pulling the young woman away in great
  alarm; and the drawing…room door closed upon them for
  ever。
  Then came the struggle and parting below。  Words
  refuse to tell it。  All the servants were there in the hall
  all the dear friendall the young ladiesthe dancing…
  master who had just arrived; and there was such a
  scuffling; and hugging; and kissing; and crying; with the
  hysterical YOOPS of Miss Swartz; the parlour…boarder;
  from her room; as no pen can depict; and as the tender
  heart would fain pass over。  The embracing was over; they
  partedthat is; Miss Sedley parted from her friends。  Miss
  Sharp had demurely entered the carriage some minutes
  before。  Nobody cried for leaving HER。
  Sambo of the bandy legs slammed the carriage door
  on his young weeping mistress。  He sp