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lavengro-第151部分
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proposed; I am not so fond of your old man or you that I should
oblige you in it; to my soul's destruction。' 'Hold your tongue; or
I'll … ' I listened no farther; but hastened as fast as I could to
the dingle。 My adversary had just begun to show signs of
animation; the vulgar woman was still supporting him; and
occasionally cast glances of anger at the tall girl; who was
walking slowly up and down。 I lost no time in dashing the greater
part of the water into the Tinman's face; whereupon he sneezed;
moved his hands; and presently looked round him。 At first his
looks were dull and heavy; and without any intelligence at all; he
soon; however; began to recollect himself; and to be conscious of
his situation; he cast a scowling glance at me; then one of the
deepest malignity at the tall girl; who was still walking about
without taking much notice of what was going forward。 At last he
looked at his right hand; which had evidently suffered from the
blow against the tree; and a half…stifled curse escaped his lips。
The vulgar woman now said something to him in a low tone; whereupon
he looked at her for a moment; and then got upon his legs。 Again
the vulgar woman said something to him; her looks were furious; and
she appeared to be urging him on to attempt something。 I observed
that she had a clasped knife in her hand。 The fellow remained
standing for some time as if hesitating what to do; at last he
looked at his hand; and; shaking his head; said something to the
woman which I did not understand。 The tall girl; however; appeared
to overhear him; and; probably repeating his words; said; 'No; it
won't do; you are right there; and now hear what I have to say; …
let bygones be bygones; and let us all shake hands; and camp here;
as the young man was saying just now。' The man looked at her; and
then; without any reply; went to his horse; which was lying down
among the trees; and kicking it up; led it to the cart; to which he
forthwith began to harness it。 The other cart and horse had
remained standing motionless during the whole affair which I have
been recounting; at the bottom of the pass。 The woman now took the
horse by the head; and leading it with the cart into the open part
of the dingle; turned both round; and then led them back; till the
horse and cart had mounted a little way up the ascent; she then
stood still and appeared to be expecting the man。 During this
proceeding Belle had stood looking on without saying anything; at
last; perceiving that the man had harnessed his horse to the other
cart; and that both he and the woman were about to take their
departure; she said; 'You are not going; are you?' Receiving no
answer; she continued: 'I tell you what; both of you; Black John;
and you Moll; his mort; this is not treating me over civilly; …
however; I am ready to put up with it; and to go with you if you
like; for I bear no malice。 I'm sorry for what has happened; but
you have only yourselves to thank for it。 Now; shall I go with
you; only tell me?' The man made no manner of reply; but flogged
his horse。 The woman; however; whose passions were probably under
less control; replied; with a screeching tone; 'Stay where you are;
you jade; and may the curse of Judas cling to you; … stay with the
bit of a mullo whom you helped; and my only hope is that he may
gulley you before he comes to be 。 。 。 。 Have you with us; indeed!
after what's past! no; nor nothing belonging to you。 Fetch down
your mailia go…cart and live here with your chabo。' She then
whipped on the horse; and ascended the pass; followed by the man。
The carts were light; and they were not long in ascending the
winding path。 I followed to see that they took their departure。
Arriving at the top; I found near the entrance a small donkey…cart;
which I concluded belonged to the girl。 The tinker and his mort
were already at some distance; I stood looking after them for a
little time; then taking the donkey by the reins I led it with the
cart to the bottom of the dingle。 Arrived there; I found Belle
seated on the stone by the fireplace。 Her hair was all
dishevelled; and she was in tears。
'They were bad people;' said she; 'and I did not like them; but
they were my only acquaintance in the wide world。'
CHAPTER LXXXVI
At tea … Vapours … Isopel Berners … Softly and kindly … Sweet
pretty creature … Bread and water … Two sailors … Truth and
constancy … Very strangely。
IN the evening of that same day the tall girl and I sat at tea by
the fire; at the bottom of the dingle; the girl on a small stool;
and myself; as usual; upon my stone。
The water which served for the tea had been taken from a spring of
pellucid water in the neighbourhood; which I had not had the good
fortune to discover; though it was well known to my companion; and
to the wandering people who frequented the dingle。
'This tea is very good;' said I; 'but I cannot enjoy it as much as
if I were well: I feel very sadly。'
'How else should you feel;' said the girl; 'after fighting with the
Flaming Tinman? All I wonder at is that you can feel at all! As
for the tea; it ought to be good; seeing that it cost me ten
shillings a pound。'
'That's a great deal for a person in your station to pay。'
'In my station! I'd have you to know; young man … however; I
haven't the heart to quarrel with you; you look so ill; and after
all; it is a good sum for one to pay who travels the roads; but if
I must have tea; I like to have the best; and tea I must have; for
I am used to it; though I can't help thinking that it sometimes
fills my head with strange fancies … what some folks call vapours;
making me weep and cry。'
'Dear me;' said I; 'I should never have thought that one of your
size and fierceness would weep and cry!'
'My size and fierceness! I tell you what; young man; you are not
over civil this evening; but you are ill; as I said before; and I
shan't take much notice of your language; at least for the present;
as for my size; I am not so much bigger than yourself; and as for
being fierce; you should be the last one to fling that at me。 It
is well for you that I can be fierce sometimes。 If I hadn't taken
your part against Blazing Bosville; you wouldn't be now taking tea
with me。'
'It is true that you struck me in the face first; but we'll let
that pass。 So that man's name is Bosville; what's your own?'
'Isopel Berners。'
'How did you get that name?'
'I say; young man; you seem fond of asking questions: will you
have another cup of tea?'
'I was just going to ask for another。'
'Well; then; here it is; and much good may it do you; as for my
name; I got it from my mother。'
'Your mother's name; then; was Isopel!'
'Isopel Berners。'
'But had you never a father?'
'Yes; I had a father;' said the g
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