the life and perambulations of a mouse(小耗子游记)-第10章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
closet； where we regaled heartily； and devoured that part of the plum…cake
which Tom had very generously left for his sister Polly； who we found was
expected home the next day。
We then retired to our safe retreat； and thought we might venture to
stay for one more night's provisions without running any danger from our
too frequent return to the same place。 But in the morning we found our
scheme frustrated； for； on the woman's going to the closet to get her
breakfast； she observed the robbery which we had committed； and
26
… Page 27…
THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
exclaimed； 'Some teasing mice have found their way into the closet： I
will borrow neighbour Savewell's trap to…night； and catch some of the
little toads； that I will！' After hearing this； it would have been madness to
make any further attempts： we therefore agreed to watch for an
opportunity； and escape on the very first that offered。 Accordingly； about
noon； when Mrs。 Flood was busily employed in making some pancakes；
we slipped by her unobserved； and crept out at the same hole by which we
first entered。 But no sooner were we in the open road； than we repented
our haste； and wished that we had continued where we were till the
darkness of the night might better have concealed us from the observation
of anyone。 We crept as close to the wall of the house （as far as it reached；
which was but a few paces） as we possibly could； and then stepped into a
little ditch； which we were soon obliged to leave again； as the water ran in
some parts of it almost up to the edge。
At length we reached a little cottage； which we were just entering；
when a cat that was sleeping unnoticed by us upon a chair； jumped down；
and would certainly have destroyed me （who happened to go first） had she
not at the same moment tried to catch my brother； and by that means
missed her aim； and so given us both an opportunity to escape； which we
did by scrambling behind a brick that a child had been playing with by the
side of the door。 Fortunately； the brick lay too close to the house for the
cat to get her paw behind it； so as to be able to reach us； though to avoid it
we were obliged to use the greatest precaution； as she could thrust it in a
little way； so that if we had gone one inch too near either end； she would
certainly have dragged us out by her talons。 In this dreadful situation did
we spend some hours； incessantly moving from one end of the brick to the
other； for the moment she had； by the entrance of her paw at one end；
driven us to the other； she stepped over； and again made us retreat。 Think
with what dreadful terror our little hearts must have been oppressed； to see
our mortal enemy so closely watching us； expecting every moment when
she shook the brick with her two forepaws in searching； and with her
mouth endeavoured to lift it up； that she would be so far able to effect her
purpose； as to make it impossible for us to escape her jaws。 But； happily
for us； it had somehow or other got so wedged that she could not move it
27
… Page 28…
THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
to any distance； though it kept momentarily increasing our terrors； by
shaking as she strove to turn it。
From this state of horror； however； we were at length delivered by a
little boy of about two years old； who came out of the house； and taking
the cat up round its body with both hands； tottered away with it； and shut
the door。
Finding ourselves thus unexpectedly once more at liberty； we
determined to make use of it； by seeking some safer retreat； at least； till
night should better hide us from public view。 Terrified almost out of our
senses； we crept from behind the brick； and； after running a few yards；
slipped under the folding doors of a barn； and soon concealed ourselves
amidst a vast quantity of threshed corn。 This appeared to us the most
desirable retreat that we had yet found； not only as it afforded such
immense plenty of food； but also as we could so easily hide ourselves
from the observation of any one： beside； as it did not appear to be a
dwelling…house； we could in security reside； free from any danger of traps；
or the cruelty of man。 We therefore congratulated each other； not more
on account of the wonderful escape which we had； than upon our good
fortune in coming to a Spot so blessed with peace and plenty。
After we were a little recovered from the fatigue of mind； as well as of
body； which we had lately gone through； we regaled very heartily upon the
corn that surrounded us； and then fell into a charming sleep； from which
we were awakened the next morning by the sound of human voices。 We
very distinctly heard that of a boy； saying； 'Let us mix all the threshed corn
with the rest that is not threshed； and that will make a fine fuss； and set
John and Simon a swearing like troopers when they come and find all their
labour lost； and that they must do all their work over again。' 'And do you
think there is anything so agreeable in giving people trouble； and hearing
them swear；' replied another voice； 'that you can wish to do it？ For my
part。 I think it is so wicked a thing； that I hate to hear anybody guilty of
it； much less would I be the cause of making them commit so great a sin；
and as for giving them all their trouble over again； so far would it be from
affording me any pleasure； that on the contrary it would give me great pain；
for however you may think of it； Will； I assure you； it always gives me
28
… Page 29…
THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
much uneasiness to see people labouring and working hard。 I always
think how much I should dislike to be obliged to do so myself； and
therefore very sincerely pity those who must。 On no account therefore
will I do anything to add to their labour； or that shall give them
unnecessary work。'
'Pooh！' answered Will； 'you are wonderfully wise； I； for my part； hate
such super…abundant wisdom； I like to see folk fret； and stew； and scold； as
our maids did last week when I cut the line； and let all the sheets； and
gowns； and petticoats； and frocks； and shirts； and aprons； and caps； and
what not； fall plump into the dirt。 O！ how I did laugh！ and how they did
mutter and scold！ And do you know； that just as the wash ladies were
wiping their coddled hands； and comforted themselves with the thought of
their work being all over； and were going to sip their tea by the fireside； I
put them all to the scout； and they were obliged to wash every rag over
again。 I shall never forget how cross they looked； nay； I verily believe
Susan cried about it； and how I did laugh！'
'And pray；' rejoined the other boy； 'should you have laughed equally
hearty if； after you had been at school all day； and had with much
