the life and perambulations of a mouse(小耗子游记)-第12章
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without making great complaints； and shedding many tears。 At length；
however； evening came； and the gentleman； his son； and the two men； all
went away； leaving Longtail and myself to enjoy our abundance。 We
passed another night in the sweetest undisturbed repose； and in the day
had nothing to alarm our fears。 In short； our situation was every way so
perfectly happy and desirable； that we thought； although our mother had
charged us not to return frequently to the same place； yet she could not
mean that we should not take up our abode in a spot so secure and
comfortable。 We therefore determined to continue where we were； till
we should find some cause for removing。 And happy had it been for us if
we had kept to this resolution； and remained contented when we had
everything requisite to make us so。 Instead of which； after we had thus；
free from care； passed our time about seven months； like fools as we were；
we began to grow weary of our retirement； and of eating nothing but the
same food； and agreed that we would again venture forth and seek for
some other lodging； at the same time resolving； in case we could find no
habitation that suited us； to return to the barn where we had enjoyed so
many days of plenty and repose。
Accordingly； one fine moonlight Monday night； after securing our
supper on the corn； we set forth； and travelled for some distance without
any further molestation than our own natural fears created。 At length we
came to a brick house； with about five or six windows in front； and made
our way into it through a small latticed window which gave air into the
pantry； but on our arrival here we had no opportunity of so much as
observing what it contained； for on our slipping down a cat instantly flew
at us； and by the greatest good luck in the world； there chanced to be a
hole in one of the boards of the floor close to the spot where we stood； into
which we both were happy enough to pop； before she could catch us。
Here we had time to reflect； and severely blame ourselves for not being
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THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
satisfied with our state in the barn。 'When；' said I； addressing myself to
my brother； 'when shall we grow wise； and learn to know that certain evil
always attends every deviation from what is right。 When we disobeyed
the advice of our mother； and； tempted by cakes and other dainties；
frequently returned to the same dangerous place； how severely did we
suffer for it？ And now； by our own discontent； and not being satisfied
when so safely though more humbly lodged； into what trouble have we not
plunged ourselves？ How securely have we lived in the barn for the last
seven months； and how happily might we still have continued there； had it
not been for our restless dispositions？ Ah！ my brother； we have acted
foolishly。 We ought to have been contented when we were at peace； and
should have considered that if we had not everything we could wish for；
we had every thing that was necessary； and the life of a mouse was never
designed for perfect happiness。 Such enjoyment was never intended for
our lot； it is the portion only of beings whose capacities are far superior to
ours。 We ought then to have been contented； and had we been so； we
should have been as happy as our state of life would have admitted of。'
'What you say is certainly very true；' replied Longtail； 'and I sincerely wish
that we had thought of these things before。 But what must we now do？
we said we would return to the barn in case of difficulties； but that is now
impossible； as； if we attempt to retreat； the cat that drove us in here； will
certainly destroy us； and yet in proceeding； what difficulties must we
encounter； what dangers may we not run！ Oh！ my beloved Nimble；'
continued he； 'what a life of hazard is ours！ to what innumerable accidents
are we hourly exposed！ and how is every meal that we eat at the risk of
our very existence！'
'It undoubtedly is；' replied I； 'but with all its troubles we still are very
desirous of preserving it： let us not then； my brother； indulge our hearts
with murmuring and finding fault with that life； which； notwithstanding all
its evils； we value so highly。 Rather let us endeavour to learn experience；
and； by conducting ourselves better； escape many of those troubles which
we now suffer。' So saving； I advised him to follow me： 'for；' added I； 'it
is impossible for us to exist in the spot in which we are at present； we must
therefore strive to work our way into some other house or apartment；
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THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
where we can at least find some food。' To this Longtail agreed； the rest
of the night； and all the next day； we spent in nibbling and finding our way
into a closet in the house； which richly repaid us for all our toil； as it
contained sugar…plums； rice； millet； various kinds of sweetmeats； and what
we liked better than all the rest； a paper of nice macaroons。 On these we
feasted most deliciously till our hunger was fully satisfied； and then
creeping into a little hole； just big enough to contain us both； behind one
of the jars of sweetmeats； reposed ourselves with a nap； after our various
and great fatigues which we had gone through。 I never was a remarkably
sound sleeper； the least noise disturbs me； and I was awakened in the
morning by the servant…maid's coming into the room to sweep it； and get it
ready for the reception of her mistress and family； who soon after entered。
As I wanted to know from whom the voices I heard proceeded； I stepped
softly from behind the jar and just peeped under the door into the room；
where I discovered a gentleman； two ladies； and a little boy and girl。
As I was totally unacquainted with all places of retreat； and did not
know how soon any of them might have occasion to open the closet door； I
instantly returned to my brother； and； awaking him； told him it was time
for us to be upon our guard； as the family were all up and about。
Whilst we were thus situated； the first words I heard distinctly were
those of the gentleman； saying； 'No； Frank； I can never have a good
opinion of him； the boy who could once deceive may； for aught I know； do
so again； he has； by breaking his word； forfeited the only dependence one
could possibly have in him。 A person who has once lost his honour has
no means left of gaining credit to his assertions。 By honour； Frank； I
would be understood to speak of veracity； of virtue； of scorning to commit
a mean action； and not that brutish sense in which some understand it； as if
it consisted in a readiness to fight and resent an injury； for so far am I from
considering such behaviour as any proof of honour； that； on the contrary； I
look upon it as a sure sign of want of proper spirit and true honour。 Fools；
bullies； and even cowards； will fight； whereas none but men of sense and
