the life and perambulations of a mouse(小耗子游记)-第18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！
Betsy； and Miss Rachael； and Master James； show such contempt to all
their inferiors。 Nobody could wish children of their fortunes to make
themselves too free； or play with their servants； but if they were little
kings and queens； still they ought to speak kind and civil to everyone。
Indeed our king and queen would scorn to behave like the children of this
family； and if〃 She was going on； but they stopped her； saying； 〃If you
say another word； we will push you out of the room this moment； you rude；
48
… Page 49…
THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
bold； insolent woman； you ought to be ashamed of speaking so
disrespectfully of your betters； but we will tell our mamma； that we will；
and she won't suffer you to allow your tongue such liberties。〃 〃If；〃
replied Molly； 〃I have offended you； I am sorry for it； and beg your pardon；
ladies； I am sure I had no wish to do so； and you should remember that
you both insisted upon my telling you what I had been saying。〃 〃So we
did；〃 said they； 〃but you had no business to say it all； and I promise you
my mamma shall know it。〃
'In this manner they went on for some time； but； to make short of my
story； they represented the matter in such a manner to their mother； that
she dismissed Molly from her service； with a strict charge never to visit
the house again。 〃For；〃 said Mrs。 Speedgo； 〃no servant who behaves as
you have done； shall ever enter my doors again； or eat another mouthful in
my house。〃 Molly had no desire so suddenly to quit her place； but as her
conscience perfectly acquitted her of any wilful crime； after receiving her
wages； respectfully wishing all the family their health； and taking a
friendly leave of her fellow…servants； she left the house； and soon engaged
herself as dairy…maid in a farmer's family； about three miles off； in which
place she behaved so extremely well； and so much to the satisfaction of
her master and mistress； that； after she had lived there a little more than
two years； with their entire approbation； she was married to their eldest
son； a sober； worthy young man； to whom his father gave a fortune not
much less than three thousand pounds； with which he bought and stocked
a very pretty farm in Somersetshire； where they lived as happy as virtue
and affluence could make them。 By industry and care they prospered
beyond their utmost expectations； and； by their prudence and good
behaviour； gained the esteem and love of all who knew them。 'To their
servants （for they soon acquired riches enough to keep three or four； I
mean household ones； besides the number that were employed in the
farming business） they behaved with such kindness and civility； that had
they even given less wages than their neighbours； they would never have
been in want of any； everyone being desirous of getting into a family
where they were treated with such kindness and condescension。
'In this happy manner they continued to live for many years； bringing
49
… Page 50…
THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
up a large family of children to imitate their virtues； but one great
mortification they were obliged to submit to； which was that of putting
their children very early to boarding school； a circumstance which the
want of education in Mrs。 and indeed I may add Mr。 Flail； rendered
absolutely necessary。
'But I am afraid； Mrs。 Sally and Mrs。 Nelly； you will be tired； as I have
but half told my story； but I will endeavour to make short work of it；
though indeed it deserves to be noticed； for it will teach one a great deal；
and convince one how little the world's riches are to be depended on。
'I have said； you know； that Mr。 Speedgo was a merchant； and a very
rich one too。 It is unknown what vast sums of money he used to spend！
when； would you think it； either through spending it too fast； or some
losses he met with in trade； he broke all to nothing； and had not a farthing
to pay his creditors。 I forgot how many thousand pounds it was he owed；
but it was a vast great many。 Well！ this you may be sure was a great
mortification to them； they begged for mercy from their creditors； but as in
their prosperity they had never shown much mercy themselves to those
they thought beneath them； so now they met with very little from others：
the poor saying they deserved it for their pride； the rich condemning them
for their presumption； in trying to vie with those of superior birth； and
those who had been less successful in business； blaming them for their
extravagance； which； they said； had justly brought on them their
misfortunes。
'In this distress； in vain it was they applied for assistance to those they
had esteemed their friends； for as they never had been careful to form their
connections with people of real merit； only seeking to be acquainted with
those who were rich and prosperous； so now they could no longer return
their civilities； they found none were ready to show them any； but
everyone seemed anxious to keep from them as much as possible。 Thus
distressed； and finding no one willing to help them； the young squire；
Master James； was obliged to go to sea： while Miss Betsy and Miss
Rachael were even forced to try to get their living by service； a way of life
they were both ill qualified to undertake； for they had always so
accustomed themselves to be waited on and attended； that they scarcely
50
… Page 51…
THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
knew how to help themselves； much less how to work for others。 The
consequence of which was； they gave so little satisfaction to their
employers； that they staid but a little time in a place； and from so
frequently changing； no family； who wished to be well settled； would
admit them； as they thought it impossible they could be good servants
whom no one thought worthy of keeping。
'It is impossible to describe the many and great mortifications those
two young ladies met with。 They now frequently recollected the words
of Molly Mount； and earnestly wished they had attended to them whilst it
was in their power； as by so doing they would have secured to themselves
friends。 And they very forcibly found； that； although they were poor and
servants； yet they were as sensible of kind treatment and civility； as if they
had been richer。
'After they had been for some years changing from place to place；
always obliged to put up with very low wages； upon account of their being
so ill qualified for servants； it happened that Miss Betsy got into service at
Watchet； a place about three miles distant from Mr。 Flail's farm。 Here
she had a violent fit of illness； and
