the life and perambulations of a mouse(小耗子游记)-第8章
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we found more difficulty in this undertaking than we were at all aware of；
for though we could with tolerable ease go from room to room within the
house； still； when we attempted to quit it； we found it every way
surrounded with so thick a brick wall； that it was impossible for us to
make our way through it： we therefore ran round and round it several
times； searching for some little crevice through which we might escape；
but all to no purpose； not the least crack could we discover： and we
might have continued there till this time； had we not at length； after the
family were in bed； resolved to venture through one of the apartments into
the hall； and so creep out under the house door。 But the dangers we
exposed ourselves to in this expedition were many and great； we knew that
traps were set for us about the house； and where they might chance to be
placed we could not tell。 I had likewise been eye…witness to no less than
four cats； who might； for ought we knew to the contrary； at that hour of
darkness； be prowling in search of some of our unhappy species。
But； in spite of every difficulty and hazard； we determined to venture
rather than continue in opposition to our mother's commands； and； to
reward our obedience； we escaped with trembling hearts； unobserved； at
least unmolested； by any one。 And now； for the first time since our birth；
we found ourselves exposed to the inclemency of the weather。 The night
was very dark and tempestuous； the rain poured down in torrents； and the
wind blew so exceedingly high； that； low upon the ground as we were； it
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THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
was with difficulty that we could keep our legs： added to which； even
step we took； we were in water up to our stomachs。 In this wretched
condition we knew not which way to turn ourselves； or where to seek for
shelter。 The spattering of the rain； the howling of the wind； together with
the rattling and shaking of the trees； all contributed to make such a noise
as rendered it impossible for us to hear whether any danger was
approaching us or not。
In this truly melancholy situation we waded on for a considerable time；
till at length we reached a small house； and very easily gained admittance
through a pretty large hole on one side of the door。 Most heartily did we
rejoice at finding ourselves once more under shelter from the cold and rain；
and for some time only busied ourselves in drying our hair； which was as
thoroughly wet as if we had been served as the boy threatened my brother
Brighteyes； and we had really been drawn through a pond。 After we had
done this； and had a little rested ourselves； we began to look about in
search of food； but we could find nothing。 except a few crumbs of bread
and cheese in a man's coat pocket； and a piece of tallow…candle stuck on
the top of a tinder…box。 This； however； though not such delicate eating as
we had been used to； yet served to satisfy our present hunger； and we had
just finished the candle when we were greatly alarmed by the sight of a
human hand （for we mice can see a little in the dark） feeling about the
very chair on which we stood。 We jumped down in an instant； and hid
ourselves in a little hole behind a black trunk that stood in one corner of
the room。
We then heard very distinctly a man say； 'Betty； did you not put the
candle by the bedside？' 'Yes； that I am very sure I did；' replied a female
voice。 'I thought so；' answered the man； 'but I am sure it is not here now。
Tom！ Tom！ Tom！' continued he。 'What； father？' replied a boy； starting up；
'what is the matter？' 'Why； do you know anything of the candle？ I
cannot find it； my dear； and I want it sadly； for I fancy it is time we should
be up and be jogging。 Dost know any thing of it； my lad？' 'Not I； truly；
father；' said the boy； 'I only know that I saw mother stick it in the box…lid
last night； and put it upon the chair； which she set by the bedside； after you
had put your clothes upon the back of it； I know I saw her put it there； so it
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THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
must be there now； I fancy。' 'Well； I cannot find it；' replied the father； so
we must e'en get up in the dark； for I am sure it must be time。' The father
and son then both dressed themselves； and the man； taking a shilling out of
his pocket； laid it upon the chair； saying at the same time； 'There； Betty。 I
have left a shilling for you； take care it does not go after the candle； for
where that is I cannot tell any more than the carp at the bottom of the
squire's fish…pond。' He then unlocked the door； and went away；
accompanied by his son。
After their departure； we again came out； and took another walk round
the room； and found our way into a little cupboard； which we had not
before observed。 Here we discovered half a loaf of bread； a piece of cold
pudding； a lump of salt butter； some soft sugar in a basin； and a fine large
slice of bacon。 On these dainties we feasted very amply； and agreed that
we should again hide ourselves behind the black trunk all day； and at night；
when the family were in bed； return to take another meal on the plenty of
nice provision which we so happily discovered。 Accordingly； we crept
back just as the woman went to fill her teakettle at a pump； which stood
between her house and the next neighbour's。 When she returned； she put
it upon the fire she had just lit； and； taking a pair of bellows in her hand；
sat down to blow it。
While she was so employed； a young gentleman； about ten years of
age； very genteelly dressed； entered the room； and in a familiar manner
asked her how she did。 'I am very well； thank you； my dear；' replied she：
'and pray； Master George； how does your mamma and papa do； and all
your brothers and sisters？' 'They are all very well； thank you；' returned
the boy： 'And I am come to bring you a slice of cake； which my
grandpapa gave me yesterday。' Then throwing his arms round her neck； he
went on saying； 'Oh！ my dear； dear Betty Flood； how I do love you！ I
would do anything in the world to serve you。 I shall save all my
Christmas…boxes to give to you； and when I am a man； I will give you a
great deal of money。 I wish you were a lady； and not so poor。' 'I am
much obliged to you； my dear；' said she； 'for your kind good…wishes； but；
indeed； love； I am very well contented with my station： I have a good
husband； and three good children； and that is more than many a lady can
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say； and riches； Master George； unless people are good； and those one
lives with are kind and obliging； will never make anybody happy。 What
comfort； now； do you think a body could ever have at Squire Stately's？ I
