the life and perambulations of a mouse(小耗子游记)-第9章
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comfort； now； do you think a body could ever have at Squire Stately's？ I
declare； if it was put to my choice； I would rather a thousand times be as I
am。 To be sure； they are very rich； but what of that？ they cannot eat gold；
neither can gold ease their hearts when they are bursting almost with pride
and ill…nature。 They say； indeed； that Madam Stately would be kind
enough； if they would let her rest； but what with the Squire's drinking and
swearing； and the young gentleman's extravagance； and her daughter's
pride and quarrelling； she is almost tired out of her life。 And so； Master
George； I say I had rather be poor Betty Flood； with honest Abraham for
my husband； than the finest lady in the land； if I must live at such a rate。
To be sure； nobody can deny but that money is very desirable； and people
that are rich can do many agreeable things which we poor ones cannot； but
yet； for all that； money does not make people happy。 Happiness； Master
George； depends greatly upon people's own tempers and dispositions： a
person who is fretful and cross will never be happy； though he should be
made king of all England； and a person who is contented and good…
humoured will never be wretched； though he should be as poor as a beggar。
So never fret yourself； love； because Betty Flood is poor； for though I am
poor； I am honest； and whilst my husband and I are happy enough to be
blessed with health； and the use of our limbs； we can work for our living；
and though we have no great plenty； still we have sufficient to support us。
So pray； dear； eat your cake yourself； for I would not take it from you for
ever so much。' They then disputed for some time who should have it：
at last； George scuffled away from her； and put it into the closet； and then；
nodding his head at her； ran away； saying； he must go to school that
moment。
Betty Flood then ate her breakfast； and we heard her say something
about the nasty mice； but what we could not make out； as she muttered
softly to herself。 She then came to the trunk behind which we lay； and
taking out of it a roll of new linen； sat down to needlework。 At twelve
o'clock her husband and son returned； so moving her table out of the way；
she made room for them at the fire； and； fetching the frying pan； dressed
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THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
some rashers of the nice bacon we had before tasted in the cupboard。
The boy； in the mean time； spread a cloth on the table； and placed the
bread and cold pudding on it likewise： then； returning to the closet for
their plates； he cried out； 'Lauk！ father； here is a nice hunch of plum…cake；
can you tell how it came？' 'Not I； indeed； Tom；' replied his father； 'I can
tell no more than the carp at the bottom of the squire's fish…pond。' 'Oh； I
will tell you。' said Mrs。 Flood； 'I know how it came。 Do you know； that
dear child； Master George Kendall； brought it for me； he called as he went
to school this morning。 I told him I would not have it； but the dear little
soul popped it into the cupboard； and ran away without it。 Bless his little
heart！ I do think he is the sweetest child that ever was born。 You may
laugh at me for saying so； but I am sure I should have thought the same if
I had not nursed him myself。' 'Indeed；' replied her husband； 'I do not
laugh at you for saying so； for I think so too； and so must everyone who
knows him； for when young gentlemen behave as he does； everybody
must love and admire them。 There is nothing I would not do to help and
serve that child； or any of his family； they always are so kind； and speak as
civilly to us poor folk as if we were the first lords or ladies in the land。 I
am sure； if it were needful； I would go through fire and water for their
sakes； and so would every man in the parish； I dare say。 But I wonder
who would do as much to help Squire Stately or any of his family； if it was
not that I should think it my duty （and an honest man ought always to do
that； whether he likes it or not）； but I say； if it was not that it would be my
duty to help my fellow…creature； I would scarcely be at the trouble of
stepping over the threshold to serve them； they are such a set of cross；
good…for…nothing gentry。 I declare； it was but as we came home to dinner
now； that we saw Master Sam throwing sticks and stones at Dame Frugal's
ducks； for the sake of seeing them waddle； and then； when they got to the
pond； he sent his dog in after them to bark and frighten them out of their
wits。 And as I came by； nothing would serve him but throwing a great
dab of mud all over the sleeve of my coat。 So I said； 〃Why； Master Sam；
you need not have done that； I did nothing to offend you； and however
amusing you may think it to insult poor people； I assure you it is very
wicked； and what no good person in the world would be guilty of。〃 He
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THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
then set up a great rude laugh； and I walked on and said no more。 But if
all gentlefolk were to behave like that family； I had rather be poor as I am；
than have all their riches； if that would make me act like them。' 'Very
true； Abraham；' replied his wife； 'that is what I say； and what I told Master
George this morning； for to be poor； if people do not become so through
their own extravagance； is no disgrace to any body： but to be haughty；
cruel； cross； and mischievous； is a disgrace to all who are so； let their rank
be as exalted as it may。'
Here the conversation was interrupted by the entrance of a man； who
begged Mr。 Flood to assist him in unloading his cart of flour； as his man
was gone out； and he could not do it by himself。 'Well； I will come and
help you； with all my heart；' said Flood； 'and so shall Tom too： will you；
my lad？ I cannot live without help myself； and if I do not assist others； I
am sure I shall not deserve any when I want it。' So saying； he left his
house； and his wife； after cleaning and putting in their proper places those
things which had been used at dinner； again sat down to her sewing。
Soon after the clock had struck six； the man and his son returned； and；
sitting round the fire； they passed the evening in social conversation； till
they went to bed； which was a little after eight； and they convinced me； by
their talk and behaviour； that happiness in this world depends far more
upon the temper and disposition of the heart； than upon any external
possessions； and that virtue； and a desire to be useful to others； afford far
greater satisfaction and peace of mind than any riches and grandeur can
possibly supply without such necessary qualifications。 After they were
all fallen asleep； we crept out； and； leaving the candle unmolested； which
was again placed on the tinder…box by the bed…side； we hastened into the
closet； where we regaled heartily； and devoured that part of the plum…cake
which Tom had v
