little dorrit-信丽(英文版)-第101章

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Padrona！'

'I　have　seen　some　one；'　returned　Baptist。　'I　have　rincontrato　him。'

'Im？　Oo　him？'　asked　Mrs　Plornish。

'A　bad　man。　A　baddest　man。　I　have　hoped　that　I　should　never　see　him
again。'　'Ow　you　know　him　bad？'　asked　Mrs　Plornish。

'It　does　not　matter；　Padrona。　I　know　it　too　well。'

''E　see　you？'　asked　Mrs　Plornish。

'No。　I　hope　not。　I　believe　not。'

'He　says；'　Mrs　Plornish　then　interpreted；　addressing　her　father　and
Pancks　with　mild　condescension；　'that　he　has　met　a　bad　man；　but　he　hopes
the　bad　man　didn't　see　him……rs　Plornish；　reverting　to
the　Italian　language；　'why　ope　bad　man　no　see？'

'Padrona；　dearest；'　returned　the　little　foreigner　whom　she　so
considerately　protected；　'do　not　ask；　I　pray。　Once　again　I　say　it
matters　not。　I　have　fear　of　this　man。　I　do　not　wish　to　see　him；　I　do　not
wish　to　be　known　of　him……never　again！　Enough；　most　beautiful。　Leave　it。'

The　topic　was　so　disagreeable　to　him；　and　so　put　his　usual　liveliness　to
the　rout；　that　Mrs　Plornish　forbore　to　press　him　further：　the　rather　as
the　tea　had　been　drawing　for　some　time　on　the　hob。　But　she　was　not　the
less　surprised　and　curious　for　asking　no　more　questions；　neither　was
Mr　Pancks；　whose　expressive　breathing　had　been　labouring　hard　since　the
entrance　of　the　little　man；　like　a　lootive　engine　with　a　great　load
getting　up　a　steep　incline。　Maggy；　now　better　dressed　than　of　yore；
though　still　faithful　to　the　monstrous　character　of　her　cap；　had　been
in　the　background　from　the　first　with　open　mouth　and　eyes；　which　staring
and　gaping　features　were　not　diminished　in　breadth　by　the　untimely
suppression　of　the　subject。　However；　no　more　was　said　about　it；　though
much　appeared　to　be　thought　on　all　sides：　by　no　means　excepting　the　two
young　Plornishes；　who　partook　of　the　evening　meal　as　if　their　eating
the　bread　and　butter　were　rendered　almost　superfluous　by　the　painful
probability　of　the　worst　of　men　shortly　presenting　himself　for　the
purpose　of　eating　them。　Mr　Baptist；　by　degrees　began　to　chirp　a　little；
but　never　stirred　from　the　seat　he　had　taken　behind　the　door　and　close
to　the　window；　though　it　was　not　his　usual　place。　As　often　as　the　little
bell　rang；　he　started　and　peeped　out　secretly；　with　the　end　of　the
little　curtain　in　his　hand　and　the　rest　before　his　face；　evidently　not
at　all　satisfied　but　that　the　man　he　dreaded　had　tracked　him　through　all
his　doublings　and　turnings；　with　the　certainty　of　a　terrible　bloodhound。

The　entrance；　at　various　times；　of　two　or　three　customers　and　of　Mr
Plornish；　gave　Mr　Baptist　just　enough　of　this　employment　to　keep　the
attention　of　the　pany　fixed　upon　him。　Tea　was　over；　and　the　children
were　abed；　and　Mrs　Plornish　was　feeling　her　way　to　the　dutiful　proposal
that　her　father　should　favour　them　with　Chloe；　when　the　bell　rang　again；
and　Mr　Clennam　came　in。

Clennam　had　been　poring　late　over　his　books　and　letters；　for　the
waiting…rooms　of　the　Circumlocution　Office　ravaged　his　time　sorely。

Over　and　above　that；　he　was　depressed　and　made　uneasy　by　the　late
occurrence　at　his　mother's。　He　looked　worn　and　solitary。　He　felt　so；
too；　but；　nevertheless；　was　returning　home　from　his　counting…house　by
that　end　of　the　Yard　to　give　them　the　intelligence　that　he　had　received
another　letter　from　Miss　Dorrit。

The　news　made　a　sensation　in　the　cottage　which　drew　off　the　general
attention　from　Mr　Baptist。　Maggy；　who　pushed　her　way　into　the　foreground
immediately；　would　have　seemed　to　draw　in　the　tidings　of　her　Little
Mother　equally　at　her　ears；　nose；　mouth；　and　eyes；　but　that　the　last
were　obstructed　by　tears。　She　was　particularly　delighted　when　Clennam
assured　her　that　there　were　hospitals；　and　very　kindly　conducted
hospitals；　in　Rome。　Mr　Pancks　rose　into　new　distinction　in　virtue　of
being　specially　remembered　in　the　letter。　Everybody　was　pleased　and
interested；　and　Clennam　was　well　repaid　for　his　trouble。　'But　you　are
tired；　sir。　Let　me　make　you　a　cup　of　tea；'　said　Mrs　Plornish；　'if　you'd
condescend　to　take　such　a　thing　in　the　cottage；　and　many　thanks　to　you；
too；　I　am　sure；　for　bearing　us　in　mind　so　kindly。'

Mr　Plornish　deeming　it　incumbent　on　him；　as　host；　to　add　his　personal
acknowledgments；　tendered　them　in　the　form　which　always　expressed　his
highest　ideal　of　a　bination　of　ceremony　with　sincerity。

'John　Edward　Nandy；'　said　Mr　Plornish；　addressing　the　old　gentleman。
'Sir。　It's　not　too　often　that　you　see　unpretending　actions　without　a
spark　of　pride；　and　therefore　when　you　see　them　give　grateful　honour
unto　the　same；　being　that　if　you　don't；　and　live　to　want　'em；　it　follows
serve　you　right。'

To　which　Mr　Nandy　replied：

'I　am　heartily　of　your　opinion；　Thomas；　and　which　your　opinion　is　the
same　as　mine；　and　therefore　no　more　words　and　not　being　backwards
with　that　opinion；　which　opinion　giving　it　as　yes；　Thomas；　yes；　is　the
opinion　in　which　yourself　and　me　must　ever　be　unanimously　jined　by　all；
and　where　there　is　not　difference　of　opinion　there　can　be　none　but　one
opinion；　which　fully　no；　Thomas；　Thomas；　no！'

Arthur；　with　less　formality；　expressed　himself　gratified　by　their　high
appreciation　of　so　very　slight　an　attention　on　his　part；　and　explained
as　to　the　tea　that　he　had　not　yet　dined；　and　was　going　straight　home　to
refresh　after　a　long　day's　labour；　or　he　would　have　readily　accepted　the
hospitable　offer。　As　Mr　Pancks　was　somewhat　noisily　getting　his　steam
up　for　departure；　he　concluded　by　asking　that　gentleman　if　he　would　walk
with　him？　Mr　Pancks　said　he　desired　no　better　engagement；　and　the　two
took　leave　of　Happy　Cottage。

'If　you　will　e　home　with　me；　Pancks；'　said　Arthur；　when　they　got　into
the　street；　'and　will　share　what　dinner　or　supper　there　is；　it　will
be　next　door　to　an　act　of　charity；　for　I　am　weary　and　out　of　sorts
to…night。'

'Ask　me　to　do　a　greater　thing　than　that；'　said　Pancks；　'when　you　want　it
done；　and　I'll　do　it。'

Between　this　eccentric　personage　and　Clennam；　a　tacit　understanding　and
accord　had　been　always　improving　since　Mr　Pancks　flew　over　Mr　Rugg's
back　in　the　Marshalsea　Yard。　When　the　carriage　drove　away　on　the
memorable　day　of　the　family's　departure；　these　two　had　looked　after　it
together；　and　had　walked　slowly　away　together。　When　the　first　letter
came　from　little　Dorrit；　nobody　was　more　interested　in　hearing　of
her　than　Mr　Pancks。　The　second　letter；　at　that　moment　in　Clennam's
breast…pocket；　particularly　remembered　him　by　name。　Though　he　had　never
before　made　any　profession　or　protestation　to　Clennam；　and　though　what
he　had　just　said　was　little　enough　as　to　the　words　in　which　it　was
expressed；　Clennam　had　long　had　a　growing　belief　that　Mr　Pancks；　in
his　own　odd　way；　was　being　attached　to　him。　All　these　strings
intertwining　made　Pancks　a　very　cable　of　anchorage　that　night。

'I　am　quite　alone；'　Arthur　explained　as　they　walked　on。　'My　partner　is
away；　busily　engaged　at　a　distance　on　his　branch　of　our　business；　and
you　shall　do　just　as　you　like。'

'Thank　you。　You　didn't　take　particular　notice　of　little　Altro　just　now；
did　you？'　said　Pancks。

'No。　Why？'

'He's　a　bright　fellow；　and　I　like　him；'　said　Pancks。　'Something　has
gone　amiss　with　him　to…day。　Have　you　any　idea　of　any　cause　that　can　have
overset　him？'

'You　surprise　me！　None　whatever。'

Mr　Pancks　gave　his　reasons　for　the　inquiry。　Arthur　was　quite　unprepared
for　them；　and　quite　unable　to　suggest　an　explanation　of　them。

'Perhaps　you'll　ask　him；'　said　Pancks；　'as　he's　a　stranger？'

'Ask　him　what？'　returned　Clennam。

'What　he　has　on　his　mind。'

'I　ought　first　to　see　for　myself　that　he　has　something　on　his　mind；　I
think；'　said　Clennam。　'I　have　found　him　in　every　way　so　diligent；　so
grateful　（for　little　enough）；　and　so　trustworthy；　that　it　might　look
like　suspecting　him。　And　that　would　be　very　unjust。'

'True；'　said　Pancks。　'But；　I　say！　You　oughtn't　to　be　anybody's
proprietor；　Mr　Clennam。　You're　much　too　delicate。'　'For　the　matter　of
that；'　returned　Clennam　laughing；　'I　have　not　a　large　proprietary　share
in　Cavalletto。　His　carving　is　his　livelihood。　He　keeps　the　keys　of
the　Factory；　watches　it　every　alternate　night；　and　acts　as　a　sort　of
housekeeper　to　it　generally；　but　we　have　little　work　in　the　way　of　his
ingenuity；　though　we　give　him　what　we　have。　No！　I　am　rather　his　adviser
than　his　proprietor。　To　call　me　his　standing　counsel　and　his　banker
would　be　nearer　the　fact。　Speaking　of　being　his　banker；　is　it　not
curious；　Pancks；　that　the　ventures　which　run　just　now　in　so　many
people's　heads；　should　run　even　in　little　Cavalletto's？'

'Ventures？'　retorted　Pancks；　with　a　snort。　'What　ventures？'

'These　Merdle　enterprises。'

'Oh！　Investments；'　said　Pancks。　'Ay；　ay！　I　didn't　know　you　were　speaking
of　investments。'　His　quick　way　of　replying　caused　Clennam　to　look
at　him；　with　a　doubt　whether　he　meant　more　than　he　said。　As　it　was
acpanied；　however；　with　a　quickening　of　his　pace　and　a　corresponding
increase　in　the　labouring　of　his　machinery；　Arthur　did　not　pursue　the
matter；　and　they　soon　arrived　at　his　house。

A　dinner　of　soup　and　a　pigeon…pie；　served　on　a　little　round　table　before
the　fire；　and　flavoured　with　a　bottle　of　good　wine；　oiled　Mr　Pancks's
works　in　a　highly　effective　manner；　so　that　when　Clennam　produced　his
Eastern　pipe；　and　handed　Mr　Pancks　another　Eastern　pipe；　the　latter
gentleman　was　perfectly　fortable。

They　puffed　for　a　while　in　silence；　Mr　Pancks　like　a　steam…vessel
with　wind；　tide；　calm　water；　and　all　other　sea…going　conditions　in　her
favour。　He　was　the　first　to　speak；　and　he　spoke　thus：

'Yes。　Investments　is　the　word。'

Clennam；　with　his　former　look；　said　'Ah！'

'I　am　going　back　to　it；　you　see；'　said　Pancks。

'Yes。　I　see　you　are　going　back　to　it；'　returned　Clennam；　wondering　why。

'Wasn't　it　a　curious　thing　that　they　should　run　in　little　Altro's　head？
Eh？'　said　Pancks　as　he　smoked。　'Wasn't　that　how　you　put　it？'

'That　was　what　I　said。'

'Ay！　But　think　of　the　whole　Yard　having　got　it。　Think　of　their
all　meeting　me　with　it；　on　my　collecting　days；　here　and　there　and
everywhere。　Whether　they　pay；　or　whether　they　don't　pay。　Merdle；　Merdle；
Merdle。　Always　Merdle。'

'Very　strange　how　these　runs　on　an　infatuation　prevail；'　said　Arthur。

'An't　it？'　returned　Pancks。　After　smoking　for　a　minute　or　so；　more　drily
than　ported　with　his　recent　oiling；　he　added：　'Because　you　see　these
people　don't　understand　the　subject。'

'Not　a　bit；'　assented　Clennam。


'Not　a　bit；'　cried　Pancks。　'Know　nothing　of　figures。　Know　nothing　of
money　questions。　Never　made　a　calculation。　Never　worked　it；　sir！'

'If　they　had……'　Clennam　was　going　on　to　say；　when　Mr　Pancks；　without
change　of　countenance；　produced　a　sound　so　far　surpassing　all　his　usual
efforts；　nasal　or　bronchial；　that　he　stopped。

'If　they　had？'　repeated　Pancks　in　an　inquiring　tone。

'I　thought　you……spoke；'　said　Arthur；　hesitating　what　name　to　give　the
interruption。

'Not　at　all；'　said　Pancks。　'Not　yet。　I　may　in　a　minute。　If　they　had？'

'If　they　had；'　observed　Clennam；　who　was　a　little　at　a　loss　how　to　take
his　friend；　'why；　I　suppose　they　would　have　known　better。'

'How　so；　Mr　Clennam？'　Pancks　asked　quickly；　and　with　an　odd　effect　of
having　been　from　the　mencement　of　the　conversation　loaded　with　the
heavy　charge　he　now　fired　off。　'They're　right；　you　know。　They　don't　mean
to　be；　but　they're　right。'

'Right　in　sharing　Cavalletto's　inclination　to　speculate　with　Mr　Merdle？'

'Per…fectly；　sir；'　said　Pancks。　'I've　gone　into　it。　I've　made　the
calculations。　I've　worked　it。　They're　safe　and　genuine。'　Relieved　by
having　got　to　this；　Mr　Pancks　took　as　long　a　pull　as　his　lungs　would
permit　at　his　Eastern　pipe；　and　looked　sagaciously　and　steadily　at
Clennam　while　inhaling　and　exhaling　too。

In　those　moments；　Mr　Pancks　began　to　give　out　the　dangerous　infection
with　which　he　was　laden。　It　is　the　manner　of　municating　these
diseases；　it　is　the　subtle　way　in　which　they　go　about。

'Do　you　mean；　my　good　Pancks；'　asked　Clennam　emphatically；　'that　you
would　put　that　thousand　pounds　of　yours；　let　us　say；　for　instance；　out
at　this　kind　of　interest？'

'Certainly；'　said　Pancks。　'Already　done　it；　sir。'

Mr　Pancks　took　another　long　inhalation；　another　long　exhalation；　another
long　sagacious　look　at　Clennam。

'I　tell　you；　Mr　Clennam；　I've　gone　into　it；'　said　Pancks。　'He's　a　man　of
immense　resources……enormous　capital……government　influence。　They're　the
best　schemes　afloat。　They're　safe。　They're　certain。'

'Well！'　returned　Clennam；　looking　first　at　him　gravely　and　then　at　the
fire　gravely。　'You　surprise　me！'

'Bah！'　Pancks　retorted。　'Don't　say　that；　sir。　It's　what　you　ought　to　do
yourself！　Why　don't　you　do　as　I　do？'

Of　whom　Mr　Pancks　had　taken　the　prevalent　disease；　he　could　no　more　have
told　than　if　he　had　unconsciously　taken　a　fever。　Bred　at　first；　as　many
physical　diseases　are；　in　the　wickedness　of　men；　and　then　disseminated
in　their　ignorance；　these　epidemics；　after　a　period；　get　municated　to
many　sufferers　who　are　neither　ignorant　nor　wicked。　Mr　Pancks　might；　or
might　not；　have　caught　the　illness　himself　from　a　subject　of　this　class；
but　in　this　category　he　appeared　before　Clennam；　and　the　infection　he
threw　off　was　all　the　more　virulent。

'And　you　have　really　invested；'　Clennam　had　already　passed　to　that　word；