little dorrit-信丽(英文版)-第73章

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Little　Dorrit　to　take　that　gentle　restorative；　or　whether　she　bathed　the
foreheads　of　Doyce　and　Clennam　in　vinegar；　and　gave　the　late　Mr　F。　more
air；　no　one　with　any　sense　of　responsibility　could　have　undertaken　to
decide。　A　tributary　stream　of　confusion；　moreover；　poured　in　from　an
adjoining　bedroom；　where　Mr　F。's　Aunt　appeared；　from　the　sound　of　her
voice；　to　be　in　a　horizontal　posture；　awaiting　her　breakfast；　and　from
which　bower　that　inexorable　lady　snapped　off　short　taunts；　whenever　she
could　get　a　hearing；　as；　'Don't　believe　it's　his　doing！'　and　'He　needn't
take　no　credit　to　himself　for　it！'　and　'It'll　be　long　enough；　I　expect；
afore　he'll　give　up　any　of　his　own　money！'　all　designed　to　disparage
Clennam's　share　in　the　discovery；　and　to　relieve　those　inveterate
feelings　with　which　Mr　F。's　Aunt　regarded　him。

But　Little　Dorrit's　solicitude　to　get　to　her　father；　and　to　carry　the
joyful　tidings　to　him；　and　not　to　leave　him　in　his　jail　a　moment　with
this　happiness　in　store　for　him　and　still　unknown　to　him；　did　more　for
her　speedy　restoration　than　all　the　skill　and　attention　on　earth　could
have　done。　'e　with　me　to　my　dear　father。　Pray　e　and　tell　my　dear
father！'　were　the　first　words　she　said。　Her　father；　her　father。　She
spoke　of　nothing　but　him；　thought　of　nothing　but　him。　Kneeling　down　and
pouring　out　her　thankfulness　with　uplifted　hands；　her　thanks　were　for
her　father。

Flora's　tenderness　e　by　this；　and　she　launched　out
among　the　cups　and　saucers　into　a　wonderful　flow　of　tears　and　speech。

'I　declare；'　she　sobbed；　'I　never　was　so　cut　up　since　your　mama　and　my
papa　not　Doyce　and　Clennam　for　this　once　but　give　the　precious　little
thing　a　cup　of　tea　and　make　her　put　it　to　her　lips　at　least　pray　Arthur
do；　not　even　Mr　F。's　last　illness　for　that　was　of　another　kind　and　gout
is　not　a　child's　affection　though　very　painful　for　all　parties　and　Mr
F。　a　martyr　with　his　leg　upon　a　rest　and　the　wine　trade　in　itself
inflammatory　for　they　will　do　it　more　or　less　among　themselves　and　who
can　wonder；　it　seems　like　a　dream　I　am　sure　to　think　of　nothing　at　all
this　morning　and　now　Mines　of　money　is　it　really；　but　you　must　know　my
darling　love　because　you　never　will　be　strong　enough　to　tell　him　all
about　it　upon　teaspoons；　mightn't　it　be　even　best　to　try　the　directions
of　my　own　medical　man　for　though　the　flavour　is　anything　but　agreeable
still　I　force　myself　to　do　it　as　a　prescription　and　find　the　benefit；
you'd　rather　not　why　no　my　dear　I'd　rather　not　but　still　I　do　it　as　a
duty；　everybody　will　congratulate　you　some　in　earnest　and　some　not　and
many　will　congratulate　you　with　all　their　hearts　but　none　more　so　I
do　assure　you　from　the　bottom　of　my　own　I　do　myself　though　sensible　of
blundering　and　being　stupid；　and　will　be　judged　by　Arthur　not　Doyce　and
Clennam　for　this　once　so　good…bye　darling　and　God　bless　you　and　may　you
be　very　happy　and　excuse　the　liberty；　vowing　that　the　dress　shall　never
be　finished　by　anybody　else　but　shall　be　laid　by　for　a　keepsake　just
as　it　is　and　called　Little　Dorrit　though　why　that　strangest　of
denominations　at　any　time　I　never　did　myself　and　now　I　never　shall！'

Thus　Flora；　in　taking　leave　of　her　favourite。　Little　Dorrit　thanked　her；
and　embraced　her；　over　and　over　again；　and　finally　came　out　of　the　house
with　Clennam；　and　took　coach　for　the　Marshalsea。

It　was　a　strangely　unreal　ride　through　the　old　squalid　streets；　with　a
sensation　of　being　raised　out　of　them　into　an　airy　world　of　wealth
and　grandeur。　When　Arthur　told　her　that　she　would　soon　ride　in　her
own　carriage　through　very　different　scenes；　when　all　the　familiar
experiences　would　have　vanished　away；　she　looked　frightened。　But　when
he　substituted　her　father　for　herself；　and　told　her　how　he　would　ride　in
his　carriage；　and　how　great　and　grand　he　would　be；　her　tears　of　joy
and　innocent　pride　fell　fast。　Seeing　that　the　happiness　her　mind　could
realise　was　all　shining　upon　him；　Arthur　kept　that　single　figure　before
her；　and　so　they　rode　brightly　through　the　poor　streets　in　the　prison
neighbourhood　to　carry　him　the　great　news。

When　Mr　Chivery；　who　was　on　duty；　admitted　them　into　the　Lodge；　he　saw
something　in　their　faces　which　filled　him　with　astonishment。　He　stood
looking　after　them；　when　they　hurried　into　the　prison；　as　though　he
perceived　that　they　had　e　back　acpanied　by　a　ghost　a…piece。　Two　or
three　Collegians　whom　they　passed；　looked　after　them　too；　and　presently
joining　Mr　Chivery；　formed　a　little　group　on　the　Lodge　steps；　in　the
midst　of　which　there　spontaneously　originated　a　whisper　that　the　Father
was　going　to　get　his　discharge。　Within　a　few　minutes；　it　was　heard　in
the　remotest　room　in　the　College。

Little　Dorrit　opened　the　door　from　without；　and　they　both　entered。　He
was　sitting　in　his　old　grey　gown　and　his　old　black　cap；　in　the　sunlight
by　the　window；　reading　his　newspaper。　His　glasses　were　in　his　hand；　and
he　had　just　looked　round；　surprised　at　first；　no　doubt；　by　her　step　upon
the　stairs；　not　expecting　her　until　night；　surprised　again；　by　seeing
Arthur　Clennam　in　her　pany。　As　they　came　in；　the　same　unwonted　look
in　both　of　them　which　had　already　caught　attention　in　the　yard　below；
struck　him。　He　did　not　rise　or　speak；　but　laid　down　his　glasses　and　his
newspaper　on　the　table　beside　him；　and　looked　at　them　with　his　mouth
a　little　open　and　his　lips　trembling。　When　Arthur　put　out　his　hand；
he　touched　it；　but　not　with　his　usual　state；　and　then　he　turned　to　his
daughter；　who　had　sat　down　close　beside　him　with　her　hands　upon　his
shoulder；　and　looked　attentively　in　her　face。

'Father！　I　have　been　made　so　happy　this　morning！'

'You　have　been　made　so　happy；　my　dear？'

'By　Mr　Clennam；　father。　He　brought　me　such　joyful　and　wonderful
intelligence　about　you！　If　he　had　not　with　his　great　kindness　and
gentleness；　prepared　me　for　it；　father……prepared　me　for　it；　father……I
think　I　could　not　have　borne　it。'

Her　agitation　was　exceedingly　great；　and　the　tears　rolled　down　her　face。
He　put　his　hand　suddenly　to　his　heart；　and　looked　at　Clennam。

'pose　yourself；　sir；'　said　Clennam；　'and　take　a　little　time　to　think。
To　think　of　the　brightest　and　most　fortunate　accidents　of　life。　We　have
all　heard　of　great　surprises　of　joy。　They　are　not　at　an　end；　sir。　They
are　rare；　but　not　at　an　end。'

'Mr　Clennam？　Not　at　an　end？　Not　at　an　end　for……'　He　touched　himself　upon
the　breast；　instead　of　saying　'me。'

'No；'　returned　Clennam。

'What　surprise；'　he　asked；　keeping　his　left　hand　over　his　heart；　and
there　stopping　in　his　speech；　while　with　his　right　hand　he　put　his
glasses　exactly　level　on　the　table：　'what　such　surprise　can　be　in　store
for　me？'

'Let　me　ansr　Dorrit；　what　surprise
would　be　the　most　unlooked　for　and　the　most　acceptable　to　you。　Do　not　be
afraid　to　imagine　it；　or　to　say　what　it　would　be。'

He　looked　steadfastly　at　Clennam；　and；　so　looking　at　him；　seemed　to
change　into　a　very　old　haggard　man。　The　sun　was　bright　upon　the　wall
beyond　the　window；　and　on　the　spikes　at　top。　He　slowly　stretched　out　the
hand　that　had　been　upon　his　heart；　and　pointed　at　the　wall。

'It　is　down；'　said　Clennam。　'Gone！'

He　remained　in　the　same　attitude；　looking　steadfastly　at　him。

'And　in　its　place；'　said　Clennam；　slowly　and　distinctly；　'are　the　means
to　possess　and　enjoy　the　utmost　that　they　have　so　long　shut　out。　Mr
Dorrit；　there　is　not　the　smallest　doubt　that　within　a　few　days　you　will
be　free；　and　highly　prosperous。　I　congratulate　you　with　all　my　soul　on
this　change　of　fortune；　and　on　the　happy　future　into　which　you　are　soon
to　carry　the　treasure　you　have　been　blest　with　here……the　best　of　all　the
riches　you　can　have　elsewhere……the　treasure　at　your　side。'

With　those　words；　he　pressed　his　hand　and　released　it；　and　his　daughter；
laying　her　face　against　his；　encircled　him　in　the　hour　of　his　prosperity
with　her　arms；　as　she　had　in　the　long　years　of　his　adversity　encircled
him　with　her　love　and　toil　and　truth；　and　poured　out　her　full　heart　in
gratitude；　hope；　joy；　blissful　ecstasy；　and　all　for　him。

'I　shall　see　him　as　I　never　saw　him　yet。　I　shall　see　my　dear　love；　with
the　dark　cloud　cleared　away。　I　shall　see　him；　as　my　poor　mother　saw　him
long　ago。　O　my　dear；　my　dear！　O　father；　father！　O　thank　God；　thank　God！'

He　yielded　himself　to　her　kisses　and　caresses；　but　did　not　return　them；
except　that　he　put　an　arm　about　her。　Neither　did　he　say　one　word。　His
steadfast　look　was　now　divided　between　her　and　Clennam；　and　he　began　to
shake　as　if　he　were　very　cold。　Explaining　to　Little　Dorrit　that　he　would
run　to　the　coffee…house　for　a　bottle　of　wine；　Arthur　fetched　it　with　all
the　haste　he　could　use。　While　it　was　being　brought　from　the　cellar　to
the　bar；　a　number　of　excited　people　asked　him　what　had　happened；　when　he
hurriedly　informed　them　that　Mr　Dorrit　had　succeeded　to　a　fortune。

On　ing　back　with　the　wine　in　his　hand；　he　found　that　she　had　placed
her　father　in　his　easy　chair；　and　had　loosened　his　shirt　and　neckcloth。
They　filled　a　tumbler　with　wine；　and　held　it　to　his　lips。　When　he　had
swallowed　a　little；　he　took　the　glass　himself　and　emptied　it。　Soon
after　that；　he　leaned　back　in　his　chair　and　cried；　with　his　handkerchief
before　his　face。

After　this　had　lasted　a　while　Clennam　thought　it　a　good　season　for
diverting　his　attention　from　the　main　surprise；　by　relating　its　details。
Slowly；　therefore；　and　in　a　quiet　tone　of　voice；　he　explained　them　as
best　he　could；　and　enlarged　on　the　nature　of　Pancks's　service。

'He　shall　be……ha……he　shall　be　handsomely　repensed；　sir；'　said
the　Father；　starting　up　and　moving　hurriedly　about　the　room。　'Assure
yourself；　Mr　Clennam；　that　everybody　concerned　shall　be……ha……shall
be　nobly　rewarded。　No　one；　my　dear　sir；　shall　say　that　he　has　an
unsatisfied　claim　against　me。　I　shall　repay　the……hum……the　advances　I
have　had　from　you；　sir；　with　peculiar　pleasure。　I　beg　to　be　informed　at
your　earliest　convenience；　what　advances　you　have　made　my　son。'

He　had　no　purpose　in　going　about　the　room；　but　he　was　not　still　a
moment。

'Everybody；'　he　said；　'shall　be　remembered。　I　will　not　go　away　from
here　in　anybody's　debt。　All　the　people　who　have　been……ha……well　behaved
towards　myself　and　my　family；　shall　be　rewarded。　Chivery　shall　be
rewarded。　Young　John　shall　be　rewarded。　I　particularly　wish；　and　intend；
to　act　munificently；　Mr　Clennam。'

'Will　you　allow　me；'　said　Arthur；　laying　his　purse　on　the　table；　'to
supply　any　present　contingencies；　Mr　Dorrit？　I　thought　it　best　to　bring
a　sum　of　money　for　the　purpose。'

'Thank　you；　sir；　thank　you。　I　accept　with　readiness；　at　the　present
moment；　what　I　could　not　an　hour　ago　have　conscientiously　taken。　I　am
obliged　to　you　for　the　temporary　acmodation。　Exceedingly　temporary；
but　well　timed……well　timed。'　His　hand　had　closed　upon　the　money；　and
he　carried　it　about　with　him。　'Be　so　kind；　sir；　as　to　add　the　amount　to
those　former　advances　to　which　I　have　already　referred；　being　careful；
if　you　please；　not　to　omit　advances　made　to　my　son。　A　mere　verbal
statement　of　the　gross　amount　is　all　I　shall……ha……all　I　shall　require。'

His　eye　fell　upon　his　daughter　at　this　point；　and　he　stopped　for　a
moment　to　kiss　her；　and　to　pat　her　head。

'It　will　be　necessary　to　find　a　milliner；　my　love；　and　to　make　a　speedy
and　plete　change　in　your　very　plain　dress。　Something　must　be　done
with　Maggy　too；　who　at　present　is……ha……barely　respectable；　barely
respectable。　And　your　sister；　Amy；　and　your　brother。　And　my　brother；
your　uncle……poor　soul；　I　trust　this　will　rouse　him……messengers　must　be
despatched　to　fetch　them。　They　must　be　informed　of　this。　We　must　break
it　to　them　cautiously；　but　they　must　be　informed　directly。　We　owe　it
as　a　duty　to　them　and　to　ourselves；　from　this　moment；　not　to　let
them……hum……not　to　let　them　do　anything。'

This　was　the　first　intimation　he　had　ever　given；　that　he　was　privy　to
the　fact　that　they　did　something　for　a　livelihood。

He　was　still　jogging　about　the　room；　with　the　purse　clutched　in　his
hand；　when　a　great　cheering　arose　in　the　yard。　'The　news　has　spread
already；'　said　Clennam；　looking　down　from　the　window。　'Will　you　show
yourself　to　them；　Mr　Dorrit？　They　are　very　earnest；　and　they　evidently
wish　it。'

'I……hum……ha……I　confess　I　could　have　desired；　Amy　my　dear；'　he　said；
jogging　about　in　a　more　feverish　flutter　than　before；　'to　have　made　some
change　in　my　dress　first；　and　to　have　bought　a……hum……a　watch　and　chain。
But　if　it　must　be　done　as　it　is；　it……ha……it　must　be　done。　Fasten　the
collar　of　my　shirt；　my　dear。　Mr　Clennam；　would　you　oblige　me……hum……with
a　blue　neckcloth　you　will　find　in　that　drawer　at　your　elbow。　Button
my　coat　across　at　the　chest；　my　love。　It　looks……ha……it　looks　broader；
buttoned。'

With　his　trembling　hand　he　pushed　his　grey　hair　up；　and　then；　taking
Clennam　and　his　daughter　for　supporters；　appeared　at　the　window　leaning
on　an　arm　of　each。　The　Collegians　cheered　him　very　heartily；　and　he
kissed　his　hand　to　them　with　great　urbanity　and　protection。　When　he
withdrew　into　the　room　again；　he　said　'Poor　creatures！'　in　a　tone　of
much　pity　for　their　miserable　condition。

Little　Dorrit　was　deeply　anxious　that　he　should　lie　down　to　pose
himself。　On　Arthur's　speaking　to　her　of　his　going　to　inform　Pancks　that
he　might　now　appear　as　soon　as　he　would；