登陆注册
4707300000208

第208章

First, she lost in the mining way, and then she lost in the diving way - fishing up treasure, or some such Tom Tiddler nonsense,' explained my aunt, rubbing her nose; 'and then she lost in the mining way again, and, last of all, to set the thing entirely to rights, she lost in the banking way. I don't know what the Bank shares were worth for a little while,' said my aunt; 'cent per cent was the lowest of it, I believe; but the Bank was at the other end of the world, and tumbled into space, for what I know; anyhow, it fell to pieces, and never will and never can pay sixpence; and Betsey's sixpences were all there, and there's an end of them.

Least said, soonest mended!'

My aunt concluded this philosophical summary, by fixing her eyes with a kind of triumph on Agnes, whose colour was gradually returning.

'Dear Miss Trotwood, is that all the history?' said Agnes.

'I hope it's enough, child,' said my aunt. 'If there had been more money to lose, it wouldn't have been all, I dare say. Betsey would have contrived to throw that after the rest, and make another chapter, I have little doubt. But there was no more money, and there's no more story.'

Agnes had listened at first with suspended breath. Her colour still came and went, but she breathed more freely. I thought Iknew why. I thought she had had some fear that her unhappy father might be in some way to blame for what had happened. My aunt took her hand in hers, and laughed.

'Is that all?' repeated my aunt. 'Why, yes, that's all, except, "And she lived happy ever afterwards." Perhaps I may add that of Betsey yet, one of these days. Now, Agnes, you have a wise head.

So have you, Trot, in some things, though I can't compliment you always'; and here my aunt shook her own at me, with an energy peculiar to herself. 'What's to be done? Here's the cottage, taking one time with another, will produce say seventy pounds a year. I think we may safely put it down at that. Well! - That's all we've got,' said my aunt; with whom it was an idiosyncrasy, as it is with some horses, to stop very short when she appeared to be in a fair way of going on for a long while.

'Then,' said my aunt, after a rest, 'there's Dick. He's good for a hundred a-year, but of course that must be expended on himself.

I would sooner send him away, though I know I am the only person who appreciates him, than have him, and not spend his money on himself. How can Trot and I do best, upon our means? What do you say, Agnes?'

'I say, aunt,' I interposed, 'that I must do something!'

'Go for a soldier, do you mean?' returned my aunt, alarmed; 'or go to sea? I won't hear of it. You are to be a proctor. We're not going to have any knockings on the head in THIS family, if you please, sir.'

I was about to explain that I was not desirous of introducing that mode of provision into the family, when Agnes inquired if my rooms were held for any long term?

'You come to the point, my dear,' said my aunt. 'They are not to be got rid of, for six months at least, unless they could be underlet, and that I don't believe. The last man died here. Five people out of six would die - of course - of that woman in nankeen with the flannel petticoat. I have a little ready money; and Iagree with you, the best thing we can do, is, to live the term out here, and get a bedroom hard by.'

I thought it my duty to hint at the discomfort my aunt would sustain, from living in a continual state of guerilla warfare with Mrs. Crupp; but she disposed of that objection summarily by declaring that, on the first demonstration of hostilities, she was prepared to astonish Mrs. Crupp for the whole remainder of her natural life.

'I have been thinking, Trotwood,' said Agnes, diffidently, 'that if you had time -'

'I have a good deal of time, Agnes. I am always disengaged after four or five o'clock, and I have time early in the morning. In one way and another,' said I, conscious of reddening a little as Ithought of the hours and hours I had devoted to fagging about town, and to and fro upon the Norwood Road, 'I have abundance of time.'

'I know you would not mind,' said Agnes, coming to me, and speaking in a low voice, so full of sweet and hopeful consideration that Ihear it now, 'the duties of a secretary.'

'Mind, my dear Agnes?'

'Because,' continued Agnes, 'Doctor Strong has acted on his intention of retiring, and has come to live in London; and he asked papa, I know, if he could recommend him one. Don't you think he would rather have his favourite old pupil near him, than anybody else?'

'Dear Agnes!' said I. 'What should I do without you! You are always my good angel. I told you so. I never think of you in any other light.'

Agnes answered with her pleasant laugh, that one good Angel (meaning Dora) was enough; and went on to remind me that the Doctor had been used to occupy himself in his study, early in the morning, and in the evening - and that probably my leisure would suit his requirements very well. I was scarcely more delighted with the prospect of earning my own bread, than with the hope of earning it under my old master; in short, acting on the advice of Agnes, I sat down and wrote a letter to the Doctor, stating my object, and appointing to call on him next day at ten in the forenoon. This Iaddressed to Highgate - for in that place, so memorable to me, he lived - and went and posted, myself, without losing a minute.

Wherever Agnes was, some agreeable token of her noiseless presence seemed inseparable from the place. When I came back, I found my aunt's birds hanging, just as they had hung so long in the parlour window of the cottage; and my easy-chair imitating my aunt's much easier chair in its position at the open window; and even the round green fan, which my aunt had brought away with her, screwed on to the window-sill. I knew who had done all this, by its seeming to have quietly done itself; and I should have known in a moment who had arranged my neglected books in the old order of my school days, even if I had supposed Agnes to be miles away, instead of seeing her busy with them, and smiling at the disorder into which they had fallen.

同类推荐
  • Chastelard

    Chastelard

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 佛说三厨经

    佛说三厨经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 脉诀阐微

    脉诀阐微

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 霞笺记

    霞笺记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 小酉腴山馆主人自着年谱

    小酉腴山馆主人自着年谱

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 异界的游戏开发商

    异界的游戏开发商

    【2018游戏脑洞风暴征文】陆杨是一名游戏策划,他一直坚信自己是用心在做游戏的。直到有一天,他知道了他负责的那款游戏竟然登上了公司辣鸡游戏榜单常年熬夜,精神紧绷的他气急攻心,眼睛一闭,双腿一蹬。再次睁开眼,发现自己竟然来到了地球的平行世界?重归老本行开发游戏,陆杨在另一个地方成为了顶尖的游戏设计师。群:831752659
  • 求变就是求赢

    求变就是求赢

    当你面对不断变化发展且竞争越来越激烈的现代社会,想有所成就,却感觉迷茫无助之时该如何选择?在进与退、输与赢的关口,你当然会选择“进”与“赢”。而本书题为《求变就是求赢》,就是为你指出想赢就必须求变这一成功的先决条件。本书从求变与求赢的紧密联系、求变的重要性、变的方式、变的途径等各方面,辅以古今中外成功人士的范例,细致分析指明如何追求到“变”这一重要的社会生存技能,为你释疑解惑,拓展成功的思路,打开胜利的大门,让你顺利走向“赢”的彼岸。
  • 长阿含十报法经

    长阿含十报法经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 邪王宠成瘾:精分王妃戏不停

    邪王宠成瘾:精分王妃戏不停

    这宁王妃慕容恩可是出了名的循规蹈矩,也不知怎的一失足竟摔成了精分戏精。时而刻板,时而机灵,时而温婉,时而霸气,把死水一般的王府生活,搅得是鸡飞蛋打、啼笑皆非!“王爷,今夜良辰美景、佳人在怀,不如,把钱结一下呗?!”“王妃可是忘吃药了?”“怎么一谈钱就吃药,王爷,您讲点职业操守好不好?!”本文纯属轻松消遣,切勿较真。
  • 看 我有多爱你

    看 我有多爱你

    逸航不能再忍受斯斯和别的男生那么亲密地在一起,便立刻冲到他们身边。“陶小姐,我们一起跳支舞吧。”他装得很客气,但是斯斯丝毫没领情。“对不起,我已经跳够了,所以不想再跳了。”斯斯显得很嚣张,摆起了女王的姿态。“这可由不得你,这是命令!”说着就拉起了她的手。斯斯被扯到了舞厅中,因为有众多眼睛在看着,她也不敢胡来。“方逸航,你一定要我出糗是不是?”逸航邪魅的笑了笑,“我可没让你出糗,要是你想要的话,我也不反对。”“你......”斯斯被气得说不出话了。“你也不看看,今晚你有多风光。站在我身边,你就像是万千宠爱在一身的公主,你难道不高兴吗?”“做公主当然高兴,但是站在你身边,我一点儿也高兴不起来。谁愿和一个‘毒人’站在一起啊?”斯斯一点也不示弱,虽然打不过他,但是在斗嘴上她可不能输。“跟了我这么多天,你的骂人功夫好像有进步啊。”逸航讽刺的说道。
  • 一路美丽更年期:40岁后女人的健康美丽全书

    一路美丽更年期:40岁后女人的健康美丽全书

    悉心调养捍卫身体健康,精心保养留住美丽风采,宁静心灵造就幸福人生。
  • 父亲还在渔隐街

    父亲还在渔隐街

    “父亲”是从农村到城市来打工的,最初在渔隐街做剃头匠,但娟子和她的母亲逐渐失去了他的消息,只有从他寄过来的钱才能感受到他的存在,这里所阻隔他们的不只是空间的距离,而且也有农村与城市的不同生活方式。当娟子考上大学,到城市里来寻找父亲时,她所凭借的只有“渔隐街”这个符号,但是现实中的渔隐街已经消失了,它变成了“现代大道”,在这里阻隔他们的也不只是时间,也有城市从传统到现代的变化,不仅父亲消失了,“渔隐街”以及与之相联系的一整套生活方式也消失了,这个与农业社会与传统密切相连的城市,已经发生了天翻地覆的变化,于是娟子站在陌生的“现代大道”上,寻找着消失在农村与城市之间、传统与现代之间的父亲。
  • 终于嫁给岑先生

    终于嫁给岑先生

    ?千千新文《惹爱成婚:阔少抢来的老婆!》欢迎宝贝儿们阅读:http://m.wkkk.net/a/1037779/庄初怎么都没想到今后会和晋江市高高在上的商界翘楚容谨城纠缠不清。她说:“容总三番四次救我,大恩大德我……”庄初话音未落,容谨城便宽衣拿套解皮带:“以身相报!”庄初:“……”她不明白一个堂堂容氏总裁怎么会对他准妹夫的前妻产生兴趣?!*相爱十年,结婚五年,为他的公司她呕心沥血,即便传他包yǎng明星染指有夫之妇她也从不相信。直到他带离婚协议书前来,告知庄初他终究和那个传闻中的有妇之夫容氏二小姐走到了一起,她才如梦初醒。离婚离家,连庄初肚中的双胞胎也未能保住。前夫婚礼前夕,庄初和前夫过往婚姻曝光,容家上下震怒,为保婚礼顺利进行,前夫捏造庄初隐婚出轨种种证据撇清自己,一时让身为金牌建筑设计师的庄初身败名裂。庄初心痛难当,酒店应酬,她大醉而出,手握请柬哭的一塌糊涂。容谨城烟圈指间萦绕,眸子忽暗后道:“婚礼,我带你去……”容家盛世婚礼上,容谨城揽着庄初纤细腰身而来,姿态暧昧不明。*四年离国进修,她不顾父母阻拦在容谨城几乎一败涂地时坚持离开。再次回来她以为那个绯闻缠身的傲慢男人早已将自己遗忘脑后。谁知,她走丢的心肝宝贝儿却意外和容谨城相逢站在街尾大眼瞪小眼。他笑容阴沉:“庄初,能解释这是怎么回事儿吗?”庄初面色煞白。当初拒婚出国,四年后却带着他的孩子回来,容谨城怎能饶过?时隔多年旧爱来袭,真相层层剥茧,容谨城何去何从……【小剧场】庄初:臭臭,幼儿园考试为什么总是不在卷子上写名字?臭臭:(委屈低头)不会写……庄初:平时在家里写的挺好呀。臭臭:(可怜巴巴)不会写臭臭。庄初:……(内牛满面,儿子……你大名不叫臭臭啊!)【千千VIP群号:276640975入群请附上VIP帐号ID管理员才会通过哦。欢迎勾搭哦。】
  • 时空之前

    时空之前

    意外回到了十年前的方玄,一直都以先知先觉的重生者自居。然而,当他拼命努力(开挂)之后,才发现自己在《创世》中,居然还不如人家澹台婉芊随便玩玩。这一刻,方玄只想问:我是谁?我在哪?我要到哪里去?……备注:这是一本奇怪的虚拟网游,若喜欢,请收藏,谢谢。说明:欢迎各位书友来企鹅群-219230104,吐槽,啊呸,论道!
  • 你在灯火阑珊处

    你在灯火阑珊处

    最后的最后,当苏潼看到那间公主房里满满的都是她的‘雏菊’后,整颗心终于都软了。旁边的康祁邃用胳膊碰了她一下,满脸的委屈,“我为了你,这异装癖的罪名都背了,还顶着被抓进局子里的风险去蹲地摊儿,你是不是也该表个态?”苏潼歪着头斜睨他,片刻后悠悠的叹了口气,“也是,能被当成肉骨头一样惦记了这么多年我也确实不容易。不然,咱们肉骨头和狗就凑合一下?”康祁邃扯扯嘴角,这世上敢说他狗的大概也就这女人一个了。是,他是故意引着她去撞破JQ,可不这么做,他自己怎么上位?人不为己天诛地灭啊。康祁邃拉着她的胳膊把她扯进怀里,“最后给你一次机会,三步之内,我在这里。”苏潼很给面子的从他怀里钻出来,背对他往前走了三步,再即将迈出第四步的时候,忽然转身,嘴角挂着笑,轻声说道,“三步之内,我爱你。”「皓月亭·文学社」