登陆注册
4711400000006

第6章

"Yes; of course the restraints of society must be much greater in a city, than in a more sparsely settled section."

"I hope your new purchase suits you on farther examination. The farm is certainly a very good one; but the house, I should think, must want repairs."

"It does, sir; I calculate to build, however, next year. The present dwelling is much too small."

"The house might suit us, I think," observed Mrs. Taylor, who, with Miss Agnes, had taken a seat, while the young people were standing, chatting, near them. "If husband would put up a back-building, we should have room enough."

Miss Wyllys remarked, that even a small addition, often increased very much the convenience of a house.

"Certainly, madam; but I apprehend, if I had added wings and a back-building to the premises, as I first intended, Mrs. Taylor would still have found the house not sufficiently spacious. Now our young ladies and gentlemen are growing up, we must have, more room for company."

"Well," added his wife, "I expect to see a good deal of tea and dinner company, next summer, with the house as it is."

"The young people will be much obliged to you for your kind intentions, Mrs. Taylor; ours is not a very gay neighbourhood," said Miss Wyllys.

"So I should conclude," remarked Mr. Taylor.

"I don't know, Agnes," said her father; "if you include Longbridge in the neighbourhood, I think we may call ourselves a gay set."

"True, sir," said Miss Agnes; "but as we seldom go there ourselves in the evening, it had not struck me in that light. But very possibly, Mrs. Taylor and her young ladies may be more enterprising than Elinor and myself."

"Four miles, madam," interposed Mr. Taylor, "with a good vehicle and good horses, is no great distance. Longbridge seems to be in a very flourishing condition, sir;" turning to Mr. Wyllys.

"Yes, the place is looking up; they are very busy just now. They are building a good deal, this summer."

"I observed several tasty mansions, in what may be called the suburbs; in particular a brick edifice, being erected, I understand, by Joseph P. Hubbard."

"The brick house near the bridge? Yes, it will be the largest about here. Hubbard is building it more to please his daughters than himself, I fancy."

"It promises a great display of taste--I observe he has reserved half his lot, in front of the mansion, for a park."

"Hem--Yes, there will be just half an acre in it. Does Hubbard call it a park?" asked Mr. Wyllys, with an amused expression about his eyes.

"I applied the term myself," replied the knowing Mr. Taylor. "I was altogether much pleased with the appearance of your village, sir. It has a lively business for such a small place--things really look quite citified there. If I had seen Mr. Hubbard's mansion, before concluding my bargain for my present location, I think I should have made him an offer."

"I am very glad you did not, husband. I was brought up on a farm, Miss Wyllys, and I am very happy that we have got in the open country. Besides, Mr. Hubbard's house will be too large for comfort."

"Ha, ha!" faintly laughed Mr. Taylor; "you seem to like room out of doors better than within, Mrs. Taylor."

At this moment two persons walked quietly into the room, and were received very kindly by Miss Wyllys and Elinor. One was a woman of about forty, plainly, but neatly dressed, with a pleasing face, remarkable for a simple expression of common sense and goodness. Her manners corresponded perfectly with her appearance; they were quiet and pleasant. The lad who accompanied her was a boy of sixteen, small, and slightly made, with good features, and an uncommonly spirited and intelligent countenance. They might very naturally have been taken for mother and son; but they were, in fact, brother and sister.

"Well, Charlie, my lad," said Mr. Wyllys, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder, "I hear the important matter is at last under full consideration."

"Yes, sir; my friends have all but consented; even sister Patsey is coming round. It will be all settled next week, I hope."

"I wish you joy of your success, Charlie," cried Hazlehurst.

"Not yet, if you please, Mr. Hazlehurst," said Miss Patsey Hubbard, smiling good-naturedly. "It is only a conditional consent, Charles, you must remember." Then turning to Mr. Wyllys, she added--"All our friends seem to agree with you, sir, and Miss Wyllys: my uncles think Charles ought to show what he has done to some experienced painters, and have their opinions. We feel very anxious on the subject."

"Remember to persevere, young man, if you once begin," said Mr. Wyllys.

"No danger but I shall, sir," said the boy rather proudly.

"I fear, Charles, that half the fault of your obstinacy is thrown upon my shoulders," said Elinor. "Those Lives of the Painters were an unfortunate present; they seem quite to have turned your head; I am afraid Miss Patsey will not soon forgive me."

{"Lives of the Painters" = probably Giorgio Vasari (Italian writer, 1511-1574), "Lives of the Most Excellent Architects, Painters and Sculptors" (1550, rev. 1568), a famous and often reprinted series of biographies of Italian artists, also frequently cited as "Lives of the Artists."}

"I can't thank you enough for them, Miss Elinor--you don't know what pleasure I have had with them."

同类推荐
  • 九转流珠神仙九丹经

    九转流珠神仙九丹经

    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。
  • 独醉亭集

    独醉亭集

    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。
  • 老子秘旨例略

    老子秘旨例略

    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。
  • 救诸众生一切苦难经

    救诸众生一切苦难经

    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。
  • 维摩经义疏

    维摩经义疏

    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
  • 成功父母的7堂课

    成功父母的7堂课

    不是每位父母部懂得如何去爱孩子,如何去教育孩子。作为父 母,仅仅为孩子创造了丰富的物质基础是远远不够的,父母有责任提 高自己的能力,有责任学习正确的教育方法。 廖康强编著的《成功父母的7堂课》是一本培训好父母的教材,告诉父 母家庭教育中的基本理 念,教父母如何与孩予沟通,如何培养孩子的各种能力,如何让孩子 自由地成长。对于心望子成龙的父母来说,毫无疑问,《成功父母的7堂课 》是一本不 可多得的好书。
  • 意外

    意外

    尹守国,2006年开始小说创作,发表中短篇小说70多万字,作品多次被《新华文摘》、《小说选刊》、《北京文学中篇小说月报》等选载,中国作家协会会员,辽宁省作协签约作家。
  • 萌恋迷糊小千金

    萌恋迷糊小千金

    “金小鱼,我告诉你你再敢和别的男人走的那么近我就把你做成红烧鱼!!!”金安轩圈住面露不满的金小鱼,恶狠狠的威胁。“呃……这是个意外。”金小鱼很想哭好不好!!本来是孤儿已经很惨了。为什么还要被这个霸道的青梅竹马给管得死死的啊!难道他真的和温柔的美男无缘吗?
  • 流光逐影

    流光逐影

    我愿永世追逐你的倩影只为能再次拥抱你世间万物有因才有果,所有的一切,仿佛冥冥中就已注定,又仿佛是阴差阳错,打乱了所有吾与如定下三世之恋,此生不负卿我寻你万年,怎奈近在眼前世人常说神界独子是个智障,放着万千世界不爱,独爱美人,却不知所有的一切都是劫而当事人却不觉如此:你于我是劫亦是缘,所以此生别想再逃他们走过青梅竹马,立过海誓山盟,怎奈度不过生死离别。沉睡也好,魂飞魄散也罢,我信你会回,此生,我等便是
  • 用尽生命love

    用尽生命love

    他是花心人,她是痴情人。他烦她,她爱他。一场爱情角逐,最后,他明了自己的心,她等到了他的回首,却无福厮守!
  • 绝地求生之电竞大时代

    绝地求生之电竞大时代

    他是LOL职业选手,被俱乐部开除,戴上三级头,背上98K,换个战场,他依旧横扫无敌。电竞大时代,游戏改变世界,王者终会归来,回首往昔,他只能说:人生有梦,各自精彩。【前期吃鸡后期修仙,不喜慎入】
  • 无量寿观经义记

    无量寿观经义记

    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。
  • 转身之后,我爱妳

    转身之后,我爱妳

    他无意间认识了她,带着天才的身份故意和她进了同一家医院,招惹她,爱上她,却把她带进她复仇人生的起点……
  • 中层领导力:西点军校和哈佛大学共同讲授的领导力教程

    中层领导力:西点军校和哈佛大学共同讲授的领导力教程

    全球领导力研究第一人约翰麦克斯维尔博士,通过40年的研究,逐步揭开领导力的秘诀。无论是培养将军的西点军校,还是培养企业家的哈佛大学商学院,都聘请麦克斯维尔博士开设领导力课程。《中层领导力》即是该著名课程的结集,出版十年来,风行全球,被奉为领导力培养的速成经典,也成为世界500强高管的必读书。
  • 高冷校花0a

    高冷校花0a

    “兮儿,放学了,快点起床啦。”叶紫恋摇了摇正趴在课桌上睡觉的沫兮。沫兮抬起了头,叶紫恋和白墨……