登陆注册
5154800000011

第11章

It was the once hopeful Godfrey who was standing, with his hands in his side-pockets and his back to the fire, in the dark wainscoted parlour, one late November afternoon in that fifteenth year of Silas Marner's life at Raveloe.The fading grey light fell dimly on the walls decorated with guns, whips, and foxes' brushes, on coats and hats flung on the chairs, on tankards sending forth a scent of flat ale, and on a half-choked fire, with pipes propped up in the chimney-corners: signs of a domestic life destitute of any hallowing charm, with which the look of gloomy vexation on Godfrey's blond face was in sad accordance.He seemed to be waiting and listening for some one's approach, and presently the sound of a heavy step, with an accompanying whistle, was heard across the large empty entrance-hall.

The door opened, and a thick-set, heavy-looking young man entered, with the flushed face and the gratuitously elated bearing which mark the first stage of intoxication.It was Dunsey, and at the sight of him Godfrey's face parted with some of its gloom to take on the more active expression of hatred.The handsome brown spaniel that lay on the hearth retreated under the chair in the chimney-corner.

"Well, Master Godfrey, what do you want with me?" said Dunsey, in a mocking tone."You're my elders and betters, you know; I was obliged to come when you sent for me.""Why, this is what I want--and just shake yourself sober and listen, will you?" said Godfrey, savagely.He had himself been drinking more than was good for him, trying to turn his gloom into uncalculating anger."I want to tell you, I must hand over that rent of Fowler's to the Squire, or else tell him I gave it you; for he's threatening to distrain for it, and it'll all be out soon, whether I tell him or not.He said, just now, before he went out, he should send word to Cox to distrain, if Fowler didn't come and pay up his arrears this week.The Squire's short o' cash, and in no humour to stand any nonsense; and you know what he threatened, if ever he found you making away with his money again.So, see and get the money, and pretty quickly, will you?""Oh!" said Dunsey, sneeringly, coming nearer to his brother and looking in his face."Suppose, now, you get the money yourself, and save me the trouble, eh? Since you was so kind as to hand it over to me, you'll not refuse me the kindness to pay it back for me:

it was your brotherly love made you do it, you know."Godfrey bit his lips and clenched his fist."Don't come near me with that look, else I'll knock you down.""Oh no, you won't," said Dunsey, turning away on his heel, however."Because I'm such a good-natured brother, you know.

I might get you turned out of house and home, and cut off with a shilling any day.I might tell the Squire how his handsome son was married to that nice young woman, Molly Farren, and was very unhappy because he couldn't live with his drunken wife, and I should slip into your place as comfortable as could be.But you see, I don't do it--I'm so easy and good-natured.You'll take any trouble for me.

You'll get the hundred pounds for me--I know you will.""How can I get the money?" said Godfrey, quivering."I haven't a shilling to bless myself with.And it's a lie that you'd slip into my place: you'd get yourself turned out too, that's all.For if you begin telling tales, I'll follow.Bob's my father's favourite--you know that very well.He'd only think himself well rid of you.""Never mind," said Dunsey, nodding his head sideways as he looked out of the window."It 'ud be very pleasant to me to go in your company--you're such a handsome brother, and we've always been so fond of quarrelling with one another, I shouldn't know what to do without you.But you'd like better for us both to stay at home together; I know you would.So you'll manage to get that little sum o' money, and I'll bid you good-bye, though I'm sorry to part."Dunstan was moving off, but Godfrey rushed after him and seized him by the arm, saying, with an oath--"I tell you, I have no money: I can get no money.""Borrow of old Kimble."

"I tell you, he won't lend me any more, and I shan't ask him.""Well, then, sell Wildfire."

"Yes, that's easy talking.I must have the money directly.""Well, you've only got to ride him to the hunt to-morrow.There'll be Bryce and Keating there, for sure.You'll get more bids than one.""I daresay, and get back home at eight o'clock, splashed up to the chin.I'm going to Mrs.Osgood's birthday dance.""Oho!" said Dunsey, turning his head on one side, and trying to speak in a small mincing treble."And there's sweet Miss Nancy coming; and we shall dance with her, and promise never to be naughty again, and be taken into favour, and --""Hold your tongue about Miss Nancy, you fool," said Godfrey, turning red, "else I'll throttle you.""What for?" said Dunsey, still in an artificial tone, but taking a whip from the table and beating the butt-end of it on his palm.

同类推荐
  • 南山祖师礼赞文

    南山祖师礼赞文

    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。
  • 难二

    难二

    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。
  • 外科十三方考

    外科十三方考

    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。
  • More Bab Ballads

    More Bab Ballads

    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。
  • 看命一掌金

    看命一掌金

    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
  • 豪门对垒:前妻太难追

    豪门对垒:前妻太难追

    一次偶遇两人的命运就绑在了一起,2年后因为表妹的插足让如此相爱的两人活生生的分开了5年,再次见面误会重重,此刻林云曦却没有发现此时的杨潇雪就是一个复仇女神,李家和楚家都陷进了她的复仇计划,最后他们两人之间的命运到底如何.......推荐风汐若的一本书,【宠妻成瘾:亿万前妻买一送二】亲们支持下,投票,收藏,打赏!
  • 中国历史名人之四

    中国历史名人之四

    公元581年,隋文帝杨坚夺取北周政权,建立隋朝。589年灭陈,统一中国;隋的统一,促进了边境同内地、台湾同大陆的联系。然而,隋炀帝奢侈腐化,苛酷无比,弄得民穷财尽,终于爆发了隋末农民大起义。隋唐时期科学技术有很大的发展。唐代的诗歌,在我国古代的诗歌艺术中发展到了高峰。其中最杰出的诗人有李白、杜甫、白居易;唐代的散文也有很大成就,韩愈和柳宗元是其中杰出的代表。唐代的艺术达到了很高的成就,不论在绘画和雕塑方面,都出现了许多优秀作品,出现了许多优秀的艺术家。
  • 宇宙的起源(自然瞭望书坊)

    宇宙的起源(自然瞭望书坊)

    人类是宇宙演化的杰作,宇宙是神秘莫测的存在。当宇宙的精灵与莫测的神秘结合在一起时,便碰撞出无数精彩的篇章。人类对宇宙的解读和探秘跨越了千年,宇宙的面貌也越来越清晰地展现在人类面前。
  • 顾南寻她意

    顾南寻她意

    (全文完)他说过,无论天涯海角,他都会找到她,余生的种种,他会陪她一起度过。只是,这是场一梦南柯,还是只会变成回忆?都说遗忘是最大的悲哀,与他来说确实场爱的救赎。“知意,我只求,我这一生能好好的陪在你的身边,其他的,我真的什么都不求。”他常常对她说这句话,可同时却又在向他一步一步接近,她总会有种错觉,在遗忘又再次爱上的同时,她总是会觉得惶恐。只是或许,此生,他们根本就不应该相遇。
  • 厉害了,我的凹凸曼

    厉害了,我的凹凸曼

    在这个不知所措的年纪,好像一切都是那么不尽人意。“我有点,喜欢你……”“哦。”我在你心里只是个麻烦吗,还是我本人就是个麻烦。为什么你的病不告诉我?你一脸的痛苦却只说昨天晚上没睡好,可你知不知道,我真的都信了!到阮辰燚逝世的那天,郭杳杳还傻傻的在为他准备生日礼物。她说不出话,一个字也说不出来,能做的只有静静地听阮辰燚说最后的东西。“我……也喜欢……”他的脸白的像一张纸,他将永远的睡去了吧。我想要的,自始至终不过一个你罢了,可你为什么总是自私的不给我呢,直到最后你也不属于任何一个人,直到最后,你还是没能说出那句话。我的那个叫心脏的地方,流的是血,装的是你。--情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • 技术性人力资源管理

    技术性人力资源管理

    2008年是作者进入高校工作的第五个年头。在进入高校前,他先后在两家企业工作十多年,担任过驻外分公司经理、特大型企业集团的办公室副主任和人力资源部经理等职。也正是因为有这些经历,使他对人力资源管理产生了浓厚的兴趣。在攻读博士学位期间,对战略管理、人力资源管理等进行了较为系统和深入的研究,书中内容大多都出自亲自操作和实践的经验总结和学习心得。
  • 黑暗中的你

    黑暗中的你

    之前,他总是一个人孤独的活在自己的轨迹里,直到遇见她——一直生活在黑暗中美丽妖人的鬼,绝美而孤傲,永远的将世界排除在外,一个人躲在黑暗的角落里,独守着自己的孤独。他向往着她,她就像他所遗失的世界的填补,是注定要用尽一生的赌注所追逐的幸福,即使她也将他排除在外,他也毅然决然的继续以自己的方式走向她,在这场恋爱中,他最终看清了她,看清了将她囚禁在痛苦中那可怖的黑暗·····
  • 欢喜冤家:单纯相公无良妻

    欢喜冤家:单纯相公无良妻

    她被困数年,重生的第一个愿望不再是复仇,不再是挣扎于内院宅斗,而是走出那四四方方,寻找属于自己的另一片天下。不料飞来横祸,她这才明白原来一个手无缚鸡之力的弱女子有多么危险,她决定,从今天开始,她赖定这位英雄救美的大侠了!可没想到,这位大侠的真实身份竟然是唯一的异性王爷,这下,她是寻找自己的自己还是继续回去宅斗?伤透脑筋……
  • 巢氏病源补养宣导法

    巢氏病源补养宣导法

    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。
  • 联邦论:美国宪法评述

    联邦论:美国宪法评述

    众多支持和赞扬《联邦宪法》的文献中,有一本书脱颖而出,流传至今,成为代表作。这就是汉密尔顿策划并参与撰稿、麦迪逊和杰伊合作的《联邦论》。这本书的一个明显优点,是对联邦宪法基本观点的不厌其烦的反复弘扬。《联邦论》成为述评《美国宪法》的经典著作,声名与年俱增,在美国反复重印,累次畅销,至今不衰。华盛顿说:“危机消失、环境安定后,这本书将得到后世的瞩目。因为,这本书对自由的原理,对政治问题,提出了坦率精湛的讨论。凡有公民社会存在的地方,人们永远会对这些问题发生兴趣。”