登陆注册
5201800000088

第88章

Twenty-four hours after Madame Olenska's summons a telegram announced that she would arrive from Washington on the evening of the following day.At the Wellands', where the Newland Archers chanced to be lunching, the question as to who should meet her at Jersey City was immediately raised; and the material difficulties amid which the Welland household struggled as if it had been a frontier outpost, lent animation to the debate.It was agreed that Mrs.Welland could not possibly go to Jersey City because she was to accompany her husband to old Catherine's that afternoon, and the brougham could not be spared, since, if Mr.Welland were "upset" by seeing his mother-in-law for the first time after her attack, he might have to be taken home at a moment's notice.The Welland sons would of course be "down town," Mr.Lovell Mingott would be just hurrying back from his shooting, and the Mingott carriage engaged in meeting him; and one could not ask May, at the close of a winter afternoon, to go alone across the ferry to Jersey City, even in her own carriage.Nevertheless, it might appear inhospitable --and contrary to old Catherine's express wishes--if Madame Olenska were allowed to arrive without any of the family being at the station to receive her.It was just like Ellen, Mrs.Welland's tired voice implied, to place the family in such a dilemma."It's always one thing after another," the poor lady grieved, in one of her rare revolts against fate; "the only thing that makes me think Mamma must be less well than Dr.Bencomb will admit is this morbid desire to have Ellen come at once, however inconvenient it is to meet her."The words had been thoughtless, as the utterances of impatience often are; and Mr.Welland was upon them with a pounce.

"Augusta," he said, turning pale and laying down his fork, "have you any other reason for thinking that Bencomb is less to be relied on than he was? Have you noticed that he has been less conscientious than usual in following up my case or your mother's?"It was Mrs.Welland's turn to grow pale as the endless consequences of her blunder unrolled themselves before her; but she managed to laugh, and take a second helping of scalloped oysters, before she said, struggling back into her old armour of cheerfulness:

"My dear, how could you imagine such a thing? I only meant that, after the decided stand Mamma took about its being Ellen's duty to go back to her husband, it seems strange that she should be seized with this sudden whim to see her, when there are half a dozen other grandchildren that she might have asked for.But we must never forget that Mamma, in spite of her wonderful vitality, is a very old woman."Mr.Welland's brow remained clouded, and it was evident that his perturbed imagination had fastened at once on this last remark."Yes: your mother's a very old woman; and for all we know Bencomb may not be as successful with very old people.As you say, my dear, it's always one thing after another; and in another ten or fifteen years I suppose I shall have the pleasing duty of looking about for a new doctor.It's always better to make such a change before it's absolutely necessary." And having arrived at this Spartan decision Mr.Welland firmly took up his fork.

同类推荐
  • 佛说尊胜大明王经

    佛说尊胜大明王经

    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。
  • 自闲觉禅师语录

    自闲觉禅师语录

    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。
  • 严氏济生方

    严氏济生方

    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。
  • 蓬折直辨

    蓬折直辨

    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。
  • 虬髯客传

    虬髯客传

    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
  • 战魔

    战魔

    主人公白有为是一名考古学家,在一次考古中无意发现一个远古的秘密。从此,他被传送到了远古时代,见证那个时代的奇迹与辉煌。惊天动地的最后一战,诠释着爱情与生命的奇迹。
  • 重回十八岁

    重回十八岁

    一觉醒来梁小月摊上了一颠覆性的重生!虽年轻了十岁,但却从家境优越的都市白领变成了出自贫寒农家性格自卑的高中女生。面对艰难处境她能否得到前世所拥有的一切?前世遭遇情感背弃,今世能否得遇良人?一切重头再来,且看女主如何披荆斩棘玩转事业收获爱情。
  • 山河色

    山河色

    某月某日,一画家伏案小憩,梦中故事离奇。画家大有所悟,不愿这梦境除自己外再无人知,故提笔作画。一副锦绣河山,多少翻云覆雨;一副潇洒天地,多少命理难猜;一副美人垂泪,多少千古爱恨;一副白骨遍地,多少英雄赤胆。
  • 女主就要黑化了

    女主就要黑化了

    嫁入楼家后,她原本只想做个佛系少奶奶,奈何身边没有一个人想让她好过。处处忍让却换来众叛亲离,逼得她不得不黑化反击。她誓要将自己所遭受的痛苦百倍奉还,不留余地!作为首选报复目标,楼铭谦第一个求饶:“你亲爱的老公知错了,求放过!”她眯起眼睛,眼神凌厉又危险,步步逼近他:“放过?呵,凭什么?”“凭我是孩子他爸!”虐妻一时爽,追妻火葬场,男主开启漫漫追妻路……
  • 爆笑:魔兽儿子贪睡娘亲

    爆笑:魔兽儿子贪睡娘亲

    她在梦中生下一个长着尾巴的宝宝。爆笑母子屡屡奇遇,得空谈个小恋爱,没事戏弄六界诸王。一天,宝宝摇醒正在睡懒觉的某女:“娘,不好了,皇帝、魔尊、妖王、仙尊和鬼王在外打起来了,控诉娘对他们始乱终弃!”女人淡声回道:“这样的小事都搞不定,我跟你断绝母子关系!”
  • 空间之丑颜药女

    空间之丑颜药女

    穿越到一个天生貌丑的小姑娘身上,天赋空间开启,种田制药,济世救人,升级空间,改变容貌……情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • 寻找尼斯湖水怪大冒险(科学大探险)

    寻找尼斯湖水怪大冒险(科学大探险)

    来自二十三世纪的小朋友,带着他的宠物猪寻找尼斯湖水怪!他们来到了苏格兰去尼斯湖探险。他们采用守株待兔的方法还潜入了水底,陷入了淤泥、遇到了鳄鱼的追赶……这几个小朋友到底还会遇到多少危险,能不能找到尼斯湖水怪呢?
  • 海洋馆漫游:海洋谜底解析

    海洋馆漫游:海洋谜底解析

    放眼全球,世界上最发达的国家都是海洋大国,经济最活跃的地区都在沿海地区。在当今国际社会,开发海洋、拓展生存和发展空间,已成为世界沿海各国的发展方向和潮流。海洋是一个富饶而未充分开发的自然资源宝库。海洋自然资源包括海域(海洋空间)资源、海洋生物资源、海洋能源、海洋矿产资源、海洋旅游资源、海水资源等。这一切都等待着我们去发现、去开采。青少年认真学习海洋知识,不仅能为未来开发海洋及早储备知识,还能海洋研究事业做出应有的贡献。
  • 肯定自己 改变自己 超越自己(大全集)

    肯定自己 改变自己 超越自己(大全集)

    人最难相信的是自己,最不容易改变的是自己,最难以战胜和超越的也是自己。每个人都觉得上司的欣赏、同事的尊重和他人的赞美是对自己的价值的认定;在别人的肯定与重视下才觉得人生充满意义,生活享有乐趣。是的,人都是希望自己在他人的心目中是有分量的,在自己所从事的领域有分量。但是很多时候,这个分量并不是别人给你的,而是你自己为自己争取的。如果一个人很自信,或者说很看重自己,在一些事情上能够坚持自己的独到见解,这自然会成为大家心目中的权威和榜样。
  • 她在古代超甜的

    她在古代超甜的

    穿越成人人喊打的弃妇又如何?咱身怀异能更生个天才宝贝。未婚先孕,没男人敢娶又如何?咱与儿子强强联手打出一方天地,天下美男尽情挑选。萌宝:娘亲银子神兽都给你找来了,还缺啥!某女:男人!萌宝:娘亲,门外美男三千给你送来了。某女扶额:肤白肉嫩小白脸,不喜!某妖男邪笑:天材地宝你的,金银珠宝你的,整个大陆你的。可否?母子对视:美男在手,再无敌手!成交。推荐新文《酷炫六小姐:王爷扛不住》