按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
pray do not let My comfort be a consideration。 Anything will do for
Me。”
It soon appeared that if Mrs Sparsit had a failing in her
association with that domestic establishment； it was that she was
so excessively regardless of herself and regardful of others； as to
be a nuisance。 On being shown her chamber； she was so
dreadfully sensible of its comforts as to suggest the inference that
she would have preferred to pass the night on the mangle in the
laundry。 True； the Powlers； and the Scadgerses were accustomed
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 238…
Hard Times 238
to splendour； “but it is my duty to remember；” Mrs Sparsit was
fond of observing with a lofty grace： particularly when any of the
domestics were present； “that what I was； I am no longer。 Indeed；”
said she； “if I could altogether cancel the remembrance that Mr
Sparsit was a Powler； or that I myself am related to the Scadgers
family； or if I could even revoke the fact； and make myself a person
of common descent and ordinary connections； I would gladly do
so。 I should think it； under existing circumstances； right to do so。”
The same Hermitical state of mind led to her renunciation of made
dishes and wines at dinner； until fairly commanded by Mr
Bounderby to take them； when she said； “Indeed you are very
good； sir；” and departed from a resolution of which she had made
rather formal and public announcement； to “wait for the simple
mutton。” She was likewise deeply apologetic for wanting the salt；
and feeling amiably bound to bear out Mr Bounderby to the fullest
extent in the testimony he had borne to her nerves； occasionally
sat back in her chair and silently wept； at which periods a tear of
large dimensions； like a crystal earring； might be observed （or
rather； must be； for it insisted on public notice） sliding down her
Roman nose。
But Mrs Sparsit’s greatest point； first and last； was her
determination to pity Mr Bounderby。 There were occasions when
in looking at him she was involuntarily moved to shake her head；
as who would say； “Alas poor Yorick！” After allowing herself to be
betrayed into these evidences of emotion； she would force a
lambent brightness； and would be fitfully cheerful； and would say；
“You have still good spirits； sir； I am thankful to find；” and would
appear to hail it as a blessed dispensation that Mr Bounderby bore
up as he did。 One idiosyncrasy for which she often apologised； she
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 239…
Hard Times 239
found it excessively difficult to conquer。 She had a curious
propensity to call Mrs Bounderby “Miss Gradgrind；” and yielded
to it some three or four score times in the course of the evening。
Her repetition of this mistake covered Mrs Sparsit with modest
confusion； but indeed； she said； it seemed so natural to say Miss
Gradgrind： whereas； to persuade herself that the young lady
whom she had had the happiness of knowing from a child could be
really and truly Mrs Bounderby； she found almost impossible。 It
was a further singularity of this remarkable case； that the more
she thought about it； the more impossible it appeared； “the
differences；” she observed； “being such。”
In the drawing…room after dinner； Mr Bounderby tried the case
of the robbery； examined the witnesses； made notes of the
evidence； found the suspected persons guilty； and sentenced them
to the extreme punishment of the law。 That done； Bitzer was
dismissed to town with instructions to recommend Tom to come
home by the mail…train。
When candles were brought； Mrs Sparsit murmured； “Don’t be
low； sir。 Pray let me see you cheerful； sir； as I used to do。” Mr
Bounderby； upon whom these consolations had begun to produce
the effect of making him； in a bull headed blundering way；
sentimental； sighed like some large sea…animal。 “I cannot bear to
see you so； sir；” said Mrs Sparsit。 “Try a hand at backgammon； sir；
as you used to do when I had the honour of living under your
roof。”
“I haven’t played backgammon； ma’am；” said Mr Bounderby；
“since that time。”
“No； sir；” said Mrs Sparsit； soothingly； “I am aware that you
have not。 I remember that Miss Gradgrind takes no interest in the
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 240…
Hard Times 240
game。 But I shall be happy； sir； if you will condescend。”
They played near a window； opening on the garden。 It was a
fine night： not moonlight； but sultry and fragrant。 Louisa and Mr
Harthouse strolled out into the garden； where their voices could
be heard in the stillness； though not what they said。 Mrs Sparsit；
from her place at the backgammon board； was constantly
straining her eyes to pierce the shadows without。 “What’s the
matter； ma’am？” said Mr Bounderby； “you don’t see a Fire； do
you？”
“Oh dear no； sir；” returned Mrs Sparsit； “I was thinking of the
dew。”
“What have you got to do with the dew； ma’am？” said Mr
Bounderby。 “It’s not myself； sir；” returned Mrs Sparsit； “I am
fearful of Miss Gradgrind’s taking cold。”
“She never takes cold；” said Mr Bounderby。 “Really sir？” said
Mrs Sparsit。 And was affected with a cough in her throat。
When the time drew near for retiring； Mr Bounderby took a
glass of water。 “Oh； sir？” said Mrs Sparsit。 “Not your sherry warm；
with lemon…peel and nutmeg？”
“Why I have got out of the habit of taking it now； ma’am；” said
Mr Bounderby。 “The more’s the pity； sir；” returned Mrs Sparsit；
“you are losing all your good old habits。 Cheer up； sir！ If Miss
Gradgrind will permit me； I will offer to make it for you； as I have
often done。”
Miss Gradgrind readily permitting Mrs S