狄更斯小说改编系列 狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第39章Part4

狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第39章Part4  

Mr Toots gave Captain Cuttle his hand upon it
then and there; and the Captain with a pleasant and gracious show of condescension
bestowed his acquaintance upon him formally. Mr Toots seemed much relieved and gladdened by the acquisition
and chuckled rapturously during the remainder of his visit. The Captain
for his part
was not ill pleased to occupy that position of patronage
and was exceedingly well satisfied by his own prudence and foresight.
But rich as Captain Cuttle was in the latter quality
he received a surprise that same evening from a no less ingenuous and simple youth
than Rob the Grinder. That artless lad
drinking tea at the same table
and bending meekly over his cup and saucer
having taken sidelong observations of his master for some time
who was reading the newspaper with great difficulty
but much dignity
through his glasses
broke silence by saying -
'Oh! I beg your pardon
Captain
but you mayn't be in want of any pigeons
may you
Sir?'
'No
my lad
' replied the Captain.
'Because I was wishing to dispose of mine
Captain
' said Rob.
'Ay
ay?' cried the Captain
lifting up his bushy eYebrows a little.
'Yes; I'm going
Captain
if you please
' said Rob.
'Going? Where are you going?' asked the Captain
looking round at him over the glasses.
'What? didn't you know that I was going to leave you
Captain?' asked Rob
with a sneaking smile.
The Captain put down the paper
took off his spectacles
and brought his eyes to bear on the deserter.
'Oh yes
Captain
I am going to give you warning. I thought you'd have known that beforehand
perhaps
' said Rob
rubbing his hands
and getting up. 'If you could be so good as provide yourself soon
Captain
it would be a great convenience to me. You couldn't provide yourself by to-morrow morning
I am afraid
Captain: could you
do you think?'
'And you're a going to desert your colours
are you
my lad?' said the Captain
after a long examination of his face.
'Oh
it's very hard upon a cove
Captain
' cried the tender Rob
injured and indignant in a moment
'that he can't give lawful warning
without being frowned at in that way
and called a deserter. You haven't any right to call a poor cove names
Captain. It ain't because I'm a servant and you're a master
that you're to go and libel me. What wrong have I done? Come
Captain
let me know what my crime is
will you?'
The stricken Grinder wept
and put his coat-cuff in his eye.