狄更斯小说改编系列 狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第38章Part6

狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第38章Part6  

Polly
who
with a woman's tact
understood this at once
expressed as much in a little look. Mr Toodle
who had not the faintest idea of what Miss Tox was talking about
expressed that also
in a stare.
'Of course
' said Miss Tox
'how our little coolness has arisen is of no moment
and does not require to be discussed. It is sufficient for me to say
that I have the greatest possible respect for
and interest in
Mr Dombey;' Miss Tox's voice faltered; 'and everything that relates to him.'
Mr Toodle
enlightened
shook his head
and said he had heerd it said
and
for his own part
he did think
as Mr Dombey was a difficult subject.
'Pray don't say so
Sir
if you please
' returned Miss Tox. 'Let me entreat you not to say so
Sir
either now
or at any future time. Such observations cannot but be very painful to me; and to a gentleman
whose mind is constituted as
I am quite sure
yours is
can afford no permanent satisfaction.'
Mr Toodle
who had not entertained the least doubt of offering a remark that would be received with acquiescence
was greatly confounded.
'All that I wish to say
Mrs Richards
' resumed Miss Tox
- 'and I address myself to you too
Sir
- is this. That any intelligence of the proceedings of the family
of the welfare of the family
of the health of the family
that reaches you
will be always most acceptable to me. That I shall be always very glad to chat with Mrs Richards about the family
and about old time And as Mrs Richards and I never had the least difference (though I could wish now that we had been better acquainted
but I have no one but myself to blame for that)
I hope she will not object to our being very good friends now
and to my ing backwards and forwards here
when I like
without being a stranger. Now
I really hope
Mrs Richards
' said Miss Tox - earnestly
'that you will take this
as I mean it
like a good-humoured creature
as you always were.'
Polly was gratified
and showed it. Mr Toodle didn't know whether he was gratified or not
and preserved a stolid calmness.
'You see
Mrs Richards
' said Miss Tox - 'and I hope you see too
Sir - there are many little ways in which I can be slightly useful to you
if you will make no stranger of me; and in which I shall be delighted to be so. For instance
I can teach your children something. I shall bring a few little books
if you'll allow me
and some work
and of an evening now and then
they'll learn - dear me
they'll learn a great deal
I trust
and be a credit to their teacher.'
Mr Toodle
who had a great respect for learning
jerked his head approvingly at his wife
and moistened his hands with dawning satisfaction.
'Then
not being a stranger
I shall be in nobody's way
' said Miss Tox
'and everything will go on just as if I were not here. Mrs Richards will do her mending
or her ironing
or her nursing
whatever it is
without minding me: and you'll smoke your pipe
too
if you're so disposed
Sir
won't you?'