狄更斯小说改编系列 狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第38章Part2

狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第38章Part2  

Cut off
however
from the implacable Louisa
and being shy of the Major (whom she viewed with some distrust now)
Miss Tox found it very irksome to know nothing of what was going on in Mr Dombey's establishment. And as she really had got into the habit of considering Dombey and Son as the pivot on which the world in general turned
she resolved
rather than be ignorant of intelligence which so strongly interested her
to cultivate her old acquaintance
Mrs Richards
who she knew
since her last memorable appearance before Mr Dombey
was in the habit of sometimes holding munication with his servants. Perhaps Miss Tox
in seeking out the Toodle family
had the tender motive hidden in her breast of having somebody to whom she could talk about Mr Dombey
no matter how humble that somebody might be.
At all events
towards the Toodle habitation Miss Tox directed her steps one evening
what time Mr Toodle
cindery and swart
was refreshing himself with tea
in the bosom of his family. Mr Toodle had only three stages of existence. He was either taking refreshment in the bosom just mentioned
or he was tearing through the country at from enty-five to fifty miles an hour
or he was sleeping after his fatigues. He was always in a whirlwind or a calm
and a peaceable
contented
easy-going man Mr Toodle was in either state
who seemed to have made over all his own inheritance of fuming and fretting to the engines with which he was connected
which panted
and gasped
and chafed
and wore themselves out
in a most unsparing manner
while Mr Toodle led a mild and equable life.
'Polly
my gal
' said Mr Toodle
with a young Toodle on each knee
and o more making tea for him
and plenty more scattered about - Mr Toodle was never out of children
but always kept a good supply on hand - 'you ain't seen our Biler lately
have you?'
'No
' replied Polly
'but he's almost certain to look in tonight. It's his right evening
and he's very regular.'
'I suppose
' said Mr Toodle
relishing his meal infinitely
'as our Biler is a doin' now about as well as a boy can do
eh
Polly?'
'Oh! he's a doing beautiful!' responded Polly.
'He ain't got to be at all secret-like - has he
Polly?' inquired Mr Toodle.
'No!' said Mrs Toodle
plumply.
'I'm glad he ain't got to be at all secret-like
Polly
' observed Mr Toodle in his slow and measured way
and shovelling in his bread and butter with a clasp knife
as if he were stoking himself
'because that don't look well; do it
Polly?'
'Why
of course it don't
father. How can you ask!'
'You see
my boys and gals
' said Mr Toodle
looking round upon his family
'wotever you're up to in a honest way
it's my opinion as you can't do better than be open. If you find yourselves in cuttings or in tunnels
don't you play no secret games. Keep your whistles going
and let's know where you are.