狄更斯哪部作品好 狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第38章Part7

狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第38章Part7  

'Thank'ee
Mum
' said Mr Toodle. 'Yes; I'll take my bit of backer.'
'Very good of you to say so
Sir
' rejoined Miss Tox
'and I really do assure you now
unfeignedly
that it will be a great fort to me
and that whatever good I may be fortunate enough to do the children
you will more than pay back to me
if you'll enter into this little bargain fortably
and easily
and good-naturedly
without another word about it.'
The bargain was ratified on the spot; and Miss Tox found herself so much at home already
that without delay she instituted a preliminary examination of the children all round - which Mr Toodle much admired - and booked their ages
names
and acquirements
on a piece of paper. This ceremony
and a little attendant gossip
prolonged the time until after their usual hour of going to bed
and detained Miss Tox at the Toodle fireside until it was too late for her to walk home alone. The gallant Grinder
however
being still there
politely offered to attend her to her own door; and as it was something to Miss Tox to be seen home by a youth whom Mr Dombey had first inducted into those manly garments which are rarely mentioned by name
' she very readily accepted the proposal.
After shaking hands with Mr Toodle and Polly
and kissing all the children
Miss Tox left the house
therefore
with unlimited popularity
and carrying away with her so light a heart that it might have given Mrs Chick offence if that good lady could have weighed it.
Rob the Grinder
in his modesty
would have walked behind
but Miss Tox desired him to keep beside her
for conversational purposes; and
as she afterwards expressed it to his mother
'drew him out
' upon the road.
He drew out so bright
and clear
and shining
that Miss Tox was charmed with him. The more Miss Tox drew him out
the finer he came - like wire. There never was a better or more promising youth - a more affectionate
steady
prudent
sober
honest
meek
candid young man - than Rob drew out
that night.
'I am quite glad
' said Miss Tox
arrived at her own door
'to know you. I hope you'll consider me your friend
and that you'll e and see me as often as you like. Do you keep a money-box?'
'Yes
Ma'am
' returned Rob; 'I'm saving up
against I've got enough to put in the Bank
Ma'am.
'Very laudable indeed
' said Miss Tox. 'I'm glad to hear it. Put this half-crown into it
if you please.'
'Oh thank you
Ma'am
' replied Rob
'but really I couldn't think of depriving you.'
'I mend your independent spirit
' said Miss Tox
'but it's no deprivation
I assure you. I shall be offended if you don't take it
as a mark of my good-will. Good-night
Robin.'
'Good-night
Ma'am
' said Rob
'and thank you!'
Who ran sniggering off to get change
and tossed it away with a pieman. But they never taught honour at the Grinders' School
where the system that prevailed was particularly strong in the engendering of hypocrisy. Insomuch
that many of the friends and masters of past Grinders said
if this were what came of education for the mon people
let us have none. Some more rational said
let us have a better one. But the governing powers of the Grinders' Company were always ready for them
by picking out a few boys who had turned out well in spite of the system
and roundly asserting that they could have only turned out well because of it. Which settled the business of those objectors out of hand
and established the glory of the Grinders' Institution.