狄更斯小说改编系列 狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第41章Part5

狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第41章Part5  

'Good-bye
Miss Dombey!' stammers Mr Toots. 'I hope you won't think anything about it. It's - it's of no consequence
thank you. It's not of the least consequence in the world.'
Poor Mr Toots goes home to his hotel in a state of desperation
locks himself into his bedroom
flings himself upon his bed
and lies there for a long time; as if it were of the greatest consequence
nevertheless. But Mr Feeder
B.A.
is ing to dinner
which happens well for Mr Toots
or there is no knowing when he might get up again. Mr Toots is obliged to get up to receive him
and to give him hospitable entertainment.
And the generous influence of that social virtue
hospitality (to make no mention of wine and good cheer)
opens Mr Toots's heart
and warms him to conversation. He does not tell Mr Feeder
B.A.
what passed at the corner of the Square; but when Mr Feeder asks him 'When it is to e off?' Mr Toots replies
'that there are certain subjects' - which brings Mr Feeder down a peg or o immediately. Mr Toots adds
that he don't know what right Blimber had to notice his being in Miss Dombey's pany
and that if he thought he meant impudence by it
he'd have him out
Doctor or no Doctor; but he supposes its only his ignorance. Mr Feeder says he has no doubt of it.
Mr Feeder
however
as an intimate friend
is not excluded from the subject. Mr Toots merely requires that it should be mentioned mysteriously
and with feeling. After a few glasses of wine
he gives Miss Dombey's health
observing
'Feeder
you have no idea of the sentiments with which I propose that toast.' Mr Feeder replies
'Oh
yes
I have
my dear Toots; and greatly they redound to your honour
old boy.' Mr Feeder is then agitated by friendship
and shakes hands; and says
if ever Toots wants a brother
he knows where to find him
either by post or parcel. Mr Feeder like-wise says
that if he may advise
he would remend Mr Toots to learn the guitar
or
at least the flute; for women like music
when you are paying your addresses to 'em
and he has found the advantage of it himself.
This brings Mr Feeder
B.A.
to the confession that he has his eye upon Cornelia Blimber. He informs Mr Toots that he don't object to spectacles
and that if the Doctor were to do the handsome thing and give up the business
why
there they are - provided for. He says it's his opinion that when a man has made a handsome sum by his business
he is bound to give it up; and that Cornelia would be an assistance in it which any man might be proud of. Mr Toots replies by launching wildly out into Miss Dombey's praises
and by insinuations that sometimes he thinks he should like to blow his brains out. Mr Feeder strongly urges that it would be a rash attempt
and shows him
as a reconcilement to existence
Cornelia's portrait
spectacles and all.
Thus these quiet spirits pass the evening; and when it has yielded place to night
Mr Toots walks home with Mr Feeder
and parts with him at Doctor Blimber's door. But Mr Feeder only goes up the steps
and when Mr Toots is gone
es down again
to stroll upon the beach alone
and think about his prospects. Mr Feeder plainly hears the waves informing him
as he loiters along
that Doctor Blimber will give up the business; and he feels a soft romantic pleasure in looking at the outside of the house
and thinking that the Doctor will first paint it
and put it into thorough repair.
Mr Toots is likewise roaming up and down
outside the casket that contains his jewel; and in a deplorable condition of mind
and not unsuspected by the police
gazes at a window where he sees a light
and which he has no doubt is Florence's. But it is not
for that is Mrs Skewton's room; and while Florence
sleeping in another chamber
dreams lovingly
in the midst of the old scenes
and their old associations live again
the figure which in grim reality is substituted for the patient boy's on the same theatre
once more to connect it - but how differently! - with decay and death
is stretched there
wakeful and plaining. Ugly and haggard it lies upon its bed of unrest; and by it
in the terror of her unimpassioned loveliness - for it has terror in the sufferer's failing eyes - sits Edith. What do the waves say
in the stillness of the night
to them?
'Edith
what is that stone arm raised to strike me? Don't you see it?'