the life and perambulations of a mouse(小耗子游记)-第13章
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superior to the rest of their fellow…creatures。 Young ladies and gentlemen
have no occasion to make themselves very intimate or familiar with their
servants； but everybody ought to speak civilly and good…humouredly； let it
be to whom it may： and if I was a lady I should make it a point never to
look cross or speak gruffly to the poor； for fear they should think I forgot I
was of the same human nature as they were。〃 By these kind of hints；
which every now and then she would give to the misses； they were
prodigiously offended； and complained of her insolence； as they called it；
to their mamma； who very wrongly； instead of teaching them to behave
better； joined with them in blaming Molly for her freedom； and； to show
her displeasure at her conduct； put on a still haughtier air； whenever she
spoke to her； than she did to any other of the servants。 Molly； however；
continued to behave extremely well； and often very seriously lamented in
the kitchen the wrong behaviour of the family。 〃I don't mind it；〃 she
would say； 〃for my own part； I know that I do my duty； and their cross
looks and proud behaviour can do me no real harm： but I cannot help
grieving for their sakes； it distresses me to think that people who ought to
know better； should； by their ill conduct； make themselves so many
enemies； when they could so easily gain friendsI am astonished how
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anybody can act so foolishly。〃
'In this sensible manner she would frequently talk about the sin as well
as the folly of pride。 And one day； as she was talking to her fellow…
servants； rather louder than in prudence she ought to have done； her two
young ladies overheard her； and the next time she went to dress them； they
enquired what it was she had been saying to the other maids。 〃Indeed；
ladies；〃 said she； 〃I hope you will excuse my telling you。 I think； if you
give yourselves time to reflect a little； you will not insist upon knowing； as
it is beneath such rich ladies as you are； to concern yourselves with what
poor servants talk about。〃 This answer did not； however； satisfy them；
and they positively commanded her to let them know。 Molly was by far
too good a woman to attempt to deceive anyone； she therefore replied； 〃If；
ladies； you insist upon knowing what I said； I hope you will not take
anything amiss that I may tell you； thus compelled as I am by your
commands。 You must know then； Miss Betsy and Miss Rachael； that I
was saying how sad a thing it was for people to be proud because they are
rich； or to fancy； because they happen to have a little more money； that for
that reason they are better than their servants； when in reality the whole
that makes one person better than another is； having superior virtues；
being kinder and more good natured； and readier to assist and serve their
fellow…creatures； these are the qualifications； I was saying； that make
people beloved； and not being possessed of money。 Money may； indeed；
procure servants to do their business for them； but it is not in the power of
all the riches in the world to purchase the love and esteem of anyone。
What a sad thing then it is； when gentlefolks behave so as to make
themselves despised； and that will ever be the case with all those who； like
（excuse me； ladies； you insisted upon my telling you what I said） Miss
Betsy； and Miss Rachael； and Master James； show such contempt to all
their inferiors。 Nobody could wish children of their fortunes to make
themselves too free； or play with their servants； but if they were little
kings and queens； still they ought to speak kind and civil to everyone。
Indeed our king and queen would scorn to behave like the children of this
family； and if〃 She was going on； but they stopped her； saying； 〃If you
say another word； we will push you out of the room this moment； you rude；
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bold； insolent woman； you ought to be ashamed of speaking so
disrespectfully of your betters； but we will tell our mamma； that we will；
and she won't suffer you to allow your tongue such liberties。〃 〃If；〃
replied Molly； 〃I have offended you； I am sorry for it； and beg your pardon；
ladies； I am sure I had no wish to do so； and you should remember that
you both insisted upon my telling you what I had been saying。〃 〃So we
did；〃 said they； 〃but you had no business to say it all； and I promise you
my mamma shall know it。〃
'In this manner they went on for some time； but； to make short of my
story； they represented the matter in such a manner to their mother； that
she dismissed Molly from her service； with a strict charge never to visit
the house again。 〃For；〃 said Mrs。 Speedgo； 〃no servant who behaves as
you have done； shall ever enter my doors again； or eat another mouthful in
my house。〃 Molly had no desire so suddenly to quit her place； but as her
conscience perfectly acquitted her of any wilful crime； after receiving her
wages； respectfully wishing all the family their health； and taking a
friendly leave of her fellow…servants； she left the house； and soon engaged
herself as dairy…maid in a farmer's family； about three miles off； in which
place she behaved so extremely well； and so much to the satisfaction of
her master and mistress； that； after she had lived there a little more than
two years； with their entire approbation； she was married to their eldest
son； a sober； worthy young man； to whom his father gave a fortune not
much less than three thousand pounds； with which he bought and stocked
a very pretty farm in Somersetshire； where they lived as happy as virtue
and affluence could make them。 By industry and care they prospered
beyond their utmost expectations； and； by their prudence and good
behaviour； gained the esteem and love of all who knew them。 'To their
servants （for they soon acquired riches enough to keep three or four； I
mean household ones； besides the number that were employed in the
farming business） they behaved with such kindness and civility； that had
they even given less wages than their neighbours； they would never have
been in want of any； everyone being desirous of getting into a family
where they were treated with such kindness and condescension。
'In this happy manner they continued to live for many years； bringing
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up a large family of children to imitate their virtues； but one great
mortification they were obliged to submit to； which was that of putting
their children very early to boarding school； a circumstance which the
want of education in Mrs。 and indeed I may add Mr。 Flail； rendered
absolutely necessary。
'But I am afraid； Mrs。 Sally and Mrs。 Nelly； you will be tired； as I have
but half told my story； but I will endeavour to make short work of it；
though indeed it deserves to be noticed； for it will teach one a great deal；
and convince one how little the world's riches are to be depended on。
'I have said； you know； that Mr。 Speedgo was a merchant； and a very
rich one too。 It is unknown what vast sums of money he used to spend！
when； would you think it； either through spending it too fast； or some
losses he met with in trade； he broke all to nothing； and had not a farthing
to pay his creditors。 I forgot how many thousand pounds it was he owed；
but it was a vast great many。 Well！ this you may be sure was a great
mortification to them； they begged for mercy from their creditors； but as in
their prosperity they had never shown much mercy themselves to those
they thought beneath them； so now they met with very little from others：
the poor saying they deserved it for their pride； the rich condemning them
for their presumption； in trying to vie with those of superior birth； and
those who had been less successful in business； blaming them for their
extravagance； which； they said； had justly brought on them their
misfortunes。
'In this distress； in vain it was they applied for assistance to those they
had esteemed their friends； for as they never had been careful to form their
connections with people of real merit； only seeking to be acquainted with
those who were rich and prosperous； so now they could no longer return
their civilities； they found none were ready to show them any； but
everyone seemed anxious to keep from them as much as possible。 Thus
distressed； and finding no one willing to help them； the young squire；
Master James； was obliged to go to sea： while Miss Betsy and Miss
Rachael were even forced to try to get their living by service； a way of life
they were both ill qualified to undertake； for they had always so
accustomed themselves to be waited on and attended； that they scarcely
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knew how to help themselves； much less how to work for others。 The
consequence of which was； they gave so little satisfaction to their
employers； that they staid but a little time in a place； and from so
frequently changing； no family； who wished to be well s
