poor miss finch-第26章

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〃Nugent　doesn't　think　as　you　do；〃　he　said；　handing　me　the　letter。　〃Read
that　bit　therenow　Lucilla　is　out　of　hearing。〃

I　paused　for　a　moment　before　I　could　read。　The　resemblance　between　the
twins　extended　even　to　their　handwritings！　If　I　had　picked　Nugent's
letter　up；　I　should　have　handed　it　to　Oscar　as　a　letter　of　Oscar's　own
writing。

The　paragraph　to　which　he　pointed；　only　contained　these　lines：〃Your
last　relieves　my　anxiety　about　your　health。　I　entirely　agree　with　you
that　any　personal　sacrifice　which　cures　you　of　those　horrible　attacks　is
a　sacrifice　wisely　made。　As　to　your　keeping　the　change　a　secret　from　the
young　lady；　I　can　only　say　that　I　suppose　you　know　best　how　to　act　in
this　emergency。　I　will　abstain　from　forming　any　opinion　of　my　own　until
we　meet。〃

I　handed　Oscar　back　the　letter。

〃There　is　no　very　warm　approval　there　of　the　course　you　are　taking；〃　I
said。　〃The　only　difference　between　your　brother　and　me　is；　that　he
suspends　his　opinion；　and　that　I　express　mine。〃

〃I　have　no　fear　of　my　brother；〃　Oscar　answered。　〃Nugent　will　feel　for　me；
and　understand　me；　when　he　comes　to　Browndown。　In　the　meantime；　this
shall　not　happen　again。〃

He　stooped　over　Jicks。　The　child；　while　we　were　talking；　had　laid　herself
down　luxuriously　on　the　grass；　and　was　singing　to　herself　little　snatches
of　a　nursery　song。　Oscar　pulled　her　up　on　her　legs　rather　roughly。　He　was
out　of　temper　with　her；　as　well　as　with　himself。

〃What　are　you　going　to　do？〃　I　asked。

〃I　am　going　to　see　Mr。　Finch；〃　he　answered；　〃and　to　have　Jicks　kept　for
the　future　out　of　Lucilla's　garden。〃

〃Does　Mr。　Finch　approve　of　your　silence？〃

〃Mr。　Finch；　Madame　Pratolungo；　leaves　me　to　decide　on　a　matter　which
concerns　nobody　but　Lucilla　and　myself。〃

After　that　reply；　there　was　an　end　of　all　further　remonstrance　from　me；
as　a　matter　of　course。

Oscar　walked　off　with　his　prisoner　to　the　house。　Jicks　trotted　along　by
his　side；　unconscious　of　the　mischief　she　had　done；　singing　another　verse
of　the　nursery　song。　I　rejoined　Lucilla；　with　my　mind　made　up　as　to　the
line　of　conduct　I　should　adopt　in　the　future。　If　Oscar　did　succeed　in
keeping　the　truth　concealed　from　her；　I　was　positively　resolved；　come
what　might　of　it；　to　enlighten　her　before　they　were　married；　with　my　own
lips。　What！　after　pledging　myself　to　keep　the　secret？　Yes。　Perish　the
promise　which　makes　me　false　to　a　person　whom　I　love！　I　despise　such
promises　from　the　bottom　of　my　heart。

Two　days　more　slipped　byand　then　a　telegram　found　its　way　to　Browndown。
Oscar　came　running　to　us；　at　the　rectory；　with　his　news。　Nugent　had
landed　at　Liverpool。　Oscar　was　to　expect　him　at　Dimchurch　on　the　next
day。


CHAPTER　THE　TWENTY…THIRD

He　sets　us　All　Right

I　HAVE　thus　far　quite　inadvertently　omitted　to　mention　one　of　the
prominent　virtues　of　Reverend　Finch。　He　was　an　accomplished　master　of
that　particular　form　of　human　persecution　which　is　called　reading　aloud；
and　he　inflicted　his　accomplishment　on　his　family　circle　at　every
available　opportunity。　Of　what　we　suffered　on　these　occasions；　I　shall
say　nothing。　Let　it　be　enough　to　mention　that　the　rector　thoroughly
enjoyed　the　pleasure　of　hearing　his　own　magnificent　voice。

There　was　no　escaping　Mr。　Finch　when　the　rage　for　〃reading〃　seized　on
him。　Now　on　one　pretense；　and　now　on　another；　he　descended　on　us
unfortunate　women；　book　in　hand；　seated　us　at　one　end　of　the　room；　placed
himself　at　the　other；　opened　his　dreadful　mouth；　and　fired　words　at　us；
like　shots　at　a　target；　by　the　hour　together。　Sometimes　he　gave　us
poetical　readings　from　Shakespeare　or　Milton；　and　sometimes　Parliamentary
speeches　by　Burke　or　Sheridan。　Read　what　he　might；　he　made　such　a　noise
and　such　a　fuss　over　it；　he　put　his　own　individuality　so　prominently　in
the　foremost　place；　and　he　kept　the　poets　or　the　orators　whom　he　was
supposed　to　be　interpreting　so　far　in　the　back　ground；　that　they　lost
every　trace　of　character　of　their　own；　and　became　one　and　all　perfectly
intolerable　reflections　of　Mr。　Finch。　I　date　my　first　unhappy　doubts　of
the　supreme　excellence　of　Shakespeare's　poetry　from　the　rector's
readings；　and　I　attribute　to　the　same　exasperating　cause　my　implacable
hostility　（on　every　question　of　the　time）　to　the　policy　of　Mr。　Burke。　On
the　evening　when　Nugent　Dubourg　was　expected　at　Browndownand　when　we
particularly　wanted　to　be　left　alone　to　dress　ourselves；　and　to　gossip　by
anticipation　about　the　expected　visitorMr。　Finch　was　seized　with　one　of
his　periodical　rages　for　firing　off　words　at　his　family；　after　tea。　He
selected　_Hamlet_　as　the　medium　for　exhibiting　his　voice；　on　this
occasion；　and　he　declared；　as　the　principal　motive　for　taking　his
elocutionary　exercise；　that　the　object　he　especially　had　in　view　was　the
benefit　of　poor　Me！

〃My　good　creature；　I　accidentally　heard　you　reading　to　Lucilla；　the　other
day。　It　was　very　nice；　as　far　as　it　wentvery　nice　indeed。　But　you　will
allow　meas　a　person；　Madame　Pratolungo；　possessing　considerable
practice　in　the　art　of　reading　aloudto　observe　that　you　might　be
benefited　by　a　hint　or　two。　I　will　give　you　a　few　ideas。　（Mrs。　Finch！　I
propose　giving　Madame　Pratolungo　a　few　ideas。）　Pay　particular　attention；
if　you　please；　to　the　Pauses；　and　to　the　management　of　the　Voice　at　the
end　of　the　lines。　Lucilla；　my　child；　you　are　interested　in　this。　The
perfecting　of　Madame　Pratolungo　is　a　matter　of　considerable　importance　to
_you。_　Don't　go　away。〃

Lucilla　and　I　happened；　on　that　evening；　to　be　guests　at　the　rectory
table。　It　was　one　of　the　regular　occasions　on　which　we　left　our　own　side
of　the　house；　and　joined　the　family　at　（what　Mr。　Finch　called）　〃the
pastor's　evening　meal。〃　He　had　got　his　wife；　he　had　got　his　eldest
daughter；　he　had　got　your　humble　servant。　A　horrid　smile　of　enjoyment
overspread　the　reverend　gentleman's　face；　as　he　surveyed　us　from　the
opposite　end　of　the　room；　and　opened　his　vocal　fire　on　his　audience　of
three。

〃_Hamlet：_　Act　the　First；　Scene　the　First。　Elsinore。　A　Platform　before
the　Castle。　Francisco　on　his　post〃　（Mr。　Finch）。　〃Enter　to　him　Bernardo〃
（Mr。　Finch）。　〃Who's　there？〃　〃Nay；　answer　me：　stand；　and　unfold　yourself。〃
（Mrs。　Finch　unfolds　herselfshe　suckles　the　baby；　and　tries　to　look　as
if　she　was　having　an　intellectual　treat。）　〃Francisco　and　Bernardo
converse　in　bassBoom…boom…boom。　Enter　Horatio　and　Marcellus〃　（Mr。　Finch
and　Mr。　Finch。）　〃Stand！　Who's　there？〃　〃Friends　to　this　ground。〃　〃And
liegemen　to　the　Dane。〃　（Madame　Pratolungo　begins　to　feel　the　elocutionary
exposition　of　Shakespeare；　where　she　always　feels　it；　in　her　legs。　She
tries　to　sit　still　on　her　chair。　Useless！　She　is　suffering　under　the
malady　known　to　her　by　bitter　experience　of　Mr。　Finch；　as　the
Hamlet…Fidgets。）　Bernardo　and　Franciso；　Horatio　and　Marcellus；
converseBoom…boom…boom。　〃Enter　Ghost　of　Hamlet's　Father。〃　Mr。　Finch
makes　an　awful　pause。　In　the　supernatural　silence；　we　can　hear　the　baby
sucking。　Mrs。　Finch　enjoys　her　intellectual　treat。　Madame　Pratolungo
fidgets。　Lucilla　catches　the　infection；　and　fidgets　too。　Marcellus…Finch
goes　on。　〃Thou　art　a　scholar；　speak　to　it；　Horatio。〃　Bernardo…Finch　backs
him：　〃Looks　it　not　like　the　King？　Mark　it；　Horatio。〃　Lucilla…Finch
inserts　herself　in　the　dialogue：　〃Papa；　I　am　very　sorry；　I　have　had　a
nervous　headache　all　day；　please　excuse　me　if　I　take　a　turn　in　the
garden。〃　The　rector　makes　another　awful　pause；　and　glares　at　his
daughter。　（Exit　Lucilla。）　Horatio　looks　at　the　Ghost；　and　takes　up　the
dialogue：　〃Most　like；　it　harrows　me　〃Boom…boom…boom。　The　baby　is
satiated。　Mrs。　Finch　wants　her　handkerchief。　Madame　Pratolungo　seizes　the
opportunity　of　moving　her　distracted　legs；　and　finds　the　handkerchief。
Mr。　Finch　pausesglares…goes　on　againreaches　the　second　scene。
〃Enter　the　King；　Queen；　Hamlet；　Polonius；　Laertes；　Voltimand；　Cornelius；
and　Lords　Attendant。〃　All　Mr。　Finch！　oh；　my　legs！　my　legs！　all　Mr。　Finch；
and　Boom…boom…boom。　Third　scene。　〃Enter　Laertes　and　Ophelia。〃　（Both
Rectors　of　Dimchurch；　both　with　deep　bass　voices；　both　about　five　feet
high；　pitted　with　the　small…pox；　and　adorned　round　the　neck　with　dingy
white　cravats。）　Mr。　Finch　goes　on　and　on　and　on。　Mrs。　Finch　and　the　baby
simultaneously　close　their　eyes　in　slumber。　Madame　Pratolungo　suffers
such　tortures　of　restlessness　in　her　lower　limbs；　that　she　longs　for　a
skilled　surgeon　to　take　out　his　knife　and　deliver　her　from　her　own　legs。
Mr。　Finch　advances　in　deeper　and　deeper　bass；　in　keener　and　keener
enjoyment；　to　the　Fourth　Scene。　（〃Enter　Hamlet；　Horatio；　and　Marcellus。〃）
Mercy！　what　do　I　hear？　Is　relief　approaching　to　us　from　the　world
outside？　Are　there　footsteps　in　the　hall？　Yes！　Mrs。　Finch　opens　her　eyes；
Mrs。　Finch　hears　the　footsteps；　and　rejoices　in　them　as　I　do。　Reverend
Hamlet　hears　nothing　but　his　own　voice。　He　begins　the　scene：　〃The　air
bites　shrewdly。　It　is　very　cold。〃　The　door　opens。　The　rector　feels　a　gust
of　air；　dramatically　appropriate；　just　at　the　right　moment。　He　looks
round。　If　it　is　a　servant；　let　that　domestic　person　tremble！　Nonot　a
servant。　Guestsheavens　be　praised；　guests。　Welcome；　gentlemenwelcome！
No　more　Hamlet；　tonight；　thanks　to　You。　Enter　two　Characters　who　must　be
instantly　attended　to：Mr。　Oscar　Dubourg；　introducing　his　twin…brother
from　America；　Mr。　Nugent　Dubourg。



Astonishment　at　the　extraordinary　resemblance　between　them；　was　the　one
impression　felt　by　all　three　of　us；　as　the　brothers　entered　the　room。

Exactly　alike　in　their　height；　in　their　walk；　in　their　features；　and　in
their　voices。　Both　with　the　same　colored　hair　and　the　same　beardless
faces。　Oscar's　smile　exactly　reflected　on　Nugent's　lips。　Oscar's　odd
little　semi…foreign　tricks　of　gesticulation　with　his　hands；　exactly
reproduced　in　the　hands　of　Nugent。　And；　to　crown　it　all；　there　was　the
complexion　which　Oscar　had　lost　for　ever　（just　a　shade　darker　perhaps）
found　again　on　Nugent's　cheeks！　The　one　difference　which　made　it　possible
to　distinguish　between　them；　at　the　moment　when　they　first　appeared
together　in　the　room；　was　also　the　one　difference　which　Lucilla　was
physically　incapable　of　detectingthe　terrible　contrast　of　color　between
the　brother　who　bore　the　blue　disfigurement　of　the　drug；　and　the　brother
who　was　left　as　Nature　had　made　him。

〃Delighted　to　make　your　acquaintance；　Mrs。　FinchI　have　long　wished　for
this　pleasure。　Thank　you；　Mr。　Finch；　for　all　your　kindness　to　my　brother。
Madame　Pratolungo；　I　presume？　Permit　me　to　shake　hands。　It　is　needless　to
say；　I　have　heard　of　your　illustrious　husband。　Aha！　here's　a　baby。　Yours；
Mrs。　Finch？　Girl　or　boy；　ma'am？　A　fine　childif　a　bachelor　may　be
allowed　to　pronounce　an　opinion。　_Tweettweettweet！_〃

He　chirruped　to　the　baby；　as　if　he　had　been　a　family　man；　and　snapped　his
fingers　gaily。　Poor　Oscar's　blue　face　turned　in　silent　triumph　towards
me。　〃What　did　I　tell　you？〃　his　look　asked。　〃Did　I　not　say　Nugent
fascinated　everybody　at　first　sight？〃　Most　true。　An　irresistible　man。　So
utterly　different　in　his　manner　from　Oscarexcept　when　he　was　in
reposeand　yet　so　like　Oscar　in　other　respects；　I　can　only　describe　him
as　his　brother　completed。　He　had　the　pleasant　lively　flow　of　spirits；　the

easy　winning　gentleman…like　confidence　in　himself；　which　Oscar　wante