david copperfield(大卫.科波维尔)-第116章

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Charles　Dickens　ElecBook　Classics　


David　Copperfield　

impression　that　my　aunt　was　mad。　My　aunt　being　supremely　
indifferent　to　Mrs。　Crupp’s　opinion　and　everybody　else’s；　and　
rather　favouring　than　discouraging　the　idea；　Mrs。　Crupp；　of　late　
the　bold；　became　within　a　few　days　so　faint…hearted；　that　rather　
than　encounter　my　aunt　upon　the　staircase；　she　would　endeavour　
to　hide　her　portly　form　behind　doors—leaving　visible；　however；　a　
wide　margin　of　flannel　petticoat—or　would　shrink　into　dark　
corners。　This　gave　my　aunt　such　unspeakable　satisfaction；　that　I　
believe　she　took　a　delight　in　prowling　up　and　down；　with　her　
bonnet　insanely　perched　on　the　top　of　her　head；　at　times　when　
Mrs。　Crupp　was　likely　to　be　in　the　way。　

My　aunt；　being　uncommonly　neat　and　ingenious；　made　so　many　
little　improvements　in　our　domestic　arrangements；　that　I　seemed　
to　be　richer　instead　of　poorer。　Among　the　rest；　she　converted　the　
pantry　into　a　dressing…room　for　me；　and　purchased　and　
embellished　a　bedstead　for　my　occupation；　which　looked　as　like　a　
bookcase　in　the　daytime　as　a　bedstead　could。　I　was　the　object　of　
her　constant　solicitude；　and　my　poor　mother　herself　could　not　
have　loved　me　better；　or　studied　more　how　to　make　me　happy。　

Peggotty　had　considered　herself　highly　privileged　in　being　
allowed　to　participate　in　these　labours；　and；　although　she　still　
retained　something　of　her　old　sentiment　of　awe　in　reference　to　my　
aunt；　had　received　so　many　marks　of　encouragement　and　
confidence；　that　they　were　the　best　friends　possible。　But　the　time　
had　now　come　（I　am　speaking　of　the　Saturday　when　I　was　to　take　
tea　at　Miss　Mills’s）　when　it　was　necessary　for　her　to　return　home；　
and　enter　on　the　discharge　of　the　duties　she　had　undertaken　in　
behalf　of　Ham。　‘So　good…bye；　Barkis；’　said　my　aunt；　‘and　take　care　
of　yourself！　I　am　sure　I　never　thought　I　could　be　sorry　to　lose　you！’　

Charles　Dickens　ElecBook　Classics　


David　Copperfield　

I　took　Peggotty　to　the　coach　office　and　saw　her　off。　She　cried　at　
parting；　and　confided　her　brother　to　my　friendship　as　Ham　had　
done。　We　had　heard　nothing　of　him　since　he　went　away；　that　
sunny　afternoon。　

‘And　now；　my　own　dear　Davy；’　said　Peggotty；　‘if；　while　you’re　a　
prentice；　you　should　want　any　money　to　spend；　or　if；　when　you’re　
out　of　your　time；　my　dear；　you　should　want　any　to　set　you　up　（and　
you　must　do　one　or　other；　or　both；　my　darling）；　who　has　such　a　
good　right　to　ask　leave　to　lend　it　you；　as　my　sweet　girl’s　own　old　
stupid　me！’　

I　was　not　so　savagely　independent　as　to　say　anything　in　reply；　
but　that　if　ever　I　borrowed　money　of　anyone；　I　would　borrow　it　of　
her。　Next　to　accepting　a　large　sum　on　the　spot；　I　believe　this　gave　
Peggotty　more　comfort　than　anything　I　could　have　done。　

‘And；　my　dear！’　whispered　Peggotty；　‘tell　the　pretty　little　angel　
that　I　should　so　have　liked　to　see　her；　only　for　a　minute！　And　tell　
her　that　before　she　marries　my　boy；　I’ll　come　and　make　your　house　
so　beautiful　for　you；　if　you’ll　let　me！’　

I　declared　that　nobody　else　should　touch　it；　and　this　gave　
Peggotty　such　delight　that　she　went　away　in　good　spirits。　

I　fatigued　myself　as　much　as　I　possibly　could　in　the　Commons　
all　day；　by　a　variety　of　devices；　and　at　the　appointed　time　in　the　
evening　repaired　to　Mr。　Mills’s　street。　Mr。　Mills；　who　was　a　terrible　
fellow　to　fall　asleep　after　dinner；　had　not　yet　gone　out；　and　there　
was　no　bird…cage　in　the　middle　window。　

He　kept　me　waiting　so　long；　that　I　fervently　hoped　the　Club　
would　fine　him　for　being　late。　At　last　he　came　out；　and　then　I　saw　
my　own　Dora　hang　up　the　bird…cage；　and　peep　into　the　balcony　to　
look　for　me；　and　run　in　again　when　she　saw　I　was　there；　while　Jip　

Charles　Dickens　ElecBook　Classics　


David　Copperfield　

remained　behind；　to　bark　injuriously　at　an　immense　butcher’s　dog　
in　the　street；　who　could　have　taken　him　like　a　pill。　

Dora　came　to　the　drawing…room　door　to　meet　me；　and　Jip　came　
scrambling　out；　tumbling　over　his　own　growls；　under　the　
impression　that　I　was　a　Bandit；　and　we　all　three　went　in；　as　happy　
and　loving　as　could　be。　I　soon　carried　desolation　into　the　bosom　of　
our　joys—not　that　I　meant　to　do　it；　but　that　I　was　so　full　of　the　
subject—by　asking　Dora；　without　the　smallest　preparation；　if　she　
could　love　a　beggar？　

My　pretty；　little；　startled　Dora！　Her　only　association　with　the　
word　was　a　yellow　face　and　a　nightcap；　or　a　pair　of　crutches；　or　a　
wooden　leg；　or　a　dog　with　a　decanter…stand　in　his　mouth；　or　
something　of　that　kind；　and　she　stared　at　me　with　the　most　
delightful　wonder。　

‘How　can　you　ask　me　anything　so　foolish？’　pouted　Dora。　‘Love　a　
beggar！’　

‘Dora；　my　own　dearest！’　said　I。　‘I　am　a　beggar！’　

‘How　can　you　be　such　a　silly　thing；’　replied　Dora；　slapping　my　
hand；　‘as　to　sit　there；　telling　such　stories？　I’ll　make　Jip　bite　you！’　

Her　childish　way　was　the　most　delicious　way　in　the　world　to　me；　
but　it　was　necessary　to　be　explicit；　and　I　solemnly　repeated：　

‘Dora；　my　own　life；　I　am　your　ruined　David！’　

‘I　declare　I’ll　make　Jip　bite　you！’　said　Dora；　shaking　her　curls；　‘if　
you　are　so　ridiculous。’　

But　I　looked　so　serious；　that　Dora　left　off　shaking　her　curls；　and　
laid　her　trembling　little　hand　upon　my　shoulder；　and　first　looked　
scared　and　anxious；　then　began　to　cry。　That　was　dreadful。　I　fell　
upon　my　knees　before　the　sofa；　caressing　her；　and　imploring　her　
not　to　rend　my　heart；　but；　for　some　time；　poor　little　Dora　did　

Charles　Dickens　ElecBook　Classics　


David　Copperfield　

nothing　but　exclaim　Oh　dear！　Oh　dear！　And　oh；　she　was　so　
frightened！　And　where　was　Julia　Mills！　And　oh；　take　her　to　Julia　
Mills；　and　go　away；　please！　until　I　was　almost　beside　myself。　

At　last；　after　an　agony　of　supplication　and　protestation；　I　got　
Dora　to　look　at　me；　with　a　horrified　expression　of　face；　which　I　
gradually　soothed　until　it　was　only　loving；　and　her　soft；　pretty　
cheek　was　lying　against　mine。　Then　I　told　her；　with　my　arms　
clasped　round　her；　how　I　loved　her；　so　dearly；　and　so　dearly；　how　I　
felt　it　right　to　offer　to　release　her　from　her　engagement；　because　
now　I　was　poor；　how　I　never　could　bear　it；　or　recover　it；　if　I　lost　
her；　how　I　had　no　fears　of　poverty；　if　she　had　none；　my　arm　being　
nerved　and　my　heart　inspired　by　her；　how　I　was　already　working　
with　a　courage　such　as　none　but　lovers　knew；　how　I　had　begun　to　
be　practical；　and　look　into　the　future；　how　a　crust　well　earned　was　
sweeter　far　than　a　feast　inherited；　and　much　more　to　the　same　
purpose；　which　I　delivered　in　a　burst　of　passionate　eloquence　
quite　surprising　to　myself；　though　I　had　been　thinking　about　it；　
day　and　night；　ever　since　my　aunt　had　astonished　me。　

‘Is　your　heart　mine　still；　dear　Dora？’　said　I；　rapturously；　for　I　
knew　by　her　clinging　to　me　that　it　was。　

‘Oh；　yes！’　cried　Dora。　‘Oh；　yes；　it’s　all　yours。　Oh；　don’t　be　
dreadful！’　

I　dreadful！　To　Dora！　

‘Don’t　talk　about　being　poor；　and　working　hard！’　said　Dora；　
nestling　closer　to　me。　‘Oh；　don’t；　don’t！’　

‘My　dearest　love；’　said　I；　‘the　crust　well…earned—’　

‘Oh；　yes；　but　I　don’t　want　to　hear　any　more　about　crusts！’　said　
Dora。　‘And　Jip　must　have　a　mutton…chop　every　day　at　twelve；　or　
he’ll　die。’　

Charles　Dickens　ElecBook　Classics　


David　Copperfield　

I　was　charmed　with　her　childish；　winning　way。　I　fondly　
explained　to　Dora　that　Jip　should　have　his　mutton…chop　with　his　
accustomed　regularity。　I　drew　a　picture　of　our　frugal　home；　made　
independent　by　my　labour—sketching　in　the　little　house　I　had　
seen　at　Highgate；　and　my　aunt　in　her　room　upstairs。　

‘I　am　not　dreadful　now；　Dora？’　said　I；　tenderly。　

‘Oh；　no；　no！’　cried　Dora。　‘But　I　hope　your　aunt　will　keep　in　her　
own　room　a　good　deal。　And　I　hope　she’s　not　a　scolding　old　thing！’　

If　it　were　possible　for　me　to　love　Dora　more　than　ever；　I　am　sure　
I　did。　But　I　felt　she　was　a　little　impracticable。　It　damped　my　newborn　ardour；　to　find　that　ardour　so　difficult　of　communication　to　
her。　I　made　another　trial。　When　she　was　quite　herself　again；　and　
was　curling　Jip’s　ears；　as　he　lay　upon　her　lap；　I　became　grave；　and　
said：　

‘My　own！　May　I　mention　something？’　

‘Oh；　please　don’t　be　practical！’　said　Dora；　coaxingly。　‘Because　it　
frightens　me　so！’　

‘Sweetheart！’　I　returned；　‘there　is　nothing　to　alarm　you　in　all　
this。　I　want　you　to　think　of　it　quite　differently。　I　want　to　make　it　
nerve　you；　and　inspire　you；　Dora！’　

‘Oh；　but　that’s　so　shocking！’　cried　Dora。　

‘My　love；　no。　Perseverance　and　strength　of　character　will　
enable　us　to　bear　much　worse　things。’　

‘But　I　haven’t　got　any　strength　at　all；’　said　Dora；　shaking　her　
curls。　‘Have　I；　Jip？　Oh；　do　kiss　Jip；　and　be　agreeable！’　

It　was　impossible　to　resist　kissing　Jip；　when　she　held　him　up　to　
me　for　that　purpose；　putting　her　own　bright；　rosy　little　mouth　into　
kissing　form；　as　she　directed　the　operation；　which　she　insisted　
should　be　performed　symmetrically；　on　the　centre　of　his　nose。　I　

Charles　Dickens　ElecBook　Classics　


David　Copperfield　

did　as　she　bade　me—rewarding　myself　afterwards　for　my　
obedience—and　she　charmed　me　out　of　my　graver　character　for　I　
don’t　know　how　long。　

‘But；　Dora；　my　beloved！’　said　I；　at　last　resuming　it；　‘I　was　going　
to　mention　something。’　

The　judge　of　the　Prerogative　Court　might　have　fallen　in　love　
with　her；　to　see　her　fold　her　little　hands　and　hold　them　up；　begging　
and　praying　me　not　to　be　dreadful　any　more。　

‘Indeed　I　am　not　going　to　be；　my　darling！’　I　assured　her。　‘But；　
Dora；　my　love；　if　you　will　sometimes　think；—not　despondingly；　you　
know；　far　from　that！—but　if　you　will　sometimes　think—just　to　
encourage　yourself—that　you　are　engaged　to　a　poor　man—’　

‘Don’t；　don’t！　Pray　don’t！’　cried　Dora。　‘It’s　so　very　dreadful！’　

‘My　soul；　not　at　all！’　said　I；　cheerfully。　‘If　you　will　sometimes　
think　of　that；　and　look　about　now　and　then　at　your　papa’s　
housekeeping；　and　endeavour　to　acquire　a　little　habit—of　
accounts；　for　instance—’　

Poor　little　Dora　received　this　suggestion　with　something　that　
was　half　a　sob　and　half　a　scream。　

‘—It　would　be　so　useful　to　us　afterwards；’　I　went　on。　‘And　if　you　
would　promise　me　to　read　a　little—a　little　Cookery　Book　that　I　
would　send　you；　it　would　be　so　excellent　for　both　of　us。　For　our　
path　in　life；　my　Dora；’　said　I；　warming　with　the　subject；　‘is　stony　
and　rugged　now；　and　it　rests　with　us　to　smooth　it。　We　must　fight　
our　way　onward。　We　must　be　brave。　There　are　obstacles　to　be　met；　
and　we　must　meet；　and　crush　them！’　

I　was　going　on　at　a　great　rate；　with　a　clenched　hand；　and　a　most　
enthusiastic　countenance；　but　it　was　quite　unnecessary　to　
proceed。　I　had　said　enough。　I　had　done　it　again。　Oh；　she　was　so　

Charles　Dickens　ElecBook　Classics　


David　Copperfield　

frightened！　Oh；　where　was　Julia　Mills！　Oh；　take　her　to　Julia　Mills；　
and　go　away；　please！　So　that；　in　short；　I　was　quite　distracted；　and　
raved　about　the　drawing…room。　

I　thought　I　had　killed　her；　this　time。　I　sprinkled　water　on　her　
face。　I　went　down　on　my　knees。　I　plucked　at　my　hair。　I　denoun