little dorrit-信丽(英文版)-第85部分

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seamstress；　if　she　could　be　shown　to　have　any　interest　in　so　large　a
property。　How　he　rather　supposed　himself　to　have　pursued　the　idea　into
its　next　degree；　because　there　was　something　unmon　in　the　quiet
little　seamstress；　which　pleased　him　and　provoked　his　curiosity。

How　he　had　felt　his　way　inch　by　inch；　and　'Moled　it　out；　sir'　（that　was
Mr　Pancks's　expression）；　grain　by　grain。　How；　in　the　beginning　of
the　labour　described　by　this　new　verb；　and　to　render　which　the　more
expressive　Mr　Pancks　shut　his　eyes　in　pronouncing　it　and　shook　his　hair
over　them；　he　had　alternated　from　sudden　lights　and　hopes　to　sudden
darkness　and　no　hopes；　and　back　again；　and　back　again。　How　he　had　made
acquaintances　in　the　Prison；　expressly　that　he　might　e　and　go　there
as　all　other　ers　and　goers　did；　and　how　his　first　ray　of　light　was
unconsciously　given　him　by　Mr　Dorrit　himself　and　by　his　son；　to　both　of
whom　he　easily　became　known；　with　both　of　whom　he　talked　much；　casually
（'but　always　Moleing　you'll　observe；'　said　Mr　Pancks）：　and　from　whom　he
derived；　without　being　at　all　suspected；　two　or　three　little　points　of
family　history　which；　as　he　began　to　hold　clues　of　his　own；　suggested
others。　How　it　had　at　length　bee　plain　to　Mr　Pancks　that　he　had　made
a　real　discovery　of　the　heir…at…law　to　a　great　fortune；　and　that　his
discovery　had　but　to　be　ripened　to　legal　fulness　and　perfection。　How
he　had；　thereupon；　sworn　his　landlord；　Mr　Rugg；　to　secrecy　in　a　solemn
manner；　and　taken　him　into　Moleing　partnership。

How　they　had　employed　John　Chivery　as　their　sole　clerk　and　agent；
seeing　to　whom　he　was　devoted。　And　how；　until　the　present　hour；　when
authorities　mighty　in　the　Bank　and　learned　in　the　law　declared　their
successful　labours　ended；　they　had　confided　in　no　other　human　being。

'So　if　the　whole　thing　had　broken　down；　sir；'　concluded　Pancks；　'at　the
very　last；　say　the　day　before　the　other　day　when　I　showed　you　our　papers
in　the　Prison　yard；　or　say　that　very　day；　nobody　but　ourselves　would
have　been　cruelly　disappointed；　or　a　penny　the　worse。'

Clennam；　who　had　been　almost　incessantly　shaking　hands　with　him
throughout　the　narrative；　was　reminded　by　this　to　say；　in　an　amazement
which　even　the　preparation　he　had　had　for　the　main　disclosure　smoothed
down；　'My　dear　Mr　Pancks；　this　must　have　cost　you　a　great　sum　of　money。'

'Pretty　well；　sir；'　said　the　triumphant　Pancks。　'No　trifle；　though　we
did　it　as　cheap　as　it　could　be　done。　And　the　outlay　was　a　difficulty；
let　me　tell　you。'

'A　difficulty！'　repeated　Clennam。　'But　the　difficulties　you　have　so
wonderfully　conquered　in　the　whole　business！'　shaking　his　hand　again。

'I'll　tell　you　how　I　did　it；'　said　the　delighted　Pancks；　putting　his
hair　into　a　condition　as　elevated　as　himself。　'First；　I　spent　all　I　had
of　my　own。　That　wasn't　much。'

'I　am　sorry　for　it；'　said　Clennam：　'not　that　it　matters　now；　though。
Then；　what　did　you　do？'

'Then；'　answered　Pancks；　'I　borrowed　a　sum　of　my　proprietor。'

'Of　Mr　Casby？'　said　Clennam。　'He's　a　fine　old　fellow。'

'Noble　old　boy；　an't　he？'　said　Mr　Pancks；　entering　on　a　series　of　the
dryest　snorts。　'Generous　old　buck。　Confiding　old　boy。　Philanthropic　old
buck。　Benevolent　old　boy！　Twenty　per　cent。　I　engaged　to　pay　him；　sir。
But　we　never　do　business　for　less　at　our　shop。'

Arthur　felt　an　awkward　consciousness　of　having；　in　his　exultant
condition；　been　a　little　premature。

'I　said　to　that　boiling…over　old　Christian；'　Mr　Pancks　pursued；
appearing　greatly　to　relish　this　descriptive　epithet；　'that　I　had　got　a
little　project　on　hand；　a　hopeful　one；　I　told　him　a　hopeful　one；　which
wanted　a　certain　small　capital。　I　proposed　to　him　to　lend　me　the
money　on　my　note。　Which　he　did；　at　twenty；　sticking　the　twenty　on　in　a
business…like　way；　and　putting　it　into　the　note；　to　look　like　a　part　of
the　principal。　If　I　had　broken　down　after　that；　I　should　have　been　his
grubber　for　the　next　seven　years　at　half　wages　and　double　grind。　But
he's　a　perfect　Patriarch；　and　it　would　do　a　man　good　to　serve　him　on
such　terms……on　any　terms。'

Arthur　for　his　life　could　not　have　said　with　confidence　whether　Pancks
really　thought　so　or　not。

'When　that　was　gone；　sir；'　resumed　Pancks；　'and　it　did　go；　though　I
dribbled　it　out　like　so　much　blood；　I　had　taken　Mr　Rugg　into　the　secret。
I　proposed　to　borrow　of　Mr　Rugg　（or　of　Miss　Rugg；　it's　the　same　thing；
she　made　a　little　money　by　a　speculation　in　the　mon　Pleas　once）。　He
lent　it　at　ten；　and　thought　that　pretty　high。　But　Mr　Rugg's　a　red…haired
man；　sir；　and　gets　his　hair　cut。　And　as　to　the　crown　of　his　hat；　it's
high。　And　as　to　the　brim　of　his　hat；　it's　narrow。　And　there's　no　more
benevolence　bubbling　out　of　him；　than　out　of　a　ninepin。'

'Your　own　repense　for　all　this；　Mr　Pancks；'　said　Clennam；　'ought　to
be　a　large　one。'

'I　don't　mistrust　getting　it；　sir；'　said　Pancks。　'I　have　made　no
bargain。　I　owed　you　one　on　that　score；　now　I　have　paid　it。　Money　out　of
pocket　made　good；　time　fairly　allowed　for；　and　Mr　Rugg's　bill　settled；
a　thousand　pounds　would　be　a　fortune　to　me。　That　matter　I　place　in　your
hands。　I　authorize　you　now　to　break　all　this　to　the　family　in　any　way
you　think　best。　Miss　Amy　Dorrit　will　be　with　Mrs　Finching　this　morning。
The　sooner　done　the　better。　Can't　be　done　too　soon。'

This　conversation　took　place　in　Clennam's　bed…room；　while　he　was　yet　in
bed。　For　Mr　Pancks　had　knocked　up　the　house　and　made　his　way　in；　very
early　in　the　morning；　and；　without　once　sitting　down　or　standing　still；
had　delivered　himself　of　the　whole　of　his　details　（illustrated　with　a
variety　of　documents）　at　the　bedside。　He　now　said　he　would　'go　and　look
up　Mr　Rugg'；　from　whom　his　excited　state　of　mind　appeared　to　require
another　back；　and　bundling　up　his　papers；　and　exchanging　one　more　hearty
shake　of　the　hand　with　Clennam；　he　went　at　full　speed　down…stairs；　and
steamed　off。

Clennam；　of　course；　resolved　to　go　direct　to　Mr　Casby's。　He　dressed
and　got　out　so　quickly　that　he　found　himself　at　the　corner　of　the
patriarchal　street　nearly　an　hour　before　her　time；　but　he　was　not　sorry
to　have　the　opportunity　of　calming　himself　with　a　leisurely　walk。

When　he　returned　to　the　street；　and　had　knocked　at　the　bright　brass
knocker；　he　was　informed　that　she　had　e；　and　was　shown　up…stairs　to
Flora's　breakfast…room。　Little　Dorrit　was　not　there　herself；　but　Flora
was；　and　testified　the　greatest　amazement　at　seeing　him。

'Good　gracious；　Arthur……Doyce　and　Clennam！'　cried　that　lady；　'who　would
have　ever　thought　of　seeing　such　a　sight　as　this　and　pray　excuse　a
wrapper　for　upon　my　word　I　really　never　and　a　faded　check　too　which
is　worse　but　our　little　friend　is　making　me；　not　that　I　need　mind
mentioning　it　to　you　for　you　must　know　that　there　are　such　things　a
skirt；　and　having　arranged　that　a　trying　on　should　take　place　after
breakfast　is　the　reason　though　I　wish　not　so　badly　starched。'

'I　ought　to　make　an　apology；'　said　Arthur；　'for　so　early　and　abrupt　a
visit；　but　you　will　excuse　it　when　I　tell　you　the　cause。'

'In　times　for　ever　fled　Arthur；'　returned　Mrs　Finching；　'pray　excuse
me　Doyce　and　Clennam　infinitely　more　correct　and　though　unquestionably
distant　still　'tis　distance　lends　enchantment　to　the　view；　at　least　I
don't　mean　that　and　if　I　did　I　suppose　it　would　depend　considerably　on
the　nature　of　the　view；　but　I'm　running　on　again　and　you　put　it　all　out
of　my　head。'

She　glanced　at　him　tenderly；　and　resumed：

'In　times　for　ever　fled　I　was　going　to　say　it　would　have　sounded
strange　indeed　for　Arthur　Clennam……Doyce　and　Clennam　naturally　quite
different……to　make　apologies　for　ing　here　at　any　time；　but　that　is
past　and　what　is　past　can　never　be　recalled　except　in　his　own　case　as
poor　Mr　F。　said　when　he　was　in　spirits　Cucumber　and　therefore　never　ate
it。'

She　was　making　the　tea　when　Arthur　came　in；　and　now　hastily　finished
that　operation。

'Papa；'　she　said；　all　mystery　and　whisper；　as　she　shut　down　the　tea…pot
lid；　'is　sitting　prosingly　breaking　his　new　laid　egg　in　the　back　parlour
over　the　City　article　exactly　like　the　Woodpecker　Tapping　and　need　never
know　that　you　are　here；　and　our　little　friend　you　are　well　aware　may　be
fully　trusted　when　she　es　down　from　cutting　out　on　the　large　table
overhead。'

Arthur　then　told　her；　in　the　fewest　words；　that　it　was　their　little
friend　he　came　to　see；　and　what　he　had　to　announce　to　their　little
friend。　At　which　astounding　intelligence；　Flora　clasped　her　hands；
fell　into　a　tremble；　and　shed　tears　of　sympathy　and　pleasure；　like　the
good…natured　creature　she　really　was。

'For　goodness　sake　let　me　get　out　of　the　way　first；'　said　Flora；　putting
her　hands　to　her　ears　and　moving　towards　the　door；　'or　I　know　I　shall
go　off　dead　and　screaming　and　make　everybody　worse；　and　the　dear　little
thing　only　this　morning　looking　so　nice　and　neat　and　good　and　yet　so
poor　and　now　a　fortune　is　she　really　and　deserves　it　too！　and　might　I
mention　it　to　Mr　F。's　Aunt　Arthur　not　Doyce　and　Clennam　for　this　once　or
if　objectionable　not　on　any　account。'

Arthur　nodded　his　free　permission；　since　Flora　shut　out　all　verbal
munication。　Flora　nodded　in　return　to　thank　him；　and　hurried　out　of
the　room。

Little　Dorrit's　step　was　already　on　the　stairs；　and　in　another　moment
she　was　at　the　door。　Do　what　he　could　to　pose　his　face；　he　could　not
convey　so　much　of　an　ordinary　expression　into　it；　but　that　the　moment
she　saw　it　she　dropped　her　work；　and　cried；　'Mr　Clennam！　What's　the
matter？'

'Nothing；　nothing。　That　is；　no　misfortune　has　happened。　I　have　e
to　tell　you　something；　but　it　is　a　piece　of　great　good…fortune。'
'Good…fortune？'

'Wonderful　fortune！'

They　stood　in　a　window；　and　her　eyes；　full　of　light；　were　fixed　upon　his
face。　He　put　an　arm　about　her；　seeing　her　likely　to　sink　down。　She　put
a　hand　upon　that　arm；　partly　to　rest　upon　it；　and　partly　so　to　preserve
their　relative　positions　as　that　her　intent　look　at　him　should　be　shaken
by　no　change　of　attitude　in　either　of　them。　Her　lips　seemed　to　repeat
'Wonderful　fortune？'　He　repeated　it　again；　aloud。

'Dear　Little　Dorrit！　Your　father。'

The　ice　of　the　pale　face　broke　at　the　word；　and　little　lights　and　shoots
of　expression　passed　all　over　it。　They　were　all　expressions　of　pain。　Her
breath　was　faint　and　hurried。　Her　heart　beat　fast。　He　would　have　clasped
the　little　figure　closer；　but　he　saw　that　the　eyes　appealed　to　him　not
to　be　moved。

'Your　father　can　be　free　within　this　week。　He　does　not　know　it；　we　must
go　to　him　from　here；　to　tell　him　of　it。　Your　father　will　be　free　within
a　few　days。　Your　father　will　be　free　within　a　few　hours。　Remember　we
must　go　to　him　from　here；　to　tell　him　of　it！'

That　brought　her　back。　Her　eyes　were　closing；　but　they　opened　again。

'This　is　not　all　the　good…fortune。　This　is　not　all　the　wonderful
good…fortune；　my　dear　Little　Dorrit。　Shall　I　tell　you　more？'

Her　lips　shaped　'Yes。'

'Your　father　will　be　no　beggar　when　he　is　free。　He　will　want　for
nothing。　Shall　I　tell　you　more？　Remember！　He　knows　nothing　of　it；　we
must　go　to　him；　from　here；　to　tell　him　of　it！'

She　seemed　to　entreat　him　for　a　little　time。　He　held　her　in　his　arm；
and；　after　a　pause；　bent　down　his　ear　to　listen。

'Did　you　ask　me　to　go　on？'

'Yes。'

'He　will　be　a　rich