按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
face turned upward； and her arms stretched out as if she were
trying to stop this departing shadow and embrace it； that no one
spoke a word until Mr Bounderby （growing impatient） took the
case in hand。
“Now； good people all；” said he； “this is wanton waste of time。
Let the girl understand the fact。 Let her take it from me； if you
like； who have been run away from； myself。 Here； what’s your
name！ Your father has absconded—deserted you—and you
mustn’t expect to see him again as long as you live。”
They cared so little for plain Fact； these people； and were in
that advanced state of degeneracy on the subject； that instead of
being impressed by the speaker’s strong common sense； they took
it in extraordinary dudgeon。 The men muttered “Shame！” and the
women “Brute！” and Sleary； in some haste； communicated the
following hint； apart to Mr Bounderby。
“I tell you what； Thquire。 To thpeak plain to you； my opinion ith
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 53…
Hard Times 53
that you had better cut it thort； and drop it。 They’re a very good…
natured people； my people； but they’re accuthtomed to be quick in
their movement； and if you don’t act upon my advithe； I’m
damned if I don’t believe they’ll pith you out o’ winder。”
Mr Bounderby being restrained by this mild suggestion； Mr
Gradgrind found an opening for his eminently practical exposition
of the subject。
“It is of no moment；” said he； “whether this person is to be
expected back at any time； or the contrary。 He is gone away； and
there is no present expectation of his return。 That； I believe； is
agreed on all hands。”
“Thath agreed； Thquire。 Thick to that！” From Sleary。
“Well then。 I； who came here to inform the father of the poor
girl； Jupe； that she could not be received at the school any more； in
consequence of there being practical objections； into which I need
not enter； to the reception there of the children of persons so
employed； am prepared in these altered circumstances to make a
proposal。 I am willing to take charge of you； Jupe； and to educate
you； and provide for you。 The only condition （over and above your
good behaviour） I make is； that you decide now； at once； whether
to accompany me or remain here。 Also； that if you accompany me
now； it is understood that you communicate no more with any of
your friends who are here present。 These observations comprise
the whole of the case。”
“At the thame time；” said Sleary； “I muth put in my word；
Thquire； tho that both thides of the banner may be equally theen。
If you like； Thethilia； to be prentitht； you know the natur of the
work and you know your companionth。 Emma Gordon； in whothe
lap you’re a lying at prethent； would be a mother to you； and
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 54…
Hard Times 54
Joth’phine would be a thithther to you。 I don’t pretend to be of the
angel breed myself； and I don’t thay but what； when you mith’d
your tip； you’d find me cut up rough； and thwear a oath or two at
you。 But what I thay； Thquire； ith； that good tempered or bad
tempered； I never did a horthe a injury yet； no more than
thwearing at him went； and that I don’t expect I shall begin
otherwithe at my time of life； with a rider。 I never wath much of a
Cackler； Thquire； and I have thed my thay。”
The latter part of this speech was addressed to Mr Gradgrind；
who received it with a grave inclination of his head； and then
remarked：
“The only observation I will make to you； Jupe； in the way of
influencing your decision； is； that it is highly desirable to have a
sound practical education； and that even your father himself （from
what I understand） appears； on your behalf； to have known and
felt that much。”
The last words had a visible effect upon her。 She stopped in her
wild crying； a little detached herself from Emma Gordon； and
turned her face full upon her patron。 The whole company
perceived the force of the change； and drew a long breath
together； that plainly said； “she will go。”
“Be sure you know your own mind； Jupe；” Mr Gradgrind
cautioned her； “I say no more。 Be sure you know your own mind！”
“When father comes back；” cried the girl； bursting into tears
again after a minute’s silence； “how will he ever find me if I go
away！”
“You may be quite at ease；” said Mr Gradgrind； calmly； he
worked out the whole matter like a sum： “you may be quite at
ease； Jupe； on that score。 In such a case； your father； I apprehend；
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 55…
Hard Times 55
must find out Mr—”
“Thleary。 Thath my name； Thquire。 Not athamed of it。 Known
all over England； and alwayth paythe ith way。”
“Must find out Mr Sleary； who would then let him know where
you went。 I should have no power of keeping you against his wish；
and he would have no difficulty at any time； in finding Mr Thomas
Gradgrind of Coketown。 I am well known。”
“Well known；” assented Mr Sleary； rolling his loose eye。
“You’re one of the thort； Thquire； that keepth a prethiouth
thight out money out of the houthe。 But never mind that at
prethent。”
There was another silence； and then she exclaimed； sobbing
with her hands before her face； “Oh give me my clothes； give me
my clothes； and let me go away before I break my heart！”
The women sadly bestirred themselves to get the clothes
together—it was soon done； for they were not many—and to pack
them in a basket which had often travelled with them。 Sissy sat all
the time； upon the ground； still sobbing； and covering her eyes。 Mr
Gradgrind and his friend Bounde