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！
Wentworth than of little Charles。
The same story and the same raptures were repeated； when the
two girls came with their father； through the gloom of the evening；
to make enquiries； and Mr。 Musgrove； no longer under the first
uneasiness about his heir； could add his confirmation and praise；
and hope there would be now no occasion for putting Captain
Wentworth off； and only be sorry to think that the cottage party；
probably； would not like to leave the little boy； to give him the
meeting。—“Oh no； as to leaving the little boy！”—both father and
mother were in much too strong and recent alarm to bear the
thought； and Anne； in the joy of the escape； could not help adding
her warm protestations to theirs。
Charles Musgrove； indeed； afterwards； shewed more of
inclination； “the child was going on so well—and he wished so
much to be introduced to Captain Wentworth； that； perhaps； he
might join them in the evening； he would not dine from home； but
he might walk in for half an hour。” But in this he was eagerly
opposed by his wife； with “Oh！ no； indeed； Charles； I cannot bear
to have you go away。 Only think if anything should happen？”
The child had a good night； and was going on well the next day。
It must be a work of time to ascertain that no injury had been done
to the spine； but Mr。 Robinson found nothing to increase alarm；
and Charles Musgrove began； consequently； to feel no necessity
for longer confinement。 The child was to be kept in bed and
amused as quietly as possible； but what was there for a father to
do？ This was quite a female case； and it would be highly absurd in
him； who could be of no use at home； to shut himself up。 His father
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 65…
Jane Austen： Persuasion 65
very much wished him to meet Captain Wentworth； and there
being no sufficient reason against it； he ought to go； and it ended
in his making a bold； public declaration； when he came in from
shooting； of his meaning to dress directly； and dine at the other
house。
“Nothing can be going on better than the child；” said he； “so I
told my father； just now； that I would come； and he thought me
quite right。 Your sister being with you； my love； I have no scruple
at all。 You would not like to leave him yourself； but you see I can
be of no use。 Anne will send for me if anything is the matter。”
Husbands and wives generally understand when opposition will
be vain。 Mary knew； from Charles’s manner of speaking； that he
was quite determined on going； and that it would be of no use to
teaze him。 She said nothing； therefore； till he was out of the room；
but as soon as there was only Anne to hear；
“So you and I are to be left to shift by ourselves； with this poor
sick child—and not a creature coming near us all the evening！ I
knew how it would be。 This is always my luck。 If there is anything
disagreeable going on men are always sure to get out of it； and
Charles is as bad as any of them。 Very unfeeling！ I must say it is
very unfeeling of him to be running away from his poor little boy。
Talks of his being going on so well！ How does he know that he is
going on well； or that there may not be a sudden change half an
hour hence？ I did not think Charles would have been so unfeeling。
So here he is to go away and enjoy himself； and because I am the
poor mother； I am not to be allowed to stir；—and yet； I am sure； I
am more unfit than anybody else to be about the child。 My being
the mother is the very reason why my feelings should not be tried。
I am not at all equal to it。 You saw how hysterical I was yesterday。”
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 66…
Jane Austen： Persuasion 66
“But that was only the effect of the suddenness of your alarm—
of the shock。 You will not be hysterical again。 I dare say we shall
have nothing to distress us。 I perfectly understand Mr。 Robinson’s
directions； and have no fears； and indeed； Mary； I cannot wonder
at your husband。 Nursing does not belong to a man； it is not his
province。 A sick child is always the mother’s property； her own
feelings generally make it so。”
“I hope I am as fond of my child as any mother—but I do not
know that I am of any more use in the sick…room than Charles； for
I cannot be always scolding and teazing the poor child when it is
ill； and you saw； this morning； that if I told him to keep quiet； he
was sure to begin kicking about。 I have not nerves for the sort of
thing。”
“But； could you be comfortable yourself； to be spending the
whole evening away from the poor boy？”
“Yes； you see his papa can； and why should not I？—Jemima is
so careful； and she could send us word every hour how he was。 I
really think Charles might as well have told his father we would all
come。 I am not more alarmed about little Charles now than he is。 I
was dreadfully alarmed yesterday； but the case is very different to…
day。”
“Well—if you do not think it too late to give notice for yourself；
suppose you were to go； as well as your husband。 Leave little
Charles to my care。 Mr。 and Mrs。 Musgrove cannot think it wrong
while I remain with him。”
“Are you serious？” cried Mary； her eyes brightening。 “Dear me！
that’s a very good thought； very good； indeed。 To be sure； I may
just as well go as not； for I am of no use at home—am I？ and it only
harasses me。 You； who have not a mother’s feelings； are a great
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 67…
Jane Austen： Persuasion 67
deal the properest person。 You can make little Charles do
anything； he always minds you at a word。 It will be a great deal
better than leaving him only with Jemima。 Oh！ I shall certainly go；
I am sure I ought if I can； quite as much as Charles； for they want
me excessively to be acquainted with Captain Wentworth； and I
know you do not mind being left alone。 An excellent thought of
yours； indeed； Anne。 I will go