英语听力 学英语,练听力,上听力课堂! 注册 登录
> 在线听力 > 有声读物 > 世界名著 > 书虫6级 巴彻斯特教堂尖塔 >  内容

书虫6级《巴彻斯特教堂尖塔》7. 普劳蒂太太的胜利

所属教程:书虫6级 巴彻斯特教堂尖塔

浏览:

2022年07月26日

手机版
扫描二维码方便学习和分享
https://online2.tingclass.net/lesson/shi0529/10000/10492/7.mp3
https://image.tingclass.net/statics/js/2012

7. Victory for Mrs Proudie

When Eleanor arrived at her house in Barchester, she was met by her sister-in-law, who ran out to greet her, saying, 'Oh Eleanor, have you heard what has happened? The poor dean, Dr Trefoil, is very ill – I fear he is dying!'

The news spread fast all round the city, and most of the clergy were gathering in the cathedral library. This was a large room which was attached to the dean's house – a convenient place to wait for information about his state of health. It appeared that the old man had suddenly fallen ill, and was close to death. The great London doctor, Sir Omicron Pie, had been sent for, but meanwhile the Barchester doctors were doing their best.

In the library the clergy spoke in low, respectful voices.

He was an excellent, sweet-tempered man,' said a vicar.

It will be hard to replace him,' said another. 'Archdeacon, I hope the government will not appoint a stranger to the post.'

We will not talk of a new dean,' said Dr Grantly, 'while there is yet hope that Dr Trefoil may live.'

Oh no, of course not. Still, there is no one who has more influence with the present government than Mr Slope –'

Mr Slope!' said two or three voices together. 'Mr Slope – Dean of Barchester! Impossible!'

The archdeacon had turned pale. What if Mr Slope should become Dean of Barchester? There was no reason for it at all, but the man seemed to have power over Dr Proudie, and Dr Proudie had won the prime minister's approval.

I imagine such a thing is out of the question,' he said, 'but at the moment I am thinking more of our poor friend than of Mr Slope.'

Of course, of course,' said the first vicar, 'so are we all. Poor Dr Trefoil, the best of men, but –'

It's the most comfortable dean's residence in the country,' said another.

And two thousand pounds a year,' said a third.

No, it was cut down to twelve hundred,' said the first.

I think you'll find it's fifteen hundred,' said a fourth.

What do you say, Grantly?' asked the first speaker.

Twelve,' replied the archdeacon firmly, putting a stop to all discussion of the dean's income.

The bishop was sitting in his study at the palace when he heard the news of the dean's illness. Dr Proudie was not feeling well himself. It was only yesterday that he had won his first battle against Mrs Proudie, and had thought his slavery might be at an end. He had spent a happy evening with Mr Slope, planning many things in his new-found freedom, but as the bed-time hour approached, his heart sank within him. Could he trust himself to come down to breakfast a free man? Unwillingly he climbed upstairs, an hour later than usual, to the room he shared with his lady wife. What passed between them that night cannot be easily described. It is enough to say that he came down the following morning a sad and thoughtful man, looking thinner, older and greyer than before. All ambition was now dead within him.

When Mr Slope heard the news, it occurred to him that he himself might be the new dean. He too wondered if the income would be twelve hundred, fifteen hundred, or two thousand, but in any case it would be a great step forward for him – he would have more power than the archdeacon.

He began to make his plans. First, he was sure he could rely on the bishop's support – the prime minister might ask Dr Proudie's advice on who should fill the vacancy. Secondly, he knew a gentleman, Sir Nicholas Fitzwhiggin, who was an inspector of schools, and who had many friends in the government – he hoped Sir Nicholas would use his personal contacts to help him. And finally, he flattered himself that he had a useful friend in Mr Towers, a journalist on The Jupiter, who would be able to put forward the name of Slope in the newspaper's columns.

The dean was still alive, but Mr Slope did not want to waste any time. So he went straight to the bishop's study, knowing that Dr Proudie was to set out the next day for the archbishop's palace. The bishop was sitting in his chair, doing nothing and thinking of nothing, as Mr Slope entered.

Well, Slope?' said the bishop somewhat impatiently. He was not anxious to have much conversation with Mr Slope.

Your lordship will be sorry to hear that the poor dean's health has not improved at all.'

Oh – ah – hasn't it? Poor man! Poor man!'

It will naturally be important to your lordship to have, as the new dean, a man who shares your views. If I might be allowed to advise, I would suggest you discuss this with the archbishop tomorrow. I have no doubt that your wishes, supported by the archbishop, would carry much weight with the prime minister.'

The prime minister has always been kind to me, very kind. But I am unwilling to interfere in such matters, unless asked. And indeed, if asked, I don't know whom I should recommend.'

This was a slight shock to Mr Slope, who, however, recovered quickly. His difficulty was how to make his speech sound modest enough. 'Perhaps I can help you there, my lord. I have been considering the matter for some time, and if poor Dr Trefoil must go, I do not see why, with your lordship's assistance, I should not hold the post myself.'

You!' cried the bishop, in a far from flattering manner.

The ice was now broken, and Mr Slope began to speak smoothly and persuasively. He talked of his achievements so far, his work for the Church, his friends in high places, and his great respect and admiration for Dr Proudie. He described the ways he, as dean, could add to Dr Proudie's comfort in Barchester and influence over the clergy. Then, without pausing, he produced another seven or eight reasons why no one on earth could make such a good Dean of Barchester as himself.

The bishop sat there, speechless. He would never have imagined Mr Slope as Dean of Barchester, but little by little he began to see there would be advantages for himself in this promotion. He could well do without Mr Slope, who was no longer useful to him in his war against Mrs Proudie; in this war the bishop had now admitted defeat. If, indeed, he could have slept in his chaplain's bedroom instead of his wife's, there might have been some reason to keep Mr Slope.

So, in the end, the bishop approved of Mr Slope's suggestion, and it was decided that he would mention it to the archbishop as soon as the occasion presented itself. But Dr Proudie wanted something from his chaplain in return. 'About Hiram's Hospital,' he said. 'I think, on the whole, it will be better to let Mr Quiverful have it. He has a large family, and is very poor.'

But, my lord,' said Mr Slope, not wanting to let Mrs Proudie gain a victory, 'I am really much afraid –'

Remember, Mr Slope,' said the bishop, 'I cannot promise you the post of dean. I will speak to the archbishop, as you wish, but I cannot be sure –'

Well, my lord,' said Mr Slope, fully understanding the bishop, 'perhaps you are right about Mr Quiverful. I can easily manage matters with Mr Harding. Leave him to me.'

Yes, Slope, that will be best, and you may be sure that I will do anything I can to put forward your name.'

And so they parted. Mr Slope now had much business on his hands. He had to make his daily visit to the signora. It would have been wiser not to do this, but passion had made him blind. He decided he would take tea at the Stanhopes' just this once, and then go there no more. He also had to arrange matters with Mrs Bold. She would make as charming a dean's wife as a chaplain's, and her fortune would be a useful addition if the dean's income was found to be only twelve hundred.

Mr Slope, along with many others, thought that all was fair in love and war. So he had not considered it dishonourable to bribe and flatter Eleanor's young maid, in order to get information from her about the widow. In this way he had heard about the arrival of his letter at Plumstead and the arguments which had followed; to his delight, the maid thought she had heard Mrs Bold declare that she 'wouldn't give up Mr Slope for anybody'. This made the chaplain feel quite certain that the beautiful widow would now, in all probability, accept his offer. He must, therefore, make his declaration very soon, before it was known that Mr Quiverful, not Mr Harding, was to have the wardenship.

In addition, he had to gain the support of Sir Nicholas and Mr Towers, in order to become dean, so he sat down at once to write to each gentleman. Once he had posted the letters, he was free to sit by the lovely signora's sofa for the rest of the evening.

During the next week, Mrs Bold spent a great deal of time with the Stanhopes, of whom she became fonder and fonder. If asked, she would have said Charlotte was her special friend, but she liked Bertie nearly as much. She allowed him a kind of familiarity which she had never known with anyone else, and which she did not realize could be dangerous. In all this she was perfectly innocent, having no idea of him as a lover. But every familiarity into which Eleanor was trapped was deliberately planned by Charlotte. The sister knew well how to play her game, and played it without mercy; she knew her brother's character, and yet she would have handed over to him the young widow, and the young widow's money, without pity or regret. In order to do this Charlotte made her family and her father's house very welcoming to Mrs Bold. There was a lack of formality about them all which Eleanor found refreshing, after the priestly pride and stiffness she had recently had to put up with.

But Eleanor by no means forgot Mr Arabin. She had parted from him in anger, and she was still angry with him, but she sincerely wanted to meet him again, and forgive him for his sins towards her. The words he had spoken still sounded in her ears. She knew that they meant he loved her, and if he ever did make a declaration of love, she thought she might receive it kindly. But first he would have to confess that he had misjudged her.

She would see him again at Miss Thorne's garden party in a week's time. This was a grand event with lunch and all kinds of entertainment – sports and games, music and dancing. Everyone for miles around was looking forward to it.

The Grantlys had, of course, been invited to the party, and Eleanor had originally intended to go to Ullathorne with her sister. But because of her quarrel with the archdeacon, she had decided to go with the Stanhopes. However, she was alarmed to find that Mr Slope would be accompanying the Stanhopes, and annoyed to discover that she would be sharing a carriage with him. She hated the thought of Mr Arabin seeing her get out of the same carriage as Mr Slope, but could think of no way of avoiding the situation.

The bishop returned from his stay with the archbishop the day before the garden party. On his arrival he crept into his palace with beating heart; he had stayed three days longer than planned, and feared he would be punished for it. Nothing, however, could be more welcoming than the greeting he received; his daughters kissed him, and Mrs Proudie held him in her arms, calling him her dear, darling, good little bishop. This was a very pleasant surprise.

Mrs Proudie had changed her behaviour towards her lord. She wanted to show him that if he obeyed her, he would get his reward. Mr Slope had no chance of winning against her; not only could she half kill the poor bishop with her midnight anger, but she could comfort and cheer him with good dinners, warm fires, and an easy life.

She sat down with him in his study. The bishop felt delightfully relaxed, in his favourite armchair in front of the fire.

I hope you enjoyed yourself at the archbishop's,' she began, with her best attempt at a loving smile.

Oh yes, my dear. The archbishop was quite polite to me.'

I'm delighted to hear it.' She changed the conversation. 'Well, the poor dean is still alive. Was it discussed at the palace?'

Well, the poor dean is still alive. Was it discussed at the palace?' asked Mrs Slope.

Was what discussed?' asked the bishop.

Replacing the dean,' said Mrs Proudie. As she spoke, her eyes flashed in their old familiar way, and the bishop felt a little less comfortable than before.

Hardly at all, my dear. It was just mentioned.'

And what did you say about it, bishop?'

I? Oh, I just said – I thought – that is, if the dean –' As he searched for the right words, he saw his wife looking sternly at him, and he began to wonder. Why should he suffer so much to assist a man like Slope? Why fight a losing battle for a chaplain? From that moment he decided to give up his support for Slope, and try to gain his wife's approval in everything he did.

I am told,' said Mrs Proudie, speaking very slowly, 'that Mr Slope hopes to be the new dean.'

Yes – certainly, I believe he does.'

I hope, bishop, that you did not do anything so foolish as to mention his name to the archbishop.'

Well, my dear, I may have done –'

What were you thinking of, bishop? A man who hardly knows who his own father was! A man I found without bread to eat or a coat on his back! Dean of Barchester, indeed! I'll dean him!'

But my dear, I thought you were beginning to dislike Mr Slope, and therefore, it seemed to me that if he got this post, and stopped being my chaplain, you might be pleased.'

Mrs Proudie laughed a loud, scornful laugh. 'Of course he'll stop being your chaplain! I couldn't for a moment think of living in the same house as such a man. But he won't become dean, oh no! I have my eye on him. It wasn't enough for him to interfere in cathedral business, to get you, my dear, into trouble and cause quarrelling among the clergy, no, that wasn't enough for him! He is now behaving in a most disgraceful way with that Italian woman. I shall show Mr Slope to the world for what he is – a false, mean, wicked man. Dean, indeed! The man has gone mad!'

The bishop said nothing further to excuse himself or his chaplain, and he and his wife went in to dinner. That evening was the pleasantest he had spent in his own house for a long time. And in the morning, when he was dressing for the Ullathorne party, he promised himself he would never again go into battle against a fighter so skilled and so deadly as Mrs Proudie.

* * *

dean n. a priest of high rank, who is in charge of several priests or churches 教士长,主任牧师

replace v. to start doing something instead of another person, or being used instead of another thing 取代,接替

approach v. to move towards or nearer to someone or something 走近,靠近

occur to to suddenly come into your mind 突然想到

inspector n. an official whose job is to check that something is satisfactory and that rules are being obeyed 督察官,检查员

column n. an article on a particular subject or by a particular writer that appears regularly in a newspaper or magazine 专栏文章

break the ice to make people feel more friendly and willing to talk to each other 打破沉默,破冰

promotion n. a move to a more important job or position in a company or organization 擢升,提升

welcoming adj. done or organized in a pleasant and relaxing way 令人愉快的

refreshing adj. pleasantly different from what is familiar and boring 令人耳目一新的

misjudge v. to form a wrong or unfair opinion about a person or a situation 错误判断

alarmed adj. worried or frightened 担忧的,恐惧的

accompany v. to go somewhere with someone 陪同,陪伴

mean adj. unkind or nasty 刻薄的;卑鄙的

deadly adj. likely to cause death 致命的

7. 普劳蒂太太的胜利

当埃莉诺回到巴彻斯特的家,她大姑子跑出来迎接她,说:“哦,埃莉诺,你听说发生什么事了吗?可怜的教士长,特雷弗尔博士,病得非常厉害——恐怕是撑不了多久啦!”

消息很快传遍了全城,大多数神职人员都聚集到了大教堂的图书馆里。图书馆是一间面积很大的房间,跟教士长的宅邸连在一起,大家在这里等有关教士长身体状况的消息很方便。看样子,这位老人家是突然之间病倒的,眼下已在弥留之际。有人已经去请伦敦名医奥米克荣·皮耶爵士,与此同时,巴彻斯特的医生们也在尽力抢救。

图书馆里,神职人员在用充满敬重的语气低声交谈。

“他这个人非常优秀,脾气又好。”一名代牧说。

“很难找到合适的人来接替他。”另一名代牧说,“执事长,我希望政府不会任命一个外人。”

“只要特雷弗尔博士还有挺过来的希望,”格兰特利博士说,“咱们就不该讨论新教士长的事情。”

“哦,是的,那是当然。不过,说到对本届政府的影响力,没人比得上斯洛普先生吧——”

“斯洛普先生!”两三个声音同时说,“斯洛普先生——巴彻斯特教士长!不可能!”

执事长脸色发白。要是斯洛普先生真的当上了巴彻斯特的教士长呢?这毫无道理,但斯洛普先生似乎可以左右普劳蒂博士,普劳蒂博士又已经赢得了首相的赞许。

“我觉得这种事情绝无可能。”他说,“不过,现在我更担心的是咱们这位可怜的朋友,而不是斯洛普先生。”

“当然,当然。”第一个说话的代牧说,“我们也都跟您一样。可怜的特雷弗尔博士,大好人啊,可惜——”

“这儿可是全国最舒适的教士长宅邸。”又一个代牧说。

“还有两千镑的年薪呢。”第三个代牧说。

“不对,已经减到了一千两百镑。”第一个代牧又说。

“我觉得应该是一千五百镑。”第四个代牧说。

“你说呢,格兰特利?”第一个代牧说。

“一千二。”执事长语气坚定地回答,结束了关于教士长收入的全部讨论。

听说教士长病重的时候,主教正坐在宅邸的书房里。他自己也觉得不太舒服。昨天他刚刚打赢了与自己夫人的第一仗,满以为自己也许会从此摆脱奴仆地位。他跟斯洛普先生共度了一个愉快的夜晚,享受着自己刚刚获得的自由,做了不少计划。然而,随着就寝时间的到来,他的心也沉了下去。他敢担保自己下楼吃早饭的时候还是个自由身吗?他比平常拖延了一个小时,这才不情不愿地爬上楼,走进与妻子共用的房间。当夜夫妻之间发生了什么很难说。但第二天早上下楼的时候,主教愁眉苦脸、心事重重,看上去比之前瘦了一些,老了一些,头发也白了一些,这就足以说明一切。此时此刻,他心中的一切宏图大志都已经化成了灰。

听说教士长病重的时候,斯洛普先生突然想到,自己也许可以成为新任教士长。他也想知道,教士长的年薪究竟是一千二、一千五还是两千,不过无论如何,这对他来说都是往前迈了一大步——他的权力将超过执事长。

于是他开始制订计划。首先,他肯定自己能够得到主教的支持——在该由谁来填补空缺这个问题上,首相可能会征询普劳蒂博士的意见。其次,他认识尼古拉斯·菲茨维金爵士,他是督学,在政府里有很多朋友——他希望尼古拉斯爵士会动用自己的人脉来帮他。最后,他自以为《朱庇特报》的记者——托尔斯先生——是他能派上用场的朋友,能把斯洛普的名字写进这份报纸的专栏。

教士长还活着,但斯洛普先生不想浪费一分一秒。于是他径直去了主教的书房,知道普劳蒂博士第二天就要启程前往大主教的宅邸。斯洛普先生走进去的时候,主教坐在椅子上,无所事事,什么都不想。

“什么事,斯洛普?”主教的口气有些不耐烦。他并不急于跟斯洛普先生多谈。

“大人,有一条让您难过的消息,可怜的教士长没有一丝好转的迹象。”

“哦——啊——没好吗?可怜的人!可怜的人!”

“对于大人您来说,重要的事情自然是有一个跟您看法一致的新教士长。如果允许我说两句的话,我建议您明天就跟大主教谈谈。我敢肯定,有了大主教的支持,首相会很看重您的想法的。”

“首相待我一直不错,非常不错。但我并不想插手这样的事情,除非他要我这么做。还有,说真的,就算问到我,我也不知道该推荐谁。”

这句话让斯洛普先生小小地吃了一惊,但他很快就缓过神来。眼下他的困难就是如何让自己的话显得足够谦逊。“这我兴许能帮到您,大人。这件事我已经考虑了一段时间,要是可怜的特雷弗尔博士一定会离我们而去,据我看,有了大人您的支持,我本人没理由不能接掌这个职位。”

“你!”主教大喊一声,语气绝无半点恭维。

既然话已说破,斯洛普先生便开始滔滔不绝地劝说主教。他谈到了自己目前的成就、为教会所做的工作、几个身居高位的朋友以及他对普劳蒂博士的高度尊重和景仰。他还说,当上教士长之后,他就可以让普劳蒂博士在巴彻斯特过得更舒适,提高博士在神职人员中的影响力。紧接着,他一口气又列出了七八条理由,说明为什么巴彻斯特教士长一职非他莫属。

主教坐在那儿,一言不发。他做梦也想不到斯洛普先生会是巴彻斯特的教士长,却还是慢慢意识到,这样的提拔对他自己也不无裨益。他离了斯洛普先生也好好的。在反抗普劳蒂太太的斗争中,斯洛普先生对他已经不再有什么用处,因为他已经认输。说真的,要是能睡在自己的特遣牧师的卧室里,而不是妻子的卧室,那他或许还有点理由来留住斯洛普先生。

于是,主教最终同意了斯洛普先生的建议,决定一有机会就跟大主教提这件事情。不过,普劳蒂博士也想从自己的特遣牧师那里得到一点回报。“至于海勒姆养老院,”他说,“我觉得,总体上讲,还是交给奎沃夫先生比较好。他家里人口多,又很穷。”

“可是,我的大人,”斯洛普先生不想让普劳蒂太太得逞。“我真的很担心——”

“你要记住,斯洛普先生,”主教说,“我没法保证让你当上教士长。我会照你的期望去跟大主教讲,可我不敢肯定——”

“好吧,我的大人,”斯洛普先生说,完全明白了主教的意思,“关于奎沃夫先生,兴许您说得对。我可以轻而易举地解决哈丁先生那边的问题。把他交给我吧。”

“是的,斯洛普,那样就再好不过。你尽管放心,我会竭尽全力举荐你的。”

他俩就此作别。斯洛普先生手上的事情一下子多了起来。他每天都得去拜访内罗尼太太。其实不去更为明智,但激情已经蒙蔽了他的双眼。他决定再去斯坦诺普家喝一次茶,就这一次,以后就再也不去了。除此之外,他还得料理博尔德太太那边的事情。做特遣牧师的妻子也好,教士长的妻子也罢,她都会十分迷人。更何况,要是最后发现教士长的年薪只有一千二的话,她的财富将是有益的补充。

跟许多人一样,斯洛普先生也认为,在爱情和战争中,一切手段都是光明正大的。既然如此,他收买和讨好埃莉诺的年轻女仆,以便打探这位寡妇的消息,心里也不会觉得有什么不光彩。就是通过这种方法,他知道自己的信送到了普拉姆斯特德,也听说了之后的争执。让他高兴的是,女仆觉得自己听见了博尔德太太宣称,她“不会为了任何人而放弃斯洛普先生”。这位特遣牧师由此十分肯定,这个美貌的寡妇如今很有可能接受他的求婚。所以,在大家知道新任院长是奎沃夫先生而不是哈丁先生之前,他必须马上表明心迹。

此外,为了当上教士长,他还得争取尼古拉斯爵士和托尔斯先生的支持,因此他立刻坐了下来,给这两位绅士写信。信寄出去之后,他得了空闲,于是就坐到可爱的内罗尼太太的沙发旁边,度过了当晚剩余的时间。

******

接下来那一周,博尔德太太跟斯坦诺普一家待了不少时间,心里也越来越喜欢这家人。如果有人问起来,她会说夏洛特是她特别的朋友,但她也同样喜欢伯蒂。她让伯蒂跟自己亲密到与别人从未有过的程度,并没有意识到这样可能会很危险。在整件事上,她的想法十分单纯,从没把他当作恋人。但埃莉诺身陷其中的熟稔关系全都是出自夏洛特的刻意安排。这个做姐姐的很清楚该如何玩这场游戏,玩起来也毫不手软。她了解弟弟的品性,却仍然打算把这个年轻寡妇连人带钱全部交给他,心里没有一丝怜悯和懊悔。为了达到目的,夏洛特让家人友好对待博尔德太太,也使博尔德太太在她父亲家里有宾至如归之感。刚刚忍受了神职人员的高傲和刻板,埃莉诺发现,这家人的不拘小节让她耳目一新。

不过,埃莉诺绝对没有忘记阿拉宾先生。她确实是气冲冲地跟他告了别,也确实还在生他的气,可她真心实意地想再次跟他见面,想原谅他对自己犯下的过错。他说过的话还在她耳边回响。她知道那些话的意思是他爱她,要是他再度向她表白,她觉得自己可能会温柔应允。不过,首先他得承认自己冤枉了她才行。

一个星期之后,她就会在索恩小姐的园会上再次见到他。园会是一桩盛事,有午餐和各种娱乐活动——体育运动、游戏比赛、音乐以及舞会。方圆数英里之内的所有人都很期待。

格兰特利一家自然也接到了园会的邀请。埃莉诺原本打算跟姐姐一起前往乌拉索恩,不过,由于跟执事长吵了那一架,她决定跟斯坦诺普一家同行。然而,她不无恐慌地发现,斯洛普先生也会跟斯坦诺普一家同行。更让她烦心的是,她发现自己会跟他同乘一辆马车。她很不愿意让阿拉宾先生看到她走下和斯洛普先生共同乘坐的马车,但想不出避开这种局面的办法。

******

园会的前一天,主教才从大主教家回到巴彻斯特。到了之后,他心惊胆战地溜进了自己的宅邸,因为他比原计划多待了三天,很害怕因此受罚。然而,他受到的欢迎简直是再热烈不过。女儿们亲他,太太伸开双臂拥抱他,管他叫她的心肝宝贝、亲爱的、乖乖的小主教。这可真叫人喜出望外。

普劳蒂太太改变了对待主教大人的方式。她想让他知道,只要他对自己言听计从,就能得到回报。斯洛普先生根本没有机会斗过她。她不单可以用夜半狂怒把可怜的主教吓个半死,还能用丰盛的晚餐、温暖的炉火和安逸的生活来安抚他,让他高兴起来。

她跟他一起在他的书房里坐下来。主教坐在炉边他最喜爱的那把扶手椅上,既轻松又惬意。

“希望你在大主教那边过得还开心。”她说,尽力堆出充满柔情蜜意的笑容。

“哦,是啊,亲爱的。大主教对我挺客气。”

“听你这么说,我真高兴。”接下来,她话锋一转,“对了,可怜的教士长还活着呢。在大主教宅邸的时候,你们讨论过这件事情吗?”

“讨论什么事情?”主教问。

“找人接替教士长。”普劳蒂太太说。说这话的时候,她的眼睛里闪出从前那种熟悉的光芒,主教开始有点坐立不安。

“基本上没怎么讨论,亲爱的。只是提了提。”

“那你说了些什么呢,主教?”

“我?哦,我只是说——我觉得——我是说,要是教士长——”他搜肠刮肚寻找合适的话时,看见妻子恶狠狠地盯着自己,心里就犯了嘀咕。他为什么要吃苦受罪地帮斯洛普这样的人呢?为什么要为了一个特遣牧师打一场必败无疑的仗呢?就从这一刻起,他决定不再支持斯洛普,以后不管做什么事,都要尽量让妻子满意。

“有人告诉我,”普劳蒂太太慢吞吞地说,“斯洛普先生想成为新任教士长。”

“是的——没错,我觉得他确实有这个想法。”

“我希望,主教,你没有傻到在大主教跟前举荐他的地步。”

“呃,亲爱的,我可能已经那么了——”

“你当时是怎么想的啊,主教?一个连自己的亲爹是谁都不知道的人!我发现他的时候,他连吃的和穿的都还没有着落呢!巴彻斯特教士长,还真是!我让他当教士长去!”

“可是,亲爱的,我以为你已经开始讨厌斯洛普先生,所以就觉得,如果他走马上任,不再是我的特遣牧师,没准儿会让你高兴呢。”

普劳蒂太太放声大笑,笑声中充满了不屑。“他当然不再会是你的特遣牧师!跟这样一个人住在同一个屋檐下,这种事儿我连一秒钟都不能想。不过,他可不能当教士长,哦,不!我一直盯着他呢。他插手大教堂的事务,给你,给我亲爱的惹麻烦,又让神职人员吵成一团,这样他还嫌不够。不够,这样他还嫌不够!眼下他又跟那个意大利女人混在一起,真是无耻。我要向全世界揭露斯洛普先生的真面目——一个既虚伪又卑鄙的恶棍。教士长,还真是!这家伙简直是疯了!”

主教没有再为自己或是自己的特遣牧师开脱,和妻子进餐厅吃晚饭去了。那天晚上是他好久以来在自己家度过的最美好的夜晚。第二天早晨,他一边为乌拉索恩的园会穿衣打扮,一边暗自发誓,绝不再跟自家太太这样一位技巧纯熟、手法致命的斗士交战。

用户搜索

疯狂英语 英语语法 新概念英语 走遍美国 四级听力 英语音标 英语入门 发音 美语 四级 新东方 七年级 赖世雄 zero是什么意思茂名市荔晶新城英语学习交流群

  • 频道推荐
  • |
  • 全站推荐
  • 推荐下载
  • 网站推荐