第16部分 (第2/7頁)
丟丟提示您:看後求收藏(奇妙書庫www.qmshu.tw),接著再看更方便。
se to 〃You're off
out a bit then;〃 she would reply; 〃Yes; we are;〃 to the great
joy of all。 She did not like the people who saluted him and did
not salute her。
She went into the public…house with him; if he had to call;
and often sat beside him in the bar…parlour as he drank his beer
or brandy。 The landladies paid court to her; in the obsequious
way landladies have。
〃Well; little lady; an' what's your name?〃
〃Anna Brangwen;〃 came the immediate; haughty answer。
〃Indeed it is! An' do you like driving in a trap with your
father?〃
〃Yes;〃 said Anna; shy; but bored by these inanities。 She had
a touch…me…not way of blighting the inane inquiries of grown…up
people。
〃My word; she's a fawce little thing;〃 the landlady would say
to Brangwen。
〃Ay;〃 he answered; not encouraging ments on the child。
Then there followed the present of a biscuit; or of cake; which
Anna accepted as her dues。
〃What does she say; that I'm a fawce little thing?〃 the small
girl asked afterwards。
〃She means you're a sharp…shins。〃
Anna hesitated。 She did not understand。 Then she laughed at
some absurdity she found。
Soon he took her every week to market with him。 〃I can e;
can't I?〃 she asked every Saturday; or Thursday morning; when he
made himself look fine in his dress of a gentleman farmer。 And
his face clouded at having to refuse her。
So at last; he overcame his own shyness; and tucked her
beside him。 They drove into Nottingham and put up at the 〃Black
Swan〃。 So far all right。 Then he wanted to leave her at the inn。
But he saw her face; and knew it was impossible。 So he mustered