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！
to deserve to be so； for if folks will not try to be kind； and oblige others；
why should anybody try to please them？ And if Miss Mary was my girl；
and chose to behave rude and cross to the servants； if I was her papa； I
would order them to refuse doing anything for her。 I would soon humble
her pride I warrant you； for nobody should make her puddings； or cut her
bread； or do anything for her till she learned to be kind； and civil； and
thankful too； for all that was done for her。 I have no notion； for my part；
for a child to give herself such airs for nothing； and because her parents
happen to have a little more money in their pockets； for that reason to
think she may be rude to poor folks； but though servants are poor； still
surely they are richer than she is； I should like to ask her how much she
has got？ and which way she came by it？ A child I am sure is no richer
than a beggar； for they have not a farthing that is not given them through
mere bounty； whereas a servant who works for his living； has a right and
just claim to his wages； and may truly call them his own； but a child has
not one farthing that is not its parents。 So here's my service to you；
Miss；' said he； （again lifting the ale…mug to his mouth） 'and wishing her a
speedy reformation of manners； I drink to her very good health。'
John drank to the bottom of the mug； and then shaking the last drop
45
… Page 46…
THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
into the ashes under the grate； he told the following story； as he sat
swinging the mug by its handle across his two forefingers； which he had
joined for that purpose。
'When my father was a young man he lived at one Mr。 Speedgo's； as
upper footman： they were vastly rich。 Mr。 Speedgo was a merchant；
and by good luck he gathered gold as fast as his neighbours would pick up
stones （as a body may say）。 So they kept two or three carriages； there
was a coach； and a chariot； and a phaeton； and I can't tell what besides；
and a power of servants you may well suppose to attend them all； and very
well they lived； with plenty of victuals and drink。 But though they
wanted for nothing still they never much loved either their master or
mistress； they used to give their orders in so haughty and imperious a
manner； and if asked a civil question； answer so shortly； as if they thought
their servants not worthy of their notice： so that； in short； no one loved
them； nor their children either； for they brought them up just like
themselves； to despise everyone poorer than they were； and to speak as
cross to their servants as if they had been so many adders they were afraid
would bite them。
'I have heard my father say； that if Master Speedgo wanted his horse to
be got ready； he would say； 〃Saddle my horse！〃 in such a displeasing
manner as made it quite a burthen to do anything for him。 Or if the
young ladies wanted a piece of bread and butter； or cake； they would say；
〃Give me a bit of cake；〃 or； if they added the word pray to it； they spoke in
such a grumpy way； as plainly showed they thought themselves a deal
better than their servants； forgetting that an honest servant is just as
worthy a member of society as his master； and whilst he behaves well； as
much deserving of civility as anybody。 But to go on with my story。 I
have already told you Mr。 Speedgo was very rich and very proud； nor
would he on any account suffer anyone to visit at his house whom he
thought below him； as he called it； or at least； if he did； he always took
care to behave to them in such a manner； as plainly to let them know he
thought he showed a mighty favour in conversing with them。
'Among the rest of the servants there was one Molly Mount； as good a
hearted girl； my father says； as ever lived： she had never received much
46
… Page 47…
THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
education； because her parents could not afford to give her any； and she
learned to read after she was at Mr。 Speedgo's from one of the housemaids；
who was kind enough to teach her a little； but you may suppose； from such
sort of teaching； she was no very good scholar。 However； she read well
enough to be able to make out some chapters in the Bible； and an excellent
use she made of them； carefully fulfilling every duty she there found
recommended as necessary for a Christian to practice。 She used often to
say she was perfectly contented in her station； and only wished for more
money that she might have it in her power to do more good。 And
sometimes； when she was dressing and attending the young ladies of the
family； she would advise them to behave prettier than they did； telling
them； 〃That by kindness and civility they would be so far from losing
respect； that； on the contrary； they would much gain it。 For we cannot
（she would very truly say） have any respect for those people who seem to
forget their human nature； and behave as if they thought themselves
superior to the rest of their fellow…creatures。 Young ladies and gentlemen
have no occasion to make themselves very intimate or familiar with their
servants； but everybody ought to speak civilly and good…humouredly； let it
be to whom it may： and if I was a lady I should make it a point never to
look cross or speak gruffly to the poor； for fear they should think I forgot I
was of the same human nature as they were。〃 By these kind of hints；
which every now and then she would give to the misses； they were
prodigiously offended； and complained of her insolence； as they called it；
to their mamma； who very wrongly； instead of teaching them to behave
better； joined with them in blaming Molly for her freedom； and； to show
her displeasure at her conduct； put on a still haughtier air； whenever she
spoke to her； than she did to any other of the servants。 Molly； however；
continued to behave extremely well； and often very seriously lamented in
the kitchen the wrong behaviour of the family。 〃I don't mind it；〃 she
would say； 〃for my own part； I know that I do my duty； and their cross
looks and proud behaviour can do me no real harm： but I cannot help
grieving for their sakes； it distresses me to think that people who ought to
know better； should； by their ill conduct； make themselves so many
enemies； when they could so easily gain friendsI am astonished how
47
… Page 48…
THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
anybody can act so foolishly。〃
'In this sensible manner she would frequently talk about the sin as well
as the folly of pride。 And one day； as she was talking to her fellow…
servants； rather louder than in prudence she ought to have done； her two
young ladies overheard her； and the next time she went to dress them； they
enquired what it was she had been saying to the other maids。 〃Indeed；
ladies；〃 said she； 〃I hope you will excuse my telling you。 I think； if you
give yourselves time to reflect a little； you will not insist upon knowing； as
it is beneath such rich ladies as you are； to concern yourselves with what
poor servants talk about。〃 This answer did not； however； satisfy them；
and they positively commanded her to let them know。 Molly was by far
too good a woman to attempt to deceive anyone； she therefore replied； 〃If；
ladies； you insist upon knowing what I said； I hope you will not take
anything amiss that I may tell you； thus compelled as I am by your
commands。 You must know then； Miss Betsy and Miss Rachael； that I
was saying how sad a thing it was for people to be proud because they are
rich； or to fancy； because they happen to h