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！
wood slipping out； and there I heard one of the girls exclaim
'O dear！ who now has cut my pincushion？ it was you did it； Tom。'
'No； indeed I did not；' replied he。 'Then it was you； Mary。' 'No； I know
nothing of it；' answered she。 'Then it was you； Hetty。' 'That I am sure it
was not；' said she； 'I am sure； I am certain it was not me； I am positive it
was not。' 'Ah；' replied the other； 'I dare say it was。' 'Yes； I think it is
most likely；' said Mary。 'And so do I too；' said Tom。 'And pray why do
you all think so？' inquired Hetty； in an angry tone。 'Because；' said the
66
… Page 67…
THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
owner of the pincushion； 'you are the only one who ever tells fibs； you told
a story； you know； about the fruit； you told a story too about the currant
jelly； and about putting your fingers in the butter； at breakfast； and
therefore there is a very great reason why we should suspect you more
than anybody else。' 'But I am sure；' said she； bursting into tears； 'I am
very sure I have not meddled with it。' 'I do not at all know that；' replied
the other； 'and I do think it was you； for I am certain if any one else had
done it they would not deny it； and it could not come into this condition by
itself； somebody must have done it； and I dare say it was you； so say no
more about it。'
Here the dispute was interrupted by somebody calling them out of the
room； and I could not help making some reflections on what had passed。
How dreadful a crime； thought I； is lying and falsity； to what sad
mortifications does it subject the person who is ever wicked enough to
commit it； and how does it expose them to the contempt of everyone； and
make them to be suspected of faults they are even perfectly free from。
Little Hetty now is innocent； with respect to the pincushion with which her
sister charges her； as any of the others； yet； because she has before
forfeited her honour； she can gain no credit： no one believes what she
says； she is thought to be guilty of the double fault of spoiling the
pincushion； and what is still worse； of lying to conceal it； whilst the other
children are at once believed； and their words depended upon。
Surely； surely； thought I； if people would but reflect upon the contempt；
the shame； and the difficulties which lies expose them to； they would
never be guilty of so terrible a vice； which subjects them to the scorn of all
they converse with； and renders them at all times suspected； even though
they should； as in the case of Hetty； really speak the truth。 Such were my
reflections upon falsehood； nor could I help altogether blaming the owner
of the pincushion for her hasty judgment relating to it。 Somebody； she
was certain； must have done it； it was impossible it could come so by itself。
That； to be sure； was very true； but then she never recollected that it was
possible a little mouse might put it in that condition。 Ah！ thought I to
myself； what pity is it； that human creatures； who are blest with
understanding and faculties so superior to any species； should not make
67
… Page 68…
THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
better use of them； and learn； from daily experience； to grow wiser and
better for the future。 This one instance of the pincushion； may teach （and
surely people engaged in life must hourly find more） how dangerous it is
to draw hasty conclusions； and to condemn people upon suspicion； as also
the many； great； and bad consequences of lying。
Scarcely had I finished these soliloquies when a great knock at the
house door made me give such a start that I fell off the joist on which I
was standing； and then ran straight forwards till I came out at a little hole I
found in the bricks above the parlour window： from that I descended
into the road； and went on unmolested till I reached a malt…house； about
whose various apartments； never staying long in the same； I continued to
live； till one night； all on a sudden； I was alarmed by fire； which obliged
me to retreat with the greatest expedition。
I passed numberless rats and mice in my way； who； like myself； were
driven forth by the flames； but； alas！ among them I found not my brother。
Despairing； therefore； of ever seeing him again； I determined； if possible；
to find my way back to you； who before had shown me such kindness。
Numberless were the fatigues and difficulties I had to encounter in my
journey here； one while in danger from hungry cats； at another almost
perished with cold and want of food。
But it is needless to enumerate every particular； I should but tire your
patience was I to attempt it； so I will hasten to a conclusion of my history；
only telling you how you came to find me in that melancholy condition
from which your mercy has now raised me。
I came into your house one evening concealed in the middle of a floor…
cloth； which the maid had rolled up and set at the outside of the back door；
whilst she swept the passage； and neglected to take it in again till the
evening； In that I hid myself； and upon her laying it down； ran with all
speed down the cellar…stairs； where I continued till the family were all
gone to bed。 Then I returned back； and came into your closet； where the
scent of some figs tempted me to get into the jar in which you found me。
I concealed myself among them； and after feasting most deliciously； fell
asleep； from which I was awakened by hearing a voice say； 〃Who has left
the cover off the fig…jar？〃 and at the same time I was involved in darkness
68
… Page 69…
THE LIFE AND PERAMBULATIONS OF A MOUSE （1783…1784）
by having it put on。 In vain I endeavoured to remove it； the figs were so
low； that when I stood on them I could but just touch it with my lips； and
the jar being stone I could not possibly fasten my nails to hang by the side。
In this dismal situation therefore I was constrained to stay； my
apprehensions each day increasing as my food diminished； till at last； after
feeding very sparingly for some days； it was quite exhausted； and I had
endured the inexpressible tortures of hunger for three days and three
nights； when you happily released me； and by your compassion restored
me once more to life and liberty。 Condescend； therefore； to preserve that
life you have so lengthened； and take me under your protection。
'That most gladly；' interrupted I； 'I will do： you will live in this large
green…flowered tin canister； and run in and out when you please； and I will
keep you constantly supplied with food。 But I must now shut you in； for
the cat has this moment entered the room。'
And now I cannot take leave of all my little readers； without once
more begging them； for their own sakes； to endeavour to follow all the
good advice the mouse has been giving them； and likewise warning them
to shun all those vices and follies； the practice of which renders children
so contemptible and wicked。
69