Тяжёлые времена

Sissy’s Progress

           

           ‘Yes,MissLouisatheyalwaysremindmeofstutterings,andthat’sanotherofmymistakesofaccidentsuponthesea.AndIfind(Mr.M’Choakumchildsaid)thatinagiventimeahundredthousandpersonswenttoseaonlongvoyages,andonlyfivehundredofthemweredrownedorburnttodeath.Whatisthepercentage?AndIsaid,Miss;’hereSissyfairlysobbedasconfessingwithextremecontritiontohergreatesterror;‘Isaiditwasnothing.’

           ‘Nothing,Sissy?’

           ‘Nothing,Misstotherelationsandfriendsofthepeoplewhowerekilled.Ishallneverlearn,’saidSissy.‘Andtheworstofallis,thatalthoughmypoorfatherwishedmesomuchtolearn,andalthoughIamsoanxioustolearn,becausehewishedmeto,IamafraidIdon’tlikeit.’

           Louisastoodlookingattheprettymodesthead,asitdroopedabashedbeforeher,untilitwasraisedagaintoglanceatherface.Thensheasked:

           ‘Didyourfatherknowsomuchhimself,thathewishedyoutobewelltaughttoo,Sissy?’

           Sissyhesitatedbeforereplying,andsoplainlyshowedhersensethattheywereenteringonforbiddenground,thatLouisaadded,‘Noonehearsus;andifanyonedid,Iamsurenoharmcouldbefoundinsuchaninnocentquestion.’

           ‘No,MissLouisa,’answeredSissy,uponthisencouragement,shakingherhead;‘fatherknowsverylittleindeed.It’sasmuchashecandotowrite;andit’smorethanpeopleingeneralcandotoreadhiswriting.Thoughit’splaintome.’

           ‘Yourmother?’

           ‘Fathersaysshewasquiteascholar.ShediedwhenIwasborn.

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