Лавка древностей

Chapter 3

           

           ‘WhenIthink,’saidhe,‘ofthemanyyears—manyinthyshortlife—thatthouhaslivedwithme;ofmymonotonousexistence,knowingnocompanionsofthyownagenoranychildishpleasures;ofthesolitudeinwhichthouhasgrowntobewhatthouart,andinwhichthouhastlivedapartfromnearlyallthykindbutoneoldman;IsometimesfearIhavedealthardlybythee,Nell.’

           ‘Grandfather!’criedthechildinunfeignedsurprise.

           ‘Notinintention—nono,’saidhe.‘Ihaveeverlookedforwardtothetimethatshouldenabletheetomixamongthegayestandprettiest,andtakethystationwiththebest.ButIstilllookforward,Nell,Istilllookforward,andifIshouldbeforcedtoleavethee,meanwhile,howhaveIfittedtheeforstruggleswiththeworld?Thepoorbirdyonderisaswellqualifiedtoencounterit,andbeturnedadriftuponitsmercies—Hark!IhearKitoutside.Gotohim,Nell,gotohim.’

           Sherose,andhurryingaway,stopped,turnedback,andputherarmsabouttheoldman’sneck,thenlefthimandhurriedawayagain—butfasterthistime,tohideherfallingtears.

           ‘Awordinyourear,sir,’saidtheoldmaninahurriedwhisper.‘Ihavebeenrendereduneasybywhatyousaidtheothernight,andcanonlypleadthatIhavedoneallforthebest—thatitistoolatetoretract,ifIcould(thoughIcannot)—andthatIhopetotriumphyet.Allisforhersake.Ihavebornegreatpovertymyself,andwouldspareherthesufferingsthatpovertycarrieswithit.Iwouldspareherthemiseriesthatbroughthermother,myowndearchild,toanearlygrave.

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