Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 22
Thoughcarelessenoughinmostmattersofeating,helovedgoodfruit—orifhedidnot,hisfriendsandchildrendid.Thereweregreatvexations,however,attendingsuchagardenashis.Theutmostcarecouldnotalwayssecurethemostvaluablefruits.Thepineryhadyieldedonlyonehundredinthelastyear.Mr.Allen,hesupposed,mustfeeltheseinconveniencesaswellashimself.”
“No,notatall.Mr.Allendidnotcareaboutthegarden,andneverwentintoit.”
Withatriumphantsmileofself-satisfaction,thegeneralwishedhecoulddothesame,forheneverenteredhis,withoutbeingvexedinsomewayorother,byitsfallingshortofhisplan.
“HowwereMr.Allen’ssuccession-housesworked?”describingthenatureofhisownastheyenteredthem.
“Mr.Allenhadonlyonesmallhot-house,whichMrs.Allenhadtheuseofforherplantsinwinter,andtherewasafireinitnowandthen.”
“Heisahappyman!”saidthegeneral,withalookofveryhappycontempt.
Havingtakenherintoeverydivision,andledherundereverywall,tillshewasheartilywearyofseeingandwondering,hesufferedthegirlsatlasttoseizetheadvantageofanouterdoor,andthenexpressinghiswishtoexaminetheeffectofsomerecentalterationsaboutthetea-house,proposeditasnounpleasantextensionoftheirwalk,ifMissMorlandwerenottired.“Butwhereareyougoing,Eleanor?Whydoyouchoosethatcold,damppathtoit?MissMorlandwillgetwet.Ourbestwayisacrossthepark.”
“Thisissofavouriteawalkofmine,”saidMissTilney,“thatIalwaysthinkitthebestandnearestway.
