fanny and the servant problem-第2部分

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THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　You　are　always　so　thoughtful。　　She　may　be　tired。

MRS。　BENNET。　　If　so；　everything　will　be　quite　ready。　　＇She　goes　out；　closing　door。＇

DR。　FREEMANTLE。　　What　do　they　think　about　it　allthe　Bennets？　　You　have　told　them？

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　We　thought　it　better。　　You　see；　one　hardly　regards　them　as　servants。　　They　have　been　in　the　family　so　long。　　Three　generations　of　them。

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　Really；　since　our　poor　dear　brother's　death；　Bennet　has　been　more　like　the　head　of　the　house　than　the　butler。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　Of　course；　he　doesn't　say　much。

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　It　is　her　having　been　on　the　stage　that　they　feel　so。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　You　see；　they　have　always　been　a　religious　family。

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　Do　you　know；　I　really　think　they　feel　it　more　than　we　do。　　I　found　Peggy　crying　about　it　yesterday；　in　the　scullery。

DR。　FREEMANTLE　＇he　has　been　listening　with　a　touch　of　amusement。＇　Peggy　Bennet？

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　Yes。　　CHARLES　Bennet's　daughter。

DR。　FREEMANTLE。　　Happen　to　have　a　servant　about　the　place　who　isn't　a　Bennet？

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　No；　no；　I　don't　really　think　we　have。　Oh；　yesthat　new　girl　Mrs。　Bennet　engaged　last　week　for　the　dairy。　What　is　her　name？

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　Arnold。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　Ah；　yes；　Arnold。

DR。　FREEMANTLE。　　Ah！

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　I　think　she's　a　cousin；　dear。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　Only　a　second　cousin。

DR。　FREEMANTLE。　　Um！　　Well　I　should　tell　the　whole　family　to　buck　up。　Seems　to　me；　from　what　you　tell　me；　that　their　master　is　bringing　them　home　a　treasure。　　＇He　shakes　hands　briskly　with　the　ladies。＇　May　look　in　again　to…morrow。　　Don't　forgetone　page　Marcus　Aurelius　before　breakfastin　case　of　need。　　＇He　goes　out。＇

The　sun　has　sunk。　　The　light　is　twilight。

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　He　always　cheers　one　up。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　He's　so　alive。

＇Mrs。　Bennet　comes　in　from　the　dressing…room。　　She　leaves　the　door　ajar。　　The　sound　of　a　hammer　is　heard。　　It　ceases　almost　immediately。＇　　Oh；　Mrs。　Bennet；　we　were　going　to　ask　youwho　is　to　be　her　ladyship's　maid？　　Have　you　decided　yet？

MRS。　BENNET。　　I　have　come　to　the　conclusionlooking　at　the　thing　from　every　point　of　viewthat　Jane　would　be　the　best　selection。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　Jane！

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　But　does　she　understand　the　duties？

MRS。　BENNET。　　A　lady's　maid；　being　so　much　alone　with　her　mistress；　is　bound　to　have　a　certain　amount　of　influence。　　And　Jane　has　exceptionally　high　principles。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　That　is　true；　dear。

MRS。　BENNET。　　As　regards　the　duties；　she　is　very　quick　at　learning　anything　new。　　Of　course；　at　first　…

The　sound　of　hammering　again　comes　from　the　bedroom。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　Who　is　that　hammering　in　her　ladyship's　bedroom？

MRS。　BENNET。　　It　is　Bennet；　Miss　Edith。　　We　thought　it　might　be　helpful：　　a　few　texts；　hung　where　they　would　always　catch　her　ladyship's　eye。　　＇She　notices　the　look　of　doubt。＇　　Nothing　offensive。　Mere　general　exhortations　such　as　could　be　read　by　any　lady。　　＇The　Misses　Wetherell　look　at　one　another；　but　do　not　speak。＇　　I　take　it；　dinner　will　be　at　half　past　seven；　as　usual？

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　Yes；　Mrs。　Bennet；　thank　you。　　They　will　not　be　here　till　about　nine。　　They　will　probably　prefer　a　little　supper　to　themselves。

Mrs。　Bennet　goes　outon　her　way　to　the　kitchen。　　The　Misses　Wetherell　look　at　one　another　again。　　The　hammering　recommences。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL　＇she　hesitates　a　moment；　then　goes　to　the　open　door　and　calls＇。　　BennetBennet！　　＇She　returns　and　waits。　Bennet　comes　in。＇

Oh；　Bennet；　your　wife　tells　us　you　are　putting　up　a　few　texts　in　her　ladyship's　bedroom。

BENNET。　　It　seemed　to　me　that　a　silent　voice；　speaking　to　her；　as　it　were；　from　the　wall　…

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　It　is　so　good　of　youonly；　youyou　will　be　careful　there　is　nothing　she　could　regard　as　a　PERSONAL　allusion。

BENNET。　　Many　of　the　most　popular　I　was　compelled　to　reject；　purely　for　that　reason。

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　We　felt　sure　we　could　trust　to　your　discretion。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　You　see；　coming；　as　she　does；　from　a　good　family　…

BENNET。　　It　is　thatI　speak　merely　for　myselfthat　gives　me　hope　of　reclaiming　her。

A　silence。　　The　two　ladies；　feeling　a　little　helpless；　again　look　at　one　another。

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　We　must　be　very　sympathetic。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　And　patient；　Bennet。

BENNET。　　It　is　what　I　am　preparing　myself　to　be。　　Of　course；　if　you　think　them　inadvisable；　I　can　take　them　down　again。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　No；　Bennet；　oh　no！　　I　should　leave　them　up。　　Very　thoughtful　of　you；　indeed。

BENNET。　　It　seemed　to　me　one　ought　to　leave　no　stone　unturned。　　＇He　returns　to　his　labours　in　the　bedroom。＇

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL　＇after　a　pause＇。　　I　do　hope　she'll　LIKE　the　Bennets。

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　I　think　she　willafter　a　time；　when　she　is　used　to　them。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　I　am　so　anxious　it　should　turn　out　well。

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　I　feel　sure　she's　a　good　woman。　　Vernon　would　never　have　fallen　in　love　with　her　if　she　hadn't　been　good。　＇They　take　each　other's　hand；　and　sit　side　by　side；　as　before；　upon　the　settee。　　The　twilight　has　faded：　　only　the　faint　firelight　remains；　surrounded　by　shadows。＇　　Do　you　remember；　when　he　was　a　little　mite；　how　he　loved　to　play　with　your　hair？　　＇The　younger　Miss　Wetherell　laughs。＇　　I　always　envied　you　your　hair。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　He　was　so　fond　of　us　both。　　Do　you　remember　when　he　was　recovering　from　the　measles；　his　crying　for　us　to　bath　him　instead　of　Mrs。　Bennet？　　I　have　always　reproached　myself　that　we　refused。

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　He　was　such　a　big　boy　for　his　age。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　I　think　we　might　have　stretched　a　point　in　a　case　of　illness。

The　room　has　grown　very　dark。　　The　door　has　been　softly　opened；　Vernon　and　Fanny　have　entered　noiselessly。　　Fanny　remains　near　the　door　hidden　by　a　screen；　Vernon　has　crept　forward。　　At　this　point　the　two　ladies　become　aware　that　somebody　is　in　the　room。　　They　are　alarmed。

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　Who's　there？

VERNON。　　It's　all　right；　aunt。　　It's　only　I。

The　two　ladies　have　risen。　　They　run　forward；　both　take　him　in　their　arms。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　Vernon！

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　My　dear　boy！

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　But　we　didn't　expect　you　…

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　And　your　wife；　dear？

VERNON。　　She's　here！

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　Here？

Fanny；　from　behind　the　screen；　laughs。

VERNON。　　We'll　have　some　light。　　＇He　whispers　to　them。＇　　Not　a　word　haven't　told　her　yet。　　＇Feeling　his　way　to　the　wall；　he　turns　on　the　electric　light。＇

Fanny　is　revealed；　having　slipped　out　from　behind　the　screen。　　There　is　a　pause。　　Vernon；　standing　near　the　fire；　watches　admiringly。

FANNY。　　Hope　you　are　going　to　like　me。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　My　dear；　I　am　sure　we　shall。

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　It　is　so　easy　to　love　the　young　and　pretty。　　＇They　have　drawn　close　to　her。　　They　seem　to　hesitate。＇

FANNY　＇laughs＇。　　It　doesn't　come　off；　does　it；　Vernon；　dear？　　＇Vernon　laughs。　　The　two　ladies；　laughing；　kiss　her。＇　　I'm　so　glad　you　think　I'm　pretty。　　As　a　matter　of　fact；　I'm　not。　　There's　a　certain　charm　about　me；　I　admit。　　It　deceives　people。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　We　were　afraidyou　know；　dear；　boys　＇she　looks　at　Vernon　and　smiles＇　sometimes　fall　in　love　with　women　much　older　than　themselvesespecially　women＇She　grows　confused。　She　takes　the　girl's　hand。＇　　We　are　so　relieved　that　youthat　you　are　yourself；　dear；

FANNY。　　You　were　quite　right；　dear。　　They　are　sweet。　　Which　is　which？

VERNON　＇laughs＇。　　Upon　my　word；　I　never　can　tell。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　Vernon！　　And　you　know　I　was　always　your　favourite！

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　Dear！

VERNON。　　Then　this　is　Aunt　Alice。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　No　dear；　Edith。

＇Vernon　throws　up　his　hands　in　despair。　　They　all　laugh。＇

FANNY。　　I　think　I　shall　dress　you　differently；　put　you　in　blue　and　you　in　pink。　　＇She　laughs。＇　　Is　this　the　drawing…room？

VERNON。　　Your　room；　dear。

FANNY。　　I　like　a　room　where　one　can　stretch　one's　legs。　　＇She　walks　across　it。＇　　A　little　too　much　desk　＇referring　to　a　massive　brass…　bound　desk；　facing　the　three　windows＇。

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　It　belonged　to　the　elder　Pitt。

FANNY。　　Um！　　Suppose　we　must　find　a　corner　for　it　somewhere。　　That's　a　good　picture。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　It　is　by　Hoppner。

FANNY。　　One　of　your　artist　friends？

VERNON。　　Wellyou　see；　dear；　that's　a　portrait　of　my　great…　grandmother；　painted　from　life。

FANNY　＇she　whistles＇。　　I　am　awfully　ignorant　on　some　topics。　　One　good　thing；　I　always　was　a　quick　study。　　Not　a　bad…looking　woman。

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　We　are　very　proud　of　her。　　She　was　the　first　…

VERNON　＇hastily＇。　　We　will　have　her　history　some　other　time。

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL　＇who　understands；　signs　to　her　sister＇。　Of　course。　　She's　tired。　　We　are　forgetting　everything。　　You　will　have　some　tea；　won't　you；　dear？

FANNY。　　No；　thanks。　　We　had　tea　in　the　train。　　＇With　the　more　or　less　helpful　assistance　of　Vernon　she　divests　herself　of　her　outdoor　garments。＇

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL　＇she　holds　up　her　hands　in　astonishment＇。　Tea　in　the　train！

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　We　were　not　expecting　you　so　soon。　　You　said　in　your　telegram　…

VERNON。　　Oh；　it　was　raining　in　London。　　We　thought　we　would　come　straight　onleave　our　shopping　for　another　day。

FANNY。　　I　believe　you　were　glad　it　was　raining。　　Saved　you　such　a　lot　of　money。　　Old　Stingy！

THE　ELDER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　Then　did　you　walk　from　the　station；　dear？

FANNY。　　Didn't　it　seem　a　long　way？　　＇She　laughs　up　into　his　face。＇　He　was　so　bored。　　＇Vernon　laughs。＇

THE　YOUNGER　MISS　WETHERELL。　　I　had　better　tell＇She　is　going　towards　the　bell。＇

VERNON　＇he　stops　her＇。　　Oh；　let　them　alone。　　Plenty　of　time　for　all　that　fuss。　　＇He　puts　them　both　gently　side　by　side　on　the　settee。＇　Sit　down　and　talk。　　Haven't　I　been　clever？　　＇He　puts　his　arm　round