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！
That was the beginning of the residence I have spoken of； the Castle we
have ever since inhabited together； dates from that time。 All our children
have been born in it。 Our first childnow marriedwas a little girl；
whom we called Christiana。 Her son is so like Little Frank； that I hardly
know which is which。
The current impression as to my partner's dealings with me is also
quite erroneous。 He did not begin to treat me coldly； as a poor simpleton；
when my uncle and I so fatally quarrelled； nor did he afterwards gradually
possess himself of our business and edge me out。 On the contrary； he
behaved to me with the utmost good faith and honour。
Matters between us took this turn：… On the day of my separation from
my uncle； and even before the arrival at our counting…house of my trunks
（which he sent after me； NOT carriage paid）； I went down to our room of
business； on our little wharf； overlooking the river； and there I told John
Spatter what had happened。 John did not say； in reply； that rich old
relatives were palpable facts； and that love and sentiment were moonshine
and fiction。 He addressed me thus：
〃Michael；〃 said John； 〃we were at school together； and I generally had
the knack of getting on better than you； and making a higher reputation。〃
〃You had； John；〃 I returned。
〃Although〃 said John； 〃I borrowed your books and lost them；
borrowed your pocket…money； and never repaid it； got you to buy my
damaged knives at a higher price than I had given for them new； and to
own to the windows that I had broken。〃
〃All not worth mentioning； John Spatter；〃 said I； 〃but certainly true。〃
〃When you were first established in this infant business； which
promises to thrive so well；〃 pursued John； 〃I came to you； in my search for
almost any employment； and you made me your clerk。〃
〃Still not worth mentioning； my dear John Spatter；〃 said I； 〃still；
30
… Page 31…
Some Short Christmas Stories
equally true。〃
〃And finding that I had a good head for business； and that I was really
useful TO the business； you did not like to retain me in that capacity； and
thought it an act of justice soon to make me your partner。〃
〃Still less worth mentioning than any of those other little
circumstances you have recalled； John Spatter；〃 said I； 〃for I was； and am；
sensible of your merits and my deficiencies。〃
〃Now； my good friend；〃 said John； drawing my arm through his； as he
had had a habit of doing at school； while two vessels outside the windows
of our counting…housewhich were shaped like the stern windows of a
shipwent lightly down the river with the tide； as John and I might then be
sailing away in company； and in trust and confidence； on our voyage of
life； 〃let there； under these friendly circumstances； be a right
understanding between us。 You are too easy； Michael。 You are
nobody's enemy but your own。 If I were to give you that damaging
character among our connexion； with a shrug； and a shake of the head； and
a sigh； and if I were further to abuse the trust you place in me〃
〃But you never will abuse it at all； John；〃 I observed。
〃Never！〃 said he； 〃but I am putting a caseI say； and if I were further
to abuse that trust by keeping this piece of our common affairs in the dark；
and this other piece in the light； and again this other piece in the twilight；
and so on； I should strengthen my strength； and weaken your weakness；
day by day； until at last I found myself on the high road to fortune； and
you left behind on some bare common； a hopeless number of miles out of
the way。〃
〃Exactly so；〃 said I。
〃To prevent this； Michael；〃 said John Spatter； 〃or the remotest chance
of this； there must be perfect openness between us。 Nothing must be
concealed； and we must have but one interest。〃
〃My dear John Spatter；〃 I assured him； 〃that is precisely what I mean。〃
〃And when you are too easy；〃 pursued John； his face glowing with
friendship； 〃you must allow me to prevent that imperfection in your nature
from being taken advantage of； by any one； you must not expect me to
humour it〃
31
… Page 32…
Some Short Christmas Stories
〃My dear John Spatter；〃 I interrupted； 〃I DON'T expect you to humour
it。 I want to correct it。〃
〃And I； too；〃 said John。
〃Exactly so！〃 cried I。 〃We both have the same end in view； and；
honourably seeking it； and fully trusting one another； and having but one
interest； ours will be a prosperous and happy partnership。〃
〃I am sure of it！〃 returned John Spatter。 And we shook hands most
affectionately。
I took John home to my Castle； and we had a very happy day。 Our
partnership throve well。 My friend and partner supplied what I wanted；
as I had foreseen that he would； and by improving both the business and
myself； amply acknowledged any little rise in life to which I had helped
him。
I am not （said the poor relation； looking at the fire as he slowly
rubbed his hands） very rich； for I never cared to be that； but I have enough；
and am above all moderate wants and anxieties。 My Castle is not a
splendid place； but it is very comfortable； and it has a warm and cheerful
air； and is quite a picture of Home。
Our eldest girl； who is very like her mother； married John Spatter's
eldest son。 Our two families are closely united in other ties of attachment。
It is very pleasant of an evening； when we are all assembled together
which frequently happensand when John and I talk over old times； and
the one interest there has always been between us。
I really do not know； in my Castle； what loneliness is。 Some of our
children or grandchildren are always about it； and the young voices of my
descendants are delightfulO； how delightful！to me to hear。 My dearest
and most devoted wife； ever faithful； ever loving； ever helpful and
sustaining and consoling； is the priceless blessing of my house； from
whom all its other blessings spring。 We are rather a musical family； and
when Christiana sees me； at any time； a little weary or depressed； she
steals to the piano and sings a gentle air she used to sing when we were
first betrothed。 So weak a man am I； that I cannot bear to hear it from
any other source。 They played it once； at the Theatre； when I was there
with Little Frank； and the child said wondering； 〃Cousin Michael； whose
32
… Page 33…
Some Short Christmas Stories
hot tears are these that have fallen on my hand！〃
Such is my Castle； and such are the real particulars of my life therein
preserved。 I often take Little Frank home there。 He is very welcome to
my grandchildren； and they play together。 At this time of the yearthe
Christmas and New Year timeI am seldom out of my Castle。 For； the
associations of the season seem to hold me there； and the precepts of the
season seem to teach me that it is well to be there。