第一章“我們有七個(gè)”

1、第一章“我們有七個(gè)”Chapter1“WeareSeven”五月中旬的一天，杰里柯布先生駕駛著一輛舊郵車(chē)，轟隆隆地馳過(guò)從楓林村到波若河的大道。車(chē)廂里還坐了一位黑頭發(fā)的小乘客。因?yàn)殚L(zhǎng)得太瘦弱了，姿勢(shì)又很僵硬，所以她不管怎么用腳盡力把自己頂在座位中間，身體還是在皮面坐墊上滑來(lái)滑去，或者每當(dāng)這時(shí)，她總要將頭上那頂可笑的小草帽推回原位，放好那把粉色小陽(yáng)傘，還要留意一個(gè)鑲滿(mǎn)珠子的小包，檢查里面的寶貝是不是沒(méi)多也沒(méi)少。這事情開(kāi)始于半個(gè)小時(shí)前。當(dāng)柯布先生正準(zhǔn)備離開(kāi)楓林村的郵局時(shí)，一個(gè)女人詢(xún)問(wèn)這車(chē)是不是去波若河的。在得到肯定的答復(fù)后，她拜托柯布將一個(gè)小女孩送到她在波若河的姐姐家。臨上車(chē)，小女孩的媽媽叮囑道：“

2、再見(jiàn)了，麗貝卡。別淘氣，乖乖地坐著，這樣到了姨媽家才會(huì)又整潔又漂亮。別給柯布先生惹下麻煩，您瞧她真夠興奮的”麗貝卡正興奮地說(shuō)起以前去維爾漢姆的事一一在她心中這已經(jīng)是一趟旅行啦，因?yàn)樗€帶了睡衣！媽媽立刻壓低聲音試圖做最后的教導(dǎo)：“不是說(shuō)過(guò)么？不要哇啦哇啦地說(shuō)些睡衣啦襪子啦，尤麗貝卡坐在車(chē)廂后座上其是男士在場(chǎng)的時(shí)候?！边@時(shí)，柯布先生吆喝了一聲，馬車(chē)已經(jīng)開(kāi)始跑了起來(lái)。一個(gè)小腦袋探出車(chē)廂，用足足放大了三倍的嗓門(mén)喊出了那令人不快的字眼：“知道了，媽媽?zhuān)∥夷敲凑f(shuō)的意思是一一如果睡衣都帶了，那么就是一趟真正的旅行！”當(dāng)這話傳到她的媽媽蘭德?tīng)柼袝r(shí)，她只能氣惱地看著馬車(chē)消失在視線里，自言自語(yǔ)道：“這下米

3、蘭達(dá)要忙起來(lái)了?！睕](méi)過(guò)多久，麗貝卡就換到了柯布先生的身邊。柯布先生注意到她有一對(duì)美麗而深邃的眼睛，當(dāng)她看著他的時(shí)候，他就像被重重地敲了一下。當(dāng)然，她還有一張永遠(yuǎn)不會(huì)停止說(shuō)話的小嘴巴。麗貝卡告訴柯布先生，她住在太陽(yáng)溪農(nóng)場(chǎng)，擁有一個(gè)大家庭一媽媽和七個(gè)孩子，她是老二。米蘭達(dá)姨媽本來(lái)是想要老大漢娜過(guò)去的，可是蘭德?tīng)柼x不開(kāi)這個(gè)得力小助手，于是就把麗貝卡送走了。麗貝卡覺(jué)得米蘭達(dá)姨媽家的樓梯下也許有食人惡魔和巨人一不過(guò)，也沒(méi)準(zhǔn)是精靈和仙女呢！所以她有點(diǎn)兒不安，但是絕對(duì)不會(huì)可恥地逃跑的。說(shuō)說(shuō)笑笑之間，馬車(chē)已經(jīng)行駛到了磚屋所在的那條街上。麗貝卡和柯布先生約好了以后一起去米爾頓旅行的事，此時(shí)馬車(chē)正順著碧綠楓樹(shù)

4、夾道的道路轟隆隆地駛進(jìn)村子。當(dāng)村民從各家的窗戶(hù)往外看的時(shí)候，可以看到一個(gè)穿著淺黃色印花布裙的小人兒正拘謹(jǐn)?shù)刈谲?chē)廂后座上；如果他們視力更好些，就能看到她胸口的那片印花棉布正隨著心跳在劇烈地起伏。這個(gè)小女孩蒼白的臉頰不知不覺(jué)已經(jīng)爬上了兩朵紅暈，晶亮的大眼睛被涌起的淚水濡濕了。麗貝卡的旅行到此為止了IheoldstagecoachwasrumblingalongthedustyroadthatrunsfromMaplewoodtoRiverboro.Thedaywasaswarmasmidsummer,thoughitwasonlythemiddleofMay,andMr.JeremiahCobb

5、wasfavoringthehorsesasmuchaspossible,yetneverlosingsightofthefactthathecarriedthemail.Thehillsweremany,andthereinslaylooselyinhishandsashelolledbackinhisseatandextendedonefootandlegluxuriouslyoverthedashboard.Hisbrimmedhatofwornfeltwaswellpulledoverhiseyes,andherevolvedaquidoftobaccoinhisleftcheek.T

6、herewasonepassengerinthecoach,asmalldark-hairedpersoninaglossybuffcalicodress.Shewassoslenderandsostifflystarchedthatsheslidfromspacetospaceontheleathercushions,thoughshebracedherselfagainstthemiddleseatwithherfeetandextendedhercotton-glovedhandsoneachside,inordertomaintainsomesortofbalance.Whenever

7、thewheelssankfartherthanusualintoarut,orjoltedsuddenlyoverastone,sheboundedinvoluntarilyintotheair,camedownagain,pushedbackherfunnylittlestrawhat,andpickeduporsettledmorefirmlyasmallpinksunshade,whichseemedtobeherchiefresponsibility,unlessweexceptabeadpurse,intowhichshelookedwhenevertheconditionofth

8、eroadswouldpermit,findinggreatapparentsatisfactioninthatitspreciouscontentsneitherdisappearednorgrewless.Mr.Cobbguessednothingoftheseharassingdetailsoftravel,hisbusinessbeingtocarrypeopletotheirdestinations,not,necessarily,tomakethemcomfortableontheway.Indeedhehadforgottentheveryexistenceofthisoneun

9、noteworthylittlepassenger.Whenhewasabouttoleavethepost-officeinMaplewoodthatmorning,awomanhadalightedfromawagon,andcominguptohim,inquiredwhetherthisweretheRiverborostage,andifhewereMr.Cobb.Beingansweredintheaffirmative,shenoddedtoachildwhowaseagerlywaitingfortheanswer,andwhorantowardsherasifshefeare

10、dtobeamomenttoolate.Thechildmighthavebeentenorelevenyearsoldperhaps,butwhateverthenumberofhersummers,shehadanairofbeingsmallforherage.Hermotherhelpedherintothestagecoach,depositedabundleandabouquetoflilacsbesideher,superintendedthe“ropingon”behindofanoldhairtrunk,andfinallypaidthefare,countingoutthe

11、silverwithgreatcare.“Iwantyoushouldtakehertomysisters'Rivnerboro,s”hesaid.“DoyouknowMirandyandJaneSawyer?Theyliveinthebrickhouse.”dmatbeanytrLordblessyoursoul,heknewemaswellasifhe“Well,she'gsoingthere,andthey'reexpectingher.Willyoukeepaneyeonher,please?Ifshecangetoutanywhereandgetwithfol

12、ks,orgetanybodyintokeephercompany,she'lldoit.Good-by,Rebecca;trynottogetintoanymischief,andsitquiet,soyou'lllookneatan'nicewhenyougetthere.Don'toMr.Cobb.Yousee,she'ksindofexcited.WecameonthecarsfromTemperanceyesterday,sleptallnightatmycousindrovefromherhouseeightmilesitisthismorn

13、ing.”“Goo-dby,mother,don'tworry;youknowitisn'tasifIhadtraveledbefore.”ThewomangaveashortsardoniclaughandsaidinanexplanatorywaytoMr.Cobb,“She'sbeentoWarehamandstayedovernight;thatisn'tmuchtob-eprjourdnoeny!”“Itwastraveling,mother,”saidthechildeagerlyandwillfully.“Itwasleavingthefarm,a

14、ndputtinguplunchinabasket,andalittleridingandalittlesteamcars,andwecarriedournightgowns.“Don'tetllthewholevillageaboutit,ifwedid,”saidthemother,interruptingthereminiscencesofthisexperiencedvoyager.“Haven'Ittoldyoubefore,s”hewhispered,inalastattemptatdiscipline,“thatyoushouldn'ttalkaboutn

15、ightgownsandstockingsandthingslikethat,inaloudtoneofvoice,andespeciallywhenthere'smenfolksround?”“Iknow,mother,Iknow,andIwon't.AllIwanttosayis”hereMr.Cobbgaveacluck,slappedthereins,andthehorsesstartedsedatelyontheirdailytask”allIwanttosayisthatitisajourneywhen”thestagewasreallyunderwaynowand

16、Rebeccahadtoputherheadoutofthewindowoverthedoorinordertofinishhersentence”itISajourneywhenyoucarryanightgown!”Theobjectionableword,utteredinahightreble,floatedbacktotheoffendedearsofMrs.Randall,whowatchedthestageoutofsight,gatheredupherpackagesfromthebenchatthestoredoor,andsteppedintothewagonthathad

17、beenstandingatthehitching-post.Assheturnedthehorse'hseadtowardshomesherosetoherfeetforamoment,andshadinghereyeswithherhand,lookedatacloudofdustinthedimdistance.“Mirandy'llhahverhandsfull,Iguess,”shesaidtoherself;“butIshouldn'twonderifitwouldbethemakingofRebecca.Allthishadbeenhalfanhourag

18、o,andthesun,theheat,thedust,thecontemplationoferrandstobedoneinthegreatmetropolisofMilltown,hadlulledMr.Cobb'sneveractivemindintocompleteoblivionastohispromiseofkeepinganeyeonRebecca.Suddenlyheheardasmallvoiceabovetherattleandrumbleofthewheelsandthecreakingoftheharness.Atfirsthethoughtitwasacric

19、ket,atreetoad,orabird,buthavingdeterminedthedirectionfromwhichitcame,heturnedhisheadoverhisshoulderandsawasmallshapehangingasfaroutofthewindowassafetywouldallow.Alongblackbraidofhairswungwiththemotionofthecoach;thechildheldherhatinonehandandwiththeothermadeineffectualattemptstostabthedriverwithhermi

20、croscopicsunshade.“Pleaseletmespeak!”shecalled.Mr.Cobbdrewupthehorsesobediently.“Doesitcostanymoretorideuptherewithyou?”shea“It'ssoslipperyandshinydownhere,andthestageissomuchtoobigforme,thatIrattleroundinittillI'mmostblackanthewindowsaresosmallIcanonlyseepiecesofthings,andImosbtrokenmynecks

21、tretchingroundtofindoutwhethermytrunkhasfallenofftheback.It'smymother'strunk,andshechoiceofit.”Mr.Cobbwaiteduntilthisflowofconversation,ormoreproperlyspeakingthisfloodofcriticism,hadceased,andthensaidjocularly:“Youcancomeupifyouwantto;thereain'atcnhoaergxetrtositsideo'me.”Whereuponhe

22、helpedherout,“boosted”hthefrontseat,andresumedhisownplace.Rebeccasatdowncarefully,smoothingherdressunderherwithpainstakingprecision,andputtinghersunshadeunderitsextendedfoldsbetweenthedriverandherself.Thisdoneshepushedbackherhat,pulledupherdarnedwhitecottongloves,andsaiddelightedly:“Oh!thisisbetter!

23、Thisisliketraveling!Iamarealpassengernow,anddownthereIfeltlikeoursettinghenwhenweshutherupinacoop.Ihopewehavealong,longwaystogo?”“Oh!we'veonlyjuststartedonit,”Mr.Cobbrespondedgenially;“it'smorentwohours.”“Onlytwohours,”shesighed“Thatwillbehalfpastone;motherwillbeatcousinAnn's,thechildren

24、athomewillhavehadtheirdinner,andHannahclearedallaway.Ihavesomelunch,becausemothersaiditwouldbeabadbeginningtogettothebrickhousehungryandhaveauntMirandyhavetogetmesomethingtoeatthefirstthing.It'sagoodgrowingday,isn'tit?”“Itis,certain;toohot,most.Whydon'tyouputupyourparasol?”Sheextendedher

25、dressstillfartheroverthearticleinquestionasshesaid,“Ohdearno!Ineverputitupwhenthesunsphinkes;fadesawfully,youknow,andIonlycarryittomeetin'cloudySundays;sometimesthesuncomesoutallofasudden,andIhaveadreadfultimecoveringitup;it'sthedearestthinginlifetome,butit'sanawfulcare.”Atthismomentthet

26、houghtgraduallypermeatedMr.JeremiahCobb'sslow-movingmindthatthebirdperchedbyhissidewasabirdofverydifferentfeatherfromthosetowhichhewasaccustomedinhisdailydrives.Heputthewhipbackinitssocket,tookhisfootfromthedashboard,pushedhishatback,blewhisquidoftobaccointotheroad,andhavingthusclearedhismentald

27、ecksforaction,hetookhisfirstgoodlookatthepassenger,alookwhichshemetwithagrave,childlikestareoffriendlycuriosity.Thebuffcalicowasfaded,butscrupulouslyclean,andstarchedwithinaninchofitslife.Fromthelittlestandingruffleattheneckthechild'slsenderthroatroseverybrownandthin,andtheheadlookedsmalltobeart

28、heweightofdarkhairthathunginathickbraidtoherwaist.Sheworeanoddlittlevizoredcapofwhiteleghorn,whichmayeitherhavebeenthelatestthinginchildrenhats,orsomebitofancientfineryfurbishedupfortheoccasion.Itwastrimmedwithatwistofbuffribbonandaclusterofblackandorangeporcupinequills,whichhungorbristledstifflyove

29、roneear,givingherthequaintestandmostunusualappearance.Herfacewaswithoutcolorandsharpinoutline.Astofeatures,shemusthavehadtheusualnumber,thoughMr.Cobbn'nsevaettrepnrtoioceededthesubssofarasnose,forehead,orchin,beingcaughtonthewayandheldfastbytheeyes.Rebecca'seyeswerelikefaith,thingshopedfor,t

30、heevidenceofthingsnotseen.”Underherdelicatelyetchedbrowstheyglowedliketwostars,theirdancinglightshalfhiddeninlustrousdarkness.Theirglancewaseagerandfullofinterest,yetneversatisfied;theirsteadfastgazewasbrilliantandmysterious,andhadtheeffectoflookingdirectlythroughtheobvioustosomethingbeyond,intheobj

31、ect,inthelandscape,inyou.Theyhadneverbeenaccountedfor,Rebecca'esyes.TheschoolteacherandtheministeratTemperancehadtriedandfailed;theyoungartistwhocameforthesummertosketchtheredbarn,theruinedmill,andthebridgeendedbygivingupalltheselocalbeautiesanddevotingherselftothefaceofachild,asmall,plainfaceil

32、luminatedbyapairofeyescarryingsuchmessages,suchsuggestions,suchhintsofsleepingpowerandinsight,thatonenevertiredoflookingintotheirshiningdepths,noroffancyingthatwhatonesawtherewasthereflectionofone'sownthought.Mr.Cobbmadenoneofthesegeneralizations;hisremarktohiswifethatnightwassimplytotheeffectth

33、atwheneverthechildlookedathimsheknockedhimgalley-west.“MissRoss,aladythatpaints,gavemethesunshade,s”aidRebecca,whenshehadexchangedlookswithMr.Cobbandlearnedhisfacebyheart.“Didyounoticethepinkeddoubleruffleandthewhitetipandhandle?Theyreivory'.Thehandleisscarred,yousee.That'bsecauseFannysucked

34、andcheweditinmeetingwhenIwasn'tlooking.I'veneverfeltthesametoFannysince.“IsFannyyoursister?”“She'soneofthem.”“Howmanyarethereofyou?”“Seven.There'rsessvwerittenaboutsevenchildren:“QuickwasthelittleMaidOm'astreerp!lwy,eareseven!'Ilearnedittospeakinschool,butthescholarswerehatef

35、ulandlaughed.Hannahistheoldest,Icomenext,thenJohn,thenJenny,thenMark,thenFanny,thenMira.”“Well,thatisabigfamily!”“Fartoobig,everybodysays,”repliedRebeccawithanunexpectedandthoroughlygrown-upcandorthatinducedMr.Cobbtomurmur,“Iswan!”andinsertmoretobaccoinhisleftcheek.“They'redear,butsuchathbeor,an

36、dcostsomuchtofeed,yousee,”sherippledon.“HannahandIhaven'tdoneanythingbutpbabiestobedatnightandtakethemupinthemorningforyearsandyears.Butit'sfinished,that'sonecomfort,andwe'llhavtimewhenwe'alrlegrownupandthemortgageispaidoff.”“Allfinished?Oh,youmeanyou'vecomeaway?”“No,Imeanthe

37、y'raelloveranddonewith;ourfamilysfinished.Mothersaysso,andshealwayskeepsherpromises.Therehasn'tbeenanysinceMira,andshethree.Sh'ewsasbornthedayfatherdied.AuntMirandawantedHannahtocometoRiverboroinsteadofme,butmothercouldn'sptareher;shetakesholdofhouseworkbetterthanIdo,Hannahdoes.Itold

38、motherlastnightiftherewaslikelytobeanymorechildrenwhileIwasawayI'dhavetobesentfor,forwhenthere'sababyitalwaystakesHannahandmeboth,formotherhasthecookingandthefarm.”“Oh,youliveonafarm,doye?Whereisit?neartowhereyougoton?”“Near?Why,itmustbethousandsofmiles!WecamefromTemperanceinthecars.Thenwedr

39、ovealongwaystocousinAnn'sandwenttobed.ThenwegotupanddroveeversofartoMaplewood,wherethestagewas.Ourfarmisawayofffromeverywheres,butourschoolandmeetinghouseisatTemperance,andthat'sonlytwomiles.Sittingupherewithyouismostasgoodasclimbingthemeeting-housesteeple.Iknowaboywho'sbeenuponoursteepl

40、e.Hesaidthepeopleandcowslookedlikeflies.Wehaven'mtetanypeopleyet,butI'mkindofdisappointedinthecows;theydon'tlooksolittleasIhopedtheywould;still(brightening)theydon'tlookquiteasbigasifweweredownsideofthem,dothey?Boysalwaysdothenicesplendidthings,andgirlscanonlydothenastydullonesthatge

41、tleftover.Theycan'tclimbsohigh,orgosofar,orstayoutsolate,orrunsofast,oranything.Mr.Cobbwipedhismouthonthebackofhishandandgasped.Hehadafeelingthathewasbeinghurriedfrompeaktopeakofamountainrangewithouttimetotakeagoodbreathinbetween.“Ican'tseemtolocateyourfarm,”hesaid,“thoughItoTemperanceanduse

42、dtoliveupthatway.What'syourfolks'name?”“Randall.Mymother'snameisAureliaRandall;ournamesareHannahLucyRandall,RebeccaRowenaRandall,JohnHalifaxRandall,JennyLindRandall,MarquisRandall,FannyEllslerRandall,andMirandaRandall.Mothernamedhalfofusandfathertheotherhalf,butwedidn'tcomeouteven,so

43、theyboththoughtitwouldbenicetonameMiraafterauntMirandainRiverboro;theyhopeditmightdosomegood,butitdidn'at,ndnowwecallherMira.Weareallnamedaftersomebodyinparticular.HannahisHannahattheWindowBindingShoes,andIamtakenoutofIvanhoe;JohnHalifaxwasagentlemaninabook;MarkisafterhisuncleMarquisdeLafayettet

44、hatdiedatwin.(Twinsveryoftendon'tlivetogrowup,andtripletsalmostneverdidyouknowthat,Mr.Cobb?)Wedon'tcallhimMarquis,onlyMark.JennyisnamedforasingerandFannyforabeautifuldancer,butmothersaysthey'rebothmisfits,forJennycan'tcarryatuneandFannyofstiff-legged.MotherwouldliketocallthemJaneandF

45、rancesandgiveuptheirmiddlenames,butshesaysitwouldn'tbefafather.Shesayswemustalwaysstandupforfather,becauseeverythingwasagainsthim,andhewouldn'thavediedifhehadnhadsuchbadluck.Ithinkthata'lltshereistotellaboutus,”shefinishedseriously.“Lando'Liberty!Ishouldthinkitwasenough,culatedMr.”ej

46、aCobb.“Therewa'n'mtanynamesleftwhenyourmothergotthroughchoosin'!You'vegotapowerfulgoodmemory!Iguessitain'tnotroubleforyoutolearnyourlessons,isit?”“Notmuch;thetroubleistogettheshoestogoandlearnThesearespandynewI'vegoton,andtheyhavetolastsixmonths.Motheralwayssaystosavemyshoes.

47、Theredon'tseemtobeanywayofsavingshoesbuttakingemoffandgoingbarefoot;butIcan'dtothatinRiverborowithoutshamingauntMirandy.I'mgoingtoschoolrightalongnowwhenI'mlivingwithauntMirandy,andintwoyearsI'mgoingtotheseminaryatWareham;mothersaysitoughttobethemakingofme!I'mgoingtobeapainte

48、rlikMissRosswhenIgetthroughschool.Atanyrate,that'wshatIthinkI'mgoingtobe.MotherthinksI'dbetterteach.”“Yourfarmain'ttheoldHobbsplace,isit?”“No,it'sjustRandall'sFarm.Atleastthat'swhatmoit.IcallitSunnybrookFarm.tmakenodifferencewhaltlyitosuoclaongas”remarkedMr.Cobbsententiou

49、sly.“Iguessitdon'youknowwhereitis,Rebeccaturnedthefulllightofhereyesuponhimreproachfully,almostseverely,assheanswered:“Oh!don'staythat,andbelikealltherest!Itdoesmakeadifferencewhatyoucallthings.WhenIsayRandall'sFarm,doyouseehowitlooks?”“No,Ican'tsayIdo,”respondedMr.Cobbuneasily.“Noww

50、henIsaySunnybrookFarm,whatdoesitmakeyouthinkof?”Mr.Cobbfeltlikeafishremovedfromhisnativeelementandleftpantingonthesand;therewasnoevadingtheawfulresponsibilityofareply,forRebecca'seyesweresearchlights,thpiercedthefictionofhisbrainandperceivedthebaldspotonthebackofhishead.“Is'posethere'asb

51、rooksomewheresnearit,”hesaidtimorously.Rebeccalookeddisappointedbutnotquitedis-heartened.“That'sprettygood,”shesaidencouragingly.“You'rewarhot;there'asbrook,butnotacommonbrook.Ithasyoungtreesandbabybushesoneachsideofit,andit'asshallowchatteringlittlebrookwithawhitesandybottomandlotso

52、flittleshinypebbles.Wheneverthere'asbitofsunshinethebrookcatchesit,andit'aslwaysfullofsparklesthelivelongday.Don'tyourstomachfeelhollow?MinedoestIwassofraidI'dmissthecouldn'teatanybreakfast.”“You'bdetterhaveyourlunch,then.Idon'etatnothint'illIgettoMilltown;thenIgetapi

53、eceo'pieandcupo'coffee“IwishIcouldseeMilltown.Isupposeit'sbiggerandgraeventhanWareham;morelikeParis?MissRosstoldmeaboutParis;sheboughtmypinksunshadethereandmybeadpurse.Youseehowitopenswithasnap?I'vetwentycentsinit,anditlastthreemonths,forstampsandpaperandink.MothersaysauntMirandywon&

54、#39;twanttobuythingslikethosewhenshe'fseedingandclothingmeandpayingformyschoolbooks.”“Parisain'ntogreat,s”aidMr.Cobbdisparagingly.“It'thesdullestplaceintheStateo'Mivaeinteh.eIrem'anvyeadrtime.”AgainRebeccawasobligedtoreproveMr.Cobb,tacitlyandquietly,butnonethelesssurely,thoughthe

55、reproofwasdealtwithoneglance,quicklysentandasquicklywithdrawn.“ParisisthecapitalofFrance,andyouhavetogotoitonaboat,”shesaidinstructively.“It'insmygeography,anditsays:TheFrenchareagayandpolitepeople,fondofdancingandlightwines.'Iaskedtheteacherwhatlightwineswere,andhethoughtitwassomethingliken

56、ewcider,ormaybegingerpop.IcanseeParisasplainasdaybyjustshuttingmyeyes.Thebeautifulladiesarealwaysgaylydancingaroundwithpinksunshadesandbeadpurses,andthegrandgentlemenarepolitelydancinganddrinkinggingerpop.ButyoucanseeMilltownmosteverydaywithyoureyeswideopen,”Rebeccasaidwistfully.“Milltownain'tno

57、great,neither,”repliedMr.Cobb,withthairofhavingvisitedallthecitiesoftheearthandfoundthemasnaught.“NowyouwatchmeheavethisnewspaperrightontoMisBrown'sdoorstep.”P(pán)iff!andthepacketlandedexactlyasitwasintended,onthecornhuskmatinfrontofthescreendoor.“Oh,howsplendidthatwas!”criedRebeccawithenthusiasm.“J

58、ustliketheknifethrowerMarksawatthecircus.Iwishtherewasalong,longrowofhouseseachwithacornhuskmatandascreendoorinthemiddle,andanewspapertothrowoneveryone!”“Imightfailonsomeofemy,ouknow,”saidMr.Cobb,beamingwithmodestpride.“IfyourauntMirandy'lleltyou,I'lltakeyoudowntoMilltownsomedaythissummerwhe

59、nthestageain'tfull.”AthrillofdeliciousexcitementranthroughRebecca'frsame,fromhernewshoesup,uptotheleghorncapanddowntheblackbraid.ShepressedMr.Cobb'skneeardentlyandsaidinavoicechokingwithtearsofjoyandastonishment,“Oh,itcan'tbetrue,itcan't;othinkIshouldseeMilltown.It'liskehavin

60、gafairygodmotherwhoasksyouyourwishandthengivesittoyou!DidyoueverreadCinderella,orTheYellowDwarf,orTheEnchantedFrog,orTheFairOnewithGoldenLocks?”“No,”saidMr.Cobbcautiously,afteramoment'sreflectiodon'steemtothinkIeverdidreadjestthosepartic'olanres.Where'dyougetachanceatsomuchreadin'?”“Oh,I'vereadlotsofbooks,”answeredRebeccacasually.“Father'sandMissRoss'sandallthedif'rentschoolteacherallintheSunday-schoollibrary.I'vereadTheLamplighter,andScottishChiefs,andIvanhoe,andTheHeirofRedclyffe,andCora