19-4-22【英语美文】世界文学经典短篇 T.S 《天使的伪装》An angel in disguise

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An Angel in Disguise

by T.S. Arthur –edited version

1.       The dead mother lay cold andstill amid her wretched children. This woman had been despised by nearly everyman, woman, and child in the village. Neighbours went hastily to her old tumble-down hut, in which she hadsecured her half-starving children, three in number.

2.       Of these, John, the oldest, aboy of twelve, was a stout lad, able to earn his living with anyfarmer. Kate, between ten and eleven, was a bright, active girl, out of whom something clever might be made;but poor little Maggie, the youngest, was hopelessly diseased. Two years before,a fall from a window had injured her spine,and she had not been able to leave her bed since. So no one said: "I'll takeMaggie", while Kate and John quickly were taken care of by kind, childless couples. After all; whowanted a bed-ridden child?

3.       "Take her to the poorhouse," said a rough man. "Forthis brat it will prove a blessedchange, she will be kept clean, have healthy food, and be doctored, which ismore than can be said of her past condition." Joe Thompson, a wheelwright who happened to pass by,paused, and said to him: "It's a cruel thing to put her there." "O,Mr. Thompson!" Maggie cried out, "don't leave me here allalone!"

4.       Though rough in exterior, Joe Thompson had a heart, andit was very tender in some places. He liked children, and was pleased to havethem come to his shop. "No, dear," he answered, "You shall notbe left alone." Lifting her in his strong arms, he bore her out into the air and across the field to his home.

5.       "What have youthere?" sharply questioned Mrs. Thompson upon his return home. "Waita moment for explanations, and be gentle;" Joe said equally sharply back.He carried Maggie to a small chamber on the first floor, and laid her on a bed.Then, stepping back, he shut the door, and stood face to face with his vinegar-tempered wife.

6.       "You haven't brought homethat sick brat!" Her face was in a flame. "I think women's hearts aresometimes very hard," said Joe. Usually he got out of his cold wife's way,or kept silent and non-combative whenshe fired up. "Women's heartsare not half so hard as men's!" She said. Joe saw that his sudden resoluteness had impressed his wife andhe answered quickly:  "Farmer Jones tossed her brother John into his wagon,and drove off. Her sister Kate went home with Mrs. Ellis; but nobody wanted thepoor sick one. 'Send her to the poorhouse,' was the concluding cry."  "What did you bring her here for then?”,his wife snapped. "She can't walk to the poorhouse," said Joe;"somebody's arms must carry her, and mine are strong enough for thattask."

7.       "Then why did you stophere?" demanded the wife.  "Becausethe poorhouse’s Guardians must firstbe seen, and a permit obtained."  "When will you seethe Guardians?" She asked impatiently. "Tomorrow." "Why putit off till tomorrow?" "Jane," said the wheelwright, with animpressiveness of tone that greatly subdued his wife, "It is a small thing for us to keep this poor motherless littleone for a single night; to be kind to her for a single night; to make her lifecomfortable for a single night."

8.       The voice of the strong, roughman shook, and he turned his head away, so that the moisture in his eyes couldnot be seen. Mrs. Thompson did not answer, but a soft feeling crept into herheart. "Look at her kindly, Jane; speak to her kindly," said Joe."Think of her dead mother, and the loneliness, the pain, the sorrow thatmust be on all her coming life." Mrs. Thompson did not reply, but turnedtowards the little chamber where her husband had deposited Maggie; and, pushing open the door, went quietly in. Joedid not follow; he felt that it would be best to leave her alone with thechild. So he went to his shop, and worked until the evening released him from labour.A light shining through the little chamber window was the first thing that madeJoe eager to return to the house: it was a good omen.

9.       He could not help looking inthrough the little chamber window. Maggie’s eyes were intently fixed upon his wife; her expression was sad and tender;but he saw nothing of her usual coldness, bitterness or pain. On entering, Joe did not go immediately to the little chamber. Hiswife somewhat hurriedly came to him from the room where she had been withMaggie. "How soon will supper be ready?" he asked. "Rightsoon," answered Mrs. Thompson in a feigned,cold tone while she began to bustleabout.

10.   Joe waited, after sitting downto the table, for his wife to introduce the subject uppermost in both of theirthoughts; but she kept silent on that theme,for many minutes. At last she said, abruptly; "What are you going to dowith that child?"  "I thoughtyou understood me that she was to go to the poorhouse," replied Joe, as ifsurprised at her question. Mrs. Thompson looked rather strangely at herhusband, and then lowered her eyes. The subject was not again referred toduring the meal. After they finished Mrs. Thompson toasted a slice of bread andsoftened it with milk and butter. Adding to this a cup of tea, she took thisinto Maggie’s room. The hungry child ate with every sign of pleasure possible andgave Mrs. Thompson a look of gratitude that awoke old human feelings which hadbeen slumbering in her heart foryears.

11.   "We'll keep her a day ortwo longer; she is so weak and helpless," said Mrs. Thompson, in answer toher husband's remark, at breakfast time on the next morning. "She'll be somuch in your way," said Joe. "I shan’t mind that for a day or two.Poor thing!" In fact, in less than a week Mrs. Thompson would leave all thoughtof sending Maggie to the poorhouse. She carried her in her heart as well as inher arms; a precious burden. As for Joe Thompson, an angel had come into hishouse, disguised as a sick, helpless, and miserable child, and filled all its dreary chambers with the sunshine oflove.