第 45 节
作者:
嘟嘟 更新:2021-02-20 05:57 字数:9322
the cutter climbing up one side of a wave; and running down the other;
Madam How tells me that; though she will not tell you yet。 Then why do
they go out?
Because they are accustomed to it。 They have come hither all round
from Cowes; past the Land's End; and past Cape Clear; and they are not
afraid or sick either。 But shall I tell you how you would end this
evening?at least so I suspect。 Lying miserable in a stuffy cabin; on a
sofa; and not quite sure whether you were dead or alive; till you were
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bundled into a boat about twelve o'clock at night; when you ought to be
safe asleep; and come home cold; and wet; and stupid; and ill; and lie in
bed all to…morrow。
But will they be wet and cold?
I cannot be sure; but from the look of the sky there to westward; I
think some of them will be。 So do you make up your mind to stay with
me。 But if it is fine and smooth to…morrow; perhaps we may row down
the bay; and see plenty of wonderful things。
But why is it that Madam How will not tell people beforehand what
will happen to them; as you have told me?
Now I will tell you a great secret; which; alas! every one has not found
out yet。 Madam How will teach you; but only by experience。 Lady Why
will teach you; but by something very differentby something which has
been calledand I know no better names for itgrace and inspiration; by
putting into your heart feelings which no man; not even your father and
mother; can put there; by making you quick to love what is right; and hate
what is wrong; simply because they are right and wrong; though you don't
know why they are right and wrong; by making you teachable; modest;
reverent; ready to believe those who are older and wiser than you when
they tell you what you could never find out for yourself: and so you will
be prudent; that is provident; foreseeing; and know what will happen if
you do so…and…so; and therefore what is really best and wisest for you。
But why will she be kind enough to do that for me?
For the very same reason that I do it。 For God's sake。 Because God
is your Father in heaven; as I am your father on earth; and He does not
wish His little child to be left to the hard teaching of Nature and Law; but
to be helped on by many; many unsought and undeserved favours; such as
are rightly called 〃Means of Grace;〃 and above all by the Gospel and good
news that you are God's child; and that God loves you; and has helped and
taught you; and will help you and teach you; in a thousand ways of which
you are not aware; if only you will be a wise child; and listen to Lady Why;
when she cries from her Palace of Wisdom; and the feast which she has
prepared; 〃Whoso is simple let him turn in hither;〃 and says to him who
wants understanding〃Come; eat of my bread; and drink of the wine
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which I have mingled。〃
〃Counsel is mine; and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have
strength。 By me kings reign; and princes decree justice。 By me princes
rule; and nobles; even all the judges of the earth。 I love them that love
me; and those that seek me early shall find me。 Riches and honour are
with me; yea; durable riches and righteousness。〃
Yes; I will try and listen to Lady Why: but what will happen if I do
not?
That will happen to you; my childbut God forbid it ever should
happenwhich happens to wicked kings and rulers; and all men; even the
greatest and cleverest; if they do not choose to reign by Lady Why's laws;
and decree justice according to her eternal ideas of what is just; but only
do what seems pleasant and profitable to themselves。 On them Lady
Why turns round; and saysfor she; too; can be awful; ay dreadful; when
she needs …
〃Because I have called; and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand;
and no man regarded; but ye have set at nought all my counsel; and would
have none of my reproof〃 And then come words so terrible; that I will
not speak them here in this happy place: but what they mean is this:…
That these foolish people are handed overas you and I shall be if we
do wrong wilfullyto Madam How and her terrible school… house; which
is called Nature and the Law; to be treated just as the plants and animals
are treated; because they did not choose to behave like men and children
of God。 And there they learn; whether they like or not; what they might
have learnt from Lady Why all along。 They learn the great law; that as
men sow so they will reap; as they make their bed so they will lie on it:
and Madam How can teach that as no one else can in earth or heaven: only;
unfortunately for her scholars; she is apt to hit so hard with her rod; which
is called Experience; that they never get over it; and therefore most of
those who will only be taught by Nature and Law are killed; poor creatures;
before they have learnt their lesson; as many a savage tribe is destroyed;
ay and great and mighty nations toothe old Roman Empire among them。
And the poor Jews; who were carried away captive to Babylon?
Yes; they would not listen to Lady Why; and so they were taken in
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hand by Madam How; and were seventy years in her terrible school… house;
learning a lesson which; to do them justice; they never forgot again。 But
now we will talk of something pleasanter。 We will go back to Lady Why;
and listen to her voice。 It sounds gentle and cheerful enough just now。
Listen。
What? is she speaking to us now?
Hush! open your eyes and ears once more; for you are growing sleepy
with my long sermon。 Watch the sleepy shining water; and the sleepy
green mountains。 Listen to the sleepy lapping of the ripple; and the
sleepy sighing of the woods; and let Lady Why talk to you through them
in 〃songs without words;〃 because they are deeper than all words; till you;
too; fall asleep with your head upon my knee。
But what does she say?
She says〃Be still。 The fulness of joy is peace。〃 There; you are fast
asleep; and perhaps that is the best thing for you; for sleep will (so I am
informed; though I never saw it happen; nor any one else) put fresh gray
matter into your brain; or save the wear and tear of the old gray matter; or
something elsewhen they have settled what it is to do: and if so; you
will wake up with a fresh fiddle…string to your little fiddle of a brain; on
which you are playing new tunes all day long。 So much the better: but
when I believe that your brain is you; pretty boy; then I shall believe also
that the fiddler is his fiddle。
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CHAPTER XII
HOMEWARD BOUND
Come: I suppose you consider yourself quite a good sailor by now?
Oh; yes。 I have never been ill yet; though it has been quite rough
again and again。
What you call rough; little man。 But as you are grown such a very
good sailor; and also as the sea is all but smooth; I think we will have a
sail in the yacht to…day; and that a tolerably long one。
Oh; how delightful! but I thought we were going home; and the things
are all packed up。
And why should we not go homewards in the yacht; things and all?
What; all the way to England?
No; not so far as that; but these kind people; when they came into the
harbour last night; offered to take us up the coast to a town; where we will
sleep; and start comfortably home to…morrow morning。 So now you will
have a chance of seeing something of the great sea outside; and of seeing;
perhaps; the whale himself。
I hope we shall see the whale。 The men say he has been outside the
harbour every day this week after the fish。
Very good。 Now do you keep quiet; and out of the way; while we are
getting ready to go on board; and take a last look at this pretty place; and
all its dear ki