the governess-第5部分
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heart overflowed at my eyes； and I was for some time inconsolable。
'My indulgent mamma comforted without blaming me； till she thought I had sufficient time to vent my grief； and then； sending for me into her chamber； spoke as follows：
'〃Jenny； I have watched you ever since the death of your little favourite cat； and have been in hopes daily； that your lamenting and melancholy on that account would be at an end。 But I find you still persist in grieving； as if such a loss was irreparable。 Now； though I have always encouraged you in all sentiments of good nature and compassion； and am sensible； that where those sentiments are strongly implanted； they will extend their influence even to the least animal； yet you are to consider； my child； that you are not to give way to any passions that interfere with your duty； for whenever there is any contention between your duty and your inclinations； you must conquer the latter； or become wicked and contemptible。 If； therefore； you give way to this melancholy； how will you be able to perform your duty towards me； in cheerfully obeying my commands；and endeavouring； by your lively prattle and innocent gaiety of heart； to be my companion and delight？ Nor will you be fit to converse with your brother； whom （as you lost your good papa when you were too young to know that loss） I have endeavoured to educate in such a manner； that I hope he will be a father to you； if you deserve his love and protection。 In short； if you do not keep command enough of yourself to prevent being ruffled by every accident； you will be unfit for all the social offices of life； and be despised by all those whose regard and love are worth your seeking。 I treat you； my girl； as capable of considering what is for your own good； for though you are but eleven years of age； yet I hope the pains I have taken in explaining all you read； and in answering all your questions in search of knowledge； has not been so much thrown away； but that you are more capable of judging； than those unhappy children are； whose parents have neglected to instruct them。 And therefore； farther to enforce what I say； remember； that repining at any accident that happens to you； is an offence to that God to whom I have taught you daily to pray for all the blessings you can receive； and to whom you are to return humble thanks for every blessing。
'〃I expect therefore； Jenny； that you now dry up your tears； and resume your usual cheerfulness。 I do not doubt but your obedience to me will make you at least put on the appearance of cheerfulness in my sight。 But you will deceive yourself； if you think that is performing your duty； for if you would obey me as you ought； you must try heartily to root from your mind all sorrow and gloominess。 You may depend upon it； this command is in your power to obey； for you know I never require anything of you that is impossible。〃
'After my mamma had made this speech； she went out to take a walk in the garden； and left me to consider of what she had said。
'The moment I came to reflect seriously； I found it was indeed in my power to root all melancholy from my heart； when I considered it was necessary； in order to perform my duty to God； to obey the best of mothers； and to make myself a blessing and a cheerful companion to her； rather than a burden； and the cause of her uneasiness； by my foolish melancholy。
'This little accident； as managed by my mamma； has been a lesson to me in governing my passions ever since。
'It would be endless to repeat all the methods this good mother invented for my instruction； amendment； and improvement。 It is sufficient to acquaint you； that she contrived that every new day should open to me some new scene of knowledge； and no girl could be happier than I was during her life。 But； alas！ when I was thirteen years of age； the scene changed。 My dear mamma was taken ill of a scarlet fever。 I attended her day and night whilst she lay ill； my eyes starting with tears to see her in that condition； and yet I did not dare to give my sorrows vent； for fear of increasing her pain。'
Here a trickling tear stole from Miss Jenny's eyes。 She suppressed some rising sobs that interrupted her speech； and was about to proceed in her story； when； casting her eyes on her companions； she saw her sorrow had such an effect upon them all； that there was not one of her hearers who could refrain from shedding a sympathising tear。 She therefore thought it was more strictly following her mamma's precepts to pass this part of her story in silence； rather than to grieve her friends； and having wiped away her tears； she hastened to conclude her story； which she did as follows：
'After my mamma's death； my Aunt Newman； my father's sister； took the care of me； but being obliged to go to Jamaica； to settle some affairs relating to an estate she is possessed of there； she took with her my Cousin Harriet； her only daughter； and left me under the care of the good Mrs。 Teachum till her return。 And since I have been here； you all know as much of my history as I do myself。'
As Miss Jenny spoke these words； the bell summoned them to supper into the presence of their governess； who having narrowly watched their looks ever since the fray； had hitherto plainly perceived； that though they did not dare to break out again into an open quarrel； yet their hearts had still harboured unkind thoughts of one another。 She was surprised NOW； as she stood at a window in the hall that overlooked the garden； to see all her scholars walk towards her hand in hand； with such cheerful countenances； as plainly showed their inward good humour。 And as she thought proper to mention to them her pleasure in seeing them thus altered； Miss Jenny Peace related to her governess all that had passed in the arbour； with their general reconciliation。 Mrs。 Teachum gave Miss Jenny all the applause due to her goodness； saying； she herself had only waited a little while； to see if their anger would subside； and love take its place in their bosoms； without her interfering again； for THAT she certainly should otherwise have done； to have brought about what Miss Jenny had so happily effected。
Miss Jenny thanked her governess for her kind approbation； and said； that if she would give them leave； she would spend what time she was pleased to allow them from school in this little arbour； in reading stories； and such things as she should think a proper and innocent amusement。
Mrs。 Teachum not only gave leave； but very much approved of this proposal； and desired Miss Jenny； as a reward for what she had already done； to preside over these diversions； and to give her an account in what manner they proceeded。 Miss Jenny promised in all things to be guided by good Mrs。 Teachum。 And now； soon after supper； they retired to rest； free from those uneasy passions which used to prevent their quiet； and as they had passed the day in pleasure； at night they sunk in soft and sweet repose。
MONDAY。
THE FIRST DAY AFTER THEIR REPENTANCE； AND； CONSEQUENTLY； THE FIRST DAY OF THE HAPPINESS OF MISS JENNY PEACE AND HER COMPANIONS。
Early in the morning； as soon as Miss Jenny arose； all her companions flocked round her； for they now looked on her as the best friend they had in the world； and they agreed； when they came out of school； to adjourn into their arbour； and divert themselves till dinner…time； which they accordingly did。 When Miss Jenny proposed； if it was agreeable to them to hear it； to read them a story which she had put in her pocket for that purpose； and as they now began to look upon her as the most proper person to direct them in their amusements； they all replied； What was most agreeable to her would please them best。 She then began to read the following story； with which we shall open their first day's amusement。
THE STORY OF THE CRUEL GIANT BARBARICO； THE GOOD GIANT BENEFICO； AND THE LITTLE PRETTY DWARF MIGNON。
A great many hundred years ago； the mountains of Wales were inhabited by two giants； one of whom was the terror of all his neighbours and the plague of the whole country。 He greatly exceeded the size of any giant recorded in history； and his eyes looked so fierce and terrible； that they frightened all who were so unhappy as to behold them。
The name of this enormous wretch was Barbarico。 A name which filled all who heard it with fear and astonishment。 The whole delight of this monster's life was in acts of inhumanity and mischief； and he was the most miserable as well as the most wicked creature that ever yet was born。 He had no sooner committed one outrage； but he was in agonies till he could commit another； never satisfied； unless he could find an opportunity of either torturing or devouring some innocent creature。 And whenever he happened to be disappointed in any of his malicious purposes； he would stretch his immense bulk on the top of some high mountain； and groan； and beat the earth； and bellow with such a hollow voice； that the whole country heard and trembled at the sound。
The other giant； whose name was Benefico； was not so tall and bulky as the hideous Barbarico。 He was handsome； well proportioned； and of a very good…natured turn of mind。 His delight was no less in acts of goodness and bene
