the stage coach-第2部分
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barking before him； and the others holding John's hands； both
talking at once； and overpowering him with questions about home； and
with school anecdotes。 I looked after them with a feeling in which I
do not know whether pleasure or melancholy predominated； for I was
reminded of those days when； like them； I had neither known care nor
sorrow； and a holiday was the summit of earthly felicity。 We stopped a
few moments afterwards to water the horses； and on resuming our route；
a turn of the road brought us in sight of a neat country seat。 I could
just distinguish the forms of a lady and two young girls in the
portico； and I saw my little comrades； with Bantam； Carlo； and old
John； trooping along the carriage road。 I leaned out of the coach
window； in hopes of witnessing the happy meeting； but a grove of trees
shut it from my sight。
In the evening we reached a village where I had determined to pass
the night。 As we drove into the great gateway of the inn； I saw on one
side the light of a rousing kitchen fire beaming through a window。 I
entered； and admired； for the hundredth time； that picture of
convenience； neatness； and broad honest enjoyment； the kitchen of an
English inn。 It was of spacious dimensions； hung round with copper and
tin vessels highly polished； and decorated here and there with a
Christmas green。 Hams； tongues； and flitches of bacon； were
suspended from the ceiling； a smoke…jack made its ceaseless clanking
beside the fireplace； and a clock ticked in one corner。 A well…scoured
deal table extended along one side of the kitchen； with a cold round
of beef； and other hearty viands upon it； over which two foaming
tankards of ale seemed mounting guard。 Travellers of inferior order
were preparing to attack this stout repast； while others sat smoking
and gossiping over their ale on two high…backed oaken settles beside
the fire。 Trim housemaids were hurrying backwards and forwards under
the directions of a fresh； bustling landlady； but still seizing an
occasional moment to exchange a flippant word； and have a rallying
laugh； with the group round the fire。 The scene completely realized
Poor Robin's humble idea of the comforts of mid…winter：
Now trees their leafy hats do bare
To reverence Winter's silver hair；
A handsome hostesss； merry host；
A pot of ale now and a toast；
Tobacco and a good coal fire；
Are things this season doth require。*
* Poor Robin's Almanac； 1684。
I had not been long at the inn when a post…chaise drove up to the
door。 A young gentleman stept out； and by the light of the lamps I
caught a glimpse of a countenance which I thought I knew。 I moved
forward to get a nearer view； when his eye caught mine。 I was not
mistaken； it was Frank Bracebridge； a sprightly good…humored young
fellow； with whom I had once travelled on the continent。 Our meeting
was extremely cordial； for the countenance of an old
fellow…traveller always brings up the recollection of a thousand
pleasant scenes； odd adventures； and excellent jokes。 To discuss all
these in a transient interview at an inn was impossible； and finding
that I was not pressed for time； and was merely making a tour of
observation； he insisted that I should give him a day or two at his
father's country seat； to which he was going to pass the holidays； and
which lay at a few miles distance。 〃It is better than eating a
solitary Christmas dinner at an inn；〃 said he； 〃and I can assure you
of a hearty welcome in something of the old…fashioned style。〃 His
reasoning was cogent； and I must confess the preparation I had seen
for universal festivity and social enjoyment had made me feel a little
impatient of my loneliness。 I closed； therefore； at once； with his
invitation； the chaise drove up to the door； and in a few moments I
was on my way to the family mansion of the Bracebridges。
THE END
。
