The next visit I paid to Nancy Brown was in the second week in March: for, though I had many spare minutes during the day, I seldom could look upon an hour as entirely my own; since, where everything was left to the caprices of Miss Matilda and her sister, there could be no order or regularity. Whatever occupation I chose, when not actually busied about them or their concerns, I had, as it were, to keep my loins girded, my shoes on my feet, and my staff in my hand; for not to be immediately forthcoming when called for, was regarded as a grave and inexcusable offence: not only by my pupils and their mother, but by the very servant, who came in breathless haste to call me, exclaiming, ‘You’re to go to the schoolroom DIRECTLY, mum, the young ladies is WAITING!!’ Climax of horror! Actually waiting for their governess!!!
But this time I was pretty sure of an hour or two to myself; for Matilda was preparing for a long ride, and Rosalie was dressing for a dinner–party at Lady Ashby’s: so I took the opportunity of repairing to the widow’s cottage, where I found her in some anxiety about her cat, which had been absent all day. I comforted her with as many anecdotes of that animal’s roving propensities as I could recollect. ‘I’m feared o’ th’ gamekeepers,’ said she: ‘that’s all ‘at I think on. If th’ young gentlemen had been at home, I should a’ thought they’d been setting their dogs at her, an’ worried her, poor thing, as they did MANY a poor thing’s cat; but I haven’t that to be feared on now.’ Nancy’s eyes were better, but still far from well: she had been trying to make a Sunday shirt for her son, but told me she could only bear to do a little bit at it now and then, so that it progressed but slowly, though the poor lad wanted it sadly. So I proposed to help her a little, after I had read to her, for I had plenty of time that evening, and need not return till dusk. She thankfully accepted the offer. ‘An’ you’ll be a bit o’ company for me too, Miss,’ said she; ‘I like as I feel lonesome without my cat.’ But when I had finished reading, and done the half of a seam, with Nancy’s capacious brass thimble fitted on to my finger by means of a roll of paper, I was disturbed by the entrance of Mr. Weston, with the identical cat in his arms. I now saw that he could smile, and very pleasantly too.
‘I’ve done you a piece of good service, Nancy,’ he began: then seeing me, he acknowledged my presence by a slight bow. I should have been invisible to Hatfield, or any other gentleman of those parts. ‘I’ve delivered your cat,’ he continued, ‘from the hands, or rather the gun, of Mr. Murray’s gamekeeper.’
‘God bless you, sir!’ cried the grateful old woman, ready to weep for joy as she received her favourite from his arms.
‘Take care of it,’ said he, ‘and don’t let it go near the rabbit–warren, for the gamekeeper swears he’ll shoot it if he sees it there again: he would have done so to–day, if I had not been in time to stop him. I believe it is raining, Miss Grey,’ added he, more quietly, observing that I had put aside my work, and was preparing to depart. ‘Don’t let me disturb you—I shan’t stay two minutes.’
‘You’ll BOTH stay while this shower gets owered,’ said Nancy, as she stirred the fire, and placed another chair beside it; ‘What! There’s room for all.’
‘I can see better here, thank you, Nancy,’ replied I, taking my work to the window, where she had the goodness to suffer me to remain unmolested, while she got a brush to remove the cat’s hairs from Mr. Weston’s coat, carefully wiped the rain from his hat, and gave the cat its supper, busily talking all the time: now thanking her clerical friend for what he had done; now wondering how the cat had found out the warren; and now lamenting the probable consequences of such a discovery. He listened with a quiet, good–natured smile, and at length took a seat in compliance with her pressing invitations, but repeated that he did not mean to stay.
‘I have another place to go to,’ said he, ‘and I see’ (glancing at the book on the table) ‘someone else has been reading to you.’
‘Yes, sir; Miss Grey has been as kind as read me a chapter; an’ now she’s helping me with a shirt for our Bill—but I’m feared she’ll be cold there. Won’t you come to th’ fire, Miss?’
‘No, thank you, Nancy, I’m quite warm. I must go as soon as this shower is over.’
‘Oh, Miss! You said you could stop while dusk!’ cried the provoking old woman, and Mr. Weston seized his hat.
‘Nay, sir,’ exclaimed she, ‘pray don’t go now, while it rains so fast.’
‘But it strikes me I’m keeping your visitor away from the fire.’
‘No, you’re not, Mr. Weston,’ replied I, hoping there was no harm in a falsehood of that description.
‘No, sure!’ cried Nancy. ‘What, there’s lots o’ room!’
‘Miss Grey,’ said he, half–jestingly, as if he felt it necessary to change the present subject, whether he had anything particular to say or not, ‘I wish you would make my peace with the squire, when you see him. He was by when I rescued Nancy’s cat, and did not quite approve of the deed. I told him I thought he might better spare all his rabbits than she her cat, for which audacious assertion he treated me to some rather ungentlemanly language; and I fear I retorted a trifle too warmly.’
‘Oh, lawful sir! I hope you didn’t fall out wi’ th’ maister for sake o’ my cat! he cannot bide answering again—can th’ maister.’
‘Oh! it’s no matter, Nancy: I don’t care about it, really; I said nothing VERY uncivil; and I suppose Mr. Murray is accustomed to use rather strong language when he’s heated.’
‘Ay, sir: it’s a pity.’
‘And now, I really must go. I have to visit a place a mile beyond this; and you would not have me to return in the dark: besides, it has nearly done raining now—so good–evening, Nancy. Good–evening, Miss Grey.’
‘Good–evening, Mr. Weston; but don’t depend upon me for making your peace with Mr. Murray, for I never see him—to speak to.’
‘Don’t you; it can’t be helped then,’ replied he, in dolorous resignation: then, with a peculiar half–smile, he added, ‘But never mind; I imagine the squire has more to apologise for than I;’ and left the cottage.
I went on with my sewing as long as I could see, and then bade Nancy good–evening; checking her too lively gratitude by the undeniable assurance that I had only done for her what she would have done for me, if she had been in my place and I in hers. I hastened back to Horton Lodge, where, having entered the schoolroom, I found the tea–table all in confusion, the tray flooded with slops, and Miss Matilda in a most ferocious humour.
‘Miss Grey, whatever have you been about? I’ve had tea half an hour ago, and had to make it myself, and drink it all alone! I wish you would come in sooner!’
‘I’ve been to see Nancy Brown. I thought you would not be back from your ride.’
‘How could I ride in the rain, I should like to know. That damned pelting shower was vexatious enough—coming on when I was just in full swing: and then to come and find nobody in to tea! and you know I can’t make the tea as I like it.’
‘I didn’t think of the shower,’ replied I (and, indeed, the thought of its driving her home had never entered my head).
‘No, of course; you were under shelter yourself, and you never thought of other people.’
I bore her coarse reproaches with astonishing equanimity, even with cheerfulness; for I was sensible that I had done more good to Nancy Brown than harm to her: and perhaps some other thoughts assisted to keep up my spirits, and impart a relish to the cup of cold, overdrawn tea, and a charm to the otherwise unsightly table; and—I had almost said—to Miss Matilda’s unamiable face. But she soon betook herself to the stables, and left me to the quiet enjoyment of my solitary meal.
背景介绍和作者介绍
这篇节选自一部经典的 19 世纪小说，通过一位家庭女教师的视角，探讨了责任、善良和社会阶级等主题。故事发生在英国乡村，主人公在她的角色中应对各种挑战，同时与周围的人建立有意义的联系。作者是一位杰出的维多利亚时代作家，以其对社会动态的敏锐观察以及富有同情心地描绘女性内心世界的能力而闻名。她的作品经常突出女性在僵化的社会等级制度中的挣扎和韧性。
详细解读和意义
这段话揭示了女教师富有同情心的本性，她去拜访了担心她失踪的猫的寡妇南希·布朗。尽管她自己的空闲时间有限，并且要承担雇主强加的繁重的家务，但她仍然选择提供安慰和实际帮助。这种善举与玛蒂尔达小姐表现出的不耐烦和自私形成了鲜明对比，突出了女教师的道德力量。
这个故事也触及了社会责任和勇气的主题。韦斯顿先生干预以拯救猫免受看守人的枪击，象征着为正义而战，即使这会冒着与默里先生等权威人物发生冲突的风险。女教师对玛蒂尔达小姐严厉言语的平静忍耐进一步强调了她内心的韧性和在压力下的优雅。
给学生的教训和见解
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同情心和善良： 女教师愿意帮助南希·布朗，这告诉我们关心他人的重要性，尤其是那些脆弱或孤独的人。学生可以学会关注朋友、家人和社区成员的需求。
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耐心和韧性： 尽管环境混乱且要求很高，但女教师仍然保持镇定和开朗。这鼓励年轻读者培养耐心，即使在困难的情况下也能保持积极的态度。
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做对事的勇气： 韦斯顿先生的勇敢行为提醒我们，为正义而战并保护那些无法保护自己的人是一种高尚而必要的品质。
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平衡责任： 女教师对时间的精心管理——帮助南希、阅读、缝纫和履行职责——说明了组织和优先排序的价值，这些技能在学校和日常生活中都很有用。
在日常生活中的应用
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在学习中： 学生可以效仿女教师的榜样，在学习中勤奋自律，同时抽出时间支持可能需要帮助的同学。
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在社交场合： 像女教师对南希那样表现出善良和理解，可以建立牢固的友谊，并促进一个支持性的社区。
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在个人成长中： 培养耐心和韧性有助于年轻人冷静而自信地面对挑战，无论是在学校、运动还是家庭生活中。
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在道德发展中： 鼓励为他人挺身而出并公正行事，可以培养学生成为负责任和有道德的公民。
从故事中培养积极的品质
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练习同情心： 试着倾听和理解他人的感受，就像女教师倾听南希的担忧一样。
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保持耐心： 面对挫折或不公平，请记住女教师如何平静地忍受玛蒂尔达小姐的严厉。
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勇敢行动： 寻找帮助或捍卫他人的机会，即使这意味着冒着不被认可的风险。
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明智地管理时间： 平衡你的职责和休闲，确保你可以在不忽视自己责任的情况下帮助他人。
通过反思这个故事，学生可以更深入地欣赏善良、韧性和道德勇气——这些品质将伴随他们一生。
