【儿童英文读物】Uncle Titus and His Visit to the Country.docx

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1、【儿童英文读物】Uncle Titus and His Visit to the CountryCHAPTER I. UNDER THE LINDENS. The daily promenaders who moved slowly back and forth every afternoon under the shade of the lindens on the eastern side of the pretty town of Karlsruhe were very much interested in the appearance of two persons who had la

2、tely joined their ranks. It was beyond doubt that the man was very ill. He could only move slowly and it was touching to see the care with which his little companion tried to make herself useful to him. He supported himself with his right hand on a stout stick, and rested his left upon the the shoul

3、der of the child at his side, and one could see that he needed the assistance of both. From time to time he would lift his left hand and say gently, Tell me, my child, if I press too heavily upon you. Instantly, however, the child would catch his hand and press it down again, assuring him, No, no, c

4、ertainly not, Papa, lean upon me still more: I do not even notice it at all. After they had walked back and forth for a while, they seated themselves upon one of the benches that were placed at convenient distances under the trees, and rested a little. The sick man was Major Falk, who had been in Ka

5、rlsruhe only a short time. He lived before that in Hamburg with his daughter Dora, whose mother died soon after the little girl came into the world, so that Dora had never known any parent but her father. Naturally, therefore, the childs whole affection was centred upon Major Falk, who had always de

6、voted himself to his little motherless girl with such tenderness that she had scarcely felt the want of a mother, until the war with France broke out, and he was obliged to go with the Army. He was away for a long time, and when at last he returned, it was with a dangerous wound in his breast. The M

7、ajor had no near relatives in Hamburg, and he therefore lived a very retired life with his little daughter as his only companion, but in Karlsruhe he had an elder half-sister, married to a literary man, Mr. Titus Ehrenreich. When Major Falk was fully convinced that his wound was incurable, he decide

8、d to remove to Karlsruhe, in order not to be quite without help when his increasing illness should make it necessary for him to have some aid in the care of his eleven-year-old daughter. It did not take long to make the move. He rented a few rooms in the neighborhood of his sister, and spent the war

9、m spring afternoons enjoying his regular walk under the shade of the lindens with his little daughter as his supporter and loving companion. When he grew weary of walking and they sat down on a bench to rest, the Major had always some interesting story to tell, to beguile the time, and Dora was cert

10、ain that no one in the whole world could tell such delightful stories as her father, who was indeed in her opinion the most agreeable and lovable of men. Her favorite tales, and those which the Major himself took most pleasure in relating, were little incidents in the life of Doras mother, who was n

11、ow is heaven. He loved to tell the child how affectionate and happy her mother had always been, and how many friends she had won for herself, and how she always brought sunshine with her wherever she went, and how nobody ever saw her who did not feel at once attracted to her, and how she was even no

12、w remembered by those who had known and loved her during life. When Major Falk once began to talk about his dearly-beloved wife, he was apt to forget the flight of time, and often the cool evening wind first aroused him with its chilly breath to the fact that he was lingering too long in the outer a

13、ir. Then he and his little Dora would rise from the bench in the shade of the lindens, and slowly wander back into town, until they stopped before a many-storied house in a narrow street, and the Major would generally say, We must go up to see Uncle Titus and Aunt Ninette this afternoon, Dora. And a

14、s they slowly climbed the steep staircase, he would add, Softly now, little Dora, you know your Uncle is always writing very learned books, and we must not disturb him by any unnecessary noise, and indeed, Dora, I do not think your Aunt is any more fond of noise than he is. So Dora went up upon the

15、tips of her toes as quietly as a mouse, and the Majors ring could scarcely be heard, he pulled the bell so gently! Generally Aunt Ninette opened the door herself, saying, Come in, come in, dear brother! Very softly, if you please, for you know your brother-in-law is busy at work. So the three moved

16、noiselessly along the corridor and crept into the sitting room. Uncle Titus study was the very next room, so that the conversation was carried on almost in whispers, but it must be said Major Falk was less liable to forget the necessary caution against disturbing the learned writer than Aunt Ninette

17、 herself, for that lady being oppressed with many cares and troubles had always to break into frequent lamentation. When June came, it was safe and pleasant to linger late under the shade of the lindens, but the pair in whom we are interested often turned their steps homeward earlier than they wishe

18、d, in order not to arouse Aunt Ninettes ever-ready reproaches. But one warm evening when the sky was covered with rosy and golden sunset clouds, the Major and Dora lingered watching the lovely sight longer than was their wont. They sat silent hand in hand on the bench by the side of the promenade, a

19、nd Dora could not take her eyes from her fathers face as he sat with upturned look gazing into the sky. At last she exclaimed: I wish you could see yourself, papa, you look all golden and beautiful. I am sure the angels in heaven look just as you do now. Her father smiled. It will soon pass away fro

20、m me, Dora, but I can imagine your mother standing behind those lovely clouds and smiling down upon us with this golden glory always upon her face. As the Major said, it did pass away very soon; his face grew pale, and shone no longer; the golden light faded from the sky and the shades of night stol

21、e on. The Major rose, and Dora followed him rather sadly. The beautiful illumination had passed too quickly. We shall stand again in this glory, my child, nay, in a far more beautiful one, said her father consolingly, when we are all together again, your mother and you and I, where there will be no

22、more parting and the glory will be everlasting. As they climbed up the high staircase to say good night to Uncle and Aunt, the latter awaited them on the landing, making all sorts of silent signs of alarm and distress, but she did not utter a sound until she had them safely within the sitting room.

23、Then, having softly closed the door, she broke forth complainingly, How can you make me so uneasy, dear brother? I have been dreadfully anxious about you. I imagined all kinds of shocking accidents that might have happened, and made you so late in returning home! How can you be so heedless as to for

24、get that it is not safe for you to stay out after sunset. Now I am sure that you have taken cold. And what will happen, who can tell? Something dreadful, I am certain. Calm yourself, I beg you, dear Ninette, said the Major soothingly, as soon as he could get in a word. The air is so mild, so very wa

25、rm, that it could not possibly harm anybody, and the evening was glorious, perfectly wonderful. Let me enjoy these lovely summer evenings on earth as long as I can; it will not be very long at the farthest. What is sure to come, can be neither delayed nor hastened much by anything I may do. These wo

26、rds, however, although they were spoken in the quietest possible tone, called forth another torrent of reproach and lamentation. How can you allow yourself to speak in that way? How can you say such dreadful things? cried the excited woman over and over again. It will not happen. What will become of

27、 us all; what will become ofyou know what I mean, and she cast a meaning glance at Dora. No, Karl, it would be more than I could bear, and we never have more trouble sent to us than we can bear; I do not know how I should live; I could not possibly endure it. My dear Ninette said her brother quietly

28、, Do not forget one thing, Thou art not in command,Thou canst not shape the end;God holds us in his hand:God knows the best to send.Oh, of course, I know all that well enough. I know that is all true, assented Aunt Ninette, but when one cannot see the end nor the help, it is enough to kill one with

29、anxiety. And then you have such a way of speaking of terrible things as if they were certain to come, and I cannot bear it, I tell you; I cannot. Now we will say good-night and not stand and dispute any longer, my dear sister, said the Major, holding out his hand, we will both try to remember the wo

30、rds of the verseGod knows the best to send. Yes, yes, Ill remember. Only dont take cold going across the street, and step very softly as you go down the stairs, and Dora, do you hear! Close the door very gently, and Karl, be careful of the draught, as you cross the street! While the good irritating

31、Aunt was calling after them all these unnecessary cautions, Dora and her father had gone down the stairs and had softly closed the house-door. They had only a narrow alley to cross to reach their own rooms opposite. The next afternoon, as Dora and her father seated themselves on their favorite bench

32、 under the lindens, the child asked, Papa, is it possible that Aunt Ninette never knew the verse you repeated to her last night? Oh yes, my child, she has always known the lines, replied the Major. It is only for the moment that your good aunt allows herself to be so overwhelmed with care and worry

33、as to forget who governs all wisely. She is a good woman, and in her heart she places her trust in Gods goodness. She soon comes to herself again. Dora was silent for a while, and then she said thoughtfully, Papa, how can we help being overwhelmed with care and worry? and killed with anxiety, as Aun

34、t Ninette said. By always remembering that everything comes to us from the good God, my dear child. When we are happy, we must think of Him and thank Him; when sorrow comes we must not be frightened and distressed, for we know that the good God sends it, and that it will be for our good. So we shall

35、 never be overwhelmed with care and worry, for even when some bitter trouble comes, in which we can see no help nor escape, we know that God can bring good out of what seems to us wholly evil. Will you try to think of this, my child? for sorrow comes to all, and you will not escape it more than anot

36、her. But God will help you if you put your trust in Him. Yes, I understand you, papa, and I will try to do as you say. It is far better to trust in God, than to let ones self be overwhelmed with care and worry. But we must not forget, continued her father, after a pause, that we must not only think

37、of God, when something special happens, but in everything that we do, we must strive to act according to His holy will. If we never think of Him, except when we are unhappy, we shall not then be able easily to find the way to him, and that is the greatest grief of all. Dora repeated that she would a

38、sk God to keep her in the right way, and as she spoke, her father softly stroked her hand, as it lay in his. He did not speak again for a long time, but his eyes rested so lovingly and protectingly on his little girl, that she felt as if folded in a tender and strengthening embrace. The sun sank in

39、golden radiance behind the green lindens, and slowly the father and child wended their way towards the high house in the narrow street.该作者的其它作品HeidiLittle Miss GrasshopperMaezli A Story of the Swiss ValleysCHAPTER II. LONG, LONG DAYS. It was not many days after the events mentioned in the last chapt

40、er. Dora sat by her fathers bedside, her head buried in the pillows, vainly striving to choke down her tears and sobs. It seemed as if her heart must break. The Major lay back on his pillow, white and still, with a peaceful smile on his calm face. Dora could not understand it, could not take it in,

41、but she knew it. Her father was gone to join her mother in heaven. In the morning her father had not come as usual to her bedside to awaken her, so when at last she opened her eyes, she went to seek him, and she found him still in bed, and lying so quiet that she seated herself quite softly by his s

42、ide, that she might not disturb him. Presently the servant came up with the breakfast, and looking through the open door into the bed-room where Dora sat by her fathers bed-side, she called out in terror, Oh God, he is dead! I will call your aunt, child, and hurried away. Doras heart seemed cut in t

43、wo by these words. She put her head upon the pillow and sobbed and wept. Presently she heard her aunt come into the room, and she raised her head and tried to control herself, for she dreaded the scene that she knew was coming. And it camecries and sobs, loud groans and lamentations. Aunt Ninette de

44、clared that she could never bear this terrible blow; she did not know which way to turn, nor what to do first. In the open drawer of the table by the side of the bed, lay several papers, and as she laid them together, meaning to lock them up, she saw a letter addressed to herself. She opened it and

45、read as follows: Dear Sister Ninette,I feel that I shall shall soon leave you, but I will not talk to you about it, for the sad time will come only too quickly. One only wish that I have greatly at heart I now lay before you, and that is, that you will take my child under your protection for as long

46、 as she may need your care. I shall leave very little money behind me, but I beg you to employ this little in teaching Dora something that will enable her, with Gods help, to support herself when she is old enough. Do not, my dear sister, give way to your grief; try to believe as I believe, that God

47、 will always take our children under his care, when we are obliged to leave them and can no longer provide for them ourselves. Receive my heartfelt thanks for all the kindness you have shown to me and my child. God will reward you for it all. Aunt Ninette read and re-read these touching lines, and c

48、ould not help growing calmer as she read. She turned to the silently weeping Dora with these words, Come, my child, your home henceforth will be with us. You and I will try to remember that all is well with your father; otherwise we shall break down under our sorrow. Dora arose at once and prepared to follow her aunt, but her heart was heavy within her; she felt as if all was over and she could not live much longer. As she came up the stairs behind her aunt, Aunt Ninette omitted for the first time to caution her to step lightly, and indeed there was no need now o