《福尔摩斯探案集·铜山毛榉案》第10节
“‘Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a pity, because in other respects you would really have done very nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more of your young ladies.’ “The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. “‘Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?’ she asked. “‘If you please, Miss Stoper.’ “‘Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the most excellent offers in this fashion,’ said she sharply. ‘You can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.’ She struck a gong upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. “Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few governesses in England are getting £ 100 a year. Besides, what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it here and I will read it to you:
注释摘要
胖绅士这句“啊，很好；那这事就这么定了”，语气里有一种毫不遮掩的终结感。他几乎是立刻转向了斯托珀小姐，要求再看几位别的年轻女士。这话说得斩钉截铁，仿佛维奥莱特·亨特拒绝剪头发这一条，就让之前他所有的溢美之词、所有关于“教养与举止”的夸赞，瞬间变得毫无分量。那开出的高价年薪、预付半薪的慷慨，也都跟着灰飞烟灭。这种转变之快，本身就值得留意。 然后斯托珀小姐开口…