Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Burrow Forest
The few of us classmates have been to the Yamanashi House and the tea party in the St. Abby's Garden.Next, we were invited to the Great Clock House, and Temaris found an excuse to push down the tea party, so I became the only guest.
As I entered the vestibule, I could not help feeling flustered, passing the wooden chair that Rachel had waited for as a child, hoping that her uncle wasn't home today.After I rang the bell, a servant came to answer the door.
"It's the lady Rachel was waiting for, please come in," she said.
Through the hall, I was taken to a room with mullioned windows looking out onto a lawn; the curtains were thick and dark, blocking most of the light: I noticed right away the painting of Jesus on the wall. The picture of the crucifixion, so vivid that you could almost see the blood dripping down the nailed hands, I was really too scared to look at it; I deduced from the halo on his head - he was pierced by arrows, another man was tied to a pillar, he was standing in the sea, and I knew his fate would sink into the sea with the rising tide. nautical mile.These paintings all take human suffering as the starting point, and this room with strong melancholy and gray colors is undoubtedly the work of Mr. Durien.
Rachel came in, her eyes lit up as soon as she saw me. "I'm glad Temaris isn't here, she's such a mess."
"You don't need to talk to her," I said.
"I just can't do it," Rachel replied. "The tea will be delivered later. My aunt wants to see you."
Hope it's not her uncle.
Soon Rachel's Aunt Sita came in.Tall and thin, with her hair pulled back tightly, she tried to give her appearance a serious look, but apparently failed; she looked anxious and vulnerable, not unlike her uncle. The self-righteous demeanor is completely different.
"Aunt Sita, this is Frederica," Rachel said.
"Hello," said Aunt Sita, placing my hand in hers cold one. "Rachel told me that you two are good friends and it's very kind of you to visit us, sit down and have tea!"
The servant who brought me in brought in tea, which consisted of cream, bread, muffins, and sweet-scented biscuits.
“When we eat at home, we always pray first,” Aunt Sita told me, talking like a teacher.
The prayer is long and expresses the sinner's gratitude for God's grace.
As Aunt Sita poured tea, she asked me about my mother and how I was adjusting to life at Halpgreens.
Compared to St. Aubis's, this tea party is boring. I wish Temaris would join us. Although she can be rude at times, at least she is more lively.
Just as our tea party was over, Mr. Durien walked in, and I felt a pang of terror.
He looked at us with interest, and then I noticed his eyes rest on me.
"Tea party!" he said.
Aunt Sida looked a little guilty, as if she had been caught on the spot drinking and reveling; but he wasn't angry, just stood there clapping his hands together.His hands must be very dry, that's why the screeching sounds sounded obnoxious.His eyes were still fixed on me.
"I suppose you are about the same age as my niece," he said.
"I am thirteen years old."
"Still a child standing at the beginning of life... My dear, you will find that there are many unexpected dangers in the journey of life. You must have a bodyguard to fight against the devil and his tricks for you."
As soon as we left the tea table, I found a sofa chair and he came and sat next to me, very close to me.
"Honey, do you pray every night?" he asked.
"I...um..."
He touched my cheek lightly with his hand, and I flinched back, but he didn't notice my actions.His eyes seemed to be on fire, very bright.
He continued, "Kneeling at the edge of your bed...in your nightgown." His tongue stuck out a little, and he licked his upper lip quickly. "Then you ask God to forgive you for the wrongs you did during the day, and while you're young, you can sin when you're young. Remember, you're going to face death anytime, anywhere, 'death is in life'. You— —Yes, boy, even you may have to bear all your faults and face death."
"I didn't think about it that much," I said, trying to move away from him without leaving a trace.
"Of course not. So... every night you have to wear your nightgown, kneel by the bed and pray, pray for the troubles you made during the day... the mistakes you made... hope the Lord will forgive you."
I was trembling with terror, and if it had been Temaris she would have laughed it off, made her best face, and she would have called the man "crazy"--as crazy as poor Flora, but of a different nature, He kept talking about sin, while Flora treated the doll like a baby.
All I want is to get out of this house and hope never to come here again.I don't know why I'm so afraid of him--but, without a doubt, he does scare me.
I said to Aunt Shida, "Thank you for your invitation. I think I should go. My aunt is waiting for me!"
This excuse sounds stupid, Aunt Sophie knows my whereabouts and doesn't think I will go back so early, but, I just want to get out of here as soon as possible.
When Mr. Dulien was talking to me just now, Aunt Sida looked very unnatural, but now she seems to be relieved.
"Then we won't keep you, dear," she said. "It's very kind of you to come, Rachel, would you please walk your guests to the door?"
Rachel stood up quickly.
"Good-bye," I said, trying not to look at Mr. Dourion.
It was good to escape, and all of a sudden I was afraid that Mr. Dourion would come after me—keep his eyes on me, go on discussing my mistakes—and I wanted to run.
Rachel and I walked to the gate together. "Do you think this tea party is okay?"
"Gah, yes... of course you can..." I lied.
"Unfortunately..." She didn't go on, but I knew what she meant: if Mr. Dourion hadn't come in, it would have been a normal tea party.
"Does he always talk about... sin and stuff like that?" I said.
"He's very religious. Although he doesn't like Levin Hetherington, he goes to church three times a week. He says he prefers Catholicism."
"I think he thinks everyone is full of sin."
"Human nature is evil!"
"I'd rather not be too perfect, otherwise it must be awkward." I paused, realizing that I was talking too much, after all, Rachel was the one who lived under the same roof as him.
When I got to the gate, I looked back at the house, and I had an absurd feeling in my heart, as if he was standing behind the window looking at me, and I just wanted to run away from this house as soon as possible, as far away as possible.
"Goodbye, Rachel," I said, and turned and ran.
The wind felt so good on my face, I don't think he could run faster than me, he couldn't catch me, even if he wanted to.
I didn't go home directly. That person gave me a great shock. I really hope to forget the traces he has carved in my mind, but I can't.The screeching of his dry hands rubbing against each other; the irresistible gleam in his focused eyes; the way he wets his lips with his tongue as he looks at me, puts me on alert.
How could Rachel live with such a person?However, he is his uncle and has no choice.I often think about how lucky I am to have moved in with Aunt Sophie.
Shuttle in the wind seems to be able to wash away those unpleasant.This is really a strange place... In a way, it's not bad, it seems that anything strange can happen here, first Flora.Lian and her doll, followed by Mr. Dourion and... what?I can't tell, and whenever he gets close to me, I can't help being afraid, longing for my loving Aunt Sophie to protect me and talk to me about practical topics.
I'm so lucky to have Aunt Sophie to lean on.Poor Rachel!I will definitely treat her very well in the future, so as to make up for her regret of having an uncle like Du Lien.
I circled around a lot, and I could almost see the Lian family hut. Unlike usual, this time it was the back of the house.
I go forward.There is a low wall around the garden, and from outside you can see the dwarf mulberry tree that Temaris mentioned last time, and Flora is sitting next to her, and there is a pram next to her, and I guess the doll is in it.
I leaned against the wall to get a better view, and she saw me and said, "Hello."
"Hello." I replied to her.
"Are you coming to see Lucy?" she asked.
"Oh, no, I'm just passing by."
"There's the door...the back door."
It sounded like an invitation to me, fueling my insatiable curiosity, and I headed in her direction through the back door.
"Hush, he's sleeping," she said. "As soon as someone wakes him up, he throws a tantrum."
"I see." I said.
She moved aside so that I could sit on the wooden bench with her.
"He just has that personality," she continued.
"I believe."
"He doesn't want anyone but me."
"His mother..." I began.
"Shouldn't have a baby, a man like that...runs to London all the time...I don't think they should have had him."
"Indeed." I said.
She nodded and stared at the dwarf mulberry tree. "There's nothing there," she said.
"Where?" I asked.
She nodded towards the bush. "Whatever anyone says... don't take it to heart."
"Why?" I asked, as I tried to figure out what she meant.
I ended up saying the wrong thing.She turned to me, and the peace in her eyes was gone now.
"No, there isn't. You can't...that's wrong, you can't!" she said.
"Well, I won't. Do you sit here often?" I said.
She turned to look at me, the "doubt" in her eyes was still there.
"My child... is fine, he is sleeping like an angel, looking kind and honest." She said with a smile. "You should see how he is furious. He will be a very grumpy person. He will never give up on what he wants."
Lucy must have seen me from the window inside the house, and when she came out, I had a hunch: she wasn't happy to see me sitting here talking with her sister. "Aren't you Miss Cuttingham's niece?"
I said, "Yes," and told her, "I was just passing by, and I happened to see Flora in the garden, and she invited me in."
"Well, good. Come out for a walk?"
"I've just been to the Great Bell Mansion and I'm planning to go home."
"very good."
Everything seemed fine to her, but I could feel her tense up and wish I could leave right away.So I said, "My aunt is waiting for me at home."
"Then you shouldn't keep her waiting too long, dear," she said with relief.
"Indeed, goodbye." I said, looking at Flora who was smiling at me.
Then she said, "There's nothing then, is there... Lucy?"
Lucy wrinkled her brow, as if puzzled by Flora's words.I think she probably often said things that people can't figure out.
Lucy walks with me to the gate. "Yamanashi House is not far from here, do you know how to walk back?"
"Yes, I know this area well."
"Give my regards to Miss Cattingham."
"I will."
I started running again, feeling like the wind was pulling my hair.
What a strange afternoon—I thought to myself.There are a lot of eccentrics here, and this afternoon I met two of the worst, and now I just want to get back to my "sane" Aunt Sophie as soon as possible.
She is waiting for me. "Isn't it time for you to come back?" she said.
"I saw Flora Lian in the garden, so I chatted with her for a while."
"Poor Flora! how was the tea?"
I hesitated.
"I think so," she continued. "I know the situation in the Great Bell House, poor Sida. Those who can go to heaven after death may have to go through a lot of hardships in the world."
"He asked me if I prayed every night, asking the Lord to forgive my sins, otherwise I might not be able to sleep."
Aunt Sophie burst out laughing. "Did you ask him if he did the same thing?"
"I guess he must, they have to pray all the time. Oh, Aunt Sophie, I'm so glad to have you!" She looked beaming.
"I did my best to make you happy, and even if we don't pray a lot, I hope you do. Where's Flora? Is she as crazy as ever?"
"She mistook a doll for Crispy Saint Aubie and put it in the pram."
"That's because she's still living with him. Poor Lucy has to put up with it all, but Chrissie St. Aubie is very kind to her and visits her often."
"She mentioned something about the dwarf mulberries and nothing there."
"She's full of fantasies. Well, if I don't go shopping, we won't have anything to eat tonight. This is Lily's confession. Do you want to go with me?"
"Oh, that's great." I took her hand and walked towards the village shop.
I have come to understand that children who lose their parents are very insecure.Like Rachel, who had to move to the Great Bell House to live with her Uncle Dorian; and Chrispie and Temaris, who had parents but didn't get their love, were like orphans.I was no exception. My father left the family and my mother prioritized the glorious past over her own daughter.However, I was very lucky, because fate sent me to Aunt Sophie.
Miss Raleigh and I got along very well, and I was far more interested in the class than the other two students.Miss Raleigh once said: "Children, history is right outside our door, and you would be really foolish if you didn't take advantage of this advantage. Think about it, more than 2,000 years ago, they were here too." On a piece of land . . . right here." She was so happy with my response that one day she decided that instead of sitting in the classroom every morning for lessons, we should sometimes have what is called "outdoor teaching". She drove us across the plains of Salisbury one morning in a carriage and arrived at the Rocks, where I stood excitedly among the ancient rocks while Miss Raleigh smiled at me approvingly. "Children, can you now feel the mysterious atmosphere of the handover with the past...?" she said. "Okay." I said. Rachel looked dazed, while Temaris looked disdainful. I could tell she must be thinking: It’s just a pile of old big rocks, what’s the big deal? "They're around 1800-1400 B.C., think about that, kids! This was there long before Jesus was born. The stones are arranged in the same way that the sun rises and sets. There is a close relationship between them, and those towering and upright boulders represent the worship of heaven." Miss Raleigh looked at me with a smile, knowing that I could share in this miracle with her. After that, I became very interested in anything and everything related to ancient history around me.Miss Raleigh gave me some books to read, and Aunt Sophie looked at me approvingly and listened to me when I told me about the magic of the Stone Groups and how much the Ids worshiped them too. "Aunt Sophie, you know, those Zeds are very learned," I told her. "However, they once dedicated their living people to the gods. They believed in the immortality of the soul and the reincarnation of life and death." "I don't like this idea, and I don't agree with sacrificial believers," said Aunt Sophie. "It's barbaric," said Lily, who overheard our conversation. “They used to dress believers in imaginary gods, put them in cages, and burn them alive,” I told them. "My God!" Lily yelled. "I thought you were going to school to learn reading, writing and arithmetic. How could you be studying these hooligans?" I laugh out loud. "Lily, this is all history." "It's good to know more about this kind of people, it will make you feel glad that you didn't live in that era." Aunt Sophie added. After visiting the Stonehenge, I became interested in people who lived thousands of years ago.Miss Raleigh encouraged my spirit of learning, and I was especially glad when she took us one day to the Burrow Woods, which was not far from Yamanashi House. "It's called Barrow Grove because there are barrows in it," explained Miss Raleigh. "Do you know what a barrow is? Don't? They're graves. These graves in Barrow Grove, probably bronzes A legacy from the times, isn’t it interesting?” "Very interesting," I said, but Temaris' eyes glazed over; Rachel tried to concentrate. "Look, they've piled earth and stones into a tumulus, and underneath the tumulus is a tomb," she went on. "Given the size of the tumulus, it's possible that someone like the Pope, or the lord of the Yids, lay in it." Important people like that. Of course, with the surrounding woods arranged, this must have been a special place...maybe a religious shrine." I was horrified to hear it, because from the window of my room, I could see the barrow woods. "The ancient mound is the name of these tombs, which means tomb, so we named this place: ancient mound forest." I used to go there after that, and I would sit there looking at the tombs and marveling at the people lying there—before Jesus was born.In summer, the trees around the cemetery will separate it from the outside world; in winter, no one will notice that the branches have almost extended to the road. One day, while I was there, I heard a sound of hooves on the road, and I hid behind a bush when I saw Chris Pie.Saint Aubi rode by in front of him. Another time I met Mr. Durien there.He was walking towards me at that time, and as soon as I saw him, a nameless sense of fear surged in my heart; and as soon as he saw me, he immediately accelerated his pace and walked towards me.I instinctively want to avoid him as soon as possible. Meeting him in such a strange place seems to be much more dangerous than in the Great Bell Mansion. "Good day," he said with a smile. "Good day, Mr. Dourion." "Admiring these ancient tombs?" He was now very close. "yes." "A pagan relic." "By the way, I should go, my aunt is waiting for me!" I ran away, the unknown fear made my heart beat so fast. When we got to the road, I looked back and he was standing on the other side of the woods staring at me. I ran all the way back to Yamanashi House, overjoyed at my escape. I often think of Flora.Lian, probably because I believe her cherished doll is Chris Pie.Saint Aubie, though it's hard to imagine he was such a small baby. He's on my mind a lot, he's arrogant and disrespectful, I don't like him, however, I find myself making excuses for him.His parents didn't love him, well, they didn't love Temaris either.I think the two brothers and sisters are really similar. They both think that everyone should follow their wishes. Mr. Dourien also used to barge in and disturb my thoughts, and sometimes I even dreamed of him, usually in vague, meaningless dreams, though, because of the indefinite fears they gave me, it was very difficult. Glad to wake up in time. Happgreen's life aroused my natural curiosity, so I often walked in the direction of Lian's cottage. Flora seemed to like to see me. Whenever I said, "Good afternoon", her face Immediately lit up happily. I tried to find an excuse to pass by their cottage—not after class, of course, because I had to go home to eat the lunch Lily had prepared, which I usually did in the afternoon. I usually go straight to the back of the house, and if I see Flora sitting where she always is, I say, "Good afternoon."Usually she answers me; unless sometimes she doesn't want to see me, then she turns her head away and I go away quietly.Normally, she would invite me in.I soon discovered that when Lucy was home, I was not welcome.It soon became clear to me that Lucy didn't want her sister to talk to me, and Flora knew it too.In fact, Flora was quite astute, and she wanted to talk to me without offending Lucy, so she invited me in whenever Lucy wasn't home. When I passed by Lian's house that afternoon, she invited me in. We sat on the bench together, and she smiled at me as if there was some conspiracy. She talked for a while.I couldn't quite understand what she was saying, but she was glad I had her company. The main point of conversation was the doll, but more than once she brought up the dwarf mulberry tree, and kept insisting that there was nothing there. Then she suddenly said that the child was a little restless this afternoon, probably because of the wind.It's cold, and he has a stuffy nose. "I'd better carry him in," she said. She stood up, and I followed suit to say goodbye to her, but she shook her head. "No...you come too." She pointed to the hut. I hesitated, wondering if I should go in. Lucy was definitely not in the house, and I didn't insist anymore. After all, I was invited in. She pushed the pram toward the back door, and I followed her, and we went into the kitchen. She gently lifted the doll out of the pram and said, "Well, it's all right, just a little cold. Nanny Flora knows he wants to sleep in the crib, where it's more comfortable." It all looked even more incredible inside than it did outside, and I excitedly followed her upstairs. There was a nursery and two bedrooms there, the cabin was much larger than usual, I presume Lucy and Flora each slept in a bedroom, and the nursery was of course the baby's. We went into the nursery, and she gently placed the doll in the crib, then turned to me. "Little angel, he's comfortable now." I always find it embarrassing when she discusses dolls as if they were real people. I said, "This is a beautiful nursery." Her face lit up with joy, and a little while later, a puzzled expression crossed her face again. "It's not the same as the one we used to have." Now she looked a little frightened, with seven birds sitting on the stone wall that looked like they had been torn out of a book and framed. There is a line of inscriptions under the picture. I took a step forward and read: "Seven is the secret." Then, I shouted: "My God! This is the word for seven magpies!" She nodded enthusiastically, evidently forgetting that this nursery was different from the one at Saint Aubie's. "Do you like it?" she asked. "This must be the Song of Seven Magpies. I have learned it before. What is the content? I think I should remember it." "One sad, two happy, third female, fourth male, five silver, six gold, seven are secrets..." She kept looking at my mouth as I said it, and then said it with me at the end: "...can't say it." "Yes, that's it, I haven't forgotten." I said. "It's from Lucy." She stroked the frame gently. "That's what she framed, too, right?" She nodded and said, "Seventh, secrets can't be told, absolutely can't be told." She shook her head as she spoke. "Absolutely...absolutely not, this is what Xiaoniao said." I looked at the painting carefully and said, "These birds look evil." "Because it was a secret relationship. Oh, he woke up." She went to the crib and picked up the doll. The room looked eerie, so I was eager to get to know her better, to find out the truth behind this mist.I wonder if one day she finds out that the doll is just a doll: and that the baby she thought of as a baby is now a grown-up, I don't know if it will wake her up and make her normal again. Soon after, I felt a sudden urge to get out of here, and I heard myself say, "I think I should go, I'll walk out by myself." Just as I was going downstairs, there was a sound downstairs, and I thought in horror: I didn't hear anyone coming in just now! "Flora!" It was Lucy's voice, she came out and saw me going down, the surprised expression on her face was obvious. "I was just upstairs with Flora," I stammered. "Oh...she invited you up?" I hesitated. "She... took me to the nursery." Lucy looked very angry, and then a man appeared in the hall - Chris Pie.San Aubie. "This is Miss Cuttingham's niece, Flora invited her in," said Lucy. He nodded in my direction. "I'm leaving," I said. Lucy leads me to the front door, and I leave quickly. What a strange afternoon!I can't help but think of the seven magpie birds, they look very ominous, Lucy obviously cut it out of the book and framed it to Flora, is it to remind her that some secrets are Absolutely can't say?Flora's mind was like a child's, and perhaps certain things were particularly impressive; perhaps the picture in the book had been her favorite childhood favorite, so Lucy sent her the framed picture. Generally speaking, it was a very interesting experience, I thought while running in the direction of home. A few days later, I accidentally discovered another side of Aunt Sophie that was unknown to everyone.There is a small room in the Yamanashi House that leads to Aunt Sophie's bedroom, which used to be a dressing room and is now a small study. I wanted to talk to her about some trivial matters, and Lily told me: She was sorting drawers in the study.So I went up to find her, and I knocked on her door, but there was no answer, so I opened the door and took a look. The door of the study was left open. "Aunt Sophie!" I yelled. She came out and stood at the door. She looked strange, I had never seen her so sad, and there were tears glistening on her eyelashes. "What's wrong!" I asked. She hesitated for a moment before saying, "Oh...it's okay, it's okay, grown-ups become stupid, and I'm writing to an old friend." "Sorry to bother you, Lily said you might be tidying drawers." "Yes, that's what I told her. Come in! There's something you need to know, my dear." I go into the study. "Sit down. I'm writing to your father," she said. "My father?" "We corresponded often, and I ... knew him very well when I was young." "where is he?" "Egypt. Now he has completely left the military life, and we have been in touch with letters for a long time." She looked at me with uncertain eyes, and then seemed to have made up her mind. She went on to say: "I met your father first...before your mother. We met at a banquet and we became good friends immediately. When he was invited to the Cedar Mansion, your mother happened to be back on vacation. At that time, she was only 18 years old, and she was quite beautiful; so he fell in love with her deeply." "But, he left her!" "That was later. He is not the kind of person who is suitable for settling down. He likes to have a light drink... not too much, but he often drinks; he loves to gamble and play hard, and he is the kind of person who is not serious. Later, They broke up when you were a year old—divorced; he had another woman then, and they got married, but it didn't seem to go well." "He sounds very unreliable." "He's so charming." "I see. You're still in touch with him." "Yes, we have always been good friends." "You mean, he might have chosen you instead of my mother?" There was a hint of regret in her smile. "Obviously he would rather marry your mother." "You almost became my mother," I said. "If so, you wouldn't be the same as you are now; and neither of us wants to change that, do we?" She's back to being herself... and started making fun of me. "I don't know, maybe in this way, I won't be so featureless." "Oh, nonsense! Your mother is a very beautiful woman, and I'm the one with no features." "I do not believe." "Stop talking about specialties. I just wanted to tell you that your father writes to me a lot asking how you're doing; if I want you to go to school with Temaris and Rachel, I probably can't Burden, but he intends to support your education expenses, so you can go to school in a few months." "He's so nice," I said. "That will have to be arranged; but it should be easier with his help." "He's my father, and as it should be." "He hasn't seen you since he left. But, Freddie, your mother actually didn't let him come back to see you, and maybe now..." "You mean, he wants to come back?" "There are no signs yet, but maybe he will." "Wouldn't it make you sadder to write to him?" "People are very sentimental sometimes, and I often think of those young days." "You must have been very unhappy when he married my mother." She didn't answer in silence, and I put my arms around her. "Sorry, I wish he married you!" I cried. "That way we'll have a good time and he won't leave." She shook her head and said, "He's not the kind of person who can settle down, he won't be able to stand it." Her lips moved up softly, and she said with a smile: "Now you are mine... Treat me as yours Mother, my niece...his daughter. That's enough for me." "Did you feel better after you told me?" I asked. "It's so much better, I'm glad you know all about it," she assured me. "We both know a lot about God's grace." I don't think I can count, especially when I compare my fate to Rachel's.I often compare myself to people in similar situations. I ran to my aunt, and she ran to her aunt and uncle.I always knew how happy I was, but never gave it a second thought until I found out something about Rachel. I always knew she was scared, but she never admitted it, and rarely talked about life at the Great Clock House; however, I felt that the house was not innocent. The friendship between the two of us is far better than that with Temaris.I felt it was my responsibility to protect her, and she treated me like a true friend. She used to come to the Yamanashi House, and we always sat and talked in the garden; sometimes I felt that she wanted to say something to me, but couldn't; I noticed that when we laughed happily, as soon as the bell was lifted At home, her attitude immediately changed; I couldn't ignore the reluctant and unwilling look in her eyes whenever I said goodbye to her.She doesn't want to go back to that home. One day, when we were in the garden, I asked her, "How is the Great Bell House? Is it good?" Her whole body was stiff and she remained silent for a long time.Then suddenly yelled, "Oh, Freddie! I'm so scared." "What's going on?" I asked. "I don't really know...Anyway, I'm just afraid." "Is it your uncle?" "In fact, he is a good man. He often talks about God...and biblical characters such as Abraham, and puts many people's unexpected normal things...as a serious crime. I think he is really a good man." "Good people should care and take care of other people, not scare them to death." "When Aunt Sita bought a hairpin, he said it was a sin; it was beautiful, it fit her hair, it made her look so different; I thought it was beautiful, but he was very angry Said: 'Vanity, it's all vanity. You look like an old whore!' Poor Aunt Sitta, she was pale with fright and dismayed; Like the angry prophet of the Bible, he's just not human...not like normal people like us." "My aunt Sophie is kind-hearted and kind. I think this is much better than someone who only knows how to imitate Abraham and talk about the Bible every day. Besides, he doesn't even care about his own son and wants to sacrifice him to God! Sue Aunt Fee wouldn't do that to please God." "You are very lucky to have such a good person as Aunt Sophie. I wish she was my aunt; but my uncle is also a good person. We pray every day, and the prayers are very long. My knees are sore; because he It's so good that he thinks we're all bad and have to be forgiven or go to hell, which sounds reasonable." "Then he must go to heaven." "Of course, he talks to God a lot. But, no..." "What is it?" "It's the way he looks at me, the way he touches me; he says I'm a seductress, I don't know what that is, you know?" I shake my head. "I try not to be alone...with him." "I know how you feel." "Sometimes...well, he came into my room one night when I was sleeping in bed, and I woke up and saw him standing by the bed and looking at me." I suddenly shivered with cold all over my body, and I completely understood how she felt. "He said to me, 'Have you prayed?' I said, 'Yes, Uncle.' He immediately said, 'Get up and pray again.' He made me kneel on the ground and kept his eyes on me, and he began Says some strange prayers; he asks the Lord to save him from the devil's temptations, 'Oh Lord! I'm resisting, you know the devil is trying to lead me into a sinful way, I'm trying to resist Myself.' He said something like that. Then he reached out to touch me, and I thought he was going to tear off my pajamas, and I was so scared that I pushed him away and ran, and when I ran out, I saw Aunt Sida right outside the door, I was leaning against her and she kept saying, 'It's okay, it's okay.'" "Then, what about him?" "I hid my face and didn't see it: he must have left the room, gone. When I looked up, he was gone." "and after?" “喜妲姨妈一直说：没事了。她带我回房，但我会怕，所以她只好和我一起睡，并保证她绝不会离我而去。她整晚都在那里。早上她告诉我那只是场恶梦，我姨丈会梦游：'最好别提到这件事，否则他会生气。'她说。所以我一直保持沉默，直到现在。而且她说：'你最好把门锁起来以防他又起来梦游，这样一来谁也进不去，你会睡得比较好。'她把口袋里的锁钥拿给我看。我一直把它放在身边，并确定晚上睡觉前没忘了锁门。” “我真希望你能搬来和我们一起住。” “哎，我也希望能如此。有一次……他就在……门外想把门打开；我从床上跳了起来，站在那儿注意地听：他开始祷告，不断地责骂恶魔把他看成圣人般，让他受尽煎熬。他说，他知道我是上帝派来的小鬼，想试试看他能否禁得起诱惑。他半哭地喊着：他会受到谴责，恶魔会要他付出代价。他走后我还是睡不着，虽然门已紧紧地上了锁，还是不敢睡。” “哦，瑞琪儿，我真高兴你告诉我。我就知道一定有什么不对劲的。”我说。 “告诉你后，我已觉得好多了。”她看着那把锁钥然后把它放回口袋。 “我有这个。”她说。 我们默默地坐了一会儿，我非常了解当他进去她房间时，她心里所有的感受。
关于我们离家求学的事还有一大堆需要讨论的，苏菲姨妈和瑞琪儿的喜妲姨妈一起去看圣奥比夫人。 她们三个是完全不同典型的人。喜妲姨妈温顺且容易满足现况；圣奥比夫人装出一副很有兴趣的样子，其实谁都知道她根本不在乎；不过苏菲姨妈精力相当充沛，不仅已对几家学校做过调查，甚至还决定选圣史蒂芬女校了。那所学校离家不远，而她也和女校长谈过话，对她的评价是：很理智的女人；她喜欢那学校的格调，觉得很合适。这个建议无人反对。 五月；为了赶上学校九月开学，我们得开始忙了。苏菲姨妈带我们三个到萨里斯布里买制服；到了六月底结束前，我们已全都准备好了。 我们对这一切都感到非常兴奋——甚至泰玛莉丝——有时会花上几个钟头谈未来的事。虽然我们有点怕，但却都很高兴三个人能一起上学。 然后，发生了一件令我永生难忘的事件。 七月的天气一直是那么闷热，那天我和瑞琪儿到圣奥比邸园喝下午茶，我们一直聊着有关上学的事，至少谈了一个小时。瑞琪儿因为可以离开大钟宅，所以看起来快乐多了；而泰玛莉丝当然已准备好这出新的探险记了。 我和瑞琪儿在大钟宅告别后，并不想马上直接回家：因为苏菲姨妈去买东西，所以我决定经由古塚树林绕个远路回家。 到了古塚树林，我无法抗拒那些古塚的诱惑，所以就走进林里。我站了一会儿，看着它们，我喜欢空气中混合着泥土和树木的味道；还有每当微风轻轻地吹过时树叶合奏的音乐。 我在学校一定会想念古塚树林的。不过我不能待太久，苏菲姨妈搞不好已快回到家了。 我急转了个弯，结果被突出地面几寸高的石头绊倒，我试着不让自己跌倒，但已来不及倒在地上了。我的右脚扭伤，一阵刺痛传遍全身；我试着用脚站起来，但却又跌回地上。明明知道古塚树林内有三个突出地面的石头，我怎么会这么不小心？但事情已发生了，自责也无济于事，现在最重要的是：怎么回家？我好沮丧。 我伸手摸自己的脚踝，但却马上缩手：现在那个部位已肿得很大，且非常地痛。 我坐在那儿不知道该怎么办。 然后事情就发生了。他站在那里，朝着我走过来，双眼直盯着我看，一股不知名的恐慌爬上我心头。 “可怜的小花，你受伤了，小东西。”他轻轻地说。 “我跌倒，脚踝受伤了。杜利恩先生，麻烦你通知我姨妈好吗？” 他站在那儿盯着我看，然后说：“我被引到这个情况，这表示……” 他站在离我非常近的地方，我一辈子没这么害怕过。我的直觉告诉我；他想伤害我，用我想都不敢想的方式。 “走开！走开！”我尖叫。“去找我姨妈来。不要靠近我！” 他轻轻地笑说：“可怜的受伤的小花，她这次逃不掉了，哦，糟糕，真是太糟糕了。” 我更大声地叫：“不要碰我！我不要你靠近我，走开去通知我姨妈，拜托……拜托……走开。” 他并没有离开，我知道他颤动的双唇正在和上帝说话，但却听不到他说什么，我吓得全身都麻木了。 “救我，救救我。”我边啜泣边尖锐地叫着。 但他越靠越近，脸上表情也越来越可怕，直到他来到我身旁，紧抓着我不放。 “不要……不要……不要！”我大声尖叫。“走开。救命啊！救命啊！” 接下来我警觉到马路上传来马蹄的声音，我努力、用力、尽全力地大喊：“救命啊！救命啊！我在树林里，拜托，求求你过来……救救我！” 我好怕那个路过的人听不到或没注意到，因为路上静悄悄地，而我却和这个魔鬼单独在古塚树林里。 接下来我听到脚步声。 "Oh my God!" 是克里斯派．圣奥比，他朝着我走过来。 他大喊道：“你这个下流的东西！”他轻易地把杜利恩先生拉起来，像拿娃娃股容易，然后在他脸上打了几拳，再把他扔回地上；杜利恩先生被摔到地上的同时，我听到骨骼碎裂的声音。 杜利恩先生成大字形般，僵硬地平躺在那里。 克里斯派的双眼仍燃烧着怒火，他不理会杜利恩先生，转向我说：“受伤了，嗯？” 我还在啜泣，所以只能点点头。 “别哭了，现在已经没事了。”他说。 他弯下身把我抱起来。 “他……”我看着毫无动静的杜利恩先生说。 “他罪有应得。” “你……可能把他打死了。” “那最好。脚受伤了吗？” “对，我的脚踝。” 他一言不语，而我则一直回头看仍躺在地上的杜利恩先生，他脸上的血让我感到战栗。克里斯派把我放在马上，然后再由我后面蹬上马。 他带我回山梨之屋时，苏菲姨妈正好买完东西，才刚到家。 “她的脚踝受伤了。”克里斯派解释说。 苏菲姨妈大声地惊叫，而克里斯派则抱我上楼，把我放在床上。 “最好尽快找医生来。”苏菲姨妈说。 他们留下我一个人，然后在楼下讲话，我只隐约听到克里斯派说：“我必须告诉你一件事……”接下来就听不到了。 苏菲姨妈很快就回来，她脸色苍白，情绪失控，我知道克里斯派把他遇见我的情形告诉她了。 她坐在床边说：“现在好些了吗？脚踝还痛吗？” "Ok." “不会有事的。我想应该是扭伤，希望骨头没断，谁会相信……” “哦，苏菲姨妈，我好怕。”我说。 “被我抓到，我一定把他杀了！”她说，“他这种人不配活在世上。” 从那时起，我长大了；我知道自己会有何下场——若克里斯派没及时出现——我满心感激他。我不断地想到他将杜利恩先生提起，用力摇的情景。我永远也忘不了杜利恩先生的样子，那种被烦恼、恐惧、绝望折磨的表情，我从来没看过这么痛苦的脸。克里斯派气疯了，当时他把杜利恩先生摔回地上的样子，好像在扔一团厌憎的垃圾般；他不在乎是否会把他打死，我害怕地想着也许…… 我想那就成了谋杀罪，那表示；瑞琪儿再也不用害怕了。医生来了。 “小淑女，怎么会这么不小心呢？”他说。 他推推我的脚踝，问我能不能站起来，他的诊断结果是：脚踝的扭伤很严重，很麻烦。 “得等上一段时间，才能恢复正常不再痛。怎么发生的？” “我在古塚树林跌倒。” 他摇头看着我说：“下次去时得小心点。” 他告诉苏菲姨妈热水带的效果及用法，等他走后，她立刻开始着手准备了。 她神色紧张地看着我，我知道她正想着：谢天谢地，幸好只是扭伤脚踝，而不是更糟的…… 苏菲姨妈是那种无话不能谈的人，也因此她决定面对这个不幸事件，坦然地和我谈。 于是我将事情的始末全都告诉她：从跌倒，到杜利恩先生的出现，我也顺便提起长久以来对他的恐惧，以及当他说到我穿着睡衣祷告的情形。 “你当时应该告诉我的。”她说。 “那时我不知道事情的严重性。”我回答，然后告诉她有关瑞琪儿的事。 “那个人疯了，到哪里都看到罪恶，这就是人们所谓的：宗教狂热份子。我为他的妻子感到遗憾。”她说。 “我想克里斯派．圣奥比可能把他打死了，这是谋杀。” “不会的，只不过打了几拳，这是他最需要的，搞不好能打醒他，让他学乖。”然后她突然抱住我。 “我很高兴你平平安安的没受到伤害，否则我一辈子都不会原谅自己的。” "this is not your fault." “我会怪自己没把你照顾好。我早该知道他是这种人。” “你怎么会知道？” “我不知道，但，我应该知道。” 她把我的床移到她房间，“直到你的情况稳定些，你可能会半夜醒来……我希望能守在你身边。”她说。 我真的半夜醒来，恶梦把我吓得全身是汗。我梦到自己躺在古塚树林里，而他正直逼着我，走到我身旁，我大声叫：克里斯派！然后一双手抱着我……那是苏菲姨妈。 “没事了，你在自己的床上，而苏菲姨妈也在这里。” 然后不知道为什么，我无力地哭了；我很高兴自己很安全，而且有最亲爱的苏菲姨妈照顾我。 哈普葛林村发生了一件惊天动地的事，打破它旧有的沉默。每个人都在谈论大钟宅发生的不幸事件，这是一个非常小的地方，像这种可怕的事马上就会传遍全村。这种事通常只能从报上看到，在一些不认识的人身上发生，很难相信如今却出现在哈普葛林村。 早上送信的邮差——汤姆．威尔森是第一位把消息带到山梨之屋的人；当时我正卧病在床，而苏菲姨妈则在花园里。 她进来时脸上带着凝重的表情站在一旁看着我，然后说：“发生了一件可怕的事情。” 我的心思仍停留在恶梦里的树林内。 “是关于杜利恩先生吗？”我问道。“他……是不是死了？” 她慢慢地点头，我心想着：克里斯派杀了他，这是谋杀，会被判吊刑，他为我做了……这么大的牺牲。 我相信苏菲姨妈猜出我的心思，她很快地说：“今天一早可怜的杜利恩太太在马厩发现他自杀了。” “在马厩……”我结结巴巴地说。 “汤姆．威尔森说他把绳子结在屋椽上，上吊自杀；他说：杜利恩先生昨晚回到大钟宅时，脸上正流着血，他说是在树林跌倒造成的。他很沮丧地回到他的房间，然后就没再出来了。她上去看他时，他正在祷告不想被打扰。她说他在房间里祈祷了好几个小时。她那天整晚都没看见他，早上她发觉他并不在屋子里，而在无意间她发现马厩的门没关，于是她就走进去、看到他……” 她坐在床边抱着我说：“我不知道该不该告诉你……怎么说比较恰当，但反正无论如何你一定会听到人家谈起。你这么年轻……亲爱的……这么小就卷入这场不幸之中。我真希望能护着你，但既然你也进入这个乱局，我想最好让你了解一切。你知道……这个人……想做好人、想当圣人，但他有一些正常的本能，他试着压抑自己，但弄巧成拙。噢，我解释得一团乱。” 我说：“没关系，苏菲姨妈，我了解你的意思。” “他失败且被当场抓到，打击一定很大。感谢上帝，幸好克里斯派及时赶到。不过，这个可悲的人无法面对被逮到的事实……所以只好自我了断。” 她沉默了一会儿，我把整个事件再回想一逼。我知道这将成为我心中抹杀不去的阴影，我永远也无法忘记当时的恐惧及战栗。 “可怜的杜利恩夫人……瑞琪儿，这件事对她们的打击一定很大，还有你……喔，我真不敢想！你还这么小……” “我觉得自己已经不是个小孩了，苏菲姨妈。” “的确，这种事是会令人成长的。我不知道事情会如何发展下去，但我不希望你介入其中，我得去找克里斯派．圣奥比谈谈，我该去看看他的。” 她根本不需要去，因为他已经来山梨之屋了。苏菲姨妈和我在楼上聊时，莉莉上来说他已在楼下等了。 她匆匆忙忙地离去，忘了把门关上，使我能清楚地听到他那又深沉又清晰的声音。 他说：“我来看看那小女孩，她今天的情形怎么样？还好吗？” little girl!我愤愤不平地想着，我才不是小女孩……尤其是现在。 他和苏菲姨妈谈了很久，最后她才带他来看我。 他看着我说：“现在好些了吗？” “好些了，谢谢你。” “是扭伤吧？不用多久你又可以蹦蹦跳跳的了。” 苏菲姨妈说：“圣奥比先生和我刚刚已经讨论过了，结论是：最好别让任何人知道他对你有非分之想。我们的看法是：他跌了一大跤，回到家后因忧伤而把自己关在房间里。杜利恩夫人因为他整天不想见她而沮丧，早上她发觉他并不在屋里，又注意到马厩的门没关，所以便走进去，谁知却在那里找到他，很明显的——” 克里斯派打断她：“当别人看清他的真面目时，他无法面对这个现实；这粉碎了他伪扮圣人的美梦，他无法忍受，于是选择结束自己的生命。” “对。”苏菲姨妈说。“到时会有人来调查，初步判决是自杀——这是事实。不过圣奥比先生和我决定采取最明智的行动：对树林内所发生的事只字不提，这样对谁都有好处。你被石头绊倒扭伤脚踝，而杜利恩先生也趺了一跤，不要提到有关碰见他的事。我不喜欢耍诡计，但必要时，我们别无选择。” “那么，”克里斯派下个结论，说：“一切都摆平了。” 他看起来好像急着离开。 他转向我说：“如今他已不能再惹事生非了，你不会有事的，不用怕。” 他向我点头告别，然后苏菲姨妈带他下楼。我躺在床上听着他逐渐离去的马蹄声。
调查时间很短。判决是：“心态不平衡而自杀”，我知道苏菲姨妈和克里斯派做了最佳的决定。苏菲姨妈说：如果杜利恩夫人和瑞琪儿知道事实真相，她们一定会受不了，且对我也较有利。于是这件事情很快就过去了。 不知现在的大钟宅少了像杜利恩先生这么强硬的人之后有何改变，我无法想像，不过一定和往日不同。 杜利恩夫人有亲戚过来帮她，苏菲姨妈则建议瑞琪儿搬来和我们一块儿住，直到“事情平静下来”。 苏菲姨妈说：“我们得在你的房间内加一个床位，你们俩睡一间，为将来开学后的学生宿舍生活做准备。” 瑞琪儿很高兴搬来这里：她变了，变得不再伯了。我们通常都熬夜聊到眼睛张不开，才睡去。我们俩对她姨丈都有恐惧感，且一开始谁都无法提到这件事。我记起姨妈吩咐我不要提到那天下午的事；但我就是无法忘记它。 有天晚上瑞琪儿对我说：“佛莱迪……我想我一定很坏。” "Why?" I asked. “因为我很高兴他死了。” “这是他自找的。” “我以为他对任何事都很有自信。” “事实证明则不然，他一定了解到自己并非想像中的那么完美。” “你真的这么认为吗？” “没错。但，高兴并不表示你是坏人。我也很高兴。” 我们俩都知道彼此已从虎口中逃过一劫。 九月，瑞琪儿、泰玛莉丝和我按照计划的安排，离家求学去。
这对我们来说是再好不过的了：它像一座桥般，把我和瑞琪儿从过去的阴影及恐惧，引到另一个全新的生活。 我们在新的环境中相互勉励。泰玛莉丝还是那么傲慢、冷淡，和她哥哥一个样，我心里想着。瑞琪儿像变了个人似的，脸上不再有过去的阴影，我绝对可以了解她的感受。我们三个是好朋友；住同一间宿舍，在同一个教室上课；而我也和瑞琪儿一样，开始走出过去的恶梦。 到学校的第一年我母亲去逝了，我在学期中途回家几天参加她的葬礼。 苏菲姨妈说：“这样也好，反正她永远无法康复，每天都过着无知觉的日子。” 我问她我父亲是否会来参加葬礼。She shook her head. “不会。他人在那么远的地方，况且他们早已离婚了。当人们走到这一步，就表示是尽头已到。” "Did you tell him?" “嗯。”她说，我看到她脸有着惆怅之情，和我当初看到她写信给他的神情一样。 当泥土落在棺柩上时，我流下几滴眼泪。我想到她有多么的不快乐，把生命浪费在那些得不到的东西上，我为她感到悲哀。 几个人和我们一起回到山梨之屋，我们拿三明治和酒请他们。当我和苏菲姨妈独处时，我感到很快乐。 “好了，”苏菲姨妈说。“从现在起，你就是我的女儿了。”我为此感到心满意足。 然后我回到学校，生活还是和往常一样没变。 当我们放假回家时，我都会到莲家和佛萝拉坐在花园聊天，她依然和从前一样，把娃娃放在身旁的婴儿车内；小屋后的矮桑树和那幅七鹊图一点也没变。我怀疑佛萝拉是否会想到那婴儿该长大了。不过，我想这么多年来她一直没换过娃娃，所以在她心目中克里斯派也一直就只是个婴儿吧。 当我去找瑞琪儿时发现，大钟宅变了。起初我以为是因为：不需再担心杜利恩先生是否会随时闯进来。不过，不仅是如此；如今窗帘已换成亮丽的花布，而大厅里也摆了一盆花。而其中以杜利恩夫人的改变最大。 她用西班牙式的发饰将头发髻得高高的；衣服色彩明亮，剪裁大方；颈子上还有一条珍珠项链，她是另一个对杜利恩先生的去逝不感到伤心的人。像他这么好的人，居然能让这么多人不快乐。 我已不再怕那幢房子了，不过进出之时，还是会避免下去看马厩。 所以，哈普葛林又恢复正常了。如今我已成了孤儿——或，该说是半个孤儿。我母亲虽已过逝，但在她死前的这几年，她对我而言只是个模糊不清的影子：且在失去她的同时，我得到苏菲姨妈。 我又回到学校生活，在那里只有：曲棍球队队员、晚餐的菜单及谁和谁是朋友才重要——学生就是这样，快快乐乐，顽皮捣蛋。
Miss Raleigh and I got along very well, and I was far more interested in the class than the other two students.Miss Raleigh once said: "Children, history is right outside our door, and you would be really foolish if you didn't take advantage of this advantage. Think about it, more than 2,000 years ago, they were here too." On a piece of land . . . right here." She was so happy with my response that one day she decided that instead of sitting in the classroom every morning for lessons, we should sometimes have what is called "outdoor teaching". She drove us across the plains of Salisbury one morning in a carriage and arrived at the Rocks, where I stood excitedly among the ancient rocks while Miss Raleigh smiled at me approvingly. "Children, can you now feel the mysterious atmosphere of the handover with the past...?" she said. "Okay." I said. Rachel looked dazed, while Temaris looked disdainful. I could tell she must be thinking: It’s just a pile of old big rocks, what’s the big deal? "They're around 1800-1400 B.C., think about that, kids! This was there long before Jesus was born. The stones are arranged in the same way that the sun rises and sets. There is a close relationship between them, and those towering and upright boulders represent the worship of heaven." Miss Raleigh looked at me with a smile, knowing that I could share in this miracle with her. After that, I became very interested in anything and everything related to ancient history around me.Miss Raleigh gave me some books to read, and Aunt Sophie looked at me approvingly and listened to me when I told me about the magic of the Stone Groups and how much the Ids worshiped them too. "Aunt Sophie, you know, those Zeds are very learned," I told her. "However, they once dedicated their living people to the gods. They believed in the immortality of the soul and the reincarnation of life and death." "I don't like this idea, and I don't agree with sacrificial believers," said Aunt Sophie. "It's barbaric," said Lily, who overheard our conversation. “They used to dress believers in imaginary gods, put them in cages, and burn them alive,” I told them. "My God!" Lily yelled. "I thought you were going to school to learn reading, writing and arithmetic. How could you be studying these hooligans?" I laugh out loud. "Lily, this is all history." "It's good to know more about this kind of people, it will make you feel glad that you didn't live in that era." Aunt Sophie added. After visiting the Stonehenge, I became interested in people who lived thousands of years ago.Miss Raleigh encouraged my spirit of learning, and I was especially glad when she took us one day to the Burrow Woods, which was not far from Yamanashi House. "It's called Barrow Grove because there are barrows in it," explained Miss Raleigh. "Do you know what a barrow is? Don't? They're graves. These graves in Barrow Grove, probably bronzes A legacy from the times, isn’t it interesting?” "Very interesting," I said, but Temaris' eyes glazed over; Rachel tried to concentrate. "Look, they've piled earth and stones into a tumulus, and underneath the tumulus is a tomb," she went on. "Given the size of the tumulus, it's possible that someone like the Pope, or the lord of the Yids, lay in it." Important people like that. Of course, with the surrounding woods arranged, this must have been a special place...maybe a religious shrine." I was horrified to hear it, because from the window of my room, I could see the barrow woods. "The ancient mound is the name of these tombs, which means tomb, so we named this place: ancient mound forest." I used to go there after that, and I would sit there looking at the tombs and marveling at the people lying there—before Jesus was born.In summer, the trees around the cemetery will separate it from the outside world; in winter, no one will notice that the branches have almost extended to the road. One day, while I was there, I heard a sound of hooves on the road, and I hid behind a bush when I saw Chris Pie.Saint Aubi rode by in front of him. Another time I met Mr. Durien there.He was walking towards me at that time, and as soon as I saw him, a nameless sense of fear surged in my heart; and as soon as he saw me, he immediately accelerated his pace and walked towards me.I instinctively want to avoid him as soon as possible. Meeting him in such a strange place seems to be much more dangerous than in the Great Bell Mansion. "Good day," he said with a smile. "Good day, Mr. Dourion." "Admiring these ancient tombs?" He was now very close. "yes." "A pagan relic." "By the way, I should go, my aunt is waiting for me!" I ran away, the unknown fear made my heart beat so fast. When we got to the road, I looked back and he was standing on the other side of the woods staring at me. I ran all the way back to Yamanashi House, overjoyed at my escape. I often think of Flora.Lian, probably because I believe her cherished doll is Chris Pie.Saint Aubie, though it's hard to imagine he was such a small baby. He's on my mind a lot, he's arrogant and disrespectful, I don't like him, however, I find myself making excuses for him.His parents didn't love him, well, they didn't love Temaris either.I think the two brothers and sisters are really similar. They both think that everyone should follow their wishes. Mr. Dourien also used to barge in and disturb my thoughts, and sometimes I even dreamed of him, usually in vague, meaningless dreams, though, because of the indefinite fears they gave me, it was very difficult. Glad to wake up in time. Happgreen's life aroused my natural curiosity, so I often walked in the direction of Lian's cottage. Flora seemed to like to see me. Whenever I said, "Good afternoon", her face Immediately lit up happily. I tried to find an excuse to pass by their cottage—not after class, of course, because I had to go home to eat the lunch Lily had prepared, which I usually did in the afternoon. I usually go straight to the back of the house, and if I see Flora sitting where she always is, I say, "Good afternoon."Usually she answers me; unless sometimes she doesn't want to see me, then she turns her head away and I go away quietly.Normally, she would invite me in.I soon discovered that when Lucy was home, I was not welcome.It soon became clear to me that Lucy didn't want her sister to talk to me, and Flora knew it too.In fact, Flora was quite astute, and she wanted to talk to me without offending Lucy, so she invited me in whenever Lucy wasn't home. When I passed by Lian's house that afternoon, she invited me in. We sat on the bench together, and she smiled at me as if there was some conspiracy. She talked for a while.I couldn't quite understand what she was saying, but she was glad I had her company. The main point of conversation was the doll, but more than once she brought up the dwarf mulberry tree, and kept insisting that there was nothing there. Then she suddenly said that the child was a little restless this afternoon, probably because of the wind.It's cold, and he has a stuffy nose. "I'd better carry him in," she said. She stood up, and I followed suit to say goodbye to her, but she shook her head. "No...you come too." She pointed to the hut. I hesitated, wondering if I should go in. Lucy was definitely not in the house, and I didn't insist anymore. After all, I was invited in. She pushed the pram toward the back door, and I followed her, and we went into the kitchen. She gently lifted the doll out of the pram and said, "Well, it's all right, just a little cold. Nanny Flora knows he wants to sleep in the crib, where it's more comfortable." It all looked even more incredible inside than it did outside, and I excitedly followed her upstairs. There was a nursery and two bedrooms there, the cabin was much larger than usual, I presume Lucy and Flora each slept in a bedroom, and the nursery was of course the baby's. We went into the nursery, and she gently placed the doll in the crib, then turned to me. "Little angel, he's comfortable now." I always find it embarrassing when she discusses dolls as if they were real people. I said, "This is a beautiful nursery." Her face lit up with joy, and a little while later, a puzzled expression crossed her face again. "It's not the same as the one we used to have." Now she looked a little frightened, with seven birds sitting on the stone wall that looked like they had been torn out of a book and framed. There is a line of inscriptions under the picture. I took a step forward and read: "Seven is the secret." Then, I shouted: "My God! This is the word for seven magpies!" She nodded enthusiastically, evidently forgetting that this nursery was different from the one at Saint Aubie's. "Do you like it?" she asked. "This must be the Song of Seven Magpies. I have learned it before. What is the content? I think I should remember it." "One sad, two happy, third female, fourth male, five silver, six gold, seven are secrets..." She kept looking at my mouth as I said it, and then said it with me at the end: "...can't say it." "Yes, that's it, I haven't forgotten." I said. "It's from Lucy." She stroked the frame gently. "That's what she framed, too, right?" She nodded and said, "Seventh, secrets can't be told, absolutely can't be told." She shook her head as she spoke. "Absolutely...absolutely not, this is what Xiaoniao said." I looked at the painting carefully and said, "These birds look evil." "Because it was a secret relationship. Oh, he woke up." She went to the crib and picked up the doll. The room looked eerie, so I was eager to get to know her better, to find out the truth behind this mist.I wonder if one day she finds out that the doll is just a doll: and that the baby she thought of as a baby is now a grown-up, I don't know if it will wake her up and make her normal again. Soon after, I felt a sudden urge to get out of here, and I heard myself say, "I think I should go, I'll walk out by myself." Just as I was going downstairs, there was a sound downstairs, and I thought in horror: I didn't hear anyone coming in just now! "Flora!" It was Lucy's voice, she came out and saw me going down, the surprised expression on her face was obvious. "I was just upstairs with Flora," I stammered. "Oh...she invited you up?" I hesitated. "She... took me to the nursery." Lucy looked very angry, and then a man appeared in the hall - Chris Pie.San Aubie. "This is Miss Cuttingham's niece, Flora invited her in," said Lucy. He nodded in my direction. "I'm leaving," I said. Lucy leads me to the front door, and I leave quickly. What a strange afternoon!I can't help but think of the seven magpie birds, they look very ominous, Lucy obviously cut it out of the book and framed it to Flora, is it to remind her that some secrets are Absolutely can't say?Flora's mind was like a child's, and perhaps certain things were particularly impressive; perhaps the picture in the book had been her favorite childhood favorite, so Lucy sent her the framed picture. Generally speaking, it was a very interesting experience, I thought while running in the direction of home. A few days later, I accidentally discovered another side of Aunt Sophie that was unknown to everyone.There is a small room in the Yamanashi House that leads to Aunt Sophie's bedroom, which used to be a dressing room and is now a small study. I wanted to talk to her about some trivial matters, and Lily told me: She was sorting drawers in the study.So I went up to find her, and I knocked on her door, but there was no answer, so I opened the door and took a look. The door of the study was left open. "Aunt Sophie!" I yelled. She came out and stood at the door. She looked strange, I had never seen her so sad, and there were tears glistening on her eyelashes. "What's wrong!" I asked. She hesitated for a moment before saying, "Oh...it's okay, it's okay, grown-ups become stupid, and I'm writing to an old friend." "Sorry to bother you, Lily said you might be tidying drawers." "Yes, that's what I told her. Come in! There's something you need to know, my dear." I go into the study. "Sit down. I'm writing to your father," she said. "My father?" "We corresponded often, and I ... knew him very well when I was young." "where is he?" "Egypt. Now he has completely left the military life, and we have been in touch with letters for a long time." She looked at me with uncertain eyes, and then seemed to have made up her mind. She went on to say: "I met your father first...before your mother. We met at a banquet and we became good friends immediately. When he was invited to the Cedar Mansion, your mother happened to be back on vacation. At that time, she was only 18 years old, and she was quite beautiful; so he fell in love with her deeply." "But, he left her!" "That was later. He is not the kind of person who is suitable for settling down. He likes to have a light drink... not too much, but he often drinks; he loves to gamble and play hard, and he is the kind of person who is not serious. Later, They broke up when you were a year old—divorced; he had another woman then, and they got married, but it didn't seem to go well." "He sounds very unreliable." "He's so charming." "I see. You're still in touch with him." "Yes, we have always been good friends." "You mean, he might have chosen you instead of my mother?" There was a hint of regret in her smile. "Obviously he would rather marry your mother." "You almost became my mother," I said. "If so, you wouldn't be the same as you are now; and neither of us wants to change that, do we?" She's back to being herself... and started making fun of me. "I don't know, maybe in this way, I won't be so featureless." "Oh, nonsense! Your mother is a very beautiful woman, and I'm the one with no features." "I do not believe." "Stop talking about specialties. I just wanted to tell you that your father writes to me a lot asking how you're doing; if I want you to go to school with Temaris and Rachel, I probably can't Burden, but he intends to support your education expenses, so you can go to school in a few months." "He's so nice," I said. "That will have to be arranged; but it should be easier with his help." "He's my father, and as it should be." "He hasn't seen you since he left. But, Freddie, your mother actually didn't let him come back to see you, and maybe now..." "You mean, he wants to come back?" "There are no signs yet, but maybe he will." "Wouldn't it make you sadder to write to him?" "People are very sentimental sometimes, and I often think of those young days." "You must have been very unhappy when he married my mother." She didn't answer in silence, and I put my arms around her. "Sorry, I wish he married you!" I cried. "That way we'll have a good time and he won't leave." She shook her head and said, "He's not the kind of person who can settle down, he won't be able to stand it." Her lips moved up softly, and she said with a smile: "Now you are mine... Treat me as yours Mother, my niece...his daughter. That's enough for me." "Did you feel better after you told me?" I asked. "It's so much better, I'm glad you know all about it," she assured me. "We both know a lot about God's grace." I don't think I can count, especially when I compare my fate to Rachel's.I often compare myself to people in similar situations. I ran to my aunt, and she ran to her aunt and uncle.I always knew how happy I was, but never gave it a second thought until I found out something about Rachel. I always knew she was scared, but she never admitted it, and rarely talked about life at the Great Clock House; however, I felt that the house was not innocent. The friendship between the two of us is far better than that with Temaris.I felt it was my responsibility to protect her, and she treated me like a true friend. She used to come to the Yamanashi House, and we always sat and talked in the garden; sometimes I felt that she wanted to say something to me, but couldn't; I noticed that when we laughed happily, as soon as the bell was lifted At home, her attitude immediately changed; I couldn't ignore the reluctant and unwilling look in her eyes whenever I said goodbye to her.She doesn't want to go back to that home. One day, when we were in the garden, I asked her, "How is the Great Bell House? Is it good?" Her whole body was stiff and she remained silent for a long time.Then suddenly yelled, "Oh, Freddie! I'm so scared." "What's going on?" I asked. "I don't really know...Anyway, I'm just afraid." "Is it your uncle?" "In fact, he is a good man. He often talks about God...and biblical characters such as Abraham, and puts many people's unexpected normal things...as a serious crime. I think he is really a good man." "Good people should care and take care of other people, not scare them to death." "When Aunt Sita bought a hairpin, he said it was a sin; it was beautiful, it fit her hair, it made her look so different; I thought it was beautiful, but he was very angry Said: 'Vanity, it's all vanity. You look like an old whore!' Poor Aunt Sitta, she was pale with fright and dismayed; Like the angry prophet of the Bible, he's just not human...not like normal people like us." "My aunt Sophie is kind-hearted and kind. I think this is much better than someone who only knows how to imitate Abraham and talk about the Bible every day. Besides, he doesn't even care about his own son and wants to sacrifice him to God! Sue Aunt Fee wouldn't do that to please God." "You are very lucky to have such a good person as Aunt Sophie. I wish she was my aunt; but my uncle is also a good person. We pray every day, and the prayers are very long. My knees are sore; because he It's so good that he thinks we're all bad and have to be forgiven or go to hell, which sounds reasonable." "Then he must go to heaven." "Of course, he talks to God a lot. But, no..." "What is it?" "It's the way he looks at me, the way he touches me; he says I'm a seductress, I don't know what that is, you know?" I shake my head. "I try not to be alone...with him." "I know how you feel." "Sometimes...well, he came into my room one night when I was sleeping in bed, and I woke up and saw him standing by the bed and looking at me." I suddenly shivered with cold all over my body, and I completely understood how she felt. "He said to me, 'Have you prayed?' I said, 'Yes, Uncle.' He immediately said, 'Get up and pray again.' He made me kneel on the ground and kept his eyes on me, and he began Says some strange prayers; he asks the Lord to save him from the devil's temptations, 'Oh Lord! I'm resisting, you know the devil is trying to lead me into a sinful way, I'm trying to resist Myself.' He said something like that. Then he reached out to touch me, and I thought he was going to tear off my pajamas, and I was so scared that I pushed him away and ran, and when I ran out, I saw Aunt Sida right outside the door, I was leaning against her and she kept saying, 'It's okay, it's okay.'" "Then, what about him?" "I hid my face and didn't see it: he must have left the room, gone. When I looked up, he was gone." "and after?" “喜妲姨妈一直说：没事了。她带我回房，但我会怕，所以她只好和我一起睡，并保证她绝不会离我而去。她整晚都在那里。早上她告诉我那只是场恶梦，我姨丈会梦游：'最好别提到这件事，否则他会生气。'她说。所以我一直保持沉默，直到现在。而且她说：'你最好把门锁起来以防他又起来梦游，这样一来谁也进不去，你会睡得比较好。'她把口袋里的锁钥拿给我看。我一直把它放在身边，并确定晚上睡觉前没忘了锁门。” “我真希望你能搬来和我们一起住。” “哎，我也希望能如此。有一次……他就在……门外想把门打开；我从床上跳了起来，站在那儿注意地听：他开始祷告，不断地责骂恶魔把他看成圣人般，让他受尽煎熬。他说，他知道我是上帝派来的小鬼，想试试看他能否禁得起诱惑。他半哭地喊着：他会受到谴责，恶魔会要他付出代价。他走后我还是睡不着，虽然门已紧紧地上了锁，还是不敢睡。” “哦，瑞琪儿，我真高兴你告诉我。我就知道一定有什么不对劲的。”我说。 “告诉你后，我已觉得好多了。”她看着那把锁钥然后把它放回口袋。 “我有这个。”她说。 我们默默地坐了一会儿，我非常了解当他进去她房间时，她心里所有的感受。
关于我们离家求学的事还有一大堆需要讨论的，苏菲姨妈和瑞琪儿的喜妲姨妈一起去看圣奥比夫人。 她们三个是完全不同典型的人。喜妲姨妈温顺且容易满足现况；圣奥比夫人装出一副很有兴趣的样子，其实谁都知道她根本不在乎；不过苏菲姨妈精力相当充沛，不仅已对几家学校做过调查，甚至还决定选圣史蒂芬女校了。那所学校离家不远，而她也和女校长谈过话，对她的评价是：很理智的女人；她喜欢那学校的格调，觉得很合适。这个建议无人反对。 五月；为了赶上学校九月开学，我们得开始忙了。苏菲姨妈带我们三个到萨里斯布里买制服；到了六月底结束前，我们已全都准备好了。 我们对这一切都感到非常兴奋——甚至泰玛莉丝——有时会花上几个钟头谈未来的事。虽然我们有点怕，但却都很高兴三个人能一起上学。 然后，发生了一件令我永生难忘的事件。 七月的天气一直是那么闷热，那天我和瑞琪儿到圣奥比邸园喝下午茶，我们一直聊着有关上学的事，至少谈了一个小时。瑞琪儿因为可以离开大钟宅，所以看起来快乐多了；而泰玛莉丝当然已准备好这出新的探险记了。 我和瑞琪儿在大钟宅告别后，并不想马上直接回家：因为苏菲姨妈去买东西，所以我决定经由古塚树林绕个远路回家。 到了古塚树林，我无法抗拒那些古塚的诱惑，所以就走进林里。我站了一会儿，看着它们，我喜欢空气中混合着泥土和树木的味道；还有每当微风轻轻地吹过时树叶合奏的音乐。 我在学校一定会想念古塚树林的。不过我不能待太久，苏菲姨妈搞不好已快回到家了。 我急转了个弯，结果被突出地面几寸高的石头绊倒，我试着不让自己跌倒，但已来不及倒在地上了。我的右脚扭伤，一阵刺痛传遍全身；我试着用脚站起来，但却又跌回地上。明明知道古塚树林内有三个突出地面的石头，我怎么会这么不小心？但事情已发生了，自责也无济于事，现在最重要的是：怎么回家？我好沮丧。 我伸手摸自己的脚踝，但却马上缩手：现在那个部位已肿得很大，且非常地痛。 我坐在那儿不知道该怎么办。 然后事情就发生了。他站在那里，朝着我走过来，双眼直盯着我看，一股不知名的恐慌爬上我心头。 “可怜的小花，你受伤了，小东西。”他轻轻地说。 “我跌倒，脚踝受伤了。杜利恩先生，麻烦你通知我姨妈好吗？” 他站在那儿盯着我看，然后说：“我被引到这个情况，这表示……” 他站在离我非常近的地方，我一辈子没这么害怕过。我的直觉告诉我；他想伤害我，用我想都不敢想的方式。 “走开！走开！”我尖叫。“去找我姨妈来。不要靠近我！” 他轻轻地笑说：“可怜的受伤的小花，她这次逃不掉了，哦，糟糕，真是太糟糕了。” 我更大声地叫：“不要碰我！我不要你靠近我，走开去通知我姨妈，拜托……拜托……走开。” 他并没有离开，我知道他颤动的双唇正在和上帝说话，但却听不到他说什么，我吓得全身都麻木了。 “救我，救救我。”我边啜泣边尖锐地叫着。 但他越靠越近，脸上表情也越来越可怕，直到他来到我身旁，紧抓着我不放。 “不要……不要……不要！”我大声尖叫。“走开。救命啊！救命啊！” 接下来我警觉到马路上传来马蹄的声音，我努力、用力、尽全力地大喊：“救命啊！救命啊！我在树林里，拜托，求求你过来……救救我！” 我好怕那个路过的人听不到或没注意到，因为路上静悄悄地，而我却和这个魔鬼单独在古塚树林里。 接下来我听到脚步声。 "Oh my God!" 是克里斯派．圣奥比，他朝着我走过来。 他大喊道：“你这个下流的东西！”他轻易地把杜利恩先生拉起来，像拿娃娃股容易，然后在他脸上打了几拳，再把他扔回地上；杜利恩先生被摔到地上的同时，我听到骨骼碎裂的声音。 杜利恩先生成大字形般，僵硬地平躺在那里。 克里斯派的双眼仍燃烧着怒火，他不理会杜利恩先生，转向我说：“受伤了，嗯？” 我还在啜泣，所以只能点点头。 “别哭了，现在已经没事了。”他说。 他弯下身把我抱起来。 “他……”我看着毫无动静的杜利恩先生说。 “他罪有应得。” “你……可能把他打死了。” “那最好。脚受伤了吗？” “对，我的脚踝。” 他一言不语，而我则一直回头看仍躺在地上的杜利恩先生，他脸上的血让我感到战栗。克里斯派把我放在马上，然后再由我后面蹬上马。 他带我回山梨之屋时，苏菲姨妈正好买完东西，才刚到家。 “她的脚踝受伤了。”克里斯派解释说。 苏菲姨妈大声地惊叫，而克里斯派则抱我上楼，把我放在床上。 “最好尽快找医生来。”苏菲姨妈说。 他们留下我一个人，然后在楼下讲话，我只隐约听到克里斯派说：“我必须告诉你一件事……”接下来就听不到了。 苏菲姨妈很快就回来，她脸色苍白，情绪失控，我知道克里斯派把他遇见我的情形告诉她了。 她坐在床边说：“现在好些了吗？脚踝还痛吗？” "Ok." “不会有事的。我想应该是扭伤，希望骨头没断，谁会相信……” “哦，苏菲姨妈，我好怕。”我说。 “被我抓到，我一定把他杀了！”她说，“他这种人不配活在世上。” 从那时起，我长大了；我知道自己会有何下场——若克里斯派没及时出现——我满心感激他。我不断地想到他将杜利恩先生提起，用力摇的情景。我永远也忘不了杜利恩先生的样子，那种被烦恼、恐惧、绝望折磨的表情，我从来没看过这么痛苦的脸。克里斯派气疯了，当时他把杜利恩先生摔回地上的样子，好像在扔一团厌憎的垃圾般；他不在乎是否会把他打死，我害怕地想着也许…… 我想那就成了谋杀罪，那表示；瑞琪儿再也不用害怕了。医生来了。 “小淑女，怎么会这么不小心呢？”他说。 他推推我的脚踝，问我能不能站起来，他的诊断结果是：脚踝的扭伤很严重，很麻烦。 “得等上一段时间，才能恢复正常不再痛。怎么发生的？” “我在古塚树林跌倒。” 他摇头看着我说：“下次去时得小心点。” 他告诉苏菲姨妈热水带的效果及用法，等他走后，她立刻开始着手准备了。 她神色紧张地看着我，我知道她正想着：谢天谢地，幸好只是扭伤脚踝，而不是更糟的…… 苏菲姨妈是那种无话不能谈的人，也因此她决定面对这个不幸事件，坦然地和我谈。 于是我将事情的始末全都告诉她：从跌倒，到杜利恩先生的出现，我也顺便提起长久以来对他的恐惧，以及当他说到我穿着睡衣祷告的情形。 “你当时应该告诉我的。”她说。 “那时我不知道事情的严重性。”我回答，然后告诉她有关瑞琪儿的事。 “那个人疯了，到哪里都看到罪恶，这就是人们所谓的：宗教狂热份子。我为他的妻子感到遗憾。”她说。 “我想克里斯派．圣奥比可能把他打死了，这是谋杀。” “不会的，只不过打了几拳，这是他最需要的，搞不好能打醒他，让他学乖。”然后她突然抱住我。 “我很高兴你平平安安的没受到伤害，否则我一辈子都不会原谅自己的。” "this is not your fault." “我会怪自己没把你照顾好。我早该知道他是这种人。” “你怎么会知道？” “我不知道，但，我应该知道。” 她把我的床移到她房间，“直到你的情况稳定些，你可能会半夜醒来……我希望能守在你身边。”她说。 我真的半夜醒来，恶梦把我吓得全身是汗。我梦到自己躺在古塚树林里，而他正直逼着我，走到我身旁，我大声叫：克里斯派！然后一双手抱着我……那是苏菲姨妈。 “没事了，你在自己的床上，而苏菲姨妈也在这里。” 然后不知道为什么，我无力地哭了；我很高兴自己很安全，而且有最亲爱的苏菲姨妈照顾我。 哈普葛林村发生了一件惊天动地的事，打破它旧有的沉默。每个人都在谈论大钟宅发生的不幸事件，这是一个非常小的地方，像这种可怕的事马上就会传遍全村。这种事通常只能从报上看到，在一些不认识的人身上发生，很难相信如今却出现在哈普葛林村。 早上送信的邮差——汤姆．威尔森是第一位把消息带到山梨之屋的人；当时我正卧病在床，而苏菲姨妈则在花园里。 她进来时脸上带着凝重的表情站在一旁看着我，然后说：“发生了一件可怕的事情。” 我的心思仍停留在恶梦里的树林内。 “是关于杜利恩先生吗？”我问道。“他……是不是死了？” 她慢慢地点头，我心想着：克里斯派杀了他，这是谋杀，会被判吊刑，他为我做了……这么大的牺牲。 我相信苏菲姨妈猜出我的心思，她很快地说：“今天一早可怜的杜利恩太太在马厩发现他自杀了。” “在马厩……”我结结巴巴地说。 “汤姆．威尔森说他把绳子结在屋椽上，上吊自杀；他说：杜利恩先生昨晚回到大钟宅时，脸上正流着血，他说是在树林跌倒造成的。他很沮丧地回到他的房间，然后就没再出来了。她上去看他时，他正在祷告不想被打扰。她说他在房间里祈祷了好几个小时。她那天整晚都没看见他，早上她发觉他并不在屋子里，而在无意间她发现马厩的门没关，于是她就走进去、看到他……” 她坐在床边抱着我说：“我不知道该不该告诉你……怎么说比较恰当，但反正无论如何你一定会听到人家谈起。你这么年轻……亲爱的……这么小就卷入这场不幸之中。我真希望能护着你，但既然你也进入这个乱局，我想最好让你了解一切。你知道……这个人……想做好人、想当圣人，但他有一些正常的本能，他试着压抑自己，但弄巧成拙。噢，我解释得一团乱。” 我说：“没关系，苏菲姨妈，我了解你的意思。” “他失败且被当场抓到，打击一定很大。感谢上帝，幸好克里斯派及时赶到。不过，这个可悲的人无法面对被逮到的事实……所以只好自我了断。” 她沉默了一会儿，我把整个事件再回想一逼。我知道这将成为我心中抹杀不去的阴影，我永远也无法忘记当时的恐惧及战栗。 “可怜的杜利恩夫人……瑞琪儿，这件事对她们的打击一定很大，还有你……喔，我真不敢想！你还这么小……” “我觉得自己已经不是个小孩了，苏菲姨妈。” “的确，这种事是会令人成长的。我不知道事情会如何发展下去，但我不希望你介入其中，我得去找克里斯派．圣奥比谈谈，我该去看看他的。” 她根本不需要去，因为他已经来山梨之屋了。苏菲姨妈和我在楼上聊时，莉莉上来说他已在楼下等了。 她匆匆忙忙地离去，忘了把门关上，使我能清楚地听到他那又深沉又清晰的声音。 他说：“我来看看那小女孩，她今天的情形怎么样？还好吗？” little girl!我愤愤不平地想着，我才不是小女孩……尤其是现在。 他和苏菲姨妈谈了很久，最后她才带他来看我。 他看着我说：“现在好些了吗？” “好些了，谢谢你。” “是扭伤吧？不用多久你又可以蹦蹦跳跳的了。” 苏菲姨妈说：“圣奥比先生和我刚刚已经讨论过了，结论是：最好别让任何人知道他对你有非分之想。我们的看法是：他跌了一大跤，回到家后因忧伤而把自己关在房间里。杜利恩夫人因为他整天不想见她而沮丧，早上她发觉他并不在屋里，又注意到马厩的门没关，所以便走进去，谁知却在那里找到他，很明显的——” 克里斯派打断她：“当别人看清他的真面目时，他无法面对这个现实；这粉碎了他伪扮圣人的美梦，他无法忍受，于是选择结束自己的生命。” “对。”苏菲姨妈说。“到时会有人来调查，初步判决是自杀——这是事实。不过圣奥比先生和我决定采取最明智的行动：对树林内所发生的事只字不提，这样对谁都有好处。你被石头绊倒扭伤脚踝，而杜利恩先生也趺了一跤，不要提到有关碰见他的事。我不喜欢耍诡计，但必要时，我们别无选择。” “那么，”克里斯派下个结论，说：“一切都摆平了。” 他看起来好像急着离开。 他转向我说：“如今他已不能再惹事生非了，你不会有事的，不用怕。” 他向我点头告别，然后苏菲姨妈带他下楼。我躺在床上听着他逐渐离去的马蹄声。
调查时间很短。判决是：“心态不平衡而自杀”，我知道苏菲姨妈和克里斯派做了最佳的决定。苏菲姨妈说：如果杜利恩夫人和瑞琪儿知道事实真相，她们一定会受不了，且对我也较有利。于是这件事情很快就过去了。 不知现在的大钟宅少了像杜利恩先生这么强硬的人之后有何改变，我无法想像，不过一定和往日不同。 杜利恩夫人有亲戚过来帮她，苏菲姨妈则建议瑞琪儿搬来和我们一块儿住，直到“事情平静下来”。 苏菲姨妈说：“我们得在你的房间内加一个床位，你们俩睡一间，为将来开学后的学生宿舍生活做准备。” 瑞琪儿很高兴搬来这里：她变了，变得不再伯了。我们通常都熬夜聊到眼睛张不开，才睡去。我们俩对她姨丈都有恐惧感，且一开始谁都无法提到这件事。我记起姨妈吩咐我不要提到那天下午的事；但我就是无法忘记它。 有天晚上瑞琪儿对我说：“佛莱迪……我想我一定很坏。” "Why?" I asked. “因为我很高兴他死了。” “这是他自找的。” “我以为他对任何事都很有自信。” “事实证明则不然，他一定了解到自己并非想像中的那么完美。” “你真的这么认为吗？” “没错。但，高兴并不表示你是坏人。我也很高兴。” 我们俩都知道彼此已从虎口中逃过一劫。 九月，瑞琪儿、泰玛莉丝和我按照计划的安排，离家求学去。
这对我们来说是再好不过的了：它像一座桥般，把我和瑞琪儿从过去的阴影及恐惧，引到另一个全新的生活。 我们在新的环境中相互勉励。泰玛莉丝还是那么傲慢、冷淡，和她哥哥一个样，我心里想着。瑞琪儿像变了个人似的，脸上不再有过去的阴影，我绝对可以了解她的感受。我们三个是好朋友；住同一间宿舍，在同一个教室上课；而我也和瑞琪儿一样，开始走出过去的恶梦。 到学校的第一年我母亲去逝了，我在学期中途回家几天参加她的葬礼。 苏菲姨妈说：“这样也好，反正她永远无法康复，每天都过着无知觉的日子。” 我问她我父亲是否会来参加葬礼。She shook her head. “不会。他人在那么远的地方，况且他们早已离婚了。当人们走到这一步，就表示是尽头已到。” "Did you tell him?" “嗯。”她说，我看到她脸有着惆怅之情，和我当初看到她写信给他的神情一样。 当泥土落在棺柩上时，我流下几滴眼泪。我想到她有多么的不快乐，把生命浪费在那些得不到的东西上，我为她感到悲哀。 几个人和我们一起回到山梨之屋，我们拿三明治和酒请他们。当我和苏菲姨妈独处时，我感到很快乐。 “好了，”苏菲姨妈说。“从现在起，你就是我的女儿了。”我为此感到心满意足。 然后我回到学校，生活还是和往常一样没变。 当我们放假回家时，我都会到莲家和佛萝拉坐在花园聊天，她依然和从前一样，把娃娃放在身旁的婴儿车内；小屋后的矮桑树和那幅七鹊图一点也没变。我怀疑佛萝拉是否会想到那婴儿该长大了。不过，我想这么多年来她一直没换过娃娃，所以在她心目中克里斯派也一直就只是个婴儿吧。 当我去找瑞琪儿时发现，大钟宅变了。起初我以为是因为：不需再担心杜利恩先生是否会随时闯进来。不过，不仅是如此；如今窗帘已换成亮丽的花布，而大厅里也摆了一盆花。而其中以杜利恩夫人的改变最大。 她用西班牙式的发饰将头发髻得高高的；衣服色彩明亮，剪裁大方；颈子上还有一条珍珠项链，她是另一个对杜利恩先生的去逝不感到伤心的人。像他这么好的人，居然能让这么多人不快乐。 我已不再怕那幢房子了，不过进出之时，还是会避免下去看马厩。 所以，哈普葛林又恢复正常了。如今我已成了孤儿——或，该说是半个孤儿。我母亲虽已过逝，但在她死前的这几年，她对我而言只是个模糊不清的影子：且在失去她的同时，我得到苏菲姨妈。 我又回到学校生活，在那里只有：曲棍球队队员、晚餐的菜单及谁和谁是朋友才重要——学生就是这样，快快乐乐，顽皮捣蛋。