Chapter 31 Chapter 27 Tom Traddles

Perhaps on Mrs. Crupp's advice, and perhaps on account of the slight similarity in the pronunciation of the official name of skittles, Skettle and Traddles, I thought of going to see Traddles the next day.It's long past what he said last time.He lived in a side street near Camden Veterinary College.According to a clerk who lives in that area, the tenants there are mainly male students who buy live donkeys and use these four-legged animals for experiments in their residences.From the clerk, I got knowledge about such an academic field, and I went to visit my old classmates that afternoon.

I found that the street was not so good as I had hoped—for Traddles was so—and the inhabitants seemed to have a penchant for throwing their unwanted trinkets into the street.This hobby not only makes the street smelly and damp because of those cauliflower leaves, but also extremely dirty.The things that were thrown were not all vegetables and leaves, because when I was looking for the house number I wanted, I saw a shoe, a soup pot, a chimney cover, and an umbrella with my own eyes, and they were not in the same degree of dilapidation. The smell that pervaded the place reminded me of my days when I lived with the Micawbers.The house I was looking for had an indescribably shabby look, and so it stood out from the rest of the buildings in the street, though all of them were built in a monotonous An early drawing of an apprentice learning how to build a house with stone; this reminds me all the more of Mr. and Mrs. Micawber.

"Here," said the milkman to a young maid, "is that little debt owed to me ready?" "Oh, sir, he's going to arrange it right away," was the answer. "Because this little debt is too long overdue," said the milkman, as if he had not heard an answer, and judging from his tone, he was not speaking so much to the young maid. , rather to someone in the house, confirmed by the way he glared down the hallway, "I'm beginning to believe it's gone, and I don't expect to pay it back. Hey, I can't take it anymore Well, you know!" said the milkman, still shouting into the room and staring down the corridor.

By the way, he really doesn't look like a guy running this soft milk business.Even if he had been a butcher or a wine merchant, he looked fierce enough. The young maid's voice dropped, and from the movement of her lips it seemed to me that she was about to whisper that the arrears would be settled in a moment. "I'll tell you the truth," said the milkman, lifting her chin and looking at her closely, "do you like milk?" "Yes, I do," she replied. "Well," replied the milkman, "you'll be gone tomorrow. Do you hear me? Tomorrow you won't even have a drop of milk. "

I think she was generally reassured by the hope that there would still be milk today.The milkman shook his head angrily at her, let go of her jaw, and angrily opened the can, pouring his usual measure into the bottle.After pouring, he walked away muttering, and yelled his line of business in a high-pitched voice in front of the second house. "Does Mr. Traddles live here?" I asked now. A mysterious voice from the end of the corridor answered "Yes." And the young maid said "Yes." "Is he home?" I asked. The mysterious voice again answered in the affirmative, and the maid answered again.I went into the house and went up the stairs as directed by the maid.When I passed the back door of the living room, I felt a mysterious gaze looking at me, probably this gaze belonged to the mysterious voice.

When I reached the top of the stairs—the house had only two floors—Traddles met me on the landing.He was delighted to see me, and welcomed me into his bedroom with the utmost cordiality.The bedroom was at the front of the house, and it was neat, though sparsely furnished.It was his only room, I could see, because there was a sofa bed, and a shoe polish brush and polish with the books—behind a dictionary on the top shelf.His desk was covered with papers, and he was working there in an old coat.I know I didn't look around when I sat down, but I saw everything, even a church scene on his china inkwell - something I learned while living with Micawber. a skill.He was so ingenious in rearranging his wardrobe and putting away his boots, shaving cups, etc., that I was especially reminded of the same Traddles who used to make holes out of writing paper for flies, and use all sorts of worthwhile things. Memorial handcrafted art to comfort an abused self.

In one corner of the bedroom, something was neatly covered with a large white cloth.I can't guess what that is. "Traddles," I said, taking his hand again, when I sat down. "I'm so glad to see you." "I'm glad to see you, Copperfield," he went on. "I'm really glad to see you. Because when we met in Eli Lane, I was so happy to see you, and I believe you were so happy to see me, so I'm giving you this address instead of At the address of the lawyer's apartment." "Oh, do you have a lawyer's apartment?" I said. "Hey, I've got a quarter of a room and a hall, and a quarter of a clerk," Traddles replied. Well, we split the paper too, and I pay him half a crown a week.

As he explained this, he smiled, and I felt that his smile contained his old simplicity, kindness, meekness, and misfortune. "I don't usually give out the address here, Copperfield, you know," said Traddles, "not because I have the slightest pride, but because those who come to see me won't want to come here. Yes. For myself, I am still fighting against difficulties in this world, and it would be ridiculous if I put on a show." "You're studying law, Mr. Waterbrook told me," I said. "Well, yes," said Traddles slowly, rubbing his hands together, "I'm studying law. I've been putting off learning it for a long time, in fact. It's been a while since the contract was made, but the hundred The tuition fee in pounds is very depressing. Very depressing!"

said Traddles, withdrawn as if a tooth would be pulled out. "Traddles, do you know what I cannot help thinking as I sit here looking at you?" I asked him. "I don't know," he said. "That sky-blue dress you used to wear." "Oh, of course!" cried Traddles, laughing. "Legs and arms tightly wrapped, you know?" Oops. "Wow! It was such a fun day, wasn't it?" "I think life would be happier if our principal didn't abuse any of us," I replied. "Perhaps so," said Traddles. "But, alas, it was a lot of fun. Do you remember those nights in the dormitory? The times we used to have supper? The stories we used to tell? Ha, ha, ha! You remember me Crying and being whipped? Old Creeker! I'd like to see him!"

"He's treated you very badly, Traddles," I said indignantly; and he was so cheerful that it seemed to me only yesterday that I had seen him beaten. "You think so?" said Traddles at once. "Really? Maybe yes, sort of. But it was a long time ago. Old Creeker!" "Were you raised by an uncle at the time?" I asked. "Of course it is!" said Traddles. "The man I used to write to. But it never did, ah! ha, ha, ha! Yes, I had an uncle then. He died shortly after I left school. " "real!" "Yes. He's a retired—what do you call it!—cloth dealer—a cloth merchant—who made me his heir. But I'm grown up, and he doesn't like me anymore."

"You mean it?" I said.He said it so calmly, I thought he had something to explain. "Oh, indeed, Copperfield! I speak the truth," replied Traddles. "It was an unfortunate thing, but he didn't like me at all. He said I wasn't what he wanted me to be, so he married his housekeeper." "So what do you do?" I asked. "I didn't do anything special," Traddles said. "I lived with them, waiting to be sent out into the world; until his gout had the misfortune to enter his guts and he died, and she married a young man, and I was helpless, It's over. "After all, Traddles, have you got anything?" "Oh, yes!" said Traddles. "I got fifty pounds. I never learned any skill, and I didn't know what to do with it at first. But with the help of a specialist's son—a man who lived at Salem's, Laurel, with a nose Sideways. Do you remember him?" "Don't remember. The man didn't live with me; all had straight noses when I was there." "That's all right," Traddles said. "With his help, I started copying legal papers. But that wasn't enough to get by; then I started writing cases for them, briefs, and whatnot. For I'm a hard worker, Copperfield, and I Learned how to go all in on those things. Well! So I wanted to study law, so I used up what was left of the fifty pounds. Laurel, however, introduced me to a firm or two, one of which It's Mr. Waterbrook's, and I've found a lot of work. I've also had a lucky acquaintance with a publishing man who's making a kind of encyclopedia. He's got me some work; in fact," he said, staring at the table, " I'm working for him now. I'm not bad at compiling books or anything, Copperfield," said Traddles, with his usual cheerful geniality, "but I'm not creative, not at all. I believe , there is no young man less creative than me." As if Traddles expected my acknowledgment of this fact of course, I nodded; and with the same indomitable endurance--I cannot use a better description--he went on as before. "And so, bit by bit, by saving and saving, I managed to scrape together the hundred pounds," said Traddles; "thank God, it paid off--though--though of course it was," said Traddles. Traddles flinched as if another tooth had been pulled out, "It's stressful. I'm still living off that job I've been talking about, and I hope, one day, I'll be connected to a newspaper; and that I'll be the source of my luck. Well, Copperfield, you're just the same as ever, with the face everyone loves, and I'm so happy to see you that I won't hide anything from you. . So, you should know, I'm engaged. " engaged!Oh, Dora! "She's a clergyman's daughter," said Traddles, "one of ten, and lives in Devon, yes!" said he, seeing that I could not help looking at the view on the inkwell. "That's the church! Look here, to the left, beyond this door," he said, pointing down the inkpot. to the church." The joy with which he explained it all was not fully appreciable to me at the time, when my selfish thoughts were sketching Mr. Spenlow's house and gardens. "She's such a sweet girl!" said Traddles, "a little older than me, but the sweetest girl! Did I tell you I was going out of town? I've been there. I'll walk , and walked back, had the most fun time! I'm sure we have a long wait to go from engagement to marriage, but our motto is: wait and hope! We always say, 'wait and hope' , we say that all the time. She'll wait for me, Copperfield, until sixty, any age you name!" Traddles smiled triumphantly, rose, and laid his hand on the white cloth of which I have been speaking. "However, we have taken the first step towards family life. Yes, we have taken the first step. We should go step by step. Here," he lifted the cloth proudly and carefully, "there are two First piece of furniture bought. It's a flowerpot and a shelf she picked out herself. You put it in a parlor window," Traddles said, stepping back and admiring it. " Plant a flower, and--then you see! This little round table with the marble top is two feet ten inches in circumference, I bought it. You'll put a book on it, you know, when someone And his wife loves you or your wife, and maybe there's room for a cup of tea—so—so come and see!" said Traddles. "It's an amazing piece of art - solid as a rock!" I admired these two things greatly, and Traddles covered the white cloth with as much care as it had uncovered earlier. "It's not very much in terms of utensils," said Traddles, "but there is some. Table-cloths, pillow-cases and such things discourage me most, Copperfield. Iron things--candle-boxes, grills, that Same goes for necessities - as they are expensive and getting more expensive. 'Wait and hope' though! Dare I say, she's the sweetest girl!" "I'm a big believer in that," I said. "Meanwhile," said Traddles, sitting back in his chair, "I'm going to stop here with the babbling about myself. I live as well as I can. I don't earn much, and I don't spend much. In short, I'm Those downstairs are very agreeable people indeed. Mr and Mrs Micawber have a lot of experience and are excellent companions." "My dear Traddles!" I cried hastily. "what are you saying?" Traddles stared at me as if wondering what I was talking about. "Mr. and Mrs. Micawber!" I repeated. "Ho! I know them well!" Just then there came two knocks at the door, familiar to me from Wenzel Lane experience, and no one but Mr Micawber knocked like that.These two knocks on the door made my hesitation about whether they were my old friends suddenly disappear.I asked Traddles to send his landlady up.Traddles executed on the rail; and so Mr. Micawber, unchanged--his breeches, his cane, his collar, his spectacles unchanged--brought the gentlemen and the air of youth came into the room. "I beg your pardon, Mr. Traddles," said Mr. Micawber, humming a subdued note, and breaking off to say, as loudly as ever: "I didn't know there was another stranger in the house." Mr. Micawber bowed slightly to me, and pulled up his collar. "How are you, Mr. Micawber?" said I. "Sir," said Mr. Micawber, "you are very kind. I. I. I. I. I." "And Mrs. Micawber?" I continued. "Sir," said Mr. Micawber, "thank God she's just as she is." "And the children, Mr. Micawber?" "Sir," said Mr. Micawber, "I am pleased to report that they are well." Mr. Micawber did not at this moment recognize me, though his eyes met mine.However, when he saw me smiling, he paid more attention to my face, took a step back and shouted: "Is this possible? Is there any chance for me to see Copperfield again?" So, he held my hand with the utmost enthusiasm. "Oh, Mr. Traddles!" said Mr. Micawber, "you should know the friend of my youth, the companion of the old days! My dear!" Traddles, quite astonished at these attributions ( There is a reason), Mr. Micawber called from the rail to Mrs. Micawber. "Mr Traddles has a gentleman at his flat, and he would like to introduce you to me, my love! Mr. Micawber turned back at once, and shook hands with me. "How is our good friend the Doctor, Copperfield?" said Mr. Micawber. "How is everyone in Canterbury?" "They're all good," I said. "I am glad to hear that," said Mr. Micawber. "We last met at Canterbury. I may put it mildly, in that place immortalized by Chaucer, and once sanctuary to pilgrims from afar. in the shadow of the cathedral—in short,” said Mr Micawber, “in the shadow of the cathedral. I replied, yes.Mr. Micawber went on as eloquently as he could, but his face, I think, showed a little anxiety, which could not help showing that he was concerned about the sound of Mrs. Micawber washing her hands and hastily opening and closing drawers in the next room. "You will find, Copperfield," said Mr. Micawber, casting one eye at Traddles, "that we lead a life, as it were, of a little recluse; but you know, in the course of my life, , I have overcome many difficulties and crossed many obstacles. There are periods in my life when I need to pause and wait for an opportunity I am looking forward to; You are all too familiar with this fact. I am now in one of those great phases of my life. You will find me taking a step back, intending to leap; I have every reason to believe that a powerful leap will soon be made. " While I was expressing my relief, Mrs. Micawber came in; she was less neatly dressed than she used to be, perhaps because I was not used to it, but she was still more or less groomed for visitors, And wearing a pair of brown gloves. "My dear," said Micawber, leading Mrs. to me, "there is a Mr. Copperfield here, who wants to catch up with you." As it turned out, he should have made the announcement in several steps, for Mrs. Micawber, who was not very strong, was so excited that Mr. Micawber had to scurry down to the bucket in the back yard to get a basin of water to wash her. forehead.She soon recovered, however, and was delighted to see me.We talked for half an hour; I asked her about the twins, and she said they were "grown-ups;" and I asked about Master and Miss Micawber, whom she described as "absolute giants," But I didn't bring them out to see me. Mr. Micawber very much wished that I should stay to supper.I should have consented, had I not felt that I had read in Mrs. Micawber's eyes the embarrassment of counting the fortune.Mrs. Micawber was instantly relieved when I suggested another engagement; and, seeing this, I declined, however much they might express their wish for me to give up that appointment, whatever they might do to keep it. However, I told Traddles and Mr. and Mrs. Micawber that they should fix a day to dine with me before I took my leave.Owing to business, Traddles could not be present for a few days; but we at last fixed a day which suited us all, and I took my leave. Mr. Micawber accompanied me to the corner of the street, under the pretense of showing me a shorter road than I had come to, because he was anxious (so he explained) to say a few words to his old friend. "My dear Copperfield," said Mr. Micawber, "I need not tell you that, in such a situation as it is, it would only be possible to have a man of such eminent intelligence as your friend Traddles— If I may say this--it is a great comfort to me that men of brilliant and bright minds live with us. Next door lives a washerwoman who sells matzo at the drawing-room window, and across the street a man from the Rue de Beau. Inspector. As you can imagine, living with your classmate is a source of comfort to me and Mrs. Micawber. My dear Copperfield, I am now specialized in the cereal business. It is not profitable. The business—in other words, bad money—has been brought about by a temporary financial difficulty, though, I am happy to add, an opportunity has now approached me (I cannot say from what source), I believe this opportunity will sustain me forever and your friend Traddles, for whom I have a genuine concern. You may not know it, but Mrs. Micawber's present state of health may well The possibility of another child of love--in short, of a baby--is that Mrs. Micawber's natal family should be disapproving of it, and I can only say that it has nothing to do with them. I don't understand, I reject that pretentious concern, I despise it!" -------- ① London's police court is located here. Then Mr. Micawber shook my hand, and went away.