CHAPTER SEVEN
THEHILLOFTHESTRAREHEREIsnodenyingitwasabeastofaday.Overheadwasasunlesssky,muffledincloudsthatwereheavywithsnow;underfoot,ablackfrost;blowi,awindthatfeltasifitwouldtakeyourskinoff.Whedownintotheplaintheyfoundthatthispartofthearoadwasmuchmoreruinousthananytheyhadyetseen.Theyhadtopicktheirwayreatbrokenstonesaweenbouldersandacrossrubble:hardgoingforsorefeet.And,howevertiredtheygot,itwasfartoocoldforahalt.
AtabouttenoclockthefirsttinysnowflakescameldownaledonJillsarm.Tenmiertheywerefallingquitethickly.Iymihegroundwasnoticeablywhite.Andbytheendofhalfanhoodsteadysnowstorm,whichlookedasifitmeanttolastallday,wasdrivingintheirfacessothattheycouldhardlysee.
Iouandwhatfollowed,youmustkeeponrememberinghowlittletheycouldsee.Astheydrewhelowhillwhichseparatedthemfromtheplacewherethelightedwindoeared,theyhadnogeneralviewofitatall.Itwasaquestionofseeifewpacesahead,and,evenforthat,youhadtoscrewupyoureyes.
Needlesstosay,theywerenottalking.
Whentheyreachedthefootofthehilltheycaughtaglimpseofwhatmightberoeachside-squarishrocks,ifyoulookedatthemcarefully,butnoonedid.Allweremoreedwiththeledgerightinfrontofthemwhichbarredtheirway.Itwasaboutfourfeethigh.TheMarsh-wiggle,withhislonglegs,hadnodifficultyinjumpingontothetopofit,ahenhelpedtheothersup.Itwasanastywetbusinessforthem,thoughnotforhim,becausethesnownowlayquitedeepontheledge.Theythenhadastiffclimb-Jillfellonce-upveryroughgroundforaboutahundredyards,andcametoasedledge.Therewerefouroftheseledgesaltogether,atquiteirregularintervals.
Astheystruggledontothefourthledge,therewasnomistakithattheywerenowatthetopoftheflathill.Uptillnowtheslopehadgiventhemsomeshelter;here,theygotthefullfuryofthewind.Forthehill,oddlyenough,wasquiteasflatontopasithadlookedfromadistance:agreatleveltablelandwhichthestormtoreacrosswithout
resistanmostplacesthesnowwasstillhardlylyingatall,forthewicatgitupoffthegroundisandclouds,andhurlingitintheirfaces.Androundtheirfeetlittleeddiesofsnowranaboutasyousometimesseethemdoingoverid,indeed,inmanyplaces,thesurfacewasalmostassmoothasice.Buttomakemattersworseitwascrossedandcrisscrossedwithcuriousbanksordykes,whietimesdivideditupintosquaresandoblongs.Alltheseofcoursehadtobeclimbed;theyvariedfromtwotofivefeetiandwereaboutacoupleofyardsthithenorthsideofeakthesnowalreadylayindeepdrifts;andaftereachclimbyoucamedownintoadriftandgotwet.
Fightingherwayforwardwithhoodupandheaddownandnumbhandsinsidehercloak,Jillhadglimpsesofotheroddthingsonthathorribletableland-thingshtthatlookedvaguelylikefactoryeys,and,onherleft,ahugecliff,straighterthananycliffoughttobe.Butshewasntatalliedanddidntgivethemathought.Theonlythingsshethoughtaboutwerehercoldhands(andnoseandandears)andhotbathsaHarfang.
Suddenlysheskidded,slidaboutfivefeet,andfoundherselftoherhorrorslidingdownintoadark,narrowchasmwhichseemedthatmomenttohaveappearedinfrontofher.
Halfasedlatershehadreachedthebottom.Sheappearedtobeinakindoftrenchroove,onlyaboutthreefeetwide.Andthoughshewasshakenbythefall,almostthefirstthiicedwasthereliefofbeingoutofthewind;forthewallsofthetrenchrosehighaboveher.Thehiicedwas,naturally,theanxiousfacesofScrubbandPuddleglumlookingdownatherfromtheedge.
"Areyouhurt,Pole?"shoutedScrubb.
"Bothlegsbroken,Ishouldntwonder,"shoutedPuddleglum.
Jillstoodupandexplaihatshewasallright,buttheydhavetohelpherout.
"Whatisityouvefalleninto?"askedScrubb.
"Itsakindoftrenightbeakindofsunkenlaneorsomething,"saidJill."Itrunsquitestraight.”
"Yes,byJove,"saidScrubb."Anditruh!Iwonderisitasortofroad?Ifitwas,wedbeoutofthisinfernalwinddownthere.Istherealotofsnowatthebottom?”
"Hardlyany.Itallblowsoverthetop,Isuppose.”
"pensfartheron?”
"Halfasec.Illgoandsee,"saidJill.Shegotupandwalkedalorench;butbeforeshehadgonefar,itturnedsharplytht.Sheshoutedthisinformationbacktotheothers.
"Whatsroundtheer?"askedScrubb.
NoehatJillhadthesamefeelingabouttwistypassagesanddarkpladerground,orevennearlyunderground,thatScrubbhadabouttheedgesofcliffs.Shehadnoiionofgoingroundthateralone;especiallywhensheheardPuddleglumbawlingoutfrombehindher:"Becareful,Pole.Itsjustthesortofplacethatmightleadtonscave.Andinagianttry,theremightbegiah-wormsiales.”
"Idontthinkitgoesanywheremuch,"saidJill,inghastilyback.
"Imjollywellgoingtohavealook,"saidScrubb."Whatdoyoumeanbyanywheremuch,Ishouldliketoknow?"Sohesatdownontheedgeofthetrench(everyooowetbynowtobotheraboutbeingabitwetter)andthendroppedin.HepushedpastJilland,thoughhedidntsayanything,shefeltsurethatheknewshehadfu.Soshefollowedhimclose,buttookottogetinfrontofhim.
Itproved,however,adisappointingexploration.Theywentroundtheright-handturnandstraightonforafewpaces.Heretherewasachoiceofways:straightonagain,orsharptht."Thatsnogood,"saidScrubb,glangdowntheright-handturn,"thatwouldbetakingusback-south."Hewentstraighton,butoncemore,ieps,theyfoundasedturntht.Butthistimetherewasnochoiceofways,forthetrenchtheyhadbeenfollowingherecametoadeadend.
"Nogood,"gruntedScrubb.Jilllostnotimeinturningandleadingthewayback.WheurheplacewhereJillhadfirstfallenin,theMarsh-wigglewithhislongarmshadnodifficultyinpulli.
Butitwasdreadfultobeoutontopagain.Downinthosenarrowslitsoftreheirearshadalmostbeguntothaw.Theyhadbeeoseeclearlyaheeasilyandheareachotherspeakwithoutshouting.Itwasabsolutemiserytoebatothewitheringess.AnditdidseemhardwhenPuddleglumchosethatmomentforsaying:"Areyoustillsureofthosesigns,Pole?Whatstheoneweoughttobeafter,now?”
"Oh,eon!Botherthesigns,"saidPole."SomethingaboutsomeoioningAslanshink.ButImjollywellnotgoingtogivearecitationhere.”
Asyousee,shehadgottheorderwrong.Thatwasbecauseshehadgivenupsayingthesignsovereverynight.Shestillreallykhem,ifshetroubledtothink:butshewasnolongerso"pat"inherlessonastobesureofreelingthemoffintherightorderatamomentsnotidwithoutthinking.Puddleglumsquestionannoyedherbecause,deepdowninsideher,shewasalreadyahherselffornotknowingtheLionslesson
quitesowellasshefeltsheoughttohaveknownit.Thisannoyance,addedtothemiseryofbeingverycoldandtired,madehersay,"Botherthesigns."Shedidntperhapsquitemeanit.
"Oh,thatwas,wasit?"saidPuddleglum."NowIwonder,areyht?Gotemmixed,Ishouldntwoseemstome,thishill,thisflatplacewereon,isworthstoppingtohavealookat.Haveyounoticed-”
"OhLor!"saidScrubb,"isthisatimeforstoppingtoadmiretheview?Foodnesssakeletsgeton.”
"Oh,look,look,look,"criedJillandpointed.Everyourned,andeveryonesaw.Somewayofftothenorth,andagooddealhigherupthaablelandonwhichtheystood,alineoflightshadappeared.Thistime,evenmoreobviouslythahetravellershadseehenightbefore,theywerewindows:smallerwindowsthatmadeohinkdeliciouslyofbedrooms,andlargerwindowsthatmadeohinkofgreathallswithfiresronthehearthandhotsouporjuicysirloinssmokingoable.
"Harfang!"exclaimedScrubb.
"Thatsallverywell,"saidPuddleglum."ButwhatIwassayingwas-”
"Oh,shutup,"saidJillcrossly."Wehaventamomenttolose.DontyourememberwhattheLadysaidabouttheirlogupsoearly?Wemustgetthereintime,wemust,wemust.Welldieifwereshutoutonanightlikethis.”
"Well,itislyanight,,"beganPuddleglum;butthetwochildrenbothsaid,"eon,"andbeganstumblingforwardontheslipperytablelandasquicklyastheirlegswouldcarrythem.TheMarsh-wigglefollowedthem:stilltalking,butnowthattheywereftheirwayintothewindagain,theycouldnothaveheardhimeveniftheyhadwao.Andtheydidntwant.Theywerethinkingofbathsandbedsandhotdrinks;andtheideaofingttoolateandbeingshutoutwasalmostunbearable.
Inspiteoftheirhaste,ittookthemalongtimetocrosstheflattopofthathill.Andeveheyhadcrossedit,therewerestillseveralledgestoclimbdownonthefarside.
ButatlasttheyreachedthebottomandcouldseewhatHarfangwaslike.
Itstoodonahighcrag,andinspiteofitsmanytowerswasmoreahugehousethanacastle.Obviously,theGentleGiantsfearednoattack.Therewerewindowsisidewallquiteclosetotheground-athingnoonewouldhaveinaseriousfortress.Therewereevenoddlittledoorshereandthere,sothatitwouldbequiteeasytogetinandoutofthecastlewithoutgoingthroughthecourtyard.ThisraisedthespiritsofJillandScrubb.Itmadethewholeplaorefriendlyandlessforbidding.
Atfirsttheheightandsteepnessofthecragfrightehem,butpresentlytheynoticedthattherewasaneasieroandthattheroadwounduptowardsit.Itwasaterribleclimb,afterthejourheyhadalreadyhad,andJillnearlygaveup.ScrubbandPuddleglumhadtohelpherforthelasthundredyards.
Butiheystoodbeforethecastlegate.Theportcullisaeopen.
Howevertiredyouare,ittakessomeotoagiantsfrontdoor.InspiteofallhispreviouswarningsagainstHarfang,ituddleglumwhoshowedmostce.
"Steadypaow,"hesaid."Dontlhtened,whateveryoudo.Wevedohesilliestthingintheworldbyingatall:butnowthatwearehere,wedbestputaboldfait.”
Withthesewordshestrodeforwardintothegateway,stoodstilluhearchwheretheechowouldhelphisvoidcalledoutasloudashecould.
"Ho!Puestswhoseeklodging.”
Andwhilehewaswaitingforsomethingtohappeookoffhishatandknockedofftheheavymassofsnowwhichhadgatheredonitswidebrim.
"Isay,"whisperedScrubbtoJill."Hemaybeawetbla,buthehasplentyofpludcheek.”
Adooropened,lettingoutadeliciousglowht,aerappeared.Jillbitherlipsforfearsheshouldscream.Hewasnotaperfectlyenormousgiant;thatistosay,hewasrathertallerthananappletreebutnothinglikesotallasatelegraphpole.Hehadbristlyredhair,aleatherjerkinwithmetalplatesfastenedalloveritsoastomakeakindofmailshirt,bareknees(veryhairyindeed)andthingslikeputteesonhislegs.HestoopeddownandgoggledatPuddleglum.
"Andwhatsortofcreaturedoyoucallyourself,"hesaid.
Jilltookherceinbothhands."Please,"shesaid,shoutingupatthegiant."TheLadyoftheGreenKirtlesalutestheKingoftheGentleGiants,andhassentustwoSouthernchildrenandthisMarsh-wiggle(hisnamesPuddleglum)toyourAutum.
-Ifitsquiteve,ofcourse,"sheadded.
"Oho!"saidthePorter."Thatsquiteadifferentstory.ein,littlepeople,ein.
YoudbesteintothelodgewhileImsendingwordtohisMajesty."Helookedatthechildrenwithcuriosity."Bluefaces,"hesaid."Ididntknowthey.werethatcolour.Dontcareaboutitmyself.ButIdaresayyoulookquiteooher.Beetlesfancyotherbeetles,theydosay.”
"Ourfacesareonlybluewithcold,"saidJill."Werenotthiscolourreally.”
"Theneinawarm.ein,littleshrimps,"saidthePorter.Theyfollowedhimintothelodge.Andthoughitwasratherterribletohearsuchabigdoorgshutbehiheyfotaboutitassoonastheysawthethingtheyhadbeenlongingforeversincesuppertimelastnight-afire.Andsuchafire!Itlookedasiffourorfivewholetreeswereblazingonit,anditwassohottheycouldntgowithinyardsofit.Buttheyallfloppeddownonthebrickfloor,asnearastheycouldbeartheheat,andheavedgreatsighsofrelief.
"Now,youngster,"saidthePortertoaniantwhohadbeensittinginthebackoftheroom,staringatthevisitorstillitlookedasifhiseyeswouldstartoutofhishead,"runacrosswiththismessagetotheHouse."AndherepeatedwhatJillhadsaidtohim.Theyoungergiant,afterafinalstare,andagreatguffaw,lefttheroom.
"Ny,"saidthePortertoPuddleglum,"youlookasifyouwantedsomecheeringup."HeproducedablackbottleverylikePuddleglumsown,butabouttwentytimeslarger."Letmesee,letmesee,"saidthePorter."Itgiveyouacuporyoulldrownyourself.Letmesee.Thissalt-cellarwillbejustthething.YoumentionitoverattheHouse.Thesilverwillkeepoingoverhere,anditsnotmyfault.”
Thesalt-cellarwasnotverylikeoneofours,beingnarrowerandmoreupright,andmadequiteagoodcupforPuddleglum,whenthegiadownonthefloorbesidehim.ThechildreedPuddleglumtorefuseit,distrustileGiantsashedid.Buthemuttered,"Itsratherlatetobethinkingofprecautionsnowthatwereihedoorshutbehindus."Thenhesheliquor."Smellsallright,"hesaid."Butthatsnothingtogoby.Bettermakesure,"andtookasip."Tastesallright,too,"hesaid."Butitmightdothatatthefirstsip.Howdoesitgoon?"Hetookalargersip."Ah!"hesaid.
"Butisitthesameallthewaydown?"andtookanother."Therellbesomethingnastyatthebottom,Ishouldntwonder,"hesaid,andfihedrink.Helickedhislipsandremarkedtothechildren,"Thisllbeatest,yousee.IfIcurlup,orburst,orturnintoalizard,orsomething,thenyoullknownottotakeanythingtheyofferyou."Butthegiant,whowastoofaruptohearthethingsPuddleglumhadbeensayingunderhisbreath,roaredwithlaughterandsaid,"Why,Froggy,youreaman.Seehimputitaway!”
"Notaman...Marsh-wiggle,"repliedPuddlegluminasomewhatindistinctvoice."Neither:Marshwiggle.”
Atthatmomentthedooropenedbehindthemandtheyoungergiantcameinsaying,"Theyretogotothethrone-roomatonce.”
ThechildrenstoodupbutPuddleglumremaitingandsaid,"Marsh-wiggle.Marsh-wiggle.VeryrespectableMarsh-wiggle.Respectowiggle.”
"Showthemtheway,youngun,"saidthegiantPorter."YoudbettercarryFroggy.Heshadadropmorethansgoodforhim.”
"Nothingwrongwithme,"saidPuddleglum."N.Nothingfrogwithme.Imarespectabiggle.”
Buttheyounggiantcaughthimupbythewaistandsighechildrentofollow.Inthisundignifiedwaytheycrossedthecourtyard.Puddleglum,heldinthegiantsfist,andvaguelykigtheair,didcertainlylookverylikeafrog.Buttheyhadlittletimetonoticethis,fortheysoohegreatdoorwayofthemaincastle-boththeirheartsbeatingfasterthanusual-and,afterpatteringalongseveralcorridorsatatrottokeepupwiththegiantspaces,foundthemselvesblinkinginthelightofanenormousroom,wherelampsglowedandafireroaredonthehearthandbothwerereflectedfromthegildingofroofandice.Miantsthantheycouldtstoodontheirleftandright,allinmagnifitrobes;andontwothrohefarend,sattwohugeshapesthatappearedtobetheKingandQueen.
Abouttwefromthethroheystopped.ScrubbandJillmadeanawkwardattemptatabow(girlsarenottaughthowtocurtseyatExperimentHouse)andtheyounggiantcarefullyputPuddleglumdownonthefloor,wherehecollapsedintoasortofsittingposition.Withhislonglimbshelooked,totellthetruth,unonlylikealargespider.松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
AtabouttenoclockthefirsttinysnowflakescameldownaledonJillsarm.Tenmiertheywerefallingquitethickly.Iymihegroundwasnoticeablywhite.Andbytheendofhalfanhoodsteadysnowstorm,whichlookedasifitmeanttolastallday,wasdrivingintheirfacessothattheycouldhardlysee.
Iouandwhatfollowed,youmustkeeponrememberinghowlittletheycouldsee.Astheydrewhelowhillwhichseparatedthemfromtheplacewherethelightedwindoeared,theyhadnogeneralviewofitatall.Itwasaquestionofseeifewpacesahead,and,evenforthat,youhadtoscrewupyoureyes.
Needlesstosay,theywerenottalking.
Whentheyreachedthefootofthehilltheycaughtaglimpseofwhatmightberoeachside-squarishrocks,ifyoulookedatthemcarefully,butnoonedid.Allweremoreedwiththeledgerightinfrontofthemwhichbarredtheirway.Itwasaboutfourfeethigh.TheMarsh-wiggle,withhislonglegs,hadnodifficultyinjumpingontothetopofit,ahenhelpedtheothersup.Itwasanastywetbusinessforthem,thoughnotforhim,becausethesnownowlayquitedeepontheledge.Theythenhadastiffclimb-Jillfellonce-upveryroughgroundforaboutahundredyards,andcametoasedledge.Therewerefouroftheseledgesaltogether,atquiteirregularintervals.
Astheystruggledontothefourthledge,therewasnomistakithattheywerenowatthetopoftheflathill.Uptillnowtheslopehadgiventhemsomeshelter;here,theygotthefullfuryofthewind.Forthehill,oddlyenough,wasquiteasflatontopasithadlookedfromadistance:agreatleveltablelandwhichthestormtoreacrosswithout
resistanmostplacesthesnowwasstillhardlylyingatall,forthewicatgitupoffthegroundisandclouds,andhurlingitintheirfaces.Androundtheirfeetlittleeddiesofsnowranaboutasyousometimesseethemdoingoverid,indeed,inmanyplaces,thesurfacewasalmostassmoothasice.Buttomakemattersworseitwascrossedandcrisscrossedwithcuriousbanksordykes,whietimesdivideditupintosquaresandoblongs.Alltheseofcoursehadtobeclimbed;theyvariedfromtwotofivefeetiandwereaboutacoupleofyardsthithenorthsideofeakthesnowalreadylayindeepdrifts;andaftereachclimbyoucamedownintoadriftandgotwet.
Fightingherwayforwardwithhoodupandheaddownandnumbhandsinsidehercloak,Jillhadglimpsesofotheroddthingsonthathorribletableland-thingshtthatlookedvaguelylikefactoryeys,and,onherleft,ahugecliff,straighterthananycliffoughttobe.Butshewasntatalliedanddidntgivethemathought.Theonlythingsshethoughtaboutwerehercoldhands(andnoseandandears)andhotbathsaHarfang.
Suddenlysheskidded,slidaboutfivefeet,andfoundherselftoherhorrorslidingdownintoadark,narrowchasmwhichseemedthatmomenttohaveappearedinfrontofher.
Halfasedlatershehadreachedthebottom.Sheappearedtobeinakindoftrenchroove,onlyaboutthreefeetwide.Andthoughshewasshakenbythefall,almostthefirstthiicedwasthereliefofbeingoutofthewind;forthewallsofthetrenchrosehighaboveher.Thehiicedwas,naturally,theanxiousfacesofScrubbandPuddleglumlookingdownatherfromtheedge.
"Areyouhurt,Pole?"shoutedScrubb.
"Bothlegsbroken,Ishouldntwonder,"shoutedPuddleglum.
Jillstoodupandexplaihatshewasallright,buttheydhavetohelpherout.
"Whatisityouvefalleninto?"askedScrubb.
"Itsakindoftrenightbeakindofsunkenlaneorsomething,"saidJill."Itrunsquitestraight.”
"Yes,byJove,"saidScrubb."Anditruh!Iwonderisitasortofroad?Ifitwas,wedbeoutofthisinfernalwinddownthere.Istherealotofsnowatthebottom?”
"Hardlyany.Itallblowsoverthetop,Isuppose.”
"pensfartheron?”
"Halfasec.Illgoandsee,"saidJill.Shegotupandwalkedalorench;butbeforeshehadgonefar,itturnedsharplytht.Sheshoutedthisinformationbacktotheothers.
"Whatsroundtheer?"askedScrubb.
NoehatJillhadthesamefeelingabouttwistypassagesanddarkpladerground,orevennearlyunderground,thatScrubbhadabouttheedgesofcliffs.Shehadnoiionofgoingroundthateralone;especiallywhensheheardPuddleglumbawlingoutfrombehindher:"Becareful,Pole.Itsjustthesortofplacethatmightleadtonscave.Andinagianttry,theremightbegiah-wormsiales.”
"Idontthinkitgoesanywheremuch,"saidJill,inghastilyback.
"Imjollywellgoingtohavealook,"saidScrubb."Whatdoyoumeanbyanywheremuch,Ishouldliketoknow?"Sohesatdownontheedgeofthetrench(everyooowetbynowtobotheraboutbeingabitwetter)andthendroppedin.HepushedpastJilland,thoughhedidntsayanything,shefeltsurethatheknewshehadfu.Soshefollowedhimclose,buttookottogetinfrontofhim.
Itproved,however,adisappointingexploration.Theywentroundtheright-handturnandstraightonforafewpaces.Heretherewasachoiceofways:straightonagain,orsharptht."Thatsnogood,"saidScrubb,glangdowntheright-handturn,"thatwouldbetakingusback-south."Hewentstraighton,butoncemore,ieps,theyfoundasedturntht.Butthistimetherewasnochoiceofways,forthetrenchtheyhadbeenfollowingherecametoadeadend.
"Nogood,"gruntedScrubb.Jilllostnotimeinturningandleadingthewayback.WheurheplacewhereJillhadfirstfallenin,theMarsh-wigglewithhislongarmshadnodifficultyinpulli.
Butitwasdreadfultobeoutontopagain.Downinthosenarrowslitsoftreheirearshadalmostbeguntothaw.Theyhadbeeoseeclearlyaheeasilyandheareachotherspeakwithoutshouting.Itwasabsolutemiserytoebatothewitheringess.AnditdidseemhardwhenPuddleglumchosethatmomentforsaying:"Areyoustillsureofthosesigns,Pole?Whatstheoneweoughttobeafter,now?”
"Oh,eon!Botherthesigns,"saidPole."SomethingaboutsomeoioningAslanshink.ButImjollywellnotgoingtogivearecitationhere.”
Asyousee,shehadgottheorderwrong.Thatwasbecauseshehadgivenupsayingthesignsovereverynight.Shestillreallykhem,ifshetroubledtothink:butshewasnolongerso"pat"inherlessonastobesureofreelingthemoffintherightorderatamomentsnotidwithoutthinking.Puddleglumsquestionannoyedherbecause,deepdowninsideher,shewasalreadyahherselffornotknowingtheLionslesson
quitesowellasshefeltsheoughttohaveknownit.Thisannoyance,addedtothemiseryofbeingverycoldandtired,madehersay,"Botherthesigns."Shedidntperhapsquitemeanit.
"Oh,thatwas,wasit?"saidPuddleglum."NowIwonder,areyht?Gotemmixed,Ishouldntwoseemstome,thishill,thisflatplacewereon,isworthstoppingtohavealookat.Haveyounoticed-”
"OhLor!"saidScrubb,"isthisatimeforstoppingtoadmiretheview?Foodnesssakeletsgeton.”
"Oh,look,look,look,"criedJillandpointed.Everyourned,andeveryonesaw.Somewayofftothenorth,andagooddealhigherupthaablelandonwhichtheystood,alineoflightshadappeared.Thistime,evenmoreobviouslythahetravellershadseehenightbefore,theywerewindows:smallerwindowsthatmadeohinkdeliciouslyofbedrooms,andlargerwindowsthatmadeohinkofgreathallswithfiresronthehearthandhotsouporjuicysirloinssmokingoable.
"Harfang!"exclaimedScrubb.
"Thatsallverywell,"saidPuddleglum."ButwhatIwassayingwas-”
"Oh,shutup,"saidJillcrossly."Wehaventamomenttolose.DontyourememberwhattheLadysaidabouttheirlogupsoearly?Wemustgetthereintime,wemust,wemust.Welldieifwereshutoutonanightlikethis.”
"Well,itislyanight,,"beganPuddleglum;butthetwochildrenbothsaid,"eon,"andbeganstumblingforwardontheslipperytablelandasquicklyastheirlegswouldcarrythem.TheMarsh-wigglefollowedthem:stilltalking,butnowthattheywereftheirwayintothewindagain,theycouldnothaveheardhimeveniftheyhadwao.Andtheydidntwant.Theywerethinkingofbathsandbedsandhotdrinks;andtheideaofingttoolateandbeingshutoutwasalmostunbearable.
Inspiteoftheirhaste,ittookthemalongtimetocrosstheflattopofthathill.Andeveheyhadcrossedit,therewerestillseveralledgestoclimbdownonthefarside.
ButatlasttheyreachedthebottomandcouldseewhatHarfangwaslike.
Itstoodonahighcrag,andinspiteofitsmanytowerswasmoreahugehousethanacastle.Obviously,theGentleGiantsfearednoattack.Therewerewindowsisidewallquiteclosetotheground-athingnoonewouldhaveinaseriousfortress.Therewereevenoddlittledoorshereandthere,sothatitwouldbequiteeasytogetinandoutofthecastlewithoutgoingthroughthecourtyard.ThisraisedthespiritsofJillandScrubb.Itmadethewholeplaorefriendlyandlessforbidding.
Atfirsttheheightandsteepnessofthecragfrightehem,butpresentlytheynoticedthattherewasaneasieroandthattheroadwounduptowardsit.Itwasaterribleclimb,afterthejourheyhadalreadyhad,andJillnearlygaveup.ScrubbandPuddleglumhadtohelpherforthelasthundredyards.
Butiheystoodbeforethecastlegate.Theportcullisaeopen.
Howevertiredyouare,ittakessomeotoagiantsfrontdoor.InspiteofallhispreviouswarningsagainstHarfang,ituddleglumwhoshowedmostce.
"Steadypaow,"hesaid."Dontlhtened,whateveryoudo.Wevedohesilliestthingintheworldbyingatall:butnowthatwearehere,wedbestputaboldfait.”
Withthesewordshestrodeforwardintothegateway,stoodstilluhearchwheretheechowouldhelphisvoidcalledoutasloudashecould.
"Ho!Puestswhoseeklodging.”
Andwhilehewaswaitingforsomethingtohappeookoffhishatandknockedofftheheavymassofsnowwhichhadgatheredonitswidebrim.
"Isay,"whisperedScrubbtoJill."Hemaybeawetbla,buthehasplentyofpludcheek.”
Adooropened,lettingoutadeliciousglowht,aerappeared.Jillbitherlipsforfearsheshouldscream.Hewasnotaperfectlyenormousgiant;thatistosay,hewasrathertallerthananappletreebutnothinglikesotallasatelegraphpole.Hehadbristlyredhair,aleatherjerkinwithmetalplatesfastenedalloveritsoastomakeakindofmailshirt,bareknees(veryhairyindeed)andthingslikeputteesonhislegs.HestoopeddownandgoggledatPuddleglum.
"Andwhatsortofcreaturedoyoucallyourself,"hesaid.
Jilltookherceinbothhands."Please,"shesaid,shoutingupatthegiant."TheLadyoftheGreenKirtlesalutestheKingoftheGentleGiants,andhassentustwoSouthernchildrenandthisMarsh-wiggle(hisnamesPuddleglum)toyourAutum.
-Ifitsquiteve,ofcourse,"sheadded.
"Oho!"saidthePorter."Thatsquiteadifferentstory.ein,littlepeople,ein.
YoudbesteintothelodgewhileImsendingwordtohisMajesty."Helookedatthechildrenwithcuriosity."Bluefaces,"hesaid."Ididntknowthey.werethatcolour.Dontcareaboutitmyself.ButIdaresayyoulookquiteooher.Beetlesfancyotherbeetles,theydosay.”
"Ourfacesareonlybluewithcold,"saidJill."Werenotthiscolourreally.”
"Theneinawarm.ein,littleshrimps,"saidthePorter.Theyfollowedhimintothelodge.Andthoughitwasratherterribletohearsuchabigdoorgshutbehiheyfotaboutitassoonastheysawthethingtheyhadbeenlongingforeversincesuppertimelastnight-afire.Andsuchafire!Itlookedasiffourorfivewholetreeswereblazingonit,anditwassohottheycouldntgowithinyardsofit.Buttheyallfloppeddownonthebrickfloor,asnearastheycouldbeartheheat,andheavedgreatsighsofrelief.
"Now,youngster,"saidthePortertoaniantwhohadbeensittinginthebackoftheroom,staringatthevisitorstillitlookedasifhiseyeswouldstartoutofhishead,"runacrosswiththismessagetotheHouse."AndherepeatedwhatJillhadsaidtohim.Theyoungergiant,afterafinalstare,andagreatguffaw,lefttheroom.
"Ny,"saidthePortertoPuddleglum,"youlookasifyouwantedsomecheeringup."HeproducedablackbottleverylikePuddleglumsown,butabouttwentytimeslarger."Letmesee,letmesee,"saidthePorter."Itgiveyouacuporyoulldrownyourself.Letmesee.Thissalt-cellarwillbejustthething.YoumentionitoverattheHouse.Thesilverwillkeepoingoverhere,anditsnotmyfault.”
Thesalt-cellarwasnotverylikeoneofours,beingnarrowerandmoreupright,andmadequiteagoodcupforPuddleglum,whenthegiadownonthefloorbesidehim.ThechildreedPuddleglumtorefuseit,distrustileGiantsashedid.Buthemuttered,"Itsratherlatetobethinkingofprecautionsnowthatwereihedoorshutbehindus."Thenhesheliquor."Smellsallright,"hesaid."Butthatsnothingtogoby.Bettermakesure,"andtookasip."Tastesallright,too,"hesaid."Butitmightdothatatthefirstsip.Howdoesitgoon?"Hetookalargersip."Ah!"hesaid.
"Butisitthesameallthewaydown?"andtookanother."Therellbesomethingnastyatthebottom,Ishouldntwonder,"hesaid,andfihedrink.Helickedhislipsandremarkedtothechildren,"Thisllbeatest,yousee.IfIcurlup,orburst,orturnintoalizard,orsomething,thenyoullknownottotakeanythingtheyofferyou."Butthegiant,whowastoofaruptohearthethingsPuddleglumhadbeensayingunderhisbreath,roaredwithlaughterandsaid,"Why,Froggy,youreaman.Seehimputitaway!”
"Notaman...Marsh-wiggle,"repliedPuddlegluminasomewhatindistinctvoice."Neither:Marshwiggle.”
Atthatmomentthedooropenedbehindthemandtheyoungergiantcameinsaying,"Theyretogotothethrone-roomatonce.”
ThechildrenstoodupbutPuddleglumremaitingandsaid,"Marsh-wiggle.Marsh-wiggle.VeryrespectableMarsh-wiggle.Respectowiggle.”
"Showthemtheway,youngun,"saidthegiantPorter."YoudbettercarryFroggy.Heshadadropmorethansgoodforhim.”
"Nothingwrongwithme,"saidPuddleglum."N.Nothingfrogwithme.Imarespectabiggle.”
Buttheyounggiantcaughthimupbythewaistandsighechildrentofollow.Inthisundignifiedwaytheycrossedthecourtyard.Puddleglum,heldinthegiantsfist,andvaguelykigtheair,didcertainlylookverylikeafrog.Buttheyhadlittletimetonoticethis,fortheysoohegreatdoorwayofthemaincastle-boththeirheartsbeatingfasterthanusual-and,afterpatteringalongseveralcorridorsatatrottokeepupwiththegiantspaces,foundthemselvesblinkinginthelightofanenormousroom,wherelampsglowedandafireroaredonthehearthandbothwerereflectedfromthegildingofroofandice.Miantsthantheycouldtstoodontheirleftandright,allinmagnifitrobes;andontwothrohefarend,sattwohugeshapesthatappearedtobetheKingandQueen.
Abouttwefromthethroheystopped.ScrubbandJillmadeanawkwardattemptatabow(girlsarenottaughthowtocurtseyatExperimentHouse)andtheyounggiantcarefullyputPuddleglumdownonthefloor,wherehecollapsedintoasortofsittingposition.Withhislonglimbshelooked,totellthetruth,unonlylikealargespider.松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
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