David Copperfield

Chapter 92 Dora's Aunts (1)
Chapter 41 Dora's Aunts (1)
Finally, I waited for the reply from the two old ladies.They saluted me first, saying that they had given my letter serious consideration "for the mutual happiness"--a statement which I find terrible, and which I have seen (and always have) tend to degenerate into elusiveness. Uncertain things, they also said that if I would patronize someday, they would be happy to talk to me face to face.

I wrote back right away.He said that he hoped to have an interview with the two ladies and would visit them before the specified time.Accompanied, as they ordered, by my close friend, Mr. Thomas Traddles of the Inner Court.Immediately after I sent that letter, I was in a state of excitement.until the appointed day.

My uneasiness was increased by the absence of Miss Mills' help at this critical juncture.

I couldn't make up my mind what to wear on that crucial day.Miss Spenlow thought I was impractical, so I tried to find a suitable way between these two extremes.My aunt approved of my final decision.As we came down, Mr. Dick threw his shoe behind Traddles and me in a sign of auspiciousness.

Traddles was obliged to comb my hair neatly for my sake.It made him look good.

But his hair was straight as a stovebrush, and I suggested he press it.

"Copperfield," said Traddles, "I'm glad to push my hair down, but he won't listen."

"Can't you press down?" I said.

"No way," said Traddles. "You have no idea how stubborn my hair is, like an angry porcupine."

This disappointed me a little, and I told him I respected his good temper.

Traddles said: "I had a lot of jokes about my infuriating hair. My uncle couldn't stand it, and it got me in a lot of trouble when I first started dating Sophie."

"Does Sophie hate this hair too?"

"That's not true," said Traddles, "but her eldest sister--used to joke about it."

"That would be fun!" I said.

"Yes," said Traddles, "it was the butt of everybody's joke."

"But Traddles," I said, "these things remind me of one thing. When you got engaged to Sophie, did you formally propose to her family? As we're going to do today—"

Traddles said: "That matter was a very painful thing for me. Sophie is very capable at home, so no one in her family wants her to marry. When I was very careful about Crowlo Ma'am—when her mother asked the question—"

"When she heard that, she passed out. I couldn't talk about it again for several months."

"But what happened to you then?" I said.

"It was suggested for me by the good Reverend Haylace," said Traddles, "that he said to his wife that she should be sacrificed because she was a Christian, and that she should not be jealous of me!"

"Those sisters, support you, Traddles?"

"Well, you can't say that," he answered. "We must tell Sarah when Mrs. Crowley is persuaded. She won't eat or drink when she learns."

"What a disgrace!" I said.

Traddles said: "But she was lovely, and she was so sentimental. They were all of them. It had different tragic reactions in them, and the youngest didn't hate me until recently."

"Are they content with the status quo for now?" I said.

"Yes," said Traddles, "we've all avoided the subject, and I've married her, and they'll all hate me!"

I lost all confidence in myself as we neared our destination, and I staggered to Miss Spenlow's door.

I felt like an exhibit when the maid opened the door, and as I sat on the sofa, I saw Traddles's hair stand up again after taking off his hat, and I heard a clock ticking on the mantelpiece , I searched for Dora everywhere, but failed.I seemed to hear Kip yelling in the distance, and then I was choked.At last I found myself bowing flusteredly to the two old ladies.They were all dressed in black, and looked exactly like Mr. Spenlow.

"Please sit down!"

She had my letter in her hand—reading it from time to time.Both of them have straight backs and solemn attitudes, as if they are two idols.

"You are Mr. Copperfield." The sister who held the letter said to me.

We all clearly heard Jip yelp twice, and was pinched back again.

That's when the sister interrupted.

"Lavinia," said she, "knowing matters of this nature, let her give our opinion."

"The twists and turns," said Miss Lavinia, "we don't want to repeat it."

"We're not used to it," said Miss Clarissa, "with Francis not often, but we have no disputes, we just go our separate ways."

"Our niece's position is very different from what it was before Francis' death," said Miss Lavinia, "and we think that what my sister-in-law has said about her position does not apply now. We I believe that you are a young gentleman of good character, and we do not doubt your sincere love for our niece."

I replied that I loved Dora more than any other, and Traddles agreed.

Miss Clarissa interrupted again:

"If Dora's mother," said she, "when she married Francis, had at first suggested that she would not have us at her feast, and that would have been more conducive to every aspect of happiness."

"Sister Clarissa," said Miss Lavinia, "there is no need to mention that now."

"Sister Lavinia," said Miss Clarissa, "I have a say in this matter, and I would like to express my opinion."

Miss Lavinia said:

"In your letter you ask my sister and I to allow you, Mr. Copperfield, to come here as our niece's duly acknowledged suitor."

We have no right and reason to disagree, and we never interfere with others.

"Sister Lavinia," said Miss Clarissa, who had had enough of venting, "you go on."

Miss Lavinia continued:

"Mr. Copperfield, my sister and I have thought carefully about this letter, and have shown it to our niece. You think you are very fond of Dora."

"I think, miss!" I said.

But Miss Clarissa looked at me, and I apologized for interrupting her.

Miss Lavinia continued: "Mature love is not easy to show. Ripe fruit needs to wait patiently."

"The youthful--favorites," said Miss Lavinia, "are like dust compared with the rock. For it is not easy to know whether it will last, whether it has a real foundation. And this -"

"Traddles," said my friend.

"I feel that you are from the inner courtyard?" Miss Lavinia said.

"Yes," said Traddles.

I see bright hope.I feel that Miss Lavinia must be satisfied in observing two young men, Dora and myself; Part, if you want to add a few words, her satisfaction will never be the same as her sister's.This gave me the courage to declare my love more openly.Traddles, then, by his plain and direct language and practical manner, proved my words, and made a favorable impression on the two old ladies.

"If I may say so, I do so as an experienced man," said Traddles, "and as I myself am engaged to a young lady of ten sisters--I cannot yet see Until we have the possibility of ending our engagement."

"Mr. Traddles," said Miss Lavinia, "can you attest to my statement that love is humble, and long awaited?"

"absolutely okay."

Miss Lavinia then went on:

"Mr. Traddles, my sister and I have had a great deal of hesitation as to what to do with the affections of young men such as your friend Mr. Copperfield and my niece."

"Our niece, who is the child of our brother Francis," said Miss Clarissa, "if her brother's wife had invited relatives to her table during her lifetime, we might now be able to treat my brother's The child understands better. Go on, Lavinia, please."

Miss Lavinia turned my letter to her side, and read her clearly written memorandum.

"Mr. Traddles," said she, "their sentiments are prudent enough to be observed by us. We know nothing of their sentiments, and therefore cannot judge how much of them are genuine. So We willfully accepted Mr. Copperfield's request to visit here."

"Misses," I exclaimed, my heart dropped, "I will never forget your kindness to me!"

"But," said Miss Lavinia, "at this stage we prefer to regard such visits, Mr. Traddles, as being made upon us. Until we have had an opportunity of observing them ourselves—"

"Before you have had a chance to observe them, Sister Lavinia," said Miss Clarissa.

"Well, that's it," said Miss Lavinia. "We cannot promise a formal engagement between Mr. Copperfield and my niece until I have had an opportunity of observing them myself."

"Copperfield," said Traddles, "you must think nothing more reasonable or prudent."

I exclaimed, "Yes, I feel that deeply."

"Since the state of the matter," said Miss Lavinia, "is the only way we can accept a visit from Mr. Copperfield. Mr. Copperfield must assure us plainly that he and our niece Between us, don’t conceal us and communicate with each other, if you don’t go through us—”

"Passing you, Sister Lavinia," interposed Miss Clarissa.

"Well, Clarissa," agreed Miss Lavinia, "without going through me—nothing can be said of our niece. We must make this the most obvious and solemn rule, without any pretense. To spoil. We have asked Copperfield to come with an intimate friend today, to avoid doubt or misunderstanding on the matter. If Mr. Copperfield, or you, Mr. Traddles, were to promise If there is any hesitation in this condition, I ask you to think again."

In a state of high joy, I said, no need to think about it.and gave their request, and made Traddles a witness, and I said that I should be the most virtuous fellow if I should do anything less than keep such promises.

"Wait!" said Miss Lavinia. "Before we had the honor of seeing you gentlemen, we decided that we would give you a quarter of an hour alone to consider the matter. We shall withdraw now."

I told them there was no need to think about it, but it didn't help.They insisted and withdrew, leaving me in the house to receive Traddles' celebration, and the opportunity to feel as if I were in bliss.Exactly a quarter of an hour later, they reappeared with as much dignity as when they went out.When they went out their clothes rustled as if made of autumn leaves; and when they came back they rustled too.

So I declared again that I must abide by the conditions they stipulated.

"Sister Clarissa," said Miss Lavinia, "you will take care of the rest."

(End of this chapter)