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1、【英文文学】The Babes in the BasketI. The Moonlight Visitor.The evening air stole gently into a quiet room in a southern island, more than sixty years ago.There were no casements in the wide windows; the heavy shutters were thrown back, and the moonlight poured, in long, unbroken streams, across the polis
2、hed, un-carpeted floor.Within the large pleasant room, twoPg 6 children were sleeping in their curtained beds, like birds in pretty cages.Suddenly there was a cautious tread in the hall, and then a strange figure stood silently in the moonlight. Without candle, or taper, might have been plainly seen
3、 the short, strongly-built woman, whose black face and gay turban formed a striking contrast to the fair children in their loose, white night-dresses.Who was that dark intruder, and what was her secret errand, in that quiet room?It was Daph, black Daph, and when you have heard more about her, you ca
4、n better judge whether she came as a friend, or an enemy, to the sleeping children of her master.Pg 7The large mirror, bright in the moonlight, seemed to have an irresistible attraction for the negro, and the sight of her black face fully reflected there, made her show her white teeth in a grin of d
5、ecided approval. The pleased expression, however, disappeared almost instantly, as she said impatiently, “Foolish darky, spendin dese precious time, looking at your own ugly face!”At this whispered exclamation, the children stirred uneasily. “If I mus, I mus!” said Daph, resolutely, as she drew from
6、 her pocket a box, containing two small pills. With the pills in her hand she approached the bedside of the little girl, who was now half sitting up, and looking at Daph, withPg 8 the bewildered expression of one suddenly aroused from sleep.Daph put aside the mosquito bar, and said, coaxingly, “Take
7、 dis, Miss Lou, quick as you can, and dont go for waking Mass Charley, asleep da in dat beauty bed of his.”Daph had slipped the pill into a juicy bit of pineapple, which she seemed to have had ready for the purpose, and the child instantly swallowed it. With one trustful, pleasant glance from her la
8、rge, blue eyes, the fair-haired little girl sank back on her pillow, and was soon in the sweet sleep of innocence.As soon as Daph saw the small, slender hands lie open and relaxed,Pg 9 she closed the gauze-like curtains, and stole to the cradle-bed of the little boy. She raised his head gently on he
9、r arm, and placed in his mouth a bit of the same juicy fruit she had given his sister, containing another of those hidden pills, which she seemed so anxious to administer. The child did not wake, but the sweet morsel was pleasant to his taste, and no doubt mingled in his baby-dreams of the joys of t
10、he pleasant world in which he had passed but little more than a twelve month.Daph now set to work busily to fill a huge basket, which she brought from some place of deposit near at hand. The drawers of the bureau, and the contents of the elegant dressing-casePg 10 she thoroughly over-hauled, making
11、such selections as seemed to please her fancy, and being withal somewhat dainty in her choice. Childrens clothing, of the finest and best, formed the lowest layer in the basket; then followed a sprinkling of rings and necklaces, interspersed with the choice furniture of the rich dressing-case. Over
12、all was placed a large light shawl, with its many soft folds, and then Daph viewed the success of her packing with much satisfaction.Quietly and stealthily she approached the bed, where the little girl was sleeping so soundly that she did not wake, even when Daph lifted her in her strong arms, and l
13、aid her gently inPg 11 the great basket,the choicest treasure of all. In another moment the plump, rosy boy was lying with his fairy-like sister, in that strange resting-place. Daph looked at them, as they lay side by side, and a tear rolled over her dark cheeks, and, as it fell, sparkled in the moo
14、nlight.The negro had taken up a white cloth, and was in the act of throwing it over the basket, when a small book, with golden clasps, suddenly caught her eye; rolling it quickly in a soft, rich veil, she placed it between the children, and her task was done.It was but the work of a moment, to faste
15、n on the cloth-covering with a stout string; then, with one strong effort,Pg 12 Daph stooped, took the basket on her head, and went forth from the door with as stately a step as if she wore a crown.II. The “Martha Jane.”There was the bustle of departure, on board a Yankee schooner, which some hope o
16、f gain had brought to the southern island, named in our last chapter. The fresh and favorable breeze hurried the preparations of the sailors, as they moved about full of glad thoughts of return to their distant home.The boat, which had been sent ashore for some needful supplies, was fast approaching the vessel, and in it,Pg 14 among the rough tars, was Daph, her precious basket at her side, and her bri
