ÓÑÇéÌáʾ£ºÈç¹û±¾ÍøÒ³´ò¿ªÌ«Âý»òÏÔʾ²»ÍêÕû£¬Çë³¢ÊÔÊó±êÓÒ¼ü¡°Ë¢Ð¡±±¾ÍøÒ³£¡
thankful blossom(¸Ð¶÷»¨¿ª)-µÚ11²¿·Ö
¿ì½Ý²Ù×÷: °´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ °´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ °´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿! Èç¹û±¾ÊéûÓÐÔĶÁÍ꣬ÏëÏ´μÌÐø½Ó×ÅÔĶÁ£¬¿ÉʹÓÃÉÏ·½ "Êղص½ÎÒµÄä¯ÀÀÆ÷" ¹¦ÄÜ ºÍ "¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©" ¹¦ÄÜ£¡
Excellency¡¡believes¡¡my¡¡story£»¡¡and¡¡those¡¡gentlemen¡¡were¡¡NOT¡¡spies£»¡¡but¡¡
even¡¡as¡¡they¡¡gave¡¡themselves¡¡to¡¡be¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡said¡¡not¡¡that¡¡much£»¡¨¡¡replied¡¡Washington¡¡with¡¡a¡¡kindly¡¡smile£»¡¡¡¨but¡¡no¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡38¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡39¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THANKFUL¡¡BLOSSOM¡¡
matter¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Tell¡¡¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡¡¡rather£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Mistress¡¡¡¡¡¡Thankful£»¡¡¡¡¡¡how¡¡¡¡¡¡far¡¡¡¡¡¡your¡¡¡¡¡¡acquaintance¡¡
with¡¡these¡¡gentlemen¡¡has¡¡gone£»¡¡or¡¡did¡¡it¡¡end¡¡with¡¡the¡¡box¡¡on¡¡the¡¡ear¡¡that¡¡
you¡¡gave¡¡the¡¡baron£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨He¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡asked¡¡¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡ride¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Baskingridge£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡Ihad¡¡
saidyes£»¡¨¡¡faltered¡¡Mistress¡¡Thankful¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Unless¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡misjudge¡¡¡¡¡¡you£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Mistress¡¡¡¡¡¡Thankful£»¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡can¡¡¡¡¡¡without¡¡¡¡¡¡great¡¡
sacrifice¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡promise¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡will¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡see¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡until¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡give¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡
permission£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Washington£»¡¡with¡¡grave¡¡playfulness¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡swinging¡¡light¡¡shone¡¡full¡¡in¡¡Thankful's¡¡truthful¡¡eyes¡¡as¡¡she¡¡lifted¡¡
them¡¡to¡¡his¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡do£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡said¡¡quietly¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Good¡night£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡the¡¡commander£»¡¡with¡¡a¡¡formal¡¡bow¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Good¡night£»¡¡your¡¡Excellency¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡IV¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡sun¡¡was¡¡high¡¡over¡¡the¡¡Short¡¡Hills¡¡when¡¡Mistress¡¡Thankful£»¡¡the¡¡
next¡¡day£»¡¡drew¡¡up¡¡her¡¡sweating¡¡mare¡¡beside¡¡the¡¡Blossom¡¡Farm¡¡gate¡£¡¡She¡¡
had¡¡¡¡¡¡never¡¡¡¡¡¡looked¡¡¡¡¡¡prettier£»¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡never¡¡¡¡¡¡felt¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡embarrassed£»¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡
entered¡¡her¡¡own¡¡house¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡During¡¡her¡¡rapid¡¡ride¡¡she¡¡had¡¡already¡¡framed¡¡a¡¡
speech¡¡of¡¡apology¡¡to¡¡Major¡¡Van¡¡Zandt£»¡¡which£»¡¡however£»¡¡utterly¡¡fled¡¡from¡¡
her¡¡lips¡¡as¡¡that¡¡officer¡¡showed¡¡himself¡¡respectfully¡¡on¡¡the¡¡threshold¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Yet¡¡
she¡¡permitted¡¡him¡¡to¡¡usurp¡¡the¡¡functions¡¡of¡¡the¡¡grinning¡¡Caesar£»¡¡and¡¡help¡¡
her¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡horse£»¡¡¡¡¡¡albeit¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡conscious¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡exhibiting¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡awkward¡¡
timidity¡¡of¡¡a¡¡bashful¡¡rustic£»¡¡until¡¡at¡¡last£»¡¡with¡¡a¡¡stammering£»¡¡¡¨Thank¡¡ye£»¡¨¡¡
she¡¡actually¡¡ran¡¡up¡¡stairs¡¡to¡¡hide¡¡her¡¡glowing¡¡face¡¡and¡¡far¡¡too¡¡conscious¡¡
eyelids¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡During¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡rest¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡day¡¡¡¡Major¡¡¡¡¡¡Van¡¡¡¡¡¡Zandt¡¡¡¡¡¡quietly¡¡¡¡kept¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
way£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡without¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡obtrusively¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡seeming¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡avoid¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Yet£»¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡met¡¡
casually¡¡in¡¡the¡¡performance¡¡of¡¡her¡¡household¡¡duties£»¡¡the¡¡innocent¡¡Mistress¡¡
Thankful¡¡noticed£»¡¡under¡¡her¡¡downcast¡¡penitential¡¡eyelids£»¡¡that¡¡the¡¡eyes¡¡of¡¡
the¡¡officer¡¡¡¡¡¡followed¡¡her¡¡intently¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡thereat¡¡she¡¡fell¡¡unconsciously¡¡¡¡to¡¡
imitating¡¡him£»¡¡and¡¡so¡¡they¡¡eyed¡¡each¡¡other¡¡furtively¡¡like¡¡cats£»¡¡and¡¡rubbed¡¡
themselves¡¡¡¡¡¡along¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡walls¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡rooms¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡passages¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡met£»¡¡¡¡¡¡lest¡¡
they¡¡¡¡¡¡should¡¡¡¡¡¡seem¡¡¡¡¡¡designedly¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡come¡¡¡¡¡¡near¡¡¡¡¡¡each¡¡¡¡¡¡other£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡enacted¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡39¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡40¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THANKFUL¡¡BLOSSOM¡¡
gravest¡¡and¡¡most¡¡formal¡¡of¡¡genuflexions£»¡¡courtesies£»¡¡and¡¡bows£»¡¡when¡¡they¡¡
accidentally¡¡DID¡¡¡¡¡¡meet¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡just¡¡at¡¡the¡¡close¡¡of¡¡the¡¡second¡¡day£»¡¡as¡¡the¡¡
elegant¡¡Major¡¡Van¡¡¡¡¡¡Zandt¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡feeling¡¡himself¡¡fast¡¡¡¡¡¡becoming¡¡a¡¡drivelling¡¡
idiot¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡awkward¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡country¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡booby£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡arrival¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡courier¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡
headquarters¡¡saved¡¡that¡¡gentleman¡¡his¡¡self¡respect¡¡forever¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mistress¡¡¡¡¡¡Thankful¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡sitting¡room¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡knocked¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡
door¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡opened¡¡it¡¡in¡¡sudden£»¡¡conscious¡¡trepidation¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡¡¡¡¡ask¡¡¡¡¡¡pardon¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡intruding£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mistress¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Thankful¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Blossom£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡
gravely£»¡¡¡¨but¡¡I¡¡have¡¡here¡¨he¡¡held¡¡out¡¡a¡¡pretentious¡¡document¡¨a¡¡letter¡¡
for¡¡you¡¡from¡¡headquarters¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡May¡¡I¡¡hope¡¡that¡¡it¡¡contains¡¡good¡¡news£»the¡¡
release¡¡of¡¡your¡¡father¡£and¡¡that¡¡it¡¡relieves¡¡you¡¡from¡¡my¡¡presence£»¡¡and¡¡an¡¡
espionage¡¡which¡¡I¡¡assure¡¡you¡¡cannot¡¡be¡¡more¡¡unpleasant¡¡to¡¡you¡¡than¡¡it¡¡has¡¡
been¡¡to¡¡myself¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡entered¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡room£»¡¡Thankful¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡risen¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡feet¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡full¡¡
intention¡¡of¡¡delivering¡¡to¡¡him¡¡her¡¡little¡¡set¡¡apology£»¡¡but£»¡¡as¡¡he¡¡ended¡¡his¡¡
speech£»¡¡she¡¡looked¡¡at¡¡him¡¡blankly£»¡¡and¡¡burst¡¡out¡¡crying¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Of¡¡course¡¡he¡¡was¡¡in¡¡an¡¡instant¡¡at¡¡her¡¡side£»¡¡and¡¡holding¡¡her¡¡cold¡¡little¡¡
hand¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡managed¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡say£»¡¡¡¡¡¡between¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡tears£»¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡
wanting¡¡to¡¡make¡¡an¡¡apology¡¡to¡¡him£»¡¡that¡¡she¡¡had¡¡wanted¡¡to¡¡say¡¡ever¡¡since¡¡
she¡¡arrived¡¡that¡¡she¡¡had¡¡been¡¡rude£»¡¡very¡¡rude£»¡¡and¡¡that¡¡she¡¡knew¡¡he¡¡never¡¡
could¡¡¡¡¡¡forgive¡¡¡¡¡¡her£»¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡trying¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡say¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡never¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡
forget¡¡his¡¡gentle¡¡forbearance£º¡¡¡¨only£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡added£»¡¡suddenly¡¡raising¡¡her¡¡tear¡¡¡
fringed¡¡brown¡¡lids¡¡to¡¡the¡¡astonished¡¡man£»¡¡¡¨YOU¡¡WOULDN'T¡¡EVER¡¡LET¡¡
ME£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Dear¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mistress¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Thankful£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡major£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡conscience¡stricken¡¡
horror£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨if¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡made¡¡¡¡¡¡myself¡¡¡¡¡¡distant¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡you£»¡¡¡¡¡¡believe¡¡¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡
because¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡feared¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡intrude¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡your¡¡¡¡¡¡sorrow¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡reallydear¡¡¡¡¡¡Mistress¡¡
ThankfulI¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨When¡¡you¡¡took¡¡all¡¡the¡¡pains¡¡to¡¡go¡¡round¡¡the¡¡hall¡¡instead¡¡of¡¡through¡¡
the¡¡¡¡¡¡dining¡room£»¡¡¡¡¡¡lest¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡should¡¡¡¡¡¡ask¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡forgive¡¡¡¡¡¡me£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡sobbed¡¡¡¡¡¡Mistress¡¡
Thankful£»¡¡¡¨I¡¡thoughtyoumusthate¡¡me£»¡¡and¡¡preferred¡¡to¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Perhaps¡¡this¡¡letter¡¡may¡¡mitigate¡¡your¡¡sorrow£»¡¡Mistress¡¡Thankful£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡
the¡¡officer£»¡¡pointing¡¡to¡¡the¡¡letter¡¡she¡¡still¡¡held¡¡unconsciously¡¡in¡¡her¡¡hand¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡With¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡blush¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡pre¡occupation£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Thankful¡¡¡¡¡¡opened¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡letter¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡40¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡41¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THANKFUL¡¡BLOSSOM¡¡
was¡¡a¡¡half¡official¡¡document£»¡¡and¡¡ran¡¡as¡¡follows£º¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨The¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Commander¡in¡Chief¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡glad¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡inform¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mistress¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Thankful¡¡
Blossom¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡charges¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡preferred¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡against¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡father¡¡¡¡¡¡have£»¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡fair¡¡
examination£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡found¡¡¡¡¡¡groundless¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡trivial¡£¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Commander¡in¡¡¡
Chief¡¡further¡¡begs¡¡to¡¡inform¡¡Mistress¡¡Blossom¡¡that¡¡the¡¡gentleman¡¡known¡¡
to¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡under¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡name¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡'Baron¡¡¡¡¡¡Pomposo'¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡Excellency¡¡¡¡¡¡Don¡¡
Juan¡¡Morales£»¡¡Ambassador¡¡and¡¡Envoy¡¡Extraordinary¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Court¡¡of¡¡Spain£»¡¡
and¡¡that¡¡the¡¡gentleman¡¡known¡¡to¡¡her¡¡as¡¡the¡¡'Count¡¡Ferdinand'¡¡was¡¡Senor¡¡
Godoy£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Secretary¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Embassy¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡Commander¡in¡Chief¡¡¡¡¡¡wishes¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡
add¡¡that¡¡Mistress¡¡Thankful¡¡Blossom¡¡is¡¡relieved¡¡of¡¡any¡¡further¡¡obligation¡¡
of¡¡¡¡¡¡hospitality¡¡¡¡¡¡toward¡¡¡¡¡¡these¡¡¡¡¡¡honorable¡¡¡¡¡¡gentlemen£»¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Commander¡in¡¡¡
Chief¡¡regrets¡¡to¡¡record¡¡the¡¡sudden¡¡and¡¡deeply¡to¡be¡deplored¡¡death¡¡of¡¡his¡¡
Excellency¡¡this¡¡morning¡¡by¡¡typhoid¡¡fever£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡possible¡¡speedy¡¡return¡¡
of¡¡the¡¡Embassy¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨In¡¡conclusion£»¡¡the¡¡Commander¡in¡Chief¡¡wishes¡¡to¡¡bear¡¡testimony¡¡to¡¡
the¡¡Truthfulness£»¡¡Intuition£»¡¡and¡¡Discretion¡¡of¡¡Mistress¡¡Thankful¡¡Blossom¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨By¡¡order¡¡of¡¡his¡¡Excellency£»¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Gen¡£¡¡GEORGE¡¡WASHINGTON¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨ALEX¡£¡¡HAMILTON£»¡¡Secretary¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨To¡¡Mistress¡¡THANKFUL¡¡BLOSSOM£»¡¡of¡¡Blossom¡¡Farm¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Thankful¡¡Blossom¡¡was¡¡silent¡¡for¡¡a¡¡few¡¡moments£»¡¡and¡¡then¡¡raised¡¡her¡¡
abashed¡¡eyes¡¡to¡¡Major¡¡Van¡¡Zandt¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡single¡¡glance¡¡satisfied¡¡her¡¡that¡¡he¡¡
knew¡¡¡¡¡¡nothing¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡imposture¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡practised¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡her£»knew¡¡
nothing¡¡of¡¡the¡¡trap¡¡into¡¡which¡¡her¡¡vanity¡¡and¡¡self¡will¡¡had¡¡led¡¡her¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Dear¡¡¡¡¡¡Mistress¡¡¡¡¡¡Thankful£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡major£»¡¡¡¡¡¡seeing¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡distress¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡
face£»¡¡¡¨I¡¡trust¡¡the¡¡news¡¡is¡¡not¡¡ill¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Surely¡¡I¡¡gathered¡¡from¡¡the¡¡sergeant¡¡that¡¡¡
¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What£¿¡¨¡¡said¡¡Thankful£»¡¡looking¡¡at¡¡him¡¡intently¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨That¡¡in¡¡twenty¡four¡¡hours¡¡at¡¡furthest¡¡your¡¡father¡¡would¡¡be¡¡free£»¡¡and¡¡
that¡¡I¡¡should¡¡be¡¡relieved¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡¡¡¡¡know¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡weary¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡your¡¡¡¡¡¡task£»¡¡¡¡¡¡major£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡Thankful¡¡
bitterly£º¡¡¡¨rejoice£»¡¡then£»¡¡to¡¡know¡¡your¡¡information¡¡is¡¡correct£»¡¡and¡¡that¡¡my¡¡
father¡¡is¡¡exoneratedunlessunless¡¡this¡¡is¡¡a¡¡forgery£»¡¡and¡¡Gen¡£¡¡Washington¡¡
should¡¡¡¡¡¡turn¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡somebody¡¡¡¡¡¡else£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡YOU¡¡¡¡¡¡should¡¡¡¡¡¡turn¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡41¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡42¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THANKFUL¡¡BLOSSOM¡¡
somebody¡¡¡¡¡¡else¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡stopped¡¡¡¡¡¡short£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡hid¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡wet¡¡¡¡¡¡eyes¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
window¡curtains¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Poor¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡girl£¡¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡Major¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Van¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Zandt¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡himself¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨This¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡trouble¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡has¡¡
undoubtedly¡¡frenzied¡¡her¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Fool¡¡that¡¡I¡¡was¡¡to¡¡lay¡¡up¡¡the¡¡insult¡¡of¡¡one¡¡that¡¡
sorrow¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡excitement¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡bereft¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡reason¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡responsibility£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'Twere¡¡
better¡¡I¡¡should¡¡retire¡¡at¡¡once£»¡¡and¡¡leave¡¡her¡¡to¡¡herself£»¡¨¡¡and¡¡the¡¡young¡¡man¡¡
slowly¡¡retreated¡¡toward¡¡the¡¡door¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡moment¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡alarming¡¡¡¡¡¡symptoms¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡distress¡¡in¡¡the¡¡
window¡curtain£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡major¡¡paused¡¡as¡¡a¡¡voice¡¡from¡¡its¡¡dimity¡¡depths¡¡
said¡¡plaintively£»¡¡¡¨And¡¡YOU¡¡are¡¡going¡¡without¡¡forgiving¡¡me£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Forgive¡¡¡¡¡¡YOU£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Mistress¡¡¡¡¡¡Thankful£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡major£»¡¡¡¡¡¡striding¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
curtain£»¡¡and¡¡seizing¡¡a¡¡little¡¡hand¡¡that¡¡was¡¡obtruded¡¡from¡¡its¡¡folds£»¡¨forgive¡¡
you£¿¡¡rather¡¡can¡¡you¡¡forgive¡¡me¡¡for¡¡the¡¡follythe¡¡cruelty¡¡of¡¡mistakingof¡¡
of¡¨and¡¡¡¡¡¡here¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡major£»¡¡¡¡¡¡hitherto¡¡¡¡¡¡famous¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡facile¡¡¡¡¡¡compliments£»¡¡¡¡¡¡utterly¡¡
broke¡¡¡¡¡¡down¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡hand¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡held¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡longer¡¡¡¡¡¡cold£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡warm¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡
intelligent£»¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡default¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡coherent¡¡¡¡¡¡speech¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡held¡¡¡¡¡¡fast¡¡by¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
thread¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡discourse£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡until¡¡¡¡¡¡Mistress¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Thankful¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡quietly¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡withdrew¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡it£»¡¡
thanked¡¡him¡¡for¡¡his¡¡forgiveness£»¡¡and¡¡retired¡¡deeper¡¡behind¡¡the¡¡curtain¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡When¡¡he¡¡had¡¡gone£»¡¡she¡¡threw¡¡herself¡¡in¡¡a¡¡chair£»¡¡and¡¡again¡¡gave¡¡way¡¡to¡¡
a¡¡passionate¡¡¡¡¡¡flood¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡tears¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡last¡¡¡¡¡¡twenty¡four¡¡hours¡¡her¡¡pride¡¡had¡¡
been¡¡utterly¡¡humbled£º¡¡the¡¡independent¡¡spirit¡¡of¡¡this¡¡self¡willed¡¡little¡¡beauty¡¡
had¡¡met¡¡for¡¡the¡¡first¡¡time¡¡with¡¡defeat¡£¡¡When¡¡she¡¡had¡¡got¡¡over¡¡her¡¡womanly¡¡
shock¡¡at¡¡the¡¡news¡¡of¡¡the¡¡sham¡¡baron's¡¡death£»¡¡she¡¡had£»¡¡I¡¡fear£»¡¡only¡¡a¡¡selfish¡¡
regard¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡taking¡¡¡¡¡¡off£»¡¡¡¡¡¡believing¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡if¡¡¡¡¡¡living¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡way¡¡
show¡¡the¡¡world¡¡which¡¡just¡¡then¡¡consisted¡¡of¡¡the¡¡headquarters¡¡and¡¡Major¡¡
Van¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Zandt¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡rea
¿ì½Ý²Ù×÷: °´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ °´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ °´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿!
ÎÂܰÌáʾ£º ο´Ð¡ËµµÄͬʱ·¢±íÆÀÂÛ£¬Ëµ³ö×Ô¼ºµÄ¿´·¨ºÍÆäËüС»ï°éÃÇ·ÖÏíÒ²²»´íŶ£¡·¢±íÊéÆÀ»¹¿ÉÒÔ»ñµÃ»ý·ÖºÍ¾Ñé½±Àø£¬ÈÏÕæÐ´Ô´´ÊéÆÀ ±»²ÉÄÉΪ¾«ÆÀ¿ÉÒÔ»ñµÃ´óÁ¿½ð±Ò¡¢»ý·ÖºÍ¾Ñé½±ÀøÅ¶£¡