little miss austin

Calvin's history is very colorful, but sometimes a bit inconsistent.If you just listen to him, it is not easy to detect it; but when you record it, you will find that sometimes his statements about an experience are not consistent.Alice didn't ask him why he didn't get along. It was very simple. It must be that there was something hard to tell about that experience. Facing life-threatening disasters is the most test of human nature, and people can do the most terrible things to protect themselves.

She listed these inconsistencies separately, and kept it for later to ask again, or several times.

Mrs. Austin doesn't like Calvin approaching Alice, and Henry and Tom also think he is unreliable, lest she be fascinated by this guy full of bad masculinity.If it weren't for the scar on Calvin's face that disfigured him, he would be considered handsome, but unfortunately, this scar made his face look rather fierce.

"Maybe it was cut while fighting with someone." Kate guessed.

"Maybe it's a burn." Sydney guessed, "Miss, haven't you asked Mr. Percy how he got the scar on his face?"

"No. I think it allows him to restrain his men, since he would look too thin without the scar."

"He does look a little fierce, especially when he's not smiling and glaring at you, which is really - kind of scary!" Kate whispered.

"Did he stare at you?" Alice asked.

Kate nodded, "Once when I was delivering fruit to you, I interrupted him, and he glared at me very unhappy. I thought he would draw out his sword and hack me to death!"

"Don't be stupid, Mr. Percy won't hack you to death." Sidney rolled her eyes, "He's not a pirate!"

"Ah! Maybe he's a pirate!" Alice cried suddenly. "Be a pirate when there is a ship to rob, and salvage a sunken ship when there is no ship to rob. There will always be work!"

Kate yelled, "Mr. Percy is a pirate! Whoa whoa whoa!"

"Root! Rob! Hand over your money!" Alice shouted.

"Oh! Brave Mr. Pirate, I'll give you all the money, please don't kill me!"

"You damn rich people! I will destroy you on behalf of the moon!"

Sidney held her forehead, "Okay, okay, don't have too much fun, you won't be able to sleep after a while."

Alice was performing "Pirate vs. Rich and Vulgar Man" with Kate. Kate took out the performance of the stage play she had seen, and exaggerated the performance of the rich man kneeling and begging for mercy, the rich daughter who fainted at every turn, and the panic-stricken man. The butler, and the calm aristocratic old lady with a "whocare" face.

If it weren't for the fact that actors in this era were still at the bottom of society, Alice really wanted Kate to become a professional actor in the West End of London.The children of Jacob's family are very smart, needless to say Jacob, if he has enough status, he can go to Oxford University; as her personal maid, Sidney can already do everything without her orders Well; Jacob taught the sisters to read and write, Sidney and Kate can write letters on their own, fluent and no serious grammatical errors; Kate is a wonderful girl, imitating others and acting freely, a happy girl.

Since being an actor is not a good career, Alice was thinking, can Kate publish a book on knitting patterns in the future.I don't know how many copies of this kind of books will be published every year in later generations, and they all sell well.

But because there were no cameras in this era, Kate had to learn to draw so that she could draw patterns by herself in the future.It's too late for Kate to start learning painting now, but if you don't need to learn to be a master painter, you can draw sweater patterns after a few years of learning.

I was so excited before going to bed that night, that after Alice lay down on the bed, she didn't fall asleep in the middle of the night.

Calvin Percy is very interesting, certainly not a "nice guy", but a man with a story.However, his "stories" are not necessarily all his real experiences, some may be other people's affairs, and some are simply lies.

Very charming, with a dangerous temperament, and a prodigal temperament, with a sense of ruffian and cruelty.I've always heard that men are not bad and women don't love, and it really makes sense, but he has so much experience that she can't see through him at all.

It’s not difficult to get along with him. He can catch up on almost all topics, and his attitude has always been very good. He is a gentleman; " Mentioned that she already had a suitor that the whole family liked, but she couldn't stop him.

Henry believed that Calvin was old enough to consider a suitable wife.As a man, if he earns money that he can never spend in his lifetime, he will of course think about the future and future generations, but the nature of his job is not stable. If he is always away from home for a few months, he is not suitable to be a husband. up.

Mrs. Austen, Henry, and Tom all considered this, so they didn't regard Calvin as her husband candidate at all.

Every time Calvin came to visit her, he would give her presents: a Mexican gold coin on a gold chain, a box of small white shells, a hat decorated with the tail feathers of a short-tailed albatross, a tank of goldfish of different colors, a A lyre painted with gold powder is not a very expensive gift.

The gift also comes with a story, just like Scheherazade in "One Thousand and One Nights", which makes people want to stop.

Every time Calvin left, Mrs. Austin would "casually" say, why hasn't Oliver come back yet?He has been gone for almost a month, so something happened, right?

Alas, Oliver!Once I got used to his company, I really missed him very much after not seeing him for a few days.

Letters were coming from Oliver all the time, twice a week, saying that he still had a few days to stay in London, but he was sure to be back in Madeira before Christmas; It's not entirely about property, he seems to have an anxiety about falling out of favor;

His father let him meet his future stepmother and stepsister. It turned out that the lady was not in her 30s, she just looked young, but she was actually 42 years old. She had a 20-year-old daughter who was looking for a husband.The future stepmother euphemistically expressed that she wanted him to marry the future stepsister. As long as the father did not formally adopt her, then she would not be his unrelated sister in law, and there would be no obstacle to marriage.He almost quarreled with his father over this matter.

Alice wrote back and said that Julian could marry his step-sister, so that the problem could be solved: Julian would get the baron's dowry for his future step-sister, Oliver would not have to worry about getting a wife, and the future step-mother could rest assured of her daughter's future.

Oliver wrote back that you seem to have forgotten that I am the heir; he also said that Julian hated his future step-sister so much that it was impossible to marry her, and he wanted to destroy his father's remarriage and let the mother and daughter go.

Alice thought to herself that there were quite a lot of bloody plots in his family, like a series.

Letters arrived weekly from Byron and Grant.Grant only focused on studying, not paying attention to love for the time being, and not interested in the women around the school. He said that William taught him how to distinguish those women who were only for money. He thought it would be really boring to sleep with a woman for lust. I am so busy studying that I can hardly finish it;

Byron was very casual. He often mentioned to her his best friend in Cambridge, John Edelston. The words were ambiguous and unrestrained, and he was very gay in gay. She wondered if there was something wrong between the two of them. Describe the ambiguous relationship.They decided to travel to Europe together after graduation, and asked enthusiastically if she wanted to go with them.

Of course I have to go. It is safe to travel with a few boys. It is really a good proposal.She quickly wrote back agreeing, praised him fiercely, and then wrote to ask Cathy to send Byron 100 pounds - not too much, or this guy would spend money indiscriminately again.

Cathy came to Madeira the week before Christmas.

It was the first time for the Austin family to celebrate Christmas in an overseas territory this year, which was quite a novelty.There is no winter in Madeira Island, and it still has a summer scene. The whole family has never spent winter in such a warm place. It is really a very fresh experience.

Oliver sent for a fir tree, arrived in Madeira the same day as Cathy, and brought his letter.

The valet carried the fir tree with its large pot to the living room, and placed it in a corner as Alice instructed.

The manservant escorting the fir tree handed the letter to Alice, "Master, please don't write to him, he will be here soon."

"When is he coming? Have you booked the boat ticket?" She opened the seal.

"It's already booked, and he will come on the next passenger ship."

She nodded, "Okay, you go back to the hotel. Kate, give him a tip."

Kate gave the valet a ten shilling piece.

Calvin Percy didn't notice the fir tree in the corner of the living room at first until Alice started arranging the tree.

"what is this?"

"Christmas trees have only been popular in London for a few years."

"What are you hanging on it?"

"Colored ribbons, glass balls, sweets, snowflakes, shells. Look, here is the box of shells you gave me, and I netted them with silk thread and hung them on the green coniferous branches. It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Or you could punch a hole in them."

"Oh! Don't! It would spoil their beauty."

"What do these decorations represent?"

"I don't know, maybe it doesn't mean anything, it just looks good."

"Just 'good-looking'?" Calvin frowned.

"Just good-looking, cute, and fun. Don't you think so?"

"I don't know," he was a little puzzled. "I don't think these decorations seem necessary. If they were on a lady, I would understand, but hanging on a tree—"

He may have been a pragmatist and felt that ornaments were pointless.

"Maybe it's not necessary, but it's a kind of 'beauty' to see exquisite decorations, which can make people feel happy, don't you think so?"

He frowned and thought for a moment, "Well, if you think this is interesting, then I will find this interesting too. Where is this going to be placed?" He picked up a small glass ball.

"Hang it on a branch like this. You have to make sure it doesn't fall off, or it will break. Kids will come running over to play, so the glass balls that break easily need to be hung higher."

Calvin was a head taller than her, and easily hung the glass ball on a higher branch.

She vacated the bottom half of the tree for the children to decorate.There are decoration boxes under the Christmas tree, big and small, and there are many shiny little decorations inside.

"Your brother and sister's children are lovely. I've met them. They went to my villa one day to visit the garden."

"They're cute."

"Two boys, two girls, which one do you like best?"

"I like them all, but if I really want to say I like them, I like girls better."

"I also like girls, they are beautiful and well-behaved."

"The kids are coming, I have to go back to my room."

"Okay, then I'll come back tomorrow."

"Aren't you celebrating Christmas?"

"Come on, there are servants at home, and I don't need to do anything - oh, you are telling me not to come to see you these days, are you?"

"In a few days, maybe my mother will allow me to go out. I want to visit your villa garden. Jane said your garden is beautiful."

"You can go anytime, I will tell the butler."

"Are you going out?"

"I'm going to be busy after Christmas and I have to start preparing for my next voyage."

"How long will it take?"

"Leaving at the end of January, I won't be able to return until summer."

"By then I'll probably be well enough and I'll be back in England."

"That's very nice! If you're gone by then, I'll visit you in London."

Alice smiled, "Do you know where my home is?"

"I don't know, but it's not hard to find out." He said goodbye to her and Mrs. Austin politely.

For the next two days, Calvin Percy did not come to visit her, but gifts were still delivered every day, a bouquet of flowers a day, and a light pink crystal ball on the first day, just big enough for her to hold in her hand, cold Qinxin; the next day I gave a very large white seawater pearl.

"This pearl is so beautiful!" Jane exclaimed.

"It's too expensive. Alice can't accept it. Someone will send it back." Mrs. Austin said.

"It's really beautiful, or should we send back a gift of about the same value?" Alice was a little reluctant. "Look, how beautiful this pearl would be if it were made into a hairpin! His work is all underwater, maybe It's nothing to him."

Mrs. Austin glanced at her reproachfully, "It may not matter to him, he may have a box of large pearls of the same quality, but to us, if we don't want him to misunderstand that we agree with him pursuing you, we still need to let him know .You don't like him, do you?"

"He's very interesting, but not very aesthetically pleasing. I think his upbringing doesn't allow him to have any refined hobbies. Such people are usually downright scary. If he knew—" Alice stopped abruptly.

"What if he knew?" asked Mrs. Austen.

"If he knew that Alice was about to get engaged, then he would leave wisely." Jane explained wittily.Alice finally agreed to let her brothers and sisters share the same room with her these days, but the children were not allowed to be with her.

Alice smiled shyly.

"Oliver is back this time, so it's time to propose?" Mrs. Austin was a little excited.

"He will, and if he doesn't propose, I'll send Tom to talk to him."

"But, Mom, I don't want to leave you so early."

"What a silly child!" Mrs. Austen stretched out her hand to caress her face, "Just get engaged first, get married, but don't worry, you can stay at home until you are 20 or 22 years old."

Jane smiled and said, "Then Oliver will be waiting very anxiously."

"When will the next passenger ship arrive?" Alice asked.

"Today is the last passenger boat from Southampton to Madeira before Christmas."

"Oh! Then we should send someone to pick him up from the pier!"

"Aren't you going to pick him up yourself?"

"Eh? Can I go?"

"Go, let Jacob accompany you, and give Oliver a surprise."

Alice ran upstairs to change into her go-to clothes.

"Kate! Go get Jacob. Sidney, brush my hair. I'm going to the docks."

Kate ran away.

"Are you going to pick up Master Oliver? I heard from Jacob that today is the last passenger ship from England." Sidney first helped her change her skirt, let her sit in front of the dressing table, and picked up the comb.

"Does Jacob know all the boat schedules?"

"He went to see it specially, and said that the lady would definitely ask."

"What country's ships?"

"Many, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy."

"Oh yes, I know there are many people from other countries on the island, but people seem to only like to associate with people from their own country. Fortunately, there are enough British people on the island."

Kate came in and said Jacob was coming, outside the door.

"Call him in, I've changed my clothes."

Jacob came in, "Miss, are you going out?"

"Going to the docks. What time does the Southampton ferry arrive?"

Jacob took out his pocket watch, "After two o'clock in the afternoon."

"Are you on time?"

"It's hard to say, after all, sea voyages are hard to say, but they will arrive before dark."

"Then we can wait in the dining room next to the pier, have some snacks, have a cup of tea, and bring a few books to read. When you see the ship entering the port, we will go there."

Sidney braided her hair and Kate packed her things for the trip.

Funchal's passenger ship docks are lined with ships, large and small, among them Calvin Percy's "Bossy".

"Look! Miss, that's Mr. Percy's boat!" Kate excitedly pointed at the Percy.

"I thought his ship should be docked at the cargo ship dock. Shouldn't it be in port for repairs? It was repaired so quickly?"

"Then I don't know. The Percy looks nice, though. It's big."

"It's not very big, it can only be regarded as a medium-sized ship. The bigger the ship, the more expensive it is, and the more crews it needs."

"Will a bigger boat be faster?"

"It doesn't work now. When the steam engine is fully used, the more powerful the engine, the faster the ship will be."

"What is an 'engine'?"

"A kind of machine that uses coal or wood as fuel to drive and drive ships, or machines. Like the steam printing machine we are making now, it uses a steam engine to drive the printing machine to work quickly. There may be better fuels in the future, But the best fuel right now is coal."

"do not understand at all."

"The era of marine steam engines is coming soon. Mr. Percy should be able to live long enough to replace the Percy with a new engine."

Someone next to him coughed softly, "Miss Austin."

"Mr. Percy."

"Hi. Didn't expect to see you on the pier. You're—"

"I'm waiting for a passenger ship from England."

"It should be here soon, the British passenger ship always arrives in the afternoon."

"you are?"

"I'm here on errands at the docks. Do you want to take a look aboard the Percy?"

"Next time."

"Well, the Bossie will berthing here for a month. You can get on board to see it anytime you want, even if I'm not here. I'll tell the first mate." He raised his hat lightly and motioned to leave.

Seeing Calvin leave, Kate whispered, "I always thought that Mr. Percy would brandish a sword and snatch you onto his boat."

"You're talking nonsense again! Mr. Percy is not that kind of person at all." Sidney looked at her sister helplessly.

"You read too many novels. Let's go, let's go to the dining room. I haven't been to the dining room here on the pier. If his tea is not good, we will bring out our own tea." Alice turned to Go in the direction of the dining room.

The dining room is still a few hundred meters away from the pier. It has just rained and the ground is a bit muddy.After walking a few steps, Alice felt that she might get on the carriage because she might get dirty on her shoes and skirt, so she turned around and asked Kate to call the carriage.There is no special parking space on the pier, they are first come, first come first to occupy the good position at the front, and there is already a carriage parked to pick up people.

The Austen coachman had just parked beside the Bundfields' carriage, and was called away before he could exchange tobacco pouches with his coachman.

As soon as Alice stepped on the small ladder of the carriage with her right foot, someone said excitedly: "Alice! How did you know I would be here today?"

Sidney looked at the little master in surprise: her face was quite calm, maybe a little confused, but generally calm.

Kate stared at Ivo Gordon with a look of surprise: he was a little thinner, his hair was a little messy, and he didn't wear a fancy coat, but dressed like a dock worker.

"Ivo? How do you—" Alice frowned.

"What's the matter with you? Are you unhappy? I sent you a letter, I got your address from George and wrote you right away. You...you didn't get my letter?"

"George didn't say he saw you."

"Didn't he say that?" Ivo was also surprised, "Then who are you picking up at the pier today?"

"I'm here to pick up Oliver. Isn't the passenger ship from Southampton still in port? How did you get here?"

"I got on a ship from France—I can't come directly from Southampton, so I can only divert from France." He hurriedly explained, "As soon as I know where you are, I will come here immediately. What did you say?" ? Oliver? You—”