"I thinkit's rather an advantage that he doesn't know you. You see, he never reallyliked Fred; he thought him a fool; he didn't understand soldiers. Fred wouldfly into a passion, and there'd be a quarrel, and things would be worse insteadof better. If you said you came on my behalf, he couldn't refuse to listen toyou. "

"I haven'tknown you very long, " I answered. "I don't see how anyone can beexpected to tackle a case like this unless he knows all the details. I don'twant to pry into what doesn't concern me. Why don't you go and see himyourself?"

"Youforget he isn't alone. "

I held mytongue. I saw myself calling on Charles Strickland and sending in my card; Isaw him come into the room, holding it between finger and thumb:

"To whatdo I owe this honour?"

"I've cometo see you about your wife. "

"Really.When you are a little older you will doubtless learn the advantage of mindingyour own business. If you will be so good as to turn your head slightly to theleft, you will see the door. I wish you good-afternoon. "

I foresaw thatit would be difficult to make my exit with dignity, and I wished to goodnessthat I had not returned to London till Mrs. Strickland had composed herdifficulties. I stole a glance at her. She was immersed in thought. Presentlyshe looked up at me, sighed deeply, and smiled.

“我认为他不认识你反而有利。你知道，他从来也不喜欢弗雷德。他认为弗雷德是个傻瓜。他不了解军人。弗雷德会大发雷霆。两个人大吵一顿，事情不但办不好，反而会更糟。如果你对他说你是代表我去的，他不会拒绝你同他谈谈的。”

“我同你们认识的时间不长，”我回答说。“除非了解全部详细情况，这种事是很难处理的。我不愿意打探同我自己没有关系的事。为什么你不自己去看看他呢？”

“你忘记了，他在那里不是一个人。”

我没有说什么。我想到我去拜访查理斯·思特里克兰德，递上我的名片，我想到他走进屋子里来，用两个指头捏着我的名片。

“您有什么贵干？”

“我来同您谈谈您太太的事。”

“是吗？当您年纪再长几岁的时候，肯定就会懂得不该管别人的闲事了。如果您把头稍微向左转一转，您会看到那里有一扇门。再见。”

可以预见，走出来的时候我很难保持尊严体面。我真希望晚回伦敦几天，等到思特里克兰德太太料理好这件事以后再回来。我偷偷地看了她一眼。她正陷入沉思里。但是她马上就把头抬起来看着我，叹了一口气，笑了一下。