Therefore, encouraged by this thought, I faced my wife as if nothing had happened since I left the kitchen to answer the summons of the door-bell. I was prepared to find her indignant, wrathful, in tears, but I did not expect to see her sitting in an attitude of apathetic15 despair, dry-eyed and speechless.
"Good heavens, Marion!" I cried. "What's the matter?"
It was some time before I could get her to answer; then it was a positive relief to see her lips move and hear her say faintly, "You've—done it—now."
I had difficulty in finding out what I had done. A gleam of hope thrilled me when at last she revived enough to attack in the open.
[Pg 279]
Then, and not till then, did I develop my strategic lines of defence. First, I pleaded justification17; second, that my vivid imagination, like Paul's, had led me to believe for the time that I was Peter; third, that I had tried in vain to make the minister understand that I was not Peter; fourth, that my desire for sympathy and companionship had warped18 my judgment19 and caused me to innocently yield to temptation; fifth, that I could not see that I had done wrong; sixth, that the burden of poignant20 grief for my conduct was more than I could bear; seventh, that any attempt to rub it in would harden my heart and stifle21 the reproaches of my own conscience; eighth,—well, to the final argument upon which I based my futile22 hopes Marion replied that her own attitude, born of the humiliating discovery of the kind of man I really was, might well be considered part of the inevitable consequences of my misdeeds, and that if she had ever given me cause to believe that she thought differently she took it all back.
It was then, with my guns spiked23, that I surrendered unconditionally24. I only pleaded[Pg 280] that for Paul's sake—dear little Paul, who, in his plays, so innocently invented fictions that rivalled Munchausen's—we should gather up the little fragments of our shattered happiness and piece them together with calm resignation. I was about to suggest that we should seek consolation25 in a life of self-abnegation by trying to do good to others, but, seeing that Marion was obviously moved, I desisted. I am proud to say I know how far to go; I am prouder that I know when to stop and keep a good thing for another occasion.
Marion was melted, and no regular farmer was ever more grateful to see the welcome rain after a scorching26 drought than I was to see her tears. She was melted, and yet, strange to say, I could not get her to assure me that I was forgiven, and I am so constituted that I cannot be content without warm assurances to that effect.
Months went by, and we regained27 our happiness to an amazing extent; indeed, if Marion had not still refused to confirm it, I would have supposed that I was completely forgiven, for she sometimes went so far[Pg 281] as to smile in recalling my conversation with the minister. I no longer worried over her refusal to express an opinion about the farm, for I had made up my mind to have nothing to do with Peter, and to grow potatoes, and potatoes, and yet more potatoes. I had a strong instinct that potatoes would be trumps28. Seed was cheap, though labor29 came high. Joe Wrigley was the only available man, and though he had previously30 been eager to work for me at a dollar and a half a day, his terms went up to two dollars when I tried to hire him for the season. I thought his wholesale31 price should be lower than the retail32 one, but I had to agree to his terms. Day after day he ploughed and harrowed and planted, until I called a halt on the first of July with about one-third of the farm in potatoes. Throughout the summer I bore the jocular allusions33 of my experienced neighbors to the potato farm, replying only with a shrewd and complacent34 smile; later, I was flattered to notice that knowing glances of amusement were conspicuously35 absent when I entered the post-office at mail time, and that my casual remarks were[Pg 282] treated with grave consideration. Later still, when the price went up to a dollar and a half a bag, and the prospect36 that I would have a large crop became a certainty, I was able to indulge in exultant37 calculations of my probable profits. These delightful38 anticipations39 were slightly marred40 by Marion's persistent41 lack of enthusiasm, and the fact that when I asked her if she could ever forgive me she always replied that she hoped to be able to before winter. There was something so pointed42 and yet elusive43 in this remark that I could not fathom44 her meaning, and it was not until I noticed that whenever I mentioned potatoes a peculiar45 tight expression appeared about her mouth that I could guess she was reserving her forgiveness until my promise was redeemed47.
One day in the beginning of October I wrote a brief note to the minister. Now I had never seriously considered the possibility of ignoring the promise I had made during my lapse12 of identity, but I will confess that it was with a pang48 I prepared to redeem46 it, for I loved every one of those conical heaps that dotted my fields, with a[Pg 283] passionate49 first love that I knew I could never feel again. Indeed, if I could have preserved them from decay, I would rather have left the pyramids where they stood, as a lasting50 monument to the genius of the city man who raised more than two thousand dollars worth of potatoes at a cost of less than one thousand, but with iron resolution I determined51 to keep to the letter of my promise. Of course, I might have done so in a private and incidental manner, but I frankly52 admit that I believe if a man chooses to be noble and generous he ought to be so in a manner that gives him the most enjoyment53 and furnishes the most telling example to others.
On the morning of the twenty-first of October the Fairmans arrived to spend with us the first anniversary of their wedding, and not a small part of the pleasure of seeing them again was, to me, the delighted admiration54 they expressed on making a tour of the pyramids. Aunt Sophy was so exuberant55 over my success, and her husband so frankly astonished when he rapidly [Pg 284]calculated the value of the crop in dollars and cents, that I had much difficulty in retaining my usual modest and unassuming manner. Even Marion, despite a certain inflexible56 set to her mouth that I detected under her company expression, couldn't help looking regretfully pleased.
We had a most enjoyable dinner, sitting so long over the table that Paul excused himself and went out to play, but it was only a short time until he came running back with the petrifying57 news that there was a funeral entering the gate. There was a simultaneous rush to the front windows, and out on the road we all saw a long line of democrats58 beginning to move slowly through our gate. Between the trees, at the head of the procession, we caught fleeting59 glimpses of a professional silk hat and a suit of black clothes.
"Henry!" cried Marion, with a little shriek60. "You wouldn't—let them—bury——?"
"Well, I don't know. If it's a Waydean—and the custom——"
"Henry!" shrieked61 Aunt Sophy, clasping Marion in her arms.
[Pg 285]
"Really," began Mr. Fairman, "I—I—"
"They've stopped in the yard," yelled Paul, putting his head in the doorway62.
I headed the rush to the back window, then one more rush brought us all into the yard, Mr. Fairman in the rear, supporting the ladies, while Paul, who revels63 in sudden excitement, skipped about us in glee. The driver of the first wagon64 was Peter Waydean; the professional person descending65 with his back to us was the Rev16. Daniel Hughes. He came forward with a genial66 smile and greeted me warmly.
"Mr. Carton," he said, "we have come to take advantage of——"
My arm was gripped from behind. "Pay him to take it away—at once," whispered Aunt Sophy in my ear, with fierce energy, pressing her purse into my hand.
There was a sudden silence; the dramatic moment had arrived. I stepped back and courteously67 introduced Mr. Hughes to Aunt Sophy, to Marion, to Mr. Fairman. In a few simple and carefully chosen words I explained that Mr. Hughes and my neighbors had come at my request to take [Pg 286]one-half of my crop for the benefit of the church. Then the minister made a most handsome acknowledgment, and I tried to look deprecating. There was rapt attention on the part of the listeners, the men on the wagons68 being visibly impressed, those at the rear craning their necks to get a better view of the tableau69. Aunt Sophy beamed gratification; her husband sighed regretfully, as if he thought the contribution rather large. And in Marion's eyes I read the most charming and complete forgiveness that could fall to the lot of an erring70 husband; indeed, they were brimming with such perfect trust and confidence in my innate71 nobility of character that I instantly resolved to become even more worthy72 of her esteem73.
We watched the long line of wagons pass through the barnyard and round the end of the barn on the way to the back fields, and as I stood slightly in advance of the others I heard Mr. Fairman wonder in a low tone if I proposed to run for the legislature.
"Just like a thing your Uncle Philip would have done!" murmured Aunt Sophy to Marion.
[Pg 287]
A fleeting spasm74 crossed Mr. Fairman's face, then his calm serenity75 returned. I fancy that Uncle Philip had better be dropped, or Aunt Sophy's husband's admiration for me may lapse.
On the last wagon rode Abner Davis. He returned my salute76 with respectful solemnity, and I could scarcely repress a smile of triumph as I recalled his derisive77 remark that I was not a regular farmer. Paul, some latent boyish instinct stirring within him, ran after the wagon and clung to the tailboard, an unheard of feat78 for him.
"I wonder what kind of a farmer Abner Davis will call you now," said Marion, voicing my complacent pride.
At that moment loud guffaws79, Abner's unmistakable laugh and his companion's, reached us from the wagon that had rounded the barn, and Paul came dashing back, breathless.
"Father," he called out, gleefully, "I heard him say that any man who would give half of such a fine crop to——"
"To what?" I asked, with eager interest as Paul stopped for breath.
[Pg 288]
"—to—the church—when——"
"Oh, hurry, Paul!" cried his mother.
"—potatoes were such a price—was——"
We waited in suspense80, various flattering allusions to my generous gift suggesting themselves as that mischievous81 boy stopped to spin around on his heels and laugh in elfish glee.
"Was what?" we cried in chorus.
"—A da-r-r-n fool!" shrieked Paul.
The End
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1
strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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mitigating
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| v.减轻，缓和( mitigate的现在分词 ) | |
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4
tractable
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| adj.易驾驭的；温顺的 | |
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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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7
extraneous
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| adj.体外的；外来的；外部的 | |
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expounded
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| 论述，详细讲解( expound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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verged
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| 接近，逼近（verge的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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absurdity
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| n.荒谬，愚蠢；谬论 | |
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lapse
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| n.过失，流逝，失效，抛弃信仰，间隔；vi.堕落，停止，失效，流逝；vt.使失效 | |
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deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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14
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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apathetic
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| adj.冷漠的，无动于衷的 | |
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rev
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| v.发动机旋转，加快速度 | |
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17
justification
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| n.正当的理由；辩解的理由 | |
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18
warped
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| adj.反常的；乖戾的；（变）弯曲的；变形的v.弄弯，变歪( warp的过去式和过去分词 )；使（行为等）不合情理，使乖戾， | |
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19
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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poignant
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| adj.令人痛苦的，辛酸的，惨痛的 | |
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21
stifle
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| vt.使窒息；闷死；扼杀；抑止，阻止 | |
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22
futile
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| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
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23
spiked
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| adj.有穗的；成锥形的；有尖顶的 | |
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unconditionally
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| adv.无条件地 | |
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consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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scorching
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| adj. 灼热的 | |
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regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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28
trumps
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| abbr.trumpets 喇叭；小号；喇叭形状的东西；喇叭筒v.（牌戏）出王牌赢（一牌或一墩）( trump的过去式 )；吹号公告，吹号庆祝；吹喇叭；捏造 | |
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29
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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30
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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31
wholesale
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| n.批发；adv.以批发方式；vt.批发，成批出售 | |
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32
retail
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| v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格 | |
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33
allusions
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| 暗指，间接提到( allusion的名词复数 ) | |
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34
complacent
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| adj.自满的；自鸣得意的 | |
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35
conspicuously
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| ad.明显地，惹人注目地 | |
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36
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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37
exultant
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| adj.欢腾的，狂欢的，大喜的 | |
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38
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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39
anticipations
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| 预期( anticipation的名词复数 )； 预测； （信托财产收益的）预支； 预期的事物 | |
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40
marred
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| adj. 被损毁, 污损的 | |
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41
persistent
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| adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的 | |
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42
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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43
elusive
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| adj.难以表达(捉摸)的；令人困惑的；逃避的 | |
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44
fathom
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| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
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45
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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46
redeem
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| v.买回，赎回，挽回，恢复，履行（诺言等） | |
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47
redeemed
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| adj. 可赎回的，可救赎的 动词redeem的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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48
pang
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| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
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49
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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50
lasting
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| adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持 | |
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51
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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52
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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53
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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54
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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55
exuberant
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| adj.充满活力的；（植物）繁茂的 | |
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56
inflexible
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| adj.不可改变的，不受影响的，不屈服的 | |
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57
petrifying
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| v.吓呆，使麻木( petrify的现在分词 )；使吓呆，使惊呆；僵化 | |
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58
democrats
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| n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 ) | |
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59
fleeting
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| adj.短暂的，飞逝的 | |
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60
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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61
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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62
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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63
revels
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| n.作乐( revel的名词复数 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉v.作乐( revel的第三人称单数 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉 | |
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64
wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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65
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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66
genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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67
courteously
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| adv.有礼貌地，亲切地 | |
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68
wagons
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| n.四轮的运货马车( wagon的名词复数 )；铁路货车；小手推车 | |
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69
tableau
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| n.画面，活人画（舞台上活人扮的静态画面） | |
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70
erring
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| 做错事的，错误的 | |
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71
innate
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| adj.天生的，固有的，天赋的 | |
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72
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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73
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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74
spasm
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| n.痉挛，抽搐；一阵发作 | |
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75
serenity
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| n.宁静，沉着，晴朗 | |
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76
salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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77
derisive
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| adj.嘲弄的 | |
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feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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79
guffaws
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| n.大笑，狂笑( guffaw的名词复数 )v.大笑，狂笑( guffaw的第三人称单数 ) | |
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80
suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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81
mischievous
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| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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