Very, very rarely had Aaron been dominated by so stubborn a mood; very, very rarely had he allowed it to take possession of him; and never in a single instance on his own account. Mere13 worldly misfortune, however disastrous14 in its effect, he had invariably met with philosophic15 calm and fortitude16. Many reverses had attended him, and he had borne them bravely, as a man should, as it was a man's duty to do. With a courage which may be said to be heroic had he accepted each successive stroke, and had immediately applied17 himself to the task of repairing the breach18. No fainthearted soldier he, sitting down and weeping by the roadside when he received a wound. To be up and doing, that was his creed19. These were but ordinary checks, which a man must be prepared to encounter in his course through life; weak indeed would he prove himself to be who did not at once set to work manfully and energetically to make the best, instead of the worst, of each rebuff. Aaron's keen gift of humour and his talent for justifiable20 device were of immense assistance to him in these encounters, and in his conversations with Rachel he was in the habit of throwing so droll21 a light upon the difficulties with which he was contending, that he lifted from her heart and from his own a weight which otherwise would have remained there and impeded22 his efforts. He treated every personal ailment23 which visited him, and every little accident he met with, in the same fashion, laughing away Rachel's distress24, and bearing his pain without the least symptom of querulousness. "You seem almost to like pain, my dear," she had said. "There is pleasure in pain," he had answered; "think of the relief." Thus did he make the pack upon his shoulders easy to carry, and thus did he contribute to Rachel's enjoyment25 of life.
Over and above these lesser26 features in his character reigned27 the great factors truth and justice. Temptations he had had, as all men have, but he was, happily, so constituted that he had not to fight them down; they were destroyed in their suggestion. It was with him an impossibility to advance his own interests by deceit and subterfuge28, to make money by cheating his neighbour. He took no credit to himself that he was never guilty of a meanness; it was simply that it was not in his nature to fall so low, and that he walked instinctively29 in the right path. He had a soul of pity for misfortune, and had frequently conversed31 with Rachel upon the doctrine32 of responsibility, arguing that children born of vicious parents should not be made accountable for their evil acts to the fullest extent. "It is an inheritance," he argued, "and it is not they who are wholly guilty. My parents gave me an inheritance of cheerfulness and good temper, and I am more grateful for it than I should be if they had left me a large bag of gold." Upon questions of right and wrong his good sense and his rectitude led him unerringly to the just side, and when he had a stake in a decision he was called upon to make in such or such an issue he never for a moment hesitated. To have benefited himself at the expense of justice would have been in his eyes a sin which was not to be forgiven. A sin of unconscious omission33 could be expiated34, but a sin of deliberate commission would have weighed for ever on his soul. Could such a man as this, a devout35 and conscientious36 Jew, faithful every day of his life in the observances of his religion, with a firm belief in the mercy and goodness of the Eternal God, and with the principles of truth and justice shining ever before him, be guilty of such a sin? It will be presently seen.
So far himself, considered as an entity37. Had he been alone in life, with no other life so welded into his own as to be inseparable from it, it is scarcely possible that he could have been guilty of a conscious wrong, for his soul would have risen in revolt against the suggestion. Had he been alone, misfortunes might have fallen upon him unceasingly, poverty might have been his lot through all his days, disease might have racked his bones--he would have borne all with tranquillity38 and resignation, and would have lifted up his voice in praise of the Most High to his last hour. Of such stuff are martyrs39 made; from such elements springs the lofty ideal into which, once in a generation, is breathed the breath of life, the self-sacrificing hero who sheds his blood and dies with a glad light on his face in the battle of right against might, in the battle of weak innocence against the ruthless hand of power. But Aaron was not alone; Rachel was by his side, leaning upon his heart, looking to him for joy, for peace, for happiness. And when he suffered, it was through her he suffered; and when he was oppressed with sorrow, it was through her he sorrowed. So keen was his sympathy with her, so intense was his love for her, that if only her finger ached he was in pain. We are but human after all, and no man can go beyond a man's strength. Legends are handed down to us of Divine inspiration falling upon a man who, thus spiritually directed and inspired, becomes a leader, a hero, a prophet; but in that man's heartstrings are not entwined the tender fingers of wife and children. He communes with nature, he hears voices in the forest, the rustling40 leaves whisper to him, the solemn trees, rearing their stately forms to the dark skies, bear a message to his soul, he sees visions in the dead of night; but he hears not the voice of his beloved, he beholds41 not the angelic face of his sleeping child in its crib. As blades of grass, which we can rub into nothingness between our fingers, force their upward way to air and sunshine through adamantine stones, as rocks are worn away by the trickling42 of drops of water, so may a man's sublimest44 qualities, so may a man's heart and soul, be pierced and reft by human love.
It was this absorbing sentiment that agitated45 Aaron when Rachel revealed to him that she was blind, it was this that struck him dumb.
Meekly46 and patiently she stood before him--he had fallen back a step--and waited for him to speak. He did not utter a word.
Presently her sweet voice stole upon his senses.
"Aaron, my beloved, why are you silent? why do you not speak to me?"
He lifted his head and groaned47.
"Ah, do not groan48, dear husband," she continued. "It is for me you suffer; but I am not suffering--did I not tell you so? It is, indeed, the truth. Look into my face; you will see no pain there. All is well with us; all will be well with us; the future is glad and bright. And remember, dear, I need you more than ever now. Next to God, you are my rock, my salvation49. He has cast this affliction upon me out of His goodness and wisdom. Humbly50, gratefully, I thank Him. Let us lift up our voices in His praise."
And from her lips flowed, in the ancient tongue, the sublime43 prayer:
"Hear, O Israel, the Eternal, our God, the Eternal is One. And thou shalt love the Eternal thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart. And thou shalt teach them diligently51 unto thy children, and shall speak of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."
An angel's voice could not have been more melodious52 and sweet, and the beauty of the prayer acquired truly a Divine strength through Rachel's intoning of the pious53 words. But it was not only her voice that resounded54 in the room. The moment she commenced to pray rebellion against Fate's decree melted out of Aaron's heart, and pity took its place. He was restored to his better self. Holding her hand, he joined her in the prayer, but not in so loud a voice as usual; she was the teacher now, and he the pupil; he followed her, as it were, and was led by her; and when the prayer was ended her head sank upon his breast, and her arms entwined themselves around his neck.
"You are resigned, my dear?" she whispered.
"I bow my head," he answered. "The Lord's will be done."
"I could not keep it from you any longer. I was blind when I opened my eyes in the house of the good people who gave me shelter; I was blind when you sat by my side there; but I feared to tell you; I wished to speak to the doctor first. It was so strange, so sudden, that I hoped it would not last. I awoke with the cry of fire in my ears, and, as I leapt from bed, the bright glare of the flames seemed to strike sight out of my eyes. I fainted, and remember nothing more, only that when I opened my eyes again I could not see. It was merciful that there was no pain. Oh, my dear husband, I am so sorry for you; so sorry, so sorry!"
"Rachel, dear Rachel, dear life of my life, it is not for me you should grieve--it is for yourself."
"No, dear love, I do not grieve for myself. Should I not rather rejoice? Because I know, I know,"--she put his hand to her lips and kissed it, then held it to her heart--"that you will bear with me, that I shall not be a trouble to you."
"A trouble to me, Rachel! You are dearer to me than ever, more precious to me than ever. Oh, my dear! I never loved you as I love you now!"
"How sweet, how sweet!" she murmured. "How beautiful is life! No woman was ever blessed as I am blessed! And soon, dear love, we shall have with us another evidence of the Lord's great mercy. Our child, our darling, will be here! Ah, what happiness!"
She hid her face upon his breast.
Was there already in her heart the shadow of an abiding55 sorrow springing from the knowledge that she would never see the face of her unborn child, that she would never be able to look into the beautiful eyes which in a short time would open upon the world? Aaron had hoped that baby's eyes would be like hers, but she would never know from personal evidence whether they were or not. If such a sorrow was making itself felt she kept it to herself and guarded it jealously, lest Aaron should participate in it. Her face was radiant as they continued to converse30, and by her loving words she succeeded in thoroughly56 banishing57 from Aaron's soul the rebellious58 promptings by which he had first been agitated.
Thus did Rachel, to whom the light of the universe was henceforth as night, become the divine consoler in the home.
"I am tired, dear. Will you lead me to our room?"
He took her in his arms and carried her up, as he would have carried a child; and this new office of love, and indeed everything he did for her, drew them spiritually closer to each other.
When she was in bed she asked him to tell her about the fire, and if he would be a great loser by it. He softened60 the loss, said that he was well insured, that they had a good friend in Mr. Moss61, and that it would not be long before he was On his feet again. Content and happiness were expressed on her face as she listened.
"It will be a comfort to you to know," he said, "that no one will lose anything by me; every demand will be met, every penny will be paid. In my mansion"--his study of the law and his devotion to his faith led him occasionally into a biblical phrase--"are three stars. First, the Eternal God; next, you, my beloved; next, our good name."
"That is safe in your keeping, dear," she said.
"And will ever be, so far as human endeavour can aid me. You will be glad to hear, too, that the townspeople sympathise with us in our trouble."
"I am very glad: it was proved by the kindness that was shown to me when I was taken out of the fire. Who that lives to know you does not learn to honour you?"
She held his hand in a tender clasp, and kissed it repeatedly.
"I will tell you something. I am beginning already to acquire a new sense. When you look at me I feel it. You are looking at me now. When your eyes are not on my face I know it. I shall learn a good deal very soon, very soon! I do not intend to be a burden to you."
This was said with tender gaiety.
"You can never be that." He touched her eyes. "Henceforth I am your eyes. It is a poor return; for you, Rachel, are my very life."
"Dear husband! Dear love! Kiss me. I want to fall asleep with those words in my ears. You will not stop up long?"
"I will go down and put out the lights and see that all is safe. Then I will come up at once. Sleep, my life, sleep!"
He passed his fingers caressingly62 across her forehead, and she fell asleep with a smile on her lips.
He stole softly from the room, and went down and made the house safe; then he returned to the bedroom.
The smile had left Rachel's lips; her face was paler, and there was a worn look on it. A terrible fear entered his heart.
"O God! if she should die! O God! if I should lose her!"
He took his silk taleth from its bag, and wrapping it around him, put on his hat, and stood and prayed, with his face to the east:--
"How precious is Thy mercy, O God! The children of men take refuge under the shadow of Thy wing. They are satisfied with the richness of Thy house, and Thou causest them to drink of the stream of Thy delight. For with Thee is the fountain of life; by Thy light only do we see light. O continue Thy mercy unto them who know Thee, and Thy righteousness to the upright of heart!"
One line in the prayer he repeated again and again--
"For with Thee is the fountain of life; by Thy light only do we see light."
And so he prayed till midnight, and the one supplication63 into which all else was merged64 was sent forth59 with touching65 pathos66 from his very heart of hearts--
"O Lord of the universe, Giver of all good, humbly I beseech67 Thee to spare my beloved! Take her not from me! Let her live, let her live, to bless my days! Let not darkness overwhelm me. It is Thy hand that directs the fountain of life."
His prayers ended, he sat by the bedside watching his wife's face, and listening to her breathing.
And Rachel slept on, and dreamt of the child whose face she was never to see on earth.
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1
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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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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infliction
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| n.（强加于人身的）痛苦，刑罚 | |
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blot
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| vt.弄脏（用吸墨纸）吸干；n.污点，污渍 | |
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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snare
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| n.陷阱，诱惑，圈套；（去除息肉或者肿瘤的）勒除器；响弦，小军鼓；vt.以陷阱捕获，诱惑 | |
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7
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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zealously
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| adv.热心地；热情地；积极地；狂热地 | |
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defender
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| n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人 | |
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injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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12
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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13
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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disastrous
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| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
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philosophic
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| adj.哲学的，贤明的 | |
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fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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18
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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19
creed
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| n.信条；信念，纲领 | |
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20
justifiable
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| adj.有理由的，无可非议的 | |
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21
droll
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| adj.古怪的，好笑的 | |
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22
impeded
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| 阻碍，妨碍，阻止( impede的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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23
ailment
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| n.疾病，小病 | |
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24
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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25
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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26
lesser
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| adj.次要的，较小的；adv.较小地，较少地 | |
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27
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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28
subterfuge
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| n.诡计；藉口 | |
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instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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30
converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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31
conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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32
doctrine
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| n.教义；主义；学说 | |
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33
omission
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| n.省略，删节；遗漏或省略的事物，冗长 | |
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34
expiated
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| v.为（所犯罪过）接受惩罚，赎（罪）( expiate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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35
devout
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| adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
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conscientious
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| adj.审慎正直的，认真的，本着良心的 | |
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entity
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| n.实体，独立存在体，实际存在物 | |
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tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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39
martyrs
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| n.martyr的复数形式；烈士( martyr的名词复数 )；殉道者；殉教者；乞怜者（向人诉苦以博取同情） | |
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40
rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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41
beholds
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| v.看，注视( behold的第三人称单数 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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42
trickling
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| n.油画底色含油太多而成泡沫状突起v.滴( trickle的现在分词 )；淌；使)慢慢走；缓慢移动 | |
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43
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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44
sublimest
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| 伟大的( sublime的最高级 )； 令人赞叹的； 极端的； 不顾后果的 | |
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45
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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46
meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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47
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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48
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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49
salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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50
humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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51
diligently
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| ad.industriously;carefully | |
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52
melodious
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| adj.旋律美妙的，调子优美的，音乐性的 | |
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53
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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54
resounded
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| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
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55
abiding
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| adj.永久的，持久的，不变的 | |
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56
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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57
banishing
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| v.放逐，驱逐( banish的现在分词 ) | |
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58
rebellious
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| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
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59
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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60
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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61
moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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62
caressingly
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| 爱抚地，亲切地 | |
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supplication
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| n.恳求，祈愿，哀求 | |
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64
merged
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| （使）混合( merge的过去式和过去分词 )； 相融； 融入； 渐渐消失在某物中 | |
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65
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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66
pathos
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| n.哀婉，悲怆 | |
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67
beseech
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| v.祈求，恳求 | |
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