During these weeks Aaron had enough to do to put his affairs in order, and he had the additional trouble that matters turned out worse than he had anticipated. For security's sake, and to set the borrowers at ease, he transferred all the pledges that had been saved to another pawnbroker1; those which were destroyed he considered himself bound in honour and common honesty to make good. He made no demur2 to the claims that were brought against him, but settled them promptly3, and settled, also, all his trade debts. What with all this harassing4 business and his domestic sorrows, he was occupied day and night; but he was careful that Rachel should not suspect how bad things were with him.
The doctor came daily, and Rachel's time was very near. At every visit Aaron watched his face for hopeful news of Rachel's condition; but the doctor volunteered no information, and only gave instructions to do this or that. This reticence5 was torture to Aaron, and one day he begged the doctor to conceal6 nothing from him.
"There is nothing to conceal," said the doctor. "Her state is critical; but what else could be expected? Consider what she has passed through."
"I think of nothing else, of nothing else!" said Aaron, his fingers working convulsively, for a question was trembling on his lips which he felt he must ask, but to which he could scarcely give utterance7.
At length he found courage.
"Doctor, will she live?"
The doctor bit his lip as he gazed upon Aaron's misery8.
"Whatever lies in my power shall be done, but human skill and science have their limitations. We are all in God's hands."
And with these words, and a look of compassion9, he departed.
Aaron stood motionless awhile. We are all in God's hands! How often has that been said, and how terrible is its import! Human science and skill have done all it is in their power to do, the rest is with God. Aaron reasoned the true meaning away.
"Yes, we are all in God's hands," he murmured; "old and young, rich and poor, the strong and the feeble alike. It is so with one and all. I thank God he did not tell me to prepare for the worst!"
He drew comfort, not from what was said, but from what was not said. He continued to commune with himself.
"How can she be otherwise than weak? And doctors sometimes think it their duty not to look on the brightest side. My Rachel will be spared to me. God will not take her away."
He went up to her. A nurse he had engaged was in the room; she could come for only a week, her services at the end of that time being required elsewhere.
She put her fingers to her lips as he entered.
"Is she asleep?" he asked, in a whisper.
She nodded in reply; but when he approached the bed, Rachel held out her hand to him.
"Nurse thought you were asleep, dear," he said, bending down to her.
"I may have been," she answered. "I fall off into a doze10 a dozen times an hour, it seems, but I always know when you are near me."
She put her hand to her head.
"Are you in pain, my life?"
"Oh no. I am rather weak, but I shall get strong soon. Whenever I doze I see our dear one, the blessing11 God is sending us. Aaron, dear love, do not be anxious for me. I shall hold our darling in my arms."
The nurse gave him a warning look not to encourage her to talk, and, understanding the silent monition, he kissed Rachel tenderly, and went down to muse12 and pray.
The settlement of all his debts had left him almost a beggar. He owed not a shilling, except to the doctor, who had said nothing about his account; the week's money for the nurse was carefully put away: he could not have afforded to engage her for a longer term, for all the money he had left in the world amounted to barely two pounds. What was he to do when that was spent? Commence business again upon borrowed capital? That seemed to be the only course open to him. But who would lend it to him? It was no small sum that would be required, and all his friends, with the exception of Mr. Moss13, were poor. Mr. Moss was comparatively a new friend, and he could not expect him to render such substantial assistance without security. And what security could he offer but his own bare word? There were money-lenders; the newspapers teemed14 with their advertisements. It would be folly15 to apply to any one of them for so large a loan as fifty pounds, which sum, he calculated, was the least he could begin business again with; he would be sure to be met with a refusal. But what was he to do?
He thrust these worldly contemplations aside, and indeed it was impossible for him to dwell upon them with a heavier sorrow at his door, and with a dread16 crisis so very near. He trusted in God--yes; but he knew that a man must work for his livelihood17. Well, he would work; he was willing and ready for any honest occupation; but he must wait--for what? He became confused. The pressing worldly necessity, with its exacting18 and imperative19 demands, and the overwhelming human sorrow were contending for supremacy20. He stepped into the passage, and softly ascending21 the stairs, listened at Rachel's door. As he stood there the nurse came out.
"Go for the doctor," she whispered.
He flew. There was no conflict now in his mind between the two extremities22; his worldly trouble was forgotten; he thought only of his beloved wife and their unborn child. The doctor was not in, but was expected in a quarter of an hour, and would be sure to come round at once. Leaving an urgent entreaty23 not to delay a moment, Aaron hastened back to his house, and on the road found himself intercepted25 by Prissy, who had grown taller but no stouter26 since the night upon which she introduced herself to him. By reason of her increased height she looked thinner and scraggier than ever; as usual, Victoria Regina, who had grown plumper and rounder, was in the girl's arms.
"Mr. Cohen, Mr. Cohen!" cried Prissy.
"I can't stop now," he replied, passing her quickly.
But Prissy's long legs were as active as his, and though Victoria Regina was a heavy weight to carry, she kept pace with him.
"D'yer know wot some people's saying about yer, Mr. Cohen?"
"Never mind, never mind, my good girl; I have no time to listen."
"They're saying, everybody is," persisted Prissy, "that yer as good as ruined, and that yer 'aven't got a shilling left to pay yer way with."
"What does it matter what some people say, Prissy? There are good and bad, just and unjust. Never listen to tittle-tattle."
"'Ow's it to be 'elped, Mr. Cohen, when it's dinged in yer ears? Mr. Whimpole, he ses he sor wot was coming all along, and when I ups and gives 'im a bit o' my mind he slaps my face he does, and pushes me into the gutter28. I don't mind that, but no one's going to speak agin yer when I'm by. It ain't likely after all yer've done for me."
"You are a good girl, but take no notice of what Mr. Whimpole says. There are many here who still have a good word for me."
"Plenty, sir, and that's wot makes Mr. Whimpole mad; he can't make everybody think as he wants 'em to. There's plenty as speaks up for yer. You look ill, Mr. Cohen. I 'ope missis is no wus, I do."
"She is still weak and ill, Prissy; but she will get well soon--eh, Prissy?--she will get well soon?"
He cast a swift anxious look upon her; even from the lips of this poor girl he sought the comfort of a consoling word.
"Yes, sir, she's sure to. Don't you worry yerself, Mr. Cohen. Gawd won't let nothink wrong 'appen to 'er. He knows what He's up to, Gawd does. Wot did Mrs. Cohen say 'erself to me more nor once? 'Be a good gal,' she ses, 'and tell the truth, and be as kind as yer can to everybody, and Gawd'll look after yer.' And ain't she good, sir, and does she ever say anythink but the truth, and ain't she as kind as kind can be to everybody about 'er? Why, it's in everybody's mouth, 'xcept Mr. Whimpole's! Nobody 'xcept 'im's got a word to say agin 'er. She's sure to get well, Mr. Cohen, and then yer'll let me see 'er, sir, won't yer?"
"Yes, Prissy, yes," said Aaron, laying his hand for a moment on Prissy's tangled29 hair. He had reached his house, and was unlocking the door. "She will get well, please God, and you shall see her. Thank you, thank you, my good girl; and now run away."
"I'm off, Mr. Cohen," said Prissy; "this is going to bring yer luck, it is." And slipping a large paper parcel into his hand, she scuttled30 away.
He did not know what it was he held until he reached his room, and then he examined it. When he removed the paper he saw a horseshoe and two penny pieces which had been rubbed bright with sand, so that they shone like gold. Something shone in Aaron's eyes as he gazed at the humble31 offering. He smiled wistfully, and muttering, "It is an omen24 of good fortune; God bless you, little Prissy!" put the shoe and the pennies carefully aside. Then he stepped softly up the stairs, and gently tapped at the bedroom door.
"How is she, nurse?"
"Bearing up wonderfully, sir."
"Thank God! The doctor will be here presently. I will wait for him at the street door."
He had not long to wait; in a very short time he saw the welcome form turning the corner, and the doctor, with a friendly, smiling nod, passed into the house.
Aaron paced to and fro in the room below, and waited for the word that was to bring joy or despair to his soul. He had put his slippers32 on, in order that his footsteps should not be heard. In such times of tribulation33 his thoughts were invariably directed to the Divine footstool; as with all devout34 Jews, prayer was part of his life, and never, since the day of his birth, had he prayed so earnestly and fervently35 as now. Every few moments he paused in the supplications he was sending forth36, and went into the passage and listened. He heard no sound, not a sob37, not a cry; and after remaining in the passage several minutes, he returned to his room and resumed his prayers. His heart was with Rachel, and he knew that she was thinking of him. In the light of the perfect love that existed between them, in the anxious expectancy38 of these lagging minutes, what mattered poverty or riches, what mattered mere39 worldly misfortune? A stout27 spirit, a strong shoulder to the wheel, and all would be well; thus much could a right-minded man do with a cheerful spirit. But here and now he was helpless, impotent; here and now was impending40 a graver issue, which he was powerless to influence. A life--the life of his beloved--was hanging in the balance; and all he could do was to wait, and hope, and pray.
Hush41! What was that? An infant's wail--the cry of a new-born child! With his heart in his ears he stood in the passage, then sank upon the stairs, with his face in his hands. His child lived--but Rachel! how was it with her? "Lord of the universe," he prayed, inwardly, "spare my beloved! With Thee is the fountain of life; by Thy light only do we see light. Let Thy light shine upon me and upon her!"
The bedroom door opened and closed, and the doctor came down. The passage was dark, for it was now evening, and Aaron could not see the doctor's face. Taking Aaron's arm, which shook in his grasp like a leaf in a strong wind, the doctor led him into the sitting-room42, and lit the gas.
"Doctor!" implored43 Aaron, with clasped hands.
"You have a little girl."
"And Rachel--my wife!"
"Be comforted. She is in no immediate44 danger. She is a brave and noble woman. I will return in a couple of hours. The nurse will tell you when you can go up and see her."
Aaron laid his head upon the table and wept.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
pawnbroker
|
|
| n.典当商，当铺老板 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
demur
|
|
| v．表示异议，反对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
promptly
|
|
| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
harassing
|
|
| v.侵扰，骚扰( harass的现在分词 )；不断攻击（敌人） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
reticence
|
|
| n.沉默，含蓄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
conceal
|
|
| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
utterance
|
|
| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
misery
|
|
| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
compassion
|
|
| n.同情，怜悯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
doze
|
|
| v.打瞌睡；n.打盹，假寐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
blessing
|
|
| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
muse
|
|
| n.缪斯（希腊神话中的女神），创作灵感 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
moss
|
|
| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
teemed
|
|
| v.充满( teem的过去式和过去分词 )；到处都是；（指水、雨等）暴降；倾注 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
folly
|
|
| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
dread
|
|
| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
livelihood
|
|
| n.生计，谋生之道 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
exacting
|
|
| adj.苛求的，要求严格的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
imperative
|
|
| n.命令，需要；规则；祈使语气；adj.强制的；紧急的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
supremacy
|
|
| n.至上；至高权力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
ascending
|
|
| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
extremities
|
|
| n.端点( extremity的名词复数 )；尽头；手和足；极窘迫的境地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
entreaty
|
|
| n.恳求，哀求 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
omen
|
|
| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
intercepted
|
|
| 拦截( intercept的过去式和过去分词 )； 截住； 截击； 拦阻 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
stouter
|
|
| 粗壮的( stout的比较级 )； 结实的； 坚固的； 坚定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
gutter
|
|
| n.沟，街沟，水槽，檐槽，贫民窟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
tangled
|
|
| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
scuttled
|
|
| v.使船沉没( scuttle的过去式和过去分词 )；快跑，急走 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
humble
|
|
| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
slippers
|
|
| n. 拖鞋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
tribulation
|
|
| n.苦难，灾难 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
devout
|
|
| adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
fervently
|
|
| adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
sob
|
|
| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
expectancy
|
|
| n.期望，预期，（根据概率统计求得）预期数额 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
mere
|
|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
impending
|
|
| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
hush
|
|
| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
sitting-room
|
|
| n.（BrE）客厅，起居室 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
implored
|
|
| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
immediate
|
|
| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |