The music below grew fainter and died. Those with us upon the terrace remained silent, awaiting the pleasure of the Princess. When she spoke1 at last it was to Ferratoni, and then I noticed for the first time that he had brought, or caused to be brought, a little case which I recognized as one of his telephones. We had known that for the entertainment of the Princess he had been experimenting with his materials, and we realized that he was about to demonstrate from the elevation2 of the temple the practicability of his invention. Remembering what we had been told of the national prejudice against mechanical progress, I momentarily doubted the wisdom of such an exhibition, but reflected that with the approval of the Princess the result could hardly be otherwise than pleasant. Those who remained with us seemed also to encourage the experiment, and showed some interest as to the outcome.
They were those of the inner household. Among 270them were the three to whom Chauncey Gale3, Mr. Sturritt and myself had paid some slight social attention (the merest courtesies, indeed, as courtesies go in that land) since our arrival in the Lilied Hills.
Ferratoni now arranged the telephone apparatus4 and adjusted it carefully, explaining to us, meantime, that he had constructed another which he had left at the palace below, whence a little party of those returning would presently communicate with us. When all was ready, he touched the annunciator bell, but there came no response. Evidently those who were to answer had not yet reached the palace. We waited a little in expectant silence—then once more he touched the bell. Still no response—our friends at court were proceeding5 but leisurely6, as was their wont7. Indeed a mental communication just then established the fact that they had paused for refreshments8 in the palace gardens. I thought Ferratoni looked a little annoyed. He was anxious, I suppose, to please the Princess, though the latter showed no impatience9. Refreshments and pausing were the peaceful characteristics of her gentle race.
While we waited I found myself recalling some of the former times when the little telephone had brought messages from the unseen. I recalled the first trial, when we were frozen in the pack, and Edith Gale and I had carried it to the top of the 271lonely berg, and so listened to Ferratoni’s mysterious message from the ship—the message all now could understand. I remembered, too, the chill waiting on the top of the Pacemaker when voices from the Billowcrest heartened me and gave me comfort and hope. And then there came the recollection of the weary days when, toiling10 down the great white way, we had been cheered and encouraged by the voices of those behind, and of the desolate11 nights when I had found peace and repose12 in the soothing13 influence of “Old Brown Cows.”
Recalling these things dreamily, I was almost as much startled as the listless ones about us, when suddenly on the little telephone in our midst there came a sharp returning ring. Not a timid and hesitating signal, as from one unused and half afraid, but emphatic14, eager and prolonged. There was something about it that thrilled me, and I saw Chauncey Gale suddenly sit upright. Ferratoni, however, quickly handed the transmitter to the Princess, and held the receiver to her ear. But as she listened there came into her face only a strange, puzzled expression, and she did not answer. Instead, she returned the transmitter to Ferratoni, who now held the receiver to his own ear. For a moment only, then hastily turning, and with eager, outstretched hands he held the telephone complete toward Chauncey Gale and me!
272We grabbed for it as children scramble15 for a toy. It was an unseemly display to those serene16 ones about us, and in a brief instant must have damaged their good opinion of us, and their regard. We did not think of that, and we did not care. We knew that in that telephone were voices for us only—voices long silent to us—at times almost forgotten,—but that now, from far across the snowy wastes and scented17 fields, were calling us to awake, and remember, and reply.
I seized the receiver. Gale, who had managed to get hold of the transmitter, commenced shouting in it.
“Hello! Hello, Johnnie! Hello! Hello! Why don’t you answer?” Then, suddenly realizing that I held the receiver, he snatched it to his own ear, but not before I had caught a few brief joyous18 words in the voice of Edith Gale.
“Yes, it’s us!” he called frantically19. “All right, yes!—Yes, as well and happy as—that is, of course we’re awful homesick!—I mean not suffering any.—Yes, warm, and fine country!—Oh, yes, nice people!—Girls? Oh, yes.—N—no, I don’t think you’d think so—some people might, but we don’t. Matter of taste, you know.—How’s the ship?—That’s good.—Biff, too?—What? Oh, ice out of the bay. Bully20!—No—it didn’t work till just now. Too low down.—Why, on top of the South Pole.—Ha, 273ha, yes.—No. Temple of worship.—Yes, high! High as Washington monument!—Why didn’t we try it before?—Why, we—that is—we’ve been busy—very busy!—Doing? Us? Oh, why, we’ve been—that is—we—we’ve been studying habits—and customs—customs of the people.—Yes, interesting.—Yes.”
I had been so absorbed in Gale’s one-sided dialogue that I had forgotten the presence of those about us. He ceased speaking now, for a moment, evidently listening to a lengthier21 communication. Recalling myself, I glanced about at the others, wondering how much or how little of it they had comprehended. Probably very little, yet the effect upon them had been startling. They had witnessed our sudden transformation22 from people not greatly different to themselves into what must have appeared to them unholy barbarians—wild untamed savages23, awakened24 to a fierce and to them brutal25 frenzy26 by the unseen electric summons. In their faces was a horror and condemnation27 never before written there. An awakening28, indeed, had followed the galvanic touch. Gale, all unconscious of this, now broke loose again.
“No, we haven’t done anything yet in that line. They don’t need any missionary29 work here, or homes, but they need everything else. I was just telling Nick a scheme a while ago. We felt a little 274discouraged, then, because we couldn’t get word from the ship, but I’m waked up now, and we’ll make things hum. We’ll get franchises30 from the government for electric lights and trolley31 lines, and steamboat traffic, and we’ll build some factories, and I’ll put a head-light on this temple, and an elevator inside, and we’ll lay out additions in all directions. Vacant property here as far as you can see, and just going to waste. Of course we’ll have to fix up some easy way to get people over the ice-wall, and run sledge32 trains over the snow between here and Bottle Bay, like they do in the Klondike. It may take a year or two to get the place opened up, but we can do it, and when we do, it’ll be the greatest spot on earth. We didn’t know just how we were going to get out of here before, though we haven’t worried any, but now you and Biff can take the yacht back to New York and make up a big expedition. You’ll have to bring a lot of stuff we didn’t have this time, and a lot of money—small money—silver change, and nickels. These jays haven’t got any, and don’t know what it is, but it won’t take ’em long to find out when they find they can get it for some of their stuff and give it back for trolley rides. Nick and I’ll just camp right up here on this temple, and we’ll plan the whole thing, so——”
But Ferratoni, who had risen, at this point laid his hand on Gale’s arm. I did not hear what he 275whispered, but Gale suddenly handed me the apparatus, and they drew apart. I was anxious to talk with Edith, but I had been taking note of those about us, and I had rather more anxiety just then concerning developments close at hand. Gale and Ferratoni stood before the Princess and the others assembled near. The Princess began speaking and Ferratoni translated to Gale, whose knowledge of the Antarctic converse33 was an uncertain quantity. Mr. Sturritt and I drew into the circle to listen. Perhaps not for a thousand years had there been such a turbulence34 of spirit in the Land of the Sloping Sun.
The Princess and the others, Ferratoni said, had been able to understand, through him, something of Mr. Gale’s plans, as briefly35 outlined to his daughter. As a people they were opposed to such innovations, and they earnestly deprecated the state of mind and sudden change of attitude occasioned in us by the renewal36 of the telephone connection with our vessel37 and friends.
They reasoned, he said, that if a very small thing like the telephone had produced upon us results so manifest, and so unpleasant to behold38, they were sure that still larger mechanisms—of the size of a trolley car, for instance—would be a national calamity39, and result only in demoralization and ruin. They therefore protested most vigorously 276against a further pursuit of these schemes, and suggested that even the telephone itself be instantly demolished40.
The Princess, personally, was not opposed to any appliance that would benefit her people without destroying their lives or repose of spirit, but the radical41 changes contemplated42 in the mind of our Admiral were abhorrent43 to her, and she would not be responsible for our welfare or even our personal safety unless these plans were immediately abandoned. The matter of some new means of dispelling44 the long dark she would be glad to consider. Even some easier method of ascending45 the temple might——
But this gave Gale an opportunity to present his case, which he did with considerable force. He made an address in favor of mechanical progress, well worthy46 of recording47 here if I could remember it. Ferratoni translated rapidly, and I could see that the Princess and her companion were somewhat impressed. As had been shown by her attempted invention for lighting48, she was really more inclined to such advancement49 than most of her race, while those about her were the staunchest of her followers50. She made little reply, however, to Gale’s speech, though her general attitude suggested that the matter in it might be taken under advisement. The telephone was not immediately destroyed, and I was now permitted 277to have a brief and quiet conversation with Edith Gale—a conversation which the reader’s imagination will best supply.
At the end I had spoken of the rare beauty and qualities of the Princess and how we were trying to convert her to our way of thinking.
“Is she really so beautiful? And are the others too? Daddy thought I wouldn’t care for them——”
“Um—did he? Oh, but you’d love the Princess. She is so beautiful and so—so gentle——”
A pause, then—
“Nicholas!—Hello! Nicholas!”
“Yes.”
“I wouldn’t try to convert the Princess, if I were you!”
As we prepared to descend51 to the waiting barges52, Gale was inclined to be in good spirits over the prospect53 ahead. But I noticed that the Princess seemed more disquieted54 than I had ever seen her, and that Ferratoni, and the others, looked somber55 and unhappy.
And now, too, for the first time since our arrival, we saw that a storm-cloud had gathered upon the horizon—a blackness that rose swiftly and extinguished the sun.
Quick lightning parted it here and there and the roll of distant thunder came ominously56. A portentous57 dark settled on the lands below us, and the 278waters of the lake became spectral58. A few drops of rain fell.
A canopy59 was brought from the temple and lifted above the Princess. Silence came upon us. The smile faded from Gale’s features, and Mr. Sturritt’s face grew pale and anxious.
For myself, I had the feeling of being a part of some weird60 half-waking dream, in which fact and fantastic imagery mingled61 with a sense of heavy foreboding. Only the recent words of Edith Gale lingered as a ray from some far-off beacon62.
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1
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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2
elevation
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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3
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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apparatus
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| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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8
refreshments
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| n.点心,便餐;(会议后的)简单茶点招 待 | |
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9
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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10
toiling
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| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的现在分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
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11
desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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12
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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13
soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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14
emphatic
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| adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的 | |
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15
scramble
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| v.爬行，攀爬，杂乱蔓延，碎片，片段，废料 | |
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16
serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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17
scented
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| adj.有香味的；洒香水的；有气味的v.嗅到(scent的过去分词) | |
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18
joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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frantically
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| ad.发狂地, 发疯地 | |
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20
bully
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| n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮 | |
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21
lengthier
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| adj.长的，漫长的，啰嗦的( lengthy的比较级 ) | |
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transformation
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| n.变化；改造；转变 | |
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23
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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24
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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25
brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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26
frenzy
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| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
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27
condemnation
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| n.谴责; 定罪 | |
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28
awakening
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| n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的 | |
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29
missionary
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| adj.教会的，传教(士)的；n.传教士 | |
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30
franchises
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| n.（尤指选举议员的）选举权( franchise的名词复数 )；参政权；获特许权的商业机构（或服务）；（公司授予的）特许经销权v.给…以特许权，出售特许权( franchise的第三人称单数 ) | |
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31
trolley
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| n.手推车，台车；无轨电车；有轨电车 | |
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32
sledge
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| n.雪橇，大锤；v.用雪橇搬运，坐雪橇往 | |
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33
converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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34
turbulence
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| n.喧嚣，狂暴，骚乱，湍流 | |
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35
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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36
renewal
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| adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来 | |
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37
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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38
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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39
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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40
demolished
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| v.摧毁( demolish的过去式和过去分词 )；推翻；拆毁（尤指大建筑物）；吃光 | |
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41
radical
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| n.激进份子，原子团，根号；adj.根本的，激进的，彻底的 | |
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42
contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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43
abhorrent
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| adj.可恶的，可恨的，讨厌的 | |
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44
dispelling
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| v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的现在分词 ) | |
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45
ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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46
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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47
recording
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| n.录音，记录 | |
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48
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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49
advancement
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| n.前进，促进，提升 | |
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50
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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51
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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52
barges
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| 驳船( barge的名词复数 ) | |
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53
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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54
disquieted
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| v.使不安，使忧虑，使烦恼( disquiet的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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55
somber
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| adj.昏暗的，阴天的，阴森的，忧郁的 | |
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56
ominously
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| adv.恶兆地，不吉利地；预示地 | |
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57
portentous
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| adj.不祥的，可怕的，装腔作势的 | |
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58
spectral
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| adj.幽灵的，鬼魂的 | |
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59
canopy
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| n.天篷，遮篷 | |
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60
weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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61
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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62
beacon
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| n.烽火，（警告用的）闪火灯，灯塔 | |
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