Jimmy thereupon decided7 to leave the uplift flat on its back. He gave in his notice and the next day a summons from Chester Bartlett reached him. Bartlett offered him a place as press agent for his newest musical comedy, “Keep Moving” at a salary which exceeded the demand which Madame Stephano had rejected by twenty-five dollars a week. Jimmy went into executive session with himself and considered a motion for a reconsideration of his previously8 avowed9 determination to “keep all song and dance shows for life.” It was passed by a unanimous vote.
Jimmy smiled cynically10 one Saturday night in the early fall as he stood on the Boylston Street curb12 and watched a great throng13 of Boston amusement seekers filing through the main entrance of the Colonial Theatre. He was a backslider and an apostate15, but he was no longer conscious of any scruples16 in the premises17. His cynical11 aspect on this particular occasion was the result of his contemplation of the sign which outlined in incandescent18 brilliance19 over the portals of the playhouse the name of his new affiliation20. It seemed to him to be, for a moment, a symbol of his downfall and disgrace.
His smile lost its hardness a minute later, however, and became something a shade softer and more human. A vagrant21 memory of a certain young person from Cedar22 Rapids, Iowa,—a young person whom Jimmy held in the highest regard—had crossed his train of thought. It was pleasant to think that Lolita Murphy was close at hand and that when the performance was over he could walk across the Common with her to her hotel, whisper words of endearment23, and bask24 in the effulgence25 of the smiles which she so lavishly26 bestowed27 upon him.
Lolita, released from the oblivion of her drudgery28 as a player in the Mt. Vernon Stock Company, still cherished a great and overwhelming ambition to climb the ladder of theatrical29 fame and carelessly brush off the more or less distinguished30 celebrities31 who, she felt, encumbered32 the topmost rung.
She had reluctantly consented to accept a minor33 position in the “Keep Moving” company at Jimmy’s behest. The latter, filled with a pardonable desire to be near her, had convinced her that a little musical comedy experience was a necessary part of her theatrical training and had persuaded Bartlett to give her a microscopic34 part in the piece. In the first act she separated herself from the ranks of the chorus and remarked “Here comes the prince now.” In the second act she was the hat-check girl in the scene depicting35 the entrance to the dining-room of the Carlton Hotel and was called upon to say “think you’re fresh, don’t you?” to the principal comedian36. In the third and final act she was one of the bridesmaids in the ragtime37 wedding number.
Jimmy, it must be confessed, had begun to strongly suspect that Lolita would eventually find out that the American stage would be able to worry along without her assistance if the worst came to the worst and that destiny had not selected her to snatch the laurels38 from the brow of Mrs. Fiske. That was one of the reasons which impelled39 him to suggest that she associate herself with “Keep Moving.” He didn’t want her to have any heart-aches or artistic41 growing pains and he felt that she could be spared much distress42 and disillusion43 if he were on the sidelines at all times with words of cheer and encouragement.
A smart limousine44 drew up alongside him and Chester Bartlett, “classiest” of musical comedy entrepreneurs alighted, bringing with him something of the flair45 of a Parisian boulevard as contrasted with the Broadway manner which usually characterized theatrical men in his particular field of endeavor. University man, cosmopolite, patron of amateur sports, big game hunter and intimate of distinguished literary men in a half dozen countries, Chester Bartlett was a unique figure in the realm of twinkly-toes and tinkly46 music. As he came towards Jimmy he seemed to exude47 such a suggestion of perfect poise48 and supreme49 savoir faire that the press agent felt for a moment as if he should applaud.
“Hello, old man,” said Bartlett jovially50. “What song doth our troubadour sing next? You’ll have to woo the muse14 in accents soft and low if you expect to equal her performance this morning for your young friend down at the Colonial. That story had a tang that was delightful51. Don’t you think so?”
The manager had intended to pierce Jimmy’s Achillian heel and he had succeeded. If there was anything that stirred the latent energies that lay dormant52 in the press agent’s soul and filled him with the fierce and fiery53 zest54 of a crusader it was praise of a rival’s achievements. And that fellow down at the Colonial had put one over that morning. There was no gainsaying55 that. His story about the group of chorus girls who had organized a Back to Nature club and who had elected to live in tents on the roof of one of the biggest hotels in town had landed with a splash and an extensive pictorial56 lay-out in every paper in town. Jimmy had been nursing a grouch57 all day because he hadn’t thought of the idea first. He didn’t permit any outward signs of his annoyance58 to reach Bartlett, however. He assumed his customary jaunty59 air of sublime60 self-confidence in making reply.
“I’ll say it was pretty good,” he said, “but I’ve got something about ready to spring that’ll send that fellow down for the count in the first round. I’ve got a date with this Emily Ann Muse party tomorrow morning and when she’s listened to what I’ve got to say she’ll jump through the paper hoop61 at the word of command.”
Bartlett laughed good-naturedly. Jimmy’s dazzling metaphorical62 flights and picturesque63 similes64 were a constant source of piquant65 delight to him.
“You’re not quite as modest as the cooing dove,” he remarked, “but you’re a darned sight more diverting. I hope you’re going to get our stately queens into the web you are weaving. I rather fancy they’re on the war-path tonight after all the notoriety their sisters in art got today.”
“Don’t worry,” replied Jimmy. “They’re goin’ to be right in the little old center of the stage with baby spot lights playin’ on ’em from all sides. There won’t be anythin’ doin’ for about thirty-six hours or so, though. I can’t open cold with this act. I’ve got to call a rehearsal66.”
Bartlett chuckled67 and strolled into the lobby. As Jimmy watched his trim figure disappear past the door-man at the far end he experienced a sinking sensation that was decidedly unpleasant. He suddenly realized that in a moment of expansiveness induced by jealousy68 of a hated rival he had drawn69 a check against a sadly depleted70 bank account. As a matter of plain, ungarnished fact he hadn’t a notion as to how he was going to make good. He had no more idea than Bartlett as to the nature of the story that was to startle the natives in thirty-six hours, but he was the original cheery optimist71 and somehow he felt that the gods would be good to him. He sauntered leisurely72 down the street in quest of an inspiration.
The walk across the Common after the performance that night wasn’t quite as stimulating73 as it generally was. Jimmy’s earlier saunter had failed to result in the production of an idea that was even remotely possible of materialization and he had slowly let himself drop into one of those states of moody74 pre-occupation which are usually fatal to romance. Lolita, too, was strangely silent and detached and their conversation at first was mono-syllabic and intermittent75. Presently they came to a bench on the fringes of the park and sat down under the sheltering branches of a great elm, as they had for several nights past. Neither spoke76 for a minute or two. Jimmy was the first to find voice.
“I might have ’em organize a literary society and have one of those Harvard ducks come over some off afternoon and slip ’em a lecture,” he said abstractedly as he stared straight ahead.
Lolita eyed him curiously77. The speech was so entirely disassociated from his hitherto brief remarks that she couldn’t fathom78 its significance.
“Who?” she asked.
“There wouldn’t be time for that, though.” He went on unheedingly. “He’d probably have to take a couple of days to decide and another couple to get his nerve up.”
“What are you talking about, Jimmy Martin?” broke in Lolita impatiently.
Jimmy came to with a start and laughed foolishly.
“Excuse me, girlie,” he replied. “I forgot that you didn’t know anything about it. You see I ain’t really here on this bench at all. I’m right out on a sand-bar and the tide’s comin’ in. I’m goin’ to be all awash in a little while if the life guards don’t come out and pull a rescue.”
“I don’t understand,” persisted Lolita.
“It’s easy, girlie. I’ve got a case of goods to deliver and the drivers are out on strike. In words of one syllable79, sweetheart, I’ve promised Bartlett that I’m goin’ to back the peace pow-wow off on to the inside pages on Monday morning and I’ve been reachin’ out all night for ideas, but I don’t seem to get anywhere at all, not anywhere at all.”
“Is it something about some old story for the papers or something like that that’s worrying you?”
Jimmy felt impelled to make a snappy rejoinder, but his saner80 judgment81 prevailed. He checked himself just in time.
“That’s the general idea, girlie,” he said evenly and lapsed82 into ruminative83 silence again.
It was dark under the old elm and Jimmy couldn’t see Lolita’s face. Had he been able to he would have noted84 an expression on it that might possibly have given him concern. It was an expression that was a blend of petulance85 and of something wan40 and a bit forlorn, a mixture of irritation86 and of anguish87 that seemed perilously88 near the breaking point. When she spoke again her voice was tremulous and low.
“Stories, stories, stories,”—she paused with every repetition of the word—“that’s all you think about. What good do they do? What’s the use of them all? They don’t make anybody happier, do they? They don’t mean anything, do they? They really don’t, do they?”
Jimmy slipped out of the silences instantly and edged closer to Lolita. He tried to take her hand, but she drew it away quickly. He was bewildered by her attitude and there was a shade of genuine agitation89 in his voice as he made reply.
“What’s the matter, honey? Didn’t you like that little yarn90 and the two column picture of you the Journal ran the other morning? That sheet’s got a circulation of over four hundred thousand. Think of all those people readin’ about you and seein’ your picture and talkin’ about you. Didn’t that make you happy? I hoped it would. That’s what I got ’em to use it for.”
Lolita touched him gently on the arm.
“I didn’t mean to be nasty, Jimmy,” she said. “I really didn’t and I hate to tell you the truth, but you’d really ought to know it. Do you want to?”
“Fire ahead. You don’t even have to blindfold91 me.”
“It didn’t make me as happy as you’d imagine. There wasn’t a single soul that saw it who knew anything about who I was or anything except the folks in the company, and they were all jealous because you’d put it in. I didn’t mean any more to that four hundred thousand than the printer that set up the type. Oh, no, I didn’t. You can’t tell me.
“Let me tell you something, Jimmy. Old Doc Crandall, the city editor of the Cedar Rapids Democrat-Chronicle, wrote a piece once about the graduation exercises at the Central High School and he said that I recited with ‘fine expression and wonderful emotional control.’ There were only two lines about me, but those two lines made me happier than a whole page in Boston would,—yes, or New York either. Do you know why?”
Jimmy, whose ideals were crashing down to earth, sat entranced at Lolita’s turbulent outburst.
“No,” he replied. “What’s the answer?”
“Because nine out of every ten people that read those two lines either know me to speak to or by sight or knew mother or dad and what was printed meant something to them about someone who meant something to them. That’s kind of mixed up, I guess, but you know what I’m trying to say. What do I mean to anyone here or in New York or any place else here in the east? Nothing—nothing at all, Jimmy—just nothing at all.”
She wound up at a helter-skelter pace that left her quite out of breath and had it not been for the sheltering elm Jimmy might have noticed that she was biting her lip when she paused and that she was holding herself in with a mighty92 effort. He again tried to take her hand, but she would have none of it.
“Girlie,” he pleaded, making a clumsy attempt at gentleness, “you mean a whole lot to a certain party who’s pretty close at hand. You’ve just naturally got the Cedar Rapids blues93 again tonight, honey, but you’ll be all right in the mornin’, all right in the mornin’, honey. Take it from me. I don’t lose many bets.”
But Lolita had lapsed into silence again and didn’t reply. Presently she complained of being chilly94, got up wearily and begged to be taken home. At the door of her hotel Jimmy made one last effort to lift her out of her mood.
“Paper says fair and warmer tomorrow, honey,” he said. “Maybe we can hire a little old gas wagon95 and get out among the golden rod and the daisies, if I ain’t too busy. Would you go?”
“Maybe,” replied Lolita listlessly. “Good night.”
And she was gone. Jimmy gazed after her despairingly. Gloom entered his soul and made preparations to settle down for the night.
A strident voiced newsboy turned the corner just then shrilly96 crying the early or “bull-dog” edition of one of the Sunday papers.
“Hi, Journal,” he called, “Sunday Morning Journal—full account of “Billy” Williams’ sermon on booze and tobacco—hi, Journal—all about “Billy” Williams’ campaign—full account of both meetings—box score world’s champion games—hi, Journal.”
Jimmy mechanically bought a paper. A screaming headline caught his glance:
Only that and nothing more did Jimmy read. The strained look slowly left his face and was replaced by an expression indicative of profound satisfaction. Even Lolita was forgotten for the nonce. The Big Idea had just loomed97 up in the offing and was heading straight for port.
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1
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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sordid
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| adj.肮脏的，不干净的，卑鄙的，暗淡的 | |
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obese
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| adj.过度肥胖的，肥大的 | |
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emolument
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| n.报酬，薪水 | |
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shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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avowed
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| adj.公开声明的，承认的v.公开声明，承认( avow的过去式和过去分词) | |
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cynically
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| adv.爱嘲笑地，冷笑地 | |
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cynical
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| adj.(对人性或动机)怀疑的，不信世道向善的 | |
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curb
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| n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制 | |
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throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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muse
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| n.缪斯（希腊神话中的女神），创作灵感 | |
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apostate
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| n.背叛者，变节者 | |
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scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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incandescent
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| adj.遇热发光的， 白炽的，感情强烈的 | |
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brilliance
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| n.光辉，辉煌，壮丽，（卓越的）才华，才智 | |
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affiliation
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| n.联系，联合 | |
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vagrant
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| n.流浪者，游民；adj.流浪的，漂泊不定的 | |
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cedar
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| n.雪松，香柏(木) | |
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endearment
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| n.表示亲爱的行为 | |
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bask
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| vt.取暖，晒太阳，沐浴于 | |
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effulgence
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| n.光辉 | |
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lavishly
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| adv.慷慨地，大方地 | |
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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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drudgery
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| n.苦工，重活，单调乏味的工作 | |
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theatrical
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| adj.剧场的，演戏的；做戏似的，做作的 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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celebrities
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| n.（尤指娱乐界的）名人( celebrity的名词复数 )；名流；名声；名誉 | |
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encumbered
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| v.妨碍，阻碍，拖累( encumber的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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microscopic
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| adj.微小的，细微的，极小的，显微的 | |
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depicting
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| 描绘，描画( depict的现在分词 )； 描述 | |
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comedian
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| n.喜剧演员；滑稽演员 | |
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ragtime
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| n.拉格泰姆音乐 | |
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laurels
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| n.桂冠，荣誉 | |
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impelled
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| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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wan
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| (wide area network)广域网 | |
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artistic
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| adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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disillusion
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| vt.使不再抱幻想，使理想破灭 | |
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limousine
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| n.豪华轿车 | |
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flair
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| n.天赋，本领，才华；洞察力 | |
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tinkly
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| 叮当响的 | |
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exude
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| v.(使)流出，(使)渗出 | |
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poise
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| vt./vi. 平衡，保持平衡；n.泰然自若，自信 | |
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supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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jovially
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| adv.愉快地，高兴地 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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dormant
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| adj.暂停活动的；休眠的；潜伏的 | |
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fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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zest
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| n.乐趣；滋味，风味；兴趣 | |
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55
gainsaying
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| v.否认，反驳( gainsay的现在分词 ) | |
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56
pictorial
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| adj.绘画的；图片的；n．画报 | |
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grouch
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| n.牢骚，不满；v.抱怨 | |
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annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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jaunty
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| adj．愉快的，满足的；adv.心满意足地，洋洋得意地；n.心满意足；洋洋得意 | |
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sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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hoop
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| n.（篮球）篮圈，篮 | |
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metaphorical
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| a.隐喻的，比喻的 | |
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picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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similes
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| （使用like或as等词语的）明喻( simile的名词复数 ) | |
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piquant
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| adj.辛辣的，开胃的，令人兴奋的 | |
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rehearsal
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| n.排练，排演；练习 | |
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chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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depleted
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| adj. 枯竭的, 废弃的 动词deplete的过去式和过去分词 | |
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optimist
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| n.乐观的人，乐观主义者 | |
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leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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73
stimulating
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| adj.有启发性的，能激发人思考的 | |
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moody
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| adj.心情不稳的，易怒的，喜怒无常的 | |
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intermittent
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| adj.间歇的，断断续续的 | |
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76
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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77
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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fathom
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| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
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79
syllable
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| n.音节；vt.分音节 | |
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80
saner
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| adj.心智健全的( sane的比较级 )；神志正常的；明智的；稳健的 | |
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81
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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82
lapsed
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| adj.流失的，堕落的v.退步( lapse的过去式和过去分词 )；陷入；倒退；丧失 | |
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83
ruminative
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| adj.沉思的，默想的，爱反复思考的 | |
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84
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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85
petulance
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| n.发脾气，生气，易怒，暴躁，性急 | |
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86
irritation
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| n.激怒，恼怒，生气 | |
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87
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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88
perilously
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| adv.充满危险地，危机四伏地 | |
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89
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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90
yarn
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| n.纱，纱线，纺线；奇闻漫谈，旅行轶事 | |
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blindfold
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| vt.蒙住…的眼睛；adj.盲目的；adv.盲目地；n.蒙眼的绷带[布等]； 障眼物，蒙蔽人的事物 | |
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92
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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93
blues
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| n.抑郁，沮丧；布鲁斯音乐 | |
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94
chilly
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| adj.凉快的，寒冷的 | |
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95
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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96
shrilly
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| 尖声的； 光亮的，耀眼的 | |
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loomed
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| v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的过去式和过去分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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