A notebook lay beside him and several bulky treatises8 on botany were scattered10 about, but he had ceased work and was thinking. After the shadow and silence of the tropical bush, to which he was most accustomed, the rattle11 of the traffic in the wet street below was stimulating12; but his reflections were not pleasant. He had waited patiently for another invitation to Lansing's house, which had not arrived, and a day or two ago he had met Sylvia Marston, upon whom his mind had steadily13 dwelt, in a busy street. She had bowed to him courteously14, but she had made it clear that she did not expect him to stop and speak. It had been a bitter moment to Singleton, but he had calmly faced the truth. He had served his purpose, and he had been dropped. Now, however, a letter from one of the people he was expecting indicated that he might again be drawn15 into the rubber-exploiting scheme.
The two gentlemen who had called on Herbert were shown in presently.
"It was I who wrote you," the first of them said; "this is my colleague, Mr. Nevis."
Singleton bowed.
"Will you take that chair, Mr. Jackson?" He turned to the other man.
"I think you had better have this one; it's comparatively sound."
He was aware that they were looking about his apartment curiously16, and no doubt inferring something from its condition; but this was of no consequence. He had learned his value and meant to insist on it, without the assistance of any signs of prosperity.
"I couldn't get up to town, as you suggested," he resumed when they were seated. "I've been rather busy of late."
"That's generally the case with us," Jackson said pointedly17.
He was a thin man, very neatly18 and quietly dressed, with a solemn face and an air of importance. Nevis was stouter19 and more florid, with a brisker manner, but the stamp of the city was plainly set on both.
"Well," said Singleton, "I'm at your service, now you're here. The cigars are nearest you, Mr. Nevis, and I can recommend the contents of the smaller bottle. It's a Southern speciality and rather difficult to get in England."
Nevis hesitated. He thought it better that the interview should be conducted on strictly20 business lines, while to accept the proffered21 hospitality would tend to place him and the man he wished to deal with on a footing of social equality. But it was desirable not to offend Singleton, and he lighted a cigar.
"To begin with, I must ask if you are still in any way connected with
Mr. Lansing?" he said.
"No," answered Singleton with some grimness. "You can take it for granted that he has done with me."
"That clears the ground. We have been considering the report you wrote for him. In our opinion, it was, while not encouraging, hardly sufficient to warrant his abandoning the project, in which, as you have been told, we were associated with him."
"He may have had other motives," Singleton suggested.
Nevis nodded gravely, as if in appreciation22 of his keenness.
"That," he said, "is what occurred to us. But what is your idea of the scheme?"
"It's clearly stated in the report."
Jackson made a sign of impatience23.
"We'll leave the report out and come to the point. Can the rubber, which you say is really to be found, be collected and brought down to the coast without incurring24 a prohibitive expense?"
"Yes," said Singleton. "But you must understand me. The methods generally adopted in such cases would be bound to fail. You would require an overseer with rather exceptional technical knowledge, who must, besides this, be quite free from the usual prejudices on the native question. They would, no doubt, be a little difficult to avoid, since at first he would have to put up with a few attempts upon his life; but, if he could combine resolution and strict justice with a conciliatory attitude, the attempt would cease, and I think he could earn you a fair return on a moderate outlay25."
Jackson laughed.
"So far as my experience goes, such men are scarce. But I'd better say that we had you in mind when we made this visit. Do you think you could do anything, if we sent you out?"
"Yes," said Singleton quietly; "I believe I could make the venture pay.
Whether I'd think it worth while is another matter."
"Then," Nevis interposed, "it's simply a question of terms?"
"Oh, no. You may be surprised to hear that payment is not the first consideration; though it's true. I'm interested in certain investigations26 which can be carried out only in the tropics. However, you'd better make your offer."
Nevis did so, and Singleton pondered for a few moments.
"The remuneration might suffice, provided that I was given a percentage on the product and one or two special allowances; but before going any farther I must understand your intentions. I'm a botanist27, and have no wish to be made use of merely for the purpose of furthering some stock-jobbing scheme. Do you really want this venture put upon a satisfactory working footing?"
"I'll explain," said Nevis. "The fact is, Lansing let us in rather badly. We spent a good deal of money over this concession28, and we're anxious to get it back. Since we can't float the thing on the market at present, we have formed a small private syndicate to develop the property, though we may sell out in a year or two if you can make the undertaking29 commercially successful. I think you could count on the purchasers' continuing operations."
"Have you considered what Lansing's attitude may be?"
"It won't matter. He has gone out of the business, convinced that the thing's no good; he cleared off most of his rubber shares, for a similar reason. This raises another point—the original company's possessions lie in the same region, though ruled by another state, and things are going badly there. If you could get across and see what could be done, we would pay an extra fee."
Singleton lighted a cigar and leaned back in his chair with a thoughtful expression, and for a minute or two they left him alone. They were keen business men, but they knew that their usual methods would not serve them with this shabbily-dressed, self-possessed botanist.
"Well," he said at length, "your suggestion rather appeals to me, but there's the difficulty that another matter claims my attention. Though it isn't strictly in my line, I've been asked to go out to Canada and assist in the production of a variety of wheat that will ripen30 quickly; in fact, I was looking up some information bearing on the matter when you came in. It's a remarkably31 interesting subject."
They were clever enough to see that this was not an attempt to enhance the value of his services; the man was obviously a botanical enthusiast32, and Nevis showed signs of attention. He had once or twice thought that something might be made out of Canadian land companies.
"One could imagine that," he said. "I understand that it's a matter of high importance."
"The development of the whole northern portion of the prairie country depends on the success of the experiments that are being made," Singleton went on. "Their summers are hot but short; if they can get a grain that ripens33 early, they can cultivate vast stretches of land that are now, from economic reasons, uninhabitable, and it would make farming a more prosperous business in other tracts34. Crops growing in the favored parts are occasionally frozen. It's a coincidence that a day or two ago I got a letter inquiring about that kind of wheat from a friend in Canada who is, as it happens, farming with a cousin of Lansing's." Then he laughed. "All this, however, has nothing to do with the object of your visit. Give me a few more minutes to think it over."
There was silence except for the rattle of wheels outside while he smoked half a cigar; then he turned to his companions.
"I'll go out and undertake your work. I believe you're acting35 wisely, and that Lansing will be sorry after a while that he threw away his interest in the scheme."
They discussed the details of the project and then the business men went away, satisfied. Shortly afterward36 Singleton took a letter out of a paper rack, and when he had read it he leaned back in his chair, lost in pleasant recollections. Some years earlier, he had by chance fallen in with a lad named West when fishing among the Scottish hills. The young man's sister and elder brother were staying with him at the remote hotel in which Singleton had quarters, and somewhat to his astonishment37 they soon made friends with him.
Poverty had made him reserved; he knew that he was a little awkward and unpolished, but the Wests had not attempted to patronize him. Their cordiality set him at his ease; he liked the careless, good-humored lad; Ethel West, grave-eyed, direct, and candid38, made a strong impression, and he had been drawn to the quiet lawyer who was much older than either. They spent delightful39 days together on the lake and among the hills; Singleton told them something about his studies and ambitions, and in the evenings they persuaded him to sing. Ethel was a musician and Singleton sang well. On leaving they had invited him to visit them; but, partly from diffidence, Singleton had not gone, though he knew these were not the people who took a man up when he could be of service and afterward dropped him.
Now he had received a letter from Edgar West, saying that he was farming in western Canada and inquiring if Singleton could tell him anything about the drought-resisting and quick-ripening properties of certain varieties of wheat. The botanist was glad to place his knowledge at his friend's disposal, and, taking up pen and paper, he spent an hour on a treatise9 on the subject, which was to save Lansing expense and trouble, and bring Singleton further communications from Edgar. Then he smoked another pipe and went to bed; and a fortnight later he sailed for the tropics.
Shortly after he had gone, Herbert heard of his departure, and the letter containing the news arrived on a cheerless afternoon during which his doctor had visited him. After the doctor left, Herbert entered the room where his wife and Sylvia were, and took his place in an easy chair by a window. Outside, the lawn was covered with half-melted snow and the trees raised naked, dripping branches above the drooping40 shrubs41. Farther back the hedgerows ran somberly across the white fields, and in the distance the hills loomed42, desolate43 and gray, against a leaden sky.
"Ballin says I'd better take it easy for some time yet," Herbert informed his wife. "In fact, he recommends a trip abroad; Algiers or Egypt, for preference." He indicated the dreary44 prospect45 outside the window. "Though he didn't actually insist on my going, the idea's attractive."
"Could you leave your business?" Mrs. Lansing inquired.
Herbert smiled.
"Yes; I think so. I was doing pretty well when I got run over, and things have since slackened down. My manager can look after them while I am away."
This was correct, so far as it went; but he had another reason for deciding not to resume operations for a while. He suspected that his recent conduct had excited distrust and indignation in certain quarters, but this would, no doubt, blow over before his return. People forgot, and he could avoid those whose confidence in him had proved expensive,
"If that's the case, we may as well get off as soon as it can be arranged," said Mrs. Lansing. She turned to Sylvia. "Of course, you will come with us."
Sylvia hesitated. She believed her influence over Bland46 would not weaken much in her absence; but, after all, it was wiser to run no risk. Moreover, she would, to some extent, feel her separation from the man.
"I really don't know what I ought to do," she answered. "I might be a restraint upon you—you can't want me always at hand; and I could spend a month or two with Dorothy. She has several times told me to come."
"You would be better with us," Mrs. Lansing rejoined with firmness; and
Sylvia suspected her of a wish to prevent her enjoying Bland's society.
"I'll think it over," she said.
After they had discussed the projected journey, Mrs. Lansing withdrew on some domestic errand, and Herbert turned to Sylvia.
"I needn't point out that you'll be no trouble to us, but perhaps I'd better mention that I had a letter from George this post. As there's very little to be done until the spring, he thinks of coming over. I don't know how far that may affect your decision."
Sylvia was a little startled, but she reflected rapidly. The house of the relative she had thought of visiting would be open to George, as would be one or two others in which she might stay a while. It was most undesirable47 that he should encounter Bland, which would be likely to happen. Then it struck her that Herbert might derive48 as little satisfaction from his cousin's visit as it would afford her.
"Have you succeeded in selling George's shares yet?" she asked, and though this was, on the face of it, an abrupt49 change of subject, she thought Herbert would follow the sequence of ideas.
"No," he answered, with a smile of comprehension. "It was too late when I was able to attend to things; they have dropped to such a price that I'll have to keep them. I'm afraid it will be a blow to George, and he's having trouble enough already with your farm; but, luckily, some other shares I bought on his account show signs of a marked improvement before long."
Sylvia inferred from this that he had not informed his cousin of the state of his affairs, and did not wish to see him until the improvement mentioned, or some other favorable development, should mitigate50 the shock of discovering what use Herbert had made of his powers. It was clear that it rested with her to decide whether George made the visit or not, because if she went to Egypt he would remain in Canada. But she was not quite ready to give her companion an answer.
"Did I tell you that I met Singleton a little while ago?" she said. "I think he wished to speak, but I merely bowed. I was in a hurry, for one thing."
"It's the first I've heard of it, but you did quite right. Since he was here, one or two of the other directors who tried to give me some trouble have got hold of him. They have sent him out to see what can be done with the rubber property."
"Was that worth while?"
"I shouldn't think so. It strikes me they're wasting their money."
This was Herbert's firm belief, but his judgment51 while generally accurate, had, in this instance, proved defective52. He had failed properly to estimate Singleton's capabilities53. It was, however, obvious to Sylvia that he had had no part in the undertaking, and had abandoned his rubber schemes, which implied that George's loss would be serious. There was no doubt that it would suit both Herbert and herself better if George did not come back too soon.
"Well," she said, "that is not a matter of any consequence to me.
After all, I think I'll go south with you and Muriel."
Herbert had foreseen this decision.
"It's the most suitable arrangement," he responded. "When I write,
I'll mention it to George."
Sylvia went out a little later with a sense of guilt54; she felt that in removing the strongest inducement for George's visit she had betrayed him. She was sorry for George, but she could not allow any consideration for him to interfere55 with her ambitions. Then she resolutely56 drove these thoughts away. The matter could be looked at in a more pleasant light, and there were several good reasons for the course she had adopted.
Entering the library, she carefully wrote a little note to Captain
Bland, and then went in search of Mrs. Lansing.
"I think I'll go over to Susan's for the week-end," she announced. "I promised her another visit, and now I can explain that I'm going away with you."
Mrs. Lansing made no objection, and three or four days afterward Sylvia met Bland at Mrs. Kettering's house. He arrived after her, and as there were other guests, she had to wait a little while before she could get a word with him alone. She was standing57 in the big hall, which was unoccupied, rather late in the evening, when he came toward her.
"I thought I should never escape from Kettering; but he's safe for a while, talking guns in the smoking-room," he said.
Sylvia thought that they would be safe from interruption for a few minutes, which would serve her purpose.
"So you have managed to get here," she said.
"Had you any doubt of my succeeding?" Bland asked reproachfully. "Kettering once gave me a standing invitation, and, as it happens, there's a famous horse dealer58 in this neighborhood with whom I've had some business. That and the few Sunday trains formed a good excuse. I, however, don't mind in the least if Mrs. Kettering attaches any significance to the visit."
Sylvia did not wish to arouse the suspicions of her hostess, but she smiled.
"I expected you, and I'm glad you came," she said.
"That's very nice to hear."
"Don't take too much for granted. Still, I thought I'd like to see you, because I'm going to Egypt with Muriel for some time. Indeed, I shall not be back until the spring."
The man displayed dismayed surprise, and Sylvia waited for his answer with some eagerness. She did not wish to enter into a formal engagement—it was a little too early to make an announcement yet—but she thought it wise to bind59 him in some degree before she left.
"Until the spring?" he broke out. "You expect me to let you go?"
"You must," said Sylvia firmly, and added in a softer voice, "I'm rather sorry."
He saw that he could not shake her decision.
"Then we must have a clear understanding," he rejoined hotly. "You know I want you—when is this waiting to end? Tell me now, and let me tell all who care to hear, that you belong to me."
Sylvia made a gesture of protest and coquettishly looked down.
"You must still have patience," she murmured; "the time will soon pass."
"And then?" he asked with eagerness.
She glanced up at him shyly.
"If you will ask me again when I come back, I will give you your answer."
She left him no reason for doubting what that answer would be; and, stretching out his arms, he drew her strongly to him. In a minute or two, however, Sylvia insisted on his returning to his host, and soon afterward Mrs. Kettering came in to look for her.
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1
chilly
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| adj.凉快的，寒冷的 | |
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hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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tuxedo
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| n.礼服，无尾礼服 | |
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slippers
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| n. 拖鞋 | |
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vein
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| n.血管，静脉；叶脉，纹理；情绪；vt.使成脉络 | |
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7
deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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8
treatises
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| n.专题著作，专题论文，专著( treatise的名词复数 ) | |
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treatise
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| n.专著；(专题)论文 | |
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10
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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11
rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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12
stimulating
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| adj.有启发性的，能激发人思考的 | |
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13
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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courteously
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| adv.有礼貌地，亲切地 | |
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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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curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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pointedly
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| adv.尖地，明显地 | |
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neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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stouter
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| 粗壮的( stout的比较级 )； 结实的； 坚固的； 坚定的 | |
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strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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incurring
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| 遭受，招致，引起( incur的现在分词 ) | |
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outlay
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| n.费用，经费，支出；v.花费 | |
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investigations
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| （正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究 | |
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botanist
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| n.植物学家 | |
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concession
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| n.让步，妥协；特许(权) | |
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undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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ripen
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| vt.使成熟；vi.成熟 | |
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remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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enthusiast
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| n.热心人，热衷者 | |
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ripens
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| v.成熟，使熟( ripen的第三人称单数 ) | |
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tracts
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| 大片土地( tract的名词复数 )； 地带； （体内的）道； （尤指宣扬宗教、伦理或政治的）短文 | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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candid
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| adj.公正的，正直的；坦率的 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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drooping
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| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
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shrubs
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| 灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
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42
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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43
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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dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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bland
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| adj.淡而无味的，温和的，无刺激性的 | |
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undesirable
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| adj.不受欢迎的，不良的，不合意的，讨厌的；n.不受欢迎的人，不良分子 | |
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48
derive
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| v.取得；导出；引申；来自；源自；出自 | |
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abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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50
mitigate
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| vt.（使）减轻，（使）缓和 | |
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51
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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52
defective
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| adj.有毛病的，有问题的，有瑕疵的 | |
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53
capabilities
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| n.能力( capability的名词复数 )；可能；容量；[复数]潜在能力 | |
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54
guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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55
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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56
resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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57
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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58
dealer
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| n.商人，贩子 | |
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bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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