To see every window wide open and Betsey and Hopeful polishing them while Ali Baba hurried to and fro on all sorts of errands bent2, to know that the stable was empty of its coupé and motor cars were installed, while a pert maid with a cap with streamers minced3 down the streets and smiled superciliously4 at every one—it was enough to give the Corners palpitation of the heart.
The general verdict was that Thurley had returned “to lord it over every one.” A few more romantically inclined thought she had come back to “win Dan from ’Raine.” One or two simple souls believed she might be genuinely anxious to be at home again, at least the only home she had ever known.
Thurley bothered little with public opinion. With false assurance as to her ideas, she proceeded to put them into practice without delay. The devil always favoring a new recruit, it would seem, she met with considerable success.
To still the wondering as to Bliss’s summers, the loneliness for a personal relationship and the fag in her head brought about by a season’s hard work and the war agitation5, Thurley played along in Lissa’s own manner.
She treated the Corners with good-natured disdain6. There was a trifle of the boaster in her as she wore her new creations and drove her smart cab about, smoked openly and permitted unwrapped cases of champagne7 to[300] be sent up from the station. But the boasting was because of two elements, the child’s love of mischief8 and the woman’s loneliness and determination to let no one suspect that she had repented9 of her strange bargain.
She had driven into the town with Miss Clergy10 beside her, quite content as long as Thurley was satisfied, Thurley in a startling gown of mulberry chiffon and a jet toque and her driver in a trig green uniform to match the body of the limousine11.
The word spread like fire, “Thurley Precore is back, grand as a princess, famous as all outdoors—paint on her cheeks—Miss Clergy is human—it is so, all they’ve said about ’em—watch Dan Birge, sore’n a hedgehog, watch ’Raine—there’ll be doings if she stays.”
There was no attempt at actually refurnishing the Fincherie, but only to let sun stream in and soap and water do its best. A piano was the only added asset save the motor cars, the lady’s maid and Thurley’s accompanist. Thurley preferred to have the contrast of old style furniture, and Miss Clergy wandered vaguely12 like a lost child through the rooms, smiling with delight at the memories such and such a table or chair recalled; she even pointed13 to where she had danced the businesslike little polka at her coming out party.
But when Thurley came face to face with Betsey, Hopeful or Ali Baba, all trace of the sophisticated young woman vanished and she flew into their arms in such natural fashion that they afterwards said in stout14 defense15 of her, “Thurley ain’t changed a mite—unless people act changed to her!”
Nevertheless there was a change. No one can go away from a village as a runaway16 beggar girl taking the town mystery and richest person in it at the same time and leave a broken heart to keep green her memory,[301] without somewhat of a readjustment. Nor can she return three years later both famous and rich and lovelier than ever without further complications.
The homey things which Thurley had anticipated would set her right in magic fashion irritated and disappointed her. She wanted to return the same wild rose she had left, being treated as such. But her grandeur17 was like a stone wall over which the village took turns at peeking18 and saying, “Well, well, well, so this is Thurley Precore—well, well, well!”
Twelve hours after she had come into the town she was bored to extinction19. She missed the excitement of her other life and wondered why she had not stayed on to do the things society had begged of her. Birge’s Corners was as removed from the real world as Iceland from the tropics, they did not appreciate or comprehend her! She was still just a “lucky girl” in their eyes; they almost questioned her success. She would have to die and leave funds for a public drinking fountain before the village would acclaim20 her as their own with joy and alacrity21.
The hills seemed small and stunted22 and the air over-dusty and hot. The old drive along the river was stupid, she decided23, as she took it and was prepared to be drifted back into enchanted24 girlhood. Her accompanist, who was with her, agreed when Thurley remarked that one never remembered childhood joys with accuracy. The accompanist was thinking of her own home town where the hills were green and gorgeous and the river sparkling—but the accompanist had not been home in some time either!
The summer yawned before Thurley like a dark cavern25. She longed for fall and work—glimpses of Hobart with snubs and sarcasm26 from him if nothing else. She wanted Ernestine; she felt she could become as[302] cynical27 as Ernestine with no trouble at all and she would agree with Caleb that “kiss-baby” copy was perfectly28 proper if people were fools enough to pay for it; she resolved to play cards for money the next winter, as Lissa urged, and really to bully29 Polly into accepting decent clothes and being some one respectable. She wanted Collin to paint her portrait in a certain cream satin frock, because she wanted to know what Hobart would say of it, and as for Mark—there was a dangerous expression in Thurley’s eyes as she thought of what she might or might not do concerning him ... besides, there were many others who would pay her attention, rich, powerful, foolish creatures who follow such butterflies as religiously as the hounds do the hares. Every one must decide early in the game if he is to run with the hounds or with the hares! Thurley had not yet decided. She knew that as she came home from the disappointing river drive the last resolve to be natural and her wild-rose self vanished—it was the final straw which turned her in the way Lissa’s white fingers had pointed.
Vows30 or no vows, Thurley would live! And if she loved some one who chose to live a hermit’s life—— And did he live a hermit’s life despite this chatter31 of a Maine hermitage? There was room for reasonable doubt. Thurley would live as she pleased, time enough to take the consequences!
She began cheering the accompanist by promises of a house party and her own drooping32 spirits by the promise of thoroughly33 shocking the narrow, well-meaning town.
When they drove into the stableyard and Ali Baba came out as was his custom, Thurley sent the accompanist into the house and wandered back with Ali Baba.
“Good to be back, Ali Baba. Well, have I changed so[303] much?” she asked, waiting curiously35 for the old man’s opinion.
He shook his head. “If your mother was to have kissed you good-by, I’m gosh hanged whether or not she’d know you now! You’re a great lady.”
“Nonsense, it’s just the clothes. Let’s talk about every one else but me. I want to get Hopeful and Betsey fur coats next winter and you’ll have to find out the sort they like.”
“I guess singin’ pays,” he ventured.
Thurley had led the way inside the barn and settled herself on a bench. “How is June Myers and Josie Donaldson—see, I haven’t forgotten their names—and—Lorraine—and Dan?” she tried to say easily.
Ali Baba glanced at her shrewdly. “Oh, June is the same little whiffet she always was and Josie is tryin’ to write a play; she’ll come to see you, don’t never worry.... We got a new kind of fool here—Owen Pringle; he has an art store and when he heard you was comin’, he sent to town for photographs of you—I didn’t know you could buy ’em right out—and he wants you to autograph ’em and then he’ll sell ’em—don’t you write a stroke of the pen—and his clerk, Cora Spooner—oh, we got a right good stock of pests on hand. I tell you, Thurley, things ain’t like they used to be.”
“You didn’t say about—Dan,” Thurley urged, wondering why she trembled.
“Fine—business growing. Was you scared the first time you come out on the stage?”
“Not much. How are all the home folks, that’s what I want to know.”
Ali Baba lit his pipe in democratic fashion. “All up to snuff, fools included ... goin’ to sing in meetin’?”
“If I’m asked.”
[304]
“Well, for land’s sake and Mrs. Davis,” he commanded, “sing somethin’ with a regular tune36. I can’t go these songs that slide all over and back again afore a feller gets his foot to tappin’ on time.... Guess you learned to sing in Eyetalian from what you write Betsey?”
“Yes.”
He snorted disapproval37. To his mind, as to the majority of village minds, there was no more object in discarding one’s coherent language to speak another than to shave off one’s hair and adopt a wig38.
“How is Lorraine?” Thurley studied the barn floor.
“Too good to be true.” Ali Baba stood up and started to examine an old strap39. “Her pa is prouder of her every minnit ... she’s made Dan a fine wife—had me up for supper and treated me as fine as silk.... Dan’s a great lad.” He became engrossed40 in opening the buckle41.
Thurley slipped away. Later, Ali Baba told Betsey,
“Opery singers or no opery singers, women is all alike. If they give a fellow the mitten42, they just can’t help comin’ back to see how he’s wearin’ it!”
Dan was in South Wales the day Thurley arrived. When he returned to the Corners a week later, the town was chattering43 with new gusto, but he learned the news from Lorraine herself,—from Lorraine, who had been trying to gain courage enough to call on Thurley and blot44 out memories of that hidden magazine and the unproved yet strong impression that Dan had not confined himself to magazine pictures of Thurley. Just wherein lay his infidelity she did not know; she shrank as do women of her makeup45 from ever discovering!
Dan came in buoyantly to waltz her around as was his[305] custom, telling of his success with this man and that and plans for the branch store.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, realizing that she was not dimpling with happiness and nodding approbation46 at every sentence he spoke47.
Lorraine disengaged herself from his arm and stood back, twisting her apron48 nervously49. “The town has something new to talk about, Dan. Who do you think is back for the summer?” laughing nervously.
“I don’t know. Who ever comes back here?”
“Miss Clergy—and Thurley.” It was a relief now her name was spoken. “They’ve reopened the Fincherie, and Thurley has a maid and chauffeur50 and about eight trunks—so Ali Baba says.”
Dan whistled softly. “What do you think of that?” was his sole comment.
“I suppose I ought to call on her,” Lorraine continued bravely, “although she may not care to know any one of us now. She’s so famous and changed! Ali Baba says she smokes and paints her face and the lady’s maid is prettier than any one in the village. She had her piano shipped from New York and an accompanist besides! Do you think I ought to call?” Lorraine’s little face was wrinkled anxiously.
“If you like—I don’t suppose Thurley does care,” Dan went over to the lounge and, flinging himself down, picked up a newspaper, “or she would never have left here! Anything else new—nobody lynched Owen yet—Cora got a new beau? I saw a travelling man in Hamilton that was her speed. When he comes here we’ll ask him over and let Cora do her best. I suppose Hazel and Josie have camped out here while I’ve been away. You look pale, ’Raine—what’s wrong—your[306] dad sick? Then come here and guess what I brought for you—”
“You’re always bringing me things,” she said wistfully. Even his reassuring51 words did not satisfy. They were spoken with a glib52 uneasiness which did not deceive.
“You extravagant53 Dan,” Lorraine said, examining the silver purse, “how lovely of you!”
“I’m going to take forty winks54 before supper—mind? I can’t get used to irregular hours and country hotels. Oh, ’Raine, small towns are the devil’s own makings, of all the narrow, carping—” Dan dozed55 off, apparently56, with unfinished sentiments giving way to regular breathing.
Lorraine tiptoed away. “He didn’t seem to mind,” she consoled herself as she cooked supper, “but he has not seen her!”
Lorraine had. She watched Thurley as she drove by, standing57 half hidden behind bushes to note every lovely, strange detail of her appearance, wondering why Thurley, who had brought the world to her feet so easily, must return to this village to steal the peace of mind of a woman who had not even brought the one man she loved to her own timid feet!
Dan stayed at home that evening as if wishing to prove his devotion to Lorraine. Usually he would have wandered down to the hotel or the lodge58 room. They talked of everything else but Thurley’s return, although each thought of nothing else, and in the morning Dan said carelessly,
“Don’t call on Thurley unless you like. I dare say she does not expect it. Every gawk of a country girl will crowd in on her, curious and self-seeking, and if Thurley wants to see any one, she’ll come to them. She doesn’t belong to the town any more but to the world.” His[307] voice softened59 as he added, “Good-by, dear; now don’t work your head off. I’ll lunch at the hotel—there is so much stuff to catch up on.”
That same afternoon Dan’s car drove slowly past the Fincherie, whose crisp curtains and lifted shades told the world a new, optimistic story. No one was visible, not even the much discussed lady’s maid or the accompanist who was said to sit on the lawn and drink endless cups of tea “right in the middle of the afternoon!”
“Oh, Dan, do take us by her house,” they began, waving their arms in wild invitation. “We’re crazy to see her—Cora never knew her,” Josie Donaldson explained by way of excuse as they climbed pell mell into the machine.
“I guess she won’t want to remember us,” Josie added, “but ma sent over my winter coat one time and she wore it two seasons—she ought to know me.”
“My aunt helped her a lot too,” added Hazel Mitchell, “and she borrowed every one’s books. I don’t think she’ll dare put on airs. I’m going to start right in and call her Thurley just as if I didn’t know she was famous. I’m dying to get inside that house. Just think, girls, it hasn’t been opened for years until—” Thin ice was fast approaching in the matter of the past and with a swift side glance at Dan, who steered61 ahead with a fiendish hope of dashing his human cargo62 off the nearest cliff, Hazel winked63 at the others and began anew,
“How’s Lorraine?”
“Fine! Where do you girls want to go?”
“To call on Thurley. Please, Dan, drive us up there. It’ll look so much better if we came in a machine.”
[308]
“I had a headache and the doctor said I needed fresh air.”
“Then you better stay outdoors instead of calling on people, if it’s fresh air you are after,” he advised.
Nothing but giggles66 answered him and they hailed the white clad figure of Owen Pringle, who held up his cane67 in threatening fashion.
“You sha’n’t have the prettiest girls all to yourself, you old married man,” he threatened. “Do let me sit in the back—”
“We want to call on Thurley Precore,” they told Owen, who was always at his best when his arms were full of girl and some one else was driving the car. “Come along and we’ll ask her to let you design some hats—come on.”
“Joyful70, joyful, joyful,” he began in an assumed falsetto, at which Dan drew the car to a standstill and looked around with a frown.
“I don’t wish to call on Thurley,” he said sharply, “as you well know. If you insist on my driving you up to her house, I’ll do so. My wife will call on her when she sees fit.”
Which somewhat subdued71 the quartette, who murmured their gratitude72 and were hurriedly raced back until the Fincherie was reached. Whispering their thanks, each personally thinking what a dreadful disposition73 Dan Birge had, they raced up the walk—the leisure class of Birge’s Corners, as Dan thought with half a chuckle74.
He was wondering what Thurley would say to them, as he turned his machine in the opposite direction.
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1
untold
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| adj.数不清的，无数的 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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minced
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| v.切碎( mince的过去式和过去分词 )；剁碎；绞碎；用绞肉机绞（食物，尤指肉） | |
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4
superciliously
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| adv.高傲地；傲慢地 | |
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agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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7
champagne
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| n.香槟酒；微黄色 | |
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mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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repented
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| 对（自己的所为）感到懊悔或忏悔( repent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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clergy
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| n.[总称]牧师，神职人员 | |
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limousine
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| n.豪华轿车 | |
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vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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defense
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| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
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runaway
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| n.逃走的人，逃亡，亡命者；adj.逃亡的，逃走的 | |
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17
grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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peeking
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| v.很快地看( peek的现在分词 )；偷看；窥视；微露出 | |
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extinction
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| n.熄灭，消亡，消灭，灭绝，绝种 | |
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acclaim
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| v.向…欢呼，公认；n.欢呼，喝彩，称赞 | |
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alacrity
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| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
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stunted
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| adj.矮小的；发育迟缓的 | |
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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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enchanted
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| adj. 被施魔法的，陶醉的，入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词 | |
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cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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sarcasm
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| n.讥讽，讽刺，嘲弄，反话 （adj.sarcastic） | |
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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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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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bully
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| n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮 | |
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vows
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| 誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿 | |
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chatter
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| vi.／n.喋喋不休；短促尖叫；(牙齿)打战 | |
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32
drooping
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| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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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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tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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disapproval
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| n.反对，不赞成 | |
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wig
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| n.假发 | |
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strap
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| n.皮带，带子；v.用带扣住，束牢；用绷带包扎 | |
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engrossed
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| adj.全神贯注的 | |
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buckle
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| n.扣子，带扣；v.把...扣住，由于压力而弯曲 | |
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mitten
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| n.连指手套，露指手套 | |
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43
chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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44
blot
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| vt.弄脏（用吸墨纸）吸干；n.污点，污渍 | |
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45
makeup
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| n.组织；性格；化装品 | |
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46
approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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47
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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48
apron
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| n.围裙；工作裙 | |
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49
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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50
chauffeur
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| n.(受雇于私人或公司的)司机；v.为…开车 | |
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51
reassuring
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| a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的 | |
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52
glib
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| adj.圆滑的，油嘴滑舌的 | |
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53
extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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54
winks
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| v.使眼色( wink的第三人称单数 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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55
dozed
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| v.打盹儿，打瞌睡( doze的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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56
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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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
lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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59
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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60
dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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61
steered
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| v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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62
cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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63
winked
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| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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giggled
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| v.咯咯地笑( giggle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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66
giggles
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| n.咯咯的笑( giggle的名词复数 )；傻笑；玩笑；the giggles 止不住的格格笑v.咯咯地笑( giggle的第三人称单数 ) | |
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67
cane
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| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
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unwillingly
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| adv.不情愿地 | |
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69
disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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70
joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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71
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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72
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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73
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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