Miss Whitcom yawned at once. "Good gracious!" she exclaimed. "I'm horribly sleepy. Never would have dreamed what was the matter with me, Alfred, if you hadn't come to the rescue. I am grateful!"
And then—and then the Rev. Needham did a tremendous, a revolutionary, a gigantic and unforgettable thing. He simply overwhelmed himself and everybody else by making an almost low bow!
Mrs. Needham uttered a tiny gasp—she really couldn't help it. What had gotten into Alfred? Then she laughed, a little too shrilly5, as by way of heralding6 to all the Point the glorious, glad tidings that there was, at last, a genuine, wholesome7, jolly home atmosphere established.
[Pg 168]
Yes, the bow was inspired. There was no other way of looking at it. The bow was an inspired bow.
And what had come over the Rev. Needham was this: He had suddenly, in a sort of buoyant flare8, determined9 that Marjory's manner would have to be played up to! It was simply ridiculous—scandalous—to allow himself to be disturbed and even secretly harassed10 by his wife's own sister. Yes, it was little short of a scandal! And now, rather tardily11, it may be admitted, the Rev. Needham had attained12 salvation13. It was simply to make a low bow. How clever—and how exquisitely14 subtle! He laughed aloud with the rest. His feet were squarely on the ground, after all. Of course they were. And splendidly, magnificently he defied the prickly feeling to come again into his heels!
The Rev. Needham was, in truth, privately15 so captivated with this curious and unforeseen twist in his fortunes that he forgot all about his own customary fatigue16: forgot that this was the hour of quiet at Beachcrest—rendered so by immemorial precedent17. He swaggered a little, without, of course, quite losing the ministerial poise18; and spoke19 up, as his wife afterward20 phrased it, "real brisk and hearty21." Cigars were passed to Barry and O'Donnell. The Rev. Needham bit into one himself. It is altogether possible he might, under the influence of this new heroic emotion, have distributed cigarettes, had there been anything so devilish on the premises22.
As the box went blithely23 back on to the mantel, Miss[Pg 169] Whitcom, who was greatly enjoying what she perfectly24 fathomed25, perceived an irresistible26 obligation to suggest that he had gone only half way around. The Rev. Needham looked perhaps just a shade startled. Could he bow again? And if not, how else was her manner to be played up to? Had he already struck a snag? Obviously it would be going a little too far to take her at her word and offer her a cigar.
"One wants to be sociable27, you know," she said, her eyes sparkling.
"I know of a lady poet in the East who smokes cigars," volunteered O'Donnell.
He spoke quite easily, as though for Miss Whitcom's special benefit, and to convey the impression that he had quite grown accustomed or reconciled to such dainty feminine indulgence. Indeed, he looked at her with shy sprightliness28.
"Oh, yes," she replied, "and, if you remember, a lady novelist started the custom."
He didn't remember, but he chuckled29. And she went on: "As a matter of fact, and just amongst ourselves, why shouldn't women smoke if they want to? And why shouldn't they want to? Isn't it perfectly natural they should? I'm not, strictly30 speaking, championing the habit, for it's expensive and rather silly. But if half the human race wants to turn itself into portable smoke stacks, then by all means let the other half follow suit. So you see, Alfred, you'd really better let me have one. For you hear for yourself, Mr. O'Donnell knows of a poet who[Pg 170] smokes. Of course," she admitted, "I'm not a poet."
But O'Donnell was certainly in a romantic mood today. He wouldn't let her admission stand. "Yes, you are," he began, with an odd impulsiveness31, adding in a quieter though quite as fervent32 tone: "—a kind of poet...."
They eyed each other steadily33 a moment, as they had done once or twice before, that day. It was surely another O'Donnell than the O'Donnell of long ago—the O'Donnell, for instance, who had eased up at the finish and let her win the race. Was she, also, in a way, another Marjory? A Marjory, after all, rather less insistent34 upon, or who had grown just a tiny bit weary of, doing things simply to be independent—simply for the joy of doing them gloriously and daringly alone?
When the gentlemen had repaired to the porch to smoke and to discuss, as is the custom at such times, matters too deep to be grasped by the feminine intellect, Miss Whitcom succeeded in confronting Louise.
"Now," she said, with a warm, inviting35 firmness which brought a flash of tears to the girl's eyes.
She laid an arm around Louise's shoulders, and they stood thus together a few moments in the middle of the cottage living room. Could the Rev. Needham have looked in upon this affecting picture, and could those small eager ears of his have partaken of[Pg 171] the subsequent talk which passed between them, the cigar of confidence and authority would have dropped from his fingers, its brave spark dimmed forever. Yes, he would have forgotten completely the brilliant bow which had seemed to smooth away all of life's snarls36 by giving him, marvellously, in an instant, a positive, almost Nietzschean philosophy. But for the present he was safe.
"How could things have gone so far without your realizing?"
"I don't know."
"But you must know how you feel toward him!" Louise shook her head miserably37. "I thought I cared.... Perhaps I still do."
"But aren't you sure?"
"I—I don't believe I know. I don't seem sure of anything."
"But, my dear child—"
"I thought I was sure."
"And all those letters—"
"Yes, yes," cried Louise tensely. "You see it was all letters, Aunt Marjie. And when I came suddenly to see him again...."
"Oh, come, child, we don't fall in love with men's hats and the twist of their profiles. You must still love whatever it was you loved all those long months you were apart. Isn't it reasonable?"
"I—I...." Oh, what was the use of asking her to be reasonable? What has a heart full of ghosts to do with reason? And Leslie....
[Pg 172]
She felt like crying. She began looking upon herself as almost a person who has been somehow wronged. Her emotion grew thicker. She drew shyly away.
Aunt Marjie, as she let her go from her, realizing that words just now would get them nowhere, was thinking that in the midst of a universe full of souls and wheeling planets, one poor heartache was like a grain of dust. Well, perhaps she was a kind of poet. But in a moment the impersonal38 millions, both of souls and of stars, vanished away, and this girl's problem ascended39 to a position of tremendous importance, if not quite of majesty40.
At length, after he had smoked his cigar, the Rev. Needham did retire to the couch of his wonted siesta41, leaving the household, as he thought, pleasantly and profitably disposed.
Of course, the fact that the host proposed to take a nap did not mean that all the others had to follow suit. It was just part of the device for making every one feel that nothing was being upset because of "company." It did not mean that O'Donnell, for instance, would have to subject himself to the rather embarrassing alternative of curling up on the short living room sofa. Miss Whitcom and Mr. O'Donnell happily repaired to the rustic42 bower43. Hilda skipped off singing into the woods. Mrs. Needham—well, Mrs. Needham was still in the kitchen with Eliza. The latter was stolidly44 eating her luncheon[Pg 173] of left-overs on the very table to which Louise and Leslie had sat down at dawn. Mrs. Needham stood solemnly before Eliza as she ate, her hands on her hips45, her face growing flushed again, talking endlessly—about dinner. Louise and Lynndal Barry were on the porch. Lovers were so brazen46, nowadays, they didn't mind at all if the partitions between their embraces and the outside world were mere47 mosquito gauze. The Rev. Needham, slyly recognizing this great truth, chuckled over it, in his new mood of sublime48 assurance, all the way upstairs. Each step cracked, and all the way up he was telling himself contentedly49: "A fine young man—one of God's own noblemen!" And as gentle slumber50 wafted51 his soul into a peace which, especially on a full stomach, so often passeth understanding, he whispered dreamily: "Coming right into the family...."
Thank God the Western interests were forever safeguarded!
But meanwhile, out on the porch, the situation grew from moment to moment more poignant52.
Louise seemed suddenly to be sparring for time. She had decided—as well as her giddy little brain was capable, just now, of deciding anything at all—that the whole crux53 of the matter was her disappointment over the way Lynndal had turned out.... But what Aunt Marjie had said about not loving his hat and the twist of his profile anyhow had rather[Pg 174] upset her again. Once she almost flung herself into his arms with a great, comfortable, forgiving, beseeching54, surrendering cry. What a haven55 his arms might seem! But something in her heart, she imagined, warned her: "You cannot yet! Dare you? Remember—it would be irrevocable!"
Time, time! There was obviously an issue to be faced. But with all the vital eloquence56 of desperation Louise reasoned that bitterness deferred57 might somehow lose a degree of its sting. Feeble logic58, and logic not very profound; but she was scarcely in a frame of mind to evolve, at the present moment, any logic more substantial. Her problem was delicate, tenuous59, like the sheen on the wings of a butterfly. Her tragedy was a thing of shades and of shadows—a thing wellnigh ungraspable. But it was none the less real. Oh, it was very real to her! In an orgy of the mañana spirit she abandoned herself to eventualities as they should develop. Her fate—whatever it was going to prove—would rush on and overtake her; she would not go out to meet it half way. Dared not.
"I'm afraid you'll think me not very cordial," she said desperately60, "but I have a headache, Lynndal, and I'm going to ask if you'd mind if I went up to my room for a little while...."
"Oh," he cried, in real and honest distress61, "I'm so sorry! Why didn't you tell me before? Perhaps the smoke has been annoying you?"
"Oh, it's nothing," she answered, smiling in the[Pg 175] wan3 way common to invalids62 for whom the end is in sight. "These headaches come on, quite suddenly sometimes. If I lie down for an hour, it will be gone, I think."
"I'm sorry, dear," he repeated, touching63 her elbow as she turned to leave him. The contact emboldened64 him and he slipped an arm round her waist and bent65 over her a little as he walked with her toward the door. "You shouldn't have tried to meet me this morning, dear. It was too much."
"I wanted to," she murmured huskily.
"Will you come out again later?" he pleaded, content, under the circumstances, that she should leave him now.
Louise nodded and passed into the cottage.
"Couldn't we take a little walk on the beach later, if your head is better? Later on, when the sun isn't quite so hot?"
She turned and murmured: "Yes." There was another impulse to throw herself into his arms; she longed to go to him and cry against his heart. But at the same moment she remembered Leslie—how close he had held her in the morning, how they had kissed.... The impulse was stifled66.
When she was gone from him, Barry sat down again on the porch to finish his cigar. It was the cigar which the Rev. Needham had given him after luncheon. It was a good cigar, for the Rev. Needham knew what was what, despite his intense holiness.
[Pg 176]
Barry was one of those rare individuals who have never really loved before. Curiously67, the insatiable god Eros had passed him largely by till now. But ah—the tardy68 fevers! They may be more virulent69 than those of timelier visitation.... His eye swept the curve of the white beach, ablaze70 with the mid-day sun. Later they would be strolling there together, he and she. He would be walking out there beside this dear girl whose love had thrilled to the dull roots of his bachelordom. And then he would tell her how he adored her; would open the little box and slip the ring on her finger....
It was so wonderful, after dwelling71 in the desert all his life!
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1
luncheon
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| n.午宴，午餐，便宴 | |
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rev
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| v.发动机旋转，加快速度 | |
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wan
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| (wide area network)广域网 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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shrilly
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| 尖声的； 光亮的，耀眼的 | |
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heralding
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| v.预示( herald的现在分词 )；宣布（好或重要） | |
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wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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flare
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| v.闪耀，闪烁；n.潮红；突发 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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harassed
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| adj. 疲倦的，厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词 | |
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tardily
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| adv.缓慢 | |
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attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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exquisitely
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| adv.精致地；强烈地；剧烈地；异常地 | |
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privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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precedent
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| n.先例，前例；惯例；adj.在前的，在先的 | |
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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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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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afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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blithely
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| adv.欢乐地，快活地，无挂虑地 | |
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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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fathomed
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| 理解…的真意( fathom的过去式和过去分词 )； 彻底了解； 弄清真相 | |
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irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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sociable
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| adj.好交际的，友好的，合群的 | |
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sprightliness
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| n.愉快，快活 | |
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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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strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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impulsiveness
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| n.冲动 | |
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fervent
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| adj.热的，热烈的，热情的 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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insistent
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| adj.迫切的，坚持的 | |
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inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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snarls
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| n.（动物的）龇牙低吼( snarl的名词复数 )；愤怒叫嚷（声）；咆哮（声）；疼痛叫声v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的第三人称单数 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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miserably
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| adv.痛苦地；悲惨地；糟糕地；极度地 | |
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impersonal
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| adj.无个人感情的，与个人无关的，非人称的 | |
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39
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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41
siesta
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| n.午睡 | |
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rustic
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| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
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bower
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| n.凉亭，树荫下凉快之处；闺房；v.荫蔽 | |
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stolidly
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| adv.迟钝地，神经麻木地 | |
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45
hips
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| abbr.high impact polystyrene 高冲击强度聚苯乙烯，耐冲性聚苯乙烯n.臀部( hip的名词复数 )；[建筑学]屋脊；臀围（尺寸）；臀部…的 | |
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brazen
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| adj.厚脸皮的，无耻的，坚硬的 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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48
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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contentedly
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| adv.心满意足地 | |
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50
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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51
wafted
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| v.吹送，飘送，（使）浮动( waft的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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52
poignant
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| adj.令人痛苦的，辛酸的，惨痛的 | |
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53
crux
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| adj.十字形；难事，关键，最重要点 | |
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54
beseeching
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| adj.恳求似的v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的现在分词 ) | |
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haven
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| n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所 | |
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56
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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57
deferred
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| adj.延期的，缓召的v.拖延，延缓，推迟( defer的过去式和过去分词 )；服从某人的意愿，遵从 | |
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logic
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| n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性 | |
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tenuous
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| adj.细薄的，稀薄的，空洞的 | |
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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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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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invalids
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| 病人，残疾者( invalid的名词复数 ) | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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64
emboldened
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| v.鼓励，使有胆量( embolden的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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66
stifled
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| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 )； 镇压，遏制； 堵 | |
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67
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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68
tardy
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| adj.缓慢的，迟缓的 | |
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69
virulent
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| adj.有毒的，有恶意的，充满敌意的 | |
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70
ablaze
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| adj.着火的，燃烧的；闪耀的，灯火辉煌的 | |
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dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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