Every Saturday evening the Hotel Ottawa gave a hop1 in its dining room. Mrs. Carleton suggested that the Ordes dine with her, and afterward2 take in this function. The hop proper began at nine o'clock; but the floor for an hour before was given over to the children. Mrs. Orde accepted.
Promptly3 at half-past six, then, they all entered the dining room. Bobby, living in the town, had never taken a meal there. He saw a high-ceilinged, large room, filled with small, square and round tables arranged between numerous, slender, white plaster pillars. At the base of each pillar were still smaller serving tables each supporting a metal ice-water pitcher4. Two swinging doors at the far end led out. Tall windows looked into the grounds where the children had been in the habit of playing.
People were scattered5 here and there eating. Statuesque ladies dressed in black, with white aprons6, stood about or sailed here and there, bearing aloft in marvellous equilibrium7 great flat trays piled high with steaming white dishes. They swung corners in grand free sweeps, the trays tilted8 far sideways to balance centrifugal force; they charged the swinging doors at full speed, and when Bobby held his breath in anticipation9 of the crash, something deft10 and mysterious happened at the hem11 of their black skirts and the doors flew open as though commanded by a magic shibboleth12. They were tall and short, slender and stout13, dark and light, but they had these things in common--they all dressed in black and white, their hair was lofty and of exaggerated waterfall, and their expressions never altered from one of lazy-eyed, lofty, scornful ennui14. To Bobby they were easily the leading feature of the meal.
After dinner the party sat on the verandah a while, the elders conversing15; the children feeling rather dressed up. By and by their other playmates joined them. The lights were lit, and shadows descended16 with evening coolness. From within came the sound of a violin tuning17.
Immediately all ran to the dining room. The tables had been moved to one end where they were piled on top of one another; the chairs were arranged in a row along the wall; the floor, newly waxed, shone like glass. A small upright piano manipulated by an elderly female in glasses; a tremendous bass18 viol in charge of a small man, and a violin played by a large man represented the orchestra.
All the children shouted, and began to slide on the slippery floor. Bobby joined this game eagerly, and had great fun. But in a moment the music struck up, the guests of the hotel commenced to drift in and the romping19 had to cease.
Gerald offered his arm to Celia, and they swung away in the hopping20 waltz of the period. Other children paired off. Bobby was left alone.
He did not know what to do, so he sat down in one of the chairs ranged along the wall. After a minute or so Mrs. Carleton and the Ordes came in. Bobby went over to them.
"Don't you dance, Bobby?" asked Mrs. Carleton kindly21.
"No, ma'am," replied Bobby in a very small voice.
When the music stopped, the children gathered in a group at the lower end of the hall. Bobby joined them; but somehow even then he felt out of it. Celia's cheeks were flushed bright with the exercise and pleasure. Her spirits were high. She laughed and chatted with Gerald vivaciously22. Poor Bobby she included in the brightness of her mood, but evidently only because he happened to be in the circle of it. She was sorry he did not dance; but she loved it, and just now she could think of nothing else but the enjoyment23 of it. Bobby could not understand that there was nothing personal in this. He saw, with a pang24, that Gerald danced supremely26 well; that Morris romped27 through the steps with a cheerful hearty28 abandon not without its attraction; that Tad Fuller, who had come in with his mother and his brother, and half a dozen others whom Bobby knew, all made creditable performers; that even Angus, red-faced, awkward, perspiring29 as he was, could yet command the hand, time and attention of any little girl he might choose to favour. He himself was useless; and therefore ignored.
At the end of the children's hour he said good night miserably30, and trailed along home at his parents' heels. Ordinarily he liked to be out after dark. The stars and the velvet31 shadows and the magic transformations32 which the night wrought33 in the most ordinary and accustomed things attracted him strongly. But now he was too conscious of a smarting spirit. Mr. and Mrs. Orde were talking busily about something. He could not even get a chance to ask a question; and that seemed the last straw. His lips quivered, and he had to remember very hard that he was _not_ a little girl in order to keep back the tears.
Finally the talk died.
"Yes?"
"Can't I learn how to dance?"
The pair wheeled arm in arm and surveyed him. In the starlight his round child face showed white and anxious.
"Why, of course you can, darling," replied Mrs. Orde, "Don't you remember mamma wanted you to go to dancing school last winter, and you wouldn't go?"
"How soon does dancing school open?" demanded Bobby.
"I don't know. Not much before Christmas, I suppose."
Having thus made a definite resolution to remedy matters, Bobby felt better, even though he would have to wait another year. This recovery of spirit was completed the next day. He went with some apprehension35 to ask Celia to walk again. She had seemed to him so aloof36 the night before, that he could hardly believe her unchanged. However, she assented37 to the expedition with alacrity38. Hardly had they quitted the hotel grounds when Bobby shot his question at her.
"Celia," said he, "if I learn how to dance this winter will you dance with me when you come back next summer?"
"Why of course," said Celia.
"Will you dance with me a lot?"
"Yes."
"Will you dance with me more than you do with any one else?"
Celia pondered.
"I don't know," she said slowly. She paused, her eyes vague. "I guess so," she added at last.
"Then I'll learn," said Bobby.
"It's lots of fun," said she.
Bobby trod on air. Without his conscious intention their course took direction to the river front. They walked to the left along the wide, artificial bank of piling. Beneath them the water swished among the timbers. On one side were the sand-hills, on the other the blue, preoccupied39 river. Across the stream was another facade40 of piles, unbroken save for the little boatslips where the Life Saving men had their station. A strong sweet breeze came from the Lake. Far down ahead they could just make out the twin piers41 that, jutting42 into the Lake, continued artificially the course of the river. The lighthouses on their ends were dwarfed43 by distance.
By and by Celia tired a little, so they sat and dangled44 their feet and watched the tiny scalloped blue wavelets dance in the current. A passer-by stopped a moment to warn them.
"Look out, youngsters, you don't fall in," said he.
Bobby still exalted45 with the favour he had been vouchsafed46, looked up with dignity.
"_I_ am taking care of this little girl," he said deliberately47, and turned his back.
The man chuckled48 and passed on.
For a long time they sat side by side looking straight out before them.
"Celia," said Bobby without turning his head, "I love you. Do you love me?"
Neither stirred by so much as a hair's breadth. After a little they arose and returned to the hotel. Neither spoke50 again.
Strangely enough the subject was not again referred to, although of course the children continued to play together and the excursions were not intermitted. There seemed to be nothing to say. They loved each other, and they were glad of each other's nearness. It sufficed.
Each morning Bobby awoke with a great uplift of the spirit, and a great longing51, which was completely appeased52 when he had come into Celia's presence. Each evening he retired53 filled with an impatience54 for the coming day, and with divine rapture55 of little memories of what had that day passed. It seemed to him that hour by hour he and Celia drew closer in a sweet secret, intimacy56 that nevertheless demanded no outer symbol. When he spoke to her of the simplest things, or she to him, he experienced a warm, cosy57 drawing near, as though beneath the commonplace remark lay something hidden and subtle to which each must bend the ear of the spirit gently. This was the soul of it, a supreme25 inner gentleness one to the other, no matter how boisterous58, how laughing, how brusque might be the spoken word. And in correspondence all the beautiful sunlit summer world took on a new softness and splendour and glory in which they walked, but whose source they did not understand.
This much for the essence of it. But of course, Bobby, being masculine must give presents after his own notion, and being a small boy must give them according to his age. The quarter he had earned from his father he invested in a pack of cards on the upper left-hand corner of which were embossed marvellous doves, wonderful flowers and miraculous59 tangles60 of scroll-work in colour. These he printed with Celia's name and address. Near the wharf61 and railroad station stood a small booth from which a discouraged-looking individual tried to sell curios. Bobby's eye fell on a cheap bracelet62 of silver wire from which dangled half a dozen moonstones. It caught his eye; day by day his desire for it grew; finally he asked advice on the subject.
"No, Bobby," replied his mother, "I don't think Celia would care for it. It is cheap-looking. She has several very pretty bangles already; and this is not a good one."
Nevertheless, Bobby, being as we have said thoroughly63 masculine, deliberated some days further, and bought it. The price was two dollars--an almost fabulous64 sum. Most men give their wives or sweethearts what they think they would like themselves were they women, and were a man to offer a gift. That is one reason why in so many bureau drawers are tucked away unused presents. Young as she was, Celia had the taste not to care for the moonstone bangle, but, like all the rest, she accepted it with genuine delight because Bobby gave it. She even wore it. These were the principal transactions of the kind; but anything Bobby particularly fancied he brought her. Shortly she became possessed65 of a bewildering collection consisting variously of large glass marbles with a twist of coloured glass inside; two or three lichi nuts, then a curiosity; a dried gull's wing; several exploded shotgun shells; and a "real," though broken-pointed chisel66. Celia gave Bobby her tiny narrow gold ring with two little turquoises67. He could just get it on his little finger, and wore it proudly, in spite of jeers68. Being teased about Celia was embarrassing to the point of pain; but in the last analysis it was not unpleasant.
So matters slipped by. Abruptly69 the end of August came. One day Bobby found Celia much perturbed70.
"I can't go out long," she said, "I've got to help mamma."
"What doing?" asked Bobby.
But Celia shook her head dolefully.
"Come, let's go walk somewhere and I'll tell you," said she.
They crossed Main Street to the shaded street on which lived Georgie Cathcart.
"What is it?" demanded Bobby again.
"We are going home to-morrow," Celia announced mournfully. "Mamma has a letter."
Bobby stopped short.
"Going home!" he echoed.
"Yes," said Celia.
"Then we won't see each other till next summer!" he cried.
"No," said she.
"And we can't walk any more or--or----" Bobby felt the lump rising in his throat.
"No," said Celia.
Bobby swallowed hard.
"Are--are you sorry?" he asked.
"Yes," replied Celia quietly. "Are you?"
"I don't know what I'm going to do!" cried Bobby desperately71.
After a little, the main fact of the catastrophe72 being accepted, they talked of the winter to come.
"You'll write me some letters, won't you?" pleaded Bobby.
"If you write to me."
"Of course I will write to you. And you'll send me your picture, won't you? You said you would."
"I don't believe I have any," demurred73 Celia; "and mamma has them all; and they're very comspensive."
"I'll give you one of mine," offered Bobby, "if I have to get it from the album. Please, Celia."
"I'll see," said she.
They were moving again slowly beneath the trees.
Bobby looked up the street; he looked back. He turned swiftly to her.
"Celia," he asked, "may I kiss you?"
"Yes," said Celia steadily.
She stopped short, looking straight ahead. Bobby leaned over and his lips just touched her cool smooth cheek. They walked on in silence. The next day Celia was gone.
收听单词发音 |
1
hop
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| n.单脚跳，跳跃；vi.单脚跳，跳跃；着手做某事；vt.跳跃，跃过 | |
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afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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pitcher
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| n.(有嘴和柄的)大水罐；(棒球)投手 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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aprons
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| 围裙( apron的名词复数 )； 停机坪，台口（舞台幕前的部份） | |
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equilibrium
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| n.平衡，均衡，相称，均势，平静 | |
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tilted
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| v. 倾斜的 | |
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anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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deft
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| adj.灵巧的，熟练的（a deft hand 能手） | |
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hem
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| n.贴边，镶边；vt.缝贴边；(in)包围，限制 | |
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shibboleth
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| n.陈规陋习；口令；暗语 | |
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ennui
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| n.怠倦，无聊 | |
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conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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tuning
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| n.调谐，调整，调音v.调音( tune的现在分词 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调 | |
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bass
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| n.男低音(歌手)；低音乐器；低音大提琴 | |
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romping
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| adj.嬉戏喧闹的，乱蹦乱闹的v.嬉笑玩闹( romp的现在分词 )；（尤指在赛跑或竞选等中）轻易获胜 | |
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hopping
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| n. 跳跃 动词hop的现在分词形式 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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vivaciously
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| adv.快活地；活泼地；愉快地 | |
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enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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pang
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| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
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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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supremely
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| adv.无上地，崇高地 | |
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romped
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| v.嬉笑玩闹( romp的过去式和过去分词 )；（尤指在赛跑或竞选等中）轻易获胜 | |
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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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perspiring
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| v.出汗，流汗( perspire的现在分词 ) | |
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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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velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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transformations
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| n.变化( transformation的名词复数 )；转换；转换；变换 | |
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wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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blurted
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| v.突然说出，脱口而出( blurt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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aloof
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| adj.远离的；冷淡的，漠不关心的 | |
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assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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alacrity
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| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
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preoccupied
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| adj.全神贯注的，入神的；被抢先占有的；心事重重的v.占据（某人）思想，使对…全神贯注，使专心于( preoccupy的过去式) | |
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facade
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| n.(建筑物的)正面，临街正面；外表 | |
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piers
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| n.水上平台( pier的名词复数 )；（常设有娱乐场所的）突堤；柱子；墙墩 | |
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jutting
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| v.（使）突出( jut的现在分词 )；伸出；（从…）突出；高出 | |
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dwarfed
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| vt.（使）显得矮小（dwarf的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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dangled
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| 悬吊着( dangle的过去式和过去分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
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45
exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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46
vouchsafed
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| v.给予，赐予( vouchsafe的过去式和过去分词 )；允诺 | |
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deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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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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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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50
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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51
longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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appeased
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| 安抚，抚慰( appease的过去式和过去分词 )； 绥靖（满足另一国的要求以避免战争） | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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54
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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cosy
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| adj.温暖而舒适的，安逸的 | |
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boisterous
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| adj.喧闹的，欢闹的 | |
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miraculous
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| adj.像奇迹一样的，不可思议的 | |
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tangles
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| （使）缠结， （使）乱作一团( tangle的第三人称单数 ) | |
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wharf
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| n.码头，停泊处 | |
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bracelet
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| n.手镯，臂镯 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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fabulous
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| adj.极好的；极为巨大的；寓言中的，传说中的 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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chisel
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| n.凿子；v.用凿子刻，雕，凿 | |
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turquoises
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| n.绿松石( turquoise的名词复数 )；青绿色 | |
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jeers
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| n.操纵帆桁下部（使其上下的）索具；嘲讽( jeer的名词复数 )v.嘲笑( jeer的第三人称单数 ) | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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perturbed
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| adj.烦燥不安的v.使（某人）烦恼，不安( perturb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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demurred
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| v.表示异议，反对( demur的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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