The new arrangement worked exceedingly well.
As to Edgar's innermost personal feelings, no one is qualified1 to speak with any authority. Whether he experienced a change of heart, vowed2 better things, prayed to be delivered from temptation, or simply decided3 to turn over a new leaf, no one knows; the principal fact in his life, at this period, seems to have been an unprecedented4 lack of time for any great foolishness.
Certain unpleasant things had transpired5 on that eventful Friday night when he had missed his appointment with his fellow-students, which had resulted in an open scandal too disagreeable to be passed over by the college authorities; the redoubtable6 Tony had been returned with thanks to his fond parents in a distant part of the state, and two others had been temporarily suspended.
Edgar Noble was not too blind to see the happy chance that interfered7 with his presence on that occasion, and was sensible enough to realize that, had he been implicated8 in the least degree (he scorned the possibility of his taking any active part in such scurrilous9 proceedings), he would probably have shared Tony's fate.
Existence was wearing a particularly dismal10 aspect on that afternoon when Edgar had met Polly Oliver in the Berkeley woods. He felt "nagged," injured, blue, out of sorts with fate. He had not done anything very bad, he said to himself; at least, nothing half so bad as lots of other fellows, and yet everybody frowned on him. His father had, in his opinion, been unnecessarily severe; while his mother and sister had wept over him (by letter) as if he were a thief and a forger11, instead of a fellow who was simply having a "little fling." He was annoyed at the conduct of Scott Burton,--"king of snobs12 and prigs," he named him,--who had taken it upon himself to inform Philip Noble of his (Edgar's) own personal affairs; and he was enraged13 at being preached at by that said younger brother.
But of late everything had taken an upward turn, and by way of variety, existence turned a smiling face toward him. He had passed his examinations, most unexpectedly to himself, with a respectable percentage to spare. There was a time when he would have been ashamed of this meagre result. He was now, just a little, but the feeling was somewhat submerged in his gratitude14 at having "squeaked15 through" at all.
A certain inspired Professor Hope, who wondered what effect encouragement would have on a fellow who did n't deserve any, but might possibly need it, came up to him after recitations, one day, and said:--
"Noble, I want to congratulate you on your papers in history and physics. They show signal ability. There is a plentiful16 lack of study evinced, but no want of grasp or power. You have talents that ought to put you among the first three men in the University, sir. I do not know whether you care to take the trouble to win such a place (it _is_ a good deal of trouble), but you can win it if you like. That's all I have to say, Noble. Good-morning!"
This unlooked-for speech fell like balm on Edgar's wounded self-respect, and made him hold his head higher for a week; and, naturally, while his head occupied this elevated position, he was obliged to live up to it. He also felt obliged to make an effort, rather reluctantly, to maintain some decent standing17 in the classes of Professor Hope, even if he shirked in all the rest.
And now life, on the whole, save for one carking care that perched on his shoulder by day and sat on his eyelids18 at night, was very pleasant; though he could not flatter himself that he was absolutely a free agent.
After all ordinary engagements of concerts, theatres, lectures, or what not, he entered the house undisturbed, and noiselessly sought his couch. But one night, when he ventured to stay out till after midnight, just as he was stealing in softly, Mrs. Oliver's gentle voice came from the head of the stairs, saying, "Good-night, Edgar, the lamp is lighted in your room!"
Edgar closed his door and sat down disconsolately19 on the bed, cane20 in hand, hat on the back of his head. The fire had burned, to a few glowing coals; his slippers21 lay on the hearth22, and his Christmas "easy jacket" hung over the back of his great armchair; his books lay open under the student-lamp, and there were two vases of fresh flowers in the room: that was Polly's doing.
"Mrs. Oliver was awake and listening for me; worrying about me, probably; I dare say she thought I 'd been waylaid23 by bandits," he muttered discontentedly. "I might as well live in the Young Women's Christian24 Association! I can't get mad with an angel, but I did n't intend being one myself! Good gracious! why don't they hire me a nurse and buy me a perambulator!"
But all the rest was perfect; and his chief chums envied him after they had spent an evening with the Olivers. Polly and he had ceased to quarrel, and were on good, frank, friendly terms. "She is no end of fun," he would have told you; "has no nonsensical young-lady airs about her, is always ready for sport, sings all kinds of songs from grave to gay, knows a good joke when you tell one, and keeps a fellow up to the mark as well as a maiden25 aunt."
All this was delightful26 to everybody concerned. Meanwhile the household affairs were as troublesome as they could well be. Mrs. Oliver developed more serious symptoms, and Dr. George asked the San Francisco physician to call to see her twice a week at least. The San Francisco physician thought "a year at Carlsbad, and a year at Nice, would be a good thing;" but, failing these, he ordered copious27 quantities of expensive drugs, and the reserve fund shrank, though the precious three hundred and twelve dollars was almost intact.
Poor Mrs. Chadwick sent tearful monthly letters, accompanied by checks of fifty to sixty-five dollars. One of the boarders had died; two had gone away; the season was poor; Ah Foy had returned to China; Mr. Greenwood was difficult about his meals; the roof leaked; provisions were dear; Mrs. Holmes in the next street had decided to take boarders; Eastern people were grumbling28 at the weather, saying it was not at all as reported in the guide-books; real-estate and rents were very low; she hoped to be able to do better next month; and she was Mrs. Oliver's "affectionate Clementine Churchill Chadwick."
Polly had held a consultation29 with the principal of her school, who had assured her that as she was so well in advance of her class, she could be promoted the next term, if she desired. Accordingly, she left school in order to be more with her mother, and as she studied with Edgar in the evening, she really lost nothing.
Mrs. Howe remitted30 four dollars from the monthly rent, in consideration of Spanish lessons given to her two oldest children. This experiment proved a success, and Polly next accepted an offer to come three times a week to the house of a certain Mrs. Baer to amuse (instructively) the four little Baer cubs31, while the mother Baer wrote a "History of the Dress-Reform Movement in English-Speaking Nations."
For this service Polly was paid ten dollars a month in gold coin, while the amount of spiritual wealth which she amassed32 could not possibly be estimated in dollars and cents. The ten dollars was very useful, for it procured33 the services of a kind, strong woman, who came on these three afternoons of Polly's absence, put the entire house in order, did the mending, rubbed Mrs. Oliver's tired back, and brushed her hair until she fell asleep.
So Polly assisted in keeping the wolf from the door, and her sacrifices watered her young heart and kept it tender. "Money may always be a beautiful thing. It is we who make it grimy."
Edgar shared in the business conferences now. He had gone into convulsions of mirth over Polly's system of accounts, and insisted, much against her will, in teaching her book-keeping, striving to convince her that the cash could be kept in a single box, and the accounts separated in a book.
These lessons were merry occasions, for there was a conspicuous34 cavity in Polly's brain where the faculty35 for mathematics should have been.
"Your imbecility is so unusual that it 's a positive inspiration," Edgar would say. "It is n't like any ordinary stupidity; there does n't seem to be any bottom to it, you know; it 's abnormal, it 's fascinating, Polly!"
Polly glowed under this unstinted praise. "I am glad you like it," she said. "I always like to have a thing first-class of its kind, though I can't pride myself that it compares with your Spanish accent, Edgar; that stands absolutely alone and unapproachable for badness. I don't worry about my mathematical stupidity a bit since I read Dr. Holmes, who says that everybody has an idiotic36 area in his mind."
There had been very little bookkeeping to-night. It was raining in torrents37. Mrs. Oliver was talking with General M---- in the parlor38, while Edgar and Polly were studying in the dining-room.
Polly laid down her book and leaned back in her chair. It had been a hard day, and it was very discouraging that a new year should come to one's door laden39 with vexations and anxieties, when everybody naturally expected new years to be happy, through January and February at least.
"Edgar," she sighed plaintively40, "I find that this is a very difficult world to live in, sometimes."
Edgar looked up from his book, and glanced at her as she lay back with closed eyes in the Chinese lounging-chair. She was so pale, so tired, and so very, very pretty just then, her hair falling in bright confusion round her face, her whole figure relaxed with weariness, and her lips quivering a little, as if she would like to cry if she dared.
Polly with dimples playing hide and seek in rosy41 cheeks, with dazzling eyes, and laughing lips, and saucy42 tongue, was sufficiently43 captivating; but Polly with bright drops on her lashes44, with a pathetic droop45 in the corners of her mouth and the suspicion of a tear in her voice,--this Polly was irresistible46.
"What's the matter, pretty Poll?"
"Nothing specially47 new. The Baer cubs were naughty as little demons48 to-day. One of them had a birthday-party yesterday, with four kinds of frosted cake. Mrs. Baer's system of management is n't like mine, and until I convince the children I mean what I say, they give me the benefit of the doubt. The Baer place is so large that Mrs. Baer never knows where disobedience may occur, and that she may be prepared she keeps one of Mr. Baer's old slippers on the front porch, one in the carriage-house, one in the arbor49, one in the nursery, and one under the rose hedge at the front gate. She showed me all these haunts, and told me to make myself thoroughly50 at home. I felt tempted51 to-day, but I resisted."
"You are working too hard, Polly. I propose we do something about Mrs. Chadwick. You are bearing all the brunt of other people's faults and blunders."
"But, Edgar, everything is so mixed: Mrs. Chadwick's year of lease is n't over; I suppose she cannot be turned out by main force, and if we should ask her to leave the house it might go unrented for a month or two, and the loss of that money might be as much as the loss of ten or fifteen dollars a month for the rest of the year. I could complain of her to Dr. George, but there again I am in trouble. If he knew that we are in difficulties, he would offer to lend us money in an instant, and that would make mamma ill, I am sure; for we are under all sorts of obligations to him now, for kindnesses that can never be repaid. Then, too, he advised us not to let Mrs. Chadwick have the house. He said that she had n't energy enough to succeed; but mamma was so sorry for her, and so determined52 to give her a chance, that she persisted in letting her have it. We shall have to find a cheaper flat, by and by, for I 've tried every other method of economizing53, for fear of making mamma worse with the commotion54 of moving."
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qualified
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| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
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vowed
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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unprecedented
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| adj.无前例的，新奇的 | |
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transpired
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| （事实，秘密等）被人知道( transpire的过去式和过去分词 )； 泄露； 显露； 发生 | |
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redoubtable
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| adj.可敬的；可怕的 | |
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interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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implicated
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| adj.密切关联的；牵涉其中的 | |
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scurrilous
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| adj.下流的，恶意诽谤的 | |
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dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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forger
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| v.伪造；n.（钱、文件等的）伪造者 | |
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snobs
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| （谄上傲下的）势利小人( snob的名词复数 )； 自高自大者，自命不凡者 | |
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enraged
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| 使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 )； 歜； 激愤 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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squeaked
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| v.短促地尖叫( squeak的过去式和过去分词 )；吱吱叫；告密；充当告密者 | |
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plentiful
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| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
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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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eyelids
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| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
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disconsolately
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| adv.悲伤地，愁闷地；哭丧着脸 | |
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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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slippers
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| n. 拖鞋 | |
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hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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waylaid
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| v.拦截，拦路( waylay的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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copious
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| adj.丰富的，大量的 | |
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grumbling
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| adj. 喃喃鸣不平的, 出怨言的 | |
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consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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remitted
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| v.免除（债务），宽恕( remit的过去式和过去分词 )；使某事缓和；寄回，传送 | |
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cubs
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| n.幼小的兽，不懂规矩的年轻人( cub的名词复数 ) | |
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amassed
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| v.积累，积聚( amass的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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faculty
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| n.才能；学院，系；(学院或系的)全体教学人员 | |
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idiotic
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| adj.白痴的 | |
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torrents
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| n.倾注；奔流( torrent的名词复数 )；急流；爆发；连续不断 | |
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parlor
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| n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅 | |
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laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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plaintively
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| adv.悲哀地，哀怨地 | |
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rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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saucy
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| adj.无礼的；俊俏的；活泼的 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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lashes
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| n.鞭挞( lash的名词复数 )；鞭子；突然猛烈的一击；急速挥动v.鞭打( lash的第三人称单数 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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droop
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| v.低垂，下垂；凋萎，萎靡 | |
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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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specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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demons
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| n.恶人( demon的名词复数 )；恶魔；精力过人的人；邪念 | |
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arbor
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| n.凉亭；树木 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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51
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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economizing
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| v.节省，减少开支( economize的现在分词 ) | |
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commotion
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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