“Your best course,” he said, “will be to take the cars for Columbus at Vernon. At Columbus you will go to Wheeling, and from there, over the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad to Baltimore, and thence to New York. But all this will cost money.”
“I have money,” said Herbert.
“How much?”
“About fifteen dollars.”
“Is that all?”
“Is it not enough to carry me to New York?”
“Hardly. Besides, when you get there, how will you get along? Have you any relations in the city?”
“Yes, an uncle.”
“Then you will go to him?”
“No,” said Herbert, hastily.
“Why not?”
“He does not care to see me. Shall I tell you what sort of a letter he wrote to Dr. Kent about me?”
“Yes, tell me.”
Herbert, in indignant language, which correctly represented his feelings, gave the substance of the letter, which is already known to us.
“I shall not feel easy,” he said, “until I am able to return the ten dollars which my uncle sent me. I am not willing to remain under obligations to one who cares so little for me.”
“I think you are proud,” said Ralph, bending his eyes upon the lad's glowing countenance1.
“Perhaps I am,” said Herbert; “but is it not a proper pride?”
“I cannot say no,” answered Ralph; “but would you feel the same about incurring2 obligations to a friend?”
“No,” said Herbert; “that would be different.”
“I am glad to hear you say so, for I am going to ask you to accept help from me.”
To Herbert's surprise, Ralph drew out a small bag, originally intended for shot, and drew therefrom five golden coins, of five dollars each.
“Take them,” he said, simply.
Herbert hesitated, while his face indicated extreme surprise.
“I thought—” he commenced, and then paused.
“You thought me poor,” said Ralph, finishing the sentence for him. “Is it not so?”
“Yes,” said Herbert.
“Most people think so,” said Ralph. “But it was not poverty that drove me from the busy world to this solitude3. Rich or poor, I had money enough for my wants. Here I have little use for money. To me it is a useless and valueless thing. You need have no hesitation4 in taking this. But on second thoughts, I had better give you more.” And he was about to draw forth5 more.
“No, no,” said Herbert, hastily. “It is quite sufficient. You are very, very kind. Some time I hope to repay you.”
“No,” said Ralph. “Do not talk of repayment6. Let me have the pleasure of giving you this small sum.”
“How kind you are,” said Herbert, impulsively7, “and to a stranger.”
“Yet my obligation to you is greater than yours to me,” said Ralph.
“How can that be?” asked the boy, raising his eyes to Ralph's grave face.
“You are the first human being in whose society I have taken pleasure for years. Deeply injured by man, I conceived a hatred8 for the whole race. But in your frank face I see much to like. I think I could trust you.”
“I hope so,” said Herbert.
“You have inspired in me a new feeling, for which I cannot account. Yesterday the world had no attractions for me. To-day I feel an interest in your welfare, at least.”
“Why do you bury yourself in this lonely place?” said Herbert. “You cannot be happy in it. Come with me to New York. It must be a beautiful place.”
Ralph smiled gravely.
“To the young the world seems bright,” he said. “It is after years have swept away one illusion after another, after faith in one's fellowmen has been sorely tried, and the hollowness of the world's friendship has been proved, that the brightness fades.”
“You have seen more of life than I,” said Herbert, “and perhaps it is presumption9 in me to question what you say; but I cannot help feeling that you are mistaken. I am sure that there is such a thing as true friendship.”
“Not many, perhaps, but some. There is good Dr. Kent and his family. I am sure of their friendship. Then,” he added, his color slightly rising, “I think I have found another friend,” and he looked in the face of his guide.
“Thank you, my lad,” said Ralph. “You are right there, at least. You can rely upon my friendship being sincere.”
“Then I am right, am I not?” said Herbert, smiling brightly.
“I believe you are,” said the guide, after a pause, “and I thank you for teaching me a lesson.”
“Man was made in the image of God,” said Herbert. “If we doubt man, I think it is the same as doubting God.”
Ralph did not reply, but walked on in thoughtful silence.
“How far is it to Vernon?” asked Herbert, when they had emerged from the woods.
“It is five miles farther. Can you walk so far?”
Ralph smiled.
“I think I shall find him in the same place when I return,” he said.
“He will be very angry with you.”
“Yes, I suppose so,” said Ralph, indifferently.
“Are you not afraid he will have you arrested?”
“No, I care little. If I am fined, I will pay the fine, and that will be the end of it.”
“But you might be imprisoned13?”
“If I see any danger of that, I shall be tempted14 to charge Abner Holden with his attempt upon your life. Don't make yourself anxious about me, my lad. I have little fear of what the law may do as far as my agency in this affair is concerned.”
Ralph seemed so entirely15 unconcerned that something of his confidence was imparted to Herbert. Noting the erect16 mien17 and fearless glance of his guide, every movement betokening18 strength, he could not help feeling that Abner Holden would be rash to make such a man his enemy. He felt safe in his protection, and his apprehensions19 of capture passed away. So with lightened heart he walked the five dusty miles to the village of Vernon, accompanied by Ralph.
It was a thrifty20 village, with neat and tasteful dwellings21 lining22 the principal street. The railroad and manufactories had built it up rapidly and given it an air of prosperity which was pleasant to see.
“We will go at once to the railway station,” said Ralph. “You may catch the next train, and it will be as well to leave this neighborhood as soon as possible.”
They were fortunate enough to reach the station fifteen minutes before the eastern train departed.
Herbert bought a ticket for Columbus, fifty miles distant, and entered the train.
“Good-by, Herbert,” said Ralph, from the platform.
“Good-by,” said Herbert. “Thank you for all your kindness to me. Shall I not see you again?”
“I do not know,” said Ralph, musing23. “I have no wish nor intention of going to New York at present, yet I have a feeling that we shall meet again.”
“I hope it may be so,” said Herbert. “I shall be glad to see you again.”
While he spoke24 the shrill25 sound of the railway whistle was heard, the train started, and Herbert was fairly off on his journey.
Just as he was leaving the depot26, a wagon27 drove hastily up to the station, and Abner Holden jumped out. Herbert saw him as he looked from the window, and for a moment he was apprehensive28, but the train was fairly on the way.
“Stop! stop!” vociferated Abner. “Stop, I say!” for he had also caught sight of his bound boy on the way to freedom.
“You don't think they will stop the train for you, you fool!” said a man standing29 by. “You ought to have come sooner if you wanted to go by this train.”
“I don't want to go by it,” said Abner.
“What do you want, then?”
“My boy's run away, and I have just seen him aboard the train.”
“Oh, that's it, is it? Your son?”
“If he's a young rascal, I shouldn't think you'd want him back.”
Turning away, for he saw that he had failed, his glance rested on Ralph.
Instantly his anger rose.
“It's your doings,” said he, shaking his fist in impotent wrath31 at the sturdy hunter, whom he would have attacked had he dared. “It's your fault, and you shall pay for it if there's law in the land.”
“What will the law say to your attempt to shoot the boy?” demanded Ralph, coolly.
Abner turned pale, and realized that his best course was to keep quiet about an affair which might seriously compromise himself.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
incurring
|
|
| 遭受，招致，引起( incur的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
solitude
|
|
| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
hesitation
|
|
| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
repayment
|
|
| n.偿还，偿还款；报酬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
impulsively
|
|
| adv.冲动地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
hatred
|
|
| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
presumption
|
|
| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
sarcasm
|
|
| n.讥讽，讽刺，嘲弄，反话 （adj.sarcastic） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
softened
|
|
| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
imprisoned
|
|
| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
tempted
|
|
| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
erect
|
|
| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
mien
|
|
| n.风采；态度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
betokening
|
|
| v.预示，表示( betoken的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
apprehensions
|
|
| 疑惧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
thrifty
|
|
| adj.节俭的；兴旺的；健壮的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
dwellings
|
|
| n.住处，处所( dwelling的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
lining
|
|
| n.衬里，衬料 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
musing
|
|
| n. 沉思，冥想 adj. 沉思的, 冥想的 动词muse的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
spoke
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
shrill
|
|
| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
depot
|
|
| n.仓库，储藏处；公共汽车站；火车站 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
wagon
|
|
| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
apprehensive
|
|
| adj.担心的，恐惧的，善于领会的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
rascal
|
|
| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
wrath
|
|
| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |