"This will be our last ride this fall," observed Mr. Tolman, as he loitered on the platform while the luggage was being lifted into the car. "We shall have to put the motor up in a day or two. It will not need much of an overhauling4 in the way of repairs this season, I guess, for it is comparatively new and should be in pretty good condition. There may be a few slight things necessary but nothing much. Isn't that so, Havens?"
"It is badly scratched, sir."
"Scratched!"
"Yes, sir—both inside and out. I wonder you haven1't noticed it. Still you wouldn't unless you got it in just the right light. I did not myself at first. There are terrible scratches everywhere. You would think ten men had climbed all over it. Look!"
"Oh, it can't be so bad as all that," laughed Mr. Tolman good-humoredly, evidently not taking the chauffeur5's comment seriously. "The car was new
in the spring and we have not given it very hard wear. What little luggage we have carried has been carefully put in; I have seen to that myself. Only a short time ago I thought how splendidly fresh the varnish6 looked. In fact, I examined it just before you were ill. It can't have become very much defaced since then for we have not had the car out of the garage except for one short excursion."
Havens' brow darkened into a puzzled frown.
"I don't understand it at all, sir," he replied. "I could swear the scratches were not there when I went away. If you didn't tell me yourself the car hadn't been used much I'd stake my oath it had had a great deal of knocking about while I was gone. Look here, Mr. Tolman! Look at that, and that, and that—great digs in the paint as if people with boots on had climbed over the sides."
Mr. Tolman looked and so, with a sinking heart, did Stephen.
"Mercy on us! I never noticed all this before!" cried Mr. Tolman, in consternation7. "What in the world—" he stopped as if he could find no words to voice his amazement8. "Look at this!" He placed a finger on a broad, clearly defined line that extended from the top of the tonneau to the bottom. "You would think somebody had dug his heels in here and then slid down until he reached the ground! And this! What on earth has happened to the thing, Havens? It looks as if it had been used for a gymnasium."
Hot and cold by turns, Steve listened. The marks to which his father pointed9 told a truthful10 story. Somebody had braced11 his heels against the side and then slid to the ground; it was Bud Taylor. And that other jagged line indicated where Tim Barclay had scrambled12 over the edge and made his hurried exit. The history of the whole miserable13 adventure was etched in the varnish as vividly14 as if it had been traced there in words. Stephen gasped15 with horror when he saw how plainly the entire story stood out in the sunlight of the November day. Why, the most stupid person alive could read it! Every moment he expected that his father or Havens would wheel on him and ask accusingly:
"When was it you carried all those boys to Torrington?"
He could hear his heart thumping16 inside him and feel the beat of the blood that scorched17 his cheek. He had not pictured a dilemma18 like this. The affair had gone off so smoothly19 that he had flattered himself every possibility of discovery was past, and in this comforting knowledge he had basked20 with serenity21. And now, behold22, here he was at the brink23 of peril24, and just when he had had such a glorious holiday, too!
"How do you solve the riddle25, Havens?" he heard his father asking.
"I ain't solvin' it, sir," was the drawling answer. "Maybe Steve could give you a hint, though," he added slyly.
The lad stiffened26. He and Havens had never been friends. They had been through too many battles for that. The chauffeur did not like boys and took no trouble to conceal27 the fact, and as a result he had been the prey28 of many a mischievous29 prank30. It was through his vigilance that Stephen had more than once been brought to justice and in the punishment that followed Havens had exulted31 without restraint. As a retaliation32 the boy tormented33 him whenever opportunity presented, the two carrying on a half-bitter, half-humorous feud34 which was a source of mutual35 gratification.
Had not this been the case the confession36 that trembled on Stephen's tongue would doubtless have been uttered then and there. But to speak before Havens and afford him the chance to crow and rejoice,—that was not to be thought of. Therefore, drawing in his chin and holding his head a trifle higher than was his wont37, he replied with hauteur38:
"I've no solution at all to offer. How could I have?"
For the fraction of a second Mr. Tolman looked sharply at his son as if some new thought had suddenly struck him; then the piercing scrutiny39 faded from his eyes and he turned away.
"Well, I guess we shall have to drop the matter for the present, anyway, and be getting home," said he. "It will do no good for us to stand here in the cold and argue. We shall be no nearer an answer. Come, jump in, Steve!"
With a strange sense of reluctance40 the boy obeyed. He felt the door to confession closing with finality behind him; and now that he saw all chance for dallying41 on its threshold cut off, he began to regret that it should so completely close. Once again the opportunity to clear his conscience had come about in an easy, natural manner; confession had been gently and tactfully invited and he had turned his back. Never again, probably, would he have such a chance as this. Without any ignominious42 preamble43 he could have spoken the few words necessary and been a free man! But alas44, he had hesitated too long. His father followed him into the car, banged the door, and they shot homeward.
Perhaps, temporized45 the lad as they rode along, he would say something when they reached the house. Why wasn't it better anyway to wait until he and his father were quiet and alone? Who could blame him for not wanting to confess his misdemeanors before an audience? His father would understand and forgive his reticence46, he was sure. Having lulled47 his conscience to rest with the assurance of this future reparation he sank back against the cushions and drew the robe closer about him. There was no use in letting the ride be spoiled by worry. He did not need to speak until he got back, and he needn't speak at all if he did not wish to. If no favorable opening occurred, why, he could still remain silent and wait a better chance. He had taken no vow48, made no promise;
nothing actually bound him to act unless he chose.
It was surprising how his spirits rose with this realization49. He even ventured to talk a little and make a joke or two. These overtures50 received only scant51 response from his father, however, for Mr. Tolman's brow had settled into a frown and it needed no second glance to assure Stephen that the happenings of the past half-hour had put the elder man very much out of humor. How unfortunate, mused52 the boy, that this mood should have come upon his father. It would take more than an ordinary measure of courage to approach him now. Why, it would be braving the lions, actually tempting53 fate to go to him with a confession when he looked like this. Would it not be much wiser to wait?
With a sharp swerve54 they turned in at the gate and rolled up the long driveway; then the front door burst open and from it issued not only Mrs. Tolman and Doris but with them the girl with the wonderful hair, Jane Harden, whom he had seen at Northampton. A hubbub55 of greeting ensued and in the interchange of gay conversation all thought of confession was swept from Stephen's mind.
Nor in the days that followed, with their round of skating, hockey, snow-shoeing, and holiday festivities, did the inclination56 to revert57 to the follies58 of the past arise. The big red touring-car was sent away without further allusion59 to its battered60 condition and with its departure the last link with
the misfortunes that tormented him seemed destroyed. Once, it is true, when he overheard his father telling his mother that the bill for repainting and varnishing61 the car was going to be very large, his conscience smote62 him. But what, he argued, could he do? Even were he to come forward now and shoulder the blame it would not reduce the expense of which his father complained. He had no money. Therefore he decided63 it was better to close his ears and try and forget the entire affair. His father had evidently accepted the calamity64 with resignation and made up his mind to bear the consequences without further demur65. Why not let the matter rest there? At this late date it would be absurd to speak, especially when it could not alter the situation.
In the meantime letters came from Mr. Ackerman and from Dick. The latter was very happy at the New Haven school and was making quite a record for himself, and it was easy to detect between the lines of the steamboat magnate's epistle that he was much gratified by the progress of his protégé. Thanksgiving would soon be here and if the Tolmans still extended their invitation for the holidays the two New Yorkers would be glad to accept it.
"I'll write Ackerman to-day," announced Mr. Tolman at breakfast. "The invitation has hung on Stephen and Dick, and I am glad to say they each have made good. How fine that that little East Side chap should have turned out so well!
I don't wonder Ackerman is pleased. Everybody does not get appreciation66 in return for kindness. I know many a parent whose children repay what is done for them only with sneaking67, unworthy conduct and utter ingratitude68. Dick may not have been born into prosperity but he is a thoroughbred at heart and it shows in his actions. He is every inch a gentleman."
At the words Stephen's blood tingled69.
What would his father think of him if he knew what a mean-spirited coward he was? Well, it was impossible to tell him now. It would upset the whole Thanksgiving party.
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1
haven
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| n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所 | |
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havens
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| n.港口，安全地方( haven的名词复数 )v.港口，安全地方( haven的第三人称单数 ) | |
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automobile
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| n.汽车，机动车 | |
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overhauling
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| n.大修；拆修；卸修；翻修v.彻底检查( overhaul的现在分词 )；大修；赶上；超越 | |
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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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varnish
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| n.清漆；v.上清漆；粉饰 | |
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consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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truthful
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| adj.真实的，说实话的，诚实的 | |
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braced
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| adj.拉牢的v.支住( brace的过去式和过去分词 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来 | |
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12
scrambled
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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13
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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vividly
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| adv.清楚地，鲜明地，生动地 | |
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gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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thumping
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| adj.重大的，巨大的；重击的；尺码大的；极好的adv.极端地；非常地v.重击(thump的现在分词)；狠打；怦怦地跳；全力支持 | |
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scorched
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| 烧焦，烤焦( scorch的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（植物）枯萎，把…晒枯； 高速行驶； 枯焦 | |
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dilemma
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| n.困境，进退两难的局面 | |
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smoothly
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| adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地 | |
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basked
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| v.晒太阳，取暖( bask的过去式和过去分词 )；对…感到乐趣；因他人的功绩而出名；仰仗…的余泽 | |
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serenity
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| n.宁静，沉着，晴朗 | |
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behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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brink
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| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
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peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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25
riddle
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| n.谜，谜语，粗筛；vt.解谜，给…出谜，筛，检查，鉴定，非难，充满于；vi.出谜 | |
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stiffened
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| 加强的 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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29
mischievous
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| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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prank
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| n.开玩笑，恶作剧；v.装饰；打扮；炫耀自己 | |
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31
exulted
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| 狂喜，欢跃( exult的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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retaliation
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| n.报复，反击 | |
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tormented
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| 饱受折磨的 | |
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34
feud
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| n.长期不和；世仇；v.长期争斗；世代结仇 | |
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mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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37
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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38
hauteur
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| n.傲慢 | |
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39
scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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40
reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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41
dallying
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| v.随随便便地对待( dally的现在分词 )；不很认真地考虑；浪费时间；调情 | |
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42
ignominious
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| adj.可鄙的，不光彩的，耻辱的 | |
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43
preamble
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| n.前言；序文 | |
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44
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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45
temporized
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| v.敷衍( temporize的过去式和过去分词 )；拖延；顺应时势；暂时同意 | |
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46
reticence
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| n.沉默，含蓄 | |
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47
lulled
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| vt.使镇静，使安静（lull的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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48
vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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49
realization
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| n.实现；认识到，深刻了解 | |
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50
overtures
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| n.主动的表示，提议；（向某人做出的）友好表示、姿态或提议( overture的名词复数 )；（歌剧、芭蕾舞、音乐剧等的）序曲，前奏曲 | |
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51
scant
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| adj.不充分的，不足的；v.减缩，限制，忽略 | |
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52
mused
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| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
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53
tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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54
swerve
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| v.突然转向，背离；n．转向，弯曲，背离 | |
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55
hubbub
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| n.嘈杂；骚乱 | |
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56
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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57
revert
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| v.恢复，复归，回到 | |
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58
follies
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| 罪恶，时事讽刺剧； 愚蠢，蠢笨，愚蠢的行为、思想或做法( folly的名词复数 ) | |
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allusion
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| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
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60
battered
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| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
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61
varnishing
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| 在（某物）上涂清漆( varnish的现在分词 ) | |
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62
smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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63
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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64
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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65
demur
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| v．表示异议，反对 | |
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66
appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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67
sneaking
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| a.秘密的，不公开的 | |
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68
ingratitude
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| n.忘恩负义 | |
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tingled
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| v.有刺痛感( tingle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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