"Well, what is up for to-day, boys?" inquired Mrs. Tolman, after the more formal greetings were over. "What are you planning to do with Dick, Stephen?"
"We're going skating over to the Hollow if the ice is any good," was the prompt response. "It was fine yesterday and unless somebody has smashed it all up it ought to be good to-day."
"That plan sounds rather nice, doesn't it, Jane?" Doris suggested to her roommate. "Why don't we go, too?"
"I'd like nothing better," was the answer.
"The youngsters have sketched8 a very alluring9 program," Mr. Ackerman said. "If I had any skates I should be tempted10 to join them. I have not been on the ice in years but in my day I used to be quite a hockey player."
"Oh, do come, Mr. Ackerman!" cried Steve eagerly. "If you used to skate it will all come back to you. It is like swimming, you know; once you have learned you never forget how."
"But I've nothing to skate with," laughed the New Yorker.
"Oh, we can fix you up with skates all right, if you really want to go," Mr. Tolman said. "I have a couple of pairs and am sure you could manage to use one of them."
"So you are a skater, are you, Tolman?" the capitalist observed, with surprise.
"Oh, I am nothing great," Mr. Tolman protested, "but I have always enjoyed sports and muddled11 along at them. Coventry is quite a distance from Broadway, you see, and therefore we must get our recreation in other ways."
"It is a darn sight better than anything New York has to offer," commented the other man soberly. "Good wholesome14 out-of-door exercise is not to be mentioned in the same breath with a hot theater where a picture show is a makeshift for something better. Give me fresh air and exercise every time!"
"Well, since that is the way you feel about it
we can comply with your request," Mr. Tolman rejoined, with a smile. "If you do not mind hobbling back to New York lame15 as a cart-horse you can certainly have your wish, for we have the ice, the skates, plenty of coats and sweaters—everything necessary. Suppose we all start for the Hollow at ten o'clock. It is a mile walk but as we are having a late dinner we shall still have a long morning."
"That will suit me all right," returned Mr. Ackerman.
"By the way, Henry," interrupted Mrs. Tolman, addressing her husband, "Havens16 is waiting to see you. He has some message for you."
"Where is he?"
"In the hall."
"Ask Mary to tell him to go into my den4. I'll be there in a minute."
What a merry party it was that chatted and laughed there in the warmth of the sunny dining room! For the time being the elders dropped their cares and became as young in spirit as the boys and girls. Jokes, stories and good-humored banter17 passed back and forth18 until with one accord everybody rose from the table and sauntered into the library where a great blaze of logs glowed and crackled.
"If you will excuse me I will see what Havens wants," remarked Mr. Tolman, as he lighted his cigar. "Probably the garage people have unearthed19 some more repairs that must be made on
that car. They seem to have a faculty20 for that sort of thing. Every day they discover something new the matter with it. I shall have a nice little bill by the time they finish."
Shrugging his shoulders, he passed into the hall. It was more than half an hour before he returned and when he did a close observer would have noticed that his face had lost its brightness and that the gaiety with which he took up the conversation with his guests was forced and unnatural21. However, he tried resolutely22 to banish23 his irritation24, whatever its cause. He went up to the attic25 with Mr. Ackerman, where the two searched out skates, woolen26 gloves and sweaters; he jested with Doris and Jane Harden; he challenged Dick to a race across the frozen ground. But beneath his lightness lingered a grave depression which betokened27 to those who knew him best that something was wrong. Yet he was evidently determined28 the cloud should not obtrude29 itself and spoil the happiness of the day. Probably some business annoyance30 that could not be remedied had arisen; or possibly Havens had given notice. Such contingencies31 were of course to be deplored32 but as they could not be helped, why let them ruin the entire holiday?
Therefore nobody heeded33 Mr. Tolman's mood which was so well controlled that his guests were unconscious of it, and the group of skaters swung along over the frosty fields with undiminished merriment. The Hollow for which they were bound lay in a deserted34 stone quarry35 where a little arm
of the river had penetrated36 the barrier of rocks and, gradually flooding the place, made at one end a deep pool; from this point the water spread itself over the meadows in a large, shallow pond. Had the spot been nearer the town it would doubtless have been overrun with skaters; but as it was isolated37, and there was a larger lake near the center of the village, few persons took the trouble to seek out this remote stretch of ice.
This morning it lay desolate38 like a gleaming mirror, not a human being marring its solitude39.
"We shall have the place all to ourselves!" exclaimed Mr. Ackerman. "There will be no spectators to watch me renew my youth, thank goodness!"
Quickly the skates were strapped40 on and the young people shot out into the sunshine and began to circle about. More cautiously Mr. Tolman and his guest followed.
"I wouldn't go into the quarry," shouted Mr. Tolman, "for I doubt if it has been cold enough yet to freeze the ice very solidly there. There are liable to be air holes where the river makes in."
"Oh, we fellows have skated in the quarry millions of times, Dad," Stephen protested. "It is perfectly41 safe."
"There is no way of telling whether it is or not," was the response, "so suppose for to-day we keep away from it."
"But—"
"Oh, don't argue, Stevie," called Doris. "If
Dad doesn't want us to go there that's enough, isn't it?"
"But half the fun is making that turn around the rocks," grumbled42 Stephen, in a lower tone. "I don't see why Dad is such a fraid-cat. I know this pond better than he does and—"
"If your father says not to skate there that ought to go with you," cut in Dick. "He doesn't want you to—see? Whether it is safe or not has nothing to do with it."
"But it's so silly!" went on Stephen. "Why—"
"Oh, cut it out! Can it!" ejaculated the East Side lad. "Your dad says No and he's the boss."
The ungracious retort Steve offered was lost amid the babel of laughter that followed, and the skaters darted43 away up the pond. Indeed, one could not long have cherished ill humor amid such radiant surroundings. There was too much sunshine, too much sparkle in the clear air; too much jollity and happiness. Almost before he realized it Stephen's irritation had vanished and he was speeding across the glassy surface of the ice as gay as the gayest of the company.
He never could explain afterward44 just how it happened that he found himself around the bend of the quarry and sweeping45 with the wind toward its farther end. He had not actually formulated46 the intention of slipping away from the others and invading this forbidden spot. Nevertheless, there he was alone in the tiny cove12 with no one in sight. What followed was all over in a moment,—the
breaking ice and the plunge47 into the frigid48 water. The next he knew he was fighting with all his strength to prevent himself from being drawn49 beneath the jagged, crumbling50 edge of the hole. To clamber out was impossible, for every time he tried the thin ice would break afresh under his hands and submerge him again in the bitter cold of the moving stream. Over and over he tried to pull himself to safety but without success. Then suddenly he felt himself becoming numb51 and helpless. His teeth chattered52 and he could no longer retain his hold on the frail53 support that was keeping his head above water. He was slipping back into the river. He was not going to be able to get out!
With a piercing scream he made one last desperate lunge forward, and again the ice that held him broke and the water dashed over his ears and mouth.
When he next opened his eyes it was to find himself in his own bed with a confusion of faces bending over him.
"There!" he heard some one say in a very small, far-away voice. "He is coming to himself now, thank God! It was chiefly cold and fright. He is safe now, Tolman. Don't you worry! You'd better go and get off some of your wet clothing, or you will catch your death."
Mr. Ackerman was speaking.
"Yes, Henry, do go!" pleaded his wife.
He was fighting to prevent himself from being drawn beneath the jagged, crumbling edge of the hole. Page 244.
He was fighting to prevent himself from being drawn beneath the jagged, crumbling edge of the hole. Page 244.
As Stephen looked about him in the vague, groping uncertainty54 of returning consciousness his glance fell upon his father who stood beside his pillow, shivering nervously55. He put out his hand and touched the dripping coat sleeve.
"What—" began he weakly.
Then with a rush it all came back to him and everything was clear. He had been drowning and his father had plunged56 into the water to save him!
A sob13 rose in his throat and he caught the elder man's hand between both of his.
"Oh, Dad," he exclaimed, "I've been so rotten to you—so mean—so cowardly. I'm ashamed to—"
"Don't talk about it now, son. I know."
"You know what I did?"
"Yes."
"But—" the boy paused bewildered.
"Don't talk any more about it now, Stevie," pleaded his mother.
"But I've got to know," said the lad. "Can't you see that—"
"Let me talk with him alone a moment," suggested Mr. Tolman in an undertone. "He is all upset and he won't calm down until he has this thing off his mind. Leave me here with him a little while. I'll promise that he does not tire himself."
The doctor, Mr. Ackerman and Mrs. Tolman moved across the room toward the window.
"You asked how I knew, son," began his father with extreme gentleness. "I didn't really know. I just put two and two together. There was the scratched machine and the gasoline gone—both
of which facts puzzled me not a little. But the proof that clinched57 it all and made me certain of what had happened came to me this morning when Havens brought me an old red sweater and some school papers of Bud Taylor's that the men who were overhauling58 the car found under the seat. In an instant the whole thing was solved."
"You knew before we went skating then?"
"Yes."
"And—and—you jumped into the water after me just the same."
Mr. Tolman's voice trembled:
"You are my son and I love you no matter what you may do."
"Oh, Dad, I'm so sorry!" sobbed59 the boy. "I wanted to tell you—I meant to. It was just that I was too much of a coward. I was so ashamed of what I had done that I hadn't the nerve. After it was over it all seemed so wrong. I knew you would be angry—"
"Rather say sorry, son."
"Well, sorry. And now that you have been so white to me I'm more ashamed still."
"There, there, my boy, we will say no more about it," his father declared. "You and your conscience have probably had a pretty bitter battle and I judge you have not been altogether happy since your adventure. People who do wrong never are. It is no fun to carry your fault to bed with you and find it waiting when you wake up in the morning."
"You bet it isn't!" replied the lad, with fervor60. "But can't I do something now to make good, Dad?"
Mr. Tolman checked an impulsive61 protest and after a moment responded gravely:
"We will see. Perhaps you would like to earn something toward doing over the car."
"Yes! Yes! I would!"
"Well, all that can be arranged later. We—"
"Henry," broke in Mrs. Tolman, "you must go this instant and get into some dry clothes. You are chilled through. The doctor says Stephen is going to be none the worse for his ducking and that he can come down stairs to dinner after he has rested a little longer. So our Thanksgiving party is not to be spoiled, after all. In fact, I believe we shall have more to give thanks for than we expected," concluded she, making an unsteady attempt to speak lightly.
"I think so, too," echoed her husband.
"And so do I!" added Stephen softly, as he exchanged an affectionate smile with his father.
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1
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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splendor
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| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
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gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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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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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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7
fragrance
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| n.芬芳，香味，香气 | |
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8
sketched
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| v.草拟（sketch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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alluring
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| adj.吸引人的，迷人的 | |
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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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11
muddled
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| adj.混乱的；糊涂的；头脑昏昏然的v.弄乱，弄糟( muddle的过去式)；使糊涂；对付，混日子 | |
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12
cove
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| n.小海湾，小峡谷 | |
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sob
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| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
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14
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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lame
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| adj.跛的，(辩解、论据等)无说服力的 | |
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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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17
banter
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| n.嘲弄，戏谑；v.取笑，逗弄，开玩笑 | |
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18
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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unearthed
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| 出土的（考古） | |
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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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21
unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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banish
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| vt.放逐，驱逐；消除，排除 | |
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24
irritation
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| n.激怒，恼怒，生气 | |
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attic
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| n.顶楼，屋顶室 | |
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woolen
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| adj.羊毛(制)的；毛纺的 | |
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27
betokened
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| v.预示，表示( betoken的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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28
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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29
obtrude
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| v.闯入；侵入；打扰 | |
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30
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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31
contingencies
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| n.偶然发生的事故，意外事故( contingency的名词复数 )；以备万一 | |
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32
deplored
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| v.悲叹，痛惜，强烈反对( deplore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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33
heeded
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| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的过去式和过去分词 )；变平，使（某物）变平( flatten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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34
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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35
quarry
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| n.采石场；v.采石；费力地找 | |
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36
penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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37
isolated
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| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
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desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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39
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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40
strapped
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| adj.用皮带捆住的，用皮带装饰的；身无分文的；缺钱；手头紧v.用皮带捆扎(strap的过去式和过去分词)；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带 | |
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41
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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42
grumbled
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| 抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
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43
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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44
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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45
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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46
formulated
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| v.构想出( formulate的过去式和过去分词 )；规划；确切地阐述；用公式表示 | |
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47
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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48
frigid
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| adj.寒冷的，凛冽的；冷淡的；拘禁的 | |
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49
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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50
crumbling
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| adj.摇摇欲坠的 | |
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51
numb
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| adj.麻木的，失去感觉的；v.使麻木 | |
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52
chattered
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| （人）喋喋不休( chatter的过去式 )； 唠叨； （牙齿）打战； （机器）震颤 | |
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53
frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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54
uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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55
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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56
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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57
clinched
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| v.（尤指两人）互相紧紧抱[扭]住( clinch的过去式和过去分词 )；解决（争端、交易），达成（协议） | |
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58
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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59
sobbed
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| 哭泣，啜泣( sob的过去式和过去分词 )； 哭诉，呜咽地说 | |
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60
fervor
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| n.热诚；热心；炽热 | |
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61
impulsive
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| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
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