"I don't want you," muttered the old gentleman, feebly, turning his head away from Tom, and then
he set his lips tightly together. But he held to Polly's hand.
"You would better go out," Dr. Jones nodded to Tom. "It excites him."
The second time Tom was told to go. He stood quite still. "He's my Grandfather!" he blurted1 out.
"Can't help it," said Dr. Jones, curtly2; "he's my patient. So I tell you again it is imperative3 that you
leave this room." Then he turned back to his work of making the sick man comfortable without
taking any more notice of the boy.
Tom gave a good long look at as much of his Grandfather's face as he could see, then slunk out, in
a dazed condition, trying to make himself as small as possible. Jasper found him a half hour
afterward4, hanging over the rail away from curious eyes, his head buried on his arms.
"I thought you'd like to know that your Grandfather is better," said Jasper, touching5 the bent6
shoulder.
"Get away, will you?" growled7 Tom, kicking out his leg, unmindful where it struck.
"And the doctor has gotten him into his state-room, and he is as comfortable as he could be made."
Jasper didn't add that Dr. Jones had asked him to come back, and that the old man was still
insisting that Polly should hold his hand.
"In that case," declared Tom, suddenly twitching8 up his head, "I will go down there." His face was
so drawn9 that Jasper started, and then looked away over the sea, and did not appear to notice the
clenched10 hand down by the boy's side.
"I--I--didn't know he was sick." Tom brought it out in gusts11, and his face worked worse than ever
in his efforts not to show his distress12. The only thing he could do was to double up his hand tighter
than ever, as he tried to keep it back of him.
"I understand," nodded Jasper, still looking off over the blue water.
"And now I'll go down," said Tom, drawing a long breath and starting off. Oh! and Dr. Jones had
said the last thing to Jasper as he rushed off with the good news to Tom, "On no account let that
boy see his Grandfather. I won't answer for the consequences if you do."
"See here," Jasper tore his gaze off from the shimmering13 water. "The doctor doesn't--doesn't think
you ought to see your Grandfather now."
"Hey!" cried Tom, his drawn lips flying open, and his big blue eyes distending14 in anger. "He's my
Grandfather. I rather think I shall do as I've a mind to," and he plunged15 off.
"Tom!" Jasper took long steps after him. "Beg your pardon, this is no time for thinking of anything
but your Grandfather's life. Dr. Jones said you were not to see him at present." The truth must be
told, for in another moment the boy would have been off on the wings of the wind.
"And do you think that I will mind in the least what that beastly doctor says?" cried Tom, getting
redder and redder in the face, his rage was so great. "Hoh! no, sir."
"Then your Grandfather's life will be paid as a sacrifice," said Jasper calmly. And he stood quite
still; and surveyed the boy before him.
Neither spoke16. It seemed to Jasper an age that they stood there in silence. At last Tom wavered,
put out his hand unsteadily, leaned against a steamer chair, and turned his face away.
"Let us do a bit of a turn on the deck," said Jasper, suddenly, overcoming by a mighty17 effort his
repugnance18 to the idea.
Tom shook his head, and swallowed hard.
"Oh, yes," said Jasper, summoning all the cheerfulness he could muster19 to his aid. "Come, it's the
very thing to do, if you really want to help your Grandfather."
Tom raised his head and looked at him. "I never supposed the old man was sick," he said
brokenly, and down went his head again, this time upon his hands, which were grasping the top of
the chair.
"I don't believe you did," answered Jasper. "But come, Tom, let's walk around the deck; we can
talk just as well meanwhile."
Two or three young men, with cigarettes in their mouths, came sauntering up. "Tom Selwyn,
you're a pretty fellow--"
Tom raised his head and looked at them defiantly20.
"To give us the slip like this," cried one, with a sneer21, in which the others joined, with a curious
look at Jasper.
"Well, come on now," said one. "Yes--yes--come along," said another; "we've waited long enough
for you to get back."
"I'm not coming," declared Tom, shortly.
"Not coming back? Well--" One of the young men said something under his breath, and the first
speaker turned on his heel, tossing his cigarette over the railing.
"No," said Tom, "I'm not coming. Did you hear me?"
"I believe I had that pleasure," said the last named, "as I am not deaf. Come on, fellows; our little
boy has got to wait on his Grandpappy. Good-by, kid!" He snapped his fingers; the other two
laughed derisively22, and sauntered off down the deck as they came.
Tom shook with passion. "I'd like to walk," he said, drawing a long breath, and setting off
unsteadily.
"All right," said Jasper, falling into step beside him.
Meantime the old gentleman, in his large handsome state-room, showed no sign of returning to the
consciousness that had come back for a brief moment. And he held to Polly's hand so tightly, as
she sat at the head of the berth23, that there was no chance of withdrawing her fingers had she so
desired. And Father Fisher with whom Dr. Jones had of course made acquaintance, before the
steamer fairly sailed, sat there keeping watch too, in a professional way, the ship's doctor having
called him in consultation24 over the case. And Phronsie, who had been in deep penitence25 because
she had wandered off from the library with another little girl, to gaze over the railing upon the
steerage children below, thereby26 missing Polly, was in such woe27 over it all that she was allowed to
cuddle up against Polly's side and hold her other hand. And there she sat as still as a mouse, hardly
daring to breathe. And Mr. King, feeling as if, after all, the case was pretty much under his
supervision28, came softly in at intervals29 to see that all was well, and that the dreadful boy was kept
out.
And the passengers all drifted back to their steamer chairs, glad of some new topic to discuss, for
the gossip they had brought on board was threadbare now, as they were two days at sea. And the
steamer sailed over the blue water that softly lapped the stout vessel's side, careless of the battle
that had been waged for a life, even then holding by slender threads. And Fanny Vanderburgh,
whose grandfather was a contemporary in the old business days in New York with Mr. King, and
who sat with her mother at the next table to the King party, spent most of her time running to Mrs.
Pepper's state- room, or interviewing any one who would be able to give her the slightest
encouragement as to when she could claim Polly Pepper.
"O dear me!" Fanny cried, on one such occasion, when she happened to run across Jasper. "I've
been down to No. 45 four times this morning, and there's nobody there but that stupid Matilda, and
she doesn't know or won't tell when Polly will get through reading to that tiresome30 old man. And
they won't let me go to his state-room. Mrs. Fisher and your father are there, too, or I'd get them to
make Polly come out on deck. We all want her for a game of shuffle-board."
Jasper sighed. So did he long for a game of shuffle-board. Then he brought himself up, and said as
brightly as he could: "Mr. Selwyn begs Polly to stay, and won't have any one else read to him,
Miss Vanderburgh, so I don't see as it can be helped. He's been very sick, you know."
Fanny Vanderburgh beat the toe of her boot on the deck floor. "It's a perfect shame. And that
horrible old man, he's so seedy and common --just think of it--and spoiling all our fun!"
Jasper looked off over the sea, and said nothing.
"As for that dreadful boy, his grandson, I think he's a boor31. Goodness me--I hope nobody will
introduce him. I'm sure I never'll recognise him afterward."
Jasper turned uneasily. "Please, Mr. King, do make Polly listen to reason," begged Fanny. "There
isn't another girl on board I care to go with-- at least not in the way I would with her. The
Griswolds are well enough to play games with, and all that; but you know what I mean. Do make
her come out with us this morning, and listen to reason," she repeated, winding32 up helplessly.
"But I think she is just right," said Jasper, stoutly33.
"Right!" cried Fanny, explosively; "oh, how can you say so, Mr. Jasper! Why, she is losing just
every bit of the fun."
"I know it," said Jasper, with a twinge at the thought. "Well, there is nothing more to be said or
done, Miss Vanderburgh, since Polly has decided34 the matter. Only I want you to remember that I
think she is just right about it."
Fanny Vanderburgh pouted35 her pretty lips in vexation. "At least, don't try to get that dreadful boy
into our own set to play games," she cried venomously, "for I won't speak to him. He's a perfect
boor. 'Twas only yesterday he brushed by me like a clumsy elephant, and knocked my book out of
my hand, and never even picked it up. Think of that, Mr. King!"
"I know--that was dreadful," assented36 Jasper, in dismay at the obstacle to the plan he had formed
in his own mind, to do that very thing he was now being warned against. "But you see, Miss
Vanderburgh, he's all upset by his Grandfather's sickness."
"And I should think he would be," cried Fanny Vanderburgh, with spirit. "Mrs. Griswold says
she's heard him domineering over the old man, and then his Grandfather would snarl37 and scold
like everything. She has the next state-room, you know. I don't see how those Selwyns can afford
such a nice cabin," continued Fanny, her aristocratic nose in the air, "they look so poor. Anyway
that boy is a perfect beast, Mr. King."
"He's very different now," said Jasper, quickly. "He had no idea his Grandfather was so poorly.
Now I'll tell you, Miss Vanderburgh," Jasper turned sharply around on his heel so that he faced
her. It was necessary with a girl like her to state plainly what he had to say, and to keep to it. "I am
going to ask Tom Selwyn to play games with all us young people. If it distresses38 you, or any one
else, so that you cannot join, of course I will withdraw, and I know Polly will, and we will get up
another circle that will play with him."
It was almost impossible to keep from laughing at Fanny's face, but Jasper was very grave as he
waited for an answer. "O dear me, Mr. Jasper," she cried, "haven't I told you I don't really care for
any one on board but Polly Pepper, and Mamma doesn't want me to mix up much with those
Griswolds?" She lowered her voice and glanced over her shoulder. "It would make it so awkward
if they should be much in New York, and we should meet. So of course I've got to do as Polly and
you do. Don't you see?--it's awfully39 hard on me, though," and she clasped her hands in vexation.
"Very well, then," said Jasper; "now that's decided. And seeing it is, why the next thing to do, is to
bring Tom down, and we'll get up a game of shuffle- board at once. He's not needed by his
Grandfather now." He didn't think it necessary to add, "for the old gentleman won't see him, and
Tom is forbidden the room by the doctor."
Fanny's aristocratic nose went up in alarm, and her whole face was overspread with dismay. It was
one thing to anticipate evil, and quite another to find it precipitated40 upon one. "I--I don't--believe I
can play this morning, Mr. Jasper," she began hurriedly, for the first time in her young life finding
herself actually embarrassed. She was even twisting her fingers.
"Very well," said Jasper, coolly, "then I understand that you will not play with us at any time, for,
as we begin to-day, we shall keep on. I will set about getting up another party at once." He
touched his yacht cap lightly, and turned off.
"I'll go right down on the lower deck with you now." Fanny ran after him, her little boot heels
clicking excitedly on the hard floor. "The steward41 has marked it all for us. I got him to, while I ran
to find Polly so as to engage the place," she added breathlessly.
"That's fine," said Jasper, a smile breaking over the gloom on his face; "now we'll have a prime
game, Miss Vanderburgh."
Fanny swallowed hard the lump in her throat, and tried to look pleasant. "Do you go and collect
the Griswolds," cried Jasper, radiantly, "and I'll be back with Tom," and he plunged off. It was all
done in a minute. And the thing that had been worrying him--how to get Tom into good shape, and
to keep him there--seemed fixed42 in the best way possible. But Tom wouldn't go. Nothing that
Jasper could do or say would move him out of the gloom into which he was cast, and at last Jasper
ran down for a hurried game with the party awaiting him, to whom he explained matters in the
best way he could.
At last, old Mr. Selwyn was able to emerge from his state-room. Mr. King and he were the best of
friends by this time, the former always, when Polly read aloud, being one of the listeners. At all
such hours, indeed, and whenever Polly went to sit by the invalid43, Phronsie would curl up at
Polly's side, and fondle the doll that Grandpapa gave her last, which had the honour to take the
European trip with the family. Phronsie would smooth the little dress down carefully, and then
with her hand in Polly's, she would sit motionless till the reading was over. Mamsie, whose fingers
could not be idle, although the big mending basket was left at home, would be over on the sofa,
sewing busily; and little Dr. Fisher would run in and out, and beaming at them all through his
spectacles, would cry cheerily, "Well, I declare, you have the most comfortable place on the whole
boat, Mr. Selwyn." Or Dr. Jones, whom Polly thought, next to Papa Fisher, was the very nicest
doctor in all the world, would appear suddenly around the curtain, and smile approval through his
white teeth. At last on the fifth day out, the old man was helped up to sun himself in his steamer
chair on deck. And then he had a perfect coterie44 around him, oh-ing and ah-ing over his illness,
and expressing sympathy in every shape, for since Mr. King and his party took him up, it was
quite the thing for all the other passengers to follow suit.
When a few hours of this sort of thing had been going on, the old man called abruptly45 to Polly
Pepper, who had left him, seeing he had such good company about him, and had now skipped up
with Jasper to toss him a merry word, or to see if his steamer rug was all tucked in snugly46 around
him.
"See here, Polly Pepper, do you play chess?"
"What, sir?" Polly thought she had not heard correctly.
"Do you play chess, I say?" demanded old Mr. Selwyn, bringing his sharp little eyes to bear on
her.
"No, sir, that is--only a little," stammered47 Polly.
"Well, that will do for a start," the old gentleman nodded in satisfaction. "And I'll give you some
points later on about the game. Well, and you play backgammon, of course." He didn't wait for her
to answer, but finished, "These people here drive me almost crazy, asking me how I feel, and what
was the matter with me, and all that rubbish. Now, I'm going into the library, and you shall go too,
and we'll have a game of backgammon."
He flung back his steamer rug with a determined48 hand.
Jasper began, "Oh, Polly!" in dismay, but she broke in, "Yes, indeed, I do play backgammon, Mr.
Selwyn, and it will be fine to have a game." And together they helped him up and into a cosey
corner of the library.
"There, now," said Polly, with a final little pat on the sofa pillows tucked up at his back. "I believe
you are as comfortable as you can be, Mr. Selwyn."
"Indeed I am," he declared.
"And now, Jasper, do get the backgammon board," cried Polly. "There it is over there," spying it
on a further table.
Old Mr. Selwyn cast a hungry glance on it as it was brought forward, and his sharp little eyes
sparkled, as Polly threw it open. He even chuckled49 in delight as he set the men.
Tom Selwyn came up to the door, and standing50 in its shadow, looked in. Jasper flung himself
down on the sofa by the old gentleman's side to watch the game. Suddenly he glanced up, caught
sight of Tom, although the latter's head was quickly withdrawn51, and jumping up, he dashed after
him.
"Here--see here, Tom!" he called to the big figure before him, making good time down the stairs.
"I can't go chasing you all over the boat in this fashion. Stop, will you?"
"What do you want?" demanded Tom, crossly, feeling it impossible to elude52 such a pursuer, and
backing up against a convenient angle.
"I want you to come up into the library and watch the game. Do, it'll be the best time,"--he didn't
say "to make it all up."
"Can't," said Tom, "he won't see me."
"Oh, yes, he will; I almost know he will," declared Jasper, eagerly feeling this minute as if the
most unheard-of things were possible.
"And beside, your sister--I mean the Pepper girl--Miss Pepper--" Tom corrected himself clumsily.
"She can't bear me--I won't come."
"Oh, yes, she can now," said Jasper, just as eagerly, "especially since I've told her all you've told
me."
"Well, I hate girls anyway," declared Tom, in his most savage53 fashion; "always have hated 'em,
and always shall. I won't come!"
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
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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2
curtly
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| adv.简短地 | |
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imperative
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| n.命令，需要；规则；祈使语气；adj.强制的；紧急的 | |
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4
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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6
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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7
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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8
twitching
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| n.颤搐 | |
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9
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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11
gusts
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| 一阵强风( gust的名词复数 )； （怒、笑等的）爆发； （感情的）迸发； 发作 | |
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12
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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13
shimmering
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| v.闪闪发光，发微光( shimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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14
distending
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| v.（使）膨胀，肿胀( distend的现在分词 ) | |
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15
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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16
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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17
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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18
repugnance
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| n.嫌恶 | |
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19
muster
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| v.集合，收集，鼓起，激起；n.集合，检阅，集合人员，点名册 | |
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defiantly
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| adv.挑战地，大胆对抗地 | |
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21
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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derisively
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| adv. 嘲笑地，嘲弄地 | |
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berth
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| n.卧铺，停泊地，锚位；v.使停泊 | |
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consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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25
penitence
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| n.忏悔，赎罪；悔过 | |
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26
thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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27
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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28
supervision
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| n.监督，管理 | |
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29
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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30
tiresome
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| adj.令人疲劳的，令人厌倦的 | |
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31
boor
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| n.举止粗野的人；乡下佬 | |
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32
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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stoutly
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| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
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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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35
pouted
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| v.撅（嘴）( pout的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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36
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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snarl
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| v.吼叫，怒骂，纠缠，混乱；n.混乱，缠结，咆哮 | |
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38
distresses
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| n.悲痛( distress的名词复数 )；痛苦；贫困；危险 | |
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awfully
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| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
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40
precipitated
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| v.（突如其来地）使发生( precipitate的过去式和过去分词 )；促成；猛然摔下；使沉淀 | |
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41
steward
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| n.乘务员，服务员；看管人；膳食管理员 | |
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42
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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43
invalid
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| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
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44
coterie
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| n.(有共同兴趣的)小团体，小圈子 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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46
snugly
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| adv.紧贴地；贴身地；暖和舒适地；安适地 | |
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47
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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48
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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49
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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50
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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51
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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52
elude
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| v.躲避，困惑 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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