All the comings and goings of Roxton seemed known to these four gentlemen, whose eyes were ever on the alert, though their hands remained in their trousers-pockets. A fly basking7 on the sidewalk within six feet would be seen and dislodged by a brisk discharge of saliva8 from between one of the member’s lips. Like Diogenes, they “had reduced impertinence to a fine art”; and the major portion of the society’s funds was patriotically9 disbursed10 to swell11 the state’s revenue on beer.
“Psst—’Ere ’e is ag’in.”
“’oo?”
A mouth was wiped by the back of a hand.
“Murray’s man.”
“Same un?”
“Yas. Little feller with the twirly mustache. What d’yer guess ’e be, Jack12?”
“Looks as though ’e might have come t’ wind the clocks.”
“You bet! Ter do with the babies, I’ve ’eard.”
“Ah, ’ow was that?”
“Murray’s man, ’e told me, t’other evening. This little feller be what they call a ‘Lonnan Special.’ Dunno what edition.”
Three pairs of eyes, one member was absent on duty at the pub, followed Major Murray’s dog-cart with an all-engrossing stare as its red wheels whirled by in the June sunshine.
“Thought Steel ’ad the managin’ of all Murray’s badgers13.”
“So ’e ’as. Didn’t yer see ’im come back by the 7.50 t’other day?”
“I did.”
“An’ the other feller who’s bin14 wearin’ Steel’s breeches all the month—went off by the 4.49.”
“’E did.”
“Saucy lookin’ chap.”
“Give me Jim Murchison and blow the liquor. ’E tells you what’s what, and no mistake. Said I sh’ld drink meself to death—and so I shall.”
“What, ’ad the roups again, Frank?”
“Yes, all along with my old liver. Chucks it out of me every marnin’, reg’lar as clock-work.”
The observations of the brotherhood were reliable as far as the identity of the gentleman in Major Murray’s dog-cart was concerned. He was named Dr. Peterson, and his caliber15 may be appreciated by the fact that he received a check for twenty-five guineas when he travelled forty miles to and fro from his house in Mayfair. Moreover, he had left his card the preceding day on Dr. Parker Steel, with a note urging that an interview between them was urgent and inevitable16. Parker Steel’s face had betrayed exceeding discomfort17 and alarm on reading the name on the piece of paste-board that Dr. Peterson had left on the general practitioner’s hall table.
It was about four o’clock on the afternoon of Thursday when Major Murray’s dog-cart clattered18 over the cobbles of St. Antonia’s Square, and deposited a very spruce little man in a well-cut frock-coat, and a blemishless tall hat at Parker Steel’s door.
The imperturbable19 Symons recognized him as the caller of yesterday.
“Dr. Steel’s out, sir.”
“Out?”
“Very sorry, sir—”
“You gave him my card and note?”
“Certainly, sir. Will you wait? Dr. Steel should be back at any minute.”
Dr. Peterson glanced at his watch, and stepped like a dapper little bantam into the hall. His reddish hair was plastered from a broad pathway in the middle, so as to conceal20 the premature21 tendency to baldness that his pate22 betrayed. Dr. Peterson’s figure boasted a juvenile23 waist; his face, smooth and very sleek24, almost suggested the craft of the beauty specialist. A red-and-green bandanna25 handkerchief protruded26 from his breast coat-pocket, an ?sthetic patch of color harmonizing with his sage-green tie. He wore black-and-white check trousers, patent-leather boots, and a tuberose in his button-hole. Moreover, his person smelled fragrantly27 of scent28.
Dr. Peterson deposited his hat and gloves on the hall table.
“I can spare half an hour. My train goes at five. It is highly important that I should see Dr. Steel.”
“I will tell him, sir, the minute he returns,” and she showed Dr. Peterson into the drawing-room.
A bedroom bell rang as Symons was descending29 the stairs to the kitchen. She turned with a “Drat the thing!” and dawdled30 heavenward to her mistress’s room.
“Who has called, Symons?”
“Dr. Peterson, ma’am.”
“From Major Murray’s?”
“Yes, ma’am; wants to see the master, most particular.”
“Dr. Steel’s not in?”
“No, ma’am, but he left word that he would be at home about four.”
“Thanks, Symons, you can go.”
The servant’s ill-conditioned stare was bitterness to a woman of Betty’s pride and penetration31. The finer touches of courtesy, the more delicate instincts, are rarely developed in the lower classes. Even the starched32 Symons was utterly33 cowlike in her manners. Betty felt her face sore under the servant’s eyes.
A big red book lay open upon the dressing-table amid Betty Steel’s crowd of silver knick-knacks. It was the Medical Directory, and lay open at the London list, and at the letter P. Dr. Peterson’s name headed the left-hand page, as staff-physician to sundry34 hospitals and charitable institutions, and as a holder35 of medals, diplomas, and degrees galore. A cursory36 glance at the titles of his contributions to medical literature would have marked him out as one of the leading authorities on diseases of the skin.
Betty Steel looked in her pier-glass, fluffed out her hair a little, and fastening the scarf of her green tea-gown, crossed the landing towards the stairs. She had that steady and almost staring expression of the eyes that betrays a purpose suddenly but seriously matured. She had not spoken with her husband since their meeting on the night of his return.
“Dr. Peterson, I believe?”
The specialist had been reviewing the photographs on the mantel-piece, and had displayed his good taste by electing a handsome cousin of Betty’s as his ideal for the moment. He set the silver frame down rather hurriedly, and turned at the sound of the door opening, a dapper, diplomatic, yet rather finicking figure, the figure more of a little man about town than of a brilliant and prosperous London consultant38.
“Mrs. Steel—?”
He had glanced up with a slight puckering39 of the brows into Betty’s face.
“Yes. I am sorry my husband is out. I have taken the opportunity, Dr. Peterson, of consulting you—”
She moved towards the window, graceful40, well poised41, and unembarrassed. The specialist stood aside, his face a sympathetic blank, a birdlike and inquisitive42 alertness visible in his eyes.
“You have noticed my face, Dr. Peterson?”
She stood before him unflinchingly, a woman of distinction and of charm of manner despite her great disfigurement. The fingers of Dr. Peterson’s right hand were fidgeting with his watch-chain. It was wholly improper43 for a London consultant to appear embarrassed.
“You wish to consult me?”
“Yes.”
He hesitated, elevated his eyebrows44, and then met her with a conciliatory smile.
“I do not know, Mrs. Steel, whether—”
She understood his meaning and the significance of his hesitation45.
“My husband? Yes—Your opinion will be of interest to him. Let us be frank.”
Dr. Peterson advanced one patent-leather boot, put the forefinger46 of his right hand under Betty’s chin, and turned her face towards the light. She could see that he was profoundly interested despite his air of shallow smartness. Also that he was somewhat perplexed47 by the responsibility she had thrust upon him.
“Hum! How long have you noticed the swelling48 on the lip?”
“Five weeks or more, perhaps longer.”
“The throat?”
She opened her mouth wide. Dr. Peterson peered into it and frowned.
“The rash has been present some days?”
“Yes.”
“You are paler than usual?”
“I think so.”
“Feverish?”
“A little.”
“Of course, Dr. Steel has seen all this?”
“Yes.”
“Hum!”
He was embarrassed, troubled, and betrayed the feeling in an increased fussiness49 and polite magniloquence of manner.
“You must pardon me, Mrs. Steel.”
“I want you to be quite frank with me. I am ready to answer any questions. You may think my attitude unusual—”
“Not at all—not at all,” and he flicked50 his handkerchief from his pocket and began to polish a lens in a tortoise-shell setting.
“I must confess, Dr. Peterson, that I have been subjected to a great deal of worry and—and doubt. My husband only returned yesterday. Of course, you know about that. Dr. Little sent for you to see Major Murray’s wife, I believe.”
Dr. Peterson still flourished his handkerchief.
“Has Dr. Steel expressed any opinion to you?”
“About this?”
“Yes.”
“He told me that it was a form of eczema.”
The specialist threw a sharp, penetrating51 look at her face.
“That was your husband’s diagnosis52?”
“I believe it to be incorrect.”
“Indeed!”
“And that he knows that he has not told me the truth.”
Both heard the rattle53 of a latch-key in the lock of the front door, and the sound of footsteps in the hall. Symons could be heard hurrying up the stairs from the kitchen. She spoke37 to some one in the hall, a tired and toneless voice answering her in curt54 monosyllables. It was Parker Steel.
Dr. Peterson walked up the room and back again to the window, glancing rather nervously55 at the clock as he passed. His attitude was that of a man who has been entangled56 in the meshes57 of a very delicate dilemma58, and he was waiting to see how Betty Steel’s mood shaped. She was standing59 with one hand resting on the back of a chair, as though steadying herself for the inevitable crisis.
“Ah, good-day; I must apologize—Betty!”
He had entered with an elaborate flourish intended to suggest the brisk candor60 of a man much hurried in the public service. His wife’s figure, outlined against the window, brought him to a dead halt on the threshold. The blood seemed to recede61 from his face in an instant. The alert, confident manner became a tense effort towards naturalness and self-control.
“You will excuse us, Betty. Dr. Peterson and I have matters to discuss.”
He held the door open for her, but she did not budge62.
“I am consulting Dr. Peterson, Parker.”
Her husband’s face seemed to grow thin and haggard, with the lights and shadows of the hall for a checkered63 background. The specialist stood jerking his watch-chain up and down.
“I think,” he began—
Betty turned to him with the air of a mistress of a salon64.
“This is a family affair, Dr. Peterson, is it not? There are no secrets that a husband and wife cannot share. I may tell my husband what I believe your opinion to be?”
“My opinion, madam!”
His voice betrayed the rising impatience65 of a man irritated by finding his discretion66 taxed beyond its strength. The grim touch of the tragic67 element banished68 the veneer69 of formalism from his face. To pose such a man as Dr. Peterson with a problem in ethics70, engendered71 anger and impatience.
“I am not aware that I have pledged myself to any expression of opinion.”
“No,” and she smiled; “but I can ask you a blunt question, to which ‘yes’ or ‘no’ will be inevitable.”
The specialist met her eyes, and realized that the subtlety72 of a woman may make a man’s prudence73 seem ridiculous. He was a rapid thinker, and the complexities74 of the situation began to shape themselves in his mind. Betty Steel was not a woman whom he would care to hinder with a lie.
“You put me in a most embarrassing position—”
“Believe me, no.”
“With regard to another case I have some authority to speak.”
“Consider my case within your jurisdiction75.”
“Betty:” Her husband’s face was turned to hers in miserable76 reproof77. “Remember, we are something to each other. I cannot bear—”
He faltered78 as he read the unalterable purpose in her eyes. It is the nature of some women to appear incapable79 of pity when their self-love has received a poignant80 shock.
“Then, Parker, you admit—”
“For God’s sake, Betty, let me have five minutes’ privacy—”
She looked at him calmly, as though considering his inmost thoughts.
“I think Dr. Peterson can deal with you more forcibly than I can. It is sufficient that we understand each other.”
“Have you no consideration for my self-respect?”
“It is my self-respect that accuses you in this.”
And she turned and left the two men together.
点击
收听单词发音
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1
ostensible
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| adj.(指理由)表面的，假装的 | |
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2
brotherhood
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| n.兄弟般的关系，手中情谊 | |
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3
scurry
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| vi.急匆匆地走；使急赶；催促；n.快步急跑，疾走；仓皇奔跑声；骤雨，骤雪；短距离赛马 | |
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4
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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5
postures
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| 姿势( posture的名词复数 )； 看法； 态度； 立场 | |
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6
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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7
basking
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| v.晒太阳，取暖( bask的现在分词 )；对…感到乐趣；因他人的功绩而出名；仰仗…的余泽 | |
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8
saliva
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| n.唾液，口水 | |
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9
patriotically
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| 爱国地；忧国地 | |
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10
disbursed
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| v.支出，付出( disburse的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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11
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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12
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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13
badgers
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| n.獾( badger的名词复数 )；獾皮；（大写）獾州人（美国威斯康星州人的别称）；毛鼻袋熊 | |
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14
bin
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| n.箱柜；vt.放入箱内；[计算机] DOS文件名:二进制目标文件 | |
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15
caliber
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| n.能力；水准 | |
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16
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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17
discomfort
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| n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便 | |
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18
clattered
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| 发出咔哒声（clatter的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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19
imperturbable
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| adj.镇静的 | |
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20
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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21
premature
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| adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的 | |
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22
pate
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| n.头顶；光顶 | |
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23
juvenile
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| n.青少年，少年读物；adj.青少年的，幼稚的 | |
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24
sleek
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| adj.光滑的，井然有序的；v.使光滑，梳拢 | |
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25
bandanna
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| n.大手帕 | |
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26
protruded
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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27
fragrantly
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| adv.芬芳地；愉快地 | |
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28
scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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29
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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30
dawdled
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| v.混（时间）( dawdle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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31
penetration
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| n.穿透，穿人，渗透 | |
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32
starched
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| adj.浆硬的，硬挺的，拘泥刻板的v.把（衣服、床单等）浆一浆( starch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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33
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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34
sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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35
holder
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| n.持有者，占有者；(台，架等)支持物 | |
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36
cursory
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| adj.粗略的；草率的；匆促的 | |
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37
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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38
consultant
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| n.顾问；会诊医师，专科医生 | |
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39
puckering
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| v.（使某物）起褶子或皱纹( pucker的现在分词 )；小褶纹；小褶皱 | |
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40
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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41
poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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42
inquisitive
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| adj.求知欲强的，好奇的，好寻根究底的 | |
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43
improper
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| adj.不适当的，不合适的，不正确的，不合礼仪的 | |
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44
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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45
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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46
forefinger
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| n.食指 | |
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47
perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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48
swelling
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| n.肿胀 | |
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49
fussiness
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| [医]易激怒 | |
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50
flicked
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| （尤指用手指或手快速地）轻击( flick的过去式和过去分词 )； （用…）轻挥； （快速地）按开关； 向…笑了一下（或瞥了一眼等） | |
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51
penetrating
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| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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52
diagnosis
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| n.诊断，诊断结果，调查分析，判断 | |
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53
rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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54
curt
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| adj.简短的，草率的 | |
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55
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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56
entangled
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| adj.卷入的；陷入的；被缠住的；缠在一起的v.使某人（某物/自己）缠绕，纠缠于（某物中），使某人（自己）陷入（困难或复杂的环境中）( entangle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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57
meshes
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| 网孔( mesh的名词复数 )； 网状物； 陷阱； 困境 | |
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58
dilemma
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| n.困境，进退两难的局面 | |
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59
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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60
candor
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| n.坦白，率真 | |
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61
recede
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| vi.退(去)，渐渐远去；向后倾斜，缩进 | |
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62
budge
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| v.移动一点儿；改变立场 | |
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63
checkered
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| adj.有方格图案的 | |
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64
salon
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| n.[法]沙龙；客厅；营业性的高级服务室 | |
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65
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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66
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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67
tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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68
banished
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| v.放逐，驱逐( banish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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69
veneer
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| n.(墙上的)饰面，虚饰 | |
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70
ethics
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| n.伦理学；伦理观，道德标准 | |
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71
engendered
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| v.产生（某形势或状况），造成，引起( engender的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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72
subtlety
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| n.微妙，敏锐，精巧；微妙之处，细微的区别 | |
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73
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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74
complexities
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| 复杂性(complexity的名词复数)； 复杂的事物 | |
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75
jurisdiction
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| n.司法权，审判权，管辖权，控制权 | |
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76
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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77
reproof
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| n.斥责，责备 | |
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78
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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79
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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80
poignant
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| adj.令人痛苦的，辛酸的，惨痛的 | |
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