And Mona tried. In her heart, which was sometimes a woman's heart in a child's breast, she knew that Peter was grieving and fighting to hide his grief. The tragedy in her own life, and a sorrow which had been deeper and more pitiless than Peter's, made her understand and feel what even Adette in her young motherhood might not have sensed so clearly.
It seemed only yesterday to Mona that her mother had laughed and played with her under the big, white sails of the ship, with her father watching them, and only yesterday that the terrible thing had happened in[116] the sea. No one, not even Pierre Gourdon, knew how vividly3 those hours and days came back to her at times. The forest and the wild things shared her secret, but no others. Over the two graves in the little cemetery4 at Five Fingers she had said quietly to Peter that morning, "My father and mother, Peter"—and that was all.
Something in her voice held Peter from asking for the story of that frightful5 hour in the maelstroms of the Pit, where Pierre Gourdon had saved her and her father and mother had died. But he felt it. It crept into him and became a part of him, and even Pierre Gourdon would have found it difficult to explain what was born in their hearts in those moments when Peter looked at the big stone into which had been roughly cut the words, "Paul and Mona Guyon, Died Sept. 27, 1900"—and then said gently to the girl who stood fighting bravely at his side, "I'm sorry, Mona." For to Pierre they were children.
But there was something in Peter's soul that was struggling beyond childhood as he returned to Simon's cabin. Three days, and this day most of all, had shown him his first dim vision of the bridge which spans the illusive6 way between boy and man. He had lost his father. But his father was not dead, while Mona's was gone forever. Out of the chaos7 in his mind these facts kept repeating themselves, and with them came ever more insistently8 the desire to do something for Mona. And one possible achievement loomed9 big—the whipping of Aleck Curry10!
[117]
Thought of it made his blood tingle11. He did not ask himself what it was that Aleck had done to incur12 Mona's displeasure. It was sufficient for him to know that she was praying for calamity13 to fall upon his head. She wanted the crows to pull his hair out. She had prayed for that last night—when she had prayed for his father. And she was sure that God answered prayer.
But it was his own feud14 with Aleck that fired both his chivalry15 and his hatred—memory of that moment in which the tug16 master's son had thrust Mona's head back brutally17 in the edge of the forest, with his big, coarse hands fastened in her hair. In his first encounter with Aleck he had saved Mona but had failed to avenge18 the outrage19. He was sure he could do it now.
Simon took him among the men after dinner and he became acquainted with them all. They went back into the cuttings, and it was three o'clock before Peter found himself alone. Then, instead of going back to Mona, he circled in the edge of the timber until he came to the end of the finger of evergreens20 that reached almost to the inlet. His heart gave a jump when he saw Aleck on the tug shooting at the flying gulls21 with a slung-shot. Peter had made up his mind to challenge his enemy calmly and without excitement, as his father would undoubtedly22 have challenged a man in a similar situation. But his plan changed suddenly. He picked up a stone and hurled23 it with such accuracy that Aleck, seeing the missile, dodged24. Then he jumped ashore25.
[118]
Peter waited for him. He was not afraid, but his heart was beating fast. Aleck seemed to have grown considerably26 overnight, Peter thought. He was almost as big as Jame Clamart, and his face was red with an exultant27 passion as he advanced, stuffing the slung-shot into one of his pockets. There was no doubt this was just the opportunity Aleck was looking for, and Peter retreated with caution into the balsams and cedars28.
Aleck began to run—and Peter ran. He was light as a rabbit on his feet, and as he hopped29 over logs and underbrush he heard Aleck crashing like a big animal behind him. Twice he allowed his enemy to come almost within reach of him, and then spurted30 ahead. At last, in the edge of a little cut-over clearing, Aleck stopped. He was puffing31 and blowing and his fat face was covered with sweat.
"Runny-cat!" he choked derisively32. "Runny-cat—runny-cat——"
He caught himself in amazement33 as Peter turned and advanced toward him. "Always smile when you're in a tight place," Peter's father had taught him, and Peter tried bravely to live up to the rule. A fixed34 grin was on his face. "I'm going to lick you," he announced cheerfully. "You're nothing but a girl-beater and a windbag35, an' your wind's all gone. I wasn't running away from you, Fatty—I was leadin' you on!"
Aleck stood aghast, gulping36 hard to get his breath. It seemed impossible that a boy so much smaller than himself would dare face him with such monumental[119] nerve. The bully37 in him was maddened by Peter's next insult. "You're nothing but a girl-fighter—a hair-puller—a big tub of fat," Peter informed him, "an' you'll be yelling for help when I get half done with you!"
And then Peter jumped in. He was quick. His fists were small but hard. His wind was good. And the suddenness of his attack took Aleck off his guard. The first blow was what Peter called a stomacher, and Aleck let out a huge grunt38. He bellowed39 anathema40 as he began to swing his heavy arms. Peter reached his nose and one eye and his mouth. He was like a hornet. His two small fists were swiftly moving hammers, and Aleck had never experienced anything like the hail of their blows. They took away from him what breath he had left; his nose began to bleed, his lip was cut, and then Peter gave him another stomacher. Could he have lasted for five minutes at the speed he was going, Aleck would have been a wreck41.
But Peter was delivering all his metal in one smashing broadside. Aleck floundered and puffed42. One eye closed quickly. Blood smeared43 his face and shirt. His big mouth began to swell44. He was not fighting muscle and brawn—but nerves. Every nerve in Peter's body was at its breaking point, and he was like a thing gone mad. But he was beating against a mass of dull and stupid flesh that had but few nerves to be shocked into submission45. His blows began to carry less force, and he was compelled to breathe with his mouth open. He[120] gave Aleck one last slashing46 cut in the mouth and then his strength seemed to break. His enemy's arms tightened47 around him and they went down together. Peter was under, just as in that other tragic48 moment when Mona had saved him. But there was no Mona to save him now, not even Buddy49 to nip at Aleck's legs and heels. His one consolation50 was a final look at Aleck's face close above him. He had done a pretty good job, anyway. In another minute or two the bully would have quit.
Both rested, gaining their breath. Then Aleck began to pommel, weighting Peter down with his entire bulk.
"I got you now," he managed to gasp51. "I got you!"
Peter saved his breath. He realized the futility52 of struggling against that weight with what little strength was in him and concentrated all his effort in shielding his face. Aleck was like a porpoise53, and every half-minute or so was compelled to cease his jabbing to get a new supply of breath, a large amount of which he wasted in verbal laceration of Peter's feelings as he pommeled with his fists.
"I'm a tub of fat, am I?" he demanded at the beginning of each fresh attack. "I'm a windbag, eh? A girl-beater, am I? Take that, an' that, an' that! An' yell for your girl, Petey, yell for your girl to come an' help you!"
Then he would pause again to gather lung momentum54 for another attack. Each assault left Peter a little bit more helpless than before. He could feel himself[121] swelling55. One eye, he knew was entirely56 shut. The other he saved by shielding it against his arm. His thoughts were growing a little hazy57, too, but all his mental and physical discomfort58 was dissipated by the threat of a new horror which came in a sudden inspiration of triumph from Aleck's swollen59 lips.
"I'm goin' to yell for Mona," he said. "I'm goin' to have her come and see what I've done to you! A tub of fat, am I? Take that—an' that——"
And he did yell when he got his wind again. In reality his challenge for Mona to come and see her Petey licked was husky and not far-reaching, but it seemed to Peter the whole world must hear it. "An' when she comes I'm going to make you say you're licked or I'll beat your head off," Aleck told him. And then he sat up straight, his heavy bulk astride Peter's slim body, and called Mona's name again. Peter's brain went hot. Was this to be the answer to Mona's prayer? Had Mona really prayed, or had she fooled him? Faith rode over his doubt. Mona wouldn't lie. She had prayed, and the trouble right now was with him—and not with Mona's prayer.
Aleck's swollen face was growing purple in its vociferous60 calling for Mona. In a moment of safety Peter took a look at it with his one good eye. A thrill shot through him when he found the weakness had left his arms. He was breathing easily, too, in spite of Aleck's weight. If he could only get up—if he could have just one more chance at that fat, swollen face——
[122]
It was something quicker than Peter himself that moved him, an intuitive flash, a lightning-swift call of his brain upon hidden forces of self-preservation within him—a twist, a convulsion of his body, a squirming upheaval61 so sudden and unexpected that Aleck lost his balance with Mona's name half out of his mouth, and the other half never came. He fell sprawling62, and Peter was upon him again like a cat. Aleck's face was his target, and he beat it—fast, furious and hard. He was amazed at the return of his strength. It exhilarated and inspired him, and in his mad enthusiasm he bit one of Aleck's ears. A roar of pain came from the bully. Peter's fist lodged63 squarely in Aleck's eye, and a second howl followed the first.
At heart the tug-master's boy was a coward, like every bully, and in another minute he was crying for quarter. But Peter's momentum was too great to be stopped on such short notice. He continued, until in the end Aleck Curry was a blubbering, wind-broken, thoroughly64 whipped rascal65, hiding his face in the earth.
Not until then did Peter stand up, seeing the world dimly with one eye. And then—in that glorious moment of triumph and answered prayer—his heart stopped dead in his body for a single moment. Not ten feet away from him stood Mona! Even with his fading vision he saw the wild flush in her face and the joy in her eyes. The truth they betrayed turned his darkening world suddenly into a paradise. She had seen him whip Aleck Curry!
[123]
He turned to Aleck. "Get up!" he said. "Get up or I'll kick in your ribs66!"
Aleck dragged himself to his knees, then slouched to his feet. He was a pitiable sight. His eyes were little slits67. His face was swollen until it looked as though he had the mumps68. He was blubbering and gasping69 for his breath, and for a moment he did not see Mona.
"Are you licked?" demanded Peter, coming close to him.
Aleck drew back and put up a shielding hand. "I guess I got enough," he conceded.
"If you ain't sure—I mean if you aren't sure—I'll finish it," said Peter.
"I got enough."
"Then gimme the slung-shot."
Aleck surrendered the weapon. In that moment he caught a dim vision of Mona. He gulped70 and swallowed a lump in his throat.
"Now promise Mona you won't bother her any more. Promise—or I'll lick you again!"
"I promise."
"An' you won't throw stones at her gulls?"
"No."
"All right, Fatty. Now go on back to the tug. And stay there!"
He watched Aleck until he had disappeared among the cedars. Then, his business done, he turned toward Mona. A little shyly, with shining eyes, she came to him. He wiped his eye. He could just see her.
[124]
"Oh, Peter!" she whispered softly. He could feel her soft little handkerchief at his face, just as he had felt it that first day in the edge of the forest. And she was saying, "Peter—you're glorious!"
And then something happened that sent a tremble through the world on which Peter stood. Raising herself on tiptoe, Mona kissed him softly and sweetly on his swollen lips.
"There, that is what Aleck Curry has wanted all the time, and I'm giving it to you. Say thank you, Peter!"
"Thank you," said Peter.
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1
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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2
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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vividly
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| adv.清楚地，鲜明地，生动地 | |
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4
cemetery
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| n.坟墓，墓地，坟场 | |
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5
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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6
illusive
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| adj.迷惑人的，错觉的 | |
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7
chaos
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| n.混乱，无秩序 | |
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8
insistently
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| ad.坚持地 | |
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9
loomed
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| v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的过去式和过去分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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10
curry
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| n.咖哩粉，咖哩饭菜；v.用咖哩粉调味，用马栉梳，制革 | |
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11
tingle
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| vi.感到刺痛，感到激动；n.刺痛，激动 | |
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12
incur
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| vt.招致，蒙受，遭遇 | |
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13
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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14
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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15
chivalry
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| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
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16
tug
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| v.用力拖(或拉)；苦干；n.拖；苦干；拖船 | |
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17
brutally
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| adv.残忍地，野蛮地，冷酷无情地 | |
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18
avenge
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| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
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19
outrage
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| n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒 | |
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20
evergreens
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| n.常青树，常绿植物，万年青( evergreen的名词复数 ) | |
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21
gulls
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| n.鸥( gull的名词复数 )v.欺骗某人( gull的第三人称单数 ) | |
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22
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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23
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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24
dodged
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| v.闪躲( dodge的过去式和过去分词 )；回避 | |
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25
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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26
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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27
exultant
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| adj.欢腾的，狂欢的，大喜的 | |
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28
cedars
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| 雪松，西洋杉( cedar的名词复数 ) | |
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29
hopped
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| 跳上[下]( hop的过去式和过去分词 )； 单足蹦跳； 齐足（或双足）跳行； 摘葎草花 | |
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30
spurted
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| （液体，火焰等）喷出，（使）涌出( spurt的过去式和过去分词 )； （短暂地）加速前进，冲刺 | |
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31
puffing
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| v.使喷出( puff的现在分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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32
derisively
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| adv. 嘲笑地，嘲弄地 | |
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33
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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34
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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35
windbag
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| n.风囊，饶舌之人，好说话的人 | |
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36
gulping
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| v.狼吞虎咽地吃，吞咽( gulp的现在分词 )；大口地吸（气）；哽住 | |
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37
bully
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| n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮 | |
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38
grunt
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| v.嘟哝；作呼噜声；n.呼噜声，嘟哝 | |
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39
bellowed
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| v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的过去式和过去分词 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
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40
anathema
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| n.诅咒；被诅咒的人(物)，十分讨厌的人(物) | |
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41
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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42
puffed
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| adj.疏松的v.使喷出( puff的过去式和过去分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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43
smeared
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| 弄脏； 玷污； 涂抹； 擦上 | |
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44
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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45
submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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46
slashing
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| adj.尖锐的；苛刻的；鲜明的；乱砍的v.挥砍( slash的现在分词 )；鞭打；割破；削减 | |
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47
tightened
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| 收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧 | |
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48
tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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49
buddy
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| n.（美口）密友，伙伴 | |
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50
consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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51
gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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52
futility
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| n.无用 | |
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53
porpoise
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| n.鼠海豚 | |
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54
momentum
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| n.动力，冲力，势头；动量 | |
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55
swelling
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| n.肿胀 | |
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56
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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57
hazy
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| adj.有薄雾的，朦胧的；不肯定的，模糊的 | |
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58
discomfort
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| n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便 | |
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59
swollen
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| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
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60
vociferous
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| adj.喧哗的，大叫大嚷的 | |
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61
upheaval
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| n.胀起，(地壳)的隆起；剧变，动乱 | |
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62
sprawling
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| adj.蔓生的，不规则地伸展的v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的现在分词 )；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
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63
lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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64
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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65
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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66
ribs
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| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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67
slits
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| n.狭长的口子，裂缝( slit的名词复数 )v.切开，撕开( slit的第三人称单数 )；在…上开狭长口子 | |
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68
mumps
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| n.腮腺炎 | |
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69
gasping
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| adj. 气喘的, 痉挛的 动词gasp的现在分词 | |
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70
gulped
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| v.狼吞虎咽地吃，吞咽( gulp的过去式和过去分词 )；大口地吸（气）；哽住 | |
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