It is not impossible for a boy, even at this dangerous point, to take a new grip and by steady pulling draw himself gradually back to a position of safety. This thought was Poole's only comfort, who now, desperately11 anxious for his pitcher12, was ready to undergo any sacrifice if it would but avail to save his man. All forces possible were brought to bear on Carle himself and his surroundings. His friends were urged to try to stiffen13 him up. Mr. Graham's counsel and assistance were sought. The Principal gladly gave the encouragement to Poole that he would have given to any boy interested in steadying another in the right way; but at the same time he suggested that fellows whose moral energy needs to be bolstered14 up by extraneous15 means almost always prove a poor reliance on the athletic16 field. He did not say, as he might have done, that no amount of skill can make up for lack of grit17 and determination and honest effort; and that the sooner a trifler is disposed of, the less the ultimate disappointment will be. Poole, though himself[Pg 138] above reproach, was not ready for such a doctrine18. He saw only that the nine must have a pitcher, and that Carle was a star who must be kept in school by all fair means. To all other considerations the captain was blind.
Owen, among the rest, was pressed into this crusade, though as Carle took very little notice of him, it was hard to see of what use he could be to the cause. In spite of his pity for Mr. Carle, he could not arouse himself to the desired pitch either of personal interest or of patriotic19 feeling. He knew Ned too well to cherish any delusion20 about his character; after four months of drifting in self-indulgence with the current, it was quite unlikely that Carle would have the strength to reverse his course and force his way inflexibly21 against it. And as for the school's need of a pitcher, Rob had, as we know, his own reason for regarding Carle as not indispensable.
So the last fortnight of the winter term crept by, with Carle under watch and ward10 to prevent critical offence. He was coached in his lessons, guarded from undesirable22 visitors, showered abundantly with moral advice, earnestly admon[Pg 139]ished of his loyal obligations to the school. Flattering as this distinction was, it had its unpleasant side. In the first place Carle had to work—and work had become for him the least attractive way of spending his time. Secondly23, a dreary24 prospect25 stretched before him: he must continue to work like a man pumping for his life; for if he slackened pace or relapsed into his old habits, special probation became immediately "severed26 connection." Thirdly, there was no fun in it, and no likelihood of fun. His disgust with the position grew more intense as the days dragged painfully along.
The events of these days which especially concern this narrative27 may be briefly28 enumerated29.
Another plague visited the Pecks. Number four was chemical, not zo?logical in its character, and while its effect lasted it seemed more severe than any of its predecessors30. If you wish to know what it was like,—I advise strongly against the experiment,—pour two ounces of sulphuretted hydrogen into an open dish in a closed room. As Duncan reported sadly to Owen the next day, "It smelt31 like the concentrated essence of rotten eggs, as if a whole car-load of 'em had been stewed[Pg 140] down into a spoonful." After this Duncan openly declared for peace, but Donald hardened his heart. Owen, once more appealed to, approached Payner again, but the avenger32 was obdurate33. He would not take the apology of one for both, and he would not undertake to distinguish between two indistinguishables; they were both bad until both were good.
The names of the prize winners in composition were read aloud in chapel. Two were awarded prizes and one received honorable mention. When Mr. Graham announced that he was about to read the names, Rob felt a thrill of sudden emotion, and, dropping his eyes like a timid girl abashed34 at public praise, listened expectant, half convinced that the next moment the glances of his neighbors would be aimed at him. And when the names of the fortunate were read, with no Robert Owen among them, and the applause burst forth35 about him, he kept his gaze still fixed36 upon the floor, penetrated37 through and through with shame at his presumption38. In a moment, however, he held up his head and joined in the[Pg 141] clapping with a vehemence39 that added a second or two to its length. Why should he care? He had as much right to try for the prize as any one. Nobody knew he had tried anyway, except Simmons, and Simmons would keep quiet.
The Chapel Stairs.
So Rob jostled his way downstairs with the crowd, and strove to think no more of his disappointment. It kept recurring40, however, in heavy moments during the Greek recitation, and once he was almost caught napping by a stray question as he dwelt longingly41 on the satisfaction he might have had in making the announcement to his father. A prize for an essay would have been an antidote42 for a whole season of parental43 objections to baseball!
That morning was blue all through. Simmons's well-meant commiseration44 buried him still deeper in the dumps. He brooded in unreasonable45 discouragement over the fancied failures of the year. The relay prize, his only success, had come to him in defeat through the efforts of another. In baseball he was to be numbered among the substitutes; his scholarship was mediocre46; he possessed47 none of the qualities which bring popu[Pg 142]larity. Then he bethought himself of Carle, and the dangers of popularity and success as exemplified in the career of that youth, and felt some comfort. Mediocrity was at least safe.
Meanwhile Carle was losing interest in the cause. He was often sullen48, and gave small and sometimes ungracious co?peration to those who were trying to help him. The glories of school life were no less attractive to him; he was as ambitious as ever to be the shining light of the baseball season, but the seriousness of the obstacles was growing clearer. To turn square about, work hard, shun49 extravagant50 friends, husband the pennies, do without every luxury,—this was his prospective51 life if he held on at Seaton. Was it worth while, even for the sake of the baseball? Carle, who was possessed of nothing resembling Spartan52 fortitude53, had his doubts.
During the last week a further change set in. He became secretive where he had been confidential54, and shy where he had formerly55 courted attention. He received important letters from his father without giving a hint of their contents; he had two interviews with the Principal, as to[Pg 143] which the baseball people could get no information. A dealer56 in second-hand57 furniture called on him by appointment when his room-mate was absent. He cashed a check and paid certain bills.
The school broke up for the short spring recess58 on Tuesday morning early enough to permit those fortunate ones who lived at accessible points to catch the eleven o'clock train out of town. The candidates for the nine remained behind to take advantage of the recess for practice. Comans, Carle's room-mate, who lived in Massachusetts, got off on the first train. In the afternoon Carle had his usual practice with Borland.
On Wednesday the first mail brought to Robert Owen a letter from one of his correspondents in Terryville, which contained one short passage more interesting than all the rest: "They say Ned Carle is coming home to stay. His father says he's disappointed in the school; it's too expensive and they don't make the boys work as they ought to."
Could it be true? Was Carle really going to leave? The baseball crowd surely knew nothing of any such plan.
[Pg 144]
Rob jammed his hat on his head and hurried over to Carter 13. The door was locked; his knocks roused only hollow echoes. He ran downstairs and stampeded across the yard. At the gate he met Poole.
"I was coming to see you," Rob began eagerly. "I've just had a letter from a friend of mine at home. There's something in it that'll interest you." He read the passage aloud. "What do you think of that?" he asked, lifting his eyes in serious question to the captain's face.
"Rot!" exclaimed Poole, contemptuously. "I don't believe a word of it. Why, he was pitching to Borland yesterday afternoon!"
"But I couldn't raise him this morning," said Rob, his eagerness somewhat chilled.
"Oh, he wouldn't sneak59 off like that without a peep. Let's hunt him up and see what he says about it."
They crossed the yard in silence and ascended60 the stairs in Carter; Rob ashamed of his credulity, Poole clinging to his assurance, yet secretly agitated61 at the frightful62 possibility. As they neared Room 13, Poole, who was ahead, perceived[Pg 145] that the door was ajar, and turned about with a triumphant63 smile.
"It's all right; he's here," he called, giving a whack64 at the door that opened it wide.
But inside stood revealed, not Carle, but Jenks, the second-hand furniture man. The visitors gaped65 at him for a moment in speechless astonishment66.
"Where's Carle?" demanded Poole, recovering himself.
"On his way home, I expect. He was going by the early train this morning."
Rob threw at his companion a significant glance, but Poole was gazing at the speaker with staring eyes and open mouth.
"Has he sold his things to you?" asked Rob.
"All he didn't take with him. He arranged with me to call for 'em this morning. He ain't coming back, you know."
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1
chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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averted
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| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
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override
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| vt.不顾，不理睬，否决；压倒，优先于 | |
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4
glamour
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| n.魔力，魅力；vt.迷住 | |
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heroism
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| n.大无畏精神，英勇 | |
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peculiarity
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| n.独特性，特色；特殊的东西；怪癖 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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maladroit
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| adj.笨拙的 | |
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probation
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| n.缓刑(期)，(以观后效的)察看；试用(期) | |
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10
ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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pitcher
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| n.(有嘴和柄的)大水罐；(棒球)投手 | |
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13
stiffen
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| v.(使)硬，(使)变挺，(使)变僵硬 | |
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14
bolstered
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| v.支持( bolster的过去式和过去分词 )；支撑；给予必要的支持；援助 | |
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15
extraneous
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| adj.体外的；外来的；外部的 | |
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athletic
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| adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的 | |
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17
grit
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| n.沙粒，决心，勇气；v.下定决心，咬紧牙关 | |
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18
doctrine
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| n.教义；主义；学说 | |
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19
patriotic
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| adj.爱国的，有爱国心的 | |
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20
delusion
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| n.谬见，欺骗，幻觉，迷惑 | |
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21
inflexibly
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| adv.不屈曲地，不屈地 | |
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22
undesirable
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| adj.不受欢迎的，不良的，不合意的，讨厌的；n.不受欢迎的人，不良分子 | |
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23
secondly
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| adv.第二，其次 | |
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dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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26
severed
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| v.切断，断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 )；断，裂 | |
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27
narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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29
enumerated
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| v.列举，枚举，数( enumerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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predecessors
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| n.前任( predecessor的名词复数 )；前辈；（被取代的）原有事物；前身 | |
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31
smelt
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| v.熔解，熔炼；n.银白鱼，胡瓜鱼 | |
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32
avenger
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| n. 复仇者 | |
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obdurate
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| adj.固执的，顽固的 | |
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34
abashed
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| adj.窘迫的，尴尬的v.使羞愧，使局促，使窘迫( abash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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35
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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36
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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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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presumption
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| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
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39
vehemence
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| n.热切；激烈；愤怒 | |
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40
recurring
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| adj.往复的，再次发生的 | |
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41
longingly
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| adv. 渴望地 热望地 | |
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42
antidote
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| n.解毒药，解毒剂 | |
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43
parental
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| adj.父母的；父的；母的 | |
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44
commiseration
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| n.怜悯，同情 | |
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45
unreasonable
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| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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46
mediocre
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| adj.平常的，普通的 | |
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47
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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48
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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49
shun
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| vt.避开，回避，避免 | |
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50
extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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51
prospective
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| adj.预期的，未来的，前瞻性的 | |
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52
spartan
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| adj.简朴的，刻苦的；n.斯巴达；斯巴达式的人 | |
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53
fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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54
confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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55
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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56
dealer
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| n.商人，贩子 | |
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second-hand
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| adj.用过的，旧的，二手的 | |
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58
recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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59
sneak
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| vt.潜行(隐藏,填石缝)；偷偷摸摸做；n.潜行；adj.暗中进行 | |
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60
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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61
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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62
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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63
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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64
whack
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| v.敲击，重打，瓜分；n.重击，重打，尝试，一份 | |
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65
gaped
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| v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的过去式和过去分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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66
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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