Robert had not slept at all that night. Already sleeplessness7, excitement, and anxiety had put their mark on him, giving a certain waxiness8 to his complexion and dullness to his eyes; but this morning he had curled and oiled his hair and put on his best clothes, which diverted the family attention, and in some way accounted for his altered looks. Everyone at the breakfast-table wore Sunday-best, except Beatup, who was to mind the farm in the morning, Richard taking his place in the afternoon.
Peter's strong frame and broad shoulders were shown off in all their glory by his tight blue coat—he was spoiling for the fight, every now and then clenching9 his fists under the table, and dreaming of smart cuts and irresistible10 bashes. Albert thought of the pretty girls he would dance with, and the one he would choose to lead away into the rustling11 solitude12 of Boarzell when his father was not looking ... to lie where the gorse flowers would scatter13 on their faces, and her dress smell of the dead heather as he clasped her to him. Richard was inclined to sneer14 at these rustic15 flings, and to regret the westward16 pastures where Greek syntax and Anne[Pg 164] Bardon exalted18 life. Jemmy and George thought of nothing but the swings and merry-go-rounds; Tilly and Caro did not think at all, but wondered. Reuben watched their big eyes, so different from the boys', Tilly's very blue, Caro's very brown, and felt relieved when he looked from them to their grandmother, sitting stiffly in a patched survival of the widow's dress, her knotted hands before her on the table, at once too indifferent and too devoted19 to pity the questing youth of these two girls.
Reuben himself, in his grey cloth suit, starched20 shirt, and spotted21 tie, was perhaps the most striking of the company. Albert, the only one who had more than a vague appreciation22 of his father's looks, realised how utterly23 he had beaten his sons in their young men's game before cracked mirrors, showing up completely the failure of their waistcoats, ties, and hair oils in comparison with his. As was usual on festive24 occasions, his hair was sleeked25 out of its accustomed roughness, lying in blue-black masses of extraordinary shininess and thickness on his temples; his tight-fitting trousers displayed his splendid legs, and when he spoke26 he showed finer teeth than any of the youngsters. Albert scowled27 as he admired, for he knew that no girl would take him if she had a chance of his father.
Next to Reuben sat Harry28—the other man whom Boarzell had made. He slouched forward over his plate, in terror lest the food which dropped continually out of his mouth should fall on the tablecloth29, and he should be scolded. He looked at least ten years older than Reuben, for his face was covered with wrinkles, and there were streaks30 of grey in his hair. As he sat and ate he muttered to himself. No one took any notice of him, for the children had been brought up to look upon Uncle Harry as a sort of animal, to whom one must be kind, but with whom it was impossible to hold any rational conversation. Tilly was the most attentive31 to him, and[Pg 165] would cut up his food and sometimes even put it in his mouth.
After breakfast the whole family set out for the Moor32. Odiam looked unnatural33 with its empty yard, where the discouraged Beatup mouched, gazing longingly34 and chewing a straw. But every farm round Boarzell looked the same, for Boarzell Fair emptied the neighbourhood as completely as a pilgrimage would empty a Breton hamlet—only the beasts and unwilling35 house-keepers were left behind.
Though it was not yet ten o'clock the Fair was crowded. A shout greeted Harry's appearance with his fiddle36, for it was never too early to dance. Blind Harry climbed on his tub, flourished his bow with many horrible smiles—for he loved his treats of popularity and attention—and started the new tune37 "My Decided38 Decision," which Caro and Tilly had taught him the day before. Albert immediately caught a pretty girl by the waist, and spun39 round with her on the grass while Pete vanished into the sparring-booth, his shoulders already out of his coat. Mrs. Backfield led off Caro and Tilly, looking sidelong at the dancers, to the more staid entertainment of the stalls. Jemmy and George ran straight to the merry-go-round, which now worked by steam, and hooted40 shrilly42 as it swung. Robert and Richard stood with their arms folded, watching the dancing with very different expressions on their faces.
At last Robert decided to lead out Emily Ditch, thinking that it might lull43 his father's suspicions if he had any. As a matter of fact the son Reuben watched most closely was Albert. He looked upon Robert's affair as settled, for the present at any rate, and credited him—perhaps rightly—with so poor a cunning that an occasional glance would serve; whereas Albert's oiled hair, stiff shirt-front, and clean white handkerchief roused all his fears and carefulness together.
After the dance, which did not last long, as poor Robert trod so heavily on his partner's feet that she soon begged him to stop, they strolled off round the Fair. Robert thought that if he made it a custom to roam among the booths his father would not notice his final disappearance44 so quickly. Lord! he was getting a hemmed45 crafty46 fellow. All the boys were allowed a shilling or two to spend at the Fair, so Robert treated Emily to a ride on the merry-go-round and five sea-sick minutes in the swings. Then he took Mrs. Button—Realf's married daughter, who had come over from Hove, to see the Panorama47 and a new attraction in the shape of a fat lady, which struck him as disgusting, but made her laugh tremendously.
He clung to Mrs. Button for most of the morning and afternoon, for he felt that she drove away suspicion, and at the same time had not the disadvantage of Emily Ditch, who had once or twice alarmed him by affectionately squeezing his hand. He did not take her to the fighting booth, as public opinion had shut that to ladies during the years that had passed since Reuben had sat with Naomi in the heat and sawdust—but she stood behind him in the shooting gallery, whilst he impartially48 scored bulls in the mouths of Disraeli, Gladstone, and the Emperor of France.
"Let's go and dance now," she said as he pocketed his bag of nuts.
Robert wondered anxiously what time it was; already a faint blear of red was creeping into the cold, twinkling afternoon. The moon rose at a quarter to five—when he saw it come up into the sky out of Iden Wood he must go to Meridiana's tent. He led Mrs. Button to where the dancers jigged49 to Harry's unending tune. Reuben stood on the outskirts51, among the spectators, watching with a stern eye Albert snatch kisses off a Winchelsea girl's brown neck as he swung her round. Luckily for Robert his brother was behaving[Pg 167] outrageously—his misdeeds were as usual flagrant; just at that moment he pulled down his partner's hair, and they whirled about together, laughing in the coarse mesh52 that blinded them both. Reuben's mouth was a hard, straight line, and his eyes like steel. He scarcely noticed Robert and Mrs. Button hopping53 about together, and he did not see when half an hour later the boy stole away alone.
Robert felt warm and glowing—he had enjoyed that dance, and wished he could have danced with Bessie. Perhaps he would dance with her some day.... Behind him, the creak of Harry's fiddle sounded plaintively54, with every now and then a hoot41 from the merry-go-round. The dusk was falling quickly. Yellow flares56 sprang up from the stalls, casting a strange web of light and darkness over the Fair. Gideon Teazel looked like some carved Colossus as he stood by the roundabout, his great beard glowing on his breast like flames ... behind, in the smeeth of twilight57, with the wriggling58 flare55 of the lamps, the lump of dancers did not seem to dance, but to writhe59 like some monster on the green, sending out tentacles60, shooting up spines61, emitting strange grunts62 and squalls—and at the back of it all the jig50, jig, jig of Harry's tune.
Further on, in the secrecy63 of the tents and caravans64, the dusk became full of cowering65 shapes, sometimes slipping and sliding about apart, sometimes blotted66 together ... there were whispers, rustlings, strugglings, low cries of "d?an't" and "adone do!"—the sound of kisses ... kisses ... they followed Robert all the way to Meridiana's tent, where, standing67 in the brazier glow, and flushed besides with crimson68 of her own, stood Bessie.
Their eyes met over the flames, then Robert remembered the need for keeping up appearances, and said he wanted his fortune told. He could scarcely wait while Meridiana muttered about a fair young lady and[Pg 168] a heap of money coming to him in a year or two. Bessie slipped round the brazier and stood beside him, their hands impudently69 locked, each finger of the boy's clinging round a finger of the girl's.
Meridiana's low sing-song continued:
"It's a gorgeous time I see before you, dear; riches and a carriage and servants in livery, and a beautiful wife decked over with jewels and gold as bright as her hair—success and a fair name, honour and a ripe old age—and remember the poor gipsy woman, won't you, darling?"
But he had already forgotten her. He stood with his arm round Bessie, stooping under the canvas roof, half choking in the brazier reek17, while his lips came closer and closer to her face....
"Hir me duval!" said Meridiana to herself, "but they've forgotten the poor person's child."
She saw them go out of the tent, still linked and in their dream, then watched their dark shapes stoop against the sky.
They clung together panting and trembling, for she was really his at last, and he was hers. Before them lay the darkness, but they would go into it hand in hand. She was his, and he was hers.
At last they dropped their arms and stood apart. The dusk was full of rustlings, flittings, scuttlings, kisses....
"God bless you, gorgeous lady and gentleman," cried Meridiana shrilly from the tent—"the dukkerin dukk tells me that you shall always wear satin and velvet70, and have honour wherever you go."
Then suddenly a heavy hand fell on Robert's shoulder, and a voice said:
"Robert Backfield, I arrest you on the charge of stealing a pocket-book containing bonds and money from Squire71 Ralph Bardon of Flightshot."
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1
watery
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| adj.有水的，水汪汪的；湿的，湿润的 | |
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furrows
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| n.犁沟( furrow的名词复数 )；（脸上的）皱纹v.犁田，开沟( furrow的第三人称单数 ) | |
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3
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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freckled
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| adj.雀斑；斑点；晒斑；（使）生雀斑v.雀斑，斑点( freckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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bouts
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| n.拳击（或摔跤）比赛( bout的名词复数 )；一段（工作）；（尤指坏事的）一通；（疾病的）发作 | |
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rheumatism
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| n.风湿病 | |
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7
sleeplessness
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| n.失眠，警觉 | |
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8
waxiness
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| n.蜡质，柔软，可塑 | |
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9
clenching
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的现在分词 ) | |
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10
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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11
rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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12
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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13
scatter
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| vt.撒，驱散，散开；散布/播；vi.分散，消散 | |
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14
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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15
rustic
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| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
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16
westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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17
reek
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| v.发出臭气；n.恶臭 | |
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18
exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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19
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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20
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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21
spotted
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| adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的 | |
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22
appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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23
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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24
festive
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| adj.欢宴的，节日的 | |
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25
sleeked
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| 使…光滑而发亮( sleek的过去式 ) | |
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26
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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27
scowled
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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28
harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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29
tablecloth
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| n.桌布，台布 | |
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30
streaks
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| n.（与周围有所不同的）条纹( streak的名词复数 )；（通常指不好的）特征（倾向）；（不断经历成功或失败的）一段时期v.快速移动( streak的第三人称单数 )；使布满条纹 | |
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31
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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32
moor
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| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
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33
unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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34
longingly
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| adv. 渴望地 热望地 | |
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35
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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36
fiddle
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| n.小提琴；vi.拉提琴；不停拨弄，乱动 | |
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37
tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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38
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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39
spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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40
hooted
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| （使）作汽笛声响，作汽车喇叭声( hoot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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41
hoot
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| n.鸟叫声，汽车的喇叭声； v.使汽车鸣喇叭 | |
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42
shrilly
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| 尖声的； 光亮的，耀眼的 | |
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43
lull
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| v.使安静，使入睡，缓和，哄骗；n.暂停，间歇 | |
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44
disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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45
hemmed
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| 缝…的褶边( hem的过去式和过去分词 )； 包围 | |
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46
crafty
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| adj.狡猾的，诡诈的 | |
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47
panorama
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| n.全景，全景画，全景摄影，全景照片[装置] | |
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48
impartially
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| adv.公平地，无私地 | |
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49
jigged
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| v.（使）上下急动( jig的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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50
jig
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| n.快步舞（曲）；v.上下晃动；用夹具辅助加工；蹦蹦跳跳 | |
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51
outskirts
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| n.郊外，郊区 | |
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52
mesh
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| n.网孔，网丝，陷阱；vt.以网捕捉，啮合，匹配；vi.适合； [计算机]网络 | |
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53
hopping
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| n. 跳跃 动词hop的现在分词形式 | |
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54
plaintively
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| adv.悲哀地，哀怨地 | |
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55
flare
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| v.闪耀，闪烁；n.潮红；突发 | |
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56
flares
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| n.喇叭裤v.（使）闪耀( flare的第三人称单数 )；（使）（船舷）外倾；（使）鼻孔张大；（使）（衣裙、酒杯等）呈喇叭形展开 | |
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57
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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58
wriggling
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| v.扭动，蠕动，蜿蜒行进( wriggle的现在分词 )；（使身体某一部位）扭动；耍滑不做，逃避（应做的事等）；蠕蠕 | |
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59
writhe
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| vt.挣扎，痛苦地扭曲；vi.扭曲，翻腾，受苦；n.翻腾，苦恼 | |
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60
tentacles
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| n.触手( tentacle的名词复数 )；触角；触须；触毛 | |
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61
spines
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| n.脊柱( spine的名词复数 )；脊椎；（动植物的）刺；书脊 | |
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62
grunts
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的第三人称单数 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说； 石鲈 | |
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63
secrecy
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| n.秘密，保密，隐蔽 | |
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64
caravans
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| （可供居住的）拖车（通常由机动车拖行）( caravan的名词复数 )； 篷车； （穿过沙漠地带的）旅行队（如商队） | |
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65
cowering
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| v.畏缩，抖缩( cower的现在分词 ) | |
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66
blotted
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| 涂污( blot的过去式和过去分词 )； （用吸墨纸）吸干 | |
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67
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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68
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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69
impudently
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70
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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71
squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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