Reuben often went to the Cocks, for he had heard it[Pg 419] said that one's beer-drinking capacities diminished with old age, and he was afraid that if he stayed away, men would think it was on that account. So he went frequently, particularly if the weather was of a kind to keep old people at home. He did not talk much, preferring to listen to what was said, sitting quietly at his table in the corner, with the quart of Barclay and Perkins's mild which had been his evening drink from a boy.
It was at the Cocks that he learned most of Grandturzel's straits, though he occasionally made visits of inspection6. Realf had messed his hops7 that autumn, and the popular verdict was that he could not possibly hold out much longer.
"Wot'll become of him, I w?onder?" asked Hilder, the new man at Socknersh.
"Someone 'ull buy him up, I reckon," and young Coalbran, who had succeeded his father at Doozes, winked8 at the rest of the bar, and the bar to a man turned round and stared at old Reuben, who drew himself up, but said nothing.
"Wot d'you think of Grandturzel, Mus' Backfield?" someone asked waggishly9.
"Naun," said Reuben; "I'm waiting."
He did not have to wait long. A few days later he was told that somebody wanted to see him, and in the parlour found his daughter Tilly.
He had seen Tilly at intervals10 through the years, but as he had never allowed himself to give her more than a withering11 glance, he had not a very definite idea of her. She was now nearly fifty-five, and more than inclined to stoutness—indeed, her comfortable figure was almost ludicrous compared with her haggard, anxious face, scored with lines and patched with shadows. Her grey hair was thin, and straggled on her forehead, her eyes had lost their brightness; yet there was nothing wild or terrible about her face, it was just domesticity in desperation.
"Father," she said as Reuben came into the room.
"Well?"
"Henry d?an't know I've come," she murmured helplessly.
"Wot have you come fur?"
"To ask you—to ask you—Oh, f?ather!" she burst into tears, her broad bosom12 heaved under her faded gown, and she pressed her hands against it as if to keep it still.
"D?an't t?ake on lik that," said Reuben, "tell me wot you've come fur."
"I dursn't now—it's no use—you're a hard man."
"Then d?an't come sobbing13 and howling in my parlour. You can go if you've naun more to say."
She pulled herself together with an effort.
"I thought you might—perhaps you might help us ..."
Reuben said nothing:
"We're in a larmentable way up at Grandturzel."
Her father still said nothing.
"I d?an't know how we shall pull through another year."
"Nor do I."
"Oh, f?ather, d?an't be so hard!"
"You said I wur a hard man."
"But you'll—you'll help us jest this once. I know you're angry wud me, and maybe I've treated you badly. But after all, I'm your daughter, and my children are your grandchildren."
"How many have you got?"
"Five—the youngest's rising ten."
There was a pause. Reuben walked over to the window and looked out. Tilly stared at his back imploringly15. If only he would help her with some word or sign of understanding! But he would not—he had not changed; she had forsaken16 him and married his rival, and he would never forget or forgive.
She had been a fool to come, and she moved a step or two towards the door. Then suddenly she remembered the anguish17 which had driven her to Odiam. She had been frantic18 with grief for her husband and children; only the thought of their need had made it possible for her to override19 her inbred fear and dislike of Reuben and beg him to help them. She had come, and since she had come it must not be in vain; the worst was over now that she was actually here, that she had actually pleaded. She would face it out.
"F?ather!" she called sharply.
He turned round.
"I thought maybe you'd lend us some money—just fur a time—till we're straight ag?un."
"You'd better ask somebody else."
"There's no one round here as can lend us wot we need—it's—it's a good deal as we'll want to see us through."
"Can't you mortgage?"
"We are mortgaged—the last foot"—and she burst into tears again.
Reuben watched her for a minute or two in silence.
"You've bin14 a bad daughter," he said at last, "and you've got no right to call on me. But I've had my plans for Grandturzel this long while."
She shuddered20.
"This mortgage business alters 'em a bit. I'll have to think it over. Maybe I'll let you hear to-morrow mornun."
"Oh, f?ather, if only you'll do anything fur us, we'll bless you all our lives."
"I d?an't want you to bless me—and maybe you w?an't t?ake my terms."
"I reckon we haven't much choice," she said sorrowfully.
"Well, you've only got wot you desarve," said Reuben, turning to the door.
Tilly opened her mouth to say something, but was wise, and held her tongue.
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收听单词发音
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1
thatch
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| vt.用茅草覆盖…的顶部；n.茅草(屋) | |
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2
tar
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| n.柏油，焦油；vt.涂或浇柏油/焦油于 | |
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3
battered
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| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
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4
turrets
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| （六角）转台( turret的名词复数 )； （战舰和坦克等上的）转动炮塔； （摄影机等上的）镜头转台； （旧时攻城用的）塔车 | |
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5
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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6
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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7
hops
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| 跳上[下]( hop的第三人称单数 )； 单足蹦跳； 齐足（或双足）跳行； 摘葎草花 | |
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8
winked
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| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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9
waggishly
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| adv.waggish（滑稽的，诙谐的）的变形 | |
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10
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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11
withering
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| 使人畏缩的，使人害羞的，使人难堪的 | |
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12
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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13
sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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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
imploringly
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| adv. 恳求地, 哀求地 | |
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16
Forsaken
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| adj. 被遗忘的, 被抛弃的 动词forsake的过去分词 | |
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17
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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18
frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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19
override
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| vt.不顾，不理睬，否决；压倒，优先于 | |
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20
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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