The lids of the girl's eyes lifted slowly, and she stared at thepanel of light in the wall. Just at the outset, the act ofseeing made not the least impression on her numbed1 brain. For along time she continued to regard the dim illumination in thewall with the same passive fixity of gaze. Apathy2 still lay uponher crushed spirit. In a vague way, she realized her owninertness, and rested in it gratefully, subtly fearful lest sheagain arouse to the full horror of her plight3. In a curioussubconscious fashion, she was striving to hold on to thisdeadness of sensation, thus to win a little respite4 from thetorture that had exhausted5 her soul.
Of a sudden, her eyes noted6 the black lines that lay across thepanel of light. And, in that instant, her spirit was quickenedonce again. The clouds lifted from her brain. Vision was clearnow. Understanding seized the full import of this hideous7 thingon which she looked.... For the panel of light was a window, sethigh within a wall of stone. The rigid8 lines of black thatcrossed it were bars--prison bars. It was still true, then: Shewas in a cell of the Tombs.
The girl, crouching9 miserably10 on the narrow bed, maintained herfixed watching of the window--that window which was a symbol ofher utter despair. Again, agony wrenched11 within her. She didnot weep: long ago she had exhausted the relief of tears. Shedid not pace to and fro in the comfort of physical movement withwhich the caged beast finds a mocking imitation of liberty: longago, her physical vigors had been drained under stress ofanguish. Now, she was well-nigh incapable12 of any bodilyactivity. There came not even so much as the feeblest moan fromher lips. The torment13 was far too racking for such futilefashion of lamentation14. She merely sat there in a posture15 ofcollapse. To all outward seeming, nerveless, emotionless, anabject creature. Even the eyes, which held so fixedly16 their gazeon the window, were quite expressionless. Over them lay a film,like that which veils the eyes of some dead thing. Only anoccasional languid motion of the lids revealed the life thatremained.
So still the body. Within the soul, fury raged uncontrolled.
For all the desolate17 calm of outer seeming, the tragedy of herfate was being acted with frightful18 vividness there in memory.
In that dreadful remembrance, her spirit was rent asunder19 anew byrealization of that which had become her portion.... It was then,as once again the horrible injustice20 of her fate rackedconsciousness with its tortures, that the seeds of revolt wereimplanted in her heart. The thought of revenge gave to her thefirst meager21 gleam of comfort that had lightened her moodsthrough many miserable22 days and nights. Those seeds of revoltwere to be nourished well, were to grow into their flower--apoison flower, developed through the three years of convict lifeto which the judge had sentenced her.
The girl was appalled23 by the mercilessness of a destiny that hadso outraged25 right. She was wholly innocent of having done anywrong. She had struggled through years of privation to keepherself clean and wholesome26, worthy27 of those gentlefolk from whomshe drew her blood. And earnest effort had ended at last underan overwhelming accusation28--false, yet none the less fatal toher. This accusation, after soul-wearying delays, had culminatedto-day in conviction. The sentence of the court had been imposedupon her: that for three years she should be imprisoned29.... This,despite her innocence30. She had endured much--miserablymuch!--for honesty's sake. There wrought31 the irony32 of fate. Shehad endured bravely for honesty's sake. And the end of it allwas shame unutterable. There was nought33 left her save a wilddream of revenge against the world that had martyrized her.
"Vengeance is mine. I will repay, saith the Lord."... Theadmonition could not touch her now. Why should she care for thedecrees of a God who had abandoned her!
There had been nothing in the life of Mary Turner, before thecatastrophe came, to distinguish it from many another. Its mostsignificant details were of a sordid34 kind, familiar to poverty.
Her father had been an unsuccessful man, as success is esteemedby this generation of Mammon-worshipers. He was a gentleman, butthe trivial fact is of small avail to-day. He was of good birth,and he was the possessor of an inherited competence35. He had, aswell, intelligence, but it was not of a financial sort.
So, little by little, his fortune became shrunken towardnothingness, by reason of injudicious investments. He married acharming woman, who, after a brief period of wedded36 happiness,gave her life to the birth of the single child of the union,Mary. Afterward37, in his distress38 over this loss, Ray Turnerseemed even more incompetent39 for the management of businessaffairs. As the years passed, the daughter grew toward maturityin an experience of ever-increasing penury40. Nevertheless, therewas no actual want of the necessities of life, though always awoful lack of its elegancies. The girl was in the high-school,when her father finally gave over his rather feeble effort ofliving. Between parent and child, the intimacy41 had been unusuallyclose. At his death, the father left her a character wellinstructed in the excellent principles that had been his own.
That was his sole legacy42 to her. Of worldly goods, not the valueof a pin.
Yet, measured according to the stern standards of adversity, Marywas fortunate. Almost at once, she procured43 a humble44 employmentin the Emporium, the great department store owned by EdwardGilder. To be sure, the wage was infinitesimal, while the toilwas body-breaking soul-breaking. Still, the pittance46 could bemade to sustain life, and Mary was blessed with both soul andbody to sustain much. So she merged47 herself in the army ofworkers--in the vast battalion48 of those that give their entireselves to a labor49 most stern and unremitting, and most illrewarded.
Mary, nevertheless, avoided the worst perils50 of her lot. She didnot flinch51 under privation, but went her way through it, if notserenely, at least without ever a thought of yielding to thosetemptations that beset52 a girl who is at once poor and charming.
Fortunately for her, those in closest authority over her were notso deeply smitten53 as to make obligatory54 on her a choice betweencomplaisance and loss of position. She knew of situations likethat, the cul-de-sac of chastity, worse than any devised by aJavert. In the store, such things were matters of course. Thereis little innocence for the girl in the modern city. There canbe none for the worker thrown into the storm-center of a greatcommercial activity, humming with vicious gossip, all alive withquips from the worldly wise. At the very outset of heremployment, the sixteen-year-old girl learned that she might ekeout the six dollars weekly by trading on her personalattractiveness to those of the opposite sex. The idea wasrepugnant to her; not only from the maidenly55 instinct of purity,but also from the moral principles woven into her character bythe teachings of a father wise in most things, though a fool infinance. Thus, she remained unsmirched, though well informed asto the verities56 of life. She preferred purity and penury, ratherthan a slight pampering57 of the body to be bought by itsdegradation. Among her fellows were some like herself; others,unlike. Of her own sort, in this single particular, were the twogirls with whom she shared a cheap room. Their common decency58 inattitude toward the other sex was the unique bond of union. Intheir association, she found no real companionship. Nevertheless,they were wholesome enough. Otherwise they were illiterate,altogether uncongenial.
In such wise, through five dreary59 years, Mary Turner lived. Ninehours daily, she stood behind a counter. She spent her otherwaking hours in obligatory menial labors60: cooking her own scantmeals over the gas; washing and ironing, for the sake of thatneat appearance which was required of her by those in authorityat the Emporium--yet, more especially, necessary for her ownself-respect. With a mind keen and earnest, she contrived61 somesolace from reading and studying, since the free library gave herthis opportunity. So, though engaged in stultifying62 occupationthrough most of her hours, she was able to find food for mentalgrowth. Even, in the last year, she had reached a point ofdevelopment whereat she began to study seriously her own positionin the world's economy, to meditate63 on a method of bettering it.
Under this impulse, hope mounted high in her heart. Ambition wasborn. By candid64 comparison of herself with others about her, sherealized the fact that she possessed65 an intelligence beyond theaverage. The training by her father, too, had been of a superiorkind. There was as well, at the back vaguely66, the feeling ofparticular self-respect that belongs inevitably67 to the possessorof good blood. Finally, she demurely68 enjoyed a modestappreciation of her own physical advantages. In short, she hadbeauty, brains and breeding. Three things of chief importance toany woman--though there be many minds as to which may be chiefamong the three.
I have said nothing specific thus far as to the outer being ofMary Turner--except as to filmed eyes and a huddled69 form. But,in a happier situation, the girl were winning enough. Indeed,more! She was one of those that possess an harmonious70 beauty,with, too, the penetrant charm that springs from the mind, withthe added graces born of the spirit. Just now, as she sat, afigure of desolation, there on the bed in the Tombs cell, itwould have required a most analytical71 observer to determine theactualities of her loveliness. Her form was disguised by thedroop of exhaustion72. Her complexion73 showed the pallor ofsorrowful vigils. Her face was no more than a mask of misery74.
Yet, the shrewd observer, if a lover of beauty, might have foundmuch for delight, even despite the concealment75 imposed by herpresent condition. Thus, the stormy glory of her dark hair,great masses that ran a riot of shining ripples76 and waves. Andthe straight line of the nose, not too thin, yet fine enough forthe rapture77 of a Praxiteles. And the pink daintiness of theear-tips, which peered warmly from beneath the pall24 of tresses.
One could know nothing accurately78 of the complexion now. But itwere easy to guess that in happier places it would show of apurity to entice79, with a gentle blooming of roses in the cheeks.
Even in this hour of unmitigated evil, the lips revealed acurving beauty of red--not quite crimson80, though near enough forthe word; not quite scarlet81 either; only, a red gentlyenchanting, which turned one's thoughts toward tenderness--with ahint of desire. It was, too, a generous mouth, not too large;still, happily, not so small as those modeled by Watteau. It wasaltogether winsome--more, it was generous and true, desirable forkisses--yes!--more desirable for strength and for faith.
Like every intelligent woman, Mary had taken the trouble toreinforce the worth of her physical attractiveness. The instinctof sex was strong in her, as it must be in every normal woman,since that appeal is nature's law. She kept herself supple82 andsvelte by many exercises, at which her companions in the chamberscoffed, with the prudent83 warning that more work must mean moreappetite. With arms still aching from the lifting of heavy boltsof cloth to and fro from the shelves, she nevertheless was atpains nightly to brush with the appointed two hundred strokes thethick masses of her hair. Even here, in the sordid desolation ofthe cell, the lustrous84 sheen witnessed the fidelity85 of her care.
So, in each detail of her, the keen observer might have foundadequate reason for admiration86. There was the delicacy87 of thehands, with fingers tapering88, with nails perfectly89 shaped,neither too dull nor too shining. And there were, too, finally,the trimly shod feet, set rather primly90 on the floor, small, andarched like those of a Spanish Infanta. In truth, Mary Turnershowed the possibilities at least, if not just now the realities,of a very beautiful woman.
Naturally, in this period of grief, the girl's mind had noconcern with such external merits over which once she hadmodestly exulted91. All her present energies were set to preciserecollection of the ghastly experience into which she had beenthrust.
In its outline, the event had been tragically92 simple.
There had been thefts in the store. They had been tracedeventually to a certain department, that in which Mary worked.
The detective was alert. Some valuable silks were missed.
Search followed immediately. The goods were found in Mary'slocker. That was enough. She was charged with the theft. Sheprotested innocence--only to be laughed at in derision by heraccusers. Every thief declares innocence. Mr. Gilder45 himself wasemphatic against her. The thieving had been long continued. Anexample must be made. The girl was arrested.
The crowded condition of the court calendar kept her for threemonths in the Tombs, awaiting trial. She was quite friendless.
To the world, she was only a thief in duress93. At the last, thetrial was very short. Her lawyer was merely an unfledgedpractitioner assigned to her defense94 as a formality of the court.
This novice95 in his profession was so grateful for the firstrecognition ever afforded him that he rather assisted thanotherwise the District Attorney in the prosecution96 of the case.
At the end, twelve good men and true rendered a verdict of guiltyagainst the shuddering97 girl in the prisoner's dock.
So simple the history of Mary Turner's trial.... The sentence ofthe judge was lenient--only three years!
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numbed
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| v.使麻木，使麻痹( numb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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apathy
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| n.漠不关心，无动于衷；冷淡 | |
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plight
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| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
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respite
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| n.休息，中止，暂缓 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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miserably
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| adv.痛苦地；悲惨地；糟糕地；极度地 | |
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wrenched
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| v.（猛力地）扭( wrench的过去式和过去分词 )；扭伤；使感到痛苦；使悲痛 | |
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incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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lamentation
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| n.悲叹，哀悼 | |
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posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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fixedly
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| adv.固定地；不屈地，坚定不移地 | |
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desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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asunder
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| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
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injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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meager
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| adj.缺乏的，不足的，瘦的 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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appalled
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| v.使惊骇，使充满恐惧( appall的过去式和过去分词)adj.惊骇的；丧胆的 | |
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pall
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| v.覆盖，使平淡无味；n.柩衣，棺罩；棺材；帷幕 | |
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outraged
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| a.震惊的，义愤填膺的 | |
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wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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accusation
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| n.控告，指责，谴责 | |
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imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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irony
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| n.反语，冷嘲；具有讽刺意味的事，嘲弄 | |
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nought
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| n.／adj.无，零 | |
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sordid
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| adj.肮脏的，不干净的，卑鄙的，暗淡的 | |
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competence
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| n.能力，胜任，称职 | |
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wedded
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| adj.正式结婚的；渴望…的，执著于…的v.嫁，娶，（与…）结婚( wed的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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incompetent
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| adj.无能力的，不能胜任的 | |
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penury
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| n.贫穷，拮据 | |
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intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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legacy
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| n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西 | |
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procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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gilder
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| 镀金工人 | |
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pittance
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| n.微薄的薪水，少量 | |
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merged
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| （使）混合( merge的过去式和过去分词 )； 相融； 融入； 渐渐消失在某物中 | |
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battalion
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| n.营；部队；大队(的人) | |
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labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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flinch
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| v.畏缩，退缩 | |
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beset
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| v.镶嵌；困扰，包围 | |
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smitten
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| 猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去分词 ) | |
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obligatory
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| adj.强制性的，义务的，必须的 | |
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maidenly
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| adj. 像处女的, 谨慎的, 稳静的 | |
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verities
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| n.真实( verity的名词复数 )；事实；真理；真实的陈述 | |
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pampering
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| v.纵容，宠，娇养( pamper的现在分词 ) | |
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decency
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| n.体面，得体，合宜，正派，庄重 | |
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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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labors
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| v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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stultifying
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| v.使成为徒劳，使变得无用( stultify的现在分词 ) | |
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meditate
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| v.想，考虑，（尤指宗教上的）沉思，冥想 | |
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candid
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| adj.公正的，正直的；坦率的 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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inevitably
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| adv.不可避免地；必然发生地 | |
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demurely
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| adv.装成端庄地，认真地 | |
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huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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harmonious
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| adj.和睦的，调和的，和谐的，协调的 | |
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analytical
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| adj.分析的；用分析法的 | |
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exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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concealment
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| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
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ripples
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| 逐渐扩散的感觉( ripple的名词复数 ) | |
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rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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78
accurately
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| adv.准确地，精确地 | |
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79
entice
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| v.诱骗，引诱，怂恿 | |
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80
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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81
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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82
supple
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| adj.柔软的，易弯的，逢迎的，顺从的，灵活的；vt.使柔软，使柔顺，使顺从；vi.变柔软，变柔顺 | |
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83
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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84
lustrous
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| adj.有光泽的；光辉的 | |
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85
fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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86
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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87
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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88
tapering
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| adj.尖端细的 | |
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89
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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90
primly
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| adv.循规蹈矩地，整洁地 | |
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91
exulted
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| 狂喜，欢跃( exult的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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92
tragically
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| adv. 悲剧地，悲惨地 | |
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93
duress
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| n.胁迫 | |
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94
defense
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| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
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95
novice
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| adj.新手的，生手的 | |
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96
prosecution
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| n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营 | |
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97
shuddering
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| v.战栗( shudder的现在分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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