We were all of us too tired those nights to do any special praying. Sometimes I fear our "regular" prayers were slurred3 over, or mumbled4 in anything but reverent5 haste. October was a busy month on the hill farms. The apples had to be picked, and this work fell mainly to us children. We stayed home from school to do it. It was pleasant work and there was a great deal of fun in it; but it was hard, too, and our arms and backs ached roundly at night. In the mornings it was very delightful6; in the afternoons tolerable; but in the evenings we lagged, and the laughter and zest7 of fresher hours were lacking.
Some of the apples had to be picked very carefully. But with others it did not matter; we boys would climb the trees and shake the apples down until the girls shrieked8 for mercy. The days were crisp and mellow9, with warm sunshine and a tang of frost in the air, mingled10 with the woodsy odours of the withering11 grasses. The hens and turkeys prowled about, pecking at windfalls, and Pat made mad rushes at them amid the fallen leaves. The world beyond the orchard12 was in a royal magnificence of colouring, under the vivid blue autumn sky. The big willow13 by the gate was a splendid golden dome14, and the maples15 that were scattered16 through the spruce grove17 waved blood-red banners over the sombre cone-bearers. The Story Girl generally had her head garlanded with their leaves. They became her vastly. Neither Felicity nor Cecily could have worn them. Those two girls were of a domestic type that assorted18 ill with the wildfire in Nature's veins19. But when the Story Girl wreathed her nut brown tresses with crimson20 leaves it seemed, as Peter said, that they grew on her—as if the gold and flame of her spirit had broken out in a coronal, as much a part of her as the pale halo seems a part of the Madonna it encircles.
What tales she told us on those far-away autumn days, peopling the russet arcades21 with folk of an elder world. Many a princess rode by us on her palfrey, many a swaggering gallant22 ruffled23 it bravely in velvet24 and plume25 adown Uncle Stephen's Walk, many a stately lady, silken clad, walked in that opulent orchard!
When we had filled our baskets they had to be carried to the granary loft26, and the contents stored in bins27 or spread on the floor to ripen28 further. We ate a good many, of course, feeling that the labourer was worthy29 of his hire. The apples from our own birthday trees were stored in separate barrels inscribed30 with our names. We might dispose of them as we willed. Felicity sold hers to Uncle Alec's hired man—and was badly cheated to boot, for he levanted shortly afterwards, taking the apples with him, having paid her only half her rightful due. Felicity has not gotten over that to this day.
Cecily, dear heart, sent most of hers to the hospital in town, and no doubt gathered in therefrom dividends31 of gratitude32 and satisfaction of soul, such as can never be purchased by any mere33 process of bargain and sale. The rest of us ate our apples, or carried them to school where we bartered34 them for such treasures as our schoolmates possessed35 and we coveted36.
There was a dusky, little, pear-shaped apple—from one of Uncle Stephen's trees—which was our favourite; and next to it a delicious, juicy yellow apple from Aunt Louisa's tree. We were also fond of the big sweet apples; we used to throw them up in the air and let them fall on the ground until they were bruised37 and battered38 to the bursting point. Then we sucked on the juice; sweeter was it than the nectar drunk by blissful gods on the Thessalian hill.
Sometimes we worked until the cold yellow sunsets faded out over the darkening distances, and the hunter's moon looked down on us through the sparkling air. The constellations39 of autumn scintillated40 above us. Peter and the Story Girl knew all about them, and imparted their knowledge to us generously. I recall Peter standing41 on the Pulpit Stone, one night ere moonrise, and pointing them out to us, occasionally having a difference of opinion with the Story Girl over the name of some particular star. Job's Coffin42 and the Northern Cross were to the west of us; south of us flamed Fomalhaut. The Great Square of Pegasus was over our heads. Cassiopeia sat enthroned in her beautiful chair in the north-east; and north of us the Dippers swung untiringly around the Pole Star. Cecily and Felix were the only ones who could distinguish the double star in the handle of the Big Dipper, and greatly did they plume themselves thereon. The Story Girl told us the myths and legends woven around these immemorial clusters, her very voice taking on a clear, remote, starry43 sound as she talked of them. When she ceased, we came back to earth, feeling as if we had been millions of miles away in the blue ether, and that all our old familiar surroundings were momentarily forgotten and strange.
That night when he pointed44 out the stars to us from the Pulpit Stone was the last time for several weeks that Peter shared our toil45 and pastime. The next day he complained of headache and sore throat, and seemed to prefer lying on Aunt Olivia's kitchen sofa to doing any work. As it was not in Peter to be a malingerer46 he was left in peace, while we picked apples. Felix alone, must unjustly and spitefully, declared that Peter was simply shirking.
"He's just lazy, that's what's the matter with him," he said.
"Why don't you talk sense, if you must talk?" said Felicity. "There's no sense in calling Peter lazy. You might as well say I had black hair. Of course, Peter, being a Craig, has his faults, but he's a smart boy. His father was lazy but his mother hasn't a lazy bone in her body, and Peter takes after her."
"Uncle Roger says Peter's father wasn't exactly lazy," said the Story Girl. "The trouble was, there were so many other things he liked better than work."
"I wonder if he'll ever come back to his family," said Cecily. "Just think how dreadful it would be if OUR father had left us like that!"
"Our father is a King," said Felicity loftily, "and Peter's father was only a Craig. A member of our family COULDN'T behave like that."
"They say there must be a black sheep in every family," said the
Story Girl.
"There isn't any in ours," said Cecily loyally.
"Why do white sheep eat more than black?" asked Felix.
"Is that a conundrum47?" asked Cecily cautiously. "If it is I won't try to guess the reason. I never can guess conundrums48."
"It isn't a conundrum," said Felix. "It's a fact. They do—and there's a good reason for it."
We stopped picking apples, sat down on the grass, and tried to reason it out—with the exception of Dan, who declared that he knew there was a catch somewhere and he wasn't going to be caught. The rest of us could not see where any catch could exist, since Felix solemnly vowed49, 'cross his heart, white sheep did eat more than black. We argued over it seriously, but finally had to give it up.
"Well, what is the reason?" asked Felicity.
"Because there's more of them," said Felix, grinning.
I forget what we did to Felix.
A shower came up in the evening and we had to stop picking. After the shower there was a magnificent double rainbow. We watched it from the granary window, and the Story Girl told us an old legend, culled50 from one of Aunt Olivia's many scrapbooks.
"Long, long ago, in the Golden Age, when the gods used to visit the earth so often that it was nothing uncommon51 to see them, Odin made a pilgrimage over the world. Odin was the great god of the northland, you know. And wherever he went among men he taught them love and brotherhood52, and skilful53 arts; and great cities sprang up where he had trodden, and every land through which he passed was blessed because one of the gods had come down to men. But many men and women followed Odin himself, giving up all their worldly possessions and ambitions; and to these he promised the gift of eternal life. All these people were good and noble and unselfish and kind; but the best and noblest of them all was a youth named Ving; and this youth was beloved by Odin above all others, for his beauty and strength and goodness. Always he walked on Odin's right hand, and always the first light of Odin's smile fell on him. Tall and straight was he as a young pine, and his long hair was the colour of ripe wheat in the sun; and his blue eyes were like the northland heavens on a starry night.
"In Odin's band was a beautiful maiden54 named Alin. She was as fair and delicate as a young birch tree in spring among the dark old pines and firs, and Ving loved her with all his heart. His soul thrilled with rapture55 at the thought that he and she together should drink from the fountain of immortality56, as Odin had promised, and be one thereafter in eternal youth.
"At last they came to the very place where the rainbow touched the earth. And the rainbow was a great bridge, built of living colours, so dazzling and wonderful that beyond it the eye could see nothing, only far away a great, blinding, sparkling glory, where the fountain of life sprang up in a shower of diamond fire. But under the Rainbow Bridge rolled a terrible flood, deep and wide and violent, full of rocks and rapids and whirlpools.
"There was a Warder of the bridge, a god, dark and stern and sorrowful. And to him Odin gave command that he should open the gate and allow his followers57 to cross the Rainbow Bridge, that they might drink of the fountain of life beyond. And the Warder set open the gate.
"'Pass on and drink of the fountain,' he said. 'To all who taste of it shall immortality be given. But only to that one who shall drink of it first shall be permitted to walk at Odin's right hand forever.'
"Then the company passed through in great haste, all fired with a desire to be the first to drink of the fountain and win so marvellous a boon58. Last of all came Ving. He had lingered behind to pluck a thorn from the foot of a beggar child he had met on the highway, and he had not heard the Warder's words. But when, eager, joyous59, radiant, he set his foot on the rainbow, the stern, sorrowful Warder took him by the arm and drew him back.
"'Ving, strong, noble, and valiant,' he said, 'Rainbow Bridge is not for thee.'
"Very dark grew Ving's face. Hot rebellion rose in his heart and rushed over his pale lips.
"The Warder pointed to the dark flood that rolled under the bridge.
"'The path of the rainbow is not for thee,' he said, 'but yonder way is open. Ford62 that flood. On the furthest bank is the fountain of life.'
"'Thou mockest me,' muttered Ving sullenly63. 'No mortal could cross that flood. Oh, Master,' he prayed, turning beseechingly64 to Odin, 'thou didst promise to me eternal life as to the others. Wilt65 thou not keep that promise? Command the Warder to let me pass. He must obey thee.'
"But Odin stood silent, with his face turned from his beloved, and Ving's heart was filled with unspeakable bitterness and despair.
"'Thou mayest return to earth if thou fearest to essay the flood,' said the Warder.
"'Nay,' said Ving wildly, 'earthly life without Alin is more dreadful than the death which awaits me in yon dark river.'
"And he plunged66 fiercely in. He swam, and struggled, he buffetted the turmoil67. The waves went over his head again and again, the whirlpools caught him and flung him on the cruel rocks. The wild, cold spray beat on his eyes and blinded him, so that he could see nothing, and the roar of the river deafened68 him so that he could hear nothing; but he felt keenly the wounds and bruises69 of the cruel rocks, and many a time he would have given up the struggle had not the thought of sweet Alin's loving eyes brought him the strength and desire to struggle as long as it was possible. Long, long, long, to him seemed that bitter and perilous70 passage; but at last he won through to the furthest side. Breathless and reeling, his vesture torn, his great wounds bleeding, he found himself on the shore where the fountain of immortality sprang up. He staggered to its brink71 and drank of its clear stream. Then all pain and weariness fell away from him, and he rose up, a god, beautiful with immortality. And as he did there came rushing over the Rainbow Bridge a great company—the band of fellow travellers. But all were too late to win the double boon. Ving had won to it through the danger and suffering of the dark river."
The rainbow had faded out, and the darkness of the October dusk was falling.
"I wonder," said Dan meditatively72, as we went away from that redolent spot, "what it would be like to live for ever in this world."
"I expect we'd get tired of it after awhile," said the Story Girl. "But," she added, "I think it would be a goodly while before I would."
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1
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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ordeal
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| n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验 | |
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3
slurred
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| 含糊地说出( slur的过去式和过去分词 )； 含糊地发…的声； 侮辱； 连唱 | |
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mumbled
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| 含糊地说某事，叽咕，咕哝( mumble的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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5
reverent
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| adj.恭敬的，虔诚的 | |
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6
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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zest
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| n.乐趣；滋味，风味；兴趣 | |
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shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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9
mellow
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| adj.柔和的；熟透的；v.变柔和；(使)成熟 | |
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10
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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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
orchard
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| n.果园，果园里的全部果树，(美俚)棒球场 | |
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13
willow
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| n.柳树 | |
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dome
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| n.圆屋顶，拱顶 | |
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15
maples
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| 槭树，枫树( maple的名词复数 )； 槭木 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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17
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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18
assorted
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| adj.各种各样的，各色俱备的 | |
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19
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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20
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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21
arcades
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| n.商场( arcade的名词复数 )；拱形走道（两旁有商店或娱乐设施）；连拱廊；拱形建筑物 | |
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22
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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23
ruffled
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| adj. 有褶饰边的, 起皱的 动词ruffle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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24
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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25
plume
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| n.羽毛；v.整理羽毛，骚首弄姿，用羽毛装饰 | |
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26
loft
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| n.阁楼，顶楼 | |
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27
bins
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| n.大储藏箱( bin的名词复数 )；宽口箱（如面包箱，垃圾箱等）v.扔掉，丢弃( bin的第三人称单数 ) | |
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28
ripen
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| vt.使成熟；vi.成熟 | |
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29
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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30
inscribed
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| v.写，刻( inscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；内接 | |
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31
dividends
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| 红利( dividend的名词复数 )； 股息； 被除数； （足球彩票的）彩金 | |
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32
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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33
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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34
bartered
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| v.作物物交换，以货换货( barter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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35
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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36
coveted
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| adj.令人垂涎的；垂涎的，梦寐以求的v.贪求，觊觎(covet的过去分词)；垂涎；贪图 | |
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37
bruised
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| [医]青肿的，瘀紫的 | |
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38
battered
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| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
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39
constellations
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| n.星座( constellation的名词复数 )；一群杰出人物；一系列（相关的想法、事物）；一群（相关的人） | |
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40
scintillated
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| v.（言谈举止中）焕发才智( scintillate的过去式和过去分词 )；谈笑洒脱；闪耀；闪烁 | |
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41
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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42
coffin
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| n.棺材，灵柩 | |
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43
starry
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| adj.星光照耀的, 闪亮的 | |
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44
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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45
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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46
malingerer
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| n.装病以逃避职责的人 | |
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47
conundrum
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| n.谜语；难题 | |
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48
conundrums
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| n.谜，猜不透的难题，难答的问题( conundrum的名词复数 ) | |
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49
vowed
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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50
culled
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| v.挑选，剔除( cull的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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52
brotherhood
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| n.兄弟般的关系，手中情谊 | |
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53
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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54
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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55
rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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56
immortality
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| n.不死，不朽 | |
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57
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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58
boon
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| n.恩赐，恩物，恩惠 | |
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59
joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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60
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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61
passionately
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| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
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62
Ford
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| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
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63
sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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64
beseechingly
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| adv. 恳求地 | |
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65
wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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66
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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67
turmoil
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| n.骚乱，混乱，动乱 | |
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68
deafened
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| 使聋( deafen的过去式和过去分词 )； 使隔音 | |
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69
bruises
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| n.瘀伤，伤痕，擦伤( bruise的名词复数 ) | |
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70
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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71
brink
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| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
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72
meditatively
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| adv.冥想地 | |
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