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CHAPTER XV A QUESTION OF COLOUR
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 PIPPA became part of the life of the six artists of the courtyard, and they all wondered, if they ever thought about the matter at all, however they had managed to get on without her.
 
She seemed to belong in some special way to Barnabas. That fact was one of mutual1 recognition. Michael found himself stopping suddenly in the middle of his cynical2 little speeches when she was present. It is impossible to be cynical with a child’s eyes fixed3 on one, drinking in every word. Dan kept her supplied with chocolates, and gave her a grey kitten. Jasper painted her a picture of the Blessed Virgin4. It was the first painting he had done for weeks past without the memory of the house in Chiswick coming as an interruption to his thoughts. The picture, too, held a tenderness not seen in his previous paintings. Paul, for a wonder, allowed her to see his unfinished work, and found amusement in her naïve criticisms. One criticism—to be related presently—was somewhat of a revelation. Alan studied her deeply, saying that the innocent unfolding of a child’s mind was one of the greatest marvels5 of creation. Her remarks on colour honestly interested him. And in them Barnabas felt more than ever convinced that she was the child of his friend Philippe Kostolitz.
 
She used to announce quite gravely that people were like colours. Miss Mason she designated as “couleur de rose.” Barnabas himself she said was gold “all sparkling like sunshine.” Paul she insisted was like the purple light that fell across the river at night. Dan was green like the leaves of chrysanthemum6 foliage7. Alan was the colour of the sea. Michael was grey and red. And she refused to assign any colour to Jasper. But when coaxed8 by Barnabas she confessed it was because he was quite grey, and no pretty colour at all.
 
One day about the middle of February Pippa lunched with Paul. He announced that he wished her to see the portrait of the Duchessa di Corleone. The Duchessa herself, who had been away since Christmas, was coming for what would probably be a last sitting at two o’clock that afternoon.
 
“Well?” said Paul, standing9 near the luncheon10 table while Pippa gazed upon the portrait, “what do you think of it?”
 
Pippa wrinkled up her forehead.
 
“I don’t know,” she said slowly, and she came across to the table looking at Paul with perplexed11 eyes.
 
 
“Evidently,” said Paul, a trifle disappointed, “it doesn’t meet with your approval.”
 
“I don’t know,” said Pippa again, still looking puzzled. And then she saw the luncheon table. “Chicken and meringues”—she rolled the “r” in her funny way—“how lovely!”
 
“The lunch,” said Paul, “unquestionably appeals to you far more than the portrait.”
 
Pippa did not reply. But during the meal she kept looking from the portrait to Paul, as if she might find in his face some explanation of her perplexity.
 
They were drinking their coffee, which Pippa loved, when Paul’s man announced the Duchessa.
 
The whole atmosphere of the studio seemed suddenly to sparkle with her entrance. Paul sprang to his feet. There was a light in his eyes of which the meanest intelligence might have recognized the interpretation13.
 
“I am punctual to the moment,” she said. “And how are you? It is six weeks since we’ve met.” Then she saw Pippa.
 
“And who,” she asked, “is this?”
 
“Pippa,” said Paul gravely, “may I introduce you to the Duchessa di Corleone.”
 
Pippa held out her hand.
 
“Pippa?” queried14 the Duchessa, with the tiniest and most adorable lift of her eyebrows15.
 
“Just Pippa,” said Paul.
 
 
Sara sat down. “Finish your coffee,” she said. “And may I have a cup?”
 
Paul seized the kettle. It was the first time she would have partaken of food or drink in his studio. It marked, in his mind, an epoch16.
 
“Don’t make fresh coffee,” she begged.
 
“It is a pleasure,” he said. “It is one of the few achievements of which I am justly proud.”
 
Pippa was gazing at the Duchessa with wide grey eyes. The perplexity in them had vanished.
 
“Well, Pippa,” asked Sara, “and what do you think of my portrait?”
 
“I know now,” said Pippa firmly. “Ze couleur is wrong.”
 
Paul, who was stirring the coffee in a jug17, paused a moment to look at her.
 
“The colour?” he queried.
 
Pippa nodded. “The picture,” she said, “is red. She”—Pippa looked at the Duchessa—“is blue. Oh, but very blue, like—like zat.” She pointed12 towards a sapphire18 vase on Paul’s mantelpiece.
 
Paul and Sara looked at each other. There was the tiniest—just the very tiniest—look of triumph in Paul’s eyes.
 
Sara laughed outright19. “Mr. Treherne,” she said, “aren’t you longing20 to say ‘I told you so’?”
 
“I think,” replied Paul, “Pippa has said it for me.”
 
 
Sara turned to Pippa.
 
“Then,” she said, “it is the colour of the dress that is wrong?”
 
Again Pippa nodded.
 
“Sometimes ze dresses zey not matter,” she said thoughtfully, “but for you ze real—oh, but it hurt.” She clasped her hands against her heart with a little tragic21 gesture.
 
“What’s to be done?” asked Sara as Paul handed her the coffee.
 
“Re-paint the dress, and the whole portrait if necessary,” he replied promptly22.
 
“Oh, but the time, and your trouble!” cried Sara. “I couldn’t think of it. Besides, it was my own fault,” she added contritely23.
 
It struck neither of them as odd that they should so implicitly24 accept Pippa’s criticism.
 
“I shall only,” said Paul, “be doing what I originally wished to do, if you will forgive me for saying so. The question is whether you will be too bored with further sittings?”
 
A faint rose-colour stole over the ivory of the Duchessa’s face.
 
“On the contrary,” she said lightly, “I shall be very happy. I have”—she paused the merest fraction of a second—“not been bored at all.”
 
She drank her coffee and put down the cup. Pippa got up from her chair. She knew the moment to make herself scarce. Long acquaintance [Pg 166]with studios and the work of artists had taught her.
 
She held out her hand to the Duchessa.
 
“I like you,” she said. “I like you ver’ much. Please come to tea wis me one day—you and Monsieur Paul.”
 
“But,” said the Duchessa, “Christopher is coming for me at half-past three.”
 
Paul’s face, which had been very gay, fell suddenly. Christopher’s name troubled him. He was on such delightfully—for him—easy terms with the Duchessa.
 
“But bring Monsieur Christopher too,” said Pippa calmly.
 
The Duchessa looked at Paul.
 
“But where does she live?” she asked. “And may we accept this invitation wholesale25?”
 
“By all means,” Paul assured her. “Pippa lives in studio number seven with Miss Mason, don’t you, Pippa? And we all invade that studio at any hour. Miss Mason ties up cuts, finds new servants for us when our old ones get out of hand, administers hot concoctions26 of her own brewing27 when any of us have colds, in short, mothers us all round. And Pippa gives us excellent advice as to the colour of our socks and ties. We really don’t care to think of what we were before Aunt Olive and Pippa took us in hand.”
 
“So you will come?” said Pippa, standing near the door.
 
 
Paul went over to open it for her.
 
“Yes, we’ll come,” he said.
 
“The Duchessa, you, and Monsieur Christopher,” said Pippa gaily28.
 
“Oh, yes,” said Paul, an odd inflexion in his voice, “no doubt Monsieur Christopher will come too.”
 
He held the door open, and Pippa went out.
 
Then he came back to the Duchessa. She had heard the inflexion in his voice, and a little light of comprehension had sprung to her eyes.
 
“Ah!” she breathed softly to herself. Then she looked up at Paul.
 
“And now,” she said, “are you ready for the metamorphosis—to re-paint me as a blue lady?”

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1 mutual eFOxC     
adj.相互的,彼此的;共同的,共有的
参考例句:
  • We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
  • Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。
2 cynical Dnbz9     
adj.(对人性或动机)怀疑的,不信世道向善的
参考例句:
  • The enormous difficulty makes him cynical about the feasibility of the idea.由于困难很大,他对这个主意是否可行持怀疑态度。
  • He was cynical that any good could come of democracy.他不相信民主会带来什么好处。
3 fixed JsKzzj     
adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的
参考例句:
  • Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗?
  • Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定,我们就不应该随意改变。
4 virgin phPwj     
n.处女,未婚女子;adj.未经使用的;未经开发的
参考例句:
  • Have you ever been to a virgin forest?你去过原始森林吗?
  • There are vast expanses of virgin land in the remote regions.在边远地区有大片大片未开垦的土地。
5 marvels 029fcce896f8a250d9ae56bf8129422d     
n.奇迹( marvel的名词复数 );令人惊奇的事物(或事例);不平凡的成果;成就v.惊奇,对…感到惊奇( marvel的第三人称单数 )
参考例句:
  • The doctor's treatment has worked marvels : the patient has recovered completely. 该医生妙手回春,病人已完全康复。 来自辞典例句
  • Nevertheless he revels in a catalogue of marvels. 可他还是兴致勃勃地罗列了一堆怪诞不经的事物。 来自辞典例句
6 chrysanthemum Sbryd     
n.菊,菊花
参考例句:
  • Each mourner wore a black armband and a white paper chrysanthemum.每个吊唁的人都佩带着黑纱和一朵白纸菊花。
  • There are many species of chrysanthemum.菊花品种很多。
7 foliage QgnzK     
n.叶子,树叶,簇叶
参考例句:
  • The path was completely covered by the dense foliage.小路被树叶厚厚地盖了一层。
  • Dark foliage clothes the hills.浓密的树叶覆盖着群山。
8 coaxed dc0a6eeb597861b0ed72e34e52490cd1     
v.哄,用好话劝说( coax的过去式和过去分词 );巧言骗取;哄劝,劝诱
参考例句:
  • She coaxed the horse into coming a little closer. 她哄着那匹马让它再靠近了一点。
  • I coaxed my sister into taking me to the theatre. 我用好话哄姐姐带我去看戏。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
9 standing 2hCzgo     
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的
参考例句:
  • After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
  • They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。
10 luncheon V8az4     
n.午宴,午餐,便宴
参考例句:
  • We have luncheon at twelve o'clock.我们十二点钟用午餐。
  • I have a luncheon engagement.我午饭有约。
11 perplexed A3Rz0     
adj.不知所措的
参考例句:
  • The farmer felt the cow,went away,returned,sorely perplexed,always afraid of being cheated.那农民摸摸那头牛,走了又回来,犹豫不决,总怕上当受骗。
  • The child was perplexed by the intricate plot of the story.这孩子被那头绪纷繁的故事弄得迷惑不解。
12 pointed Il8zB4     
adj.尖的,直截了当的
参考例句:
  • He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
  • She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。
13 interpretation P5jxQ     
n.解释,说明,描述;艺术处理
参考例句:
  • His statement admits of one interpretation only.他的话只有一种解释。
  • Analysis and interpretation is a very personal thing.分析与说明是个很主观的事情。
14 queried 5c2c5662d89da782d75e74125d6f6932     
v.质疑,对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 );询问
参考例句:
  • She queried what he said. 她对他说的话表示怀疑。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • \"What does he have to do?\" queried Chin dubiously. “他有什么心事?”琴向觉民问道,她的脸上现出疑惑不解的神情。 来自汉英文学 - 家(1-26) - 家(1-26)
15 eyebrows a0e6fb1330e9cfecfd1c7a4d00030ed5     
眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Eyebrows stop sweat from coming down into the eyes. 眉毛挡住汗水使其不能流进眼睛。
  • His eyebrows project noticeably. 他的眉毛特别突出。
16 epoch riTzw     
n.(新)时代;历元
参考例句:
  • The epoch of revolution creates great figures.革命时代造就伟大的人物。
  • We're at the end of the historical epoch,and at the dawn of another.我们正处在一个历史时代的末期,另一个历史时代的开端。
17 jug QaNzK     
n.(有柄,小口,可盛水等的)大壶,罐,盂
参考例句:
  • He walked along with a jug poised on his head.他头上顶着一个水罐,保持着平衡往前走。
  • She filled the jug with fresh water.她将水壶注满了清水。
18 sapphire ETFzw     
n.青玉,蓝宝石;adj.天蓝色的
参考例句:
  • Now let us consider crystals such as diamond or sapphire.现在让我们考虑象钻石和蓝宝石这样的晶体。
  • He left a sapphire ring to her.他留给她一枚蓝宝石戒指。
19 outright Qj7yY     
adv.坦率地;彻底地;立即;adj.无疑的;彻底的
参考例句:
  • If you have a complaint you should tell me outright.如果你有不满意的事,你应该直率地对我说。
  • You should persuade her to marry you outright.你应该彻底劝服她嫁给你。
20 longing 98bzd     
n.(for)渴望
参考例句:
  • Hearing the tune again sent waves of longing through her.再次听到那首曲子使她胸中充满了渴望。
  • His heart burned with longing for revenge.他心中燃烧着急欲复仇的怒火。
21 tragic inaw2     
adj.悲剧的,悲剧性的,悲惨的
参考例句:
  • The effect of the pollution on the beaches is absolutely tragic.污染海滩后果可悲。
  • Charles was a man doomed to tragic issues.查理是个注定不得善终的人。
22 promptly LRMxm     
adv.及时地,敏捷地
参考例句:
  • He paid the money back promptly.他立即还了钱。
  • She promptly seized the opportunity his absence gave her.她立即抓住了因他不在场给她创造的机会。
23 contritely 3ab449eb7416f0b47d0891f1aca396c2     
参考例句:
24 implicitly 7146d52069563dd0fc9ea894b05c6fef     
adv. 含蓄地, 暗中地, 毫不保留地
参考例句:
  • Many verbs and many words of other kinds are implicitly causal. 许多动词和许多其他类词都蕴涵着因果关系。
  • I can trust Mr. Somerville implicitly, I suppose? 我想,我可以毫无保留地信任萨莫维尔先生吧?
25 wholesale Ig9wL     
n.批发;adv.以批发方式;vt.批发,成批出售
参考例句:
  • The retail dealer buys at wholesale and sells at retail.零售商批发购进货物,以零售价卖出。
  • Such shoes usually wholesale for much less.这种鞋批发出售通常要便宜得多。
26 concoctions 2ee2f48a3ae91fdb33f79ec1604d8d1b     
n.编造,捏造,混合物( concoction的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • We bearrived scientists and tested concoctions of milk, orange juice, and mouthwash. 咱们是科技家,尝试牛奶、橙汁和漱口水的混合物。 来自互联网
  • We became scientists and tested concoctions of milk, orange juice, and mouthwash. 我们是科学家,尝试牛奶、橙汁和漱口水的混合物。 来自互联网
27 brewing eaabd83324a59add9a6769131bdf81b5     
n. 酿造, 一次酿造的量 动词brew的现在分词形式
参考例句:
  • It was obvious that a big storm was brewing up. 很显然,一场暴风雨正在酝酿中。
  • She set about brewing some herb tea. 她动手泡一些药茶。
28 gaily lfPzC     
adv.欢乐地,高兴地
参考例句:
  • The children sing gaily.孩子们欢唱着。
  • She waved goodbye very gaily.她欢快地挥手告别。


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