She was sorry to leave Paris. Much that she held dear, her friends, the bohemian student life which she loved, she must now give up forever. A new world, new acquaintances claimed her. Yes, Mr. Ricaby was right. It was her duty to go back and do good with the fortune which fate had sent her. She would seek happiness by making others happy. She would use the money left by her father to alleviate4 the sufferings of the unfortunate. She would build model tenements5, endow hospitals and homes for orphaned6 and crippled children. She would make that her life work. Her face flushed with pleasure as she planned out all that she could do. Mr. Ricaby should be her legal adviser7. He would tell her how to invest her fortune to best advantage, so she might do all the good possible. It would reconcile her to leaving Paris if she could devote her life to trying to solve the social problem.
Her thoughts reverted8 to her childhood days in America. She had a dim recollection of living in a great gloomy house in the outskirts9 of an ugly, smoky city. At night when she went to bed she could see in the distance tall chimneys belching10 flame, terrifying tongues of flame that reached almost to the sky. They lived very quietly and saw no one. Her father, reserved and uncommunicative, discouraged callers, and her mother, a French woman, not understanding the language very well, made no acquaintances among her neighbors. Then she went to the convent school where she was educated, and after that they moved to Paris and made a long stay with relatives of her mother. On the return to America they lived quietly for a time in New York, seeing absolutely no one, and it was at this period that she became seriously interested in Settlement work.
She wondered why her father had always insisted on keeping his marriage secret. It was not because he was ashamed of her mother, who came of a distinguished13 family. He must have been fond of her in his undemonstrative way, for he cried bitterly when she died. For some time he seemed to find comfort in his daughter's companionship, but little by little the man's eccentricities14 estranged15 them. Owing to his frequent absences she saw less and less of him until, at last, she asked to be allowed to return to Paris to study art. He readily acquiesced16 and provided her with a comfortable allowance. To their friend, Leon Ricaby, to whom he handed a long envelope, he had said in her hearing: "This, Mr. Ricaby, contains my last will. I have named you as executor. I have left everything to Paula. If anything happens to me, look after my little girl. Another will, executed years ago, in my brother's favor, is in existence. For reasons of my own I do not wish to destroy that will. It would lead to explanations and unpleasantness I would rather avoid. But this new will post-dates the old one. This is the only valid17 will." That was only six months ago, and now he, too, was gone.
Thus absorbed in these reflections, Paula did not notice how dangerously her stool tilted18 on the treacherous19, highly polished parquet20 floor. There[Pg 53] was a little spot high up on the canvas which she wanted to reach, so, slightly elevating herself, she leaned forward, palette in one hand, brush extended in the other. Suddenly the stool slipped backwards21 and she was thrown heavily against the easel which went crashing to the ground, the picture, palette, paint box, and brushes being hurled22 in all directions. It was all over before she had time to cry out, and the next instant she found herself sitting unceremoniously on the floor in the midst of all the débris.
Paula looked up in amazement24. She had heard no footsteps and had no idea that anyone was near. Standing11 looking down at her, his face trying to suppress a grin, was a young man of about twenty-five. He was rather loudly dressed in a check lounging suit and red tie, and as much by his manner as by his clean-shaven face and clothes she took him for a fellow countryman. "Just like an American's bad breeding to laugh at a woman's misfortune," was her inward indignant comment.
Lifting his hat, he extended his hand to assist her to rise.
"Lucky I happened along, eh?" he grinned.
Paula carefully stretched out her arms to make sure that no bones were broken.
"You didn't prevent my fall," she said ruefully.
"No," he laughed, "but it's given me an excuse to make the acquaintance of a pretty girl."
She tried to look displeased25 and dignified26, but the stranger's impudence27 and breezy familiarity amused her. He was a clean-cut, rather good-looking boy, and his laugh was not only contagious28 but positively29 refreshing30 after Mr. Ricaby's depressing conversation and funereal31 countenance32.
"How did you know that I understood English?" she inquired.
Pointing to a copy of Galignani's Messenger in which her palette and brushes had been wrapped, he said with a chuckle33:
"I saw that—jumped at conclusions—that's all. I'd make good as a Sherlock Holmes, eh, what? Besides, don't you suppose I can spot an American girl when I see one?"
"I'm only half American," she answered, surprised to find herself conversing34 so glibly35 with a perfect stranger. "My mother was French. My father was an American."
Noticing that she spoke36 in the past tense and remarking her mourning dress, he surmised37 that[Pg 55] her parents were dead. She interested him, and it was more sympathy than idle curiosity that prompted the query38:
"Where do you live—New York?"
She shook her head.
"No, I live here, or, rather, have done so until quite recently. I'm going to America next Saturday—to live there for good."
"Next Saturday!" he cried, in surprise. "Say, that's odd! I'm going on the Touraine myself!"
"The Touraine—yes—I think that's the name of the boat." Almost apologetically she added: "You see I haven't travelled very much." Looking at him more closely, she inquired:
"You are an American?"
He grinned, showing fine white teeth.
"I try to be. Greatest country on earth. My name's Todhunter Chase—'Tod' for short you know. Everyone calls me Tod. It's hard to be dignified with such a name, ain't it?"
Suddenly the girl caught sight of her painting which, hurled a dozen paces away, was lying face down in the dust.
"Oh, my picture!" she exclaimed anxiously. "I do hope it's not damaged!"
She started forward to pick it up, but Tod, by a quick jump, got there before her.
"No damage done!" he cried triumphantly39. With a careless laugh he added: "Anyhow, it's only a picture."
"Only a picture!" she exclaimed indignantly as she clasped the precious canvas to her breast. "Don't you love what is your own? I've worked six long months over it. I wouldn't have anything happen to it for anything in the world. Don't you like pictures?"
He gave a broad grin as he answered:
"Pictures? I'm crazy for 'em—especially the kind engraved40 on a $500 U. S. Treasury41 note. I'm perfectly42 dippy over those."
"Dippy? What's that?" she asked, puzzled.
"Oh—you're not familiar with Broadway slang, are you? Well—'dippy' is most expressive43 and up to date. It means that one's joy over a certain thing is so keen that the mental faculties44 are put temporarily out of gear."
She laughed heartily45. He was certainly droll46, this American. He made her laugh and that in itself was a novel sensation. As she packed up her things, she asked:
"What is your life work?"
"Your work. What is your occupation?"
"Oh, you mean what I do for a living?" Puffing49 out his chest he went on proudly: "I'm in the automobile50 business, and I'm a cracker51 jack52 at it, too. Only been in it a month, but I guess I've made good all right."
She smiled at his unblushing self-conceit.
"Only been at it a month?" she echoed. "Why, what did you do before that?"
The question seemed to embarrass him.
"Oh, I worked hard enough," he replied carelessly. "I got up at noon, had breakfast, played golf or took a spin in the machine, ran in to the club, dressed for dinner, ate, went to a show, back to clubs, played poker53 till three A. M., back home. Same old thing week in, week out, all through the season. Isn't that hard work?"
"Hard work—yes," she answered quietly. "I should think that very hard work if I had to do it. But I don't think it is exactly the kind of work a self-respecting man should do." Looking him straight in the face, she added: "At least, not the kind of man I would care to know——"
Tod shuffled54 his feet as if ill at ease. Under the scrutiny55 of her calm gaze he seemed to lose some of his self-assurance.
"You're dead right!" he stammered56 nervously57. "But what can a fellow do? When one's in a certain set, one has to live as everyone else does."Summoning up courage, he demanded boldly: "If you lived in New York and knew everybody, wouldn't you like to have a jolly good time?"
She shook her head.
"I should live as I want to live," she answered calmly. "My happiness would consist in making others happy. If I were rich, I would go among the poor and try to lighten the burdens of those less fortunate than I."
He laughed scornfully.
She smiled as she replied:
"I am a Christian59—a socialist if you will." There was an amused expression on her face as she asked: "What do you know of socialism?"
"Oh, it's a lot of rot," he retorted. "We see 'em in New York—lazy, wild-eyed guys with dirty faces and long hair, blowing off hot air on union Square, organizing strikes, throwing bombs, and raising Cain generally. They're usually bums60 out of a job. As long as they've no money they're rabid socialists61; directly they make a little money, they become capitalists. They're fakirs, all right!"
Paula shook her head. Gravely she said:
"I'm afraid you've got the wrong idea altogether. Socialism is beautiful. It is the one thing that will save mankind from decadence62 and gradual extinction63. I am a socialist because I am a Christian. Christ loved the poor and the lowly. I try to follow in His footsteps."
Tod looked at her in amazement. The kind of girls he was accustomed to associate with talked quite differently. Unconsciously his manner grew more respectful.
"So you're sailing on the Touraine! Say, isn't that a queer coincidence? Awfully64 nice, though. I'll see you on board, won't I? That'll be jolly." He stopped and hesitated. Then looking at her sheepishly, he said with a grin: "Now, I've told you my name, may I know yours? Rather informal introduction, what?"
Paula hesitated. Was it altogether proper to talk to a stranger in this way? But he seemed such a nice, ingenuous65 young man. Surely there could be no great harm in it. Before, however, she could reply, her ears caught the sound of approaching footsteps, and at the same instant she heard the big church clock outside striking the half hour. It was Mr. Ricaby returning to take her to lunch. In another moment the lawyer appeared. As he came up he stopped short, as if surprised to find her conversing with a total stranger. Puzzled, he stared from one to the other. Paula quickly explained:
"I had a little mishap66. I fell from the stool and this gentleman very kindly67 came to my assistance." Introducing the two men, she said: "Mr. Leon Ricaby—Mr. Todhunter Chase."
Tod nodded and Mr. Ricaby bowed stiffly. Feeling that he was now in the way, the younger man turned to go. Removing his hat, he asked again:
"Since we're to be fellow passengers on the Touraine, may I not have the pleasure of knowing the name of the lady to whom I was able to be of some assistance?"
Mr. Ricaby frowned disapproval68, but Paula, now safely chaperoned, hesitated no longer. Promptly69 she said:
Tod could not suppress a start of surprise.
"Marsh!" he echoed. "By Jove! that's another odd coincidence! My stepfather's name is Marsh—Mr. James Marsh, of West Seventy-second Street."
It was now Mr. Ricaby's turn to be astonished.
"Then you are——?" he cried.
"I'm Tod Chase. My mother married Jimmy Marsh. I'm going back home to take part in a family jollification. You know his brother just died, and Jimmy has come in for a windfall."
Paula, who was busy packing her things, had not heard, but Mr. Ricaby quickly gave the young man a significant nudge.
"Her father!" he exclaimed.
"Yes—her father," said the lawyer quietly. "John Marsh married her mother—a Frenchwoman—twenty-two years ago. He kept the marriage secret."
"Then his money——?" he gasped.
"Goes to his daughter, of course," answered the lawyer, with studied calmness.
"But the will——" exclaimed the other. "The will which Bascom Cooley, Jimmy's lawyer, has had in his possession all these years——?"
"Absolutely valueless," replied Mr. Ricaby coolly. "Before he died John Marsh made a new will. I have it safe in my own keeping. We are going to New York to offer it for probate."
This sudden and unexpected revelation was too much for Tod. Rendered speechless, he just stared at the lawyer. Mr. Ricaby continued amiably72:
"We sail Saturday. I understand that you are going on the same boat. I'm very glad to have met you, Mr. Chase. It is likely that we shall see a good deal of each other in New York. Miss Marsh and I are just going out to get a bite of lunch. Won't you join us?"
The young man stammered his thanks.
"With pleasure—I——"
Paula went out with Mr. Ricaby close behind. As Tod followed he again whistled to himself significantly:
"Well, I'm d——d! What will Jimmy say to this?"
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1
vigor
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| n.活力，精力，元气 | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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tints
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| 色彩( tint的名词复数 )； 带白的颜色； （淡色）染发剂； 痕迹 | |
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alleviate
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| v.减轻，缓和，缓解(痛苦等) | |
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tenements
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| n.房屋，住户，租房子( tenement的名词复数 ) | |
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orphaned
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| [计][修]孤立 | |
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adviser
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| n.劝告者，顾问 | |
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reverted
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| 恢复( revert的过去式和过去分词 )； 重提； 回到…上； 归还 | |
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outskirts
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| n.郊外，郊区 | |
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belching
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| n. 喷出，打嗝 动词belch的现在分词形式 | |
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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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vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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eccentricities
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| n.古怪行为( eccentricity的名词复数 )；反常；怪癖 | |
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estranged
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| adj.疏远的，分离的 | |
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acquiesced
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| v.默认，默许( acquiesce的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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17
valid
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| adj.有确实根据的；有效的；正当的，合法的 | |
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18
tilted
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| v. 倾斜的 | |
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treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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parquet
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| n.镶木地板 | |
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backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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23
gee
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| n.马；int.向右！前进！，惊讶时所发声音；v.向右转 | |
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24
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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displeased
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| a.不快的 | |
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dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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impudence
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| n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼 | |
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contagious
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| adj.传染性的，有感染力的 | |
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positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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31
funereal
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| adj.悲哀的；送葬的 | |
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32
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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33
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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34
conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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35
glibly
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| adv.流利地，流畅地；满口 | |
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36
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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37
surmised
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| v.臆测，推断( surmise的过去式和过去分词 )；揣测；猜想 | |
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38
query
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| n.疑问，问号，质问；vt.询问，表示怀疑 | |
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39
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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40
engraved
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| v.在（硬物）上雕刻（字，画等）( engrave的过去式和过去分词 )；将某事物深深印在（记忆或头脑中） | |
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41
treasury
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| n.宝库；国库，金库；文库 | |
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42
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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43
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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44
faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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45
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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46
droll
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| adj.古怪的，好笑的 | |
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47
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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48
gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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49
puffing
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| v.使喷出( puff的现在分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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50
automobile
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| n.汽车，机动车 | |
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51
cracker
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| n.（无甜味的）薄脆饼干 | |
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52
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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53
poker
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| n.扑克；vt.烙制 | |
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54
shuffled
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| v.洗（纸牌）( shuffle的过去式和过去分词 )；拖着脚步走；粗心地做；摆脱尘世的烦恼 | |
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55
scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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56
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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57
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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58
socialist
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| n.社会主义者；adj.社会主义的 | |
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59
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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60
bums
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| n. 游荡者，流浪汉，懒鬼，闹饮，屁股 adj. 没有价值的，不灵光的，不合理的 vt. 令人失望，乞讨 vi. 混日子，以乞讨为生 | |
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61
socialists
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| 社会主义者( socialist的名词复数 ) | |
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62
decadence
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| n.衰落，颓废 | |
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63
extinction
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| n.熄灭，消亡，消灭，灭绝，绝种 | |
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64
awfully
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| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
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65
ingenuous
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| adj.纯朴的，单纯的；天真的；坦率的 | |
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66
mishap
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| n.不幸的事，不幸；灾祸 | |
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67
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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68
disapproval
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| n.反对，不赞成 | |
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69
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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70
marsh
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| n.沼泽，湿地 | |
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71
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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72
amiably
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| adv.和蔼可亲地，亲切地 | |
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