Chapter 8

 A last time he climbed to the floor above the apothecary¹ shop. If only she wouldn't act up. A serious thing, this he had done. Big Belt felt that he had rushed matters, possibly treading upon a host of delicate and incomprehensible affairs. But, when he had found in Colonel Hartz a man to make action of his words, he had plunged²....

 

Peter was asleep. The woman came forward noiselessly, offering her hand. By her face he knew that all was well with the patient. Boylan had stiffened³ to resist the pang⁴ of Peter's passing from his life. This had so far prevented his voice from softening⁵ to the woman. It was now evening.

 

“I've done what seemed best,” he began abruptly⁶ in a whisper. “It appears to have accomplished⁷ what I set out after, but it's likely a ruffian's way—”

 

Her gray eyes widened, her face blanched⁸.

 

Big Belt cleared his throat. Whispering was difficult.

 

“I met an old friend who made possible your remaining here. He's to send you into the country—as soon as the young fellow is able to be moved. You are to take care of him there. You see, my friend happened to be second in command here at Sondreig, and he thinks he can make all concerned forget that you were picked up from the opposition⁹ in Judenbach—”

 

“Can make Sondreig forget that?” she whispered.

 

“We are very old friends. We were out together in a former service—”

 

“And we are to be sent into the country—as soon as Peter is able?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“But what is the terrible part?”

 

“There might have been a better way, but I didn't think of it—”

 

“Oh, what, Mr. Boylan?”

 

“I told him that you two were married—”

 

“Yes.”

 

“I say, I told him that you two were married—”

 

“Yes—and then?”

 

Big Belt backed from her, and sat down.

 

“There isn't any then,” he said. “That's it.... That you were married in Warsaw, and followed him to the field—without his knowing.”

 

“Is that all?”

 

“Yes, ma'am.”

 

“Oh, you frightened me.”

 

...Boylan was on the stairs. He halted, turned back. She came to him eagerly.

 

“But were you married?” he asked.

 

“No. But it's such a little thing compared to what might have happened—to keep us apart. I mean what might have happened here.... Oh, God bless you!”

 

He twisted his chin away from his collar, drew it clear with his hand, cleared his throat to speak, and vanished.

1 apothecary   

n.药剂师

参考例句：

• I am an apothecary of that hospital.我是那家医院的一名药剂师。
• He was the usual cut and dry apothecary,of no particular age and color.他是那种再普通不过的行医者，说不出多大年纪，相貌也没什么值得一提的。

2 plunged   

v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降

参考例句：

• The train derailed and plunged into the river. 火车脱轨栽进了河里。
• She lost her balance and plunged 100 feet to her death. 她没有站稳，从100英尺的高处跌下摔死了。

3 stiffened   

加强的

参考例句：

• He leaned towards her and she stiffened at this invasion of her personal space. 他向她俯过身去，这种侵犯她个人空间的举动让她绷紧了身子。
• She stiffened with fear. 她吓呆了。

4 pang   

n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷

参考例句：

• She experienced a sharp pang of disappointment.她经历了失望的巨大痛苦。
• She was beginning to know the pang of disappointed love.她开始尝到了失恋的痛苦。

5 softening   

变软，软化

参考例句：

• Her eyes, softening, caressed his face. 她的眼光变得很温柔了。它们不住地爱抚他的脸。 来自汉英文学 - 家（1-26） - 家（1-26）
• He might think my brain was softening or something of the kind. 他也许会觉得我婆婆妈妈的，已经成了个软心肠的人了。

6 abruptly   

adv.突然地，出其不意地

参考例句：

• He gestured abruptly for Virginia to get in the car.他粗鲁地示意弗吉尼亚上车。
• I was abruptly notified that a half-hour speech was expected of me.我突然被通知要讲半个小时的话。

7 accomplished   

adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的

参考例句：

• Thanks to your help,we accomplished the task ahead of schedule.亏得你们帮忙,我们才提前完成了任务。
• Removal of excess heat is accomplished by means of a radiator.通过散热器完成多余热量的排出。

8 blanched   

v.使变白( blanch的过去式 )；使（植物）不见阳光而变白；酸洗（金属）使有光泽；用沸水烫（杏仁等）以便去皮

参考例句：

• The girl blanched with fear when she saw the bear coming. 那女孩见熊（向她）走来，吓得脸都白了。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• Their faces blanched in terror. 他们的脸因恐惧而吓得发白。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。