“Do not fear me, Adrian, though for a moment I forgot myself. For you personally—personally—I have only great good will. But—— Will you answer my questions, believing that it is a painful necessity which compels them?”
[Pg 110]
“Certainly.”
“One word more. Beyond the fact, which you confided5 to Margot, that you were a runaway6 I know no details of your past life. I have wished not to know and have refrained from any inquiries7. I must now break that silence. What—is your father’s name?”
As he spoke8 the man’s hands gripped the arms of his chair more tightly, like one prepared for an unpleasant answer.
“Malachi Wadislaw.”
The questioner waited a moment, during which he seemed to be thinking profoundly. Then he rallied his own judgment9. It was an uncommon10 name, but there might be two men bearing it. That was not impossible.
“Where does he live?”
“Number —, Madison Avenue, New York.”
A longer silence than before, broken by a long drawn11: “A-ah!” There might, indeed, be two men of one name, but not two residing at that once familiar locality.
“Adrian, when you asked my niece that [Pg 111]question about her father, did you—had you—— Tell me what was in your mind.”
The lad’s face showed nothing but frank astonishment12.
“Why, nothing, sir, beyond an idle curiosity. And I’m no end sorry for my thoughtlessness. I’ve seen how tenderly you both watch her mother’s grave and I wondered where her father’s was. That was all. I had no business to have done it——”
“It was natural. It was nothing wrong, in itself. But—unfortunately, it suggested to Margot what I have studiously kept from her. For reasons which I think best to keep to myself, it is impossible to run the risk of other questions which may rouse other speculations13 in her mind. I have been truly glad that she could for a time, at least, have the companionship of one nearer her own age than Angelique or me, but now——”
He paused significantly, and Adrian hastened to complete the unfinished sentence.
“Now it is time for her to return to her ordinary [Pg 112]way of life. I understand you, of course. And I am going away at once. Indeed, I did start, not meaning to come back, but—I will—how can I do so, sir? If I could swim——”
Mr. Dutton’s drawn face softened14 into something like a smile; and again, most gently, he motioned the excited boy to resume his seat. As he did so, he opened a drawer of the table and produced a purse that seemed to be well filled.
“Wait. There is no such haste, nor are you in such dire4 need as you seem to think. You have worked well and faithfully and relieved me of much hard labor15 that I have not, somehow, felt just equal to. I have kept an account for you and, if you will be good enough to see if it is right, I will hand you the amount due you.”
He pushed a paper toward Adrian who would not, at first, touch it.
“You owe me nothing, sir, nor can I take anything. I thank you for your hospitality [Pg 113]and some time——” he stopped, choked, and made a telling gesture. It said plainly enough that his pride was just then deeply humiliated16 but that he would have his revenge at some future day.
“Sit down, lad. I do not wonder at your feeling, nor would you at mine if you knew all. Under other circumstances we should have been the best of friends. It is impossible for me to be more explicit17, and it hurts my pride as much to bid you go as yours to be sent. Some time—but no matter. What we have in hand is to arrange for your departure as speedily and comfortably as possible. I would suggest——” but his words had the force of a command—“that Pierre convey you to the nearest town from which, by stage or railway, you can reach any further place you choose. If I were to offer advice, it would be to go home. Make your peace there; and then, if you desire a life in the woods, seek such with the consent and approval of those to whom your duty is due.”
[Pg 114]
Adrian said nothing at first; then remarked:
“Pierre need not go so far. Across the lake, to the mainland is enough. I can travel on foot afterward18, and I know more about the forest now than when I lost myself and you, or Margot, found me. I owe my life to you. I am sorry I have given you pain. Sorry for many things.”
“There are few who have not something to regret; for anything that has happened here no apology is necessary. As for saving life, that was by God’s will. Now—to business. You will see that I have reckoned your wages the same as Pierre’s: thirty dollars a month and ‘found,’ as the farmers say, though it has been much more difficult to find him than you. You have been here nearly three months and eighty dollars is yours.”
“Eighty dollars! Whew! I mean, impossible. In the first place I haven’t earned it; in the second, I couldn’t take it from—from [Pg 115]you—if I had. How could a man take money from one who had saved his life?”
“Easily, I hope, if he has common sense. You exaggerate the service we were able to do you, which we would have rendered to anybody. Your earnings19 will start you straight again. Take them, and oblige me by making no further objections.”
Despite his protests, which were honest, Adrian could not but be delighted at the thought of possessing so goodly a sum. It was the first money he had ever earned, therefore better than any other ever could be, and as he put it, in his own thoughts: “it changed him from a beggar to a prince.” Yet he made a final protest, asking:
“Have I really, really, and justly earned all this? Do you surely mean it?”
“I am not in the habit of saying anything I do not mean. It is getting late, and if you are to go to-night, it would be better to start soon,” answered Mr. Dutton, with a frown.
“Beg pardon. But I’m always saying [Pg 116]what I should not, or putting the right things backward. There are some affairs ‘not mentioned in the bond’: my artist’s outfit20, these clothes, boots, and other matters. I want to pay the cost of them. Indeed, I must. You must allow me, as you would any other man.”
The woodlander hesitated a moment as if he were considering. He would have preferred no return for anything, but again that effort to be wholly just influenced him.
“For the clothing, if you so desire, certainly. Here, in this account book, is a price list of all such articles as I buy. We will deduct21 that much. But I hope, in consideration of the pleasure that your talent has given me, that you will accept the painting stuff I so gladly provided. If you choose, also, you may leave a small gift for Angelique. Come. Pride is commendable22, but not always.”
“Very well. Thank you, then, for your gift. Now, the price list.”
It had been a gratification to Mr. Dutton that Adrian had never worn the suits of clothing [Pg 117]which he had laid out ready for use, on that morning after his arrival at the island. The lad had preferred the rougher costume suited to the woods and still wore it.
In a few moments the small business transactions were settled, and Adrian rose.
“I would like to bid Margot good-bye. But, I suppose, she has gone to bed.”
“Yes. I will give her your message. There is always a pain in parting and you two have been much together. I would spare her as much as I can. Angelique has packed a basket of food and Pierre is on the beach with his canoe. He may go as far with you as you desire, and you must pay him nothing for his service. He is already paid, though his greed might make him despoil23 you, if he could. Good-bye. I wish you well.”
Mr. Dutton had also risen, and as he moved forward into the lamplight Adrian noticed how much altered for the worse was his physical bearing. The man seemed to have aged24 by many years and his fine head was now [Pg 118]snow-white. He half extended his hand, in response to the lad’s proffered25 clasp, then dropped it to his side. He hoped that the departing guest had not observed this inhospitable movement—but he had. Possibly, it helped him over an awkward moment, by touching26 his pride afresh.
“Good-bye, sir, and again—thank you. For the present, that is all I can do. Yet I have heard it was not so big a world, after all, and my chance may come. I’ll get my traps from my room, if you please, and one or two little drawings as souvenirs. I’ll not be long.”
Fifteen minutes later Pierre was paddling vigorously toward the further side of the lake and Adrian was straining his eyes for the last glimpse of the beautiful island which even now, in his banishment27 from it, seemed his real and beloved home. It became a vague and shadowy outline, as silent as the stars that brooded over it; and again he marveled what the mystery might be which enshrouded it, and why he should be connected with it.
[Pg 119]
“Now that I am no longer its guest, there is no dishonor in my finding out; and find out—I will!”
“Hey?” asked Pierre, so suddenly, that Adrian jumped and nearly upset the boat. “Oh! I thought you said somethin’. Say, ain’t this a go? What you done that make the master shut the door on you? I never knew him do it before. Hey?”
“Nothing. Keep quiet. I don’t feel like talking.”
“Pr-r-r-rp! Look a here, young fello’. Me and you’s alone on this dead water and I can swim—you can’t. I’ve got all I expect to get out the trip and I’ve no notion o’ makin’ it. Not ’less things go to my thinkin’. Now, I’ll rest a spell. You paddle!”
With that, he began to rock the frail28 craft violently and Adrian’s attention was recalled to the necessity of saving his own life.
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1
dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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2
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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3
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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4
dire
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| adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的 | |
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5
confided
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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6
runaway
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| n.逃走的人，逃亡，亡命者；adj.逃亡的，逃走的 | |
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7
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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8
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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9
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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10
uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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11
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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12
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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13
speculations
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| n.投机买卖( speculation的名词复数 )；思考；投机活动；推断 | |
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14
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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15
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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16
humiliated
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| 感到羞愧的 | |
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17
explicit
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| adj.详述的，明确的；坦率的；显然的 | |
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18
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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19
earnings
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| n.工资收人；利润，利益，所得 | |
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20
outfit
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| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
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21
deduct
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| vt.扣除，减去 | |
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22
commendable
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| adj.值得称赞的 | |
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23
despoil
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| v.夺取，抢夺 | |
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24
aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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25
proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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26
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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27
banishment
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| n.放逐，驱逐 | |
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28
frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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