The intermittent2 showers of yesterday afternoon and night had cleaned the June world, and the four ancient cedars3 from which the Walton place had received its name, and in the broken shade of which Eve was reading, exhaled4 a spicy5 odor under the influence of moisture and warmth. Eve, a slim white figure against the dark-green of the foliage6, the sun flecking her waving hair, looked up, smiled and laid her book down.
"Good morning," she said. "Have you come to help me be lazy?"
"If you need help," he replied. "I brought these. They're not much, but I think they're the last in the village." He handed her a half-dozen sprays of purple lilac, small and in some places already touched with brown.
"Oh," she said, "they're lovely!" She buried her face in them and crooned over them delightedly. Witnessing her pleasure, Wade had no regrets for his hour's search over the length and breadth of Eden Village. She laid them in her lap and looked up curiously7. "Where did you get them? Not from your hedge?"
"Oh, I just stopped at the florist's as I came along," he laughed. "He apologized for them and wanted me to take orchids8, but I told him they were for the Lilac Girl."
"Is that me?" smiled Eve. "Thank you very much." She made a little bow. "I feel dreadfully impolite and inhospitable, Mr. Herrick, at not asking you to sit down, but—you see!" She waved a hand before her. "There's nothing but the ground, and that's damp, I'm afraid. So let us go indoors. Besides, I must put these in water."
"Please don't," he begged. "The ground isn't damp where the sun shines, and I wouldn't mind if it were. If I'm not keeping you from your book I'll sit down here. May I?"
"You'll catch rheumatism9 or ague or something else dreadful," she warned.
"Not I," he laughed. "I've never been sick a day in my life, unless it was after I'd got mixed up with dynamite10 that time. Don't you think you might wear those lilacs?"
"Surely not all of them. One, perhaps." She tucked a spray in at the bosom11 of her white waist. "You haven't told me yet where you got them. Have you been stealing?"
"Some I stole, some I begged, and some I—just took. I think I can truthfully declare, though, that there is not another bit of lilac at this moment in the whole village. I went on a foraging12 expedition after breakfast and there is the result. I've examined every bush and hedge with a microscope."
"And all that trouble for me!" she exclaimed. "I'm sure I'm flattered." A little flush of rose-pink crept into her clear cheeks. "Do you know, Mr. Herrick, you're a perfectly13 delightful14 neighbor? Last night fish, to-day flowers! And I haven't thanked you for the fish, have I? They were delicious, and it was good of you to send them. Especially as Zenas Third said you didn't have very good luck."
"No, we didn't catch many," answered Wade, "but we had a good time. I was sorry I couldn't send more, though."
"More! Pray how many trout15 do you think two ladies of delicate appetites can eat, Mr. Herrick? You sent six, and we didn't begin to eat all of those."
"Really? They were little chaps, too. I'm glad you liked them. Next time I hope I'll have some better ones to offer. Zenas and I are going to try again the first cloudy day."
"I hope you have good luck." There was a moment's silence. Eve raised the lilacs to her face again and over the tips of the sprays shot a glance at Wade. He had crossed his legs under him and was feeling for his pipe. He looked up and their eyes met.
"I'm afraid I can't offer you any tobacco," she said.
"I've got plenty," he laughed, "if you don't mind my smoking."
"Not a bit. Perhaps I should call Carrie. I think she likes the smell of tobacco better than any perfume she knows."
"Is she well?" asked Wade, contritely16. "I should have asked before, but—you—something put it out of my head."
"Quite well, thanks. She's making something for luncheon17 and has forbidden me the kitchen. It's a surprise. Do you like surprises, Mr. Herrick?"
"Some. It depends on the nature of them."
"I suppose it does. An earthquake, for instance, would be a rather disagreeable surprise, wouldn't it?"
"Decidedly. I can imagine a surprise that would be distinctly pleasant, though," said Wade, giving a great deal of attention to the selection of a match from his silver case. "For instance, if you were to give me a small piece of that lilac for my buttonhole."
"That would surprise you?" laughed Eve. "Then I'm to understand that you think me ungenerous?"
"No, indeed, I was—was considering my unworthiness."
"Such humility18 is charming," answered Eve, breaking off a tiny spray and tossing it to him. "There; aren't you awfully19 surprised? Please look so."
Wade struck an attitude and made a grimace20 which to a third person would have indicated wild alarm.
"Oh, dear," laughed Eve, "if that's your idea of looking pleasant I'd hate to see you in an earthquake!"
Wade placed the spray in his buttonhole. "Thank you," he said, "I shall have quite a collection—"
"You were going to say?" asked Eve politely as he paused.
"I was going to say"—he paused again. "You know I already have a spray of this that belongs to you." He shot a quick, curious glance at her.
"You have? And where did you get it?"
Wade lighted his pipe very deliberately21.
"You dropped it outside my window the other day."
"Oh!" said Eve, with a careless laugh.
"It is," said Wade. There was no reply to this, and he looked up to find her gazing idly at the pages of her book, which she was ruffling23 with her fingers. "I'm keeping you from reading," he said.
"No, I don't want to read. It's not interesting."
"May I see what it is?" She held the cover up for his inspection24.
"Have you read it?" she asked. He shook his head slowly.
"I don't read many novels, and those I do read I forget all about the next minute. Of course I try to keep up with the important ones, the ones folks always ask you about, like Mrs. Humphrey Ward's and Miss Wharton's."
"Yes? And do you like them?"
"I suppose so," he replied, dubiously25. "I think the last one I read was 'The Fruit of Mirth.' I didn't care very much for that, did you? If I'd had my way I'd have passed around the morphine to the whole bunch early in the book."
Eve smiled. "I'm afraid you wouldn't care for this one either," she said, indicating the book in her lap. "I heard this described as 'forty chapters of agony and two words of relief.'"
"'The End,' eh? That was clever. You write stories yourself, don't you?"
"Of a sort, stories for little children about fairies, usually. They don't amount to much."
"I wish they were 'darned good,'" she laughed. "If they were they'd sell better. I used to write little things for our college paper, and then, when papa died, and there wasn't very much left after the executors had got through, writing seemed about the only thing I could do. I took some stories to the magazine that papa was editor of, and they were splendid to me. They couldn't use them, but they told me where to take them and I sold several. That was the beginning. Now I'm fast becoming a specialist in 'Once-Upon-a-Time' stories."
"I'd like to read some of them," said Wade. "I'm awfully fond of fairy stories." "Oh, but these are very young fairy stories, like—like this one." Eve pulled a pencilled sheet of paper from the pages of her book, smiled, hesitated, and read: "'Once upon a time there was a Fairy Princess whose name was Dewdrop. She lived in a beautiful Blue Palace deep in the heart of a Canterbury Bell that swayed to and fro, to and fro, at the top of the garden wall. And when the sun shone against the walls of her palace it was filled with a lovely lavender light, and when the moon shone it was all asparkle with silver. It was quite the most desirable palace in the whole garden, for it was the only one that had a view over the great high wall, and many fairies envied her because she lived in it. One of those who wanted the Blue Palace for himself was a very wicked fairy who lived under a toadstool nearby. He was so terribly wicked that I don't like to even tell you about him. He never got up to breakfast when he was called, he never did as he was told, and he used to sit for hours on top of his toadstool, putting out his tongue at all the other fairies who flew by. And he did lots and lots of other things, too, that only a thoroughly27 depraved fairy could ever think of, like putting cockleburs in the nests where the baby birds lived, and making them very uncomfortable, and chasing the moles28 about underground, and making a squeaking29 noise like a hungry weasel, and scaring the poor little moles almost to death. Oh, I could tell you lots of dreadful things about the wicked fairy if I wanted to. His name was Nettlesting, and his father and mother were both dead, and he lived all alone with his grandmother, who simply spoiled him! And—'and that's all there is. How do you like it?"
"Bully," said Wade. "What's the rest of it?"
"I don't know. That's as far as I've got. I suppose, though, that the wicked fairy tried to oust30 the Princess from the Blue Palace, and there were perfectly scandalous doings in Fairyland."
"I hope you'll finish it," said Wade. "I rather like Nettlesting."
"Oh, but you mustn't! The moral is that fairies who don't get up to breakfast when they're called always come to some bad end. You must like the Princess and think the wicked fairy quite detestable."
"Can't help it," Wade replied, apologetically. "The wicked fairy had a sense of humor and I like him. That chasing the moles around and squeaking like a weasel appeals to me. I'll bet that's just what I'd do if I were a fairy!"
"I know," said Eve, nodding her head sympathetically. "I'm ashamed to say it, but I always like the wicked fairies, too. It's dreadfully hard sometimes for me to give them their deserts. I'm afraid I don't make them mean enough. What is your idea of a thoroughly depraved fairy, Mr. Herrick?"
Wade frowned a moment, thinking deeply.
"Well," he said finally, "you might have him go around and upset the bird-nests and spill the little birds out. How would that do?"
"Beautifully! Oh, he would be wicked; even I couldn't like a fairy who did that. Thank you ever so much, Mr. Herrick; I would never have thought of that myself. What a beautifully wicked imagination you must have! I'll make Nettlesting do that very thing."
"No, don't change him, please; I like him the way he is. When will that story he published?"
"Oh, I may never finish it, and, if I do, it may never be accepted."
Wade pondered a minute. Then—"Of course, you know it's perfect nonsense," he charged.
"My story? Isn't that a little cruel, Mr. Herrick?"
"I don't mean your story. I mean the idea of you having to write things to make a living when—when there's all that money that really belongs to you. I wish, Miss Walton, you'd look at it sensibly."
"Mr. Herrick, you're not flattering any more."
"Can't help it," answered Wade, doggedly31. "You ought to consider the matter from—from a practical point of view. Now you can't deny—"
"This isn't logic; it's incontrovertible fact."
"Good gracious! No, I don't believe I'd have the courage to deny such a thing as that. I'm sure it would be quite unlawful, wouldn't it, Mr. Herrick?"
"Won't you please be serious?" he begged.
"No, not to-day, thank you."
"Then we'll talk about it some other day."
"No, but we won't, please. I'd like you to understand, Mr. Herrick, that I appreciate your—your kindness, your generosity33, but all the argument in the world won't shake my resolution to take none of Cousin Edward's money. Now we understand each other, don't we?"
"I suppose so," answered Wade, regretfully. "But you're making a mistake, Miss Walton. Won't you just think about it?' Won't you take advice from—from your friends?"
"The last thing I'd do," Eve replied, smilingly. "One's friends are the very ones to avoid when you want unbiased advice. For instance, there's Carrie Mullett. I told her what you said the other night, and what do you suppose her advice was?"
"I'm sure it was sensible," said Wade. "She's a very sensible, as well as a very charming, lady."
"H'm; well, she said: 'Accept enough to live on, my dear. Your father would never have wanted you to be dependent on yourself for your living.'"
"Well?" asked Wade, hopefully.
"She never knew papa," replied Eve. "Besides, I am not dependent on myself for my living. I have enough to live on even if I never sold a thing. I'm not so poverty-stricken as you imagine."
"If you'd talk it over with a lawyer—"
"But it isn't a question of law, Mr. Herrick. It's something between me and my conscience, you see. And surely," she ended with a smile, "you wouldn't consult a lawyer about an affair of conscience? Why, I might have to explain what a conscience was!"
"Well," said Wade, grimly. "I've made no promises, and I haven't given up yet. And you'll find, Miss Walton, that I'm a tiresome34 chap when it comes to having my own way."
"And you'll find, Mr. Herrick, that I'm a stubborn woman when it comes to having mine. There, the battle is on!"
"And I shall win," said Wade, looking up at her with a sudden gleam in his eyes. For an instant she met his gaze and found herself a little dismayed at some expression she found there. But—
"We'll see," she answered, calmly. "Is it to be war to the knife, Mr. Herrick?"
"I hope it won't come to that," he answered. "But there's another thing I want you to do, and as it's something you can do without wounding your conscience, I hope you will."
"It sounds formidable. What is it, please?"
"Come over this afternoon and have tea, you and Miss Mullett. Will you?"
"Gladly. I haven't had afternoon tea since I left New York."
"Then shall we say four o'clock? Don't fail me, please, Miss Walton, for Zephania and I will be terribly disappointed if you do. It's our first tea, you know."
"Indeed we won't fail you!" answered Eve. "And, please, I like lemon with mine."
All was ready for the guests long before the time appointed, and Wade, attired35 in his best blue serge, whitest vest, and bluest silk tie, and clean-shaven to a painful degree, paced impatiently between the kitchen, fragrant36 with the odor of newly-baked cake, and the parlor37, less chill and formal than usual under the humanizing influence of several bowls and vases of flowers.
The ladies were quite on time, Miss Mullett looking sweet and cheerful in pink and white, and Eve absolutely lovely and adorable in pale-blue linen38 that matched her eyes to the fraction of a tone. They settled themselves in the cool parlor and talked while the shades rustled39 and whispered in the little scented40 breeze that stole through the open windows. Zephania, starched41 and ribboned, bore proudly in the best silver tea service, Wade watching the progress of the heavily laden42 tray across the room with grave anxiety.
"I'd like you to know," he announced when it was safely deposited on the little table at Eve's side, "that this is Zephania's spread. She made the cake herself—and the bread too."
"The dear child!" said Miss Mullett.
"Why, Zephania!" exclaimed Eve.
And Zephania, very proud and rosy43, and trying hard to look unconcerned, made her escape just as Doctor Crimmins, happening by, heard the voices and demanded admittance with the head of his cane44 on the window-sill. That was a very jolly tea-party. The Doctor ate six pieces of cake and drank three cups of tea, praising each impartially45 between mouthfuls. Wade, eating and drinking spasmodically, told of his adventures in search of lemons.
"Prout's emporium was quite out of them," he explained. "Prout said he had had some a few weeks ago, but they were sold. So I walked over to The Centre and got them there."
"You ought never to have taken such a walk on such a hot day, Mr. Herrick. The idea! Why, you might have died! Why don't you scold him, Eve?"
"Why should I scold him, Carrie? Mr. Herrick knew that I liked lemon in my tea and, being a very gallant48 gentleman, he obtained lemon. You all know that I am quite heartless where my wants are concerned."
"Well, I think it was extremely wrong, Mr. Herrick, and I shan't touch another slice of lemon."
"Which," laughed Eve, "considering that you already have four pieces floating about in your cup, is truly heroic!"
After the ladies had gone the Doctor lingered, and presently, in some strange way, he found himself in the dining-room with the doors carefully closed, saying "Ha! H'm!" and wiping his lips gratefully. He made Wade promise to come and see him, quoted a couplet anent hospitality—neglecting to give the author's name—and took his departure. After supper Wade lighted his pipe and started in the direction of the Doctor's house, but he never got there that evening. For an hour or more he wandered along the quiet, almost deserted49 street, and smoked and thought and watched the effect of the moonlight amidst the high branches of the elms, finally finding himself back at his own gate, tapping his pipe against the post and watching the red sparks drop.
"It isn't going to be very hard, after all," he murmured.
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1
wade
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| v.跋涉，涉水；n.跋涉 | |
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intermittent
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| adj.间歇的，断断续续的 | |
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cedars
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| 雪松，西洋杉( cedar的名词复数 ) | |
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exhaled
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| v.呼出，发散出( exhale的过去式和过去分词 )；吐出（肺中的空气、烟等），呼气 | |
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spicy
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| adj.加香料的；辛辣的，有风味的 | |
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foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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orchids
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| n.兰花( orchid的名词复数 ) | |
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rheumatism
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| n.风湿病 | |
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dynamite
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| n./vt.(用)炸药(爆破) | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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foraging
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| v.搜寻（食物），尤指动物觅（食）( forage的现在分词 )；（尤指用手）搜寻（东西） | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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trout
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| n.鳟鱼；鲑鱼(属) | |
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contritely
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luncheon
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| n.午宴，午餐，便宴 | |
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humility
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| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
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awfully
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| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
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grimace
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| v.做鬼脸，面部歪扭 | |
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deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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withered
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| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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ruffling
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| 弄皱( ruffle的现在分词 )； 弄乱； 激怒； 扰乱 | |
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inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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dubiously
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| adv.可疑地，怀疑地 | |
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stoutly
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| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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moles
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| 防波堤( mole的名词复数 )； 鼹鼠； 痣； 间谍 | |
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squeaking
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| v.短促地尖叫( squeak的现在分词 )；吱吱叫；告密；充当告密者 | |
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oust
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| vt.剥夺，取代，驱逐 | |
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doggedly
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| adv.顽强地，固执地 | |
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logic
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| n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性 | |
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generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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tiresome
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| adj.令人疲劳的，令人厌倦的 | |
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attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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fragrant
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| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
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parlor
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| n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅 | |
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linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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rustled
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| v.发出沙沙的声音( rustle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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scented
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| adj.有香味的；洒香水的；有气味的v.嗅到(scent的过去分词) | |
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41
starched
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| adj.浆硬的，硬挺的，拘泥刻板的v.把（衣服、床单等）浆一浆( starch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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cane
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| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
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impartially
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| adv.公平地，无私地 | |
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eluded
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| v.（尤指机敏地）避开( elude的过去式和过去分词 )；逃避；躲避；使达不到 | |
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47
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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48
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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49
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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