The small town of Durford was not immune from the curse of drink: there was no doubt about that. Other forms of viciousness there were in plenty; but the nine saloons did more harm than all the rest of the evil influences put together, and Maxwell, though far from being a fanatic1, was doing much in a quiet way to neutralize2 their bad influence. He turned the Sunday School room into a reading room during the week days, organized a gymnasium, kept watch of the younger men individually, and offered as best he could some chance for the expression of the gregarious3 instinct which drew them together after the work of the day was over. In the face of his work in these directions, it happened that a venturesome and enterprising saloon-keeper bought a vacant property adjacent to the church, and opened up an aggressive business--much to Maxwell's dismay.
Among the women of the parish there was a "Ladies' Temperance League," of which Mrs. Burke was president. They held quarterly meetings, and it was at one of the meetings held at Thunder Cliff, and at which Mrs. Burke presided, that she remarked severely4:
"Mrs. Sapley, you're out of order. There's a motion before the house, and I've got something to say about it myself. Mrs. Perkins, as Mrs. Maxwell was unable to be present, will you kindly5 take the chair, or anything else you can lay your hands on, and I'll say what I've got to say."
Mrs. Perkins took Mrs. Burke's place as the president, while Mrs. Burke rubbed her glasses in an impatient way; and having adjusted them, began in a decided6 tone from which there was meant to be no appeal:
"The fact is, ladies, we're not gettin' down to business as we ought to, if we are to accomplish anything. We've been singing hymns7, and recitin' lovely poems, and listenin' to reports as to how money spent for liquor would pay off the national debt; and we've been sayin' prayers, and pledgin' ourselves not to do things none of us ever was tempted9 to do, or thought of doin', and wearin' ribbons, and attendin' conventions, and talkin' about influencin' legislation at Washington, and eatin' sandwiches, and drinkin' weak tea, and doin' goodness knows what; but we've not done a blessed thing to stop men drinkin' right here in Durford and breakin' the town law; you know that well enough."
Mrs. Burke paused for breath after this astounding10 revolutionary statement, and there was a murmur11 of scandalized dissent12 from the assembled ladies at this outspoken13 expression on the part of the honorable president of the Parish Guild14.
"No," she continued emphatically, "don't you fool yourselves. If we can't help matters right here where we live, then there's no use havin' imitation church sociables, and goin' home thinkin' we've helped the temperance cause, and callin' everybody else bad names who don't exactly agree with us."
Again there were symptoms of open rebellion against this traitorous15 heresy16 on the part of the plainspoken president; but she was not to be easily silenced; so she continued:
"Men have got to go somewheres when their work is over, and have a good time, and I believe that we won't accomplish anything until we fix up a nice, attractive set of rooms with games, and give 'em something to drink."
Cries of "Oh! Oh! Oh!" filled the room.
"I didn't say whiskey, did I? Anybody would think I'd offered to treat you, the way you receive my remarks. Now we can't get the rooms right off, 'cause we can't yet afford to pay the rent of 'em. But there's one thing we can do. There's Silas Bingham--the new man. He's gone and opened a saloon within about a hundred feet of the church, and he's sellin' liquor to children and runnin' a slot machine besides. It's all against the law; but if you think the village trustees are goin' to do anythin' to enforce the law, you're just dead wrong, every one of you. The trustees are most of 'em in it for graft17, and they 'aint goin' to close no saloon when it's comin' election day 'for long, not if Bingham serves cocktails18 between the hymns in church. Maybe the trustees'd come to church better if he did. Maybe you think I'm usin' strong language; but it's true all the same, and you know it's true. Silas Bingham's move is a sassy challenge to us: are we goin' to lie down under it?"
"I must say that I'm painfully surprised at you, Mrs. Burke," Mrs. Burns began. "You surely can't forget what wonderful things the League has accomplished19 in Virginia and----"
"Yes," Mrs. Burke interrupted, "but you see Durford 'aint in Virginia so far as heard from, and it's our business to get up and hustle20 right here where we live. Did you think we were tryin' to reform Virginia or Alaska by absent treatment?"
Mrs. Sapley could not contain herself another moment; so, rising to her feet excitedly she sputtered21:
"I do not agree with you, Mrs. Burke; I do not agree with you at all. Our meetings have been very inspiring and helpful to us all, I am perfectly22 sure; very uplifting and encouraging; and I am astonished that you should speak as you do."
"I'm very glad you've found them so, Mrs. Sapley. I don't drink myself, and I don't need no encouragin' and upliftin'. It's the weak man that drinks who needs encouragin' and upliftin'; and he wouldn't come near one of our meetin's any more than a bantam rooster would try to hatch turtles from moth-balls. We've got to clear Silas Bingham from off the church steps."
"Well," Mrs. Burns inquired, "what do you propose to do about it, if I may be allowed to inquire?"
"Do? The first thing I propose to do is to interview Silas Bingham myself privately23, and see what I can do with him. Perhaps I won't accomplish nothin'; but I'm goin' to try, anyway, and make him get out of that location."
"You can, if anybody can," Mrs. Sapley remarked.
"Thank you for the compliment, Mrs. Sapley. Now Mrs. President, I move, sir--that is, madam--that the parish League appoints me to interview Bingham."
The motion was duly seconded and passed, notwithstanding some mild protests from the opposition24, and Mrs. Burke resumed her place as presiding officer of the meeting. Then she continued:
"Excuse me; I forgot the previous question which somebody moved. Shall we have lettuce25 or chicken sandwiches at our next meetin'? You have heard the question. Those in favor of chicken please say aye. Ah! The ayes have the chicken, and the chicken is unanimously carried. Any more business to come before the meetin'? If not, we'll proceed to carry out the lit'ary program arranged by Miss Perkins. Then we'll close this meetin' by singin' the 224th hymn8. Don't forget the basket by the door."
* * * * *
Silas Bingham was an undersized, timid, pulpy26 soul, with a horizontal forehead, watery27 blue eyes, and a receding28 chin. Out of "office hours" he looked like a meek29 solicitor30 for a Sunday School magazine. One bright morning just as he had finished sweeping31 out the saloon and was polishing the brass32 rod on the front of the bar, Mrs. Burke walked in, and extended her hand to the astonished bar-keeper, whose chin dropped from sheer amazement33. She introduced herself in the most cordial and sympathetic of tones, saying:
"How do you do, Mr. Bingham? I haven't had the pleasure of meetin' you before; but I always make it a point to call on strangers when they come to town. It must be awful lonesome when you first arrive and don't know a livin' soul. I hope your wife is tolerable well."
Bingham gradually pulled himself together and turned very red, as he replied:
"Thanks! But my wife doesn't live here. It's awful kind of you, I'm sure; but you'll find my wife in the third house beyond the bakery, down two blocks--turn to the right. She'll be glad to see you."
"That's good," Hepsey responded, "but you see I don't have much to do on Thursdays, and I'll just have a little visit with you, now I'm here. Fine day, isn't it."
Mrs. Burke drew up a chair and sat down, adjusted her feet comfortably to the rung of another chair, and pulled out her knitting from her work-bag, much to the consternation34 of the proprietor35 of the place.
"How nice you've got things fixed36 up, Mr. Bingham," Hepsey remarked, gazing serenely37 at the seductive variety of bottles and glasses, and the glare of mirrors behind the bar. "Nothin' like havin' a fine lookin' place to draw trade. Is business prosperin' now-a-days?"
Silas turned three shades redder, and stammered38 badly as he replied:
"Yes, I'm doin' as well as I can expect--er--I suppose."
"Probably as well as your customers are doin', I should imagine? You don't need to get discouraged. It takes time to work up a trade like yours in a nice, decent neighborhood like this."
Silas stared hard at the unwelcome intruder, glancing apprehensively39 at the door from which several customers had already turned away when, through the glass, they had caught sight of Mrs. Burke. He was desperately40 ill at ease, and far from responding cordially to Hepsey's friendly advances; and his nervousness increased as his patrons continually retreated, occasionally grinning derisively41 at him through the glass in the door.
"If you don't mind my sayin' it, Mrs. Burke, I think you'd be a lot more comfortable at my house than you are here."
"Oh, I'm perfectly comfortable, thanks; perfectly comfortable. Don't you worry a bit about me."
"But this is a saloon, and it 'aint just what you might call respectable for ladies to be sittin' in a saloon, now, is it?"
"Why not? "
The question was so sudden, sharp and unexpected that Silas jumped and almost knocked over a bottle of gin, and then stared in silent chagrin42 at his guest, his nervous lips moving without speech.
"I don't see," Hepsey continued, "just why the men should have all the fun, and then when a woman takes to enjoyin' herself say that it isn't respectable. What's the difference, I'd like to know? This is a right cheerful place, and I feel just like stayin' as long as I want to. There's no law against a woman goin' to a saloon, is there? I saw Jane Dwire come out of here Saturday night. To be sure, Jane 'aint just what you'd call a 'society' lady, as you might say; but as long as I behave myself I don't see why I should go."
"But, ma'am," Silas protested in wrathful desperation, "I must ask you to go. You'll hurt my trade if you stay here any longer."
"Hurt your trade! Nonsense! You aren't half as polite as I thought you were. I'm awful popular with the gentlemen. You ought to be payin' me a commission to sit here and entertain your customers, instead of insinuatin' that I 'aint welcome. Ah! Here comes Martin Crowfoot. Haven't seen Martin in the longest time."
Martin slouched in and reached the bar and ordered before he caught sight of Mrs. Burke. He was just raising the glass to his lips when Hepsey stepped up briskly, and extending her hand, exclaimed:
"How do you do, Martin? How are the folks at home? Awful glad to see you."
Martin stared vacantly at Mrs. Burke, dropped his glass, and muttered incoherently. Then he bolted hastily from the place without paying for his drink.
Bingham was now getting a bit hysterical43 over the situation, and was about to make another vigorous protest, when Hiram Green entered and called for some beer. Again Hepsey extended her hand cordially, and Hiram jumped as if he had seen a ghost--for they had been friendly for years.
"Hepsey Burke, what in the name of all that's decent are you doin' in a place like this?" he demanded when he could get his breath. "Don't you know you'll ruin your reputation if you're seen sittin' in a saloon?"
"Oh, don't let that worry you, Hiram, My reputation'd freeze a stroke of lightnin'. You don't seem to be worryin' much about your own reputation."
"Oh well, a man can do a lot of things a woman can't, without losin' his reputation."
For an instant the color flamed into Mrs. Burke's face as she retorted hotly:
"Yes, there's the whole business. A man can drink, and knock the seventh commandment into a cocked hat; and then when he wants to settle down and get married he demands a wife as white as snow. If he gets drunk, it's a lark44. If she gets drunk, it's a crime. But I didn't come here to preach or hold a revival45, and as for my welfare and my reputation, Mr. Bingham and I was just havin' a pleasant afternoon together when you came in and interrupted us. He's awful nice when you get to know him real intimate. Now, Hiram, I hate to spoil your fun, and you do look a bit thirsty. Suppose you have a lemonade on me, if you're sure it won't go to your head. It isn't often that we get out like this together. Lemonades for two, Mr. Bingham; and make Hiram's real sweet."
Mrs. Burke enjoyed hugely the disgust and the grimaces46 with which Green swallowed the syrupy mixture. He then beat a hasty retreat down the street. For two hours Hepsey received all who were courageous47 enough to venture in, with most engaging smiles and cordial handshakes, until Silas was bordering on madness. Finally he emerged from the bar and mustered48 up sufficient courage to threaten:
"Mrs. Burke, if you don't quit, I'll send for the police," he blustered49.
Hepsey gazed calmly at her victim and replied:
"I wouldn't, if I was in your place."
"Well then, I give you fair warning I'll put you out myself if you don't go peaceable in five minutes."
"No, Silas; you're wrong as usual. You can't put me out of here until I'm ready to go. I could wring50 you out like a mop, and drop you down a knot-hole, and nobody'd be the wiser."
The door now opened slowly and a small girl, miserably51 clad, entered the saloon. Her head was covered with a worn, soiled shawl. From underneath52 the shawl she produced a battered53 tin pail and placed it on the bar with the phlegmatic54 remark, "Pa wants a quart of beer."
Mrs. Burke looked at the girl and then at Bingham, and then back at the girl inquiringly.
"Are you in the habit of gettin' beer here, child?"
"Sure thing!" the girl replied, cheerfully.
"How old are you?"
"Ten, goin' on eleven."
"And you sell it to her?" Hepsey asked, turning to Bingham.
"Oh, it's for her father. He sends for it." He frowned at the child and she quickly disappeared, leaving the can behind her.
"Does he? But I thought you said that a saloon was no place for a woman; and surely it can't be a decent place for a girl under age. Now my friend, I've got somethin' to say to you."
"You are the very devil and all," Silas remarked.
"Thanks, Silas. The devil sticks to his job, anyway; and owin' to the likes of you he wins out, nine times out of ten. Now will you clear out of this location, or won't you?"
"Another day like this would send me to the lunatic asylum55."
"Then I'll be around in the mornin' at six-thirty sharp."
"You just get out of here," he threatened.
"If you promise to clear out yourself within three days."
"I guess I'd clear out of Heaven itself to get rid of you."
"Very well; and if you are still here Saturday afternoon, ten of us women will come and sit on your steps until you go. A woman can't vote whether you shall be allowed to entice56 her men-folk into a place like this, and at the very church door; but the average woman can be mighty57 disagreeable when she tries."
Silas Bingham had a good business head: he reckoned up the costs--and cleared out.
收听单词发音 |
1
fanatic
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| n.狂热者，入迷者；adj.狂热入迷的 | |
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neutralize
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| v.使失效、抵消，使中和 | |
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gregarious
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| adj.群居的，喜好群居的 | |
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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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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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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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hymns
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| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌( hymn的名词复数 ) | |
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hymn
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| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌 | |
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9
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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astounding
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| adj.使人震惊的vt.使震惊，使大吃一惊astound的现在分词) | |
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murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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dissent
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| n./v.不同意，持异议 | |
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outspoken
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| adj.直言无讳的，坦率的，坦白无隐的 | |
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guild
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| n.行会，同业公会，协会 | |
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traitorous
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| adj. 叛国的, 不忠的, 背信弃义的 | |
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16
heresy
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| n.异端邪说；异教 | |
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graft
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| n.移植，嫁接，艰苦工作，贪污；v.移植，嫁接 | |
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cocktails
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| n.鸡尾酒( cocktail的名词复数 )；餐前开胃菜；混合物 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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hustle
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| v.推搡；竭力兜售或获取；催促；n.奔忙(碌) | |
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21
sputtered
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| v.唾沫飞溅( sputter的过去式和过去分词 )；发劈啪声；喷出；飞溅出 | |
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22
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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24
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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lettuce
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| n.莴苣；生菜 | |
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pulpy
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| 果肉状的，多汁的，柔软的； 烂糊； 稀烂 | |
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27
watery
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| adj.有水的，水汪汪的；湿的，湿润的 | |
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28
receding
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的现在分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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29
meek
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| adj.温顺的，逆来顺受的 | |
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solicitor
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| n.初级律师，事务律师 | |
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sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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32
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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proprietor
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| n.所有人；业主；经营者 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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serenely
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| adv.安详地，宁静地，平静地 | |
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38
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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apprehensively
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| adv.担心地 | |
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40
desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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41
derisively
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| adv. 嘲笑地，嘲弄地 | |
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42
chagrin
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| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
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43
hysterical
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| adj.情绪异常激动的，歇斯底里般的 | |
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lark
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| n.云雀，百灵鸟；n.嬉戏，玩笑；vi.嬉戏 | |
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45
revival
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| n.复兴，复苏，（精力、活力等的）重振 | |
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46
grimaces
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| n.（表蔑视、厌恶等）面部扭曲，鬼脸( grimace的名词复数 )v.扮鬼相，做鬼脸( grimace的第三人称单数 ) | |
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47
courageous
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| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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48
mustered
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| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的过去式和过去分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
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49
blustered
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| v.外强中干的威吓( bluster的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮；（风）呼啸；狂吹 | |
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50
wring
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| n.扭绞；v.拧，绞出，扭 | |
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51
miserably
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| adv.痛苦地；悲惨地；糟糕地；极度地 | |
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52
underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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53
battered
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| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
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54
phlegmatic
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| adj.冷静的，冷淡的，冷漠的，无活力的 | |
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55
asylum
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| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
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56
entice
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| v.诱骗，引诱，怂恿 | |
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57
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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