Janet Orgreave
i
“Our friend is waiting for that letter to Brunt,” said Arthur Dayson, emerging from the inner room, a little later.
“In one moment,” Hilda replied coldly, though she had not begun to write the letter.
Dayson disappeared, nodding.
She resented his referring to Mr. Cannon1 as ‘our friend,’ but she did not know why, unless it was that she vaguely2 regarded it as presumptuous3, or, in the alternative, if he meant to be facetious4, as ill-bred, on the part of Arthur Dayson. She chose a sheet of paper, and wrote the letter in longhand, as quickly as she could, but with arduous5 care in the formation of every character; she wrote with the whole of her faculties6 fully7 applied8. Even in the smallest task she could not economize9 herself; she had to give all or nothing. When she came to the figures—4000—she intensified10 her ardour, lavishing11 enormous unnecessary force: it was like a steamhammer cracking a nut. Her conscience had instantly and finally decided12 against her. But she ignored her conscience. She knew and owned that she was wrong to abet13 Mr. Cannon’s deception14. And she abetted15 it. She would have abetted it if she had believed that the act would involve her in everlasting16 damnation,—not solely17 out of loyalty18 to Mr. Cannon; only a little out of loyalty; chiefly out of mere19 unreasoning pride and obstinate20 adherence21 to a decision.
The letter finished, she took it into the inner room, where the three men sat in mysterious conclave22. Mr. Cannon read it over, and then Arthur Dayson borrowed the old clerk’s vile23 pen and with the ceremonious delays due to his sense of his own importance, flourishingly added the signature.
When she came forth24 she heard a knock at the outer door.
“Come in,” she commanded defiantly26, for she was still unconsciously in the defiant25 mood in which she had offered the lying letter to Mr. Cannon.
ii
A well-dressed, kind-featured, and almost beautiful young woman, of about the same age as Hilda, opened the door, with a charming gesture of diffidence.
For a second the two gazed at each other astounded27.
“Well, Hilda, of all the—”
“Janet!”
It was an old schoolfellow, Janet Orgreave, daughter of Osmond Orgreave, a successful architect at Bursley. Janet had passed part of her schooldays at Chetwynd’s; and with her brother Charlie she had also attended Sarah Gailey’s private dancing-class (famous throughout Turnhill, Bursley, and Hanbridge) at the same time as Hilda. She was known, she was almost notorious, as a universal favourite. By instinct, without taking thought, she pleased everybody, great and small. Nature had spoiled her, endowing her with some beauty, and undeniable elegance28, and abundant sincere kindliness29. She had only to smile, and she made a friend; it cost her nothing. She smiled now, and produced the illusion, not merely in Hilda but in herself also, that her pleasure in this very astonishing encounter was quite peculiarly poignant30.
They shook hands, as women of the world.
“Did you know I was here?” Hilda questioned, characteristically on her guard, with a nervous girlish movement of the leg that perhaps sinned against the code of authentic31 worldliness.
“No indeed!” exclaimed Janet.
“Well, I am! I’m engaged here.”
“How splendid of you!” said Janet enthusiastically, with no suggestion whatever in her tone that Hilda’s situation was odd, or of dubious32 propriety33, or aught but enviable.
But Hilda surveyed her with secret envy, transient yet real. In the half-dozen years that had passed since the days of the dancing-class, Janet had matured. She was now the finished product. She had the charm of her sex, and she depended on it. She had grace and an overflowing34 goodness. She had a smooth ease of manner. She was dignified35. And, with her furs, and her expensive veil protecting those bright apple-red cheeks, and all the studied minor36 details of her costume, she was admirably and luxuriously37 attired38. She was the usual, as distinguished39 from the unusual, woman, brought to perfection. She represented no revolt against established custom. Doubts and longings40 did not beset41 her. She was content within her sphere: a destined42 queen of the home. And yet she could not be accused of being old-fashioned. None would dare to despise her. She was what Hilda could never be, had never long desired to be. She was what Hilda had definitely renounced43 being. And there stood Hilda, immature44, graceless, harsh, inelegant, dowdy45, holding the letter between her inky fingers, in the midst of all that hard masculine mess,—and a part of it, the blindly devoted46 subaltern, who could expect none of the ritual of homage47 given to women, who must sit and work and stand and strain and say ‘yes,’ and pretend stiffly that she was a sound, serviceable, thick-skinned imitation man among men! If Hilda had been a valkyrie or a saint she might have felt no envy and no pang48. But she was a woman. Self-pity shot through her tremendous pride; and the lancinating stab made her inattentive even to her curiosity concerning the purpose of Janet’s visit.
iii
“I came to see Mr. Cannon,” said Janet. “The housekeeper49 downstairs told me he was here somewhere.”
“He’s engaged,” answered Hilda in a low voice, with the devotee’s instinct to surround her superior with mystery.
“Oh!” murmured Janet, checked.
Hilda wondered furiously what she could be wanting with Mr. Cannon.
Janet recommenced: “It’s really about Miss Gailey, you know.”
“Yes—what?”
Hilda nodded eagerly, speaking in a tone still lower and more careful.
Janet dropped her voice accordingly: “She’s Mr. Cannon’s sister, of course?”
“Half-sister.”
“I mean. I’ve just come away from seeing her.” She hesitated. “I only heard by accident. So I came over with father. He had to come to a meeting of the Guardians51 here, or something. They’ve quarrelled, haven’t they?”
“Who? Miss Gailey and Mr. Cannon? Well, you see, she quarrels with every one.” Hilda appeared to defend Mr. Cannon.
“I’m afraid she does, poor thing!”
“She quarrelled with mother.”
“Really! when was that?”
“Oh! Years and years ago! I don’t know when. I was always surprised mother let me go to the class.”
“It was very nice of your mother,” said Janet, appreciative52.
“Is she in trouble?” Hilda asked bluntly.
“I’m afraid she is.”
“What?”
Janet suddenly gave a gesture of intimacy53. “I believe she’s starving!”
“Starving!” Hilda repeated in a blank whisper.
“Yes, I do! I do really believe she hasn’t got enough to eat. She’s quarrelled with just about everybody there was to quarrel with. She suffers fearfully with rheumatism54. She never goes out—or scarcely ever. You know her dancing-classes have all fallen away to nothing. I fancy she tried taking lodgers55—”
“Yes, she did. I understood she was very good at housekeeping.”
“She hasn’t got any lodgers now. There she is, all alone in that house, and—”
“But she can’t be starving!” Hilda protested. At intervals56 she glanced at the inner door, alarmed.
“I really think she is,” Janet persisted, softly persuasive57.
“But what’s to be done?”
“That’s the point. I’ve just seen her. I went on purpose, because I’d heard.... But I had to pretend all sorts of things to make an excuse for myself. I couldn’t offer her anything, could I? Isn’t it dreadful?”
They were much worried, these two young maids, full of health and vigour58 and faith, and pride and simplicity59, by this startling first glimpse into one of the nether60 realities of existence. And they loyally tried to feel more worried than they actually were; they did their best, out of sympathy, to moderate the leaping, joyous61 vitality62 that was in them,— and did not succeed very well. They were fine, they were touching—but they were also rather deliciously amusing—as they concentrated all their resources of solemnity and of worldly experience on the tragic63 case of the woman whom life had defeated. Hilda’s memory rushed strangely to Victor Hugo. She was experiencing the same utter desolation—but somehow less noble—as had gripped her when she first realized the eternal picture, in Oceana Nox, of the pale-fronted widows who, tired of waiting for those whose barque had never returned out of the tempest, talked quietly among themselves of the lost—stirring the cinders64 in the fireplace and in their hearts.... Yet Sarah Gailey was not even a widow. She was an ageing dancing-mistress. She had once taught the grace of rhythmic65 movement to young limbs; and now she was rheumatic.
“Nobody but Mr. Cannon can do anything,” Janet murmured.
“I’m sure he hasn’t the slightest idea—not the slightest!” said Hilda half defensively. But she was saying to herself: “This man made me write a lie, and now I hear that his sister is starving—in the same town!” And she thought of his glossy66 opulence67. “I’m quite sure of that!” she repeated to Janet.
“Oh! So am I!” Janet eagerly concurred68. “That’s why I came.... Somebody had to give him a hint.... I never dreamt of finding you, dear!”
“It is strange, isn’t it?” said Hilda, the wondrous69 romance of things seizing her. Seen afresh, through the eyes of this charming, sympathetic acquaintance, was not Mr. Cannon’s originality70 in engaging her positively71 astounding72?
“I suppose you couldn’t give him a hint?”
“Yes, I’ll tell him,” said Hilda. “Of course!” In spite of herself she was assuming a certain proprietorship73 in Mr. Cannon.
“I’m so glad!” Janet replied. “It is good of you!”
“It seems to me it’s you that’s good, Janet,” Hilda said grimly. She thought: “Should I, out of simple kindliness and charity, have deliberately74 come to tell a man I didn’t know... that his sister was starving? Never!”
“He’s bound to see after it!” said Janet, content.
“Why, of course!” said Hilda, clinching75 the affair, in an intimate, confidential76 murmur50.
“You’ll tell him to-night?”
Hilda nodded.
They exchanged a grave glance of mutual77 appreciation78 and understanding. Each was sure of the other’s high esteem79. Each was glad that chance had brought about the meeting between them. Then they lifted away their apprehensive80 solicitude81 for Sarah Gailey, and Janet, having sighed relief, began to talk about old times. And their voices grew louder and more free.
“Can you tell me what time it is?” Janet asked, later. “I’ve broken the spring of my watch, and I have to meet father at the station at ten-fifteen.”
“I haven’t a notion!” said Hilda, rather ashamed.
“I hope it isn’t ten o’clock.”
“I could ask,” said Hilda hesitatingly. The hour, for aught she knew, was nine, eleven, or even midnight. She was oblivious82 of time.
“I’ll run,” said Janet, preparing to go. “I shall tell Charlie I’ve seen you, next time I write to him. I’m sure he’ll be glad. And you must come to see us. You really must, now! Mother and father will be delighted. Do you still recite, like you used to?”
Hilda shook her head, blushing.
She made no definite response to the invitation, which surprised, agitated83, and flattered her. She wanted to accept it, but she was convinced that she never would accept it. Before departing, Janet lifted her veil, with a beautiful gesture, and offered her lips to kiss. They embraced affectionately. The next moment Hilda, at the top of the dim, naked, resounding84 stair, was watching Janet descend—a figure infinitely85 stylish86 and agreeable to the eye.
收听单词发音 |
1
cannon
|
|
| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
vaguely
|
|
| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
presumptuous
|
|
| adj.胆大妄为的，放肆的，冒昧的，冒失的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
facetious
|
|
| adj.轻浮的，好开玩笑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
arduous
|
|
| adj.艰苦的，费力的，陡峭的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
faculties
|
|
| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
applied
|
|
| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
economize
|
|
| v.节约，节省 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
intensified
|
|
| v.（使）增强， （使）加剧( intensify的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
lavishing
|
|
| v.过分给予，滥施( lavish的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
decided
|
|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
abet
|
|
| v.教唆，鼓励帮助 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
deception
|
|
| n.欺骗，欺诈；骗局，诡计 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
abetted
|
|
| v.教唆（犯罪）( abet的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；怂恿；支持 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
everlasting
|
|
| adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
solely
|
|
| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
loyalty
|
|
| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
mere
|
|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
obstinate
|
|
| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
adherence
|
|
| n.信奉，依附，坚持，固着 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
conclave
|
|
| n.秘密会议，红衣主教团 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
vile
|
|
| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
defiant
|
|
| adj.无礼的，挑战的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
defiantly
|
|
| adv.挑战地，大胆对抗地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
astounded
|
|
| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
elegance
|
|
| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
kindliness
|
|
| n.厚道，亲切，友好的行为 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
poignant
|
|
| adj.令人痛苦的，辛酸的，惨痛的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
authentic
|
|
| a.真的，真正的；可靠的，可信的，有根据的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
dubious
|
|
| adj.怀疑的，无把握的；有问题的，靠不住的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
propriety
|
|
| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
overflowing
|
|
| n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的，充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
dignified
|
|
| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
minor
|
|
| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
luxuriously
|
|
| adv.奢侈地，豪华地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
attired
|
|
| 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 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
distinguished
|
|
| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
longings
|
|
| 渴望，盼望( longing的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
beset
|
|
| v.镶嵌；困扰，包围 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
destined
|
|
| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
renounced
|
|
| v.声明放弃( renounce的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布放弃；宣布与…决裂；宣布摒弃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
immature
|
|
| adj.未成熟的，发育未全的，未充分发展的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
dowdy
|
|
| adj.不整洁的；过旧的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
devoted
|
|
| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
homage
|
|
| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
pang
|
|
| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
housekeeper
|
|
| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
murmur
|
|
| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
guardians
|
|
| 监护人( guardian的名词复数 )； 保护者，维护者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
appreciative
|
|
| adj.有鉴赏力的，有眼力的；感激的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
intimacy
|
|
| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
rheumatism
|
|
| n.风湿病 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
lodgers
|
|
| n.房客，租住者( lodger的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
intervals
|
|
| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
persuasive
|
|
| adj.有说服力的，能说得使人相信的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
vigour
|
|
| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
simplicity
|
|
| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
nether
|
|
| adj.下部的，下面的；n.阴间；下层社会 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
joyous
|
|
| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
vitality
|
|
| n.活力，生命力，效力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
tragic
|
|
| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
cinders
|
|
| n.煤渣( cinder的名词复数 )；炭渣；煤渣路；煤渣跑道 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
rhythmic
|
|
| adj.有节奏的，有韵律的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
glossy
|
|
| adj.平滑的；有光泽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
opulence
|
|
| n.财富，富裕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
concurred
|
|
| 同意（concur的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
wondrous
|
|
| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
originality
|
|
| n.创造力，独创性；新颖 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
positively
|
|
| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
astounding
|
|
| adj.使人震惊的vt.使震惊，使大吃一惊astound的现在分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
proprietorship
|
|
| n.所有（权）；所有权 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
deliberately
|
|
| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
clinching
|
|
| v.（尤指两人）互相紧紧抱[扭]住( clinch的现在分词 )；解决（争端、交易），达成（协议） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
confidential
|
|
| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
mutual
|
|
| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
appreciation
|
|
| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
esteem
|
|
| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
apprehensive
|
|
| adj.担心的，恐惧的，善于领会的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
solicitude
|
|
| n.焦虑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
oblivious
|
|
| adj.易忘的，遗忘的，忘却的，健忘的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
agitated
|
|
| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
resounding
|
|
| adj. 响亮的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
infinitely
|
|
| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
stylish
|
|
| adj.流行的，时髦的；漂亮的，气派的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |