Billy organized a real estate syndicate, and sold lots to the Gang, “with or without liability to assessment6, as the purchaser prefers.” A Board of Trade was organized to which all promised to defer7, except Jimmy, who smiled in disdain8. He leased the railroad and did a thriving carrying trade, timber for fencing and warehouses9, dirt for filling, and so on; and was fast becoming “the millionaire of the crowd,” when the “Board” met and decided10 he should cut his tariff11 in half or leave the syndicate; and as Jimmy was heartily12 interested in the game, he accepted their decision and no longer smiled at the Board of Trade.
Max, whose father was a gardener, knew wizard’s tricks with seeds and soils; and as Farmer and Forester to the syndicate, gave his knowledge right and left with happy importance. He taught the girls how to plan and plant their flower beds, and started the boys on a career of vegetable-raising that made them feel rich before they began; talked trees to Harold and other farmer boys, and astonished his father by the questions he asked and the work he did.
“I haf learn for gifing avay already, but I feel more as rich dan if they haf gif to me. How ist dat?” Max asked himself, not knowing, this little German lad so lately come to America, that he had discovered one of the profoundest secrets of the universe.
To his mother and sister Billy seemed changed. He stuck closer to his books. His teacher told them the boy stood at the head of his class. “Jimmy Dorr may be a rival if he feels like work, which isn’t probable. Jean’s accident last year put her behind, otherwise the boys would have to work much harder if either excelled her.” Yet even these welcome words did not account for some things the mother quietly observed; Billy’s growing promptness, better attention, and memory for matters outside of play. He was more silent, too; and there was less hammering and whistling in the shop.
“Billy, I don’t like the look of your eyes; you’re reading too much at night,” his mother said one evening when he was helping13 with the dishes. “You must go to bed earlier.”
May Nell had learned to use the towel; and the two children usually “did” the dishes at night; but now she was away with Edith at the Opera House, and mother and son were alone in the kitchen.
Billy had been reeling off stanzas14 of his favorite “Lady of the Lake,”—“by the yard,” Mrs. Bennett said, acting15 it as he recited, somewhat retarding16 the work and endangering the dishes. Now he dropped his towel, caught up his mother and raced with her around the room. He was so strong that she was almost helpless in his grasp.
“You little bit of a woman! Do you think I’ll mind you? I’m Roderick Dhu of Benvenue, the bravest chief of all the crew! I’m Captain Kidd, the pirate bold, whose treasure, hid, lies yet in mould. I’m the strong man, the bad—”
A lot more nonsense he rattled17 off, squeezing and kissing her till she was breathless with laughter.
“Now you’re Fair Ellen and I’m defending you at Goblin Cave!” He thrust her behind him, held her tight with one arm, while he flourished the carving18 knife and called on Clan19 Alpine’s foes20 to appear.
But the moment of frolic passed, and he turned to her with shining face. “You’re the only mother I ever had—so far as I know—” his eyes danced; “anyway, you’re the only one in sight, an’ a heap too good for this guy; I guess—I’ll—I’ll mind.”
His mood grew more thoughtful. He put the dishes away quietly, and neither spoke21 again till the work was finished. Then he went and kissed her on the cheek. “It’s good to have you all to myself, little mother; to be just chums once more.”
She put back his tumbled hair, looked long into his eyes, realizing with a shock that she was looking up. Her little boy was gone.
“But I don’t wish May Nell away, mother, do you?”
“No, my son.” The answer was more sincere than a few weeks before she could have believed possible. The coming of the child had taken from her life many hours of association with Billy, sweet as only mothers know; yet May Nell’s influence had softened22 and refined Billy, enlarged his vision.
Sometimes all the small meanness of everyday life is swept away by a great calamity24, and the world forgets to hate, and opens its great heart of love. Such an event came through the catastrophe25 in San Francisco. It inclined every ear, moistened every eye. From all the world’s pocketbook came the golden dollars; from every soul the longing26 to do; and when it was done, disappointment because it was so little.
Vina was no exception. Ball games, church collections, children’s mite27 societies, girls sewing, boys running errands, each and all helped with the relief work.
When Edith planned to turn her pupils’ recital28 into a great Spring Festival, for the benefit of the sufferers, all the town applauded, and asked how it could help.
Edith worked very hard. She called her operetta “The Triumph of Flora29.” The words were her own, written hurriedly and set to familiar though classic airs. Yet many of the daintiest, most tripping melodies she wrote herself. The sorrows of humanity had winged her brain and dipped her pen in harmonies, that she might assuage30 them.
All went well with the preparation; and on a glorious spring night in the full moon, the town and countryside jammed the Opera House “to its eyebrows,” Billy said, looking through the peephole in the curtain to the high window seats crowded with boys.
The operetta opened with a weird31 winter scene, when the Sower (Harold) sowed his grain, and the gnomes32 and elves set upon him; and evoked33 Storm King (Jimmy), Wind (Bess), and Frost (Jackson). He was the comedy of the little drama; and dressed all in black, covered with silver spangles and diamond dust, he made a joke that the wine-growers appreciated, for it is the black frosts of April they fear.
After these followed Jean as Rain. Wherever she passed the singers bowed their heads and sang more softly, and Frost retreated in haste.
Billy was the sun, dressed in a pale yellow tunic34, and crowned with a fillet of sun-bursts cut from gilt35 paper. He came but a little way on the stage from the south for each of his short solos; and the others pelted36 him back. Especially did he hide from Rain behind Cloud, a tall girl in a small ocean of gray tulle.
At the close of the act, in the far, high distance, the Goddess, Flora, appeared on a hill-crest. This was Edith herself, arrayed in a filmy gown of pale green, garlanded with snow-drops and buttercups. High, far, and faint came her song of the dawn of Spring. But the gnomes and the elves, Storm, Wind, Frost, and Rain, roared and howled; and Flora, affrighted, fled from view.
The curtain fell on the first act and the house rocked with the noise. It is probable the audience, predetermined to be pleased, would have approved anything offered; but so far it was more beautiful than had been expected.
The second act brought a conflict between elves and gnomes, and the fairies, when first the earth sprites were victorious37, but at last the fairies. May Nell was the Fairy Queen, and enchanted38 all with her beauty, her dancing and singing, and her acting, which was sweetly childish as well as clever.
Flora came into view, clad in palest pink, and wreathed with almond blossoms. Wherever she stepped the ground was white with almond snow. Gnomes and elves peeped from behind gray rocks and tree-trunks, but fled as she came near, following the ever-beckoning fairies.
Sun, dressed this time in bright yellow satin, and crowned with yellow gems39, was surrounded by fairies, and came more and more boldly forward. He beckoned40 to Flora, menaced the earth sprites, and threatened Storm, Wind, and Frost; and at the close was rewarded by Flora’s rejoicing cry,
“I come! I come at thy call, O Sun!
Thy high commands shall quick be done.”
The curtain fell a second time to still heartier41 applause; and the long wait between the acts was forgotten in discussion and approval. The richest people in town had aided Edith with her costuming and properties, that thus every penny of the receipts might be saved for the great purpose. They had brought out all their stores of rich fabric42, fine lace, jewels, and ornaments43, for the small mummers; and the effect was entrancing.
The last act exhausted44 the possibilities of the theatre in light effects and sylvan45 scenery; and the curtain rose on a gorgeous scene. But oh, horror! In the middle of the stage the scene-shifters had left the ugly truck that moved Storm King’s reservoir of ice and snow. When used in previous acts, bed and wheels had been hidden by moss46, the tank had been covered by his mantle47, and the entire mechanism48, moving as he moved, had seemed a part of himself. Now its secret was disclosed and it was ridiculous.
Edith in white, half smothered49 in blush roses, with the fairies and their Queen, stood ready in the wings. Billy was also waiting his cue. This time he was to be pulled swiftly in on invisible wheels. Over his satin tunic was a network of glittering mock gems that must have included every yellow bead50 and spangle in Vine County. From his shoulders floated a cloud of yellow, diamond-dusted tulle; and the crown of gems surrounded a cluster of small lights, a device Billy himself had figured out with the aid of the electric light man.
“Oh, Billy, Billy! My beautiful opera is ruined!” Edith wailed51, as she heard the jeers52 of the small boys in the audience.
“No, it isn’t, sister! I’ve thought of a way out. Keep the kids straight here—I’ll be back in a minute.”
This act opened with a hidden chorus that lasted two or three moments, the fairies on the one hand inviting53 the elves and gnomes to join them; the others responding. While this was in progress Billy rushed to the boys’ dressing54 room and talked furiously but straight to the purpose.
“Say, fellows, business now, and no questions asked. There’s a hitch55 on the stage. Storm, wrap that cloak round you—don’t wait for fixings—and get to your place in the wings, quick! When I say ‘Go,’ take Rain’s hand, crouch56 low, run to the centre, and between you yank that snow tank off the stage. Sabe?”
Across to the girls’ side he flew. He knew Jean. She would manage somehow, no matter what the difficulty. And he did not trust her without reason. She was already in her shining misty57 robe that was to change her from Rain to Dew; but she caught the gray mantle, covered herself with it as she ran, and was in the wings almost as soon as Billy.
He placed them before him, Rain and Storm, took his great golden horn of plenty under his arm, stepped on the wheeled board, signalled the super, and rolled on, driving the crouching58 pair in front of him with pelting59 showers’ of rose leaves, and landing at his station just as the chorus filed in. The gray pair threw their shrouding60 mantles61 over the truck, and still crouching pushed it out of sight; and the spectators, believing they had laughed in the wrong place, cheered vociferously62, and never knew the difference.
Rain dropped her gray mantle behind a tree, and reappeared with her chalice63 of diamond-dust dew, to touch the fairy chorus to shimmering64 beauty. The gnomes, their queer masks and hunched65 shoulders showing grotesquely66 under their gray garb67, joined the fairies’ dance. Wind came floating in as Summer Breeze. Storm was transformed to the Slave of the Sower; while Black Frost was perched high up at the rear, grinning from the top of the mountain.
The Sun called to Flora, and she appeared by his side. In front of them knelt the Sower,crowned with leaves. The Sun bestowed68 upon him a cornucopia69 overflowing70 with cherries; Flora laid on his other arm long sprays of roses.
The fairies, gnomes, and elves, danced, sang, and retired71; elves and gnomes crouching close against trees and rocks, the fairies withdrawing only to reappear one by one as the music went on, here and there, high in the trees; and each had a tiny light on her brow. But just over Flora and Sun, poised72 and upheld by invisible wires, stood the Queen of the Fairies, crown, wand, and shoulders fire-tipped, her arms waving, her filmy draperies continually fluttering, fanned by an artificial breeze. Over all fell a rain of rose leaves.
The scene ended in a crash of music; the curtain fell to a house wild with cheering. Edith and the principal performers were called again and again before the curtain. It was a generous, appreciative73 audience, giving its heartiest74 approval by rising.
Late that night when Billy’s mother followed him to the Fo’castle, he asked, “Are you pleased with it, little mother?”
“It was all splendid; and, Billy, I never dreamed it was in you! Sister’s operetta would have been a failure if it hadn’t been for you.”
“And Jean and Jimmy, too.”
She stooped and kissed him.
“That’s good enough for me, then,” he said, sleepily. And no one ever heard him mention again his unexpected addition to the scene.
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1
wrest
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| n.扭，拧，猛夺；v.夺取，猛扭，歪曲 | |
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thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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seaport
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| n.海港，港口，港市 | |
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metropolis
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| n.首府；大城市 | |
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outlet
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| n.出口/路；销路；批发商店；通风口；发泄 | |
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6
assessment
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| n.评价；评估；对财产的估价，被估定的金额 | |
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defer
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| vt.推迟，拖延；vi.(to)遵从，听从，服从 | |
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disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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warehouses
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| 仓库，货栈( warehouse的名词复数 ) | |
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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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tariff
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| n.关税，税率；(旅馆、饭店等)价目表，收费表 | |
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12
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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14
stanzas
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| 节，段( stanza的名词复数 ) | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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16
retarding
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| 使减速( retard的现在分词 )； 妨碍； 阻止； 推迟 | |
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rattled
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| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
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carving
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| n.雕刻品，雕花 | |
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clan
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| n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派 | |
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20
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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21
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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22
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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23
rehearsal
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| n.排练，排演；练习 | |
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24
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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mite
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| n.极小的东西；小铜币 | |
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recital
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| n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会 | |
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29
flora
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| n.(某一地区的)植物群 | |
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30
assuage
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| v.缓和，减轻，镇定 | |
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31
weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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32
gnomes
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| n.矮子( gnome的名词复数 )；侏儒；（尤指金融市场上搞投机的）银行家；守护神 | |
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evoked
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| [医]诱发的 | |
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tunic
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| n.束腰外衣 | |
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35
gilt
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| adj.镀金的；n.金边证券 | |
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36
pelted
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| （连续地）投掷( pelt的过去式和过去分词 )； 连续抨击； 攻击； 剥去…的皮 | |
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37
victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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38
enchanted
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| adj. 被施魔法的，陶醉的，入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词 | |
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39
gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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40
beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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41
heartier
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| 亲切的( hearty的比较级 )； 热诚的； 健壮的； 精神饱满的 | |
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42
fabric
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| n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织 | |
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43
ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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44
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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45
sylvan
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| adj.森林的 | |
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46
moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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47
mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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48
mechanism
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| n.机械装置；机构，结构 | |
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49
smothered
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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50
bead
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| n.念珠；(pl.)珠子项链；水珠 | |
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51
wailed
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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52
jeers
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| n.操纵帆桁下部（使其上下的）索具；嘲讽( jeer的名词复数 )v.嘲笑( jeer的第三人称单数 ) | |
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53
inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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54
dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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55
hitch
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| v.免费搭(车旅行)；系住；急提；n.故障；急拉 | |
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56
crouch
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| v.蹲伏，蜷缩，低头弯腰；n.蹲伏 | |
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57
misty
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| adj.雾蒙蒙的，有雾的 | |
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58
crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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59
pelting
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| 微不足道的，无价值的，盛怒的 | |
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60
shrouding
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| n.覆盖v.隐瞒( shroud的现在分词 )；保密 | |
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61
mantles
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| vt.&vi.覆盖（mantle的第三人称单数形式） | |
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62
vociferously
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| adv.喊叫地，吵闹地 | |
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63
chalice
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| n.圣餐杯；金杯毒酒 | |
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64
shimmering
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| v.闪闪发光，发微光( shimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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65
hunched
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| （常指因寒冷、生病或愁苦）耸肩弓身的，伏首前倾的 | |
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66
grotesquely
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| adv. 奇异地,荒诞地 | |
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67
garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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68
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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69
cornucopia
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| n.象征丰收的羊角 | |
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70
overflowing
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| n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的，充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式 | |
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71
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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72
poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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73
appreciative
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| adj.有鉴赏力的，有眼力的；感激的 | |
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74
heartiest
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| 亲切的( hearty的最高级 )； 热诚的； 健壮的； 精神饱满的 | |
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