While this search was being carried on, those left in the house were in no cheerful mood. They all repaired to the kitchen, as the windows there afforded a view of the path leading to the creek. Each lady in her own way tried to bring comfort and consolation8 to the worried mother. Mrs. Bliggins gave a long graphic9 account of the loss of her cousin, Mrs. Snoop’s husband, at sea. Mr. Augustus Snoop, it transpired10, had sailed away one summer morning on the good ship “Wanderer,” with Australia as his goal. The story was somewhat elliptical, but the hearers could gather that before Mr. Snoop’s departure there had been a huge caldron of trouble brewing11 on the domestic hearth12. Unfortunately, the ship in which Mr. Snoop sailed had after many weeks been reported missing, and Mrs. Snoop had donned sombre garments in honor of the departed. She had found some slight consolation in telling her friends of her late husband’s many excellent qualities and of his unrivalled devotion to her. She would wipe away the gushing13 tears with her black-bordered handkerchief as she recounted how her dear Augustus had been so careful and considerate of her and had even been known to turn the clothes-wringer for her. True, she had taken in washing for some years to keep the family larder14 filled, but her dear husband had felt so much concerned about it that during that whole time he had not been equal to doing any work himself. The sorrowing widow had felt certain that from his home of heavenly bliss15 the loving Augustus, whenever he could be spared from his other duties, was daily and hourly watching his adored wife now living frugally16 but peacefully on his life insurance money.
Then one day, after several years, a stranger had come to town with a startling story. He said that he had been a sailor on the “Wanderer,” when she had made her last voyage. The ship had been blown in a gale17 upon the rocky coast of a small island in the south seas. He with several others of the crew and a few passengers had managed to get to land and had been hospitably18 treated by the natives. A small trading-vessel which regularly visited the island had taken them off in the course of the next few weeks, but one of their number, a passenger named Snoop, had refused to leave. He had asserted he might as well be there as anywhere else. Later reports brought from the island by the crew of the trading-vessel had been to the effect that Mr. Snoop was leading a tranquil19 and peaceful existence. He was espoused20 to several dusky maidens21 and was so much revered22 and respected as the only possessor of a white skin on the island, that he was never expected to stir hand or foot in any way suggesting work.
Mrs. Snoop had been furious at this calumniation23 of her lamented24 husband. But, after learning that the sailor had depicted25 Mr. Snoop very accurately26 as to appearance and disposition27, she had begun to doubt. “When she heard how Mr. Snoop let those heathen girls run after him an’ wait on him, Mrs. Mifsud,” recounted Mrs. Bliggins, “even lightin’ his pipe for him an’ puttin’ his hat on his head, she began to see things clear, an’ mark my words, she quit mournin’. She couldn’t do anything to Augustus, of course, but she sold her crape clothes and got some new bright ones, mostly red an’ yellow, just to show people how she felt. She made kindlin’ of the crayon picture of Augustus she had bought from a travellin’ agent. She said it was a cryin’ shame that Augustus Snoop, who had been brought up on two catechisms, the Mother’s an’ Shorter, afterwards joinin’ the Holy Rollers, should have taken up with those south sea trollops.”
Mrs. Bliggins’ narrative29 came to an end. Though its application to the misfortune which dominated the minds of the little gathering30 in Mrs. Mifsud’s kitchen was somewhat obscure, it served to cause a momentary31 interest. Experiences so unusual and so complicated as those of Mr. Augustus Snoop were bound to be diverting.
Mrs. Mifsud, however, had seemingly heard not a word of the story. In her distress32 she forgot that Mrs. Wopp was decidedly plebeian33 in her conversation and otherwise hopelessly unfashionable; all these discrepancies34 vanished from her mind, and leaning over on the ample bosom35, she wept copiously36. Mrs. Wopp patted her in a motherly way. “One touch o’ nater makes the hull37 world a-kin,” she whispered, “Hearten up, Mis’ Mifsud, Moses ’ll find yer little lamb. That boy seems slow, but all’s not gold that’s a-glitterin’. He’s shorely got a nose fer findin’ things. Our black carf got lost on the prairie one day an’ he found it arter everybody else hed giv’ up huntin’.”
Her anxiety somewhat allayed38 for the moment, Mrs. Mifsud roused herself for the entertainment of her guests.
“I’m so sorry our afternoon has been spoiled,” she apologized. “While we wait we might as well have a cup of tea. Maria, rinse39 the silver teapot with boiling water.”
The kettle which had been boiling itself hoarse40 for the last hour, was now called into requisition.
A mile or two down the creek the searching party sought diligently41 for the little lost boy. Moses was in the lead. He had announced his adamant42 resolve to find St. Elmo, or perform the irrevocable feat43 of “bustin’.” He cherished an idea of his own as to the child’s whereabouts. A few weeks previously44, on an all-day excursion, Moses had played pirates with St. Elmo and they had utilized45 a most delectable46 earthy cave for their game.
“S’posin’ the pore little critter’s hidin’ there, shiverin’ an’ chatterin’, afeerd o’ them orful pirates,” he soliloquised, while large drops of moisture gathered on his brow at the thought. As he hurried along he encountered a branch which hung low and like a scalpel lifted the straw hat from the head of the astonished boy.
Moses’ intuition regarding St. Elmo’s retreat proved to be correct, and it was a sadly dejected countenance47 on which he gazed when he looked into the cave. Tears, dirt, and the juice of Saskatoon berries mingled48 on the fair sleeping face of the child, until he seemed to be the very Cree Indian he had so often personated in his play. His long curls were tangled and matted with small twigs49. His diminutive50 brown velvet51 coat displayed a large rent in the elbow through which oozed52 a pathetic-looking suppuration of pink and white checked shirt.
“Fer the love o’ Mike, kid, how did you git here?” said Moses, rousing the small sleeper53. “Gosh, but yer face needs warshin’.”
Innocuous as this remark might seem, it caused St. Elmo’s lip to quiver and two large tears started on their grimy course down his cheeks.
“I was looking foh Jonah and the whale he met on the woad, and I got losted, I did.” St. Elmo ended his fantastic explanation with an extensive gulp54. Moses took a small grubby hand in his and led the afflicted55 boy in triumph to the other searchers.
When the party reached the house and St. Elmo had been received with every manifestation56 of joy, Mr. Wopp in one burst of eloquence57 explained how his boy Moses had found him. Moses, the hero of the hour, stood abashed58 before the encomiums of Mrs. Mifsud. He twirled his hat at a fearful rate on his doubled fist, standing59 awkwardly on one foot the while.
It was a proud and happy family that returned to the Wopp homestead late that evening. The air being chilly60, a fire was lighted in the dining-room and around this inspiring centre there was much discussion of the days doings. The unparalleled sagacity of Moses was the jubilant theme running in the minds of his parents and sister. Moses bore his honors modestly.
“Ef it hadn’t been fer Mosey, St. Elmo might of been lorst yet,” remarked Betty, gazing reflectively into the fire. “Ef he was goin’ walkin’ on till he found Joner, he’d of been gone a long while.”
“An’ was the pore little feller lookin’ fer Joner?” said Mrs. Wopp. She spoke61 pityingly, yet she could not avoid some slight feeling of satisfaction over this evident tribute to her powers of biblical narrative.
“‘Magine huntin’ Joner in Mifsud’s woods.” Betty dimpled at the thought. “He was more like to find a coyote or stir up a bee’s nest. My! St. Elmo must of et a sight o’ berries to git so smeared62.”
“Tell us how you found him, Moses,” requested Nell Gordon, who was always interested in tales of knighthood.
But Moses refused to dilate63 on the subject. He realized that some of the cream might be removed from his achievement were he to explain the matter of the cave. He so seldom had the felicity of being placed on a pedestal, and his present status must be maintained if possible. So he murmured something to the effect that the others were so slow he thought he’d “jist go ahead o’ them an’ try to find the blame kid a little farster.”
“When Moses is growed up, Mar28, I think it ’ud be jist lovely fer him to be in the Mounted P’lice. He’s so clever at findin’ things an’ he’d look jist grand in the clothes,” enthused Betty.
“The p’licemen do hev a fine look,” agreed Mrs. Wopp. “Fine feathers causes fine birds. Sometimes when the feathers is taken orff there aint nothin’ much left. That Plymouth Rock hen I plucked yesterday looked good walkin’ round the yard, but, Lan’ Sakes! when I’d plucked her she was nothin’ but skin an’ bones.” The good lady had no desire to underrate that useful body of men, the guardians64 of the law, but she considered it wise to exercise a constantly restraining influence on the vanities of youth.
Betty, who had understanding, was not turned from the subject of her thoughts.
“Larst Tuesday,” she continued, “two p’licemen went ridin’ along the trail jist as we were comin’ home from school, an’ they had the beautifulest horses. Moses can ride any horse, no matter how ornery.” Betty’s eyes shone with pride.
“He mustn’t git thinkin’ too much of hisself ’cause o’ what he did this day,” warned the boy’s mother. “Pride goes afore distruckshing, an’ a horty spirit afore a fall.”
“Leave the boy be, Lize,” directed Ebenezer Wopp, whom the pride-inspiring events of the evening had rendered more self-assertive than usual. “He aint crowin’ none, an’ what he done brung credit to the hullo’ us.”
“Every tub must stan’ on its own bottom,” commented Mrs. Wopp. But even as she spoke, an unmistakable expression of gratified pride spread over her large motherly countenance.
Betty watching her, thought she had never seen “Mar” look so handsome and she thoroughly appreciated the cause.
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1
protracted
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| adj.拖延的；延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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2
munching
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| v.用力咀嚼（某物），大嚼( munch的现在分词 ) | |
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3
creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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scrutinizing
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| v.仔细检查，详审( scrutinize的现在分词 ) | |
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6
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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tangled
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| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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8
consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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graphic
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| adj.生动的，形象的，绘画的，文字的，图表的 | |
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10
transpired
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| （事实，秘密等）被人知道( transpire的过去式和过去分词 )； 泄露； 显露； 发生 | |
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11
brewing
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| n. 酿造, 一次酿造的量 动词brew的现在分词形式 | |
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12
hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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13
gushing
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| adj.迸出的；涌出的；喷出的；过分热情的v.喷，涌( gush的现在分词 )；滔滔不绝地说话 | |
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14
larder
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| n.食物贮藏室，食品橱 | |
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15
bliss
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| n.狂喜，福佑，天赐的福 | |
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16
frugally
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| adv. 节约地, 节省地 | |
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17
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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18
hospitably
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| 亲切地，招待周到地，善于款待地 | |
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19
tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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20
espoused
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| v.（决定）支持，拥护（目标、主张等）( espouse的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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21
maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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22
revered
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| v.崇敬，尊崇，敬畏( revere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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23
calumniation
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| n.诽谤，中伤 | |
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24
lamented
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| adj.被哀悼的，令人遗憾的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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25
depicted
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| 描绘，描画( depict的过去式和过去分词 )； 描述 | |
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26
accurately
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| adv.准确地，精确地 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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mar
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| vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟 | |
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29
narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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31
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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32
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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33
plebeian
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| adj.粗俗的；平民的；n.平民；庶民 | |
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34
discrepancies
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| n.差异，不符合（之处），不一致（之处）( discrepancy的名词复数 ) | |
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35
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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36
copiously
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| adv.丰富地，充裕地 | |
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37
hull
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| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
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38
allayed
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| v.减轻，缓和( allay的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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39
rinse
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| v.用清水漂洗，用清水冲洗 | |
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40
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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41
diligently
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| ad.industriously;carefully | |
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42
adamant
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| adj.坚硬的，固执的 | |
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43
feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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44
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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45
utilized
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| v.利用，使用( utilize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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46
delectable
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| adj.使人愉快的；美味的 | |
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47
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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48
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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49
twigs
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| 细枝，嫩枝( twig的名词复数 ) | |
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50
diminutive
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| adj.小巧可爱的，小的 | |
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51
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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52
oozed
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| v.（浓液等）慢慢地冒出，渗出( ooze的过去式和过去分词 )；使（液体）缓缓流出；（浓液）渗出，慢慢流出 | |
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53
sleeper
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| n.睡眠者，卧车，卧铺 | |
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54
gulp
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| vt.吞咽，大口地吸（气）；vi.哽住；n.吞咽 | |
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55
afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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56
manifestation
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| n.表现形式；表明；现象 | |
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57
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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58
abashed
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| adj.窘迫的，尴尬的v.使羞愧，使局促，使窘迫( abash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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59
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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60
chilly
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| adj.凉快的，寒冷的 | |
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61
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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62
smeared
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| 弄脏； 玷污； 涂抹； 擦上 | |
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63
dilate
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| vt.使膨胀，使扩大 | |
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64
guardians
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| 监护人( guardian的名词复数 )； 保护者，维护者 | |
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