Part 1 Chapter 1
      Dusk--of a summer night.
　　And the tall walls of the commercial heart of an American city of perhaps 400,000 inhabitants--such walls as intime may linger as a mere fable.
　　And up the broad street, now comparatively hushed, a little band of six,--a man of about fifty, short, stout, withbushy hair protruding from under a round black felt hat, a most unimportant- looking person, who carried a small portable organ such as is customarily used by street preachers and singers. And with him a woman perhaps fiveyears his junior, taller, not so broad, but solid of frame and vigorous, very plain in face and dress, and yet nothomely, leading with one hand a small boy of seven and in the other carrying a Bible and several hymn books.
　　With these three, but walking independently behind, was a girl of fifteen, a boy of twelve and another girl ofnine, all following obediently, but not too enthusiastically, in the wake of the others.
　　It was hot, yet with a sweet languor about it all.
　　Crossing at right angles the great thoroughfare on which they walked, was a second canyon-like way, threadedby throngs and vehicles and various lines of cars which clanged their bells and made such progress as they mightamid swiftly moving streams of traffic. Yet the little group seemed unconscious of anything save a set purpose tomake its way between the contending lines of traffic and pedestrians which flowed by them.
　　Having reached an intersection this side of the second principal thoroughfare--really just an alley between twotall structures--now quite bare of life of any kind, the man put down the organ, which the woman immediatelyopened, setting up a music rack upon which she placed a wide flat hymn book. Then handing the Bible to theman, she fell back in line with him, while the twelve-year-old boy put down a small camp-stool in front of theorgan. The man--the father, as he chanced to be--looked about him with seeming wide-eyed assurance, andannounced, without appearing to care whether he had any auditors or not:
　　"We will first sing a hymn of praise, so that any who may wish to acknowledge the Lord may join us. Will youoblige, Hester?"At this the eldest girl, who until now had attempted to appear as unconscious and unaffected as possible,bestowed her rather slim and as yet undeveloped figure upon the camp chair and turned the leaves of the hymnbook, pumping the organ while her mother observed:
　　"I should think it might be nice to sing twenty-seven tonight--'How Sweet the Balm of Jesus' Love.'"By this time various homeward-bound individuals of diverse grades and walks of life, noticing the small groupdisposing itself in this fashion, hesitated for a moment to eye them askance or paused to ascertain the character oftheir work. This hesitancy, construed by the man apparently to constitute attention, however mobile, was seizedupon by him and he began addressing them as though they were specifically here to hear him.
　　"Let us all sing twenty-seven, then--'How Sweet the Balm of Jesus' Love.'"At this the young girl began to interpret the melody upon the organ, emitting a thin though correct strain, at thesame time joining her rather high soprano with that of her mother, together with the rather dubious baritone ofthe father. The other children piped weakly along, the boy and girl having taken hymn books from the small pilestacked upon the organ. As they sang, this nondescript and indifferent street audience gazed, held by thepeculiarity of such an unimportant-looking family publicly raising its collective voice against the vast skepticismand apathy of life. Some were interested or moved sympathetically by the rather tame and inadequate figure ofthe girl at the organ, others by the impractical and materially inefficient texture of the father, whose weak blueeyes and rather flabby but poorly-clothed figure bespoke more of failure than anything else. Of the group the mother alone stood out as having that force and determination which, however blind or erroneous, makes forself-preservation, if not success in life. She, more than any of the others, stood up with an ignorant, yet somehowrespectable air of conviction. If you had watched her, her hymn book dropped to her side, her glance directedstraight before her into space, you would have said: "Well, here is one who, whatever her defects, probably doeswhat she believes as nearly as possible." A kind of hard, fighting faith in the wisdom and mercy of that definiteoverruling and watchful power which she proclaimed, was written in her every feature and gesture.
　　"The love of Jesus saves me whole, The love of God my steps control,"she sang resonantly, if slightly nasally, between the towering walls of the adjacent buildings.
　　The boy moved restlessly from one foot to the other, keeping his eyes down, and for the most part only halfsinging. A tall and as yet slight figure, surmounted by an interesting head and face--white skin, dark hair--heseemed more keenly observant and decidedly more sensitive than most of the others--appeared indeed to resentand even to suffer from the position in which he found himself. Plainly pagan rather than religious, life interestedhim, although as yet he was not fully aware of this. All that could be truly said of him now was that there was nodefinite appeal in all this for him. He was too young, his mind much too responsive to phases of beauty andpleasure which had little, if anything, to do with the remote and cloudy romance which swayed the minds of hismother and father.
　　Indeed the home life of which this boy found himself a part and the various contacts, material and psychic, whichthus far had been his, did not tend to convince him of the reality and force of all that his mother and fatherseemed so certainly to believe and say. Rather, they seemed more or less troubled in their lives, at leastmaterially. His father was always reading the Bible and speaking in meeting at different places, especially in the"mission," which he and his mother conducted not so far from this corner. At the same time, as he understood it,they collected money from various interested or charitably inclined business men here and there who appeared tobelieve in such philanthropic work. Yet the family was always "hard up," never very well clothed, and deprivedof many comforts and pleasures which seemed common enough to others. And his father and mother wereconstantly proclaiming the love and mercy and care of God for him and for all. Plainly there was somethingwrong somewhere. He could not get it all straight, but still he could not help respecting his mother, a womanwhose force and earnestness, as well as her sweetness, appealed to him. Despite much mission work and familycares, she managed to be fairly cheerful, or at least sustaining, often declaring most emphatically "God willprovide" or "God will show the way," especially in times of too great stress about food or clothes. Yetapparently, in spite of this, as he and all the other children could see, God did not show any very clear way, eventhough there was always an extreme necessity for His favorable intervention in their affairs.
　　To-night, walking up the great street with his sisters and brother, he wished that they need not do this any more,or at least that he need not be a part of it. Other boys did not do such things, and besides, somehow it seemedshabby and even degrading. On more than one occasion, before he had been taken on the street in this fashion,other boys had called to him and made fun of his father, because he was always publicly emphasizing hisreligious beliefs or convictions. Thus in one neighborhood in which they had lived, when he was but a child ofseven, his father, having always preluded every conversation with "Praise the Lord," he heard boys call "Herecomes old Praise-the-Lord Griffiths." Or they would call out after him "Hey, you're the fellow whose sister playsthe organ. Is there anything else she can play?""What does he always want to go around saying, 'Praise the Lord' for? Other people don't do it."It was that old mass yearning for a likeness in all things that troubled them, and him. Neither his father nor hismother was like other people, because they were always making so much of religion, and now at last they weremaking a business of it.
　　On this night in this great street with its cars and crowds and tall buildings, he felt ashamed, dragged out ofnormal life, to be made a show and jest of. The handsome automobiles that sped by, the loitering pedestriansmoving off to what interests and comforts he could only surmise; the gay pairs of young people, laughing andjesting and the "kids" staring, all troubled him with a sense of something different, better, more beautiful thanhis, or rather their life.
　　And now units of this vagrom and unstable street throng, which was forever shifting and changing about them,seemed to sense the psychologic error of all this in so far as these children were concerned, for they would nudgeone another, the more sophisticated and indifferent lifting an eyebrow and smiling contemptuously, the moresympathetic or experienced commenting on the useless presence of these children.
　　"I see these people around here nearly every night now--two or three times a week, anyhow," this from a youngclerk who had just met his girl and was escorting her toward a restaurant. "They're just working some religiousdodge or other, I guess.""That oldest boy don't wanta be here. He feels outa place, I can see that. It ain't right to make a kid like that comeout unless he wants to. He can't understand all this stuff, anyhow." This from an idler and loafer of about forty,one of those odd hangers-on about the commercial heart of a city, addressing a pausing and seemingly amiablestranger.
　　"Yeh, I guess that's so," the other assented, taking in the peculiar cast of the boy's head and face. In view of theuneasy and self-conscious expression upon the face whenever it was lifted, one might have intelligentlysuggested that it was a little unkind as well as idle to thus publicly force upon a temperament as yet unfitted toabsorb their import, religious and psychic services best suited to reflective temperaments of maturer years.
　　Yet so it was.
　　As for the remainder of the family, both the youngest girl and boy were too small to really understand much ofwhat it was all about or to care. The eldest girl at the organ appeared not so much to mind, as to enjoy theattention and comment her presence and singing evoked, for more than once, not only strangers, but her motherand father, had assured her that she had an appealing and compelling voice, which was only partially true. It wasnot a good voice. They did not really understand music. Physically, she was of a pale, emasculate andunimportant structure, with no real mental force or depth, and was easily made to feel that this was an excellentfield in which to distinguish herself and attract a little attention. As for the parents, they were determined uponspiritualizing the world as much as possible, and, once the hymn was concluded, the father launched into one ofthose hackneyed descriptions of the delights of a release, via self-realization of the mercy of God and the love ofChrist and the will of God toward sinners, from the burdensome cares of an evil conscience.
　　"All men are sinners in the light of the Lord," he declared. "Unless they repent, unless they accept Christ, Hislove and forgiveness of them, they can never know the happiness of being spiritually whole and clean. Oh, myfriends! If you could but know the peace and content that comes with the knowledge, the inward understanding,that Christ lived and died for you and that He walks with you every day and hour, by light and by dark, at dawnand at dusk, to keep and strengthen you for the tasks and cares of the world that are ever before you. Oh, thesnares and pitfalls that beset us all! And then the soothing realization that Christ is ever with us, to counsel, toaid, to hearten, to bind up our wounds and make us whole! Oh, the peace, the satisfaction, the comfort, the gloryof that!""Amen!" asseverated his wife, and the daughter, Hester, or Esta, as she was called by the family, moved by theneed of as much public support as possible for all of them--echoed it after her.
　　Clyde, the eldest boy, and the two younger children merely gazed at the ground, or occasionally at their father,with a feeling that possibly it was all true and important, yet somehow not as significant or inviting as some ofthe other things which life held. They heard so much of this, and to their young and eager minds life was madefor something more than street and mission hall protestations of this sort.
　　Finally, after a second hymn and an address by Mrs. Griffiths, during which she took occasion to refer to themission work jointly conducted by them in a near-by street, and their services to the cause of Christ in general, athird hymn was indulged in, and then some tracts describing the mission rescue work being distributed, suchvoluntary gifts as were forthcoming were taken up by Asa--the father. The small organ was closed, the campchair folded up and given to Clyde, the Bible and hymn books picked up by Mrs. Griffiths, and with the organsupported by a leather strap passed over the shoulder of Griffiths, senior, the missionward march was taken up.
　　During all this time Clyde was saying to himself that he did not wish to do this any more, that he and his parentslooked foolish and less than normal--"cheap" was the word he would have used if he could have brought himselfto express his full measure of resentment at being compelled to participate in this way--and that he would not doit any more if he could help. What good did it do them to have him along? His life should not be like this. Otherboys did not have to do as he did. He meditated now more determinedly than ever a rebellion by which he wouldrid himself of the need of going out in this way. Let his elder sister go if she chose; she liked it. His youngersister and brother might be too young to care. But he-"They seemed a little more attentive than usual to-night, I thought," commented Griffiths to his wife as theywalked along, the seductive quality of the summer evening air softening him into a more generous interpretationof the customary indifferent spirit of the passer-by.
　　"Yes; twenty-seven took tracts to-night as against eighteen on Thursday.""The love of Christ must eventually prevail," comforted the father, as much to hearten himself as his wife. "Thepleasures and cares of the world hold a very great many, but when sorrow overtakes them, then some of theseseeds will take root.""I am sure of it. That is the thought which always keeps me up. Sorrow and the weight of sin eventually bring some of them to see the error of their way."They now entered into the narrow side street from which they had emerged and walking as many as a dozendoors from the corner, entered the door of a yellow single-story wooden building, the large window and the twoglass panes in the central door of which had been painted a gray-white. Across both windows and the smallerpanels in the double door had been painted: "The Door of Hope. Bethel Independent Mission. Meetings EveryWednesday and Saturday night, 8 to 10. Sundays at 11, 3 and 8. Everybody Welcome." Under this legend oneach window were printed the words: "God is Love," and below this again, in smaller type: "How Long SinceYou Wrote to Mother?"The small company entered the yellow unprepossessing door and disappeared.
       暝色四合的一个夏日夜晚。

十万居民的美国城市的商业中心区，崇楼高墙，森然耸起……象这样的崇楼高墙，说不定到将来仅仅足资谈助罢了。

这时相当冷清的大街上，正有一小拨六个人。一个是五十上下。身材矮胖的男子，浓密的头发从他那顶圆形黑呢帽底下旁逸出来。此人长得其貌不扬，随身带着一台沿街传教与卖唱的人常用的手提小风琴。跟他在一起，有一个女人，约莫比他小五岁，个子比他高，体形不如他粗壮，但身子骨结实，精力挺充沛。她的脸容和服饰都很平常，可也不算太丑。她一手搀了一个七岁的男孩，一手拿着一本《圣经》和好几本赞美诗。跟这三人在一起，但各自走在后边的，是一个十五岁的女孩。一个十二岁的男孩和另一个九岁的女孩……他们个个很听话，但是一点儿都不带劲，只不过尾随着罢了。

天气很热，但是弥散着一丝儿恬适的倦意。

他们正走在跟另一条峡谷似的街道相交成直角的那条大街上，那儿行人如织，车辆似梭，还有各路电车丁丁当当地响着铃，在摩肩接踵的行人和车辆的急流中向前驰去。不过，这小拨人对此仿佛毫不在意，一心只想从身边擦过的那些争先恐后的车辆和行人中间挨挤过去。

他们走到了同下一条大街交叉的路口……其实只是两排高大建筑物中间的一条过道……这时已是然无人了。那个男人一放下风琴，女人马上把它打开，支起乐谱架，摆上了一本薄薄的大开本赞美诗。随后，她们那本《圣经》递给那个男人，往后一挪，同他站成一排。十二岁的男孩就把一只小小的轻便折凳放在风琴跟前。那个男人……正是孩子他们的父亲……睁大眼睛，似乎满有信心地往四下里扫了一眼，也不管有没有听众，就开腔说:

"我们先唱一首赞美诗。凡是愿意颂扬上帝的，就不妨跟我们一块唱。赫思德，劳驾你来弹琴，好吗?

"年龄最大的女孩，身材相当苗条，但是尚未完全发育，她一直尽量装出漠不关心。泰然自若的样子来。不过一听到这话，她就坐到了轻便折凳上，一面在翻赞美诗，一面弹起琴来。这时她母亲说:

"我看今晚最好就唱第二十七首:

……《耶稣之爱抚何等甘美》。"这时，各种不同身分。不同职业。正往家走的行人，发现这小拨人这么仓卒登场了，有的只是迟疑地乜了他们一眼，有的……干脆驻足观看他们究竟在耍什么把戏。那个男人一看这种犹豫不定的态度，显然以为这下子已把行人们的注意力吸引住了(尽管还有点儿举棋不定)，于是就抓紧机会，对他们开讲了，好象他们是特地上这儿来听讲的。

"得了，我们大家就一块唱第二十七首:

……《耶稣之爱抚何等甘美》。"那个小姑娘一听这话，就在风琴上开始弹这个乐曲，奏出了一个虽然准确。

但很微弱的曲调;同时，跟着她相当激越的女高音一块唱的，还有她母亲的女高音和她父亲相当可疑的男中音。其他几个孩子，则从风琴上一小叠书里拿来赞美诗，有气无力地跟着一块哼唱。他们唱诗的时候，在街头那些难以形容。冷眼围看的人们，两眼凝望着……如此微不足道的一家人，竟然当众同声高唱，抗议人世间无处不有的怀疑与冷漠……这样的怪事把他们都给怔住了。有人对弹琴的小姑娘相当柔弱。尚欠丰满的身段发生兴趣或同情;也有人对父亲那副迂拙的寒酸相感兴趣或为之动怜，他那双没精打采的蓝眼睛和那肌肤相当松弛。

衣着又很差劲的体形，足以说明他早已落泊潦倒了。这一拨人里头，只有母亲身上显露出那么一种魄力和决心，哪怕是盲目或错误的，使她一生交不上好运道，好歹也能保住自己。她同另外几位相比，更多地流露出这么一种信仰坚定的神态，虽然无知，但不知怎的总是令人敬佩。你要是细心观察她，看到她把自己那本赞美诗搁在身边，两眼凝视前方的神态，一定会说:

"是的，她就是这样的人，不管她有什么样缺点，也许会尽量按照她的信仰去做的。"她的一颦一笑。

一举一动都说明:

她对那个明确无误地主宰一切。观照一切的天神是赞不绝口的，她对天神的智慧和仁慈也是坚信不移的。

"耶稣的爱拯救我的整个身心，上帝的爱指引我的脚步前进，"她就在两旁巍然耸立的崇楼高墙中间，略带鼻音，响亮地歌唱着。

那个男孩子闲不住地两脚替换站着，两眼俯视着，充其量只是半心半意地在哼唱。他是瘦高个儿，头和脸长得真逗人……白净的肌肤，乌尾的头发……同其他几位相比，他好象特别善于观察，肯定更加敏感……显而易见，他对自己目前处境的确感到恼火，乃至于痛苦。他最感兴趣的，显然是世俗生活，而不是宗教生活，虽然他还没有充分意识到这一点。反正最能正确地说明他此时此刻的心态，不外乎是:

眼下要他干的这一套，肯定是不合他的心意。他太年轻了，他的心灵对于形形色色的美和享乐确实太敏感了，不过这些东西……也许跟主宰他父母心灵的那个遥远。朦胧的幻想境界，甚至还是格格不入。

说实话，这个男孩子的家里生活境况，以及他迄至今日在物质上和心灵上的种种遭际，都不能使他相信:

他父母似乎如此坚信和传播的那一套教义，真的是那么实在，那么有力量。相反，他们的生活……至少是物质生活，好象多少让人发愁。父亲总是到各处……特别是到离这儿不太远。和母亲合办的"传道馆"去……向会众诵经。布道。据他所知，他们还向各种各样对传道感兴趣，或是乐善好施的商人敛钱……看来这些商人对这一类慈善事业居然还很相信。尽管这样，这一家人日子过得老是"紧巴巴"，好衣服从来没有穿过，许多在别人看来似乎平常得很的安乐享受，他们都还没沾过边。可是父母亲还不时在颂扬上帝对他们，乃至于芸芸众生的慈爱和关怀。显然在哪儿出了些毛病吧。这一切眼下他还闹不清楚，可他对母亲还是不由得肃然起敬:

要知道母亲的那种毅力和热忱，以及她的温柔，对他都富有吸引力。尽管传道工作很忙，家累又很重，她总是尽量显出乐乐呵呵的样子来，或者至少说她还能撑得住，尤其在衣食极端紧缺的时候，她照例用极为坚定有力的语调说:

"上帝会赐予我们的，"或者说，"上帝会给我们指引出路的。"不过，他和其他孩子们都看得很清楚，尽管他们家里一向亟需上帝垂爱恩赐，上帝却始终没给他们指引出一条看得清清楚楚的出路来。

今晚，他跟自己的姐妹和弟弟一块走在这条大街上，心里巴不得他们从此再也不用干这玩意儿，或者说至少是他自己最好能不参与。这一类事，人家的孩子压根儿就不干。再说，干这类事，不知怎的好象很寒伧，甚至于低人一等。

在他被迫走上街头以前，人家的孩子早已不止一次地大声招呼过他，而且还讥笑过他父亲，就是因为他父亲老是在稠人广众之中宣扬他的宗教信仰，或者说是他那坚定不移的宗教信念。那时候他还只有七岁，就因为他父亲每次跟人说话，一开口总要"赞美上帝"，他便听到附近街坊小孩们乱嚷嚷:

"赞美上帝的老家伙格里菲思来了。"有时候，孩子们还在他背后大声喊道:

"喂，你这个小不点儿，弹风琴的就是你姐姐吧。她还会弹别的玩意儿?

""他干吗要到处说什么'

''''赞美上帝，?

人家压根儿就不说呀。"正是多年来恨不得一切都跟人家一模一样的心态，既捉弄了他的那些孩子们，同时也使他感到苦恼。不管他的父亲也好，还是他的母亲也好，跟人家就是不一样，因为他们俩整日价宗教不离口，到如今终于把宗教当做生意经了。

这一天晚上，在那车辆如梭。人群杂。高楼耸立的大街上，他觉得真害羞，自己竟从正常的生活氛围里给拖出来，被人嘲弄，丢了丑。那时，一辆辆漂亮的小轿车打从他身边疾驰而去;游手好闲的行人，都在各自寻找(对他来说只好胡乱揣度的)那些乐事去了;成双配对的快活的青年男女，说说笑笑，吵吵闹闹;还有那些"小伢儿"瞪着眼直瞅他……这一切都使他很苦恼，他觉得:

倘若跟他的生活，或者说得更确切些，跟他们一家人的生活相比，人家的生活就是有点儿不一样，反正要好得多，美得多。

这时候，大街上游荡不定的人群，在他们周围不断变换，看来也意识到，让这些孩子参予其事，从心理学观点来说，实属大错特错了:

因为人群中间有一些人相互用胳膊肘轻推，以示不屑一顾;有一些世故较深。态度冷漠的人，扬起眉毛，只是轻蔑地一笑;还有一些人较有同情心，或则阅历较多，却认为犯不着让这些小孩子也登场。

"他们这拨人，几乎每天晚上，我在这儿总能看到，反正一星期得有两三回吧，"说这话的是一个年轻的店员。他和女友刚见了面，正陪着她上餐厅去。"我估摸，这拨人不外乎以宗教为名，搞什么骗人勾当吧。""那个最大的男小子，可不乐意待在这儿。他觉得怪别扭的，这我一眼就看出了。要是这小子自己不乐意，硬要他出来，那就实在没道理。不管怎么说，这一套玩意儿，反正他是一窍不通。"这些话，是一个年龄四十上下。常在市商业中心区游食的流浪汉，正在向一个貌似温和的过路行人说的。

"是啊，我看一点儿不错，"那个过路行人一面随声附和说，一面仔细端详这个男孩子与众不同的头和脸。那个男孩子只要一抬起脸来，便流露出忸怩不安的神情来，人们心中自然就会联想到:

本来侍奉这种含意深奥的神灵圣事，只有年岁较大。善于内省的人最为合适，可现在硬要不懂事的孩子在公开场合出现，那就有点儿不厚道和徒劳无益。

殊不知实际情况果然如此。

至于这个家里其他一些人……那最小的男孩子和女孩子，他们年纪太小，说真的根本不懂得眼前这一切是怎么回事，或者说，对他们反正也无所谓。那个弹风琴的大女儿，倒是显得满不在乎，对她本人的出场和歌声所博得的观众青睐却很得意。因为不仅是围观的陌生人，就连她父母也都不止一次地给她鼓气，说她歌声很甜美动人，其实这话说得并不完全正确。要知道她的嗓门儿不见得有那么好。她父母也并不真正懂得音乐。论体质，她苍白。柔弱，也是不过尔尔;心智上更看不出有什么真正潜力或深度。想必她自以为，这是一个绝好场合，让自己出出风头，引起人们一点注意罢了。至于她的父母，他们决心竭尽全力，净化人们心灵，使之超凡脱俗;只要赞美诗一唱完，父亲便开始老调重弹，说什么只要充分得到上帝的怜悯。基督的爱和上帝对罪人的宽恕，罪人就可以摆脱沉重地压在他心头的痛苦，从而得到种种欢乐。

"在上帝看来，人人都是有罪的，"他说，"除非他们虔心忏悔，除非他们信奉基督，接受基督对他们的爱和宽恕，要不然他们永远感受不到心灵上健全。

洁净的幸福。啊，我的朋友们!

基督为你们而生，为你们而死，每天他时时刻刻都同你们走在一起，不论白昼和黑夜，清晨和黄昏，总是在照看你们，赋予你们力量，去克服你们在人世间时刻都有的艰辛和忧患，你们只有对上面这个道理真的大彻大悟了，心中才会感到安宁和满足!

啊，要小心留神那些围在我们身边的罗网和陷坑!

幸亏我们知道:

基督永远与我们同在，劝导我们，帮助我们，激励我们，还给我们包扎伤口，使我们得以身心健全，这是足以告慰大家的!

啊，那种安宁。满足。舒适和光荣，正是我们诚心祷祝的!

""阿门，"他的妻子郑重其事地应答了一声。女儿赫思德，全家人管她叫爱思达，深感他们家里人人都需要得到众人尽量多的援助……也跟着她母亲应答了一声。

最大的男孩子克莱德，还有两个较小的孩子，他们只是两眼瞅着地面，偶尔对他们父母也瞅上一眼，心中暗自思忖:

他说的这些话，可能句句正确。重要，可是不知怎的总不象生活中其他的一些事那么有意义，那么吸引人。他的这一套……他们听得太多了，在他们这些年轻而热切的心灵看来，他们期望于生活的，显然要比在街头和教堂里传道多得多。

后来，第二首赞美诗一唱过，格里菲思太太也讲了话，顺便提到了他们在附近一条街上传过道，而且为了宣扬基督教义还作过祈祷，随后唱了第三首赞美诗，散发了一些阐述教会拯救灵魂的小册子，接着，父亲阿萨就把听众们自动捐款一一敛了起来。他们合上小风琴，把轻便折凳叠好交给克莱德，《圣经》

和赞美诗由格里菲思太太收起来，套上皮带的风琴则挂在老格里菲思肩头上，他们一行人就朝传道馆径直走去了。

整整这段时间里，克莱德一直在暗自琢磨:

这个玩意儿他再也不乐意干了。

他觉得:

刚才他和他父母都显得很愚蠢，而且不大正常……象他这样被迫卷了进去，要是让他的反感充分表达出来，那他就会说出"低级"这个词儿来;一句话，只要有办法，他再也不愿干这个了。硬是把他拽住不放，对他们究竟有什么好处呢?

他的生活不应该是这样的。人家的孩子都用不着去充当他的那种角色。他比过去更坚决地思考着要来一次反抗，以后自己就再也用不着象现在这样抛头露面了。姐姐要是乐意，那让她去就得了;反正这一套她是喜欢的。妹妹和弟弟都太小，也许还无所谓。可是他呢……"我觉得，今晚人们的注意力好象要比往常更多一点，"格里菲思一边走，一边对身旁的太太这样说。醉人的夏日夜晚的微风，使他心境为之一爽，因此，他在解释过路行人照例漠不关心的神情时，也就比较包涵。

"是的，星期四那天，只有十八个人要小册子，可是今儿晚上却有二十七个人。""基督的爱最终必胜，"做父亲的说这些话，既安慰他的太太，也算是聊以自慰。"世俗的欢乐和忧患主宰着许许多多的人，不过，只要他们到了悲痛欲绝的时候，我们现在撒下的这些种子里头，有些就生根发芽了。""这个我相信。正是这种信念，经常使我顶住了，没有倒下去。悲痛和深重的罪孽，终于会让某些人看到自己误入了歧途。"这时他们走进了一条狭窄的小街，刚才他们就是从这小街走出来的。他们从拐角处径直走过十多户人家，就进入一座黄澄澄的木头平房，它那宽大的窗子和大门上两块玻璃，都已漆成灰白色。两个窗子和那双门上几个小方格里横写着:

"希望之门。非英国国教徒独立传道馆。祈祷时间:

每星期三。六，晚八时至十时;星期日，十一时。三时。八时。欢迎参加。"在这些字样下面，每个窗子上都有这么一句话:

"上帝就是爱"，底下还有一行小字:

"你多久没给母亲写信了?

"这小拨人一走进那不起眼的黄澄澄大门，影儿就不见了。
Part 1 Chapter 2
That such a family, thus cursorily presented, might have a different and somewhat peculiar history could well beanticipated, and it would be true. Indeed, this one presented one of those anomalies of psychic and social reflexand motivation such as would tax the skill of not only the psychologist but the chemist and physicist as well, tounravel. To begin with, Asa Griffiths, the father, was one of those poorly integrated and correlated organisms,the product of an environment and a religious theory, but with no guiding or mental insight of his own, yetsensitive and therefore highly emotional and without any practical sense whatsoever. Indeed it would be hard tomake clear just how life appealed to him, or what the true hue of his emotional responses was. On the other hand,as has been indicated, his wife was of a firmer texture but with scarcely any truer or more practical insight intoanything.
　　The history of this man and his wife is of no particular interest here save as it affected their boy of twelve, ClydeGriffiths. This youth, aside from a certain emotionalism and exotic sense of romance which characterized him,and which he took more from his father than from his mother, brought a more vivid and intelligent imaginationto things, and was constantly thinking of how he might better himself, if he had a chance; places to which hemight go, things he might see, and how differently he might live, if only this, that and the other things were true.
　　The principal thing that troubled Clyde up to his fifteenth year, and for long after in retrospect, was that thecalling or profession of his parents was the shabby thing that it appeared to be in the eyes of others. For so oftenthroughout his youth in different cities in which his parents had conducted a mission or spoken on the streets-GrandRapids, Detroit, Milwaukee, Chicago, lastly Kansas City--it had been obvious that people, at least theboys and girls he encountered, looked down upon him and his brothers and sisters for being the children of suchparents. On several occasions, and much against the mood of his parents, who never countenanced suchexhibitions of temper, he had stopped to fight with one or another of these boys. But always, beaten orvictorious, he had been conscious of the fact that the work his parents did was not satisfactory to others,--shabby,trivial. And always he was thinking of what he would do, once he reached the place where he could get away.
　　For Clyde's parents had proved impractical in the matter of the future of their children. They did not understandthe importance or the essential necessity for some form of practical or professional training for each and everyone of their young ones. Instead, being wrapped up in the notion of evangelizing the world, they had neglected to keep their children in school in any one place. They had moved here and there, sometimes in the very midst of anadvantageous school season, because of a larger and better religious field in which to work. And there weretimes, when, the work proving highly unprofitable and Asa being unable to make much money at the two thingshe most understood--gardening and canvassing for one invention or another--they were quite without sufficientfood or decent clothes, and the children could not go to school. In the face of such situations as these, whateverthe children might think, Asa and his wife remained as optimistic as ever, or they insisted to themselves that theywere, and had unwavering faith in the Lord and His intention to provide.
　　The combination home and mission which this family occupied was dreary enough in most of its phases todiscourage the average youth or girl of any spirit. It consisted in its entirety of one long store floor in an old anddecidedly colorless and inartistic wooden building which was situated in that part of Kansas City which liesnorth of Independence Boulevard and west of Troost Avenue, the exact street or place being called Bickel, a veryshort thoroughfare opening off Missouri Avenue, a somewhat more lengthy but no less nondescript highway.
　　And the entire neighborhood in which it stood was very faintly and yet not agreeably redolent of a commerciallife which had long since moved farther south, if not west. It was some five blocks from the spot on which twicea week the open air meetings of these religious enthusiasts and proselytizers were held.
　　And it was the ground floor of this building, looking out into Bickel Street at the front and some dreary backyards of equally dreary frame houses, which was divided at the front into a hall forty by twenty-five feet in size,in which had been placed some sixty collapsible wood chairs, a lectern, a map of Palestine or the Holy Land, andfor wall decorations some twenty-five printed but unframed mottoes which read in part:
　　"WINE IS A MOCKER, STRONG DRINK IS RAGING AND WHOSOEVER IS DECEIVED THEREBY ISNOT WISE.""TAKE HOLD OF SHIELD AND BUCKLER, AND STAND UP FOR MINE HELP." PSALMS 35:2.
　　"AND YE, MY FLOCK, THE FLOCK OF MY PASTURE, are men, AND I AM YOUR GOD, SAITH THELORD GOD." EZEKIEL 34:31.
　　"O GOD, THOU KNOWEST MY FOOLISHNESS, AND MY SINS ARE NOT HID FROM THEE." PSALMS69:5.
　　"IF YE HAVE FAITH AS A GRAIN OF MUSTARD SEED, YE SHALL SAY UNTO THIS MOUNTAIN,REMOVE HENCE TO YONDER PLACE; AND IT SHALL MOVE; AND NOTHING SHALL BEIMPOSSIBLE TO YOU." MATTHEW 17:20.
　　"FOR THE DAY OF THE LORD IS NEAR." OBADIAH 15.
　　"FOR THERE SHALL BE NO REWARD TO THE EVIL MAN." PROVERBS 24:20.
　　"LOOK, THEN, NOT UPON THE WINE WHEN IT IS RED: IT BITETH LIKE A SERPENT, ANDSTINGETH LIKE AN ADDER." PROVERBS 23:31,32.
　　These mighty adjurations were as silver and gold plates set in a wall of dross.
　　The rear forty feet of this very commonplace floor was intricately and yet neatly divided into three smallbedrooms, a living room which overlooked the backyard and wooden fences of yards no better than those at theback; also, a combination kitchen and dining room exactly ten feet square, and a store room for mission tracts,hymnals, boxes, trunks and whatever else of non-immediate use, but of assumed value, which the family owned.
　　This particular small room lay immediately to the rear of the mission hall itself, and into it before or afterspeaking or at such times as a conference seemed important, both Mr. and Mrs. Griffiths were wont to retire-alsoat times to meditate or pray.
　　How often had Clyde and his sisters and younger brother seen his mother or father, or both, in conference withsome derelict or semi-repentant soul who had come for advice or aid, most usually for aid. And here at times,when his mother's and father's financial difficulties were greatest, they were to be found thinking, or as AsaGriffiths was wont helplessly to say at times, "praying their way out," a rather ineffectual way, as Clyde began tothink later.
　　And the whole neighborhood was so dreary and run-down that he hated the thought of living in it, let alone beingpart of a work that required constant appeals for aid, as well as constant prayer and thanksgiving to sustain it.
　　Mrs. Elvira Griffiths before she had married Asa had been nothing but an ignorant farm girl, brought up withoutmuch thought of religion of any kind. But having fallen in love with him, she had become inoculated with thevirus of Evangelism and proselytizing which dominated him, and had followed him gladly and enthusiastically inall of his ventures and through all of his vagaries. Being rather flattered by the knowledge that she could speakand sing, her ability to sway and persuade and control people with the "word of God," as she saw it, she hadbecome more or less pleased with herself on this account and so persuaded to continue.
　　Occasionally a small band of people followed the preachers to their mission, or learning of its existence throughtheir street work, appeared there later--those odd and mentally disturbed or distrait souls who are to be found inevery place. And it had been Clyde's compulsory duty throughout the years when he could not act for himself tobe in attendance at these various meetings. And always he had been more irritated than favorably influenced bythe types of men and women who came here--mostly men--down-and-out laborers, loafers, drunkards, wastrels,the botched and helpless who seemed to drift in, because they had no other place to go. And they were alwaystestifying as to how God or Christ or Divine Grace had rescued them from this or that predicament--never howthey had rescued any one else. And always his father and mother were saying "Amen" and "Glory to God," andsinging hymns and afterward taking up a collection for the legitimate expenses of the hall--collections which, ashe surmised, were little enough--barely enough to keep the various missions they had conducted in existence.
　　The one thing that really interested him in connection with his parents was the existence somewhere in the east-ina small city called Lycurgus, near Utica he understood--of an uncle, a brother of his father's, who was plainlydifferent from all this. That uncle--Samuel Griffiths by name--was rich. In one way and another, from casualremarks dropped by his parents, Clyde had heard references to certain things this particular uncle might do for aperson, if he but would; references to the fact that he was a shrewd, hard business man; that he had a great houseand a large factory in Lycurgus for the manufacture of collars and shirts, which employed not less than threehundred people; that he had a son who must be about Clyde's age, and several daughters, two at least, all of whom must be, as Clyde imagined, living in luxury in Lycurgus. News of all this had apparently been broughtwest in some way by people who knew Asa and his father and brother. As Clyde pictured this uncle, he must bea kind of Croesus, living in ease and luxury there in the east, while here in the west--Kansas City--he and hisparents and his brother and sisters were living in the same wretched and hum-drum, hand-to-mouth state that hadalways characterized their lives.
　　But for this--apart from anything he might do for himself, as he early began to see--there was no remedy. For atfifteen, and even a little earlier, Clyde began to understand that his education, as well as his sisters' and brother's,had been sadly neglected. And it would be rather hard for him to overcome this handicap, seeing that other boysand girls with more money and better homes were being trained for special kinds of work. How was one to get astart under such circumstances? Already when, at the age of thirteen, fourteen and fifteen, he began looking inthe papers, which, being too worldly, had never been admitted to his home, he found that mostly skilled help waswanted, or boys to learn trades in which at the moment he was not very much interested. For true to the standardof the American youth, or the general American attitude toward life, he felt himself above the type of laborwhich was purely manual. What! Run a machine, lay bricks, learn to be a carpenter, or a plasterer, or plumber,when boys no better than himself were clerks and druggists' assistants and bookkeepers and assistants in banksand real estate offices and such! Wasn't it menial, as miserable as the life he had thus far been leading, to wearold clothes and get up so early in the morning and do all the commonplace things such people had to do?
　　For Clyde was as vain and proud as he was poor. He was one of those interesting individuals who looked uponhimself as a thing apart--never quite wholly and indissolubly merged with the family of which he was a member,and never with any profound obligations to those who had been responsible for his coming into the world. On thecontrary, he was inclined to study his parents, not too sharply or bitterly, but with a very fair grasp of theirqualities and capabilities. And yet, with so much judgment in that direction, he was never quite able--at least notuntil he had reached his sixteenth year--to formulate any policy in regard to himself, and then only in a ratherfumbling and tentative way.
　　Incidentally by that time the sex lure or appeal had begun to manifest itself and he was already intenselyinterested and troubled by the beauty of the opposite sex, its attractions for him and his attraction for it. And,naturally and coincidentally, the matter of his clothes and his physical appearance had begun to trouble him not alittle--how he looked and how other boys looked. It was painful to him now to think that his clothes were notright; that he was not as handsome as he might be, not as interesting. What a wretched thing it was to be bornpoor and not to have any one to do anything for you and not to be able to do so very much for yourself!
　　Casual examination of himself in mirrors whenever he found them tended rather to assure him that he was not sobad-looking--a straight, well-cut nose, high white forehead, wavy, glossy, black hair, eyes that were black andrather melancholy at times. And yet the fact that his family was the unhappy thing that it was, that he had neverhad any real friends, and could not have any, as he saw it, because of the work and connection of his parents, wasnow tending more and more to induce a kind of mental depression or melancholia which promised not so wellfor his future. It served to make him rebellious and hence lethargic at times. Because of his parents, and in spiteof his looks, which were really agreeable and more appealing than most, he was inclined to misinterpret theinterested looks which were cast at him occasionally by young girls in very different walks of life from him--thecontemptuous and yet rather inviting way in which they looked to see if he were interested or disinterested, braveor cowardly.
　　And yet, before he had ever earned any money at all, he had always told himself that if only he had a bettercollar, a nicer shirt, finer shoes, a good suit, a swell overcoat like some boys had! Oh, the fine clothes, thehandsome homes, the watches, rings, pins that some boys sported; the dandies many youths of his years alreadywere! Some parents of boys of his years actually gave them cars of their own to ride in. They were to be seenupon the principal streets of Kansas City flitting to and fro like flies. And pretty girls with them. And he hadnothing. And he never had had.
　　And yet the world was so full of so many things to do--so many people were so happy and so successful. Whatwas he to do? Which way to turn? What one thing to take up and master--something that would get himsomewhere. He could not say. He did not know exactly. And these peculiar parents were in no way sufficientlyequipped to advise him.
      刚才给读者粗略地介绍的这一家人，说不定有一段与众不同。多少有些特殊的家史，这是完全可以想象到的，实际上也果然是这样。说实话，这样一家人，是在诱发心理和社会动机及其反应方面都呈现出反常状态的家庭之一，倘要阐述个中奥秘，不但需要心理学家，而且还需要化学家和物理学家的熟娴技巧。先说说这个一家之主阿萨。格里菲思吧:

他是属于体内机能不够健全的一类人，是某种环境和某种宗教学说的典型产物，没有自己的主见，或者说没有自己的胆识，不过，他很敏感，因此也非常容易动感情，但是一点儿都没有务实的观念。至于他对生活究竟怀有什么样憧憬，他感情上究竟会有什么样反应，说实话，这些都很难说得清。另一方面，正如前面已经说过，他的妻子性格比较坚强，可她也不见得事事都拿得出比他更正确。更实际的高见来。

这一对夫妇的身世，要不是因为它给了他们那个十二岁的儿子克莱德。格里菲思很大影响，本来不必在这儿做特别的交待。先不说这个小伙子有个显著特点，就是比较爱动感情，喜欢罗曼蒂克情调(他的这个特点，更多的来自父亲，而不是来自母亲)，他对生活却独具慧眼，有着较为活跃的想象力;他心中不时在琢磨着:

一俟有机会，说不定就可以改善自己的境况;要是万事顺遂的话，说不定他就可以到哪些地方去，见识见识世面，那时他过的将是另一种生活了。克莱德行年已有十五，使他特别苦恼的一件事(而且以后长时间里一回想起它也仍深感苦恼)，就是:

他父母的行业，或者说专门职业，在众人心目中显得太寒伧了。

在他整个少年时期，父母在各个城市，比如说大瀑布城。底特律。密尔沃基。

芝加哥，最近还有堪萨斯城，主办传道馆，或者在街头布道;一般人，至少是他所遇见的那些男孩子和女孩子，照例都是看不起他和他的兄弟姐妹，显然因为他们就是这样一对父母所生的子女。有好几回，他竟然在路上跟这些孩子里头这一个或那一个干起仗来(这使他父母大为不满，因为他们从来都不赞成这样放肆的表现)。可是不管打败了也好，还是打赢了也好，他每次总是意识到:

父母的这个行业正是被人瞧不起的……毕竟太寒伧。太卑微了。因此，他总是在暗自思忖:

有一天，到了他能够出人头地的时候，自己又该怎么办呢。

事实上，克莱德的父母，对自己子女前途的想法，证明是不切实际的。他们根本不懂得，某种实用知识或是专门职业的训练，对他们每一个孩子来说，都是至关重要，或者说也是必不可缺的。相反，他们满脑子只想到给全世界传播福音，却忘了让自己孩子们在哪一个地方上学念书。他们经常从这个地方搬到那个地方去，即使孩子们念书正念得很顺当，为了传教工作有更广阔。更优越的活动天地，有时也得搬家。有的时候，他们的传教活动几乎完全得不到收入，阿萨从他最拿手的两件事……莳花艺草和推销新产品……又挣不到多少钱，这时他们差不多已是食不果腹，衣不蔽体，孩子们自然也就辍学了。面对这样窘况，不管孩子们会有怎么个想法，阿萨夫妇俩始终保持乐观，至少他们硬是相信自己乐观，而且毫不动摇地虔信上帝及其垂爱恩赐。

这一家人的住所兼传道馆，那里够阴惨惨的，足以使有一点儿生气的少男少女都提不起精神来。那是一座黯淡无光。毫无艺术情趣的破旧木头房子;他们占用的是整个长长的底楼。它坐落在堪萨斯城独立林荫大道以北。特鲁斯特大街以西市区内，确切的街名或地名叫比克尔。这条街很短，通向虽然稍微长些。

但同样是难以描述的密苏里街。传道馆附近这一带地方，还依稀让人不太愉快地回想起昔日生意兴隆的景象，如今这里的商业中心区早已移到西南方向去了。

在离这里五个街区的地方，有一些热心宗教的人和劝人改宗的人，每周两次举行露天聚会。

这座房子的底楼，正好面对着比克尔街，还可看到一些同样阴沉沉的木结构房子的阴沉沉的后院。底楼前头这部分，已隔成一个四十英尺长。二十五英尺宽的大厅，里面摆上大约六十把木折椅，一个诵经坛，一幅圣地巴勒斯坦地图，还有二十五张印好后尚未装框的箴言，作为墙头的装饰品，其中一部分就是:

"酒能使人亵慢，浓酒使人喧嚷。凡因酒错误的，就无智慧。"(见《圣经。

旧约。箴言》第２０章。)"拿着大小的盾牌，起来帮助我。"……《诗篇》第三十五篇第二节"你们作我的羊，我草场上的羊，乃是以色列人，我也是你们的上帝，这是主耶和华说的。"……《以西结书》第三十四章第三十一节"上帝啊，我的愚昧你原知道，我的罪愆不能隐瞒。"……《诗篇》第六十九篇第五节"你们若有信心象一粒芥菜种，就是对这座山说，你从这边挪到那边，它也必挪去;并且你们没有一件不能作的事了。"……《马太福音》第十七章第二十节"耶和华降罚的日子临近万国。"……《俄巴底亚书》第十五节"因为恶人终不得善报。"……《箴言》第二十四章第二十节"酒发红，在杯中闪烁，你不可观看:

终究是咬你如蛇，刺你如毒蛇。"……《箴言》第二十三章第三十一。三十二节这些庄严有力的祈求，好象是悬在抹上灰渣的墙壁上的金银挂盘。

这一层极其普通的底楼后面尚有四十英尺，那块地方错综复杂，但又别致地一一隔开，成为三个小卧室和一个起坐间，这个起坐间既望得见后院，也望得见与后院相差无几。毗邻的一些院子里的木栅栏。此外还有一间恰好十英尺见方的厨房，同时也兼作餐室;一间贮藏室，里面置放着传道用的小册子和赞美诗集，以及盒子。箱子和家里一时不用但又被认为有价值的一些零星什物。这个特殊的小房间，紧挨在传道大厅后面，格里菲思夫妇在讲道以前，或是在讲道之后，或是有要紧的事商量的时候，照例要到这里来……不过也有的时候，他们来这里沉思默想或者做祈祷。

克莱德和他的姐姐，还有他的弟弟，三天两头看到他们的母亲或者父亲，有时单独，有时两人一道，跟一个被遗弃了的。或则稍有悔罪之意的人谈话。

这些人是来这里寻求忠告或者帮助的，往往多半是来寻求帮助的。有时，正好他的父母手头特别紧，孩子们就看见他们俩待在这里冥思苦索，或者正如阿萨。

格里菲思常常在一筹莫展时所说的，就是要"祷告上帝给他们指出一条出路来"。

后来克莱德心中开始琢磨，这实在也是无济于事的。

他家周围整个地区，也都是那样阴暗。凋敝，克莱德一想到自己住在这个地区就很腻味，更不用提……经常要向人恳求帮助，自己也不得不参予其事，而且，为了支持起见，还得经常祷告上帝和感谢天恩。

爱尔薇拉。格里菲思太太在嫁给阿萨以前，只不过是一个没受过教育的农场姑娘，即使长大成人，也很少想到过宗教这一类事情。哪知道她一爱上了他以后，就好象中了他传播福音和劝人改宗的毒。以后，不管他要担多大风险，或则玩弄种种希奇百怪的花招，她总是欣喜若狂地追随他。后来她知道自己能说会唱，居然还能利用她已知道的"上帝所说的话"去影响。开导。支配别人，不免感到沾沾自喜，对此她也就多少有些心安理得，乐意继续干下去了。

偶尔也有一小拨人，跟着这两位传教士径直来到了他们的传道馆，或者是因为听他们在街头传道时提到过这个传道馆，事后才登上门来的……这些稀奇古怪。心神不安，乃至于神经错乱的人，眼下是到哪儿都有的。由于克莱德目前还不能自立，多年来他就只好到各式各样的宗教集会上奉陪他的父母了。到这里来的各色人等的男男女女……十之八九为男人……有穷困潦倒的工人，有无业游民，有酒鬼和流浪汉，还有那些孤苦无告。其丑无比的人……看来他们就是因为没有别的地方可去，这才踅到这里来……对于这些人，克莱德与其说有好感，还不如说生气。他们一向证明上帝。基督或是神灵怎样把他们从这个或那个困境中拯救出来，可他们从来没有说过他们自己拯救过别人的事。他的父母总是唠叨着说"阿门"和"光荣归于上帝"，接着唱赞美诗，最后为传道馆的正当开支募集捐款。捐款的数目，据他估算，少得可怜，只够维持他们现有的各式各样的传道活动。

关于他的父母，只有一件事真的使他感到兴趣，那就是:

在东部某处……在一个叫做莱柯格斯的小城，据他所知，靠近尤蒂卡(纽约州中部一城市。)……有一位伯父，亦即他父亲的哥哥。他伯父的生活境况跟他们显然大不一样。伯父名叫塞缪尔。格里菲思，是个有钱人。克莱德从父母偶尔闲谈中多次听说过:

这位伯父只要随他高兴，就肯给某个人一点帮助;他还是一个精明而又严厉的商人;他在莱柯格斯有一所巨邸和一个生产领子和衬衫的大工厂，雇用工人不少于三百人;他有个儿子，年纪想必跟克莱德相差无几，还有好几个女儿，少说也有两个，据克莱德猜想，他们在莱柯格斯一定都过着奢靡的生活。以上所有这些消息，显然都由那些认识阿萨及其父兄的人捎到西部来的。在克莱德的想象中，这位伯父想必是好象克里塞斯(克里塞斯是公元前六世纪小亚细亚吕底亚国极富的国王。)那一类人，在东部过着舒适奢靡的生活。可是在西部这里……堪萨斯城，他跟他的父母。兄弟姐妹的生活，一言以蔽之，依然是那么可怜。乏味，仅仅足以糊口罢了。

不过，克莱德很早就看得清清楚楚，除了他能自立以外，别无他法可想了。

他在十五岁时，甚至更早一些，就开始懂得:

他自己的教育，还有他的姐妹。弟弟的教育，不幸全被他父母耽误了。由于那些家境较为殷实的少男少女都接受专门技能的教育，他要克服自己的困境，自然就更难了。在这样的境况下，他一开始该从哪儿着手呢?

其实，他在十三。十四。十五岁时，就开始浏览各种报纸了，可是他家里从来不许看报的(因为看报已被视作太世俗的事了)。他得悉现下到处需要有熟练技术的人，或是受过专门职业训练的学徒，不过当时他对此却不是很感兴趣。正如一般美国青年的想法，或则普通美国人的人生观一样，克莱德觉得自己凌驾于纯粹体力劳动者那一类人之上。天下居然还有这样的事!

那些比他好不了多少的小伙子，都当上了店员，杂货铺的帮手，以及银行和地产公司里的会计和助手，难道说他就得去开机器，砌砖头，学做木工。泥水活和水暖管子工吗!

要是叫他身穿旧衣服，每天一清早爬起来，就象那些人一样，不得不去干那些平淡无奇的事情，岂不是太低三下四，如同他迄至今日的生活一样窝囊吗?

克莱德既穷而又很爱虚荣和骄傲。他就是自命不凡的那一号人……他虽然是家中一员，可他跟家从来不是水乳交融，甚至于对有养育之恩的人，也从来没有深切感激之情。相反，他喜欢仔细琢磨他的父母，虽然并不太尖锐或者太刻薄，可是对他们的素质和能力却有了充分了解。不过，尽管他对别人很有判断力，可对自己的前途，心中却始终没有谱，即便到了十六岁那年，也才只有一些尚在摸索的试探性的想法。

顺便提一下，就在这时候，性的诱惑，或者干脆说性感，不知不觉地开始在他身上显露出来了。对于异性的美。异性对他的引吸力，以及他对异性的吸引力，他早已引起了强烈的兴趣，同时，他也为此感到很烦恼。再说，很自然地，与此同时产生的衣着和仪表这类问题，也开始给他带来不少烦恼……瞧他自己的外表是怎样的，而人家的小伙子的外表又是怎样的?

如今，他一想到自己的衣服不行，又不能打扮得更漂亮些，以便自己更加吸引人，就觉得很痛苦。

生来就是穷，既没有人帮助过你，自己又没有能耐助自己一臂之力，那该有多么可怜啊!

他只要见到镜子，总要把自己仔细端详一番。他相信自己模样儿长得并不太难看……端正大方的鼻子，白白净净的高额角，油光锃亮的波浪型黑头发，乌溜溜的眼睛有时含有几分郁色。可是由于他家里的不幸，父母的职业性质，以及种种人际关系，真正的朋友不仅过去他没有过，而且，依他看，现在也不见得能找到:

这一事实越来越诱发他心情坠入抑郁，亦即所谓忧郁症，对他的将来自然毫无好处。这反而促使他想要反抗，但有时候精神上却又萎靡不振。尽管他的仪表说真的很讨人喜欢，吸引力也比一般人更大，可是，当那些社会阶层与他迥然不同的年轻姑娘偶尔向他投以一瞥时，他就是因为一想到自己父母的德行，往往误解了她们的用意，其实，她们这种轻蔑而又存心逗引的神色，不外乎要试探一下:

他对她们到底是喜欢呢，还是毫无意思;他这个人究竟是好样儿呢，还是个胆小鬼。

不过话又说回来，即使在他连一个子儿还都没有挣到之前，他一直在暗自思忖:

要是他象别的小伙子那样，也有一条好一点的衣领。一件漂亮一点的衬衫。

一双好看一点的皮鞋，还有一套做工讲究的衣服。一件阔气的大衣，该有多好!

啊!

高级衣服。漂亮房子，以及手表。戒指和别针等等，多少小伙子一一拿来出风头啊!

还有那些象他那样年龄的男孩子……现在都是花花公子!

有些与他同龄的男孩子，做父母的真的给他们买了汽车，供他们兜风去哩。克莱德看见他们象蝇子似的在堪萨斯城大街上飞来飞去。而且他们身边还有漂亮女郎陪着。可他却什么都没有。而且，他从来就是未曾有过啊。

不过，世界上可做的事情多着呢……幸福。得意的人儿也是到处都有。现在克莱德，他该怎么办呢?

到底走哪一条路呢?

究竟应该选定哪一行，学好了，将来使他出人头地呢?

这些他都说不上来。他毕竟还闹不清楚。就连他那古里古怪的父母。也是孤陋寡闻，没法给他点拨一下。
Part 1 Chapter 3
One of the things that served to darken Clyde's mood just about the time when he was seeking some practicalsolution for himself, to say nothing of its profoundly disheartening effect on the Griffiths family as a whole, wasthe fact that his sister Esta, in whom he took no little interest (although they really had very little in common),ran away from home with an actor who happened to be playing in Kansas City and who took a passing fancy forher.
　　The truth in regard to Esta was that in spite of her guarded up-bringing, and the seeming religious and moralfervor which at times appeared to characterize her, she was just a sensuous, weak girl who did not by any meansknow yet what she thought. Despite the atmosphere in which she moved, essentially she was not of it. Like thelarge majority of those who profess and daily repeat the dogmas and creeds of the world, she had come into herpractices and imagined attitude so insensibly from her earliest childhood on, that up to this time, and even later,she did not know the meaning of it all. For the necessity of thought had been obviated by advice and law, or"revealed" truth, and so long as other theories or situations and impulses of an external or even internal, characterdid not arise to clash with these, she was safe enough. Once they did, however, it was a foregone conclusion thather religious notions, not being grounded on any conviction or temperamental bias of her own, were not likely towithstand the shock. So that all the while, and not unlike her brother Clyde, her thoughts as well as her emotionswere wandering here and there--to love, to comfort--to things which in the main had little, if anything, to dowith any self-abnegating and self-immolating religious theory. Within her was a chemism of dreams whichsomehow counteracted all they had to say.
　　Yet she had neither Clyde's force, nor, on the other hand, his resistance. She was in the main a drifter, with avague yearning toward pretty dresses, hats, shoes, ribbons and the like, and super-imposed above this, thereligious theory or notion that she should not be. There were the long bright streets of a morning and afternoonafter school or of an evening. The charm of certain girls swinging along together, arms locked, secrets a-whispering, or that of boys, clownish, yet revealing through their bounding ridiculous animality the force andmeaning of that chemistry and urge toward mating which lies back of all youthful thought and action. And in herself, as from time to time she observed lovers or flirtation-seekers who lingered at street corners or aboutdoorways, and who looked at her in a longing and seeking way, there was a stirring, a nerve plasm palpitationthat spoke loudly for all the seemingly material things of life, not for the thin pleasantries of heaven.
　　And the glances drilled her like an invisible ray, for she was pleasing to look at and was growing more attractivehourly. And the moods in others awakened responsive moods in her, those rearranging chemisms upon which allthe morality or immorality of the world is based.
　　And then one day, as she was coming home from school, a youth of that plausible variety known as "masher"engaged her in conversation, largely because of a look and a mood which seemed to invite it. And there was littleto stay her, for she was essentially yielding, if not amorous. Yet so great had been her home drilling as to theneed of modesty, circumspection, purity and the like, that on this occasion at least there was no danger of anyimmediate lapse. Only this attack once made, others followed, were accepted, or not so quickly fled from, and bydegrees, these served to break down that wall of reserve which her home training had served to erect. Shebecame secretive and hid her ways from her parents.
　　Youths occasionally walked and talked with her in spite of herself. They demolished that excessive shynesswhich had been hers, and which had served to put others aside for a time at least. She wished for other contacts-dreamedof some bright, gay, wonderful love of some kind, with some one.
　　Finally, after a slow but vigorous internal growth of mood and desire, there came this actor, one of those vain,handsome, animal personalities, all clothes and airs, but no morals (no taste, no courtesy or real tenderness even),but of compelling magnetism, who was able within the space of one brief week and a few meetings to completelybefuddle and enmesh her so that she was really his to do with as he wished. And the truth was that he scarcelycared for her at all. To him, dull as he was, she was just another girl--fairly pretty, obviously sensuous andinexperienced, a silly who could be taken by a few soft words--a show of seemingly sincere affection, talk of theopportunity of a broader, freer life on the road, in other great cities, as his wife.
　　And yet his words were those of a lover who would be true forever. All she had to do, as he explained to her, wasto come away with him and be his bride, at once--now. Delay was so vain when two such as they had met. Therewas difficulty about marriage here, which he could not explain--it related to friends--but in St. Louis he had apreacher friend who would wed them. She was to have new and better clothes than she had ever known,delicious adventures, love. She would travel with him and see the great world. She would never need to troublemore about anything save him; and while it was truth to her--the verbal surety of a genuine passion--to him itwas the most ancient and serviceable type of blarney, often used before and often successful.
　　In a single week then, at odd hours, morning, afternoon and night, this chemic witchery was accomplished.
　　Coming home rather late one Saturday night in April from a walk which he had taken about the business heart, inorder to escape the regular Saturday night mission services, Clyde found his mother and father worried about thewhereabouts of Esta. She had played and sung as usual at this meeting. And all had seemed all right with her.
　　After the meeting she had gone to her room, saying that she was not feeling very well and was going to bedearly. But by eleven o'clock, when Clyde returned, her mother had chanced to look into her room and discoveredthat she was not there nor anywhere about the place. A certain bareness in connection with the room--some trinkets and dresses removed, an old and familiar suitcase gone--had first attracted her mother's attention. Thenthe house search proving that she was not there, Asa had gone outside to look up and down the street. Shesometimes walked out alone, or sat or stood in front of the mission during its idle or closed hours.
　　This search revealing nothing, Clyde and he had walked to a corner, then along Missouri Avenue. No Esta. Attwelve they returned and after that, naturally, the curiosity in regard to her grew momentarily sharper.
　　At first they assumed that she might have taken an unexplained walk somewhere, but as twelve-thirty, and finallyone, and one-thirty, passed, and no Esta, they were about to notify the police, when Clyde, going into her room,saw a note pinned to the pillow of her small wooden bed--a missive that had escaped the eye of his mother. Atonce he went to it, curious and comprehending, for he had often wondered in what way, assuming that he everwished to depart surreptitiously, he would notify his parents, for he knew they would never countenance hisdeparture unless they were permitted to supervise it in every detail. And now here was Esta missing, and herewas undoubtedly some such communication as he might have left. He picked it up, eager to read it, but at thatmoment his mother came into the room and, seeing it in his hand, exclaimed: "What's that? A note? Is it fromher?" He surrendered it and she unfolded it, reading it quickly. He noted that her strong broad face, alwaystanned a reddish brown, blanched as she turned away toward the outer room. Her biggish mouth was now set in afirm, straight line. Her large, strong hand shook the least bit as it held the small note aloft.
　　"Asa!" she called, and then tramping into the next room where he was, his frizzled grayish hair curlingdistractedly above his round head, she said: "Read this."Clyde, who had followed, saw him take it a little nervously in his pudgy hands, his lips, always weak andbeginning to crinkle at the center with age, now working curiously. Any one who had known his life's historywould have said it was the expression, slightly emphasized, with which he had received most of the untowardblows of his life in the past.
　　"Tst! Tst! Tst!" was the only sound he made at first, a sucking sound of the tongue and palate--most weak andinadequate, it seemed to Clyde. Next there was another "Tst! Tst! Tst!", his head beginning to shake from side toside. Then, "Now, what do you suppose could have caused her to do that?" Then he turned and gazed at his wife,who gazed blankly in return. Then, walking to and fro, his hands behind him, his short legs taking unconsciousand queerly long steps, his head moving again, he gave vent to another ineffectual "Tst! Tst! Tst!"Always the more impressive, Mrs. Griffiths now showed herself markedly different and more vital in this tryingsituation, a kind of irritation or dissatisfaction with life itself, along with an obvious physical distress, seeming topass through her like a visible shadow. Once her husband had gotten up, she reached out and took the note, thenmerely glared at it again, her face set in hard yet stricken and disturbing lines. Her manner was that of one who isintensely disquieted and dissatisfied, one who fingers savagely at a material knot and yet cannot undo it, one whoseeks restraint and freedom from complaint and yet who would complain bitterly, angrily. For behind her wereall those years of religious work and faith, which somehow, in her poorly integrated conscience, seemed dimly toindicate that she should justly have been spared this. Where was her God, her Christ, at this hour when thisobvious evil was being done? Why had He not acted for her? How was He to explain this? His Biblicalpromises! His perpetual guidance! His declared mercies!
　　In the face of so great a calamity, it was very hard for her, as Clyde could see, to get this straightened out,instantly at least. Although, as Clyde had come to know, it could be done eventually, of course. For in someblind, dualistic way both she and Asa insisted, as do all religionists, in disassociating God from harm and errorand misery, while granting Him nevertheless supreme control. They would seek for something else--somemalign, treacherous, deceiving power which, in the face of God's omniscience and omnipotence, still beguilesand betrays--and find it eventually in the error and perverseness of the human heart, which God has made, yetwhich He does not control, because He does not want to control it.
　　At the moment, however, only hurt and rage were with her, and yet her lips did not twitch as did Asa's, nor didher eyes show that profound distress which filled his. Instead she retreated a step and reexamined the letter,almost angrily, then said to Asa: "She's run away with some one and she doesn't say--" Then she stoppedsuddenly, remembering the presence of the children--Clyde, Julia, and Frank, all present and all gazingcuriously, intently, unbelievingly. "Come in here," she called to her husband, "I want to talk to you a minute.
　　You children had better go on to bed. We'll be out in a minute."With Asa then she retired quite precipitately to a small room back of the mission hall. They heard her click theelectric bulb. Then their voices were heard in low converse, while Clyde and Julia and Frank looked at eachother, although Frank, being so young--only ten--could scarcely be said to have comprehended fully. Even Juliahardly gathered the full import of it. But Clyde, because of his larger contact with life and his mother's statement("She's run away with some one"), understood well enough. Esta had tired of all this, as had he. Perhaps therewas some one, like one of those dandies whom he saw on the streets with the prettiest girls, with whom she hadgone. But where? And what was he like? That note told something, and yet his mother had not let him see it. Shehad taken it away too quickly. If only he had looked first, silently and to himself!
　　"Do you suppose she's run away for good?" he asked Julia dubiously, the while his parents were out of the room,Julia herself looking so blank and strange.
　　"How should I know?" she replied a little irritably, troubled by her parents' distress and this secretiveness, aswell as Esta's action. "She never said anything to me. I should think she'd be ashamed of herself if she has."Julia, being colder emotionally than either Esta or Clyde, was more considerate of her parents in a conventionalway, and hence sorrier. True, she did not quite gather what it meant, but she suspected something, for she hadtalked occasionally with girls, but in a very guarded and conservative way. Now, however, it was more the wayin which Esta had chosen to leave, deserting her parents and her brothers and herself, that caused her to be angrywith her, for why should she go and do anything which would distress her parents in this dreadful fashion. It wasdreadful. The air was thick with misery.
　　And as his parents talked in their little room, Clyde brooded too, for he was intensely curious about life now.
　　What was it Esta had really done? Was it, as he feared and thought, one of those dreadful runaway or sexuallydisagreeable affairs which the boys on the streets and at school were always slyly talking about? How shameful,if that were true! She might never come back. She had gone with some man. There was something wrong aboutthat, no doubt, for a girl, anyhow, for all he had ever heard was that all decent contacts between boys and girls,men and women, led to but one thing--marriage. And now Esta, in addition to their other troubles, had gone anddone this. Certainly this home life of theirs was pretty dark now, and it would be darker instead of brighter because of this.
　　Presently the parents came out, and then Mrs. Griffiths' face, if still set and constrained, was somehow a littledifferent, less savage perhaps, more hopelessly resigned.
　　"Esta's seen fit to leave us, for a little while, anyhow," was all she said at first, seeing the children waitingcuriously. "Now, you're not to worry about her at all, or think any more about it. She'll come back after a while,I'm sure. She has chosen to go her own way, for a time, for some reason. The Lord's will be done." ("Blessed bethe name of the Lord!" interpolated Asa.) "I thought she was happy here with us, but apparently she wasn't. Shemust see something of the world for herself, I suppose." (Here Asa put in another Tst! Tst! Tst!) "But we mustn'tharbor hard thoughts. That won't do any good now--only thoughts of love and kindness." Yet she said this with akind of sternness that somehow belied it--a click of the voice, as it were. "We can only hope that she will soonsee how foolish she has been, and unthinking, and come back. She can't prosper on the course she's going now. Itisn't the Lord's way or will. She's too young and she's made a mistake. But we can forgive her. We must. Ourhearts must be kept open, soft and tender." She talked as though she were addressing a meeting, but with a hard,sad, frozen face and voice. "Now, all of you go to bed. We can only pray now, and hope, morning, noon andnight, that no evil will befall her. I wish she hadn't done that," she added, quite out of keeping with the rest of herstatement and really not thinking of the children as present at all--just of Esta.
　　But Asa!
　　Such a father, as Clyde often thought, afterwards.
　　Apart from his own misery, he seemed only to note and be impressed by the more significant misery of his wife.
　　During all this, he had stood foolishly to one side--short, gray, frizzled, inadequate.
　　"Well, blessed be the name of the Lord," he interpolated from time to time. "We must keep our hearts open. Yes,we mustn't judge. We must only hope for the best. Yes, yes! Praise the Lord--we must praise the Lord! Amen!
　　Oh, yes! Tst! Tst! Tst!""If any one asks where she is," continued Mrs. Griffiths after a time, quite ignoring her spouse and addressing thechildren, who had drawn near her, "we will say that she has gone on a visit to some of my relatives back inTonawanda. That won't be the truth, exactly, but then we don't know where she is or what the truth is--and shemay come back. So we must not say or do anything that will injure her until we know.""Yes, praise the Lord!" called Asa, feebly.
　　"So if any one should inquire at any time, until we know, we will say that.""Sure," put in Clyde, helpfully, and Julia added, "All right."Mrs. Griffiths paused and looked firmly and yet apologetically at her children. Asa, for his part, emitted another"Tst! Tst! Tst!" and then the children were waved to bed.
　　At that, Clyde, who really wanted to know what Esta's letter had said, but was convinced from long experiencethat his mother would not let him know unless she chose, returned to his room again, for he was tired. Why didn'tthey search more if there was hope of finding her? Where was she now--at this minute? On some trainsomewhere? Evidently she didn't want to be found. She was probably dissatisfied, just as he was. Here he was,thinking so recently of going away somewhere himself, wondering how the family would take it, and now shehad gone before him. How would that affect his point of view and action in the future? Truly, in spite of hisfather's and mother's misery, he could not see that her going was such a calamity, not from the GOING point ofview, at any rate. It was only another something which hinted that things were not right here. Mission work wasnothing. All this religious emotion and talk was not so much either. It hadn't saved Esta. Evidently, like himself,she didn't believe so much in it, either.
      克莱德正在给自己寻摸一个切实解决办法，恰好这时家里遇到了一些麻烦事，使他心绪越发灰暗了。其中有一件事，就是:

他的姐姐爱思达跟一个难得上堪萨斯城演出。闪电式爱上她的演员离家私奔了。(尽管他相当疼她的，但说实话，他们俩之间毫无共同语言)这一件事弄得格里菲思全家人如何灰心丧气，也就不用说了。

爱思达事件真相是这样的:

尽管她是在严格的教育之下长大，有时似乎对宗教和道德还怀着满腔热忱，其实，她只不过是一个性感丰富。意志薄弱的女孩子，她心里究竟在想些什么，连她自己也说不清。她虽在那个特殊的环境中生活着，可她压根儿和它格格不入。如同绝大多数的人只是整日价嘴上笃信宗教一样，她从很小时候起，就不假思索地把这些宗教信条都接受下来了，到如今，乃至于在以后，爱思达也还是一点儿不理解它们的意义。至于这些天天重复念叨的宗教信条究竟包含什么意思，反正有了家训。教规，以及"天启"的真理，她早已用不着自己去独立思考了;只要别的学说，别的情况，以及来自外界的。或者甚至出自内心的一些冲动还没有同上面那些东西发生冲突，那她就可以高枕无忧了。可是话又说回来，一旦真的发生了冲突，由于她的宗教观不是建立在个人信仰，或则个人气质倾向的基础之上，大概经受不住这一冲击，那也是早就可以预料的结论。因此，爱思达的思想感情未必和她的弟弟克莱德不同，原来也是一天到晚从这到那，飘忽不定……一会儿想到爱情，一会儿又想到享乐生活……一会儿却想到了那些跟自我克制。自我牺牲这类教义也许根本不相干的事情。一句话，她整个内心世界，以及她所有的梦想，都把人们宣扬的所有宗教教规通通给抵消了。

可是，她毕竟没有克莱德那种毅力，也没有他那种反抗性。她基本上是个随波逐流的人，朦朦胧胧地渴望着漂亮的衣服。鞋帽和缎带之类的东西，而宗教教规或宗教观念，则不准她梦想追求这些东西。不论在上午或下午放学以后，或是在傍晚，在那些长长的。五光十色的街道上，常有一些可爱的姑娘们一面手挽手大摇大摆地闲逛着，一面还在交头接耳，窃窃私语。也有一些男孩子，固然有些滑稽笨拙，可是透过他们那种鲜活蹦跳而又十分可笑的动物本性，却显露出了隐藏在所有年轻人的思想和行动后面的求偶那种执著。本能的渴望。

而她自己呢，当她不时看到一些求爱的恋人，或是专门调情取乐的人，逗留在大街拐角处或大门口，用一种炽烈渴求的目光直瞅着她，她自己心里不由得也有一种激动，一种神经原形质的颤动，它大声渴求着人世间所有看得见。摸得着的东西，而不是有关天堂的那些令人难以置信的玩笑话。

那些年轻人向她投来的眼色，好象一道看不见的光，穿透了她整个的身心，就是因为她出落得很讨人喜欢，而且每时每刻在增姿添色，长得越来越吸引人了。再说，年轻人的心态，已在她心中引起共鸣，这些神妙的。不可思议的化学反应，便成为人世间一切道德和不道德的基础。

却说有一天，她正在放学回家路上，有一个年轻人(这种人能说会道，通称沾花拈草的浪荡子)竟然凑上来跟她搭讪，恐怕多半是她自己显露出的一种神色和一种心态惹出来的。反正什么都遏制不住她，因为她哪怕不是个情种，从天性上来说还是百依百顺的。不过，她的家教历来很严，要求她务必保持端庄。

谨慎。纯洁等等，因此，至少说这一回还不至于有马上失足的危险。只是经过这一次进攻，以后进攻也就接踵而至，何况都被她接受了，或者说她并没有很快躲避闪开。于是，这些进攻便一步逼一步地把她的家教所筑成的那堵冷漠围墙推倒。她本人也变得行动诡秘，还向父母隐瞒自己的所作所为。

偶尔也有一些年轻人，不管她乐意不乐意，竟然跟着她一起，边走边谈了。

她一向非常害羞，开头至少有一阵子常常把他们甩在一边，不予理睬。可如今她那种过分的羞态，终于被他们摧毁了。她心里巴不得有一些新的巧遇……梦想着自己跟什么人来一场漂亮。快活。惊人的恋爱。

这种心态和欲念在她心里缓慢有力地日益增长之后，终于来了这么一个演员:

他是爱好虚荣。漂亮，而又兽性十足的那种人，一味讲究穿着。气派，可是品德不好(他格调不高，缺乏礼貌，甚至也许连真正的柔情都没有)，但他身上却有一种非常强烈的男性魅力。短短一星期里，仅仅见过一两次面，他居然就使她完全神魂颠倒，坠入情网，说真的，她样样都听他随意摆布了。事实上，他压根儿不疼爱她。这个人尽管并不聪明，可他却认为:

她只不过是又一个黄花闺女罢了……长得相当漂亮，显然是性欲强。毫无经验，一两句甜言蜜语准定上钩的傻丫头……只要来上一番虚情假意，说什么她要是做了他的妻子，赶明儿管包带她上大城市逛逛，过上更加无拘无束。自由自在的生活就得了。

不过，乍一听，他所说的话，倒是很象出自一个忠贞不渝的情人之口。他对她说得明明白白，只要她马上跟他一块儿走，成为他的新娘……现在就走，切莫磨蹭。眼下象他们这样两个人，既然有缘在此相遇，干吗还要白白地拖延时间呢。至于就在此地结婚，是有困难的，其原因他不好说……反正这要牵扯到他的一些朋友……不过在圣路易，他倒是有一个朋友做牧师的，可以给他们证婚。以后，她就会有从来没有见过的漂亮衣服，形形色色妙不可言的奇遇，以及卿卿我我的缱绻柔情。她还可以跟他一块儿旅游去，饱览一下这个大千世界。她只要好好照应他，再也用不着发愁了。这些话她都信以为真……看做真情流露的山盟海誓……而在他看来，只不过是他过去惯用，往往又很灵验的老一套花言巧语。

短短的一星期里，他们利用早晨。午后和夜晚零星时间见面，这套不难耍弄的魔术终于获得成功了。

有一回，在四月里一个星期六夜晚，克莱德为了逃避照例要在周末举行的传道活动，独自到商业中心区去，很晚才回家。他一下子就发现父母因为不知爱思达下落而非常焦急。她在当天晚上传道时，还照常弹琴，唱赞美诗，看来一切都很正常。结束以后，她回到了自己房间，说她身体不大舒服，打算早点上床。可是到了晚上十一点钟，克莱德刚好回到家里的时候，母亲无意中往她房里张望了一下，却发现她不在房里，而且附近地方也找不见她。她的房间里已有一点空荡荡的样子……有些小首饰和衣服给带走了，一只常用的旧手提箱也不见了……首先引起了她母亲的注意。随后，在家里到处搜寻，结果也都找不着她;于是，阿萨走到了大街上，往四下里张望。本来传道馆空着的时候，或是在关门之后，有时候她也曾独个儿出门去的，也有的时候，她就在传道馆前面闲坐或是伫立一会儿。

尽管这样搜寻还是一无所得，克莱德和阿萨一起，先是跑到大街上拐角处去找，随后沿着密苏里大街径直走去。哪儿都不见爱思达的影儿。他们深夜十二点钟才回来;从那以后，全家人对她自然就越来越揪心了。

开头，他们认为说不定她事先没有关照，就到什么地方去了。可是，等到十二点半，最后到一点。一点半，还是不见爱思达的影儿。他们正要去报警，这时克莱德走进了她的房间，发现她那张小木床上有一张条子，用别针扎在枕头上……这一纸短信，就在母亲的眼皮底下也没看见。他马上走了过去，心里一面好奇，一面在揣度。因为他常常暗自琢磨，假定说他想要偷偷地不告而别，究竟该用什么方式告诉他的父母才好。他知道，除非全部计划乃至于每一个细节事先都让他们了解，他们是决不会同意他离去的。而现在呢，爱思达终于失踪了。当然，以后他自己说不定也会留下这样的告父母书。他捡起了这个条子，急急乎要看，偏巧他母亲走了进来，发现他手里拿着一张条子，就大声嚷嚷:

"那是什么呀?

是一个条子吗?

难道就是她写的?

"克莱德把条子交给了她，她把它摊开来，赶紧看了一遍。本来他母亲那张健壮的大脸盘一向黑里透红，这时他发现，她转身朝外屋走去时，脸色已经煞白。她那张相当大的嘴巴，紧紧地抿成了一条有力的直线。她那结实有力的大手，高高地举起那张小小便条，一面有一点儿在发抖了。

"阿萨!

"她大声惊呼，往隔壁房间走去。阿萨正在那里，白花花的鬈发好象心烦意乱地盘缠在他那滚圆的脑袋周围。她说:

"看这个吧。"克莱德跟在母亲后面，看见父亲又短又肥的手里有些紧张不安地拿着那张条子。本来他的嘴唇一向疲沓无力，又因年岁渐老，中间开始皱缩，说来真怪，这会儿却一个劲儿抽动起来。凡是了解他身世的人，一定会说，这正是他过去一生中屡遭不幸打击时的一种表情，不过此刻尤为突出罢了。

开头，他只发出"Ｔｓｔ!

Ｔｓｔ!

Ｔｓｔ!

"的声音，是舌头与上颚之间的吸入音……这在克莱德听来，未免太软弱无力了。接下来又是一迭连声"Ｔｓｔ!

Ｔｓｔ!

Ｔｓｔ!

"他的脑袋已开始东摇西晃。随后，他说:

"喂，你说说，她干吗会做出这样的事来?

"说完，他又转过身来，直瞅着他的妻子，她也无可奈何地直瞅着他。

后来，他就背着双手，在房间里踱来踱去，他的两条短腿正迈着无意识而又古怪的大步，脑袋又来回摇晃，而且再一次发出一迭连声徒呼奈何的"Ｔｓｔ!

Ｔｓｔ!

Ｔｓｔ!

"格里菲思太太给人印象一向比她丈夫要深刻得多，如今处于这种尴尬的境地，果然表现得很不一样，确实更加富有魄力。对于人生的激忿。不满，以及显然是一种肉体上的痛苦，有如一道看得见的影子，在她身上掠过。她的丈夫一站起来，她马上伸过手去，把那张条子接住，两眼又一次直瞅它，脸上立时露出严峻。痛苦，而又心烦意乱的表情。她的这种举止态度，就象一个心神极度紊乱而又不满的人，虽然狠命地在使劲儿，还是解不开一个有形的结;同时又想要自己保持镇静，心中不再忿忿不平，到头来却依然苦恼。怨恨。按说她长年累月一贯虔诚地从事传道工作，根据她那低得可怜的是非标准来看，仿佛觉得，她自己实在应该免遭这类不幸的了!

当这种彰明昭著的恶行尚在的时候，她的上帝。她的基督，究竟都上哪儿去了?

为什么他没有帮助她呢?

这一点他该如何解释呢?

他在《圣经》里说过的那些预言呢?

他要永远指引众人呢!

还有他明明白白说过的仁慈呢?

克莱德清楚地看到，面对这样巨大的灾祸，她想把个中原委找到是极其困难的，至少在眼前做不到。不过，最后一定是会找到的，这一点，当然，克莱德心里也是明白的。因为她和阿萨正如所有热心宗教人士一样，根据他们那种盲目的二元论观点，坚信灾祸。错误和不幸，跟上帝一概无涉，同时又认定上帝是至高无上的。主宰一切的力量。将来他们会在别的什么地方找到了祸根……某种邪恶。奸险。欺骗的力量，有违上帝的全知全能，照旧诱惑和欺骗人们……说到底，归罪于人们心中的谬误和邪恶;虽然人心也是上帝造出来的，可是，他并不抑制它，因为他根本不愿抑制它。

不过此时此刻，她只是在心中充满痛苦和愤怒，可她的嘴唇既不象阿萨那样抽动，她的眼睛也不象他那样露出深切的悲痛。她往后退了一步，有点气呼呼地把爱思达的信又细看了一遍，然后对阿萨说:

"她跟人私奔了，可她又不言语一声……"她突然语塞了，一想到孩子们……克莱德。朱丽娅和弗兰克全都在场，而且个个好奇地。全神贯注地。心中怀疑地凝视着她。"上这儿来，"她对她丈夫说，"我要跟你说句话。孩子们，你们还是先睡去吧。我们一会儿就回来。"于是，她和阿萨一起急冲冲走进了传道馆大厅后面那个小房间。孩子们听见母亲扭电灯开关的声音。接下来听见父母压低声音在谈话，这时克莱德。朱丽娅和弗兰克面面相觑，只不过弗兰克还太小……仅仅十岁……恐怕说不上完全懂得这是怎么回事。甚至于朱丽娅也不见得非常明白。不过，克莱德毕竟见过一点世面，又听到母亲说的"她跟人私奔了"那句话，所以说，就他心里最透亮了。爱思达对这一套腻味透了，就象他一样。也许正是他在大街上看见过的。

挽着漂亮姑娘的那类花花公子……爱思达就同此人一起私奔了。不过，上哪儿去了?

此人……到底是个什么样的人呢?

那张便条上想必说了一些，但是母亲没让他看。她一下子就把便条拿走了。可惜那时他没有一声不响地先看一下!

"你说她这一去，就永远不会回来吗?

"他趁父母一走出房间，就怀疑地问朱丽娅。看来朱丽娅也茫然不知所措。

"我怎么会知道呢?

"她有些恼火地回答说，她对父母的不幸和这种鬼鬼祟祟的神气，以及爱思达的所作所为觉得很难受。"她什么都没有跟我说过。我想，她要是真的跟我说了，准会感到害臊。"朱丽娅在诉诸感情方面，要比爱思达或克莱德冷静些，对父母一向体贴入微，所以也就比兄姐他们更加伤心了。诚然，她对这件事的意义并没有完全理解，不过，她有些猜测，因为她跟别的女孩子偶尔也扯过，哪怕是扯得非常谨小慎微。可现在最使朱丽娅生气的，则是爱思达所选择的这种出走的方式，竟将父母。弟弟和她自己全给抛弃了。她干吗要这样出走，干出这种事来，害得父母这样忧心如焚。这有多可怕呀!

屋子里一片凄惶的气氛。

父母在小房间谈话的时候，克莱德也在暗自寻思，因为现在他正在急切地探索思考人生问题。爱思达干的，到底是怎么回事?

难道说这就是骇人听闻的私奔那类事，或者是两性之间不堪入耳的那类事，正如大街上和学校里男孩子他们时常窃窃私语的?

他一想到这里，就不寒而栗。要是真的这样，该有多丢脸!

说不定她再也不会回来了。她跟一个不知是什么样儿的男人一起逃走了。反正这种行为，对一个女孩子来说，当然是要不得的。过去他常常听人说过，凡是男孩子和女孩子。男人和女人之间，一建立了堂堂正正的关系，最后导致的结果只有一个……结婚。他们这一家人本来就有其他的种种苦恼，可是现在，爱思达居然还干出私奔这种丑事来，真可以说祸不单行。他们这一家人的生活，本来就够惨的，如今又出了这件事，当然，只会变得更惨了。

不一会儿，父母从小房间走出来了。格里菲思太太依旧绷着脸，怪不自然的，可是毕竟有些变了，也许是脾气收敛一些，无可奈何地听天由命了。

"爱思达觉得最好还是离开我们，反正是暂时的，"她看见孩子们都在好奇地等着，开头只说了这些话。"现在，你们压根儿不用替她担心，再也用不着净想这件事啦。我相信，过一阵子她准回来的。她决定按自己的意愿干一阵子，反正总有什么原因呗。但愿是主的旨意就好啦!

"("主啊我们赞美你的名字!

"阿萨马上插嘴说。)"过去我还以为她同我们在一块很幸福，可现在看来，她并不觉得是这样。依我看，她应该自个儿去见一见世面才好。

"(阿萨又一迭连声发出"Ｔｓｔ!

Ｔｓｔ!

Ｔｓｔ!

")"不过话又说回来，我们可不能把她想得太糟糕了。这对现在来说是没有什么好处……只有爱和仁慈才能正确指引我们。"不过她说这句话时，声调有些严峻，不知怎的是违心之言吧……她说话的声音照原样还是倒吸气音。"我们只能希望她很快就明白她这种举动该有多么傻。多么轻率，于是回家转。现在她走的那条路，别指望她会得到幸福的。这既不是主指引的路，也不是主的旨意。她太年轻了，她做了错事。不过，我们可以宽恕她的。我们一定要宽恕她才对。我们的心必须向她敞开，充满温情和慈爱。"她说这些话时，仿佛是向会众说的，不过，她的脸色和声调却是严厉。阴郁。冷峻的。"得了，你们都去睡吧。现在我们只能每天早上。中午。晚上虔心祷祝，但愿她不要遇到什么灾祸。是的，我真的巴不得她没有干这件事就好了，"最后，她添了这么一句话，显然跟她刚才说的这篇话不大协调。说真的，这时候她并没有想到孩子们还在她跟前……她是一心只惦着爱思达啊!

可是阿萨呢!

如此窝囊的一位父亲……这就是克莱德后来常常想到的看法。

除了他自己的痛苦以外，看来他唯一关注的，就是他的妻子更加深沉的痛苦。他自始至终只是傻呼呼地伫立在一边……矮矮的个儿，白花花的鬈发，露出一副窝囊相。

"是的，主啊，我们赞美你!

"他不时插嘴说。"我们的心必须向她敞开。是的，我们可不能马上判断是非。我们只能往最好的一面想。是的!

是的!

赞美上帝……我们必须赞美上帝!

阿门!

哦，得了!

Ｔｓｔ!

Ｔｓｔ!

Ｔｓｔ!

""要是有人问起爱思达上哪儿去了，"格里菲思太太顿住了一会儿，接下去说，她睬也不睬她的丈夫，而是冲着向她围拢来的子女们说的，"我们就说:

她到托纳旺达看望我娘家的亲戚去了。当然罗，这不完全是实话，可是现在她究竟在哪儿，真相究竟又是怎样，我们也都不知道……反正说不定她会回来的。所以嘛，在我们还没有完全了解清楚以前，可千万不能说她的坏话，更不能做出任何伤害她的事来。""是啊，赞美上帝!

"阿萨有气无力地应了一声。

"好吧，在我们还没了解清楚以前，要是有谁多咱问，就照我刚才说的回答，那就得了。""一定这样，"克莱德在旁帮衬着说;朱丽娅也跟上说了一句:

"好吧。"格里菲思太太顿住了一会儿，脸上露出坚定而又内疚的神色，直瞅着孩子们。这时，阿萨又发出一迭连声"Ｔｓｔ!

Ｔｓｔ!

Ｔｓｔ!

"随后就把孩子们都打发睡觉去了。

说真的，克莱德很想知道爱思达信里说了些什么，不过，根据他长时间经验，他相信母亲决不会让他知道的(除非母亲愿意告诉他)，于是他又回到了自己房间，因为他觉得自己太疲乏了。要是还有一线希望找到她，他们为什么不再去找一下呢?

现在，就在此时此刻，她究竟在哪儿呢?

是在哪儿搭上了火车吗?

显然，她根本不乐意让人们找到她。也许她象他自己一样，感到不满吧。最近他暗自思忖，想要到什么地方去，同时心中纳闷，家里对这件事会有什么看法;可是如今他还在家里，爱思达她倒是先跑掉了。这件事对他将来的思想观点和行动，到底会有什么影响呢?

说真的，不管他的父母心里有多难过，可他始终看不出:

她这一走就是天大的灾祸……至少从"走"的观点来说，并不是这样。这只不过是一个事实，暗示这里家境每况愈下罢了。传教这种工作，根本毫无意义。

宗教热忱和传道这套玩意儿，也没有多大用处。它也挽救不了爱思达啊。显然，她象他本人一样，对这一套玩意儿也不是特别相信的。
Part 1 Chapter 4
The effect of this particular conclusion was to cause Clyde to think harder than ever about himself. And theprincipal result of his thinking was that he must do something for himself and soon. Up to this time the best hehad been able to do was to work at such odd jobs as befall all boys between their twelfth and fifteenth years:
　　assisting a man who had a paper route during the summer months of one year, working in the basement of a fiveand-ten-cent store all one summer long, and on Saturdays, for a period during the winter, opening boxes andunpacking goods, for which he received the munificent sum of five dollars a week, a sum which at the timeseemed almost a fortune. He felt himself rich and, in the face of the opposition of his parents, who were opposedto the theater and motion pictures also, as being not only worldly, but sinful, he could occasionally go to one oranother of those--in the gallery--a form of diversion which he had to conceal from his parents. Yet that did notdeter him. He felt that he had a right to go with his own money; also to take his younger brother Frank, who wasglad enough to go with him and say nothing.
　　Later in the same year, wishing to get out of school because he already felt himself very much belated in therace, he secured a place as an assistant to a soda water clerk in one of the cheaper drug stores of the city, whichadjoined a theater and enjoyed not a little patronage of this sort. A sign--"Boy Wanted"--since it was directly onhis way to school, first interested him. Later, in conversation with the young man whose assistant he was to be,and from whom he was to learn the trade, assuming that he was sufficiently willing and facile, he gathered that ifhe mastered this art, he might make as much as fifteen and even eighteen dollars a week. It was rumored thatStroud's at the corner of 14th and Baltimore streets paid that much to two of their clerks. The particular store towhich he was applying paid only twelve, the standard salary of most places.
　　But to acquire this art, as he was now informed, required time and the friendly help of an expert. If he wished tocome here and work for five to begin with--well, six, then, since his face fell--he might soon expect to know agreat deal about the art of mixing sweet drinks and decorating a large variety of ice creams with liquid sweets,thus turning them into sundaes. For the time being apprenticeship meant washing and polishing all the machineryand implements of this particular counter, to say nothing of opening and sweeping out the store at so early anhour as seven-thirty, dusting, and delivering such orders as the owner of this drug store chose to send out by him.
　　At such idle moments as his immediate superior--a Mr. Sieberling--twenty, dashing, self-confident, talkative,was too busy to fill all the orders, he might be called upon to mix such minor drinks--lemonades, Coca-Colas and the like-- as the trade demanded.
　　Yet this interesting position, after due consultation with his mother, he decided to take. For one thing, it wouldprovide him, as he suspected, with all the ice-cream sodas he desired, free--an advantage not to be disregarded.
　　In the next place, as he saw it at the time, it was an open door to a trade--something which he lacked. Further,and not at all disadvantageously as he saw it, this store required his presence at night as late as twelve o'clock,with certain hours off during the day to compensate for this. And this took him out of his home at night--out ofthe ten-o'clock-boy class at last. They could not ask him to attend any meetings save on Sunday, and not eventhen, since he was supposed to work Sunday afternoons and evenings.
　　Next, the clerk who manipulated this particular soda fountain, quite regularly received passes from the managerof the theater next door, and into the lobby of which one door to the drug store gave--a most fascinatingconnection to Clyde. It seemed so interesting to be working for a drug store thus intimately connected with atheater.
　　And best of all, as Clyde now found to his pleasure, and yet despair at times, the place was visited, just beforeand after the show on matinee days, by bevies of girls, single and en suite, who sat at the counter and giggled andchattered and gave their hair and their complexions last perfecting touches before the mirror. And Clyde, callowand inexperienced in the ways of the world, and those of the opposite sex, was never weary of observing thebeauty, the daring, the self-sufficiency and the sweetness of these, as he saw them. For the first time in his life,while he busied himself with washing glasses, filling the ice-cream and syrup containers, arranging the lemonsand oranges in the trays, he had an almost uninterrupted opportunity of studying these girls at close range. Thewonder of them! For the most part, they were so well-dressed and smart-looking--the rings, pins, furs, delightfulhats, pretty shoes they wore. And so often he overheard them discussing such interesting things--parties, dances,dinners, the shows they had seen, the places in or near Kansas City to which they were soon going, the differencebetween the styles of this year and last, the fascination of certain actors and actresses--principally actors--whowere now playing or soon coming to the city. And to this day, in his own home he had heard nothing of all this.
　　And very often one or another of these young beauties was accompanied by some male in evening suit, dressshirt, high hat, bow tie, white kid gloves and patent leather shoes, a costume which at that time Clyde felt to bethe last word in all true distinction, beauty, gallantry and bliss. To be able to wear such a suit with such ease andair! To be able to talk to a girl after the manner and with the sang-froid of some of these gallants! what a truemeasure of achievement! No good-looking girl, as it then appeared to him, would have anything to do with himif he did not possess this standard of equipment. It was plainly necessary--the thing. And once he did attain it-wasable to wear such clothes as these--well, then was he not well set upon the path that leads to all the blisses?
　　All the joys of life would then most certainly be spread before him. The friendly smiles! The secret handclasps,maybe--an arm about the waist of some one or another--a kiss--a promise of marriage--and then, and then!
　　And all this as a revealing flash after all the years of walking through the streets with his father and mother topublic prayer meeting, the sitting in chapel and listening to queer and nondescript individuals--depressing anddisconcerting people--telling how Christ had saved them and what God had done for them. You bet he wouldget out of that now. He would work and save his money and be somebody. Decidedly this simple and yet idylliccompound of the commonplace had all the luster and wonder of a spiritual transfiguration, the true mirage of thelost and thirsting and seeking victim of the desert.
　　However, the trouble with this particular position, as time speedily proved, was that much as it might teach himof mixing drinks and how to eventually earn twelve dollars a week, it was no immediate solvent for theyearnings and ambitions that were already gnawing at his vitals. For Albert Sieberling, his immediate superior,was determined to keep as much of his knowledge, as well as the most pleasant parts of the tasks, to himself.
　　And further he was quite at one with the druggist for whom they worked in thinking that Clyde, in addition toassisting him about the fountain, should run such errands as the druggist desired, which kept Clyde industriouslyemployed for nearly all the hours he was on duty.
　　Consequently there was no immediate result to all this. Clyde could see no way to dressing better than he did.
　　Worse, he was haunted by the fact that he had very little money and very few contacts and connections--so fewthat, outside his own home, he was lonely and not so very much less than lonely there. The flight of Esta hadthrown a chill over the religious work there, and because, as yet, she had not returned--the family, as he nowheard, was thinking of breaking up here and moving, for want of a better idea, to Denver, Colorado. But Clyde,by now, was convinced that he did not wish to accompany them. What was the good of it, he asked himself?
　　There would be just another mission there, the same as this one.
　　He had always lived at home--in the rooms at the rear of the mission in Bickel Street, but he hated it. And sincehis eleventh year, during all of which time his family had been residing in Kansas City, he had been ashamed tobring boy friends to or near it. For that reason he had always avoided boy friends, and had walked and playedvery much alone--or with his brother and sisters.
　　But now that he was sixteen and old enough to make his own way, he ought to be getting out of this. And yet hewas earning almost nothing--not enough to live on, if he were alone--and he had not as yet developed sufficientskill or courage to get anything better.
　　Nevertheless when his parents began to talk of moving to Denver, and suggested that he might secure work outthere, never assuming for a moment that he would not want to go he began to throw out hints to the effect that itmight he better if he did not. He liked Kansas City. What was the use of changing? He had a job now and hemight get something better. But his parents, bethinking themselves of Esta and the fate that had overtaken her,were not a little dubious as to the outcome of such early adventuring on his part alone. Once they were away,where would he live? With whom? What sort of influence would enter his life, who would be at hand to aid andcouncil and guide him in the straight and narrow path, as they had done? It was something to think about.
　　But spurred by this imminence of Denver, which now daily seemed to be drawing nearer, and the fact that notlong after this Mr. Sieberling, owing to his too obvious gallantries in connection with the fair sex, lost his placein the drug store, and Clyde came by a new and bony and chill superior who did not seem to want him as anassistant, he decided to quit--not at once, but rather to see, on such errands as took him out of the store, if hecould not find something else. Incidentally in so doing, looking here and there, he one day thought he wouldspeak to the manager of the fountain which was connected with the leading drug store in the principal hotel ofthe city--the latter a great twelve-story affair, which represented, as he saw it, the quintessence of luxury andease. Its windows were always so heavily curtained; the main entrance (he had never ventured to look beyondthat) was a splendiferous combination of a glass and iron awning, coupled with a marble corridor lined withpalms. Often he had passed here, wondering with boyish curiosity what the nature of the life of such a place might be. Before its doors, so many taxis and automobiles were always in waiting.
　　To-day, being driven by the necessity of doing something for himself, he entered the drug store which occupiedthe principal corner, facing 14th Street at Baltimore, and finding a girl cashier in a small glass cage near the door,asked of her who was in charge of the soda fountain. Interested by his tentative and uncertain manner, as well ashis deep and rather appealing eyes, and instinctively judging that he was looking for something to do, sheobserved: "Why, Mr. Secor, there, the manager of the store." She nodded in the direction of a short, meticulouslydressed man of about thirty-five, who was arranging an especial display of toilet novelties on the top of a glasscase. Clyde approached him, and being still very dubious as to how one went about getting anything in life, andfinding him engrossed in what he was doing, stood first on one foot and then on the other, until at last, sensingsome one was hovering about for something, the man turned: "Well?" he queried.
　　"You don't happen to need a soda fountain helper, do you?" Clyde cast at him a glance that said as plain asanything could, "If you have any such place, I wish you would please give it to me. I need it.""No, no, no," replied this individual, who was blond and vigorous and by nature a little irritable and contentious.
　　He was about to turn away, but seeing a flicker of disappointment and depression pass over Clyde's face, heturned and added, "Ever work in a place like this before?""No place as fine as this. No, sir," replied Clyde, rather fancifully moved by all that was about him. "I'm workingnow down at Mr. Klinkle's store at 7th and Brooklyn, but it isn't anything like this one and I'd like to getsomething better if I could.""Uh," went on his interviewer, rather pleased by the innocent tribute to the superiority of his store. "Well, that'sreasonable enough. But there isn't anything here right now that I could offer you. We don't make many changes.
　　But if you'd like to be a bell-boy, I can tell you where you might get a place. They're looking for an extra boy inthe hotel inside there right now. The captain of the boys was telling me he was in need of one. I should think thatwould be as good as helping about a soda fountain, any day."Then seeing Clyde's face suddenly brighten, he added: "But you mustn't say that I sent you, because I don't knowyou. Just ask for Mr. Squires inside there, under the stairs, and he can tell you all about it."At the mere mention of work in connection with so imposing an institution as the Green-Davidson, and thepossibility of his getting it, Clyde first stared, felt himself tremble the least bit with excitement, then thanking hisadvisor for his kindness, went direct to a green-marbled doorway which opened from the rear of this drug-storeinto the lobby of the hotel. Once through it, he beheld a lobby, the like of which, for all his years but because ofthe timorous poverty that had restrained him from exploring such a world, was more arresting, quite, thananything he had seen before. It was all so lavish. Under his feet was a checkered black-and-white marble floor.
　　Above him a coppered and stained and gilded ceiling. And supporting this, a veritable forest of black marblecolumns as highly polished as the floor--glassy smooth. And between the columns which ranged away towardthree separate entrances, one right, one left and one directly forward toward Dalrymple Avenue--were lamps,statuary, rugs, palms, chairs, divans, tete-a-tetes--a prodigal display. In short it was compact, of all that gaucheluxury of appointment which, as some one once sarcastically remarked, was intended to supply "exclusiveness tothe masses." Indeed, for an essential hotel in a great and successful American commercial city, it was almost too luxurious. Its rooms and hall and lobbies and restaurants were entirely too richly furnished, without the savinggrace of either simplicity or necessity.
　　As Clyde stood, gazing about the lobby, he saw a large company of people--some women and children, butprincipally men as he could see--either walking or standing about and talking or idling in the chairs, side by sideor alone. And in heavily draped and richly furnished alcoves where were writing-tables, newspaper files, atelegraph office, a haberdasher's shop, and a florist's stand, were other groups. There was a convention of dentistsin the city, not a few of whom, with their wives and children, were gathered here; but to Clyde, who was notaware of this nor of the methods and meanings of conventions, this was the ordinary, everyday appearance ofthis hotel.
　　He gazed about in awe and amazement, then remembering the name of Squires, he began to look for him in hisoffice "under the stairs." To his right was a grand double-winged black-and-white staircase which swung in twoseparate flights and with wide, generous curves from the main floor to the one above. And between these greatflights was evidently the office of the hotel, for there were many clerks there. But behind the nearest flight, andclose to the wall through which he had come, was a tall desk, at which stood a young man of about his own agein a maroon uniform bright with many brass buttons. And on his head was a small, round, pill-box cap, whichwas cocked jauntily over one ear. He was busy making entries with a lead pencil in a book which lay open beforehim. Various other boys about his own age, and uniformed as he was, were seated upon a long bench near him,or were to be seen darting here and there, sometimes, returning to this one with a slip of paper or a key or note ofsome kind, and then seating themselves upon the bench to await another call apparently, which seemed to comeswiftly enough. A telephone upon the small desk at which stood the uniformed youth was almost constantlybuzzing, and after ascertaining what was wanted, this youth struck a small bell before him, or called "front," towhich the first boy on the bench, responded. Once called, they went hurrying up one or the other stairs or towardone of the several entrances or elevators, and almost invariably were to be seen escorting individuals whose bagsand suitcases and overcoats and golf sticks they carried. There were others who disappeared and returned,carrying drinks on trays or some package or other, which they were taking to one of the rooms above. Plainlythis was the work that he should be called upon to do, assuming that he would be so fortunate as to connecthimself with such an institution as this.
　　And it was all so brisk and enlivening that he wished that he might be so fortunate as to secure a position here.
　　But would he be? And where was Mr. Squires? He approached the youth at the small desk: "Do you know whereI will find Mr. Squires?" he asked.
　　"Here he comes now," replied the youth, looking up and examining Clyde with keen, gray eyes.
　　Clyde gazed in the direction indicated, and saw approaching a brisk and dapper and decidedly sophisticated-looking person of perhaps twenty-nine or thirty years of age. He was so very slender, keen, hatchet-faced andwell-dressed that Clyde was not only impressed but overawed at once--a very shrewd and cunning-lookingperson. His nose was so long and thin, his eyes so sharp, his lips thin, and chin pointed.
　　"Did you see that tall, gray-haired man with the Scotch plaid shawl who went through here just now?" he pausedto say to his assistant at the desk. The assistant nodded. "Well, they tell me that's the Earl of Landreil. He just came in this morning with fourteen trunks and four servants. Can you beat it! He's somebody in Scotland. Thatisn't the name he travels under, though, I hear. He's registered as Mr. Blunt. Can you beat that English stuff?
　　They can certainly lay on the class, eh?""You said it!" replied his assistant deferentially.
　　He turned for the first time, glimpsing Clyde, but paying no attention to him. His assistant came to Clyde's aid.
　　"That young fella there is waiting to see you," he explained.
　　"You want to see me?" queried the captain of the bellhops, turning to Clyde, and observing his none-too-goodclothes, at the same time making a comprehensive study of him.
　　"The gentleman in the drug store," began Clyde, who did not quite like the looks of the man before him, but wasdetermined to present himself as agreeably as possible, "was saying--that is, he said that I might ask you if therewas any chance here for me as a bell-boy. I'm working now at Klinkle's drug store at 7th and Brooklyn, as ahelper, but I'd like to get out of that and he said you might--that is--he thought you had a place open now."Clyde was so flustered and disturbed by the cool, examining eyes of the man before him that he could scarcelyget his breath properly, and swallowed hard.
　　For the first time in his life, it occurred to him that if he wanted to get on he ought to insinuate himself into thegood graces of people--do or say something that would make them like him. So now he contrived an eager,ingratiating smile, which he bestowed on Mr. Squires, and added: "If you'd like to give me a chance, I'd try veryhard and I'd be very willing."The man before him merely looked at him coldly, but being the soul of craft and self-acquisitiveness in a pettyway, and rather liking anybody who had the skill and the will to be diplomatic, he now put aside an impulse toshake his head negatively, and observed: "But you haven't had any training in this work.""No, sir, but couldn't I pick it up pretty quick if I tried hard?""Well, let me see," observed the head of the bell-hops, scratching his head dubiously. "I haven't any time to talkto you now. Come around Monday afternoon. I'll see you then." He turned on his heel and walked away.
　　Clyde, left alone in this fashion, and not knowing just what it meant, stared, wondering. Was it really true that hehad been invited to come back on Monday? Could it be possible that--He turned and hurried out, thrilling fromhead to toe. The idea! He had asked this man for a place in the very finest hotel in Kansas City and he had askedhim to come back and see him on Monday. Gee! what would that mean? Could it be possible that he would beadmitted to such a grand world as this--and that so speedily? Could it really be?
      克莱德由于作出了上面这个结论，比过去更加棘手地来考虑自己的前途问题。他考虑后的主要结果就是:

他必须给自己出出点子，而且还得越快越好。截至目前为止，他能找到的工作，充其量只是十二到十五岁的男孩子们有时干的一些零活:

每年夏天这几个月里，帮着包送报纸的人派报;整整一个夏季，在小杂货铺地下室里干活;入冬后有过一阵子，每逢星期六，开箱拆包，搬弄商品;就这样，他每个星期可挣到优厚的报酬……五块美元，那时在他看来，这一数目几乎好象是偌大的一宗财产了。他觉得自己有钱了，也就不时去看戏。看电影，坐在票价低廉的剧院最高楼座，根本不管父母的反对(在他们看来，戏和电影不仅是尘世俗物，而且邪恶透顶)，所以，象这样的一种娱乐消遣的方式，他也非得瞒过他们不可。不过，那也阻止不了他。他觉得，这钱是他自己的，他爱怎么花就怎么花，甚至还把小弟弟弗兰克一块儿带去。弗兰克自然乐滋滋跟着他去，而且始终闭口不说。

同年晚些时候，他想退学，因为他早就觉得自己上学太迟，总是赶不上去。

于是，他就在本市一家专售廉价品的小杂货店里觅到一个工作，给卖汽水的店员当助手。这家小杂货店正好毗邻剧院，因而叨光不少。这里是克莱德上学必经之地，因此，挂在那里的一块"招收学徒"的广告牌子，首先引起了他的注意。

后来，克莱德跟那个后来在其手下学生意的年轻人谈了一谈，假装自己不仅十分愿意，而且办事也很能干。他从这次谈话中获悉:

如果说这套本领他学到了家，包管挣大钱，每星期可挣十五块美元，最多甚至高达十八块美元。据说第十四街和巴尔的摩大街的交岔路口的斯特劳德铺子里，有两个伙计就挣这么多的钱。

他上门应聘的那一家商号，只肯给十二块美元，也就是绝大多数店铺的标准薪资。

可是人家当即告诉他:

要学好这一套本领，是需要一定时间，还要得到行家热心点拨才成。他要是乐意上这儿干活，开头就算每星期给五块美元……这时克莱德听后脸一沉……得了吧，干脆就给六块美元。说不定他很快就学会这套本领，能调制各种美味的饮料，并在各式各样的冰淇淋里添上果汁。甜食等等，做成圣代(圣代(译音)，盛在杯里的加水果蜜汁或其他佐料的冰淇淋。)。当学徒嘛，一开头不外乎是洗涤杯盘，把饮料柜台所有的机器设备和工具拭擦干净;更不必说，每天清晨七点半，打开店门，打扫店堂，掸去尘土，还有小杂货铺老板派给他的送货差使。有的时候，他手里没有活儿，而他的顶头上司……一位名叫西伯龄先生的，是个充满自信。闲话又多的年方二十的时髦小青年……生意太忙，实在照顾不了，因此，调制那些一般性的饮料……柠檬水。可口可乐等等，根据营业需要，也就会叫克莱德代劳了。

于是，克莱德跟母亲商量以后，决定把这个有趣的职司接下来。首先，据他暗自估摸，在那里冰淇淋有的是，他想吃多少，就有多少，不必自己掏钱……是一大优点，不容忽视。其次，那时他已经看出，反正这是进门学生意。学本领的第一步……做生意这一套本领，也正是他所短缺的。再说还有一点，在他看来，也不见得对他完全不利的，那就是:

这个铺子里要他一直上班到深夜十二点钟，而白天可以补上几小时作为调休。这么一来，晚上他就不在家……晚上十点钟那个夜班，他终于可以不参加了。除了星期日，他们再也不会叫他一块儿做礼拜去了;甚至星期天也不行，因为听说他星期天下午和晚上也得照常上班去。

再说，这个专管冷饮柜台的店员，经常收到隔壁剧院经理送来的免费入场券。加上小杂货铺有一道边门，与剧院的大厅相通……这种关系，对克莱德来说，真是太富有吸引力了。能在一个与剧院关系如此密切的小杂货铺里忙活，看来是满有意思的。

此外，还有最大的一个优点，使克莱德既高兴，但有时也会失望的，那就是:

赶上演日场的那些日子里，不论开场前和散场后，照例有一群群的年轻姑娘们上这儿来，有独个儿的，也有几个人在一起的，她们坐在柜台跟前，吃吃地笑着闲聊天，有时还对着镜子拢一拢头发，再涂上一点脂粉，描一下黛眉。克莱德虽说是个乳臭未干。涉世不深和不谙异性的毛头小伙子，可是一见到这些年轻姑娘，对她们的姿色，以及她们的泼辣。自负。可爱的模样儿，总是百看不厌的。这可以说是他生平头一遭，一面忙着擦洗杯子，灌满盛放冰淇淋和糖浆的容器，将一杯杯柠檬水和桔子水摆进托盘里，一面几乎不断地有机会从近处仔细端详着这些年轻姑娘们。她们……简直令人不可思议!

她们多半穿得都很漂亮，外貌也很标致，戴着戒指。别针和好看的帽子，披着名裘大衣，脚蹬精美的皮鞋。他还常常偷听到她们正在闲扯的那些有趣的事儿……比方说，茶会啦。舞会啦。宴会啦。她们刚看过的演出啦，还有她们打算不久就去玩儿的地方，有在堪萨斯城里，也有本城近郊，今年和去年的时装款式到底有哪些不同，正在本市演出或者即将来到本市演出的某些男女演员……主要是男演员……的迷人的魅力。直至今日，这些事情……他在自己家里都是从来没有听到过的。

这些年轻的美人儿里，还有不是这一位，就是那一位，时常由某个男士陪伴着，这种男士身穿晚礼服和与之配套的衬衫，头戴高筒礼帽，系上蝴蝶结领饰，手上是白羊皮手套，脚下则是漆皮鞋……这种装束打扮，在当时克莱德心目中，真是最高贵。最漂亮。最豪放。最有福祉也没有了。要是能那么雍容大方地穿上这样衣装服饰，该有多好!

要是能象这么一个时髦小伙子一样，跟一个年轻姑娘喁喁私语，该有多好!

那真可以说是到了至臻至美的境界啊。那时候，他觉得，只要他连这样的行头打扮都还没有，那末，哪一个漂亮姑娘也不会瞅他一眼的。显而易见，这些东西是非备不可的。只要他一旦有了这些东西……能有这样穿戴打扮……嘿，难道说他不就是稳稳当当地踏上了通往幸福之路吗?

人世间的一切欢乐，不消说，赫然展现在他面前。亲昵的微笑!

还有偷偷地握手，也许……一只手臂搂住某个年轻姑娘的腰肢……亲吻……婚约……以后，以后……!

这一切就象在漫长岁月之后突然射来的一道天启的灵光。在这些漫长岁月里，他一向跟着父母穿街走巷，当众传道，露天祈祷，或是坐在小教堂里，净听那些稀奇古怪。莫可形状的人……都是令人泄气和惊惶不安的人……说:

基督怎样拯救了他们，上帝又是怎样帮助了他们。现在，他肯定要从这一层次中脱身出来。他要好好干活，把钱积攒下来，做一个了不起的人。这一套简单而美妙的老生常谈，无疑地具有神灵变形(参见《圣经。新约。马太福音》第十七章:

"耶稣……就在他们面前变了形象，脸面明亮如日头，衣裳洁白如光。")的一切光彩和奇迹，这好象在沙漠迷途。渴求活路的倒楣鬼面前，突然呈现海市蜃楼一样。

可是，过不了多久，克莱德很快就相信，他在这种特殊的岗位上也有一种苦恼，那就是说:

他在这里虽然可以学会调制饮料等许多东西，每个星期准能挣到十二块美元，可是那一直使他五内俱焚的渴望和虚荣心，却不是马上就能如愿以偿的。原因是:

顶头上司亚尔培特。西伯龄已下了决心，务必使他的窍门尽量不外传，同时，最轻松省力的工作，又给他自己留着。而且，他跟小杂货铺老板还有一致看法，就是认为:

克莱德除了帮他照料一下冷饮柜台以外，还应该听从老板吩咐，去干诸如跑腿之类杂活。这么一来，克莱德在他几乎整个工作日里，便忙得不可开交了。

一句话，克莱德不能从这一工作马上得到什么好处。他依然没法使自己比过去穿戴得更好些。最糟糕的是，有一件事总是在他心里萦绕不去:

原来他挣的钱少得很，各种应酬交际也少得很……几乎少到这样程度，就是说，他一离开了家，就感到非常寂寞，而且也不见得比在家里寂寞少一些。爱思达的出走，好象给父母的传道工作泼了凉水;又因为她至今还没有回来……他听说，家里由于想不出更好的办法，正在考虑从这里撤走，迁往科罗拉多州的丹佛。可是此时此刻，克莱德已有打算，决不跟他们一块儿走。他反问自己:

这可有什么好处呢?

到了那儿，也不外乎又一套传道的玩意儿，跟此地还不是一模一样?

克莱德一向住在家里……也就是在比克尔街传道馆后面的那个房子里，不过那个地方他可恨透了。打从十一岁起，他家一直在堪萨斯城，可他始终不愿把他的那些小朋友带到他家里，或是他家附近的地方。为了这个缘故，他总是回避那些小朋友;不论走路也好，玩儿也好，总是孤零零一个人……或者跟弟弟和姐妹他们在一起。

可是转眼之间，他已有十六岁了，完全可以独自谋生，应该跳出这种生活圈子了。只是至今他挣到的钱可以说寥寥无几……还不够他一个人过活呢……何况现在他自己还没有一手本事或者勇气，所以也找不到更好的事由。

不过，后来父母开始谈到迁居丹佛的时候，说过也许他在那里能找到工作，但是没承望他会不愿意去的。他向他们暗示说:

他还是不去的好。他喜欢堪萨斯城。换个城市有什么好处呢?

如今他有了工作，说不定将来会找到更好的机遇。

不过，他的父母一回想起爱思达和她的遭际，对于他这么年纪轻轻就独自一人去闯天下，将来会有什么结果，不免产生怀疑。要是他们都走了，他会住到哪里去呢?

跟谁住在一起呢?

他的生活会受到什么影响，有谁能象父母那样，经常挨在他身边，帮助他，点拨他，引导他沿着那条正道前进呢?

所有这一切，都是值得考虑的。

不过，现在举家迁往丹佛的日子，似乎一天比一天逼近了，对他来说，显得尤为紧迫了。偏巧这时候，那位西伯龄先生由于常常向女性大献殷勤，过于露骨，没有多久就被老板开革了。于是，小杂货铺里来了一个瘦骨嶙峋。冷若冰霜的新上司，不打算要克莱德当他助手。因此，克莱德就决定离开……不过不是马上就走，而是倒要利用跑外勤的机会，看看自己能不能找到别的事由。

有一天，他正在东张西望，设法另谋出路的当儿，忽然想到何不到本市的一家大酒店所管辖的那个首屈一指的大杂货店附设冷饮部去，干脆找那里经理谈一谈。那家大酒店是一幢十二层楼的大厦，在他看来，这就是……奢靡。舒适最完美的样板。它的窗户总是垂挂着厚厚的窗帘;大门口(过去他从来不敢朝门里东张西望)有一顶由十分华丽的玻璃和铁架制成的天篷。还有一道大理石砌成的走廊，两旁都是棕榈树。平时他常常走过那家大酒店，怀着孩子般的好奇心，暗自纳闷，不知道这么一个地方，里面的生活究竟是什么样儿。在那大门口，一天到晚总有那么多的出租汽车和私人汽车停在那儿。

今天，他因为要给自己另觅高枝，迫不得已，这才闯进了那家杂货店。该店坐落在巴尔的摩大街。面向第十四街。地段极佳的拐角处。他看见靠近门口的一座小玻璃亭子里有一个女出纳员，就去问她这里卖汽水的柜台是由谁负责。

他那试探和游移不定的神态，以及他那双深沉的。仿佛在恳求人的眼睛，一下子使她发生了兴趣，随即直觉地揣摸他正在找事由，于是，这个女出纳员便说:

"哦!

西科尔先生，在那儿，他是本店经理。"她朝一个三十五岁上下。个儿矮矮的。

但是穿着很讲究的男人那边点点头。此人正在一只玻璃柜顶上别出心裁地布置新颖化妆品。克莱德走到他身边，心里还在迟疑不定，真不知道人家找事由该怎样启口的，同时又看到此人正在埋头干自己的活儿，所以只好先站在一边，两只脚替换站着。后来，那位经理觉得好象有人不知怎的老是在他身边转悠，这才侧过身来，问:

"有什么事吗?

""请问贵处柜台上要不要添一个卖汽水的助手?

"克莱德向他投去了一个眼色，让自己的迫切心情显露得再清楚也没有了。"要是有这样的职位，请您高抬贵手给了我吧。我正求之不得呢。""没有，没有，没有，"经理回答说。他这个人长着金黄色头发。碧澄的眼睛。

白净的肌肤，精力也很充沛，只是脾性有点儿火爆，喜欢跟人抬扛。他正要走了，可是看到克莱德脸上掠过一阵失望和沮丧的神色，就侧过身来，又问了一句:

"从前在这种地方干过活吗?

""在这么漂亮的地方没有干过活。没有，先生，"克莱德回答说，不由得被他周围的景象所惊倒。"眼下我是在第七街和布鲁克林大街拐角处，克林克尔先生铺子里忙活，那儿跟贵处比，就算不上什么了。要是可能的话，我倒是很希望另找个好地方呢。""嗯，"对谈者听他这么天真地给自己的店铺捧场，心里相当高兴，就继续说，"哦，这倒是完全可以理解的。不过嘛，眼前我这儿没有什么事给你做。我们不是常常换人的。不过，你要是愿意在酒店里当侍应生，我倒可以指点你上哪儿去寻摸。里面的酒店正好要添一个侍应生。那儿的领班向我说过，他正需要找一个伙计。我想，这个好歹也抵得上在卖汽水的柜台上当助手吧。"此人一看克莱德突然喜形于色，就接下去说:

"不过，你千万别说这是我叫你去的，因为我根本不认识你。你到了里头，只要去楼梯底下找斯夸尔斯先生，一切他会告诉你的。"克莱德一听，象格林－戴维逊这么气派宏伟的一家大酒店里，居然他还有可能得到工作的机会，先是目瞪口呆，继而兴奋得有点儿抖抖索索了。接着，他向这位好心人谢了一声，径直向这家杂货店后面通往酒店大厅(按我国宾馆用语，也可叫"大堂"。)的那条绿色大理石过道走去。他一进去，就见这么一个漂亮大厅，他一辈子都没见过;因为自己太穷，又加上胆小，从来不敢窥视一下这种美轮美奂的世界，所以不由得感到这里比他从前所见过的任何地方还要有趣。

四下里都是豪华极了。他脚底下踩的是黑白分明的小方格大理石铺砌的地面。

头上是镶铜。彩绘的鎏金天花板。许多黑色大理石柱子，望过去宛如一座树林子，一个个既象地面那么锃亮，又象玻璃一样光滑。这些大理石柱子一直延伸，通向三个出口处，一个在右边，一个在左边，一个径直对着达尔林普尔大街。

柱子中间有彩灯，有雕像，还有地毯。棕榈树。软椅和长沙发。面对面双人沙发，如此等等，不一而足。一句话，这里就是集一切粗俗的奢靡陈设的大成，正如有人挖苦地说过，旨在使"其孤高傲世推向大众"。其实，在一个繁华的美国大城市里，对一家顶呱呱的大酒店来说，这样的陈设也可以说是太奢侈了……不论客房和过道也好，还是大厅和餐厅也好，全都陈设得太富丽，反而没有简朴。实用的雅趣。

克莱德站在那里，凝神扫视了一下大厅，只见那里人群成堆……有些是女人和小孩，不过，他又细看一下，最多的还是男人……有的在走来走去，有的伫立着，也有的坐在椅子里聊天，或者闲着无事，还有的是两人成对，或则独自一人。一些挂着厚实的帷幔。陈设漂亮的小凹室里，有的摆上了写字台和报架，有一个是电报室，有一个是售货亭，还有一个是鲜花铺……那里也麇集着一群群人。本市牙科医生正在这里开代表大会，其中有不少人偕同妻子儿女也到格林－戴维逊酒店团聚。不过，克莱德既没有察觉到这一点，更不会懂得这些代表大会的开会方式及其重大意义，反正依他看，这家大酒店平日里都是这个样子的。

克莱德怀着敬畏和惊异的神情，直瞪着两眼，扫视了一下，然后想起了斯夸尔斯这个名字，这才到"楼梯底下"写字间去找他。克莱德右边有一座两侧黑白相间。分成两段的宽大楼梯，拐了个大弯，一直通往二楼。在这两段楼梯之间，一望可知就是酒店办公室，因为里面有很多职员。不过，在最近的这段楼梯后面，紧挨他刚才擦身而过的那面墙，有一只高高的写字台，那里站着一个年纪跟他差不离的年轻人……此人身上穿了一件缀着许多黄铜钮扣的茶色制服，头上是一顶丸药盒子似的圆形小帽，贴住耳边歪戴着，显得很帅的样子。这会儿他正拿着铅笔，忙着往一本摊在面前的簿子上登记。此外还有几个同他年龄相仿的小伙子，穿着跟他同样的制服，有的坐在他身旁的一只长条凳上，也有的来来去去，有时候拿着一张纸片。一把钥匙，或是一张什么便条之类，跑回来交给了此人，然后坐到了长条凳上，显而易见在听候下一次吩咐，看样子，用不了多久就要轮到的。那个穿制服的年轻人站在一只小写字台后面，台上有一部电话机，几乎不断在嗡嗡响。他一听清楚来电要求，就按按他面前那只小铃，或者喊一声"上来一个"，于是，长条凳上坐着的头一个侍者马上应声往前走去。

这些侍者一听完吩咐，就急冲冲从这边或那边的楼梯上楼，或者直奔某一个出口处或是某一部电梯。整日价都看得见他们陪送客人，手里提着皮包和手提箱，或者拿着大衣和高尔夫球棒之类东西。还有一些侍者去了不一会儿就回来了，两手托着盛放饮料的盘子，或是拎着小包之类东西，正要送到楼上的某一个房间去。要是他运气好，能被这么一家大酒店录用，赶明儿差遣他去干的，显然，就是这一类活儿吧。

何况这里一切都是那么轻快活泼，生气勃勃，因此，他心里真巴不得自己走运，能在这里找到一个职位。不过，他果真能这样走运吗?

斯夸尔斯先生又在哪儿呢?

他走到小写字台旁那个年轻人跟前，开口问道:

"请问您我该上哪儿，才找得到斯夸尔斯先生?

""这会儿他正好来了，"那个年轻人一面回答说，一面抬起头来，用他那双敏锐的灰眼睛打量着克莱德。

克莱德朝他指点的方向定神一看，见到一个约莫二十九岁，或三十岁的人正在走过来。此人矫健活泼，显然见过不少世面。他身材颀长，思路敏锐，面孔瘦削，衣服穿得齐齐整整，克莱德见了，对他不仅印象很深，而且马上感到畏缩……真是好一个精明鬼啊。他的鼻子又长又细，眼睛很尖锐，还有他的薄嘴唇，尖下巴。

"刚才打这儿走过的那个披着苏格兰格子呢围巾。花白头发的高个儿……你看见了没有?

"他停下来就问写字台跟前那个助手。那个助手点点头。"得了，他们告诉我，说他就是兰德雷尔伯爵。他是今儿早上刚到，随身带着十四只大箱子和四个仆人。好气派!

原来他是苏格兰一个大人物。不过，我听人说，他出外旅行，是不用这个名字的。他在这儿登记的是布伦特先生。你看见过那种英国佬派头吗?

他们当然是顶呱呱，头一流，嗯?

""你说得对!

"他的助手恭顺地回答说。

直到此刻，他才侧过身来，瞥了克莱德一眼，不过依然没有理睬他。倒是他的助手走过来，帮帮克莱德的忙。

"那个年轻小伙子，正在那儿，等着要见您呢，"那助手向他作了说明。

"是你要找我吗?

"领班斯夸尔斯转过身来问克莱德，看了一下他那套蹩脚衣服，同时又把他上下仔细端详。

"是杂货店里那位先生对我说的，"克莱德开始说话了，其实，他不大喜欢他面前那个人的派头，不过，他一定要设法让对方尽可能对他留下好印象。"……这是说，他说我不妨问问您，我能不能在这儿找到一个当侍应生的机会。目前我在第七街和布鲁克林街拐角处的克林克尔先生开的那个杂货店里帮工，不过，我很想离开那儿。他说您也许可以……这就是说……他估摸着您这儿有个空缺，正要添人。"瞧克莱德面前这个人……那双冷冰冰的。一味琢磨他的眼睛，使他窘困极了，甚至连透气都透不过来，只好一个劲儿往喉咙里直咽口水。

他生平头一遭才想到:

如果想要成功，他就得阿谀奉承，博取人家的欢心……不外乎做一点什么事，说一些什么话，叫人家欢喜他呗。于是，他就对斯夸尔斯先生先是装出一心要讨好的笑脸，接下去说:

"要是您乐意给我一个机会，我可一定使劲儿干，并且一定很听话。"克莱德面前这个人，只是冷冰冰地瞅了他一眼，不过，此人心里鬼主意不少，而且又会耍些小手腕，以便达到个人目的。谁圆滑灵活，善于跟人打交道，他就喜欢谁。所以，他本来打算摇摇头，一口回绝了，可现在他只是这么说:

"不过，你对这种工作一点儿经验还没有吧。""是的，先生，不过，我只要拼命学，不是很快就学会了吗?

""哦，让我想一想，"那个侍者领班一面这样说，一面半信半疑地搔搔头。"这会儿我没有工夫跟你多谈。星期一下午，你再来一趟吧。到时候我可以见你。

"他说完一转身就走了。

克莱德就这样独自一人被甩在一边，闹不清这是什么意思，只好两眼直瞪着，心里暗自纳闷。此人是不是真的叫他星期一再来呢?

是不是有可能……他一转过身来，连忙往外走，浑身上下激动极了。事成了!

他要求这个人在堪萨斯城这家最漂亮的酒店里给他一个职位，对方居然叫他星期一再来找他。嘿!

这是什么意思?

难道说人们真的让他跻身于这么一个豪华世界……而且居然能一蹴而就?

真的会这样吗?
Part 1 Chapter 5
The imaginative flights of Clyde in connection with all this--his dreams of what it might mean for him to beconnected with so glorious an institution--can only be suggested. For his ideas of luxury were in the main soextreme and mistaken and gauche--mere wanderings of a repressed and unsatisfied fancy, which as yet had hadnothing but imaginings to feed it.
　　He went back to his old duties at the drug-store--to his home after hours in order to eat and sleep--but now forthe balance of this Friday and Saturday and Sunday and Monday until late in the day, he walked on air, really.
　　His mind was not on what he was doing, and several times his superior at the drugstore had to remind him to"wake-up." And after hours, instead of going directly home, he walked north to the corner of 14th and Baltimore,where stood this great hotel, and looked at it. There, at midnight even, before each of the three principalentrances--one facing each of three streets--was a doorman in a long maroon coat with many buttons and a high-rimmed and long-visored maroon cap. And inside, behind looped and fluted French silk curtains, were the stillblazing lights, the a la carte dining-room and the American grill in the basement near one corner still open. Andabout them were many taxis and cars. And there was music always--from somewhere.
　　After surveying it all this Friday night and again on Saturday and Sunday morning, he returned on Mondayafternoon at the suggestion of Mr. Squires and was greeted by that individual rather crustily, for by then he hadall but forgotten him. But seeing that at the moment he was actually in need of help, and being satisfied thatClyde might be of service, he led him into his small office under the stair, where, with a very superior mannerand much actual indifference, he proceeded to question him as to his parentage, where he lived, at what he hadworked before and where, what his father did for a living--a poser that for Clyde, for he was proud and soashamed to admit that his parents conducted a mission and preached on the streets. Instead he replied (which wastrue at times) that his father canvassed for a washing machine and wringer company--and on Sundays preached-areligious revelation, which was not at all displeasing to this master of boys who were inclined to be anythingbut home-loving and conservative. Could he bring a reference from where he now was? He could.
　　Mr. Squires proceeded to explain that this hotel was very strict. Too many boys, on account of the scenes and theshow here, the contact made with undue luxury to which they were not accustomed--though these were not thewords used by Mr. Squires--were inclined to lose their heads and go wrong. He was constantly being forced todischarge boys who, because they made a little extra money, didn't know how to conduct themselves. He musthave boys who were willing, civil, prompt, courteous to everybody. They must be clean and neat about theirpersons and clothes and show up promptly--on the dot--and in good condition for the work every day. And anyboy who got to thinking that because he made a little money he could flirt with anybody or talk back, or go offon parties at night, and then not show up on time or too tired to be quick and bright, needn't think that he wouldbe here long. He would be fired, and that promptly. He would not tolerate any nonsense. That must beunderstood now, once and for all.
　　Clyde nodded assent often and interpolated a few eager "yes, sirs" and "no, sirs," and assured him at the last thatit was the furtherest thing from his thoughts and temperament to dream of any such high crimes andmisdemeanors as he had outlined. Mr. Squires then proceeded to explain that this hotel only paid fifteen dollars amonth and board--at the servant's table in the basement--to any bell-boy at any time. But, and this informationcame as a most amazing revelation to Clyde, every guest for whom any of these boys did anything--carried a bagor delivered a pitcher of water or did anything--gave him a tip, and often quite a liberal one--a dime, fifteencents, a quarter, sometimes more. And these tips, as Mr. Squires explained, taken all together, averaged from four to six dollars a day--not less and sometimes more--most amazing pay, as Clyde now realized. His heart gavean enormous bound and was near to suffocating him at the mere mention of so large a sum. From four to sixdollars! Why, that was twenty-eight to forty-two dollars a week! He could scarcely believe it. And that inaddition to the fifteen dollars a month and board. And there was no charge, as Mr. Squires now explained, for thehandsome uniforms the boys wore. But it might not be worn or taken out of the place. His hours, as Mr. Squiresnow proceeded to explain, would be as follows: On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, he was towork from six in the morning until noon, and then, with six hours off, from six in the evening until midnight. OnTuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, he need only work from noon until six, thus giving him each alternateafternoon or evening to himself. But all his meals were to be taken outside his working hours and he was toreport promptly in uniform for line-up and inspection by his superior exactly ten minutes before the regular hoursof his work began at each watch.
　　As for some other things which were in his mind at the time, Mr. Squires said nothing. There were others, as heknew, who would speak for him. Instead he went on to add, and then quite climactically for Clyde at that time,who had been sitting as one in a daze: "I suppose you are ready to go to work now, aren't you?""Yes, sir, yes, sir," he replied.
　　"Very good!" Then he got up and opened the door which had shut them in. "Oscar," he called to a boy seated atthe head of the bell-boy bench, to which a tallish, rather oversized youth in a tight, neat-looking uniformresponded with alacrity. "Take this young man here--Clyde Griffiths is your name, isn't it?--up to the wardrobeon the twelfth and see if Jacobs can find a suit to fit. But if he can't tell him to alter it by to-morrow. I think theone Silsbee wore ought to be about right for him."Then he turned to his assistant at the desk who was at the moment looking on. "I'm giving him a trial, anyhow,"he commented. "Have one of the boys coach him a little to-night or whenever he starts in. Go ahead, Oscar," hecalled to the boy in charge of Clyde. "He's green at this stuff, but I think he'll do," he added to his assistant, asClyde and Oscar disappeared in the direction of one of the elevators. Then he walked off to have Clyde's nameentered upon the payroll.
　　In the meantime, Clyde, in tow of this new mentor, was listening to a line of information such as neverpreviously had come to his ears anywhere.
　　"You needn't be frightened, if you ain't never worked at anything like dis before," began this youth, whose lastname was Hegglund as Clyde later learned, and who hailed from Jersey City, New Jersey, exotic lingo, gesturesand all. He was tall, vigorous, sandy-haired, freckled, genial and voluble. They had entered upon an elevatorlabeled "employees." "It ain't so hard. I got my first job in Buffalo t'ree years ago and I never knowed a t'ingabout it up to dat time. All you gotta do is to watch de udders an' see how dey do, see. Yu get dat, do you?"Clyde, whose education was not a little superior to that of his guide, commented quite sharply in his own mindon the use of such words as "knowed," and "gotta"--also upon "t'ing," "dat," "udders," and so on, but so gratefulwas he for any courtesy at this time that he was inclined to forgive his obviously kindly mentor anything for hisgeniality.
　　"Watch whoever's doin' anyt'ing, at first, see, till you git to know, see. Dat's de way. When de bell rings, if you'reat de head of de bench, it's your turn, see, an' you jump up and go quick. Dey like you to be quick around here,see. An' whenever you see any one come in de door or out of an elevator wit a bag, an' you're at de head of debench, you jump, wedder de captain rings de bell or calls 'front' or not. Sometimes he's busy or ain't lookin' an' hewants you to do dat, see. Look sharp, cause if you don't get no bags, you don't get no tips, see. Everybody dat hasa bag or anyt'ing has to have it carried for 'em, unless dey won't let you have it, see.
　　"But be sure and wait somewhere near de desk for whoever comes in until dey sign up for a room," he rattled onas they ascended in the elevator. "Most every one takes a room. Den de clerk'll give you de key an' after dat allyou gotta do is to carry up de bags to de room. Den all you gotta do is to turn on de lights in de batroom andcloset, if dere is one, so dey'll know where dey are, see. An' den raise de curtains in de day time or lower 'em atnight, an' see if dere's towels in de room, so you can tell de maid if dere ain't, and den if dey don't give you notip, you gotta go, only most times, unless you draw a stiff, all you gotta do is hang back a little--make a stall,see--fumble wit de door-key or try de transom, see. Den, if dey're any good, dey'll hand you a tip. If dey don't,you're out, dat's all, see. You can't even look as dough you was sore, dough--nottin' like dat, see. Den you comedown an' unless dey wants ice-water or somepin, you're troo, see. It's back to de bench, quick. Dere ain't much toit. Only you gotta be quick all de time, see, and not let any one get by you comin' or goin'--dat's de main t'ing.
　　"An' after dey give you your uniform, an' you go to work, don't forgit to give de captain a dollar after everywatch before you leave, see--two dollars on de day you has two watches, and a dollar on de day you has one,see? Dat's de way it is here. We work togedder like dat, an' you gotta do dat if you wanta hold your job. But dat'sall. After dat all de rest is yours."Clyde saw.
　　A part of his twenty-four or thirty-two dollars as he figured it was going glimmering, apparently--eleven ortwelve all told--but what of it! Would there not be twelve or fifteen or even more left? And there were his mealsand his uniform. Kind Heaven! What a realization of paradise! What a consummation of luxury!
　　Mr. Hegglund of Jersey City escorted him to the twelfth floor and into a room where they found on guard awizened and grizzled little old man of doubtful age and temperament, who forthwith ouffitted Clyde with a suitthat was so near a fit that, without further orders, it was not deemed necessary to alter it. And trying on variouscaps, there was one that fitted him--a thing that sat most rakishly over one ear--only, as Hegglund informed him,"You'll have to get dat hair of yours cut. Better get it clipped behind. It's too long." And with that Clyde himselfhad been in mental agreement before he spoke. His hair certainly did not look right in the new cap. He hated itnow. And going downstairs, and reporting to Mr. Whipple, Mr. Squires' assistant, the latter had said: "Very well.
　　It fits all right, does it? Well, then, you go on here at six. Report at five-thirty and be here in your uniform atfive-forty-five for inspection."Whereupon Clyde, being advised by Hegglund to go then and there to get his uniform and take it to the dressing-room in the basement, and get his locker from the locker-man, he did so, and then hurried most nervously out-firstto get a hair-cut and afterwards to report to his family on his great luck.
　　He was to be a bell-boy in the great Hotel Green-Davidson. He was to wear a uniform and a handsome one. He was to make--but he did not tell his mother at first what he was to make, truly--but more than eleven or twelve atfirst, anyhow, he guessed--he could not be sure. For now, all at once, he saw economic independence ahead forhimself, if not for his family, and he did not care to complicate it with any claims which a confession as to hisreal salary would most certainly inspire. But he did say that he was to have his meals free--because that meanteating away from home, which was what he wished. And in addition he was to live and move always in theglorious atmosphere of this hotel--not to have to go home ever before twelve, if he did not wish--to have goodclothes-- interesting company, maybe--a good time, gee!
　　And as he hurried on about his various errands now, it occurred to him as a final and shrewd and deliciousthought that he need not go home on such nights as he wished to go to a theater or anything like that. He couldjust stay down-town and say he had to work. And that with free meals and good clothes--think of that!
　　The mere thought of all this was so astonishing and entrancing that he could not bring himself to think of it toomuch. He must wait and see. He must wait and see just how much he would make here in this perfectlymarvelous-marvelous realm.
      这一切使克莱德顿时胡思乱想起来……到这么了不起的地方干活，对个人前途会意味着什么……他在这方面的梦想，只好让人揣度去吧。他对于奢华的想法，基本上是那样极端。错误。粗俗……仅仅是一些痴心妄想，一种受压抑。

得不到满足。至今还只好悬想臆测。聊以自慰的白日梦呓罢了。

他回到杂货店，工作一切照常……下班后，他便回家吃晚饭，睡觉……可是如今，一到星期五。星期六。星期日和星期一下午，他就想入非非了。不论做什么事，他总是心不在焉;杂货店里他的上司有好几次都不得不提醒他，要他"醒一醒"。下班以后，他并不直接回家，而是往北走，到第十四街和巴尔的摩大街拐角处，仰望着那家大酒店……在那里，即使到了深更半夜，三个入口处(每个入口处正对着一条大街)都站着一个看门人;看门人身上穿着缀上很多钮扣。长长的茶色侍者制服，头上戴着帽檐高高。帽舌长长的茶色帽子。里面呢，就在有凹槽。缀圈环的法国绸窗帘后面，依然是灯火辉煌，附近地下室一隅那个点菜的餐厅和供应美国式烤肉的酒吧间，这时也还没有打烊。四周围有很多出租汽车和私人汽车，而且总有笙歌弦乐的声音……真不知道是从哪儿传来的。

他是在星期五晚和星期六。星期日早晨，一连好几次，仔细打量了这家酒店以后，星期一下午就按照斯夸尔斯先生的意思，又一次到这里来了，没承望此人对他十分粗鲁无礼，因为那时此人几乎把他忘得一干二净了。不过，考虑到他当时确实需要帮手，并且认为克莱德也许可以胜任，因此就把他带到楼梯底下他那个小办公室里，摆出一副顶头上司的派头和完全无动于衷的样子，开始盘问他的出身和住处，从前是在什么地方，做过什么事，他父亲又是指靠什么谋生的……这最后一个问题，叫克莱德感到特别发窘，因为他毕竟有自尊心，而且羞于承认自己父母开办传道馆，并在街头布道。于是，他便随机应变，回答说(有时这也是实情)，他父亲给一家洗衣机和绞衣机公司兜揽生意……赶上星期日布道……有关传教的事，干脆说开了，倒是一点儿也没有让这位领班产生不满，因为他根本不象是个眷恋家园，而又循规蹈矩的人。他问克莱德能不能从目前任职那家店里取得一份推荐书。克莱德回答说可以的。

斯夸尔斯先生接下去向他介绍本酒店店规很严格。过去有很多小伙子，由于欣赏这里的场面和气派，接触了原先不习惯的过分奢靡的生活……尽管斯夸尔斯先生并没有使用这些字眼……他们就冲昏了头脑，误入歧途。有些侍应生，挣了一点外快就不知自爱，他经常出于无奈，只好把他们辞退。他要的侍应生，必须是听话。懂规矩。手脚快。见了人都要彬彬有礼。他们必须经常保持仪表服饰整洁，每天准时上班……一分一秒也不能迟到……整天价都得精神抖擞，把工作做好。不拘是哪一个侍应生，只要自以为挣了一点钱，就可以跟人调情取乐，或是顶嘴抬杠，就是晚上外出赴舞会，结果第二天不能准时上班，或是精疲力竭，做起事来拖拖沓沓。懒懒散散，那他就别想在这里再待下去。这种人……我是要把他开除的，而且还得马上开除才行。斯夸尔斯先生决不容许胡来一气的。以上这些是必须在现在一开头，也可以说是最后一次地通通向你交待清楚了。

克莱德不断地点头，表示同意，并还不时急急乎地插进去几句"是的，先生"和"不会的，先生"。到最后，他还立下保证，说他根据自己思想秉性，是决不会出格的，干出斯夸尔斯先生方才所列举的种种恶行劣迹。随后，斯夸尔斯先生继续介绍本酒店店规，说侍应生每月只发工钱十五块美元，另外免费供膳……在地下室侍者专用的餐桌用膳。不过，无论哪一个侍应生，只要给客人做点什么事……比方说，拎一下皮包。送去一壶水，或是干了一点别的小差使……客人就会给他一点小费，而且往往给得很阔气……也许是十个美分的银币，也许是十五个或二十个美分，有时候还要多一些……这一消息对克莱德说来，真是最惊人的一大发现。据斯夸尔斯先生说，这些小费都合在一起，每天平均四到六块美元……不会比这再少，有时候还要多一些……克莱德心里有了谱:

这一笔进项，真是太惊人了。他一听说有这么大的数目，心儿一下子突突地跳，差一点连气都透不过来了。四到六块美元!

嘿!

这就是说，每个星期有二十八到四十二块美元呀!

他几乎不敢相信这是真的。何况每个月还有十五块美元薪资，免费供膳呢。斯夸尔斯先生介绍时说，侍应生穿的漂亮制服，是用不着自己掏钱的。

不过，这些制服既不能穿到外面去，也不准往外拿走。斯夸尔斯先生继续介绍，说他的工作时间是这样的:

星期一。星期三。星期五。星期日，从清晨六点干到中午为止，然后休息六个小时，再从傍晚六点一直干到半夜。星期二。星期四和星期六，他只要从中午干到下午六点，这样转天有一个下午或是一个晚上，就归他个人支配。不过，他一日进几次餐，一概都在工作时间以外。每班按照规定上班时间开始之前十分钟，克莱德就得穿好制服，准时前来站队，听候他的顶头上司检查。

当时斯夸尔斯先生心里还想到的一些别的事情，他却一字不提。他知道反正有别人会替他说的。于是，他接下去说:

"我想，你现在就乐意上班，是不是?

"本来克莱德一直仿佛有点头昏目眩似的坐在那儿，现在一听到他猛地问这句话，不免感到太突然了。

"是的，先生，是的，先生，"克莱德回答说。

"敢情好!

"说罢，他就站了起来，打开他们进来时刚关上的那道门。"奥斯卡，"他向坐在长条凳头上那个侍应生招呼了一声，马上就有一名个儿相当高。稍微有些胖。身穿整洁的紧身制服的年轻人敏捷地应声而起。"把这个小伙子带去……你叫克莱德。格里菲思，是吧?

……领他到十二楼制服间去，你看，雅可布能不能给他找出一套合身的制服。如果找不到合身的，就让他明天来改一改。我说西尔斯比穿过的那一套，也许他穿差不离吧。"随后，他掉过头来，冲写字台前那个一直望着他们的助手说:

"反正我得让他先试一试再说。"他又说:

"今儿晚上叫一个伙计先教他一下，或是等到他上班时教他也行。去吧，奥斯卡，"他关照那个带领克莱德的侍者说。当克莱德和奥斯卡径直走向一部电梯。不见踪影的时候，他对他的助手找补着说:

"他干这一行还是个新手，不过，我看他准对付得了。"随后，他就走过去，把克莱德的名字记入薪水册。

这时，克莱德在这位新的良师管教下，正洗耳恭听一大套他从来没有听到过的情况。

"你要是以前没有做过这种事，也用不着害怕，"这个年轻人一开头就这样说。

后来克莱德才知道，此人姓赫格伦，来自新泽西州泽西城，他说话时总有那种外地人的怪腔怪调，喜欢比划打手势等等，也都是从那里带来的。他身材高大，精力充沛，淡褐色头发，脸上长着雀斑，待人和气，口若悬河。他们走进了标着"职工专用"字样的电梯。"这玩意儿也没啥难。我头一次在布法罗做事，那是在三年以前，在拿〔那〕以前，我对这种希〔事〕也是嘛也不疼〔懂〕。你次药〔只要〕留点神看比个〔别个〕人，看看大们〔他们〕怎么做，就得了。拿〔那〕你的听明白了没有?

"论教育程度，克莱德虽然比他的这位向导也高明不了多少，可是他一听见此人嘴里说什么"嘛也不疼"和"次药"……以及什么"希"。"拿"和"比个"诸如此类的词儿，心里不由得感到非常别扭。不过此时此刻，只要有人给他献上一点儿殷勤，他心里都会万分感激，何况眼前这位分明是好心肠的良师，态度又是如此和蔼可亲，所以，不管什么事，克莱德也都能原谅他了。

"不管谁做啥希〔事〕情，你先留神看着，你懂吗，直到你学会了才算数，你懂吗。拿〔那〕就是这么回希〔事〕。铃声一响，你正好坐在长条凳头上，那该是轮到你了，你懂吗，你马上就得一跃而起，赶快上去。这里大〔他〕们就是喜欢你动作快一些，你懂吗。不管啥时候，你一看见有人进门来了，或是拎着皮包从电梯里出来，偏巧你正坐在长条凳头上，你就赶快奔过去，不管领班按铃了没有，或是喊没喊'

''''上来一个，。有的时候他实在太忙了，或是照顾不了，他就要你主动去做，你懂吗。希希〔事事〕要留心，引〔因〕为你拿不到手提包，你就得不到小费，你懂吗。不管拿〔哪〕一个，带着皮包或是别的什么冬〔东〕西，我们都得赶过去给大〔他〕们拎着，除非大〔他〕们硬是不让你拎，你懂吗。

"不过，不管是拿〔哪〕个客人进来，你务必守在帐台旁边等着，一直到客人定好了房间，"他们坐电梯上楼的时候，克莱德这位良师还喋喋不休地念叨着。

"差不多每个客人都要定一个房间。在火〔随后〕，帐房先生就会给你一把钥匙，拿〔那〕末，你就次药〔只要〕把一些手提包送进房间得了。此外，你就次药〔只要〕把浴室和厕所里的灯一一打开(要是房间里有的话)，好让大〔他〕们知道它们在啥地方，你懂吗。赶上是白天，你就得把窗帘卷起来;晚上则把窗帘放下来，再要看看房间里有没有毛巾，没有的话，就要通知女侍者。这时候大〔他〕们要是还不赏给你小费，你就得走了，不过在大多数情况下，除非你遇到一个很吝啬的家伙，你次药〔只要〕再磨蹭一会儿……找个借口，你懂吗……摸弄一下开门的钥匙，或是试拉一下门上的气窗，你懂吗。在火〔随后〕，次药大〔只要他〕们心中有数了，就会给你小费。要是大〔他〕们还不给，拿〔那〕你就完蛋了，就是这样，你懂吗。你可千万别露出不开心的样子……不作兴那样，你懂吗。拿〔那〕时，你就下来，除非大〔他〕们说要冰水或是什么冬〔东〕西的，你的希〔事〕就算做完了，你懂吗。你再回到长条凳上去，要快。这玩意儿可一点儿不难做的。只是不管什么时候，你都得要快，你懂吗。客人有进来的，有出去的，千万不要错过一个……这才是最要紧的巧〔窍〕门儿。

"等到大〔他〕们发给你制服，你上班以后，可别王〔忘〕了每次下班临走前，给领班一块钱，你懂吗……一天你值两个班，就得给两块，次〔只〕值一个班，就给一块，你懂吗?

这就是本酒店的规矩。我们在这儿一快〔块〕做事，就药〔要〕象拿〔那〕样。你药〔要〕保住这只饭碗，就飞〔非〕得拿〔那〕样不可。不过总共也就花去那些。剩下来的，就全是你自个儿的了。

"克莱德明白了。

他暗自估摸一下:

他那二十四块或是三十二块美元里头，显然有一部分就不翼而飞了……总共是十一。二块美元……不过，这又算得了什么!

剩下来的，不是还有十二块到十五块美元，甚至还更多一些吗?

况且还有向他免费供给膳食和制服呢。好心肠的老天爷啊!

这简直是上了天国呀!

过去向往奢华生活，现在真的如愿以偿了!

来自泽西城的赫格伦陪着他到达十二层楼，走进一个房间，看见有个头发花白。皱皮疙瘩的小老头正在值班，简直看不出此人年龄有多大，脾气又是如何。他马上拿出一套相当合身的制服给了克莱德，要是没有其他吩咐，就可以不必再改了。克莱德一连试了好几顶帽子，有一顶他戴上挺合适……歪戴在一边耳侧，真是帅极了……只不过赫格伦照样关照他:

"你得把拿〔那〕头发剪一剪。

最好后头剪掉一些。太长了。"其实在他还没有开口说这话以前，克莱德心中早就想到这一点了。戴上新帽子，他的那头长发当然不大合适。这时，他一下子讨厌他的那头长发了。随后，他便下楼，向斯夸尔斯先生的助手惠普尔先生报到。惠普尔先生说:

"好极了。制服很合身，你说是吗?

那就得了，你上六点的班。

五点半报到，五点三刻穿好制服，以备检查。"临了，赫格伦关照他马上脱下制服，送到地下室公共更衣室，向看管的人领取一个小柜。克莱德一一照办了。随后，他心里激动到了极点，急冲冲走了出来……先去理了发，然后向全家报告这个偌大的喜讯。

赶明儿他要在格林－戴维逊大酒店当侍应生了。他将要穿上一身制服，而且是一身很漂亮的制服。他将要挣到多少钱……他开头并没有如实告知母亲……不过，据他心里估摸，开头反正总在十一。二块美元以上……现在他还说不准。因为他现在突然看到了自己马上就可以经济独立，尽管还无力赡养全家，但就自己一个人来说，好歹没问题了。他可不乐意使事情复杂化，因为他要是把薪资的实际数目和盘托出，家里当然就会向他要钱。不过，他倒是说过膳食不用自己掏钱……因为这就是说，往后他不在家吃饭了，而这对他来说乃是正中下怀的事。再说，将来他经常在这家酒店的豪华气氛中过日子……只要他乐意，也就根本不必一定要在半夜十二点以前赶回家去……还可以穿上好衣服……说不定会交上一些有趣的朋友……嘿嘿，那才是其乐融融啊!

当他东奔西走在干杂活的时候，他忽然心里涌上了又一个巧妙而又诱人的念头:

往后他只要乐意去剧院，或是上其他什么地方，晚上就用不着回家了。他可以待在闹市区，说他有事就得了。何况膳食不用自己掏钱，还可以穿上好衣服……想想，多美!

仅仅想到这些，就使他感到那样惊喜若狂，因此他连想都不敢多想了。他最好还得等着瞧。是的，他得等着瞧，就在这个无限美好的妙境里，他能得到的究竟有多少东西。
Part 1 Chapter 6
And as conditions stood, the extraordinary economic and social inexperience of the Griffiths--Asa and Elvira-dovetailedall too neatly with his dreams. For neither Asa nor Elvira had the least knowledge of the actualcharacter of the work upon which he was about to enter, scarcely any more than he did, or what it might mean tohim morally, imaginatively, financially, or in any other way. For neither of them had ever stopped in a hotelabove the fourth class in all their days. Neither one had ever eaten in a restaurant of a class that catered to otherthan individuals of their own low financial level. That there could be any other forms of work or contact thanthose involved in carrying the bags of guests to and from the door of a hotel to its office, and back again, for aboy of Clyde's years and temperament, never occurred to them. And it was naively assumed by both that the payfor such work must of necessity be very small anywhere, say five or six dollars a week, and so actually belowClyde's deserts and his years.
　　And in view of this, Mrs. Griffiths, who was more practical than her husband at all times, and who was intenselyinterested in Clyde's economic welfare, as well as that of her other children, was actually wondering why Clydeshould of a sudden become so enthusiastic about changing to this new situation, which, according to his ownstory, involved longer hours and not so very much more pay, if any. To be sure, he had already suggested that itmight lead to some superior position in the hotel, some clerkship or other, but he did not know when that wouldbe, and the other had promised rather definite fulfillment somewhat earlier--as to money, anyhow.
　　But seeing him rush in on Monday afternoon and announce that he had secured the place and that forthwith hemust change his tie and collar and get his hair cut and go back and report, she felt better about it. For neverbefore had she seen him so enthusiastic about anything, and it was something to have him more content withhimself--not so moody, as he was at times.
　　Yet, the hours which he began to maintain now--from six in the morning until midnight--with only an occasional early return on such evenings as he chose to come home when he was not working--and when he troubled toexplain that he had been let off a little early--together with a certain eager and restless manner--a desire to be outand away from his home at nearly all such moments as he was not in bed or dressing or undressing, puzzled hismother and Asa, also. The hotel! The hotel! He must always hurry off to the hotel, and all that he had to reportwas that he liked it ever so much, and that he was doing all right, he thought. It was nicer work than workingaround a soda fountain, and he might be making more money pretty soon--he couldn't tell--but as for more thanthat he either wouldn't or couldn't say.
　　And all the time the Griffiths--father and mother--were feeling that because of the affair in connection with Esta,they should really be moving away from Kansas City--should go to Denver. And now more than ever, Clyde wasinsisting that he did not want to leave Kansas City. They might go, but he had a pretty good job now and wantedto stick to it. And if they left, he could get a room somewhere--and would be all right--a thought which did notappeal to them at all.
　　But in the meantime what an enormous change in Clyde's life. Beginning with that first evening, when at 5:45,he appeared before Mr. Whipple, his immediate superior, and was approved--not only because of the fit of hisnew uniform, but for his general appearance--the world for him had changed entirely. Lined up with seven othersin the servants' hall, immediately behind the general offices in the lobby, and inspected by Mr. Whipple, thesquad of eight marched at the stroke of six through a door that gave into the lobby on the other side of thestaircase from where stood Mr. Whipple's desk, then about and in front of the general registration office to thelong bench on the other side. A Mr. Barnes, who alternated with Mr. Whipple, then took charge of the assistantcaptain's desk, and the boys seated themselves--Clyde at the foot--only to be called swiftly and in turn toperform this, that and the other service--while the relieved squad of Mr. Whipple was led away into the rearservants' hall as before, where they disbanded.
　　"Cling!"The bell on the room clerk's desk had sounded and the first boy was going.
　　"Cling!" It sounded again and a second boy leaped to his feet.
　　"Front!"--"Center door!" called Mr. Barnes, and a third boy was skidding down the long marble floor toward thatentrance to seize the bags of an incoming guest, whose white whiskers and youthful, bright tweed suit werevisible to Clyde's uninitiated eyes a hundred feet away. A mysterious and yet sacred vision--a tip!
　　"Front!" It was Mr. Barnes calling again. "See what 913 wants-- ice-water, I guess." And a fourth boy was gone.
　　Clyde, steadily moving up along the bench and adjoining Hegglund, who had been detailed to instruct him alittle, was all eyes and ears and nerves. He was so tense that he could hardly breathe, and fidgeted and jerkeduntil finally Hegglund exclaimed: "Now, don't get excited. Just hold your horses will yuh? You'll be all right.
　　You're jist like I was when I begun--all noives. But dat ain't de way. Easy's what you gotta be aroun' here. An'
　　you wants to look as dough you wasn't seein' nobody nowhere--just lookin' to what ya got before ya.""Front!" Mr. Barnes again. Clyde was scarcely able to keep his mind on what Hegglund was saying. "115 wants some writing paper and pens." A fifth boy had gone.
　　"Where do you get writing paper and pens if they want 'em?" He pleaded of his imtructor, as one who was aboutto die might plead.
　　"Off'n de key desk, I toldja. He's to de left over dere. He'll give 'em to ya. An' you gits ice-water in de hall welined up in just a minute ago--at dat end over dere, see--you'll see a little door. You gotta give dat guy in dere adime oncet in a while or he'll get sore.""Cling!" The room clerk's bell. A sixth boy had gone without a word to supply some order in that direction.
　　"And now remember," continued Hegglund, seeing that he himself was next, and cautioning him for the lasttime, "if dey wants drinks of any kind, you get 'em in de grill over dere off'n de dining-room. An' be sure and gitde names of de drinks straight or dey'll git sore. An' if it's a room you're showing, pull de shades down to-nightand turn on de lights. An' if it's anyt'ing from de dinin'- room you gotta see de headwaiter--he gets de tip, see.""Front!" He was up and gone.
　　And Clyde was number one. And number four was already seating himself again by his side--but lookingshrewdly around to see if anybody was wanted anywhere.
　　"Front!" It was Mr. Barnes. Clyde was up and before him, grateful that it was no one coming in with bags, butworried for fear it might be something that he would not understand or could not do quickly.
　　"See what 882 wants." Clyde was off toward one of the two elevators marked, "employees," the proper one touse, he thought, because he had been taken to the twelfth floor that way, but another boy stepping out from oneof the fast passenger elevators cautioned him as to his mistake.
　　"Goin' to a room?" he called. "Use the guest elevators. Them's for the servants or anybody with bundles."Clyde hastened to cover his mistake. "Eight," he called. There being no one else on the elevator with them, theNegro elevator boy in charge of the car saluted him at once.
　　"You'se new, ain't you? I ain't seen you around her befo'.""Yes, I just came on," replied Clyde.
　　"Well, you won't hate it here," commented this youth in the most friendly way. "No one hates this house, I'll say.
　　Eight did you say?" He stopped the car and Clyde stepped out. He was too nervous to think to ask the directionand now began looking at room numbers, only to decide after a moment that he was in the wrong corridor. Thesoft brown carpet under his feet; the soft, cream-tinted walls; the snow-white bowl lights in the ceiling--allseemed to him parts of a perfection and a social superiority which was almost unbelievable--so remote from allthat he had ever known.
　　And finally, finding 882, he knocked timidly and was greeted after a moment by a segment of a very stout andvigorous body in a blue and white striped union suit and a related segment of a round and florid head in whichwas set one eye and some wrinkles to one side of it.
　　"Here's a dollar bill, son," said the eye seemingly--and now a hand appeared holding a paper dollar. It was fatand red. "You go out to a haberdasher's and get me a pair of garters--Boston Garters-- silk--and hurry back.""Yes, sir," replied Clyde, and took the dollar. The door closed and he found himself hustling along the halltoward the elevator, wondering what a haberdasher's was. As old as he was--seventeen--the name was new tohim. He had never even heard it before, or noticed it at least. If the man had said a "gents' furnishing store," hewould have understood at once, but now here he was told to go to a haberdasher's and he did not know what itwas. A cold sweat burst out upon his forehead. His knees trembled. The devil! What would he do now? Could heask any one, even Hegglund, and not seem-He pushed the elevator button. The car began to descend. A haberdasher. A haberdasher. Suddenly a sanethought reached him. Supposing he didn't know what a haberdasher was? After all the man wanted a pair of silkBoston garters. Where did one get silk Boston garters--at a store, of course, a place where they sold things formen. Certainly. A gents' furnishing store. He would run out to a store. And on the way down, noting anotherfriendly Negro in charge, he asked: "Do you know if there's a gents' furnishing store anywhere around here?""One in the building, captain, right outside the south lobby," replied the Negro, and Clyde hurried there, greatlyrelieved. Yet he felt odd and strange in his close-fitting uniform and his peculiar hat. All the time he wastroubled by the notion that his small, round, tight-fitting hat might fall off. And he kept pressing it furtively andyet firmly down. And bustling into the haberdasher's, which was blazing with lights outside, he exclaimed, "Iwant to get a pair of Boston silk garters.""All right, son, here you are," replied a sleek, short man with bright, bald head, pink face and gold-rimmedglasses. "For some one in the hotel, I presume? Well, we'll make that seventy-five cents, and here's a dime foryou," he remarked as he wrapped up the package and dropped the dollar in the cash register. "I always like to dothe right thing by you boys in there because I know you come to me whenever you can."Clyde took the dime and the package, not knowing quite what to think. The garters must be seventy-five cents-hesaid so. Hence only twenty-five cents need to be returned to the man. Then the dime was his. And now,maybe--would the man really give him another tip?
　　He hurried back into the hotel and up to the elevators. The strains of a string orchestra somewhere were fillingthe lobby with delightful sounds. People were moving here and there--so well-dressed, so much at ease, so verydifferent from most of the people in the streets or anywhere, as he saw it.
　　An elevator door flew open. Various guests entered. Then Clyde and another bell-boy who gave him aninterested glance. At the sixth floor the boy departed. At the eighth Clyde and an old lady stepped forth. Hehurried to the door of his guest and tapped. The man opened it, somewhat more fully dressed than before. He hadon a pair of trousers and was shaving.
　　"Back, eh," he called.
　　"Yes, sir," replied Clyde, handing him the package and change. "He said it was seventy-five cents.""He's a damned robber, but you can keep the change, just the same," he replied, handing him the quarter andclosing the door. Clyde stood there, quite spellbound for the fraction of a second. "Thirty-five cents"--hethought--"thirty-five cents." And for one little short errand. Could that really be the way things went here? Itcouldn't be, really. It wasn't possible--not always.
　　And then, his feet sinking in the soft nap of the carpet, his hand in one pocket clutching the money, he felt as ifhe could squeal or laugh out loud. Why, thirty-five cents--and for a little service like that. This man had givenhim a quarter and the other a dime and he hadn't done anything at all.
　　He hurried from the car at the bottom--the strains of the orchestra once more fascinated him, the wonder of sowell-dressed a throng thrilling him--and made his way to the bench from which he had first departed.
　　And following this he had been called to carry the three bags and two umbrellas of an aged farmer-like couple,who had engaged a parlor, bedroom and bath on the fifth floor. En route they kept looking at him, as he couldsee, but said nothing. Yet once in their room, and after he had promptly turned on the lights near the door,lowered the blinds and placed the bags upon the bag racks, the middle-aged and rather awkward husband--adecidedly solemn and bewhiskered person--studied him and finally observed: "Young fella, you seem to be anice, brisk sort of boy--rather better than most we've seen so far, I must say.""I certainly don't think that hotels are any place for boys," chirped up the wife of his bosom--a large and rotundperson, who by this time was busily employed inspecting an adjoining room. "I certainly wouldn't want any ofmy boys to work in 'em--the way people act.""But here, young man," went on the elder, laying off his overcoat and fishing in his trousers pocket. "You godown and get me three or four evening papers if there are that many and a pitcher of ice-water, and I'll give youfifteen cents when you get back.""This hotel's better'n the one in Omaha, Pa," added the wife sententiously. "It's got nicer carpets and curtains."And as green as Clyde was, he could not help smiling secretly. Openly, however, he preserved a masklikesolemnity, seemingly effacing all facial evidence of thought, and took the change and went out. And in a fewmoments he was back with the ice-water and all the evening papers and departed smilingly with his fifteen cents.
　　But this, in itself, was but a beginning in so far as this particular evening was concerned, for he was scarcelyseated upon the bench again, before he was called to room 529, only to be sent to the bar for drinks--two gingerales and two syphons of soda--and this by a group of smartly-dressed young men and girls who were laughingand chattering in the room, one of whom opened the door just wide enough to instruct him as to what waswanted. But because of a mirror over the mantel, he could see the party and one pretty girl in a white suit andcap, sitting on the edge of a chair in which reclined a young man who had his arm about her.
　　Clyde stared, even while pretending not to. And in his state of mind, this sight was like looking through the gatesof Paradise. Here were young fellows and girls in this room, not so much older than himself, laughing andtalking and drinking even--not ice-cream sodas and the like, but such drinks no doubt as his mother and fatherwere always speaking against as leading to destruction, and apparently nothing was thought of it.
　　He bustled down to the bar, and having secured the drinks and a charge slip, returned--and was paid--a dollar anda half for the drinks and a quarter for himself. And once more he had a glimpse of the appealing scene. Only nowone of the couples was dancing to a tune sung and whistled by the other two.
　　But what interested him as much as the visits to and glimpses of individuals in the different rooms, was themoving panorama of the main lobby--the character of the clerks behind the main desk--room clerk, key clerk,mail clerk, cashier and assistant cashier. And the various stands about the place--flower stand, news stand, cigarstand, telegraph office, taxicab office, and all manned by individuals who seemed to him curiously filled with theatmosphere of this place. And then around and between all these walking or sitting were such imposing men andwomen, young men and girls all so fashionably dressed, all so ruddy and contented looking. And the cars orother vehicles in which some of them appeared about dinner time and later. It was possible for him to see them inthe flare of the lights outside. The wraps, furs, and other belongings in which they appeared, or which were oftencarried by these other boys and himself across the great lobby and into the cars or the dining-room or the severalelevators. And they were always of such gorgeous textures, as Clyde saw them. Such grandeur. This, then, mostcertainly was what it meant to be rich, to be a person of consequence in the world--to have money. It meant thatyou did what you pleased. That other people, like himself, waited upon you. That you possessed all of theseluxuries. That you went how, where and when you pleased.
       当时明摆着:

格里菲思夫妇……阿萨和爱尔薇拉……对经济和社会问题特别缺乏经验，思想根源上也就跟克莱德的种种梦想完全吻合了。无论阿萨也好，还是爱尔薇拉也好，他们一点儿都不知道他要接手的这份工作的真正性质如何……对此他们跟他一样地无知……他们也不知道这份工作在道德。心理。经济或是其他方面，会对他产生哪些影响。因为他们俩一辈子都没有下榻过四等以上的旅馆。他们俩也从来没有去过一家高级饭馆，因为这种高级饭馆原来并不是为他们这些经济水平极差的人开设的。他们俩从来也没有想到过，就克莱德那种年纪和脾性的孩子来说，除了替客人把行李箱包从旅馆门口搬到帐房间，又从帐房间搬到旅馆门口以外，还可能会有别的什么工作，或者别的跟人交际的机遇。他们俩天真地认为:

这一类工作，不论在哪儿，工钱必定是微乎其微，比方说，每个星期给个五。六块美元就得了，也就是说，实际上比克莱德按照他的能耐和年纪应得的报酬还要少一些。

格里菲思太太看问题一向比她的丈夫实际些，对克莱德和其他的孩子们的经济利益非常关注。她心中暗自纳闷，真不知道克莱德换了个新地方，怎么就突然如此兴高采烈起来，根据他自己的说法，到那里上班时间要比过去长，薪水嘛，即使假定说稍微多点，比过去也多不了很多。当然罗，他已经暗示过，这一回他进了旅馆，也许将来有希望提升到较高的职位，比方说，当上一个职员什么的，不过，他可不知道何年何月才能如愿以偿啊，而原来那个地方却肯定能使他较快地实现自己……至少是赚钱的……的愿望。

不过星期一下午，他急冲冲回来，说他找到了这个职位，马上得换上领带和硬领，理完发赶回去报到……这些她都看到了，心里也就觉得宽慰一些了。

因为过去她从来没看见他对什么事表示过这样高兴;这件事让他比较称心了一些……而不是象过去有的时候那样闷闷不乐。

可是现在他上班的时间很长……从早上六点钟起，一直到深更半夜……除了偶尔有几个晚上，他没有工作，而又想要早些回家的时候，他才回来得早些……那时他会费心解释说，他下班早了一点……那神态也是岌岌不安的……只要他不是在睡觉。穿衣或脱衣的时候，可以说他无时无刻都恨不得马上能离开自己的家……这不由得使他母亲和阿萨感到困惑不解。酒店!

酒店!

他老是急冲冲赶去酒店上班，他口口声声地说他非常喜欢这家酒店，还认为自己干得满不错。这种工作比围着汽水柜台转反正好得多了，他不久也许还能多挣一些钱呢……至于有多少，他还说不准……但是除此以外，要么是他不乐意说，要么是他说不出道道来。

格里菲思夫妇……孩子他们的父母……时时刻刻都觉得，由于爱思达出走一事，说实话，他们应该离开堪萨斯城……应该举家迁往丹佛。可是克莱德却比过去更加坚决，说他不愿意离开堪萨斯城。他们要去就去呗;可他现在有了一个肥缺，自然要牢牢守住它。他们要是搬走了，他就不妨上哪儿去找个房间……而且他照样会过得很好……这个想法他们一点儿也不赞成。

可是就在这个时候，克莱德的生活却发生了多么大的变化!

从头一天晚上，五点三刻，他来到惠普尔先生面前，顶头上司对他表示满意……不仅仅因为新制服他很合身，而且还因为他的整个模样儿也不错……打从这时起，他觉得世界就完全变了样。他在大厅里紧挨总帐房间后面侍应生集合的过道里，和另外七个小伙子站成一排，经过惠普尔先生检查后，等到时钟敲了六下，这时，他们这一拨八个人一齐迈开步子，走过通向楼梯另一侧(惠普尔先生的写字台就设在这里)休息室的那道门，然后拐弯从总登记处前面绕了过去，走向对面的那只长条凳。有一位名叫巴恩斯先生的接了惠普尔先生的班，履行副领班的职责。

侍应生们便坐了下来……克莱德坐在末尾……不过他们马上听候传唤，依次去干各式各样差使……与此同时，惠普尔先生率领的那拨歇班人员，照例被带到后面侍应生集合的过道，然后就地解散了。

"丁零零!

"领班写字台上铃声一响，头一个侍应生马上跑了过去。

"丁零零!

"铃声又响了，第二个侍应生也应声一跃而起。

"上来一个!

"……"快去中门!

"巴恩斯先生大声喊道。第三个侍应生顺着长长的大理石地面朝中门溜了过去，接住一位来客的手提包。这个客人白花花的连鬓胡子，和不合年龄。色调鲜明的苏格兰呢行装……克莱德这双即使还不内行的眼睛在一百英尺开外早就看见了。眼前立刻浮现出一个神秘而又神圣的幻象……小费!

"上来一个!

"巴恩斯先生又在大声喊道。"去看看九一三号房间要些什么……我说大概要冰水呗。"第四个侍应生马上就去了。

克莱德在长条凳上一个劲儿往前挪，紧挨着那个曾经奉命前来点拨他的赫格伦，眼睛。耳朵和神经……几乎浑身上下都紧张起来，以致连气也透不过来，而且一个劲儿在抖索。后来，赫格伦终于开了腔，说道:

"喂，别紧张哟。只要沉住气，你懂吗。你准行。你这副得〔德〕行，正象我当初一开始时一样……全身抖索得好厉害。不过拿〔那〕样是药〔要〕不得的。到了这儿，你就得不慌不忙。你该做到好象你不管哪一个人都没看见似的……只是一心注意你眼前该做的事。""上来一个!

"巴恩斯先生又在大声喊道。赫格伦还在说些什么，克莱德几乎没得心思听下去了。"一一五号房间要纸和笔。"第五个侍应生马上就去了。

"要是客人要纸和笔，该上哪儿找去?

"他赶紧恳求赫格伦指点一下，仿佛临终前的人在苦苦哀求似的。

"我跟你说，就在管钥匙的帐房那里。他就在靠左边那儿。他会给你的。要冰水，就上刚才我们站队集合的过道去……在拿〔那〕一头，你懂吗……你会看到有个小门。那个家伙会给你冰水，可你下一回就得给他十个美分，要不然，他就要冒火了。""丁零零!

"领班的铃声又响了。第六个侍应生一言不语地前去听候吩咐了。

"现在还得要记住，"赫格伦因为下一个就要轮到他自己了，这才最后一次地提醒克莱德，"假如大〔他〕们要喝什么，你就上餐厅那边的酒吧间去取。千万要把酒名老〔闹〕清楚，要不然大〔他〕们就要恼火了。今儿晚上你要是引领客人到房间去，就得把窗帘拉下来，把灯一一拧开。你要是上餐厅给客人取什么东事〔西〕，先得问一下那边的领班……小费嘛全归你，你懂吗。""上来一个!

"赫格伦霍地一跃而起，走了。

这下子克莱德便成了头一号。那四号已经又挨在他身边坐下了……目光尖锐地在东张西望着，看哪儿需要人。

"上来一个!

"这是巴恩斯先生的喊叫声。克莱德马上站了起来，走到他跟前，真是谢天谢地，这当儿幸亏没有客人拎着手提包进来，不过，他又很担心叫他去做也许是他不懂的，或是他不能很快就完成的差使。

"去看看八八二号房间要些什么。"克莱德冲那两部电梯中标明"职工专用"的一部直奔了过去。他心里捉摸是应该乘这一部吧，因为刚才他就是搭这部电梯上十二层楼的。可是，从旅客的快速电梯里走出来的另一个侍应生却提醒他，说他走错了。

"上客房去吗?

"他说。"就搭客人的电梯。那两部是给职工或是携带行李的人搭乘的。"克莱德连忙改正自己的错误，赶过去说:

"八楼。"电梯里没有其他的人，开电梯的黑人马上招呼他说:

"你是新来的，是不是?

以浅〔前〕我可没见过你。""是的，我才进店哩，"克莱德回答说。

"嘿，你准不会腻味这个店呗，"那个年轻小伙子和颜悦色地说。"我说，谁都不会腻味这个大酒店。你是说上八楼吧?

"他停了一下，克莱德就走出了电梯。

这时他心里太紧张了，顾不上问清楚该往哪一边走，就连忙去看房间号码，寻摸了一会儿，才断定自己走错过道了。他脚下是柔软的棕色地毯，两旁是柔和的奶油色墙壁，嵌在天花板里的则是雪白的滴溜滚圆电灯……这一切，在他看来，都是达到了至臻至美境界，显示了那么一种高贵的社会地位，几乎令人难以置信……与他从前见过的相比，真有十万八千里远哩。

最后，他找到了八八二号，战战兢兢地敲敲门，隔了一会儿才有一个人从半掩着门里招呼他，此人身穿一套蓝白条子内衣，露出矮胖粗壮的半边身子，以及连在一起的半个圆圆的。红光满面的脑袋，还有一只梢上略带鱼尾细纹的眼睛。

"这是一张一块头美钞，小伙计，"好象是那只眼睛在说话……接着便伸出来一只手，手里拿着一张一块头美钞。那是……一只红盈盈。胖乎乎的手。"你上服饰店去，给我买一副吊袜带……波士顿吊袜带……真丝的……快一点回来。""是，先生，"克莱德回答说，一手把钱接住。门关上了，克莱德急冲冲沿着过道直奔电梯而去，心里暗自纳闷这服饰店是个什么样儿的。虽说他已有那么大的年纪……十七岁了……这样一个店名，对于他却是陌生得很。从前他甚至连听都没有听说过，或者至少是没有注意过这个店名。要是此人说"男子服装用品商店"，那他一听就懂了，可现在此人关照他到男子服饰店去，他真不知道那是怎么回事。他额头上沁出一些冷汗，两个膝盖也在瑟瑟发抖。见鬼!

如今怎么办呢?

他能不能问问别人，哪怕是问问赫格伦，不要显得好象……他摁了一下电梯按纽。电梯开始下来了。服饰店。服饰店。突然，他眉头一皱，灵机一动。假定说他不知道服饰店是怎么回事，那又有什么了不起?

反正此人要的是一副波士顿真丝吊袜带。上哪儿去寻摸波士顿真丝吊袜带呢……当然罗，到百货店去，那里是销售男子用品的地方。那还用说嘛。准是男子服装用品商店。他一溜小跑，奔出去寻摸这么一家商铺。下去的时候，他看见开电梯的另一个和颜悦色的黑人，就开口问道:

"你可知道本店附近哪儿有男子服装用品商店?

""本大楼里就有一家，领班，正好在南大厅外面，"那个黑人回答说。克莱德至此才松了一口气，便急急忙忙赶到了那里。不过，他身穿的这套紧身制服，头戴那顶很怪的帽子，自己觉得总有一点儿希奇百怪的样儿。他仿佛老是在担心他那顶圆圆的。紧扣脑勺的小帽，说不定会掉下来。他不时偷偷地使劲儿把它往下扣一扣，急急乎奔进一家门口灯光通明的服饰店，大声嚷嚷:

"我要一副波士顿真丝吊袜带。""得了，小伙子，这就是呗，"一个油嘴滑舌的矮个儿掌柜说。此人脑门光秃，脸色红润，戴着一副金边眼镜。"是替酒店里客人买的，是吗?

得了，就算它七十五个美分吧，这儿十个美分是给你的，"此人一边这么说，一边包扎，把那一块头美钞扔进钱柜里。"我对你们这些侍应生，一向是特别优待的，因为我知道你们下回还会来作成我的生意。"克莱德手里拿着那十个美分和纸包，真不知道该怎么个想法哩。那副吊袜带的价钱想必是七十五个美分……此人就是这么说的。因此，只要把二十五个美分找头交还那位客人就得了。那末，这十个美分就归他自己了。再说，也许……此人真的还会另外再赏给他一点小费呢。

他急忙忙赶回酒店，直奔电梯而去。一个弦乐队正在演奏一支曲子，悦耳的乐声在大厅里荡漾着。他看见那里人们有的走过来，有的走过去……他们穿着那么精美讲究，神态那么从容自在，跟大街上或是别处的人群简直大异其趣。

电梯门开了。好几位客人走了进去。随后进去的，是克莱德跟另一个好奇地看了他一眼的侍应生。到了六楼，那个侍应生走了出来。克莱德和一位老太太是在八楼才走出了电梯。他急急忙忙赶到他那位客人的房门口，轻轻地敲了两下。此人把门打开，身上比刚才穿得多少齐整一些。这时，他穿上了长裤，正在刮脸。

"回来了，嗯?

"他大声说道。

"是的，先生，"克莱德一面回答说，一面把纸包和找头交给他，"那掌柜的说是七十五个美分。""他简直是个强盗。不过，得了吧，找头你照例拿着，"客人一面回答说，一面把那二十五个美分给了他，顺手把门关上了。克莱德伫立在那里，刹那间简直给愣住了。"三十五个美分，"……他暗自寻思道……"三十五个美分呀。"只不过短短的跑了这么一趟。难道说这里的事儿，真的样样都是这个样吗?

真的，不会这样的。这是不可能的……决不会老是这个样。

随后，他的两只脚踩着地毯上松软的柔毛，他的那只手正把钱紧紧地攥在口袋里，他真的恨不得长啸尖叫，或者放声大笑。真有意思，三十五个美分……仅仅干了这么一丁点儿小事。这个人给了他二十五个美分，那个人也给了十个美分，而他压根儿也没有做多少事啊。

他一到了底层，急冲冲走出了电梯……乐队的曲子又把他给迷住了，那衣香鬓影的人群，也使他飘飘然了……他穿过那些令人惊异的人群，又回到了他刚才离开的长条凳那里。

打这以后，他又被传唤，去替一对上了年纪。仿佛是农场主的夫妇拎三只手提箱包和两把雨伞;他们已在五楼定好了一套房间，包括一个小客厅。一间卧室和一个浴室。他发现，一路上他们两眼直瞅着他，始终一言不语。克莱德一进他们房间，马上打开房门边的电灯，把窗帘拉了下来，把手提箱包搁到行李架上，那个有点儿笨头笨脑。已届中年的丈夫……他蓄着络腮胡子，一望可知，举止十分稳重……把克莱德仔细端详了一番，最后才这么说:

"小伙计，你好象很讨人喜欢，而且灵活得很……我可得要说，比我们过去碰到过的那些人要好。""我当然并不认为，酒店就是孩子们该去的好去处，"他那心爱的妻子叽叽喳喳地说……她不但个儿大，而且胖得圆滚滚的，这时正忙于察看连在一起的那个房间。"当然，我决不会让我们家的孩子到酒店里工作……那些人的所作所为就够你瞧的了。""不过，你听着，年轻小伙子，"那个年纪较大的男人接下去说，一面把外套放好，一面在裤袋里掏钱。"你就下楼去，给我买三。四份晚报，要是买得到这么多的话;此外，还要捎上一瓶冰水;你一回来，我就给你十五个美分。""这家酒店要比奥马哈那家好得多，孩子他爹，"妻子言简意赅地找补着说。

"这里的地毯和窗帘也要漂亮些。"克莱德虽说还是一个新手，这时也禁不住暗自发笑。不过表面上他却装得一本正经，看来他的内心活动一点儿也都没有露出痕迹来，只是拿着一些零钱就走了出去。不一会儿，他拿着冰水和所有能买到的晚报回来了。于是，他就得了那十五个美分，笑眯眯地走了。

不过，就拿这个很不平常的夜晚来说，这才不过是刚开始，因为他回到长条凳上还没有落座，又被传唤到五二九号房间去，仅仅是叫他上酒吧间去取饮料……两瓶姜汁汽水和两瓶汽水……这一次叫他的，是一拨身穿漂亮时装的少男少女。他们正在房间里说说笑笑，吵吵闹闹，里头有一位把门儿稍微打开一条缝，以便吩咐他去干些什么事。不过因为壁炉架上有一面镜子，他不仅看得见这一拨人，而且还看见身穿白色衣帽的一位漂亮姑娘，坐在一张椅子边上，有个年轻人正斜靠在椅子上，一条胳膊搂住她的纤腰。

克莱德两眼直勾勾瞅着，虽然还得竭力装出目不旁视的样子来。不过，拿他这时的心态来说，这种情景仿佛透过天堂的大门往里窥探似的。这个房间里，都是一些少男少女，论年龄，不见得比他大多少，正在有说有笑，甚至他们喝的……并不是冰淇淋汽水这一类东西，而是他的父母一向表示反对。而且据说还诱使人走向毁灭的那类饮料，看来这一拨青年人，对此倒是满不在乎。

他连忙下楼，到酒吧间去，取了饮料和一张发票就回来了……他们把钱给了他……饮料一块美元，小费二十五个美分。那诱人的情景……他又乜了一眼。

不过这会儿只有一对伴侣，踩着其他两对伴侣吹着口哨和哼唱着一支乐曲节拍，正在婆娑起舞。

不过，除了他来到各个房间里对形形色色的客人匆匆投以一瞥以外，同样引起他莫大兴趣的，乃是酒店进门大厅里永不停息的活动全景……总帐房间后面那些职员的种种分工职责……有的管客房的，有的管钥匙的，也有的管函件的，此外还有出纳和助理出纳等等。大厅四周围还有各式各样的摊位……花铺。

报亭。烟铺，以及电报室。出租汽车营业处等等，这些地方的所有经管人员，在他看来，真怪，个个都散发出这个大酒店的特殊气味。而在这些摊位周围和中间，不论是在走动或是坐下来的，净是那些神气活现的男男女女，以及年轻的小伙子和姑娘们，个个穿戴得那么入时，而且个个红光满面，踌躇满志。还有那些汽车和其他车辆，有的都是在晚宴时和夜深时开到的，借着门外令人眩目的灯光，他才能看得到。还有他们搭在身上的披肩。皮毛围脖和其他类似的东西，往往由其他侍应生和他自己拿着，走过进门大厅，送上汽车，或是送至餐厅，或是送上电梯。反正克莱德看得出来，这些东西总是用极为珍贵的料子做成的。该有多么豪华气派啊。由此可见，要想当富翁。当社会上了不起的人物，意味着……要有钱，这不就是一清二楚了吗。那时也就意味着，你爱怎么办，就可以怎么办了。而别人，如同他克莱德这号人，就会殷勤侍候你。所有这些奢侈品，你也通通有了。那时你爱上哪儿，你爱怎么个去法，你又爱在什么时候去……一切一切都随你高兴就得了。
Part 1 Chapter 7
And so, of all the influences which might have come to Clyde at this time, either as an aid or an injury to hisdevelopment, perhaps the most dangerous for him, considering his temperament, was this same Green-Davidson,than which no more materially affected or gaudy a realm could have been found anywhere between the two greatAmerican mountain ranges. Its darkened and cushioned tea-room, so somber and yet tinted so gayly with coloredlights, was an ideal rendezvous, not only for such inexperienced and eager flappers of the period who were to betaken by a show of luxury, but also for those more experienced and perhaps a little faded beauties, who had athought for their complexions and the advantages of dim and uncertain lights. Also, like most hotels of its kind, itwas frequented by a certain type of eager and ambitious male of not certain age or station in life, who countedupon his appearance here at least once, if not twice a day, at certain brisk and interesting hours, to establish forhimself the reputation of man-about-town, or rounder, or man of wealth, or taste, or attractiveness, or all.
　　And it was not long after Clyde had begun to work here that he was informed by these peculiar boys with whomhe was associated, one or more of whom was constantly seated with him upon the "hop-bench," as they called it,as to the evidence and presence even here--it was not long before various examples of the phenomena werepointed out to him--of a certain type of social pervert, morally disarranged and socially taboo, who sought toarrest and interest boys of their type, in order to come into some form of illicit relationship with them, which atfirst Clyde could not grasp. The mere thought of it made him ill. And yet some of these boys, as he was now informed--a certain youth in particular, who was not on the same watch with him at this time--were supposed tobe of the mind that "fell for it," as one of the other youths phrased it.
　　And the talk and the palaver that went on in the lobby and the grill, to say nothing of the restaurants and rooms,were sufficient to convince any inexperienced and none-too-discerning mind that the chief business of life forany one with a little money or social position was to attend a theater, a ball-game in season, or to dance, motor,entertain friends at dinner, or to travel to New York, Europe, Chicago, California. And there had been in the livesof most of these boys such a lack of anything that approached comfort or taste, let alone luxury, that not unlikeClyde, they were inclined to not only exaggerate the import of all that they saw, but to see in this suddentransition an opportunity to partake of it all. Who were these people with money, and what had they done thatthey should enjoy so much luxury, where others as good seemingly as themselves had nothing? And wherein didthese latter differ so greatly from the successful? Clyde could not see. Yet these thoughts flashed through theminds of every one of these boys.
　　At the same time the admiration, to say nothing of the private overtures of a certain type of woman or girl, whoinhibited perhaps by the social milieu in which she found herself, but having means, could invade such a regionas this, and by wiles and smiles and the money she possessed, ingratiate herself into the favor of some of themore attractive of these young men here, was much commented upon.
　　Thus a youth named Ratterer--a hall-boy here--sitting beside him the very next afternoon, seeing a trim, well-formed blonde woman of about thirty enter with a small dog upon her arm, and much bedecked with furs, firstnudged him and, with a faint motion of the head indicating her vicinity, whispered, "See her? There's a swift one.
　　I'll tell you about her sometime when I have time. Gee, the things she don't do!""What about her?" asked Clyde, keenly curious, for to him she seemed exceedingly beautiful, most fascinating.
　　"Oh, nothing, except she's been in with about eight different men around here since I've been here. She fell forDoyle"--another hall-boy whom by this time Clyde had already observed as being the quintessence ofChesterfieldian grace and airs and looks, a youth to imitate--"for a while, but now she's got some one else.""Really?" inquired Clyde, very much astonished and wondering if such luck would ever come to him.
　　"Surest thing you know," went on Ratterer. "She's a bird that way--never gets enough. Her husband, they tellme, has a big lumber business somewhere over in Kansas, but they don't live together no more. She has one ofthe best suites on the sixth, but she ain't in it half the time. The maid told me."This same Ratterer, who was short and stocky but good-looking and smiling, was so smooth and bland andgenerally agreeable that Clyde was instantly drawn to him and wished to know him better. And Rattererreciprocated that feeling, for he had the notion that Clyde was innocent and inexperienced and that he would liketo do some little thing for him if he could.
　　The conversation was interrupted by a service call, and never resumed about this particular woman, but the effecton Clyde was sharp. The woman was pleasing to look upon and exceedingly well-groomed, her skin clear, hereyes bright. Could what Ratterer had been telling him really be true? She was so pretty. He sat and gazed, a vision of something which he did not care to acknowledge even to himself tingling the roots of his hair.
　　And then the temperaments and the philosophy of these boys--Kinsella, short and thick and smooth-faced and alittle dull, as Clyde saw it, but good-looking and virile, and reported to be a wizard at gambling, who, throughoutthe first three days at such times as other matters were not taking his attention, had been good enough to continueHegglund's instructions in part. He was a more suave, better spoken youth than Hegglund, though not soattractive as Ratterer, Clyde thought, without the latter's sympathetic outlook, as Clyde saw it.
　　And again, there was Doyle--Eddie--whom Clyde found intensely interesting from the first, and of whom he wasnot a little jealous, because he was so very good-looking, so trim of figure, easy and graceful of gesture, and withso soft and pleasing a voice. He went about with an indescribable air which seemed to ingratiate him instantlywith all with whom he came in contact--the clerks behind the counter no less than the strangers who entered andasked this or that question of him. His shoes and collar were so clean and trim, and his hair cut and brushed andoiled after a fashion which would have become a moving-picture actor. From the first Clyde was utterlyfascinated by his taste in the matter of dress--the neatest of brown suits, caps, with ties and socks to match. Heshould wear a brown-belted coat just like that. He should have a brown cap. And a suit as well cut and attractive.
　　Similarly, a not unrelated and yet different effect was produced by that same youth who had first introducedClyde to the work here--Hegglund--who was one of the older and more experienced bell-hops, and ofconsiderable influence with the others because of his genial and devil-may-care attitude toward everything,outside the exact line of his hotel duties. Hegglund was neither as schooled nor as attractive as some of theothers, yet by reason of a most avid and dynamic disposition--plus a liberality where money and pleasure wereconcerned, and a courage, strength and daring which neither Doyle nor Ratterer nor Kinsella could match--astrength and daring almost entirely divested of reason at times--he interested and charmed Clyde immensely. Ashe himself related to Clyde, after a time, he was the son of a Swedish journeyman baker who some years beforein Jersey City had deserted his mother and left her to make her way as best she could. In consequence neitherOscar nor his sister Martha had had any too much education or decent social experience of any kind. On thecontrary, at the age of fourteen he had left Jersey City in a box car and had been making his way ever since asbest he could. And like Clyde, also, he was insanely eager for all the pleasures which he had imagined he sawswirling around him, and was for prosecuting adventures in every direction, lacking, however, the nervous fearof consequence which characterized Clyde. Also he had a friend, a youth by the name of Sparser, somewhatolder than himself, who was chauffeur to a wealthy citizen of Kansas City, and who occasionally managed topurloin a car and so accommodate Hegglund in the matter of brief outings here and there; which courtesy,unconventional and dishonest though it might be, still caused Hegglund to feel that he was a wonderful fellowand of much more importance than some of these others, and to lend him in their eyes a luster which had little ofthe reality which it suggested to them.
　　Not being as attractive as Doyle, it was not so easy for him to win the attention of girls, and those he did succeedin interesting were not of the same charm or import by any means. Yet he was inordinately proud of suchcontacts as he could effect and not a little given to boasting in regard to them, a thing which Clyde took withmore faith than would most, being of less experience. For this reason Hegglund liked Clyde, almost from thevery first, sensing in him perhaps a pleased and willing auditor.
　　So, finding Clyde on the bench beside him from time to time, he had proceeded to continue his instructions.
　　Kansas City was a fine place to be if you knew how to live. He had worked in other cities--Buffalo, Cleveland,Detroit, St. Louis--before he came here, but he had not liked any of them any better, principally--which was afact which he did not trouble to point out at the time--because he had not done as well in those places as he hadhere. He had been a dishwasher, car-cleaner, plumber's helper and several other things before finally, in Buffalo,he had been inducted into the hotel business. And then a youth, working there, but who was now no longer here,had persuaded him to come on to Kansas City. But here:
　　"Say--de tips in dis hotel is as big as you'll git anywhere, I know dat. An' what's more, dey's nice people workin'
　　here. You do your bit by dem and dey'll do right by you. I been here now over a year an' I ain't got no complaint.
　　Dat guy Squires is all right if you don't cause him no trouble. He's hard, but he's got to look out for hisself, too-dat'snatural. But he don't fire nobody unless he's got a reason. I know dat, too. And as for de rest dere's notrouble. An' when your work's troo, your time's your own. Dese fellows here are good sports, all o' dem. Dey'reno four-flushers an' no tightwads, eider. Whenever dere's anyting on--a good time or sumpin' like dat, dey're on-nearlyall of 'em. An' dey don't mooch or grouch in case tings don't work out right, neider. I know dat, cause Ibeen wit 'em now, lots o' times."He gave Clyde the impression that these youths were all the best of friends--close--all but Doyle, who was a littlestandoffish, but not coldly so. "He's got too many women chasin' him, dat's all." Also that they went here andthere together on occasion--to a dance hall, a dinner, a certain gambling joint down near the river, a certainpleasure resort--"Kate Sweeney's"--where were some peaches of girls--and so on and so forth, a world of suchinformation as had never previously been poured into Clyde's ear, and that set him meditating, dreaming,doubting, worrying and questioning as to the wisdom, charm, delight to be found in all this--also thepermissibility of it in so far as he was concerned. For had he not been otherwise instructed in regard to all this allhis life long? There was a great thrill and yet a great question involved in all to which he was now listening soattentively.
　　Again there was Thomas Ratterer, who was of a type which at first glance, one would have said, could scarcelyprove either inimical or dangerous to any of the others. He was not more than five feet four, plump, with blackhair and olive skin, and with an eye that was as limpid as water and as genial as could be. He, too, as Clydelearned after a time, was of a nondescript family, and so had profited by no social or financial advantages of anykind. But he had a way, and was liked by all of these youths--so much so that he was consulted about nearlyeverything. A native of Wichita, recently moved to Kansas City, he and his sister were the principal support of awidowed mother. During their earlier and formative years, both had seen their very good-natured andsympathetic mother, of whom they were honestly fond, spurned and abused by a faithless husband. There hadbeen times when they were quite without food. On more than one occasion they had been ejected for nonpaymentof rent. None too continuously Tommy and his sister had been maintained in various public schools.
　　Finally, at the age of fourteen he had decamped to Kansas City, where he had secured different odd jobs, until hesucceeded in connecting himself with the Green-Davidson, and was later joined by his mother and sister who hadremoved from Wichita to Kansas City to be with him.
　　But even more than by the luxury of the hotel or these youths, whom swiftly and yet surely he was beginning todecipher, Clyde was impressed by the downpour of small change that was tumbling in upon him and making asmall lump in his right-hand pants pocket--dimes, nickels, quarters and half-dollars even, which increased andincreased even on the first day until by nine o'clock he already had over four dollars in his pocket, and by twelve, at which hour he went off duty, he had over six and a half--as much as previously he had earned in a week.
　　And of all this, as he then knew, he need only hand Mr. Squires one--no more, Hegglund had said--and the rest,five dollars and a half, for one evening's interesting--yes, delightful and fascinating--work, belonged to himself.
　　He could scarcely believe it. It seemed fantastic, Aladdinish, really. Nevertheless, at twelve, exactly, of that firstday a gong had sounded somewhere--a shuffle of feet had been heard and three boys had appeared--one to takeBarnes' place at the desk, the other two to answer calls. And at the command of Barnes, the eight who werepresent were ordered to rise, right dress and march away. And in the hall outside, and just as he was leaving,Clyde approached Mr. Squires and handed him a dollar in silver. "That's right," Mr. Squires remarked. No more.
　　Then, Clyde, along with the others, descended to his locker, changed his clothes and walked out into thedarkened streets, a sense of luck and a sense of responsibility as to future luck so thrilling him as to make himrather tremulous--giddy, even.
　　To think that now, at last, he actually had such a place. To think that he could earn this much every day, maybe.
　　He began to walk toward his home, his first thought being that he must sleep well and so be fit for his duties inthe morning. But thinking that he would not need to return to the hotel before 11:30 the next day, he wanderedinto an all-night beanery to have a cup of coffee and some pie. And now all he was thinking was that he wouldonly need to work from noon until six, when he should be free until the following morning at six. And then hewould make more money. A lot of it to spend on himself.
       因此，在当时所有可能对克莱德产生……不管是对他的发展有利也好，有害也好……影响的因素中，如果考虑到他的脾性，其中对他危害性最大的，也许就数这一家格林－戴维逊大酒店了，因为在美国两大山脉(落基山脉和阿巴拉契亚山脉之间的地区，亦即泛指整个美国。)中间，哪儿也找不到一个在物质生活上比这里还要奢靡无度，或则粗俗无味的地方了。这里咖啡茶室，一律陈设软椅，光线虽然暗淡，仿佛有点儿阴沉沉，但到处点缀着各色彩灯，令人赏心悦目，依然不失为一个理想的幽会之地。当时不但那些毫无经验。却又急于调情取乐的时髦女郎一见这种豪华景象就为之心醉神迷了，而且连那些经验丰富。

也许姿色渐衰的美人儿，一想到自己的容颜，何妨不好好利用一下那些摇曳不定的幽暗灯光呢。再说，这家大酒店，如同绝大多数大酒店一样，总是顾客盈门，他们都是一些热衷名利而又野心勃勃的男人，尽管他们年龄。职业各不相同，却都认为:

在热闹有趣的时刻，如果说不是一天来两次的话，至少也得有一次来这儿抛头露面，以便为自己树立声望，表示他是上流社会名人，或是豪放不羁，或是拥有巨富，或是情趣高雅，或是善于博取女人欢心的男人，或则干脆说，他就是以上种种特点皆备于一身的人。

克莱德来这里工作不久，这些跟他一起共事。与众不同的侍应生，其中有好几个经常跟他一块儿坐在那条被他们叫做"跳凳"上的，就告诉他说，甚至还有某一种社会败类，一些道德腐败。被社会遗弃的女人，也在这里出没无常，她们一心只想挑逗与勾引他们这些侍应生，进而同她们发生不正当的关系。其实，他来了没有多久，他们就把这一现象的各式各样的实例都指给他看了，至于那究竟是怎么回事，开头克莱德还闹不明白。所以，他只要一想到这事，就觉得恶心。可是后来有人对他说，有好几个侍应生，特别是不跟他在一块值班的某一个年轻的侍应生，据说全都"上了钩"(这是另一个侍应生形象化的说法)。

仅仅是大厅里和酒吧间闲扯淡那一套，更不用说餐厅和客房里的场面，就足以使任何一个既没有经验。又没有判断是非能力的人相信:

对于任何一个有了一点儿钱，或则一点儿社会地位的人，一生中最要紧的事情，莫过于上剧院。

看球赛，或是去跳舞。开汽车兜风。设宴请客，或是到纽约。欧洲。芝加哥。

加利福尼亚去玩儿。既然舒适享受或高雅情趣在这些侍应生昔日的生活中付之阙如，至于奢华无度，那就更谈不上了，因此，他们如同克莱德一样，不仅喜欢把他们在本店所见到的一切加以夸大，而且认为好象这种突然时来运转，使他们自己也有分沾这一切的好机会了。这些有钱人，究竟是什么样的人?

他们干了些什么，就应该享受如此奢侈无度的生活?

而那些看起来同他们一模一样的人，干吗就一无所有呢?

这些后一种人，与那些飞黄腾达的人之间差别干吗会有如此之大呢?

凡此种种克莱德都想不通。不过，这些想法在每一个侍应生心里都曾经一闪而过的。

与此同时，这里议论得最多的，就是他们所赞赏的那一种女人(或者年轻姑娘)，她也许囿于自己身处的社会环境，可是因为有钱，就可以闯入这样一个花天酒地的大饭店，凭借她所具有的诱惑。微笑和金钱等手段，居然博得这里年轻人中一些小白脸的欢心，更不必说她们私下求婚的风流轶事了。

比方说，转天下午跟克莱德坐在一起值班。那个名叫拉特勒的年轻小伙子……是酒店大厅的侍应生……看见一个约莫三十岁。衣着整洁。身段苗条的碧眼金发美人儿，身上披着裘皮大衣，胳臂上偎着一头小狗，走了进来。拉特勒先是轻轻地用胳膊肘推推克莱德，随后冲美人儿那边点点头，低声说:

"看见她了吗?

叫人上钩，她可真是个快手。哪天有空，我就把她的事讲给你听呗。嘿，什么事她干不出来!

""那她怎么啦?

"克莱德急于知道她的底细，便开口问道，因为他觉得她美极了，简直太迷人了。

"哦，没有什么，不过嘛，打从我上这儿干活算起，她已经跟这儿八个人都搞过了。她迷上了多伊尔，"……这是指大厅的另一个侍应生，这时克莱德早已注意过他，觉得:

论文雅。风度和仪表，此人可以说深得切斯特菲尔德(切斯特菲尔德(１６９４—１７７３):

英国政治家与作家，此人在英国常常作为讲究礼仪而又风流的典型人物。)的三昧，堪称当今青年人的楷模……"可是没有多久，现在呢，她却跟别人搞上了。""是真的吗?

"克莱德大吃一惊地问，心里却在纳闷这种好运道会不会也落到自己头上来。

"千真万确，"拉特勒接下去说。"她就是这一号人……永远不会嫌多的。听人说，她的丈夫在堪萨斯那边做很大的木材生意，不过，他们早就不住在一块儿了。她在六楼开了一套最讲究的房间，不过多半是不住在那里的。这是女茶房告诉我的。"这一个拉特勒，个儿又矮又胖，不过长得倒还漂亮，脸上总是带笑，说话圆滑，待人殷勤，而且也很讨人喜欢，克莱德一下子就给他吸引住了，恨不得跟他多拉点交情。拉特勒也回报了他这种感情，因为他觉得克莱德很天真，又缺少经验，所以，他也很乐意为他略尽微劳。

他们正说着话，忽被传唤人的铃声打断了，后来再也没有提到那个放荡不羁的女人，不过，刚才这一席话，却给予克莱德很大的影响。这个女人的外貌很讨人喜欢，打扮也非常讲究，她的肌肤洁白如玉，一双眼眸老是亮闪闪。拉特勒刚才告诉他的话，难道说是真的吗?

她多漂亮!

他坐在那里，两眼凝视着，面前浮现出一个朦朦胧胧。使他神经末梢也为之呵痒的幻象，其意义甚至连他自个儿都不愿意招认呢。

再说说那些侍应生的脾性和人生观吧……那个金塞拉，个儿矮胖粗壮，脸蛋也很光滑，只是克莱德觉得他有一点儿迟钝，不过模样儿还算好看，而且孔武有力，赌起钱来，听说简直神极了。开头三天，他倒是甘心情愿，把他所有业余时间，全都用来点拨赫格伦的新徒弟克莱德。倘若与赫格伦相比，他就是一个温文尔雅。善于辞令的好后生，不过，克莱德觉得，他比不上拉特勒那样吸引人，也没有后者那样富于同情心。

还有那个多伊尔……埃迪。多伊尔……克莱德一开头就发觉他特别有趣，而且对他产生了嫉妒心理，因为他长得非常好看，身材匀称，举止潇洒飘逸，声音柔和悦耳。他有一种难以名状的风度，凡是同他打过交道的人，一下子都会喜欢他……不论是柜台里的职员也好，还是那些进门来向他问这问那的客人也好，都是如此。他的皮鞋和衣领整洁齐正，梳着最时髦的发型，搽过油，一溜光滑，活象一位电影明星。克莱德一开头就被他那衣饰方面的审美情趣所完全倾倒了……一套特别精致讲究的棕色衣帽，同时还配上棕色的领带和短袜。

克莱德心里想，他自己也应该穿上那样一件配上棕色腰带的外套。他应该有一顶棕色帽子。而且还应该有一套缝制得那么精致。那么迷人的衣服。

首先向克莱德介绍本店工作概况的那个年轻人……赫格伦，同样对他产生了一种与别的侍应生所给予他的影响并非毫无联系，而又迥然不同的影响。赫格伦在侍应生中要算是年龄较大。经验较为丰富的一个，对其他侍应生的影响也比较大，因为他对自己酒店里本职工作以外的一切事情，都持乐乐呵呵。满不在乎的态度。赫格伦的教育程度和模样儿都不如其他小伙子，可是他具有强烈的贪婪和冲劲的脾性……加上他在花钱和玩乐时又慷慨大方，还有他的勇气。

体力和胆量，都是多伊尔。拉特勒或是金塞拉所望尘莫及……他的气力和胆量，有的时候几乎完全丧失了理性……这一切使克莱德对他特别感兴趣，特别着了迷。据他后来对克莱德说过，他父亲是个瑞典佬，烤面包师傅，好几年前，在泽西城把他母亲遗弃了，就让她听天由命去。因此，奥斯卡和他妹妹玛莎都没有受过很好基本教育，也没有结交过什么体面的朋友。他实在出于无奈，就在十四岁那年，搭上货车车皮离开了泽西城，打从那起，一直独自在外谋食。他也同克莱德一样，几乎丧心病狂似的急于投入自以为就在身边的一切欢乐的漩涡中去，并且准备进行任何探险活动，可是他却缺少克莱德所特有的那种害怕后果不堪设想的心理。此外，他还有一个朋友，名叫斯帕塞，年纪比他稍微大些，是给堪萨斯城里一个富翁开汽车的，有时偷偷地把车子开出来，捎上赫格伦到附近各处兜风去。这种交情，尽管说起来有悖常规，而且也不正大光明，可是赫格伦总觉得此人真是了不起，比周围这些人之中的某一些人有能耐得多;他给这个人的形象添上了一种在他们看来跟他们所感受到的实际情形大相径庭的光彩。

赫格伦不象多伊尔那样讨人喜欢，他要博得女人的青睐，也就不那么容易了。有些女人果然被他勾引住了，却远不是那么妖艳动人，可他对类似这样艳遇还是特别沾沾自喜，并且经常大肆吹嘘。克莱德由于缺乏经验，对赫格伦的话也就特别信服。因此，赫格伦几乎一开头就喜欢克莱德，觉得这个小青年也许是他的忠实听众了。

赫格伦看见克莱德时常紧挨自己身旁，坐在长条凳上，于是就继续点拨他。

开导他。只要你懂得怎样生活的话，堪萨斯城……就是个好地方。从前，他曾经在布法罗。克利夫兰。底特律。圣路易各大城市谋生过，不过，他对哪一个地方都没有什么好感，主要是……他当时不愿意说穿了的一个事实……因为他在那些地方都不如在这儿有奔头。他洗过碗，擦过汽车，做过管子工的助手，也还干过不少其他的活儿，后来，终于在布法罗干上了饭店这一行。随后，有一个也在饭店干活的年轻人(如今此人已不在这儿了)，奉劝他来堪萨斯城。可是，来到此地后又如何呢:

……"嘿，先说说这家酒店小费……可真不少，你上哪儿也得不到这么多，拿〔那〕我心里很明白。最主要的一点……是在这儿做事的人可好呀。你待大〔他〕们好，大〔他〕们也待你好。我上这儿已一年多了，我可没发过牢骚。斯夸尔斯拿〔那〕个小子挺不错，只要你不给他惹麻烦就得了。他这个人是铁面无情的，可他也得替他志〔自〕个儿着想……拿〔那〕是不用说的。可是，他从来都不是无缘无故把人开革掉的，拿〔那〕我也是很清楚的。至于说别的希〔事〕嘛，拿〔那〕也再简单都没有啦。你的活儿一干完，你的时间就归你自己的了。这儿的伙计们，都是好的，个个都是乐乐呵呵。大〔他〕们既不是吹牛大王，叶〔也〕不是大财迷。哪儿要是有什么……比方说，晚会呀，以及类似拿〔那〕样玩意儿……大〔他〕们就来了……差不离个个都来。要是希〔事〕儿不顺当，大〔他〕们既不唠唠叨叨，也不会哭鼻子。拿〔那〕个我心里都很清楚，意〔因〕为我跟大〔他〕们在一块待过，已有好多回了。"他给克莱德留下这样一个印象:

这些年轻小伙子，都是最好的朋友……也可以说是知己……只是多伊尔除外。其实，此人只是有点儿孤芳自赏，可也还说不上是自高自大。"追他的女人简直太多了，说穿了就这么回事。

"可有时候，他们哪儿都去玩，他们一块儿上舞厅，他们一块儿来到河边某个地方聚餐。赌钱，他们一块儿又到某个名叫"凯特。斯威尼"的寻欢作乐的场所……那儿有一些漂亮女人……以及诸如此类的地方。象这样一大堆信息，从来也没有灌进过克莱德的耳朵，如今却使他陷入沉思。梦想。怀疑。忧虑，乃至于扪心自问，真不知道从这一切之中能不能发现什么明智。魅力和乐趣，也不知道他自己能不能参予其间。因为他从自己生活中接受的教育，可不是这个样子呀!

此刻他洗耳恭听的所有这一切，既使他大喜过望，可又不免产生极大怀疑。

再说那个托马斯。拉特勒吧。乍一看，人们就会说，此人未必会伤害他人，从而成为冤家对头。他身高不过五英尺四英寸，胖乎乎的个儿，乌油油的头发，橄榄色的肌肤，眼睛象一泓碧水那么透亮，而且又是非常和蔼可亲。克莱德后来才知道，此人也是贫苦家庭出身，因此不论在社会地位和物质利益方面，他从来也没有得到过任何好处。不过，他自有办法，使这些年轻人个个喜欢他……简直喜欢到这样程度，就是说几乎每一件事都要跟他商量。他是威奇塔人，最近才迁居堪萨斯城。他母亲是个寡妇，主要依靠他和妹妹赡养。他们俩还处在幼年发育时期，就亲眼见过他们心爱的。秉性善良而又富于同情心的母亲遭到负心丈夫的摈斥和虐待。有时候他们连饭都吃不上。不止一次，他们因为付不出房租，都给撵了出去。汤姆和妹妹不论上哪一所公学，就读时间都长不了。

后来，到了十四岁的时候，他便偷偷出走，来到了堪萨斯城，干过各式各样的零活，最后才算踏进了格林－戴维逊这家大酒店;随后，他母亲和妹妹就从威奇塔迁居堪萨斯城，跟他住在一块儿。

不论是大酒店的奢华气派，或是他很快就混熟了的这些年轻人，克莱德固然印象很深，可是，克莱德觉得印象更深的，莫过于那有如大雨倾盆而下的零星外快……这些子儿扔在他右裤口袋里，早已积成一小堆了……有十美分银币，有镍币，有二十五美分银币，甚至还有半块美元银币。即使在头一天，这些零钱就在不断增加，到九点钟，他口袋里已有四块多钱;到十二点下班时，他已经有六块半钱了……等于他往昔一周间的进项。

得了这么多钱，他当时心里明白，只要给斯夸尔斯先生一块美元就得了……赫格伦关照过，不必多给。仅仅是一晚上有趣的……是的，愉快。迷人的工作，剩下来的五块半美元，就全归他自个儿的了。他简直不敢相信这是真的。说实话，这听起来很荒唐，好象在讲《一千零一夜》里阿拉丁的故事(《阿拉丁和神灯》是《一千零一夜》中一名篇，叙述主人公穷孩子阿拉丁终于找到了一盏神灯。由于神灯有求必应，阿拉丁因此一下子富了起来。)。可是，到了这第一天十二点正，不知哪儿锣声堂堂响……接下来是一阵脚步声，出现了三个年轻人……一个是来接替写字台跟前巴恩斯的，另两个是听候领班吩咐的。在巴恩斯一声令下，换班的八个人便站了起来，列队齐步往外走了。在过道外，解散以前，克莱德走到斯夸尔斯先生身旁，交给他一块银元。"那敢情好，"斯夸尔斯先生说了一声。别的就什么也没有说。随后，克莱德就跟众人一块，下了楼，来到自己的更衣柜，换好衣服，出了大门，走到了黑黝黝的大街上。一阵幸运的感觉，以及为了未来的幸运而意识到的责任感，使他惊喜若狂，以致浑身上下有些抖抖索索……甚至于头昏目眩了。

只消想一想:

如今他终于真的找到了这样的一个职位。也许每天他都挣得到这么多钱哩。他开始回家转，头一个念头就是要好好睡一觉，转天早上才能精神抖擞地上班去。继而一想，转天去酒店上班，可以迟至十一点半以前，于是，他就踅进一家通宵营业的经济小饭馆，喝一杯咖啡，吃了一点馅儿饼。这时，他心里一个劲儿想的，是第二天他只要从中午起一口气干到六点为止，打那以后，就可以一直歇到转天清晨六点。那时，他又可以挣到更多的钱，于是就有许许多多的钱，供他自个儿花了。
Part 1 Chapter 8
The thing that most interested Clyde at first was how, if at all, he was to keep the major portion of all this moneyhe was making for himself. For ever since he had been working and earning money, it had been assumed that hewould contribute a fair portion of all that he received--at least three-fourths of the smaller salaries he hadreceived up to this time--toward the upkeep of the home. But now, if he announced that he was receiving at leasttwenty-five dollars a week and more--and this entirely apart from the salary of fifteen a month and board--hisparents would assuredly expect him to pay ten or twelve.
　　But so long had he been haunted by the desire to make himself as attractive looking as any other well-dressedboy that, now that he had the opportunity, he could not resist the temptation to equip himself first and as speedilyas possible. Accordingly, he decided to say to his mother that all of the tips he received aggregated no more thana dollar a day. And, in order to give himself greater freedom of action in the matter of disposing of his sparetime, he announced that frequently, in addition to the long hours demanded of him every other day, he wasexpected to take the place of other boys who were sick or set to doing other things. And also, he explained thatthe management demanded of all boys that they look well outside as well as inside the hotel. He could not longbe seen coming to the hotel in the clothes that he now wore. Mr. Squires, he said, had hinted as much. But, as ifto soften the blow, one of the boys at the hotel had told him of a place where he could procure quite all the thingsthat he needed on time.
　　And so unsophisticated was his mother in these matters that she believed him.
　　But that was not all. He was now daily in contact with a type of youth who, because of his larger experience withthe world and with the luxuries and vices of such a life as this, had already been inducted into certain forms oflibertinism and vice even which up to this time were entirely foreign to Clyde's knowledge and set him agapewith wonder and at first with even a timorous distaste. Thus, as Hegglund had pointed out, a certain percentageof this group, of which Clyde was now one, made common cause in connection with quite regular adventureswhich usually followed their monthly pay night. These adventures, according to their moods and their cash at thetime, led them usually either to one of two rather famous and not too respectable all-night restaurants. In groups,as he gathered by degrees from hearing them talk, they were pleased to indulge in occasional late showy supperswith drinks, after which they were wont to go to either some flashy dance hall of the downtown section to pickup a girl, or that failing as a source of group interest, to visit some notorious--or as they would have deemed itreputed--brothel, very frequently camouflaged as a boarding house, where for much less than the amount of cashin their possession they could, as they often boasted, "have any girl in the house." And here, of course, becauseof their known youth, ignorance, liberality, and uniform geniality and good looks, they were made much of, as arule, being made most welcome by the various madames and girls of these places who sought, for commercialreasons of course, to interest them to come again.
　　And so starved had been Clyde's life up to this time and so eager was he for almost any form of pleasure, thatfrom the first he listened with all too eager ears to any account of anything that spelled adventure or pleasure.
　　Not that he approved of these types of adventures. As a matter of fact at first it offended and depressed him,seeing as he did that it ran counter to all he had heard and been told to believe these many years. Nevertheless sosharp a change and relief from the dreary and repressed work in which he had been brought up was it, that hecould not help thinking of all this with an itch for the variety and color it seemed to suggest. He listenedsympathetically and eagerly, even while at times he was mentally disapproving of what he heard. And seeinghim so sympathetic and genial, first one and then another of these youths made overtures to him to go here, thereor the other place--to a show, a restaurant, one of their homes, where a card game might be indulged in by two orthree of them, or even to one of the shameless houses, contact with which Clyde at first resolutely refused. Butby degrees, becoming familiar with Hegglund and Ratterer, both of whom he liked very much, and being invitedby them to a joy-night supper--a "blow-out" as they termed it, at Frissell's--he decided to go.
　　"There's going to be another one of our montly blow-outs to-morrow night, Clyde, around at Frissell's," Rattererhad said to him. "Don't you want to come along? You haven't been yet."By this time, Clyde, having acclimated himself to this caloric atmosphere, was by no means as dubious as he wasat first. For by now, in imitation of Doyle, whom he had studied most carefully and to great advantage, he hadoutfitted himself with a new brown suit, cap, overcoat, socks, stickpin and shoes as near like those of his mentoras possible. And the costume became him well--excellently well--so much so that he was far more attractive thanhe had ever been in his life, and now, not only his parents, but his younger brother and sister, were not a littleastonished and even amazed by the change.
　　How could Clyde have come by all this grandeur so speedily? How much could all this that he wore now havecost? Was he not hypothecating more of his future earnings for this temporary grandeur than was really wise? Hemight need it in the future. The other children needed things, too. And was the moral and spiritual atmosphere ofa place that made him work such long hours and kept him out so late every day, and for so little pay, just theplace to work?
　　To all of which, he had replied, rather artfully for him, that it was all for the best, he was not working too hard.
　　His clothes were not too fine, by any means--his mother should see some of the other boys. He was not spendingtoo much money. And, anyhow, he had a long while in which to pay for all he had bought.
　　But now, as to this supper. That was a different matter, even to him. How, he asked himself, in case the thinglasted until very late as was expected, could he explain to his mother and father his remaining out so very late.
　　Ratterer had said it might last until three or four, anyhow, although he might go, of course, any time, but howwould that look, deserting the crowd? And yet hang it all, most of them did not live at home as he did, or if theydid like Ratterer, they had parents who didn't mind what they did. Still, a late supper like that--was it wise? Allthese boys drank and thought nothing of it--Hegglund, Ratterer, Kinsella, Shiel. It must be silly for him to thinkthat there was so much danger in drinking a little, as they did on these occasions. On the other hand it was truethat he need not drink unless he wanted to. He could go, and if anything was said at home, he would say that hehad to work late. What difference did it make if he stayed out late once in a while? Wasn't he a man now? Wasn'the making more money than any one else in the family? And couldn't he begin to do as he pleased?
　　He began to sense the delight of personal freedom--to sniff the air of personal and delicious romance--and hewas not to be held back by any suggestion which his mother could now make.
       如今克莱德最关心的是:

怎样把他挣来的钱大部分给自己积攒起来。因为从他一开始工作。挣钱起，家里就认为:

他会从他挣到的钱中拿出相当大的一部分……至少是过去他那份比较小的薪水的四分之三……来贴补家用。可是现在呢，他要是一说每星期至少可挣二十五块美元，甚至更多一些……而且每月薪水十五块美元和免费供膳还都不算在内……那末，他父母肯定指望他拿出十块或十二块美元来。

可是很久以来，他一直怀着一种愿望，想要把自己打扮得富有引诱力，就象任何一个衣冠楚楚的年轻人那样。如今他已有了这样的机会，他就经不住那种诱惑，首先要把自己打扮起来，而且还得越快越好。因此，他决定告知母亲，说他每日可得的小费，合起来才不过一块美元。为了个人得到更大自由。便于安排自己业余时间，他又说明，除了每隔一天要加一次班以外，经常还得给生病的或是另有任务的侍应生顶替上班。他还这样说，经理部要求所有侍应生即使在店外也要象在店里那样，穿戴得整整齐齐。他可不能老穿身上那套衣服去酒店上班。他说，这些事斯夸尔斯先生已向他暗示过了。不过，他又说，店里有一位侍应生，似乎要减轻他的压力，给他指点了一个地方，凡属他急需的一切东西，那儿通通都能马上买到。

他母亲对上面这类事简直一无所知，因此也就听信了他的话。

可问题还远不是这些呢。眼下他每天都要打交道的，就是这一类年轻人:

倘若同克莱德相比，他们由于阅世较深，与这种奢侈和邪恶的生活接触又多，早已沾染了某种淫荡。乃至于邪恶的习气，而克莱德对此至今还完全是门外汉，不由得为之目瞪口呆，开头甚至仍怀有羞怯的厌恶心理。比如，赫格伦就对他说过，这一拨人(如今克莱德也是其中一员了)里头，有相当一部分人，每月照例都要合伙纵酒狂欢一番，特别是在发月薪那天晚上。根据他们当时的兴致和手边有的现钱，通常他们总是在那两家相当有名气，可又不大高雅的通宵营业的酒家中任择其一。从他们的言谈中，克莱德逐渐获悉，他们喜欢结成一伙，常在深夜大吃大喝，然后照例到市中心那家不免有些俗丽的舞厅勾搭女人去。要是这一手勾不起大伙儿的兴致，他们干脆就奔那家名声颇臭……但他们却认为是遐迩驰名……的妓院(这种妓院往往都伪装成了寄宿舍)。正如他们常常吹嘘说，在那里，只要从他们手边的现钱中稍微拿出一些来，妓院里哪一个姑娘，都可以让你"随意挑选"。由于他们年轻无知，出手大方，而且个个长得相貌堂堂，和蔼可亲，照例备受欢迎。这些形形色色的妓院老板娘与女人，为了做生意起见，自然千方百计地吸引他们下次再度光临，所以也就特别殷勤周到招待他们。

截至目前为止，克莱德的生活一向枯燥乏味，同时，几乎对任何一种寻欢作乐的形式，他都跃跃欲试，因此，不拘是谁说起寻芳猎艳或则寻欢作乐的事，他一开头就侧耳细听，真是太过瘾了。这倒不是说他赞成这一类放浪形骸的行径。老实说，这种事一开头还让他感到恼火和苦闷，因为他认为那是跟他这么多年来所见所闻以及硬是要他接受的信仰大相径庭。然而，他自幼时起就在郁郁寡欢和备受压制的营生中长大的，现在这种变化和解脱与他的过去却形成了多么鲜明的对比!

这就使他在想到所有这一切的时候情不自禁地渴望着也能享受一下花式繁多和五光十色的生活乐趣。他对自己的听闻有时虽然心中颇不赞同，可是听的时候却露出热切和同情的神态。那些年轻人见他如此富于同情心。如此和蔼可亲，就争先恐后邀他到各处去玩……上剧院。去餐馆，或是到他们哪一位家里去，凑上两。三人打纸牌，甚至撺掇他到那些猥亵下流的场所去，开头克莱德是坚决不肯去那里的。不过，赫格伦和拉特勒这两个人，他是很喜欢的;后来他跟他们也都厮混熟了，因此，他们邀他到弗里塞尔酒家去吃"开心饭"……用他们的扯儿来说，就是大宴会……他就答应一准去。

"明儿晚上，我们上弗里塞尔吃每月一次的开心饭，克莱德，"拉特勒对他说。

"你也乐意去吗?

你一次还没去过呢?

"这时候，克莱德早已迎合店里这种热乎乎的气氛，就不象自己原先那样迟疑不定了。他竭力仿效多伊尔(对于此人，他已仔细研究过，并且收获甚大)给自己置了一整套崭新服装，包括棕色衣帽。大衣。短袜。别针和皮鞋，尽量打扮得象那些点拨他的师傅。而且这一套服装对他很合适……非常合适……简直是太合适了，他一辈子还没有象此刻那样富有吸引力，不仅是他的父母，就连他的弟妹也因这一变化而深为惊讶，乃至于目瞪口呆了。

克莱德怎么会一下子就这样阔气起来呢?

他现在穿的这一整套衣饰要花多少钱呢?

难道说他居然会糊涂到这样地步，为了一时摆阔气，背了债花钱，就把将来的收入作抵押吗?

将来也许他还得要花钱啊。别的孩子们也需要置东西啊。这家饭店叫他干活，时间那么长，每天都是深夜才回来，工钱却又那么少，再看看那里的风气，对他来说是不是合适的地方呢?

所有这些问题，他回答得都很巧妙，说一切都会好起来的，而他在那里的工作也不太吃力。他的衣服压根儿也不算太漂亮……他母亲不妨看看别的侍应生就得了。他花的钱也不算太多。他买这些东西反正都是分期付款，以后可以慢慢地拨还。

不过，这个晚宴，连他自己都认为完全是另一回事。他心里在想，估计晚宴时间一定拖得很晚，就会使他迟迟不归，那他又该怎样向父母解释呢?

拉特勒说过，反正差不多要到半夜三。四点才散，不过嘛，他当然可以随便什么时候先走的。那末，好意思把大伙儿扔下，自个先走吗?

可是，他妈的，他们十之八九都不象他那样住在家里，即使说象拉特勒那样的人虽也在家里住，可他们所作所为，做父母的一点儿都不过问。不过话又说回来，赴类似那样迟至深夜的宴会……到底是不是明智之举呢?

这些小伙子……赫格伦。拉特勒。金塞拉。希尔……个个都喝酒，压根儿不把它当一回事。在这样场合他们照例都喝酒，只有他一人认为即便稍微呷上一口就有很大危险性，他这种想法想必太傻了吧。

再说，他要是不想喝，自然也就用不着喝嘛。他先走好了，家里要是问他的话，就不妨推托说他的工作非得干到很晚不可。偶尔有一次回家晚些，这又算得上什么呢?

难道说现在他不是个成年人了吗?

难道说他挣的钱不是比家里随便哪一位还要多吗?

难道说自此以后他还不该爱怎么办就怎么办吗?

他开始体会到个人自由的快乐……亲自品尝品尝令人心醉神迷的浪漫史……如今母亲的任何警告，怎么也阻止不住他了。
Part 1 Chapter 9
And so the interesting dinner, with Clyde attending, came to pass. And it was partaken of at Frissell's, as Rattererhad said. And by now Clyde, having come to be on genial terms with all of these youths, was in the gayest ofmoods about it all. Think of his new state in life, anyhow. Only a few weeks ago he was all alone, not a boyfriend, scarcely a boy acquaintance in the world! And here he was, so soon after, going to this fine dinner withthis interesting group.
　　And true to the illusions of youth, the place appeared far more interesting than it really was. It was little morethan an excellent chop-house of the older American order. Its walls were hung thick with signed pictures ofactors and actresses, together with playbills of various periods. And because of the general excellence of thefood, to say nothing of the geniality of its present manager, it had become the hangout of passing actors,politicians, local business men, and after them, the generality of followers who are always drawn by that whichpresents something a little different to that with which they are familiar.
　　And these boys, having heard at one time and another from cab and taxi drivers that this was one of the bestplaces in town, fixed upon it for their monthly dinners. Single plates of anything cost from sixty cents to a dollar.
　　Coffee and tea were served in pots only. You could get anything you wanted to drink. To the left of the mainroom as you went in was a darker and low-ceilinged room with a fireplace, to which only men resorted and satand smoked, and read papers after dinner, and it was for this room that these youths reserved their greatestadmiration. Eating here, they somehow felt older, wiser, more important--real men of the world. And Rattererand Hegglund, to whom by now Clyde had become very much attached, as well as most of the others, weresatisfied that there was not another place in all Kansas City that was really as good.
　　And so this day, having drawn their pay at noon, and being off at six for the night, they gathered outside the hotelat the corner nearest the drug store at which Clyde had originally applied for work, and were off in a happy,noisy frame of mind--Hegglund, Ratterer, Paul Shiel, Davis Higby, another youth, Arthur Kinsella and Clyde.
　　"Didja hear de trick de guy from St. Louis pulled on the main office yesterday?" Hegglund inquired of the crowdgenerally, as they started walking. "Wires last Saturday from St. Louis for a parlor, bedroom and bat for himselfand wife, an' orders flowers put in de room. Jimmy, the key clerk, was just tellin' me. Den he comes on here andregisters himself an' his girl, see, as man and wife, an', gee, a peach of a lookin' girl, too--I saw 'em. Listen, youfellows, cantcha? Den, on Wednesday, after he's been here tree days and dey're beginnin' to wonder about him alittle--meals sent to de room and all dat--he comes down and says dat his wife's gotta go back to St. Louis, anddat he won't need no suite, just one room, and dat they can transfer his trunk and her bags to de new room untiltrain time for her. But de trunk ain't his at all, see, but hers. And she ain't goin', don't know nuttin about it. But heis. Den he beats it, see, and leaves her and de trunk in de room. And widout a bean, see? Now, dey're holdin' herand her trunk, an' she's cryin' and wirin' friends, and dere's hell to pay all around. Can ya beat dat? An' deflowers, too. Roses. An' six different meals in de room and drinks for him, too.""Sure, I know the one you mean," exclaimed Paul Shiel. "I took up some drinks myself. I felt there wassomething phony about that guy. He was too smooth and loud-talking. An' he only comes across with a dime atthat.""I remember him, too," exclaimed Ratterer. "He sent me down for all the Chicago papers Monday an' only giveme a dime. He looked like a bluff to me.""Well, dey fell for him up in front, all right." It was Hegglund talking. "An' now dey're tryin' to gouge it outa her.
　　Can you beat it?""She didn't look to me to be more than eighteen or twenty, if she's that old," put in Arthur Kinsella, who up tonow had said nothing.
　　"Did you see either of 'em, Clyde?" inquired Ratterer, who was inclined to favor and foster Clyde and includehim in everything.
　　"No" replied Clyde. "I must have missed those two. I don't remember seeing either of 'em.""Well, you missed seein' a bird when you missed that one. Tall, long black cut-a-way coat, wide, black derbypulled low over his eyes, pearl-gray spats, too. I thought he was an English duke or something at first, the way hewalked, and with a cane, too. All they gotta do is pull that English stuff, an' talk loud an' order everybody aboutan' they get by with it every time.""That's right," commented Davis Higby. "That's good stuff, that English line. I wouldn't mind pulling some of itmyself sometime."They had now turned two corners, crossed two different streets and, in group formation, were making their way through the main door of Frissell's, which gave in on the reflection of lights upon china and silverware and faces,and the buzz and clatter of a dinner crowd. Clyde was enormously impressed. Never before, apart from theGreen-Davidson, had he been in such a place. And with such wise, experienced youths.
　　They made their way to a group of tables which faced a leather wall-seat. The head-waiter, recognizing Rattererand Hegglund and Kinsella as old patrons, had two tables put together and butter and bread and glasses brought.
　　About these they arranged themselves, Clyde with Ratterer and Higby occupying the wall seat; Hegglund,Kinsella and Shiel sitting opposite.
　　"Now, me for a good old Manhattan, to begin wit'," exclaimed Hegglund avidly, looking about on the crowd inthe room and feeling that now indeed he was a person. Of a reddish-tan hue, his eyes keen and blue, his reddish-brown hair brushed straight up from his forehead, he seemed not unlike a large and overzealous rooster.
　　And similarly, Arthur Kinsella, once he was in here, seemed to perk up and take heart of his present glory. In asort of ostentatious way, he drew back his coat sleeves, seized a bill of fare, and scanning the drink-list on theback, exclaimed: "Well, a dry Martini is good enough for a start.""Well, I'm going to begin with a Scotch and soda," observed Paul Shiel, solemnly, examining at the same timethe meat orders.
　　"None of your cocktails for me to-night," insisted Ratterer, genially, but with a note of reserve in his voice. "Isaid I wasn t going to drink much to-night, and I'm not. I think a glass of Rhine wine and seltzer will be about myspeed.""For de love o' Mike, will you listen to dat, now," exclaimed Hegglund, deprecatingly. "He's goin' to begin onRhine wine. And him dat likes Manhattans always. What's gettin' into you all of a sudden, Tommy? I t'ought yousaid you wanted a good time to- night.""So I do," replied Ratterer, "but can't I have a good time without lappin' up everything in the place? I want to staysober to-night. No more call-downs for me in the morning, if I know what I'm about. I came pretty near notshowing up last time.""That's true, too," exclaimed Arthur Kinsella. "I don't want to drink so much I don't know where I'm at, but I'mnot going to begin worrying about it now.""How about you, Higby?" Hegglund now called to the round-eyed youth.
　　"I'm having a Manhattan, too," he replied, and then, looking up at the waiter who was beside him, added, "How'stricks, Dennis?""Oh, I can't complain," replied the waiter. "They're breakin' all right for me these days. How's everything over tothe hotel?""Fine, fine," replied Higby, cheerfully, studying the bill-of-fare.
　　"An' you, Griffiths? What are you goin' to have?" called Hegglund, for, as master-of-ceremonies, delegated bythe others to look after the orders and pay the bill and tip the waiter, he was now fulfilling the role.
　　"Who, me? Oh, me," exclaimed Clyde, not a little disturbed by this inquiry, for up to now--this very hour, infact--he had never touched anything stronger than coffee or ice-cream soda. He had been not a little taken backby the brisk and sophisticated way in which these youths ordered cocktails and whisky. Surely he could not go sofar as that, and yet, so well had he known long before this, from the conversation of these youths, that on suchoccasions as this they did drink, that he did not see how he could very well hold back. What would they think ofhim if he didn't drink something? For ever since he had been among them, he had been trying to appear as muchof a man of the world as they were. And yet back of him, as he could plainly feel, lay all of the years in which hehad been drilled in the "horrors" of drink and evil companionship. And even though in his heart this long whilehe had secretly rebelled against nearly all the texts and maxims to which his parents were always alluding,deeply resenting really as worthless and pointless the ragamuffin crew of wasters and failures whom they werealways seeking to save, still, now he was inclined to think and hesitate. Should he or should he not drink?
　　For the fraction of an instant only, while all these things in him now spoke, he hesitated, then added: "Why, I,oh--I think I'll take Rhine wine and seltzer, too." It was the easiest and safest thing to say, as he saw it. Alreadythe rather temperate and even innocuous character of Rhine wine and seltzer had been emphasized by Hegglundand all the others. And yet Ratterer was taking it--a thing which made his choice less conspicuous and, as he felt,less ridiculous.
　　"Will you listen to dis now?" exclaimed Hegglund, dramatically. "He says he'll have Rhine wine and seltzer, too.
　　I see where dis party breaks up at half-past eight, all right, unless some of de rest of us do someting."And Davis Higby, who was far more trenchant and roistering than his pleasant exterior gave any indication of,turned to Ratterer and said: "Whatja want to start this Rhine wine and seltzer stuff for, so soon, Tom? Dontchawant us to have any fun at all to-night?""Well, I told you why," said Ratterer. "Besides, the last time I went down to that joint I had forty bucks when Iwent in and not a cent when I came out. I want to know what's goin' on this time.""That joint," thought Clyde on hearing it. Then, after this supper, when they had all drunk and eaten enough, theywere going down to one of those places called a "joint"--a bad-house, really. There was no doubt of it--he knewwhat the word meant. There would be women there--bad women--evil women. And he would be expected-couldhe--would he?
　　For the first time in his life now, he found himself confronted by a choice as to his desire for the more accurateknowledge of the one great fascinating mystery that had for so long confronted and fascinated and baffled andyet frightened him a little. For, despite all his many thoughts in regard to all this and women in general, he hadnever been in contact with any one of them in this way. And now--now-All of a sudden he felt faint thrills of hot and cold racing up and down his back and all over him. His hands andface grew hot and then became moist--then his cheeks and forehead flamed. He could feel them. Strange, swift, enticing and yet disturbing thoughts raced in and out of his consciousness. His hair tingled and he saw pictures-bacchanalianscenes--which swiftly, and yet in vain, he sought to put out of his mind. They would keep comingback. And he wanted them to come back. Yet he did not. And through it all he was now a little afraid. Pshaw!
　　Had he no courage at all? These other fellows were not disturbed by the prospects of what was before them.
　　They were very gay. They were already beginning to laugh and kid one another in regard to certain funny thingsthat had happened the last time they were all out together. But what would his mother think if she knew? Hismother! He dared not think of his mother or his father either at this time, and put them both resolutely out of hismind.
　　"Oh, say, Kinsella," called Higby. "Do you remember that little red head in that Pacific Street joint that wantedyou to run away to Chicago with her?""Do I?" replied the amused Kinsella, taking up the Martini that was just then served him. "She even wanted meto quit the hotel game and let her start me in a business of some kind. 'I wouldn't need to work at all if I stuck byher,' she told me.""Oh, no, you wouldn't need to work at all, except one way," called Ratterer.
　　The waiter put down Clyde's glass of Rhine wine and seltzer beside him and, interested and intense and troubledand fascinated by all that he heard, he picked it up, tasted it and, finding it mild and rather pleasing, drank it alldown at once. And yet so wrought up were his thoughts that he scarcely realized then that he had drunk it.
　　"Good for you," observed Kinsella, in a most cordial tone. "You must like that stuff.""Oh, it's not so bad," said Clyde.
　　And Hegglund, seeing how swiftly it had gone, and feeling that Clyde, new to this world and green, needed to becheered and strengthened, called to the waiter: "Here Jerry! One more of these, and make it a big one," hewhispered behind his hand.
　　And so the dinner proceeded. And it was nearly eleven before they had exhausted the various matters of interestto them--stories of past affairs, past jobs, past feats of daring. And by then Clyde had had considerable time tomeditate on all of these youths--and he was inclined to think that he was not nearly as green as they thought, or ifso, at least shrewder than most of them--of a better mentality, really. For who were they and what were theirambitions? Hegglund, as he could see, was vain and noisy and foolish--a person who could be taken in andconciliated by a little flattery. And Higby and Kinsella, interesting and attractive boys both, were still vain ofthings he could not be proud of--Higby of knowing a little something about automobiles--he had an uncle in thebusiness--Kinsella of gambling, rolling dice even. And as for Ratterer and Shiel, he could see and had noticed forsome time, that they were content with the bell-hop business--just continuing in that and nothing more--a thingwhich he could not believe, even now, would interest him forever.
　　At the same time, being confronted by this problem of how soon they would be wanting to go to a place intowhich he had never ventured before, and to be doing things which he had never let himself think he would do injust this way, he was just a little disturbed. Had he not better excuse himself after they got outside, or perhaps, after starting along with them in whatsoever direction they chose to go, quietly slip away at some corner andreturn to his own home? For had he not already heard that the most dreadful of diseases were occasionallycontracted in just such places--and that men died miserable deaths later because of low vices begun in thisfashion? He could hear his mother lecturing concerning all this--yet with scarcely any direct knowledge of anykind. And yet, as an argument per contra, here were all of these boys in nowise disturbed by what was in theirminds or moods to do. On the contrary, they were very gay over it all and amused--nothing more.
　　In fact, Ratterer, who was really very fond of Clyde by now, more because of the way he looked and inquiredand listened than because of anything Clyde did or said, kept nudging him with his elbow now and then, askinglaughingly, "How about it, Clyde? Going to be initiated to-night?" and then smiling broadly. Or finding Clydequite still and thinking at times, "They won't do more than bite you, Clyde."And Hegglund, taking his cue from Ratterer and occasionally desisting from his own self-glorifying diatribes,would add: "You won't ever be de same, Clyde. Dey never are. But we'll all be wid you in case of trouble."And Clyde, nervous and irritated, would retort: "Ah, cut it out, you two. Quit kidding. What's the use of trying tomake out that you know so much more than I do?"And Ratterer would signal Hegglund with his eyes to let up and would occasionally whisper to Clyde: "That's allright, old man, don't get sore. You know we were just fooling, that's all." And Clyde, very much drawn toRatterer, would relent and wish he were not so foolish as to show what he actually was thinking about.
　　At last, however, by eleven o'clock, they had had their fill of conversation and food and drink and were ready todepart, Hegglund leading the way. And instead of the vulgar and secretive mission producing a kind of solemnityand mental or moral self-examination and self-flagellation, they laughed and talked as though there was nothingbut a delicious form of amusement before them. Indeed, much to Clyde's disgust and amazement, they nowbegan to reminisce concerning other ventures into this world--of one particular one which seemed to amuse themall greatly, and which seemed to concern some "joint," as they called it, which they had once visited--a placecalled "Bettina's." They had been led there originally by a certain wild youth by the name of "Pinky" Jones of thestaff of another local hotel. And this boy and one other by the name of Birmingham, together with Hegglund,who had become wildly intoxicated, had there indulged in wild pranks which all but led to their arrest--prankswhich to Clyde, as he listened to them, seemed scarcely possible to boys of this caliber and cleanly appearance-pranksso crude and disgusting as to sicken him a little.
　　"Oh, ho, and de pitcher of water de girl on de second floor doused on me as I went out," called Hegglund,laughing heartily.
　　"And the big fat guy on the second floor that came to the door to see. Remember?" laughed Kinsella. "Hethought there was a fire or a riot, I bet.""And you and that little fat girl, Piggy. 'Member, Ratterer?" squealed Shiel, laughing and choking as he tried totell of it.
　　"And Ratterer's legs all bent under his load. Yoo-hoo!" yelled Hegglund. "And de way de two of 'em finally slid down de steps.""That was all your fault, Hegglund," called Higby from Kinsella's side. "If you hadn't tried that switching stuffwe never woulda got put out.""I tell you I was drunk," protested Ratterer. "It was the red-eye they sold in there.""And that long, thin guy from Texas with the big mustache, will you ever forget him, an' the way he laughed?"added Kinsella. "He wouldn't help nobody 'gainst us. 'Member?""It's a wonder we weren't all thrown in the street or locked up. Oh, gee, what a night!" reminisced Ratterer.
　　By now Clyde was faintly dizzy with the nature of these revelations. "Switchin'." That could mean but one thing.
　　And they expected him to share in revels such as these, maybe. It could not be. He was not that sort of person.
　　What would his mother and father think if they were to hear of such dreadful things? And yet-Even as they talked, they had reached a certain house in a dark and rather wide street, the curbs of which for ablock or more on either side were sprinkled with cabs and cars. And at the corner, only a little distance away,were some young men standing and talking. And over the way, more men. And not a half a block farther on, theypassed two policemen, idling and conversing. And although there was no light visible in any window, nor overany transom, still, curiously, there was a sense of vivid, radiant life. One could feel it in this dark street. Taxisspun and honked and two old-time closed carriages still in use rolled here and there, their curtains drawn. Anddoors slammed or opened and closed. And now and then a segment of bright inward light pierced the outwardgloom and then disappeared again. Overhead on this night were many stars.
　　Finally, without any comment from any one, Hegglund, accompanied by Higby and Shiel, marched up the stepsof this house and rang the bell. Almost instantly the door was opened by a black girl in a red dress. "Goodevening. Walk right in, won't you?" was the affable greeting, and the six, having pushed past her and through thecurtains of heavy velvet, which separated this small area from the main chambers, Clyde found himself in abright and rather gaudy general parlor or reception room, the walls of which were ornamented with gilt-framedpictures of nude or semi-nude girls and some very high pier mirrors. And the floor was covered by a bright redthick carpet, over which were strewn many gilt chairs. At the back, before some very bright red hangings, was agilded upright piano. But of guests or inmates there seemed to be none, other than the black girl.
　　"Jest be seated, won't you? Make yourselves at home. I'll call the madam." And, running upstairs to the left, shebegan calling: "Oh, Marie! Sadie! Caroline! They is some young gentlemen in the parlor."And at that moment, from a door in the rear, there emerged a tall, slim and rather pale-faced woman of aboutthirty-eight or forty--very erect, very executive, very intelligent and graceful-looking--diaphanously and yetmodestly garbed, who said, with a rather wan and yet encouraging smile: "Oh, hello, Oscar, it's you, is it? Andyou too, Paul. Hello! Hello, Davis! Just make yourselves at home anywhere, all of you. Fannie will be in in aminute. She'll bring you something to drink. I've just hired a new pianist from St. Joe--a Negro. Wait'll you hearhim. He's awfully clever."She returned to the rear and called, "Oh, Sam!"As she did so, nine girls of varying ages and looks, but none apparently over twenty-four or five--came troopingdown the stairs at one side in the rear, and garbed as Clyde had never seen any women dressed anywhere. Andthey were all laughing and talking as they came--evidently very well pleased with themselves and in nowiseashamed of their appearance, which in some instances was quite extraordinary, as Clyde saw it, their costumesranging from the gayest and flimsiest of boudoir negligees to the somewhat more sober, if no less revealing,dancing and ballroom gowns. And they were of such varied types and sizes and complexions--slim and stout andmedium--tall or short--and dark or light or betwixt. And, whatever their ages, all seemed young. And they smiledso warmly and enthusiastically.
　　"Oh, hello, sweetheart! How are you? Don't you want to dance with me?" or "Wouldn't you like something todrink?"
       于是，有克莱德参加的那个有趣的宴会，正如拉特勒所说的，就假座弗里塞尔酒家举行了。克莱德跟这些年轻人早就谈得很合辙儿，所以，他心里简直高兴到了极点。反正他的新生活已经来到了。仅仅一两个星期以前，他还是孤零零的，没有一个朋友，在年轻人中几乎连一个熟人也都没有!

想不到没有多久，此刻他却跟这有趣的一伙人共进晚餐了。

这个酒家由于反映了年轻人的幻想，看起来要比它的实际情况耐人寻味得多。其实，它只不过是一个地地道道的老式美国小酒店罢了。四壁挂满了男女演员的签名照片，以及各个时期的戏剧海报。由于这里菜肴烹调特别味美可口……更不用说那位笑容可掬的现任经理……这家小酒店便成了过往的演员。

政客，以及当地商贾云集之地。此外，还有尾随他们之后的普通顾客，这些人只要一发现哪儿有新玩意儿，即使跟他们一向熟悉的稍微有点儿不一样，也常常被吸引过来了。

这些侍应生不止一次地听马车夫和出租司机说过，弗里塞尔酒家……是本城最好的馆子之一，因此，他们每月一次的聚餐会也就安排在这里了。每盘菜品价格从六十美分到一块美元。咖啡和茶都是整壶端上来。你乐意喝什么就有什么。一进门，就在大餐厅左侧，有一个光线较暗。天花板较低。带有壁炉的房间，通常只有男客人饭后来到这儿歇一歇，坐一坐，抽抽烟，看看报。而使这些来自格林－戴维逊大酒店的年轻人最艳羡不已的正是这个房间。他们在这里欢宴，不知怎的觉得自己老成持重，见多识广，格外神气，从而成为……真正见过世面的人了。拉特勒和赫格伦(现在克莱德非常爱慕他们)和其他大多数人都很满意，认为整个堪萨斯城再也没有比它更好的馆子了。

这一天，他们中午领了薪水，下午六点下了班，就在酒店外拐角处，紧挨着克莱德当初上门求职的杂货店的地方集合，然后欢欢喜喜。热热闹闹地一块儿出发了……有赫格伦。拉特勒。保罗。希尔。戴维斯。希格比(此人也是本店年轻的侍应生)。阿瑟。金塞拉以及克莱德。

"圣路易来的拿〔那〕个家伙，昨儿个跟总帐房开了个大玩笑，也〔你〕们听说过没有?

"他们才上路，赫格伦就马上冲大伙儿问道。"上星期六，他从圣路易打来了电报，是给大〔他〕们夫妇俩预订一整套房间，包括一个客厅。一间卧室。一个学〔浴〕室，而且关照房间里还要摆上鲜花。是管钥匙的师傅吉米刚才告诉我的。而〔后〕来，他果然来了，登记的时候，他说他本人和他的年轻小姑娘是夫妻两口子，嘿，拿〔那〕个小妞儿，也真的够好看哩……我亲眼看到大〔他〕们的。喂，伙计们，也〔你〕们也听着，好不好?

而〔后〕来，到了星期三，也就是说，他在这儿已住了三天了，大〔他〕们开始对他有一点儿怀疑……要知道他的一日几餐都要送到房间里，还有这样拿〔那〕样的事……而〔后〕来，他下楼到了帐房间，说他太太药〔要〕去圣路易，所以，他用不着拿〔那〕一整套房间，次药〔只要〕一个单间就得了。还说在她上火车以前，要把他的箱子和她的手提包通通搬进新开的单间去。可是拿〔那〕只箱子压根儿不是他的，也〔你〕们明白吗，偏巧就是她的。她呢压根儿就没有九〔走〕，她对这希〔事〕一点儿都不知道。反正药九〔要走〕的……是他。而〔后〕来，他急匆匆溜九〔走〕了，明白吗，却把她和她的箱子全甩在房间里，而且连一个子儿也美〔没〕留下，也〔你〕们明白吗?

于是，大〔他〕们把她和她的箱子全个〔扣〕下来，她呀又是哭，又是久〔叫〕，给朋友们打电报，还得把钱付清才行。也〔你〕们见过这样的事吗?

还有那些鲜花，都是玫瑰花啊。再说房间里开过六顿饭，他还喝过酒，通通都得付钱。""是呀，你说的那个人，我也知道，"保罗。希尔大声嚷了起来。"我就上楼给他送过酒呢。我觉得这家伙身上有点儿假。他这个人太圆滑，说话嗓门又太大。而且他给的小费只有十个美分。""我也想起他来了，"拉特勒大声喊道。"那天，他叫我下去，把所有星期一的芝加哥报纸都买来，才给了我十个美分，我一下子看出他好象是个骗子手。

""可不是，大〔他〕们真的上他老当啦。"这是赫格伦在说话。"现在大〔他〕们一个劲儿想从她身上把钱抠捉〔出〕来。也〔你〕们见过这种希〔事〕没有?

""我看她才十八岁……最多也不过二十，"直到此刻，一气不吭的阿瑟。金塞拉插进来说了一句。

"喂，克莱德，他们这两个人，你见过没有?

"拉特勒问道。对于克莱德，他一向热心照顾，此刻竭力鼓励克莱德说说话。

"没有呐，"克莱德回答说。"这两位我准是错过了。我已想不起见过哪一位了。""噢哟哟，你错过了这一个，就等于是……错过了一个头等人物:

高高的个儿，身穿黑色常礼服，头戴圆顶宽边黑礼帽，低低地拉到眼边，脚上还套着淡灰色鞋罩。开头，我还以为他是一个英国公爵什么的，瞧他走路的神气，手里还拄着拐杖，真帅。这种人只要一摆出英国佬这套派头，说话时嗓门儿又大，净向周围每一个人发号施令，包管每回都能蒙混过去。""说得对，"戴维斯。希格比发表了自己意见。"那种英国派头……这玩意儿可真不赖。有的时候，我觉得也不妨拿过来，给自己装装场面。"他们一行人已经拐了两个弯，走过两条街，排成一字形，迈进了弗里塞尔酒家的大门，见到灯光下闪闪发亮的细瓷杯碟，银质餐具和各种面孔，还听见席间一片嘈杂的谈笑声。杯盘碰击声。这使克莱德大为感动。除了格林－戴维逊大酒店以外，他从来没有到过这么闹哄哄的地方。而且又是跟这些见多识广。

经验丰富的年轻人一块儿来的。

他们径直走到沿墙根配备皮椅的一排桌子跟前。侍者领班一见拉特勒。赫格伦。金塞拉几位老主顾，索性把两张桌子拼在一块，黄油。面包和玻璃杯一一端上来。他们就围着桌子依次入座，克莱德和拉特勒。希格比靠墙坐，赫格伦。金塞拉和希尔则坐在对面。

"得了吧，我希〔先〕来一杯高级的曼哈顿鸡尾酒，"赫格伦好象有点儿馋涎似地大声嚷嚷说，同时又举目四顾，觉得这会儿他真的成了一个了不起的人物。

他的肌肤是淡红略带褐色;一双碧蓝眼睛很机灵;他那淡红略带棕色的头发竖立在前额，一眼望去，有点儿象一头昂首高吭的大公鸡。

阿瑟。金塞拉一到这里，如同克莱德一样，仿佛一下子快活起来，并且由于眼前这一盛举，好象心情格外舒畅。他煞有介事地把衣袖往上捋一捋，抓起一份菜单，了一下后面开列的各种酒名，大声嚷道:

"好吧，先来味儿淡一些的马丁尼鸡尾酒，倒是更配我的胃口。""得了，给我先来一点儿兑汽水的威士忌，"保罗。希尔一本正经地说，同时仔细看着肉类的菜单。

"今儿晚上，我才不喝你们的鸡尾酒，"拉特勒乐乐呵呵，而又很坚决地说着，不过听得出多少带一点儿矜持的语调。"我说过今儿晚上不想多喝，那就不多喝呗。我只想来一杯莱茵酒，兑上一些塞尔查矿泉水就够了。""我的老天哪，也〔你〕们听他胡诌拿〔那〕一套吗?

"赫格伦深为不满地嚷了起来。"他要先喝莱茵酒。可他一向喜欢喝曼哈顿鸡尾酒。你怎么突然出了什么毛病，汤米?

我希〔记〕得你说过今儿晚上要玩个痛快呢。""现在我还是这么说，"拉特勒回答说，"可是不把这儿的酒通通喝完，难道就不能玩个痛快吗?

今儿晚上我要节制些，不打算喝醉。只要我脑子清醒，明儿早上就不会挨骂了。上一回，我差点儿上不了班。""这倒是实话，"阿瑟。金塞拉大声嚷道。"我也不想喝得太多了，弄得自己昏头昏脑的，不过这会儿就让我为这担心，不免为时太早。""你怎么样，希格比?

"这时赫格伦又问那个眼睛滴溜滚圆的年轻人。

"我也要曼哈顿鸡尾酒，"他回答说，随后就昂起头来，瞅了一眼站在他身旁的侍者说，"运气怎么样，丹尼斯?

""哦，没得话说的，"侍者回答说。"这几天运气都不坏。酒店里怎么样?

""很好，很好，"希格比乐呵呵地说，一面在仔细看菜单。

"你呢，格里菲思?

你要喝什么?

"赫格伦开口问，因为他是大伙儿推选出来的司仪，点菜。付帐。给小费，全归他负责，这会儿他是在履行自己职责。

"是谁，是我吗?

哦，哦……"克莱德大声嚷道;这一问让他感到有点儿不安，因为到现在为止……事实上就是说到此刻为止……比咖啡。冰淇淋汽水刺激性更强的东西，他从来还没有沾过唇边。这些年轻人点鸡尾酒和威士忌时那种活泼老练劲儿，不免使他大吃一惊。当然罗，他是决不会走得那么远的，不过，从这些年轻人的言谈之中，他早就知道:

他们在眼前这种场合确实喝酒的，因此，他很难想象自己怎能退缩不前。要是他什么也不喝，他们会对他有怎么个想法呢?

自从跟他们厮混在一起以后，他一直在试着要表现得象一个见过世面的人。

跟他们完全一个样。可是，他也清清楚楚地感觉到，这么多年以来自己总是不断地受到开导，说喝酒和跟坏人交朋友，该有多么"可怕"。虽然许久以来，他一直都在暗中反抗父母经常循循善诱的所有基督教《圣经》经文和箴言，对于他们始终在想尽办法去拯救的那些乌合之众……窝囊废和落伍者，也是历来嫉恶如仇，认为他们全是不值一提的垃圾。尽管如此，现在他还得要三思而行。他到底应不应该喝酒?

所有这些念头只是一瞬间在他心底汹涌而起，他稍微迟疑了一下，就接下去说:

"怎么啦，我……哦……我说我也来一点莱茵酒，兑些塞尔查矿泉水吧。"依他看，这是最不费劲而又最稳妥的说法。赫格伦和所有其他的人都一个劲儿说过，兑上塞尔查矿泉水的莱茵酒，酒性温和，甚至没有任何害处。况且拉特勒也要喝这个呀……这样，他选定的这种酒就不算太显眼，而且在他看来，也不算太可笑了。

"你们听听他此〔这〕个吧?

"赫格伦惹人注目地嚷了起来。"他说他也要兑矿泉水的莱茵酒。得了吧，我看还是请别位想想办法，要不然此〔这〕个晚宴到八点半可就散伙。"戴维斯。希格比，此人外表好似和善，实际上却十分尖酸刻薄，而又喜爱喧闹，这时侧过身来，向拉特勒示意说:

"泥〔你〕一开头马上就要莱茵酒兑塞尔查矿泉水，到底嘛意思，汤姆?

泥〔你〕不让我们今儿晚上玩个痛快吗?

""哦，我不是已经向你们解释过了，"拉特勒说。"再说，上一回我上那个窝儿去，才进去的时候，身边还有四十块钱，等我出来的时候，连一个子儿也都没了。这一回，我自个儿可要留点神。""那个窝儿，"克莱德一听到这个扯儿，心中不由得暗自思忖起来。这么说来，晚宴以后，他们个个吃饱喝足了，就要去一个所谓"窝儿"的地方……准是一个下流场所。这是毫无疑问的……他知道"窝儿"这两个字包含什么意思。那里准定有女人……坏女人……邪恶的女人。那时要是他们指望他……能不能……难道说他也会……吗?

现在是他生平头一遭必须对自己以下这么一个渴望作出抉择的时候了。许久以来一直有一个令人心醉神迷的大秘密摆在他面前，使他神魂颠倒，而又困惑骇怕;而他总是如饥似渴地想要对它有一个更为确切的了解。尽管他对以上种种问题，以及普通妇女问题已经思考得很多，可是，他从来没有以现在这种方式跟哪一个女人接触过。而现在……现在……突然间，他觉得自己后背，乃至于全身上下，仿佛隐隐约约地一阵冷。一阵热。他的手和脚骤然发烧，随后分泌出湿粘粘的东西……于是，他的腮帮子和额角一下子都涨得火红一般。这些连他自己也都能感觉得到了。种种稀奇古怪。瞬息即逝。令人陶醉，而又困惑不安的思绪在他心中来回激荡。他浑身上下肌肤毛发末梢都在微微颤栗，他眼前浮现出一幅幅画面……都是些酗酒后纵欲胡闹的情景。尽管他马上就使劲想把它们从自己脑际驱赶出去，可是枉然徒劳:

这些情景还是不断地返回来。再说，他心里也巴不得它们返回来。可他又并不是巴不得那样。所有这一切……他经过反复思考，不免感到有点儿害怕。呸!

难道说他连一点儿胆量也都没有吗?

瞧别的小伙子，他们可都没有临阵感到困惑不安呀。他们心里正乐开了花呢。他们正说着他们上次一块去时闹过的一些洋相，大伙儿还逗着玩笑呢。可是万一他母亲知道了，又会怎么个想法?

他的母亲啊!

这会儿他既不敢想他的母亲，也不敢想他的父亲，于是就毅然决然地把他们从自己脑际撵了出去。

"喂，金塞拉，"希格比喊道。"太平洋街那个窝儿里……那个红头发小妞儿……要你跟她一块儿私奔到芝加哥，你总还记得吧?

""当然罗，我记得!

"乐得笑哈哈的金塞拉回答说，一面喝着刚端来的马丁尼鸡尾酒。"她甚至还撺掇我离开酒店，干脆改行，而且，她还答应帮我做什么买卖来着。她还对我说，'

''''只要我厮守着她，什么事都不用我干。，""是啊，赶明儿你什么事都不用干，只干一件事就得了，"拉特勒大声说道。

这时，侍者已把克莱德要的一杯兑塞尔查矿泉水的莱茵酒端到他面前。所有这些话他听了很有劲儿，同时却感到紧张。困惑，而又着了迷，于是端起酒杯，呷了一口，觉得味儿还算温和，合口味，就一仰脖把它喝干了。只是由于他这时忧心忡忡，所以没有意识到自己酒已经喝干了。

"真是好样的，"金塞拉用最最热和的口吻说。"可见你喜欢这玩意儿。""是啊，还不坏，"克莱德回答说。

赫格伦看见他一仰脖把酒喝干，觉得对克莱德这种初出茅庐的黄口小儿，就得多鼓鼓气，于是招呼侍者:

"喂，杰利!

"他用手一遮低声轻语说，"这个再来一杯，要大杯的!

"晚宴就这样继续进行。他们把各种各样有趣的话题……比方说，过去的男女私情。过去的行当，以及过去斗胆包天的种种勾当……都给讲完了。这时候，克莱德经过相当充分时间仔细琢磨过所有这些年轻人之后……他认为自己并不象他们所想象的那么幼稚;或者说即使幼稚的话，至少比他们里头绝大多数人要乖觉些……智力上也要聪明些。他们这拨人算什么?

他们有什么抱负?

依他看，赫格伦爱虚荣，吵吵闹闹，傻头傻脑……稍微恭维几句，一下子就能把他收买过来。至于希格比和金塞拉，这两个人都是有趣的漂亮小伙子，他们常常奚落克莱德外行而沾沾自喜……希格比稍微懂一点汽车，因为他有个叔叔做汽车生意……金塞拉是个赌徒，甚至因为会掷骰子而显得神气活现。再说拉特勒和希尔，克莱德老早就看清楚了，他们干上侍应生这一行，已是心满意足……只想一直干下去，别无他求……可是他呢，即使在眼前，也不相信侍应生这一行会让他永远感到兴趣。

同时，他心中又有一点儿忐忑不安地琢磨着一个问题:

他们多咱出发，到他从来没去过的地方，去干他过去连想都不让自己想的那些玩意儿。他想，是不是最好一出大门，自己先找个借口溜之大吉;还是开头跟着他们随大溜走一程，随后到某个拐角处偷偷回家转呢?

因为他早就听说过，有时候就是在这些地方得了一些最可怕的病……因为就是这样干过那些下流邪恶的勾当，人们最后不是都惨遭死亡吗?

所有这些问题母亲在传道时都讲到过，他虽然也听见了……但是，对此他并没有什么直接体会。不过，再看看这里的小伙子们，主意既定，谁都没有感到惴惴不安，这就足以驳倒上述说法了。而且相反，他们对这种事还那么兴高采烈。津津乐道……说穿了无非如此罢了。

说实在的，拉特勒现在很喜欢克莱德，更多的是因为克莱德观看。询问。

倾听时流露的那种神态，而不是因为他所做过哪些事，或是说过哪些话。拉特勒不时用胳膊肘轻轻地推推他，笑着问:

"怎么样，克莱德?

今儿晚上该正式入门了吧?

"说完脸上堆满笑容。有时，他看见克莱德闷声不响，心事重重，就说:

"克莱德，别害怕，不会把你全吃掉的……最多不过咬你一口罢了。"本来赫格伦一直在自吹自擂，殊不知他一听到拉特勒这句暗示话，马上接过茬说:

"你不会一辈子都是这样的，克莱德。拿〔哪〕一个都得变嘛。不过，万一碰上麻烦，我们全同你在一块儿，就得了。"克莱德这时心里既紧张。又有点恼火，于是顶嘴说:

"喂，你们二位别胡扯了。

捉弄得也够了吧。你们拚命夸口你们懂的比我多得多，这有什么用处?

"拉特勒就给赫格伦眨眨眼，暗示他不要再说了，随后对克莱德低声耳语说:

"得了，伙计，别生气嘛。你也知道，我们只不过是开开玩笑罢了。"克莱德因为很喜欢拉特勒，心一下子就软下来，后悔太傻，泄露了自己的真实看法。

可是，最后到了十一点钟，他们早已吃饱。喝足。谈够了，就拔脚要走，由赫格伦领头，这一帮子出了大门。他们那种下流的诡秘行径，并没有促使他们严肃地思考一番，或是在心灵上。道德上引起自我反省，乃至于自我鞭笞，而是恰好相反，他们竟然有说有笑，仿佛等待他们的，只是一场美妙无穷的娱乐消遣似的。这时，他们还喜欢旧事重提，使克莱德听了既反感，而又惊讶……特别是扯到某一次寻花问柳的经历，似乎逗得他们个个心花怒放。说的是:

他们从前逛过一回他们叫做"窝儿"……名为"贝蒂娜公馆"的地方。原是在当地另一家旅馆里任职的。有个名叫"平基"(此处系英文译音，意谓"粉红色"。)。琼斯的浪荡子带领他们去的。此人和另一个名叫伯明翰的，还有这个发酒疯的赫格伦，在那儿恣意纵欲，大闹恶作剧，差点给抓了起来，克莱德听他们讲到这些恶作剧时，觉得从这些小伙子的素质和整洁的外表来看，似乎极不可能干出这等事来……可是，他们的恶作剧毕竟太粗野。太卑劣了，使他禁不住感到一阵恶心。

"你们记不记得，我跑出来的时候，二楼那个姑娘把一罐子水直往我身上泼呀，"赫格伦放声大笑，嚷了起来。

"还有二楼那个大胖子，赶到大门口来看热闹呢。你们还记得吧?

"金塞拉笑眯眯地说。"我敢打赌，他心里想也许失火了，或是发生骚乱了。""还有你跟那个名叫'

''''皮吉，(此处系英文译音，意谓"小猪仔"。)的小胖姑娘儿。记得吧，拉特勒?

"希尔一面尖叫着，拚命想要说下去，一面又哈哈大笑，连气都喘不过来。

"拉特勒喝得醉醺醺，两只脚都站不稳。哦……嗬!

"赫格伦大吼一声。"后来他们两个一块儿从台阶上滚下来啊。""那全得怪你，赫格伦，"在金塞拉旁边的希格比说道。"要是你不耍'

''''软鞭子，那玩意儿，我们怎么也不会给人撵了出来。""老实说，我真的喝醉了，"拉特勒抗议说。"那全得怪他们那儿卖的蹩脚烈性威士忌。""那个身材瘦长。蓄着络腮胡子的得克萨斯人，你一辈子也忘不了吧?

瞧他格格大笑那副德行呀!

"金塞拉又找补着说。"别的家伙反对我们，可他没有一块儿帮着出力，还记得吧?

""我们没有全给人撵到大街上，也没有给警察逮住，真是了不起。嘿，嘿，那天晚上多美!

"拉特勒回忆说。

可是他们泄露的这些秘闻，使克莱德听后有点儿头昏目眩了。"软鞭子"!

那只不过是指其中一件事罢了。

他们也许指望他也会跟着他们一块儿胡闹取乐的。那可办不到。他可不是那种人。他的父母要是听说这些骇人听闻的事，又会作何感想呢?

可是……他们边说边走，不觉来到了一条幽暗而又相当宽敞的大街某一所房子跟前，有不少马车和汽车。三三两两地停放在沿着一个或一个以上街区马路两旁。离这儿不远的一个大街拐角处，有几个年轻人正伫立在那里谈天。对面还有更多的人。再过不到半个街区，他们看见两个警察在闲扯淡。虽然哪个窗子里或是气窗里都没有透出灯光来，可是说来也真怪，依然让人感到一种栩栩如生。光彩夺目的生活气息。这一点就是在这条幽暗的大街上，也还是可以感觉到。出租汽车一个劲儿摁着喇叭，飞驰而过;两辆老式带篷马车不停地来来去去，车窗帘子拉得严严实实的。不时听到砰砰地大门响，一会儿关上，一会儿撞开，一会儿又关上了。屋子里一道亮光，有时穿透户外一片黑暗，可又倏忽不见了。

这天晚上，满天星星当空照。

后来，谁都是一言不语，赫格伦在希格比和希尔陪同下，走到了这所房子跟前，然后拾阶而上，按了一下门铃。眨眼间就有一个全身穿红的黑人小姑娘来开门，并且殷勤地招呼他们说:

"晚上好。请，请，里进?

，于是，他们六个汉子一下子从她身边簇拥过去，穿过一道道隔开这一个小小的前厅和各个主要房间的天鹅绒厚帷帘。克莱德发现自己置身在一个灯火辉煌，但又相当俗气的大客厅(亦即会客室)里，墙壁上挂着不少镶着金边镜框的裸体和半裸体女人画像，还有好几面高高的窗间壁穿衣镜。客厅里铺上了鲜红的厚地毯，并且随便摆上许多镀金椅子。客厅后部，挂着一些令人炫目的红色帐幔，前面置放一架镀金竖式钢琴。不过，这里仿佛见不到什么客人或是住在同院的人……只有那个黑人小姑娘。

"各位请坐。别客气。我这就去叫太太。"说完，她就一溜小跑，往左直奔楼上，一个劲儿喊道:

"哦，玛丽!

萨迪!

卡罗琳!

客厅里到了好几位年轻的先生。"这时候，客厅后部一扇门里，走出来一个脸色苍白。细高挑儿的女人，年纪在三十八到四十岁之间……身姿挺秀，举止文雅，聪明伶俐，但又好象喜欢发号施令，她穿着透明。素朴的衣服，露出淡淡的倦容，强作欢颜，说道:

"哦，你好，奥斯卡，是你呀，是不是?

还有……你，保罗。你好!

你好!

戴维斯!

各位千万别客气。范妮一会儿就到。她会给各位端上一些喝的。我刚从圣乔请到一位新钢琴师……是个黑人。你们想听他弹吗?

他可弹得棒极了。"她一转身回到客厅后部，大声喊道:

"喂，萨姆!

"这时，有九个年龄和容貌各不相同的姑娘，从后部另一侧楼梯首尾相接，拾级而下……一望可知，她们中间没有一个年龄超过二十四。五岁以上的，她们身上的衣着打扮，克莱德从来没有看见别处的女人穿过。她们下楼的时候，个个都是有说有笑的……显然觉得自己非常得意洋洋，而且，对自己的模样儿一点也都不害羞。不过，在克莱德看来，她们有些人打扮得相当别致;她们的服装，从绣阁里最艳丽。薄如蝉翼的透明长睡衣，一直到虽然比较素淡。却也同样袒胸裸肩的舞会晚礼服，应有尽有。她们的体态。身段。容貌，各不相同……比方说，苗条的。丰腴的，或适可而止的……体型有高个儿，也有矮个儿……有浅黑的。白嫩的，或则介于二者之间适中的肤色。不论岁数大小，看起来她们都很年轻。而且，她们一笑起来，又是那么亲昵。那么迷人。

"哦，你好，我的心肝宝贝呀!

你好?

要跟我跳舞吗?

"或是说，"你要喝点什么吗?"
Part 1 Chapter 10
Prepared as Clyde was to dislike all this, so steeped had he been in the moods and maxims antipathetic toanything of its kind, still so innately sensual and romantic was his own disposition and so starved where sex wasconcerned, that instead of being sickened, he was quite fascinated. The very fleshly sumptuousness of most ofthese figures, dull and unromantic as might be the brains that directed them, interested him for the time being.
　　After all, here was beauty of a gross, fleshly character, revealed and purchasable. And there were no difficultiesof mood or inhibitions to overcome in connection with any of these girls. One of them, a quite pretty brunette ina black and red costume with a band of red ribbon across her forehead, seemed to be decidedly at home withHigby, for already she was dancing with him in the back room to a jazz melody most irrationally hammered outupon the piano.
　　And Ratterer, to Clyde's surprise, was already seated upon one of the gilt chairs and upon his knees was lounginga tall young girl with very light hair and blue eyes. And she was smoking a cigarette and tapping her goldslippers to the melody of the piano. It was really quite an amazing and Aladdin-like scene to him. And here wasHegglund, before whom was standing a German or Scandinavian type, plump and pretty, her arms akimbo andher feet wide apart. And she was asking--with an upward swell of the voice, as Clyde could hear: "You makelove to me to-night?" But Hegglund, apparently not very much taken with these overtures, calmly shook hishead, after which she went on to Kinsella.
　　And even as he was looking and thinking, a quite attractive blonde girl of not less than twenty-four, but whoseemed younger to Clyde, drew up a chair beside him and seating herself, said: "Don't you dance?" He shook hishead nervously. "Want me to show you?""Oh, I wouldn't want to try here," he said.
　　"Oh, it's easy," she continued. "Come on!" But since he would not, though he was rather pleased with her for being agreeable to him, she added: "Well, how about something to drink then?""Sure," he agreed, gallantly, and forthwith she signaled the young Negress who had returned as waitress, and in amoment a small table was put before them and a bottle of whisky with soda on the side--a sight that soastonished and troubled Clyde that he could scarcely speak. He had forty dollars in his pocket, and the cost ofdrinks here, as he had heard from the others, would not be less than two dollars each, but even so, think of himbuying drinks for such a woman at such a price! And his mother and sisters and brother at home with scarcelythe means to make ends meet. And yet he bought and paid for several, feeling all the while that he had let himselfin for a terrifying bit of extravagance, if not an orgy, but now that he was here, he must go through with it.
　　And besides, as he now saw, this girl was really pretty. She had on a Delft blue evening gown of velvet, withslippers and stockings to match. In her ears were blue earrings and her neck and shoulders and arms were plumpand smooth. The most disturbing thing about her was that her bodice was cut very low--he dared scarcely look ather there--and her cheeks and lips were painted-- most assuredly the marks of the scarlet woman. Yet she did notseem very aggressive, in fact quite human, and she kept looking rather interestedly at his deep and dark andnervous eyes.
　　"You work over at the Green-Davidson, too, don't you?" she asked.
　　"Yes," replied Clyde trying to appear as if all this were not new to him--as if he had often been in just such aplace as this, amid such scenes. "How did you know?""Oh, I know Oscar Hegglund," she replied. "He comes around here once in a while. Is he a friend of yours?""Yes. That is, he works over at the hotel with me.""But you haven't been here before.""No," said Clyde, swiftly, and yet with a trace of inquiry in his own mood. Why should she say he hadn't beenhere before?
　　"I thought you hadn't. I've seen most of these other boys before, but I never saw you. You haven't been workingover at the hotel very long, have you?""No," said Clyde, a little irritated by this, his eyebrows and the skin of his forehead rising and falling as hetalked--a form of contraction and expansion that went on involuntarily whenever he was nervous or thoughtdeeply. "What of it?""Oh, nothing. I just knew you hadn't. You don't look very much like these other boys--you look different." Shesmiled oddly and rather ingratiatingly, a smile and a mood which Clyde failed to interpret.
　　"How different?" he inquired, solemnly and contentiously, taking up a glass and drinking from it.
　　"I'll bet you one thing," she went on, ignoring his inquiry entirely. "You don't care for girls like me very much, do you?""Oh, yes, I do, too," he said, evasively.
　　"Oh, no, you don't either. I can tell. But I like you just the same. I like your eyes. You're not like those otherfellows. You're more refined, kinda. I can tell. You don't look like them.""Oh, I don't know," replied Clyde, very much pleased and flattered, his forehead wrinkling and clearing asbefore. This girl was certainly not as bad as he thought, maybe. She was more intelligent--a little more refinedthan the others. Her costume was not so gross. And she hadn't thrown herself upon him as had these others uponHegglund, Higby, Kinsella and Ratterer. Nearly all of the group by now were seated upon chairs or divans aboutthe room and upon their knees were girls. And in front of every couple was a little table with a bottle of whiskyupon it.
　　"Look who's drinking whisky!" called Kinsella to such of the others as would pay any attention to him, glancingin Clyde's direction.
　　"Well, you needn't be afraid of me," went on the girl, while Clyde glanced at her arms and neck, at her too muchrevealed bosom, which quite chilled and yet enticed him. "I haven't been so very long in this business. And Iwouldn't be here now if it hadn't been for all the bad luck I've had. I'd rather live at home with my family if Icould, only they wouldn't have me, now." She looked rather solemnly at the floor, thinking mainly of the littleinexperienced dunce Clyde was--so raw and green. Also of the money she had seen him take out of his pocket-plainlyquite a sum. Also how really good-looking he was, not handsome or vigorous, but pleasing. And he wasthinking at the instant of Esta, as to where she had gone or was now. What might have befallen her--who couldsay? What might have been done to her? Had this girl, by any chance, ever had any such unfortunate experienceas she had had? He felt a growing, if somewhat grandiose, sympathy, and looked at her as much as to say: "Youpoor thing." Yet for the moment he would not trust himself to say anything or make any further inquiries.
　　"You fellows who come into a place like this always think so hard of everybody. I know how you are. But we'renot as bad as you think."Clyde's brows knit and smoothed again. Perhaps she was not as bad as he thought. She was a low woman, nodoubt--evil but pretty. In fact, as he looked about the room from time to time, none of the girls appealed to himmore. And she thought him better than these other boys--more refined--she had detected that. The complimentstuck. Presently she was filling his glass for him and urging him to drink with her. Another group of young menarrived about then--and other girls coming out of the mysterious portals at the rear to greet them--Hegglund andRatterer and Kinsella and Higby, as he saw, mysteriously disappeared up that back stairs that was heavilycurtained from the general room. And as these others came in, this girl invited him to come and sit upon a divanin the back room where the lights were dimmer.
　　And now, seated here, she had drawn very close to him and touched his hands and finally linking an arm in hisand pressing close to him, inquired if he didn't want to see how pretty some of the rooms on the second floorwere furnished. And seeing that he was quite alone now--not one of all the group with whom he had comearound to observe him--and that this girl seemed to lean to him warmly and sympathetically, he allowed himself to be led up that curtained back stair and into a small pink and blue furnished room, while he kept saying tohimself that this was an outrageous and dangerous proceeding on his part, and that it might well end in miseryfor him. He might contract some dreadful disease. She might charge him more than he could afford. He wasafraid of her--himself--everything, really--quite nervous and almost dumb with his several fears and qualms.
　　And yet he went, and, the door locked behind him, this interestingly well-rounded and graceful Venus turned themoment they were within and held him to her, then calmly, and before a tall mirror which revealed her fully toherself and him, began to disrobe.
       虽说克莱德过去一直虔心灵修，笃信《圣经》上箴言，与他此刻所见所闻都是水火不相容，理应表示深恶痛绝，可是，由于他天性那么喜好犬马声色。

罗曼蒂克，而且对于性问题又是那么饥渴难忍，所以现在，他不是感到厌恶，倒是反而着了迷。这些姑娘几乎个个体态丰腴，富于肉感，尽管主宰她们躯体的头脑也许很迟钝，一点儿也没有浪漫情趣，可是在眼前依然把克莱德深深地吸引住了。毕竟眼前就是一种粗俗的肉体美，一无遮盖，唾手可得。随你跟哪个姑娘亲近，都用不着克服心中不安情绪，或是冲破某些禁规戒律。其中有一个长得黑里俏的美人儿，穿着一袭红黑相间的衣裙，额前饰着一条红缎带，看来跟希格比厮混得很熟了，因为她早已跟他在后面房间里，随着钢琴上疯狂地弹出的一支爵士乐曲，一块儿跳起舞来了。

这时，拉特勒已坐在一把镀金椅子里，膝上有一个浅褐色头发。碧蓝眼睛。

细高挑儿的姑娘懒洋洋地斜卧着……不免使克莱德大吃一惊。而且她正抽着一支香烟，用她金色轻便鞋按着钢琴弹奏出的曲调，轻轻地在打拍子。此时此刻，他仿佛觉得自己真的置身于惊人的阿拉丁式的阿拉伯童话世界。还有，在赫格伦面前，站着一个德国型，或是斯堪的纳维亚型的姑娘，她长得又丰满。又漂亮，两手叉腰，两脚却八字形撇开。这时，她正在问……克莱德听得出，她是一个劲儿在提高嗓门:

"今儿晚上，你跟我温存一番，好吗?

"可是，赫格伦显然并没有被这种挑逗所激动，泰然自若地摇摇头，于是，这个姑娘就往金塞拉那边走去了。

克莱德正在边看边想的时候，有一个长得相当妩媚动人的碧眼金发女郎，年纪不会在二十四岁以下，可是在克莱德看来，却比实际年龄显得年轻些，她端来一把椅子，挨在他身边坐下，说:

"你不想跳舞吗?

"他心神不安地摇摇头。"我就教你，好吗?

""哦，反正我学不好的。""哦，这个可不难，"她接下去说。"走吧!

"可他还是一口回绝了，虽然他对她那种殷勤劲儿相当高兴。于是，她又找补着说:

"那末，就喝一点儿，怎么样?

""当然可以，"他有点儿献殷勤似的同意了。于是，她马上招呼那个黑人小姑娘转身过来充当侍女。不一会儿，一张小圆桌就摆在他们面前，桌上放着一瓶威士忌苏打水……克莱德一见此状，不由得感到惊异和困扰，几乎连话儿都说不出来了。他口袋里有四十块美元，可是他听别人说，这里的酒每瓶至少也要两块美元。试想他怎么能买高价酒给这类女人喝!

他家里母亲和弟弟妹妹，因为入不敷出，日子可难过呢。不过，他到底还是买了好几瓶，钱都付了，心里老是觉得上当，即使不算狂饮作乐，也不免有点儿惊人的浪费了。可是，话又说回来，他既然来到这里了，好歹也得硬撑到底。

再说，这时他已看出:

这个姑娘确实很标致。她身上穿一件德尔夫特蓝色天鹅绒晚礼服，脚上穿着轻便鞋和长袜子，色彩配得很好。她戴着一副蓝色的耳环，脖子。肩膀和胳臂都是丰满而又光泽。最叫克莱德心慌意乱的是……她的胸衣领口很低……他几乎不敢往她那儿看……她的双颊和嘴唇都涂了脂粉口红……一望可知，就是烟花女的标志。不过，她似乎并不胡搅蛮缠，说实话，颇有人情味。而且，她还津津有味地一个劲儿望着他那双深沉。乌黑，而又显得紧张不安的眼睛。

"你也是在格林－戴维逊工作，是吗?

"她开口问。

"是的，"克莱德回答说。他竭力装出自己对这里一切并不陌生的样子……仿佛他对此地和此类场面早就习已为常了。"你怎么会知道的?

""哦，我认识奥斯卡。赫格伦，"她回答说。"这儿他常来。他是你的朋友吧?

""是的，也就是说，他跟我一块在酒店工作。""可这儿你还没来过呢。""没有呢，"克莱德连忙接住说，不过心里不觉有点儿疑惑不解。她干吗要说他从前没有来过呢?

"我想你没来过呗。因为那拨小伙子八成儿我都见过，可是我从来没见过你。

你不久前才到酒店工作，是吧?

""是的，"克莱德说着，对她这一句话不免有点儿反感，因此，他前额两道眉毛马上皱起了鸡皮疙瘩，不停地上下翕动着……每当他心里紧张，或是陷入沉思的时候，就不由自主地会有这种时而绷紧。时而松弛的表情。"那又怎么啦?

""哦，没什么。我只不过是胡猜罢了。我说，你跟别的小伙子们不大一样……看起来你就是有点儿不同。"她既想巴结又怪别扭地笑了。此时此刻她的这种笑和她的这种心态，都让克莱德猜不透。

"怎么个不一样?

"他脸一沉，气呼呼地问她，随手端起酒杯，就喝起酒来了。

"有一点我敢说猜对了，"他的问话她压根儿没听见，只顾自己说，"象我这样的姑娘，你不怎么喜欢，是吧?

""哦，不，我很喜欢，"他含含糊糊地说。

"哦，不，你才不喜欢吧。我看得出来。不过，我呀还是喜欢你。我喜欢你的那双眼睛。你跟所有那些家伙可不一样。你比他们好象文雅些，心肠好些。

这我看得出来。你跟他们就是不一样。""哦，我可不知道，"克莱德回答说，经她一恭维，心里真是乐滋滋，可是额角上依然象刚才那样皱起鸡皮疙瘩。这个姑娘也许不至于象他原先设想的那么坏吧。她比其他那些姑娘要聪明些……稍微文雅些。她的装束打扮也不是那么俗不可耐。而且，她也不象缠住赫格伦。希格比。金塞拉和拉特勒的这帮子姑娘那样扑倒在克莱德身上。这时候，这拨年轻小伙子们都坐在椅子里，或是软椅里，姑娘们都偎坐在他们膝上。而且每一对伴侣面前，都置放一张各有一瓶威士忌的小圆桌。

"你们看，谁在那儿喝威士忌!

"金塞拉是冲那些正在洗耳恭听他的人说的，两眼却向克莱德眨巴着。

"哦，你不用怕我，"那个姑娘接下去说，这时克莱德两眼直瞅着她的手臂和脖子，还有她那过于袒裸的胸脯，使他浑身发冷，却又黯然销魂。"我不久前才做这个生意。要不是过去运气太坏，我才不会上这儿呢。要是有办法，我宁可跟家里亲人待在一起，只不过现在他们不要我了。"她煞有介事地两眼俯视着，可心里多半在捉摸克莱德这个没有经验的小笨蛋……好一个乳臭未干的黄口小儿!

同时，她也想到刚才看见他从口袋里掏钱……数目相当可观。而且，她还想到他长得多么好看，虽算不上漂亮，劲头也不大，却很惹人喜爱。可是偏巧这时候，克莱德心里却在惦念着爱思达，真不知道她上哪儿去了，此刻她又在哪儿。她现在会怎么样……有谁知道呢?

她会碰上什么遭遇呢?

眼前这个姑娘，也许就碰到过如同爱思达那样的不幸吧?

一种出自肺腑之间，却又不免有些鄙视的同情心，在他心中油然而生。他两眼直瞅着她，仿佛要说:

"你这个可怜的女人啊。

"不过，他一时还不敢说，而且再也不敢向她问这问那了。

"你们，这些小伙子，也就是说到这种地方来逛逛的人，总是把我们每一个人想得都是非常坏。我可了解你们。其实，我们可并不是象你们所想象的那么坏呗。"克莱德又在不断地皱眉头了。也许，她可不是象他所想象的那么坏吧。她是一个下流女人，这是不用说的……虽然丑恶，可是很漂亮。事实上，他不时举目四顾，觉得满屋子姑娘哪一个都没有象她那样更叫他喜欢的了。而她呢，也觉得克莱德比别的小伙子好得多……谈吐也很文雅……这一点她已经看清楚了。这样的恭维话，果然正中要害。于是，她就马上给他斟酒，劝他一起喝。

这时候，另有一拨年轻小伙子进来了……另有其他姑娘从后面神秘之门走了出来，迎接他们……他看见赫格伦。拉特勒。金塞拉。希格比，全都鬼鬼祟祟地直奔后面挂上厚厚的帷幕与大厅隔开的楼梯，一转眼就不见了。正当这另一拨年轻人进来的时候，这个姑娘就把他请到后面灯光更为幽暗的房间。坐在一张长长的软椅里。

两人坐定以后，她就紧紧地偎着他，来回抚摸他的手，到后来用一只胳臂挽住他的胳臂，同他的身子紧贴一起，还问他想不想看看二楼一些房间陈设该有多么漂亮。他一看这会儿只剩下他一个人在这里……同他一块来的那伙人，没有一个会看见他的……再说，这个姑娘仿佛一往情深地紧偎着他……因此，他就让她带领，登上挂着帷幕的后面楼梯，径直走进了一个粉红和蓝色相映成趣的小房间，同时，他心里却一直在琢磨，只要迈出这荒唐而危险的一步，最后很可能使他遭到灭顶之灾。也许，他还会传染一些令人骇怕的病呢。也许她向他要钱，他还付不起。现在他害怕她……害怕自己……说真的，对世界上一切都害怕……而且，由于以上种种惧怕和良心的谴责，他一下子紧张起来，几乎连一句话都说不出来了。不过话又说回来，他去还是去了，他一进去，门就锁上了。这个耐人寻味的。丰腴优美的维纳斯女神一转过身来，把他紧紧地楼住了，随后，她神色从容地站到一面映出她全身倩影的穿衣镜前，让她自己和他都可以看得清清楚楚，她已开始宽衣解带……
Part 1 Chapter 11
The effect of this adventure on Clyde was such as might have been expected in connection with one so new andstrange to such a world as this. In spite of all that deep and urgent curiosity and desire that had eventually ledhim to that place and caused him to yield, still, because of the moral precepts with which he had so long beenfamiliar, and also because of the nervous esthetic inhibitions which were characteristic of him, he could not butlook back upon all this as decidedly degrading and sinful. His parents were probably right when they preachedthat this was all low and shameful. And yet this whole adventure and the world in which it was laid, once it wasall over, was lit with a kind of gross, pagan beauty or vulgar charm for him. And until other and more interestingthings had partially effaced it, he could not help thinking back upon it with considerable interest and pleasure,even.
　　In addition he kept telling himself that now, having as much money as he was making, he could go and do aboutas he pleased. He need not go there any more if he did not want to, but he could go to other places that might notbe as low, maybe--more refined. He wouldn't want to go with a crowd like that again. He would rather have justone girl somewhere if he could find her--a girl such as those with whom he had seen Sieberling and Doyleassociate. And so, despite all of his troublesome thoughts of the night before, he was thus won quickly over tothis new source of pleasure if not its primary setting. He must find a free pagan girl of his own somewhere if hecould, like Doyle, and spend his money on her. And he could scarcely wait until opportunity should provide himwith the means of gratifying himself in this way.
　　But more interesting and more to his purpose at the time was the fact that both Hegglund and Ratterer, in spiteof, or possibly because of, a secret sense of superiority which they detected in Clyde, were inclined to look uponhim with no little interest and to court him and to include him among all their thoughts of affairs and pleasures.
　　Indeed, shortly after his first adventure, Ratterer invited him to come to his home, where, as Clyde most quicklycame to see, was a life very different from his own. At the Griffiths' all was so solemn and reserved, the stillmoods of those who feel the pressure of dogma and conviction. In Ratterer's home, the reverse of this was nearlytrue. The mother and sister with whom he lived, while not without some moral although no particular religiousconvictions, were inclined to view life with a great deal of generosity or, as a moralist would have seen it, laxity.
　　There had never been any keen moral or characterful direction there at all. And so it was that Ratterer and hissister Louise, who was two years younger than himself, now did about as they pleased, and without thinking verymuch about it. But his sister chanced to be shrewd or individual enough not to wish to cast herself away on justany one.
　　The interesting part of all this was that Clyde, in spite of a certain strain of refinement which caused him to lookaskance at most of this, was still fascinated by the crude picture of life and liberty which it offered. Among suchas these, at least, he could go, do, be as he had never gone or done or been before. And particularly was hepleased and enlightened--or rather dubiously liberated--in connection with his nervousness and uncertainty inregard to his charm or fascination for girls of his own years. For up to this very time, and in spite of his recentfirst visit to the erotic temple to which Hegglund and the others had led him, he was still convinced that he hadno skill with or charm where girls were concerned. Their mere proximity or approach was sufficient to cause himto recede mentally, to chill or palpitate nervously, and to lose what little natural skill he had for conversation orpoised banter such as other youths possessed. But now, in his visits to the home of Ratterer, as he soondiscovered, he was to have ample opportunity to test whether this shyness and uncertainty could be overcome.
　　For it was a center for the friends of Ratterer and his sister, who were more or less of one mood in regard to life.
　　Dancing, card-playing, love-making rather open and unashamed, went on there. Indeed, up to this time, Clydewould not have imagined that a parent like Mrs. Ratterer could have been as lackadaisical or indifferent as shewas, apparently, to conduct and morals generally. He would not have imagined that any mother would havecountenanced the easy camaraderie that existed between the sexes in Mrs. Ratterer's home.
　　And very soon, because of several cordial invitations which were extended to him by Ratterer, he found himselfpart and parcel of this group--a group which from one point of view--the ideas held by its members, the ratherwretched English they spoke--he looked down upon. From another point of view--the freedom they possessed,the zest with which they managed to contrive social activities and exchanges--he was drawn to them. Because,for the first time, these permitted him, if he chose, to have a girl of his own, if only he could summon thecourage. And this, owing to the well-meant ministrations of Ratterer and his sister and their friends, he soonsought to accomplish. Indeed the thing began on the occasion of his first visit to the Ratterers.
　　Louise Ratterer worked in a dry-goods store and often came home a little late for dinner. On this occasion shedid not appear until seven, and the eating of the family meal was postponed accordingly. In the meantime, twogirl friends of Louise arrived to consult her in connection with something, and finding her delayed, and Rattererand Clyde there, they made themselves at home, rather impressed and interested by Clyde and his new finery.
　　For he, at once girl-hungry and girl-shy, held himself nervously aloof, a manifestation which they mistook for aconviction of superiority on his part. And in consequence, arrested by this, they determined to show how reallyinteresting they were--vamp him--no less. And he found their crude briskness and effrontery very appealing--somuch so that he was soon taken by the charms of one, a certain Hortense Briggs, who, like Louise, was nothingmore than a crude shop girl in one of the large stores, but pretty and dark and self- appreciative. And yet from thefirst, he realized that she was not a little coarse and vulgar--a very long way removed from the type of girl he hadbeen imagining in his dreams that he would like to have.
　　"Oh, hasn't she come in yet?" announced Hortense, on first being admitted by Ratterer and seeing Clyde near oneof the front windows, looking out. "Isn't that too bad? Well, we'll just have to wait a little bit if you don't mind"-thislast with a switch and a swagger that plainly said, who would mind having us around? And forthwith shebegan to primp and admire herself before a mirror which surmounted an ocher-colored mantelpiece that graced afireless grate in the dining-room. And her friend, Greta Miller, added: "Oh, dear, yes. I hope you won't make usgo before she comes. We didn't come to eat. We thought your dinner would be all over by now.""Where do you get that stuff--'put you out'?" replied Ratterer cynically. "As though anybody could drive you twoouta here if you didn't want to go. Sit down and play the victrola or do anything you like. Dinner'll soon be readyand Louise'll be here any minute." He returned to the dining-room to look at a paper which he had been reading,after pausing to introduce Clyde. And the latter, because of the looks and the airs of these two, felt suddenly asthough he had been cast adrift upon a chartless sea in an open boat.
　　"Oh, don't say eat to me!" exclaimed Greta Miller, who was surveying Clyde calmly as though she were debatingwith herself whether he was worth-while game or not, and deciding that he was: "With all the ice-cream and cakeand pie and sandwiches we'll have to eat yet to-night. We was just going to warn Louise not to fill up too much.
　　Kittie Keane's givin' a birthday party, you know, Tom, and she'll have a big cake an' everythin'. You're comin'
　　down, ain't you, afterwards?" she concluded, with a thought of Clyde and his possible companionship in mind.
　　"I wasn't thinkin' of it," calmly observed Ratterer. "Me and Clyde was thinkin' of goin' to a show after dinner.""Oh, how foolish," put in Hortense Briggs, more to attract attention to herself and take it away from Greta thananything else. She was still in front of the mirror, but turned now to cast a fetching smile on all, particularlyClyde, for whom she fancied her friend might be angling, "When you could come along and dance. I call thatsilly.""Sure, dancing is all you three ever think of--you and Louise," retorted Ratterer. "It's a wonder you don't giveyourselves a rest once in a while. I'm on my feet all day an' I like to sit down once in a while." He could be mostmatter-of-fact at times.
　　"Oh, don't say sit down to me," commented Greta Miller with a lofty smile and a gliding, dancing motion of herleft foot, "with all the dates we got ahead of us this week. Oh, gee!" Her eyes and eyebrows went up and sheclasped her hands dramatically before her. "It's just terrible, all the dancin' we gotta do yet, this winter, don't we,Hortense? Thursday night and Friday night and Saturday and Sunday nights." She counted on her fingers mostarchly. "Oh, gee! It is terrible, really." She gave Clyde an appealing, sympathy-seeking smile. "Guess where wewere the other night, Tom. Louise and Ralph Thorpe and Hortense and Bert Gettler, me and Willie Bassick--outat Pegrain's on Webster Avenue. Oh, an' you oughta seen the crowd out there. Sam Shaffer and Tillie Burns wasthere. And we danced until four in the morning. I thought my knees would break. I ain't been so tired in I don'tknow when.""Oh, gee!" broke in Hortense, seizing her turn and lifting her arms dramatically. "I thought I never would get towork the next morning. I could just barely see the customers moving around. And, wasn't my mother fussy! Gee!
　　She hasn't gotten over it yet. She don't mind so much about Saturdays and Sundays, but all these week nights andwhen I have to get up the next morning at seven-- gee--how she can pick!""An' I don't blame her, either," commented Mrs. Ratterer, who was just then entering with a plate of potatoes andsome bread. "You two'll get sick and Louise, too, if you don't get more rest. I keep tellin' her she won't be able tokeep her place or stand it if she don't get more sleep. But she don't pay no more attention to me than Tom does,and that's just none at all.""Oh, well, you can't expect a fellow in my line to get in early always, Ma," was all Ratterer said. And Hortense Briggs added: "Gee, I'd die if I had to stay in one night. You gotta have a little fun when you work all day."What an easy household, thought Clyde. How liberal and indifferent. And the sexy, gay way in which these twogirls posed about. And their parents thought nothing of it, evidently. If only he could have a girl as pretty as thisHortense Briggs, with her small, sensuous mouth and her bright hard eyes.
　　"To bed twice a week early is all I need," announced Greta Miller archly. "My father thinks I'm crazy, but more'nthat would do me harm." She laughed jestingly, and Clyde, in spite of the "we was'es" and "I seen's," was mostvividly impressed. Here was youth and geniality and freedom and love of life.
　　And just then the front door opened and in hurried Louise Ratterer, a medium-sized, trim, vigorous little girl in ared-lined cape and a soft blue felt hat pulled over her eyes. Unlike her brother, she was brisk and vigorous andmore lithe and as pretty as either of these others.
　　"Oh, look who's here!" she exclaimed. "You two birds beat me home, didnja? Well, I got stuck to-night onaccount of some mix-up in my sales-book. And I had to go up to the cashier's office. You bet it wasn't my fault,though. They got my writin' wrong," then noting Clyde for the first time, she announced: "I bet I know who thisis--Mr. Griffiths. Tom's talked about you a lot. I wondered why he didn't bring you around here before." AndClyde, very much flattered, mumbled that he wished he had.
　　But the two visitors, after conferring with Louise in a small front bedroom to which they all retired, reappearedpresently and because of strenuous invitations, which were really not needed, decided to remain. And Clyde,because of their presence, was now intensely wrought up and alert--eager to make a pleasing impression and tobe received upon terms of friendship here. And these three girls, finding him attractive, were anxious to beagreeable to him, so much so that for the first time in his life they put him at his ease with the opposite sex andcaused him to find his tongue.
　　"We was just going to warn you not to eat so much," laughed Greta Miller, turning to Louise, "and now, see, weare all trying to eat again." She laughed heartily. "And they'll have pies and cakes and everythin' at Kittie's.""Oh, gee, and we're supposed to dance, too, on top of all this. Well, heaven help me, is all I have to say," put inHortense.
　　The peculiar sweetness of her mouth, as he saw it, as well as the way she crinkled it when she smiled, causedClyde to be quite beside himself with admiration and pleasure. She looked quite delightful--wonderful to him.
　　Indeed her effect on him made him swallow quickly and half choke on the coffee he had just taken. He laughedand felt irrepressibly gay.
　　At that moment she turned on him and said: "See, what I've done to him now.""Oh, that ain't all you've done to me," exclaimed Clyde, suddenly being seized with an inspiration and a flow ofthought and courage. Of a sudden, because of her effect on him, he felt bold and courageous, albeit a littlefoolish and added, "Say, I'm gettin' kinda woozy with all the pretty faces I see around here.""Oh, gee, you don't want to give yourself away that quick around here, Clyde," cautioned Ratterer, genially.
　　"These high-binders'll be after you to make you take 'em wherever they want to go. You better not begin thatway." And, sure enough, Louise Ratterer, not to be abashed by what her brother had just said, observed: "Youdance, don't you, Mr. Griffiths?""No, I don't," replied Clyde, suddenly brought back to reality by this inquiry and regretting most violently thehandicap this was likely to prove in this group. "But you bet I wish I did now," he added gallantly and almostappealingly, looking first at Hortense and then at Greta Miller and Louise. But all pretended not to notice hispreference, although Hortense titillated with her triumph. She was not convinced that she was so greatly takenwith him, but it was something to triumph thus easily and handsomely over these others. And the others felt it.
　　"Ain't that too bad?" she commented, a little indifferently and superiorly now that she realized that she was hispreference. "You might come along with us, you and Tom, if you did. There's goin' to be mostly dancing atKittie's."Clyde began to feel and look crushed at once. To think that this girl, to whom of all those here he was mostdrawn, could dismiss him and his dreams and desires thus easily, and all because he couldn't dance. And hisaccursed home training was responsible for all this. He felt broken and cheated. What a boob he must seem notto be able to dance. And Louise Ratterer looked a little puzzled and indifferent, too. But Greta Miller, whom heliked less than Hortense, came to his rescue with: "Oh, it ain't so hard to learn. I could show you in a few minutesafter dinner if you wanted to. It's only a few steps you have to know. And then you could go, anyhow, if youwanted to."Clyde was grateful and said so--determined to learn here or elsewhere at the first opportunity. Why hadn't hegone to a dancing school before this, he asked himself. But the thing that pained him most was the seemingindifference of Hortense now that he had made it clear that he liked her. Perhaps it was that Bert Gettler,previously mentioned, with whom she had gone to the dance, who was making it impossible for him to interesther. So he was always to be a failure this way. Oh, gee!
　　But the moment the dinner was over and while the others were still talking, the first to put on a dance record andcome over with hands extended was Hortense, who was determined not to be outdone by her rival in this way.
　　She was not particularly interested or fascinated by Clyde, at least not to the extent of troubling about him asGreta did. But if her friend was going to attempt a conquest in this manner, was it not just as well to forestallher? And so, while Clyde misread her change of attitude to the extent of thinking that she liked him better thanhe had thought, she took him by the hands, thinking at the same time that he was too bashful. However, placinghis right arm about her waist, his other clasped in hers at her shoulder, she directed his attention to her feet andhis and began to illustrate the few primary movements of the dance. But so eager and grateful was he--almostintense and ridiculous--she did not like him very much, thought him a little unsophisticated and too young. Atthe same time, there was a charm about him which caused her to wish to assist him. And soon he was movingabout with her quite easily--and afterwards with Greta and then Louise, but wishing always it was Hortense. Andfinally he was pronounced sufficiently skillful to go, if he would.
　　And now the thought of being near her, being able to dance with her again, drew him so greatly that, despite thefact that three youths, among them that same Bert Gettler, appeared on the scene to escort them, and although heand Ratterer had previously agreed to go to a theater together, he could not help showing how much he would prefer to follow those others--so much so that Ratterer finally agreed to abandon the theater idea. And soon theywere off, Clyde grieving that he could not walk with Hortense, who was with Gettler, and hating his rivalbecause of this; but still attempting to be civil to Louise and Greta, who bestowed sufficient attention on him tomake him feel at ease. Ratterer, having noticed his extreme preference and being alone with him for a moment,said: "You better not get too stuck on that Hortense Briggs. I don't think she's on the level with anybody. She'sgot that fellow Gettler and others. She'll only work you an' you might not get anything, either."But Clyde, in spite of this honest and well-meant caution, was not to be dissuaded. On sight, and because of thewitchery of a smile, the magic and vigor of motion and youth, he was completely infatuated and would havegiven or done anything for an additional smile or glance or hand pressure. And that despite the fact that he wasdealing with a girl who no more knew her own mind than a moth, and who was just reaching the stage where shewas finding it convenient and profitable to use boys of her own years or a little older for whatever pleasures orclothes she desired.
　　The party proved nothing more than one of those ebullitions of the youthful mating period. The house of KittieKeane was little more than a cottage in a poor street under bare December trees. But to Clyde, because of thepassion for a pretty face that was suddenly lit in him, it had the color and the form and gayety of romance itself.
　　And the young girls and boys that he met there--girls and boys of the Ratterer, Hegglund, Hortense stripe--werestill of the very substance and texture of that energy, ease and forwardness which he would have given his soul topossess. And curiously enough, in spite of a certain nervousness on his part, he was by reason of his newcompanions made an integral part of the gayeties.
　　And on this occasion he was destined to view a type of girl and youth in action such as previously it had not beenhis fortune or misfortune, as you will, to see. There was, for instance, a type of sensual dancing which Louiseand Hortense and Greta indulged in with the greatest nonchalance and assurance. At the same time, many ofthese youths carried whisky in a hip flask, from which they not only drank themselves, but gave others to drink-boysand girls indiscriminately.
　　And the general hilarity for this reason being not a little added to, they fell into more intimate relations--spooningwith one and another--Hortense and Louise and Greta included. Also to quarreling at times. And it appeared tobe nothing out of the ordinary, as Clyde saw, for one youth or another to embrace a girl behind a door, to holdher on his lap in a chair in some secluded corner, to lie with her on a sofa, whispering intimate andunquestionably welcome things to her. And although at no time did he espy Hortense doing this--still, as he saw,she did not hesitate to sit on the laps of various boys or to whisper with rivals behind doors. And this for a timeso discouraged and at the same time incensed him that he felt he could not and would not have anything more todo with her--she was too cheap, vulgar, inconsiderate.
　　At the same time, having partaken of the various drinks offered him--so as not to seem less worldly wise than theothers--until brought to a state of courage and daring not ordinarily characteristic of him, he ventured to halfplead with and at the same time half reproach her for her too lax conduct.
　　"You're a flirt, you are. You don't care who you jolly, do you?" This as they were dancing together after one o'clock to the music of a youth named Wilkens, at the none too toneful piano. She was attempting to show him anew step in a genial and yet coquettish way, and with an amused, sensuous look.
　　"What do you mean, flirt? I don't get you.""Oh, don't you?" replied Clyde, a little crossly and still attempting to conceal his real mood by a deceptive smile.
　　"I've heard about you. You jolly 'em all.""Oh, do I?" she replied quite irritably. "Well, I haven't tried to jolly you very much, have I?""Well, now, don't get mad," he half pleaded and half scolded, fearing, perhaps, that he had ventured too far andmight lose her entirely now. "I don't mean anything by it. You don't deny that you let a lot of these fellows makelove to you. They seem to like you, anyway.""Oh, well, of course they like me, I guess. I can't help that, can I?""Well, I'll tell you one thing," he blurted boastfully and passionately. "I could spend a lot more on you than theycould. I got it." He had been thinking only the moment before of fifty-five dollars in bills that snuggledcomfortably in his pocket.
　　"Oh, I don't know," she retorted, not a little intrigued by this cash offer, as it were, and at the same time not alittle set up in her mood by the fact that she could thus inflame nearly all youths in this way. She was really alittle silly, very lightheaded, who was infatuated by her own charms and looked in every mirror, admiring hereyes, her hair, her neck, her hands, her figure, and practising a peculiarly fetching smile.
　　At the same time, she was not unaffected by the fact that Clyde was not a little attractive to look upon, althoughso very green. She liked to tease such beginners. He was a bit of a fool, as she saw him. But he was connectedwith the Green-Davidson, and he was well-dressed, and no doubt he had all the money he said and would spendit on her. Some of those whom she liked best did not have much money to spend.
　　"Lots of fellows with money would like to spend it on me." She tossed her head and flicked her eyes andrepeated her coyest smile.
　　At once Clyde's countenance darkened. The witchery of her look was too much for him. The skin of his foreheadcrinkled and then smoothed out. His eyes burned lustfully and bitterly, his old resentment of life and deprivationshowing. No doubt all she said was true. There were others who had more and would spend more. He wasboasting and being ridiculous and she was laughing at him.
　　After a moment, he added, weakly, "I guess that's right, too. But they couldn't want you more than I do."The uncalculated honesty of it flattered her not a little. He wasn't so bad after all. They were gracefully glidingabout as the music continued.
　　"Oh, well, I don't flirt everywhere like I do here. These fellows and girls all know each other. We're always going around together. You mustn't mind what you see here."She was lying artfully, but it was soothing to him none the less. "Gee, I'd give anything if you'd only be nice tome," he pleaded, desperately and yet ecstatically. "I never saw a girl I'd rather have than you. You're swell. I'mcrazy about you. Why won't you come out to dinner with me and let me take you to a show afterwards? Don'tyou want to do that, tomorrow night or Sunday? Those are my two nights off. I work other nights."She hesitated at first, for even now she was not so sure that she wished to continue this contact. There wasGettler, to say nothing of several others, all jealous and attentive. Even though he spent money on her, she mightnot wish to bother with him. He was already too eager and he might become troublesome. At the same time, thenatural coquetry of her nature would not permit her to relinquish him. He might fall into the hands of Greta orLouise. In consequence she finally arranged a meeting for the following Tuesday. But he could not come to thehouse, or take her home to-night--on account of her escort, Mr. Gettler. But on the following Tuesday, at six-thirty, near the Green-Davidson. And he assured her that they would dine first at Frissell's, and then see "TheCorsair," a musical comedy at Libby's, only two blocks away.
       这一次冶游，如同它对初次涉足这一如此陌生世界的新手一样，也会对克莱德产生多么大的影响，不用说，那是可以想象得到的。尽管他那强烈的好奇心和难以预料的欲念，终于将他引到了那么一个地方，使他屈服了，可是，由于他耳濡目染的那些道德观念，以及他个人确认不符合审美要求的种种禁条，他依然不能不认为:

这一切确实是堕落和邪恶的行为。他的父母在传道时，就说过这些事通通是下流可耻的，想必很有道理吧。可是事后回想起来，那次猎艳和那个世界，在他心目中毕竟闪烁着某种粗鄙。异端的美和世俗的魅力。这一印象只要还没有被其他更有趣的事情冲淡，他在回想这一段经历时，不能不觉得津津有味，乃至于其乐无穷。

此外，他也一直在暗自思忖，如今自己既然能挣到那么多钱，他为什么不可以爱上哪儿就上哪儿，爱干什么就干什么呢。要是他不愿意再去，那就不必去得了，不过，说不定他还可以到另外一些并不那么下流。备不住高雅一点的地方去。他再也不会象上次跟着那一拨人去了。最好还是单独给自己寻摸一个姑娘……就象他见过西伯龄和多伊尔所结识的那一档次的女郎。因此，尽管他一想到前夜的事，就有烦恼不安的思绪，可他很快找到了这种新的欢乐的源泉(当然不是以头一次冶游场面作为背景的)。他一定要象多伊尔那样，给自己寻摸到一个放荡不羁。不信宗教的姑娘，把自己的钱都花在她身上。而且，他几乎焦急不安地在等待机会，以便满足自己的愿望。

不过，当时让克莱德更感有趣。对他更为有利的是:

赫格伦和拉特勒虽已发觉克莱德怀有优越感，或者说也许正因为如此，他们对他更感兴趣，尽量讨好他，不论在琢磨什么寻欢作乐这类事，务必让他参与进来。事实上，在他头一次冶游以后不久，拉特勒便邀请克莱德到自己家里，克莱德一看就知道:

拉特勒一家人的生活方式跟自己家里迥然不同。在格里菲思家里，一切都是非常严肃而又谨小慎微，由于受到教规与教义束缚，他们常常保持宁静的心境。然而拉特勒家里，与此恰好相反。跟拉特勒住在一块的母亲和妹妹，尽管没有什么特别的宗教信仰，但她们也并不都是毫无道德观念的人;她们对待生活的态度却非常豁达大度，或者如一位道德家会说……放纵。他们谈论道德或是品行时，从来不提出什么明确的准则。因此，拉特勒和那个比他小两岁的妹妹路易斯，现在他们不论做什么事都是随自己一时高兴，而根本不是三思而行的。不过，多亏他妹妹相当聪明，很有个性，不肯随便委身于人。

最最有意思的是，克莱德尽管自己有些教养，对他周围一切多半看不顺眼，但他还是被生活中放浪形骸的粗鲁画面所倾倒。现在他置身于如此环境之中，至少不会象从前那样身不由己了;他可以随意到过去不让去的地方，但也可以做过去不让做的事情。让他特别高兴，因而茅塞顿开的……也可以说，他再也不必半信半疑了:

因为过去他对那些年龄跟自己相仿的姑娘们究竟有多大魅力，使她们为之倾倒，自己一直没有把握，不觉有些紧张，可现在他已心中有数了。

截至此时为止，尽管最近赫格伦一伙人带他去初游爱神的殿堂，他依然认为自己跟那些姑娘们周旋简直没有本领，也可以说没有魅力。那些姑娘们只要跟他站在一块，或者来接近他，就足以使他产生退避三舍的想法，使他不由得打寒噤，或则心儿突突地跳;一般年轻小伙子都会谈笑逗乐，这种本领虽然他生来也有一点儿，可是到时候偏偏倏忽不见了。现在他多次到拉特勒家作客之后，很快就发觉，他已经能够得到充分的机会，测试自己这种羞怯不安的情绪究竟能不能加以克服。

这里是拉特勒和他妹妹路易斯的朋友们聚会的中心。他们兄妹俩看待生活的观点多少是一致的。跳舞。打纸牌，和相当公开。一点儿不害臊的调情取乐，在这儿是习已为常了。直到此刻为止，克莱德真的没有想到:

作为一个母亲，对待道德和品行诸问题，居然可以象拉特勒太太那样，一概装聋作哑。漠不关心。

他简直不能想象天底下哪有这样一位母亲，竟然会赞成拉特勒太太家里那种两性之间如此自由的朋友关系。

经过拉特勒好几次热情相邀以后，克莱德很快就觉得自己已是他们这一小拨人中的一员了。不过，从某个观点来看……从这一拨人的一些想法来看，以及从他们所说的蹩脚英语来看……他对这一拨人还是看不起的。可是，再从另一个观点来看……他们那种自由自在。放荡不羁的派头，以至他们热心交际活动和相互酬应的那种劲儿……却把他给吸引住了。因为他可以利用这些机会，只要他高兴，只要他有胆量，就能找到一个属于他自己的姑娘，这对他来说还是生平头一遭呢。是的，就是通过拉特勒兄妹俩，以及他们一些朋友的好心相助，克莱德的希望很快实现了。事实上，这件事在他到拉特勒家里初次作客时就开始了。

路易斯。拉特勒在一家绸布店工作，回家吃晚饭往往迟一些。这一次，她直到七点才回来，家里吃饭的时间也就往后推迟了。刚才路易斯有两个女朋友来过，想找她商量一些事。她们发现她还没有回家，只有拉特勒和克莱德在那里，也就毫无拘束地留下了。哪知道她们一下子对克莱德和他身上那套新装产生了很大兴趣。由于克莱德一想到女人简直如饥若渴，见了女人却又很羞怯，这时他心里紧张极了，不知怎的露出了孤高自赏的神态，竟被她们误解为这是克莱德身上优越感的一种表现。现在，她们既然被他这种神态吸引住了，就不妨故意炫耀一下她们该有多么迷人……以姿色来勾引他。她们那种粗俗的活泼劲儿和毫不害臊的态度，他倒是觉得很吸引人;没有多久，他就被一个名叫霍丹斯。布里格斯的魅力给吸引住了。霍丹斯这个姑娘如同路易斯一样，就是一家大商店里一个粗俗不堪的售货员，只因为她长得黑里俏，自以为了不起。反正克莱德一开头就感到她很粗鄙。庸俗……与他多年来梦寐以求的那类姑娘简直相去太远了。

"哦，她还没回来吗?

"拉特勒刚把霍丹斯请进来，她一看见克莱德正凭窗外眺，就大声嚷嚷说。"那不是太倒霉吗?

得了吧，我们就只好等她呗，要是你们不介意的话。"……她说最后这句话的时候，故意卖弄风骚，明明白白地在说，谁敢不欢迎我们光临呢?

拉特勒家餐室里有一个没有生火的壁炉，赭色壁炉架上竖了一面镜子，这时，霍丹斯就对着镜子搔首弄姿，尽情欣赏自己的容貌。她的朋友格里达。米勒接茬说:

"哦，当然罗，我们只好等她呗。我希望在她没有回来以前，你们别撵我们走。我们俩可不是来吃饭的。我们还以为你们早就吃过了。

""你打哪儿学的这个扯儿……'

''''撵你们走，?

"拉特勒挖苦地说。"仿佛你们不肯走，人家就把你们两个一块撵走似的。快坐下，打开留声机，要不然随你们便就得了。马上吃晚饭了，路易斯一会儿就回来。"他把克莱德介绍给她们以后，就回到餐室去继续看刚才放下的报纸。克莱德一看这两位姑娘的容貌和神态，突然觉得仿佛自己有如一叶孤舟，正在尚未记入海图的海面上随风漂流。

"哦，别跟我提吃的事!

"格里达。米勒大声嚷道，这时，她正不动声色地打量克莱德，可心里仿佛正在七上八下地思考，此人究竟值得不值得追求。最后她认定是值得的，于是开口说:

"可今儿晚上我们还得要吃的，不管冰淇淋。蛋糕。

馅儿饼和夹肉面包都行。我们是特地来提醒路易斯，叫她先别吃得太饱了。汤姆，你知道吧，吉蒂。基恩今儿个生日，她要请客，准备了大蛋糕，还有许许多多东西。过一会儿你也去，是吧?

"末了，她嘴上是这么说的，心里却想的是克莱德，可不可以也邀他一块去呢。

"这个我可没想到，"拉特勒奉然自若地说。"我和克莱德打算吃过饭就上剧院看戏去。""哦，真傻，"霍丹斯。布里格斯插嘴说，一心要把注意中心从格里达。米勒转移到自己身上。她还伫立在镜前，这时侧过身来，向大家……特别是克莱德……迷人地一笑，心想她的朋友大概已在勾引他吧。"本来你可以跟我一块儿去跳跳舞，却硬要看戏去，依我看，那就太傻啦。""当然罗，你们三个……不管是你们俩，还是路易斯……就是只想跳舞呗，"拉特勒回嘴说。"真怪，你们从来都不想歇一会儿。我一天到晚老是东奔西跑，说真的巴不得这会儿坐下来透口气。"有的时候，他倒是很实事求是的。

"哦，别让我坐下歇着，"格里达。米勒说，一面高傲地一笑，随后抬起左脚，顺势一滑溜，好象就要翩翩起舞似的。"本星期约会可多着呢。嘿，真够呛!

"她把眼睛和眉毛往上一扬，两手紧攥在胸前，显出无可奈何的神态。"今年一冬还得跳这么多的舞，真吓人……霍丹斯，是吧?

星期四晚上。星期五晚上，还有星期六和星期日晚上。"她卖弄风骚地掐着指头说。"嘿，够呛!

真吓死人。"她特别讨好地向克莱德笑了一笑，仿佛向他寻求同情似的。"你猜，我们那天晚上是在哪儿，汤姆?

路易斯和拉尔夫。索普，霍丹斯和伯特。格特勒，还有我和威利。

巴西克……都上韦伯斯特大街佩格兰舞厅去了。哦，说实在的，你也该去那儿，看看那一大拨人。萨姆。谢菲尔和蒂利。伯恩斯也在那儿。我们跳呀跳，一直跳到转天凌晨四点。我只怕我的两条腿快断了。我可不记得多咱有这么累过哩。

""哦，真够呛!

"霍丹斯插嘴说，一面马上抓住机会，举起两臂，仿佛做戏似的，"我还以为转天上午可上不了班呢。我两眼模模糊糊，几乎连顾客也都看不清。这可叫我妈急坏了!

真吓人!

至今她神志还没恢复过来哩。平时星期六和星期日晚上去跳她还不怎么反对，可是现在一星期里天天晚上都跳，而转天早上七点，我还得照常起床……对不起……要不然，她就嘀嘀咕咕没个完!

""可我倒也不怪她，"拉特勒太太插话说，这时她正好托着一盘土豆和一些面包走了进来。"你们两个要是不多多休息休息，准要病倒的，路易斯也是一样。

我可一个劲儿对她说，要是她再不多睡一会儿觉，她的工作就准保不住了，再说，她的身体怕是也顶不住的。可她就是象汤姆一样也不听我的话，只当压根儿没这回事呢。""哦，干我这一行的人，你就别指望能每天早早回来，妈，"拉特勒拢共只说了这么一句。霍丹斯。布里格斯又找补着说:

"好家伙，要是叫我在家待上一晚，那可要把我憋死了。工作了一整天，可也得让我乐一乐嘛。"克莱德心里想，这个家该是多么轻松愉快啊。多么落落大方，多么满不在乎。瞧这两个姑娘神气，该有多么性感，多么热情。显而易见，她们的父母也是什么都不在意的。要是他也有一个就象霍丹斯。布里格斯那样长着一张富于肉感的小嘴。一双明亮而又厉害的眼睛的漂亮姑娘，该有多好!

"每星期我只要有两晚上早睡就够了，"格里达。米勒淘气地说。"我父亲说我简直是疯了，不过，我觉得多睡反而对身体不好。"她闹着玩儿，一边说，一边哈哈大笑起来，尽管有些话她说的都是土话俚语，可克莱德还是听得津津有味。反正从这里就可以看到青春。快活。自由和热爱生活。

正在这当儿，前门开了，路易斯。拉特勒急冲冲走进来。她是个衣着整洁。

生气勃勃。中等身材的小姑娘，披着一条红衬里的披肩，一顶蓝色软呢帽低低地拉到眼梢边上。她比哥哥显得更要活泼，浑身有劲儿;她身段虽比她的两个女友柔软，但模样儿却是一样漂亮。

"哦，看谁在这儿!

"她大声嚷嚷说。"你们这两个丫头找上门来，而且还比我先到，是不是?

唉，今儿晚上因为帐面上出了一点岔错，给拖住了。我就得上出纳那儿说明去。虽然那决不是我的岔错。是人家把我写的字认错了，"这时她才头一次发现了克莱德，便说:

"我准知道这一位是谁……是格里菲思先生嘛。汤姆常常念叨你。我心里老是纳闷，干吗他不早点把你带来。"克莱德听了心里喜孜孜，就咕哝着说，他也巴不得自己能早点跟拉特勒一家人见见面。

不过，那两位客人跟路易斯一块走进了前面的一个小卧室，商量了一会儿，马上出来了。由于主人几次三番地热情相邀，她们就决定留下来……其实，用不着坚邀，她们也会留下来的。克莱德一见到她们在场，就非常兴奋，特别带劲……而且急急乎想给她们一个好印象，往后好跟这些姑娘亲密来往。这三个姑娘觉得他富有吸引力，也急于博得他的好感，因此就使得他生平头一遭泰然自若地跟异性交际应酬，有说有笑了。

"我们是特地来关照你，千万别吃得太饱，"格里达。米勒侧过身来，冲路易斯笑着说。"可是，现在你看，我们自个儿倒是又在吃了。"她开怀大笑说。"吉蒂家里会有馅儿饼和蛋糕，什么好吃的都有。""哦，得了，最痛快的听说我们还得要跳舞呢。哦，我只好说请老天爷保佑了，"霍丹斯插话说。

克莱德留意到，她的那张小嘴特别惹人喜爱，每当她笑的时候，嘴儿轻轻地一皱，那种迷人的劲儿，竟让克莱德又惊又喜，简直不能自已了。在他看来，她那一举一动，一颦一笑，都是很讨人欢喜的……简直是令人完全倾倒。是的，她那股迷人的魅力，确实使他很快把刚拿来的咖啡一口喝下去，差一点噎住了。

他放声大笑，觉得自己真的乐不可支了。

是我叫他乐得这个样子。""哦，瞧你的能耐，岂止这些，"克莱德大声嚷嚷说;他忽然灵机一动，勇气也一下子来了。由于她施加给他的影响，他猛地觉得自己胆大如牛，尽管还带有几分傻劲儿。于是，他接下去说:

"嘿，我一看见这么多漂亮的脸蛋儿，真的要晕头晕脑了。""哎哟哟，你可用不着这样快就上她们的当，克莱德，"拉特勒出于好心告诫他说。"这些拆白党会拼命追你，她们想上哪儿，就让你带她们上哪儿。一开头你最好不要就这样呀。"果然不出所料，路易斯。拉特勒并不因为她哥哥刚才说的话就觉得害臊，她说:

"格里菲思先生，你会跳舞，是吗?

""不，我不会，"克莱德回答说;路易斯这一问，使他马上头脑清醒，觉得在这拨人中间才发现自己这一不足之处，心中非常懊恼。"不过，我现在的确巴不得能跳才好，"他先是望望霍丹斯，然后望望格里达。米勒，带着几分恳求的神气，套近乎地继续说。可是，谁都佯装没有注意到他到底最喜欢哪一位，虽然霍丹斯由于捷足先登，不免心里有些雀跃。她并不认为自己对他十分中意，不过，她一出场，就这么光彩照人地一下子压倒了她的那两个对手，毕竟值得暗自庆幸的。这一点连她的女友也感觉到了。"这不是太糟了吗?

"此刻她因为深信克莱德最喜欢自己，所以，她有点儿满不在乎，乃至于自视甚高地说。"要是你会跳，那你和汤姆两个就可以跟我们一块去。吉蒂家里几乎动不动就跳舞。

"克莱德开始泄气了，而且马上形之于色。试想一下:

这儿的几个姑娘里头，她原是最吸引他的一个，现在她却易如反掌地把他，连同他的美梦和心愿一块都给抛弃了，只是因为他不会跳舞。这一切都得怪他那该死的家庭教育。他觉得自己泄了气。受了骗。连跳舞都不会，在她们眼里岂不是大傻瓜吗。路易斯。

拉特勒也露出一点儿困惑。冷漠的神色。不过，格里达。米勒……虽然她要博得克莱德青睐还比不上霍丹斯，可她却给他解了围，说:

"哦，那跳舞……可并不难学嘛。只要你高兴，饭后我教你几分钟就会了。你只要记住几个步法就得了。

那时候你要是高兴，就不妨跟我们一块去。"克莱德听后很高兴，连忙道谢，说……他已下了决心，今后一有机会，就要学会它，不论是在这里还是在别处。他抚心自问，为什么不早点进跳舞学校呢?

不过，他心中最痛苦的是，在他已表白过自己喜欢霍丹斯之后她还表现出那种看似冷淡的神态。也许就是因为刚才提到的。跟她一块去跳舞的那个伯特。

格特勒，才使他不可能引起霍丹斯的兴趣吧。这等事他总是这么不走运。唉!

不过，晚饭刚吃完，大家还在聊天的时候，首先打开唱机，放上舞曲唱片，把手伸过来向他邀舞的，正是霍丹斯:

她决心不让她的对手占上风。其实，她对克莱德并不特别感兴趣或是着了迷，至少不象格里达那样为了他禁不住心慌。

不过，要是她的女朋友打算利用这样方式把他征服，难道说她还不该先下手为强?

克莱德却误解了霍丹斯态度上这一变化原因，以为她比他想象中还要喜欢他，正在这当儿，她便拉住了他的手，心想此人简直太扭扭捏捏了。尽管这样，她还是叫他右手搂在她腰里，左手在她肩膀上方握住她的右手，要他注意她的脚和自己的脚，并且开始示范，做了几个跳舞的基本动作。殊不知他一时太性急，心中也太感激了……几乎紧张到了令人可笑的程度……使霍丹斯很不喜欢，觉得此人不免有些单纯，而且也太稚嫩了。与此同时，他身上毕竟也有他的可爱之处，使她乐于助他一臂之力。不一会儿，他已经能相当轻快自如地跟她跳舞了……后来他又跟格里达和路易斯跳了一会儿，不过心里总巴不得跟霍丹斯跳。

最后，一致公认他的舞步已经相当熟练，只要他愿意去，就可以跟她们一块跳舞去了。

克莱德一想到只要同霍丹斯接近，还能再跟她跳舞，心中就来了很大劲儿，所以，不管这时已有三个年轻人(其中包括那个伯特。格特勒在内)来陪她们一块去，而且克莱德跟拉特勒事先还约定一起去看戏，可他仍然情不自禁，表示要跟大伙儿一块去……既然这样，拉特勒最后只好同意取消看戏的打算了。不一会儿，他们就出发了。这时，霍丹斯是由伯特。格特勒陪着的，克莱德因为不能同她在一起走，心里很恼火，因而也就憎恨他的这个情敌。幸好路易斯和格里达对他相当亲切，使他心里稍微舒畅一些，于是，他就竭力向她们俩献殷勤。

拉特勒发觉他特别喜欢霍丹斯，就抓住单独跟他在一块的时机，对他说:

"最好别死追霍丹斯。布里格斯。依我看，她只不过是卖弄风骚罢了。她随便支使了格特勒这一伙人。也许她只不过逗逗你，你休想从她那儿得到些什么。

"可是这种出于至诚的善意规劝，并没有使克莱德头脑清醒一些。不论是见到她也好，还是由于她那微笑的蛊惑，她那一举手，一投足，充满青春的魔力和活力，竟使他完全神魂颠倒了。若是她再给他一笑，一瞥，一握手，无论要他献出什么或者做些什么，他都甘之如饴。殊不知他眼前结识的这位姑娘，对自己奋进目标，不会比一只飞蛾知道得更多;只不过到了她认为既方便。而又有利的时机，她便去利用一下同她自己年龄相仿或则稍大一些的男孩子，以达到寻欢作乐，或则获取一些她所心爱的衣服这一目的罢了。

这次聚会不外乎是年轻人追求爱侣时期常见的一次热情迸发罢了。吉蒂。

基恩的家，只不过是在一条寒伧的街上一所小房子，街的两旁都是十二月里光秃秃的树木。不过，在克莱德看来，因为有一张漂亮的脸蛋儿，已使他热恋不已，这里仿佛充满了罗曼蒂克的色彩。氛围和欢乐。而且，他在这里见到的少男少女……拉特勒。赫格伦和霍丹斯这一类型的少男少女……毕竟真正体现出了充沛精力。潇洒自如与热心大胆的素质，他只要能具备这些素质，即使要他把心掏出来，他也乐意。说来也怪得很，他虽然有点神经紧张，可是交上了这些新朋友，他很快就成为这里欢乐人群中的一员了。

这一次，他觉得是个机会，不妨开开眼，看看这一类型少男少女究竟怎样寻欢作乐，这种场面他过去可没有见过，这究竟算是幸运还是不幸，那随你怎么说就得了。比方说，有一种色情舞蹈，路易斯。霍丹斯和格里达都跳得如痴似醉，简直是满不在乎，一点儿也不害臊。与此同时，这些年轻人中有许多人后裤袋里，都带着一小扁瓶威士忌，不仅是他们自己喝，还给别人喝……管他是少男还是少女。

因为有了酒助兴，一下子闹得更欢了，他们之间就更加亲热了，调情取乐也更加大胆了……霍丹斯。路易斯和格里达全都参加。有时候他们也发生争吵。

克莱德看见这一个或是那一个小伙子在门背后搂抱一个姑娘，或是躲进一个僻静角落里，坐在椅子上，把一个姑娘紧紧抱在自己怀里，或是同她一起躺在沙发里，低声轻语，说一些无疑让她高兴听的话:

凡此种种，在这里看来都是司空见惯的事。固然他始终没有发现霍丹斯也有这样的事……可他还是看到:

她毫不迟疑地在好几个年轻小伙子的怀里偎坐过，或是到门背后同几个为了她而争风吃醋的人说悄悄话。有时候，这不免让他泄气而又恼火，觉得自己再也不能同她交往了……她这个人太卑劣，太庸俗，太轻率了。

人家多次请他喝酒，他也都喝了……为的是表示自己善于交际酬酢，并不比别人差……后来他一反常态，壮起胆来，居然以半似规劝。半似谴责的口吻，说到了霍丹斯那种过于放肆的行为。

"原来如此，你真会卖俏呀。不管戏弄谁，你都满不在乎，是吧?

"这是半夜一点过后，他正在跟她跳舞时说的。一个名叫威尔肯斯的小伙子，正在一架音色不正的钢琴上弹着曲子伴舞。她露出亲切而又卖俏的神态，打算教给他一种新舞步，随后却给他挤了一个愉快而又富于肉感的眼色。

"卖俏吗?

你说说什么意思?

我可不明白。""哦，你还不明白?

"克莱德回答说，有点儿火了，不过还是竭力装着假笑，掩饰自己真实的心情。"我听人说起过你。你把他们都戏弄了。""哦，我怎么啦?

"她相当生气地抢白说。"嘿，我好象还没有把你怎么戏弄，是不是?

""得了吧，别生气，"他半似规劝。半似谴责地说，也许担心自己把话说得太过头，很可能完全失去了她。"可我并没有什么别的意思。你也不否认，你让这么多小伙子跟你调情吧。反正他们好象都很喜欢你哩。""哦，当然罗，他们都喜欢我。可是，这叫我怎么办?

""得了，我这就告诉你吧，"他突然心里一激动，就带点吹嘘味道，不假思索地冲口而说。"我在你身上花钱，可以比他们哪一个还要多。我有的是钱。"刚才他还想到自己口袋里安安稳稳搁着五十块美钞。

"哦，我可不知道，"她不以为然地说。她对所谓钱财之事非常关心;与此同时，使她得意洋洋的，就是说，她有能耐，准叫小伙子差不多个个都象烈火上身似的。其实，霍丹斯并不是太聪明，而且轻浮得很，自以为富于魅力，见了镜子，禁不住左顾右盼，欣赏自己的眼眸。秀发。脖子。双手和身姿，还要练一练她那特别诱人的微笑。

克莱德虽说稚嫩，长得却相当富于吸引力，这一点她也不能无动于衷。她喜欢逗弄类似这样的黄口小儿。依她看，他有点儿傻。不过，他是在格林－戴维逊工作的，而且穿得也很讲究;他说他有钱，自然乐意在她身上花钱。别的小伙子，尽管她挺喜欢，可他们当中有些人就是没有多少钱可供挥霍的。

"许多有钱的人，都乐意在我身上花钱呢，"她把头往上一扬，两眼一闪一闪，脸上又露出了她那最诱人的微笑。

克莱德马上脸一沉。她那蛊惑的一颦一笑，已使他招架不住了。他先是眉头皱紧，随后又舒展开来;两眼露出欲火中烧和苦恼的闪光，以及他对清贫生活的夙恨。毫无疑问，霍丹斯说的全是真话。事实上的确有人比他还要有钱，而且还要舍得花钱。刚才他是在吹嘘，太可笑了。何况这会儿她正在嘲笑他哩。

过了半晌，他有气无力地继续说:

"我想你这话说得倒是不错。不过，他们可不会象我那样喜欢你吧。"这一片肺腑之言，使她听后得意非凡。说到底，他这个人还算不坏。他们在悠扬的乐曲声中翩翩起舞。

"哦，我并不是到哪儿都象我现在那样随便跟人逗笑。这儿的男男女女全是自己人，都很熟嘛。我们到哪儿都是在一块。你可千万别见怪。"她这是在巧妙地撒谎，不过，这么一来，他总觉得舒服一些。"嘿，只要你待我好，我什么都乐意给呀，"他简直如疯似狂地。不顾一切地恳求她。"我从没见过比你更好的姑娘。你太漂亮了。我已给你迷上了。你多咱跟我一块出去吃饭，饭后我再带你去看戏，好吗?

明儿晚上，还是星期天，你乐意去吗?

这两个晚上我休息。其他晚上我都要上班。"她先是迟疑了一会儿，因为即便到了此刻，她还说不准自己究竟乐意不乐意让这种关系继续下去。且不说其他几个人吧，单是格特勒心里就酸溜溜的，一个劲儿盯着她。即使说克莱德乐意为她花钱，也许她最好不要跟他缠在一起。

现在，他早已心急如焚，恐怕将来麻烦也许还会更多呢。与此同时，她那卖弄风骚的第二天性，也不会让她丢掉他。要是那样的话，他就可能一下子落入格里达或是路易斯手中!

因此，她终于同他约定下星期二见面。不过，今儿晚上他可不能上她家去，也不能送她回家……因为已有格特勒先生护送她。可是下星期二，六点半，她将在格林－戴维逊附近等他。他还对她说，那时他们不妨先到弗里塞尔酒家吃晚饭，饭后上离那儿只有两街区的利比剧院去看歌舞喜剧《海盗》。
Part 1 Chapter 12
Now trivial as this contact may seem to some, it was of the utmost significance to Clyde. Up to this time he hadnever seen a girl with so much charm who would deign to look at him, or so he imagined. And now he had foundone, and she was pretty and actually interested sufficiently to accompany him to dinner and to a show. It wastrue, perhaps, that she was a flirt, and not really sincere with any one, and that maybe at first he could not expecther to center her attentions on him, but who knew--who could tell?
　　And true to her promise on the following Tuesday she met him at the corner of 14th Street and Wyandotte, nearthe Green-Davidson. And so excited and flattered and enraptured was he that he could scarcely arrange hisjumbled thoughts and emotions in any seemly way. But to show that he was worthy of her, he had made analmost exotic toilet--hair pomaded, a butterfly tie, new silk muffler and silk socks to emphasize his bright brownshoes, purchased especially for the occasion.
　　But once he had reencountered Hortense, whether all this was of any import to her he could not tell. For, after all,it was her own appearance, not his, that interested her. And what was more--a trick with her--she chose to keephim waiting until nearly seven o'clock, a delay which brought about in him the deepest dejection of spirit for thetime being. For supposing, after all, in the interval, she had decided that she did not care for him and did not wishto see him any more. Well, then he would have to do without her, of course. But that would prove that he was notinteresting to a girl as pretty as she was, despite all the nice clothes he was now able to wear and the money hecould spend. He was determined that, girl or no girl, he would not have one who was not pretty. Ratterer andHegglund did not seem to mind whether the girl they knew was attractive or not, but with him it was a passion.
　　The thought of being content with one not so attractive almost nauseated him.
　　And yet here he was now, on the street corner in the dark--the flare of many signs and lights about, hundreds ofpedestrians hurrying hither and thither, the thought of pleasurable intentions and engagements written upon the faces of many--and he, he alone, might have to turn and go somewhere else--eat alone, go to a theater alone, gohome alone, and then to work again in the morning. He had just about concluded that he was a failure when outof the crowd, a little distance away, emerged the face and figure of Hortense. She was smartly dressed in a blackvelvet jacket with a reddish-brown collar and cuffs, and a bulgy, round tam of the same material with a redleather buckle on the side. And her cheeks and lips were rouged a little. And her eyes sparkled. And as usual shegave herself all the airs of one very well content with herself.
　　"Oh, hello, I'm late, ain't I? I couldn't help it. You see, I forgot I had another appointment with a fella, a friend ofmine--gee, a peach of a boy, too, and it was only at six I remembered that I had the two dates. Well, I was in amess then. So I had to do something about one of you. I was just about to call you up and make a date for anothernight, only I remembered you wouldn't be at your place after six. Tom never is. And Charlie always is in hisplace till six-thirty, anyhow, sometimes later, and he's a peach of a fella that way--never grouchy or nothing. Andhe was goin' to take me to the theater and to dinner, too. He has charge of the cigar stand over here at the Orphia.
　　So I called him up. Well, he didn't like it so very much. But I told him I'd make it another night. Now, aintchaglad? Dontcha think I'm pretty nice to you, disappointin' a good-lookin' fella like Charlie for you?"She had caught a glimpse of the disturbed and jealous and yet fearsome look in Clyde's eyes as she talked ofanother. And the thought of making him jealous was a delight to her. She realized that he was very much smittenwith her. So she tossed her head and smiled, falling into step with him as he moved up the street.
　　"You bet it was nice of you to come," he forced himself to say, even though the reference to Charlie as a "peachof a fella" seemed to affect his throat and his heart at the same time. What chance had he to hold a girl who wasso pretty and self-willed? "Gee, you look swell to-night," he went on, forcing himself to talk and surprisinghimself a little with his ability to do so. "I like the way that hat looks on you, and your coat too." He lookeddirectly at her, his eyes lit with admiration, an eager yearning filling them. He would have liked to have kissedher--her pretty mouth-- only he did not dare here, or anywhere as yet.
　　"I don't wonder you have to turn down engagements. You're pretty enough. Don't you want some roses to wear?"They were passing a flower store at the moment and the sight of them put the thought of the gift in his mind. Hehad heard Hegglund say that women liked fellows who did things for them.
　　"Oh, sure, I would like some roses," she replied, turning into the place. "Or maybe some of those violets. Theylook pretty. They go better with this jacket, I think."She was pleased to think that Clyde was sporty enough to think of flowers. Also that he was saying such nicethings about her. At the same time she was convinced that he was a boy who had had little, if anything, to dowith girls. And she preferred youths and men who were more experienced, not so easily flattered by her--not soeasy to hold. Yet she could not help thinking that Clyde was a better type of boy or man than she wasaccustomed to--more refined. And for that reason, in spite of his gaucheness (in her eyes) she was inclined totolerate him--to see how he would do.
　　"Well, these are pretty nifty," she exclaimed, picking up a rather large bouquet of violets and pinning them on. "Ithink I'll wear these." And while Clyde paid for them, she posed before the mirror, adjusting them to her taste. Atlast, being satisfied as to their effect, she turned and exclaimed, "Well, I'm ready," and took him by the arm.
　　Clyde, being not a little overawed by her spirit and mannerisms, was at a loss what else to say for the moment,but he need not have worried--her chief interest in life was herself.
　　"Gee, I tell you I had a swift week of it last week. Out every night until three. An' Sunday until nearly morning.
　　My, that was some rough party I was to last night, all right. Ever been down to Burkett's at Gifford's Ferry? Oh, anifty place, all right, right over the Big Blue at 39th. Dancing in summer and you can skate outside when it'sfrozen in winter or dance on the ice. An' the niftiest little orchestra."Clyde watched the play of her mouth and the brightness of her eyes and the swiftness of her gestures withoutthinking so much of what she said--very little.
　　"Wallace Trone was along with us--gee, he's a scream of a kid--and afterwards when we was sittin' down to eatice cream, he went out in the kitchen and blacked up an' put on a waiter's apron and coat and then comes backand serves us. That's one funny boy. An' he did all sorts of funny stuff with the dishes and spoons." Clyde sighedbecause he was by no means as gifted as the gifted Trone.
　　"An' then, Monday morning, when we all got back it was nearly four, and I had to get up again at seven. I was allin. I coulda chucked my job, and I woulda, only for the nice people down at the store and Mr. Beck. He's thehead of my department, you know, and say, how I do plague that poor man. I sure am hard on that store. One dayI comes in late after lunch; one of the other girls punched the clock for me with my key, see, and he was out inthe hall and he saw her, and he says to me afterwards, about two in the afternoon, 'Say look here, Miss Briggs'
　　(he always calls me Miss Briggs, 'cause I won't let him call me nothing else. He'd try to get fresh if I did), 'thatloanin' that key stuff don't go. Cut that stuff out now. This ain't no Follies.' I had to laugh. He does get so sore attimes at all of us. But I put him in his place just the same. He's kinda soft on me, you know--he wouldn't fire mefor worlds, not him. So I says to him, 'See here, Mr. Beck, you can't talk to me in any such style as that. I'm notin the habit of comin' late often. An' wot's more, this ain't the only place I can work in K.C. If I can't be late oncein a while without hearin' about it, you can just send up for my time, that's all, see.' I wasn't goin' to let him getaway with that stuff. And just as I thought, he weakened. All he says was, 'Well, just the same, I'm warnin' you.
　　Next time maybe Mr. Tierney'll see you an' then you'll get a chance to try some other store, all right.' He knew hewas bluffing and that I did, too. I had to laugh. An' I saw him laughin' with Mr. Scott about two minutes later.
　　But, gee, I certainly do pull some raw stuff around there at times."By then she and Clyde, with scarcely a word on his part, and much to his ease and relief, had reached Frissell's.
　　And for the first time in his life he had the satisfaction of escorting a girl to a table in such a place. Now he reallywas beginning to have a few experiences worthy of the name. He was quite on edge with the romance of it.
　　Because of her very high estimate of herself, her very emphatic picture of herself as one who was intimate withso many youths and girls who were having a good time, he felt that up to this hour he had not lived at all. Swiftlyhe thought of the different things she had told him--Burkett's on the Big Blue, skating and dancing on the ice-CharlieTrone--the young tobacco clerk with whom she had had the engagement for to-night--Mr. Beck at thestore who was so struck on her that he couldn't bring himself to fire her. And as he saw her order whatever sheliked, without any thought of his purse, he contemplated quickly her face, figure, the shape of her hands, sosuggestive always of the delicacy or roundness of the arm, the swell of her bust, already very pronounced, thecurve of her eyebrows, the rounded appeal of her smooth cheeks and chin. There was something also about the tone of her voice, unctuous, smooth, which somehow appealed to and disturbed him. To him it was delicious.
　　Gee, if he could only have such a girl all for himself!
　　And in here, as without, she clattered on about herself, not at all impressed, apparently, by the fact that she wasdining here, a place that to him had seemed quite remarkable. When she was not looking at herself in a mirror,she was studying the bill of fare and deciding what she liked--lamb with mint jelly--no omelette, no beef--oh,yes, filet of mignon with mushrooms. She finally compromised on that with celery and cauliflower. And shewould like a cocktail. Oh, yes, Clyde had heard Hegglund say that no meal was worth anything without a fewdrinks, so now he had mildly suggested a cocktail. And having secured that and a second, she seemed warmerand gayer and more gossipy than ever.
　　But all the while, as Clyde noticed, her attitude in so far as he was concerned was rather distant--impersonal. Iffor so much as a moment, he ventured to veer the conversation ever so slightly to themselves, his deep personalinterest in her, whether she was really very deeply concerned about any other youth, she threw him off byannouncing that she liked all the boys, really. They were all so lovely--so nice to her. They had to be. When theyweren't, she didn't have anything more to do with them. She "tied a can to them," as she once expressed it. Herquick eyes clicked and she tossed her head defiantly.
　　And Clyde was captivated by all this. Her gestures, her poses, moues and attitudes were sensuous and suggestive.
　　She seemed to like to tease, promise, lay herself open to certain charges and conclusions and then to withholdand pretend that there was nothing to all of this--that she was very unconscious of anything save the mostreserved thoughts in regard to herself. In the main, Clyde was thrilled and nourished by this mere proximity toher. It was torture, and yet a sweet kind of torture. He was full of the most tantalizing thoughts about howwonderful it would be if only he were permitted to hold her close, kiss her mouth, bite her, even. To cover hermouth with his! To smother her with kisses! To crush and pet her pretty figure! She would look at him atmoments with deliberate, swimming eyes, and he actually felt a little sick and weak--almost nauseated. His onedream was that by some process, either of charm or money, he could make himself interesting to her.
　　And yet after going with her to the theater and taking her home again, he could not see that he had made anynoticeable progress. For throughout the performance of "The Corsair" at Libby's, Hortense, who, because of heruncertain interest in him was really interested in the play, talked of nothing but similar shows she had seen, aswell as of actors and actresses and what she thought of them, and what particular youth had taken her. AndClyde, instead of leading her in wit and defiance and matching her experiences with his own, was compelled tocontent himself with approving of her.
　　And all the time she was thinking that she had made another real conquest. And because she was no longervirtuous, and she was convinced that he had some little money to spend, and could be made to spend it on her,she conceived the notion of being sufficiently agreeable--nothing more--to hold him, keep him attentive, ifpossible, while at the same time she went her own way, enjoying herself as much as possible with others andgetting Clyde to buy and do such things for her as might fill gaps--when she was not sufficiently or amusinglyenough engaged elsewhere.
       这次相识，在某些人看来，也许太微不足道了，可是对克莱德来说，却是至关重要的大事。截至目前为止，他还没见过如此一位妩媚动人的姑娘竟然向他俯赐青睐……至少他自己就是这样想象的。如今，他终于找到了一位漂亮姑娘，对他很感兴趣，答应陪他一块去吃饭。看戏。也许，她真的是个卖弄风骚的姑娘，和谁都说不上真心相待，也许一开头他还不能指望她就专一于他，不过……谁知道呢?

谁又能说得准呢?

下星期二，她果然遵约，在格林－戴维逊附近第十四街和威恩多特街拐角处跟他见了面。他是那么受宠。那么兴奋。那么狂喜，连自己乱成一团的思想感情，几乎也很难理出个头绪来了。不过，为了表示他与她完全般配，克莱德给自己打扮得几乎太奇特。太华丽了……头发搽了油，系上蝶形领结与崭新丝围巾，脚下穿着短丝袜，使他专门为这次约会买的那双闪闪发亮的棕色皮鞋更为显眼。

不过，当他与霍丹斯再次相见时，她对这些东西到底注意了没有，他就说不准了。因为，她注意的毕竟只是她自个儿的外貌，而不是他的外貌。再说……这是惯用的花招，故意让克莱德久等，直到将近七点钟才来;她的姗姗来迟，使他心情一时间极度沮丧。因为假定说，要是她这些天来对他早已不感兴趣，因而再也不乐意跟他见面呢?

得了，那他当然就不跟她来往了。不过，那也足以证明:

尽管他现在穿上漂亮衣服，也有钱可以挥霍了，可他还是不能让象她那样一个漂亮姑娘发生兴趣。他暗自思忖，他非交一个漂亮的女友不可……如果是不漂亮的，他就不要。拉特勒和赫格伦看来都不计较女友漂亮不漂亮，可是对他来说，那是一种癖好。如果仅仅满足于找到一个不漂亮的姑娘，那他一想到这里，几乎就恶心。

可是此刻，他却伫立在黑黝黝的大街交岔口……四周围许许多多广告招牌和灯光照得几乎令人眩目，成百的过往行人总是来去匆匆，很多人的脸部表情都说明:

他们心里想的是寻欢作乐和约会……而他呢，也许只有他一个人不得不往回走，上别处去……孤零零一个人吃饭，孤零零一个人去看戏，孤零零一个人回家转，然后转天早上再去上班。正当他认定自己倒楣透顶的时候，蓦然间，离这儿不远的地方，从人群里出现了霍丹斯的脸孔和身影。她打扮得很俊俏，身穿一件黑天鹅绒短外套，衣领和袖口是茶色带红，头戴一只圆鼓鼓的天鹅绒苏格兰人宽顶无檐便帽，边上还有一个红色皮扣子;两颊和唇边略敷脂粉口红。

一双眼眸忽闪忽闪的。如同往常一样，她看来还是露出踌躇满志的神气。

"哦，你好，我来晚了，是不是?

我可实在没办法。你看，我忘了还有个约会，那也是我的一个朋友……嘿，还是一个顶呱呱的小伙子;我到六点钟才想起来我有两个约会。天哪，这真叫我为难了。这样，你们两个，我得决定先会见哪一位才行。我正要给你打电话，想改到另一个晚上，忽然想起你六点以后就不在那儿了。汤姆也是六点一过就走了。可查理总在那儿，直到六点半才下班，反正有时候还要晚一些。何况他是个呱呱叫的好小子……从来不发脾气，也不嘀嘀咕咕的。本来他也要带我一块去看戏。吃饭。他是在奥菲亚剧院管香烟摊。

所以，我就给他打了个电话。不用说，他老大不高兴呀。不过，我告诉他说，我会改到另一个晚上同他见面。怎么样，现在你该高兴了吧?

为了你，硬是让查理那样一个漂亮小伙子落空，你说说我对你够意思了吧?

"她一眼就看出:

只要她一说到别的小伙子，克莱德眼里马上露出惊恐。嫉妒，而又有点儿惧怕的神色。她一想到自己能使他嫉妒，心里就很高兴。她知道她终于把他征服了。于是，她把脑袋往上一扬，微微一笑，她就跟他在街上一块往前走去。

"你来了，不用说，你是够意思的了，"他很勉强说了这么一句话，尽管她一提到查理这个"呱呱叫的好小子"，似乎使他的嗓子和心儿同时都给梗塞了。这样一个又漂亮。又任性的姑娘……难道说他就掌握不住她吗?

"嗨，今儿晚上你真是美极了，"他又勉强地说了一句。他居然能说出这么一句口彩，连自个儿也吃惊。

"你这顶帽子，还有这件外套，太合身了，我真喜欢。

"他两眼直楞楞瞅着她，露出爱慕的闪光，溢满了一种热切的渴望。他很想吻她……吻她那朱唇小口……只是在这里他还不敢，不论在哪儿，谅他也没有这份胆量。

"难怪你有这么多的约会，还得一一回绝呢。你太漂亮了。要不要戴几朵玫瑰花?

"这会儿他们正走过一家鲜花铺，他一看见玫瑰花，就想起要送一点东西给她。他听赫格伦说过，女人就喜欢男人给她们献殷勤。

"哦，当然罗，玫瑰花我可喜欢，"她回答说，一面走进鲜花铺。"或者就来点紫罗兰吧。这种花很美。依我看，跟外套相配就更好看啦。"她很高兴，想到克莱德竟然还有买花这种闲情逸致。还有他说了那些恭维她的话。与此同时，她相信他这个小伙子对女人知之甚少，也许压根儿都不了解。她喜欢的是经验比较丰富的年轻人和成年人，既不是这么容易就向她俯首贴耳，也不是那样易如反掌即可掌握住的。不过，她也不能不想到:

克莱德是她所熟知的那些男人中的佼佼者……举止态度比他们文雅些。所以，尽管(在她眼里)他有点儿笨拙，她还是有雅量包涵他……且看他以后怎样。

"哦，这些花真漂亮呀，"她大声嚷嚷说，随手捡起一大束紫罗兰，给自己别在身上。"我说我就戴上吧。"克莱德付钱的时候，她伫立在镜子前骚首弄姿，又按照自己的嗜好，把花儿别别好。直到最后她认为满意了，才转过身来，大声说:

"得了，走吧，"随即挽起了他的胳膊。

克莱德对她那副毫不客气的神气不免有点儿吃惊，一时简直不知道再说些什么才好。不过，他也用不着着急……霍丹斯全神贯注的，只是她自个儿罢了。

"嘿，我跟你说，上星期我简直是一晃而过。每天晚上都是舞会，直到转天凌晨三点钟才回家。星期天几乎跳到快要天亮哩。我的天哪，昨儿晚上的舞会，这才够劲儿。你去过伯克特舞厅没有?

就是在吉福德渡口那边的，你知道吗?

哦，那地方可漂亮，离第三十九街比格布罗不太远。夏天跳舞;冬天结了冰，就在室外溜冰，或是在冰上跳舞。还有那个小乐队，可棒极了。"克莱德只顾欣赏她那撅动的小嘴。闪亮的眼睛和迅捷的手势，却很少留意她所说的话。

"华莱士。特朗跟我们在一块……嘿，他这小子真叫人逗死呢……后来我们坐下来吃冰淇淋，他就上厨房去，把自己脸抹黑了，戴上侍者的围裙和大褂，回过来侍候我们。那真是个令人发笑的小鬼。他还用碟子和勺儿耍把戏，真逗人。"克莱德叹了一口气，因为他远不及这个天才特朗那样有天才。

"后来，星期一早上，我们大家回去的时候，差不多快四点了，可我七点还得起来。我简直累得快死了。我差点儿给炒鱿鱼了，要不是店里那些好人，还有那位贝克先生，我包管给炒鱿鱼了。他是我们的部主任，你知道吧，老实说，我真的叫这个可怜的人吃足了苦头。我在店里真是够调皮捣蛋的。有一天，我午后迟到了，另一个姑娘就替我按规定时间在我的考勤卡上打孔，你知道吗，不料这时他正好走了进来，看见了她。后来，已是午后两点钟，他就对我说，'

''''

听我说，布里格斯小姐，(他一向称我布里格斯小姐，因为我不许他叫别的名字。

我要是让他随便叫的话，那他就会乱来一气)'

''''叫别人给你考勤卡上打孔，是不算数的。往后少来这一套。人家都不是傻瓜啊。，我听了只好哈哈大笑起来。尽管有时候他对我们都会发火，可是我照样把他弄得服服帖帖的。所以，他对我多少比较客气，你知道吗……他怎么也不肯开掉我，说真的，他才不乐意呢。我就对他说，'

''''听我说，贝克先生，你可不能用这种口气对我说话。我可不是回回迟到呀。说穿了，偌大的堪萨斯城，我并不是只能在贵处工作。要是偶尔迟到一下，我就得听你唠叨，那你干脆把我送牢房，这就得了，明白吗。，我决不能容忍他用那种口气对我说话。我心里正琢磨着会有啥结果……他却马上软下来了。他只是说:

"得了，反正我已警告过你了。下次说不定你要是给蒂尔尼先生瞧见了，那你就得上别的铺子去试试了。，他知道他这是在虚张声势，这一点我也是心照不宣。我只好格格大笑起来。两分钟后，我就看见他跟斯科特先生在一起仰天大笑。不过，说真的，嘿，我有时候也真能逗弄人。"这时候，她跟克莱德终于走到了弗里塞尔酒家;一路上，他几乎没有说话，倒也使他感到很轻松自在。他破天荒头一回感到洋洋得意的，就是他能陪女友到这样阔气的地方去吃饭。说真的，现在他已开始品尝个中况味了。他心里急巴巴地，真想也能沾上一点儿罗曼蒂克情调。由于她对自己估计很高，竭力强调自己同这么多寻欢作乐的年轻男女交往密切，就使他觉得，截至此刻为止，仿佛自己压根儿没过上一天好日子。他马上想到了她刚才对他说过的那些事……在比格布罗附近的伯克特舞厅，在冰上溜冰跳舞……还有查理。特朗……同她约定今晚见面的那个香烟摊的年轻掌柜……还有那位一见她几乎脉脉含情。舍不得开掉她的贝克先生。他眼看着她一点也不考虑到他的钱袋，只按自己口味点菜的时候，赶快端详了一下她的脸蛋。她的身段，以及她的双手从腕到指尖的模样儿，使人一望可知她的整个儿手臂该有多么纤巧圆浑，还有她那高高耸起。丰满的胸脯，她那眉毛的曲线，她那光滑的脸颊和下巴颏儿长得完美的那种魅力。此外，她说话时那种矫揉造作。光滑流畅的声调，也有某种味儿，不知怎的，吸引了他，使他心烦意乱。他觉得，那是很动人的。哎哟哟，老天哪，这样一个姑娘，要是能完全属于他，该有多好!

霍丹斯在这酒家，如同在街上一样，照样唠唠叨叨地谈她自己的事，看来她压根儿没注意到:

此刻她是在克莱德心目中很了不起的这个地方吃饭。当她不是在对镜欣赏自己的时候，她就仔细看菜单，决定点哪些她爱吃的菜……薄荷冻羊肉……不，她不爱吃蛋卷，牛肉她也不爱吃……哦，得了，还有冬菇溜肉片。末了，她又添上了芹菜和花菜。此外，她还想喝点鸡尾酒。哦，是的，克莱德听赫格伦说过，吃饭要是不喝一点酒，就太没意思了，所以，他就毫不迟疑地提议喝一点鸡尾酒。霍丹斯喝完一杯，又喝上一杯之后，仿佛比从前更热和。更快活。更饶舌了。

不过，克莱德注意到，她自始至终同他还是保持一种多少冷淡的……客观的态度。要是他怯生生地想要稍微转换一下话题，谈谈他们两人的关系，以及他对她的一往深情，问问清楚她是不是真的爱上了别的小伙子，她会公开说所有的男朋友真的她都喜欢，一下子就把他给甩了。她说他们都那么可爱……个个都待她那么好。他们非得这样不可。要不然，她就再也不睬他们了。正如有一次她所说，"给他们拴上一个洋铁罐。"(此处意谓霍丹斯玩弄男性，有如美国顽童恶作剧，即常常给狗尾巴拴上一只洋铁罐。)她那活灵灵的眼睛忽闪忽闪，脑袋昂然地晃动着。

克莱德已给这一切迷住了。她的表情。她的佯装。她的颦蹙，乃至于她的姿态，都是富于性感。令人想入非非。看来她喜爱捉弄人，随便允诺，让自己受到某种指控和定评，然后又不肯承认，推说这一切全属子虚乌有……装做她对自己只是极其谨慎以外，好象什么都不知道似的。一般地说，克莱德只要有她这个人在身边，心里就感到激奋。宽慰了。这是一种折磨，但也是一种甜蜜的折磨。他心心念念老是在想，想得干着急了:

他只要能紧紧地搂住她，吻她的嘴，甚至同她咬得紧紧的，该有多美!

用自己的嘴吻她的嘴!

不停地吻她!

紧紧地搂住她风姿绰约的身段，抚爱她!

有时，她那双故意露出泪汪汪的眼睛直望着他，说真的，他感到有点儿疲软无力……几乎产生厌恶。他只是梦想着:

不论自己的魅力或是金钱的威力，他硬是要使她爱上自己。

不过，即使他陪着她看戏，随后再送她回家，克莱德还是看不出有什么显著的进展。在利比剧院看《海盗》演出时，霍丹斯因为对克莱德尚未产生稳定的兴趣，说真的，始终注意剧情发展，她所说的，全是从前她看过的一些类似的剧目，以及她对那些男女演员的评论意见，此外，她还提到是哪个小伙子带她去看戏的。克莱德既然不能拿自己的经历同她试比高低，自然也不敢同她斗智取胜，所以，他就只好随声附和她的意见了。

可是，她自始至终在暗自思忖她眼前的新胜利。因为她一来早就不讲德行，二来知道他好歹有一点钱，而且他又乐意把它花在她身上，所以，她就算计着:

只要可能的话，就抓住他，使他一直巴结奉承她，无非如此而已……那倒也是够痛快的了。与此同时，她不妨照样我行我素，尽管跟别人一块寻欢作乐。赶上她得不到别处足够有趣的邀请，可能出现空档时候，就不妨让克莱德给她买这买那，为她效劳，陪她消愁解闷。
Part 1 Chapter 13
For a period of four months at least this was exactly the way it worked out. After meeting her in this fashion, hewas devoting not an inconsiderable portion of his free time to attempting to interest her to the point where shewould take as much interest in him as she appeared to take in others. At the same time he could not tell whethershe could be made to entertain a singular affection for any one. Nor could he believe that there was only aninnocent camaraderie involved in all this. Yet she was so enticing that he was deliriously moved by the thoughtthat if his worst suspicions were true, she might ultimately favor him. So captivated was he by this savor ofsensuality and varietism that was about her, the stigmata of desire manifest in her gestures, moods, voice, theway she dressed, that he could not think of relinquishing her.
　　Rather, he foolishly ran after her. And seeing this, she put him off, at times evaded him, compelled him tocontent himself with little more than the crumbs of her company, while at the same time favoring him withdescriptions or pictures of other activities and contacts which made him feel as though he could no longer endureto merely trail her in this fashion. It was then he would announce to himself in anger that he was not going to seeher any more. She was no good to him, really. But on seeing her again, a cold indifference in everything she saidand did, his courage failed him and he could not think of severing the tie.
　　She was not at all backward at the same time in speaking of things that she needed or would like to have--littlethings, at first--a new powder puff, a lip stick, a box of powder or a bottle of perfume. Later, and without havingyielded anything more to Clyde than a few elusive and evasive endearments--intimate and languorous recliningsin his arms which promised much but always came to nothing--she made so bold as to indicate to him at differenttimes and in different ways, purses, blouses, slippers, stockings, a hat, which she would like to buy if only shehad the money. And he, in order to hold her favor and properly ingratiate himself, proceeded to buy them, thoughat times and because of some other developments in connection with his family, it pressed him hard to do so.
　　And yet, as he was beginning to see toward the end of the fourth month, he was apparently little farther advancedin her favor than he had been in the beginning. In short, he was conducting a feverish and almost painful pursuitwithout any definite promise of reward.
　　In the meantime, in so far as his home ties went, the irritations and the depressions which were almostinextricably involved with membership in the Griffiths family were not different from what they had ever been.
　　For, following the disappearance of Esta, there had settled a period of dejection which still endured. Only, in sofar as Clyde was concerned, it was complicated with a mystery which was tantalizing and something more-irritating;for when it came to anything which related to sex in the Griffiths family, no parents could possiblyhave been more squeamish.
　　And especially did this apply to the mystery which had now surrounded Esta for some time. She had gone. Shehad not returned. And so far as Clyde and the others knew, no word of any kind had been received from her.
　　However, Clyde had noted that after the first few weeks of her absence, during which time both his mother andfather had been most intensely wrought up and troubled, worrying greatly as to her whereabouts and why she didnot write, suddenly they had ceased their worries, and had become very much more resigned--at least not sotortured by a situation that previously had seemed to offer no hope whatsoever. He could not explain it. It was quite noticeable, and yet nothing was said. And then one day a little later, Clyde had occasion to note that hismother was in communication with some one by mail--something rare for her. For so few were her social orbusiness connections that she rarely received or wrote a letter.
　　One day, however, very shortly after he had connected himself with the Green-Davidson, he had come in ratherearlier than usual in the afternoon and found his mother bending over a letter which evidently had just arrivedand which appeared to interest her greatly. Also it seemed to be connected with something which requiredconcealment. For, on seeing him, she stopped reading at once, and, flustered and apparently nervous, arose andput the letter away without commenting in any way upon what she had been doing. But Clyde for some reason,intuition perhaps, had the thought that it might be from Esta. He was not sure. And he was too far away to detectthe character of the handwriting. But whatever it was, his mother said nothing afterwards concerning it. Shelooked as though she did not want him to inquire, and so reserved were their relations that he would not havethought of inquiring. He merely wondered, and then dismissed it partially, but not entirely, from his mind.
　　A month or five weeks after this, and just about the time that he was becoming comparatively well-schooled inhis work at the Green-Davidson, and was beginning to interest himself in Hortense Briggs, his mother came tohim one afternoon with a very peculiar proposition for her. Without explaining what it was for, or indicatingdirectly that now she felt that he might be in a better position to help her, she called him into the mission hallwhen he came in from work and, looking at him rather fixedly and nervously for her, said: "You wouldn't know,Clyde, would you, how I could raise a hundred dollars right away?"Clyde was so astonished that he could scarcely believe his ears, for only a few weeks before the mere mention ofany sum above four or five dollars in connection with him would have been preposterous. His mother knew that.
　　Yet here she was asking him and apparently assuming that he might be able to assist her in this way. And rightly,for both his clothes and his general air had indicated a period of better days for him.
　　At the same time his first thought was, of course, that she had observed his clothes and goings-on and wasconvinced that he was deceiving her about the amount he earned. And in part this was true, only so changed wasClyde's manner of late, that his mother had been compelled to take a very different attitude toward him and wasbeginning to be not a little dubious as to her further control over him. Recently, or since he had secured this latestplace, for some reason he had seemed to her to have grown wiser, more assured, less dubious of himself, inclinedto go his own way and keep his own counsel. And while this had troubled her not a little in one sense, it ratherpleased her in another. For to see Clyde, who had always seemed because of his sensitiveness and unrest somuch of a problem to her, developing in this very interesting way was something; though at times, and in view ofhis very recent finery, she had been wondering and troubled as to the nature of the company he might bekeeping. But since his hours were so long and so absorbing, and whatever money he made appeared to be goinginto clothes, she felt that she had no real reason to complain. Her one other thought was that perhaps he wasbeginning to act a little selfish--to think too much of his own comfort--and yet in the face of his longdeprivations she could not very well begrudge him any temporary pleasure, either.
　　Clyde, not being sure of her real attitude, merely looked at her and exclaimed: "Why, where would I get ahundred dollars, Ma?" He had visions of his new-found source of wealth being dissipated by such unheard of andinexplicable demands as this, and distress and distrust at once showed on his countenance.
　　"I didn't expect that you could get it all for me," Mrs. Griffiths suggested tactfully. "I have a plan to raise themost of it, I think. But I did want you to help me try to think how I would raise the rest. I didn't want to go toyour father with this if I could help it, and you're getting old enough now to be of some help." She looked atClyde approvingly and interestedly enough. "Your father is such a poor hand at business," she went on, "and hegets so worried at times."She passed a large and weary hand over her face and Clyde was moved by her predicament, whatever it was. Atthe same time, apart from whether he was willing to part with so much or not, or had it to give, he was decidedlycurious about what all this was for. A hundred dollars! Gee whiz!
　　After a moment or two, his mother added: "I'll tell you what I've been thinking. I must have a hundred dollars,but I can't tell you for what now, you nor any one, and you mustn't ask me. There's an old gold watch of yourfather's in my desk and a solid gold ring and pin of mine. Those things ought to be worth twenty-five dollars atleast, if they were sold or pawned. Then there is that set of solid silver knives and forks and that silver platter andpitcher in there"--Clyde knew the keepsakes well--"that platter alone is worth twenty-five dollars. I believe theyought to bring at least twenty or twenty-five together. I was thinking if I could get you to go to some goodpawnshop with them down near where you work, and then if you would let me have five more a week for awhile" (Clyde's countenance fell)--"I could get a friend of mine--Mr. Murch who comes here, you know--toadvance me enough to make up the hundred, and then I could pay him back out of what you pay me. I have aboutten dollars myself."She looked at Clyde as much as to say: "Now, surely, you won't desert me in my hour of trouble," and Clyderelaxed, in spite of the fact that he had been counting upon using quite all that he earned for himself. In fact, heagreed to take the trinkets to the pawnshop, and to advance her five more for the time being until the differencebetween whatever the trinkets brought and one hundred dollars was made up. And yet in spite of himself, hecould not help resenting this extra strain, for it had only been a very short time that he had been earning so much.
　　And here was his mother demanding more and more, as he saw it--ten dollars a week now. Always somethingwrong, thought Clyde, always something needed, and with no assurance that there would not be more suchdemands later.
　　He took the trinkets, carried them to the most presentable pawnshop he could find, and being offered forty-fivedollars for the lot, took it. This, with his mother's ten, would make fifty-five, and with forty-five she couldborrow from Mr. Murch, would make a hundred. Only now, as he saw, it would mean that for nine weeks hewould have to give her ten dollars instead of five. And that, in view of his present aspirations to dress, live andenjoy himself in a way entirely different from what he previously considered necessary, was by no means apleasure to contemplate. Nevertheless he decided to do it. After all he owed his mother something. She had mademany sacrifices for him and the others in days past and he could not afford to be too selfish. It was not decent.
　　But the most enduring thought that now came to him was that if his mother and father were going to look to himfor financial aid, they should be willing to show him more consideration than had previously been shown him.
　　For one thing he ought to be allowed to come and go with more freedom, in so far as his night hours wereconcerned. And at the same time he was clothing himself and eating his meals at the hotel, and that was no smallitem, as he saw it.
　　However, there was another problem that had soon arisen and it was this. Not so long after the matter of thehundred dollars, he encountered his mother in Montrose Street, one of the poorest streets which ran north fromBickel, and which consisted entirely of two unbroken lines of wooden houses and two-story flats and manyunfurnished apartments. Even the Griffiths, poor as they were, would have felt themselves demeaned by thethought of having to dwell in such a street. His mother was coming down the front steps of one of the lesstatterdemalion houses of this row, a lower front window of which carried a very conspicuous card which read"Furnished Rooms." And then, without turning or seeing Clyde across the street, she proceeded to another housea few doors away, which also carried a furnished rooms card and, after surveying the exterior interestedly,mounted the steps and rang the bell.
　　Clyde's first impression was that she was seeking the whereabouts of some individual in whom she wasinterested and of whose address she was not certain. But crossing over to her at about the moment theproprietress of the house put her head out of the door, he heard his mother say: "You have a room for rent?""Yes." "Has it a bath?" "No, but there's a bath on the second floor." "How much is it a week?" "Four dollars.""Could I see it?" "Yes, just step in."Mrs. Griffiths appeared to hesitate while Clyde stood below, not twenty-five feet away, and looked up at her,waiting for her to turn and recognize him. But she stepped in without turning. And Clyde gazed after hercuriously, for while it was by no means inconceivable that his mother might be looking for a room for some one,yet why should she be looking for it in this street when as a rule she usually dealt with the Salvation Army or theYoung Women's Christian Association. His first impulse was to wait and inquire of her what she was doing here,but being interested in several errands of his own, he went on.
　　That night, returning to his own home to dress and seeing his mother in the kitchen, he said to her: "I saw youthis morning, Ma, in Montrose Street.""Yes," his mother replied, after a moment, but not before he had noticed that she had started suddenly as thoughtaken aback by this information. She was paring potatoes and looked at him curiously. "Well, what of it?" sheadded, calmly, but flushing just the same--a thing decidedly unusual in connection with her where he wasconcerned. Indeed, that start of surprise interested and arrested Clyde.
　　"You were going into a house there--looking for a furnished room, I guess.""Yes, I was," replied Mrs. Griffiths, simply enough now. "I need a room for some one who is sick and hasn'tmuch money, but it's not so easy to find either." She turned away as though she were not disposed to discuss thisany more, and Clyde, while sensing her mood, apparently, could not resist adding: "Gee, that's not much of astreet to have a room in." His new work at the Green-Davidson had already caused him to think differently ofhow one should live-- any one. She did not answer him and he went to his room to change his clothes.
　　A month or so after this, coming east on Missouri Avenue late one evening, he again saw his mother in the neardistance coming west. In the light of one of the small stores which ranged in a row on this street, he saw that shewas carrying a rather heavy old-fashioned bag, which had long been about the house but had never been muchused by any one. On sight of him approaching (as he afterwards decided) she had stopped suddenly and turnedinto a hallway of a three-story brick apartment building, and when he came up to it, he found the outside door was shut. He opened it, and saw a flight of steps dimly lit, up which she might have gone. However, he did nottrouble to investigate, for he was uncertain, once he reached this place, whether she had gone to call on some oneor not, it had all happened so quickly. But waiting at the next corner, he finally saw her come out again. Andthen to his increasing curiosity, she appeared to look cautiously about before proceeding as before. It was thisthat caused him to think that she must have been endeavoring to conceal herself from him. But why?
　　His first impulse was to turn and follow her, so interested was he by her strange movements. But he decided laterthat if she did not want him to know what she was doing, perhaps it was best that he should not. At the same timehe was made intensely curious by this evasive gesture. Why should his mother not wish him to see her carrying abag anywhere? Evasion and concealment formed no part of her real disposition (so different from his own).
　　Almost instantly his mind proceeded to join this coincidence with the time he had seen her descending the stepsof the rooming house in Montrose Street, together with the business of the letter he had found her reading, andthe money she had been compelled to raise--the hundred dollars. Where could she be going? What was shehiding?
　　He speculated on all this, but he could not decide whether it had any definite connection with him or any memberof the family until about a week later, when, passing along Eleventh near Baltimore, he thought he saw Esta, orat least a girl so much like her that she would be taken for her anywhere. She had the same height, and she wasmoving along as Esta used to walk. Only, now he thought as he saw her, she looked older. Yet, so quickly hadshe come and gone in the mass of people that he had not been able to make sure. It was only a glance, but on thestrength of it, he had turned and sought to catch up with her, but upon reaching the spot she was gone. Soconvinced was he, however, that he had seen her that he went straight home, and, encountering his mother in themission, announced that he was positive he had seen Esta. She must be back in Kansas City again. He could havesworn to it. He had seen her near Eleventh and Baltimore, or thought he had. Had his mother heard anythingfrom her?
　　And then curiously enough he observed that his mother's manner was not exactly what he thought it should havebeen under the circumstances. His own attitude had been one of commingled astonishment, pleasure, curiosityand sympathy because of the sudden disappearance and now sudden reappearance of Esta. Could it be that hismother had used that hundred dollars to bring her back? The thought had come to him--why or from where, hecould not say. He wondered. But if so, why had she not returned to her home, at least to notify the family of herpresence here?
　　He expected his mother would be as astonished and puzzled as he was--quick and curious for details. Instead, sheappeared to him to be obviously confused and taken aback by this information, as though she was hearing aboutsomething that she already knew and was puzzled as to just what her attitude should be.
　　"Oh, did you? Where? Just now, you say? At Eleventh and Baltimore? Well, isn't that strange? I must speak toAsa about this. It's strange that she wouldn't come here if she is back." Her eyes, as he saw, instead of lookingastonished, looked puzzled, disturbed. Her mouth, always the case when she was a little embarrassed anddisconcerted, worked oddly--not only the lips but the jaw itself.
　　"Well, well," she added, after a pause. "That is strange. Perhaps it was just some one who looked like her."But Clyde, watching her out of the corner of his eye, could not believe that she was as astonished as shepretended. And, thereafter, Asa coming in, and Clyde not having as yet departed for the hotel, he heard themdiscussing the matter in some strangely inattentive and unillumined way, as if it was not quite as startling as ithad seemed to him. And for some time he was not called in to explain what he had seen.
　　And then, as if purposely to solve this mystery for him, he encountered his mother one day passing along SpruceStreet, this time carrying a small basket on her arm. She had, as he had noticed of late, taken to going outregularly mornings and afternoons or evenings. On this occasion, and long before she had had an opportunity tosee him, he had discerned her peculiarly heavy figure draped in the old brown coat which she always wore, andhad turned into Myrkel Street and waited for her to pass, a convenient news stand offering him shelter. Once shehad passed, he dropped behind her, allowing her to precede him by half a block. And at Dalrymple, she crossedto Beaudry, which was really a continuation of Spruce, but not so ugly. The houses were quite old--quondamresidences of an earlier day, but now turned into boarding and rooming houses. Into one of these he saw her enterand disappear, but before doing so she looked inquiringly about her.
　　After she had entered, Clyde approached the house and studied it with great interest. What was his mother doingin there? Who was it she was going to see? He could scarcely have explained his intense curiosity to himself, andyet, since having thought that he had seen Esta on the street, he had an unconvinced feeling that it might havesomething to do with her. There were the letters, the one hundred dollars, the furnished room in Montrose Street.
　　Diagonally across the way from the house in Beaudry Street there was a large-trunked tree, leafless now in thewinter wind, and near it a telegraph pole, close enough to make a joint shadow with it. And behind these he wasable to stand unseen, and from this vantage point to observe the several windows, side and front and ground andsecond floor. Through one of the front windows above, he saw his mother moving about as though she werequite at home there. And a moment later, to his astonishment he saw Esta come to one of their two windows andput a package down on the sill. She appeared to have on only a light dressing gown or a wrap drawn about hershoulders. He was not mistaken this time. He actually started as he realized that it was she, also that his motherwas in there with her. And yet what had she done that she must come back and hide away in this manner? Hadher husband, the man she had run away with, deserted her?
　　He was so intensely curious that he decided to wait a while outside here to see if his mother might not come out,and then he himself would call on Esta. He wanted so much to see her again--to know what this mystery was allabout. He waited, thinking how he had always liked Esta and how strange it was that she should be here, hidingaway in this mysterious way.
　　After an hour, his mother came out, her basket apparently empty, for she held it lightly in her hand. And just asbefore, she looked cautiously about her, her face wearing that same stolid and yet care-stamped expression whichit always wore these days--a cross between an uplifting faith and a troublesome doubt.
　　Clyde watched her as she proceeded to walk south on Beaudry Street toward the Mission. After she was well outof sight, he turned and entered the house. Inside, as he had surmised, he found a collection of furnished rooms,name plates some of which bore the names of the roomers pasted upon them. Since he knew that the southeastfront room upstairs contained Esta, he proceeded there and knocked. And true enough, a light footstep respondedwithin, and presently, after some little delay which seemed to suggest some quick preparation within, the door opened slightly and Esta peeped out--quizzically at first, then with a little cry of astonishment and someconfusion. For, as inquiry and caution disappeared, she realized that she was looking at Clyde. At once sheopened the door wide.
　　"Why, Clyde," she called. "How did you come to find me? I was just thinking of you."Clyde at once put his arms around her and kissed her. At the same time he realized, and with a slight sense ofshock and dissatisfaction, that she was considerably changed. She was thinner--paler--her eyes almost sunken,and not any better dressed than when he had seen her last. She appeared nervous and depressed. One of the firstthoughts that came to him now was where her husband was. Why wasn't he here? What had become of him? Ashe looked about and at her, he noticed that Esta's look was one of confusion and uncertainty, not unmixed with alittle satisfaction at seeing him. Her mouth was partly open because of a desire to smile and to welcome him, buther eyes showed that she was contending with a problem.
　　"I didn't expect you here," she added, quickly, the moment he released her. "You didn't see--" Then she paused,catching herself at the brink of some information which evidently she didn't wish to impart.
　　"Yes, I did, too--I saw Ma," he replied. "That's how I came to know you were here. I saw her coming out justnow and I saw you up here through the window." (He did not care to confess that he had been following andwatching his mother for an hour.) "But when did you get back?" he went on. "It's a wonder you wouldn't let therest of us know something about you. Gee, you're a dandy, you are--going away and staying months and neverletting any one of us know anything. You might have written me a little something, anyhow. We always gotalong pretty well, didn't we?"His glance was quizzical, curious, imperative. She, for her part, felt recessive and thence evasive--uncertain,quite, what to think or say or tell.
　　She uttered: "I couldn't think who it might be. No one comes here. But, my, how nice you look, Clyde. You'vegot such nice clothes, now. And you're getting taller. Mamma was telling me you are working at the Green-Davidson."She looked at him admiringly and he was properly impressed by her notice of him. At the same time he could notget his mind off her condition. He could not cease looking at her face, her eyes, her thin-fat body. And as helooked at her waist and her gaunt face, he came to a very keen realization that all was not well with her. She wasgoing to have a child. And hence the thought recurred to him--where was her husband--or at any rate, the manshe had eloped with. Her original note, according to her mother, had said that she was going to get married. Yetnow he sensed quite clearly that she was not married. She was deserted, left in this miserable room here alone.
　　He saw it, felt it, understood it.
　　And he thought at once that this was typical of all that seemed to occur in his family. Here he was just getting astart, trying to be somebody and get along in the world and have a good time. And here was Esta, after her firstventure in the direction of doing something for herself, coming to such a finish as this. It made him a little sickand resentful.
　　"How long have you been back, Esta?" he repeated dubiously, scarcely knowing just what to say now, for nowthat he was here and she was as she was he began to scent expense, trouble, distress and to wish almost that hehad not been so curious. Why need he have been? It could only mean that he must help.
　　"Oh, not so very long, Clyde. About a month, now, I guess. Not more than that.""I thought so. I saw you up on Eleventh near Baltimore about a month ago, didn't I? Sure I did," he added a littleless joyously--a change that Esta noted. At the same time she nodded her head affirmatively. "I knew I did. Itold Ma so at the time, but she didn't seem to think so. She wasn't as surprised as I thought she would be, though.
　　I know why, now. She acted as though she didn't want me to tell her about it either. But I knew I wasn't wrong."He stared at Esta oddly, quite proud of his prescience in this case. He paused though, not knowing quite whatelse to say and wondering whether what he had just said was of any sense or import. It didn't seem to suggest anyreal aid for her.
　　And she, not quite knowing how to pass over the nature of her condition, or to confess it, either, was puzzledwhat to say. Something had to be done. For Clyde could see for himself that her predicament was dreadful. Shecould scarcely bear the look of his inquiring eyes. And more to extricate herself than her mother, she finallyobserved, "Poor Mamma. You mustn't think it strange of her, Clyde. She doesn't know what to do, you see,really. It's all my fault, of course. If I hadn't run away, I wouldn't have caused her all this trouble. She has so littleto do with and she's always had such a hard time." She turned her back to him suddenly, and her shoulders beganto tremble and her sides to heave. She put her hands to her face and bent her head low--and then he knew that shewas silently crying.
　　"Oh, come now, sis," exclaimed Clyde, drawing near to her instantly and feeling intensely sorry for her at themoment. "What's the matter? What do you want to cry for? Didn't that man that you went away with marry you?"She shook her head negatively and sobbed the more. And in that instant there came to Clyde the realpsychological as well as sociological and biological import of his sister's condition. She was in trouble,pregnant--and with no money and no husband. That was why his mother had been looking for a room. That waswhy she had tried to borrow a hundred dollars from him. She was ashamed of Esta and her condition. She wasashamed of not only what people outside the family would think, but of what he and Julia and Frank mightthink--the effect of Esta's condition upon them perhaps--because it was not right, unmoral, as people saw it. Andfor that reason she had been trying to conceal it, telling stories about it--a most amazing and difficult thing forher, no doubt. And yet, because of poor luck, she hadn't succeeded very well.
　　And now he was again confused and puzzled, not only by his sister's condition and what it meant to him and theother members of the family here in Kansas City, but also by his mother's disturbed and somewhat unmoralattitude in regard to deception in this instance. She had evaded if not actually deceived him in regard to all this,for she knew Esta was here all the time. At the same time he was not inclined to be too unsympathetic in thatrespect toward her--far from it. For such deception in such an instance had to be, no doubt, even where peoplewere as religious and truthful as his mother, or so he thought. You couldn't just let people know. He certainlywouldn't want to let people know about Esta, if he could help it. What would they think? What would they sayabout her and him? Wasn't the general state of his family low enough, as it was? And so, now he stood, staringand puzzled the while Esta cried. And she realizing that he was puzzled and ashamed, because of her, cried the more.
　　"Gee, that is tough," said Clyde, troubled, and yet fairly sympathetic after a time. "You wouldn't have run awaywith him unless you cared for him though--would you?" (He was thinking of himself and Hortense Briggs.) "I'msorry for you, Ess. Sure, I am, but it won't do you any good to cry about it now, will it? There's lots of otherfellows in the world beside him. You'll come out of it all right.""Oh, I know," sobbed Esta, "but I've been so foolish. And I've had such a hard time. And now I've brought allthis trouble on Mamma and all of you." She choked and hushed a moment. "He went off and left me in a hotel inPittsburgh without any money," she added. "And if it hadn't been for Mamma, I don't know what I would havedone. She sent me a hundred dollars when I wrote her. I worked for a while in a restaurant--as long as I could. Ididn't want to write home and say that he had left me. I was ashamed to. But I didn't know what else to do theretoward the last, when I began feeling so bad."She began to cry again; and Clyde, realizing all that his mother had done and sought to do to assist her, feltalmost as sorry now for his mother as he did for Esta--more so, for Esta had her mother to look after her and hismother had almost no one to help her.
　　"I can't work yet, because I won't be able to for a while," she went on. "And Mamma doesn't want me to comehome now because she doesn't want Julia or Frank or you to know. And that's right, too, I know. Of course it is.
　　And she hasn't got anything and I haven't. And I get so lonely here, sometimes." Her eyes filled and she began tochoke again. "And I've been so foolish."And Clyde felt for the moment as though he could cry too. For life was so strange, so hard at times. See how ithad treated him all these years. He had had nothing until recently and always wanted to run away. But Esta haddone so, and see what had befallen her. And somehow he recalled her between the tall walls of the big buildingshere in the business district, sitting at his father's little street organ and singing and looking so innocent and good.
　　Gee, life was tough. What a rough world it was anyhow. How queer things went!
　　He looked at her and the room, and finally, telling her that she wouldn't be left alone, and that he would comeagain, only she mustn't tell his mother he had been there, and that if she needed anything she could call on himalthough he wasn't making so very much, either--and then went out. And then, walking toward the hotel to go towork, he kept dwelling on the thought of how miserable it all was--how sorry he was that he had followed hismother, for then he might not have known. But even so, it would have come out. His mother could not haveconcealed it from him indefinitely. She would have asked for more money eventually maybe. But what a dogthat man was to go off and leave his sister in a big strange city without a dime. He puzzled, thinking now of thegirl who had been deserted in the Green-Davidson some months before with a room and board bill unpaid. Andhow comic it had seemed to him and the other boys at the time--highly colored with a sensual interest in it.
　　But this, well, this was his own sister. A man had thought so little of his sister as that. And yet, try as he would,he could no longer think that it was as terrible as when he heard her crying in the room. Here was this brisk,bright city about him running with people and effort, and this gay hotel in which he worked. That was not so bad.
　　Besides there was his own love affair, Hortense, and pleasures. There must be some way out for Esta. She wouldget well again and be all right. But to think of his being part of a family that was always so poor and so little thought of that things like this could happen to it--one thing and another--like street preaching, not being able topay the rent at times, his father selling rugs and clocks for a living on the streets--Esta running away and comingto an end like this. Gee!
       就象以上所说的情况，至少持续了四个月。克莱德同她初次相识以后，便一直在用他大部分的闲暇竭力设法让她如同眼下看上去她对待别的小伙子那样对他感到兴趣。与此同时，他既说不准她到底会不会对哪一个人有真诚的感情，也不能相信她与他之间只存在一种天真无邪的朋友关系。不过话又说回来，她毕竟是那么迷人，使他糊里糊涂地认为:

要是他的猜想正确的话，最后也许她会喜欢他的。霍丹斯身上诱出一种富于性感和瞬息多变的味儿，以及她通过种种姿势。脾气。声调和服饰所显示出的一腔情欲，已使他如此迷恋不已，说实在的，他舍不得抛弃她。

一句话，他是一个劲儿傻追她。她呢，一见此状，索性把他扔在一边，有时候躲着他，使他最多只能跟她一块玩玩。与此同时，她还情愿讲给他听自己和别的一些小伙子的交际活动，让他觉得自己再也无法继续只用这样的方式追求她了。一气之下，他居然对自己发誓说，从此以后再也不去看她了。说实话，他同她交往，原是一点儿好处都没有的。可是下次又见到了她，只见她的一言一行，一招一式，依然是冷冰冰。不好不坏的样子，他的勇气也就倏忽不见了……同她断绝往来，他实在想也不敢想。

与此同时，凡是她需要的东西，或是心里想的东西，都给克莱德讲了，一点儿都不害臊……开头是一些小玩意儿……比方说，一只新粉扑。一支口红。

一盒香粉，或是一瓶香水。后来呢，尽管她对克莱德只不过表示一两回躲躲闪闪。半推半就的亲昵行为……情意绵绵地偎在他怀里，这种动作看起来好象大有希望，但事实上常常让他落了空……她照样有胆量，敢于在不同的时间，以不同的方式，向他提到过什么钱包。罩衫。拖鞋。长袜。帽子等东西，说她要是有钱的话就要买。而他呢，为了继续讨好她。巴结她，也就去买了，虽然有时家里有事要用钱，他手头实在也是抠得够紧的。不过，到了第四个月月底，他才开始明白:

她对他的好感，同他们刚开始相识时相比，显然没有什么进步。

一句话，他正在进行一场热烈。几乎是痛苦的追求，但又没有什么明确的。可望成功的预兆。

再说说他的家吧，格里菲思一家如今陷入烦躁和抑郁之中，几乎不可自拔，同过去毫无二致。因为爱思达失踪以后，一家人至今依然心情沮丧。只不过克莱德的情况更要复杂，还有一种让他们感到难过，乃至于恼火的神秘感。因为在格里菲思家里，只要一涉及性的问题，天底下父母的态度就数格里菲思夫妇最富有神经质的了。

这一点，在环绕着爱思达的秘密上特别能看出问题。她出走了，至今也没有回来。克莱德与弟妹们好歹知道，家里一直没有得到任何有关她的信息。不过，克莱德注意到，她失踪后头几个星期里，父母特别焦急不安，非常揪心的是:

她究竟上哪儿去了，为什么她不写信来。后来不知怎的，他们突然不再忧心忡忡了，变得好象完全听天由命似的……至少不象前一时期因为看来毫无希望而感到无比苦恼了。个中道理他说不上来。这一转变已是很明显的，也没有人对此作过任何说明。稍后，克莱德注意到，有一天母亲跟一个人在通信……这在她是很少见的。因为她结交的朋友和业务联系都很少，平时极其难得收到或则寄发一封信。

可是，他到格林－戴维逊大酒店后没多久，有一天下午，他比往常回家早些，发现母亲正低着头看信。信显然是刚收到的，看来对她来说非常重要。也好象同某一件必须保密的事有联系。因为她一见到他，就马上不看了，脸涨得绯红，显然很慌张不安，站起来把信收了起来，压根儿也没说她刚才在看什么。

不过，出于某种原因，也许就是所谓直觉吧，克莱德认为这封信说不定是爱思达寄来的。可他又说不准。毕竟他站得太远，没法看清笔迹。不过，不管怎么说吧，母亲后来就没有向他再提这件事。瞧她那种神色好象并不希望他多问，何况他们之间的关系那样拘谨，他也不会想到再去问她。他只是在心中暗自纳闷，后来把这件事几乎(但不是全部)忘得一干二净了。

又过了一个月或是五个星期，正当他在格林－戴维逊工作干得比较熟练，开始喜欢霍丹斯。布里格斯的时候，有一天下午，母亲突然向他提出了一个很怪的问题。他刚下班回来，她就把他叫到传道馆大厅，既没有说明为什么叫他来，也没有直截了当地说明她觉得他现在已有力量给她一点帮助，而是两眼直勾勾地盯着他，忐忑不安地对他说:

"克莱德，你知道不知道，叫我怎能马上就敛到一百块美元?

"克莱德听了大吃一惊，几乎不相信自己的耳朵。因为，就在一两个星期以前，仅仅向他提出四五块美元以上的数目，也还被看成是要不得的。他母亲想必也明白。可如今，她一开口这样问他，显然以为他或许能助她一臂之力。不错，反正他的衣着打扮和他整个派头，就说明他已过上好日子了。

当时，他首先想到的，不消说，就是他的衣着打扮和他的举止品行……母亲早已看在眼里，并且认为他把自己的收入对她瞒着不说。这固然有一部分也是实情，不过，最近克莱德态度大变，母亲也不得不对他采取一种较前截然不同的态度，同时，对她往后能不能管得住他，也不免开始有点儿犯疑。近来，也可以说，打从他觅到这个新事由以来，她觉得，出于某种原因，看来他好象变得聪明些，信心多了些，自卑感少了，喜欢我行我素，自作主张。儿子这些表现，使她感到困惑不安，但又暗自高兴。因为，克莱德敏感而又心不定的天性，似乎一向是她猜摸不透的大问题，如今看到他能往自立方向发展，自然也很不错;固然有时候，见他最近身上服饰打扮过于漂亮了，她心里不免感到困惑，怀疑他莫非交上了什么样儿的朋友。不过，反正他的工作时间很长，又很费精神，而且他挣的钱，看来都已花在衣服上了，她觉得确实找不出理由来发牢骚的。她脑际忽然又闪过一个念头:

他也许开始有点儿自私……对自己的舒适享受想得太多了……不过，想到他长期以来过着苦日子，如今他偶尔想要乐一乐，反正她也不好意思责备他。

克莱德还闹不明白她真正的意图何在，只是两眼直瞅着，大声嚷道:

"哦，叫我上哪儿去寻摸这一百块美元，妈呀?

"他心里琢磨着他找到的财源，很可能被这一前所未闻而又莫名其妙的要求消耗殆尽，他脸上顿时露出苦恼和怀疑的神色。

"我并不指望我要的整笔钱都叫你去寻摸，"格里菲思太太很委婉地说。"我有一个计划，我想，可以敛到大部分的钱。不过，我的确要你帮我出出主意，看不足部分叫我怎么去张罗。反正我只要有一点儿办法，决不乐意找你父亲去说。何况如今你也长大了，可以给我帮点忙了。"她露出一种赞许而又感兴趣的神情望着克莱德。"你父亲做生意没能耐，"她接下去又说，"此外，近来他把心也给操碎了。"这时，她那疲乏的大手正从她脸上掠过，克莱德对她如今陷入困境，深为同情，只是不知道这究竟是怎么回事。先不说他是否乐意拿出这么一笔钱来，或者也可以说，他是否拿得出这么一笔钱来，反正他对这件事的底细怀有很强的好奇心。一百块美元!

数目可不小!

不一会儿，他母亲又接下去说:

"我可把我心里一直琢磨着的事全告诉了你呗。我必须弄到一百块美元，可是干什么用的，现在我还不能告诉你，或是告诉任何人，你也不必追问我。我的桌子里有你父亲的一块老式金表，此外还有我的一只赤金戒指和别针。这些东西要是拿出去卖了，或是抵押了的话，至少值二十五块美元。再说，还有那套纯银刀叉和银碟子。银壶"……这些纪念品克莱德本来就熟悉……"单是那些银碟子，就值二十五块美元。我相信这些东西合在一块，少说也值二十到二十五块美元。我心里在琢磨，你能不能把这些东西交到你大酒店附近哪一家当铺去，此外，我说，你能不能暂时每星期多交给我五块美元。"(克莱德马上脸一沉)……"我不妨找我的一个朋友……常来我们传道馆的默奇先生，你是认识的……可以把钱先交给我，凑足一百块美元，将来你给我的钱，我就可以拿来归还他。我自己手头还有十块美元。"她两眼直望着克莱德，好象说:

"哦，目前我有困难，你当然不会看着我不管。

"克莱德心也软下来了，尽管他原来想把挣来的钱差不多全给自己花消。事实上，他同意把这几件小玩意儿送当铺去，并在当铺给的钱与一百块美元的差额还没有偿还以前，暂时多给五块美元。不过，他对这个额外的要求，还是情不自禁感到忿忿不平，因为他仅仅是在不久前才挣到了这么多钱。而且依他看，母亲提出要求越来越多了……如今每星期要十块美元。克莱德心想，家里老是出岔错，短这个。缺那个，说不定以后准会又提出一些什么新要求来。

他拿着这些小玩意儿，送进了他找到的最殷实的一家当铺，按物开价，四十五块美元，他就如数收讫了。这笔钱，连同母亲的十块美元，就是五十五块美元，再加上她向默奇先生暂借的四十五块美元，总共一百块美元。他想了一想，这也就是说，今后有九个星期他每星期就得给她十块美元，而不是五块美元。现在他老是巴不得自己生活享受，乃至于穿着打扮，都要跟从前迥然不同，所以，他一想到这里，自然是极不愉快的。不过，他还是决定满足母亲的要求。

他毕竟应对母亲有所报恩的。过去，母亲为了他和弟妹们作出了许多牺牲，他可不能太自私了。要知道那是要不得的。

不过，现在他脑海里有一个萦绕不去的想法，那就是:

父母既然向他求援要钱，就应该对他比从前更加关心体贴才好。先讲一件事吧，就以他晚上回家时间来说，他来去好歹都应该享有更多自由。何况现在他穿着是自己买的，吃饭由酒店包了，依他看，那笔花消也不小啊。

可是不久突然发生了另一个问题。原来是这样的:

就在筹措一百块美元以后不久，他在蒙特罗斯街上遇见了他母亲。那是本城最穷的街道之一，位于比克尔街以北，两旁是鳞次栉比的木头房子。两层楼出租房子，和许多不带家具的小公寓房子。格里菲思一家人穷固然穷，要是一想到住在这样的一条穷街上，也会觉得有失自己身份。这时，他母亲正从这一排房子中还算不上破烂透顶的一户人家台阶上拾级而下，这所房子底楼窗上挂着一块显眼的牌子，写着:

"备有家具的房间出租"。那时候，没有转过身来，没有看见克莱德正穿过街道，她径直向隔开一两户人家的另一座房子走去，那里也挂着备有家具的房间出租的牌子。她上下打量了一下房子的外表，就顺着台阶拾级而上，按了一下门铃。

克莱德开头以为母亲是在寻访一个什么人，可是住址她记不确切了。不过，当他正在过街朝她走去的时候，女房东把头探出门外，他听见母亲开口问:

"你有房间出租吗?

""有的。""有浴室吗?

""没有。不过二楼有一个浴室。""每星期房租多少?

""四块美元。""我可以看一看吗?

""当然罗，里请。"格里菲思太太好象迟疑了一会儿。这时，克莱德已伫立在下面，离她不到二十五英尺，正抬头直望着她，等待她转过身认出他来。不过，她并没有转身，就走进去了。克莱德一时感到好奇，两眼直盯着她。本来嘛，母亲给别人寻摸房子，也是不足为奇的，不过，按说她常去救世军或则基督教女青年会，现在怎么去这条穷街寻摸呢。开头他想在这里等一下，问母亲来这里干什么的，无奈有几件事急着要办，他就走了。

当天晚上，他回家换衣服，看见母亲在厨房里，就开口问她:

"今儿早上，妈，我看见你在蒙特罗斯街上。""是的，"过了半晌，母亲才回答，不过，他发觉她大吃一惊，好象这个消息一下子把她怔住了。这在过去他是从没见过的。她正在削土豆皮，不觉好奇地望了他一眼。"哦，那怎么啦?

"她找补着说，虽然从容自若，但脸上还是唰地涨红了。据他揣测，这事对她来说肯定异乎寻常。她那惊惧的神色，不用说，引起了克莱德的注意。"你走进了一户人家，依我看，是去寻摸一个备有家具的房间吧。""是的，我正是去寻摸呢，"格里菲思太太回答说。直到此刻，她才说得就这么简而明了。"有个人得了病，又没有钱，我得给他寻摸一个房间。不过，这事也不太容易寻摸。"她一转身就走了，好象不想再谈下去似的。克莱德虽然一眼看透了她的心情，看来还是情不自禁又添上了一句:

"唉，这样一条街上，哪能寻摸到房子呢。"反正他在格林－戴维逊大酒店的新工作，早就促使他形成一种与前迥然不同的人生观。母亲并没有答话，他也就到自己房间换衣服去了。

约莫一个月以后，有一天晚上，他在密苏里大街上正往东走去，又见他母亲从不远的地方迎面走来。借着街上一长溜小铺里不知是哪一家的灯光，他看见她手里拎着一个相当沉的老式手提包(这个手提包一直搁在家里，长期废置不用)。她一见他走过来(正如后来他这样回想道)，就突然停住，拐进一座三层楼砖砌公寓房子的门廊，等他走了过去，大门已给关上了。他把门打开，看见昏暗灯光下有一段楼梯，也许她就拾级而上了。不过，他到这里以后，还没有进一步调查，因为他始终说不准:

她是不是进去访客的，而且这一切来得又是那么迅雷不及掩耳。不过，他躲在附近一个拐角处等着，终于看见她走出来了。看来她就象刚来时那样，小心翼翼地先往四下里扫了一眼才走的，这使他越发感到好奇了。因此，他心中暗自思忖，一定是她故意躲避，不让他看见的。可是为什么呢?

他脑际掠过头一个闪念，就是想转过身来跟她走，因为他对她那些奇怪的行动相当惊奇。后来，他转念一想，要是她不希望他知道她现在所做的事，也许还是少管闲事为好。不过，瞧她那副躲躲闪闪的德行，不由得使他更加感到好奇。为什么他母亲不愿他看见自己拎着手提包上某个地方呢?

如此鬼鬼祟祟。

躲躲闪闪的作风，是不符合她的秉性(他自己的秉性，却与妈妈大相径庭)。他心里马上就把这次邂逅，同上次见到妈在蒙特罗斯街一所出租房子拾级而下，以及见到妈在看信的事和四出筹措一百块美元的事通通联系在一块儿了。妈到底上哪儿去的?

她要捂着的，究竟又是什么事呢?

他对这一切进行了种种猜测，但他还是不能断定这件事同他本人或是家里哪个人有一定联系。约莫一星期后，他走过巴尔的摩街附近的第十一街，觉得好象看见了爱思达，或者至少是一个活脱脱跟她一模一样的姑娘，不论在哪儿见到，都会把她当做爱思达:

她的身材与走路的姿势，也跟爱思达毫无二致。不过，克莱德觉得这一回看见，仿佛她显得老相些。她来去匆匆，在人群中一晃就消失了，他来不及看清楚，是不是真的爱思达。虽然仅仅是匆匆一瞥，但是好象两眼突然豁亮似的，他一转过身，想要赶上她，谁知道当他走近的时候，她早已不见影儿了。不过，他深信，没错儿，他见到了她，径直回家转，在传道馆遇到母亲，就说他肯定看见爱思达了。她准定又回到堪萨斯城了。他可以指着老天爷起誓说，他是在第十一街和巴尔的摩街附近看见她的，至少他认为他看见的是她。他母亲有没有听说过有关她的消息呢?

说来也真怪，他觉得，他母亲听了这个消息后，她的态度正是他始料所不及。至于他自己对爱思达的突然失踪和如今又突然出现，真可以说是百感交集:

惊讶。高兴。好奇和同情。也许母亲就是用那一百块美元把她接回来的?

他心中忽然掠过这么一个闪念……至于他为什么会有这个闪念，这个闪念又是从哪儿来的，他就说不清了。他心里只是暗自纳闷。不过果真是这样的话，那末，她为什么不回到自己家里呢?

至少也得通知一声家里，说她已经回来了。

他原来以为母亲一定会象他那样大吃一惊和迷惑不解……急急乎要想打听个仔细。殊不知适得其反，他觉得，母亲听了这个消息，显得很窘困，茫然不知所措，好象她听到的，正是她早已知道的事，真不知道此刻她该如何表态才好。

"哦，你真的看见了?

是在哪儿?

你说刚才吗?

是在第十一街和巴尔的摩街拐角处?

哦，这不是很怪吗?

这事我可一定要告诉阿萨。要是她回来了，可又不来家里，那才怪呢。"他看到她眼里显露出的不是惊异，而是困惑不安的神色。她的嘴如同她平时茫然失措。陷入窘境时那样奇怪地翕动着……不仅仅嘴唇，甚至连牙床也在抖索着。

"唔，唔，"过了半晌，她找补着说。"这事也真怪呀。也许是哪一个姑娘的模样儿长得很象她吧。"可是，克莱德用眼梢乜着她，不相信她真象她佯装的那样惊诧。后来，阿萨进来了，克莱德还没有动身上酒店去。他听见他们谈这件事的时候很冷淡，好象满不在乎似的，根本不象他意料之中那么吃惊。过了片刻才叫他进去，把他所看见的情况详细谈谈。

后来，仿佛有意让他解开这个谜似的，有一天，他恰巧遇见母亲正在斯普鲁斯街上走，这次她胳臂上挽着一只小篮子。最近他注意到，她总是有规则地在早上。午后或是傍晚外出。这一回，她还没来得及看到他，他却早已瞧见了她那粗壮得出奇的身形，穿着她老是穿的那件棕色旧外套。他就踅进了默克尔街，等她走过，那里正有一个报摊，好歹让他隐蔽一下。她一走过，他就尾随她后面，两人相隔半排房子的距离。她在达尔林普尔街拐进博德里街……其实就是斯普鲁斯街延伸出来的，不过倒也并不太丑陋。那一带房子很旧……都是早年的旧宅，现已改成供膳。备有家具的出租房子。他看见她走进了其中的一所，倏忽就不见了。不过，她在进门前，照例往四下里张望了一下。

待她进门后，克莱德就走到那所房子跟前，仔细打量了一番。他母亲上这儿来干什么的?

她看望的是谁?

为什么他会产生那么大的好奇心，连他自个儿都说不清。不过，从他好象在街上看见过爱思达的那时起，他心里总是模模糊糊地感到:

所有这一切也许跟她有点儿关系。此外还有那些信。那一百块美元，以及蒙特罗斯街上备有家具的出租房子。

博德里街那所房子斜对面，有一棵躯干壮硕的大树，如今在冬天的寒风里，树叶早已枯凋殆尽。树旁有一根电线杆，两者紧傍在一块，他伫立在后面，人们就看不见他。而他利用这个有利的角度，却可以看到这所房子好几个窗口，边上的。临街的。底楼的和二楼的。他抬头仰望楼上一个临街的窗子，只见他母亲正走来走去，好象已是熟不拘礼似的。过了半晌，他猛地吃一惊，居然看见爱思达走到两窗之中的一个窗口，把一包东西放在窗台上。她好象身上只穿一件淡色晨衣，要不是披着一块披肩吧。这一回，他准没有看错。他认出了就是她，还有他母亲跟她在一块，真的叫他大吃一惊。不过话又说回来，她究竟做过了什么事，使她不得不要回来，而且还得这样躲避家人呢?

难道说她丈夫，也就是跟她私奔的那个人，已经把她抛弃了吗?

他急急乎想把事情底细闹清楚，就决定在户外等候片刻，看他母亲是不是会出来，随后他自己看望爱思达去。他心里恨不得再见到她……很想一下子识破这个秘密。他等呀等，心里一直在暗想:

他一向喜欢爱思达，可是如今她来到这儿，鬼鬼祟祟地躲了起来，好不奇怪!

过了一个钟头，他母亲出来了，她的那只篮子，显然已经空了，因为她拎在手里好象毫不费力似的。她如同刚来时一样，小心翼翼地往四下里张望了一下，脸上露出最近以来常有的迟钝但又忧心忡忡的神色……一种崇高的信仰和恼人的疑虑的混合物。

她正沿着博德里街往南向传道馆走去，克莱德两眼直楞楞地望着她。等到看不见她的影儿以后，他才转过身来，走进了这所房子，里面正如他原先猜想的那样，他看见了好几个备有家具的房间。有一些房间，门上的牌子贴着房客的名字。他早已知道爱思达住在楼上东南角临街的一间，也就径直走去，敲了一下门。果真没有错儿，只听见室内一阵轻轻的脚步声，又过了一会儿，不用说，里面正匆忙拾掇一下，然后房门轻轻地开了，隙着一条缝，爱思达探出头来张望……先是惶悚，继而惊恐不安，轻轻地喊了一声。她定神一看，原来就是克莱德，所以也用不着探询和小心提防了。她马上把房门敞开。

"哦，克莱德，"她大声嚷嚷说。"你怎么会找到我的?

我正好在惦着你呀。"克莱德马上拥抱她，吻她。这时，他发觉她变化相当大，不免感到有点儿惊诧。不满。她比前时瘦……苍白……眼窝几乎深陷，身上穿得也不比她出走前好。她显然紧张不安，心情抑郁。此刻他脑海里闪过头一个闪念，就是她丈夫在哪儿呢。为什么他不在这儿?

他现在怎么啦?

克莱德举目四顾，又把她仔细端详一番，发现爱思达露出慌乱不安的神色，当然还是相当高兴同弟弟重逢。她的嘴唇微微翕动，因为她想笑一笑，表示欢迎，不过，从她那双眼睛看得出她心里正在竭力解决一个难题。

"我想不到会在这里见到你，"他一松手，她马上找补着说。"你没看见……"她说了半句就顿住了，差一点儿把一个她不乐意公开的消息说漏了嘴。

"是的，当然，我也看见了……我看见妈了，"他回答说。"所以我才知道你住在这儿。我刚看见她走出来，还有，我从窗口看见你在这儿。"(可他不承认自己跟踪监视母亲已有一个钟头了)"不过，你什么时候回来的?

"他接下去说。"干吗你不让我们弟妹知道你的事儿，真怪。嘿，你可敢情好啊，一走几个月……音信全无。你好歹也得给我写个短信啊。我们俩一向志趣相投，是不是?

"他两眼直望着她，露出多疑。好奇和恳求的神色。她呢，先是竭力回避，继而闪烁其词，真不知道该想些什么，或者说些什么，或者告诉他些什么。

她终于开口说:

"我还不知道敲门的是谁呢。谁都没有来过这儿。不过，我的老天哪，瞧你多神气，克莱德。现在，你穿上漂亮衣服啦。你个儿也长高啦。

妈告诉我，说你现在格林－戴维逊工作。"她不胜艳羡地望着他。克莱德也定神凝视着她，感触很深，同时对她的遭际始终不能忘怀。他一个劲儿望着她的脸庞。她的眼眸，以及她那消瘦的身躯。

当他一看到她的腰肢和她憔悴的脸儿，马上感到她的情况不妙。她快要生孩子啦。因此，他突然心里又想到:

她的丈夫……至少可以说，那个跟她私奔的人……现在哪儿呢?

据母亲说，当初她留下的便条上说她就是结婚去的。可是，他现在才闹明白她还没有结过婚呢。她被遗弃了，孤零零地住在这寒碜的房间里。这一点他已看见了，感到了，而且也明白了。

他马上想到，这就是他一家人生活遭遇中最典型的事件。他刚开始独立生活，很想做一个了不起的人物，在社会上发迹，过上快活的日子。爱思达也作过这样尝试:

她为了自己想出人头地，头一次冒着这么大的风险，最后却得到这样一个结局。这不免使他感到有点儿伤心和愤懑。

"你回来多久了，爱思达?

"他迟疑不定地一再问道。他几乎也不知道现在该说些什么才好，因为，既然他已经来了，看到她目前境况，他就开始觉察到随之而来新的开销。麻烦和苦难，真是悔不该当初自己太好奇了。他干吗急急乎赶到这儿来呢?

如今，当然罗，他非得帮助不可。

"哦，还没有多久，克莱德。到现在，我想，将近一个月，不会更多的。

""我也这么想的。大约一个月前，我看见你在巴尔的摩街附近第十一街上走过，对吗?

当然罗，我看见的就是你，"他说话时已不象开头那样高兴……这一变化爱思达也注意到了。这时，她点了点头，表示肯定。"我知道，我看见你了。

当时，我跟妈说了，可她好象不同意。而且，她并没有象我预料的那样吃惊。

个中原委，现在我才明白啦。她的一言一行，好象也不乐意我跟她谈这件事似的。不过，我知道我并没有看错。"他两眼直瞅着爱思达，样子怪怪的。他对这件事居然有先见之明，不禁感到相当得意。不过，这时他又为之语塞了，真不知道再说些什么才好，同时，心里也在纳闷刚才自己说的这些话是不是有什么意义，或则包含什么重要性。看来这些话未必对她会有什么实际帮助。

而她呢，简直不知道该怎么办:

把自己的实际情况只字不提呢，还是全都向他坦白承认，所以，她就不知道说些什么才好。不过好歹也得说一点呗。反正克莱德一望可知，她目前的窘境委实是很可怕的。他那多疑的眼色，简直使她受不了。后来，与其说给母亲，还不如说给自己解围，她终于开口说:

"可怜的妈。

你千万别以为她行动奇怪，克莱德。你知道，说实话，她也不知道该怎么办。

当然，一切全是我的错。当初我要是没有出走，也就不会让她吃足苦头。她本来就不怎么会跟这类事打交道的，而且她一向过的是苦日子。"她猛地背过身去，她的肩膀开始颤抖，腰部也在起伏。她两手捂住脸，低下头来……他知道，她在悄没声儿抽噎了。

"哦，你怎么啦，姐姐，"克莱德大声嚷道，马上走到她身旁，这会儿替她感到非常难过。"你这是怎么回事?

Part 1 Chapter 14
The result of all this on Clyde was to cause him to think more specifically on the problem of the sexes than heever had before, and by no means in any orthodox way. For while he condemned his sister's lover for thusruthlessly deserting her, still he was not willing to hold her entirely blameless by any means. She had gone offwith him. As he now learned from her, he had been in the city for a week the year before she ran away with him,and it was then that he had introduced himself to her. The following year when he returned for two weeks, it wasshe who looked him up, or so Clyde suspected, at any rate. And in view of his own interest in and moodregarding Hortense Briggs, it was not for him to say that there was anything wrong with the sex relation in itself.
　　Rather, as he saw it now, the difficulty lay, not in the deed itself, but in the consequences which followed uponnot thinking or not knowing. For had Esta known more of the man in whom she was interested, more of whatsuch a relationship with him meant, she would not be in her present pathetic plight. Certainly such girls asHortense Briggs, Greta and Louise, would never have allowed themselves to be put in any such position as Esta.
　　Or would they? They were too shrewd. And by contrast with them in his mind, at least at this time, she suffered.
　　She ought, as he saw it, to have been able to manage better. And so, by degrees, his attitude toward her hardenedin some measure, though his feeling was not one of indifference either.
　　But the one influence that was affecting and troubling and changing him now was his infatuation for HortenseBriggs--than which no more agitating influence could have come to a youth of his years and temperament. Sheseemed, after his few contacts with her, to be really the perfect realization of all that he had previously wishedfor in a girl. She was so bright, vain, engaging, and so truly pretty. Her eyes, as they seemed to him, had a kindof dancing fire in them. She had a most entrancing way of pursing and parting her lips and at the same timelooking straightly and indifferently before her, as though she were not thinking of him, which to him was bothflame and fever. It caused him, actually, to feel weak and dizzy, at times, cruelly seared in his veins with minuteand wriggling threads of fire, and this could only be described as conscious lust, a torturesome and yetunescapable thing which yet in her case he was unable to prosecute beyond embracing and kissing, a form ofreserve and respect in regard to her which she really resented in the very youths in whom she sought to inspire it.
　　The type of boy for whom she really cared and was always seeking was one who could sweep away all suchpsuedo-ingenuousness and superiorities in her and force her, even against herself, to yield to him.
　　In fact she was constantly wavering between actual like and dislike of him. And in consequence, he was inconstant doubt as to where he stood, a state which was very much relished by her and yet which was neverpermitted to become so fixed in his mind as to cause him to give her up entirely. After some party or dinner ortheater to which she had permitted him to take her, and throughout which he had been particularly tactful--nottoo assertive--she could be as yielding and enticing in her mood as the most ambitious lover would have liked.
　　And this might last until the evening was nearly over, when suddenly, and at her own door or the room or houseof some girl with whom she was spending the night, she would turn, and without rhyme or reason, endeavor to dismiss him with a mere handclasp or a thinly flavored embrace or kiss. At such times, if Clyde was foolishenough to endeavor to force her to yield the favors he craved, she would turn on him with the fury of a spitefulcat, would tear herself away, developing for the moment, seemingly, an intense mood of opposition which shecould scarcely have explained to herself. Its chief mental content appeared to be one of opposition to beingcompelled by him to do anything. And, because of his infatuation and his weak overtures due to his inordinatefear of losing her, he would be forced to depart, usually in a dark and despondent mood.
　　But so keen was her attraction for him that he could not long remain away, but must be going about to wheremost likely he would encounter her. Indeed, for the most part these days, and in spite of the peculiar climaxwhich had eventuated in connection with Esta, he lived in a keen, sweet and sensual dream in regard to her. Ifonly she would really come to care for him. At night, in his bed at home, he would lie and think of her--herface--the expressions of her mouth and eyes, the lines of her figure, the motions of her body in walking ordancing--and she would flicker before him as upon a screen. In his dreams, he found her deliciously near him,pressing against him--her delightful body all his--and then in the moment of crisis, when seemingly she wasabout to yield herself to him completely, he would awake to find her vanished--an illusion only.
　　Yet there were several things in connection with her which seemed to bode success for him. In the first place,like himself, she was part of a poor family--the daughter of a machinist and his wife, who up to this very timehad achieved little more than a bare living. From her childhood she had had nothing, only such gew-gaws andfripperies as she could secure for herself by her wits. And so low had been her social state until very recently thatshe had not been able to come in contact with anything better than butcher and baker boys--the rathercommonplace urchins and small job aspirants of her vicinity. Yet even here she had early realized that she couldand should capitalize her looks and charm--and had. Not a few of these had even gone so far as to steal in orderto get money to entertain her.
　　After reaching the age where she was old enough to go to work, and thus coming in contact with the type of boyand man in whom she was now interested, she was beginning to see that without yielding herself too much, butin acting discreetly, she could win a more interesting equipment than she had before. Only, so truly sensual andpleasure-loving was she that she was by no means always willing to divorce her self-advantages from herpleasures. On the contrary, she was often troubled by a desire to like those whom she sought to use, and percontra, not to obligate herself to those whom she could not like.
　　In Clyde's case, liking him but a little, she still could not resist the desire to use him. She liked his willingness tobuy her any little thing in which she appeared interested--a bag, a scarf, a purse, a pair of gloves--anything thatshe could reasonably ask or take without obligating herself too much. And yet from the first, in her smart, trickyway, she realized that unless she could bring herself to yield to him--at some time or other offer him the definitereward which she knew he craved--she could not hold him indefinitely.
　　One thought that stirred her more than anything else was that the way Clyde appeared to be willing to spend hismoney on her she might easily get some quite expensive things from him--a pretty and rather expensive dress,perhaps, or a hat, or even a fur coat such as was then being shown and worn in the city, to say nothing of goldearrings, or a wrist watch, all of which she was constantly and enviously eyeing in the different shop windows.
　　One day not so long after Clyde's discovery of his sister Esta, Hortense, walking along Baltimore Street near its junction with Fifteenth--the smartest portion of the shopping section of the city--at the noon hour--with DorisTrine, another shop girl in her department store, saw in the window of one of the smaller and less exclusive furstores of the city, a fur jacket of beaver that to her, viewed from the eye-point of her own particular build,coloring and temperament, was exactly what she needed to strengthen mightily her very limited personalwardrobe. It was not such an expensive coat, worth possibly a hundred dollars--but fashioned in such anindividual way as to cause her to imagine that, once invested with it, her own physical charm would registermore than it ever had.
　　Moved by this thought, she paused and exclaimed: "Oh, isn't that just the classiest, darlingest little coat you eversaw! Oh, do look at those sleeves, Doris." She clutched her companion violently by the arm. "Lookit the collar.
　　And the lining! And those pockets! Oh, dear!" She fairly vibrated with the intensity of her approval and delight.
　　"Oh, isn't that just too sweet for words? And the very kind of coat I've been thinking of since I don't know when.
　　Oh, you pity sing!" she exclaimed, affectedly, thinking all at once as much of her own pose before the windowand its effect on the passer-by as of the coat before her. "Oh, if I could only have 'oo."She clapped her hands admiringly, while Isadore Rubenstein, the elderly son of the proprietor, who was standingsomewhat out of the range of her gaze at the moment, noted the gesture and her enthusiasm and decidedforthwith that the coat must be worth at least twenty-five or fifty dollars more to her, anyhow, in case sheinquired for it. The firm had been offering it at one hundred. "Oh, ha!" he grunted. But being of a sensual andsomewhat romantic turn, he also speculated to himself rather definitely as to the probable trading value,affectionally speaking, of such a coat. What, say, would the poverty and vanity of such a pretty girl as this causeher to yield for such a coat?
　　In the meantime, however, Hortense, having gloated as long as her noontime hour would permit, had gone away,still dreaming and satiating her flaming vanity by thinking of how devastating she would look in such a coat. Butshe had not stopped to ask the price. Hence, the next day, feeling that she must look at it once more, she returned,only this time alone, and yet with no idea of being able to purchase it herself. On the contrary, she was onlyvaguely revolving the problem of how, assuming that the coat was sufficiently low in price, she could get it. Atthe moment she could think of no one. But seeing the coat once more, and also seeing Mr. Rubenstein, Jr., insideeyeing her in a most propitiatory and genial manner, she finally ventured in.
　　"You like the coat, eh?" was Rubenstein's ingratiating comment as she opened the door. "Well, that shows youhave good taste, I'll say. That's one of the nobbiest little coats we've ever had to show in this store yet. A realbeauty, that. And how it would look on such a beautiful girl as you!" He took it out of the window and held it up.
　　"I seen you when you was looking at it yesterday." A gleam of greedy admiration was in his eye.
　　And noting this, and feeling that a remote and yet not wholly unfriendly air would win her more considerationand courtesy than a more intimate one, Hortense merely said, "Yes?""Yes, indeed. And I said right away, there's a girl that knows a really swell coat when she sees it."The flattering unction soothed, in spite of herself.
　　"Look at that! Look at that!" went on Mr. Rubinstein, turning the coat about and holding it before her. "Where in Kansas City will you find anything to equal that today? Look at this silk lining here--genuine Mallinson silk--andthese slant pockets. And the buttons. You think those things don't make a different-looking coat? There ain'tanother one like it in Kansas City today--not one. And there won't be. We designed it ourselves and we neverrepeat our models. We protect our customers. But come back here." (He led the way to a triple mirror at theback.) "It takes the right person to wear a coat like this--to get the best effect out of it. Let me try it on you."And by the artificial light Hortense was now privileged to see how really fetching she did look in it. She cockedher head and twisted and turned and buried one small ear in the fur, while Mr. Rubenstein stood by, eyeing herwith not a little admiration and almost rubbing his hands.
　　"There now," he continued. "Look at that. What do you say to that, eh? Didn't I tell you it was the very thing foryou? A find for you. A pick-up. You'll never get another coat like that in this city. If you do, I'll make you apresent of this one." He came very near, extending his plump hands, palms up.
　　"Well, I must say it does look smart on me," commented Hortense, her vainglorious soul yearning for it. "I canwear anything like this, though." She twisted and turned the more, forgetting him entirely and the effect herinterest would have on his cost price. Then she added: "How much is it?""Well, it's really a two-hundred-dollar coat," began Mr. Rubenstein artfully. Then noting a shadow ofrelinquishment pass swiftly over Hortense's face, he added quickly: "That sounds like a lot of money, but ofcourse we don't ask so much for it down here. One hundred and fifty is our price. But if that coat was at Jarek's,that's what you'd pay for it and more. We haven't got the location here and we don't have to pay the high rents.
　　But it's worth every cent of two hundred.""Why, I think that's a terrible price to ask for it, just awful," exclaimed Hortense sadly, beginning to remove thecoat. She was feeling as though life were depriving her of nearly all that was worth while. "Why, at Biggs andBeck's they have lots of three- quarter mink and beaver coats for that much, and classy styles, too.""Maybe, maybe. But not that coat," insisted Mr. Rubenstein stubbornly. "Just look at it again. Look at the collar.
　　You mean to say you can find a coat like that up there? If you can, I'll buy the coat for you and sell it to youagain for a hundred dollars. Actually, this is a special coat. It's copied from one of the smartest coats that was inNew York last summer before the season opened. It has class. You won't find no coat like this coat.""Oh, well, just the same, a hundred and fifty dollars is more than I can pay," commented Hortense dolefully, atthe same time slipping on her old broadcloth jacket with the fur collar and cuffs, and edging toward the door.
　　"Wait! You like the coat?" wisely observed Mr. Rubenstein, after deciding that even a hundred dollars was toomuch for her purse, unless it could be supplemented by some man's. "It's really a two-hundred-dollar coat. I'mtelling you that straight. Our regular price is one hundred and fifty. But if you could bring me a hundred andtwenty-five dollars, since you want it so much, well, I'll let you have it for that. And that's like finding it. Astunning-looking girl like you oughtn't to have no trouble in finding a dozen fellows who would be glad to buythat coat and give it to you. I know I would, if I thought you would be nice to me."He beamed ingratiatingly up at her, and Hortense, sensing the nature of the overture and resenting it--from him- drew back slightly. At the same time she was not wholly displeased by the compliment involved. But she was notcoarse enough, as yet, to feel that just any one should be allowed to give her anything. Indeed not. It must besome one she liked, or at least some one that was enslaved by her.
　　And yet, even as Mr. Rubenstein spoke, and for some time afterwards, her mind began running upon possibleindividuals-- favorites--who, by the necromancy of her charm for them, might be induced to procure this coat forher. Charlie Wilkens for instance--he of the Orphia cigar store--who was most certainly devoted to her after hisfashion, but a fashion, however, which did not suggest that he might do much for her without getting a good dealin return.
　　And then there was Robert Kain, another youth--very tall, very cheerful and very ambitious in regard to her, whowas connected with one of the local electric company's branch offices, but his position was not sufficientlylucrative--a mere entry clerk. Also he was too saving--always talking about his future.
　　And again, there was Bert Gettler, the youth who had escorted her to the dance the night Clyde first met her, butwho was little more than a giddy-headed dancing soul, one not to be relied upon in a crisis like this. He was onlya shoe salesman, probably twenty dollars a week, and most careful with his pennies.
　　But there was Clyde Griffiths, the person who seemed to have real money and to be willing to spend it on herfreely. So ran her thoughts swiftly at the time. But could she now, she asked herself, offhand, inveigle him intomaking such an expensive present as this? She had not favored him so very much--had for the most part treatedhim indifferently. Hence she was not sure, by any means. Nevertheless as she stood there, debating the cost andthe beauty of the coat, the thought of Clyde kept running through her mind. And all the while Mr. Rubensteinstood looking at her, vaguely sensing, after his fashion, the nature of the problem that was confronting her.
　　"Well, little girl," he finally observed, "I see you'd like to have this coat, all right, and I'd like to have you have it,too. And now I'll tell you what I'll do, and better than that I can't do, and wouldn't for nobody else--not a personin this city. Bring me a hundred and fifteen dollars any time within the next few days-- Monday or Wednesday orFriday, if the coat is still here, and you can have it. I'll do even better. I'll save it for you. How's that? Until nextWednesday or Friday. More'n that no one would do for you, now, would they?"He smirked and shrugged his shoulders and acted as though he were indeed doing her a great favor. AndHortense, going away, felt that if only--only she could take that coat at one hundred and fifteen dollars, shewould be capturing a marvelous bargain. Also that she would be the smartest-dressed girl in Kansas City beyondthe shadow of a doubt. If only she could in some way get a hundred and fifteen dollars before next Wednesday,or Friday.
       这一件事的前因后果，使克莱德特别对两性问题比过去思考得更多，而且决不按照正统观念。他谴责姐姐的情人如此无情地遗弃了她，可是他也不认为姐姐自己就没有过错。当时是她同他一块出走的。现在他从她那里了解到，她同他出走前一年，此人在堪萨斯城待过一星期，就是在那时跟她相识。转年，此人又回到这里，待了两个星期，可这一回，是她自己去找他的……至少克莱德心里是这样怀疑的。因为他自己热衷于霍丹斯。布里格斯，并且心中又在打她的主意，他当然不会说两性关系本身有什么过错。

现在依他看，麻烦倒不是在这件事本身，而是在于他们对这件事的种种后果事先没有想到，或则一无所知。要是爱思达对她自己的意中人，以及对自己同他发生这样一种关系后的后果，事先了解得更多些，那她就不至于陷入目前的惨境了。当然罗，象霍丹斯。布里格斯。格里达。路易斯这一类女人，怎么也不会让自己象爱思达那样陷入这样的绝境。说不定她们也会那样吗?

决不会的，她们太精明呀。他心中把她同她们相比，至少现在她是在吃苦。依他看，本来她应该处理得更明智些。因此，他对她的态度就开始逐渐变得严厉起来，尽管他对姐姐也并不见得漠不关心。

可是，目前只有一件事正使他激动。苦恼，乃至于发生变化，那就是他已经被霍丹斯。布里格斯弄得神魂颠倒了……除这以外，再也没有别的事能使年龄。气质与他相仿的年轻人更加心乱如麻了。他跟她接触了不多几次，就觉得:

说实在的，她是过去他梦寐以求的那类女性的完美化身。她是那么灵活。自负。

迷人，而且确实漂亮。他觉得，她眼里好似迸闪出火花星子。她让自己两片朱唇不停翕动，同时两眼却无动于衷地凝视前方，简直令人心荡神移，仿佛她压根儿不想他似的，可是一下子却激起了他的情焰与狂热，说真的，有时候使他感到浑身无力，头昏目眩，血管里好象有一股股烈火流过，无情地灼烧着他，而这只能称之为意识之中的欲望……本是一种痛苦而又无可奈何的事情，因为他同霍丹斯之间的关系，除了拥抱。接吻以外，不能越雷池一步。同时，他对她在某种程度上说还有点儿拘谨与顾虑;而她呢，实际上非常厌恶她的这些年轻的崇拜者，尽管她总是设法在他们身上激起以上这种心态。她真正疼爱。而且时刻留心寻摸的，正是那样一种年轻小伙子，那就是说，他能够把她所有虚情假意和优越感一扫而空，从而迫使她……哪怕有违她的意志……就范。

事实上，霍丹斯心中始终在摇摆不定:

究竟喜欢他呢，还是不喜欢他。因此，克莱德总是对自己半信半疑;他这种心态，特别使她沾沾自喜，但她又决不让他对她完全死了心以至于最终离弃了她。每当她跟他一块去参加晚会，或是赴宴，或是看戏时，他总是始终表现得特别机智圆通……从不过分武断……而她却突然变得那么驯顺。那么诱人，连最最求全责备的恋人都会感到高兴。这样往往持续到黄昏行将逝去，那时，她在自己家，或是她在那里过夜的别的女孩子家，大门口。房门口，突然转过身来，毫无理由地或则根本不加解释，仅仅跟他握握手，或是漫不经心地拥抱一下，或则接吻一下，就把他给打发走了。碰到这种时候，克莱德还是傻呵呵，妄想迫使她屈服，从她那里攫取到他如饥似渴的抚爱，那末，她就会象一头恶狠狠的猫，怒咻咻地一转过身来不睬他，或是让自己从他怀里挣脱出来，一时间仿佛产生一种强烈的敌意，其原因几乎连她自己都说不上来。看来她主要的心理因素，就是她不愿事事受他驱使支配。而他呢，一来是已被她弄得神魂颠倒，又加上过分害怕失掉了她，所以表现软弱无力，往往怀着阴郁。沮丧的心情，不得不乖乖地走了。

不过，她对他的吸引力毕竟太强烈了，离开她时间久了，他就受不了，所以又情不自禁赶到最容易同她相遇的地方去。这些天来，尽管他同爱思达晤面后已产生相当紧张的后果，事实上，他对霍丹斯依然浸沉在热切。甜蜜而又富于性感的梦幻之中。只要她能真心疼爱他该有多好。入夜，他在家躺卧床上，心里却在想着她……想着她的脸……她的嘴和眼睛的表情，她身段的曲线，她走路时或跳舞时的姿态……她的身影有如映在银幕上，在他眼前一一闪过。他梦见她美滋滋地在他身旁，紧偎着他……她那可爱的身子全都属于他的……然后，在最后关键时刻，好象她就要整个儿委身于他了，蓦然间他一惊醒，发现她早已倏忽不见了……只不过是一场幻梦罢了。

可是与她有关的一些客观情况，好象预示他有可能成功。先说她如同他一样，也是穷人家出身……她父亲是修机器的师傅，还有她的母亲，至今一家人也只能勉强糊口度日。她自幼起就要啥没啥，但凭自己的小聪明，弄到一些花里胡哨的小饰物和蹩脚衣服。她的社会地位是那么低下，至今充其量只能同肉铺子。面包房小伙计这一类人……也就是说，在她家街坊附近常见的顽童，以及净找一些零活干的那一类男孩子来往。不过即使那时，她早已懂得她可以而且应该利用自己的外貌和魅力谋利……事实上，她确实也这么做了。这些小伙子中，就有不少人为了弄钱供她吃喝玩乐，甚至偷盗行窃也都干。

当她年龄稍长，可以工作了，她才同她现在喜欢的那一伙男孩子或成年人有来往。那时她恍然大悟，原来自己不必过分迁就人家，只要小心行事，就能得到比她过去更好的衣着服饰。只不过她实在太淫荡，酷爱寻欢作乐，所以她不大愿意把自己的优势与寻欢作乐截然分开。恰好相反，她一面故意喜欢那些她想加以利用的人，而另一方面又不愿向那些她不喜欢的人卖弄风情，这样，她不时感到苦恼。

以克莱德为例，她并不太喜欢他，可她又禁不住要想利用他。他乐意给她买一些看来她喜爱的小东西……比方说一个拎包。一条披巾。一只钱包。一双手套……只要她提出的要求合情合理，或者接受下来自己并不觉得背了过多的人情债就得了。不过，凭她那聪明乖觉的劲儿，她一开始就明白:

除非她能百依百顺他……在某一个时候，给予他她知道他正如饥似渴地盼着的那种最后酬报……那她就根本不能永远拢住他。

一想到这里，最让她动心的，是:

看来克莱德很乐意为她破钞;也许她能从他那里弄到一些更值钱的东西……比方说，一件价格昂贵的漂亮衣服，或是一顶帽子，乃至于市面上常见陈列也有人穿戴的裘皮大衣;至于她常在各商号橱窗里见了眼红的金耳环和手表，那就更求之不得了。

克莱德发现姐姐爱思达以后不久，有一天，霍丹斯正漫步在第十五街交岔口附近的巴尔的摩街上……那儿是本城商业区最豪华商店集中之地……当时正值正午时分……同她在一起的，有她店里的女同事多丽丝。特兰因。霍丹斯在本市一家规模较小。并非第一流的皮货行橱窗里，看见一件海獭皮外套，依她看，正适合自己的体态。肤色和气质，也是她认为需要花大力地充实自己那个空空如也的衣橱。这件外套并不太贵，也许一百块美元左右……不过款式挺别致，使她心中不由得这样设想:

她一旦穿上了它，就更能勾勒出自己体态的那种迷人的魅力。

她一想到这里就异常激动，竟驻步不前，大声嚷了起来:

"啊，这么帅的精美短外套可从来没见过!

哦，瞧这袖子，多丽丝，"她猛地一把抓住了同伴的胳膊。

"瞧这领子，还有外套衬里!

还有那些口袋!

哦，我的老天哪!

"她赞不绝口地说，简直欣喜若狂，浑身上下都抖索了。"哦，它太漂亮了，真不知道该怎么说呢。正是我多少天来一心向往的外套啊。哦，你是我心中的小宝贝!

"她媚态十足地嚷了起来，心里一个劲儿捉摸着眼前这件短毛皮外套，以及她站在橱窗跟前的神态和这副神态给过往行人留下的印象。"啊，要是我也能有这么一件多好!

"她竟在狂喜之中鼓起掌来，这时，商店老板的大儿子伊萨多。鲁宾斯坦正伫立在她目光见不到的地方，已注意到她的姿态和狂喜劲儿。他马上决定，只要她来打听价钱的话，那末，这件短毛皮外套至少要比原价多出二十五块。乃至于五十块美元。而店里原价是一百块美元。"就这样得了!

"他咕哝着说。不过，此人是带有一点儿罗曼蒂克的好色之徒，心里还在琢磨着，从爱情视角来说，这么一件外套，真不知道该有多大交换价值。比方说，象这么一个漂亮女郎，但是穷，偏偏又爱虚荣，为了这么一件外套，总会使她不得不俯首听命吧?

霍丹斯在整个午休时间里大饱眼福后，终于走了，可心里依然在梦想。她还在暗中思忖，以满足她那炽烈的虚荣心:

她要是穿上这件外套，一定会使人倾倒。不过，她可没有去店里打听价钱。因此，转天她觉得非要再看一次不可，于是，她就又去了，这回是独个儿去的，心里倒也不认为自个儿就买得起。相反，她只是模模糊糊地在算计着，假定说这件外套价钱相当低，那她又该怎样把它弄到手。当时，她心里并没有在打哪一个人的主意。不过，当她又一次看见了那件外套，也看见正在店堂里和颜悦色地端详她的小鲁宾斯坦先生，她终于闯了进去。

"您喜欢这件外套，嗯?

"她推门进去时，鲁宾斯坦就这样献殷勤地说。

"哦，我说，这就足见您有眼力呗。这是只有本店才能陈列出来的最最高贵的短毛皮外套之一。它可真美啊。象您这样的漂亮女郎，一穿上它，这才好看!

"他从橱窗里把外套取出来，高高地举了起来。"昨天您一个劲儿看它的时候，我就看见您啦，"他眼里忽闪着馋涎欲滴的光芒。

霍丹斯觉察到这一点，心里想，自己不如摆出一副比较冷淡，但又不是完全不友好的姿态，说不定比一味亲热反而使她能得到更大尊敬和奉承。于是，她只说了一声:

"是吗?

""是啊，那还用说嘛。那时我马上就对自己说，这位小姐真能识货，一见它就知道，真有眼力呀。"听了这些奉承话，她心里不由得感到美滋滋的。

"您看!

您看!

"鲁宾斯坦先生接下去说，一面把外套来回转悠着，还端到她面前晃动。"今儿个您走遍堪萨斯城，哪儿还找得到同它相比的外套?

您看这绸衬里……地地道道的马林森绸……还有这些斜衣兜。还有这些钮扣。您说，所有这些玩意儿合在一块，不就成了一件与众不同的外套吗?

今儿个在全堪萨斯城，压根儿找不到象它那样的外套了……一件也找不到。包管不会有的。这是我们店自个儿设计的，而且我们的款式，也是从来不重复雷同的。我们店一向维护顾客的权益。劳您大驾，上这边来。"(他把她领到店堂间后边三联镜跟前)"象这么一件外套，还只好让模样儿最合适的人穿……那时穿起来的效果，也就最好了。让我给您试一试吧。"霍丹斯在精心设计的耀眼灯光之下，看到自己身穿这件外套确实格外迷人。

她昂起头来，身子一扭，转了一圈，一只小耳朵埋在裘皮外套里;而鲁宾斯坦先生则伫立在一旁，无限爱慕地凝视着她，几乎不断在搓手。

"敢情好，"他接下去说。"您看看。这会儿您说说，怎么样，嗯?

我不是早说过这仿佛特地为您精心缝制的吗?

可以说是您的一大发现。真是难得碰上的。您在本城再也找不着第二件啦。您要是找得着，我把这一件奉送给您就得了，"他走过来贴近她身旁，他那两只胖乎乎的手一齐伸出来，掌心一概向上。

"哦，穿在我身上，我不能不承认确实漂亮，"霍丹斯说，她的那颗爱虚荣的心，渴望这件外套，简直难受极了。"不过，象这样的裘皮服装，反正穿哪一件我都合适。"她在试衣镜前一次又一次地来回扭腰转圈，压根儿把他给忘了，自然也忘了自己这样热衷此物，同他讨价还价时会不会有什么影响。随后，她又找补着说:

"那要多少钱呢?

""哦，这可是货真价实，两百块美元一件的外套，"鲁宾斯坦先生真够精明的，一开头是这么说的。稍后，他觉察到霍丹斯脸上忽然掠过一阵心里只好放弃不买的阴影，就连忙说下去:

"听起来价钱好象挺大的，不过，本店当然不会卖得这么贵呗。我们的售价是……一百五十块美元。不过话又说回来，这件外套要是在贾雷克那儿，那您就得出那么多钱，说不定还要更多呢。本店不属于那个市口，所以也用不着付高额房租。可是这件外套，完全绝对是值两百块美元的。

""哦，我说你们要价太大了，简直是吓人，"霍丹斯脸色不快地大声嚷嚷说，开始把外套脱下来。她感到好象生活中几乎所有一切最珍贵的东西都被剥夺殆尽。"嘿，在比格斯和贝克那儿，按照这个价钱就可以随便拣了，不管是四分之三的貂皮外套，还是海獭皮外套，而且款式也是最时髦的。""这有可能，这有可能。不过，决不是这样的外套，"鲁宾斯坦先生一口咬定重复说。"请您再看一眼。看看这衣领。您刚才是说那儿能找到这样的外套吗?

您要是能找到，我自己先把那件上衣替您买下来，再转手以一百块美元卖给您就得了。老实说，我们这件外套，完全是特制的。是赶当令时节到来以前，就在夏天，专门仿照纽约一家店里最漂亮的外套精心制作的。完全是第一流。包您再也找不到这样好的外套。""哦，不管你怎么说，反正一百五十块美元我可买不起，"霍丹斯郁郁不乐地说，一面披上她那件皮领子。皮袖口的绒面呢旧短大衣，侧身朝店门口挤了出去。

"等一会儿!

您喜欢这件外套?

"鲁宾斯坦先生乖觉地说。他心中有数，即使是一百块美元，谅她也买不起，除非有哪一个男人给她的钱袋装得满满的。"这件外套的确值两百块美元。我就跟您实话实说吧。本店的定价，就是一百五十块美元。不过，既然您已是这么喜欢它，您要是能出一百二十五块美元，我就卖给您得了。这反正就象半送半卖呢。象您这样的一位女郎，当然罗，不难找到十来个论打的年轻小伙子，他们都乐意掏钱买下来，送给您罗。我知道，您要是对我好，那我自个儿也会掏钱买下来，送给您的。"他殷勤地对她露出满脸笑容。霍丹斯一觉察到……从他嘴里说出来的……这句话的意思，就很反感。她稍微往后挪了一步。与此同时，她对其中恭维她的话，倒也不是完全不高兴。不过，她毕竟还没有那样鄙俗透顶，乃至于不拘是谁，都可以送东西给她啊。的确，还没有达到这样的程度，如果说有的话，也必须是她喜欢的人，或者至少是她能随便驱使的人。

不过，在鲁宾斯坦先生正在说这话的时候以及说过这话以后，她心里已开始琢磨她所喜欢的那些年轻小伙子，竭力断定他们里头有谁最可能在她迷人的魅力的诱惑下给她买下这件外套。比如说，奥菲亚烟摊的查理。威尔肯斯，他当然自以为对她极端忠诚，但是如果没有很大的还报，谅他也未必会买给她这么珍贵的礼物。

还有另一个年轻人罗伯特。凯恩……个儿高高的，总是乐乐呵呵，对她也很关怀备至，在本地电力公司一个分支机构工作，不过，他仅仅是个记记帐的小职员，进项也不多。而且他又太节俭了……动不动就讲他将来要如何如何。

此外，还有那个伯特。格特勒，也就是克莱德初次同她见面的那天晚上，陪她去跳舞的那个年轻人。不过，此人充其量只是个浮荡子弟，一心只知道跳舞，在这样关键时刻是断断乎不可信赖的。他仅仅是一家皮鞋店里的推销员，每周大约挣二十块美元，连一个铜子儿都要计较的。

可是毕竟还有克莱德。格里菲思，此人好象确实有钱，而且乐意为她花钱，说得上爽气大方了。这时，她的思路就是这样飞也似地运转着。可她又抚心自问，她到底能不能一下子诱使他买下这么一份贵重的礼物呢?

她对他并不是太好……常常对他表示冷淡。因此，她对他是完全没有把握的。尽管如此，她伫立在商店那里，琢磨着那件外套一来要多少钱，二来又有多美，不知怎的她心中老是在想克莱德。鲁宾斯坦一直站在一边瞅着她，凭他的经验，已模模糊糊地猜到了她正面临一个什么样的难题。

"哦，小乖乖，"他终于开腔说，"我看得出您很想买这件外套。好极了，我也很想让您能有这么一件外套。现在，我就把我出的一个好点子告诉您。这可仅仅是对您一个人来说的，对本城其他的人我就不干啦。那就是说，在最近几天以内……星期一，或是星期三，或是星期五，不拘在什么时候，您交给我一百十五块美元，只要外套还在这儿，您包管拿走就得了。我甚至于还可以特别照顾。我会专门给您先把它保留一下。您说怎么样?

直到下星期三，或是星期五为止。人家谁都不会对您比这更为照顾的了，可不是吗?

"他得意地笑着，耸耸肩膀，瞧他那种德行仿佛他果真给了她很大的恩惠似的。而霍丹斯呢，走出了店门，心里在想，要是……要是她能够以一百十五块美元买下这件外套，那她就算是做成了一笔惊人的买卖了。而且，毫无疑问，堪萨斯城里穿得最最漂亮的女郎也就数她霍丹斯了。只要她能在下星期三，或是下星期五以前，设法弄到一百十五块美元就得了。
Part 1 Chapter 15
As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on herpart, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others. They were nevertogether any more without his insisting upon the real depth of her regard for him. Why was it, if she cared for him the least bit, that she refused to do this, that or the other--would not let him kiss her as much as he wished,would not let him hold her in his arms as much as he would like. She was always keeping dates with otherfellows and breaking them or refusing to make them with him. What was her exact relationship toward theseothers? Did she really care more for them than she did for him? In fact, they were never together anywhere butwhat this problem of union was uppermost--and but thinly veiled.
　　And she liked to think that he was suffering from repressed desire for her all of the time that she tortured him,and that the power to allay his suffering lay wholly in her--a sadistic trait which had for its soil Clyde's ownmasochistic yearning for her.
　　However, in the face of her desire for the coat, his stature and interest for her were beginning to increase. In spiteof the fact that only the morning before she had informed Clyde, with quite a flourish, that she could not possiblysee him until the following Monday--that all her intervening nights were taken--nevertheless, the problem of thecoat looming up before her, she now most eagerly planned to contrive an immediate engagement with himwithout appearing too eager. For by then she had definitely decided to endeavor to persuade him, if possible, tobuy the coat for her. Only of course, she would have to alter her conduct toward him radically. She would haveto be much sweeter--more enticing. Although she did not actually say to herself that now she might even bewilling to yield herself to him, still basically that was what was in her mind.
　　For quite a little while she was unable to think how to proceed. How was she to see him this day, or the next atthe very latest? How should she go about putting before him the need of this gift, or loan, as she finally worded itto herself? She might hint that he could loan her enough to buy the coat and that later she would pay him back bydegrees (yet once in possession of the coat she well knew that that necessity would never confront her). Or, if hedid not have so much money on hand at one time, she could suggest that she might arrange with Mr. Rubensteinfor a series of time payments which could be met by Clyde. In this connection her mind suddenly turned andbegan to consider how she could flatter and cajole Mr. Rubenstein into letting her have the coat on easy terms.
　　She recalled that he had said he would be glad to buy the coat for her if he thought she would be nice to him.
　　Her first scheme in connection with all this was to suggest to Louise Ratterer to invite her brother, Clyde and athird youth by the name of Scull, who was dancing attendance upon Louise, to come to a certain dance hall thatvery evening to which she was already planning to go with the more favored cigar clerk. Only now she intendedto break that engagement and appear alone with Louise and Greta and announce that her proposed partner wasill. That would give her an opportunity to leave early with Clyde and with him walk past the Rubenstein store.
　　But having the temperament of a spider that spins a web for flies, she foresaw that this might involve thepossibility of Louise's explaining to Clyde or Ratterer that it was Hortense who had instigated the party. It mighteven bring up some accidental mention of the coat on the part of Clyde to Louise later, which, as she felt, wouldnever do. She did not care to let her friends know how she provided for herself. In consequence, she decided thatit would not do for her to appeal to Louise nor to Greta in this fashion.
　　And she was actually beginning to worry as to how to bring about this encounter, when Clyde, who chanced tobe in the vicinity on his way home from work, walked into the store where she was working. He was seeking fora date on the following Sunday. And to his intense delight, Hortense greeted him most cordially with a mostengaging smile and a wave of the hand. She was busy at the moment with a customer. She soon finished, however, and drawing near, and keeping one eye on her floor-walker who resented callers, exclaimed: "I was justthinking about you. You wasn't thinking about me, was you? Trade last." Then she added, sotto voce, "Don't actlike you are talking to me. I see our floorwalker over there."Arrested by the unusual sweetness in her voice, to say nothing of the warm smile with which she greeted him,Clyde was enlivened and heartened at once. "Was I thinking of you?" he returned gayly. "Do I ever think of anyone else? Say! Ratterer says I've got you on the brain.""Oh, him," replied Hortense, pouting spitefully and scornfully, for Ratterer, strangely enough, was one whom shedid not interest very much, and this she knew. "He thinks he's so smart," she added. "I know a lotta girls don'tlike him.""Oh, Tom's all right," pleaded Clyde, loyally. "That's just his way of talking. He likes you.""Oh, no, he don't, either," replied Hortense. "But I don't want to talk about him. Whatcha doin' around six o'clockto-night?""Oh, gee!" exclaimed Clyde disappointedly. "You don't mean to say you got to-night free, have you? Well, ain'tthat tough? I thought you were all dated up. I got to work!" He actually sighed, so depressed was he by thethought that she might be willing to spend the evening with him and he not able to avail himself of theopportunity, while Hortense, noting his intense disappointment, was pleased.
　　"Well, I gotta date, but I don't want to keep it," she went on with a contemptuous gathering of the lips. "I don'thave to break it. I would though if you was free." Clyde's heart began to beat rapidly with delight.
　　"Gee, I wish I didn't have to work now," he went on, looking at her. "You're sure you couldn't make it to-morrownight? I'm off then. And I was just coming up here to ask you if you didn't want to go for an automobile ride nextSunday afternoon, maybe. A friend of Hegglund's got a car--a Packard--and Sunday we're all off. And he wantedme to get a bunch to run out to Excelsior Springs. He's a nice fellow" (this because Hortense showed signs of notbeing so very much interested). "You don't know him very well, but he is. But say, I can talk to you about thatlater. How about to-morrow night? I'm off then."Hortense, who, because of the hovering floor-walker, was pretending to show Clyde some handkerchiefs, wasnow thinking how unfortunate that a whole twenty-four hours must intervene before she could bring him to viewthe coat with her--and so have an opportunity to begin her machinations. At the same time she pretended that theproposed meeting for the next night was a very difficult thing to bring about--more difficult than he couldpossibly appreciate. She even pretended to be somewhat uncertain as to whether she wanted to do it.
　　"Just pretend you're examining these handkerchiefs here," she continued, fearing the floor-walker mightinterrupt. "I gotta nother date for then," she continued thoughtfully, "and I don't know whether I can break it ornot. Let me see." She feigned deep thought. "Well, I guess I can," she said finally. "I'll try, anyhow. Just for thisonce. You be here at Fifteenth and Main at 6.15--no, 6.30's the best you can do, ain't it?--and I'll see if I can't getthere. I won't promise, but I'll see and I think I can make it. Is that all right?" She gave him one of her sweetestsmiles and Clyde was quite beside himself with satisfaction. To think that she would break a date for him, at last.
　　Her eyes were warm with favor and her mouth wreathed with a smile.
　　"Surest thing you know," he exclaimed, voicing the slang of the hotel boys. "You bet I'll be there. Will you dome a favor?""What is it?" she asked cautiously.
　　"Wear that little black hat with the red ribbon under your chin, will you? You look so cute in that.""Oh, you," she laughed. It was so easy to kid Clyde. "Yes, I'll wear it," she added. "But you gotta go now. Herecomes that old fish. I know he's going to kick. But I don't care. Six-thirty, eh? So long." She turned to give herattention to a new customer, an old lady who had been patiently waiting to inquire if she could tell her where themuslins were sold. And Clyde, tingling with pleasure because of this unexpected delight vouchsafed him, madehis way most elatedly to the nearest exit.
　　He was not made unduly curious because of this sudden favor, and the next evening, promptly at six-thirty, andin the glow of the overhanging arc-lights showering their glistening radiance like rain, she appeared. As henoted, at once, she had worn the hat he liked. Also she was enticingly ebullient and friendly, more so than at anytime he had known her. Before he had time to say that she looked pretty, or how pleased he was because shewore that hat, she began:
　　"Some favorite you're gettin' to be, I'LL SAY, when I'LL break an engagement and then wear an old hat I don'tlike just to please you. How do I get that way is what I'd like to know."He beamed as though he had won a great victory. Could it be that at last he might be becoming a favorite withher?
　　"If you only knew how cute you look in that hat, Hortense, you wouldn't knock it," he urged admiringly. "Youdon't know how sweet you do look.""Oh, ho. In this old thing?" she scoffed. "You certainly are easily pleased, I'll say.""An' your eyes are just like soft, black velvet," he persisted eagerly. "They're wonderful." He was thinking of analcove in the Green-Davidson hung with black velvet.
　　"Gee, you certainly have got 'em to-night," she laughed, teasingly. "I'll have to do something about you." Then,before he could make any reply to this, she went off into an entirely fictional account of how, having had aprevious engagement with a certain alleged young society man--Tom Keary by name--who was dogging hersteps these days in order to get her to dine and dance, she had only this evening decided to "ditch" him,preferring Clyde, of course, for this occasion, anyhow. And she had called Keary up and told him that she couldnot see him to-night--called it all off, as it were. But just the same, on coming out of the employee's entrance,who should she see there waiting for her but this same Tom Keary, dressed to perfection in a bright gray raglanand spats, and with his closed sedan, too. And he would have taken her to the Green-Davidson, if she hadwanted to go. He was a real sport. But she didn't. Not to-night, anyhow. Yet, if she had not contrived to avoid him, he would have delayed her. But she espied him first and ran the other way.
　　"And you should have just seen my little feet twinkle up Sargent and around the corner into Bailey Place," wasthe way she narcissistically painted her flight. And so infatuated was Clyde by this picture of herself and thewonderful Keary that he accepted all of her petty fabrications as truth.
　　And then, as they were walking in the direction of Gaspie's, a restaurant in Wyandotte near Tenth which quitelately he had learned was much better than Frissell's, Hortense took occasion to pause and look in a number ofwindows, saying as she did so that she certainly did wish that she could find a little coat that was becoming toher--that the one she had on was getting worn and that she must have another soon--a predicament which causedClyde to wonder at the time whether she was suggesting to him that he get her one. Also whether it might notadvance his cause with her if he were to buy her a little jacket, since she needed it.
　　But Rubenstein's coming into view on this same side of the street, its display window properly illuminated andthe coat in full view, Hortense paused as she had planned.
　　"Oh, do look at that darling little coat there," she began, ecstatically, as though freshly arrested by the beauty ofit, her whole manner suggesting a first and unspoiled impression. "Oh, isn't that the dearest, sweetest, cutest littlething you ever did see?" she went on, her histrionic powers growing with her desire for it. "Oh, just look at thecollar, and those sleeves and those pockets. Aren't they the snappiest things you ever saw? Couldn't I just warmmy little hands in those?" She glanced at Clyde out of the tail of her eye to see if he was being properlyimpressed.
　　And he, aroused by her intense interest, surveyed the coat with not a little curiosity. Unquestionably it was apretty coat--very. But, gee, what would a coat like that cost, anyhow? Could it be that she was trying to interesthim in the merits of a coat like that in order that he might get it for her? Why, it must be a two-hundred-dollarcoat at least. He had no idea as to the value of such things, anyhow. He certainly couldn't afford a coat like that.
　　And especially at this time when his mother was taking a good portion of his extra cash for Esta. And yetsomething in her manner seemed to bring it to him that that was exactly what she was thinking. It chilled andalmost numbed him at first.
　　And yet, as he now told himself sadly, if Hortense wanted it, she could most certainly find some one who wouldget it for her--that young Tom Keary, for instance, whom she had just been describing. And, worse luck, she wasjust that kind of a girl. And if he could not get it for her, some one else could and she would despise him for notbeing able to do such things for her.
　　To his intense dismay and dissatisfaction she exclaimed:
　　"Oh, what wouldn't I give for a coat like that!" She had not intended at the moment to put the matter so bluntly,for she wanted to convey the thought that was deepest in her mind to Clyde tactfully.
　　And Clyde, inexperienced as he was, and not subtle by any means, was nevertheless quite able to gather themeaning of that. It meant--it meant--for the moment he was not quite willing to formulate to himself what it didmean. And now--now--if only he had the price of that coat. He could feel that she was thinking of some one certain way to get the coat. And yet how was he to manage it? How? If he could only arrange to get this coat forher--if he only could promise her that he would get it for her by a certain date, say, if it didn't cost too much, thenwhat? Did he have the courage to suggest to her to-night, or to-morrow, say, after he had learned the price of thecoat, that if she would--why then--why then, well, he would get her the coat or anything else she really wanted.
　　Only he must be sure that she was not really fooling him as she was always doing in smaller ways. He wouldn'tstand for getting her the coat and then get nothing in return--never!
　　As he thought of it, he actually thrilled and trembled beside her. And she, standing there and looking at the coat,was thinking that unless he had sense enough now to get her this thing and to get what she meant--how sheintended to pay for it--well then, this was the last. He need not think she was going to fool around with any onewho couldn't or wouldn't do that much for her. Never.
　　They resumed their walk toward Gaspie's. And throughout the dinner, she talked of little else--how attractive thecoat was, how wonderful it would look on her.
　　"Believe me," she said at one point, defiantly, feeling that Clyde was perhaps uncertain at the moment about hisability to buy it for her, "I'm going to find some way to get that coat. I think, maybe, that Rubenstein store wouldlet me have it on time if I were to go in there and see him about it, make a big enough payment down. Anothergirl out of our store got a coat that way once," she lied promptly, hoping thus to induce Clyde to assist her withit. But Clyde, disturbed by the fear of some extraordinary cost in connection with it, hesitated to say just what hewould do. He could not even guess the price of such a thing--it might cost two or three hundred even--and hefeared to obligate himself to do something which later he might not be able to do.
　　"You don't know what they might want for that, do you?" he asked, nervously, at the same time thinking if hemade any cash gift to her at this time without some guarantee on her part, what right would he have to expectanything more in return than he had ever received? He knew how she cajoled him into getting things for her andthen would not even let him kiss her. He flushed and churned a little internally with resentment at the thought ofhow she seemed to feel that she could play fast and loose with him. And yet, as he now recalled, she had just saidshe would do anything for any one who would get that coat for her--or nearly that.
　　"No-o," she hesitated at first, for the moment troubled as to whether to give the exact price or something higher.
　　For if she asked for time, Mr. Rubenstein might want more. And yet if she said much more, Clyde might notwant to help her. "But I know it wouldn't be more than a hundred and twenty-five. I wouldn't pay more than thatfor it."Clyde heaved a sigh of relief. After all, it wasn't two or three hundred. He began to think now that if she couldarrange to make any reasonable down payment--say, fifty or sixty dollars--he might manage to bring it togetherwithin the next two or three weeks anyhow. But if the whole hundred and twenty-five were demanded at once,Hortense would have to wait, and besides he would have to know whether he was to be rewarded or not-definitely.
　　"That's a good idea, Hortense," he exclaimed without, however, indicating in any way why it appealed to him somuch. "Why don't you do that? Why don't you find out first what they want for it, and how much they wantdown? Maybe I could help you with it.""Oh, won't that be just too wonderful!" Hortense clapped her hands. "Oh, will you? Oh, won't that be just dandy?
　　Now I just know I can get that coat. I just know they'll let me have it, if I talk to them right."She was, as Clyde saw and feared, quite forgetting the fact that he was the one who was making the coatpossible, and now it would be just as he thought. The fact that he was paying for it would be taken for granted.
　　But a moment later, observing his glum face, she added: "Oh, aren't you the sweetest, dearest thing, to help me inthis way. You just bet I won't forget this either. You just wait and see. You won't be sorry. Now you just wait."Her eyes fairly snapped with gayety and even generosity toward him.
　　He might be easy and young, but he wasn't mean, and she would reward him, too, she now decided. Just as soonas she got the coat, which must be in a week or two at the latest, she was going to be very nice to him--dosomething for him. And to emphasize her own thoughts and convey to him what she really meant, she allowedher eyes to grow soft and swimming and to dwell on him promisingly--a bit of romantic acting which causedhim to become weak and nervous. The gusto of her favor frightened him even a little, for it suggested, as hefancied, a disturbing vitality which he might not be able to match. He felt a little weak before her now--a littlecowardly--in the face of what he assumed her real affection might mean.
　　Nevertheless, he now announced that if the coat did not cost more than one hundred and twenty-five dollars, thatsum to be broken into one payment of twenty-five dollars down and two additional sums of fifty dollars each, hecould manage it. And she on her part replied that she was going the very next day to see about it. Mr. Rubensteinmight be induced to let her have it at once on the payment of twenty-five dollars down; if not that, then at the endof the second week, when nearly all would be paid.
　　And then in real gratitude to Clyde she whispered to him, coming out of the restaurant and purring like a cat, thatshe would never forget this and that he would see--and that she would wear it for him the very first time. If hewere not working they might go somewhere to dinner. Or, if not that, then she would have it surely in time forthe day of the proposed automobile ride which he, or rather Hegglund, had suggested for the following Sunday,but which might be postponed.
　　She suggested that they go to a certain dance hall, and there she clung to him in the dances in a suggestive wayand afterwards hinted of a mood which made Clyde a little quivery and erratic.
　　He finally went home, dreaming of the day, satisfied that he would have no trouble in bringing together the firstpayment, if it were so much as fifty, even. For now, under the spur of this promise, he proposed to borrow asmuch as twenty-five from either Ratterer or Hegglund, and to repay it after the coat was paid for.
　　But, ah, the beautiful Hortense. The charm of her, the enormous, compelling, weakening delight. And to thinkthat at last, and soon, she was to be his. It was, plainly, of such stuff as dreams are made of--the unbelievablebecome real.
       霍丹斯心里很明白，克莱德正越来越渴望她最后屈尊俯就，殊不知这是属于另外两个人享受的特殊权利，尽管她永远也不会向他承认这一点。现在每次见面，克莱德总是要求她实实在在地对他表表态。要是她真的有一点儿爱他，那她为什么又拒绝了他这个或那个要求……比方说，不让他痛痛快快地吻她，不让他痛痛快快地搂抱她。她同别人约会，总是守约，可是同克莱德相会，就照例要失约，或者干脆拒绝同他约会。那末，她同别的这些人，究竟是什么关系呢?

她真的喜爱他们胜过喜爱克莱德吗?

事实上，他们每次相遇时常常谈到的，总是他们结合的问题……尽管不免谈得还有点儿含糊不清。

霍丹斯心中暗自高兴地想到:

克莱德由于对她的欲念没法得到宣泄而深感痛苦……她是造成他痛苦的根源，同时又完全掌握了减轻痛苦的权力……这里带有一种施虐淫的特点，而克莱德自我受虐淫式地对她的渴望则是它赖以孳生的土壤。

不过，如今她急欲弄到这件外套，克莱德的重要性，在她看来开始有增无减了。虽说仅仅在前一天早上，她还花言巧语地通知克莱德，说下星期一以前，她大概不能同他见面……因为每天晚上她都有约会……可现在这外套问题已明摆在她面前，她就急急乎想方设法如何安排马上同他会面，可又不能显露出自己太心急的表情来。她早已决定，到时候如果有可能的话，好歹也要说服他给她买这件外套。当然罗，她就得彻底改变自己对待他的态度，也就是说要变得更加亲昵……更加迷人。虽然她真的还没有暗自思忖过甚至现在就准备顺从他的要求，不过，在她心里萦绕不去的，正是这么一种想法。

开头她怎么也想不出该怎么办才好。她怎么能在今天，或者至迟明天见到他呢?

她该怎样向他说明她需要这件礼物，或者象她最后暗自思忖的那样说成需要向他借钱呢?

也许她可以向他暗示，他不妨借钱给她把这件外套买下来，以后她会慢慢归还他。(不过，她心中也明白，只要她把外套拿到手里，那她就根本用不着再归还了。)要不然，如果说他手头一时没有这么多钱，那她不妨说，她可以跟鲁宾斯坦先生讲好分期付款，再由克莱德按期付清。至此，她忽然转念一想，她应该琢磨一下，怎样用甜言蜜语诱惑鲁宾斯坦先生，让她按优厚条件购得这件外套。她回想起他说过，只要他知道她将会待他好，他也会乐意给她买这件外套的。

关于这一切，她心中首先想到的计划，就是建议路易斯。拉特勒出面，在今天晚上邀请她哥哥。克莱德和另一个经常跟路易斯一起伴舞。名叫斯卡尔的年轻人，都到她原先打算同她更为喜欢的一个烟摊伙计一块去的那家舞厅。现在她只好取消原先定好的约会，独自一人跟路易斯和格里达一块去了，推托说她原先说好的舞伴病了。那就会给她一个机会跟克莱德一块儿提前退场，拉着他去鲁宾斯坦铺子。

不过，霍丹斯毕竟具有蜘蛛网罗飞虫的气质。她预见到，事后路易斯很可能会向克莱德或拉特勒解释，说今晚舞会是霍丹斯出的主意。克莱德甚至还可能向路易斯无意中谈起外套的事，她觉得，这是绝对要不得的。她不愿意让她的朋友们了解她是怎样给自己张罗的。因此，她就决定她不能用这样方式求助于路易斯或是格里达。

当她真的为如何邂逅一事发愁的时候，克莱德刚好下班回家路过这里，顺便走进了她工作的商店，打算约她星期日见面。霍丹斯喜出望外，脸上露出非常迷人的微笑，非常亲昵地向他挥手致意。这时她正忙着接待一位顾客。不过，她一下子就完事了，走到他身旁，一只眼睛乜着店里那个讨厌会客。到处巡视的稽查员，一面大声嚷道:

"我心里正惦着你呢。你可没有惦着我，是吧?

交换一下好消息吧。"说完，她又低声说:

"别现出你在同我说话的样子。瞧我们稽查员在那边。"这时，克莱德已被她说话时那种异乎寻常的媚态给迷住了，至于她同他打招呼时的热情微笑，就更不用提了。于是，他一下子心花怒放了。"我没有惦着你吗?

"他乐呵呵地回答说。"难道说我还惦着别人吗?

你听着!

拉特勒说我心心念念在惦着你哩。""哦，他这个人呀，"霍丹斯说，轻鄙地嘴唇一抿，露出怒咻咻的样子。因为，说来也真怪，她本来对拉特勒此人不怎么感兴趣，这一点她自己心里也很清楚。

"他满以为自己准会令人倾倒，"她找补着说。"我知道很多姑娘都不喜欢他呢。""哦，汤姆是顶呱呱的，"克莱德作为忠实的朋友马上申辩说。"只不过他说话时那副德行呗。他可喜欢你哩。""哦，不，他才不是呢，"霍丹斯回答说。"不过，我可不打算谈他。今儿个晚上六点钟，你有事吗?

""哎哟哟!

"克莱德失望地大声说。"你是说你今儿晚上有空，是吗?

哦，真可惜!

我还以为你天天晚上全有约会呢。可我得上班呀!

"他真的叹了一口气，伤心地想:

今天也许她愿意同他一起消磨一个夜晚，他却不能利用这一大好机会。可霍丹斯一发现他很失望的样子，心中暗自高兴。

"哦，我虽然有约会，可我不想去了，"她接下去说，轻蔑地努努嘴。"本来我是用不着失约的。不过，你要是有空，我也就不去得了。"克莱德一听，高兴得心儿怦怦直跳。

"哦，我真是巴不得今晚能不去上班呀，"他接下去说，一面望着她。"你明儿晚上有空吗?

明儿晚上我休息。我这是特地赶来问你，星期日下午也许乘汽车一块兜风去，你去不去?

赫格伦的一个朋友有车……是一辆'

''''帕卡德，……而且星期日我们大伙儿都有空。他要我寻摸一拨人，开车到至善泉去。他是个呱呱叫的小伙子。"(他之所以这样说，原是因为霍丹斯仿佛露出不太感兴趣的神色。)"你不大了解他，说真的，是个呱呱叫的小伙子。好吧，这事下次再跟你谈。明儿晚上，怎么样?

我明儿晚上休息。"霍丹斯因为稽查员又踅来这里，就佯装拿出来一些手绢，让克莱德挑选。

她心里暗想，真可惜，还得捱过整整二十四个小时，才能带他一块去看那件外套……那时她方才有机会使她的预谋得逞。同时，她又佯装好似拟议中的明儿晚上约会很为难……比他想象的还要难得多。她甚至装出自己是不是有空，也都说不准的样子。

"你只管假装在挑选手绢，"她接下去说，心里很怕稽查员也许踅过来，把他们的谈话给掐断了。"明儿晚上我已另有约会，"她显出考虑得很周到的样子说。

"可我还不知道能不能取消。让我想一想，"她假装在深思熟虑之后才说。"哦，我想总可以吧，"后来她又说。"反正我就尽力而为。就是这么一次呗。你到第十五街和大街的拐角处，六点一刻……哦，不，你最早还得六点半到，是吗?

……我也还得尽量争取去。事先我可不能说定，不过，我总得尽力而为。我想我是能去的。这你满意了吗?

"她向他投去一个非常迷人的微笑，克莱德简直开心得不能自主了。只要想一想:

为了他，她终于把另一个约会取消啦。她眼里露出爱抚的闪光，嘴角边含着……微笑。

"再对也没有啦，"他大声嚷嚷说，把格林－戴维逊大酒店里侍应生的俚语也说漏了嘴。"当然罗，到时我一定去。你能不能答应我的一个要求?

""什么要求?

"她小心翼翼地问。

"你来时就头戴这顶小黑帽儿，下巴颏儿结一条红色缎带。好吗?

那样你才显得真俏。""嘿，你真会恭维呀，"她格格笑了起来。要逗弄克莱德可太容易了。"敢情好，我戴就戴吧，"她找补着说。"不过，现在你该走了。瞧那老家伙踅过来了。

我知道，他准会发牢骚的。不过我可不在乎。六点半，嗯?

再见。"她转过身去招呼一位新顾客。那是一个老妇人，她耐心地等了很久，想打听细纱布在哪儿有卖。而克莱德呢，因为突然得到这一意外的赏光，几乎高兴得颤抖起来，就喜孜孜地朝最近的一个出口处走去。

他对这次突然受宠，并不感到特别奇怪。转天傍晚六点半整，在雨点一般光芒四射的。高悬的弧形灯光的照耀下，她翩然而至了。他马上发现，她戴的正是他最喜爱的那顶帽子。而且克莱德从来没有看到她显得那样迷人。活泼。

亲热。他还来不及说她有多美，或是说她戴那顶帽子他有多高兴，她早已抢先说了:

"我说，你真的成了我的心肝宝贝儿啦，所以，我才失约食言，我又戴上这顶我不喜欢的破帽儿，只为了使你高兴。我怎么会那样的，连自个儿都不明白。

"他粲然一笑，好象他已取得了一大胜利。难道说他最后真的会成为她的心肝宝贝儿吗?

"你要是早知道你戴了那顶帽子多俏，霍丹斯，恐怕你就不会小看它了，"他赞赏地鼓励她说。"你可没想象过，戴了它你的模样儿有多美啊。""哦，是吗?

戴了这顶破玩意儿?

"她嘲笑说。"我说，要你心里高兴，当然不难。""还有你的一对眼睛，简直就象软绵绵的黑天鹅绒，"他热乎乎地一个劲儿说。

"真是美极了。"这会儿他正想到格林－戴维逊大酒店挂着黑天鹅绒的一个小凹室。

"哦，今儿晚上你真是够意思，"她格格地笑了起来，想逗弄一下克莱德。"看来我还得为你干点什么。"克莱德还来不及回话，她就开始讲纯属捏造的一段事，说她同某一个据说交际广阔的年轻人，名叫汤姆。基尔里的……原有约会。

这些天来，此人老是一步不离盯住她，请她去吃饭。跳舞。今儿晚上她决定干脆"甩掉"他，当然罗，是因为喜欢克莱德，至少这次是这样。而且，她还打电话给基尔里，对他说今儿晚上不能同他见面了……约会就干脆给取消了。可是，当她走出专供职工上下班的出入口时，她还是看到了有个人在等着她，不用说，就是汤姆。基尔里。此人衣冠楚楚，身穿一件漂亮的灰色拉格伦式大衣和鞋罩，还有他的那辆小轿车。要是她高兴的话，本来他就要带她上格林－戴维逊大酒店去。他真是好一个堂堂正正的男子汉。可是，她并没有去。反正今儿晚上不行。不过再说，她要是没有耍诡计躲过他，他就可能把她缠住不放了。幸好是她先瞥见他的，她就从另一条路跑了。

"说实在的，你真该看看，当时我的一双小腿在萨金特街飞也似的跑，身子一忽闪，拐过弯，溜进了贝利大楼，"她扬扬自得地描述她如何慌张脱逃的情景。

她把她自己和那个了不起的基尔里绘声绘色地说了一通，竟使克莱德迷迷糊糊，对她胡编出来的这一套信以为真了。

随后，他们朝第十街附近，威恩多特街上的加斯比酒家走去。最近克莱德才听说这一家餐馆比弗里塞尔酒家好得多。霍丹斯不时驻步不前，往一些商店橱窗张望，还说她真的巴不得找到一件她穿着合身的外套……现在她穿的一件已经旧了，非得马上另置新的不可……这样一种困境，使克莱德不禁心中纳闷，她是不是示意他给她买一件。他心里还在琢磨，既然她短缺外套，要是他买一件给她，也许还能推动他们俩的关系向前发展。

殊不知鲁宾斯坦时装店已近在咫尺了，陈列橱窗里光亮夺目，把那件裘皮外套照得纤毫毕露。霍丹斯按照预定计划停住了脚步。

"喂，你看那件短外套多可爱，"她开腔说，露出欣喜若狂的样子，仿佛她刚看到它的美就给吸引住了，从她整个神态表明了她第一次鲜灵灵的印象。"哦，这个最可爱。最精美的短外套，不是你从没有见过的吗?

"她继续说下去。她心里越是渴望得到它，她那演剧的才能也越是得到发挥。"哦，你瞧那领子。那衣袖，还有那衣兜。这些最最时髦的东西，不都是你从没有见过的吗?

我的一双小手，只要一伸进去，就觉得挺暖和的。"她用眼角斜乜着克莱德，看看他对它有没有产生如同她希望那样深刻的印象。

果然，克莱德被她浓厚的兴趣所激动，怀着好奇心，正在仔细打量着这件短外套。毫无疑问，这是一件漂亮短外套……漂亮得很。不过，嘿，这样一件外套，要卖多少钱呀?

难道说霍丹斯一个劲儿要他注意这件外套，就为了让他买下来给她吗?

不过，买这外套至少得花两百块美元。反正这一类东西的价钱究竟是多少，他也闹不清。这样一件外套，当然罗，他买不起。特别在最近，他外快中相当大的一部分，已被母亲拿去给了爱思达。不过，听她的口气好象让他心里明白，此刻她寄厚望于他的，正是这么一件东西。开头，他的心冷了半截，几乎连话都说不出来了。

他伤心地暗自寻思，要是霍丹斯真心要的话，当然罗，准能找人……比方说，她刚才提到过的年轻人汤姆。基尔里……给她买的，而糟就糟在她正好就是这一号女郎。要是他不买给她，而别人却给她买了，那她就会瞧不起他，无非是因为他没有钱给她买这个东西。

她大声嚷嚷说:

"只要得了这样一件外套，我还有啥舍不得给的呢!

"让他听了感到非常惊恐和不满。本来她并不打算在此刻这样开门见山地说了出来，因为她原想把她隐藏在心底的想法非常巧妙地说给克莱德听的。

克莱德尽管没有处世经验，人品也说不上精明，不过对她这句话的涵意倒是很能心领神会。这是说……这是说……暂时他还不怎么愿意把这句话的涵意给予正确理解。现在啊……现在啊……只要他能知道那件外套的价格，那多好!

他已觉察到她正在寻摸什么办法，把这件外套弄到手。不过，他有什么办法呢?

怎么办呢?

只要他能够设法给她弄到这件外套……只要他答应她，比方说，过一些日子给她弄到这件外套，只要花费不太多，那时又会怎么样呢?

他有没有这个胆量，就在今儿晚上，或是比方说，在明天，等他得知外套的价格以后，干脆对她说开了，只要她同意……那时……那时，反正不管外套也好，还是她真的想要别的什么东西，他通通都会买给她。只不过他一定要有把握，看准她决不会象前时那样，在一些小事上存心耍弄他。不，他决不愿意给她买了外套，到头来却什么还报都得不到……这可绝对要不得!

他站在她身旁，一想到这里，真的兴奋得浑身颤栗起来了。而她呢，站在那儿，两眼直瞅着外套，心里在想:

除非他放聪明些，给她弄到这件外套，又能领会她真正的意思……她为了这件外套打算怎样付出代价的……否则的话，得了吧，那时同他就算是最后了结啦。他别以为:

连这一点小事都不能，或者是不想给她出力的人，她霍丹斯还会照样同这种人厮混在一起。这可绝对要不得!

他们继续朝加斯比酒家走去。进餐时，她自始至终几乎什么事都不讲，却一个劲儿说……那件外套有多么好看，穿在她身上一定漂亮极了。

"相信我吧，"这时，她有些不服气地说道，因为她已感到克莱德对自己有没有力量给她买外套也许信心还不足，"我一定得寻摸什么办法，把那件外套弄到手。我想，要是我走进店里去，鲁宾斯坦先生讲定分期付款，先付下一笔相当多的钱，那他们店里马上就会给我的。不久前，我们百货商店里有一个女售货员，就是这样把外套买来了，"转眼间她又在撒谎了，希望借此引诱克莱德也助她一臂之力。不过，克莱德生怕这玩意儿价钱太大，犹豫不定，没有说出他究竟打算怎么办。他甚至连这一类东西的价钱也都猜不出来……也许是两百块美元，乃至于高达三百块美元……他生怕现在一口答应下来，往后他也许办不到。

"你不知道这玩意儿要卖多少钱，是不是?

"他紧张不安地说，同时心里在想，要是这次他送她一点现钱，她却没有给他一点保证，那他还有什么权利，指望从她那里得到比过去更多的还报呢?

他心里也明白:

过去她是怎样以甜言蜜语引诱他给她买这买那，到头来甚至还不让他吻一吻她。克莱德一想到往日里她好象觉得可以随意玩弄他，就很气忿，脸上唰地涨红，心中十分恼火。不过，此刻他又想起，她刚才说过，不拘是谁，只要给她弄到那件外套，那她什么事都乐意干……好象她说的就是这么个意思。

"不……不知道，"开头她有点儿犹豫不决，一时很为难，不知道说出真正的价钱好呢，还是索性把价钱说得更高些。因为明摆着，如果她要求分期付款，鲁宾斯坦先生也许就会把价格抬得更高了。不过话又说回来，她要是把价钱说得太大，说不定克莱德也就不愿帮她的忙了。"不过，我可知道当然不会超过一百二十五块美元。要不然，我也就不愿意买了。"克莱德舒了一大口气。毕竟还不是高达两三百块美元。他心里就在琢磨着:

要是她能跟店里讲好，先付相当大的一笔……比方说，五十块，或是六十块美元……在以后两三个星期里，好歹他也能设法凑齐归还。不过，要是整整一百二十五块美元必须一次付清，那霍丹斯还有一段时间要等呢;而且，除这以外，他还得先闹清楚:

他是不是能得到实实在在的报答才成。

"那倒是个好主意，霍丹斯，"他大声嚷嚷说，不过没有说明为什么他很赞同这个办法。"为什么你不那样做呢?

为什么你不先问问清楚价钱，先付多少钱?

也许我能帮你一点忙。""哦，那可太好了!

"霍丹斯禁不住鼓掌起来。"哦，你果真能帮忙?

哦，这不是太棒了吗?

现在我才知道我就会得到那件外套的。我知道，只要我能同他们店里讲好分期付款，他们一定会给我的。"正如克莱德预料和担心的那样，她早已完全忘掉了这样一个事实:

正是由于他，她才能买那件外套。可是现在这一切，就正如他当初预料到的一模一样。

事实上由他来付钱，这在霍丹斯看来是理所当然的了。

可是过了一会儿，她发觉他脸色沉了下来，就找补着说:

"哦，你这样帮我的忙，你是天底下最漂亮。最可爱的人，可不是吗?

你尽管放心，这件事我可怎么也忘不了的。你等着瞧吧。你也用不着后悔的。你只要等着瞧就得了。"她眼里突然向他露出快活。甚至慷慨大方的闪光。

尽管克莱德也许太年轻稚嫩，可他并不是悭吝人，所以，她也要酬谢他，现在她已作出了这样决定。只要她一拿到这件外套，想必这件事在一周以内，最迟也不超过两个星期就能实现，那时她就要对他特别温存……多少让他乐一乐。为了有力说明她的这个想法，让他更好了解她的真心实意，她就凝神注视着他，使他充满了希望，同时，让她眼里甚至迸射出温柔的泪水汪汪的闪光……这么一点儿罗曼蒂克的小动作，竟然使他心神不安，惘然若失。在她面前，他简直受宠若惊，甚至还有一点儿惶悚，因为在他的想象之中，她那目光里暗示着一种令人心慌意乱的旺盛活力，恐怕他也是没法应付的。此刻他在她面前却感到有点儿软弱无力……也有一点儿胆怯……当他想到她那真正的情爱可能意味着什么的时候。

尽管如此，这时他还是说，如果这件外套不超过一百二十五块美元，又可以分期付款，第一次先付二十五块美元，以后各次付五十块美元，那他还是可以设法张罗的。她回答说，她打算明天就去打听一下。也许她会说服鲁宾斯坦先生，只要先付二十五块美元，马上就把外套给她;要不然，就在第二个周末给他，那时节几乎全都付清了。

当她从酒家走出来的时候，她真的对克莱德充满了感激之情，象小猫咪呜呜叫似的向他轻声耳语道，这件事她永远忘不了，他只管等着瞧就得了……她还一定第一次穿着这件外套给他看。那时他要是不上班，也许他们就上什么地方吃饭去。要不然，在下星期日汽车出游以前，她肯定拿到了这件外套。这次汽车出游，与其说是克莱德，还不如说是赫格伦提议的，不过说不定会延期。

她提议不妨到某一家舞厅去。两人起舞后，她猥亵地紧贴着他，后来还暗示出一种心意，竟然让克莱德也感到有点儿颤栗和惊惶。

他后来回到了家里，有如梦幻似的回味着这一天的情景，满意地认为，第一期付款不会有什么困难，哪怕是要五十块美元也行。因为，如今就在霍丹斯这许诺的刺激之下，他打算向拉特勒或是赫格伦移借二十五块美元，等到外套款项付清以后再归还他们。

可是，啊，多么美的霍丹斯!

她那魅力，她那令人倾倒。难以抑制的无限喜悦啊。只要想一想，她终于在顷刻之间就要属于他啦。这分明是恍如置身于梦幻之中……不可置信的事果真变成了事实。
Part 1 Chapter 16
True to her promise, the following day Hortense returned to Mr. Rubenstein, and with all the cunning of hernature placed before him, with many reservations, the nature of the dilemma which confronted her. Could she, byany chance, have the coat for one hundred and fifteen dollars on an easy payment plan? Mr. Rubenstein's headforthwith began to wag a solemn negative. This was not an easy payment store. If he wanted to do business thatway he could charge two hundred for the coat and easily get it.
　　"But I could pay as much as fifty dollars when I took the coat," argued Hortense.
　　"Very good. But who is to guarantee that I get the other sixty-five, and when?""Next week twenty-five, and the week after that twenty five and the next week after that fifteen.""Of course. But supposin' the next day after you take the coat an automobile runs you down and kills you. Thenwhat? How do I get my money?"Now that was a poser. And there was really no way that she could prove that any one would pay for the coat.
　　And before that there would have to be all the bother of making out a contract, and getting some reallyresponsible person--a banker, say--to endorse it. No, no, this was not an easy payment house. This was a cashhouse. That was why the coat was offered to her at one hundred and fifteen, but not a dollar less. Not a dollar.
　　Mr. Rubenstein sighed and talked on. And finally Hortense asked him if she could give him seventy-five dollarscash in hand, the other forty to be paid in one week's time. Would he let her have the coat then--to take homewith her?
　　"But a week--a week--what is a week then?" argued Mr. Rubenstein. "If you can bring me seventy-five nextweek or to-morrow, and forty more in another week or ten days, why not wait a week and bring the wholehundred and fifteen? Then the coat is yours and no bother. Leave the coat. Come back to-morrow and pay metwenty-five or thirty dollars on account and I take the coat out of the window and lock it up for you. No one caneven see it then. In another week bring me the balance or in two weeks. Then it is yours." Mr. Rubensteinexplained the process as though it were a difficult matter to grasp.
　　But the argument once made was sound enough. It really left Hortense little to argue about. At the same time itreduced her spirit not a little. To think of not being able to take it now. And yet, once out of the place, her vigorrevived. For, after all, the time fixed would soon pass and if Clyde performed his part of the agreement promptly,the coat would be hers. The important thing now was to make him give her twenty-five or thirty dollarswherewith to bind this wonderful agreement. Only now, because of the fact that she felt that she needed a newhat to go with the coat, she decided to say that it cost one hundred and twenty-five instead of one hundred andfifteen.
　　And once this conclusion was put before Clyde, he saw it as a very reasonable arrangement--all thingsconsidered--quite a respite from the feeling of strain that had settled upon him after his last conversation withHortense. For, after all, he had not seen how he was to raise more than thirty-five dollars this first week anyhow.
　　The following week would be somewhat easier, for then, as he told himself, he proposed to borrow twenty ortwenty-five from Ratterer if he could, which, joined with the twenty or twenty-five which his tips would bringhim, would be quite sufficient to meet the second payment. The week following he proposed to borrow at leastten or fifteen from Hegglund--maybe more--and if that did not make up the required amount to pawn his watchfor fifteen dollars, the watch he had bought for himself a few months before. It ought to bring that at least; it costfifty.
　　But, he now thought, there was Esta in her wretched room awaiting the most unhappy result of her one romance.
　　How was she to make out, he asked himself, even in the face of the fact that he feared to be included in thefinancial problem which Esta as well as the family presented. His father was not now, and never had been, of anyreal financial service to his mother. And yet, if the problem were on this account to be shifted to him, how wouldhe make out? Why need his father always peddle clocks and rugs and preach on the streets? Why couldn't hismother and father give up the mission idea, anyhow?
　　But, as he knew, the situation was not to be solved without his aid. And the proof of it came toward the end ofthe second week of his arrangement with Hortense, when, with fifty dollars in his pocket, which he was planningto turn over to her on the following Sunday, his mother, looking into his bedroom where he was dressing, said:
　　"I'd like to see you for a minute, Clyde, before you go out." He noted she was very grave as she said this. As amatter of fact, for several days past, he had been sensing that she was undergoing a strain of some kind. At thesame time he had been thinking all this while that with his own resources hypothecated as they were, he could donothing. Or, if he did it meant the loss of Hortense. He dared not.
　　And yet what reasonable excuse could he give his mother for not helping her a little, considering especially theclothes he wore, and the manner in which he had been running here and there, always giving the excuse ofworking, but probably not deceiving her as much as he thought. To be sure, only two months before, he hadobligated himself to pay her ten dollars a week more for five weeks, and had. But that only proved to her verylikely that he had so much extra to give, even though he had tried to make it clear at the time that he waspinching himself to do it. And yet, however much he chose to waver in her favor, he could not, with his desirefor Hortense directly confronting him.
　　He went out into the living-room after a time, and as usual his mother at once led the way to one of the benchesin the mission-- a cheerless, cold room these days.
　　"I didn't think I'd have to speak to you about this, Clyde, but I don't see any other way out of it. I haven't anyonebut you to depend upon now that you're getting to be a man. But you must promise not to tell any of the others-Frankor Julia or your father. I don't want them to know. But Esta's back here in Kansas City and in trouble, and Idon't know quite what to do about her. I have so very little money to do with, and your father's not very much ofa help to me any more."She passed a weary, reflective hand across her forehead and Clyde knew what was coming. His first thought wasto pretend that he did not know that Esta was in the city, since he had been pretending this way for so long. Butnow, suddenly, in the face of his mother's confession, and the need of pretended surprise on his part, if he were tokeep up the fiction, he said, "Yes, I know.""You know?" queried his mother, surprised.
　　"Yes, I know," Clyde repeated. "I saw you going in that house in Beaudry Street one morning as I was goingalong there," he announced calmly enough now. "And I saw Esta looking out of the window afterwards, too. So Iwent in after you left.""How long ago was that?" she asked, more to gain time than anything else.
　　"Oh, about five or six weeks ago, I think. I been around to see her a coupla times since then, only Esta didn'twant me to say anything about that either.""Tst! Tst! Tst!" clicked Mrs. Griffiths, with her tongue. "Then you know what the trouble is.""Yes," replied Clyde.
　　"Well, what is to be will be," she said resignedly. "You haven't mentioned it to Frank or Julia, have you?""No," replied Clyde, thoughtfully, thinking of what a failure his mother had made of her attempt to be secretive.
　　She was no one to deceive any one, or his father, either. He thought himself far, far shrewder.
　　"Well, you mustn't," cautioned his mother solemnly. "It isn't best for them to know, I think. It's bad enough as itis this way," she added with a kind of wry twist to her mouth, the while Clyde thought of himself and Hortense.
　　"And to think," she added, after a moment, her eyes filling with a sad, all-enveloping gray mist, "she should havebrought all this on herself and on us. And when we have so little to do with, as it is. And after all the instructionshe has had--the training. 'The way of the transgressor--'"She shook her head and put her two large hands together and gripped them firmly, while Clyde stared, thinkingof the situation and all that it might mean to him.
　　She sat there, quite reduced and bewildered by her own peculiar part in all this. She had been as deceiving as anyone, really. And here was Clyde, now, fully informed as to her falsehoods and strategy, and herself lookingfoolish and untrue. But had she not been trying to save him from all this--him and the others? And he was oldenough to understand that now. Yet she now proceeded to explain why, and to say how dreadful she felt it all tobe. At the same time, as she also explained, now she was compelled to come to him for aid in connection with it.
　　"Esta's about to be very sick," she went on suddenly and stiffly, not being able, or at least willing, apparently, tolook at Clyde as she said it, and yet determined to be as frank as possible. "She'll need a doctor very shortly andsome one to be with her all the time when I'm not there. I must get money somewhere--at least fifty dollars. Youcouldn't get me that much in some way, from some of your young men friends, could you, just a loan for a fewweeks? You could pay it back, you know, soon, if you would. You wouldn't need to pay me anything for yourroom until you had."She looked at Clyde so tensely, so urgently, that he felt quite shaken by the force of the cogency of the request.
　　And before he could add anything to the nervous gloom which shadowed her face, she added: "That other moneywas for her, you know, to bring her back here after her--her"--she hesitated over the appropriate word but finallyadded--"husband left her there in Pittsburgh. I suppose she told you that.""Yes, she did," replied Clyde, heavily and sadly. For after all, Esta's condition was plainly critical, which wassomething that he had not stopped to meditate on before.
　　"Gee, Ma," he exclaimed, the thought of the fifty dollars in his pocket and its intended destination troubling himconsiderably--the very sum his mother was seeking. "I don't know whether I can do that or not. I don't know anyof the boys down there well enough for that. And they don't make any more than I do, either. I might borrow alittle something, but it won't look very good." He choked and swallowed a little, for lying to his mother in thisway was not easy. In fact, he had never had occasion to lie in connection with anything so trying--and sodespicably. For here was fifty dollars in his pocket at the moment, with Hortense on the one hand and his motherand sister on the other, and the money would solve his mother's problem as fully as it would Hortense's, andmore respectably. How terrible it was not to help her. How could he refuse her, really? Nervously he licked hislips and passed a hand over his brow, for a nervous moisture had broken out upon his face. He felt strained andmean and incompetent under the circumstances.
　　"And you haven't any money of your own right now that you could let me have, have you?" his mother halfpleaded. For there were a number of things in connection with Esta's condition which required immediate cashand she had so little.
　　"No, I haven't, Ma," he said, looking at his mother shamefacedly, for a moment, then away, and if it had not beenthat she herself was so distrait, she might have seen the falsehood on his face. As it was, he suffered a pang ofcommingled self-commiseration and self-contempt, based on the distress he felt for his mother. He could notbring himself to think of losing Hortense. He must have her. And yet his mother looked so lone and soresourceless. It was shameful. He was low, really mean. Might he not, later, be punished for a thing like this?
　　He tried to think of some other way--some way of getting a little money over and above the fifty that might help.
　　If only he had a little more time--a few weeks longer. If only Hortense had not brought up this coat idea justnow.
　　"I'll tell you what I might do," he went on, quite foolishly and dully the while his mother gave vent to a helpless"Tst! Tst! Tst!" "Will five dollars do you any good?""Well, it will be something, anyhow," she replied. "I can use it.""Well, I can let you have that much," he said, thinking to replace it out of his next week's tips and trust to betterluck throughout the week. "And I'll see what I can do next week. I might let you have ten then. I can't say forsure. I had to borrow some of that other money I gave you, and I haven't got through paying for that yet, and if Icome around trying to get more, they'll think--well, you know how it is."His mother sighed, thinking of the misery of having to fall back on her one son thus far. And just when he wastrying to get a start, too. What would he think of all this in after years? What would he think of her--of Esta--the family? For, for all his ambition and courage and desire to be out and doing, Clyde always struck her as one whowas not any too powerful physically or rock-ribbed morally or mentally. So far as his nerves and emotions wereconcerned, at times he seemed to take after his father more than he did after her. And for the most part it was soeasy to excite him--to cause him to show tenseness and strain--as though he were not so very well fitted foreither. And it was she, because of Esta and her husband and their joint and unfortunate lives, that was and hadbeen heaping the greater part of this strain on him.
　　"Well, if you can't, you can't," she said. "I must try and think of some other way." But she saw no clear way atthe moment.
       霍丹斯说话是算数的，转天真的找鲁宾斯坦先生去了。她施出了她与生俱有的全副佻巧本领，闪烁其词地向他摊开了如今她的难处。能不能网开一面，按照定价一百十五块美元，以分期付款的优厚办法，就让她把外套拿走呢?

鲁宾斯坦听了马上摇头，一本正经地说，这里可不是分期付款的商店。他要是做这样的生意，尽管可以把外套标价两百块美元，立刻就会有人把它买去的。

"不过，要是先付五十块美元，我就得马上拿走这件外套，"霍丹斯抢白说。

"敢情好。只不过尚欠六十五块美元，由谁来担保呢?

多咱给呢?

""下星期给二十五块美元，再下星期给二十五块美元，下下星期再给十五块美元，不就全清了。""当然罗。不过，假定说你拿走这件外套以后，万一转天汽车把你撞倒了，你一下子给撞死了。那又怎么办?

我的钱上哪儿去要呢?

"唉，这可是个棘手的问题。说真的，她也没有办法证明由谁替她的外套付钱。而且，事前还得办一大套麻烦的事儿，先订一个合同，再由一个真正殷实可靠的人……比方说，一个银行家……来担保。不，不，鲁宾斯坦店里是不办分期付款的。这里一概现金买卖。所以嘛，外套卖给她只要一百十五块美元，不折不扣的，一块钱也不能少。少一块也不行。

鲁宾斯坦先生舒了一口气，又继续说下去。后来，霍丹斯问他能不能她先付给他现款七十五块美元，余下四十块美元一周内付清。这样，他就可以把外套交给她……让她一块儿带回家吧?

"不过嘛，一星期……一星期……等一个星期，又算得了什么呢?

"鲁宾斯坦先生大力撺掇她说。"要是你下星期或是明天能付给我七十五块美元，余下四十块美元在一星期内，或是十天内全部付清，那又干吗不再等一星期，把整笔一百十五块美元一起带来呢?

到那时，外套就是您的了，什么麻烦也都没有。外套就给您留在这儿。明天，您再来给我二十五块，或则三十块美元作为定洋，我就把外套从橱窗里取出来，干脆给您锁好，什么人都看不见这件外套了。下一个星期或是下下个星期以内，把余欠带来。那外套就归您了，"鲁宾斯坦先生把这个复杂的程序解释了一遍，好象这是挺难懂似的。

不过，他刚才所讲的，的确理由很充足。霍丹斯实在没有什么好反驳的了。

这时就象给她的兴头上泼了一大瓢凉水。只要想一想，外套硬是不能马上拿走。

不过，她一走出时装店，却又神采奕奕起来了。因为，规定的期限反正很快就会过去的，要是克莱德很快能信守自己的承诺，外套就是归她的啦。目前最要紧的是:

要他掏出二十五块或是三十块美元来，以便敲定这一项妙不可言的协议。

不过，她觉得还需要一顶新帽子来配这件外套，所以就决定说标价是一百二十五块美元，而不是一百十五块美元。

这个结果告诉克莱德以后，他经过通盘考虑，认为非常合理。自从上次霍丹斯找他谈过以后，他心里一直很紧张，这下子才算松了一大口气。因为，说到底，要在头一个星期内张罗到三十五块美元以上的款项，他实在是一筹莫展。

宽放到下一个星期，多少好办些，因为，他心里暗自琢磨，他打算不妨向拉特勒移借二十块或二十五块美元，加上自己可能挣到的二十块或二十五块美元的小费，也就足以偿清第二期的付款了。到第三个星期，他打算向赫格伦至少借十块或十五块美元……备不住多借一些……要是那样还凑不足，他只好把几个月前买的一块表送进当铺，可得十五块美元。最少决不会低于此数;因为当初这块表就标价五十块美元呢。

不过，他又转念一想，还有爱思达在她那寒伧的房间里，等待着她那仅有的一次恋爱史极端不幸的结局。他又担心自问，既然他很怕卷入爱思达以及全家钱财收支问题中去，那她怎么去对付那些开支呢?

至于赚钱这类事，不说现在他父亲也帮不了母亲忙，而且历来一直都是如此。不过，万一这副不轻的担子落到他身上来，那他该怎么对付呢?

他父亲干吗老是穿街走巷，叫卖钟表。毯子，还要在街头传道呢?

说到底，他父母干吗不能放弃传道这个想法呢?

不过，据他知道，现在家里困境，没有他的帮助是解决不了的。他的这个想法，在他同霍丹斯商定后的第二个周末就得到了证实。那时，他正巧在自己卧室穿衣服，口袋里还有五十块美元，打算下个星期日交给她，哪知道他母亲冲他卧室张望了一下，说:

"克莱德，你出门前，我有话要跟你说。"他觉察到她说话时面有忧色。事实上，这几天来，他一直觉得她正碰上了一件确实费劲的事。可他自己却一直在想:

他的钱财如今几乎抵押殆尽，也就无力相助了。要不然，他就得失掉了霍丹斯。这个他当然不干。

不过话又说回来，他又能搬出怎样一些名正言顺的理由来，说不能帮母亲一点小忙呢。尤其是他身上穿的讲究衣着，还有他一个劲儿往外跑的德行，动不动推托说到酒店里忙工作去了，其实也许并不象他所想象的那样能瞒过他母亲。当然罗，仅仅两个月前，他答应过每星期多给母亲十块美元，拢共五个星期，事实上他也说到做到了。不过，这么一来，也许反而使母亲认为:

他有的是富裕的钱，真拿得出来，哪怕当时他竭力向她解释过，这些钱都是他硬挤出来的。不过，即使他多么想帮母亲一点忙，心里仍在犹豫不定，但阻碍他的正是他对霍丹斯那种没法压抑的欲念，因此，他也就做不到了。

不一会儿，他走进了起坐间，母亲照例马上领他坐到传道馆里的一条长条凳上……近来这个屋子总是让人感到那样灰溜溜。冷清清。

"我本想不跟你谈这件事，克莱德，可我再也没有别的办法了。除了你，我再也没有别人好指靠，因为现在你长大成人了。不过，你务必答应我决不告诉别人……不管是弗兰克。朱丽娅，还是你父亲。我不想让他们知道。爱思达已经回到堪萨斯城了，而且处于困境，我简直不知道对她怎么办。我只有那么一点儿钱，你父亲又压根儿帮不了我什么忙。"她那疲乏而又忧心忡忡的手一掠过额角，克莱德就知道紧接着是怎么回事了。他先想假装自己并不知道爱思达在城里，反正他这样假装已经很久了。不过，此刻他母亲既然照实说了出来，他倘要继续佯装不知，那就非得装做大吃一惊不可。因此他说:

"是的，我知道。""你知道了吗?

"母亲大吃一惊地问道。

"是的，我知道了，"克莱德又说了一遍。"那天早上，我正从博德里街走过，恰好看见您走进那幢房子，"他说话时心情平静极了。"后来，我又看见爱思达探出头来往窗外张望。因此，等您走了以后，我就走了进去。""这事有多少日子了，"她这样问，不外乎多争取一点让自己考虑的时间。

"哦，我想，大约在五六个星期以前。以后，我去看过她两次，不过，爱思达不让我再提那件事了。""Ｔｓｔ!

Ｔｓｔ!

Ｔｓｔ!

"格里菲思太太一个劲儿发出砸嘴声。"那你知道她那倒楣的事吧。""是的，"克莱德回答说。

"哦，这可是在劫难逃啊，"她有点儿听天由命地说。"那你没有跟弗兰克或是朱丽娅说起过吧?

""没有，"克莱德若有所思地回答说，他心里想他母亲竭力想要保守秘密，到头来还是归于失败。不论她也好，还是他父亲也好，压根儿都不会哄骗人的。

他认为自己比双亲可要精明得多。

"哦，你万万不要给他们说呀，"母亲一本正经地关照他。"依我看，最好还是不让他们知道。现在不说也已经够糟了，"她嘴一撇，找补着说;这时，克莱德心里却只想着自己与霍丹斯。

"只要想一想，"不一会儿，她又接下去说，眼里好象弥漫着一片灰蒙蒙的愁雾，"是她使她自己和我们吃这样的苦头。难道说那是我们造的孽吗?

说到底，她还受过教育与培养。'

''''罪人的道路……，"她摇摇头，使劲地搓着自己两只大手;克莱德两眼直瞪着，心里琢磨着目前因境有可能连累他。

她坐在那里，对自己在这件事中所扮演的角色觉得相当泄气。尴尬。说真的，她的骗人伎俩与常人如出一辙。眼前的克莱德对她弄虚作假这一套策略早就一清二楚;她不免显得虚伪和愚蠢。不过，她至今还一直在设法不让他……不让他和家里其他人……卷进去，可不是吗?

现在克莱德长大了，该懂得这一层意思了。现在她就进一步解释说，为什么她要这么办，又说她觉得这一切该有多么可怕。同时，她又解释了，此刻为什么这事她非得向他求助不可。

"爱思达的月子也很近了，"突然间，她生拉硬拽地说道。她说这话时，既不能看，至少似乎是不愿看着克莱德，不过，她还是决意尽可能开门见山地说了。

"她马上就得请一个医生，还要雇一个人，我不在时可以照料她。我这就得上哪儿寻摸钱去……至少五十块美元。你能不能设法弄到这笔钱，向你那些年轻朋友移借，暂借几个星期，行不行?

反正你知道，你很快就能归还的。在你还清以前，你住房的钱就不用给我了。"她两眼直望着克莱德，神色显得那样焦急。紧迫，所以他就觉得浑身上下已被这一请求的令人信服的威力所震撼了。他还来不及说些什么，来加重在她脸上反映出来的内心忧伤，她又找补着说:

"上次的钱也是为了她，你知道，就是让她回来，当时她的……她的……"她迟疑了一会儿，想要挑选一个恰当的词儿，不过最后还是接下去说，"丈夫已在匹茨堡把她离弃了。我想那事她已经告诉过你了。""是的，她告诉过我了，"克莱德心情沉重而又忧郁地回答说。当然罗，爱思达的境况显然是严重的，只不过从前他就是不愿好好思考罢了。

"怎么啦，妈，"他大声说道。他一想到口袋里的五十块美元和它预定的用途，心里就非常烦恼……这数目恰好是他母亲急需的数目。"我可不知道我办得到还是办不到。我对酒店里伙计们还不怎么了解，从没开口借过钱。再说，他们挣的钱也并不比我多。也许我能借到一点钱，只不过很不好看。"他说到这儿哽住了，就咽下一口唾沫，因为，向自己母亲撒谎，可也是不易啊。事实上，过去他对这么棘手的事从来没有撒过谎……而且又是如此卑鄙撤谎。此刻他口袋里正有五十块美元，一面是霍丹斯，另一面则是他母亲和姐姐，而这一笔钱就能解决他母亲的问题，就象解决霍丹斯的问题一样绰绰有余，而且更加用在刀刃上。要是不帮助母亲呢，这太可怕了。说真的，他怎能一口拒绝她呢?

他心神不安地舔着嘴唇，一只手捋着额角，因为他由于内心不安，脸上早已汗涔涔了。

在这种情况之下，他觉得自己尴尬，卑鄙，不中用。

"眼下你自个儿能给我一点儿钱，好吗?

"他母亲几乎在恳求说。因为爱思达处在那样的情况下，少不了要准备许多东西，急需现钱，可她的钱又是那么少。

"没有，我没有，妈，"他说，满面羞惭地看了一眼母亲，接着眼光马上望着别处;要不是他母亲自己精神恍惚，也许会从他脸上识破他的虚伪来。其实，由于他替母亲难过，这时自己也感到一阵自怜。自卑搀杂在一起的痛苦。丢掉霍丹斯，这是他怎么也不能考虑的。她非得属于他不可。可他母亲却显得那么孤单，那么一无依靠。这太可耻了。他真的太低下，太卑鄙。说不定将来有一天他会为这事受到惩罚吧?

他竭力在想能不能有别的办法……即在五十块美元以外另敛一些钱周济她。要是他时间更充裕一点……宽放他一两个星期，该有多好!

要是霍丹斯不是正好在现在提出要买外套这件事，该又多好!

"我照实对你说我这算是尽了力，"他继续说，显得十分可笑，而又灰不溜丢的样子;而这时，他母亲正发出一连串"Ｔｓｔ!

Ｔｓｔ!

Ｔｓｔ!

"失望的声音。"难道说五块美元能帮您什么大忙呀?

""嘿，反正总有点儿用处呗，"她回答说。"我说毕竟是聊胜于无。""得了，这几块钱反正我可以给你，"他说，心里琢磨这点钱可用下星期的小费补上，但愿这一周内交上好运气。"让我再看看下星期有什么办法。也许下星期我能给你十块美元。可我现在还说不准。上次给你的钱，部分是我万不得已借来的，至今还没有归还人家，要是我这会儿再去借，人家心里会想……得了，你一定明白这是怎么回事。"母亲叹了一口气，心里想她不得不样样都靠自己这个儿子，怪可怜的。而且正当他刚刚见世面的时候。往后他对这一切会有怎么个想法?

对她……对爱思达……对整个家庭，又会有什么想法?

因为，尽管克莱德有他自己的抱负。勇气与渴望，谋求自立，可她觉得他这个人体质不怎么太结实，道德上或心智上也不是完全靠得住。他是那么神经过敏，而又富于感情，有时看来与其说象他母亲，还不如说更象父亲。而且，他动不动就非常激动……使他流露出紧张和痛苦的样子……好象不论哪一种情绪，他都招架不住似的。而且正是她，不论过去或现在，一直把爱思达和她丈夫以及他们共同不幸的生活所造成的痛苦绝大部分都让他来忍受。

"哦，你要是没有办法，那就说没有办法，得了，"她说。"让我再去想想别的法子呗。"不过，眼前反正她看不到还有什么出路。
Part 1 Chapter 17
In connection with the automobile ride suggested and arranged for the following Sunday by Hegglund throughhis chauffeur friend, a change of plan was announced. The car--an expensive Packard, no less--could not be hadfor that day, but must be used by this Thursday or Friday, or not at all. For, as had been previously explained toall, but not with the strictest adherence to the truth, the car belonged to a certain Mr. Kimbark, an elderly andvery wealthy man who at the time was traveling in Asia. Also, what was not true was that this particular youthwas not Mr. Kimbark's chauffeur at all, but rather the rakish, ne'er-do-well son of Sparser, the superintendent ofone of Mr. Kimbark's stock farms. This son being anxious to pose as something more than the son of asuperintendent of a farm, and as an occasional watchman, having access to the cars, had decided to take the veryfinest of them and ride in it.
　　It was Hegglund who proposed that he and his hotel friends be included on some interesting trip. But since thegeneral invitation had been given, word had come that within the next few weeks Mr. Kimbark was likely toreturn. And because of this, Willard Sparser had decided at once that it might be best not to use the car any more.
　　He might be taken unawares, perhaps, by Mr. Kimbark's unexpected arrival. Laying this difficulty beforeHegglund, who was eager for the trip, the latter had scouted the idea. Why not use it once more anyhow? He hadstirred up the interest of all of his friends in this and now hated to disappoint them. The following Friday,between noon and six o'clock, was fixed upon as the day. And since Hortense had changed in her plans she nowdecided to accompany Clyde, who had been invited, of course.
　　But as Hegglund had explained to Ratterer and Higby since it was being used without the owner's consent, theymust meet rather far out--the men in one of the quiet streets near Seventeenth and West Prospect, from whichpoint they could proceed to a meeting place more convenient for the girls, namely, Twentieth and Washington.
　　From thence they would speed via the west Parkway and the Hannibal Bridge north and east to Harlem, NorthKansas City, Minaville and so through Liberty and Moseby to Excelsior Springs. Their chief objective there wasa little inn--the Wigwam--a mile or two this side of Excelsior which was open the year around. It was really acombination of restaurant and dancing parlor and hotel. A Victrola and Wurlitzer player-piano furnished thenecessary music. Such groups as this were not infrequent, and Hegglund as well as Higby, who had been thereon several occasions, described it as dandy. The food was good and the road to it excellent. There was a littleriver just below it where in the summer time at least there was rowing and fishing. In winter some people skatedwhen there was ice. To be sure, at this time--January--the road was heavily packed with snow, but easy to get over, and the scenery fine. There was a little lake, not so far from Excelsior, at this time of year also frozen over,and according to Hegglund, who was always unduly imaginative and high-spirited, they might go there andskate.
　　"Will you listen to who's talkin' about skatin' on a trip like this?" commented Ratterer, rather cynically, for to hisway of thinking this was no occasion for any such side athletics, but for love-making exclusively.
　　"Aw, hell, can't a fellow have a funny idea even widout bein' roasted for it?" retorted the author of the idea.
　　The only one, apart from Sparser, who suffered any qualms in connection with all this was Clyde himself. For tohim, from the first, the fact that the car to be used did not belong to Sparser, but to his employer, was disturbing,almost irritatingly so. He did not like the idea of taking anything that belonged to any one else, even fortemporary use. Something might happen. They might be found out.
　　"Don't you think it's dangerous for us to be going out in this car?" he asked of Ratterer a few days before the tripand when he fully understood the nature of the source of the car.
　　"Oh, I don't know," replied Ratterer, who being accustomed to such ideas and devices as this was not muchdisturbed by them. "I'm not taking the car and you're not, are you? If he wants to take it, that's his lookout, ain'tit? If he wants me to go, I'll go. Why wouldn't I? All I want is to be brought back here on time. That's the onlything that would ever worry me."And Higby, coming up at the moment, had voiced exactly the same sentiments. Yet Clyde remained troubled. Itmight not work out right; he might lose his job through a thing like this. But so fascinated was he by the thoughtof riding in such a fine car with Hortense and with all these other girls and boys that he could not resist thetemptation to go.
　　Immediately after noon on the Friday of this particular week the several participants of the outing were gatheredat the points agreed upon. Hegglund, Ratterer, Higby and Clyde at Eighteenth and West Prospect near therailroad yards. Maida Axelrod, Hegglund's girl, Lucille Nickolas, a friend of Ratterer's, and Tina Kogel, a friendof Higby's, also Laura Sipe, another girl who was brought by Tina Kogel to be introduced to Sparser for theoccasion, at Twentieth and Washington. Only since Hortense had sent word at the last moment to Clyde that shehad to go out to her house for something, and that they were to run out to Forty-ninth and Genesee, where shelived, they did so, but not without grumbling.
　　The day, a late January one, was inclined to be smoky with lowering clouds, especially within the environs ofKansas City. It even threatened snow at times--a most interesting and picturesque prospect to those within. Theyliked it.
　　"Oh, gee, I hope it does," Tina Kogel exclaimed when some one commented on the possibility, and LucilleNickolas added: "Oh, I just love to see it snow at times." Along the West Bluff Road, Washington and SecondStreets, they finally made their way across the Hannibal Bridge to Harlem, and from thence along the windingand hill-sentineled river road to Randolph Heights and Minaville. And beyond that came Moseby and Liberty, toand through which the road bed was better, with interesting glimpses of small homesteads and the bleak snow covered hills of January.
　　Clyde, who for all his years in Kansas City had never ventured much beyond Kansas City, Kansas, on the west orthe primitive and natural woods of Swope Park on the east, nor farther along the Kansas or Missouri Rivers thanArgentine on the one side and Randolph Heights on the other, was quite fascinated by the idea of travel whichappeared to be suggested by all this--distant travel. It was all so different from his ordinary routine. And on thisoccasion Hortense was inclined to be very genial and friendly. She snuggled down beside him on the seat, andwhen he, noting that the others had already drawn their girls to them in affectionate embraces, put his arm abouther and drew her to him, she made no particular protest. Instead she looked up and said: "I'll have to take my hatoff, I guess." The others laughed. There was something about her quick, crisp way which was amusing at times.
　　Besides she had done her hair in a new way which made her look decidedly prettier, and she was anxious to havethe others see it.
　　"Can we dance anywhere out here?" she called to the others, without looking around.
　　"Surest thing you know," said Higby, who by now had persuaded Tina Kogel to take her hat off and was holdingher close. "They got a player-piano and a Victrola out there. If I'd 'a' thought, I'd 'a' brought my cornet. I can playDixie on that."The car was speeding at breakneck pace over a snowy white road and between white fields. In fact, Sparser,considering himself a master of car manipulation as well as the real owner of it for the moment, was attemptingto see how fast he could go on such a road.
　　Dark vignettes of wood went by to right and left. Fields away, sentinel hills rose and fell like waves. A wide-armed scarecrow fluttering in the wind, its tall decayed hat awry, stood near at hand in one place. And from nearit a flock of crows rose and winged direct toward a distant wood lightly penciled against a foreground of snow.
　　In the front seat sat Sparser, guiding the car beside Laura Sipe with the air of one to whom such a magnificentcar was a commonplace thing. He was really more interested in Hortense, yet felt it incumbent on him, for thetime being, anyhow, to show some attention to Laura Sipe. And not to be outdone in gallantry by the others, henow put one arm about Laura Sipe while he guided the car with the other, a feat which troubled Clyde, who wasstill dubious about the wisdom of taking the car at all. They might all be wrecked by such fast driving. Hortensewas only interested by the fact that Sparser had obviously manifested his interest in her; that he had to pay someattention to Laura Sipe whether he wanted to or not. And when she saw him pull her to him and asked hergrandly if she had done much automobiling about Kansas City, she merely smiled to herself.
　　But Ratterer, noting the move, nudged Lucille Nickolas, and she in turn nudged Higby, in order to attract hisattention to the affectional development ahead.
　　"Getting comfortable up front there, Willard?" called Ratterer, genially, in order to make friends with him.
　　"I'll say I am," replied Sparser, gayly and without turning. "How about you, girlie?""Oh, I'm all right," Laura Sipe replied.
　　But Clyde was thinking that of all the girls present none was really so pretty as Hortense--not nearly. She hadcome garbed in a red and black dress with a very dark red poke bonnet to match. And on her left cheek, justbelow her small rouged mouth, she had pasted a minute square of black court plaster in imitation of some picturebeauty she had seen. In fact, before the outing began, she had been determined to outshine all the others present,and distinctly she was now feeling that she was succeeding. And Clyde, for himself, was agreeing with her.
　　"You're the cutest thing here," whispered Clyde, hugging her fondly.
　　"Gee, but you can pour on the molasses, kid, when you want to," she called out loud, and the others laughed.
　　And Clyde flushed slightly.
　　Beyond Minaville about six miles the car came to a bend in a hollow where there was a country store and hereHegglund, Higby and Ratterer got out to fetch candy, cigarettes and ice cream cones and ginger ale. And afterthat came Liberty, and then several miles this side of Excelsior Springs, they sighted the Wigwam which wasnothing more than an old two-story farmhouse snuggled against a rise of ground behind it. There was, however,adjoining it on one side a newer and larger one-story addition consisting of the dining-room, the dance floor, andconcealed by a partition at one end, a bar. An open fire flickered cheerfully here in a large fireplace. Down in ahollow across the road might be seen the Benton River or creek, now frozen solid.
　　"There's your river," called Higby cheerfully as he helped Tina Kogel out of the car, for he was already verymuch warmed by several drinks he had taken en route. They all paused for a moment to admire the stream,winding away among the trees. "I wanted dis bunch to bring dere skates and go down dere," sighed Hegglund,"but dey wouldn't. Well, dat's all right."By then Lucille Nickolas, seeing a flicker of flame reflected in one of the small windows of the inn, called, "Oh,see, they gotta fire."The car was parked, and they all trooped into the inn, and at once Higby briskly went over and started the large,noisy, clattery, tinny Nickelodeon with a nickel. And to rival him, and for a prank, Hegglund ran to the Victrolawhich stood in one corner and put on a record of "The Grizzly Bear," which he found lying there.
　　At the first sounds of this strain, which they all knew, Tina Kogel called: "Oh, let's all dance to that, will you?
　　Can't you stop that other old thing?" she added.
　　"Sure, after it runs down," explained Ratterer, laughingly. "The only way to stop that thing is not to feed it anynickels."But now a waiter coming in, Higby began to inquire what everybody wanted. And in the meantime, to show offher charms, Hortense had taken the center of the floor and was attempting to imitate a grizzly bear walking on itshind legs, which she could do amusingly enough--quite gracefully. And Sparser, seeing her alone in the center ofthe floor was anxious to interest her now, followed her and tried to imitate her motions from behind. Finding himclever at it, and anxious to dance, she finally abandoned the imitation and giving him her arms went one-steppingabout the room most vividly. At once, Clyde, who was by no means as good a dancer, became jealous--painfully so. In his eagerness for her, it seemed unfair to him that he should be deserted by her so early--at the verybeginning of things. But she, becoming interested in Sparser, who seemed more worldly-wise, paid no attentionat all to Clyde for the time being, but went dancing with her new conquest, his rhythmic skill seemingcharmingly to match her own. And then, not to be out of it, the others at once chose partners, Hegglund dancingwith Maida, Ratterer with Lucille and Higby with Tina Kogel. This left Laura Sipe for Clyde, who did not likeher very much. She was not as perfect as she might be--a plump, pudgy-faced girl with inadequate sensual blueeyes--and Clyde, lacking any exceptional skill, they danced nothing but the conventional one-step while theothers were dipping and lurching and spinning.
　　In a kind of sick fury, Clyde noticed that Sparser, who was still with Hortense, was by now holding her close andlooking straight into her eyes. And she was permitting him. It gave him a feeling of lead at the pit of his stomach.
　　Was it possible she was beginning to like this young upstart who had this car? And she had promised to like himfor the present. It brought to him a sense of her fickleness--the probability of her real indifference to him. Hewanted to do something--stop dancing and get her away from Sparser, but there was no use until this particularrecord ran out.
　　And then, just at the end of this, the waiter returned with a tray and put down cocktails, ginger ale andsandwiches upon three small tables which had been joined together. All but Sparser and Hortense quit and cametoward it--a fact which Clyde was quick to note. She was a heartless flirt! She really did not care for him afterall. And after making him think that she did, so recently--and getting him to help her with that coat. She couldgo to the devil now. He would show her. And he waiting for her! Wasn't that the limit? Yet, finally seeing thatthe others were gathering about the tables, which had been placed near the fire, Hortense and Sparser ceaseddancing and approached. Clyde was white and glum. He stood to one side, seemingly indifferent. And LauraSipe, who had already noted his rage and understood the reason now moved away from him to join Tina Kogel,to whom she explained why he was so angry.
　　And then noting his glumness, Hortense came over, executing a phase of the "Grizzly" as she did so.
　　"Gee, wasn't that swell?" she began. "Gee, how I do love to dance to music like that!""Sure, it's swell for you," returned Clyde, burning with envy and disappointment.
　　"Why, what's the trouble?" she asked, in a low and almost injured tone, pretending not to guess, yet knowingquite well why he was angry. "You don't mean to say that you're mad because I danced with him first, do you?
　　Oh, how silly! Why didn't you come over then and dance with me? I couldn't refuse to dance with him when hewas right there, could I?""Oh, no, of course, you couldn't," replied Clyde sarcastically, and in a low, tense tone, for he, no more thanHortense, wanted the others to hear. "But you didn't have to fall all over him and dream in his eyes, either, didyou?" He was fairly blazing. "You needn't say you didn't, because I saw you."At this she glanced at him oddly, realizing not only the sharpness of his mood, but that this was the first time hehad shown so much daring in connection with her. It must be that he was getting to feel too sure of her. She wasshowing him too much attention. At the same time she realized that this was not the time to show him that she did not care for him as much as she would like to have him believe, since she wanted the coat, already agreedupon.
　　"Oh, gee, well, ain't that the limit?" she replied angrily, yet more because she was irritated by the fact that whathe said was true than anything else. "If you aren't the grouch. Well, I can't help it, if you're going to be as jealousas that. I didn't do anything but dance with him just a little. I didn't think you'd be mad." She moved as if to turnaway, but realizing that there was an understanding between them, and that he must be placated if things were togo on, she drew him by his coat lapels out of the range of the hearing of the others, who were already lookingand listening, and began.
　　"Now, see here, you. Don't go acting like this. I didn't mean anything by what I did. Honest, I didn't. Anyhow,everybody dances like that now. And nobody means anything by it. Aren't you goin' to let me be nice to you likeI said, or are you?"And now she looked him coaxingly and winsomely and calculatingly straight in the eye, as though he were theone person among all these present whom she really did like. And deliberately, and of a purpose, she made apursy, sensuous mouth--the kind she could make--and practised a play of the lips that caused them to seem towant to kiss him--a mouth that tempted him to distraction.
　　"All right," he said, looking at her weakly and yieldingly. "I suppose I am a fool, but I saw what you did, allright. You know I'm crazy about you, Hortense--just wild! I can't help it. I wish I could sometimes. I wish Iwouldn't be such a fool." And he looked at her and was sad. And she, realizing her power over him and how easyit was to bring him around, replied: "Oh, you--you don't, either. I'll kiss you after a while, when the others aren'tlooking if you'll be good." At the same time she was conscious of the fact that Sparser's eyes were upon her. Alsothat he was intensely drawn to her and that she liked him more than any one she had recently encountered.
       有关汽车出游的事，原是赫格伦通过他的一个当汽车司机的朋友提出来的，约定在下个星期日，可后来又宣布计划改变了。那辆车子……一辆豪华的大帕卡德，不是随便什么一辆车子……约定那天弄不到手，那末，要使用它就只能到本星期四或星期五，或者根本就不用它。这事当初向大家解释过了的，只不过部分符合实情;原来这辆汽车车主是一个名叫金巴克的先生，此人是个上了年纪的大富翁，这时正在亚洲旅游。有一点不符合事实的，就是:

这个年轻人压根儿不是金巴克先生的司机，只不过是金巴克先生某牧场里一个管理人斯帕塞的那个放荡不羁。游手好闲的儿子。这个儿子一心想把自己说成比牧场管理人儿子来头更大。有时他担任牧场的守卫，所以有机会进入汽车间，就决定挑选一辆最漂亮车子，开出去兜兜风。

是赫格伦出的主意，让他和他酒店里一些朋友一块参加这一次有趣的旅行。

不过，邀请刚向大家发出，就传来了一个消息，说:

金巴克先生一两周内可能要回来了。因此，威拉德。斯帕塞立即决定，最好还是不要再用这辆车子。金巴克先生突然回来，也许使他措手不及了。他把这困难告诉了急急乎筹划这次旅行的赫格伦，后者完全否定了他的这个想法。为什么不再使用一次这辆汽车呢?

他早已把他所有朋友对这次出游的兴致鼓了起来，如今当然不愿叫他们扫兴。

于是出游定在下星期五，从午休起一直玩到下午六点。如今霍丹斯既然有自己的盘算，所以就决定陪同(自然也在被邀请之列的)克莱德一块去了。

不过，正如赫格伦向拉特勒和希格比关照过:

既然使用这辆车未经主人同意，所以务必在远一点的地方集合……男的在第十七街与西望处附近一条僻静的街上会合，再从那里走到便于姑娘们集合的地方，亦即第二十街和华盛顿街的交岔路口。从那里起，他们可以开足马力，经过西花园道。汉尼拔桥，往东北方向奔哈莱姆。北堪萨斯城。米纳维尔，然后经过利伯蒂。莫斯比到至善泉。他们的主要目的地，是那里的一家小旅馆……威格沃姆……位于至善泉这边一两英里处，全年开业的;实际上，它既是一家餐厅，同时也是舞厅和旅馆。有一架维克多牌手摇留声机，一架沃利来牌自动钢琴，可供跳舞时伴奏。那里时常见到类似这样的青年旅游团，来过多次的赫格伦和希格比都把它说成呱呱叫的好地方。不但吃得好，去那里的公路也棒极了。附近有一条小河，至少夏天可以划船和钓鱼。到了冬天，小河一封冻，就有人溜冰了。眼下正是一月份，自然，路上铺满了雪，不过车子不算难开，而且四周风景美极了。离至善泉不远，有一个小湖泊，每年一到这个时节，就完全结冰了，但据想象力一向太丰富。脾性暴烈的赫格伦说，他们还不妨可以上那儿溜冰去。

"是谁说的，白白浪费宝贵时间去溜冰?

你们同意这个主意?

"拉特勒相当挖苦地指摘说，因为按照他的观点来看，去的目的并不在于体育娱乐，而纯粹是谈情说爱罢了。

"真混蛋，这主意就算是挺可笑的，也犯不着马上挖苦嘛!

"出这个主意的人反驳说。

这一拨人里除了斯帕塞以外，只有克莱德一人对这件事表示疑惧不安。因为，他觉得，要使用的这辆汽车并不是斯帕塞的，而是他东家的，首先就令人不安，几乎引起很大反感。他反对随意使用别人的东西，哪怕暂时借用也不行。

说不定会出什么岔子。他们很可能一下子就被揭出来了。

"我们把这辆车子开出城去，难道说你不觉得有危险吗?

"出发前一两天，当他闹明白这辆车子的来龙去脉后，就这么问拉特勒。

子和把戏，他早就习已为常了，所以也并不感到什么不安。"反正寻摸这辆车子的人，不是我，也不是你，是吧?

如果说斯帕塞要寻摸这辆车子，那是他的事，是吧?

如果说他要我去，那我就去。我干吗不去呢?

我觉得最最要紧的，就是要准时把我捎回来。我最担心的，就是仅仅这一件事。"这时走过来的希格比，也说出了完全相同的看法。不过，克莱德心里还是忐忑不安。万一出了什么岔子，也许他仅仅因为类似这样的小事，就把自己的差使给丢了。不过话又说回来，一想到自己同霍丹斯和其他少男少女一起乘坐漂亮的汽车出游，他就给迷住了:

他毕竟抵挡不住这样的诱惑。

本星期五正午刚过，参加郊游的人已在约定的几个地点集合了。赫格伦。

拉特勒。希格比和克莱德，在铁路调车场附近第十八街与西望处拐角处集合。

赫格伦的女友梅达。阿克塞尔罗德，拉特勒的朋友露西尔。尼古拉斯，希格比的朋友蒂娜。科格尔，还有蒂娜。科格尔带来。准备介绍给斯帕塞的另一位女郎劳拉。赛普，在第二十街与华盛顿街拐角处集合。只有霍丹斯临时捎话给克莱德，说她要回家去取东西，请他们劳驾把车子开到第四十九街与詹尼西街交岔口她的住地，他们虽然照办了，但也不是一点儿怨言都没有。

时值一月底的一天，烟雾迷漫，云霭低垂，特别是在堪萨斯城的四郊。有时甚至象要下雪了……对久居市廛的这些人来说，这可是最耐人寻味的美景了。

他们都很喜欢欣赏这种雪景。

"哦，我才巴不得下雪呢，"蒂娜。科格尔听到有人说可能下雪的时候大声嚷嚷说。露西尔。尼古拉斯找补着说:

"哦，有时候，我可真喜欢看雪景。"他们沿着西布卢夫街。华盛顿街。第二街，经过汉尼拔桥，到哈莱姆，再从那儿顺着迂回曲折。两旁层峦叠嶂的沿河公路，到达伦道夫高地和米纳维尔。再往前去，就经过莫斯比和利伯蒂，沿途路面比较好，还可以瞥见一些小小的农家宅地和一月里白雪皑皑的荒凉山冈，真是有趣极了。

克莱德虽然居住在堪萨斯城已有这么多年，却从来没有到过离堪萨斯城更远的堪萨斯州以西的地方;也没有到过斯沃普公园原始森林以东的地方;沿着堪萨斯河或是密苏里河，一头到阿根廷，另一头到伦道夫高地。因此，这次外出旅游……长途旅行……简直使他为之心醉神迷。它同他平日里刻板的生活该有多么不同啊。而且霍丹斯这一回对他简直情深似海。她坐在他身旁，紧偎着他。

克莱德看到别人都把各自的女友拽到身边，亲昵地拥抱着，他就一手搂住她的腰肢，把她拉到身边，她倒也并没有特别表示什么不以为然的样子。与此相反，她抬起头来，说:

"我看我还是把帽子摘下来吧。"大家哈哈笑了起来。她那机灵的活泼劲儿，有时真是惹人喜爱。此外，她头上那个新颖的发型，肯定使她显得更美了，因此，她也急急乎要大伙儿看看。

"我们去那儿有地方跳舞吗?

"她大声问别人，却并不向四处张望。

"当然有罗，"希格比说。这时他已说服蒂娜。科格尔把帽子摘了，正紧紧地搂着她。"那儿有一架自动钢琴，一架维克多牌手摇留声机。真可惜，我没想到把自己的短号也捎来。我能吹狄克西(此处指美国南北战争时南部联邦流行的军歌。)。"汽车正以令人头昏目眩的高速在白雪覆盖的公路和白茫茫的田野里飞也似的驶过。斯帕塞自诩为开车的能手，眼下又是这辆车子的真正主人，正在大显身手，要看看自己在这种路面上到底能开多快。

景色如画的黑苍苍的树林子，从车子左右两侧掠过。田野一片又接一片，两旁哨兵似的山峦，有如波浪一般此起彼伏。一个伸出长长手臂的稻草人，歪戴着一顶高高耸起的破帽儿，伫立在附近的道路旁，在风中好象不断鼓动自己翅膀。离稻草人不远处，有一群乌鸦惊飞了起来，径直朝远处雪地里依稀可辨的一片灰蒙蒙的树林子飞去。

斯帕塞坐在前座，劳拉。赛普紧挨着他。他开着车子，装出好象开这样一辆豪华的汽车对他来说一点儿都不觉得有什么了不起的样子。说实话，他对霍丹斯的兴趣更大，只不过至少眼前不得不向劳拉。赛普献上一点儿殷勤。向女人献殷勤，他是决不落人之后的，所以，此刻他就一只手搂住劳拉。赛普，另一只手开车……这一开车技艺的表演，使克莱德深感困惑不安。随便使用别人车子是不是合适，至今他仍表怀疑。车子开得这样快，说不定大伙儿正面临同归于尽的危险吧。霍丹斯一心只注意的，是斯帕塞显然很喜欢她，虽然不管他愿意不愿意，好歹还得向劳拉。赛普献上一点儿殷勤。所以，当他拥抱劳拉，趾高气扬地问她是不是经常在堪萨斯城周围开车时，霍丹斯暗自发笑。

不过，拉特勒觉察到这一点了，他轻轻地推了一推露西尔。尼古拉斯胳臂，露西尔。尼古拉斯又轻轻地推了一推希格比胳臂，要他留神注意前座爱情场面的新发展。

"喂，怎么样，你在前座倒是挺舒服，是吧?

"拉特勒为了套近乎，和颜悦色地问斯帕塞。

"我说够舒服的了，"斯帕塞头也不回，乐乐呵呵地说。"你怎么样，小妞儿?

""哦，我也好极了，"劳拉。赛普回答说。

可是，克莱德心里却在想，这儿所有的姑娘，说真的，哪一个都比不上霍丹斯那样美……差得还远呢。她身穿一件红底黑花的衣服，还特意配上一顶深红色朝前撑起的宽边的女帽。她在抹口红的小嘴底下，模仿她所见过的一些银幕上美人儿的样子，给自己左颊上贴了一颗美人痣。事实上，在出游之前，她早就决定，要使所有在场的姑娘们都黯然失色，如今她心里非常清楚，她终于成功了。至于克莱德呢，也跟她的想法完全相同。

"你在这里是最俏的姑娘，"克莱德亲昵地搂住她，低声耳语道。

"嘿，你可真的会给人灌糖蜜啊!

小宝贝!

"她大声嚷嚷说，别人也都随着笑了起来。克莱德脸上稍微有点儿涨红。

汽车驶过米纳维尔约莫有六英里光景，来了一个转弯，开到了一片低洼地。

那里有一家乡村小店，赫格伦。希格比和拉特勒就在这儿下了车，买了一些糖果。香烟。蛋卷冰淇淋和姜汁淡色啤酒。随后开过利伯蒂，就在离至善泉几英里处，他们已经可以遥望威格沃姆小旅馆了。它不外乎是一所两层楼的乡村房子，蜷伏在一块高高隆起的土冈上。可是一边接出一长溜平房，样子比较新，开间也比较大，作为餐厅。舞厅，末梢还辟出一部分作酒吧间。偌大的壁炉里，炉火烧得正旺。公路对面低洼地那里，可以望得见本顿河，其实是一条小溪，如今早已严严实实地冰封了。

"那就是你喜欢的那条河啊，"希格比搀扶着蒂娜。科格尔下车的时候，乐乐呵呵地说。他一路上喝过好几回酒，早就兴奋极了。大家都下车歇了一会儿，欣赏那弯弯曲曲。穿过树林子的小溪。"我说我们大伙儿该把溜冰鞋也带上，溜个痛快呗，"赫格伦叹了一口气说，"可他们不听我的话。唉，那就只好算了。"这时，露西尔。尼古拉斯忽然看见旅馆里有一个小窗口映出闪烁不定的火光，就大声喊道:

"喂，快看，他们生火来着。"汽车终于停妥了，他们成群结伙进了旅馆。希格比马上兴冲冲奔了过去，扔入一枚五美分镍币，那架巨大的。震耳欲聋的旧式自动点唱机就开始响了起来。赫格伦一来是不甘落后，二来也是为了逗着玩儿，就走到了屋角里另一架维克多牌手摇留声机跟前，随手把旁边放着的一张名叫《灰熊》的唱片放了上去。

一听到那支熟悉的乐曲的调子，蒂娜。科格尔就大声嚷道:

"喂，大伙儿跟着跳，好吗?

那个破玩意儿别放了，怎么样?

"她又找补着说。

"当然罗，等它自己放完，"拉特勒哈哈大笑着说。"要它停下来，只有一个办法，就是别往里头扔镍币。"这时，有一个侍者进来了，希格比问大家要些什么东西。就在这当儿，霍丹斯为了炫耀自己的魅力，就站到房间中央，竭力模仿灰熊用后腿走路的样子，表演得很有味儿……优美极了。斯帕塞见她一个人在房间中央，急巴巴地想勾起她的注意力，就亦步亦趋跟在她后面，竭力模仿她的动作。霍丹斯见他技艺娴熟，自己也急急乎想跳舞，终于不再模仿狗熊的动作，马上张开两条手臂，和他一块跳一步舞，跳得简直活灵活现透了。这时，怎么也称不上舞星的克莱德，立刻妒火中烧……痛苦极了。他对她是那么热情如炽，而她一开始……欢乐才开始时……就把他撇开一旁，他认为太不公道了。可是，霍丹斯却对看来较有社会经验的斯帕塞很感兴趣了，一时间压根儿没有注意到克莱德，只是一个劲儿同刚刚被她征服的人儿跳呀跳的;他的舞艺技巧，一举手，一投足，看来堪与她相媲美。别人也不甘落后，立刻挑选舞伴，赫格伦同梅达跳，拉特勒同露西尔跳，希格比同蒂娜。科格尔跳。只剩下劳拉。赛普同克莱德配对了，可是克莱德并不很喜欢她。她人长得压根儿不美……身材矮胖，脸儿臃肿，一对富于性感的蓝眼睛总是没精打采似的……克莱德既然舞艺并不高超，当人家正在跳出各种复杂的花样变化的时候，他跟劳拉。赛普只好跳着老一套的一步舞。

眼睁睁地看着那个依然还跟霍丹斯在一块的斯帕塞此刻把她搂得紧紧的，而且直勾勾地瞅着她的眼睛，克莱德简直苦恼得要发狂了。对此，她也完全听任他摆布了。他突然觉得好象一颗枪弹打中了自己的肚子。难道说她跟这个神气活现的开车的小伙子卖弄风骚吗?

她还答应现在就同他克莱德亲热呢。他开始揣度到她这个人反复无常……也许她对他压根儿就冷漠无情。他欲设法使跳舞中断，把她从斯帕塞身旁拽走，不过现在毫无办法可想，只好让这张唱片放完了再说。

这张唱片刚放完，侍者托着一只盘子又回来了，把鸡尾酒。姜汁淡色啤酒和三明治放到临时连成一块的三张小桌子上。大家都停止跳舞，朝这边走了过来，只有斯帕塞和霍丹斯除外……克莱德一下子就看出来了。她真是一个没有心肝的骚货!

她压根儿一点都不爱他。最近她却竭力使他相信她是爱他的，而且还撺掇他给她买了外套。让她见鬼去吧。他要给她一点颜色看看。他在等着她!

这简直叫人忍无可忍了!

?

不过，霍丹斯和斯帕塞到头来看见大家都围在壁炉跟前的小桌子四周，也就停止跳舞，款款走了过来。克莱德脸色煞白，怏怏不乐，站在一边，装出一副满不在乎的样子。劳拉。赛普早已觉察到他在恼火，也知道原因何在，所以就离开他走到蒂娜。科格尔那里，告诉她为什么他会这样动怒。

随后，霍丹斯觉察到他郁郁不乐的神色，就走了过来，依然还在模仿灰熊的步态。

"嘿，这可多开心!

"她开口说道。"哦，跟着那种乐曲跳舞，我可多喜欢哪!

""当然罗，你可开心啦，"克莱德回答说，妒忌和失望的烈火却在心中燃烧。

"怎么啦，出了什么事?

"她压低声音，几乎生气地问，装出猜不透他干吗要发火，其实，她早就心中有数了。"你不是因为我没有先跟你跳就发火了?

是吧?

嘿，多蠢!

那你干吗自己不过来跟我跳呢?

他正好在旁边，我怎能拒绝跟他跳，可不是吗?

""不，当然罗，你不能拒绝，"克莱德讥刺地回答说，声音低沉。紧张，因为他正如霍丹斯一样，不乐意让别人听见他们谈话。"不过，你也用不着同他紧贴在一起，瞅着他的眼睛，有如陶醉在梦境之中，是不是?

"他真的火冒三丈了。"你也不用否认啦，反正一切我都看在眼里。"她听了以后，怪吃惊地瞥了他一眼，不仅因为听了他的生气话而感到万分诧异，而且还因为他这是头一次对她如此大胆放肆。想必是他对她觉得太有把握了。而她自己对他也太过分殷勤了。不过，她也知道，现在还不是时候，不能向他表示她并不怎么爱他，眼下他得到的只是假象。因为那件外套已谈妥了，她很想得到它。

"喂，这不是叫人忍无可忍了吗?

"她忿忿地回答说。因为他的话说对了，使她更加恼火。"刚才你真是好大的脾气。唉，要是你的妒忌心象刚才那样厉害，那我可也没办法啦。我只不过跟他跳了一会儿舞罢了。我真没想到你就会大动肝火呢。"她一转身，好象要走开的样子，但忽然想到他们之间有一项默契，还得先抚慰一下他不可，要不然这事就给吹了，所以，她就扯着他的上衣大翻领，走得远一些，不让那些早已在看他们。听他们讲话的人听见。接着，她就这么说:

"喂，你先听我说。你可千万别这样。刚才我可一点儿都没有别的意思。说实话，我一丁点儿都没有。反正现在谁跳舞都是这样的，所以说也谈不上谁有什么特别的用意。难道说你不要我跟你好吗?

你记得不记得我跟你说过些什么话?

"她故作媚态，脉脉含情地直瞅着他的眼睛，仿佛所有在场的人里头，只有他才是她真心喜欢的。同时，她显然是别有用心的，还故意把她的小嘴令人动心地嘟了起来……这正是她常有的挤眉弄眼的一部分……接着，嘴唇翕动，看起来好象要亲吻他的样子……那一张诱使他心旌摇荡的小嘴啊。

"得了吧，"他软弱无力。俯首贴耳地望着她说。"就算我是个傻瓜，不过，你的一举一动，反正我是看见的。你也知道，我为你都快疯了，霍丹斯……简直疯啦!

我可几乎克制不住自己啊。有时候，我也巴不得自己能克制住，不当傻瓜哩。"他两眼直望着她，露出伤心的样子。而她呢，反正知道自己完全可以左右他，要他回心转意也是易如反掌，就这样回答说:

"哦，你啊……你才不傻呢。

要是你乖乖的，过一会儿别人看不见，我就跟你亲嘴呗。"就在这一时刻，她意识到:

斯帕塞两眼正直勾勾地瞅着他。她心中知道:

他被她强烈地吸引，而她自己也觉得，在她最近碰到的所有人中间，她最喜欢的就是他了。
Part 1 Chapter 18
The climax of the afternoon was reached, however, when after several more dances and drinks, the small riverand its possibilities was again brought to the attention of all by Hegglund, who, looking out of one of thewindows, suddenly exclaimed: "What's de matter wit de ice down dere? Look at de swell ice. I dare dis crowd togo down dere and slide."They were off pell-mell--Ratterer and Tina Kogel, running hand in hand, Sparser and Lucille Nickolas, withwhom he had just been dancing, Higby and Laura Sipe, whom he was finding interesting enough for a change,and Clyde and Hortense. But once on the ice, which was nothing more than a narrow, winding stream, blownclean in places by the wind, and curving among thickets of leafless trees, the company were more like youngsatyrs and nymphs of an older day. They ran here and there, slipping and sliding--Higby, Lucille and Maidaimmediately falling down, but scrambling to their feet with bursts of laughter.
　　And Hortense, aided by Clyde at first, minced here and there. But soon she began to run and slide, squealing inpretended fear. And now, not only Sparser but Higby, and this in spite of Clyde, began to show Hortense attention. They joined her in sliding, ran after her and pretended to try to trip her up, but caught her as she fell.
　　And Sparser, taking her by the hand, dragged her, seemingly in spite of herself and the others, far upstream andabout a curve where they could not be seen. Determined not to show further watchfulness or jealousy Clyderemained behind. But he could not help feeling that Sparser might be taking this occasion to make a date, even tokiss her. She was not incapable of letting him, even though she might pretend to him that she did not want himto. It was agonizing.
　　In spite of himself, he began to tingle with helpless pain--to begin to wish that he could see them. But Hegglund,having called every one to join hands and crack the whip, he took the hand of Lucille Nickolas, who was holdingon to Hegglund's, and gave his other free hand to Maida Axelrod, who in turn gave her free hand to Ratterer.
　　And Higby and Laura Sipe were about to make up the tail when Sparser and Hortense came gliding back--heholding her by the hand. And they now tacked on at the foot. Then Hegglund and the others began running anddoubling back and forth until all beyond Maida had fallen and let go. And, as Clyde noted, Hortense and Sparser,in falling, skidded and rolled against each other to the edge of the shore where were snow and leaves and twigs.
　　And Hortense's skirts, becoming awry in some way, moved up to above her knees. But instead of showing anyembarrassment, as Clyde thought and wished she might, she sat there for a few moments without shame and evenlaughing heartily--and Sparser with her and still holding her hand. And Laura Sipe, having fallen in such a wayas to trip Higby, who had fallen across her, they also lay there laughing and yet in a most suggestive position, asClyde thought. He noted, too, that Laura Sipe's skirts had been worked above her knees. And Sparser, now sittingup, was pointing to her pretty legs and laughing loudly, showing most of his teeth. And all the others wereemitting peals and squeals of laughter.
　　"Hang it all!" thought Clyde. "Why the deuce does he always have to be hanging about her? Why didn't he bringa girl of his own if he wanted to have a good time? What right have they got to go where they can't be seen? Andshe thinks I think she means nothing by all this. She never laughs that heartily with me, you bet. What does shethink I am that she can put that stuff over on me, anyhow?" He glowered darkly for the moment, but in spite ofhis thoughts the line or whip was soon re-formed and this time with Lucille Nickolas still holding his hand.
　　Sparser and Hortense at the tail end again. But Hegglund, unconscious of the mood of Clyde and thinking only ofthe sport, called: "Better let some one else take de end dere, hadn'tcha?" And feeling the fairness of this, Rattererand Maida Axelrod and Clyde and Lucille Nickolas now moved down with Higby and Laura Sipe and Hortenseand Sparser above them. Only, as Clyde noted, Hortense still held Sparser by the hand, yet she moved just abovehim and took his hand, he being to the right, with Sparser next above to her left, holding her other hand firmly,which infuriated Clyde. Why couldn't he stick to Laura Sipe, the girl brought out here for him? And Hortensewas encouraging him.
　　He was very sad, and he felt so angry and bitter that he could scarcely play the game. He wanted to stop andquarrel with Sparser. But so brisk and eager was Hegglund that they were off before he could even think of doingso.
　　And then, try as he would, to keep his balance in the face of this, he and Lucille and Ratterer and Maida Axelrodwere thrown down and spun around on the ice like curling irons. And Hortense, letting go of him at the rightmoment, seemed to prefer deliberately to hang on to Sparser. Entangled with these others, Clyde and they spunacross forty feet of smooth, green ice and piled against a snow bank. At the finish, as he found, Lucille Nickolaswas lying across his knees face down in such a spanking position that he was compelled to laugh. And Maida Axelrod was on her back, next to Ratterer, her legs straight up in the air; on purpose he thought. She was toocoarse and bold for him. And there followed, of course, squeals and guffaws of delight--so loud that they couldbe heard for half a mile. Hegglund, intensely susceptible to humor at all times, doubled to the knees, slapped histhighs and bawled. And Sparser opened his big mouth and chortled and grimaced until he was scarlet. Soinfectious was the result that for the time being Clyde forgot his jealousy. He too looked and laughed. ButClyde's mood had not changed really. He still felt that she wasn't playing fair.
　　At the end of all this playing Lucille Nickolas and Tina Kogel being tired, dropped out. And Hortense, also.
　　Clyde at once left the group to join her. Ratterer then followed Lucille. Then the others separating, Hegglundpushed Maida Axelrod before him down stream out of sight around a bend. Higby, seemingly taking his cuefrom this, pulled Tina Kogel up stream, and Ratterer and Lucille, seeming to see something of interest, struckinto a thicket, laughing and talking as they went. Even Sparser and Laura, left to themselves, now wandered off,leaving Clyde and Hortense alone.
　　And then, as these two wandered toward a fallen log which here paralleled the stream, she sat down. But Clyde,smarting from his fancied wounds, stood silent for the time being, while she, sensing as much, took him by thebelt of his coat and began to pull at him.
　　"Giddap, horsey," she played. "Giddap. My horsey has to skate me now on the ice."Clyde looked at her glumly, glowering mentally, and not to be diverted so easily from the ills which he felt to behis.
　　"Whadd'ye wanta let that fellow Sparser always hang around you for?" he demanded. "I saw you going up thecreek there with him a while ago. What did he say to you up there?""He didn't say anything.""Oh, no, of course not," he replied cynically and bitterly. "And maybe he didn't kiss you, either.""I should say not," she replied definitely and spitefully, "I'd like to know what you think I am, anyhow. I don't letpeople kiss me the first time they see me, smarty, and I want you to know it. I didn't let you, did I?""Oh, that's all right, too," answered Clyde; "but you didn't like me as well as you do him, either.""Oh, didn't I? Well, maybe I didn't, but what right have you to say I like him, anyhow. I'd like to know if I can'thave a little fun without you watching me all the time. You make me tired, that's what you do." She was quiteangry now because of the proprietary air he appeared to be assuming.
　　And now Clyde, repulsed and somewhat shaken by this sudden counter on her part, decided on the instant thatperhaps it might be best for him to modify his tone. After all, she had never said that she had really cared forhim, even in the face of the implied promise she had made him.
　　"Oh, well," he observed glumly after a moment, and not without a little of sadness in his tone, "I know one thing.
　　If I let on that I cared for any one as much as you say you do for me at times, I wouldn't want to flirt around withothers like you are doing out here.""Oh, wouldn't you?""No, I wouldn't.""Well, who's flirting anyhow, I'd like to know?""You are.""I'm not either, and I wish you'd just go away and let me alone if you can't do anything but quarrel with me. Justbecause I danced with him up there in the restaurant, is no reason for you to think I'm flirting. Oh, you make metired, that's what you do,""Do I?""Yes, you do.""Well, maybe I better go off and not bother you any more at all then," he returned, a trace of his mother's couragewelling up in him.
　　"Well, maybe you had, if that's the way you're going to feel about me all the time," she answered, and kickedviciously with her toes at the ice. But Clyde was beginning to feel that he could not possibly go through withthis--that after all he was too eager about her--too much at her feet. He began to weaken and gaze nervously ather. And she, thinking of her coat again, decided to be civil.
　　"You didn't look in his eyes, did you?" he asked weakly, his thoughts going back to her dancing with Sparser.
　　"When?""When you were dancing with him?""No, I didn't, not that I know of, anyhow. But supposing I did. What of it? I didn't mean anything by it. Gee,criminy, can't a person look in anybody's eyes if they want to?""In the way you looked in his? Not if you claim to like anybody else, I say." And the skin of Clyde's foreheadlifted and sank, and his eyelids narrowed. Hortense merely clicked impatiently and indignantly with her tongue.
　　"Tst! Tst! Tst! If you ain't the limit!""And a while ago back there on the ice," went on Clyde determinedly and yet pathetically. "When you came backfrom up there, instead of coming up to where I was you went to the foot of the line with him. I saw you. And youheld his hand, too, all the way back. And then when you fell down, you had to sit there with him holding your hand. I'd like to know what you call that if it ain't flirting. What else is it? I'll bet he thinks it is, all right.""Well, I wasn't flirting with him just the same and I don't care what you say. But if you want to have it that way,have it that way. I can't stop you. You're so darn jealous you don't want to let anybody else do anything, that's allthe matter with you. How else can you play on the ice if you don't hold hands, I'd like to know? Gee, criminy!
　　What about you and that Lucille Nickolas? I saw her laying across your lap and you laughing. And I didn't thinkanything of that. What do you want me to do--come out here and sit around like a bump on a log?--follow youaround like a tail? Or you follow me? What-a-yuh think I am anyhow? A nut?"She was being ragged by Clyde, as she thought, and she didn't like it. She was thinking of Sparser who wasreally more appealing to her at the time than Clyde. He was more materialistic, less romantic, more direct.
　　He turned and, taking off his cap, rubbed his head gloomily while Hortense, looking at him, thought first of himand then of Sparser. Sparser was more manly, not so much of a crybaby. He wouldn't stand around and complainthis way, you bet. He'd probably leave her for good, have nothing more to do with her. Yet Clyde, after hisfashion, was interesting and useful. Who else would do for her what he had? And at any rate, he was not trying toforce her to go off with him now as these others had gone and as she had feared he might try to do--ahead of herplan and wish. This quarrel was obviating that.
　　"Now, see here," she said after a time, having decided that it was best to assuage him and that it was not so hardto manage him after all. "Are we goin' t'fight all the time, Clyde? What's the use, anyhow? Whatja want me tocome out here for if you just want to fight with me all the time? I wouldn't have come if I'd 'a' thought you weregoing to do that all day."She turned and kicked at the ice with the minute toe of her shoes, and Clyde, always taken by her charm again,put his arms about her, and crushed her to him, at the same time fumbling at her breasts and putting his lips tohers and endeavoring to hold and fondle her. But now, because of her suddenly developed liking for Sparser, andpartially because of her present mood towards Clyde, she broke away, a dissatisfaction with herself and himtroubling her. Why should she let him force her to do anything she did not feel like doing, just now, anyhow, shenow asked herself. She hadn't agreed to be as nice to him to-day as he might wish. Not yet. At any rate just nowshe did not want to be handled in this way by him, and she would not, regardless of what he might do. AndClyde, sensing by now what the true state of her mind in regard to him must be, stepped back and yet continuedto gaze gloomily and hungrily at her. And she in turn merely stared at him.
　　"I thought you said you liked me," he demanded almost savagely now, realizing that his dreams of a happyouting this day were fading into nothing.
　　"Well, I do when you're nice," she replied, slyly and evasively, seeking some way to avoid complications inconnection with her original promises to him.
　　"Yes, you do," he grumbled. "I see how you do. Why, here we are out here now and you won't even let me touchyou. I'd like to know what you meant by all that you said, anyhow.""Well, what did I say?" she countered, merely to gain time.
　　"As though you didn't know.""Oh, well. But that wasn't to be right away, either, was it? I thought we said"--she paused dubiously.
　　"I know what you said," he went on. "But I notice now that you don't like me an' that's all there is to it. Whatdifference would it make if you really cared for me whether you were nice to me now or next week or the weekafter? Gee whiz, you'd think it was something that depended on what I did for you, not whether you cared forme." In his pain he was quite intense and courageous.
　　"That's not so!" she snapped, angrily and bitterly, irritated by the truth of what he said. "And I wish you wouldn'tsay that to me, either. I don't care anything about the old coat now, if you want to know it. And you can just haveyour old money back, too, I don't want it. And you can just let me alone from now on, too," she added. "I'll getall the coats I want without any help from you." At this, she turned and walked away.
　　But Clyde, now anxious to mollify her as usual, ran after her. "Don't go, Hortense," he pleaded. "Wait a minute. Ididn't mean that either, honest I didn't. I'm crazy about you. Honest I am. Can't you see that? Oh, gee, don't gonow. I'm not giving you the money to get something for it. You can have it for nothing if you want it that way.
　　There ain't anybody else in the world like you to me, and there never has been. You can have the money for all Icare, all of it. I don't want it back. But, gee, I did think you liked me a little. Don't you care for me at all,Hortense?" He looked cowed and frightened, and she, sensing her mastery over him, relented a little.
　　"Of course I do," she announced. "But just the same, that don't mean that you can treat me any old way, either.
　　You don't seem to understand that a girl can't do everything you want her to do just when you want her to do it.""Just what do you mean by that?" asked Clyde, not quite sensing just what she did mean. "I don't get you.""Oh, yes, you do, too." She could not believe that he did not know.
　　"Oh, I guess I know what you're talkin' about. I know what you're going to say now," he went on disappointedly.
　　"That's that old stuff they all pull. I know."He was reciting almost verbatim the words and intonations even of the other boys at the hotel--Higby, Ratterer,Eddie Doyle--who, having narrated the nature of such situations to him, and how girls occasionally lied out ofpressing dilemmas in this way, had made perfectly clear to him what was meant. And Hortense knew now that hedid know.
　　"Gee, but you're mean," she said in an assumed hurt way. "A person can never tell you anything or expect you tobelieve it. Just the same, it's true, whether you believe it or not.""Oh, I know how you are," he replied, sadly yet a little loftily, as though this were an old situation to him. "Youdon't like me, that's all. I see that now, all right.""Gee, but you're mean," she persisted, affecting an injured air. "It's the God's truth. Believe me or not, I swear it. Honest it is."Clyde stood there. In the face of this small trick there was really nothing much to say as he saw it. He could notforce her to do anything. If she wanted to lie and pretend, he would have to pretend to believe her. And yet agreat sadness settled down upon him. He was not to win her after all--that was plain. He turned, and she, beingconvinced that he felt that she was lying now, felt it incumbent upon herself to do something about it--to win himaround to her again.
　　"Please, Clyde, please," she began now, most artfully, "I mean that. Really, I do. Won't you believe me? But Iwill next week, sure. Honest, I will. Won't you believe that? I meant everything I said when I said it. Honest, Idid. I do like you--a lot. Won't you believe that, too--please?"And Clyde, thrilled from head to toe by this latest phase of her artistry, agreed that he would. And once more hebegan to smile and recover his gayety. And by the time they reached the car, to which they were all called a fewminutes after by Hegglund, because of the time, and he had held her hand and kissed her often, he was quiteconvinced that the dream he had been dreaming was as certain of fulfillment as anything could be. Oh, the gloryof it when it should come true!
       这天下午的高潮的来到，正是在跳累了。喝饱了这样的时刻，赫格伦向大伙儿重新提起了这条小河以及河上种种乐趣。赫格伦往窗外一望，突然大声喊道:

"那边的冰凌，你们看怎么样?

看那冰凌有多美啊。我说咱们大伙儿一块溜冰去。"他们一下子就乱哄哄地往外走了……拉特勒和蒂娜。科格尔手拉手奔跑着，斯帕塞和刚在一块跳舞的露西尔。尼古拉斯一对，希格比和他觉得换换花样也还相当有味儿的劳拉。赛普一对，此外还有克莱德和霍丹斯这一对。这不外乎是一条狭长的。弯弯曲曲。从光秃秃的树丛中逶迤而去的小溪，有些地方积雪被风刮得干干净净。这一拨人一到冰凌上就象古代希腊神话里年轻的森林之神和山泽林泉的女神。他们到处奔啊，跑啊，溜啊，滑啊……希格比。露西尔。

梅达一下子摔倒了，但哈哈大笑，又爬了起来。

踩着碎步。不一会儿，她就连跑带溜起来了，还故意佯装惧怕的样子，尖声喊叫起来。这时，不仅斯帕塞，而且希格比也都对霍丹斯大献殷勤，根本不管克莱德在场。他们跟她一块溜冰，一个劲儿在她后面追，还假装想让她绊跤，当她快要倒下去的时候却紧紧地抓住了她。斯帕塞挽着她的手，看来就在众目睽睽之下，不管她乐意不乐意，一直把她拽到了小溪上游转弯处，那儿人们就看不到他们了。克莱德决定再也不露出监视或嫉妒的神色，仍然待在后面不走。

但他还是不由得在暗自寻思，斯帕塞也许正利用这个机会跟她约定幽会的日子，甚至跟她亲吻哩。她是完全有可能让他尽情亲吻的，哪怕她也许会装出很不乐意的样子。这多令人烦恼啊。

克莱德内心深处不由自主地感到一阵阵剧痛，深知自己无能为力……他真巴不得能看到他们就好了。不过后来，赫格伦要求大家手挽手，好象连成一条长鞭子，然后再将它挣断，于是他先带头挽起了露西尔。尼古拉斯的手。克莱德也一手搀着露西尔，一手搀着梅达。阿克塞尔罗德。而梅达的另一只手，又搀着拉特勒。正当希格比和劳拉。赛普快要把尾巴接上的时候，斯帕塞同霍丹斯溜回来了……这时他还拉着她的手不放。他们俩就插在最后面了。随后，赫格伦等人就开始奔跑，加快速度，忽儿前进，忽儿后退，直到最后梅达后面的人一个个都摔倒了，这一条长鞭子终于给挣断了。克莱德发觉，霍丹斯和斯帕塞摔倒时，两人滚撞在一块，一直滚到堆满积雪。败叶与枯枝的小河边。霍丹斯的裙子已经扎破了，一下子给掀到膝盖以上。不过，她并没有象克莱德所想象和希望的那样窘困不安，适得其反，她却在那里坐了一会儿，简直没羞没臊，甚至还放声大笑……这时斯帕塞同她在一起，依然拉着她的手不放。那时，劳拉。赛普猛地摔了一交，把希格比撞倒了，希格比就索性横倒在她身上，他们俩也都哈哈大笑，躺卧在那里，而且还作出了一种依克莱德看很能令人想入非非的姿势来。他又发觉劳拉。赛普的裙子已给掀到膝盖上面。这时，斯帕塞坐了起来，正用手指指点点她那漂亮的大腿，开怀大笑，连牙齿全给露出来了。

四周围的人也都哈哈大笑，发出一阵阵尖声和吼声。

"真该死的，"克莱德心中暗自思忖。"那个魔鬼干吗老是缠着她?

他要是想玩得痛快，干吗自己不带一个姑娘来?

他们有什么权利躲到谁都看不见的地方去?

而她还以为，我会相信她这是没有什么别的用意哩。她跟我在一块，就从来没有那么痛快地笑过。她到底把我当做什么人，难道说我就可以任她牵着鼻子走吗?

"他马上怒咻咻地皱紧了眉头。可是，不管他心里正在这么想，那长长的行列，亦即这一道长鞭子又重新组成了。这一回还是露西尔。尼古拉斯拉着他的手。

斯帕塞和霍丹斯还是在最末尾。不过，赫格伦并没有揣测到克莱德的情绪，一心只是想着这个游戏，就大声喊道:

"最好换一个人排在最末尾，好吗?

"拉特勒和梅达。阿克塞尔罗德。克莱德和露西尔。尼古拉斯都觉得这也很公道，就往后挪了，于是希格比和劳拉。赛普。霍丹斯和斯帕塞都在前头了。只不过克莱德发觉，霍丹斯还是拉住了斯帕塞的手，但她已挪到他前头，一手拉住了他的手。

这时他在她的右面;斯帕塞则是在她左面，紧紧拉住了霍丹斯的另一只手，这使克莱德很恼火。他干吗不紧跟着那个特意为他请到这里来的劳拉。赛普呢?

而霍丹斯居然还在给他鼓劲呢。

他不仅伤心透了，而且还那样恼火，痛苦，几乎连游戏的兴致都没有了。

他恨不得不玩了，跟斯帕塞吵一架。不过，那时赫格伦却是那么起劲，那么热心，克莱德甚至还来不及想，他们又开始玩了。

随后，他虽然竭力设法保待身体平衡，可他和露西尔。拉特勒。梅达。阿克塞尔罗德全都摔倒了，如同烫发钳夹在冰凌上不停地旋转。霍丹斯不早不晚，就在此刻把他的手一放，分明喜欢拉住斯帕塞似的。克莱德跟好几个人纠缠在一起，他们一个劲儿滚过了四十英尺光溜溜。绿莹莹的冰凌子，一个又一个堆叠在积雪的河岸边了。后来，他一发现露西尔。尼古拉斯躺在他膝盖上，脸儿朝下，好象玩得非常痛快似的，他禁不住哈哈大笑起来。还有梅达。阿克塞尔罗德，仰天摔了一交，两脚朝天，也躺在拉特勒身边。克莱德心想，她这是故意的。依他看，她这个人太粗野放肆了。于是，不用说，立即响起了一片尖叫声。呼喊声。欢笑声……声音竟有这么大，半英里之外都能听得见。赫格伦平素最喜欢打打闹闹，这时几乎用加倍力气，在冰凌上匍伏爬行，一边拍打着自己臀部，一个劲儿吼叫。还有斯帕塞张开自己的大嘴巴，格格大笑，扮着种种怪象，直到满脸通红。结果，感染力竟有这么大，克莱德一下子把嫉妒心全给忘了。他看了以后，也格格大笑起来。不过说实话，他的情绪也并没有改变。

他还是觉得霍丹斯表现得不够意思。

这个游戏快要结束的时候，露西尔。尼古拉斯和蒂娜。科格尔觉得累了，就退了出去。霍丹斯也退出了。克莱德马上离队，走到了她身边。随后，拉特勒也跟着露西尔走了。别人也四散走开了，赫格伦把梅达。阿克塞尔罗德推到自己前头，一块溜到了小河下游转弯处谁都看不见的地方去了。希格比显然从中受到暗示，就拽住蒂娜。科格尔一块到小河上游去了。拉特勒和露西尔好象看见什么有趣的东西，一块儿钻进了小树林，他们俩一路走，还一路谈笑哩。

无拘无束的斯帕塞和劳拉，这时也滑脚溜了，最后只剩下克莱德和霍丹斯在一起。

他们两个慢悠悠地向横倒在河边的一棵树桩走去，霍丹斯坐了下来。但是克莱德心中伤口依然未愈合，伫立在那里，一声不吭;她发觉后，就扯他外套的腰带一个劲儿拽他。

"喔……喔，马儿呀，"她闹着玩儿说。"喔……喔，我的马儿呀，现在该带我一块溜冰去啦。"克莱德阴郁地直望着她，心里很恼火，刚才受到了那么大的委屈，可不能一下子全给忘了。

"你干吗让斯帕塞那家伙老是围在你身旁呢?

"他这样质问她说。"刚才我看见你跟他一块到小河转弯处去的。他在那里跟你说了些什么?

""他什么都没有说。""哦，没有，当然罗，没有，"他挖苦地。辛辣地回答说。"也许他也没有吻过你吧。""是的，当然没有啦，"她斩钉截铁而又恶狠狠地回答说，"你把我当做什么人啦，我倒是要弄明白。你这个人真是自作聪明呀，我决不会允许任何人第一次见面就吻我的，这一点我要向你说清楚。当初我也没有允许过你，是吧?

""是的，当然罗，"克莱德回答说。"不过，那时候你对我也不象你现在对他那么喜欢嘛。""哦，怎么啦?

哦，也许是这样，不过，请问你又有什么权利说我喜欢他。我倒是很想知道，我自己能不能也乐一乐，用不着你老是在监视我。我老实告诉你，你可真叫我腻味透了。"霍丹斯这会儿真的恼火了:

她觉得他是在用主人的口吻来跟她说话。

克莱德被她这突然其来的反攻挫败了，不免有点儿惶悚，立时决定，也许最好还是改变一下口气。她毕竟从来没有说过她真的爱他，即使她曾向他许下过含有特定意义的诺言。

"哦，得了吧，"过了一会儿，他阴郁地说，语调里不无一点儿悲哀的味道，"有一件事我是很清楚的:

要是我说过我喜欢什么人，就象你有时说过你喜欢我那样的话，那末，我就决不会象你刚才在这儿同别人卖弄风情。""哦，你真的决不会吗?

""不，我是决不会的。""那敢情好，到底是谁在这儿卖弄风情?

我倒是很想闹明白呢。""就是你。""我可压根儿都没有。你要是只会跟我斗嘴吵架，那还是请你走吧，让我独个儿清静点。我只不过是在旅馆里跟他跳跳舞，你可没有理由认为我在卖弄风情呀。哦，一句话，你可真叫我腻味透了。""是真的腻味透了吗?

""是的，你就是叫人腻味呗。""怎么啦，也许最好我还是走开，从此再也不来打扰你就得了，"他回答说，心中鼓起了类似他母亲的那么一点魄力。

"哦，要是你对我不能改变看法的话，你也许还是这样好，"她回答说，随后用脚尖狠命地踢着冰凌子。不过，克莱德开始感到他可不能就这样离开她的……他毕竟太热衷于她了……几乎完全被她迷住了。他开始心软了，忐忑不安地直瞅着她。而她呢，这时又想到那件外套，就决定对他要客气些。

"你没有直勾勾望着他的眼睛，是吧?

"他有气无力地问;他一转念又想到了她跟斯帕塞跳舞的事了。

"什么时候?

""你跟他一块跳舞的时候，有没有?

""没有，我可没有，反正我自己不知道。不过，就算我两眼望着他，那又怎么啦。我可没有什么特别意思。嘿，你这个家伙，要是有人想看看别人的眼睛，难道说不可以吗?

""就象你那样看他吗?

我说，你要是真的已喜欢某个人，那就要不得，"克莱德的眉头皱了一皱，眼皮也眯成一线了。霍丹斯只是不耐烦地。忿忿地发出砸舌声。

"Ｔｓｔ!

Ｔｓｔ!

Ｔｓｔ!

你可真是忍无可忍了吧!

""还有刚才你同他一块去溜冰，"克莱德态度坚决，而又非常激动地继续说。

"你从那儿一回来，并没有走到我身边来，而是跟他一块到最末尾去了。我看见你的。你一路上回来时，还拉着他的手。后来你们一块摔倒了，你干脆同他坐在一块，还是拉着他的手。我倒是要请教你一下，这不是卖弄风情，又是什么呢?

我敢说这准是斯帕塞的想法。""哦，反正我可没有向他卖弄风情，你爱怎么说就怎么说，我可不在乎。不过，你要是非得这么说，那就随你的便了。我也阻止不了你。这一切全得怪你那该死的妒忌心，依你看，总是这个也不行，那个更不行。如果说不是拉着手，在冰凌上又该怎么个玩法，我倒是很想请教你。嘿，你这个家伙!

你跟那个露西尔。尼古拉斯，又是怎么样呢?

我看见她干脆躺在你膝上，还有你哈哈大笑那副德行。可我一点儿都没有什么想法呀。那末，此刻你究竟要求我怎么样……只是跑到这儿来呆坐着，就象树桩上一个肿块?

……象尾巴一样跟在你背后?

或是你跟在我背后?

你到底把我看成什么玩意儿?

一个傻瓜吗?

"她认为自己给克莱德嘲弄了，老大不高兴。她心里正在想着斯帕塞。此刻，他的确比克莱德更吸引她了。相比之下，他不是那么富于幻想，而是更实际些，更直率些。

他转过身来，摘下帽子，怏怏不乐地搔脑勺，而正在瞅着他的霍丹斯，此刻心里想的先是他，然后才是斯帕塞。斯帕塞更加富有男子汉气概，决不是一个只会哭鼻子的小娃娃。可以肯定，他决不会这样老站着发牢骚。也许他马上撇下她，从此再也不同她来往。不过话又说回来，象克莱德这样的方式也有意思，有用处。有谁象他那样给她出过力呢?

反正不管怎么说，别人都已纷纷走开时，他可并没有逼着她跟他一块走到远处去;原来她很担心……在她计划和愿望还没有想定以前，说不定他也会逼着她这么干的。现在由于这场争吵，那件事总算得以避免了。

"得了吧，听我说，"她过了一会儿说，心想最好还是安慰一下他，反正要对付他也并不那么难。"难道说我们整天价就吵架吗，克莱德?

这到底有什么好处呢?

你要是存心总跟我吵架，那又干吗约我出来玩儿?

我要是早知道，我就不来了。"她侧过身去，用小小的鞋尖踢着冰凌。克莱德如同往常一样，又被她的魅力所倾倒，便伸出一双胳臂搂住她，同自己身子紧贴在一起，与此同时，乱摸她的乳房，还一个劲儿同她亲嘴，很想抱住她，抚弄她。可是这会儿，由于她突然对斯帕塞产生了好感，而对克莱德却又很气忿，她一下子就挣脱出来，心中立时萌生了一种既痛恨自己。也痛恨克莱德来烦恼自己。她扪心自问，为什么现在就得听任他强迫她做自己不愿意做的事呢。她并没有答应如同他所希望的那样就在今天对他亲热。还没有答应呢。不管怎么说，至少此刻，她不希望他是这样对待她的，而且也不管他会怎么干，她是决不会答应的。克莱德此刻已觉察到她心里对他的真正想法，就往后退了一步，但依然怏怏不乐。如饥似渴地直瞅着她。而她呢，仅仅是定神凝视他罢了。

"我想你是说过你喜欢我的，"他几乎恶狠狠地说。他已看到，今天他的这场愉快郊游的幻梦，正要烟消云散了。

"是的，当你乖乖的时候，我是喜欢你的，"她狡诈而又闪烁其词地回答说，心里正在琢磨，用什么办法务使她当初对他所作的许诺不要引起麻烦。

"是啊，你是喜欢我的，"他咕哝着说。"你是怎么喜欢我的，我算是看到了。

得了吧，我们一块上这儿玩，可你连碰都不让我碰一下你。我倒是要请问你，过去你说的话到底是什么意思。""哦，过去我说了些什么?

"她马上反问他，不外乎想赢得一点儿时间罢了。

"好象你自个儿也都不知道似的。""哦，得了吧。不过，现在还不是时候，是不是?

我好象觉得，我们原来是说……"她说到这里，一迟疑就顿住了。

"我记得当时你是说过的，"他接下去说。"不过，我现在发现你并不喜欢我，说穿了，就是这么回事。要是你真的爱我，那末，不论是现在就对我好，还是在下星期。下下星期对我好，又有什么区别呢?

在你看来，一切多少取决于我替你做了什么，而并不是你爱不爱我。真是太圆滑了!

"他在痛苦之中一下子变得相当激烈和勇敢。

"那不是这样的!

"她听了很生气，马上尖声嚷了起来，因为他说对了，她一下子恼火了。"另外，我希望你不要再对我说这样的话。你要是想知道，那就老实告诉你吧，现在我压根儿也不想那件倒楣的外套了。你的那些倒楣的钱，你尽管拿回去吧。我可不要。从今以后，你也别打扰我就得了，"她又找补着说。"我用不着你来帮忙，我要什么样外套，反正照样都能弄到。"说罢，她一转身就走了。

克莱德如同往常一样，急于抚慰她，马上追了上去。"别走啊，霍丹斯，"他恳求说。"等一会儿。说实话，我也不是这个意思呀，真的。说实话我为了你快要疯了。难道你就看不出来吗?

喂，你别走呀。我给你钱，并不是要得到什么回报呀。随你高兴，你白白地拿走就得了。世界上除了你以外，任何人我都不爱，从来也没爱过。你把钱通通拿走吧。我压根儿不要了。只不过我早就以为你还有点儿喜欢我的。现在你到底还爱不爱我，霍丹斯?

"这时他显得胆怯。害怕，而她发现自己居然已能左右他，就不妨稍微宽宏一些。

你刚才那副德行对待我呀。看来你始终不懂得，一个女孩子永远也不会什么都顺从你，不会你要她怎么做她就怎么做。""你这是什么意思?

"克莱德问，没有完全领会她的意思。"你的话我听不懂。

""哦，也许你是听懂的。"她才不相信他听不懂。

"哦，我想，你刚才说些什么我懂了。我好象知道现在你要说些什么来着，"他失望地接下去说。"这是他们大家都讲过的荒唐事。我知道。"这时，他几乎逐字逐句。绘声绘影地把酒店里别的侍应生……希格比。拉特勒。埃迪。多伊尔说过的话照背了一遍。他们对他讲过这类事的关键所在，说到有些女人为了渡过一时难关，有时也这样撒谎的。他们使他完全懂得了那是怎么一回事。现在霍丹斯也知道他是确实懂了。

"嘿，你可一点儿也不害臊，"她装出一副受委屈的样子说。"简直什么都不能跟你说，反正你什么也都不相信。不过，不管怎么说，也不管你信不信，反正这是实话。""哦，现在我知道，你这是怎么一回事，"他虽然伤心，却有些高傲地回答说，仿佛这在他看来早已司空见惯了。"你不喜欢我，反正就是这么回事。现在我可看得清清楚楚了。""唉，你可一点儿也不害臊，"她一口咬定说，依然装出一副受委屈的样子。

"我向你保证，这话千真万确。你信也好，不信也好，但是我可以发誓，确实就是这样。"克莱德站在那里很尴尬。他知道，对于这个小诡计，他实在没有更多的话好说的了。他可不能强迫她做任何事情。她要是想撒谎和装假，他也只好假装相信她。不过，他心里却充满了一种巨大的悲哀。他是怎么也得不到她的爱了……那是一清二楚的。他转身想走了，可她明明知道自己撒谎已被他识破了，所以觉得现在不得不下一点儿功夫……把他再次掌握在她手里。

"得了，克莱德，得了，"她说话时技巧可谓非常纯熟，"我说的是真话。说实在的，是真的。你不相信我吗?

不过，我一定会的，下个星期，你放心好了。

真的，我一定会的。你相信我就得了。我说话是算数的。真的，是这样。我的确喜欢你……非常喜欢你。难道说你还不相信，是吗……是吗?

"这是虚情假意的最后一着，克莱德自头至踵感到浑身颤栗，只好回答说自己相信她。于是，他脸上又露出笑容，一下子乐乐呵呵起来。由于开车时间已到，赫格伦已在招呼大家上车。当大家向汽车走去时，他还抓住她的手，吻了好几回。他深信:

他的美梦，肯定会实现了。啊，美梦一旦实现，该有多么开心!
Part 1 Chapter 19
For the major portion of the return trip to Kansas City, there was nothing to mar the very agreeable illusion underwhich Clyde rested. He sat beside Hortense, who leaned her head against his shoulder. And although Sparser,who had waited for the others to step in before taking the wheel, had squeezed her arm and received ananswering and promising look, Clyde had not seen that.
　　But the hour being late and the admonitions of Hegglund, Ratterer and Higby being all for speed, and the moodof Sparser, because of the looks bestowed upon him by Hortense, being the gayest and most drunken, it was notlong before the outlying lamps of the environs began to show.
　　For the car was rushed along the road at break-neck speed. At one point, however, where one of the eastern trunklines approached the city, there was a long and unexpected and disturbing wait at a grade crossing where twofreight trains met and passed. Farther in, at North Kansas City, it began to snow, great soft slushy flakes,feathering down and coating the road surface with a slippery layer of mud which required more caution than hadbeen thus far displayed. It was then half past five. Ordinarily, an additional eight minutes at high speed wouldhave served to bring the car within a block or two of the hotel. But now, with another delay near Hannibal Bridgeowing to grade crossing, it was twenty minutes to six before the bridge was crossed and Wyandotte Streetreached. And already all four of these youths had lost all sense of the delight of the trip and the pleasure thecompanionship of these girls had given them. For already they were worrying as to the probability of theirreaching the hotel in time. The smug and martinetish figure of Mr. Squires loomed before them all.
　　"Gee, if we don't do better than this," observed Ratterer to Higby, who was nervously fumbling with his watch,"we're not goin' to make it. We'll hardly have time, as it is, to change."Clyde, hearing him, exclaimed: "Oh, crickets! I wish we could hurry a little. Gee, I wish now we hadn't come today.
　　It'll be tough if we don't get there on time."And Hortense, noting his sudden tenseness and unrest, added: "Don't you think you'll make it all right?""Not this way," he said. But Hegglund, who had been studying the flaked air outside, a world that seemed dottedwith falling bits of cotton, called: "Eh, dere Willard. We certainly gotta do better dan dis. It means de razoo forus if we don't get dere on time."And Higby, for once stirred out of a gambler-like effrontery and calm, added: "We'll walk the plank all rightunless we can put up some good yarn. Can't anybody think of anything?" As for Clyde, he merely sighednervously.
　　And then, as though to torture them the more, an unexpected crush of vehicles appeared at nearly everyintersection. And Sparser, who was irritated by this particular predicament, was contemplating with impatiencethe warning hand of a traffic policeman, which, at the intersection of Ninth and Wyandotte, had been raisedagainst him. "There goes his mit again," he exclaimed. "What can I do about that! I might turn over toWashington, but I don't know whether we'll save any time by going over there."A full minute passed before he was signaled to go forward. Then swiftly he swung the car to the right and threeblocks over into Washington Street.
　　But here the conditions were no better. Two heavy lines of traffic moved in opposite directions. And at eachsucceeding corner several precious moments were lost as the cross-traffic went by. Then the car would tear on tothe next corner, weaving its way in and out as best it could.
　　At Fifteenth and Washington, Clyde exclaimed to Ratterer: "How would it do if we got out at Seventeenth andwalked over?""You won't save any time if I can turn over there," called Sparser. "I can get over there quicker than you can."He crowded the other cars for every inch of available space. At Sixteenth and Washington, seeing what heconsidered a fairly clear block to the left, he turned the car and tore along that thoroughfare to as far asWyandotte once more. Just as he neared the corner and was about to turn at high speed, swinging in close to thecurb to do so, a little girl of about nine, who was running toward the crossing, jumped directly in front of themoving machine. And because there was no opportunity given him to turn and avoid her, she was struck anddragged a number of feet before the machine could be halted. At the same time, there arose piercing screamsfrom at least half a dozen women, and shouts from as many men who had witnessed the accident.
　　Instantly they all rushed toward the child, who had been thrown under and passed over by the wheels. AndSparser, looking out and seeing them gathering about the fallen figure, was seized with an uninterpretable mentalpanic which conjured up the police, jail, his father, the owner of the car, severe punishment in many forms. Andthough by now all the others in the car were up and giving vent to anguished exclamations such as "Oh, God! He hit a little girl"; "Oh, gee, he's killed a kid!" "Oh, mercy!" "Oh, Lord!" "Oh, heavens, what'll we do now?" heturned and exclaimed: "Jesus, the cops! I gotta get outa this with this car."And, without consulting the others, who were still half standing, but almost speechless with fear, he shot thelever into first, second and then high, and giving the engine all the gas it would endure, sped with it to the nextcorner beyond.
　　But there, as at the other corners in this vicinity, a policeman was stationed, and having already seen somecommotion at the corner west of him, had already started to leave his post in order to ascertain what it was. As hedid so, cries of "Stop that car"--"Stop that car"--reached his ears. And a man, running toward the sedan from thescene of the accident, pointed to it, and called: "Stop that car, stop that car. They've killed a child."Then gathering what was meant, he turned toward the car, putting his police whistle to his mouth as he did so.
　　But Sparser, having by this time heard the cries and seen the policeman leaving, dashed swiftly past him intoSeventeenth Street, along which he sped at almost forty miles an hour, grazing the hub of a truck in one instance,scraping the fender of an automobile in another, and missing by inches and quarter inches vehicles orpedestrians, while those behind him in the car were for the most part sitting bolt upright and tense, their eyeswide, their hands clenched, their faces and lips set--or, as in the case of Hortense and Lucille Nickolas and TinaKogel, giving voice to repeated, "Oh, Gods!" "Oh, what's going to happen now?"But the police and those who had started to pursue were not to be outdone so quickly. Unable to make out thelicense plate number and seeing from the first motions of the car that it had no intention of stopping, the officerblew a loud and long blast on his police whistle. And the policeman at the next corner seeing the car speed byand realizing what it meant, blew on his whistle, then stopped, and springing on the running board of a passingtouring car ordered it to give chase. And at this, seeing what was amiss or awind, three other cars, driven byadventurous spirits, joined in the chase, all honking loudly as they came.
　　But the Packard had far more speed in it than any of its pursuers, and although for the first few blocks of thepursuit there were cries of "Stop that car!" "Stop that car!" still, owing to the much greater speed of the car, thesesoon died away, giving place to the long wild shrieks of distant horns in full cry.
　　Sparser by now having won a fair lead and realizing that a straight course was the least baffling to pursue, turnedswiftly into McGee, a comparatively quiet thoroughfare along which he tore for a few blocks to the wide andwinding Gillham Parkway, whose course was southward. But having followed that at terrific speed for a shortdistance, he again--at Thirty-first--decided to turn--the houses in the distance confusing him and the suburbancountry to the north seeming to offer the best opportunity for evading his pursuers. And so now he swung the carto the left into that thoroughfare, his thought here being that amid these comparatively quiet streets it waspossible to wind in and out and so shake off pursuit--at least long enough to drop his passengers somewhere andreturn the car to the garage.
　　And this he would have been able to do had it not been for the fact that in turning into one of the more outlyingstreets of this region, where there were scarcely any houses and no pedestrians visible, he decided to turn off hislights, the better to conceal the whereabouts of the car. Then, still speeding east, north, and east and south byturns, he finally dashed into one street where, after a few hundred feet, the pavement suddenly ended. But because another cross street was visible a hundred feet or so further on, and he imagined that by turning into thathe might find a paved thoroughfare again, he sped on and then swung sharply to the left, only to crash roughlyinto a pile of paving stones left by a contractor who was preparing to pave the way. In the absence of lights hehad failed to distinguish this. And diagonally opposite to these, lengthwise of a prospective sidewalk, had beenlaid a pile of lumber for a house.
　　Striking the edge of the paving stones at high speed, he caromed, and all but upsetting the car, made directly forthe lumber pile opposite, into which he crashed. Only instead of striking it head on, the car struck one end,causing it to give way and spread out, but only sufficiently to permit the right wheels to mount high upon it andso throw the car completely over onto its left side in the grass and snow beyond the walk. Then there, amid acrash of glass and the impacts of their own bodies, the occupants were thrown down in a heap, forward and to theleft.
　　What happened afterwards is more or less of a mystery and a matter of confusion, not only to Clyde, but to allthe others. For Sparser and Laura Sipe, being in front, were dashed against the wind-shield and the roof andknocked senseless, Sparser, having his shoulder, hip and left knee wrenched in such a way as to make itnecessary to let him lie in the car as he was until an ambulance arrived. He could not possibly be lifted outthrough the door, which was in the roof as the car now lay. And in the second seat, Clyde, being nearest the doorto the left and next to him Hortense, Lucille Nickolas and Ratterer, was pinioned under and yet not crushed bytheir combined weights. For Hortense in falling had been thrown completely over him on her side against theroof, which was now the left wall. And Lucille, next above her, fell in such a way as to lie across Clyde'sshoulders only, while Ratterer, now topmost of the four, had, in falling, been thrown over the seat in front ofhim. But grasping the steering wheel in front of him as he fell, the same having been wrenched from Sparser'shands, he had broken his fall in part by clinging to it. But even so, his face and hands were cut and bruised andhis shoulder, arm and hip slightly wrenched, yet not sufficiently to prevent his being of assistance to the others.
　　For at once, realizing the plight of the others as well as his own, and stirred by their screams, Ratterer was movedto draw himself up and out through the top or side door which he now succeeded in opening, scrambling over theothers to reach it.
　　Once out, he climbed upon the chassis beam of the toppled car, and, reaching down, caught hold of thestruggling and moaning Lucille, who like the others was trying to climb up but could not. And exerting all hisstrength and exclaiming, "Be still, now, honey, I gotcha. You're all right, I'll getcha out," he lifted her to a sittingposition on the side of the door, then down in the snow, where he placed her and where she sat crying and feelingher arms and her head. And after her he helped Hortense, her left cheek and forehead and both hands badlybruised and bleeding, but not seriously, although she did not know that at the time. She was whimpering andshivering and shaking--a nervous chill having succeeded the dazed and almost unconscious state which hadfollowed the first crash.
　　At that moment, Clyde, lifting his bewildered head above the side door of the car, his left cheek, shoulder andarm bruised, but not otherwise injured, was thinking that he too must get out of this as quickly as possible. Achild had been killed; a car stolen and wrecked; his job was most certainly lost; the police were in pursuit andmight even find them there at any minute. And below him in the car was Sparser, prone where he fell, butalready being looked to by Ratterer. And beside him Laura Sipe, also unconscious. He felt called upon to dosomething--to assist Ratterer, who was reaching down and trying to lay hold of Laura Sipe without injuring her.
　　But so confused were his thoughts that he would have stood there without helping any one had it not been forRatterer, who called most irritably, "Give us a hand here, Clyde, will you? Let's see if we can get her out. She'sfainted." And Clyde, turning now instead of trying to climb out, began to seek to lift her from within, standing onthe broken glass window of the side beneath his feet and attempting to draw her body back and up off the bodyof Sparser. But this was not possible. She was too limp--too heavy. He could only draw her back--off the body ofSparser--and then let her rest there, between the second and first seats on the car's side.
　　But, meanwhile, at the back Hegglund, being nearest the top and only slightly stunned, had managed to reach thedoor nearest him and throw it back. Thus, by reason of his athletic body, he was able to draw himself up and out,saying as he did so: "Oh, Jesus, what a finish! Oh, Christ, dis is de limit! Oh, Jesus, we better beat it outa disbefore de cops git here."At the same time, however, seeing the others below him and hearing their cries, he could not contemplateanything so desperate as desertion. Instead, once out, he turned and making out Maida below him, exclaimed:
　　"Here, for Christ's sake, gimme your hand. We gotta get outa dis and dam quick, I tell ya." Then turning fromMaida, who for the moment was feeling her wounded and aching head, he mounted the top chassis beam againand, reaching down, caught hold of Tina Kogel, who, only stunned, was trying to push herself to a sittingposition while resting heavily on top of Higby. But he, relieved of the weight of the others, was already kneeling,and feeling his head and face with his hands.
　　"Gimme your hand, Dave," called Hegglund. "Hurry! For Christ's sake! We ain't got no time to lose around here.
　　Are ya hurt? Christ, we gotta git outa here, I tellya. I see a guy comin' acrost dere now an' I doughno wedder he'sa cop or not." He started to lay hold of Higby's left hand, but as he did so Higby repulsed him.
　　"Huh, uh," he exclaimed. "Don't pull. I'm all right. I'll get out by myself. Help the others." And standing up, hishead above the level of the door, he began to look about within the car for something on which to place his foot.
　　The back cushion having fallen out and forward, he got his foot on that and raised himself up to the door level onwhich he sat and drew out his leg. Then looking about, and seeing Hegglund attempting to assist Ratterer andClyde with Sparser, he went to their aid.
　　Outside, some odd and confusing incidents had already occurred. For Hortense, who had been lifted out beforeClyde, and had suddenly begun to feel her face, had as suddenly realized that her left cheek and forehead werenot only scraped but bleeding. And being seized by the notion that her beauty might have been permanentlymarred by this accident, she was at once thrown into a state of selfish panic which caused her to becomecompletely oblivious, not only to the misery and injury of the others, but to the danger of discovery by the police,the injury to the child, the wreck of this expensive car--in fact everything but herself and the probability orpossibility that her beauty had been destroyed. She began to whimper on the instant and wave her hands up anddown. "Oh, goodness, goodness, goodness!" she exclaimed desperately. "Oh, how dreadful! Oh, how terrible!
　　Oh, my face is all cut." And feeling an urgent compulsion to do something about it, she suddenly set off (andwithout a word to any one and while Clyde was still inside helping Ratterer) south along 35th Street, toward thecity where were lights and more populated streets. Her one thought was to reach her own home as speedily aspossible in order that she might do something for herself.
　　Of Clyde, Sparser, Ratterer and the other girls--she really thought nothing. What were they now? It was only intermittently and between thoughts of her marred beauty that she could even bring herself to think of the injuredchild--the horror of which as well as the pursuit by the police, maybe, the fact that the car did not belong toSparser or that it was wrecked, and that they were all liable to arrest in consequence, affecting her but slightly.
　　Her one thought in regard to Clyde was that he was the one who had invited her to this ill-fated journey--hencethat he was to blame, really. Those beastly boys--to think they should have gotten her into this and then didn'thave brains enough to manage better.
　　The other girls, apart from Laura Sipe, were not seriously injured--any of them. They were more frightened thananything else, but now that this had happened they were in a panic, lest they be overtaken by the police, arrested,exposed and punished. And accordingly they stood about, exclaiming "Oh, gee, hurry, can't you? Oh, dear, weought all of us to get away from here. Oh, it's all so terrible." Until at last Hegglund exclaimed: "For Christ'ssake, keep quiet, cantcha? We're doing de best we can, cantcha see? You'll have de cops down on us in a minuteas it is."And then, as if in answer to his comment, a lone suburbanite who lived some four blocks from the scene acrossthe fields and who, hearing the crash and the cries in the night, had ambled across to see what the trouble was,now drew near and stood curiously looking at the stricken group and the car.
　　"Had an accident, eh?" he exclaimed, genially enough. "Any one badly hurt? Gee, that's too bad. And that's aswell car, too. Can I help any?"Clyde, hearing him talk and looking out and not seeing Hortense anywhere, and not being able to do more forSparser than stretch him in the bottom of the car, glanced agonizingly about. For the thought of the police andtheir certain pursuit was strong upon him. He must get out of this. He must not be caught here. Think of whatwould happen to him if he were caught--how he would be disgraced and punished probably--all his fine worldstripped from him before he could say a word really. His mother would hear--Mr. Squires--everybody. Mostcertainly he would go to jail. Oh, how terrible that thought was--grinding really like a macerating wheel to hisflesh. They could do nothing more for Sparser, and they only laid themselves open to being caught by lingering.
　　So asking, "Where'd Miss Briggs go?" he now began to climb out, then started looking about the dark and snowyfields for her. His thought was that he would first assist her to wherever she might desire to go.
　　But just then in the distance was heard the horns and the hum of at least two motorcycles speeding swiftly in thedirection of this very spot. For already the wife of the suburbanite, on hearing the crash and the cries in thedistance, had telephoned the police that an accident had occurred here. And now the suburbanite was explaining:
　　"That's them. I told the wife to telephone for an ambulance." And hearing this, all these others now began to run,for they all realized what that meant. And in addition, looking across the fields one could see the lights of theseapproaching machines. They reached Thirty-first and Cleveland together. Then one turned south toward this veryspot, along Cleveland Avenue. And the other continued east on Thirty-first, reconnoitering for the accident.
　　"Beat it, for God's sake, all of youse," whispered Hegglund, excitedly. "Scatter!" And forthwith, seizing MaidaAxelrod by the hand, he started to run east along Thirty-fifth Street, in which the car then lay--along the outlyingeastern suburbs. But after a moment, deciding that that would not do either, that it would be too easy to pursuehim along a street, he cut northeast, directly across the open fields and away from the city.
　　And now, Clyde, as suddenly sensing what capture would mean--how all his fine thoughts of pleasure wouldmost certainly end in disgrace and probably prison, began running also. Only in his case, instead of followingHegglund or any of the others, he turned south along Cleveland Avenue toward the southern limits of the city.
　　But like Hegglund, realizing that that meant an easy avenue of pursuit for any one who chose to follow, he tootook to the open fields. Only instead of running away from the city as before, he now turned southwest and rantoward those streets which lay to the south of Fortieth. Only much open space being before him before he shouldreach them, and a clump of bushes showing in the near distance, and the light of the motorcycle alreadysweeping the road behind him, he ran to that and for the moment dropped behind it.
　　Only Sparser and Laura Sipe were left within the car, she at that moment beginning to recover consciousness.
　　And the visiting stranger, much astounded, was left standing outside.
　　"Why, the very idea!" he suddenly said to himself. "They must have stolen that car. It couldn't have belonged tothem at all."And just then the first motorcycle reaching the scene, Clyde from his not too distant hiding place was able tooverhear. "Well, you didn't get away with it after all, did you? You thought you were pretty slick, but you didn'tmake it. You're the one we want, and what's become of the rest of the gang, eh? Where are they, eh?"And hearing the suburbanite declare quite definitely that he had nothing to do with it, that the real occupants ofthe car had but then run away and might yet be caught if the police wished, Clyde, who was still within earshotof what was being said, began crawling upon his hands and knees at first in the snow south, south and west,always toward some of those distant streets which, lamplit and faintly glowing, he saw to the southwest of him,and among which presently, if he were not captured, he hoped to hide--to lose himself and so escape--if the fateswere only kind--the misery and the punishment and the unending dissatisfaction and disappointment which now,most definitely, it all represented to him.
       返回堪萨斯城的路上，开头一直安然无事，并没有破坏克莱德依然陶醉其中的美梦。他坐在霍丹斯身旁，霍丹斯头靠在他肩上。虽然斯帕塞在开车前等候大家入座时拧了一下她的胳臂，而她却报之以脉脉含情的巧目一盼。可是这一切，克莱德并没有看到。

时间已经很晚了，赫格伦。拉特勒和希格比催促斯帕塞开快车，何况斯帕塞刚才有幸得到了霍丹斯的秋波，心里那种乐陶陶的快活劲儿也不用提了，所以没有多久，近郊灯光便开始在前方闪现了。汽车正以令人头昏目眩的高速在公路上疾驰而去。但是突然停车了，这里是东行的铁路主干线通往市内的必经之地，有两列货车正在这里交叉通过，出乎他们意料之外，因此心烦意乱地等了老长时间。再过去，到北堪萨斯城时，开始下雪了，一大片。一大片柔软的。

容易融化的雪片，如同鹅毛一般飘下来，给路面铺上了一层滑溜的泥浆，因此开车就得比刚才谨慎小心一些。这时已是五点半了。通常只要开快一些，八分钟就可以开到离酒店只有一两个街区的地方。不过，这会儿在汉尼拔桥附近火车交叉通过，耽搁了一阵子，因此驶过大桥，开到威恩多特街已是五点四十分了。这四个年轻小伙子仿佛对这次郊游早已失去兴趣，就是对他们身旁那些姑娘也不再觉得乐趣无穷了。此刻他们最担心的是:

能不能及时赶到大酒店。服饰整洁而又纪律严明的斯夸尔斯先生的身影，已在他们面前隐约可见。

"喂，要是再不开快一些，"拉特勒对正在忐忑不安地摸弄手表的希格比说，"恐怕我们就不能及时赶到了。我们连换衣服都来不及了。"克莱德听到他的话，就大声嚷嚷说:

"嘿，那可要不得!

我真巴不得车子开得更快。唉，要是今天我们不出来多好。要是我们不能准时赶到，那事情就坏了。

"霍丹斯发现他突如其来紧张不安的神色，就找补着说:

"你说赶不到吗?

""照这样车速是赶不到的，"他说。赫格伦一直在欣赏车窗外的雪景……一个仿佛飞絮弥漫的大千世界……这会儿大声嚷道:

"喂，亲爱的威拉德，我们当然还得开快些才行。要是我们不能准时赶到，那就要我们的命了。"希格比素有赌徒本色，平时不动声色，这会儿也着急了，找补着说:

"我们要是编不出一点理由来，也许就通通给炒鱿鱼了。谁有什么高招吗?

"克莱德只是焦急不安地在长叹短吁。

随后，仿佛故意一回又一回地折磨他们似的，几乎每到一个交岔路口，想不到都是挤满了车子。这一窘况使斯帕塞很恼火，而在第九街和威恩多特街的交岔路口，交通警把手一举，向他示意禁止通行，这下子使他心中更加着急了。

"交通警又在举手啦，"他大声嚷道。"这叫我怎么办!

我可以拐入华盛顿街，不过，能不能省点时间，我可说不上来。"过了整整一分钟，他才得到信号，车子可以往前开去。他马上向右一拐，飞也似的驶去，过了三个街区，才进入华盛顿街。

不过，这里情况也不见得好多少。挤得密密麻麻的车子，象两股洪流一般按着各自相反方向奔驰不息。每个交岔路口都得花去一些宝贵的时间，等候横越而去的车子开走。随后，他们的车子飞快地开到另一个交岔路口，从别的车辆中间穿过，并且还得尽快超过它们。

在第十五街和华盛顿街的交岔路口，克莱德对拉特勒大声嚷道:

"我们在第十七街下车一块走回去，怎么样?

""我要是能开到那里，你们走也省不了多少时间，"斯帕塞大声喊道。"反正车子快得多，我包管比你们先到。"他让车子挤进车流中间，几乎连一英寸空隙也都不剩。在第十六街与华盛顿街交岔路口，他看见左面一条街好象空一点，就拐了进去，沿着这条大街径直往前驰去，这样又开到了威恩多特街。正当他快要开到交岔路口，打算加速拐弯，逼近路边石的时候，有一个约莫九岁光景的小女孩朝十字路口跑过来，正好冲到了汽车跟前。因为他已经没有机会拐弯躲闪，这个小女孩就被撞倒了，而且被拖了好几英尺远车子才煞住。这时候，至少有五六个女人尖声叫了起来，还有许多目击这次车祸的男人也在大声喊叫。

他们一下子都向那个被汽车撞倒又被车轮碾过的小女孩奔去。斯帕塞往车窗外一望，只见人们围在一具动弹不得的躯体四周，心里顿时充满了说不出的惶恐，由此马上联想到警察。监狱。他父亲。车主，以及各式各样的严厉惩罚。

车里所有的人都站了起来，一迭连声惊呼:

"啊，我的上帝呀!

他撞倒了一个小女孩!

""唉，他把一个小女孩给压死了!

""啊，多吓人哪!

""啊，我的主呀!

""啊，老天哪，现在叫我们怎么办呀?

"斯帕塞把车子一拐弯，大声嚷道:

"老天哪，警察!

我非得开车逃跑不可。"没有征得其他几个人(他们还弯着腰站在那里，吓得几乎说不出话来)的同意，斯帕塞便把汽车排挡杆扳到头一档。第二档，一直扳到第三档，同时又给发动机加足汽油，飞也似的开往下一个路口。

不过，那里正象附近其它路口一样，也有一个警察在站岗。他看见西面路口乱糟糟的，就离岗去了解情况。这时，他只听到"拦住那辆汽车"……"拦住那辆汽车"的喊叫声。还有一个人，从车祸现场一直跟在这辆汽车后面追奔，一面指着那辆车，大声叫喊:

"拦住那辆汽车，拦住那辆汽车。他们撞死了一个小孩。

"这时，警察才算闹明白，转过身来，向那辆汽车奔了过去，一面吹起了警笛。斯帕塞一听见喊叫声，又看见警察离了岗奔来，便飞快地从警察身边一擦而过，拐入第十七街，几乎以每小时四十英里的车速疾驰而去，一会儿擦过一辆卡车的轮毂，一会儿碰上另一辆汽车的挡泥板，在仅有几英寸乃至于四分之一英寸空隙中与车辆和行人交臂而过;而坐在他后面的那些人，多半身子直挺着，心里紧张极了，眼睛睁得老大的，两手紧攥着，脸孔和嘴唇也都绷紧着……就拿霍丹斯。露西尔。尼古拉斯和蒂娜。科格尔来说，她们一迭连声地喊叫:

"啊，老天哪!

""啊，这下子怎么得了?

"不过，警察和跟踪追奔的那些人，毕竟不是一下子就能甩掉的。那个警察因为看不清汽车牌照号码，又见这辆汽车司机压根儿不想停车的样子，就吹起了警笛，那尖啸声经久不息。前面十字路口的警察，看见这辆汽车飞奔而去，知道这是怎么回事，也吹起警笛来，随后拦住和跳上一辆过路的旅游车，下令司机向前追赶。至此，还有三辆车子，一看出了岔子，在冒险精神的驱使下，也奋起直追，一路上使劲儿揿喇叭。

可是帕卡德牌汽车车速毕竟比后面追赶的汽车要快得多，在头几个街区还听得见"拦住那辆汽车!

""拦住那辆汽车!

"的呼喊声，到后来，由于帕卡德开得太快了，呼喊声很快就听不见了，只有从远处传来了又长又尖。仿佛在绝望地号叫的汽车喇叭声。

这时，斯帕塞抢先开了好长一段路，他知道一直开下去，最容易被人赶上，就马上拐入麦吉街。这是一条比较冷清的大街，他就径直往前冲过了一两个街区，并开到了路面宽阔。迂回曲折向南而去的吉勒姆公园路。不过，他以吓人的速度开了短短一段路以后，在第三十一街又决定拐一个弯……远处的房子弄得他方向不明，而北面一带的郊区看来可以使他最容易躲过后面的追捕者。因此，他就让车子往左一拐，开进这条大街，心里暗想:

到了这些比较冷僻的街道，他可以弯来弯去，甩掉追捕者……至少有足够时间，让车上的人在方便地点下车，随即把车子开回车库。

斯帕塞本来可以做到这一点，但由于这一带房屋稀少。看不见行人，一开到近郊的一条街以后，他就决定关掉车灯，让人们更不容易发现汽车的行踪。

随后，他飞快地朝东。朝北，接着又朝东。朝南转弯，最后冲进一条街，不料一两百英尺以外，铺设的路面突然到了顶头。多亏在大约一百英尺开外，望得见另一条交叉的马路，所以，他心里想只要一拐进去，也许又能找到一条路面平整的大道。于是，他就加速向前驰去，接着猛地往左急转弯，不料车子却狠狠地朝一堆铺路石子冲了过去(这一堆石子，原是铺路承包商存放在这里的)，由于熄了前灯，事前他没有看清楚。在这堆石子斜对过，未来的人行道上还堆置了盖房木料。

他的车子开足了马力，先是撞上了铺路石子堆，一下子又被撞了回来，差点儿翻了个儿，稍后径直冲进了对面的木料堆。只不过车子不是从正面，而是从边上冲了进去，木料一下子给崩塌了，已是东坍西倒，正好使后面的车轮高高地翘起，把汽车完全抛向左面，陷入道旁杂草丛生的雪地里。在车上玻璃震碎和人体相撞的一片嘈杂声中，车里的人都给抛向前面和左面，乱七八糟叠成了一堆。

以后发生的情况，多少是一个谜，不仅对克莱德，而且对所有的人，也都是模糊不清的。因为，斯帕塞和劳拉。赛普坐在头上，同挡风玻璃窗和车顶相撞，一下子昏厥了过去。斯帕塞的肩膀。臀部。左膝，由于伤势严重，不得不躺在车里，等救护车开来。如今汽车倾覆，车门朝天，也就没法从车门里把他们拖出来。克莱德坐在第二排座位上，离左边的车门最近，紧挨着他的是霍丹斯。露西尔。尼古拉斯和拉特勒。克莱德被挤压在他们下面，这几个人合在一起的体重，总算还没有把他压碎。因为，霍丹斯摔倒时，不知怎的越过了克莱德，侧面半个身子完全给甩到车顶上，而现在车顶好象已成为左壁了。在她身旁的露西尔。尼古拉斯撞倒时，不知怎的只是压在克莱德的肩膀上。四个人里头躺在最上面的，却是拉特勒。他摔倒时，不知怎的给抛到了前面的一排座位上。不过，他一下子抓住了他前头的方向盘，也就是斯帕塞在车子猛撞时不得不放手扔下的方向盘。拉特勒由于紧紧抓住了方向盘，多少摔得比较轻些。不过纵然这样，他的脸和两手也都受了伤，流血了，他的肩膀。胳臂。臀部受了一点轻伤，还不妨碍他搭救别人。拉特勒马上想到别人和他自己身陷困境，又听见他们的尖厉喊叫声，他就马上竭尽全力，从现在他头顶上的车门里爬了出来;他是好不容易从别人身上一直爬到车门口，最后终于把车门打开的。

他一爬出来，就爬到那辆倾覆的车子底盘横梁上，把手向下伸去，抓住了正在呻吟。挣扎的露西尔。露西尔同别人一样，正一个劲儿往上爬，可就是枉然徒劳。拉特勒使出了浑身力气，大声嚷道:

"现在保持镇静，亲爱的，我会抓住你的。得了，我会把你拖出来的。"他终于把她拖了出来，让她坐在车门边，过了一会儿，要她坐到雪地上。她坐在那里抽抽噎噎地哭了，一面抚摸自己的胳臂和脑袋。露西尔获救后，拉特勒又帮着去拉霍丹斯;她的左颊。前额和两只手伤得够呛，不断在淌血，不过算不上特别严重，虽然那时候她自己还一点儿都不知道。她正在唏嘘啜泣，浑身颤栗，瑟瑟发抖……她先是被撞得昏了过去，几乎失去了知觉，接下来心里感到一阵寒栗。

这时，克莱德早已晕头转向，从车门里探出头来，他的左颊。肩膀和胳臂淌着鲜血，不过别处没有受伤，他心里想自个儿也非得赶紧爬出去不可。轧死了一个孩子;一辆偷来的车子给撞毁了;他在大酒店里的差使，当然也给丢了。警察正在追捕中，也许随时都会上这儿找到他们的。在车里，被挤压在他底下的是斯帕塞，趴在他摔倒的地方，不过，拉特勒已经在照料他了。在他身旁是劳拉。赛普，也已昏迷了过去。他觉得自己应该出一点力……去助拉特勒一臂之力。拉特勒正俯着身子，竭尽全力，想在不让她受到伤害的情况下把劳拉。赛普抓住。不过，克莱德脑子里早已乱成一团，要不是拉特勒气呼呼地喊道:

"克莱德，帮帮忙好吗?

看咱们能不能把她拉出来。她已昏过去了。"他很可能会伫立在那里纹丝不动，谁也不去搭救哩。这时，克莱德一转过身来，不是先很费劲地爬出来，而是想方设法从里头把她托举起来。他站在车子一侧已被震碎的玻璃窗上，想把她的身子从斯帕塞的身子底下拖出来，然后再托举上去，可是怎么也不成。她身子太软……可又太沉重。他只能把她往后拖……先把她从斯帕塞身边拖开……然后让她留在车上第一。第二两排座位中间。

在汽车后面的赫格伦，离顶部最近，只是稍微昏晕过一阵，这时好歹爬到了离他最近的车门，把车门打开了。他由于爱好体育运动，身强力壮，一点儿也不费劲地站了起来，爬了出去，还大声嚷道:

"啊，耶稣呀，我们就这样都来啦!

啊，基督呀，真受不了!

啊，基督呀，趁警察还没有赶到之前，最好还是溜之大吉吧!

"不过，他看见在他底下的那几个人，又听见他们的呼喊声，自己也就不想临阵脱逃了。相反，他一出来，就转过身去，看见了下面的梅达，大声嚷道:

"来吧，看在基督面上，快把你的手伸给我。我说一。二。三，要快点爬出来。"他终于把梅达拉了出来，这时梅达还在抚摸自己受了伤的隐隐作痛的脑袋。赫格伦转过身来，又爬上车子底盘桁梁，俯下身子，抓住了蒂娜。科格尔。原来她只是昏迷了过去，沉甸甸地压在希格比身上，这时好不容易想坐起来。希格比呢，众人的重量从他身上一去掉，便跪在那里，两手摸着自己脑勺和脸儿。

"把你的手给我，戴夫，(戴夫系戴维斯。希格比的昵称。)"赫格伦大声喊道。

"快一点!

看在基督面上，别耽误时间呀。你受伤了吗?

我说，我们可得滑脚溜了。

我看见有一个家伙，正向这儿走过来，我可不知道他是不是警察。"他抓住了希格比的左手，不料，希格比却把他推开了。

"住手，"他大声喊道。"不要拉我。我没事儿。我自个儿会爬出来的。快去帮帮别人吧。"他站了起来，他的脑袋已从车门里探了出来，他两眼往车子里扫视一遍，给自己找一个落脚地方。后面的座垫已给甩到前面去了，他就脚踩那个座垫，让自己身子探出车外，坐在车门上，然后再把他的脚弄出来。接着，他举目四顾，只见赫格伦正在帮拉特勒和克莱德的忙，想要把斯帕塞拖出来，于是就走过去，助他们一臂之力。

这时，车外已发生了一些乱糟糟的怪事。因为，比克莱德先出来的霍丹斯，突然摸了一下自己面孔，发现左颊和前额不但给扎破了，而且还不断在淌血。

她一想到她的美貌很可能被这一意外事故永远给毁了，马上感到一种纯属只顾自己的惶恐，以致所有一切她都忘得一干二净……不论是别人的不幸受伤也好，还是有被警察发现的危险也好，还是那个小孩的惨死，以至这辆豪华汽车被撞毁也好……事实上，除了她自己和她的美貌有可能毁掉以外，她通通都给忘了。

她马上抽抽噎噎地哭了起来，两手还上下挥舞着。"啊，老天哪，老天呀，我的老天呀!

"她绝望地呼叫着。"啊，多可怕!

啊!

多吓人!

啊，我的脸被扎破了。"随后，她觉得现在要赶快想办法才行，于是，她就突然不告而别，溜了。此时，克莱德还在车里帮着拉特勒呢。霍丹斯沿着第三十五街往南，径直向灯光通明。行人如织的市中心区走去。她心中只有一个念头，就是赶快回家转，先要好好照顾自己呗。

至于克莱德。斯帕塞。拉特勒，以及其他女友……说实话，她早都忘得一干二净了。现在，他们算得了什么呢?

她只是在想到自己被毁了的美貌时，偶尔才想到那个被车压死的小女孩……至于这一事故多么令人害怕，警察的追捕，被撞毁了的汽车并不属于斯帕塞，因此现在他们很可能全部被捕，等等，她简直很少经心在意。她对克莱德只是这样想的:

正是他邀她参加这次倒霉的郊游，所以，说真的，一切都得怪他。这些笨头笨脑的小伙子……唉，他们居然会把她也给拉扯进去，瞧他们笨头笨脑那副德行，能把事情办好吗。

别的几位姑娘，除了劳拉。赛普以外，哪一位伤势都不算严重。一开头她们只是一个劲儿叫吓坏罢了。可现在她们却真的感到惊恐，生怕警察赶来把她们抓走，揭发出去，受到惩罚。因此，她们就站在汽车附近，大声喊道:

"喂，你们快一点，好吗?

唉，老天哪，我们得一起滑脚溜呀。啊，这事太可怕了。"后来，赫格伦喊道:

"看在基督面上，别吭声，好吗?

我们使的劲儿可都到了顶，你们看见了没有?

你们这样乱嚷嚷，警察一下子就赶来抓我们啦。"这才把她们给制住了。

一个孤独的郊区居民，住在离出事地点有四排房子的田野对面，这时，他仿佛是应声而至了。因为晚上他一听到撞击声和呼喊声，就款步踱过来，看看究竟出了什么事。此刻，他走到近处，站在一边，好奇地直瞅着这一伙遇难者和那辆汽车。

"出事了，嗯?

"他态度相当温和，大声说道。"谁是重伤呀?

嘿，多倒霉!

还是一辆多漂亮的车子啊。要不要我帮忙?

"克莱德一听见这个人的话音，举目四望，哪儿都见不到霍丹斯。他只好把斯帕塞平放在车底上，此外再也帮不上他的忙了。他闷闷不乐地朝四下里张望着。因为他一想到警察，一想到警察一定会来追捕他们，心里就难受极了。他非得脱身不可。不能在这里被抓走。只要想一想，他要是被抓走了，那会怎么样，多丢脸，也许还会受到惩罚……说真的，他连一句话还来不及说，他那憧憬着的美好世界全给夺走了。他母亲也会知道……还有斯夸尔斯先生，一句话，所有的人都会知道。他一定会进监狱。啊，一想到这里，该有多可怕……真的，好象一个折磨人的旋轮在他肌体上碾磨似的。现在他们对斯帕塞已是无能为力了，在这里逗留过久，就有被抓走的危险。因此，他一面问:

"布里格斯小姐上哪儿去了?

"一面开始往外爬，不一会儿，就在黑黝黝。残雪点点的田野里寻找她。

他心中暗自思忖:

首先要帮助她，她想上哪儿，就把她送到那儿。

就在这时，他听见远处传来的警笛声和嘎嘎声，至少有两辆摩托车正飞快地向出事地点的方向开过来。原来那个郊区居民的妻子，听到远处撞击声和呼喊声，就给警署打电话，说这里出事了。这时，那个郊区居民还在解释说:

"是他们来了。刚才我要妻子打电话去叫急救车的。"一听这话，他们都明白这是怎么回事，所以，大家就一下子都跑了。再说，他们抬头一望，田野那一头，只见车灯正在渐渐逼近。本来这两辆车一块开到第三十一街与克里夫兰街的拐角处。

然后，有一辆车掉过头来，往南沿着克里夫兰街直奔出事地点。还有一辆则在第三十一街往东驶去，为了这次事故担任巡逻。

"看在上帝面上，大伙儿快跑呀，"赫格伦心情激奋地低声说。"散开!

"他马上抓住梅达。埃克塞尔罗德的手，沿着汽车倾覆的第三十五街往东一个劲儿直奔东郊。可是，不一会儿，他心里想这样也不行，因为沿着大街追捕他，这太容易了。于是，他转向东北，径直穿过旷野，从市区逃走了。

这时，克莱德突然意识到，一旦被抓住，就会导致怎么样的后果……他那醉心欢乐的美好的梦想，到头来必然落得个可耻下场，说不定甚至锒铛入狱，这时，他也开始逃跑了。只是他没有跟着赫格伦等人奔跑，相反，他往南拐入克里夫兰大街直奔南郊而去。不过，如同赫格伦一样，他也意识到，象这样走在大街上，不拘是谁要追上他，委实太容易了，所以，他就往旷野里飞奔而去。

不过，他不象刚才那样往郊外跑，而是转向西南，直奔第四十街以南那些街道。

只不过他先要走过一大片开旷的空地和附近一片矮树丛。摩托车的灯光已照到他背后的路面上了，他就马上奔进矮树丛，暂时躲藏起来。

只有斯帕塞和劳拉。赛普还留在车子里，她的神志渐渐清醒过来。那个陌生人一看到他们，简直惊骇万状，只好在车外站着。

"嘿，真有意思啊!

"他突然自言自语地说。"这辆车子他们一定是偷来的。压根儿不象是他们自己的。"就在这时，第一辆摩托车赶到了出事地点。从离他不远的藏身处，克莱德听到一个声音说:

"嗨，你们到底还是逃不了，是吧?

尽管你们自以为巧妙得很，可你们并没有成功。我们正要找你们，你们那帮人上哪儿去了，嗯?

他们究竟上哪儿去了，嗯?

"克莱德又听见那个郊区居民十分明确声称本人同这次事故毫无关系。他说:

车子里那些人刚刚跑掉，要是警察想追捕的话，也许还来得及。虽然克莱德还能听见他们的说话声，但他马上开始在雪地里爬行，先是朝南，继而朝南偏西，始终朝着远处一些街道爬行。他往西南方向望去，有一片昏暗的灯光。这时，他心里在想，既然刚才没有抓住他，他不妨就在那里躲一躲……暂时销声匿迹……以后，只要时来运转……躲掉这一灾难和惩罚，躲掉这没完没了的颓丧和不满……而所有这一切，如今他都得忍受。
Part 2 Chapter 1
The home of Samuel Griffiths in Lycurgus, New York, a city of some twenty-five thousand inhabitants midwaybetween Utica and Albany. Near the dinner hour and by degrees the family assembling for its customary meal.
　　On this occasion the preparations were of a more elaborate nature than usual, owing to the fact that for the pastfour days Mr. Samuel Griffiths, the husband and father, had been absent attending a conference of shirt andcollar manufacturers in Chicago, price-cutting by upstart rivals in the west having necessitated compromise andadjustment by those who manufactured in the east. He was but now returned and had telephoned earlier in theafternoon that he had arrived, and was going to his office in the factory where he would remain until dinner time.
　　Being long accustomed to the ways of a practical and convinced man who believed in himself and considered hisjudgment and his decision sound--almost final--for the most part, anyhow, Mrs. Griffiths thought nothing of this.
　　He would appear and greet her in due order.
　　Knowing that he preferred leg of lamb above many other things, after due word with Mrs. Truesdale, her homelybut useful housekeeper, she ordered lamb. And the appropriate vegetables and dessert having been decided upon,she gave herself over to thoughts of her eldest daughter Myra, who, having graduated from Smith Collegeseveral years before, was still unmarried. And the reason for this, as Mrs. Griffiths well understood, though shewas never quite willing to admit it openly, was that Myra was not very good looking. Her nose was too long, hereyes too close-set, her chin not sufficiently rounded to give her a girlish and pleasing appearance. For the mostpart she seemed too thoughtful and studious--as a rule not interested in the ordinary social life of that city.
　　Neither did she possess that savoir faire, let alone that peculiar appeal for men, that characterized some girls evenwhen they were not pretty. As her mother saw it, she was really too critical and too intellectual, having a mindthat was rather above the world in which she found herself.
　　Brought up amid comparative luxury, without having to worry about any of the rough details of making a living,she had been confronted, nevertheless, by the difficulties of making her own way in the matter of social favorand love--two objectives which, without beauty or charm, were about as difficult as the attaining to extremewealth by a beggar. And the fact that for twelve years now--ever since she had been fourteen--she had seen thelives of other youths and maidens in this small world in which she moved passing gayly enough, while hers wasmore or less confined to reading, music, the business of keeping as neatly and attractively arrayed as possible,and of going to visit friends in the hope of possibly encountering somewhere, somehow, the one temperamentwho would be interested in her, had saddened, if not exactly soured her. And that despite the fact that thematerial comfort of her parents and herself was exceptional.
　　Just now she had gone through her mother's room to her own, looking as though she were not very muchinterested in anything. Her mother had been trying to think of something to suggest that would take her out ofherself, when the younger daughter, Bella, fresh from a passing visit to the home of the Finchleys, wealthyneighbors where she had stopped on her way from the Snedeker School, burst in upon her.
　　Contrasted with her sister, who was tall and dark and rather sallow, Bella, though shorter, was far moregracefully and vigorously formed. She had thick brown--almost black--hair, a brown and olive complexion tintedwith red, and eyes brown and genial, that blazed with an eager, seeking light. In addition to her sound and lithephysique, she possessed vitality and animation. Her arms and legs were graceful and active. Plainly she wasgiven to liking things as she found them--enjoying life as it was--and hence, unlike her sister, she was unusuallyattractive to men and boys--to men and women, old and young--a fact which her mother and father well knew.
　　No danger of any lack of marriage offers for her when the time came. As her mother saw it, too many youths andmen were already buzzing around, and so posing the question of a proper husband for her. Already she haddisplayed a tendency to become thick and fast friends, not only with the scions of the older and moreconservative families who constituted the ultra-respectable element of the city, but also, and this was more to hermother's distaste, with the sons and daughters of some of those later and hence socially less important families ofthe region--the sons and daughters of manufacturers of bacon, canning jars, vacuum cleaners, wooden andwicker ware, and typewriters, who constituted a solid enough financial element in the city, but who made up what might be considered the "fast set" in the local life.
　　In Mrs. Griffiths' opinion, there was too much dancing, cabareting, automobiling to one city and another, withoutdue social supervision. Yet, as a contrast to her sister, Myra, what a relief. It was only from the point of view ofproper surveillance, or until she was safely and religiously married, that Mrs. Griffiths troubled or even objectedto most of her present contacts and yearnings and gayeties. She desired to protect her.
　　"Now, where have you been?" she demanded, as her daughter burst into the room, throwing down her books anddrawing near to the open fire that burned there.
　　"Just think, Mamma," began Bella most unconcernedly and almost irrelevantly. "The Finchleys are going to giveup their place out at Greenwood Lake this coming summer and go up to Twelfth Lake near Pine Point. They'regoing to build a new bungalow up there. And Sondra says that this time it's going to be right down at the water'sedge--not away from it, as it is out here. And they're going to have a great big verandah with a hardwood floor.
　　And a boathouse big enough for a thirty-foot electric launch that Mr. Finchley is going to buy for Stuart. Won'tthat be wonderful? And she says that if you will let me, that I can come up there for all summer long, or for aslong as I like. And Gil, too, if he will. It's just across the lake from the Emery Lodge, you know, and the EastGate Hotel. And the Phants' place, you know, the Phants of Utica, is just below theirs near Sharon. Isn't that justwonderful? Won't that be great? I wish you and Dad would make up your minds to build up there now sometime,Mamma. It looks to me now as though nearly everybody that's worth anything down here is moving up there."She talked so fast and swung about so, looking now at the open fire burning in the grate, then out of the two highwindows that commanded the front lawn and a full view of Wykeagy Avenue, lit by the electric lights in thewinter dusk, that her mother had no opportunity to insert any comment until this was over. However, shemanaged to observe: "Yes? Well, what about the Anthonys and the Nicholsons and the Taylors? I haven't heardof their leaving Greenwood yet.""Oh, I know, not the Anthonys or the Nicholsons or the Taylors. Who expects them to move? They're too oldfashioned. They're not the kind that would move anywhere, are they? No one thinks they are. Just the sameGreenwood isn't like Twelfth Lake. You know that yourself. And all the people that are anybody down on theSouth Shore are going up there for sure. The Cranstons next year, Sondra says. And after that, I bet the Harrietswill go, too.""The Cranstons and the Harriets and the Finchleys and Sondra," commented her mother, half amused and halfirritated. "The Cranstons and you and Bertine and Sondra--that's all I hear these days." For the Cranstons, and theFinchleys, despite a certain amount of local success in connection with this newer and faster set, were, muchmore than any of the others, the subject of considerable unfavorable comment. They were the people who,having moved the Cranston Wickwire Company from Albany, and the Finchley Electric Sweeper from Buffalo,and built large factories on the south bank of the Mohawk River, to say nothing of new and grandiose houses inWykeagy Avenue and summer cottages at Greenwood, some twenty miles northwest, were setting a rathershowy, and hence disagreeable, pace to all of the wealthy residents of this region. They were given to wearingthe smartest clothes, to the latest novelties in cars and entertainments, and constituted a problem to those whowith less means considered their position and their equipment about as fixed and interesting and attractive assuch things might well be. The Cranstons and the Finchleys were in the main a thorn in the flesh of the remainder of the elite of Lycurgus--too showy and too aggressive.
　　"How often have I told you that I don't want you to have so much to do with Bertine or that Letta Harriet or herbrother either? They're too forward. They run around and talk and show off too much. And your father feels thesame as I do in regard to them. As for Sondra Finchley, if she expects to go with Bertine and you, too, thenyou're not going to go with her either much longer. Besides I'm not sure that your father approves of your goinganywhere without some one to accompany you. You're not old enough yet. And as for your going to TwelfthLake to the Finchleys, well, unless we all go together, there'll be no going there, either." And now Mrs. Griffiths,who leaned more to the manner and tactics of the older, if not less affluent families, stared complainingly at herdaughter.
　　Nevertheless Bella was no more abashed that she was irritated by this. On the contrary she knew her mother andknew that she was fond of her; also that she was intrigued by her physical charm as well as her assured localsocial success as much as was her father, who considered her perfection itself and could be swayed by her least,as well as her much practised, smile.
　　"Not old enough, not old enough," commented Bella reproachfully. "Will you listen? I'll be eighteen in July. I'dlike to know when you and Papa are going to think I'm old enough to go anywhere without you both. Whereveryou two go, I have to go, and wherever I want to go, you two have to go, too.""Bella," censured her mother. Then after a moment's silence, in which her daughter stood there impatiently, sheadded, "Of course, what else would you have us do? When you are twenty-one or two, if you are not married bythen, it will be time enough to think of going off by yourself. But at your age, you shouldn't be thinking of anysuch thing." Bella cocked her pretty head, for at the moment the side door downstairs was thrown open, andGilbert Griffiths, the only son of this family and who very much in face and build, if not in manner or lack offorce, resembled Clyde, his western cousin, entered and ascended.
　　He was at this time a vigorous, self-centered and vain youth of twenty-three who, in contrast with his two sisters,seemed much sterner and far more practical. Also, probably much more intelligent and aggressive in a businessway--a field in which neither of the two girls took the slightest interest. He was brisk in manner and impatient.
　　He considered that his social position was perfectly secure, and was utterly scornful of anything but commercialsuccess. Yet despite this he was really deeply interested in the movements of the local society, of which heconsidered himself and his family the most important part. Always conscious of the dignity and social standingof his family in this community, he regulated his action and speech accordingly. Ordinarily he struck the passingobserver as rather sharp and arrogant, neither as youthful or as playful as his years might have warranted. Still hewas young, attractive and interesting. He had a sharp, if not brilliant, tongue in his head--a gift at times formaking crisp and cynical remarks. On account of his family and position he was considered also the mostdesirable of all the young eligible bachelors in Lycurgus. Nevertheless he was so much interested in himself thathe scarcely found room in his cosmos for a keen and really intelligent understanding of anyone else.
　　Hearing him ascend from below and enter his room, which was at the rear of the house next to hers, Bella at onceleft her mother's room, and coming to the door, called: "Oh, Gil, can I come in?""Sure." He was whistling briskly and already, in view of some entertainment somewhere, preparing to change to evening clothes.
　　"Where are you going?""Nowhere, for dinner. To the Wynants afterwards.""Oh, Constance to be sure.""No, not Constance, to be sure. Where do you get that stuff?""As though I didn't know.""Lay off. Is that what you came in here for?""No, that isn't what I came in here for. What do you think? The Finchleys are going to build a place up atTwelfth Lake next summer, right on the lake, next to the Phants, and Mr. Finchley's going to buy Stuart a thirty-foot launch and build a boathouse with a sun-parlor right over the water to hold it. Won't that be swell, huh?""Don't say 'swell.' And don't say 'huh.' Can't you learn to cut out the slang? You talk like a factory girl. Is that allthey teach you over at that school?""Listen to who's talking about cutting out slang. How about yourself? You set a fine example around here, Inotice.""Well, I'm five years older than you are. Besides I'm a man. You don't notice Myra using any of that stuff.""Oh, Myra. But don't let's talk about that. Only think of that new house they're going to build and the fine timethey're going to have up there next summer. Don't you wish we could move up there, too? We could if wewanted to--if Papa and Mamma would agree to it.""Oh, I don't know that it would be so wonderful," replied her brother, who was really very much interested justthe same. "There are other places besides Twelfth Lake.""Who said there weren't? But not for the people that we know around here. Where else do the best people fromAlbany and Utica go but there now, I'd like to know. It's going to become a regular center, Sondra says, with allthe finest houses along the west shore. Just the same, the Cranstons, the Lamberts, and the Harriets are going tomove up there pretty soon, too," Bella added most definitely and defiantly. "That won't leave so many out atGreenwood Lake, nor the very best people, either, even if the Anthonys and Nicholsons do stay here.""Who says the Cranstons are going up there?" asked Gilbert, now very much interested.
　　"Why, Sondra!""Who told her?""Bertine.""Gee, they're getting gayer and gayer," commented her brother oddly and a little enviously. "Pretty soonLycurgus'll be too small to hold 'em." He jerked at a bow tie he was attempting to center and grimaced oddly ashis tight neck-band pinched him slightly.
　　For although Gilbert had recently entered into the collar and shirt industry with his father as general supervisorof manufacturing, and with every prospect of managing and controlling the entire business eventually, still hewas jealous of young Grant Cranston, a youth of his own age, very appealing and attractive physically, who wasreally more daring with and more attractive to the girls of the younger set. Cranston seemed to be satisfied that itwas possible to combine a certain amount of social pleasure with working for his father with which Gilbert didnot agree. In fact, young Griffiths would have preferred, had it been possible, so to charge young Cranston withlooseness, only thus far the latter had managed to keep himself well within the bounds of sobriety. And theCranston Wickwire Company was plainly forging ahead as one of the leading industries of Lycurgus.
　　"Well," he added, after a moment, "they're spreading out faster than I would if I had their business. They're notthe richest people in the world, either." Just the same he was thinking that, unlike himself and his parents, theCranstons were really more daring if not socially more avid of life. He envied them.
　　"And what's more," added Bella interestedly, "the Finchleys are to have a dance floor over the boathouse. AndSondra says that Stuart was hoping that you would come up there and spend a lot of time this summer.""Oh, did he?" replied Gilbert, a little enviously and sarcastically. "You mean he said he was hoping you wouldcome up and spend a lot of time. I'll be working this summer.""He didn't say anything of the kind, smarty. Besides it wouldn't hurt us any if we did go up there. There's nothingmuch out at Greenwood any more that I can see. A lot of old hen parties.""Is that so? Mother would like to hear that.""And you'll tell her, of course""Oh, no, I won't either. But I don't think we're going to follow the Finchleys or the Cranstons up to Twelfth Lakejust yet, either. You can go up there if you want, if Dad'll let you."Just then the lower door clicked again, and Bella, forgetting her quarrel with her brother, ran down to greet herfather.
       这是纽约州莱柯格斯城塞缪尔。格里菲思的家。莱柯格斯是位于尤蒂卡和奥尔巴尼之间。人口约有两万五千的一个城市。开饭时间快到了，一家人纷纷走拢来，准备共进晚餐。这一顿晚餐准备得比往常更为周到，就是给一家之主塞缪尔。格里菲思先生接风洗尘，因为他离家四天刚才回来。原来他是去参加芝加哥的一个衬衫与领子制造厂商的会议，西部一些突然暴富的劲敌宣告削价，逼使东部一些制造厂商妥协，也进行了调价。午后不久，他就打来电话，说他已经回来了，打算去工厂办事处，一直待到吃晚饭时才回家。

对于讲求实际而又充满自信的丈夫的脾性，格里菲思太太早就摸熟了。此人很自信，认为自己的判断。自己的决定，绝无例外，都是稳健可靠……几乎是不再变动的。因此，这一回她一点儿也不奇怪。到时候他自然会回家，会和她打招呼的。

格里菲思太太知道自己丈夫最喜欢吃羊腿，在同她的那位其貌不扬但办事很能干的女管家特鲁斯黛尔太太闲扯后，就关照她准备羊腿这道菜。等到与之相配的菜蔬。甜食也都选定以后，格里菲思太太这才转念想到了大女儿麦拉:

好几年前她在史密斯学院毕业，至今还待字闺中。至于原因嘛，格里菲思太太虽然从不乐意公开承认，可自己心里却很清楚，不外乎是麦拉长得不挺好看:

鼻子太长，眼睛挨得太近，下巴颏儿尚欠丰满……而丰满对一个女孩子惹人喜爱的模样儿来说，乃是万万不可或缺的。通常她总是显得太喜欢深思。好学……对本城上流社会交际生活照例不感兴趣。眼下有些女孩子，尽管长得并不美，但生来就有一种圆滑手腕，更不用说那种吸引男子的特殊魅力了……这些特点，可惜在麦拉身上也都付之阙如。她母亲心里明白，她实在太爱挑剔，也太颖悟了;论才智，她确实凌驾于她那个小圈子里这些人之上。

她自幼在相当奢华的环境里长大，用不着为谋生这类琐事操心。不过，她想在社交上和爱情上获得成功，确实有她的难处……要达到这两个目标，如果说没有美貌和魅力，那就好比要求叫化子变成巨富一样难啊。迄今已有十二年了……从十四岁起……她亲眼看到，在她那个小圈子里，许多少男少女都是生活得乐乐呵呵，无忧无虑，可她偏偏只知道读书和音乐，尽量让自己穿得整洁。

吸引人，出门访友时希望能够同一个志趣相投，并对她深感兴趣的人邂逅，但有时这也会让她感到悲哀，乃至于乖戾无常了，尽管父母以及她自己的物质生活享受都是那么特别优越。

此刻她正经过母亲的房间往自己的房间走去。瞧她那副神态，好象对世界上一切都是漠不关心似的。她母亲正在想方设法，怎样引导她从她这种心态中走出来。这时，刚从芬奇利家回来的小女儿贝拉，突然飞也似的奔进来了……她是在斯内德克学校放学回家路上，顺便上这个有钱的街坊邻居玩儿去的。

如果说同她那个身材高高。肌肤浅黑。略带病黄色的姐姐相比，贝拉哪怕个儿矮一些，长得却要雅致得多，体格也很结实。她有一头深棕色……几乎是乌黑的……头发，棕黄或是说橄榄色的面孔，双颊透着红晕，一双和蔼可亲的棕色眼睛，迸发出一种急于探索的光芒。除了她那刚中有柔的性格以外，她还虎虎有生气，充满了活力。她的四肢优美而又灵活。她简直对周围一切都喜欢……尽情享受眼前生活乐趣……因此，同姐姐不一样，她在成年男子和小伙子……男女老少看来，都特别具有吸引力，这一点她父母当然也很清楚。到时候没人向她求婚这种危险性是压根儿不会有的。她母亲已经了解到，围着她转的成年男子和男孩子已经够多的了，因此，给她选择夫婿的问题已经摆在面前。

现在，她已表现出一种广交朋友的倾向，不仅跟誉称为本城社会名流的一些比较保守的世家望族后裔交朋友，而且也跟不久前才迁居本区。因而社会地位低微的一些人家的子女交朋友，她母亲对此极为不满。这些人家里头，有熏咸肉的，做罐头的，制造真空吸尘器的，也有做木器。藤器的，制造打字机的……他们虽已成为本城巨贾豪富，但在莱柯格斯也许还被看成"一帮子暴发户"。

格里菲思太太认为，现在贝拉和这一帮子人跳舞。上餐厅。坐汽车到这个。

那个城市去玩，实在太多了，缺少应有的监督。不过，同她姐姐麦拉一对比，贝拉该有多么轻松啊!

正是为了细心照管贝拉，以便日后准能按照宗教礼仪举行婚典，格里菲思太太才对她目前的广交朋友和醉心玩乐不时深感忧虑。她一心只是想要保护她小女儿。

"刚才你上哪儿去了?

"她女儿一奔进房间，随手把书一扔，走到了生着火的壁炉跟前，这时格里菲思太太才开口问。

"想想看，妈，"贝拉满不在乎，简直答非所问地说。"今年夏天芬奇利家要放弃他们在格林伍德湖畔的房子，搬到松木场附近第十二号湖去了。他们要在那儿盖一座新的别墅。桑德拉说，这回就盖在湖边……不象这里老宅离湖那么远。他们还要盖一个铺硬木地板的特大游廊。还有一个船坞，大得很，能停泊一艘三十英尺长的电动汽艇，就是芬奇利先生特意买给斯图尔特的。你说，这美不美?

桑德拉说，要是你同意的话，我可以跟她一块上那儿去住上一个夏天，或者说我乐意住多久，就住多久吧。吉尔要是高兴，也可以去嘛。你知道，就在埃默雷小筑和东门旅馆的湖对面。就在范特别墅那边，你知道，尤蒂卡的范特家……离沙伦家不太远。这真是太美了!

太棒了!

我真巴不得你跟阿爸下个决心，多咱也在那儿盖一所小别墅，妈。我说，眼下这里每一个有点身价的人，差不离都搬那儿去住啦。"她就这样滔滔不绝地说着，来回不停地扭动身子，一会儿望着壁炉里的旺火苗儿，一会儿又走到两个高高的窗子跟前，从这儿望得见屋前的草坪，以及冬日黄昏时分被电灯照得雪亮的威克吉大街全景。因为她一直在嘴上嘀嘀咕咕说个没完，她母亲简直插不上一句话。不过，最后她总算说了一句:

"真的是吗?

那末，安东尼家。尼科尔森家和泰勒家呢?

我还没听说他们要搬走。""哦，我知道，安东尼家。尼科尔森家和泰勒家都没有搬。嘿，休想他们会挪窝!

他们太老古派啦。他们那号人是不会搬的。谁都不指望他们搬。不管怎么说，反正格林伍德湖跟第十二号湖不一样。这你自个儿也明白。凡是在南岸有点身份的人，包管都会搬过去的。桑德拉说，克兰斯顿家明年就搬了。打这以后，当然罗，哈里特家也要搬了。""克兰斯顿家。哈里特家。芬奇利家，还有桑德拉!

"她母亲听后觉得既好笑但又很生气。"这些天来，我耳朵里听到的，净是克兰斯顿家呀，你呀，还有蒂娜呀，桑德拉呀!

"因为克兰斯顿家和芬奇利家，这些不久前才搬来的新的暴发户虽然在莱柯格斯已经相当发迹，可是同别人相比，往往更容易成为人们蜚短流长的话题。他们把克兰斯顿柳藤制品公司从奥尔巴尼迁到这里，把芬奇利真空吸尘器公司从布法罗迁到这里，在莫霍克河南岸盖起了大厂房，更不用说在威克吉大街造了富丽堂皇的新宅第，在莱柯格斯西北二十英里外格林伍德湖滨修建了消暑别墅。一句话，他们分明是在摆阔气嘛，因而也招致莱柯格斯全城有钱人不满。他们喜欢穿最时髦的衣服，坐的汽车和种种娱乐消遣，也都是款式最新的，使那些资财不多的人……原先他们认为自己的地位和生活方式都是固定不变，饶有兴味，引人瞩目……很难同他们争一日之长。可是，克兰斯顿家和芬奇利家……太喜欢出风头，太咄咄逼人了，所以就成为莱柯格斯城里其他上流社会人士的肉中刺。

"我跟你说过多少回了，叫你别跟伯蒂娜，或是那个莱达。哈里特，或是她的哥哥多来往?

他们这些人太傲慢了。他们整日价跑来跑去瞎忙乎，乱弹琴，净给自己摆阔气。你爸对他们的看法，同我一模一样。至于桑德拉。芬奇利，若是她既想同伯蒂娜来往，又想同你来往，那你就只好干脆不同她多来往。再说，我也拿不准你爸是不是一定会允许你没有大人陪伴，就随随便便上哪儿去。你毕竟年纪还轻呢。至于你要到第十二号湖上芬奇利家去的事，得了，要么是我们一块儿都去，要么是我们干脆谁也不去。"格里菲思太太打心眼里喜欢一些世家望族。同时也是殷实人家的生活方式与繁文缛礼，如今气呼呼地两眼直盯着她女儿。

可是，贝拉听了这些话，既不感到羞惭，也不怎么恼火。相反，也知道她母亲的脾性，知道她母亲是疼爱她的，也知道她母亲如同她爸一样，常常因为她长得又俊又俏，在本城交际界大出风头而沾沾自喜。他爸认为贝拉已是十全十美的了，只要她莞尔一笑，就能随意摆布他了。

"年纪还轻呢，年纪还轻呢，"贝拉大为不满地重复说。"你就听着，好不好?

到七月，我就十八岁了。我倒是很想知道:

在你和爸看来，我究竟要长到多大，出门才不用你们两老陪着。难道说你们两老想上哪儿去，我就非得跟着一块去;而我想上哪儿去，你们两老也非得一块跟着不可。""贝拉，"母亲责备她说。沉默了半晌，女儿很不耐烦地伫立在那里。格里菲思太太这才找补着说:

"那末，依你看，我们又该怎么办?

要是你已满二十一二岁，而且还没出嫁，那倒是应该让你一个人到外面去。不过你现在这个年纪，就断断乎不该想这类事。"贝拉刚昂起了她那俏丽的头，这时楼下边门开了，他们家的独生子吉尔伯特。格里菲思进来了……瞧他的脸孔和身材，活象他那个住在西部的堂兄弟克莱德，只不过风度和性格迥然不同，也就是说不象后者那么缺乏毅力……他一进来，就径直上楼去了。

他是一个强壮有力。以自我为中心。虚荣心很强的年轻人，现年二十三岁，同他两个姐妹相比，他似乎严峻得多，讲求实际得多。另外，在做生意方面，他很可能要精明强悍得多;两姐妹则对生意经丝毫不感兴趣。他做事干脆利索，可就是很不耐烦。他认为自己的社会地位已是固若金汤，除了经商发迹以外，他简直对什么都是不屑一顾。不过话又说回来，他对本城上流社会交际动态确实深为关注，而且认为他和他的家庭就是它的最重要的组成部分。他时刻记住:

他这一家在当地已有很高名望和地位，因此他的一言一行，也就特别谨小慎微。

旁观者偶尔一看，无不感到此人相当精明而又傲慢，一点儿没有年轻人爱玩的味道，其实，按他这个年纪，本该是活泼爱玩的。不过，他毕竟还是年轻。漂亮而又吸引人。他还有一条三寸不烂之舌……这是他的一种禀赋，有时也能一下子说出一些挖苦话来，令人耳目为之一新。由于他的家庭和他本人的地位，他在莱柯格斯所有未婚的年轻人中是最最令人艳羡的一个。不过话又说回来，他毕竟太关心自己，在他内心世界里，几乎已无余地对别人进行深刻而又真正颖悟的了解了。

贝拉听见他从楼下上来，走进他自己的房间……它在后楼，跟她房间只是一壁之隔……就马上走出母亲的房间，跑到门口，大声喊道:

"喂，吉尔，我能进来吗?

""当然可以。"这会儿他口哨吹得正欢呢，因为要出门玩去，正打算换一身晚礼服。

"上哪儿?

""哪儿也不去，换衣服吃晚饭呗。饭后上威南特家去。""哦，自然还有康斯坦斯罗。""不，没有康斯坦斯，当然没有罗。你从哪儿知道的?

""好象我就不知道吗。""别扯淡了。你来就是为这个吗?

""不，压根儿不是。你只要想一想:

芬奇利家打算夏天在第十二号湖盖一所别墅，就在湖边，紧挨着范特家。芬奇利先生还打算给斯图尔特买一艘三十英尺长的汽艇，另外盖一座船坞，还有日光浴室呢。那有多棒，嗯?

""不要说'

''''多棒，。不要说'

''''嗯，。难道你不知道要把俚语通通都给剔除掉吗?

你说话时活脱脱象一个女工。学校里教你的就是这一套吗?

""听着，是谁在大谈特谈不要说俚语。那你自己呢?

依我看，你在这儿就树立了一个好榜样。""得了，首先，我比你大五岁。第二，我是个男人。最好你向麦拉也学学，她究竟说过那些话没有?

""哦，麦拉!

够了，我们还是别谈那个吧。只要想一想:

人家在盖新别墅，到了夏天，他们该有多乐呀。你想不想我们也一块去吗?

只要我们心里想去……只要爸爸妈妈也同意，包管去得了。""哦，我并不觉得这有多了不起，"她哥哥这样回答，其实，对此他也同样深为关注。"除了第十二号湖，还有别的地方呢。""谁说没有呢?

不过，都不是我们这儿的老相识。比方说，来自奥尔巴尼和尤蒂卡的著名世家，全都到了那里。桑德拉说，第十二号湖那里，要变成一个上流社会交际中心，沿湖西岸净是最漂亮的别墅小筑。不管怎么说，反正克兰斯顿家。兰伯特家和哈里特家，也很快就要搬过去了，"贝拉斩钉截铁而又不甘屈服地继续说道。"赶明儿格林伍德湖留下来的人就不多了，上流人士也不多了，即使说安东尼家和尼科尔森家还在这里不挪窝。""谁说克兰斯顿家也要搬去?

"吉尔伯特问;此刻他已是饶有兴趣。

"嗯，当然罗，是桑德拉说的!

""谁告诉她的?

""伯蒂娜。""是啊，他们家家都是越来越乐乐和和呀，"她哥哥怪腔怪调。不无眼红地说。

"莱柯格斯天地一下子变得太小，容纳不下他们啦。"蝶形领结他怎么也摆弄不好，最后猛一下子总算把它摆到中间，因为领结太紧，使他皱皱眉头，扮了个怪脸。

最近吉尔伯特虽然以生产制造的总监身份进入他父亲的衬衫与领子行业，而且日后很可能管理整个企业，但他对那个年轻的格兰特。克兰斯顿还是十分嫉妒。此人年纪跟他相仿，长得很漂亮，很惹人喜爱，在妙龄女郎们眼里，他确实更加具有魄力和吸引力。克兰斯顿似乎认为:

协助父亲管好产业同适当地享受交际乐趣是完全可以结合起来的……吉尔伯特对此却不敢苟同。事实上，年轻的格里菲思，要是可能的话，真是恨不得责备克兰斯顿生活放荡，只不过迄至今日，克兰斯顿始终保持清醒头脑，并无越轨之举。而且克兰斯顿柳藤制品公司显然一跃而为莱柯格斯的重要制造业之一了。

"是啊，"过了一会儿，他找补着说，"要是我来管他们的企业，就不会象他们那样把摊子铺得太大了。说到底，他们毕竟也不是全世界首屈一指的大富翁呀。"但不管怎么说，他心底里还是觉得:

克兰斯顿一家跟他本人和他的父母不一样，尽管并没有那么热衷于猎取社会地位，事实上却表现得更加具有魄力，真的令他艳羡不已。

"你知道，"贝拉兴致勃勃地继续说，"芬奇利家还准备在船坞铺上嵌木地板，造一个舞厅呢。桑德拉说，斯图尔特巴望你今年夏天上那儿，多玩一些日子。

""哦，他真的巴望吗?

"吉尔伯特回答说，既有一点儿妒忌，也有一点儿讥刺。

"你是说，他巴望你去多玩一些日子吧。而我可得忙上整整一个夏天。""可他没有说过类似这样的话，你自作聪明。再说，我们要是真去的话，也不会有什么损失。依我看，格林伍德湖上没有什么好看的玩意儿。只有一些娘儿们扎堆闲扯淡。""真的是这样吗?

妈妈听了会高兴的。""当然罗，你会告诉她的。""哦，不，我才不会呢。不过，我可不想我们马上就跟着芬奇利家或是克兰斯顿家上第十二号湖去。你如果想去你就去得了，只要爸答应你去。

"正在这时，听见楼下又有人在叩门，贝拉忘记自己同哥哥正在抬扛，就飞也似的奔下去迎接爸爸了。
Part 2 Chapter 2
The head of the Lycurgus branch of the Griffiths, as contrasted with the father of the Kansas City family, was most arresting. Unlike his shorter and more confused brother of the Door of Hope, whom he had not even seenfor thirty years, he was a little above the average in height, very well-knit, although comparatively slender,shrewd of eye, and incisive both as to manner and speech. Long used to contending for himself, and having comeby effort as well as results to know that he was above the average in acumen and commercial ability, he wasinclined at times to be a bit intolerant of those who were not. He was not ungenerous or unpleasant in manner,but always striving to maintain a calm and judicial air. And he told himself by way of excuse for his mannerismsthat he was merely accepting himself at the value that others placed upon him and all those who, like himself,were successful.
　　Having arrived in Lycurgus about twenty-five years before with some capital and a determination to invest in anew collar enterprise which had been proposed to him, he had succeeded thereafter beyond his wildestexpectations. And naturally he was vain about it. His family at this time--twenty-five years later--unquestionablyoccupied one of the best, as well as the most tastefully constructed residences in Lycurgus. They were alsoesteemed as among the few best families of this region--being, if not the oldest, at least among the mostconservative, respectable and successful in Lycurgus. His two younger children, if not the eldest, were much tothe front socially in the younger and gayer set and so far nothing had happened to weaken or darken his prestige.
　　On returning from Chicago on this particular day, after having concluded several agreements there which spelledtrade harmony and prosperity for at least one year, he was inclined to feel very much at ease and on good termswith the world. Nothing had occurred to mar his trip. In his absence the Griffiths Collar and Shirt Company hadgone on as though he had been present. Trade orders at the moment were large.
　　Now as he entered his own door he threw down a heavy bag and fashionably made coat and turned to see whathe rather expected--Bella hurrying toward him. Indeed she was his pet, the most pleasing and different andartistic thing, as he saw it, that all his years had brought to him--youth, health, gayety, intelligence andaffection--all in the shape of a pretty daughter.
　　"Oh, Daddy," she called most sweetly and enticingly as she saw him enter. "Is that you?""Yes. At least it feels a little like me at the present moment. How's my baby girl?" And he opened his arms andreceived the bounding form of his last born. "There's a good, strong, healthy girl, I'll say," he announced as hewithdrew his affectionate lips from hers. "And how's the bad girl been behaving herself since I left? No fibbingthis time.""Oh, just fine, Daddy. You can ask any one. I couldn't be better.""And your mother?""She's all right, Daddy. She's up in her room. I don't think she heard you come in.""And Myra? Is she back from Albany yet?""Yes. She's in her room. I heard her playing just now. I just got in myself a little while ago.""Ay, hai. Gadding about again. I know you." He held up a genial forefinger, warningly, while Bella swung ontoone of his arms and kept pace with him up the stairs to the floor above.
　　"Oh, no, I wasn't either, now," she cooed shrewdly and sweetly. "Just see how you pick on me, Daddy. I wasonly over with Sondra for a little while. And what do you think, Daddy? They're going to give up the place atGreenwood and build a big handsome bungalow up on Twelfth Lake right away. And Mr. Finchley's going tobuy a big electric launch for Stuart and they're going to live up there next summer, maybe all the time, from Mayuntil October. And soare the Cranstons, maybe."Mr. Griffiths, long used to his younger daughter's wiles, was interested at the moment not so much by thethought that she wished to convey--that Twelfth Lake was more desirable, socially than Greenwood--as he wasby the fact that the Finchleys were able to make this sudden and rather heavy expenditure for social reasons only.
　　Instead of answering Bella he went on upstairs and into his wife's room. He kissed Mrs. Griffiths, looked in uponMyra, who came to the door to embrace him, and spoke of the successful nature of the trip. One could see by theway he embraced his wife that there was an agreeable understanding between them--no disharmony--by the wayhe greeted Myra that if he did not exactly sympathize with her temperament and point of view, at least heincluded her within the largess of his affection.
　　As they were talking Mrs. Truesdale announced that dinner was ready, and Gilbert, having completed his toilet,now entered.
　　"I say, Dad," he called, "I have an interesting thing I want to see you about in the morning. Can I?""All right, I'll be there. Come in about noon.""Come on all, or the dinner will be getting cold," admonished Mrs. Griffiths earnestly, and forthwith Gilbertturned and went down, followed by Griffiths, who still had Bella on his arm. And after him came Mrs. Griffithsand Myra, who now emerged from her room and joined them.
　　Once seated at the table, the family forthwith began discussing topics of current local interest. For Bella, whowas the family's chief source of gossip, gathering the most of it from the Snedeker School, through which all thesocial news appeared to percolate most swiftly, suddenly announced: "What do you think, Mamma? RosettaNicholson, that niece of Mrs. Disston Nicholson, who was over here last summer from Albany--you know, shecame over the night of the Alumnae Garden Party on our lawn--you remember--the young girl with the yellowhair and squinty blue eyes--her father owns that big wholesale grocery over there--well, she's engaged to thatHerbert Tickham of Utica, who was visiting Mrs. Lambert last summer. You don't remember him, but I do. Hewas tall and dark and sorta awkward, and awfully pale, but very handsome--oh, a regular movie hero.""There you go, Mrs. Griffiths," interjected Gilbert shrewdly and cynically to his mother. "A delegation from theMisses Snedeker's Select School sneaks off to the movies to brush up on heroes from time to time."Griffiths senior suddenly observed: "I had a curious experience in Chicago this time, something I think the rest ofyou will be interested in." He was thinking of an accidental encounter two days before in Chicago betweenhimself and the eldest son, as it proved to be, of his younger brother Asa. Also of a conclusion he had come to inregard to him.
　　"Oh, what is it, Daddy?" pleaded Bella at once. "Do tell me about it.""Spin the big news, Dad," added Gilbert, who, because of the favor of his father, felt very free and close to himalways.
　　"Well, while I was in Chicago at the Union League Club, I met a young man who is related to us, a cousin of youthree children, by the way, the eldest son of my brother Asa, who is out in Denver now, I understand. I haven'tseen or heard from him in thirty years." He paused and mused dubiously.
　　"Not the one who is a preacher somewhere, Daddy?" inquired Bella, looking up.
　　"Yes, the preacher. At least I understand he was for a while after he left home. But his son tells me he has giventhat up now. He's connected with something in Denver--a hotel, I think.""But what's his son like?" interrogated Bella, who only knew such well groomed and ostensibly conservativeyouths and men as her present social status and supervision permitted, and in consequence was intenselyinterested. The son of a western hotel proprietor!
　　"A cousin? How old is he?" asked Gilbert instantly, curious as to his character and situation and ability.
　　"Well, he's a very interesting young man, I think," continued Griffiths tentatively and somewhat dubiously, sinceup to this hour he had not truly made up his mind about Clyde. "He's quite good-looking and well-mannered,too--about your own age, I should say, Gil, and looks a lot like you--very much so--same eyes and mouth andchin." He looked at his son examiningly. "He's a little bit taller, if anything, and looks a little thinner, though Idon't believe he really is."At the thought of a cousin who looked like him--possibly as attractive in every way as himself--and bearing hisown name, Gilbert chilled and bristled slightly. For here in Lycurgus, up to this time, he was well and favourablyknown as the only son and heir presumptive to the managerial control of his father's business, and to at least athird of the estate, if not more. And now, if by any chance it should come to light that there was a relative, acousin of his own years and one who looked and acted like him, even--he bridled at the thought. Forthwith (apsychic reaction which he did not understand and could not very well control) he decided that he did not likehim--could not like him.
　　"What's he doing now?" he asked in a curt and rather sour tone, though he attempted to avoid the latter elementin his voice.
　　"Well, he hasn't much of a job, I must say," smiled Samuel Griffiths, meditatively. "He's only a bell-hop in theUnion League Club in Chicago, at present, but a very pleasant and gentlemanly sort of a boy, I will say. I was quite taken with him. In fact, because he told me there wasn't much opportunity for advancement where he was,and that he would like to get into something where there was more chance to do something and be somebody, Itold him that if he wanted to come on here and try his luck with us, we might do a little something for him--givehim a chance to show what he could do, at least."He had not intended to set forth at once the fact that he became interested in his nephew to this extent, but--ratherto wait and thrash it out at different times with both his wife and son, but the occasion having seemed to offeritself, he had spoken. And now that he had, he felt rather glad of it, for because Clyde so much resembled Gilberthe did want to do a little something for him.
　　But Gilbert bristled and chilled, the while Bella and Myra, if not Mrs. Griffiths, who favored her only son ineverything--even to preferring him to be without a blood relation or other rival of any kind, rather warmed to theidea. A cousin who was a Griffiths and good-looking and about Gilbert's age--and who, as their father reported,was rather pleasant and well-mannered--that pleased Bella and Myra while Mrs. Griffiths, noting Gilbert's facedarken, was not so moved. He would not like him. But out of respect for her husband's authority and generalability in all things, she now remained silent. But not so, Bella.
　　"Oh, you're going to give him a place, are you, Dad?" she commented. "That's interesting. I hope he's better-looking than the rest of our cousins.""Bella," chided Mrs. Griffiths, while Myra, recalling a gauche uncle and cousin who had come on from Vermontseveral years before to visit them a few days, smiled wisely. At the same time Gilbert, deeply irritated, wasmentally fighting against the idea. He could not see it at all. "Of course we're not turning away applicants whowant to come in and learn the business right along now, as it is," he said sharply.
　　"Oh, I know," replied his father, "but not cousins and nephews exactly. Besides he looks very intelligent andambitious to me. It wouldn't do any great harm if we let at least one of our relatives come here and show what hecan do. I can't see why we shouldn't employ him as well as another.""I don't believe Gil likes the idea of any other fellow in Lycurgus having the same name and looking like him,"suggested Bella, slyly, and with a certain touch of malice due to the fact that her brother was always criticizingher.
　　"Oh, what rot!" Gilbert snapped irritably. "Why don't you make a sensible remark once in a while? What do Icare whether he has the same name or not--or looks like me, either?" His expression at the moment wasparticularly sour.
　　"Gilbert!" pleaded his mother, reprovingly. "How can you talk so? And to your sister, too?""Well, I don't want to do anything in connection with this young man if it's going to cause any hard feelingshere," went on Griffiths senior. "All I know is that his father was never very practical and I doubt if Clyde hasever had a real chance." (His son winced at this friendly and familiar use of his cousin's first name.) "My onlyidea in bringing him on here was to give him a start. I haven't the faintest idea whether he would make good ornot. He might and again he might not. If he didn't--" He threw up one hand as much as to say, "If he doesn't, we will have to toss him aside, of course.""Well, I think that's very kind of you, father," observed Mrs. Griffiths, pleasantly and diplomatically. "I hope heproves satisfactory.""And there's another thing," added Griffiths wisely and sententiously. "I don't expect this young man, so long ashe is in my employ and just because he's a nephew of mine, to be treated differently to any other employee in thefactory. He's coming here to work--not play. And while he is here, trying, I don't expect any of you to pay himany social attention--not the slightest. He's not the sort of boy anyhow, that would want to put himself on us--atleast he didn't impress me that way, and he wouldn't be coming down here with any notion that he was to beplaced on an equal footing with any of us. That would be silly. Later on, if he proves that he is really worthwhile, able to take care of himself, knows his place and keeps it, and any of you wanted to show him any littleattention, well, then it will be time enough to see, but not before then."By then, the maid, Amanda, assistant to Mrs. Truesdale, was taking away the dinner plates and preparing to servethe dessert. But as Mr. Griffiths rarely ate dessert, and usually chose this period, unless company was present, tolook after certain stock and banking matters which he kept in a small desk in the library, he now pushed back hischair, arose, excusing himself to his family, and walked into the library adjoining. The others remained.
　　"I would like to see what he's like, wouldn't you?" Myra asked her mother.
　　"Yes. And I do hope he measures up to all of your father's expectations. He will not feel right if he doesn't.""I can't get this," observed Gilbert, "bringing people on now when we can hardly take care of those we have. Andbesides, imagine what the bunch around here will say if they find out that our cousin was only a bell-hop beforecoming here!""Oh, well, they won't have to know that, will they?" said Myra.
　　"Oh, won't they? Well, what's to prevent him from speaking about it--unless we tell him not to--or some onecoming along who has seen him there." His eyes snapped viciously. "At any rate, I hope he doesn't. It certainlywouldn't do us any good around here."And Bella added, "I hope he's not dull as Uncle Allen's two boys. They're the most uninteresting boys I ever didsee.""Bella," cautioned her mother once more.
       格里菲思家族在莱柯格斯的这一支的家长，跟堪萨斯城那一支的相比，要引人瞩目得多了。他跟他的个儿要矮小。境况相当窘困。经办"希望之门"传道馆。

已有三十年没见过面的弟弟不一样:

个子比常人略高，身体很强壮，虽说比较清瘦，两眼却炯炯有神，举止谈吐也都深刻透辟。他历来自以为具有异乎寻常的洞察力与杰出的商人素质，这从他所取得的成就即可证明……所以，他对某些比不上他的人有时就有一点不耐烦了。他处世待人并非不厚道，也并不惹人不快，只不过始终竭力保持着一种镇静。审慎的风度。他为自己这种作风辩白说，他不外乎是接受人们对于他以及跟他一样发迹的人所作出的评价罢了。

二十五年前，他来到了莱柯格斯，手头有些资金，就决意在有人向他建议过的一家新的领子行业中投资。后来，他竟然就此发迹，乃是始料所不及的。

当然，他也就沾沾自喜了。如今……二十五年以后……他的家，毫无疑问，是莱柯格斯全城最漂亮。同时造得也最别致的邸宅之一。格里菲思一家人，被尊称为当地少数几个世家望族，即使说不上最古老，至少也是莱柯格斯最保守。

最可敬。最发迹的家族之一。他那年纪还小的两个子女，如果说大女儿不算在内，他们交际酬应常在年轻活泼的一代人中大出风头;到现在为止，还没有发生过什么事，足以削弱他的威望，或则使他的威望为之黯然失色。

这一天他刚从芝加哥回来，因为他在那里签订了好几个合同，至少保证一年之内生意可以得到协调发展，所以觉得心里很舒坦，对世界上一切也都称心如意。也没有发生什么事使他这次旅行蒙受失败。他出门远行时，格里菲思衬衫与领子公司一切照常，如同他在厂里一样，目前定货很多。

他一走进家门，把一只沉甸甸的手提包和一件做得很时髦的大衣一扔，就转过身去，瞧着其实他早已料到的一个场面:

贝拉急冲冲朝他奔了过来。当然罗，她是他的心肝宝贝;在他看来，这是他整个生命给予的最心爱。最别致。最高超的艺术品……青春。健康。快乐。聪颖和爱情……所有这一切全都体现在这个漂亮女儿身上了。

"哦，爸爸，"她见他一进来，就非常甜蜜而又迷人地大声喊道。"原来是你呀?

""是啊，至少眼下有一点儿象我吧。我的宝贝女儿，你好?

"他张开双臂，迎接他这个鲜蹦活跳奔过来的小女儿。"我说，这可真是一个又结实。又健康的好妞儿呀，"他同她亲吻一下之后这么说。"我走了以后，这个淘气小姑娘表现怎么样?

这回可不许撒谎呀。""哦，好得很呢，爸爸。不拘问谁，就得了。我可表现得再好也没有了。

""你妈怎么样?

""她身体很好，爸。她在楼上自己房里。也许她没有听见你进来吧。""还有麦拉呢?

她从奥尔巴尼回来了没有?

""回来了。她也在自己房里。刚才我听到她在弹琴呢。我自己也才进门。

""噢哟哟。又串门去啦。我知道你，"他乐呵呵地翘起食指警告说。贝拉一下子就挽住他的一只胳臂，跟他一块迈步上楼去。

"哦，没有，我可没有呢，"她狡黠而又甜蜜地喃喃低语说。"瞧你一个劲儿挑剔我，爸。我只不过到桑德拉那儿去了一会儿。你觉得怎么样，爸?

他们打算放弃格林伍德湖这边的房子，马上要在第十二号湖边盖一座漂亮的大别墅啦。

芬奇利先生还特意给斯图尔特买一艘大汽艇，到了夏天他们打算就住过去，也许从五月到十一月都在那儿。说不定克兰斯顿一家也要去了。"格里菲思先生对他小女儿的鬼花招早就见惯不怪了，可是这会儿他之所以听得如此津津有味，与其说是由于她提出的那么一个想法……第十二号湖这个上流社会交际中心要比格林伍德湖更为高贵……还不如说是由于这么一个事实:

芬奇利一家，仅仅为了享受上流社会交际乐趣，竟能突然不惜工本挥金如土了。

他没有回答贝拉的话，径直登楼，走进了妻子的房间。他亲吻了一下他的太太，瞅了一眼跑到门口来拥抱他的麦拉，跟着大谈芝加哥之行的收获。从他拥抱太太的场面可以看出他们俩之间有一种令人满意的默契……一丝儿不协调都没有。再从他同麦拉打招呼的劲儿，也可知道:

他虽然对她的秉性和观点并不完全赞同，至少对她还是倾注了无限爱心。

他们正说话时，特鲁斯黛尔太太进来说就要开饭了。吉尔伯特这时也换好衣服，走了进来。

"我说，爸，"他大声说道，"我有一件有趣的事儿，明儿早上要同你谈一谈。

可以吧?

""好吧，我在厂里。你正午来吧。""大家一块下楼吧，要不饭凉了，"格里菲思太太一本正经地提醒大家说。吉尔伯特马上转身下楼，跟在后边的是格里菲思先生，贝拉依然挽着爸的胳臂。

最后，当然，是格里菲思太太和刚从自己房里出来的麦拉。

一家人坐定以后，马上就谈到了最近以来莱柯格斯的一些新闻。贝拉是提供全家谈助的主要来源，这些新闻多半是从斯内德克学校搜集来的。所有的社会新闻，好象以惊人的速度都渗进了这所学校。这会儿她突然说:

"你觉得怎么样，妈?

罗塞达。尼科尔森，就是迪斯顿。尼科尔森太太的侄女，去年夏天尼科尔森太太从奥尔巴尼来这里过……你知道的，那天晚上，她还参加了我们草坪上举行女毕业生游园会……你记不记得……那个黄头发，蓝眼睛，有点斜白眼的姑娘……她父亲是奥尔巴尼一家大杂货批发店的老板……哦，她跟去年夏天来看望兰伯特太太的那个来自尤蒂卡的赫伯特。蒂克哈姆订婚了。你不记得他了，可我是记得的。他个儿高高的，皮肤黑黑的，多少有些忸忸怩怩，而且苍白得吓人，不过还是很漂亮的……哦，简直是电影里一个不折不扣的男主人公。""你听见了吧，格里菲思太太，"吉尔伯特狡黠而又挖苦地对母亲说。"斯内德克女子学校列位小姐时常派出一些代表悄悄地溜出去看电影，以便不时掌握电影里男主人公的动态。"老格里菲思突然开了腔，说:

"这次我在芝加哥碰到一件怪事，相信你们各位一定也会觉得有趣。"他想到了两天前在芝加哥不期而遇的一个人，后来才知道此人原是他的小兄弟阿萨的大儿子。他还想到了自己对此人所下的结论。

"哦，那是怎么回事，爸?

"贝拉马上催促说。"快快说呀。""快把这一条重要新闻讲出来，爸，"吉尔伯特接下去说。他知道父亲疼他，所以对父亲向来好象平起平坐，一点儿拘束都没有。

"哦，我在芝加哥，下榻在联谊俱乐部，碰到一个年轻人，是我们家的亲戚，孩子们，还是你们的堂兄弟，也是我弟弟阿萨的大儿子。我心里捉摸，如今阿萨是在丹佛吧。我没见过他，或者说没听到过他的消息，迄今已有三十个年头了。"他说到这里，就迟疑不语，陷入沉思。

"不就是在某个地方传道的那一个吧，爸?

"贝拉昂起头来问。

"是啊，就是那个传道的。至少，我知道他离家以后有一阵子是传道的。不过，他的儿子告诉我，说他现在已经不干这个了。他在丹佛，我想，大概是在一家旅馆做事。""请问他那个儿子是什么样子呢?

"贝拉问。她只认识按照她现在的社会地位和父母的监护许可范围的那些衣冠楚楚和显然非常保守的年轻人与成年男子，因此，这一个新亲戚，西部一家旅馆老板的儿子，深深地把她吸引住了。

"一个堂兄弟?

他有多大年纪?

"吉尔伯特马上追问。他急于了解这个亲戚的性格。地位和能力。

"哦，依我看，他是个挺有意思的年轻小伙子，"格里菲思多少有点儿迟疑，欲说还休地说。因为，直到此刻为止，他真的还说不上对克莱德有个一定的看法。"他模样儿长得相当漂亮，举止言谈也相当正派……依我看，年纪同你差不多，吉尔，乍一看，也很象你……象极了……眼睛。嘴巴。下巴颏儿，都是一模一样。"他仔细端详着自己的儿子。"如果要说有什么不同，那就是:

他个儿稍微高些，显得瘦削些，虽然我看他实际上并非如此。"想到有一个堂兄弟很象他……各方面可能跟他一样漂亮。潇洒……又是同姓，吉尔伯特心里就打了个寒战，有一点儿反感。因为，到现在为止，在莱柯格斯这地方，人人都知道:

他是独生子，未来的厂主和继承人，姑且少说些，至少也是他父亲产业的三分之一的继承人。可现在呢，万一大家知道他有个亲戚，有一个年纪同他相仿，甚至外貌举止也跟他相象的堂兄弟……一想到这里，他禁不住怒火中烧。(这是一种他既不了解，而又控制不住的心理反应)他马上断定，他不喜欢他……无法喜欢他。

"他现在的职业是什么?

"他质问时的语调简慢，而又有一点酸溜溜的味道，虽然他也竭力想使后者不要暴露出来。

"哦，他的职位算不上什么，我想应当这么说，"格里菲思若有所思地微笑着说。"目前他只是芝加哥联谊俱乐部里的一名侍应生，不过，这孩子倒是很惹人喜欢，有点儿绅士派头，我想应当这么说。我倒是很喜欢他的。事实上，他告诉我，说他在那里没有什么晋升的机会，希望能够另找一个地方，以便有机会学到一点东西，日后也能出人头地。我对他说，要是他乐意上这儿来，他就不妨来碰碰运气吧，也许我们可以帮他一点小忙……至少给他一个机会，让他表现一下究竟有没有才能。"开头，他并不打算把自己对侄儿如此热心关怀一下子都讲出来……原是想等一等，跟妻儿商量几次后再说。殊不知他觉得既然有这么一个合适的机会，何不先说了出来呢。现在，他既然讲了，自己觉得也很高兴，因为克莱德很象吉尔伯特，他的确很想帮帮自己亲侄子的忙。

不过，吉尔伯特听后有些恼火，心里不觉凉了半截。贝拉和麦拉对父亲的意见倒是相当赞成。但格里菲思太太却不以为然;她不论什么事，一概站在她的独生子一边……甚至宁愿他连一个亲戚都没有，一个能跟他竞争的人也没有……她热衷于这么想。一个堂兄弟，也姓格里菲思，长得很漂亮。潇洒，年纪跟吉尔伯特相仿……据爸爸说，很惹人喜欢，举止言谈又很正派……这就使贝拉和麦拉很喜欢。而格里菲思太太一发觉吉尔伯特阴沉的脸色，也就很不高兴了。这表明吉尔伯特不喜欢他啊。不过，为了尊重丈夫的权威和遇事果断的才干，这时她依然默不作声。但贝拉并不这样。

"哦，你打算给他一个位置，是吧，爸?

"她说。"那多有意思。我希望他比我们其他的一些堂兄弟长得更漂亮。更潇洒些。""贝拉，"格里菲思太太呵责她说。麦拉回想起好几年前有一个笨拙的叔叔和堂兄弟从佛蒙特来看望他们，在这里还待过一两天，就会心地笑了一笑。这时，深为恼火的吉尔伯特心里竭力反对父亲这个意见。他简直不理会父亲的用心。"当然罗，只要有人想进厂来学咱们这个生意，我们怎么也不能马上回绝他们，"他尖刻地说。

"哦，这个我明白，"他爸爸回答说，"不过，堂表兄弟，阿侄外甥嘛，那就另当别论了。再说，依我看，他很聪明，很有抱负。如果说我们反正仅仅接纳个把亲戚，给个机会让他试试看，那也无伤大雅嘛。我真闹不明白，为什么我们就不能象雇用陌生人那样雇用他呢。""我可知道吉尔不喜欢莱柯格斯有人跟他同姓，外貌也象他。"贝拉佻巧地说，话里带着一点儿恶意，因为她哥哥动不动就当面数落她。

"嘿，胡扯淡!

"吉尔伯特忿忿地回嘴说。"你要是过一段时间能说上一句有点儿头脑的话多好?

至于他跟我同不同姓……或者说他长得同我象不象，这些跟我又有什么相干呢?

"这时，他的一言一语。一颦一笑，就显得特别酸溜溜的。

"吉尔伯特!

"母亲带着呵责的口吻大声说道。"你怎么能说这样的话?

而且还是冲着你自己的妹妹说?

""得了，那我就不打算给这个年轻人出点子了，如果说要引起大家心里不愉快的话，"老格里菲思接下去说。"我只知道，他父亲做事从来不是很能干的，我怀疑克莱德过去是不是有过一个正经八百的机会。"(儿子一听见他父亲如此善意。亲切地称呼他堂兄弟的名字，不由得有点儿畏缩不前了。)"我要他上这里来的本意，不外乎是要帮着他迈出第一步呗。至于以后他行不行，我可一点儿都说不准。也许他行，也许他不行。要是他真的不行……"他忽然一只手往上一扬，好象是说，"要是他真的不行，那时，我们当然就得把他抛开。""哦，依我看，你可真是个好心肠，孩子爸，"格里菲思太太殷勤而又委婉地说。"我可巴望他能不辜负你的一番好意。""还有一点，"老格里菲思经过深思熟虑之后，意味深长地找补着说。"要是他受雇了，那末，他在我厂里工作期间，我不希望仅仅因为他是我的侄儿，他的待遇就跟其他雇员有什么不同。他来这儿是做事的……可不是来玩儿的。他在这儿接受考验期间，我可不希望你们里头哪一位同他有来往……哪怕是一点儿也不行。反正他还不是一味依赖我们的那种人……至少他并没有给我留下这样的印象。再说他来的时候，心里也不会想到以后自己要跟我们里头任何一位平起平坐呗，要不然，那就太蠢了。往后要是他果然真的表现不错，能够自己照顾自己，知道牢守自己的岗位，而又不出风头，如果说你们里头又有人也想照拂他一些……得了，到那时候还来得及，瞧着办，不过，在那以前可万万不行。"特鲁斯黛尔太太的助手……女仆阿曼达，正在把盘子撤去，准备上甜食。

不过，格里菲思先生平素很少吃甜食，除非有客人在座，通常他就利用这一空隙，看看放在书房小书桌里的股票，以及有关银行业务的报表。这时，他就把椅子往后一挪，站起身来，跟家里人说他有事，径直走进隔壁书房去了。其余的人仍然留下来吃甜食。

"我倒是很想看看这位堂兄究竟是什么个样子。你呢，妈?

"麦拉问母亲说。

"可不是啊。我真巴不得他能不辜负你爸爸对他如此厚望。要不然，会叫他伤心的。""我可怎么也闹不明白，"吉尔伯特说，"我们对原来已有的人，总算好不容易才给安置下来了，现在干吗还要另外添人。再说，只要想一想:

要是一发现我们的堂兄弟上这儿来以前只不过是旅馆里一名侍应生，人们又会怎样风言风语!

""嘿，他们不一定会知道，不是吗?

"麦拉说。

"嘿，怎么会不知道?

唉，我们怎能不让他自己说出来呢……除非我们特别关照他千万别说……又怎能不让在那里见过他的人上这儿来呢。"他眼里凶光闪闪。

"一句话，我可希望他千万不要乱说一通。不用说，这对我们大家一点儿好处都没有。"贝拉找补着说，"但愿他别象艾伦伯父的两个孩子那样傻呵呵。依我看，他们才是天底下最没有味儿的男孩子。""贝拉，"她母亲又一次规劝她。
Part 2 Chapter 3
The Clyde whom Samuel Griffiths described as having met at the Union League Club in Chicago, was asomewhat modified version of the one who had fled from Kansas City three years before. He was now twenty, a little taller and more firmly but scarcely any more robustly built, and considerably more experienced, of course.
　　For since leaving his home and work in Kansas City and coming in contact with some rough usage in the world-humbletasks, wretched rooms, no intimates to speak of, plus the compulsion to make his own way as best hemight--he had developed a kind of self-reliance and smoothness of address such as one would scarcely havecredited him with three years before. There was about him now, although he was not nearly so smartly dressed aswhen he left Kansas City, a kind of conscious gentility of manner which pleased, even though it did not at firstarrest attention. Also, and this was considerably different from the Clyde who had crept away from Kansas Cityin a box car, he had much more of an air of caution and reserve.
　　For ever since he had fled from Kansas City, and by one humble device and another forced to make his way, hehad been coming to the conclusion that on himself alone depended his future. His family, as he now definitelysensed, could do nothing for him. They were too impractical and too poor--his mother, father, Esta, all of them.
　　At the same time, in spite of all their difficulties, he could not now help but feel drawn to them, his mother inparticular, and the old home life that had surrounded him as a boy--his brother and sisters, Esta included, sinceshe, too, as he now saw it, had been brought no lower than he by circumstances over which she probably had nomore control. And often, his thoughts and mood had gone back with a definite and disconcerting pang because ofthe way in which he had treated his mother as well as the way in which his career in Kansas City had beensuddenly interrupted--his loss of Hortense Briggs--a severe blow; the troubles that had come to him since; thetrouble that must have come to his mother and Esta because of him.
　　On reaching St. Louis two days later after his flight, and after having been most painfully bundled out into thesnow a hundred miles from Kansas City in the gray of a winter morning, and at the same time relieved of hiswatch and overcoat by two brakemen who had found him hiding in the car, he had picked up a Kansas Citypaper--The Star--only to realize that his worst fear in regard to all that had occurred had come true. For there,under a two-column head, and with fully a column and a half of reading matter below, was the full story of allthat had happened: a little girl, the eleven-year-old daughter of a well-to-do Kansas City family, knocked downand almost instantly killed--she had died an hour later; Sparser and Miss Sipe in a hospital and under arrest at thesame time, guarded by a policeman sitting in the hospital awaiting their recovery; a splendid car very seriouslydamaged; Sparser's father, in the absence of the owner of the car for whom he worked, at once incensed andmade terribly unhappy by the folly and seeming criminality and recklessness of his son.
　　But what was worse, the unfortunate Sparser had already been charged with larceny and homicide, and wishing,no doubt, to minimize his own share in this grave catastrophe, had not only revealed the names of all who werewith him in the car--the youths in particular and their hotel address--but had charged that they along with himwere equally guilty, since they had urged him to make speed at the time and against his will--a claim which wastrue enough, as Clyde knew. And Mr. Squires, on being interviewed at the hotel, had furnished the police and thenewspapers with the names of their parents and their home addresses.
　　This last was the sharpest blow of all. For there followed disturbing pictures of how their respective parents orrelatives had taken it on being informed of their sins. Mrs. Ratterer, Tom's mother, had cried and declared herboy was a good boy, and had not meant to do any harm, she was sure. And Mrs. Hegglund--Oscar's devoted butaged mother--had said that there was not a more honest or generous soul and that he must have been drinking.
　　And at his own home--The Star had described his mother as standing, pale, very startled and very distressed, clasping and unclasping her hands and looking as though she were scarcely able to grasp what was meant,unwilling to believe that her son had been one of the party and assuring all that he would most certainly returnsoon and explain all, and that there must be some mistake.
　　However, he had not returned. Nor had he heard anything more after that. For, owing to his fear of the police, aswell as of his mother--her sorrowful, hopeless eyes, he had not written for months, and then a letter to his motheronly to say that he was well and that she must not worry. He gave neither name nor address. Later, after that hehad wandered on, essaying one small job and another, in St. Louis, Peoria, Chicago, Milwaukee-- dishwashing ina restaurant, soda-clerking in a small outlying drug-store, attempting to learn to be a shoe clerk, a grocer's clerk,and what not; and being discharged and laid off and quitting because he did not like it. He had sent her tendollars once--another time five, having, as he felt, that much to spare. After nearly a year and a half he haddecided that the search must have lessened, his own part in the crime being forgotten, possibly, or by then notdeemed sufficiently important to pursue--and when he was once more making a moderate living as the driver of adelivery wagon in Chicago, a job that paid him fifteen dollars a week, he resolved that he would write hismother, because now he could say that he had a decent place and had conducted himself respectably for a longtime, although not under his own name.
　　And so at that time, living in a hall bedroom on the West Side of Chicago--Paulina Street--he had written hismother the following letter:
　　DEAR MOTHER:
　　Are you still in Kansas City? I wish you would write and tell me. I would so like to hear from you again and towrite you again, too, if you really want me to. Honestly I do, Ma. I have been so lonely here. Only be careful anddon't let any one know where I am yet. It won't do any good and might do a lot of harm just when I am trying sohard to get a start again. I didn't do anything wrong that time, myself. Really I didn't, although the papers saidso--just went along. But I was afraid they would punish me for something that I didn't do. I just couldn't comeback then. I wasn't to blame and then I was afraid of what you and father might think. But they invited me, Ma. Ididn't tell him to go any faster or to take that car like he said. He took it himself and invited me and the others togo along. Maybe we were all to blame for running down that little girl, but we didn't mean to. None of us. And Ihave been so terribly sorry ever since. Think of all the trouble I have caused you! And just at the time when youmost needed me. Gee! Mother, I hope you can forgive me. Can you?
　　I keep wondering how you are. And Esta and Julia and Frank and Father. I wish I knew where you are and whatyou are doing. You know how I feel about you, don't you, Ma? I've got a lot more sense now, anyhow, I seethings different than I used to. I want to do something in this world. I want to be successful. I have only a fairplace now, not as good as I had in K. C., but fair, and not in the same line. But I want something better, though Idon't want to go back in the hotel business either if I can help it. It's not so very good for a young man like me-toohigh-flying, I guess. You see I know a lot more than I did back there. They like me all right where I am, but Igot to get on in this world. Besides I am not really making more than my expenses here now, just my room andboard and clothes but I am trying to save a little in order to get into some line where I can work up and learnsomething. A person has to have a line of some kind these days. I see that now.
　　Won't you write me and tell me how you all are and what you are doing? I'd like to know. Give my love to Frank and Julia and Father and Esta, if they are all still there. I love you just the same and I guess you care for me alittle, anyhow, don't you? I won't sign my real name, because it may be dangerous yet (I haven't been using itsince I left K. C.) But I'll give you my other one, which I'm going to leave off pretty soon and take up my oldone. Wish I could do it now, but I'm afraid to yet. You can address me, if you will, asHARRY TENET,General Delivery, ChicagoI'll call for it in a few days. I sign this way so as not to cause you or me any more trouble, see? But as soon as Ifeel more sure that this other thing has blown over, I'll use my own name again sure.
　　Lovingly,YOUR SON.
　　He drew a line where his real name should be and underneath wrote "you know" and mailed the letter.
　　Following that, because his mother had been anxious about him all this time and wondering where he was, hesoon received a letter, postmarked Denver, which surprised him very much, for he had expected to hear from heras still in Kansas City.
　　DEAR SON:
　　I was surprised and so glad to get my boy's letter and to know that you were alive and safe. I had hoped andprayed that you would return to the straight and narrow path--the only path that will ever lead you to success andhappiness of any kind, and that God would let me hear from you as safe and well and working somewhere anddoing well. And now he has rewarded my prayers. I knew he would. Blessed be His holy name.
　　Not that I blame you altogether for all that terrible trouble you got into and bringing so much suffering anddisgrace on yourself and us--for well I know how the devil tempts and pursues all of us mortals and particularlyjust such a child as you. Oh, my son, if you only knew how you must be on your guard to avoid these pitfalls.
　　And you have such a long road ahead of you. Will you be ever watchful and try always to cling to the teachingsof our Saviour that your mother has always tried to impress upon the minds and hearts of all you dear children?
　　Will you stop and listen to the voice of our Lord that is ever with us, guiding our footsteps safely up the rockypath that leads to a heaven more beautiful than we can ever imagine here? Promise me, my child, that you willhold fast to all your early teachings and always bear in mind that "right is might," and my boy, never, never, takea drink of any kind no matter who offers it to you. There is where the devil reigns in all his glory and is everready to triumph over the weak one. Remember always what I have told you so often "Strong drink is raging andwine is a mocker," and it is my earnest prayer that these words will ring in your ears every time you aretempted--for I am sure now that that was perhaps the real cause of that terrible accident.
　　I suffered terribly over that, Clyde, and just at the time when I had such a dreadful ordeal to face with Esta. Ialmost lost her. She had such an awful time. The poor child paid dearly for her sin. We had to go in debt so deep and it took so long to work it out--but finally we did and now things are not as bad as they were, quite.
　　As you see, we are now in Denver. We have a mission of our own here now with housing quarters for all of us.
　　Besides we have a few rooms to rent which Esta, and you know she is now Mrs. Nixon, of course, takes care of.
　　She has a fine little boy who reminds your father and me of you so much when you were a baby. He does littlethings that are you all over again so many times that we almost feel that you are with us again--as you were. It iscomforting, too, sometimes.
　　Frank and Julie have grown so and are quite a help to me. Frank has a paper route and earns a little money whichhelps. Esta wants to keep them in school just as long as we can.
　　Your father is not very well, but of course, he is getting older, and he does the best he can.
　　I am awful glad, Clyde, that you are trying so hard to better yourself in every way and last night your father wassaying again that your uncle, Samuel Griffiths, of Lycurgus, is so rich and successful and I thought that maybe ifyou wrote him and asked him to give you something there so that you could learn the business, perhaps hewould. I don't see why he wouldn't. After all you are his nephew. You know he has a great collar business therein Lycurgus and he is very rich, so they say. Why don't you write him and see? Somehow I feel that perhaps hewould find a place for you and then you would have something sure to work for. Let me know if you do andwhat he says.
　　I want to hear from you often, Clyde. Please write and let us know all about you and how you are getting along.
　　Won't you? Of course we love you as much as ever, and will do our best always to try to guide you right. Wewant you to succeed more than you know, but we also want you to be a good boy, and live a clean, righteous life,for, my son, what matter it if a man gaineth the whole world and loseth his own soul?
　　Write your mother, Clyde, and bear in mind that her love is always with you--guiding you--pleading with you todo right in the name of the Lord.
　　Affectionately,MOTHER.
　　And so it was that Clyde had begun to think of his uncle Samuel and his great business long before heencountered him. He had also experienced an enormous relief in learning that his parents were no longer in thesame financial difficulties they were when he left, and safely housed in a hotel, or at least a lodging house,probably connected with this new mission.
　　Then two months after he had received his mother's first letter and while he was deciding almost every day thathe must do something, and that forthwith, he chanced one day to deliver to the Union League Club on JacksonBoulevard a package of ties and handkerchiefs which some visitor to Chicago had purchased at the store, forwhich he worked. Upon entering, who should he come in contact with but Ratterer in the uniform of a clubemployee. He was in charge of inquiry and packages at the door. Although neither he nor Ratterer quite graspedimmediately the fact that they were confronting one another again, after a moment Ratterer had exclaimed:
　　"Clyde!" And then seizing him by an arm, he added enthusiastically and yet cautiously in a very low tone: "Well,of all things! The devil! Whaddya know? Put 'er there. Where do you come from anyhow?" And Clyde, equallyexcited, exclaimed, "Well, by jing, if it ain't Tom. Whaddya know? You working here?"Ratterer, who (like Clyde) had for the moment quite forgotten the troublesome secret which lay between them,added: "That's right. Surest thing you know. Been here for nearly a year, now." Then with a sudden pull atClyde's arm, as much as to say, "Silence!" he drew Clyde to one side, out of the hearing of the youth to whom hehad been talking as Clyde came in, and added: "Ssh! I'm working here under my own name, but I'd rather not let'em know I'm from K. C., see. I'm supposed to be from Cleveland."And with that he once more pressed Clyde's arm genially and looked him over. And Clyde, equally moved,added: "Sure. That's all right. I'm glad you were able to connect. My name's Tenet, Harry Tenet. Don't forgetthat." And both were radiantly happy because of old times' sake.
　　But Ratterer, noticing Clyde's delivery uniform, observed: "Driving a delivery, eh? Gee, that's funny. Youdriving a delivery. Imagine. That kills me. What do you want to do that for?" Then seeing from Clyde'sexpression that his reference to his present position might not be the most pleasing thing in the world, sinceClyde at once observed: "Well, I've been up against it, sorta," he added: "But say, I want to see you. Where areyou living?" (Clyde told him.) "That's all right. I get off here at six. Why not drop around after you're throughwork. Or, I'll tell you--suppose we meet at--well, how about Henrici's on Randolph Street? Is that all right? Atseven, say. I get off at six and I can be over there by then if you can."Clyde, who was happy to the point of ecstasy in meeting Ratterer again, nodded a cheerful assent.
　　He boarded his wagon and continued his deliveries, yet for the rest of the afternoon his mind was on thisapproaching meeting with Ratterer. And at five-thirty he hurried to his barn and then to his boarding house onthe west side, where he donned his street clothes, then hastened to Henrici's. He had not been standing on thecorner a minute before Ratterer appeared, very genial and friendly and dressed, if anything, more neatly thanever.
　　"Gee, it's good to have a look at you, old socks!" he began. "Do you know you're the only one of that bunch thatI've seen since I left K. C.? That's right. My sister wrote me after we left home that no one seemed to know whatbecame of either Higby or Heggie, or you, either. They sent that fellow Sparser up for a year--did you hear that?
　　Tough, eh? But not so much for killing the little girl, but for taking the car and running it without a license andnot stopping when signaled. That's what they got him for. But say,"--he lowered his voice most significantly atthis point--"we'da got that if they'd got us. Oh, gee, I was scared. And run?" And once more he began to laugh,but rather hysterically at that. "What a wallop, eh? An' us leavin' him and that girl in the car. Oh, say. Tough,what? Just what else could a fellow do, though? No need of all of us going up, eh? What was her name? LauraSipe. An' you cut out before I saw you, even. And that little Briggs girl of yours did, too. Did you go home withher?"Clyde shook his head negatively.
　　"I should say I didn't," he exclaimed.
　　"Well, where did you go then?" he asked.
　　Clyde told him. And after he had set forth a full picture of his own wayfarings, Ratterer returned with: "Gee, youdidn't know that that little Briggs girl left with a guy from out there for New York right after that, did you? Somefellow who worked in a cigar store, so Louise told me. She saw her afterwards just before she left with a new furcoat and all." (Clyde winced sadly.) "Gee, but you were a sucker to fool around with her. She didn't care for youor nobody. But you was pretty much gone on her, I guess, eh?" And he grinned at Clyde amusedly, and chuckedhim under the arm, in his old teasing way.
　　But in regard to himself, he proceeded to unfold a tale of only modest adventure, which was very different fromthe one Clyde had narrated, a tale which had less of nerves and worry and more of a sturdy courage and faith inhis own luck and possibilities. And finally he had "caught on" to this, because, as he phrased it, "you can alwaysget something in Chi."And here he had been ever since--"very quiet, of course," but no one had ever said a word to him.
　　And forthwith, he began to explain that just at present there wasn't anything in the Union League, but that hewould talk to Mr. Haley who was superintendent of the club--and that if Clyde wanted to, and Mr. Haley knew ofanything, he would try and find out if there was an opening anywhere, or likely to be, and if so, Clyde could slipinto it.
　　"But can that worry stuff," he said to Clyde toward the end of the evening. "It don't get you nothing."And then only two days after this most encouraging conversation, and while Clyde was still debating whether hewould resign his job, resume his true name and canvass the various hotels in search of work, a note came to hisroom, brought by one of the bell-boys of the Union League which read: "See Mr. Lightall at the Great Northernbefore noon to-morrow. There's a vacancy over there. It ain't the very best, but it'll get you something betterlater."And accordingly Clyde, after telephoning his department manager that he was ill and would not be able to workthat day, made his way to this hotel in his very best clothes. And on the strength of what references he couldgive, was allowed to go to work; and much to his relief under his own name. Also, to his gratification, his salarywas fixed at twenty dollars a month, meals included. But the tips, as he now learned, aggregated not more thanten a week--yet that, counting meals was far more than he was now getting as he comforted himself; and somuch easier work, even if it did take him back into the old line, where he still feared to be seen and arrested.
　　It was not so very long after this--not more than three months--before a vacancy occurred in the Union Leaguestaff. Ratterer, having some time before established himself as day assistant to the club staff captain, and beingon good terms with him, was able to say to the latter that he knew exactly the man for the place--ClydeGriffiths--then employed at the Great Northern. And accordingly, Clyde was sent for, and being carefullycoached beforehand by Ratterer as to how to approach his new superior, and what to say, he was given the place.
　　And here, very different from the Great Northern and superior from a social and material point of view, as Clydesaw it, to even the Green-Davidson, he was able once more to view at close range a type of life that mostaffected, unfortunately, his bump of position and distinction. For to this club from day to day came or went sucha company of seemingly mentally and socially worldly elect as he had never seen anywhere before, the self-integrated and self-centered from not only all of the states of his native land but from all countries andcontinents. American politicians from the north, south, east, west--the principal politicians and bosses, or allegedstatesmen of their particular regions--surgeons, scientists, arrived physicians, generals, literary and social figures,not only from America but from the world over.
　　Here also, a fact which impressed and even startled his sense of curiosity and awe, even--there was no faintesttrace of that sex element which had characterized most of the phases of life to be seen in the Green-Davidson,and more recently the Great Northern. In fact, in so far as he could remember, had seemed to run through andmotivate nearly, if not quite all of the phases of life that he had thus far contacted. But here was no sex--no traceof it. No women were admitted to this club. These various distinguished individuals came and went, singly as arule, and with the noiseless vigor and reserve that characterizes the ultra successful. They often ate alone,conferred in pairs and groups, noiselessly--read their papers or books, or went here and there in swiftly drivenautomobiles--but for the most part seemed to be unaware of, or at least unaffected by, that element of passion,which, to his immature mind up to this time, had seemed to propel and disarrange so many things in those lesserworlds with which up to now he had been identified.
　　Probably one could not attain to or retain one's place in so remarkable a world as this unless one were indifferentto sex, a disgraceful passion, of course. And hence in the presence or under the eyes of such people one had toact and seem as though such thoughts as from time to time swayed one were far from one's mind.
　　After he had worked here a little while, under the influence of this organization and various personalities whocame here, he had taken on a most gentlemanly and reserved air. When he was within the precincts of the clubitself, he felt himself different from what he really was--more subdued, less romantic, more practical, certain thatif he tried now, imitated the soberer people of the world, and those only, that some day he might succeed, if notgreatly, at least much better than he had thus far. And who knows? What if he worked very steadily and madeonly the right sort of contacts and conducted himself with the greatest care here, one of these very remarkablemen whom he saw entering or departing from here might take a fancy to him and offer him a connection withsomething important somewhere, such as he had never had before, and that might lift him into a world such as hehad never known.
　　For to say the truth, Clyde had a soul that was not destined to grow up. He lacked decidedly that mental clarityand inner directing application that in so many permits them to sort out from the facts and avenues of life theparticular thing or things that make for their direct advancement.
       塞缪尔。格里菲思所说在芝加哥联谊俱乐部遇到的克莱德，早就不是三年前从堪萨斯城逃出来的那个年轻小伙子了。他现年二十岁，个子比头几年长得稍微高些，更为结实，但也不见得太强壮，不用说，阅世经验倒是较为丰富了。

自从丢掉了堪萨斯城的老家和那份差使以后，他不得不接触到许多人世间的艰辛……他体验到低贱累活。身居陋室的况味，身边又没有一个亲友，不由得竭尽全力给自己闯出一条生路来……久而久之，他就养成了三年前谁都不信他能具备的。一切依靠自己的品质，以及善于曲意奉承。很懂分寸的习惯。现在，他穿的衣服，虽然远远地比不上逃离堪萨斯城时那么讲究，可是，他身上总是流露出一种极为文雅的风度，哪怕不能一下子就引人注目，毕竟还是惹人喜欢。

更有甚者，他已变得非常谨慎，而又善于节制，跟当初爬上一辆敞篷货车从堪萨斯城逃出来时的那个克莱德，简直可以说判若两人了。

他从堪萨斯城出逃以后，就得施展出各种各样诡计，才得以勉强过活，由此他得出了一个结论:

他的前程完全取决于自己。现在他终于认识到，家里人一点儿也不能帮助他。他的父亲。母亲。爱思达……他们通通都是太不能干，而且也是太穷了。

这时，尽管他们处境艰难，他心中不由得非常惦念他们，尤其是他的母亲，还有他从孩提时就熟悉的往昔家庭生活……连同他的弟弟。妹妹和爱思达也都在内。现在他才认识到，爱思达如同他自己一样，早已成为再也不受自己意志支配的现实环境的牺牲品了。他不时满怀痛苦地回忆过去:

当初他对待母亲的态度;他在堪萨斯城的事业突然中断……失掉霍丹斯。布里格斯，对他来说，是一大打击;从那时起他心中感到的种种苦恼;以及想必由于他的缘故给母亲和爱思达带来的苦恼。

出逃后过了两天，他来到了圣路易。两个司闸员发现他躲藏在货车上，先是抄走了他的手表和外套，接着就在一个灰蒙蒙的冬天早晨，离堪萨斯城一百英里远的地方，把他推到了雪地里，简直惨不忍睹。后来，克莱德无意中捡到一张堪萨斯城的报纸……《星报》，这才知道车祸发生后叫他最揪心的忧虑，早已成为事实。该报在两栏标题下面，就以满满的一栏半篇幅刊载了这一事件的始末经过:

一个小女孩，堪萨斯城某小康人家的十一岁的女儿，被车撞倒，几乎立时毙命……过了一个钟头后，她果然气绝身亡;斯帕塞和赛普小姐现在医院诊治，同时已被逮捕，由一名警察在医院内守护，等待他们恢复健康;一辆豪华汽车早已严重损毁;斯帕塞的父亲，就是在那个出门未归的车主手下做事的，得知自己那个蠢儿子，如此莽撞犯了罪，不由得愤怒填胸，悲痛难抑。

可是更糟的是，那个倒霉的斯帕塞，早已以盗窃和杀人罪被控。毋庸置疑，斯帕塞希望减轻自己在这一起重大的惨案中的罪责，不仅把所有同他在车上的人都给招供出来了……特别说出了那些年轻的侍应生和他们酒店的地址……而且还提出指控，说他们跟他同样有罪，因为当时他们一个劲儿催促他开快车，那是违背了他的意志的……这个说法，据克莱德所知，也是符合实际的。斯夸尔斯先生在酒店里接见警方人员与各报记者采访时，早已说出了那些肇事者父母的姓名，以及他们的家庭地址。

就数这最后一着，对他打击最大。因为接下来就是一段令人不安的报道，写到他们的亲属在获悉他们的罪行之后，无不震惊。拉特勒太太，就是汤姆。

拉特勒的母亲，哭着说她的孩子是个好孩子，当然不会存心做坏事。赫格伦太太……也就是奥斯卡一向热爱的老母亲……说天底下再也没有比她儿子更老实。更厚道的人了，想必是他酒喝多了。写到他自己家里，《星报》上是这样说的……他母亲站在那里，脸色煞白，惊恐万状，茫然不知所措，一个劲儿来回搓手……那样子仿佛她压根儿闹不清这是怎么回事，硬是不相信她儿子参加了这次汽车郊游。她还对众人说她儿子当然很快就回来的，一切都会说清楚的;她又说想必这里头一定有些误会了。

可是，克莱德并没有回去。后来，他再也没听到过什么别的消息了。因为他害怕警察，也害怕他母亲……害怕她那充满悲哀而又陷于绝望的眼睛，一连好几个月没有写过家信。到后来，他才给母亲寄去一封信，也只不过说他在外一切很好，千万请她放心好了。他既没有署名，也没有留下通讯处。后来，他一直在外流浪漂泊，想寻摸到这个或那个小小的工作，在圣路易。皮奥里亚。

芝加哥。密尔沃基……在一家餐馆里洗盘子，在近郊一家小铺里卖汽水，在皮鞋店。食品店学做小伙计，总之一句话，什么都干;不过样样不走运:

不是被人家开革，歇生意，就是因为自己不爱干而辞掉了工作。有一回，他给母亲寄过十块美元，另一次又寄过五块美元，这是他觉得好不容易才省下的。大约在一年半以后，他心里断定想必搜捕放松了，他应负那份罪责很可能也给忘掉了，或者说到那时已被认为不必追究了……这时，他正在芝加哥送货车上当司机，生活还算过得去，每星期有十五块美元收入，他就决定给他母亲写一封信。因为现在他可以告诉她说，他已有了一个体面的职业，而且长时间以来一直安守本分，循规蹈矩，虽然信末他并没有署上自己的真实姓名。

那时节，他正住在芝加哥西区……波林那街……一家寄宿舍里。下面就是他写给母亲的信:

亲爱的妈妈:

您还在堪萨斯城吗?

我盼望您写信告诉我。我真巴不得又接到您的来信，而且我也会再给您写信的，如果说您真的要我写的话。说真的，我是会这样做的，妈。我在这里一直很孤单。不过您还得处处小心，千万别让任何人知道我现在什么地方。让人知道了不会有什么好处，还可能有很大的害处，特别是正当我竭尽全力，好不容易重新做人的时候。那次我自个儿可一点儿差错都没有。说真的，我一点儿差错都没有，尽管报上说我有错……我只不过跟着他们跑了一趟罢了。但我害怕人家会拿我并没有做过的事来惩罚我。那时候，我就只好不回家了。我虽然没有什么错，但当时我却害怕您和父亲会有怎么个想法。不过话又说回来，是他们邀我去的，妈。我可并没有象他所说的要他开快车，或则是要他去寻摸那一辆车子。是他自己开了人家的车，来邀我和另外一些人一块去的。也许把那个小女孩撞死了，我们人人都有罪责，不过，我们也并不是故意这样的。我们谁也没有这个意图。打从那时候起，我心里一直难过极了。想一想由于我的缘故，给你们增添了多少麻烦呀!

何况又是正当您最最需要我帮助的时候。啊!

简直太可怕呀!

但是我依然希望您能够饶恕我，妈。您真的能饶恕我吗?

我心中一直纳闷，真不知道您现在怎么样了。还有爱思达。朱丽娅。弗兰克和父亲。我心里很想知道您在哪儿，现在做些什么。您知道我有多么爱您，妈。现在我反正懂得的东西多了一些，我看问题也跟过去不同了。我就是要出人头地。我巴望自己碰上好运道。现在我有一个相当不错的职位，说真的，不象堪萨斯城的那么好，不过还算说得过去，尽管不是过去的那个行业。我希望能够得到更好的发展，要是这样的话，我也就不想回去干酒店这一行了。这一行对我这样的年轻人来说，太不合适了……依我看，总觉得自己太了不起了。

您看，现在我比过去要聪明得多了。我在这儿工作，人家对我都很喜欢，不过，我到社会上去一定要高人一等。再说，现在我赚的钱，真的并不比花的多，刚够我付房钱。饭钱和穿衣的钱，不过，我还是尽量设法节省一些，因为我还要给自己寻摸一个合适的行业，到了那里，我可要好好工作，真的学一点本领。

现在这个时代，每一个人都得精通一行才成。这个道理现在我才算明白了。

您会写信给我，说说你们大家的近况和现下您正在做些什么，好吗?

我很想知道。请您向弗兰克。朱丽娅。爸爸和爱思达转达我的深情，要是他们还跟您住在一块的话。我还是如同往日一样地爱您，我想您也有点儿爱我，不是吗?

我不能署上真名，因为也许还有危险性。(我从离开堪萨斯城以来，就一直没有用过真名。)不过，我会告诉您另一个名字，但愿这个名字不久我就要不用了，又将恢复自己原来的姓名。我真恨不得现在就用自己的原名，不过，我还是有些害怕。您要是愿意给我写信的话，请写:

哈里。台纳特芝加哥留局待领我将在几天以内就去取。我之所以这样署名，是为了不给您，或是不给我增添更多麻烦，明白了吧?

不过，我完全深信，只要那件事风头一过，我当然重新使用我原来的名字。

爱您的您的儿子他在应该署上自己真名实姓的地方划了一道线，下面写"知名不具"几个字，就把信寄发了。

正是因为他母亲不知道现下他在什么地方，心里本来就一直惦念着他，所以此信发出后不久，他很快收到了一封回信，信封上盖的是丹佛的邮戳，不由得使他万分惊讶。因为他本来以为她至今还在堪萨斯城哩。

亲爱的儿子:

我接到我孩子的信，知道你太太平平活着，我真是又惊诧，又高兴。我无时无刻不在衷心希望和虔诚祷祝，愿你重新走上那正直的仁慈道路……那是唯一可以引导你通往成功和幸福的道路，并且祈求上帝允许我得到有关你的消息，知道你平安无事，而且在诚实地工作和生活。由此可见，现在主已经垂听了我的祈祷。我知道主会垂听的。赞美主的神圣名字。

你前次身陷可怕的灾祸，并使你本人和我们大家深受痛苦和耻辱，对此我并不全都责怪你……因为我很明白，魔鬼是怎样诱惑和追逐我们所有的凡夫俗子，特别是象你这样的孩子。哦，我的儿子，要是你早就明白，你该如何保持警惕，以免坠入这些陷坑，该有多好!

摆在你面前的，是一条漫长的道路。你从今以后能时刻警惕，始终恪守我们救世主的教旨，好吗?

而你妈历来就给你们……我亲爱的儿女们心坎里灌输的，也正是主的这些教旨。你能停下来，仔细倾听跟我们永远同在的主的声音，按照主指引我们的方向，迈开步伐，平安地踏上通往比我们想象中更为壮丽的天国的那条崎岖不平的道路，好吗?

你要向我保证，我的孩子，保证你将永远牢记你幼年时代所接受的教旨，心里念念不忘……"正义就是力量"。还有，我的孩子啊，任何一种酒，永远。永远喝不得，也不管是谁要你喝的。魔鬼就在那儿耀武扬威，主宰一切，随时准备征服意志软弱的人。

要永远记住我一贯告诉你的话:

"酒是骗子，一喝就疯。"此刻我以最虔诚的心情祈祷，但愿你一受到引诱的时候，这些话就会在你耳际回响……因为现在我相信，发生那次可怕事件的真正原因，也许就在这里。

我为了那事饱受痛苦，克莱德，而且正好发生在我为爱思达经受如此骇人的考验的时刻。我差一点就失去了她。那一阵子她真好苦啊。这个可怜的孩子啊，她为了自己的罪孽付出了多么昂贵的代价!

那时候，我们只好债台高筑，要工作很长一段日子才还得清呢……不过到头来，我们终于还清了，现在我们的境况，早就不象往日里那么差劲了。

你已知道，现在我们都在丹佛。我们在这里有一个自己的传道馆，还有可供全家人居住的一所房子。此外，我们有几个房间可以出租，归爱思达经管。

你知道，现在爱思达，当然罗，已是尼克松太太了。她有一个顶呱呱的小男孩。

你父亲和我一见到这个小男孩，就常常回想到你小时候的情景。瞧他那淘气劲儿，活灵活现，跟你一模一样，我们简直觉得你又变成了小伢儿，重新回到了我们跟前。有时这也给我们一点儿安慰。

弗兰克和朱丽娅都长大了，好歹也是我的帮手了。弗兰克现在挨门逐户送报，赚点钱也可以贴补家用。爱思达希望能尽量让他们俩继续上学。

你父亲健康状况不大好，不过，当然罗，他毕竟上了年纪，可他依然尽力而为。

克莱德，你现在一个劲儿使自己出人头地，我听了真有说不出的高兴。昨天晚上，你父亲又说到你在莱柯格斯的伯父塞缪尔。格里菲思很有钱，很发迹，我想你不妨给他写一封信，请他给你找个事由，好让你学一点本事。也许他会乐意的。我看他不会不答应的。说到底，你总是他的侄儿啊。你知道，他在莱柯格斯有一家规模宏大的领子工厂，而且很有钱，人们都是这么说的。你干吗不给他写封信看看，怎么样?

我总觉得也许他会给你找个职位的。那你干起活来，就有奔头了。要是你给他写了信，就请你告诉我，他是怎么回复你的。

我希望经常收到你的来信，克莱德。请你来信，谈谈有关你的一切情况，包括目前生活情况都在内。你说好吗?

当然罗，我如同过去一样爱你，并且愿意永远引导你走正路。我们衷心希望你远比你想象的有更大发迹。不过，我们同样希望你还是个好孩子，过着一种纯洁。正当的生活。因为，我的儿子啊，要是有一个人得到了整个世界却丧失了自己的灵魂，那样的人又有什么用处呢?

要给你妈写信，克莱德，时刻记住你妈的爱永远与你同在……引导着你……恳求你为了主的缘故走正路。

爱你的妈妈其实，克莱德在同他的伯父塞缪尔邂逅以前，早就想着他和他那规模宏大的企业了。当他获悉他父母目前经济状况已不象他出走时那么紧巴巴，而且生活起居也很平安，住的也许就是跟新传道馆有关系的一家旅馆，或则至少也是一家寄宿舍……他心里这才得到了极大宽慰。

他接到母亲头一次回信，已有两个月过去了，这时，他心里几乎每天都在琢磨，应该马上有所作为才好。有一天，一个到芝加哥来的客人在他干活的店里买了一大包领带和手绢，正好要他送到杰克逊林荫大道联谊俱乐部去。殊不知他一进去，突然撞见了什么人来着?

不是穿着俱乐部雇工制服的拉特勒，还会是谁呢?

拉特勒专门负责入口处问讯和收转包裹杂品。开头，不管是他，就是拉特勒，谁都没有闹清楚他们俩如今又面对面地碰上了，但过了半晌，还是拉特勒先叫了出来:

"克莱德!

"接着一把抓住他，虽然欣喜若狂，但还是小心翼翼地把声音压得很低，找补着说:

"乖乖，真想不到在这儿碰上了!

你这机灵鬼!

你是怎么啦?

大包就撂在这儿。可你到底打哪儿来?

"克莱德同样激动万分，大声喊道:

"哎哟哟，我的老天爷哪，这可不就是汤姆吗?

你是怎么啦?

你就在这儿工作吗?

"拉特勒(如同克莱德一样)在这一刹那，几乎忘掉了他们俩之间休戚相关的那个令人痛苦的秘密，随后才回答说:

"是啊。当然罗，这是千真万确的事。我在这儿差不多快一年啦。"说罢，猛地把克莱德的手一拉，好象是说:

"别吭声!

"把克莱德拽到那个年轻人听不见的地方(因为刚才克莱德进门时，拉特勒正在跟这年轻人说话)，找补着说:

"嘘!

我在这儿工作，用的是真名实姓，不过，我可不让人们知道我是从堪萨斯城来的，你懂吗。所以人们都认为我是从克利夫兰来的。

"话音刚落，他又一次怪亲热地捏了一把克莱德的胳臂，从头到脚，把他仔细打量了一番。克莱德同样无比激动，找补着说:

"当然罗，我懂。这就很好嘛。

你还认得我，我很高兴。现在我的名字叫台纳特，哈里。台纳特。你可别忘啦。

"两人一回想起往日情景，心里简直乐开了花。

不过，拉特勒一发觉克莱德身上穿的是送货员制服，便说:

"是开送货车，嗯?

嘿，真是太逗人。你也开送货车。想一想，真要笑死我了。你干吗耍弄这个?

"拉特勒发现自己一扯到克莱德目下的遭际，克莱德脸上就露出不快的神色，这时，克莱德马上回答说:

"唉，说心里话，我压根儿不想干这个活儿。"他又接下去说:

"不过，听我说，我们俩总得在一块扯一扯。可你住在哪儿?

"(克莱德把自己地址告诉了他。)"这样就得了。我六点钟下班。你完事后，干吗不过来坐坐。要不然，我再告诉你……比方说我们就在……嗯，在伦道夫街'

''''亨利西，见面，怎么样?

可以吧?

比方说，七点钟。我六点钟下班;我也可以七点钟上那儿去，只要你觉得方便就得了。"克莱德由于同拉特勒聚首重逢，真是喜出望外，就乐呵呵地点头同意了。

他爬上了自己的车子，继续送货去，不过，这天下午，他心里始终想到自己马上就要跟拉特勒晤面这件事。五点半，他就急冲冲赶到车房，然后再到他在西区的寄宿舍，换上出门穿的衣服，风风火火地赶到了"亨利西"。他刚站在大街拐角处，不一会儿，拉特勒也来了，他是那样乐乐呵呵，亲亲热热，特别是身上的穿着，比过去任何时候都要整洁。

"喂，老兄，我一看见你，就打心眼里高兴!

"他一开头就这样说。"你知道吧，打从我离开堪萨斯城以来，咱们这一伙里就数你是见到的头一个。一点没错。

我离家以后，我妹妹写信告诉我，说好象谁都不知道希格比。赫吉(赫吉是赫格伦的昵称。)或是你的情况究竟怎样。斯帕塞那个家伙，给抓起来，关了一年……你听说过吗?

真倒霉，嗯?

不过，多半并不是因为撞死了那个小女孩，而是因为私自开走别人的车子，没有驾驶执照开车，并且，不顾警察招手，他还是不肯停下来。他之所以挨罚，原因就在这里。不过，听我说，"这时，他煞有其事地把声音压低，说:

"我们要是给抓住了，可也都得挨罚啊。嘿，那时我真害怕，就拔脚跑了。"他又一次格格大笑起来，不过有一点儿歇斯底里似的。"简直就象马儿草上飞啊，嗯?

我们还把他和那个姑娘给扔在车厢里。哦，听我说。真够呛，嗯?

不过，那时候你又有什么办法?

我们犯不着个个都给警察抓走啊，嗯?

她的名字叫什么来着?

劳拉。赛普。我还没有看见，你就滑脚溜啦。还有你的那位小妞布里格斯，也跟着溜了。你陪她一块回家，是吗?

"克莱德摇摇头。

"不，我才没有哩，"他大声喊道。

"哦，那你上哪儿去了?

"拉特勒问。

克莱德向他如实相告。听了克莱德流浪的经过以后，拉特勒说:

"嘿，你知不知道，出事以后不久，那个小妞布里格斯小姐就跟一个家伙到纽约去了，你知道了吗?

路易斯跟我说，她跟一个烟铺里的伙计一块跑了。就在她出走以前，路易斯看见她身上穿着一件新的裘皮外套。"(克莱德伤心地往后退缩了一下。)"嘿，当初你跟她一块儿鬼混，才上了老当。她压根儿没把你放在心上，不论是谁，她也都是这样。不过，依我看，你倒是对她着了迷，嗯?

"他乐哈哈地向克莱德露齿一笑，往他胳肢窝里捏了一把，还是照自己老脾气，把他逗弄一番。

至于他自己，拉特勒也讲了一个毫不跌宕起伏的历险故事，同克莱德所讲的简直大异其趣;他很少讲到内心紧张和忧虑重重，净讲顽强的勇气和对自己命运。前途的信心。最后，他"搞到"了他眼前这个工作，因为，用他的话来说，"你在芝〔加哥〕好歹总能寻摸到一点事儿干的。"打那以后，他就一直在这儿……"当然罗，相当安静，"从来就没有人责难过他。

随后，他又马上解释说，在目前，联谊俱乐部里还没有什么空缺，不过嘛，他倒是可以跟俱乐部总管哈利先生谈一谈……他又说，要是克莱德本人乐意，而哈利先生也知道有什么空缺的话，那末，他一定会设法打听到哪儿有一个什么样的空缺，或是可能会有什么样的空缺;要是果真有的话，克莱德就算被录用了。

"不过，千万要把心里烦恼通通抛开，"就在黄昏即将逝去的时候，他对克莱德说。"那对你可没有什么用处。"在这次令人激奋的谈话以后仅仅两天光景，克莱德正在暗自思忖:

要不要辞掉他的这个工作，恢复自己的真名实姓;要不要到各个旅馆去兜揽一些活儿;就在这时，联谊俱乐部的一个侍应生把一张便条送到了他的房间。这张便条上说:

"请在明天中午前到大北旅馆同拉托尔先生面晤。该处现有一个空缺，虽然不算最理想，但是将来会有更好的机会。"于是，克莱德马上给他那个部门的经理打电话，说他今天有病，上不了班，然后穿上他最漂亮的衣服，径直前往那家旅馆。根据他的自我推荐，旅馆就同意他上工了，而且，用的是自己的真实姓名，使他深感欣慰。还有，让他满意的是，他的薪水规定每月二十块美元……此外还供给膳食。他早就知道，每星期小费不超过十块美元……可是，连膳食也算在内，比现在的收入反正要多得多，因此也足以使他聊以自慰了。何况，工作也要轻松得多。他心中至今仍害怕:

要是他重操旅馆旧业，很可能一下子就被人发现，给抓了起来。

打这以后没多久……不出三个月……联谊俱乐部有了一个侍应生空缺。恰巧不久前拉特勒已担任了日班侍应生领班助理，跟领班很谈得来。他就对领班说，他想推荐一个最合适的人来填补这个空缺:

此人就是克莱德。格里菲思，现在大北旅馆工作。于是，拉特勒就把克莱德叫来，事前精心教给他一套如何进见新上司的规矩，以及应该说些什么话。这样，克莱德就得到了俱乐部这个工作。

克莱德一下子就发现，这儿跟大北旅馆竟然有天壤之别，从宾客的社会地位和高贵的物质设施来说，甚至还凌驾于格林－戴维逊大酒店之上。现在他又可以在这里就近观察另一种生活方式了，只是不幸这种生活方式又直接触及了他灵魂深处爱慕虚荣。急欲出人头地的肿块。在这个俱乐部里，经常来来往往都是他过去从没见过的上流社会各界杰出人物，他们正直无私，而又以自我为本位，不仅来自祖国各州，而且来自世界各国，来自五大洲。来自四面八方的美国政界人士……杰出的政治家。大亨，或是以他们地区政治家自居的一些人……还有外科医生。科学家。著名医生。将军。文坛巨匠和社会人士，不仅来自美国，而且还遍及全世界。

这里还有一个事实，给他印象很深，甚至激起了他的好奇和敬畏心理，那就是:

格林－戴维逊大酒店和最近大北旅馆的生活里彰明较著。屡见不鲜的那种性的因素，在这里简直连一丝儿影子都没有。事实上，就他记忆所及，这种性的因素，看来已经到处泛滥，而且在他迄今接触过的生活里，几乎所有一切也都是由它激发产生的。可是在这里，却并没有性的因素……一丝一毫都没有。

女人一概不许进入俱乐部。各种各样的著名人物照例是独自一人来来往往，而且显得精力饱满而又沉默寡言，这些性格特征，正是成就特别卓著的人所固有的。他们往往单独进餐，三三两两在一起低声交谈……自己看报。读书，或是坐上风驰电掣一般的汽车到各处去……可是，他们当中十之八九好象并没有听说过有那种欲念的因素，或者至少说根本不受到它的影响。如今，在他不成熟的心灵看来，就在包括他本人在内的那些微不足道的小人物的生活之中，好象有很多事情都摆脱不了这种欲念的驱使和困扰。

在如此超尘拔俗的一个环境中，一个人也许既不能达到，也不能保住他那卓尔不群的地位，除非他对性……这一个当然很不体面的东西表示极其冷淡。

因此，克莱德认为，在这些人们面前，或是在他们的心目中，你的一举一动，就不能不表现得好象你根本不存在这些思想似的，而事实上，你却是不时受到这些思想的支配。

克莱德在这里工作了很短一段时间以后，在这个机构以及来这里的各种人物的影响下，看来也渐渐具有一种地地道道的绅士风度了。只要他置身于俱乐部范围以内，他就觉得跟自己的过去相比，如今已是判若两人了……更能克制自己，更加讲究实际，也不再那么罗曼蒂克了:

他相信，现在他就应该倍加努力，仿效那些头脑清醒的人，而且也只有仿效那些人，也许有一天他会成功，哪怕不是极大的成功，至少也要比他迄今为止好得多。有谁知道呢?

要是他工作努力勤奋，只跟正派人交往，在这里举止态度特别谨慎小心，那末，也许在他见过的那些进进出出的大人物(俱乐部的宾客)里头不知是哪一位喜爱他，要他到什么地方去担任他从来没有担任过的一个要职，说不定也就让他一下子擢升到一个从来把他拒之门外的社会中去。

说实话，克莱德生来注定永远也不会成为一个完全成熟的人。他断断乎缺乏的，就是思想的明晰性与坚定的目的性……而这些特性，正是许多人所固有，并使他们能在生活里所有道路与机遇之中，给自己找出最合适的进身之阶。
Part 2 Chapter 4
However, as he now fancied, it was because he lacked an education that he had done so poorly. Because of thosevarious moves from city to city in his early youth, he had never been permitted to collect such a sum of practical training in any field as would permit him, so he thought, to aspire to the great worlds of which these menappeared to be a part. Yet his soul now yearned for this. The people who lived in fine houses, who stopped atgreat hotels, and had men like Mr. Squires, and the manager of the bell-hops here, to wait on them and arrangefor their comfort. And he was still a bell-hop. And close to twenty-one. At times it made him very sad. Hewished and wished that he could get into some work where he could rise and be somebody--not always remain abell- hop, as at times he feared he might.
　　About the time that he reached this conclusion in regard to himself and was meditating on some way to improveand safeguard his future, his uncle, Samuel Griffiths, arrived in Chicago. And having connections here whichmade a card to this club an obvious civility, he came directly to it and for several days was about the placeconferring with individuals who came to see him, or hurrying to and fro to meet people and visit concerns whomhe deemed it important to see.
　　And it was not an hour after he arrived before Ratterer, who had charge of the pegboard at the door by day andwho had but a moment before finished posting the name of this uncle on the board, signaled to Clyde, who cameover.
　　"Didn't you say you had an uncle or something by the name of Griffiths in the collar business somewhere in NewYork State?""Sure," replied Clyde. "Samuel Griffiths. He has a big collar factory in Lycurgus. That's his ad you see in all thepapers and that's his fire sign over there on Michigan Avenue.""Would you know him if you saw him?""No," replied Clyde. "I never saw him in all my life.""I'll bet anything it's the same fellow," commented Ratterer, consulting a small registry slip that had been handedhim. "Looka here--Samuel Griffiths, Lycurgus, N. Y. That's probably the same guy, eh?""Surest thing you know," added Clyde, very much interested and even excited, for this was the identical uncleabout whom he had been thinking so long.
　　"He just went through here a few minutes ago," went on Ratterer. "Devoy took his bags up to K. Swell-lookingman, too. You better keep your eye open and take a look at him when he comes down again. Maybe it's youruncle. He's only medium tall and kinda thin. Wears a small gray mustache and a pearl gray hat. Good-lookin'. I'llpoint him out to you. If it is your uncle you better shine up to him. Maybe he'll do somepin' for you--give you acollar or two," he added, laughing.
　　Clyde laughed too as though he very much appreciated this joke, although in reality he was flustered. His uncleSamuel! And in this club! Well, then this was his opportunity to introduce himself to his uncle. He had intendedwriting him before ever he secured this place, but now he was here in this club and might speak to him if hechose.
　　But hold! What would his uncle think of him, supposing he chose to introduce himself? For he was a bell-boyagain and acting in that capacity in this club. What, for instance, might be his uncle's attitude toward boys whoworked as bell-boys, particularly at his-- Clyde's--years. For he was over twenty now, and getting to be pretty oldfor a bell-boy, that is, if one ever intended to be anything else. A man of his wealth and high position might lookon bell-hopping as menial, particularly bell-boys who chanced to be related to him. He might not wish to haveanything to do with him--might not even wish him to address him in any way. It was in this state that heremained for fully twenty-four hours after he knew that his uncle had arrived at this club.
　　The following afternoon, however, after he had seen him at least half a dozen times and had been able toformulate the most agreeable impressions of him, since his uncle appeared to be so very quick, alert, incisive--sovery different from his father in every way, and so rich and respected by every one here--he began to wonder, tofear even at times, whether he was going to let this remarkable opportunity slip. For after all, his uncle did notlook to him to be at all unkindly--quite the reverse--very pleasant. And when, at the suggestion of Ratterer, hehad gone to his uncle's room to secure a letter which was to be sent by special messenger, his uncle had scarcelylooked at him, but instead had handed him the letter and half a dollar. "See that a boy takes that right away andkeep the money for yourself," he had remarked.
　　Clyde's excitement was so great at the moment that he wondered that his uncle did not guess that he was hisnephew. But plainly he did not. And he went away a little crest-fallen.
　　Later some half dozen letters for his uncle having been put in the key-box, Ratterer called Clyde's attention tothem. "If you want to run in on him again, here's your chance. Take those up to him. He's in his room, I think."And Clyde, after some hesitation, had finally taken the letters and gone to his uncle's suite once more.
　　His uncle was writing at the time and merely called: "Come!" Then Clyde, entering and smiling ratherenigmatically, observed: "Here's some mail for you, Mr. Griffiths.""Thank you very much, my son," replied his uncle and proceeded to finger his vest pocket for change. but Clyde,seizing this opportunity, exclaimed: "Oh, no, I don't want anything for that." And then before his uncle could sayanything more, although he proceeded to hold out some silver to him, he added: "I believe I'm related to you, Mr.
　　Griffiths. You're Mr. Samuel Griffiths of the Griffiths Collar Company of Lycurgus, aren't you?""Yes, I have a little something to do with it, I believe. Who are you?" returned his uncle, looking at him sharply.
　　"My name's Clyde Griffiths. My father, Asa Griffiths, is your brother, I believe."At the mention of this particular brother, who, to the knowledge of all the members of this family, was distinctlynot a success materially, the face of Samuel Griffiths clouded the least trifle. For the mention of Asa broughtrather unpleasingly before him the stocky and decidedly not well-groomed figure of his younger brother, whomhe had not seen in so many years. His most recent distinct picture of him was as a young man of about Clyde'sage about his father's house near Bertwick, Vermont. But how different! Clyde's father was then short, fat andpoorly knit mentally as well as physically--oleaginous and a bit mushy, as it were. His chin was not firm, hiseyes a pale watery blue, and his hair frizzled. Whereas this son of his was neat, alert, good-looking andseemingly well-mannered and intelligent, as most bell- hops were inclined to be as he noted. And he liked him.
　　However, Samuel Griffiths, who along with his elder brother Allen had inherited the bulk of his father'smoderate property, and this because of Joseph Griffiths' prejudice against his youngest son, had always felt thatperhaps an injustice had been done Asa. For Asa, not having proved very practical or intelligent, his father hadfirst attempted to drive and then later ignore him, and finally had turned him out at about Clyde's age, and hadafterward left the bulk of his property, some thirty thousand dollars, to these two elder brothers, share and sharealike--willing Asa but a petty thousand.
　　It was this thought in connection with this younger brother that now caused him to stare at Clyde rathercuriously. For Clyde, as he could see, was in no way like the younger brother who had been harried from hisfather's home so many years before. Rather he was more like his own son, Gilbert, whom, as he now saw heresembled. Also in spite of all of Clyde's fears he was obviously impressed by the fact that he should have anykind of place in this interesting club. For to Samuel Griffiths, who was more than less confined to the limitedactivities and environment of Lycurgus, the character and standing of this particular club was to be respected.
　　And those young men who served the guests of such an institution as this, were, in the main, possessed ofefficient and unobtrusive manners. Therefore to see Clyde standing before him in his neat gray and blackuniform and with the air of one whose social manners at least were excellent, caused him to think favorably ofhim.
　　"You don't tell me!" he exclaimed interestedly. "So you're Asa's son. I do declare! Well, now, this is a surprise.
　　You see I haven't seen or heard from your father in at least--well, say, twenty-five or six years, anyhow. The lasttime I did hear from him he was living in Grand Rapids, Michigan, I think, or here. He isn't here now, Ipresume.""Oh, no, sir," replied Clyde, who was glad to be able to say this. "The family live in Denver. I'm here all alone.""Your father and mother are living, I presume.""Yes, sir. They're both alive.""Still connected with religious work, is he--your father?""Well, yes, sir," answered Clyde, a little dubiously, for he was still convinced that the form of religious work hisfather essayed was of all forms the poorest and most inconsequential socially. "Only the church he has now," hewent on, "has a lodging house connected with it. About forty rooms, I believe. He and my mother run that andthe mission too.""Oh, I see."He was so anxious to make a better impression on his uncle than the situation seemed to warrant that he wasquite willing to exaggerate a little.
　　"Well, I'm glad they're doing so well," continued Samuel Griffiths, rather impressed with the trim and vigorousappearance of Clyde. "You like this kind of work, I suppose?""Well, not exactly. No, Mr. Griffiths, I don't," replied Clyde quickly, alive at once to the possibilities of thisquery. "It pays well enough. But I don't like the way you have to make the money you get here. It isn't my idea ofa salary at all. But I got in this because I didn't have a chance to study any particular work or get in with somecompany where there was a real chance to work up and make something of myself. My mother wanted me towrite you once and ask whether there was any chance in your company for me to begin and work up, but I wasafraid maybe that you might not like that exactly, and so I never did."He paused, smiling, and yet with an inquiring look in his eye.
　　His uncle looked solemnly at him for a moment, pleased by his looks and his general manner of approach in thisinstance, and then replied: "Well, that is very interesting. You should have written, if you wanted to--" Then, aswas his custom in all matters, he cautiously paused. Clyde noted that he was hesitating to encourage him.
　　"I don't suppose there is anything in your company that you would let me do?" he ventured boldly, after amoment.
　　Samuel Griffiths merely stared at him thoughtfully. He liked and he did not like this direct request. However,Clyde appeared at least a very adaptable person for the purpose. He seemed bright and ambitious--so much likehis own son, and he might readily fit into some department as head or assistant under his son, once he hadacquired a knowledge of the various manufacturing processes. At any rate he might let him try it. There could beno real harm in that. Besides, there was his younger brother, to whom, perhaps, both he and his older brotherAllen owed some form of obligation, if not exactly restitution.
　　"Well," he said, after a moment, "that is something I would have to think over a little. I wouldn't be able to say,offhand, whether there is or not. We wouldn't be able to pay you as much as you make here to begin with," hewarned.
　　"Oh, that's all right," exclaimed Clyde, who was far more fascinated by the thought of connecting himself withhis uncle than anything else. "I wouldn't expect very much until I was able to earn it, of course.""Besides, it might be that you would find that you didn't like the collar business once you got into it, or we mightfind we didn't like you. Not every one is suited to it by a long way.""Well, all you'd have to do then would be to discharge me," assured Clyde. "I've always thought I would be,though, ever since I heard of you and your big company."This last remark pleased Samuel Griffiths. Plainly he and his achievements had stood in the nature of an ideal tothis youth.
　　"Very well," he said. "I won't be able to give any more time to this now. But I'll be here for a day or two more,anyhow, and I'll think it over. It may be that I will be able to do something for you. I can't say now." And heturned quite abruptly to his letters.
　　And Clyde, feeling that he had made as good an impression as could be expected under the circumstances andthat something might come of it, thanked him profusely and beat a hasty retreat.
　　The next day, having thought it over and deciding that Clyde, because of his briskness and intelligence, waslikely to prove as useful as another, Samuel Griffiths, after due deliberation as to the situation at home, informedClyde that in case any small opening in the home factory occurred he would be glad to notify him. But he wouldnot even go so far as to guarantee him that an opening would immediately be forthcoming. He must wait.
　　Accordingly Clyde was left to speculate as to how soon, if ever, a place in his uncle's factory would be made forhim.
　　In the meanwhile Samuel Griffiths had returned to Lycurgus. And after a later conference with his son, hedecided that Clyde might be inducted into the very bottom of the business at least--the basement of the Griffithsplant, where the shrinking of all fabrics used in connection with the manufacture of collars was brought about,and where beginners in this industry who really desired to acquire the technique of it were placed, for it was hisidea that Clyde by degrees was to be taught the business from top to bottom. And since he must support himselfin some form not absolutely incompatible with the standing of the Griffiths family here in Lycurgus, it wasdecided to pay him the munificent sum of fifteen dollars to begin.
　　For while Samuel Griffiths, as well as his son Gilbert, realized that this was small pay (not for an ordinaryapprentice but for Clyde, since he was a relative) yet so inclined were both toward the practical rather than thecharitable in connection with all those who worked for them, that the nearer the beginner in this factory was tothe clear mark of necessity and compulsion, the better. Neither could tolerate the socialistic theory relative tocapitalistic exploitation. As both saw it, there had to be higher and higher social orders to which the lower socialclasses could aspire. One had to have castes. One was foolishly interfering with and disrupting necessary andunavoidable social standards when one tried to unduly favor any one--even a relative. It was necessary whendealing with the classes and intelligences below one, commercially or financially, to handle them according tothe standards to which they were accustomed. And the best of these standards were those which held these lowerindividuals to a clear realization of how difficult it was to come by money--to an understanding of how verynecessary it was for all who were engaged in what both considered the only really important constructive workof the world--that of material manufacture--to understand how very essential it was to be drilled, and that sharplyand systematically, in all the details and processes which comprise that constructive work. And so to becomeinured to a narrow and abstemious life in so doing. It was good for their characters. It informed and strengthenedthe minds and spirits of those who were destined to rise. And those who were not should be kept right where theywere.
　　Accordingly, about a week after that, the nature of Clyde's work having been finally decided upon, a letter wasdispatched to him to Chicago by Samuel Griffiths himself in which he set forth that if he chose he might presenthimself any time now within the next few weeks. But he must give due notice in writing of at least ten days inadvance of his appearance in order that he might be properly arranged for. And upon his arrival he was to seekout Mr. Gilbert Griffiths at the office of the mill, who would look after him.
　　And upon receipt of this Clyde was very much thrilled and at once wrote to his mother that he had actuallysecured a place with his uncle and was going to Lycurgus. Also that he was going to try to achieve a real success now. Whereupon she wrote him a long letter, urging him to be, oh, so careful of his conduct and associates. Badcompanionship was at the root of nearly all of the errors and failures that befell an ambitious youth such as he. Ifhe would only avoid evil-minded or foolish and headstrong boys and girls, all would be well. It was so easy for ayoung man of his looks and character to be led astray by an evil woman. He had seen what had befallen him inKansas City. But now he was still young and he was going to work for a man who was very rich and who coulddo so much for him, if he would. And he was to write her frequently as to the outcome of his efforts here.
　　And so, after having notified his uncle as he had requested, Clyde finally took his departure for Lycurgus. But onhis arrival there, since his original notification from his uncle had called for no special hour at which to call atthe factory, he did not go at once, but instead sought out the important hotel of Lycurgus, the Lycurgus House.
　　Then finding himself with ample time on his hands, and very curious about the character of this city in which hewas to work, and his uncle's position in it, he set forth to look it over, his thought being that once he reported andbegan work he might not soon have the time again. He now ambled out into Central Avenue, the very heart ofLycurgus, which in this section was crossed by several business streets, which together with Central Avenue fora few blocks on either side, appeared to constitute the business center--all there was to the life and gayety ofLycurgus.
不过，克莱德生活中的种种不幸，如按他解释，完全归咎于自己过去没有受过教育。他从幼时起经常随家从这个城市迁至那个城市，始终没让他在某个方面获得一些实际知识使他能够平步青云，成为那个高贵社会的一个成员，而这个高贵社会，正是属于俱乐部里来来往往的那些客人所有。不过，如今他心中正热切渴望自己能进入这么一个高贵社会。这些绅士们住的是漂亮的府邸，出门下榻豪华的大酒店，还有斯夸尔斯先生和这里的侍应生领班这类人侍候他们，让他们得到舒适享受。而他，克莱德，还只不过是一名侍应生。年纪快要二十一岁了。有时真让他够伤心。他整日价梦想能另觅一个什么事由，以便步步高升，做一个了不起的人物……总不能一辈子当侍应生啊。有时候，他一想到这里，就不寒而栗了。

当他对自己作出这么一个结论，心中暗自琢磨怎样才能使自己前途无量的时候，他的伯父塞缪尔。格里菲思来到了芝加哥。本来他同俱乐部就有一些联系，这里对他又特别殷勤，当即邀请他入会。他径直来到了俱乐部，一连好几天，就在这里跟前来拜访他的人交谈，或是来去匆匆，拜访了一些他认为必需拜访的有关人士和厂商。

他到后还不到一个钟头，白天在入口处专管旅客登记的拉特勒，刚把写上克莱德伯父名字的牌子挂到留宿旅客一览牌照上，就跟迎面走来的克莱德打了个招呼。

"你不是说你有个伯父，或是一个什么亲戚，也姓格里菲思，在纽约州某某地方经营领子业，是吧?

""是啊，"克莱德回答说。"塞缪尔。格里菲思。他在莱柯格斯开设一家规模宏大的领子工厂。你在各报都可以看到他登的广告。也许你在密执安大街上已看见他的灯光广告。""你要是见到他，还认得不认得?

""不认得，"克莱德回答说。"我从来没见过他哩。""我敢打赌，那包管是他，"拉特勒一口咬定说，一面看着叫他登记的小纸条。

"你看……塞缪尔。格里菲思，纽约州莱柯格斯。恐怕就是这个人吧，嗯?

""千真万确，"克莱德接下去说，觉得挺有意思，乃至于很激动。因为有多少个日子，他朝思暮想的，就是这一个伯父啊。

"几分钟前他才打这儿走过，"拉特勒继续说着。"德沃埃把他的手提包送到Ｋ号房间去了。看起来是个时髦人物。你最好睁大眼睛，等他下来的时候，把他好好看个清楚呗。也许他就是你的伯父。他中等身材，相当瘦，蓄着一络灰色小胡子，戴一顶银灰色帽子。样子可神气哩。我会指给你看的。要是他真的是你伯父，你还得设法巴结巴结他。说不定他会帮帮你的忙……给你一两条领子什么的，"他一面说着，一面哈哈大笑。

克莱德也笑了起来，好象非常赞赏这个玩笑，其实，他心里却无比激动。

他的伯父塞缪尔!

就在这个俱乐部!

啊，跟伯父相见的大好机会已到了。克莱德在这儿觅到职位以前，一直就想给他写信，如今伯父亲自来到了这个俱乐部，也许还会屈尊俯就，跟他说说话哩。

不过，且慢!

假定说他冒昧地自我介绍的话，那他伯父对他会怎么个想法呢?

因为他到现在充其量还只是在这个俱乐部里当一名侍应生。比方说，对于当侍应生的小伙子，尤其是象他克莱德那样的年纪，他伯父又会持什么样态度呢?

现在他已二十出头了，要是还想干别的事情的话，当这么一个侍应生，年纪已经大了一些。象塞缪尔。格里菲思那样有钱有势的人，也许会把侍应生看成是下贱的，特别碰上这个侍应生正好是他的亲戚。也许他不愿意跟他来往……甚至还不愿意他跟自己说话呢。他知道伯父来到这个俱乐部以后，整整一昼夜，心里始终这样迟疑不决。

可是，到了转天下午，他看见伯父已有五六次了，觉得印象很好。他伯父显得很活泼。机灵。果断……样样都跟他父亲迥然不同，何况他又是那么富有，这儿每个人都尊敬他。克莱德心里开始纳闷，有时甚至感到害怕，担心自己会不会错过了这个难得的机会。依他看，他伯父毕竟还不象是冷若冰霜的人……恰好相反……倒是非常和蔼可亲。后来，还是拉特勒出的主意，克莱德跑到伯父房间去取一封需交专门信差送出的信。殊不知伯父几乎连看都没有看他，只把信和半块美元一起递给了他，说:

"派一个人马上送去，这钱是给你的。"克莱德当时心情非常激动，暗自纳闷伯父也许是没有猜到这是他的亲侄儿吧。显然，伯父确实没有猜到。克莱德就不免有点儿垂头丧气地走了。

不久，他伯父的信箱里已有了五六封信，拉特勒又关照克莱德:

"如果你心里想要再去找他，这就是你的机会啦。把这些信给他一块送去。我想这会儿他在房间里。"克莱德迟疑了一会儿，终于拿了信，再次上他伯父那个套间去。

他伯父正在写东西，只不过说了一声:

"进来!

"克莱德走进去，有点儿神秘莫测地微笑着说:

"有您几封信，格里菲思先生。""谢谢你，小伙子，"他伯父回答说，一面往马夹口袋里找零钱。克莱德抓住这个机会说:

"哦，不，不，这点事就不用给啦。"他伯父正掏出一些银币想给他，可是还来不及说什么的时候，没想到克莱德却接下去说:

"我觉得我好象是您的亲戚，格里菲思先生。您就是莱柯格斯格里菲思领子工厂的格里菲思先生，是吧?

""是啊，我想我跟这家工厂有些关系。你是谁呀?

"他伯父回答说，目光如炬地把他仔细端详着。

"我叫克莱德。格里菲思。我父亲阿萨。格里菲思，跟您是弟兄吧?

"塞缪尔。格里菲思一听有人提到自己这个兄弟……格里菲思家人人都知道他穷愁潦倒……脸上立时笼罩一层阴影。多少年来他没有跟阿萨见过面，如今一提到阿萨，令人不快的兄弟的身影马上映入他眼帘。塞缪尔还清楚地记得最后一次是在佛蒙特州伯特威克附近父亲家里见到他，那时他还是一个年纪跟克莱德相仿的年轻人。不过，两人长得多么不一样啊!

克莱德的父亲，当时既矮又胖，无论体质与智力都很差劲……只会阿谀奉承，而且还有点儿粘粘糊糊。他长着一头鬈发，他那淡蓝色眼睛总是水汪汪的，他的下巴颏儿给人以缺乏坚强意志的印象。可是阿萨这个儿子，长得倒干净利落，很机警。漂亮，显然很懂规矩，头脑也聪明，如同他平时所看到大多数侍应生。不用说，他倒是喜欢他。

塞缪尔。格里菲思与他的长兄艾伦，继承了父亲菲薄财产的一大半。这是因为约瑟夫。格里菲思对自己的小儿子怀有偏见的缘故。塞缪尔。格里菲思历来认为这对阿萨也许是不公道的。因为他们的父亲发现阿萨既不能干，又不聪明，开头想把他赶出去，接着干脆不睬他，最后终于在跟克莱德现下年纪相仿的时候把他逐出了家门。后来，做父亲的将自己的财产(大约三万块美元左右)留给了两个大儿子，由他们平分……而留给阿萨的，就只有区区一千块美元。

正是因为塞缪尔。格里菲思想起了自己的兄弟，现在才十分好奇地直瞅着克莱德。他觉得，克莱德简直一点儿都不象很多年前被逐出父亲家门的小兄弟。

还不如说克莱德更象他自己的儿子吉尔伯特。因为他觉得，他们两人长得非常相象。这时，尽管克莱德心里很害怕，可是塞缪尔对他印象显然很好，认为克莱德居然能在这样时髦的俱乐部里觅到一个位置了。塞缪尔。格里菲思平时所接触到的，仅仅局限于莱柯格斯的活动环境，因而在他看来，联谊俱乐部的性质和地位，确是令人可敬的。侍候这里客人的那些年轻人，通常都是态度谦逊，办事利索。所以，他看见克莱德伫立在他面前，身穿整洁的灰黑相间制服，至少举止风度很出色，因而对他产生了好感。

"嘿，你说到哪儿去了!

"他很感兴趣地大声说道。"那末，你就是阿萨的儿子!

真是太巧了!

唉，真是怎么也想不到。要知道，我没见到你父亲，没接到他的信，至少有……哦，至少也有二十五六个年头了。最后一次接到他的信时，记得他正住在密执安州大瀑布城那里，要不然就住在这里。我想，现在他不在这里吧。

""是的，他不在这里，先生，"克莱德回答说。他能有回话的机会，心里觉得高兴。"全家都住在丹佛。只有我一个人在这里。""我想，你父母都健在吧。""是的，先生。都健在。""你父亲，他……还在做宗教工作吗?

""哦，是的，先生，"克莱德有点儿迟疑地回答说，因为他至今仍然认为，父亲所从事的宗教工作，在众人心目中，乃是最穷酸。最不中用的。"只不过现在他的那个传道馆，"他接下去说，"附设一家寄宿舍。我看大约有四十多个房间。

他和母亲一块在照管这个寄宿舍和传道馆。""哦，我明白。"他恨不得让伯父留下更好的印象，因此在介绍家里境况时不免有点儿夸大了。

"现下他们光景很好，我很高兴，"塞缪尔。格里菲思接下去说，对克莱德衣冠整洁。精力饱满的模样儿印象颇佳。"我想你对眼前这种工作很满意吧?

""哦，还说不上十分满意。不，格里菲思先生，我可不满意，"克莱德马上回答说，深知伯父这一句问话的重要性。"当然罗，收入还不错。不过，我不喜欢这儿赚钱的那种方式，老实说，与我所想象的压根儿不一样。我干上这一行，是因为过去我没有机会去学某一个专门手艺，或是上哪一家公司，在那里才有真正机会得到擢升，使自己成为一个了不起的人物。妈有一次要我给您写信，想问问贵厂有没有什么机会，好让我从头学起，但是我怕您也许会不高兴，因此也就没有写。"他沉默无语，微笑着，不过眼里依然流露出探询的神色。

伯父严峻地瞅着他一会儿，对他的容貌以及他提出这样恳求的方式心里都很满意，于是回答说:

"哦，那可很有意思。我觉得你就应该写嘛，要是你心里想……"随后，正如他在所有业务的谈话时常有那种谨慎的习惯，他沉吟不语了。

克莱德觉察到伯父有些踌躇不定了，他在思忖该不该鼓励自己的侄儿。

"我猜想贵厂大概没有什么工作能让我做吧?

"过了半晌克莱德大胆问道。

塞缪尔。格里菲思只是若有所思地两眼直瞅着他。对这样开门见山地提出要求，他心里虽然喜欢，但也有点儿不喜欢。不过，在他看来，克莱德好象少说也是个很合适的人。看来他很聪明能干，也有很大抱负……很象他自己的儿子;只要他熟悉了产品制造过程，也许他完全可以在他儿子手下当个某某部门的负责人或是助理。不管怎么说，不妨就让他试一试。说真的，不会有什么坏处吧。再说，这毕竟还是他小兄弟阿萨的儿子，他和艾伦大哥也许对他负有某种义务，如果说不是恢复遗产继承权的话。

"哦，"他过了半晌说，"这事我得考虑一下。我可一时还说不上有没有合适的工作。我们一开头给你的钱，可不会象这儿那么多哩，"他提醒克莱德说。

"哦，那敢情好，"克莱德大声说。一想到他本人有可能在伯父手下任职，不消说，比啥都更让他动心了。"当然罗，在我还没有能耐赚这么多钱以前，我可不会指望那么多的。""再说，你一旦进入了领子业，也许会觉得你并不喜欢它，或者是我们也许会不喜欢你。在这儿顺便说一下，这个行业决不是对每个人都适合的。

""哦，到时候您不妨开除我，那就得了，"克莱德为了让伯父放心才这么说。

"不过，打从我一听到您和您那个规模宏大的公司以后，我心里一直在想:

我干这一行是适合的。"这最后一句话，让塞缪尔。格里菲思听了很开心。他本人和他的成就，显然已成为这个年轻人的理想了。

"好吧，"他说。"此刻我还没有更多时间来考虑这个问题。不过，反正我在这儿还得待上一两天，让我再想一想。也许我可以帮你一点儿忙。可现在我还说不准，"说罢，他突然回过头去看信了。

克莱德觉得自己在现有情况下已经给他伯父留下了一个尽可能好的印象，因此，也许会有一些结果，于是就一再向他道谢，随后匆匆退了出来。

转天，塞缪尔。格里菲思经过通盘考虑，觉得克莱德以他这般聪明伶俐的劲儿，来厂工作想必也决不会比别人逊色，同时又考虑到自己家里情况以后，就对克莱德说，只要厂里一有什么空缺，他很乐意马上通知他。不过，他还不能保证马上就会有空缺。克莱德必须耐心地等待。

这样，克莱德心里就不时在想，要是伯父厂里可以给他一个职位，不知道多咱才能实现。

就在这时，塞缪尔。格里菲思回到了莱柯格斯，后来跟他儿子商量以后，就决定克莱德应该学点业务，要从最基层，至少……在格里菲思工厂的地下室里先干起来:

制造领子所需用的坯布，都要送到这里下水防缩，凡是真的有志于掌握这一行制造技术的初学者，首先都得被安置在这里，伯父的想法是:

要让克莱德逐步精通这一行业务。而既然要他以一种与莱柯格斯格里菲思家的地位相埒的形式维持自己的生活，便决定一开始就付给他优厚薪金每星期十五块美元。

当然罗，塞缪尔。格里菲思和他儿子吉尔伯特都知道:

这是小小不言的薪金(不是指一般的练习生，而是指克莱德来说的，因为他好歹还是个亲戚)。不过，他们父子俩都很讲究实际，对所有替他们做事的人不是一味仁慈为怀，他们认为:

在本厂初学的人，越是接近生活最低水准就越好。有关资本家剥削的社会主义理论……他们俩谁都觉得不能容忍。他们俩都认为，应该有一些高贵的社会阶层，好让低微的社会阶层渴求逐步得到晋升。社会阶层是断断乎非有不可的。

要是过分照顾了某一个人……哪怕是一个亲戚，那就是愚蠢地破坏了必不可缺的社会标准。要是跟阶级地位。知识水平低下的人在商业上或是在钱财上发生关系，那就必须按照他们所熟悉的标准来对待他们。而最佳标准就是:

要让地位低微的人清晰地认识到这钱来之不易，要让他了解到不管哪一个人，只要从事依他们父子俩观点来看乃是世界上唯一真正重要的建设性的工作……制造物质财富的工作……就必须在构成那一建设性工作的一切细部和一切过程中接受训练，而且还要严格地。有系统地接受训练。懂得以上各点，方可适应一种天地虽然狭小，然而却有节制的生活。这对他们的品格来说也有好处。这将使日后一定会按照社会阶层晋升的人在心灵上和精神上都得到更好的锻炼。至于那些没有能耐，得不到晋升的人，就得让他们依然留在原地不动。

因此，大约一周以后，克莱德的工作性质已经最后确定了，塞缪尔。格里菲思就亲自给在芝加哥的克莱德写信，说如果他有意，可在最近几周内随时前来报到。不过，他必须至少在十天前写信告知行期，以便及时给他作好一切安排。他一到莱柯格斯，应去工厂办公处找吉尔伯特。格里菲思，届时后者会照料他的。

克莱德接到这封信后，简直惊喜若狂，马上给母亲写信，说他真的在伯父那里得到了一个位置，眼下就要动身到莱柯格斯去了。信上还说他准备奋力做去，以便将来真正发迹起来。她给儿子回了一封长信，勉励他对举止和择友两事要特别谨小慎微。象他这样的年轻有为的小伙子之所以误入歧途，其根源就在于交上了坏朋友。他只要能躲开那一伙好色的，或是愚蠢和任性的男孩子和女孩子，一切就相安无事了。象他这样外貌和性格的年轻人，很容易被一个坏女人引入歧途。他在堪萨斯城闯下了什么样的大祸，谅他自己心里有数了。不过，现在他还很年轻，而且正要给那个有钱有势的人做事了，此人只要乐意的话，也许会给他帮大忙呢。信上还说希望他经常写信，向她谈谈自己在那儿努力的成果。

克莱德遵照伯父的话事前通知了他以后，就动身去莱柯格斯了。不过，当初伯父关照他时，并没有说定必须在何时何刻到工厂里去，所以，他一到莱柯格斯，并没有马上就去，而是先找到莱柯格斯独一无二的大旅馆，亦即莱柯格斯大饭店。

他觉得眼下时间还很从容，同时，心中又急于想了解一下他即将在此工作的这个城市是个什么样子，还有伯父在本城的地位又是怎样，因此，他就出去游览市容了。那时，他认为自己一旦报到，开始上班以后，也许马上就不会再有这样的闲情逸致了。于是，他就漫步来到了中央大道……莱柯格斯真正的闹市中心区，有好几条生意兴隆的街道都从这里通过，这些街道，连同中央大道两旁几个街区，组成了一个商业中心……莱柯格斯的交际中心与赏心乐事，也都集中在这里。
Part 2 Chapter 5
But once in this and walking about, how different it all seemed to the world to which so recently he had beenaccustomed. For here, as he had thus far seen, all was on a so much smaller scale. The depot, from which only ahalf hour before he had stepped down, was so small and dull, untroubled, as he could plainly see, by muchtraffic. And the factory section which lay opposite the small city--across the Mohawk--was little more than a redand gray assemblage of buildings with here and there a smokestack projecting upward, and connected with thecity by two bridges--a half dozen blocks apart--one of them directly at this depot, a wide traffic bridge acrosswhich traveled a car-line following the curves of Central Avenue, dotted here and there with stores and smallhomes.
　　But Central Avenue was quite alive with traffic, pedestrians and automobiles. Opposite diagonally from thehotel, which contained a series of wide plate-glass windows, behind which were many chairs interspersed withpalms and pillars, was the dry-goods emporium of Stark and Company, a considerable affair, four stories inheight, and of white brick, and at least a hundred feet long, the various windows of which seemed bright andinteresting, crowded with as smart models as might be seen anywhere. Also there were other large concerns, asecond hotel, various automobile showrooms, a moving picture theater.
　　He found himself ambling on and on until suddenly he was out of the business district again and in touch with awide and tree-shaded thoroughfare of residences, the houses of which, each and every one, appeared to possessmore room space, lawn space, general ease and repose and dignity even than any with which he had ever been incontact. In short, as he sensed it from this brief inspection of its very central portion, it seemed a veryexceptional, if small city street--rich, luxurious even. So many imposing wrought-iron fences, flower-borderedwalks, grouped trees and bushes, expensive and handsome automobiles either beneath porte-cocheres within or speeding along the broad thoroughfare without. And in some neighboring shops--those nearest Central Avenueand the business heart where this wide and handsome thoroughfare began, were to be seen such expensive-looking and apparently smart displays of the things that might well interest people of means and comfort-motors,jewels, lingerie, leather goods and furniture.
　　But where now did his uncle and his family live? In which house? What street? Was it larger and finer than anyof these he had seen in this street?
　　He must return at once, he decided, and report to his uncle. He must look up the factory address, probably in thatregion beyond the river, and go over there and see him. What would he say, how act, what would his uncle sethim to doing? What would his cousin Gilbert be like? What would he be likely to think of him? In his last letterhis uncle had mentioned his son Gilbert. He retraced his steps along Central Avenue to the depot and foundhimself quickly before the walls of the very large concern he was seeking. It was of red brick, six stories high-almosta thousand feet long. It was nearly all windows--at least that portion which had been most recently addedand which was devoted to collars. An older section, as Clyde later learned, was connected with the newerbuilding by various bridges. And the south walls of both these two structures, being built at the water's edge,paralleled the Mohawk. There were also, as he now found, various entrances along River Street, a hundred feetor more apart--and each one, guarded by an employee in uniform--entrances numbered one, two and three-whichwere labeled "for employees only"--an entrance numbered four which read "office"--and entrances fiveand six appeared to be devoted to freight receipts and shipments.
　　Clyde made his way to the office portion and finding no one to hinder him, passed through two sets of swingingdoors and found himself in the presence of a telephone girl seated at a telephone desk behind a railing, in whichwas set a small gate--the only entrance to the main office apparently. And this she guarded. She was short, fat,thirty-five and unattractive.
　　"Well?" she called as Clyde appeared.
　　"I want to see Mr. Gilbert Griffiths," Clyde began a little nervously.
　　"What about?""Well, you see, I'm his cousin. Clyde Griffiths is my name. I have a letter here from my uncle, Mr. SamuelGriffiths. He'll see me, I think."As he laid the letter before her, he noticed that her quite severe and decidedly indifferent expression changed andbecame not so much friendly as awed. For obviously she was very much impressed not only by the informationbut his looks, and began to examine him slyly and curiously.
　　"I'll see if he's in," she replied much more civilly, and plugging at the same time a switch which led to Mr.
　　Gilbert Griffiths' private office. Word coming back to her apparently that Mr. Gilbert Griffiths was busy at themoment and could not be disturbed, she called back: "It's Mr. Gilbert's cousin, Mr. Clyde Griffiths. He has aletter from Mr. Samuel Griffiths." Then she said to Clyde: "Won't you sit down? I'm sure Mr. Gilbert Griffithswill see you in a moment. He's busy just now."And Clyde, noting the unusual deference paid him--a form of deference that never in his life before had beenoffered him--was strangely moved by it. To think that he should be a full cousin to this wealthy and influentialfamily! This enormous factory! So long and wide and high--as he had seen--six stories. And walking along theopposite side of the river just now, he had seen through several open windows whole rooms full of girls andwomen hard at work. And he had been thrilled in spite of himself. For somehow the high red walls of thebuilding suggested energy and very material success, a type of success that was almost without flaw, as he sawit.
　　He looked at the gray plaster walls of this outer waiting chamber--at some lettering on the inner door whichread: "The Griffiths Collar & Shirt Company, Inc. Samuel Griffiths, Pres. Gilbert Griffiths, Sec'y."--andwondered what it was all like inside--what Gilbert Griffiths would be like--cold or genial, friendly or unfriendly.
　　And then, as he sat there meditating, the woman suddenly turned to him and observed: "You can go in now. Mr.
　　Gilbert Griffiths' office is at the extreme rear of this floor, over toward the river. Any one of the clerks inside willshow you."She half rose as if to open the door for him, but Clyde, sensing the intent, brushed by her. "That's all right.
　　Thanks," he said most warmly, and opening the glass-plated door he gazed upon a room housing many over ahundred employees--chiefly young men and young women. And all were apparently intent on their duties beforethem. Most of them had green shades over their eyes. Quite all of them had on short alpaca office coats or sleeveprotectors over their shirt sleeves. Nearly all of the young women wore clean and attractive gingham dresses oroffice slips. And all about this central space, which was partitionless and supported by round white columns,were offices labeled with the names of the various minor officials and executives of the company--Mr. Smillie,Mr. Latch, Mr. Gotboy, Mr. Burkey.
　　Since the telephone girl had said that Mr. Gilbert Griffiths was at the extreme rear, Clyde, without muchhesitation, made his way along the railed-off aisle to that quarter, where upon a half-open door he read: "Mr.
　　Gilbert Griffiths, Sec'y." He paused, uncertain whether to walk in or not, and then proceeded to tap. At once asharp, penetrating voice called: "Come," and he entered and faced a youth who looked, if anything, smaller and alittle older and certainly much colder and shrewder than himself--such a youth, in short, as Clyde would haveliked to imagine himself to be--trained in an executive sense, apparently authoritative and efficient. He wasdressed, as Clyde noted at once, in a bright gray suit of a very pronounced pattern, for it was once moreapproaching spring. His hair, of a lighter shade than Clyde's, was brushed and glazed most smoothly back fromhis temples and forehead, and his eyes, which Clyde, from the moment he had opened the door had felt drillinghim, were of a clear, liquid, grayish-green blue. He had on a pair of large horn-rimmed glasses which he wore athis desk only, and the eyes that peered through them went over Clyde swiftly and notatively, from his shoes tothe round brown felt hat which he carried in his hand.
　　"You're my cousin, I believe," he commented, rather icily, as Clyde came forward and stopped--a thin andcertainly not very favorable smile playing about his lips.
　　"Yes, I am," replied Clyde, reduced and confused by this calm and rather freezing reception. On the instant, as henow saw, he could not possibly have the same regard and esteem for this cousin, as he could and did have for his uncle, whose very great ability had erected this important industry. Rather, deep down in himself he felt that thisyoung man, an heir and nothing more to this great industry, was taking to himself airs and superiorities which,but for his father's skill before him, would not have been possible.
　　At the same time so groundless and insignificant were his claims to any consideration here, and so grateful washe for anything that might be done for him, that he felt heavily obligated already and tried to smile his best andmost ingratiating smile. Yet Gilbert Griffiths at once appeared to take this as a bit of presumption which oughtnot to be tolerated in a mere cousin, and particularly one who was seeking a favor of him and his father.
　　However, since his father had troubled to interest himself in him and had given him no alternative, he continuedhis wry smile and mental examination, the while he said: "We thought you would be showing up to-day or tomorrow.
　　Did you have a pleasant trip?""Oh, yes, very," replied Clyde, a little confused by this inquiry.
　　"So you think you'd like to learn something about the manufacture of collars, do you?" Tone and manner wereinfiltrated by the utmost condescension.
　　"I would certainly like to learn something that would give me a chance to work up, have some future in it,"replied Clyde, genially and with a desire to placate his young cousin as much as possible.
　　"Well, my father was telling me of his talk with you in Chicago. From what he told me I gather that you haven'thad much practical experience of any kind. You don't know how to keep books, do you?""No, I don't," replied Clyde a little regretfully.
　　"And you're not a stenographer or anything like that?""No, sir, I'm not."Most sharply, as Clyde said this, he felt that he was dreadfully lacking in every training. And now GilbertGriffiths looked at him as though he were rather a hopeless proposition indeed from the viewpoint of thisconcern.
　　"Well, the best thing to do with you, I think," he went on, as though before this his father had not indicated tohim exactly what was to be done in this case, "is to start you in the shrinking room. That's where themanufacturing end of this business begins, and you might as well be learning that from the ground up.
　　Afterwards, when we see how you do down there, we can tell a little better what to do with you. If you had anyoffice training it might be possible to use you up here." (Clyde's face fell at this and Gilbert noticed it. It pleasedhim.) "But it's just as well to learn the practical side of the business, whatever you do," he added rather coldly,not that he desired to comfort Clyde any but merely to be saying it as a fact. And seeing that Clyde said nothing,he continued: "The best thing, I presume, before you try to do anything around here is for you to get settledsomewhere. You haven't taken a room anywhere yet, have you?""No, I just came in on the noon train," replied Clyde. "I was a little dirty and so I just went up to the hotel tobrush up a little. I thought I'd look for a place afterwards.""Well, that's right. Only don't look for any place. I'll have our superintendent see that you're directed to a goodboarding house. He knows more about the town than you do." His thought here was that after all Clyde was a fullcousin and that it wouldn't do to have him live just anywhere. At the same time, he was greatly concerned lestClyde get the notion that the family was very much concerned as to where he did live, which most certainly itwas NOT, as he saw it. His final feeling was that he could easily place and control Clyde in such a way as tomake him not very important to any one in any way--his father, the family, all the people who worked here.
　　He reached for a button on his desk and pressed it. A trim girl, very severe and reserved in a green ginghamdress, appeared.
　　"Ask Mr. Whiggam to come here."She disappeared and presently there entered a medium-sized and nervous, yet moderately stout, man who lookedas though he were under a great strain. He was about forty years of age--repressed and noncommittal--andlooked curiously and suspiciously about as though wondering what new trouble impended. His head, as Clyde atonce noticed, appeared chronically to incline forward, while at the same time he lifted his eyes as though actuallyhe would prefer not to look up.
　　"Whiggam," began young Griffiths authoritatively, "this is Clyde Griffiths, a cousin of ours. You remember Ispoke to you about him.""Yes, sir.""Well, he's to be put in the shrinking department for the present. You can show him what he's to do. Afterwardsyou had better have Mrs. Braley show him where he can get a room." (All this had been talked over and fixedupon the week before by Gilbert and Whiggam, but now he gave it the ring of an original suggestion.) "Andyou'd better give his name in to the timekeeper as beginning to-morrow morning, see?""Yes, sir," bowed Whiggam deferentially. "Is that all?""Yes, that's all," concluded Gilbert smartly. "You go with Whiggam, Mr. Griffiths. He'll tell you what to do."Whiggam turned. "If you'll just come with me, Mr. Griffiths," he observed deferentially, as Clyde could see--andthat for all of his cousin's apparently condescending attitude--and marched out with Clyde at his heels. Andyoung Gilbert as briskly turned to his own desk, but at the same time shaking his head. His feeling at the momentwas that mentally Clyde was not above a good bell-boy in a city hotel probably. Else why should he come onhere in this way. "I wonder what he thinks he's going to do here," he continued to think, "where he thinks he'sgoing to get?"And Clyde, as he followed Mr. Whiggam, was thinking what a wonderful place Mr. Gilbert Griffiths enjoyed.
　　No doubt he came and went as he chose--arrived at the office late, departed early, and somewhere in this very interesting city dwelt with his parents and sisters in a very fine house--of course. And yet here he was--Gilbert'sown cousin, and the nephew of his wealthy uncle, being escorted to work in a very minor department of thisgreat concern.
　　Nevertheless, once they were out of the sight and hearing of Mr. Gilbert Griffiths, he was somewhat divertedfrom this mood by the sights and sounds of the great manufactory itself. For here on this very same floor, butbeyond the immense office room through which he had passed, was another much larger room filled with rowsof bins, facing aisles not more than five feet wide, and containing, as Clyde could see, enormous quantities ofcollars boxed in small paper boxes, according to sizes. These bins were either being refilled by stock boys whobrought more boxed collars from the boxing room in large wooden trucks, or were being as rapidly emptied byorder clerks who, trundling small box trucks in front of them, were filling orders from duplicate check listswhich they carried in their hands.
　　"Never worked in a collar factory before, Mr. Griffiths, I presume?" commented Mr. Whiggam with somewhatmore spirit, once he was out of the presence of Gilbert Griffiths. Clyde noticed at once the Mr. Griffiths.
　　"Oh, no," he replied quickly. "I never worked at anything like this before.""Expect to learn all about the manufacturing end of the game in the course of time, though, I suppose." He waswalking briskly along one of the long aisles as he spoke, but Clyde noticed that he shot sly glances in everydirection.
　　"I'd like to," he answered.
　　"Well, there's a little more to it than some people think, although you often hear there isn't very much to learn."He opened another door, crossed a gloomy hall and entered still another room which, filled with bins as was theother, was piled high in every bin with bolts of white cloth.
　　"You might as well know a little about this as long as you re going to begin in the shrinking room. This is thestuff from which the collars are cut, the collars and the lining. They are called webs. Each of these bolts is a web.
　　We take these down in the basement and shrink them because they can't be used this way. If they are, the collarswould shrink after they were cut. But you'll see. We tub them and then dry them afterwards."He marched solemnly on and Clyde sensed once more that this man was not looking upon him as an ordinaryemployee by any means. His MR. Griffiths, his supposition to the effect that Clyde was to learn all about themanufacturing end of the business, as well as his condescension in explaining about these webs of cloth, hadalready convinced Clyde that he was looked upon as one to whom some slight homage at least must be paid.
　　He followed Mr. Whiggam, curious as to the significance of this, and soon found himself in an enormousbasement which had been reached by descending a flight of steps at the end of a third hall. Here, by the help offour long rows of incandescent lamps, he discerned row after row of porcelain tubs or troughs, lengthwise of theroom, and end to end, which reached from one exterior wall to the other. And in these, under steaming hot waterapparently, were any quantity of those same webs he had just seen upstairs, soaking. And near-by, north andsouth of these tubs, and paralleling them for the length of this room, all of a hundred and fifty feet in length, were enormous drying racks or moving skeleton platforms, boxed, top and bottom and sides, with hot steam pipes,between which on rolls, but festooned in such a fashion as to take advantage of these pipes, above, below and oneither side, were more of these webs, but unwound and wet and draped as described, yet moving along slowly onthese rolls from the east end of the room to the west. This movement, as Clyde could see, was accompanied byan enormous rattle and clatter of ratchet arms which automatically shook and moved these lengths of clothforward from east to west. And as they moved they dried, and were then automatically re-wound at the west endof these racks into bolt form once more upon a wooden spool and then lifted off by a youth whose duty it was to"take" from these moving platforms. One youth, as Clyde saw, "took" from two of these tracks at the west end,while at the east end another youth of about his own years "fed." That is, he took bolts of this now partiallyshrunk yet still wet cloth and attaching one end of it to some moving hooks, saw that it slowly and properlyunwound and fed itself over the drying racks for the entire length of these tracks. As fast as it had gone the wayof all webs, another was attached.
　　Between each two rows of tubs in the center of the room were enormous whirling separators or dryers, intowhich these webs of cloth, as they came from the tubs in which they had been shrinking for twenty-four hours,were piled and as much water as possible centrifugally extracted before they were spread out on the drying racks.
　　Primarily little more than this mere physical aspect of the room was grasped by Clyde--its noise, its heat, itssteam, the energy with which a dozen men and boys were busying themselves with various processes. Theywere, without exception, clothed only in armless undershirts, a pair of old trousers belted in at the waist, and withcanvas-topped and rubber-soled sneakers on their bare feet. The water and the general dampness and the heat ofthe room seemed obviously to necessitate some such dressing as this.
　　"This is the shrinking room," observed Mr. Whiggam, as they entered. "It isn't as nice as some of the others, butit's where the manufacturing process begins. Kemerer!" he called.
　　A short, stocky, full-chested man, with a pate, full face and white, strong-looking arms, dressed in a pair of dirtyand wrinkled trousers and an armless flannel shirt, now appeared. Like Whiggam in the presence of Gilbert, heappeared to be very much overawed in the presence of Whiggam.
　　"This is Clyde Griffiths, the cousin of Gilbert Griffiths. I spoke to you about him last week, you remember?""Yes, sir.""He's to begin down here. He'll show up in the morning.""Yes, sir.""Better put his name down on your check list. He'll begin at the usual hour.""Yes, sir."Mr. Whiggam, as Clyde noticed, held his head higher and spoke more directly and authoritatively than at anytime so far. He seemed to be master, not underling, now.
　　"Seven-thirty is the time every one goes to work here in the morning," went on Mr. Whiggam to Clydeinformatively, "but they all ring in a little earlier--about seven-twenty or so, so as to have time to change theirclothes and get to the machines.
　　"Now, if you want to," he added, "Mr. Kemerer can show you what you'll have to do to-morrow before you leavetoday. It might save a little time. Or, you can leave it until then if you want to. It don't make any difference tome. Only, if you'll come back to the telephone girl at the main entrance about five-thirty I'll have Mrs. Braleythere for you. She's to show you about your room, I believe. I won't be there myself, but you just ask thetelephone girl for her. She'll know." He turned and added, "Well, I'll leave you now."He lowered his head and started to go away just as Clyde began. "Well, I'm very much obliged to you, Mr.
　　Whiggam." Instead of answering, he waved one fishy hand slightly upward and was gone--down between thetubs toward the west door. And at once Mr. Kemerer--still nervous and overawed apparently--began.
　　"Oh, that's all right about what you have to do, Mr. Griffiths. I'll just let you bring down webs on the floor aboveto begin with to-morrow. But if you've got any old clothes, you'd better put 'em on. A suit like that wouldn't lastlong here." He eyed Clyde's very neat, if inexpensive suit, in an odd way. His manner quite like that of Mr.
　　Whiggam before him, was a mixture of uncertainty and a very small authority here in Clyde's case--of extremerespect and yet some private doubt, which only time might resolve. Obviously it was no small thing to be aGriffiths here, even if one were a cousin and possibly not as welcome to one's powerful relatives as one mightbe.
　　At first sight, and considering what his general dreams in connection with this industry were, Clyde was inclinedto rebel. For the type of youth and man he saw here were in his estimation and at first glance rather below thetype of individuals he hoped to find here--individuals neither so intelligent nor alert as those employed by theunion League and the Green-Davidson by a long distance. And still worse he felt them to be much moresubdued and sly and ignorant--mere clocks, really. And their eyes, as he entered with Mr. Whiggam, while theypretended not to be looking, were very well aware, as Clyde could feel, of all that was going on. Indeed, he andMr. Whiggam were the center of all their secret looks. At the same time, their spare and practical manner ofdressing struck dead at one blow any thought of refinement in connection with the work in here. Howunfortunate that his lack of training would not permit his being put to office work or something like that upstairs.
　　He walked with Mr. Kemerer, who troubled to say that these were the tubs in which the webs were shrunk overnight--these the centrifugal dryers--these the rack dryers. Then he was told that he could go. And by then it wasonly three o'clock.
　　He made his way out of the nearest door and once outside he congratulated himself on being connected with thisgreat company, while at the same time wondering whether he was going to prove satisfactory to Mr. Kemererand Mr. Whiggam. Supposing he didn't. Or supposing he couldn't stand all this? It was pretty rough. Well, ifworst came to worst, as he now thought, he could go back to Chicago, or on to New York, maybe, and get work.
　　But why hadn't Samuel Griffiths had the graciousness to receive and welcome him? Why had that young GilbertGriffiths smiled so cynically? And what sort of a woman was this Mrs. Braley? Had he done wisely to come on here? Would this family do anything for him now that he was here?
　　It was thus that, strolling west along River Street on which were a number of other kinds of factories, and thennorth through a few other streets that held more factories--tinware, wickwire, a big vacuum carpet cleaning plant,a rug manufacturing company, and the like--that he came finally upon a miserable slum, the like of which, smallas it was, he had not seen outside of Chicago or Kansas City. He was so irritated and depressed by the povertyand social angularity and crudeness of it--all spelling but one thing, social misery, to him--that he at onceretraced his steps and recrossing the Mohawk by a bridge farther west soon found himself in an area which wasvery different indeed--a region once more of just such homes as he had been admiring before he left for thefactory. And walking still farther south, he came upon that same wide and tree-lined avenue--which he had seenbefore--the exterior appearance of which alone identified it as the principal residence thoroughfare of Lycurgus.
　　It was so very broad and well-paved and lined by such an arresting company of houses. At once he was verymuch alive to the personnel of this street, for it came to him immediately that it must be in this street very likelythat his uncle Samuel lived. The houses were nearly all of French, Italian or English design, and excellent periodcopies at that, although he did not know it.
　　Impressed by their beauty and spaciousness, however, he walked along, now looking at one and another, andwondering which, if any, of these was occupied by his uncle, and deeply impressed by the significance of somuch wealth. How superior and condescending his cousin Gilbert must feel, walking out of some such place asthis in the morning.
　　Then pausing before one which, because of trees, walks, newly-groomed if bloomless flower beds, a largegarage at the rear, a large fountain to the left of the house as he faced it, in the center of which was a boy holdinga swan in his arms, and to the right of the house one lone cast iron stag pursued by some cast iron dogs, he feltespecially impelled to admire, and charmed by the dignity of this place, which was a modified form of oldEnglish, he now inquired of a stranger who was passing--a middle-aged man of a rather shabby working type,"Whose house is that, mister?" and the man replied: "Why, that's Samuel Griffiths' residence. He's the man whoowns the big collar factory over the river."At once Clyde straightened up, as though dashed with cold water. His uncle's! His residence! Then that was oneof his automobiles standing before the garage at the rear there. And there was another visible through the opendoor of the garage.
　　Indeed in his immature and really psychically unilluminated mind it suddenly evoked a mood which was as ofroses, perfumes, lights and music. The beauty! The ease! What member of his own immediate family had evereven dreamed that his uncle lived thus! The grandeur! And his own parents so wretched--so poor, preaching onthe streets of Kansas City and no doubt Denver. Conducting a mission! And although thus far no single memberof this family other than his chill cousin had troubled to meet him, and that at the factory only, and although hehad been so indifferently assigned to the menial type of work that he had, still he was elated and uplifted. For,after all, was he not a Griffiths, a full cousin as well as a full nephew to the two very important men who livedhere, and now working for them in some capacity at least? And must not that spell a future of some sort, betterthan any he had known as yet? For consider who the Griffiths were here, as opposed to "who" the Griffiths werein Kansas City, say--or Denver. The enormous difference! A thing to be as carefully concealed as possible. Atthe same time, he was immediately reduced again, for supposing the Griffiths here--his uncle or his cousin or some friend or agent of theirs--should now investigate his parents and his past? Heavens! The matter of that slainchild in Kansas City! His parents' miserable makeshift life! Esta! At once his face fell, his dreams being sothickly clouded over. If they should guess! If they should sense!
　　Oh, the devil--who was he anyway? And what did he really amount to? What could he hope for from such agreat world as this really, once they knew why he had troubled to come here?
　　A little disgusted and depressed he turned to retrace his steps, for all at once he felt himself very much of anobody.
可是，克莱德在中央大道逛了一圈以后，马上觉得这个地方跟他最近所熟稔的那个世界该有多么不一样。这里的一切，在他看来，规模要小得多了。半个钟头前下车的那个火车站是那么小，那么死气沉沉，他一看就很明白压根儿没有多少车马的喧嚣声。工厂区正好位于这座小城闹市中心区对面，莫霍克河对岸，也不过是一片红色和灰色的建筑物，偶尔才有一个烟囱森然矗立。那儿有两座桥……相距五六个街区……跟市区连接起来……其中有一座桥直接通往火车站。这是一座路面宽阔可以通车的大桥，有一条有轨电车通过这里，然后沿着两旁稀稀落落。点缀着商店和小小家园的中央大道转弯而去。

不过，中央大道上车辆。行人。汽车，倒是相当热闹。他下榻的这家饭店，临街有一长溜大块玻璃窗，窗后可以后到一些棕榈树和高大圆柱，以及散放其间的许多椅子。它的斜对面，是斯塔克公司的棉毛纺织品商场，规模很大，有四层楼，由白砖砌成，至少有一百英尺长，在它的明亮。有趣的橱窗里，陈列着到处可见的一些眼下最时髦的模特儿。此外还有好几家大商店，一家普通旅馆，几个汽车样品间和一座电影院。

他往前走啊走的，突然发现自己又走出了市区，置身于街道宽敞。浓荫蔽日的住宅区。那一带房子，不管是哪一幢，看来地面都很开阔，有草坪，一般还有一种舒适。静谧和庄严的气派，甚至比他所见过的任何一幢房子还要有过之无不及。总之，他只是走马看花地逛过了这座小城中心区以后，就觉得它别具一格，虽然区区一座小城的街道，却也说得上富丽奢华了。那么多威风凛凛的铁栅栏，两旁栽上花的小径，成片树林子和一簇簇灌木丛，还有漂亮的豪华汽车，有的停放在门廊里，有的奔驰在户外宽阔的大道上。邻近有一些商店……离中央大道和商业中心区最近，这条宽敞。漂亮的大道就从这里开始……这些商店里，陈列着豪华。漂亮的商品，诸如汽车。珠宝。女用内衣。皮货和家具，而且只有讲究享受的有钱人才感兴趣。

不过，他的伯父和伯父的家，又在哪儿呢?

是哪一所房子?

在哪一条街上?

是不是比他在这条街上见到的更宽大。更漂亮?

他转念一想，他非得马上回去，上伯父那儿去报到。他还得找到工厂地址，大概是在河那边吧，他也得上那儿看他去。见面时他该说些什么呢?

举止态度又该怎样呢?

伯父会给他一个什么样的位置呢?

他的堂兄弟吉尔伯特，是个什么样儿呢?

他对他可能会有什么个想法?

伯父在最近一封信里就提到过自己的儿子吉尔伯特。他沿着中央大道朝火车站往回走，没有多久就来到了他正要寻摸的那家很大的工厂墙根前。这是一幢用红砖砌成。高六层的大楼，差不多有一千英尺长。四面几乎都是窗子……至少最近增设的专做领子的那一部分是这样。后来克莱德知道，老厂区已通过几座桥与新建的大楼连成一片。河沿着两座厂房南墙，跟莫霍克河平行。他发现里佛街还有好几处大门，相距一百英尺以上……每一处都有一个身穿制服的工人把守……一。二。三号门上都标着"只准职工出入"……四号门上写着"办公处"……五。六号大门，看来是装卸货物专用的。

克莱德径直往办公处大门走去，发现并没有人拦阻他。他通过两重转门，走到坐在铁栅栏后电话桌旁的一个接电话的女士跟前。铁栅栏上有个小门……显然是通向总办公处唯一的一道门，而这道门就归这位女士把守。她身子又矮又胖，三十五岁，长得一点儿都不好看。

"您有什么事?

"她一见克莱德就大声问。

"我要见吉尔伯特。格里菲思先生，"克莱德一开头不免有些心神不安地说。

"什么事?

""哦，我是他的堂兄弟。我的名字叫克莱德。格里菲思。这里是我伯父塞缪尔。格里菲思的信。我想，他会见我的。"他把那封信一放到她面前，发现她那相当严峻。非常冷淡的表情就一下子变了，变得与其说是和蔼可亲，还不如说肃然起敬了。她之所以对他产生很深印象，显然不仅仅因为他所说的话，而是因为他的仪态风度。她佻巧。好奇地开始仔细打量着他。

"让我看看他在不在呢，"她彬彬有礼地回答他，一面接通了吉尔伯特。格里菲思办公室的电话。回话显然是说:

吉尔伯特。格里菲思现在很忙，不能打扰他;她也回话说:

"来客是吉尔伯特先生的堂兄弟……克莱德。格里菲思先生。他还带着塞缪尔。格里菲思先生的一封信。"随后，她对克莱德说:

"请坐吧。也许吉尔伯特。格里菲思先生马上就接见您的。现在他正忙着呢。"克莱德注意到她说话时对他异乎寻常地恭恭敬敬，这是他一辈子都没领受过的，因而感到异常激动。只要想一想，他就是这样有钱有势的人家的近亲。

堂兄弟啊!

偌大的工厂!

厂房有这么宽。这么长。这么高……他看清楚了……有六层楼。刚才他从河对岸走过，从好几个敞开的窗子里望见许多宽敞房间里许许多多姑娘和妇女在紧张地工作。他情不自禁地一下子激动起来。因为，这幢大楼高高的红墙，仿佛体现了活力和真正物质成就，这种成就在他后来简直是无懈可击。

他两眼望着这个接待室的灰色墙壁……里面一道门上有这么几个字:

"格里菲思领子衬衫公司总经理:

塞缪尔。格里菲思秘书:

吉尔伯特。格里菲思"……心里纳闷，真不知道厂里是什么个样子，吉尔伯特。格里菲思又是个什么样的人，冷淡呢，还是和气?

友好呢，还是不友好?

克莱德正坐在那儿沉思默想的时候，那个女人突然侧过脸来对他说:

"现在您可以进去了。吉尔伯特。格里菲思的办公室在这一层楼最里面，是对着河边的。

里面每个职员都会指给你看的。"她欠了一下身子，仿佛要给他开门，但克莱德一望而知她的想法，就打她身边匆匆走过。"谢谢你，不打扰你了，"他非常热情地说，同时推开玻璃门，两眼注视这个差不多有一百来个工人的房间……里面多半是青年男女。所有的人显然都在专心干活。他们大多戴着绿色遮护罩。几乎人人穿着短的羊驼呢工作服，或则衬衫袖子上罩着防护袖套。年轻的女工，差不多个个都穿着整洁。漂亮的格子布衣服，或是工作时穿的套裙。这个大房间，中间不隔开，有许多白色圆柱。举目四顾，都是办公室，上面写着厂内各部门负责人的名字……斯米利先生。拉奇先生。戈特博伊先生。伯基先生。

接电话的女士说过吉尔伯特。格里菲思先生的办公室在最后一间，克莱德毫不犹豫地沿着有铁栅栏的过道径直往前走去，只见一个半敞开着的门上写着:

"吉尔伯特。格里菲思先生，秘书"。他迟疑了半晌，心里真不知道该进去呢，还是不进去，随后才轻轻敲了一下门，马上听见一个尖细刺耳的声音喊道:

"进来。

"克莱德就走了进去，迎面看见一个年轻人，个儿也许比他矮小些。年纪稍微大些，当然头脑比他要冷静。精明得多……总之，正好就是克莱德梦想自己也能成为那样的年轻人……精通管理业务，显然很威严，很能干。克莱德马上发觉，他身穿一套淡灰色长条子西服，因为春天快要到了。他的头发颜色比克莱德淡一些，从太阳穴和额角往后梳去，而且搽得油光锃亮。克莱德一开门，就觉得他那明亮。澄澈。淡蓝色眼睛，仿佛钻孔似的盯住自己。他戴着一副只在办公时才戴的大型角质边框眼镜。那对透过镜片窥探着的眼睛，一下子就把克莱德仔细打量一番，从他的鞋子一直到他手里拿着的圆形棕色呢帽。

"你……大概就是我的堂兄弟吧?

"克莱德走上来。一站住时，他冷冰冰地说……嘴边露出当然不太友好的微笑。

"是啊，我就是，"克莱德回答说。这种故作镇静。乃至于冷冰冰的接见，不由得使他扫兴和困惑不解。他顿时觉得，眼前这家大工厂，伯父毕竟是以其非常卓越的才干建起来的，他可不能象自己尊敬伯父那样尊敬他的堂兄。他内心深处倒是觉得:

眼前这个年轻人，至多只不过是这个大厂商的继承人，别的没有什么了不起，要不是由于他父亲的才干，他压根儿没法神气活现，摆出一副顶头上司的架子来。

可是，克莱德要求在这里得到器重，本来就是毫无特别理由，同时也无足轻重。而他对人们可能做到的一切，却是非常感激的。所以，他早就觉得深深地欠了人情债，就竭力陪着一副奉承讨好的笑脸来。殊不知吉尔伯特。格里菲思似乎一下子把这副笑脸当成一种傲慢无礼的标志，对此断断乎不能容忍，再说，克莱德只不过是一个堂兄弟，况且还是一个向他父亲恳求帮助的人。

不过话又说回来，既然父亲不怕麻烦，对自己侄子发生兴趣，并使吉尔伯特毫无选择的余地，所以，他便一面继续讥刺地笑着，心中暗自琢磨堂兄弟，一面说道:

"我们都是这样认为，你在今。明两天会来的。一路上很愉快吗?

""哦，是的，很愉快，"克莱德回答说。这一问让他心里感到有点儿别扭。

"这么说，你很想学做领子这一行，是吗?

"瞧他那语调和态度，简直已是大大地降贵纡尊了。

"我当然很想学点本领，赶明儿好歹让我也能出人头地，"克莱德和颜悦色地回答说，心想尽可能抚慰一下这位堂兄弟。

"哦，我父亲已把他在芝加哥跟你的谈话说给我听了。不过，从他的话里，我觉得你不论在哪个方面都是没有实际经验。比方说，管帐你就不懂，是不是?

""是的，我不懂，"克莱德有些遗憾似的回答说。

"你也不会速记，或是类似这样的工作吧?

""不会，先生，我不会。"克莱德说话时，深感自己不论在哪个实际知识领域都是严重缺少训练，颇有切肤之痛。吉尔伯特。格里菲思两眼直瞅着他，仿佛在说，从本公司的观点来看，他简直是一点儿用处都没有的。

"哦，我看，你最好是，"吉尔伯特接下去说，好象只是此刻作出这样决定，事前父亲并没有对他作出过明确指示似的，"先到防缩车间去工作。本厂产品制造过程是从那里开始的，你不妨从头学起就得了。我们先让你在下面试试看，往后了解清楚了，给你再作安排。你要是多少熟悉办公室的工作的话，也许这里就用得着你了。"(克莱德一听这话，脸就一沉。这表情立即被吉尔伯特所察觉并使他感到高兴)"不过，无论你做什么事，这一行的实际方面学会了，同样也好嘛。"他冷冰冰地找补着说，压根儿不想安慰克莱德，只不过是实话实说罢了。

他见克莱德没有吭声，又接下去说:

"我看，你上这儿来工作以前，最好先在什么地方安顿下来。你还没有租好房间，是吧?

""没有，我是中午火车才到的，"克莱德回答说。"一路上有点脏，需要洗一洗，因此，我就借宿在一家旅馆。我想过后另找个地方。""那敢情好啊。不过，你自己不用去找了。我会关照总务给你找一家好的寄宿舍。本城的情况他可比你熟悉。"这时，吉尔伯特心里想克莱德毕竟是近亲。

堂弟，让他随便住在什么地方总是不很合适。同时，他也非常担心，生怕克莱德会以为吉尔伯特家对自己住在哪儿也很关注似的。但他自己心里明白，实际情况并不是这样。最后，他暗自寻思，既然自己轻而易举地已把克莱德安排好。

控制住了，克莱德便不论在吉尔伯特家里，还是在他父亲，以及所有在厂里工作的人心目中，都不会得到非常器重了。

他伸手摁了一下桌上一个电钮。一个身穿绿格子布衣服。正经八百。沉默寡言的姑娘走了进来。

"请惠甘先生来一趟。"她告退后不一会儿，走进来一个中等身材。惴惴不安，但身体相当结实的人。瞧他那副神气仿佛心情紧张到了极点。他大约四十岁……从来俯首听命，唯唯诺诺……这时好奇而疑惑地东张西望着，好象心中纳闷，不知哪儿又出了新的差错。克莱德马上发觉，此人的头总是朝前耷拉着，当他的眼睛抬起来的时候，那神情仿佛他真的不敢仰望他的主子呢。

"惠甘，"年轻的格里菲思威风凛凛地开口说，"这位是克莱德。格里菲思，是我的堂弟。你记得前次我跟你谈到过他吧。""是的，先生。""这样吧，他暂时分配到防缩车间。你不妨先给他说说该怎么做。随后，你最好让布雷莉太太告诉他上哪儿能找到一个房间。"(所有这一切，吉尔伯特和惠甘在一周前就已经谈定了，可他现在说起来，就象他此刻出的主意似的。)"还有，你最好让考勤员把他的名字登记入册，从明天上午算起，明白了吗?

""是，先生，"惠甘必恭必敬地鞠了一躬。"就是这些吗?

""是的，就是这些，"吉尔伯特神气活现地结束了这场谈话。"你跟惠甘一块去，格里菲思先生。一切他都会关照你的。"惠甘侧过身去对克莱德说:

"跟我一块走，格里菲思先生，"克莱德发觉此人说话很客气……尽管堂兄对自己显然持屈尊俯就的态度，惠甘一走出办公室，克莱德就跟在他后面。年轻的吉尔伯特马上精神奕奕地掉过头去办公，一面还直晃着脑袋。这时，他认为:

论智力，克莱德也许只不过跟大酒店里侍应生不相上下。要不然他又干吗上这儿来。"我真不知道他想在这儿做些什么?

"他继续想道，"他又打算在这儿得到些什么呢?

"克莱德跟在惠甘后头边走边想:

吉尔伯特。格里菲思先生的地位，可真了不起啊。他无疑是来去全凭自己高兴……来得迟，走得早，而且在城里什么地方，跟他的父母姐妹住在一幢很漂亮的府邸里……那是不消说了。可是他自己呢……吉尔伯特的堂兄弟，富翁塞缪尔。格里菲思的侄子，此刻被打发到这家大厂一个极小的部门去干活。

到了吉尔伯特。格里菲思先生视听范围以外的地方，克莱德已被这家大厂的种种景象和声响所吸引，他的心情倏然为之一变。就在这同一层楼上，他刚走过的宽大的办公室的另一边，有一个更大的房间，里面堆满了一排排箱子，每排箱子之间只留出宽不足五英尺的过道。据克莱德看见，箱子里有大量领子，依照尺码大小，分装在小纸盒里。这些箱子有时由装卸工用大型木板车从装盒间把许多装盒的领子推到这儿，再把箱子装得满满的;也有时定货员推着装盒的小车进来，依照他们手里拿的清单副本来取货，一下子就全给提空了。

"我说，也许你以前没有在领子工厂工作过吧，格里菲思先生?

"惠甘先生一到吉尔伯特。格里菲思先生看不见的地方，多少就有点儿精神了。克莱德顿时发觉自己被尊称为"格里菲思先生"了。

"哦，没有，"他连忙接话说。"过去我从没有在这么一个地方工作过。""我说，大概你很想逐步了解清楚本厂产品的全部制造过程吧。"他一边说话，一边兴冲冲走过一条长长的过道，但是克莱德注意到此人狡黠的目光正在到处扫视着。

"我可巴不得这样，"克莱德回答说。

"是啊，虽然有人说这可没有什么好学的，其实，真的学起来可也真不易呀。

"他打开另一道门，穿过一个阴暗的过道，走进另一个房间，那里就象刚才所看见的，箱子码得高高的，每个箱子里头都装着一卷卷白布。

"你既然先从防缩车间做起，就得对这个东西了解一些。领子和里子，就是用这个东西做的。它叫做坯布。每一卷布都是坯布。我们把这些坯布送往地下室，先要落水防缩，因为不防缩是不能就这样去剪裁的。要不然，领子裁好之后都会皱缩的。不过，赶明儿你自己就会明白的。我们要把这些东西浸湿泡透，然后再把它们烘干。"他严肃地往前大步走去，克莱德再一次感到自己在这个人的心目中绝对不是做一名普通工人。他不时使用那个格里菲思先生的尊称，他认为克莱德愿意了解清楚产品全部制造过程的想法，以及他屈尊俯就不厌其烦地介绍了坯布的性质……所有这一切，早已使克莱德确信:

惠甘就象看待一个至少应该受到相当尊敬的人那样来看待自己了。

克莱德跟在惠甘后面，心里暗自琢磨这一切意味着什么。他们在第三个过道尽头下了楼，突然来到一个偌大的地下室。在这里，借着长长的四排令人耀眼的灯光，他方才看清楚一排排瓷缸或是瓷槽，其长度和房间相同，头尾相接，从这儿墙根一直延伸到那儿墙根。浸泡在这些瓷缸里的，就是刚才他在楼上看见的大批坯布，瓷缸里显然都是热气腾腾的开水。就在一排排瓷缸的南北两头，跟这些瓷缸并排架设着与这个房间全长一百五十英尺相同的一长溜。一长溜巨大的烘干架，或是活动钢骨台架，四周围都有滚烫的蒸汽管道，这些烘干架中间滚轴上，就象悬灯结彩似的挂着许许多多坯布，以充分利用四周围蒸汽管道，但象上面所说的那样，一卷卷都打开，湿漉漉地垂挂在那儿，通过滚轴从地下室的东头向西头缓缓移动。克莱德看到，坯布移动时，棘轮吊杆就发出吱吱嘎嘎的噪声。这些棘轮吊杆可以自动转动，把长长的坯布从东头缓慢地送到西头。

坯布就在移动过程中烘干了，并在西头烘干架自动卷起来，在一根木轴上又成为一卷卷形状，随后由一个年轻小伙子专门负责把它从这些活动台架上"卸下来"。克莱德看见一个年轻小伙子从西头这些轨道上把两卷布一块卸下来;而在东头，另一个跟他年龄相仿的人正在"投料"。那就是说，此人把已经浸泡过的。湿漉漉的坯布，一头搭在缓缓移动中的挂钩上，看着坯布慢慢地。一丝不错地全部展开，铺在烘干架上，沿着整个轨道向前伸展过去。一俟坯布完全通过了，再把另一卷坯布搭在挂钩上。

在地下室中央，每两排瓷缸中间，有很多转动着的脱水机，亦即烘干机。

坯布在瓷缸里浸泡二十四个小时以后，就一堆堆码在那里，由脱水机尽量把水分吸出来，然后再把它们铺开在烘干架上。

开头，克莱德只知道这个房间外部环境特点……它的噪声。热度。蒸汽，以及十几个成年人和小伙子在各个工段忙活的劲儿。他们个个穿着无袖衬衫。

旧裤子，腰里扎一根带子，没有袜子的脚上穿一双帆布面。树胶底运动鞋，没有一个例外。这样穿戴，显然是满屋子里有这么多的水和潮气，以及这么炎热逼出来的。

"这是防缩车间，"他们一走进去，惠甘就这样说。"说真的，这儿没有别的车间舒服，不过，本厂产品制造过程，却是在这儿开始的。凯默勒!

"他大声喊道。

走过来一个身体矮胖。胸脯厚实的人，长着苍白的圆脸膛，身穿一条皱巴巴的脏裤子。一件无袖法兰绒衬衣。如同惠甘在吉尔伯特面前，此人在惠甘面前也显得必恭必敬。

"这位是克莱德。格里菲思，是吉尔伯特。格里菲思的堂兄弟。上星期我跟你说到过他，你记得吗?

""记得，先生。""他先从这儿做起。明儿早上他就来。""是，先生。""最好把他的名字记入花名册。他根据通常规定的时间开始工作。""是，先生。"克莱德发觉，惠甘先生的头昂得比刚才更高了，话儿说得更坚决。更威严。

现在看来他就象是主人，而不是下属了。

"在这里，早上七点半开始干活，"惠甘先生继续对克莱德说，"不过，大伙儿来得总要早一些……大约在七点二十分左右，好有时间换衣服，来到机器跟前。""现在你要是乐意的话，"他找补着说，"趁你还没有走，凯默勒先生可以把明天你应该做的事情告诉你。这样也许可以省一点儿时间。不过，你不妨也可以留到明天再说。反正对我都是无所谓的。只不过你要是在五点半左右到大门口接电话小姐那里，我就会派布雷莉太太到那里去。我想，她可以领你去看一看你的房间。我自己不会去了，但你不妨向接电话小姐打听一下布雷莉太太就得了。她会知道的。"他掉过身来，找补着说:

"哦，我得先走了。"他点一点头以示告别，很快大步流星地走了。这时，克莱德才开口说:

"哦，我实在非常感谢您，惠甘先生。"他并没有答话，只是稍微抬起一只手，冷冰冰地摆了一下就走了……打从两排瓷缸中间走向西头的出口处。这时，凯默勒先生，依然心神紧张不安，显然带着敬畏的神色，开始说道。

"哦，讲到你的工作嘛，那你可不要着急，格里菲思先生。明天你开始上班，我只叫你把坯布从上面卸下来。不过，要是你找得到旧衣服，还是穿上的好。

象眼前这样的衣服，在这儿是穿不了多久的。"他两眼古里古怪地直瞅着克莱德身上那套非常洁净。但又不太昂贵的衣服。他对待克莱德的态度，很象对待惠甘那样，可以说半信半疑和稍感敬畏，极端尊敬和私下里又有些犯疑掺杂在一起，而这种怀疑心理，只有随着时间推移才能加以解决。在这里，一个姓格里菲思的人，显然非同小可，哪怕他仅仅是一个堂兄弟，而且可能还不是有钱有势的亲戚十分欢迎的人。

克莱德看到地下室之后得到的印象，跟自己原来对伯父这个厂的种种梦想大相径庭，就有点儿恼火了。他在这儿见到的那些年轻人和成年男子，依他看，一望可知比他原先想象要粗野得多……论才智和机警，跟联谊俱乐部和格林戴维逊大酒店那些侍应生相比，更要差远了。最精的是，他觉得他们更加低三下四。更加狡黠。更加愚笨……说真的，不过是些机器罢了。克莱德还发觉，他和惠甘先生一进去的时候，他们假装没看见，实际上对这一切都看在眼里。

说实话，他和惠甘先生已成为他们偷偷地观察的中心人物。他们如此爱惜衣服与切合实际的作风，又给了他原先以为这儿工作该有多么高雅的想法以致命打击。他就是因为过去没有受过专门训练，如今不能在办公室里，或在楼上担任什么工作，该有多么不幸啊。

他跟着凯默勒先生往前走，凯默勒先生不厌其烦地跟他说，这些是瓷缸，坯布都要浸泡在里面过夜……这些是脱水烘干机……这些是台架式烘干机。随后，凯默勒先生关照克莱德可以走了。这时才三点钟。

克莱德从最近的一道门走了出去，心里一想到自己能在这家大公司做事，自然深感高兴。同时，他又担心自己能不能让凯默勒先生和惠甘先生感到满意。

要是不能呢?

或者说，这一切他要是受不了呢?

这活儿实在不轻啊。他暗自寻思，好吧，反正最糟的话，他还可以回芝加哥，或是，比方说，到纽约去，另谋工作。

不过，塞缪尔。格里菲思为什么没有亲自接见他，欢迎他呢?

这位年轻的吉尔伯特。格里菲思为什么对他一个劲儿冷笑呢?

这个布雷莉太太，又是个什么样的女人呢?

他上这儿来，是不是明智之举?

现在既然他已到了这儿，格里菲思一家人肯不肯助他一臂之力呢?

他就这样一边想，一边顺着还有一些别的工厂的里佛街往西走去，随后又朝北走过一些街道，那儿工厂更多了……有制造马口铁的，编织柳藤的，还有一家制造真空吸尘器的大厂，一家地毯织造公司等等。后来，他闯进了一个可怜的贫民窟，虽然很小，可是，他在芝加哥或是堪萨斯城郊外都没看到过这种景象，使他心中感到激愤与压抑，因为这里居民的贫穷与粗鲁，以及社会地位低下，这一切他觉得全都体现出了社会的不幸。于是，他就马上折返，走过西边一座桥，又过了莫霍克河，来到了迥然不同的另一个地区……这一带的房子，同他去工厂前不胜羡慕过的那些房子一样。再往南走，又来到那条两旁有树的宽阔的大街……就是他刚到此地时观赏过的……单就这条大街的外观，就一望可知是莱柯格斯主要的住宅区。路面很宽敞，铺得很讲究，两旁都是一排排令人瞩目的府邸。他马上对住在这条街上的人发生惊人的兴趣，因为他立时就想到，他伯父塞缪尔。格里菲思必定是住在这条街上。这里府邸差不多都是法国式。意大利式，或是英国式的，而且是集各个时代最佳式样的大成，虽说这些玩意儿克莱德都是一窍不通。

这些府邸美丽。宽敞，给他留下很深印象。但他还是往前走去，而且还不时东张西望，被这种高门鼎贵的情景深深激动，心想真不知道自己伯父究竟住的是哪一座府邸。每天早上，他的堂兄吉尔伯特从这类府邸步出大门时，想必是够神气活现的。

不一会儿，他就在一座府邸前停步不前，看到宅园里有树木。有小径，花坛新近整修过，虽然眼前花朵还没有吐蕊。屋后有一大间汽车房，左边有一座大喷泉，喷泉中央，有一个小孩双手抱着一头天鹅。屋子右侧有一头铁铸的公鹿，被几只铁铸的狗紧追不舍。这座府邸原是仿照古老英国形式而又稍有变异建成，富有一种庄严的气派，他不由得艳羡不已，乃至于完全倾倒，便开口问一个过路行人……一个衣衫褴褛。好象工人模样的中年人:

"先生，您知道这是谁家的公馆?

"那个人回答说:

"怎么你不知道?

这是塞缪尔。格里菲思的府邸啊。此人就是河对岸制造领子的大工厂的老板。"克莱德身子马上震颤一下，好象被浇上了一阵凉水似的。是他伯父的!

他的府邸!

那末，屋后汽车房前停着的，就是他的汽车中的一辆。透过汽车房敞着的门，还看得见另外一辆呢。

是的，在克莱德还没有成熟的。实质上愚昧混沌的心灵里，突然一下子触发了他类似玫瑰。芳香。色彩和音乐的奇思遐想。多美!

多豪华!

在他自己家里，有哪一位做梦都不会想到他伯父过着如此的生活!

如此富丽堂皇!

可是回过头来，看看他自己的父母，却是那么可怜……那么穷愁潦倒，如今正在堪萨斯城沿街传道，在丹佛当然也是这样。经办一个传道馆!

虽说这个巨富之家迄今还没有一个人出面接见过他，除了他那个冷冰冰的堂兄(而且还是在工厂里)，如此无动于衷地指派他去干这种下贱的工作，即使这样，他依然感到扬扬自得。反正说到底，他不是也姓格里菲思吗?

他还是莱柯格斯两个大人物的名正言顺的堂兄弟和亲侄子吗?

但不管怎么说，如今他已开始为他们干活了。难道说这不意味着……等待着他的，将是比他所能想象得到的更好的前途吗?

只要想一想:

莱柯格斯城的格里菲思是何许人也，而在堪萨斯城……或是比方说，在丹佛吧……那里的格里菲思，又是何许人也。真有天壤之别啊!

这事可非得想方设法隐瞒起来不可。

想到这里，他马上又垂头丧气了，因为，万一此地的格里菲思……他的伯父，或是堂兄，或是他们的一些朋友或是职员……现在要调查他的父母和他的过去，那该怎么办?

老天爷哪!

堪萨斯城那个小女孩惨死案啊!

他父母颠沛流离的悲惨生活啊!

还有爱思达啊。他马上满脸愁云，他的梦想正在化为乌有。他们要是突然猜到了呢!

?

他们要是突然发觉了呢!

?

哦，见鬼去吧……他到底算什么人呢?

说真的，他又算得上什么?

一旦他们知道了他干吗要投奔这里来，那么，他能指望从这么一个富丽堂皇的世界得到些什么呢?

克莱德掉过头去，原路折回。他心里有些懊恼，有些沮丧，因为他突然觉得自己完全微不足道。
Part 2 Chapter 6
The room which Clyde secured this same day with the aid of Mrs. Braley, was in Thorpe Street, a thoroughfareenormously removed in quality if not in distance from that in which his uncle resided. Indeed the difference wassufficient to decidedly qualify his mounting notions of himself as one who, after all, was connected with him.
　　The commonplace brown or gray or tan colored houses, rather smoked or decayed, which fronted it--the leaflessand winter harried trees which in spite of smoke and dust seemed to give promise of the newer life so near athand--the leaves and flowers of May. Yet as he walked into it with Mrs. Braley, many drab and commonplacefigures of men and girls, and elderly spinsters resembling Mrs. Braley in kind, were making their way home fromthe several factories beyond the river. And at the door Mrs. Braley and himself were received by a none-toopolishedwoman in a clean gingham apron over a dark brown dress, who led the way to a second floor room, nottoo small or uncomfortably furnished--which she assured him he could have for four dollars without board orseven and one-half dollars with--a proposition which, seeing that he was advised by Mrs. Braley that this wassomewhat better than he would get in most places for the same amount, he decided to take. And here, afterthanking Mrs. Braley, he decided to remain--later sitting down to dinner with a small group of mill-town storeand factory employees, such as partially he had been accustomed to in Paulina Street in Chicago, before movingto the better atmosphere of the union League. And after dinner he made his way out into the principalthoroughfares of Lycurgus, only to observe such a crowd of nondescript mill-workers as, judging these streets byday, he would not have fancied swarmed here by night--girls and boys, men and women of various nationalities,and types--Americans, Poles, Hungarians, French, English--and for the most part--if not entirely touched with apeculiar something--ignorance or thickness of mind or body, or with a certain lack of taste and alertness ordaring, which seemed to mark them one and all as of the basement world which he had seen only this afternoon.
　　Yet in some streets and stores, particularly those nearer Wykeagy Avenue, a better type of girl and young manwho might have been and no doubt were of the various office groups of the different companies over the river-neatand active.
　　And Clyde, walking to and fro, from eight until ten, when as though by pre-arrangement, the crowd in the morecongested streets seemed suddenly to fade away, leaving them quite vacant. And throughout this time contrastingit all with Chicago and Kansas City. (What would Ratterer think if he could see him now--his uncle's great houseand factory?) And perhaps because of its smallness, liking it--the Lycurgus Hotel, neat and bright and with abrisk local life seeming to center about it. And the post-office and a handsomely spired church, together with anold and interesting graveyard, cheek by jowl with an automobile salesroom. And a new moving picture theater just around the corner in a side street. And various boys and girls, men and women, walking here and there, someof them flirting as Clyde could see. And with a suggestion somehow hovering over it all of hope and zest andyouth--the hope and zest and youth that is at the bottom of all the constructive energy of the world everywhere.
　　And finally returning to his room in Thorpe Street with the conclusion that he did like the place and would like tostay here. That beautiful Wykeagy Avenue! His uncle's great factory! The many pretty and eager girls he hadseen hurrying to and fro!
　　In the meantime, in so far as Gilbert Griffiths was concerned, and in the absence of his father, who was in NewYork at the time (a fact which Clyde did not know and of which Gilbert did not trouble to inform him) he hadconveyed to his mother and sisters that he had met Clyde, and if he were not the dullest, certainly he was not themost interesting person in the world, either. Encountering Myra, as he first entered at five-thirty, the same daythat Clyde had appeared, he troubled to observe: "Well, that Chicago cousin of ours blew in to-day.""Yes!" commented Myra. "What's he like?" The fact that her father had described Clyde as gentlemanly andintelligent had interested her, although knowing Lycurgus and the nature of the mill life here and itsopportunities for those who worked in factories such as her father owned, she had wondered why Clyde hadbothered to come.
　　"Well, I can't see that he's so much," replied Gilbert. "He's fairly intelligent and not bad-looking, but he admitsthat he's never had any business training of any kind. He's like all those young fellows who work for hotels. Hethinks clothes are the whole thing, I guess. He had on a light brown suit and a brown tie and hat to match andbrown shoes. His tie was too bright and he had on one of those bright pink striped shirts like they used to wearthree or four years ago. Besides his clothes aren't cut right. I didn't want to say anything because he's just comeon, and we don't know whether he'll hold out or not. But if he does, and he's going to pose around as a relative ofours, he'd better tone down, or I'd advise the governor to have a few words with him. Outside of that I guess he'lldo well enough in one of the departments after a while, as foreman or something. He might even be made into asalesman later on, I suppose. But what he sees in all that to make it worth while to come here is more than I canguess. As a matter of fact, I don't think the governor made it clear to him just how few the chances are here forany one who isn't really a wizard or something."He stood with his back to the large open fireplace.
　　"Oh, well, you know what Mother was saying the other day about his father. She thinks Daddy feels that he'snever had a chance in some way. He'll probably do something for him whether he wants to keep him in the millor not. She told me that she thought that Dad felt that his father hadn't been treated just right by their father."Myra paused, and Gilbert, who had had this same hint from his mother before now, chose to ignore theimplication of it.
　　"Oh, well, it's not my funeral," he went on. "If the governor wants to keep him on here whether he's fitted foranything special or not, that's his look-out. Only he's the one that's always talking about efficiency in everydepartment and cutting and keeping out dead timber."Meeting his mother and Bella later, he volunteered the same news and much the same ideas. Mrs. Griffithssighed; for after all, in a place like Lycurgus and established as they were, any one related to them and havingtheir name ought to be most circumspect and have careful manners and taste and judgment. It was not wise forher husband to bring on any one who was not all of that and more.
　　On the other hand, Bella was by no means satisfied with the accuracy of her brother's picture of Clyde. She didnot know Clyde, but she did know Gilbert, and as she knew he could decide very swiftly that this or that personwas lacking in almost every way, when, as a matter of fact, they might not be at all as she saw it.
　　"Oh, well," she finally observed, after hearing Gilbert comment on more of Clyde's peculiarities at dinner, "ifDaddy wants him, I presume he'll keep him, or do something with him eventually." At which Gilbert wincedinternally for this was a direct slap at his assumed authority in the mill under his father, which authority he waseager to make more and more effective in every direction, as his younger sister well knew.
　　In the meanwhile on the following morning, Clyde, returning to the mill, found that the name, or appearance, orboth perhaps--his resemblance to Mr. Gilbert Griffiths--was of some peculiar advantage to him which he couldnot quite sufficiently estimate at present. For on reaching number one entrance, the doorman on guard therelooked as though startled.
　　"Oh, you're Mr. Clyde Griffiths?" he queried. "You're goin' to work under Mr. Kemerer? Yes, I know. Well, thatman there will have your key," and he pointed to a stodgy, stuffy old man whom later Clyde came to know as"Old Jeff," the time-clock guard, who, at a stand farther along this same hall, furnished and reclaimed all keysbetween seven-thirty and seven-forty.
　　When Clyde approached him and said: "My name's Clyde Griffiths and I'm to work downstairs with Mr.
　　Kemerer," he too started and then said: "Sure, that's right. Yes, sir. Here you are, Mr. Griffiths. Mr. Kemererspoke to me about you yesterday. Number seventy-one is to be yours. I'm giving you Mr. Duveny's old key."When Clyde had gone down the stairs into the shrinking department, he turned to the doorman who had drawnnear and exclaimed: "Don't it beat all how much that fellow looks like Mr. Gilbert Griffiths? Why, he's almosthis spittin' image. What is he, do you suppose, a brother or a cousin, or what?""Don't ask me," replied the doorman. "I never saw him before. But he's certainly related to the family all right.
　　When I seen him first, I thought it was Mr. Gilbert. I was just about to tip my hat to him when I saw it wasn't."And in the shrinking room when he entered, as on the day before, he found Kemerer as respectful and evasive asever. For, like Whiggam before him, Kemerer had not as yet been able to decide what Clyde's true position withthis company was likely to be. For, as Whiggam had informed Kemerer the day before, Mr. Gilbert had said noleast thing which tended to make Mr. Whiggam believe that things were to be made especially easy for him, noryet hard, either. On the contrary, Mr. Gilbert had said: "He's to be treated like all the other employees as to timeand work. No different." Yet in introducing Clyde he had said: "This is my cousin, and he's going to try to learnthis business," which would indicate that as time went on Clyde was to be transferred from department todepartment until he had surveyed the entire manufacturing end of the business.
　　Whiggam, for this reason, after Clyde had gone, whispered to Kemerer as well as to several others, that Clydemight readily prove to be some one who was a protege of the chief--and therefore they determined to "watchtheir step," at least until they knew what his standing here was to be. And Clyde, noticing this, was quite set upby it, for he could not help but feel that this in itself, and apart from whatever his cousin Gilbert might eitherthink or wish to do, might easily presage some favor on the part of his uncle that might lead to some good forhim. So when Kemerer proceeded to explain to him that he was not to think that the work was so very hard orthat there was so very much to do for the present, Clyde took it with a slight air of condescension. And inconsequence Kemerer was all the more respectful.
　　"Just hang up your hat and coat over there in one of those lockers," he proceeded mildly and ingratiatingly even.
　　"Then you can take one of those crate trucks back there and go up to the next floor and bring down some webs.
　　They'll show you where to get them."The days that followed were diverting and yet troublesome enough to Clyde, who to begin with was puzzled anddisturbed at times by the peculiar social and workaday worlds and position in which he found himself. For onething, those by whom now he found himself immediately surrounded at the factory were not such individuals ashe would ordinarily select for companions--far below bell-boys or drivers or clerks anywhere. They were, oneand all, as he could now clearly see, meaty or stodgy mentally and physically. They wore such clothes as onlythe most common laborers would wear--such clothes as are usually worn by those who count their personalappearance among the least of their troubles--their work and their heavy material existence being all. In addition,not knowing just what Clyde was, or what his coming might mean to their separate and individual positions, theywere inclined to be dubious and suspicious.
　　After a week or two, however, coming to understand that Clyde was a nephew of the president, a cousin of thesecretary of the company, and hence not likely to remain here long in any menial capacity, they grew morefriendly, but inclined in the face of the sense of subserviency which this inspired in them, to become jealous andsuspicious of him in another way. For, after all, Clyde was not one of them, and under such circumstances couldnot be. He might smile and be civil enough--yet he would always be in touch with those who were above them,would he not--or so they thought. He was, as they saw it, part of the rich and superior class and every poor manknew what that meant. The poor must stand together everywhere.
　　For his part, however, and sitting about for the first few days in this particular room eating his lunch, hewondered how these men could interest themselves in what were to him such dull and uninteresting items--thequality of the cloth that was coming down in the webs--some minute flaws in the matter of weight or weave-- thelast twenty webs hadn't looked so closely shrunk as the preceding sixteen; or the Cranston Wickwire Companywas not carrying as many men as it had the month before--or the Anthony Woodenware Company had posted anotice that the Saturday half- holiday would not begin before June first this year as opposed to the middle of Maylast year. They all appeared to be lost in the humdrum and routine of their work.
　　In consequence his mind went back to happier scenes. He wished at times he were back in Chicago or KansasCity. He though of Ratterer, Hegglund, Higby, Louise Ratterer, Larry Doyle, Mr. Squires, Hortense--all of theyoung and thoughtless company of which he had been a part, and wondered what they were doing. What hadbecome of Hortense? She had got that fur coat after all--probably from that cigar clerk and then had gone awaywith him after she had protested so much feeling for him--the little beast. After she had gotten all that money out of him. The mere thought of her and all that she might have meant to him if things had not turned as they had,made him a little sick at times. To whom was she being nice now? How had she found things since leavingKansas City? And what would she think if she saw him here now or knew of his present high connections? Gee!
　　That would cool her a little. But she would not think much of his present position. That was true. But she mightrespect him more if she could see his uncle and his cousin and this factory and their big house. It would be likeher then to try to be nice to him. Well, he would show her, if he ever ran into her again--snub her, of course, asno doubt he very well could by then.
克莱德在布雷莉太太帮助下当天就找到的那个房间，是坐落在索普街上。

这条街虽说和他伯父住邸的那条街相隔不算太远，可就社会层次来说差得太远了。这种差异，完全足以抑制他自以为毕竟同伯父有近亲关系那种日益增长的想法。这个房间前面，都是一些棕色。灰色。褐色的普通房子，已被烟熏火燎，破败不堪。一些树木在严冬摧残下早已光秃秃，不过，虽然笼罩在烟尘之中，好象依然透出一线生机，预报五月花繁叶茂的日子不太远了。不过，他和布雷莉太太一走进去时，有一大拨灰不溜丢的普通男女，以及类似布雷莉那样的老处女，正从河对岸一些工厂回家转。在大门口招呼布雷莉太太和他自己的，是一位不算太文雅的女人，身上穿一件深褐色衣服，外面罩着一条很干净的细格子布围裙。这个女人引领他们到二楼一个房间，面积不算太小，室内陈设也不错……她对克莱德说，不供膳食的话，每周房租四块美元，如果供膳食的话，每周七块半美元。据布雷莉太太说，他在其他地方肯定找不到出这更加公道的价钱，所以他就决定租下来。他向布雷莉太太道谢以后，当即决定留下来，随后就跟一些商店和工厂的职工们一起坐下来吃晚饭，这些人就象他进入联谊俱乐部上流社会以前在芝加哥波林那街时面熟能详的那一类人。晚饭后，他款步来到莱柯格斯各主要大街，只看见一大群难以名状的工人，如按这些大街在白昼的光景来看，他决不会想到入夜后这里竟然麇集着这么多的人……少男少女与成年男女……他们国籍不同，类型殊异……有美国人。波兰人。匈牙利人。

法国人，以及英国人。如果说不是指全体……至少大都分人都有一种特征……愚昧无知，或是心灵上。就是形体上的粗鲁作风，或是缺少某一种风雅。机警或胆量，看来所有这一切，都是属于他当天下午在地下室所见到的那个社会底层里的人物标志。不过，在某些大街上，某些商店里，特别是靠近威克吉大街的地方，他看到另外一类青年男女，衣着整洁，举止活泼……他们也许是，而且毫无疑问，一定是河对岸各大公司里的职员。

克莱德就这样在莱柯格斯城里来回徜徉，从八点钟一直到十点钟。仿佛事先约定似的，那些人群杂沓的大街上，这时突然连人影儿都不见了，显得空荡荡的。克莱德每走一步路，总要把这里所见的一切，跟芝加哥和堪萨斯城进行比较。(拉特勒要是现在看见他，看见他伯父的大公馆和大工厂，又会作何感想呢?

)也许因为莱柯格斯这个地方很小，克莱德也就喜欢它了……莱柯格斯大饭店整洁。明亮，看来就是当地活跃的社交生活的中心。一幢邮政局大楼。一座有漂亮的尖顶的教堂，以及一块古老而又耐人寻味的墓地，紧挨着一个汽车样品间。在一条小巷拐角处，有一家新盖的电影院。一些少男少女和成年男女，正在大街拐角处溜达，克莱德看到其中有些人在卖弄风情。荡漾在这一切之上的，是希望。热情和青春，而希望。热情和青春正是全世界所有一切创造性活动的基础。后来，他回到索普街自己房间时，心里已有了谱:

他喜欢这个地方，他愿意在这里待下去，多美的威克吉大街!

他伯父的工厂气派又有多大!

他看到大街上来去匆匆，又有多少美丽。热情的年轻女郎!

现在再说说吉尔伯特。格里菲思吧。这时他父亲正好有事去纽约。(此事克莱德并不知道，吉尔伯特也不想告诉他。)吉尔伯特就对母亲和姐妹们说，他已经跟克莱德晤过面了;还说，克莱德如果不是天底下最无聊的人，当然也决不会是天底下最有意思的人。吉尔伯特是在克莱德到达此地的当天下午五点半回家的，一碰到麦拉，就漫不经心地说:

"喂，我们芝加哥的堂兄弟，不知怎的今儿个给风刮来啦。""怎么啦!

"麦拉说，"他什么模样儿?

"因为听爸爸说过克莱德颇有绅士风度，人也很聪明，这就使她很感兴趣。要说莱柯格斯和厂里生活情况，以及那些替他父亲那样厂主干活的人前途如何，她心中都是一清二楚，但她就是暗自纳闷，不明白克莱德干吗要上这儿来。

"嘿，我可看不出他有什么了不起，"吉尔伯特回答说。"尽管人相当聪明，长得也不难看，可是，说到做生意，他自己承认从没有受过什么专门训练。他压根儿就象在旅馆里做事的那些年轻小伙子。依我看，他认为人生在世，就数穿衣打扮最重要。他穿了一套淡褐色衣服，配上一条褐色领带，一顶褐色圆形帽子，还有一双褐色鞋子。他的领带色彩太鲜绝了，他那件色彩鲜艳的粉红色条子衬衫，就象人们三四年前穿过的那种货色。此外，他的衣服，做工也很差劲。现在我不想再说些什么，因为他毕竟新来乍到，能不能待得很久，我们也还不知道。不过话又说回来，要是他待下去，老是摆出象是我们亲戚的那副样子，那他的高兴劲儿还是收敛点好，要不然，我就得让爸爸数落他一顿。再说，我想过了一阵，他总可以在哪个部门当上一个领班什么的。依我看，赶明儿他甚至还可以当上一个推销员。不过，他为什么要上这儿来，我就闹不明白了。

其实，我想当时爸爸也许没有跟他说清楚，在这儿，不拘是谁，除了真的有杰出才干的人以外，要出人头地的机会本来就很少的。"吉尔伯特背靠着大壁炉，伫立在那里。

"是啊，你知道有一天妈妈提到过他的父亲。她说，爸爸觉得他老是运气不好。也许爸爸总得帮帮他忙，能不能把他安插在厂里。妈还告诉我说，爸爸总觉得祖父在世时多少亏待他的父亲了。"麦拉说到这儿顿住了;吉尔伯特虽然在这以前从他母亲那里也听到过同样暗示，现在却偏偏装得不懂这句话的涵义似的。

"哦，这事可不归我管的，"他接过话题说。"要是爸爸乐意把他留下来，也不看他合适不合适去做什么工作……那是爸爸的事。不过，爸爸自己一向说过，聪明能干的人，每个部门都要，但素质不好的人，通通要开革掉。"后来，吉尔伯特看见母亲和贝拉，就把克莱德到厂的消息和自己对他的看法告诉了他们。格里菲思太太叹了一口气。说来说去，象莱柯格斯这样一个地方，象他们这样有社会地位的人家，凡是跟他们沾亲带故，而且又同族同姓的人，都应该非常谨小慎微，同时还应该具有与之相应的举止。情趣和观点才成。

现在，她丈夫把很不符合这样要求的年轻人带进厂里来，总不是明智之举。

可是，贝拉听了哥哥所描述的克莱德后，压根儿就不以为然。她并不认识克莱德，但她对吉尔伯特是了解的;她知道他一下子就会找出某某人身上所有缺点来，其实，依她看，完全是子虚乌有。

"哦，"吃晚饭时，贝拉听到吉尔伯特又把克莱德的种种怪僻数落了一顿，终于开口说，"如果说爸爸要他，我想，反正总会把他留在厂里，或是早晚还要帮他一点忙的。"吉尔伯特听了心里很不高兴，因为他自以为在父亲厂里拥有权力，贝拉的话对他是一种直接的打击。而他的这种权力，正是他急急乎想要全面扩张的，这一点其实妹妹心里也明白。

转天早上，克莱德回到厂里，发现他的姓，或是他的外貌，也许两者都有关吧……这就是说，他的长相跟吉尔伯特。格里菲思先生十分相似……使他特别有利，不过对此他一时还不能作出正确的估计。当他走到一号门时，那看门的警卫好象大为惊诧。

"哦，您是克莱德。格里菲思先生，是吧?

"他问。"您将到凯默勒手下做事，是吧?

是的，这个我知道。哦，您的号牌，对面那个人会给您的，"说完，他用手指着一个躯体臃肿。自命不凡的老头儿。后来，克莱德才得知老头儿名叫"老杰夫"，负责按时给工人考勤卡打孔，每天七点半到七点四十分，在这过道那一头收发号牌。

克莱德走到他跟前，说:

"我叫克莱德。格里菲思，我在楼下跟凯默勒先生一块工作。"老头儿也吓了一跳，说:

"当然，当然。是的，先生。您来啦，格里菲思先生。凯默勒先生昨儿个跟我谈起您啦。第七十一号牌是您的。我给您的是杜维尼先生的老号牌。"克莱德已经下楼，来到了防缩车间，这时，老头儿掉过头来，冲迎面走来的看门的警卫大声喊道:

"嘿，这个家伙干吗会活脱脱象吉尔伯特。格里菲思先生?

怎么啦，简直跟他一个模子里浇出来呀。你说说他是谁?

亲兄弟?

堂兄弟?

还是什么亲戚?

""别问我啦，"看门的警卫回答说。"以前我从没见过他。不过，当然罗，他跟格里菲思一家是亲戚，准没错。我正想向他脱帽行礼呢，后来，定神一看，原来不是他。"克莱德一走进防缩车间，发现凯默勒先生还是如同昨天那样，既是必恭必敬，而又模棱两可。凯默勒如同惠甘一样，对克莱德在这个公司里的真正地位至今还不能加以断定。前天，惠甘曾经告诉凯默勒说，吉尔伯特先生没有说过一句话使惠甘先生认为对克莱德可以特别放宽，但也决不是认为对他就可以特别严格。恰好相反，吉尔伯特先生说过:

"在上班时间和工作性质上，他应该跟所有职工完全一样，绝无例外。"不过，吉尔伯特给他介绍克莱德时，却说:

"这位是我的堂弟，他想要学学我们这一行哩。"言下之意，就是说，克莱德在这儿待不长久的，他将从这一个部门调往另一个部门，直到他对本厂产品制造过程完全了解为止。

因此，克莱德走了以后，惠甘就对凯默勒等职工低声说，也许克莱德是老板的心腹……所以，他们可得"小心防备"，至少在目前还没有弄清楚他在厂里的地位以前。克莱德也觉察到这一点，相当得意扬扬。他不由得暗自思忖，先不管他的堂兄吉尔伯特对他态度如何，就凭这一好兆头，也许他伯父就会帮助他，使他得到一点好处。所以，当凯默勒先生向他解释，说他要干的工作并不太艰苦而且暂时也不要他干太多的事情时，克莱德听了，不免就带着一点儿优越感了。因此，凯默勒对他也就更加必恭必敬了。

"您的帽子和衣服，挂在那边柜子里就得了，"他语调温和，甚至于奉承讨好地说。"随后，您可以在那里拉出一辆小车，推到一层楼去，把一些坯布车下来。

上哪儿去车，他们会指给您看的。"随后的那些日子，克莱德觉得既有趣又烦恼不堪。先说这个特别含辛茹苦的社会阶层，以及他自己在这里所处的地位，有时就使他感到困感不安。比方说，在厂里，他周围的那些人，他未必乐意跟他们交朋友……远远地不如任何地方的侍应生，或是汽车司机，或是职员。如今他看得非常清楚，他们在智力上与生理上个个都是笨头笨脑，或是粗手粗脚的人。他们身上所穿的衣服，只有最低贱的苦力才穿……只有把自己的仪表看成是最不重要的人才穿……他们心心念念想的只是干活和艰苦的物质生活条件。此外，他们不知道克莱德何许人也，或者也不知道他的来临将对他们的个人地位有何影响，因此，他们对他都持怀疑态度。

果然，一两个星期以后，他们知道克莱德是本公司总经理的侄子，秘书的堂弟，因此，看来不可能在这儿长期从事低微的工作，他们就对他更加和和气气了。但因这事在他们身上又引起了自卑感，所以对他表示又妒忌，又怀疑。

说到底，克莱德毕竟不是他们里头的一员，而且，在现有条件下，他也决不可能成为他们里头的一员。他尽管可以对他们笑，对他们完全客客气气……但他也经常跟地位比他们高的人接触，可不是吗……至少他们就是这么想的。他在他们心目中是属于富裕。优越阶级的一分子，而每一个穷人都懂得这就意味着什么。穷人不论到哪儿都得站在一块儿啊。

就克莱德来说，开头几天坐在这个怪别扭的房间里吃午饭，心里纳闷，真不知道这些人干吗老是对一些在他看来索然无味。无聊透顶的事情深感兴趣，比方说，运下来的坯布质地如何，在分量和质量上有哪些小毛病，最近一批二十卷坯布，与前一批十六卷坯布相比，紧缩程度还很不够;或是克兰斯顿柳藤制品公司本月份缩减职工名额;或是安东尼木器公司贴出了一道通告，说星期六工作半天，去年始自五月中旬，但今年却要自六月一日起才实行，如此等等，不一而足。看来他们全都醉心于单调琐碎的日常工作之中了。

于是，他心中就常常回想到往昔那些快乐无比的情景。有时，他真巴不得自己又回到芝加哥或是堪萨斯城。他回想到拉特勒。赫格伦。希格比。路易斯。

拉特勒。拉里。多伊尔。斯夸尔斯先生。霍丹斯，这一伙无忧无虑的年轻人，而他正是他们里头的一员。他暗自思忖，此刻他们正在干些什么呢?

霍丹斯现在怎么样了?

反正那件袭皮外套，最后她弄到了……也许就是那个烟铺里伙计给她掏腰包的，随后就跟他一块出走了，可她不久前还对克莱德表示过那么多的感情，好一个小畜生。把他的钱通通都骗走了!

有时候，只要一想到她，要不是他们后来出了事故，真不知道她对他又会怎么样了，克莱德马上心里就感到难过。

如今，她正在向什么人献殷勤呢?

她离开堪萨斯城以后，情况又如何呢?

现在她要是看见他在这儿，或者她得知他有这么一个阔亲戚，她又会作何感想呢?

嘿!

还是让她头脑清醒点吧。不过话又说回来，按他现在的职位，她是不太喜欢的。这是显而易见的。然而，她要是看见他的伯父。他的堂兄，看见这个工厂，以及他们的大公馆，也许就会更加尊敬他吧。她就会跟他重归于好的……这才符合她这个人的脾性。唉，他要是再碰上她，就要给她好看的……叫她碰一鼻子灰，当然的，那时他一定会叫她碰一鼻子灰。
Part 2 Chapter 7
In so far as his life at Mrs. Cuppy's went, he was not so very happily placed there, either. For that was but acommonplace rooming and boarding house, which drew to it, at best, such conservative mill and business typesas looked on work and their wages, and the notions of the middle class religious world of Lycurgus as mostessential to the order and well being of the world. From the point of view of entertainment or gayety, it was inthe main a very dull place.
　　At the same time, because of the presence of one Walter Dillard--a brainless sprig who had recently come herefrom Fonda, it was not wholly devoid of interest for Clyde. The latter--a youth of about Clyde's own age andequally ambitious socially--but without Clyde's tact or discrimination anent the governing facts of life, wasconnected with the men's furnishing department of Stark and Company. He was spry, avid, attractive enoughphysically, with very light hair, a very light and feeble mustache, and the delicate airs and ways of a small townBeau Brummell. Never having had any social standing or the use of any means whatsoever--his father havingbeen a small town dry goods merchant before him, who had failed--he was, because of some atavistic spur orfillip in his own blood, most anxious to attain some sort of social position.
　　But failing that so far, he was interested in and envious of those who had it--much more so than Clyde, even. Theglory and activity of the leading families of this particular city had enormous weight with him--the Nicholsons,the Starks, the Harriets, Griffiths, Finchleys, et cetera. And learning a few days after Clyde's arrival of hissomewhat left-handed connection with this world, he was most definitely interested. What? A Griffiths! Thenephew of the rich Samuel Griffiths of Lycurgus! And in this boarding house! Beside him at this table! At oncehis interest rose to where he decided that he must cultivate this stranger as speedily as possible. Here was a realsocial opportunity knocking at his very door--a connecting link to one of the very best families! And besides washe not young, attractive and probably ambitious like himself--a fellow to play around with if one could? Heproceeded at once to make overtures to Clyde. It seemed almost too good to be true.
　　In consequence he was quick to suggest a walk, the fact that there was a certain movie just on at the Mohawk,which was excellent--very snappy. Didn't Clyde want to go? And because of his neatness, smartness--a touch ofsomething that was far from humdrum or the heavy practicality of the mill and the remainder of this boardinghouse world, Clyde was inclined to fall in with him.
　　But, as he now thought, here were his great relatives and he must watch his step here. Who knew but that hemight be making a great mistake in holding such free and easy contacts as this. The Griffiths--as well as the entire world of which they were a part--as he guessed from the general manner of all those who even contactedhim, must be very removed from the commonalty here. More by instinct than reason, he was inclined to stand offand look very superior--more so since those, including this very youth on whom he practised this seemed torespect him the more. And although upon eager--and even--after its fashion, supplicating request, he now wentwith this youth--still he went cautiously. And his aloof and condescending manner Dillard at once translated as"class" and "connection." And to think he had met him in this dull, dubby boarding house here. And on hisarrival--at the very inception of his career here.
　　And so his manner was that of the sycophant--although he had a better position and was earning more moneythan Clyde was at this time, twenty-two dollars a week.
　　"I suppose you'll be spending a good deal of your time with your relatives and friends here," he volunteered onthe occasion of their first walk together, and after he had extracted as much information as Clyde cared to impart,which was almost nothing, while he volunteered a few, most decidedly furbished bits from his own history. Hisfather owned a dry goods store NOW. He had come over here to study other methods, et cetera. He had an unclehere--connected with Stark and Company. He had met a few--not so many as yet--nice people here, since hehadn't been here so very long himself--four months all told.
　　But Clyde's relatives!
　　"Say your uncle must be worth over a million, isn't he? They say he is. Those houses in Wykeagy Avenue arecertainly the cats'. You won't see anything finer in Albany or Utica or Rochester either. Are you SamuelGriffiths' own nephew? You don't say! Well, that'll certainly mean a lot to you here. I wish I had a connectionlike that. You bet I'd make it count."He beamed on Clyde eagerly and hopefully, and through him Clyde sensed even more how really important thisblood relation was. Only think how much it meant to this strange youth.
　　"Oh, I don't know," replied Clyde dubiously, and yet very much flattered by this assumption of intimacy. "I cameon to learn the collar business, you know. Not to play about very much. My uncle wants me to stick to that,pretty much.""Sure, sure. I know how that is," replied Dillard, "that's the way my uncle feels about me, too. He wants me tostick close to the work here and not play about very much. He's the buyer for Stark and Company, you know. Butstill a man can't work all the time, either. He's got to have a little fun.""Yes, that's right," said Clyde--for the first time in his life a little condescendingly.
　　They walked along in silence for a few moments. Then:
　　"Do you dance?""Yes," answered Clyde.
　　"Well, so do I. There are a lot of cheap dance halls around here, but I never go to any of those. You can't do itand keep in with the nice people. This is an awfully close town that way, they say. The best people won't haveanything to do with you unless you go with the right crowd. It's the same way up at Fonda. You have to 'belong'
　　or you can't go out anywhere at all. And that's right, I guess. But still there are a lot of nice girls here that afellow can go with--girls of right nice families--not in society, of course--but still, they're not talked about, see.
　　And they're not so slow, either. Pretty hot stuff, some of them. And you don't have to marry any of 'em, either."Clyde began to think of him as perhaps a little too lusty for his new life here, maybe. At the same time he likedhim some. "By the way," went on Dillard, "what are you doing next Sunday afternoon?""Well, nothing in particular, that I know of just now," replied Clyde, sensing a new problem here. "I don't knowjust what I may have to do by then, but I don't know of anything now.""Well, how'd you like to come with me, if you're not too busy. I've come to know quite a few girls since I'vebeen here. Nice ones. I can take you out and introduce you to my uncle's family, if you like. They're nice people.
　　And afterwards--I know two girls we can go and see--peaches. One of 'em did work in the store, but she don'tnow--she's not doing anything now. The other is her pal. They have a Victrola and they can dance. I know it isn'tthe thing to dance here on Sundays but no one need know anything about that. The girls' parents don't mind.
　　Afterwards we might take 'em to a movie or something--if you want to--not any of those things down near themill district but one of the better ones--see?"There formulated itself in Clyde's mind the question as to what, in regard to just such proposals as this, hiscourse here was to be. In Chicago, and recently--because of what happened in Kansas City--he had sought to beas retiring and cautious as possible. For--after that and while connected with the club, he had been taken withthe fancy of trying to live up to the ideals with which the seemingly stern face of that institution had inspiredhim--conservatism--hard work--saving one's money--looking neat and gentlemanly. It was such an Evelessparadise, that.
　　In spite of his quiet surroundings here, however, the very air of the city seemed to suggest some such relaxationas this youth was now suggesting--a form of diversion that was probably innocent enough but still connectedwith girls and their entertainment--there were so many of them here, as he could see. These streets, after dinner,here, were so alive with good-looking girls, and young men, too. But what might his new found relatives think ofhim in case he was seen stepping about in the manner and spirit which this youth's suggestions seemed to imply?
　　Hadn't he just said that this was an awfully close town and that everybody knew nearly everything abouteverybody else? He paused in doubt. He must decide now. And then, being lonely and hungry forcompanionship, he replied:
　　"Yes,--well--I think that's all right." But he added a little dubiously: "Of course my relatives here--""Oh, sure, that's all right," replied Dillard smartly. "You have to be careful, of course. Well, so do I." If he couldonly go around with a Griffiths, even if he was new around here and didn't know many people--wouldn't it reflecta lot of credit on him? It most certainly would--did already, as he saw it.
　　And forthwith he offered to buy Clyde some cigarettes--a soda--anything he liked. But Clyde, still feeling verystrange and uncertain, excused himself, after a time, because this youth with his complacent worship of society and position, annoyed him a little, and made his way back to his room. He had promised his mother a letter andhe thought he had better go back and write it, and incidentally to think a little on the wisdom of this new contact.
再说克莱德在柯比太太家的生活，也并不是很快活的。那仅仅是一家普通的供膳寄宿舍，至多只能把工厂和商店里一些相当保守的人给吸引过来。这些人都认为，他们的工作。工资，以及莱柯格斯中产阶级的种种宗教观念，就是维持当今世界秩序和幸福的最重要的基础。一般说来，这里是一个沉闷透顶的地方，毫无娱乐消遣或是赏心乐事可言。

由于这里有个名叫沃尔特。迪拉特的人……最近从方达来的一个楞小伙子，因此，克莱德觉得这里也并不能说是索然无味了。这个迪拉特，是克莱德的同龄人，同样也热衷于社会地位，只不过对自己周围生活并没有象克莱德那样具有机智圆通或是善于识别的能力。他在斯塔克公司男用服饰部做事。此人活泼。

热切，长相也还漂亮，浅色头发，一撮淡淡的小胡子，完全是小镇上花花公子那副气派和德行。他既没有什么财产，又没有什么社会地位，父亲原是小镇上的绸布商，后来商店倒闭了……可是他血液里不知怎的却有祖辈那股子冲劲，急急乎想攫取到一个令人瞩目的社会地位。

不过，迄至目前为止，迪拉特一直没有成功，因此，他对那些高门鼎贵的人就特别关注，而又嫉妒……甚至比克莱德还要强烈。莱柯格斯城里那些名门世家……尼科尔森家。斯塔克家。哈里特家。格里菲思家。芬奇利家等等……他们的光荣和他们显赫的活动，给他留下很深印象。克莱德到后几天，迪拉特得知克莱德跟上述这个圈子多少有那么一点不伦不类的关系，不由得使他来了很大劲儿。乖乖!

好一个姓格里菲思的!

莱柯格斯城里大富翁塞缪尔。格里菲思的侄子!

就在这个寄宿舍里!

而且还跟他是在同一餐桌!

他决定务必尽快跟这个陌生人交上朋友。这对他来说真的好比是三生有幸，是敲开巨富鼎贵的大门，使他得以进入莱柯格斯城里最最声名煊赫的人家的一条线索啊!

何况克莱德不是很年轻，长得也漂亮，说不定就象他一样心怀奢望……如果说要玩儿，克莱德还不是—个好伙伴吗?

看来迪拉特几乎觉得自己的运气好得不敢相信，马上就开始向克莱德套近乎了。

首先，迪拉特向克莱德提议，不妨出去逛一逛，还说离莫霍克河不远，正在放映一部什么影片，真是顶呱呱的……简直太迷人了。难道说克莱德不想去吗?

由于迪拉特衣冠楚楚，时髦漂亮……自有一点儿风度，跟工厂和寄宿舍里那种单调沉闷迥然不同，所以，克莱德同他也就一见如故了。

不过，克莱德想到这里有他了不起的亲戚，他的一举一动务必谨慎小心才好。象他这样轻易随便结交新朋友，说不定自己会犯大错误呢。格里菲思这一家……正如他们那个圈子里所有的人一样……根据他接触过那些人的一般作风来看，想必跟这里老百姓相隔很远。更多是出于本能，而不是出于理性，克莱德同样自视甚高，不接近众人……而且，他越是用这样态度对待人家(包括迪拉特这个年轻人在内)，人家也就越是尊敬他，因此，他越要摆出这副高人一等的派头来。虽然在迪拉特的热忱邀请，甚至还可以说是在恳求之下，克莱德终于跟这个年轻人一起出去了，可他的举止言谈还是小心翼翼的。对他那种超尘绝俗。降尊纡贵的态度，迪拉特马上解释为"阶级"和"亲戚"的标记。只要想一想，在这个沉闷无聊的寄宿舍里，他居然碰上了这么一个人。何况还是在他刚刚到这里……正好他在这里的事业才开始。

因此，迪拉特就对克莱德一味溜须拍马……虽然同克莱德相比，现下他的地位要高，赚的钱也多，每星期二十五块美元。

"我想，您大概要花去不少时间，跟您的至亲好友在一块吧，"他们头一次外出散步时，迪拉特斗胆地这么说。当他已经探听到许多克莱德乐意透露。其实几乎毫无内容的事之后，迪拉特只好转换话题，谈起自己的身世来，向他添枝加叶地讲了一些事情。现在他父亲开一家绸布商店。他本人上这儿来，为的是学习这一行业新方法，如此等等。他在这里有个叔叔……在斯塔克公司做事。

他在莱柯格斯已有几个……说真的，目前还为数不多……好朋友，因为他来这儿时间不太长……合起来才不过四个月。

可是克莱德的亲戚，该有多帅!

"您说，您伯父的家私，想必在一百万美元以上，是吧?

人家都是这么说的。

威克吉大街上那些华屋，简直太令人垂涎的了。您在奥尔巴尼。尤蒂卡，甚至在罗彻斯特，都不会见到更阔气的房子了。您是塞缪尔。格里菲思的亲侄子吗?

一定没错!

嘿，那您在这里可就非同小可啦。我真巴不得也有那么一门阔亲戚。

那我包管要尽量利用啊。"他热乎乎地笑着瞅了克莱德一眼。克莱德从而觉察到他这种血亲关系该有多么重要。只要想一想，这个陌生的年轻人对它看得有多重啊。

"哦，我可不知道，"克莱德迟疑地回答说。不过，既然人家推想他跟此地格里菲思家有如此亲密的关系，克莱德心里还是感到挺美滋滋的。"你知道，我上这儿来，就是为了要学会做领子这门手艺。可不是来玩的。伯父就要我认真地把它学好。""哦，当然，当然。这个我也明白，"迪拉特回答说，"我叔叔对我也是这样的意思，他要我在这里好好干，不要光想着玩。您知道，他在斯塔克公司是专管采买的。不过话又说回来，一个人也不能老是干活呀。有时也还得乐一乐呗。

""是啊，是这样，"克莱德破题儿头一遭带有一点儿屈尊俯就的口吻说。

他们默默无言地走了一会儿。

"您跳舞吗?

""跳，"克莱德回答说。

"哦，我也跳。这儿有不少低级舞厅，可我从来都不去的。您千万别去那些地方，如果说您想跟上流社会人士交际应酬的话。据说，在这个域市里，上流社会真是惊人地不与外人相互往来的。要是您不属于他们这个圈子，上流社会人士简直就不会跟您来往。在方达也是这样。您必须'

''''属于，上流社会，不然您就根本哪儿都去不了。我看，恐怕这也是应该的。不过话又说回来，这儿还是有不少好姑娘，可以跟她们跳跳舞，乐一乐。姑娘来自上等家庭……当然罗，并不是来自上流社会……反正人们也还没有说过她们什么坏话，您懂吗。再说，她们可也不都是那么迟钝不灵。恰好相反，她们里头有些人，还真的热火得够呛呢。可您也不见得就必须跟她们里头随便哪个结婚。"克莱德暗自思忖，此人对自己在这里的新生活，也许有点儿太渴求了吧。与此同时，他也有点儿喜欢迪拉特。"再说，"迪拉特继续说道，"这个星期日下午，您打算干什么?

""哦，好象没有什么特别的事，我一时还不知道，"克莱德回答说，感到他面前出现了新情况。"我可不知道到时候会干些什么事，不过，现在我什么也说不上来。""哦，您要是不太忙，就不妨跟我一块去吧。我来这儿以后，认识了好几个姑娘。全是好姑娘。您要是高兴，我包管把您捎去，介绍您跟我叔叔家里的人认识认识。他们个个都是挺不错的人。后来……我认识两个姑娘，我们可以找她们去……真是迷人的小娘儿们。她们里头有一个曾经在一家铺子里做过事，可现在她走了……她什么事儿都不干了。而另一个，是她的知心好友。她们有一台手摇留声机，她们俩一块跳舞哩。我知道，星期日在这里是不让跳舞的，但只要不让人知道就得了。姑娘她们的父母，倒是并不介意。随后，我们不妨带她们去看电影什么的……要是您高兴的话……不去工厂附近电影院，而是要到高级电影院去，您懂吗?

"克莱德暗自思忖，对于迪拉特提出的那些建议，他究竟该怎么办呢。在芝加哥……由于在堪萨斯城出了事故以后……他一向都尽量谨小慎微，很少抛头露面。因为，自从那次事故之后，他到俱乐部任职以来心里就想，务必让自己的生活尽量符合由于那里严肃的氛围使他领悟到的以下理想目标:

举止稳健，工作努力，勤俭节约，仪表整洁，富有绅士风度。那就是一个没有夏娃(《圣经》

上说，亚当偷吃智慧果，被逐出伊甸园，乃是受到夏娃诱惑的缘故。此处指克莱德希望自己只要回避女人，就好比登上天堂。)的天堂。

如今，他在这里的环境虽然很清静，可是，从这个城市的气氛来看，似乎还是令人联想到这个年轻人正在谈论的娱乐消遣……其方式或许最简单也不过，但照样还是有姑娘们，可以跟他们作伴取乐……他亲眼看到这里就有许许多多姑娘。晚饭后，大街上热闹非凡，有漂亮姑娘，也有年轻小伙子。不过，如果按照这个年轻人所暗示的方式去玩儿，万一给人看见，那他新近攀附的亲戚对他会有怎么个想法呢。他刚才自己不是说过，莱柯格斯城里人际关系惊人地狭隘，谁在干什么，几乎大家心里都有数。他沉吟不语，马上犯疑了。但他现在又非得当机立断不可。不过，他委实太寂寞，急急乎想找个伴儿，于是回答说:

"是啊……哦……我想这敢情好。"然而，他又不免有点儿疑虑地找补着说:

"当然罗，你知道，我这里的亲戚……""哦，没问题，这我知道，"迪拉特应答如流地说。"当然罗，您可要小心留神才好。哦，我也得那样。"只要他能跟着一位姓格里菲思的人(哪怕此人还是新来乍到，认识的人也不多)在哪儿露露面，那不就是使他脸上很有光彩吗?

一定会这样，依他看，他自己脸上已经很光彩了。

迪拉特马上就请克莱德抽烟卷，问他喜欢不喜欢喝汽水。可是，克莱德还是感到非常别扭和心里没有底，过了一会儿才跟新朋友告别了。由于这个年轻人如此洋洋自得地崇拜社会地位，克莱德不觉对他感到有点儿腻味，于是径直朝自己住地走去。他早就答应给母亲写一封信，心想最好还是回去写信，顺便还得想一想，结交这样新朋友是否值得。
Part 2 Chapter 8
Nevertheless, the next day being a Saturday and half holiday the year round in this concern, Mr. Whiggam camethrough with the pay envelopes.
　　"Here you are, Mr. Griffiths," he said, as though he were especially impressed with Clyde's position.
　　Clyde, taking it, was rather pleased with this mistering, and going back toward his locker, promptly tore it openand pocketed the money. After that, taking his hat and coat, he wandered off in the direction of his room, wherehe had his lunch. But, being very lonely, and Dillard not being present because he had to work, he decided upona trolley ride to Gloversville, which was a city of some twenty thousand inhabitants and reported to be as active,if not as beautiful, as Lycurgus. And that trip amused and interested him because it took him into a city verydifferent form Lycurgus in its social texture.
　　But the next day--Sunday--he spent idly in Lycurgus, wandering about by himself. For, as it turned out, Dillardwas compelled to return to Fonda for some reason and could not fulfill the Sunday understanding. EncounteringClyde, however, on Monday evening, he announced that on the following Wednesday evening, in the basementof the Diggby Avenue Congregational Church, there was to be held a social with refreshments. And according toyoung Dillard, at least this promised to prove worth while.
　　"We can just go out there," was the way he put it to Clyde, and buzz the girls a little. I want you to meet myuncle and aunt. They're nice people all right. And so are the girls. They're no slouches. Then we can edge outafterwards, about ten, see, and go around to either Zella or Rita's place. Rita has more good records over at herplace, but Zella has the nicest place to dance. By the way, you didn't chance to bring along your dress suit withyou, did you?" he inquired. For having already inspected Clyde's room, which was above his own on the thirdfloor, in Clyde's absence and having discovered that he had only a dress suit case and no trunk, and apparently nodress suit anywhere, he had decided that in spite of Clyde's father conducting a hotel and Clyde having worked inthe union League Club in Chicago, he must be very indifferent to social equipment. Or, if not, must beendeavoring to make his own way on some character-building plan without help from any one. This was not tohis liking, exactly. A man should never neglect these social essentials. Nevertheless, Clyde was a Griffiths andthat was enough to cause him to overlook nearly anything, for the present anyhow.
　　"No, I didn't," replied Clyde, who was not exactly sure as to the value of this adventure--even yet--in spite of hisown loneliness,--"but I intend to get one." He had already thought since coming here of his lack in this respect,and was thinking of taking at least thirty-five of his more recently hard-earned savings and indulging in a suit ofthis kind.
　　Dillard buzzed on about the fact that while Zella Shuman's family wasn't rich--they owned the house they livedin--still she went with a lot of nice girls here, too. So did Rita Dickerman. Zella's father owned a little cottage upon Eckert Lake, near Fonda. When next summer came--and with it the holidays and pleasant week-ends, heand Clyde, supposing that Clyde liked Rita, might go up there some time for a visit, for Rita and Zella wereinseparable almost. And they were pretty, too. "Zella's dark and Rita's light," he added enthusiastically.
　　Clyde was interested by the fact that the girls were pretty and that out of a clear sky and in the face of his presentloneliness, he was being made so much of by this Dillard. But, was it wise for him to become very muchinvolved with him? That was the question--for, after all, he really knew nothing of him. And he gathered fromDillard's manner, his flighty enthusiasm for the occasion, that he was far more interested in the girls as girls--acertain freedom or concealed looseness that characterized them--than he was in the social phase of the worldwhich they represented. And wasn't that what brought about his downfall in Kansas City? Here in Lycurgus, ofall places, he was least likely to forget it-- aspiring to something better as he now did.
　　None-the-less, at eight-thirty on the following Wednesday evening--they were off, Clyde full of eageranticipation. And by nine o'clock they were in the midst of one of those semi-religious, semi-social and semi-emotional church affairs, the object of which was to raise money for the church--the general service of whichwas to furnish an occasion for gossip among the elders, criticism and a certain amount of enthusiastic, ifdisguised courtship and flirtation among the younger members. There were booths for the sale of quiteeverything from pies, cakes and ice cream to laces, dolls and knickknacks of every description, supplied by themembers and parted with for the benefit of the church. The Reverend Peter Isreals, the minister, and his wifewere present. Also Dillard's uncle and aunt, a pair of brisk and yet uninteresting people whom Clyde could sensewere of no importance socially here. They were too genial and altogether social in the specific neighborhoodsense, although Grover Wilson, being a buyer for Stark and Company, endeavored to assume a serious andimportant air at times.
　　He was an undersized and stocky man who did not seem to know how to dress very well or could not afford it. Incontrast to his nephew's almost immaculate garb, his own suit was far from perfect-fitting. It was unpressed andslightly soiled. And his tie the same. He had a habit of rubbing his hands in a clerkly fashion, of wrinkling hisbrows and scratching the back of his head at times, as though something he was about to say had cost him greatthought and was of the utmost importance. Whereas, nothing that he uttered, as even Clyde could see, was of theslightest importance.
　　And so, too, with the stout and large Mrs. Wilson, who stood beside him while he was attempting to rise to theimportance of Clyde. She merely beamed a fatty beam. She was almost ponderous, and pink, with a tendency toa double chin. She smiled and smiled, largely because she was naturally genial and on her good behavior here,but incidentally because Clyde was who he was. For as Clyde himself could see, Walter Dillard had lost no timein impressing his relatives with the fact that he was a Griffiths. Also that he had encountered and made a friendof him and that he was now chaperoning him locally.
　　"Walter has been telling us that you have just come on here to work for your uncle. You're at Mrs. Cuppy's now,I understand. I don't know her but I've always heard she keeps such a nice, refined place. Mr. Parsley, who liveshere with her, used to go to school with me. But I don't see much of him any more. Did you meet him yet?""No, I didn't," said Clyde in return.
　　"Well, you know, we expected you last Sunday to dinner, only Walter had to go home. But you must come soon.
　　Any time at all. I would love to have you." She beamed and her small grayish brown eyes twinkled.
　　Clyde could see that because of the fame of his uncle he was looked upon as a social find, really. And so it waswith the remainder of this company, old and young--the Rev. Peter Isreals and his wife; Mr. Micah Bumpus, alocal vendor of printing inks, and his wife and son; Mr. and Mrs. Maximilian Pick, Mr. Pick being a wholesaleand retail dealer in hay, grain and feed; Mr. Witness, a florist, and Mrs. Throop, a local real estate dealer. Allknew Samuel Griffiths and his family by reputation and it seemed not a little interesting and strange to all ofthem that Clyde, a real nephew of so rich a man, should be here in their midst. The only trouble with this wasthat Clyde's manner was very soft and not as impressive as it should be--not so aggressive and contemptuous.
　　And most of them were of that type of mind that respects insolence even where it pretends to condemn it.
　　In so far as the young girls were concerned, it was even more noticeable. For Dillard was making this importantrelationship of Clyde's perfectly plain to every one. "This is Clyde Griffiths, the nephew of Samuel Griffiths, Mr.
　　Gilbert Griffiths' cousin, you know. He's just come on here to study the collar business in his uncle's factory."And Clyde, who realized how shallow was this pretense, was still not a little pleased and impressed by the effectof it all. This Dillard's effrontery. The brassy way in which, because of Clyde, he presumed to patronize thesepeople. On this occasion, he kept guiding Clyde here and there, refusing for the most part to leave him alone foran instant. In fact he was determined that all whom he knew and liked among the girls and young men shouldknow who and what Clyde was and that he was presenting him. Also that those whom he did not like should seeas little of him as possible--not be introduced at all. "She don't amount to anything. Her father only keeps a smallgarage here. I wouldn't bother with her if I were you." Or, "He isn't much around here. Just a clerk in our store."At the same time, in regard to some others, he was all smiles and compliments, or at worst apologetic for theirsocial lacks.
　　And then he was introduced to Zella Shuman and Rita Dickerman, who, for reasons of their own, not the leastamong which was a desire to appear a little wise and more sophisticated than the others here, came a little late.
　　And it was true, as Clyde was to find out afterwards, that they were different, too--less simple and restricted thanquite all of the girls whom Dillard had thus far introduced him to. They were not as sound religiously andmorally as were these others. And as even Clyde noted on meeting them, they were as keen for as close anapproach to pagan pleasure without admitting it to themselves, as it was possible to be and not be marked forwhat they were. And in consequence, there was something in their manner, the very spirit of the introduction,which struck him as different from the tone of the rest of this church group--not exactly morally or religiouslyunhealthy but rather much freer, less repressed, less reserved than were these others.
　　"Oh, so you're Mr. Clyde Griffiths," observed Zella Shuman. "My, you look a lot like your cousin, don't you? Isee him driving down Central Avenue ever so often. Walter has been telling us all about you. Do you likeLycurgus?"The way she said "Walter," together with something intimate and possessive in the tone of her voice, causedClyde to feel at once that she must feel rather closer to and freer with Dillard than he himself had indicated. Asmall scarlet bow of velvet ribbon at her throat, two small garnet earrings in her ears, a very trim and tight-fittingblack dress, with a heavily flounced skirt, seemed to indicate that she was not opposed to showing her figure, andprized it, a mood which except for a demure and rather retiring poise which she affected, would most certainly have excited comment in such a place as this.
　　Rita Dickerman, on the other hand, was lush and blonde, with pink cheeks, light chestnut hair, and bluish grayeyes. Lacking the aggressive smartness which characterized Zella Shuman, she still radiated a certain somethingwhich to Clyde seemed to harmonize with the liberal if secret mood of her friend. Her manner, as Clyde couldsee, while much less suggestive of masked bravado was yielding and to him designedly so, as well as naturallyprovocative. It had been arranged that she was to intrigue him. Very much fascinated by Zella Shuman and intow of her, they were inseparable. And when Clyde was introduced to her, she beamed upon him in a meltingand sensuous way which troubled him not a little. For here in Lycurgus, as he was telling himself at the time, hemust be very careful with whom he became familiar. And yet, unfortunately, as in the case of Hortense Briggs,she evoked thoughts of intimacy, however unproblematic or distant, which troubled him. But he must be careful.
　　It was just such a free attitude as this suggested by Dillard as well as these girls' manners that had gotten him intotrouble before.
　　"Now we'll just have a little ice cream and cake," suggested Dillard, after the few preliminary remarks were over,"and then we can get out of here. You two had better go around together and hand out a few hellos. Then we canmeet at the ice cream booth. After that, if you say so, we'll leave, eh? What do you say?"He looked at Zella Shuman as much as to say: "You know what is the best thing to do," and she smiled andreplied:
　　"That's right. We can't leave right away. I see my cousin Mary over there. And Mother. And Fred Bruckner. Ritaand I'll just go around by ourselves for a while and then we'll meet you, see." And Rita Dickerman forthwithbestowed upon Clyde an intimate and possessive smile.
　　After about twenty minutes of drifting and browsing, Dillard received some signal from Zella, and he and Clydepaused near the ice cream booth with its chairs in the center of the room. In a few moments they were casuallyjoined by Zella and Rita, with whom they had some ice cream and cake. And then, being free of all obligationsand as some of the others were beginning to depart, Dillard observed: "Let's beat it. We can go over to yourplace, can't we?""Sure, sure," whispered Zella, and together they made their way to the coat room. Clyde was still so dubious asto the wisdom of all this that he was inclined to be a little silent. He did not know whether he was fascinated byRita or not. But once out in the street out of view of the church and the homing amusement seekers, he and Ritafound themselves together, Zella and Dillard having walked on ahead. And although Clyde had taken her arm, ashe thought fit, she maneuvered it free and laid a warm and caressing hand on his elbow. And she nudged quiteclose to him, shoulder to shoulder, and half leaning on him, began pattering of the life of Lycurgus.
　　There was something very furry and caressing about her voice now. Clyde liked it. There was something heavyand languorous about her body, a kind of ray or electron that intrigued and lured him in spite of himself. He feltthat he would like to caress her arm and might if he wished--that he might even put his arm around her waist, andso soon. Yet here he was, a Griffiths, he was shrewd enough to think--a Lycurgus Griffiths--and that was whatnow made a difference--that made all those girls at this church social seem so much more interested in him andso friendly. Yet in spite of this thought, he did squeeze her arm ever so slightly and without reproach or comment from her.
　　And once in the Shuman home, which was a large old-fashioned square frame house with a square cupola, veryretired among some trees and a lawn, they made themselves at home in a general living room which was muchmore handsomely furnished than any home with which Clyde had been identified heretofore. Dillard at oncebegan sorting the records, with which he seemed most familiar, and to pull two rather large rugs out of the way,revealing a smooth, hardwood floor.
　　"There's one thing about this house and these trees and these soft-toned needles," he commented for Clyde'sbenefit, of course, since he was still under the impression that Clyde might be and probably was a very shrewdperson who was watching his every move here. "You can't hear a note of this Victrola out in the street, can you,Zell? Nor upstairs, either, really, not with the soft needles.
　　We've played it down here and danced to it several times, until three and four in the morning and they didn't evenknow it upstairs, did they, Zell?""That's right. But then Father's a little hard of hearing. And Mother don't hear anything, either, when she gets inher room and gets to reading. But it is hard to hear at that.""Why do people object so to dancing here?" asked Clyde.
　　"Oh, they don't--not the factory people--not at all," put in Dillard, "but most of the church people do. My uncleand aunt do. And nearly everyone else we met at the church to-night, except Zell and Rita." He gave them a mostapproving and encouraging glance. "And they're too broadminded to let a little thing like that bother them. Ain'tthat right, Zell?"This young girl, who was very much fascinated by him, laughed and nodded, "You bet, that's right. I can't seeany harm in it.""Nor me, either," put in Rita, "nor my father and mother. Only they don't like to say anything about it or makeme feel that they want me to do too much of it."Dillard by then had started a piece entitled "Brown Eyes" and immediately Clyde and Rita and Dillard and Zellabegan to dance, and Clyde found himself insensibly drifting into a kind of intimacy with this girl which boded hecould scarcely say what. She danced so warmly and enthusiastically--a kind of weaving and swaying motionwhich suggested all sorts of repressed enthusiasms. And her lips were at once wreathed with a kind of lyric smilewhich suggested a kind of hunger for this thing. And she was very pretty, more so dancing and smiling than atany other time.
　　"She is delicious," thought Clyde, "even if she is a little soft. Any fellow would do almost as well as me, but shelikes me because she thinks I'm somebody." And almost at the same moment she observed: "Isn't it just toogorgeous? And you're such a good dancer, Mr. Griffiths.""Oh, no," he replied, smiling into her eyes, "you're the one that's the dancer. I can dance because you're dancing with me."He could feel now that her arms were large and soft, her bosom full for one so young. Exhilarated by dancing,she was quite intoxicating, her gestures almost provoking.
　　"Now we'll put on 'The Love Boat,'" called Dillard the moment "Brown Eyes" was ended, "and you and Zellacan dance together and Rita and I will have a spin, eh, Rita?"He was so fascinated by his own skill as a dancer, however, as well as his natural joy in the art, that he couldscarcely wait to begin another, but must take Rita by the arms before putting on another record, gliding here andthere, doing steps and executing figures which Clyde could not possibly achieve and which at once establishedDillard as the superior dancer. Then, having done so, he called to Clyde to put on "The Love Boat."But as Clyde could see after dancing with Zella once, this was planned to be a happy companionship of twomutually mated couples who would not interfere with each other in any way, but rather would aid each other intheir various schemes to enjoy one another's society. For while Zella danced with Clyde, and danced well andtalked to him much, all the while he could feel that she was interested in Dillard and Dillard only and wouldprefer to be with him. For, after a few dances, and while he and Rita lounged on a settee and talked, Zella andDillard left the room to go to the kitchen for a drink. Only, as Clyde observed, they stayed much longer than anysingle drink would have required.
　　And similarly, during this interval, it seemed as though it was intended even, by Rita, that he and she shoulddraw closer to one another. For, finding the conversation on the settee lagging for a moment, she got up andapropos of nothing--no music and no words--motioned him to dance some more with her. She had dancedcertain steps with Dillard which she pretended to show Clyde. But because of their nature, these brought her andClyde into closer contact than before--very much so. And standing so close together and showing Clyde byelbow and arm how to do, her face and cheek came very close to him--too much for his own strength of will andpurpose. He pressed his cheek to hers and she turned smiling and encouraging eyes upon him. On the instant, hisself-possession was gone and he kissed her lips. And then again--and again. And instead of withdrawing them, ashe thought she might, she let him-- remained just as she was in order that he might kiss her more.
　　And suddenly now, as he felt this yielding of her warm body so close to him, and the pressure of her lips inresponse to his own, he realized that he had let himself in for a relationship which might not be so very easy tomodify or escape. Also that it would be a very difficult thing for him to resist, since he now liked her andobviously she liked him.
转天正好是星期六，照例只工作半天(格里菲思厂里全年星期六半日工作)。

惠甘先生拿了薪金袋冲他走过来。

"请您收下，格里菲思先生，"他说，那口吻仿佛克莱德是厂里一位大人物似的。

克莱德收下薪金袋，听到"先生"这个尊称，心里很高兴，就走到自己衣柜跟前，马上拆开口袋，把钱放进口袋。随后，他换好衣服，戴上帽子，走到自己住地吃午饭。但他觉得自己非常寂寞，迪拉特(因为还要上班)也不在，他就决定搭电车游览格洛弗斯维尔。那是一座约有两万人口的城市，据说相当热闹，虽然比不上莱柯格斯。格洛弗斯维尔之行，克莱德觉得兴味盎然，因为他看到了一个社会结构跟莱柯格斯迥然不同的城市。

可是转天……星期日，他真可以说是百无聊赖，独自一人在莱柯格斯闲逛。

这天迪拉特有事，不得不回方达去，星期日也就不能履约了。星期一晚上，他碰到克莱德时说，星期三晚上，在迪格比大街公理会教堂地下室将举行交谊会，另备茶点招待。据年轻的迪拉特说，值得一去。

"我们不妨上那儿去，"他对克莱德说，"就跟姑娘们咬耳朵叨咕叨咕。我还要你跟我叔叔。婶婶见见面。论人品，他们都是顶呱呱的。姑娘们也是顶呱呱的。她们才一点儿都不叫人腻味呢。大约到十点钟光景，您知道吧，我们就不妨溜出来，上泽拉家或丽达家去。丽达家里好唱片多得很，不过要跳舞，就数泽拉家里最宽敞了。再说，您的晚礼服并没有从芝加哥带来，是吧?

"迪拉特问。

因为迪拉特趁克莱德不在家时，早就打量过他的房间(克莱德正好住在他上面，亦即三层楼上)，发现他只有一只手提箱，没见到什么大箱子，看来也不会有什么晚礼服。他就断定虽然克莱德的父亲开一家旅馆，克莱德自己又在芝加哥联谊俱乐部做过事，可他对自己交际时穿着打扮一定满不在乎。要不然，想必他决心独立奋斗，不需要任何人帮助，以便锻炼自己坚强的性格。这一切让迪拉特感到老大不高兴。要知道这些交际必需品，不拘是谁，万万不可掉以轻心啊。

不过，克莱德毕竟来自格里菲思大户人家，这一点就足以使迪拉特几乎对什么都可以眼开眼闭了，至少是目前这一次。

"是的，晚礼服我没带，"克莱德回答说，尽管自己非常寂寞，但对这次佚游到底值得不值得他即便在此刻也还没有完全的把握，"不过我打算买一套。"他早就不止一次地想过自己在莱柯格斯这晚礼服实在是不可缺少的，正打算从最近辛辛苦苦积攒下来的钱里，至少拿出三十五块美元来购置一套。

迪拉特还在絮絮叨叨地说，泽拉。舒曼家里并不富裕……但他们住的是自己的房子……她还跟这里不少漂亮姑娘时有来往。丽达。迪克曼也这样。泽拉的父亲在方达附近埃克特湖边有一所小别墅。克莱德要是喜欢丽达的话，今年夏天……赶上假日和愉快的周末，他跟克莱德两个人就不妨上那儿作客，因为丽达和泽拉几乎如影随形，寸步不离。而且，她们俩也长得都很俏。"您瞧，泽拉肤色黑黑的，丽达白白的，"他兴冲冲找补着说。

克莱德听说姑娘们长得都很俏，心里不消说美滋滋的，这好象正当他感到寂寞之际从天而降的福祉，何况这个迪拉特又缠住不放地在怂恿他。不过，克莱德又想，自己跟他过分接近，是不是明智之举呢?

这的确是个问题……因为说真的，克莱德对他毕竟一点儿都不了解。现在，迪拉特的举止态度，及其对这次约会表现出轻浮而又兴奋那种劲儿，克莱德知道，迪拉特自己对这些姑娘们最感兴趣的……是她们原来已有某种自由自在，无拘无束，乃至于某种深藏不露的放荡不羁的作风，而不是她们所隶属的那个社会阶层。难道说它不就是导致克莱德在堪萨斯城垮台了吗?

现在，特别是在莱柯格斯这个地方，他断断乎不能忘掉它……如今他正为争取更美好的前途而努力呀。

话虽然这么说，星期三晚上一到八点半，他们还是照样出去了，克莱德心里充满了热乎乎的希望。到九点钟，他们早已置身于这么一个集宗教。世俗。

慈善性质之大成的聚会了。此次聚会的目的，就是给教会筹款……实际上是利用这个机会，让年纪大的人碰碰头，聊聊天，年轻人则喜欢吹毛求疵，悄悄地谈情说爱，卖弄风情。这里有好几个售货摊位，从馅儿饼。蛋糕点心。冰淇淋，一直到花边。洋娃娃和各色各样的小小装饰品，都是教友们自动奉献，脱手卖掉的钱通通捐给教会。牧师彼得。伊斯雷尔斯偕同他的太太也都莅会。迪拉特的叔叔。婶婶也在场，他们两口子虽然轻松活泼，但是毫无风趣可言，克莱德揣测他们在这里恐怕不会有什么社会地位。他们几乎一团和气，而且对人也过分熟不拘礼，虽然格罗弗。威尔逊作为斯塔克公司的采买，有时候还要装出一副正经八百和神气活现的派头来。

格罗弗。威尔逊是个矮胖个儿，看来他并不知道怎样给自己穿得体面些，也许是没得钱，买不起。要是跟他侄子身上几乎洁净无瑕的衣服相比，那他的衣服简直就差得远了。既没有熨烫，又有些油渍。他的领带也这样。平时他动不动就象小职员那样来回搓手，有时候皱紧眉头，一个劲儿搔后脑勺，仿佛他要说的话，都是经过深思熟虑，重要到了极点似的。其实，就连克莱德也很清楚，此人所说的，没有一句是重要的。

那位胖墩墩的威尔逊太太也是这样。当她丈夫在贵客克莱德面前竭力摆出神气活现的派头时，她正伫立在他身边。她那胖乎乎的脸上只是一个劲儿笑。

她的身子简直笨重得很，两颊绯红，下巴颏儿差不多变成一双的了。瞧她老是笑个不停，多半是因为她生来一团和气，在这儿好歹也得懂点规矩，附带说一下，还因为克莱德是那样一个人物。反正克莱德自己也看出，沃尔特。迪拉特死乞白赖地要他的亲戚注意到他是格里菲思家族的人，还有他迪拉特早已跟这位新的格里菲思家族成员结成好友，此刻正在当地社交界陪随他。

"沃尔特刚才告诉我们说，您上这儿来，是给令伯父做事的。我听说您住在柯比太太那里。我虽然不认识她，可我老是听人说起她那个地方很好，样样井井有条。住在那里的帕斯利先生过去是我同学。不过现在我再也没见过他了。

您还不认识他吗?

""不，我还不认识，"克莱德回答说。

"您知道吧，我们本来巴望您上星期日来吃饭的，可是沃尔特非要回家不可。

不过，您可得一定要早些来啊。不管什么时候都行。我可非常高兴您来啊，"她笑了，她那褐色小眼珠在闪闪发亮。

克莱德看到，由于他伯父的深孚众望，他真的被威尔逊夫妇看成交际场合中的一大发现了。而所有其他人，不管年龄大小，对待他的态度也都是这样。

彼得。伊斯雷尔斯牧师和他的太太，本地印刷油墨商迈卡。邦珀斯夫妇和儿子，干草。种子。饲料趸卖零售商马克西米利安。皮克夫妇，花铺老板威特尼斯先生，以及本市地产商思鲁普太太……他们个个都知道塞缪尔。格里菲思和他声名煊赫的家族，而这样一个富翁的侄子克莱德，居然出现在他们中间，不由得感到有点儿离奇诧异了。唯一叫他们扫兴的是:

克莱德的态度太随和，而没有摆出应有的派头来……并不是那么颐指气使和傲慢无礼。而他们这些人绝大多数对傲慢却是尊敬的，哪怕是口头上假装指摘它。

这一点，从年轻的姑娘们作风上看，表现得就更明显了。现在，迪拉特到处在讲克莱德那种重要的亲戚关系，好让人人都知道。"这位是克莱德。格里菲思，塞缪尔。格里菲思的侄子，吉尔伯特。格里菲思先生的堂兄弟。知道吧。

他是新来乍到，就在他伯父厂里学做领子这一行。"克莱德分明知道这样吹嘘该有多么肤浅，可对这些话给听众所产生的效果还是很高兴。这个迪拉特，真是厚颜无耻啊。他因为仗着克莱德撑腰，竟然胆敢以屈尊俯就的口吻对所有的人说话，真是无耻之尤。他一刻都离不开克莱德，总是把他一会儿带到这里，一会儿又带到那里。事实上，他显然已经决定，要让他所熟识和相好的青年男女，全都知道克莱德是何许人也，而且，正是他，迪拉特，把克莱德引至本地社交界。还有，凡是他看不顺眼的人，应该尽量跟他少见面……压根儿不给介绍。"她呀，算得了什么。她父亲只不过在这儿开一家小小的汽车修理行。我要是您，就不跟她浪掷光阴啦。"或是说，"他在这里算什么。只不过是我们店里一个小伙计罢了。"与此同时，他对有些人就满面笑容，满口恭维，或者至少也要在克莱德面前为他们低微的社会地位竭力辩解。

随后，他们克莱德介绍给泽拉。舒曼和丽达。迪克曼。她们两人由于自出机杼，故意来得迟些，不外乎表示她们对交际应酬要比别人聪明老练一些。后来克莱德发现她们果真不一样……不象迪拉特刚向他介绍的所有姑娘那么朴实。拘泥。她们在恪守教规和道德上也不象上面那些姑娘稳重。克莱德一见到她们就发觉:

她们简直急巴巴想要马上得到异教徒式的欢乐享受，可自己对此又不愿承认……当然罗，她们竭力做到决不有损于自己名声。因此，她们的举止态度，乃至于介绍时她们的那种神情，使克莱德立时感到跟别的年轻教友迥然不同……她们并不见得都是离经叛道，而是只不过比别人要求更多的自由，同时也不是那么拘泥。节制罢了。

"哦，您就是克莱德。格里菲思先生，"泽拉。舒曼说。"我的老天哪，您可活脱脱象您的堂兄，是吧?

我常常看见他开汽车经过中央大道。您的情况沃尔特全都告诉我们了。您喜欢莱柯格斯这个地方吗?

"她一提到"沃尔待"这个名字时那种口吻，以及在她语调里特有的那股亲热劲儿，让克莱德马上感到:

她跟迪拉特的关系，肯定要比迪拉特自己说过的更加亲密。更加随便。她脖子上系一个猩红色法兰绒小蝴蝶结，两侧挂上一副石榴红小耳环，身上穿一套非常整洁。紧贴身子的黑衣裙，裙子下摆缀有荷叶边饰。

看来这一切都足以说明:

她并不反对显露一下自己的身姿，而且对它还居然非常珍爱。她的这种心态，要不是因为她善于装出一副假正经的羞答答的样子，不消说，一定会在这样一个地方引起人们议论。

丽达。迪克曼是一位体态丰腴的金发女郎，粉红色脸颊，淡褐色头发，一双淡蓝色眼睛。她虽然不象泽拉。舒曼那样富有挑逗性的漂亮，可她身上还是流露出某种在克莱德看来跟她女友表面上节制。实则放荡不羁相一致的神态。

克莱德觉察到，她的态度虽然很少令人想到伪装的虚张声势，可还是表示出那么顺从，对他是故意如此，而且自然富有挑逗性。她们俩早已事前约定，要由丽达来逗引他。丽达对泽拉。舒曼非常倾倒，样样都要模仿她，她们如影随形，寸步不离。当克莱德出现在她面前时，她嗲声嗲气地冲他一笑，让他非常心慌意乱。当时他正在告诫自己，在莱柯格斯这地方，与人交往务必非常小心留神。

但不幸的是，丽达如同霍丹斯。布里格斯一样，激起了他要求有进一步亲密行动的念头，哪怕这种念头是不会引起问题也好，还是缥缈无影也好，反正使他感到困惑不安。可他一定要小心翼翼啊。他之所以在堪萨斯城遭到不幸，正是如同迪拉特眼前这种放荡不羁的态度，以及这一类女郎的举止作风所促成的。

"好吧，我们就先来一点冰淇淋和点心，"迪拉特说了一些开场的话后才说，"随后，我们可以悄悄溜走。你们俩最好到各处先转转，见人就得招呼一下。然后，我们在卖冰淇淋的地方见面。以后，要是你们高兴，我们就从这儿溜了，嗯?

你们看怎么样?

"他两眼望着泽拉。舒曼，好象是在说:

"我们该怎么办最好，反正你心里有谱。

"她却笑着回答说:

"是啊。可我们不能马上就走。我看见玛丽表妹在那边。还有妈妈。还有弗雷德。布鲁克纳。丽达跟我先去那儿转一圈，以后跟你们碰头，明白了吧。"说罢，丽达。迪克曼向克莱德妩媚动人地一笑。

迪拉特和克莱德在大厅里转悠了二十来分钟，泽拉给了迪拉特一个暗号，他就跟克莱德一块走到大厅中央摆上椅子卖冰淇淋的地方。不一会儿，泽拉和丽达好象不约而同地来了，他们就在一块吃了一些冰淇淋和点心。然后，今晚任务全都完成了，而且好多人早已纷纷溜走了，迪拉特就说:

"得了，我们也滑脚吧。就上你那儿去，好吗?

""当然，当然，"泽拉低声说，他们俩就一块上衣帽间去了。该不该跟他们一块去?

克莱德心里还是迟疑不决，因此只好闷声不响。他连自己都闹不清楚:

对丽达是不是一见倾心了。不过，一走到街上，在看不到教堂和那些返家的寻找快乐的人们时，克莱德发现自己却跟丽达在一起，泽拉和迪拉特早已走到前头去了。克莱德挽着丽达的手臂，心想这准没错儿，可她却硬是挣脱出来，用她那一只暖和而温柔的手放在他的肘弯里，紧紧地偎着他，肩并肩地，几乎全靠到他身上，喋喋不休地谈论莱柯格斯的生活。

她的话音里，有一种甜蜜得令人迷醉的味道。这使克莱德很喜欢。她的身子显得有些慵倦无力，仿佛放射出一种光或电子，吸引他，迷住他，因而使他身不由己。他很想抚摸她的胳臂，他觉得只要自己高兴，这是做得到的……甚至还可以搂住她的腰肢，即使认识还不太久。不过，他心里总算还想到，他是格里菲思家族的一员……而且还是莱柯格斯的格里菲思家族的一员……毕竟身价不同，正是这个原因，这次教堂主办的交谊会上所有的姑娘全都对他这样深感兴趣，这样大献殷勤。可是，他尽管有这样想法，到头来还是轻轻地捏了一下她的胳臂，可她也并没有表示不以为然的样子。

舒曼的家，是一幢方方正正的老式木结构大房子，顶上有一个方方正正的小阁楼，屋前有一块草坪，四周有些树木，显得很僻静。他们一进门，就来到了陈设漂亮的大客厅，这儿当然远远胜过克莱德过去见过的那些房子了。迪拉特马上挑选唱片，然后把两块相当大的地毯卷了起来，露出很光滑的硬木地板。

"这幢房子四周围因为有一些树木，再加上这些唱针特别讲究，只发出很轻的声音，"他说这话，自然是说给克莱德听的，因为这时他还有一个印象，觉得克莱德也许是个很精明的人，每走出一步，都是小心留神的。"所以，街上一点儿都听不见留声机的声音，是吧，泽尔?

使用这些唱针，嘿，连楼上都听不见。

我们在这儿玩过。跳过不知道好多次了，都是一直玩到凌晨三四点钟，可楼上的人全都不知道，是吧，泽尔?

""是啊。不过我爸爸耳朵有些背。妈妈只要一进房里看书，就什么都听不见了。不过，一般地说，要听见也很难啊。""怎么啦，难道说这里的人都这么反对跳舞吗?

"克莱德问。

"哦，他们并不反对……厂里的人并不反对……压根儿不反对，"迪拉特插嘴说，"不过信教的人十之八九是反对的。我叔叔。婶婶就反对。今儿晚上我们在教堂里碰上的人，几乎个个都反对，除了泽尔和丽达，"他向她们递去一个非常赞许的眼色。"她们气量可挺大的，不会把这么一点儿小事都记在心上。是吧，泽尔?

"这个年轻姑娘本来早就被他迷住了，这时微微一笑，点点头说:

"哦，当然罗。

我可看不出这有什么不好。""我也看不出这有什么不好，"丽达插嘴说，"爸爸妈妈也这样。只不过他们不愿提这件事，因为他们不希望我对跳舞入了迷。"这时，迪拉特已放了一张唱片，片名《棕色的眼睛》。克莱德跟丽达一对，迪拉特跟泽拉一对，马上翩翩起舞。克莱德发觉自己跟这位姑娘之间不知不觉产生了一种亲密感……它将预兆着什么，几乎连他自己都说不上来。她跳得那么热火，那么有劲儿……从她那迂回曲折。来回摇摆的舞姿里，仿佛宣泄出种种被压抑着的热情。她的唇边马上挂着如痴似醉的微笑，显示出她对罗曼蒂克趣事的无限渴求。瞧她长得美极了，一边跳一边笑，要比以往任何时候都美。

"她太迷人了，"克莱德心想，"虽然有点儿太随和。尽管我跳得并不比别人高明，但看得出她喜欢我，就因为在她心目中，我好象是个了不起的人物。"差不多就在这当儿，她说:

"真痛快，不是吗?

您跳舞可真是内行，格里菲思先生。""哦，我可不内行，"他回答说，直瞅着她的眼睛笑，"您跳舞才是内行呢。

我所以跳得好，多亏是跟着您一块跳啊。"此刻他感到:

她的手臂是丰腴柔软的，她的胸脯，对这么年轻的姑娘说，是很丰满的了。瞧她如痴似醉地跳呀跳的，早已使克莱德入了迷，她那一举手。

一投足的姿态，几乎是在撩拨他似的。

"得了，现在就放《爱之小舟》，"迪拉特在《棕色的眼睛》一曲结束时说。"您就跟泽拉跳一会儿，丽达跟我去跳一圈，好吗，丽达?

"他本来就非常喜欢跳舞，此刻又十分想炫耀一下自己的舞艺，等不到新的一支舞曲放出来，就急急忙忙地挽起丽达的手臂，一下子跳起来，跳着各式各样舞步和各种不同花样的舞姿，简直是满场飞似的。所有这些都叫克莱德望尘莫及，从而很快就证实迪拉特确是跳舞的行家。一曲舞罢，他才点头示意克莱德把唱片《爱之小舟》放上去。

但是克莱德跟泽拉跳了一个曲子以后，才闹明白:

参加今晚舞会原意，就是要使两对伴侣一块玩儿，不但互不干预，相反，大家还应想尽种种方法，让另一对伴侣玩得痛快。当泽拉跟克莱德一块跳，而且跳得很好，跟他说了很多的话时，克莱德心里始终很清楚:

她仅仅对迪拉特一个人感兴趣，特别喜欢跟迪拉特在一块。跳了几个舞曲以后，克莱德跟丽达靠在一张长沙发上聊天，泽拉和迪拉特就离开这儿，上厨房寻摸什么饮料去了。不过，克莱德发现，他们待在厨房里，要比喝一口饮料的时间长得多哩。

就在这时，丽达仿佛故意要让他与她更进一步接近。她觉得他们俩靠在长沙发上闲聊得差不多了，就站了起来，而且这么突兀……既没有乐曲，也没有说话……便向他伸出手来，要他再跟她多跳一会儿。原先她跟迪拉特跳过好几种舞步，现在她就好象想再跳给克莱德看看。不过，由于那些舞步样式规定，他们之间贴得比过去更紧了……非常紧。她跟克莱德贴得那么紧，还用胳膊肘做出各种手势给他看，指点他该怎样跳，她的脸和两颊几乎就贴近他的脸颊了……竟然使他的意志和决心也都没法抗拒了。他按捺不住，把脸颊贴在她脸颊上，她却抬起双眼，脉脉含情地直望着他。他的自我克制能力，一下子消失了，他吻了她的朱唇。接着，他吻了又吻……吻了又吻。他原以为她会推开他，殊不知她并没有这样做，她完全听任他亲吻……她始终保持同一个姿态，好让他继续一个劲儿吻自己。

他感到她那滚热的身子温顺地紧贴着他，她回过来也用自己朱唇吻他的嘴唇。这时，他才猛地明白，他这是明明让自己陷入这样一种关系中去，这种关系也许并不是那么容易就可加以改变，或则加以回避的。他心里也明白:

要自己顶得住，真是难上难啊，因为现在他已经喜欢她了，显然，她也喜欢他。
Part 2 Chapter 9
Apart from the momentary thrill and zest of this, the effect was to throw Clyde, as before, speculatively backupon the problem of his proper course here. For here was this girl, and she was approaching him in this directand suggestive way. And so soon after telling himself and his mother that his course was to be so different here-nosuch approaches or relationships as had brought on his downfall in Kansas City. And yet--and yet-He was sorely tempted now, for in his contact with Rita he had the feeling that she was expecting him to suggesta further step--and soon. But just how and where? Not in connection with this large, strange house. There wereother rooms apart from the kitchen to which Dillard and Zella had ostensibly departed. But even so, such arelationship once established! What then? Would he not be expected to continue it, or let himself in for possiblecomplications in case he did not? He danced with and fondled her in a daring and aggressive fashion, yetthinking as he did so, "But this is not what I should be doing either, is it? This is Lycurgus. I am a Griffiths, here.
　　I know how these people feel toward me--their parents even. Do I really care for her? Is there not somethingabout her quick and easy availability which, if not exactly dangerous in so far as my future here is concerned, isnot quite satisfactory--too quickly intimate?" He was experiencing a sensation not unrelated to his mood inconnection with the lupanar in Kansas City--attracted and yet repulsed. He could do no more than kiss and fondleher here in a somewhat restrained way until at last Dillard and Zella returned, whereupon the same degree ofintimacy was no longer possible.
　　A clock somewhere striking two, it suddenly occurred to Rita that she must be going--her parents would object toher staying out so late. And since Diliard gave no evidence of deserting Zella, it followed, of course, that Clydewas to see her home, a pleasure that now had been allayed by a vague suggestion of disappointment or failure onthe part of both. He had not risen to her expectations, he thought. Obviously he lacked the courage yet to followup the proffer of her favors, was the way she explained it to herself.
　　At her own door, not so far distant, and with a conversation which was still tinctured with intimations of somefuture occasions which might prove more favorable, her attitude was decidedly encouraging, even here. Theyparted, but with Clyde still saying to himself that this new relationship was developing much too swiftly. He wasnot sure that he should undertake a relationship such as this here-- so soon, anyhow. Where now were all his finedecisions made before coming here? What was he going to decide? And yet because of the sensual warmth andmagnetism of Rita, he was irritated by his resolution and his inability to proceed as he otherwise might.
　　Two things which eventually decided him in regard to this came quite close together. One related to the attitudeof the Griffiths themselves, which, apart from that of Gilbert, was not one of opposition or complete indifference,so much as it was a failure on the part of Samuel Griffiths in the first instance and the others largely because ofhim to grasp the rather anomalous, if not exactly lonely position in which Clyde would find himself here unlessthe family chose to show him at least some little courtesy or advise him cordially from time to time. Yet SamuelGriffiths, being always very much pressed for time, had scarcely given Clyde a thought during the first month, atleast. He was here, properly placed, as he heard, would be properly looked after in the future,--what more, justnow, at least?
　　And so for all of five weeks before any action of any kind was taken, and with Gilbert Griffiths comfortedthereby, Clyde was allowed to drift along in his basement world wondering what was being intended inconnection with himself. The attitude of others, including Dillard and these girls, finally made his position hereseem strange.
　　However, about a month after Clyde had arrived, and principally because Gilbert seemed so content to saynothing regarding him, the elder Griffiths inquired one day:
　　"Well, what about your cousin? How's he doing by now?" And Gilbert, only a little worried as to what this mightbode, replied, "Oh, he's all right. I started him off in the shrinking room. Is that all right?""Yes, I think so. That's as good a place as any for him to begin, I believe. But what do you think of him by now?""Oh," answered Gilbert very conservatively and decidedly independently--a trait for which his father had alwaysadmired him-- "Not so much. He's all right, I guess. He may work out. But he does not strike me as a fellow whowould ever make much of a stir in this game. He hasn't had much of an education of any kind, you know. Anyone can see that. Besides, he's not so very aggressive or energetic-looking. Too soft, I think. Still I don't want toknock him. He may be all right. You like him and I may be wrong. But I can't help but think that his real idea incoming here is that you'll do more for him than you would for someone else, just because he is related to you.""Oh, you think he does. Well, if he does, he's wrong." But at the same time, he added, and that with a banteringsmile: "He may not be as impractical as you think, though. He hasn't been here long enough for us to really tell,has he? He didn't strike me that way in Chicago. Besides there are a lot of little corners into which he might fit,aren't there, without any great waste, even if he isn't the most talented fellow in the world? If he's content to takea small job in life, that's his business. I can't prevent that. But at any rate, I don't want him sent away yet,anyhow, and I don't want him put on piece work. It wouldn't look right. After all, he is related to us. Just let himdrift along for a little while and see what he does for himself.""All right, governor," replied his son, who was hoping that his father would absent-mindedly let him stay wherehe was--in the lowest of all the positions the factory had to offer.
　　But, now, and to his dissatisfaction, Samuel Griffiths proceeded to add, "We'll have to have him out to the housefor dinner pretty soon, won't we? I have thought of that but I haven't been able to attend to it before. I shouldhave spoken to Mother about it before this. He hasn't been out yet, has he?""No, sir, not that I know of," replied Gilbert dourly. He did not like this at all, but was too tactful to show hisopposition just here. "We've been waiting for you to say something about it, I suppose.""Very well," went on Samuel, "you'd better find out where he's stopping and have him out. Next Sundaywouldn't be a bad time, if we haven't anything else on." Noting a flicker of doubt or disapproval in his son's eyes,he added: "After all, Gil, he's my nephew and your cousin, and we can't afford to ignore him entirely. Thatwouldn't be right, you know, either. You'd better speak to your mother to-night, or I will, and arrange it." Heclosed the drawer of a desk in which he had been looking for certain papers, got up and took down his hat andcoat and left the office.
　　In consequence of this discussion, an invitation was sent to Clyde for the following Sunday at six-thirty to appearand participate in a Griffiths family meal. On Sunday at one-thirty was served the important family dinner towhich usually was invited one or another of the various local or visiting friends of the family. At six-thirtynearly all of these guests had departed, and sometimes one or two of the Griffiths themselves, the cold collationserved being partaken of by Mr. and Mrs. Griffiths and Myra--Bella and Gilbert usually having appointmentselsewhere.
　　On this occasion, however, as Mrs. Griffiths and Myra and Bella decided in conference, they would all bepresent with the exception of Gilbert, who, because of his opposition as well as another appointment, explainedthat he would stop in for only a moment before leaving. Thus Clyde as Gilbert was pleased to note would bereceived and entertained without the likelihood of contacts, introductions and explanations to such of their moreimportant connections who might chance to stop in during the afternoon. They would also have an opportunity tostudy him for themselves and see what they really did think without committing themselves in any way.
　　But in the meantime in connection with Dillard, Rita and Zella there had been a development which, because ofthe problem it had posed, was to be affected by this very decision on the part of the Griffiths. For following theevening at the Shuman home, and because, in spite of Clyde's hesitation at the time, all three including Ritaherself, were still convinced that he must or would be smitten with her charms, there had been various hints, aswell as finally a direct invitation or proposition on the part of Dillard to the effect that because of the camaraderiewhich had been established between himself and Clyde and these two girls, they make a week-end tripsomewhere--preferably to Utica or Albany. The girls would go, of course. He could fix that through Zella withRita for Clyde if he had any doubts or fears as to whether it could be negotiated or not. "You know she likes you.
　　Zell was telling me the other day that she said she thought you were the candy. Some ladies' man, eh?" And henudged Clyde genially and intimately,--a proceeding in this newer and grander world in which he now foundhimself,--and considering who he was here, was not as appealing to Clyde as it otherwise might have been.
　　These fellows who were so pushing where they thought a fellow amounted to something more than they did! Hecould tell.
　　At the same time, the proposition he was now offering--as thrilling and intriguing as it might be from one pointof view--was likely to cause him endless trouble--was it not? In the first place he had no money--only fifteendollars a week here so far--and if he was going to be expected to indulge in such expensive outings as these,why, of course, he could not manage. Carfare, meals, a hotel bill, maybe an automobile ride or two. And afterthat he would be in close contact with this Rita whom he scarcely knew. And might she not take it on herself tobecome intimate here in Lycurgus, maybe--expect him to call on her regularly--and go places--and then--well,gee--supposing the Griffiths--his cousin Gilbert, heard of or saw this. Hadn't Zella said that she saw him often onthe street here and there in Lycurgus? And wouldn't they be likely to encounter him somewhere--sometime-whenthey were all together? And wouldn't that fix him as being intimate with just another store clerk likeDillard who didn't amount to so much after all? It might even mean the end of his career here! Who could tellwhat it might lead to?
　　He coughed and made various excuses. Just now he had a lot of work to do. Besides--a venture like that--hewould have to see first. His relatives, you know. Besides next Sunday and the Sunday after, some extra work inconnection with the factory was going to hold him in Lycurgus. After that time he would see. Actually, in hiswavering way--and various disturbing thoughts as to Rita's charm returning to him at moments, he waswondering if it was not desirable--his other decision to the contrary notwithstanding, to skimp himself as muchas possible over two or three weeks and so go anyhow. He had been saving something toward a new dress suitand collapsible silk hat. Might he not use some of that--even though he knew the plan to be all wrong?
　　The fair, plump, sensuous Rita!
　　But then, not at that very moment--but in the interim following, the invitation from the Griffiths. Returning from his work one evening very tired and still cogitating this gay adventure proposed by Dillard, he found lying on thetable in his room a note written on very heavy and handsome paper which had been delivered by one of theservants of the Griffiths in his absence. It was all the more arresting to him because on the flap of the envelopewas embossed in high relief the initials "E. G." He at once tore it open and eagerly read:
　　"MY DEAR NEPHEW:
　　"Since your arrival my husband has been away most of the time, and although we have wished to have you withus before, we have thought it best to await his leisure. He is freer now and we will be very glad if you can find itconvenient to come to supper with us at six o'clock next Sunday. We dine very informally--just ourselves--so incase you can or cannot come, you need not bother to write or telephone. And you need not dress for this occasioneither. But come if you can. We will be happy to see you.
　　"Sincerely, your aunt,"ELIZABETH GRIFFITHS"On reading this Clyde, who, during all this silence and the prosecution of a task in the shrinking room which wasso eminently distasteful to him, was being more and more weighed upon by the thought that possibly, after all,this quest of his was going to prove a vain one and that he was going to be excluded from any real contact withhis great relatives, was most romantically and hence impractically heartened. For only see--here was thisgrandiose letter with its "very happy to see you," which seemed to indicate that perhaps, after all, they did notthink so badly of him. Mr. Samuel Griffiths had been away all the time. That was it. Now he would get to see hisaunt and cousins and the inside of that great house. It must be very wonderful. They might even take him up afterthis--who could tell? But how remarkable that he should be taken up now, just when he had about decided thatthey would not.
　　And forthwith his interest in, as well as his weakness for, Rita, if not Zella and Dillard began to evaporate. What!
　　Mix with people so far below him--a Griffiths--in the social scale here and at the cost of endangering hisconnection with that important family. Never! It was a great mistake. Didn't this letter coming just at this timeprove it? And fortunately--(how fortunately!)--he had had the good sense not to let himself in for anything asyet. And so now, without much trouble, and because, most likely from now on it would prove necessary for himso to do he could gradually eliminate himself from this contact with Dillard--move away from Mrs. Cuppy's--ifnecessary, or say that his uncle had cautioned him--anything, but not go with this crowd any more, just the same.
　　It wouldn't do. It would endanger his prospects in connection with this new development. And instead oftroubling over Rita and Utica now, he began to formulate for himself once more the essential nature of theprivate life of the Griffiths, the fascinating places they must go, the interesting people with whom they must be incontact. And at once he began to think of the need of a dress suit, or at least a tuxedo and trousers. Accordinglythe next morning, he gained permission from Mr. Kemerer to leave at eleven and not return before one, and inthat time he managed to find coat, trousers and a pair of patent leather shoes, as well as a white silk muffler forthe money he had already saved. And so arrayed he felt himself safe. He must make a good impression.
　　And for the entire time between then and Sunday evening, instead of thinking of Rita or Dillard or Zella anymore, he was thinking of this opportunity. Plainly it was an event to be admitted to the presence of such magnificence.
　　The only drawback to all this, as he well sensed now, was this same Gilbert Griffiths, who surveyed him alwayswhenever he met him anywhere with such hard, cold eyes. He might be there, and then he would probablyassume that superior attitude, to make him feel his inferior position, if he could--and Clyde had the weakness attimes of admitting to himself that he could. And no doubt, if he (Clyde) sought to carry himself with too much ofan air in the presence of this family, Gilbert most likely would seek to take it out of him in some way later inconnection with the work in the factory. He might see to it, for instance, that his father heard only unfavorablethings about him. And, of course, if he were retained in this wretched shrinking room, and given no show of anykind, how could he expect to get anywhere or be anybody? It was just his luck that on arriving here he shouldfind this same Gilbert looking almost like him and being so opposed to him for obviously no reason at all.
　　However, despite all his doubts, he decided to make the best of this opportunity, and accordingly on Sundayevening at six set out for the Griffiths' residence, his nerves decidedly taut because of the ordeal before him. Andwhen he reached the main gate, a large, arched wrought iron affair which gave in on a wide, winding brick walkwhich led to the front entrance, he lifted the heavy latch which held the large iron gates in place, with almost aquaking sense of adventure. And as he approached along the walk, he felt as though he might well be the objectof observant and critical eyes. Perhaps Mr. Samuel or Mr. Gilbert Griffiths or one or the other of the two sisterswas looking at him now from one of those heavily curtained windows. On the lower floor several lights glowedwith a soft and inviting radiance.
　　This mood, however, was brief. For soon the door was opened by a servant who took his coat and invited himinto the very large living room, which was very impressive. To Clyde, even after the Green-Davidson and theunion League, it seemed a very beautiful room. It contained so many handsome pieces of furniture and such richrugs and hangings. A fire burned in the large, high fireplace before which was circled a number of divans andchairs. There were lamps, a tall clock, a great table. No one was in the room at the moment, but presently asClyde fidgeted and looked about he heard a rustling of silk to the rear, where a great staircase descended fromthe rooms above. And from there he saw Mrs. Griffiths approaching him, a bland and angular and faded-lookingwoman. But her walk was brisk, her manner courteous, if non-committal, as was her custom always, and after afew moments of conversation he found himself peaceful and fairly comfortable in her presence.
　　"My nephew, I believe," she smiled.
　　"Yes," replied Clyde simply, and because of his nervousness, with unusual dignity. "I am Clyde Griffiths.""I'm very glad to see you and to welcome you to our home," began Mrs. Griffiths with a certain amount ofaplomb which years of contact with the local high world had given her at last. "And my children will be, too, ofcourse. Bella is not here just now or Gilbert, either, but then they will be soon, I believe. My husband is resting,but I heard him stirring just now, and he'll be down in a moment. Won't you sit here?" She motioned to a largedivan between them. "We dine nearly always alone here together on Sunday evening, so I thought it would benice if you came just to be alone with us. How do you like Lycurgus now?"She arranged herself on one of the large divans before the fire and Clyde rather awkwardly seated himself at arespectful distance from her.
　　"Oh, I like it very much," he observed, exerting himself to be congenial and to smile. "Of course I haven't seen sovery much of it yet, but what I have I like. This street is one of the nicest I have ever seen anywhere," he addedenthusiastically. "The houses are so large and the grounds so beautiful.""Yes, we here in Lycurgus pride ourselves on Wykeagy Avenue," smiled Mrs. Griffiths, who took no end ofsatisfaction in the grace and rank of her own home in this street. She and her husband had been so long climbingup to it. "Every one who sees it seems to feel the same way about it. It was laid out many years ago whenLycurgus was just a village. It is only within the last fifteen years that it has come to be as handsome as it is now.
　　"But you must tell me something about your mother and father. I never met either of them, you know, though, ofcourse, I have heard my husband speak of them often--that is, of his brother, anyhow," she corrected. "I don'tbelieve he ever met your mother. How is your father?""Oh, he's quite well," replied Clyde, simply. "And Mother, too. They're living in Denver now. We did live for awhile in Kansas City, but for the last three years they've been out there. I had a letter from Mother only the otherday. She says everything is all right.""Then you keep up a correspondence with her, do you? That's nice." She smiled, for by now she had becomeinterested by and, on the whole, rather taken with Clyde's appearance. He looked so neat and generallypresentable, so much like her own son that she was a little startled at first and intrigued on that score. If anything,Clyde was taller, better built and hence better looking, only she would never have been willing to admit that. Forto her Gilbert, although he was intolerant and contemptuous even to her at times, simulating an affection whichwas as much a custom as a reality, was still a dynamic and aggressive person putting himself and his conclusionsbefore everyone else. Whereas Clyde was more soft and vague and fumbling. Her son's force must be due to theinnate ability of her husband as well as the strain of some relatives in her own line who had not been unlikeGilbert, while Clyde probably drew his lesser force from the personal unimportance of his parents.
　　But having settled this problem in her son's favor, Mrs. Griffiths was about to ask after his sisters and brothers,when they were interrupted by Samuel Griffiths who now approached. Measuring Clyde, who had risen, verysharply once more, and finding him very satisfactory in appearance at least, he observed: "Well, so here you are,eh? They've placed you, I believe, without my ever seeing you.""Yes, sir," replied Clyde, very deferentially and half bowing in the presence of so great a man.
　　"Well, that's all right. Sit down! Sit down! I'm very glad they did. I hear you're working down in the shrinkingroom at present. Not exactly a pleasant place, but not such a bad place to begin, either--at the bottom. The bestpeople start there sometimes." He smiled and added: "I was out of the city when you came on or I would haveseen you.""Yes, sir," replied Clyde, who had not ventured to seat himself again until Mr. Griffiths had sunk into a verylarge stuffed chair near the divan. And the latter, now that he saw Clyde in an ordinary tuxedo with a smartpleated shirt and black tie, as opposed to the club uniform in which he had last seen him in Chicago, was inclinedto think him even more attractive than before--not quite as negligible and unimportant as his son Gilbert had made out. Still, not being dead to the need of force and energy in business and sensing that Clyde wasundoubtedly lacking in these qualities, he did now wish that Clyde had more vigor and vim in him. It wouldreflect more handsomely on the Griffiths end of the family and please his son more, maybe.
　　"Like it where you are now?" he observed condescendingly.
　　"Well, yes, sir, that is, I wouldn't say that I like it exactly," replied Clyde quite honestly. "But I don't mind it. It'sas good as any other way to begin, I suppose." The thought in his mind at the moment was that he would like toimpress on his uncle that he was cut out for something better. And the fact that his cousin Gilbert was not presentat the moment gave him the courage to say it.
　　"Well, that's the proper spirit," commented Samuel Griffiths, pleased. "It isn't the most pleasant part of theprocess, I will admit, but it's one of the most essential things to know, to begin with. And it takes a little time, ofcourse, to get anywhere in any business these days."From this Clyde wondered how long he was to be left in that dim world below stairs.
　　But while he was thinking this Myra came forward, curious about him and what he would be like, and verypleased to see that he was not as uninteresting as Gilbert had painted him. There was something, as she now saw,about Clyde's eyes--nervous and somewhat furtive and appealing or seeking--that at once interested her, andreminded her, perhaps, since she was not much of a success socially either, of something in herself.
　　"Your cousin, Clyde Griffiths, Myra," observed Samuel rather casually, as Clyde arose. "My daughter Myra," headded, to Clyde. "This is the young man I've been telling you about."Clyde bowed and then took the cool and not very vital hand that Myra extended to him, but feeling it just thesame to be more friendly and considerate than the welcome of the others.
　　"Well, I hope you'll like it, now that you're here," she began, genially. "We all like Lycurgus, only after ChicagoI suppose it will not mean so very much to you." She smiled and Clyde, feeling very formal and stiff in thepresence of all these very superior relatives, now returned a stiff "thank you," and was just about to seat himselfwhen the outer door opened and Gilbert Griffiths strode in. The whirring of a motor had preceded this--a motorthat had stopped outside the large east side entrance. "Just a minute, Dolge," he called to some one outside. "Iwon't be long." Then turning to the family, he added: "Excuse me, folks, I'll be back in a minute." He dashed upthe rear stairs, only to return after a time and confront Clyde, if not the others, with that same rather icy andinconsiderate air that had so far troubled him at the factory. He was wearing a light, belted motoring coat of avery pronounced stripe, and a dark leather cap and gauntlets which gave him almost a military air. After noddingto Clyde rather stiffly, and adding, "How do you do," he laid a patronizing hand on his father's shoulder andobserved: "Hi, Dad. Hello, Mother. Sorry I can't be with you to-night. But I just came over from Amsterdam withDolge and Eustis to get Constance and Jacqueline. There's some doings over at the Bridgemans'. But I'll be backagain before morning. Or at the office, anyhow. Everything all right with you, Mr. Griffiths?" he observed to hisfather.
　　"Yes, I have nothing to complain of," returned his father. "But it seems to me you're making a pretty long night of it, aren't you?""Oh, I don't mean that," returned his son, ignoring Clyde entirely. "I just mean that if I can't get back by two, I'llstay over, that's all, see." He tapped his father genially on the shoulder again.
　　"I hope you're not driving that car as fast as usual," complained his mother. "It's not safe at all.""Fifteen miles an hour, Mother. Fifteen miles an hour. I know the rules." He smiled loftily.
　　Clyde did not fail to notice the tone of condescension and authority that went with all this. Plainly here, as at thefactory, he was a person who had to be reckoned with. Apart from his father, perhaps, there was no one here towhom he offered any reverence. What a superior attitude, thought Clyde!
　　How wonderful it must be to be a son who, without having had toearn all this, could still be so much, take oneself so seriously, exercise so much command and authority. It mightbe, as it plainly was, that this youth was very superior and indifferent in tone toward him. But think of being sucha youth, having so much power at one's command!
这次除了给克莱德一阵子激动和兴奋劲儿以外，到头来还使他重新考虑自己在这里该怎样走正路这个问题。眼前这个姑娘，正以如此坦率。乃至于挑逗性的方式亲近他。可在不久以前，他明明向自己和妈妈保证，说他在这里循规蹈矩，与过去迥然不同……决不跟导致他在堪萨斯城栽跟头的那一号人接近，或是发生什么关系。可是啊……可是啊……现在他所受到的诱惑，是不可抗拒的。跟丽达一接触，他就感觉到，她正期待他作出进一步表示……而且刻不容缓。可是，如何表示呢?

又在哪儿表示呢?

反正不是在这个陌生的大房间。除了迪拉特和泽拉假装要去的厨房以外，这里自然还有别的房间。不过，要是他们之间一旦确立这样一种关系，那以后又该怎么办呢?

对方会希望他继续保持这种关系。要是他把它一刀两断，岂不是让自己陷入难以解决的纠葛中去吗?

他一边跟她跳舞，大胆放肆地抚摸她，一边却在心中思忖:

"我不应该这么干，可不是吗?

这里是莱柯格斯。在这里，我是格里菲思家族的一员啊。我知道，这些年轻姑娘……乃至于她们的父母对我要求什么。

难道说我真的爱这个丽达吗?

也许说不定是她太迅速。太轻易地就向我不战而降吧?

即使说对我在这里的前途不会真的构成危险，那也是令人心中感到不快……这种亲密关系不是来得太快了吗?

"这时他的心境，竟跟堪萨斯城冶游时不无相似之处……一方面他被丽达迷住了，另一方面又引起了反感。如今，他至多只能稍加克制地吻她，抚摸她，直到迪拉特和泽拉又回来了，也就不可能再那样亲亲密密了。

不知哪儿的时钟敲了两下，丽达突然想到自己非走不可了……她回家这么晚，她父母会感到不满。既然迪拉特丝毫没有离开泽拉的迹象，自然该由克莱德护送丽达回家。这本是一大乐事，只因他们两人都有一种朦朦胧胧的失望，乃至于失败的感觉，此刻双方不免有些败兴了。他暗自寻思:

他刚才辜负了她的期待。可她暗自思忖:

显然，他还没有胆量在她乐意奉献以后再越雷池一步。

一路上，他们谈话时提到后会有期，那时也许会玩得更好，等等。甚至到了她家门口(她家住得不算太远)，此时她的态度，显然还是意味深长的。他们分了手，可是克莱德还在心里告诫自己:

这样一种新的关系发展得太快了。他心中没有把握，该不该在这里发展这样一种关系，而且如此之快。他上这里来以前所下的那些美好的决心，现在都上哪儿去了?

他应该怎么办呢?

可是，由于丽达富于肉感和魅力，他对当初自己的决心，与现在自己又不敢越雷池一步(其实他大可不必如此)，都觉得很恼火。

后来接连有两件事，终于使克莱德把这个问题给解决了。一是与格里菲思一家人的态度有关。除了吉尔伯特以外，他们全家人并不反对他，也不是完全不关心他，但是，不论塞缪尔。格里菲思也好，还是家里其他成员也好，他们都没有认识到:

他们一家人应该对他表示哪怕是一丁点儿关注，就是不时真心诚意地对他进行劝告，要不然的话，即便克莱德在这里不是真的感到寂寞，也会觉得挺别扭的;所以，不妨说他们全家对克莱德的态度是一个失败。塞缪尔。格里菲思一向非常忙，没得空闲，至少在头一个月里几乎一点儿都没想到过克莱德。他听说克莱德一到，住处早已安顿好了，以后也有人会好好照料他的……那么，至少暂时没有什么事需要为他做了吧?

因此，整整五个星期里，对于克莱德什么事都没有做，吉尔伯特。格里菲思对此感到很满意。克莱德只是在地下室里过糊涂日子，心里纳闷，真不知道关于他的将来人家已经做了怎样的安排。周围一些人(包括迪拉特和那些年轻姑娘在内)的态度，终于使他在这里的地位看起来有点儿莫名其妙。

但是，克莱德来这里已有一个多月(主要因为吉尔伯特好象不乐意提到他)，有一天老格里菲思才这么问道:

"哦，你的堂兄弟怎么啦?

现在，他干得怎么样?

"吉尔伯特不免有点担心，不知道父亲这一问会预示着什么，便回答说，"哦，他一切都好。我让他到防缩车间先干起来。这样安排好吗?

""是啊，我想可以。依我看，让他从头学起，这个工作可比别的合适得多了。

不过，现在你对他评价怎么样?

""哦，"吉尔伯特回答时态度很稳健，而又很有独立见解……这一特点，历来为他父亲所赞赏，"评价不太高。我看，他还不错。工作也许他还对付得了。不过，依我看，他在这里不象会有很大出息似的。你也知道，他没有受过什么教育。这一点，谁都看得出来。再说，他好象不肯卖力似的。我看他这个人太软弱。不过，我还是不想净找他岔儿。也许他还不错。你喜欢他，可我也许把人看错了。不过，我总觉得，他上这儿来的真正意图，是认为你照顾他会比别人多得多，因为他跟你是近亲。""哦，你以为他有这样想法。嘿，他要是有这样想法，那就错了。

"可是，老格里菲思还有点儿戏谑地笑着继续说，"不过，也许他不象你所想象的那么不能干吧。他在这里时间还不长，我们对他也还难说，可不是吗?

他在芝加哥给我的印象可不是这样。再说，我们这里还有不少小小的职位可以安插他，不算多大浪费，反正他也不是世界上最有天才的家伙，是不是?

他要是安于一辈子就干这样的小差使，那是他的事啦。我也阻拦不住。不过，不管怎么说，反正现在我还不想把他打发走，而且，我也不指望他打零工去。这也不行。说到底，他毕竟跟我们是亲戚。暂时让他到防缩车间干一阵，看看他在哪儿有能耐呗。

""好的，爸爸，"他儿子回答说。他心里真是巴不得父亲会心不在焉地让克莱德待在目前这个地方……待在厂里所有工作中最低贱的职位上。

然而，塞缪尔。格里菲思又找补着说，使他儿子深为不满:

"最近得请他上我们家吃饭，好不好?

这件事我早就想过，可就是一直没得空。事前我早就该跟你妈说一声。他一直没有来过这里，是不是?

""没有，先生，我可没听说过，"他态度冷峻地说。这事他压根儿不喜欢，但他为人八面玲珑，不便立时表示反对。"我想，我们个个都在等你的意见呢。""那敢情好，"塞缪尔接下去说，"你们最好了解清楚他住在哪儿，就去请他来吧。定在这个星期日得了，反正我们没有什么别的事。"他发觉儿子的目光里有一丝儿迟疑乃至于不赞成的神色，就找补着说，"不管怎么说，吉尔，他总是我的侄子，你的堂弟，我们可不能压根儿不睬他。你知道，那是要不得的。今儿晚上，你最好跟你妈说一声，要不然我来说，这事就由我来安排了。"他在桌子抽屉里找了一会儿文件，这时关上抽屉，站了起来，取下帽子和大衣，走出了办公室。

这次谈话后给克莱德送去了一份请帖，邀他星期日下午六点半上格里菲思家便饭。通常星期日中午一点半，他们照例设宴，邀请本地或是别处来访的一两位至亲好友。到六点半，这些客人差不离都走了，格里菲思一家人里头有时也有一两位走了，那时，格里菲思夫妇和麦拉就在一起共进便餐……而贝拉和吉尔伯特往往上别处赴约去了。

可是这一回，格里菲思太太。麦拉和贝拉一起商量后决定，到时她们都准备参加，只有吉尔伯特一人例外，因为一是他反对这件事，二是他另有约会。

他说，到时他在家最多只能待一会儿。这么一来，吉尔伯特很高兴地看到招待克莱德仅仅限于本家族小圈子内，就不会跟午后或许突然来访的重要亲友碰头，因而也用不着把克莱德向客人们进行介绍和说明了。此外，还可以有机会让他们完全不受任何约束地亲自观察一下他，看看究竟该如何看待他。

这时，克莱德觉得自己跟迪拉特。丽达和泽拉的关系已成为棘手的问题，突然间又受到格里菲思家这次决定的影响。那天晚上在舒曼家里聚会以后，尽管当时克莱德心中犹豫不决，可他们三个人(包括丽达本人在内)还是认为他一定被她的魅力所倾倒了，因此，向克莱德作出了各种各样的暗示。最后，由迪拉特出面直接向他提出了邀请，也可以说是一种提议，大意说:

既然他本人和克莱德跟那两位姑娘已建立了同志般友情，他们不妨去哪儿作一次周末旅行……最好去尤蒂卡或是奥尔巴尼。姑娘们，当然罗，一定会去的。他可以通过泽拉跟丽达事前说定，如果克莱德心里对这事能不能谈成还有疑虑或是担忧的话。"您知道，她是喜欢您的。前天泽拉跟我说，她认为您很帅。是姑娘们的宠儿。怎么样?

"他怪亲热地轻轻推了一推克莱德的胳膊肘……这种亲热的关照，要是在过去，克莱德恐怕决不会放过的，可现在并不喜欢，因为他认为自己隶属于一个新的。更高贵的圈子，而且还深知自己在莱柯格斯是何许人也。是的，真可以说，这些家伙只要觉得你比他们高出一头，就这么起劲儿!

再说，迪拉特这个建议，虽然从某个观点来看很带劲，很迷人……但也可能给他招来无穷的麻烦……可不是吗?

首先，他没有钱……到现在为止，一星期才只有十五块美元……要是指望他这样大手大脚花钱出去旅行，那他当然是办不到的。车费。饭费，以至旅馆住宿费，也许两个人还要坐坐小汽车。这么一来，他就得跟他几乎还不了解的丽达变得关系很密切。以后，说不定她就觉得在莱柯格斯这里也可以继续这么亲亲热热的……还指望他经常去看她……带她到处玩儿去……然后……唉，老天哪，万一让格里菲思一家人，他堂兄吉尔伯特听说了，或是看见了呢。泽拉不是说过，她老是在莱柯格斯街上碰见吉尔伯特吗?

说不定在什么地方，说不定什么时候，正当他们俩在一块时……恰巧给吉尔伯特撞见了?

这样，吉尔伯特不就会认定克莱德跟迪拉特这样一个微不足道的商店小伙计过往很密切吗?

说不定他在这里的终身事业也就此完蛋了!

谁知道这样下去还会招致什么样的后果啊?

克莱德咳了一声，说的净是各种各样的托词。现在他工作多，没有空。此外……象那样担风险的事……他可得先考虑一下。他的那些亲戚，你也清楚嘛。

再说，星期日与下星期日，他厂里还有不少紧急工作，使他没法离开莱柯格斯。

看来还得过了这一阵再说。其实，有时他也回想到丽达的魅力，使他心中困惑不安。这时，由于他摇摆不定的性格，直接违背自己先前作出的决定，心里又在盘算另一种计划……是不是在两三个星期内应该尽量节省自己开支，然后照样出去玩儿。他早已在积攒一些钱，打算买一套新晚礼服和一顶折叠式大礼帽。

这笔钱能不能动用一部分呢……虽然他也知道这么一个计划完全是错误的了。

那个俏丽。丰腴。肉感的丽达啊!

可是以后，正好在这个时刻，格里菲思家的请帖来了。有一天，傍晚时分，下班后回来，已很困累，可心里还在盘算迪拉特这个诱人的提议，他发现自己房里桌子上有一封信。是重磅纸，很漂亮，是他不在家时，由格里菲思家一个佣人送来的。信封封口处浮凸出"Ｅ．Ｇ．"的缩写字样，特别引起了他的注意。

他马上把信拆开，急忙读来:

我亲爱的侄儿:

自从您来这儿以后，我丈夫经常去外地出差。我们虽然一直希望您来，可是总觉得最好还是等他有空时再说。最近他比较空些，要是您觉得方便，能在星期日下午六点钟跟我们共进晚餐，那我们将感到非常高兴。我们的晚餐是非常随便……只有家里人……因此，不论您能来，或是不能来，您用不着再写信，或是打电话。而且您也用不着特别穿上什么晚礼服。不过，还是请您尽可能来。

见到您，我们一定很高兴。

您诚挚的伯母伊丽莎白。格里菲思克莱德读了这封信，心中又充满了罗曼蒂克的梦想，因而还不切实际地用它来激励自己。最近他一直默默无声，在防缩车间干他最腻味的活儿，这时，有一个念头使克莱德心中越发困惑不安:

也许他的探求到头来只不过是一场空，他那显贵亲戚也不会真的跟他建立什么关系。可现在，看吧……这儿就有这么一封堂堂正正的信，上面还写着"见到您，我们一定很高兴"。这封信好象说明，他们对他的看法也许并不是那么坏。塞缪尔。格里菲思经常去外地出差。问题就在这里。现在，他就可以见到他的伯母。他的堂兄妹，还可以到那座大公馆里去。一定非常了不起。往后，也许他们会关心他的命运……有谁知道呢?

正当他几乎认定他们不会关心他的时候，他们忽然惦念起他来了，该有多走运啊。

他对丽达的迷恋，一下子就烟消云散了，至于他对泽拉和迪拉特的兴趣，就更不用提了。乖乖!

跟社会地位远远地低于他……一个格里菲思家族成员……的那些人厮混在一起，甘冒危及他跟这一名门世家关系的风险，那可要不得!

这是天大的错误。眼前及时送来的这封信，不就证明了这一点吗?

幸亏(多么运气啊!

)他一直很明智，始终没有同意这次旅行。因此，从现在起他必须不声不响地逐渐中断同迪拉特的这种亲密关系……而且，要是必要的话，甚至还要从柯比太太家搬出来……要不然，就干脆说，他伯父已提醒过他……说到底，只有一句话，断断乎不可再跟这拨人厮混在一起了。象那样再厮混在一起，是万万不行的。它将危及由于新近来了伯母邀请信而维系着的个人前途。现在，他已不再想到丽达和尤蒂卡之行等事了。相反，他心里又开始琢磨起格里菲思一家人的生活情景，他们常去玩儿的那些迷人的地方，以及在他们周围那些有趣的人物，等等。他马上想到，他要上伯父家作客，就非得有一套晚礼服，至少也得有一套无尾常礼服。于是，转天上午，他得到凯默勒许可，十一点就下班，到一点钟再上班。在这段时间里，他就用自己的积蓄，买了一套无尾常礼服。一双漆皮鞋，还有一条白色丝围巾。他这才放心了，觉得自己经过这么一打扮，谅必给人留下一个好印象。

从那时起，一直到星期日傍晚，在这整段时间里，他早已不再去想丽达。

迪拉特，或是泽拉，净在想这次大好机会。有幸亲临如此高门鼎贵的府邸，显然是一件了不起的大事。

现在他看得很清楚，这件事中唯一的障碍，还是这个吉尔伯特。格里菲思，此人不论在何时何地，始终用那么严肃。冷峻的目光打量他。到时，也许他就在那里，恐怕他又要摆出一副唯我独尊的派头，逼使克莱德感到自己地位低下……克莱德有时不能不承认吉尔伯特果然是常常得逞的。毫无疑问，要是他(克莱德)在格里菲思一家人面前表现得太神气，事后吉尔伯特准在厂里工作上找岔儿，来报复他。比方说，他可以在他父亲面前说些净是对克莱德不利的话。当然，如果老是把克莱德放在这个糟透了的防缩车间，也不给他表现机会，那他还有什么出人头地的指望呢?

克莱德一到这里，就同这个长相简直跟他一模一样，但不知怎的总是容不了他的吉尔伯特给撞见了……这真可以说是他倒霉透顶。

不过，尽管心中有这么多疑虑，克莱德还是决定要充分利用这次大好机会。

于是，星期日傍晚六点钟，他就动身去格里菲思府邸，因为即将面临一次考验，心里也就非常忐忑不安。他一走到大门口，经过一座拱形的大铁门，走上一条迂回曲折。路面宽敞的砖砌过道，径直来到了主楼正门入口处。他几乎感到有如探险时的心惊胆颤，举起了大铁门上沉甸甸的门闩。当他沿着过道径直往前走去的时候，心里想他很可能成为一双双犀利而又严厉的眼睛注视的对象。说不定塞缪尔先生，或是吉尔伯特。格里菲思先生，或是格里菲思两姐妹里头的一个，正从挂着厚厚的窗帘后面仔细看着他。从楼下窗子里，有好几盏灯正迸射出一种柔和。诱人的亮光。

不过，克莱德这种惴惴不安的心境，毕竟是瞬息即逝。因为，不一会儿一个仆人打开了门，接过他的外套，诸他走进那个给他印象很深的大客厅。即便克莱德见识过格林－戴维逊大酒店和芝加哥联谊俱乐部，照样觉得这个大客厅非常华丽，厅内陈设精致漂亮，还有富丽堂皇的地毯。挂幔，等等。一座又高又大。火苗儿正旺的壁炉前，围着一些沙发和椅子。此外还有几盏灯。一台高高的座钟和一张大桌子。这时客厅里一个人也没有。不过，就在克莱德坐立不安。东张西望之际，只听到从客厅后面大楼梯上传来绸衣的响声。但见格里菲思太太，一个秉性温和。瘦骨嶙峋。脸色苍白的妇人，正下楼朝他走来。

可是她步履轻盈，态度可亲，虽说跟她往日一样，不免有些拘谨。寒暄之后，他觉得在她面前心情相当轻松自在。

"我的侄儿，可不是吗?

"她微笑着说。

"是的，"克莱德回答得很简短，但由于心里紧张，就显得异乎寻常地一本正经。"我……就是克莱德。格里菲思。""见到您，我很高兴，欢迎您上我们家里来，"格里菲思太太一开头就这样说，语气显得相当泰然自若，这是多年来她跟本地上流社会人士交际应酬的结果。"当然罗，我的孩子们也很高兴。贝拉和吉尔伯特正好都不在家，不过，我想他们马上就会回来的。我丈夫此刻正在休息，但我刚才听到他走动的脚步声，大概一会儿就下楼了。请您在这里坐坐，好吗?

"她指着他们中间的一张大沙发。"星期日晚上，我们通常仅仅家里人在一块吃饭，所以，我想，要是您能来，跟我们一家人叙叙，那可敢情好呀。您觉得莱柯格斯怎么样?

"她在壁炉前一张大沙发上坐下，克莱德为了表示尊敬她，怪别扭地坐在离她有相当距离的座位上。

"哦，这个城市……我可非常喜欢它，"他尽量模仿她的口吻，笑眯眯地回答说。"当然罗，我去过的地方还不太多，不过，就我所见到的来说，我是喜欢这个城市的。我一辈子所见过的大街，就数你们这条街最漂亮的了，"他兴冲冲找补着说。"房子都这么大，院子又这么美啊。""是啊，我们莱柯格斯人常常把威克帝大街引以自豪，"格里菲思太太微笑着说。这条大街上她自己府邸那种显赫荣光，她历来是赞不绝口的。她和他丈夫一直不断往上爬了这么长时间，才到达了这条大街。"不拘是谁，见了这条大街，好象都有同感。这条大街是很多年以前才修建而成的，那时节，莱柯格斯还只不过是一个村子罢了。不过，只是在最近十五年内，才变得象现在那样漂亮。

""哦，现在，您一定得给我谈谈您妈妈。爸爸的情况。您也知道，我跟他们从没有见过面。当然罗，我时常听我丈夫谈到他们……那就是说，谈到他的弟弟，"她给自己纠正说。"我想，他也从来没有见过您妈妈吧。您爸爸近来好吗?

""哦，他身体很好，"侄子回答得很简短。"妈妈也很好。目前他们住在丹佛。

从前，我们在堪萨斯城住过，但三年前全家都搬到那边去了。最近，我还接到妈妈一封信。她说一切都很好。""这么说，您和她一直通信，是吗?

那很好，"她微笑着说，因为克莱德的模样儿使她很感兴趣，而且，就总体来说，她还相当喜欢克莱德的模样儿。他长得那么雅致，举止仪态，又是那么落落大方。最主要的是，他长得活象她自己的儿子，开头她大吃一惊，继而却被他所吸引住了。要说还有哪儿不象的话，那就是，克莱德长得比她儿子高大些。结实些，因此也就更潇洒些，这一点只怕她决不肯坦白承认罢了。因为她觉得，吉尔伯特虽然脾气倔犟，有时甚至对妈也要怠慢无礼，这种情况确实存在，然而却也是一种习惯性的矫揉造作。在她心目中，吉尔伯特依然是个精明强悍，干劲十足的青年人，善于卫护自己和自己所作的结论。而克莱德就比较软弱，模棱两可，畏缩不前。她儿子的才能，想必是由她丈夫的天赋和她的家系中跟吉尔伯特十分相象的某些亲戚的血统造成的。至于克莱德，他的性格之所以软弱，也许由于他父母乃是市井细民的缘故吧。

格里菲思太太解决这个问题时，完全袒护自己的儿子。随后，正当她要打听一下克莱德的兄弟姐妹的情况时，突然塞缪尔。格里菲思走了进来，把她的话给打断了。这时，克莱德早已站了起来。老格里菲思再一次用犀利无比的目光把他打量了一遍，发现他至少在外表上还令人十分满意，开口说:

"哦，是您在这儿，嗯?

后来我就再没有见您，他们已把您安置好了，是吧?

""是的，先生，"克莱德回答说，并在这位大人物面前必恭必敬地鞠了一躬。

"啊，那敢情好。请坐!

请坐!

他们把您安置好了，我很高兴。我听说现在您在底下防缩车间工作。说不上是一个令人愉快的地方，不过，要从头学起嘛，也不算是一个坏地方……都得从基层做起。顶呱呱的人，有时候就是这样开始的，"他微微一笑，找补着说，"您来的时候，我正好去外地，要不然，我早就跟您会面啦。""是的，先生，"克莱德回答说。直到格里菲思先生已坐在长沙发旁边一张宽大的椅子里，克莱德才敢再坐下来。格里菲思先生见克莱德身穿一套普通的常礼服。一件打褶的漂亮衬衫，系上一条黑领带，跟前次在芝加哥看到他所穿的俱乐部制服相比，就觉得他甚至比过去还漂亮些……根本不象他儿子吉尔伯特所说的那样不显眼和微不足道。不过话又说回来，他也何尝不知道做生意需要魄力和才干，而且发觉克莱德无疑缺乏这些素质，因此，他倒是很希望能从克莱德身上看到更多活力和干劲。这就更加富有格里菲思家族的特色，也许会让他的儿子更加高兴哩。

"喜欢您现在的工作吗?

"他屈尊俯就地问。

"哦，是的，先生，说得更确切些，我并不特别喜欢，"克莱德如实相告说。

"不过，我并不介意。依我看，要从头学起，不论干啥工作都好。"这时，他心里很想给伯父留下好印象，好让他觉得自己完全可以干更好一些的工作。再说，他的堂兄吉尔伯特并不在场，也给了他敢于陈述个人意见的胆量。

"哦，应该有这种精神，"塞缪尔。格里菲思相当满意地说。"可我得承认，在整个工艺过程中，这一部分并不是最让人喜欢的，不过，要从头学起的话，这倒是顶基本的，不能不了解。现在，不论是哪一行，谁都不能一下子出人头地，当然罗，都得需要经过一段时间。"克莱德听了这句话，扪心自问，真不知道他在楼底下那个阴沉沉的地下室里还得待多久呢。

正当他在暗自寻思，麦拉走进来了。她好奇地瞅了他一眼，发现他并不象吉尔伯特所描述的那样索然无味，心里很高兴。她发觉，克莱德的目光里……仿佛有些紧张不安，而且多少有些鬼鬼祟祟。苦苦哀求，或是有所寻求似的……这一下子引起了她的兴趣，也许还让她联想到自己性格里也有某些相似之处。

因为，她自己在上流社会交际应酬方面也不见得十分得意。

"麦拉，这是你的堂兄，克莱德。格里菲思，"克莱德站起身来时，塞缪尔漫不经心地说。"她是我的女儿，麦拉，"他又对克莱德找补着说。"他就是我常常跟你们谈到的那个年轻人。"克莱德鞠了一躬，随后，握了一下麦拉伸给他的冷冷的。没有活气的手，但还是觉得她对他的态度要比别人更为友好。更为周到。

"哦，既然现在您已经来了，我希望您会喜欢这个地方，"她和颜悦色地开始说话了。"我们大家都喜欢莱柯格斯。只是您到过芝加哥，我想，您会觉得这里太寒伧了。"她微微一笑。而克莱德在所有高门鼎贵的亲戚面前却感到很拘束。

很生硬，所以只好回了她一句客套话"谢谢您"。他正要坐下来，这时门敞开了，吉尔伯特迈开大步，走了进来。(在这以前，只听见外面一辆汽车呜呜响，停在东头大门口。)"就这么一会儿，道奇，"他向外面一个什么人打招呼说。"我可待不了多久的。"随后，他对自己家里人说:

"请各位原谅，我马上就回来。"他冲上后面的楼梯，不一会儿又回来了。他那种冷若冰霜。无动于衷的目光，曾经使克莱德在厂里感到惴惴不安，这时又向克莱德扫了一遍。他身上穿的是驾车兜风时穿的亮条纹。中间索腰带的行装，还戴上一顶黑色皮帽子和宽口大手套，看起来倒是颇有军人气概。他生硬地向克莱德点了一下头，又添了一句"您好"，接着把一只手神气十足地搭在父亲肩头上，说:

"您好，爸。您好，妈。非常抱歉，今儿晚上我不能跟你们在一块，不过，我跟道奇和尤斯蒂斯刚从阿姆斯特丹回来，要去找康斯坦斯和杰奎琳。布里奇曼家里还有点事。不过，天亮前我会回来的。反正不管怎么说，明儿早上我会上办事处去的。爸爸，您一切都很好吧?

"他对父亲说。

"是啊，我可没有什么好嘀咕的，"他父亲回答说。"不过，我觉得你好象打算玩个通宵，是吗?

""哦，我可没有这个意思，"他儿子回答说，压根儿把克莱德撇在一边。"我的意思是说，如果两点钟不回来，那我就在那里过夜啦。就是这么回事，明白吧。"他怪亲热地又轻轻拍拍父亲的肩膀。

"但愿你开车可千万不要象平时那么快，"他母亲咕哝着说。"那样太不安全啦。""一小时十五英里，妈。一小时十五英里。行车规定我知道，"他自命不凡地微微一笑。

克莱德不能不注意到吉尔伯特同父母说话时那副降尊纡贵的权威语调。显然，在这里，如同在厂里一样，他是一个数得着的重要人物。这里，除了他的父亲，也许没有人可以得到他的尊敬了。他的态度多么傲慢……克莱德心里这么想。

做—个富翁的儿子，用不着自己辛辛苦苦去发家立业，可照样是那么傲气，自以为了不起，又掌握了那么大的权势……这该有多好啊。是的，这个年轻人对克莱德说话时的语气，当然，也很傲慢，很冷淡。不过，只要想一想:

这样一个年轻人，他手里就掌握了那么大的权力啊!
Part 2 Chapter 10
At this point a maid announced that supper was served and instantly Gilbert took his departure. At the same timethe family arose and Mrs. Griffiths asked the maid: "Has Bella telephoned yet?""No, ma'am," replied the servant, "not yet.""Well, have Mrs. Truesdale call up the Finchleys and see if she's there. You tell her I said that she is to comehome at once."The maid departed for a moment while the group proceeded to the dining room, which lay to the west of thestairs at the rear. Again, as Clyde saw, this was another splendidly furnished room done in a very light brown,with a long center table of carved walnut, evidently used only for special occasions. It was surrounded by high-backed chairs and lighted by candelabras set at even spaces upon it. In a lower ceilinged and yet ample circularalcove beyond this, looking out on the garden to the south, was a smaller table set for six. It was in this alcovethat they were to dine, a different thing from what Clyde had expected for some reason.
　　Seated in a very placid fashion, he found himself answering questions principally as to his own family, the natureof its life, past and present; how old was his father now? His mother? What had been the places of their residencebefore moving to Denver? How many brothers and sisters had he? How old was his sister, Esta? What did shedo? And the others? Did his father like managing a hotel? What had been the nature of his father's work inKansas City? How long had the family lived there?
　　Clyde was not a little troubled and embarrassed by this chain of questions which flowed rather heavily andsolemnly from Samuel Griffiths or his wife. And from Clyde's hesitating replies, especially in regard to thenature of the family life in Kansas City, both gathered that he was embarrassed and troubled by some of thequestions. They laid it to the extreme poverty of their relatives, of course. For having asked, "I suppose youbegan your hotel work in Kansas City, didn't you, after you left school?" Clyde blushed deeply, bethinkinghimself of the incident of the stolen car and of how little real schooling he had had. Most certainly he did not likethe thought of having himself identified with hotel life in Kansas City, and more especially the Green- Davidson.
　　But fortunately at this moment, the door opened and Bella entered, accompanied by two girls such as Clydewould have assumed at once belonged to this world. How different to Rita and Zella with whom his thought sorecently had been disturbedly concerned. He did not know Bella, of course, until she proceeded most familiarlyto address her family. But the others--one was Sondra Finchley, so frequently referred to by Bella and hermother--as smart and vain and sweet a girl as Clyde had ever laid his eyes upon--so different to any he had everknown and so superior. She was dressed in a close-fitting tailored suit which followed her form exactly andwhich was enhanced by a small dark leather hat, pulled fetchingly low over her eyes. A leather belt of the samecolor encircled her neck. By a leather leash she led a French bull and over one arm carried a most striking coat ofblack and gray checks--not too pronounced and yet having the effect of a man's modish overcoat. To Clyde'seyes she was the most adorable feminine thing he had seen in all his days. Indeed her effect on him was electric-thrilling--arousing in him a curiously stinging sense of what it was to want and not to have--to wish to win andyet to feel, almost agonizingly that he was destined not even to win a glance from her. It tortured and flusteredhim. At one moment he had a keen desire to close his eyes and shut her out--at another to look only at herconstantly--so truly was he captivated.
　　Yet, whether she saw him or not, she gave no sign at first, exclaiming to her dog: "Now, Bissell, if you're notgoing to behave, I'm going to take you out and tie you out there. Oh, I don't believe I can stay a moment if hewon't behave better than this." He had seen a family cat and was tugging to get near her.
　　Beside her was another girl whom Clyde did not fancy nearly so much, and yet who, after her fashion, was assmart as Sondra and perhaps as alluring to some. She was blonde--tow-headed--with clear almond-shaped,greenish-gray eyes, a small, graceful, catlike figure, and a slinky feline manner. At once, on entering, she sidledacross the room to the end of the table where Mrs. Griffiths sat and leaning over her at once began to purr.
　　"Oh, how are you, Mrs. Griffiths? I'm so glad to see you again. It's been some time since I've been over here,hasn't it? But then Mother and I have been away. She and Grant are over at Albany to-day. And I just picked upBella and Sondra here at the Lamberts'. You're just having a quiet little supper by yourselves, aren't you? Howare you, Myra?" she called, and reaching over Mrs. Griffiths' shoulder touched Myra quite casually on the arm,as though it were more a matter of form than anything else.
　　In the meantime Bella, who next to Sondra seemed to Clyde decidedly the most charming of the three, wasexclaiming: "Oh, I'm late. Sorry, Mamma and Daddy. Won't that do this time?" Then noting Clyde, and asthough for the first time, although he had risen as they entered and was still standing, she paused in semi-mockmodesty as did the others. And Clyde, oversensitive to just such airs and material distinctions, was fairlytremulous with a sense of his own inadequacy, as he waited to be introduced. For to him, youth and beauty insuch a station as this represented the ultimate triumph of the female. His weakness for Hortense Briggs, to say nothing of Rita, who was not so attractive as either of these, illustrated the effect of trim femininity on him,regardless of merit.
　　"Bella," observed Samuel Griffiths, heavily, noting Clyde still standing, "your cousin, Clyde.""Oh, yes," replied Bella, observing that Clyde looked exceedingly like Gilbert. "How are you? Mother has beensaying that you were coming to call one of these days." She extended a finger or two, then turned toward herfriends. "My friends, Miss Finchley and Miss Cranston, Mr. Griffiths."The two girls bowed, each in the most stiff and formal manner, at the same time studying Clyde most carefullyand rather directly, "Well, he does look like Gil a lot, doesn't he?" whispered Sondra to Bertine, who had drawnnear to her. And Bertine replied: "I never saw anything like it. He's really better-looking, isn't he-- a lot?"Sondra nodded, pleased to note in the first instance that he was somewhat better-looking than Bella's brother,whom she did not like--next that he was obviously stricken with her, which was her due, as she invariablydecided in connection with youths thus smitten with her. But having thus decided, and seeing that his glance waspersistently and helplessly drawn to her, she concluded that she need pay no more attention to him, for thepresent anyway. He was too easy.
　　But now Mrs. Griffiths, who had not anticipated this visitation and was a little irritated with Bella for introducingher friends at this time since it at once raised the question of Clyde's social position here, observed: "Hadn't youtwo better lay off your coats and sit down? I'll just have Nadine lay extra plates at this end. Bella, you can sitnext to your father.""Oh, no, not at all," and "No, indeed, we're just on our way home ourselves. I can't stay a minute," came fromSondra and Bertine. But now that they were here and Clyde had proved to be as attractive as he was, they wereperversely interested to see what, if any, social flair there was to him. Gilbert Griffiths, as both knew, was farfrom being popular in some quarters--their own in particular, however much they might like Bella. He was, fortwo such self-centered beauties as these, too aggressive, self-willed and contemptuous at times. Whereas Clyde,if one were to judge by his looks, at least was much more malleable. And if it were to prove now that he was ofequal station, or that the Griffiths thought so, decidedly he would be available locally, would he not? At any rate,it would be interesting to know whether he was rich. But this thought was almost instantly satisfied by Mrs.
　　Griffiths, who observed rather definitely and intentionally to Bertine: "Mr. Griffiths is a nephew of ours from theWest who has come on to see if he can make a place for himself in my husband's factory. He's a young man whohas to make his own way in the world and my husband has been kind enough to give him an opportunity."Clyde flushed, since obviously this was a notice to him that his social position here was decidedly below that ofthe Griffiths or these girls. At the same time, as he also noticed, the look of Bertine Cranston, who was onlyinterested in youths of means and position, changed from one of curiosity to marked indifference. On the otherhand, Sondra Finchley, by no means so practical as her friend, though of a superior station in her set, since shewas so very attractive and her parents possessed of even more means--re-surveyed Clyde with one thoughtwritten rather plainly on her face, that it was too bad. He really was so attractive.
　　At the same time Samuel Griffiths, having a peculiar fondness for Sondra, if not Bertine, whom Mrs. Griffiths also disliked as being too tricky and sly, was calling to her: "Here, Sondra, tie up your dog to one of the dining-room chairs and come and sit by me. Throw your coat over that chair. Here's room for you." He motioned to herto come.
　　"But I can't, Uncle Samuel!" called Sondra, familiarly and showily and yet somehow sweetly, seeking toingratiate herself by this affected relationship. "We're late now. Besides Bissell won't behave. Bertine and I arejust on our way home, truly.""Oh, yes, Papa," put in Bella, quickly, "Bertine's horse ran a nail in his foot yesterday and is going lame to-day.
　　And neither Grant nor his father is home. She wants to know if you know anything that's good for it.""Which foot is it?" inquired Griffiths, interested, while Clyde continued to survey Sondra as best he might. Shewas so delicious, he thought--her nose so tiny and tilted--her upper lip arched so roguishly upward toward hernose.
　　"It's the left fore. I was riding out on the East Kingston road yesterday afternoon. Jerry threw a shoe and musthave picked up a splinter, but John doesn't seem to be able to find it.""Did you ride him much with the nail, do you think?""About eight miles--all the way back.""Well, you had better have John put on some liniment and a bandage and call a veterinary. He'll come around allright, I'm sure."The group showed no signs of leaving and Clyde, left quite to himself for the moment, was thinking what aneasy, delightful world this must be--this local society. For here they were without a care, apparently, between anyof them. All their talk was of houses being built, horses they were riding, friends they had met, places they weregoing to, things they were going to do. And there was Gilbert, who had left only a little while before--motoringsomewhere with a group of young men. And Bella, his cousin, trifling around with these girls in the beautifulhomes of this street, while he was shunted away in a small third-floor room at Mrs. Cuppy's with no place to go.
　　And with only fifteen dollars a week to live on. And in the morning he would be working in the basement again,while these girls were rising to more pleasure. And out in Denver were his parents with their small lodging houseand mission, which he dared not even describe accurately here.
　　Suddenly the two girls declaring they must go, they took themselves off. And he and the Griffiths were oncemore left to themselves--he with the feeling that he was very much out of place and neglected here, sinceSamuel Griffiths and his wife and Bella, anyhow, if not Myra, seemed to be feeling that he was merely beingpermitted to look into a world to which he did not belong; also, that because of his poverty it would beimpossible to fit him into--however much he might dream of associating with three such wonderful girls asthese. And at once he felt sad--very--his eyes and his mood darkening so much that not only Samuel Griffiths,but his wife as well as Myra noticed it. If he could enter upon this world, find some way. But of the group it wasonly Myra, not any of the others, who sensed that in all likelihood he was lonely and depressed. And inconsequence as all were rising and returning to the large living room (Samuel chiding Bella for her habit of keeping her family waiting) it was Myra who drew near to Clyde to say: "I think after you've been here a littlewhile you'll probably like Lycurgus better than you do now, even. There are quite a number of interesting placesto go and see around here--lakes and the Adirondacks are just north of here, about seventy miles. And when thesummer comes and we get settled at Greenwood, I'm sure Father and Mother will like you to come up there oncein a while."She was by no means sure that this was true, but under the circumstances, whether it was or not, she felt likesaying it to Clyde. And thereafter, since he felt more comfortable with her, he talked with her as much as hecould without neglecting either Bella or the family, until about half-past nine, when, suddenly feeling very muchout of place and alone, he arose saying that he must go, that he had to get up early in the morning. And as he didso, Samuel Griffiths walked with him to the front door and let him out. But he, too, by now, as had Myra beforehim, feeling that Clyde was rather attractive and yet, for reasons of poverty, likely to be neglected from now on,not only by his family, but by himself as well, observed most pleasantly, and, as he hoped, compensatively: "It'srather nice out, isn't it? Wykeagy Avenue hasn't begun to show what it can do yet because the spring isn't quitehere. But in a few weeks," and he looked up most inquiringly at the sky and sniffed the late April air, "we musthave you out. All the trees and flowers will be in bloom then and you can see how really nice it is. Good night."He smiled and put a very cordial note into his voice, and once more Clyde felt that, whatever Gilbert Griffiths'
　　attitude might be, most certainly his father was not wholly indifferent to him.

这时，一个女佣人进来说，晚饭准备好了，吉尔伯特立时起身走了。一家人也都站了起来，格里菲思太太问女佣人:

"贝拉来过电话没有?

""没有，太太，"女佣人回答说，"还没有呢。""那就告诉特鲁斯黛尔太太打电话到芬奇利家去，看她在不在那儿。你跟她说是我说的，要她马上就回家。"女佣人走了出去，大家都朝客厅后边西头的餐厅走去。克莱德发现，这里也是陈设华丽，全部淡褐色调，中间摆一张胡桃木雕的长餐桌，显然在特殊喜庆节日才使用的。长桌子四周都是高靠背椅子，点燃一盏盏位置摆得非常匀称的枝形烛台。长餐桌对面，有一个天花板虽低但很宽敞的圆形凸室，可以望得见南花园。里面还有一张可供六人就餐的小餐桌。他们就在这个凸室里吃晚饭，这是克莱德始料所不及的。

克莱德好歹心情平静地坐了下来，就得不断回答问题，主要有关他家里生活情况，过去怎么样，现在又怎么样?

他父亲多大岁数?

他母亲呢?

迁至丹佛以前，他们住过哪些地方?

他有几个兄弟姐妹?

他姐姐爱思达有多大了?

她在做什么工作?

还有别人呢?

他父亲喜欢经营旅馆吗?

他父亲在堪萨斯城是干哪一行的?

他们一家子住在那里已有多久了?

在塞缪尔。格里菲思和他太太一本正经地提出这一连串问题的压力下，克莱德真的感到有点窘困不安。从克莱德躲躲闪闪的回答看来，特别是谈到他家在堪萨斯城的生活时，他们俩都发觉某些问题使他感到很窘，使他惴惴不安。

他们当然都归咎于他们这个亲戚委实太穷了。塞缪尔。格里菲思问:

"依我看，你离开学校后，就开始在堪萨斯城干旅馆这一行，是不是?

"克莱德一下子脸红了，心里就想到了偷车的事，还有他受的教育确实太少了。当然罗，他最不愿这里的人知道自己在堪萨斯城旅馆业……尤其是在格林－戴维逊大酒店……干过活。

多亏这时门开了，贝拉走了进来，后面还有两位姑娘陪着。克莱德一看就知道她们都是属于这个圈子里的人。瞧她们跟最近使克莱德心荡神移的丽达和泽拉相比，该有多么不一样啊。当然罗，在贝拉怪亲昵地招呼家里人以前，克莱德并不知道她就是贝拉。至于另外那两位……一位是桑德拉。芬奇利，贝拉母女俩时常提到她……她是克莱德从没见过的那么漂亮。自负而又可爱的一个姑娘……跟他过去认识的任何姑娘相比，迥然不同，而且高雅非凡。她穿一套剪裁非常讲究的衣服，再配上一顶浅黑色小皮帽，诱人地低拉到眼梢上，显得更美了。她脖子上套着一条同样颜色的皮带，一手牵着用皮绳子拴住的一只法国种牛头犬。胳臂上搭着一件很讲究的灰底黑方格子外套……不大显眼，倒是有些象很时髦的男式外衣。在克莱德眼里，她是他迄今为止所见到过的最可爱的女性了。是的，她就象一股电流，一下子贯穿他全身上下……让他感到火辣辣的灼痛……产生一种心中悬渴一时难以得到满足的异样痛感……真是恨不能马上得到她，可又恼人地感到自己命里注定得不到，哪怕是她回首时迷人的一瞥。这就象在折磨他，可又使他如痴似醉。他一忽儿恨不得闭上眼睛，不去看她……可一忽儿又想看她个不停……他真的被她迷住了。

可是，桑德拉是不是看到了他，开头一点儿都看不出来，她只是冲她的小狗在大声吆喝:

"喂，比斯尔，你要是不老老实实，我就把你拖出去，拴到门外边。

唉，它要是再不老实的话，我说，我在这儿也就一刻都待不下去了。"小狗看到一只小猫咪，就使劲挣脱着要过去。

桑德拉身边是另一位姑娘，克莱德对她并不那么喜欢，可她有自己的特点，如同桑德拉一样漂亮，而且在某些人心目中，也许同样诱人。她是一位肌肤白皙的女郎……一头金色鬈发……一双明亮的杏圆形的灰绿色眼睛，一个小猫咪似的优美纤小的身段，还有一种象小猫咪似的悄没声儿的神态。她一走进来，马上斜穿过房间，来到格里菲思太太坐着的桌子跟前，紧偎着她，一下子就象小猫咪那样兴冲冲，低声耳语道。

"哦，您好，格里菲思太太?

又见到了您，我简直太高兴了。我已有好长时间没来这儿，可不是吗?

不过，那是因为妈妈和我全都出门去了。她和格兰特至今还在奥尔巴尼哩。我在兰伯特家碰巧遇见贝拉和桑德拉。我说，今儿个你们一家人安安静静地吃晚饭，是不是?

您好，麦拉?

"她一面招呼麦拉，一手从格里菲思太太肩膀上伸过去，熟不拘礼地碰了一下麦拉的胳膊，仿佛仅仅表示一下客套罢了。

依克莱德看，三个姑娘里头，桑德拉最迷人。这时，站在桑德拉旁边的贝拉正大声嚷道:

"哦，我迟到了。对不起，妈和爹。就饶了我这一回，好吗?

"随后，她好象是刚刚看到克莱德似的，虽说她们一走进来，他便站起来，而且直到此刻还站立在那里。她就象她的女友一样，半似嘲笑。半似客气地停顿不语。克莱德本来对类似这样高傲的神态，乃至于优渥的物质生活特别敏感，还在等着人家介绍时候，早就明白自己微不足道，因而心里慌了神。他觉得，年轻貌美，再加上这样显赫的社会地位，不啻是女性的最大胜利。论漂亮，霍丹斯。布里格斯尽管都不如这里任何一个姑娘，但她照样能叫他为之倾倒，更不用谈丽达了，由此可见:

只要是漂亮的女性，不论优点如何，对他都具有吸引力。

"贝拉，"塞缪尔。格里菲思看见克莱德还站立在那里，便慢条斯理地说:

"这是你的堂兄，克莱德。""哦，是啊，"贝拉回答说，马上就发觉克莱德的样子酷肖吉尔伯特。"您好?

妈对我说您这两天要来看我们。"她伸出一两个手指头，随后侧过身去，面对着她的两位女友说:

"这是我的朋友……芬奇利小姐。克兰斯顿小姐，格里菲思先生。

"这两位姑娘鞠了一躬，瞧她们俩都是极不自然，拘泥虚礼，同时又直勾勾地非常仔细地把克莱德上下打量了一番。"哦，他真的活脱脱象吉尔，可不是吗?

"桑德拉对紧接着她的伯蒂娜低声耳语道。伯蒂娜回答说:

"再象也没有了。不过说真的，他长得好看得多，是吗?

……好看得多。"桑德拉点点头。首先，她高兴地注意到:

克莱德比吉尔伯特要好看得多(她不喜欢贝拉的哥哥)……其次，他显然对她一见倾心。她认为这是应该如此，她一向就是这样让不少年轻人一见钟情。不过，看到克莱德老是目不转睛地死盯着她，她就认为，至少暂时用不着再留意他了。要征服他，太容易了。

可是，格里菲思太太对这些不速之客，事先是没有预料到的。她对贝拉在此刻介绍她的女友，也不免有点儿生气;因为这么一来，马上就引起克莱德在这里的社会地位问题。她就建议说:

"你们两位最好还是把衣服撂下，先坐下来，好吗?

我马上叫纳丁在这一头再摆上两只盘子。贝拉，你坐在爹旁边，就得了。

""哦，不，不必了。"她们回答说，"不，真的，我们该回家去了。我在这儿只待一会儿就走，"桑德拉和伯蒂娜都这么说。不过，她们现在既然来了，看到克莱德确实挺漂亮，她们就恨不得了解清楚他在上流社会里(要是他常去的话)是不是红得发紫的人物。她们俩心里都明白:

吉尔伯特。格里菲思在某些场所远不是很受欢迎的，比方说，她们俩就不喜欢他，尽管她们俩很喜欢他的妹妹贝拉。

象这样的两个自尊心很强的美人儿觉得，吉尔伯特这个人太自信，太固执，有时也太瞧不起人了。而克莱德呢，如果从他的外貌来看，至少他要比较随和一些。只要事实证明他是平等的一个成员，或者说格里菲思一家人都这样看法，那末，他当然可以被当地上流社会所接受。可不是吗?

反正不管怎么说，了解一下他到底是不是有钱，也很有意思。可是，她们上面这个想法，几乎一下子就得到了回答，因为格里菲思太太好象故意向伯蒂娜点明似的说:

"格里菲思先生……是我们的侄子。他从西部来这里，看自己能不能在我丈夫的厂里寻摸个位置。他这个年轻人，就得靠自个儿闯出一条路来。我丈夫心眼儿太好，就给了他一个施展才能的机会。"克莱德一下子脸涨红了，因为这段话显然告诉他:

他在这里的社会地位，无可比拟地低于格里菲思一家人，或是这些姑娘们。同时，他还注意到，在只对有钱有势年轻人感兴趣的伯蒂娜。克兰斯顿的脸上，好奇心一下子变成完全漠不关心。另一方面，桑德拉。芬奇利决不象她的女友那么注重实际，尽管她在跟她相仿的这拨人里处于更为优越的地位……她毕竟出落得更为迷人，而她的父母则比克兰斯顿更加殷富……她还是再次仔细端详着克莱德，脸上分明表达出了她心中深为惋惜的看法。说实话，他是太漂亮了。

塞缪尔。格里菲思特别疼爱桑德拉。(他不喜欢伯蒂娜，正如格里菲思太太也不喜欢她，认为她太淘气，太佻巧。)塞缪尔。格里菲思向桑德拉招呼说:

"来吧，桑德拉，把你的小狗拴到餐厅的一只椅子上。过来，坐在我身边。把你的外套扔到那椅子上。这里给你留着空座，"他随手就指给她看了。

"可我怎么也不能坐了，塞缪尔大叔!

"桑德拉大声说，显得熟不拘礼，但又有些嗲声嗲气，很想用这种矫揉造作的亲热劲儿来讨好主人。"现在已经很晚了。

再说，比斯尔也不会老老实实的。说真的，伯蒂娜和我该回家去了。

""哦，是的，爸爸，"贝拉马上说了一句，"昨天，伯蒂娜骑的马蹄子上扎了一颗钉子，今天一条腿就瘸了。格兰特和他爸爸全都不在家。她想问问您，看看怎么办才好。""哪一条腿瘸了?

"格里菲思很关心地问。这时，克莱德趁机又继续把桑德拉尽可能仔细地端详一番，暗自思忖:

她啊多么迷人……小小的鼻子，有点儿往上翘……上唇又俏皮地往上拱起。

"左前蹄。昨天下午，我在东金斯顿路上溜马。杰里丢了一块蹄铁，肯定扎进一根刺了，可是约翰怎么也找不出来。""扎了钉子以后，你还骑了多久?

""一路骑回来，我想大概有八英里吧。""哦，你最好还是让约翰给它先敷些药膏，包扎好，再去请兽医看看。马儿包管没事，你放心好了。"她们俩并没有要走的迹象。暂时被撇在一旁的克莱德却在暗自寻思，想必在这儿上流社会里一定是轻松愉快的。看来在这儿人们个个都是无忧无虑的。

他们所谈论的，不外乎是:

他们正在盖的房子呀，他们骑的骏马呀，他们遇到的朋友呀，他们准备去玩儿的地方呀，以及心中在想的那些赏心乐事呀，如此等等。还有那个刚才离座的吉尔伯特，跟一拨年轻人开汽车上哪儿玩去了。还有贝拉，他的堂妹，就在这条街上漂亮的府邸跟这些女孩子在闲聊天;可他，克莱德，却关在柯比太太寄宿舍三层楼上的一个小房间垦，无处可去。每星期就靠这十五块美元糊口。明天一早，他还得照常上工厂地下室干活去，而这些女孩子一起床，心里就在琢磨怎样更痛快地去寻欢作乐。而在丹佛，他的父母则在惨淡经营他们的那个小小寄宿舍和传道馆……在这里他甚至都不敢据实相告。

蓦然间，这两位小姐说非走不可，她们也就走了。这时又只剩下他和格里菲思一家人在一起……他觉得在这里很不合适，备受怠慢。因为塞缪尔。格里菲思跟他太太和贝拉……反正麦拉除外……好象只让他开开眼界，看看那个不属于他的上流社会;同时，又因为他穷，他也就不可能跻身进去……尽管他多么梦想要结交这样几位了不起的姑娘。他心中马上感到悲哀……非常悲哀……他的眼睛。他的心绪，是那么阴郁，不仅塞缪尔。格里菲思注意到了，就连他太太跟麦拉也都注意到了。只要他能够进入这个上流社会，找到出路，该有多好。

可是，就在这一家人里，除了麦拉，没有一个人体察到他在目前的处境很可能感到孤单，心情沮丧。因此，当大家都纷纷起身，回到那个大客厅时(塞缪尔则在呵责贝拉回家太晚，老是让全家人等着她吃晚饭)，麦拉走到克莱德身旁说:

"我说，不管怎么说，你只要在这儿再待一会儿，也许就会比现在更喜欢莱柯格斯。这一带有不少地方，挺好玩的，可以去看看……有湖泊，还有艾迪隆达克斯山脉也不太远，在北面约莫七十英里的地方。到夏天，我们一家人都到格林伍德湖别墅去，我相信，爹和妈说不定欢迎你有时候也去玩玩。"她父母是不是真的请克莱德去别墅消暑，她也远不是那么有把握，不过，她觉得，在当前这种场合，不管怎么样，此刻应该跟克莱德这么说的。经她这么一说，他觉得跟她在一起比较自在，所以只要不怠慢贝拉和她家里其他一些人，就尽管跟她多说说话儿。将近九点半光景，他突然觉得自己再待下去很不合适，也很孤单，所以就站起身来说，他该走了，明儿一早他还得早起。告别时，塞缪尔。格里菲思领他到正门口，送他出门。到这时，老格里菲思如同在他之前的麦拉，也觉得克莱德长得相当漂亮，只不过因为穷，从今以后很可能不仅受到他家里人，而且会受到他自己的忽视，于是，在告别时，为了褒奖一下克莱德，就说了几句挺好听的话:

"出来走走很好，可不是吗?

等着瞧吧，春天一到，威克吉大街这才更美。以后嘛，"他抬头仿佛望着天空寻摸什么似的，吸了一口四月底新鲜的空气说，"过几个星期，我们一定要请你再来。那时候，所有的树上已是繁花似锦，你就可以看到，这儿真的有多美。晚安。"他微微一笑，而且说话时语调亲切极了。克莱德再次感到，不管吉尔伯待。

格里菲思的态度如何，伯父对他肯定不是漠不关心的。
Part 2 Chapter 11
The days lapsed and, although no further word came from the Griffiths, Clyde was still inclined to exaggerate theimportance of this one contact and to dream from time to time of delightful meetings with those girls and howwonderful if a love affair with one of them might eventuate for him. The beauty of that world in which theymoved. The luxury and charm as opposed to this of which he was a part. Dillard! Rita! Tush! They were reallydead for him. He aspired to this other or nothing as he saw it now and proceeded to prove as distant to Dillard aspossible, an attitude which by degrees tended to alienate that youth entirely for he saw in Clyde a snob whichpotentially he was if he could have but won to what he desired. However, as he began to see afterwards, timepassed and he was left to work until, depressed by the routine, meager pay and commonplace shrinking-roomcontacts, he began to think not so much of returning to Rita or Dillard,--he could not quite think of them nowwith any satisfaction, but of giving up this venture here and returning to Chicago or going to New York, wherehe was sure that he could connect himself with some hotel if need be. But then, as if to revive his courage andconfirm his earlier dreams, a thing happened which caused him to think that certainly he was beginning to rise inthe estimation of the Griffiths--father and son--whether they troubled to entertain him socially or not. For itchanced that one Saturday in spring, Samuel Griffiths decided to make a complete tour of inspection of thefactory with Joshua Whiggam at his elbow. Reaching the shrinking department about noon, he observed for thefirst time with some dismay, Clyde in his undershirt and trousers working at the feeding end of two of theshrinking racks, his nephew having by this time acquired the necessary skill to "feed" as well as "take." Andrecalling how very neat and generally presentable he had appeared at his house but a few weeks before, he wasdecidedly disturbed by the contrast. For one thing he had felt about Clyde, both in Chicago and here at his home,was that he had presented a neat and pleasing appearance. And he, almost as much as his son, was jealous, not only of the name, but the general social appearance of the Griffiths before the employees of this factory as wellas the community at large. And the sight of Clyde here, looking so much like Gilbert and in an armless shirt andtrousers working among these men, tended to impress upon him more sharply than at any time before the factthat Clyde was his nephew, and that he ought not to be compelled to continue at this very menial form of workany longer. To the other employees it might appear that he was unduly indifferent to the meaning of such arelationship.
　　Without, however, saying a word to Whiggam or anyone else at the time, he waited until his son returned onMonday morning, from a trip that he had taken out of town, when he called him into his office and observed: "Imade a tour of the factory Saturday and found young Clyde still down in the shrinking room.""What of it, Dad?" replied his son, curiously interested as to why his father should at this time wish to mentionClyde in this special way. "Other people before him have worked down there and it hasn't hurt them.""All true enough, but they weren't nephews of mine. And they didn't look as much like you as he does"--acomment which irritated Gilbert greatly. "It won't do, I tell you. It doesn't look quite right to me, and I'm afraid itwon't look right to other people here who see how much he looks like you and know that he is your cousin andmy nephew. I didn't realize that at first, because I haven't been down there, but I don't think it wise to keep himdown there any longer doing that kind of thing. It won't do. We'll have to make a change, switch him aroundsomewhere else where he won't look like that."His eyes darkened and his brow wrinkled. The impression that Clyde made in his old clothes and with beads ofsweat standing out on his forehead had not been pleasant.
　　"But I'll tell you how it is, Dad," Gilbert persisted, anxious and determined because of his innate opposition toClyde to keep him there if possible. "I'm not so sure that I can find just the right place for him now anywhereelse--at least not without moving someone else who has been here a long time and worked hard to get there. Hehasn't had any training in anything so far, but just what he's doing.""Don't know or don't care anything about that," replied Griffiths senior, feeling that his son was a little jealousand in consequence disposed to be unfair to Clyde. "That's no place for him and I won't have him there anylonger. He's been there long enough. And I can't afford to have the name of any of this family come to meananything but just what it does around here now-- reserve and ability and energy and good judgment. It's not goodfor the business. And anything less than that is a liability. You get me, don't you?""Yes, I get you all right, governor.""Well, then, do as I say. Get hold of Whiggam and figure out some other place for him around here, and not aspiece worker or a hand either. It was a mistake to put him down there in the first place. There must be some littleplace in one of the departments where he can be fitted in as the head of something, first or second or thirdassistant to some one, and where he can wear a decent suit of clothes and look like somebody. And, if necessary,let him go home on full pay until you find something for him. But I want him changed. By the way, how much ishe being paid now?""About fifteen, I think," replied Gilbert blandly.
　　"Not enough, if he's to make the right sort of an appearance here. Better make it twenty-five. It's more than he'sworth, I know, but it can't be helped now. He has to have enough to live on while he's here, and from now on, I'drather pay him that than have any one think we were not treating him right.""All right, all right, governor. Please don't be cross about it, will you?" pleaded Gilbert, noting his father'sirritation. "I'm not entirely to blame. You agreed to it in the first place when I suggested it, didn't you? But Iguess you're right at that. Just leave it to me. I'll find a decent place for him," and turning, he proceeded in searchof Whiggam, although at the same time thinking how he was to effect all this without permitting Clyde to get thenotion that he was at all important here--to make him feel that this was being done as a favor to him and not forany reasons of merit in connection with himself.
　　And at once, Whiggam appearing, he, after a very diplomatic approach on the part of Gilbert, racked his brains,scratched his head, went away and returned after a time to say that the only thing he could think of, since Clydewas obviously lacking in technical training, was that of assistant to Mr. Liggett, who was foreman in charge offive big stitching rooms on the fifth floor, but who had under him one small and very special, though by nomeans technical, department which required the separate supervision of either an assistant forelady or man.
　　This was the stamping room--a separate chamber at the west end of the stitching floor, where were received dailyfrom the cutting room above from seventy-five to one hundred thousand dozen unstitched collars of differentbrands and sizes. And here they were stamped by a group of girls according to the slips or directions attached tothem with the size and brand of the collar. The sole business of the assistant foreman in charge here, as Gilbertwell knew, after maintaining due decorum and order, was to see that this stamping process went uninterruptedlyforward. Also that after the seventy-five to one hundred thousand dozen collars were duly stamped andtransmitted to the stitchers, who were just outside in the larger room, to see that they were duly credited in abook of entry. And that the number of dozens stamped by each girl was duly recorded in order that her payshould correspond with her services.
　　For this purpose a little desk and various entry books, according to size and brand, were kept here. Also thecutters' slips, as taken from the bundles by the stampers were eventually delivered to this assistant in lots of adozen or more and filed on spindles. It was really nothing more than a small clerkship, at times in the past heldby young men or girls or old men or middle-aged women, according to the exigencies of the life of the place.
　　The thing that Whiggam feared in connection with Clyde and which he was quick to point out to Gilbert on thisoccasion was that because of his inexperience and youth Clyde might not, at first, prove as urgent and insistent amaster of this department as the work there required. There were nothing but young girls there--some of themquite attractive. Also was it wise to place a young man of Clyde's years and looks among so many girls? For,being susceptible, as he might well be at that age, he might prove too easy--not stern enough. The girls mighttake advantage of him. If so, it wouldn't be possible to keep him there very long. Still there was this temporaryvacancy, and it was the only one in the whole factory at the moment. Why not, for the time being, send himupstairs for a tryout? It might not be long before either Mr. Liggett or himself would know of something else orwhether or not he was suited for the work up there. In that case it would be easy to make a re- transfer.
　　Accordingly, about three in the afternoon of this same Monday, Clyde was sent for and after being made to waitfor some fifteen minutes, as was Gilbert's method, he was admitted to the austere presence.
　　"Well, how are you getting along down where you are now?" asked Gilbert coldly and inquisitorially. AndClyde, who invariably experienced a depression whenever he came anywhere near his cousin, replied, with apoorly forced smile, "Oh, just about the same, Mr. Griffiths. I can't complain. I like it well enough. I'm learning alittle something, I guess.""You guess?""Well, I know I've learned a few things, of course," added Clyde, flushing slightly and feeling down deep withinhimself a keen resentment at the same time that he achieved a half-ingratiating and half-apologetic smile.
　　"Well, that's a little better. A man could hardly be down there as long as you've been and not know whether hehad learned anything or not." Then deciding that he was being too severe, perhaps, he modified his tone slightly,and added: "But that's not why I sent for you. There's another matter I want to talk to you about. Tell me, did youever have charge of any people or any other person than yourself, at any time in your life?""I don't believe I quite understand," replied Clyde, who, because he was a little nervous and flustered, had notquite registered the question accurately.
　　"I mean have you ever had any people work under you--been given a few people to direct in some departmentsomewhere? Been a foreman or an assistant foreman in charge of anything?""No, sir, I never have," answered Clyde, but so nervous that he almost stuttered. For Gilbert's tone was verysevere and cold--highly contemptuous. At the same time, now that the nature of the question was plain, itsimplication came to him. In spite of his cousin's severity, his ill manner toward him, still he could see hisemployers were thinking of making a foreman of him--putting him in charge of somebody--people. They mustbe! At once his ears and fingers began to titillate--the roots of his hair to tingle: "But I've seen how it's done inclubs and hotels," he added at once. "And I think I might manage if I were given a trial." His cheeks were nowhighly colored--his eyes crystal clear.
　　"Not the same thing. Not the same thing," insisted Gilbert sharply. "Seeing and doing are two entirely differentthings. A person without any experience can think a lot, but when it comes to doing, he's not there. Anyhow, thisis one business that requires people who do know."He stared at Clyde critically and quizzically while Clyde, feeling that he must be wrong in his notion thatsomething was going to be done for him, began to quiet himself. His cheeks resumed their normal pallor and thelight died from his eyes.
　　"Yes, sir, I guess that's true, too," he commented.
　　"But you don't need to guess in this case," insisted Gilbert. "You know. That's the trouble with people who don'tknow. They're always guessing."The truth was that Gilbert was so irritated to think that he must now make a place for his cousin, and that despitehis having done nothing at all to deserve it, that he could scarcely conceal the spleen that now colored his mood.
　　"You're right, I know," said Clyde placatingly, for he was still hoping for this hinted-at promotion.
　　"Well, the fact is," went on Gilbert, "I might have placed you in the accounting end of the business when youfirst came if you had been technically equipped for it." (The phrase "technically equipped" overawed andterrorized Clyde, for he scarcely understood what that meant.) "As it was," went on Gilbert, nonchalantly, "wehad to do the best we could for you. We knew it was not very pleasant down there, but we couldn't do anythingmore for you at the time." He drummed on his desk with his fingers. "But the reason I called you up here to-dayis this. I want to discuss with you a temporary vacancy that has occurred in one of our departments upstairs andwhich we are wondering--my father and I--whether you might be able to fill." Clyde's spirits rose amazingly.
　　"Both my father and I," he went on, "have been thinking for some little time that we would like to do a littlesomething for you, but as I say, your lack of practical training of any kind makes it very difficult for both of us.
　　You haven't had either a commercial or a trade education of any kind, and that makes it doubly hard." He pausedlong enough to allow that to sink in--give Clyde the feeling that he was an interloper indeed. "Still," he addedafter a moment, "so long as we have seen fit to bring you on here, we have decided to give you a tryout atsomething better than you are doing. It won't do to let you stay down there indefinitely. Now, let me tell you alittle something about what I have in mind," and he proceeded to explain the nature of the work on the fifth floor.
　　And when after a time Whiggam was sent for and appeared and had acknowledged Clyde's salutation, heobserved: "Whiggam, I've just been telling my cousin here about our conversation this morning and what I toldyou about our plan to try him out as the head of that department. So if you'll just take him up to Mr. Liggett andhave him or some one explain the nature of the work up there, I'll be obliged to you." He turned to his desk.
　　"After that you can send him back to me," he added. "I want to talk to him again."Then he arose and dismissed them both with an air, and Whiggam, still somewhat dubious as to the experiment,but now very anxious to be pleasant to Clyde since he could not tell what he might become, led the way to Mr.
　　Liggett's floor. And there, amid a thunderous hum of machines, Clyde was led to the extreme west of thebuilding and into a much smaller department which was merely railed off from the greater chamber by a lowfence. Here were about twenty-five girls and their assistants with baskets, who apparently were doing their bestto cope with a constant stream of unstitched collar bundles which fell through several chutes from the floorabove.
　　And now at once, after being introduced to Mr. Liggett, he was escorted to a small railed-off desk at which sat ashort, plump girl of about his own years, not so very attractive, who arose as they approached. "This is MissTodd," began Whiggain. "She's been in charge for about ten days now in the absence of Mrs. Angier. And what Iwant you to do now, Miss Todd, is to explain to Mr. Griffiths here just as quickly and clearly as you can what itis you do here. And then later in the day when he comes up here, I want you to help him to keep track of thingsuntil he sees just what is wanted and can do it himself. You'll do that, won't you?""Why, certainly, Mr. Whiggam. I'll be only too glad to," complied Miss Todd, and at once she began to takedown the books of records and to show Clyde how the entry and discharge records were kept--also later how the stamping was done--how the basket girls took the descending bundles from the chutes and distributed themevenly according to the needs of the stamper and how later, as fast as they were stamped, other basket girlscarried them to the stitchers outside. And Clyde, very much interested, felt that he could do it, only among somany women on a floor like this he felt very strange. There were so very, very many women--hundreds of them-stretchingfar and away between white walls and white columns to the eastern end of the building. And tallwindows that reached from floor to ceiling let in a veritable flood of light. These girls were not all pretty. He sawthem out of the tail of his eye as first Miss Todd and later Whiggam, and even Liggett, volunteered to impresspoints on him.
　　"The important thing," explained Whiggam after a time, "is to see that there is no mistake as to the number ofthousands of dozens of collars that come down here and are stamped, and also that there's no delay in stampingthem and getting them out to the stitchers. Also that the records of these girls' work is kept accurately so thatthere won't be any mistakes as to their time."At last Clyde saw what was required of him and the conditions under which he was about to work and said so.
　　He was very nervous but quickly decided that if this girl could do the work, he could. And because Liggett andWhiggam, interested by his relationship to Gilbert, appeared very friendly and persisted in delaying here, sayingthat there was nothing he could not manage they were sure, he returned after a time with Whiggam to Gilbertwho, on seeing him enter, at once observed: "Well, what's the answer? Yes or no. Do you think you can do it ordo you think you can't?""Well, I know that I can do it," replied Clyde with a great deal of courage for him, yet with the private feelingthat he might not make good unless fortune favored him some even now. There were so many things to be takeninto consideration--the favor of those above as well as about him--and would they always favor him?
　　"Very good, then. Just be seated for a moment," went on Gilbert. "I want to talk to you some more in connectionwith that work up there. It looks easy to you, does it?""No, I can't say that it looks exactly easy," replied Clyde, strained and a little pale, for because of hisinexperience he felt the thing to be a great opportunity--one that would require all his skill and courage tomaintain. "Just the same I think I can do it. In fact I know I can and I'd like to try.""Well, now, that sounds a little better," replied Gilbert crisply and more graciously. "And now I want to tell yousomething more about it. I don't suppose you ever thought there was a floor with that many women on it, didyou?""No, sir, I didn't," replied Clyde. "I knew they were somewhere in the building, but I didn't know just where.""Exactly," went on Gilbert. "This plant is practically operated by women from cellar to roof. In themanufacturing department, I venture to say there are ten women to every man. On that account every one inwhom we entrust any responsibility around here must be known to us as to their moral and religious character. Ifyou weren't related to us, and if we didn't feel that because of that we knew a little something about you, wewouldn't think of putting you up there or anywhere in this factory over anybody until we did know. But don'tthink because you're related to us that we won't hold you strictly to account for everything that goes on up there and for your conduct. We will, and all the more so because you are related to us. You understand that, do you?
　　And why--the meaning of the Griffiths name here?""Yes, sir," replied Clyde.
　　"Very well, then," went on Gilbert. "Before we place any one here in any position of authority, we have to beabsolutely sure that they're going to behave themselves as gentlemen always--that the women who are workinghere are going to receive civil treatment always. If a young man, or an old one for that matter, comes in here atany time and imagines that because there are women here he's going to be allowed to play about and neglect hiswork and flirt or cut up, that fellow is doomed to a short stay here. The men and women who work for us havegot to feel that they are employees first, last and all the time--and they have to carry that attitude out into thestreet with them. And unless they do it, and we hear anything about it, that man or woman is done for so far aswe are concerned. We don't want 'em and we won't have 'em. And once we're through with 'em, we're throughwith 'em."He paused and stared at Clyde as much as to say: "Now I hope I have made myself clear. Also that we will neverhave any trouble in so far as you are concerned."And Clyde replied: "Yes, I understand. I think that's right. In fact I know that's the way it has to be.""And ought to be," added Gilbert.
　　"And ought to be," echoed Clyde.
　　At the same time he was wondering whether it was really true as Gilbert said. Had he not heard the mill girlsalready spoken about in a slighting way? Yet consciously at the moment he did not connect himself in thoughtwith any of these girls upstairs. His present mood was that, because of his abnormal interest in girls, it would bebetter if he had nothing to do with them at all, never spoke to any of them, kept a very distant and cold attitude,such as Gilbert was holding toward him. It must be so, at least if he wished to keep his place here. And he wasnow determined to keep it and to conduct himself always as his cousin wished.
　　"Well, now, then," went on Gilbert as if to supplement Clyde's thoughts in this respect, "what I want to know ofyou is, if I trouble to put you in that department, even temporarily, can I trust you to keep a level head on yourshoulders and go about your work conscientiously and not have your head turned or disturbed by the fact thatyou're working among a lot of women and girls?""Yes, sir, I know you can," replied Clyde very much impressed by his cousin's succinct demand, although, afterRita, a little dubious.
　　"If I can't, now is the time to say so," persisted Gilbert. "By blood you're a member of this family. And to ourhelp here, and especially in a position of this kind, you represent us. We can't have anything come up inconnection with you at any time around here that won't be just right. So I want you to be on your guard andwatch your step from now on. Not the least thing must occur in connection with you that any one can commenton unfavorably. You understand, do you?""Yes, sir," replied Clyde most solemnly. "I understand that. I'll conduct myself properly or I'll get out." And hewas thinking seriously at the moment that he could and would. The large number of girls and women upstairsseemed very remote and of no consequence just then.
　　"Very good. Now, I'll tell you what else I want you to do. I want you to knock off for the day and go home andsleep on this and think it over well. Then come back in the morning and go to work up there, if you still feel thesame. Your salary from now on will be twenty-five dollars, and I want you to dress neat and clean so that youwill be an example to the other men who have charge of departments."He arose coldly and distantly, but Clyde, very much encouraged and enthused by the sudden jump in salary, aswell as the admonition in regard to dressing well, felt so grateful toward his cousin that he longed to be friendlywith him. To be sure, he was hard and cold and vain, but still he must think something of him, and his uncle too,or they would not choose to do all this for him and so speedily. And if ever he were able to make friends withhim, win his way into his good graces, think how prosperously he would be placed here, what commercial andsocial honors might not come to him?
　　So elated was he at the moment that he bustled out of the great plant with a jaunty stride, resolved among otherthings that from now on, come what might, and as a test of himself in regard to life and work, he was going to beall that his uncle and cousin obviously expected of him--cool, cold even, and if necessary severe, where thesewomen or girls of this department were concerned. No more relations with Dillard or Rita or anybody like thatfor the present anyhow.

日子一天天地过去，虽说再也没有收到格里菲思家的来信，可克莱德还是喜欢夸大这仅有一次去有钱的亲戚家的意义，不时梦想再次跟那些姑娘们愉快地见面，要是其中有一位爱上了他，该有多好。她们生活的那个花团锦簇的世界该有多美啊!

跟他自己的生活和他周围的环境相比，她们简直太豪华，太迷人了。迪拉特!

丽达!

呸!

他觉得他们真的就象根本不复存在似的。现在他明白了，他需要的是别的东西……要不然宁可一无所有。于是，他就开始跟迪拉特逐渐疏远。这种态度后来逐渐使那个年轻人跟他完全疏远了，因为迪拉特早已把克莱德看成势利鬼，其实，克莱德要是果真实现了自己的愿望，很可能就是这一号人。不过，克莱德后来逐渐认识到，时间一天天地过去了，可他还是被撇在一旁，干那个累活。后来，由于每日上下班很呆板，工薪又菲薄，防缩车间里所接触到的，也都是一些平庸之辈，他心里非常郁郁不乐，就不免转念一想，还不如回去找丽达或迪拉特……如今，他之所以想到他们，并不是想同他们重温旧情，而是自己想要放弃在这里的生计，索性回到芝加哥或是纽约去。他相信，必要时，他一定能在一家旅馆里找到事由。可是，就在这时，好象是为了恢复他的勇气，并证实他早先的梦想似的，有一件事发生了，使他认为:

格里菲思这一家人……父亲和儿子……对他的估计，已开始在提高，虽然他们并不愿意把他纳为自己圈子里头的人。因为，那时正好在春天，有一个星期六，塞缪尔。

格里菲思碰巧由乔舒亚。惠甘陪同下厂巡视。大约在正午时分，他来到了防缩车间，只见克莱德穿着背心裤衩在两台烘干机投料那头干活，可以说是破题儿头一遭让他感到有些尴尬。这时，他的侄子早已学会了"投"和"卸"那一套基本功了。他回想起，才不过一两个星期以前，在自己府邸，克莱德还是那么衣冠楚楚，颇有风度。这么一对比，无疑使他非常惶惑不安。他对克莱德总有那么一个印象，不管是在芝加哥也好，还是这回在自己府上也好，侄子的模样儿毕竟很整洁，很讨人喜欢。而且，他几乎如同自己儿子一样，不仅珍惜他们的姓氏格里菲思，而且还在本厂职工乃至于莱柯格斯整个社会面前，珍惜格里菲思这一家人的社会威望。可是，如今看到克莱德在这里，尽管长得活脱脱象吉尔伯特，却穿着背心裤衩跟这拨人在一块干累活儿……此情此景，比过去任何时候都使他更尖锐地想到这样一个事实:

克莱德毕竟是他的侄子，不该让他再干这种又脏又累的重活儿了。要不然别的职工说不定就会觉得:

他，塞缪尔。格里菲思，对这么一个近亲如此漠不关心，实在很不应该。

不过话又说回来，当时他并没有跟惠甘或是任何人说过一个字。等到星期一早上，他儿子刚从城外回来，塞缪尔。格里菲思就把他叫到办公室，对他这么说:

"上星期六，我下厂转了一圈，看见年轻的克莱德还在防缩车间地下室里干活。""那又怎么啦，爹?

"他儿子回答说。他好生奇怪，真不知道父亲干吗在这个时候特别提到了克莱德，"以前，许许多多人也都在地下室干过活，可是并没有害了他们。""你的话儿可不错，不过，人家并不是我的亲侄子。人家的模样儿也并不长得活脱脱就象你嘛。"这句话真叫吉尔伯特感到老大不痛快。"再这样可不行……我这就证告你。我认为我们这样对待克莱德很不公道。我担心，也许厂里其他一些人也会认为这样很不公道。要知道，人家也都看得出，他长得多么象你，而且知道他就是你的堂弟，也是我的亲侄子。这一点我开头并没有注意到，因为我一直没有去过地下室，可是我认为，再也不能让他继续留在那儿，干这类活，那是要不得的。我们就得变通一下，把他调到别处工作，让他看起来不会象现在那个样子。"他眉头一皱，两眼顿时黑咕隆咚。他脑际留下这么一个很不愉快的印象:

克莱德穿着破旧衣衫，额角上淌着大颗大颗汗珠。

"不过，我可要告诉您这是怎么回事，爹，"吉尔伯特坚持自己的看法，因为他打心底里对克莱德反感，尽可能要把他留在原地不动，所以态度急躁而又坚决。"现在能不能在哪儿给他找一个合适的位置，我也说不准……至少，现在给他另一个位置，就不能不把在那儿干了很久，而且一直拚命干活，好不容易才爬上那个位置的人调离。可他到现在为止，什么专门训练都没接受过，所以也只能干他现在干的那种活儿。""反正这一切，我可不知道，压根儿也不感兴趣，"老格里菲思回答说。他觉得自己的儿子心里有点儿妒忌，所以，对待克莱德就很不公平。"那不是他干活的地方，我可不要让他再这样干下去。他在那里干活也有相当长日子了。直至今日，格里菲思这个姓氏在莱柯格斯即意味着谨慎。有魄力。有干劲和有头脑，我可不能让我们这个家族里任何一个姓格里菲思的人不具备以上这些特点。这对做生意来说，也是要不得的。何况妥善安置克莱德至少也是我们应尽的义务。

你明白我的意思了吗?

""是的，我明白您的意思了，爹。""那敢情好，就照我说的去办吧。把惠甘找来，关照他设法安插一个什么工作，不是计件工，也不是普通工。一开头派他到地下室去，压根儿就错了。也许本厂各车间科室能给他寻摸到一个小小的职位，让他当个小头头，比方说，给那里负责人当第一助手。第二助手，或是第三助手，这么一来，他身上就可以穿得干干净净，看起来象一个人的样子。必要时，让他先回家去，照样领全薪，一直到你给他寻摸到职位为止。我就是要把他的工作调换一下。再说，他目前工资有多少?

""我想，大约十五块美元吧，"吉尔伯特温顺地回答说。

"要是让他在这里保持一个体面的样子，那是不够的。最好给他二十块美元。

我知道他还不配拿这么多的钱，不过现在你也没有别的好办法。既然他到了这里，就得有足够的钱过日子。从现在起，我就是要给他二十块钱……这么一来，谁都不会说我们亏待了他。""好吧，好吧。爸爸，请您别生气，好吗?

"吉尔伯特一见父亲恼火，就这样恳求他。"这可不能全怪我。我提出让他去地下室时，您一开头就同意的，是不是?

不过，现在我想您的意见也是对的。就让我去办吧。我会给他寻摸一个说得过去的职位。"他一转身就找惠甘去了，虽然他心中暗自琢磨，这件事既要办好，而又不能让克莱德产生一个想法，好象自己在这里受到器重似的……恰好相反，要让他觉得，这样给他安排只是给他一点小恩小惠，怎么也不是说他本人有什么劳绩。

不一会儿，惠甘来了。吉尔伯特非常巧妙地表达了这番意思以后，惠甘就绞尽脑汁，直搔后脑勺走了，不到一会儿又回来说，克莱德既然没有经过技术训练，他所能得到的唯一职位，就是给利格特先生当助手。利格特是负责五楼五个大缝纫间的领班，除此以外，他下面还有一个规模虽小，但专业性很强(当然绝不是指枝术方面)的部门，需要专门有一个女助手或是男助手单独照管。

这就是打印间……位于缝纫间那一层楼西头。每日楼上切布间送来七万五千打到十万打各种款式和尺码的尚未缝制的领子。女工们就照附在领子上的款式和尺码的小条子(或者说明)在这里打印。吉尔伯特心里很清楚，给这里负责的领班当助手，只不过照管一下打印工作，使之按部就班，井然有序，不致中断罢了。此外，在这七万五千打至十万打领子一一打好，送交外面那个大间里缝纫工以后，还要登记入帐。而且每一名女工打过多少打领子，都得登记清楚，以便日后据此发给工钱。

为此，这里置放着一张小桌子，还有依照尺码和款式分开的各种登记簿。

切布工的小条子，则由打印工从一捆捆领子里取下来，将一打或好几打叠在一起，最后汇总交给这位助手过目。说实话，这只不过是一个小小办事员的工作:

过去有时还按当时实际需要，分别由男女青年，或是老头子，或是中年妇女担任。

惠甘所担心的是:

克莱德由于年轻和缺乏经验，一开头还不能应付自如，不能马上就成为这一部门得力的负责人。这一点惠甘当场就跟吉尔伯特点明了。

而且，在那里工作的，只有年轻的姑娘们……有几个长得还颇有吸引力。再说，象克莱德这般年纪和模样的年轻人，给安插在这么多的姑娘们中间，是不是明智呢?

如果说他和她们当中的哪一个相爱了，在他这个年龄来说，也是十分自然的，也许他就会随随便便，一点儿也不严格。姑娘们可能利用他这一点。万一这样，他在那里可能就待不长。不过，毕竟这是一个暂时的空缺，而且也是眼下全厂唯一的空缺。干吗不可以暂时调他到楼上去试一试呢?

要不了多久，利格特先生和惠甘自己，就知道还有没有其他的职位，以及他对那儿的工作是不是合适。要是不合适，再撤换也很方便的。

因此，就在这个星期一，大约下午三点钟光景，把克莱德叫来了，先让他等了一刻钟左右(这是吉尔伯特的老规矩)，小格里菲思方才正颜厉色地接见了他。

"啊，你在那儿工作怎么样啦?

"吉尔伯特冷冰冰地仿佛在审问他似的。本来克莱德一见堂兄就垂头丧气，这时却强颜欢笑地回答说:

"哦，差不多还是那样，格里菲思先生。可我没有什么不满意的。这个工作我很喜欢。我觉得自己学到了一些东西。""你觉得?

""哦，我知道，我，当然罗。稍微学到了一点东西，"克莱德接下去说，脸有点儿红，心中却感到非常反感，但还得露出半似奉承。半似歉仄的微笑。

"哦，这才有一点儿说对了。不拘是谁，只要象你那样在地下室待过一长段时间，就不会不知道自己有没有学到什么东西。"说完后，他觉得自己也许太严厉，就稍微改变一下口气，找补着说:

"不过，我可不是为了这事才叫你来的。我另有一事，想跟你谈一谈。告诉我，过去你有没有管过别人，或是管过任何一个人?

""恐怕我还没有听清楚呢，"克莱德回答说。这时他因为有些心慌意乱，没有领悟堂兄提问的意思。

"我是说，过去有没有人在你手下工作过……是在什么地方，什么部门，有几个人听你发号施令?

也许你在什么地方当过领班，或是领班助手?

""没有，先生，我还从没有当过，"克莱德回答说，但因心中太紧张，说话时几乎有些结结巴巴。因为吉尔伯特的口气很严厉。冷峻……极端瞧不起人。同时，由于问题的性质已是十分清楚，克莱德终于懂得了回话的涵义。尽管他堂兄的样子很严厉，对他态度很坏，但他还是看得出，他的东家正在想叫他当个领班……让他管理某个人或某些人。当然罗，就是这个意思!

由于激动，他的耳朵里。手指上立时产生一种愉快的感觉……连头发根也都有些热辣辣的。"不过，我见过俱乐部和大酒店里领班是怎么使唤人的，"他马上找补着说。"我想，要是让我试一试，也许我也干得了。"他的脸颊一下子涨红，两眼也在闪闪发亮。

"不一样，不一样，"吉尔伯特一个劲儿厉声说。"看人家做和自个儿做，完全是两回事。没有什么经验的人可以想得很多很多，可是一做起来，就什么都不行了。反正不管怎么说，这个工作就是需要真正懂行的人。"他两眼严厉而又古怪地直瞅着克莱德。克莱德暗自寻思，原以为堂兄就要提拔他，一定是他想错了，这时也就镇静下来。他的脸颊又恢复了平时灰白的颜色，两眼的闪光也倏然不见了。

"是的，先生，我心里估摸这也是千真万确的，"他就这样表示了自己的意见。

"不过，这件事就用不着你心里估摸了，"古尔伯特坚持自己的意见。"你要知道，一无所知的人，就都有这个毛病。他们老是在心里瞎估摸。"事实上，吉尔伯特觉得现在自己非得给堂弟寻摸职位不可，尽管克莱德压根儿没有做出什么业绩来，因而不能受之无愧。所以，吉尔伯特一想到这里就很反感，也无法掩饰自己心中的激怒。

"你说得对，我知道，"克莱德心平气和地说，因为他至今还在指望刚才暗示过的提升问题。

"哦，事情原来是这样，"吉尔伯特接下去说，"当初你来的时候，要是具备专门技术素养，本来我也许就可以把你安置在本厂会计科室的。"("具备专门技术素养"这几个字，让克莱德感到既敬畏而又惧怕，因为他压根儿不懂那是什么意思。)"情况既然是这样，"吉尔伯待冷漠地说，"我们对你已是竭尽全力了。我们知道地下室并不是一个很舒服的地方，可是，那时候又没法给你找到更好的去处。"他用手指在桌子上弹了一下。"不过，今天我叫你上来，就是这样:

我想跟你商量一下，我们楼上有个部门正好暂时有个空缺，我们……家父和我……正在琢磨，能不能就让你来填补这个空缺。"克莱德听了心情异常兴奋。"家父和我两人，"他接下去说，"最近一直在考虑，我们愿意帮你一点小忙。不过，正如我刚才所说的，你不论在哪个方面都缺乏实际训练，使我们感到事情非常棘手。

你压根儿没有受过任何商业或技术教育训练，这就使得事情更加难办了。"他停顿了很长时间，好让那句话使对方心领神会，逼使克莱德感到自己确实是个不速之客。"可是，"过了一会儿，他又找补着说，"既然我们都认为有必要叫你上这儿来，我们就是决定让你到比目前更好一些的职位上去试试。再也不能让你无限期地待在地下室了。现在，你就听着，让我给你讲一下我的打算。"于是，吉尔伯特就开始把五层楼上工作的性质解释了一遍。

过了一会儿，惠甘给请来了，跟克莱德互致寒暄之后，吉尔伯特说:

"惠甘，我刚才已把我们今天早上的谈话，还有我跟你说过的，就是我们打算让他试一试担任那个部门头头一事，告诉了我的堂弟。所以，就请你领他到利格特先生那儿去，让利格特先生本人或是别人，把那儿工作的性质跟他讲一讲，谢谢你。

"说完，吉尔伯特转身走到办公桌跟前。"过后，请你把他再带回来，"他找补着说，"我要跟他再谈一次。"随后，他神气活现地站了起来，把他们俩都给打发走了。惠甘对这次试验依然有些犯疑，不过，急于想讨好克莱德(往后此人将成为怎样的人物，惠甘实在还说不准)，就把他领到利格特先生那一层楼去。到了五层楼以后，就在机器的轰鸣声中，克莱德被领到了大楼的最西端，走进一个规模比较小的部门，中间只有一道低矮栅栏，与大房间隔开。这儿大约有二十五名女工，还有她们带着篮筐的助手。一扎扎尚待缝制的领子，从来自楼上的好几条泻槽里源源不绝地送下来，看来已使这些人竭尽全力，穷于应付。

克莱德被介绍给利格特先生以后，就马上被带到一张由栅栏隔开的小桌子跟前。那儿坐着一个矮胖姑娘，年纪跟他相仿，长得不太动人。他们一走过去，她就站起身来。"这位是托德小姐，"惠甘一开口就说。"安吉尔太太不在，由她负责已有十天左右了。托德小姐，劳驾把你这儿所做的工作，讲给格里菲思先生听听。请你尽可能讲得快些。清楚些。随后，下午他上这儿来的时候，我要你帮助他，直到他熟悉情况自己可以独立工作为止。你总能办得到，是不是?

""哦，当然罗，惠甘先生。非常乐意，"托德小姐满口应允，马上把登记簿册取下来，指点克莱德收货。发货怎样登记……后来又告诉他打印怎么个打法……管篮筐的女工怎样把泻槽里送下来的一扎扎领子收集起来，按照打印工的需要量，均匀地分配给他们;过一会儿，打印好以后，另有一些管篮筐的女工，又怎样把这些领子发送给外面的缝纫工。克莱德很感兴趣，觉得这工作他一定能胜任愉快，只不过在这一层楼上，他跟这么多女人在一起，不免感到非常奇怪。

有这么多的女人……多达好几百人……一长溜。一长溜地一直延伸到白墙壁。

白圆柱的大房间东头。从落地长窗里射进一大片确实令人耀眼的亮光。这些姑娘们，并不是个个都很标致。先是托德小姐，后来是惠甘，甚至于利格特给他一一详细解释的时候，克莱德就已经用眼梢斜乜过她们。

"最要紧的是，"过了一会儿，惠甘又解释说，"送到这儿打印的成千上万打的领子，数目可不能弄错。再有，打印的时候也好，发送给缝纫工的时候也好，都不能发生阻滞停留现象。最后还有，每个女工干活的纪录，都要写得准确无误，以便给她们发工钱时不致出差错。"最后，克莱德终于明白他们对自己的要求是什么，就说他一切都明白了。

他虽然非常激动，但是一个闪念，想到:

既然这个姑娘都干得了，那他肯定也干得了。由于利格特和惠甘知道他是吉尔伯特的近亲，因此谈吐态度都是非常和气，故意在这儿多待了一会儿，还说他们相信他不论干什么事情，准能应付裕如。随后，克莱德跟惠甘一起回到吉尔伯特那里。吉尔伯特见他一进门，马上就问:

"哦，你说怎么样?

行，还是不行?

依你看，到底干得了，还是干不了?

""哦，我心里想，我是干得了，"克莱德鼓足勇气回答说，不过心中暗自担忧，除非碰上好运气，说不定他还可能干不好。要考虑的事情太多了……要同他的那些上司，以及在他周围的那些人搞好关系……再说他们会不会一直小心照顾自己呢?

"那敢情好。你先坐一会儿，"吉尔伯特接下去说。"我还要跟你再谈一谈楼上工作的事。依你看，这工作很省力，可不是吗?

""不，我可不能说这一工作我觉得非常省力，"克莱德回答说，心情很紧张，脸色有些发白:

由于自己缺乏经验，他觉得这对他来说是一个绝好机会……就得拿出自己全副本领和勇气来紧紧地抓住不放。"尽管这样，我觉得我还是干得了。

事实上，我相信自己干得了，而且我也愿意试一试。""得了，好吧，这话才多少说到了点子上，"吉尔伯特干脆利索地说，语气比刚才显得亲切。"现在，我还要进一步跟你谈一谈这件事。我说，你可没有想到过这一层楼面上竟有那么多的女人，是不是?

""没有，先生，我可没有想到过，"克莱德回答说。"我知道厂里有女工在干活，但不知道是在什么地方。""你说得对，"吉尔伯特继续说道。"本厂从地窖子起一直到顶楼，实际上是女人在撑场面。拿从事制造业务的部门来说，我敢说，女工和男工的比例就是１０∶１。因此，凡是在本厂工作的各部门负责人，我们非得对他们的道德品质和宗教信仰了解得一清二楚之后，方才给予信赖。要不是你是我们亲属，要不是我们觉得因为你是我们亲属，所以对你多少有些认识，其实，在我们还没有充分了解以前，我们也不会让你在本厂哪一个部门主管哪一个人的。不过，你绝对不要认为自己是我们亲属，我们对你就上面所说的每一件工作，以及你的一言一行就不会有严格的要求了。不，我们对你是要严格要求的;因为你是我们亲属，所以要求也就更加严格。我说的这些，你听明白了吗?

还有……格里菲思这个姓氏在这里的特定涵义，你明白了吗?

""明白了，先生，"克莱德回答说。

"那敢情好，"吉尔伯特接下去说。"我们不论派哪一个人到哪一个负责岗位上去以前，必须绝对相信他举止言行始终如同绅士那样端庄稳重……对待厂里工作的女工，必须始终彬彬有礼。不管年轻人也好，甚至是老头儿也好，要是他一到这里，以为四周围净是娘们，就玩忽职守，恣意跟她们调情取乐，或是来一点儿恶作剧，那末，这个家伙在这里就注定待不长的。在厂里给我们工作的男男女女，必须认识到:

他们首先是本厂职工，归根到底是本厂职工，自始至终都是本厂职工……而且出厂时，他们这种态度作风也得一块带出去。要是我们了解到他们忘掉了这些，那末，不管是男是女，他们跟我们的关系就算全完了。我们决不会要他们，也不会留下他们。我们一旦跟他们断绝往来，那就是永远跟他们断绝往来了。"他缄口不语，两眼直瞅着克莱德，仿佛是在说:

"我觉得，我已经把话儿说得明明白白了。我们不希望今后从你身上再碰到什么麻烦啦。"克莱德回答说:

"是的，我明白了。我想，这是对的。事实上，我也知道非得这样做不可。""而且，应该这样做，"吉尔伯特又补充一句说。

"而且，应该这样做，"克莱德也随口应了一声。

可就在这时，他却在扪心自问，吉尔伯特所说的话，是不是真实呢。他不是听到过人们轻蔑地议论厂里的女工吗?

不过，此时此刻，他心里确实没有把自己跟楼上任何一个女工连在一起。当时他的心态是:

由于他对女孩子特别感兴趣，因此，最好他压根儿不睬她们，决不跟她们里头哪一个人说话，保持一种极其疏远而又冷淡的态度，如同吉尔伯特要求他的一模一样。如果说他想要保住这个新的职位，最低限度就非得这样做不可。现在，他决心要保住新的职位，并且按照他堂兄所希望的那样注意自己的行为。

"那就好吧，"吉尔伯特接下去说，仿佛就克莱德对这件事的想法再作一些补充。"我想向你了解这么一个问题。比方说，现在我费了这么大劲儿把你安置在那个部门，即使说暂时性质，我能不能就相信:

你会始终保持清醒的头脑，尽心尽责地去工作，不会因为在一大堆女人。姑娘们里头工作，从而使你昏头昏脑，或是心神不宁吧?

""是的，先生，我想你尽可以信任我，"克莱德回答说，堂兄这样简明扼要的要求，虽然给他留下很深印象，但一想到丽达，他对自己品行还是有些犯疑了。

"要是我不信任你，那现在就得把话给你说清楚，"吉尔伯特斩钉截铁地说。

"从血统来说，你是我们格里菲思家族里的一分子。从我们委派你到那个部门当助手来说，特别是你处在这样一种地位，你就是我们家族的代表。不管什么时候这里发生不正当的事情，我们都不希望跟你有牵连。因此，我要求你自己提高警惕，从今以后每当你迈出一步，都得小心留神。哪怕是在一些琐屑小事上，也不要给别人说闲话。你听明白了吗?

""是的，先生，"克莱德一本正经地回答说。"这些我全都明白了。我一定严格要求自己，否则就把我撵走得了。"这时，他认真地思索过，认为自己是说到就能做到的。他觉得楼上那么多的姑娘。女人，现在好象跟他离得很远很远，而且又都是那么微不足道。

"那好极了。现在，我就再关照你一些事情。我说你今天就不要上班，干脆回家去，上床后把我所说的各点好好想一想。要是你依然不改初衷，那末，你明天早上再来，就上楼工作去。从现在起，你的周薪是二十五块美元，我还希望你要穿得整齐洁净，成为其他部门负责人的榜样。"他冷淡地。傲慢地站起身来。克莱德由于薪资骤增，以及有关他穿着整洁体面的嘱咐，感到非常鼓舞，不由得对堂兄无限感激，心里真恨不得跟他更亲热些。当然罗，吉尔伯特严厉。冷峻。十分自负，不过，如同伯父一样，还是没有忘掉他，要不然，他们就不会这么快地帮了他的大忙。只要克莱德能跟他交上朋友，博得他的青睐，想想吧，赶明儿克莱德在这里又会怎样飞黄腾达，什么工商界。社交界的殊荣，还不是一块儿冲他而来?

这时他心情那样亢奋，就不由得兴冲冲大步流星地走出了这座规模宏大的工厂。从今以后，不管碰上什么情况，他决心要在生活和工作中考验自己，他一定不辜负伯父与堂兄显然寄予他的厚望……他对这个部门里的女人或是姑娘……就得冷淡，甚至冷峻，必要时还得严酷无情。至少在目前，再也不跟迪拉特或是丽达，或是哪一类人交往了。
Part 2 Chapter 12
The import of twenty-five dollars a week! Of being the head of a department employing twenty-five girls! Ofwearing a good suit of clothes again! Sitting at an official desk in a corner commanding a charming river viewand feeling that at last, after almost two months in that menial department below stairs, he was a figure of someconsequence in this enormous institution! And because of his relationship and new dignity, Whiggam, as well asLiggett, hovering about with advice and genial and helpful comments from time to time. And some of themanagers of the other departments including several from the front office--an auditor and an advertising manoccasionally pausing in passing to say hello. And the details of the work sufficiently mastered to permit him tolook about him from time to time, taking an interest in the factory as a whole, its processes and supplies, such aswhere the great volume of linen and cotton came from, how it was cut in an enormous cutting room above thisone, holding hundreds of experienced cutters receiving very high wages; how there was an employment bureaufor recruiting help, a company doctor, a company hospital, a special dining room in the main building, where theofficials of the company were allowed to dine--but no others--and that he, being an accredited department headcould now lunch with those others in that special restaurant if he chose and could afford to. Also he soon learnedthat several miles out from Lycurgus, on the Mohawk, near a hamlet called Van Troup, was an inter-factorycountry club, to which most of the department heads of the various factories about belonged, but, alas, as he alsolearned, Griffiths and Company did not really favor their officials mixing with those of any other company, andfor that reason few of them did. Yet he, being a member of the family, as Liggett once said to him, could probably do as he chose as to that. But he decided, because of the strong warnings of Gilbert, as well as his highblood relations with his family, that he had better remain as aloof as possible. And so smiling and being as genialas possible to all, nevertheless for the most part, and in order to avoid Dillard and others of his ilk, and althoughhe was much more lonely than otherwise he would have been, returning to his room or the public squares of thisand near-by cities on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, and even, since he thought this might please his uncle andcousin and so raise him in their esteem, beginning to attend one of the principal Presbyterian churches--theSecond or High Street Church, to which on occasion, as he had already learned, the Griffiths themselves wereaccustomed to resort. Yet without ever coming in contact with them in person, since from June to Septemberthey spent their week-ends at Greenwood Lake, to which most of the society life of this region as yet resorted.
　　In fact the summer life of Lycurgus, in so far as its society was concerned, was very dull. Nothing in particularever eventuated then in the city, although previous to this, in May, there had been various affairs in connectionwith the Griffiths and their friends which Clyde had either read about or saw at a distance--a graduationreception and dance at the Snedeker School, a lawn fete upon the Griffiths' grounds, with a striped marquee tenton one part of the lawn and Chinese lanterns hung in among the trees. Clyde had observed this quite by accidentone evening as he was walking alone about the city. It raised many a curious and eager thought in regard to thisfamily, its high station and his relation to it. But having placed him comfortably in a small official position whichwas not arduous, the Griffiths now proceeded to dismiss him from their minds. He was doing well enough, andthey would see something more of him later, perhaps.
　　And then a little later he read in the Lycurgus Star that there was to be staged on June twentieth the annual intercityautomobile floral parade and contest (Fonda, Gloversville, Amsterdam and Schenectady), which this yearwas to be held in Lycurgus and which was the last local social affair of any consequence, as The Star phrased it,before the annual hegira to the lakes and mountains of those who were able to depart for such places. And thenames of Bella, Bertine and Sondra, to say nothing of Gilbert, were mentioned as contestants or defendants ofthe fair name of Lycurgus. And since this occurred on a Saturday afternoon, Clyde, dressed in his best, yetdecidedly wishing to obscure himself as an ordinary spectator, was able to see once more the girl who had soinfatuated him on sight, obviously breasting a white rose-surfaced stream and guiding her craft with a paddlecovered with yellow daffodils--a floral representation of some Indian legend in connection with the MohawkRiver. With her dark hair filleted Indian fashion with a yellow feather and brown-eyed susans, she was arrestingenough not only to capture a prize, but to recapture Clyde's fancy. How marvelous to be of that world.
　　In the same parade he had seen Gilbert Griffiths accompanied by a very attractive girl chauffeuring one of fourfloats representing the four seasons. And while the one he drove was winter, with this local society girl posed inermine with white roses for snow all about, directly behind came another float, which presented Bella Griffithsas spring, swathed in filmy draperies and crouching beside a waterfall of dark violets. The effect was quitestriking and threw Clyde into a mood in regard to love, youth and romance which was delicious and yet verypainful to him. Perhaps he should have retained Rita, after all.
　　In the meantime he was living on as before, only more spaciously in so far as his own thoughts were concerned.
　　For his first thought after receiving this larger allowance was that he had better leave Mrs. Cuppy's and secure abetter room in some private home which, if less advantageously situated for him, would be in a better street. Ittook him out of all contact with Dillard. And now, since his uncle had promoted him, some representative of hisor Gilbert's might wish to stop by to see him about something. And what would one such think if he found him living in a small room such as he now occupied?
　　Ten days after his salary was raised, therefore, and because of the import of his name, he found it possible toobtain a room in one of the better houses and streets--Jefferson Avenue, which paralleled Wykeagy Avenue, onlya few blocks farther out. It was the home of a widow whose husband had been a mill manager and who let outtwo rooms without board in order to be able to maintain this home, which was above the average for one of suchposition in Lycurgus. And Mrs. Peyton, having long been a resident of the city and knowing much about theGriffiths, recognized not only the name but the resemblance of Clyde to Gilbert. And being intensely interestedby this, as well as his general appearance, she at once offered him an exceptional room for so little as five dollarsa week, which he took at once.
　　In connection with his work at the factory, however, and in spite of the fact that he had made such drasticresolutions in regard to the help who were beneath him, still it was not always possible for him to keep his mindon the mere mechanical routine of the work or off of this company of girls as girls, since at least a few of themwere attractive. For it was summer--late June. And over all the factory, especially around two, three and four inthe afternoon, when the endless repetition of the work seemed to pall on all, a practical indifference not remotefrom languor and in some instances sensuality, seemed to creep over the place. There were so many women andgirls of so many different types and moods. And here they were so remote from men or idle pleasure in any form,all alone with just him, really. Again the air within the place was nearly always heavy and physically relaxing,and through the many open windows that reached from floor to ceiling could be seen the Mohawk swirling andrippling, its banks carpeted with green grass and in places shaded by trees. Always it seemed to hint of pleasureswhich might be found by idling along its shores. And since these workers were employed so mechanically as toleave their minds free to roam from one thought of pleasure to another, they were for the most part thinking ofthemselves always and what they would do, assuming that they were not here chained to this routine.
　　And because their moods were so brisk and passionate, they were often prone to fix on the nearest object. Andsince Clyde was almost always the only male present--and in these days in his best clothes--they were inclined tofix on him. They were, indeed, full of all sorts of fantastic notions in regard to his private relations with theGriffiths and their like, where he lived and how, whom in the way of a girl he might be interested in. And he, inturn, when not too constrained by the memory of what Gilbert Griffiths had said to him, was inclined to think ofthem--certain girls in particular--with thoughts that bordered on the sensual. For, in spite of the wishes of theGriffiths Company, and the discarded Rita or perhaps because of her, he found himself becoming interested inthree different girls here. They were of a pagan and pleasure-loving turn--this trio--and they thought Clyde veryhandsome. Ruza Nikoforitch--a Russian-American girl--big and blonde and animal, with swimming brown eyes,a snub fat nose and chin, was very much drawn to him. Only, such was the manner with which he carried himselfalways, that she scarcely dared to let herself think so. For to her, with his hair so smoothly parted, torsoed in abright-striped shirt, the sleeves of which in this weather were rolled to the elbows, he seemed almost too perfectto be real. She admired his clean, brown polished shoes, his brightly buckled black leather belt, and the loosefour-in-hand tie he wore.
　　Again there was Martha Bordaloue, a stocky, brisk Canadian-French girl of trim, if rotund, figure and ankles,hair of a reddish gold and eyes of greenish blue with puffy pink cheeks and hands that were plump and yet small.
　　Ignorant and pagan, she saw in Clyde some one whom, even for so much as an hour, assuming that he would, shewould welcome--and that most eagerly. At the same time, being feline and savage, she hated all or any who even so much as presumed to attempt to interest him, and despised Ruza for that reason. For as she could see Ruzatried to nudge or lean against Clyde whenever he came sufficiently near. At the same time she herself sought byevery single device known to her--her shirtwaist left open to below the borders of her white breast, her outer skirtlifted trimly above her calves when working, her plump round arms displayed to the shoulders to show him thatphysically at least she was worth his time. And the sly sighs and languorous looks when he was near, whichcaused Ruza to exclaim one day: "That French cat! He should look at her!" And because of Clyde she had anintense desire to strike her.
　　And yet again there was the stocky and yet gay Flora Brandt, a decidedly low class American type of coarse andyet enticing features, black hair, large, swimming and heavily-lashed black eyes, a snub nose and full andsensuous and yet pretty lips, and a vigorous and not ungraceful body, who, from day to day, once he had beenthere a little while, had continued to look at him as if to say--"What! You don't think I'm attractive?" and with alook which said: "How can you continue to ignore me? There are lots of fellows who would be delighted to haveyour chance, I can tell you."And, in connection with these three, the thought came to him after a time that since they were so different, morecommon as he thought, less well-guarded and less sharply interested in the conventional aspects of their contacts,it might be possible and that without detection on the part of any one for him to play with one or another ofthem--or all three in turn if his interest should eventually carry him so far--without being found out, particularlyif beforehand he chose to impress on them the fact that he was condescending when he noticed them at all. Mostcertainly, if he could judge by their actions, they would willingly reward him by letting him have his way withthem somewhere, and think nothing of it afterward if he chose to ignore them, as he must to keep his positionhere. Nevertheless, having given his word as he had to Gilbert Griffiths, he was still in no mood to break it.
　　These were merely thoughts which from time to time were aroused in him by a situation which for him wasdifficult in the extreme. His was a disposition easily and often intensely inflamed by the chemistry of sex and theformula of beauty. He could not easily withstand the appeal, let alone the call, of sex. And by the actions andapproaches of each in turn he was surely tempted at times, especially in these warm and languorous summerdays, with no place to go and no single intimate to commune with. From time to time he could not resist drawingnear to these very girls who were most bent on tempting him, although in the face of their looks and nudges, notvery successfully concealed at times, he maintained an aloofness and an assumed indifference which was quiteremarkable for him.
　　But just about this time there was a rush of orders, which necessitated, as both Whiggam and Liggett advised,Clyde taking on a few extra "try-out" girls who were willing to work for the very little they could earn at thecurrent piece work rate until they had mastered the technique, when of course they would be able to earn more.
　　There were many such who applied at the employment branch of the main office on the ground floor. In slacktimes all applications were rejected or the sign hung up "No Help Wanted."And since Clyde was relatively new to this work, and thus far had neither hired nor discharged any one, it wasagreed between Whiggam and Liggett that all the help thus sent up should first be examined by Liggett, who waslooking for extra stitchers also. And in case any were found who promised to be satisfactory as stampers, theywere to be turned over to Clyde with the suggestion that he try them. Only before bringing any one back toClyde, Liggett was very careful to explain that in connection with this temporary hiring and discharging therewas a system. One must not ever give a new employee, however well they did, the feeling that they were doing anything but moderately well until their capacity had been thoroughly tested. It interfered with their properdevelopment as piece workers, the greatest results that could be obtained by any one person. Also one mightfreely take on as many girls as were needed to meet any such situation, and then, once the rush was over, asfreely drop them--unless, occasionally, a very speedy worker was found among the novices. In that case it wasalways advisable to try to retain such a person, either by displacing a less satisfactory person or transferring someone from some other department, to make room for new blood and new energy.
　　The next day, after this notice of a rush, back came four girls at different times and escorted always by Liggett,who in each instance explained to Clyde: "Here's a girl who might do for you. Miss Tyndal is her name. Youmight give her a try-out." Or, "You might see if this girl will be of any use to you." And Clyde, after he hadquestioned them as to where they had worked, what the nature of the general working experiences were, andwhether they lived at home here in Lycurgus or alone (the bachelor girl was not much wanted by the factory)would explain the nature of the work and pay, and then call Miss Todd, who in her turn would first take them tothe rest room where were lockers for their coats, and then to one of the tables where they would be shown whatthe process was. And later it was Miss Todd's and Clyde's business to discover how well they were getting onand whether it was worth while to retain them or not.
　　Up to this time, apart from the girls to whom he was so definitely drawn, Clyde was not so very favorablyimpressed with the type of girl who was working here. For the most part, as he saw them, they were of a heavyand rather unintelligent company, and he had been thinking that smarter-looking girls might possibly be secured.
　　Why not? Were there none in Lycurgus in the factory world? So many of these had fat hands, broad faces, heavylegs and ankles. Some of them even spoke with an accent, being Poles or the children of Poles, living in thatslum north of the mill. And they were all concerned with catching a "feller," going to some dancing place withhim afterwards, and little more. Also, Clyde had noticed that the American types who were here were of adecidedly different texture, thinner, more nervous and for the most part more angular, and with a general reservedue to prejudices, racial, moral and religious, which would not permit them to mingle with these others or withany men, apparently.
　　But among the extras or try-outs that were brought to him during this and several succeeding days, finally cameone who interested Clyde more than any girl whom he had seen here so far. She was, as he decided on sight,more intelligent and pleasing--more spiritual--though apparently not less vigorous, if more gracefullyproportioned. As a matter of fact, as he saw her at first, she appeared to him to possess a charm which no oneelse in this room had, a certain wistfulness and wonder combined with a kind of self-reliant courage anddetermination which marked her at once as one possessed of will and conviction to a degree. Nevertheless, as shesaid, she was inexperienced in this kind of work, and highly uncertain as to whether she would prove of servicehere or anywhere.
　　Her name was Roberta Alden, and, as she at once explained, previous to this she had been working in a smallhosiery factory in a town called Trippetts Mills fifty miles north of Lycurgus. She had on a small brown hat thatdid not look any too new, and was pulled low over a face that was small and regular and pretty and that washaloed by bright, light brown hair. Her eyes were of a translucent gray blue. Her little suit was commonplace,and her shoes were not so very new-looking and quite solidly-soled. She looked practical and serious and yet sobright and clean and willing and possessed of so much hope and vigor that along with Liggett, who had firsttalked with her, he was at once taken with her. Distinctly she was above the average of the girls in this room.
　　And he could not help wondering about her as he talked to her, for she seemed so tense, a little troubled as to theoutcome of this interview, as though this was a very great adventure for her.
　　She explained that up to this time she had been living with her parents near a town called Biltz, but was nowliving with friends here. She talked so honestly and simply that Clyde was very much moved by her, and for thisreason wished to help her. At the same time he wondered if she were not really above the type of work she wasseeking. Her eyes were so round and blue and intelligent--her lips and nose and ears and hands so small andpleasing.
　　"You're going to live in Lycurgus, then, if you can get work here?" he said, more to be talking to her thananything else.
　　"Yes," she said, looking at him most directly and frankly.
　　"And the name again?" He took down a record pad.
　　"Roberta Alden.""And your address here?""228 Taylor Street.""I don't even know where that is myself," he informed her because he liked talking to her. "I haven't been here sovery long, you see." He wondered just why afterwards he had chosen to tell her as much about himself so swiftly.
　　Then he added: "I don't know whether Mr. Liggett has told you all about the work here. But it's piece work, youknow, stamping collars. I'll show you if you'll just step over here," and he led the way to a near-by table wherethe stampers were. After letting her observe how it was done, and without calling Miss Todd, he picked up oneof the collars and proceeded to explain all that had been previously explained to him.
　　At the same time, because of the intentness with which she observed him and his gestures, the seriousness withwhich she appeared to take all that he said, he felt a little nervous and embarrassed. There was something quitesearching and penetrating about her glance. After he had explained once more what the bundle rate was, and howmuch some made and how little others, and she had agreed that she would like to try, he called Miss Todd, whotook her to the locker room to hang up her hat and coat. Then presently he saw her returning, a fluff of light hairabout her forehead, her cheeks slightly flushed, her eyes very intent and serious. And as advised by Miss Todd,he saw her turn back her sleeves, revealing a pretty pair of forearms. Then she fell to, and by her gestures Clydeguessed that she would prove both speedy and accurate. For she seemed most anxious to obtain and keep thisplace.
　　After she had worked a little while, he went to her side and watched her as she picked up and stamped the collarspiled beside her and threw them to one side. Also the speed and accuracy with which she did it. Then, becausefor a second she turned and looked at him, giving him an innocent and yet cheerful and courageous smile, hesmiled back, most pleased.
　　"Well, I guess you'll make out all right," he ventured to say, since he could not help feeling that she would. Andinstantly, for a second only, she turned and smiled again. And Clyde, in spite of himself, was quite thrilled. Heliked her on the instant, but because of his own station here, of course, as he now decided, as well as his promiseto Gilbert, he must be careful about being congenial with any of the help in this room--even as charming a girl asthis. It would not do. He had been guarding himself in connection with the others and must with her too, a thingwhich seemed a little strange to him then, for he was very much drawn to her. She was so pretty and cute. Yetshe was a working girl, as he remembered now, too--a factory girl, as Gilbert would say, and he was her superior.
　　But she WAS so pretty and cute.
　　Instantly he went on to others who had been put on this same day, and finally coming to Miss Todd asked her toreport pretty soon on how Miss Alden was getting along--that he wanted to know.
　　But at the same time that he had addressed Roberta, and she had smiled back at him, Ruza Nikoforitch, who wasworking two tables away, nudged the girl working next her, and without any one noting it, first winked, thenindicated with a slight movement of the head both Clyde and Roberta. Her friend was to watch them. And afterClyde had gone away and Roberta was working as before, she leaned over and whispered: "He says she'll doalready." Then she lifted her eyebrows and compressed her lips. And her friend replied, so softly that no onecould hear her: "Pretty quick, eh? And he didn't seem to see any one else at all before."Then the twain smiled most wisely, a choice bit between them. Ruza Nikoforitch was jealous.

一星期能挣到二十五块美元!

身为一个拥有二十五个女工的部门的头头!

同时又穿上了一套漂漂亮亮的衣服!

坐在角落里一张办公桌前，望得见迷人的河上风光，心里的感觉是，在那个寒伧的地下室几乎待了两个月以后，终于在这个巨大的工厂里成了一个相当重要的人物!

由于他是格里菲思的亲属，新近又得到擢升，惠甘和利格特不时簇拥在他身边，殷勤地向他提出忠告以及善意而又有益的意见。还有其他部门的一些经理，甚至包括总办事处里……一个审计员。

一个广告经纪人，偶尔走过也停下来向他寒暄致意。如今，他对新的工作各个细节全都十分熟悉，就可以不时留心观察周围的情况，开始了解全厂的动态。

全厂的生产过程，以及原料供应的情况，比方说，大批麻布。棉布是从哪里来的;楼上大切布间是怎样把面料切开的，那里拥有好几百个工资很高。而又富有经验的切布工;此外还有一个职工介绍所，一位厂医，一所厂医院;大楼里专门设有一间餐厅，以供本厂职员在那里进餐……可是对外恕不招待……而他呢，身为一个部门的头儿，只要他高兴，而且钱也出得起，就可以在那个特设餐厅跟各部门头头们共进午餐。他很快又听说，离莱柯格斯几英里，在莫霍克河畔一个名叫范。特罗普的村子附近，有一个厂际乡村俱乐部，周围各厂部门负责人绝大多数都是会员。不过，遗憾得很，据他所知，格里菲思公司说真的并不很赞成他们的职员跟其他一些公司职员互有来往，对此很少有人敢于掉以轻心。

不过，他呢，身为格里菲思家族里一成员，正如利格特有一回对他说的，要是他高兴，也许可以去那儿申请入会的。但考虑到吉尔伯特有过强烈的警告，以及他同这一家族有着高贵的血亲关系，他便决定自己还是尽可能保持疏远些为好。于是，他脸上总是挂着微笑，跟所有的人尽可能做到和蔼可亲。不过，他还是觉得自己本来不会感到很寂寞的，无奈他要回避迪拉特及其同伙，下班后经常回到自己房间里，每逢星期六。星期日下午，则到莱柯格斯各广场和附近城镇走走，越发显得形单影只。甚至他还开始到本城一个主要的长老会教堂……第二教堂，亦称高街教堂去做礼拜，因为他早就听说过，格里菲思一家人常去那儿做礼拜。他想，他这样做也许可以取悦于伯父和堂兄，让他们更加器重他。

殊不知他连一次都没有碰到过他们，因为从六月至九月，他们照例都到格林伍德湖畔度周末的，莱柯格斯所有上流社会人士多半也上那儿消暑去了。

事实上，莱柯格斯上流社会盛夏的生活是很沉闷的。本城一直没有推出什么特别有趣的活动节目来，虽然在这以前，亦即在五月间，格里菲思一家人和他们的朋友，曾经主持过好几次社交活动。这些新闻克莱德或是从报上读到过，或是远远地望见过……在斯内德克学校举行过一次毕业晚会和舞会，接着，在格里菲思府邸的草坪上办过一次游园会，草坪的一头还搭了一座带条纹的篷帐，园内树枝头上悬挂许许多多中国宫灯。有一天晚上，克莱德在城里独自一个闲逛时碰巧看见。他由此好奇地联想到格里菲思这个家族，他们很高的社会地位，以及他跟他们的亲属关系诸问题。不过，格里菲思家已把他安置在一个小小的。

但工作并不吃力的职员的岗位上，也就开始把他忘掉了。他现在的境况很不错，也许往后他们再来帮他的忙吧。

没有多久，他在莱柯格斯《星报》上看到一条消息，说每年六月二十日有一次市际(方达。格洛弗斯维尔。阿姆斯特丹。谢内克塔迪)传统花会与汽车竞赛，今年则在莱柯格斯举行。据《星报》说，在有条件可去的殷实人家一年一度纷纷移居湖山胜地消暑以前，这将是本地上流社会最后一次的重要活动了。贝拉。

伯蒂娜和桑德拉的芳名，都给提到了，吉尔伯特的大名，当然更不用说了，说他们既是竞赛的参加者，又是莱柯格斯荣誉的捍卫者。这次碰巧赶上星期六下午，克莱德虽然穿上了最漂亮的衣服，但他还是决定不抛头露面，只当一名普通观众。可他却又一次看到了那位他一见倾心的女郎，那样子显然是象征着在撒满攻瑰花瓣的银白色小溪上破浪前进;她手里握着缀满黄水仙花的一把桨在划她的船，这种黄水仙花饰，使人想起了与莫霍克河有关的某个印第安人的传奇故事。桑德拉，她那乌黑的头发，梳成印第安人的发式，插上了一支黄翎毛，前额束上一条缀着棕色针眼的缎带。瞧她那么迷人，不仅足以轻取桂冠，而且再一次顿使克莱德为之心荡神移。要是能跻身那个上流社会，该有多幸福!

也是在这个队伍里，克莱德还看到吉尔伯特。格里菲思，随身有一位绝色女郎陪伴，正在驾驶代表一年四季的四辆彩车中的一辆。他驾驶的那辆车代表冬季，还有本城一位交际花身上穿着银鼠皮裘大衣，亭亭玉立在白攻瑰花丛里，以此象征皑皑白雪。紧挨在他们后面的，是另一辆彩车，则由贝拉。格里菲思作为春天的象征，这时她身披薄如蝉翼的轻纱，正俯靠在宛如一道瀑布的深色紫罗兰旁边。此情此景确实动人心弦，克莱德马上又想起了甜蜜的。但又使他非常痛苦的爱情。青春和罗曼史来。说到底，当初他也许真的不应该同丽达分手的。

这一阵子克莱德的生活还是如同往昔一样，只不过他的思想活动增多了。

薪资提高后，他首先想到自己最好还是迁出柯比太太寄宿舍，在某个私人住宅寻摸一个好一些的房间，坐落在一条漂亮的大街上，哪怕出脚不便也行。只要他一迁出，就可以跟迪拉特完全断绝来往。现在，既然伯父把他提升了，伯父或吉尔伯特有事也许会派人来看他。要是发现他还住目前这个小房间，人们会有怎么个想法呢?

因此，提薪以后过了十天，多亏他这个响当当的姓氏，克莱德便在漂亮的街道，漂亮的住邸，觅到了一个房间……那是在杰斐逊大街上，与威克吉大街平行，相隔只有一两排房子，是一位工厂经理的遗孀的房子。眼下她只出租两个房间，不供膳食，旨在保养这幢房子。在莱柯格斯，就象她这样人家的地位来说，这幢房子已是在一般水平之上。佩顿太太住在莱柯格斯已有很长时间，早就听人说起过格里菲思这一家族。不仅格里菲思这个姓氏，而且克莱德的模样儿长得活象吉尔伯特，她也全都知道。这一点，连同克莱德的仪表风度，她都非常感兴趣，因此马上租给他一个特别漂亮的房间，每周酌收房金五块美元。

对此，克莱德马上满口同意了。

说到他在厂里的工作，虽然他坚决不理睬在他手下干活的女工，但是，要他专心一志去做非常刻板的日常工作，或是对那些姑娘们(何况至少其中有几位长得很动人)压根儿熟视无睹。那他可办不到。再说，时值盛夏……正是在六月下旬。全厂上下，尤其在午后，从两点到三四点钟之间，看来人人都对没完没了的。重复的机械动作早已感到腻味透顶，一种实质上是满不在乎与慵倦懒怠。

有时竟与犬马声色相去不远的气氛，好象在四处迷漫着。眼前就有那么多的各种不同类型和不同气质的女人和姑娘，她们跟男性离得又是那么远，简直毫无乐趣可言，说实话，成天价只跟他一个男人在一起。再说，室内空气总是很沉闷，让人身心松懈下来。从许多敞开的落地长窗望出去，可以见到莫霍克河上卷起了一个个漩涡，向两岸散开了一片片涟漪，波堤上绿草如茵，有些地方还在树木掩映之下。这一切景象，仿佛暗示着人们在两岸闲游时的乐趣。本来工作就很呆板乏味，这些女工们心里早已飘飘忽忽，想到种种赏心乐事上去了。

她们十之八九想自己的事，以及她们该怎么个玩儿，假定说她们不是因为这里呆板的日常活儿脱身不开的话。

由于她们的心态那么活泼热情，她们往往动不动就盯紧了离她们最近的目标。克莱德在这里既然是独一无二的男性……这些日子里又常常穿着最漂亮的衣服……不消说，她们就盯住了他。的确，她们脑子里充满着各式各样胡思乱想，比方说，克莱德跟格里菲思一家人，以及类似这样的人物私下关系怎么样，他住在哪里，生活情况怎么样，以及他对什么样的女孩子也许会感兴趣等等。

回过来再说说克莱德，只要吉尔伯特。格里菲思对他所说的话已在记忆中冲淡了，这时，他往往就会想到了她们……特别是那几位姑娘……同时萌生了近乎情欲的念头。尽管吉尔伯特。格里菲思对他寄予厚望，他自己也把丽达甩掉了，或者说也许正是因为这个缘故，渐渐地对这儿的三位姑娘感到了兴趣。她们这三位，本来爱好玩乐，压根儿不受那一套教规约束。而且她们觉得克莱德这个小伙子长得漂亮极了。罗莎。尼柯弗列奇是一个俄裔美国姑娘……一个体态丰满。富于性感的金发女郎，水汪汪的褐色眼睛，肉嘟嘟的狮子鼻，胖乎乎的下巴颏儿，却把克莱德吸引住了。只是因为他老是摆出那副正经八百的样子，她也就不敢存有非分之想。克莱德的头发那么光洁地往两边分开，身上穿着一件亮条纹衬衫，因为天热，袖子卷到胳臂肘上，在她看来，已是十全十美，简直让人不敢相信。甚至他的那双一尘不染。擦得晶光锃亮的棕色皮鞋。他的那条扣子发亮的黑皮带，以及他的那条松松的。打活结的领带……都使她惊喜不止。

还有玛莎。博达罗，一个胖墩墩。活泼泼的加拿大－法国混血姑娘，身段和脚踝长得都很匀称，虽然也许有些肥壮。她还长着一头略带红色的金黄头发，一双蓝里泛绿的眼睛，两片胀鼓鼓的粉红色脸颊，一双肉头得很的小手。这个姑娘天真无知，放荡不羁，她认为，只要克莱德愿意，哪怕一个钟头，她也会欣喜若狂似的。同时，由于她生性刁滑泼辣，不拘是谁，只要胆敢向克莱德眉目传情，她就憎恨谁。也因为这个缘故，她就瞧不起罗莎。因为玛莎看见，只要克莱德一走到罗莎身旁，罗莎总是竭力设法碰一碰他胳膊肘，或是将自己身子向他靠过去。同时，罗莎自己还施出种种诱人的圈套:

把宽松的上衣敞开，让她雪白的酥胸袒露无遗;干活时把罩裙索性撩到小腿肚上;她那滴溜滚圆的胳臂，一直袒露到肩膀上，为的是给他看看，至少从肉体上来说，他在她身上消磨一些时光也是很值得的。所以，只要他一走过来，玛莎就刁滑地唉声叹气，露出一副慵倦无力的神态，有一天竟惹得罗莎大声嚷了起来:

"瞧那头法国猫!

他一个劲儿直瞅着她!

"罗莎心中气呼呼的，为了克莱德，真是恨不得揍她一顿。

最后是那位个儿矮胖，但又轻佻放荡的弗洛拉。布兰特。一望可知，她是地地道道一个俗不可耐但又诱人的下层社会美国女郎。一头黑黑的鬈发，一对覆盖浓浓睫毛。水汪汪。乌溜溜的大眼睛，加上狮子鼻，两片丰满。富于肉感但又很美的嘴唇，以及虽然壮硕，仍不失其优美的身体。不管哪一天，只要克莱德走过来一会儿，她总是目不转睛地瞅着他，好象是在说:

"怎么啦!

你不觉得我很好看吗?

"而且还露出一种神色，仿佛在说:

"你怎能老是不睬我呢?

老实告诉你吧，许多小伙子要是也象你这样走运，可真要乐死呢。"过了一些日子，克莱德对这三个女人有了一个想法，那就是:

她们跟别的姑娘迥然不同。依他看，她们头脑比较简单，既不那么拘谨古板，也不那么小心提防，交友时压根儿不受传统习俗束缚。也许他可以跟她们里头随便哪一个玩玩，外人包管不会知道，赶明儿他要是进一步对此发生兴趣的话，那就不妨跟她们三人逐个轮流玩过来……而且包管不会被人发现，只要事前让她们心里明白，哪怕是他向她们瞥上一眼，也就算是他给她们的最大恩赐了。从她们的一举一动来判断，他认为她们肯定乐于酬谢他，听凭他随意摆布，即使他为了保住在厂里的位置，事后照样不理不睬她们，对此，她们心里也不存芥蒂。不过话又说回来，他已经向吉尔伯特。格里菲思立下过誓言，眼下还不想自食其言。

这些只不过是他在心中极端难受时瞬息萌生稍纵即逝的思绪罢了。克莱德生来就是这么一种人，只要一见女色，便欲火中烧。说实话，他顶不住性的吸引……至于性的呼唤，就更不用说了。有时候，这几位年轻女郎轮流献媚调情，当然使他感到诱惑，特别是在这么暖和。慵倦的夏天，简直无处可去，而又无人谈心。他时常按捺不住，很想凑近这几个故意向他卖弄风骚的女郎，尽管在她们挤眉弄眼和碰肘子的时候，他努力装出一种对他的性格来说是很不寻常的无动于衷的态度，而且有的时候并没有十分成功地掩饰住自己的真实情绪。

就在这时，定货纷至沓来，正如惠甘。利格特两人所说的，克莱德手下非得另增几个额外的女工不可:

这些女工必须同意依照目前计件工资比率，只拿很少工钱，等到她们掌握了工艺技术，那时，自然就可以多挣一些。大楼底层办事处招工部，经常有很多应聘者。生意清淡时，对所有求职者一概谢绝，或是干脆挂上"不招工"的牌子。

克莱德对这一工作毕竟还是个新手，直至今日既没有雇过，也没有开革过哪一个人，于是，惠甘和利格特商定，所有送给他选用的工人，应该先由利格特考察，因为利格特此时还正在物色一些缝纫临时工。要是有适合于当打印工的，就转给克莱德，让克莱德通知她们不妨先试一试。不过，利格特事前曾经非常仔细地向克莱德介绍过有关临时工雇用和解雇的规章制度:

对于新工人，不管他们工作干得多么出色，决不能让他们感到自满，尤其不能在他们的能力还没有经过充分考验以前就认为自己干得够好了。这对临时工的发展前途是有妨碍的，使他不可能取得更大的成就。再说，为了应付本厂定货激增的情况，不妨尽量多招女工，以后，旺季一过，就可以随意歇掉她们，除非在这些新工人里头偶尔发现个别手脚特别勤快的女工。遇到这样情况，通常总要把这个女工留下来，不是把一个工作差劲的人撤下来，就是把某一个人调往另一个部门，以便给新血液。新活力让路。

获悉定货骤增后第二天，分批来了四个女孩子，每次都由利格特陪来，总是对克莱德这么说:

"这位姑娘，备不住对您还合适。她就是廷代尔小姐。您不妨就让她先试一试吧。"或是说:

"这位姑娘，您看看对您合适不合适。"克莱德就问她们过去在哪儿干过活，一般都做过什么样性质的工作，在莱柯格斯是和家里人一块住，还是一个人单独住(厂方不大乐意接纳单身姑娘)，然后把打印工性质和工资讲一讲，再招呼托德小姐把她们带到休息室，让她们把外套锁进存衣柜，引领她们到一张桌子跟前，指给她们看一看那制作工艺过程。以后即由托德小姐与克莱德考查她们干活情况，决定值得不值得把她们留下来。

直到这时为止，抛开他多少喜欢的上面那三个姑娘不谈，克莱德对这儿干活的女工，印象确实不挺好。依他看，这些女工十之八九长得粗手粗脚，笨头笨脑。他心里一直捉摸，说不定能寻摸到稍微漂亮些的姑娘吧。谁说寻摸不到呢?

难道整个莱柯格斯连一个漂亮的女工都没有吗?

可眼前这么多的打印工，却都是脸大手胖，踝大腿粗。有几个甚至一张口说话还土腔土气……她们是波兰人，或是波兰裔的姑娘，都住在工厂北面的贫民窟里。她们一个劲儿只想给自己抓住一个"小伙子"，跟他一块上什么跳舞厅去，如此等等。克莱德还注意到，这里的美国籍姑娘显然与众不同:

她们都要瘦削些，敏感些，绝大多数呆板拘谨，而种族。道德。宗教方面的种种偏见又不仅使她们态度一般都很含蓄，而且还不允许她们接近其他姑娘们，或是哪一个男人。

不过，这一天以及随后几天里给他送来的临时工和试用工里头，最后来了一个姑娘，竟使克莱德对她要比他对厂里所有姑娘更感兴趣。他一见就觉得她要聪明得多，可爱得多……更要超世脱俗……她身子长得优美匀称，但体质上也并不比别的姑娘羸弱。说实在的，他头一眼看见她，就觉得她身上具有一种眼前哪个姑娘都没有的魅力，一种充满沉思和惊异的神情，可又跟一种自信的勇气和决心融合在一起，由此一下子显示出她是一个具有坚强意志和信心的人。

不过，正如她自己所说的，她对这一工作缺乏经验，因此对自己在这里工作能不能做好，她说非常没有把握。

她的名字叫罗伯达。奥尔登。她一开头就说明，她早先是在莱柯格斯以北五十英里名叫特里佩茨米尔斯的镇上一家小针织厂里做过工。她头戴一顶并不很新的棕色小帽，拉得低低的，掩映着一张美丽。端正的小脸蛋，配上一头亮闪闪的淡褐色鬈发，仿佛笼罩着一轮金色光圈。她的一双眼睛，是晶莹透明。

灰蓝色的。她身上那套短小的衣服也是眼下很常见的。她的鞋仿佛并不太新，鞋底钉得相当结实。看来她很能干。认真，可又是那么聪明。整洁。真挚，充满了希望和活力。克莱德如同先跟她谈过话的利格特一样，马上就喜欢她。显然，她比这儿打印间里的女工要高出一头。他一边跟她谈话，一边也不由得对她暗自纳闷，因为她露出那么紧张神色。对这次面试结果有点忐忑不安，仿佛她到这儿来这件事对她非常重要似的。

据她自述，她至今跟父母一块住在一个名叫比尔茨的镇上，但目前在这里是跟朋友同住在一起。她讲得那么朴实。真挚，克莱德听了对她深为同情，因此决心要帮助她。同时，他心里却在暗自思忖，论她的人品，说实话，也许凌驾于她正在寻摸的工作之上吧。她的眼睛是那么圆圆的，蓝蓝的，显得很内秀……她的嘴唇。鼻子。耳朵和双手，都是那么小巧玲珑。

"这么说来，要是你在这儿找到了工作，就要住在莱柯格斯，是吗?

"克莱德这一提问，不外乎想跟她多说几句话。

"是的，"她非常坦率地说，两眼直瞅着他。

"再说一下你的名字?

"他说着把记事本打开。

"罗伯达。奥尔登。""在本市的通讯处呢?

""泰勒街二百二十八号。""这是哪儿，连我也都不知道，"他对她这么说，可以看得出:

他就是喜欢跟她说话。"你知道，我到这儿也不久。"后来，连他自己也觉得诧异，干吗一下子把自己什么事都告诉她。随后，他找补着说:

"关于这里的工作情况，我不知道利格特先生有没有都对你介绍过。不过，想来你也知道，这是计件工作，就是在领子上打印。你过来，我指给你看看。"说罢，他就把她领到附近一张打印工正在干活的桌子跟前。让她看过以后，他并没有招呼托德小姐，就捡起一条领子，把不久前人家对他讲过的一古脑儿都讲给她听。

她那么全神贯注地看着他，看着他的一招一式，对他所说的每一句话，仿佛听得很认真，克莱德不免反而觉得有点儿慌了神。她向他投来的每一个眼色里，都富有一种仔细探寻。洞察入微的神态。随后，他又重新解释给她听，每打印一捆领子可挣工钱多少，为什么有的人挣得多，有的人挣得少。末了，她说她乐意试一试。克莱德当即招呼托德小姐，托德小姐就领她到衣帽间，让她先把帽子。外套挂好。不一会儿，他看见她回来了，几丝秀发垂在额前，双颊略呈绯红色，两眼全神贯注，显得认真极了。只见她一听完托德小姐关照的话，就把衣袖往上一捋，露出一双美丽的小臂。于是，她开始工作，克莱德一看她的姿势，心中就知道赶明儿她做起工来必定干脆利索。显而易见，她真的恨不得马上找到这个职位，并且保住这个职位。

她干了一会儿以后，克莱德走到她身旁，看着她从堆在她身边的领子里一条条把领子取出来，挨个儿打印，然后再扔在一边。他还注意到她干起活来既麻利，又准确。后来，她猛地回过头来，只看了他一眼，向他报以天真但又愉快。勇敢的一笑，他高兴极了，也向她报以一笑。

"哦，依我看，你准干得了，"他大胆地这么说，因为他情不自禁地觉得她干得了。谁知道只不过短短的一刹那，她又回过头来，向他微微一笑。克莱德禁不住感到浑身上下激动不已。她一下子就迷住了他，只是因为他在这里的地位关系，当然，还有他向吉尔伯特立下过保证，他马上决定，对这儿打印间里任何一个女工，自己都得特别谨慎小心……即便象眼前这样一个可爱的姑娘，可也不能例外。不然就要不得。他对她如同对别人一样，也得小心留神，只不过对此他连自己也都觉得有点儿奇怪，因为他早已深深地被她吸引住了。她是那么漂亮，那么可爱。不过，他忽然又记起来，她是一个女工……厂里一个女工，吉尔伯特就会这么说的，而他却是她的顶头上司。不过话又说回来，她确实是那么漂亮，那么可爱。

一转眼，他就去处理当天送给他选用的其他女工。后来，他又要托德小姐马上向他汇报有关奥尔登小姐工作的情况……他想了解一下:

她对这儿工作究竟适合不适合。

就在他跟罗伯达说话，罗伯达向他报以微笑的时候，离她两张桌子远的。

正在干活的罗莎。尼柯弗列奇，轻轻地推一下自己身边那个姑娘的胳膊肘，趁人不备之际，先是眨眨眼，随后微微点头，直指着克莱德和罗伯达。她要她的女友仔细观察他们。等克莱德一走开，罗伯达如同刚才那样干活时，她把身子侧转过去，低声耳语道:

"他说她早就行啦。"说罢，她眉毛一扬，咬紧嘴唇。她的女友用低得让人听不见的声音回答说:

"这事情好快，嗯?

再说，在这以前，好象他对谁都不愿看一眼似的。"她们会心地一笑……两人之间极好的默契。罗莎。尼柯弗列奇心里有点儿酸溜溜的。
Part 2 Chapter 13
The reasons why a girl of Roberta's type should be seeking employment with Griffiths and Company at this timeand in this capacity are of some point. For, somewhat after the fashion of Clyde in relation to his family and hislife, she too considered her life a great disappointment. She was the daughter of Titus Alden, a farmer--of nearBiltz, a small town in Mimico County, some fifty miles north. And from her youth up she had seen little butpoverty. Her father--the youngest of three sons of Ephraim Alden, a farmer in this region before him--was sounsuccessful that at forty-eight he was still living in a house which, though old and much in need of repair at thetime his father willed it to him, was now bordering upon a state of dilapidation. The house itself, while primarilya charming example of that excellent taste which produced those delightful gabled homes which embellish theaverage New England town and street, had been by now so reduced for want of paint, shingles, and certain flagswhich had once made a winding walk from a road gate to the front door, that it presented a decidedly melancholyaspect to the world, as though it might be coughing and saying: "Well, things are none too satisfactory with me."The interior of the house corresponded with the exterior. The floor boards and stair boards were loose andcreaked most eerily at times. Some of the windows had shades--some did not. Furniture of both an earlier and alater date, but all in a somewhat decayed condition, intermingled and furnished it in some nondescript mannerwhich need hardly be described.
　　As for the parents of Roberta, they were excellent examples of that native type of Americanism which resistsfacts and reveres illusion. Titus Alden was one of that vast company of individuals who are born, pass through and die out of the world without ever quite getting any one thing straight. They appear, blunder, and end in a fog.
　　Like his two brothers, both older and almost as nebulous, Titus was a farmer solely because his father had been afarmer. And he was here on this farm because it had been willed to him and because it was easier to stay here andtry to work this than it was to go elsewhere. He was a Republican because his father before him was aRepublican and because this county was Republican. It never occurred to him to be otherwise. And, as in thecase of his politics and his religion, he had borrowed all his notions of what was right and wrong from thoseabout him. A single, serious, intelligent or rightly informing book had never been read by any member of thisfamily--not one. But they were nevertheless excellent, as conventions, morals and religions go--honest, upright,God-fearing and respectable.
　　In so far as the daughter of these parents was concerned, and in the face of natural gifts which fitted her forsomething better than this world from which she derived, she was still, in part, at least, a reflection of thereligious and moral notions there and then prevailing,--the views of the local ministers and the laity in general.
　　At the same time, because of a warm, imaginative, sensuous temperament, she was filled--once she reachedfifteen and sixteen--with the world-old dream of all of Eve's daughters from the homeliest to the fairest--that herbeauty or charm might some day and ere long smite bewitchingly and so irresistibly the soul of a given man ormen.
　　So it was that although throughout her infancy and girlhood she was compelled to hear of and share a deprivingand toilsome poverty, still, because of her innate imagination, she was always thinking of something better.
　　Maybe, some day, who knew, a larger city like Albany or Utica! A newer and greater life.
　　And then what dreams! And in the orchard of a spring day later, between her fourteenth and eighteenth yearswhen the early May sun was making pink lamps of every aged tree and the ground was pinkly carpeted with thefalling and odorous petals, she would stand and breathe and sometimes laugh, or even sigh, her arms upreachedor thrown wide to life. To be alive! To have youth and the world before one. To think of the eyes and the smileof some youth of the region who by the merest chance had passed her and looked, and who might never lookagain, but who, nevertheless, in so doing, had stirred her young soul to dreams.
　　None the less she was shy, and hence recessive--afraid of men, especially the more ordinary types common tothis region. And these in turn, repulsed by her shyness and refinement, tended to recede from her, for all of herphysical charm, which was too delicate for this region. Nevertheless, at the age of sixteen, having repaired toBiltz, in order to work in Appleman's Dry Goods Store for five dollars a week, she saw many young men whoattracted her. But here because of her mood in regard to her family's position, as well as the fact that to herinexperienced eyes they appeared so much better placed than herself, she was convinced that they would not beinterested in her. And here again it was her own mood that succeeded in alienating them almost completely.
　　Nevertheless she remained working for Mr. Appleman until she was between eighteen and nineteen, all the whilesensing that she was really doing nothing for herself because she was too closely identified with her home andher family, who appeared to need her.
　　And then about this time, an almost revolutionary thing for this part of the world occurred. For because of thecheapness of labor in such an extremely rural section, a small hosiery plant was built at Trippetts Mills. Andthough Roberta, because of the views and standards that prevailed hereabout, had somehow conceived of thistype of work as beneath her, still she was fascinated by the reports of the high wages to be paid. Accordingly she repaired to Trippetts Mills, where, boarding at the house of a neighbor who had previously lived in Biltz, andreturning home every Saturday afternoon, she planned to bring together the means for some further form ofpractical education--a course at a business college at Homer or Lycurgus or somewhere which might fit her forsomething better--bookkeeping or stenography.
　　And in connection with this dream and this attempted saving two years went by. And in the meanwhile, althoughshe earned more money (eventually twelve dollars a week), still, because various members of her family requiredso many little things and she desired to alleviate to a degree the privations of these others from which shesuffered, nearly all that she earned went to them.
　　And again here, as at Biltz, most of the youths of the town who were better suited to her intellectually andtemperamentally--still looked upon the mere factory type as beneath them in many ways. And although Robertawas far from being that type, still having associated herself with them she was inclined to absorb some of theirpsychology in regard to themselves. Indeed by then she was fairly well satisfied that no one of these here inwhom she was interested would be interested in her--at least not with any legitimate intentions.
　　And then two things occurred which caused her to think, not only seriously of marriage, but of her own future,whether she married or not. For her sister, Agnes, now twenty, and three years her junior, having recentlyreencountered a young schoolmaster who some time before had conducted the district school near the Aldenfarm, and finding him more to her taste now than when she had been in school, had decided to marry him. Andthis meant, as Roberta saw it, that she was about to take on the appearance of a spinster unless she married soon.
　　Yet she did not quite see what was to be done until the hosiery factory at Trippetts Mills suddenly closed, neverto reopen. And then, in order to assist her mother, as well as help with her sister's wedding, she returned to Biltz.
　　But then there came a third thing which decidedly affected her dreams and plans. Grace Marr, a girl whom shehad met at Trippetts Mills, had gone to Lycurgus and after a few weeks there had managed to connect herselfwith the Finchley Vacuum Cleaner Company at a salary of fifteen dollars a week and at once wrote to Robertatelling her of the opportunities that were then present in Lycurgus. For in passing the Griffiths Company, whichshe did daily, she had seen a large sign posted over the east employment door reading "Girls Wanted." Andinquiry revealed the fact that girls at this company were always started at nine or ten dollars, quickly taught someone of the various phases of piece work and then, once they were proficient, were frequently able to earn asmuch as from fourteen to sixteen dollars, according to their skill. And since board and room were onlyconsuming seven of what she earned, she was delighted to communicate to Roberta, whom she liked very much,that she might come and room with her if she wished.
　　Roberta, having reached the place where she felt that she could no longer endure farm life but must act forherself once more, finally arranged with her mother to leave in order that she might help her more directly withher wages.
　　But once in Lycurgus and employed by Clyde, her life, after the first flush of self-interest which a change sogreat implied for her, was not so much more enlarged socially or materially either, for that matter, over what ithad been in Biltz and Trippetts Mills. For, despite the genial intimacy of Grace Marr--a girl not nearly asattractive as Roberta, and who, because of Roberta's charm and for the most part affected gayety, counted on herto provide a cheer and companionship which otherwise she would have lacked--still the world into which she was inducted here was scarcely any more liberal or diversified than that from which she sprang.
　　For, to begin with, the Newtons, sister and brother-in-law of Grace Marr, with whom she lived, and who, despitethe fact that they were not unkindly, proved to be, almost more so than were the types with whom, either in Biltzor Trippets Mills, she had been in constant contact, the most ordinary small town mill workers--religious andnarrow to a degree. George Newton, as every one could see and feel, was a pleasant if not very emotional orromantic person who took his various small plans in regard to himself and his future as of the utmost importance.
　　Primarily he was saving what little cash he could out of the wages he earned as threadman in the CranstonWickwire factory to enable him to embark upon some business for which he thought himself fitted. And to thisend, and to further enhance his meager savings, he had joined with his wife in the scheme of taking over an oldhouse in Taylor Street which permitted the renting of enough rooms to carry the rent and in addition to supplythe food for the family and five boarders, counting their labor and worries in the process as nothing. And on theother hand, Grace Marr, as well as Newton's wife, Mary, were of that type that here as elsewhere find the bulk oftheir social satisfaction in such small matters as relate to the organization of a small home, the establishing of itsimport and integrity in a petty and highly conventional neighborhood and the contemplation of life and conductthrough the lens furnished by a purely sectarian creed.
　　And so, once part and parcel of this particular household, Roberta found after a time, that it, if not Lycurgus, wasnarrow and restricted--not wholly unlike the various narrow and restricted homes at Biltz. And these lines,according to the Newtons and their like, to be strictly observed. No good could come of breaking them. If youwere a factory employee you should accommodate yourself to the world and customs of the better sort ofChristian factory employees. Every day therefore--and that not so very long after she had arrived--she foundherself up and making the best of a not very satisfactory breakfast in the Newton dining room, which was usuallyshared by Grace and two other girls of nearly their own age--Opal Feliss and Olive Pope--who were connectedwith the Cranston Wickwire Company. Also by a young electrician by the name of Fred Shurlock, who workedfor the City Lighting Plant. And immediately after breakfast joining a long procession that day after day at thishour made for the mills across the river. For just outside her own door she invariably met with a company offactory girls and women, boys and men, of the same relative ages, to say nothing of many old and weary-lookingwomen who looked more like wraiths than human beings, who had issued from the various streets and houses ofthis vicinity. And as the crowd, because of the general inpour into it from various streets, thickened at CentralAvenue, there was much ogling of the prettier girls by a certain type of factory man, who, not knowing any ofthem, still sought, as Roberta saw it, unlicensed contacts and even worse. Yet there was much giggling andsimpering on the part of girls of a certain type who were by no means as severe as most of those she had knownelsewhere. Shocking!
　　And at night the same throng, re-forming at the mills, crossing the bridge at the depot and returning as it hadcome. And Roberta, because of her social and moral training and mood, and in spite of her decided looks andcharm and strong desires, feeling alone and neglected. Oh, how sad to see the world so gay and she so lonely.
　　And it was always after six when she reached home. And after dinner there was really nothing much of anythingto do unless she and Grace attended one or another of the moving picture theaters or she could bring herself toconsent to join the Newtons and Grace at a meeting of the Methodist Church.
　　None the less once part and parcel of this household and working for Clyde she was delighted with the change.
　　This big city. This fine Central Avenue with its stores and moving picture theaters. These great mills. And again this Mr. Griffiths, so young, attractive, smiling and interested in her.
象罗伯达这种类型的姑娘，为什么在此时此刻到格里菲思公司厂里来求职(还是小小不言的一个职位)，毕竟是事出有因。原来罗伯达同克莱德的生活际遇和他同家庭的关系多少相似，她也对自己的命数感到大为失望。她是泰特斯。

奥尔登的女儿。泰特斯是个庄稼汉，住在比尔茨附近。比尔茨是米米科县一个小镇，离莱柯格斯以北大约五十英里。罗伯达自幼时起就净跟贫穷打交道。祖父埃弗雷姆。奥尔登早就在这里务农，她父亲是埃弗雷姆三个儿子里头最小的一个，由于命运多舛，到了四十八岁时，还住在父亲传给他的老宅里。那座老宅，当时已经破旧不堪，急待修缮，到如今差不多快要塌下来了。过去，这种类型的房子曾被看作情趣高雅的典范，从而造出了不少令人喜爱的。有山墙的屋宇，点缀着新英格兰各地城镇和街道。可是如今，这所房子由于油漆剥落，缺少屋顶板和大石板(过去，从大门口直达大楼前门那条曲折的通道，就是用这类大石板砌成)，早已呈现着一片凄凉景象，仿佛一位老人一迭连声在咳嗽，说:

"哦，我的日子可不好过哪。"屋内陈设跟户外几乎相差无几。天花板。楼梯板都已松散，不时发出吱嘎吱嘎的怪声。窗前有的垂着窗幔，有的就没有。家具既有老式的，也有新式的，全都有几分坏了，混杂在一起，显得乱七八糟，就不用多说了。

罗伯达的父母，就是那种美国精神的典型代表人物，他们否认事实，崇尚理想。泰特斯。奥尔登就是这样芸芸众生中间的一个:

他们从呱呱落地起，一直活到与世长辞，到头来连活着的意义都没有闹明白。他们刚见世面，就误入歧途，最后如坠五里雾中，倏然消失。泰特斯如同那两个跟他差不多糊里糊涂的哥哥一样，他之所以当庄稼汉，就仅仅因为他父亲是个庄稼汉。如今，他之所以守着这个农场，就是因为他父亲把这个农场传给了他，同时，留在这里农场播种耕耘，比上别处去碰运气要容易得多。他入了共和党，因为他的父亲生前就是共和党，而且全县也都是支持共和党的。他脑子里从来没有过与之相反的想法。他的政治和宗教观点，以及一切有关好坏是非的概念，都是从他周围的人那里借来的。这一家子人，从来没有一个人读过一本严肃。富有启发性，或是内容正确的书……简直一个都没有。不过，从传统道德与宗教观点来说，他们毕竟是无与伦比的……诚实。正直。敬畏上帝。品行端正。

如此一对父母生下的这个女儿，虽然她天生具有凌驾于自己出身阶层之上的素质，可是在她身上少说还部分地反映出当时流行的一些宗教和道德的观念，也反映出本地牧师，乃至于凡夫俗子的思想观点。同时，由于她富于想象力，具有热情似火。性感丰富的气质，当她刚到十五六岁的时候，脑子里就充满了从最丑的到最美的夏娃的女儿们的如同混沌初开时一样古老的梦想，认为:

有朝一日……而且，也许不会多久……她的美貌，或是她的魅力，说不定会以不可抗拒的魔术般的力量征服某一个或则某一些男人。

虽然，在她的幼年时代和少女时代，她不得不听到过并且自己也捱过这种赤贫如洗的生活，可是，她因为天生富于想象力，心里总要想到更美好的日子。

说不定在哪一天，有谁知道，她会进入一个如同奥尔巴尼，或是尤蒂卡的大城市!

进入一种新的美好的生活。

随后，有多少美妙的梦想啊!

从十四到十八岁，在暮春时节的果园里，五月初的太阳已使每一棵老树成为一片粉红色，落下来的香喷喷。粉红色的花絮铺满了一地。她伫立在那里，深深地吸了一口气，有时候放声大笑，有时候甚至长叹一声，她那两只胳臂往上伸展，或是敞开胸怀，去拥抱生活。活着多么美好!

她要享受青春，以及展现在她面前的整个世界。她乐意想到住在附近的某个年轻人的眉眼和微笑，因为这个年轻人只是偶尔走过她身过，向她匆匆投以一瞥，说不定从此再也见不到她了，可就是这么匆勿一瞥啊，依然惊扰了她那年轻的心中的梦境。

不过话又说回来，她非常怕羞，因而常常退避三舍……她害怕男人，尤其是在这里常见的那些平庸。无能之辈。反过来说，这些人一见她高雅。羞涩的神态，也就往往望而却步，虽说她已长得非常婀娜动人，但在这一带地方来说，毕竟还是嫩了一点。不料，她在十六岁那年，来到了比尔茨镇，为了进阿普尔曼绸布店工作，每星期可挣五块美元。她在那里见到过很多她所喜爱的年轻小伙子。不过，因为她觉得自己家庭的社会地位不高，加上自己阅世不深，认为那些年轻人身价似乎都比她高得多，深信他们决不会对她发生兴趣。再说，又是因为她的那种气质，同他们几乎完全疏远了。不过，她照样还是在阿普尔曼先生那里工作，一直到十八。九岁。她总是觉得对自己说真的一点儿帮助都没有，因为她同自己家里过于紧密地连在一起了，看来家里确实急需她的帮助。

大约就在这时候，发生了对这个世界一隅来说几乎具有革命性质的一件事。

由于这一带纯属农业区，有着丰富的廉价劳动力，在特里佩茨米尔斯就开设了一家小型针织厂。虽然根据当地一致公认的看法和标准来看，罗伯达也觉得这一类工作仿佛有失自己的身分似的，可是一听说厂里给的工钱多，她还是动心了。于是，她就迁居特里佩茨米尔斯，寄住在原是在比尔茨的邻居家里，每星期六下午回家。她打算积攒一些钱，将来到霍默或是莱柯格斯，或是到有助于她长进的哪一个地方，在商学院选一门课读读……比方说，簿记或是速记。

为了实现这个梦想和尽可能积攒一些钱，至今已有两个年头了。尽管她挣的钱要比过去多一些(后来每星期挣到十二块美元)，可是，一家老小几乎样样东西都需要添置，她想尽可能减轻他们衣食匮乏的困难(个中况味她自己也尝过啊)，因此，她一人挣来的钱，几乎都涓滴归家了。

这里如同比尔茨一样，在小镇上同她志气相投的一些年轻人，十之八九依然认为，厂里这些女工在各方面都不如他们。虽说罗伯达压根儿不是这种类型的女工，不过，她经常跟她们交往，也就不免沾上了她们看待自己的心理。诚然，直到如今，她方才领悟到:

在这里，凡是她喜欢的人，没有一个人会对她感到兴趣……至少还没有表示出一本正经的意思。

随后又发生两件事，使她不仅要认真考虑结婚问题，而且还得考虑到自己的前途，不管她结婚也好，不结婚也好。她的妹妹艾格尼斯今年二十岁，比她小三岁，不久前跟一个年轻的校长又见面了。此人早先在奥尔登农场附近办过一所区属学校，她妹妹觉得他现在比她在校读书时更为中意，因此决定嫁给他了。罗伯达心里明白，现在她要是还不快一点结婚，恐怕就要被人看成老处女了。不过，她依然不知道该怎么办才好。直到后来，特里佩茨米尔斯的小针织厂突然关闭，永远也不重新开业了。为了帮助她母亲，也为了帮助她妹妹准备婚事，罗伯达就回到了比尔茨。

不料，后来又发生了第三件事，使她的计划与梦想受到决定性影响。原来她在特里佩茨米尔斯认识的姑娘格雷斯。玛尔到了莱柯格斯，几星期之后，在芬奇利真空吸尘器公司找到了工作，每周薪资十五块美元。玛尔立刻给罗伯达写信，说现在莱柯格斯有可能寻摸到工作。她每天要走过格里菲思公司工厂，有一回看到东头招工部门口挂了一大块招牌，上面写着:

"招雇女工"，一问才知道:

这家公司女工薪资，开头总是先拿九块或是十块美元，很快就可以学会一门专门技艺，往后只要熟练了，根据她们技术熟练程度，往往可挣到十四块至十六块美元。玛尔的膳宿开支只要七块美元，因此，她非常高兴地通知她的好友罗伯达，巴望她也能来，要是她乐意，不妨就同她合住一个房间。

事到如今，罗伯达觉得:

农场生活再也受不了，她非得再一次自谋出路不可。

最后，她终于说服母亲放她走，让她日后靠挣工资更直接地周济她母亲。

罗伯达一到莱柯格斯，即被克莱德录用，就在这次巨大变化影响之下，尽管她心中体会到一种瞬息即逝的利己主义的乐趣，可是，她很快又感到，她在这里生活，不论在物质方面，还是社交方面，依然如同在比尔茨时一样枯燥乏味。诚然，格雷斯。玛尔对罗伯达打心眼儿里感到很亲热，可是毕竟长得比不上罗伯达那么吸引人。所以，格雷斯。玛尔总是希望这位漂亮和快乐的罗伯达(她的快乐多半是装出来的)能给她的生活里增添一些她本来就很缺少的东西……快乐和友谊。尽管如此，罗伯达刚被引入的这个圈子，并不见得比她的出生地更加丰富多采，或者更加富有自由思想。

先说跟她同住的牛顿夫妇，他们就是格雷斯。玛尔的姐姐和姐夫。虽说他们待人也很和气，可还是小镇上极其常见的一些工人，有时甚至比她过去在比尔茨，或是特里佩茨米尔斯常见的那类人还要虔信教规，思想更加狭隘。乔治。

牛顿，一望而知，是个乐乐呵呵的人，虽然不是多情善感或则富有罗曼蒂克情调。各种有关他本人及其前途的小小计划，在他眼里都是无比重要。他是在克兰斯顿厂里工作，如今他正从他挣到的薪资里尽可能积攒下一些钱来，打算将来做自己认为合适的生意。因此，为了使他少得可怜的积蓄能不断增加，他就跟妻子一起设法先将泰勒街上一所老式房子拿过来，然后把好几个房间租出去，以便收取房租，此外还给自己一家人和五个寄宿的人提供膳食……对于自己这样辛辛苦苦地工作，牛顿夫妇从来也都不计较。再说格雷斯。玛尔，如同牛顿太太一样，乃是属于到处都见得到的那类女人，她们的兴趣往往局限于极其狭小框框里，比方说，要是她们能够组织自己的小家庭，要是她们在地位低下，但又极端保守的街坊邻居中间提高了自己威信，要是通过极端狭窄的宗派信念的透镜来审视人间众生相的话，那末，她们也就会感到自己完全心满意足了。

罗伯达寄住在牛顿夫妇家以后，没有多久就觉得:

且不说整个莱柯格斯吧，至少这一家人实在是狭隘。保守得够呛……跟比尔茨那些狭隘。保守的人家差不离。在牛顿夫妇及其同类人看来，这些条条框框必须严格遵守，一破坏了，就不会有好结果。你要是在一个工厂里工作，那你就应该完全适应虔信基督的职工里头上等人那个生活圈子，以及他们的风俗习惯。因此，每天都是一样……她来到了这里没多久早就这样的……她起身以后，便在牛顿家餐室好歹吞下了一顿味儿不怎么样的早餐。跟她一起进餐的，通常有格雷斯，以及两个年龄跟她相仿的姑娘奥帕尔。费利斯和奥利夫。波普……她们两人全都在克兰斯顿公司工作。另外还有一个年轻的电工，名叫弗雷德。舒洛克，是在市内发电厂做工。罗伯达吃过早餐，马上出门，挤进了这个每天此时此刻照例向河对岸的工厂区进发的长长的行列。她刚迈出大门，总会撞见从附近街道左邻右舍涌出来的，跟她年纪相仿的一大群已婚或未婚男女，更不用说许许多多样子疲惫不堪。

与其说象人还不如说象鬼魂的老妇人了。来自各条街上的人流，都涌向中央大道，所以一汇合到了这里，也就挤挤插插，水泄不通了。在这股人流中经常有一些男工，向漂亮姑娘们目送秋波，他们并不认识她们，但罗伯达看得出，他们还是一心想跟她们无节制地来往，乃至于有更坏的打算。可是，也有一种类型的姑娘，远不是象她在别处见到的姑娘那样严于律己，往往向他们报以傻笑和假笑，使她大吃一惊!

傍晚，还是这股人流，又在各工厂里聚拢来以后，就在车站附近过了桥，返回原地。罗伯达因为有良好道德教养和固有气质，尽管长得品貌端正，富有魅力，而且也有强烈的欲念，她却依然感到很孤单，始终没有引起人们注意。

啊，你瞧这个世界上是那么快乐，可她却是这么孤寂……该有多难过。她总是在六点过后才回到家。晚饭后，说实在的，一点儿事都没有，除非她跟格雷斯一块上这一家或那一家电影院去，或是她出于无奈，只好答应跟牛顿夫妇和格雷斯一块上美以美会教堂去做礼拜。

不管怎么说，从她成为牛顿夫妇家的一员，并在克莱德手下干活后，她对自己生活中这一变化还是心满意足的。偌大的一个城市，多美的中央大道，两旁商店林立，还有电影院呢!

这些大工厂!

还有这位格里菲思先生……那么年轻。

漂亮。笑容满面，而且还对她颇感兴趣呢。
Part 2 Chapter 14
In the same way Clyde, on encountering her, was greatly stirred. Since the abortive contact with Dillard, Rita andZella, and afterwards the seemingly meaningless invitation to the Griffiths with its introduction to and yet onlypassing glimpse of such personages as Bella, Sondra Finchley and Bertine Cranston, he was lonely indeed. Thathigh world! But plainly he was not to be allowed to share in it. And yet because of his vain hope in connectionwith it, he had chosen to cut himself off in this way. And to what end? Was he not if anything more lonely thanever? Mrs. Peyton! Going to and from his work but merely nodding to people or talking casually--or howeversociably with one or another of the storekeepers along Central Avenue who chose to hail him--or even some ofthe factory girls here in whom he was not interested or with whom he did not dare to develop a friendship. Whatwas that? Just nothing really. And yet as an offset to all this, of course, was he not a Griffiths and so entitled totheir respect and reverence even on this account? What a situation really! What to do!
　　And at the same time, this Roberta Alden, once she was placed here in this fashion and becoming more familiarwith local conditions, as well as the standing of Clyde, his charm, his evasive and yet sensible interest in her, wasbecoming troubled as to her state too. For once part and parcel of this local home she had joined she wasbecoming conscious of various local taboos and restrictions which made it seem likely that never at any timehere would it be possible to express an interest in Clyde or any one above her officially. For there was a localtaboo in regard to factory girls aspiring toward or allowing themselves to become interested in their officialsuperiors. Religious, moral and reserved girls didn't do it. And again, as she soon discovered, the line ofdemarcation and stratification between the rich and the poor in Lycurgus was as sharp as though cut by a knife ordivided by a high wall. And another taboo in regard to all the foreign family girls and men,--ignorant, low,immoral, un-American! One should--above all--have nothing to do with them.
　　But among these people as she could see--the religious and moral, lower middle-class group to which she and allof her intimates belonged--dancing or local adventurous gayety, such as walking the streets or going to a movingpicture theater--was also taboo. And yet she, herself, at this time, was becoming interested in dancing. Worsethan this, the various young men and girls of the particular church which she and Grace Marr attended at first,were not inclined to see Roberta or Grace as equals, since they, for the most part, were members of older andmore successful families of the town. And so it was that after a very few weeks of attendance of church affairsand services, they were about where they had been when they started--conventional and acceptable, but withoutthe amount of entertainment and diversion which was normally reaching those who were of their same churchbut better placed.
　　And so it was that Roberta, after encountering Clyde and sensing the superior world in which she imagined hemoved, and being so taken with the charm of his personality, was seized with the very virus of ambition andunrest that afflicted him. And every day that she went to the factory now she could not help but feel that his eyeswere upon her in a quiet, seeking and yet doubtful way. Yet she also felt that he was too uncertain as to what shewould think of any overture that he might make in her direction to risk a repulse or any offensive interpretationon her part. And yet at times, after the first two weeks of her stay here, she wishing that he would speak to her- that he would make some beginning--at other times that he must not dare--that it would be dreadful andimpossible. The other girls there would see at once. And since they all plainly felt that he was too good or tooremote for them, they would at once note that he was making an exception in her case and would put their owninterpretation on it. And she knew the type of a girl who worked in the Griffiths stamping room would put butone interpretation on it,--that of looseness.
　　At the same time in so far as Clyde and his leaning toward her was concerned there was that rule laid down byGilbert. And although, because of it, he had hitherto appeared not to notice or to give any more attention to onegirl than another, still, once Roberta arrived, he was almost unconsciously inclined to drift by her table and pausein her vicinity to see how she was progressing. And, as he saw from the first, she was a quick and intelligentworker, soon mastering without much advice of any kind all the tricks of the work, and thereafter earning aboutas much as any of the others-- fifteen dollars a week. And her manner was always that of one who enjoyed it andwas happy to have the privilege of working here. And pleased to have him pay any little attention to her.
　　At the same time he noted to his surprise and especially since to him she seemed so refined and different, acertain exuberance and gayety that was not only emotional, but in a delicate poetic way, sensual. Also thatdespite her difference and reserve she was able to make friends with and seemed to be able to understand theviewpoint of most of the foreign girls who were essentially so different from her. For, listening to her discuss thework here, first with Lena Schlict, Hoda Petkanas, Angelina Pitti and some others who soon chose to speak toher, he reached the conclusion that she was not nearly so conventional or standoffish as most of the otherAmerican girls. And yet she did not appear to lose their respect either.
　　Thus, one noontime, coming back from the office lunch downstairs a little earlier than usual, he found her andseveral of the foreign-family girls, as well as four of the American girls, surrounding Polish Mary, one of thegayest and roughest of the foreign-family girls, who was explaining in rather a high key how a certain "feller"whom she had met the night before had given her a beaded bag, and for what purpose.
　　"I should go with heem to be his sweetheart," she announced with a flourish, the while she waved the bag beforethe interested group. "And I say, I tack heem an' think on heem. Pretty nice bag, eh?" she added, holding it aloftand turning it about. "Tell me," she added with provoking and yet probably only mock serious eyes and wavingthe bag toward Roberta, "what shall I do with heem? Keep heem an' go with heem to be his sweetheart or giveheem back? I like heem pretty much, that bag, you bet."And although, according to the laws of her upbringing, as Clyde suspected, Roberta should have been shockedby all this, she was not, as he noticed--far from it. If one might have judged from her face, she was very muchamused.
　　Instantly she replied with a gay smile: "Well, it all depends on how handsome he is, Mary. If he's very attractive,I think I'd string him along for a while, anyhow, and keep the bag as long as I could.""Oh, but he no wait," declared Mary archly, and with plainly a keen sense of the riskiness of the situation, thewhile she winked at Clyde who had drawn near. "I got to give heem bag or be sweetheart to-night, and so swellbag I never can buy myself." She eyed the bag archly and roguishly, her own nose crinkling with the humor ofthe situation. "What I do then?""Gee, this is pretty strong stuff for a little country girl like Miss Alden. She won't like this, maybe," thoughtClyde to himself.
　　However, Roberta, as he now saw, appeared to be equal to the situation, for she pretended to be troubled. "Gee,you are in a fix," she commented. "I don't know what you'll do now." She opened her eyes wide and pretended tobe greatly concerned. However, as Clyde could see, she was merely acting, but carrying it off very well.
　　And frizzled-haired Dutch Lena now leaned over to say: "I take it and him too, you bet, if you don't want him.
　　Where is he? I got no feller now." She reached over as if to take the bag from Mary, who as quickly withdrew it.
　　And there were squeals of delight from nearly all the girls in the room, who were amused by this eccentrichorseplay. Even Roberta laughed loudly, a fact which Clyde noted with pleasure, for he liked all this roughhumor, considering it mere innocent play.
　　"Well, maybe you're right, Lena," he heard her add just as the whistle blew and the hundreds of sewing machinesin the next room began to hum. "A good man isn't to be found every day." Her blue eyes were twinkling and herlips, which were most temptingly modeled, were parted in a broad smile. There was much banter and more bluffin what she said than anything else, as Clyde could see, but he felt that she was not nearly as narrow as he hadfeared. She was human and gay and tolerant and good-natured. There was decidedly a very liberal measure ofplay in her. And in spite of the fact that her clothes were poor, the same little round brown hat and blue clothdress that she had worn on first coming to work here, she was prettier than anyone else. And she never needed topaint her lips and cheeks like the foreign girls, whose faces at times looked like pink-frosted cakes. And howpretty were her arms and neck--plump and gracefully designed! And there was a certain grace and abandon abouther as she threw herself into her work as though she really enjoyed it. As she worked fast during the hottestportions of the day, there would gather on her upper lip and chin and forehead little beads of perspiration whichshe was always pausing in her work to touch with her handkerchief, while to him, like jewels, they seemed onlyto enhance her charm.
　　Wonderful days, these, now for Clyde. For once more and here, where he could be near her the long day through,he had a girl whom he could study and admire and by degrees proceed to crave with all of the desire of which heseemed to be capable--and with which he had craved Hortense Briggs--only with more satisfaction, since as hesaw it she was simpler, more kindly and respectable. And though for quite a while at first Roberta appeared orpretended to be quite indifferent to or unconscious of him, still from the very first this was not true. She was onlytroubled as to the appropriate attitude for her. The beauty of his face and hands--the blackness and softness ofhis hair, the darkness and melancholy and lure of his eyes. He was attractive--oh, very. Beautiful, really, to her.
　　And then one day shortly thereafter, Gilbert Griffiths walking through here and stopping to talk to Clyde, shewas led to imagine by this that Clyde was really much more of a figure socially and financially than she hadpreviously thought. For just as Gilbert was approaching, Lena Schlict, who was working beside her, leaned overto say: "Here comes Mr. Gilbert Griffiths. His father owns this whole factory and when he dies, he'll get it, theysay. And he's his cousin," she added, nodding toward Clyde. "They look a lot alike, don't they?""Yes, they do," replied Roberta, slyly studying not only Clyde but Gilbert, "only I think Mr. Clyde Griffiths is alittle nicer looking, don't you?"Hoda Petkanas, sitting on the other side of Roberta and overhearing this last remark, laughed. "That's what everyone here thinks. He's not stuck up like that Mr. Gilbert Griffiths, either.""Is he rich, too?" inquired Roberta, thinking of Clyde.
　　"I don't know. They say not," she pursed her lips dubiously, herself rather interested in Clyde along with theothers. "He worked down in the shrinking room before he came up here. He was just working by the day, I guess.
　　But he only came on here a little while ago to learn the business. Maybe he won't work in here much longer."Roberta was suddenly troubled by this last remark. She had not been thinking, or so she had been trying to tellherself, of Clyde in any romantic way, and yet the thought that he might suddenly go at any moment, never to beseen by her any more, disturbed her now. He was so youthful, so brisk, so attractive. And so interested in her,too. Yes, that was plain. It was wrong to think that he would be interested in her--or to try to attract him by anyleast gesture of hers, since he was so important a person here--far above her.
　　For, true to her complex, the moment she heard that Clyde was so highly connected and might even have money,she was not so sure that he could have any legitimate interest in her. For was she not a poor working girl? Andwas he not a very rich man's nephew? He would not marry her, of course. And what other legitimate thing wouldhe want with her? She must be on her guard in regard to him.

克莱德同她邂逅后，心里也同样非常激动。他跟迪拉特。丽达。泽拉的往来早已中断了;后来，似乎又毫无意义地给请到了格里菲思府上，在那里匆匆瞥了一眼诸如贝拉。桑德拉。芬奇利和伯蒂娜。克兰斯顿那样上流社会里名媛闺秀;说实话，他依然还是很孤寂。那个上流社会啊!

显然不准克莱德登堂入奥。正因为他对此抱有幻想，便跟所有其他朋友断绝了来往。可是结果又怎样呢?

如今，他不是反而比过去更加孤寂了吗?

只跟佩顿太太打交道!

每天上班。下班，只不过见人点点头，或是偶尔扯上几句……或是跟中央大道上主动打招呼的商店掌柜寒暄几句……或是索性就跟厂里一些女工也招呼一下，尽管对这些女工，他既不感兴趣，又不敢进一步跟她们交朋友。这究竟是怎么回事?

其实，还是什么事都没有。不过，话又说回来，他不是姓格里菲思吗?

单凭这一点，他不是就有权受到他们大家的尊敬，乃至于崇拜吗?

真的，这有多微妙啊!

那又该怎么办呢!

再说说这位罗伯达。奥尔登。自从她就这样在莱柯格斯落脚后，对当地情况与克莱德在厂里地位都已有所了解，她发觉克莱德很动人，还对她脉脉传情，但她对自己的前途却也感到困惑了。从她住进牛顿夫妇家后，懂得了当地种种清规戒律，看来绝对不让她对克莱德，或是对厂里任何一个职位比她高的人表示什么兴趣了。因为，这里有一条禁令，就是不许女工对上司存有非分之想，或则使上司对她们发生兴趣。凡是虔诚。正派。谨慎的女工，都不会这么做。

不久，她又发现在莱柯格斯，贫富界限就象用一把刀子切开，或是用一堵高墙隔开，分得清楚极了。再有一条禁令，是有关所有外国移民家庭里男男女女的……他们都是愚昧无知，低人一等，伤风败俗，压根儿不是美国人!

不拘是谁……最要紧的是……绝对不要跟他们有什么来往。

罗伯达又发现:

她自己和她所有知己，全都属于虔信上帝。恪守道德。地位较低的中间阶层，而在这些人中间，诸如跳跳舞，或是上大街溜达。看电影等等在当地要冒风险的娱乐消遣，也都是禁止的。不过，她自己正是在这时对跳舞发生了兴趣。最糟的是，她跟格雷斯。玛尔最初去做礼拜的那个教堂里，有一些男女青年，好象并不平等对待罗伯达和格雷斯，因为他们绝大多数是出身于莱柯格斯相当发迹的古老世家。事实上，她们上教堂做礼拜，参加圣事活动已有一两个星期，但她们的处境跟开始时相比并没有得到改变:

尽管她们循规蹈矩，无懈可击，已被教会这个圈子里的人所接纳，可是娱乐与交际活动，照例只是同一个教会里社会地位较高的那些人的事，她们始终没有份。

罗伯达同克莱德不期而遇后，料想他是属于上流社会的，同时又被他的魅力深深吸引。就这样，曾使克莱德感到痛苦的爱好虚荣而又焦灼不安这种病毒此刻也感染给她了。她每天去工厂上班时，就不由得感到:

向她投来的，正是他那种默默追求。但又迟疑不定的目光。不过，她还感到，他也不敢对她作出亲近表示，深怕她会拒绝，或是让她产生反感。然而，她在这里做工已有两个星期以后，有时也巴不得他能跟她说说话……先让他开个头吧……而有时，她却认为他不应该如此大胆……这太可怕了，断断乎不行。别的姑娘们一下子会看到的。她们分明都知道，他这个人太好了，或者离她们太远了，可她们马上注意到他对她是另眼相看，也免不了议论纷纷。而罗伯达知道，在格里菲思厂内打印间做工的这类姑娘，她们对这种事只有一种解释:

那就是……放荡。

与此同时，在克莱德方面，尽管他对她有偏好，他却并没有忘掉吉尔伯特所定下的那一套规矩。为了循规蹈矩，克莱德至今一直佯装对哪一个姑娘都不注意，不特别垂青。不过，现在只要罗伯达一到，他几乎情不自禁走到她桌子边，伫立在她身旁，看看她是如何操作的。如同他一开头就预料的那样，她是个聪明伶俐的女工，用不着多点拨，很快就掌握了工作中所有诀窍，此后赚的钱便跟人家一样多……每星期十五块美元。瞧她那副神气，总是好象很喜欢在这里工作，而且，能在这里工作她还觉得很幸福似的。再有，哪怕是来自克莱德一丁点儿的青睐，她心里也是喜滋滋的。

同时，他觉察到她身上洋溢着一种欢快的神情，它不仅出自内心情感，而且含有一种淡淡的诗意，乃至于性感丰富的情调。这不免使他大吃一惊，特别是因为原先他觉得她是那么温文尔雅，那么与众不同。他还觉察到，尽管她与众不同，谨小慎微，可她居然能够跟和她迥然不同的绝大多数外国移民姑娘交朋友，并且似乎还能了解她们的思想观点。听了她谈论这里的工作(她先是跟莉娜。希莉克特。霍达。佩特卡娜斯。安吉利娜。皮蒂谈，接着跟很快又来和她搭讪的其他姑娘谈)之后，克莱德心中认定，她远不是象大多数美国姑娘那么保守。傲慢。不过，看来她们对她还是相当尊敬的。

有一天正好午休时分，他在楼下刚进过午餐，比往常早一点回办公室去，这时他看见她正跟好几个外国移民姑娘，还有四个美国姑娘，把波兰姑娘玛丽团团围住。玛丽是外国移民姑娘里头最爱逗乐，也最粗里粗气的一个，正扯着大嗓门冲她们说，前天晚上她碰到一个"小伙子"，送给她一只饰有小珠子的手提包，真不知道他有什么用意呢。

"他想我拿了这玩意儿，就成了他的心上人呗，"她自吹自擂地说着，一边把手提包在爱看热闹的众人面前来回直晃荡。"我说，这个可得想一想。够帅的手提包，嗯?

"她找补着说，一边把手提包高高举起，在空中来回打转。

"你说说，"她冲罗伯达把手提包来回直晃荡，两眼露出挑逗性的同时也许只是假正经的样子。"我该怎么对付他?

收下吧，跟他走，就成了他的心上人?

还是干脆退还他?

说真的，我可挺喜欢他，还有这个手提包哩。"克莱德心中琢磨，根据罗伯达的教养，听了这一套，按说准定大吃一惊。

可他仔细观察，她并没有这样……压根儿都不震惊。从她脸上表情看，可以知道她打心眼儿里觉得挺好玩。

她马上粲然一笑，说:

"哦，这可全得看他模样儿漂亮不漂亮，玛丽。要是他长得很漂亮，我想我就胡弄他，反正胡弄一阵再说。至于手提包，我就照收不误啦。""哦，可他等不及呢，"玛丽顽皮地说，显然深知在这种情况下要冒一些风险，同时两眼向走过来的克莱德眨巴了一下。"要是我就把手提包退还他，要不然今儿晚上干脆当他的心上人去。这么帅的手提包，反正我一辈子都买不起，"她顽皮而又没好气地瞅了一下手提包，鼻子一皱，样子挺滑稽的。"我究竟该怎么办呢?

""嘿，这对奥尔登小姐这么一个乡下小姑娘来说，是太过分了。也许她不喜欢这一套，"克莱德暗自寻思道。

可是此刻他发现罗伯达好象应付裕如:

她故意佯装面有难色。"嘿，你可进退两难啦，"她说。"我也不知道你该怎么办才好，"她睁大眼睛，装出深为关注的样子。不过，克莱德一眼看出，她只不过是装着玩儿的，但她就是能装得维肖维妙。

这时，那个鬈头发的荷兰姑娘莉娜身子俯过来说:

"要是你不要他，说真的，我就把手提包连同他那个小伙子一块都要。上哪儿找他去?

这会儿我正没有小伙子呢。"她伸出一只手，好象要把手提包从玛丽手里夺走似的，玛丽马上把手提包收了回去。屋子里几乎所有的姑娘对这种古怪的。粗鄙的逗乐都觉得挺好玩，兴高采烈地尖叫起来。甚至罗伯达也放声大笑了，对此，克莱德也感到很高兴，因为他本来就很喜欢这种粗俗的诙谐，觉得它只不过是无伤大雅的玩笑罢了。

"是啊，也许你说得对，莉娜，"正当汽笛长鸣，隔壁房间里好几百台缝纫机一齐响起来的时候，他听见罗伯达继续说道。

"好男人可不是每天都能碰上的。"她的那双蓝眼睛在闪闪发光，她那非常诱人的嘴唇大笑时张得很大。克莱德心里明白，她这是在开开玩笑，虚张声势，但是，他也觉得，她压根儿不是象他原先担心那样心胸狭隘。她富有人情味，总是乐乐呵呵，待人宽厚，心眼儿可好。显然，她还最爱逗乐儿。尽管她身上穿得挺差劲，头上戴的还是她新来乍到时那顶褐色小圆帽，穿的依然是那件蓝布连衣裙，可在所有女工里头，就数她最漂亮。她用不着象那些外国移民女郎一个劲儿抹口红，涂脂粉，以致有的时候她们的脸看上去就象一块块粉红色蛋糕。瞧她的胳臂和脖子，该有多美……又丰腴，又雅致!

她全神贯注地工作着，仿佛她从这一工作中获得真正的乐趣似的，这时候，她身上自然流露出一种美与乐此不疲的神态。在一天之中最炎热的几个钟头里，由于她紧张工作，这时候，她的上唇。下巴。前额上渗出细如珠玑的汗水，她免不了把活儿放下，用手绢将汗水擦去。而在克莱德看来，这些汗水真的就象珠宝一样，只会使她变得更美了。

这真是克莱德美不滋儿的日子啊。现在，他终于又有了一位姑娘。就在这儿，他可以整天价守在她身边。他可以仔细端详她，打心眼儿里喜爱她，久而久之，他就倾其所有的热情渴求她，如同当初他渴求霍丹斯。布里格斯一样……只不过他觉得如今更为满意，因为他知道，相比之下，罗伯达更单纯。和蔼。

可敬。虽说罗伯达开头好象(或是故意装成)对他很冷淡，或是不理睬他，其实，一开头这就不是真的。她只是不知道自己该怎么表态才好。瞧他漂亮的脸儿和手，乌黑而又柔软的头发，还有忧郁而又迷人的黑眼睛!

他呀长得很动人……哦，非常动人。她觉得，说真的，他可是一个美男子。

后来没有多久，有一天，吉尔伯特。格里菲思从这儿走过，跟克莱德谈了几句话……因此，她心里就琢磨克莱德是一个有钱有势人物，比她过去想象的确实还要优越得多。正好吉尔伯特走近时，在罗伯达身边干活的莉娜。希莉克特身子俯过来跟她说:

"吉尔伯特。格里菲思先生来啦。整个工厂都是他父亲开的。

人家说，老头儿一死，就全归他啦。他就是吉尔伯特的堂弟，"她冲着克莱德点头示意说。"他们俩模样儿长得很象，是不是?

""是的，真象啊，"罗伯达回答说，偷偷地把克莱德和吉尔伯特打量一番。"只不过我觉得相比之下，克莱德。格里菲思先生还要好看，你说呢?

"坐在罗伯达另一头的霍达。佩特卡娜斯一听见最末这句话，便格格大笑，说:

"这儿人人都有这么个看法。何况他也不象吉尔伯特。格里菲思先生那么傲气呢。""那他也有钱吗?

"罗伯达心里在想克莱德，就开口这么问道。

"我可不知道。人家说他没有钱，"她不以为然地嘴唇一噘说。她跟其他女工一样，对克莱德倒是也很感兴趣。"他原先是在防缩车间做过。依我看，那时他干的只是按日计工。不过，听说他是要熟悉这一行不久前才上这儿来的。也许他在这里也待不了多久的。"罗伯达一听到最后这句话，突然心慌了。迄至今日，她总是竭力告诫自己:

她对克莱德不存任何罗曼蒂克幻想。可是如今听说他随时有可能调走，以后她永远也见不到他了，不由得使她心乱如麻。瞧他那么年轻，那么活泼，那么迷人。而且，对她也很喜爱。是的，那是明摆着的事。可是，说实话，她是不应该有这个想法的，也不应该吸引他的注意，因为他在这里是那么重要的一个人物……比她可高得多哩。

罗伯达一听说克莱德有如此显贵的亲戚，甚至可能还很有钱，也就不敢肯定他会对她真正感到兴趣，这原是符合当时她复杂的心态。她不是一个穷苦的女工吗?

他不是大富翁的亲侄子吗?

当然，他是不会跟她结婚的。那末，他还想跟她建立什么样的正当关系呢?

不，她千万要小心提防他。
Part 2 Chapter 15
The thoughts of Clyde at this time in regard to Roberta and his general situation in Lycurgus were for the mostpart confused and disturbing. For had not Gilbert warned him against associating with the help here? On theother hand, in so far as his actual daily life was concerned, his condition was socially the same as before. Apartfrom the fact that his move to Mrs. Peyton's had taken him into a better street and neighborhood, he was reallynot so well off as he had been at Mrs. Cuppy's. For there at least he had been in touch with those young peoplewho would have been diverting enough had he felt that it would have been wise to indulge them. But now, asidefrom a bachelor brother who was as old as Mrs. Peyton herself, and a son thirty--slim and reserved, who wasconnected with one of the Lycurgus banks--he saw no one who could or would trouble to entertain him. Like theothers with whom he came in contact, they thought him possessed of relationships which would make itunnecessary and even a bit presumptuous for them to suggest ways and means of entertaining him.
　　On the other hand, while Roberta was not of that high world to which he now aspired, still there was that abouther which enticed him beyond measure. Day after day and because so much alone, and furthermore because of sostrong a chemic or temperamental pull that was so definitely asserting itself, he could no longer keep his eyes offher--or she hers from him. There were evasive and yet strained and feverish eye-flashes between them. And afterone such in his case--a quick and furtive glance on her part at times--by no means intended to be seen by him, hefound himself weak and then feverish. Her pretty mouth, her lovely big eyes, her radiant and yet so often shy andevasive smile. And, oh, she had such pretty arms--such a trim, lithe, sentient, quick figure and movements. If heonly dared be friendly with her--venture to talk with and then see her somewhere afterwards--if she only would and if he only dared.
　　Confusion. Aspiration. Hours of burning and yearning. For indeed he was not only puzzled but irritated by theanomalous and paradoxical contrasts which his life here presented--loneliness and wistfulness as against the factthat it was being generally assumed by such as knew him that he was rather pleasantly and interestinglyemployed socially.
　　Therefore in order to enjoy himself in some way befitting his present rank, and to keep out of the sight of thosewho were imagining that he was being so much more handsomely entertained than he was, he had been morerecently, on Saturday afternoons and Sundays, making idle sightseeing trips to Gloversville, Fonda, Amsterdamand other places, as well as Gray and Crum Lakes, where there were boats, beaches and bathhouses, with bathingsuits for rent. And there, because he was always thinking that if by chance he should be taken up by the Griffiths,he would need as many social accomplishments as possible, and by reason of encountering a man who took afancy to him and who could both swim and dive, he learned to do both exceedingly well. But canoeing fascinatedhim really. He was pleased by the picturesque and summery appearance he made in an outing shirt and canvasshoes paddling about Crum Lake in one of the bright red or green or blue canoes that were leased by the hour.
　　And at such times these summer scenes appeared to possess an airy, fairy quality, especially with a summercloud or two hanging high above in the blue. And so his mind indulged itself in day dreams as to how it wouldfeel to be a member of one of the wealthy groups that frequented the more noted resorts of the north--RacquetteLake--Schroon Lake--Lake George and Champlain-- dance, golf, tennis, canoe with those who could afford to goto such places--the rich of Lycurgus.
　　But it was about this time that Roberta with her friend Grace found Crum Lake and had decided on it, with theapproval of Mr. and Mrs. Newton, as one of the best and most reserved of all the smaller watering places abouthere. And so it was that they, too, were already given to riding out to the pavilion on a Saturday or Sundayafternoon, and once there following the west shore along which ran a well-worn footpath which led to clumps oftrees, underneath which they sat and looked at the water, for neither could row a boat or swim. Also there werewild flowers and berry bushes to be plundered. And from certain marshy spots, to be reached by venturing outfor a score of feet or more, it was possible to reach and take white lilies with their delicate yellow hearts. Theywere decidedly tempting and on two occasions already the marauders had brought Mrs. Newton large armfuls ofblooms from the fields and shore line here.
　　On the third Sunday afternoon in July, Clyde, as lonely and rebellious as ever, was paddling about in a dark bluecanoe along the south bank of the lake about a mile and a half from the boathouse. His coat and hat were off, andin a seeking and half resentful mood he was imagining vain things in regard to the type of life he would reallylike to lead. At different points on the lake in canoes, or their more clumsy companions, the row-boats, wereboys and girls, men and women. And over the water occasionally would come their laughter or bits of theirconversation. And in the distance would be other canoes and other dreamers, happily in love, as Clyde invariablydecided, that being to him the sharpest contrast to his own lorn state.
　　At any rate, the sight of any other youth thus romantically engaged with his girl was sufficient to set dissonantlyjangling the repressed and protesting libido of his nature. And this would cause his mind to paint another picturein which, had fortune favored him in the first place by birth, he would now be in some canoe on Schroon orRacquette or Champlain Lake with Sondra Finchley or some such girl, paddling and looking at the shores of a scene more distingue than this. Or might he not be riding or playing tennis, or in the evening dancing or racingfrom place to place in some high-powered car, Sondra by his side? He felt so out of it, so lonely and restless andtortured by all that he saw here, for everywhere that he looked he seemed to see love, romance, contentment.
　　What to do? Where to go? He could not go on alone like this forever. He was too miserable.
　　In memory as well as mood his mind went back to the few gay happy days he had enjoyed in Kansas City beforethat dreadful accident--Ratterer, Hegglund, Higby, Tina Kogel, Hortense, Ratterer's sister Louise--in short, thegay company of which he was just beginning to be a part when that terrible accident had occurred. And next toDillard, Rita, Zella,--a companionship that would have been better than this, certainly. Were the Griffiths nevergoing to do any more for him than this? Had he only come here to be sneered at by his cousin, pushed aside, orrather completely ignored by all the bright company of which the children of his rich uncle were a part? And soplainly, from so many interesting incidents, even now in this dead summertime, he could see how privileged andrelaxed and apparently decidedly happy were those of that circle. Notices in the local papers almost every day asto their coming and going here and there, the large and expensive cars of Samuel as well as Gilbert Griffithsparked outside the main office entrance on such days as they were in Lycurgus--an occasional group of youngsociety figures to be seen before the grill of the Lycurgus Hotel, or before one of the fine homes in WykeagyAvenue, some one having returned to the city for an hour or a night.
　　And in the factory itself, whenever either was there--Gilbert or Samuel--in the smartest of summer clothes andattended by either Messrs. Smillie, Latch, Gotboy or Burkey, all high officials of the company, making a mostaustere and even regal round of the immense plant and consulting with or listening to the reports of the variousminor department heads. And yet here was he--a full cousin to this same Gilbert, a nephew to this distinguishedSamuel--being left to drift and pine by himself, and for no other reason than, as he could now clearly see, he wasnot good enough. His father was not as able as this, his great uncle--his mother (might Heaven keep her) not asdistinguished or as experienced as his cold, superior, indifferent aunt. Might it not be best to leave? Had he notmade a foolish move, after all, in coming on here? What, if anything, did these high relatives ever intend to dofor him?
　　In loneliness and resentment and disappointment, his mind now wandered from the Griffiths and their world, andparticularly that beautiful Sondra Finchley, whom he recalled with a keen and biting thrill, to Roberta and theworld which she as well as he was occupying here. For although a poor factory girl, she was still so much moreattractive than any of these other girls with whom he was every day in contact.
　　How unfair and ridiculous for the Griffiths to insist that a man in his position should not associate with a girlsuch as Roberta, for instance, and just because she worked in the mill. He might not even make friends with herand bring her to some such lake as this or visit her in her little home on account of that. And yet he could not gowith others more worthy of him, perhaps, for lack of means or contacts. And besides she was so attractive-very--and especially enticing to him. He could see her now as she worked with her swift, graceful movements ather machine. Her shapely arms and hands, her smooth skin and her bright eyes as she smiled up at him. And histhoughts were played over by exactly the same emotions that swept him so regularly at the factory. For poor ornot--a working girl by misfortune only--he could see how he could be very happy with her if only he did notneed to marry her. For now his ambitions toward marriage had been firmly magnetized by the world to which theGriffiths belonged. And yet his desires were most colorfully inflamed by her. if only he might venture to talk toher more--to walk home with her some day from the mill--to bring her out here to this lake on a Saturday or Sunday, and row about-- just to idle and dream with her.
　　He rounded a point studded with a clump of trees and bushes and covering a shallow where were scores of waterlilies afloat, their large leaves resting flat upon the still water of the lake. And on the bank to the left was a girlstanding and looking at them. She had her hat off and one hand to her eyes for she was facing the sun and waslooking down in the water. Her lips were parted in careless inquiry. She was very pretty, he thought, as hepaused in his paddling to look at her. The sleeves of a pale blue waist came only to her elbows. And a darkerblue skirt of flannel reconveyed to him the trimness of her figure. It wasn't Roberta! It couldn't be! Yes, it was!
　　Almost before he had decided, he was quite beside her, some twenty feet from the shore, and was looking up ather, his face lit by the radiance of one who had suddenly, and beyond his belief, realized a dream. And as thoughhe were a pleasant apparition suddenly evoked out of nothing and nowhere, a poetic effort taking form out ofsmoke or vibrant energy, she in turn stood staring down at him, her lips unable to resist the wavy line of beautythat a happy mood always brought to them.
　　"My, Miss Alden! It is you, isn't it?" he called. "I was wondering whether it was. I couldn't be sure from outthere.""Why, yes it is," she laughed, puzzled, and again just the least bit abashed by the reality of him. For in spite ofher obvious pleasure at seeing him again, only thinly repressed for the first moment or two, she was on theinstant beginning to be troubled by her thoughts in regard to him--the difficulties that contact with him seemed toprognosticate. For this meant contact and friendship, maybe, and she was no longer in any mood to resist him,whatever people might think. And yet here was her friend, Grace Marr. Would she want her to know of Clydeand her interest in him? She was troubled. And yet she could not resist smiling and looking at him in a frank andwelcoming way. She had been thinking of him so much and wishing for him in some happy, secure,commendable way. And now here he was. And there could be nothing more innocent than his presence here--norhers.
　　"Just out for a walk?" he forced himself to say, although, because of his delight and his fear of her really, he feltnot a little embarrassed now that she was directly before him. At the same time he added, recalling that she hadbeen looking so intently at the water: "You want some of these water lilies? Is that what you're looking for?""Uh, huh," she replied, still smiling and looking directly at him, for the sight of his dark hair blown by the wind,the pale blue outing shirt he wore open at the neck, his sleeves rolled up and the yellow paddle held by himabove the handsome blue boat, quite thrilled her. If only she could win such a youth for her very own self--justhers and no one else's in the whole world. It seemed as though this would be paradise--that if she could have himshe would never want anything else in all the world. And here at her very feet he sat now in this bright canoe onthis clear July afternoon in this summery world--so new and pleasing to her. And now he was laughing up at herso directly and admiringly. Her girl friend was far in the rear somewhere looking for daisies. Could she? Shouldshe?
　　"I was seeing if there was any way to get out to any of them," she continued a little nervously, a tremor almostrevealing itself in her voice. "I haven't seen any before just here on this side.""I'll get you all you want," he exclaimed briskly and gayly. "You just stay where you are. I'll bring them." Butthen, bethinking him of how much more lovely it would be if she were to get in with him, he added: "But seehere--why don't you get in here with me? There's plenty of room and I can take you anywhere you want to go.
　　There's lots nicer lilies up the lake here a little way and on the other side too. I saw hundreds of them over therejust beyond thatisland."Roberta looked. And as she did, another canoe paddled by, holding a youth of about Clyde's years and a girl noolder than herself. She wore a white dress and a pink hat and the canoe was green. And far across the water at thepoint of the very island about which Clyde was talking was another canoe--bright yellow with a boy and a girl inthat. She was thinking she would like to get in without her companion, if possible--with her, if need be. Shewanted so much to have him all to herself. If she had only come out here alone. For if Grace Marr were included,she would know and later talk, maybe, or think, if she heard anything else in regard to them ever. And yet if shedid not, there was the fear that he might not like her any more--might even come to dislike her or give up beinginterested in her, and that would be dreadful.
　　She stood staring and thinking, and Clyde, troubled and pained by her doubt on this occasion and his ownloneliness and desire for her, suddenly called: "Oh, please don't say no. Just get in, won't you? You'll like it. Iwant you to. Then we can find all the lilies you want. I can let you out anywhere you want to get out--in tenminutes if you want to."She marked the "I want you to." It soothed and strengthened her. He had no desire to take any advantage of heras she could see.
　　"But I have my friend with me here," she exclaimed almost sadly and dubiously, for she still wanted to goalone--never in her life had she wanted any one less than Grace Marr at this moment. Why had she brought her?
　　She wasn't so very pretty and Clyde might not like her, and that might spoil the occasion. "Besides," she addedalmost in the same breath and with many thoughts fighting her, "maybe I'd better not. Is it safe?""Oh, yes, maybe you better had," laughed Clyde seeing that she was yielding. "It's perfectly safe," he addedeagerly. Then maneuvering the canoe next to the bank, which was a foot above the water, and laying hold of aroot to hold it still, he said: "Of course you won't be in any danger. Call your friend then, if you want to, and I'llrow the two of you. There's room for two and there are lots of water lilies everywhere over there." He noddedtoward the east side of the lake.
　　Roberta could no longer resist and seized an overhanging branch by which to steady herself. At the same timeshe began to call: "Oh, Gray-ace! Gray-ace! Where are you?" for she had at last decided that it was best toinclude her.
　　A far-off voice as quickly answered: "Hello-o! What do you want?""Come up here. Come on. I got something I want to tell you.""Oh, no, you come on down here. The daisies are just wonderful.""No, you come on up here. There's some one here that wants to take us boating." She intended to call this loudly,but somehow her voice failed and her friend went on gathering flowers. Roberta frowned. She did not know justwhat to do. "Oh, very well, then," she suddenly decided, and straightening up added: "We can row down towhere she is, I guess."And Clyde, delighted, exclaimed: "Oh, that's just fine. Sure. Do get in. We'll pick these here first and then if shehasn't come, I'll paddle down nearer to where she is. Just step square in the center and that will balance it."He was leaning back and looking up at her and Roberta was looking nervously and yet warmly into his eyes.
　　Actually it was as though she were suddenly diffused with joy, enveloped in a rosy mist.
　　She balanced one foot. "Will it be perfectly safe?""Sure, sure," emphasized Clyde. "I'll hold it safe. Just take hold of that branch there and steady yourself by that."He held the boat very still as she stepped. Then, as the canoe careened slightly to one side, she dropped to thecushioned seat with a little cry. It was like that of a baby to Clyde.
　　"It's all right," he reassured her. "Just sit in the center there. It won't tip over. Gee, but this is funny. I can't makeit out quite. You know just as I was coming around that point I was thinking of you--how maybe you might liketo come out to a place like this sometime. And now here you are and here I am, and it all happened just like that."He waved his hand and snapped his fingers.
　　And Roberta, fascinated by this confession and yet a little frightened by it, added: "Is that so?" She was thinkingof her own thoughts in regard to him.
　　"Yes, and what's more," added Clyde, "I've been thinking of you all day, really. That's the truth. I was wishing Imight see you somewhere this morning and bring you out here.""Oh, now, Mr. Griffiths. You know you don't mean that," pleaded Roberta, fearful lest this sudden contact shouldtake too intimate and sentimental a turn too quickly. She scarcely liked that because she was afraid of him andherself, and now she looked at him, trying to appear a little cold or at least disinterested, but it was a very weakeffort.
　　"That's the truth, though, just the same," insisted Clyde.
　　"Well, I think it is beautiful myself," admitted Roberta. "I've been out here, too, several times now. My friendand I." Clyde was once more delighted. She was smiling now and full of wonder.
　　"Oh, have you?" he exclaimed, and there was more talk as to why he liked to come out and how he had learnedto swim here. "And to think I turned in here and there you were on the bank, looking at those water lilies. Wasn'tthat queer? I almost fell out of the boat. I don't think I ever saw you look as pretty as you did just now standingthere.""Oh, now, Mr. Griffiths," again pleaded Roberta cautiously. "You mustn't begin that way. I'll be afraid you're adreadful flatterer. I'll have to think you are if you say anything like that so quickly."Clyde once more gazed at her weakly, and she smiled because she thought he was more handsome than ever. Butwhat would he think, she added to herself, if she were to tell him that just before he came around that point shewas thinking of him too, and wishing that he were there with her, and not Grace. And how they might sit andtalk, and hold hands perhaps. He might even put his arms around her waist, and she might let him. That would beterrible, as some people here would see it, she knew. And it would never do for him to know that--never. Thatwould be too intimate--too bold. But just the same it was so. Yet what would these people here in Lycurgus thinkof her and him now if they should see her, letting him paddle her about in this canoe! He a factory manager andshe an employee in his department. The conclusion! The scandal, maybe, even. And yet Grace Marr was along-orsoon would be. And she could explain to her--surely. He was out rowing and knew her, and why shouldn't hehelp her get some lilies if he wanted to? It was almost unavoidable--this present situation, wasn't it?
　　Already Clyde had maneuvered the canoe around so that they were now among the water lilies. And as he talked,having laid his paddle aside, he had been reaching over and pulling them up, tossing them with their long, wetstems at her feet as she lay reclining in the seat, one hand over the side of the canoe in the water, as she had seenother girls holding theirs. And for the moment her thoughts were allayed and modified by the beauty of his headand arms and the tousled hair that now fell over his eyes. How handsome he was!

这些天来克莱德一想到罗伯达，以及他自己在莱柯格斯的处境，多半就心慌意乱了。吉尔伯特不是警告他不准跟这里的女工交往吗?

另一方面，就他每天的实际生活来说，跟以前并无不同。除了他迁入佩顿太太的家，现在住的这条街道和周围环境层次较高之外，说实话，他并不见得比借住柯比太太家时好多少。在那里，他至少还可以跟那些年轻人相聚在一起，只要他认为跟他们接近也是无伤大雅的话，那末，他们这伙人都会逗乐儿，不至于使他感到十分孤单。

如今，除了佩顿太太有一位年龄跟她相仿的单身兄弟，还有她的一个三十岁的儿子……骨瘦嶙峋，沉默寡言，在莱柯格斯一家银行里任职……以外，他就寻摸不到一个能够或是愿意使他开开心的人了。他们同他平日里接触到的那些人一样，认为:

既然他在此地有亲戚，也就用不着跟他套近乎，要不然反而有一点儿不知趣了。

另一方面，尽管罗伯达并不是出身于他如今一心跻入的上流社会，但她身上还是具有一种使他无限迷恋的魅力。由于他非常孤单难受，尤其是他天生具有一种日益强烈的本能，驱使他成天价两眼离不开她，同样，她也两眼离不开他。他们俩的目光，不时偷偷地，但是紧张而又炽烈地相遇在一起。要是克莱德向她递了一个眼色……那末，罗伯达往往也马上偷偷地投去一瞥……压根儿不希望他发觉，哪知道他只觉得先是浑身酥软无力，接下来便有一种够热辣辣的感觉。瞧她那张俊俏的嘴巴，那双迷人的大眼睛，还有她那熠熠生辉，但又往往羞羞答答。躲躲闪闪的微笑!

啊，她有那么漂亮的胳臂，还有她的身姿仪态，又是那么端庄。柔软。多情，而且轻盈矫捷。只要他胆敢跟她交朋友……先跟她谈谈，然后就在什么地方同她会面……但愿她一口应允，但愿他有这股子胆量啊。

惶惑。热望。那些炽烈的渴念的时刻。他在这儿生活有违悖常理和自相矛盾之处，说实话，这使他不仅感到困惑，而且还为之恼怒……如今，尽管他还是如此孑然一身，忧心忡忡，可是熟识他的人，却照例臆想他出入在上流社会，该有何等春风得意。

因此，为了个人适当娱乐消遣，既要保住自己现有身分地位，而又不让那些臆想他一定忙于上流社会交际应酬的人发现，近来他常在周末下午与星期天去格洛弗斯维尔。方达和阿姆斯特丹等地观光游览。还去过格雷湖和克拉姆湖，那儿都有湖滨浴场。更衣室，还出租游泳衣和游船。他心里常常在想，要是碰巧他博得格里菲思一家人青睐，那他就必须尽可能具备上流社会交际酬酢的各种修养，无意中他结识了一个人，此人对他很有好感，而且游泳。跳水也都会，因此，游泳。跳水这两项，克莱德已经学得顶呱呱了。不过，说实话，他对划小划子却入了迷。穿上一件旅游衬衫。一双帆布鞋，以及衬托出他那潇洒风度的夏装打扮，划着一只鲜红色，或是深绿色。天蓝色的计时收费的小划子，荡漾在克拉姆湖上，这才叫他开心呢。这时，眼前夏日风光，犹如悬在空中的仙山琼阁，特别是当一两朵夏云飘过蓝天的时候。克莱德也就沉浸在白日梦里:

仿佛他是那些殷实的公司里头的一员，时常去莱柯格斯以北那些有名的游览胜地……拉凯特湖……斯克隆湖……乔治与张伯伦湖……跟莱柯格斯的富人(只有他们才有钱来此游览)一起跳舞，玩高尔夫球，打网球，划划小划子。

大约就在这时，罗伯达跟她的女友格雷斯也发现了克拉姆湖，而且认为附近小湖虽多，但就数它最秀丽。最幽静，对此，牛顿夫妇也表示同意。因此，她们也往往喜欢在星期六或星期日午后来到这里，顺着西边湖滨一条早就被行人踩出来。一直通往丛林的小道漫步。有时她们坐在树荫下，尽情欣赏湖上风光，因为她们都不会划船。游泳。四周围还长着许多野花和野生浆果可以采撷，二十步开外，从一些低湿的岸边，还可以攀摘到花蕊嫩黄的洁白睡莲。这些睡莲真是太诱人，已有两回了，她们这两位采花女把几大抱从田野里和湖边采到的花送给了牛顿太太。

七月里第三个星期天下午，克莱德如同往日里一样孤单憋闷，正坐在一只深蓝色小划子里，沿着离租船处大约一英里半湖的南岸向前划去。他早就把外套和帽子脱掉，心里不免有点儿悻悻然，沉溺于他确实心驰神往的生活方式的梦幻之中。放眼湖上，到处可以见到许许多多小划子，或者样子比较笨拙的游船上，都有年轻的和成年的男男女女。偶尔从湖面上传来了他们的欢声笑语。

远处，还有别的一些小划子和幸福地相爱着的梦幻者，此情此景……克莱德总觉得跟他的孑然一身恰好形成了强烈的对照。

不拘是哪一个年轻人，只要跟他的姑娘卿卿我我在一起，这一情景照例会激起克莱德与生俱有的那种被压抑而又反抗着的性的本能的冲动。那时，他心中会呈现出另一幅图景:

要是他有幸出生在另一个家庭，那末，此时此刻，他也许就在斯克隆湖上，或是在拉凯特湖上。张伯伦湖上，跟桑德拉。芬奇利或是别的象她那类姑娘一起坐在小划子里，操着桨，欣赏比这里更美的湖边景色。

要不然，也许他正在溜马，打网球，或是傍晚上舞会，或是开了一辆大马力的汽车到处兜风，而桑德拉就紧挨在他身边，可不是吗?

他不禁感到非常孤独和坐立不安，何况他眼前所见到的这一切，使他更加苦恼，因为他放眼望去，好象到处都是爱情啊，罗曼史啊，心满意足啊。怎么办?

该上哪儿呢?

他可不能一辈子这么孤零零啊。他呀太可怜了。

回忆和思绪使他又回想到骇人惨事发生以前，他在堪萨斯城那些屈指可数的快乐。幸福的日子，想到了拉特勒。赫格伦。希格比。蒂娜。科格尔。霍丹斯。拉特勒的妹妹路易斯……一句话，想到了惨案发生时他与他们不分你我的那一拨放荡不羁的伙伴们。接下来就是迪拉特。丽达。泽拉……同他们在一起，当然罗，比现在这样孤零零要好得多了。难道说格里菲思家再也不会给他更多的照顾了吗?

他上这儿来，就仅仅为了让他的堂兄嘲笑，被有钱的伯父的子女以及他们那个上流社会甩在一边。压根儿不理不睬吗?

从许许多多有趣的事例中，他一眼就可看出，上流社会那个圈子里头的人，过着享有特权。逍遥自在，当然也是非常幸福的生活。即便现在，时值沉闷的夏季，本地各报差不多每天都刊登他们四出观光游览的消息。塞缪尔。格里菲思。吉尔伯特。格里菲思来莱柯格斯时，他们豪华型大轿车就停在办公大楼门前……有时，在莱柯格斯饭店酒吧间或是威克吉大街府邸门前，偶尔也会看到一群上流社会年轻人，他们这些人回城里来，只不过待上个把钟头，或是至多一个晚上罢了。

再说吉尔伯特或塞缪尔，不论他们哪一位，只要一到厂里……他们身上穿着最漂亮的夏装，不是斯米利。拉奇。戈特博伊，就是伯基克，全是公司里高级职员陪同，在这个规模宏大的工厂里，作一次非常严肃。乃至于有如皇上圣驾出巡一般的视察，跟下面各部门负责人商量工作，或则听取他们的报告。可他呢……就是这个吉尔伯特的嫡堂兄弟，这个大名鼎鼎的塞缪尔的亲侄子……却被扔在一边，独自漂泊，形容憔悴。而这一切，现在他已看得很清楚，不外乎是因为:

在他们看来，他还不够理想。他父亲不象他这个了不起的伯父那么精明能干……他母亲(但愿上帝保佑她)不象他这个冷冰冰的。目空一切。漠不关心的伯母那么显赫，或是那么老练。离开这儿，不就是最好也没有?

他上这儿来，说到底，不就是很蠢吗?

也许，这些显贵的亲戚，压根儿都不想帮他大忙吧?

孤独。怨恨。失望，使他先是想到格里菲思家和他们那个世界(特别是一想到那个美丽的桑德拉。芬奇利，至今他心中还是热辣辣的)，继而又想到罗伯达，以及她和他自己目前的那种境遇。尽管她是一个贫苦的女工，但跟他每天接触到的任何一个姑娘相比，都要动人得多呢。

格里菲思一家人坚持认为象克莱德这样身分地位的人不应该跟罗伯达这一类姑娘来往，无非因为她是在厂里做工的，这有多么不公道，多么可笑。因此，他甚至不能跟她交朋友，带她一块儿游湖去，或是上她那个小小的家里作客去。

可他又无法结识比他身价更高的人，也许是一来没钱，二来没有接触机会吧。

再说，罗伯达长得又是那么漂亮……简直非常漂亮……而且，依他看，还特别迷人哩。这时，他仿佛看见她正在机器旁动作敏捷而又优美地干活，看见她那长得匀称的胳臂和双手。她那光滑的肌肤，以及她向他微笑时那一双明眸。这时，经常在厂里使他激动不已的情绪，正好涌上了他心头。不管穷也好，不穷也好，她只不过运气不好才当女工的，他认为，他要是能跟她在一起，只要不是非同她结婚不可就会很幸福。因为，现在他对婚姻的愿望已被格里菲思那个上流社会深深地影响了。可是，罗伯达却又使他欲火中烧。要是他能鼓足勇气跟她多谈谈……哪天从厂里送她回家……星期六或是星期天，同她一块来到湖上划划船……只是跟她一块消磨时光，沉醉在那梦幻之中，该有多好!

他绕过突入湖面的一块岬角，那里有一片高大树木和灌木丛，浅滩处漂着好几十朵睡莲，偌大的叶子一片片浮在静止不动的水面上。左边湖岸上，有一个姑娘伫立在那儿，正凝望着那些睡莲。由于阳光直照着她的脸，她就摘下帽子，一手遮在眼前，低头俯视着湖面。她的嘴唇微微张开，漫不经心露出诧异的神情。他停了桨望着她时，心里思忖:

她长得多美啊。一件淡蓝色胸衣，袖子只到臂弯上。那条深蓝色法兰绒裙子，越发显出她身姿秀拔。难道这是罗伯达吗?

!

不，决不会的!

啊，这果真是她!

克莱德还没来得及思索，差不多快要划到她跟前，离岸边大约二十英尺光景。他抬头望着她，脸上就象始料所不及。突然实现了梦想的人那样放出光彩。

而对于罗伯达呢，他好似一个突然显现的欢乐的精灵，一个从烟雾缥缈之中，或是生生不息的活力中形成诗意一般的产物，于是她伫立在那里，凝神俯视着他，嘴边情不自禁泛上笑意，露出她在心情愉快时常有的一种美。

"天哪，奥尔登小姐!

原来是你呀?

"他大声嚷了起来。"我心里正在纳闷究竟是谁呢?

我在靠岸前还说不准是不是你呢。""哦，就是我呀，"她格格大笑起来，既感到不好意思，又因为果真是他，不免有些赧颜。她又见到了他，显然很高兴，尽管一开头多少还得掩饰一下，可是继而一想到跟他来往看来会惹起麻烦，她马上又感到困惑不安。因为这样一见面就意味着跟他有了来往，也许就有了交情;她心里再也不会拒绝他了，让人家爱怎么想就怎么想吧。反正这儿还有她的女友格雷斯。玛尔。要不要向玛尔说说克莱德的事?

让玛尔知道她对克莱德很感兴趣呢?

这时，她已心乱如麻。不过，她还是禁不住露出坦率。喜悦的微笑，两眼直瞅着他。她一直在朝朝暮暮想念他，而且梦想着自己能高高兴兴地。不用担心地见到他，给他留下好印象。如今，他已来到了她跟前。他就在这里，她也在这里……这是再无伤大雅也没有了。

"你只是出来溜达溜达吧?

"他终于迫使自己说出了这么一句话，虽然见她伫立在面前，由于惊喜交集，他不免感到有些尴尬。但他一想起她一直在凝视着湖面，便找补着说:

"你要采摘一些睡莲吗?

我觉得，你是在寻摸睡莲吧?

""哦，哦，"她回话时依然在微笑，两眼直瞅着他，因为他那乌黑的头发正被微风吹拂，淡蓝色衬衫敞着胸口，两袖高高地卷起，他在漂亮的蓝色游船上操着一把黄色划桨……此情此景简直使她销魂。她要是能把这样一个年轻人征服了……就归她一人所有，对于他，除了她以外，全世界谁都没有份，该有多好!

要是这样，就好比进了天堂……她只要能得到他，世界上任何东西她都不希罕了。此刻他就在她脚下，正当晴朗的盛夏七月里一个下午，他坐在一只漂亮的小划子里……这一切，她觉得都是那么新鲜，那么可爱。就在这时，他抬起头来，惊喜地直冲着她笑。而她的女友格雷斯正在后面很远的地方寻觅菊花。可是她会怎样呢?

她究竟又该怎样呢?

"我正在看看有没有路可以到达那儿，"她心情不免有些紧张地接着说，话音几乎在颤抖。"这儿岸边我至今还没见过有睡莲呢。""你要多少，我就给你多少，"他兴高采烈地大声嚷道。"你只要待在这儿不动。我马上就给你送来。"可他转念一想，要是把她接到船上，跟自己在一块，岂不更美。于是，他找补着说:

"不过，听我说……你干吗不到我的船上来?

船上足够两人坐的，你要上哪儿，我就可以把你送到哪儿。离这儿湖面不远，睡莲更好看，就是那一边，也还有哩。绕过那个小岛，我还见过许许多多睡莲。

"罗伯达纵目眺望湖上。就在这时，蓦然间窜出来另一只小划子，操划桨的是一个年纪跟克莱德相仿的年轻人，还有一个年纪跟她自己相仿的姑娘。这个姑娘身穿一套白色连衣裙，头戴一顶粉红色帽子;可那只小划子却是一色绿。远处湖上，也就是克莱德刚才说过那个小岛附近，还有一只小划子……是金黄色的，船上也有一男一女。她心里琢磨，最好不带她的女友，只让她自个儿上船。

实在万不得已，就只好让女友一起上船。她心里多么想独个儿跟他在一起。要是她独自一人来到这儿，该有多好。此刻要是招呼格雷斯。玛尔一起上船，那末，这次见面的事她就会知道，日后倘再听到有关他们俩的事，说不定格雷斯。

玛尔会瞎说一通，或是会胡思乱想一番。要是她一口回绝呢，深怕克莱德从此就再也不会喜欢她……甚至会厌弃她，或是从此对她压根儿不感兴趣，那就太可怕了。

她伫立在那里，两眼凝望前方，暗自思忖着;克莱德一见她这样迟疑不定，又想到自己形单影只，少不得越发需要她，心中不免万分苦恼，于是，他就突然高声喊道:

"喂，请你千万别说不行。只管下船，好吗?

你准会高兴的。我要你上船嘛。那你要的睡莲我们就都可以寻摸到。随你高兴，十分钟内，反正我可以划到哪儿，让你在那儿上岸。"她注意到"我要你上船嘛"这句话，它使她既感到慰藉，而又给自己增添了力量。依她看，他并没有存心捉弄她的意思。

"不过，我这儿还有个女友在一块哩，"她几乎有些犯愁，而又迟疑地喊道，因为至今她还是巴不得独自一人上船……反正此时此刻她最最不需要格雷斯。

玛尔了。刚才她自己干吗把她一块带来?

她模样儿长得不好看，克莱德也许不喜欢她，这样事情也就糟了。"再说，"她几乎上气不接下气地找补着说，心里还在斗争，"也许，最好我还是不下船。那不是有危险吗?

""哦，不，当然没有危险罗，不过，最好你还是上船吧，"克莱德一见她已在让步，就微笑着说。"万无一失，"他急急地加上一句。说罢，他把小划子靠拢湖岸。湖岸离水面还有一英尺，他抓住一条树根让小船停稳后，就说:

"当然罗，你用不着害怕什么。随你高兴，把你的女友叫来也好，我就给你们俩划船。这儿坐得下两个人，瞧那边到处都是睡莲，"他朝着湖的东岸点点头。

罗伯达再也抗拒不了，就抓住一根高悬湖面的树枝，使自己身子稳住，同时开始大声喊道:

"喂，格雷……斯!

格雷……斯!

你在哪儿?

"因为她最后决定还是把女友带到自己身边为好。

远处马上传来了一个回音:

"喂!

什么事呀?

""上这儿来。快快来吧。我有话跟你说。""哦，不，最好还是你来吧。这儿菊花简直太漂亮啦。""不，最好还是你过来。有人要带我们去划船哩。

"这句话她原想高声喊道，但她嗓门儿不知怎的偏偏提不高，她的女友也就只管继续采花去了。罗伯达皱了皱眉头，真不知道该怎么办才好。"哦，那就得了吧，"她猛地拿定主意，挺直身子，找补着说:

"我看，我们就干脆划到她那边去，好吗?

"克莱德兴冲冲，大声说:

"哦，那敢情好啊。当然罗，可以。请下船吧。我们先在这儿采一些花，过一会儿她不来，我就索性划到她那儿去。只要迈开两脚，站在当中，就平稳了。"他身子稍微往后一靠，抬眼直望着她;罗伯达心里惴惴不安，可又热切地跟他的目光相遇在一起。说真的，她觉得仿佛欢乐就象一团玫瑰色雾霭突然把自己裹住了。

她跨上一只脚，试试看稳不稳。"万无一失吗?

""当然罗，当然罗，"克莱德一个劲儿说。"我会把小船稳住的。只要抓住这根树枝，你就站稳了。"她一脚踩到小船上时，克莱德早已把小船拴得四平八稳。

随后，小划子轻轻侧向一边，她一声尖叫，扑的摔倒在一张有软垫的座位上。

克莱德觉得，她简直就象一个小丫头似的。

"这就行啦。"他要她尽管放心。"只要坐在当中。小船儿准翻不了的。嘿，真有意思。我始终都闹不明白。你知不知道，我从那边划过来的时候，心里正惦着你……也许你什么时候会喜欢上这儿来玩。可是眼前，你和我两人都在这儿，这一切真是来得太凑巧了。"他把手一挥，手指一捻劈啪作响。

罗伯达听了他的心里话，既陶醉又有点儿惧怕，就接过嘴说:

"是真的吗?

"她回想到刚才她心里也正惦念着他哩。

"是真的，不仅这样，"克莱德找补着说，"而且，说真的，我整天都在惦着你。这才是老实话。我心里真的巴不得今儿早上就碰到你，把你一块捎到这儿来。""哦，你怎么啦，格里菲思先生。你知道你自己不是那个意思，"罗伯达恳求说，生怕这次湖上邂逅会使他们马上变得太亲热，太动感情。她可不喜欢那样，因为她既害怕他，也害怕她自己。这时，她两眼直望着他，竭力现出冷淡，至少也是无动于衷的神情，只不过佯装得很不成功罢了。

"反正这是千真万确的，"克莱德坚持说。

"哦，我也觉得这真是太好了，"罗伯达承认说。"这儿我和我那个女友也来过好几次啦。"克莱德一下子心里又感到很高兴。瞧她莞尔而笑，该有多迷人啊。

"哦，你来过了吗?

"他大声嚷道，接下去谈到他干吗喜欢上这儿来，而且在这儿还学会了游泳。"想想吧，我们小船划到这儿的时候，你正好在岸边望着睡莲。真的，怪不怪呀?

我差点儿从船上落到了水里。我从来没见过刚才你伫立在岸边时那样好看。""哦，格里菲思先生，"罗伯达又在小心地恳求说。"请你千万别这样说。恐怕你真是太会恭维人了。你要是动不动这么说，我就不得不把你当作那一号人啦。"克莱德再一次顺从地直瞅着她。她却微微一笑，因为她觉得，这时他比过去可要漂亮得多。不过，她转念一想，要是跟他说，在他绕过岬角以前，她心里也正在惦着他，巴不得他跟她……而不是跟格雷斯……在一起，那他又会作何感想呢。那时候，她还梦想着，他们俩会坐在一起聊天，也许两人手拉着手呢。甚至于她也许会听任他搂住自己的腰。她知道，这里备不住有人会看见的，那就太可怕了。不过，无论如何也不应该让他知道这些……说什么都不行。这样一来关系太密切了……太大胆了。不过，说到底，反正她梦寐以求的就是这些。然而，要是莱柯格斯有人在这儿看到她，让他捎着她泛舟湖上，那末，对她和他又会有怎么个想法呢。他是厂里某个部门的负责人，而她则是他手下的工人。这就是人们作出的结论!

甚至也许还会说成是丑闻呢。不过，幸亏格雷斯。

玛尔在一起……好在她马上就会来的。当然罗，罗伯达都会向她解释清楚的。

他是出来划船时认识她，既然他乐意帮她采摘几朵睡莲，为什么这就不可以呢?

这种情况几乎已是不可避免，可不是吗?

克莱德早就操起划桨，让小船往前驶去，不一会儿他们已经置身在睡莲花丛里了。他把划桨撂在一边，一面说话，一面伸出手去，把睡莲连根都拔了起来，随手扔到她脚底下。她身子斜倚在座位上，就象她见过那些姑娘们那样，也把一只手伸进湖水里。瞧他的头。胳臂，还有垂在他眼前的几丝乱发，都是那么美，她心中的疑虑立时冰消瓦解。他多美啊!
Part 2 Chapter 16
The outcome of that afternoon was so wonderful for both that for days thereafter neither could cease thinkingabout it or marveling that anything so romantic and charming should have brought them together so intimatelywhen both were considering that it was not wise for either to know the other any better than employee andsuperior.
　　After a few moments of badinage in the boat in which he had talked about the beauty of the lilies and how gladhe was to get them for her, they picked up her friend, Grace, and eventually returned to the boathouse.
　　Once on the land again there developed not a little hesitation on her part as well as his as to how farther toproceed, for they were confronted by the problem of returning into Lycurgus together. As Roberta saw it, itwould not look right and might create talk. And on his part, he was thinking of Gilbert and other people he knew.
　　The trouble that might come of it. What Gilbert would say if he did hear. And so both he and she, as well asGrace, were dubious on the instant about the wisdom of riding back together. Grace's own reputation, as well asthe fact that she knew Clyde was not interested in her, piqued her. And Roberta, realizing this from her manner,said: "What do you think we had better do, excuse ourselves?"At once Roberta tried to think just how they could extricate themselves gracefully without offending Clyde.
　　Personally she was so enchanted that had she been alone she would have preferred to have ridden back with him.
　　But with Grace here and in this cautious mood, never. She must think up some excuse.
　　And at the same time, Clyde was wondering just how he was to do now--ride in with them and brazenly face thepossibility of being seen by some one who might carry the news to Gilbert Griffiths or evade doing so on somepretext or other. He could think of none, however, and was about to turn and accompany them to the car whenthe young electrician, Shurlock, who lived in the Newton household and who had been on the balcony of thepavilion, hailed them. He was with a friend who had a small car, and they were ready to return to the city.
　　"Well, here's luck," he exclaimed. "How are you, Miss Alden? How do you do, Miss Marr? You two don'thappen to be going our way, do you? If you are, we can take you in with us."Not only Roberta but Clyde heard. And at once she was about to say that, since it was a little late and she andGrace were scheduled to attend church services with the Newtons, it would be more convenient for them toreturn this way. She was, however, half hoping that Shurlock would invite Clyde and that he would accept. Buton his doing so, Clyde instantly refused. He explained that he had decided to stay out a little while longer. Andso Roberta left him with a look that conveyed clearly enough the gratitude and delight she felt. They had hadsuch a good time. And he in turn, in spite of many qualms as to the wisdom of all this, fell to brooding on howsad it was that just he and Roberta might not have remained here for hours longer. And immediately after theyhad gone, he returned to the city alone.
　　The next morning he was keener than ever to see Roberta again. And although the peculiarly exposed nature ofthe work at the factory made it impossible for him to demonstrate his feelings, still by the swift and admiring andseeking smiles that played over his face and blazed in his eyes, she knew that he was as enthusiastic, if not moreso, as on the night before. And on her part, although she felt that a crisis of some sort was impending, and inspite of the necessity of a form of secrecy which she resented, she could not refrain from giving him a warm andquite yielding glance in return. The wonder of his being interested in her! The wonder and the thrill!
　　Clyde decided at once that his attentions were still welcome. Also that he might risk saying something to her,supposing that a suitable opportunity offered. And so, after waiting an hour and seeing two fellow workers leavefrom either side of her, he seized the occasion to drift near and to pick up one of the collars she had just stamped,saying, as though talking about that: "I was awfully sorry to have to leave you last night. I wish we were outthere again to-day instead of here, just you and me, don't you?"Roberta turned, conscious that now was the time to decide whether she would encourage or discourage anyattention on his part. At the same time she was almost faintingly eager to accept his attentions regardless of theproblem in connection with them. His eyes! His hair! His hands! And then instead of rebuking or chilling him inany way, she only looked, but with eyes too weak and melting to mean anything less than yielding anduncertainty. Clyde saw that she was hopelessly and helplessly drawn to him, as indeed he was to her. On theinstant he was resolved to say something more, when he could, as to where they could meet when no one wasalong, for it was plain that she was no more anxious to be observed than he was. He well knew more sharply todaythan ever before that he was treading on dangerous ground.
　　He began to make mistakes in his calculations, to feel that, with her so near him, he was by no meansconcentrating on the various tasks before him. She was too enticing, too compelling in so many ways to him.
　　There was something so warm and gay and welcome about her that he felt that if he could persuade her to love him he would be among the most fortunate of men. Yet there was that rule, and although on the lake the daybefore he had been deciding that his position here was by no means as satisfactory as it should be, still withRoberta in it, as now it seemed she well might be, would it not be much more delightful for him to stay? Couldhe not, for the time being at least, endure the further indifference of the Griffiths? And who knows, might theynot yet become interested in him as a suitable social figure if only he did nothing to offend them? And yet herehe was attempting to do exactly the thing he had been forbidden to do. What kind of an injunction was this,anyhow, wherewith Gilbert had enjoined him? If he could come to some understanding with her, perhaps shewould meet him in some clandestine way and thus obviate all possibility of criticism.
　　It was thus that Clyde, seated at his desk or walking about, was thinking. For now his mind, even in the face ofhis duties, was almost entirely engaged by her, and he could think of nothing else. He had decided to suggest thatthey meet for the first time, if she would, in a small park which was just west of the first outlying resort on theMohawk. But throughout the day, so close to each other did the girls work, he had no opportunity tocommunicate with her. Indeed noontime came and he went below to his lunch, returning a little early in the hopeof finding her sufficiently detached to permit him to whisper that he wished to see her somewhere. But she wassurrounded by others at the time and so the entire afternoon went by without a single opportunity.
　　However, as he was going out, he bethought him that if he should chance to meet her alone somewhere in thestreet, he would venture to speak to her. For she wanted him to--that he knew, regardless of what she might sayat any time. And he must find some way that would appear as accidental and hence as innocent to her as toothers. But as the whistle blew and she left the building she was joined by another girl, and he was left to think ofsome other way.
　　That same evening, however, instead of lingering about the Peyton house or going to a moving picture theater, ashe so often did now, or walking alone somewhere in order to allay his unrest and loneliness, he chose nowinstead to seek out the home of Roberta on Taylor Street. It was not a pleasing house, as he now decided, notnearly so attractive as Mrs. Cuppy's or the house in which he now dwelt. It was too old and brown, theneighborhood too nondescript, if conservative. But the lights in different rooms glowing at this early hour gave ita friendly and genial look. And the few trees in front were pleasant. What was Roberta doing now? Why couldn'tshe have waited for him in the factory? Why couldn't she sense now that he was outside and come out? Hewished intensely that in some way he could make her feel that he was out here, and so cause her to come out. Butshe didn't. On the contrary, he observed Mr. Shurlock issue forth and disappear toward Central Avenue. And,after that, pedestrian after pedestrian making their way out of different houses along the street and towardCentral, which caused him to walk briskly about the block in order to avoid being seen. At the same time hesighed often, because it was such a fine night--a full moon rising about nine-thirty and hanging heavy andyellow over the chimney tops. He was so lonely.
　　But at ten, the moon becoming too bright, and no Roberta appearing, he decided to leave. It was not wise to behanging about here. But the night being so fine he resented the thought of his room and instead walked up anddown Wykeagy Avenue, looking at the fine houses there--his uncle Samuel's among them. Now, all theiroccupants were away at their summer places. The houses were dark. And Sondra Finchley and Bertine Cranstonand all that company--what were they doing on a night like this? Where dancing? Where speeding? Whereloving? It was so hard to be poor, not to have money and position and to be able to do in life exactly as youwished.
　　And the next morning, more eager than usual, he was out of Mrs. Peyton's by six-forty-five, anxious to find someway of renewing his attentions to Roberta. For there was that crowd of factory workers that proceeded northalong Central Avenue. And she would be a unit in it, of course, at about 7.10. But his trip to the factory wasfruitless. For, after swallowing a cup of coffee at one of the small restaurants near the post-office and walking thelength of Central Avenue toward the mill, and pausing at a cigar store to see if Roberta should by any chancecome along alone, he was rewarded by the sight of her with Grace Marr again. What a wretched, crazy world thiswas, he at once decided, and how difficult it was in this miserable town for anyone to meet anyone else alone.
　　Everyone, nearly, knew everyone else. Besides, Roberta knew that he was trying to get a chance to talk to her.
　　Why shouldn't she walk alone then? He had looked at her enough yesterday. And yet here she was walking withGrace Marr and appeared seemingly contented. What was the matter with her anyhow?
　　By the time he reached the factory he was very sour. But the sight of Roberta taking her place at her bench andtossing him a genial "good morning" with a cheerful smile, caused him to feel better and that all was not lost.
　　It was three o'clock in the afternoon and a lull due to the afternoon heat, the fag of steadily continued work, andthe flare of reflected light from the river outside was over all. The tap, tap, tap of metal stamps upon scores ofcollars at once--nearly always slightly audible above the hum and whirr of the sewing machines beyond was, ifanything, weaker than usual. And there was Ruza Nikoforitch, Hoda Petkanas, Martha Bordaloue, Angelina Pittiand Lena Schlict, all joining in a song called "Sweethearts" which some one had started. And Roberta,perpetually conscious of Clyde's eyes, as well as his mood, was thinking how long it would be before he wouldcome around with some word in regard to something. For she wished him to--and because of his whisperedwords of the day before, she was sure that it would not be long, because he would not be able to resist it. Hiseyes the night before had told her that. Yet because of the impediments of this situation she knew that he must behaving a difficult time thinking of any way by which he could say anything to her. And still at certain momentsshe was glad, for there were such moments when she felt she needed the security which the presence of so manygirls gave her.
　　And as she thought of all this, stamping at her desk along with the others, she suddenly discovered that a bundleof collars which she had already stamped as sixteens were not of that size but smaller. She looked at it quicklyand nervously, then decided that there was but one thing to do--lay the bundle aside and await comment fromone of the foremen, including Clyde, or take it directly to him now--really the better way, because it preventedany of the foremen seeing it before he did. That was what all the girls did when they made mistakes of any kind.
　　And all trained girls were supposed to catch all possible errors of that kind.
　　And yet now and in the face of all her very urgent desires she hesitated, for this would take her direct to Clydeand give him the opportunity he was seeking. But, more terrifying, it was giving her the opportunity she wasseeking. She wavered between loyalty to Clyde as a superintendent, loyalty to her old conventions as opposed toher new and dominating desire and her repressed wish to have Clyde speak to her--then went over with thebundle and laid it on his desk. But her hands, as she did so, trembled. Her face was white--her throat taut. At themoment, as it chanced, he was almost vainly trying to calculate the scores of the different girls from the stubslaid before him, and was having a hard time of it because his mind was not on what he was doing. And then helooked up. And there was Roberta bending toward him. His nerves became very taut, his throat and lips, dry, forhere and now was his opportunity. And, as he could see, Roberta was almost suffocating from the strain which her daring and self-deception was putting upon her nerves and heart.
　　"There's been a distake" (she meant to say mistake) "in regard to this bundle upstairs," she began. "I didn't noticeit either until I'd stamped nearly all of them. They're fifteen-and-a-half and I've stamped nearly all of themsixteen. I'm sorry."Clyde noticed, as she said this, that she was trying to smile a little and appear calm, but her cheeks were quiteblanched and her hands, particularly the one that held the bundle, trembled. On the instant he realized thatalthough loyalty and order were bringing her with this mistake to him, still there was more than that to it. In aweak, frightened, and yet love-driven way, she was courting him, giving him the opportunity he was seeking,wishing him to take advantage of it. And he, embarrassed and shaken for the moment by this sudden visitation,was still heartened and hardened into a kind of effrontery and gallantry such as he had not felt as yet in regard toher. She was seeking him--that was plain. She was interested, and clever enough to make the occasion whichpermitted him to speak. Wonderful! The sweetness of her daring.
　　"Oh, that's all right," he said, pretending a courage and a daring in regard to her which he did not feel even now.
　　"I'll just send them down to the wash room and then we'll see if we can't restamp them. It's not our mistake,really."He smiled most warmly and she met his look with a repressed smile of her own, already turning and fearing thatshe had manifested too clearly what had brought her.
　　"But don't go," he added quickly. "I want to ask you something. I've been trying to get a word with you eversince Sunday. I want you to meet me somewhere, will you? There's a rule here that says a head of a departmentcan't have anything to do with a girl who works for him--outside I mean. But I want you to see me just the same,won't you? You know," and he smiled winsomely and coaxingly into her eyes, "I've been just nearly crazy overyou ever since you came in here and Sunday made it worse. And now I'm not going to let any old rule comebetween me and you, if I can help it. Will you?""Oh, I don't know whether I can do that or not," replied Roberta, who, now that she had succeeded inaccomplishing what she had wished, was becoming terrorized by her own daring. She began looking aroundnervously and feeling that every eye in the room must be upon her. "I live with Mr. and Mrs. Newton, myfriend's sister and brother-in-law, you know, and they're very strict. It isn't the same as if--" She was going to add"I was home," but Clyde interrupted her.
　　"Oh, now please don't say no, will you? Please don't. I want to see you. I don't want to cause you any trouble,that's all. Otherwise I'd be glad to come round to your house. You know how it is.""Oh, no, you mustn't do that," cautioned Roberta. "Not yet anyhow." She was so confused that quiteunconsciously she was giving Clyde to understand that she was expecting him to come around some time later.
　　"Well," smiled Clyde, who could see that she was yielding in part. "We could just walk out near the end of somestreet here--that street you live in, if you wish. There are no houses out there. Or there's a little park--Mohawk-justwest of Dreamland on the Mohawk Street line. It's right on the river. You might come out there. I could meet you where the car stops. Will you do that?""Oh, I'd be afraid to do that I think--go so far, I mean. I never did anything like that before." She looked soinnocent and frank as she said this that Clyde was quite carried away by the sweetness of her. And to think hewas making a clandestine appointment with her. "I'm almost afraid to go anywhere here alone, you know. Peopletalk so here, they say, and some one would be sure to see me. But--""Yes, but what?""I'm afraid I'm staying too long at your desk here, don't you think?" She actually gasped as she said it. And Clyderealizing the openness of it, although there was really nothing very unusual about it, now spoke quickly andforcefully.
　　"Well, then, how about the end of that street you live in? Couldn't you come down there for just a little while tonight--a half hour or so, maybe?""Oh, I couldn't make it to-night, I think--not so soon. I'll have to see first, you know. Arrange, that is. But anotherday." She was so excited and troubled by this great adventure of hers that her face, like Clyde's at times, changedfrom a half smile to a half frown without her realizing that it was registering these changes.
　　"Well, then, how about Wednesday night at eight-thirty or nine? Couldn't you do that? Please, now."Roberta considered most sweetly, nervously. Clyde was enormously fascinated by her manner at the moment, forshe looked around, conscious, or so she seemed, that she was being observed and that her stay here for a firstvisit was very long.
　　"I suppose I'd better be going back to my work now," she replied without really answering him.
　　"Wait a minute," pled Clyde. "We haven't fixed on the time for Wednesday. Aren't you going to meet me? Makeit nine or eight-thirty, or any time you want to. I'll be there waiting for you after eight if you wish. Will you?""All right, then, say eight-thirty or between eight-thirty and nine, if I can. Is that all right? I'll come if I can, youknow, and if anything does happen I'll tell you the next morning, you see." She flushed and then looked aroundonce more, a foolish, flustered look, then hurried back to her bench, fairly tingling from head to toe, and lookingas guilty as though she had been caught red-handed in some dreadful crime. And Clyde at his desk was almostchoking with excitement. The wonder of her agreeing, of his talking to her like that, of her venturing to make adate with him at all here in Lycurgus, where he was so well-known! Thrilling!
　　For her part, she was thinking how wonderful it would be just to walk and talk with him in the moonlight, to feelthe pressure of his arm and hear his soft appealing voice.
那天下午湖畔邂逅给他们俩都留下美妙的印象，随后一连好几天，谁也情不自禁，频频怀念，不觉对他们这么美妙的机缘感到万分惊讶，可是他们却又心照不宣，因为雇工与上司之间是不应该那么过分亲近的。

他们在小船上说笑了一会儿。克莱德谈到这些睡莲有多美，能给她采撷睡莲感到很高兴。他们让格雷斯也上了小船，最后又回到了租船的地方。

他们俩一上岸，都有点儿犯疑，真不知道下一步该怎么办。因为明摆在他们面前的问题，就是:

是不是一块儿回莱柯格斯去。罗伯达认为这样似乎不妥当，可能引起风言风语。而克莱德呢，也想到吉尔伯特和他自己所认识的一些人，以及由此可能招来的麻烦。吉尔伯特要是听到这件事，又会怎么说呢。因此，克莱德。罗伯达和格雷斯一时都有些迟疑不定，真不知道一起乘车回去是否明智。格雷斯要为自己的名誉操心，而且还知道克莱德对她不感兴趣，因而很呕气。罗伯达一眼看出了女友的心思，就说:

"依你看，我们该怎么办?

同他告辞，好吗?

"罗伯达立刻暗自思忖，她们怎样才能落落大方脱身，但又不让克莱德扫兴。

就她自己来说，她对他已是那么入迷，要是格雷斯不在身边，本来她乐意同他一起搭车回去。不过，眼前有格雷斯在场，加上她自己又是那么谨小慎微，这就断断乎不好办了。她非得想出一个脱身之计不可。

这时，克莱德也在暗自寻思，该怎么办才好……同她们一起搭车回去，冒着风险，万一被人撞见了，报告吉尔伯特。格里菲思一家人呢，还是另找一个什么借口同她们分手告别。无奈他什么借口托词都找不到，正想转身陪她们上电车站，就在这时，寄宿在牛顿夫妇家里，恰好在一个阳台上的年轻的电工舒洛克突然在向他们大声招呼了。舒洛克正好跟一个朋友(此人有一辆小汽车)打算一起回城去。

"哦，真是太巧了，"他大声喊道。"你好，奥尔登小姐?

你好，玛尔小姐?

你们二位是不是跟我们同道?

要是同道，我们可以把你们一块捎去。"这句话，不仅罗伯达，甚至连克莱德也都听见了。她马上回答说，时间不早了，她跟格雷斯还要陪牛顿夫妇去教堂，因此，坐小汽车回去的确方便些。

不过，她似乎还希望舒洛克会邀克莱德一起上车，希望克莱德会接受他的邀请。

后来尽管舒洛克邀请了他，克莱德却马上谢绝了，说他要在这儿多待一会儿。

因此，罗伯达临走时看了他一眼，借以充分表达了她心中喜悦和感激之情。刚才他们在一起度过了多么愉快的时光。至于他呢，尽管对这一切是否正当尚有疑虑，却在暗自思忖:

他跟罗伯达不能在这儿多待几个钟头真够伤心的。他们走了以后，他也马上独自一人回城了。

转天早晨，他比往常更加急急乎想见到罗伯达。虽说厂里工作都是在众目睽睽之下进行的，使他不可能表达出自己的感情来，可是，从他脸上和眼里一闪而过的爱慕和试探性的微笑里，罗伯达知道他的心情如果说不是更加强烈的话，至少还是如昨天一样兴奋。那她自己呢，虽然觉得好象某种灾难就要临头，而且这一切还必须保守秘密，当然使她很不高兴，可她还是情不自禁向他回送热情。温顺的秋波。瞧他已被她吸引住了!

真是多么叫人惊心动魄!

克莱德马上断定:

他献的殷勤还是受欢迎的，往后如有什么合适机会，他准备冒险跟罗伯达说说话。因此，他等了个把钟头，正好她两旁的女工一走开，这时，他便抓住机会来到了她身边，从她刚才打过印的领子中拿起一条，仿佛是专门在谈领子似的对她说:

"昨儿晚上不得不跟你分手，真是非常抱歉。我巴不得今儿个我们俩再上那儿去，而不是待在这里。而且只有你和我两个人。你说怎么样?

"罗伯达侧过身来，心里明白，此刻就得决定:

对于他的盛情邀请，她是鼓励呢，还是一口回绝。同时，她心中又几乎有点儿昏昏迷迷，急急乎要接受他献的殷勤，对于他们俩会发生什么问题，她也全都不管了。瞧他的眼睛!

他的头发!

他的手!

她不但没有责备他或是冷淡他，反而一个劲儿凝望着他，眼里是那么软弱无力。令人动怜，却又露出温顺和茫然若失的神情。克莱德见她已情不自禁，倾心于他，的确如同他也钟情于她那样，他马上决定，一有机会就跟她再说几句话，问问她也许在什么地方两人见面，不要有旁人在场。因为很显然，她如同他一样，也不乐意让别人看见。今天，他比往日里更深切地意识到:

他走的正是一条危险的道路。

现在他算帐时开始出差错了。他感到，只要罗伯达在他身边，他干什么工作也都专心不起来。他觉得，她简直是太迷人，太令人倾倒了。她是那样热情。

快活。可爱。他觉得，他要是能赢得她的爱，那就可以成为天底下最幸福的人了。不过，毕竟还有吉尔伯特说过的那个厂规呢。虽说昨天在湖上他就下过这样结论……他在厂里处境并不是那么称心如意，可是，只要有希望罗伯达能在他身旁，那末，他继续在厂里待下去，岂不是有更大乐趣吗?

难道说格里菲思一家人的冷淡，他就不能……至少在目前……再忍受一下吗?

只要他不去干冒犯他们的事情，说不定将来他们对他感到兴趣，并将他纳入他们上流社会那个圈子里去吧?

不过，现在他一心想做的事，正好是断断乎做不得的。而吉尔伯特告诫他的那一套训谕，又算得上什么呢?

只要他能够说服她，也许她会暗底里跟他幽会，这样也就完全可以不被人家议论了。

这时，克莱德不论坐在桌旁办公，还是在车间里走路，心心念念想的都是这些。甚至在厂里上班时，他差不多时时刻刻都惦念着她，再也不去考虑其他的事情。他决定向她提议说，如果她乐意，他们就在莱柯格斯城西。莫霍克河上第一个郊外游人常去的小公园里会面。不过，这一天女工们都挨挤在一起干活，他没有机会跟她说话。午休时，他下楼用过午餐，比往日早一点回来，希望这时她已独自一人，好让他低声耳语告诉她，他心里巴不得在什么地方跟她见见面。可她四周还是围着一拨人，整整一个下午就这样过去了，始终没有说话机会。

到最后离厂时，他心里还在琢磨，要是碰巧遇到她独自一人在街上，他就会走过去跟她说说话。她也巴不得他这样做……这一点，他心里很清楚，哪怕她嘴上说的不是那样。他就得想方设法，务必使他们的见面在她或者别人看来，好象完全是巧遇，因而也是无伤大雅的。不过，汽笛一响，她走出厂门时，正跟一个姑娘一块走着。这样，克莱德就得另想办法了。

往常一到傍晚，他不是憋闷在佩顿太太家里，就是上电影院(这是近来他常去之处)，或则独个儿出去散散步，聊解愁怀。但那一天傍晚，他却一反常态，决定去泰勒街寻访罗伯达的寓所。他认定那不是一所令人喜爱的房子，远不如柯比太太的房子或是现在他住的房子那样吸引人。房子太破旧，而且黑不溜丢，街坊邻居抱残守缺，简直难以形容。不过，天色还早，各个房间里已掌了灯，就给人一种亲切感。门前两三棵树，克莱德也还喜欢。那末，此刻罗伯达正在干什么呢?

为什么她不在工厂附近等一等他呢?

为什么她没有想到他已来到这儿，不出来接接他呢?

是的，他真恨不得有办法能让她感觉到他已来到这儿，因此就出来接他。可她并没有感觉到。恰好相反，他只看见舒洛克走了出来，冲中央大道走去，一下子就没影儿了。随后，家家户户都有人出来，沿着大街往中央大道走去。于是，他急忙离开罗伯达寓所远远的，免得惹人注目。这时，他免不了长叹短吁，因为正当一个美好的夜晚……大约九点半，一轮满月在冉冉上升，黄澄澄地高悬在家家户户烟囱之上。他有多么孤单啊。

不过，到了十点钟，月光变得越发明亮，还不见罗伯达出来，他就决定走了。在这儿滞留太久，很不妥当。不过，夜色那么美，他才不想回到自己房间去呢。于是，他就在威克吉大街上徘徊倘佯，举目张望那里漂亮的房子……包括他伯父塞缪尔的府邸在内。这时，所有这些府邸的主人，都到他们的避暑别墅去了。窗子里一点儿灯光都没有。桑德拉。芬奇利。伯蒂娜。克兰斯顿，以及所有那一伙人……在这样的一个夜晚，他们都在干些什么呢?

他们在哪里跳舞呢?

在哪里超速开车兜风呢?

还是在哪里谈情说爱呢?

穷人嘛，没有钱，没有地位，就没法随心所欲地生活，该有多么难受。

翌日早上，他比往日更加急不可耐，六点四十五分就走出佩顿太太家的大门，心里急于想出一个办法来，再向罗伯达大献殷勤。这时正有一大群工人沿着中央大道往北走去。大约在七点十分左右，当然罗，她也一定是在这股人流之中。不过，他这回去工厂路上，还是没碰到罗伯达。因为，他在邮局附近一家小餐厅急匆匆喝了一杯咖啡，走完整整一条通往工厂的中央大道，到了一家烟铺门口歇歇脚，看看罗伯达会不会碰巧独自一人在走路，结果呢，只见到她又是跟格雷斯。玛尔走在一起。他心里马上就想到:

当今这个世界该有多么可怜，多么丧心病狂;就在这么一个可怜巴巴的小城里，要跟一个人单独见面，该有多难啊。不拘是谁，差不多人人都认识。再说，罗伯达也知道他正在设法找机会跟她说话。那她为什么不独自一人走呢?

昨天，他老是朝着她举目四望。可现在呢，她却跟格雷斯。玛尔走在一起，而且还显得好象心满意足似的。她到底是怎么个意思?

他进厂时心里可真是灰溜溜的。不过，一看到罗伯达正坐在自己座位上，对他笑吟吟，亲昵地说了一声"您好"，这才使他心里宽慰不少，觉得还有些希望。

到了下午三点钟，由于午后天气转热和不停地干活疲乏，大家都有些昏昏欲睡的样子;窗外骄阳似火，满屋子都是骄阳照在河面上的反光，令人眩目。几十条领子打印时一齐发出的嗒嗒声……平时在外间缝纫机的咔嚓声以外依稀还能听得见，可此时此刻，这种嗒嗒声却比往常更加微弱了。这时，有人领头唱了一支叫做《情人》的歌，罗莎。尼柯弗列奇。霍达。佩特卡娜斯，玛莎。博达洛。安吉利娜。皮蒂。莉娜。希利克特一下子都跟着唱了起来。罗伯达却一个劲儿注意克莱德的眼神和心态，暗自思忖还要多久他才会走过来，跟她说些什么呢。她心里真巴不得他能这样……从他昨天的低声耳语里，她相信，要不了多久，他就会来的，因为他早已身不由己了。她从昨天晚上他的眼神里已经看出来了。不过因为这里诸多不便，她知道，他要设法跟她说话，一定也是煞费苦心。可是，有时她又觉得高兴，因为她感到自己置身于这么多姑娘中间就有一种安全感。

她一面在想心事，一面跟别人一起给领子打印。蓦然间，她发现有一捆领子，她虽然打了"１６"，其实不是那个尺码，还得小一些。她焦急不安地瞅着这一捆领子，心里想只有一个办法……先把这一捆撂在一边，听候不知道是哪一个领班(包括克莱德在内)来批评她，要不然，干脆现在就把这捆领子直接送到他那儿去……说实话，也许这个办法好一些，因为这样可以不让别的领班比他先看到。大凡姑娘们出了什么差错，也都是这样照办不误的。类似这样的差错，就是训练有素的女工们，也在所难免。

不过，尽管眼下她对他正怀着强烈的欲念，此刻却又迟疑不定了。因为她这一去直接找克莱德，无异于给了他一个正在寻摸的机会。但更可怕的是，这也给了她自己正在寻摸的机会。她心里摇摆不定:

一方面应该向作为监工的克莱德负责，另一方面还得恪守她那老一套传统观念，尽管这些传统观念跟她此刻新的压倒一切的愿望，以及她竭力压制下去的。要让克莱德跟她说话的希望是大相径庭的……到头来她还是拿起这捆领子走了过去，放到他桌子上。不过，她把领子放在桌子上时，两手却在瑟瑟发抖。她脸色煞白……嗓子眼发紧。这时，克莱德正好根据桌子上的存根，仔细统计女工们打印过的件数，但因为他心不在焉，感到很别扭。过了一会儿，他抬眼一看:

原来是罗伯达正俯身伫立在他跟前。他的神经一下子紧张极了，连嗓子眼和嘴唇也都发干:

因为，他梦寐以求的机会终于来到了。同时，他还看到罗伯达心神也紧张极了，几乎都透不过气来:

显然她明白自己这种举动太大胆，而且是在欺骗自己。

"楼上送下来的这一捆，早就弄'

''''岔，了，"(本来她是要说弄"错"了)她一开口，就语无伦次地说。"差不多都打完了，我才发现。应该是１５。５，我差不多都给打上１６了。请您原谅。"克莱德发觉她说话时有点儿强作笑颜，故作镇静的样子，可她两颊几乎煞白，她的手，特别是拿着那捆领子的手，却在瑟瑟发抖。他马上明白:

尽管她上他这儿来，说明她工作认真。恪守厂规，可其中还包含着更多东西。瞧她软弱。

骇怕，但又被爱情所驱使，她这是来向他求爱的，给了他一个求之不得的机会，巴望他能好好利用它。这在眼前突然出现的景象，一时间让他感到既窘迫，又震惊。可他还是振作起来，索性厚着脸皮，大献殷勤，这在过去，他对她从来都不是这样的。她迷上了他……这是明摆着的。她对他真有情意，她聪明得很，让他有机会跟他说说话。真了不起!

瞧她这种大胆，该有多可爱。

"哦，这算不了什么，"他说话时对她装出勇敢而又大胆的样子，其实，即使在此刻，他在她面前也并不见得真的这样大胆。"我送楼下洗布间去漂洗一下，再看能不能重新打上，这就得了。说实话，这并不是我们的差错。"他非常热情地向她微微一笑，她也很勉强向他报以一笑，身子早就转了过来，深怕她的来意太外露了。

"不过，你先别走，"他马上找补着说。"我想问你一件事。打从星期天起，我一直想找机会跟你说话。我希望你我在什么地方见见面，好吗?

固然，这儿有厂规，说一个部门的负责人不得跟本部门女工有任何来往……可我是说在厂外嘛。不过，不管怎么说，我还是希望你和我见见面，好不好?

你要知道，"他迷人而又哄诱地冲她的眼睛笑着说，"打从你来这儿之后，我一直在想你，几乎快疯了，而在那个星期天之后，也就更糟了。现在，我可不让在你我之间还有什么老的条条框框。那你说呢?

""哦，我也不知道……"罗伯达回答说。如今，她如愿以偿之后，却对她自己这种胆大妄为反而感到害怕了。她忐忑不安地举目四望，觉得打印间里每一只眼睛都在直瞅着她。"我住在牛顿夫妇那里，您知道，他们就是我那个女友的姐姐。姐夫，而且他们循规蹈矩，严格得很。要是在……就不一样了，"她原来想说，"要是在我自个儿家里"，可是，克莱德把她的话儿给打断了。

"哦，千万请你别说不，好吗?

请你千万不要这样说。我非要见你不可。我不会给你添什么麻烦，这就得了。要不然，我也乐于上你家去找你。你明白就这么回事。""哦，不，您千万别那样，"罗伯达提醒他。"反正现在还不行。"这时她心里乱糟糟，无意之中让克莱德知道:

她正巴不得他过了一阵子去看她。

"好吧，"克莱德微微一笑。他看出她已经部分让步了。"如果你愿意的话，我们不妨在这儿街上……就在你住的那一条街上溜达溜达。反正街的尽头，也没有什么房子了。不然的话，就去那个小公园……莫霍克……正好在莫霍克街上'

''''梦乡，以西。就在河边。你不妨上那儿去。我会在电车站等你。你说这样好吗?

""哦，我觉得有点儿害怕……我这是说走得太远了。我从来都没有这样过。"她说话时显得那么天真坦率，克莱德不由得被她迷人的神态倾倒了。只要想一想，他这是在跟她约定幽会啊。"在这儿，不管上哪儿，我就怕独个儿去，您知道吧。人们都说，这儿的人净爱说风言风语，而且，不用说，肯定有人会看见我。不过……""是啊，不过怎么啦?

""我担心我在您这儿待得时间太久了，您说是吧?

"她说这话时，真的有点儿上气不接下气了。克莱德心里明白她说这些话够坦率了，尽管其中并没有什么异乎寻常之处，于是就急忙用一种强有力的语调说:

"好吧，那末，就在你住的那条街的尽头见面，好吗?

今天晚上，你能不能去那里，只待一会儿……比方说，半个钟头左右，好吗?

""哦，今天晚上我去不成，我说……不要那么快。您知道，我首先得想一想。

也就是说，要安排一下。不过改天再说。"她这次异乎寻常的冒险举动，已使自己显得那么激动不安，她脸上的神情，如同克莱德常有的那样，一忽儿在微笑，一忽儿却又蹙紧眉头。连她自己都不知道脸上所出现的这些变化。

"得了，那末，星期三晚上八点半，或是九点钟，怎么样?

这样你总可以来吧?

那就一言为定。"罗伯达可真是惴惴不安地考虑了一下。这时她的举止仪态，早已使克莱德神魂颠倒，因为她往四下里张望了一下，她意识到，或则她觉得:

人家都在直瞅着自己呢，她第一次上这儿来，时间待得太长了。

"依我看，现在我还得回去干活啦，"她回答说，但并没有真正回答他的问题。

"等一会儿，"克莱德恳求说。"我们还没有讲定星期三具体时间呢。你不是要来见我吗?

讲定九点或是八点半，或是依你看什么时间就得了。反正八点以后，我就在那里等你。你说好吗?

""好吧，那末，就定在八点半，或是在八点半到九点之间，要是我来得了的话。这样总可以吧!

您知道，要是我来得了，我一定会来的;要是临时有什么事的话，明早我就会告诉您，好吧。"她一下子脸红了，又往四下里张望了一下，现出愚不可及而又惊慌失措的神色，就急急乎奔回到自己座位上，从头到脚，浑身上下震颤，好象正在犯罪作案时当场被人抓住似的。这时，克莱德坐在办公桌旁，兴奋得几乎喘不过气来。他就是那样跟她谈了话，她也一口答应了，在这个人人都知道他的莱柯格斯，他跟她约定了幽会的时间，这不是奇迹吗!

多么让人激动!

至于她呢，这时却在暗自思忖，跟他在月光下散散步，谈谈心，感到他的胳臂正挽着她，同时在倾听他那温言款语，该有多美啊。
Part 2 Chapter 17
It was quite dark when Roberta stole out on Wednesday night to meet Clyde. But before that what qualms andmeditations in the face of her willingness and her agreement to do so. For not only was it difficult for her toovercome her own mental scruples within, but in addition there was all the trouble in connection with thecommonplace and religious and narrow atmosphere in which she found herself imbedded at the Newtons'. Forsince coming here she had scarcely gone anywhere without Grace Marr. Besides on this occasion--a thing shehad forgotten in talking to Clyde--she had agreed to go with the Newtons and Grace to the Gideon BaptistChurch, where a Wednesday prayer meeting was to be followed by a social with games, cake, tea and ice cream.
　　In consequence she was troubled severely as to how to manage, until it came back to her that a day or two beforeMr. Liggett, in noting how rapid and efficient she was, had observed that at any time she wanted to learn onephase of the stitching operations going on in the next room, he would have her taken in hand by Mrs. Braley,who would teach her. And now that Clyde's invitation and this church affair fell on the same night, she decidedto say that she had an appointment with Mrs. Braley at her home. Only, as she also decided, she would wait untiljust before dinner Wednesday and then say that Mrs. Braley had invited her to come to her house. Then shecould see Clyde. And by the time the Newtons and Grace returned she could be back. Oh, how it would feel tohave him talk to her--say again as he did in the boat that he never had seen any one look so pretty as she didstanding on the bank and looking for water lilies. Many, many thoughts--vague, dreadful, colorful, came to her-howand where they might go--be--do--from now on, if only she could arrange to be friends with him withoutharm to her or him. If need be, she now decided, she could resign from the factory and get a place somewhereelse--a change which would absolve Clyde from any responsibility in regard to her.
　　There was, however, another mental as well as emotional phase in regard to all this and that related to herclothes. For since coming to Lycurgus she had learned that the more intelligent girls here dressed better than didthose about Biltz and Trippetts Mills. At the same time she had been sending a fair portion of her money to hermother--sufficient to have equipped her exceptionally well, as she now realized, had she retained it. But now thatClyde was swaying her so greatly she was troubled about her looks, and on the evening after her conversationwith him at the mill, she had gone through her small wardrobe, fixing upon a soft blue hat which Clyde had notyet seen, together with a checkered blue and white flannel skirt and a pair of white canvas shoes purchased theprevious summer at Biltz. Her plan was to wait until the Newtons and Grace had departed for church and thenswiftly dress and leave.
　　At eight-thirty, when night had finally fallen, she went east along Taylor to Central Avenue, then by a circuitousroute made her way west again to the trysting place. And Clyde was already there. Against an old wooden fencethat enclosed a five-acre cornfield, he was leaning and looking back toward the interesting little city, the lights inso many of the homes of which were aglow through the trees. The air was laden with spices--the mingledfragrance of many grasses and flowers. There was a light wind stirring in the long swords of the corn at hisback--in the leaves of the trees overhead. And there were stars--the big dipper and the little dipper and the milkyway--sidereal phenomena which his mother had pointed out to him long ago.
　　And he was thinking how different was his position here to what it had been in Kansas City. There he had beenso nervous in regard to Hortense Briggs or any girl, really--afraid almost to say a word to any of them. Whereashere, and especially since he had had charge of this stamping room, he had seemed to become aware of the factthat he was more attractive than he had ever thought he was before. Also that the girls were attracted to him and that he was not so much afraid of them. The eyes of Roberta herself showed him this day how much she wasdrawn to him. She was his girl. And when she came, he would put his arms around her and kiss her. And shewould not be able to resist him.
　　He stood listening, dreaming and watching, the rustling corn behind him stirring an old recollection in him, whensuddenly he saw her coming. She looked trim and brisk and yet nervous, and paused at the street end and lookedabout like a frightened and cautious animal. At once Clyde hurried forward toward her and called softly: "Hello.
　　Gee, it's nice to have you meet me. Did you have any trouble?" He was thinking how much more pleasing shewas than either Hortense Briggs or Rita Dickerman, the one so calculating, the other so sensually free andindiscriminate.
　　"Did I have any trouble? Oh, didn't I though?" And at once she plunged into a full and picturesque account, notonly of the mistake in regard to the Newtons' church night and her engagement with them, but of a determinationon the part of Grace Marr not to go to the church social without her, and how she had to fib, oh, so terribly, aboutgoing over to Mrs. Braley's to learn to stitch--a Liggett-Roberta development of which Clyde had heard nothingso far and concerning which he was intensely curious, because at once it raised the thought that already Liggettmight be intending to remove her from under his care. He proceeded to question her about that before he wouldlet her go on with her story, an interest which Roberta noticed and because of which she was very pleased.
　　"But I can't stay very long, you know," she explained briskly and warmly at the first opportunity, the while Clydelaid hold of her arm and turned toward the river, which was to the north and untenanted this far out. "The BaptistChurch socials never last much beyond ten-thirty or eleven, and they'll be back soon. So I'll have to manage to beback before they are."Then she gave many reasons why it would be unwise for her to be out after ten, reasons which annoyed yetconvinced Clyde by their wisdom. He had been hoping to keep her out longer. But seeing that the time was to bebrief, he was all the keener for a closer contact with her now, and fell to complimenting her on her pretty hat andcape and how becoming they were. At once he tried putting his arm about her waist, but feeling this to be a tooswift advance she removed his arm, or tried to, saying in the softest and most coaxing voice "Now, now--that'snot nice, is it? Can't you just hold my arm or let me hold yours?" But he noted, once she persuaded him todisengage her waist, she took his arm in a clinging, snuggling embrace and measured her stride to his. On theinstant he was thinking how natural and unaffected her manner was now that the ice between them had beenbroken.
　　And how she went on babbling! She liked Lycurgus, only she thought it was the most religious town she hadever been in--worse than Biltz or Trippetts Mills that way. And then she had to explain to Clyde what Biltz andTrippetts Mills were like--and her home--a very little, for she did not care to talk about that. And then back to theNewtons and Grace Marr and how they watched her every move. Clyde was thinking as she talked how differentshe was from Hortense Briggs or Rita, or any other girl he had ever known--so much more simple andconfiding--not in any way mushy as was Rita, or brash or vain or pretentious, as was Hortense, and yet really aspretty and so much sweeter. He could not help thinking if she were smartly dressed how sweet she would be.
　　And again he was wondering what she would think of him and his attitude toward Hortense in contrast to hisattitude toward her now, if she knew.
　　"You know," he said at the very first opportunity, "I've been trying to talk to you ever since you came to work atthe factory but you see how very watchful every one is. They're the limit. They told me when I came up therethat I mustn't interest myself in any girl working there and so I tried not to. But I just couldn't help this, could I?"He squeezed her arm affectionately, then stopped suddenly and, disengaging his arm from hers, put both hisabout her. "You know, Roberta, I'm crazy about you. I really am. I think you're the dearest, sweetest thing. Oh,say! Do you mind my telling you? Ever since you showed up there, I haven't been able to sleep, nearly. You'vegot such nice eyes and hair. To-night you look just too cute--lovely, I think. Oh, Roberta," suddenly he caughther face between his two hands and kissed her, before really she could evade him. Then having done this he heldher while she resisted him, although it was almost impossible for her to do so. Instead she felt as though shewanted to put her arms around him or have him hold her tight, and this mood in regard to him and herselfpuzzled and troubled her. It was awful. What would people think--say--if they knew? She was a bad girl, really,and yet she wanted to be this way--near him--now as never before.
　　"Oh, you mustn't, Mr. Griffiths," she pleaded. "You really mustn't, you know. Please. Some one might see us. Ithink I hear some one coming. Please, now." She looked about quite frightened, apparently, while Clyde laughedecstatically. Life had presented him a delicious sweet at last. "You know I never did anything like this before,"she went on. "Honest, I didn't. Please. It's only because you said--"Clyde was pressing her close, not saying anything in reply--his pale face and dark hungry eyes held very close tohers. He kissed her again and again despite her protests, her little mouth and chin and cheeks seeming toobeautiful--too irresistible--then murmured pleadingly, for he was too overcome to speak vigorously.
　　"Oh, Roberta, dearest, please, please, say that you love me. Please do! I know that you do, Roberta. I can tell.
　　Please, tell me now. I'm crazy about you. We have so little time."He kissed her again upon the cheek and mouth, and suddenly he felt her relax. She stood quite still andunresisting in his arms. He felt a wonder of something--he could not tell what. All of a sudden he felt tears uponher face, her head sunk to his shoulder, and then he heard her say: "Yes, yes, yes. I do love you. Yes, yes. I do. Ido."There was a sob--half of misery, half of delight--in her voice and Clyde caught that. He was so touched by herhonesty and simplicity that tears sprang to his own eyes. "It's all right, Roberta. It's all right. Please don't cry. Oh,I think you're so sweet. I do. I do, Roberta."He looked up and before him in the east over the low roofs of the city was the thinnest, yellowest topmost arc ofthe rising July moon. It seemed at the moment as though life had given him all--all--that he could possibly askof it.

星期三晚上，罗伯达偷偷地溜出来跟克莱德幽会时，天已经黑下来了。在这以前，尽管她甘心乐意去会面，但她毕竟感到几多疑虑不安。因为，不仅是很难克服自己内心深处种种顾虑，而且，她置身在牛顿夫妇家里，那里庸俗。

虔诚和狭隘的气氛，也会引起种种麻烦。自从她来到这里以后，要不是格雷斯。

玛尔同去的话，她几乎哪儿也不去。殊不知这一次……她跟克莱德说话时却忘记了:

她原来讲定跟牛顿夫妇。格雷斯一块上吉迪恩浸礼会去的，那儿每逢星期三做礼拜，礼拜以后还有一次团契聚会，有各种游戏，以及茶水。点心和冰淇淋招待。

因此，这一晚到底该怎么安排，就叫她煞费苦心。到后来，她才回想到，一两天前利格特先生觉察到她的工作做得又快又好，曾经跟她说:

不拘什么时候，只要她想学隔壁缝纫车间的活儿，他就会关照布雷莉太太教教她。现在，克莱德的约会跟上教堂做礼拜正好碰在同一天晚上，她就决定告诉牛顿夫妇说:

她跟布雷莉太太有约在先，要上她家里去。不过，她还决定要等到星期三吃晚饭以前，才说布雷莉太太约自己上她家里去。这么一来，她就可以跟克莱德相会去了。而且，她还可以赶在牛顿夫妇和格雷斯到家以前，先回来了。啊，再一次听到他跟她说话……如同前次他在小船上说过那样，说他从没见过谁能象她伫立在湖畔凝望睡莲时那么漂亮，该有多美啊。她心头一下子涌起许许多多想法……模糊的。可怕的。异彩纷呈的想法……只要她能跟他交朋友，不论对她自己或是对他本人都是无伤大雅的话，那末，从现在起，不管哪儿他们都可以去，而且可以不时相会，相亲相爱。现在她还决定，必要时，她干脆向这个厂辞退，上别处另觅一个工作……这样一改变，克莱德也就用不着替她承担任何责任了。

不过，这一切还牵涉到另一个心理侧面:

那就是跟她的衣着打扮有关。自从她到莱柯格斯以后，她就知道:

这里许多聪明得很的姑娘，在衣着打扮上若与比尔茨和特里佩茨米尔斯的姑娘相比都要讲究得多。不过，她一向把自己所挣的钱大部分寄给妈妈……现在她知道，她要是把这笔钱给自己留下，就净够自己穿得非常漂亮的了。但如今克莱德已完全征服了她，她对自己的模样儿就很担心了。她跟他在厂里说话后的那个晚上，她在自己小小的衣柜翻检一遍，挑出了克莱德从没有见过的一顶淡蓝色帽子，还有一条带格子的蓝白法兰绒裙子，和一双白帆布鞋，都是去年夏天在比尔茨买的。她打算要等到牛顿夫妇和格雷斯上教堂去后才赶快换装，然后出门去。

到了八点半，天已经全黑了，她沿着泰勒街往东走去，到中央大道，然后绕了道走，往西来到了约定的地点。克莱德早就在那儿了。他身子斜靠围着五英亩玉米田的旧木栅栏，正回头望着这个有趣的小城市，以及透过树木忽闪忽闪的城里的万家灯火。空气里弥漫着香气……很多花草羼杂在一起的芳香。一阵微风掠过克莱德背后一簇簇细长的玉米梗，以及他头顶上的树叶子。天上还有许许多多星星……北斗七星和小北斗星以及银河……这些星辰现象，很早以前他妈妈就指点给他看过。

克莱德心里琢磨，他在这里的地位跟在堪萨斯城时相比，已是不可同日而语。在那里，他对霍丹斯。布里格斯，是的，不论对哪一个姑娘，总是那么怯生生……几乎怕跟她们说一句话。可在这里，尤其是他主管打印间以后，看来他才恍然领悟到这样一个事实:

现在他实际上比他过去的估计还要漂亮得多了。

还有姑娘们向他频送秋波，他也不怎么怕她们了。今天，罗伯达的眼睛就告诉他，她对他该有多么一往情深。她就是他的姑娘啊。她一来了，他就会搂住她，亲吻她。她已是无力抗拒他了。

他伫立在那里，侧耳倾听，举目四望，浮想联翩，他身子背后沙沙作响的玉米，勾起了他对往昔的回忆，就在此刻，他突然看见她走过来了。她显得很整洁活泼，只不过心情有些紧张，在街的尽头歇了一会儿，往四下里张望，活象一只受惊的。胆小的动物。克莱德急忙冲她走过去，低声招呼说:

"哦，你来了，真好。你碰上什么麻烦来着?

"他心里想，她可比霍丹斯。布里格斯或是丽达。迪克曼更要惹人喜爱，因为后面两个女人，一个太工于心计，另一个则过于放荡不羁。

"我有没有碰上什么麻烦?

哦，好象我没有碰上似的。"于是她详详细细。绘声绘色地谈了起来;不仅谈到她约好同牛顿夫妇上教堂的事都给忘掉了，而且还谈到格雷斯。玛尔一个劲儿要扯着她非去教堂参加团契聚会不可。此外还有她如何不得不撒了谎，哦，多么可怕，胡说她要上布雷莉太太那儿去学缝纫……利格特向罗伯达提起过的这个事情，克莱德至今还不知道。因此，他对此事非常关注，因为，这一下子让他想到:

利格特可能打算要把她从他手下调走。他便先询问她这件事，随后再让她继续谈她自个儿的事。罗伯达觉察到他对这事很感兴趣，因此她也很高兴。

"不过，您也知道，我来这里时间不能待得太久，"她一开口就活泼泼。热乎乎地向他这么说。克莱德抓住她的胳臂，转过身来朝河边走去，往北那一带几乎还无人居住哩。"浸礼会团契聚会结束，从没有超过十点半或是十一点的，他们一会儿就要回来了。在他们回来以前，我就怎么也得先回去。"随后，她列举出许多理由，说明为什么十点钟以后还不回家对她来说是很不恰当的。这些理由尽管克莱德觉得很恼火，可又让他不能不信服。本来他希望她多待一些时间。不过，他一知道会面时间很短，就更加恨不得要跟她马上亲热起来。于是，他就开口称赞她那漂亮的帽子和披肩，说她戴上这些该有多么好看。他马上想用手搂住她的腰，不过，她觉得这样来得太快了，便把他的手挪开，或者说，她竭力要把他的手挪开，并且用非常温柔而又甘言劝诱的声调说:

"哦，哦……这样不好吗?

难道说您挽住我的胳臂，或是我挽住您的胳臂，不好吗?

"不过，他觉察到，她说服他不再搂住她腰以后，她就马上挽住他的胳臂，紧紧偎依着他，肩并肩地往前走去。他一下子感到她的态度多么自然，一点儿不做作，说明他们俩之间早已涣然冰释了。

她一说起话来，总是滔滔不绝!

她喜欢莱柯格斯，只不过觉得在她所到过的城市中就数这里最最恪守宗教教规了……从这一点来说，莱柯格斯可比特里佩茨米尔斯。比尔茨差劲。随后，她还得把比尔茨。特里佩茨米尔斯的情况讲给克莱德听……以及她家里的境况也要讲一讲，不过讲得很少，因为她压根儿不乐意多讲。以后又讲到牛顿夫妇。格雷斯。玛尔，以及他们怎样都在密切注视她的一举一动。在她谈话时，克莱德暗自思忖，她跟霍丹斯。布里格斯。丽达或是他认识的任何一个姑娘相比，该有多么不一样……她可要单纯得多，诚实得多……完全不象丽达那样淫佚放荡，不象霍丹斯那样轻率。爱好虚荣与装腔作势，可她说真的还那样漂亮，而且更要美得多。他不由得想到，她要是穿得漂亮些，看起来一定更加可爱。他又在暗自寻思:

她要是知道霍丹斯其人其事，并且跟他现在对她的态度相比的话，那末，她对于他本人，以及他对霍丹斯的态度又会作何感想呢。

"你知道，"他一抓住机会就说，"自从你来厂里以后，我就一直想跟你说话。

不过，你自己也知道，每个人都是瞪起两眼直瞅着。这真太气人啦。我刚走上这个岗位时，人家跟我说，对于在这里干活的女工，不论是哪一个，我都不得动念头，我也就照办不误。不过这一回，我自己实在也按捺不住了，是不是?

"他怪亲昵地捏了一下她的胳臂，接着突然一松手，让自己胳臂抽了回来，又一下子搂住了她。"你知道吗，罗伯达，我为了你简直想疯了。真的就是这样。我觉得你是天底下最最迷人。最最可爱的人。哦，你听着，先别生气，我就老实告诉你，好吗?

自从你上这儿以后，我简直连睡觉都睡不好。这是实话……实实在在就是这样。我总是想啊想，想着你。你的眼睛。头发，就是这么漂亮。今儿晚上，你太迷人了……我说，太可爱了。哦，罗伯达。"他突然两手捂住她的脸儿亲吻起来，实在使她躲闪不及。亲吻以后，他紧紧搂住她，她竭力挣扎着，其实，她怎么也都挣脱不了。恰好相反，她心里似乎很想用双手紧紧搂住他，或是希望他紧紧地搂住她。她上面这种心态，连她自己也都觉得困惑不安。这可太可怕了。比方说，人家要是知道了，那又会怎么想。怎么说?

当然罗，她就是一个坏姑娘啦;不过，她心里巴不得就是这样……紧紧偎依在他身边……过去她从来没想到会这样的。

"哦，千万别这样，格里菲思先生，"她恳求说。"说实在的，您别这样，好吗?

高抬贵手吧。说不定会有人看见我们。好象我听见有人走过来。得了，得了。

"她举目四望，显然很骇怕似的，克莱德却兴高采烈地大笑起来。生活终于送给了他一个可爱的美人儿。"听我说，过去我从来没有做过类似这样的事，"她继续说道。"说实话，我从来没有过。请您快撒手。这就是因为您说了……"克莱德紧紧地把她抱住，一句话也没有回答……他那苍白的脸孔，饥渴的黑眼睛，紧紧地逼视着她。他一次又一次地亲吻她，不管她再三挣扎反抗;她的那口小嘴。她的下巴。她的两颊，就是太美了……太诱人了……随后，他只好恳求似的轻声耳语，因为这时他早已被勾魂摄魄，没有力气再大声说话了。

"哦，罗伯达，我最亲爱的人儿，得了，我求求你，就说你爱我啦。我求求你快说呀!

我知道你是爱我的，罗伯达。这我很清楚。我求求你，现在你就跟我说吧。我为了你简直都快想疯了。我们会面的时间，又是这么短暂。

"他又一次亲吻她的双颊。她的小嘴，蓦地他觉得她全身已酥软下来。她伫立在那里，一声不响，在他怀里一点儿也不抗拒。他体味到一种奇妙的感觉……可他就是说不出是什么滋味儿。他突然觉得她脸上泪水涟涟，她的头倒在他肩头上;他听见她说:

"是啊，是啊，是啊。我是爱您。是啊，是啊。我是爱您啊。

我是爱您啊。"从她的话里听得出呜咽声……不知是出于痛苦呢，还是出于喜悦……反正克莱德已觉察到那一点。瞧她是这样诚实。单纯，他深为感动，禁不住也热泪夺眶而出。"哦，一切都会好的，罗伯达。一切都会好的。请你千万别哭。哦，我说你真的太可爱呀。真的，真的，罗伯达。"他一抬眼，瞧见东边城里一片低矮的屋脊上，悬着七月间冉冉升起的一弯黄澄澄的月牙儿。在这一瞬间，他仿佛觉得生活把一切……他完全可以向生活索取的一切……已经给予他了。
Part 2 Chapter 18
The culmination of this meeting was but the prelude, as both Clyde and Roberta realized, to a series of contactsand rejoicings which were to extend over an indefinite period. They had found love. They were deliciously happy, whatever the problems attending its present realization might be. But the ways and means of continuingwith it were a different matter. For not only was her connection with the Newtons a bar to any normal procedurein so far as Clyde was concerned, but Grace Marr herself offered a distinct and separate problem. Far more thanRoberta she was chained, not only by the defect of poor looks, but by the narrow teachings and domestic trainingof her early social and religious life. Yet she wanted to be gay and free, too. And in Roberta, who, while gay andboastful at times, was still well within the conventions that chained Grace, she imagined that she saw one whowas not so bound. And so it was that she clung to her closely and as Roberta saw it a little wearisomely. Sheimagined that they could exchange ideas and jests and confidences in regard to the love life and their respectivedreams without injury to each other. And to date this was her one solace in an otherwise gray world.
　　But Roberta, even before the arrival of Clyde in her life, did not want to be so clung to. It was a bore. Andafterwards she developed an inhibition in regard to him where Grace was concerned. For she not only knew thatGrace would resent this sudden desertion, but also that she had no desire to face out within herself the suddenand revolutionary moods which now possessed her. Having at once met and loved him, she was afraid to thinkwhat, if anything, she proposed to permit herself to do in regard to him. Were not such contacts between theclasses banned here? She knew they were. Hence she did not care to talk about him at all.
　　In consequence on Monday evening following the Sunday on the lake when Grace had inquired most gayly andfamiliarly after Clyde, Roberta had as instantly decided not to appear nearly as interested in him as Grace mightalready be imagining. Accordingly, she said little other than that he was very pleasant to her and had inquiredafter Grace, a remark which caused the latter to eye her slyly and to wonder if she were really telling what hadhappened since. "He was so very friendly I was beginning to think he was struck on you.""Oh, what nonsense!" Roberta replied shrewdly, and a bit alarmed. "Why, he wouldn't look at me. Besides,there's a rule of the company that doesn't permit him to, as long as I work there."This last, more than anything else, served to allay Grace's notions in regard to Clyde and Roberta, for she was ofthat conventional turn of mind which would scarcely permit her to think of any one infringing upon a companyrule. Nevertheless Roberta was nervous lest Grace should be associating her and Clyde in her mind in someclandestine way, and she decided to be doubly cautious in regard to Clyde--to feign a distance she did not feel.
　　But all this was preliminary to troubles and strains and fears which had nothing to do with what had gone before,but took their rise from difficulties which sprang up immediately afterwards. For once she had come to thiscomplete emotional understanding with Clyde, she saw no way of meeting him except in this very clandestineway and that so very rarely and uncertainly that she could not say when there was likely to be another meeting.
　　"You see, it's this way," she explained to Clyde when, a few evenings later, she had managed to steal out for anhour and they walked from the region at the end of Taylor Street down to the Mohawk, where were some openfields and a low bank rising above the pleasant river. "The Newtons never go any place much without invitingme. And even if they didn't, Grace'd never go unless I went along. It's just because we were together so much inTrippetts Mills that she feels that way, as though I were a part of the family. But now it's different, and yet I don'tsee how I am going to get out of it so soon. I don't know where to say I'm going or whom I am going with.""I know that, honey," he replied softly and sweetly. "That's all true enough. But how is that going to help us now? You can't expect me to get along with just looking at you in the factory, either, can you?"He gazed at her so solemnly and yearningly that she was moved by her sympathy for him, and in order toassuage his depression added: "No, I don't want you to do that, dear. You know I don't. But what am I to do?"She laid a soft and pleading hand on the back of one of Clyde's thin, long and nervous ones.
　　"I'll tell you what, though," she went on after a period of reflection, "I have a sister living in Homer, New York.
　　That's about thirty-five miles north of here. I might say I was going up there some Saturday afternoon or Sunday.
　　She's been writing me to come up, but I hadn't thought of it before. But I might go--that is--I might--""Oh, why not do that?" exclaimed Clyde eagerly. "That's fine! A good idea!""Let me see," she added, ignoring his exclamation. "If I remember right you have to go to Fonda first, thenchange cars there. But I could leave here any time on the trolley and there are only two trains a day from Fonda,one at two, and one at seven on Saturday. So I might leave here any time before two, you see, and then if I didn'tmake the two o'clock train, it would be all right, wouldn't it? I could go on the seven. And you could be overthere, or meet me on the way, just so no one here saw us. Then I could go on and you could come back. I couldarrange that with Agnes, I'm sure. I would have to write her.""How about all the time between then and now, though?" he queried peevishly. "It's a long time till then, youknow.""Well, I'll have to see what I can think of, but I'm not sure, dear. I'll have to see. And you think too. But I oughtto be going back now," she added nervously. She at once arose, causing Clyde to rise, too, and consult his watch,thereby discovering that it was already near ten.
　　"But what about us!" he continued persistently. "Why couldn't you pretend next Sunday that you're going tosome other church than yours and meet me somewhere instead? Would they have to know?"At once Clyde noted Roberta's face darken slightly, for here he was encroaching upon something that was stilltoo closely identified with her early youth and convictions to permit infringement.
　　"Hump, uh," she replied quite solemnly. "I wouldn't want to do that. I wouldn't feel right about it. And itwouldn't be right, either."Immediately Clyde sensed that he was treading on dangerous ground and withdrew the suggestion because hedid not care to offend or frighten her in any way. "Oh, well. Just as you say. I only thought since you don't seemto be able to think of any other way.""No, no, dear," she pleaded softly, because she noted that he felt that she might be offended. "It's all right, only Iwouldn't want to do that. I couldn't."Clyde shook his head. A recollection of his own youthful inhibitions caused him to feel that perhaps it was notright for him to have suggested it.
　　They returned in the direction of Taylor Street without, apart from the proposed trip to Fonda, either having hitupon any definite solution. Instead, after kissing her again and again and just before letting her go, the best hecould suggest was that both were to try and think of some way by which they could meet before, if possible. Andshe, after throwing her arms about his neck for a moment, ran east along Taylor Street, her little figure swayingin the moonlight.
　　However, apart from another evening meeting which was made possible by Roberta's announcing a secondengagement with Mrs. Braley, there was no other encounter until the following Saturday when Roberta departedfor Fonda. And Clyde, having ascertained the exact hour, left by the car ahead, and joined Roberta at the firststation west. From that point on until evening, when she was compelled to take the seven o'clock train, they wereunspeakably happy together, loitering near the little city comparatively strange to both.
　　For outside of Fonda a few miles they came to a pleasure park called Starlight where, in addition to a few claptrappleasure concessions such as a ring of captive aeroplanes, a Ferris wheel, a merry-go-round, an old mill anda dance floor, was a small lake with boats. It was after its fashion an idyllic spot with a little band-stand out on anisland near the center of the lake and on the shore a grave and captive bear in a cage. Since coming to LycurgusRoberta had not ventured to visit any of the rougher resorts near there, which were very much like this, onlymuch more strident. On sight of this both exclaimed: "Oh, look!" And Clyde added at once: "Let's get off here,will you--shall we? What do you say? We're almost to Fonda anyhow. And we can have more fun here."At once they climbed down. And having disposed of her bag for the time being, he led the way first to the standof a man who sold frankfurters. Then, since the merry-go-round was in full blast, nothing would do but thatRoberta should ride with him. And in the gayest of moods, they climbed on, and he placed her on a zebra, andthen stood close in order that he might keep his arm about her, and both try to catch the brass ring. And ascommonplace and noisy and gaudy as it all was, the fact that at last he had her all to himself unseen, and she him,was sufficient to evoke in both a kind of ecstasy which was all out of proportion to the fragile, gimcrack scene.
　　Round and round they spun on the noisy, grinding machine, surveying now a few idle pleasure seekers who werein boats upon the lake, now some who were flying round in the gaudy green and white captive aeroplanes orturning upward and then down in the suspended cages of the Ferris wheel.
　　Both looked at the woods and sky beyond the lake; the idlers and dancers in the dancing pavilion dreaming andthrilling, and then suddenly Clyde asked: "You dance, don't you, Roberta?""Why, no, I don't," she replied, a little sadly, for at the very moment she had been looking at the happy dancersrather ruefully and thinking how unfortunate it was that she had never been allowed to dance. It might not beright or nice, perhaps--her own church said it was not--but still, now that they were here and in love like this-theseothers looked so gay and happy--a pretty medley of colors moving round and round in the green and brownframe--it did not seem so bad to her. Why shouldn't people dance, anyway? Girls like herself and boys likeClyde? Her younger brother and sister, in spite of the views of her parents, were already declaring that when theopportunity offered, they were going to learn.
　　"Oh, isn't that too bad!" he exclaimed, thinking how delightful it would be to hold Roberta in his arms. "Wecould have such fun now if you could. I could teach you in a few minutes if you wanted me to.""I don't know about that," she replied quizzically, her eyes showing that his suggestion appealed to her. "I'm notso clever that way. And you know dancing isn't considered so very nice in my part of the country. And mychurch doesn't approve of it, either. And I know my parents wouldn't like me to.""Oh, shucks," replied Clyde foolishly and gayly, "what nonsense, Roberta. Why, everybody dances these days ornearly everybody. How can you think there's anything wrong with it?""Oh, I know," replied Roberta oddly and quaintly, "maybe they do in your set. I know most of those factory girlsdo, of course. And I suppose where you have money and position, everything's right. But with a girl like me, it'sdifferent. I don't suppose your parents were as strict as mine, either.""Oh, weren't they, though?" laughed Clyde who had not failed to catch the "your set"; also the "where you havemoney and position.""Well, that's all you know about it," he went on. "They were as strict as yours and stricter, I'll bet. But I dancedjust the same. Why, there's no harm in it, Roberta. Come on, let me teach you. It's wonderful, really. Won't you,dearest?"He put his arm around her and looked into her eyes and she half relented, quite weakened by her desire for him.
　　Just then the merry-go-round stopped and without any plan or suggestion they seemed instinctively to drift to theside of the pavilion where the dancers--not many but avid--were moving briskly around. Fox-trots and one-stepswere being supplied by an orchestrelle of considerable size. At a turnstile, all the remaining portions of thepavilion being screened in, a pretty concessionaire was sitting and taking tickets--ten cents per dance per couple.
　　But the color and the music and the motions of the dancers gliding rhythmically here and there quite seized uponboth Clyde and Roberta.
　　The orchestrelle stopped and the dancers were coming out. But no sooner were they out than five-cent admissionchecks were once more sold for the new dance.
　　"I don't believe I can," pleaded Roberta, as Clyde led her to the ticket-stile. "I'm afraid I'm too awkward, maybe.
　　I never danced, you know.""You awkward, Roberta," he exclaimed. "Oh, how crazy. Why, you're as graceful and pretty as you can be.
　　You'll see. You'll be a wonderful dancer."Already he had paid the coin and they were inside.
　　Carried away by a bravado which was three-fourths her conception of him as a member of the Lycurgus uppercrust and possessor of means and position, he led the way into a corner and began at once to illustrate therespective movements. They were not difficult and for a girl of Roberta's natural grace and zest, easy. Once themusic started and Clyde drew her to him, she fell into the positions and steps without effort, and they movedrhythmically and instinctively together. It was the delightful sensation of being held by him and guided here and there that so appealed to her--the wonderful rhythm of his body coinciding with hers.
　　"Oh, you darling," he whispered. "Aren't you the dandy little dancer, though. You've caught on already. If youaren't the wonderful kid. I can hardly believe it."They went about the floor once more, then a third time, before the music stopped and by the time it did, Robertawas lost in a sense of delight such as had never come to her before. To think she had been dancing! And it shouldbe so wonderful! And with Clyde! He was so slim, graceful--quite the handsomest of any of the young men onthe floor, she thought. And he, in turn, was now thinking that never had he known any one as sweet as Roberta.
　　She was so gay and winsome and yielding. She would not try to work him for anything. And as for SondraFinchley, well, she had ignored him and he might as well dismiss her from his mind--and yet even here, and withRoberta, he could not quite forget her.
　　At five-thirty when the orchestrelle was silenced for lack of customers and a sign reading "Next Concert 7.30"hung up, they were still dancing. After that they went for an ice-cream soda, then for something to eat, and bythen, so swiftly had sped the time, it was necessary to take the very next car for the depot at Fonda.
　　As they neared this terminal, both Clyde and Roberta were full of schemes as to how they were to arrange for tomorrow.
　　For Roberta would be coming back then and if she could arrange to leave her sister's a little earlySunday he could come over from Lycurgus to meet her. They could linger around Fonda until eleven at least,when the last train south from Homer was due. And pretending she had arrived on that they could then, assumingthere was no one whom they knew on the Lycurgus car, journey to that city.
　　And as arranged so they met. And in the dark outlying streets of that city, walked and talked and planned, andRoberta told Clyde something--though not much--of her home life at Biltz.
　　But the great thing, apart from their love for each other and its immediate expression in kisses and embraces, wasthe how and where of further contacts. They must find some way, only, really, as Roberta saw it, she must be theone to find the way, and that soon. For while Clyde was obviously very impatient and eager to be with her asmuch as possible, still he did not appear to be very ready with suggestions--available ones.
　　But that, as she also saw, was not easy. For the possibility of another visit to her sister in Homer or her parents inBiltz was not even to be considered under a month. And apart from them what other excuses were there? Newfriends at the factory--the post-office--the library--the Y. W. C. A.--all suggestions of Clyde's at the moment.
　　But these spelled but an hour or two together at best, and Clyde was thinking of other week-ends like this. Andthere were so few remaining summer week-ends.

这次会见的高潮，不论克莱德也好，还是罗伯达也好，他们都认为只不过是永无尽头的将来一系列新的交往和欢乐的序幕罢了。毕竟他们找到了爱情。

他们都感到说不出的幸福，姑且不管眼下要使爱情得以实现，可能还会遇到哪些难题。不过，采取什么样的方式方法，使爱情继续下去，却是另一回事了。

就克莱德来说，罗伯达跟牛顿夫妇的关系，不仅仅是对他们正常交往的一大障碍。而且，格雷斯。玛尔也构成了另一个性质不同的问题。她思想上所受的束缚，要比罗伯达多得多，她不仅长得丑，而且在早年的社会。宗教生活中，还受过狭隘的偏见和家教熏陶。不过，她也希望自己能得到快乐和自由。虽然罗伯达喜欢乐乐呵呵，有时候不免爱好自夸，可是她并没有违反禁锢着格雷斯的传统观念。所以，格雷斯认为，罗伯达就是一个并没有逾越雷池一步的人。也正因为这样，她就紧紧地抓住她，而罗伯达却觉得这就不免有点儿腻味了。格雷斯以为，她们俩可以对恋爱生活和她们各自的梦想交流一下看法，谈一谈。

乐一乐，那也是无伤大雅。迄至今日，这就是她在这个灰溜溜的世界上唯一的慰籍了。

可是罗伯达，哪怕在克莱德闯进她的生活以前，压根儿也不希望格雷斯这样粘附在一起。这是一个累赘。后来，她觉得断断乎不能对格雷斯谈有关克莱德的事。因为，她不但知道格雷斯对自己突如其来甩开她会产生反感，而且也知道，她自己这种突然叛变的心态，虽然现在占了上风，可是说心里话并不想毅然决然付诸实现。如今遇见了他，一下子爱上了他，她却很怕去想:

她跟他的关系，好歹也得保持一定分寸。贫富之间类似这样的交往，在这里不是受到禁止吗?

这一点她是知道的。因此，她压根儿就不愿向格雷斯谈论他了。

正好在星期天湖衅邂逅以后第二天，亦即星期一傍晚，当格雷斯兴冲冲。

热乎乎地问起克莱德时，罗伯达马上就决定佯装出自己对他的兴趣也许并没有格雷斯想象中那么大。所以，她只是说他对她很客气，而且还问到过格雷斯。

格雷斯一听到这句话，偷偷地乜了她一眼，心里纳闷，真不知道她说的是不是实话。"瞧他那股子亲热劲儿，我说莫非是他看中了你不成。""哦，胡扯淡!

"罗伯达很乖觉地回答说，不免也有一点吃惊。"嘿，他才不会看我一眼呢。再说，厂里有厂规，只要我在厂里干活，就不准他跟我接近。

"最末这句话，比什么都灵验，一下子消除了格雷斯对克莱德和罗伯达的种种疑虑，因为她这个人传统观念很深，根本不可能想到有人会违反厂规的。尽管如此，罗伯达心里还是忐忑不安，唯恐格雷斯以为她与克莱德有什么暧昧关系，因此，她暗自决定，凡是一涉及到克莱德，就要加倍小心……佯装她好象对他完全无动于衷似的。

不过话又说回来，这一切只是随之而来的困惑。懊恼和恐惧的引子。这些困惑。懊恼和恐惧跟过去并无关系，而是后来紧接着立刻发生的困难所引起的。

因为她跟克莱德完全情投意合以后，就知道除了幽会以外，再也没有别的办法跟他会面;何况那种幽会，机会又是那么难得，那么没有把握，就连下一次何时能再见面，她也说不上来。

"您知道，事情是这样的，"她向克莱德作了说明。那是在几天以后的一个晚上，她偷偷地溜出来一个钟头的时候跟他说的，他们正从泰勒街的尽头走向莫霍河边，那儿有一些空旷的田野和在令人悦目的河边隆起的一道低堤。"牛顿夫妇不管上哪儿，就非得邀我一块去不可。而且，即便说他们没有邀请我，那末，我不去，格雷斯从来也不肯去。这就是因为过去我们住在特里佩茨米尔斯时相处很好，所以，直到现在，她还是那样，仿佛把我当作他们自己家里人一样。

尽管现在情况不同了，可我就是看不到一下子解决的出路。我真不知道该怎么说……我上哪儿去了，或是我跟什么人一块儿去的。""亲爱的，这个我明白，"他嗲声嗲气地回答说。"这全都是事实。可是现在我们究竟该怎么办呢?

难道说你认为我只要在厂里把你看个饱就得了，是不是?

"他是那么严肃而又充满渴望地凝视着她，使她不由得对他满怀同情。为了抚慰他那沮丧的心情，她就找补着说:

"不，亲爱的，我可不愿意您那样。您也知道，我不会这样的。不过，叫我怎么办呢?

"她把一只温柔。恳求的手按在克莱德瘦长而又紧张不安的手背上。

"得了，我告诉您，"她沉吟一会儿以后说，"我有一个妹妹住在纽约州的霍默，从这里北面去大约三十五英里就到了。我说，也许我说不准在哪个星期六下午或星期天就上那里去。她过去来过信要我去，可我过去一直不想去呢。不过现在，也许我会去……那就是说……也许我会去的……""哦，干吗不去呢?

"克莱德热乎乎地喊道。"那敢情好!

真是个好主意!

""让我想一想，"她接下去说，并没有理会他的大声嚷嚷。"要是我记得不错，您就得先到方达，然后在那里换车。不过我可以随便什么时候搭乘电车离开这里。而星期六方达只有两班车，一班车在两点钟，另一班车是七点钟。这就是说，我可以在两点钟以前随便什么时候离开这里，然后，我要是不搭乘两点那班车，也没有关系，您说，是不是?

反正我可以搭乘七点钟的车。您不妨先到那里，或者在路上跟我碰头，这样就不让这儿的人看见我们俩在一起。到时候，我可以去找妹妹，而您就可以返回莱柯格斯。我相信一切我都可以跟艾格尼斯安排好。那我就得先写封信给她呗。""那末，从眼前起到那天以前，这一大段时间，怎么办?

"他气呼呼地问。"这段时间可长啊，你说是吗?

""哦，那我就得想想办法看，不过，我可说不上有没有把握，亲爱的。我得想想。您也得想想才行。不过，现在我就得往回走了，"她心神不安地说，马上站了起来，于是，克莱德也跟着站了起来，看了一下表，不觉快到十点钟了。

"可是，我们该怎么办呢?

"他坚持说。"干吗你不在星期天找个借口，说是上别的一个教堂去，那你也就可以在某某地方跟我碰头?

难道说他们非得知道不可吗?

"克莱德顿时觉察到罗伯达脸色有点儿阴沉，因为，他这是触犯了她自幼时起即受到熏陶，而且不容违悖的信念了。

"哦，哦，"她极其严肃地回答说。"那个我不能干。我觉得不应该那么做。

而且事实上也是要不得的。"克莱德一觉察到自己踏上了危险道路，马上把他刚才的建议收回了，因为他压根儿不想惹她生气，或是吓唬她。"哦，那末，得了吧。就照你说的办吧。

刚才我只不过因为你好象找不到别的好办法才有这样的想法。""不，不，亲爱的，"她温柔地恳求说，因为她发觉他生怕她会生气。"这可没有什么，只不过我不愿意这样做罢了。我可不能那样做啊。"克莱德摇摇头。他一想起自己年轻时学过的一些规矩，觉得刚才建议也许是很不对头的。

这时，他们又折回泰勒街，除了谈到拟议中的方达之行以外，一路上并没有想出任何具体的解决办法来。相反，在他一次又一次亲吻了她才让她离去以前，他所能提出的，不外乎是他们俩要继续动脑筋，想出办法在这以前尽可能再见一次面。她用双手搂了一会儿他的脖子后，就顺着泰勒街往东走去，克莱德目送着在月光底下忽隐忽现的她那纤小的身影。

不过话又说回来，只有一个晚上，罗伯达推说她跟布雷莉太太有第二次约会，才又跟克莱德相会一次。除此以外，在星期六罗伯达去方达以前，他们俩就一直没能再次见面。到了星期六那天，克莱德先弄清确切的时间，然后提前搭乘电车离城，在西行的第一站跟罗伯达碰头。从这时起，一直到晚上她不得不搭乘七点钟的那班车为止，他们俩始终在一起，就在他们俩几乎都很陌生的那个小城附近闲逛，真有说不尽的快乐。

他们俩来到了离方达一两英里远的一个名叫"星光"的露天游乐场。那里有一些颇有噱头的娱乐设施，比方说，拴在铁环圈上的一些小飞机。一台费里斯大旋车(一种供人游戏的竖立大轮，轮缘设置座位，供游客回旋。１８９３年由费里斯首创而得名。)。一架旋转木马。一座老式磨坊和一座跳舞厅。此外，还有一个可供游人泛舟的小湖。这是一个颇有田园牧歌风味的理想场所，湖心岛上有一个小小的音乐台，岸边一座笼子里，还关进一头垂头丧气的熊。罗伯达到莱柯格斯以后，还没有光临过那里一些粗俗的娱乐场所，那些地方跟这儿差不离，只不过还要俗不可耐。他们一见到"星光"乐园后，禁不住大声嚷了起来:

"喂，看啊!

"克莱德马上接茬说:

"我们就在这儿下车，你看好不好?

反正差不多快到方达了。我们在这儿会玩得更痛快。"他们赶紧下了车。他先把她的手提包寄放好，就在前头领路，来到卖腊肠的摊位跟前。这时，旋转木马正转得起劲，看来罗伯达非得陪他一块儿玩不可。

于是，他们兴高采烈地爬了上去，他让她跨上一匹斑马，自己紧紧地站在旁边，以便搂住她，搀扶她。他们俩都竭力想把铜环抓住。这一切其实都很俗丽。喧闹。平凡乏味，不过，他们俩终于能够在一起尽情地玩儿，而没有被人看见，这一点也就足以使他们俩完全心醉神迷了，这种情绪跟这儿那些低劣。无聊的场面是极不调和的。他们在嘎嘎作响的轮转机上来回不停地旋转，眼前还可以看见泛舟于湖上的三三两两的游客，有些游客坐在俗艳的绿白两色的拴住的小飞机里来回盘旋，或是坐在费里斯大旋车悬空的笼子里一会儿朝上一会儿朝下不停运转。

他们俩抬眼望去，只见湖边小树林和天空，还有舞厅里头许多游客，正在翩翩起舞，沉醉于幻梦之中。克莱德突然开口问道:

"你会跳舞，是不是，罗伯达?

""哦，不，我不会，"她回答说，话里听得出有一点儿伤心味道。因为，这时她也正眼望着那些幸福的舞侣，心里不免有点儿酸溜溜，想到过去一直不准她跳舞，真太可惜。也许跳舞是要不得的，或是不道德的……她信奉的教会就是这么说的……不过，不管怎么说，现在他们都在这里，而且是在相互热恋着……人家是那么快乐，那么幸福……在那褐绿色衬景掩映下，在不停转圈中只见异彩纷呈，目不暇接……这一切，她觉得并不都是那么坏。那末，为什么就不让跳舞呢?

象她这样的姑娘，象克莱德这样的年轻小伙子，为什么就不让他们跳呢?

不管爸爸妈妈怎么规劝，她的弟弟妹妹早就扬言过:

赶明儿只要有机会，他们就是要学跳舞。

"哦，那不是也太可惜了吗?

"他大声嚷了起来，心里琢磨，要是搂着罗伯达跳，该有多美。"你要是会跳，才带劲呢。我几分钟就教会你，要是你让我教你的话。""我可不知道该怎么才好，"她探询地回答说。从她的眼神里可以看出:

他这个主意正说到了她心坎上。"也许学跳舞，我并不是很灵巧的。您知道，在我们家乡，人们压根儿不让跳舞的。我们教会里也不赞成跳舞。我知道，爸爸妈妈也不喜欢我去跳的。""嘿，呸，"克莱德傻乎乎地。乐呵呵地回答说，"胡扯，罗伯达。现在大伙儿都跳舞，也可以说差不多人人都跳舞。怎么你还说跳舞坏话呢?

""哦，我知道，"罗伯达有点儿尴尬地回答说，"你们这个圈子里的人也许可以跳。当然罗，我知道厂里女工们十之八九也跳舞。依我看，只要有钱有势，什么都办得到。可是，象我这样的女孩子，情况就不一样了，我想，您的父母就是没有我的父母那么严格吧。""哦，真的吗?

"克莱德格格大笑起来。他一下子注意到她所说的"你们这个圈子里的人"，以及"只要有钱有势"这些话。

"哦，那就是你对我父母的看法罗，"他接下去说。"我敢说他们跟你的父母一样严格，也许还要严格哩。可我还不是照样跳舞。嘿，这可没有什么害处，罗伯达。来吧，让我来教你，得了。这可美极了，说实在的。你乐意吗，我最亲爱的?

"他一手搂住她的腰，眼巴巴地直瞅着她的眼睛，她被感动了，又因为按捺不住对他的欲念，这时早已浑身无力了。

正在这时，旋转木马戛然而止，他们漫无目的。好象顺其自然地溜达到舞厅那边去……那里，跳舞的人并不很多，但是很起劲，正在舞步轻捷地跳着。

一支有相当规模的乐队，正在演奏狐步舞曲和一步舞曲(也属于狐步舞的一种。)。

一道旋转栅门，已把舞厅另一头隔开，有一个长得很俊的检票员，正坐在那里收入场券……一对舞侣跳一次收十个美分。这儿艳丽的色彩。动人的乐曲，以及舞侣们合着节奏的优美舞姿，早就使克莱德和罗伯达两人入了迷。

乐队演奏停止，舞侣们正在往外走。不过，他们还没有走出舞厅，五个美分跳一个新曲子的入场券又开始出售了。

"我看我跳不了，"克莱德领她向检票处走去时，罗伯达向他这样恳求说。"我怕自己也许跳得很难看。您知道，我从来没有跳过舞。""你难看，罗伯达?

"他大声嚷道。"哦，胡扯淡!

你这个人再漂亮大方也没有啦。回头你就会知道。你跳起舞来一定顶呱呱。"他付了钱，他们就一块进去了。

克莱德故意摆出一副英勇姿态(她认为这多半是他来自莱柯格斯上流社会，有钱有势吧)。他把罗伯达带到舞场一隅，马上把有关的舞步动作做给她看。这些动作根本不难，对罗伯达那样天生娴雅。热心好学的姑娘来说，自然一学就会。乐曲一开始，克莱德就搂住她，她也毫不费劲地踩着步子，于是，他们俩就合着节奏，好象天生在一起地跳起舞来了。她觉得，让他搂抱着，带着她来回驰骋舞场，这是一种愉快的感觉，对她是如此富有吸引力……他们俩早已浑然一体，溶合在美妙的节奏之中了。

"哦，亲爱的，"他低声耳语道。"你不是跳得很漂亮吗?

你一下子全学会了。

真是太了不起。简直叫我难以相信。"他们再跳了一次，接下来又跳第三次，一直到乐曲声停止为止。这时，罗伯达感到自己陶醉在从来没有体会过的一种快感之中。只要想一想:

她这是在跳舞呀!

而且，想不到会有这么美妙!

而且，又是跟克莱德一块跳的!

他那么灵巧，那么潇洒大方……她觉得这儿年轻人里头就数他最漂亮。他呢，也觉得自己从来没有见过象罗伯达那么可爱的人儿了。她是那么快活，那么可爱，那么百依百顺。她决不会平白无故地折磨他的。至于那个桑德拉。芬奇利，得了吧，她既然不睬他，那他就干脆把她全忘掉吧……不过，即使在此时此地，跟罗伯达在一起，他也没法把桑德拉完全忘怀。

到了五点半，乐队因为舞客不多，就停止演奏，挂出了"下一场七点半开始"的牌子，可是他们俩还在跳个不停。后来，他们先去喝汽水冰淇淋，然后去餐厅吃饭。时间飞快地过去，他们又得赶紧上方达火车站去搭乘下一班车了。

他们快到终点站时，克莱德和罗伯达两人对明天活动如何安排，心中都有了谱。因为明天，罗伯达还要回来，要是她星期日从她妹妹那里早一点动身，他就可以从莱柯格斯上这儿来跟她相会。他们在方达至少可以逗留到十一点钟，那时从霍默南行的最后一班车刚好到站。她可以推说是搭乘这一班车回来的;要是回莱柯格斯的车上没有什么熟人的话，他们也可以结伴同行回城。

后来他们就按约又会面了。他们在那个小城镇近郊黑古隆冬的街上一边走，一边谈，一边在商讨计划。罗伯达还讲了她在比尔茨家里生活的一些情况给克莱德听，虽然她讲得并不很多。

抛开他们相亲相爱，及其在亲吻。拥抱上直接表现以外，目前最大的问题，就是:

今后在哪儿会面，以及会面的方式。他们必须寻摸出一个办法来。不过，正如罗伯达所预见，那个办法想必要由她来寻摸……而且很快就能寻摸到。因为，尽管克莱德显然急不可待，心里恨不得马上就跟她在一起，可是，看来他提不出切实可行的办法来。

不过话又说回来，她也知道，切实可行的办法并不易。要是第二次去看望住在霍默的妹妹，或是在比尔茨的父母，那在一个月以内根本是无法考虑的事。

除此以外，还能找到别的借口吗?

工厂里。邮局里。图书馆里。基督教女青年会里新结识的朋友……那时克莱德全都想到过他们。不过，所有这些至多只能给克莱德逍遥自由一两个钟头。而在克莱德心里却巴不得再一次重温如同眼前这样的周末。可惜目下夏日里的周末，早已所剩无几了。
Part 2 Chapter 19
The return of Roberta and Clyde, as well as their outing together, was quite unobserved, as they thought. On thecar from Fonda they recognized no one. And at the Newtons' Grace was already in bed. She merely awakenedsufficiently to ask a few questions about the trip--and those were casual and indifferent. How was Roberta's sister? Had she stayed all day in Homer or had she gone to Biltz or Trippetts Mills? (Roberta explained that shehad remained at her sister's.) She herself must be going up pretty soon to see her parents at Trippetts Mills. Thenshe fell asleep.
　　But at dinner the next night the Misses Opal Feliss and Olive Pope, who had been kept from the breakfast tableby a too late return from Fonda and the very region in which Roberta had spent Saturday afternoon, now seatedthemselves and at once, as Roberta entered, interjected a few genial and well-meant but, in so far as Roberta wasconcerned, decidedly troubling observations.
　　"Oh, there you are! Look who's back from Starlight Park. Howja like the dancing over there, Miss Alden? Wesaw you, but you didn't see us." And before Roberta had time to think what to reply, Miss Feliss had added: "Wetried to get your eye, but you couldn't see any one but him, I guess. I'll say you dance swell."At once Roberta, who had never been on very intimate terms with either of these girls and who had neither theeffrontery nor the wit to extricate herself from so swift and complete and so unexpected an exposure, flushed.
　　She was all but speechless and merely stared, bethinking her at once that she had explained to Grace that she wasat her sister's all day. And opposite sat Grace, looking directly at her, her lips slightly parted as though she wouldexclaim: "Well, of all things! And dancing! A man!" And at the head of the table, George Newton, thin andmeticulous and curious, his sharp eyes and nose and pointed chin now turned in her direction.
　　But on the instant, realizing that she must say something, Roberta replied: "Oh, yes, that's so. I did go over therefor a little while. Some friends of my sister's were coming over and I went with them." She was about to add,"We didn't stay very long," but stopped herself. For at that moment a certain fighting quality which she hadinherited from her mother, and which had asserted itself in the case of Grace before this, now came to her rescue.
　　After all, why shouldn't she be at Starlight Park if she chose? And what right had the Newtons or Grace oranyone else to question her for that matter? She was paying her way. Nevertheless, as she realized, she had beencaught in a deliberate lie and all because she lived here and was constantly being questioned and looked after inregard to her very least move. Miss Pope added curiously, "I don't suppose he's a Lycurgus boy. I don'tremember ever seeing him around here.""No, he isn't from here," returned Roberta shortly and coldly, for by now she was fairly quivering with therealization that she had been caught in a falsehood before Grace. Also that Grace would resent intensely thissocial secrecy and desertion of her. At once she felt as though she would like to get up from the table and leaveand never return. But instead she did her best to compose herself, and now gave the two girls with whom she hadnever been familiar, a steady look. At the same time she looked at Grace and Mr. Newton with defiance. Ifanything more were said she proposed to give a fictitious name or two--friends of her brother-in-law in Homer,or better yet to refuse to give any information whatsoever. Why should she?
　　Nevertheless, as she learned later that evening, she was not to be spared the refusing of it. Grace, coming to theirroom immediately afterward, reproached her with: "I thought you said you stayed out at your sister's all the timeyou were gone?""Well, what if I did say it?" replied Roberta defiantly and even bitterly, but without a word in extenuation, forher thought was now that unquestionably Grace was pretending to catechize her on moral grounds, whereas in reality the real source of her anger and pique was that Roberta was slipping away from and hence neglecting her.
　　"Well, you don't have to lie to me in order to go anywhere or see anybody without me in the future. I don't wantto go with you. And what's more I don't want to know where you go or who you go with. But I do wish youwouldn't tell me one thing and then have George and Mary find out that it ain't so, and that you're just trying toslip away from me or that I'm lying to them in order to protect myself. I don't want you to put me in thatposition."She was very hurt and sad and contentious and Roberta could see for herself that there was no way out of thistrying situation other than to move. Grace was a leech--a hanger-on. She had no life of her own and couldcontrive none. As long as she was anywhere near her she would want to devote herself to her--to share her everythought and mood with her. And yet if she told her about Clyde she would be shocked and critical and wouldunquestionably eventually turn on her or even expose her. So she merely replied: "Oh, well, have it that way ifyou want to. I don't care. I don't propose to tell anything unless I choose to."And at once Grace conceived the notion that Roberta did not like her any more and would have nothing to dowith her. She arose immediately and walked out of the room--her head very high and her spine very stiff. AndRoberta, realizing that she had made an enemy of her, now wished that she was out of here. They were all toonarrow here anyway. They would never understand or tolerate this clandestine relationship with Clyde--sonecessary to him apparently, as he had explained--so troublesome and even disgraceful to her from one point ofview, and yet so precious. She did love him, so very, very much. And she must now find some way to protectherself and him--move to another room.
　　But that in this instance required almost more courage and decision than she could muster. The anomalous andunprotected nature of a room where one was not known. The look of it. Subsequent explanation to her motherand sister maybe. Yet to remain here after this was all but impossible, too, for the attitude of Grace as well as theNewtons--particularly Mrs. Newton, Grace's sister--was that of the early Puritans or Friends who had caught a"brother" or "sister" in a great sin. She was dancing--and secretly! There was the presence of that young man notquite adequately explained by her trip home, to say nothing of her presence at Starlight Park. Besides, inRoberta's mind was the thought that under such definite espionage as must now follow, to say nothing of theunhappy and dictatorial attitude of Grace, she would have small chance to be with Clyde as much as she nowmost intensely desired. And accordingly, after two days of unhappy thought and then a conference with Clydewho was all for her immediate independence in a new room where she would not be known or spied upon, sheproceeded to take an hour or two off; and having fixed upon the southeast section of the city as one most likelyto be free from contact with either the Newtons or those whom thus far she had encountered at the Newtons', sheinquired there, and after little more than an hour's search found one place which pleased her. This was in an oldbrick house in Elm Street occupied by an upholsterer and his wife and two daughters, one a local milliner andanother still in school. The room offered was on the ground floor to the right of a small front porch andoverlooking the street. A door off this same porch gave into a living room which separated this room from theother parts of the house and permitted ingress and egress without contact with any other portion of the house.
　　And since she was still moved to meet Clyde clandestinely this as she now saw was important.
　　Besides, as she gathered from her one conversation with Mrs. Gilpin, the mother of this family, the character ofthis home was neither so strict nor inquisitive as that of the Newtons. Mrs. Gilpin was large, passive, cleanly, not so very alert and about fifty. She informed Roberta that as a rule she didn't care to take boarders or roomers atall, since the family had sufficient means to go on. However, since the family scarcely ever used the front room,which was rather set off from the remainder of the house, and since her husband did not object, she had made upher mind to rent it. And again she preferred some one who worked like Roberta--a girl, not a man--and one whowould be glad to have her breakfast and dinner along with her family. Since she asked no questions as to herfamily or connections, merely looking at her interestedly and seeming to be favorably impressed by herappearance, Roberta gathered that here were no such standards as prevailed at the Newtons.
　　And yet what qualms in connection with the thought of moving thus. For about this entire clandestine procedurethere hung, as she saw it, a sense of something untoward and even sinful, and then on top of it all, quarreling andthen breaking with Grace Marr, her one girl friend here thus far, and the Newtons on account of it, when, as shewell knew, it was entirely due to Grace that she was here at all. Supposing her parents or her sister in Homershould hear about this through some one whom Grace knew and think strangely of her going off by herself inLycurgus in this way? Was it right? Was it possible that she could do things like this--and so soon after hercoming here? She was beginning to feel as though her hitherto impeccable standards were crumbling.
　　And yet there was Clyde now. Could she give him up?
　　After many emotional aches she decided that she could not. And accordingly after paying a deposit and arrangingto occupy the room within the next few days, she returned to her work and after dinner the same eveningannounced to Mrs. Newton that she was going to move. Her premeditated explanation was that recently she hadbeen thinking of having her younger brother and sister come and live with her and since one or both were likelyto come soon, she thought it best to prepare for them.
　　And the Newtons, as well as Grace, feeling that this was all due to the new connections which Roberta hadrecently been making and which were tending to alienate her from Grace, were now content to see her go.
　　Plainly she was beginning to indulge in a type of adventure of which they could not approve. Also it was plainthat she was not going to prove as useful to Grace as they had at first imagined. Possibly she knew what she wasdoing. But more likely she was being led astray by notions of a good time not consistent with the reserved lifeled by her at Trippetts Mills.
　　And Roberta herself, once having made this move and settled herself in this new atmosphere (apart from the factthat it gave her much greater freedom in connection with Clyde) was dubious as to her present course. Perhaps-perhaps--she had moved hastily and in anger and might be sorry. Still she had done it now, and it could not behelped. So she proposed to try it for a while.
　　To salve her own conscience more than anything else, she at once wrote her mother and her sister a veryplausible version of why she had been compelled to leave the Newtons. Grace had grown too possessive,domineering and selfish. It had become unendurable. However, her mother need not worry. She wassatisfactorily placed. She had a room to herself and could now entertain Tom and Emily or her mother or Agnes,in case they should ever visit her here. And she would be able to introduce them to the Gilpins whom sheproceeded to describe.
　　Nevertheless, her underlying thought in connection with all this, in so far as Clyde and his great passion for her was concerned--and hers for him--was that she was indeed trifling with fire and perhaps social disgrace into thebargain. For, although consciously at this time she was scarcely willing to face the fact that this room--itsgeometric position in relation to the rest of the house--had been of the greatest import to her at the time she firstsaw it, yet subconsciously she knew it well enough. The course she was pursuing was dangerous--that she knew.
　　And yet how, as she now so often asked herself at moments when she was confronted by some desire which rancounter to her sense of practicability and social morality, was she to do?

他们这次返回莱柯格斯，以及他们双双结伴出游，罗伯达和克莱德心里想总没有被别人瞧见。从方达回莱柯格斯的车上，他们并没有碰见一个熟人。到达牛顿夫妇家时，格雷斯早已入睡了。她只不过迷迷糊糊地向罗伯达问了两句有关这次出门的事……都是信口道来。不痛不痒的话。比方说，罗伯达的妹妹好吗?

她是整天价都待在霍默，还是去过比尔莎，或是特里佩茨米尔斯?

(罗伯达当即回答说自己一直待在妹妹那里。)格雷斯说不久她自己也得上特里佩茨米尔斯去看望父母。说完，她一下子又睡着了。

可是，转天晚上吃饭时，奥帕尔。费利斯小姐和奥利夫。波普小姐也都入了座。她们从方达以及罗伯达星期六下午消磨过的那些地方回来太晚了，没能赶上吃早饭。罗伯达一进去，她们说了几句乐乐呵呵。而又出于善意的话，可是，罗伯达一听这些话，肯定非常窘困不堪。

"哦，你来啦!

瞧逛星光乐园的人回来啦。奥尔登小姐，在那里跳舞，你很喜欢吗?

我们看见你的，只不过你没看到我们罢了。"罗伯达还来不及考虑如何应答，费利斯已接过去说:

"我们巴不得你看上我们一眼，可是，我心里估摸，除了你的骑士以外，你好象谁都看不见。我说，你跳得可真棒。"罗伯达一下子脸红起来。过去罗伯达跟她们哪一个都不熟识，而且，平素她既不会厚颜无耻，也不会急中生智，使她能在真相突然一下子全给揭露以后摆脱困境。这时，她哑口无言，只好两眼发呆，顿时想到她昨夜跟格雷斯说过，她不是整天价都待在妹妹那里吗。殊不知格雷斯就坐在对面，两眼直瞅着她，嘴唇微微启开，仿佛要大声喊道:

"嘿，想不到事情可真不少!

居然还跳舞!

而且跟一个男人跳!

"坐在餐桌主人座位的乔治。牛顿，此人瘦骨嶙峋，谨小慎微，好奇心重，眼睛犀利，鼻子尖削，下巴颏儿向外突出，这时也转过身来瞅看她。

罗伯达心里一下子明白她非得说明一下不可，就回答说:

"哦，是的，一点儿不错。我去过那里，只待了一会儿。那天我妹妹来了几个朋友，我就跟他们一块去了。"原来她还打算说，"我们在那里并没有待多久，"不过她没有说下去。

因为这时，前来拯救她的，就是从她母亲那里一脉相承。并在这以前跟格雷斯相处时常常流露过的一种顽强不屈的气质。干脆说穿了，只要她喜欢去星光乐园，那干吗她就不能去呢?

牛顿夫妇。格雷斯，或是任何人，他们究竟有什么权利追问她那件事?

她靠自己挣钱过活，她对自己负责嘛。不过话又说回来，她也知道，她的谎话一下子被揭穿了。这都是因为她住在这里，时常受人盘问，连她的一举一动也被人们监视。波普小姐还好奇地找补着说:

"依我看，他可不是莱柯格斯的年轻人吧。我在这里好象压根儿没见过这个人。""是啊，他不是当地人，"罗伯达冷冷地回答了这么短短一句。她一想到谎话已在格雷斯面前被人拆穿了，心中不由得感到震惊。她又想到，格雷斯对这种鬼鬼祟祟的交际活动以及自己被甩在一边，一定会感到非常气忿。这时，她心里真恨不得马上站起来，离开这儿，永远不回来。可是，她并没有这样做，反而竭尽全力，让自己镇静下来，泰然自若地望了这两个素昧平生的姑娘一眼。

与此同时，她富于挑战性地瞅了格雷斯和牛顿夫妇一眼。要是有人继续追问的话，她打算胡编乱造一两个人的名字……说成是她妹妹在霍默的朋友，要不然，最好干脆什么也都不说。干吗她非说不可呢?

不过，当天晚上她就知道，绝口不谈还是不行的。晚饭后一回到房间，格雷斯马上责备她:

"我好象记得你告诉我，说你一直待在你妹妹家里，可不是吗?

""哦，我是说过，那又怎么啦?

"罗伯达回答说，语气富有挑战性，甚至还带着尖酸刻薄的味道，但她并没有说过一句给自己辩白的话。这时，她心里琢磨，毫无疑问，格雷斯会装模作样，从维护道德立场出发向她盘问一通。其实，她大发雷霆的真正原因，却是:

罗伯达偷偷地躲开她，因而也就是疏远了她。

"得了吧，今后，你也用不着哄骗我:

你爱上哪儿去，看什么人，一概悉听尊便。我并不乐意跟你一起去。而且，我再也不想知道你上哪儿去，或是跟什么人在一起。不过，我希望你别跟我谈到一件事，后来却被乔治和玛丽揭穿，说并不是这么一回事;实际上，你只不过存心躲开我，要不然，为了保护自己，我也不得不对他们撒谎。我可不希望你使我竟然也落到那样境地。"她受到很大委屈，因而很难过，真想争论一番。罗伯达也为自己着想，觉得要摆脱这种难堪局面，只好自己从这里搬出去。格雷斯好象一条水蛭……吸别人的血来养活自己。她并没有自己的私生活，而且即使想有，她也办不到。

只要她们俩在一起，格雷斯就要求罗伯达献身给她，乃至于每一个想法。每一种心态，都得向她和盘托出。可是，如果说罗伯达把克莱德的事告诉她，那她一定会大为震惊，严加批评，最后毫无疑问跟她决裂，甚至揭发了她。因此，她只好回答说:

"哦，得了吧，要是你爱这么想，就随你的便吧。我可不在乎。我不打算把什么事都说出来，除非我高兴这么做。"格雷斯立时想到:

罗伯达再也不会跟她和好，而且不愿跟她有什么来往了。

她马上站了起来，昂起头。挺直腰背从房间里走了出去。罗伯达知道:

如今格雷斯已成了她的敌人，恨不得马上从这儿搬出去，离得越远越好。说到底，他们这里的人思想太狭隘了。对于她跟克莱德这种秘密的关系，他们既不会谅解，也不会宽容，可是这种关系，正如克莱德所说的，对他显然是断断乎不可缺的，而对罗伯达来说，虽然是恼人的，甚至丢脸的，但她对它依然觉得弥足珍贵。

她确实爱他，非常非常爱他。如今，她总得想个办法来保护她自己和他……那就是非搬家不可。

不过，搬家需要更大的勇气和决心，远不是她一口气就鼓得起来的。搬到谁都不认识你的屋子里，无人保护，该有多么别扭。怎么会不觉得别扭?

也许往后还得向她妈妈。妹妹解释一番。不过，打这以后再待在这儿，也是要不得的，因为格雷斯和牛顿夫妇，特别是格雷斯的姐姐牛顿太太，他们的态度依然有如早期清教徒，或是教友派信徒对待一个犯了大罪的"兄弟"或是"姐姐"一模一样。

她跳过舞……而且是偷偷的，嘿!

怎么还跟一个年轻人在一起，这次她又回了家，这些事她都说不清楚，更不用提她到过星光乐园了。此外，罗伯达心里还想到，往后人家肯定会密切侦察，格雷斯那种令人不快的专断态度，也更不在话下了，因此，她一定很少有机会跟克莱德相会，如同现在一样，她如饥似渴地希望有这样的机会。于是，她冥思苦想了两天，又跟克莱德商量之后，克莱德完全赞同她不再看人脸色，马上搬到一个无人相识。无人监视的新住处去。接着，她便请了一两个钟头假，径自觅房去了。她心里估摸，到了本城东南区那一带，也许不会再跟牛顿夫妇和在牛顿家里见到过的人碰面，所以她就到那里去打听。

经过一个多钟头寻找，她找到了一个很合她心意的住处。这是埃尔姆街上一幢老式砖头房子，里面住了一位家具商和他的妻子，此外还有两个女儿，一个是在当地专营女帽生意，一个还在学校里念书。让给罗伯达的房间，是在底楼小门廊的右面，窗子朝着大街。小门廊有一道门通往小客厅，就把这个房间跟所有其他房间隔开，这样进进出出，也就各不相干。因为她一心想跟克莱德幽会，对这一点也就看得特别重要。

再说，从她跟这一家主妇吉尔平太太的谈话里得知，这一家人不象牛顿夫妇那么严格，那么喜欢问这问那。吉尔平太太是个大块头，大约五十岁上下，很爱清洁，但是不太机灵。她告诉罗伯达，说她通常不收房客，因为他们一家子的收入除去开销，原是绰绰有余。不过，前面这一间跟其他房间是完全隔开，在平时空关不用，再加上她丈夫也并不反对，所以，她才决定把这一间租出去。

再说，她也希望房客最好就象罗伯达那样，有固定工作的……要姑娘，不要男人……而且还乐意跟他们一家人共进早餐。晚餐。吉尔平太太并没有问到她家庭或是她亲戚的情况，只不过怪有趣地望着她，看来对她的模样儿还印象不错。

罗伯达由此推想，这里大概没有牛顿夫妇家里那一套清规戒律。

不过，她一想到搬家，心里就犯疑了。她觉得，综观这种偷偷摸摸的行径，总有一种不吉利的甚至犯罪的感觉，发展到顶点，终于跟她迄至今日在这里的女友格雷斯。玛尔……自然也还牵扯到牛顿夫妇……吵架，最后决裂。其实，罗伯达心中也很清楚，她之所以能在莱柯格斯站住脚跟，完全仰仗格雷斯的帮助。万一她妈妈或是在霍默的妹妹从格雷斯的熟人那里听到了这件事，发现她很怪，怎么会孤零零一个人在莱柯格斯过日子呢?

这样做是对头，还是不对头呢?

她怎么会做这样的事……何况来到这儿，时间也还不久?

她好象觉得:

她迄至今日那些无懈可击的道德标准正在崩溃。

可是，眼前有克莱德在这里。她能舍弃他吗?

经过很多痛苦的内心斗争之后，她决定不能舍弃。因此，她付了押金，约定近日内迁入，就回去上班了。当天晚上吃过饭后，罗伯达便向牛顿太太说明她要搬出去住。她根据事前想好的那一套，以最近她一直想要她的弟弟。妹妹上这里来，跟她一块住。大概他们马上就会来，也许来一个，也许两个都来，因此，她觉得还是及早给他们准备住处为好。

牛顿夫妇和格雷斯都认为，这完全是因为最近以来罗伯达新结识了一些朋友，便跟格雷斯越发疏远了，因此，他们也巴不得她搬走。显然，她已开始沉溺在他们不敢赞同的冒险事业之中。而且往后，她显然也不会象他们当初想象的那样对格雷斯有什么用处了。可能她也知道她正在干的是什么。不过，更可能的是，她已被寻欢作乐的一些邪念引入歧途，这跟她在特里佩茨米尔斯循规蹈矩的生活已是不可同日而语了。

至于罗伯达自己呢，她一经迁出，在这个新环境安顿下来以后(除了住在这里她跟克莱德来往可以更加自由以外)，对她目前所走的道路，毕竟感到疑惧不安。也许……也许……搬家她太急促了，何况又是在一怒之下，说不定她会后悔不及。不过，事至今日，无法挽回了。因此，她想还是不妨先试试看再说。

多半为了抚慰自己的良心，她立时写信给自己的母亲和妹妹，振振有词地把她不得不从牛顿夫妇家里迁出的理由告诉了她们。格雷斯这个人变得太专断，太自私，太跋扈，简直让人受不了。不过，妈妈用不着发愁。现在她住的地方很称心。她自己有一个房间，汤姆。艾米莉。妈妈和艾格尼斯要是上这儿来看望她，就可以招待他们了。那时她不妨让他们跟吉尔平一家人见见面。接着她对这一家人作了详细介绍。

可是，她一想到克莱德也好，还是他对她的热恋，或是她对他的热恋也好，在她心底深深地意识到:

她的确是在玩火，往后说不定身败名裂。尽管她思想上还不肯承认，她开头一看这个单独隔开的房间就正中下怀，但在潜意识里，她还是知道得一清二楚的。现在她走的正是危险的道路……这个她也知道。有时她心里一有某种欲念，跟她注重实际和社会道理的观念发生对抗，她通常总要反躬自问:

她该怎么办?

如今，她又在这样反躬自问了。
Part 2 Chapter 20
However, as both Roberta and Clyde soon found, after several weeks in which they met here and there, suchspots as could be conveniently reached by interurban lines, there were still drawbacks and the principal of theserelated to the attitude of both Roberta and Clyde in regard to this room, and what, if any, use of it was to be madeby them jointly. For in spite of the fact that thus far Clyde had never openly agreed with himself that hisintentions in relation to Roberta were in any way different to those normally entertained by any youth toward anygirl for whom he had a conventional social regard, still, now that she had moved into this room, there was thatineradicable and possibly censurable, yet very human and almost unescapable, desire for something more--thepossibility of greater and greater intimacy with and control of Roberta and her thoughts and actions in everythingso that in the end she would be entirely his. But how HIS? By way of marriage and the ordinary conventionaland durable existence which thereafter must ordinarily ensue? He had never said so to himself thus far. For inflirting with her or any girl of a lesser social position than that of the Griffiths here (Sondra Finchley, BertineCranston, for instance) he would not--and that largely due to the attitude of his newly-found relatives, their veryhigh position in this city--have deemed marriage advisable. And what would they think if they should come toknow? For socially, as he saw himself now, if not before coming here, he was supposed to be above the type ofRoberta and should of course profit by that notion. Besides there were all those that knew him here, at least tospeak to. On the other hand, because of the very marked pull that her temperament had for him, he had not beenable to say for the time being that she was not worthy of him or that he might not be happy in case it werepossible or advisable for him to marry her.
　　And there was another thing now that tended to complicate matters. And that was that fall with its chilling windsand frosty nights was drawing near. Already it was near October first and most of those out-of-door resortswhich, up to the middle of September at least, had provided diversion, and that at a fairly safe distance fromLycurgus, were already closed for the season. And dancing, except in the halls of the near-by cities and which,because of a mood of hers in regard to them, were unacceptable, was also for the time being done away with. Asfor the churches, moving pictures, and restaurants of Lycurgus, how under the circumstances, owing to Clyde'sposition here, could they be seen in them? They could not, as both reasoned between them. And so now, whileher movements were unrestrained, there was no place to go unless by some readjustment of their relations hemight be permitted to call on her at the Gilpins'. But that, as he knew, she would not think of and, at first, neitherhad he the courage to suggest it.
　　However they were at a street-end one early October night about six weeks after she had moved to her newroom. The stars were sharp. The air cool. The leaves were beginning to turn. Roberta had returned to a three-quarter green-and-cream-striped winter coat that she wore at this season of the year. Her hat was brown, trimmed with brown leather and of a design that became her. There had been kisses over and over--that same fever thathad been dominating them continuously since first they met--only more pronounced if anything.
　　"It's getting cold, isn't it?" It was Clyde who spoke. And it was eleven o'clock and chill.
　　"Yes, I should say it is. I'll soon have to get a heavier coat.""I don't see how we are to do from now on, do you? There's no place to go any more much, and it won't be verypleasant walking the streets this way every night. You don't suppose we could fix it so I could call on you at theGilpins' once in a while, do you? It isn't the same there now as it was at the Newtons'.""Oh, I know, but then they use their sitting room every night nearly until ten-thirty or eleven. And besides theirtwo girls are in and out all hours up to twelve, anyhow, and they're in there often. I don't see how I can. Besides,I thought you said you didn't want to have any one see you with me that way, and if you came there I couldn'thelp introducing you.""Oh, but I don't mean just that way," replied Clyde audaciously and yet with the feeling that Roberta was muchtoo squeamish and that it was high time she was taking a somewhat more liberal attitude toward him if she caredfor him as much as she appeared to: "Why wouldn't it be all right for me to stop in for a little while? Theywouldn't need to know, would they?" He took out his watch and discovered with the aid of a match that it waseleven-thirty. He showed the time to her. "There wouldn't be anybody there now, would there?"She shook her head in opposition. The thought not only terrified but sickened her. Clyde was getting very bold toeven suggest anything like that. Besides this suggestion embodied in itself all the secret fears and compellingmoods which hitherto, although actual in herself, she was still unwilling to face. There was something sinful,low, dreadful about it. She would not. That was one thing sure. At the same time within her was thatovermastering urge of repressed and feared desire now knocking loudly for recognition.
　　"No, no, I can't let you do that. It wouldn't be right. I don't want to. Some one might see us. Somebody mightknow you." For the moment the moral repulsion was so great that unconsciously she endeavored to relinquishherself from his embrace.
　　Clyde sensed how deep was this sudden revolt. All the more was he flagellated by the desire for possession ofthat which now he half feared to be unobtainable. A dozen seductive excuses sprang to his lips. "Oh, who wouldbe likely to see us anyhow, at this time of night? There isn't any one around. Why shouldn't we go there for a fewmoments if we want to? No one would be likely to hear us. We needn't talk so loud. There isn't any one on thestreet, even. Let's walk by the house and see if anybody is up."Since hitherto she had not permitted him to come within half a block of the house, her protest was not onlynervous but vigorous. Nevertheless on this occasion Clyde was proving a little rebellious and Roberta, standingsomewhat in awe of him as her superior, as well as her lover, was unable to prevent their walking within a fewfeet of the house where they stopped. Except for a barking dog there was not a sound to be heard anywhere. Andin the house no light was visible.
　　"See, there's no one up," protested Clyde reassuringly. "Why shouldn't we go in for a little while if we want to?
　　Who will know? We needn't make any noise. Besides, what is wrong with it? Other people do it. It isn't such aterrible thing for a girl to take a fellow to her room if she wants to for a little while.""Oh, isn't it? Well, maybe not in your set. But I know what's right and I don't think that's right and I won't do it."At once, as she said this, Roberta's heart gave a pained and weakening throb, for in saying so much she hadexhibited more individuality and defiance than ever he had seen or that she fancied herself capable of inconnection with him. It terrified her not a little. Perhaps he would not like her so much now if she were going totalk like that.
　　His mood darkened immediately. Why did she want to act so? She was too cautious, too afraid of anything thatspelled a little life or pleasure. Other girls were not like that,--Rita, those girls at the factory. She pretended tolove him. She did not object to his holding her in his arms and kissing her under a tree at the end of the street.
　　But when it came to anything slightly more private or intimate, she could not bring herself to agree. What kind ofa girl was she, anyhow? What was the use of pursuing her? Was this to be another case of Hortense Briggs withall her wiles and evasions? Of course Roberta was in no wise like her, but still she was so stubborn.
　　Although she could not see his face she knew he was angry and quite for the first time in this way.
　　"All right, then, if you don't want to, you don't have to," came his words and with decidedly a cold ring to them.
　　"There are others places I can go. I notice you never want to do anything I want to do, though. I'd like to knowhow you think we're to do. We can't walk the streets every night." His tone was gloomy and foreboding--morecontentious and bitter than at any time ever between them. And his references to other places shocked andfrightened Roberta--so much so that instantly almost her own mood changed. Those other girls in his own worldthat no doubt he saw from time to time! Those other girls at the factory who were always trying to make eyes athim! She had seen them trying, and often. That Ruza Nikoforitch--as coarse as she was, but pretty, too. And thatFlora Brandt! And Martha Bordaloue--ugh! To think that any one as nice as he should be pursued by suchwretches as those. However, because of that, she was fearful lest he would think her too difficult--some onewithout the experience or daring to which he, in his superior world, was accustomed, and so turn to one of those.
　　Then she would lose him. The thought terrified her. Immediately from one of defiance her attitude changed toone of pleading persuasion.
　　"Oh, please, Clyde, don't be mad with me now, will you? You know that I would if I could. I can't do anythinglike that here. Can't you see? You know that. Why, they'd be sure to find out. And how would you feel if someone were to see us or recognize you?" In a pleading way she put one hand on his arm, then about his waist and hecould feel that in spite of her sharp opposition the moment before, she was very much concerned--painfully so.
　　"Please don't ask me to," she added in a begging tone.
　　"Well, what did you want to leave the Newtons for then?" he asked sullenly. "I can't see where else we can gonow if you won't let me come to see you once in a while. We can't go any place else."The thought gave Roberta pause. Plainly this relationship was not to be held within conventional lines. At thesame time she did not see how she could possibly comply. It was too unconventional--too unmoral--bad.
　　"I thought we took it," she said weakly and placatively, "just so that we could go places on Saturday andSunday.""But where can we go Saturday and Sunday now? Everything's closed."Again Roberta was checked by these unanswerable complexities which beleaguered them both and sheexclaimed futilely, "Oh, I wish I knew what to do.""Oh, it would be easy enough if you wanted to do it, but that's always the way with you, you don't want to."She stood there, the night wind shaking the drying whispering leaves. Distinctly the problem in connection withhim that she had been fearing this long while was upon her. Could she possibly, with all the right instruction thatshe had had, now do as he suggested. She was pulled and swayed by contending forces within herself, strong andurgent in either case. In the one instance, however painful it was to her moral and social mood, she was moved tocomply--in another to reject once and for all, any such, as she saw it, bold and unnatural suggestion.
　　Nevertheless, in spite of the latter and because of her compelling affection she could not do other than dealtenderly and pleadingly with him.
　　"I can't, Clyde, I can't. I would if I could but I can't. It wouldn't be right. I would if I could make myself, but Ican't." She looked up into his face, a pale oval in the dark, trying to see if he would not see, sympathize, bemoved in her favor. However, irritated by this plainly definite refusal, he was not now to be moved. All this, ashe saw it, smacked of that long series of defeats which had accompanied his attentions to Hortense Briggs. Hewas not going to stand for anything now like that, you bet. If this was the way she was going to act, well let heract so--but not with him. He could get plenty of girls now--lots of them--who would treat him better than this.
　　At once, and with an irritated shrug of the shoulders, as she now saw, he turned and started to leave her, sayingas he did so, "Oh, that's all right, if that's the way you feel about it." And Roberta dumfounded and terrified,stood there.
　　"Please don't, go, Clyde. Please don't leave me," she exclaimed suddenly and pathetically, her defiance andcourage undergoing a deep and sad change. "I don't want you to. I love you so, Clyde. I would if I could. Youknow that.""Oh, yes, I know, but you needn't tell me that" (it was his experience with Hortense and Rita that was promptinghim to this attitude). With a twist he released his body from her arm and started walking briskly down the streetin the dark.
　　And Roberta, stricken by this sudden development which was so painful to both, called, "Clyde!" And then ranafter him a little way, eager that he should pause and let her plead with him more. But he did not return. Insteadhe went briskly on. And for the moment it was all she could do to keep from following him and by sheer force, ifneed be, restrain him. Her Clyde! And she started running in his direction a little, but as suddenly stopped,checked for the moment by the begging, pleading, compromising attitude in which she, for the first time, foundherself. For on the one hand all her conventional training was now urging her to stand firm--not to belittle herself in this way--whereas on the other, all her desires for love, understanding, companionship, urged her to run afterhim before it was too late, and he was gone. His beautiful face, his beautiful hands. His eyes. And still thereceding echo of his feet. And yet so binding were the conventions which had been urged upon her up to thistime that, though suffering horribly, a balance between the two forces was struck, and she paused, feeling thatshe could neither go forward nor stand still-- understand or endure this sudden rift in their wonderful friendship.
　　Pain constricted her heart and whitened her lips. She stood there numb and silent--unable to voice anything, eventhe name Clyde which persistently arose as a call in her throat. Instead she was merely thinking, "Oh, Clyde,please don't go, Clyde. Oh, please don't go." And he was already out of hearing, walking briskly and grimly on,the click and echo of his receding steps falling less and less clearly on her suffering ears.
　　It was the first flashing, blinding, bleeding stab of love for her.
几周来，罗伯达和克莱德在近郊交通线上各个极易到达的地点频频相会以后，很快发现还有一些缺点，这主要是由于罗伯达和克莱德对这个房间的看法，以及他们俩对这个房间如何利用而引起的。一般年轻人对其姑娘怀着传统的尊重心理，克莱德对罗伯达也是如此，虽然他至今没有公开承认过，可是现在，既然她已搬进了这个房间，他就不免激起了一种欲念:

这种欲念是根深蒂固的，也许应该受到指责，但又是非常合乎人性，几乎也是不可避免的，那就是说……要进一步跟罗伯达发生更为亲密的关系，并在各个方面控制罗伯达，以及她的全部思想和行动，以致最后她这个人整个儿都属于他了。不过，怎样才算是属于他的了呢?

是通过结婚，通过婚后通常必然产生那种常见的。传统的。长久的生活方式吗?

对此，他至今还从没有这么想过。因为，克莱德不管是跟罗伯达也好，还是跟任何一个社会地位低于格里菲思家(比方说，远不如桑德拉。芬奇利。

伯蒂娜。克兰斯顿那样)的姑娘调情时，就认为自己决不可能跟她结婚……主要是由于他新近攀上的亲戚的态度，以及他们在莱柯格斯声望显赫的缘故。要是他们一日知道了，又会怎么个想法呢?

如今，他总觉得自己在这里社会地位要比罗伯达这一类人高，对此，他当然也就想充分加以利用。再说，他在这里还有许多熟人，至少有一些人可以跟自己说说话。另一方面，因为她的性格对他具有一种异乎寻常的魅力，他暂时还不敢说她可配不上他，或者说要是他可以或则决定跟她结婚，也许婚后不见得幸福的这类话。

这时，另有一件事，又使情况变得更加错综复杂。这就是风霜夜寒严相逼的深秋季节日益临近了。一转眼就是十月初了。九月中旬以前，离莱柯格斯不远的一些露天游乐场，还可供人玩赏，如今由于季节关系，早已纷纷关闭了。

至于跳舞，除了附近各城市的舞厅里虽然还有，但因为对那些地方看不惯，不肯去，所以，这项娱乐也只好暂时放弃了。至于莱柯格斯的教堂。影院。餐厅，由于克莱德在这里的身份地位，哪能让人们在大庭广众看到他们俩在一起呢?

他们俩商议后认为:

那些地方他们万万去不得。因此，尽管现在罗伯达的行动早已获得自由，他们照旧还是没有地方可去，除非他们两人之间的关系经过适当调整，那时才允许他到吉尔平家来看望她。不过，她也知道，这一点她是怎么都想不到的，而且，一开头，谅他也没有胆量先向她提出来。

她迁入新居后，大约过了六个星期，十月初的一个晚上，他们俩正徘徊在一条街的尽头。这时，星光灿烂。夜凉似水。落叶开始在空中飞舞了。罗伯达已按季穿上一件奶白底。绿条子的冬大衣。她那棕色的帽子，帽檐缀上一道棕色皮边，其款式也跟她很相称。他们一次又一次地接吻……从他们初次见面以来，一直是那么狂热，而如今只不过是更加狂热罢了。

"天冷起来了，不是吗?

"克莱德说。这时已近十一点钟，寒气袭人。

"是啊，我说真够冷。我马上就得穿厚一点的外套。""我真不知道往后我们该怎么办，你说呢?

简直没有什么地方可去，每天晚上到街上这样溜达，真不带劲。你看有时能不能也让我到吉尔平家去看你，怎么样?

反正吉尔平家，跟牛顿夫妇家里可不一样。""哦，我也知道，不过，每天晚上他们都要用那个小客厅，一直到十点半，或是十一点钟。再说，他们家里两个女儿老是出出进进，总要到十二点，而且她们总是寸步不离地守在家里。我看我可毫无办法。再说，我还记得您不希望有人看见您跟我在一起:

要是您来，我就不得不把您介绍给他们。""哦，可我并不是这个意思，"克莱德大胆说。他暗自思忖:

罗伯达未免太过于拘谨，她要是真象她说的那么爱他，就应该对他更随便些。他说:

"干吗我不能来看看你，只待上一会儿呢?

这事也犯不着让吉尔平家知道，可不是?

"他掏出表来，划一根火柴，发觉已是十一点半了。他把表给她看了一下。"这会儿客厅里总不见得有人，可不是吗?

"她摇摇头，表示反对。这个想法不仅让她骇怕，而且还让她厌恶。克莱德真够大胆，竟然敢向她提出这个要求来。再说，这个要求本身就包含了迄今她虽说明知存在。可还是不愿承认的全部隐秘的惧怕，以及主宰她的心绪，里面还搀杂了一些罪恶。下贱。可怕的东西。不，这个她可不干。这是肯定了的。

与此同时，在她心灵深处，她那主宰一切的欲念……对此她一向加以遏制。一直感到害怕的……却在大声要求得到认可。

"不，不，我可不能同意您这个要求。这可不妥当。我不同意。说不定有人会看见我们。说不定也有人认得您。"这时，她从道德上产生反感，竟然是那么强烈，使她下意识地竭力从他怀抱里挣脱出来。

克莱德感到她这种突然的反抗是多么深挚。可是，要占有，但此刻深恐又占有不了的欲念，却在他心中越燃越旺了。十几种勾引她的借口，从他的嘴里喷泻出来。"哦，深更半夜，有谁看得见我们?

周围一个人都没有。只要我们高兴，干吗不上那里待一会儿呢?

谁也不会来听我们的。我们说话轻轻的就得了。哪怕在街上，一个人也都没有啦。我们一块走去，看看屋子里有什么人没有。

"她一直不让他走近她的房子，照例要他隔开半个街区。这时，她不仅心情激动，而且坚决有力地表示反对。不过，这一回克莱德却显得非常倔强。罗伯达平素对他怀着敬畏之情，不仅把他当做情人，而且还把他看成顶头上司，这时也拦阻不住他了。他们一直走到离那幢房子只有几英尺的地方，这才驻足不前。除了一条狗在吠叫以外，四下里已是万籁俱寂了。屋子里一点儿灯光都看不见。

"你看，一个人都没有呢，"克莱德说，分明让她放心。"只要我们高兴，干吗不进去歇一会儿?

有谁知道呢?

我们说话轻轻的就得了。再说，这又有什么要不得的?

许多人都这么做的。一个姑娘要是高兴，带一个男朋友上她房间坐一会儿，这可没有什么可怕的。""哦，您说是吗?

哦，也许在你们这个圈子里并不可怕。不过，我知道什么是要得的，什么是要不得的;依我看，那就是要不得的，我可不那样干。"罗伯达说这句话时，她感到心儿在痛苦地抽搐着。她说这些话时，显露出过去他从没见过的更多的个性，乃至于挑战性。即便她自己也不会想到她是这么对待他的。对此，连她自己也大惊失色了。往后她要是还那样跟他抬杠，也许他就不会象现在那样爱她了。

他心里顿时变得灰溜溜的。干吗她要这样干呢?

她太小心翼翼了。她对能得到的一点儿人生乐趣，或是寻欢作乐的事，也是太害怕了。别的姑娘可不象她那样……比方说，象丽达，还有厂里那些女工们。而她却还自称爱他哩。她让他在大街尽头树荫底下搂抱她，亲吻她。可是，只要他稍微要求再隐秘些，或是再亲热些，她就怎么也不同意了。她到底是哪一类的姑娘呢?

追求她，到底有什么用处?

会不会又是象过去霍丹斯。布里格斯那样躲躲闪闪，耍弄花腔吗?

当然罗，罗伯达一点儿不象霍丹斯，不过，毕竟她还是那么固执啊。

她尽管看不清他的脸孔，可是她知道他在恼火，而且，象这样恼火，还是头一遭。

"那末，得了吧，你要是不愿意，也就不必勉强，"他脱口而出说，显然带着一种冷冰冰的口气。"这里去不得，我还可以上别处去。我发觉你就是从来不愿照我的意思去做的。往后我们怎么再见面，我倒是很想知道你的想法。反正我们可不能每天晚上老是遛大街吧。"他说话的语调阴沉，预示着凶多吉少……过去他跟她说话时，从来没有象这一回那么冒火，那么尖刻。而且他刚才说到上别处去的那些话，罗伯达听后又是震惊，又是骇怕……使她自己的情绪差不多一下子就改变了。在他那个圈子里，毫无疑问，他时不时看得到别的姑娘们!

厂里那些姑娘，也老是跟他挤眉弄眼!

她不知有多少回见过她们老是这样向他送秋波。那个罗莎。尼柯弗列奇……尽管粗俗得够呛。可也还是很迷人。还有那个弗洛拉。布兰特!

还有那个玛莎。博达洛……唉!

瞧那些骚货竟在紧追象他这样的美男子。不过，也因为想到这一层，她心里很害怕他认为她这个人太难说得来……如同他在上流社会里早已司空见惯的那种既无经验。又没胆量的人……因此他便将目标转向她们里头哪一个姑娘。那时她就失去了他。罗伯达一想到这里就很害怕。她原先倔强的态度倏忽消失了，于是向他恳求规劝说:

"哦，克莱德，千万别跟我生气，好不好?

您也知道，我只要做得到，就一定会同意的。但在这里，我可不能做那样的事。难道说您还不明白吗?

您自己也明白的。当然罗，人家一定会发现的。万一有人看见我们，或是把您认出来，那您自己该怎么办?

"她以恳求的姿态，先是用一只手抓住他的胳臂，接着又搂住了他的腰。他感觉到，尽管刚才她激烈反对，可她却是忧心忡忡……痛苦到了极点。"请您别向我提出这样的要求，"她苦苦哀求地找补着说。

"那末当初你干吗要从牛顿家里搬出来呢?

"他闷闷不乐地问。"你要是不让我有便来看看你，那我就不知道往后我们还可以在哪儿见面。我们哪儿都去不了。

"克莱德这一问，使罗伯达不知道怎么回答才好。要继续保持他们这种关系，显然就得冲破传统界限。与此同时，她又觉得自己断断乎不能同意。这太不合传统……太不道德……真是要不得。

"我想当初我们把房间租下来，"她竭力宽慰他，就有气无力地说，"就正是因为我们在星期六。星期天可以去别处走走。""可是现在星期六。星期天，我们能上哪儿去呢?

到处都关门了。"这一大堆使他们俩都束手无策的难题，又把罗伯达难倒了。她只好无可奈何地大声说，"啊，但愿我知道怎么办就好了。""哦，我的老天哪，只要你愿意去，那还不容易吗。可问题就在于:

你老是不肯去嘛。"她伫立在那里，夜风使沙沙作响的枯叶在空中飞舞。她对他一直担心的问题，现在显然向她步步逼来。过去她受过良好的教养，现在她能不能就照他所说的那样做呢?

这时她心里有两股强大的针锋相对的力量在抗争，使她一直摇摆不定。她一会儿准备让步，尽管从道德观念和社会习俗来说，她觉得这很痛苦……可是一会儿，她又想干脆一下子拒绝这种在她看来乃是大胆而又荒唐的建议。不过话又说回来，尽管她既有后一种想法，又由于她对他的依恋不舍，她觉得只好如同往日一样温顺地恳求他。

"可我不能同意啊，克莱德，我不能同意。要是我可以的话，我一定同意，可是我不能同意。这样做是要不得。要是我认为可以的话，我一定同意，可是我不能同意。"她抬起头来端详着他的脸，只见黑夜中一个灰白的卵形物，她使劲地留心观察他是不是有所领悟，表示同情，改变初衷，从而赞成她的意见。

可是一见到她这种显然是坚决的拒绝，他很生气。现在他再也不会心软了。在他看来，这一切颇有他向霍丹斯。布里格斯献殷勤时屡遭失败的味道。老实说，象这样的事，现在他是怎么也受不了。如果她要这样做，那就请吧，随她去做得了……与他一概无涉。现在他可以挑选到更多姑娘……要多少就有多少……而且对他可要百依百顺极了。

他很生气，耸了耸肩膀，一面转身要走，一面还对她说:

"喂，你只要还是这样想法，那末，就随你的便吧。"罗伯达一见此状，吓得呆若木鸡，伫立在那里。

"请您别走，克莱德。请您别离开我，"她突然可怜巴巴地喊了出来。她那坚强不屈的勇敢气概，倏忽消失了，心中深深地感到痛苦。"我可不要您走。我是这样爱您，克莱德。要是我可以的话，我一定会同意。这个您也知道。

""是啊，当然罗，我知道，不过，你用不着对我说这个，"(这是因为他过去跟霍丹斯和丽达打交道时的经验，才促使他采取这种态度)他猛地一转身，从她的胳臂弯里挣脱出来，就在黑夜中大街上快步走去。

这一突如其来的变化，让他们俩都感到莫大痛苦，罗伯达一下子就惊恐失色了。她大声喊道:

"克莱德!

"接着，她在他后面紧追不舍，心里巴不得他会停下来，让她再宽慰他一番。可他就是不肯回来，反而加快步子往前走。这时，她只有紧紧地追上他，必要的话，还得使出全部力气抓住他……她的克莱德呀!

她就跟在他后面紧追了一阵，可是她又转念一想，她这是平生头一次那样低声下气，向人苦苦哀求，不由得大吃一惊，于是，她就突然停住了脚步。因为，一方面过去她受过的传统教育，要求她坚定不屈……不要这样轻贱自己，可是另一方面，她企求爱情。了解。友谊的种种欲念，却要求她在时间还来得及。趁他没有走开之前追上他。他那漂亮的险，漂亮的手啊。他的那一双眼睛啊。耳畔还听得见他脚步的回声，可是，迄至今日一直向她灌注，并且束缚她的那些传统观念，依然是那样强大，因此，尽管她心里剧痛不已，这两股力量终于构成了不分高下的均势。她便停下来，只觉得往前走不行，停下来也不行……眼看着他们美好的友情这一突然决裂，她既不理解，而且也忍受不了。

她的心儿被痛苦折磨着，她的嘴唇也一下子煞白了。她麻木地伫立在那里，默不作声……她一句话都说不出，甚至连平时挂在她嘴边的克莱德这个名字也说不出来了。她心里只是在想:

"哦，克莱德，请您别走，克莱德。哦，请您别走。

"殊不知他早已听不见了。他一个劲儿疾走着，他那渐渐远去的脚步的回声，显然在她充满痛苦的耳朵里，也越来越模糊不清了。

这是她有生以来爱情头一次受到使她为之焦灼。目眩。流血的创伤。
Part 2 Chapter 21
The state of Roberta's mind for that night is not easily to be described. For here was true and poignant love, andin youth true and poignant love is difficult to withstand. Besides it was coupled with the most stirring andgrandiose illusions in regard to Clyde's local material and social condition--illusions which had little to do withanything he had done to build up, but were based rather on conjecture and gossip over which he had no control.
　　And her own home, as well as her personal situation was so unfortunate--no promise of any kind save in hisdirection. And here she was quarreling with him--sending him away angry. On the other hand was he notbeginning to push too ardently toward those troublesome and no doubt dreadful liberties and familiarities whichher morally trained conscience would not permit her to look upon as right? How was she to do now? What tosay?
　　Now it was that she said to herself in the dark of her room, after having slowly and thoughtfully undressed andnoiselessly crept into the large, old-fashioned bed. "No, I won't do that. I mustn't. I can't. I will be a bad girl if Ido. I should not do that for him even though he does want me to, and should threaten to leave me forever in caseI refuse. He should be ashamed to ask me." And at the very same moment, or the next, she would be askingherself what else under the circumstances they were to do. For most certainly Clyde was at least partially correctin his contention that they had scarcely anywhere else they could go and not be recognized. How unfair was thatrule of the company. And no doubt apart from that rule, the Griffiths would think it beneath him to be troublingwith her, as would no doubt the Newtons and the Gilpins for that matter, if they should hear and know who hewas. And if this information came to their knowledge it would injure him and her. And she would not doanything that would injure him--never.
　　One thing that occurred to her at this point was that she should get a place somewhere else so that this problemshould be solved--a problem which at the moment seemed to have little to do with the more immediate andintimate one of desiring to enter her room. But that would mean that she would not see him any more all daylong--only at night. And then not every night by any means. And that caused her to lay aside this thought ofseeking another place.
　　At the same time as she now meditated the dawn would come to-morrow and there would be Clyde at thefactory. And supposing that he should not speak to her nor she to him. Impossible! Ridiculous! Terrible! Themere thought brought her to a sitting posture in bed, where distractedly a vision of Clyde looking indifferentlyand coldly upon her came to her.
　　On the instant she was on her feet and had turned on the one incandescent globe which dangled from the centerof the room. She went to the mirror hanging above the old walnut dresser in the corner and stared at herself.
　　Already she imagined she could see dark rings under her eyes. She felt numb and cold and now shook her headin a helpless and distracted way. He couldn't be that mean. He couldn't be that cruel to her now--could he? Oh, ifhe but knew how difficult--how impossible was the thing he was asking of her! Oh, if the day would only comeso that she could see his face again! Oh, if it were only another night so that she could take his hands in hers--hisarm--feel his arms about her.
　　"Clyde, Clyde," she exclaimed half aloud, "you wouldn't do that to me, would you--you couldn't."She crossed to an old, faded and somewhat decrepit overstuffed chair which stood in the center of the roombeside a small table whereon lay some nondescript books and magazines--the Saturday Evening Post, Munsey's,the Popular Science Monthly, Bebe's Garden Seeds, and to escape most distracting and searing thoughts, satdown, her chin in her hands, her elbows planted on her knees. But the painful thoughts continuing and a sense ofchill overtaking her, she took a comforter off the bed and folded it about her, then opened the seed catalogue-onlyto throw it down.
　　"No, no, no, he couldn't do that to me, he wouldn't." She must not let him. Why, he had told her over and overthat he was crazy about her--madly in love with her. They had been to all these wonderful places together.
　　And now, without any real consciousness of her movements, she was moving from the chair to the edge of thebed, sitting with elbows on knees and chin in hands; or she was before the mirror or peering restlessly out intothe dark to see if there were any trace of day. And at six, and six-thirty when the light was just breaking and itwas nearing time to dress, she was still up--in the chair, on the edge of the bed, in the corner before the mirror.
　　But she had reached but one definite conclusion and that was that in some way she must arrange not to haveClyde leave her. That must not be. There must be something that she could say or do that would cause him tolove her still--even if, even if--well, even if she must let him stop in here or somewhere from time to time--someother room in some other rooming house maybe, where she could arrange in some way beforehand--say that hewas her brother or something.
　　But the mood that dominated Clyde was of a different nature. To have understood it correctly, the full measureand obstinacy and sullen contentiousness that had suddenly generated, one would have had to return to KansasCity and the period in which he had been so futilely dancing attendance upon Hortense Briggs. Also his havingbeen compelled to give up Rita,--yet to no end. For, although the present conditions and situation were different,and he had no moral authority wherewith to charge Roberta with any such unfair treatment as Hortense hadmeted out to him, still there was this other fact that girls--all of them--were obviously stubborn and self-preservative, always setting themselves apart from and even above the average man and so wishing to compelhim to do a lot of things for them without their wishing to do anything in return. And had not Ratterer always told him that in so far as girls were concerned he was more or less of a fool--too easy--too eager to show his handand let them know that he was struck on them. Whereas, as Ratterer had explained, Clyde possessed the looks-the"goods"--and why should he always be trailing after girls unless they wanted him very much. And thisthought and compliment had impressed him very much at that time. Only because of the fiascos in connectionwith Hortense and Rita he was more earnest now. Yet here he was again in danger of repeating or bringing uponhimself what had befallen him in the case of Hortense and Rita.
　　At the same time he was not without the self-incriminating thought that in seeking this, most distinctly he wasdriving toward a relationship which was not legitimate and that would prove dangerous in the future. For, as henow darkly and vaguely thought, if he sought a relationship which her prejudices and her training would notpermit her to look upon as anything but evil, was he not thereby establishing in some form a claim on her part tosome consideration from him in the future which it might not be so easy for him to ignore? For after all he wasthe aggressor--not she. And because of this, and whatever might follow in connection with it, might not she be ina position to demand more from him than he might be willing to give? For was it his intention to marry her? Inthe back of his mind there lurked something which even now assured him that he would never desire to marryher--could not in the face of his high family connections here. Therefore should he proceed to demand--or shouldhe not? And if he did, could he avoid that which would preclude any claim in the future?
　　He did not thus so distinctly voice his inmost feelings to himself, but relatively of such was their nature. Yet sogreat was the temperamental and physical enticement of Roberta that in spite of a warning nudge or mood thatseemed to hint that it was dangerous for him to persist in his demand, he kept saying to himself that unless shewould permit him to her room, he would not have anything more to do with her, the desire for her being all butoverpowering.
　　This contest which every primary union between the sexes, whether with or without marriage implies, wasfought out the next day in the factory. And yet without a word on either side. For Clyde, although he consideredhimself to be deeply in love with Roberta, was still not so deeply involved but that a naturally selfish andambitious and seeking disposition would in this instance stand its ground and master any impulse. And he wasdetermined to take the attitude of one who had been injured and was determined not to be friends any more oryield in any way unless some concession on her part, such as would appease him, was made.
　　And in consequence he came into the stamping department that morning with the face and air of one who wasvastly preoccupied with matters which had little, if anything, to do with what had occurred the night before. Yet,being far from certain that this attitude on his part was likely to lead to anything but defeat, he was inwardlydepressed and awry. For, after all, the sight of Roberta, freshly arrived, and although pale and distrait, ascharming and energetic as ever, was not calculated to assure him of any immediate or even ultimate victory. Andknowing her as well as he thought he did, by now, he was but weakly sustained by the thought that she mightyield.
　　He looked at her repeatedly when she was not looking. And when in turn she looked at him repeatedly, but onlyat first when he was not looking, later when she felt satisfied that his eyes, whether directly bent on her or not,must be encompassing her, still no trace of recognition could she extract. And now to her bitter disappointment,not only did he choose to ignore her, but quite for the first time since they had been so interested in each other,he professed to pay, if not exactly conspicuous at least noticeable and intentional attention to those other girls who were always so interested in him and who always, as she had been constantly imagining, were but waitingfor any slight overture on his part, to yield themselves to him in any way that he might dictate.
　　Now he was looking over the shoulder of Ruza Nikoforitch, her plump face with its snub nose and weak chinturned engagingly toward him, and he commenting on something not particularly connected with the work inhand apparently, for both were idly smiling. Again, in a little while, he was by the side of Martha Bordaloue, herplump French shoulders and arms bare to the pits next to his. And for all her fleshy solidity and decidedlyforeign flavor, there was still enough about her which most men would like. And with her Clyde was attemptingto jest, too.
　　And later it was Flora Brandt, the very sensuous and not unpleasing American girl whom Roberta had seenClyde cultivating from time to time. Yet, even so, she had never been willing to believe that he might becomeinterested in any of these. Not Clyde, surely.
　　And yet he could not see her at all now--could not find time to say a single word, although all these pleasantwords and gay looks for all these others. Oh, how bitter! Oh, how cruel! And how utterly she despised thoseother girls with their oglings and their open attempts to take him from her. Oh, how terrible. Surely he must bevery opposed to her now--otherwise he could not do this, and especially after all that had been between them--thelove--the kisses.
　　The hours dragged for both, and with as much poignance for Clyde as for Roberta. For his was a feverish, urgentdisposition where his dreams were concerned, and could ill brook the delay or disappointments that are the chiefand outstanding characteristics of the ambitions of men, whatever their nature. He was tortured hourly by thethought that he was to lose Roberta or that to win her back he would have to succumb to her wishes.
　　And on her part she was torn, not so much by the question as to whether she would have to yield in this matter(for by now that was almost the least of her worries), but whether, once so yielding, Clyde would be satisfiedwith just some form of guarded social contact in the room--or not. And so continue on the strength of that to befriends with her. For more than this she would not grant--never. And yet--this suspense. The misery of hisindifference. She could scarcely endure it from minute to minute, let alone from hour to hour, and finally in anagony of dissatisfaction with herself at having brought all this on herself, she retired to the rest room at aboutthree in the afternoon and there with the aid of a piece of paper found on the floor and a small bit of pencil whichshe had, she composed a brief note:
　　"Please, Clyde, don't be mad at me, will you? Please don't. Please look at me and speak to me, won't you? I'm sosorry about last night, really I am--terribly. And I must see you to-night at the end of Elm Street at 8:30 if youcan, will you? I have something to tell you. Please do come. And please do look at me and tell me you will, eventhough you are angry. You won't be sorry. I love you so. You know I do.
　　"Your sorrowful,"ROBERTA."And in the spirit of one who is in agonized search for an opiate, she folded up the paper and returning to the room, drew close to Clyde's desk. He was before it at the time, bent over some slips. And quickly as she passedshe dropped the paper between his hands. He looked up instantly, his dark eyes still hard at the moment with themingled pain and unrest and dissatisfaction and determination that had been upon him all day, and notingRoberta's retreating figure as well as the note, he at once relaxed, a wave of puzzled satisfaction as well asdelight instantly filled him. He opened it and read. And as instantly his body was suffused with a warm and yetvery weakening ray.
　　And Roberta in turn, having reached her table and paused to note if by any chance any one had observed her,now looked cautiously about, a strained and nervous look in her eyes. But seeing Clyde looking directly at her,his eyes filled with a conquering and yet yielding light and a smile upon his lips, and his head nodding a happyassent, she as suddenly experienced a dizzying sensation, as though her hitherto constricted blood, detained by aconstricted heart and constricted nerves, were as suddenly set free. And all the dry marshes and cracked andparched banks of her soul--the dry rivulets and streams and lakes of misery that seemed to dot her being--were asinstantly flooded with this rich upwelling force of life and love.
　　He would meet her. They would meet to-night. He would put his arms around her and kiss her as before. Shewould be able to look in his eyes. They would not quarrel any more--oh, never if she could help it.

要描绘这天夜晚罗伯达的心境，可真不易。要知道这是真挚和炽烈的爱情，而对年轻人来说，真挚和炽烈的爱情，也就最难忍受。此外，跟爱情结伴而来的，还有对克莱德在当地经济。社会地位最令人激动。乃至于大肆铺张的种种幻想……这些幻想却很少跟他本人的举止言谈有关，多半是以他无法控制的众人的推想和闲言闲话作为根据。她自己家里，还有她个人遭际，全都是那么时运不济……如今她的全部希望都和克莱德连在一起。可是，她突然跟他吵嘴，一下子把他气走了。不过另一方面，他这不是头脑过分发热，硬要采取那些令人烦恼的。无疑是很可怕的冒昧和放肆的行动吗?

对此，她平素受过道德熏陶的良心，决不会视为正当的行动。现在，她该怎么办呢?

对他又该说些什么才好?

她慢条斯理地。沉思默想地脱去衣服，一声不响地爬上那张老式大床，就在她黑咕隆冬的房间里自言自语道，"不，这个我可不干。我一定不干。我可不能那么干。要是我干了，那就变成一个坏女人啦。我不该为了他这么干，哪怕是他要我干，吓唬说我要是拒绝他就永远甩掉我，我也不干。他对我提出这样要求，就应该感到害臊。"可是就在同一个时刻，或是过了一会儿，她又反躬自问:

在目前情况下，他们还有没有别的事情可做?

克莱德说，现在他们真的无处可去，到哪儿都会被人看见的，毫无疑问，这话至少部分是说对了。那个厂规该有多么不公平啊。而且，除了这个厂规以外，格里菲思一家人也一定认为她是怎么都高攀不上克莱德的;牛顿夫妇和吉尔平一家人，要是听到和得知克莱德其人其事以后，也一定会有同样看法。这个消息只要一传到他们耳里，一定对他不利，对她也不利。她决不做……永远也不做任何对他不利的事。

这时，她忽然一个闪念，想起一件事，那就是:

她应该在别处找个工作，这个问题也就迎刃而解了……它跟目前迫在眉睫的。克莱德想进她房间的问题，好象并没有什么关系。不过，这就意味着，她整个白天见不到他……只好到晚上才跟他见面。而且也不是说每天晚上都见得到他。这就使她把另觅事由的念头甩在一边了。

继而她又想到，明儿天一亮，在厂里就会见到克莱德了。万一他不跟她说话，她也不跟他说话呢?

不可能!

太可笑了!

太可怕了!

她一想到这里，就从床上坐了起来，眼前浮现克莱德冷若冰霜地直瞅着她的幻象，真是让人心烦意乱。

她顿时下了床，把悬在房间中央的那盏白炽灯打开。她朝角落里挂在老式胡桃木梳妆台上的那面镜子走过去，两眼直盯着自己。她仿佛觉得，她看见自己眼底的几道黑圈了。她感到麻木。寒冷，于是，她就无可奈何地。心乱如麻地摇摇头。不，不，他不可能这么卑鄙下流。他也不可能对她这么残酷……可不是吗?

哦，只要他知道他要求她的这件事很难办到……也不可能办到就好了!

哦，但愿快快天亮，她又能见到他的脸!

哦，但愿明天夜晚早早到来，她就可以握住他的手，拉住他的胳臂，感到自己正偎在他怀抱里。

"克莱德，克莱德，"她几乎轻声在呼唤着。"您不会这样对待我的，是吧……您不可能……"她朝房间中央一张褪了色。破旧的。鼓鼓囊囊的老式软椅走过去。这张软椅旁边，有一张小桌，桌上放着各种各样的书报杂志，有《星期六晚邮报》。《芒赛氏杂志》。《通俗科学月报》。《贝贝花卉种子一览》等等。为了躲开那些令人心烦意乱。五内俱裂的念头，她就坐了下来，两手托住下巴颏儿，胳膊肘支在膝盖上。可是，那些令人痛苦的念头在她脑际却始终不绝如缕，她觉得一阵寒颤，就从床上拿来一条羊毛围巾，兜住身子，随即把种子目录打开，但没有多久，却又把它扔在一边。

"不，不，不，他可不能这样对待我的，谅他不会这样的。"她绝对不让他这么做。哦，他再三对她说，他为了她简直想疯了，还说……他爱她爱得快疯了。

多少好玩的地方他们都一起逛过啊。

这时，她几乎一点儿都没有意识到自己在做什么，她一会儿从软椅上站起来，坐到床沿，胳膊肘支在膝蓝上，两手托住下巴颏儿;不一会儿，她站到镜子跟前，心神不安地朝窗外一片黑暗窥看，有没有一丝曙光的迹象。到了六点钟。

六点半，刚露出一点亮光，快到起床的时刻了，她还是没有躺下……一会儿坐在软椅里，一会儿坐在床沿，一会儿又站到角落里的镜子跟前。

可她得到的唯一确切的结论，就是:

她务必想方设法不让克莱德离开她。想必不会那样吧。那末，她就得说些什么话，或是作出一些什么表态，使他依然如同往日里一样爱她……即便，即便……哦，即便她必须让他经常到这里来，或是到别处去……比方说，事前她可以设法安排，在别处可供寄宿的地方寻摸一个房间，说克莱德是她的哥哥，如此等等。

然而，主宰看克莱德的，却是另一种心境。若要正确认识这次突然产生争论的来龙去脉，以及他那固执阴沉的脾性，就必须回溯到他在堪萨斯城时期，以及他阿谀奉承霍丹斯。布里格斯结果却落了空的那一段生活经历。还有他不得不放弃丽达……因而也是一无所得。因为，尽管目前条件和情况跟过去不同，而且，他也无权在道义上指责罗伯达如同过去霍丹斯对待他那样不公平。可是，事实上，姑娘……包括所有的姑娘在内……显然全都固执，处心积虑地保护自己，总是跟男子保持距离，有时甚至置身于男子之上，希望迫使他们百般讨好她们，可她们自己却一点儿也不回报他们。拉特勒不是常常对他这样说:

他自己跟姑娘们打交道，简直是一个傻瓜……太软弱……太心急，一下子就摊牌，让她们知道他已给她们迷上了。而且，拉特勒还对他说过，克莱德长得很漂亮……那才是"踏破铁鞋也觅不到的"……除非姑娘们真的非常疼爱他，他没有必要老是跟在她们后面紧追不舍。拉特勒这种想法和赞词，当初给他留下了很深印象。

因为过去他跟霍丹斯。丽达交往，都是败得很惨，现在他心里就更要认真对付了。但是，他跟霍丹斯。丽达交往时遇到的结局，如今又有重演的危险了。

同时，他心里也不能不责备自己，觉得自己这样企图显然会引向一种非法的。将来肯定危险的关系发展。这时，他心里模模糊糊地在想:

如果他要求得到的，正是她的成见和教养视为邪恶的那种关系，那末，他不就使她将来有权要求有所考虑，那时他要是置之不理，也许并不那么容易了。因为，说到底，进攻的是他，而不是……她。正因为这一点，以及将来由此而可能发生的事，她不就可以向他提出比他愿意给予的更多要求了吗?

难道说他真的打算跟她结婚了吗?

在他心灵深处，还隐藏着一种思想……即便此刻，它还在向自己暗示说，他是决不愿意跟她结婚的……而且，他也决不能当着这里高贵的亲戚的面跟她结婚。所以，现在他到底应该不应该再提出这个要求呢?

要是他再提出来的话，他能不能做到使她将来不提出任何要求?

他内心深处的思想情绪还不是这么清晰，不过大致上包含这样的意思。可是，罗伯达性格和体态毕竟富有那么大的魅力，尽管他心里也发出一种警告的信号，或是类似这样一种心境，好象在暗示说:

他要是坚持自己的要求，那就很危险;殊不知他还是照样不断地对自己说:

除非她允许他到她房间去，否则他就从此跟她断绝来往。占有她的欲望，在他心中还是占上风。

凡是两性之间最初结合，不管结婚与否，都包含着一场内心斗争，而这样一场内心斗争，转天就在厂里展开了。不过，双方谁也没有说一句话。因为克莱德虽然自以为热恋着罗伯达，事实上，他的感情还没有深深地陷了进去，可是，他那天生自私自利。爱好虚荣和贪图享乐的性格，这一回决心寸步不让，定要主宰所有其它的欲念。他决心装出受害者的样子，除非她能作出一些让步，满足他的愿望，否则他坚决不再跟她交朋友，坚决不妥协。

因此，那天早上他一走进打印间，就流露出自己正为许许多多的事忧心忡忡的神态，其实，这些事跟昨儿晚上根本没有丝毫联系。不过，他的这种态度，除了失败以外，还能引出什么结果来，连他自己也没有把握。他在内心深处，还是受压抑，很别扭。后来，他终于看到罗伯达翩然而至，虽然她脸色苍白，神情恍惚，可还是象往日里那么可爱，那么富有活力。这一景象就未必能保证他很快取得胜利，或是最后一定取得胜利。直到此刻，他自以为了解她，正如过去他很了解她一样。因此，他抱着很小的希望，觉得也许她会让步。

他动不动就抬眼望着她，这时她并不在看他。而她呢，开头只是在他并不在看她时才不断看着他;后来，她发觉他的目光，不管是不是直接盯住她，肯定也是围着她转的。不过，她还是丝毫找不到他要向她招呼的迹象。让她特别伤心的是，他不但不想理睬她，而且相反，从他们彼此相爱以来可说还是头一回，他却向别的姑娘们献殷勤了，虽然不算太露骨，但是至少相当明显，而且故意这样向她们献殷勤。那些姑娘平日里对他总是很赞赏;罗伯达一直这样认为:

她们一个劲儿在等待，只要他作出一丁点儿表示，她们就心甘情愿，听任他随意摆布。

这时，他的目光正从罗莎。尼柯弗列奇背后扫了过来。她那长着塌鼻子。

肉下巴的胖脸儿，卖弄风骚地一下子冲他转了过去。他正在向她说一些话，不过显然不见得跟眼前的活儿有什么直接关系，因为他们两人都是在优哉游哉地微笑。不一会儿，他就走到了玛莎。博达洛身边。这个法国姑娘胖墩墩的肩膀和整个儿袒裸着的胳臂，差点儿没擦着他呢。尽管她长得十分肥硕，肯定还有异国姑娘的气味，可是须眉汉子十之八九照样很喜欢她。克莱德也还在想跟她调谑哩。

克莱德的目光并没有放过弗洛拉。布兰特，她是一个非常肉感。长得不算难看的美国姑娘。平日里罗伯达看见过克莱德总是目不转睛地盯住她。可是，尽管这样，过去她始终不肯相信:

这些姑娘里头哪一个，会使克莱德感到兴趣。

克莱德肯定不感兴趣。

可是现在，他压根儿连看也不看她一眼，也没有工夫跟她说一个字，尽管对所有其他的姑娘们，他是多么和颜悦色，谈笑风生。啊，多么心酸啊!

啊，多么心狠!

这些娘儿们一个劲儿向他挤眉弄眼，公然想从她手里把他夺走，她压根儿仇视她们。啊，多么可怕。现在想必他是与她作对了……要不然，他不会对她如此这般的，特别是在他们经过了那么多接触。恋爱。亲吻等等以后。

他们俩觉得，时间过得太慢了，不论克莱德也好，还是罗伯达也好，都是心痛如绞了。他对自己的梦想总是表现狂热和急不可待的，面对延宕和失望却受不了，这些主要特点正是爱好虚荣的男子所固有，不管他们性格各各不同。

他担心自己要末失掉罗伯达，要末就向她屈尊俯就，才能重新得到她。这个想法时时刻刻在折磨着他。

如今使她心肝俱裂的，并不是这一回她该不该让步的问题(因为，时至今日，这几乎已是她的忧念里头最最微不足道的问题了)，而是多少怀疑:

她一旦屈服，让他进入房间后，克莱德究竟能不能感到心满意足，就这样继续跟她交朋友。

因为，再要进一步，她就不会答应……万万不答应。可是……这种悬念，以及他的冷淡使她感到的痛苦，她简直一分钟都忍受不了，更不要说一小时。一小时地忍受了。后来，她自怨自艾地想到这一切苦果正是自己招来的。大约下午三点钟，她走进休息室，从地板上捡到一张纸，用自己身边的一支铅笔头，写了一个便条。

克莱德，我请求您千万别生气，好吗?

请您千万别生气。请您来看看我，跟我说说话，好吗?

说到昨儿晚上的事，我很抱歉，说真的，我……非常抱歉。今晚八点半，我准定在埃尔姆街的尽头跟您见面，您来吗?

我有一些话要跟您讲。

请您一定要来。请您千万来看看我，告诉我您一定会来，哪怕是您在生气。我不会让您不高兴的。我是那么爱您。您知道我是爱您的。

您的伤心的罗伯达她好象痛苦万分，急急乎在寻找镇痛剂，她把便条折好，回到打印间，紧挨克莱德的办公桌走了过去。这时，他正好坐在桌旁，低头在看几张纸条子。

她走过时，一眨眼就把便条扔到他手里。他马上抬头一看，这时，他那乌溜溜的眼睛还是冷峻的，里面还搀杂着从早到晚的痛苦。不安。不满和决心。可是，一见到这个便条和渐渐远去的罗伯达的身影，他心里一下子宽慰了，一种莫名其妙的满意和喜悦的神情，顿时从他眼里流露了出来。他打开便条一看，刹那间感到浑身上下已被一片虽然温暖。但却微弱的光芒所照亮了。

再说罗伯达回到自己桌子旁，先停下来看看有没有人在注意她，随后小心翼翼地往四周张望了一下，眼里流露出一种惴惴不安的神色。可她一见到克莱德这会儿正瞅着她，流露出一种虽然胜利。但却顺从的目光，嘴边含着微笑，向她点头表示欣然同意……这时，罗伯达突然感到头晕目眩了，仿佛刚才由于心脏和神经收缩而形成的淤血已经消散，血液猛地又欢畅地奔流起来。她心灵里所有干涸了的沼泽，龟裂。烧焦了的堤岸，以及遍布全身的那些干涸了的溪涧。小河，与饱含痛苦的湖泊……顷刻之间都注满了生命与爱的无穷无尽。不断涌来的力量。

他要跟她会面了。今儿晚上他们要会面了。他会搂住她，同从前那样亲吻她了。她又可以直瞅着他的眼眸了。他们再也不会争吵了……哦，只要她想得出办法来，他们就永远不会吵架了。
Part 2 Chapter 22
The wonder and, delight of a new and more intimate form of contact, of protest gainsaid, of scruples overcome!
　　Days, when both, having struggled in vain against the greater intimacy which each knew that the other wasdesirous of yielding to, and eventually so yielding, looked forward to the approaching night with an eagernesswhich was as a fever embodying a fear. For with what qualms--what protests on the part of Roberta; whatdetermination, yet not without a sense of evil--seduction--betrayal, on the part of Clyde. Yet the thing once done,a wild convulsive pleasure motivating both. Yet, not without, before all this, an exaction on the part of Roberta tothe effect that never--come what might (the natural consequences of so wild an intimacy strong in her thoughts)would he desert her, since without his aid she would be helpless. Yet, with no direct statement as to marriage.
　　And he, so completely overcome and swayed by his desire, thoughtlessly protesting that he never would--never.
　　She might depend on that, at least, although even then there was no thought in his mind of marriage. He wouldnot do that. Yet nights and nights--all scruples for the time being abandoned, and however much by day Robertamight brood and condemn herself--when each yielded to the other completely. And dreamed thereafter,recklessly and wildly, of the joy of it--wishing from day to day for the time being that the long day might end-thatthe concealing, rewarding feverish night were at hand.
　　And Clyde feeling, and not unlike Roberta, who was firmly and even painfully convinced of it, that this was sin-deadly,mortal--since both his mother and father had so often emphasized that--the seducer--adulterer--who preysoutside the sacred precincts of marriage. And Roberta, peering nervously into the blank future, wondering what-how,in any case, by any chance, Clyde should change, or fail her. Yet the night returning, her mood once moreveering, and she as well as he hurrying to meet somewhere--only later, in the silence of the middle night, to slipinto this unlighted room which was proving so much more of a Paradise than either might ever know again--sowild and unrecapturable is the fever of youth.
　　And--at times--and despite all his other doubts and fears, Clyde, because of this sudden abandonment by Robertaof herself to his desires, feeling for the first time, really, in all his feverish years, that at last he was a man of theworld--one who was truly beginning to know women. And so taking to himself an air or manner that said asplainly as might have any words--"Behold I am no longer the inexperienced, neglected simpleton of but a fewweeks ago, but an individual of import now--some one who knows something about life. What have any of thesestrutting young men, and gay, coaxing, flirting girls all about me, that I have not? And if I chose--were less loyalthan I am--what might I not do?" And this was proving to him that the notion which Hortense Briggs, to saynothing of the more recent fiasco in connection with Rita had tended to build up in his mind, i.e.,--that he waseither unsuccessful or ill-fated where girls were concerned was false. He was after all and despite various failuresand inhibitions a youth of the Don Juan or Lothario stripe.
　　And if now Roberta was obviously willing to sacrifice herself for him in this fashion, must there not be others?
　　And this, in spite of the present indifference of the Griffiths, caused him to walk with even more of an air thanhad hitherto characterized him. Even though neither they nor any of those connected with them recognized him,still he looked at himself in his mirror from time to time with an assurance and admiration which before this hehad never possessed. For now Roberta, feeling that her future was really dependent on his will and whim, had setherself to flatter him almost constantly, to be as obliging and convenient to him as possible. Indeed, according toher notion of the proper order of life, she was now his and his only, as much as any wife is ever to a husband, todo with as he wished.
　　And for a time therefore, Clyde forgot his rather neglected state here and was content to devote himself to herwithout thinking much of the future. The one thing that did trouble him at times was the thought that possibly, inconnection with the original fear she had expressed to him, something might go wrong, which, considering herexclusive devotion to him, might prove embarrassing. At the same time he did not trouble to speculate too deeplyas to that. He had Roberta now. These relations, in so far as either of them could see, or guess, were a darksecret. The pleasures of this left-handed honeymoon were at full tide. And the remaining brisk and oftensunshiny and warm November and first December days passed--as in a dream, really--an ecstatic paradise ofsorts in the very center of a humdrum conventional and petty and underpaid work-a-day world.
　　In the meantime the Griffiths had been away from the city since the middle of June and ever since their departureClyde had been meditating upon them and all they represented in his life and that of the city. Their great houseclosed and silent, except for gardeners and an occasional chauffeur or servant visible as he walked from time totime past the place, was the same as a shrine to him, nearly--the symbol of that height to which by some turn offate he might still hope to attain. For he had never quite been able to expel from his mind the thought that hisfuture must in some way be identified with the grandeur that was here laid out before him.
　　Yet so far as the movements of the Griffiths family and their social peers outside Lycurgus were concerned, heknew little other than that which from time to time he had read in the society columns of the two local paperswhich almost obsequiously pictured the comings and goings of all those who were connected with the moreimportant families of the city. At times, after reading these accounts he had pictured to himself, even when hewas off somewhere with Roberta at some unheralded resort, Gilbert Griffiths racing in his big car, Bella, Bertineand Sandra dancing, canoeing in the moonlight, playing tennis, riding at some of the smart resorts where they were reported to be. The thing had had a bite and ache for him that was almost unendurable and had lit up forhim at times and with overwhelming clarity this connection of his with Roberta. For after all, who was she? Afactory girl! The daughter of parents who lived and worked on a farm and one who was compelled to work forher own living. Whereas he--he--if fortune would but favor him a little--! Was this to be the end of all his dreamsin connection with his perspective superior life here?
　　So it was that at moments and in his darker moods, and especially after she had abandoned herself to him, histhoughts ran. She was not of his station, really--at least not of that of the Griffiths to which still he most eagerlyaspired. Yet at the same time, whatever the mood generated by such items as he read in The Star, he would stillreturn to Roberta, picturing her, since the other mood which had drawn him to her had by no means palled as yet,as delightful, precious, exceedingly worthwhile from the point of view of beauty, pleasure, sweetness--theattributes and charms which best identify any object of delight.
　　But the Griffiths and their friends having returned to the city, and Lycurgus once more taken on that brisk,industrial and social mood which invariably characterized it for at least seven months in the year, he was again,and even more vigorously than before, intrigued by it. The beauty of the various houses along Wykeagy Avenueand its immediate tributaries! The unusual and intriguing sense of movement and life there so much in evidence.
　　Oh, if he were but of it!

他们之间建立一种新的。更亲密的关系，她也不再抗拒，顾虑重重，这时真有说不出的快乐!

尽管他们俩在白昼枉然徒劳地反对私通，但谁都知道对方是甘心顺从的，后来也终于两厢情愿了。他们俩都心焦如焚地等待夜晚的到来，简直如同发热病那样难熬，可又充满恐惧不安。从罗伯达来说，毕竟深感疑虑不安，一再抗拒;克莱德十分坚决，但也并非丝毫没有意识到这就是邪恶……诱奸……欺骗。不过，一旦偷香窃玉以后，一种奇异的。几乎令人痉挛的快乐，却在激发他们。然而，在这以前，罗伯达并不是没有得到保证，说:

不管将来发生什么事(她心里一直在想:

这样狂热的私通，自然必定会有后果)，他决不会遗弃她，因为如果没有他的奥援，她就只好徒呼奈何。不过，当时并没有直接提到要结婚。克莱德被欲念彻底征服后，就不假思索地明确表示:

他永远不会遗弃她……永远也不会。至少这一点，她尽管可以放心好了，虽然即使在此刻他心里压根儿都没有想到要结婚。这个他可不愿意呢。眼看着一夜复一夜……所有一切顾虑暂时都给置之脑后了，哪怕一到白天，罗伯达也许会沉思默想，责备自己……可是他们俩夜夜都沉溺于自己强烈的情欲之中。过后，他们还如痴似醉地梦想着夜间的乐趣……每天都在眼巴巴盼着漫长的白昼快一点过去……那遮天盖地。补偿一切。有如发热病似的夜晚快一点来临。

其实，克莱德心里所想的，跟罗伯达毫无二致。他坚决地。甚至痛心地深信:

这就是一种罪恶……一种能使灵魂死亡的大罪……因为这是他母亲和父亲不止一次地说过……是诱奸者，是奸夫，总是越过神圣的婚姻界限使人受害无穷。

罗伯达心里则惴惴不安地展望着渺茫的未来，深恐万一克莱德变了心，遗弃她，该又怎么办。可是，夜晚又回来了，她的心情也就改弦易辙了。她如同他一样，就急冲冲赶到约定地点幽会去……直到万籁俱寂的深夜，一块儿才偷偷溜进这个黑灯瞎火的房间，他们觉得这里仿佛就是他们一辈子只有一次才能得到的天堂……青年人的狂热劲儿，就是那么疯狂，而又不可复得啊。

尽管克莱德还有种种疑虑和恐惧，可是，由于罗伯达这样突然屈从了他的欲念，有时他会有生以来头一次感到:

说真的，在这些狂热的岁月里，他终于成为一个富有经验的人……一个真正开始懂得女人的汉子了。瞧他那副神气或则派头，再也清楚不过地在说:

"你看，我可不再是几星期前那个没有经验。毫不显眼的蠢小子啦。现在，我是一个多么了不起的人……一个稍微懂得人生况味的人了。那些神气活现的年轻人，还有我周围的那些放荡不羁。卖弄风骚的姑娘，我才一点儿都不希罕呢?

只要我高兴……哪怕我不是那么忠贞不渝……还有什么事我做不到的呢?

"他跟罗伯达的交往向他证明，他这个想法实在是错的(这种想法在他跟霍丹斯。布里格斯交往后，已在心里根深蒂固，更不用提最近他跟丽达来往而最后以惨败告终的事了)，那就是说:

他跟姑娘们打交道，不是受了挫败，就是运气不好。尽管过去屡遭失败，屡受禁止，可是说到底，他毕竟还是唐璜，或洛萨里奥(此处均指色魔。登徒子。引诱妇女者。唐璜原是欧洲(比如西班牙)传说中的风流汉子，拜伦。莫里哀与普希金都写过唐璜的故事题材的作品，从而使唐璜举世驰名。洛萨里奥在英国俗称"快活的洛萨里奥"，是尼古拉斯。罗的作品《漂亮的悔罪人》中一个残酷的。淫佚浪荡的人物。)这一类型年轻人啊。

如果说罗伯达分明就是这样心甘情愿为他献出了自己，那末，别人也不见得做不到这一点吧?

尽管最近格里菲思一家人对他漠不关心，如今他走起路来，却比过去更加神气活现了。即使他们和跟他们有关系的人，谁都不承认他的地位，可他还是满怀着过去从没有过的信心，时不时对着镜子孤芳自赏。现在，罗伯达感到她个人的前途真的完全取决于他的旨意和奇想了，因此，她就经常恭维他，百般向他献殷勤，给方便。事实上，根据她自己的观点，现在她已经是属于他的了，而且仅仅是属于他的人了，就象妻子永远属于丈夫一样，事事对他都要百依百顺。

克莱德就这样暂时忘掉了自己在这里被亲戚瞧不起的情况，乐孜孜地专心挚爱她，压根儿没去想将来的事。只有一件事有时使他烦恼不安，那就是:

一想到他们建立关系后可能带来的后果，对此她一开头便向他表示过惧怕，因为既然现在她全心全意地忠于他了，一旦出了差错，肯定非常尴尬。不过，他对这件事压根儿也没有深思下去。反正现在罗伯达已归他所有了。他们俩谁都认为(或则推想):

他们这种关系乃是严守秘密的事。他们这种门第不相当婚配在蜜月中的快乐，还正处在高潮呢。十一月底微风轻，往往是阳光灿烂，暖人心窝的那些日子，还有十二月初那几天，如今全都过去了……真的如同在梦里幻然逝去一般……在这个单调。平庸。卑贱。虽然胼手胝足地干活。工资却少得可怜的小天地里，这个梦就象是令人神魂颠倒的天堂一般。

格里菲思一家人自从六月中旬离城以来，一直没有回来。克莱德心里老是想到他们，想到他们在他自己的生活和莱柯格斯生活中所具有的重大作用。他们那幢巨邸大门关着，寂然无声，只是他有时候走过，偶尔看见几个花匠，或是难得看见一个司机或佣人。他觉得，这幢巨邸如同一座神圣的殿堂，差不多……也是他还在希望自己有一天时来运转，说不定就能攀到那么高的地位的象征。他心里有一个念头总是萦绕不去:

他的前途在某种程度上说必须跟呈现在他眼前的那种高贵气派融为一体。

关于格里菲思一家人，以及在社会地位上跟他们旗鼓相当的人们在莱柯格斯近郊的生活动态，克莱德经常从当地两家报纸的上流社会交际新闻栏目里了解到一些，除此以外则一无所知。上述两家报纸，对于莱柯格斯著名世家望族的来去行踪，几乎总要溜须拍马地加以描述一番。有时，他看了这些报道，心里禁不住浮想联翩(即使在他去事先不知道的地点跟罗伯达幽会时也这样):

吉尔伯特。格里菲思怎样开着他那辆大汽车飞也似的疾驰而去;贝拉。伯蒂娜和桑德拉怎样在一起跳舞，打网球，在月光下泛舟，并在两报所说的漂亮别墅那一带遛马。这种对比刺痛了他的心，几乎使他受不了，有时还启发他，让他无比清晰地看透了自己跟罗伯达的这种关系。罗伯达到底是何许人也?

厂里的一个女工!

她的父母就是住在农场上干活的，女儿为了自己温饱，不能不干活啊。可是他呢……他只要运气稍微好一些……!

难道说他向往自己未来在这里过上高贵生活的种种梦想，就这样给破灭了吗?

有时，他心绪不好，特别在她委身于他以后，他心里就是常常这样想的。

说实话，她的出身跟他不同……至少跟他还在热切渴慕的格里菲思这家人不同。

可是，不管他看了《星报》上这类新闻报道以后心里如何激动，他还是照样回到罗伯达身边，既然他被她吸引住的那种喜悦心情至今并未消退，同时，从美丽。欢快。甜蜜的观点来看，他觉得她依然非常可爱。迷人，特别值得爱她的……根据以上这些特性与魅力，一望可知，她就是快乐的源泉。

不过，格里菲思一家人和他们的朋友们，如今又回来了，莱柯格斯又现出生气勃勃的活跃景象，通常每年至少有七个月都具有这样特色。于是，克莱德又被莱柯格斯上流社会生活迷住了，甚至比过去更加入了迷。威克吉大街及其毗邻街上，各式各样的房子有多美!

那一带人们生活多么不寻常，又多么诱人啊!

啊，如果说他也是其中一员，该有多好!
Part 2 Chapter 23
And then, one November evening as Clyde was walking along Wykeagy Avenue, just west of Central, a portionof the locally celebrated avenue which, ever since he had moved to Mrs. Peyton's he was accustomed to traverseto and from his work, one thing did occur which in so far as he and the Griffiths were concerned was destined tobring about a chain of events which none of them could possibly have foreseen. At the time there was in his heartand mind that singing which is the inheritance of youth and ambition and which the dying of the old year, insteadof depressing, seemed but to emphasize. He had a good position. He was respected here. Over and above hisroom and board he had not less than fifteen dollars a week to spend on himself and Roberta, an income which,while it did not parallel that which had been derived from the Green-Davidson or the union League, was still notso involved with family miseries in the one place or personal loneliness in the other. And he had Roberta secretlydevoted to him. And the Griffiths, thank goodness, did not and should not know anything of that, though justhow in case of a difficulty it was to be avoided, he was not even troubling to think. His was a disposition whichdid not tend to load itself with more than the most immediate cares.
　　And although the Griffiths and their friends had not chosen to recognize him socially, still more and more allothers who were not connected with local society and who knew of him, did. Only this very day, because thespring before he had been made a room-chief, perhaps, and Samuel Griffiths had recently paused and talked withhim, no less an important personage than Mr. Rudolph Smillie, one of the several active vice-presidents, hadasked him most cordially and casually whether he played golf, and if so, when spring came again, whether hemight not be interested to join the Amoskeag, one of the two really important golf clubs within a half dozenmiles of the city. Now, what could that mean, if not that Mr. Smillie was beginning to see him as a socialpossibility, and that he as well as many others about the factory, were becoming aware of him as some one who was of some importance to the Griffiths, if not the factory.
　　This thought, together with one other--that once more after dinner he was to see Roberta and in her room as earlyas eleven o'clock or even earlier--cheered him and caused him to step along most briskly and gayly. For, sincehaving indulged in this secret adventure so many times, both were unconsciously becoming bolder. Not havingbeen detected to date, they were of the notion that it was possible they might not be. Or if they were Clyde mightbe introduced as her brother or cousin for the moment, anyhow, in order to avoid immediate scandal. Later, toavoid danger of comment or subsequent detection, as both had agreed after some discussion, Roberta might haveto move to some other place where the same routine was to be repeated. But that would be easy, or at least betterthan no freedom of contact. And with that Roberta had been compelled to agree.
　　However, on this occasion there came a contact and an interruption which set his thoughts careening in anentirely different direction. Reaching the first of the more important houses of Wykeagy Avenue, although hehad not the slightest idea who lived there, he was gazing interestedly at the high wrought-iron fence, as well asthe kempt lawn within, dimly illuminated by street lamps, and upon the surface of which he could detect manyheaps of freshly fallen brown leaves being shaken and rolled by a winnowing and gamboling wind. It was all sostarkly severe, placid, reserved, beautiful, as he saw it, that he was quite stirred by the dignity and richness of it.
　　And as he neared the central gate, above which two lights were burning, making a circle of light about it, aclosed car of great size and solidity stopped directly in front of it. And the chauffeur stepping down and openingthe door, Clyde instantly recognized Sondra Finchley leaning forward in the car.
　　"Go around to the side entrance, David, and tell Miriam that I can't wait for her because I'm going over to theTrumbulls for dinner, but that I'll be back by nine. If she's not there, leave this note and hurry, will you?" Thevoice and manner were of that imperious and yet pleasing mode which had so intrigued him the spring before.
　　At the same time seeing, as she thought, Gilbert Griffiths approaching along the sidewalk, she called, "Oh, hello.
　　Walking to-night? If you want to wait a minute, you can ride out with me. I've just sent David in with a note. Hewon't be long."Now Sondra Finchley, despite the fact that she was interested in Bella and the Griffiths' wealth and prestige ingeneral was by no means as well pleased with Gilbert. He had been indifferent to her in the beginning when shehad tried to cultivate him and he had remained so. He had wounded her pride. And to her, who was overflowingwith vanity and self-conceit, this was the last offense, and she could not forgive him. She could not and wouldnot brook the slightest trace of ego in another, and most especially the vain, cold, self-centered person of Bella'sbrother. He had too fine an opinion of himself, as she saw it, was one who was too bursting with vanity to be ofservice to anyone. "Hmp! That stick." It was so that she invariably thought of him. "Who does he think he isanyhow? He certainly does think he's a lot around here. You'd think he was a Rockefeller or a Morgan. And formy part I can't see where he's a bit interesting--any more. I like Bella. I think she's lovely. But that smarty. Iguess he would like to have a girl wait on him. Well, not for me." Such in the main were the comments made bySondra upon such reported acts and words of Gilbert as were brought to her by others.
　　And for his part, Gilbert, hearing of the gyrations, airs, and aspirations of Sondra from Bella from time to time,was accustomed to remark: "What, that little snip! Who does she think she is anyhow? If ever there was aconceited little nut! . . ."However, so tightly were the social lines of Lycurgus drawn, so few the truly eligibles, that it was almostnecessary and compulsory upon those "in" to make the best of such others as were "in." And so it was that shenow greeted Gilbert as she thought. And as she moved over slightly from the door to make room for him, Clydealmost petrified by this unexpected recognition, and quite shaken out of his pose and self-contemplation, notbeing sure whether he had heard aright, now approached, his manner the epitome almost of a self-ingratiatingand somewhat affectionate and wistful dog of high breeding and fine temperament.
　　"Oh, good evening," he exclaimed, removing his cap and bowing. "How are you?" while his mind wasregistering that this truly was the beautiful, the exquisite Sondra whom months before he had met at his uncle's,and concerning whose social activities during the preceding summer he had been reading in the papers. And nowhere she was as lovely as ever, seated in this beautiful car and addressing him, apparently. However, Sondra onthe instant realizing that she had made a mistake and that it was not Gilbert, was quite embarrassed and uncertainfor the moment just how to extricate herself from a situation which was a bit ticklish, to say the least.
　　"Oh, pardon me, you're Mr. Clyde Griffiths, I see now. It's my mistake. I thought you were Gilbert. I couldn'tquite make you out in the light." She had for the moment an embarrassed and fidgety and halting manner, whichClyde noticed and which he saw implied that she had made a mistake that was not entirely flattering to him norsatisfactory to her. And this in turn caused him to become confused and anxious to retire.
　　"Oh, pardon me. But that's all right. I didn't mean to intrude. I thought . . ." He flushed and stepped back reallytroubled.
　　But now Sondra, seeing at once that Clyde was if anything much more attractive than his cousin and far morediffident, and obviously greatly impressed by her charms as well as her social state, unbent sufficiently to saywith a charming smile: "But that's all right. Won't you get in, please, and let me take you where you are going.
　　Oh, I wish you would. I will be so glad to take you."For there was that in Clyde's manner the instant he learned that it was due to a mistake that he had beenrecognized which caused even her to understand that he was hurt, abashed and disappointed. His eyes took on ahurt look and there was a wavering, apologetic, sorrowful smile playing about his lips.
　　"Why, yes, of course," he said jerkily, "that is, if you want me to. I understand how it was. That's all right. Butyou needn't mind, if you don't wish to. I thought . . ." He had half turned to go, but was so drawn by her that hecould scarcely tear himself away before she repeated: "Oh, do come, get in, Mr. Griffiths. I'll be so glad if youwill. It won t take David a moment to take you wherever you are going, I'm sure. And I am sorry about the other,really I am. I didn't mean, you know, that just because you weren't Gilbert Griffiths--"He paused and in a bewildered manner stepped forward and entering the car, slipped into the seat beside her.
　　And she, interested by his personality, at once began to look at him, feeling glad that it was he now instead ofGilbert. In order the better to see and again reveal her devastating charms, as she saw them, to Clyde, she nowswitched on the roof light. And the chauffeur returning, she asked Clyde where he wished to go--an addresswhich he gave reluctantly enough, since it was so different from the street in which she resided. As the car spedon, he was animated by a feverish desire to make some use of this brief occasion which might cause her to think favorably of him--perhaps, who knows--lead to some faint desire on her part to contact him again at some timeor other. He was so truly eager to be of her world.
　　"It's certainly nice of you to take me up this way," he now turned to her and observed, smiling. "I didn't think itwas my cousin you meant or I wouldn't have come up as I did.""Oh, that's all right. Don't mention it," replied Sondra archly with a kind of sticky sweetness in her voice. Heroriginal impression of him as she now felt, had been by no means so vivid. "It's my mistake, not yours. But I'mglad I made it now, anyhow," she added most definitely and with an engaging smile. "I think I'd rather pick youup than I would Gil, anyhow. We don't get along any too well, he and I. We quarrel a lot whenever we do meetanywhere." She smiled, having completely recovered from her momentary embarrassment, and now leaned backafter the best princess fashion, her glance examining Clyde's very regular features with interest. He had such softsmiling eyes she thought. And after all, as she now reasoned, he was Bella's and Gilbert's cousin, and lookedprosperous.
　　"Well, that's too bad," he said stiffly, and with a very awkward and weak attempt at being self-confident andeven high-spirited in her presence.
　　"Oh, it doesn't amount to anything, really. We just quarrel, that's all, once in a while."She saw that he was nervous and bashful and decidedly unresourceful in her presence and it pleased her to thinkthat she could thus befuddle and embarrass him so much. "Are you still working for your uncle?""Oh, yes," replied Clyde quickly, as though it would make an enormous difference to her if he were not. "I havecharge of a department over there now.""Oh, really, I didn't know. I haven't seen you at all, since that one time, you know. You don't get time to go aboutmuch, I suppose." She looked at him wisely, as much as to say, "Your relatives aren't so very much interested inyou, but really liking him now, she said instead, "You have been in the city all summer, I suppose?""Oh, yes," replied Clyde quite simply and winningly. "I have to be, you know. It's the work that keeps me here.
　　But I've seen your name in the papers often, and read about your riding and tennis contests and I saw you in thatflower parade last June, too. I certainly thought you looked beautiful, like an angel almost."There was an admiring, pleading light in his eyes which now quite charmed her. What a pleasing young man--sodifferent to Gilbert. And to think he should be so plainly and hopelessly smitten, and when she could take nomore than a passing interest in him. It made her feel sorry, a little, and hence kindly toward him. Besides whatwould Gilbert think if only he knew that his cousin was so completely reduced by her--how angry he would be-he,who so plainly thought her a snip? It would serve him just right if Clyde were taken up by some one andmade more of than he (Gilbert) ever could hope to be. The thought had a most pleasing tang for her.
　　However, at this point, unfortunately, the car turned in before Mrs. Peyton's door and stopped. The adventure forClyde and for her was seemingly over.
　　"That's awfully nice of you to say that. I won't forget that." She smiled archly as, the chauffeur opening the door,Clyde stepped down, his own nerves taut because of the grandeur and import of this encounter. "So this is whereyou live. Do you expect to be in Lycurgus all winter?""Oh, yes. I'm quite sure of it. I hope to be anyhow," he added, quite yearningly, his eyes expressing his meaningcompletely.
　　"Well, perhaps, then I'll see you again somewhere, some time. I hope so, anyhow."She nodded and gave him her fingers and the most fetching and wreathy of smiles, and he, eager to the point offolly, added: "Oh, so do I.""Good night! Good night!" she called as the car sprang away, and Clyde, looking after it, wondered if he wouldever see her again so closely and intimately as here. To think that he should have met her again in this way! Andshe had proved so very different from that first time when, as he distinctly recalled, she took no interest in him atall.
　　He turned hopefully and a little wistfully toward his own door.
　　And Sondra, . . . why was it, she pondered, as the motor car sped on its way, that the Griffiths were apparentlynot much interested in him?
十一月里，有一天傍晚，克莱德正沿着中央大道西头的威克吉大街走去。

威克吉大街是莱柯格斯有名的通衢大街，从他迁居佩顿太太家以后，上下班经常路过这里。殊不知这时出了一件事，并由此引起了一连串不论是他，还是格里菲思一家人，谁都始料所不及的事。当时他心儿好象在欢唱，这正是爱好虚荣的青年人天性使然，岁暮残景不但没有压低它，好象反而使它变得更强烈了。

毕竟他有一个好的职位。他在这里受到人们敬重。除去食宿费用，每星期他还有不少于十五块美元，足够他本人和罗伯达开销。这笔收入当然比他在格林戴维逊大酒店或是联谊俱乐部时挣的钱要差得远，可是在这里，毕竟跟在堪萨斯城的时候不同，他不再与家境贫困连在一起了，而且，过去他在芝加哥时那种孤独的苦恼，现在也都没有了。此外，罗伯达还偷偷地钟爱于他哩。这事，谢天谢地，格里菲思一家人，不仅一点儿都不知道，而且说什么也不可以让他们知道。虽然他连想都没有想过，要是万一出了差错，怎么才能保守秘密，不让他们知道。他这个人的脾性是，除了眼前最迫切的烦恼以外，他压根儿不喜欢多想想的。

尽管格里菲思一家人和他们的那些朋友，不愿意让他进入自己圈子，可是，越来越多的不属于当地社会精英的其他知名人士，却给予他青睐。正好就在这一天，(也许因为今年春天他被提升为部门负责人，而且最近塞缪尔。格里菲思还停下来跟他说过话)公司副经理之一鲁道夫。斯迈利先生这一重要人物，套近乎地问他打不打高尔夫球，还说要是打的话，明年春天，是否有意加入阿莫斯基格高尔夫球俱乐部，这是离市区几英里的两个有名的高尔夫球俱乐部之一。

这不正是说明斯迈利先生开始把他当成未来的大人物了吗?

这不正是说明斯迈利先生和厂里其他人，全都开始知道，他跟格里菲思这家人是有些重要关系的，虽然他在厂里并非身居高位?

这时，他除了这个想法以外，还另外想到:

晚饭以后，他又可以跟罗伯达会面了，地点是在她房间里，而且时间定在十一点，也许还可以更早些，他不由得喜从中来，走起路也格外精神抖擞，兴高采烈了。他们俩经过这么多次幽会以后，连自己都不觉得，胆子越来越大了。迄至今日，他们一直没有被人发觉，因而也就自以为往后可能也不会被人发觉。万一发觉，她不妨暂且推说克莱德是她的哥哥或是表哥，以免马上丑闻外扬。他们商量过后还决定:

为了免得别人议论或往后被人发觉，以后罗伯达索性搬到别处去，这样，他们还可以照旧继续来往了。反正搬一次家很容易，至少也比不能自由来往要好。对此，罗伯达也不得不表示同意。

不过，这一回正好接上了一个关系，插进了一段打岔的事，使他的想法完全转向了。他走过威克吉大街极其豪华住宅区头一幢巨邸(虽然他一点儿不知道是谁的住邸)，两眼好奇地透过一道高高的铁栏杆，直瞅着暗淡的街灯光照下里面整齐的草坪。他还依稀看见草坪上一堆堆刚落下来的枯黄的树叶，被一阵风刮得狂飞乱舞起来。他觉得巨邸里这一切简直庄严。宁静。肃穆。美丽，使他对它那种富丽堂皇的气派感到非常惊心动魄。正门居中点着两盏灯，向四周围投下了一道光圈。当他走近正门时，一辆车身又大。又结实的轿车径直开到正门口，停了下来。汽车司机先下车，把车门打开，克莱德马上认出车里俯身微微向前的，正是桑德拉。芬奇利。

"走边门，大卫，通知米丽亚姆，说我不能等她了，因为我要去特朗布尔家吃晚饭，不过，九点钟我总可以回来。她要是不在，就把这张条子留下，快一点，好吗?

"瞧她的声调和神态里，依然有着今年春天迷住他的那种颐指气使，但又惹人喜爱的派头。

而桑德拉这时却以为是吉尔伯特。格里菲思正从人行道走过来，便大声喊道:

"喂，今儿晚上你出去溜达吧?

要是能等一下，不妨搭我的车一块去。刚才我叫大卫送条子进去。一会儿他就回来。"桑德拉。芬奇利尽管跟贝拉很要好，又承认格里菲思一家人有钱有势，可是她压根儿不喜欢吉尔伯特。原先她很想向他献殷勤，殊不知他一开始就对她冷淡，直到现在依然这样。他伤了她的自尊心。这对她这样爱好虚荣。自视甚高的人来说，简直是奇耻大辱，她怎么也不能原谅他。既然别人身上有一丁点儿自私自利她都不能容忍，也不会容忍，所以，她对贝拉的这个爱好虚荣。待人冷淡。以自我为中心的哥哥，尤其不能容忍了。她觉得，他以为自己太了不起了。这种人简直狂妄不可一世，因此，除了自己以外，对谁连想也不会想到的。"哼!

多蠢!

"她一想到他，就有这么个看法。"他究竟自以为是怎样一种人呢?

当然罗，他自以为是这里什么大人物哩。简直就是洛克菲勒，或是摩根!

可是，依我看，他身上一点儿都看不出有吸引人的东西……一点儿也没有。贝拉我是喜欢的。我觉得她很可爱。可是那个自作聪明的家伙，我估摸他也许还想姑娘们来巴结讨好他呢。得了吧，我才不巴结讨好他呢。只要有人告诉她有关吉尔伯特的举止谈吐时，桑德拉大致上就作出这样的评论。

至于吉尔伯特呢，他一听到贝拉讲起桑德拉自以为是的那套派头和她的雄心壮志，就常常这样说:

"嘿，这个小丫头!

瞧她究竟把自己看成什么样的人呢?

不外乎是个狂妄的小傻瓜!

……"不过，在莱柯格斯，上流社会这个圈子本来很窄，真正够格的人很少，因此，凡是"圈子里"的人见面时都得彼此寒暄一下。也正因为这样，桑德拉才向她看错了的吉尔伯特打招呼。正当她把身子从车门口挪一挪，给他空出座位时，克莱德被这一突如其来的招认几乎愣住了。这时他简直茫然不知所措，自己也闹不清是不是耳朵听错了，于是往前走了过去。瞧他那副神态简直活象一头驯顺的哈叭狗，既讨人喜欢，而又在渴望着什么。

"哦，晚上好，"他大声说，一面摘下帽子一鞠躬，一面又说:

"您好吧?

"他心里却在估摸:

这真的就是好几个月前在伯父府上见过一面的美丽娴雅的桑德拉啊。今年夏天，他在报上不断看到有关她的交际活动的消息报道。这会儿她依然同往日一样可爱，坐在这辆漂亮的汽车里，显然是在向他打招呼呢。可是，桑德拉一下子发现她自己弄错了，此人并不是吉尔伯特，因而感到很窘，一时间真的不知道该怎么样才能从少说也有点儿棘手的困境中脱身。

"哦，对不起，你是克莱德。格里菲思先生吧，现在我才看清楚了。我想是我把你弄错了，当成吉尔伯特了。你站在灯光下，真叫我看不清楚。"好半晌她显得非常窘困不安，迟疑不决。这一点克莱德早已看在眼里了。同时，他还注意到:

这是因为她认错了人，显而易见，对他来说，简直太丢脸了，而对她来说，也是很扫兴的。因此，他心里也很尴尬，恨不得马上走开。

"哦，对不起。不过，这可没有什么。我并不想打搅你。我原先以为……"他脸一红，往后退去，心里真的感到很窘。

不过，这时桑德拉一下子看到克莱德毕竟比他的堂兄长得更漂亮，更谦虚，对她的美貌和社会地位显然也印象很深。她态度就顿时变得很随和，粲然一笑说:

"这可没有什么。请上车吧。你上哪儿去，我就送你。哦，请你别客气。我乐意送你去，得了。"克莱德知道她看错了眼才招呼他，他的态度也马上改变了，因而她就知道此刻他很伤心，很羞愧，很失望。他眼里露出委屈的神色，嘴边却颤动着包含歉疚而又伤心的微笑。

"哦，是啊，当然罗，"他结结巴巴地说。"我是说，要是您觉得方便的话。

我也明白刚才是怎么回事。这可没有什么。不过，要是您不乐意，那就大可不必了。我原先以为……"说完，他刚转身想走，却被她深深地吸引住了，实在脱身不了。这时，她又说道:

"哦，你务必上车，格里菲思先生。你上车，我心里就很高兴。你要去的地方，大卫包管一眨眼就把你送到了。刚才的事，我很抱歉，真的非常抱歉。不过，你知道，这也不是说你因为不是吉尔伯特，我就……"他迟疑了一会儿，然后受宠若惊地向前走去，上了车，在她身边落了座。

她对他很感兴趣，立时开始端详着他，心里一想到多亏不是吉尔伯特，因而很高兴。为了要把克莱德看个仔细，再向克莱德露一露她自以为能摄人心魄的那种魅力，她就把车厢顶上一盏灯打开。汽车司机一回来，她就问克莱德要上哪儿去……他出于无奈，只好把住址告诉了她，反正他那个地方跟她住邸所在的这条街相比，简直不可同日而语了。汽车径直往前飞也似的驰去，他心里急急乎想充分利用这一短暂的时刻，让她对他留下一个好印象……谁知道呢，也许……让她勉强愿意在往后什么时候跟他再见见面。他是真的恨不能自己成为她那个圈子里的一员啊。

"您用车子送我，真是太好了，"他侧转脸来向她微笑说。"我可没有想到您是在招呼我的堂兄，要不然我也不会走上来。""哦，这可没有什么。别再提它了。"桑德拉戏谑地说，声调里带有一股甜丝丝。软绵绵的昧道。这时，她觉得，她头一次对他的印象，决没有象此刻这样鲜明。"这是我的错，不是你的错。不过，搞错了，我反而觉得很高兴。"她接下去说，语气很肯定，脸上露出迷人的微笑。"反正我呀宁可捎上你，也不愿意捎上吉尔。你知道，我们俩……他跟我总是合不来。我们只要一见面，就抬杠。"她微微一笑，刚才的窘态已完全消失了。她雍容大方地往后一靠，两眼好奇地打量着克莱德端正的面貌。她心里琢磨，他的那一双眼睛总是笑吟吟，该有多么温情脉脉。她心里还在这么想:

毕竟他是贝拉和吉尔伯特的堂兄弟，看来很春风得意哩。

"哦，这可太要不得，"他说话很生硬，本想在她面前佯装自己信心十足，甚至精神抖擞，结果反而显得拙劣无力。

"哦，说实话，这也没有什么了不起。说穿了，我们有时抬杠，纯粹全是为了一些鸡毛蒜皮的事。"她看见他在她面前很紧张。害臊，不消说，也很别扭，想到自己居然能把他弄得这样窘困不安。晕头转向，禁不住扬扬得意了。"你还在你伯父那儿办事吗?

""哦，是的，"克莱德赶紧回答她，仿佛他要是不在他伯父那儿办事，就会被她瞧不起似的。"现在我还主管一个部门呢。""嗯，是真的吗，我还不知道呢。你也知道，从上回碰面以后，我压根儿没有再见过你哩。依我看，也许你没得空出来走走，是吧?

"她意味深长地望了他一眼，仿佛要说:

"你的这些亲戚，对你并不怎么感兴趣啊。"不过，现在她真的有些喜欢他了，就只好改口说:

"我说，你整整一个夏天都没有出过城，是吧?

""哦，是的，"克莱德乐呵呵地据实相告，说:

"您也知道，我可不得不这样。

我给工作拖住了。不过，我在各报不时看见您的芳名，还看到您参加赛马。网球赛的消息。六月里花会我还看见过您呢。当然罗，我觉得您真美，几乎活脱脱象一位天使。"他眼里闪耀出一种惊喜。爱慕之情，使她差点儿完全为之倾倒。好一个惹人喜爱的年轻人……完全不象吉尔伯特那种人。只要想一想:

她才不过偶尔一下子对他感兴趣，而他呢却那么露骨。死乞白赖地迷上了她。这就使她着实替他感到有一点儿难过，因而也就对他稍微和气一些。再说，吉尔伯特要是知道他的堂弟已被她完全征服了，又会作何感想?

……他一定会怒气冲冲……他这个人，明明把她看成傻丫头。要是有谁能助克莱德一臂之力，让他比他(吉尔伯特)所希望的更加出人头地，这才算是好好教训他一顿。她一想到这个想法，就喜从中来。

不过，就在这节骨眼上，可惜汽车已经开到佩顿太太家门口停下来了。这次巧遇，不论对克莱德来说，还是对她来说，看来就这样结束了。

"多承您夸奖，我可不会忘记的。"汽车司机打开车门，克莱德下车时，她戏谑地微笑着。他下了车，心中却被这次极不寻常的邂逅感到万分紧张。"哦，您就住在这里呀。你打算在莱柯格斯过一冬，是吧?

""哦，是的。我想准是这样。至少我希望是这样，"他若有所思地找补着说，这一层意思也在他眼里充分表达无遗。

"好吧，也许，下次我还会跟您再见面。至少我是这样希望。"她点点头，非常迷人，但又圆滑地微微一笑，向他伸出手来。而他呢，这时心里已经急得快要发疯似的，马上说:

"哦，我也是这样。""再见!

再见!

"车已开动了，她大声喊道。克莱德眼望着这辆车远去，心里纳闷，真不知道他还能不能象刚才那样亲密无间地跟她再见见面。啊，真想不到此刻他竟然这样跟她不期而遇!

而且，她跟头一次见面时完全不一样。克莱德还清楚地记得，那时她对他压根儿不感兴趣。

他满怀希望，若有所思地转过身来，朝自己的住处走去。

那末桑德拉呢，……汽车径直往前驰去时，她心里暗自寻思，为什么格里菲思一家人，看来对他一点儿也不感兴趣呢?
Part 2 Chapter 24
The effect of this so casual contact was really disrupting in more senses than one. For now in spite of his comfortin and satisfaction with Roberta, once more and in this positive and to him entrancing way, was posed the wholequestion of his social possibilities here. And that strangely enough by the one girl of this upper level who hadmost materialized and magnified for him the meaning of that upper level itself. The beautiful Sondra Finchley!
　　Her lovely face, smart clothes, gay and superior demeanor! If only at the time he had first encountered her he hadmanaged to interest her. Or could now.
　　The fact that his relations with Roberta were what they were now was not of sufficient import or weight to offsetthe temperamental or imaginative pull of such a girl as Sondra and all that she represented. Just to think theWimblinger Finchley Electric Sweeper Company was one of the largest manufacturing concerns here. Its tallwalls and stacks made a part of the striking sky line across the Mohawk. And the Finchley residence in WykeagyAvenue, near that of the Griffiths, was one of the most impressive among that distinguished row of houses whichhad come with the latest and most discriminating architectural taste here--Italian Renaissance--cream huedmarble and Dutchess County sandstone combined. And the Finchleys were among the most discussed of familieshere.
　　Ah, to know this perfect girl more intimately! To be looked upon by her with favor,--made, by reason of thatfavor, a part of that fine world to which she belonged. Was he not a Griffiths--as good looking as Gilbert Griffiths any day? And as attractive if he only had as much money--or a part of it even. To be able to dress in theGilbert Griffiths' fashion; to ride around in one of the handsome cars he sported! Then, you bet, a girl like thiswould be delighted to notice him,--mayhap, who knows, even fall in love with him. Analschar and the tray ofglasses. But now, as he gloomily thought, he could only hope, hope, hope.
　　The devil! He would not go around to Roberta's this evening. He would trump up some excuse--tell her in themorning that he had been called upon by his uncle or cousin to do some work. He could not and would not go,feeling as he did just now.
　　So much for the effect of wealth, beauty, the peculiar social state to which he most aspired, on a temperamentthat was as fluid and unstable as water.
　　On the other hand, later, thinking over her contact with Clyde, Sondra was definitely taken with what may onlybe described as his charm for her, all the more definite in this case since it represented a direct opposite to all thathis cousin offered by way of offense. His clothes and his manner, as well as a remark he had dropped, to theeffect that he was connected with the company in some official capacity, seemed to indicate that he might bebetter placed than she had imagined. Yet she also recalled that although she had been about with Bella allsummer and had encountered Gilbert, Myra and their parents from time to time, there had never been a wordabout Clyde. Indeed all the information she had gathered concerning him was that originally furnished by Mrs.
　　Griffiths, who had said that he was a poor nephew whom her husband had brought on from the west in order tohelp in some way. Yet now, as she viewed Clyde on this occasion, he did not seem so utterly unimportant orpoverty-stricken by any means--quite interesting and rather smart and very attractive, and obviously anxious tobe taken seriously by a girl like herself, as she could see. And this coming from Gilbert's cousin--a Griffiths--wasflattering.
　　Arriving at the Trumbull's, a family which centered about one Douglas Trumbull, a prosperous lawyer andwidower and speculator of this region, who, by reason of his children as well as his own good manners and legalsubtlety, had managed to ingratiate himself into the best circles of Lycurgus society, she suddenly confided to JillTrumbull, the elder of the lawyer's two daughters: "You know I had a funny experience to-day." And sheproceeded to relate all that had occurred in detail. Afterward at dinner, Jill having appeared to find it mostfascinating, she again repeated it to Gertrude and Tracy, the younger daughter and only son of the Trumbullfamily.
　　"Oh, yes," observed Tracy Trumbull, a law student in his father's office, "I've seen that fellow, I bet, three or fourtimes on Central Avenue. He looks a lot like Gil, doesn't he? Only not so swagger. I've nodded to him two orthree times this summer because I thought he was Gil for the moment.""Oh, I've seen him, too," commented Gertrude Trumbull. "He wears a cap and a belted coat like Gilbert Griffiths,sometimes, doesn't he? Arabella Stark pointed him out to me once and then Jill and I saw him passing Stark'sonce on a Saturday afternoon. He is better looking than Gil, any day, I think."This confirmed Sondra in her own thoughts in regard to Clyde and now she added: "Bertine Cranston and I methim one evening last spring at the Griffiths'. We thought he was too bashful, then. But I wish you could see himnow--he's positively handsome, with the softest eyes and the nicest smile.""Oh, now, Sondra," commented Jill Trumbull, who, apart from Bertine and Bella, was as close to Sondra as anygirl here, having been one of her classmates at the Snedeker School, "I know some one who would be jealous ifhe could hear you say that.""And wouldn't Gil Griffiths like to hear that his cousin's better looking than he is?" chimed in Tracy Trumbull.
　　"Oh, say--""Oh, he," sniffed Sondra irritably. "He thinks he's so much. I'll bet anything it's because of him that the Griffithswon't have anything to do with their cousin. I'm sure of it, now that I think of it. Bella would, of course, becauseI heard her say last spring that she thought he was good-looking. And Myra wouldn't do anything to hurtanybody. What a lark if some of us were to take him up some time and begin inviting him here and there--oncein a while, you know--just for fun, to see how he would do. And how the Griffiths would take it. I know wellenough it would be all right with Mr. Griffiths and Myra and Bella, but Gil I'll bet would be as peeved asanything. I couldn't do it myself very well, because I'm so close to Bella, but I know who could and they couldn'tsay a thing." She paused, thinking of Bertine Cranston and how she disliked Gil and Mrs. Griffiths. "I wonder ifhe dances or rides or plays tennis or anything like that?" She stopped and meditated amusedly, the while theothers studied her. And Jill Trumbull, a restless, eager girl like herself, without so much of her looks or flair,however, observed: "It would be a prank, wouldn't it? Do you suppose the Griffiths really would dislike it verymuch?""What's the difference if they did?" went on Sondra. "They couldn't do anything more than ignore him, couldthey? And who would care about that, I'd like to know. Not the people who invited him.""Go on, you fellows, stir up a local scrap, will you?" put in Tracy Trumbull. "I'll bet anything that's what comesof it in the end. Gil Griffiths won't like it, you can gamble on that. I wouldn't if I were in his position. If you wantto stir up a lot of feeling here, go to it, but I'll lay a bet that's what it comes to."Now Sondra Finchley's nature was of just such a turn that a thought of this kind was most appealing to her.
　　However, as interesting as the idea was to her at the time, nothing definite might have come of it, had it not beenthat subsequent to this conversation and several others held with Bertine Cranston, Jill Trumbull, PatriciaAnthony, and Arabella Stark, the news of this adventure, together with some comments as to himself, finallycame to the ears of Gilbert Griffiths, yet only via Constance Wynant to whom, as local gossips would have it, hewas prospectively engaged. And Constance, hoping that Gilbert would marry her eventually, was herself irritatedby the report that Sondra had chosen to interest herself in Clyde, and then, for no sane reason, as she saw it,proclaim that he was more attractive than Gilbert. So, as much to relieve herself as to lay some plan of avengingherself upon Sondra, if possible, she conveyed the whole matter in turn to Gilbert, who at once proceeded tomake various cutting references to Clyde and Sondra. And these carried back to Sondra, along with certainembellishments by Constance, had the desired effect. It served to awaken in her the keenest desire for retaliation.
　　For if she chose she certainly could be nice to Clyde, and have others be nice to him, too. And that would meanperhaps that Gilbert would find himself faced by a social rival of sorts--his own cousin, too, who, even though hewas poor, might come to be liked better. What a lark! At the very same time there came to her a way by whichshe might most easily introduce Clyde, and yet without seeming so to do, and without any great harm to herself,if it did not terminate as she wished.
　　For in Lycurgus among the younger members of those smarter families whose children had been to the SnedekerSchool, existed a rather illusory and casual dinner and dance club called the "Now and Then." It had no definiteorganization, officers or abode. Any one, who, because of class and social connections was eligible and chose tobelong, could call a meeting of other members to give a dinner or dance or tea in their homes.
　　And how simple, thought Sondra in browsing around for a suitable vehicle by which to introduce Clyde, if someone other than herself who belonged could be induced to get up something and then at her suggestion inviteClyde. How easy, say, for Jill Trumbull to give a dinner and dance to the "Now and Thens," to which Clydemight be invited. And by this ruse she would thus be able to see him again and find out just how much he didinterest her and what he was like.
　　Accordingly a small dinner for this club and its friends was announced for the first Thursday in December, JillTrumbull to be the hostess. To it were to be invited Sondra and her brother, Stuart, Tracy and Gertrude Trumbull,Arabella Stark, Bertine and her brother, and some others from Utica and Gloversville as well. And Clyde. But inorder to safeguard Clyde against any chance of failure or even invidious comment of any kind, not only she butBertine and Jill and Gertrude were to be attentive to and considerate of him. They were to see that his danceprogram was complete and that neither at dinner nor on the dance floor was he to be left to himself, but was to bepassed on most artfully from one to the other until evening should be over. For, by reason of that, others mightcome to be interested in him, which would not only take the thorn from the thought that Sondra alone, of all thebetter people of Lycurgus, had been friendly to him, but would sharpen the point of this development for Gilbert,if not for Bella and the other members of the Griffiths family.
　　And in accordance with this plan, so it was done.
　　And so it was that Clyde, returning from the factory one early December evening about two weeks after hisencounter with Sondra, was surprised by the sight of a cream-colored note leaning against the mirror of hisdresser. It was addressed in a large, scrawly and unfamiliar hand. He picked it up and turned it over withoutbeing able in any way to fix upon the source. On the back were the initials B. T. or J. T., he could not decidewhich, so elaborately intertwined was the engraved penmanship. He tore it open and drew out a card which read:
　　The Now and Then Club Will Hold Its First Winter Dinner Dance At the Home of Douglas Trumbull 135Wykeagy Ave On Thursday, December 4 You Are Cordially Invited Will You Kindly Reply to Miss JillTrumbull?
　　On the back of this, though, in the same scrawly hand that graced the envelope was written: "Dear Mr. Griffiths:
　　Thought you might like to come. It will be quite informal. And I'm sure you'll like it. If so, will you let JillTrumbull know? Sondra Finchley."Quite amazed and thrilled, Clyde stood and stared. For ever since that second contact with her, he had been moredefinitely fascinated than at any time before by the dream that somehow, in some way, he was to be lifted fromthe lowly state in which he now dwelt. He was, as he now saw it, really too good for the Commonplace world bywhich he was environed. And now here was this--a social invitation issued by the "Now and Then Club," ofwhich, even though he had never heard of it, must be something since it was sponsored by such exceptional people. And on the back of it, was there not the writing of Sondra herself? How marvelous, really!
　　So astonished was he that he could scarcely contain himself for joy, but now on the instant must walk to and fro,looking at himself in the mirror, washing his hands and face, then deciding that his tie was not just right, perhaps,and changing to another-- thinking forward to what he should wear and back upon how Sondra had looked at himon that last occasion. And how she had smiled. At the same time he could not help wondering even at thismoment of what Roberta would think, if now, by some extra optical power of observation she could note hispresent joy in connection with this note. For plainly, and because he was no longer governed by the conventionalnotions of his parents, he had been allowing himself to drift into a position in regard to her which would certainlyspell torture to her in case she should discover the nature of his present mood, a thought which puzzled him not alittle, but did not serve to modify his thoughts in regard to Sondra in the least.
　　That wonderful girl!
　　That beauty!
　　That world of wealth and social position she lived in!
　　At the same time so innately pagan and unconventional were his thoughts in regard to all this that he could nowask himself, and that seriously enough, why should he not be allowed to direct his thoughts toward her and awayfrom Roberta, since at the moment Sondra supplied the keener thought of delight. Roberta could not know aboutthis. She could not see into his mind, could she--become aware of any such extra experience as this unless hetold her. And most assuredly he did not intend to tell her. And what harm, he now asked himself, was there in apoor youth like himself aspiring to such heights? Other youths as poor as himself had married girls as rich asSondra.
　　For in spite of all that had occurred between him and Roberta he had not, as he now clearly recalled, given herhis word that he would marry her except under one condition. And such a condition, especially with theknowledge that he had all too clearly acquired in Kansas City, was not likely to happen as he thought.
　　And Sondra, now that she had thus suddenly burst upon him again in this way was the same as a fever to hisfancy. This goddess in her shrine of gilt and tinsel so utterly enticing to him, had deigned to remember him inthis open and direct way and to suggest that he be invited. And no doubt she, herself, was going to be there, athought which thrilled him beyond measure.
　　And what would not Gilbert and the Griffiths think if they were to hear of his going to this affair now, as theysurely would? Or meet him later at some other party to which Sondra might invite him? Think of that! Would itirritate or please them? Make them think less or more of him? For, after all, this certainly was not of his doing.
　　Was he not properly invited by people of their own station here in Lycurgus whom most certainly they werecompelled to respect? And by no device of his, either--sheer accident--the facts concerning which would mostcertainly not reflect on him as pushing. As lacking as he was in some of the finer shades of mentaldiscrimination, a sly and ironic pleasure lay in the thought that now Gilbert and the Griffiths might be compelledto countenance him whether they would or not--invite him to their home, even. For, if these others did, howcould they avoid it, really? Oh, joy! And that in the face of Gilbert's high contempt for him. He fairly chuckled as he thought of it, feeling that however much Gilbert might resent it, neither his uncle nor Myra were likely to, andthat hence he would be fairly safe from any secret desire on the part of Gilbert to revenge himself on him for this.
　　But how wonderful this invitation! Why that intriguing scribble of Sondra's unless she was interested in himsome? Why? The thought was so thrilling that Clyde could scarcely eat his dinner that night. He took up the cardand kissed the handwriting. And instead of going to see Roberta as usual, he decided as before on firstreencountering her, to walk a bit, then return to his room, and retire early. And on the morrow as before he couldmake some excuse--say that he had been over to the Griffiths' home, or some one of the heads of the factory, inorder to listen to an explanation in regard to something in connection with the work, since there were often suchconferences. For, in the face of this, he did not care to see or talk to Roberta this night. He could not. The otherthought--that of Sondra and her interest in him-- was too enticing.

这次偶然的巧遇，真的意味深长地起了强烈的破坏作用。现在他尽管从罗伯达那里得到了安慰和满足，可是，他在这里究竟能不能达到很高的社会地位，这个令人入迷的问题，又非常具体地摆在他面前了。说来也真怪，这个问题还是跟上流社会里一个姑娘巧遇而引起的;在他看来，她是最能体现和弘扬上流社会本身所包含的全部意义。这个美丽的桑德拉。芬奇利!

她那可爱的脸庞。漂亮的衣服，还有她那快活而又高贵的仪态风度!

要是仅仅在初次见面时就能引起她的注意多好。要不然，哪怕是现在能……也好。

正当桑德拉这样一位姑娘，以她的气质和想象力，以及她所代表的一切吸引他时，现下他跟罗伯达的那种新关系，显然也就无足轻重，微不足道了。试想温布林格。芬奇利电气吸尘器公司，乃是这里最大的制造厂商之一。它那位于莫霍克河畔的高高的围墙和烟囱，直插云霄。再说，芬奇利的住邸，就在威克吉大街上，与格里菲思家毗邻，是那一长溜最新式。最讲究……亦即意大利文艺复兴……建筑风格。奶白色大理石与达切斯县沙石砌成的住宅里头最引人瞩目的一家。而且，芬奇利这一家，又是属于本城人们谈论得最多的人家之一。

啊，要是跟这个十全十美的姑娘有更亲密的交往多好!

要是博得她的欢心，也许就能进入她所隶属于的那个辉煌世界，多好。难道说他不也是格里菲思……外貌上跟吉尔伯特。格里菲思一样漂亮吗?

他要是也有那么多钱……哪怕是只要其中一部分，他岂不是一样地富有吸引力吗?

要是他也象吉尔伯特。格里菲思那样穿着打扮，坐上漂亮的汽车到处兜风，多美!

要是果真这样，当然罗，哪怕是象桑德拉这样的姑娘，包管垂青他……谁知道呢，说不定还会爱上他。简直是《天方夜谭》里的奇迹(原文为"阿拿兹乔尔和一托盘玻璃杯子"，按:

阿拿兹乔尔乃是《天方夜谭》里的一个穷光蛋，整天价想入非非，沉溺于梦幻之中。有一天，他忽然手舞足蹈，竟把他谋生的一托盘玻璃杯子全给打碎了。)啊。可现在呢，他闷闷不乐地在想，他只好盼呀盼，盼呀盼……去它的!

今儿晚上，他不打算上罗伯达那儿去了。他只消胡编一个什么借口……明儿早上对她说，是伯父或是堂兄叫他去办什么事。现在他心里既然这么激动，罗伯达那里他就不想去，也不能去了。

他孜孜以求的财富。姿色与特殊的社会地位，给予他这种有如流水一般浮动不定的性格，就有这么大的影响。

至于桑德拉，她事后回想她跟克莱德的这次巧遇，自己完全被他的魅力所倾倒，特别是因为:

他对她的态度跟他堂兄那种傲慢作风，已形成了鲜明对比。

他的穿着打扮。他的举止谈吐，以及他自己提到在厂内所担任的职务，仿佛是在说明:

他的处境也许比当初她想象的要好些。不过，她也回想到:

尽管整个夏天她都是跟贝拉在一起，不时碰到吉尔伯特。麦拉和他们的父母，可从来没有听他们提到过克莱德一个字。其实，有关他的情况，她所知道的，不外乎是原先格里菲思太太所提供的，说他是他们的穷侄子，是她丈夫把他从西部叫来的，想给他一点帮助。不过，这一回她亲自观察克莱德之后，觉得他好象绝对不是那么微不足道，或是穷困潦倒……而是适得其反，他显得非常有趣，相当漂亮，相当吸引人，而且，她也一眼看出，显然，他恨不得就被象她这样的大家闺秀看中。要知道，他是吉尔伯特的堂弟……同是格里菲思家族里的一员……这也是很有光彩的事。

后来，她来到了特朗布尔家。(这个一家之主是道格拉斯。特朗布尔，是个殷富的律师和鳏夫，在这一带又是一个投机商人。此人得助于他的儿女，以及本人温文尔雅，富有办案才能，因而才能跻身于莱柯格斯上流社会。)她马上就对这位律师两个女儿里头年长的杰尔。特朗布尔说:

"你知不知道，今天我碰上一件怪有趣的事。"说完，就把刚才发生的事原原本本讲给她听。杰尔好象觉得挺有意思，晚饭后，再转述一遍给特朗布尔家的小女儿格特鲁德和独生子特雷西听。

"哦，是啊，"正在他父亲的事务所里熟悉律师业务的特雷西。特朗布尔说，"我敢打赌说，那个家伙我在中央大道上碰到过已有三四次啦。他模样儿长得很象吉尔，是吗?

只不过没有吉尔那样神气活现。今年夏天，我有两三次向他点过头，因为那时我还以为他是吉尔哩。""哦，我也看见过他，"格特鲁德说。"有时，他头戴一顶帽子，身穿一件束腰带的外套，活象吉尔伯特。格里菲思，是吗?

有一次，阿拉贝拉。斯塔克指给我看过。后来，有一次，是在星期六下午，杰尔和我看见他走过斯塔克公司。

依我看，反正他长得要比吉尔漂亮得多。"这无异于肯定了桑德拉对克莱德的想法，于是，她便接下去说:

"今年春天有一个晚上，伯蒂娜。克兰斯顿和我在格里菲思府上见过他。那时候，我们还觉得他这个人太羞羞答答。不过，我希望现在你们再好好看他一眼……他确实漂亮，还有他那温情脉脉的眼眸和微笑。""哦，不过，听我说，桑德拉，"杰尔。特朗布尔大声说。(除了伯蒂娜和贝拉以外，在这里就算她最接近桑德拉，因为在斯内德克学校，她们都是同班同学。)"我知道有一个人要是听到你这么说，心中一定会酸溜溜的。""要知道，吉尔。格里菲思不见得喜欢听人说他堂弟长得比他漂亮?

"特雷西。

特朗布尔附和说。"哦，比方说……""哦，他呀，"桑德拉悻悻然哼了一声。"他以为自己多么了不起。我敢打赌说，就是因为他，格里菲思一家人才不愿意跟他们家堂弟来往。现在，我越是这样想，越是觉得错不了，肯定是这么一回事。贝拉当然是愿意的，因为今年春天我听她说过，她觉得他长得很漂亮。至于麦拉呢，她是从来不得罪人的。

要是我们里头哪一位什么时候把他带来，请他到各位府上作客……当然是偶一为之，对吧……只不过为了闹着玩儿，看看他表现怎么样，那才棒呢。从中也看一看格里菲思一家人态度怎么样。我敢说格里菲思先生。麦拉。贝拉是不会说什么的，可是吉尔准恼火。我自己嘛不便出面，因为我跟贝拉太熟了，但我知道有一个人准可以办到……"这时，她沉吟不语，心里却想到了伯蒂娜。克兰斯顿，也知道她不太喜欢吉尔和格里菲思太太。"我心里纳闷，他到底会不会跳舞。遛马。打网球这一类玩意儿。"说到这里，她停住了，津津有味地陷入沉思之中，而周围的人却在仔细打量着她。杰尔。特朗布尔这个姑娘，虽说跟她一样闲不住，急性子，但是长得远没有她那么漂亮，那么光彩照人，这时却开口说:

"这不是存心恶作剧吗?

依你看，果真不会引起格里菲思一家人反感吗?

""他们反感，那又怎么啦?

"桑德拉接下去说。"除了不睬他以外，他们还能怎么样，是不是?

再说，有谁在乎，我倒是很想知道。邀请他的那些人肯定不会。""你们各位都怎么啦，真的想闹得满城风雨是不是?

"特雷西。特朗布尔插嘴说。"我敢说，最后就是这样告终。老实跟你们说，吉尔。格里菲思决不会高兴的。我要是他，也决不会高兴的。你们要是存心鼓捣什么玩意儿，那就请便吧，不过，我敢打赌说，你们就等着瞧后果。"桑德拉。芬奇利天性使然，特别喜欢这一类奇思异想。不过，当时她虽然觉得挺有趣，要不是因为在这次谈话以后，她又跟伯蒂娜。克兰斯顿。杰尔。

特朗布尔。帕特里夏。安东尼。阿拉贝拉。斯塔克提到此事，本来也不见得就会见诸行动。但后来不知怎的，这次晤面的消息，以及对吉尔伯特。格里菲思的议论，终于传到了他耳朵里(不过只是通过康斯坦斯。威南特才传到他耳朵里)，城里谣传说他就要订婚了。原来康斯坦斯希望日后准跟她结婚，现在听说桑德拉对克莱德很感兴趣，并且觉得桑德拉毫无理由地扬言说，克莱德比吉尔伯特还漂亮，因此就很生气。于是，为了自己出气，同时也为了尽可能设法向桑德拉进行报复，康斯坦斯便把这事向吉尔伯特和盘托出。吉尔伯特也马上就克莱德和桑德拉说了一些尖刻的话。他的这些话，再加上康斯坦斯一渲染，后来又传到了桑德拉耳朵里，果真达到了康斯坦斯预期效果。这便迫使桑德拉恨不得向吉尔伯特进行报复。反正只要她高兴，她当然可以向克莱德表示好感，而且还可以促使别人向他表示好感，这也许就意味着，吉尔伯特将在上流社会交际界遇到类似劲敌的一个人，而且这个人正是……他的那个虽然穷但也许比他更加招人喜欢的堂兄弟。这可多么有趣啊!

这时，她心里忽生一计，不妨将克莱德引入本城上流社会，而且还得让人看不出自己插手其间。结果要是跟她预期相反，反正对她本人也不见得会有多大坏处。

因为莱柯格斯一些比较时髦的人家，都将自己子女送往斯内德克学校读书。

这些子女有一个没有实体。只是偶尔在一起聚餐。跳跳舞的组织，名曰"不定期俱乐部"。这个俱乐部没有一定的组织。办事人员或会址。不拘是什么人，只要他的阶级出身。社会关系合格，本人自愿加入，都可以邀请别的会员们到自己家里聚会。吃饭。跳舞，或是喝茶。

桑德拉心里琢磨怎样才能找到一个合适方式，好把克莱德引见给大家，她想要是鼓捣俱乐部里某某人(但不是她自己)发起，再由她附议，把克莱德也请来，该有多方便。比方说，由杰尔。特朗布尔发起一次聚餐舞会，招待"不定期俱乐部"成员，克莱德也就可以邀请来了，岂不很方便。借此机会，她就可以跟他再次见面，看看他究竟喜爱她到何种程度，他这个人究竟又是什么样的。

于是，十二月头一个星期四便定为这个俱乐部及其朋友们小型聚餐日，杰尔。特朗布尔为女东道主。被邀请的有:

桑德拉。她弟弟斯图尔特。特雷西。特朗布尔。格特鲁德。特朗布尔。阿拉贝拉。斯塔克。伯蒂娜和她的弟弟，以及来自尤蒂卡和格洛弗斯维尔等地的人。此外还有克莱德。不过，为了不让克莱德有闪失，或招人非议，事前她们说好，不仅桑德拉，而且还有伯蒂娜。杰尔。

格特鲁德，都要对他殷勤招待，照顾周到。她们务必要使克莱德跳舞时每次都有伴儿，而且，不管是进晚餐也好，还是跳舞也好，决不让他孤零零一个人，而是很有技巧地挨个儿轮流款待他，直至晚会结束为止。经过这样安排，其他人就可能对他感到兴趣。这样，外界不但不会流言蜚语，说莱柯格斯上流社会里只有桑德拉一人对他相敬如宾，而且还能使吉尔伯特……如果先不说贝拉和格里菲思家里其他人……心里加倍难受。

于是，这事便按计划进行了。

十二月初一个傍晚……即在他跟桑德拉不期而遇过了约莫两个礼拜……克莱德从厂里回来，一看见他柜子上靠着镜子竖着一个乳白色信封，心里大吃一惊。字迹很粗，很潦草，是陌生人写的。他拿了起来，翻过来看看，还是闹不明白是从哪儿寄来的。背面是Ｂ．Ｔ．或Ｊ．Ｔ．的缩写字体……他还是看不清楚:

因为这些花体字母如此令人费解地缠在一起。他撕开信封，抽出来一份请柬，全文如下:

兹定于十二月四日(星期四)不定期俱乐部假座威克吉大街１３５号道格拉斯。特朗布尔寓所举行首次冬季聚餐舞会恭请光临，并祈赐复杰尔。特朗布尔小姐背后字迹，如同信封上一样乱涂，写道:

亲爱的格里菲思先生:

我想也许您会来的。这儿一切都不拘形式的。相信您一定喜欢。如同意，请告知杰尔。特朗布尔!

桑德拉。芬奇利克莱德简直惊喜交集，伫立在那里看信。因为，他第二次跟她见面以后，比过去更加想入非非，梦想将来总有办法摆脱目前自己卑微的地位，跻身于上流社会。是的，眼前这种碌碌无为的环境，依他看，是跟他这个人极不相称的。

如今果然时运来了……"不定期俱乐部"发来了请柬，这个俱乐部尽管他以前从没有听说过，但肯定是有来头的，因为入会的都是这些了不起的人物。而且，在请柬背后，不就是桑德拉的手迹吗?

实在太妙了!

他是那样大吃一惊，委实掩饰不住自己心里的高兴劲儿，马上就在房间里踱来踱去，一会儿对着镜子左顾右盼，一会儿洗手又洗脸，一会儿觉得领带也许不太合意，换上一条……继而想到这次他应该穿什么样的衣服，一会儿又回想起上次桑德拉怎样望着他的一颦一笑。同时，即便在眼前这个时刻，他心里还不禁纳闷，要是罗伯达有特别的视觉能力，目睹他一看到这份请柬就乐成这副样儿，又会作何感想呢。当然罗，因为现在他再也不受他父母的传统观念的束缚，所以对待她的态度也就变化了，她要是知道他现在这种想法，心里肯定非常痛苦。尽管他想到这里，连自己都困惑不解，但怎么也改变不了他对桑德拉的万种思绪。

那个多了不起的姑娘!

那个美人儿!

还有她置身于其中的那个有钱有势的上流社会啊!

他对这一切的想法，都是与生俱有的异端邪说，跟传统格格不入，因此竟然一本正经地反射自问道:

既然一想起桑德拉就能使他心中获得更大快感，那他为什么不能将自己一腔情思从罗伯达转移到桑德拉身上呢。谅想罗伯达也不会知道。她怎么都看不透他的心思。她不会知道这种意外变故，除非他自己告诉她。当然罗，他压根儿不想告诉她。他又反躬自问:

象他这么一个穷小子，一心想往上爬，有什么不好呢?

不是也有跟他一样的穷小子，照样跟桑德拉那样有钱的小姐结婚吗?

尽管他跟罗伯达之间发生了这么多的事情，至今他仍记忆犹新，他从没有说过要娶她，他要娶她，恐怕只是在某种情况之下。可是这种情况，他心里想，特别是因为他在堪萨斯城早已学到了乖巧，现在也就不见得会发生了。

如今桑德拉突然再出现在他面前，却又激活了他那狂热的幻想。这一尊金光闪闪的女神，原是完全使他心旌动摇，此刻却降尊纡贵，以公开直接的方式念叨他，建议把他也请来。毫无疑问，她本人也将到场。他一想到这里，简直就乐不可支了。

既然吉尔伯特和格里菲思一家人肯定会听说他这次赴会的事，那他们又会作何感想呢?

他们要是在桑德拉邀他去别处赴会时碰见他，又会作何感想呢?

哦，只要想一想!

那会使他们恼火呢，还是高兴?

使他们觉得他更好呢，还是更坏?

归根到底，这事当然跟他完全无关。正式邀请他的，正是在莱柯格斯身份地位跟格里菲思一家人相同的人(对于他们，格里菲思一家人显然也不能不表示尊敬)，可不是吗?

而且，那不是由于他耍了花招，而是一切纯属偶然，这些事实当然不能说明他是强求得到的。至于人际关系的细微差异，固然他历来不善于识别，但此刻他心里带点儿挖苦地暗自喜悦:

现在吉尔伯特与格里菲思一家人，不管愿意不愿意，可能不得不看重他了……甚至说不定请他到他们府上作客去。事实上，只要别人邀请了他，他们作为亲戚，怎能把他赶走呢?

哦，这真让人高兴!

而且，也不管吉尔伯特对他是多么瞧不起。他一想到这里，差点儿格格大笑。

他觉得尽管吉尔伯特会有反感，可他伯父与麦拉未必会不高兴吧。因此，他也没有什么可害怕的，即使吉尔伯特暗中为此向他进行报复。

这次邀请该有多妙啊!

桑德拉要不是对他感到有一点儿兴趣，干吗还给他偷偷地乱写一通呢?

为了什么呢?

这个想法使他如此激动不已，连当天晚饭差点儿都没吃好。他拿起请柬，亲吻着桑德拉那些字迹。可他并没有象往日里那样上罗伯达那儿去。他决定要象头一次同她重逢前一样，只是先去溜达一会儿，然后回到自己房间，早点睡觉。明天一早，他照例找个借口……说他上格里菲思家或是厂里某某负责人家去，听取有关工作的汇报，反正这类会议倒是常有的。

因此，今儿晚上他压根儿不想去看罗伯达或是跟她聊聊天了。这些他可办不到。

可是继而一想到桑德拉以及她对他感到兴趣……委实也太诱人了。
Part 2 Chapter 25
But in the interim, in connection with his relations with Roberta no least reference to Sondra, although, evenwhen near her in the factory or her room, he could not keep his thoughts from wandering away to where Sondrain her imaginary high social world might be. The while Roberta, at moments only sensing a drift and remotenessin his thought and attitude which had nothing to do with her, was wondering what it was that of late wasbeginning to occupy him so completely. And he, in his turn, when she was not looking was thinking-supposing?--supposing--(since she had troubled to recall herself to him), that he could interest a girl like Sondrain him? What then of Roberta? What? And in the face of this intimate relation that had now been establishedbetween them? (Goodness! The deuce!) And that he did care for her (yes, he did), although now--basking in thedirect rays of this newer luminary--he could scarcely see Roberta any longer, so strong were the actinic rays ofthis other. Was he all wrong? Was it evil to be like this? His mother would say so! And his father too--andperhaps everybody who thought right about life--Sondra Finchley, maybe--the Griffiths-- all.
　　And yet! And yet! It was snowing the first light snow of the year as Clyde, arrayed in a new collapsible silk hatand white silk muffler, both suggested by a friendly haberdasher--Orrin Short, with whom recently he had comein contact here--and a new silk umbrella wherewith to protect himself from the snow, made his way toward thevery interesting, if not so very imposing residence of the Trumbulls on Wykeagy Avenue. It was quaint, low andrambling, and the lights beaming from within upon the many drawn blinds gave it a Christmas-card effect. Andbefore it, even at the prompt hour at which he arrived, were ranged a half dozen handsome cars of various buildsand colors. The sight of them, sprinkled on tops, running boards and fenders with the fresh, flaky snow, gave hima keen sense of a deficiency that was not likely soon to be remedied in his case--the want of ample meanswherewith to equip himself with such a necessity as that. And inside as he approached the door he could hearvoices, laughter and conversation commingled.
　　A tall, thin servant relieved him of his hat, coat and umbrella and he found himself face to face with JillTrumbull, who apparently was on the look-out for him--a smooth, curly-haired blonde girl, not too thrillinglypretty, but brisk and smart, in white satin with arms and shoulders bare and rhinestones banded around herforehead.
　　"No trouble to tell who you are," she said gayly, approaching and giving Clyde her hand. "I'm Jill Trumbull.
　　Miss Finchley hasn't come yet. But I can do the honors just as well, I guess. Come right in where the rest of usare."She led the way into a series of connecting rooms that seemed to join each other at right angles, adding as shewent, "You do look an awful lot like Gil Griffiths, don't you?""Do I?" smiled Clyde simply and courageously and very much flattered by the comparison.
　　The ceilings were low. Pretty lamps behind painted shades hugged dark walls. Open fires in two connectingrooms cast a rosy glow upon cushioned and comfortable furniture. There were pictures, books, objects of art.
　　"Here, Tracy, you do the announcing, will you?" she called. "My brother, Tracy Trumbull, Mr. Griffiths. Mr.
　　Clyde Griffiths, everybody," she added, surveying the company in general which in turn fixed varying eyes uponhim, while Tracy Trumbull took him by the hand. Clyde, suffering from a sense of being studied, neverthelessachieved a warm smile. At the same time he realized that for the moment at least conversation had stopped.
　　"Don't all stop talking on my account," he ventured, with a smile, which caused most of those present to conceiveof him as at his ease and resourceful. At the same time Tracy added: "I'm not going to do any man-to-manintroduction stuff. We'll stand right here and point 'em out. That's my sister, Gertrude, over there talking to ScottNicholson." Clyde noted that a small, dark girl dressed in pink with a pretty and yet saucy and piquant face,nodded to him. And beside her a very de rigueur youth of fine physique and pink complexion nodded jerkily.
　　"Howja do." And a few feet from them near a deep window stood a tall and yet graceful girl of dark and by nomeans ravishing features talking to a broad-shouldered and deep-chested youth of less than her height, who wereproclaimed to be Arabella Stark and Frank Harriet. "They're arguing over a recent Cornell-Syracuse foot-ballgame . . . Burchard Taylor and Miss Phant of Utica," he went on almost too swiftly for Clyde to assemble anymental notes. "Perley Haynes and Miss Vanda Steele . . . well, I guess that's all as yet. Oh, no, here come Grantand Nina Temple." Clyde paused and gazed as a tall and somewhat dandified-looking youth, sharp of face andwith murky-gray eyes, steered a trim, young, plump girl in fawn gray and with a light chestnut braid of hair laidcarefully above her forehead, into the middle of the room.
　　"Hello, Jill. Hello, Vanda. Hello, Wynette." In the midst of these greetings on his part, Clyde was presented tothese two, neither of whom seemed to pay much attention to him. "Didn't think we'd make it," went on youngCranston speaking to all at once. "Nina didn't want to come, but I promised Bertine and Jill or I wouldn't have,either. We were up at the Bagleys'. Guess who's up there, Scott. Van Peterson and Rhoda Hull. They're just overfor the day.""You don't say," called Scott Nicholson, a determined and self-centered looking individual. Clyde was arrestedby the very definite sense of social security and ease that seemed to reside in everybody. "Why didn't you bring'em along? I'd like to see Rhoda again and Van, too.""Couldn't. They have to go back early, they say. They may stop in later for a minute. Gee, isn't dinner served yet?
　　I expected to sit right down.""These lawyers! Don't you know they don't eat often?" commented Frank Harriet, who was a short, but broad chested and smiling youth, very agreeable, very good-looking and with even, white teeth. Clyde liked him.
　　"Well, whether they do or not, we do, or out I go. Did you hear who is being touted for stroke next year over atCornell?" This college chatter relating to Cornell and shared by Harriet, Cranston and others, Clyde could notunderstand. He had scarcely heard of the various colleges with which this group was all too familiar. At the sametime he was wise enough to sense the defect and steer clear of any questions or conversations which might relateto them. However, because of this, he at once felt out of it. These people were better informed than he was--hadbeen to colleges. Perhaps he had better claim that he had been to some school. In Kansas City he had heard of theState University of Kansas--not so very far from there. Also the University of Missouri. And in Chicago of theUniversity of Chicago. Could he say that he had been to one of those--that Kansas one, for a little while,anyway? On the instant he proposed to claim it, if asked, and then look up afterwards what, if anything, he wassupposed to know about it--what, for instance, he might have studied. He had heard of mathematics somewhere.
　　Why not that?
　　But these people, as he could see, were too much interested in themselves to pay much attention to him now. Hemight be a Griffiths and important to some outside, but here not so much--a matter of course, as it were. Andbecause Tracy Trumbull for the moment had turned to say something to Wynette Phant, he felt quite alone,beached and helpless and with no one to talk to. But just then the small, dark girl, Gertrude, came over to him.
　　"The crowd's a little late in getting together. It always is. If we said eight, they'd come at eight-thirty or nine. Isn'tthat always the way?""It certainly is," replied Clyde gratefully, endeavoring to appear as brisk and as much at ease as possible.
　　"I'm Gertrude Trumbull," she repeated. "The sister of the good-looking Jill," a cynical and yet amused smileplayed about her mouth and eyes. "You nodded to me, but you don't know me. Just the same we've been hearinga lot about you." She teased in an attempt to trouble Clyde a little, if possible. "A mysterious Griffiths here inLycurgus whom no one seems to have met. I saw you once in Central Avenue, though. You were going intoRich's candy store. You didn't know that, though. Do you like candy?""Oh, yes, I like candy. Why?" asked Clyde on the instant feeling teased and disturbed, since the girl for whom hewas buying the candy was Roberta. At the same time he could not help feeling slightly more at ease with this girlthan with some others, for although cynical and not so attractive, her manner was genial and she now spelledescape from isolation and hence diffidence.
　　"You're probably just saying that," she laughed, a bantering look in her eyes. "More likely you were buying it forsome girl. You have a girl, haven't you?""Why--" Clyde paused for the fraction of a second because as she asked this Roberta came into his mind and thequery, "Had any one ever seen him with Roberta?" flitted through his brain. Also thinking at the same time, whata bold, teasing, intelligent girl this was, different from any that thus far he had known. Yet quite without morepause he added: "No, I haven't. What makes you ask that?"As he said this there came to him the thought of what Roberta would think if she could hear him. "But what a question," he continued a little nervously now. "You like to tease, don't you?""Who, me? Oh, no. I wouldn't do anything like that. But I'm sure you have just the same. I like to ask questionssometimes, just to see what people will say when they don't want you to know what they really think." Shebeamed into Clyde's eyes amusedly and defiantly. "But I know you have a girl just the same. All good-lookingfellows have.""Oh, am I good-looking?" he beamed nervously, amused and yet pleased. "Who said so?""As though you didn't know. Well, different people. I for one. And Sondra Finchley thinks you're good-looking,too. She's only interested in men who are. So does my sister Jill, for that matter. And she only likes men who aregood-looking. I'm different because I'm not so good-looking myself." She blinked cynically and teasingly intohis eyes, which caused him to feel oddly out of place, not able to cope with such a girl at all, at the same timevery much flattered and amused. "But don't you think you're better looking than your cousin," she went onsharply and even commandingly. "Some people think you are."Although a little staggered and yet flattered by this question which propounded what he might have liked tobelieve, and although intrigued by this girl's interest in him, still Clyde would not have dreamed of venturing anysuch assertion even though he had believed it. Too vividly it brought the aggressive and determined and even attimes revengeful-looking features of Gilbert before him, who, stirred by such a report as this, would not hesitateto pay him out.
　　"Why, I don't think anything of the kind," he laughed. "Honest, I don't. Of course I don't.""Oh, well, then maybe you don't, but you are just the same. But that won't help you much either, unless you havemoney--that is, if you want to run with people who have." She looked up at him and added quite blandly. "Peoplelike money even more than they do looks."What a sharp girl this was, he thought, and what a hard, cold statement. It cut him not a little, even though shehad not intended that it should.
　　But just then Sondra herself entered with some youth whom Clyde did not know--a tall, gangling, but verysmartly-dressed individual. And after them, along with others, Bertine and Stuart Finchley.
　　"Here she is now," added Gertrude a little spitefully, for she resented the fact that Sondra was so much better-looking than either she or her sister, and that she had expressed an interest in Clyde. "She'll be looking to see ifyou notice how pretty she looks, so don't disappoint her."The impact of this remark, a reflection of the exact truth, was not necessary to cause Clyde to gaze attentively,and even eagerly. For apart from her local position and means and taste in dress and manners, Sondra was of theexact order and spirit that most intrigued him--a somewhat refined (and because of means and position showeredupon her) less savage, although scarcely less self-centered, Hortense Briggs. She was, in her small, intense way,a seeking Aphrodite, eager to prove to any who were sufficiently attractive the destroying power of her charm,while at the same time retaining her own personality and individuality free of any entangling alliance or compromise. However, for varying reasons which she could not quite explain to herself, Clyde appealed to her.
　　He might not be anything socially or financially, but he was interesting to her.
　　Hence she was now keen, first to see if he were present, next to be sure that he gained no hint that she had seenhim first, and lastly to act as grandly as possible for his benefit--a Hortensian procedure and type of thought thatwas exactly the thing best calculated to impress him. He gazed and there she was--tripping here and there in afilmy chiffon dance frock, shaded from palest yellow to deepest orange, which most enhanced her dark eyes andhair. And having exchanged a dozen or more "Oh, Hellos," and references with one and another to this, that andthe other local event, she at last condescended to evince awareness of his proximity.
　　"Oh, here you are. You decided to come after all. I wasn't sure whether you would think it worth while. You'vebeen introduced to everybody, of course?" She looked around as much as to say, that if he had not been shewould proceed to serve him in this way. The others, not so very much impressed by Clyde, were still not a littleinterested by the fact that she seemed so interested in him.
　　"Yes, I met nearly everybody, I think.""Except Freddie Sells. He came in with me just now. Here you are, Freddie," she called to a tall and slenderyouth, smooth of cheek and obviously becurled as to hair, who now came over and in his closely-fitting dresscoat looked down on Clyde about as a spring rooster might look down on a sparrow.
　　"This is Clyde Griffiths, I was telling you about, Fred," she began briskly. "Doesn't he look a lot like Gilbert?""Why, you do at that," exclaimed this amiable person, who seemed to be slightly troubled with weak eyes sincehe bent close. "I hear you're a cousin of Gil's. I know him well. We went through Princeton together. I used to beover here before I joined the General Electric over at Schenectady. But I'm around a good bit yet. You'reconnected with the factory, I suppose.""Yes, I am," said Clyde, who, before a youth of obviously so much more training and schooling than hepossessed, felt not a little reduced. He began to fear that this individual would try to talk to him about thingswhich he could not understand, things concerning which, having had no consecutive training of any kind, he hadnever been technically informed.
　　"In charge of some department, I suppose?""Yes, I am," said Clyde, cautiously and nervously.
　　"You know," went on Mr. Sells, briskly and interestingly, being of a commercial as well as technical turn, "I'vealways wondered just what, outside of money, there is to the collar business. Gil and I used to argue about thatwhen we were down at college. He used to try to tell me that there was some social importance to making anddistributing collars, giving polish and manner to people who wouldn't otherwise have them, if it weren't forcheap collars. I think he musta read that in a book somewhere. I always laughed at him."Clyde was about to attempt an answer, although already beyond his depth in regard to this. "Social importance."Just what did he mean by that--some deep, scientific information that he had acquired at college. He was saved anon-committal or totally uninformed answer by Sondra who, without thought or knowledge of the difficultywhich was then and there before him, exclaimed: "Oh, no arguments, Freddie. That's not interesting. Besides Iwant him to meet my brother and Bertine. You remember Miss Cranston. She was with me at your uncle's lastspring."Clyde turned, while Fred made the best of the rebuff by merely looking at Sondra, whom he admired so verymuch.
　　"Yes, of course," Clyde began, for he had been studying these two along with others. To him, apart from Sondra,Bertine seemed exceedingly attractive, though quite beyond his understanding also. Being involved, insincereand sly, she merely evoked in him a troubled sense of ineffectiveness, and hence uncertainty, in so far as herparticular world was concerned--no more.
　　"Oh, how do you do? It's nice to see you again," she drawled, the while her greenish-gray eyes went over him ina smiling and yet indifferent and quizzical way. She thought him attractive, but not nearly as shrewd and hard asshe would have preferred him to be. "You've been terribly busy with your work, I suppose. But now that you'vecome out once, I suppose we'll see more of you here and there.""Well, I hope so," he replied, showing his even teeth.
　　Her eyes seemed to be saying that she did not believe what she was saying and that he did not either, but that itwas necessary, possibly amusing, to say something of the sort.
　　And a related, though somewhat modified, version of this same type of treatment was accorded him by Stuart,Sondra's brother.
　　"Oh, how do you do. Glad to know you. My sister has just been telling me about you. Going to stay in Lycurguslong? Hope you do. We'll run into one another once in a while then, I suppose."Clyde was by no means so sure, but he admired the easy, shallow way in which Stuart laughed and showed hiseven white teeth--a quick, genial, indifferent laugh. Also the way in which he turned and laid hold of WynettePhant's white arm as she passed. "Wait a minute, Wyn. I want to ask you something." He was gone--into anotherroom--bending close to her and talking fast. And Clyde had noticed that his clothes were perfectly cut.
　　What a gay world, he thought. What a brisk world. And just then Jill Trumbull began calling, "Come on, people.
　　It's not my fault. The cook's mad about something and you're all late anyhow. We'll get it over with and thendance, eh?""You can sit between me and Miss Trumbull when she gets the rest of us seated," assured Sondra. "Won't that benice? And now you may take me in."She slipped a white arm under Clyde's and he felt as though he were slowly but surely being transported toparadise.

不过，在这过渡时期，他对罗伯达只字不提桑德拉，虽然哪怕是在厂里或是在她房间里，紧挨着她身旁的时候，他心中禁不住会想到桑德拉此刻也许又在跟上流社会人士如何应酬交际。罗伯达有时也感到他的思想和态度有些飘忽。

冷淡，好象一下子把她完全忘掉似的，于是，她就暗自纳闷，真不知道最近他为什么如此心事重重。可他呢，每当罗伯达不在看他的时候，心里就不断琢磨……假定说……假定说……(反正是桑德拉煞费苦心，让他不时回想起她来的)……假定说他真的使象桑德拉这么一个姑娘对他感到兴趣呢?

那时对罗伯达该怎么办?

怎么办?

要知道现在他们俩已是这样亲密无间呢!

(天哪!

真该死!

)说到罗伯达，他是喜欢她的(是的，他是很喜欢她的)，可现在，沐浴在这颗崭新的星辰的直接照耀之下，由于它的光化射线是如此强烈，他几乎再也看不见罗伯达了。难道说是他全错了吗?

这样做就会造孽了吗?

他母亲准定这么说的!

还有他父亲也会这么说的……也许每一个有正确的人生观的人都会这么说的……说不定包括桑德拉。芬奇利……也许还有格里菲思一家人……以及所有一切的人，全都会这么说的。

殊不知这年第一次下着一点小雪，克莱德戴着一顶新圆筒礼帽和一条洁白的丝围脖(这些都是他新结识的。一个名叫奥林。肖特的杂货店老板撺掇他买的，此人对他颇有好感)，手里还撑起一把新绸伞挡雪，径直朝着威克吉大街上特朗布尔家那幢虽然算不上很神气，可还是很有味儿的寓所走去。这幢房子怪矮的，布局又很凌乱，内部灯光照在拉下来的一块块窗帘上，仿佛就象圣诞卡似的。

即使他准时来到，此刻门前早已停了五六辆各种牌子。各种颜色的漂亮小汽车，纷纷扬扬的一片片雪花，都飘落到车顶上。脚踏板上。挡泥板上。他一看见这些汽车，就深感自己财力不足，而且看来一时恐怕还无法加以弥补……他毕竟没有足够的钱去置备类似小汽车这种必需品。他一走近门口，就听见里头一片说话声。欢笑声。

一个身材瘦长的仆人，把他的帽子。外套和绸伞接过去了。克莱德劈面就见到了显然在引颈等候他的杰尔。特朗布尔……她是一个温柔的。长着鬈曲的金发的碧眼姑娘，说不上美得令人黯然销魂，但是活泼。漂亮，穿一身白缎子连衣裙，袒裸着胳臂和肩膀，她前额上还用丝带束着一颗假钻石。

"不必自我介绍了吧，"她走过来跟克莱德握手时，高兴地说。"我叫杰尔。

特朗布尔。芬奇利小姐还没有到。不过，我想，反正我和她一样，也可以做东道主吧。里边请，大家几乎都在里头。"她领着他走过好几个似乎互成直角。连在一起的房间，一面走，一面找补着说:

"你长得活象吉尔。格里菲思，是吧?

""是真的吗?

"克莱德只是淡淡地一笑。这一对比，让他心里觉得怪美滋滋的。

这儿天花板很低。一盏盏漂亮的灯，透过彩绘灯罩将柔和的灯光投射到幽暗的墙壁上。两个连在一起的房间里，壁炉火苗正旺，给配有垫子的舒适的家具蒙上了一层攻瑰色的反光。房间里有画。有书，还有精美的小摆设。

"喂，特雷西，你先通报一声客人已到，好吗?

"她大声喊道。"我的兄弟，特雷西。特朗布尔，格里菲思先生。喂，各位来宾，这就是格里菲思先生，"她找补着说，举目环顾四周所有的人，他们也以不同的眼光直盯着他，这时特雷西。

特朗布尔正握住他的手。克莱德觉察到众人都在打量着他，不免有些别扭，但还得热情地报以一笑。与此同时，他发觉他们至少暂时中断了谈话。"请不要因为我，各位就中断了谈话，"他大胆地笑着说，让所有在场的人几乎都觉得他很是从容自若和随机应变。特雷西接下去说:

"我不给你挨个儿介绍了。我们都站在这儿，指给你看就得了。那边跟斯科特。尼科尔森说话的，就是我妹妹格特鲁德。"克莱德看到一个身材矮小。肌肤黝黑的姑娘，身穿纷红色套裙，长着一张漂亮。莽撞。够泼辣的脸蛋儿，正在向他点头。紧挨在她身旁的，是一个很有分寸的年轻人，身体结实，两颊透红，一个劲儿向克莱德点头。"你好。"离他们一两英尺，有一个深深的窗龛，旁边站着一位细高挑儿。举止娴雅的姑娘，长着一张黝黑而并不怎么太迷人的脸蛋儿，正在跟一位个子比她矮，但是肩膀宽阔。胸脯厚实的年轻人谈天。有人告诉克莱德，他们就是阿拉贝拉。斯塔克和弗兰克。哈里特。"他们正在就最近康奈尔。锡拉丘兹两大学这场足球赛抬杠呢……伯查德。泰勒和来自尤蒂卡的范特小姐。"他继续说道，说得简直太快，克莱德几乎什么都记不住。"珀利。海恩斯。范达。斯蒂尔小姐……得了，我看也都全了。哦，不，还有格兰特和尼娜。坦普尔这会儿刚到。"克莱德迟疑了一下，定神一看，只见一个身材高大。打扮得有点儿象纨子弟的年轻人，削尖的脸儿，灰溜溜的眼睛，挽着一位穿着齐整。体态丰盈的年轻姑娘(她身穿淡黄褐色衣服，额前经心在意地垂下一绺淡栗色的头发)，一块儿走到房间中央。

"你好，杰尔。你好，范达。你好，威南特，"他一面打招呼，一面向克莱德介绍这两位，可他们对克莱德好象都不怎么特别注意。"本来没想过我们也来得了，"年轻的克兰斯顿马上继续向大家说着。"尼娜不想来，可我答应过伯蒂娜和杰尔，要不然我也不来了。刚才我们到过巴格利家里。斯科特，你猜是谁在那里呀。范。彼得森和罗达。赫尔。他们总共只待了一天。""是真的吗?

"斯科特。尼科尔森大声说道，从他的外貌，一望可知，是一个意志坚决。颇有主见的人。这里人人身上显然都有一种无忧无虑的优越感，使克莱德大吃一惊。斯科特说:

"为什么你不把他们一块儿带来。我很想再见到罗达，还有范。""我可办不到。他们说还得早点回去。也许以后他们会上这儿待一会儿。哦，晚饭还没有开吗?

我可巴望一坐下来就吃晚饭。""这些律师啊!

难道说你不知道有时候他们根本吃不上饭的，"弗兰克。哈里特立时加以说明。他是一个身材矮小，可是胸脯很宽。笑容可掬的年轻人，显得很和蔼。很漂亮，而且还长着一口雪白。匀称的牙齿。克莱德挺喜欢他。

"得了，不管他们吃不吃，我们是要吃的，要不我就走了。你们听说过，有人正在秘密打听明年康奈尔划船比赛谁当指挥吗?

"有关康奈尔这种大学里常常絮絮不休的话题，哈里特。克兰斯顿等人都参加了，可是克莱德压根儿听不懂。

许许多多大学，对这拨年轻人来说，都是非常熟悉，可他几乎还很少听见过。

不过，他毕竟还有自知之明，深知自己这一缺点，凡是涉及有关大学的任何问题或是话题，他都尽量回避。但也正因为这一点，他顿时感到自己在这儿确实格格不入。这些年轻人知道得比他要多，而且都上过大学。本来最好他也来讲一讲自己进过哪一个学校呢。在堪萨斯城，他听说过堪萨斯州立大学……离城不很远。还有密苏里大学。在芝加哥，他还听说过芝加哥大学。他能不能说说自己进过其中的哪一所大学……比如说，堪萨斯州立大学，哪怕是就读时间很短，怎么样?

他转念一想，万一有人问起，他干脆这么说就得了。但接下去，怎么办呢?

要是有人突然问他，比方说，问他在那儿学过什么。反正他不知从哪儿听到过数学这个词儿，干吗不就说这一个呢?

幸好他一下子发觉，这些年轻人只是对他们自己太感兴趣了，因此对克莱德并不怎么理会。也许他作为格里菲思家族的一员，在外界某些人看来，说不定很有分量，可是在这儿，就算不上什么了……这看来也是理所当然的。这时正好特雷西。特朗布尔回过头去，跟威南特。范特说几句话，克莱德就觉得很孤零零的，好象被人抛弃了，露出无可奈何的神态，找不到人可以说话了。可是就在这当儿，那个身材矮小。肌肤黝黑的姑娘格特鲁德走到了他身旁。

"这拨人都是有点儿姗姗来迟。总是这样。要是说定八点，他们照例要八点半或是九点才到。还不总是老样子吗?

""是啊，那当然，"克莱德很感激地回答说，尽量显得活泼而一点儿也不拘束。

"我叫格特鲁德。特朗布尔，"她又作自我介绍说。"是漂亮的杰尔的妹妹。"一种讥讽而又逗人的微笑，从她的嘴边。眼里掠过。"你跟我点过头，可你并不认识我。不管怎么说，反正我们听人说起过你许多事情，"她故意嘲弄说，想要让克莱德露出一点儿窘态来。"莱柯格斯那儿出了一个神秘的格里菲思，此人仿佛谁都也没见过。不过，有一回，我在中央大道见过你。那时你正走进里奇糖果店。自然啦，你并不知道。你喜欢吃糖果吗?

""哦，是啊，我喜欢吃糖果。哦，怎么啦?

"克莱德问，他一下子发觉受人嘲弄而感到有点儿尴尬，因为他是给女朋友买糖果的，而这位女朋友就是罗伯达。

同时，他又不禁感到，倘若跟别人相比，跟这个姑娘在一起要来得稍微自然一些，尽管她喜欢嘲弄人，长得也并不很吸引人，可她的举止态度，却是乐乐呵呵，如今毕竟是她使他摆脱了孤单冷落的困境。

"也许你只是随便这么说说罢了，"她莞尔一笑说，眼里露出挑逗的神色。"多半是给哪一位姑娘买的吧。你有个女朋友，可不是吗?

""嗯……"克莱德沉吟了一会儿，因为她一问到这里时，他心里顿时想起了罗伯达，脑海里同时闪过了一个问号:

"莫不是有人见过他跟罗伯达在一起?

"但他同时又觉得眼前这个姑娘好泼辣，爱逗弄人，也挺聪明，跟他过去认识的哪一个姑娘都大不一样。不过，他迟疑并没有多久，就找补着说:

"不，我可没有。干吗你问这个问题?

"他嘴里说这句话，心里却在嘀咕:

罗伯达要是听见了，又会有怎么个想法。"可是这一问，你问得好怪，"他有些紧张不安地继续说。"你就喜欢逗弄人，可不是?

""谁呀?

是我?

哦，不。逗弄人这种事，我才不干呢。不过，反正我相信你还是有的。有时我喜欢提问题，无非是看看人家尽管不愿把真心话说出来，可嘴上又是怎么说一通的，"她直瞅着克莱德的眼睛，既逗笑，而又带一点挑衅地笑吟吟说。"不过，我知道你还是有女朋友的。凡是长得漂亮的小伙子都有。""哦，我长得漂亮吗?

"他不觉激动得笑了起来，感到挺好玩，可又是很得意扬扬。"这是谁说的?

""好象你自个儿还不知道似的。哦，各种各样的人都这么说。比方说，我就是一个。还有，桑德拉。芬奇利也认为你长得可漂亮呢。她只是对漂亮的小伙子才感兴趣。说到这件事，我姐姐杰尔也是这样。只有长得漂亮的小伙子，才叫她喜欢。可我不一样，因为我自个儿长得就不怎么漂亮，"她嘲弄地。逗人地冲他的眼睛直眨眼，一下子使他茫然不知所措。这么一位姑娘，他委实对付不了，同时，在她竭力恭维之下，却又觉得挺好玩。"不过，你是不是也认为自己长得比你堂兄更漂亮些，"她言词犀利，甚而至于武断地接下去说。"有些人觉得就是这样。"格特鲁德这一问，尽管他也巴不得自己相信确是事实，让他心里既感到美滋滋，但又不免有些惊愕。而且，让他更加好奇的是，这个姑娘居然对他也感兴趣。可是，哪怕克莱德对此深信无疑，却怎么也不敢把自己明确的看法说出来。想到这里，他眼前就栩栩如生地浮现出吉尔伯特那种咄咄逼人。坚决泼辣。

有时甚至面露凶色。力图报复的形象。吉尔伯特要是一听到这样的传闻，当然毫不迟疑地就要惩罚克莱德。

"哦，我可从没想过这样的事，"他哈哈大笑说。"说真的，可没想过。当然罗，我可没想过。""嘿，得了吧，就算你没想过吧，反正事实上你长得还是比他要漂亮。但这对你也帮不了什么大忙，除非你有钱……那就是说，如果你想要进入有钱人的上流社会的话，"她抬眼直望着他，语气相当温和地继续说，"人们爱钱，甚至胜过爱俊美的容貌。"好一个利害的姑娘啊，他暗自寻思，她这话该有多么冷酷无情……扎得他心痛如绞，哪怕她并不是存心要这样。

正在这时，桑德拉本人跟一个克莱德不认得的年轻人走了进来……此人是瘦高个儿，穿着打扮却很漂亮。跟在他们后面的，除了别人以外，还有伯蒂娜和斯图尔特。芬奇利。

"她来了，"格特鲁德带着一点轻蔑的口吻说，她之所以产生如此反感，就是因为桑德拉长得远比她姐妹俩漂亮，而且还表示对克莱德感兴趣。"这会儿她要看看你果真发觉了没有她长得很美，因此，你可千万别让她失望啊!

"这句话很有分量，说的固然是事实，但有些多余了，克莱德早就全神贯注，甚至急巴巴地直瞅着她。姑且不谈她在本地的社会地位。财富，以及服饰。举止如何高雅，桑德拉恰好是最能迷住他的这种类型的女人……也许就是霍丹斯。

布里格斯，只不过相比之下，她显得更加优雅(因为她有钱有势)，并不那么粗野，但同样也是以自我为中心。不过，从本质上说，她倒是一个热情奔放的小阿芙勒黛蒂(阿芙勒黛蒂是古希腊神话中爱与美的女神，相当于罗马的维纳斯女神。)，不管怎么样，她竭力要向每一个长得相当漂亮的男人，显示出她那姿色所具有毁灭性的魅力，同时，她还要保住自己的人格与个性，不受任何纠缠不休的婚约，或是姑息妥协的约束。可是，出于各种各样连自己都说不清楚的原因，克莱德倒是使她一见倾心。也许他根本谈不上什么有钱有势，但桑德拉却对他很喜欢。

因此，现在她恨不得马上了解清楚:

首先，他来了没有，其次，千万不能让他感觉到是她先看到他的，最后，还要竭尽全力去迷住他……正是霍丹斯那一套路数和想法，最能打动他的心。他目不转睛地直瞅着，她时不时来回走动，穿一身薄如蝉翼的跳舞衣裙，上面从最浅的淡黄色一直到最深的橘黄色，各种不同色彩，应有尽有，越发衬托出她那黑眼睛和黑头发的美。她跟人相互寒暄，说过十来次"你好"，又跟这人那人谈过这条那条本地要闻，直到最后，她才纡尊降贵地发觉原来克莱德就在旁边。

"哦，你就在这儿。说到底，你还是决定来了。至于你认为自己这次来究竟值得不值得，我可说不准了。当然罗，每个人都给你介绍过了吧?

"她举目环视四周，仿佛在说:

要是还没介绍过的话，她自己可以给他介绍。别人原先对克莱德印象并不怎么深，如今看来桑德拉对他很感兴趣，便使他们产生了莫大兴趣。

"是的，我想，差不多每个人我都见过面了。""除了弗雷迪。塞尔斯。他刚才跟我一块进来的。喂，弗雷迪，"她大声招呼一个身材瘦高的年轻人过来，此人脸颊柔软，头发显然卷曲过，身穿一套很合身的礼服，这时走了过来，低头俯看克莱德，就象一头小公鸡低头望着一只小麻雀。

"这一位是克莱德。格里菲思，刚才我跟你谈起过的，弗雷迪，"她很活泼地开始说道。"他长得是不是很象吉尔伯特?

""哦，长得真象!

"这个态度和蔼的人大声喊道。好象他的眼睛有点儿小毛病，因为他要俯身凑近克莱德，方才看得清楚。"听说你是吉尔伯特的堂弟。我对他很熟悉。我们是在普林斯顿(美国一著名大学。)一块念过书。我去谢内克塔迪的通用电气公司以前，老是上这儿来的。不过，现在我还是常常来。我说，你好象是在厂里工作，是吧?

""是的，我是在厂里工作，"克莱德回答说。在这个论文化教养显然大大超过他的年轻人面前，他觉得自己真是低人一等。他心里害怕此人会跟他谈到正是他一窍不通的事情，也就是由于他没有受过任何连贯教育因此从来没有听说过的那些专门技术问题。

"也许你主管一个部门，是吧?

""是的，我是主管一个部门的，"克莱德谨小慎微，而又紧张不安地说。

"告诉你，"塞尔斯先生对生意和技术问题很感兴趣，因此兴冲冲地继续说道。

"我一直纳闷，领子这个行业，当然罗，姑且先不谈赚钱问题，此外究竟还有什么好处。这个问题在大学里念书的时候，吉尔老是跟我抬杠。他常常要说服我，说制造和销售领子，是具有相当大的社会意义，可以使这样一些人(要不是领子价钱便宜，本来他们也就买不起的)温文尔雅，彬彬有礼。我想这肯定是他从哪一本书上看到的。我可老是笑话他。"克莱德正想不妨一试，给他一个回答，虽然这一切都已越出了他的知识范围。"社会意义"……塞尔斯到底要说明什么意思?

一定是他在大学里学到的什么高深的科学知识。如果说桑德拉不出来解了他的围，恐怕他的回答一定是含糊其词，或者完全是牛头不对马嘴;说实话，桑德拉既没有想到，也不会知道克莱德此时此地早已陷入窘境。桑德拉大声喊道:

"得了，别抬杠啦，弗雷迪。这可一点儿意思都没有。再说，我还要让他跟我的弟弟和伯蒂娜见见面呢。克兰斯顿小姐，你记得吧。今年春天，她跟我一块去过你伯父家的。"克莱德侧转脸来，弗雷迪碰了一鼻子灰，只是默默地瞅着桑德拉，说实话，他是非常爱慕她。

"是的，当然记得，"克莱德开始说话了，刚才他一直在仔细打量着他们这两个人。在他心目中，除了桑德拉以外，就数伯蒂娜显得特别动人，虽然他压根儿也不了解她。她这个人心境不外露，不真诚，而又诡谲，只是让他在她那个小圈子里诚惶诚恐地感到自己微不足道，因而忐忑不安……无非就是这样罢了。

"哦，你好吧?

又跟你见面了，很高兴，"她故意拖长调子说。她的那双灰绿色眼睛冲他全身上下打量着，同时向他投去一种含笑但又淡漠。古怪的目光。

她认为他长得很漂亮，不过，她倒是巴不得能看到他更加精明干练。"我想，你工作一定很多，忙得够呛吧。不过，如今你既然开始出来走动，我想，以后我们一定可以常常见面了。""是的，我也希望这样，"他回答时露出一口整齐匀称的牙齿。

她的那双眼睛似乎在说:

尽管她刚才说的话，连自己都不相信，同样他也不会相信，不过非得这样说不可，也许是逗着玩儿吧。

桑德拉的弟弟斯图尔特敷衍克莱德时所说的那一套，与刚才姐姐也是差不离，只不过词儿稍加改变罢了。

"哦，你好?

见到你，很高兴。刚才姐姐跟我谈起过你。打算长期待在莱柯格斯吧?

希望你长期待下去。我想，我们以后不时会见面吧。"克莱德对此却并不那么相信，不过，他很喜欢斯图尔特格格大笑时露出一口整齐匀称的洁白牙齿那种轻松。浅薄的神态……他笑得豪爽。愉快，但又无动于衷。他也很喜欢威南特。范特走过时斯图尔特一转过身来，就挽住她白净的胳臂那种派头。斯图尔特说:

"等一会儿，威(这是斯图尔特对威南特的昵称。)。

我有事要问你。"他跟她一块儿走进了另一个房间……他俯身紧挨着她，兴高采烈地谈开了。克莱德还发觉他的礼服做工讲究极了。

克莱德心想:

他们日子过得多么快活，多么生动活泼啊!

这时，杰尔。特朗布尔开始大声喊道:

"来吧，请各位就座。这可不能怪我呀。厨师正在发脾气呢，何况你们各位也都迟到了。我们吃完了，再跳跳舞，嗯?

""等特朗布尔小姐安排大家入座停当之后，你就不妨坐在我和特朗布尔小姐中间，"桑德拉郑重其事地说。"这样挺好，对吗?

现在，你就可以领我进餐厅去吧。"她把自己雪白的胳臂插在克莱德的胳膊底下。于是，他觉得自己好象慢慢悠悠地，可是稳稳当当地径直向天上乐园走去。
Part 2 Chapter 26
The dinner itself was chatter about a jumble of places, personalities, plans, most of which had nothing to do withanything that Clyde had personally contacted here. However, by reason of his own charm, he soon managed toovercome the sense of strangeness and hence indifference in some quarters, more particularly the young womenof the group who were interested by the fact that Sondra Finchley liked him. And Jill Trumbull, sitting besidehim, wanted to know where he came from, what his own home life and connections were like, why he haddecided to come to Lycurgus, questions which, interjected as they were between silly banter concerning differentgirls and their beaus, gave Clyde pause. He did not feel that he could admit the truth in connection with hisfamily at all. So he announced that his father conducted a hotel in Denver--not so very large, but still a hotel.
　　Also that he had come to Lycurgus because his uncle had suggested to him in Chicago that he come to learn thecollar business. He was not sure that he was wholly interested in it or that he would continue indefinitely unlessit proved worth while; rather he was trying to find out what it might mean to his future, a remark which causedSondra, who was also listening, as well as Jill, to whom it was addressed, to consider that in spite of all rumorsattributed to Gilbert, Clyde must possess some means and position to which, in case he did not do so well here,he could return.
　　This in itself was important, not only to Sondra and Jill, but to all the others. For, despite his looks and charmand family connections here, the thought that he was a mere nobody, seeking, as Constance Wynant hadreported, to attach himself to his cousin's family, was disquieting. One couldn't ever be anything much more thanfriendly with a moneyless clerk or pensioner, whatever his family connections, whereas if he had a little moneyand some local station elsewhere, the situation was entirely different.
　　And now Sondra, relieved by this and the fact that he was proving more acceptable than she had imagined hewould, was inclined to make more of him than she otherwise would have done.
　　"Are you going to let me dance with you after dinner?" was one of the first things he said to her, infringing on agenial smile given him in the midst of clatter concerning an approaching dance somewhere.
　　"Why, yes, of course, if you want me to," she replied, coquettishly, seeking to intrigue him into furtherromanticisms in regard to her.
　　"Just one?""How many do you want? There are a dozen boys here, you know. Did you get a program when you came in?""I didn't see any.""Never mind. After dinner you can get one. And you may put me down for three and eight. That will leave youroom for others." She smiled bewitchingly. "You have to be nice to everybody, you know.""Yes, I know." He was still looking at her. "But ever since I saw you at my uncle's last April, I've been wishing Imight see you again. I always look for your name in the papers."He looked at her seekingly and questioningly and in spite of herself, Sondra was captivated by this naiveconfession. Plainly he could not afford to go where or do what she did, but still he would trouble to follow hername and movements in print. She could not resist the desire to make something more of this.
　　"Oh, do you?" she added. "Isn't that nice? But what do you read about me?""That you were at Twelfth and Greenwood Lakes and up at Sharon for the swimming contests. I saw where youwent up to Paul Smith's, too. The papers here seemed to think you were interested in some one from SchroonLake and that you might be going to marry him.""Oh, did they? How silly. The papers here always say such silly things." Her tone implied that he might beintruding. He looked embarrassed. This softened her and after a moment she took up the conversation in theformer vein.
　　"Do you like to ride?" she asked sweetly and placatively.
　　"I never have. You know I never had much chance at that, but I always thought I could if I tried.""Of course, it's not hard. If you took a lesson or two you could, and," she added in a somewhat lower tone, "wemight go for a canter sometime. There are lots of horses in our stable that you would like, I'm sure."Clyde's hair-roots tingled anticipatorily. He was actually being invited by Sondra to ride with her sometime andhe could use one of her horses in the bargain.
　　"Oh, I would love that," he said. "That would be wonderful."The crowd was getting up from the table. Scarcely any one was interested in the dinner, because a chamberorchestra of four having arrived, the strains of a preliminary fox trot were already issuing from the adjacentliving room--a long, wide affair from which all obstructing furniture with the exception of wall chairs had beenremoved.
　　"You had better see about your program and your dance before all the others are gone," cautioned Sondra.
　　"Yes, I will right away," said Clyde, "but is two all I get with you?""Well, make it three, five and eight then, in the first half." She waved him gayly away and he hurried for a dancecard.
　　The dances were all of the eager fox-trotting type of the period with interpolations and variations according tothe moods and temperaments of the individual dancers. Having danced so much with Roberta during thepreceding month, Clyde was in excellent form and keyed to the breaking point by the thought that at last he was in social and even affectional contact with a girl as wonderful as Sondra.
　　And although wishing to seem courteous and interested in others with whom he was dancing, he was almostdizzied by passing contemplations of Sondra. She swayed so droopily and dreamily in the embrace of GrantCranston, the while without seeming to, looking in his direction when he was near, permitting him to sense howgraceful and romantic and poetic was her attitude toward all things--what a flower of life she really was. AndNina Temple, with whom he was now dancing for his benefit, just then observed: "She is graceful, isn't she?""Who?" asked Clyde, pretending an innocence he could not physically verify, for his cheek and forehead flushed.
　　"I don't know who you mean.""Don't you? Then what are you blushing for?"He had realized that he was blushing. And that his attempted escape was ridiculous. He turned, but just then themusic stopped and the dancers drifted away to their chairs. Sondra moved off with Grant Cranston and Clyde ledNina toward a cushioned seat in a window in the library.
　　And in connection with Bertine with whom he next danced, he found himself slightly flustered by the cool,cynical aloofness with which she accepted and entertained his attention. Her chief interest in Clyde was the factthat Sondra appeared to find him interesting.
　　"You do dance well, don't you? I suppose you must have done a lot of dancing before you came here--inChicago, wasn't it, or where?"She talked slowly and indifferently.
　　"I was in Chicago before I came here, but I didn't do so very much dancing. I had to work." He was thinking howsuch girls as she had everything, as contrasted with girls like Roberta, who had nothing. And yet, as he now feltin this instance, he liked Roberta better. She was sweeter and warmer and kinder--not so cold.
　　When the music started again with the sonorous melancholy of a single saxophone interjected at times, Sondracame over to him and placed her right hand in his left and allowed him to put his arm about her waist, an easy,genial and unembarrassed approach which, in the midst of Clyde's dream of her, was thrilling.
　　And then in her coquettish and artful way she smiled up in his eyes, a bland, deceptive and yet seeminglypromising smile, which caused his heart to beat faster and his throat to tighten. Some delicate perfume that shewas using thrilled in his nostrils as might have the fragrance of spring.
　　"Having a good time?""Yes--looking at you.""When there are so many other nice girls to look at?""Oh, there are no other girls as nice as you.""And I dance better than any other girl, and I'm much the best-looking of any other girl here. Now--I've said itall for you. Now what are you going to say?"She looked up at him teasingly, and Clyde realizing that he had a very different type to Roberta to deal with, waspuzzled and flushed.
　　"I see," he said, seriously. "Every fellow tells you that, so you don't want me to.""Oh, no, not every fellow." Sondra was at once intrigued and checkmated by the simplicity of his retort. "Thereare lots of people who don't think I'm very pretty.""Oh, don't they, though?" he returned quite gayly, for at once he saw that she was not making fun of him. Andyet he was almost afraid to venture another compliment. Instead he cast about for something else to say, andgoing back to the conversation at the table concerning riding and tennis, he now asked: "You like everything outof-doors and athletic, don't you?""Oh, do I?" was her quick and enthusiastic response. "There isn't anything I like as much, really. I'm just crazyabout riding, tennis, swimming, motor-boating, aqua-planing. You swim, don't you?""Oh, sure," said Clyde, grandly.
　　"Do you play tennis?""Well, I've just taken it up," he said, fearing to admit that he did not play at all.
　　"Oh, I just love tennis. We might play sometime together." Clyde's spirits were completely restored by this. Andtripping as lightly as dawn to the mournful strains of a popular love song, she went right on. "Bella Griffiths andStuart and Grant and I play fine doubles. We won nearly all the finals at Greenwood and Twelfth Lake lastsummer. And when it comes to aqua-planing and high diving you just ought to see me. We have the swiftestmotor- boat up at Twelfth Lake now--Stuart has. It can do sixty miles an hour."At once Clyde realized that he had hit upon the one subject that not only fascinated, but even excited her. For notonly did it involve outdoor exercise, in which obviously she reveled, but also the power to triumph and soachieve laurels in such phases of sport as most interested those with whom she was socially connected. Andlastly, although this was something which he did not so clearly realize until later, she was fairly dizzied by theopportunity all this provided for frequent changes of costume and hence social show, which was the one thingabove all others that did interest her. How she looked in a bathing suit--a riding or tennis or dancing orautomobile costume!
　　They danced on together, thrilled for the moment at least, by this mutual recognition of the identity and reality ofthis interest each felt for the other--a certain momentary warmth or enthusiasm which took the form of genial andseeking glances into each other's eyes, hints on the part of Sondra that, assuming that Clyde could fit himself athletically, financially and in other ways for such a world as this, it might be possible that he would be invitedhere and there by her; broad and for the moment self-deluding notions on his part that such could and would bethe case, while in reality just below the surface of his outward or seeming conviction and assurance ran a deepercurrent of self-distrust which showed as a decidedly eager and yet slightly mournful light in his eye, a certainvigor and assurance in his voice, which was nevertheless touched, had she been able to define it, with somethingthat was not assurance by any means.
　　"Oh, the dance is done," he said sadly.
　　"Let's try to make them encore," she said, applauding. The orchestra struck up a lively tune and they glided offtogether once more, dipping and swaying here and there--harmoniously abandoning themselves to the rhythm ofthe music--like two small chips being tossed about on a rough but friendly sea.
　　"Oh, I'm so glad to be with you again--to be dancing with you. It's so wonderful . . . Sondra.""But you mustn't call me that, you know. You don't know me well enough.""I mean Miss Finchley. But you're not going to be mad at me again, are you?"His face was very pale and sad again.
　　She noticed it.
　　"No. Was I mad at you? I wasn't really. I like you some . . . when you're not sentimental."The music stopped. The light tripping feet became walking ones.
　　"I'd like to see if it's still snowing outside, wouldn't you?" It was Sondra asking.
　　"Oh, yes. Let's go."Through the moving couples they hurried out a side-door to a world that was covered thick with soft, cottony,silent snow. The air was filled with it silently eddying down.

晚餐期间自始至终是闲扯淡，不外乎一大堆地名啊，人物啊，计划啊，多半跟克莱德个人毫无关系。可是，他却凭借自己的魅力，很快使周围某些人不再感到陌生，以及由此产生的冷漠态度;尤其是那些年轻的姑娘们对桑德拉。芬奇利喜欢他这件事很感兴趣。坐在他身边的杰尔。特朗布尔很想知道他是哪个地方的人，他家里的生活境况和亲友往来联系，以及他为什么决定到莱柯格斯来。以上这些问题，都是在令人可笑地嘲弄各式各样姑娘们和他们的求爱者时突然插入的，简直让克莱德茫然不知所措。他觉得千万不能把自己家庭境况和盘托出。所以就说他父亲在丹佛开一家旅馆……虽然不很大，但毕竟还是个旅馆吧。他自己到莱柯格斯来，就是因为他的伯父在芝加哥撺掇他上这儿来学做领子生意的。他对这一行是否真的感兴趣，以后是否继续干下去(除非是很合适)，现下连自己都还说不准。不过，他倒是很想弄明白这一个行当对他未来前途到底意味着什么。这一句话，使在旁侧耳倾听的桑德拉和他正在与之交谈的杰尔。

特朗布尔都作出了这么一个结论:

不管吉尔伯特造了那么多谣言，想必克莱德多少还是个有钱有势的人，万一他在这里不得意，照样可以回老家去。

这一点不仅对桑德拉和杰尔，而且对所有别人都是至关重要。因为，尽管克莱德长得很俊，又很吸引人，在这里还有显贵的亲戚，可在众人眼里，他仅仅是个小人物，据康斯坦斯。威南特说法，他只是竭尽全力，攀附他堂兄这一有名世家罢了。这样的说法确实令人不安。一个穷职员或是领养老金过活的人，哪怕他有好亲戚，最多不过是令人同情罢了。然而，他要是还有一点儿钱，在老家又有一定社会地位，那就完全是另一回事了。

现在桑德拉已考虑过这一点，又看到他比她原先想象中更要合意，心中得到不少宽慰，因此就乐意向他多献一点儿殷勤。

席间正谈到哪儿即将举行一次舞会，桑德拉和蔼地向他一笑，这时克莱德对她说:

"晚饭以后，我希望您会同意我跟您一块跳舞吗?

""怎么啦，哦，当然罗，如果你要跟我跳的话，"她撒娇地回答他，很想进一步勾引起他对她的一片痴情。

"只跳一次?

""你想跳多少次?

你知道，这儿有十几个年轻小伙子。你进来时拿了节目单没有?

""不，我什么都没有看见。""哦，别介意。吃过晚饭，你就可以拿到一份。第三个舞曲。第八个舞曲，你不妨跟我跳。这样，你还有时间可以跟别人跳，"她迷人地一笑。"你应该对每一个人都要殷勤，明白吗?

""当然罗，我明白，"他目不转睛地还在瞅着她。"可是，打从今年四月，我在伯父家见到了您以后，心里一直巴望能跟您再见面。我常常在各报寻摸您的芳名呢。"他露出恳求答复的神情，两眼直勾勾地望着她，桑德拉却情不自禁地被他这样天真的心里话所迷住了。凡是她去过的地方，或是她做过的事情，显而易见，他怎么也去不了，做不到，可他还是不厌其烦地在各报上跟踪寻摸她的芳名，以及有关她的全部动态。她禁不住也想跟他多谈谈这件事。

"哦，真的吗?

"她接下去说。"你心眼儿太好了，可不是吗?

不过，你看到过有关我的什么消息报道呢?

""是说您到过第十二号湖上和格林伍德湖上，还去沙伦湖参加游泳比赛。我还看到您上保罗。史密斯家的消息。这里各报好象都认为您对住在斯克隆湖的某某人很感兴趣，还说您也许打算跟此人结婚哩。""哦，难道是真的这么说吗?

多无聊。这里的报纸常报道这样无聊的消息。"听她的语气，克莱德明白刚才的话说过了头，便显得很窘。可这样一来，反而使桑德拉心平气和了。过了一会儿，她又兴冲冲象原先那样谈开了。

"你喜欢遛马吗?

"她亲昵而又抚慰地问道。

"我从没有遛过马。您知道，过去我从没有这样的机会，不过，我总觉得自己只要练一练就会了。，"当然罗，这可并不难。你只要练一两次，那时候，"她多少压低声音继续说，"我们就不妨一块儿慢慢遛马去。我们家马厩里有许多好马，我相信你一定喜欢。

"克莱德简直大喜过望，浑身激动无比。这就是说，桑德拉已经邀请他什么时候跟她一块遛马去，而且还答应可以骑她家的马。

"哦，我太高兴了，"他说。"这可太棒了。"这时大家都从餐桌旁站了起来。几乎谁都无心继续进餐了，因为四人室内乐队已到，隔壁小客厅里传来了开场的狐步舞曲的弦乐声……那个小客厅又长。

又宽，除了四壁周围椅子以外，所有碍手碍脚的家具通通都搬出去了。

"最好你先看看节目单，还得趁早请人跳舞呢，"桑德拉提醒他说。

"是的，我马上就看，"克莱德说。"可是，难道说您跟我总共就只跳两次?

""好吧，那就说定上半场跳第三个。第五个。第八个舞曲，"她乐呵呵地向他摆摆手走开了，于是，他就急冲冲去找舞会节目单。

大家跳的，都是那时节流行的。热情奔放的狐步型舞，舞侣们还可以按照自己的心境和脾性，相应加进去一点新的变化。这种舞上个月克莱德跟罗伯达一块跳过很多，因此今儿个他舞姿帅极了。他一想到自己终于跟桑德拉这么一个了不起的姑娘结识交往，甚至产生了感情，心里简直兴奋到了极点。

虽然他竭力想对所有跟他跳舞的姑娘们显出自己彬彬有礼。殷勤周到，可是，只要桑德拉在他脑际一闪过，他马上就头晕眼花了。桑德拉正被格兰特。

克兰斯顿搂抱着，如痴似醉地满场飞时，偶尔向他这边投去一个眼色，可又装出好象没看见的样子，让他意识到:

她对所有的一切总是那么优雅。浪漫。充满了诗意……她真是一朵艳丽的生命之花。正在这时跟他一块跳舞的尼娜。坦普尔对他说:

"瞧她真的是优雅极了，可不是?

""谁呀?

"克莱德开口问道，佯装不知道，殊不知欲盖弥彰:

因为他早已满脸通红了。"不知道你说的是哪一位?

""你不知道，那你又干吗脸红?

"这时他才知道自己脸红了，并且觉得自己企图避而不答，简直很可笑。他刚转过脸去，可就在这时，乐曲声戛然而止，舞侣们纷纷走向自己座位去了。

桑德拉跟格兰特。克兰斯顿一块走了。克莱德伴着尼娜朝图书室靠窗一张软椅走去。

下一个舞他就跟伯蒂娜一块跳。当他向她献殷勤时，她那种冷淡。讥诮。

超然的神态，让他感到有点慌了神。克莱德之所以引起她注意，不外乎因为桑德拉好象对他感兴趣罢了。

"你跳得真不赖，可不是吗?

我想你上这儿来以前一定跳过很多吧……是在芝加哥，可不是?

要不然还是在什么地方呢?

"她说话时，慢条斯理，不痛不痒的。

"我来这儿以前是在芝加哥，可我在那儿跳得并不怎么多。我还得上班工作哩。"这时他暗自揣摸:

象她这样的姑娘要啥就有啥，可是象罗伯达那样的姑娘，偏偏是一无所有。不过相比之下，此时此刻他觉得自己更喜欢罗伯达。她毕竟更可爱。更热情。更善良……而不是这么冷冰冰的。

乐曲声又开始了，偶尔夹杂着一支萨克斯管嘹亮而又忧郁的声调。这时，桑德拉走了过来，右手握住她的左手，让他搂住她的腰肢……这一切都很自然。

亲切。舒坦，使日日夜夜梦想着她的克莱德不由得心花怒放了。

她佯作撒娇地直瞅着他的眼睛，露出一种温柔的。诱人的，但又似有无限深情的微笑，使他心儿怦然乱跳，噪音发紧。她身上透出一股淡淡的香味，有如春天的芳香，沁入鼻内，使他顿时黯然销魂。

"玩得高兴吧?

""高兴……特别是在瞅着您的时候。""这儿可有这么多漂亮的姑娘，可供你欣赏呢!

""哦，可哪一个姑娘都比不上您漂亮。""而且，我跳得比哪一个姑娘都帅，而且，在这儿，就数我长得最漂亮。得了吧……你要说的，我替你全说了。那你还有什么要说的?

"她用挑逗的神态抬眼直望着他，克莱德感到跟她说话，若同罗伯达相比，简直迥然不同，因而茫然不知所措，唰地就脸红了。

"我明白了，"他一本正经地说。"原来每一个人都对您这么说的，所以您就用不着听我这么说了。""哦，不，并不是每一个人，"桑德拉一听到他干脆利索的回答，觉得既好奇，可又败下阵来了。"有好多人并不觉得我长得很漂亮。""哦，他们不觉得您漂亮吗?

"他乐呵呵地问，因为他立时觉察到，她这可不是跟他逗着玩儿的。但他还是不敢再向她说什么恭维话了。他赶紧另换话题，又回到席间提及遛马。打网球的题目上，便开口问:

"所有户外游戏和运动，你都喜欢，可不是?

""哦，哪有不喜欢的?

"她马上兴冲冲回答。"说实话，没有比这更喜欢的了。

遛马。打网球。游泳。乘汽艇。滑水板，我简直喜欢得快发疯了。你也游泳，是吧?

""哦，当然罗，"克莱德自豪地说。

"你打网球吗?

""哦，我才开始学，"他说。他不敢招认他自己根本不会打。

"哦，我就是喜欢打网球。什么时候我同你一块打网球玩玩。"克莱德听了以后，精神一下子全给提起来了。这时，桑德拉踩着一支流行情歌哀怨的节拍，跳得如同一缕晨曦那样轻轻袅袅，一面还在继续说道:

"贝拉。

格里菲思。斯图尔特。格兰特与我一块打起双打来可真带劲。今年夏天，在格林伍德湖。第十二号湖上，我们差不多获得全胜。至于滑水板与扎猛子，那你就该瞧我的呢。我们在第十二号湖就有一艘速度最快的汽艇……是斯图尔特的:

每小时可以开六十英里。"克莱德心里顿时明白:

他谈到的这个话题，不仅让她入了迷，甚至还使她感到无比兴奋。因为这不仅是她心爱的户外运动，而且，在她与之交往的朋友们最喜欢的那些体育运动中，她也都具有出奇制胜。从而稳取桂冠的本领。最后，还有一点(虽说这是他到头来才了解清楚的)，就是:

天底下她最感兴趣的，莫过于还可以借此机会，经常更换行头打扮，向众人眩耀，甚至连她自己都眼花缭乱。

瞧她身穿一件游泳衣。一套遛马的时候或是打网球。赴舞会。开汽车兜风时的装束，该有多帅!

他们俩一块继续跳下去，至少一时间彼此都感到情投意合，缠绵难分，因而心中激动不已，一种瞬间的热情或是狂喜表现于眉目传情，以及桑德拉作出的种种暗示之中，只要她这个圈子里的人认为克莱德在体育。财力等方面都已具备条件的话，也许她就会邀他一块上各处赴会去。克莱德心里想得也很宽，其实是一时欺骗自己，认为这些是有可能，而且一定会成为事实的。可是实际上，就在他貌似确信和自信的背后，却隐伏着一股根本不信任自己的心理潜流，从他眼里流露出一种急不可待。但又有些悲哀的神采，在他说话时相当坚定自信的声音里，要是桑德拉善于洞察的话，也可以发现带有远不是真正有自信的调子。

"哦，可惜跳完了，"他不高兴地说。

"就叫他们再来一个吧，"她一面说，一面拍手鼓掌。乐队马上奏起了一支轻快的曲子，他们就又一块婆娑起舞，完全陶醉于乐曲的节拍之中，有如两块小木片在波涛翻滚。但是招人喜爱的大海上来回起伏着。

"哦，我真高兴，又跟您在一块……跟您一块跳。这可真美……桑德拉。""但是你可不能这样称呼我，知道吧。你对我还不怎么熟呢。""我是说芬奇利小姐。不过，谅您总不会再对我生气吧，可不是?

"他脸色煞白，一下子又悲哀起来。

这一点却给她发觉了。

"不，难道说我对你生气了吗?

说真的，我可没有生气过。我……有点儿……喜欢你，在你不是情感冲动的时候。"乐曲一终了，轻盈的舞步随之变成了漫步。

"我想看一看是不是还在下雪，好不好?

"桑德拉开口问道。

"哦，好的。走吧。"他们急冲冲打从正在来回踱步的舞侣们身边挨挤过去，走出边门，来到了覆盖着轻柔。好似棉花一般的白雪的世界。只见一朵朵白雪寂寂无声地漫天际落下来。
Part 2 Chapter 27
The ensuing December days brought to Clyde some pleasing and yet complicating and disturbing developments.
　　For Sondra Finchley, having found him so agreeable an admirer of hers, was from the first inclined neither toforget nor neglect him. But, occupying the rather prominent social position which she did, she was at first ratherdubious as to how to proceed. For Clyde was too poor and decidedly too much ignored by the Griffithsthemselves, even, for her to risk any marked manifestation of interest in him.
　　And now, in addition to the primary motivating reason for all this--her desire to irritate Gilbert by being friendswith his cousin--there was another. She liked him. His charm and his reverence for her and her station flatteredand intrigued her. For hers was a temperament which required adulation in about the measure which Clydeprovided it--sincere and romantic adulation. And at the very same time he represented physical as well as mentalattributes which were agreeable to her--amorousness without the courage at the time, anyhow, to annoy her toomuch; reverence which yet included her as a very human being; a mental and physical animation which quitematched and companioned her own.
　　Hence it was decidedly a troublesome thought with Sondra how she was to proceed with Clyde without attractingtoo much attention and unfavorable comment to herself--a thought which kept her sly little brain going at nightsafter she had retired. However, those who had met him at the Trumbulls' were so much impressed by her interestin him that evening and the fact that he had proved so pleasing and affable, they in turn, the girls particularly,were satisfied that he was eligible enough.
　　And in consequence, two weeks later, Clyde, searching for inexpensive Christmas presents in Stark's for hismother, father, sisters, brother and Roberta, and encountering Jill Trumbull doing a little belated shoppingherself, was invited by her to attend a pre-Christmas dance that was to be given the next night by Vanda Steele ather home in Gloversville. Jill herself was going with Frank Harriet and she was not sure but that Sondra Finchleywould be there. Another engagement of some kind appeared to be in the way, but still she was intending to comeif she could. But her sister Gertrude would be glad to have him escort her--a very polite way of arranging forGertrude. Besides, as she knew, if Sondra heard that Clyde was to be there, this might induce her to desert herother engagement.
　　"Tracy will be glad to stop for you in time," she went on, "or--" she hesitated--"perhaps you'd like to come overfor dinner with us before we go. It'll be just the family, but we'd be delighted to have you. The dancing doesn'tbegin till eleven."The dance was for Friday night, and on that night Clyde had arranged to be with Roberta because on thefollowing day she was leaving for a three-day-over-Christmas holiday visit to her parents--the longest stretch oftime thus far she had spent away from him. And because, apart from his knowledge she had arranged to presenthim with a new fountain pen and Eversharp pencil, she had been most anxious that he should spend this lastevening with her, a fact which she had impressed upon him. And he, on his part, had intended to make use of thislast evening to surprise her with a white-and-black toilet set.
　　But now, so thrilled was he at the possibility of a reencounter with Sondra, he decided that he would cancel thislast evening engagement with Roberta, although not without some misgivings as to the difficulty as well as thedecency of it. For despite the fact that he was now so lured by Sondra, nevertheless he was still deeply interestedin Roberta and he did not like to grieve her in this way. She would look so disappointed, as he knew. Yet at thesame time so flattered and enthused was he by this sudden, if tardy, social development that he could not nowthink of refusing Jill. What? Neglect to visit the Steeles in Gloversville and in company with the Trumbulls andwithout any help from the Griffiths, either? It might be disloyal, cruel, treacherous to Roberta, but was he notlikely to meet Sondra?
　　In consequence he announced that he would go, but immediately afterwards decided that he must go round andexplain to Roberta, make some suitable excuse--that the Griffiths, for instance, had invited him for dinner. Thatwould be sufficiently overawing and compelling to her. But upon arriving, and finding her out, he decided toexplain the following morning at the factory--by note, if necessary. To make up for it he decided he mightpromise to accompany her as far as Fonda on Saturday and give her her present then.
　　But on Friday morning at the factory, instead of explaining to her with the seriousness and even emotionaldissatisfaction which would have governed him before, he now whispered: "I have to break that engagement tonight,honey. Been invited to my uncle's, and I have to go. And I'm not sure that I can get around afterwards. I'lltry if I get through in time. But I'll see you on the Fonda car to-morrow if I don't. I've got something I want togive you, so don't feel too bad. Just got word this morning or I'd have let you know. You're not going to feel bad,are you?" He looked at her as gloomily as possible in order to express his own sorrow over this.
　　But Roberta, her presents and her happy last evening with him put aside in this casual way, and for the first time,too, in this fashion, shook her head negatively, as if to say "Oh, no," but her spirits were heavily depressed andshe fell to wondering what this sudden desertion of her at this time might portend. For, up to this time, Clyde hadbeen attentiveness itself, concealing his recent contact with Sondra behind a veil of pretended, unmodifiedaffection which had, as yet, been sufficient to deceive her. It might be true, as he said, that an unescapableinvitation had come up which necessitated all this. But, oh, the happy evening she had planned! And now theywould not be together again for three whole days. She grieved dubiously at the factory and in her roomafterwards, thinking that Clyde might at least have suggested coming around to her room late, after his uncle'sdinner in order that she might give him the presents. But his eventual excuse made this day was that the dinnerwas likely to last too late. He could not be sure. They had talked of going somewhere else afterwards.
　　But meanwhile Clyde, having gone to the Trumbulls', and later to the Steeles', was flattered and reassured by aseries of developments such as a month before he would not have dreamed of anticipating. For at the Steeles' hewas promptly introduced to a score of personalities there who, finding him chaperoned by the Trumbulls andlearning that he was a Griffiths, as promptly invited him to affairs of their own--or hinted at events that were tocome to which he might be invited, so that at the close he found himself with cordial invitations to attend a NewYear's dance at the Vandams' in Gloversville, as well as a dinner and dance that was to be given Christmas Eveby the Harriets in Lycurgus, an affair to which Gilbert and his sister Bella, as well as Sondra, Bertine and otherswere invited.
　　And lastly, there was Sondra herself appearing on the scene at about midnight in company with Scott Nicholson,Freddie Sells and Bertine, at first pretending to be wholly unaware of his presence, yet deigning at last to greethim with an, "Oh, hello, I didn't expect to find you here." She was draped most alluringly in a deep red Spanishshawl. But Clyde could sense from the first that she was quite aware of his presence, and at the first availableopportunity he drew near to her and asked yearningly, "Aren't you going to dance with me at all?""Why, of course, if you want me to. I thought maybe you had forgotten me by now," she said mockingly.
　　"As though I'd be likely to forget you. The only reason I'm here to-night is because I thought I might see youagain. I haven't thought of any one or anything else since I saw you last."Indeed so infatuated was he with her ways and airs, that instead of being irritated by her pretended indifference,he was all the more attracted. And he now achieved an intensity which to her was quite compelling. His eyelidsnarrowed and his eyes lit with a blazing desire which was quite disturbing to see.
　　"My, but you can say the nicest things in the nicest way when you want to." She was toying with a large Spanishcomb in her hair for the moment and smiling. "And you say them just as though you meant them.""Do you mean to say that you don't believe me, Sondra," he inquired almost feverishly, this second use of hername thrilling her now as much as it did him. Although inclined to frown on so marked a presumption in hiscase, she let it pass because it was pleasing to her.
　　"Oh, yes, I do. Of course," she said a little dubiously, and for the first time nervously, where he was concerned.
　　She was beginning to find it a little hard to decipher her proper line of conduct in connection with him, whetherto repress him more or less. "But you must say now what dance you want. I see some one coming for me." Andshe held her small program up to him archly and intriguingly. "You may have the eleventh. That's the next afterthis.""Is that all?""Well, and the fourteenth, then, greedy," she laughed into Clyde's eyes, a laughing look which quite enslavedhim.
　　Subsequently learning from Frank Harriet in the course of a dance that Clyde had been invited to his house forChristmas Eve, as well as that Jessica Phant had invited him to Utica for New Year's Eve, she at once conceivedof him as slated for real success and decided that he was likely to prove less of a social burden than she hadfeared. He was charming--there was no doubt of it. And he was so devoted to her. In consequence, as she nowdecided, it might be entirely possible that some of these other girls, seeing him recognized by some of the bestpeople here and elsewhere, would become sufficiently interested, or drawn to him even, to wish to overcome hisdevotion to her. Being of a vain and presumptuous disposition herself, she decided that that should not be.
　　Hence, in the course of her second dance with Clyde, she said: "You've been invited to the Harriets' forChristmas Eve, haven't you?""Yes, and I owe it all to you, too," he exclaimed warmly. "Are you going to be there?""Oh, I'm awfully sorry. I am invited and I wish now that I was going. But you know I arranged some time ago togo over to Albany and then up to Saratoga for the holidays. I'm going to-morrow, but I'll be back before NewYear's. Some friends of Freddie's are giving a big affair over in Schenectady New Year's Eve, though. And yourcousin Bella and my brother Stuart and Grant and Bertine are going. If you'd like to go, you might go along withus over there."She had been about to say "me," but had changed it to "us." She was thinking that this would certainlydemonstrate her control over him to all those others, seeing that it nullified Miss Phant's invitation. And at onceClyde accepted, and with delight, since it would bring him in contact with her again.
　　At the same time he was astonished and almost aghast over the fact that in this casual and yet very intimate anddefinite way she was planning for him to reencounter Bella, who would at once carry the news of his going withher and these others to her family. And what would not that spell, seeing that even as yet the Griffiths had notinvited him anywhere--not even for Christmas? For although the fact of Clyde having been picked up by Sondrain her car as well as later, that he had been invited to the Now and Then, had come to their ears, still nothing hadbeen done. Gilbert Griffiths was wroth, his father and mother puzzled as to their proper course but remaininginactive nonetheless.
　　But the group, according to Sondra, might remain in Schenectady until the following morning, a fact which shedid not trouble to explain to Clyde at first. And by now he had forgotten that Roberta, having returned from herlong stay at Biltz by then, and having been deserted by him over Christmas, would most assuredly be expectinghim to spend New Year's Eve with her. That was a complication which was to dawn later. Now he only saw blissin Sandra's thought of him and at once eagerly and enthusiastically agreed.
　　"But you know," she said cautiously, "you mustn't pay so very much attention to me over there or here oranywhere or think anything of it, if I don't to you. I may not be able to see so very much of you if you do. I'll tellyou about that sometime. You see my father and mother are funny people. And so are some of my friends here.
　　But if you'll just be nice and sort of indifferent--you know--I may be able to see quite a little of you this winteryet. Do you see?"Thrilled beyond words by this confession, which came because of his too ardent approaches as he well knew, helooked at her eagerly and searchingly.
　　"But you care for me a little, then, don't you?" he half-demanded, half-pleaded, his eyes lit with that alluring lightwhich so fascinated her. And cautious and yet attracted, swayed sensually and emotionally and yet dubious as tothe wisdom of her course, Sondra replied: "Well, I'll tell you. I do and I don't. That is, I can't tell yet. I like you alot. Sometimes I think I like you more than others. You see we don't know each other very well yet. But you'llcome with me to Schenectady, though, won't you?""Oh, will I?""I'll write you more about that, or call you up. You have a telephone, haven't you?"He gave her the number.
　　"And if by any chance there's any change or I have to break the engagement, don't think anything of it. I'll seeyou later--somewhere, sure." She smiled and Clyde felt as though he were choking. The mere thought of herbeing so frank with him, and saying that she cared for him a lot, at times, was sufficient to cause him to almostreel with joy. To think that this beautiful girl was so anxious to include him in her life if she could--thiswonderful girl who was surrounded by so many friends and admirers from which she could take her pick.

十二月里还剩下的一些日子，给克莱德带来了一些令人高兴但又烦恼的复杂事态。桑德拉。芬奇利觉得，他作为一个爱慕她的人来说，她是很喜欢他的，一开头就不打算忘掉他，或是冷淡他。可是，由于她所处的社会地位相当显赫，下一步究竟该怎么办，确实让她煞费踌躇。要知道克莱德此人实在太穷，甚至连格里菲思一家人显然都瞧不起他，所以，她也就犯不着过分露骨地给他青睐。

桑德拉一开头喜欢克莱德，其动机主要就是:

她想通过自己同吉尔伯特的堂弟友好往来，好让吉尔伯特动火。除此以外，还有另一个原因。她喜欢他。瞧他长得是那么漂亮，而又崇拜她本人和她的地位，使她感到既得意，又好奇。

按照她的脾性，她需要的正是克莱德这样的奉承……真心诚意而又罗曼蒂克的奉承。同时，克莱德在形体上和智力上的特点，对她来说，正中下怀……他钟情于她，可又不敢过分惹她生气(反正至少目前是这样);他崇拜她，可又把她看做一个活人;他整个身心充满了活力，可以跟她匹配成为俦侣。

因此，今后如何继续跟克莱德交往，而又不太过分引人瞩目有损自己声名，确实使桑德拉伤脑筋。这个问题从她回家以后，每到夜晚，老是在她点子挺多的小脑袋里萦绕不去。不过，那天晚上在特朗布尔家见过克莱德的人，都有很深印象，看到桑德拉对他很感兴趣，同时，他的举止言谈也很招人喜欢，而且对人殷勤周到，因此，他们这些人，特别是姑娘们，也都乐于跟他酬应交往。

两星期以后，克莱德在斯塔克百货公司里给父母。弟妹和罗伯达选购价钱不太贵的圣诞节日礼物时，碰到了也来购物的杰尔。特朗布尔，她便邀请他去参加翌日晚上范达。斯蒂尔在格洛弗斯维尔家里举行的舞会。杰尔本人打算跟弗兰克。哈里特一块去，但是桑德拉。芬奇利去不去，她还说不准。仿佛还有人邀请她去别处赴会，不过只要能去，她还是想去的。杰尔又说，她妹妹格特鲁德要是由克莱德陪她一块去，就会感到很高兴……这是为格特鲁德配备男伴的一种恂恂有礼的方式。此外，她知道，桑德拉只要听说克莱德去，可能就把另一个约会放弃了。

"到时候特雷西乐意把车子拐过去接你的，"她继续说道，"要不然……"她迟疑半晌说，"我们临走以前，你上我们家吃晚饭，好不好?

别客气，全是我们家里人，反正我们是很欢迎你的。范达家舞会要到十一点钟才开始。"舞会定在星期五晚上，这天晚上克莱德事前就约定跟罗伯达在一起，因为转天她就要利用圣诞节三天假期，动身去看望父母……直至今日，她还没有那么长的时间离开过莱柯格斯。他也知道，她打算送给他一支新自来水笔和一支永久牌铅笔。此外，这个最后一晚，她心里真的巴不得能跟他在一起度过，事实上，她也不止一次地关照过他。至于他自己呢，也打算在这最后一晚，送她一套化妆用品，让她大吃一惊。

可是如今，他一想到可以跟桑德拉再次晤面，心中便喜不自胜，因此决定把最后一晚跟罗伯达的约会取消，虽然他对取消约会一事感到十分棘手和很不正当，也不是一点儿都不犯疑的。因为，尽管现在他被桑德拉迷住了，可是他对罗伯达依然一往情深，也不愿就这样使她伤心。他知道，那时她一定会非常失望。不过，与此同时，他对突如其来的(哪怕是姗姗来迟)上流社会的承认，还是扬扬自得，乐不可支，所以脑海里压根儿不会想到谢绝杰尔的邀请。怎么啦?

眼前是压根儿不靠格里菲思家帮助，而是跟特朗布尔兄妹一起去格洛弗斯维尔斯蒂尔家作客的机会，难道说就能熟视无睹吗?

这对罗伯达来说，也许是不免残酷。背叛不忠，但对他来说，岂不是又可以见到桑德拉了吗?

于是，他说他乐意去，不过心里马上就决定非得先到罗伯达那里去说明原委，编造一个合适的托词……比方说，格里菲思家请他去吃饭。这一下子就足以使她怔住了，难以反驳。不过，他到罗伯达住处时，发现她不在家。他便决定转天早上到厂里向她说明原因……必要时写个条子给她。为了事后抚慰她，他想不妨就答应星期六陪她去方达，到时候把礼物送给她。

可是，星期五上午在厂里，他并没有一本正经地向她解释清楚，甚至也没有显出早先那样老大不高兴的样子，仅仅是低声耳语道:

"亲爱的，今晚约会不得不取消了。伯父家请我去，我就非去不可。事后能不能再来，我还说不准。要是时间不算太晚，我就争取来。不过，万一来不了，明天我就在去方达的车上跟你碰面。我有些东西想送给你，因此，请你不要生气。要知道这个口信是今天早上才得到，要不然我早告诉你了。你可不会生气，可不是?

"他露出满脸愁容，两眼直望着她，竭力显示他心里也非常难过。

可是罗伯达不以为然地摇摇头，仿佛在说:

"哦，我可不会的。"她没想到自己本来打算送些小礼物给他，乐乐呵呵地跟他一块度过这最后一晚，结果却被他满不在乎地撇在一旁了，这还只是头一遭呢。她神情沮丧，暗自纳闷:

这时候突然把她抛弃，真不知道是什么前兆。因为直到现在为止，克莱德对她一直是体贴入微的。最近他跟桑德拉交往一事，因被他佯作一如既往的柔情蜜意所掩盖，早就把她蒙骗过去了。依他的说法，盛情难却，因而是万不得已的事，这也许是实话。可是，她那个朝也盼。暮也盼的夜晚呀!

他们将有整整三天再也不能待在一起了。在厂里也好，后来回到自己房间也好，她心里觉得很难过，暗自纳闷:

克莱德至少也得对她说在伯父家吃过晚饭后再来看她，好让她把那些礼物送给他呀。不过，他后来又推托说晚饭结束时可能太晚了，他说不准还有没有时间。他们谈起过晚饭后要到某个地方去的。

这时候，克莱德是先到特朗布尔家，再去斯蒂尔家的，到处受到人们垂青，这在一个月前他是怎么也梦想不到的，使他感到既得意，而又颇具信心。在斯蒂尔家，他一下子结识了许多头面人物。他们见他是由特朗布尔家里人陪来的，又是与格里菲思同姓，便赶紧邀请他上他们家叙一叙……或是暗示说不久如有聚会，也许要请他光临。最后，他不觉发现竭诚邀请他参加的，就有格洛弗斯维尔的范达姆家的新年舞会，以及莱柯格斯的哈里特家将在圣诞前夕举行的宴会和舞会(届时吉尔伯特和他的妹妹贝拉，还有桑德拉。伯蒂娜等人，都将应邀赴会)。

最后，大约到了午夜时分，桑德拉翩然而至，斯科特。尼科尔森。弗雷迪。

塞尔斯。伯蒂娜都是跟她一起来的。开头，她还佯装压根儿不知道他来，直到最后才纡尊降贵地向他寒暄道:

"哦，你好，我可没想到你在这儿呀。"她身披一块深红色西班牙围巾，特别诱人。不过，克莱德一开头就觉得她分明知道他也在这儿，所以只要一有机会，便来到她身边，无比爱慕地问:

"今晚您压根儿不高兴跟我一块跳吗?

""怎么啦，当然跳罗，只要你邀我跳的话。我还以为也许你早就把我给忘了，"她以嘲弄的口吻说道。

"我哪能忘得了您呢!

今天晚上我上这儿来，唯一目的就是巴不得也许又能跟您见面。自从上一次见到您以后，不论什么人，什么事，我都不去想了，就是一个劲儿想您啦。"说实话，他一下子被她的绰约丰姿给迷住了，对她佯装冷淡并不反感，相反却使他更加入迷了。现在，他那烈火似的真挚感情，差点儿把她征服了。他两眼几乎眯成了缝，闪现着一种炽热的欲念，简直使桑德拉心乱如麻。

"我的天哪，你可真会说最漂亮的话，"她整一整头上那一只个儿挺大的西班牙梳子，微笑着说。"而且还会说得跟真的一模一样。""您这是说您不相信我，桑德拉?

"他几乎发狂似的问。他又一次直呼她的名字，一下子让她和他心中都感到无限激动。虽然她本想斥责他太放肆，但她心里毕竟很欣赏，因而也就作罢了。

"哦，是的，我是这个意思，"她跟他说话头一回心里有一点儿犯疑了。现在她开始觉得，要使自己十分明确地对他保持恰当分寸，不免有点儿困难。"不过，你还得说说，哪一个舞你要跳。要知道有人来邀我了，"她俏皮而又迷人地把她那张小小的节目单给他看。"你不妨选第十一个舞曲。快啦，也就是下一个呗。""就这一曲?

""得了吧，那就再跳第十四个舞曲，如果说你还不过瘾的话，"她冲着克莱德的眼睛格格大笑，瞧她这一颦一笑，几乎把他征服了。

后来，她跟弗兰克。哈里特跳舞时听说他邀请克莱德上他家去一同欢度圣诞前夕，又得知杰西卡。范特请他除夕到尤蒂卡去。她马上觉得他注定获得真正成功，并且暗自思忖，他在上流社会应酬周旋时，显然不会象她当初担心那样成为赘疣了。他长得很吸引人……这是毫无疑问的。何况对她又是那么赤胆忠心。因此，她心里暗想，要是有哪个姑娘一看到各地名门世家都垂青于他，就对他温情脉脉，乃至于被他吸引住，恨不得夺去他对她的一片忠心，这是完全有可能的。她生来爱好虚荣，而又很傲慢，便决心不让这样的事情发生。因此，她第二次跟克莱德跳舞时，就开口问他:

"圣诞前夕，哈里特邀你去他家，可不是吗?

""是的，这也是托您的福，"他热乎乎地大声说。"您也去那儿?

""哦，我非常抱歉。他们是邀请我去的，我心里也巴不得去，可是，你知道，我有约在先，要去奥尔巴尼，然后再到萨拉托加去过节。明天我就动身，新年前赶回来。不过，弗雷迪有好几个朋友，打算在谢内克塔迪举行盛大的除夕晚会。你堂妹贝拉和我的弟弟斯图尔特，还有格兰特。伯蒂娜都准备去。你要是高兴，不妨跟我们一块去就得了。"原来她想说"跟我"，可一下子改成了"跟我们"。她心里琢磨，这么一改口，当然就向所有女友显示出自己有足够力量控制他，因为她们将看到克莱德就是为了桑德拉的缘故才拒不接受范特小姐的邀请。于是，克莱德马上一口应允，心里还感到很高兴，因为这样又可以跟她见面了。

不过，让他大吃一惊，几乎被怔住了的，就是说:

经她这么随随便便但又非常亲切。非常坚决地安排，他就又要跟贝拉碰头，而贝拉马上会把他跟桑德拉等女友一起玩儿的消息告知她的家里人。不知道那又会出什么事呢?

直至今日，格里菲思家始终没有请他去串门……甚至过圣诞节都没请过他。桑德拉让克莱德搭车一事，还有后来不定期俱乐部也邀请他的消息，尽管也传到格里菲思一家人耳朵里，可是他们并没有采取什么行动。吉尔伯特。格里菲思火冒三丈，他父母呢，因为不知道该怎么办才好，至今仍避而不谈。

然而，根据桑德拉的意思，他们一行人不妨在谢内克塔迪过一夜，这事她开头并没有详细告知克莱德。如今，他早已忘得一干二净:

罗伯达这时已从比尔茨度假回来了，既然过圣诞节时他让她孤身一人了，当然，她指望他能够跟她在一起欢度除夕。这个难题，他后来才想到，为时已晚了。此刻，他只是因为桑德拉关心他而感到幸福，心中就喜不自胜，马上一口答应了。

"不过你要知道，"她再三叮嘱他说，"不管到了哪个地方，要是我没有向你先作出表示的话，你万万不可对我显得过分殷勤，也不要见怪。要不然，也许我就没法跟你常常见面了。这事改天我再跟你谈。你要知道，我爸爸妈妈都怪得很。我这儿一些朋友，也是这样。可是，你只要表现得恰到好处，甚至不妨冷淡一些……明白吧……也许这一冬我还能跟你多见几次面。你明白了吗?

"这时，克莱德露出热切企求的神色直瞅着她，这些知心话让他欣喜若狂，甚至连言语也都无法形容。他明白，这些知心话是因为他心急如焚，她才说出来的。

"那末，您是有点儿疼我，可不是?

"他用又象是询问。又象是恳求的口吻说，眼里闪烁着诱人的光芒，竟然使她为之心醉神迷。这时，桑德拉一面是谨小慎微，一面又是销魂摄魄;一面是欲火中烧，一面又是吃不准自己该怎样表现才算是理智行事，她就只好回答说:

"得了，我就告诉你吧:

我是疼你的，可我又不是疼你的。这就是说，现在我心里还弄不清楚。我很喜欢你。有时候，我觉得就数你我最喜欢的了。你要明白:

我们彼此不太了解呗。可你毕竟会跟我一块去谢内克塔迪，是吧?

""哦，难道说我会不去吗?

""这件事我会写信详细告诉你，要不然，我打电话给你。你有电话，是吧?

"他把电话号码给了她。

"要是万一发生变化，或是我不得不取消约会，千万不要见怪。以后我会在别处跟你再见面，那是没有问题的，"她粲然一笑。克莱德觉得嗓子眼一下子哽住了似的。只要一想到她对他这么坦率，还说有时她很疼他的话，就足以使他乐得神魂颠倒了。只要想一想吧，这么一位美丽的姑娘……这么一个了不起的姑娘，被那么多的朋友和爱慕者所包围，本来她可以从他们里头随意挑选自己的意中人……如今她却恨不得尽可能把他纳入自己的生活圈子里去。
Part 2 Chapter 28
Six-thirty the following morning. And Clyde, after but a single hour's rest after his return from Gloversville,rising, his mind full of mixed and troubled thoughts as to how to readjust his affairs in connection with Roberta.
　　She was going to Biltz to-day. He had promised to go as far as Fonda. But now he did not want to go. Of coursehe would have to concoct some excuse. But what?
　　Fortunately the day before he had heard Whiggam tell Liggett there was to be a meeting of department headsafter closing hours in Smillie's office to-day, and that he was to be there. Nothing was said to Clyde, since hisdepartment was included in Liggett's, but now he decided that he could offer this as a reason and accordingly,about an hour before noon, he dropped a note on her desk which read:
　　"HONEY: Awfully sorry, but just told that I have to be at a meeting of department heads downstairs at three.
　　That means I can't go to Fonda with you, but will drop around to the room for a few minutes right after closing.
　　Have something I want to give you, so be sure and wait. But don't feel too bad. It can't be helped. See you surewhen you come back Wednesday.
　　"CLYDE."At first, since she could not read it at once, Roberta was pleased because she imagined it contained some furtherfavorable word about the afternoon. But on opening it in the ladies' rest room a few minutes afterwards, her facefell. Coupled as this was with the disappointment of the preceding evening, when Clyde had failed to appear,together with his manner of the morning which to her had seemed self-absorbed, if not exactly distant, she beganto wonder what it was that was bringing about this sudden change. Perhaps he could not avoid attending ameeting any more than he could avoid going to his uncle's when he was asked. But the day before, following hisword to her that he could not be with her that evening, his manner was gayer, less sober, than his supposedaffection in the face of her departure would warrant. After all he had known before that she was to be gone forthree days. He also knew that nothing weighed on her more than being absent from him any length of time.
　　At once her mood from one of hopefulness changed to one of deep depression--the blues. Life was always doingthings like this to her. Here it was--two days before Christmas, and now she would have to go to Biltz, wherethere was nothing much but such cheer as she could bring, and all by herself, and after scarcely a moment withhim. She returned to her bench, her face showing all the unhappiness that had suddenly overtaken her. Hermanner was listless and her movements indifferent--a change which Clyde noticed; but still, because of hissudden and desperate feeling for Sondra, he could not now bring himself to repent.
　　At one, the giant whistles of some of the neighboring factories sounding the Saturday closing hours, both he andRoberta betook themselves separately to her room. And he was thinking to himself as he went what to say now.
　　What to do? How in the face of this suddenly frosted and blanched affection to pretend an interest he did notfeel--how, indeed, continue with a relationship which now, as alive and vigorous as it might have been as little asfifteen days before, appeared exceedingly anemic and colorless. It would not do to say or indicate in any waythat he did not care for her any more--for that would be so decidedly cruel and might cause Roberta to say what?
　　Do what? And on the other hand, neither would it do, in the face of his longings and prospects in the direction ofSondra to continue in a type of approach and declaration that was not true or sound and that could only tend tomaintain things as they were. Impossible! Besides, at the first hint of reciprocal love on the part of Sondra, would he not be anxious and determined to desert Roberta if he could? And why not? As contrasted with one ofSondra's position and beauty, what had Roberta really to offer him? And would it be fair in one of her station andconsidering the connections and the possibilities that Sondra offered, for her to demand or assume that he shouldcontinue a deep and undivided interest in her as opposed to this other? That would not really be fair, would it?
　　It was thus that he continued to speculate while Roberta, preceding him to her room, was asking herself what wasthis now that had so suddenly come upon her--over Clyde--this sudden indifference, this willingness to break apre-Christmas date, and when she was about to leave for home and not to see him for three days and overChristmas, too, to make him not wish to ride with her even so far as Fonda. He might say that it was thatmeeting, but was it? She could have waited until four if necessary, but something in his manner had precludedthat--something distant and evasive. Oh, what did this all mean? And, so soon after the establishing of thisintimacy, which at first and up to now at least had seemed to be drawing them indivisibly together. Did it spell achange--danger to or the end even of their wonderful love dream? Oh, dear! And she had given him so much andnow his loyalty meant everything--her future--her life.
　　She stood in her room pondering this new problem as Clyde arrived, his Christmas package under his arm, butstill fixed in his determination to modify his present relationship with Roberta, if he could--yet, at the same timeanxious to put as inconsequential a face on the proceeding as possible.
　　"Gee, I'm awfully sorry about this, Bert," he began briskly, his manner a mixture of attempted gayety, sympathyand uncertainty. "I hadn't an idea until about a couple of hours ago that they were going to have this meeting. Butyou know how it is. You just can't get out of a thing like this. You're not going to feel too bad, are you?" Foralready, from her expression at the factory as well as here, he had gathered that her mood was of the darkest. "I'mglad I got the chance to bring this around to you, though," he added, handing the gift to her. "I meant to bring itaround last night only that other business came up. Gee, I'm sorry about the whole thing. Really, I am."Delighted as she might have been the night before if this gift had been given to her, Roberta now put the box onthe table, all the zest that might have been joined with it completely banished.
　　"Did you have a good time last night, dear?" she queried, curious as to the outcome of the event that had robbedher of him.
　　"Oh, pretty good," returned Clyde, anxious to put as deceptive a face as possible on the night that had meant somuch to him and spelled so much danger to her. "I thought I was just going over to my uncle's for dinner like Itold you. But after I got there I found that what they really wanted me for was to escort Bella and Myra over tosome doings in Gloversvile. There's a rich family over there, the Steeles--big glove people, you know. Well,anyhow, they were giving a dance and they wanted me to take them over because Gil couldn't go. But it wasn'tso very interesting. I was glad when it was all over." He used the names Bella, Myra and Gilbert as though theywere long and assured intimates of his--an intimacy which invariably impressed Roberta greatly.
　　"You didn't get through in time then to come around here, did you?""No, I didn't, 'cause I had to wait for the bunch to come back. I just couldn't get away. But aren't you going toopen your present?" he added, anxious to divert her thoughts from this desertion which he knew was preying on her mind.
　　She began to untie the ribbon that bound his gift, at the same time that her mind was riveted by the possibilitiesof the party which he had felt called upon to mention. What girls beside Bella and Myra had been there? Wasthere by any chance any girl outside of herself in whom he might have become recently interested? He wasalways talking about Sondra Finchley, Bertine Cranston and Jill Trumbull. Were they, by any chance, at thisparty?
　　"Who all were over there beside your cousins?" she suddenly asked.
　　"Oh, a lot of people that you don't know. Twenty or thirty from different places around here.""Any others from Lycurgus beside your cousins?" she persisted.
　　"Oh, a few. We picked up Jill Trumbull and her sister, because Bella wanted to. Arabella Stark and PerleyHaynes were already over there when we got there." He made no mention of Sondra or any of the others who sointerested him.
　　But because of the manner in saying it--something in the tone of his voice and flick of his eyes, the answer didnot satisfy Roberta. She was really intensely troubled by this new development, but did not feel that under thecircumstances it was wise to importune Clyde too much. He might resent it. After all he had always beenidentified with this world since ever she had known him. And she did not want him to feel that she wasattempting to assert any claims over him, though such was her true desire.
　　"I wanted so much to be with you last night to give you your present," she returned instead, as much to divert herown thoughts as to appeal to his regard for her. Clyde sensed the sorrow in her voice and as of old it appealed tohim, only now he could not and would not let it take hold of him as much as otherwise it might have.
　　"But you know how that was, Bert," he replied, with almost an air of bravado. "I just told you.""I know," she replied sadly and attempting to conceal the true mood that was dominating her. At the same timeshe was removing the paper and opening the lid to the case that contained her toilet set. And once opened, hermood changed slightly because never before had she possessed anything so valuable or original. "Oh, this isbeautiful, isn't it?" she exclaimed, interested for the moment in spite of herself. "I didn't expect anything like this.
　　My two little presents won't seem like very much now."She crossed over at once to get her gifts. Yet Clyde could see that although his gift was exceptional, still it wasnot sufficient to overcome the depression which his indifference had brought upon her. His continued love wasfar more vital than any present.
　　"You like it, do you?" he asked, eagerly hoping against hope that it would serve to divert her.
　　"Of course, dear," she replied, looking at it interestedly. "But mine won't seem so much," she added gloomily,and not a little depressed by the general outcome of all her plans. "But they'll be useful to you and you'll always have them near you, next your heart, where I want them to be."She handed over the small box which contained the metal Eversharp pencil and the silver ornamental fountainpen she had chosen for him because she fancied they would be useful to him in his work at the factory. Twoweeks before he would have taken her in his arms and sought to console her for the misery he was now causingher. But now he merely stood there wondering how, without seeming too distant, he could assuage her and yetnot enter upon the customary demonstrations. And in order so to do he burst into enthusiastic and yet somehowhollow words in regard to her present to him.
　　"Oh, gee, these are swell, honey, and just what I need. You certainly couldn't have given me anything that wouldcome in handier. I can use them all the time." He appeared to examine them with the utmost pleasure andafterwards fastened them in his pocket ready for use. Also, because for the moment she was before him sodowncast and wistful, epitomizing really all the lure of the old relationship, he put his arms around her andkissed her. She was winsome, no doubt of it. And then when she threw her arms around his neck and burst intotears, he held her close, saying that there was no cause for all this and that she would be back Wednesday and allwould be as before. At the same time he was thinking that this was not true, and how strange that was--seeingthat only so recently he had cared for her so much. It was amazing how another girl could divert him in this way.
　　And yet so it was. And although she might be thinking that he was still caring for her as he did before, he wasnot and never would again. And because of this he felt really sorry for her.
　　Something of this latest mood in him reached Roberta now, even as she listened to his words and felt hiscaresses. They failed to convey sincerity. His manner was too restless, his embraces too apathetic, his tonewithout real tenderness. Further proof as to this was added when, after a moment or two, he sought to disengagehimself and look at his watch, saying, "I guess I'll have to be going now, honey. It's twenty of three now and thatmeeting is for three. I wish I could ride over with you, but I'll see you when you get back."He bent down to kiss her but with Roberta sensing once and for all, this time, that his mood in regard to her wasdifferent, colder. He was interested and kind, but his thoughts were elsewhere--and at this particular season ofthe year, too--of all times. She tried to gather her strength and her self-respect together and did, in part--sayingrather coolly, and determinedly toward the last: "Well, I don't want you to be late, Clyde. You better hurry. But Idon't want to stay over there either later than Christmas night. Do you suppose if I come back early Christmasafternoon, you will come over here at all? I don't want to be late Wednesday for work.""Why, sure, of course, honey, I'll be around," replied Clyde genially and even wholeheartedly, seeing that he hadnothing else scheduled, that he knew of, for then, and would not so soon and boldly seek to evade her in thisfashion. "What time do you expect to get in?"The hour was to be eight and he decided that for that occasion, anyhow, a reunion would be acceptable. He drewout his watch again and saying, "I'll have to be going now, though," moved toward the door.
　　Nervous as to the significance of all this and concerned about the future, she now went over to him and seizinghis coat lapels and looking into his eyes, half-pleaded and half-demanded: "Now, this is sure for Christmas night,is it, Clyde? You won't make any other engagement this time, will you?""Oh, don't worry. You know me. You know I couldn't help that other, honey, but I'll be on hand Tuesday, sure,"he returned. And kissing her, he hurried out, feeling, perhaps, that he was not acting as wisely as he should, butnot seeing clearly how otherwise he was to do. A man couldn't break off with a girl as he was trying to do, or atleast might want to, without exercising some little tact or diplomacy, could he? There was no sense in that norany real skill, was there? There must be some other and better way than that, surely. At the same time histhoughts were already running forward to Sondra and New Year's Eve. He was going with her to Schenectady toa party and then he would have a chance to judge whether she was caring for him as much as she had seemed tothe night before.
　　After he had gone, Roberta turned in a rather lorn and weary way and looked out the window after him,wondering as to what her future with him was to be, if at all? Supposing now, for any reason, he should ceasecaring for her. She had given him so much. And her future was now dependent upon him, his continued regard.
　　Was he going to get tired of her now--not want to see her any more? Oh, how terrible that would be. What wouldshe--what could she do then? If only she had not given herself to him, yielded so easily and so soon upon hisdemand.
　　She gazed out of her window at the bare snow-powdered branches of the trees outside and sighed. The holidays!
　　And going away like this. Oh! Besides he was so high placed in this local society. And there were so manythings brighter and better than she could offer calling him.
　　She shook her head dubiously, surveyed her face in the mirror, put together the few presents and belongingswhich she was taking with her to her home, and departed.
转天早上六点半。克莱德从格洛弗斯维尔回来后才歇了个把钟头，一起身，就心乱如麻，真不知道怎样调整一下他跟罗伯达之间的关系。今天她要到比尔茨去了。他原先答应把她一直送到方达的。可现在他不想去了。当然罗，他就得编造一些借口呗。可是什么样的借口呢?

多亏前天他听到惠甘对利格特说，今天下班后要在斯米利办公室召集各部门负责人开会，届时利格特也应到会。虽然并没有通知克莱德开会，因为他这个部门只是附在利格特手下一部分。可是，他决定以要开会作为托词。于是，大约在正午前一个钟头，他在她桌上留下一张便条，全文如下:

亲爱的:

非常抱歉，刚通知我务必参加下午三点在楼下召开的各部门负责人的会议。那就是说，我不能跟你一块去方达了，不过，我下班后马上赶到你住处待上几分钟。我有一点东西要送给你，请你务必等我。不要太难过。我可实在没有办法。等你星期三回来，我一准来看你。

克莱德开头，罗伯达一看到便条，因为没有马上拆看，还很高兴，心里琢磨:

里头一定有什么好消息哩。可是几分钟后，她到女盥洗室把它一拆开，脸马上沉下来。姑且不谈这件事，克莱德昨天晚上就没有露面，今天早上又是那么茫然若失，甚至冷若冰霜，在她看来，如果说不上疏远，至少也是极端自私吧。她心里开始纳闷，到底为啥出现这样突然变化呢。说不定开会一事，他是非去不可的。正如他伯父家叫他去，他就不得不去一样。不过，如果说现在他知道她要走，而照旧爱她的话，那末，前天他对她说过那天晚上不能跟她在一起以后，恐怕就不能还是那么高兴和平静了。毕竟他知道她这一去就要三天时间。他也分明知道，她心里最难过的，就是离开他，不管时间长短。

她心中原是满怀希望，可现在一下子变成极度沮丧……无限忧愁。她一生中总是碰到这样不顺心的事。就说眼前吧……离圣诞节只有两天了，现在她就得动身去比尔茨了，那里一点儿乐趣都没有，全在指望她能不能带点好消息去，让大家乐一乐。如今看来她就得孤身一人上路，临走前连跟他多待一分钟也都不行。她回到自己的座位上，脸上露出突然遭到不幸的神色，没精打采，心不在焉……这一变化尽管克莱德也注意到了，可是，由于他突然丧心病狂地惦念着桑德拉，他心中实在也谈不上有一丁点儿悔恨之意。

下午一点钟，附近各厂巨大汽笛长鸣，告知人们星期六下班了……克莱德和罗伯达两人分开走，但是都来到了她的房间。他在路上一面走，一面心里在嘀咕，该说些什么呢。该怎么办?

当爱情突然变成冰冷。苍白，而且自己毫无情意时，该怎样佯装出一副温情脉脉的样子来……两人关系半个月前还是如火如荼，可如今已经骤然下降，显得惊人地黯然失色，又该怎样把它继续下去呢?

既不照实直说，也不能用任何方式向她表示，如今他再也不疼她了……因为这样不免太残酷，而且，谁知道，罗伯达对此又会作出什么样的回答?

或是作出什么样的行动来呢?

另一方面，如今他既然已把全部梦想和希望都寄托在桑德拉身上，那就不能再用一些甜言蜜语和虚情假意去抚慰罗伯达，因为这样做的结果，只能使他们原有关系照旧保持下去。那可要不得!

再说，既已初露端倪，暗示出桑德拉钟情于他，那他，当然罗，恨不得一下子就把罗伯达抛弃!

为什么他不会这样呢?

罗伯达真的能给他些什么呢?

难道说她能跟桑德拉的地位。美貌相比吗?

如果说罗伯达要求他，或是自以为他应该对她继续保持一种深挚。专一的爱情，而克莱德为了她拒绝了桑德拉所能给予他的种种关系和无限的前途，难道说这是公允的吗?

不，说实在的，这是不公允的。

一路上他心里就是这样揣摸着。可是比他早一脚踏进自己房间的罗伯达，心里也在反躬自问:

为什么克莱德突然对她这样冷淡?

这种突如其来的变故，到底是怎么一回事啊?

为什么他会在圣诞节前失约，那天晚上不来会面?

如今，当她马上就要动身回家时，为什么整整三天里，还包括圣诞节这一天，见他一面也见不到，他甚至连近在咫尺之间的方达都不愿陪她去。他自然会说因为要开会，这是真的为了要开会吗?

必要时，她可以等他，一直等到下午四点再动身，可她觉得这也很难，因为在他举止言谈之中……有些疏远与躲躲闪闪的味道。啊，这一切究竟意味着什么?

要知道他们之间这种关系，还是在不久前才建立啊。这种关系一开头，至少直到目前为止，好象要把他们不可分离地连在一起。难道说这一变化，预示着他们美妙的恋爱之梦将要遇到危险，甚至于破灭?

哦，老天哪!

她给了他那么多……如今，他的忠贞不渝，就是意味着一切……她的前途……她的生命。

她伫立在房间里，暗自思忖着这个新问题。这时克莱德来了，腋下夹着他要送给她的圣诞礼物，尽管心里还是毅然决然改变目前他跟罗伯达的关系，但是脸上却尽可能不露出异样的神色来。

"哦，我实在非常抱歉，伯特(罗伯达的昵称。)，"他兴冲冲地开了腔说，装出一副乐乐呵呵。富于同情，可又迟疑不决的样子。"我一点儿都不知道，直到两个钟头以前才来通知说要开这个会。不过，你会明白这样的事是常有的。就是想推也推不了的。亲爱的，你不会太难过吧?

"因为，他一看到她在此刻的脸色，以及她在厂里的神情，就知道她心里可难过极了。"幸亏我还有机会，能把这个东西捎给你，"他一面把礼物递给她，一面继续说下去。"我原想昨儿晚上带来的，只是因为有赴宴一事。哦，为了这件事，我总是感到非常抱歉。真的非常抱歉。

"要是在昨天晚上送给她，说不定她会多高兴呀，可是现在，罗伯达只是把礼盒往桌子上一撂，本来这件礼物也许会激起她的全部热情，此刻早已消失殆尽。

"亲爱的，昨儿晚上你过得很快活吗?

"她开口问，心里急急乎想知道把他从她身边夺走的这事具体细节。

"哦，满不错，"克莱德回答时，竭力装出满不在乎的样子，因为这一夜晚，对他来说是那么意味深长，可对她来说却将招致多大的危险。"我原以为只是到伯父家去吃晚饭，正如当时我对你所说那样。不料我一到了那儿，方才知道他们实际上要我陪贝拉和麦拉去格洛弗斯维尔赴会呢。那儿有一户巨富人家……斯蒂尔家……是开手套厂的大老板，你知道吧。哦，反正他们要开个舞会，他们就是要我陪她们一块去，因为吉尔去不了。不过到了那儿并不觉得特别有趣。

我很高兴这舞会好歹结束了。"他提到贝拉。麦拉。吉尔伯特时都是直呼其名，仿佛是他叫惯了似的……他跟格里菲思家这种亲密的关系，一定给罗伯达留下了深刻印象。

"那你就不好早点走，上这儿来看我呢?

""不，我可走不了，因为我得等她们，跟这一拨人一块回来。我就是脱身不开呀。哦，难道你还不想把礼物打开看一看?

"他找补着说，恨不得把她的心思从他昨晚失约一事岔开。他知道:

她一想到这件事，就很伤心。

她开始把礼物的缎带解开，心里却在琢磨，他不得不提到的舞会，究竟还有什么事。除了贝拉和麦拉以外，还有哪些姑娘也参加斯蒂尔家舞会?

除了她自己以外，最近他会不会爱上别的姑娘，并且还跟这个姑娘在那里见面呢?

他动不动就讲到桑德拉。芬奇利。伯蒂娜。克兰斯顿。杰尔。特朗布尔。也许她们也参加了这次舞会呢?

"除了你的堂妹以外，还有谁赴会?

"她突然开口问。

"哦，有好多人你可不认得的。附近各地来了二三十个人。""除了你堂妹以外，还有什么人是从莱柯格斯来的?

"她一个劲儿追问。

"哦，有好几个。我们跟杰尔。特朗布尔她们姐妹俩一块去的，因为这是贝拉的意思。我们一到那儿，阿拉贝拉。斯塔克。珀利。海恩斯早已在那儿了。"他就是只字不提桑德拉，或是其他对他很感兴趣的人。

可是瞧他说话时那种神色，他的语气和目光里都让人觉得有些异样的东西。

因此，他这个回答并不能使罗伯达感到满意。她虽然对这一新的事态发展的确深感不安，但是，要在眼前继续盘问克莱德，她觉得也不太合适。也许他会恼火的。毕竟从她认识他以来，他总是和这些上流社会的人连在一起。可她并不希望他会猜疑，好象她企图有权控制他，尽管她内心深处确是这么想的。

"昨天晚上，我可巴不得跟你在一起，好把礼物送给你，"她改换口气回答说，一来是想驱散自己的忡忡忧心，二来是希望唤起他对她的同情。克莱德听得出她语气里伤心的味儿，如同往日里一样顿时使他心软下来，只不过现在他已不可能。也不能容忍它象过去那样支配他了。

"不过，你也明白这是怎么一回事，伯特，"他简直是在虚张声势地回答说。

"刚才我都告诉你啦。""我知道，"她伤心地回答说，竭力掩饰此刻自己心中真实的情绪。与此同时，她撕开包装纸，把装着化妆品的盒子盖打开了。这时，她的心绪稍微起了点变化，因为这样珍贵。这样别致的东西，过去她还从来没有过。"哦，这可有多美呀!

"她大声嚷了出来，情不自禁感到很喜爱。"我没指望你会送这样的东西。相比之下，我那两个小小的礼物，也就算不上什么啦。"她立时走过去拿她的礼物。可是，克莱德也看到，尽管他的礼物不同凡响，但还是不足以驱散罗伯达心中由于他那冷淡态度所产生的沮丧情绪。他忠贞不渝的爱情，远比任何礼物珍贵得多。

"你喜欢吗?

"他开口问她，妄想这件礼物能把她的注意力岔开去。

"当然喜欢罗，亲爱的，"她一面回答说，一面兴致勃勃地看着礼物。"不过，我的东西也就太寒伧啦，"她郁郁不乐地找补着说。她为自己的全盘计划落了空而很难过。"不过，这些对你还是很有用的，而且常常在你身边，在你胸口，这就是我的本意所在。"她把一个小盒递给了他，小盒里面有一支永久牌金属铅笔，一支缀有银饰的自来水笔。她特地为他选购的，觉得他在厂里工作时就用得着。要是在两星期以前，说不定他还会热烈地搂住她，为了他给她带来痛苦而竭力安慰她。可是现在呢，他只是伫立在那里，暗自寻思:

怎样去安慰她，既不要显得太疏远，又不流露出过去那种缱绻柔情。因此，他就对她送的礼物说了一通热情而空洞的话。

"哦，说真的，这些东西太好了，亲爱的，正是我最最需要的。当然罗，说真的，没有比你所送的东西更好的了。我经常用得着它们。"他故意装得满意极了，仔细端详着这两支笔，随后就插在自己口袋里，以备随时使用。看到她此刻在他面前垂头丧气，陷入沉思的神情……这是他们过去关系中全部魅力的缩影……他搂住了她，亲吻她。她长得很迷人，这是毫无疑问的。当她搂住他脖子呜咽哭泣时，他紧紧地搂住她，劝说她不必如此伤心，反正星期三她就回来的，往后一切照旧。这时，他心里却在想，刚才他说的不是真话，而且真怪，就在不久以前，他还是那么疼着她呢。令人惊讶的是，另外一个姑娘居然一下子就把他俘获了!

反正事实就是这样。尽管她也许以为他还是一如既往疼着她，但事实上，他并不是那样，而且，他永远也不会疼她了。因此，他心里真的替她难过哩。

此时此刻他的心情中似有一种异样的感觉，连罗伯达也都发觉了，尽管她正在听他说话，一任他的抚摸抱吻。但这些爱抚却连一丝儿真挚诚意也没有啊。

瞧他神态太不安详，抱吻太冷淡，说话听不出有一点儿真正温柔的语调。还有一点也可以佐证:

过了一会儿，他就拚命从她搂抱中脱身出来，看看表说:

"我看我该走了，亲爱的。现在三点差二十分，而会议定在三点钟开。我真的巴不得陪你一块去，但是现在没办法……反正你一回来，我再来看你。"他俯下身来吻了她一下，这一回罗伯达终于觉察到:

他对她的感情已经变了，比前时冷淡得多。尽管他表现得还算温和客气，可他的心却离她远去了……也是正当这一年中这么一个特定的季节里，永远地离她远去了。她竭力振作起精神来，唤起她的自尊心……这好歹也算做到了……最后她相当冷漠而又果断地说:

"好吧，我可不会让你迟到的，克莱德。你还是赶紧走吧。不过，我在家可不会待得太久的。要是提早在圣诞节下午回来，你说说，你能来吧?

我可不希望星期三上班迟到。""怎么啦，当然罗，亲爱的，我一定来，"克莱德乐呵呵地，甚至热乎乎地回答说，因为他知道那时候自己没有什么约会，何况自己也不愿那么显眼地一下子就回避她。"那你估摸一下什么时候到?

"她说八点钟回来。他暗自思忖，反正借此机会同她再幽会一次也未尝不可。

他又把表掏了出来，看了一下说:

"不过，现在我该走了，"说着径直朝门口走去。

这一切到底是怎么回事，前途又会是怎样，她心里确实忐忑不安，于是朝他走过去，揪住了他的衣襟，直勾勾地望着他的眼睛，象是恳求。又象是质问地说:

"现在就说定你在圣诞节晚上来我这儿，是不是，克莱德?

到时候你不会再去别处赴会吧?

""哦，你尽管放心得了。要知道你是了解我的。你也知道昨儿晚上我可实在没办法，亲爱的。不过星期二我准定来，"他回答说。他吻了一下她，急冲冲往外走了，心里也许觉得自己表演得还不够高明，不过，除此以外，他也闹不清究竟还有什么其他绝招，一个男人倘若想要跟一个姑娘断绝往来，如同现在他这样设法去做，或者至少想要这么做，克莱德心里琢磨，那就非得要一点滑头或是外交手腕不可。说实话，他既没有道理，更谈不上真有能耐。当然罗，也许还会有其他更好办法吧。这时，他的心儿早已飞向桑德拉，和她一起欢度除夕。他要跟她一块到谢内克塔迪赴会去，那时他就有机会看清楚，她到底会不会象前天晚上那样还疼着他。

他走了，罗伯达转过身来，伤心地。沮丧地探出窗外直望着他的背影，心里纳闷，真不知道自己寄望于他的前途将会怎样。万一他不喜欢她了，该怎么办。要知道她已经给了他那么多……而她的前途全由他和他忠贞不渝的爱情所决定。难道说现在他已经对她厌倦了……再也不想见她了吗?

哦，那多可怕。那她该怎么办……而事实上又能怎么办?

要是她没有马上屈从他的要求，轻易地委身给他，那就好了。

她两眼凝望着窗外光秃秃的。挂着点点残雪的树桠枝，叹了一口气。节日啊!

她就怀着这样的心情动身回家。啊!

再说，克莱德在当地社会地位已是那么高，而且前途无限光明。美好，试问她自己又能给他些什么呢?

她疑惧不安地摇摇头，对照镜子端详了一下自己的脸容，便提着她要捎回家去的一点点礼品之类东西出门了。
Part 2 Chapter 29
Biltz and the fungoid farm land after Clyde and Lycurgus was depressing enough to Roberta, for all there wastoo closely identified with deprivations and repressions which discolor the normal emotions centering about oldscenes.
　　As she stepped down from the train at the drab and aged chalet which did service for a station, she observed herfather in the same old winter overcoat he had worn for a dozen years, waiting for her with the old familyconveyance, a decrepit but still whole buggy and a horse as bony and weary as himself. He had, as she hadalways thought, the look of a tired and defeated man. His face brightened when he saw Roberta, for she hadalways been his favorite child, and he chatted quite cheerfully as she climbed in alongside of him and they turnedaround and started toward the road that led to the farmhouse, a rough and winding affair of dirt at a time whenexcellent automobile roads were a commonplace elsewhere.
　　As they rode along Roberta found herself checking off mentally every tree, curve, landmark with which she hadbeen familiar. But with no happy thoughts. It was all too drab. The farm itself, coupled with the chronic illnessand inefficiency of Titus and the inability of the youngest boy Tom or her mother to help much, was as big aburden as ever. A mortgage of $2000 that had been placed on it years before had never been paid off, the northchimney was still impaired, the steps were sagging even more than ever and the walls and fences and outlying buildings were no different--save to be made picturesque now by the snows of winter covering them. Even thefurniture remained the same jumble that it had always been. And there were her mother and younger sister andbrother, who knew nothing of her true relationship to Clyde--a mere name his here--and assuming that she waswholeheartedly delighted to be back with them once more. Yet because of what she knew of her own life andClyde's uncertain attitude toward her, she was now, if anything, more depressed than before.
　　Indeed, the fact that despite her seeming recent success she had really compromised herself in such a way thatunless through marriage with Clyde she was able to readjust herself to the moral level which her parentsunderstood and approved, she, instead of being the emissary of a slowly and modestly improving socialcondition for all, might be looked upon as one who had reduced it to a lower level still--its destroyer--wassufficient to depress and reduce her even more. A very depressing and searing thought.
　　Worse and more painful still was the thought in connection with all this that, by reason of the illusions whichfrom the first had dominated her in connection with Clyde, she had not been able to make a confidant of hermother or any one else in regard to him. For she was dubious as to whether her mother would not consider thather aspirations were a bit high. And she might ask questions in regard to him and herself which might proveembarrassing. At the same time, unless she had some confidant in whom she could truly trust, all hertroublesome doubts in regard to herself and Clyde must remain a secret.
　　After talking for a few moments with Tom and Emily, she went into the kitchen where her mother was busy withvarious Christmas preparations. Her thought was to pave the way with some observations of her own in regard tothe farm here and her life at Lycurgus, but as she entered, her mother looked up to say: "How does it feel, Bob, tocome back to the country? I suppose it all looks rather poor compared to Lycurgus," she added a little wistfully.
　　Roberta could tell from the tone of her mother's voice and the rather admiring look she cast upon her that she wasthinking of her as one who had vastly improved her state. At once she went over to her and, putting her armsabout her affectionately, exclaimed: "Oh, Mamma, wherever you are is just the nicest place. Don't you knowthat?"For answer her mother merely looked at her with affectionate and well-wishing eyes and patted her on the back.
　　"Well, Bobbie," she added, quietly, "you know how you are about me."Something in her mother's voice which epitomized the long years of affectionate understanding between them-anunderstanding based, not only on a mutual desire for each other's happiness, but a complete frankness inregard to all emotions and moods which had hitherto dominated both--touched her almost to the point of tears.
　　Her throat tightened and her eyes moistened, although she sought to overcome any show of emotion whatsoever.
　　She longed to tell her everything. At the same time the compelling passion she retained for Clyde, as well as thefact that she had compromised herself as she had, now showed her that she had erected a barrier which could noteasily be torn down. The conventions of this local world were much too strong--even where her mother wasconcerned.
　　She hesitated a moment, wishing that she could quickly and clearly present to her mother the problem that wasweighing upon her and receive her sympathy, if not help. But instead she merely said: "Oh, I wish you couldhave been with me all the time in Lycurgus, Mamma. Maybe--" She paused, realizing that she had been on the verge of speaking without due caution. Her thought was that with her mother near at hand she might have beenable to have resisted Clyde's insistent desires.
　　"Yes, I suppose you do miss me," her mother went on, "but it's better for you, don't you think? You know how itis over here, and you like your work. You do like your work, don't you?""Oh, the work is nice enough. I like that part of it. It's been so nice to be able to help here a little, but it's not sonice living all alone.""Why did you leave the Newtons, Bob? Was Grace so disagreeable? I should have thought she would have beencompany for you.""Oh, she was at first," replied Roberta. "Only she didn't have any men friends of her own, and she was awfullyjealous of anybody that paid the least attention to me. I couldn't go anywhere but she had to go along, or if itwasn't that then she always wanted me to be with her, so I couldn't go anywhere by myself. You know how it is,Mamma. Two girls can't go with one young man.""Yes, I know how it is, Bob." Her mother laughed a little, then added: "Who is he?""It's Mr. Griffiths, Mother," she added, after a moment's hesitation, a sense of the exceptional nature of hercontact as contrasted with this very plain world here passing like a light across her eyes. For all her fears, eventhe bare possibility of joining her life with Clyde's was marvelous. "But I don't want you to mention his name toanybody yet," she added. "He doesn't want me to. His relatives are so very rich, you know. They own thecompany--that is, his uncle does. But there's a rule there about any one who works for the company--any one incharge of a department. I mean not having anything to do with any of the girls. And he wouldn't with any of theothers. But he likes me--and I like him, and it's different with us. Besides I'm going to resign pretty soon and geta place somewhere else, I think, and then it won't make any difference. I can tell anybody, and so can he."Roberta was thinking now that, in the face of her recent treatment at the hands of Clyde, as well as because of theway in which she had given herself to him without due precaution as to her ultimate rehabilitation via marriage,that perhaps this was not exactly true. He might not--a vague, almost formless, fear this, as yet--want her to tellanybody now--ever. And unless he were going to continue to love her and marry her, she might not want any oneto know of it, either. The wretched, shameful, difficult position in which she had placed herself by all this.
　　On the other hand, Mrs. Alden, learning thus casually of the odd and seemingly clandestine nature of thisrelationship, was not only troubled but puzzled, so concerned was she for Roberta's happiness. For, although, asshe now said to herself, Roberta was such a good, pure and careful girl--the best and most unselfish and wisest ofall her children--still might it not be possible--? But, no, no one was likely to either easily or safely compromiseor betray Roberta. She was too conservative and good, and so now she added: "A relative of the owner, you say-theMr. Samuel Griffiths you wrote about?""Yes, Mamma. He's his nephew.""The young man at the factory?" her mother asked, at the same time wondering just how Roberta had come to attract a man of Clyde's position, for, from the very first she had made it plain that he was a member of thefamily who owned the factory. This in itself was a troublesome fact. The traditional result of such relationships,common the world over, naturally caused her to be intensely fearful of just such an association as Robertaseemed to be making. Nevertheless she was not at all convinced that a girl of Roberta's looks and practicalitywould not be able to negotiate an association of the sort without harm to herself.
　　"Yes," Roberta replied simply.
　　"What's he like, Bob?""Oh, awfully nice. So good-looking, and he's been so nice to me. I don't think the place would be as nice as it isexcept that he is so refined, he keeps those factory girls in their place. He's a nephew of the president of thecompany, you see, and the girls just naturally have to respect him.""Well, that IS nice, isn't it? I think it's so much better to work for refined people than just anybody. I know youdidn't think so much of the work over at Trippetts Mills. Does he come to see you often, Bob?""Well, yes, pretty often," Roberta replied, flushing slightly, for she realized that she could not be entirely frankwith her mother.
　　Mrs. Alden, looking up at the moment, noticed this, and, mistaking it for embarrassment, asked teasingly: "Youlike him, don't you?""Yes, I do, Mother," Roberta replied, simply and honestly.
　　"What about him? Does he like you?"Roberta crossed to the kitchen window. Below it at the base of the slope which led to the springhouse, and theone most productive field of the farm, were ranged all the dilapidated buildings which more than anything elseabout the place bespoke the meager material condition to which the family had fallen. In fact, during the last tenyears these things had become symbols of inefficiency and lack. Somehow at this moment, bleak and coveredwith snow, they identified themselves in her mind as the antithesis of all to which her imagination aspired. And,not strangely either, the last was identified with Clyde. Somberness as opposed to happiness--success in love orfailure in love. Assuming that he truly loved her now and would take her away from all this, then possibly thebleakness of it all for her and her mother would be broken. But assuming that he did not, then all the results ofher yearning, but possibly mistaken, dreams would be not only upon her own head, but upon those of theseothers, her mother's first. She troubled what to say, but finally observed: "Well, he says he does.""Do you think he intends to marry you?" Mrs. Alden asked, timidly and hopefully, because of all her children herheart and hopes rested most with Roberta.
　　"Well, I'll tell you, Mamma . . ." The sentence was not finished, for just then Emily, hurrying in from the frontdoor, called: "Oh, Gifs here. He came in an automobile. Somebody drove him over, I guess, and he's got four orfive big bundles."And immediately after came Tom with the elder brother, who, in a new overcoat, the first result of his careerwith the General Electric Company in Schenectady, greeted his mother affectionately, and after her, Roberta.
　　"Why, Gifford," his mother exclaimed. "We didn't expect you until the nine o'clock. How did you get here sosoon?""Well, I didn't think I would be. I ran into Mr. Rearick down in Schenectady and he wanted to know if I didn'twant to drive back with him. I see old Pop Myers over at Trippetts Mills has got the second story to his house atlast, Bob," he turned and added to Roberta: "I suppose it'll be another year before he gets the roof on.""I suppose so," replied Roberta, who knew the old Trippetts Mills character well. In the meantime she hadrelieved him of his coat and packages which, piled on the dining-room table, were being curiously eyed byEmily.
　　"Hands off, Em!" called Gifford to his little sister. "Nothing doing with those until Christmas morning. Hasanybody cut a Christmas tree yet? That was my job last year.""It still is, Gifford," his mother replied. "I told Tom to wait until you came, 'cause you always get such a goodone."And just then through the kitchen door Titus entered, bearing an armload of wood, his gaunt face and angularelbows and knees contributing a sharp contrast to the comparative hopefulness of the younger generation.
　　Roberta noticed it as he stood smiling upon his son, and, because she was so eager for something better than everhad been to come to all, now went over to her father and put her arms around him. "I know something Santy hasbrought my Dad that he'll like." It was a dark red plaid mackinaw that she was sure would keep him warm whileexecuting his chores about the house, and she was anxious for Christmas morning to come so that he could see it.
　　She then went to get an apron in order to help her mother with the evening meal. No additional moment forcomplete privacy occurring, the opportunity to say more concerning that which both were so interested in--thesubject of Clyde--did not come up again for several hours, after which length of time she found occasion to say:
　　"Yes, but you mustn't ever say anything to anybody yet. I told him I wouldn't tell, and you mustn't.""No, I won't, dear. But I was just wondering. But I suppose you know what you're doing. You're old enough nowto take care of yourself, Bob, aren't you?""Yes, I am, Ma. And you mustn't worry about me, dear," she added, seeing a shadow, not of distrust but worry,passing over her beloved mother's face. How careful she must be not to cause her to worry when she had somuch else to think about here on the farm.
　　Sunday morning brought the Gabels with full news of their social and material progress in Homer. Although hersister was not as attractive as she, and Fred Gabel was not such a man as at any stage in her life Roberta couldhave imagined herself interested in, still, after her troublesome thoughts in regard to Clyde, the sight of Agnesemotionally and materially content and at ease in the small security which matrimony and her none-too-efficient husband provided, was sufficient to rouse in her that flapping, doubtful mood that had been assailing her sincethe previous morning. Was it not better, she thought, to be married to a man even as inefficient and unattractivebut steadfast as Fred Gabel, than to occupy the anomalous position in which she now found herself in herrelations with Clyde? For here was Gabel now talking briskly of the improvements that had come to himself andAgnes during the year in which they had been married. In that time he had been able to resign his position asteacher in Homer and take over on shares the management of a small book and stationery store whose principalcontributory features were a toy department and soda fountain. They had been doing a good business. Agnes, ifall went well, would be able to buy a mission parlor suite by next summer. Fred had already bought her aphonograph for Christmas. In proof of their well-being, they had brought satisfactory remembrances for all of theAldens.
　　But Gabel had with him a copy of the Lycurgus Star, and at breakfast, which because of the visitors this morningwas unusually late, was reading the news of that city, for in Lycurgus was located the wholesale house fromwhich he secured a portion of his stock.
　　"Well, I see things are going full blast in your town, Bob," he observed. "The Star here says the GriffithsCompany have got an order for 120,000 collars from the Buffalo trade alone. They must be just coining moneyover there.""There's always plenty to do in my department, I know that," replied Roberta, briskly. "We never seem to haveany the less to do whether business is good or bad. I guess it must be good all the time.""Pretty soft for those people. They don't have to worry about anything. Some one was telling me they're going tobuild a new factory in Ilion to manufacture shirts alone. Heard anything about that down there?""Why, no, I haven't. Maybe it's some other company.""By the way, what's the name of that young man you said was the head of your department? Wasn't he aGriffiths, too?" he asked briskly, turning to the editorial page, which also carried news of local Lycurgus society.
　　"Yes, his name is Griffiths--Clyde Griffiths. Why?""I think I saw his name in here a minute ago. I just wanted to see if it ain't the same fellow. Sure, here you are.
　　Ain't this the one?" He passed the paper to Roberta with his finger on an item which read:
　　"Miss Vanda Steele, of Gloversville, was hostess at an informal dance held at her home in that city Friday night,at which were present several prominent members of Lycurgus society, among them the Misses Sondra Finchiey,Bertine Cranston, Jill and Gertrude Trumbull and Perley Haynes, and Messrs. Clyde Griffiths, Frank Harriet,Tracy Trumbull, Grant Cranston and Scott Nicholson. The party, as is usual whenever the younger groupassembles, did not break up until late, the Lycurgus members motoring back just before dawn. It is alreadyrumored that most of this group will gather at the Ellerslies', in Schenectady, New Year's Eve for another eventof this same gay nature.""He seems to be quite a fellow over there," Gabel remarked, even as Roberta was reading.
　　The first thing that occurred to Roberta on reading this item was that it appeared to have little, if anything, to dowith the group which Clyde had said was present. In the first place there was no mention of Myra or BellaGriffiths. On the other hand, all those names with which, because of recent frequent references on the part ofClyde, she was becoming most familiar were recorded as present. Sondra Finchley, Bertine Cranston, theTrumbull girls, Perley Haynes. He had said it had not been very interesting, and here it was spoken of as gay andhe himself was listed for another engagement of the same character New Year's Eve, when, as a matter of fact,she had been counting on being with him. He had not even mentioned this New Year's engagement. And perhapshe would now make some last minute excuse for that, as he had for the previous Friday evening. Oh, dear! Whatdid all this mean, anyhow!
　　Immediately what little romantic glamour this Christmas homecoming had held for her was dissipated. Shebegan to wonder whether Clyde really cared for her as he had pretended. The dark state to which her incurablepassion for him had brought her now pained her terribly. For without him and marriage and a home and children,and a reasonable place in such a local world as she was accustomed to, what was there for a girl like her in theworld? And apart from his own continuing affection for her--if it was really continuing, what assurance had she,in the face of such incidents as these, that he would not eventually desert her? And if this was true, here was herfuture, in so far as marriage with any one else was concerned, compromised or made impossible, maybe, andwith no reliance to be placed on him.
　　She fell absolutely silent. And although Gabel inquired: "That's the fellow, isn't it?" she arose without answeringand said: "Excuse me, please, a moment. I want to get something out of my bag," and hurried once more to herformer room upstairs. Once there she sat down on the bed, and, resting her chin in her hands, a habit whentroublesome or necessary thoughts controlled her, gazed at the floor.
　　Where was Clyde now?
　　What one, if any, of those girls did he take to the Steele party? Was he very much interested in her? Until thisvery day, because of Clyde's unbroken devotion to her, she had not even troubled to think there could be anyother girl to whom his attentions could mean anything.
　　But now--now!
　　She got up and walked to the window and looked out on that same orchard where as a girl so many times she hadbeen thrilled by the beauty of life. The scene was miserably bleak and bare. The thin, icy arms of the trees--thegray, swaying twigs--a lone, rustling leaf somewhere. And snow. And wretched outbuildings in need of repair.
　　And Clyde becoming indifferent to her. And the thought now came to her swiftly and urgently that she must notstay here any longer than she could help--not even this day, if possible. She must return to Lycurgus and be nearClyde, if no more than to persuade him to his old affection for her, or if not that, then by her presence to preventhim from devoting himself too wholly to these others. Decidedly, to go away like this, even for the holidays, wasnot good. In her absence he might desert her completely for another girl, and if so, then would it not be her fault?
　　At once she pondered as to what excuse she could make in order to return this day. But realizing that in view ofall these preliminary preparations this would seem inexplicably unreasonable, to her mother most of all, shedecided to endure it as she had planned until Christmas afternoon, then to return, never to leave for so long a period again.
　　But ad interim, all her thoughts were on how and in what way she could make more sure, if at all, of Clyde'scontinued interest and social and emotional support, as well as marriage in the future. Supposing he had lied toher, how could she influence him, if at all, not to do so again? How to make him feel that lying between themwas not right? How to make herself securely first in his heart against the dreams engendered by the possiblecharms of another?
　　How?

从罗伯达见识过克莱德和莱柯格斯以后，再来看看这比尔茨和它四郊的农场，就足以使她泄气的了。因为这里的一切都跟贫困分不开，从而使人们常有的怀旧心态为之黯然失色。

她一下火车，来到那座年久失修。单调简陋。已被改成车站的瑞士农舍式的小屋，一眼就看见了她的父亲。他老人家还是穿着那件已经穿了十多个冬天的旧外套，傍着他们家那辆旧马车，正在等候她。这辆四轮单座马车，虽然很旧，但还完整，那匹马瘦骨嶙峋，疲乏困顿，就跟她父亲一模一样。罗伯达脑海里始终记得她父亲那副困乏不堪的倒楣相。他一见到心爱的女儿罗伯达，顿时眉开颜笑。她登上了马车，偎坐在他身旁，他就兴高采烈地絮叨不休。他们一掉过车头，便沿着通往农场的大路径直驶去。虽然这时节漂亮的公路到处都有，可眼前这条大路还是邋里邋遢，坑坑洼洼，弯弯曲曲。

一路上，罗伯达禁不住暗自核对着她一向熟悉的每一棵树。每一个拐弯处。

每一块里程碑。不过她心里并不愉快。周围一切都是那么灰不溜丢的。就以农场来说吧，由于泰特斯有慢性病，经营又没有能耐，小儿子汤姆和妈妈实际上也帮不上大忙，因此，这个农场如同往昔一样，对全家来说成了一个沉重的负担。几年前，这个农场以两千块美元抵押了出去，但是债款从来也没有拨还过。

北边的烟囱坏了，至今仍旧未修过，阶沿石级下陷得比过去更厉害了。墙壁。

栅栏。以及户外一些棚屋，还是一概照旧，只不过入冬后在大雪覆盖之下，反而显得好看了。甚至家具摆设依然如同往日里一样杂乱无章。在这儿等着她的，还有她母亲和弟弟妹妹，他们一点儿都不知道她跟克莱德真正的关系……克莱德在这儿，只不过是一个微不足道的名字罢了……他们满以为她回家来跟亲人们再次聚首团圆，想必打心眼儿里感到高兴。其实，她一想到自己那段生活，以及克莱德对她这种犹豫不定的态度，现在她内心深处比以前任何时候都要沮丧。

事实上确是这样。尽管最近以来她表面上好象诸事顺遂，可是实际上，她已做出了有损自己的事情，除非跟克莱德结婚，她才有可能使自己所作所为完全符合她父母所理解和赞同的那个道德标准。要是她不能帮助全家人不紧不慢地逐步提高社会地位的话，那末，她也许就让一家人蒙受奇耻大辱……败坏了家风……这一切足以使她的心情更加消沉了。她一想到这里，便感到无比沮丧，五内如焚。

最难堪。也是更加折磨她的，就是她心里有这么一个想法:

由于她一开始就对克莱德抱有种种幻想，所以一直没能向她母亲或任何人吐露过有关克莱德的秘密。罗伯达担心母亲会认为她一心妄想高攀。此外，母亲还可能向她提出有关他和她的一些问题，反而使她很窘。与此同时，要是她寻摸不到一个她完全信得过的人，那末，凡是有关她本人与克莱德的所有一切恼人的疑虑，也就只好仍然秘而不宣。

她跟汤姆和艾米莉聊了一会儿以后，便到厨房去了。她母亲为准备过圣诞节正在那里忙活。她本想先谈一谈有关农场和自己在莱柯格斯生活的一些感受，好歹作为铺垫，可她一走进去，母亲就抬起头来冲她说:

"宝芭(宝芭:

罗伯达的昵称。)，回到乡下你觉得怎么样?

我想，现在你在乡下，跟莱柯格斯相比，总觉得什么都很寒伧吧?

"她母亲有点儿忧心忡忡地又说了一句。

说罢，她向女儿投去一个颇为赞赏的眼色，单凭这个眼色和她母亲说话的语调，罗伯达心里就明白，母亲认为她在城里的地位已是非常令人艳羡不已。

她马上走到母亲身边，怪亲热地搂住她，大声嚷道:

"哦，妈妈，你在的地方就是最快乐的地方!

这个你明白吗?

"母亲只是向她投去一个充满深情和良好祝愿的眼色，看了她一眼，拍了一下她的后背。"得了，宝芭，"她心平气和地添一句。"你也知道我多么疼你。"从母亲的口吻里有一种意味深长的东西，让罗伯达回想起多年来母女俩之间的情深意笃和充分理解……这种充分理解，不仅仅建立在彼此都能得到幸福的共同愿望之上，而且还表现在彼此之间历来推心置腹，开诚相见之上，因而使她感动得几乎掉下泪来。她的嗓子眼发紧，眼睛也湿润了，尽管她竭力抑制自己感情不要太激动。她真的巴不得把所有一切都向母亲倾诉。无奈她至今依然不得不屈从于克莱德，并且事实上她已做出了有损自己声名之事，她清楚地看到，正是她自己竖起了一道屏障，不是轻轻地一推就能推倒的。此间乡下的传统观念，实在根深蒂固……即便是对她母亲来说，也不例外。

她迟疑了一会儿，本想把自己心中的积愫索性向母亲一吐为快……即使得不到帮助，至少也可博得她的同情，可是到头来她只能这么说:

"哦，我多么希望你跟我一块长住莱柯格斯，妈妈。也许……"她突然为之语塞，心里明白:

自己稍不谨慎，差点儿说漏了嘴。其实，她心里意思是说:

倘若有母亲守在她身旁，也许她就能挡住克莱德胡搅蛮缠的要求吧。

"是啊，我想，你也一定很惦念我，"母亲接下去说。"不过，你还是住在城里好，你说对不对?

我们在这里的生活光景，你是知道的，而且你也很喜欢在那里工作。你对自己工作很喜欢，我可没有说错吧?

""啊，这工作挺不错。我可喜欢。我很高兴，自己好歹给家里帮一点儿忙，不过孤零零一个人过活，真没意思。""那你为什么要从牛顿家搬出去呢，宝芭?

难道说格雷斯这人真的是那么讨厌吗?

我还以为她总可以跟你作伴呢?

""哦，一开头她还不错，"罗伯达回答说。"只是因为她自己连一个男朋友也都没有，所以，要是有人对我稍微献上一点儿殷勤，她心里就觉得怪酸溜溜的。

我简直是哪儿也去不了，因为她总得跟着我一块去;要不然，她就老是要我跟她在一块，因此，我一个人哪儿也都去不了。你也明白，妈妈，两个姑娘总不能跟一个年轻小伙子溜达去吧。""是啊。这个我也明白，宝芭，"母亲噗嗤一笑，找补着说，"那他是谁呀?

""是格里菲思先生，妈妈，"她迟疑了一下才补充说。仿佛一道突如其来的闪光，在她眼前一晃而过，使她深切地感受到:

她所结识的新知今雨，若与这里平淡无奇的乡村相比，该有多么不同凡俗。尽管她心中怀着种种恐惧，可是，她的生活有可能和克莱德的生活连在一起，哪怕是仅仅有一点可能性，也是令人惊羡不止。"不过，我希望你先别跟任何人提起他的名字，"她找补着说。"他可不让我向人提他的名字。你知道，他的亲戚很有钱。这个公司就是他们开的……我说，就是他伯父开的。可是公司里专门有一条厂规，这就是说，不管是给公司办事的职员也好……还是各部门的负责人也好，我是说，都不许他们跟任何一个年轻女工来往。而他从来也不愿跟哪一个年轻女工接触。可是他偏偏喜欢我……而我也很喜欢他，这就算是另一回事了。再说，我正在打算马上就辞退，上别处另找活儿干，我想，这么一来厂规对我们没有约束作用了。到那时，我们就用不着隐瞒，我和他的关系可以向任何人公开了。"罗伯达心里马上想到，所有这一切，至少在目前，恐怕还说不上是千真万确的。因为最近克莱德对她的态度大变，而且，她委身给他时又是极不谨慎，并没有讲定将来通过结婚的方式，最后给她恢复名誉。也许他……一个模模糊糊，几乎没有形状的令人恐怖的形象……并不允许她现在告诉任何人，而且他永远也不允许她告诉任何人。除非他继续爱她，并且跟她结婚，也许她自己也不希望任何人知道这件事。所有这一切，使她陷入何等悲惨。可耻的窘境!

奥尔登太太无意中听到这么一种古怪。似乎有点暧昧的关系之后，心里不仅困扰不安，而且迷惑不解，因为她对罗伯达的幸福简直是昼夜操心啊。是的，她暗自揣摩，虽说罗伯达是这么一个善良。纯洁。谨慎的姑娘……在她子女里头就数罗伯达最出色。最聪明。最不自私……但是不是也会……?

不，大概未必有谁会那么轻易便当，或是稳稳当当地污辱，或是玩弄罗伯达。她是一个极端循规蹈矩。品德优良的姑娘啊。因此，奥尔登太太便找补着说:

"你说他是老板……也是你信里说的塞缪尔。格里菲思先生……的一个亲戚，是吧?

""是的，妈妈，他就是老板的侄子。""这个年轻人，就在厂里做事?

"她母亲问，暗自纳闷罗伯达怎么会迷住一个象克莱德这样有地位的人。因为她女儿一开头就明白无误地说，此人是厂里老板塞缪尔。格里菲思家里的一员啊。这本身就是麻烦。至于这类关系将来会有什么样的结果，走遍天下总是一个样。因此，她自然而然为罗伯达似乎正在进行的那种人际交往担惊受怕。不过话又说回来，她也还是觉得，象罗伯达这样容貌秀美。办事干练的姑娘，说不定能在不使自己受害的情况下继续保持这种人际交往。

"是的，"罗伯达爽快地回答说。

"他是个什么样的人，宝芭?

""哦，实在是顶呱呱的。他长得可漂亮，对我一直很好。要不是有他这样一位高雅的人，我对那个地方也就不会感到那么满意了。他在厂里就是专管那些女工的。他是公司经理的侄子，你知道吧，所以，女工们自然就得对他毕恭毕敬。""哦，那就敢情好。我觉得在高雅的人手下做事，甚至比在某些老板手下做事还要好得多。你对特里佩茨米尔斯那边的工作不满意，这我也知道。他常来看你吗，宝芭?

""哦，是啊，他常来，"罗伯达回答说，不觉有些脸红。因为她感到没法向母亲和盘托出。

这时，奥尔登太太抬眼一看，发觉女儿脸红，还误以为她是难为情呢，就干脆逗着玩儿问她:

"看来你很喜欢他，是吧?

""是的，我很喜欢他，妈妈，"罗伯达爽爽气气地如实回答说。

"那他怎么样呢?

他也很喜欢你吗?

"罗伯达走到了厨房窗口。窗下是斜坡底下一片平地，可以通到井台边的小屋(此处指筑在泉水。小溪或井台边的小屋，便于冷藏肉类。乳品等。)，以及整个农场上产物最丰盛的地块。那里有不少东倒西塌的房子，比周围任何景物更能说明奥尔登一家经济窘迫的境况。事实上，最近十年以来，这些破烂不堪的房子，早已成为经营不善和穷困潦倒的象征了。这时，通过它们展现出来的积雪压顶。满目荒凉的残景，在她心目中却跟她所渴望的一切完全相反。其实，这也用不着大惊小怪的。她心中所有的渴望，都是跟克莱德休戚相关。正如忧郁是同快乐相对立的……要末恋爱成功，要末就恋爱失败。假定说现在他真心爱她，把她从那儿带走，那末，她和她母亲也许就不会再在这里过凄楚的日子。

假定说他并不是这样真心爱她的话，那末，她所渴求的，也许就是要不得的梦想所产生的全部恶果，不仅落到她自己头上，还要落到亲人们的头上，首先是她母亲的头上。她心中十分困惑，真不知道该怎么说才好，但最后还是回答说:

"哦，他说他是很喜欢我的。""依你看，他真心实意想娶你吗?

"奥尔登太太怯生生，但又满怀希望地问她。

因为在所有的子女里头，她就是最心疼罗伯达，所以，她对罗伯达也就特别寄予厚望。

"得了吧，我会告诉你的，妈妈……"话音未落，这时，艾米莉从大门口急冲冲进来，大声喊道:

"啊，吉福来了。他是坐汽车来的，我看他是搭了别人的车。

他还带了四五个大包呢。"紧接着汤姆和他哥哥走了进来。哥哥穿了一件新大衣……这是他到了谢内克塔迪通用电气公司做事后取得的头一个成果。他怪亲热地先是向母亲，接着再向罗伯达招呼。

"哦，吉福德，"他母亲大声说，"我们原以为你九点钟才到。怎么会到得这么早?

""哦，我可也没有想到呗。我在谢内克塔迪碰巧见到了里立克先生，他说要不要跟他同车走。"他转过身去冲罗伯达说，"我看到了特里佩茨米尔斯的老波普。

迈尔斯，他到头来给自己房子盖上二层楼啦，宝芭。不过，盖上屋顶，依我看，他还得在一年之后呢。""我想也差不离，"罗伯达回答说。她对这位特里佩茨米尔斯的老友很熟。与此同时，她从哥哥手里把大衣和大包接过来，堆在吃饭间桌子上，这时就被好奇的艾米莉两眼盯住了。

"不许动手，艾姆(艾姆……艾米莉的昵称。我希望你会知道自己该怎么办。

现在你早已不是小伢儿，应该也懂得自己关心自己，宝芭，可不是?

")!

"吉福德对他妹妹说。"圣诞节早上以前，怎么也不许动一动。圣诞树谁准备了没有?

这在去年就是我干的活儿。""今年还得你干，吉福德，"他母亲回答说。"我关照汤姆等你回来再说，因为你包管寻摸到漂亮的圣诞树。"这时，泰特斯扛着一棵树，走进了厨房。他那瘦削的脸。纤细的肘和膝，跟富有朝气的年轻的下一代恰好形成鲜明的对照。他伫立在儿子跟前微笑的时候，罗伯达就发觉了这一点。因为她心里恨不得大家生活得比过去更好，便走了过去，用双手搂住了爸爸。"我知道，圣诞老人带来的东西准叫爸爸喜欢。"那是一件深红色方格子厚呢大衣，她相信爸爸穿了它，即使到户外干活，也会觉得身子挺暖和。她巴不得圣诞节早晨快点到来，好让爸爸亲眼看到这件呢大衣。

随后，她去寻摸了一条围裙，想帮着母亲做晚饭。母女俩一直没得空去谈谈私房话，也没有机会再谈谈她们俩都感兴趣的……也就是有关克莱德的事。

只是过了好几个钟头以后，她方才抓住时机说:

"是的，不过你还是不要对任何人讲。我跟他说过，我自己决不对别人讲，所以你也决不要对别人讲。

""哦，我决不会讲的，亲爱的。虽然依我看，这事有点儿奇怪，可是"是的，我懂得，妈。不过，你千万不要为我担心，亲爱的，"她找补着说。这时，她发觉她亲爱的妈妈脸上掠过一层阴影……不是不信任的阴影，而是忧心忡忡的阴影。母亲为了农场上的事已经竭精殚虑了，必须特别小心，千万别让母亲再揪心呀。

星期天早上，妹妹艾格尼斯偕同丈夫加贝尔来到了家里，谈不完的是他们在霍默的生活，以及他们在经济上和社会地位上有所发迹的消息。尽管妹妹长得不及她那么漂亮，弗雷德。加贝尔也不是当时罗伯达会对他感兴趣的人，不过，在她脑际越想到克莱德就越是烦恼之后，此刻又亲眼见到艾格尼斯结婚以后，哪怕是这么一位中庸之辈的丈夫，也能给她安排一个安全无虞的小天地，让她在思想感情上。物质生活上都感到心满意足。轻松愉快……这一切足以使罗伯达从昨天早晨起便折磨着自己的那种疑惧不安的心情，一下子又强烈起来。

她心里想，嫁给哪怕是象弗雷德。加贝尔那样既不能干又不漂亮，可是老实可靠的男子，也许比现在她因为自己跟克莱德的关系而处于名不正。言不顺的境地要好一些，可不是吗?

你听，加贝尔正在眉飞色舞地大讲特讲结婚一年以来他本人和艾格尼斯日益美满的生活。现在他已辞去了在霍默的教职，跟人合股开了一家小型图书文具店，生意一直很好，但是收益主要来自玩具部和汽水柜。

要是一切顺顺当当的话，到明年夏天，艾格尼斯就可以给客厅添置一套家具了。

弗雷德已给她买了一台留声机，作为圣诞节的礼物。为了证明他们生活美满幸福，他们还给奥尔登家里每一个人都送了一些让人相当满意的礼物。

加贝尔随身还带来了一份莱柯格斯的《星报》。因为今天早上来了客人，所以早餐就开得特别迟。他便在进早餐时看看有关该市新闻消息。因为莱柯格斯有一家批发店，他还是股东呢。

"依我看，贵城闹得正红火呢，宝芭，"他对罗伯达说。"《星报》上说，格里菲思公司仅仅从布法罗一地就接到十二万件领子的定货。看来他们可要发大财啦。""我的那个部门活儿多得怎么也忙不过来，这我可清楚，"罗伯达兴冲冲地回答说。"我不知道公司生意是好还是坏，可我们好象两手从来没有闲着过。我想公司一年到头做的，都是好生意。""这些老板真惬意。他们什么也都不用操心。有人对我说，他们打算在伊利翁开一个新厂，专门制造衬衫。你在厂里听说没有?

""不，我没听说过呀。也许是另外一家厂商吧。""再说，你提过的那个年轻人，也就是你那个部门的负责人，他叫什么名字来着?

仿佛他也是格里菲思家族吧?

"他挺起劲地问，一面在翻报纸，两眼瞅着刊登有关莱柯格斯上流社会交际新闻这个版面。

"是的，他叫格里菲思……克莱德。格里菲思。怎么啦?

""我觉得他的这个名字好象刚才还看到过呢。我就是想知道是不是这个人。

肯定是的，不信，你看。不就是这一个吗?

"他把报纸递给罗伯达，一只手还指着那一段新闻，全文如下:

来自格洛弗斯维尔的范达。斯蒂尔小姐，星期五晚在该市本府举行舞会，莅会者有莱柯格斯上流社会知名人士，包括桑德拉。芬奇利小姐。伯蒂娜。克兰斯顿小姐。杰尔。特朗布尔小姐。格特鲁德。特朗布尔小姐。珀利。海恩斯小姐，以及克莱德。格里菲思先生。弗兰克。哈里特先生。特雷西。特朗布尔先生。格兰特。克兰斯顿先生。斯科特。尼科尔森先生。此次舞会如同时下年轻人聚会一样，照例至深夜始散。来自莱柯格斯的客人们拂晓前才乘坐汽车回去。据传此次舞会参加者，绝大多数准备除夕在谢内克塔迪的埃勒斯利府上，再次欢聚一堂。

"好象此人在那儿还相当出风头啊，"加贝尔在罗伯达还着报纸时插话说。

罗伯达读了这段新闻以后，首先想到的就是:

这次莅会人员跟克莱德过去所说到会的那些人似乎毫无关系。第一，报上根本没有提到麦拉。格里菲思或是贝拉。格里菲思。另一方面，近来克莱德常常提到，因而使她耳熟能详的那些名字，报上却说她们通通莅会了，她们就是:

桑德拉。芬奇利。伯蒂娜。克兰斯顿。特朗布尔姐妹。珀利。海恩斯。他还说过什么索然无味的话，可是报上却说是充满了欢乐的气氛，并且还说他将在除夕……其实，也就是那个夜晚，她原想跟他一起欢度的……与他们再次欢聚一堂。但是有关这次新年约会，他竟然对她只字不提。说不定他临了照例找个什么借口，如同上星期五晚上那样。

啊，老天哪!

这一切究竟是怎么回事呀!

原来她觉得回家过圣诞节，颇有一点儿罗曼蒂克的魅力，这时却一下子消失殆尽。她心中开始纳闷:

克莱德到底是不是象他嘴上所说的那样真的疼她。由于她对他怀着一片痴情，如今落到了这般悲惨的境地，不由得心痛如绞。因为要是得不到他，结不了婚，没有家庭和孩子，而且在她一向熟悉的当地社会上也没有一个体面的职位，那末，象她这么一个姑娘，活在世界上还有什么意思呢?

再说，即使他继续爱她……就算是他真的继续爱她吧，但遇到类似这样的事件，她又凭什么可以保证他最终不会把她抛弃呢?

要是真的这样，那末，等待她的就是:

她既不可能跟别人结婚，而又压根儿不能依赖他。

她一下子默不出声。虽然加贝尔问她:

"准是这个人，是吧?

"她也不回答，却站起身来说:

"对不起，失陪了。我要到旅行袋里寻摸东西去。"说完，她就急奔楼上她从前住的那个房间。一进房，她在床沿上坐了下来，双手托住下巴颏儿……每当她心事重重，或是不得不冥思苦索的时候，照例就有这么一种姿态……两眼凝视着地板。

此刻克莱德又在哪儿呢?

要是他从那些姑娘里头果真带了一位去参加斯蒂尔的舞会呢?

他是不是很喜爱她呢?

直至今日，正因为克莱德对她一贯忠诚不贰，所以，他有可能向别的姑娘献殷勤这等事，她压根儿还没有想过呢。

可是现在呢……现在呢!

她站起来，走到窗前，两眼望着窗外的果园。她还是个小姑娘时，不知有多少回在果园里对生命之美内心感到激动不已。可眼前这儿却是光秃秃的一片荒凉的景象。稀疏的。冰挂的树桠枝……灰沉沉的树桠枝在颤抖……一片孤零零的枯叶，正在发出沙沙声。还有那雪……还有急待修葺的那些破烂不堪的小棚屋。还有克莱德对她越来越冷漠了……她猛地想到:

她再也不能在这儿待下去了，应该尽快离开，如果可能的话，哪怕是今天也得走。她必须回莱柯格斯去，守在克莱德身边，即便只能起到唤起他往日对她的柔情蜜意的作用，要是这一点作用也起不到，那至少也可以因为在他身边转悠而防止他向别的姑娘们大献殷勤。象现在这样一走了之，哪怕是为了回来过圣诞节，显然不妥当。要是她不在，他可能把她完全抛掉，而索性去疼别的姑娘了。要是果真这样，那岂不是她咎由自取吗?

她心里马上开始考虑，不妨寻摸个借口，干脆今天就回莱柯格斯去。可是，她又想到，既然节日前做了那么多准备，现在到了节日前夕，她却执意要走了，这对全家人，首先是她母亲来说，就会觉得不近情理。因此，她便决定只好一直忍受到圣诞节下午，到那时候，正如她事前说定的，就回去，从今以后，她再也不那样长时间地离开克莱德了。

然而，她在这一段时间里，几乎绞尽脑汁在思考一个问题:

怎样(用什么方法)才能保证(如果说可以做到的话)克莱德继续疼她，支持她，并且将来跟她结婚。

万一他诓骗她，那她又该怎么劝说他(如果说可以做到的话)，往后不再诓骗?

怎样让他感到，在他们俩之间，诓骗是要不得的事?

怎样确保她在他心中所占的稳固地位，让别的女人的妖冶媚态使他坠入于其中的幻梦通通破灭?

怎样做到这一些呢?
Part 2 Chapter 30
But Roberta's return to Lycurgus and her room at the Gilpins' Christmas night brought no sign of Clyde nor anyword of explanation. For in connection with the Griffiths in the meantime there had been a development relatingto all this which, could she or Clyde have known, would have interested both not a little. For subsequent to theSteele dance that same item read by Roberta fell under the eyes of Gilbert. He was seated at the breakfast tablethe Sunday morning after the party and was about to sip from a cup of coffee when he encountered it. On theinstant his teeth snapped about as a man might snap his watch lid, and instead of drinking he put his cup downand examined the item with more care. Other than his mother there was no one at the table or in the room withhim, but knowing that she, more than any of the others, shared his views in regard to Clyde, he now passed thepaper over to her.
　　"Look at who's breaking into society now, will you?" he admonished sharply and sarcastically, his eyes radiatingthe hard and contemptuous opposition he felt. "We'll be having him up here next!""Who?" inquired Mrs. Griffiths, as she took the paper and examined the item calmly and judicially, yet notwithout a little of outwardly suppressed surprise when she saw the name. For although the fact of Clyde's havingbeen picked up by Sondra in her car sometime before and later been invited to dinner at the Trumbulls', had beenconveyed to the family sometime before, still a society notice in The Star was different. "Now I wonder how itwas that he came to be invited to that?" meditated Mrs. Griffiths who was always conscious of her son's mood inregard to all this.
　　"Now, who would do it but that little Finchley snip, the little smart aleck?" snapped Gilbert. "She's got the ideafrom somewhere--from Bella for all I know--that we don't care to have anything to do with him, and she thinksthis is a clever way to hit back at me for some of the things I've done to her, or that she thinks I've done. At anyrate, she thinks I don't like her, and that's right, I don't. And Bella knows it, too. And that goes for that littleCranston show-off, too. They're both always running around with her. They're a set of show-offs and wasters, thewhole bunch, and that goes for their brothers, too--Grant Cranston and Stew Finchley--and if something don't gowrong with one or another of that bunch one of these days, I miss my guess. You mark my word! They don't do athing, the whole lot of them, from one year's end to the other but play around and dance and run here and there,as though there wasn't anything else in the world for them to do. And why you and Dad let Bella run with 'em asmuch as she does is more than I can see."To this his mother protested. It was not possible for her to entirely estrange Bella from one portion of this localsocial group and direct her definitely toward the homes of certain others. They all mingled too freely. And shewas getting along in years and had a mind of her own.
　　Just the same his mother's apology and especially in the face of the publication of this item by no means lessenedGilbert's opposition to Clyde's social ambitions and opportunities. What! That poor little moneyless cousin of hiswho had committed first the unpardonable offense of looking like him and, second, of coming here to Lycurgusand fixing himself on this very superior family. And after he had shown him all too plainly, and from the first,that he personally did not like him, did not want him, and if left to himself would never for so much as a momentendure him.
　　"He hasn't any money," he declared finally and very bitterly to his mother, "and he's hanging on here by the skinof his teeth as it is. And what for? If he is taken up by these people, what can he do? He certainly hasn't themoney to do as they do, and he can't get it. And if he could, his job here wouldn't let him go anywhere much,unless some one troubled to pay his way. And how he is going to do his work and run with that crowd is morethan I know. That bunch is on the go all the time."Actually he was wondering whether Clyde would be included from now on, and if so, what was to be done aboutit. If he were to be taken up in this way, how was he, or the family, either, to escape from being civil to him? Forobviously, as earlier and subsequent developments proved, his father did not choose to send him away.
　　Indeed, subsequent to this conversation, Mrs. Griffiths had laid the paper, together with a version of Gilbert'sviews before her husband at this same breakfast table. But he, true to his previous mood in regard to Clyde, wasnot inclined to share his son's opinion. On the contrary, he seemed, as Mrs. Griffiths saw it, to look upon thedevelopment recorded by the item as a justification in part of his own original estimate of Clyde.
　　"I must say," he began, after listening to his wife to the end, "I can't see what's wrong with his going to a partynow and then, or being invited here and there even if he hasn't any money. It looks more like a compliment tohim and to us than anything else. I know how Gil feels about him. But it rather looks to me as though Clyde's justa little better than Gil thinks he is. At any rate, I can't and I wouldn't want to do anything about it. I've asked himto come down here, and the least I can do is to give him an opportunity to better himself. He seems to be doinghis work all right. Besides, how would it look if I didn't?"And later, because of some additional remarks on the part of Gilbert to his mother, he added: "I'd certainly ratherhave him going with some of the better people than some of the worse ones--that's one thing sure. He's neat andpolite and from all I hear at the factory does his work well enough. As a matter of fact, I think it would have beenbetter if we had invited him up to the lake last summer for a few days anyhow, as I suggested. As it is now, if wedon't do something pretty soon, it will look as though we think he isn't good enough for us when the other peoplehere seem to think he is. If you'll take my advice, you'll have him up here for Christmas or New Year's, anyhow,just to show that we don't think any less of him than our friends do."This suggestion, once transferred to Gilbert by his mother, caused him to exclaim: "Well, I'll be hanged! Allright, only don't think I'm going to lay myself out to be civil to him. It's a wonder, if Father thinks he's so able, that he don't make a real position for him somewhere."Just the same, nothing might have come of this had it not been that Bella, returning from Albany this same day,learned via contacts and telephone talks with Sondra and Bertine of the developments in connection with Clyde.
　　Also that he had been invited to accompany them to the New Year's Eve dance at the Ellerslies' in Schenectady,Bella having been previously scheduled to make a part of this group before Clyde was thought of.
　　This sudden development, reported by Bella to her mother, was of sufficient import to cause Mrs. Griffiths aswell as Samuel, if not Gilbert, later to decide to make the best of a situation which obviously was being forcedupon them and themselves invite Clyde for dinner--Christmas Day--a sedate affair to which many others werebid. For this as they now decided would serve to make plain to all and at once that Clyde was not being aswholly ignored as some might imagine. It was the only reasonable thing to do at this late date. And Gilbert, onhearing this, and realizing that in this instance he was checkmated, exclaimed sourly: "Oh, all right. Invite him ifyou want to--if that's the way you and Dad feel about it. I don't see any real necessity for it even now. But you fixit to suit yourself. Constance and I are going over to Utica for the afternoon, anyhow, so I couldn't be there evenif I wanted to."He was thinking of what an outrageous thing it was that a girl whom he disliked as much as he did Sondra couldthus via her determination and plottings thrust his own cousin on him and he be unable to prevent it. And what abeggar Clyde must be to attempt to attach himself in this way when he knew that he was not wanted! What sortof a youth was he, anyhow?
　　And so it was that on Monday morning Clyde had received another letter from the Griffiths, this time signed byMyra, asking him to have dinner with them at two o'clock Christmas Day. But, since this at that time did notseem to interfere with his meeting Roberta Christmas night at eight, he merely gave himself over to extremerejoicing in regard to it all now, and at last he was nearly as well placed here, socially, as any one. For althoughhe had no money, see how he was being received--and by the Griffiths, too--among all the others. And Sondrataking so great an interest in him, actually talking and acting as though she might be ready to fall in love. AndGilbert checkmated by his social popularity. What would you say to that? It testified, as he saw it now, that atleast his relatives had not forgotten him or that, because of his recent success in other directions, they werefinding it necessary to be civil to him--a thought that was the same as the bays of victory to a contestant. Heviewed it with as much pleasure almost as though there had never been any hiatus at all.

可是圣诞节晚上罗伯达回到莱柯格斯，回到她在吉尔平家的自己房间以后，既见不到克莱德的影子，也得不到任何片语只字的解释。因为就在这时，格里菲思家发生了一件事，克莱德和罗伯达倘若知道的话，一定都会深为关注。原来罗伯达看到有关斯蒂尔家举行舞会的那段新闻报道，也给吉尔伯特看到了。

舞会后的星期天早上，吉尔伯特坐在进早餐的桌子旁，正要喝咖啡时，碰巧看到了这段新闻，顿时气得他牙齿咯嚓乱响，就象表盖打开时发出的那种响声。

他连咖啡也都不喝了，把杯子往桌上一撂，就仔细研读报上那段新闻报道。这时，餐室里别无他人，只有他和他母亲。他知道，家里人要数他母亲最附和他对克莱德的看法，所以这时便把报纸递给了她老人家。

"看呀，是谁在上流社会大出风头?

"他用犀利。挖苦的口吻说，眼里露出恶狠狠瞧不起人的凶光。"他马上到我们这儿抛头露面来啦!

""是谁呀?

"格里菲思太太一面询问，一面拿起报纸，心情平静。态度公允地仔细读着那段新闻报道，不过，一看到克莱德这个名字，她不免大吃一惊，但是她竭力克制，这才没有在脸上露出来。因为，不久前桑德拉让克莱德搭乘她的车，后来他又被请去参加特朗布尔家举行的舞会等事，尽管最近才传到他们家里，可是，克莱德在《星报》上流社会交际新闻中出现，那就非同小可了。"我真纳闷，不知道他怎么会被邀赴会的?

"格里菲思太太若有所思地说;他儿子对所有这些事情的态度，她心里一向很清楚的。

"当然罗，除了芬奇利这个喜欢装腔作势。自作聪明的小丫头，还会有谁呢?

"吉尔伯特恶狠狠地大声说。"不知道她从哪儿得来的想法……据我知道，她是受贝拉影响……好象觉得我们压根儿不睬他。她以为这是打击我的一大绝招，就我得罪过她的事，或是她自以为好象我得罪过她的事进行报复。不管怎么说，反正她认为我不喜欢她。不过，这倒也是说对了，我才不喜欢她哩。这个，贝拉也知道。不过，这事没有那个爱出风头的小丫头克兰斯顿帮衬，可也不行哪。

她和桑德拉老是跟着贝拉转悠。她们这一拨人，净爱出风头，摆阔气，挥霍浪费，个个都是这样，连她们的兄弟们……格兰特。克兰斯顿和斯图。芬奇利……也不例外……我敢打赌说，这一帮子人不知哪一天就要倒了霉呢。你记住我的话就得了!

他们什么事也不干，这一帮子人，一年到头净是玩啊，跳舞啊，开了车子到处兜风啊，好象世界上除了玩儿就一点儿事都没有似的。再说，你和爸爸干吗让贝拉老是跟在这一拨人后头跑，我可真不明白。"母亲听了他这些话，很不以为然。要阻止贝拉跟当地上流社会里这一部分人完全断绝往来，限定她只好跟另外一部分人里头哪几户人家应酬交往，这个母亲可办不到。她们个个无拘无束地相互交往，常常晤面。何况贝拉也长大成人，可以自己作主了。

不管母亲进行百般辩解，丝毫也没有减少吉尔伯特的敌意，因为他对克莱德千方百计要跻身于上流社会非常反感，何况从已发表的那段新闻报道来看，可能性又是极大。简直叫他难受死了。这个可怜的穷小子堂弟，实在罪该万死，罪名有二，一是模样儿长得活象他吉尔伯特，二是投奔莱柯格斯，一头闯入了这个声名显赫的大户人家。吉尔伯特一开始就明白无误地向他表示过自己既不喜欢他，也不想收留他。倘若吉尔伯特自己能作主，那么连一刹那也不会容忍他。

"他连一个铜子儿都没有啊，"后来他怒冲冲地对母亲说。"可他却使出浑身解数，想跻身于这儿上流社会。为了什么呢?

要是这儿上流社会里头的人都跟他交往，那他以后又该怎么办?

当然罗，他不可能象他们那样胡乱花钱，毕竟他没有钱。就算他行，他在这儿的工作也帮不了他大忙，除非有人愿意替他掏钱。

他怎么能做到两不误，一面干自己的工作，一面又跟着这一拨人胡混，我可真不明白。要知道，这帮子年轻人是整天价开了车子到处乱转悠的。"事实上，现在他心中暗自纳闷:

从今以后，上流社会会不会就公开接纳克莱德。要是接纳的话，那又该怎么办才好。万一他就这样被纳入上流社会，那末，他吉尔伯特也好，还是他家里也好，又岂能不给予他青睐呢?

显而易见，他的父亲并不乐意把他打发走……一开头和后来的事实，早就证明了这一点。

格里菲思太太同儿子谈话以后，便把报纸递给了与她同一张早餐桌的丈夫，还把吉尔伯特的意思转告了他。不过，塞缪尔。格里菲思对克莱德仍旧持同情态度，并不同意儿子的看法。相反，据格里菲思太太看来，他好象认为，这段新闻报道所列举的事实，恰好证明他早先对克莱德所作的估价是颇有道理的。

"我不得不这样说，"他仔细听完了太太的意见后开始说，"哪怕是他身无分文，可有时候克莱德在什么宴会上露露面，或是这儿那儿有人邀请他去，依我看，这也并没有什么要不得。老实说，这对他本人也好，对我们也好，都是很有面子的事。至于吉尔对他的态度怎么样，我也很明白。不过，依我看，克莱德好象比吉尔的估计还要高一些。不管怎么说，我对这件事既不会去干涉，也不愿去干涉。既然我要他上这儿来，至少我也得给他一个出人头地的机会。好象他的工作干得还满出色嘛。再说，要是我不这样办，那又会是怎么个样子呢?

"随后，因为吉尔伯特又向母亲说了一些另外的事，父亲便找补着说:

"当然罗，我巴不得他跟一些上等人来往，不要跟那些下等人一块厮混……那是毫无疑问的。他这个人衣冠楚楚，彬彬有礼，根据我在厂里听到的各种反映来看，他的工作也挺不错嘛。其实，应当听了我的话，去年夏天请他到我们湖上别墅去玩儿，哪怕是只有一两天时间。要是在眼下这情况我们不赶紧作出一点儿表示，那末，结果必然是这样:

好象只有我们认为他表现还不够好，可是人家全都觉得他确实够好的了。不妨听听我的忠告，就在圣诞节或是新年里，请他到我们家来，好歹也表示我们对待他的规格决不会比我们的朋友给的还低。"吉尔伯特一听到母亲所转达的父亲这个建议，就高声喊道:

"嘿，让它见鬼去吧!

得了，不过，你们休想我就会向他溜须拍马!

说来也真怪，爸爸既然觉得他挺有能耐，那他干吗不上别处寻摸一个好差使?

"他们这样议论了一番之后，要不是因为贝拉这一天正好从奥尔巴尼回来，跟桑德拉。伯蒂娜通了电话，又碰过头，得到了一些有关克莱德的消息，本来很可能什么结果也没有。贝拉还获悉:

克莱德已接受邀请，伴送她们去谢内克塔迪，参加埃勒斯利府上的除夕舞会。而在他们想到邀请克莱德以前，贝拉早就列为被邀请的客人之一。

这一突如其来的消息，确实意味深长。贝拉把它告知母亲以后，格里菲思夫妇不顾吉尔伯特表示反感，决定在显然迫不得已的情况下，尽量争取主动，索性邀请克莱德到家里来……时间定在圣诞节这一天……是应邀宾客很多的一个盛大的宴会。他们认为，这就一下子昭示天下:

他们并没有象有些人所想象的那样，压根儿不睬克莱德。迟至今日，这是唯一的合情合理的办法了。吉尔伯特听到这件事以后，深知自己吃了败仗，就乖戾地大声嚷道:

"哦，那敢情好!

要是你们乐意请他，要是你跟爸爸认为这么办好……那你们就尽管请吧。而我呢，直至今日，还看不出真正有邀请的必要性。不过，你们爱怎么办就怎么办得了。

反正康斯坦斯和我要去尤蒂卡一整天，我即使乐意来，到时候恐怕也来不了。

"他心中暗自寻思，象桑德拉这么一个他最最不能容忍的姑娘，毅然决然使出了一些花招，迫使他不得不接受自己的堂弟，就是想阻挡一下，他也阻挡不了，真叫他敢怒而不敢言。而克莱德呢，好一个下流坯!

他明明知道自己不受欢迎，却还是那样使劲儿粘附在一起。这个年青的家伙，究竟是个什么货色啊?

克莱德就这样在星期一早上又接到了格里菲思家的来信，这一回是由麦拉出面，请他圣诞节下午两点来家便宴。既然这个时间跟当晚八点钟和罗伯达的约会好象并不发生冲突，他心中真有说不出的高兴。如今，他在上流社会里终于获得了一席之地……说真的，决不是低人一头啦!

尽管现下他还是身无分文，可你们瞧吧，人家照样宴请他……甚至连格里菲思府上也宴请他哩。而对他脉脉含情的桑德拉呢，说真的，从她的举止谈吐来看，仿佛打算跟他谈情说爱似的。而吉尔伯特呢，却由于克莱德邀获莱柯格斯上流社会的青睐而败下阵来。

你们觉得那封信怎么样?

在克莱德看来，那封信证明至少他的亲戚还没有把他忘掉，要不然就是由于最近他在社会上不断取得成功，他们认为非得跟他套近乎不可。克莱德想到这些，正如一个斗士头上了一顶胜利的桂冠，这时，他心里那么美滋滋，好象在同他的亲戚关系方面从来就没有过裂缝似的。
Part 2 Chapter 31
Unfortunately, however, the Christmas dinner at the Griffiths', which included the Starks and their daughterArabella, Mr. and Mrs. Wynant, who in the absence of their daughter Constance with Gilbert were dining withthe Griffiths, the Arnolds, Anthonys, Harriets, Taylors and others of note in Lycurgus, so impressed and evenoverawed Clyde that although five o'clock came and then six, he was incapable of breaking away or thinkingclearly and compellingly of his obligation to Roberta. Even when, slightly before six, the greater portion of thosewho had been thus cheerfully entertained began rising and making their bows and departing (and when he, too,should have been doing the same and thinking of his appointment with Roberta), being accosted by Violet Taylor, who was part of the younger group, and who now began talking of some additional festivities to be heldthat same evening at the Anthonys', and who added most urgently, "You're coming with us, aren't you? Sure youare," he at once acquiesced, although his earlier promise to Roberta forced the remembrance that she wasprobably already back and expecting him. But still he had time even now, didn't he?
　　Yet, once at the Anthonys', and talking and dancing with various girls, the obligation faded. But at nine he beganworrying a little. For by this time she must be in her room and wondering what had become of him and hispromise. And on Christmas night, too. And after she had been away three days.
　　Inwardly he grew more and more restless and troubled, the while outwardly he maintained that same high spiritthat characterized him throughout the afternoon. Fortunately for his own mood, this same group, having dancedand frolicked every night for the past week until almost nervously exhausted, it now unanimously andunconsciously yielded to weariness and at eleven thirty, broke up. And after having escorted Bella Griffiths toher door, Clyde hurried around to Elm Street to see if by any chance Roberta was still awake.
　　As he neared the Gilpins' he perceived through the snow-covered bushes and trees the glow of her single lamp.
　　And for the time being, troubled as to what he should say--how excuse himself for this inexplicable lapse--hepaused near one of the large trees that bordered the street, debating with himself as to just what he would say.
　　Would he insist that he had again been to the Griffiths', or where? For according to his previous story he hadonly been there the Friday before. In the months before when he had no social contacts, but was merelyromanticizing in regard to them, the untruths he found himself telling her caused him no twinges of any kind.
　　They were not real and took up no actual portion of his time, nor did they interfere with any of his desiredcontacts with her. But now in the face of the actuality and the fact that these new contacts meant everything tohis future, as he saw it, he hesitated. His quick conclusion was to explain his absence this evening by a secondinvitation which had come later, also by asseverating that the Griffiths being potentially in charge of his materialwelfare, it was becoming more and more of a duty rather than an idle, evasive pleasure to desert her in this wayat their command. Could he help it? And with this half-truth permanently fixed in his mind, he crossed the snowand gently tapped at her window.
　　At once the light was extinguished and a moment later the curtain lifted. Then Roberta, who had beenmournfully brooding, opened the door and admitted him, having previously lit a candle as was her custom inorder to avoid detection as much as possible, and at once he began in a whisper:
　　"Gee, but this society business here is getting to be the dizzy thing, honey. I never saw such a town as this. Onceyou go with these people one place to do one thing, they always have something else they want you to do.
　　They're on the go all the time. When I went there Friday (he was referring to his lie about having gone to theGriffiths'), I thought that would be the last until after the holidays, but yesterday, and just when I was planning togo somewhere else, I got a note saying they expected me to come there again to-day for dinner sure.""And to-day when I thought the dinner would begin at two," he continued to explain, "and end in time for me tobe around here by eight like I said, it didn't start until three and only broke up a few minutes ago. Isn't that thelimit? And I just couldn't get away for the last four hours. How've you been, honey? Did you have a good time? Ihope so. Did they like the present I gave you?"He rattled off these questions, to which she made brief and decidedly terse replies, all the time looking at him asmuch as to say, "Oh, Clyde, how can you treat me like this?"But Clyde was so much interested in his own alibi, and how to convince Roberta of the truth of it, that neitherbefore nor after slipping off his coat, muffler and gloves and smoothing back his hair, did he look at her directly,or even tenderly, or indeed do anything to demonstrate to her that he was truly delighted to see her again. On thecontrary, he was so fidgety and in part flustered that despite his past professions and actions she could feel thatapart from being moderately glad to see her again he was more concerned about himself and his own partiallyexplained defection than he was about her. And although after a few moments he took her in his arms andpressed his lips to hers, still, as on Saturday, she could feel that he was only partially united to her in spirit. Otherthings--the affairs that had kept him from her on Friday and to-night--were disturbing his thoughts and hers.
　　She looked at him, not exactly believing and yet not entirely wishing to disbelieve him. He might have been atthe Griffiths', as he said, and they might have detained him. And yet he might not have, either. For she could nothelp recalling that on the previous Saturday he had said he had been there Friday and the paper on the other handhad stated that he was in Gloversville. But if she questioned him in regard to these things now, would he not getangry and lie to her still more? For after all she could not help thinking that apart from his love for her she hadno real claim on him. But she could not possibly imagine that he could change so quickly.
　　"So that was why you didn't come to-night, was it?" she asked, with more spirit and irritation than she had everused with him before. "I thought you told me sure you wouldn't let anything interfere," she went on, a littleheavily.
　　"Well, so I did," he admitted. "And I wouldn't have either, except for the letter I got. You know I wouldn't let anyone but my uncle interfere, but I couldn't turn them down when they asked me to come there on Christmas Day.
　　It's too important. It wouldn't look right, would it, especially when you weren't going to be here in theafternoon?"The manner and tone in which he said this conveyed to Roberta more clearly than anything that he had ever saidbefore how significant he considered this connection with his relatives to be and how unimportant anything shemight value in regard to this relationship was to him. It came to her now that in spite of all his enthusiasm anddemonstrativeness in the first stages of this affair, possibly she was much more trivial in his estimation than shehad seemed to herself. And that meant that her dreams and sacrifices thus far had been in vain. She becamefrightened.
　　"Well, anyhow," she went on dubiously in the face of this, "don't you think you might have left a note here,Clyde, so I would have got it when I got in?" She asked this mildly, not wishing to irritate him too much.
　　"But didn't I just tell you, honey, I didn't expect to be so late. I thought the thing would all be over by six,anyhow.""Yes--well--anyhow--I know--but still--"Her face wore a puzzled, troubled, nervous look, in which was mingled fear, sorrow, depression, distrust, a trace of resentment and a trace of despair, all of which, coloring and animating her eyes, which were now fixed on himin round orblike solemnity, caused him to suffer from a sense of having misused and demeaned her not a little.
　　And because her eyes seemed to advertise this, he flushed a dark red flush that colored deeply his naturally verypale cheeks. But without appearing to notice this or lay any stress on it in any way at the time, Roberta addedafter a moment: "I notice that The Star mentioned that Gloversville party Sunday, but it didn't say anything aboutyour cousins being over there. Were they?"For the first time in all her questioning of him, she asked this as though she might possibly doubt him--adevelopment which Clyde had scarcely anticipated in connection with her up to this time, and more thananything else, it troubled and irritated him.
　　"Of course they were," he replied falsely. "Why do you want to ask a thing like that when I told you they were?""Well, dear, I don't mean anything by it. I only wanted to know. But I did notice that it mentioned all those otherpeople from Lycurgus that you are always talking about, Sondra Finchley, Bertine Cranston. You know younever mentioned anybody but the Trumbulls."Her tone tended to make him bristle and grow cross, as she saw.
　　"Yes, I saw that, too, but it ain't so. If they were there, I didn't see them. The papers don't always get everythingright." In spite of a certain crossness and irritation at being trapped in this fashion, his manner did not carryconviction, and he knew it. And he began to resent the fact that she should question him so. Why should she?
　　Wasn't he of sufficient importance to move in this new world without her holding him back in this way?
　　Instead of denying or reproaching him further, she merely looked at him, her expression one of injuredwistfulness. She did not believe him now entirely and she did not utterly disbelieve him. A part of what he saidwas probably true. More important was it that he should care for her enough not to want to lie to her or to treather badly. But how was that to be effected if he did not want to be kind or truthful? She moved back from him afew steps and with a gesture of helplessness said: "Oh, Clyde, you don't have to story to me. Don't you knowthat? I wouldn't care where you went if you would just tell me beforehand and not leave me like this all alone onChristmas night. It's just that that hurts so.""But I'm not storying to you, Bert," he reiterated crossly. "I can't help how things look even if the paper did sayso. The Griffiths were over there, and I can prove it. I got around here as soon as I could to-day. What do youwant to get so mad about all at once? I've told you how things are. I can't do just as I want to here. They call meup at the last minute and want me to go. And I just can't get out of it. What's the use of being so mad about it?"He stared defiantly while Roberta, checkmated in this general way, was at a loss as to how to proceed. The itemabout New Year's Eve was in her mind, but she felt that it might not be wise to say anything more now. Morepoignantly than ever now she was identifying him with that gay life of which he, but not she, was a part. And yetshe hesitated even now to let him know how sharp were the twinges of jealousy that were beginning to assail her.
　　They had such a good time in that fine world--he and those he knew--and she had so little. And besides, now hewas always talking about that Sondra Finchley and that Bertine Cranston, or the papers were. Was it in either of those that he was most interested?
　　"Do you like that Miss Finchley very much?" she suddenly asked, looking up at him in the shadow, her desire toobtain some slight satisfaction--some little light on all this trouble--still torturing her.
　　At once Clyde sensed the importance of the question--a suggestion of partially suppressed interest and jealousyand helplessness, more in her voice even than in the way she looked. There was something so soft, coaxing andsad about her voice at times, especially when she was most depressed. At the same time he was slightly takenback by the shrewd or telepathic way in which she appeared to fix on Sondra. Immediately he felt that she shouldnot know--that it would irritate her. At the same time, vanity in regard to his general position here, which hourlywas becoming more secure apparently, caused him to say:
　　"Oh, I like her some, sure. She's very pretty, and a dandy dancer. And she has lots of money and dresses well."He was about to add that outside of that Sondra appealed to him in no other way, when Roberta, sensingsomething of the true interest he felt in this girl perhaps and the wide gulf that lay between herself and all hisworld, suddenly exclaimed: "Yes, and who wouldn't, with all the money she has? If I had as much money as that,I could too."And to his astonishment and dismay even, at this point her voice grew suddenly vibrant and then broke, as on asob. And as he could both see and feel, she was deeply hurt--terribly and painfully hurt--heartsore and jealous;and at once, although his first impulse was to grow angry and defiant again, his mood as suddenly softened. Forit now pained him not a little to think that some one of whom he had once been so continuously fond up to thistime should be made to suffer through jealousy of him, for he himself well knew the pangs of jealousy inconnection with Hortense. He could for some reason almost see himself in Roberta's place. And for this reason, ifno other, he now said, and quite softly: "Oh, now, Bert, as though I couldn't tell you about her or any one elsewithout your getting mad about it! I didn't mean that I was especially interested in her. I was just telling you whatI thought you wanted to know because you asked me if I liked her, that's all.""Oh, yes, I know," replied Roberta, standing tensely and nervously before him, her face white, her handssuddenly clenched, and looking up at him dubiously and yet pleadingly. "But they've got everything. You knowthey have. And I haven't got anything, really. And it's so hard for me to keep up my end and against all of them,too, and with all they have." Her voice shook, and she ceased talking, her eyes filling and her lips beginning toquiver. And as swiftly she concealed her face with her hands and turned away, her shoulders shaking as she didso. Indeed her body was now torn for the moment by the most desperate and convulsive sobs, so much so thatClyde, perplexed and astonished and deeply moved by this sudden display of a pent-up and powerful emotion, assuddenly was himself moved deeply. For obviously this was no trick or histrionic bit intended to influence him,but rather a sudden and overwhelming vision of herself, as he himself could sense, as a rather lorn and isolatedgirl without friends or prospects as opposed to those others in whom he was now so interested and who had somuch more--everything in fact. For behind her in her vision lay all the lorn and detached years that had marredher youth, now so vivid because of her recent visit. She was really intensely moved--overwhelmingly andhelplessly.
　　And now from the very bottom of her heart she exclaimed: "If I'd ever had a chance like some girls--if I'd everbeen anywhere or seen anything! But just to be brought up in the country and without any money or clothes or anything--and nobody to show you. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!"The moment she said these things she was actually ashamed of having made so weak and self-condemnatory aconfession, since that was what really was troubling him in connection with her, no doubt.
　　"Oh, Roberta, darling," he said instantly and tenderly, putting his arms around her, genuinely moved by his owndereliction. "You mustn't cry like that, dearest. You mustn't. I didn't mean to hurt you, honest I didn't. Truly, Ididn't, dear. I know you've had a hard time, honey. I know how you feel, and how you've been up against thingsin one way and another. Sure I do, Bert, and you mustn't cry, dearest. I love you just the same. Truly I do, and Ialways will. I'm sorry if I've hurt you, honest I am. I couldn't help it to-night if I didn't come, honest, or lastFriday either. Why, it just wasn't possible. But I won't be so mean like that any more, if I can help it. Honest Iwon't. You're the sweetest, dearest girl. And you've got such lovely hair and eyes, and such a pretty little figure.
　　Honest you have, Bert. And you can dance too, as pretty as anybody. And you look just as nice, honest you do,dear. Won't you stop now, honey? Please do. I'm so sorry, honey, if I've hurt you in any way."There was about Clyde at times a certain strain of tenderness, evoked by experiences, disappointments, andhardships in his own life, which came out to one and another, almost any other, under such circumstances asthese. At such times he had a soft and melting voice. His manner was as tender and gentle almost as that of amother with a baby. It drew a girl like Roberta intensely to him. At the same time, such emotion in him, thoughvivid, was of brief duration. It was like the rush and flutter of a summer storm--soon come and soon gone. Yet inthis instance it was sufficient to cause Roberta to feel that he fully understood and sympathized with her andperhaps liked her all the better for it. Things were not so had for the moment, anyhow. She had him and his loveand sympathy to a very marked degree at any rate, and because of this and her very great comfort in it, and hissoothing words, she began to dry her eyes, to say that she was sorry to think that she was such a cry-baby andthat she hoped he would forgive her, because in crying she had wet the bosom of his spotless white shirt with hertears. And she would not do it any more if Clyde would just forgive her this once--the while, touched by apassion he scarcely believed was buried in her in any such volume, he now continued to kiss her hands, cheeks,and finally her lips.
　　And between these pettings and coaxings and kissings it was that he reaffirmed to her, most foolishly and falselyin this instance (since he was really caring for Sondra in a way which, while different, was just as vital--perhapseven more so), that he regarded her as first, last and most in his heart, always--a statement which caused her tofeel that perhaps after all she might have misjudged him. Also that her position, if anything, was more secure, ifnot more wonderful than ever it had been before--far superior to that of these other girls who might see himsocially perhaps, but who did not have him to love them in this wonderful way.

偏巧圣诞节应格里菲思夫妇邀请赴宴的宾客里头，包括斯塔克夫妇和他们的女儿阿拉贝拉。威南特夫妇(因为他们的女儿康斯坦斯跟吉尔伯特一起去尤蒂卡，所以他们便来格里菲思府上赴宴了)。阿诺德夫妇。安东尼夫妇。哈里特夫妇。泰勒夫妇，以及莱柯格斯其他知名人物，给克莱德留下了非常强烈。甚至无限惊愕的印象。因此，尽管到了五点钟也好，六点钟也好，他还是脱身不了，也没有迫使自己清醒地想到他与罗伯达幽会的诺言。甚至快到六点钟时，客人们绝大部分早已尽兴，开始纷纷离座，向主人鞠躬告别了(这时，本来他也应该同样行告别礼，同时想到自己跟罗伯达还有约会)，但偏偏在这时候，年轻客人里头的维奥莱特。泰勒走过来跟他搭讪。泰勒告诉他今儿晚上安东尼家还有一些联欢活动，竭力撺掇他说:

"您跟我们一块去吧?

当然罗，您一定会去。"他马上就默许了，尽管事前他给过罗伯达的诺言使他不能不想到，此时此刻她也许早已回来，正在引颈企盼着他哩。不过，他想也许还来得及，不是有的是时间吗?

殊不知一到了安东尼家，跟姑娘们聊聊天，跳跳舞，同罗伯达约会一事，就渐渐淡忘了。到了九点钟，他心中开始有点惴惴不安。因为这时她想必已在自己房间里，暗自纳闷，真不知道他本人和他的许诺会不会出了什么事。而这又是在圣诞节夜晚，何况与她离别已有三天了。

尽管他在内心深处越发困惑不安，但从他外表来看，依然如同他午后那样兴高采烈。幸亏这一帮子人在上个星期每个夜晚必到舞厅，寻欢作乐，早就精力不逮了，所以今晚他们不知不觉都感到困乏不堪，难以为继，便在十一点半纷纷离去。克莱德把贝拉。格里菲思一送到她府上大门口，就急奔埃尔姆街，但愿这时罗伯达最好还没有入睡。

他一走近吉尔平家，就从枝柯稀朗。又有挂雪的矮树丛的缝隙里，看见了她房间里那盏孤灯的亮光。他心里一阵不安刚过去，就马上暗自琢磨:

他应该对她说些什么话才好……他该如何给自己这次怎么也说不清的过失进行辩解……他停在路旁一棵大树边，心中再三斟酌自己究竟应该对她说些什么话才好。他反躬自问:

要不要一口说定，这次他又去格里菲思家，或是去别处了?

因为，照他前次所说，上星期五他曾经去过那里。好几个月前，他压根儿还没有涉足上流社会，对此充其量也只不过是想入非非罢了。那时，他向罗伯达胡扯一通，自己一点儿也不觉得有什么内疚的。他编出来的那一套，反正不是真的，实际上既没有占去他的时间，也没有影响他们两厢情愿的交往。可是如今已经变成现实，而且认为新近自己在上流社会的交往对个人前途至关重要，所以心中反而犹豫不决了。但很快他就决定，不如说他之所以没有来，是因为后来收到伯父家的第二次请柬，同时还要让罗伯达相信:

既然格里菲思家主宰着他的一生幸福，因此，只要他们多咱叫他去，他就得去……对他来说，这是责无旁贷，而决不是他一味玩乐，存心回避她。除此以外，他还有什么别的办法?

等这一套似是而非的理由在他心里想定后，他便踩着积雪，走过去轻轻地叩她的窗。

灯一下子熄了，随后窗帘也卷了下来。不一会儿，忧心忡忡的罗伯达开了门，让他进来。事前她照例点燃了一支蜡烛，免得灯光太亮，被人发觉。克莱德马上低声耳语道:

"唉，亲爱的，这里的交际应酬，简直弄得我晕头转向。象这样的城市，我可一辈子都没见过。只要你跟这些人一块上某处赴会去，他们回头总会千方百计地邀请你也到他们舍间便宴去。他们一天到晚宴会啊，舞会啊，总是没有个完!

星期五我去的时候(他在这里提到的，就是他前次撒谎说自己上格里菲思家去了)，我原以为这是节日结束前最末一次应酬了，哪知道昨天，正当我动身去别处的时候，我却收到了一张便条，说伯父他们巴望我今天务必再去那儿吃饭。

""今天呢，本来我以为两点钟总可以开饭，"他接下来就自我辩解说。"一结束，我还来得及，正象我所说的八点钟，准到这儿来，可是实际上，三点钟才开始，一直拖到现在才散席。这不是叫人太难办吗?

这四个钟头里，我委实脱身不了。哦，你好吧，亲爱的?

你过得很痛快吧?

但愿如此。我送的东西，你的父母喜欢吗?

"他絮絮叨叨地说了一连串问题，她只好简短扼要地作了回答，但是自始至终两眼直瞅着他，仿佛在说:

"哦，克莱德啊，你好意思这样对待我呀?

"而克莱德呢，只是一心注意自己胡编的那一套辩解，以及怎样让罗伯达信以为真，因此，在他脱下外套。围巾。手套，再捋了一下头发前后，他都没敢正面地，甚至温存地看她一眼，的确也没有对她做出任何动作，表示自己跟她聚首重逢，真有说不出的高兴。相反，这时他特别显得心神不安，而且还有点儿窘态。因此，尽管刚才他所作那一套辩白和举动，可她却一眼就看出:

除了跟她再次见面略感高兴以外，他最关心的还是他自己，以及他刚才解释为何失约一事，而根本不是关心她。虽然不一会儿，他搂住了她，亲吻她，可她还是象星期六那样觉得他思想感情上跟她只是半心半意罢了。此外还有一些事……就是星期五和今天晚上不让他前来跟她相会的那些事……这时都使他和她心乱如麻。

她两眼直望着他，虽不是真正相信他，但也不是压根儿不愿相信他。说不定正如他所说的，他确实在格里菲思府上，也可能是他们把他拖住不放。可是也有可能他压根儿就没有去。因为，她不禁想到:

上星期六，他对她说星期五在格里菲思他们家吃饭，而与此同时，报上却偏偏说他是在格洛弗斯维尔。不过，现在问他这些事，也许他就会火冒三丈，或是再次向她撒谎……这时，她不禁暗自思忖，说真的，她毕竟也没有权利向他提出任何要求，除了要求他爱她以外。可是，他的感情一下子变得这么快，倒是她始料所不及的。

"这就说明了你今儿晚上为什么没有来的原因，可不是吗?

"她反问时充满激愤的语气，是过去她跟他说话时从来也没有过的。"我好象记得，那时你跟我说过，你决不让任何事情干预……"接着，她心情有些沉重地说。

"哦，我说是说过的，"他一口承认说。"要不是来了那封信，我也决不会那么办。你也知道，除了我伯父以外，我决不会让任何人来干预的，可是，如果伯父他们叫我在圣诞节那天去，那我就没法谢绝呀。这可是太重要的了。看来也不应该谢绝，可不是吗，特别是今天下午你还没有回到这里呢?

"他说话时那种态度和语调，跟他过去所说的相比，让罗伯达更加清晰地认识到:

他把自己显贵的亲戚关系看得何等重要;对他们俩之间的关系，尽管她觉得无比珍贵，可是他却看得多么微不足道。这时她悟出了一个道理:

不管一开始谈恋爱时他表现得那么易动感情，那么炽烈似火，但在他的心目中，恐怕她比她自己的估价还要低得多。这就是说，她过去的种种梦想。种种牺牲，都是枉然徒劳了。想到这里，她心中也就不寒而栗了。

"哦，反正不管怎么说吧，"她疑惧不安地继续说。"难道你就没想到自己不妨留个条子在这儿，克莱德，让我一进来便看到?

"她质问他时口气温和，不想让他恼羞成怒。

"可我刚才不是早告诉你了，亲爱的，我没有想到会滞留在那里这么晚。原以为六点钟无论如何就散席了。""是啊……得了……反正……我明白……可是还……"她脸上露出迷惑不解。困扰不安的神色，可又搀杂着惧怕。悲哀。沮丧。

怀疑，以及一点儿反感和绝望，一古脑儿都在她眼里映现出来。这时，她的那双圆圆的大眼睛严肃地直盯住他，不由得使他痛苦地感到:

是他虐待了她，污损了她的品格。她的眼睛仿佛也指出了这一点，他顿时只觉得脸上发烧，平时很苍白的两颊上呈现红一块。紫一块的。可是罗伯达偏偏佯装没看见，也不想马上给他点明了。所以，过了一会儿，她才找补着说:

"我看过《星报》，上面提到星期天格洛弗斯维尔的晚会，不过并没有提到你的堂妹也都在那里。那她们到底去了没有?

"虽然她不断在质问他，但这还是她头一次带着怀疑的口吻，好象她也许不太信任他……这一点，克莱德是始料所不及，因而特别使他困惑。恼火。

"当然罗，她们也去了，"他又说了假话。"我早就对你说她们也去了，你干吗还要问这个呀?

""哦，亲爱的，我可没有什么别的意思呗。我只是想知道罢了。不过我看见报上提到了你常常讲起过的莱柯格斯另一拨人:

桑德拉。芬奇利。伯蒂娜。克兰斯顿等等。你总记得吧，你只跟我说过特朗布尔姐妹，此外你哪一位都没提过呢。"她顿时发现，她刚才说话的语气，好象就要惹他发火了。

"是的，这我也看过了，不过与事实有出入。要是说她们也在那里的话，但我并没有看见她们啊。报纸上刊登的事，不见得件件都正确嘛。"尽管他因为被她揭了底，不免有点儿恼羞成怒，但他的举止神态并不令人信服，这一点就是他自己也明白。那时他最反感的，是她竟敢这样质问起他来了。她为什么要这样质问他?

难道说他自己已经很有身价，可以随心所欲在这个新天地里周旋，但事事还得受到她牵制吗?

罗伯达并没有进一步反驳他或是责备他，只是两眼直瞅着他，脸上露出受委屈后沉思默想的神色。现在，她既不是完全信任他，也不是完全不信任他。

他说的话，也许部分是真实的。最要紧的是:

他应该疼她，既不诓骗她，也不亏待她。不过，要是他对她不怀好意，表现不忠实，那又怎么办呢?

她往后退了好几步，露出无可奈何的神态对他说:

"哦，克莱德，你完全用不着给我胡编一通啦。

难道说你还不明白吗?

你上哪儿去，本来我也无所谓，只要你事前跟我说一声，别撇下我一个人过圣诞夜，怪孤零零的。正是这一点，才让人最伤心。

""可我并没有胡编一通呀，伯特，"他怒咻咻地顶嘴说。"即使报上是这么说的，报道失实了，现在叫我也没有办法啊。格里菲思姐妹俩确实去过那里，我个人就可以佐证嘛。今天，我一脱身就尽快赶到这儿。你干吗一下子就生这么大的气?

事情的来龙去脉，我早已跟你说过了。我在这里真是身不由己呀。你要知道，正是伯父他们临时通知我，关照我非去不可。而后来，我实在也没法脱身啊。生这么大的气，有什么用呢?

"他两眼露出挑战的神色直盯着她。罗伯达一下子大败亏输以后，真不知道下面该怎么周旋下去。她心里记得报上说的有关除夕晚会一事，但又觉得现在再提它，也许很不合适。这时，她比过去任何时候都更痛心地认识到:

他是经常沉溺于那种寻欢作乐的生活之中，而这种生活仅仅与他有缘，对她却是可望而不可及。但即使在这时，她还是有点儿犹豫，不想让他知道自己正被妒忌心折磨得多么剧痛。他们……不论克莱德也好，还是他相识的熟人也好……在那个美好的世界里，个个都是多么快乐，而她，罗伯达，却是这么少……。再说，现在他嘴上老是说到桑德拉。芬奇利。伯蒂挪。克兰斯顿，报上也是常常提到她们。也许他会不会爱上了她们里头的哪一个呢?

"你非常喜欢芬奇利小姐吗?

"她突然问他，在昏暗的烛光里抬眼直瞅着他。

她很想知道一些真相……能对她眼前种种苦恼的原因多少有点了解……她的这个念头至今还在折磨着她。

克莱德一下子感到这个问题的严重性……她流露出一点儿被抑制住的急于了解的欲望。嫉妒和无可奈何的神情，这在她说话的声调里要比在她的神态里似乎更加明显。她说话的声音有时很温柔。很诱人。很忧郁，特别是在她心情沮丧的时候。与此同时，她好象一下子就盯住桑德拉不放，这使克莱德对她的这种洞察力(亦即心灵感应术)感到有点儿吃惊。他马上决定这件事断断乎不该让她知道……要不然就会惹她生气的。殊不知由于他在这里的社会地位显然日益稳定，他那种爱慕虚荣的心理，终于使他说出了这些话:

"哦，当然罗，我有点儿喜欢她。她非常美，跳起舞来也帅极了。而且，她还非常有钱，穿戴可阔气呀。"他本想再补充说，除了这些以外，桑德拉并没有给他留下什么的印象，这时罗伯达却觉察到:

他也许真的爱上这位姑娘，想到她自己跟他的上流社会之间有鸿沟，突然又大声嚷道:

"是啊，象她这样有这么多钱，谁还不会穿得阔气呢?

我要是有这么多的钱，我也会这样啊。"就在这个节骨眼上，她说话的声音突然开始颤抖，跟着变得沙哑起来，象在呜咽抽泣似的……这使他大吃一惊，甚至惊恐丧胆。他亲眼看到和感受到:

她伤心透了，痛苦极了……又痛心，又嫉妒。他一开头就想发火，再次露出挑战的神色，可他突然一下子心软下来。因为一想到迄今他一直那么心爱的姑娘，为了他饱尝嫉妒的痛苦，他自己也觉得很难过。他自己从霍丹斯一事也深知嫉妒的痛苦。出于某种原因，他简直设想自己好象处在罗伯达的地位，因此便非常温存地说:

"哦，得了吧，伯特，难道说好象我跟你一提到她或是随便哪个人，你就非得生气不可吗?

我可不是说，我对她特别感兴趣呗。刚才你问我喜欢不喜欢她，我便把自己认为你想要知道的事情通通告诉了你……就是这么一回事嘛。

""哦，是的，我知道，"罗伯达回答说，紧张不安地伫立在他跟前，她的脸色也一下子煞白了。她猛地紧攥着双手，抬起头来，疑惧而又恳求地望着他。"可是人家什么都有。你自己也知道人家什么都有。可我呢，说真的，什么都没有。

我要糊口过活已经够难的了，现在还要对付她们一伙人，何况她们本来就是什么都有啊。"她说话的声音颤抖了，她突然为之语塞，噙满泪水，嘴唇也开始翕动起来。她马上双手捂住自己的脸，掉过身去，这时连肩膀也在抽搐着。由于极端绝望而痉挛似的呻吟哭泣，她浑身上下都在抖索着。她那长时间受压抑的强烈的感情，骤然迸发出来。克莱德一见此状，便感到困惑。惊异。茫然若失，后来突然连他自己也深受感动了。因为，显然，这不是在耍弄花招，或是故意装腔作势，企图给他施加影响，而是突然透过惊人的幻像(这一点他能感觉得到)，罗伯达发现自己只不过是一个孤苦伶仃的姑娘，没有朋友，没有前途，根本比不上现在他非常喜欢的那些姑娘(她们事实上个个都是富足有余的)。而她的过去，是孤独。离愁的岁月，断送了她的青春;这一印象，由于她最近返回家乡，在她脑际依然栩栩如生。罗伯达痛心到了极点，而且孤苦无告，确实陷入绝望了。

她从心坎里发出了呐喊:

"要是我能象某些姑娘那样也有这么一个机会……要是我也到过什么地方，见过什么世面，该有多好啊!

可惜长在穷乡僻壤，既没有钱，也没有衣服，什么都没有……更没有人来点拨你呀。哦，哦，哦，哦!

"话音刚落，她马上觉得自己是那么软弱，把自己骂了一通，真丢脸。因为，毫无疑问，克莱德之所以对她表示不满，原因正在这里。

"哦，罗伯达，亲爱的，"他搂住了她，马上温柔地说，并且对自己的大大咧咧的态度真的很后悔。"你千万不要象那样哭，最最亲爱的。千万不要那样。我可不是存心叫你难过，亲爱的，千真万确不是的。说实话，真的不是，亲爱的。

我知道你这一阵子很难过，亲爱的。我知道你在心里怎么难过，也知道你是怎么顶过来的。当然罗，我知道，伯特，你千万不要哭，最最亲爱的。我还是照样爱你。真的，我爱你，而且我永远爱你。我要是委屈过你，我也非常痛心，真的是这样。今儿晚上我没有来，还有上星期五也没来，说实话，那是我身不由己啊。哦，真的，我是身不由己啊。可是从今以后，我再也不会这么言而无信了。说实话，今后我再也不会那样了。你是我最最心疼。最最亲爱的姑娘。

瞧你的头发。你的眼睛，是那么可爱，你那娇小玲珑的身段，又是那么动人。

真的，你确实是这样，伯特。你也会跳舞，一点儿不比别人差。你呀长得那么美，真的，你确实是这样，亲爱的。得了吧，亲爱的，现在你别哭，好吗?

千万别哭了。我要是在哪儿委屈了你，亲爱的，我也是非常痛心的呀。"正如几乎每一个人遇到类似上述情况会想到自己生活中所经历过的遭际。

挫折和苦难，从而产生怜悯心一样，有时，克莱德身上，说真的，也有一点儿柔情。每当这种时候，他说话的声音就很温柔，而且使人深受感动。他的举止谈吐，也温馨柔和，有如慈母爱抚小孩一般。这一下子就把罗伯达这样的姑娘给迷住了。与此同对，他的那股子激情，虽然来得非常强劲，但是一瞬间就消失得无影无踪了，有如夏日暴风雨，哪怕是翻江倒海，骤然而至，可是去时也象一溜烟。因此，这一回也足以使罗伯达感到:

他是完全了解她。同情她的，因此今后也许他就会更爱她。反正眼前事态并不是那么坏。不管怎么说，克莱德是属于她的，还有他的爱。他的同情，也都是属于她的。因为一想到这里，她感到无限安慰，再加上他劝慰她的那些话，她便开始擦去眼泪，埋怨说自己刚才好象是个爱哭的小娃娃，此外还希望他原谅她，因为她的眼泪弄湿了他那洁净的白衬衫的衣襟。她还说这一回只要克莱德原谅了她，从今以后她决不会再那样了……他真的没有想到她内心深处竟然会有这么一股激情，禁不住非常感动，于是，他就不断地亲她的手，亲她的脸，最后亲她的嘴。

他就这样一面爱抚她，哄逗她，亲吻她，一面又最荒唐。最虚伪地要她千万放心(如今，他真的爱上了桑德拉，方式虽然不同，但也是强烈极了……说不定还是有过之无不及呢);他说她永远是自己头一个，也是最后一个。最最亲爱的心上人……这么一说，使她觉得刚才自己也许冤枉了他。她还觉得自己现下的处境，虽说不见得比过去更美妙，至少也是比较安稳了……甚至远远地胜过别的姑娘们，她们也许在交际场合见得到他，可从来也尝不到他那妙不可言的爱情的滋味。
Part 2 Chapter 32
Clyde now was actually part and parcel of this local winter social scene. The Griffiths having introduced him totheir friends and connections, it followed as a matter of course that he would be received in most homes here.
　　But in this very limited world, where quite every one who was anything at all knew every one else, the state ofone's purse was as much, and in some instances even more, considered than one's social connections. For these local families of distinction were convinced that not only one's family but one's wealth was the be-all and end-allof every happy union meant to include social security. And in consequence, while considering Clyde as one whowas unquestionably eligible socially, still, because it had been whispered about that his means were very slender,they were not inclined to look upon him as one who might aspire to marriage with any of their daughters. Hence,while they were to the fore with invitations, still in so far as their own children and connections were concernedthey were also to the fore with precautionary hints as to the inadvisability of too numerous contacts with him.
　　However, the mood of Sondra and her group being friendly toward him, and the observations and comments oftheir friends and parents not as yet too definite, Clyde continued to receive invitations to the one type ofgathering that most interested him--that which began and ended with dancing. And although his purse was short,he got on well enough. For once Sondra had interested herself in him, it was not long before she began to realizewhat his financial state was and was concerned to make his friendship for her at least as inexpensive as possible.
　　And because of this attitude on her part, which in turn was conveyed to Bertine, Grant Cranston and others, itbecame possible on most occasions for Clyde, especially when the affair was local, to go here and there withoutthe expenditure of any money. Even when the affair was at any point beyond Lycurgus and he consented to go,the car of another was delegated to pick him up.
　　Frequently after the New Year's Eve trip to Schenectady, which proved to be an outing of real import to bothClyde and Sondra--seeing that on that occasion she drew nearer to him affectionately than ever before--it wasSondra herself who chose to pick him up in her car. He had actually succeeded in impressing her, and in a waythat most flattered her vanity at the same time that it appealed to the finest trait in her--a warm desire to havesome one, some youth like Clyde, who was at once attractive and of good social station, dependent upon her. Sheknew that her parents would not countenance an affair between her and Clyde because of his poverty. She hadoriginally not contemplated any, though now she found herself wishing that something of the kind might be.
　　However, no opportunity for further intimacies occurred until one night about two weeks after the New Year'sparty. They were returning from a similar affair at Amsterdam, and after Bella Griffiths and Grant and BertineCranston had been driven to their respective homes, Stuart Finchley had called back: "Now we'll take you home,Griffiths." At once Sondra, swayed by the delight of contact with Clyde and not willing to end it so soon, said:
　　"If you want to come over to our place, I'll make some hot chocolate before you go home. Would you like that?""Oh, sure I would," Clyde had answered gayly.
　　"Here goes then," called Stuart, turning the car toward the Finchley home. "But as for me, I'm going to turn in.
　　It's way after three now.""That's a good brother. Your beauty sleep, you know," replied Sondra.
　　And having turned the car into the garage, the three made their way through the rear entrance into the kitchen.
　　Her brother having left them, Sondra asked Clyde to be seated at a servants' table while she brought theingredients. But he, impressed by this culinary equipment, the like of which he had never seen before, gazedabout wondering at the wealth and security which could sustain it.
　　"My, this is a big kitchen, isn't it?" he remarked. "What a lot of things you have here to cook with, haven't you?"And she, realizing from this that he had not been accustomed to equipment of this order before coming toLycurgus and hence was all the more easily to be impressed, replied: "Oh, I don't know. Aren't all kitchens as bigas this?"Clyde, thinking of the poverty he knew, and assuming from this that she was scarcely aware of anything less thanthis, was all the more overawed by the plethora of the world to which she belonged. What means! Only to thinkof being married to such a girl, when all such as this would become an everyday state. One would have a cookand servants, a great house and car, no one to work for, and only orders to give, a thought which impressed himgreatly. It made her various self-conscious gestures and posings all the more entrancing. And she, sensing theimport of all this to Clyde, was inclined to exaggerate her own inseparable connection with it. To him, more thanany one else, as she now saw, she shone as a star, a paragon of luxury and social supremacy.
　　Having prepared the chocolate in a commonplace aluminum pan, to further impress him she sought out a heavilychased silver service which was in another room. She poured the chocolate into a highly ornamented urn andthen carried it to the table and put it down before him. Then swinging herself up beside him, she said: "Now, isn'tthis chummy? I just love to get out in the kitchen like this, but I can only do it when the cook's out. He won't letany one near the place when he's here.""Oh, is that so?" asked Clyde, who was quite unaware of the ways of cooks in connection with private homes--aninquiry which quite convinced Sondra that there must have been little if any real means in the world from whichhe sprang. Nevertheless, because he had come to mean so much to her, she was by no means inclined to turnback. And so when he finally exclaimed: "Isn't it wonderful to be together like this, Sondra? Just think, I hardlygot a chance to say a word to you all evening, alone," she replied, without in any way being irritated by thefamiliarity, "You think so? I'm glad you do," and smiled in a slightly supercilious though affectionate way.
　　And at the sight of her now in her white satin and crystal evening gown, her slippered feet swinging so intimatelynear, a faint perfume radiating to his nostrils, he was stirred. In fact, his imagination in regard to her was reallyinflamed. Youth, beauty, wealth such as this--what would it not mean? And she, feeling the intensity of hisadmiration and infected in part at least by the enchantment and fervor that was so definitely dominating him, wasswayed to the point where she was seeing him as one for whom she could care--very much. Weren't his eyesbright and dark--very liquid and eager? And his hair! It looked so enticing, lying low upon his white forehead.
　　She wished that she could touch it now--smooth it with her hands and touch his cheeks. And his hands--theywere thin and sensitive and graceful. Like Roberta, and Hortense and Rita before her, she noticed them.
　　But he was silent now with a tightly restrained silence which he was afraid to liberate in words. For he wasthinking: "Oh, if only I could say to her how beautiful I really think she is. If I could just put my arms around herand kiss her, and kiss her, and kiss her, and have her kiss me in the same way." And strangely, considering hisfirst approaches toward Roberta, the thought was without lust, just the desire to constrain and fondle a perfectobject. Indeed, his eyes fairly radiated this desire and intensity. And while she noted this and was in part madedubious by it, since it was the thing in Clyde she most feared--still she was intrigued by it to the extent ofwishing to know its further meaning.
　　And so she now said, teasingly: "Was there anything very important you wanted to say?""I'd like to say a lot of things to you, Sondra, if you would only let me," he returned eagerly. "But you told menot to.""Oh, so I did. Well, I meant that, too. I'm glad you mind so well." There was a provoking smile upon her lips andshe looked at him as much as to say: "But you don't really believe I meant all of that, do you?"Overcome by the suggestion of her eyes, Clyde got up and, taking both her hands in his and looking directly intoher eyes, said: "You didn't mean all of it, then, did you, Sondra? Not all of it, anyhow. Oh, I wish I could tell youall that I am thinking." His eyes spoke, and now sharply conscious again of how easy it was to inflame him, andyet anxious to permit him to proceed as he wished, she leaned back from him and said, "Oh, yes, I'm sure I did.
　　You take almost everything too seriously, don't you?" But at the same time, and in spite of herself, herexpression relaxed and she once more smiled.
　　"I can't help it, Sondra. I can't! I can't!" he began, eagerly and almost vehemently. "You don't know what effectyou have on me. You're so beautiful. Oh, you are. You know you are. I think about you all the time. Really I do,Sondra. You've made me just crazy about you, so much so that I can hardly sleep for thinking about you. Gee,I'm wild! I never go anywhere or see you any place but what I think of you all the time afterward. Even to- nightwhen I saw you dancing with all those fellows I could hardly stand it. I just wanted you to be dancing with me-noone else. You've got such beautiful eyes, Sondra, and such a lovely mouth and chin, and such a wonderfulsmile."He lifted his hands as though to caress her gently, yet holding them back, and at the same time dreamed into hereyes as might a devotee into those of a saint, then suddenly put his arms about her and drew her close to him.
　　She, thrilled and in part seduced by his words, instead of resisting as definitely as she would have in any othercase, now gazed at him, fascinated by his enthusiasms. She was so trapped and entranced by his passion for herthat it seemed to her now as though she might care for him as much as he wished. Very, very much, if she onlydared. He, too, was beautiful and alluring to her. He, too, was really wonderful, even if he were poor--so muchmore intense and dynamic than any of these other youths that she knew here. Would it not be wonderful if, herparents and her state permitting, she could share with him completely such a mood as this? Simultaneously thethought came to her that should her parents know of this it might not be possible for her to continue thisrelationship in any form, let alone to develop it or enjoy it in the future. Yet regardless of this thought now,which arrested and stilled her for a moment, she continued to yearn toward him. Her eyes were warm andtender-- her lips wreathed with a gracious smile.
　　"I'm sure I oughtn't to let you say all these things to me. I know I shouldn't," she protested weakly, yet looking athim affectionately. "It isn't the right thing to do, I know, but still--""Why not? Why isn't it right, Sondra? Why mayn't I when I care for you so much?" His eyes became cloudedwith sadness, and she, noting it, exclaimed: "Oh, well," then paused, "I--I--" She was about to add, "Don't thinkthey would ever let us go on with it," but instead she only replied, "I guess I don't know you well enough.""Oh, Sondra, when I love you so much and I'm so crazy about you! Don't you care at all like I care for you?"Because of the uncertainty expressed by her, his eyes were now seeking, frightened, sad. The combination had anintense appeal for her. She merely looked at him dubiously, wondering what could be the result of such aninfatuation as this. And he, noting the wavering something in her own eyes, pulled her closer and kissed her.
　　Instead of resenting it she lay for a moment willingly, joyously, in his arms, then suddenly sat up, the thought ofwhat she was permitting him to do--kiss her in this way--and what it must mean to him, causing her on theinstant to recover all her poise. "I think you'd better go now," she said definitely, yet not unkindly. "Don't you?"And Clyde, who himself had been surprised and afterwards a little startled, and hence reduced by his ownboldness, now pleaded rather weakly, and yet submissively. "Angry?"And she, in turn sensing his submissiveness, that of the slave for the master, and in part liking and in partresenting it, since like Roberta and Hortense, even she preferred to be mastered rather than to master, shook herhead negatively and a little sadly.
　　"It's very late," was all she said, and smiled tenderly.
　　And Clyde, realizing that for some reason he must not say more, had not the courage or persistence or thebackground to go further with her now, went for his coat and, looking sadly but obediently back at her, departed.

今冬莱柯格斯上流社会所开展的各项活动，真的已经离不开克莱德了。格里菲思家介绍他跟他们的亲友们见面后，自然而然，本城几乎所有名门世家，照例都殷勤招待他。不过，就在这么一个狭窄的圈子里，凡是有点儿地位的人，对别人底细全都了如指掌;而每个人的钱袋的亏盈，倘若跟他的社会地位相比，都被视为同等重要，有时也许更为重要。本地这些名门世家都坚信这么一条不容置辩的真理:

不仅家庭出身要好，而且还要拥有财富……这才是所有一切美满安逸的婚姻的最终目的。因此，他们虽然认为，克莱德毋庸争辩地已被上流社会所认可，但因外界谣传，说他的钱财少得可怜，并不把他看成堪攀他们名媛的入赘人选。这样一来，他们一面纷纷向他发出请柬。一面为了预防万一，又暗示自己的孩子和亲戚，不宜跟他过从太密。

可是，桑德拉这一拨人对他很友好，他们的朋友和父母对他的观察和批评，暂时也还没有成为定论，所以，克莱德照例不断收到了一些请柬，邀他赴会，这些会常常以跳舞开始，最后又以跳舞结束，正是他最感兴趣的乐事。尽管他常常阮囊羞涩，可也还算过得去。桑德拉对他发生兴趣后不久，了解到他的收入情况，便想方设法让他在跟她交际应酬时尽量少破费。正因为她持有这种态度，伯蒂娜。克兰斯顿。格兰特。克兰斯顿等人，也就竞相仿效。因此，克莱德到各处赴会，特别是在莱柯格斯举行的，根本用不着花什么钱。即便不在莱柯格斯开，他又答应过要去，别人往往也会派车来接他一块去。

除夕谢内克塔迪之行，在克莱德和桑德拉的关系上，真可以说起了极其重要的作用……因为这一回看得出，她对他比过去亲热得多了……打这以后，往往是桑德拉自己要他搭乘她的车子。事实上，他已给她留下了强烈的印象。而且，他的殷勤奉承既满足了她的虚荣心，同时又触动了她性格中一个最大的优点，就是:

她巴不得身边能有克莱德这样的年轻人，长得既漂亮，家庭出身又好，但是完全要依赖她。她也知道，她父母不会赞成她常常接近克莱德，就是因为他穷的缘故。跟他接近这类事，虽然开头她连想都没有想过，可如今倒是有点儿求之不得。

然而，后来他们并没有机会，进一步倾心相谈，直到除夕舞会开过大约两周后那一天晚上。他们在阿姆斯特丹欢聚后，正要动身回去。贝拉。格里菲思。

格兰特。克兰斯顿。伯蒂娜。克兰斯顿，都已各自开车回家了。斯图尔特。芬奇利大声喊道:

"来吧，我们就送你回去，格里菲思。"这时，桑德拉跟克莱德在一起，心里正乐不可支，还不愿马上分手，所以就抢着说:

"你要是乐意先上我们家，我就给你喝热巧克力饮料，完了，你再回家。同意吧?

""哦，当然罗，同意，"克莱德乐哈哈地回答说。

"得了，那就走吧，"斯图尔特说，掉过车头，直奔芬奇利家。"可是我呀，我可要上床啦。现在三点钟都过了。""这才是呱呱叫的好兄弟啊。哪个不知道，你就是我们家的'

''''睡美人，呀，"桑德拉回答说。

车子关进汽车房以后，三个人就从后门走进了厨房。她的弟弟先走了，桑德拉请克莱德坐在仆人餐桌旁，自己配巧克力饮料去了。克莱德一见到这么一套厨房设备，不禁大吃一惊，因为过去他从没见过，这时就东张西望，暗自纳闷:

要维持这么一间厨房，真不知该要多大财力啊。

"天哪，这间厨房真大!

"他说。"你们要烹煮的东西，一定很多，是吧?

"从他这话里，她才知道:

他来莱柯格斯以前还没见过这类设备，因此特别容易感到吃惊。于是，桑德拉便回答说:

"哦，我也不知道。是不是所有的厨房都象这么大?

"克莱德心里想到自己深知的穷困况味，又从她话里推想她根本不会知道天底下还有比这差劲得多的环境，因此，他更加被她那个豪华世界惊呆了。多大财富啊!

只要想一想，倘能跟这么一位姑娘结了婚，每天不就可以安享如此豪华生活吗?

那时，你便会有一名厨师。好几个仆人。一幢大公馆。一辆汽车，用不着给谁干活，只管发号施令就得了。这一闪念简直使他大大地动心了。何况桑德拉装腔作势，故意作出的种种姿态，越发使他六神无主了。这时，她也看到这一切对克莱德极有吸引力，便乐得夸大其词，说眼前这一切都跟她密不可分。

依她看，他比谁都更要觉得，她就是豪华富丽和高门鼎贵的化身，宛如一颗明星在天际闪闪发亮。

她在一只普通铝制平底锅里把巧克力饮料调配好以后，便从隔壁房间端来一套精雕细刻的银茶具，让他开开眼界。她把巧克力饮料斟入一只雕饰精美的咖啡壶里，撂到桌子上，再放到克莱德面前。随后，她轻盈地来到他身边，说:

"哦，这就算是熟不拘礼，是吧?

我最喜欢象这样偷偷地溜到厨房里，不过只能是在厨子外出的时候。赶上他在的时候，不拘是谁，他都不让进。""哦，真的吗?

"克莱德问，大公馆里厨师的情况，他简直一无所知。他这一问，使桑德拉确信:

想必他是贫苦家庭出身。不过，好在如今他对她来说已是那么至关紧要，她也决不会有后退之意。因此，当他终于大声喊道:

"这会儿我们在一块有多美，是吧，桑德拉?

只要想一想，整整一晚上，我几乎没有机会单独跟您说过一句话哩。"她并没有觉得他说话太放肆而恼火，还是回答说:

"你是这样想的吗?

那我可高兴。"说完，她微微一笑，略带高傲而又温柔的神色。

她穿一套亮闪闪的白缎子礼服，怪亲昵地坐在他身边，她那穿上便鞋的双脚正在晃悠，一阵阵香气扑鼻而来，克莱德不由得心荡神移了。事实上，是她把他的春心真的有如烈焰一般燃烧起来了。在他眼前就是青春。美丽。财富的化身……这不是具有巨大的魅力了吗?

她也感到他是那样炽烈地爱慕她，至少部分地受到他的一片狂热的痴情感染，因而无比感动地认为:

她不但可以……而且还可以深深地爱他的。瞧他的眼睛是那么亮闪闪，那么乌溜溜……那么脉脉含情啊!

还有他那漂亮的头发啊!

低垂在他白净的前额，显得多么迷人。她真的恨不得这会儿就抚摸他的头发……用她的双手摩挲他的头发，抚摸他的脸颊。还有他的一双手……那么纤细，那么敏感，那么秀逸。正如在她以前的罗伯达。霍丹斯。丽达一样，她同样也发觉了他所有的这些美。

可他这时却默不出声，竭力遏制自己，不敢把心里话讲出来。因为他心中正在思忖:

"哦，只要我能对她说我觉得她真美;只要我能搂住她，亲吻她，亲吻她，亲吻她，而她也同样亲吻我，该有多美啊。"说来真怪，跟他初次接近罗伯达时的心态很不相同，这时他心里想的却一点儿都不带贪欲成分。他只是恨不得把这个完美无缺的美人儿紧紧搂在自己怀里，尽情爱抚她。他的眼里果真迸发出这么炽烈的欲念的闪光。桑德拉也发觉了这一点，因而不免有些疑惧。要知道克莱德这种激动表现，正是她最最害怕的，但是也使她完全着了迷，很想知道下一步将意味着什么。

于是，她便挑逗地说:

"好象你有什么非常重要的事要说吗?

""我有许许多多的事要跟您说，桑德拉，只要您让我说，"他热切地回答说。

"可您关照过我不要说。""哦，我是说过的。而且还很一本正经的呢。你就这么听话，我很高兴。"她嘴边露出俏皮的微笑，两眼直瞅着他，仿佛在说:

"不过，你也不见得真的相信我是一本正经的，是吧?

"克莱德一见她脉脉含情的眼色，不由得心荡神移，便站起身来，握住她的双手，直望着她的眼睛问:

"那您并不是一本正经的，是吗，桑德拉?

反正不见得全是这样。哦，我真恨不得把我这会儿所想的通通告诉您。"分明他这是在眉目传情。桑德拉虽然又深深地意识到，倘要使他欲火中烧，简直太容易了。但她还是巴不得让他自己说下去，身子就微微后仰一下，对着他说:

"哦，是啊，当然罗，我关照过你不要说。你什么事都太顶真，是吧?

"不过，说到这里，连她自己也忍俊不禁了。

"我实在按捺不住自己，桑德拉，我按捺不住自己，我按捺不住自己啊!

"他开始说，带着热乎乎。甚至有点儿激越的调子。"您可不知道您对我的影响多大。

您是那么美。哦，您就是美呀。这您自己也知道。我时时刻刻都在想着您。我真是这样想您的，桑德拉。您简直让我快要为您发疯啦。晚上，我简直也睡不着，老是在想您。唉，我简直快要发疯了!

不管到什么地方，不管在什么地方见了您，事后便整天价老是想着您。就说今儿晚上吧，我一看见您跟这一伙年青人跳舞，我简直受不了。我便巴不得您只跟我一个人跳……再也不跟别人跳。

您的眼睛长得真美啊，桑德拉，而且还有那么可爱的小嘴。下巴颏儿，连同那么迷人的微笑。"他举起手来，仿佛想轻轻地爱抚她，可一下子却缩了回去。就在这时，他恍若梦幻之中直凝望着她的眼睛，有如一个虔诚的信徒凝望着圣人的眼睛，猛地用双手抱住了她，紧紧搂在自己怀里。她一下子紧张得心儿怦然乱跳，至少已被他的话儿激动得春心荡漾，要是在其他场合，她肯定会拒绝的，但在这时，她只是两眼直凝视着他，简直被他那股狂热劲儿勾魂摄魄了。他对她那种炽烈的情爱，已经使她坠入情网而神魂颠倒了，这时，她好象觉得或许自己也会象他渴望似的爱他。也许她还会非常非常地爱他，只要她有这胆量的话。在她心目中，毕竟他还是那么美，那么迷人啊。说真的，他也还是挺可爱，尽管他很穷……在他身上更多的是激情和活力，那是她在这里认识的哪一个年轻人都比不上的。要是她父母不干预，她又不失自己身分，无忧无虑地跟他一起沉醉于如此美妙的爱恋之中，该有多好啊?

同时，她心里忽然又想到:

要是她父母知道了，也许她就没法使这种关系能采取任何形式继续保持下去，更不用说使它进一步得到发展，或是在将来仍能继续享用它了。这一闪念不禁使她为之愕然，因而自己情绪有所克制，可是不一会儿，她依然还是迷恋着他。她眼里早已柔情似水……她嘴边挂着雅淡的微笑。

"我说我刚才不应该让你如此放肆地跟我说这些话。当然罗，真的不应该，"她有气无力地表示异议说，但她还是温情脉脉地望着他。"这样做不好，我知道，可是……""为什么不好?

您说说哪儿不好呢，桑德拉?

我既然这么爱您，为什么我就不可以……?

"桑德拉一见他眼里顿时好象愁云密布似的，就大声说:

"哦，得了吧，"接着又顿住了一下，"我……我……"她差一点要说出来，"别以为他们会让我们继续下去啊。"但她还是马上改口回答说:

"我觉得自己对你了解得还不够呢。""啊，桑德拉，可您要知道，我是那么爱您，为了您快要发疯了!

难道说您对我竟然无动于衷吗?

"她犹豫不决，真不知道如何回答才好……这时，他眼里却流露出恳求。惧怕和悲哀的神色，顿时使她非常动心。她只是不无疑惧地瞅着他，心里却在纳闷，象这样耽于迷恋之中，真不知道会有什么结果。而他也发觉她眼里动摇不定的神色，便把她跟自己贴得更近，一个劲儿亲吻她。她不但没有生气，反而满心高兴地倒在他怀里，但是，不一会儿，她突然身子挺立起来，意识到自己让他如此放肆……这样亲吻她……对此他将又会作何解释，这一下子使她头脑冷静了。"我说现在你最好还是走吧，"她说时语气坚决，但也并不生气。"是吧?

"克莱德对刚才自己的大胆放肆先是吃惊，随后有些害怕，所以也就软下来，不由得胆怯而又柔顺地恳求她，说:

"您动火了吗?

"而她反过来却看到他这种柔顺的态度，有如奴仆在主人跟前一模一样，因而，她也就感到有些喜欢，但是又有些反感。因为，即便是她吧，也如同罗伯达和霍丹斯一样，宁愿被人征服，也不愿去制服别人。这时，她便摇摇头，以示否认，心里却不免有点儿悲哀。

她就只说了"时间很晚了"这么一句话，向他温柔地一笑。

克莱德心里也明白，他不该再说什么话了。他既没有胆量(或是那种韧性劲儿)，也没有基础可以同她继续周旋下去。他便走过去取自己的外套，回过头来挺悲哀。而又柔顺地望了她一眼，转身就走了。
Part 2 Chapter 33
One of the things that Roberta soon found was that her intuitive notions in regard to all this were not withoutspeedy substantiation. For exactly as before, though with the usual insistence afterward that there was no realhelp for it, there continued to be these same last moment changes of plan and unannounced absences. Andalthough she complained at times, or pleaded, or merely contented herself with quite silent and not alwaysobvious "blues," still these same effected no real modification or improvement. For Clyde was now hopelesslyenamored of Sandra and by no means to be changed, or moved even, by anything in connection with Roberta.
　　Sondra was too wonderful!
　　At the same time because she was there all of the working hours of each day in the same room with him, hecould not fail instinctively to feel some of the thoughts that employed her mind--such dark, sad, despairingthoughts. And these seized upon him at times as definitely and poignantly as though they were voices ofaccusation or complaint--so much so that he could not help but suggest by way of amelioration that he would liketo see her and that he was coming around that night if she were going to be home. And so distrait was she, andstill so infatuated with him, that she could not resist admitting that she wanted him to come. And once there, thepsychic personality of the past as well as of the room itself was not without its persuasion and hence emotionalcompulsion.
　　But most foolishly anticipating, as he now did, a future more substantial than the general local circumstanceswarranted, he was more concerned than ever lest his present relationship to Roberta should in any way proveinimical to all this. Supposing that Sondra at some time, in some way, should find out concerning Roberta? Howfatal that would be! Or that Roberta should become aware of his devotion to Sondra and so develop an active resentment which should carry her to the length of denouncing or exposing him. For subsequent to the NewYear's Eve engagement, he was all too frequently appearing at the factory of a morning with explanatorystatements that because of some invitation from the Griffiths, Harriets, or others, he would not be able to keep anengagement with her that night, for instance, that he had made a day or two before. And later, on three differentoccasions, because Sondra had called for him in her car, he had departed without a word, trusting to what mightcome to him the next day in the way of an excuse to smooth the matter over.
　　Yet anomalous, if not exactly unprecedented as it may seem, this condition of mingled sympathy and oppositiongave rise at last to the feeling in him that come what might he must find some method of severing this tie, eventhough it lacerated Roberta to the point of death (Why should he care? He had never told her that he would marryher.) or endangered his own position here in case she were not satisfied to release him as voicelessly as hewished. At other times it caused him to feel that indeed he was a sly and shameless and cruel person who hadtaken undue advantage of a girl who, left to herself, would never have troubled with him. And this latter mood,in spite of slights and lies and thinly excused neglects and absences at times in the face of the most definiteagreements--so strange is the libido of the race--brought about the reenactment of the infernal or celestialcommand laid upon Adam and his breed: "Thy desire shall be to thy mate."But there was this to be said in connection with the relationship between these two, that no time, owing to theinexperience of Clyde, as well as Roberta, had there been any adequate understanding or use of more than thesimplest, and for the most part unsatisfactory, contraceptive devices. About the middle of February, and,interestingly enough, at about the time when Clyde, because of the continuing favor of Sondra, had aboutreached the point where he was determined once and for all to end, not only this physical, but all otherconnection with Roberta, she on her part was beginning to see clearly that, in spite of his temporizing and herown incurable infatuation for him, pursuit of him by her was futile and that it would be more to the satisfactionof her pride, if not to the ease of her heart, if she were to leave here and in some other place seek some financialhelp that would permit her to live and still help her parents and forget him if she could. Unfortunately for this,she was compelled, to her dismay and terror, to enter the factory one morning, just about this time, her face asymbol of even graver and more terrifying doubts and fears than any that had hitherto assailed her. For now, inaddition to her own troubled conclusions in regard to Clyde, there had sprung up over night the dark andconstraining fear that even this might not now be possible, for the present at least. For because of her own andClyde's temporizing over his and her sentimentality and her unconquerable affection for him, she now, at a timewhen it was most inimical for both, found herself pregnant.
　　Ever since she had yielded to his blandishments, she had counted the days and always had been able tocongratulate herself that all was well. But forty-eight hours since the always exactly calculated time had nowpassed, and there had been no sign. And for four days preceding this Clyde had not even been near her. And hisattitude at the factory was more remote and indifferent than ever.
　　And now, this!
　　And she had no one but him to whom she might turn. And he was in this estranged and indifferent mood.
　　Because of her fright, induced by the fear that with or without Clyde's aid she might not easily be extricated fromher threatened predicament, she could see her home, her mother, her relatives, all who knew her, and their thoughts in case anything like this should befall her. For of the opinion of society in general and what otherpeople might say, Roberta stood in extreme terror. The stigma of unsanctioned concupiscence! The shame ofillegitimacy for a child! It was bad enough, as she had always thought, listening to girls and women talk of lifeand marriage and adultery and the miseries that had befallen girls who had yielded to men and subsequently beendeserted, for a woman when she was safely married and sustained by the love and strength of a man--such love,for instance, as her brother-in-law Gabel brought to her sister Agnes, and her father to her mother in the firstyears, no doubt--and Clyde to her when he had so feverishly declared that he loved her.
　　But now--now!
　　She could not permit any thoughts in regard to his recent or present attitude to delay her. Regardless of either, hemust help her. She did not know what else to do under such circumstances--which way to turn. And no doubtClyde did. At any rate he had said once that he would stand by her in case anything happened. And although,because at first, even on the third day on reaching the factory, she imagined that she might be exaggerating thedanger and that it was perhaps some physical flaw or lapse that might still overcome itself, still by late afternoonno evidence of any change coming to her, she began to be a prey to the most nameless terrors. What littlecourage she had mustered up to this time began to waver and break. She was all alone, unless he came to hernow. And she was in need of advice and good counsel--loving counsel. Oh, Clyde! Clyde! If he would only notbe so indifferent to her! He must not be! Something must be done, and right away--quick--else--Great Heavens,what a terrible thing this could easily come to be!
　　At once she stopped her work between four and five in the afternoon and hurried to the dressing-room. And thereshe penned a note-- hurried, hysterical--a scrawl.
　　"CLYDE--I must see you to-night, sure, SURE. You mustn't fail me. I have something to tell you. Please comeas soon after work as possible, or meet me anywhere. I'm not angry or mad about anything. But I must see youto-night, SURE. Please say right away where.
　　"ROBERTA."And he, sensing a new and strange and quite terrified note in all this the moment he read it, at once looked overhis shoulder at her and, seeing her face so white and drawn, signaled that he would meet her. For judging by herface the thing she had to tell must be of the utmost importance to her, else why this tensity and excitement on herpart. And although he had another engagement later, as he now troublesomely recalled, at the Starks for dinner,still it was necessary to do this first. Yet, what was it anyhow? Was anybody dead or hurt or what--her mother orfather or brother or sister?
　　At five-thirty, he made his way to the appointed place, wondering what it could be that could make her so paleand concerned. Yet at the same time saying to himself that if this other dream in regard to Sondra were to cometrue he must not let himself be reentangled by any great or moving sympathy--must maintain his new poise anddistance so that Roberta could see that he no longer cared for her as he had. Reaching the appointed place at sixo'clock, he found her leaning disconsolately against a tree in the shadow. She looked distraught, despondent.
　　"Why, what's the matter, Bert? What are you so frightened about? What's happened?"Even his obviously dwindling affection was restimulated by her quite visible need of help.
　　"Oh, Clyde," she said at last, "I hardly know how to tell you. It's so terrible for me if it's so." Her voice, tense andyet low, was in itself a clear proof of her anguish and uncertainty.
　　"Why, what is it, Bert? Why don't you tell me?" he reiterated, briskly and yet cautiously, essaying an air ofdetached assurance which he could not quite manage in this instance. "What's wrong? What are you so excitedabout? You're all trembly."Because of the fact that never before in all his life had he been confronted by any such predicament as this, it didnot even now occur to him just what the true difficulty could be. At the same time, being rather estranged andhence embarrassed by his recent treatment of her, he was puzzled as to just what attitude to assume in a situationwhere obviously something was wrong. Being sensitive to conventional or moral stimuli as he still was, he couldnot quite achieve a discreditable thing, even where his own highest ambitions were involved, without a measureof regret or at least shame. Also he was so anxious to keep his dinner engagement and not to be further involvedthat his manner was impatient. It did not escape Roberta.
　　"You know, Clyde," she pleaded, both earnestly and eagerly, the very difficulty of her state encouraging her tobe bold and demanding, "you said if anything went wrong you'd help me."At once, because of those recent few and, as he now saw them, foolish visits to her room, on which occasionsbecause of some remaining sentiment and desire on the part of both he had been betrayed into sporadic anddecidedly unwise physical relations with her, he now realized what the difficulty was. And that it was a severe,compelling, dangerous difficulty, if it were true. Also that he was to blame and that here was a real predicamentthat must be overcome, and that quickly, unless a still greater danger was to be faced. Yet, simultaneously, hisvery recent and yet decidedly compelling indifference dictating, he was almost ready now to assume that thismight be little more than a ruse or lovelorn device or bit of strategy intended to retain or reenlist his interest inspite of himself--a thought which he was only in part ready to harbor. Her manner was too dejected anddespairing. And with the first dim realization of how disastrous such a complication as this might prove to be inhis case, he began to be somewhat more alarmed than irritated. So much so that he exclaimed:
　　"Yes, but how do you know that there is anything wrong? You can't be sure so soon as all this, can you? Howcan you? You'll probably be all right to-morrow, won't you?" At the same time his voice was beginning tosuggest the uncertainty that he felt.
　　"Oh, no, I don't think so, Clyde. I wish I did. It's two whole days, and it's never been that way before."Her manner as she said this was so obviously dejected and self-commiserating that at once he was compelled todismiss the thought of intrigue. At the same time, unwilling to face so discouraging a fact so soon, he added:
　　"Oh, well, that might not mean anything, either. Girls go longer than two days, don't they?"The tone, implying as it did uncertainty and non-sophistication even, which previously had not appearedcharacteristic of him, was sufficient to alarm Roberta to the point where she exclaimed: "Oh, no, I don't think so.
　　Anyhow, it would be terrible, wouldn't it, if something were wrong? What do you suppose I ought to do? Don'tyou know something I can take?"At once Clyde, who had been so brisk and urgent in establishing this relationship and had given Roberta theimpression that he was a sophisticated and masterful youth who knew much more of life than ever she couldhope to know, and to whom all such dangers and difficulties as were implied in the relationship could be leftwith impunity, was at a loss what to do. Actually, as he himself now realized, he was as sparingly informed inregard to the mysteries of sex and the possible complications attending upon such a situation as any youth of hisyears could well be. True, before coming here he had browsed about Kansas City and Chicago with suchworldly-wise mentors of the hotel bell-boy world as Ratterer, Higby, Hegglund and others and had listened tomuch of their gossiping and boasting. But their knowledge, for all their boasting, as he now half guessed, musthave related to girls who were as careless and uninformed as themselves. And beyond those again, although hewas by no means so clearly aware of that fact now, lay little more than those rumored specifics and preventativesof such quack doctors and shady druggists and chemists as dealt with intelligences of the Hegglund and Rattererorder. But even so, where were such things to be obtained in a small city like Lycurgus? Since dropping Dillardhe had no intimates let alone trustworthy friends who could be depended on to help in such a crisis.
　　The best he could think of for the moment was to visit some local or near-by druggist who might, for a price,provide him with some worth-while prescription or information. But for how much? And what were the dangersin connection with such a proceeding? Did they talk? Did they ask questions? Did they tell any one else aboutsuch inquiries or needs? He looked so much like Gilbert Griffiths, who was so well known in Lycurgus that anyone recognizing him as Gilbert might begin to talk of him in that way and so bring about trouble.
　　And this terrible situation arising now--when in connection with Sondra, things had advanced to the point whereshe was now secretly permitting him to kiss her, and, more pleasing still, exhibiting little evidences of heraffection and good will in the form of presents of ties, a gold pencil, a box of most attractive handkerchiefs, alldelivered to his door in his absence with a little card with her initials, which had caused him to feel sure that hisfuture in connection with her was of greater and greater promise. So much so that even marriage, assuming thather family might not prove too inimical and that her infatuation and diplomacy endured, might not be beyond thebounds of possibility. He could not be sure, of course. Her true intentions and affections so far were veiledbehind a tantalizing evasiveness which made her all the more desirable. Yet it was these things that had beencausing him to feel that he must now, and speedily, extract himself as gracefully and unirritatingly as possiblefrom his intimacy with Roberta.
　　For that reason, therefore, he now announced, with pretended assurance: "Well, I wouldn't worry about it anymore to-night if I were you. You may be all right yet, you know. You can't be sure. Anyhow, I'll have to have alittle time until I can see what I can do. I think I can get something for you. But I wish you wouldn't get soexcited."At the same time he was far from feeling as secure as he sounded. In fact he was very much shaken. His originaldetermination to have as little to do with her as possible, was now complicated by the fact that he was confrontedby a predicament that spelled real danger to himself, unless by some argument or assertion he could absolvehimself of any responsibility in connection with this--a possibility which, in view of the fact that Roberta stillworked for him, that he had written her some notes, and that any least word from her would precipitate an inquiry which would prove fatal to him, was sufficient to cause him to feel that he must assist her speedily andwithout a breath of information as to all this leaking out in any direction. At the same time it is only fair to saythat because of all that had been between them, he did not object to assisting her in any way that he could. But inthe event that he could not (it was so that his thoughts raced forward to an entirely possible inimical conclusionto all this) well, then--well, then--might it not be possible at least--some fellows, if not himself would--to denythat he had held any such relationship with her and so escape. That possibly might be one way out--if only hewere not as treacherously surrounded as he was here.
　　But the most troublesome thing in connection with all this was the thought that he knew of nothing that wouldreally avail in such a case, other than a doctor. Also that that probably meant money, time, danger--just what didit mean? He would see her in the morning, and if she weren't all right by then he would act.
　　And Roberta, for the first time forsaken in this rather casual and indifferent way, and in such a crisis as this,returned to her room with her thoughts and fears, more stricken and agonized than ever before she had been in allher life.

罗伯达不久发现，她对这一切的直觉看法很快得到了具体的证实。如同过去一样，如今克莱德还是照样临时变卦，随便失约，尽管事后总是一迭连声说实在出于无奈，如此等等，不一而足。有时，她虽然埋怨他，或是恳求他，或是索性默不出声，暗自"悲伤"，可是，事实上情况依然不见好转。现在，克莱德已死心塌地迷恋着桑德拉，不管罗伯达作出任何反响，他怎么都不会有所收敛，甚至一点儿也不会感动的。毕竟桑德拉太迷人了。

每天上班时，罗伯达总是整天价跟他在同一个房间里，因此，他不能不直觉地感受到萦绕她脑际的一些那么凄楚。忧郁。绝望的思想情绪。这些思想情绪有时确实也扎痛了他的心，好象就在提出控诉，或是在呼冤叫屈，使他非常难堪，因此，他便禁不住想方设法，好歹也得使她消消气，比如，说他很想见见她呀，只要这天晚上她在家，他就一准来呀，等等。可她呢，尽管精神上有些恍恍惚惚，心里还是那么迷恋着他，委实不好意思不让他来。克莱德到了她那里，只要回想到过去，乃至于这个房间里一切的一切，旧日的情就又迸发出了新的火花星子。

然而，克莱德正痴心妄想，巴望自己能有个更为光辉的未来，却完全不顾此间实际情况，因此深恐现下他跟罗伯达的关系到头来会危及他的前途。万一什么时候桑德拉一发现了他跟罗伯达的事，怎么办?

那就通通完蛋啦!

反过来说，罗伯达要是知道他爱上了桑德拉，因而引起强烈的愤懑，甚至告发他，或是揭露他，那又怎么办呢。自从除夕约会以后，每天一早他到厂里上班，少不了向罗伯达解释一番，说什么格里菲思府上啊，哈里特府上啊，或是别的显赫府邸啊，反正总是有人家邀请他赴宴，因此，他今儿晚上实在没法来同她会面，其实，这个约会原是一两天前他自己讲定的。后来，一连有三次，桑德拉开了车子来叫他，他连一句话也没向罗伯达交代就走了，心想转天找个借口胡弄过去就得了。

不过，看来也许好象不正常，虽然也不能说决无先例，那就是说:

他不能容忍这种同情与厌恶混为一体的事态，后来终于拿定主意，决定不管怎么样，他好歹也得设法斩断这一种关系，哪怕是把罗伯达折磨至死(他干吗要爱她?

反正他从来也没有对她说过要娶她)，不然的话，只要她不是毫无怨言地同意放了他的话，那也将危及他在厂里的地位。可是，有的时候，他又深深感到自己是个狡猾。无耻。残酷的人，要知道是他诱骗了这个姑娘，要不然，她怎么也不会惹他麻烦的。由于这后一种想法的存在，尽管有时他怠慢她。诓骗她，或是明明讲定了，故意失约，甚至就干脆不来跟她会面……人类的利比多可真怪啊……昔日炼狱里或天国里对亚当及其后代所制定的律令还是再一次被执行了:

"你必恋慕你丈夫。"(详见《圣经。旧约。创世记》第３章第１６节，系上帝对女人所说的话，全文是:

"你必恋慕你丈夫，你丈夫必管辖你。")关于他们俩的关系，还有一点必须指出:

由于克莱德和罗伯达缺乏经验，他们仅仅懂得，或是仅仅采用了最最简单而又往往无效的避孕方法。大约在二月中旬，说来也怪有意思，正当克莱德因为继续得到桑德拉宠爱，快要下决心，不仅在肉体上而且在所有关系上都要同罗伯达一刀两断;就在这时，她也看清楚了:

尽管他一直还在动摇不定，她自己却照旧迷恋他，因此，象她这样追求他，是完全徒劳的;也许为了维护她的自尊心，如果说不是为了减轻自己心里的痛苦，最好她还是离开这里，去别处另找活路，既可养活自己，还能照旧帮助她的父母，并且尽可能把他忘掉就得了。殊不知真倒霉，这时又出了事。有一天早上，就在她进厂时，让她感到非常惊恐的是，心里怀有一种比过去折磨过她的更要严重。更要可怕的疑惧，并且在脸上也表现了出来。除了她对克莱德得出了这么一个痛苦的结论以外，昨天晚上她又突然陷入一种异常骇人的恐惧之中，因此，刚才她决定要走，如今……至少在目前……恐怕也走不了。因为，他们俩都是太犹豫不决和易于一时感情冲动，再加上她遏制不住自己对他的情爱，如今正当他们俩关系处于最恶化的时刻，她却发现自己怀孕了。

从她屈从于他诱人的魔力以来，她经常掐指算着日子，高兴的是一切总算都很顺顺当当。可是这一次，经过准确无误地算过的时间已过去了四十八个钟头，还是连一点儿表明情况正常的迹象都没有。而在前四天里，克莱德甚至都没有来到过她身边。他在厂里时的态度，也比过去更加疏远，更加冷淡了。

偏巧就在眼前，却出了这件事!

除了他以外，她再也没有别人可以交谈了。可他如今却持疏远。冷淡的态度。

她害怕的是，不管克莱德能不能帮助她，她觉得自己要摆脱如此危险的困境殊非易事。眼前她仿佛看到了她的家。她的母亲。她的一些亲戚，以及所有一切认识她的人……万一她真的遭殃，他们对她又会作何感想呢。罗伯达最害怕的，还有社会舆论和人们风言风语。那是非法姘居的烙印!

私生子的耻辱!

从前，她听一些娘儿们谈起过人生。婚姻。通奸，以及先是屈从于男人。后遭遗弃的一些姑娘的不幸身世，当时她心里老是琢磨，要做一个女人可真难啊。本来一个女人太太平平地一出了嫁，就得到男人的保护和爱情……比方说，象她妹夫加贝尔对她妹妹的爱情，以及毫无疑问，在开头几年里，她父亲对她母亲的爱情……还有克莱德在他狂热地起誓说自己爱她的时候所给予她的爱情。

可是现在呢……现在呢!

不管她对他过去或目前的感情有什么想法，时间可再也不能延宕下去了。

哪怕是他们俩关系发生了变化，他非得帮助她不可，她真不知道该怎么办，该往哪儿走才好。克莱德，当然罗，他会知道的。反正早先他说过，出了纰漏，他包管帮助她。虽说一开头，甚至在第三天到厂里时，她还安慰自己，也许把严重性估计得过高了，说不定是生理上失调，或是出了什么毛病，终究自己会好的，殊不知到了那天下午还不见任何好转的迹象，她心里就开始充满一种不可名状的恐惧。到目前为止，她仅仅剩下的一点儿勇气，也开始动摇。崩溃了。

现在要是他不来帮助她，她就是孤零零一个人。而她最最需要的是忠告和好主意……满怀深情的主意。啊，克莱德!

克莱德!

但愿他再也不对她这么冷淡!

他万万不应该这样!

要想个什么办法，而且万万迟疑不得，就是要快，不然的话，老天哪，一下子就会使人吓坏啊!

午后四五点钟，她马上把工作放下，赶紧到更衣室，用铅笔写了一张便条。

她又是急，又是歇斯底里，写得潦草极了。

克莱德:

今晚我一定要见你，一定。一定要见。你一定要来。我有话跟你说。

请你一下班马上就来，或在什么地方跟我碰头。我并没有发火或生气。不过，今晚我一定要见你，一定要见。请速告我在哪儿碰头。

罗伯达克莱德一看完便条，发觉里头有新的令人惊骇的事情，就马上回过头来望了她一眼，只见她脸色煞白。削瘦，还示意他跟她碰头。他一看她的脸色，心里就明白，她要告诉他的事，肯定是她认为此事极端重要，要不然，她干吗这样紧张激动呢?

尽管他心情不安地想起了今天另有约会，要去斯塔克府上赴宴，可是刚才罗伯达求见一事还得先办。不知道究竟是出了什么事啊?

也许是有人死掉了。受伤了……还是她的母亲。父亲。弟弟。妹妹遇到了不幸?

五点半，他动身到约定的地点去，心里在揣摩，真不知道她干吗如此忧心如焚，脸色惨白。可他同时又自言自语道，他跟桑德拉的美梦很可能成为事实，因此，他决不能对罗伯达表示过多同情，给自己徒增麻烦……他必须作出新的姿态，跟她保持一定的距离，让罗伯达心里明白，他对她的关系再也不象过去那样了。他六点钟到达约定的地点，发觉她伤心地背靠树干，伫立在阴处，显得心情沮丧，精神错乱。

"喂，怎么一回事，伯特?

你干吗这样害怕?

出了什么事?

"由于她显然急需帮助，甚至连他那显然熄灭了的爱情之火也重新点燃起来了。

"啊，克莱德，"她终于开口说。"我真不知道该怎么跟你说才好。如果真的证实了的话，那我觉得就太可怕了，"她说话时那种紧张。低沉的语调，显然说明她心中的痛苦和不安。

"喂，怎么一回事，伯特?

干吗不跟我说话?

"他很谨慎地又说了一遍，竭力佯装一副超然自信的神态(不过这一回佯装得不很成功)。"出了什么漏子?

你干吗这样紧张?

你浑身上下在发抖啊。"他一辈子都没有碰到过类似这样的窘境，这时压根儿猜不透罗伯达碰到了什么不幸。同时，由于他最近以来对她态度冷淡，此刻他就显得相当疏远，甚至有点儿尴尬，罗伯达显然出了什么纰漏，但他真不知道该表什么态才好。他这个人对传统或道德方面的刺激毕竟是很敏感的，每当他做了不太体面的事，哪怕要连累他那很大的虚荣心，他照例也会作出一些悔恨表现，至少还有一点儿羞耻之心。再加上此刻他急急乎想去应约赴宴，在此不要再纠缠不清，因此，他的举止谈吐显得极不耐烦。这一切全都逃不过罗伯达的眼睛。

"你自己也记得，克莱德，"她认真而又热切地向他恳求说。正是眼前困境促使她更加大胆，更加苛求。"你说过，出了纰漏，你包管帮助我的。"克莱德这才想起他最近到她房间里去过几次，现在据他看，都是很傻的。

由于他们俩旧情难忘，再加上欲火难抑，又使他虽属偶然，但是显然很不聪明，跟她发生过肉体关系。如今他才马上懂得到底是哪儿出了问题。他还了解到，如果真的证实了的话，那他觉得就是极其严重。令人注目，而且还有危险的一大难题。一切都得怪他，目前这一实际窘境，必须加以解决。而且，为了不让危险扩大，还必须马上解决。但同时，根据他最近对罗伯达极端冷淡的态度，他几乎暗自估摸:

也许这不外乎是一种骗术，或是失恋后的诡计或花招，旨在不顾他本人意愿如何，千方百计非要把他缠住不放，让他重新爱她……只不过上述这种想法，很快就被他推翻了。瞧她神态显得太忧郁。太绝望。他这才模模糊糊地开始意识到，这个麻烦可能对他将是一大灾难，因此，他心中顿时涌起更多的是惊恐，而不是恼怒了。

"是啊，可你怎么知道准出了纰漏呢?

你总不能一下子就肯定，可不是吗?

你究竟根据什么就能肯定呢?

说不定到明天，你就什么事都没了，是吧?

"不过，听他说话的语气就知道连他自己也都说不准。

"哦，不，我可不是这么想，克莱德。我也巴不得一切都顺顺当当。可是整整两天已经过去了，这样的事在过去是从来没有的。"她说话时显然露出心情沮丧和哀怜自己的神态，他不得不把怀疑罗伯达跟他耍花招的想法马上给打消了。可他还是不愿马上接受如此令人沮丧的事实，就找补着说:

"哦，得了吧，也许什么事都没有呢。有的娘儿们还不止晚两天哩，可不是吗?

"他说话时这种语气，显然表明他在这方面一点儿没有把握，甚至表明他没有这方面的知识，只是在过去这些从没有暴露出来罢了。如今，罗伯达听了惊慌万状，不由得嚷了出来:

"哦，不，我可不是这么想。不管怎么说，要是真的出了问题，那不就太可怕了，是不是?

依你看，我该怎么办呢?

你知不知道我能吃些什么药?

"当初克莱德心急如焚，要跟罗伯达发生这样一种关系时，给她留下的印象是:

他是个老练到家的年轻人，生活阅历远比她丰富得多;至于这样一种关系可能包含的所有一切风险和麻烦，只要有他在，包管绝对安全无虞。可现在呢，他一下子茫然不知所措了。其实，正如现在他认识到，对于性的秘密，以及由此可能产生的一些难题，他跟他同龄年轻人一样可谓知之甚少。不错，克莱德来这里以前，确实在堪萨斯城和芝加哥跟着拉特勒。希格比。赫格伦等一拨旅馆里的侍者头儿们开过一点儿眼界，也听过他们胡扯淡，乱吹牛。不过，现在据他暗自估摸，尽管他们吹起牛来无边无际，他们知道的那一套玩意儿，想必是从那些跟他们一样大大咧咧。无知无识的娘儿们那里听来的。他模模糊糊地觉得，他们晓得的东西简直少得可怜，不外乎是跟他们这一档次的人打交道的江湖医生以及令人可疑的杂货铺掌柜。药房老板们瞎说一气的那些什么特效药和避孕秘方。尽管如此，这类东西在莱柯格斯这么一个小城市里，哪儿能寻摸得到呢?

从他跟迪拉德断绝来往以后，他已没有什么亲近的人，更不用说能在患难之中鼎力相助的知心朋友了。

眼前他能想得到的最好办法，就是向本地或附近某地杂货铺老板求助。他们只要赚钱，也许会交给他一个值得一用的药方或是一点儿信息。不过这要卖多少钱呢?

这种疗法，有没有什么危险呢?

人家会不会说了出去呢?

还会不会提出什么问题?

会不会把你求医觅药的事再告诉给别人听呢?

克莱德的模样儿长得活象吉尔伯特。格里菲思，而吉尔伯特又是莱柯格斯大名鼎鼎的人物，要是有人把克莱德误认为吉尔伯特，于是流言蜚语一下子传开去，最终就会引起麻烦。

这一可怕的事态，恰好发生在他跟桑德拉的关系发展到这么一个关键时刻:

她已经私下允许他亲吻她，令人更高兴的是，她还经常送他几条领带。一支金铅笔。一盒极其精美的手绢，借此聊表寸心。这些小小礼品，都是趁他出门不在家时送上门的，还附有她亲笔签名的小卡片。这就使他觉得信心日增，由于他跟她的关系，他的前途将会得到越来越大的保证了。他甚至还觉得，只要她的家庭对他不是太敌视，只要她依然迷恋着他，并继续施展她那圆熟机智的手腕，那末，他同她结成姻亲，未始不是不可能的事。当然罗，对此连他自己也都说不准。她真正的感情和意图，至今仍隐藏在逗人的。不可捉摸的态度之中，因而也就使她显得更加可爱。不过，也正是这一切，使他认为:

眼下必须尽可能漂亮大方，而又不引起对方反感，赶快让自己从他跟罗伯达的亲密关系中解脱出来。

因此，现在他佯装信心十足地说:

"哦，我要是你的话，今天晚上就不会为这事担心。说不定你压根儿就没事，你明白吧。这连你也说不准呀。反正我总得有点儿时间，再看看我还有什么办法。我想我总可以给你寻摸一些东西。只不过希望你别这么紧张。"他嘴上是说得这么稳当，可心底里却并没有那么安定了。实际上，他已是惊恐万状。本来他决心尽量离她远一些，现在就很难办到了，因为他面临着真正危及自己的困境，除非他能找到一种论据或是托词，把他的一切责任通通推卸掉……可是，由于现在罗伯达还在他手下工作，并且他还给她写过几封信，哪怕她只讲一句括，他就会受到查问，这对他来说将是致命的打击。因为有这样的可能性，就足以使他认识到:

他必须马上帮助她，而且，千万不许消息泄漏出去。与此同时，还应该给克莱德说句公道话，反正看在他们两人过去的份上，他并不反对尽自己一切力量去帮助她。可是，万一他实在无力相助(就是这样，他的思路很快得出了一个完全可能有害的结论)，得了，那末就……得了，那末就……至少也许有可能，……如果不是他自己，那不妨由别人出面……否认他跟她有过任何类似这样的关系，于是，他自己也就脱尽干系了。也许这可能是唯一的出路，只要他不是象现在自己这样四面受敌，那就得了。

然而，眼前他感到最苦恼的是:

这事除了向医生求助以外，他简直一点儿都想不出其他切实可行的办法。再说，这也许就得花钱，花时间，冒风险……真不知道还有什么花头呢?

他打算明天早上来看她，那时她要是还不见好，他就开始行动了。

而罗伯达呢，她生平头一回遭到这样冷遇，而且还是在如此危急的关键时刻，满怀她一辈子从没有过的那种令人心胆欲裂的疑惧思绪，向自己房间走去。
Part 2 chapter 34
But the resources of Clyde, in such a situation as this, were slim. For, apart from Liggett, Whiggam, and a fewminor though decidedly pleasant and yet rather remote department heads, all of whom were now looking on himas a distinctly superior person who could scarcely be approached too familiarly in connection with anything,there was no one to whom he could appeal. In so far as the social group to which he was now so eagerlyattaching himself was concerned, it would have been absurd for him to attempt, however slyly, to extract anyinformation there. For while the youths of this world at least were dashing here and there, and because of theirlooks, taste and means indulging themselves in phases of libertinism--the proper wild oats of youth--such as heand others like himself could not have dreamed of affording, still so far was he from any real intimacy with anyof these that he would not have dreamed of approaching them for helpful information.
　　His sanest thought, which occurred to him almost immediately after leaving Roberta, was that instead ofinquiring of any druggist or doctor or person in Lycurgus--more particularly any doctor, since the entire medicalprofession here, as elsewhere, appeared to him as remote, cold, unsympathetic and likely very expensive andunfriendly to such an immoral adventure as this--was to go to some near-by city, preferably Schenectady, since itwas larger and as near as any, and there inquire what, if anything, could be obtained to help in such a situation asthis. For he must find something.
　　At the same time, the necessity for decision and prompt action was so great that even on his way to the Starks',and without knowing any drug or prescription to ask for, he resolved to go to Schenectady the next night. Onlythat meant, as he later reasoned, that a whole day must elapse before anything could be done for Roberta, andthat, in her eyes, as well as his own, would be leaving her open to the danger that any delay at all involved.
　　Therefore, he decided to act at once, if he could; excuse himself to the Starks and then make the trip toSchenectady on the interurban before the drug-stores over there should close. But once there--what? How facethe local druggist or clerk--and ask for what? His mind was troubled with hard, abrasive thoughts as to what the druggist might think, look or say. If only Ratterer or Hegglund were here! They would know, of course, and beglad to help him. Or Higby, even. But here he was now, all alone, for Roberta knew nothing at all. There must besomething though, of course. If not, if he failed there, he would return and write Ratterer in Chicago, only inorder to keep himself out of this as much as possible he would say that he was writing for a friend.
　　Once in Schenectady, since no one knew him there, of course he might say (the thought came to him as aninspiration) that he was a newly married man--why not? He was old enough to be one, and that his wife, and thatin the face of inability to care for a child now, was "past her time" (he recalled a phrase that he had once heardHigby use), and that he wanted something that would permit her to escape from that state. What was so wrongwith that as an idea? A young married couple might be in just such a predicament. And possibly the druggistwould, or should be stirred to a little sympathy by such a state and might be glad to tell him of something. Whynot? That would be no real crime. To be sure, one and another might refuse, but a third might not. And then hewould be rid of this. And then never again, without knowing a lot more than he did now, would he let himselfdrift into any such predicament as this. Never! It was too dreadful.
　　He betook himself to the Stark house very nervous and growing more so every moment. So much so that, thedinner being eaten, he finally declared as early as nine-thirty that at the last moment at the factory a verytroublesome report, covering a whole month's activities, had been requested of him. And since it was notanything he could do at the office, he was compelled to return to his room and make it out there--a bit ofenergetic and ambitious commercialism, as the Starks saw it, worthy of their admiration and sympathy. And inconsequence he was excused.
　　But arrived at Schenectady, he had barely time to look around a little before the last car for Lycurgus should beleaving. His nerve began to fail him. Did he look enough like a young married man to convince any one that hewas one? Besides were not such preventatives considered very wrong--even by druggists?
　　Walking up and down the one very long Main Street still brightly lighted at this hour, looking now in one drugstorewindow and another, he decided for different reasons that each particular one was not the one. In one, as hesaw at a glance, stood a stout, sober, smooth-shaven man of fifty whose bespectacled eyes and iron gray hairseemed to indicate to Clyde's mind that he would be most certain to deny such a youthful applicant as himself-refuseto believe that he was married--or to admit that he had any such remedy, and suspect him of illicitrelations with some young, unmarried girl into the bargain. He looked so sober, God-fearing, ultra-respectableand conventional. No, it would not do to apply to him. He had not the courage to enter and face such a person.
　　In another drug-store he observed a small, shriveled and yet dapper and shrewd-looking man of perhaps thirty-five, who appeared to him at the time as satisfactory enough, only, as he could see from the front, he was beingbriskly assisted by a young woman of not more than twenty or twenty-five. And assuming that she wouldapproach him instead of the man--an embarrassing and impossible situation-- or if the man waited on him, was itnot probable that she would hear? In consequence he gave up that place, and a third, a fourth, and a fifth, forvarying and yet equally cogent reasons--customers inside, a girl and a boy at a soda fountain in front, an ownerposed near the door and surveying Clyde as he looked in and thus disconcerting him before he had time toconsider whether he should enter or not.
　　Finally, however, after having abandoned so many, he decided that he must act or return defeated, his time and carfare wasted. Returning to one of the lesser stores in a side street, in which a moment before he had observedan undersized chemist idling about, he entered, and summoning all the bravado he could muster, began: "I wantto know something. I want to know if you know of anything--well, you see, it's this way--I'm just married andmy wife is past her time and I can't afford to have any children now if I can help it. Is there anything a person canget that will get her out of it?"His manner was brisk and confidential enough, although tinged with nervousness and the inner conviction thatthe druggist must guess that he was lying. At the same time, although he did not know it, he was talking to aconfirmed religionist of the Methodist group who did not believe in interfering with the motives or impulses ofnature. Any such trifling was against the laws of God and he carried nothing in stock that would in any wayinterfere with the ways of the Creator. At the same time he was too good a merchant to wish to alienate apossible future customer, and so he now said: "I'm sorry, young man, but I'm afraid I can't help you in this case. Ihaven't a thing of that kind in stock here--never handle anything of that kind because I don't believe in 'em. Itmay be, though, that some of the other stores here in town carry something of the sort. I wouldn't be able to tellyou." His manner as he spoke was solemn, the convinced and earnest tone and look of the moralist who knowsthat he is right.
　　And at once Clyde gathered, and fairly enough in this instance, that this man was reproachful. It reduced to amuch smaller quantity the little confidence with which he had begun his quest. And yet, since the dealer had notdirectly reproached him and had even said that it might be possible that some of the other druggists carried sucha thing, he took heart after a few moments, and after a brief fit of pacing here and there in which he lookedthrough one window and another, he finally espied a seventh dealer alone. He entered, and after repeating hisfirst explanation he was informed, very secretively and yet casually, by the thin, dark, casuistic person whowaited on him--not the owner in this instance--that there was such a remedy. Yes. Did he wish a box? That(because Clyde asked the price) would be six dollars--a staggering sum to the salaried inquirer. However, sincethe expenditure seemed unescapable--to find anything at all a great relief--he at once announced that he wouldtake it, and the clerk, bringing him something which he hinted ought to prove "effectual" and wrapping it up, hepaid and went out.
　　And then actually so relieved was he, so great had been the strain up to this moment, that he could have dancedfor joy. Then there was a cure, and it would work, of course. The excessive and even outrageous price seemed toindicate as much. And under the circumstances, might he not even consider that sum moderate, seeing that hewas being let off so easily? However, he forgot to inquire as to whether there was any additional information orspecial direction that might prove valuable, and instead, with the package in his pocket, some central anddetached portion of the ego within himself congratulating him upon his luck and undaunted efficiency in such acrisis as this, he at once returned to Lycurgus, where he proceeded to Roberta's room.
　　And she, like himself, impressed by his success in having secured something which both he and she had feareddid not exist, or if it did, might prove difficult to procure, felt enormously relieved. In fact, she was reimpressedby his ability and efficiency, qualities with which, up to this time at least, she had endowed him. Also that he wasmore generous and considerate than under the circumstances she feared he would be. At least he was not coldlyabandoning her to fate, as previously in her terror she had imagined that he might. And this fact, even in the faceof his previous indifference, was sufficient to soften her mood in regard to him. So with a kind of ebullience,based on fattened hope resting on the pills, she undid the package and read the directions, assuring him the while of her gratitude and that she would not forget how good he had been to her in this instance. At the same time,even as she untied the package, the thought came to her--supposing they would not work? Then what? And howwould she go about arranging with Clyde as to that? However, for the time being, as she now reasoned, she mustbe satisfied and grateful for this, and at once took one of the pills.
　　But once her expressions of gratefulness had been offered and Clyde sensed that these same might possibly belooked upon as overtures to a new intimacy between them, he fell back upon the attitude that for days past hadcharacterized him at the factory. Under no circumstances must he lend himself to any additional blandishmentsor languishments in this field. And if this drug proved effectual, as he most earnestly hoped, it must be the last ofany save the most accidental and casual contacts. For there was too much danger, as this particular crisis hadproved--too much to be lost on his side--everything, in short--nothing but worry and trouble and expense.
　　In consequence he retreated to his former reserve. "Well, you'll be all right now, eh? Anyhow, let's hope so, huh?
　　It says to take one every two hours for eight or ten hours. And if you're just a little sick, it says it doesn't makeany difference. You may have to knock off a day or two at the factory, but you won't mind that, will you, if itgets you out of this? I'll come around to-morrow night and see how you are, if you don't show up any time tomorrow."He laughed genially, the while Roberta gazed at him, unable to associate his present casual attitude with hisformer passion and deep solicitude. His former passion! And now this! And yet, under the circumstances, beingtruly grateful, she now smiled cordially and he the same. Yet, seeing him go out, the door close, and noendearing demonstrations of any kind having been exchanged between them, she returned to her bed, shaking herhead dubiously. For, supposing that this remedy did not work after all? And he continued in this same casual andremote attitude toward her? Then what? For unless this remedy proved effectual, he might still be so indifferentthat he might not want to help her long--or would he? Could he do that, really? He was the one who had broughther to this difficulty, and against her will, and he had so definitely assured her that nothing would happen. Andnow she must lie here alone and worry, not a single person to turn to, except him, and he was leaving her forothers with the assurance that she would be all right. And he had caused it all! Was this quite right?
　　"Oh, Clyde! Clyde!"

可是，在这么复杂的情况下，克莱德能找到的办法是不多的。因为，除了利格特。惠甘和一两位固然很随和，可是相当疏远。业务范围很小的部门主任(现在他们都把他看作顶头上司，几乎不敢跟他过分套近乎)以外，他再也找不到什么人可以商量了。至于现在他急急乎跻身进去的那个上流社会圈子里的人，他要想从他们那里打听一点信息，哪怕使用极巧妙的办法，也不免太荒唐。当然罗，这个圈子里头的年轻人，都是随心所欲，到处游逛，利用自己的外貌。嗜好和钱财，成天价沉溺于放浪形骸的生活之中……纯属年轻人婚前纵情享乐……正是克莱德以及类似他这等人所不敢梦寐以求的。事实上，若论亲密关系，他跟这些年轻人还差得远呢，所以也不想去求教他们。

他刚离开罗伯达，马上转念想到:

千万不能向莱柯格斯什么杂货铺掌柜。医生或是任何一个人求教，尤其是医生。因为他觉得这里所有的医生，跟别处一样，都是那么疏远。冷酷。毫无同情心，而且，对这一类不道德的行为可能索价甚高。态度极坏，因此应该到附近各城市……最好是谢内克塔迪……走一趟。

因为谢内克塔迪那儿地面大些，离得也近，不妨上那儿打听一下有什么办法可以摆脱目前困境。反正他非得想个办法出来不行。

同时，他一决定下来，还得尽快付诸行动。因此，他去斯塔克府邸的路上，虽然还不知道自己该去怎样求药觅方，可是就在这时已经决定明天晚上动身去谢内克塔迪。不过，后来他继而一想，这样一来，还没有给罗伯达想出个办法来，整整一天就过去了。而且，不管是罗伯达也好，还是他本人也好，他们都觉得，要是时间稍有耽误，对她来说可能危险性更大。因此，他决定尽自己一切力量，马上就干;只好向斯塔克府邸表示歉意，趁谢内克塔迪的杂货铺还没打烊以前，搭车赶到那儿。可是到了那儿以后……又怎么办呢?

怎么向当地的杂货铺掌柜或是伙计开口说呢……又该问些什么呢?

他心里苦恼不堪地猜测着:

杂货铺掌柜会怎么想，又会露出怎样的脸色，还会说出些什么来着。要是拉特勒或是赫格伦在这儿该有多好!

当然罗，他们一定懂得，而且还一定乐于帮助他的。

哪怕是希格比在这儿也好。可现在呢，就他孤零零一人，因为罗伯达压根儿什么都不懂。不过，当然罗，办法总会有的。万一他到了谢内克塔迪那儿还是一事无成，他就回来，干脆给芝加哥的拉特勒写信，只不过尽可能不要连累自己，不妨推说是替一个朋友写的。

一到谢内克塔迪，反正谁都不认得他，当然，他就说(这就算是他灵机一动吧)，说他是刚新婚不久……干吗不能这么说呢?

论年龄，他早该当上新郎倌啊。

就说他的老婆"过了时间"(这个扯儿……他想起来了，从前希格比就用过的)，但因眼前还养不起孩子，他很想买些什么，让她躲过这个难关。诚然，这个主意挺不错!

本来嘛，象这一类尴尬的事，年轻夫妇常常会碰到。而且，杂货铺掌柜既可以，也应该对此表示一点儿同情心，乐于给他指明出路。为什么不会呢?

那压根儿还谈不上是什么真正犯罪的行为呀。当然罗，也有这个人。那个人可能不乐意，可是第三个人说不定就乐意了。那时，他也就可以说问题迎刃而解了。

往后，在他还没有比现在更精于此道以前，永远也不再让自己掉进如此窘境了。

永远也不!

这毕竟太可怕了!

他心里就是这样忐忑不安地来到了斯塔克府邸，而且他还越来越紧张不安，晚宴刚结束，才不过九点半钟，他便说下班前厂里要他写一份整整一月业务工作报告，写这样的报告很麻烦，办公室里没法写，他不得不带回家去，要把它写出来……在斯塔克府上的人看来，这种有志于实业的青年人所表现的干劲儿，是值得称赞和同情的。于是，克莱德也就乐呵呵地告辞出来了。

但到了谢内克塔迪以后，他刚去各处转了一圈，那儿开往莱柯格斯的末班车就要开出了。他不由得慌了神。瞧他那模样儿象不象已婚青年?

人家信不信呢?

再说，人们不是都认为这类避孕药有极大危险性?

即便是杂货铺掌柜，不也是这样看法吗?

他在直到此刻依然灯火辉煌的那条很长的大街上，从这一头走到那一头，看了这一家。又看了那一家杂货铺橱窗里的陈列药品，但由于各种各样原因，他总觉得都不符合自己要求。有一家杂货铺，他一眼看见有一个大约年过半百。

神情严肃。胡子刮得光光的矮胖男人伫立在那里，不过，克莱德一看他那双戴眼镜的眼睛和一头铁灰色头发，便觉得:

此人当然一定拒绝象他这样年轻的主顾……不相信自己是结过婚的……要不然就不肯说他这里卖这一类药的，还怀疑自己跟未婚年轻小姑娘发生了不正当关系。此人神情严肃，敬畏上帝，特别循规蹈矩，而且墨守陈规。不，跟此人是断断乎说不得的。克莱德压根儿没有胆量进去跟这么一个人打交道。

在另一家杂货铺，他看见一个身材矮小。皱皮疙瘩，但是衣冠楚楚。精明老练的人，年龄大约三十五岁光景，克莱德觉得好象此人还合适。不过，他从店门口望去，看见里头有一个二十到二十五岁左右的少妇正麻利地帮着他忙活。

如果是她……而不是掌柜的……来招呼他，该怎么办呢?

那就很窘，真叫人受不了;要不然，即使是那个男人来接待他吧，可她不是可能也听得见吗?

结果，这一家杂货铺，他也只好放弃了。随后一连转了第三家。第四家。第五家，由于虽然各不相同但都是同样有理的原因，也都一一放弃了……不外乎是:

店堂里头有主顾呀，店门口汽水柜前有一个女孩子。一个男孩子呀，有一个老板站在门口，当克莱德探身往里瞅时就仔细打量过他，使他还没想好值不值得进铺子去，便把他气跑了，如此等等。

但经过一连串碰壁之后，他终于决定非要好好想想办法不可，要不然就会空手回去，他的车钱呀，时间呀，都白白地给扔了。这时，他又踅回到小巷里头一家比较小的杂货铺，刚才他看见铺子里头有一个身材矮小的药剂师正闲着无事，于是就走了进去，鼓足了勇气，开口说:

"我想向你求教一件事。不知道你能不能告诉我……哦，你如道，事情是这样……我刚结婚不久，我太太过了时间，可现在我还养不起孩子。请问有没有什么办法，或者有没有什么东西好帮帮她的忙?

"他说话时轻快利索，充满了自信，尽管也还有点儿紧张不安，心里在想:

眼前这个杂货铺掌柜，一定觉得他这是在撒谎。其实，他根本不知道，这个掌柜原是一个虔诚的美以美会教徒，一向不赞成有碍天性的主旨或是冲动的做法。

凡是这类轻率的行为，都是违反上帝的律令的。何况他铺子里也没有这一类有违造物主旨意的货色。但他同时又是一个精明透顶的商人，也不愿随便得罪一个将来可能来此惠顾的买主，便说:

"非常对不起，年轻人。你这件事嘛，我恐怕自己也帮不了什么忙。我铺子里头没有这一类货色……从来不卖这一类货色，因为我不相信这些玩意儿。不过，市内别的铺子里头，也许有卖这类货色的。

可我也说不准。"他说话时态度很严肃，充满了深信自己正确的道德家那种诚挚笃信的口吻和神态。

克莱德心里马上明白，此人分明是在责备他。他一开头打听时那么一丁点儿的信心，也就骤然为之大减了。不过，好在这个商人并没有直接责备他，甚至还说别家杂货铺子掌柜可能置备这类货色。所以，不一会儿，他又壮起胆来了。他又来回转悠了半晌，这一家橱窗。那一家橱窗，都张望了一会儿，终于窥见第七家杂货铺，只有一个人在站柜台。于是，他走了进去，照例说明来意以后，那个又黑又瘦。滑头透顶的伙计……并不是掌柜……鬼鬼祟崇，但又漫不经心地对他说本铺是专门备有这一类药品的。是有的。要不要买一盒吗?

每一盒(因为克莱德问了价钱)六块美元……对这个靠工薪过活的克莱德来说，不啻是一个惊人的数目了。不过，看来这一项支出是不可避免的……如今毕竟觅到了，让他大大地舒了一口气……他马上说他要买。那个伙计就拿来给了他，还向他暗示说这是"特别灵验"的，随手也把它包了起来。就在此刻以前，他心里一直紧张透顶。如今，他真的高兴得手舞足蹈起来。药终于到了他手里，而且，当然罗，是很灵光的。看来索价过高，甚至高得气死人的价钱，就足以证明了这一点。不过，事至今日，这个价钱，他不是甚至认为还不算太大了吗?

要知道，有了它，他不是可以毫不费劲地摆脱困境了吗?

不过，克莱德忘了问伙计能不能给他一些其他也许很有价值的信息或是特别用法说明。他把这包东西掖进了自己口袋，暗底里庆贺自己在如此危急关头碰上好运道，同时居然还表现得如此有魄力。有本领。他马上回到莱柯格斯，就直奔罗伯达寓所。

而她呢，如同克莱德本人一样，原先他们俩都担心压根儿没有这种药，或是虽然有，但很难觅到，此刻他终于觅到了，她也就不由得大大地松了一口气。

事实上，他那高效率的办事能力，再一次给她留下很深的印象;至少直到目前为止，她依然认为他是具有这些优良品质的。而且，在目前情况下，他居然还表现得慷慨大方，体贴周到，确是她始料所不及。至少他并没有冷酷地把她遗弃，让她听天由命去。而原先她曾惊恐万状，以为也许他会下这一手的。不管最近以来他是那么冷淡她，但是仅仅这一件事，就足以使她心平气和了。这时，她欣喜若狂地把纸包打开，确实对这些药丸子寄予了厚望，就看了一看服用说明，向他表达了自己的感激之情，还说她一辈子都忘不了他在危难时刻对她那么好。

可是，就在她打开纸包的时候，她脑际突然掠过一个闪念:

万一这些药丸子不起作用呢?

那该怎么办呢?

对此，她又该怎样跟克莱德商量对策呢?

不过，她转念一想，这次既然药觅到了，至少暂时她应该感到满意了……于是，她就马上吞服了一粒药丸子。

然而，她一表示自己万分感激之情，克莱德便感到:

也许罗伯达认为这就是他们俩有可能重新发生亲密关系的表示，于是，他马上又装出最近这些天来在工厂时那种冷淡态度。在任何情况之下他都不会再让自己在这儿向她讨好卖乖，或是自作多情了。要是药丸子正如他满心希望那么灵光，那末，这也许就是他们俩最后的一次见面了……当然，除这以外，以后还会有纯属偶然的碰面。因为这次非常危急的事故证明，他们两人的关系对他实在危险太大，损失也太大了，一句话，一切都牺牲了，而换来的只是……担忧。麻烦和花销。

因此，他又恢复了从前他很有节制的冷淡态度。"得了，现在你准保没事了吧，嗯?

反正但愿如此，嗯?

那上面说:

在八小时或十小时以内，每两小时吞服一粒。还说，要是感到有点儿不舒服，也不要紧。也许你得向厂里告假一两天，只要这东西能解决你的问题，你也不在乎，是吧?

明天要是厂里见不到你，那我明天夜里再来看看你有什么反应。"他蔼然一笑。罗伯达两眼直盯着他，觉得此刻他这种轻率的态度跟他先前那种热情和深切关怀，怎么也联系不起来。他以往的热情啊!

而现在呢!

不过，此时此刻，她心里委实很感激，就衷心地向他报之一笑;他也是一样。可是，罗伯达一看他走了出去，随后门也关上了，连一点儿亲昵的表示都没有……她就又卧到床上，不胜惊疑地直摇头。因为万一这药压根儿不灵呢?

而克莱德对她态度依然还是那么轻率。疏远呢?

那时怎么办?

瞧他是那么冷淡，要是这个药不灵，可能他就再也不帮助她……或者他还会帮助她?

难道说他真的会这样做吗?

要知道正是他使她遭到这样的灾难啊，而且，当初就是他违逆了她的心愿。他还一个劲儿向她保证过，说不会出纰漏的。可现在，她却不得不孤零零一个人躺在这里，心事重重，除了他，她再也没法向别人求助去了。他留下的只是空口白话，说她准保没事，就这样一下子把她抛开不管了。其实，这一切，罪魁祸首却是他啊!

事情不正是这样吗?

"哦，克莱德啊!

克莱德啊!"
Part 2 Chapter 35
But the remedy he purchased failed to work. And because of nausea and his advice she had not gone to thefactory, but lay about worrying. But, no saving result appearing, she began to take two pills every hour instead ofone--eager at any cost to escape the fate which seemingly had overtaken her. And this made her exceedinglysick--so much so that when Clyde arrived at six-thirty he was really moved by her deathly white face, drawncheeks and large and nervous eyes, the pupils of which were unduly dilated. Obviously she was facing a crisis,and because of him, and, while it frightened, at the same time it made him sorry for her. Still, so confused andperplexed was he by the problem which her unchanged state presented to him that his mind now leaped forwardto the various phases and eventualities of such a failure as this. The need of additional advice or service of somephysician somewhere! But where and how and who? And besides, as he now asked himself, where was he to obtain the money in any such event?
　　Plainly in view of no other inspiration it was necessary for him to return to the druggist at once and there inquireif there was anything else--some other drug or some other thing that one might do. Or if not that, then some low-priced shady doctor somewhere, who, for a small fee, or a promise of payments on time, would help in this case.
　　Yet even though this other matter was so important--tragic almost--once outside his spirits lifted slightly. For henow recalled that he had an appointment with Sondra at the Cranstons', where at nine he and she, along with anumber of others, were to meet and play about as usual--a party. Yet once at the Cranstons', and despite the keenallurement of Sondra, he could not keep his mind off Roberta's state, which rose before him as a specter.
　　Supposing now any one of those whom he found gathered here--Nadine Harriet, Perley Haynes, Violet Taylor,Jill Trumbull, Bella, Bertine, and Sondra, should gain the least inkling of the scene he had just witnessed? Inspite of Sondra at the piano throwing him a welcoming smile over her shoulder as he entered, his thoughts wereon Roberta. He must go around there again after this was over, to see how she was and so relieve his own mindin case she were better. In case she was not, he must write to Ratterer at once for advice.
　　In spite of his distress he was trying to appear as gay and unconcerned as ever--dancing first with Perley Haynesand then with Nadine and finally, while waiting for a chance to dance with Sondra, he approached a group whowere trying to help Vanda Steele solve a new scenery puzzle and asserted that he could read messages written onpaper and sealed in envelopes (the old serial letter trick which he had found explained in an ancient book ofparlor tricks discovered on a shelf at the Peytons'). It had been his plan to use it before in order to give himself anair of ease and cleverness, but to-night he was using it to take his mind off the greater problem that was weighingon him. And, although with the aid of Nadine Harriet, whom he took into his confidence, he succeeded inthoroughly mystifying the others, still his mind was not quite on it. Roberta was always there. Supposingsomething should really be wrong with her and he could not get her out of it. She might even expect him tomarry her, so fearful was she of her parents and people. What would he do then? He would lose the beautifulSondra and she might even come to know how and why he had lost her. But that would be wild of Roberta toexpect him to do that. He would not do it. He could not do it.
　　One thing was certain. He must get her out of this. He must! But how? How?
　　And although at twelve o'clock Sondra signaled that she was ready to go and that if he chose he mightaccompany her to her door (and even stop in for a few moments) and although once there, in the shade of apergola which ornamented the front gate, she had allowed him to kiss her and told him that she was beginning tothink he was the nicest ever and that the following spring when the family moved to Twelfth Lake she was goingto see if she couldn't think of some way by which she could arrange to have him there over week-ends, still,because of this pressing problem in connection with Roberta, Clyde was so worried that he was not able tocompletely enjoy this new and to him exquisitely thrilling demonstration of affection on her part--this new andamazing social and emotional victory of his.
　　He must send that letter to Ratterer to-night. But before that he must return to Roberta as he had promised andfind out if she was better. And after that he must go over to Schenectady in the morning, sure, to see the druggistover there. For something must be done about this unless she were better to-night.
　　And so, with Sondra's kisses thrilling on his lips, he left her to go to Roberta, whose white face and troubled eyestold him as he entered her room that no change had taken place. If anything she was worse and more distressedthan before, the larger dosage having weakened her to the point of positive illness. However, as she said, nothingmattered if only she could get out of this--that she would almost be willing to die rather than face theconsequences. And Clyde, realizing what she meant and being so sincerely concerned for himself, appeared inpart distressed for her. However, his previous indifference and the manner in which he had walked off and lefther alone this very evening prevented her from feeling that there was any abiding concern in him for her now.
　　And this grieved her terribly. For she sensed now that he did not really care for her any more, even though nowhe was saying that she mustn't worry and that it was likely that if these didn't work he would get something elsethat would; that he was going back to the druggist at Schenectady the first thing in the morning to see if therewasn't something else that he could suggest.
　　But the Gilpins had no telephone, and since he never ventured to call at her room during the day and he neverpermitted her to call him at Mrs. Peyton's, his plan in this instance was to pass by the following morning beforework. If she were all right, the two front shades would be raised to the top; if not, then lowered to the center. Inthat case he would depart for Schenectady at once, telephoning Mr. Liggett that he had some outside duties toperform.
　　Just the same, both were terribly depressed and fearful as to what this should mean for each of them. Clyde couldnot quite assure himself that, in the event that Roberta was not extricated, he would be able to escape withoutindemnifying her in some form which might not mean just temporary efforts to aid her, but something more-marriage,possibly--since already she had reminded him that he had promised to see her through. But what hadhe really meant by that at the time that he said it, he now asked himself. Not marriage, most certainly, since histhought was not that he had ever wanted to marry her, but rather just to play with her happily in love, although,as he well knew, she had no such conception of his eager mood at that time. He was compelled to admit tohimself that she had probably thought his intentions were more serious or she would not have submitted to him atall.
　　But reaching home, and after writing and mailing the letter to Ratterer, Clyde passed a troubled night. Nextmorning he paid a visit to the druggist at Schenectady, the curtains of Roberta's windows having been lowered tothe center when he passed. But on this occasion the latter had no additional aid to offer other than the advisabilityof a hot and hence weakening bath, which he had failed to mention in the first instance. Also some wearyingform of physical exercise. But noting Clyde's troubled expression and judging that the situation was causing himgreat worry, he observed: "Of course, the fact that your wife has skipped a month doesn't mean that there isanything seriously wrong, you know. Women do that sometimes. Anyhow, you can't ever be sure until thesecond month has passed. Any doctor will tell you that. If she's nervous, let her try something like this. But evenif it fails to work, you can't be positive. She might be all right next month just the same."Thinly cheered by this information, Clyde was about to depart, for Roberta might be wrong. He and she might beworrying needlessly. Still--he was brought up with a round turn as he thought of it--there might be real danger,and waiting until the end of the second period would only mean that a whole month had elapsed and nothinghelpful accomplished--a freezing thought. In consequence he now observed: "In case things don't come right,you don't happen to know of a doctor she could go to, do you? This is rather a serious business for both of us,and I'd like to get her out of it if I could."Something about the way in which Clyde said this--his extreme nervousness as well as his willingness to indulgein a form of malpractice which the pharmacist by some logic all his own considered very different from justswallowing a preparation intended to achieve the same result--caused him to look suspiciously at Clyde, thethought stirring in his brain that very likely after all Clyde was not married, also that this was one of thoseyouthful affairs which spelled license and future difficulty for some unsophisticated girl. Hence his mood nowchanged, and instead of being willing to assist, he now said coolly: "Well, there may be a doctor around here, butif so I don't know. And I wouldn't undertake to send any one to a doctor like that. It's against the law. It wouldcertainly go hard with any doctor around here who was caught doing that sort of thing. That's not to say, though,that you aren't at liberty to look around for yourself, if you want to," he added gravely, giving Clyde a suspiciousand examining glance, and deciding it were best if he had nothing further to do with such a person.
　　Clyde therefore returned to Roberta with the same prescription renewed, although she had most decidedlyprotested that, since the first box had not worked, it was useless to get more. But since he insisted, she waswilling to try the drug the new way, although the argument that a cold or nerves was the possible cause was onlysufficient to convince her that Clyde was at the end of his resources in so far as she was concerned, or if not that,he was far from being alive to the import of this both to herself and to him. And supposing this new treatment didnot work, then what? Was he going to stop now and let the thing rest there?
　　Yet so peculiar was Clyde's nature that in the face of his fears in regard to his future, and because it was far frompleasant to be harried in this way and an infringement on his other interests, the assurance that the delay of amonth might not prove fatal was sufficient to cause him to be willing to wait, and that rather indifferently, forthat length of time. Roberta might be wrong. She might be making all this trouble for nothing. He must see howshe felt after she had tried this new way.
　　But the treatment failed. Despite the fact that in her distress Roberta returned to the factory in order to wearyherself, until all the girls in the department assured her that she must be ill-- that she should not be working whenshe looked and plainly felt so bad--still nothing came of it. And the fact that Clyde could dream of falling backon the assurance of the druggist that a first month's lapse was of no import only aggravated and frightened herthe more.
　　The truth was that in this crisis he was as interesting an illustration of the enormous handicaps imposed byignorance, youth, poverty and fear as one could have found. Technically he did not even know the meaning ofthe word "midwife," or the nature of the services performed by her. (And there were three here in Lycurgus atthis time in the foreign family section.) Again, he had been in Lycurgus so short a time, and apart from the youngsociety men and Dillard whom he had cut, and the various department heads at the factory, he knew no one--anoccasional barber, haberdasher, cigar dealer and the like, the majority of whom, as he saw them, were either toodull or too ignorant for his purpose.
　　One thing, however, which caused him to pause before ever he decided to look up a physician was the problemof who was to approach him and how. To go himself was simply out of the question. In the first place, he lookedtoo much like Gilbert Griffiths, who was decidedly too well-known here and for whom he might be mistaken.
　　Next, it was unquestionable that, being as well-dressed as he was, the physician would want to charge him more,maybe, than he could afford and ask him all sorts of embarrassing questions, whereas if it could be arranged through some one else--the details explained before ever Roberta was sent--Why not Roberta herself! Why not?
　　She looked so simple and innocent and unassuming and appealing at all times. And in such a situation as this, asdepressed and downcast as she was, well . . . For after all, as he now casuistically argued with himself, it was sheand not he who was facing the immediate problem which had to be solved.
　　And again, as it now came to him, would she not be able to get it done cheaper? For looking as she did now, sodistrait--If only he could get her to say that she had been deserted by some young man, whose name she wouldrefuse to divulge, of course, well, what physician seeing a girl like her alone and in such a state--no one to lookafter her--would refuse her? It might even be that he would help her out for nothing. Who could tell? And thatwould leave him clear of it all.
　　And in consequence he now approached Roberta, intending to prepare her for the suggestion that, assuming thathe could provide a physician and the nature of his position being what it was, she must speak for herself. Butbefore he had spoken she at once inquired of him as to what, if anything, more he had heard or done. Wasn'tsome other remedy sold somewhere? And this giving him the opportunity he desired, he explained: "Well, I'veasked around and looked into most of the drug-stores and they tell me if this one won't work that none will. Thatleaves me sorta stumped now, unless you're willing to go and see a doctor. But the trouble with that is they'rehard to find--the ones who'll do anything and keep their mouths shut. I've talked with several fellows withoutsaying who it's for, of course, but it ain't so easy to get one around here, because they are all too much afraid. It'sagainst the law, you see. But what I want to know now is, supposing I find a doctor who would do it, will youhave the nerve to go and see him and tell him what the trouble is? That's what I want to know."She looked at him dazedly, not quite grasping that he was hinting that she was to go entirely alone, but ratherassuming that of course he meant to go with her. Then, her mind concentrating nervously upon the necessity offacing a doctor in his company, she first exclaimed: "Oh, dear, isn't it terrible to think of us having to go to adoctor in this way? Then he'll know all about us, won't he? And besides it's dangerous, isn't it, although I don'tsuppose it could be much worse than those old pills." She went off into more intimate inquiries as to what wasdone and how, but Clyde could not enlighten her.
　　"Oh, don't be getting nervous over that now," he said. "It isn't anything that's going to hurt you, I know. Besideswe'll be lucky if we find some one to do it. What I want to know is if I do find a doctor, will you be willing to goto him alone?" She started as if struck, but unabashed now he went on, "As things stand with me here, I can't gowith you, that's sure. I'm too well known around here, and besides I look too much like Gilbert and he's known toeverybody. If I should be mistaken for him, or be taken for his cousin or relative, well, then the jig's up."His eyes were not only an epitome of how wretched he would feel were he exposed to all Lycurgus for what hewas, but also in them lurked a shadow of the shabby role he was attempting to play in connection with her--inhiding thus completely behind her necessity. And yet so tortured was he by the fear of what was about to befallhim in case he did not succeed in so doing, that he was now prepared, whatever Roberta might think or say, tostand his ground. But Roberta, sensing only the fact that he was thinking of sending her alone, now exclaimedincredulously: "Not alone, Clyde! Oh, no, I couldn't do that! Oh, dear, no! Why, I'd be frightened to death. Oh,dear, no. Why, I'd be so frightened I wouldn't know what to do. Just think how I'd feel, trying to explain to himalone. I just couldn't do that. Besides, how would I know what to say--how to begin? You'll just have to go withme at first, that's all, and explain, or I never can go--I don't care what happens." Her eyes were round and excited and her face, while registering all the depression and fear that had recently been there, was transfigured bydefinite opposition.
　　But Clyde was not to be shaken either.
　　"You know how it is with me here, Bert. I can't go, and that's all there is to it. Why, supposing I were seen-supposingsome one should recognize me? What then? You know how much I've been going around here sinceI've been here. Why, it's crazy to think that I could go. Besides, it will be a lot easier for you than for me. Nodoctor's going to think anything much of your coming to him, especially if you're alone. He'll just think you'resome one who's got in trouble and with no one to help you. But if I go, and it should be any one who knowsanything about the Griffiths, there'd be the deuce to pay. Right off he'd think I was stuffed with money. Besides,if I didn't do just what he wanted me to do afterwards, he could go to my uncle, or my cousin, and then, goodnight! That would be the end of me. And if I lost my place here now, and with no money and that kind of scandalconnected with me, where do you suppose I would be after that, or you either? I certainly couldn't look after youthen. And then what would you do? I should think you'd wake up and see what a tough proposition this is. Myname can't be pulled into this without trouble for both of us. It's got to be kept out, that's all, and the only way forme to keep it out is for me to stay away from any doctor. Besides, he'd feel a lot sorrier for you than he would forme. You can't tell me!"His eyes were distressed and determined, and, as Roberta could gather from his manner, a certain hardness, or atleast defiance, the result of fright, showed in every gesture. He was determined to protect his own name, comewhat might--a fact which, because of her own acquiescence up to this time, still carried great weight with her.
　　"Oh, dear! dear!" she exclaimed, nervously and sadly now, the growing and drastic terror of the situationdawning upon her, "I don't see how we are to do then. I really don't. For I can't do that and that's all there is to it.
　　It's all so hard--so terrible. I'd feel too much ashamed and frightened to ever go alone."But even as she said this she began to feel that she might, and even would, go alone, if must be. For what elsewas there to do? And how was she to compel him, in the face of his own fears and dangers, to jeopardize hisposition here? He began once more, in self-defense more than from any other motive:
　　"Besides, unless this thing isn't going to cost very much, I don't see how I'm going to get by with it anyhow, Bert.
　　I really don't. I don't make so very much, you know--only twenty-five dollars up to now." (Necessity was at lastcompelling him to speak frankly with Roberta.) "And I haven't saved anything--not a cent. And you know why aswell as I do. We spent the most of it together. Besides if I go and he thought I had money, he might want tocharge me more than I could possibly dig up. But if you go and just tell him how things are--and that you haven'tgot anything--if you'd only say I'd run away or something, see--"He paused because, as he said it, he saw a flicker of shame, contempt, despair at being connected with anythingso cheap and shabby, pass over Roberta's face. And yet in spite of this sly and yet muddy tergiversation on hispart--so great is the compelling and enlightening power of necessity--she could still see that there was some pointto his argument. He might be trying to use her as a foil, a mask, behind which he, and she too for that matter, wasattempting to hide. But just the same, shameful as it was, here were the stark, bald headlands of fact, and at theirbase the thrashing, destroying waves of necessity. She heard him say: "You wouldn't have to give your right name, you know, or where you came from. I don't intend to pick out any doctor right around here, see. Then, ifyou'd tell him you didn't have much money--just your weekly salary--"She sat down weakly to think, the while this persuasive trickery proceeded from him--the import of most of hisargument going straight home. For as false and morally meretricious as this whole plan was, still, as she couldsee for herself, her own as well as Clyde's situation was desperate. And as honest and punctilious as she mightordinarily be in the matter of truth-telling and honest-dealing, plainly this was one of those whirling tempests offact and reality in which the ordinary charts and compasses of moral measurement were for the time being ofsmall use.
　　And so, insisting then that they go to some doctor far away, Utica or Albany, maybe--but still admitting by thisthat she would go--the conversation was dropped. And he having triumphed in the matter of excepting his ownpersonality from this, took heart to the extent, at least, of thinking that at once now, by some hook or crook, hemust find a doctor to whom he could send her. Then his terrible troubles in connection with all this would beover. And after that she could go her way, as surely she must; then, seeing that he would have done all that hecould for her he would go his way to the glorious denouement that lay directly before him in case only this wereadjusted.

可是哪儿会料到，他买的药丸子并不灵光。由于恶心呕吐而又听从他的劝告，罗伯达没有去厂里，只是心急如焚躺在床上。因为后来她发现不是立见功效，就从每小时服用一粒增至每小时服用两粒……不惜任何代价，恨不得快点逃脱那场看来早已落到她头上的厄运。结果，她身体反而变得虚弱极了……六点半克莱德一进来，看见她象死人似的脸色惨白，两腮深陷，瞪着一双惊恐万状的大眼睛，眼珠子大得特别吓人，说真的，他也不由得很感动。显然，她这是在遭罪，而且全是为了他的缘故。这一下子使他吓坏了，便又替她感到难过。

这时，他心里早已乱成一团:

万一她仍然不见好转，在他眼前又冒出许多新的难题，便会急得他拚命想象药丸子失灵后可能产生的种种后果。显然，还得上别处向医生求教去!

不过，该去找哪一个医生呢?

上哪儿去找呢?

真不知道怎样才找得到?

此外，他还在反躬自问，一旦需要这样办时，又叫他上哪儿弄钱去呢?

显然一时想不出别的好办法，他就只好马上再去找那家杂货铺，问问还有没有别的新药，或是别的切实可行的办法。要不然，干脆上哪儿去找一个极不高明。私下专做这种生意的医生，给他一笔小小酬金，或是答应分期付款，也许可以使罗伯达不再吃苦头了。

但哪怕是这件事如此十万火急……几乎还带有悲剧色彩……谁能料到克莱德一出了房间，他的精神就马上来了劲。他想起了自己跟桑德拉约好一起上克兰斯顿家去，他。她，还有别的一拨人，约定九点钟在那儿碰面，照例在一块玩儿……开"派对"。可是，一到了克兰斯顿家，尽管桑德拉迷人极了，可是憔悴病容的罗伯达的形象有如幽灵似的老是在他眼前萦绕不去。万一今天来这儿欢聚的……纳丁。哈里特。玻利。海恩斯。维奥莱特。泰勒。杰尔。特朗布尔。

贝拉。伯蒂娜。桑德拉这些人里头，有哪一位对他刚才的亲自见闻知道了一点儿蛛丝马迹，那怎么办呢?

尽管他一进去的时候，正弹着钢琴的桑德拉回过头来，迎着他嫣然一笑，可是，他心里还在牵挂罗伯达哩。这里一结束，他还得再去一趟，看看罗伯达又怎么样了，她要是见好一些，那时他也可以放心些。要是还不见好转，那他就只好立刻给拉特勒写信求助了。

他尽管心里烦恼不安，还是竭力显得如同往日里一样乐乐呵呵，无忧无虑……先是跟玻利。海恩斯跳，接下来跟纳丁跳，后来，在等机会跟桑德拉一块跳的时候，他向那边一群人走了过去。原来他们正在帮范达。斯蒂尔猜一个新画谜，他便说:

写在纸片上的谜底，虽然封进信封里，他照样也能念出来……这是一种老式的联拚字码的游戏，他在佩顿家书架上找到过一本老掉牙的书，书名家庭游戏，里头就有玩法说明。以前他很想通过玩这种游戏，向众人显示一下自己那种从容自如的聪明劲儿，可在今儿晚上，他只不过借此忘掉压在他心头的更大难题罢了。虽说他偷偷地先告诉了纳丁。哈里特，然后靠她的帮助他玩的这套游戏竟把别人全都给蒙住了，可他还是心不在焉，罗伯达的形象老是浮现在他眼前。万一她真的出了事，他不能帮她渡过这个难关，那怎么办?

说不定她甚至会指望自己娶她;要知道她对父母及周围的人是最害怕的。那时，他该怎么办?

他就会失掉了美丽的桑德拉，而桑德拉甚至还可能了解清楚:

他是怎么和为什么会失掉她的。不过，罗伯达如果说要他娶了她，那才是疯了。不，他既不会这么办，而且也根本办不到。

但有一件事是肯定的:

他非得帮她逃脱这个难关不可。他非得帮她不可!

只不过该怎么个帮法?

怎么帮?

到了十二点钟，桑德拉示意她准备走了，他要是高兴的话，不妨送她到她家大门口(甚至还可以进去玩一会儿)。在大门口藤萝缭绕的棚架的阴影下，她还允许他亲吻了她，还跟他说，她觉得自己是最最喜欢他，春天一到，他们全家人都到第十二号湖去，到时候她打算看看，能不能想出个什么办法，请他上那儿去过周末，然而，克莱德因为想到罗伯达的问题如此紧迫，实在让他揪心，所以也就无法充分享受来自桑德拉这种新的爱情的表示……这对他真可以说是心荡神移，陶然自得，是他在社交和感情方面取得的一次惊人的新胜利。

今晚他必须把写给拉特勒的信发出去。不过，他还得象他先前答应过的那样，先上罗伯达那儿去，看看她好些了没有。明天早上，他怎么也得上谢内克塔迪找那家杂货铺去。因为他已毫无办法可想，非找杂货铺掌柜不可，除非她今晚有所好转。

于是，当他嘴唇上还能感到桑德拉的亲吻的时候，他便跟她告别径直看罗伯达去了。他一进她的房间，她的那张苍白的脸。她的一双痛苦的眼睛，就告诉了他一点儿都没有好转。她甚至感到比前时更恶化。更痛苦，由于服药剂量过大，身体虚弱简直到了极点。不过，她说只要这药能起作用，一切她都顶得住……又说如果要她生孩子，她宁可去死。克莱德理解她说这些话的意思，说真的，也替自己担心，佯装有些替她难过的样子。不过，他过去的态度既然是那样冷淡，就在今天晚上也还是一走了之，撇下了她孤零零一个人……因此，她就一点儿也不觉得他是真的关心她。想到这里，她不由得感到痛心极了。因为如今她已经发觉，他真的再也不疼她了，尽管嘴上还劝她放心，又说这药要是不灵，他会另找更灵的药，还说他明天一清早上谢内克塔迪去找那家杂货铺掌柜，看他有没有别的好办法。

可是吉尔平家没有电话，加上白天他从来不敢上她房间看她去，同时又从来不让她上佩顿家找他去，因此，现在他打算明天清早上班前，特意路过她的住地转一转。倘若她一切顺顺当当，前面两块窗帘就一直拉到顶上;不然只要垂在中间就得了。这样，他一看心里明白，就给利格特打电话，说一声到外面办公事去了，然后马上动身去谢内克塔迪。

尽管这样，他们俩还是胆颤心惊，深怕这会使他们都遭了灾难。克莱德很拿不准的是:

万一罗伯达不见好转，那他能不能一点儿都不补偿她的损失，自己就溜之大吉。因为她对他提出的要求，可能不仅仅是临时性帮助她一下，而是有更大要求……说不定就得娶了她……要知道她早已提醒过他，说他答应过要对她一帮到底。不过，现在他反躬自问，他当初说这话时的真意究竟是什么呢。

当然罗，不是指结婚，这是绝对肯定的，因为他从来没有想过跟她结婚，只不过是跟她谈谈恋爱，寻寻开心罢了。尽管他也很明白，当时罗伯达对他那种炽烈的感情是并不了解的。他不得不承认，也许她以为当时他说了话是算数的，要不然她压根儿就不会向他屈服了。

可是，克莱德回到家里，给拉特勒写好信并且发出去以后，便捱过了一个困扰不安之夜。转天一早路过罗伯达住所时，一看窗帘垂在中间，他就上谢内克塔迪去找杂货铺掌柜。可是这一回，那个掌柜再也没有说起有什么别的灵方妙药……只是说，不妨洗一个热水澡，备不住病情就会减轻些……说他在前一次忘了提这件事。他还说不妨做一些令人疲乏的运动。可他一发觉克莱德困扰不安的神色，便断定他心事很重，于是说:

"当然罗，你太太错过了一个月，并不是说就出了什么严重问题，明白了吧。这样的事女人是常有的。反正到第二个月结束以前，你怎么也肯定不了。不拘是哪个医生，都会对你这么说的。她要是还很担心，那让她试试这个就得了。不过，要是连这个都不灵，可你也不能因此就下了定论呢。过了下个月，说不定她就好转了。"克莱德听了掌柜这番安慰，心里稍微高兴一些，就准备要走了，因为罗伯达也有可能弄错了。也许他们俩都是在自寻烦恼吧。不过，据他看来，自己生来考虑问题比较全面……说不定真的有危险，要是再等到第二次，那就什么事都没有做，只不过白白地浪费一个月时间……一想到这里，他心里不由得冷了半截。于是，他就说:

"万一服用后还不见好，你知不知道她应该找什么样的医生?

这对我们俩来说都是性命交关的事，我总想尽自己一切力量帮助她。

"克莱德说话时的举止语调。他的极其慌张的神色，以及乐意滥用不正当的疗法，使这位药剂师犯疑了，因为按照药剂师的逻辑，上述这种病急乱投医的态度跟希望服药以收到效果是大不一样的。他用怀疑的眼光直望着克莱德，脑际忽然掠过一个念头:

可能克莱德压根儿还没结婚，而且，这种事目下也是屡见不鲜，也就是说，由于放荡不羁的小青年勾引，使涉世不深的年轻姑娘倒了霉。

因此，药剂师的情绪一下子改变了。他再也不乐意帮助他，只是冷冰冰地说:

"嗯，也许这儿说不定能找到这么一个医生，不过就是有的话，我也是一点儿都不知道。而且，我也不愿就这样随随便便介绍哪一个人去找这样的医生。这是违法行为。这儿不拘是哪一个医生，只要一被发现在做这类事，那就倒霉了。

当然罗，你要是乐意，还是可以去找找看，那就是你自个儿的事啦。"他神情严肃地找补着说，满怀疑虑地向克莱德投去一瞥，并且决定最好别再跟这个家伙多噜苏了。

因此，克莱德只好照旧又配了一些药，回到罗伯达那里。对此，她当然坚决反对，说既然头一盒药丸子不灵验，即使服得再多，也是不管用的。但是他一再坚持，她便愿意再试服一下这种药丸子。不料克莱德却找到借口，说一切也许都得怪她着了凉，或是精神太紧张的缘故。反正他上面这类话，只能让她相信:

就她这件事来说，他已经到了山穷水尽的地步，要不然，他还是压根儿不了解这对他们俩都是性命交关的大事情。万一这新配的药还是不起作用，那又该怎么办?

他会不会干脆就到此为止，撒手不管她了?

不过话又说回来，克莱德的性格也真怪，他既担心毁了自己的前程，又因为这么拖累折腾妨碍了他其他方面的利益，心里感到老大不高兴，因此，他乐于相信过了一个月一切自然都会好转的说法，所以要等也就等，而且还是满不在乎地等吧。说不定是罗伯达搞错了。也说不定她只是庸人自扰罢了。他还得看看她服用了新配的药以后到底见好了没有。

不料新配的药还是不灵。罗伯达还是照样上班，故意折磨自己身体，后来，同班组全体姑娘都对她说，她一定是病很重了，她样子那么难看，而且自己明明也感到病得够呛，就不该再来上班，但是一点儿效果都没有。而且，克莱德竟然听信了杂货铺掌柜所说一个月不来不要紧的话，聊以自慰。这就使她越发恼火。越发惧怕了。

事实是，在这个危急关头，他只不过是一个怪有趣的事例，从中可以让人看到，愚昧。年轻。穷困和惧怕造成的危害该有多大。比方说，"产婆"这个词是什么意思，产婆究竟承揽哪些活儿，他压根儿都不懂得。(当时在莱柯格斯的外侨居住区就有三个产婆。)再说，他来莱柯格斯毕竟时间很短，除了上流社会里的年轻人。早已断绝往来的迪拉德，以及厂里几个部门头头以外，他什么人都不认得……此外仅有偶尔点点头招呼一下的一个理发师。一个男子服饰用品店掌柜。一家雪茄烟铺的老板这一类的人，依他看，这些人十之八九不是太乏味，就是太愚蠢，帮不上他的忙。

不过，在他决定找医生以前，有一个问题让他煞费踌躇，那就是:

由谁去找以及怎么找。要他克莱德亲自去找，根本不在考虑之列。首先，他的外貌酷似吉尔伯特。格里菲思，而吉尔伯特在这儿名声毕竟太响了，人们很可能把他误认为吉尔伯特了。其次，他穿得这么讲究，医生开价很可能超过他的经济能力，而且还会向他提出一连串尴尬的问题来。倘若通过别的什么人……在罗伯达不在场的时候先将详细情况交代清楚……啊，为什么不让罗伯达自己去呢!

为什么不可以呢?

瞧她的模样儿始终都是那么老实。天真。诚挚，而且还令人动怜哩。

而且特别是象她现在那么沮丧。忧郁，真的……说到底，他暗自狡辩说，反正现在遇到这个非得解决不可的难题的……是她，而不是他呀。

他心里继而一想，何不由她自己去，不是价钱可以更便宜些吗?

凭现在她这副倒霉样儿，心神恍恍惚惚的，只要他能说服她，让她说自己被一个什么样的年轻人给抛弃了，至于这个年轻人尊姓大名，当然，她就得绝口不谈的。那末，不拘是哪一个医生，见她这样孤零零的，怪可怜的，无人照料，还有谁会把她拒之门外呢?

也许人家会帮助她，完全是尽义务，这也说不定。有谁能未卜先知呢?

到那时，他克莱德也就从此脱尽了干系。

于是，他去找罗伯达，想跟她提出这么一个办法:

假定他能给她物色到一位医生，但因他目前处境的关系，还得由她自己出面跟医生谈。但还没有等他开口，她就已经先问他打听到了什么消息，还做了一些什么事，哪儿还有什么别的药可买到?

克莱德趁此机会向他讲开了:

"哦，我几乎向所有药房都打听过了，也亲眼看过了。人家都对我说，这个药要是不灵，那就再也没有别的什么灵药了。这就让我有些束手无策了。现在只有一个办法，就是你去找医生。但你要知道，麻烦的是，肯想一切办法而又守口如瓶的医生，很不容易觅到。我跟几个人谈过，当然没有说出是谁要找，可是要在这儿找到这么一个医生很不容易，因为他们全都太胆小。这是违法的，明白了吧。不过，现在我想要知道:

万一我物色到一位医生乐于干这样的事，你有没有胆量去看他，把毛病说给他听?

我要了解清楚的，就是这个问题。"她头昏目眩地直瞅着他，不明白他这是不是在暗示说她单独一个人去，但仍然以为他当然会陪她一块去的。她心里忐忑不安地想到，必须在他陪同下一起去看医生，所以抢先嚷了起来:

"哦，亲爱的，一想到我们非得象这样去看医生，不是怪可怕的吗?

这就是说，我们的事他全都知道了，可不是吗?

再说，这也很危险，是吧，虽然，依我看，也许不见得比这些破药丸子更坏。"她接下去还想了解得更详细些，比方说，他做了些什么事，事情经过怎么样，可克莱德没能给她说清楚。

"哦，用不着为这事太紧张呀，"他说。"这怎么也不会叫你受不了的，我知道。再说，我们要是能寻摸到一个乐意干这类事的医生，就算是走运了。现在我想知道的是:

假定说我寻摸到一位医生，你愿不愿意自己一个人去找他?

"她一听这句话，仿佛触电似的，他却还是没羞没臊地往下说:

"你明白吗，明摆着我不可能陪你一块去，这是肯定的。在这儿，知道我的人太多了。此外，我长相跟吉尔伯特太象了，而他又是人人都认得的。万一人家把我误认是他，或是认作他的堂兄弟或是其他亲戚什么的，那么一切都完了。"这时，他眼里流露出来的，不仅仅是害怕……一旦他的真面目在莱柯格斯人面前被揭穿，该有多么狼狈，而且还隐藏着一个阴影，可以看出，他打算在对罗伯达的关系上扮演一个太卑鄙下流的角色……趁她正在危急之际，自己却躲在背后不露面。现在他最害怕的是:

深怕他这个计划万一不成功，那他真不知道就要有什么大祸临头了。因此，不管罗伯达怎么想或者怎么说，他决心坚持己见。这时，罗伯达知道他一心想打发她一个人去，简直难以置信地嚷道:

"不，决不能一个人去，克莱德!

哦，不行，这个我可不干。哦，亲爱的，不行!

哦，这可快要把我吓死呀。哦，亲爱的，不行。哦，我真的会吓得不知道该怎么办呢。

只要你想一想，让我独个儿一人把这一切说给此人听，那时我会变成什么个样儿。这个我就是不干。再说，我又怎么知道应该向此人说些什么……怎么开头呢?

头一次你非得跟我一块去不可，那就得了，好歹还得由你自个儿说给人家听。

要不然，我怎么也不去啦……至于将来会怎么样，反正对我也无所谓。"瞧她的眼睛睁得圆圆的，仿佛烈火在燃烧似的;她的脸色刚才还露出沮丧。忧郁的样子，现因坚决反对，一下子都变了。

可克莱德还是决不动摇。

"你也知道，我在这儿所处的地位，伯特。我可不能去，就是这么回事。只要想一想，万一我给人看见了……万一有人认得我呢?

那怎么办?

自从我来这儿以后，哪儿我都去过，这你也知道。哦，你以为我能一块去，简直是发疯了。再说，你自个儿去，比我一块去要好办得多哩。你去，特别是你一个人去，哪一个医生都不会对你有太多怀疑的，只不过认为你碰到了不幸，又没有人帮助你。

但是，如果说我去，赶上人家又知道我是来自格里菲思家族，那后果就吓坏人啦。人家马上会想我一定有的是钱。再说，我要是事后不照他的要求付钱，那他就会去找我伯父或是堂兄……那时，再见吧!

我就完蛋啦。要是现在我丢掉了这里的职位，又没有钱，还卷入这场丑闻中去……那时你想想看，叫我该怎么办，或是你又该怎么办?

到了那时候，我当然没有力量来照顾你了。那你怎么办?

我相信，你一定会清醒过来，明白目前处境非常严峻。我的名字要是一卷进去，那末，我们两人都要碰上麻烦。所以，我的名字断断乎不能卷进去，就是这么一回事。而要我不卷进去，唯一的办法就是别让我跟任何一个医生见面。此外，相比之下，人家对你只会更加同情。你怎么也不能把我的名字说出来呀!

"他眼里充满痛苦而又坚决的神色。罗伯达从他的神态里看出，他每一个姿势都显露出某种冷酷无情，至少也是某种倔强劲儿……他心里惧怕的结果。不管怎么说，他是坚决要保护自己的名声……对于这一点，由于她到目前为止一直予以默认，所以此刻在她心里依然极为重要。

"哦，老天哪!

老天哪!

"她慌张地。伤心地嚷了起来。她开始清楚地意识到情况越发可怕了。"我可不知道我们该怎么办才好。我真的不知道。因为这个我可坚决不干，我就是这么一句话。一切都是那么无情……那么可怕。要是我一个人去，真的叫我害羞和害怕死啦。"可是，即使是在她说这些话时，她已开始觉得，必要时，也许只好她一个人去，甚至她自己也愿意一个人去。因为，除此以外，她还能有什么别的办法呢?

克莱德既然那么害怕，又感到有那么大的危险……那她怎能逼着他要拿他在这儿的地位来孤注一掷呢。这时，克莱德更多的是为了保护自己，而不是出于其他目的，又开始说话:

"再说，还得想方设法，使钱不要花得太多，伯特，要不然，我还不知道该怎么张罗这一笔钱哩。说真的，我可不知道该怎么张罗。我挣的钱并不怎么多，你也知道吧，至今仍然只有二十五块美元。"(迫于形势，他终于对罗伯达说老实话了。)"而且，平时我一点儿积蓄都没有……一个子儿也没有。至于为什么会这样，你跟我一样知道得清清楚楚。我挣来的几乎全都被我们一块儿花掉了。再说，要是我一块去了，人家以为我很有钱，开价就会大大的，远不是我付得起的。要是你一个人去，如实地相告……就说你什么都没有……你干脆说我跑掉了，或是别的什么，你明白了吗……"他迟疑了片刻，因为他在说这些话时，看见羞耻。轻蔑与绝望在罗伯达的脸上突然一一闪过，这是由于她意识到自己将要作如此卑鄙下流的事而引起的。

不过，尽管他是那么狡猾，甚至存心糊弄她……而现实所具有的那种令人启迪和无话可说的力量是如此之大……罗伯达还是觉得他的那一套说法不是没有道理的。也许他很想把她当做一个幌子。一个面具，这次他们俩都可以躲在背后了。不过，不管怎么说，可耻固然是可耻，但是现实却有如严峻的。光秃秃的海岬一般矗立在她面前，而在海岬底沿，命运掀起的毁灭一切的浪头正在汹涌澎湃着。她听见他低声说:

"你犯不着说出自己的真实姓名，明白吗，也不用说明你是打哪儿来的。我可不打算在莱柯格斯这儿随便找一个医生，明白了吗。你只要跟他说你没有多少钱……拢共就是每周挣来的工资……"她有气无力地坐了下来，暗自琢磨着。这时，他还在唠叨不休地谈自己那一套颇具说服力的骗术……其中的道理多半可谓深中肯綮。因为，尽管这一套骗术是那么虚伪，那么不道德，可她还是认识到，她自己和克莱德都已到了走投无路的境地。尽管她平日里说话做人都是老老实实，一丝不苟，可是如今分明卷进了一场现实生活的暴风雨之中，平时衡量道德的那些标准一时也都不管用了。

因此，最后决定他们到离莱柯格斯远一些的地方，也许是尤蒂卡或是奥尔巴尼，去找医生……这就是说，她仍答应自己一定去找医生……谈话到此结束。

克莱德因为自己可以不卷进去而得胜了，少说也来了劲儿:

他心里在想，必须不择手段，马上找到一位医生，好把罗伯达打发过去。那时，他跟这一切可怕的烦恼，也就象一溜烟似的消散了。在这以后，她就可以……当然罗，她也非得走她自己的路不可。而他，既然已经为她尽到了自己的一切力量，那末，只要眼前一切安排停当，他也可以走他自己的路，等待着他的是光辉灿烂的前程。
Part 2 Chapter 36
Nevertheless hours and even days, and finally a week and then ten days, passed without any word from him as tothe whereabouts of a doctor to whom she could go. For although having said so much to her he still did not knowto whom to apply. And each hour and day as great a menace to him as to her. And her looks as well as herinquiries registering how intense and vital and even clamorous at moments was her own distress. Also he washarried almost to the point of nervous collapse by his own inability to think of any speedy and sure way by whichshe might be aided. Where did a physician live to whom he might send her with some assurance of relief for her,and how was he to find out about him?
　　After a time, however, in running over all the names of those he knew, he finally struck upon a forlorn hope inthe guise of Orrin Short, the young man conducting the one small "gents' furnishing store" in Lycurgus whichcatered more or less exclusively to the rich youths of the city--a youth of about his own years and proclivities, asClyde had guessed, who ever since he had been here had been useful to him in the matter of tips as to dress andstyle in general. Indeed, as Clyde had for some time noted, Short was a brisk, inquiring and tactful person, who,in addition to being quite attractive personally to girls, was also always most courteous to his patrons,particularly to those whom he considered above him in the social scale, and among these was Clyde. For havingdiscovered that Clyde was related to the Griffiths, this same Short had sought, as a means for his own generaladvancement in other directions, to scrape as much of a genial and intimate relationship with him as possible,only, as Clyde saw it, and in view of the general attitude of his very high relatives, it had not, up to this time atleast, been possible for him to consider any such intimacy seriously. And yet, finding Short so very affable andhelpful in general, he was not above reaching at least an easy and genial surface relationship with him, whichShort appeared to accept in good part. Indeed, as at first, his manner remained seeking and not a littlesycophantic at times. And so it was that among all those with whom he could be said to be in either intimate or casual contact, Short was about the only one who offered even a chance for an inquiry which might proveproductive of some helpful information.
　　In consequence, in passing Short's place each evening and morning, once he thought of him in this light, he madeit a point to nod and smile in a most friendly manner, until at least three days had gone by. And then, feeling thathe had paved the way as much as his present predicament would permit, he stopped in, not at all sure that on thisfirst occasion he would be able to broach the dangerous subject. The tale he had fixed upon to tell Short was thathe had been approached by a young working-man in the factory, newly-married, who, threatened with an heirand not being able to afford one as yet, had appealed to him for information as to where he might now find adoctor to help him. The only interesting additions which Clyde proposed to make to this were that the youngman, being very poor and timid and not so very intelligent, was not able to speak or do much for himself. Alsothat he, Clyde, being better informed, although so new locally as not to be able to direct him to any physician (anafter-thought intended to put the idea into Short's mind that he himself was never helpless and so not likely everto want such advice himself), had already advised the young man of a temporary remedy. But unfortunately, sohis story was to run, this had already failed to work. Hence something more certain--a physician, no less--wasnecessary. And Short, having been here longer, and, as he had heard him explain, hailing previously fromGloversville, it was quite certain, as Clyde now argued with himself, that he would know of at least one--orshould. But in order to divert suspicion from himself he was going to add that of course he probably could getnews of some one in his own set, only, the situation being so unusual (any reference to any such thing in his ownworld being likely to set his own group talking), he preferred to ask some one like Short, who as a favor wouldkeep it quiet.
　　As it chanced on this occasion, Short himself, owing to his having done a very fair day's business, was in anexceedingly jovial frame of mind. And Clyde having entered, to buy a pair of socks, perhaps, he began: "Well,it's good to see you again, Mr. Griffiths. How are you? I was just thinking it's about time you stopped in and letme show you some of the things I got in since you were here before. How are things with the Griffiths Companyanyhow?"Short's manner, always brisk, was on this occasion doubly reassuring, since he liked Clyde, only now the latterwas so intensely keyed up by the daring of his own project that he could scarcely bring himself to carry the thingoff with the air he would have liked to have employed.
　　Nevertheless, being in the store and so, seemingly, committed to the project, he now began: "Oh, pretty fair.
　　Can't kick a bit. I always have all I can do, you know." At the same time he began nervously fingering some tieshung upon movable nickeled rods. But before he had wasted a moment on these, Mr. Short, turning andspreading some boxes of very special ties from a shelf behind him on the glass case, remarked: "Never mindlooking at those, Mr. Griffiths. Look at these. These are what I want to show you and they won't cost YOU anymore. Just got 'em in from New York this morning." He picked up several bundles of six each, the very latest, ashe explained. "See anything else like this anywhere around here yet? I'll say you haven't." He eyed Clydesmilingly, the while he wished sincerely that such a young man, so well connected, yet not rich like the others,would be friends with him. It would place him here.
　　Clyde, fingering the offerings and guessing that what Short was saying was true, was now so troubled andconfused in his own mind that he could scarcely think and speak as planned. "Very nice, sure," he said, turning them over, feeling that at another time he would have been pleased to possess at least two. "I think maybe I'lltake this one, anyhow, and this one, too." He drew out two and held them up, while he was thinking how tobroach the so much more important matter that had brought him here. For why should he be troubling to buy ties,dilly-dallying in this way, when all he wanted to ask Short about was this other matter? Yet how hard it wasnow--how very hard. And yet he really must, although perhaps not so abruptly. He would look around a littlemore at first in order to allay suspicion--ask about some socks. Only why should he be doing that, since he didnot need anything, Sondra only recently having presented him with a dozen handkerchiefs, some collars, ties andsocks. Nevertheless every time he decided to speak he felt a sort of sinking sensation at the pit of his stomach, afear that he could not or would not carry the thing off with the necessary ease and conviction. It was all soquestionable and treacherous--so likely to lead to exposure and disgrace in some way. He would probably not beable to bring himself to speak to Short to-night. And yet, as he argued with himself, how could the occasion everbe more satisfactory?
　　Short, in the meantime having gone to the rear of the store and now returning, with a most engaging and evensycophantic smile on his face, began with: "Saw you last Tuesday evening about nine o'clock going into theFinchleys' place, didn't I? Beautiful house and grounds they have there."Clyde saw that Short really was impressed by his social station here. There was a wealth of admiration mingledwith a touch of servility. And at once, because of this, he took heart, since he realized that with such an attitudedominating the other, whatever he might say would be colored in part at least by his admirer's awe and respect.
　　And after examining the socks and deciding that one pair at least would soften the difficulty of his demand, headded: "Oh, by the way, before I forget it. There's something I've been wanting to ask you about. Maybe you cantell me what I want to know. One of the boys at the factory--a young fellow who hasn't been married very long-aboutfour months now, I guess--is in a little trouble on account of his wife." He paused, because of hisuncertainty as to whether he could succeed with this now or not, seeing that Short's expression changed ever soslightly. And yet, having gone so far, he did not know how to recede. So now he laughed nervously and thenadded: "I don't know why they always come to me with their troubles, but I guess they think I ought to know allabout these things." (He laughed again.) "Only I'm about as new and green here as anybody and so I'm kindastumped. But you've been here longer than I have, I guess, and so I thought I might ask you."His manner as he said this was as nonchalant as he could make it, the while he decided now that this was amistake--that Short would most certainly think him a fool or queer. Yet Short, taken back by the nature of thequery, which he sensed as odd coming from Clyde to him (he had noted Clyde's sudden restraint and slightnervousness), was still so pleased to think that even in connection with so ticklish a thing as this, he should bemade the recipient of his confidence, that he instantly recovered his former poise and affability, and replied:
　　"Why, sure, if it's anything I can help you with, Mr. Griffiths, I'll be only too glad to. Go ahead, what is it?""Well, it's this way," began Clyde, not a little revived by the other's hearty response, yet lowering his voice inorder to give the dreadful subject its proper medium of obscurity, as it were. "His wife's already two monthsgone and he can't afford a kid yet and he doesn't know how to get rid of it. I told him last month when he firstcame to me to try a certain medicine that usually works"--this to impress Short with his own personal wisdomand resourcefulness in such situations and hence by implication to clear his own skirts, as it were--"But I guesshe didn't handle it right. Anyhow he's all worked up about it now and wants to see some doctor who could dosomething for her, you see. Only I don't know anybody here myself. Haven't been here long enough. If it were Kansas City or Chicago now," he interpolated securely, "I'd know what to do. I know three or four doctors outthere." (To impress Short he attempted a wise smile.) "But down here it's different. And if I started asking aroundin my crowd and it ever got back to my relatives, they wouldn't understand. But I thought if you knew of any oneyou wouldn't mind telling me. I wouldn't really bother myself, only I'm sorry for this fellow."He paused, his face, largely because of the helpful and interested expression on Short's, expressing moreconfidence than when he had begun. And although Short was still surprised he was more than pleased to be ashelpful as he could.
　　"You say it's been two months now.""Yes.""And the stuff you suggested didn't work, eh?""No.""She's tried it again this month, has she?""Yes.""Well, that is bad, sure enough. I guess she's in bad all right. The trouble with this place is that I haven't beenhere so very long either, Mr. Griffiths. I only bought this place about a year and a half ago. Now, if I were overin Gloversville--" He paused for a moment, as though, like Clyde, he too were dubious of the wisdom of enteringupon details of this kind, but after a few seconds continued: "You see a thing like that's not so easy, whereveryou are. Doctors are always afraid of getting in trouble. I did hear once of a case over there, though, where a girlwent to a doctor--a fellow who lived a couple miles out. But she was of pretty good family too, and the fellowwho took her to him was pretty well-known about there. So I don't know whether this doctor would do anythingfor a stranger, although he might at that. But I know that sort of thing is going on all the time, so you might try. Ifyou wanta send this fellow to him, tell him not to mention me or let on who sent him, 'cause I'm pretty well-known around there and I wouldn't want to be mixed up in it in case anything went wrong, you see. You knowhow it is."And Clyde, in turn, replied gratefully: "Oh, sure, he'll understand all right. I'll tell him not to mention anynames." And getting the doctor's name, he extracted a pencil and notebook from his pocket in order to be surethat the important information should not escape him.
　　Short, sensing his relief, was inclined to wonder whether there was a working-man, or whether it was not Clydehimself who was in this scrape. Why should he be speaking for a young working-man at the factory? Just thesame, he was glad to be of service, though at the same time he was thinking what a bit of local news this wouldbe, assuming that any time in the future he should choose to retail it. Also that Clyde, unless he was truly playingabout with some girl here who was in trouble, was foolish to be helping anybody else in this way--particularly aworking-man. You bet he wouldn't.
　　Nevertheless he repeated the name, with the initials, and the exact neighborhood, as near as he could remember,giving the car stop and a description of the house. Clyde, having obtained what he desired, now thanked him, andthen went out while the haberdasher looked after him genially and a little suspiciously. These rich young bloods,he thought. That's a funny request for a fellow like that to make of me. You'd think with all the people he knowsand runs with here he'd know some one who would tip him off quicker than I could. Still, maybe, it's just becauseof them that he is afraid to ask around here. You don't know who he might have got in trouble--that youngFinchley girl herself, even. You never can tell. I see him around with her occasionally, and she's gay enough.
　　But, gee, wouldn't that be the . . .
Part 2 Chapter 37
The information thus gained was a relief, but only partially so. For both Clyde and Roberta there was no realrelief now until this problem should be definitely solved. And although within a few moments after he hadobtained it, he appeared and explained that at last he had secured the name of some one who might help her, stillthere was yet the serious business of heartening her for the task of seeing the doctor alone, also for the story thatwas to exculpate him and at the same time win for her sufficient sympathy to cause the doctor to make the chargefor his service merely nominal.
　　But now, instead of protesting as at first he feared that she might, Roberta was moved to acquiesce. So manythings in Clyde's attitude since Christmas had so shocked her that she was bewildered and without a plan otherthan to extricate herself as best she might without any scandal attaching to her or him and then going her ownway--pathetic and abrasive though it might be. For since he did not appear to care for her any more and plainlydesired to be rid of her, she was in no mood to compel him to do other than he wished. Let him go. She couldmake her own way. She had, and she could too, without him, if only she could get out of this. Yet, as she saidthis to herself, however, and a sense of the full significance of it all came to her, the happy days that would neverbe again, she put her hands to her eyes and brushed away uncontrollable tears. To think that all that was shouldcome to this.
　　Yet when he called the same evening after visiting Short, his manner redolent of a fairly worth-whileachievement, she merely said, after listening to his explanation in as receptive a manner as she could: "Do youknow just where this is, Clyde? Can we get there on the car without much trouble, or will we have to walk a longway?" And after he had explained that it was but a little way out of Gloversville, in the suburbs really, aninterurban stop being but a quarter of a mile from the house, she had added: "Is he home at night, or will we haveto go in the daytime? It would be so much better if we could go at night. There'd be so much less danger of anyone seeing us." And being assured that he was, as Clyde had learned from Short, she went on: "But do you knowis he old or young? I'd feel so much easier and safer if he were old. I don't like young doctors. We've always hadan old doctor up home and I feel so much easier talking to some one like him."Clyde did not know. He had not thought to inquire, but to reassure her he ventured that he was middle-aged-whichchanced to be the fact.
　　The following evening the two of them departed, but separately as usual, for Fonda, where it was necessary to change cars. And once within the approximate precincts of the physician's residence, they stepped down andmade their way along a road, which in this mid-state winter weather was still covered with old and dry-packedsnow. It offered a comparatively smooth floor for their quick steps. For in these days, there was no longer thatlingering intimacy which formerly would have characterized both. In those other and so recent days, as Robertawas constantly thinking, he would have been only too glad in such a place as this, if not on such an occasion, todrag his steps, put an arm about her waist, and talk about nothing at all--the night, the work at the factory, Mr.
　　Liggett, his uncle, the current movies, some place they were planning to go, something they would love to dotogether if they could. But now . . . And on this particular occasion, when most of all, and if ever, she needed thefull strength of his devotion and support! Yet now, as she could see, he was most nervously concerned as towhether, going alone in this way, she was going to get scared and "back out"; whether she was going to think tosay the right thing at the right time and convince the doctor that he must do something for her, and for a nominalfee.
　　"Well, Bert, how about you? All right? You're not going to get cold feet now, are you? Gee, I hope not becausethis is going to be a good chance to get this thing done and over with. And it isn't like you were going to someone who hadn't done anything like this before, you know, because this fellow has. I got that straight. All youhave to do now, is to say, well, you know, that you're in trouble, see, and that you don't know how you're goingto get out of it unless he'll help you in some way, because you haven't any friends here you can go to. Andbesides, as things are, you couldn't go to 'em if you wanted to. They'd tell on you, see. Then if he asks where Iam or who I am, you just say that I was a fellow here--but that I've gone--give any name you want to, but thatI've gone, and you don't know where I've gone to--run away, see. Then you'd better say, too, that you wouldn'thave come to him only that you heard of another case in which he helped some one else--that a girl told you, see.
　　Only you don't want to let on that you're paid much, I mean,--because if you do he may want to make the billmore than I can pay, see, unless he'll give us a few months in which to do it, or something like that, you see."Clyde was so nervous and so full of the necessity of charging Roberta with sufficient energy and courage to gothrough with this and succeed, now that he had brought her this far along with it, that he scarcely realized howinadequate and trivial, even, in so far as her predicament and the doctor's mood and temperament wereconcerned, his various instructions and bits of inexperienced advice were. And she on her part was not onlythinking how easy it was for him to stand back and make suggestions, while she was confronted with thenecessity of going forward, and that alone, but also that he was really thinking more of himself than he was ofher--some way to make her get herself out of it inexpensively and without any real trouble to him.
　　At the same time, even here and now, in spite of all this, she was still decidedly drawn to him--his white face, histhin hands, nervous manner. And although she knew he talked to encourage her to do what he had not thecourage or skill to do himself, she was not angry. Rather, she was merely saying to herself in this crisis thatalthough he advised so freely she was not going to pay attention to him--much. What she was going to say wasnot that she was deserted, for that seemed too much of a disagreeable and self-incriminating remark for her tomake concerning herself, but rather that she was married and that she and her young husband were too poor tohave a baby as yet--the same story Clyde had told the druggist in Schenectady, as she recalled. For after all, whatdid he know about how she felt? And he was not going with her to make it easier for her.
　　Yet dominated by the purely feminine instinct to cling to some one for support, she now turned to Clyde, takinghold of his hands and standing quite still, wishing that he would hold and pet her and tell her that it was all right and that she must not be afraid. And although he no longer cared for her, now in the face of this involuntaryevidence of her former trust in him, he released both hands and putting his arms about her, the more to encourageher than anything else, observed: "Come on now, Bert. Gee, you can't act like this, you know. You don't want tolose your nerve now that we're here, do you? It won't be so hard once you get there. I know it won't. All you gotto do is to go up and ring the bell, see, and when he comes, or whoever comes, just say you want to see thedoctor alone, see. Then he'll understand it's something private and it'll be easier."He went on with more advice of the same kind, and she, realizing from his lack of spontaneous enthusiasm forher at this moment how desperate was her state, drew herself together as vigorously as she could, and saying:
　　"Well, wait here, then, will you? Don't go very far away, will you? I may be right back," hurried along in theshadow through the gate and up a walk which led to the front door.
　　In answer to her ring the door was opened by one of those exteriorly as well as mentally sober, small-townpractitioners who, Clyde's and Short's notion to the contrary notwithstanding, was the typical and fairlyconservative physician of the countryside--solemn, cautious, moral, semi-religious to a degree, holding someviews which he considered liberal and others which a fairly liberal person would have considered narrow andstubborn into the bargain. Yet because of the ignorance and stupidity of so many of those about him, he was ableto consider himself at least fairly learned. In constant touch with all phases of ignorance and dereliction as wellas sobriety, energy, conservatism, success and the like, he was more inclined, where fact appeared to nullify hisearly conclusion in regard to many things, to suspend judgment between the alleged claims of heaven and helland leave it there suspended and undisturbed. Physically he was short, stocky, bullet-headed and yetinterestingly-featured, with quick gray eyes and a pleasant mouth and smile. His short iron-gray hair was worn"bangs" fashion, a bit of rural vanity. And his arms and hands, the latter fat and pudgy, yet sensitive, hung limplyat his sides. He was fifty-eight, married, the father of three children, one of them a son already studying medicinein order to succeed to his father's practice.
　　After showing Roberta into a littered and commonplace waiting room and asking her to remain until he hadfinished his dinner, he presently appeared in the door of an equally commonplace inner room, or office, wherewere his desk, two chairs, some medical instruments, books and apparently an ante-chamber containing othermedical things, and motioned her to a chair. And because of his grayness, solidity, stolidity, as well as an oddhabit he had of blinking his eyes, Roberta was not a little overawed, though by no means so unfavorablyimpressed as she had feared she might be. At least he was old and he seemed intelligent and conservative, if notexactly sympathetic or warm in his manner. And after looking at her curiously a moment, as though seeking torecognize some one of the immediate vicinity, he began: "Well, now who is this, please? And what can I do foryou?" His voice was low and quite reassuring--a fact for which Roberta was deeply grateful.
　　At the same time, startled by the fact that at last she had reached the place and the moment when, if ever, shemust say the degrading truth about herself, she merely sat there, her eyes first upon him, then upon the floor, herfingers beginning to toy with the handle of the small bag she carried.
　　"You see, well," she began, earnestly and nervously, her whole manner suddenly betraying the terrific strainunder which she was laboring. "I came . . . I came . . . that is . . . I don't know whether I can tell you about myselfor not. I thought I could just before I came in, but now that I am here and I see you . . ." She paused and movedback in her chair as though to rise, at the same time that she added: "Oh, dear, how very dreadful it all is. I'm so nervous and . . .""Well, now, my dear," he resumed, pleasantly and reassuringly, impressed by her attractive and yet soberappearance and wondering for the moment what could have upset so clean, modest and sedate-looking a girl,and hence not a little amused by her "now that I see you,"--"Just what is there about me 'now that you see me,'"he repeated after her, "that so frightens you? I am only a country doctor, you know, and I hope I'm not asdreadful as you seem to think. You can be sure that you can tell me anything you wish--anything at all aboutyourself--and you needn't be afraid. If there's anything I can do for you, I'll do it."He was decidedly pleasant, as she now thought, and yet so sober and reserved and probably conventional withalthat what she was holding in mind to tell him would probably shock him not a little--and then what? Would hedo anything for her? And if he would, how was she to arrange about money, for that certainly would be a point inconnection with all this? If only Clyde or some one were here to speak for her. And yet she must speak now thatshe was here. She could not leave without. Once more she moved and twisted, seizing nervously on a largebutton of her coat to turn between her thumb and forefinger, and then went on chokingly.
　　"But this is . . . this is . . . well, something different, you know, maybe not what you think. . . . I . . . I . . .
　　well. . ."Again she paused, unable to proceed, shading from white to red and back as she spoke. And because of thetroubled modesty of her approach, as well as a certain clarity of eye, whiteness of forehead, sobriety of mannerand dress, the doctor could scarcely bring himself to think for a moment that this was anything other than one ofthose morbid exhibitions of innocence, or rather inexperience, in connection with everything relating to thehuman body--so characteristic of the young and unsophisticated in some instances. And so he was about torepeat his customary formula in such cases that all could be told to him without fear or hesitation, whatever itmight be, when a secondary thought, based on Roberta's charm and vigor, as well as her own thought wavesattacking his cerebral receptive centers, caused him to decide that he might be wrong. After all, why might notthis be another of those troublesome youthful cases in which possibly immorality and illegitimacy was involved.
　　She was so young, healthy and attractive, besides, they were always cropping up, these cases,--in connectionwith the most respectable-looking girls at times. And invariably they spelled trouble and distress for doctors.
　　And, for various reasons connected with his own temperament, which was retiring and recessive, as well as thenature of this local social world, he disliked and hesitated to even trifle with them. They were illegal, dangerous,involved little or no pay as a rule, and the sentiment of this local world was all against them as he knew. Besideshe personally was more or less irritated by these young scamps of boys and girls who were so free to exercise thenormal functions of their natures in the first instance, but so ready to refuse the social obligations which wentwith them--marriage afterwards. And so, although in several cases in the past ten years where family and otherneighborhood and religious considerations had made it seem quite advisable, he had assisted in extricating fromthe consequences of their folly several young girls of good family who had fallen from grace and could nototherwise be rescued, still he was opposed to aiding, either by his own countenance or skill, any lapses or tanglesnot heavily sponsored by others. It was too dangerous. Ordinarily it was his custom to advise immediate andunconditional marriage. Or, where that was not possible, the perpetrator of the infamy having decamped, it washis general and self-consciously sanctioned practice to have nothing at all to do with the matter. It was toodangerous and ethically and socially wrong and criminal into the bargain.
　　In consequence he now looked at Roberta in an extremely sober manner. By no means, he now said to himself,must he allow himself to become emotionally or otherwise involved here. And so in order to help himself as wellas her to attain and maintain a balance which would permit of both extricating themselves without too muchtrouble, he drew toward him his black leather case record book and, opening it, said: "Now, let's see if we can'tfind out what the trouble is here. What is your name?""Ruth Howard. Mrs. Howard," replied Roberta nervously and tensely, at once fixing upon a name which Clydehad suggested for her use. And now, interestingly enough, at mention of the fact that she was married, hebreathed easier. But why the tears then? What reason could a young married woman have for being so intenselyshy and nervous?
　　"And your husband's first name?" he went on.
　　As simple as the question was, and as easy as it should have been to answer, Roberta nevertheless hesitatedbefore she could bring herself to say: "Gifford," her older brother's name.
　　"You live around her, I presume?""In Fonda.""Yes. And how old are you?""Twenty-two.""How long have you been married?"This inquiry being so intimately connected with the problem before her, she again hesitated before saying, "Letme see--three months."At once Dr. Glenn became dubious again, though he gave her no sign. Her hesitancy arrested him. Why theuncertainty? He was wondering now again whether he was dealing with a truthful girl or whether his firstsuspicions were being substantiated. In consequence he now asked: "Well, now what seems to be the trouble,Mrs. Howard? You need have no hesitancy in telling me--none whatsoever. I am used to such things year in andout, whatever they are. That is my business, listening to the troubles of people.""Well," began Roberta, nervously once more, this terrible confession drying her throat and thickening her tonguealmost, while once more she turned the same button of her coat and gazed at the floor. "It's like this . . . You see .
　　. . my husband hasn't much money . . . and I have to work to help out with expenses and neither of us make sovery much." (She was astonishing herself with her own shameful power to lie in this instance--she, who hadalways hated to lie.) "So . . . of course . . . we can't afford to . . . to have . . . well, any . . . children, you see, sosoon, anyhow, and . . ."She paused, her breath catching, and really unable to proceed further with this wholesale lying.
　　The doctor realizing from this, as he thought, what the true problem was--that she was a newly-married girl whowas probably faced by just such a problem as she was attempting to outline--yet not wishing to enter upon anyform of malpractice and at the same time not wishing to appear too discouraging to a young couple just startingout in life, gazed at her somewhat more sympathetically, the decidedly unfortunate predicament of these youngpeople, as well as her appropriate modesty in the face of such a conventionally delicate situation, appealing tohim. It was too bad. Young people these days did have a rather hard time of it, getting started in some cases,anyhow. And they were no doubt faced by some pressing financial situations. Nearly all young people were.
　　Nevertheless, this business of a contraceptal operation or interference with the normal or God-arranged lifeprocesses, well, that was a ticklish and unnatural business at best which he wanted as little as possible to do with.
　　Besides, young, healthy people, even though poor, when they undertook marriage, knew what they were about.
　　And it was not impossible for them to work, the husband anyhow, and hence manage in some way.
　　And now straightening himself around in his chair very soberly and authoritatively, he began: "I think Iunderstand what you want to say to me, Mrs. Howard. But I'm also wondering if you have considered what avery serious and dangerous thing it is you have in mind. But," he added, suddenly, another thought as to whetherhis own reputation in this community was in any way being tarnished by rumor of anything he had done in thepast coming to him, "just how did you happen to come to me, anyhow?"Something about the tone of his voice, the manner in which he asked the question--the caution of it as well as thepossibly impending resentment in case it should turn out that any one suspected him of a practice of this sort-causedRoberta to hesitate and to feel that any statement to the effect that she had heard of or been sent by anyone else--Clyde to the contrary notwithstanding--might be dangerous. Perhaps she had better not say that she hadbeen sent by any one. He might resent it as an insult to his character as a reputable physician. A budding instinctfor diplomacy helped her in this instance, and she replied: "I've noticed your sign in passing several times andI've heard different people say you were a good doctor."His uncertainty allayed, he now continued: "In the first place, the thing you want done is something myconscience would not permit me to advise. I understand, of course, that you consider it necessary. You and yourhusband are both young and you probably haven't very much money to go on, and you both feel that aninterruption of this kind will be a great strain in every way. And no doubt it will be. Still, as I see it, marriage is avery sacred thing, and children are a blessing--not a curse. And when you went to the altar three months ago youwere probably not unaware that you might have to face just such a situation as this. All young married peopleare, I think." ("The altar," thought Roberta sadly. If only it were so.) "Now I know that the tendency of the day insome quarters is very much in this direction, I am sorry to say. There are those who feel it quite all right if theycan shirk the normal responsibilities in such cases as to perform these operations, but it's very dangerous, Mrs.
　　Howard, very dangerous legally and ethically as well as medically very wrong. Many women who seek to escapechildbirth die in this way. Besides it is a prison offense for any doctor to assist them, whether there are badconsequences or not. You know that, I suppose. At any rate, I, for one, am heartily opposed to this sort of thingfrom every point of view. The only excuse I have ever been able to see for it is when the life of the mother, forinstance, depends upon such an operation. Not otherwise. And in such cases the medical profession is in accord.
　　But in this instance I'm sure the situation isn't one which warrants anything like that. You seem to me to be astrong, healthy girl. Motherhood should hold no serious consequences for you. And as for money reasons, don'tyou really think now that if you just go ahead and have this baby, you and your husband would find means ofgetting along? You say your husband is an electrician?""Yes," replied Roberta, nervously, not a little overawed and subdued by his solemn moralizing.
　　"Well, now, there you are," he went on. "That's not such an unprofitable profession. At least all electricianscharge enough. And when you consider, as you must, how serious a thing you are thinking of doing, that you areactually planning to destroy a young life that has as good a right to its existence as you have to yours . . ." hepaused in order to let the substance of what he was saying sink in--"well, then, I think you might feel called uponto stop and consider--both you and your husband. Besides," he added, in a diplomatic and more fatherly and evenintriguing tone of voice, "I think that once you have it it will more than make up to you both for whatever littlehardship its coming will bring you. Tell me," he added curiously at this point, "does your husband know of this?
　　Or is this just some plan of yours to save him and yourself from too much hardship?" He almost beamedcheerfully as, fancying he had captured Roberta in some purely nervous and feminine economy as well as dread,he decided that if so he could easily extract her from her present mood. And she, sensing his present drift andfeeling that one lie more or less could neither help nor harm her, replied quickly: "He knows.""Well, then," he went on, slightly reduced by the fact that his surmise was incorrect, but none the less resolved todissuade her and him, too: "I think you two should really consider very seriously before you go further in thismatter. I know when young people first face a situation like this they always look on the darkest side of it, but itdoesn't always work out that way. I know my wife and I did with our first child. But we got along. And if youwill only stop now and talk it over, you'll see it in a different light, I'm sure. And then you won't have yourconscience to deal with afterwards, either." He ceased, feeling reasonably sure that he had dispelled the fear, aswell as the determination that had brought Roberta to him--that, being a sensible, ordinary wife, she would nowdesist of course--think nothing more of her plan and leave.
　　But instead of either acquiescing cheerfully or rising to go, as he thought she might, she gave him a wide-eyedterrified look and then as instantly burst into tears. For the total effect of his address had been to first revive moreclearly than ever the normal social or conventional aspect of the situation which all along she was attempting toshut out from her thoughts and which, under ordinary circumstances, assuming that she was really married, wasexactly the attitude she would have taken. But now the realization that her problem was not to be solved at all, bythis man at least, caused her to be seized with what might best be described as morbid panic.
　　Suddenly beginning to open and shut her fingers and at the same time beating her knees, while her face contorteditself with pain and terror, she exclaimed: "But you don't understand, doctor, you don't understand! I HAVE toget out of this in some way! I have to. It isn't like I told you at all. I'm not married. I haven't any husband at all.
　　But, oh, you don't know what this means to me. My family! My father! My mother! I can't tell you. But I mustget out of it. I must! I must! Oh, you don't know, you don't know! I must! I must!" She began to rock backwardand forward, at the same time swaying from side to side as in a trance.
　　And Glenn, surprised and startled by this sudden demonstration as well as emotionally affected, and yet at thesame time advised thereby that his original surmise had been correct, and hence that Roberta had been lying, aswell as that if he wished to keep himself out of this he must now assume a firm and even heartless attitude, askedsolemnly: "You are not married, you say?"For answer now Roberta merely shook her head negatively and continued to cry. And at last gathering the full import of her situation, Dr. Glenn got up, his face a study of troubled and yet conservative caution and sympathy.
　　But without saying anything at first he merely looked at her as she wept. Later he added: "Well, well, this is toobad. I'm sorry." But fearing to commit himself in any way, he merely paused, adding after a time soothingly anddubiously: "You mustn't cry. That won't help you any." He then paused again, still determined not to haveanything to do with this case. Yet a bit curious as to the true nature of the story he finally asked: "Well, thenwhere is the young man who is the cause of your trouble? Is he here?"Still too overcome by shame and despair to speak, Roberta merely shook her head negatively.
　　"But he knows that you're in trouble, doesn't he?""Yes," replied Roberta faintly.
　　"And he won't marry you?""He's gone away.""Oh, I see. The young scamp! And don't you know where he's gone?""No," lied Roberta, weakly.
　　"How long has it been since he left you?""About a week now." Once more she lied.
　　"And you don't know where he is?""No.""How long has it been since you were sick?""Over two weeks now," sobbed Roberta.
　　"And before that you have always been regular?""Yes.""Well, in the first place," his tone was more comfortable and pleasant than before--he seemed to be snatching at aplausible excuse for extricating himself from a case which promised little other than danger and difficulty, "thismay not be as serious as you think. I know you're probably very much frightened, but it's not unusual for womento miss a period. At any rate, without an examination it wouldn't be possible to be sure, and even if you were, themost advisable thing would be to wait another two weeks. You may find then that there is nothing wrong. Iwouldn't be surprised if you did. You seem to be oversensitive and nervous and that sometimes brings aboutdelays of this kind--mere nervousness. At any rate, if you'll take my advice, whatever you do, you'll not do anything now but just go home and wait until you're really sure. For even if anything were to be done, it wouldn'tbe advisable for you to do anything before then.""But I've already taken some pills and they haven't helped me," pleaded Roberta.
　　"What were they?" asked Glenn interestedly, and, after he had learned, merely commented: "Oh, those. Well,they wouldn't be likely to be of any real service to you, if you were pregnant. But I still suggest that you wait,and if you find you pass your second period, then it will be time enough to act, although I earnestly advise you,even then, to do nothing if you can help it, because I consider it wrong to interfere with nature in this way. Itwould be much better, if you would arrange to have the child and take care of it. Then you wouldn't have theadditional sin of destroying a life upon your conscience."He was very grave and felt very righteous as he said this. But Roberta, faced by terrors which he did not appearto be able to grasp, merely exclaimed, and as dramatically as before: "But I can't do that, doctor, I tell you! Ican't. I can't! You don't understand. Oh, I don't know what I shall do unless I find some way out of this. I don't! Idon't! I don't!"She shook her head and clenched her fingers and rocked to and fro while Glenn, impressed by her own terrors,the pity of the folly which, as he saw it, had led her to this dreadful pass, yet professionally alienated by a type ofcase that spelled nothing but difficulty for him stood determinedly before her and added: "As I told you before,Miss--" (he paused) "Howard, if that is your name, I am seriously opposed to operations of this kind, just as I amto the folly that brings girls and young men to the point where they seem to think they are necessary. A physicianmay not interfere in a case of this kind unless he is willing to spend ten years in prison, and I think that law is fairenough. Not that I don't realize how painful your present situation appears to you. But there are always thosewho are willing to help a girl in your state, providing she doesn't wish to do something which is morally andlegally wrong. And so the very best advice I can give you now is that you do nothing at all now or at any time.
　　Better go home and see your parents and confess. It will be much better--much better, I assure you. Not nearly ashard as you think or as wicked as this other way. Don't forget there is a life there--a human--if it is really as youthink. A human life which you are seeking to end and that I cannot help you to do. I really cannot. There may bedoctors--I know there are--men here and there who take their professional ethics a little less seriously than I do;but I cannot let myself become one of them. I am sorry--very.
　　"So now the best I can say is--go home to your parents and tell them. It may look hard now but you are going tofeel better about it in the long run. If it will make you or them feel any better about it, let them come and talk tome. I will try and make them see that this is not the worst thing in the world, either. But as for doing what youwant--I am very, very sorry, but I cannot. My conscience will not permit me."He paused and gazed at her sympathetically, yet with a determined and concluded look in his eye. And Roberta,dumbfounded by this sudden termination of all her hopes in connection with him and realizing at last that notonly had she been misled by Clyde's information in regard to this doctor, but that her technical as well asemotional plea had failed, now walked unsteadily to the door, the terrors of the future crowding thick upon her.
　　And once outside in the dark, after the doctor had most courteously and ruefully closed the door behind her, shepaused to lean against a tree that was there--her nervous and physical strength all but failing her. He had refusedto help her. He had refused to help her. And now what?

好几个钟头，甚至好几天过去了，后来，一个星期。乃至于十天时间也都过去了，克莱德却只字未提哪儿有医生她可以去找。尽管他跟她说了那么多话，她还是不知道该去找哪一位医生。而每一天。每一个钟头，不论对他自己或者对她，同样都是莫大的威胁。她的神色和她的询问无不说明她陷入灾难该有多么深重，她有时甚至难以忍受而不免吵嚷起来。甚至克莱德也因为想不出迅速有效的方法来拯救她，急得差点儿连神经都给崩裂了。上哪儿才能找到一位医生，以便他可以打发她去，好歹也能治好她呢?

而这样的医生，他又该怎样才能打听到呢?

他把自己所认识的人都想了一遍，后来终于把他的一线希望寄托在一个名叫奥林。肖特的年轻人身上。此人在莱柯格斯开了一家"男士服饰用品商店"，顾客清一色都是本市有钱的年轻人。据克莱德揣摸，肖特在年龄和爱好上都跟他十分相似。自从克莱德来到莱柯格斯以后，凡是有关目下领饰时装方面，此人常常暗中提醒过他，因而觉得很有帮助。最近克莱德发觉，肖特这个人天性活泼，喜欢打听各种消息，善于阿谀奉承。他除了喜欢年轻姑娘们以外，对他的主顾极有礼貌，尤其是对他认为社会地位超过自己的那些人，其中克莱德也包括在内。这个肖特发现克莱德跟格里菲思家是亲戚，希望借此提高自己地位，便竭力想跟克莱德拉关系。只不过克莱德有他自己的看法，又因他那些高贵的亲戚们的态度，至少直到现在，他对这种套交情问题还没有认真考虑过。然而，不管怎么说，他觉得肖特此人很随和，也乐于助人，因此，至少也得对他保持表面上还算是融洽的关系，对此肖特似乎也很高兴。事实上，肖特待人接物还是先前的态度，殷勤周到，有时不免有点儿溜须拍马。因此，在他曾经有过泛泛之交的所有的人里头，肖特几乎是独一无二的一个人了，也许不妨向肖特打听一下，备不住能得到一些有用的消息吧。

克莱德既然从这个角度想到了他，每天早晚路过肖特店铺时，就得特别友好地点头微笑(至少前后三天都是这样)，后来，他觉得按照目前情况来看预备工作已做得差不多了，于是径直走进了他的店里。不过这头一回能不能就谈到这个危险的题目上来，他还完全没有信心。原先他打算跟肖特谈的是:

厂里有一个年轻工人，不久前才结婚，可能有生孩子的危险，但因赡养不起，就来找他打听一下哪儿可以找到一位医生帮帮她的忙。克莱德本来想加进去怪有意思的一个细节，就是:

这个年轻人穷得很，胆子又小，也不太聪明，所以不会给自己说好话，更不会照顾自己。此外还想说一说，他，克莱德，自己懂得多一些，虽然来到这里不久，无法指点这个年轻工人去找哪一位医生(这一点是他后来才想到的，目的是让肖特知道:

他自己从来不是一筹莫展的，因此也用不着别人帮忙的)，可他还是给这个年轻工人介绍过一种临时用药。不过，照他编造的故事说法，倒霉的是这种药根本不灵光。因此，就得另找一个更加靠得住的办法……就是去找个医生呗。肖特在莱柯格斯这儿时间已经很久，而且，听他自己说过，早先还是从格洛弗斯维尔迁来的。克莱德自己心里想，当然，他至少一定认识个把医生。不过，为了不让人家对他发生怀疑，克莱德还想再添上那么一句话，说原来他当然可以从他的熟人里头打听这件事，只是因为情况特殊(在他那个圈子里一提到这类事，可能会引起他们风言风语)，所以，他还是觉得不如问问象肖特这样的人，还希望他不要张扬。

刚好这一天生意做得极好，肖特心里格外高兴，谈锋甚健。看见克莱德一走进来，也许借口买一条短裤吧，便这样开了腔说:

"哦，又见到您了，很高兴，格里菲思先生。您好啊?

我心里正在想，该是您屈尊光临的时候了。我想给您看看一批货色，这是在您上回惠顾以后我又进了的一批货。格里菲思公司里情况怎么样?

"肖特的举止谈吐，一向和蔼可亲，这一回对克莱德尤其殷勤周到，因为他确实喜欢克莱德。不过克莱德此刻心里老是想着自己大胆的意图，因而显得很紧张，怎么也没法保持他平日里常常喜欢佯装的那种派头。

不过，他既然一走进店堂，好象自己的计划已经付诸实现了。这时，他就开口说:

"哦，还不错啊。没什么可抱怨的，我的事总是多得忙不完，这你也知道。

"同时，他局促不安地用手指掂掂摸模挂在可移动的镀镍架上的一些领带，但是不一会儿，肖特先生转过身来，从背后货架上取下几盒做工特别精美的领带，一一铺在玻璃柜台上，说:

"千万别看上架的那些领带，格里菲思先生。请看这儿的。我特意要给您看的，就是这些，对您来说，这价钱算不上什么。还是今儿早上刚从纽约到货。"一束领带有六条，他一连拣了好几束，一个劲儿说，是最最时髦的款式。"在莱柯格斯，见过这一类货色吗?

我敢打赌，您决没有见过。"他笑嘻嘻直瞅着克莱德，心里想:

这么一个年轻人，虽有好亲戚，但又不象别人那么有钱，真巴不得能跟他交个朋友才好。这将在莱柯格斯居民心目中抬高自己的地位。

克莱德用手指掂摸着这些领带，心想:

肖特刚才说的话完全是实话。不过，此刻他心里早已乱成一团，几乎没法照他原先设计好的那套话说出来。"当然罗，挺漂亮，"他说话时，一面把领带翻来翻去，一面心里在想，如果说换在别的时候，他倒是很乐意买的，少说也要买两条。"我看，得了吧，我就买这一条，还有这一条。"他拣好了两条，拎起来看看，心里却在捉摸，该怎样开口提出他专程而来的重要得多的那件事呢。既然他心里要问肖特的是那一件事，干吗要买什么领带呀，还得这样胡扯淡呀?

可眼前这事，又多难办……非常难办。然而，他又不得不说，只是不要说得太突如其来就得了。他不妨先看看，免得对方起了疑心……就问看看短袜子好不好。不过话又说回来，既然他什么东西都不需要，干吗又问这个呢。最近桑德拉还送过他一打手绢，几条领子。领带，还有好几双短袜子。无奈他每次决定要开口说了，肚子里便感到一阵隐痛，深怕自己说得不自然，不能令人信服。一切都是那么可疑。靠不住……备不住一下子就导致真相大白，身败名裂。也许今儿晚上他还没法向肖特开口谈呢。可是，他心里却在反躬自问:

那他多咱还有更合适的机会呢?

肖特刚去店堂后头，不一会儿又出来了，脸上露出非常殷勤，甚至阿谀奉承的笑容，开口说道:

"我看见您上星期二晚上大约九点钟光景去芬奇利府上，是吧?

他们的公馆。园子，可真漂亮。"克莱德知道肖特对自己同这儿上流社会的关系确实印象很深，从他话里听得出既是不胜仰慕，而又带了一点儿低三下四的味道。因此，克莱德马上提起精神来了，觉得:

自己既然处在这么优越地位，那就可以爱怎么说就怎么说。反正他说的每一句话，这个仰慕他的人少说也一定会洗耳恭听。他看了一下短袜子，心想就买一双吧，至少也可以打破眼前尴尬场面，于是，他接茬说:

"哦，想起来了，真的差点儿给忘了。有件事我一直老想问问你呢。说不定你可以指点指点我。我们厂里有个伙计……是一个年轻小伙子，结婚才不久……依我看，大约四个月吧……正为妻子的事非常操心呢。"他迟疑了半晌，因为他发现肖特的表情稍微有点儿变化，对自己这一回能不能成功，深表不安。不过，话儿已经说出了口，再也没法缩回去了。于是，他只好尴尬地笑了一笑，接下去说:

"真的，我可不知道，他们干吗老是带着他们的麻烦事来找我。不过，我估摸，也许他们以为这类事，我就应该全知道吧。"(他又笑了一笑)"只是因为我在这儿完全是个陌生人，简直不知道该怎么说才好。但是，我觉得，你在这儿年头比我长得多，所以，我想就不妨来问问你。"他说话时神态尽量装出满不在乎的样子，心里却明白这一招完全错了……肖特肯定把他当成一个傻瓜或是疯子哩。尽管让肖特大吃一惊的是，克莱德居然亲口对他提出了这类性质的问题，不由得感到有点儿奇怪。(这时，他也发觉克莱德举止谈吐突然显得很拘谨，还有一点儿紧张不安。)不过一想到对方如此信得过他，连这么棘手的事都告诉他，又不禁沾沾自喜了，因此，肖特就马上恢复了刚才泰然自若的态度，曲意奉承地回答说:

"哦，当然罗，只要我能为您效力，格里菲思先生，简直太高兴了。这是怎么一回事?

尽管说下去好了。""你听着，事情是这样的，"克莱德这才开了腔说，肖特这一热忱的反应，一下子使他精神为之大振。不过，他说话时还是尽量压低声音，让这个可怕的话题应有一些神不知。鬼不觉的味道。"他妻子早已过了两个月，目前他还养不起小孩，可又不知道该怎么弄掉它。上个月他头一次来找过我，我劝他不妨先试服一种药，通常这种药总是很灵的。"他这么说，是想让肖特觉得，即使碰上类似情况，就他个人来说，有的是主意和办法，因而也暗示和证明他的女朋友确实无罪。"不过嘛，依我看，他使用药品很不得法。不管怎么说，现在他为这件事很着急，要想寻摸一个乐意帮帮她忙的医生，明白了吧。偏偏这儿的医生，连我自己都不认识。毕竟是新来乍到嘛。要是在堪萨斯城或是芝加哥，"他笃悠悠地插了那么一句，"我就有的是办法了。那儿我倒是认识三四个医生。"(为了加深肖特的印象，他意味深长地笑了一笑。)"可是在这儿，就不大一样哪。要是我向我那个圈子里人去探探口气，万一传到了我亲戚那儿，他们说不定就误会了。可是我想:

也许你认识什么人，尽管告诉我就得了。老实说，这事跟我原来也毫无关系，只是因为我挺可怜这个家伙罢了。"说到这儿，他顿住了一会儿，主要是因为肖特露出有所乐意相助。深切关注的神情，他自己脸上的表情，也说明比刚才开始时更加有信心了。这时，肖特虽然还是很惊诧，却非常乐意尽力相助。

"您说现在已经过了两个月。""是的。""还有您说的那个玩意儿不灵，是吧?

""不灵。""第二个月她又用过了，是吧?

""是的。""哦，这就糟了，准定是这样。我担心她肯定很糟。格里菲思先生，您得知道，问题是我来这儿时间也并不太长。我不过一年半以前才把这铺子盘下来。

要是在格洛弗斯维尔的话……"他顿住了一会儿，好象如同克莱德一样，也在怀疑详细谈论这类事是不是聪明。不料好半晌以后，他又说:

"您知道，这类事不管到哪儿，都是很棘手的。医生总是怕惹起麻烦来。不过，说真的，有一回，我在那儿确实听到过这么一回事，是一个年轻姑娘去找一位医生……这家伙住在好几英里以外。不过，这个姑娘毕竟也是个大家闺秀出身。陪她一块去的那个年轻小伙子，在那儿几乎人人都知道。因此，这个医生愿不愿意给陌生人看病，我可就说不准了，虽然说不定他也许会愿意的。反正我知道这类事经常发生，您不妨去试试看。您要是打发这家伙去看医生，关照他不准提我的名字，也不准说是谁打发他去的。因为那儿认得我的人真不少，万一出了纰漏，我可不愿掺和在里头。反正您也明白，这是怎么一回事。"于是，克莱德便万分感激地回答说:

"哦，当然罗，这个他一定明白。我会关照他断断乎不提到任何人的名姓。"他一得知医生的名字以后，就从口袋里掏出一支铅笔和一个日记本，马上记下来，以免把这个重要人物的地址忘掉了。

肖特发觉克莱德舒了一口气，心里就纳闷，真不知道是不是确有这么一个工人，还是克莱德自己陷入了困境。他干吗非得给厂里年轻工人打听不可呢?

不管怎么说，肖特还是乐于帮助克莱德，同时又想到，要是日后他高兴把这件事一声张出去，这将是莱柯格斯全城最最精彩的新闻呀。肖特还想到，也许克莱德自己在这儿玩弄某个姑娘，使这姑娘倒了霉，要不然，克莱德乐意为别人……特别是一个工人……这样出力，也未免太傻了。他包管不会这么出力的。

不管有这么多想法，肖特还是又讲了一遍这个医生的姓及名字首字母;又讲到了他迄今能记得起来的周围环境，以及到哪一个汽车站下车;末了则把医生寓所又描述了一番。这时，克莱德方才如愿以偿，便向他道谢后往外走了。这个杂货铺掌柜虽然乐呵呵，但是有点儿怀疑地两眼直望着他的背影。他心里在思忖，瞧这些有钱的纨子弟啊。说来也真怪，这么一个家伙，居然不耻下问，还带来了好一个发噱的问题。他在这儿有那么多的熟人和朋友，肯定认识比我更快给他递点子的人。不过，说不定就是因为这样，他才害怕他们会不会听到。

真不知道他使哪一家姑娘遭到了不幸……甚至就是芬奇利府上那位年轻小姐也说不定啊。谁都难说啊。我有时常看见他和她在一块，而她又是够放荡的。不过，哦，这不就是……第三十七章克莱德这样打听到的消息让人……仅仅是部分地……舒了一口气。如今对克莱德和罗伯达两人来说，在这个问题未获得最终解决以前，根本就说不上真正的如释重负。克莱德一打听到消息后，马上赶到罗伯达那儿，说他终于了解到也许能帮助她的医生的名字。不过眼前他另有更为重要的任务，就是:

要鼓励她独自一人去见医生，并且要在医生面前说假话，完全为克莱德开脱，与此同时，还要赢得医生极大同情，因此到时候只向她收取极少一点费用。

本来克莱德一开头就担心罗伯达大概会反对，可是这一回她却马上默认了。

自从圣诞节以来，就克莱德的态度来说，已有那么多的事情让她深为惊诧，致使她心乱如麻，束手无策，只好一心希望自己尽可能安然脱身，不使这一丑行连累她或是他，然后走她自己的路……尽管这也许是很悲惨。很痛苦的事。既然他好象再也不会疼爱她，显然想要甩掉她，那末，她也就完全不想硬逼他去做他所不愿做的事。让他走好了。她就是一个人也能活下去。是的，只要她能安然渡过了这个难关，那末，她即使没有他，也能照样活下去。不过，当她在心里自言自语时，清楚地意识到这一切对她实在至关紧要，幸福的日子从此一去不复返……她便用双手捂住眼睛，擦掉她那夺眶而出的泪水。她怎会想到自己居然落到了这样的下场啊。

克莱德从肖特那儿回来后就去看她的那个晚上，他那扬扬自得的神态，仿佛建立了殊勋似的。她倾听了他解释以后只是说:

"你究竟弄清楚是在哪里呀，克莱德?

是不是坐上了汽车就到?

还是要再走一长段路?

"他便说明该地离格洛弗斯维尔不远，其实还是在近郊，公共汽车站离那医生寓所才不过四分之一英里。

她接着又说:

"他晚上是不是都在家?

还是我们非得大白天去不可?

我们要是能晚上去，那敢情好。也许就不会有被人看到的危险。"克莱德安慰她，说从肖特那里获悉，医生晚上常在家的。她就继续问道:

"可你知不知道他是上了年纪，还是年纪轻轻的?

要是他上了年纪，那我就会觉得更自然些，更靠得住。年纪轻轻的医生，我可不喜欢。我们家里常常找一位老医生，跟这种老医生说说话，我觉得一点儿拘束都没有。"这件事克莱德原来并不知道，所以当时也没有想到要问问肖特，不过，为了安慰她，便说此人是个中年人……好在这的确也跟事实不谋而合。

转天傍黑时分，他们俩就动身去方达了，不过照例是各归各走的。到了方达后，还得换车。车子开到了医生寓所附近地区，他们便下了车，沿着一条路往前走去。虽然时值冬季，天气稳定，路上还覆盖着一块块干毯似的残雪。他们走在路上，简直可以说快步似飞，因为现在他们之间再也不象过去那样如胶似漆，慢慢悠悠地溜达了。不久前罗伯达心里老在想:

要是他们一块来到象眼前这样寂静无声的地方(当然不是这一回)，他一定会很喜欢，放慢步伐，用手搂住她的腰肢，乐乐呵呵地东拉西扯，比方说，那天夜晚怎么啦，厂里的工作啦，利格特先生啦，他自己的伯父啦，最近的新电影啦，以及可能的话，他们打算要去哪个地方啦，他们俩喜欢一块干些什么啦，如此等等。可现在呢……尤其是在眼前，也许就是末一回，她特别需要得到他的全部忠诚与支持啊!

不过，她看得出，此刻他最最惶恐不安的却是:

就这样她一个人去，会不会吓坏了，"临阵脱逃"，以及到时候她能不能想到什么时候该说什么话，说服医生帮助她，而且只收极少一点费用。

"哦，伯特，觉得怎么样?

没有什么吧?

不会觉得胆怯，是吧?

啊，但愿如此，因为这是个好机会，一下子把这件事彻底解决啦。而且，这一回你去找的那个人，并不是从来都没有干过这类事的，明白了吧，过去这人干过。这一点我是知道得一清二楚的。现在你只要说，哦，明白了吧，说你碰到了麻烦，明白了吧，再说要是他不来帮你忙，你真不知道该怎样才能渡过这个难关，因为你在这儿，连一个可去投奔的朋友也都没有。再说，事实上，即使你想去投靠他们，也没法去呢。人家一下子会声张出去的，明白了吧。要是此人向你问到我在哪儿，我是何许人也，那你便说我是这儿的一个年轻人……不过我已经跑掉了……随便你说上一个某某名字得了，不过一定得说我已经跑掉了，你也不知道我上哪儿去了……是偷偷地跑掉了，明白了吧。还有，你最好说一说，原来你不会来找他的，但因为你听说他曾经帮助过某某姑娘……这是那个姑娘本人告诉你的，明白了吧。只不过你千万别说你薪水很多，我意思是说……因为，你要是这么一说，那他开出的价钱，我就出不起了，明白了吧。最好求他宽放我们几个月，分期拨还，或是采取其他类似的办法，明白了吧。"克莱德心里想，现在既然已把她领到这里，不禁万分紧张，非得拚命给罗伯达鼓劲打气，才能胜利完成既定任务。其实，他一点儿都不了解，不管对罗伯达的困境或是医生的心态脾性来说，他说给她听的各种各样忠告和一些馊主意，该是多么不起作用和不痛不痒。而罗伯达呢，她心里却在想:

他只是站在一边出出点子，这有多轻巧，可她还得一个劲儿往前走，独自一人去完成任务。

说真的，他想得更多的，还是他自己，而根本不是她……只是想怎样少花钱，不给他添麻烦，让她摆脱困境就算了。

但不管怎么说，即便在此时此地，她的心还是被他……他那白净的脸。纤巧的手，以及紧张的神态……紧紧地吸引住了。尽管她知道他硬是逼着她去做他自己没有胆量和能耐去做的事，可她还是一点儿也不生气。她只是对自己说，不管他点拨她应该如何如何，她是不会听他的……不会太多地听他的。她压根儿不想说自己被人抛弃了，因为这对她自己来说，简直太难听。太难为情了。

她将要说的是:

她是已婚妇女，她跟年轻的丈夫还太穷，暂时养不起孩子……她回想起来，这么个说法，跟克莱德向谢内克塔迪杂货铺掌柜胡编出来的恰好合辙。说穿了，他哪儿会知道此时此刻她心里有多难过?

他还不肯跟她一块去，让她心里好受些。

可是，出于很想依赖对方给予支持这种纯属女性的本能，她把身子侧向克莱德，抓住他的两只手，一声不响地伫立在那里，心里恨不得他搂住她，抚摸她，对她说一切都会好转，用不着害怕。尽管他再也不疼爱她，但在她情不自禁表示她一如既往对他信任的时候，他也就伸出自己的两只手，把她搂住，多半是给她鼓鼓气罢了。他说:

"哦，勇敢些，伯特。哦，你这么个样子可要不得，这你也明白。现在我们既然人都来了，怎么你自己就没了勇气，是吧?

只要一到了那儿……就什么都不用害怕啦。你尽管放心好了。你只要上了门廊，按一按门铃，明白了吧，见到他或是别的人出来，只要说你希望跟医生单独谈话，明白了吧。那他一下子就知道这是个人私事，接下来的事情就更容易了。

"类似这样的劝告，他还念叨了一些。她一看到他眼前对她那么缺乏热情的神态，便知道自己已经处于绝望境地，不由得鼓足劲儿说:

"那末，就在这儿等，好吧?

别走远了，好吧?

也许我马上就回来的。"说完，她就在幽暗中匆匆进了大门，沿着通往前门的小路走过去。

她按了一下门铃，出来开门的就是医生本人，一位不论从外貌或从脾性来看都很端庄审慎的小镇医生。跟克莱德和肖特的推想截然相反，此人是一个典型的。十分保守的乡村医生……严肃。谨慎。恪守道德，甚至虔信教规，尽管此人认为自己的见解相当开明，但在更为开明的人眼里却是非常狭隘。顽固。

但因为他周围的人都是那么愚蠢。无知，所以他便自以为少说也是相当有学问了。他经常接触到各色人等，既有愚昧无知。放荡不羁，也有严肃。能干。保守。发迹的等一类人，因此，凡是遇到现实好象要推翻他原先的见解时，他宁可让它悬而不决，保留据说好人进天堂。坏人下地狱的观点，作为判断现实的准绳。从外貌来看，他长得矮小壮实，脑袋圆圆的，五官也很端正，还有一双滴溜溜转的灰眼睛，讨人喜欢的嘴巴和微笑。他那一头铁灰色短发，总有一小绺覆盖在额角上……乡巴佬学时髦的样子。他的胳臂和手，特别是他的手，胖乎乎，但是很敏感，有气无力地垂在两侧。今年他五十八岁，已婚，而且有三个孩子，其中有一个是儿子，已在学医，为的是日后继承父业。

先让罗伯达进入一间乱七八糟。极其普通的候诊室，请她稍候片刻，好让他吃完晚饭。不一会儿，他走到一个小房间门口。这也是一间很普通的内室，亦即他的诊疗室，里头摆着他的办公桌。两把椅子。一些医疗器械和书籍。好象前厅还置放其他一些医药用具。他摆摆手，让她坐在一把椅子上。罗伯达一看到他满头白发，身子壮实，神态冷淡，还有他老是不断眨眼的怪相，不由得吓了一大跳，虽然决没有留下象她预料的那么不好的印象。至少他上了年纪，态度也许真的说不上很热情，或是富于同情心，虽然此人守残抱缺，但好象颇有才智。他先是怪好奇地看了她一会儿，好象要想认一认来人是不是附近乡里的人。随后，他开口问:

"哦，请问贵姓?

有什么事我能帮助你吗?

"他说话时声音挺低沉，让人听了也很宽慰……罗伯达对此深为感激。

可是，她一想到现在终于来到了此地，就得把自己的丑事如实相告，心里很害怕。她只是呆坐在那里，两眼先是瞅着他，然后俯视地板，手指开始摆弄她随身带着的那只小提包。

"知道吧，嗯，"她急切而又慌张，开口说话了，脸上突然露出她内心深处的极度痛苦。"我来……我来这儿……就是说……我不知道我自己的事对您能不能说得清清楚楚。没进来以前，我以为自己能对您说清楚的，可是，现在一到了这儿，见到了您……"她顿了一会儿，往椅子后背挪了一挪，好象要站立起来似的。猛地她又接下去说:

"哦，天哪，这一切多可怕啊。我心里多慌，而且……""得了，听我说，亲爱的，"他说话时显得很温和，使她心中得到不少宽慰。

她那动人而又端庄的模样儿，给他很深印象。这时，他又在暗自纳闷，到底是什么事，让这么一个纯洁。质朴。娴静的姑娘心里如此发慌，因此，对她所说的"现在见到了您"这句话，觉得很耐人寻味……"'

''''现在见到了我，，，"他模仿她的腔调又说了一遍，"害得你那么骇怕呀?

我只不过是一个乡村医生，明白了吧。说真的，我可希望我千万不要象你想象中那么可怕。尽管放心好了，不管什么事，只要你乐意，全都可以跟我说……有关你自己的所有事情……你一点儿也用不着害怕。要是什么地方要我帮忙，我一定办到。"罗伯达心里想，此人实在很和蔼，但又是那么严肃。审慎，也许还很保守。

她要是向他一说出了自己心里话，也许会把他吓了一跳……那怎么办呢?

他还会帮她一点忙吗?

要是他乐意的话，她又该怎么寻摸钱去呢?

当然罗，这是个很大问题。要是由克莱德或是别的什么人在这儿代她讲出来，该有多好。可现在她既然来到了这儿，那就非说不可了。她不能不说出来就走呀。她又一次挪动身子，忐忑不安地抓住自己外套上一颗大扣子，在大拇指和食指之间来回拨动，激动得声音嘶哑地说下去:

"不过，这……这……哦，可不一样，知道了吧。也许跟您所想的可不一样……我……我……哦……"她又顿住了，没法再说下去，她说话时脸色一阵白。一阵红。由于她神态羞涩不安，两眼明亮，前额白净，举止和服饰都很端庄，医生一时以为:

至多只是她对有关人体诸问题……这对一些涉世不深的年轻人来说，有时是在所难免……愚昧无知，或是缺乏经验罢了。因此，一开头，他很想把处理这类事的老套套再次搬弄一下，说不管碰上什么事，有什么就跟他讲什么，用不着犹豫害怕。可是，他一看见罗伯达是这么活泼可爱，也许是她心潮如涌，使他脑神经中枢受到了感应，于是，他转念一想，很可能自己想错了。说到底，也许这又是年轻人里头常有那类麻烦事，不外乎是不道德。不合法的行为吧。她这么年轻。健美。迷人，何况这类事已是屡见不鲜……有时出了事的，偏偏就是那些模样儿好象挺端庄的姑娘们。医生们见到她们，照例感到又头痛。又为难。

由于种种原因……一是他自己秉性喜好隐逸，二是囿于当地上流社会所持的观点看法，他不喜欢跟这类事打交道，甚至连沾一点边都得再三踌躇。这类事是违法的，危险性极大，照例赚不到多少钱，甚至连一个子儿也没有。而且，他也知道，地方舆论都是反对这类事的。再说，他本人对这一帮子年轻的无赖男女多少也有点儿生气，因为他们一开头就极其轻率地运用自己与生俱有的生理机能，随后又同样极其轻率地拒不承担由此引起的自己应负的社会责任，他们既不愿以后结婚，也不想要孩子。因此，过去十年里，虽说有过好几回，考虑到家庭。邻居，或是教规等原因，曾经帮助过好几个误入歧途。走投无路的好人家的姑娘，免受自己愚蠢行为带来的痛苦，然而，要是没有别人坚强有力的支持，对任何堕落等秽行，他还是不愿以自己的态度或技术来提供帮助的。毕竟这太危险了。通常他总劝他们马上无条件地结婚;要是办不到(因为那个伤风败俗的犯罪者逃跑了)的话，那他还是按照自以为天经地义的规矩，压根儿不沾手。

参与这类事情对于一个医生来说太危险了，因为从道德。社会观点来说这不仅是邪恶，而且还是犯罪行为。

因此，他这会儿极端镇静地望着罗伯达，自己心里在想，无论如何不能感情冲动，否则就是自寻烦恼。所以，为了有助于他自己和她心情都能保持镇静，以便他们两人结束谈话时不致引起太多的麻烦，他便把他那黑皮病历卡拿过来，打开后说:

"哦，现在就让我们瞧一瞧，毛病到底在哪儿?

请问贵姓?

""罗思。霍华德。霍华德太太，"罗伯达慌慌张张地回答说，她马上想起了克莱德劝她采用的那个名字。说
Part 2 Chapter 38
The first effect of the doctor's decision was to shock and terrify them both--Roberta and Clyde--beyond measure.
　　For apparently now here was illegitimacy and disgrace for Roberta. Exposure and destruction for Clyde. And thishad been their one solution seemingly. Then, by degrees, for Clyde at least, there was a slight lifting of the heavypall. Perhaps, after all, as the doctor had suggested--and once she had recovered her senses sufficiently to talk,she had told him--the end had not been reached. There was the bare possibility, as suggested by the druggist,Short and the doctor, that she might be mistaken. And this, while not producing a happy reaction in her, had theunsatisfactory result of inducing in Clyde a lethargy based more than anything else on the ever-haunting fear ofinability to cope with this situation as well as the certainty of social exposure in case he did not which causedhim, instead of struggling all the more desperately, to defer further immediate action. For, such was his naturethat, although he realized clearly the probably tragic consequences if he did not act, still it was so hard to think towhom else to apply to without danger to himself. To think that the doctor had "turned her down," as he phrasedit, and that Short's advice should have been worth as little as that!
　　But apart from nervous thoughts as to whom to turn to next, no particular individual occurred to him before thetwo weeks were gone, or after. It was so hard to just ask anywhere. One just couldn't do it. Besides, of whomcould he ask now? Of whom? These things took time, didn't they? Yet in the meantime, the days going by, bothhe and Roberta had ample time to consider what, if any, steps they must take--the one in regard to the other--incase no medical or surgical solution was found. For Roberta, while urging and urging, if not so much by wordsas by expression and mood at her work, was determined that she must not be left to fight this out alone--shecould not be. On the other hand, as she could see, Clyde did nothing. For apart from what he had alreadyattempted to do, he was absolutely at a loss how to proceed. He had no intimates and in consequence he couldonly think of presenting the problem as an imaginary one to one individual and another here or there in the hopeof extracting some helpful information. At the same time, and as impractical and evasive as it may seem, therewas the call of that diverting world of which Sondra was a part, evenings and Sundays, when, in spite ofRoberta's wretched state and mood, he was called to go here and there, and did, because in so doing he wasactually relieving his own mind of the dread specter of disaster that was almost constantly before it. If only hecould get her out of this! If only he could. But how, without money, intimates, a more familiar understanding ofthe medical or if not that exactly, then the sub rosa world of sexual free-masonry which some at times--the bellhopsof the Green-Davidson, for instance, seemed to understand. He had written to Ratterer, of course, but therehad been no answer, since Ratterer had removed to Florida and as yet Clyde's letter had not reached him. Andlocally all those he knew best were either connected with the factory or society--individuals on the one hand tooinexperienced or dangerous, or on the other hand, too remote and dangerous, since he was not sufficientlyintimate with any of them as yet to command their true confidence and secrecy.
　　At the same time he must do something--he could not just rest and drift. Assuredly Roberta could not long permithim to do that-- faced as she was by exposure. And so from time to time he actually racked himself--seized uponstraws and what would have been looked upon by most as forlorn chances. Thus, for instance, an associateforeman, chancing to reminisce one day concerning a certain girl in his department who had "gotten in trouble"and had been compelled to leave, he had been given the opportunity to inquire what he thought such a girl did in case she could not afford or did not want to have a child. But this particular foreman, being as uninformed ashimself, merely observed that she probably had to see a doctor if she knew one or "go through with it"--whichleft Clyde exactly where he was. On another occasion, in connection with a conversation in a barber shop,relating to a local case reported in The Star where a girl was suing a local ne'er-do-well for breach of promise,the remark was made that she would "never have sued that guy, you bet, unless she had to." Whereupon Clydeseized the opportunity to remark hopefully, "But wouldn't you think that she could find some way of getting outof trouble without marrying a fellow she didn't like?""Well, that's not so easy as you may think, particularly around here," elucidated the wiseacre who was trimminghis hair. "In the first place it's agin' the law. And next it takes a lotta money. An' in case you ain't got it, well,money makes the mare go, you know." He snip-snipped with his scissors while Clyde, confronted by his ownproblem, meditated on how true it was. If he had a lot of money--even a few hundred dollars--he might take itnow and possibly persuade her--who could tell--to go somewhere by herself and have an operation performed.
　　Yet each day, as on the one before, he was saying to himself that he must find some one. And Roberta wassaying to herself that she too must act--must not really depend on Clyde any longer if he were going to act so.
　　One could not trifle or compromise with a terror of this kind. It was a cruel imposition on her. It must be thatClyde did not realize how terribly this affected her and even him. For certainly, if he were not going to help herout of it, as he had distinctly said he would do at first, then decidedly she could not be expected to weather thesubsequent storm alone. Never, never, never! For, after all, as Roberta saw it, Clyde was a man--he had a goodposition--it was not he, but she, who was in this treacherous position and unable to extricate herself alone.
　　And beginning with the second day after the second period, when she discovered for once and all that her worstsuspicions were true, she not only emphasized the fact in every way that she could that she was distressedbeyond all words, but on the third day announced to him in a note that she was again going to see the doctor nearGloversville that evening, regardless of his previous refusal--so great was her need--and also asking Clydewhether he would accompany her--a request which, since he had not succeeded in doing anything, and althoughhe had an engagement with Sondra, he instantly acceded to--feeling it to be of greater importance than anythingelse. He must excuse himself to Sondra on the ground of work.
　　And accordingly this second trip was made, a long and nervous conversation between himself and Roberta on theway resulting in nothing more than some explanations as to why thus far he had not been able to achieveanything, plus certain encomiums addressed to her concerning her courage in acting for herself in this way.
　　Yet the doctor again would not and did not act. After waiting nearly an hour for his return from somewhere, shewas merely permitted to tell him of her unchanged state and her destroying fears in regard to herself, but with nohint from him that he could be induced to act as indeed he could act. It was against his prejudices and ethics.
　　And so once more Roberta returned, this time not crying, actually too sad to cry, choked with the weight of herimpending danger and the anticipatory fears and miseries that attended it.
　　And Clyde, hearing of this defeat, was at last reduced to a nervous, gloomy silence, absolutely devoid of ahelpful suggestion. He could not think what to say and was chiefly fearful lest Roberta now make some demandwith which socially or economically he could not comply. However, in regard to this she said little on the way home. Instead she sat and stared out of the window--thinking of her defenseless predicament that was becomingmore real and terrible to her hourly. By way of excuse she pleaded that she had a headache. She wanted to bealone--only to think more--to try to work out a solution. She must work out some way. That she knew. But what?
　　How? What could she do? How could she possibly escape? She felt like a cornered animal fighting for its lifewith all odds against it, and she thought of a thousand remote and entirely impossible avenues of escape, only toreturn to the one and only safe and sound solution that she really felt should be possible--and that was marriage.
　　And why not? Hadn't she given him all, and that against her better judgment? Hadn't he overpersuaded her? Whowas he anyway to so cast her aside? For decidedly at times, and especially since this latest crisis had developed,his manner, because of Sondra and the Griffiths and what he felt to be the fatal effect of all this on his dreamshere, was sufficient to make plain that love was decidedly dead, and that he was not thinking nearly so much ofthe meaning of her state to her, as he was of its import to him, the injury that was most certain to accrue to him.
　　And when this did not completely terrify her, as mostly it did, it served to irritate and slowly develop theconclusion that in such a desperate state as this, she was justified in asking more than ordinarily she would havedreamed of asking, marriage itself, since there was no other door. And why not? Wasn't her life as good as his?
　　And hadn't he joined his to hers, voluntarily? Then, why shouldn't he strive to help her now--or, failing that,make this final sacrifice which was the only one by which she could be rescued apparently. For who were all thesociety people with whom he was concerned anyhow? And why should he ask her in such a crisis to sacrificeherself, her future and good name, just because of his interest in them? They had never done anything very muchfor him, certainly not as much as had she. And, just because he was wearying now, after persuading her to do hisbidding--was that any reason why now, in this crisis, he should be permitted to desert her? After all, wouldn't allof these society people in whom he was so much interested feel that whatever his relationship to them, she wouldbe justified in taking the course which she might be compelled to take?
　　She brooded on this much, more especially on the return from this second attempt to induce Dr. Glenn to helpher. In fact, at moments, her face took on a defiant, determined look which was seemingly new to her, but whichonly developed suddenly under such pressure. Her jaw became a trifle set. She had made a decision. He wouldhave to marry her. She must make him if there were no other way out of this. She must--she must. Think of herhome, her mother, Grace Marr, the Newtons, all who knew her in fact--the terror and pain and shame with whichthis would sear all those in any way identified with her--her father, brothers, sisters. Impossible! Impossible! Itmust not and could not be! Impossible. It might seem a little severe to her, even now, to have to insist on this,considering all the emphasis Clyde had hitherto laid upon his prospects here. But how, how else was she to do?
　　Accordingly the next day, and not a little to his surprise, since for so many hours the night before they had beentogether, Clyde received another note telling him that he must come again that night. She had something to say tohim, and there was something in the tone of the note that seemed to indicate or suggest a kind of defiance of arefusal of any kind, hitherto absent in any of her communications to him. And at once the thought that thissituation, unless cleared away, was certain to prove disastrous, so weighed upon him that he could not but put thebest face possible on it and consent to go and hear what it was that she had to offer in the way of a solution--or-onthe other hand, of what she had to complain.
　　Going to her room at a late hour, he found her in what seemed to him a more composed frame of mind than atany time since this difficulty had appeared, a state which surprised him a little, since he had expected to find herin tears. But now, if anything, she appeared more complacent, her nervous thoughts as to how to bring about asatisfactory conclusion for herself having called into play a native shrewdness which was now seeking to exercise itself.
　　And so directly before announcing what was in her mind, she began by asking: "You haven't found out aboutanother doctor, have you, Clyde, or thought of anything?""No, I haven't, Bert," he replied most dismally and wearisomely, his own mental tether-length having beenstrained to the breaking point. "I've been trying to, as you know, but it's so darn hard to find any one who isn'tafraid to monkey with a case like this. Honest, to tell the truth, Bert, I'm about stumped. I don't know what weare going to do unless you can think of something. You haven't thought or heard of any one else you could go to,have you?" For, during the conversation that had immediately followed her first visit to the doctor, he had hintedto her that by striking up a fairly intimate relationship with one of the foreign family girls, she might by degreesextract some information there which would be of use to both. But Roberta was not of a temperament thatpermitted of any such facile friendships, and nothing had come of it.
　　However, his stating that he was "stumped" now gave her the opportunity she was really desiring, to present theproposition which she felt to be unavoidable and not longer to be delayed. Yet being fearful of how Clyde wouldreact, she hesitated as to the form in which she would present it, and, after shaking her head and manifesting anervousness which was real enough, she finally said: "Well, I'll tell you, Clyde. I've been thinking about it and Idon't see any way out of it unless--unless you, well, marry me. It's two months now, you know, and unless we getmarried right away, everybody'll know, won't they?"Her manner as she said this was a mixture of outward courage born out of her conviction that she was in the rightand an inward uncertainty about Clyde's attitude, which was all the more fused by a sudden look of surprise,resentment, uncertainty and fear that now transformation-wise played over his countenance; a variation and playwhich, if it indicated anything definite, indicated that she was seeking to inflict an unwarranted injury on him.
　　For since he had been drawing closer and closer to Sondra, his hopes had heightened so intensely that,hearkening to this demand on the part of Roberta now, his brow wrinkled and his manner changed from one ofcomparatively affable, if nervous, consideration to that of mingled fear, opposition as well as determination toevade drastic consequence. For this would spell complete ruin for him, the loss of Sondra, his job, his socialhopes and ambitions in connection with the Griffiths--all--a thought which sickened and at the same time causedhim to hesitate about how to proceed. But he would not! he would not! He would not do this! Never! Never!!
　　Never!!!
　　Yet after a moment he exclaimed equivocally: "Well, gee, that's all right, too, Bert, for you, because that fixeseverything without any trouble at all. But what about me? You don't want to forget that that isn't going to be easyfor me, the way things are now. You know I haven't any money. All I have is my job. And besides, the familydon't know anything about you yet--not a thing. And if it should suddenly come out now that we've been goingtogether all this time, and that this has happened, and that I was going to have to get married right away, well,gee, they'll know I've been fooling 'em and they're sure to get sore. And then what? They might even fire me."He paused to see what effect this explanation would have, but noting the somewhat dubious expression which oflate characterized Roberta's face whenever he began excusing himself, he added hopefully and evasively, seekingby any trick that he could to delay this sudden issue: "Besides, I'm not so sure that I can't find a doctor yet, either.
　　I haven't had much luck so far, but that's not saying that I won't. And there's a little time yet, isn't there? Sure there is. It's all right up to three months anyway." (He had since had a letter from Ratterer who had commentedon this fact.) "And I did hear something the other day of a doctor over in Albany who might do it. Anyway, Ithought I'd go over and see before I said anything about him."His manner, when he said this, was so equivocal that Roberta could tell he was merely lying to gain time. Therewas no doctor in Albany. Besides it was so plain that he resented her suggestion and was only thinking of someway of escaping it. And she knew well enough that at no time had he said directly that he would marry her. Andwhile she might urge, in the last analysis she could not force him to do anything. He might just go away alone, ashe had once said in connection with inadvertently losing his job because of her. And how much greater might nothis impulse in that direction now be, if this world here in which he was so much interested were taken away fromhim, and he were to face the necessity of taking her and a child, too. It made her more cautious and caused her tomodify her first impulse to speak out definitely and forcefully, however great her necessity might be. And sodisturbed was he by the panorama of the bright world of which Sondra was the center and which was now atstake, that he could scarcely think clearly. Should he lose all this for such a world as he and Roberta couldprovide for themselves--a small home--a baby, such a routine work-a-day life as taking care of her and a babyon such a salary as he could earn, and from which most likely he would never again be freed! God! A sense ofnausea seized him. He could not and would not do this. And yet, as he now saw, all his dreams could be so easilytumbled about his ears by her and because of one false step on his part. It made him cautious and for the firsttime in his life caused tact and cunning to visualize itself as a profound necessity.
　　And at the same time, Clyde was sensing inwardly and somewhat shamefacedly all of this profound change inhimself.
　　But Roberta was saying: "Oh, I know, Clyde, but you yourself said just now that you were stumped, didn't you?
　　And every day that goes by just makes it so much the worse for me, if we're not going to be able to get a doctor.
　　You can't get married and have a child born within a few months--you know that. Every one in the world wouldknow. Besides I have myself to consider as well as you, you know. And the baby, too." (At the mere mention ofa coming child Clyde winced and recoiled as though he had been slapped. She noted it.) "I just must do one oftwo things right away, Clyde--get married or get out of this and you don't seem to be able to get me out of it, doyou? If you're so afraid of what your uncle might think or do in case we get married," she added nervously andyet suavely, "why couldn't we get married right away and then keep it a secret for a while--as long as we could,or as long as you thought we ought to," she added shrewdly. "Meanwhile I could go home and tell my parentsabout it--that I am married, but that it must be kept a secret for a while. Then when the time came, when thingsgot so bad that we couldn't stay here any longer without telling, why we could either go away somewhere, if wewanted to--that is, if you didn't want your uncle to know, or we could just announce that we were married sometime ago. Lots of young couples do that nowadays. And as for getting along," she went on, noting a sudden dourshadow that passed over Clyde's face like a cloud, "why we could always find something to do--I know I could,anyhow, once the baby is born."When first she began to speak, Clyde had seated himself on the edge of the bed, listening nervously anddubiously to all she had to offer. However, when she came to that part which related to marriage and going away,he got up--an irresistible impulse to move overcoming him. And when she concluded with the commonplacesuggestion of going to work as soon as the baby was born, he looked at her with little less than panic in his eyes.
　　To think of marrying and being in a position where it would be necessary to do that, when with a little luck and without interference from her, he might marry Sondra.
　　"Oh, yes, that's all right for you, Bert. That fixes everything up for you, but how about me? Why, gee whiz, I'veonly got started here now as it is, and if I have to pack up and get out, and I would have to, if ever they found outabout this, why I don't know what I'd do. I haven't any business or trade that I could turn my hand to. It might gohard with both of us. Besides my uncle gave me this chance because I begged him to, and if I walked off now henever would do anything for me."In his excitement he was forgetting that at one time and another in the past he had indicated to Roberta that thestate of his own parents was not wholly unprosperous and that if things did not go just to his liking here, he couldreturn west and perhaps find something to do out there. And it was some general recollection of this that nowcaused her to ask: "Couldn't we go out to Denver or something like that? Wouldn't your father be willing to helpyou get something for a time, anyhow?"Her tone was very soft and pleading, an attempt to make Clyde feel that things could not be as bad as he wasimagining. But the mere mention of his father in connection with all this--the assumption that he, of all people,might prove an escape from drudgery for them both, was a little too much. It showed how dreadfully incompletewas her understanding of his true position in this world. Worse, she was looking for help from that quarter. And,not finding it, later might possibly reproach him for that--who could tell--for his lies in connection with it. Itmade so very clear now the necessity for frustrating, if possible, and that at once, any tendency toward this ideaof marriage. It could not be-- ever.
　　And yet how was he to oppose this idea with safety, since she felt that she had this claim on him--how say to heropenly and coldly that he could not and would not marry her? And unless he did so now she might think it wouldbe fair and legitimate enough for her to compel him to do so. She might even feel privileged to go to his uncle-hiscousin (he could see Gilbert's cold eyes) and expose him! And then destruction! Ruin! The end of all hisdreams in connection with Sondra and everything else here. But all he could think of saying now was: "But Ican't do this, Bert, not now, anyway," a remark which at once caused Roberta to assume that the idea ofmarriage, as she had interjected it here, was not one which, under the circumstances, he had the courage tooppose--his saying, "not now, anyway." Yet even as she was thinking this, he went swiftly on with: "Besides Idon't want to get married so soon. It means too much to me at this time. In the first place I'm not old enough andI haven't got anything to get married on. And I can't leave here. I couldn't do half as well anywhere else. Youdon't realize what this chance means to me. My father's all right, but he couldn't do what my uncle could and hewouldn't. You don't know or you wouldn't ask me to do this."He paused, his face a picture of puzzled fear and opposition. He was not unlike a harried animal, deftly pursuedby hunter and hound. But Roberta, imagining that his total defection had been caused by the social side ofLycurgus as opposed to her own low state and not because of the superior lure of any particular girl, now retortedresentfully, although she desired not to appear so: "Oh, yes, I know well enough why you can't leave. It isn't yourposition here, though, half as much as it is those society people you are always running around with. I know.
　　You don't care for me any more, Clyde, that's it, and you don't want to give these other people up for me. I knowthat's it and nothing else. But just the same it wasn't so very long ago that you did, although you don't seem toremember it now." Her cheeks burned and her eyes flamed as she said this. She paused a moment while he gazedat her wondering about the outcome of all this. "But you can't leave me to make out any way I can, just the same, because I won't be left this way, Clyde. I can't! I can't! I tell you." She grew tense and staccato, "It means toomuch to me. I don't know how to do alone and I, besides, have no one to turn to but you and you must help me.
　　I've got to get out of this, that's all, Clyde, I've got to. I'm not going to be left to face my people and everybodywithout any help or marriage or anything." As she said this, her eyes turned appealingly and yet savagely towardhim and she emphasized it all with her hands, which she clinched and unclinched in a dramatic way. "And if youcan't help me out in the way you thought," she went on most agonizedly as Clyde could see, "then you've got tohelp me out in this other, that's all. At least until I can do for myself I just won't be left. I don't ask you to marryme forever," she now added, the thought that if by presenting this demand in some modified form, she couldinduce Clyde to marry her, it might be possible afterwards that his feeling toward her would change to a muchmore kindly one. "You can leave me after a while if you want to. After I'm out of this. I can't prevent you fromdoing that and I wouldn't want to if I could. But you can't leave me now. You can't. You can't! Besides," sheadded, "I didn't want to get myself in this position and I wouldn't have, but for you. But you made me and mademe let you come in here. And now you want to leave me to shift for myself, just because you think you won't beable to go in society any more, if they find out about me."She paused, the strain of this contest proving almost too much for her tired nerves. At the same time she began tosob nervously and yet not violently--a marked effort at self-restraint and recovery marking her every gesture.
　　And after a moment or two in which both stood there, he gazing dumbly and wondering what else he was to sayin answer to all this, she struggling and finally managing to recover her poise, she added: "Oh, what is it aboutme that's so different to what I was a couple of months ago, Clyde? Will you tell me that? I'd like to know. Whatis it that has caused you to change so? Up to Christmas, almost, you were as nice to me as any human beingcould be. You were with me nearly all the time you had, and since then I've scarcely had an evening that I didn'tbeg for. Who is it? What is it? Some other girl, or what, I'd like to know--that Sondra Finchley or BertineCranston, or who?"Her eyes as she said this were a study. For even to this hour, as Clyde could now see to his satisfaction, since hefeared the effect on Roberta of definite and absolute knowledge concerning Sondra, she had no specificsuspicion, let alone positive knowledge concerning any girl. And coward-wise, in the face of her presentpredicament and her assumed and threatened claims on him, he was afraid to say what or who the real cause ofthis change was. Instead he merely replied and almost unmoved by her sorrow, since he no longer really caredfor her: "Oh, you're all wrong, Bert. You don't see what the trouble is. It's my future here--if I leave here Icertainly will never find such an opportunity. And if I have to marry in this way or leave here it will all goflooey. I want to wait and get some place first before I marry, see--save some money and if I do this I won't havea chance and you won't either," he added feebly, forgetting for the moment that up to this time he had beenindicating rather clearly that he did not want to have anything more to do with her in any way.
　　"Besides," he continued, "if you could only find some one, or if you would go away by yourself somewhere for awhile, Bert, and go through with this alone, I could send you the money to do it on, I know. I could have itbetween now and the time you had to go."His face, as he said this, and as Roberta clearly saw, mirrored the complete and resourceless collapse of all hisrecent plans in regard to her. And she, realizing that his indifference to her had reached the point where he couldthus dispose of her and their prospective baby in this casual and really heartless manner, was not only angered inpart, but at the same time frightened by the meaning of it all.
　　"Oh, Clyde," she now exclaimed boldly and with more courage and defiance than at any time since she hadknown him, "how you have changed! And how hard you can be. To want me to go off all by myself and just tosave you--so you can stay here and get along and marry some one here when I am out of the way and you don'thave to bother about me any more. Well, I won't do it. It's not fair. And I won't, that's all. I won't. And that's allthere is to it. You can get some one to get me out of this or you can marry me and come away with me, at leastlong enough for me to have the baby and place myself right before my people and every one else that knows me.
　　I don't care if you leave me afterwards, because I see now that you really don't care for me any more, and if that'sthe way you feel, I don't want you any more than you want me. But just the same, you must help me now--youmust. But, oh, dear," she began whimpering again, and yet only slightly and bitterly. "To think that all our lovefor each other should have come to this--that I am asked to go away by myself--all alone--with no one--whileyou stay here, oh, dear! oh, dear! And with a baby on my hands afterwards. And no husband."She clinched her hands and shook her head bleakly. Clyde, realizing well enough that his proposition certainlywas cold and indifferent but, in the face of his intense desire for Sondra, the best or at least safest that he coulddevise, now stood there unable for the moment to think of anything more to say.
　　And although there was some other discussion to the same effect, the conclusion of this very difficult hour wasthat Clyde had another week or two at best in which to see if he could find a physician or any one who wouldassist him. After that--well after that the implied, if not openly expressed, threat which lay at the bottom of thiswas, unless so extricated and speedily, that he would have to marry her, if not permanently, then at leasttemporarily, but legally just the same, until once again she was able to look after herself--a threat which was ascrushing and humiliating to Roberta as it was torturing to him.

医生拒绝帮助这一决定，首先使他们俩……罗伯达和克莱德……大吃一惊，甚至感到无比惶恐。如今，事情已明摆着:

生下了私生子，将使罗伯达声名狼藉，而这丑闻一被揭发，克莱德必将落得个身败名裂。看来除此以外，已无别的出路。可是，至少克莱德觉得:

那阴沉沉的棺罩好象已在逐渐向上揭开。说到底，也许正如医生所说的……事情还没有到山穷水尽的境地……这是她神志清醒过来以后跟他念叨过的。杂货铺掌柜，还有肖特和格伦医生也都说起过……完全有可能是罗伯达自己弄错了。这个说法尽管安慰不了她，但它所产生的不良后果，就是使克莱德越发沮丧。冷漠。这首先是因为他实在无力解决这一难题而时时感到惧怕，同时又唯恐一旦真相被揭露，那他必定是身败名裂。因此，他并不是全力以赴去解决问题，而只是一再延宕，迟迟不动。因为这是他的天性使然。尽管他也知道，如果他不马上想办法，就很可能有悲惨的结果，可是，要再次四出找人而又不使自己碰上危险，他觉得简直太伤脑筋了。想想吧，用他的话来说，医生已"拒绝她了"，而肖特的话居然如此不管用!

又是两个星期就这样过去了，克莱德只是在绞尽脑汁，想现在又该去找谁，实际上他连一个都没有想出来。向人家打听，可真难开口呀。压根儿办不到。

再说，叫他向谁打听呢?

是的，向谁打听呢?

这类事就得花时间，可不是吗?

但是，日子一天天过去，他和罗伯达两人都有充裕时间可以考虑……万一医药或手术解决不了罗伯达的问题……他们又该采取什么措施，甚至他们每人都可以向对方提出一些要求来。罗伯达一个劲儿不断地紧催他，如果说不是口头上催，至少也是通过上班时她那脸上的表情紧催不迭。她已下了决心，在这场搏斗中自己决不能就这样孤零零地被抛弃了……她怎么也不甘心呀。可另一方面，她也看得清清楚楚，克莱德什么事都没有做。除了一开头他做过的那些事以外，他压根儿不知道再下一步怎么办。知己朋友他一个也没有。因此，他只好把这个难题当做假想中的问题，一会儿跟这些人聊聊，一会儿又跟那些人谈谈，希望寻摸到一些有用的消息。与此同时，尽管听起来不太现实，不可捉摸，那就是桑德拉置身其中的快乐世界照旧在向他招唤。每到夜晚和星期天，尽管罗伯达处境那么可怜，心情那么绝望，只要有人邀他，他还是照样东奔西跑，乐此不疲，于是，几乎经常浮现在他眼前的。骇人的灾祸的幽灵，他也就可以暂时忘却了。要是他能摆脱困境该有多好!

要是他能做得到，该有多好。可是，怎么办呢，没有钱，没有亲友，医学界又不熟悉，或是不说医学界吧，对那个乱搞两性关系的那帮子人的秘密世界也不懂……有些人，比方说格林－戴维逊大酒店里的侍应生，有时好象懂得一些。当然罗，他已给拉特勒写过信了，但并没有收到回信，因为拉特勒早已迁居佛罗里达，克莱德的信还没有转到他手里。至于本地人，凡是他熟悉的，不是跟厂里有关系，就是同上流社会有来往……他们这些人，从一方面来说，太缺乏经验而太危险，从另一方面来说，又可以说是太疏远而太危险。因为他跟他们里头哪一个人都说不上很近乎，所以还得不到他们完全信任，愿为他保守秘密。

然而，他非得想出个什么办法来不可……他可不能听任不管，随它去。当然，罗伯达不会允许他长时间不采取对策……要知道她的窘境随时都有可能被揭露出来。于是，他真的马上开动脑筋，如同捞救命稻草似的抓住所有一切哪怕是众人都认为绝无希望的机会。比方说，有一回，他厂里的一个同事领班无意中谈到，他那个班组里有一个姑娘"未婚有了身孕"，厂里逼她离厂。克莱德就趁机问这个同事，要是这个姑娘养不起小孩，或是不愿意生小孩，那末，依他看，她该怎么办呢。偏巧这个领班跟他一样毫无经验，只是说，她要是认识哪个医生，也许就得去找医生，要不然还得"硬挺着到底"……因此，克莱德还是没有摸到底。还有一回，是在一家理发馆里谈到《星报》上刊登的一条本市新闻，说有个姑娘正控告本地一个浪荡子原先答应结婚，现在却不履行诺言。有人说，她"除非万不得已，当然，决不会控告这个家伙的"。克莱德立刻抓住这一机会，满怀希望说:

"不过，依你看，她能不能想个办法让她摆脱困境，而不会嫁给一个她所不喜欢的人?

""哦，这事可不象你想象那么容易，特别是在我们这儿，"正在给他理发的那个自作聪明的家伙开了腔说。"第一，这是违法的;第二，这可得花很多钱。你要是没有钱，得了，当然罗，有钱好使鬼推磨嘛。"理发师正用剪子给他修剪头发，心事重重的克莱德却在暗自思忖，刚才这话说得多实在。他要是有很多钱……哪怕几百块钱吧……谁知道，也许就可以说服罗伯达……让她自个儿上某个地方去动手术。

可是每天他还是象上一天那样对自己说，非得寻摸到一个医生不可。而罗伯达则对自己说，也非得自己想想办法不可……要是克莱德依然这样一味延宕下去，她再也不能指望他了。这种吓人的事，既不能开玩笑，也不能随便让步呀。这是硬要她接受的一种无情哄骗啊。显然，克莱德还没有认识到:

这将对她，甚至对他，产生多么可怕的后果。要是他不帮助她……而他一开头就清清楚楚答应过要帮助她的……那就别指望她独自一人能顶住这场即将来临的暴风雨。

那是绝对顶不住，绝对顶不住，绝对顶不住!

因为在罗伯达心目中，克莱德毕竟是个男子汉……地位也挺不错……但现在陷入困境，无力挣脱出来的是她，而不是他。

第二次经期过去之后的第二天，她终于确信自己最担心的事，已是千真万确的了。她不仅想尽各种办法，竭力向克莱德表明她内心痛苦决不是言语所能形容，而且在第三天，她还写了个便条给他，说她当天晚上再去看格洛弗斯维尔附近那个医生，不管前一次医生已表示过拒绝……她实在太需要帮助……并且问克莱德能不能陪她一块去……这一请求，由于他什么事都没做成，虽说他跟桑德拉还有约会，可他却马上答应了……他觉得这事可比什么都要来得重要。

他就只好向桑德拉推托说有工作，尽量给自己开脱。

他们就这样第二次又动身了。一路上，他跟罗伯达作了长时间很紧张但是毫无成果的谈话，无非是解释一下，为什么直至今日，他还没有办出什么名堂来，此外只说了一些恭维话，夸她这一回干得很有魄力。

然而医生照旧不肯帮忙，当然也就毫无结果。她差不多等了个把钟头，等他从别处回来，只是把自己依然不见好转以及内心极度恐惧告诉了他。他听了以后，一点儿都没作出表示，尽管她提出的请求他当然是完全可以办到的。这是有违他的偏见和道德标准。

罗伯达又回来了，这回没有哭，说真的，太伤心了，连哭都哭不出来了。

即将临头的灾难，以及随之而来的恐惧和不幸，几乎压得她透不过气来。

克莱德一听到她碰壁而归，心里由于慌乱。忧郁而缄口无言，甚至也不想向罗伯达表示哪怕是一丁点儿安慰。他简直不知道该说些什么好。他心里最害怕的是:

罗伯达会向他提出的一些要求，他出于社会地位或经济原因实在无法承诺。不过，关于这一点，她在回家路上几乎只字不提。相反，她只是纹丝不动地坐在那里，两眼凝望着窗外……心里在想:

她的困境越来越难熬，使她感到更加骇怕，而她自己却无力进行防护。为此，她借口推说自己头痛。她巴不得独自一人……让她再好好地想一想……想出个解决办法来。她非得想出个办法来不可。这她知道得再清楚也没有了。不过，这是个什么办法呢?

又怎么个想呢?

她又能做些什么呢?

她怎样才能摆脱得了呢?

她觉得自己有如一头陷入重围的困兽，以寡敌众，为了活命而进行垂死搏斗。她想到过成千种可能性极少。完全实现不了的脱身之计，每次最后还是回到了唯一稳妥可靠。她也觉得切实可行的解决办法，这就是……结婚。为什么不可以呢?

不是她什么都给了他，而且是在违背她自己意愿和信念的情况下这么做的吗?

不是他硬逼着她答应了吗?

最后就这样把她扔在一边，他究竟是个什么东西?

有的时候，特别是最近灾难临头以后，克莱德觉得好象这一切对他与桑德拉和格里菲思家紧密相连的美梦是个致命的打击，所以，他就通过自己的举止言谈，让罗伯达不能不明白无误地懂得:

爱情肯定完蛋了;至于他之所以还关注她今天的困境，不是为她着想，而是考虑这一切对自己的影响，以及必然使他受到连累。他这种态度，先是一直让她感到无比骇怕，到后来她并不怎么骇怕时，又引起她极大的反感，最后就逐渐归纳成这么一个结论:

她既然已陷入绝境，就可以理所当然提出她平日里连梦中也不敢提出的要求……结婚，因为除此以外，再也没有别的出路了。为什么不可以提出呢?

难道说她的生命不是和他的同样宝贵吗?

难道说他不是自愿要跟她结合吗?

那末，为什么现在他还不应该全力以赴帮助她呢……如果连这个也做不到，为什么他不应该作出最后一次牺牲呢……显然，这是搭救她的唯一办法了。说到底，所有这些与他有关系的上流社会里头的人究竟都是些什么人呀?

为什么仅仅因为他对他们感到兴趣他就可以在这样的关键时刻要求她牺牲她自己，牺牲她的前途，牺牲她的好名声?

他们从来没有为他作出过多大牺牲，当然远远比不上她为他所作出的牺牲。当初是他硬要她屈从了他，可现在他厌倦了……难道说在这危难关头就可以听任他随便把她遗弃了吗?

归根到底，尽管他对所有这些上流社会里的人物非常感兴趣，难道他们不是也会认为，不管他跟他们之间有什么样的关系，现在她不得不采取的行动是完全正当的吗?

她心里对这件事想过好多，特别是在第二次向格伦医生求救未成回来以后。

事实上，她脸上有时露出一种过去似乎从未有过，只在万不得已时才突然迸发的坚决挑战的神色。她咬紧牙关，狠下了决心。他非得娶她不可。要是没有别的出路，她就得逼他跟自己结婚。她非得逼他不可……她非得逼他不可。只要想一想她自己的家。她的母亲。格雷斯。玛尔。牛顿夫妇，以及所有认识她的人……想一想那种恐怖。痛苦和耻辱，足以使她所有的亲属……她的父亲。兄弟和妹妹都为之心肝俱裂。这可要不得!

这可要不得!

绝对不应该这样，也决不可能这样!

这可要不得。克莱德一直对自己前程看得特别重要，因此，即便现在她觉得要坚持下去似乎也有些困难。但是，除此以外，叫她怎么办?

怎么办?

于是，第二天，克莱德又收到一张便条，要他当天晚上务必再去罗伯达那里。(他觉得大吃一惊，因为昨天整整一夜晚他们就是在一起度过的。)她有话要对他说，而且，她信里还有一种好象在向他表示挑战或是要挟的口气，这在她过去写给他的信里是从来没有的。他顿时惊恐地想到，这种新的情绪，如果不及时把它驱散的话，将来对他会构成很大危险。这时虽然他心事重重，但他还是不得不装出和颜悦色的样子，答应去看她，听听她提出的解决办法是什么……或者听听她不得不诉说哪些苦处。

克莱德很晚才来到她房间，发觉她好象比出事以来任何时候都要镇静得多。

这反而使他大为惊诧，因为原来他想她一定是两眼噙满了泪水。但是如今，看来她相当扬扬自得。因为就在她心慌意乱地思索与寻找圆满出路这一过程中，她那天生的聪明劲儿却觉醒了，并在此刻发挥了很大作用。

她在直率地陈述自己心里的打算以前先开口问:

"克莱德，你还没有寻摸到别的医生，或是想出了别的什么办法，是吧?

""不，我还没有呢，伯特，"他非常沮丧。非常慵倦地回答说，他的脑瓜儿已经紧张得几乎快要破裂了。"你知道，我一直在动脑筋，可是，要找到一个不怕管这等闲事的人，真的难死了。凭良心说，伯特，说真的，我几乎走投无路了。

除非你想出个办法来，我真不知道我们该怎么办。难道你就没有想过，或是听说过可以去找找别人吗?

"因为还在她头一次去看医生以后，克莱德在言谈中就向她暗示过，只要跟哪一个外国移民姑娘套近乎，也许她慢慢地就可探听到一些对他们俩都很有用的消息。殊不知罗伯达不是那种性格的人，一下子就能跟外国移民姑娘打得火热，因此后来一点儿结果也没有。

不过，刚才他所说的"走投无路"，恰好给了她一个真的求之不得的机会，让她把自己的建议摊开来了。她觉得这是不可避免，而且再也不能拖延下去了。

但她担心克莱德对此会作出什么反应，因此，对于如何字斟句酌地提出来，倒是颇费踌躇。后来，她摇了摇头，显露出自己确实心乱如麻，终于说了出来:

"哦，现在我就跟你说，克莱德。我心里一直在琢磨这件事，我看不出还对什么别的出路，除非……除非，你，嗯，娶了我就得了。现在两个月已经过去了，这你自己也知道。要是我们不马上结婚，这一切人家都会知道，可不是吗?

"她说这话时，从她的举止谈吐可以看出是两种心态的混合物，一方面是由于她深信自己是对的，因而外表上看来非常气壮似的，另一方面却是她心里忐忑不安，真不知道克莱德对此将表示怎样的态度。这时，他脸上突然露出惊诧。

恼怒。疑惑和惧怕的样子，顿时神色为之大变。他这种复杂的脸部表情的急剧转变，如果说能够表明什么的话，那就只能表明:

她此刻分明是想毫无理由地伤害他。自从他跟桑德拉接触越来越密切以来，他对自己所寄予的希望更为强烈，所以一听到罗伯达这个要求，便马上皱紧眉头。他的神态从刚才虽然紧张不安，但是还算和颜悦色，一下子变成了惧怕。反对和坚决逃避这一严厉的后果。要知道这就意味着他的彻底毁灭:

桑德拉呀，他的职位呀，他凭同格里菲思家有亲戚关系跻身于上流社会的全部希望呀，都要通通丧失了……一句话，丧失殆尽。

这一个闪念，既让他感到憎恶，又让他煞费踌躇，真不知道下一步该怎么办才好。但是，他决不会同意!

他决不会同意!

这他断断乎不同意!

断断乎不同意!

断断乎不同意!

断断乎不同意!

!

!

可是，不一会儿，他含糊不清地喊道:

"哦，伯特，这对你来说当然是很好，因为这一下子你就什么事全都解决了，一点儿麻烦也没有。可是我怎么办?

你得千万别忘了:

根据眼下实际情况，我可不是那么容易就能办到。你也知道，我压根儿没有多少钱。我个人倾其所有，也仅仅是我有这个差使。再说，我那亲戚一家人，对你还什么都不了解……肯定是一点儿也不了解。要是现在突然真相大白，人家知道我们这么长时间以来老是在一起，而且已经弄得既成事实，我马上就得结婚，唉，他们也就会知道我一直是在欺骗他们。当然罗，他们一定会恼火。那时怎么办呢?

他们甚至就可能把我撵走了。"这时，他沉吟不语，看看自己这些话对罗伯达有什么效果。他发现罗伯达神情迟疑不定，这种表情最近以来每当他自我辩解时便常常出现在她脸上。于是，他就一面很起劲，但还是躲躲闪闪地接下去说:

"再说嘛，我也不见得就找不到医生了。我老是运气不大好，但也并不是说以后我就一定找不到。现在时间还来得及，可不是吗?

当然罗，我们还有时间。反正要赶在三个月以前，还没有什么可怕的。"(日前，他接到拉特勒回信，就这件事后者向他提出过一些看法)一面却又竭力设法把这个突然提出的问题先搁置一下再说。"前一天，我听说奥尔巴尼有一个医生也许肯帮忙的。反正我想不妨先去跟他碰碰头，回来再把结果告诉你。"他说这些话时露出躲躲闪闪的神态，罗伯达一看便知道他只不过是在撒谎，以便赢得时间罢了。奥尔巴尼压根儿就没有什么医生。再说，显而易见，他对她提出的要求很恼火，只是在想法尽量回避。她自己也很明白，过去他从来没有直截了当地说过要娶她的话。固然，她可以敦促他，但归根到底，她可不能硬是逼着他去做呀。过去他就说过，要是由于她的缘故砸了饭碗，也许他一个人会从莱柯格斯逃跑了。现在，要是连这个如此使他倾倒的上流社会都给夺走了，同时，他还得挑起赡养她和一个小孩的重担，那末，他出走的动力也许就更大了。她一想到这里，就比较谨慎了。她一开头很想坚决有力地把话说出来，此刻也只好变得缓和一些，哪怕是目前她的困难该有多大。而克莱德呢，他一想到以桑德拉为中心人物的那个光辉世界里种种情景，如今却在岌岌可危之中，心里简直乱成一团，几乎没法清醒地进行思考了。难道说他就应该抛弃掉那个光辉世界里所有一切，仅仅是为了等待着他和罗伯达的那样一种生活……一个小小的家……一个小孩，全靠他挣来那一点儿薪水供养她娘儿俩的生活，整日价不停地忙活，永远也不会再过上逍遥自在的日子!

老天哪!

他心里顿时觉得一阵恶心。这个他不干，而且，也决不会干的。但是，他也很明白，现在只要他走错了一步，罗伯达那么轻轻地一捅，就可以叫他的全部梦想化成乌有。他一想到这里，也就变得谨小慎微了，而且，他生平头一遭才懂得这时非得乞灵于运用手腕，乃至于诡计不可了。

与此同时，克莱德内心深处也觉得自己这一切变化太快，不免有点儿丢脸了。

不料，罗伯达却回答说:

"哦，我也明白，克莱德，不过，刚才你自己也说你已是走投无路了，可不是吗?

要是我们找不到医生，那末，日子一天天过去，对我来说也就更糟了。当然，不可能结婚才几个月，就会生孩子……这你一定明白。这个道理天底下谁都知道。此外，你要知道我应该考虑到，不仅是你，而且还有我自己，同样还有孩子。"(仅仅一提到那还没有出生的孩子，克莱德猛地一惊，赶紧往后退缩，犹如被人掴了一巴掌似的，她也全都看在眼里。)"克莱德，现在我只好在两个里头马上选定一个……不是结婚，就是设法打掉，而你好象没法帮我打掉，可不是吗?

我们结了婚，要是你害怕你伯父会有什么想法，或是采取什么行动，"她虽然紧张不安，但还是很温和地继续说道:

"我们为什么不马上结婚，但是暂时保守秘密……时间不妨尽可能长一些，或者干脆由你说应该多久就多久，"她很乖觉地找补着说。"同时，我就可以回家去，把这件事告诉爸爸和妈妈，说……我结婚了，不过暂时还得保守秘密。以后，到了再也隐瞒不了，我们不说出来就待不下去的时候，只要我们愿意，不妨干脆迁居别处去……我这是说，如果你不愿让你伯父知道的话，要不然，我们公开宣布，说前些时候我们早已结婚了。现在好多年轻人都是这么做的。至于说以后的生活，"她接下去说，同时也发觉克莱德险上突然掠过乌云似的一层阴影，"反正我们总能找到活儿干……反正我知道自个儿准找得着，哪怕是在生了孩子以后。"罗伯达刚开始说话时，克莱德坐在床沿上，疑惧不安地倾听着。不料，等她一谈到结婚呀。迁居呀这类事，他便站起身来……他按捺不住，想来回走动走动。当她最后说到自己生下孩子后马上去打工时，克莱德两眼几乎露出惊恐的神色直望着她。想一想吧，要跟她结婚，而且，事到如今，他不这样做也不成，而且又是在这种时候，要是碰上好运道，又没有她的干扰，说不定他就可能娶上桑德拉哩。

"哦，是啊，这对你来说当然是很好，伯特。这一下你就什么事都解决了，可是叫我怎么办呢?

哦，哎呀，说实话，我在这儿只是刚刚开了一个头……而现在我却突然卷起铺盖就跑了。当然罗，人家要是发现了这件事，那我就非跑掉不可。那时，我真不知道该怎么办才好。我自己连一点儿手艺或本领都没有。

不过这样的话，我们两个人也许都得受苦受罪。再说，伯父给我厂里这个职位，原是我求了他才给的，要是现在我一走了事，他就永远也不会再来帮助我了。

"他心情一紧张，就忘了过去他不止一次跟罗伯达说过，仿佛他父母还不是特别寒微;他要是不喜欢这里，尽可以回西部去，也许在那里还可以寻摸到一些事由。此刻罗伯达正好回想到这一点，便开口问:

"难道说我们就不能迁居丹佛等地吗?

你父亲不是乐意给你找一个什么事由，至少一开头他不是会帮助你吗?

"她说话时语调很柔和，几乎带着恳求的样子，想使克莱德感到事情并没有象他想象的那么坏。不过，谈到有关这一切时，偏偏提到了他父亲……还想当然说，正是他可以使他们俩免得去做苦工……说得简直太过分了。这说明她对克莱德的实际情况了解得太不够呀。更要不得的是，她竟然指望来自这个方面的帮助。要是指望落空了，往后她可能就为了这个责备他……有谁知道呢……说他诓骗了她。显而易见，现在就得尽可能把结婚的念头打消，而且还得马上打消。这可要不得……绝对要不得。

不过，他应该怎样才能迫使她放弃这个想法，而自己又不会冒风险呢。要知道她认为自己有权向他提出这个要求啊……而他又应该怎样坦率地。冷静地告诉她:

他既不可能跟她结婚，也不愿意跟她结婚。要是现在他还不说，她说不定认为自己逼他结婚是完全公正合法哩。也许她还以为自己有权到他伯父。堂兄那里去告状(他心里仿佛看到了吉尔伯特那双冷酷的眼睛)，把他全揭发了!

那时一切都毁了!

一切都完蛋了!

他同桑德拉，以及这里所有一切连在一起的全部梦想，也都通通化成泡影了。不过，这时他只说了一句后:

"但是，我不可能这样做，伯特，至少现在不行。"这马上使罗伯达这么认为:

结婚这个主意，按照目前情况，他是没有胆量反对的……他说的是，"至少现在不行。"不料，正当她在这么思考的时候，他马上抢着说:

"再说，我并不希望这么快就结婚。我觉得现在结婚太复杂了。首先，我还很年轻，而且，要结婚嘛，可我一点儿钱都没有。而且，我也不可能离开这里。要是上别处去，连这里一半钱我还挣不到。你可不了解眼前这个职位对我有多么重要。我父亲当然境况不错，可是伯父做得到的事，他却做不到，而且他也不会做。如果你了解这一点，那你就不会要求我这么做了。

"话音刚落，他脸上露出困扰。惧怕。倔强的表情。他活象一头困兽被猎人。

猎犬紧追不舍。但是，罗伯达认为克莱德慑于跟她自己低微的地位相对立的莱柯格斯上流社会舆论，而并非某一个姑娘对他特别富于诱惑的缘故，这时她再也按捺不住，气忿地反驳他说:

"哦，是啊，我心里也很清楚你为什么舍不得离开这里。你舍不得的，并不是你在这里的职位，而是同你老是在一起厮混的那些上流社会圈子里头的人呀。这个我心里可明白!

你再也不喜欢我了，克莱德，就是这么一回事。而且，你也不愿为了我跟这些上流社会圈子里头的人分手。我知道所有一切问题都出在这里。可是，就在不久前，你还是喜欢我的，虽然现在你好象全记不起来了。"她说着说着，脸颊绯红，两眼也好象冒出火花似的。

她顿时为之语塞，这时他两眼直瞅着她，暗自纳闷，真不知道下面怎么个收场。

"反正不管怎么说，你可不能把我抛弃，让我听天由命，因为我可不让人家把我就这样随随便便抛掉，克莱德。我告诉你，这办不到!

就是办不到!

"她说话的声调越发激越，连一句话也说不连贯了，"这事对我影响太大了。我不知道孤零零一个人该怎么办，再说，除了你以外，再也不会有人来帮助我的。所以，你就得帮助我。一句话，我非得摆脱不可，克莱德。我非得摆脱不可。我决不能就这样孤零零一个人，没有丈夫，也没有任何依靠地去见我的亲人或是其他任何一个人。"她说这些话时，两眼露出既是恳求又是愤怒的神色，而且，还好象富于悲剧色彩似的，让自己两只手一会儿攥紧，一会儿又松开，来特别强调她说的这些话，"要是你不能按你原来的想法帮助我的话，"她继续说道，这时克莱德也看到她说话时该有多么痛心，"那就是说，你还得另外想办法来帮助我嘛。至少现在你可不能就这样抛弃我，因为我现在还不能没有你。我并不要求你结了婚就永远守在我身边，"她又找补着说，心里想倘若稍加变通提出这个要求，说不定可以说服克莱德跟她结婚，往后也许他对她的感情就会大大好转。"过后，只要你想跟我分手，那就不妨分手得了。反正都得等我摆脱了以后。我是不能干预你的，而且，即使我可以，我也不愿意干预。不过，现在你不能把我抛弃。

你千万不能呀。你千万不能呀!

再说，"她接下去说:

"我也不愿意自己碰上这样的事，而且我怎么也不会碰上这样的事，如果说不是为了你的话。就是你把我逼成这个样子，就是你死乞白赖要我放你进屋呀。可是现在，你却要把我抛弃，要我自个儿去想办法，只是因为你害怕我的事一旦被人发现，你就再也不能在上流社会抛头露面了。"她又顿住了一会儿，这场紧张激烈的斗争，使她疲惫不堪的神经实在忍受不了。这时，她开始呜咽哭泣，声音虽然不大，但很伤心……从她每一个姿势都看得出，她是在竭力抑制自己。控制自己。他们两人都伫立在那儿:

他目光呆滞地直望着她，心里在琢磨该怎样回答她才好;她也是好不容易才使内心恢复了平静，于是，她接下去说:

"哦，克莱德，难道说我现在就跟一两个月以前不一样了吗?

请你告诉我，好吗?

我倒是很想知道。你变成这个样子，到底是什么原因?

在圣诞节以前，你好象一直对我很好嘛。你一有空，几乎就常常跟我在一块。

打从那以后，每一个晚上都要我求了你才来。这到底是怎么回事?

到底是谁呀?

我倒很想知道，是哪个姑娘……是那个桑德拉。芬奇利，还是伯蒂娜。克兰斯顿，还是其他的姑娘?

"她说话时，两眼仔细端详着他。克莱德原先深怕罗伯达一知道桑德拉后非同小可，可现在却很高兴地看到:

即便到现在，她不仅一点儿都不知道，而且甚至还没有怀疑到某一个姑娘。他对罗伯达的痛苦几乎无动于衷，因为，说真的，他再也不疼爱她了。但看到她的目前窘境以及她向他提出的可怕要求，他心里还是非常胆怯，不敢招认:

究竟是哪个人，还是哪件事，才是促使他变心的真正原因。相反，他只是随便回答说:

"哦，你全错了，伯特。你并不了解问题出在哪儿。原来我的前途就在这儿……我要是这样结了婚，或是离开这儿，那一切全都吹了。我就得等着，先觅到一个位置，明白了吧，积攒一点钱，然后才结婚。

要是现在我一切都丢了，那我和你两个就什么指望都没有了，"他有气无力地接着说。至于在这以前，他竭力表示自己再也不愿跟她发生任何关系等话，一下子都给忘了。

"再说，"他继续说道，"只要你能找到一个肯帮助你的人，或是你先上哪儿去待一阵，伯特，在那儿独个儿把这事对付过去，那我就给你捎钱去，这我可心里有数的。从现在起到你不得不走这段时间里，我就可以把钱张罗好。

"他说话时脸上表情充分说明最近他要帮助她的全部计划彻底告吹。连罗伯达也看得很清楚;现在她明白，他对她漠不关心已经到了极点，这才会有这样铁石心肠，随便处置她和他们俩未来的小孩。他上面这些话的全部内涵，使她感到不仅很恼怒，而且还很骇怕。

"哦，克莱德，"这时，她终于壮了胆，比她认识他以来任何时候更勇敢。更倔强地大声嚷道:

"你怎么会变了!

而且，你的心肠又有多硬!

你竟然要把我一个人打发走，仅仅是为了维护你自己的利益……这样，你就好待在这儿，照旧过好日子。当我不再妨碍你，而你再也用不着为我操心了，那时，你就可以在这儿跟别的姑娘结婚。不，这我可不答应。这是太不公平啦。反正我不答应，就是不答应。当然罗，那还用说吗。你要么找个医生来帮助我，要么就娶了我，
Part 2 Chapter 39
Opposing views such as these, especially where no real skill to meet such a situation existed, could only spellgreater difficulty and even eventual disaster unless chance in some form should aid. And chance did not aid. Andthe presence of Roberta in the factory was something that would not permit him to dismiss it from his mind. Ifonly he could persuade her to leave and go somewhere else to live and work so that he should not always see her,he might then think more calmly. For with her asking continuously, by her presence if no more, what he intendedto do, it was impossible for him to think. And the fact that he no longer cared for her as he had, tended to reducehis normal consideration of what was her due. He was too infatuated with, and hence disarranged by his thoughtsof Sondra.
　　For in the very teeth of this grave dilemma he continued to pursue the enticing dream in connection withSondra--the dark situation in connection with Roberta seeming no more at moments than a dark cloud whichshadowed this other. And hence nightly, or as often as the exigencies of his still unbroken connection withRoberta would permit, he was availing himself of such opportunities as his flourishing connections nowafforded. Now, and to his great pride and satisfaction, it was a dinner at the Harriets' or Taylors' to which he wasinvited; or a party at the Finchleys' or the Cranstons', to which he would either escort Sondra or be animated bythe hope of encountering her. And now, also without so many of the former phases or attempts at subterfuge, which had previously characterized her curiosity in regard to him, she was at times openly seeking him out andmaking opportunities for social contact. And, of course, these contacts being identical with this typical kind ofgroup gathering, they seemed to have no special significance with the more conservative elders.
　　For although Mrs. Finchley, who was of an especially shrewd and discerning turn socially, had at first beendubious over the attentions being showered upon Clyde by her daughter and others, still observing that Clydewas more and more being entertained, not only in her own home by the group of which her daughter was a part,but elsewhere, everywhere, was at last inclined to imagine that he must be more solidly placed in this world thanshe had heard, and later to ask her son and even Sondra concerning him. But receiving from Sondra only theequivocal information that, since he was Gil and Bella Griffiths' cousin, and was being taken up by everybodybecause he was so charming--even if he didn't have any money--she couldn't see why she and Stuart should notbe allowed to entertain him also, her mother rested on that for the time being--only cautioning her daughter underno circumstances to become too friendly. And Sondra, realizing that in part her mother was right, yet being sodrawn to Clyde was now determined to deceive her, at least to the extent of being as clandestinely free withClyde as she could contrive. And was, so much so that every one who was privy to the intimate contacts betweenClyde and Sondra might have reported that the actual understanding between them was assuming an intensitywhich most certainly would have shocked the elder Finchleys, could they have known. For apart from whatClyde had been, and still was dreaming in regard to her, Sondra was truly being taken with thoughts and moodsin regard to him which were fast verging upon the most destroying aspects of the very profound chemistry oflove. Indeed, in addition to handclasps, kisses and looks of intense admiration always bestowed whenpresumably no one was looking, there were those nebulous and yet strengthening and lengthening fantasiesconcerning a future which in some way or other, not clear to either as yet, was still always to include each other.
　　Summer days perhaps, and that soon, in which he and she would be in a canoe at Twelfth Lake, the longshadows of the trees on the bank lengthening over the silvery water, the wind rippling the surface while hepaddled and she idled and tortured him with hints of the future; a certain forest path, grass-sodden and sun-mottled to the south and west of the Cranston and Phant estates, near theirs, through which they might canter inJune and July to a wonderful view known as Inspiration Point some seven miles west; the country fair at Sharon,at which, in a gypsy costume, the essence of romance itself, she would superintend a booth, or, in her smartestriding habit, give an exhibition of her horsemanship--teas, dances in the afternoon and in the moonlight at which,languishing in his arms, their eyes would speak.
　　None of the compulsion of the practical. None of the inhibitions which the dominance and possible futureopposition of her parents might imply. Just love and summer, and idyllic and happy progress toward an eventualsecure and unopposed union which should give him to her forever.
　　And in the meantime, in so far as Roberta was concerned, two more long, dreary, terrifying months going bywithout that meditated action on her part which must result once it was taken in Clyde's undoing. For, asconvinced as she was that apart from meditating and thinking of some way to escape his responsibility, Clydehad no real intention of marrying her, still, like Clyde, she drifted, fearing to act really. For in severalconferences following that in which she had indicated that she expected him to marry her, he had reiterated, ifvaguely, a veiled threat that in case she appealed to his uncle he would not be compelled to marry her, after all,for he could go elsewhere.
　　The way he put it was that unless left undisturbed in his present situation he would be in no position to marry herand furthermore could not possibly do anything to aid her at the coming time when most of all she would standin need of aid--a hint which caused Roberta to reflect on a hitherto not fully developed vein of hardness in Clyde,although had she but sufficiently reflected, it had shown itself at the time that he compelled her to admit him toher room.
　　In addition and because she was doing nothing and yet he feared that at any moment she might, he shifted in partat least from the attitude of complete indifference, which had availed him up to the time that she had threatenedhim, to one of at least simulated interest and good-will and friendship. For the very precarious condition in whichhe found himself was sufficiently terrifying to evoke more diplomacy than ever before had characterized him.
　　Besides he was foolish enough to hope, if not exactly believe, that by once more conducting himself as though hestill entertained a lively sense of the problem that afflicted her and that he was willing, in case no other way wasfound, to eventually marry her (though he could never definitely be persuaded to commit himself as to this), hecould reduce her determination to compel him to act soon at least to a minimum, and so leave him more time inwhich to exhaust every possibility of escape without marriage, and without being compelled to run away.
　　And although Roberta sensed the basis of this sudden shift, still she was so utterly alone and distrait that she waswilling to give ear to Clyde's mock genial, if not exactly affectionate observations and suggestions. It caused her,at his behest, to wait a while longer, the while, as he now explained, he would not only have saved up somemoney, but devised some plan in connection with his work which would permit him to leave for a time anyhow,marry her somewhere and then establish her and the baby as a lawful married woman somewhere else, while,although he did not explain this just now, he returned to Lycurgus and sent her such aid as he could. But oncondition, of course, that never anywhere, unless he gave her permission, must she assert that he had married her,or point to him in any way as the father of her child. Also it was understood that she, as she herself had assertedover and over that she would, if only he would do this--marry her--take steps to free herself on the ground ofdesertion, or something, in some place sufficiently removed from Lycurgus for no one to hear. And that within areasonable time after her marriage to him, although he was not at all satisfied that, assuming that he did marryher, she would.
　　But Clyde, of course, was insincere in regard to all his overtures at this time, and really not concerned as to hersincerity or insincerity. Nor did he have any intention of leaving Lycurgus even for the moderate length of timethat her present extrication would require unless he had to. For that meant that he would be separated fromSondra, and such absence, for whatever period, would most definitely interfere with his plans. And so, on thecontrary, he drifted--thinking most idly at times of some possible fake or mock marriage such as he had seen insome melodramatic movie--a fake minister and witnesses combining to deceive some simple country girl such asRoberta was not, but at such expense of time, resources, courage and subtlety as Clyde himself, after a littlereflection, was wise enough to see was beyond him.
　　Again, knowing that, unless some hitherto unforeseen aid should eventuate, he was heading straight toward adisaster which could not much longer be obviated, he even allowed himself to dream that, once the fatal hourwas at hand and Roberta, no longer to be put off by any form of subterfuge, was about to expose him, he mighteven flatly deny that he had ever held any such relationship with her as then she would be charging--rather that atall times his relationship with her had been that of a department manager to employee--no more. Terror--no less!
　　But at the same time, early in May, when Roberta, because of various gestative signs and ailments, wasbeginning to explain, as well as insist, to Clyde that by no stretch of the imagination or courage could she beexpected to retain her position at the factory or work later than June first, because by then the likelihood of thegirls there beginning to notice something, would be too great for her to endure, Sondra was beginning to explainthat not so much later than the fourth or fifth of June she and her mother and Stuart, together with some servants,would be going to their new lodge at Twelfth Lake in order to supervise certain installations then being madebefore the regular season should begin. And after that, not later than the eighteenth, at which time the Cranstons,Harriets, and some others would have arrived, including very likely visits from Bella and Myra, he might expecta week-end invitation from the Cranstons, with whom, through Bertine, she would arrange as to this. And afterthat, the general circumstances proving fairly propitious, there would be, of course, other week-end invitations tothe Harriets', Phants' and some others who dwelt there, as well as to the Griffiths' at Greenwood, to which place,on account of Bella, he could easily come. And during his two weeks' vacation in July, he could either stop at theCasino, which was at Pine Point, or perhaps the Cranstons or Harriets, at her suggestion, might choose to invitehim. At any rate, as Clyde could see, and with no more than such expenditures as, with a little scrimping duringhis ordinary working days here, he could provide for, he might see not a little of that lake life of which he hadread so much in the local papers, to say nothing of Sondra at one and another of the lodges, the masters of whichwere not so inimical to his presence and overtures as were Sondra's parents.
　　For now it was, and for the first time, as she proceeded to explain to him that her mother and father, because ofhis continued and reported attentions to her, were already beginning to talk of an extended European tour whichmight keep her and Stuart and her mother abroad for at least the next two years. But since, at news of this,Clyde's face as well as his spirits darkened, and she herself was sufficiently enmeshed to suffer because of this,she at once added that he must not feel so bad--he must not; things would work out well enough, she knew. Forat the proper time, and unless between then and now, something--her own subtle attack if not her at presentfeverish interest in Clyde--should have worked to alter her mother's viewpoint in regard to him--she might becompelled to take some steps of her own in order to frustrate her mother. Just what, she was not willing to say atthis time, although to Clyde's overheated imagination it took the form of an elopement and marriage, whichcould not then be gainsaid by her parents whatever they might think. And it was true that in a vague and as yetrepressed way some such thought was beginning to form in Sondra's mind. For, as she now proceeded to explainto Clyde, it was so plain that her mother was attempting to steer her in the direction of a purely social match--theone with the youth who had been paying her such marked attention the year before. But because of her presentpassion for Clyde, as she now gayly declared, it was not easy to see how she was to be made to comply. "Theonly trouble with me is that I'm not of age yet," she here added briskly and slangily. "They've got me there, ofcourse. But I will be by next October and they can't do very much with me after that, I want to let you know. Ican marry the person I want, I guess. And if I can't do it here, well, there are more ways than one to kill a cat."The thought was like some sweet, disarranging poison to Clyde. It fevered and all but betrayed him mentally. Ifonly--if only--it were not for Roberta now. That terrifying and all but insoluble problem. But for that, and theopposition of Sondra's parents which she was thinking she would be able to overcome, did not heaven itselfawait him? Sondra, Twelfth Lake, society, wealth, her love and beauty. He grew not a little wild in thinking of itall. Once he and she were married, what could Sondra's relatives do? What, but acquiesce and take them into theglorious bosom of their resplendent home at Lycurgus or provide for them in some other way--he to no doubteventually take some place in connection with the Finchley Electric Sweeper Company. And then would he notbe the equal, if not the superior, of Gilbert Griffiths himself and all those others who originally had ignored him here--joint heir with Stuart to all the Finchley means. And with Sondra as the central or crowning jewel to somuch sudden and such Aladdin-like splendor.
　　No thought as to how he was to overcome the time between now and October. No serious consideration of thefact that Roberta then and there was demanding that he marry her. He could put her off, he thought. And yet, atthe same time, he was painfully and nervously conscious of the fact that at no period in his life before had hebeen so treacherously poised at the very brink of disaster. It might be his duty as the world would see it--hismother would say so--to at least extricate Roberta. But in the case of Esta, who had come to her rescue? Herlover? He had walked off from her without a qualm and she had not died. And why, when Roberta was no worseoff than his sister had been, why should she seek to destroy him in this way? Force him to do something whichwould be little less than social, artistic, passional or emotional assassination? And when later, if she would butspare him for this, he could do so much more for her--with Sondra's money of course. He could not and wouldnot let her do this to him. His life would be ruined!

他们两人意见如此对立，而谁都没能耐摆脱眼前困境，如果再得不到某种机缘奥援，自然只能招致更大困难，乃至于最后灾难。偏偏老天爷又不肯帮忙，罗伯达照常天天来工厂上班，所以此事在克莱德心里总是萦绕不去。只要说服她离开这儿，到其他地方工作和生活，不会老是碰到她，也许他就可以更加冷静地进行思考了。可现在她常常在厂里露面，仿佛在不断地催问他究竟打算怎么办，简直使他没法好好思考了。事实上，如今他再也不象过去那样喜欢她了，所以压根儿忘了自己本来就应该关心她。桑德拉简直让他入了迷;只要一想到她，他就不由得神魂颠倒。

克莱德不顾眼前严重困境，还是继续沉醉于追求桑德拉这一迷人的美梦之中……而罗伯达目前凄惨的境遇，他只觉得好象是偶尔掠过一块乌云，遮住了那个迷人的美梦。因此，每到晚上，只要他跟罗伯达藕断丝连的关系许可的话，他还是充分利用如今自己在上流社会熟人多的关系，常常出去交际应酬。这时，他最最扬扬自得的是，哈里特家或是泰勒家请他赴晚宴，还有芬奇利家或是克兰斯顿家有晚会……不是他陪同桑德拉一块儿去，就是因为有希望见到桑德拉而使他心花怒放。如今，桑德拉对待他，再也不象过去那样因对他怀有好奇心而故意施诡计和矫揉造作。她常常光明正大地来找他，或是利用上流社会交际场合跟他见面。因为这些交际活动总是跟她那个圈子里头年轻人连在一起，所以在比较保守的老一辈看来，当然不会发现有什么特别的地方。

固然，芬奇利太太对交际活动特别精明，眼光也特别锐利，一开头对女儿他们一拨人如此垂青克莱德，就觉得有些疑惑。可是，她一看到不仅她自己家里，而且连桑德拉那个圈子里头的人，以至于别的人家，几乎哪儿都是竞相邀请他去赴宴作客，因此，到后来她也认为克莱德在社会上的地位一定比她原先听说过的要稳固得多。最后，她竟然通过她儿子。甚至于桑德拉开始打听有关克莱德的事了。只不过她从桑德拉那里听到的，总是含糊其词，不外乎说他是吉尔。格里菲思和贝拉。格里菲思的堂兄弟，现在几乎谁都乐于跟他交往，因为他这个人长得那么惹人喜爱……尽管他没有什么钱。依她看，她跟斯图尔特完全应该招待他。她母亲听后暂时也就信以为真……只不过嘱咐女儿千万不要跟克莱德太亲近。桑德拉尽管心里明白母亲的话里有些道理，但因如今自己早被克莱德深深地吸引住了，就只好欺骗母亲，少说也要想尽种种办法，偷偷摸摸地同克莱德来往。其实，凡是见到过克莱德和桑德拉之间交往频繁的人，都觉得他们俩那种亲密劲儿早已白热化，芬奇利老夫妇知道的话，肯定会吓一大跳。因为，姑且不说克莱德过去和现在一直对她充满梦想，如今连桑德拉自己，说真的，都被对他的种种眷念和情思所征服，眼看着快要接近神秘。危险。变化莫测的情爱的边缘了。事实上，他们除了在没有人看得见时握手。亲吻。眉来眼去以外，还对未来怀有虽然朦朦胧胧却是日益炽烈的幻想;这些幻想尽管他们俩谁都说不清，终究还是把他们俩紧紧地连在一起。

也许到了夏天……何况转眼就到了……他们俩就会在第十二号湖上驾着一叶扁舟，岸边长长的树影倒映在银色湖面上，微风习习，吹起了阵阵涟漪，这时，他划着桨，她闲卧在他身旁，通过未来的种种暗示折磨着他;也许，在离他们家别墅不远的克兰斯顿家和范特家西南的那条林间小道，路面上覆盖着青青草皮，落满斑斑驳驳的太阳光点，他们可以在六七月间慢慢悠悠地遛着马儿，去观赏离此以西大约七英里的天启岬的奇景;或许他们会去赶沙隆乡村集市，在那儿她全身是吉卜赛女郎的穿着打扮(多么罗曼蒂克!

)，正在照管一个卖货摊位，或是单凭她遛马一向有绝招，露一下她那精湛的技艺……到了午后，喝喝茶。

跳跳舞……而在月光底下，她慵倦无力地躺在他的怀抱里，他们俩是在默不出声地眉目传情哩。

俗世尘虑一点儿都没有。由于她父母的专断与将来可能反对而产生的种种禁忌，也是一点儿都没有。唯独有的是爱情和夏日风光，以及田园牧歌式的。

充满幸福的进程……走向最后无忧无虑的无人反对的结合，使他永远地属于她。

就在这时，从罗伯达这方面来说，漫长的。凄凉的。骇人的两个月已经过去了。尽管她早就想定了，但到这时还是没有走那一步。要是走了这一步，克莱德便一定身败名裂。因为，虽然她也深信，克莱德只是一直在想方设法逃避责任，并不真想跟她结婚，可她如同克莱德一样，也是随大流，害怕采取实际行动。在上回，她对他说过，非得跟她结婚不可，以后，克莱德在好几次谈话中，虽然有些含糊，但是一再威胁说，他怎么也不会跟她结婚的，即使她去他伯父那儿告状，最多他就上别处去呗。

按照他的想法，要是他在莱柯格斯目前情况受到影响，不能保住的话，那他也就没有力量跟她结婚……再说，到了她最需要帮助的时候，他也可能一点儿都帮不了她忙……这一点暗示，促使罗伯达认真考虑了克莱德迄今还没有充分暴露出来的那种残酷性格，其实，她只要仔细想一想，当初逼她放他进房间来时，早就纤毫毕露了。

虽然看到她什么行动都没有，但他还是深怕她随时会真的采取什么行动。

因此，克莱德多少改变了一下自己的态度:

在她尚未向他表示威胁前，他一直对她漠不关心，此刻就要装出少说也有点儿关心。善意和友好的样子。他发现自己处境委实太危险，所以，他就得更要耍弄手腕，比过去可以说有过之无不及。

此外，他还天真地希望(如果说不上是真的相信的话)自己使用软化手段，也许可使罗伯达就范。那就是说，如果他继续佯装对她目前的痛苦依然非常关怀，而且，到最后，如果没有别的出路，他还愿意跟她结婚(虽然事实上他怎么也无法说服自己这样做)，那么，他就可以最大程度地削弱罗伯达逼他马上结婚的决心，他也就可以赢得更多时间，想尽一切办法，既可以不逃婚，又不会逼得自己非从莱柯格斯逃走不可。

罗伯达纵然心里也明白他态度骤变的原因，但她毕竟孤苦无告，心神恍惚，也就乐于倾听克莱德佯装同情而并不是出自真情的一些批评建议。她就这样应他的恳求，答应再等一段时间，在这段时间里，他解释说，他不仅要积攒一点钱，而且还要设法把厂里工作安排好，以便能腾出一些时间来到外地去跟她结婚;他还要把她和小孩安顿好，她到了那里也就成为一个合法地结婚了的女人。

然后，他自己呢，尽管他还没有解释清楚，就回到莱柯格斯来，尽他自己力量寄钱给她，不过，当然有一个条件，就是:

除非得到他的许可，她到哪儿都不准说出他已经跟她结婚，或以任何方式指出他就是她那个小孩的父亲。另外还达成以下谅解(她再三坚决表示照办……只要他跟她结婚)，那就是:

她同意以遗弃或其它理由跟他离异，尽快到离莱柯格斯远一点的地方去，因此这儿任何人都不会知道这件事。而且讲好这事是在她跟他婚后某个合适时间内办，尽管他压根儿不相信她结婚以后会这么做。

克莱德向她作出一切许诺时，当然不是真心诚意的。至于她是不是真心诚意，他压根儿就没有注意过。他完全不想离开莱柯格斯，哪怕是为了让她摆脱目前困境而短时间地离开，除非是迫不得已。因为那就意味着他要跟桑德拉暂时离别，而这种暂时离别，不管时间多久，肯定会大大地有碍自己的计划。因此，他就照旧无所事事……有时还简直无聊透顶，竟然想到何妨来个假结婚。

这种玩意儿……他在某些情节夸张。哄动一时的电影里就见过……一个假牧师，拉上几个假证婚人，满可以哄骗那些头脑简单的乡下姑娘了。可惜罗伯达并不是这一类乡下姑娘，这就得需要花许多时间。金钱。勇气和手腕，克莱德想了一会儿，觉得自己实在没能耐。

他心里也明白，现下他正在走向即将来临的一场不可避免的大灾难，除非出现某种到目前为止尚未看见的援助。有时，他甚至幻想，万一临近关键时刻，罗伯达不再上当，要把他揭发出来，那他大不了就干脆否认自己跟她有过她所指控的这一类关系……还不如说他跟她的关系，自始至终只不过是部门头头对雇工的关系……如此而已，岂有他哉。世上竟有如此可怕的事!

然而就在这时，五月初，罗伯达因为感到自己有孕的各种征兆和症状，言词坚决地向克莱德说明，尽管自己大胆克服，过了六月一日以后，恐怕再也没法去厂里上班了，因为那时厂里女工们很可能有所发觉，使她怎么也受不了。

而偏巧在这个时候，桑德拉却告诉他，说迟至六月四日或五日，她。她母亲。

斯图尔特和一些仆人，得去第十二号湖畔他们家的别墅新筑，看看要在避暑季节开始前完工的一些设施进行得怎么样了。打这以后，最晚不会超过十八日，克兰斯顿家。哈里特家等等，也都会纷纷到达，贝拉和麦拉非常可能也去。届时，克兰斯顿家会邀请他去度周末的，反正这事她会通过伯蒂娜来安排。以后，如果一切顺利的话，哈里特家。范特家，以及住在那儿的其他人家，当然，也会邀请他去度周末。还有格林伍德湖畔格里菲思家，由于贝拉的关系，他也可以随便到那儿去。七月间，他有两周休假，那时，他不妨住到松树岬的夜总会去。要不然，她只要提一提，也许克兰斯顿家。哈里特家都会邀请他去的。反正，克莱德估计，自己用不着花多少钱(这一点钱，只要平时他手紧一些就得了)，他便可以尽情领略一下自己常在报上见到的湖畔别墅生活，更不必说他还可以在这一家或那一家的别墅里见到桑德拉了。何况，这些别墅的东道主对他的光临，并不是象桑德拉的父母那样极不友好。

这时，桑德拉还头一次跟他说，她的父母由于他继续向她大献殷勤表示不满，已经开始谈到将去欧洲作一次长时间的旅行。这就使她。她母亲和斯图尔特有可能在国外至少待上两年。但看见克莱德听到这个消息脸色立刻阴沉情绪立刻低落下来，桑德拉自己也很难过，赶紧找补着说，千万别伤心，千万别伤心呀，她相信最后一定会有好办法的。因为，从现在起到那一天为止的这段时间里，除非有一件什么事……如果说不是她目前对克莱德那种炽烈的热情，那就是她自己出奇制胜的突然进攻……把她母亲对他的态度转变过来……不然的话，在适当的时候她很可能被迫采取措施挫败她母亲。至于哪些措施呢，这时她还不肯说出来，尽管克莱德因为头脑发昏，暗中猜想一定是同他一起私奔和秘密结婚，这么一来，不管她父母对他有什么看法，那时再要否认也否认不了。

事实上，类似这样的想法，也的确在桑德拉心里朦朦胧胧地开始形成，只是一直被她压抑着罢了。接着，她对克莱德开门见山说，问题是她母亲显然很想劝导她，嫁给从前年以来一直向她大献殷勤的一个年轻人，真可以说是地地道道门当户对的一门婚事。她还乐哈哈地说，现在她既然那么爱克莱德，要她答应这门亲事，那可不容易。"现在我难就难在只是岁数还没到，"她一时来了劲儿，就说起大白话来了。"当然罗，他们就拿这来掐住我。可是一到十月份，我岁数就到了。打这以后……我要你明白……他们就是想治我也都治不了。我乐意嫁给谁就嫁给谁，反正我自个儿作主。要是莱柯格斯这儿不行……那好吧，反正有的是办法。"这个主意，对克莱德来说，就象裹上一层糖衣。足以让人精神错乱的毒药，一下子使他头脑发昏了。现在，只要……只要……没有罗伯达的问题就好了!

这个骇人的怎么也解决不了的难题呀。要是没有这个难题，要是桑德拉的父母不反对(桑德拉认为她自己有办法克服)，等着他的岂不是天堂吗?

桑德拉。第十二号湖。上流社会。财富。她的爱情和她迷人的美。他一想到这些，简直如醉似狂了。只要他跟她一结婚，桑德拉的家里人简直一点儿办法都没有。得了吧，只好表示默认，把他们接回来，住进金碧辉煌的莱柯格斯巨邸。要不然还得想法赡养他们呢……毫无疑问，克莱德最后一定会到芬奇利电气吸尘器公司供职。

那时，他岂不是跟吉尔伯特。格里菲思，以及当初所有莱柯格斯瞧不起他的人(如果说不是盖过他们)平起平坐了吗……他将跟斯图尔特一起，成为芬奇利全部财产的继承人。而且还有桑德拉，在这突如其来的犹如《一千零一夜》里阿拉丁所遇到的光辉奇迹之中，是一颗占据中心位置或者说是至高无上的宝石。

他没有想过如何度过从现在起到十月的这段时间，也没有认真思考过罗伯达提出现在要跟他结婚的要求。他心里想，还是可以拖一拖。但是，与此同时，他痛苦不安地意识到:

他一生中还从没有象现在这样危险地濒于灾难的边缘。不管是社会舆论，还是她母亲的意见都认为……也许他有责任至少应该把罗伯达搭救出来。可是爱思达呢，有谁搭救过她呢?

她的情人?

他一点儿不受良心谴责，就把她抛弃了，可她也并没有因此死去。现在罗伯达的遭际并不见得比他的姐姐更坏，干吗她非要把他的一生毁了?

干吗她非要逼他去做从社会。审美。情欲或感情上说简直与自杀毫无二致的这样的事?

要是她这次宽放了他，将来他就可以……当然是在桑德拉的金钱帮助下……给她做更多的事。不，他不可能。也决不会容许她这么对付他的。要不然，他的一生就给毁了!
Part 2 Chapter 40
Two incidents which occurred at this time tended still more to sharpen the contrary points of view holdingbetween Clyde and Roberta. One of these was no more than a glimpse which Roberta had one evening of Clydepausing at the Central Avenue curb in front of the post-office to say a few words to Arabella Stark, who in alarge and impressive-looking car, was waiting for her father who was still in the Stark Building opposite. AndMiss Stark, fashionably outfitted according to the season, her world and her own pretentious taste, was affectedlyposed at the wheel, not only for the benefit of Clyde but the public in general. And to Roberta, who by now wasreduced to the verge of distraction between Clyde's delay and her determination to compel him to act in herbehalf, she appeared to be little less than an epitome of all the security, luxury and freedom from responsibilitywhich so enticed and hence caused Clyde to delay and be as indifferent as possible to the dire state whichconfronted her. For, alas, apart from this claim of her condition, what had she to offer him comparable to all hewould be giving up in case he acceded to her request? Nothing-- a thought which was far from encouraging.
　　Yet, at this moment contrasting her own wretched and neglected state with that of this Miss Stark, for example,she found herself a prey to an even more complaining and antagonistic mood than had hitherto characterized her.
　　It was not right. It was not fair. For during the several weeks that had passed since last they had discussed thismatter, Clyde had scarcely said a word to her at the factory or elsewhere, let alone called upon her at her room,fearing as he did the customary inquiry which he could not satisfy. And this caused her to feel that not only washe neglecting but resenting her most sharply.
　　And yet as she walked home from this trivial and fairly representative scene, her heart was not nearly so angry asit was sad and sore because of the love and comfort that had vanished and was not likely ever to come again . . .
　　ever . . . ever . . . ever. Oh, how terrible, . . . how terrible!
　　On the other hand, Clyde, and at approximately this same time, was called upon to witness a scene identifiedwith Roberta, which, as some might think, only an ironic and even malicious fate could have intended orpermitted to come to pass. For motoring north the following Sunday to Arrow Lake to the lodge of the Trumbulls' to take advantage of an early spring week-end planned by Sondra, the party on nearing Biltz, whichwas in the direct line of the trip, was compelled to detour east in the direction of Roberta's home. And comingfinally to a north and south road which ran directly from Trippettsville past the Alden farm, they turned northinto that. And a few minutes later, came directly to the corner adjoining the Alden farm, where an east and westroad led to Biltz. Here Tracy Trumbull, driving at the time, requested that some one should get out and inquire atthe adjacent farm-house as to whether this road did lead to Biltz. And Clyde, being nearest to one door, jumpedout. And then, glancing at the name on the mail-box which stood at the junction and evidently belonged to theextremely dilapidated old farm-house on the rise above, he was not a little astonished to note that the name wasthat of Titus Alden--Roberta's father. Also, as it instantly came to him, since she had described her parents asbeing near Biltz, this must be her home. It gave him pause, caused him for the moment to hesitate as to whetherto go on or not, for once he had given Roberta a small picture of himself, and she might have shown it up here.
　　Again the mere identification of this lorn, dilapidated realm with Roberta and hence himself, was sufficient tocause him to wish to turn and run.
　　But Sondra, who was sitting next him in the car and now noting his hesitation, called: "What's the matter, Clyde?
　　Afraid of the bow-wow?" And he, realizing instantly that they would comment further on his actions if he didnot proceed at once, started up the path. But the effect of this house, once he contemplated it thoroughly, wassufficient to arouse in his brain the most troubled and miserable of thoughts. For what a house, to be sure! Solonely and bare, even in this bright, spring weather! The decayed and sagging roof. The broken chimney to thenorth--rough lumps of cemented field stones lying at its base; the sagging and semi-toppling chimney to thesouth, sustained in place by a log chain. The unkempt path from the road below, which slowly he ascended! Hewas not a little dejected by the broken and displaced stones which served as steps before the front door. And theunpainted dilapidated out-buildings, all the more dreary because of these others.
　　"Gee!" To think that this was Roberta's home. And to think, in the face of all that he now aspired to inconnection with Sondra and this social group at Lycurgus, she should be demanding that he marry her! AndSondra in the car with him here to see--if not know. The poverty! The reduced grimness of it all. How far he hadtraveled away from just such a beginning as this!
　　With a weakening and sickening sensation at the pit of his stomach, as of some blow administered there, he nowapproached the door. And then, as if to further distress him, if that were possible, the door was opened by TitusAlden, who, in an old, thread-bare and out-at-elbows coat, as well as baggy, worn, jean trousers and rough,shineless, ill-fitting country shoes, desired by his look to know what he wanted. And Clyde, being taken abackby the clothes, as well as a marked resemblance to Roberta about the eyes and mouth, now as swiftly as possibleasked if the east and west road below ran through Biltz and joined the main highway north. And although hewould have preferred a quick "yes" so that he might have turned and gone, Titus preferred to step down into theyard and then, with a gesture of the arm, indicate that if they wanted to strike a really good part of the road, theyhad better follow this Trippettsville north and south road for at least two more miles, and then turn west. Clydethanked him briefly and turned almost before he had finished and hurried away.
　　For, as he now recalled, and with an enormous sense of depression, Roberta was thinking and at this very time,that soon now, and in the face of all Lycurgus had to offer him--Sondra--the coming spring and summer--thelove and romance, gayety, position, power--he was going to give all that up and go away with and marry her.
　　Sneak away to some out-of-the-way place! Oh, how horrible! And with a child at his age! Oh, why had he ever been so foolish and weak as to identify himself with her in this intimate way? Just because of a few lonelyevenings! Oh, why, why couldn't he have waited and then this other world would have opened up to him just thesame? If only he could have waited!
　　And now unquestionably, unless he could speedily and easily disengage himself from her, all this other splendidrecognition would be destined to be withdrawn from him, and this other world from which he sprang mightextend its gloomy, poverty-stricken arms to him and envelop him once more, just as the poverty of his familyhad enveloped and almost strangled him from the first. And it even occurred to him, in a vague way for the firsttime, how strange it was that this girl and he, whose origin had been strikingly similar, should have been sodrawn to each other in the beginning. Why should it have been? How strange life was, anyway? But even moreharrowing than this, was the problem of a way out that was before him. And his mind from now on, on this trip,was once more searching for some solution. A word of complaint from Roberta or her parents to his uncle orGilbert, and assuredly he would be done for.
　　The thought so troubled him that once in the car, and although previously he had been chattering along with theothers about what might be in store ahead in the way of divertissement, he now sat silent. And Sondra, who satnext to him and who previously had been whispering at intervals of her plans for the summer, now, instead ofresuming the patter, whispered: "What come over de sweet phing?" (When Clyde appeared to be the leastreduced in mind she most affected this patter with him, since it had an almost electric, if sweetly tormentingeffect on him. "His baby-talking girl," he sometimes called her.) "Facey all dark now. Little while ago facey allsmiles. Come make facey all nice again. Smile at Sondra. Squeeze Sondra's arm like good boy, Clyde."She turned and looked up into his eyes to see what if any effect this baby-worded cajolery was having, and Clydedid his best to brighten, of course. But even so, and in the face of all this amazingly wonderful love on her partfor him, the specter of Roberta and all that she represented now in connection with all this, was ever before him-herstate, her very recent edict in regard to it, the obvious impossibility of doing anything now but go away withher.
　　Why--rather than let himself in for a thing like that--would it not be better, and even though he lost Sondra onceand for all, for him to decamp as in the instance of the slain child in Kansas City--and be heard of nevermorehere. But then he would lose Sondra, his connections here, and his uncle--this world! The loss! The loss! Themisery of once more drifting about here and there; of being compelled to write his mother once more concerningcertain things about his flight, which some one writing from here might explain to her afterwards--and so muchmore damagingly. And the thoughts concerning him on the part of his relatives! And of late he had been writinghis mother that he was doing so well. What was it about his life that made things like this happen to him? Wasthis what his life was to be like? Running away from one situation and another just to start all over somewhereelse--perhaps only to be compelled to flee from something worse. No, he could not run away again. He must faceit and solve it in some way. He must!
　　God!

这时偶然发生两件事，使克莱德和罗伯达之间意见分歧不可调和了。有一天晚上，罗伯达偶然瞥见克莱德在邮局前面中央大道边沿停下来，跟正坐在一辆很大很阔气的轿车里等父亲从对面斯塔克大厦里出来的阿拉贝拉。斯塔克说了几句话。斯塔克小姐穿着一套合乎时令节序。合乎她那上流社会口味。合乎她自己矫揉造作的脾性的时髦衣服，撤娇地坐在驾驶座旁边，不仅是给克莱德看，而且也是给众人看。这时，罗伯达一是因为克莱德一再延宕，二是坚决要求他设法帮助自己，几乎快要发疯了。在她心目中，斯塔克简直就是安适。奢华。飘逸。洒脱所有这一切的化身;而正是这些使克莱德入了迷，因而一再延宕，并对她可怕的遭际完全无动于衷。事实上，根据目前状况，她是有权向他提出这种要求的，不过，万一他答应了她的要求，把这一切通通放弃了，那末，倘若与前者相比，她即使倾其所有，能给他报偿的，又是些什么呢?

什么也都没有……想到这里，真让人泄气!

不过，这时她把自己被人歧视的可怜的遭际，跟斯塔克小姐的境遇进行比较后，心里觉得自己从来没有象此刻这样充满痛恨和敌视。这太不合理，太不公平了，自从他们讨论这件事后，一连好几个星期，不论是在厂里或是别处，克莱德压根儿没跟她说过一句话，更不用说到她住处看她了(因为他害怕她又会提起那个他怎么也回答不了的老问题)。这就让她感到，他不仅冷淡她:

而且真的还非常恨她。

她看了这个平平常常但又是极有代表性的场面后走回家去时，心里充满了与其说是愤怒，还不如说是悲哀和痛苦。要知道爱情呀。安慰呀，早已烟消云散，以后恐怕也不会再来……永远……永远……永远也不会再来。啊，多可怕……多可怕呀!

差不多就在这个时候，克莱德有一次碰巧也看到了跟罗伯达直接有关的场面。这件事在有些人看来，也许觉得唯有命运的嘲讽乃至于恶意作弄才会发生的。这个星期天，一群年轻人在桑德拉的建议下，开了汽车向莱柯格斯以北箭湖驶去，打算到特朗布尔家的别墅去度初春的周末。比尔茨是必经之地，车子开到这里附近，必须往东绕道，朝罗伯达家的方向开。随后看到一条南北向的公路(它是从特里佩茨米尔斯直奔而来，经过奥尔登家的农场)，他们的车子朝北掉头，才开上了这条公路。几分钟以后，车子径直开到了临近奥尔登农场的岔路口，那儿有一条东西向的公路通往比尔茨。开车的特雷西。特朗布尔提议说，最好有谁下了车，到附近农家打听一下，这条公路是不是一直通往比尔茨。克莱德坐位离车门最近，便马上跳下了车。他端了一下设置在岔路口的一只信箱上的名字。这只信箱显然是高地上那破烂不堪的农家的。他不由得大吃一惊，看到上面写的是泰特斯。奥尔登……罗伯达的父亲的名字。他立时回想到，过去她说过她父母是住在比尔茨附近，想必这儿就是她的老家了。他一下子茫然不知所措，真不知道自己该不该继续往前走去。因为有一回他把自己一张小照送给了罗伯达，而她很可能拿到这儿传看过。何况眼前这个荒凉破烂的地方是跟罗伯达有关，因而也就跟他有关，仅仅这一点，他恨不得扭头就跑。

可是，车子上坐在他身旁的桑德拉，一看到他迟疑不定的神态，便高声喊道:

"克莱德，怎么回事呀?

怕汪汪汪狗叫声吗?

"他马上一个闪念，要是他不赶紧往前走，他们势必对他议论更多，于是就直奔小路而去了。可是，他把这所房子再仔细打量一遍后，最最困扰，最最痛苦的念头一齐涌上心头。那房子肯定破得够呛!

屋顶都破了，往下塌。北边那个破烟囱底座四周，是乱七八糟一堆嵌过水泥的石块;南边那个往下陷，快要坍下来的烟囱，却是靠几根圆木撑住的。

此刻他正在缓步走去的，就是从路边通往高地的那条坑坑洼洼的小路。他一见到一块块早已开裂。错位的石板就算是正门前的台阶，真是大煞风景。还有那些连白灰都没刷过的披屋，在四周围其它房子的衬托下，越发显得灰不溜丢。

"啊!

"原来这就是罗伯达的家。正当他一心高攀桑德拉和这些莱柯格斯上流社会里的人时，她竟然要求他跟她结婚!

而桑德拉刚才就跟他一块在车上，此刻正在抬眼看着这一切……尽管她还什么都不知道。穷得够呛!

这一切真够骇人啊。

他原来也是从这种穷地方开始起步的，但是现在他已经走得该有多远啊!

他觉得仿佛肚子上挨了一拳，一阵阵恶心要吐，就往正门口走去。好象故意让他难堪似的，开门的恰好是泰特斯。奥尔登。他身上穿一件破烂不堪。肘子弯都露了出来的外套，一条鼓鼓囊囊的旧斜纹布裤子，脚上着一双粗劣。不擦油。不合脚的乡巴佬鞋。他两眼直瞅着克莱德，仿佛在问对方有什么事。克莱德看到他那一身打扮，还有他那眼睛。嘴巴活象罗伯达，就吓了一跳，赶紧开口问高地底下那条东西向的路是否经过比尔茨跟北面那条公路连接起来。这时但愿他说一声"是的"，克莱德便马上掉头就跑了。可是泰特斯偏从台阶上一步步走下来，走到院子里，举起胳臂比划了一下，表示:

如果要想舒舒服服走一程路，最好顺着特里佩茨米尔斯这条从北向南的路，至少走上两英里，然后再往西拐。克莱德匆匆向他道了谢，还没有等泰特斯把话说完，赶紧转身就跑了。

这时，他心里无比沮丧地想:

罗伯达偏偏在这个时候想要他马上把莱柯格斯给予他的一切……桑德拉……即将来临的春夏两季……爱情。罗曼史。欢乐。

地位。权力等等……一古脑儿都抛弃，跟她一块儿上外地结婚去。偷偷地溜到一个人迹罕至的地方去!

唉，多可怕呀!

而且，他这么个年纪，就有了小孩!

唉，他干吗这么傻，这么意志薄弱，跟她发生了私情?

就是因为难捱过这几个孤寂的夜晚!

唉，干吗他就不能等一等，这另一个新世界不是照样向他敞开着吗?

要是当初他能等一等就好了!

可现在呢，毫无疑问，要是他不能马上干脆利索地摆脱掉她，这个珠光宝气的新世界给予他的优遇，一定都会丧失殆尽，而他原来出身的那个世界，穷困便会伸出它令人沮丧的双手，重新把他攫住，如同当初他家的穷困把他攫住，一开头差点儿把他扼杀掉。他甚至生平头一遭朦朦胧胧地想:

说来也真怪，这个姑娘和他，出身何等惊人地相似，两人一开头就那么强烈地吸引住了。为什么会有这样的事呢?

不管怎么说，人生该有多么奇怪啊?

然而，更折磨他的是他目前面临的问题:

怎样才能找到出路。就从此刻起，他一路上所想的，便是再看看有何解决办法。罗伯达或是她的父母要是向他伯父或是吉尔伯特告发一个字，那他肯定全都得毁了。

他一想到这里就心乱如麻，可是一上车，他便默不出声地坐着，尽管刚才他还很起劲地跟大伙儿谈着等一会儿怎么个玩法。桑德拉紧挨着坐在他身边，刚才还不时低声跟他谈到她今年夏天的计划，这时并没有继续谈下去，只是轻声耳语道:

"小宝贝怎么啦?

"(每当克莱德非常不开心的时候，她喜欢就象逗弄小孩那样跟他说话。她这一套嗲声嗲气，如同电流通过似的立时在他身上见效，让他感到既是甜丝丝，又是麻辣辣的。有时，他就管她叫做"他那个咿呀学语的小姑娘"。)"脸儿沉下来了。刚才还是满脸笑眯眯。得了，得了，我的小宝贝脸儿马上乐呵呵吧。对着桑德拉笑一笑。克莱德，要拉着桑德拉的胳臂，做一个乖孩子。"她侧转脸来，抬眼直望着他的眼睛，看看这一套逗孩子的话语有什么效果。

克莱德自然尽量装出眉开眼笑的样子来。然而，即使是这样，在桑德拉现在如此惊人地迷恋他的时候，他眼前始终映现着罗伯达的幽灵，以及与她休戚相关的所有一切……她目前的境况，最近她作出的决定，以及他除了跟她一块出走以外，显然已是无路可走了。

是啊……与其为了这样的事陷入困境……还不如干脆一溜了事(哪怕他从此永远失去桑德拉)，如同当初在堪萨斯城压死那个小孩后一溜了事那样……从此以后，这儿的人再也听不到他的一点音信。不过，这意味着，他就会失掉桑德拉，失掉这儿的所有一切关系，失掉他的伯父以及所有这一切!

多大的损失呀!

多大的损失呀!

又得到处漂泊流浪，受苦受罪;还得写信给他母亲，说明他逃离莱柯格斯的原因，以及要是这儿有人写信去，肯定都会告诉她的……那就更厉害呢。他的那些亲戚对他会有什么想法呀!

最近他还给母亲写过信，说他在这儿很得意。他这个人怎么会老碰上这类事?

难道是他命里注定了吗?

总是从这儿或那儿一次次逃走，到了别处再从头开始……也许更糟……到头来不得不再逃走。不，现在他不能再逃了。他就得面对灾难，怎么也要想法解决它。他非得解决它不可!

老天哪!
Part 2 Chapter 41
The fifth of June arriving, the Finchleys departed as Sondra had indicated, but not without a most urgent requestfrom her that he be prepared to come to the Cranstons' either the second or third week-end following--she toadvise him definitely later--a departure which so affected Clyde that he could scarcely think what to do withhimself in her absence, depressed as he was by the tangle which Roberta's condition presented. And exactly atthis time also, Roberta's fears and demands had become so urgent that it was really no longer possible for him toassure her that if she would but wait a little while longer, he would be prepared to act in her behalf. Plead as hemight, her case, as she saw it, was at last critical and no longer to be trifled with in any way. Her figure, as sheinsisted (although this was largely imaginative on her part), had altered to such an extent that it would not bepossible for her longer to conceal it, and all those who worked with her at the factory were soon bound to know.
　　She could no longer work or sleep with any comfort--she must not stay here any more. She was havingpreliminary pains--purely imaginary ones in her case. He must marry her now, as he had indicated he would, andleave with her at once--for some place--any place, really--near or far--so long as she was extricated from thispresent terrible danger. And she would agree, as she now all but pleaded, to let him go his way again as soon astheir child was born--truly--and would not ask any more of him ever--ever. But now, this very week--not laterthan the fifteenth at the latest--he must arrange to see her through with this as he had promised.
　　But this meant that he would be leaving with her before ever he should have visited Sondra at Twelfth Lake atall, and without ever seeing her any more really. And, besides, as he so well knew, he had not saved the sumnecessary to make possible the new venture on which she was insisting. In vain it was that Roberta nowexplained that she had saved over a hundred, and they could make use of that once they were married or to helpin connection with whatever expenses might be incurred in getting to wherever he should decide they weregoing. All that he would see or feel was that this meant the loss of everything to him, and that he would have togo away with her to some relatively near-by place and get work at anything he could, in order to support her asbest he might. But the misery of such a change! The loss of all his splendid dreams. And yet, racking his brains,he could think of nothing better than that she should quit and go home for the time being, since as he nowargued, and most shrewdly, as he thought, he needed a few more weeks to prepare for the change which wasupon them both. For, in spite of all his efforts, as he now falsely asserted, he had not been able to save as muchas he had hoped. He needed at least three or four more weeks in which to complete the sum, which he had beenlooking upon as advisable in the face of this meditated change. Was not she herself guessing, as he knew, that itcould not be less than a hundred and fifty or two hundred dollars--quite large sums in her eyes--whereas, abovehis current salary, Clyde had no more than forty dollars and was dreaming of using that and whatever else hemight secure in the interim to meet such expenses as might be incurred in the anticipated visit to Twelfth Lake.
　　But to further support his evasive suggestion that she now return to her home for a short period, he added thatshe would want to fix herself up a little, wouldn't she? She couldn't go away on a trip like this, which involvedmarriage and a change of social contacts in every way, without some improvements in her wardrobe. Why nottake her hundred dollars or a part of it anyhow and use it for that? So desperate was his state that he evensuggested that. And Roberta, who, in the face of her own uncertainty up to this time as to what was to become ofher had not ventured to prepare or purchase anything relating either to a trousseau or layette, now began to thinkthat whatever the ulterior purpose of his suggestion, which like all the others was connected with delay, it mightnot be unwise even now if she did take a fortnight or three weeks, and with the assistance of an inexpensive andyet tolerable dressmaker, who had aided her sister at times, make at least one or two suitable dresses--a floweredgray taffeta afternoon dress, such as she had once seen in a movie, in which, should Clyde keep his word, she could be married. To match this pleasing little costume, she planned to add a chic little gray silk hat--pokeshaped,with pink or scarlet cherries nestled up under the brim, together with a neat little blue serge travelingsuit, which, with brown shoes and a brown hat, would make her as smart as any bride. The fact that suchpreparations as these meant additional delay and expense, or that Clyde might not marry her after all, or that thisproposed marriage from the point of view of both was the tarnished and discolored thing that it was, was still notsufficient to take from the thought of marriage as an event, or sacrament even, that proper color and romancewith which it was invested in her eyes and from which, even under such an unsatisfactory set of circumstances asthese, it could not be divorced. And, strangely enough, in spite of all the troubled and strained relations that haddeveloped between them, she still saw Clyde in much the same light in which she had seen him at first. He was aGriffiths, a youth of genuine social, if not financial distinction, one whom all the girls in her position, as well asmany of those far above her, would be delighted to be connected with in this way--that is, via marriage. He mightbe objecting to marrying her, but he was a person of consequence, just the same. And one with whom, if hewould but trouble to care for her a little, she could be perfectly happy. And at any rate, once he had loved her.
　　And it was said of men--some men, anyway (so she had heard her mother and others say) that once a child waspresented to them, it made a great difference in their attitude toward the mother, sometimes. They came to likethe mother, too. Anyhow for a little while--a very little while--if what she had agreed to were strictly observed,she would have him with her to assist her through this great crisis--to give his name to her child--to aid her untilshe could once more establish herself in some way.
　　For the time being, therefore, and with no more plan than this, although with great misgivings and nervousqualms, since, as she could see, Clyde was decidedly indifferent, she rested on this. And it was in this mood thatfive days later, and after Roberta had written to her parents that she was coming home for two weeks at least, toget a dress or two made and to rest a little, because she was not feeling very well, that Clyde saw her off for herhome in Biltz, riding with her as far as Fonda. But in so far as he was concerned, and since he had really nodefinite or workable idea, it seemed important to him that only silence, SILENCE was the great and all essentialthing now, so that, even under the impending edge of the knife of disaster, he might be able to think more, andmore, and more, without being compelled to do anything, and without momentarily being tortured by the thoughtthat Roberta, in some nervous or moody or frantic state, would say or do something which, assuming that heshould hit upon some helpful thought or plan in connection with Sondra, would prevent him from executing it.
　　And about the same time, Sondra was writing him gay notes from Twelfth Lake as to what he might expect uponhis arrival a little later. Blue water--white sails--tennis--golf-horseback riding--driving. She had it all arrangedwith Bertine, as she said. And kisses--kisses--kisses!

到了六月五日，芬奇利一家人果然全走了，正如桑德拉早就说过，而且还不止一次提醒克莱德做好一切准备，以便在第二个或第三个周末……具体日期，以后她会通知他的……去克兰斯顿家。桑德拉一走，克莱德心里乱了套。因为她不在这里了，他便不知道怎么办才好，而他跟罗伯达那种纠缠不清的关系，却使他心里感到非常难受。恰好就在这个时候，罗伯达的恐惧和要求越来越紧迫了，再也没法安慰她，说什么只要再等一下他便准备设法帮助她。不管他怎么进行辩解，她心里明白，她的症状终于到了危急关头，再也不能视同儿戏了。

她的身子，正如她一个劲儿说(虽说这多半出于她自己的恐惧心理吧)已经完全变了样，叫她再也掩盖不住了，因此马上就会被所有跟她在厂里一块干活的人所发觉。她再也不能安心干活，或者安心睡觉了……在这儿，她断断乎再也待不下去了。她已经感到了有点儿初期疼痛……这纯属她的恐惧所致。克莱德必须照他过去所说的，现在就跟她结婚，马上跟她一块走……到某一个地方去……说实话……近也好，远也好……反正到哪儿都行……只要她能安渡过这次可怕的难关。而且她同意(现在她几乎苦苦哀求)只要他们的孩子一出生，就让他离开她……千真万确……而且永远再也不向他要求什么……永远。永远不会。不过现在，就是眼前这个星期……至迟不能超过十五日……他必须照他过去答应过那样，帮助她渡过难关。

这一切就是说，克莱德在他到第十二号湖去看桑德拉以前，就得跟她一块出走，以后真的再也见不到她了。此外，他自己心里也很清楚，她硬要进行新的冒险，少不了就要花钱，而那笔钱迄今他还没有积攒好。罗伯达虽然对他说，她自己积蓄了一百多块美元，只要他们一结婚，这笔钱他们就可以动用了，或是只要他一决定迁出莱柯格斯到外地去，这笔钱也可以拿来贴补贴补。尽管她明明说过，还是好象白说了一样。他心里意识别的，只有一个问题:

这意味着他所有一切就都得牺牲了。而且，为了尽自己力量赡养她，他不得不跟她一块到附近不太远的地方去，只好有什么活就干什么活了。可是，这一变，该有多惨!

他所有的美梦全都破灭了。不过，哪怕他绞尽脑汁也想不出更好的办法来，除了只好让她暂时离开这儿回老家去。现在他居然这么说……而且自以为说得鬼极了……依他看，应付即将临到他们两人头上的这一变故，他好歹也得要有几个星期准备啊。他还一再撒谎说，他尽管作出了种种努力，迄今还没能象自己预期那样积下一笔钱。他至少还得要有三四个星期才能把这个数目凑齐。据他估摸，要应付他们设想过的这次变故，这么一个数目已是必不可少了。此刻他还记得，不是她自己也估计过，说至少得一百五十块美元或是两百块美元吗……在她眼里，这是一笔相当大的数目了……然而，事实上，克莱德除了每月薪水以外，倾其所有，也只不过四十块美元罢了……而他却梦想拿了这一点钱和临行前还可能寻摸到。也不管究竟能有多少的钱，作为拟议中第十二号湖上之行的花销。

不过，克莱德为了使自己劝说她暂时先回家这一闪烁其词的建议更加富有说服力，便找补着说，也许她不是多少也得做点准备吗?

她这次回娘家，内容涉及到自己出嫁，甚至连各方面的社会关系都会有所改变，总不能不添置一点衣服就走了吧。为什么不先拿她这一百块美元(或者哪怕只是里头的一部分)来派个用场呢?

克莱德实在是急得没办法了，只好连这么个馊主意都给抛出来了。罗伯达因为对自己的前途迄今还是一点儿也说不准，所以不管是自己妆奁也好，还是新生婴儿用品也好，既不敢买，也没有缝制。可现在她想，不管他这个主意有没有险恶的用心，反正跟他所有的主意一样，总是跟一再延宕有关，其实，她自己心里早就有了谱，她未尝不可花上两三个星期时间，找一个有时给她妹妹帮忙的裁缝，花钱不多，手工还算过得去，至少要做一两件合适的衣服……有一件是灰底带花塔夫绸连衣裙，准备午后穿的，就照她在电影里见过的那种款式做……要是克莱德过去说的话算数，举行婚礼时，她还可以穿上这一件呢。

这是一件惹人喜欢的漂亮时装，为了陪衬出它的美来，她打算再做一只飘逸潇洒的小小的灰色缎子帽……要有撑边的女帽的那一种款式，并有淡红色或深红色樱桃紧偎着作为帽饰，另加一身素雅的蓝哗叽旅行装，倘若一配上棕色鞋。

棕色帽，她那动人的丰采决不会逊于任何一位新娘了。尽管这些准备意味着又得稽延时日，还要耗费不少钱，尽管克莱德压根儿不可能跟她结婚;而且这种拟议中的结婚在他们俩看来早已是褪了色。黯淡无光了，事实上确实也是如此……但是，不管怎么说，始终改变不了她的想法:

结婚是一个人的终身大事，甚至是庄严有如圣礼，在她心目中还富有特殊的魅力与罗曼蒂克情调，哪怕是在目前这种很不如意的情况之下，也这么想。说来也真怪，尽管他们之间产生了那么令人烦恼的僵局，罗伯达还是用最初见到他时那种眼光来看待克莱德。他是格里菲思家族的一个成员，一个地地道道的上流社会里的年轻人，虽然他不是很有钱。她那个圈子里所有的姑娘，以及许许多多出身比她高得多的姑娘也都乐于用这种方式与他联系在一起……也就是说嫁给他。也许他并不愿意跟她结婚，但不管怎么说，他还是一个重要人物。唯有跟他在一起，她才可以说得到了无上幸福，哪怕他只有一点儿喜欢她。反正过去他确实是爱她的。据说，凡是男人，至少说有些男人是这样(她听见母亲和一些熟人说过的)，只要一添了新生婴儿，他们态度有时就大变，甚至连孩子的妈也都喜欢起来了。不管怎么说，只要她同意过的那些条件他能够严格遵守，那她就可以有那么短短的一段时间……很短的一段时间……有他守在自己身边，帮助她渡过这个难关……把他的名字传给她的孩子……支持她一直到她又能完全自立为止。

既然除此以外她没有其他的设想，所以，她就只好暂时聊以自慰，虽然她心里还是非常疑惧，并且深感悔恨，因为她看得出，克莱德显然对她漠不关心。

于是，就在这种心境下，过了五天，罗伯达动身回家去了。(事前给她父母写了信，说她要回家来了，因为她觉得自己身体不太舒服。)那天她动身回比尔茨，克莱德给她送行，跟她一块搭车直到方达才分手。不过，就他来说，因为他实在没有什么明确的想法，或是行得通的办法，因此，他觉得唯有缄默才最重要。

此刻他觉得只有缄默才是绝顶重要的事，以便即使在灾难的利刃悬在他头顶上时他还能想得更多些，更多些，更多些，不被她逼着去做自己不乐意做的事，也暂时不会被这么一种担忧所折磨，那就是，深怕罗伯达在惊慌。忧郁，或是疯狂的心态下可能会说的或做的将使他拟就的跟桑德拉有关的某个好计划无法实现……倘若他想得出这么一个好计划的话。

差不多就在这个时候，桑德拉从第十二号湖畔写给了他一些充满欢乐气氛的信，谈到不久以后他一到那儿将有一些什么事情等待着他。碧水……白帆……网球……高尔夫球……遛马……开汽车兜风，这一切，正如她前次所说的那样，她已经跟伯蒂娜全都商量好了。此外还有亲吻。亲吻。亲吻!
Part 2 Chapter 42
Two letters, which arrived at this time and simultaneously, but accentuated the difficulty of all this.
　　Pine Point Landing, June 10thCLYDE MYDIE:
　　How is my pheet phing? All whytie? It's just glorious up here. Lots of people already here and more comingevery day. The Casino and golf course over at Pine Point are open and lots of people about. I can hear Stuart andGrant with their launches going up toward Gray's Inlet now. You must hurry and come up, dear. It's too nice forwords. Green roads to gallop through, and swimming and dancing at the Casino every afternoon at four. Justback from a wonderful gallop on Dickey and going again after luncheon to mail these letters. Bertine says she'llwrite you a letter to-day or tomorrow good for any week-end or any old time, so when Sonda says come, youcome, you hear, else Sonda whip hard. You baddie, good boy.
　　Is he working hard in the baddie old factory? Sonda wisses he was here wiss her instead. We'd ride and drive andswim and dance. Don't forget your tennis racquet and golf clubs. There's a dandy course on the Casino grounds.
　　This morning when I was riding a bird flew right up under Dickey's heels. It scared him so that he bolted, andSonda got all switched and scwatched. Isn't Clydie sorry for his Sonda?
　　She is writing lots of notes to-day. After lunch and the ride to catch the down mail, Sonda and Bertine and Ninagoing to the Casino. Don't you wish you were going to be there? We could dance to "Taudy." Sonda just lovesthat song. But she has to dress now. More to-morrow, baddie boy. And when Bertine writes, answer right away.
　　See all 'ose dots? Kisses. Big and little ones. All for baddie boy. And wite Sonda every day and she'll write 'oo.
　　More kisses.
　　To which Clyde responded eagerly and in kind in the same hour. But almost the same mail, at least the same day,brought the following letter from Roberta.
　　Biltz, June 10th.
　　DEAR CLYDE:
　　I am nearly ready for bed, but I will write you a few lines. I had such a tiresome journey coming up that I wasnearly sick. In the first place I didn't want to come much (alone) as you know. I feel too upset and uncertainabout everything, although I try not to feel so now that we have our plan and you are going to come for me asyou said.
　　(At this point, while nearly sickened by the thought of the wretched country world in which she lived, still,because of Roberta's unfortunate and unavoidable relation to it, he now experienced one of his old time twingesof remorse and pity in regard to her. For after all, this was not her fault. She had so little to look forward to-nothingbut her work or a commonplace marriage. For the first time in many days, really, and in the absence ofboth, he was able to think clearly--and to sympathize deeply, if gloomily. For the remainder of the letter read:)But it's very nice here now. The trees are so beautifully green and the flowers in bloom. I can hear the bees in theorchard whenever I go near the south windows. On the way up instead of coming straight home I decided to stopat Homer to see my sister and brother-in-law, since I am not so sure now when I shall see them again, if ever, forI am resolved that they shall see me respectable, or never at all any more. You mustn't think I mean anythinghard or mean by this. I am just sad. They have such a cute little home there, Clyde--pretty furniture, a victrola and all, and Agnes is so very happy with Fred. I hope she always will be. I couldn't help thinking of what a dearplace we might have had, if only my dreams had come true. And nearly all the time I was there Fred kept teasingme as to why I don't get married, until I said, "Oh, well, Fred, you mustn't be too sure that I won't one of thesedays. All good things come to him who waits, you know." "Yes, unless you just turn out to be a waiter," was theway he hit me back.
　　But I was truly glad to see mother again, Clyde. She's so loving and patient and helpful. The sweetest, dearestmother that ever, ever was. And I just hate to hurt her in any way. And Tom and Emily, too. They have hadfriends here every evening since I've been here--and they want me to join in, but I hardly feel well enough nowto do all the things they want me to do--play cards and games--dance.
　　(At this point Clyde could not help emphasizing in his own mind the shabby home world of which she was a partand which so recently he had seen--that rickety house! those toppling chimneys! Her uncouth father. And that incontrast to such a letter as this other from Sondra.)Father and mother and Tom and Emily just seem to hang around and try to do things for me. And I feelremorseful when I think how they would feel if they knew, for, of course, I have to pretend that it is work thatmakes me feel so tired and depressed as I am sometimes. Mother keeps saying that I must stay a long time or quitentirely and rest and get well again, but she just don't know of course--poor dear. If she did! I can't tell you howthat makes me feel sometimes, Clyde. Oh, dear!
　　But there, I mustn't put my sad feelings over on you either. I don't want to, as I told you, if you will only comeand get me as we've agreed. And I won't be like that either, Clyde. I'm not that way all the time now. I've startedto get ready and do all the things it'll take to do in three weeks and that's enough to keep my mind off everythingbut work. But you will come for me, won't you, dear? You won't disappoint me any more and make me sufferthis time like you have so far, for, oh, how long it has been now--ever since I was here before at Christmas time,really. But you were truly nice to me. I promise not to be a burden on you, for I know you don't really care forme any more and so I don't care much what happens now, so long as I get out of this. But I truly promise not tobe a burden on you.
　　Oh, dear, don't mind this blot. I just don't seem to be able to control myself these days like I once could.
　　But as for what I came for. The family think they are clothes for a party down in Lycurgus and that I must behaving a wonderful time. Well, it's better that way than the other. I may have to come as far as Fonda to get somethings, if I don't send Mrs. Anse, the dressmaker, and if so, and if you wanted to see me again before you come,although I don't suppose you do, you could. I'd like to see you and talk to you again if you care to, before westart. It all seems so funny to me, Clyde, having these clothes made and wishing to see you so much and yetknowing that you would rather not do this. And yet I hope you are satisfied now that you have succeeded inmaking me leave Lycurgus and come up here and are having what you call a good time. Are they so very muchbetter than the ones we used to have last summer when we went about to the lakes and everywhere? Butwhatever they are, Clyde, surely you can afford to do this for me without feeling too bad. I know it seems hard toyou now, but you don't want to forget either that if I was like some that I know, I might and would ask more. Butas I told you I'm not like that and never could be. If you don't really want me after you have helped me out like Isaid, you can go.
　　Please write me, Clyde, a long, cheery letter, even though you don't want to, and tell me all about how you havenot thought of me once since I've been away or missed me at all--you used to, you know, and how you don't wantme to come back and you can't possibly come up before two weeks from Saturday if then.
　　Oh, dear, I don't mean the horrid things I write, but I'm so blue and tired and lonely that I can't help it at times. Ineed some one to talk to--not just any one here, because they don't understand, and I can't tell anybody.
　　But there, I said I wouldn't be blue or gloomy or cross and yet I haven't done so very well this time, have I? But Ipromise to do better next time--tomorrow or next day, because it relieves me to write to you, Clyde. And won'tyou please write me just a few words to cheer me up while I'm waiting, whether you mean it or not, I need it so.
　　And you will come, of course. I'll be so happy and grateful and try not to bother you too much in any way.
　　Your lonelyBERTAnd it was the contrast presented by these two scenes which finally determined for him the fact that he wouldnever marry Roberta-- never--nor even go to her at Biltz, or let her come back to him here, if he could avoid that.
　　For would not his going, or her return, put a period to all the joys that so recently in connection with Sondra hadcome to him here--make it impossible for him to be with Sondra at Twelfth Lake this summer--make itimpossible for him to run away with and marry her? In God's name was there no way? No outlet from thishorrible difficulty which now confronted him?
　　And in a fit of despair, having found the letters in his room on his return from work one warm evening in June,he now threw himself upon his bed and fairly groaned. The misery of this! The horror of his almost insolubleproblem! Was there no way by which she could be persuaded to go away--and stay--remain at home, maybe for awhile longer, while he sent her ten dollars a week, or twelve, even--a full half of all his salary? Or could she goto some neighboring town--Fonda, Gloversville, Schenectady--she was not so far gone but what she could takecare of herself well enough as yet, and rent a room and remain there quietly until the fatal time, when she couldgo to some doctor or nurse? He might help her to find some one like that when the time came, if only she wouldbe willing not to mention his name.
　　But this business of making him come to Biltz, or meeting her somewhere, and that within two weeks or less. Hewould not, he would not. He would do something desperate if she tried to make him do that--run away--or-maybego up to Twelfth Lake before it should be time for him to go to Biltz, or before she would think it wastime, and then persuade Sondra if he could--but oh, what a wild, wild chance was that--to run away with andmarry him, even if she wasn't quite eighteen--and then--and then--being married, and her family not being able todivorce them, and Roberta not being able to find him, either, but only to complain--well, couldn't he deny it--saythat it was not so--that he had never had any relationship, other than that which any department head might havewith any girl working for him. He had not been introduced to the Gilpins, nor had he gone with Roberta to seethat Dr. Glenn near Gloversville, and she had told him at the time, she had not mentioned his name.
　　But the nerve of trying to deny it!
　　The courage it would take.
　　The courage to try to face Roberta when, as he knew, her steady, accusing, horrified, innocent, blue eyes wouldbe about as difficult to face as anything in all the world. And could he do that? Had he the courage? And would itall work out satisfactorily if he did? Would Sondra believe him--once she heard?
　　But just the same in pursuance of this idea, whether finally he executed it or not, even though he went to TwelfthLake, he must write Sondra a letter saying that he was coming. And this he did at once, writing her passionatelyand yearningly. At the same time he decided not to write Roberta at all. Maybe call her on long distance, sinceshe had recently told him that there was a neighbor near-by who had a telephone, and if for any reason he neededto reach her, he could use that. For writing her in regard to all this, even in the most guarded way, would place inher hands, and at this time, exactly the type of evidence in regard to this relationship which she would most need,and especially when he was so determined not to marry her. The trickery of all this! It was low and shabby, nodoubt. Yet if only Roberta had agreed to be a little reasonable with him, he would never have dreamed ofindulging in any such low and tricky plan as this. But, oh, Sondra! Sondra! And the great estate that she haddescribed, lying along the west shore of Twelfth Lake. How beautiful that must be! He could not help it! Hemust act and plan as he was doing! He must!
　　And forthwith he arose and went to mail the letter to Sondra. And then while out, having purchased an eveningpaper and hoping via the local news of all whom he knew, to divert his mind for the time being, there, upon thefirst page of the Times-union of Albany, was an item which read:
　　ACCIDENTAL DOUBLE TRAGEDY AT PASS LAKE--UPTURNED CANOE AND FLOATING HATSREVEAL PROBABLE LOSS OF TWO LIVES AT RESORT NEAR PITTSFIELD--UNIDENTIFIED BODYOF GIRL RECOVERED--THAT OF COMPANION STILL MISSINGBecause of his own great interest in canoeing, and indeed in any form of water life, as well as his own particularskill when it came to rowing, swimming, diving, he now read with interest:
　　Pancoast, Mass., June 7th. . . . What proved to be a fatal boat ride for two, apparently, was taken here day beforeyesterday by an unidentified man and girl who came presumably from Pittsfield to spend the day at Pass Lake,which is fourteen miles north of this place.
　　Tuesday morning a man and a girl, who said to Thomas Lucas, who conducts the Casino Lunch and Boat Housethere, that they were from Pittsfield, rented a small row-boat about ten o'clock in the morning and with a basket,presumably containing lunch, departed for the northern end of the lake. At seven o'clock last evening, when theydid not return, Mr. Lucas, in company with his son Jeffrey, made a tour of the lake in his motor boat anddiscovered the row-boat upside down in the shallows near the north shore, but no trace of the occupants.
　　Thinking at the time that it might be another instance of renters having decamped in order to avoid payment, hereturned the boat to his own dock.
　　But this morning, doubtful as to whether or not an accident had occurred, he and his assistant, Fred Walsh,together with his son, made a second tour of the north shore and finally came upon the hats of both the girl and the man floating among some rushes near the shore. At once a dredging party was organized, and by threeo'clock to-day the body of the girl, concerning whom nothing is known here, other than that she came here withher companion, was brought up and turned over to the authorities. That of the man has not yet been found. Thewater in the immediate vicinity of the accident in some places being over thirty feet deep, it is not certainwhether the trolling and dredging will yield the other body or not. In the case of a similar accident which tookplace here some fifteen years ago, neither body was ever recovered.
　　To the lining of the small jacket which the girl wore was sewed the tag of a Pittsfield dealer. Also in her shoelining was stamped the name of Jacobs of this same city. But other than these there was no evidence as to heridentity. It is assumed by the authorities here that if she carried a bag of any kind it lies at the bottom of the lake.
　　The man is recalled as being tall, dark, about thirty-five years of age, and wore a light green suit and straw hatwith a white and blue band. The girl appears to be not more than twenty-five, five feet five inches tall, andweighs 130 pounds. She wore her hair, which was long and dark brown, in braids about her forehead. On her leftmiddle finger is a small gold ring with an amethyst setting. The police of Pittsfield and other cities in this vicinityhave been notified, but as yet no word as to her identity has been received.
　　This item, commonplace enough in the usual grist of summer accidents, interested Clyde only slightly. It seemedodd, of course, that a girl and a man should arrive at a small lake anywhere, and setting forth in a small boat inbroad daylight thus lose their lives. Also it was odd that afterwards no one should be able to identify either ofthem. And yet here it was. The man had disappeared for good. He threw the paper down, little concerned at first,and turned to other things--the problem that was confronting him really--how he was to do. But later--andbecause of that, and as he was putting out the light before getting into bed, and still thinking of the complicatedproblem which his own life here presented, he was struck by the thought (what devil's whisper?--what evil hintof an evil spirit?)--supposing that he and Roberta--no, say he and Sondra--(no, Sondra could swim so well, andso could he)--he and Roberta were in a small boat somewhere and it should capsize at the very time, say, of thisdreadful complication which was so harassing him? What an escape? What a relief from a gigantic and by nowreally destroying problem! On the other hand--hold--not so fast!--for could a man even think of such a solutionin connection with so difficult a problem as his without committing a crime in his heart, really--a horrible,terrible crime? He must not even think of such a thing. It was wrong--wrong--terribly wrong. And yet,supposing,--by accident, of course--such a thing as this did occur? That would be the end, then, wouldn't it, of allhis troubles in connection with Roberta? No more terror as to her--no more fear and heartache even as to Sondra.
　　A noiseless, pathless, quarrelless solution of all his present difficulties, and only joy before him forever. Just anaccidental, unpremeditated drowning--and then the glorious future which would be his!
　　But the mere thinking of such a thing in connection with Roberta at this time--(why was it that his mind persistedin identifying her with it?) was terrible, and he must not, he must not, allow such a thought to enter his mind.
　　Never, never, never! He must not. It was horrible! Terrible! A thought of murder, no less! Murder?!!! Yet sowrought up had he been, and still was, by the letter which Roberta had written him, as contrasted with the onefrom Sondra--so delightful and enticing was the picture of her life and his as she now described it, that he couldnot for the life of him quite expel that other and seemingly easy and so natural a solution of all his problem--ifonly such an accident could occur to him and Roberta. For after all he was not planning any crime, was he? Washe not merely thinking of an accident that, had it occurred or could it but occur in his case. . . . Ah--but that"COULD IT BUT OCCUR." There was the dark and evil thought about which he must not, HE MUST NOT THINK. He MUST NOT. And yet--and yet, . . . He was an excellent swimmer and could swim ashore, nodoubt--whatever the distance. Whereas Roberta, as he knew from swimming with her at one beach and anotherthe previous summer, could not swim. And then--and then--well and then, unless he chose to help her, ofcourse. . . .
　　As he thought, and for the time, sitting in the lamplight of his own room between nine-thirty and ten at night, astrange and disturbing creepiness as to flesh and hair and finger-tips assailed him. The wonder and the horror ofsuch a thought! And presented to him by this paper in this way. Wasn't that strange? Besides, up in that lakecountry to which he was now going to Sondra, were many, many lakes about everywhere--were there not?
　　Scores up there where Sondra was. Or so she had said. And Roberta loved the out-of-doors and the water so-althoughshe could not swim--could not swim--could not swim. And they or at least he was going where lakeswere, or they might, might they not--and if not, why not? since both had talked of some Fourth of July resort intheir planning, their final departure--he and Roberta.
　　But, no! no! The mere thought of an accident such as that in connection with her, however much he might wishto be rid of her--was sinful, dark and terrible! He must not let his mind run on any such things for even amoment. It was too wrong--too vile--too terrible! Oh, dreadful thought! To think it should have come to him!
　　And at this time of all times--when she was demanding that he go away with her!
　　Death!
　　Murder!
　　The murder of Roberta!
　　But to escape her of course--this unreasonable, unshakable, unchangeable demand of hers! Already he was quitecold, quite damp--with the mere thought of it. And now--when--when--! But he must not think of that! The deathof that unborn child, too!!
　　But how could any one even think of doing any such thing with calculation--deliberately? And yet--many peoplewere drowned like that--boys and girls--men and women--here and there--everywhere the world over in thesummer time. To be sure, he would not want anything like that to happen to Roberta. And especially at this time.
　　He was not that kind of a person, whatever else he was. He was not. He was not. He was not. The mere thoughtnow caused a damp perspiration to form on his hands and face. He was not that kind of a person. Decent, sanepeople did not think of such things. And so he would not either--from this hour on.
　　In a tremulous state of dissatisfaction with himself--that any such grisly thought should have dared to obtrudeitself upon him in this way--he got up and lit the lamp--re-read this disconcerting item in as cold and reprobativeway as he could achieve, feeling that in so doing he was putting anything at which it hinted far from him onceand for all. Then, having done so, he dressed and went out of the house for a walk--up Wykeagy Avenue, alongCentral Avenue, out Oak, and then back on Spruce and to Central again--feeling that he was walking away fromthe insinuating thought or suggestion that had so troubled him up to now. And after a time, feeling better, freer,more natural, more human, as he so much wished to feel--he returned to his room, once more to sleep, with thefeeling that he had actually succeeded in eliminating completely a most insidious and horrible visitation. He must never think of it again! He must never think of it again. He must never, never, never think of it-- never.
　　And then falling into a nervous, feverish doze soon thereafter, he found himself dreaming of a savage black dogthat was trying to bite him. Having escaped from the fangs of the creature by waking in terror, he once more fellasleep. But now he was in some very strange and gloomy place, a wood or a cave or narrow canyon betweendeep hills, from which a path, fairly promising at first, seemed to lead. But soon the path, as he progressed alongit, became narrower and narrower and darker, and finally disappeared entirely. And then, turning to see if hecould not get back as he had come, there directly behind him were arrayed an entangled mass of snakes that atfirst looked more like a pile of brush. But above it waved the menacing heads of at least a score of reptiles,forked tongues and agate eyes. And in front now, as he turned swiftly, a horned and savage animal--huge, itwas--its heavy tread crushing the brush--blocked the path in that direction. And then, horrified and crying out inhopeless desperation, once more he awoke--not to sleep again that night.

这时，克莱德收到两封信，而且是同时收到的，因而使情况更加棘手了。

克莱德，我最亲爱的:

我的小宝贝怎么样?

一切都好吗?

这儿简直是帅极了。已来了好多人，每天还不断有人来。松树岬的夜总会和高尔夫球场都已经开放了，那儿的人可多啦。

这会儿斯图尔特和格兰特正驾着汽艇往格雷湾开去，我还听得见马达的声音哩。

你别磨磨蹭蹭，亲爱的，快一点来吧。这儿太好了，实在没法说的。绿的林荫大道，可以骑着马儿飞奔;每天下午四点，可以到夜总会游游泳，跳跳舞。我刚骑着狄基遛了一圈才回来，惬意极了。午饭后还要骑着马儿把这些信发出去。

伯蒂娜说，她今天或是明天要给你写一封信，随便哪一个周末，或是随便哪一天都行，反正只要桑达说一声来，你就来，你听见了吧，要不然桑达可要狠狠地揍你。你这个淘气的小乖乖。

他是不是还在那个要不得的厂里卖力地干活呀?

桑达希方〔望〕他来这儿，狠〔跟〕她在一块。我们就可以遛马呀，开车呀，游泳呀，跳舞呀……别忘了带上你的网球拍和高尔夫球棍。夜总会那儿还有一个顶呱呱的球场哩。

今儿一早我在遛马时，有一只小鸟打从狄基的四蹄下飞了出来，马儿一惊，就脱了缰狂奔，桑达被细树枝扎得真够呛。克莱弟〔德〕替他可怜的桑达难过吗?

今天，桑达写了好多信。吃过午饭，骑上马去发信，是赶下一班寄出以后，桑达。伯蒂娜和尼娜要到夜总会去。难道你不想也跟我们一块玩去吗?

我们不就可以踩着"陶迪"的曲子一块跳吗。桑达就爱这支歌。不过，这会儿她可得打扮打扮去了。明儿个再给你小淘气写信。伯蒂娜的信一到，马上就回信啊。那么多的点点印痕，都看见了没有?

全是吻痕呀。大大小小的都有。全是给小淘气的。

每天给桑达先〔写〕信，她一〔也〕会写来的。

还得吻你几下。

６月１０日于松树岬信一到，克莱德心急如焚地给她回了信，语气跟她的来信相仿。可是，几乎就在同一个邮班，至少是在同一天，却收到了来自罗伯达的一封信，全文如下:

亲爱的克莱德:

现在我就要睡了，不过，我还得写上几行寄给你。这次我一路上累得够呛，现在几乎病倒了。第一，你也知道，我可不愿意(孤零零一个人)回家转。我对一切事都觉得心乱如麻，疑惧不安，虽然我竭力使自己不要这样，因为现在我们一切都已讲定了，你将照你自己所说的，到我身边来。

(他一读到这里，因为想到她家所在的那个惨不忍睹的穷乡僻壤，就觉得恶心要吐，但由于罗伯达跟它结下了这么一种倒霉的。甩也甩不掉的关系，原先他对她感到悔恨和怜悯的心情，这时又油然而生。归根到底，这可不是她的过错呀。瞻望未来，她本来就是没有多大奔头……只不过是干活，或是照例女大当嫁罢了。她们两人都不在这儿，说真的，他才多日来头一次能够思路清晰地思考和深深地……哪怕是忧郁地……同情她。她信上继续写道:

)不过，现在这儿景色美极了。树绿得多美呀，花儿也都在盛开。我一走到朝南窗口，就可以听到果园里蜜蜂的嗡嗡声。回家路上，这次我可不是直接回家，而是半途在霍默停了一下，看看妹妹。妹夫，因为，即使以后还能见到他们，也不知道在何年何月，我可一点儿都说不准。所以，我已下了决心，要末就让我这个正经女人跟他们见见面，要末就让他们从此永远也见不到我。你可不要认为我这么说是有什么要不得的意思。我只是伤心透了。他们在那里有一个小小的。可爱的家，克莱德……漂亮的家具。一架手摇留声机，还有许多其他的东西。艾格尼斯跟弗雷德在一起过着非常幸福的生活。但愿她永远这样幸福。我不禁想到，只要我的梦想实现了，那我们照样也会有一个多么可爱的家啊。我在他们那里作客时，弗雷德差不多老是逗我，问我干吗还不结婚，后来我干脆说:

"哦，得了吧，弗雷德，你可不能那么肯定地认为我最近一定不会出嫁。

善于等待的人，到头来也最幸福，你知不知道。""是啊，那当然罗，只要你变成侍应生就得了，"("Ｗａｉｔｅｒ"一词既指等待者，也可指侍者。侍应生。而克莱德乃是侍应生出身，因此也就一语双关了。)他就是这么回敬了我。

不过，克莱德，我又见到了妈妈，这才真是高兴啊。她是那么慈爱，那么耐心，那么乐于助人。天底下就数我妈最亲。最好。说真的，我怎么也不愿意让她伤心。还有汤姆和艾米莉。我到家以后，每天晚上都有朋友来看他们……他们还要我同他们一块玩儿，可我身体不太好，没法跟他们在一块打纸牌……做各种游戏……跳舞。

(克莱德读到这里，记忆犹新，不禁回想起罗伯达那个寒伧的老家。最近他还亲眼目睹过……那东倒西歪的房子!

还有那些快坍下来的烟囱!

她那样子古怪的父亲。跟桑德拉的信上所说的，恰好是一个鲜明的对照。)爸爸。妈妈。汤姆。艾米莉，好象老是围着我身边转，想尽办法照顾我。

一想到他们要是知道后一定很伤心，我心中就觉得真有说不出的悔恨。当然罗，我只好推托说，因为在厂里干活，有时累得够呛，也就打不起精神来了。妈妈总是唠叨着说，我就得歇上一段日子，要不然干脆辞掉，休息，养好身体，不过，当然罗，她至今还是一点儿都不知道……可怜的亲人。要是她知道了怎么是好!

有时，我心里多么痛苦，说真的，我没法告诉你，克莱德。啊，老天哪!

可是，我不应该让自己心中的伤感也传染给你。我可不愿意这样，就象我说过的，我只要您按照我们讲定的那样，来到我身边，把我接走。而且我也不会象现在这样，克莱德。要知道我不会老是这样的。我已开始做回来的准备，并把该做的衣着做起来，这拢共要花去三个星期时间，专心裁剪缝纫，我也没空再想别的事了。不过，亲爱的，你是会来接我的，可不是?

这一次，您再也不会象过去那样让我失望。伤心了吧。老天哪，说真的，这段时间是多长呀，自从我前次圣诞节回家起，一直到现在。不过，以前您待我也真好。我可以起誓，决不成为你的累赘，因为，我心里也很明白，其实，现在你再也不喜欢我了。

因此，只要我能够渡过这个难关，至于以后怎么样，我也不在乎了。不过，我的确可以起誓，决不成为你的累赘。

啊，亲爱的，恕我直言，请你先别介意。近来我觉得跟过去大不一样，好象就是控制不住自己。

好吧，就谈谈我回家以后的情况吧。家里人以为我要做些衣服，是准备在莱柯格斯出席什么宴会穿的，想必我在那里日子过得真是美不滋儿哩。得了，让他们往好处想，总比往坏处想好。我要是不请女裁缝安斯太太去采买衣料，也许就得自己去方达。如果我去了，只要你乐意在下次来我这儿以前再见我一面，你就不妨同我在方达碰面，尽管我猜得出恐怕你并没有这个意思吧。在我们动身以前，如果你高兴的话，我希望能见你一面，跟你谈谈。我正在缝制这些嫁装，心心念念想着你，但又知道你压根儿不乐意……想到这里，我真觉得挺好笑，克莱德。不过，我想，现在你总应该很满意了吧，反正你终于说服我离开莱柯格斯回老家，而现在你正如你所说的，日子过得一定美美的，要比去年夏天我们在湖上和到处玩儿还痛快得多吧?

然而，不管怎么说，克莱德，当然罗，你答应过就要算数，不必因此对我大发脾气。我知道现在你好象觉得也很难过，不过，你别忘了，我要是也象我所知道的某些人那样，也许就会提出更多的要求来。但是，我跟你说过，我可不是这号人，而且永远也不做这号人。

只要你照我所说的那样，帮助我渡过这个难关，那时候，你如果真的不想跟我待下去，那你尽管走就得了。

克莱德，请你写一封愉快的长信给我，尽管你不乐意写。请你告诉我:

自从我走了以后，你怎么连一次都没有想过我，怎么压根儿不惦念我……您自己明白，过去你可不是这样;再说说，你怎么不希望我回来;还有，即使你在从星期六算起的两星期后能来这儿，你为什么不来呢。

啊，亲爱的，刚才我写了那些要不得的话，可不是我心里真这么想，不过，我很累，很忧郁，很孤寂，有时连自己都按捺不住。我需要跟某一个人谈谈心，并不是跟这儿哪一个人，因为他们不了解我，我不能把自己的事情对什么人都说。

不过，你看，刚才我说过，我决不会忧郁。沮丧，或是恼火，但我这一次还是没有做到，可不是吗?

我保证下次……明天或是大后天……一定改好，因为我给你写了信，心里就轻松得多了，克莱德。请你别生气，写几行给我，给我打打气。我在期待着……我实在太需要了。还有，你当然一定会来的。我将是那么愉快地感激你，并且尽量不再给你增添太多麻烦。

你那孤寂的伯特６月１０日于比尔茨正是这两种情景之间鲜明对照，使克莱德最后下了决心:

他决不跟罗伯达结婚……断断乎不……甚至也决不到比尔茨去看她，也不让她回到莱柯格斯来找他，反正只要他能够避免得了就行了。因为，不论是他去看她，或是她回到莱柯格斯来，不是要把他最近才同桑德拉一块在这儿找到的欢乐全都化成泡影吗?

今年夏天，他就不能跟桑德拉一块在第十二号湖玩儿，也就不可能跟她私奔，跟她结婚了。老天啊，难道就没有别的出路了吗?

难道说他怎么也摆脱不了眼前这种骇人的困境吗?

一个暖洋洋的六月之夜，他下班回来，在房间里读完了这两封信。他在绝望之余，卧倒床上一个劲儿低声叹息。这该有多倒霉呀!

他这个几乎怎么也解决不了的问题，该有多可怕呀!

难道说就不能劝她离开莱柯格斯……住在家里……或是让她在家里再多待一些日子，由他每星期寄给她十块美元，甚至十二块美元……不多不少正好是他薪资的一半?

要不然，她不是可以上一些毗邻小镇……比方说，方达。格洛弗斯维尔。谢内克塔迪……现在她暂时还有力气照料自己，租一个房间，安安静静地待在那里，等待那个性命交关的日子一到，不是就可以去找医生或是护士了吗?

到时候，也许他还可以帮她找个医生，只要她答应不提他的名字。

可是，她竟然要他到比尔茨去，或是到某某地方去跟她见面，而且限在两星期以内，不得延宕。不，他不乐意，他也决不会去的。她要是照旧逼着他这么做，他就只好孤注一掷……干脆逃掉……或是……或是在他应该到比尔茨去以前，或是在她认为那个合适时间以前，说不定他索性到第十二号湖去，然后竭力说服桑德拉(哦，这是多么荒诞不经。多么丧心病狂的冒险啊)……说服她跟他一块出走，跟她结婚，即便她年龄还没有到十八岁……然后……然后……既然结了婚，那她家里也就不能拆散他们了。而罗伯达这时却找不到他，也许只好自个儿发牢骚去了……哦，他就是可以否认嘛……说事实并不是这样……说他跟她从来没有什么关系，除了部门头头对其下属一般女工的关系以外。反正他并没有被她介绍给吉尔平一家人见过面，也没有跟罗伯达一起去见格洛弗斯维尔附近的格伦医生，而且，当时她还跟他说过自己并没有向医生提到过他的名字。

但是，要否认这一切，就得有那么一股冲劲呀!

多少还得有一点儿胆量。

要有那么一点儿胆量，跟罗伯达面对面站在一起。他自己也明白，天底下他最害怕直面对视的，正是她的那一双坚定。沉着。充满谴责。骇怕，而又无辜的蓝眼睛。试问他能受得了吗?

他有这个胆量吗?

即使说他有……一切都会达到预期结果吗?

桑德拉听到会相信他吗?

不过，根据他这个意图，不管最终是不是付诸实现，甚至他索性到第十二号湖去，反正他必须写信给桑德拉，说他就要来了。于是，他随手给她写了信，写得很热火，表示了无限思慕之情。同时，他又决定压根儿不给罗伯达回信。

也许给她挂个长途电话就得了。最近她告诉他，说她的一个邻居装上电话，必要时，他不妨打这个电话找她。现在给她写信谈他们俩这些事情，哪怕写得非常谨小慎微，也无异于把她最需要的有关他们关系的证据交到她手里，尤其在此刻他已决计不跟她结婚了。这一切该有多狡猾!

显然，是太卑鄙下流了。不过，要是罗伯达对待他的态度表示稍微理智些，那他梦里也想不到自己会干类似这样下流狡诈的勾当啊!

可是，啊，桑德拉!

桑德拉啊!

还有，她描写过的好一幢漂亮的别墅，巍然耸立在第十二号湖西岸啊。想来一定是美仑美奂啊!

他实在是万不得已才这样呀!

他务必要象他现在这样行动起来!

务必行动起来!

克莱德便站起身来，出去把写给桑德拉的信寄了。他在街上买了一份晚报，希望通过本地报纸上有关他所认识的那些人的消息报道，暂时消愁解闷。他看见奥尔巴尼的《时代联合报》头版上有这样一条新闻报道:

帕斯湖上特大惨剧小划子倾覆两顶帽子漂在湖上匹茨菲尔德附近避暑胜地恐有两人丧生女郎尸体虽被捞起但不知名姓女郎同伴尸体尚在寻找中克莱德对划小划子特别感兴趣，其实所有水上活动，他全都很喜欢，比如划船。游泳。跳水等等，他的技艺儿其精湛，因此，他便津津有味地读将起来:

〔马萨诸塞州潘科斯特六月七日讯〕本城以北十四英里的帕斯湖上，日前发生翻船惨案，船上两人显然已经丧命。此不知名姓的男人和女郎，据说来自匹兹菲尔德，系在湖上作一日游。

星期二晨。有一个男人和一位女郎，对经管夜总会餐厅与游船码头的老板托马斯。卢卡斯说，他们来自匹茨菲尔德。大约上午十点钟，他们租了一只小划子，带了一只提篮(里头大概盛放午餐食品)，径直向湖的北头划去。昨天晚上七点钟仍不见他们返回，卢卡斯偕同其子杰弗里，乘汽艇绕湖一周，发现小划子已在北岸附近浅滩倾覆，但始终未见游客踪影。当时他认为可能游客因为不愿付租船费而弃船逃走，所以便将小划子带回船坞。

但是今天早晨，卢卡斯先生深恐发生惨剧，再次偕同其子及助手弗雷德。

沃尔什绕着北岸巡视，终于发现在岸边灯心草丛里漂浮着该男女游客的两顶帽子。当即派员打捞，至今日下午三时，捞起女尸一具，并已移送地方当局。仅知该女郎系与男伴联袂来此，其他一概不详。男伴尸体至今仍未发现。惨案发生地点四周，水深达三十英尺以上，因此另一具尸体能否捞获，尚难肯定。十五年前，此处亦发生过类似惨剧，尸体始终未能寻获。

该女郎所穿短外套衬里上，缀有匹兹菲尔德某铺号商标。她穿的鞋帮儿上，印有该城雅各布商号标记。除此以外，无任何证据足以说明死者身份。据地方当局推测，该女郎倘若生前随身携有手提包，恐已沉入湖底。

现据目击者回忆，该男游客身材高大，肤色黝黑，大约三十五岁左右，身穿淡绿色套装，头戴系有蓝白两色飘带的草帽。该女郎看来还不满二十五岁，身高五英尺五英寸，体重一百三十磅。深褐色头发，还结成细辫盘在头上。她的左手中指上戴一小枚嵌紫水晶金戒指。匹茨菲尔德及其附近各城市均已接获此事通报，但至今仍然未能查明该女郎的身份。

这条新闻报道，在夏季经常发生的大量事故里头，原是平常得很，克莱德对它并不怎么特别注意。当然罗，一位女郎和一个男人来到小湖边，乘上一条小船，在光天化日之下竟然丧生，听起来好象挺怪。事情发生以后，不论该男或该女竟然无人能确认他们的身份，这同样也很玄乎。可事实确实是这样。那个男人也就此不见踪影了。他随手把报纸一扔，开头并不怎么关注，心里就想别的事情……想到他目前面临的问题，究竟该怎么办才好。可是，过了一会儿……正当他关了灯，上床睡觉时，心里依然还在想着他自己遇到的复杂问题，不知怎的他突然掠过一个闪念(是哪个恶魔在跟他低声耳语啊?

是哪个恶鬼向他提出如此险恶的暗示啊?

):

假定说他跟罗伯达……不，比方说，是他跟桑德拉……(不，桑德拉游泳本来很棒，他也游得很棒)……是他跟罗伯达在哪儿一块乘上一只小船，假定恰好就在这个节骨眼上，正当这可怕的灾难折磨着他的时候翻了船，那会怎么样呢?

这不是解脱的好机会吗?

这个关系重大。简直害死人的问题，不就迎刃而解了吗!

可是……且慢……别这么心急啊!

……一个男子汉倘若想要解决他如此棘手的问题，难道说心里非得想到犯罪……真的是一大骇人听闻的罪行……才能解决了吗?

这类事他断断乎不应该去想呀。这是要不得……要不得……大大地要不得。不过，要是……当然罗，由于意外……果真发生了这类事呢?

那他因为罗伯达而产生的所有一切麻烦，不就一笔勾销了吗?

以后用不着害怕她了……甚至也不会为了桑德拉而心中再感到惧怕和痛苦了。他目前的全部困难就这样悄无声息。不留痕迹。不用争吵全给解决了，那末，在他前头也就永远只有说不尽的欢乐了，只要是意外(而不是预谋)溺水……以后，他也就前程似锦啦!

现在他动不动就把罗伯达跟这类事都想到一块去了……(为什么他脑海里老是要把这件事跟罗伯达连在一起呀?

)但是这种想法太可怕了，他断断乎不应该，断断乎不应该让这么一种想法进入他脑海里。永远不，永远不，永远不!

他千万不能这样呀!

这太恐怖了!

这太吓人呀!

简直就是杀人!

要杀人!

!

!

不过，把罗伯达写给他的信跟桑德拉的来信一对照后，他曾一直是那么激动，迄至此刻也还是激动不已，桑德拉对她自己的……以及他的生活描绘得竟然是那么可爱。那么迷人，因此，他怎么也无法驱除脑子里那种似乎毫不费劲。同时也很自然就把自己的难题给解决了的办法……只要这类的意外事故能落到他和罗伯达头上就好了。这毕竟不是在策划犯罪，对不对?

他只不过是在想假定他能碰上了这类意外事件，或是说这类事只要他真的能碰上就好了……啊，可是，"这件事只要他真的能碰上了，那就好了。"这是多么狠毒。险恶的念头，他可千万不该想的啊。

他可千万不能这么想啊。"他可千万不应该这么想啊。"可是……可是……他毕竟是个游泳高手，当然罗，他自己一定能游上岸来……不管有多远距离。可是罗伯达呢，去年夏天他跟她一块在各处湖边游过，他知道她是不会游泳的。那末……那末……啊，那末，要是他不去搭救她，当然罗……正当晚上九点半到十点之间，他独自坐在房间里就这件事沉思默想时，他觉得好象有一种奇怪的。令人惊恐万状的东西，犹如蚂蚁似的，从自己全身上下，乃至于头发里。手指头上爬过。这么一个念头该有多妙，但又是多么可怕啊!

而且，是这份报纸使他顿时萌生此念，好不奇怪呀?

再说，现在要他去湖泊区同桑德拉会面，那里不是到处都有很多很多湖吗?

在桑德拉家别墅那一带，就有好几十个。至少她是这么说过的。而罗伯达就是最爱郊游和水上划船……尽管她不会游泳……不会游泳……不会游泳。而且他们……至少是他……就要到有湖的地方去了。说不定他们两人……他和罗伯达……会一块去，也许不去，为什么不呢?

他们俩在确定最后动身日期时，不是都谈到他们打算在七月四日(该日为美国宣告独立日。)去某处一游吗?

可是，不行!

不行!

他尽管心里巴不得甩掉她，但只要想到她将大祸临头……就觉得有罪，而且太险恶。太可怕!

不，他，哪怕是一刹那，心里也断断乎不能想到这类事上去。这可太卑鄙……太下流……太可怕了!

啊，多可怕的念头呀!

想一想，他怎么会突然萌生此念!

特别是不早不晚，偏巧在她要求他跟她一块出走的时候!

死!

杀人!

谋害罗伯达!

可是，当然得甩掉她……她这种毫无道理。顽固不化的要求!

只要一想到这件事……克莱德早已浑身发冷，直冒冷汗。而现在……正当……正当……可是他断断乎不能想那件事呀!

再说，还没有生下的孩子也得一块死呀!

!

不过，怎么竟然会有人……而且是故意地……策划这类事呢?

但话又说回来……反正很多人就是那样给淹死的……其中有年轻小伙子和姑娘……有男人和女人……不管是这儿。那儿……入夏以来，全世界到处都有啊。当然罗，他可不愿意罗伯达碰上这一类事。特别是现在这个时候。即使说他不好，他也还不是那号人。他还不是。他还不是。他还不是。只要想到这件事，他脸上。手上就直冒冷汗。毕竟他还不是那号人。规规矩矩。头脑清楚的人，决不会想到这一类事。所以说，他也决不会想到……从现在这个时刻开始。

他极端自怨自艾了一阵……他恨这类邪念怎么会闯入他脑际……他便起身把灯点亮……尽可能冷静地重新审读这条令人发指的新闻报道。他觉得好象这样就可以把它给自己的暗示从此驱除殆尽。他读过以后，穿好衣服，就走出去散散步……他沿威克吉大街和中央大道，一直走到橡树街，然后折回，绕过云杉街，再走到中央大道……走着走着，他觉得好象把迄今一直使他如此烦恼的诱惑或暗示通通抛在脑后了。不一会儿，他感到自我感觉更好一些，更舒心些，更自然些，更近人情些，他真巴不得就这样感觉呀……他便回自己房间再睡觉去了。他心里觉得自己总算真的完全逃脱了最阴险。最可怕的天谴了。此后，他断断乎不能再去想它了!

他断断乎不能再去想它了。他断断乎永远。永远。永远，不能再去想它……永远也不能再去想它了。

随后，他马上做了一个心惊肉跳的短梦，梦见一头凶猛的黑狗要咬他，心里一吓，他就惊醒了，方才从恶狗尖牙中逃生，不一会儿却又呼呼入睡了。不过这一回，他却发现自己置身于极端奇兀阴森之地，不是在密林里，就是在深谷中，要不然在山洞里，或是在高山之间狭窄的峡谷里，开头看起来有一条小路可以通出去。可他越是顺这条小路往前走，就发现越来越窄，越走越窄，同时越走越黑，到后来连小路压根儿都找不到了。那时，他回过头来，想看看他能不能找到原路折回，只见自己身后盘着一大堆蛇，开头他还以为无非是一堆矮树丛呢，但继而一看，那上头少说也有二十来条毒蛇，正昂起吓人的脑袋，状如叉子的长舌和玛瑙色眼睛。猛地他转过身来，可是前面挡住他去路的，却是一头带犄角的猛兽，它躯体硕大无比，踩上一脚，连矮树丛都吱嘎作响。他在绝望之余，吓得拚命喊叫起来，终于又惊醒了……这一夜再也睡不着了。
Part 2 Chapter 43
Yet a thought such as that of the lake, connected as it was with the predicament by which he was being faced,and shrink from it though he might, was not to be dismissed as easily as he desired. Born as it was of itsaccidental relation to this personal problem that was shaking and troubling and all but disarranging his ownnone-too-forceful mind, this smooth, seemingly blameless, if dreadful, blotting out of two lives at Pass Lake, hadits weight. That girl's body--as some peculiar force in his own brain now still compelled him to think--beingfound, but the man's not. In that interesting fact--and this quite in spite of himself--lurked a suggestion thatinsisted upon obtruding itself on his mind--to wit, that it might be possible that the man's body was not in thatlake at all. For, since evil-minded people did occasionally desire to get rid of other people, might it not bepossible that that man had gone there with that girl in order to get rid of her? A very smooth and devilish trick, ofcourse, but one which, in this instance at least, seemed to have succeeded admirably.
　　But as for him accepting such an evil suggestion and acting upon it . . . never! Yet here was his own problemgrowing hourly more desperate, since every day, or at least every other day, brought him either letters fromRoberta or a note from Sondra--their respective missives maintaining the same relative contrast between ease andmisery, gayety of mood and the somberness of defeat and uncertainty.
　　To Roberta, since he would not write her, he was telephoning briefly and in as non-committal a manner aspossible. How was she? He was so glad to hear from her and to know that she was out in the country and athome, where it must be much nicer than in the factory here in this weather. Everything was going smoothly, ofcourse, and except for a sudden rush of orders which made it rather hard these last two days, all was as before.
　　He was doing his best to save a certain amount of money for a certain project about which she knew, butotherwise he was not worrying about anything--and she must not. He had not written before because of the work,and could not write much--there were so many things to do--but he missed seeing her in her old place, and waslooking forward to seeing her again soon. If she were coming down toward Lycurgus as she said, and reallythought it important to see him, well, that could be arranged, maybe--but was it necessary right now? He was sovery busy and expected to see her later, of course.
　　But at the same time he was writing Sondra that assuredly on the eighteenth, and the week-end following, ifpossible, he would be with her.
　　So, by virtue of such mental prestidigitation and tergiversation, inspired and animated as it was by his desire forSondra, his inability to face the facts in connection with Roberta, he achieved the much-coveted privilege ofagain seeing her, over one week-end at least, and in such a setting as never before in his life had he beenprivileged to witness.
　　For as he came down to the public dock at Sharon, adjoining the veranda of the inn at the foot of Twelfth Lake,he was met by Bertine and her brother as well as Sondra, who, in Grant's launch, had motored down the Chain topick him up. The bright blue waters of the Indian Chain. The tall, dark, spear pines that sentineled the shores oneither side and gave to the waters at the west a band of black shadow where the trees were mirrored so clearly.
　　The small and large, white and pink and green and brown lodges on every hand, with their boathouses. Pavilionsby the shore. An occasional slender pier reaching out from some spacious and at times stately summer lodge,such as those now owned by the Cranstons, Finchleys and others. The green and blue canoes and launches. Thegay hotel and pavilion at Pine Point already smartly attended by the early arrivals here! And then the pier andboathouse of the Cranston Lodge itself, with two Russian wolfhounds recently acquired by Bertine lying on thegrass near the shore, apparently awaiting her return, and a servant John, one of a half dozen who attended thefamily here, waiting to take the single bag of Clyde, his tennis racquet and golf sticks. But most of all he wasimpressed by the large rambling and yet smartly-designed house, with its bright geranium-bordered walks, itswide, brown, wicker-studded veranda commanding a beautiful view of the lake; the cars and personalities of thevarious guests, who in golf, tennis or lounging clothes were to be seen idling here and there.
　　At Bertine's request, John at once showed him to a spacious room overlooking the lake, where it was hisprivilege now to bathe and change for tennis with Sondra, Bertine and Grant. After dinner, as explained bySondra, who was over at Bertine's for the occasion, he was to come over with Bertine and Grant to the Casino,where he would be introduced to such as all here knew. There was to be dancing. To-morrow, in the morningearly, before breakfast, if he chose--he should ride with her and Bertine and Stuart along a wonderful woodlandtrail through the forests to the west which led to Inspiration Point and a more distant view of the lake. And, as henow learned, except for a few such paths as this, the forest was trackless for forty miles. Without a compass orguide, as he was told, one might wander to one's death even--so evasive were directions to those who did notknow. And after breakfast and a swim she and Bertine and Nina Temple would demonstrate their new skill withSondra's aquaplane. After that, lunch, tennis, or golf, a trip to the Casino for tea. After dinner at the lodge of theBrookshaws of Utica across the lake, there was to be dancing.
　　Within an hour after his arrival, as Clyde could see, the program for the week-end was already full. But that heand Sondra would contrive not only moments but possibly hours together he well knew. And then he would seewhat new delight, in connection with her many-faceted temperament, the wonderful occasion would provide. Tohim, in spite of the dour burden of Roberta, which for this one week-end at least he could lay aside, it was asthough he were in Paradise.
　　And on the tennis grounds of the Cranstons, it seemed as though never before had Sondra, attired in a short,severe white tennis skirt and blouse, with a yellow-and-green dotted handkerchief tied about her hair, seemed sogay, graceful and happy. The smile that was upon her lips! The gay, laughing light of promise that was in her eyes whenever she glanced at him! And now and then, in running to serve him, it was as though she were poisedbird-like in flight--her racquet arm high, a single toe seeming barely to touch the ground, her head thrown back,her lips parted and smiling always. And in calling twenty love, thirty love, forty love, it was always with alaughing accent on the word love, which at once thrilled and saddened him, as he saw, and rejoiced in from onepoint of view, she was his to take, if only he were free to take her now. But this other black barrier which hehimself had built!
　　And then this scene, where a bright sun poured a flood of crystal light upon a greensward that stretched from tallpines to the silver rippling waters of a lake. And off shore in a half dozen different directions the bright whitesails of small boats--the white and green and yellow splashes of color, where canoes paddled by idling loverswere passing in the sun! Summertime--leisure--warmth--color--ease--beauty--love--all that he had dreamed ofthe summer before, when he was so very much alone.
　　At moments it seemed to Clyde that he would reel from very joy of the certain fulfillment of a great desire, thatwas all but immediately within his control; at other times (the thought of Roberta sweeping down upon him as anicy wind), as though nothing could be more sad, terrible, numbing to the dreams of beauty, love and happinessthan this which now threatened him. That terrible item about the lake and those two people drowned! Theprobability that in spite of his wild plan within a week, or two or three at most, he would have to leave all thisforever. And then of a sudden he would wake to realize that he was fumbling or playing badly--that Bertine orSondra or Grant was calling: "Oh, Clyde, what are you thinking of, anyhow?" And from the darkest depths of hisheart he would have answered, had he spoken, "Roberta."At the Brookshaws', again that evening, a smart company of friends of Sondra's, Bertine's and others. On thedance floor a reencounter with Sondra, all smiles, for she was pretending for the benefit of others here--hermother and father in particular--that she had not seen Clyde before--did not even know that he was here.
　　"You up here? That's great. Over at the Cranstons'? Oh, isn't that dandy? Right next door to us. Well, we'll see alot of each other, what? How about a canter to-morrow before seven? Bertine and I go nearly every day. Andwe'll have a picnic tomorrow, if nothing interferes, canoeing and motoring. Don't worry about not riding well. I'llget Bertine to let you have Jerry--he's just a sheep. And you don't need to worry about togs, either. Grant hasscads of things. I'll dance the next two dances with others, but you sit out the third one with me, will you? I knowa peach of a place outside on the balcony."She was off with fingers extended but with a "we-understand-each-other" look in her eye. And outside in theshadow later she pulled his face to hers when no one was looking and kissed him eagerly, and, before theevening was over, they had managed, by strolling along a path which led away from the house along the lakeshore, to embrace under the moon.
　　"Sondra so glad Clydie here. Misses him so much." She smoothed his hair as he kissed her, and Clyde,bethinking him of the shadow which lay so darkly between them, crushed her feverishly, desperately. "Oh, mydarling baby girl," he exclaimed. "My beautiful, beautiful Sondra! If you only knew how much I love you! If youonly knew! I wish I could tell you ALL. I wish I could."But he could not now--or ever. He would never dare to speak to her of even so much as a phase of the black barrier that now lay between them. For, with her training, the standards of love and marriage that had been set forher, she would never understand, never be willing to make so great a sacrifice for love, as much as she lovedhim. And he would be left, abandoned on the instant, and with what horror in her eyes!
　　Yet looking into his eyes, his face white and tense, and the glow of the moon above making small white electricsparks in his eyes, she exclaimed as he gripped her tightly: "Does he love Sondra so much? Oh, sweetie boy!
　　Sondra loves him, too." She seized his head between her hands and held it tight, kissing him swiftly and ardentlya dozen times. "And Sondra won't give her Clydie up either. She won't. You just wait and see! It doesn't matterwhat happens now. It may not be so very easy, but she won't." Then as suddenly and practically, as so often washer way, she exclaimed: "But we must go now, right away. No, not another kiss now. No, no, Sondra says no,now. They'll be missing us." And straightening up and pulling him by the arm she hurried him back to the housein time to meet Palmer Thurston, who was looking for her.
　　The next morning, true to her promise, there was the canter to Inspiration Point, and that before seven--Bertineand Sondra in bright red riding coats and white breeches and black boots, their hair unbound and loose to thewind, and riding briskly on before for the most part; then racing back to where he was. Or Sondra halloing gaylyfor him to come on, or the two of them laughing and chatting a hundred yards ahead in some concealed chapel ofthe aisled trees where he could not see them. And because of the interest which Sondra was so obviouslymanifesting in him these days--an interest which Bertine herself had begun to feel might end in marriage, if nofamily complications arose to interfere--she, Bertine, was all smiles, the very soul of cordiality, winsomelyinsisting that he should come up and stay for the summer and she would chaperon them both so that no onewould have a chance to complain. And Clyde thrilling, and yet brooding too--by turns--occasionally--and inspite of himself drifting back to the thought that the item in the paper had inspired--and yet fighting it--trying toshut it out entirely.
　　And then at one point, Sondra, turning down a steep path which led to a stony and moss-lipped spring betweenthe dark trees, called to Clyde to "Come on down. Jerry knows the way. He won't slip. Come and get a drink. Ifyou do, you'll come back again soon--so they say."And once he was down and had dismounted to drink, she exclaimed: "I've been wanting to tell you something.
　　You should have seen Mamma's face last night when she heard you were up here. She can't be sure that I hadanything to do with it, of course, because she thinks that Bertine likes you, too. I made her think that. But just thesame she suspects that I had a hand in it, I guess, and she doesn't quite like it. But she can't say anything morethan she has before. And I had a talk with Bertine just now and she's agreed to stick by me and help me all shecan. But we'll have to be even more careful than ever now, because I think if Mamma got too suspicious I don'tknow what she might do--want us to leave here, even now maybe, just so I couldn't see you. You know she feelsthat I shouldn't be interested in any one yet except some one she likes. You know how it is. She's that way withStuart, too. But if you'll take care not to show that you care for me so much whenever we're around any one ofour crowd, I don't think she'll do anything--not now, anyhow. Later on, in the fall, when we're back in Lycurgus,things will be different. I'll be of age then, and I'm going to see what I can do. I never loved any one before, but Ido love you, and, well, I won't give you up, that's all. I won't. And they can't make me, either!"She stamped her foot and struck her boot, the while the two horses looked idly and vacantly about. And Clyde,enthused and astonished by this second definite declaration in his behalf, as well as fired by the thought that now, if ever, he might suggest the elopement and marriage and so rid himself of the sword that hung so threateninglyabove him, now gazed at Sondra, his eyes filled with a nervous hope and a nervous fear. For she might refuse,and change, too, shocked by the suddenness of his suggestion. And he had no money and no place in mind wherethey might go either, in case she accepted his proposal. But she had, perhaps, or she might have. And havingonce consented, might she not help him? Of course. At any rate, he felt that he must speak, leaving luck or illluck to the future.
　　And so he said: "Why couldn't you run away with me now, Sondra, darling? It's so long until fall and I want youso much. Why couldn't we? Your mother's not likely to want to let you marry me then, anyhow. But if we wentaway now, she couldn't help herself, could she? And afterwards, in a few months or so, you could write her andthen she wouldn't mind. Why couldn't we, Sondra?" His voice was very pleading, his eyes full of a sad dread ofrefusal-- and of the future that lay unprotected behind that.
　　And by now so caught was she by the tremor with which his mood invested him, that she paused--not reallyshocked by the suggestion at all--but decidedly moved, as well as flattered by the thought that she was able toevoke in Clyde so eager and headlong a passion. He was so impetuous--so blazing now with a flame of her owncreating, as she felt, yet which she was incapable of feeling as much as he, as she knew--such a flame as she hadnever seen in him or any one else before. And would it not be wonderful if she could run away with him now-secretly--to Canada or New York or Boston, or anywhere? The excitement her elopement would create here andelsewhere--in Lycurgus, Albany, Utica! The talk and feeling in her own family as well as elsewhere! And Gilbertwould be related to her in spite of him--and the Griffiths, too, whom her mother and father so much admired.
　　For a moment there was written in her eyes the desire and the determination almost, to do as he suggested--runaway--make a great lark of this, her intense and true love. For, once married, what could her parents do? Andwas not Clyde worthy of her and them, too? Of course--even though nearly all in her set fancied that he was notquite all he should be, just because he didn't have as much money as they had. But he would have--would henot--after he was married to her--and get as good a place in her father's business as Gil Griffiths had in hisfather's?
　　Yet a moment later, thinking of her life here and what her going off in such a way would mean to her father andmother just then--in the very beginning of the summer season--as well as how it would disrupt her own plans andcause her mother to feel especially angry, and perhaps even to bring about the dissolution of the marriage on theground that she was not of age, she paused--that gay light of adventure replaced by a marked trace of thepractical and the material that so persistently characterized her. What difference would a few months make,anyhow? It might, and no doubt would, save Clyde from being separated from her forever, whereas their presentcourse might insure their separation.
　　Accordingly she now shook her head in a certain, positive and yet affectionate way, which by now Clyde hadcome to know spelled defeat--the most painful and irremediable defeat that had yet come to him in connectionwith all this. She would not go! Then he was lost--lost--and she to him forever maybe. Oh, God! For while herface softened with a tenderness which was not usually there--even when she was most moved emotionally--shesaid: "I would, honey, if I did not think it best not to, now. It's too soon. Mamma isn't going to do anything rightnow. I know she isn't. Besides she has made all her plans to do a lot of entertaining here this summer, and for myparticular benefit. She wants me to be nice to--well, you know who I mean. And I can be, without doing anything to interfere with us in any way, I'm sure--so long as I don't do anything to really frighten her." She paused tosmile a reassuring smile. "But you can come up here as often as you choose, don't you see, and she and theseothers won't think anything of it, because you won't be our guest, don't you see? I've fixed all that with Bertine.
　　And that means that we can see each other all summer long up here, just about as much as we want to, don't yousee? Then in the fall, when I come back, and if I find that I can't make her be nice to you at all, or consider ourbeing engaged, why, I will run away with you. Yes, I will, darling--really and truly."Darling! The fall!
　　She stopped, her eyes showing a very shrewd conception of all the practical difficulties before them, while shetook both of his hands in hers and looked up into his face. Then, impulsively and conclusively, she threw botharms about his neck and, pulling his head down, kissed him.
　　"Can't you see, dearie? Please don't look so sad, darling. Sondra loves her Clyde so much. And she'll do anythingand everything to make things come out right. Yes, she will. And they will, too. Now you wait and see. Shewon't give him up ever--ever!"And Clyde, realizing that he had not one moving argument wherewith to confront her, really--not one that mightnot cause her to think strangely and suspiciously of his intense anxiety, and that this, because of Roberta'sdemand, and unless--unless--well--, unless Roberta let him go it all spelled defeat for him, now looked gloomilyand even desperately upon her face. The beauty of her! The completeness of this world! And yet not to beallowed to possess her or it, ever. And Roberta with her demand and his promise in the immediate background!
　　And no way of escape save by flight! God!
　　At this point it was that a nervous and almost deranged look--never so definite or powerful at any time before inhis life--the border-line look between reason and unreason, no less--so powerful that the quality of it was evennoticeable to Sondra--came into his eyes. He looked sick, broken, unbelievably despairing. So much so that sheexclaimed, "Why, what is it, Clyde, dearie--you look so--oh, I can't say just how--forlorn or--Does he love meso much? And can't he wait just three or four months? But, oh, yes he can, too. It isn't as bad as he thinks. He'llbe with me most of the time--the lovekins will. And when he isn't, Sondra'll write him every day--every day.""But, Sondra! Sondra! If I could just tell you. If you knew how much it were going to mean to me--"He paused here, for as he could see at this point, into the expression of Sondra came a practical inquiry as towhat it was that made it so urgent for her to leave with him at once. And immediately, on his part, Clyde sensinghow enormous was the hold of this world on her--how integral a part of it she was--and how, by merely toomuch insistence here and now, he might so easily cause her to doubt the wisdom of her primary craze for him,was moved to desist, sure that if he spoke it would lead her to questioning him in such a way as might cause herto change--or at least to modify her enthusiasm to the point where even the dream of the fall might vanish.
　　And so, instead of explaining further why he needed a decision on her part, he merely desisted, saying: "It'sbecause I need you so much now, dear--all of the time. That's it, just that. It seems at times as though I couldnever be away from you another minute any more. Oh, I'm so hungry for you all of the time."And yet Sondra, flattered as she was by this hunger, and reciprocating it in part at least, merely repeated thevarious things she had said before. They must wait. All would come out all right in the fall. And Clyde, quitenumb because of his defeat, yet unable to forego or deny the delight of being with her now, did his best torecover his mood--and think, think, think that in some way--somehow--maybe via that plan of that boat or insome other way!
　　But what other way?
　　But no, no, no--not that. He was not a murderer and never could be. He was not a murderer--never--never--never.
　　And yet this loss.
　　This impending disaster.
　　This impending disaster.
　　How to avoid that and win to Sondra after all.
　　How, how, how?
可是帕斯湖上这一惨剧，不知怎的在他心里总是跟他目前的困境连在一起，尽管他竭力不去想它，还是不能象他所希望那么一下子就甩之即去。上面这个想法，是正好跟他个人的切身问题巧合这才产生的，而他的切身问题，却一直使他本来脆弱不堪的思想非常震动，以至于几乎六神无主了。因此，两条性命如此神不知鬼不觉地……虽然实际上令人骇怕……在帕斯湖上断送了……对他的思想来说确实很有分量。那位女郎的尸体……这时，他脑际还有一种奇怪的力量逼他去想……是早已寻获，可是那具男尸迄今还没有发现。在那很有意思的事实细节里头，仿佛寓有一种萦绕不去的暗示……克莱德不禁想到:

说不定那具男尸压根儿没有沉入湖底。反正坏心眼的人有时确实恨不得把别人甩掉……所以，说不定那个男子跟那位女郎一块上那儿去，也很可能是为了要甩掉她?

当然罗，这是魔鬼精心设计的一起阴谋，不过，至少拿眼前这件事来说，好象做得非常出色。

不过，要他自己接受类似这样邪恶的意图，并且照这样去做……那是绝对要不得!

但是，他个人的问题明摆着每时每刻越来越没有希望了。每天或是至少每隔两天，他照例收到罗伯达的信，或是桑德拉的便条……从她们两人的信里，可以看到在闲适与不幸之间。在欢乐与挫败后郁抑不安之间始终形成鲜明对比。

他不愿意给罗伯达写信，所以他只是在打电话时跟她说了几句，而且还尽量说得含糊其词。她好吧?

他接到了她的信，很高兴，知道她还在乡下老家……赶上这种天气，想必乡下一定比厂里要好得多。当然罗，这儿一切都很顺利，只是突然有一些定单涌到，因此近两天来活儿相当繁重，此外一切照常。他自己为了她也知道的那个计划，尽量设法积攒起一笔钱来，而除此以外，他没有什么别的事可以担心……她呢千万也不要为什么别的事担心了。他一直没写信给她，是因为手头工作太多的缘故，没有工夫写，因为有这么多的事儿要做……可是，在她平日里的座位上，现在看不见她了，他不由得很想念，巴望马上就能跟她见面。她要是象她所说的要到莱柯格斯来，而且觉得确实很有必要跟他见面，哦，这个也许总有办法安排的……只不过目前是否真的有此必要吗?

他这么忙，过一阵子当然会跟她见面的。

但就在这同时，他给桑德拉写信说，准定十八日，要是可能的话，在本周周末，也许他可以来到她身边了。

要知道他心里想的是桑德拉，同时又无力对付与罗伯达有关的现实问题，所以就这样在心里变换手法，改弦更张了。后来，他终于盼到了悬渴已久的跟桑德拉重逢(至少跟她一起过周末)的机会，而且又是在他生平从没有见过的那么一个氛围里。

他到达跟第十二号湖湖滨旅馆游廊连接的沙隆公用码头时，前来迎接他的有:

伯蒂娜和她的弟弟，还有桑德拉。原来他们乘坐格兰特的汽艇，顺着钱恩河而下，特地来接他。那印第安钱恩河，碧澄一色的河水啊。郁郁苍苍的。剑戟一般的参天松树林，就象哨兵肃立在河岸两旁，并给西岸河面上投下一条带子似的黑影，使松树林的倒影映照得分外清晰。放眼望去，到处是大大小小的别墅，还有白色。粉红色。绿色。棕色的精舍小筑，以及它们的船棚。水边还有凉亭。有一些宽敞而又富丽堂皇的避暑别墅……比方说，克兰斯顿家。芬奇利家等殷富人家就是这样……往往向水面延伸，修筑一些优美别致的小码头。那绿色。蓝色的小划子和汽艇啊。松树岬还有充满欢乐气氛的旅馆和亭台楼阁，早来的衣着时髦的旅客们已经下榻在那里了!

再说克兰斯顿家的小码头和船棚吧，伯蒂娜最近觅到的两头俄国种猎狼犬正躺在岸边草地上，显然在等候她外出归来。侍候她一家的仆人，就有半打之多，里头有一个名叫约翰的，就在这里等着，给克莱德拎他那只唯一的手提箱，以及网球拍。高尔夫球棍。可是，这儿所有一切之中，给克莱德印象最深的，却是错落有致。建筑优美的这一幢巨邸，甬道两边栽有鲜红的天竺葵，宽敞的棕色游廊内有柳藤编制的家具陈设，从这儿眺望湖上美景，真可以说尽收眼底。还有各种各样的客人，他们的汽车也因各自身分迥然不同。这时他们有人身穿高尔夫球服或是网球服，也有人穿着日常便服，或在廊下小憩，或在园中散步。

约翰听了伯蒂娜吩咐后，便立即把克莱德带到一个可以眺望湖景的宽敞的房间。他在那里洗了个澡，换上网球服，准备跟桑德拉。伯蒂娜。格兰特一块打网球去。桑德拉为了他特地也来伯蒂娜家作客。晚饭过后，桑德拉对他说，他可以跟伯蒂娜。格兰特一块去夜总会，他们将介绍他同这儿所有的人见见面。

在那儿还可以跳跳舞呢。明儿一大早，在进早餐以前，他要是高兴的话，就可以跟她。伯蒂娜。斯图尔特一块骑着马儿，沿着一条妙极了的林中小径，穿过西边一片片树林子，一直来到天启岬，远眺湖上胜景。现在他才知道，除了一两条类似这样的小径以外，这一片森林方圆四十英里以内是无路可通的。人家告诉他，要是没有指南针或是向导，游人可能迷了路，甚至丧生……不识森林的陌路人，要辨别方向，可真不容易啊。还有，早餐后先游泳，然后她和伯蒂娜。尼娜。坦普尔将站在她的(由汽艇拖行)的滑水板上，显一显她们新学到的本领。在这以后，就进午餐，打网球，或是打高尔夫球，然后到夜总会去喝喝茶。

当晚，在湖对岸来自尤蒂卡的布鲁克肖家别墅便宴后，还有舞会哩。

克莱德也发现自己刚到才一个钟头，这次周末活动时间早已安排得满满的了。不过，他心里有谱，他跟桑德拉一定还有办法单独在一起，而且不是只有一会儿工夫，也许还长达好几个钟头。通过这一美妙的时刻，他便可以体会到新的乐趣，以及她那天生脾性的方方面面。克莱德尽管心里还背着罗伯达这个沉重的包袱，可是，至少在这个周末，倒是可以把它丢在一边……那时他感到自己就象进了天堂一样。

在克兰斯顿家的网球场上，桑德拉身穿打网球时穿的套装……雪白的短衫短裙，头发用一条带黄绿两色点子的手绢束了起来。她那欢乐。优美。幸福的神态，好象是过去从没有过的。她嘴唇上不时挂着微笑!

每当桑德拉向他投去匆匆一瞥，眼眸里包含着那么多的欢乐。微笑和脉脉柔情!

她来回奔跑，把球一个个给他打过去，那姿势活象一只小鸟儿在凌空飞翔……她一手高高举起球拍，好象只有一个脚趾头轻轻地触着地面，脑袋往后仰着，嘴唇微微张着，格格地笑个不停。她高声喊着二十比零。三十比零。四十比零的时候，总是笑哈哈地把那个零字(此处是一语双关，因为网球等比赛中，"零分"和"爱情"。"情人"在英语里恰巧同音同字，都是"Ｌｏｖｅ"。)喊得特别响亮，克莱德听了顿时觉得心里怪热乎乎的，可又不免带着一丝儿悲哀。因为他知道，而且还高兴地从这一点看出:

也许桑德拉很可能就属于他了，只要他是自由的就好了。可是，他自己垒起的那另一堵黑墙!

后来又有这么一个场面:

红艳艳的太阳，给一块草地倾泻了一片水晶般璀璨的阳光，这片草地是从参天的松树林一直延伸到泛起银色涟漪的湖边。湖上几乎到哪儿都可见到小船上闪光的白帆……白的。绿的。黄的，杂色斑驳的船身。

逍遥自在的一对对情侣，在阳光下悠闲地划着小划子!

消夏季节……悠闲……温馨……五光十色……舒适……美……爱情……这一切，正是去年夏天他自己感到孤寂难捱时梦寐以求的啊。

有时，克莱德仿佛心中乐得快要晕过去了，因为他生平的一个大愿望多少得到了满足，差不多马上唾手可得了;有时(他心里只要一想到罗伯达，就象一阵砭人肌骨的寒风马上向他袭来)，他却觉得:

现在威胁他的这件事，就他对于美。

爱情。幸福的种种梦幻而论，可以说比任何事情更加悲哀，可怕，和凶险。有关帕斯湖上两人溺死那条可怕的新闻报道啊!

尽管这周以内(或是最多两三周吧)他有一个狂热的计划，但是也可能他就得永远离开这一切啊。想到这儿，他猛地惊醒过来，方才意识到自己漏了接球，实在打得很差劲，耳边听到伯蒂娜，或是桑德拉。格兰特在喊:

"喂，克莱德，你究竟在想什么呀?

"他要是能说出来，恐怕就会从他心里最黑暗的深处回答说:

"罗伯达。"当天晚上，在布鲁克肖家又碰见一群衣饰漂亮的人，他们都是桑德拉，伯蒂娜她们的朋友。舞厅里又遇到笑容满面的桑德拉。她故意佯装给所有赴宴的人……特别是她的父母……看看她好象事前还没有看见克莱德……甚至压根儿不知道他也在这儿哩。

"怎么，你也来啦?

那敢情好。住在克兰斯顿家吗?

哦，那不是太好了吗?

就在我们家紧邻。哦，我们可以常见面了，嗯?

明儿早上七点以前，遛一会儿马，怎么样?

伯蒂娜跟我差不多天天遛。要是没有别的事打岔，明儿我们还打算来一次野餐，划小划子，开车兜兜风。你别担心遛不好嘛。我会关照伯蒂娜把杰利让给你骑……它简直就象一头小绵羊。至于衣着嘛，也不用担心。格兰特样样都有。下面两个舞我跟别人跳，第三个舞开始，我跟你一块出去坐坐，好吗?

外面阳台上，我知道有个地方棒极了。"她手一扬，走开了，她的眼色好象对他说:

"我们彼此心照不宣嘛。"后来，到了外面幽暗处，没人看见时，她把他的脸拉过来凑近自己的脸，热情地亲吻他。在夜阑人静以前，他们远离别墅，沿着湖畔小径散步，在月光底下频频拥抱。

"克莱德来了，桑德拉心里真喜欢。多么惦念他呀，"他亲吻她时，她摩挲着他的头发。克莱德想到他们俩周围一片幽暗，就狂热地亲吻她。"啊，我亲爱的小姑娘，"他大声嚷道。"我那美丽的。美丽的桑德拉!

您要是知道我是多么爱您就好了!

只要您知道就好了!

我恨不能把一切都告诉您。我真巴不得这样呀。"可目前他就是不能告诉她……也可以说是永远也不能告诉她。有关目前横在他们俩中间的那堵黑墙，哪怕是片言只字，他也决不敢告诉她。因为，按照她的良好教养，以及她应恪守的恋爱婚姻的标准，她是永远也不会懂得，同时永远也不愿为爱情作出如此巨大的牺牲，尽管她是那么地爱他。而且，她马上就会离开他，抛弃他……而且同时，她眼里会露出多么可怕的神色!

可是现在，正当他紧紧搂住她时，她望着他那苍白而又紧张的脸，他的眼睛，以及高高在天上的月亮映在他眼里的小小白点子，她禁不住嚷道:

"克莱德真是那么强烈地爱桑德拉吗?

啊，可爱的小伢儿!

桑德拉也很爱他呀。"她双手搂住他的脑袋，而且搂得紧紧的，马上热烈地一连亲了他十几个吻。"而且，桑德拉也决不会放弃她的克莱德。她决不会放弃的。你就等着瞧吧!

不管现在发生什么事，反正没有什么了不起。也许这事很不容易办，但是桑德拉决不会放弃他的。

"随后，她突然带着讲究实际的口吻……这也是由于她天生秉性使然……大声嚷了起来:

"可是，现在我们得走了，马上就走。不，现在连再吻一次也不准了。不，不，现在桑德拉说，就是不行。他们要来找我们啦，"说罢，她身子一挺，挽住他的胳臂，急匆匆同他一块回屋去，刚好碰上正在寻找她的帕尔默。瑟斯顿。

转天早上，她果然践约，到天启岬遛马去，而且赶在七点钟以前……伯蒂娜和桑德拉都身穿鲜红的骑马时穿的外套。白色马裤和黑色皮靴。头发没有束起来，随风轻拂着。她们多半兴冲冲地赶在前头，然后又折回，来到他身边。

要不然，桑德拉就乐呵呵地招呼他快快赶上来，或是她们俩已在一百码以外，躲到仿佛由密林走廊组成的小礼拜堂秘密的角落里有谈有笑，他却压根儿看不见她们。因为这些天来桑德拉显然对克莱德很有情意，伯蒂娜开始认为，这种情意说不定最后会结成眷属，只要家里人不出来作梗就是了。于是，她，伯蒂娜，满面笑容，一下子真象是亲热的化身，惹人喜爱地坚持要他在这儿过上一个夏天，并且答应出面庇护他们，到那时，谁也找不到什么岔儿了。克莱德一听，不消说，喜从中来，但突然又心事重重……一会儿这样一会儿那样……不时发生……不禁又想到报上那条新闻所萌发的念头上去……但他还是跟它进行了搏斗……竭力把它完全甩掉。

这时，桑德拉到了一个地方，便掉头往下走一条很陡的小路，一直来到黑糊糊的树荫底下乱石磷峋。长满青苔的泉水边，对克莱德喊道:

"喂，你快下来，杰利认得这条路，包管不摔跤的。来喝口水吧。这儿的泉水你喝上一口，回去时也就轻快如飞……人们都这么说。"等他从那条小路下来，下了马喝水的时候，她便大声说道:

"有一件事我一直很想告诉你。昨儿晚上妈听说你也来了，这时候她那脸色呀，真该让你看看才好。当然罗，她肯定不知道是我邀请你来的，因为她以为伯蒂娜也喜欢你哩。

我这是存心让她有这样的想法。不过话又说回来，我觉得，不管怎么说，她还是疑心我插手这件事，对此她是很不高兴的。但是除了过去她说过的以外，现在再也搬不出更多的理由来了。刚才我跟伯蒂娜谈过，她答应支持我，尽量帮我的忙。可是尽管这样，往后我们还得特别谨慎才好。因为，依我看，要是妈妈疑心太重了，那我真不知道她会干出什么事来……说不定甚至现在就要我们离开这儿，仅仅是为了不让我跟你见面。你要明白，她是不赞成我对她不喜欢的人感到兴趣。你知道这种事是常有的。她对斯图尔特也是这样。可是，你只要小心谨慎些，别让人看出你有多喜欢我，特别是跟我们那儿任何一个人在一块儿的时候，那么，我想，妈妈她也不会做出什么事来……至少目前还不会。

以后，到了秋天，我们回到莱柯格斯，一切就都变了。那时候，我岁数够了，那就得瞧我的。我至今还没有爱过任何人，可是确实爱你，嗯，得了，反正我决不会把你放了。我是断断乎不放你。而且，他们怎么也不会强迫我的!

"她跺一跺脚，又用皮靴踢了一下。这时，那两匹马正懒洋洋地东张西望着。

克莱德看到她第二次对他那么明确的表白，感到既兴奋，只惊愕;同时又突然心急如焚地想到:

此刻正好向她提出两人一块出走。结婚。这样就可以摘掉悬在他头顶上的剑，这时，他眼里充满激动的希望和恐惧直瞅着桑德拉，因为要是桑德拉对他这个突如其来的建议感到震惊，她就很可能拒绝他，也可能一下子改变主意。何况他又没有钱，万一她接受了这个建议，他们一块该上哪儿去，连他自己心里也没有谱呢。不过，说不定她倒是会想出什么办法来。她只要答应了，那么她就不会帮助他吗?

当然，那是不用说的。不管怎么样，反正他觉得现在他非说不可，至于运气是好是坏，那就随它去了。

于是他说:

"您为什么不能现在就跟我一块走，桑德拉，亲爱的?

要捱到秋天，时间多长呀，可我却是那么爱您。为什么我们不能一块儿马上就走呢?

到了那时候，不管怎么说，您妈反正不大会让您嫁给我。不过，要是我们现在就走，那她什么办法都没有，可不是?

过了几个月以后，您可以写信给她，到那时，她也就不介意了。为什么我们不能现在就走呢，桑德拉?

"他说话的声音里听得出在苦苦哀求，眼里也充满了忧伤和惧怕……害怕被她拒绝，害怕被拒绝以后的毫无保障的前途。

这时，桑德拉被他的激情所左右，心中不由得颤栗不已。她迟疑了一会儿……说实在的，她对这个主意压根儿不觉得惊诧，相反只是感到非常感动和得意，想到自己居然能使克莱德激起这么一种炽烈而又鲁莽的情欲。他竟然会有这么大的冲动……她觉得是她亲手点燃的火苗儿现在如此炽烈地燃烧着。虽然她知道自己不会有他那么强烈的感情……这种烈焰似的情火，过去她还从没有见过哩。现在要是她能跟他一块出走……偷偷地到加拿大，或是到纽约，或是到波士顿，或是到任何地方……该有多美?

那时，她的私奔，将在莱柯格斯这儿，以及奥尔巴尼。尤蒂卡，闹得满城风雨啊!

不论是她自己家里，还是在哪儿，又会怎么议论纷纷，怎样焦虑不安呢!

而吉尔伯特尽管对克莱德没有好感，好歹成了她的亲戚……她父母一向艳羡不已的这个格里菲思家，也终于就成了他们的亲家。

刹那间她用眼色表明自己愿意，甚至几乎决心按照他的建议……跟他一块出走，让人们看看她那炽烈。纯真的爱情，好不热闹!

他们只要一结婚，她父母还有什么办法?

难道说克莱德还配不上她，配不上他们的门第吗?

当然罗，门第相配……尽管她那圈子里头的人几乎都觉得他还不够理想，无非是因为他不象他们那么有钱。可是钱嘛，赶明儿他也会有的，可不是吗……跟她结婚以后，在她父亲公司里找一个好差使……就象吉尔伯特在他父亲厂里一样，可不是吗?

但是，过了一会儿，她想到自己在这儿的生活，想到夏季才开始，她就这样出走后，将使她父母受到多大的打击……还有她自己的计划也将告吹，特别使她母亲恼火，也许说她岁数还不到，甚至宣布婚姻无效。想到以上这些，她就迟疑了……刚才她眼里露出大胆而又欣喜的神色，已被她显然一贯注重实际与物质的秉性所取代。事实上，只要等上几个月就得了!

反正现在出走，说不定会使克莱德跟她永远分开;而再等上几个月，毫无疑问，就保证他们永远不分离。

于是，她便亲热但又坚决地摇摇头。克莱德知道自己失败了……这是他在这件事上所遇到的最最痛苦而又无法挽救的失败。她不愿跟他一块出走!

那他就完了……完了……也许他就永远失去了她。啊，老天哪!

她脸上露出过去即便感情无比激动时也很少见的温柔，说:

"亲爱的，要是我不觉得现在最好别这么做，本来我也会同意的。这未免太仓促了。目前，妈妈还不会做出什么事来。我知道她不会。再说，她已经拟定一套计划，今年夏天，她要在这儿大宴宾客……全都是为了我。她希望我态度殷勤些……得了，你可知道，我这是指谁呀。我觉得这可没有什么关系，只要这一切对我们毫无妨碍的话;当然我也不会做出什么真的吓坏她的事情来。"她停顿一会儿，为了鼓励他而粲然一笑。"不过你多咱高兴，就尽管上这儿来，知道吧。我妈和其他那些人，都不会有任何想法的，因为你并不是我们的客人，知道吗?

我跟伯蒂娜什么都商量好了。因此，整整一个夏天，我们可以跟你在这儿见面，我们要多久就多久，知道吗?

到了秋天，等我回到了莱柯格斯，那时我要是压根儿不能让她对你有好感，或是不答应让我们订婚的话……那末，我就会跟你一块出走。是的，我一定会的，亲爱的……我说的是的的确确的真话。"亲爱的!

只要一到了秋天呀!

说罢，从她的眼色看得出她对他们所面临的实际困难是非常明白的。她握住他的双手，抬眼端详着他的脸，随后突然一个劲儿用双手搂住他的脖子亲吻他。

"难道说你还不明白吗，亲爱的?

千万别这么伤心呀，亲爱的。桑德拉还是那么爱她的克莱德。她一定会尽自己一切力量，使所有事情都能顺顺当当的。是的，她一定会的。一切也都会好起来，你等着瞧吧。她决不会把克莱德放弃的……决不会的!

"克莱德知道自己真的再也找不到任何一个令人感动的理由来说服她了……不管是什么理由都会使她对他的极度急躁心理感到惊疑不止。这都是因为罗伯达所提出的要求，除非……除非……啊……除非罗伯达放过他，那么他就注定失败了。这时，他面有忧色。甚至绝望地直瞅着她的脸。瞧她有多美呀!

她那个小天地该有多美呀!

可是他一辈子也休想得到她或是她那个小天地。而且紧逼着他的……是罗伯达和她的要求，以及他的许诺!

而且，除了出逃以外，再也没有别的出路!

老天哪!

在这个时刻，他眼里露出一种惊恐。几乎疯狂的神色……象此时此刻那么明显，那么强烈是过去从来没有过的……简直濒于失去理智的边缘了……强烈得连桑德拉也一眼就看出来。他显得那么痛苦万状和绝望透顶，使她禁不住嚷了起来:

"喂，你怎么啦，克莱德，亲爱的……你眼色这样……哦，可我也说不清……是绝望，还是……难道说他是那么强烈地爱我吗?

难道说他不能再等三四个月吗?

可是。哦，他还是能等的。这并不象他所想象的那么坏呀。他几乎整天价可以跟我在一块……他呀我的小宝贝。他不在这儿的时候，桑德拉会每天给他写信……每天写呀。""但是，桑德拉呀!

桑德拉呀!

要是我一切都能告诉您就好了。要是您知道这对我将有多大影响……"这时，他沉吟不语，因为，他一下子发觉桑德拉眼里露出那种注重实际的兴趣，好象在说:

干吗她非得立刻跟他一块出走不可呢。克莱德立刻感到这个小天地对她的吸引力该有多大呀……她本人就是这个小天地的一个组成部分……要是他在此时此地过分坚持，就很容易使她怀疑自己当初该不该这么如痴似狂地爱他了。想到这里，他也就一下子断念了。他知道，只要他说了出来，她肯定仔细盘问他，说不定会使她有所改变……至少她的热情将会低落下来，甚至秋天的美梦也会随之成为泡影。

于是，他并没有进一步说明他为什么非要她作出决定不可，相反，他只是说:

"这全都因为现在我是多么需要您，亲爱的……永远需要您。说透了，就是这个呀。有时，我觉得好象一分钟也离不开您呀。哦，不管是什么时候，我总是那么渴念着您。"桑德拉尽管对他如此悬渴觉得美滋滋的，而且至少也有所回报，但在回答他时，无非是重复了自己刚才说过的话。他们必须善于等待。到了秋天，一切都会好了。克莱德因遭失败几乎神经麻木了，可他对此刻跟她在一起的快乐不能放弃，也不能否认。于是，他便竭力掩饰刚才自己流露的情绪……并且一个劲儿想啊想的，想有什么办法……不管怎样……也许甚至于采用划船这个点子，或是什么其他办法!

不过还有什么别的办法呢?

可是，不，不，不……那可要不得。他不是杀人不眨眼的凶手，而且永远也不会。他不是杀人不眨眼的凶手……永远不是……永远不是……永远不是。

可是这一切，他通通将失去呀。

眼看着这大难即将临头呀。

眼看着这大难即将临头呀。

该怎样才能免遭灾难，而又能赢得桑德拉呢?

该怎样，怎样，怎样呢?
Part 2 Chapter 44
And then on his return to Lycurgus early Monday morning, the following letter from Roberta,DEAR CLYDE:
　　My dear, I have often heard the saying, "it never rains but it pours," but I never knew what it meant until to-day.
　　About the first person I saw this morning was Mr. Wilcox, a neighbor of ours, who came to say that Mrs. Ansewould not be out today on account of some work she had to do for Mrs. Dinwiddie in Biltz, although when sheleft yesterday everything had been prepared for her so that I could help her a little with the sewing and so hurrythings up a bit. And now she won't be here until tomorrow. Next word came that Mother's sister, Mrs. Nichols, isvery ill and Mother had to go over to her house at Baker's Pond, which is about twelve miles east of here, Tomdriving her, although he ought to be here to help father with all the work that there is to do about the farm. And Idon't know if Mother will be able to get back before Sunday. If I were better and didn't have all this work of myown on my hands I would have to go too, I suppose, although Mother insists not.
　　Next, Emily and Tom, thinking all is going so well with me and that I might enjoy it, were having four girls andfour boys come here tonight for a sort of June moon-party, with ice cream and cake to be made by Emily andMother and myself. But now, poor dear, she has to do a lot of telephoning over Mr. Wilcox's phone, which weshare, in order to put it off until some day next week, if possible. And she's just heartsick and gloomy, of course.
　　As for myself, I'm trying to keep a stiff upper lip, as the saying is. But it's pretty hard, dear, I'll tell you. For so far I have only had three small telephone talks with you, saying that you didn't think you would have thenecessary money before July fifth. And to put the finishing touches on it, as I only learned to-day, Mamma andPapa have about decided to go to my Uncle Charlie's in Hamilton for over the fourth (from the fourth to thefifteenth) and take me with them, unless I decide to return to Lycurgus, while Tom and Emily visit with my sisterat Homer. But, dear, I can't do that, as you know. I'm too sick and worried. Last night I vomited dreadful andhave been half dead on my feet all day, and I am just about crazy tonight. Dear, what can we do? Can't you comefor me before July third, which will be the time they will be going? You will have to come for me before then,really, because I just can't go up there with them. It's fifty miles from here. I could say I would go up there withthem if only you would be sure to come for me before they start. But I must be absolutely sure that you arecoming--absolutely.
　　Clyde, I have done nothing but cry since I got here. If you were only here I wouldn't feel so badly. I do try to bebrave, dear, but how can I help thinking at times that you will never come for me when you haven't written meone single note and have only talked to me three times since I've been up here. But then I say to myself youcouldn't be so mean as that, and especially since you have promised. Oh, you will come, won't you? Everythingworries me so now, Clyde, for some reason and I'm so frightened, dear. I think of last summer and then this one,and all my dreams. It won't make any real difference to you about your coming a few days sooner than youintended, will it, dear? Even if we have to get along on a little less. I know that we can. I can be very saving andeconomical. I will try to have my dresses made by then. If not, I will do with what I have and finish them later.
　　And I will try and be brave, dear, and not annoy you much, if only you will come. You must, you know, Clyde.
　　It can't be any other way, although for your sake now I wish it could.
　　Please, please, Clyde, write and tell me that you will be here at the end of the time that you said. I worry so andget so lonesome off here all by myself. I will come straight back to you if you don't come by the time you said. Iknow you will not like me to say this, but, Clyde, I can't stay here and that's all there is to it. And I can't go awaywith Mamma and Papa either, so there is only one way out. I don't believe I will sleep a wink to-night, so pleasewrite me and in your letter tell me over and over not to worry about your not coming for me. If you could onlycome to-day, dear, or this week-end, I wouldn't feel so blue. But nearly two weeks more! Every one is in bed andthe house is still, so I will stop.
　　But please write me, dear, right away, or if you won't do that call me up sure to-morrow, because I just can't restone single minute until I do hear from you.
　　Your miserable ROBERTA.
　　P. S.: This is a horrid letter, but I just can't write a better one. I'm so blue.
　　But the day this letter arrived in Lycurgus Clyde was not there to answer it at once. And because of that, Robertabeing in the darkest and most hysterical mood and thought, sat down on Saturday afternoon and, half-convincedas she was that he might already have departed for some distant point without any word to her, almost shriekedor screamed, if one were to properly characterize the mood that animated the following:
　　Biltz, Saturday, June 14th.
　　MY DEAR CLYDE:
　　I am writing to tell you that I am coming back to Lycurgus. I simply can't stay here any longer. Mamma worriesand wonders why I cry so much, and I am just about sick. I know I promised to stay until the 25th or 26th, butthen you said you would write me, but you never have--only an occasional telephone message when I am almostcrazy. I woke up this morning and couldn't help crying right away and this afternoon my headache is dreadful.
　　I'm so afraid you won't come and I'm so frightened, dear. Please come and take me away some place, anywhere,so I can get out of here and not worry like I do. I'm so afraid in the state that I'm in that Papa and Mamma maymake me tell the whole affair or that they will find it out for themselves.
　　Oh, Clyde, you will never know. You have said you would come, and sometimes I just know you will. But atother times I get to thinking about other things and I'm just as certain you won't, especially when you don't writeor telephone. I wish you would write and say that you will come just so I can stand to stay here. Just as soon asyou get this, I wish you would write me and tell me the exact day you can come--not later than the first, really,because I know I cannot stand to stay here any longer than then. Clyde, there isn't a girl in the whole world asmiserable as I am, and you have made me so. But I don't mean that, either, dear. You were good to me once, andyou are now, offering to come for me. And if you will come right away I will be so grateful. And when you readthis, if you think I am unreasonable, please do not mind it, Clyde, but just think I am crazy with grief and worryand that I just don't know what to do. Please write me, Clyde. If you only knew how I need a word.
　　ROBERTA.
　　This letter, coupled as it was with a threat to come to Lycurgus, was sufficient to induce in Clyde a state notunlike Roberta's. To think that he had no additional, let alone plausible, excuse to offer Roberta whereby shecould be induced to delay her final and imperative demand. He racked his brains. He must not write her any longand self-incriminating letters. That would be foolish in the face of his determination not to marry her. Besides hismood at the moment, so fresh from the arms and kisses of Sondra, was not for anything like that. He could not,even if he would.
　　At the same time, something must be done at once, as he could see, in order to allay her apparently desperatemood. And ten minutes after he had finished reading the last of these two letters, he was attempting to reachRoberta over the telephone. And finally getting her after a troublesome and impatient half-hour, he heard hervoice, thin and rather querulous as it seemed to him at first, but really only because of a poor connection, saying:
　　"Hello, Clyde, hello. Oh, I'm so glad you called. I've been terribly nervous. Did you get my two letters? I wasjust about to leave here in the morning if I didn't hear from you by then. I just couldn't stand not to hear anything.
　　Where have you been, dear? Did you read what I said about my parents going away? That's true. Why don't youwrite, Clyde, or call me up anyhow? What about what I said in my letter about the third? Will you be sure andcome then? Or shall I meet you somewhere? I've been so nervous the last three or four days, but now that I hearyou again, maybe I'll be able to quiet down some. But I do wish you would write me a note every few daysanyhow. Why won't you, Clyde? You haven't even written me one since I've been here. I can't tell you what astate I'm in and how hard it is to keep calm now."Plainly Roberta was very nervous and fearsome as she talked. As a matter of fact, except that the home in which she was telephoning was deserted at the moment she was talking very indiscreetly, it seemed to Clyde. And itaided but little in his judgment for her to explain that she was all alone and that no one could hear her. He did notwant her to use his name or refer to letters written to him.
　　Without talking too plainly, he now tried to make it clear that he was very busy and that it was hard for him towrite as much as she might think necessary. Had he not said that he was coming on the 28th or thereabouts if hecould? Well, he would if he could, only it looked now as though it might be necessary for him to postpone it foranother week or so, until the seventh or eighth of July--long enough for him to get together an extra fifty forwhich he had a plan, and which would be necessary for him to have. But really, which was the thought behindthis other, long enough for him to pay one more visit to Sondra as he was yearning to do, over the next weekend.
　　But this demand of hers, now! Couldn't she go with her parents for a week or so and then let him come forher there or she come to him? It would give him more needed time, and-But at this Roberta, bursting forth in a storm of nervous disapproval--saying that most certainly if that were thecase she was going back to her room at the Gilpins', if she could get it, and not waste her time up there gettingready and waiting for him when he was not coming--he suddenly decided that he might as well say that he wascoming on the third, or that if he did not, that at least by then he would have arranged with her where to meethim. For even by now, he had not made up his mind as to how he was to do. He must have a little more time tothink--more time to think.
　　And so now he altered his tone greatly and said: "But listen, Bert. Please don't be angry with me. You talk asthough I didn't have any troubles in connection with all this, either. You don't know what this may be going tocost me before I'm through with it, and you don't seem to care much. I know you're worried and all that, but whatabout me? I'm doing the very best I can now, Bert, with all I have to think about. And won't you just be patientnow until the third, anyhow? Please do. I promise to write you and if I don't, I'll call you up every other day. Willthat be all right? But I certainly don't want you to be using my name like you did a while ago. That will lead totrouble, sure. Please don't. And when I call again, I'll just say it's Mr. Baker asking, see, and you can say it's anyone you like afterwards. And then, if by any chance anything should come up that would stop our starting exactlyon the third, why you can come back here if you want to, see, or somewhere near here, and then we can start assoon as possible after that."His tone was so pleading and soothing, infused as it was--but because of his present necessity only with a traceof that old tenderness and seeming helplessness which, at times, had quite captivated Roberta, that even now itserved to win her to a bizarre and groundless gratitude. So much so that at once she had replied, warmly andemotionally, even: "Oh, no, dear. I don't want to do anything like that. You know I don't. It's just because thingsare so bad as they are with me and I can't help myself now. You know that, Clyde, don't you? I can't help lovingyou. I always will, I suppose. And I don't want to do anything to hurt you, dear, really I don't if I can help it."And Clyde, hearing the ring of genuine affection, and sensing anew his old-time power over her, was disposed toreenact the role of lover again, if only in order to dissuade Roberta from being too harsh and driving with himnow. For while he could not like her now, he told himself, and could not think of marrying her, still in view ofthis other dream he could at least be gracious to her--could he not?--Pretend! And so this conversation endedwith a new peace based on this agreement.
　　The preceding day--a day of somewhat reduced activities on the lakes from which he had just returned--he andSondra and Stuart and Bertine, together with Nina Temple and a youth named Harley Baggott, then visiting theThurstons, had motored first from Twelfth Lake to Three Mile Bay, a small lakeside resort some twenty-fivemiles north, and from thence, between towering walls of pines, to Big Bittern and some other smaller lakes lostin the recesses of the tall pines of the region to the north of Trine Lake. And en route, Clyde, as he now recalled,had been most strangely impressed at moments and in spots by the desolate and for the most part lonely characterof the region. The narrow and rain-washed and even rutted nature of the dirt roads that wound between tall,silent and darksome trees--forests in the largest sense of the word--that extended for miles and miles apparentlyon either hand. The decadent and weird nature of some of the bogs and tarns on either side of the onlycomparatively passable dirt roads which here and there were festooned with funereal or viperous vines, andstrewn like deserted battlefields with soggy and decayed piles of fallen and crisscrossed logs--in places as manyas four deep--one above the other--in the green slime that an undrained depression in the earth had accumulated.
　　The eyes and backs of occasional frogs that, upon lichen or vine or moss-covered stumps and rotting logs in thiswarm June weather, there sunned themselves apparently undisturbed; the spirals of gnats, the solitary flick of asnake's tail as disturbed by the sudden approach of the machine, one made off into the muck and the poisonousgrasses and water-plants which were thickly imbedded in it.
　　And in seeing one of these Clyde, for some reason, had thought of the accident at Pass Lake. He did not realizeit, but at the moment his own subconscious need was contemplating the loneliness and the usefulness at times ofsuch a lone spot as this. And at one point it was that a wier-wier, one of the solitary water-birds of this region,uttered its ouphe and barghest cry, flying from somewhere near into some darker recess within the woods. And atthis sound it was that Clyde had stirred nervously and then sat up in the car. It was so very different to any bird-cry he had ever heard anywhere.
　　"What was that?" he asked of Harley Baggott, who sat next him.
　　"What?""Why, that bird or something that just flew away back there just now?""I didn't hear any bird.""Gee! That was a queer sound. It makes me feel creepy."As interesting and impressive as anything else to him in this almost tenantless region had been the fact that therewere so many lonesome lakes, not one of which he had ever heard of before. The territory through which theywere speeding as fast as the dirt roads would permit, was dotted with them in these deep forests of pine. Andonly occasionally in passing near one, were there any signs indicating a camp or lodge, and those to be reachedonly by some half-blazed trail or rutty or sandy road disappearing through darker trees. In the main, the shores ofthe more remote lakes passed, were all but untenanted, or so sparsely that a cabin or a distant lodge to be seenacross the smooth waters of some pine- encircled gem was an object of interest to all.
　　Why must he think of that other lake in Massachusetts! That boat! The body of that girl found--but not that of theman who accompanied her! How terrible, really!
　　He recalled afterwards,--here in his room, after the last conversation with Roberta--that the car, after a few moremiles, had finally swung into an open space at the north end of a long narrow lake--the south prospect of whichappeared to be divided by a point or an island suggesting a greater length and further windings or curves thanwere visible from where the car had stopped. And except for the small lodge and boathouse at this upper end ithad appeared so very lonesome--not a launch or canoe on it at the time their party arrived. And as in the case ofall the other lakes seen this day, the banks to the very shore line were sentineled with those same green pines-tall,spear-shaped-- their arms widespread like one outside his window here in Lycurgus. And beyond them in thedistance, to the south and west, rose the humped and still smooth and green backs of the nearer Adirondacks.
　　And the water before them, now ruffled by a light wind and glowing in the afternoon sun, was of an intensePrussian blue, almost black, which suggested, as was afterwards confirmed by a guide who was lounging uponthe low veranda of the small inn--that it was very deep--"all of seventy feet not more than a hundred feet outfrom that boathouse."And at this point Harley Baggott, who was interested to learn more about the fishing possibilities of this lake inbehalf of his father, who contemplated coming to this region in a few days, had inquired of the guide whoappeared not to look at the others in the car: "How long is this lake, anyhow?""Oh, about seven miles." "Any fish in it?" "Throw a line in and see. The best place for black bass and the like ofthat almost anywhere around here. Off the island down yonder, or just to the south of it round on the other sidethere, there's a little bay that's said to be one of the best fishin' holes in any of the lakes up this way. I've seen acoupla men bring back as many as seventy-five fish in two hours. That oughta satisfy anybody that ain't tryin' toruin the place for the rest of us."The guide, a thinnish, tall and wizened type, with a long, narrow head and small, keen, bright blue eyes laugheda yokelish laugh as he studied the group. "Not thinkin' of tryin' your luck to-day?""No, just inquiring for my dad. He's coming up here next week, maybe. I want to see about accommodations.""Well, they ain't what they are down to Racquette, of course, but then the fish down there ain't what they are uphere, either." He visited all with a sly and wry and knowing smile.
　　Clyde had never seen the type before. He was interested by all the anomalies and contrarities of this lonesomeworld as contrasted with cities he had known almost exclusively, as well as the decidedly exotic and material lifeand equipment with which, at the Cranstons' and elsewhere, he was then surrounded. The strange andcomparatively deserted nature of this region as contrasted with the brisk and vigorous life of Lycurgus, less thana hundred miles to the south.
　　"The country up here kills me," commented Stuart Finchley at this point. "It's so near the Chain and yet it's sodifferent, scarcely any one living up here at all, it seems.""Well, except for the camps in summer and the fellows that come up to hunt moose and deer in the fall, there ain't much of anybody or anything around here after September first," commented the guide. "I've been guidin'
　　and trappin' for nigh onto seventeen years now around here and 'cept for more and more people around some ofthe lakes below here--the Chain principally in summer--I ain't seen much change. You need to know this countrypurty well if yer goin't strike out anywhere away from the main roads, though o' course about five miles to thewest o' here is the railroad. Gun Lodge is the station. We bring 'em by bus from there in the summer. And fromthe south end down there is a sorta road leadin' down to Greys Lake and Three Mile Bay. You musta come alonga part of it, since it's the only road up into this country as yet. They're talkin' of cuttin' one through to Long Lakesometime, but so far it's mostly talk. But from most of these other lakes around here, there's no road at all, notthat an automobile could make. Just trails and there's not even a decent camp on some o' 'em. You have to bringyour own outfit. But Ellis and me was over to Gun Lake last summer--that's thirty miles west o' here and we hadto walk every inch of the way and carry our packs. But, oh, say, the fishin' and moose and deer come right downto the shore in places to drink. See 'em as plain as that stump across the lake."And Clyde remembered that, along with the others, he had carried away the impression that for solitude andcharm--or at least mystery--this region could scarcely be matched. And to think it was all so comparatively nearLycurgus--not more than a hundred miles by road; not more than seventy by rail, as he eventually came to know.
　　But now once more in Lycurgus and back in his room after just explaining to Roberta, as he had, he once moreencountered on his writing desk, the identical paper containing the item concerning the tragedy at Pass Lake.
　　And in spite of himself, his eye once more followed nervously and yet unwaveringly to the last word all thesuggestive and provocative details. The uncomplicated and apparently easy way in which the lost couple had firstarrived at the boathouse; the commonplace and entirely unsuspicious way in which they had hired a boat and setforth for a row; the manner in which they had disappeared to the north end; and then the upturned boat, thefloating oars and hats near the shore. He stood reading in the still strong evening light. Outside the windows werethe dark boughs of the fir tree of which he had thought the preceding day and which now suggested all those firsand pines about the shores of Big Bittern.
　　But, good God! What was he thinking of anyhow? He, Clyde Griffiths! The nephew of Samuel Griffiths! Whatwas "getting into" him? Murder! That's what it was. This terrible item--this devil's accident or machination thatwas constantly putting it before him! A most horrible crime, and one for which they electrocuted people if theywere caught. Besides, he could not murder anybody--not Roberta, anyhow. Oh, no! Surely not after all that hadbeen between them. And yet--this other world!--Sondra--which he was certain to lose now unless he acted insome way-His hands shook, his eyelids twitched--then his hair at the roots tingled and over his body ran chill nervoustitillations in waves. Murder! Or upsetting a boat at any rate in deep water, which of course might happenanywhere, and by accident, as at Pass Lake. And Roberta could not swim. He knew that. But she might saveherself at that--scream--cling to the boat--and then--if there were any to hear--and she told afterwards! An icyperspiration now sprang to his forehead; his lips trembled and suddenly his throat felt parched and dry. Toprevent a thing like that he would have to--to--but no--he was not like that. He could not do a thing like that--hitany one--a girl--Roberta--and when drowning or struggling. Oh, no, no--no such thing as that! Impossible.
　　He took his straw hat and went out, almost before any one heard him THINK, as he would have phrased it tohimself, such horrible, terrible thoughts. He could not and would not think them from now on. He was no such person. And yet--and yet--these thoughts. The solution--if he wanted one. The way to stay here--not leave--marrySondra--be rid of Roberta and all--all--for the price of a little courage or daring. But no!
　　He walked and walked--away from Lycurgus--out on a road to the southeast which passed through a poor anddecidedly unfrequented rural section, and so left him alone to think--or, as he felt, not to be heard in his thinking.
　　Day was fading into dark. Lamps were beginning to glow in the cottages here and there. Trees in groups in fieldsor along the road were beginning to blur or smokily blend. And although it was warm--the air lifeless andlethargic--he walked fast, thinking, and perspiring as he did so, as though he were seeking to outwalk andoutthink or divert some inner self that preferred to be still and think.
　　That gloomy, lonely lake up there!
　　That island to the south!
　　Who would see?
　　Who could hear?
　　That station at Gun Lodge with a bus running to it at this season of the year. (Ah, he remembered that, did he?
　　The deuce!) A terrible thing, to remember a thing like that in connection with such a thought as this! But if hewere going to think of such a thing as this at all, he had better think well--he could tell himself that--or stopthinking about it now--once and forever--forever. But Sondra! Roberta! If ever he were caught--electrocuted!
　　And yet the actual misery of his present state. The difficulty! The danger of losing Sondra. And yet, murder-He wiped his hot and wet face, and paused and gazed at a group of trees across a field which somehow remindedhim of the trees of . . . well . . . he didn't like this road. It was getting too dark out here. He had better turn and goback. But that road at the south and leading to Three Mile Bay and Greys Lake--if one chose to go that way--toSharon and the Cranston Lodge--whither he would be going afterwards if he did go that way. God! Big Bittern-thetrees along there after dark would be like that--blurred and gloomy. It would have to be toward evening, ofcourse. No one would think of trying to . . . well . . . in the morning, when there was so much light. Only a foolwould do that. But at night, toward dusk, as it was now, or a little later. But, damn it, he would not listen to suchthoughts. Yet no one would be likely to see him or Roberta either--would they--there? It would be so easy to goto a place like Big Bittern--for an alleged wedding trip--would it not--over the Fourth, say--or after the fourth orfifth, when there would be fewer people. And to register as some one else--not himself--so that he could never betraced that way. And then, again, it would be so easy to get back to Sharon and the Cranstons' by midnight, or themorning of the next day, maybe, and then, once there he could pretend also that he had come north on that earlymorning train that arrived about ten o'clock. And then . . .
　　Confound it--why should his mind keep dwelling on this idea? Was he actually planning to do a thing like this?
　　But he was not! He could not be! He, Clyde Griffiths, could not be serious about a thing like this. That was notpossible. He could not be. Of course! It was all too impossible, too wicked, to imagine that he, Clyde Griffiths,could bring himself to execute a deed like that. And yet . . .
　　And forthwith an uncanny feeling of wretchedness and insufficiency for so dark a crime insisted on thrustingitself forward. He decided to retrace his steps toward Lycurgus, where at least he could be among people.

星期一清晨，他一回到莱柯格斯，便看到罗伯达的这封信，全文如下:

亲爱的克莱德:

我亲爱的，过去我常听人说"祸不单行"这句谚语，但是我一直到今天，才懂得这是什么意思。今天早上，我见到的头一个人，是我们的邻居威尔科克斯先生。他跑来说，安斯太太今天不能来了，因为她非得给比尔茨的丁威迪太太做衣服不可，虽说昨儿晚上她临走时，我们什么都给她准备好了，而且我也可以帮她缝缝，使活儿早点做完。可现在她来不了，要到明儿才来，后来传来了消息，说:

我姨妈尼科尔斯太太病得很重，妈妈就得上贝克塘(在我们家以东大约十二英里左右的地方)她家去，由汤姆用车送她，虽说他应该留在这儿农场，帮爸爸干各种各样的活儿。我还不知道妈妈能不能在星期天以前回来。要是我觉得自己身体好些，同时也用不着我亲手缝制衣服，那末，说不定我也得去，尽管妈妈一个劲儿不让我去。

还有，艾米莉和汤姆以为我一切都很顺顺当当，也许让我乐一乐，今儿晚上就邀了四个姑娘和四个小伙子来到这儿，举行一个类似六月里的月光晚会，由艾米莉。妈妈和我一块做冰淇淋和蛋糕。可是现在，可怜的她非得上威尔科克斯家去，通过我们两家合用的电话通知改期，可能改在下星期某某一天。当然，她有点儿沮丧和伤心。

至于我自己，正如俗话所说的，竭力让自己不害怕。不过，亲爱的，我老实跟您说，确实难受极了。到现在为止，我只给您打过三次很短的电话，当时您只说那笔钱在七月五日以前也许您弄不到。此外，我今天才知道，妈妈。爸爸已决定四日到汉密尔顿的查理叔叔那儿做客去(自四日至十五日)，还要带我一块去，除非我决定回莱柯格斯;而汤姆和艾米莉则到霍默妹妹那儿去。可是，亲爱的，我可不能去，这您也明白。我身体太差劲，真让我操心。昨儿晚上，我呕吐得够呛，今儿个我一整天在忙活，几乎送掉了半条命，到了晚上，我简直快要吓疯了。

亲爱的，我们该怎么办啊?

他们七月三日动身去汉密尔顿，您能不能提前来接我?

说实话，您非得提前来接我不可，因为我说什么也不能跟他们一块走亲戚去。离这儿还有五十英里路啊。只要您准定在他们动身以前来接我，我就不妨跟他们说同意自己去的。不过，我必须绝对有把握您一准来……非得绝对有把握不可。

克莱德，自从我到这儿以后，我只是在暗自哭泣。只要您在这儿，我也就不会那么难过了。我确实也想勇敢起来，亲爱的，可是，自从我到这儿以后，您一封三言两语的短信也没有来过，只是跟我打过三次电话……有时我禁不住暗自纳闷，也许您压根儿不来接我吧。可是，我却安慰自己说，您决不至于那么下流的，特别是因为您亲口答应过的。哦，您一定会来的，是吧?

不知怎的，现在什么事都让我揪心，克莱德，而且，我还是那么害怕，亲爱的。我先是想到去年夏天，随后想到今年夏天，想到了我所有的梦想……亲爱的，您提前几天来，也许对您没有多大区别，是吧?

反正我们就得靠很少的钱过活吧。我知道，我们好歹总能活下去的。我会精打细算，是很能过紧日子的。到时候，我一定设法把我的衣服做好。要是做不好，那我就不妨有啥带啥，那些留在以后再做得了。而且，我一定竭力使自己勇敢起来，亲爱的，决不给您过多的麻烦，只要您来就得了。您知道，您是非来不可，克莱德。此外再也没有别的出路了，虽然为了您，现在我也巴不得能找到别的出路。

请您务必，务必，克莱德，写信来，告诉我。说您按照您所说的那个期限到这儿来。我独自一人在这儿，真心烦，真孤寂。要是到时候您还不来，那我就只好直接回莱柯格斯去找您了。我知道，您不喜欢我说这话，可是，克莱德啊，我在这儿再也待不下去了，我要说的全在这儿了。而且我又没法跟妈妈。

爸爸一块去，因此，出路也就只有一条。今儿晚上，我相信我一刻儿也都睡不着。因此，请您务必给我写信，实实在在地让我能放心，不要为了怕您不来接我而揪心。您只要今天或是本周周末能来这儿，亲爱的，那我也就不会这么忧心忡忡了。不过，差不多还得等上两个星期呢!

我家里人人都睡了，屋子里一点儿声音都没有，所以我也只好搁笔了。

不过，请您务必给我写信，亲爱的，马上就写。要是您不愿写信，那明天务必给我打电话，因为在我没有得到您的回答以前，我一刻也不得安宁啊。

您不幸的罗伯达附言:

这封信写得糟透了，可我怎么写也写不好。我是多么忧心如焚啊。

不料这封信到达莱柯格斯时，克莱德不在那儿，自然没法立即回答她。因此，罗伯达怀着最最忧郁的歇斯底里的情绪，就在星期六下午又给他写了一封信。当时，她半信半疑地以为，也许他连一句话都不对她说就远走高飞了。她写给他的信，如果说得更加恰当些，那她几乎是在大声呐喊:

我亲爱的克莱德:

现在我写信告诉您，我就要动身回莱柯格斯了。我在这儿简直一刻也待不下去了。妈妈很担心，暗自纳闷:

为什么我哭得那么厉害;而我现在觉得自己快要病倒了。我知道当初我答应要住到二十五日或是二十六日。您也说过要写信给我，可是您一直没有写来……只是在我差点儿想疯的时候，偶然打给我一个电话。今儿早上我一醒来，禁不住就哭了。今儿下午，我头痛得真够呛。

我深怕您不乐意来，我简直是吓怕了，亲爱的。求求您快点来吧，把我捎到别地去，到哪儿去都行，只要我能离开这儿，不再象现在这么难受就得了。

我深怕妈妈。爸爸看到现在我这个样子，逼我要把这事的来龙去脉通通说出来，要不然，他们自己猜也都会猜到的。

啊，克莱德，这个中滋味……谅您怎么也不会知道的。您说过您会来的，有时我也知道您会来的。可有时我想到的就完全不一样。我觉得您准定不会来的，特别是在您既不给我来信也不给我打电话的时候。希望您写信来说明您一定会来的，这我才能凑合着在这儿待下去。希望您接信后马上给我回信，告诉我您多咱能来的确切日期……无论如何一天也不能迟了。因为我知道，那时要我再待在这儿，说实话，我是怎么也受不了的。克莱德，天底下再也没有一个姑娘比我更不幸的了，而这全都得怪您。不过，亲爱的，我并不愿意这样说。

过去您曾经对我很好，现在您愿意来接我，您对我也是很好的。要是您马上就来，那我将对您感激不尽了。您见信后要是觉得我有不太妥当的地方，还请您别生气，克莱德，只当我是由于极度痛苦。揪心得快要发疯，简直不知道怎么办才好。求求您写封信给我，克莱德。只要您知道我多么急切地盼望您哪怕是片言只字的来信就好了。

罗伯达六月十四日，星期六写于比尔茨这么一封信，再加上要来莱柯格斯的这一威胁，足以使克莱德的心境变得跟罗伯达毫无二致了。试想，现在他再也找不到什么借口……更不用说是言之成理的借口……来规劝罗伯达推迟她那个最后的。必须无条件服从的要求了。

为此，他绞尽了脑汁。他断断乎不能写任何连累自己的长信给她:

这不免太愚蠢了，因为他决心不娶她。何况刚才他跟桑德拉又是搂抱。又是亲吻，这时依然柔情似水，他是绝对不会给罗伯达写信的，哪怕是他真的愿意，也办不到。

但他也知道，为了抚慰她显然濒于绝望的心境，必须马上想出个对策才行。

他看完最近两封来信后，过了十分钟，便设法跟罗伯达打电话。他焦急不安地等了半个钟头以后，终于听到了她的声音，开头很轻，听起来好象十分恼火似的，实际上因为电话线路不佳。她回话说:

"喂，克莱德，您好。哦，您打来电话，我真高兴。我心里一直乱得够呛。我的两封信您都收到了吗?

要是现在您还不打电话来，明儿一早我就准备动身了。您那边一点儿消息都没有，这实在叫我受不了。最近您上哪儿去了，亲爱的?

我信上说妈妈。爸爸要出门的事，您见到了没有?

这是千真万确的。克莱德，您为什么不写信，也不打电话来呀?

我信里说到三日一事，您觉得怎么样?

到时候，您一准来，是吗?

还是我上哪儿跟您碰头?

这三四天来，我心里真是乱糟糟的，可现在又听到您的声音，也许我可以稍微安心些。不过，不管怎么说，我巴不得您每隔一两天就给我写信。克莱德，您为什么不愿写呀?

自从我到这儿以后，您连一封信也没有写给我!

我简直没法告诉您:

我现在情况怎么样，自己又要保持镇静该有多困难啊。"罗伯达说话时，显然非常激动，非常害怕。事实上，克莱德觉得，她说话实在太不谨慎了，幸好她听电话时，室内暂时然无人。尽管她一再解释说只有她一个人在那儿，别人都听不见，还是一点儿也不能使他宽心。他压根儿不愿她直呼他的名字，或是提到她给他写过信。

他尽管不愿说得过分明确，可又要叫她明白:

现在他忙得不可开交，很难做到象她所说的非得给她写信不可。他不是对她说过，他要是能来的话，那就在二十八日前后来吗?

恐怕他还得再往后推迟个把星期左右，到七月七日或八日……好让他有足够时间另筹五十块美元……对此，他心里作过通盘考虑。而且这些钱，对他来说也是完全必需的。可是实际上，他只是想让自己有充裕时间，能在下一个周末再去跟桑德拉见面，对此他几乎已是望眼欲穿。可现在罗伯达突然提出这一要求!

她能不能上她父母那儿个把星期，然后他再上那儿去接她，或是她索性上他这儿来?

那他就有更多的时间可以……不料，罗伯达回答时马上激烈反对，说:

要是这样，那她现在就得回莱柯格斯，到吉尔平家她原来住的那个房间(如果说她还租得到的话)。既然他来不了，那她就准备动身，不必在这儿浪费时间，白白地等他了……克莱德这时候突然决定，不妨对她说也许三日自己来，要是来不了，到时候至少会找她商量好，她该上哪儿去跟他碰头。因为即使到了此刻，他还没有想定该怎么办才好。还得让他再有一点儿时间好好想一想……再有一点儿时间好好想一想。

于是，他几乎口气大变，说:

"可你得听我说，伯特。请你先别冲我发火。听你讲话的口气，好象我们出走一事，在我是一点儿困难也没有似的。你并不明白，在要走这一着以前，我得付出多大的代价。而要完成这件事，本来不是那么简单，可你好象并不怎么考虑这一点。我知道你对所有这一切很担心，可我呢，又是怎样?

我正在尽自己一切力量去做，伯特，而且有那么多的事情，我都得考虑到。不管怎么说，你就不能耐心等到三日了吗?

请你耐心等着吧。我答应给你写信，要是写不了，那就每隔一天打电话给你。这总可以满意了吧?

不过，当然罗，我决不让你象刚才那样冲我直呼其名。要是这样，肯定会引起麻烦。

以后，请你千万别这样。下次我再去电话，我只说是贝克先生要你听电话，知道了吗。你听过电话后，随你说谁来电话都行。要是万一出了什么事，使我们三日走不了，那随你高兴就不妨回来，知道了吗，或者就到莱柯格斯附近某处，随后，我们尽可能一有机会，便赶紧动身。"他说话时的语调是那么委婉而又令人宽慰(事实上是硬灌进去的)……但因为是被逼出来的，所以仅略带昔日里那种温柔的。好象无可奈何的味道，这在过去确实把罗伯达完全征服了，即使是现在也能激起她对他怀有一种莫名其妙和毫无道理的感激之情。于是，她立时热情甚至是激动地回答他说:

"哦，不，亲爱的。我决不会做那样的事。您知道我决不会那么做。只是因为目前我的处境实在太差劲了，我简直控制不住自己了。这您也明白，克莱德，是吧?

我不能不爱您呀。我看，我将永远爱您呀。再说，我压根儿不愿做任何使您伤心的事，亲爱的，说真的，我快不会那样做的。"克莱德一听到她真心爱他的表白，又一次感到自己昔日里控制她的力量，就打算再扮演一次情人的角色，以劝阻罗伯达不要对他太厉害和太苛刻。他暗自思忖，尽管现在他再也不喜欢她，而且并不想娶她，但是，为了另一个梦想，至少他还得对她和蔼些……可不是吗?

……就佯装一下嘛!

因此，这次谈话，就是在这种谅解的基础上得到新的缓和而结束的。

前一天……这一天，湖上(克莱德刚从那儿回来)沸腾的生活已经略微趋于平静……克莱德。桑德拉。斯图尔特。伯蒂娜，还有尼娜。坦普尔和一个名叫哈利。巴戈特的年轻人一块去瑟斯顿家作客。他们先是坐车子从第十二号湖出发，到三英里湾(位于第十二号湖以北约莫二十五英里。小湖边上)去。然后再从那儿，穿过两旁耸入云霄的松树，驶往大比腾湖和隐没在特赖因湖以北。参天的松林深处的一些小湖泊。此刻克莱德想到，当时一路上有时自己得到一种怪异透顶的印象，而大部分地方，尤其是有些地方，一片荒凉，几乎连人影儿都见不到。

狭窄而又被雨水冲过。辙痕斑斑可见的。污浊不堪的道路，弯弯曲曲地穿过凌虚岑寂。郁郁苍苍的松树林……也可以说是莽莽大森林……不知蜿蜒了多少英里，显然望不到尽头。这些凑合通行的泥泞小路，两侧沼泽与小潭，显得有些衰颓而又奇形怪状。路上到处爬满阴森的。有毒的野藤，又好象是战场废址，到处都是一堆堆潮湿的。腐烂了的圆木，重叠交叉……有些地方层层重叠，竟达四层之多……乱堆在无法排水。早已形成低洼的那片绿色黏土地上。正是暖和的六月天，偶尔有一些青蛙，抬起它们一双双亮晶晶的眼睛和脊背，正在青苔上。藤蔓上。长满藓苔的残茎和腐烂的圆木上，沐浴着阳光，显然一点儿都不怕外人惊扰。还有一群群成螺旋形飞舞的蚊蚋，汽车突然驶近时，一条受惊的蛇，尾巴轻轻一甩，倏然钻进了遍地都是的污物堆。有毒的野草和水草丛里。

克莱德在这儿看到一处沼泽地时，不知怎的一下子便想起了帕斯湖上的惨剧。这连他自己也不太明白，可他立时下意识地非常看重象这里如此荒芜冷僻的地点，以后可能很有用处。蓦然间附近有一头怪鸟……这一带孤僻的一种水鸟……发出一阵鬼嚎似的叫声，从他眼前忽地掠过，最后隐没在黑糊糊的树林子里。克莱德一听到这怪叫声，马上浑身颤栗，身子在车上一跃而起。这一声声怪叫，跟他平日里听到的鸟叫声多么不一样呀。

"这是什么?

"他问坐在自己身边的哈利。巴戈特。

"什么?

""哦，好象是一头鸟，还是什么……刚飞了过去。""我可没听到有什么鸟在叫。""嘿!

这声音多怪呀。吓得我简直毛骨悚然。"在这几乎没有人烟的地方，他感到特别惊讶。印象最深的，就是有那么多冷僻的湖泊，过去他连一个都没听说过。他们在泥泞的道路上尽可能急速朝前驶去，但见小湖泊星罗棋布在这一带茂密的松树林深处。只是偶尔路过一个小湖泊，才看见那儿有人烟的一些迹象(比方说，有一间小屋或是一座茅舍)，而且，只有通过那些隐没在黑糊糊的树林子里路标刻在树皮上的，或是辙痕已成条沟，或是沙土松软的羊肠小径，才能到达那里。他们驶过的那些相当偏僻的湖区，岸边基本上荒无人烟，就算有人家，也是寥若晨星。要是从松树环绕的湖区碧澄如宝石的水面上望过去，能瞧见一间圆木小屋，或是远处一座茅舍，马上就引起了大家的好奇心。

他为什么一定要想到马萨诸塞州那一个湖呢!

那一只小船!

那位女郎的尸体是捞获了……可是作为她的同伴的那个男人的尸体，仍然不知下落!

真的多可怕!

后来，他回忆……在跟罗伯达通过电话以后，在他这间房间里……当时，汽车又开过了好几英里，终于拐到狭长的湖北端一块开阔的地方，从这儿向南方看去，湖面好象被一个尖岬，或是一座小岛所截断，但从停车处望过去，湖面还是弯弯曲曲流向远方，简直看不到尽头。湖的四周显得空荡荡的，只看到远处有一座小茅屋和一座船棚。当他们一行人到达时，湖上连一艘汽艇。一只小划子都没有。这天他们路上所见到的其他湖泊也都相同:

只见沿湖岸边同样松树成行，青翠欲滴……高高的，象长矛一般，桠枝往四下里张开，犹如他在莱柯格斯窗外的那棵松树一样。遥望西南，艾迪隆达克斯山脉，碧翠晶莹的层峦叠嶂，好似驼峰一般耸起。峰峦跟前的湖水，被微风吹起了层层涟漪，在午后骄阳下闪出一道道亮光。湖水是深蓝色，几乎是黑的，说明湖水非常之深。正如后来一个正在一家小旅馆蹩脚游廊上游逛的导游证实时所说:

"从船棚往外一百英尺以内，湖水全都有七十英尺深。"这时，哈利。巴戈特因为他父亲打算在这两天内到这儿来，所以很想了解一下在这儿垂钓，鱼儿多不多。于是，他便开口问那个仿佛对车上的人不屑一看的导游:

"这湖到底有多长。""哦，大约有七英里左右。""有鱼吗?

""抛下钓丝，瞧着看吧。这一带到处都是钓黑鲈鱼和这一类鱼的最理想的地方。那个小岛后面，或是从那一头绕过去，往南有一个小湾，人们都说是最好的鱼窝子，整个湖区全都比不上它。我见过有两个人在两个钟头里带回去的，就达七十五条鱼之多。凡不想把我们这个湖通通掏干净的，总该感到满意了吧。"这个导游是干瘪型瘦高个儿，细长脑袋，一双犀利而又闪闪发亮的蓝色小眼睛。在打量这一拨人时，他活象个乡巴佬似的笑了一笑。"今儿个你就不想碰碰运气吗?

""不，只是替我爹打听一下。说不定他下星期就到。我想看看这儿住处怎么样。""哦，住处嘛，当然比不上拉格特湖那儿，可那儿的鱼却比不上我们这儿，"他狡黠而又意味深长地向众人苦笑着说。

象他那一类型的人，克莱德从没有见过。最能引起他兴趣的是，这个荒凉世界里所有种种反常和矛盾事物，因为跟他迄今几乎唯一熟知的几个城市相比也好，还是跟他在克兰斯顿等府第所见到的。纯属异国情调的豪华生活和物质设施相比，该有多么不同。倘若跟往南不到一百英里的莱柯格斯那种生机盎然的景象相比，这里一切都显得多么光怪陆离和荒无人烟。

"这个地方我简直闷死了，"这时，斯图尔特。芬奇利发表感想说。"这儿尽管离钱恩河那么近，却多么不一样，好象没有人住在这儿似的。""是啊，有还是有的，在夏天有几顶帐篷，入秋以后有人来打麋。鹿，不过，九月一日以后，这儿就一个人都见不到了，"那个导游一下子议论开了。"我在这儿当导游。布陷阱，差不多快有十七个年头了。除了越来越多的人跑到这儿来……主要是夏天在钱恩河附近，此外，我再也看不出有多大变化。你要是离开大路，去东走西闯的话，就得先摸摸清这儿地面才行，虽说这儿往西大约五英里就是铁路了。冈洛奇就是车站。入夏以来，我们就派大汽车上那儿接客人。

再往南去，还有一条凑合的路，通往格雷斯湖和三英里湾。也许你非走这一段路不可，因为这是进入我们这个地方的唯一通道。过去有人说要开凿一条路直通长湖，但直到现在为止，也还只是嘴上说说罢了。要从那边的湖区过来，压根儿就没有能通汽车的路。说有吧，也只有一些羊肠小道，道旁甚至连一顶象样的帐篷也都没有。非得自备旅游装备不可。去年夏天，巴特。埃利斯跟我一块上冈湖……在这儿以西三十英里的地方……这三十英里地，就得一步一个脚印走过去，身上还背着自个儿的行李。可是，哦，听我说，那鱼儿呀，还有麋呀，鹿呀，有些地方简直就跑到湖边来喝水，可以看得清清楚楚，就象看对面湖岸上砍断后的残缺树桠枝一样。"克莱德还记得，他跟其他同行人从那儿带回这么一个印象:

若论孤寂和迷人之处……至少从充满神秘氛围这一点来说……恐怕这个地方几乎可以说是举世无双了。只要想一想，这儿离莱柯格斯相当近……公路长不到一百英里。他后来打听到，铁路还不到七十英里。

可现在又回到了莱柯格斯，他刚向罗伯达解释后返回自己房间。他又看到了桌子上刊载帕斯湖上惨剧的那份报纸。他情不自禁把这一段富有暗示与挑衅性的记载又了一遍。他看时尽管心乱似麻，可还是硬着头皮看完了。那丧生的一对男女，先是来到租船码头，显然司空见惯，从容不迫。他们租了一只游船划了起来，随后他们便隐没在湖的北端，这也很平常，并没有引起人们怀疑。

然后……就是那只底朝天的小船。漂到岸边的船桨和帽子。他伫立在窗前读着，这时天还很亮，虽然已是傍黑时分。窗外是枞树黑糊糊的枝桠……前天他心里就想到了它，这时候它让他想起了大比腾湖畔那些枞树和松树。

但是，老天哪!

他是在想些什么呀?

他，克莱德。格里菲思!

塞缪尔。格里菲思的亲侄子!

是什么"潜入"了他脑际?

要杀人!

就是这么一回事。这一条骇人的新闻报道……这一起该死的惨剧或谋杀案，时时刻刻在他眼前浮现!

最最令人发指的罪行呀，只要被抓到，准得坐电椅。此外，他决不想谋害任何人……反正不会是罗伯达。啊，不会是的!

看在过去他们俩有过这么一段关系面上。可是……眼前这另外一个世界呀!

……桑德拉……如今他肯定会失去她，除非他开始采取什么行动。

他两手发抖了，眼皮抽搐着……接着，连他头发根都感到热辣辣的，而浑身上下却又一阵阵发冷。要杀人!

要不然，反正到了湖水深处把小船翻掉，这类事，当然罗，不管在哪儿都可能发生，而且是意外事故，如同帕斯湖上惨剧一样。而罗伯达偏偏不会游泳。这他很清楚。但是，也许她就会靠别的办法救自己的命……比方说，尖声叫喊……拚命紧抓船舷……那时……要是有人听见……她在事后会通通讲出来!

他额角上沁出冰凉的冷汗，他的嘴唇发抖了，嗓子眼枯焦干涩。为了防止那件事情，他就得……就得……可是不……他不是那号人。他决不能做这样的事……打击一个人……一个姑娘……罗伯达……而且是正当她身子往下沉或是在挣扎的时候。哦，不，不……不做这样的事!

断断乎要不得。

他拿起草帽，走了出去，不让人们听到他在想(照他自己这么说法)这些令人毛骨悚然的念头。从现在起，他再也不能。再也不愿去想这些念头了。他并不是那号人。可是……可是……这些念头呀。解决难题的办法呀……要是他想找到一个的话。要在这里待下去……不走……跟桑德拉结婚……把罗伯达连同所有一切……所有一切……通通都给甩掉，……只要一点儿勇气或是胆量。可就是要不得!

他走啊走的……出了莱柯格斯城……越走越远了……沿着一条通往东南的公路走去，穿过一个贫困的。显然人迹罕至的郊区。这样，他就可以独自一人，便于思考问题……或者说他觉得自己在思考的时候不会被别人听到。

天渐渐黑下来。家家户户开始掌灯了。田野里和道路旁，树木的轮廓开始模糊起来，或是消失在烟雾里了。虽然天很暖和……空气却很沉闷……他走得很快，继续在思考，同时大豆汗出，好象想让自己走得更快，把那个喜欢继续思考的内心深处的自我甩掉。

忧郁。孤寂的湖呀!

湖南面的小岛呀!

谁会看见?

谁会听见?

还有每到夏天公共汽车开往湖滨的冈洛奇火车站呀。(哦，这个他总算记住了，可不是吗?

真见鬼!

)为了这么一个可怕的念头他连带着想起了它，该有多可怕呀!

不过，他要是真的打算琢磨这类事，就得把它琢磨透了才行……这一点他自己也得承认……要不然，马上就不去想它……永远。永远不去想它……永远。

永远。可是桑德拉呀!

罗伯达呀!

万一他被抓住了……坐电椅!

但目前他的处境确实不幸!

这解决不了的难题!

还有失去桑德拉的危险。但是，杀人……他擦了一下自己热辣辣。湿粘粘的脸，顿住了一会儿，两眼凝望着田野里一个树林子，不知怎么使他想起了……的树木……得了……他可不喜欢这条路。

这时天越来越黑了。最好他还是掉头往回走吧。可是，往南去的那条路，可以到达三英里湾和格雷斯湖……要是走那条路……便可以到达沙隆和克兰斯顿的别墅……他要是真的走那条路，最后他就准走到那儿去了。老天哪!

大比腾……天黑以后，那儿湖边的树木，就象眼前这个样子……黑糊糊。阴森森。当然罗，一定得在傍黑时分。谁都不会想到……嗯……在早上……光天化日之下干这类事。只有傻瓜蛋才干呢。而是在夜里，傍黑时分，就象现在那样，或是再晚一些。不过，不，见鬼去吧，他决不会照这样一些想法去做的。但是话又说回来，那时大概谁也见不到他或是罗伯达……在那儿……可不是吗?

要上大比腾湖这么一个地方去，那可容易得很……就推托说是新婚旅行……还不成吗……比方说在四日……或是四。五日以后，那时候游人要少得多。登记时换一个名字……反正不使用自己的真名……这样也就永远不露痕迹了。随后，在午夜，也许在转天大清早再回到沙隆，回到克兰斯顿家，那还不很容易嘛。到了那儿，他不妨佯装说是赶早班火车，大约十点钟到的。然后……见鬼去吧……他心里为什么老是回到这个念头上去呀?

难道说他真的打算干这类事吗?

可他不能!

他断断乎不能这么干!

他，克莱德。格里菲思，断断乎不能把这类事当真呀。这可要不得。他断断乎不能这么干。当然罗!

要是有人以为他，克莱德。格里菲思，是会干那类事的，那简直太要不得，太邪恶了。可是……他心里很怪，觉得自己太可怜，太窝囊，怎能让如此邪恶的犯罪念头总是在头脑里冒出来呢。他便决定照原路回莱柯格斯去……到了那儿，他至少又能跟人们在一起了。
Part 2 Chapter 45
There are moments when in connection with the sensitively imaginative or morbidly anachronistic--the mentalityassailed and the same not of any great strength and the problem confronting it of sufficient force andcomplexity--the reason not actually toppling from its throne, still totters or is warped or shaken--the mindbefuddled to the extent that for the time being, at least, unreason or disorder and mistaken or erroneous counselwould appear to hold against all else. In such instances the will and the courage confronted by some greatdifficulty which it can neither master nor endure, appears in some to recede in precipitate flight, leaving onlypanic and temporary unreason in its wake.
　　And in this instance, the mind of Clyde might well have been compared to a small and routed army in full flightbefore a major one, yet at various times in its precipitate departure, pausing for a moment to meditate on someway of escaping complete destruction and in the coincident panic of such a state, resorting to the weirdest andmost haphazard of schemes of escaping from an impending and yet wholly unescapable fate. The strained andbedeviled look in his eyes at moments--the manner in which, from moment to moment and hour to hour, he wentover and over his hitherto poorly balanced actions and thoughts but with no smallest door of escape anywhere.
　　And yet again at moments the solution suggested by the item in The Times-union again thrusting itself forward,psychogenetically, born of his own turbulent, eager and disappointed seeking. And hence persisting.
　　Indeed, it was now as though from the depths of some lower or higher world never before guessed or plumbed byhim . . . a region otherwhere than in life or death and peopled by creatures otherwise than himself . . . there hadnow suddenly appeared, as the genie at the accidental rubbing of Aladdin's lamp--as the efrit emerging as smokefrom the mystic jar in the net of the fisherman--the very substance of some leering and diabolic wish or wisdomconcealed in his own nature, and that now abhorrent and yet compelling, leering and yet intriguing, friendly andyet cruel, offered him a choice between an evil which threatened to destroy him (and against his deepestopposition) and a second evil which, however it might disgust or sear or terrify, still provided for freedom andsuccess and love.
　　Indeed the center or mentating section of his brain at this time might well have been compared to a sealed andsilent hall in which alone and undisturbed, and that in spite of himself, he now sat thinking on the mystic or eviland terrifying desires or advice of some darker or primordial and unregenerate nature of his own, and without thepower to drive the same forth or himself to decamp, and yet also without the courage to act upon anything.
　　For now the genie of his darkest and weakest side was speaking. And it said: "And would you escape from thedemands of Roberta that but now and unto this hour have appeared unescapable to you? Behold! I bring you away. It is the way of the lake--Pass Lake. This item that you have read--do you think it was placed in your handsfor nothing? Remember Big Bittern, the deep, blue-black water, the island to the south, the lone road to ThreeMile Bay? How suitable to your needs! A row-boat or a canoe upset in such a lake and Roberta would passforever from your life. She cannot swim! The lake--the lake--that you have seen--that I have shown you--is it not ideal for the purpose? So removed and so little frequented and yet comparatively near--but a hundred miles fromhere. And how easy for you and Roberta to go there--not directly but indirectly--on this purely imaginativemarriage-trip that you have already agreed to. And all that you need do now is to change your name--and hers-orlet her keep her own and you use yours. You have never permitted her to speak of you and this relationship,and she never has. You have written her but formal notes. And now if you should meet her somewhere as youhave already agreed to, and without any one seeing you, you might travel with her, as in the past to Fonda, to BigBittern--or some point near there.""But there is no hotel at Big Bittern," at once corrected Clyde. "A mere shack that entertains but few people andthat not very well.""All the better. The less people are likely to be there.""But we might be seen on the train going up together. I would be identified as having been with her.""Were you seen at Fonda, Gloversville, Little Falls? Have you not ridden in separate cars or seats before andcould you not do so now? Is it not presumably to be a secret marriage? Then why not a secret honeymoon?""True enough--true enough.""And once you have arranged for that and arrive at Big Bittern or some lake like it--there are so many there--howeasy to row out on such a lake? No questions. No registry under your own name or hers. A boat rented for anhour or half-day or day. You saw the island far to the south on that lone lake. Is it not beautiful? It is well worthseeing. Why should you not go there on such a pleasure trip before marriage? Would she not be happy so to do-asweary and distressed as she is now--an outing--a rest before the ordeal of the new life? Is not that sensible-plausible?
　　And neither of you will ever return presumably. You will both be drowned, will you not? Who is tosee? A guide or two--the man who rents you the boat--the innkeeper once, as you go. But how are they to knowwho you are? Or who she is? And you heard the depth of the water.""But I do not want to kill her. I do not want to kill her. I do not want to injure her in any way. If she will but letme go and she go her own way, I will be so glad and so happy never to see her more.""But she will not let you go or go her way unless you accompany her. And if you go yours, it will be withoutSondra and all that she represents, as well as all this pleasant life here--your standing with your uncle, hisfriends, their cars, the dances, visits to the lodges on the lakes. And what then? A small job! Small pay! Anothersuch period of wandering as followed that accident at Kansas City. Never another chance like this anywhere. Doyou prefer that?""But might there not be some accident here, destroying all my dreams--my future--as there was in Kansas City?""An accident, to be sure--but not the same. In this instance the plan is in your hands. You can arrange it all asyou will. And how easy! So many boats upsetting every summer--the occupants of them drowning, because inmost cases they cannot swim. And will it ever be known whether the man who was with Roberta Alden on BigBittern could swim? And of all deaths, drowning is the easiest--no noise--no outcry--perhaps the accidental blow of an oar--the side of a boat. And then silence! Freedom--a body that no one may ever find. Or if found andidentified, will it not be easy, if you but trouble to plan, to make it appear that you were elsewhere, visiting atone of the other lakes before you decided to go to Twelfth Lake. What is wrong with it? Where is the flaw?""But assuming that I should upset the boat and that she should not drown, then what? Should cling to it, cry out,be saved and relate afterward that. . . But no, I cannot do that--will not do it. I will not hit her. That would be tooterrible . . . too vile.""But a little blow--any little blow under such circumstances would be sufficient to confuse and complete herundoing. Sad, yes, but she has an opportunity to go her own way, has she not? And she will not, nor let you goyours. Well, then, is this so terribly unfair? And do not forget that afterwards there is Sondra--the beautiful--ahome with her in Lycurgus--wealth, a high position such as elsewhere you may never obtain again--never--never.
　　Love and happiness--the equal of any one here--superior even to your cousin Gilbert."The voice ceased temporarily, trailing off into shadow,--silence, dreams.
　　And Clyde, contemplating all that had been said, was still unconvinced. Darker fears or better impulsessupplanted the counsel of the voice in the great hall. But presently thinking of Sondra and all that sherepresented, and then of Roberta, the dark personality would as suddenly and swiftly return and with amplifiedsuavity and subtlety.
　　"Ah, still thinking on the matter. And you have not found a way out and you will not. I have truly pointed out toyou and in all helpfulness the only way--the only way--It is a long lake. And would it not be easy in rowingabout to eventually find some secluded spot--some invisible nook near that south shore where the water is deep?
　　And from there how easy to walk through the woods to Three Mile Bay and Upper Greys Lake? And from thereto the Cranstons'? There is a boat from there, as you know. Pah--how cowardly--how lacking in courage to winthe thing that above all things you desire--beauty--wealth--position--the solution of your every material andspiritual desire. And with poverty, commonplace, hard and poor work as the alternative to all this.
　　"But you must choose--choose! And then act. You must! You must! You must!"Thus the voice in parting, echoing from some remote part of the enormous chamber.
　　And Clyde, listening at first with horror and in terror, later with a detached and philosophic calm as one who,entirely apart from what he may think or do, is still entitled to consider even the wildest and most desperateproposals for his release, at last, because of his own mental and material weakness before pleasures and dreamswhich he could not bring himself to forego, psychically intrigued to the point where he was beginning to thinkthat it might be possible. Why not? Was it not even as the voice said--a possible and plausible way--all hisdesires and dreams to be made real by this one evil thing? Yet in his case, because of flaws and weaknesses inhis own unstable and highly variable will, the problem was not to be solved by thinking thus--then--nor for thenext ten days for that matter.
　　He could not really act on such a matter for himself and would not. It remained as usual for him to be forcedeither to act or to abandon this most WILD and terrible thought. Yet during this time a series of letters--seven from Roberta, five from Sondra--in which in somber tones in so far as Roberta was concerned--in gay andcolorful ones in those which came from Sondra--was painted the now so sharply contrasting phases of the blackrebus which lay before him. To Roberta's pleadings, argumentative and threatening as they were, Clyde did nottrust himself to reply, not even by telephone. For now he reasoned that to answer would be only to lure Robertato her doom--or to the attempted drastic conclusion of his difficulties as outlined by the tragedy at Pass Lake.
　　At the same time, in several notes addressed to Sondra, he gave vent to the most impassioned declarations oflove--his darling--his wonder girl--how eager he was to be at Twelfth Lake by the morning of the Fourth, if hecould, and so thrilled to see her there again. Yet, alas, as he also wrote now, so uncertain was he, even now, as tohow he was to do, there were certain details in connection with his work here that might delay him a day or twoor three--he could not tell as yet--but would write her by the second at the latest, when he would know positively.
　　Yet saying to himself as he wrote this, if she but knew what those details were--if she but knew. Yet in penningthis, and without having as yet answered the last importunate letter from Roberta, he was also saying to himselfthat this did not mean that he was planning to go to Roberta at all, or that if he did, it did not mean that he wasgoing to attempt to kill her. Never once did he honestly, or to put it more accurately, forthrightly andcourageously or coldly face the thought of committing so grim a crime. On the contrary, the nearer heapproached a final resolution or the need for one in connection with all this, the more hideous and terribleseemed the idea--hideous and difficult, and hence the more improbable it seemed that he should ever commit it.
　　It was true that from moment to moment--arguing with himself as he constantly was--sweating mental sweatsand fleeing from moral and social terrors in connection with it all, he was thinking from time to time that hemight go to Big Bittern in order to quiet her in connection with these present importunities and threats and hence(once more evasion--tergiversation with himself) give himself more time in which to conclude what his truecourse must be.
　　The way of the Lake.
　　The way of the Lake.
　　But once there--whether it would then be advisable so to do--or not--well who could tell. He might even yet beable to convert Roberta to some other point of view. For, say what you would, she was certainly acting veryunfairly and captiously in all this. She was, as he saw it in connection with his very vital dream of Sondra,making a mountain--an immense terror--out of a state that when all was said and done, was not so different fromEsta's. And Esta had not compelled any one to marry her. And how much better were the Aldens to his ownparents--poor farmers as compared to poor preachers. And why should he be so concerned as to what they wouldthink when Esta had not troubled to think what her parents would feel?
　　In spite of all that Roberta had said about blame, was she so entirely lacking in blame herself? To be sure, he hadsought to entice or seduce her, as you will, but even so, could she be held entirely blameless? Could she not haverefused, if she was so positive at the time that she was so very moral? But she had not. And as to all this, all thathe had done, had he not done all he could to help her out of it? And he had so little money, too. And was placedin such a difficult position. She was just as much to blame as he was. And yet now she was so determined todrive him this way. To insist on his marrying her, whereas if she would only go her own way--as she could withhis help--she might still save both of them all this trouble.
　　But no, she would not, and he would not marry her and that was all there was to it. She need not think that shecould make him. No, no, no! At times, when in such moods, he felt that he could do anything--drown her easilyenough, and she would only have herself to blame.
　　Then again his more cowering sense of what society would think and do, if it knew, what he himself would becompelled to think of himself afterwards, fairly well satisfied him that as much as he desired to stay, he was notthe one to do anything at all and in consequence must flee.
　　And so it was that Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday following Roberta's letter received on Monday, hadpassed. And then, on Thursday night, following a most torturesome mental day on his and Roberta's part for thatmatter, this is what he received:
　　Biltz, Wednesday, June 30th.
　　DEAR CLYDE:
　　This is to tell you that unless I hear from you either by telephone or letter before noon, Friday, I shall be inLycurgus that same night, and the world will know how you have treated me. I cannot and will not wait andsuffer one more hour. I regret to be compelled to take this step, but you have allowed all this time to go in silencereally, and Saturday is the third, and without any plans of any kind. My whole life is ruined and so will yours bein a measure, but I cannot feel that I am entirely to blame. I have done all I possibly could to make this burden aseasy for you as possible and I certainly regret all the misery it will cause my parents and friends and all whomyou know and hold dear. But I will not wait and suffer one hour more.
　　ROBERTA.
　　And with this in his hands, he was finally all but numbed by the fact that now decidedly he must act. She wasactually coming! Unless he could soothe or restrain her in some manner she would be here to-morrow--thesecond. And yet the second, or the third, or any time until after the Fourth, was no time to leave with her. Theholiday crowds would be too great. There would be too many people to see--to encounter. There must be moresecrecy. He must have at least a little more time in which to get ready. He must think now quickly and then act.
　　Great God! Get ready. Could he not telephone her and say that he had been sick or so worried on account of thenecessary money or something that he could not write--and that besides his uncle had sent for him to come toGreenwood Lake over the Fourth. His uncle! His uncle! No, that would not do. He had used his name too much,what difference should it make to him or her now, whether he saw his uncle once more or not? He was leavingonce and for all, or so he had been telling her, on her account, was he not? And so he had better say that he wasgoing to his uncle, in order to give a reason why he was going away so that, possibly, he might be able to returnin a year or so. She might believe that. At any rate he must tell her something that would quiet her until after theFourth--make her stay up there until at least he could perfect some plan--bring himself to the place where hecould do one thing or the other. One thing or the other.
　　Without pausing to plan anything more than just this at this time, he hurried to the nearest telephone where hewas least likely to be overheard. And, getting her once more, began one of those long and evasive and, in thisinstance, ingratiating explanations which eventually, after he had insisted that he had actually been sick- confined to his room with a fever and hence not able to get to a telephone--and because, as he now said, he hadfinally decided that it would be best if he were to make some explanation to his uncle, so that he might returnsome time in the future, if necessary--he, by using the most pleading, if not actually affectionate, tones andasking her to consider what a state he had been in, too, was able not only to make her believe that there was someexcuse for his delay and silence, but also to introduce the plan that he now had in mind; which was if only shecould wait until the sixth, then assuredly, without fail as to any particular, he would meet her at any place shewould choose to come--Homer, Fonda, Lycurgus, Little Falls--only since they were trying to keep everything sosecret, he would suggest that she come to Fonda on the morning of the sixth in order to make the noon train forUtica. There they could spend the night since they could not very well discuss and decide on their plans over thetelephone, now, and then they could act upon whatever they had decided. Besides he could tell her better thenjust how he thought they ought to do. He had an idea--a little trip maybe, somewhere before they got married orafter, just as she wished, but--something nice anyhow--(his voice grew husky and his knees and hands shookslightly as he said this, only Roberta could not detect the sudden perturbation within him). But she must not askhim now. He could not tell her over the phone. But as sure as anything, at noon on the sixth, he would be on thestation platform at Fonda. All she had to do after seeing him was to buy her ticket to Utica and get in one coach,and he would buy his separately and get in another--the one just ahead or behind hers. On the way down, if shedidn't see him at the station beforehand, he would pass through her car for a drink so that she could see that hewas there--no more than that--but she mustn't speak to him. Then once in Utica, she should check her bag and hewould follow her out to the nearest quiet corner. After that he would go and get her bag, and then they could goto some little hotel and he would take care of all the rest.
　　But she must do this. Would she have that much faith in him? If so, he would call her up on the third--the verynext day--and on the morning of the sixth--sure, so that both he and she would know that everything was allright--that she was starting and that he would be there. What was that? Her trunk? The little one? Sure. If sheneeded it, certainly bring it. Only, if he were she, he would not trouble to try to bring too much now, becauseonce she was settled somewhere, it would be easy enough to send for anything else that she really needed.
　　As Clyde stood at the telephone in a small outlying drug store and talked--the lonely proprietor buried in a sillyromance among his pots and phials at the back--it seemed as though the Giant Efrit that had previouslymaterialized in the silent halls of his brain, was once more here at his elbow--that he himself, cold and numb andfearsome, was being talked through--not actually talking himself.
　　Go to the lake which you visited with Sondra!
　　Get travel folders of the region there from either the Lycurgus House here or the depot.
　　Go to the south end of it and from there walk south, afterwards.
　　Pick a boat that will upset easily--one with a round bottom, such as those you have seen here at Crum Lake andup there.
　　Buy a new and different hat and leave that on the water--one that cannot be traced to you. You might even tearthe lining out of it so that it cannot be traced.
　　Pack all of your things in your trunk here, but leave it, so that swiftly, in the event that anything goes wrong, youcan return here and get it and depart.
　　And take only such things with you as will make it seem as though you were going for an outing to TwelfthLake--not away, so that should you be sought at Twelfth Lake, it will look as though you had gone only there,not elsewhere.
　　Tell her that you intend to marry her, but AFTER you return from this outing, not before.
　　And if necessary strike a light blow, so as to stun her--no more--so that falling in the water, she will drown themore easily.
　　Do not fear!
　　Do not be weak!
　　Walk through the woods by night, not by day--so that when seen again you will be in Three Mile Bay orSharon--and can say that you came from Racquette or Long Lake south, or from Lycurgus north.
　　Use a false name and alter your handwriting as much as possible.
　　Assume that you will be successful.
　　And whisper, whisper--let your language be soft, your tone tender, loving, even. It must be, if you are to win herto your will now.
　　So the Efrit of his own darker self.

有一些人想象力特别敏锐，或因病态而不合时宜，他们的心态受到挫折，偏偏又不具有特别坚强的毅力，面临的问题却艰难复杂，于是会有这样的时刻:

虽然理智还没有真正从它的宝座上倒下来，但是毕竟已在摇摇欲坠，或是因受热而翘曲，或是发生完全动摇，这些人心里早已搞胡涂了，以致非理性或困惑，迷误或过错，至少暂时会占上风。在这种情况之下，对这些人来说，意志和勇气既然征服不了面前的严重困难，而又忍受不了，就只好急忙后退，完全听凭惊恐心态和短暂的非理性支配了。

这里就拿克莱德的心理来说，可以把它比拟为一小股已被强大敌人所击溃的残部，这时正在四处逃逸，但在仓皇逃跑中，也不时停下来歇歇脚，心里琢磨着怎样才能免遭全军覆没。于是，就在惊恐万状之中，乞灵于极端怪异。极其冒险的计划，妄想摆脱即将临头而又完全逃脱不了的命运。有时他眼里流露出一种紧张而又象着了魔似的神色……他常常过不了一会儿，就是过不了一个钟头，便又重新查看一下他那迄今早已紊乱不堪的行动和思绪。可是出路依然没有，连最狭窄的门缝儿也压根儿找不到。于是，《时代联合报》上的那条新闻所提示的解决办法，有时便又冒头了。从心理起源学来说，那还是他自己在内心狂乱之中热切而又沮丧地寻摸出路所产生的，因而也就特别抓紧不放了。

事实上，这个解决方法仿佛来自下界地狱或是上天乐园，这些区域是他从来没有猜测过或是洞察过的……那是另一个世界，既不是生的也不是死的世界，那儿的生灵也跟他本人截然不同……既象偶然擦一擦阿拉丁的神灯，神灵便突然出现似的，又象渔夫网里那个神秘的大口瓶罐，里头一溜轻烟腾空升起一个恶魔……隐藏在他本性中某种狡诈刁滑。穷凶极恶的意图，也就突然萌生了。

这既让他感到厌恶，可又只得听从摆布;既狡猾，而又很迷人;既友好，而又很残酷，逼他在两大邪恶中任择其一:

一大邪恶是不顾他强烈反抗，照样威胁着要把他毁掉;还有一大邪恶，虽然使他感到憎恶。剧痛或者骇怕，可还是保证给他自由。成功和爱情。

这时，他头脑里中枢神经系统，真可以比拟为一座四面密闭。然无人的大厅。他孤零零一个人，绝对不受外界打扰，端坐在大厅里，情不自禁地思考自己那些神秘或是邪恶。骇人的欲念，或是那个凶恶。原始而又堕落的"自我"所出的主意，他自己既没有力量把它赶走，让自己逃跑，但又没有胆量将它付诸行动。

这时，作为他心灵中最凶恶。最软弱的部分……妖魔在说话了。它说:

"你想逃避罗伯达的要求吗，可如今你好象怎么都逃避不了啦。你果真想逃避吗?

且听我说!

我这就给你指点一条路。那就是通往帕斯湖的那条路。你看过的那条新闻……你以为它无缘无故落入你手中吗?

你还记得大比腾湖，那儿深邃莫测的湛蓝色湖水。南面的小岛，以及通往三英里湾的荒凉小道吗?

多么合乎你的需要呀!

一只小划子或是一只独木舟，在这样的湖上，只要船底一朝天，罗伯达就从你的生活里永远消失了。她不会游泳!

那个湖……那个湖……你见过的那个湖……我已指给你看的那个湖……不是再理想也没有吗?

那么冷僻，几乎人迹罕至，又比较近……从这儿去才只有百把英里。而你和罗伯达要上那儿去，又有多方便……不是直接而是兜圈子去……就象你已答应过的，凭空捏造说是结婚旅行就得了。到时候，你只要把你的尊姓大名……还有她的姓名……换一换，要不然干脆让她用她的姓名，你用你的姓名就得了。过去你从来不许她提到你，提到你们这种关系，而她确实也没有向任何人提起过。你写给她的，净是一些正经八百的信。现在，你只要在你们早已讲好的地点跟她碰头，并且不让任何人看见你，那你不妨跟她如同从前去方达一样去大比腾……或是去附近某地就得了。""可是大比腾一家旅馆都没有呀，"克莱德当即提出纠正。"只有一间小棚屋，只能住几个人，而且还不太好。""那就敢情好。大概那儿的人就更少啦。""可是，我们一路上坐火车，会给人们看见呀。人们会认得出我是跟她一块作伴哩。""在方达，在格洛弗斯维尔，在小瀑布，人们不是也看见了你吗?

早先你们连车厢。座位不是都分开坐的，这一回你们就不能也那么办吗?

不是原来就说这回是秘密结婚吗?

那末，干吗不来一次秘密的蜜月旅行呢?

""说得对极了，说得对极了。""你只要一切准备停当，就去大比腾或是类似这样的湖上……那儿四周围有的是……在这么一个湖上，要划到远处去，不是太容易了吗?

没有人问你。也不用登记你自己或是她的真名实姓。先租一只船，预定租一个钟头，或是半天，或是一天。那个荒凉的湖上最最靠南的小岛，你是见过的。小岛不是很美吗?

值得一看呀。你们干吗不在结婚前去那儿作一次愉快的旅行呢?

不是她也很高兴去吗……现在她这么困顿，这么痛苦……在领受新生活的折磨前……去郊游……散散心，不好吗?

这不是通情达理而又似乎令人可信了吗?

按说，你们俩谁都再也回不来啦。你们俩都得淹死，可不是?

有谁会看见你们?

只有一两个导游……还有那个租船给你们的人……还有，照你所说的，一个小客栈老板。可是他们哪儿会知道你是什么人?

她又是什么人?

而你是听说过那湖水有多深呀。""可我并不想谋害她呀。我并不想谋害她呀。我连一根毫发都不想伤害她呀。

只要她同意我走我自己的路，她走她自己的路，那我就很高兴，从此再也不跟她见面了。""但要是你不跟她一块走，她决不会同意你走你自己的路，她走她自己的路呀。要是你走你自己的路，那就是说，你得失去桑德拉，以及失去跟她有关的所有一切，失去这儿一切欢乐的生活……失去你的地位，连同你的伯父。你的朋友，以及他们的汽车。舞会，还有去湖畔别墅作客。往后又怎么样呢?

一个微不足道的差使，一份少得可怜的工薪!

又得漂泊流浪一个时期，如同堪萨斯城那次倒霉事件以后一模一样。不管你上哪儿，再也找不到象这儿如此好的机会了。

难道说你甘心情愿过那样的生活不成?

""可是在这儿，会不会也发生一次不幸事故，把我所有梦想……我的前途，如同在堪萨斯城那次一样，全都给毁了?

""一次不幸事故?

当然罗……只不过性质不同罢了。如今，一切计划全掌握在你手里。反正你要怎么办，就怎么办。还不是易如反掌吗!

每年入夏以来，有多少只船底儿朝天呀……划船的人淹死了，因为他们十之八九不会游泳。有谁知道，跟罗伯达。奥尔登一块在大比腾湖上的那个男人会游泳呢?

要知道所有死亡的形式里头，就数淹死最简单了……没有响声……没有喊叫……说不定碰巧被一支桨砸倒了……在船舷边上。随后是无声无息了!

自由啦……至于尸体呢，也许人们永远也找不到了。即使找到了，确认了死者身份，难道不也很简单，佯装……只要你动一下脑筋就得了……你来第十二号湖以前，是在别的地方，到过别的一个湖上玩儿的。这么个想法有什么不对头呢?

纰漏又在哪儿呢?

""可是，假定说我把小船翻掉了，她并没有淹死，那怎么办?

要是她紧紧拉住船舷，拚命喊叫，被人救了上来，事后讲给别人听……可是，不，我不能这么干……我也不愿这么干。我可不愿砸她。这太可怕了……太卑鄙了。""不过，只要轻轻砸一下……哪怕是最最轻地砸一下，在这种情况下，足以吓得她魂灵儿出窍，就此完蛋了。真够惨的，是的，但是，她本来就有机会可以走她自己的路，可不是吗?

可她偏偏不愿意，也不让你走你自己的路。哦，这不是太不公道了吗?

但别忘了，在这以后，等待你的，是那个桑德拉……那个美人儿桑德拉……她在莱柯格斯的巨邸……财富……很高的社会地位……所有这一切，任你到哪儿再也得不到的……永远得不到……永远得不到。爱情和幸福……可以跟莱柯格斯上流社会里任何人平起平坐……甚至比你堂兄吉尔伯特还要高出一筹哩。"这声音暂时中断了，隐没在幽暗。岑寂。梦幻之中。

克莱德把刚才听到的所有这些话都考虑过了，但还是没有被说服。更深沉的恐惧，也许是天性发现，使响彻大厅的劝告声音顿时为之哑然。可他立时想到了桑德拉，以及与她有关的所有一切，随后又想到了罗伯达，凶恶的幽灵突然回来了，而且话儿说得又体贴，又巧妙。

"哦，还在琢磨这件事。你还没有找到一条出路……往后你也找不到。我已经忠实地。万无一失地向你指出了一条唯一的出路……唯一的出路……那就是长长的一片湖水。在湖上划呀划，最后找一个僻静处……南岸附近谁都见不到的而湖水又很深的地方，那还不是很容易吗?

从那儿穿过树林子去三英里湾和上格雷斯湖，不是挺方便吗?

再从那儿去克兰斯顿家，可不是吗?

那儿有一只船，这你也知道。嘿……多么胆小呀……没胆量去获取你最渴求的……姿色……财富……地位……你物质上。精神上的每一个欲望，通通都得到满足了。要不然……就只有贫穷。平庸。艰苦而又低贱的工作。""不过你必须作出抉择……抉择!

随后付诸行动。你必须这样!

你必须这样!

你必须这样!

"临走时那个声音就是这么说的，从大厅最远的角落里还传来了回响。

乍一听，克莱德感到惊恐万状，后来，他却很超然，能够冷静进行思考，就象这么一种人，不管自己怎么想的和怎么做的，对人们向他提出即便是最荒唐。最冒险的拯救意见，反正都得好好考虑。最后，由于他克服不了自己思想上。物质上的弱点，依然沉溺于享乐与梦幻之中，因此，他一下子好象鬼迷心窍似的，甚至开始觉得，也许这个出路是行得通的。为什么行不通呢?

那个声音不是也说过……唯一可能而又似乎可信的办法……就做这一件恶事，他的全部愿望和梦想，不是都可以实现了吗?

但因为他本人意志不坚定，善变，有些缺憾和弱点，他还是不能借助于这样思考的方法把自己的难题解决……不管是现在也好，还是在以后十天里也好，都是这样。

事实上，要他自行处理，他决不能，也不愿意采取这一着的。如同往常一样，他必须做出选择，要末被迫采取行动，要末干脆放弃这个最荒唐和骇人的念头。不过，就在这时接到一连串的信……罗伯达寄来七封，桑德拉寄来五封。

罗伯达信里全是忧郁的调子，桑德拉信里却是欢天喜地，绘声绘色……摆在他面前的奇异谜画，已把互相对立的两方描绘得如此惊人的鲜明。罗伯达的恳求，尽管言之有理，兼有威胁的意味，但克莱德却不敢回答，甚至不敢打电话。因为他认为，如今要是回答罗伯达的话，那只能是诱使她走上绝路……或是走向帕斯湖上惨剧给他所提示的。企图断然解决他的困境这一结局。

与此同时，他在寄给桑德拉的好几封信里，向他的心上人……他那个惊人的姑娘……热情似火地倾吐了他心中的爱恋……他巴不得能在四日早上来第十二号湖，渴望再次同她见面。可是，天哪，他接下去写道，可惜直到现在他还闹不清楚该怎么办才好。他在这儿还有些杂事，可能耽搁一两天或是三天……目下他还说不准……不过至迟到二日分晓时，他会写信给她的。不过，他一写到这里，便反躬自问:

万一她真的知道这些杂事底细……万一她真的知道呢?

下笔写到这里时，罗伯达最后一封坚决要求他的信，他还没有答复，于是，他自言自语说:

这并不意味着好象他还想上罗伯达那儿去;或是即使真的去了，也决不是说他企图谋害她。过去他从来没有一次老实地，或者说得更确切些，直爽地。

勇敢地，或是冷酷地承认自己想过要犯下如此令人发指的罪行。恰好相反，越是逼近最后解决这一问题时，或者越是觉得这么办完全有必要时，他就越是觉得这个念头又恶毒，又可怕……又恶毒，又难办。因此，越来越看得出，他大概还不至于会来这一招。诚然，现在……当他自我斗争时……他心里常常出冷汗，想使自己解脱由于这一切给道德。社会所带来的恐怖。他还常常想到自己不妨到大比腾去，以便抚慰一下不久前提出过坚决要求和威胁的罗伯达，借以(再次躲躲闪闪……支吾其词)得到宽裕的时间，最后考虑究竟该怎么办。

湖上那条路。

湖上那条路。

可是，一到了湖上……到底是下手好……还是不下手好……唉，有谁知道呢。说不定他甚至还能够改变罗伯达的思想，接受另外一种观点。因为，不管怎么说，目前她的做法，当然很不公道，她向他提出了过多的要求。他认为这同自己对桑德拉那种性命交关的梦想有联系，而罗伯达只不过是在制造巨大障碍……把最常见的事夸大为巨大的悲剧……其实，不管怎么说，她目前的情况跟爱思德还不是差不离吗?

可是，爱思德并没有逼着谁非娶了她不可。何况，奥尔登这一家，虽然是可怜的庄稼人，但与他自己的父母，可怜的传教士相比，还不是要好得多吗。既然爱思德压根儿没想到她的父母会有怎么感受，那他干吗要瞎操心，注意罗伯达的父母会有怎么个想法呢?

尽管罗伯达责怪他时说了许许多多话，难道说她自己就一点儿过错都没有吗?

是的，不错，是他诱骗了她，也可以说是诱奸了她，你一定会这么说的。可是，即使是这样，难道说她就一点儿过错也没有吗?

那时，她要是象自己所说恪守道德，不是可以拒绝他吗?

可她并没有这么做。再说，由于他的过错，给她带来了不幸，关于这一切，不是他已想尽一切办法，帮助她摆脱困境了吗?

何况他又只有这么一点儿钱。不用说，处境也是这么困难。不，她应当跟他同样受到谴责。可是，现在她却硬要推推搡搡他走这一条路，一个劲儿逼他娶了她。其实，只要她同意走她自己的路……在他的帮助下，她是完全可以做到的……也许她照样可以把他们俩从所有灾难中拯救出来。

可是，不，她不愿意这么做。他也不愿意娶她。说到底，就是这么一回事。

她休想逼他做啥就做啥。不，不，不!

有时，赶上他怀着这样心情的时候，就觉得自己真的有能耐……要淹死她，简直易如反掌，而她也就只好咎由自取了。

可是他还害怕要是社会上都知道了，又会怎样想他，怎样对待他，事后他自己又不得不怎样来看待自己呢。克莱德终于产生这么一个想法:

尽管自己很想在莱柯格斯待下去，可他压根儿不是挺有能耐的人，因此，他必须从这里逃走。

星期一接到罗伯达来信以后，星期二。星期三。星期四，就这样过去了。

到星期四晚上，也就是他和罗伯达为这件事度过了伤足脑筋的一天以后，克莱德收到了下面这一封信:

亲爱的克莱德:

我写信告知你:

要是我星期五中午以前还接不到你的电话或是你的信，当晚我就去莱柯格斯，那时人们就会知道你一直是怎样对待我的。就是再多一个钟头，我都不能也不愿等待和忍受了。我很难过我是逼不得已才走这一着的。可是说真的，这么长的时间都让你一声不吭地白白过去了，而星期六已是七月三日了，但我还是一点儿都不知道你的意图和计划。我的一生已经毁了，你的一部分也将毁了，不过，我并不认为这全得怪我呀。只要能减轻你的负担，我都尽力去做了。当然，我很难过，因为我的父母。朋友，以及所有你认得的人。

你所亲爱的人，都将由此而遭到不幸。不过，就是再多一个钟头，我都不愿等待和忍受了。

罗伯达六月三十日星期三于比尔茨克莱德手里拿着这封信，终于意识到如今他必须断然采取行动，因而一时发呆了。她真的要来了!

只要他不能安慰她或是没法阻拦她，明天……七月二日……她就要到莱柯格斯来了。可是二日。三日，他都不能跟她一块走，所以只好是在四日以后。假日里到处是人山人海，一定会看见很多人……还会碰上很多人。还得更秘密些才行。至少他还得要有一些时间准备哩。现在他必须很快琢磨一下，然后就行动起来。老天哪!

马上准备好。也许他先打个电话给她比较好一些，说他病了，或是说为了弄钱事而操心，或是说有其他事，所以他没有时间写信……再说，他伯父还要他七月四日到格林伍德湖去。他的伯父啊!

他的伯父啊!

不，这可要不得。他借用伯父名义的次数太多了。再说，现在他多见一次或是少见一次伯父，这对他或对她来说，究竟还有什么重大作用呢?

要知道，他这回是一去不复返了，或者说，他就是这样告诉罗伯达的，不是吗?

所以，也许最好还是对她这么说:

他要去看伯父，以便说明为什么他要走，这样，他过了一年半载，也许还可以回来。这她也许会相信的。不管怎么说，他必须向她说出一点名堂来，好让她心里先稳住，一直到七月四日以后……让她滞留在比尔茨，一直到他至少已拟定最后计划……他准备走这条路，或是那条路。反正不是这条路就是那条路。

决定了上面这个想法以后，他再也没有静下心来进一步思考，就急匆匆到最近一处打电话去了，那儿至少不会有人偷听。接通以后，他照例又开始向罗伯达进行又冗长。又含糊的。不过这次却显得讨好些的解释。开头，他一个劲儿说他近来确实病倒了……因为感冒发烧，一步也没跨出过家门，因此没法打电话……接着说，他最后决定最好还是要向他伯父解释一下，这样，必要的话，将来多咱他还可以回到莱柯格斯来……他还用一种百般恳求，但也说不上真正亲昵的语调，要求她也得想一想最近以来他过的是一种什么样的日子。这样，他终于让她相信，他迟迟不给她回音，保持缄默，好象是多少情有可原的。而且，他还把自己心里的计划告诉了她:

这就是说，只要她能等到七月六日，那时，不管有别的什么事情，随她定在哪个地方……霍默。方达。莱柯格斯。小瀑布，他准定会上那儿去跟她见面。不过，既然他们一切都要保守秘密，他便建议她不妨六日早上到方达，以便搭乘中午的火车去尤蒂卡。到那儿以后，他们可以住一宿，因为他们在电话里不便讨论和决定他们的计划，只有到了那个时候，他们才可以按照他们的决定去办。这时，他方才可以把他认为他们应该怎么办的种种打算详详细细地告诉她。他有一个想法……在他们结婚以前或是以后，说不定先去哪个地方作一次小小的旅行，正如过去她所希望的那样，不过……反正是很有味儿的一次郊游……(他说话时声音变哑，膝盖和双手都微微颤栗了。

不过，他心里突然慌了神，罗伯达却并没有发觉。)现在她暂时不用多问。他在电话里也没法都告诉她呀。不过，当然罗，六日中午，他一定在方达火车站的站台上。她跟他见面以后，只要买一张开往尤蒂卡的车票，然后上一节车厢，而他会单独给自己买票，上另一节车厢……反正就在她前头或是后头一节车厢。

下车时，要是事先她在车站上没看到他，他会走过她车厢来喝水。这样，她就会看到他是在那儿……至多就这样……不过她千万不能跟他说话。然后，一到了尤蒂卡以后，她就得自己照看好自己的手提包，他会跟在她后头出车站，来到附近僻静的交岔路口。在这以后，他会过来替她拎手提包。随后，他们一块上小旅馆去。剩下来的事，就通通都由他自己操办了。

不过，她必须照他所说的去做。她信得过他吗?

要是信得过，那他在七月三日……也就是明天……还有六日早上……会打电话给她……毫无疑问，这样他们俩就都会知道一切很顺当……她可以马上动身，他也上那儿去。怎么?

她随身要带箱子吗?

是那只小的?

当然罗，如果她需要，那就随身带着。只不过要是换上他呢，他在这个时刻是不会随身携带太多东西的。因为只要她在哪儿一落脚，确实需要什么就送什么，也方便得很。

克莱德在近郊一家小杂货铺电话间说这些话的时候……那个孤独的掌柜在后面瓶瓶罐罐柜台旁，正埋头看憨小说……那个不久前在他脑海里那座鸦雀无声的大厅中出现过的魔王这时好象又来到了他身边……是他通过克莱德之口在说话，而不是克莱德这个浑身发冷。四脚麻木。惊恐万状的本人在说话。

到你跟桑德拉一块去过的那个湖上去!

到莱柯格斯旅馆或是火车站去，寻摸那个地区的旅游指南。

到湖的南头去，然后再从那儿往南走。

挑选一条容易倾覆的船……圆肚底的那种船，就象你在克拉姆湖上，或是在这儿其他湖上见过的那一种。

买一顶跟你现在戴的迥然不同的新帽子，把它扔到水面上……这么一顶帽子，便不可能把你的身份暴露出来。你甚至于不妨把帽儿衬里都给撕掉，让人闹不清这帽儿是在哪儿买的。

把你所有的东西都装进手提箱，但要把它留在家里。万一出了事，你马上回来，拎了手提箱就溜走了。

只不过你随身也要带一点儿东西，让人看起来好象你就是去游第十二号湖……而不是一去不复返。要是有人一直追你追到了第十二号湖，那么，看起来就会好象你是直奔那儿，而压根儿别处都没有去。

告诉罗伯达，说你打算娶她，不过时间是在你这次郊游以后，而不是在这以前。

必要时，轻轻地砸一下，就可以把她吓昏……也够了……她一落水，也就一下子沉了底。

切莫害怕!

切莫手软!

要在夜间，而不是在大白天，穿过树林子……这样只能在三英里湾或是沙隆再见到你了……你不妨说是从南边拉洛特或是长湖来的，要不就说是从北边的莱柯格斯来的。

给自己造一个假名字，尽可能让你的笔迹变个样儿。

相信你胜利在望。

跟罗伯达说话时，声音要轻轻的，轻轻的……轻软。温柔，甚至脉脉含情。

务必这么办，你才能使她现在就屈从你的意志。

以上这些话，就是他自己心里的那个恶魔说的。
Part 2 Chapter 46
And then at noon on Tuesday, July sixth, the station platform of the railroad running from Fonda to Utica, withRoberta stepping down from the train which came south from Biltz to await Clyde, for the train that was to takethem to Utica was not due for another half hour. And fifteen minutes later Clyde himself coming from a sidestreet and approaching the station from the south, from which position Roberta could not see him but fromwhere, after turning the west corner of the depot and stationing himself behind a pile of crates, he could see her.
　　How thin and pale indeed! By contrast with Sondra, how illy-dressed in the blue traveling suit and small brownhat with which she had equipped herself for this occasion--the promise of a restricted and difficult life ascontrasted with that offered by Sondra. And she was thinking of compelling him to give up Sondra in order tomarry her, and from which union he might never be able to extricate himself until such time as would makeSondra and all she represented a mere recollection. The difference between the attitudes of these two girls--Sondra with everything offering all--asking nothing of him; Roberta, with nothing, asking all.
　　A feeling of dark and bitter resentment swept over him and he could not help but feel sympathetic toward thatunknown man at Pass Lake and secretly wish that he had been successful. Perhaps he, too, had been confrontedby a situation just like this. And perhaps he had done right, too, after all, and that was why it had not been foundout. His nerves twitched. His eyes were somber, resentful and yet nervous. Could it not happen againsuccessfully in this case?
　　But here he was now upon the same platform with her as the result of her persistent and illogical demands, andhe must be thinking how, and boldly, he must carry out the plans which, for four days, or ever since he hadtelephoned her, and in a dimmer way for the ten preceding those, he had been planning. This settled course mustnot be interfered with now. He must act! He must not let fear influence him to anything less than he had nowplanned.
　　And so it was that he now stepped forth in order that she might see him, at the same time giving her a wise andseemingly friendly and informative look as if to say, "You see I am here." But behind the look! If only she couldhave pierced beneath the surface and sensed that dark and tortured mood, how speedily she would have fled. Butnow seeing him actually present, a heavy shadow that was lurking in her eyes lifted, the somewhat down-turnedcorners of her mouth reversed themselves, and without appearing to recognize him, she nevertheless brightenedand at once proceeded to the window to purchase her ticket to Utica, as he had instructed her to do.
　　And she was now thinking that at last, at last he had come. And he was going to take her away. And hence a kindof gratefulness for this welling up in her. For they were to be together for seven or eight months at the least. Andwhile it might take tact and patience to adjust things, still it might and probably could be done. From now on shemust be the very soul of caution--not do or say anything that would irritate him in any way, since naturally hewould not be in the best mood because of this. But he must have changed some--perhaps he was seeing her in amore kindly light--sympathizing with her a little, since he now appeared at last to have most gracefully andgenially succumbed to the unavoidable. And at the same time noting his light gray suit, his new straw hat, hisbrightly polished shoes and the dark tan suitcase and (strange, equivocal, frivolous erraticism of his in thisinstance) the tripod of a recently purchased camera together with his tennis racquet in its canvas case strapped tothe side--more than anything to conceal the initials C. G.--she was seized with much of her old-time mood anddesire in regard to his looks and temperament. He was still, and despite his present indifference to her, her Clyde.
　　Having seen her secure her ticket, he now went to get his own, and then, with another knowing look in herdirection, which said that everything was now all right, he returned to the eastern end of the platform, while shereturned to her position at the forward end.
　　(Why was that old man in that old brown winter suit and hat and carrying that bird cage in a brown paper lookingat him so? Could he sense anything? Did he know him? Had he ever worked in Lycurgus or seen him before?)He was going to buy a second straw hat in Utica to-day--he must remember that--a straw hat with a Utica label,which he would wear instead of his present one. Then, when she was not looking, he would put the old one in hisbag with his other things. That was why he would have to leave her for a little while after they reached Utica--atthe depot or library or somewhere--perhaps as was his first plan, take her to some small hotel somewhere andregister as Mr. and Mrs. Carl Graham or Clifford Golden or Gehring (there was a girl in the factory by thatname) so if they were ever traced in any way, it would be assumed that she had gone away with some man of that name.
　　(That whistle of a train afar off. It must be coming now. His watch said twelve-twenty-seven.)And again he must decide what his manner toward her in Utica must be--whether very cordial or the opposite.
　　For over the telephone, of course, he had talked very soft and genial-like because he had to. Perhaps it would bebest to keep that up, otherwise she might become angry or suspicious or stubborn and that would make it hard.
　　(Would that train never get here?)At the same time it was going to be very hard on him to be so very pleasant when, after all, she was driving himas she was--expecting him to do all that she was asking him to do and yet be nice to her. Damn! And yet if heweren't?--Supposing she should sense something of his thoughts in connection with this--really refuse to gothrough with it this way and spoil his plans.
　　(If only his knees and hands wouldn't tremble so at times.)But no, how was she to be able to detect anything of that kind, when he himself had not quite made up his mindas to whether he would be able to go through with it or not? He only knew he was not going away with her, andthat was all there was to that. He might not upset the boat, as he had decided on the day before, but just the samehe was not going away with her.
　　But here now was the train. And there was Roberta lifting her bag. Was it too heavy for her in her present state?
　　It probably was. Well, too bad. It was very hot to-day, too. At any rate he would help her with it later, when theywere where no one could see them. She was looking toward him to be sure he was getting on--so like her thesedays, in her suspicious, doubtful mood in regard to him. But here was a seat in the rear of the car on the shadyside, too. That was not so bad. He would settle himself comfortably and look out. For just outside Fonda, a mileor two beyond, was that same Mohawk that ran through Lycurgus and past the factory, and along the banks ofwhich the year before, he and Roberta had walked about this time. But the memory of that being far frompleasant now, he turned his eyes to a paper he had bought, and behind which he could shield himself as much aspossible, while he once more began to observe the details of the more inward scene which now so much moreconcerned him--the nature of the lake country around Big Bittern, which ever since that final importantconversation with Roberta over the telephone, had been interesting him more than any other geography of theworld.
　　For on Friday, after the conversation, he had stopped in at the Lycurgus House and secured three differentfolders relating to hotels, lodges, inns and other camps in the more remote region beyond Big Bittern and LongLake. (If only there were some way to get to one of those completely deserted lakes described by that guide atBig Bittern--only, perhaps, there might not be any row-boats on any of these lakes at all!) And again onSaturday, had he not secured four more circulars from the rack at the depot (they were in his pocket now)? Hadthey not proved how many small lakes and inns there were along this same railroad, which ran north to BigBittern, to which he and Roberta might resort for a day or two if she would--a night, anyhow, before going to BigBittern and Grass Lake--had he not noted that in particular--a beautiful lake it had said--near the station, and withat least three attractive lodges or country home inns where two could stay for as low as twenty dollars a week.
　　That meant that two could stay for one night surely for as little as five dollars. It must be so surely--and so hewas going to say to her, as he had already planned these several days, that she needed a little rest before goingaway to a strange place. That it would not cost very much--about fifteen dollars for fares and all, so the circularssaid--if they went to Grass Lake for a night--this same night after reaching Utica--or on the morrow, anyhow.
　　And he would have to picture it all to her as a sort of honeymoon journey--a little pleasant outing--before gettingmarried. And it would not do to succumb to any plan of hers to get married before they did this--that wouldnever do.
　　(Those five birds winging toward that patch of trees over there-- below that hill.)It certainly would not do to go direct to Big Bittern from Utica for a boat ride--just one day--seventy miles. Thatwould not sound right to her, or to any one. It would make her suspicious, maybe. It might be better, since hewould have to get away from her to buy a hat in Utica, to spend this first night there at some inexpensive,inconspicuous hotel, and once there, suggest going up to Grass Lake. And from there they could go to BigBittern in the morning. He could say that Big Bittern was nicer--or that they would go down to Three Mile Bay-ahamlet really as he knew--where they could be married, but en route stop at Big Bittern as a sort of lark. Hewould say that he wanted to show her the lake--take some pictures of her and himself. He had brought his camerafor that and for other pictures of Sondra later.
　　The blackness of this plot of his!
　　(Those nine black and white cows on that green hillside.)But again, strapping that tripod along with his tennis racquet to the side of his suitcase, might not that causepeople to imagine that they were passing tourists from some distant point, maybe, and if they both disappeared,well, then, they were not people from anywhere around here, were they? Didn't the guide say that the water in thelake was all of seventy-five feet deep--like that water at Pass Lake? And as for Roberta's grip--oh, yes, whatabout that? He hadn't even thought about that as yet, really.
　　(Those three automobiles out there running almost as fast as this train.)Well, in coming down from Grass Lake after one night there (he could say that he was going to marry her atThree Mile Bay at the north end of Greys Lake, where a minister lived whom he had met), he would induce herto leave her bag at that Gun Lodge station, where they took the bus over to Big Bittern, while he took his withhim. He could just say to some one--the boatman, maybe, or the driver, that he was taking his camera in his bag,and ask where the best views were. Or maybe a lunch. Was that not a better idea--to take a lunch and so deceiveRoberta, too, perhaps? And that would tend to mislead the driver, also, would it not? People did carry cameras inbags when they went out on lakes, at times. At any rate it was most necessary for him to carry his bag in thisinstance. Else why the plan to go south to that island and from thence through the woods?
　　(Oh, the grimness and the terror of this plan! Could he really execute it?)But that strange cry of that bird at Big Bittern. He had not liked that, or seeing that guide up there who mightremember him now. He had not talked to him at all--had not even gotten out of the car, but had only looked out at him through the window; and in so far as he could recall the guide had not even once looked at him--hadmerely talked to Grant Cranston and Harley Baggott, who had gotten out and had done all the talking. Butsupposing this guide should be there and remember him? But how could that be when he really had not seenhim? This guide would probably not remember him at all--might not even be there. But why should his handsand face be damp all the time now--wet almost, and cold--his knees shaky?
　　(This train was following the exact curve of this stream--and last summer he and Roberta. But no--)As soon as they reached Utica now this was the way he would do--and must keep it well in mind and not getrattled in any way. He must not--he must not. He must let her walk up the street before him, say a hundred feet orso between them, so that no one would think he was following her, of course. And then when they were quitealone somewhere he would catch up with her and explain all about this--be very nice as though he cared for heras much as ever now--he would have to--if he were to get her to do as he wanted. And then--and then, oh, yes,have her wait while he went for that extra straw hat that he was going to--well, leave on the water, maybe. Andthe oars, too, of course. And her hat--and--well--(The long, sad sounding whistle of this train. Damn. He was getting nervous already.)But before going to the hotel, he must go back to the depot and put his new hat in the bag, or better yet, carry itwhile he looked for the sort of hotel he wanted, and then, before going to Roberta, take the hat and put it in hisbag. Then he would go and find her and have her come to the entrance of the hotel he had found and wait forhim, while he got the bags. And, of course, if there was no one around or very few, they would enter together,only she could wait in the ladies' parlor somewhere, while he went and registered as Charles Golden, maybe, thistime. And then, well, in the morning, if she agreed, or to-night, for that matter, if there were any trains--he wouldhave to find out about that--they could go up to Grass Lake in separate cars until they were past Twelfth Lakeand Sharon, at any rate.
　　(The beautiful Cranston Lodge there and Sondra.)And then--and then--(That big red barn and that small white house near it. And that wind-mill. So like those houses and barns that hehad seen out there in Illinois and Missouri. And Chicago, too.)And at the same time Roberta in her car forward thinking that Clyde had not appeared so very unfriendly to her.
　　To be sure, it was hard on him, making him leave Lycurgus in this way, and when he might be enjoying himselfas he wished to. But on the other hand, here was she--and there was no other way for her to be. She must be verygenial and yet not put herself forward too much or in his way. And yet she must not be too receding or weak,either, for, after all, Clyde was the one who had placed her in this position. And it was only fair, and little enoughfor him to do. She would have a baby to look after in the future, and all that trouble to go through with from nowon. And later, she would have to explain to her parents this whole mysterious proceeding, which covered herpresent disappearance and marriage, if Clyde really did marry her now. But she must insist upon that--and soon-inUtica, perhaps--certainly at the very next place they went to--and get a copy of her marriage certificate, too,and keep it for her own as well as the baby's sake. He could get a divorce as he pleased after that. She would still be Mrs. Griffiths. And Clyde's baby and hers would be a Griffiths, too. That was something.
　　(How beautiful the little river was. It reminded her of the Mohawk and the walks she and he had taken lastsummer when they first met. Oh, last summer! And now this!)And they would settle somewhere--in one or two rooms, no doubt. Where, she wondered--in what town or city?
　　How far away from Lycurgus or Biltz--the farther from Biltz the better, although she would like to see hermother and father again, and soon--as soon as she safely could. But what matter, as long as they were goingaway together and she was to be married?
　　Had he noticed her blue suit and little brown hat? And had he thought she looked at all attractive compared tothose rich girls with whom he was always running? She must be very tactful--not irritate him in any way. But-oh,the happy life they could have if only--if only he cared for her a little--just a little . . .
　　And then Utica, and on a quiet street Clyde catching up with Roberta, his expression a mixture of innocentgeniality and good- will, tempered by worry and opposition, which was really a mask for the fear of the deed thathe himself was contemplating--his power to execute it--the consequences in case he failed.

七月六日，星期二中午，在通往尤蒂卡的方达火车站上，罗伯达刚从南面比尔茨开来的火车上下了车，在这儿等候克莱德。因为他们要搭乘的开往尤蒂卡这趟车，要半个钟头后才到。十五分钟以后，克莱德从一条小巷里出来，径直朝火车站南侧走过来。罗伯达在站立的地方看不到他，不过，克莱德打火车站西头拐角处拐个弯，站在一大堆箱子后头就看到了她。真的，她是多么消瘦，多么苍白呀!

倘跟桑德拉相比，她这次特地置备的那件蓝色旅游服和那顶棕色小帽，显得多么寒伧……只预示着一种含辛茹苦的生活，跟桑德拉所提供给他的生活相比，简直不可同日而语。可罗伯达心里却想逼他放弃桑德拉，以便跟她结婚。而且，只有在结婚以后，到了桑德拉和她所代表的一切成为仅供回忆的往事的时候，克莱德这才可以说最后摆脱了困境。这两个姑娘对克莱德的态度，该有多么不同:

桑德拉拥有一切，通通献给他，对他毫无要求;而罗伯达一无所有，却要求他把一切都献给她。

一股阴郁。痛苦的怨愤从他心头掠过，他禁不住对帕斯湖上那个不知名姓的男子深表同情，并暗自希望他成功。说不定，他也会碰上类似这样的遭际吧。

说不定他毕竟就是这样做的，所以他没有被抓住，原因就在这里吧。克莱德全身的神经顿时痉挛起来。他眼里露出阴沉。忿懑，但又惊惶不安的神色。

现在他就跟她在同一个火车站上(这是她坚持自己不合理要求的结果)，必须琢磨一下，如何大胆实现自己那些计划。四天来……从他打电话给她以后，甚至还在这以前的十天里，他就在朦朦胧胧地琢磨这些计划了。如今，他决不让自己的既定方针受到阻挠。他必须行动起来!

他决不让恐惧心理使他现已拟定的计划蒙受任何影响。

于是，他就这样径直往前走去，让她也许一眼就看见他，同时又向她投去了一个意味深长的。似乎是友好的眼色，仿佛在说:

"你看，我在这儿呢。"可是在这眼色背后呀!

要是她能透过表面，觉察到他那阴郁。苦恼的心态，她一定会飞也似的逃跑了。可是现在，她一看见他真的终于来了，她眼里忧郁的阴影顿时消散，略微倒挂的嘴角恢复了原状。她尽管佯装不认得他，可是脸色开朗起来，马上朝窗口走过去，按照他给她的吩咐，买了一张去尤蒂卡的车票。

这时，她暗自思忖:

他终于来了，终于来了。这会儿他是来接她一块走的。

因此，她心里充满了无限感激之情。要知道他们至少有七八个月在一起生活了。

要使一切安排得顺顺当当，也许需要手腕和耐心，但说不定毕竟还是能做到的。

从现在起，她必须成为谨慎小心的化身才好……反正凡是惹他恼火的事，千万说不得，千万做不得。要知道现在他的心境自然不会太好。不过，后来他也一定有了一点儿改变……说不定他对她会比过去好一些……对她有了一点儿同情吧。现在，他好象终于落落大方地向这一不可避免的事态屈服了。同时，她还注意到他的淡灰色套装。他的新草帽。他的那双晶光锃亮的皮鞋。那只黑色手提箱，以及(一提起这件事，他马上露出一副令人惊异。莫名其妙。轻率浅薄的怪相)他新买的照相机上用的三脚架，跟帆布套里的网球拍都捆在一边……其实无非是要遮住克莱德英文名字的缩写字母Ｃ。Ｇ罢了……因此，她一下子又勾起了自己对他的旧日情意，甚至连他的外貌和脾性，她也很喜爱。他毕竟还是她的克莱德呀，尽管眼前他对她却是如此冷淡。

克莱德一见她已经买了票，也就走过去买票。随后，再给她使了个眼色，仿佛在说:

现在一切都很顺利。于是，他回到站台东头，而罗伯达也回到前头她原来的位置上。

(那个老头儿，身穿一套破旧棕色冬装，头戴一顶破帽子，手里提着用棕色纸裹住的一只鸟笼，为什么老是这样看着他呀?

难道说他看出什么破统了吗?

难道说老头儿认识他吗?

也许他在莱柯格斯工作过，要不然他以前见过他吧?

)他打算今天在尤蒂卡再买一顶草帽……他务必记住……一顶贴上尤蒂卡标签的草帽。他要戴上那顶草帽，取代此刻在他头上的这顶草帽。当罗伯达不注意他的时候，他要把那顶旧帽子和其他一些东西一块放进自己手提箱里。因此，他们到达尤蒂卡以后，他就得离开她一会儿……是在火车站，或是在图书馆，或是在其他地方。说不定他头一个计划，就是把她带到一家小旅馆，登记时就写卡尔。格雷厄姆夫妇，或是克利福德。戈尔登夫妇，或是格林夫妇(厂里就有一个姑娘叫这名字的)。这样，万一有人来追查他们，也就认为她早已跟此姓的男人一块跑掉了。

(远处传来火车汽笛声。一定是火车开过来了。他的表上是十二点二十七分。)他还得决定，到达尤蒂卡以后，该对她采取什么态度:

是非常和气呢，还是恰好相反。电话里同她说话时，他当然要非常温柔，非常和气……因为不这样不行。恐怕最好还是保持这样的态度，要不然也许她会发火。疑心，或是脾气一下子犟起来，那就很麻烦了。

(火车会不会不开来呢?

)这时，要他一团和气，确实很难。因为，说到底，是她在驱策着他……还希望他要按照她对他提出的要求去做，同时对她又要和和气气。见鬼去吧!

不过，要是他不这样呢?

……万一他的想法被她猜出来了……真的不肯跟他一块走，从而使他的全盘计划落了空呢?

(只要他的两膝和两手不象现在这样常常发抖就好了。)可是，不，她怎么能一眼就看出破绽来呢?

他这个计划，甚至连他自己也还没有信心能不能得到实现呢。他只知道自己并不打算跟她一块出走，如此而已，岂有他哉。也许他并不会象自己前天决定那样把小船翻掉。但不管怎么说，反正他不打算跟她一块出走。

可是，这会儿火车到了。罗伯达正在拎那手提箱。按她眼下身体情况来说，这不是太沉了吗?

也许是太沉了。哦，这可要不得。何况今天又很热。反正过一会儿，到了谁都看不见他们的地方，他会帮她的忙。她正朝他这边张望了一下，想了解清楚他是不是真的在上车……如同她近来那样，总是对他有怀疑，信不过。但是，这节车厢后头僻静处，正有一个空座，倒也不坏。他惬惬意意地在这儿落了座，便眺望窗外景色。离方达市郊大约一两英里的地方，有一道河……那就是穿过莱柯格斯。绕过工厂的莫霍克河，一年前差不多也在这个时候，他跟罗伯达在河边一块散步过。可是，他觉得在此时此刻，回忆往事，远不是愉快的事。于是，他把目光转向自己刚买的那份报纸，尽可能把它当作盾牌，躲在后面，又开始观察研究在他内心深处展开的一幕幕具体场景。大比腾一带湖区，现在跟他关系最大。自从上次他跟罗伯达在电话里作了最后重要谈话以后，他对这一湖区比对世界上哪一个地方更感兴趣。

星期五通过电话以后，他就去莱柯格斯旅馆，索取三份内容不同的旅游指南，是有关大比腾。长湖周围冷僻地段的旅馆。别墅。小客栈和其他露宿营帐等情况。(只要设法能进入大比腾的导游上次提到过的那些荒无人烟的湖区就好了……只不过可供游人自己划的船也许压根儿没有!

)星期六，他在火车站摊头上不是又寻摸到四份旅游指南(现在还在他口袋里)?

上面不是说得明明白白:

就是这条铁路朝北开往大比腾，沿线都有许许多多小湖和小旅馆，只要罗伯达乐意的话，说不定他和她可以去那儿玩上一两天……反正在到大比腾。草湖以前，不妨先在那儿住一宿。他不是特别注意到……就在火车站附近……据说有一个景色很美的湖……至少还有三幢漂亮的别墅或是乡间家庭旅馆，收费极低，两人住一周，才二十块美元。那就是说，两人住一夜，要不了五块美元。这，当然罗，准错不了……因此，正如他这几天来早已反复考虑过那样，他便对她说:

到一个陌生的地方去以前，她需要稍微休息一下。那花不了多少钱……据那些旅游指南上说，连车钱在内，所有一切费用，大约十五块美元就得了……如果说他们是在到达尤蒂卡后的当天晚上，或是转天早上去草湖住一宿的话。这一切被他绘声绘色地简直说成是一次小小的愉快的郊游……好象她婚前的蜜月旅行。要是她打算在这之前结婚，那他无论如何也不能让步……那是绝对不能同意的。

(这时有五只鸟，正飞向那个小山脚下一大片丛林。)一到尤蒂卡就直接去大比腾划船，那当然是不行的……要知道走七十英里路得整整一天时间。这不管是她也好，还是任何人也好，一听都会觉得不对头。

说不定反而引起她怀疑。既然他在尤蒂卡要避开她，去买一顶草帽，那最好头一夜还是下榻在尤蒂卡哪家收费低廉。不引人注意的旅馆里;而且，一到那里，他便向她提议去草湖一游。翌晨，他们就从那儿出发去大比腾。他还可以说大比腾风景美……或是说他们要到三英里湾去……据他了解，那只是一个小村子……他们可以在那儿结婚，不过一路上不妨在大比腾稍事停留，就算是玩一玩。乐一乐吧。他不妨说，他很想带她去看看湖上景色……给她和他自己拍几张照。当初他买这架照相机，既是为了这一着，也是为了日后给桑德拉照相哩。

他这阴谋多险恶呀!

(绿幽幽的山坡上，有九头黑白相间的母牛。)不过，再说，人们一看到他手提箱一侧还拴上三脚架和他的网球拍，说不定会把他们当作来自远方的游客。要是他们俩都失踪了，那就得了，反正他们不是本地人，可不是?

那个导游不是说过，这儿湖深都是七十五英尺……就象帕斯湖一样深吗?

至于罗伯达的手提包……哦，是啊，管它做啥?

说实话，不知怎的他至今还没想过它呢。

(那边三辆汽车跑得差不多跟这列火车一样快。)得了，他们在草湖过一夜后还要往前赶路(他就不妨说他准备到格雷斯湖北端的三英里湾同她举行婚礼，那儿有一位他熟识的牧师)，他要劝她把手提包放在冈洛奇车站。赶明儿他们就要在那儿搭公共汽车去大比腾的。至于他的手提箱，他就随身带了。他只要关照一些人……也许是管理租船的人，或是司机……说他手提箱里有照相机，再问问他们哪儿风景最美。或是说手提箱里还装着一些午餐点心。要是自己去取午餐点心，说不定把罗伯达和汽车司机也都骗过去了……这个主意岂不是更好吗?

许多人到湖上去，有时倒是把照相机都放在手提箱里的。不管怎么说，这次他最最要紧的就是要把手提箱带在身边。要不然又干吗要这个计划:

先到那个岛上，再从那儿穿过树林子往南去呢?

(哦，这个计划有多么残忍。多么可怕呀!

难道说他真的能实现吗?

)不过，大比腾那头鸟，叫得多怪呀!

听到这怪叫声，他可不喜欢。再见到说不定至今还会记得他的那个导游，他也不喜欢。是的，他压根儿没有跟他说过话……甚至没有下车，只是从车窗里望了他一眼罢了。据他回忆，那个导游甚至连看也没看他一眼……只是一个劲儿跟格兰特。克兰斯顿。哈利。巴戈特闲聊天。后来，他们一下了车就净找他说话。不过，万一这个导游在那儿，而且还记得他呢。可是，这又怎么可能呢……因为说实话，此人压根儿就没见过他。

也许这个导游压根儿不记得他了……也许他甚至还没到过大比腾哩。不过，他的手。他的脸，为什么总是潮粘粘的……几乎湿漉漉的和冷丝丝的……两膝还在直发抖?

(这列火车正沿着河湾往前驶去……去年夏天，他跟罗伯达……可是不……)他们一到尤蒂卡，他就得照这样做去……千万记住，心慌。乱套可要不得。

千万别乱了方寸，千万别乱了方寸……在街上，他就得让她走在他前头，比方说吧，他们俩之间少说也得隔开一百来英尺。这样，当然罗，谁也不会想到他是紧跟在她后头走。到了某个冷僻处，只有他们俩在一块时，他便紧步赶上她，把自己全部计划都详细说给她听……态度必须极其亲昵，仿佛他同从前一样疼爱她，他非得这样不可……如果说要她按着他的意思去做的话。然后……然后，哦，是啊，要她在哪儿略等片刻，好让他去买那顶新草帽……哦，也许就把它扔在湖面上。当然罗，还有那把划桨。还有她的帽子……还有……啊……(列车汽笛发出凄凉的长鸣声。见鬼去吧。现在他已经方寸大乱了。)但是进旅馆前，他必须先回车站，把新草帽放进手提箱里。甚至最好一面手上拿着草帽，一面去找他合意的那种旅馆，然后，他在去罗伯达那儿以前，把草帽放到手提箱里。接着，他便去找她，把她带到他找到的那家旅馆门口等他，而他则去取手提箱。当然罗，要是附近什么人都没有，或是只有很少几个人，那他们就不妨一块走进去，只不过她还得到女宾休息厅等着，他自己去帐房间登记，这次报的也许便是克利福德。戈尔登这个名字。得了，哦，到了转天早上，要是她同意的话，或者就在当天晚上，只要有火车的话……事前他务必弄清楚……他们就可以动身去草湖……两人还是分开坐在两节车厢里，反正至少要过了第十二号湖和沙隆再说。

(瞧，那儿……漂亮的克兰斯顿家别墅……还有桑德拉呀。)然后就……然后就……(附近那座红色大谷仓，还有那幢小小的白房子。还有那架风车。就跟他在伊利诺伊州。密苏里州，还有在芝加哥见过的一模一样。)就在同一个时候，前头一节车厢里的罗伯达正在暗自寻思:

克莱德看来对她并不是完全无情无义啊。当然罗，他心里好不难过，因为现在要他并非出于自愿地离开莱柯格斯，在那儿，他正可以随心所欲，寻欢作乐。不过，另一方面，既然人已经到了这儿，她就再也没有别的出路了。眼前她务必一团和气，但又不能太纠缠不休，或是惹他讨厌。可是，她又千万不能过分迁就，或是过分软弱。因为，说到底，今日里她落到这样的下场，毕竟是克莱德一人造成的。现在要求他这么做，那才是天公地道，其实也并不是过多的奢求。赶明儿有了小孩，她就得自己照顾，而且从此以后，还得忍受更多的痛苦。以后，她还得把这次神秘的经过(包括现在她的突然失踪和结婚)详详细细讲给她父母听，要是现在克莱德真的跟她结婚的话。不过，这事她非得坚持不可……而且时间要快……也许就在尤蒂卡……当然罗，在他们此行要去的头一个地方……务必拿到一张她的结婚证书，而且，还要保存好，就是为了她自己，同时也为了孩子的权益。

在这以后，克莱德要同她离婚也就随他的便了。反正她还是格里菲思太太呗。

而且克莱德和她的孩子，终究也是格里菲思家里的人呀。这可是非同小可的事。

(瞧这小河多美呀。它让她想起了莫霍克河，还有去年夏天她跟他初次相识时散步的情景。哦，去年夏天啊!

可眼下却是这般情景!

)他们将要下榻在何处……也许合住一个房间，或是分居两个房间。她暗自纳闷，到底是在哪儿……在哪个小镇，或是哪个城市?

那儿离莱柯格斯或是比尔茨，又有多远呢……离比尔茨越远越好，虽说她心里真的巴不得再见到她的父母，而且时间要快些……只要这一切太太平平地一过去就好了。不过，那都是无关宏旨的，要知道他们俩是一块离开这儿的，而且她就要做新嫁娘了。

克莱德有没有发觉她那蓝色套装和棕色小帽呢?

他是不是觉得，与那些跟他成天价厮混在一起的大家闺秀相比，罗伯达还是要漂亮得多呢?

她就得非常圆通灵活不可……千万不要惹他恼怒。可是，啊，他们本来可以过上幸福的生活，只要……只要他能稍微疼爱她，哪怕是那么一丁点儿……但是，到了尤蒂卡，在一条冷清的街上，克莱德赶紧追上了罗伯达。他脸上露出的神情中，天真的和蔼。善意与忧心。反感羼杂在一起。事实上，这不外乎是一个假面具，后面隐藏着一种惧怕心理，深恐他自己的意图……他有没有能耐付诸实现……万一失败后将会得到怎样的结局。
Part 2 Chapter 47
And then, as planned that night between them--a trip to Grass Lake the next morning in separate cars, but which,upon their arrival and to his surprise, proved to be so much more briskly tenanted than he anticipated. He wasvery much disturbed and frightened by the evidence of so much active life up here. For he had fancied this, aswell as Big Bittern, would be all but deserted. Yet here now, as both could see, it was the summer seat andgathering place of some small religious organization or group--the Winebrennarians of Pennsylvania--as itproved with a tabernacle and numerous cottages across the lake from the station. And Roberta at onceexclaiming:
　　"Now, there, isn't that cute? Why couldn't we be married over there by the minister of that church?"And Clyde, puzzled and shaken by this sudden and highly unsatisfactory development, at once announced:
　　"Why, sure--I'll go over after a bit and see," yet his mind busy with schemes for circumventing her. He wouldtake her out in a boat after registering and getting settled and remain too long. Or should a peculiarly remote andunobserved spot be found . . . but no, there were too many people here. The lake was not large enough, andprobably not very deep. It was black or dark like tar, and sentineled to the east and north by tall, dark pines--theserried spears of armed and watchful giants, as they now seemed to him--ogres almost--so gloomy, suspiciousand fantastically erratic was his own mood in regard to all this. But still there were too many people--as many asten on the lake.
　　The weirdness of it.
　　The difficulty.
　　But whisper:--one could not walk from here through any woods to Three Mile Bay. Oh, no. That was all of thirtymiles to the south now. And besides this lake was less lonely--probably continually observed by members of thisreligious group. Oh, no--he must say--he must say--but what--could he say? That he had inquired, and that nolicense could be procured here? Or that the minister was away, or that he required certain identifications whichhe did not have--or--or, well, well--anything that would serve to still Roberta until such hour to-morrow, as thetrain south from here left for Big Bittern and Sharon, where, of course, they would surely be married.
　　Why should she be so insistent? And why, anyhow, and except for her crass determination to force him in thisway, should he be compelled to track here and there with her--every hour--every minute of which was torture--anunending mental crucifixion really, when, if he were but rid of her! Oh, Sondra, Sondra, if but now from yourhigh estate, you might bend down and aid me. No more lies! No more suffering! No more misery of any kind!
　　But instead, more lies. A long and aimless and pestilential search for water-lilies, which because of his ownrestless mood, bored Roberta as much as it did him. For why, she was now thinking to herself as they rowedabout, this indifference to this marriage possibility, which could have been arranged before now and given thisouting the dream quality it would and should have had, if only--if only he had arranged for everything in Utica,even as she had wanted. But this waiting--evasion--and so like Clyde, his vacillating, indefinite, uncertain mood,always. She was beginning to wonder now as to his intentions again--whether really and truly he did intend tomarry her as he had promised. Tomorrow, or the next day at most, would show. So why worry now?
　　And then the next day at noon, Gun Lodge and Big Bittern itself and Clyde climbing down from the train at GunLodge and escorting Roberta to the waiting bus, the while he assured her that since they were coming back thisway, it would be best if she were to leave her bag here, while he, because of his camera as well as the lunch doneup at Grass Lake and crowded into his suitcase, would take his own with him, because they would lunch on thelake. But on reaching the bus, he was dismayed by the fact that the driver was the same guide whom he hadheard talk at Big Bittern. What if it should prove now that this guide had seen and remembered him! Would henot at least recall the handsome Finchley car--Bertine and Stuart on the front seat--himself and Sondra at theback--Grant and that Harley Baggott talking to him outside?
　　At once that cold perspiration that had marked his more nervous and terrified moods for weeks past, now burstforth on his face and hands. Of what had he been thinking, anyhow? How planning? In God's name, how expectto carry a thing like this through, if he were going to think so poorly? It was like his failing to wear his cap fromLycurgus to Utica, or at least getting it out of his bag before he tried to buy that straw hat; it was like not buyingthe straw hat before he went to Utica at all.
　　Yet the guide did not remember him, thank God! On the contrary he inquired rather curiously, and as of a totalstranger: "Goin' over to the lodge at Big Bittern? First time up here?" And Clyde, enormously relieved and yetreally tremulous, replied: "Yes," and then in his nervous excitement asked: "Many people over there to-day?" aquestion which the moment he had propounded it, seemed almost insane. Why, why, of all questions, should heask that? Oh, God, would his silly, self-destructive mistakes never cease?
　　So troubled was he indeed, now, that he scarcely heard the guide's reply, or, if at all, as a voice speaking from along way off. "Not so many. About seven or eight, I guess. We did have about thirty over the Fourth, but most o' them went down yesterday."The stillness of these pines lining this damp yellow road along which they were traveling; the cool and thesilence; the dark shadows and purple and gray depths and nooks in them, even at high noon. If one were slippingaway at night or by day, who would encounter one here? A blue-jay far in the depths somewhere uttered itsmetallic shriek; a field sparrow, tremulous upon some distant twig, filled the silver shadows with its perfect song.
　　And Roberta, as this heavy, covered bus crossed rill and thin stream, and then rough wooden bridges here andthere, commented on the clarity and sparkle of the water: "Isn't that wonderful in there? Do you hear the tinklingof that water, Clyde? Oh, the freshness of this air!"And yet she was going to die so soon!
　　God!
　　But supposing now, at Big Bittern--the lodge and boathouse there--there were many people. Or that the lake,peradventure, was literally dotted with those that were there--all fishermen and all fishing here and there, eachone separate and alone--no privacy or a deserted spot anywhere. And how strange he had not thought of that.
　　This lake was probably not nearly as deserted as he had imagined, or would not be to-day, any more than GrassLake had proved. And then what?
　　Well, flight then--flight--and let it go at that. This strain was too much--hell--he would die, thinking thoughts likethese. How could he have dreamed to better his fortunes by any so wild and brutal a scheme as this anyhow--tokill and then run away--or rather to kill and pretend that he and she had drowned--while he--the real murderer-slippedaway to life and happiness. What a horrible plan! And yet how else? How? Had he not come all this wayto do this? And was he going to turn back now?
　　And all this time Roberta at his side was imagining that she was not going to anything but marriage--tomorrowmorning sure; and now only to the passing pleasure of seeing this beautiful lake of which he had been talking-talking,as though it were something more important and delectable than any that had as yet been in her or hislife for that matter.
　　But now the guide was speaking again, and to him: "You're not mindin' to stay over, I suppose. I see you left theyoung lady's bag over there." He nodded in the direction of Gun Lodge.
　　"No, we're going on down to-night--on that 8:10. You take people over to that?""Oh, sure.""They said you did--at Grass Lake."But now why should he have added that reference to Grass Lake, for that showed that he and Roberta had beenthere before coming here. But this fool with his reference to "the young lady's bag"! And leaving it at GunLodge. The Devil! Why shouldn't he mind his own business? Or why should he have decided that he and Roberta were not married? Or had he so decided? At any rate, why such a question when they were carrying two bagsand he had brought one? Strange! The effrontery! How should he know or guess or what? But what harm could itdo--married or unmarried? If she were not found--"married or unmarried" would make no difference, would it?
　　And if she were, and it was discovered that she was not married, would that not prove that she was off with someone else? Of course! So why worry over that now?
　　And Roberta asking: "Are there any hotels or boarding houses on the lake besides this one we're going to?""Not a one, miss, outside o' the inn that we're goin' to. There was a crowd of young fellers and girls campin' overon the east shore, yisterday, I believe, about a mile from the inn--but whether they're there now or not, I dunno.
　　Ain't seen none of 'em to-day."A crowd of young fellows and girls! For God's sake! And might not they now be out on the water--all of them-rowing--or sailing--or what? And he here with her! Maybe some of them from Twelfth Lake! Just as he andSondra and Harriet and Stuart and Bertine had come up two weeks before--some of them friends of theCranstons, Harriets, Finchleys or others who had come up here to play and who would remember him, of course.
　　And again, then, there must be a road to the east of this lake. And all this knowledge and their presence therenow might make this trip of his useless. Such silly plotting! Such pointless planning as this--when at least hemight have taken more time--chosen a lake still farther away and should have--only so tortured had he been forthese last many days, that he could scarcely think how to think. Well, all he could do now was to go and see. Ifthere were many he must think of some way to row to some real lonely spot or maybe turn and return to GrassLake--or where? Oh, what could or would he do--if there were many over here?
　　But just then a long aisle of green trees giving out at the far end as he now recalled upon a square of lawn, andthe lake itself, the little inn with its pillared verandah, facing the dark blue waters of Big Bittern. And that low,small red-roofed boathouse to the right on the water that he had seen before when he was here. And Robertaexclaiming on sight, "Oh, it is pretty, isn't it--just beautiful." And Clyde surveying that dark, low island in thedistance, to the south, and seeing but few people about--none on the lake itself--exclaiming nervously, "Yes, it is,you bet." But feeling half choked as he said it.
　　And now the host of the inn himself appearing and approaching--a medium-sized, red-faced, broad-shoulderedman who was saying most intriguingly, "Staying over for a few days?"But Clyde, irritated by this new development and after paying the guide a dollar, replying crustily and irritably,"No, no--just came over for the afternoon. We're going on down to-night.""You'll be staying over for dinner then, I suppose? The train doesn't leave till eight-fifteen.""Oh, yes--that's so. Sure. Yes, well, in that case, we will." . . . For, of course, Roberta on her honeymoon--the daybefore her wedding and on a trip like this, would be expecting her dinner. Damn this stocky, red-faced fool,anyway.
　　"Well, then, I'll just take your bag and you can register. Your wife'll probably be wanting to freshen up a bitanyway."He led the way, bag in hand, although Clyde's greatest desire was to snatch it from him. For he had not expectedto register here--nor leave his bag either. And would not. He would recapture it and hire a boat. But on top ofthat, being compelled "for the register's sake," as Boniface phrased it, to sign Clifford Golden and wife--beforehe could take his bag again.
　　And then to add to the nervousness and confusion engendered by all this, thoughts as to what additionaldevelopments or persons, even, he might encounter before leaving on his climacteric errand--Robertaannouncing that because of the heat and the fact that they were coming back to dinner, she would leave her hatand coat--a hat in which he had already seen the label of Braunstein in Lycurgus--and which at the time causedhim to meditate as to the wisdom of leaving or extracting it. But he had decided that perhaps afterwards-afterwards--if he should really do this--it might not make any difference whether it was there, or not. Was she notlikely to be identified anyhow, if found, and if not found, who was to know who she was?
　　In a confused and turbulent state mentally, scarcely realizing the clarity or import of any particular thought ormovement or act now, he took up his bag and led the way to the boathouse platform. And then, after droppingthe bag into the boat, asking of the boathouse keeper if he knew where the best views were, that he wanted tophotograph them. And this done--the meaningless explanation over, assisting Roberta (an almost nebulousfigure, she now seemed, stepping down into an insubstantial row-boat upon a purely ideational lake), he nowstepped in after her, seating himself in the center and taking the oars.
　　The quiet, glassy, iridescent surface of this lake that now to both seemed, not so much like water as oil--likemolten glass that, of enormous bulk and weight, resting upon the substantial earth so very far below. And thelightness and freshness and intoxication of the gentle air blowing here and there, yet scarcely rippling the surfaceof the lake. And the softness and furry thickness of the tall pines about the shore. Everywhere pines--tall andspearlike. And above them the humped backs of the dark and distant Adirondacks beyond. Not a rower to beseen. Not a house or cabin. He sought to distinguish the camp of which the guide had spoken. He could not. Hesought to distinguish the voices of those who might be there--or any voices. Yet, except for the lock-lock of hisown oars as he rowed and the voice of the boathouse keeper and the guide in converse two hundred, threehundred, five hundred, a thousand feet behind, there was no sound.
　　"Isn't it still and peaceful?" It was Roberta talking. "It seems to be so restful here. I think it's beautiful, truly, somuch more beautiful than that other lake. These trees are so tall, aren't they? And those mountains. I wasthinking all the way over how cool and silent that road was, even if it was a little rough.""Did you talk to any one in the inn there just now?""Why, no; what makes you ask?""Oh, I thought you might have run into some one. There don't seem to be very many people up here to-day,though, does there?""No, I don't see any one on the lake. I saw two men in that billiard room at the back there, and there was a girl inthe ladies' room, that was all. Isn't this water cold?" She had put her hand over the side and was trailing it in the blue-black ripples made by his oars.
　　"Is it? I haven't felt it yet."He paused in his rowing and put out his hand, then resumed. He would not row directly to that island to thesouth. It was--too far--too early. She might think it odd. Better a little delay. A little time in which to think--alittle while in which to reconnoiter. Roberta would be wanting to eat her lunch (her lunch!) and there was acharming looking point of land there to the west about a mile further on. They could go there and eat first--orshe could--for he would not be eating today. And then--and then-She was looking at the very same point of land that he was--a curved horn of land that bent to the south and yetreached quite far out into the water and combed with tall pines. And now she added:
　　"Have you any spot in mind, dear, where we could stop and eat? I'm getting a little hungry, aren't you?" (If shewould only not call him DEAR, here and now!)The little inn and the boathouse to the north were growing momentarily smaller,--looking now, like that otherboathouse and pavilion on Crum Lake the day he had first rowed there, and when he had been wishing that hemight come to such a lake as this in the Adirondacks, dreaming of such a lake--and wishing to meet such a girl asRoberta--then--And overhead was one of those identical woolly clouds that had sailed above him at Crum Lakeon that fateful day.
　　The horror of this effort!
　　They might look for water-lilies here today to kill time a little, before--to kill time . . . to kill, (God)--he must quitthinking of that, if he were going to do it at all. He needn't be thinking of it now, at any rate.
　　At the point of land favored by Roberta, into a minute protected bay with a small, curved, honey-colored beach,and safe from all prying eyes north or east. And then he and she stepping out normally enough. And Roberta,after Clyde had extracted the lunch most cautiously from his bag, spreading it on a newspaper on the shore, whilehe walked here and there, making strained and yet admiring comments on the beauty of the scene--the pines andthe curve of this small bay, yet thinking--thinking, thinking of the island farther on and the bay below that againsomewhere, where somehow, and in the face of a weakening courage for it, he must still execute this grim andterrible business before him--not allow this carefully planned opportunity to go for nothing--if--if--he were to notreally run away and leave all that he most desired to keep.
　　And yet the horror of this business and the danger, now that it was so close at hand--the danger of making amistake of some kind--if nothing more, of not upsetting the boat right--of not being able to--to--oh, God! Andsubsequently, maybe, to be proved to be what he would be--then--a murderer. Arrested! Tried. (He could not, hewould not, go through with it. No, no, no!)And yet Roberta, sitting here with him now on the sand, feeling quite at peace with all the world as he could see.
　　And she was beginning to hum a little, and then to make advisory and practical references to the nature of theircoming adventure together--their material and financial state from now on--how and where they would go from here--Syracuse, most likely--since Clyde seemed to have no objection to that--and what, once there, they woulddo. For Roberta had heard from her brother-in-law, Fred Gabel, of a new collar and shirt factory that was juststarting up in Syracuse. Might it not be possible for Clyde, for the time being at least, to get himself a positionwith that firm at once? And then later, when her own worst trouble was over, might not she connect herself withthe same company, or some other? And temporarily, since they had so little money, could they not take a smallroom together, somewhere in some family home, or if he did not like that, since they were by no means so closetemperamentally as they once had been, then two small adjoining rooms, maybe. She could still feel hisunrelenting opposition under all this present show of courtesy and consideration.
　　And he thinking, Oh, well, what difference such talk now? And whether he agreed or whether he did not. Whatdifference since he was not going--or she either--that way. Great God! But here he was talking as thoughtomorrow she would be here still. And she would not be.
　　If only his knees would not tremble so; his hands and face and body continue so damp.
　　And after that, farther on down the west shore of this small lake in this little boat, to that island, with Clydelooking nervously and wearily here and there to see that there was no one--no one--not anywhere in sight onland or water--no one. It was so still and deserted here, thank God. Here--or anywhere near here might do,really,--if only he had the courage so to do now, which he had not,--yet. Roberta trailing her hand in the water,asking him if he thought they might find some water-lilies or wild flowers somewhere on shore. Water-lilies!
　　Wild flowers! And he convincing himself as he went that there were no roads, cabins, tents, paths, anything inthe form of a habitation among these tall, close, ranking pines--no trace of any little boat on the widespreadsurface of this beautiful lake on this beautiful day. Yet might there not be some lone, solitary hunter and trapperor guide or fisherman in these woods or along these banks? Might there not be? And supposing there were onehere now somewhere? And watching!
　　Fate!
　　Destruction!
　　Death! Yet no sound and no smoke. Only--only--these tall, dark, green pines--spear-shaped and still, with hereand there a dead one--ashen pale in the hard afternoon sun, its gaunt, sapless arms almost menacinglyoutstretched.
　　Death!
　　And the sharp metallic cry of a blue-jay speeding in the depths of these woods. Or the lone and ghostly tap-taptapof some solitary woodpecker, with now and then the red line of a flying tanager, the yellow and black of ayellow-shouldered blackbird.
　　"Oh, the sun shines bright in my old Kentucky home."It was Roberta singing cheerfully, one hand in the deep blue water.
　　And then a little later--"I'll be there Sunday if you will," one of the popular dance pieces of the day.
　　And then at last, after fully an hour of rowing, brooding, singing, stopping to look at some charming point ofland, reconnoitering some receding inlet which promised water-lilies, and with Roberta already saying that theymust watch the time and not stay out too long,--the bay, south of the island itself--a beautiful and yet mostfunereally pine-encircled and land delimited bit of water--more like a smaller lake, connected by an inlet orpassage to the larger one, and yet itself a respectable body of water of perhaps twenty acres of surface and almostcircular in form. The manner in which to the east, the north, the south, the west, even, except for the passage bywhich the island to the north of it was separated from the mainland, this pool or tarn was encircled by trees! Andcat-tails and water-lilies here and there--a few along its shores. And somehow suggesting an especially arrangedpool or tarn to which one who was weary of life and cares--anxious to be away from the strife and contentions ofthe world, might most wisely and yet gloomily repair.
　　And as they glided into this, this still dark water seemed to grip Clyde as nothing here or anywhere before thisever had--to change his mood. For once here he seemed to be fairly pulled or lured along into it, and havingencircled its quiet banks, to be drifting, drifting--in endless space where was no end of anything--no plots--noplans--no practical problems to be solved--nothing. The insidious beauty of this place! Truly, it seemed to mockhim--this strangeness--this dark pool, surrounded on all sides by those wonderful, soft, fir trees. And the wateritself looking like a huge, black pearl cast by some mighty hand, in anger possibly, in sport or phantasy maybe,into the bosom of this valley of dark, green plush--and which seemed bottomless as he gazed into it.
　　And yet, what did it all suggest so strongly? Death! Death! More definitely than anything he had ever seenbefore. Death! But also a still, quiet, unprotesting type of death into which one, by reason of choice or hypnosisor unutterable weariness, might joyfully and gratefully sink. So quiet--so shaded--so serene. Even Robertaexclaimed over this. And he now felt for the first time the grip of some seemingly strong, and yet friendlysympathetic, hands laid firmly on his shoulders. The comfort of them! The warmth! The strength! For now theyseemed to have a steadying effect on him and he liked them--their reassurance--their support. If only they wouldnot be removed! If only they would remain always--the hands of this friend! For where had he ever known thiscomforting and almost tender sensation before in all his life? Not anywhere--and somehow this calmed him andhe seemed to slip away from the reality of all things.
　　To be sure, there was Roberta over there, but by now she had faded to a shadow or thought really, a form ofillusion more vaporous than real. And while there was something about her in color, form that suggested reality-stillshe was very insubstantial--so very--and once more now he felt strangely alone. For the hands of the friendof firm grip had vanished also. And Clyde was alone, so very much alone and forlorn, in this somber, beautifulrealm to which apparently he had been led, and then deserted. Also he felt strangely cold--the spell of thisstrange beauty overwhelming him with a kind of chill.
　　He had come here for what?
　　And he must do what?
　　Kill Roberta? Oh, no!
　　And again he lowered his head and gazed into the fascinating and yet treacherous depths of that magnetic, bluish,purple pool, which, as he continued to gaze, seemed to change its form kaleidoscopically to a large, crystallineball. But what was that moving about in this crystal? A form! It came nearer--clearer--and as it did so, herecognized Roberta struggling and waving her thin white arms out of the water and reaching toward him! God!
　　How terrible! The expression on her face! What in God's name was he thinking of anyway? Death! Murder!
　　And suddenly becoming conscious that his courage, on which he had counted so much this long while to sustainhim here, was leaving him, and he instantly and consciously plumbing the depths of his being in a vain search torecapture it.
　　Kit, kit, kit, Ca-a-a-ah! Kit, kit, kit, Ca-a-a-ah! Kit, kit, kit, Ca-a-a-ah!
　　(The weird, haunting cry of that unearthly bird again. So cold, so harsh! Here it was once more to startle him outof his soul flight into a realization of the real or unreal immediate problem with all of its torturesome angles thatlay before him.)He must face this thing! He must!
　　Kit, kit, kit, Ca-a-a-ah! Kit, kit, kit, Ca-a-a-ah!
　　What was it sounding--a warning--a protest--condemnation? The same bird that had marked the very birth of thismiserable plan. For there it was now upon that dead tree--that wretched bird. And now it was flying to anotherone--as dead--a little farther inland and crying as it did so. God!
　　And then to the shore again in spite of himself. For Clyde, in order to justify his having brought his bag, nowmust suggest that pictures of this be taken--and of Roberta--and of himself, possibly--on land and water. For thatwould bring her into the boat again, without his bag, which would be safe and dry on land. And once on shore,actually pretending to be seeking out various special views here and there, while he fixed in his mind the exacttree at the base of which he might leave his bag against his return--which must be soon now--must be soon. Theywould not come on shore again together. Never! Never! And that in spite of Roberta protesting that she wasgetting tired; and did he not think they ought to be starting back pretty soon? It must be after five, surely. AndClyde, assuring her that presently they would--after he had made one or two more pictures of her in the boat withthose wonderful trees--that island and this dark water around and beneath her.
　　His wet, damp, nervous hands! And his dark, liquid, nervous eyes, looking anywhere but at her.
　　And then once more on the water again--about five hundred feet from shore, the while he fumbled aimlessly withthe hard and heavy and yet small camera that he now held, as the boat floated out nearer the center. And then, atthis point and time looking fearfully about. For now--now--in spite of himself, the long evaded and yetcommanding moment. And no voice or figure or sound on shore. No road or cabin or smoke! And the momentwhich he or something had planned for him, and which was now to decide his fate at hand! The moment ofaction--of crisis! All that he needed to do now was to turn swiftly and savagely to one side or the other--leap up-uponthe left wale or right and upset the boat; or, failing that, rock it swiftly, and if Roberta protested too much,strike her with the camera in his hand, or one of the oars at his right. It could be done--it could be done--swiftly and simply, were he now of the mind and heart, or lack of it--with him swimming swiftly away thereafter tofreedom--to success--of course--to Sondra and happiness--a new and greater and sweeter life than any he hadever known.
　　Yet why was he waiting now?
　　What was the matter with him, anyhow?
　　Why was he waiting?
　　At this cataclysmic moment, and in the face of the utmost, the most urgent need of action, a sudden palsy of thewill--of courage--of hate or rage sufficient; and with Roberta from her seat in the stern of the boat gazing at histroubled and then suddenly distorted and fulgurous, yet weak and even unbalanced face--a face of a sudden,instead of angry, ferocious, demoniac--confused and all but meaningless in its registration of a balanced combatbetween fear (a chemic revulsion against death or murderous brutality that would bring death) and a harried andrestless and yet self-repressed desire to do--to do--to do--yet temporarily unbreakable here and now--a staticbetween a powerful compulsion to do and yet not to do.
　　And in the meantime his eyes--the pupils of the same growing momentarily larger and more lurid; his face andbody and hands tense and contracted--the stillness of his position, the balanced immobility of the mood more andmore ominous, yet in truth not suggesting a brutal, courageous power to destroy, but the imminence of trance orspasm.
　　And Roberta, suddenly noticing the strangeness of it all--the something of eerie unreason or physical and mentalindetermination so strangely and painfully contrasting with this scene, exclaiming: "Why, Clyde! Clyde! What isit? Whatever is the matter with you anyhow? You look so--so strange--so--so--Why, I never saw you look likethis before. What is it?" And suddenly rising, or rather leaning forward, and by crawling along the even keel,attempting to approach him, since he looked as though he was about to fall forward into the boat--or to one sideand out into the water. And Clyde, as instantly sensing the profoundness of his own failure, his own cowardice orinadequateness for such an occasion, as instantly yielding to a tide of submerged hate, not only for himself, butRoberta--her power--or that of life to restrain him in this way. And yet fearing to act in any way--being unwillingto--being willing only to say that never, never would he marry her--that never, even should she expose him,would he leave here with her to marry her--that he was in love with Sondra and would cling only to her--and yetnot being able to say that even. But angry and confused and glowering. And then, as she drew near him, seekingto take his hand in hers and the camera from him in order to put it in the boat, he flinging out at her, but not eventhen with any intention to do other than free himself of her--her touch--her pleading--consoling sympathy--herpresence forever--God!
　　Yet (the camera still unconsciously held tight) pushing at her with so much vehemence as not only to strike herlips and nose and chin with it, but to throw her back sidewise toward the left wale which caused the boat tocareen to the very water's edge. And then he, stirred by her sharp scream, (as much due to the lurch of the boat,as the cut on her nose and lip), rising and reaching half to assist or recapture her and half to apologize for theunintended blow--yet in so doing completely capsizing the boat--himself and Roberta being as instantly throwninto the water. And the left wale of the boat as it turned, striking Roberta on the head as she sank and then rose for the first time, her frantic, contorted face turned to Clyde, who by now had righted himself. For she wasstunned, horror-struck, unintelligible with pain and fear--her lifelong fear of water and drowning and the blow hehad so accidentally and all but unconsciously administered.
　　"Help! Help!
　　"Oh, my God, I'm drowning, I'm drowning. Help! Oh, my God!
　　"Clyde, Clyde!"And then the voice at his ear!
　　"But this--this--is not this that which you have been thinking and wishing for this while--you in your great need?
　　And behold! For despite your fear, your cowardice, this--this--has been done for you. An accident--an accident-anunintentional blow on your part is now saving you the labor of what you sought, and yet did not have thecourage to do! But will you now, and when you need not, since it is an accident, by going to her rescue, oncemore plunge yourself in the horror of that defeat and failure which has so tortured you and from which this nowreleases you? You might save her. But again you might not! For see how she strikes about. She is stunned. Sheherself is unable to save herself and by her erratic terror, if you draw near her now, may bring about your owndeath also. But you desire to live! And her living will make your life not worth while from now on. Rest but amoment--a fraction of a minute! Wait--wait--ignore the pity of that appeal. And then--then--But there! Behold.
　　It is over. She is sinking now. You will never, never see her alive any more--ever. And there is your own hatupon the water--as you wished. And upon the boat, clinging to that rowlock a veil belonging to her. Leave it.
　　Will it not show that this was an accident?"And apart from that, nothing--a few ripples--the peace and solemnity of this wondrous scene. And then oncemore the voice of that weird, contemptuous, mocking, lonely bird.
　　Kit, kit, kit, Ca-a-a-ah! Kit, kit, kit, Ca-a-a-ah! Kit, kit, kit, Ca-a-a-ah!
　　The cry of that devilish bird upon that dead limb--the wier-wier.
　　And then Clyde, with the sound of Roberta's cries still in his ears, that last frantic, white, appealing look in hereyes, swimming heavily, gloomily and darkly to shore. And the thought that, after all, he had not really killedher. No, no. Thank God for that. He had not. And yet (stepping up on the near-by bank and shaking the waterfrom his clothes) had he? Or, had he not? For had he not refused to go to her rescue, and when he might havesaved her, and when the fault for casting her in the water, however accidentally, was so truly his? And yet--andyet-The dusk and silence of a closing day. A concealed spot in the depths of the same sheltering woods where aloneand dripping, his dry bag near, Clyde stood, and by waiting, sought to dry himself. But in the interim, removingfrom the side of the bag the unused tripod of his camera and seeking an obscure, dead log farther in the woods,hiding it. Had any one seen? Was any one looking? Then returning and wondering as to the direction! He mustgo west and then south. He must not get turned about! But the repeated cry of that bird,--harsh, nerve shaking.
　　And then the gloom, in spite of the summer stars. And a youth making his way through a dark, uninhabitedwood, a dry straw hat upon his head, a bag in his hand, walking briskly and yet warily--south--south.


转天早上，正如昨晚他们商量好的那样……他们俩动身去草湖(照例分开坐在两节车厢里)。但一到那儿，克莱德大吃一惊，发现草湖的居民原来就很多，这是他始料所不及的。这儿一派生机盎然的景象，使他心里感到万分惊恐不安。

因为原来他想象，这儿跟大比腾都是满目荒凉的景色。可是，他们俩一到这儿才闹明白，草湖乃是一个小小的宗教组织或是宗教团体……宾夕法尼亚州韦恩布雷纳教派……和会众相聚的避暑胜地。车站对面湖畔，可看到一个礼拜堂和许许多多村落。罗伯达马上大声嚷道:

"哦，瞧，这儿还不很美吗?

干吗不去找那当地教堂牧师给我们证婚呢?

"克莱德给这突如其来的。令人非常难堪的局面惊呆了，却不由得马上说:

"哦，当然罗……等一会儿我过去看一看……"可他心里正一个劲儿在寻摸种种计谋陷害她。他要先去旅馆租定房间，然后带她出去划船，而且要长时间滞留在湖上。要是能发现一个特别冷僻。没人注意的地方……可是不行，这儿游客太多了。这湖本来就不够大，或许湖水也不够深。湖水是黑色的，甚至是黑糊糊，象焦油沥青。湖的东岸。北岸，都是好象哨兵站岗似的一排排黑苍苍的高大松树……在他看来，犹如无数披盔戴甲。高度警惕的巨人……乃至于象神话里的吃人魔王……手持矛枪，密集林立……这一切让他心里感到那么阴郁。惊疑，而又古怪得出奇。但游客还是太多……湖面上游船有十几条之多。

这一切……凶多吉少呀。

这有多难呀。

可是，耳际却突然有喃喃而语:

从这儿穿过树林子，是怎么也走不到三英里湾的。哦，不行。这儿往南，拢共有三十英里呢。此外，这湖也并不是荒无人烟……说不定这一拨教友们老是目不转睛地在观望他们呢。哦，不……他必须跟罗伯达说……他必须说……但他能跟她说什么呢?

就说他打听过了，这儿是拿不到结婚证书的?

还是说牧师出门去了……还是说要有身份证明，可他身边没有带着……或是……或是，得了，得了，反正胡诌一通，只要能稳住罗伯达，等到明儿早上那个时刻得了，从南面开来的火车，便从这儿开往大比腾和沙隆，而在那儿，他们，当然罗，一定举行婚礼。

为什么她要这么坚持要求呢?

如果不是因为她那么固执地逼着他，他能跟她象现在那样走东闯西吗……每一个小时……每一分钟他都觉得是在受刑罚……说真的，心灵上没完没了地背上了十字架。要是他能把她甩掉，该有多好!

啊，桑德拉，桑德拉，要是您纡尊降贵，助我一臂之力，该有多好。那就再也不用撒谎了!

再也不用受罪了!

再也不用受苦受难了!

殊不知适得其反，还得编造更多谎话。长时间漫无目的。腻烦透顶地在找寻睡莲，再加上他心中烦躁不安，顿时使罗伯达厌烦情绪也并不亚于他。他们在划船的时候，她在暗自捉摸，为什么他对结婚一事会如此冷淡呢。此事本来可以提前安排好，那末，这次旅游就可以，而且也应该宛如置身于梦境一般，但愿……但愿他能在尤蒂卡一切都象她所希望的安排好。可是，这样期待……推托……活象克莱德这个人的性格，总是那样摇摆不定。犹豫不决。含糊不清。

现在罗伯达又开始对他的用意犯疑了……到底他是不是真的会象他答应过的那样跟她结婚呢。到明天，或是至多后天，就可分晓了。所以，现在又何必多担心呢?

转天中午……在冈洛奇和大比腾。克莱德在冈洛奇下了火车，陪罗伯达到等候客人的公共汽车那里，一面还劝她说，既然他们要原路回来，她的手提包最好还是存放在这儿。而他呢，因为自己的照相机和准备在草湖上用的午餐点心，通通都塞进了他的手提箱，所以他要带在身边……因为他们决定要在湖上进午餐，可是，一到了公共汽车旁，他吓了一大跳，发现司机正是上次他在大比腾见过的那个导游。要是现在这个导游想起自己见过他，记得他，那怎么办呢!

他不是至少会回想到芬奇利家那辆漂亮的汽车……伯蒂娜。斯图尔特坐在前座……他本人和桑德拉坐在后座……格兰特，还有那个哈利。巴戈特正在车外跟他闲扯淡。

正如几周来在他特别惊恐万状的时刻那样，冷汗这时一下子从他脸上和手上冒出来。他究竟一直在想些什么呀?

怎样在拟定自己的计划?

老天哪，要是这一切他都考虑得那么差劲，那么，能指望他应付得了这件事吗?

比方说，从莱柯格斯到尤蒂卡，他就忘了带便帽，或者至少忘了在买新草帽以前把帽子从手提箱里取出来;又比方说他在去尤蒂卡以前没有先买好草帽。

可是，谢天谢地，那个导游并不记得他!

相反，那导游只是相当好奇地向他问长问短，把他看成一个完全陌生的客人:

"到大比腾去吗?

头一回来这儿吧?

"克莱德这才大大地舒了一口气，但还是用颤抖的声音回答说:

"是的。"稍后，他紧张不安地问:

"今天那儿游人很多吗?

"这话他一说出口，便觉得自己简直发疯了。

要问的事多得很，干吗，干吗独独问那个呢?

啊，老天哪，他这些傻里傻气。具有自我毁灭性质的错误，难道说就永远无尽无休了吗?

这时，他心里委实乱糟糟，连导游回答他的话几乎都没听见;即使听见，也仿佛是从遥远的地方传来的声音。"不很多呗。依我看，不过七八个人。四日那天，来了三十几个人，不过大多数昨儿就走了。"他们一路开过潮湿的土黄色道路，林立在路旁两侧的松树真是寂然无声。

多么阴凉，多么静谧。此刻松树林里，哪怕是在正午时分，林子偏远深处依然黑糊糊。朦朦胧胧，透出紫一块。灰一块。要是在夜间或是在白天溜掉，哪会在这儿碰上人呢?

丛林深处传来一只鸟清脆的尖叫声，一只原野春雀在远处枝头上婉转啼唱，美妙的歌声在银光闪烁的阴影里回荡着。这辆笨重的带篷的公共汽车，驶过流水潺潺的小河，驶过一座座粗糙的木桥时，罗伯达见到清澈晶莹的湖水，不由得惊叹道:

"那儿不是很迷人吗?

克莱德，你听到银铃似的流水声吗?

啊，这儿空气多新鲜呀!

"可她还是马上就要走向死亡!

老天哪!

可是，假定说这时在大比腾……在旅馆和游船出租处……有许许多多人，那怎么办呢?

也许湖上都有一些垂钓人，分散在各处垂钓……他们都是孤零零一个人……到哪儿都找不到冷僻隐蔽或荒凉无人的地方，那怎么办?

真怪，他就是没想到过这一点!

说不定这湖远不是象他想象中那么满目荒凉……正如今日里游人看来不会少于草湖那边吧。那怎么办?

啊，那就逃走吧……逃走吧……把它忘了吧。这样紧张他实在受不了……见鬼去吧……这些念头快把他折磨死了。他怎能梦想自己能过上荣华富贵的生活，竟然乞灵于如此荒唐。残酷的阴谋……先把人杀掉，随后逃走……说得更确切些，是先把人杀掉，然后佯装好象他跟她两人都淹死了。可他……真正的凶手……却又溜回去……过那幸福的生活了。多可怕的计划呀!

不过，要不然又怎么办呢?

怎么办呢?

难道说他准备已久，不就是为了这个吗?

难道说现在他要后退吗?

这时，在他身边的罗伯达，始终都在想象仿佛等待她的不是别的，正是婚礼了，也许就在明天早上;现在看看他三头两日讲起的这个湖上美景，只不过是短暂的赏心乐事罢了。克莱德老是这么讲的……仿佛这次郊游远比他们俩一生中任何其他事情更为重要。更为愉快似的。

不料这时导游又说话了，而且是冲他说的:

"依我看，您打算在这儿住一宿，是吧。我看见您让这位年轻小姐的手提包留在那儿了，"他朝冈洛奇方向点点头。

"不，今儿晚上我们就走……搭八点十分的火车。您送客人上那儿去吗?

""哦，那当然罗。""听说您常去送客人的……草湖那边的人对我这么说的。"可是，这时他为什么要加上有关草湖的这么一句话呢?

他想借此说明:

他上这儿来以前，他跟罗伯达是一块到过草湖呀。殊不知这个傻瓜偏偏还提到"这位年轻小姐的手提包"!

还说把它留在冈洛奇。这魔鬼!

干吗他偏要管别人的闲事?

干吗他一看就断定他跟罗伯达并不是结发夫妻?

他果真是这么断定的吗?

不管怎么说，他们带了两只手提箱包，而他的一只就带在自己身边，那导游干吗还会提出这么一个问题来呢?

不过，他们俩到底结过婚，还是没有结过婚……那又有什么关系?

要是她打捞不到……"结过婚，还是没有结过婚"是毫无意义的，可不是吗?

可是她被打捞起来，并且发现她还没有结婚，那不是证明她是跟别人一块出走了吗?

当然罗!

所以，现在又干吗要为这事操心呢?

罗伯达问导游说:

"除了我们要去的那一家以外，湖上还有别的什么旅馆，或是出租成套家具的房间吗?

""不，一家也没有，小姐，只有我们这一家。昨天有一大拨青年男女在东岸露宿营帐。我想，离开旅馆大约有一英里吧……不过，现在他们还在不在，我可不知道了。今天他们一个也没看见。"一大拨青年男女!

老天哪!

说不定他们正在湖上……所有的人……都在划船……或是扬帆……或是干别的什么?

可他却跟她双双来到了这儿。也许还有从第十二号湖来的人呢!

正如两周前他跟桑德拉。哈里特。斯图尔特。伯蒂娜初来时……里头有些是克兰斯顿家。哈里特家。芬奇利家等等的朋友，他们上这儿来玩，当然会记得他。此外，在湖的东头，看来一定还有一条路。由于所有这些情况，加上这一大拨青年男女也光临此地，看来他这次草湖之行也就白搭了。

他这计划多蠢!

这种多么无聊的计划……至少他早就应该花更多点时间……选择一个还要远得多的湖区，而且他本来就应该这么办……只是因为最近这些天他实在被折磨得够呛，几乎不知道该怎么思考才好。得了，现在他只好先去看看再说。要是那儿游人很多，那他就只好另想办法，划到真正荒凉的地点去。或者干脆掉头就走，还是再回到草湖……或是其他什么地方?

老天哪，他究竟该怎么办……要是这儿游人很多的话?

但就在这时，绿树向前无限延伸开去，一眼望到尽头，仿佛象是一道绿色森林长廊……现在他已能把那块草地以及大比腾湖面认出来了。还有面对着大比腾深蓝色湖水的那家小客栈，以及它的圆柱游廊，也都看到了。还有湖右边那座盖着红瓦的低矮小船棚，上次他来这儿时就见到过的。罗伯达一见就嚷了起来:

"啊，真美，可不是……简直美极了。"这时，克莱德两眼望着南边，正在凝视着远处暗沉沉的。地势低的小岛，看到只有极少几个人在那儿……湖上连一个人影儿都没有……他心里慌了神，连忙喊道:

"是啊，那还用说嘛。"不过，他说这话时却感到嗓子眼仿佛哽住了似的。

这时迎面走来的是小客栈掌柜……此人个儿中等，脸色红润，肩膀很宽，用最殷勤奉承的口气说:

"您在这儿要待几天吧?

"但是克莱德对这一新情况很恼火，给了导游一块美元以后，就气呼呼地回答说:

"不，不……就只玩一个下午。今儿晚上我们就走。""我说，你们就留在这儿进午餐吧?

火车要到八点过一刻才开。""哦，是的……那当然罗。得了，既然这样，我们就在这儿进午餐。"……因为，这时正在度她的蜜月的罗伯达……在她结婚的前一天，而且又在这么一种性质的旅行中……她当然希望在这儿进午餐。嘿，让这个红脸儿。胖墩个的傻瓜见他的鬼去吧。

"那得了吧，让我来替您拿这手提箱。您就上帐房间登记去。说不定您太太反正也得歇歇脚了。"掌柜手里拎着提箱在前头带路，克莱德这时真的恨不得一把从他手里把箱子抢过来。因为，他既不打算在这儿登记，也不想把自己的手提箱留在这儿。

而且，千万留不得呀。他要马上把手提箱抢过来，接着就去租一条游船。可是不管怎么说，到头来正象博尼费斯所说的，克莱德还是不得不"为了登记而登记"，签下了克利福德。戈尔登夫妇这一名字……在这以后，他方才重新拿到了他的手提箱。

一路上这些事，本来就够他心慌意乱了，可是偏偏还有种种恼人的事纷至沓来，袭上心头。甚至就在他实现这次冒险的划船方案前，罗伯达冷不防说，这会儿天很热，反正他们还回来吃晚饭，所以，她就把帽子。外套都留在这儿……她的那顶帽子上，贴有莱柯格斯布朗斯坦厂家的商标，他早已看见了……这一下子让他心中又琢磨起来:

这顶帽子商标留着好呢，还是干脆把它毁了?

可是他决定:

也许以后……以后……要是他真的这么办了的话……那末，帽子上有没有厂家商标，说不定也就无关紧要了。她要是被打捞起来，反正没有厂家商标，也都会被认出来的，要是打捞不到，谁知道她是什么人呀?

这时，他早已方寸大乱，几乎连自己都闹不清楚该怎么想。该怎么干，只是拎着自己的手提箱，径直往租船码头走去。随后，他把手提箱搁在船里，问着船棚的人哪儿风景最好，他想用照相机拍下来。这事问过了……他觉得毫无用处的说明也听过了，克莱德便搀扶罗伯达上了船(这时，他觉得她仿佛只是个虚无缥缈的影子，踩上了纯属想象中的湖上一只子虚乌有的小划子)，他自己也跟着她跳上了船，坐在小划子当中，随手把划桨操了起来。

那静谧的。晶莹的。彩虹似的湖面，这时在他们俩看来，都觉得不象水，而是很象油……象熔化了的一块又大又沉的玻璃，搁在地心很深很深的。坚实的地球之上。到哪儿都是微风习习，多么飘逸，多么清新，多么令人陶醉，但又几乎看不到微风在湖面上吹起涟漪。岸边的参天松树，多么柔和，多么软而密。但见到处都是一片片松树林……象尖尖的剑戟耸入云霄。树顶上空隐约可见远处郁郁苍苍的艾迪隆达克斯山脉上峰峦迭起。湖上连一个划船的人都见不到。岸边一所房子或一间圆木小屋也没有。他虽然两眼寻找导游提到过的那个营帐，可是依然根本看不见他。他屏住气，倾听周围有没有说话声……或是这些声音究竟来自何方。可是，除了他划船时双桨发出的噼啪声，以及后面两百步外。三百步外。五百步外。一千步外看船棚的人跟导游的对话声，四下里什么声音都没有。

"这儿不是多么沉寂。宁静呀?

"罗伯达说话了。"这儿一切好象都是静悄悄。

我看真美，比哪个湖都要美。这些树多高，可不是?

还有那些山。我一路上坐在车上想，那条路多阴凉，多清静，尽管有点儿高低不平。""刚才你在客栈里跟什么人说过话来着?

""怎么啦，没有;你干吗问这个呀?

""哦，我想也许你可能碰上什么人。虽然今天这里好象人并不多，是吧?

""是的，我在湖上简直一个人都见不到。后面弹子房里，我看见有两个男的;还有女宾休息室里头有个姑娘……拢共就这么几个人。这水不是很冷吗?

"她把手伸出船舷外，浸在被他的双桨所卷起的湛蓝湛蓝的涟漪的湖水里。

"是很冷吗?

我还没试过呢。"他停住了双桨，把手伸进湖水试了一试，接着便陷入沉思之中。他不打算直接划到南边那个小岛去。这……太远……而且时间还太早呢。说不定她会觉得挺怪的。最好还是再磨蹭一会儿。再留一点儿时间，好好琢磨琢磨……再留一点儿时间，观赏观赏四周围景色。罗伯达会想到自己进午餐(她的午餐!)。西头一英里外，望得见有一片很美的尖岬。他们不妨上那儿去，先进午餐……也就是说，让她先进午餐……因为今天他压根儿吃不下。然后……然后……罗伯达也正在举目眺望刚才他张望过的那一片尖岬……一块尖角形的陆地，岸边净是参天的松树，远远地直插湖心，并且弯弯曲曲向南延伸开去。这时，她又找补着说:

"亲爱的，你究竟选在哪儿，我们可以坐下来吃东西?

我可有点儿饿了，你不饿吗?

"(此时此地她不要叫他什么亲爱的就好了!)远远望去，北头那座小客栈和船棚轮廓越来越小……这时看上去有如他初上克拉姆湖划船时那边的船棚和凉亭了。当初他心里恨不得自己也能到艾迪隆达克斯群山中这么一个湖上赏玩，他梦想着类似这样的湖……还巴不得能同罗伯达这样的姑娘邂逅……那就……殊不知现在他头顶上空正飘着羊毛似的云朵却跟命中注定的那一天，在克拉姆湖上，在他头顶上飘过的云朵一模一样。

这一切多费劲，多可怕呀!

今天，我们不妨就在这儿寻觅睡莲，为的是在……以前消磨一点儿时间，……消磨时间……杀死("消磨时间"英文原为(ｔｏｋｉｌｌｔｉｍｅ)，此处"消磨"(ｋｉｌｌ)一词与"杀死"同音同字，故在此是一语双关。)，(老天哪)……他要是真的打算动手的话，就得马上停止想这个问题。反正此刻他也用不着去想这些。

他便划到了罗伯达喜欢的那片尖岬，进入了周围仿佛固若金汤的小湾，那儿还有一小片弯弯曲曲的蜜黄色沙滩，从东。北两头谁都望不到小湾里的动静。

他和她照例都上了岸。克莱德非常小心地从手提箱里把午餐点心取出来，罗伯达就接过来，一一放到铺在沙滩上的一张报纸上。这时，他在沙滩上走来走去，心里虽然非常别扭，可嘴上还是称赞这儿风景美……松树呀，弯弯曲曲的小湾呀……可是事实上，他心里却在想着……想着，想着再往前划去的那个小岛，和绕过小岛后头的另一个小湾，就在那儿，尽管他的勇气越来越小，他还是必须实现摆在他面前的那个残酷。可怕的计划……决不让这一精心筹划的机会白白错过了……可是……要是……他真的不打算临阵脱逃，把他最热切盼望的一切永远抛弃的话。

可是现在，这事已是迫在眉睫，多可怕，多危险呀……要是突然出了一些差错……别的先不说，万一他不得法，没有把小船弄翻掉……万一他没有能耐去……去……啊，老天哪，那就太危险了!

而事后说不定真相大白……那他……他就是……一名杀人犯!

马上被抓住!

吃官司。(要是这样他可对付不了，也不想对付这样的局面。不，不，不!

)不过，罗伯达这时在沙滩上，偶坐在他身边。依他看，她对世界上的这一切都很满意。她还在轻轻地哼着什么小曲儿呢。接着，她对他们这次双双出游谈了一些切实有用的意见，还谈到从今以后他们在物质生活与经济开支方面的情况……以及他们从这儿再上哪儿去，和怎么个走法……也许最好去锡拉丘兹，克莱德好象对此并不反对……到了那儿，他们又该怎么办。罗伯达听她妹夫弗雷德。加贝尔说过，锡拉丘兹刚开了一家新的领子衬衫工厂。克莱德不妨上那个厂家找个事由，哪怕是暂时性，可不是吗?

然后，等到她最麻烦的事过去了，她自己不妨也上那儿，或是其他什么厂家找个工作，不也成吗?

他们钱既然这么少，不妨暂且在某某人家找一个小房间……再不然，要是他不喜欢那样(因为现在他们脾气远不象过去那样合得来了)，也许就找两个毗邻的房间得了。从目前他佯装的殷勤体贴的背后，她还是能感觉到他那股子犟脾气。

而克莱德也正在暗自思忖，啊，得了吧，现在说这类话又有什么用处呢?

不论他同意她也好，不同意她也好……这究竟有多大关系呢?

老天哪!

可是他在这儿跟她谈话，仿佛她明天还会在这儿似的。可她却是不会在这儿了。要知道等待他的……和等待她的……是迥然不同的命运。老天哪!

要是他的双膝不象现在这么发抖该有多好;他的双手。他的脸和他浑身上下，还是这样直冒冷汗!

在那以后，他们这只小船绕小湖的西岸继续划行，来到了那个小岛。克莱德总是心慌意乱。疲惫不堪地四处张望，看那儿……岸上也好，湖上也好，只要是望得见的地方……到底是不是一个人都没有……一个人都没有。谢天谢地，四周围总算还是这么静悄悄，这么荒无一人!

这儿，说实话……或是这儿附近的哪个地方动手都行……只要此刻他有这份胆量就得了……可他偏偏还没有。这时，罗伯达又把手伸到湖水里，问他，该不该到岸边去采撷睡莲或是别的什么野花。睡莲呀!

野花呀!

这时他暗自相信，在这密集林立的参天松树林里，确实没有什么大路，或是圆木小屋。露宿营帐。羊肠小道……乃至于说明有人烟的任何迹象……在这美好的日子里，在这美丽的一望无际的湖面上，连一只小船的影儿也都见不到。可是，在这些树林子里，或是绕着湖岸，会不会有单独狩猎。

捕兽的人和导游或是渔夫呢?

难道说就不会有吗?

要是此时此地有人躲在什么旮旯儿呢?

而且，还在瞅着他们哩!

完了!

毁了!

死了!

可是四周围……既没有声音，也没有烟。只有……只有……这些耸入云霄。郁郁苍苍的松林树冠……象矛枪尖似的，浸沉在一片岑寂之中。偶尔见到午后焦灼的骄阳下有一棵灰白色枯树，它那干瘦的树桠枝，象一双双吓人的手往四下里伸开去。

一只急速飞往树林子深处的鸟，发出了清脆的尖叫声。要不然，不知从哪儿传来了一只孤零零的啄木鸟寂寞的。幽灵似的笃笃声。不时有一只红莺，接着又有一只黄肩膀的黑鸟，就象一道道红黑相间的闪电凌空掠过。

"啊，阳光灿烂，照耀我肯塔基的故乡。"(这是美国名曲《我的肯塔基故乡》

(Ｓ。福斯特词曲)的头一句歌词。)罗伯达兴致勃勃地在唱歌，一只手浸在湛蓝湛蓝的湖水里。

过了一会儿，她又唱了……"只要你乐意，星期天我就来。"这是目前流行的一支舞曲。

他们就这样划着桨，一面沉思默想，一面唱着歌儿，观赏那美丽的尖岬，寻觅可能有睡莲的静谧湖湾，终于又捱过了整整一个钟头，罗伯达这才说，他们得注意时间，别在这儿滞留太久。最后终于划到……那个岛以南的小湾……这儿湖面虽小但很美，可又满目凄凉，四周被松树林和湖岸所包围……很象一个小湖，但有一窄窄的小港，可通往大湖。不过这湖面毕竟也相当可观，约有二十多公顷大，差不多是呈圆形的。从东。北。南。甚至西的各个方位来看，除了把岛北跟陆地隔开的那条小港以外，这儿有如一个池塘(也可以说龙潭吧)，四周全被树木环抱。到处是香蒲和睡莲……甚至岸边间或也有一些。不知怎的，这儿仿佛是为厌倦于人生烦恼的人和渴望摆脱尘世纷争的人所天造地设，退隐到这儿，尽管心如死灰，倒也非常明智。

他们划进了这个小湾后，那静悄悄的。黑黝黝的湖水好象紧紧地把克莱德吸引住了……以前不论在哪儿全都没有象此刻这样……使他的心态骤然为之大变。因为克莱德一到这儿，好象就紧紧地被吸引住了，也可以说是简直给迷住了;他绕着静悄悄的岸边划过一圈以后，心想就这样放舟自流，放舟自流……在这一望无际的空间……什么事都谈不上有什么目的……没有阴谋……没有计划……也没有实际问题急待解决……什么都通通没有。他觉得这个小湖不知不觉地越来越美呀!

真的，它好象是在嘲笑他。这儿多怪呀……这个黑黝黝的池塘，四周都被奇异。柔和的枞树团团围住。湖水宛如一颗硕大无朋的黑宝石，被哪一只巨手，也许是在暴怒，或是在嬉戏，或是在幻想
Part 3 chapter 1
Cataraqui County extending from the northernmost line of the village known as Three Mile Bay on the south tothe Canadian border, on the north a distance of fifty miles. And from Senaschet and Indian Lakes on the east tothe Rock and Scarf Rivers on the west--a width of thirty miles. Its greater portion covered by uninhabited forestsand lakes, yet dotted here and there with such villages and hamlets as Koontz, Grass Lake, North Wallace,Brown Lake, with Bridgeburg, the county seat, numbering no less than two thousand souls of the fifteenthousand in the entire county. And the central square of the town occupied by the old and yet not ungracefulcounty courthouse, a cupola with a clock and some pigeons surmounting it, the four principal business streets ofthe small town facing it.
　　In the office of the County Coroner in the northeast corner of the building on Friday, July ninth, one Fred Heit,coroner, a large and broad-shouldered individual with a set of gray-brown whiskers such as might have graced aMormon elder. His face was large and his hands and his feet also. And his girth was proportionate.
　　At the time that this presentation begins, about two-thirty in the afternoon, he was lethargically turning the leavesof a mail-order catalogue for which his wife had asked him to write. And while deciphering from its pages theprice of shoes, jackets, hats, and caps for his five omnivorous children, a greatcoat for himself of soothingproportions, high collar, broad belt, large, impressive buttons chancing to take his eye, he had paused to considerregretfully that the family budget of three thousand dollars a year would never permit of so great luxury thiscoming winter, particularly since his wife, Ella, had had her mind upon a fur coat for at least three winters past.
　　However his thoughts might have eventuated on this occasion, they were interrupted by the whirr of a telephonebell.
　　"Yes, this is Mr. Heit speaking--Wallace Upham of Big Bittern. Why, yes, go on, Wallace--young coupledrowned--all right, just wait a minute--"He turned to the politically active youth who drew a salary from the county under the listing of "secretary to thecoroner"--"Get these points, Earl." Then into the telephone: "All right, Wallace, now give me all the facts-everything--yes. The body of the wife found but not that of the husband--yes--a boat upset on the south shore-yes--straw hat without any lining--yes--some marks about her mouth and eye--her coat and hat at the inn--yes--aletter in one of the pockets of the coat--addressed to who?--Mrs. Titus Alden, Biltz, Mimico County--yes--still dragging for the man's body, are they?--yes--no trace of him yet--I see. All right, Wallace--Well--I'll tell you,Wallace, have them leave the coat and hat just where they are. Let me see--it's two-thirty now. I'll be up on thefour o'clock. The bus from the inn there meets that, doesn't it? Well, I'll be over on that, sure--And, Wallace, Iwish you'd write down the names of all present who saw the body brought up. What was that?--eighteen feet ofwater at least?--yes--a veil caught in one of the rowlocks--yes--a brown veil--yes--sure, that's all--Well, thenhave them leave everything just as found, Wallace, and I'll be right up. Yes, Wallace, thank you-- Goodbye."Slowly Mr. Heit restored the receiver to the hook and as slowly arose from the capacious walnut-hued chair inwhich he sat, stroking his heavy whiskers, while he eyed Earl Newcomb, combination typist, record clerk, andwhat not.
　　"You got all that down, did you, Earl?""Yes, sir.""Well, you better get your hat and coat and come along with me. We'll have to catch that 3:10. You can fill in afew subpoenas on the train. I should say you better take fifteen or twenty--to be on the safe side, and take thenames of such witnesses as we can find on the spot. And you better call up Mrs. Heit and say 'taint likely I'll behome for dinner tonight or much before the down train. We may have to stay up there until tomorrow. You nevercan tell in these cases how they're going to turn out and it's best to be on the safe side."Heit turned to a coat-room in one corner of the musty old room and extracted a large, soft-brimmed, straw hat,the downward curving edges of which seemed to heighten the really bland and yet ogreish effect of hisprotruding eyes and voluminous whiskers, and having thus equipped himself, said: "I'm just going in the sheriff'soffice a minute, Earl. You'd better call up the Republican and the Democrat and tell 'em about this, so they won'tthink we're slightin' 'em. Then I'll meet you down at the station." And he lumbered out.
　　And Earl Newcomb, a tall, slender, shock-headed young man of perhaps nineteen, and of a very serious, if attimes befuddled, manner, at once seized a sheaf of subpoenas, and while stuffing these in his pocket, sought toget Mrs. Heit on the telephone. And then, after explaining to the newspapers about a reported double drowning atBig Bittern, he seized his own blue-banded straw hat, some two sizes too large for him, and hurried down thehall, only to encounter, opposite the wide-open office door of the district attorney, Zillah Saunders, spinster andsolitary stenographer to the locally somewhat famous and mercurial Orville W. Mason, district attorney. She wason her way to the auditor's office, but being struck by the preoccupation and haste of Mr. Newcomb, usually somuch more deliberate, she now called: "Hello, Earl. What's the rush? Where you going so fast?""Double drowning up at Big Bittern, we hear. Maybe something worse. Mr. Heit's going up and I'm going along.
　　We have to make that 3:10.""Who said so? Is it anyone from here?""Don't know yet, but don't think so. There was a letter in the girl's pocket addressed to some one in Biltz, MimicoCounty, a Mrs. Alden. I'll tell you when we get back or I'll telephone you.""My goodness, if it's a crime, Mr. Mason'll be interested, won't he?""Sure, I'll telephone him, or Mr. Heit will. If you see Bud Parker or Karel Badnell, tell 'em I had to go out oftown, and call up my mother for me, will you, Zillah, and tell her, too. I'm afraid I won't have time.""Sure I will, Earl.""Thanks."And, highly interested by this latest development in the ordinary humdrum life of his chief, he skipped gayly andeven eagerly down the south steps of the Cataraqui County Courthouse, while Miss Saunders, knowing that herown chief was off on some business connected with the approaching County Republican Convention, and therebeing no one else in his office with whom she could communicate at this time, went on to the auditor's office,where it was possible to retail to any who might be assembled there, all that she had gathered concerning thisseemingly important lake tragedy.

卡塔拉基县从南面的三英里湾村北端径直延伸到加拿大边境，南北长五十英里，东面从塞纳谢特湖。印第安湖到西面罗克河。斯卡夫河，宽达三十英里。

绝大部分地区是荒无人烟的森林和湖泊，偶尔有诸如孔兹。草湖。北华莱士。

布朗湖等大小村落。县城设在布里奇伯格，人口还不到两千(全县人口为一万五千人)。那座古老但不算难看的本县法院大楼，就座落在县城中心广场上，它那个圆顶阁上还有一座大钟，周围总有好几只鸽子在盘旋。小镇四条大街，都在中心广场汇合。

七月九日，星期五，法院大楼东北角的县验尸官办公室里，有一位名叫弗雷德。海特的验尸官(验尸官负责调查突然的死亡或横死;他在进行验尸时，可以由一个特别挑选的陪审团协助。)。此人身材魁梧，肩膀宽阔，蓄一撮棕色小胡子，活象一位摩门教派长老。他脸盘儿大，手大脚大，自然腰身也很粗。

当我们刚要开始讲述故事的时候，大约是在下午两点半钟，他正懒洋洋地在翻阅邮购商品目录，那是他妻子要求他开出定购单的。他按照目录核算商品的价格，给他五个什么都想要的孩子购买鞋子。外套。帽子和便帽，给他自己买一件尺码很大的舒适大衣，高翻领。宽腰带，还有早先他见过的挺神气的大钮扣。随后，他心里很难过，考虑到全家预算……一年三千块美元……怎么也不够他今冬那么大的开销。特别是他妻子埃拉心里一直想置一件毛皮大衣，少说也有三个冬天了。

可是，不管他这个念头最后结果如何，这时却被一阵电话铃声打断了。

"是的，我就是海特……你是大比腾的华莱士。厄珀姆。怎么啦，是啊，说下去，华莱士……有一对年轻情侣淹死了……好，请你等一下……"他回过头来，对那个精明能干的年轻人(此人被称为"验尸官秘书"，其薪水则由县里开支)说:

"把这些记下来，厄尔。"随后，他又对着话筒说:

"好吧，华莱士，现在把全部事实都告诉我……全部细节……嗯，妻子的尸体已找到了，可她丈夫的尸体没有……嗯……一只小船在南岸翻掉了……嗯……一顶草帽，什么商标都没有的……嗯……她嘴上。眼上都有一些伤痕……她的外套和帽子都在客栈里……嗯……外套一个口袋里，还有一封信……是写给谁的呀?

……米米科县比尔茨的泰特斯。奥尔登太太……嗯……我们还在打捞男尸，是吧?

……嗯……还没有他的影儿呢……我全知道了。好的，华莱士……得了……我会通知你的，华莱士，关照他们把那外套和帽子都照原样儿留在现场。让我想一想……现在是两点半。我将搭乘四点钟火车赶到。客栈有汽车在那儿接，是吧?

得了，我就搭那趟车来，那当然罗……还有，华莱士，所有在场看见尸体打捞上来的人，我希望你把他们的姓名一个不漏记下来。还有什么?

……湖水至少有十八英尺深?

……嗯……桨架上扯着一块面纱……嗯……一块棕色面纱……嗯……当然罗，就这样……好吧，那就关照他们把所有发现的东西都照原样儿留在现场，华莱士，我马上就到。嗯，华莱士，谢谢你……回头见。"海特先生慢悠悠地挂上听筒，慢悠悠地从他坐着的那张胡桃木色宽大椅子里站了起来，捋了一下自己浓密的小胡子，同时对那个身兼几职(打字员。文书，以及一切杂务)的厄尔。纽科姆瞅了一眼。

"厄尔，你都记下来了，是吧?

""是的，先生。""嗯，你最好拿上你的帽子和外套跟我一块去。我们就得去赶三点十分的火车。你可以在车上填好几张传票。依我看，不管怎么说，你最好带上十五到二十张空白的……备而不用嘛，然后，要把所有在现场的人姓啥名谁通通记下来。

还有，最好给海特太太去个电话，说今儿晚上我不见得能回家吃晚饭了，甚至连末班车怕也赶不上呢。可能我们还得在那儿住一宿。谁知道这类案子备不住会有什么变化，最好还是要做好各种准备。"他转身走到破旧发霉的房间旮旯儿的衣帽柜，取出一顶软边的大草帽，它那往下耷拉的宽边帽檐，使他脸相显得越发奇特，他的那双凸眼睛和浓胡子，其实很善良，这时却好似凶恶极了。一切都准备停当，他便对秘书说:

"我这会儿就去县执法官(据美国州。县政府职责规定，执法官，亦即县的行政司法长官，负责维持公共秩序，逮捕罪犯和管理县监狱。)那儿，厄尔。最好你跟《共和党人报》和《民主党人报》通个电话，把这事给他们说一声，别让这两家报社认为我们跟他们不通气。到时我就在火车站跟你碰头得了。"说完，他便步履艰难地往外走了。

厄尔。纽科姆是个身材颀长。头发蓬乱的年轻人，年龄约莫有十九岁，举止谈吐非常严肃，虽说有时也会恍然失措。他马上一面抓了一叠传票往口袋里掖，一面又给海特太太打电话。稍后，他在电话里向这两家报社说了一下大比腾湖上两人溺亡的惨闻，随后抓起那顶比他的脑瓜大两号的蓝边草帽，急冲冲下楼了，殊不知在敞着门的地方检查官办公室对面碰上了泽拉。桑德斯。她是个老处女，也是当地颇有名气而又机智的地方检察官奥维尔。Ｗ。梅森的唯一速记员。这时她正去审计长办公室，见到平素办事不紧不慢的纽科姆先生心事重重。行色匆匆的样子很吃惊，便冲他喊道:

"喂，厄尔。有什么急事?

你急冲冲往哪儿跑呀?

""听说大比腾有两个人淹死了。说不定情况比这还要糟。海特先生要去，我就跟他一块去。我们得搭乘三点十分的这班火车。""你是听谁说的?

是当地人吗?

""还不知道，不过我想恐怕不是吧。那个姑娘口袋里有一封信，是寄给米米科县附近比尔茨一位姓奥尔登的太太。等我们回来，一切我都会告诉你的;要不然，我就打电话告诉你。""哦，我的天哪，如果说这是一件刑事案子，那梅森先生也许会感到关注的，是吧?

""当然罗，我会打电话给他的;要不然，海特先生自己也会打来的。要是你看见巴德。帕克，或是卡雷尔。巴德内尔，转告他们，说我得出镇去走一趟。还有，请你代我打个电话给我妈，得了吧，泽拉，也关照她一声。我怕我自己来不及打了。""当然可以，厄尔。""谢谢。"本来他的上司日常生活够单调乏味，现在来了这么一件新鲜事，对此纽科姆兴趣很大。瞧他乐呵呵地，甚至热呼呼地连跳带蹦，走下了卡塔拉基县法院大楼南边台阶。桑德斯小姐知道她自己的上司因为跟即将召开的本县共和党代表大会有关的事出去了，他办公室里此刻没有别人听她的新闻，便往审计长办公室走去。她不妨根据她刚才听到的消息，对聚集在那儿的人大讲特讲这次关系重大的湖上惨案。
Part 3 Chapter 2
The information obtained by Coroner Heit and his assistant was of a singular and disturbing character. In the firstinstance, because of the disappearance of a boat and an apparently happy and attractive couple bent on sightseeing,an early morning search, instigated by the inn-keeper of this region, had revealed, in Moon Cove, thepresence of the overturned canoe, also the hat and veil. And immediately such available employees, as well asguides and guests of the Inn, as could be impressed, had begun diving into the waters or by means of long polesequipped with hooks attempting to bring one or both bodies to the surface. The fact, as reported by Sim Shoop,the guide, as well as the innkeeper and the boathouse lessee, that the lost girl was both young and attractive andher companion seemingly a youth of some means, was sufficient to whet the interest of this lake group ofwoodsmen and inn employees to a point which verged on sorrow. And in addition, there was intense curiosity asto how, on so fair and windless a day, so strange an accident could have occurred.
　　But what created far more excitement after a very little time was the fact that at high noon one of the men whotrolled--John Pole--a woodsman, was at last successful in bringing to the surface Roberta herself, drawn upwardby the skirt of her dress, obviously bruised about the face--the lips and nose and above and below the right eye--afact which to those who were assisting at once seemed to be suspicious. Indeed, John Pole, who with Joe Rainerat the oars was the one who had succeeded in bringing her to the surface, had exclaimed at once on seeing her:
　　"Why, the pore little thing! She don't seem to weigh more'n nothin' at all. It's a wonder tuh me she coulda sunk."And then reaching over and gathering her in his strong arms, he drew her in, dripping and lifeless, while hiscompanions signaled to the other searchers, who came swiftly. And putting back from her face the long, brown,thick hair which the action of the water had swirled concealingly across it, he had added: "I do declare, Joe!
　　Looka here. It does look like the child mighta been hit by somethin'! Looka here, Joe!" And soon the group ofwoodsmen and inn guests in their boats alongside were looking at the brownish-blue marks on Roberta's face.
　　And forthwith, even while the body of Roberta was being taken north to the boat-house, and the dragging for the body of the lost man was resumed, suspicions were being voiced in such phrases as: "Well, it looks kinda queer-themmarks--an' all,--don't it? It's curious a boat like that coulda upset on a day like yesterday." "We'll soonknow if he's down there or not!"; the feeling, following failure after hours of fruitless search for him, definitelycoalescing at last into the conclusion that more than likely he was not down there at all--a hard and stirringthought to all.
　　Subsequent to this, the guide who had brought Clyde and Roberta from Gun Lodge conferring with the innkeepersat Big Bittern and Grass Lake, it was factually determined: (1) that the drowned girl had left her bag atGun Lodge whereas Clifford Golden had taken his with him; (2) that there was a disturbing discrepancy betweenthe registration at Grass Lake and that at Big Bittern, the names Carl Graham and Clifford Golden beingcarefully discussed by the two inn-keepers and the identity of the bearer as to looks established; and (3) that thesaid Clifford Golden or Carl Graham had asked of the guide who had driven him over to Big Bittern whetherthere were many people on the lake that day. And thereafter the suspicions thus far engendered further coalescinginto the certainty that there had been foul play. There was scarcely any doubt of it.
　　Immediately upon his arrival Coroner Heit was made to understand that these men of the north woods weredeeply moved and in addition determined in their suspicions. They did not believe that the body of CliffordGolden or Carl Graham had ever sunk to the bottom of the lake. With the result that Heit on viewing the body ofthe unknown girl laid carefully on a cot in the boat-house, and finding her young and attractive, was strangelyaffected, not only by her looks but this circumambient atmosphere of suspicion. Worse yet, on retiring to theoffice of the manager of the inn, and being handed the letter found in the pocket of Roberta's coat, he wasdefinitely swayed in the direction of a somber and unshakable suspicion. For he read:
　　Grass Lake, N. Y., July 8th.
　　DEAREST MAMMA:
　　We're up here and we're going to be married, but this is for your eyes alone. Please don't show it to papa or anyone, for it mustn't become known yet. I told you why at Christmas. And you're not to worry or ask any questionsor tell any one except just that you've heard from me and know where I am--not anybody. And you mustn't thinkI won't be getting along all right because I will be. Here's a big hug and kiss for each cheek, mamma. Be sure andmake father understand that it's all right without telling him anything, or Emily or Tom or Gifford, either, do youhear? I'm sending you nice, big kisses.
　　Lovingly,BERT.
　　P.S. This must be your secret and mine until I write you different a little later on.
　　And in the upper right-hand corner of the paper, as well as on the envelope, were printed the words: "Grass LakeInn, Grass Lake, N. Y., Jack Evans, Prop." And the letter had evidently been written the morning after the nightthey had spent at Grass Lake as Mr. and Mrs. Carl Graham.
　　The waywardness of young girls!
　　For plainly, as this letter indicated, these two had stayed together as man and wife at that inn when they were notas yet married. He winced as he read, for he had daughters of his own of whom he was exceedingly fond. But atthis point he had a thought. A quadrennial county election was impending, the voting to take place the followingNovember, at which were to be chosen for three years more the entire roster of county offices, his own included,and in addition this year a county judge whose term was for six years. In August, some six weeks further on,were to be held the county Republican and Democratic conventions at which were to be chosen the regular partynominees for these respective offices. Yet for no one of these places, thus far, other than that of the countyjudgeship, could the present incumbent of the office of district attorney possibly look forward with any hope,since already he had held the position of district attorney for two consecutive terms, a length of office due to thefact that not only was he a good orator of the inland political stripe but also, as the chief legal official of thecounty, he was in a position to do one and another of his friends a favor. But now, unless he were so fortunate asto be nominated and subsequently elected to this county judgeship, defeat and political doldrums loomed ahead.
　　For during all his term of office thus far, there had been no really important case in connection with which hehad been able to distinguish himself and so rightfully and hopefully demand further recognition from the people.
　　Butthis . ..
　　But now, as the Coroner shrewdly foresaw, might not this case prove the very thing to fix the attention and favorof the people upon one man--the incumbent district attorney--a close and helpful friend of his, thus far--and sosufficiently redound to his credit and strength, and through him to the party ticket itself, so that at the comingelection all might be elected--the reigning district attorney thus winning for himself not only the nomination forbut his election to the six-year term judgeship. Stranger things than this had happened in the political world.
　　Immediately he decided not to answer any questions in regard to this letter, since it promised a quick solution ofthe mystery of the perpetrator of the crime, if there had been one, plus exceptional credit in the present politicalsituation to whosoever should appear to be instrumental in the same. At the same time he at once ordered EarlNewcomb, as well as the guide who had brought Roberta and Clyde to Big Bittern, to return to Gun Lodgestation from where the couple had come and say that under no circumstances was the bag held there to besurrendered to any one save himself or a representative of the district attorney. Then, when he was about totelephone to Biltz to ascertain whether there was such a family as Alden possessing a daughter by the name ofBert, or possibly Alberta, he was most providentially, as it seemed to him, interrupted by two men and a boy,trappers and hunters of this region, who, accompanied by a crowd of those now familiar with the tragedy, werealmost tumultuously ushered into his presence. For they had news--news of the utmost importance! As they nowrelated, with many interruptions and corrections, at about five o'clock of the afternoon of the day on whichRoberta was drowned, they were setting out from Three Mile Bay, some twelve miles south of Big Bittern, tohunt and fish in and near this lake. And, as they now unanimously testified, on the night in question, at aboutnine o'clock, as they were nearing the south shore of Big Bittern-- perhaps three miles to the south of it--they hadencountered a young man, whom they took to be some stranger making his way from the inn at Big Bittern southto the village at Three Mile Bay. He was a smartishly and decidedly well dressed youth for these parts, as theynow said--wearing a straw hat and carrying a bag, and at the time they wondered why such a trip on foot and atsuch an hour since there was a train south early next morning which reached Three Mile Bay in an hour's time.
　　And why, too, should he have been so startled at meeting them? For as they described it, on his encounteringthem in the woods thus, he had jumped back as though startled and worse--terrified--as though about to run. To be sure, the lantern one of them was carrying was turned exceedingly low, the moon being still bright, and theyhad walked quietly, as became men who were listening for wild life of any kind. At the same time, surely thiswas a perfectly safe part of the country, traversed for the most part by honest citizens such as themselves, andthere was no need for a young man to jump as though he were seeking to hide in the brush. However, when theyouth, Bud Brunig, who carried the light, turned it up the stranger seemed to recover his poise and after amoment in response to their "Howdy" had replied: "How do you do? How far is it to Three Mile Bay?" and theyhad replied, "About seven mile." And then he had gone on and they also, discussing the encounter.
　　And now, since the description of this youth tallied almost exactly with that given by the guide who had drivenClyde over from Gun Lodge, as well as that furnished by the innkeepers at Big Bittern and Grass Lake, it seemedall too plain that he must be the same youth who had been in that boat with the mysterious dead girl.
　　At once Earl Newcomb suggested to his chief that he be permitted to telephone to the one inn-keeper at ThreeMile Bay to see if by any chance this mysterious stranger had been seen or had registered there. He had not. Norapparently at that time had he been seen by any other than the three men. In fact, he had vanished as though intoair, although by nightfall of this same day it was established that on the morning following the chance meeting ofthe men with the stranger, a youth of somewhat the same description and carrying a bag, but wearing a cap--not astraw hat--had taken passage for Sharon on the small lake steamer "Cygnus" plying between that place and ThreeMile Bay. But again, beyond that point, the trail appeared to be lost. No one at Sharon, at least up to this time,seemed to recall either the arrival or departure of any such person. Even the captain himself, as he later testified,had not particularly noted his debarkation--there were some fourteen others going down the lake that day and hecould not be sure of any one person.
　　But in so far as the group at Big Bittern was concerned, the conclusion slowly but definitely impressed itselfupon all those present that whoever this individual was, he was an unmitigated villain--a reptilian villain! Andforthwith there was doubled and trebled in the minds of all a most urgent desire that he be overtaken andcaptured. The scoundrel! The murderer! And at once there was broadcast throughout this region by word ofmouth, telephone, telegraph, to such papers as The Argus and Times-union of Albany, and The Star ofLycurgus, the news of this pathetic tragedy with the added hint that it might conceal a crime of the gravestcharacter.

验尸官海特跟他的助手所搜集到的材料，确实异乎寻常而令人焦虑不安。

开头是，因为有一条游船失踪，连同一对看来很幸福。漂亮的观光客也失踪了，在当地客栈掌柜建议下，一大早便出动寻找，结果在月潭发现了那只倾覆的小划子，还有那顶帽子和那块面纱。所有能找到的客栈职工，连同导游和住店的客人，经过急募以后，就立时分别潜入湖中，或利用装有铁钩的长篙，想把一具或两具尸体都给打捞上来。据导游西姆。肖普以及客栈掌柜和出租游船的人说，失踪的姑娘既年轻又漂亮，看来她的同伴好象是相当有钱的年轻人。这一事件足以引起湖边许多林区居民和客栈职工的莫大兴趣，乃至于内心悲痛。除此以外，大家还觉得疑惑不解的是，象这么一个晴朗无风的日子，怎么会发生如此离奇的不幸事故。

可是，过了一会儿，却引起了更大的骚动。原来事实是这样的:

正午时分，有个经常在湖上拖钓的人约翰。波尔……一个林区居民，终于钩住死者的衣服，把罗伯达给推出湖面。她的脸部……嘴唇。鼻子和右眼上下，显然受过伤……对于这一事实，所有在场帮着打捞的人，马上都感到非常可疑。由乔。雷纳帮着摇橹，终于把罗伯达曳出湖面的约翰。波尔，一见到她便大声嚷道:

"唉，你这可林〔怜〕的闺女呀!

她那身子简直好象压根儿没有分量似的。居然她还能沉底。

一〔依〕我看，真是怪事。"稍后，他伸出自己两条有力的胳臂抓住她，把浑身湿透。早已咽了气的她拖进了船舱。这时，他的那一伙人便打手势招呼其他的打捞船。于是，他们马上围拢来。由于湖水冲击，她那浓密的棕色长头发已把脸儿盖没了，约翰。波尔一面把她的长头发拢到脑后勺去，一面找补着说:

"我说真怪，乔!

看这儿。这孩子好想〔象〕是给十〔什〕么东西砸过!

看这儿，乔!

"周围其他船上的林区居民和住店的客人，都仔细端详着罗伯达脸上青紫色伤痕。

即使罗伯达的尸体已被送至北边的船棚，在湖上仍继续打捞失踪的男尸，这时就有人道出了这么一些疑团来:

"得了，这好象有点怪……这些个伤痕……而且……不是吗?

这条小船，在昨天这样的天气，居然会底儿朝天，真有点儿出奇。

""这家伙到底在不在湖底，一会儿就见分晓啦!

"经过好几个钟头，还是白白地打捞一场以后，大家心里终于下了结论，说此人尸体很可能压根儿不在湖底……这个想法，对大家来说，是既让人难受，可又令人激动不已。

在这以后，那位导游(是他将克莱德和罗伯达从冈洛奇一路捎到这儿来的)跟大比腾。草湖两地的旅馆老板谈过以后，下面几点已得到肯定:

一。溺死的姑娘将自己的手提包留在冈洛奇，而克利福德。戈尔登则随身带着他的手提箱;二。

在草湖和大比腾湖各自登记的卡尔。格雷厄姆和克利福德。戈尔登，这两个姓名虽然不同，但经两家旅馆老板仔细讨论，并从这个申报人的外貌判断，毫无疑问，出自同一个人;三。那个自称克利福德。戈尔登或卡尔。格雷厄姆的人，曾向开车送他到大比腾的导游打听过那天湖上游人是不是很多。在这以后，迄今所有的一切疑团，已趋于完全一致，认为此人使用了卑鄙手段。对此几乎已是毋庸置疑。

验尸官海特一到，人们马上告诉他，说住在北边林区的居民对这事深为激动，而且坚信他们提出的怀疑很有道理。他们不相信克利福德。戈尔登或是卡尔。格雷厄姆的尸体当时会沉入湖底。那时，罗伯达的尸体早已很小心地放到船棚里一张帆布床上，海特仔细察看了那具无名女尸后，发现她既年轻，又漂亮，心情也激动得出奇，其原因不仅是由于她的相貌，而且还由于四周围充满怀疑的气氛。更要不得的是，他一回到客栈掌柜的公事房，看了从罗伯达外套口袋里找到的那封信。于是，他便断然倒向了最忧郁，但又坚定的持怀疑这一边了。因为他读了以下这么一封信:

最亲爱的妈妈:

我们已到了这儿，而且我们就要举行婚礼了，不过我写在这儿，只是让你一个人知道。请你别给爸爸或是任何其他人看，因为现在还得保守秘密。圣诞节的时候，我已对你说过这是怎么回事了。所以，你什么也不用担心，什么也不用提问，更不要告诉任何人，只说你已经接到我的信，反正知道我在哪儿就得了。你千万别觉得我日子过得不好，因为将来我会过得很好的。紧紧地拥抱你，在你两颊上亲个吻，妈妈。千万让爸爸知道一切都很好，可是不管对他也好或是对艾米莉。汤姆。吉福德也好，什么都不要说，知道吗?

热烈地亲吻你。

爱你的伯特七月八日于纽约州草湖再过一些时间，我会写信给你的，再谈这些事。不过在这以前，暂时务必保密，只有我知道就得了。又及信纸右上角和信封上，都印有"纽约州草湖草湖旅馆所有人杰克。伊文思"的字样。显而易见，这封信是在他们以卡尔。格雷厄姆夫妇名义在草湖住了一宿以后，转天早上写的。

水性杨花的年轻姑娘们!

从这封信可以看出，他们两人显然是以丈夫和妻子的名分下榻那家客栈，可事实上他们还没有结婚。海特先生看信时，不由得浑身抽搐，因为他自己也有好几个女儿，他是非常疼爱的。不过就在这时，他猛地转念一想:

本县每四年一次的选举快到了，十一月就要举行投票，那时候，今后三年内全县所有公职……包括他自己职位也在内……都得重新选过;此外，任期六年的本县法官一席，今年也要改选。到八月间，也就是大约过了六周以后，本县共和。民主两党的代表大会即将举行，那时将推举出任上述公职的两党候选人。但是，迄今为止，现任地方检察官除了本县法官一席也许还有希望以外，其他公职是一概不会考虑到他的，因为他已经连续担任过两届地方检察官，而他的任期之所以那么长，就是由于他不但在内地政界是以辩才赡富著称，而且，身为本县司法界最高官员，他能够给自己朋友们帮各种各样的忙。可是现在，除非他时来运转，能提上名，当选为本县法官，要不然，他的政治生涯的末日注定就在眼前了。要知道迄至今日，在他的全部任期中，从来没有过一个真的说得上重要的案件，可以让他一下子抛头露面，从而有理由。有希望要求进一步得到选民的承认与敬意。可是这一件……不过现在，正如精明的验尸官预见，大比腾湖上这个惨案不是完全可以被利用来将选民的注意力和同情支持都集中在一个人……也就是现任地方检察官奥维尔。梅森的身上吗?

奥维尔。梅森是他……海特的密友，一向对他有帮助，而且足以增加他的信誉和力量，同时，通过他，对本党全体候选人也十分有利。

于是，在这次即将到来的选举中，全体都可能当选……现任的地方检察官不仅可以获得提名，而且还可当选为任期六年的法官。过去政界还有过比这更光怪陆离的事哩。

海特马上决定，凡是有关已被发现的这封信的任何问题，他一概不予答复。

因为这封信保证能够很快揭开那个作案的罪犯之谜……如果说真的有罪犯的话;而且，在目前政治形势下，谁能揭开这个谜，谁将获得殊荣。与此同时，他立刻命令厄尔。纽科姆和陪送罗伯达。克莱德去大比腾的那位导游去通知不久前这对男女下车过的冈洛奇火车站:

不管在什么情况之下，现在那儿保管着的手提包，除了交给他海特本人，或是地方检察官的代表以外，绝对不能交给任何其他人。然后，他正想给比尔茨去电话，查清楚那儿有没有奥尔登这户人家，家里有个女儿，名叫伯特的，也可能叫艾伯达。就在这时……他觉得仿佛得到上天福佑似的……突然有两个男子和一个小孩打扰了他，原来他们是在这一带打围捕兽的猎手，由一群熟悉湖上惨剧的人簇拥之下，几乎乱哄哄地把他们拥进了海特的房间，就是因为他们掌握情况……非常重要的情况!

据他们报告说(他们的话常常被打断，有时还互相补充，互相更正):

在罗伯达淹死的那天下午，大约五点钟光景，他们从大比腾以南十二英里左右的三英里湾出发，想去这个湖上或是附近一带捕鱼。打猎。根据他们现在一致佐证，就在那天晚上，约莫九点钟光景，当他们走近大比腾南岸的时候……也许在大比腾以南三英里的地方，他们突然碰到一个年轻人。当时他们把他当做正从大比腾客栈往南去三英里湾村的陌生人。据他们现在说，此人穿着很漂亮。很阔气，压根儿不象当地居民……他头上戴着一顶草帽，拎着一只手提箱。当时，他们心里也真纳闷:

他为什么要安步当车呢，特别又是在这么一个时刻。因为转天大清早就有一趟南行的火车，到三英里湾只需一个钟头。再说，他碰到他们时，为什么又是这样惊慌失措?

据他们描述说，他在树林子里一碰上他们，就马上往后一跳，好象大吃一惊似的，而且更糟的是……他一下子吓坏了……象要拔脚就逃的样子。当然罗，他们里头有个人身边带的灯捻得特别小，因为那夜月光还很亮，而且他们走路时脚步很轻，凡是跟踪追捕野生动物的人都是这样的。可是，要知道，这一带当然是最安全也没有了，时常碰面的人大都是象他们那样的诚实公民，那个年轻人压根儿就用不着跳起来，好象要躲进灌木丛去。不过，当那个身边带着灯的年轻人巴德。布鲁尼格将灯捻大时，那个陌生人好象这才清醒过来。他们先向他说了一声"你好"，过了半晌，他才回答说，"你们好?

去三英里湾还有多远?

"他们回答说，"大约七英里左右。"稍后，他便独自往前走了。他们也继续赶路，一路上还谈论着这次邂逅哩。

他们所说的那个年轻人的模样儿跟冈洛奇开车接送克莱德的导游和大比腾。草湖两处客栈老板所说的既然差不多完全吻合，那末，现在看来也就很清楚了:

跟这个死得莫名其妙的姑娘在同一条船上的那个年轻人，一定就是他了。

厄尔。纽科姆马上请示他的上司，准许他打电话给三英里湾那家客栈掌柜，看看这个神秘的陌生人会不会碰巧给人撞见了，或是留宿在他们那儿。结果此人并没有在那儿。再说，除了刚才这三个猎人以外，显然还没有其他的人碰见过他。他真的就象已在空气里消失了似的，虽说在同一天傍黑时分就证实:

在这些猎人同那个陌生人不期而遇的转天早晨，有个年轻人，模样儿跟上面所说的差不离，拿着一只手提箱，不过，头上戴的是便帽……不是草帽……搭乘来往于三英里湾和沙隆之间的小汽船"天鹅号"去沙隆了。但是，除此以外，好象再也找不到别的线索了。至少到这时为止，在沙隆似乎谁都记不得有这么一个人到过或是离开过。甚至船长本人，据他后来佐证，也没有特别注意到有这么一个旅客上岸了……那天登轮的大约有十四个旅客，可是这些旅客里头任何一个人的模样儿，船长怎么也讲不真切。

不过，就大比腾全体居民来说，所有在场的人都逐步肯定地相信这么一个结论:

不管此人是谁，反正是个大坏蛋……一个兽性十足的坏蛋!

因此，人人心里都异常热切，恨不得马上把此人缉拿归案。这个恶棍!

这个杀人犯!

于是，通过口口相传。电话和电讯媒介，把这一惨剧的新闻报道发往诸如奥尔巴尼的《守卫神报》。《时代联合报》，以及莱柯格斯的《星报》等报，并且还暗示说其中说不定隐藏着骇人听闻的罪行。
Part 3 Chapter 3
Coroner Heit, his official duties completed for the time being, found himself pondering, as he traveled south onthe lake train, how he was to proceed farther. What was the next step he should take in this pathetic affair? Forthe coroner, as he had looked at Roberta before he left was really deeply moved. She seemed so young andinnocent-looking and pretty. The little blue serge dress lying heavily and clinging tightly to her, her very smallhands folded across her breast, her warm, brown hair still damp from its twenty-four hours in the water, yetsomehow suggesting some of the vivacity and passion that had invested her in life--all seemed to indicate asweetness which had nothing to do with crime.
　　But deplorable as it might be, and undoubtedly was, there was another aspect of the case that more vitally concerned himself. Should he go to Biltz and convey to the Mrs. Alden of the letter the dreadful intelligence ofher daughter's death, at the same time inquiring about the character and whereabouts of the man who had beenwith her, or should he proceed first to District Attorney Mason's office in Bridgeburg and having imparted to himall of the details of the case, allow that gentleman to assume the painful responsibility of devastating a probablyutterly respectable home? For there was the political situation to be considered. And while he himself might actand so take personal credit, still there was this general party situation to be thought of. A strong man shouldundoubtedly head and so strengthen the party ticket this fall and here was the golden opportunity. The lattercourse seemed wiser. It would provide his friend, the district attorney, with his great chance. Arriving inBridgeburg in this mood, he ponderously invaded the office of Orville W. Mason, the district attorney, whoimmediately sat up, all attention, sensing something of import in the coroner's manner.
　　Mason was a short, broad-chested, broad-backed and vigorous individual physically, but in his late youth hadbeen so unfortunate as to have an otherwise pleasant and even arresting face marred by a broken nose, whichgave to him a most unprepossessing, almost sinister, look. Yet he was far from sinister. Rather, romantic andemotional. His boyhood had been one of poverty and neglect, causing him in his later and somewhat moresuccessful years to look on those with whom life had dealt more kindly as too favorably treated. The son of apoor farmer's widow, he had seen his mother put to such straits to make ends meet that by the time he reachedthe age of twelve he had surrendered nearly all of the pleasures of youth in order to assist her. And then, atfourteen, while skating, he had fallen and broken his nose in such a way as to forever disfigure his face.
　　Thereafter, feeling himself handicapped in the youthful sorting contests which gave to other boys the femalecompanions he most craved, he had grown exceedingly sensitive to the fact of his facial handicap. And this hadeventually resulted in what the Freudians are accustomed to describe as a psychic sex scar.
　　At the age of seventeen, however, he had succeeded in interesting the publisher and editor of the BridgeburgRepublican to the extent that he was eventually installed as official local news-gatherer of the town. Later hecame to be the Cataraqui County correspondent of such papers as the Albany Times-union and the Utica Star,ending eventually at the age of nineteen with the privilege of studying law in the office of one ex-Judge DavisRichofer, of Bridgeburg. And a few years later, after having been admitted to the bar, he had been taken up byseveral county politicians and merchants who saw to it that he was sent to the lower house of the state legislaturefor some six consecutive years, where, by reason of a modest and at the same time shrewd and ambitiouswillingness to do as he was instructed, he attained favor with those at the capital while at the same time retainingthe good will of his home-town sponsors. Later, returning to Bridgeburg and possessing some gifts of oratory, hewas given, first, the position of assistant district attorney for four years, and following that elected auditor, andsubsequently district attorney for two terms of four years each. Having acquired so high a position locally, hewas able to marry the daughter of a local druggist of some means, and two children had been born to them.
　　In regard to this particular case he had already heard from Miss Saunders all she knew of the drowning, and, likethe coroner, had been immediately impressed with the fact that the probable publicity attendant on such a case asthis appeared to be might be just what he needed to revive a wavering political prestige and might perhaps solvethe problem of his future. At any rate he was most intensely interested. So that now, upon sight of Heit, heshowed plainly the keen interest he felt in the case.
　　"Well, Colonel Heit?""Well, Orville, I'm just back from Big Bittern. It looks to me as though I've got a case for you now that's going totake quite a little of your time."Heit's large eyes bulged and conveyed hints of much more than was implied by his non-committal openingremark.
　　"You mean that drowning up there?" returned the district attorney.
　　"Yes, sir. Just that," replied the coroner.
　　"You've some reason for thinking there's something wrong up there?""Well, the truth is, Orville, I think there's hardly a doubt that this is a case of murder." Heit's heavy eyes glowedsomberly. "Of course, it's best to be on the safe side, and I'm only telling you this in confidence, because even yetI'm not absolutely positive that that young man's body may not be in the lake. But it looks mighty suspicious tome, Orville. There's been at least fifteen men up there in row-boats all day yesterday and to-day, dragging thesouth part of that lake. I had a number of the boys take soundings here and there, and the water ain't more thantwenty-five feet deep at any point. But so far they haven't found any trace of him. They brought her up about oneo'clock yesterday, after they'd been only dragging a few hours, and a mighty pretty girl she is too, Orville--quiteyoung--not more than eighteen or twenty, I should say. But there are some very suspicious circumstances about itall that make me think that he ain't in there. In fact, I never saw a case that I thought looked more like a devilishcrime than this."As he said this, he began to search in the right-hand pocket of his well-worn and baggy linen suit and finallyextracted Roberta's letter, which he handed his friend, drawing up a chair and seating himself while the districtattorney proceeded to read.
　　"Well, this does look rather suspicious, don't it?" he announced, as he finished. "You say they haven't found himyet. Well, have you communicated with this woman to see what she knows about it?""No, Orville, I haven't," replied Heit, slowly and meditatively. "And I'll tell you why. The fact is, I decided upthere last night that this was something I had better talk over with you before I did anything at all. You knowwhat the political situation here is just now. And how the proper handling of a case like this is likely to affectpublic opinion this fall. And while I certainly don't think we ought to mix politics in with crime there certainly isno reason why we shouldn't handle this in such a way as to make it count in our favor. And so I thought I hadbetter come and see you first. Of course, if you want me to, Orville, I'll go over there. Only I was thinking thatperhaps it would be better for you to go, and find out just who this fellow is and all about him. You know what acase like this might mean from a political point of view, if only we clean it up, and I know you're the one to do it,Orville.""Thanks, Fred, thanks," replied Mason, solemnly, tapping his desk with the letter and squinting at his friend. "I'mgrateful to you for your opinion and you've outlined the very best way to go about it, I think. You're sure no oneoutside yourself has seen this letter?""Only the envelope. And no one but Mr. Hubbard, the proprietor of the inn up there, has seen that, and he toldme that he found it in her pocket and took charge of it for fear it might disappear or be opened before I got there.
　　He said he had a feeling there might be something wrong the moment he heard of the drowning. The young manhad acted so nervous--strange-like, he said.""Very good, Fred. Then don't say anything more about it to any one for the present, will you? I'll go right overthere, of course. But what else did you find, anything?" Mr. Mason was quite alive now, interrogative, dynamic,and a bit dictatorial in his manner, even to his old friend.
　　"Plenty, plenty," replied the coroner, most sagely and solemnly. "There were some suspicious cuts or marksunder the girl's right eye and above the left temple, Orville, and across the lip and nose, as though the poor littlething mighta been hit by something--a stone or a stick or one of those oars that they found floating up there.
　　She's just a child yet, Orville, in looks and size, anyhow--a very pretty girl--but not as good as she might havebeen, as I'll show you presently." At this point the coroner paused to extract a large handkerchief and blow into ita very loud blast, brushing his beard afterward in a most orderly way. "I didn't have time to get a doctor up thereand besides I'm going to hold the inquest down here, Monday, if I can. I've ordered the Lutz boys to go up thereto-day and bring her body down. But the most suspicious of all the evidence that has come to light so far,Orville, is the testimony of two men and a boy who live up at Three Mile Bay and who were walking up to BigBittern on Thursday night to hunt and fish. I had Earl take down their names and subpoena 'em for the inquestnext Monday."And the coroner proceeded to detail their testimony about their accidental meeting of Clyde.
　　"Well, well!" interjected the district attorney, thoroughly interested.
　　"Then, another thing, Orville," continued the coroner, "I had Earl telephone the Three Mile Bay people, theowner of the hotel there as well as the postmaster and the town marshal, but the only person who appears to haveseen the young man is the captain of that little steamboat that runs from Three Mile Bay to Sharon. You knowthe man, I guess, Captain Mooney. I left word with Earl to subpoena him too. According to him, about eight-thirty, Friday morning, or just before his boat started for Sharon on its first trip, this same young man, or someone very much like the description furnished, carrying a suitcase and wearing a cap--he had on a straw hat whenthose three men met him--came on board and paid his way to Sharon and got off there. Good-looking youngchap, the captain says. Very spry and well-dressed, more like a young society man than anything else, and verystand-offish.""Yes, yes," commented Mason.
　　"I also had Earl telephone the people at Sharon--whoever he could reach--to see if he had been seen there gettingoff, but up to the time I left last night no one seemed to remember him. But I left word for Earl to telegraph adescription of him to all the resort hotels and stations hereabouts so that if he's anywhere around, they'll be on thelookout for him. I thought you'd want me to do that. But I think you'd better give me a writ for that bag at GunLodge station. That may contain something we ought to know. I'll go up and get it myself. Then I want to go toGrass Lake and Three Mile Bay and Sharon yet to-day, if I can, and see what else I can find. But I'm afraid,Orville, it's a plain case of murder. The way he took that young girl to that hotel up there at Grass Lake and then registered under another name at Big Bittern, and the way he had her leave her bag and took his own with him!"He shook his head most solemnly. "Those are not the actions of an honest young man, Orville, and you know it.
　　What I can't understand is how her parents could let her go off like that anywhere with a man without knowingabout him in the first place.""That's true," replied Mason, tactfully, but made intensely curious by the fact that it had at least been partiallyestablished that the girl in the case was not as good as she should have been. Adultery! And with some youth ofmeans, no doubt, from some one of the big cities to the south. The prominence and publicity with which his ownactivities in connection with this were very likely to be laden! At once he got up, energetically stirred. If he couldonly catch such a reptilian criminal, and that in the face of all the sentiment that such a brutal murder was likelyto inspire! The August convention and nominations. The fall election.
　　"Well, I'll be switched," he exclaimed, the presence of Heit, a religious and conservative man, suppressinganything more emphatic. "I do believe we're on the trail of something important, Fred. I really think so. It looksvery black to me--a most damnable outrage. I suppose the first thing to do, really, is to telephone over there andsee if there is such a family as Alden and exactly where they live. It's not more than fifty miles direct by car, ifthat much. Poor roads, though," he added. Then: "That poor woman. I dread that scene. It will be a painful one, Iknow."Then he called Zillah and asked her to ascertain if there was such a person as Titus Alden living near Biltz. Also,exactly how to get there. Next he added: "The first thing to do will be to get Burton back here" (Burton beingBurton Burleigh, his legal assistant, who had gone away for a week-end vacation) "and put him in charge so as tofurnish you whatever you need in the way of writs and so on, Fred, while I go right over to see this poor woman.
　　And then, if you'll have Earl go back up there and get that suitcase, I'll be most obliged to you. I'll bring thefather back with me, too, to identify the body. But don't say anything at all about this letter now or my going overthere until I see you later, see." He grasped the hand of his friend. "In the meantime," he went on, a littlegrandiosely, now feeling the tang of great affairs upon him, "I want to thank you, Fred. I certainly do, and I won'tforget it, either. You know that, don't you?" He looked his old friend squarely in the eye. "This may turn outbetter than we think. It looks to be the biggest and most important case in all my term of office, and if we canonly clean it up satisfactorily and quickly, before things break here this fall, it may do us all some good, eh?""Quite so, Orville, quite so," commented Fred Heit. "Not, as I said before, that I think we ought to mix politics inwith a thing like this, but since it has come about so--" he paused, meditatively.
　　"And in the meantime," continued the district attorney "if you'll have Earl have some pictures made of the exactposition where the boat, oars, and hat were found, as well as mark the spot where the body was found, andsubpoena as many witnesses as you can, I'll have vouchers for it all put through with the auditor. And to- morrowor Monday I'll pitch in and help myself."And here he gripped Heit's right hand--then patted him on the shoulder. And Heit, much gratified by his variousmoves so far--and in consequence hopeful for the future--now took up his weird straw hat and buttoning histhin, loose coat, returned to his office to get his faithful Earl on the long distance telephone to instruct him and tosay that he was returning to the scene of the crime himself.

验尸官海特的公务暂告结束后，便搭乘湖区南行的列车回去。一路上，他心中琢磨接下来该如何办才好。对于这一惨案，他下一步究竟应该怎么办?

验尸官动身前，又向罗伯达看了一眼，说真的，他心里难过极了。看来她是那么年轻。天真。漂亮。素朴的蓝哔叽衣裙泡胀以后，仍然紧紧地贴住她的躯体，她的那双纤手，交叉按在胸前，一头浓艳的棕色头发，在水里浸泡了一昼夜，这时还没干透，却能看得出她生前热情。活泼的性格……这一切好象富有一种温柔的魅力，而与罪恶压根儿不相干。

这个案件，也许毫无疑问非常悲惨，可是还有另外一面，跟他验尸官关系更大。他该不该去比尔茨，把女儿惨死这一骇人消息告知奥尔登太太(那封信就是写给她的)，同时，再打听一下死者那个男伴是谁，现在何处?

还是他首先应该到布里奇伯格地方检察官梅森办公室去，向他详细汇报有关本案的全部情况，让这位先生亲自接办这一苦差使，使那个也许很有身份的家庭遭受毁灭性的打击?

因为这里涉及到一个政治局势的问题，必须加以考虑。虽然他可以独自采取行动，从而给自己赢得一点声誉，可他还是不能不考虑到全党目前形势。今秋选举，毫无疑问，应由一位强有力的人物领衔，以便增强党的实力地位;而现在这个湖上惨案……乃是千金难买的好机会。这就是说，第二个方案好象更为高明。因为，这对海特的朋友地方检察官来说，不管是一个难得的机会。海特就是怀着这样一种心态，来到了布里奇伯格，心事重重地闯进了地方检察官奥维尔。Ｗ。梅森的办公室。梅森从验尸官的举止神态，觉察到了严重性，因此也就马上正襟危坐，全神贯注了。

梅森这个人身材矮小，肩膀宽阔，长得结实有力。他在年轻时不幸碰破了鼻子，使他本来招人喜欢。甚至惹人注目的脸儿，变得令人憎恶，乃至于露出满脸凶相。其实，梅森这个人一点儿也不凶恶。还不如说他是个感情丰富。相当罗曼蒂克的人。他在幼年时饱尝过穷困的况味，所以，在他后来比较顺心的岁月里，就使他常常把那些生活际遇较为优厚的人看成是命运的宠儿。他母亲是个贫穷的自耕农遗孀，他亲眼看到她如何煞费苦心，才勉强使一家收入相抵。

因此，他在十二岁时，为了帮助他母亲，自己对年轻人常有的种种欢乐几乎全都不染指了。后来，在十四岁那年，他在溜冰时不慎摔倒，把鼻子撞坏了，脸儿就永远破了相。从此以后，在年轻人竞找对象中，他总觉得自己低人一头;他心中最渴望的一些女友，却常常垂青于其他一些年轻人了。久而久之，他对自己脸儿丑就特别敏感了，结果产生了弗洛伊德学派常说的性心理创伤。

不料，他在十七岁上终于引起了布里奇伯格《共和党人报》的注意，该报发行人兼总编辑后来派他正式担任地方新闻采访编辑。随后，他又担任了诸如奥尔巴尼《时代联合报》。尤蒂卡《星报》派驻卡塔拉基县的通讯员。十九岁那年，他终于有幸在布里奇伯格前任法官戴维斯。里科弗事务所研修法律。过了几年后，他当上了律师，获得本县一些政客。厂商青睐，才被送往本州众议院，一连当了六年众议员。在那里，因为他能不瘟不火，而又富于远见，同时抱负不凡地悉照上司旨意办事，既受到本州首府那些政要的赏识，同时又能获得他在本乡的那些庇护人的好感。后来，他回到了布里奇伯格，由于颇有演讲才赋，先是被举荐为任期四年的地方检察官助理，继而又当选为审计长。不久，他又两次当选为地方检察官，每届任期为四年。他在社会上身居这样的高位以后，这才娶了本地一家相当富裕的杂货铺老板的女儿，成为两个孩子的父亲。

关于大比腾湖上惨案，桑德斯小姐早已把自己了解的有关情况通通讲给梅森听了。梅森正如验尸官一样，马上就心领神会了:

这个案件说不定会引起公众议论纷纭，看来对他极为有利。他可以借此重振自己正在动摇中的政治威望，说不定甚至还可以解决本人前途这一问题。不管怎么说，反正他对此是极为关注的。现在，梅森一见到海特，便没遮拦地对这个案件露出热切的兴趣。

"哦，这事怎么样，海特?

""哦，奥维尔，我刚从大比腾回来。我觉得自己好象给您寻摸到一个案子，可得让您多花一点时间啦。"海特凸起大眼睛，这可比他刚才含糊其词的开场白要意味深长得多了。

"您是说那儿湖上淹死人的事吗?

"地方检察官回答说。

"是的，先生。就是这件事，"验尸官回话说。

"您自然有理由认定那里头有鬼，可不是吗?

""哦，说真的，奥维尔，我认为，毫无疑问，这是一起凶杀案，"海特阴沉的眼睛露出忧郁的闪光。"当然，最好还得谨小慎微，这我只是跟您一个人说的。

因为，哪怕是现在，我还不能绝对肯定说:

那个年轻人的尸体可能并不在湖底。

不过，我总觉得非常可疑，奥维尔。昨天和今天，至少有十五个人用划子整天价在那个湖的南面一带来回打捞。我关照几个小伙子到各处测量湖水的深度，哪儿都没有超过二十五英尺的。但到现在为止，连此人的影儿他们也没有找到。

昨天，他们才打捞了一两个钟头，大约在下午一点左右，倒是把女尸给打捞上来了。她还真是一个非常俊的姑娘呀，奥维尔……很年轻……依我看，不会超过十八或二十岁。不过，这事有些细节令人非常可疑，让我不得不想到她的同伴并没有溺死在湖里。说实话，我觉得，过去我从没有见过哪个案子比这更万恶不赦了。"他一面说，一面开始在他那破旧的。鼓鼓囊囊的衣服右边口袋里掏摸东西，终于把罗伯达那封信掏出来，递给他的朋友，随后拉过一把椅子坐了下来，这时地方检察官正在看信。

"是啊，看来这一切确是相当可疑，可不是?

"他一看完信就这么说。"您说男尸至今还没找到。不过，您有没有见过这个女人，看她对这件事能提供什么线索?

""没有，奥维尔，我还没有见过哩，"海特慢条斯理。若有所思地回答说。"我这就把原因给您说说。事实上是，昨儿晚上我在那儿就决定，最好还得先跟您谈谈，然后我再采取什么行动。目前我们这儿政治局势您是了解的。这么一个案子，如果处理得恰当，很可能对今年秋天的舆论产生影响。我当然不认为我们非要把这一刑事案件跟政治掺和在一块不可，但话又说回来，为什么我们就不能设法把这个案件处理得对我们更为有利呢。因此，我觉得还是最好先来看看您再说。当然罗，如果说您要我去，奥维尔，那我就去那儿走一趟。只不过，依我看，说不定最好还是您自己去，调查清楚，这个家伙到底是何许人也，再了解一下此人的各方面情况。象这一类的案子，我们要是能弄它个水落石出，那末，从政治视角来看，可能会有什么意义，这一点您自己是明白的。而我认为您亲自出马去办这个案子，才是最适当也没有了，奥维尔。""谢谢您，弗雷德，谢谢您，"梅森得意扬扬地回答说，又用那封信轻叩着桌子，向他的朋友乜了一眼。"刚才您这意见，我可非常感激。而且，我想，最正确的处理办法，大概您心里已有了谱。您能肯定说，除了您自己，再没有别人看过那封信吗?

""只见过那个信封呗。而且，就是那信封也只有那儿客栈老板哈伯德先生一个人看过。他告诉我，说他是在她衣袋里发现这封信，便一直把它保管好，深怕在我到达那儿以前会丢失了，或是被人拆看了。他说，他一听见溺死的消息，觉得这里头也许有鬼。用他的话来说，那个年轻人神色那么慌张……真是怪得很。""敢情好，弗雷德。那末，这件事暂时对谁也不再说什么，好吗?

当然罗，我马上就去那儿。不过，除此以外，也许你还发现了其他什么情况?

"这时，梅森先生精神抖擞，充满活力，象在不断提问似的，甚至同他的老朋友说话时，仿佛也有点儿颐指气使的口吻。

"反正不算少吧，"验尸官仿佛经过深思熟虑，而又一本正经地回答说，"那姑娘右眼底下和左边太阳穴上，有好几处可疑的伤口或是伤痕，奥维尔;嘴唇和鼻子上也有，好象那个可怜的小姑娘可能被什么东西……比方说，一块石头，一根手杖，或是他们发现漂浮在那儿湖面上的一支划桨……砸过似的。她几乎还是个小伢儿呀，奥维尔，至少从模样儿和身段来看……是个非常俊的姑娘……不过也许并不太规矩呗，这我就马上说给你听。"验尸官说到这儿，沉吟不语，掏出一块大手绢，大声地擤了一下鼻涕，跟着细模细样地捋了捋胡子。"我还没有时间请医生上那儿去;此外，要是来得及，我打算星期一在这儿亲自验尸。我已关照卢兹兄弟殡仪馆的人今天就去那儿，把她的尸体拉来。不过，迄今所有已经掌握的证据里头，奥维尔，最可疑的就数住在三英里湾的两个男人和一个孩子所作的证。他们是在星期四那一夜步行去大比腾打猎。捕鱼的。我已关照厄尔把他们的姓名记下来，发传票，下星期一传讯他们。"接着，验尸官把他们就同克莱德邂逅一事作证时所说的话源源本本说了一遍。

"要得!

要得!

"地方检察官时不时嚷了起来。显然，他对此深感兴趣了。

"还有一件事，奥维尔，"验尸官继续说道。"我关照厄尔跟三英里湾那儿一些有关人员，比方说，那儿的客栈掌柜。邮政局长。那边镇上的执法官，通了电话。不过，唯一见过那个年轻人的，好象就是往返于三英里湾与沙隆之间的那条小汽船的船长:

穆尼船长，说不定您也认识这个人吧。我已给厄尔留了话，也得发传票传讯他。据他说，早期五早上大约八点半左右，要不然正当他的天鹅号头一个航次即将开往沙隆之前，就是这个年轻人(或者是一个模样儿酷肖他的人)手里拎着提箱，头上戴着一顶便帽(那三个猎人碰上他时，他头上戴的是一顶草帽)……登上汽船，买了去沙隆的船票，后来在沙隆上了岸。据船长说，还是个很漂亮的年轻小伙子。很活泼，衣着也很讲究，看来很象来自上流社会的一个年轻人，而且还非常傲慢。""是啊，是啊，"梅森附和着说。

"我也关照厄尔同沙隆那儿的人……不管他找什么人都行……通了电话，看有没有见过这样的客人在那儿上岸，可是到昨儿晚上我离开那儿为止，好象没有一个人能记得起来。不过，反正我已留话给厄尔，要他把此人的外貌特征打电报通知避暑胜地所有的旅馆和附近各火车站，因此，只要此人在这儿附近某某地方，很快会找到他的。我想，您一定也会按我的意图去做。不过，我说，现在您最好给我一张许可证，让我去提留在冈洛奇车站那只手提箱。也许里头就有什么我们应该了解的东西。我打算亲自去提。然后，要是来得及，我想今天到草湖。三英里湾。沙隆走一趟，看看还能发现什么其他情况。不过，我担心，奥维尔，这显然是一起凶杀案。您只要想一想:

此人带那个姑娘先是到了草湖旅馆，后来在大比腾客栈登记时又换了另一个名字;还有，他让她把她的手提包留在火车站，他自己的手提箱却带在身边!

"海特意味深长地摇了摇脑袋。"这些都不是一个诚实的年轻人干的事，奥维尔，这您也明白。现在我闹不明白的是，她父母怎么会让她跟这么一个男人出走，首先他们压根儿还不认识他哩。

""这倒是实话，"梅森很委婉地回答说，不过，他心里又非常好奇地在想:

现在至少部分已经肯定，这个姑娘可不那么规矩，竟然与人私通!

而且，毫无疑问，是跟南边哪个大城市有钱的年轻人私通。他经办这个案子，也许就会出人头地，扬名四海!

他立时站起身来，激动得浑身都是劲儿。只要他能把这个衣冠禽兽抓住，这残暴的凶杀案会激起一片舆论哗然就好了!

八月间的代表大会，候选人的提名。还有今秋大选。

"唉，我真该死，"他嚷了起来。但因海特这个笃信宗教。墨守陈规的人在场，他这才使更激烈的话儿收敛一些。"我坚决相信，我们要追查的这一案子至关重要，弗雷德。我对此确实深信不疑。依我看，这事太卑鄙下流了……乃是罪不容诛的暴行。我想，真的，首先应该跟比尔茨通个电话，看看有没有奥尔登这么一户人家，他们是不是确实住在那儿。坐车直接去，最多不超过五十英里，也许还不到哩，"他找补着说。"那个可怜的女人哪!

我真怕跟她见面。当然，我也知道，这种场面多么使人难过。"稍后，他把泽拉叫来，要她查明究竟有没有泰特斯。奥尔登这么一个人住在比尔茨附近。还要闹清楚去那儿该怎么个走法。后来，他又找补着说:

"首先应该是把伯顿找回来，"(伯顿的全名是伯顿。伯利，是他的司法助手，周末旅行去了)"并且委托他，凡是您需要的，诸如许可证之类，他都可以给您，弗雷德，而我马上去看这个可怜的女人。还有，要是您打发厄尔回到那儿去，把那只手提包取来，我将对您感激不尽。我也会把那个姑娘的父亲领来这儿认尸的。不过，在我下一次跟您见面以前，不管这封信也好，还是我去比尔茨一事也好，暂先对任何人都得只字不提，您明白了吧。"他抓住朋友的双手。"同时，"他又接下去说。这时，他仿佛预感到自己将在一些大事中大显身手，说话时就不免有些沾沾自喜了。"我可要谢谢您，弗雷德。当然罗，我应该谢谢您，而且我将永远不会忘怀。这您会明白，是吧?

"他两眼直瞅着朋友的眼睛。"这件事的结果说不定要比我们原先想象的还好。在我全部任职期间，看来这好象是最大。最重要的一个案件了。我们要是能够在今年秋天这儿盛会召开以前，赶快把它加以妥善解决，那说不定对我们大家都有好处，嗯?

""完全正确，奥维尔，完全正确，"弗雷德。海特连忙附和说。"反正我刚才对您说过的，我并不认为我们应该把这一类事跟政治掺和在一起，不过，既然事情已发生了……"他若有所思地就此打住。

"同时，"地方检察官接下去说，"要是您让厄尔用照相机把当时发现船只。

划桨。帽子等物的确切地点拍下几张照片，并将发现女尸的地点标出来，尽可能把所有的见证人全都传来，那末，所有一切费用单据，我可以跟审计长商量予以报销。明天或是星期一，我就得开始抓紧，亲自来办理这件事。

"说到这儿，他紧紧地握住海特的右手……稍后又轻轻地拍拍他的肩膀。海特听了这位地方检察官的种种恭维，心里可以说非常美滋滋的……因此对自己的前途也满怀希望……于是拿起他那顶古里古怪的草帽，扣好自己那件单薄宽松的外套，回到自己办公室，跟他那个忠实的厄尔通长途电话，向他发出指示，还说，他，海特本人又将回到肇事地点去。
Part 3 Chapter 4
Orville Mason could readily sympathize with a family which on sight struck him as having, perhaps, like himselfendured the whips, the scorns and contumelies of life. As he drove up in his official car from Bridgeburg at aboutfour o'clock that Saturday afternoon, there was the old tatterdemalion farmhouse and Titus Alden himself in hisshirt-sleeves and overalls coming up from a pig-pen at the foot of the hill, his face and body suggesting a manwho is constantly conscious of the fact that he has made out so poorly. And now Mason regretted that he had nottelephoned before leaving Bridgeburg, for he could see that the news of his daughter's death would shock such aman as this most terribly. At the same time, Titus, noting his approach and assuming that it might be some onewho was seeking a direction, civilly approached him.
　　"Is this Mr. Titus Alden?""Yes, sir, that's my name.""Mr. Alden, my name is Mason. I am from Bridgeburg, district attorney of Cataraqui County.""Yes, sir," replied Titus, wondering by what strange chance the district attorney of so distant a county should beapproaching and inquiring of him. And Mason now looked at Titus, not knowing just how to begin. Thebitterness of the news he had to impart--the crumpling power of it upon such an obviously feeble and inadequatesoul. They had paused under one of the large, dark fir trees that stood in front of the house. The wind in itsneedles was whispering its world-old murmur.
　　"Mr. Alden," began Mason, with more solemnity and delicacy than ordinarily characterized him, "you are thefather of a girl by the name of Bert, or possibly Alberta, are you not? I'm not sure that I have the name right.""Roberta," corrected Titus Alden, a titillating sense of something untoward affecting his nerves as he said it.
　　And Mason, before making it impossible, probably, for this man to connectedly inform him concerning all thathe wished to know, now proceeded to inquire: "By the way, do you happen to know a young man around here bythe name of Clifford Golden?""I don't recall that I ever hard of any such person," replied Titus, slowly.
　　"Or Carl Graham?""No, sir. No one by that name either that I recall now.""I thought so," exclaimed Mason, more to himself than to Titus. "By the way," this shrewdly and commandingly,"where is your daughter now?""Why, she's in Lycurgus at present. She works there. But why do you ask? Has she done anything she shouldn't- been to see you about anything?" He achieved a wry smile while his gray-blue eyes were by now perturbed bypuzzled inquiry.
　　"One moment, Mr. Alden," proceeded Mason, tenderly and yet most firmly and effectively. "I will explaineverything to you in a moment. Just now I want to ask a few necessary questions." And he gazed at Titusearnestly and sympathetically. "How long has it been since you last saw your daughter?""Why, she left here last Tuesday morning to go back to Lycurgus. She works down there for the Griffiths Collar& Shirt Company. But--?""Now, one moment," insisted the district attorney determinedly, "I'll explain all in a moment. She was up hereover the week-end, possibly. Is that it?""She was up here on a vacation for about a month," explained Titus, slowly and meticulously. "She wasn'tfeeling so very good and she came home to rest up a bit. But she was all right when she left. You don't mean totell me, Mr. Mason, that anything has gone wrong with her, do you?" He lifted one long, brown hand to his chinand cheek in a gesture, of nervous inquiry. "If I thought there was anything like that--?" He ran his hand throughhis thinning gray hair.
　　"Have you had any word from her since she left here?" Mason went on quietly, determined to extract as muchpractical information as possible before the great blow fell. "Any information that she was going anywhere butback there?""No, sir, we haven't. She's not hurt in any way, is she? She's not done anything that's got her into trouble? But,no, that couldn't be. But your questions! The way you talk." He was now trembling slightly, the hand that soughthis thin, pale lips, visibly and aimlessly playing about his mouth. But instead of answering, the district attorneydrew from his pocket the letter of Roberta to her mother, and displaying only the handwriting on the envelope,asked: "Is that the handwriting of your daughter?""Yes, sir, that's her handwriting," replied Titus, his voice rising slightly. "But what is this, Mr. District Attorney?
　　How do you come to have that? What's in there?" He clinched his hands in a nervous way, for in Mason's eyes henow clearly foresaw tragedy in some form. "What is this--this--what has she written in that letter? You must tellme--if anything has happened to my girl!" He began to look excitedly about as though it were his intention toreturn to the house for aid--to communicate to his wife the dread that was coming upon him--while Mason,seeing the agony into which he had plunged him, at once seized him firmly and yet kindly by the arms andbegan:
　　"Mr. Alden, this is one of those dark times in the lives of some of us when all the courage we have is mostneeded. I hesitate to tell you because I am a man who has seen something of life and I know how you willsuffer.""She is hurt. She is dead, maybe," exclaimed Titus, almost shrilly, the pupils of his eyes dilating.
　　Orville Mason nodded.
　　"Roberta! My first born! My God! Our Heavenly Father!" His body crumpled as though from a blow and heleaned to steady himself against an adjacent tree. "But how? Where? In the factory by a machine? Oh, dearGod!" He turned as though to go to his wife, while the strong, scar-nosed district attorney sought to detain him.
　　"One moment, Mr. Alden, one moment. You must not go to your wife yet. I know this is very hard, terrible, butlet me explain. Not in Lycurgus. Not by any machine. No! No--drowned! In Big Bittern. She was up there on anouting on Thursday, do you understand? Do you hear? Thursday. She was drowned in Big Bittern on Thursdayin a boat. It overturned."The excited gestures and words of Titus at this point so disturbed the district attorney that he found himselfunable to explain as calmly as he would have liked the process by which even an assumed accidental drowninghad come about. From the moment the word death in connection with Roberta had been used by Mason, themental state of Alden was that of one not a little demented. After his first demands he now began to vent a seriesof animal-like groans as though the breath had been knocked from his body. At the same time, he bent over,crumpled up as from pain--then struck his hands together and threw them to his temples.
　　"My Roberta dead! My daughter! Oh, no, no, Roberta! Oh, my God! Not drowned! It can't be. And her motherspeaking of her only an hour ago. This will be the death of her when she hears it. It will kill me, too. Yes, it will.
　　Oh, my poor, dear, dear girl. My darling! I'm not strong enough to stand anything like this, Mr. DistrictAttorney."He leaned heavily and wearily upon Mason's arms while the latter sustained him as best he could. Then, after amoment, he turned questioningly and erratically toward the front door of the house at which he gazed as onemight who was wholly demented. "Who's to tell her?" he demanded. "How is any one to tell her?""But, Mr. Alden," consoled Mason, "for your own sake, for your wife's sake, I must ask you now to calmyourself and help me consider this matter as seriously as you would if it were not your daughter. There is muchmore to this than I have been able to tell you. But you must be calm. You must allow me to explain. This is allvery terrible and I sympathize with you wholly. I know what it means. But there are some dreadful and painfulfacts that you will have to know about. Listen. Listen."And then, still holding Titus by the arm he proceeded to explain as swiftly and forcefully as possible, the variousadditional facts and suspicions in connection with the death of Roberta, finally giving him her letter to read, andwinding up with: "A crime! A crime, Mr. Alden! That's what we think over in Bridgeburg, or at least that's whatwe're afraid of--plain murder, Mr. Alden, to use a hard, cold word in connection with it." He paused while Alden,struck by this--the element of crime--gazed as one not quite able to comprehend. And, as he gazed, Mason wenton: "And as much as I respect your feelings, still as the chief representative of the law in my county, I felt it to bemy personal duty to come here to-day in order to find out whether there is anything that you or your wife or anyof your family know about this Clifford Golden, or Carl Graham, or whoever he is who lured your daughter tothat lonely lake up there. And while I know that the blackest of suffering is yours right now, Mr. Alden, Imaintain that it should be your wish, as well as your duty, to do whatever you can to help us clear up this matter.
　　This letter here seems to indicate that your wife at least knows something concerning this individual--his name,anyhow." And he tapped the letter significantly and urgently.
　　The moment the suggested element of violence and wrong against his daughter had been injected into this bitterloss, there was sufficient animal instinct, as well as curiosity, resentment and love of the chase inherent in Titusto cause him to recover his balance sufficiently to give silent and solemn ear to what the district attorney wassaying. His daughter not only drowned, but murdered, and that by some youth who according to this letter shewas intending to marry! And he, her father, not even aware of his existence! Strange that his wife should knowand he not. And that Roberta should not want him to know.
　　And at once, born for the most part of religion, convention and a general rural suspicion of all urban life and themystery and involuteness of its ungodly ways, there sprang into his mind the thought of a city seducer andbetrayer--some youth of means, probably, whom Roberta had met since going to Lycurgus and who had beenable to seduce her by a promise of marriage which he was not willing to fulfil. And forthwith there flared up inhis mind a terrible and quite uncontrollable desire for revenge upon any one who could plot so horrible a crimeas this against his daughter. The scoundrel! The raper! The murderer!
　　Here he and his wife had been thinking that Roberta was quietly and earnestly and happily pursuing her hard,honest way in Lycurgus in order to help them and herself. And from Thursday afternoon until Friday her bodyhad lain beneath the waters of that lake. And they asleep in their comfortable beds, or walking about, totallyunaware of her dread state. And now her body in a strange room or morgue somewhere, unseen and unattendedby any of all those who loved her so--and to-morrow to be removed by cold, indifferent public officials toBridgeburg.
　　"If there is a God," he exclaimed excitedly, "He will not let such a scoundrel as this go unpunished! Oh, no, Hewill not! 'I have yet to see,'" he suddenly quoted, "'the children of the righteous forsaken or their seed begging forbread.'" At the same time, a quivering compulsion for action dominating him, he added: "I must talk to my wifeabout this right away. Oh, yes, I must. No, no, you wait here. I must tell her first, and alone. I'll be back. I'll beback. You just wait here. I know it will kill her. But she must know about this. Maybe she can tell us who this isand then we can catch him before he manages to get too far away. But, oh, my poor girl! My poor, dear Roberta!
　　My good, kind, faithful daughter!"And so, talking in a maundering manner, his eyes and face betraying an only half-sane misery, he turned, theshambling, automaton-like motions of his angular figure now directing him to a lean-to, where, as he knew, Mrs.
　　Alden was preparing some extra dishes for the next day, which was Sunday. But once there he paused in thedoorway without the courage to approach further, a man expressing in himself all the pathos of helplesshumanity in the face of the relentless and inexplicable and indifferent forces of Life!
　　Mrs. Alden turned, and at the sight of his strained expression, dropped her own hands lifelessly, the message ofhis eyes as instantly putting to flight the simple, weary and yet peaceful contemplation in her own.
　　"Titus! For goodness' sake! Whatever IS the matter?"Lifted hands, half-open mouth, an eerie, eccentric and uncalculated tensing and then widening of the eyelids, andthen the word: "Roberta!""What about her? What about her? Titus--what about her?"Silence. More of those nervous twitchings of the mouth eyes, hands. Then . . . "Dead! She's been--beendrowned!" followed by his complete collapse on a bench that stood just inside the door. And Mrs. Alden, staringfor a moment, at first not quite comprehending, then fully realizing, sinking heavily and without a word to thefloor. And Titus, looking at her and nodding his head as if to say: "Quite right. So should it be. Momentaryescape for her from the contemplation of this horrible fact." And then slowly rising, going to her and kneelingbeside her, straightening her out. Then as slowly going out to the door and around to the front of the house whereOrville Mason was seated on the broken front steps, contemplating speculatively along with the afternoon sun inthe west the misery that this lorn and incompetent farmer was conveying to his wife. And wishing for themoment that it might be otherwise--that no such case, however profitable to himself, had arisen.
　　But now, at sight of Titus Alden, he jumped up and preceded the skeleton-like figure into the lean-to. Andfinding Mrs. Alden, as small as her daughter nearly, and limp and still, he gathered her into his strong arms andcarried her through the dining-room into the living-room, where stood an antiquated lounge, on which he laidher. And there, feeling for her pulse, and then hurrying for some water, while he looked for some one--a son,daughter, neighbor, any one. But not seeing any one, hurrying back with the water to dash a little of it on her faceand hands.
　　"Is there a doctor anywhere near here?" He was addressing Titus, who was now kneeling by his wife.
　　"In Biltz--yes--Dr. Crane.""Have you--has any one around here a telephone?""Mr. Wilcox." He pointed in the direction of the Wilcox's, whose telephone Roberta had so recently used.
　　"Just watch her. I'll be back."Forthwith he was out of the house and away to call Crane or any other doctor, and then as swiftly returning withMrs. Wilcox and her daughter. And then waiting, waiting, until first neighbors arrived and then eventually Dr.
　　Crane, with whom he consulted as to the advisability of discussing with Mrs. Alden yet this day the unescapablemystery which had brought him here. And Dr. Crane, very much impressed by Mr. Mason's solemn, legalmanner, admitting that it might even be best.
　　And at last Mrs. Alden treated with heroin and crooned and mourned over by all present, being brought to thestage where it was possible, slowly and with much encouragement, to hear in the first place what the extenuatingcircumstances were; next being questioned concerning the identity of the cryptic individual referred to inRoberta's letter. The only person whom Mrs. Alden could recall as ever having been mentioned by Roberta aspaying particular attention to her, and that but once the Christmas before, was Clyde Griffiths, the nephew of thewealthy Samuel Griffiths, of Lycurgus, and the manager of the department in which Roberta worked.
　　But this in itself, as Mason and the Aldens themselves at once felt, was something which assuredly could not betaken to mean that the nephew of so great a man could be accused of the murder of Roberta. Wealth! Position!
　　Indeed, in the face of such an accusation Mason was inclined to pause and consider. For the social differencebetween this man and this girl from his point of view seemed great. At that, it might be so. Why not? Was it notlikely that a youth of such a secure position would possibly more than another, since she was so attractive as Heithad said, be the one to be paying casual and secret attention to a girl like Roberta? Did she not work in hisuncle's factory? And was she not poor? Besides, as Fred Heit had already explained, whoever it was that this girlwas with at the time of her death, she had not hesitated to cohabit with him before marriage. And was that notpart and parcel of a rich and sophisticated youth's attitude toward a poor girl? By reason of his own earlybuffetings at the mood of chance and established prosperity the idea appealed to him intensely. The wretchedrich! The indifferent rich! And here were her mother and father obviously believing most firmly in her innocenceand virtue.
　　Further questioning of Mrs. Alden only brought out the fact that she had never seen this particular youth, and hadnever even heard of any other. The only additional data that either she or her husband could furnish was thatduring her last home-coming of a month Roberta had not been feeling at all well--drooped about the house andrested a good deal. Also that she had written a number of letters which she had given to the postman or placed inthe delivery box at the road-crossing below. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Alden knew to whom they were addressed,although the postman would be likely to know, as Mason quickly thought. Also, during this period, she had beenbusy making some dresses, at least four. And during the latter part of her stay, she had been the recipient of anumber of telephone calls--from a certain Mr. Baker, as Titus had heard Mr. Wilcox say. Also, on departing, shehad taken only such baggage as she had brought with her--her small trunk and her bag. The trunk she hadchecked herself at the station, but just where, other than Lycurgus, Titus could not say.
　　But now, suddenly, since he was attaching considerable importance to the name Baker, there popped intoMason's mind:
　　"Clifford Golden! Carl Graham! Clyde Griffiths!" and at once the identity of the intitials as well as the relatedeuphony of the names gave him pause. An astounding coincidence truly, if this same Clyde Griffiths had nothingto do with this crime! Immediately he was anxious to go direct to the mailman and question him.
　　But since Titus Alden was important not only as a witness in identifying Roberta's body and the contents of thesuitcase left by her at Gun Lodge but also to persuade the postman to talk freely, he now asked him to dress andaccompany him, assuring him that he would allow him to return to-morrow.
　　After cautioning Mrs. Alden to talk to no one in regard to this, he now proceeded to the post office to questionthe mailman. That individual when found, recalled, upon inquiry, and in the presence of Titus who stood like agalvanized corpse by the side of the district attorney, that not only had there been a few letters--no less thantwelve or fifteen even--handed him by Roberta, during her recent stay here, but that all of them had beenaddressed to some one in Lycurgus by the name of--let him see--Clyde Griffiths--no less--care of GeneralDelivery there. Forthwith, the district attorney proceeded with him to a local notary's office where a depositionwas made, after which he called his office, and learning that Roberta's body had been brought to Bridgeburg, hedrove there with as much speed as he could attain. And once there and in the presence of the body along withTitus, Burton Burleigh, Heit and Earl Newcomb, he was able to decide for himself, even while Titus, halfdemented, gazed upon the features of his child, first that she truly was Roberta Alden and next as to whether heconsidered her of the type who would wantonly yield herself to such a liaison as the registration at Grass Lake seemed to indicate. He decided he did not. This was a case of sly, evil seduction as well as murder. Oh, thescoundrel! And still at large. Almost the political value of all this was obscured by an angry social resentfulnessagainst men of means in general.
　　But this particular contact with the dead, made at ten o'clock at night in the receiving parlors of the LutzBrothers, Undertakers, and with Titus Alden falling on his knees by the side of his daughter and emotionallycarrying her small, cold hands to his lips while he gazed feverishly and protestingly upon her waxy face, framedby her long brown hair, was scarcely such as to promise an unbiased or even legal opinion. The eyes of all thosepresent were wet with tears.
　　And now Titus Alden injected a new and most dramatic note into the situation. For while the Lutz Brothers, withthree of their friends who kept an automobile shop next door, Everett Beeker, the present representative of theBridgeburg Republican, and Sam Tacksun, the editor and publisher of the Democrat, awesomely gazed over orbetween the heads of each other from without a side door which gave into the Lutzs' garage, he suddenly roseand moving wildly toward Mason, exclaimed: "I want you to find the scoundrel who did this, Mr. DistrictAttorney. I want him to be made to suffer as this pure, good girl has been made to suffer. She's been murdered-that'sall. No one but a murderer would take a girl out on a lake like that and strike her as any one can see she hasbeen struck." He gestured toward his dead child. "I have no money to help prosecute a scoundrel like that. But Iwill work. I will sell my farm."His voice broke and seemingly he was in danger of falling as he turned toward Roberta again. And now, OrvilleMason, swept into this father's stricken and yet retaliatory mood, pressed forward to exclaim: "Come away, Mr.
　　Alden. We know this is your daughter. I swear all you gentlemen as witnesses to this identification. And if itshall be proved that this little girl of yours was murdered, as it now seems, I promise you, Mr. Alden, faithfullyand dutifully as the district attorney of this county, that no time or money or energy on my part will be spared totrack down this scoundrel and hale him before the proper authorities! And if the justice of Cataraqui County iswhat I think it is, you can leave him to any jury which our local court will summon. And you won't need to sellyour farm, either."Mr. Mason, because of his deep, if easily aroused, emotion, as well as the presence of the thrilled audience, wasin his most forceful as well as his very best oratorical mood.
　　And one of the Lutz Brothers--Ed--the recipient of all of the county coroner's business--was moved to exclaim:
　　"That's the ticket, Orville. You're the kind of a district attorney we like." And Everett Beeker now called out: "Goto it, Mr. Mason. We're with you to a man when it comes to that." And Fred Heit, as well as his assistant,touched by Mason's dramatic stand, his very picturesque and even heroic appearance at the moment, nowcrowded closer, Heit to take his friend by the hand, Earl to exclaim: "More power to you, Mr. Mason. We'll doall we can, you bet. And don't forget that bag that she left at Gun Lodge is over at your office. I gave it to Burtontwo hours ago.""That's right, too. I was almost forgetting that," exclaimed Mason, most calmly and practically at the moment,the previous burst of oratory and emotion having by now been somehow merged in his own mind with theexceptional burst of approval which up to this hour he had never experienced in any case with which previously he had been identified.

奥维尔梅森一见到这户人家，就觉得他们也许如同他本人一样，挨过生活的鞭笞。嘲弄和磨难，不由得深表同情。早期六下午，约莫四点钟光景，他从布里奇伯格乘坐公车来到了这里。他看到了这座破旧不堪的农舍，又看见泰特斯。奥尔登本人穿着短袖衬衫和工装裤，从山脚下猪圈走上来，他的脸孔和形体在在说明:

他一生穷愁潦倒，经常意识到自己赤贫如洗。这时梅森后悔自己在布里奇伯格动身前没有先来个电话，因为他一望可知，女儿惨死的消息对这么一个人来说将是一种最骇人的打击。这时，泰特斯看见他走过来，还以为是问路的行人，便彬彬有礼地走到他跟前。

"是泰特斯。奥尔登先生吗?

""是的，先生，那是我的姓名。""奥尔登先生，我叫梅森。我是从布里奇伯格来的，是卡塔拉基县地方检察官。""嗯，先生，"泰特斯回答说，心里暗自纳闷:

地方检察官从那么遥远的县城特地跑来找他干什么。梅森只是一个劲儿瞅着他，真不知道该怎么开口才好。

他不得不转告的那个消息，该有多惨呀……让这么一个显然软弱无能的人听了，备不住会突然昏厥过去。他们伫立在屋子前那棵高大。乌黑的枞树底下。从针状叶中间穿过的风儿，沙沙作响，仿佛不断在唱那天长地久的歌儿。

"奥尔登先生，"梅森带着一种异乎寻常的严肃而又委婉的神情开始说话了。

"您有个女儿叫伯特，或是艾伯达，是不是?

我不敢说我把她的名字一点儿没说错。

""罗伯达，"泰特斯。奥尔登马上更正说。他说这话时，心中因有一种不祥的预感而突然抽搐着。

梅森担心了一会儿，他想了解的问题，这个人恐怕不能有条有理地说给他听了，所以便抢先问道:

"再说，您认不认得这儿附近有一个名叫克利福德。戈尔登的年轻人?

""这个人我好象没听说过，"泰特斯慢悠悠地回答说。

"还有一个名叫卡尔。格雷厄姆的?

""不知道，先生。我也记不得有谁叫这个名姓的。""我也这么想，"梅森嚷了起来，好象这是对他自个儿说的，而不是对泰特斯说的。"再说，"他接着用一种严厉而又带点命令的口吻问道，"现在您女儿在哪儿?

""怎么啦，现在她在莱柯格斯呀。她在那儿工作。不过，您干吗要问这个?

难道说她做了什么要不得的事……或是她来求过您什么事来着?

"他勉强笑了一下，同时，被梅森这一问感到困惑不解，因此，他那对灰蓝色眼睛露出了窘色。

"等一会儿，奥尔登先生，"梅森语气温和，可又坚决有力地继续说下去。"等一会儿，我就把一切都讲给您听。不过，现在我还得问您几个必要的问题，"他诚恳而同情地直瞅着泰特斯。"您最近一次看到您女儿，到现在可有多久了?

""怎么啦，她是上星期二早上从这儿动身回莱柯格斯去的。她是在那儿格里菲思领子衬衫公司做工。可是……?

""听我说，等一会儿，"地方检察官语调坚决地说。"等一会儿，我会把什么都讲给您听的。也许她是在家里过周末的。是吧?

""她利用假期，在家里待了约莫一个月，"泰特斯慢悠悠地。丝毫不错地作了说明。"她身体不太好，才来家稍微休息一下。不过，她动身时差不多已经好了。

我希望，梅森先生，您不是想说，她出了什么事，可不是?

"他抬起一只黝黑的长手，捋自己下巴颏儿和脸颊，露出极其紧张不安的神色。"要是我脑子里头早想到有这类事……"他用手捋了一下他那日益稀疏的灰头发。

"她从这儿走了以后，您得到过她的消息吗?

"梅森心平气和地继续说，决心要在他尚未受到那沉重的打击以前，尽可能攫取到更多符合实际的情况。"她没有提到自己不是去莱柯格斯，而是去别的地方吗?

""没有，先生，我们什么消息都没有。我想，她不会受了伤，是吧?

她也不会惹了什么麻烦，是吧?

可是，不，这压根儿不可能。可是您干吗提这些问题，说话时您又是这么一副神气。"这时，泰特斯身子有点儿发抖，一只手本想捋捋自己煞白的薄嘴唇，却无意识地在捋下巴颏儿了。地方检察官并没有回话，却把罗伯达写给母亲的那封信从口袋里掏出来，只给他看了一下信封上的字迹，这才问他:

"这是您女儿的笔迹吗?

""是的，先生，这是她的笔迹，"泰特斯稍微提高了一下嗓门，回答说。"可是，这是怎么一回事，地方检察官先生?

那封信怎么会落到您手里?

里头写些什么呀?

"他忐忑不安地搓着双手，因为这时他从梅森的眼神里，已清楚地看出某种骇人的悲惨的消息。"这……这……是什么，她在那封信里是怎么说的?

您非得告诉我不可……是不是我女儿出了什么事!

"他紧张地朝四下里张望着，好象想进屋去求救似的……想告诉他妻子大难临头了……可是梅森一发觉是自己使他深感痛苦，马上就坚强有力，但又很友好地抓住了他的胳臂，开始说:

"奥尔登先生，我们每个人在一生中常会碰上这样不幸的时刻，特别需要把我们的全部勇气都拿出来。说实话，我压根儿不想告诉您，因为我本人也懂得人生的况味，我知道您该有多么难过。""她受伤了。也许，她是死了?

"泰特斯几乎是尖声叫了起来，他的瞳孔一下子也变大了。

奥维尔。梅森点点头。

"罗伯达!

我的大闺女呀!

我的天哪!

老天哪!

"他的身子好象挨了一拳，摇摇晃晃靠到附近一棵树干上，这才算站稳了。"可是怎么样?

在哪儿?

是在厂里机器旁边?

啊，老天哪!

"他转过身来，仿佛要去他妻子那儿，但被身强力壮和因鼻子而破了相的地方检察官使劲儿拉住了。

"等一会儿，奥尔登先生，等一会儿。现在您万万不能去找您太太。我知道这是非常难受和可怕的，不过，还是让我先跟您解释一下。不是在莱柯格斯。

也不是在什么机器旁边。不是!

不是……她是淹死的!

在大比腾湖。星期四，她去那儿郊游，您明白了吧?

您听见了没有?

星期四。星期四，在大比腾湖，她在一条船上给淹死了。船儿底朝天了。"泰特斯姿式和说话都无比激动，简直使地方检察官心里慌了神。他发现自己无法保持应有的镇静态度，把这一切经过……即便假定说那是意外溺死的案件……讲清楚了。只要一听到梅森讲到死这个字眼同罗伯达连在一块时，奥尔登心态几乎就要发狂。开头他还提过一些问题，随后只是一个劲儿发出一阵阵有如野兽那样的呻吟，仿佛他快要咽了气似的。同时，他的身子往前俯冲，仿佛剧痛得浑身抽搐着……随后两手使劲儿一举一拍，用手掌捶打自己太阳穴。

"我的罗伯达死了!

我的闺女呀!

啊，不，不，罗伯达!

啊，我的老天哪!

她可没有淹死呀!

这是不可能的!

一个钟头前她妈还在念叨她哩。她妈一听到这消息，就会一命呜呼了。它也会送我上西天呀。是的，一定会这样的。啊，我这可怜。

可爱。可爱的闺女呀!

我的宝贝女儿呀!

这个我可受不了呀，地方检察官先生!

"他沉重。疲惫地靠在梅森的胳臂上，梅森尽量使劲儿托住他。过了一会儿，他象是在发问似地。古怪地回头望着屋子的前门，那直勾勾地望着的神态，完全象个疯子似的。"谁去告诉她妈?

"他一个劲儿问。"有哪一位去告诉她妈呀?

""可是，奥尔登先生，"梅森安慰他说。"为了您自己，也为了您的太太，现在我非得要求您镇静下来不可。帮助我尽可能认真地来考虑这个问题，就象那不是您的女儿那样。除了我刚给您讲的那些以外，还有许许多多别的事情呢。

不过，您非得镇静下来不可。您还得让我讲下去才行。这一切都是令人发指的，可我打心眼儿里同情您。我知道您该有多么难过。不过，有一些可怕而又痛心的事，想必您一定想知道。那就听我说，听我说吧。"随后，梅森一面还用手托住泰特斯，一面尽可能快疾有力地把有关罗伯达之死的各补充事实和可疑的地方作了说明，最后把她的信交给他看，并且下了这样的结论:

"这是犯了大罪!

犯了大罪，奥尔登先生!

我们在布里奇伯格就是这样考虑过的;要不然，至少我们担心……奥尔登先生，如果用一个难听而又冷酷的字眼儿来说，那显然就是谋杀。"他顿住了一会儿，奥尔登一听到犯了大罪这个字眼儿，就惊呆了，他两眼直勾勾地瞅着，好象压根儿还没闹清楚是怎么回事。

就在这时，梅森接下去说:

"尽管我多么尊重您的感情，但是，作为我县司法的主要负责人，我觉得自己有责任今天来到府上，向您或是您的太太，或是您府上其他成员调查一下，对于这个克利福德。戈尔登，或是卡尔。格雷厄姆，或是不管此人姓啥名谁，反正是诱骗您女儿到荒凉的湖区去的那个人，你们可了解些什么。尽管我知道，此时此刻，您心里该有多么悲痛，奥尔登先生，但我还是坚信，您有责任……而且一定也是您的心愿……应该尽您一切力量，帮助我们把这件事弄个水落石出。眼前这封信，似乎足以说明:

您的太太至少知道有关这个人的一些事……哪怕只知道他的名字。"他意味深长地用手指头轻轻地叩着那封信。

泰特斯刚懂得地方检察官话里有话，看来他女儿就是被人用残暴手段害死的，这时他身上那种动物本能与好奇心。激愤，以及追根究底的癖好，都搀杂在一起，使他神志清醒过来，于是便洗耳恭听地方检察官一一道来。他的女儿不仅仅是溺水而死，而且是被人谋杀的，被一个年轻人谋害致死的，据这封信上说，她还想跟他结婚哩!

可是，作为她的父亲，他甚至还不知道有他这么一个人!

真怪，他妻子倒是知道的，可他却一点儿都不知道!

而且罗伯达压根儿还不让他知道。

他这个乡巴佬，由于笃信教规和旧习俗，对于所有一切城市生活，以及城市里有违天意的种种神秘。错综复杂的世态，历来持怀疑态度。这时，他心里立时想到这么一个先是诱奸后来又把他女儿遗弃了的城里人……也许还是一个有钱的年轻人，是罗伯达到了莱柯格斯以后才结识的。这个人诱奸她时答应过要跟她结婚的，可是后来，当然，他说话就不算数了。于是，他心里一下子萌发了一个惊人强烈。几乎抑制不住的渴望，要向竟敢对他女儿犯下滔天大罪的任何人，不管他是谁，进行报复。这恶棍!

这强奸犯!

这杀人犯!

他们夫妇俩还一直以为:

罗伯达为的是养活她自己，同时也帮助他们老人家，在莱柯格斯平静地。认真地。快活地过着艰苦而又体面的生活，殊不知从星期四下午起一直到星期五，她的遗体却已沉入湖底。可他们俩却睡在舒适的眠床上，或是照常走来走去，压根儿没想到她这可怕的命运。如今，她的尸体停放在一个陌生的房间里，也许是在哪儿的"陈尸所"……所有疼爱她的亲人，连一个都见不到在那儿守护她……到了明天将被那些冷酷无情的官员运往布里奇伯格去了。

"要是真的有上帝的话，"奥尔登激忿地嚷了起来，"他决不会让这样一个恶棍不受惩罚!

啊，不，他决不会的!

'

''''我却未见过，，，"他突然援引《圣经》上的话说，"义人被弃，也未见过他的后裔讨饭。"(引自《圣经。旧约。诗篇》第３７篇第２５节。)同时，他心中突然激起了立即行动的炽烈渴望，就找补着说:

"我可非得马上告诉我太太不可。啊，是的，我这就去得了。不，不，您在这儿等着。

先让我单独把这事告诉她。我一会儿就回来。您就在这儿等着得了。我知道她一听这消息就会一命呜呼的。不过这件事不让她知道可不行。说不定她能告诉我们此人是谁，好让我们在他准备逃往远方以前逮住他。可是，啊，我这可怜的闺女呀!

我这可怜的。亲爱的罗伯达呀!

我这可爱。善良。诚实的闺女呀!

"他就这样有一搭。没一搭地嘟囔着，他眼里和脸上都露出如疯似狂的剧痛。

这时，他侧过身来，他那骨瘦嶙峋的身子，步履蹒跚，有如机器人一般朝那间披屋走去……他知道，奥尔登太太正在那儿为明天……星期天……特为准备添加几道菜。不料一到那儿，他却停驻在门坎上，没有胆量再敢往前挪动一步了。

孤苦无告的人在那残忍的。神秘的。冷漠的"生活"的力量跟前露出所有动人哀怜的神情，这时照例在他奥尔登身上显露无遗!

奥尔登太太扭过头来，一见他那脸上紧张的神色，她自己那双手也就无力地耷拉下来了。他眼里不祥的预兆，一下子把她眼里单纯。厌烦。困倦，而又宁静的沉思驱散得无影无踪了。

"泰特斯!

老天哪!

到底出了什么事?

"他两手举向半空，嘴巴半张开着，上下眼皮奇形怪状地紧闭着，但一下子又猛地睁大，终于喊出了"罗伯达"这个名字!

"她怎么啦?

她怎么啦?

泰特斯……她到底怎么啦?

"他一声不吭。只是嘴巴。眼睛和双手，还在慌乱地抽搐着。随后才说……"死了!

她给……给淹死了!

"说罢，他就整个儿瘫倒在房门旁边一条长凳上。奥尔登太太一时间傻了眼，开头不明白，过后才完全清楚了，连一句话都没有说，就陡然摔倒在地板上。泰特斯两眼直望着她，点点头，仿佛在说:

"得了，得了。

也只好这样了。反正她暂时可以不去想这件可怕的事了。"稍后，他慢慢地站了起来，朝她走去，下跪在她身边，竭力使她身子抬高些。随后，他慢慢地走出灶间，来到屋子门廊跟前。奥维尔。梅森正坐在倾圮殆尽的石阶上，眼望西边夕照，暗自琢磨着:

这个孤苦伶仃。软弱无能的乡巴佬，是怎样把这场灾难说给他妻子听的。他心里甚至真的巴不得这一切完全不是现在这样……哪怕这么一个案子对他，梅森本人是有利的，也宁可它压根儿没有发生。

不料，梅森一见到那个骷髅一般的泰特斯。奥尔登，就马上一跃而起，抢在他前头，奔进了披屋。只见奥尔登太太躺在地板上，几乎跟女儿一样小巧纤细。柔弱无力，一点儿声息也没有。他就把她搁在自己结实的臂弯里，穿过吃饭间，来到了起坐间，那儿有一张破旧的睡椅，让她躺卧在上面。他号了一下她的脉搏，随后连忙去找水，一面还想去找人……找儿子。女儿。邻居，不管是哪一个都行。可是什么人都看不到。他就急匆匆拿了水回来，往她脸上和手上泼洒了一些水。

"附近哪儿有医生吗?

"他这是跟下跪在妻子身边的泰特斯说话。

"比尔茨……有……克兰大夫。""您这儿有没有……或是附近哪个邻居有电话吗?

""威尔科克斯先生，"他指着威尔科克斯家那个方向，不久前罗伯达还使用过他家的电话哩。

"看好她。我马上就回来。"梅森马上奔出去，打电话找克兰大夫或是别的医生。不一会儿，他便跟着威尔科克斯先生和他的女儿一块回来了。随后，等啊，等啊，一直等到头一批邻居赶来了，最后克兰大夫也来了。梅森便跟克兰大夫商量:

今天能不能跟奥尔登太太谈一谈他专程而来的那个非谈不可的神秘案件。克兰大夫对梅森先生那种一本正经办案的神态印象很深，便认为也许最好还是不妨跟她谈吧。

后来，奥尔登太太经过服用海洛因后，所有在场的人又对她低声哼唱，她的知觉终于慢慢恢复过来，再加上受到很大鼓舞和劝慰，梅森就可以把一些显得不太严重的情况先讲给她听，接下来再问她罗伯达信中所说的那个神秘人物的名字。奥尔登太太只记得有一个人，罗伯达提到过此人曾向她大献殷勤。仅仅是在圣诞节前提过那么一次。此人就是克莱德。格里菲思，莱柯格斯的富翁塞缪尔。格里菲思的侄子，罗伯达工作的那个部门的经理。

但是，单凭这一些，梅森和奥尔登夫妇顿时感到，当然罗，决不能说明:

这么一个大人物的侄子，将被指控为谋杀罗伯达的罪犯。金钱!

地位!

说实话，梅森在接办这样一个案子前，也不由得煞费踌躇。按照他的观点来看，这样一个男子跟这样一个姑娘，社会地位似乎太悬殊了。不过，这事还是有可能的。为什么就不可能呢?

既然她象海特所说的长得非常漂亮，那末，象这么一个有稳固地位的年轻人，不是会比别人更有可能对罗伯达这样的姑娘偶尔也偷偷地献殷勤吗?

她不就是在他伯父厂里做工吗?

何况她不是很穷吗?

再说，正象弗雷德。海特早已指出过，这个姑娘临死时与之在一块的那个人，不管他到底是谁，反正她没有结婚先跟他同居了。这不正是深谙世故的年轻阔少，对待贫苦少女的典型手法吗?

由于他自己早年受过许多屈辱和打击，也和那些早已发迹的幸运儿较量过，他觉得上面这个想法就非常令人信服。那些卑鄙下流的有钱人!

那些冷若冰霜的有钱人!

可是她的父母亲，当然罗，还坚信自己女儿的率真和贞洁哩。

进一步向奥尔登太太探询的结果，仅仅是证实:

她从来没见过这个年轻人，甚至也没听说过其他年轻人的名字。她和她丈夫能够补充的，仅仅是说罗伯达最后一次回家的一个月里，身体一直不舒服……在家里精神萎顿，动不动躺下休息。还有，她写过不少信，由她交给邮递员，或是投在下面交岔路口的邮箱里。奥尔登先生也好，奥尔登太太也好，都不知道她这些信是写给谁的。不过，梅森马上想到，备不住邮递员会知道的。还有，在这段时间里，她一直忙着给自己做衣服，至少做了四件。还有，她在家里最后几天里，接到过好几次电话……泰特斯听威尔科克斯说起过，是一个名叫贝克的先生打来的。还有，她动身时，只带了她来时所带的那些行李……她的那只小箱子和她的手提包。那只箱子她在火车站打了行李票。可是泰特斯却说不上，她究竟是把它托运到莱柯格斯，还是托运到别地去。

梅森认为贝克这个名字非常重要，他突然计上心来:

"克利福德。戈尔登!

卡尔。格雷厄姆!

克莱德。格里菲思!

"这些名字的头一个英文字母都是相同的;而且，这些名字念起来都是谐音，也很相近，他不由得迟疑了一会儿。如果说这一个克莱德。格里菲思跟这一刑事案件毫无牵连的话，这真是惊人的相似!

他恨不得马上径直去找那个邮递员，好好盘问他。

不过，泰特斯。奥尔登这个人同样很重要，不仅能以见证人的身份去认明罗伯达的尸体和她寄存在冈洛奇火车站的那只手提箱里的东西，并且还可以去劝说那个邮递员说话不要有任何顾虑。所以，现在梅森便要求泰特斯穿戴齐整跟自己一块走，并保证说让他明天就回来。

梅森关照奥尔登太太千万别跟任何人说这件事以后，就往邮局找那个邮递员询问去了。那个邮递员果然找到了，经过盘问以后，就面对着泰特斯(这时，他站在地方检察官身边，活象一具镀锌的僵尸)说:

罗伯达最近在这儿小住期间，不但交给过他好几封信……至少有十二封，也许多至十五封，而且，所有这些信，都是写给莱柯格斯的某某人，名字叫做……让他想一想……克莱德。格里菲思……准没错，正是这个名字……在那儿留局待领。于是，地方检察官马上跟邮递员一块到当地公证处，就邮递员的口供，办了公证证书。随后，他跟自己办公室通了电话，得知罗伯达的尸体已运到布里奇伯格;于是，他就尽快驱车赶到了布里奇伯格。他一到那儿，就跟泰特斯。伯顿。伯利。海特。厄尔。纽科姆一起，来到了尸体跟前。几乎疯了的泰特斯两眼直盯住他女儿的遗容时，地方检察官心里就断定:

第一，她确实就是罗伯达。奥尔登;第二，据他看来，她究竟是不是象在草湖旅馆登记时所表明，就是那种轻率跟人发生关系的淫荡女人呢?

不，他断定自己对她并没有这么样的看法。这是一起狡猾。恶毒的诱奸谋杀案。咳，这个恶棍!

居然至今还逍遥法外。这件事的政治意义在梅森心目中几乎已被对所有富人的愤怒和憎恨所取代了。

这次见到死者，是晚上十点钟，在卢兹兄弟殡仪馆大厅里。泰特斯。奥尔登下跪在女儿身边，无比激动地抓起她那双冰冷的小手，捂住他的嘴，两眼饱含强烈抗议地直瞅着她那棕色长发衬托下仿佛涂了蜡的脸蛋儿。对当时的情景很难作出不带感情色彩的或则甚至是合法的论断。所有在场的人，无不潸然泪下。

泰特斯。奥尔登给这个场面又增添了戏剧性的气氛。正当卢兹兄弟殡仪馆里的人和他们相邻汽车行里的三个朋友，还有布里奇伯格《共和党人报》派往现场的代表埃弗雷特。比克尔。《民主党人报》的编辑兼发行人萨姆。塔克森，站在通往卢兹兄弟殡仪馆汽车间的边门外，从人群头上或是挤在人堆里吃惊地张望时，泰特斯猛地站了起来，疯狂地冲向梅森，大声嚷道:

"地方检察官先生，您可要把这凶犯恶棍找出来，让他也得吃苦头才是。要知道我这个纯洁。善良的姑娘吃过多大苦头呀。明摆着她就是给人杀死的……除了这凶手以外，谁也不会带她到那么一个湖上去，并且还砸了她。她确是给砸过了的，这谁都看得出来。"他面对他那死去的姑娘打着手势。"我没有钱去控告这么一个恶棍。不过，我会扛活的。我会把我的庄稼地卖掉。"他说话时声音也嘶哑了。他又想回到罗伯达身旁时，差点儿要摔倒。奥维尔。梅森被这位父亲矢志报仇的悲壮心情所激动，便走上前去，大声说道:

"走吧，奥尔登先生。现在我们才知道这死者就是您的女儿。我在这里郑重宣告，你们全体先生都是这次验尸的见证人。将来要是证明您那不幸的女儿确实是被人杀害的，那末，奥尔登先生，我，作为本县地方检察官，将忠实负责地向您保证:

我决不会吝惜自己的时间。金钱，或是精力，一定要把这个恶棍抓住法办!

要是卡塔拉基县法院深孚众望，对此，我是深信无疑，那末，您尽管放心把他交给我们本地法院选定的陪审团就得了。而您也就用不着把您的庄稼地卖掉了。

"由于他感情深挚(尽管有些过于激动)以及无比震惊的观众也在现场，梅森先生就充分发挥了他那最富有雄辩力的演说才能。

承包本县验尸所业务的卢兹兄弟殡仪馆掌柜之一……埃特，也被感动得大声嚷了起来:

"敢情好，奥维尔。我们最需要象您这样的地方检察官。"埃弗雷特。

比克尔也大叫大喊:

"好好干吧，梅森先生。到时候，我们大家齐心一致支持您。

"还有弗雷德。海特和他的助手，也被梅森那种戏剧性的言词及其绘声绘色，甚至富有英雄气概的动人表现深为感动，好不容易挨挤了过来。海特抓住了他朋友的手，厄尔大声嚷道:

"我们也支持您，梅森先生。请放心，我们一定尽力干。

还有，别忘了她寄放在冈洛奇火车站的手提箱，此刻已在您办公室了。两个钟头前，是我交给了伯顿。""是的，您说得不错。我差点儿把那忘了。"梅森大声喊道。这时，他已经很镇静，也很实际;刚才那一阵子滔滔雄辩的热情，不知怎的已经消融在一片异乎寻常的赞扬声里了。要知道过去那么多年来他在办案时，还从没有受到过象这样的赞扬哩。
Part 3 Chapter 5
As he proceeded to his office, accompanied by Alden and the officials in this case, his thought was running onthe motive of this heinous crime--the motive. And because of his youthful sexual deprivations, his mind nowtended continually to dwell on that. And meditating on the beauty and charm of Roberta, contrasted with herpoverty and her strictly moral and religious upbringing, he was convinced that in all likelihood this man or boy,whoever he was, had seduced her and then later, finding himself growing tired of her, had finally chosen thisway to get rid of her--this deceitful, alleged marriage trip to the lake. And at once he conceived an enormouspersonal hate for the man. The wretched rich! The idle rich! The wastrel and evil rich--a scion or representativeof whom this young Clyde Griffiths was. If he could but catch him.
　　At the same time it now suddenly occurred to him that because of the peculiar circumstances attending this case-thisgirl cohabiting with this man in this way--she might be pregnant. And at once this suspicion was sufficient,not only to make him sexually curious in regard to all the details of the life and courtship that had led to this--butalso very anxious to substantiate for himself whether his suspicions were true. Immediately he began to think ofa suitable doctor to perform an autopsy--if not here, then in Utica or Albany--also of communicating to Heit hissuspicions in the connection, and of having this, as well as the import of the blows upon her face, determined.
　　But in regard to the bag and its contents, which was the immediate matter before him, he was fortunate in findingone additional bit of evidence of the greatest importance. For, apart from the dresses and hats made by Roberta,her lingerie, a pair of red silk garters purchased at Braunstein's in Lycurgus and still in their original box, therewas the toilet set presented by Clyde to her the Christmas before. And with it the small, plain white card, onwhich Clyde had written: "For Bert from Clyde--Merry Xmas." But no family name. And the writing a hurriedscrawl, since it had been written at a time when Clyde was most anxious to be elsewhere than with her.
　　At once it occurred to Mason--how odd that the presence of this toilet set in this bag, together with the card,should not have been known to the slayer. But if it were, and he had not removed the card, could it be possiblethat this same Clyde was the slayer? Would a man contemplating murder fail to see a card such as this, with hisown handwriting on it? What sort of a plotter and killer would that be? Immediately afterward he thought:
　　Supposing the presence of this card could be concealed until the day of the trial and then suddenly produced,assuming the criminal denied any intimacy with the girl, or having given her any toilet set? And for the presenthe took the card and put it in his pocket, but not before Earl Newcomb, looking at it carefully, had observed: "I'mnot positive, Mr. Mason, but that looks to me like the writing on the register up at Big Bittern." And at onceMason replied: "Well, it won't take long to establish the fact."He then signaled Heit to follow him into an adjoining chamber, where once alone with him, free from theobservation and hearing of the others, he began: "Well, Fred, you see it was just as you thought. She did knowwho she was going with." (He was referring to his own advice over the telephone from Biltz that Mrs. Alden hadprovided him with definite information as to the criminal.) "But you couldn't guess in a thousand years unless Itold you." He leaned over and looked at Heit shrewdly.
　　"I don't doubt it, Orville. I haven't the slightest idea.""Well, you know of Griffiths & Company, of Lycurgus?""Not the collar people?""Yes, the collar people.""Not the son." Fred Heit's eyes opened wider than they had in years. His wide, brown hand grasped the end of hisbeard.
　　"No, not the son. A nephew!""Nephew! Of Samuel Griffiths? Not truly!" The old, moral-religious, politic-commercial coroner stroked hisbeard again and stared.
　　"The fact seems to point that way, Fred, now at least. I'm going down there yet to-night, though, and I hope toknow a lot more to-morrow. But this Alden girl--they're the poorest kind of farm people, you know--worked forGriffiths & Company in Lycurgus and this nephew, Clyde Griffiths, as I understand it, is in charge of thedepartment in which she worked.""Tst! Tst! Tst!" interjected the coroner.
　　"She was home for a month--SICK" (he emphasized the word) "just before she went on this trip last Tuesday.
　　And during that time she wrote him at least ten letters, and maybe more. I got that from the rural delivery man. Ihave his affidavit here." He tapped his coat. "All addressed to Clyde Griffiths in Lycurgus. I even have his housenumber. And the name of the family with whom she lived. I telephoned down there from Biltz. I'm going to takethe old man with me tonight in case anything comes up that he might know about.""Yes, yes, Orville. I understand. I see. But a Griffiths!" And once more he clucked with his tongue.
　　"But what I want to talk to you about is the inquest," now went on Mason quickly and sharply. "You know I'vebeen thinking that it couldn't have been just because he didn't want to marry her that he wanted to kill her. Thatdoesn't seem reasonable to me," and he added the majority of the thoughts that had caused him to conclude thatRoberta was pregnant. And at once Heit agreed with him.
　　"Well, then that means an autopsy," Mason resumed. "As well as medical opinion as to the nature of thosewounds. We'll have to know beyond a shadow of a doubt, Fred, and before that body is taken away from here,whether that girl was killed before she was thrown out of that boat, or just stunned and then thrown out, or theboat upset. That's very vital to the case, as you know. We'll never be able to do anything unless we're positiveabout those things. But what about the medical men around here? Do you think any of them will be able to do allthese things in a shipshape way so that what they say will hold water in court."Mason was dubious. Already he was building his case.
　　"Well, as to that, Orville," Heit replied slowly, "I can't say exactly. You'd be a better judge, maybe, than I would.
　　I've already asked Dr. Mitchell to step over to-morrow and take a look at her. Also Betts. But if there's any otherdoctor you'd rather have--Bavo or Lincoln of Coldwater--how about Bavo?""I'd rather have Webster, of Utica," went on Mason, "or Beemis, or both. Four or five opinions in a case like thiswon't be any too many."And Heit, sensing the importance of the great responsibility now resting on him, added: "Well, I guess you'reright, Orville. Maybe four or five would be better than one or two. That means, though, that the inquest will haveto be postponed for a day or two more, till we get these men here.""Quite right! Quite right," went on Mason, "but that will be a good thing, too, as long as I'm going down toLycurgus to-night to see what I can find out. You never can tell. I may catch up with him. I hope so, anyhow, orif not that, then I may come upon something that'll throw some extra light on this. For this is going to be a bigthing, Fred. I can see that--the most difficult case that ever came my way, or yours, either,--and we can't be toocareful as to how we move from now on. He's likely to be rich, you see, and if he is he'll fight. Besides there'sthat family down there to back him up."He ran a nervous hand through his shock of hair, then added: "Well, that's all right too. The next thing to do is toget Beemis and Webster of Utica--better wire them to-night, eh, or call them up. And Sprull of Albany, and then,to keep peace in the family around here, perhaps we'd better have Lincoln and Betts over here. And maybeBavo." He permitted himself the faintest shadow of a smile. "In the meantime, I'll be going along, Fred. Arrangeto have them come up Monday or Tuesday, instead of to-morrow. I expect to be back by then and if so I can bewith you. If you can, better get 'em up here, Monday--see--the quicker the better--and we'll see what we know bythen."He went to a drawer to secure some extra writs. And then into the outer room to explain to Alden the trip thatwas before him. And to have Burleigh call up his wife, to whom he explained the nature of his work and hasteand that he might not be back before Monday.
　　And all the way down to Utica, which took three hours, as well as a wait of one hour before a train for Lycurguscould be secured, and an additional hour and twenty minutes on that train, which set them down at about seven,Orville Mason was busy extracting from the broken and gloomy Titus, as best he could, excerpts from his own aswell as Roberta's humble past--her generosity, loyalty, virtue, sweetness of heart, and the places and conditionsunder which previously she had worked, and what she had received, and what she had done with the money--ahumble story which he was quite able to appreciate.
　　Arriving at Lycurgus with Titus by his side, he made his way as quickly as possible to the Lycurgus House,where he took a room for the father in order that he might rest. And after that to the office of the local districtattorney, from whom he must obtain authority to proceed, as well as an officer who would execute his will forhim here. And then being supplied with a stalwart detective in plain clothes, he proceeded to Clyde's room inTaylor Street, hoping against hope that he might find him there. But Mrs. Peyton appearing and announcing that Clyde lived there but that at present he was absent (having gone the Tuesday before to visit friends at TwelfthLake, she believed), he was rather painfully compelled to announce, first, that he was the district attorney ofCataraqui County, and, next, that because of certain suspicious circumstances in connection with the drowning ofa girl in Big Bittern, with whom they had reason to believe that Clyde was at the time, they would now becompelled to have access to his room, a statement which so astonished Mrs. Peyton that she fell back, anexpression of mixed amazement, horror, and unbelief overspreading her features.
　　"Not Mr. Clyde Griffiths! Oh, how ridiculous! Why, he's the nephew of Mr. Samuel Griffiths and very wellknown here. I'm sure they can tell you all about him at their residence, if you must know. But anything like--oh,impossible!" And she looked at both Mason and the local detective who was already displaying his officialbadge, as though she doubted both their honesty and authority.
　　At the same time, the detective, being all too familiar with such circumstances, had already placed himselfbeyond Mrs. Peyton at the foot of the stairs leading to the floor above. And Mason now drew from his pocket awrit of search, which he had been careful to secure.
　　"I am sorry, Madam, but I am compelled to ask you to show us his room. This is a search warrant and this officeris here at my direction." And at once struck by the futility of contending with the law, she now nervouslyindicated Clyde's room, feeling still that some insane and most unfair and insulting mistake was being made.
　　But the two having proceeded to Clyde's room, they began to look here and there. At once both noted one smalland not very strong trunk, locked and standing in one corner, which Mr. Faunce, the detective, immediatelybegan to lift to decide upon its weight and strength, while Mason began to examine each particular thing in theroom--the contents of all drawers and boxes, as well as the pockets of all clothes. And in the chiffonier drawers,along with some discarded underwear and shirts and a few old invitations from the Trumbulls, Starks, Griffiths,and Harriets, he now found a memorandum sheet which Clyde had carried home from his desk and on which hehad written: "Wednesday, Feb. 20th, dinner at Starks"--and below that, "Friday, 22nd, Trumbulls"--and thishandwriting Mason at once compared with that on the card in his pocket, and being convinced by the similaritythat he was in the room of the right man, he took the invitations and then looked toward the trunk which thedetective was now contemplating.
　　"What about this, chief? Will you take it away or open it here?""I think," said Mason solemnly, "we'd better open that right here, Faunce. I'll send for it afterwards, but I want tosee what's in it now." And at once the detective extracted from his pocket a heavy chisel, while he began lookingaround for a hammer.
　　"It isn't very strong," he said, "I think I can kick it open if you say so."At this point, Mrs. Peyton, most astounded by these developments, and anxious to avoid any such roughprocedure, exclaimed: "You can have a hammer if you wish, but why not wait and send for a key man? Why, Inever heard of such a thing in all my life."However, the detective having secured the hammer and jarred the lock loose, there lay revealed in a small top crate various unimportant odds and ends of Clyde's wardrobe--socks, collars, ties, a muffler, suspenders, adiscarded sweater, a pair of not too good high-top winter shoes, a cigarette holder, a red lacquer ash tray, and apair of skates. But in addition among these, in the corner in one compact bundle, the final fifteen letters ofRoberta, written him from Biltz, together with a small picture of herself given him the year before, as well asanother small bundle consisting of all the notes and invitations written him by Sondra up to the time she haddeparted for Pine Point, The letters written from there Clyde had taken with him--laid next his heart. And, evenmore incriminating, a third bundle, consisting of eleven letters from his mother, the first two addressed to HarryTenet, care of general delivery, Chicago--a most suspicious circumstance on the surface--whereas the others ofthe bundle were addressed to Clyde Griffiths, not only care of the union League, Chicago, but to Lycurgus.
　　Without waiting further to see what else the trunk might contain, the district attorney began opening these andreading--first three from Roberta, after which the reason she had gone to Biltz was made perfectly plain--then thethree first letters from his mother, on most pathetically commonplace stationery, as he could see, hinting at thefolly of the life as well as the nature of the accident that had driven him from Kansas City, and at the same timeadvising him most solicitously and tenderly as to the proper path for his feet in the future, the general effect ofwhich was to convey to a man of Mason's repressed temperament and limited social experience the impressionthat from the very beginning this individual had been of a loose, wayward and errant character.
　　At the same time, and to his surprise, he now learned that except for what his rich uncle might have done for himhere, Clyde was obviously of a poor, as well as highly religious, branch of the Griffiths family, and whileordinarily this might have influenced him in Clyde's favor a little, still now, in view of the notes of Sondra, aswell as the pathetic letters of Roberta and his mother's reference to some earlier crime in Kansas City, he wasconvinced that not only was Clyde of such a disposition as could plot such a crime but also one who couldexecute it in cold blood. That crime in Kansas City. He must wire the district attorney there for particulars.
　　And with this thought in mind, he now scanned more briefly but none the less sharply and critically the variousnotes or invitations or love messages from Sondra, all on heavily perfumed and monogrammed stationery, whichgrew more and more friendly and intimate as the correspondence progressed, until toward the last they invariablybegan:
　　"Clydie-Mydie," or "Sweetest Black Eyes," or "My sweetest boy," and were signed "Sonda," or "Your ownSondra." And some of them dated so recently as May 10th, May 15th, May 26th, or up to the very time at which,as he instantly noted, Roberta's most doleful letters began to arrive.
　　It was all so plain, now. One secretly betrayed girl in the background while he had the effrontery to ingratiatehimself into the affections of another, this time obviously one of much higher social position here.
　　Although fascinated and staggered by this interesting development, he at the same time realized that this was nohour in which to sit meditating. Far from it. This trunk must be transferred at once to his hotel. Later he must goforth to find out, if he could, exactly where this individual was, and arrange for his capture. And while heordered the detective to call up the police department and arrange for the transfer of the trunk to his room at theLycurgus House, he hurried next to the residence of Samuel Griffiths, only to learn that no member of the familywas then in the city. They were all at Greenwood Lake. But a telephone message to that place brought theinformation that in so far as they knew, this same Clyde Griffiths, their nephew, was at the Cranston lodge on Twelfth Lake, near Sharon, adjoining the Finchley lodge. The name Finchley, together with the town of Sharon,being already identified in Mason's mind with Clyde, he at once decided that if he were still anywhere in thisregion, he would be there--at the summer home perhaps of this girl who had written him the various notes andinvitations he had seen--this Sondra Finchley. Also had not the captain of the "Cygnus" declared that he had seenthe youth who had come down from Three Mile Bay debark there? Eureka! He had him!
　　And at once, after meditating sharply on the wisdom of his course, he decided to proceed to Sharon and PinePoint himself. But in the meantime being furnished with an accurate description of Clyde, he now furnished thisas well as the fact that he was wanted for murder, not only to the district attorney and the chief of police ofLycurgus, but to Newton Slack, the sheriff at Bridgeburg, as well as to Heit and his own assistant, urging allthree to proceed at once to Sharon, where he would meet them.
　　At the same time, speaking as though for Mrs. Peyton, he now called upon the long distance telephone theCranston lodge at Pine Point, and getting the butler on the wire, inquired whether Mr. Clyde Griffiths chanced tobe there. "Yes sir, he is, sir, but he's not here now, sir. I think he's on a camping party farther up the lake, sir. Anymessage, sir?" And in response to further inquiries, he replied that he could not say exactly--a party had gone,presumably, to Bear Lake some thirty miles farther up, but when it would return he could not say--not likelybefore a day or two. But distinctly this same Clyde was with that party.
　　And at once Mason recalled the sheriff at Bridgeburg, instructing him to take four or five deputies with him sothat the searching party might divide at Sharon and seize this same Clyde wherever he chanced to be. And throwhim in jail at Bridgeburg, where he could explain, with all due process of law, the startling circumstances thatthus far seemed to unescapably point to him as the murderer of Roberta Alden.

梅森先生偕同奥尔登与一些办案官员去自己办公室时，却在反躬自问:

这一滔天大罪，动机究竟是什么。他年轻时因无女性交往而深感痛苦，所以此刻心里免不了考虑到那类问题。他想到罗伯达的姿色与魅力，另一方面，却是她的穷困和她历来严守道德。教规，因此，他就坚信，从一切迹象看来，这个成年男子或是年轻小伙子，不管他是谁吧，反正先是诱奸了她，后来却对她厌倦了，终于选择了这种方式，想把她甩脱掉……骗她去湖上旅行结婚。他一下子对这个人激起了无比的仇恨。这些卑鄙下流的有钱人!

这些游手好闲的有钱人!

这些窝囊。险恶的有钱人……而克莱德。格里菲思这个小子真不愧是他们这一伙孬种的代表。要是能逮住他就好了。

这时，梅森先生猛地想到:

根据这个案子的特殊情况判断……这个姑娘显然跟他同居……说不定她已有了身孕吧。这一疑心，足以使他不仅对造成这一后果的恋爱史全部细节马上萌发了好奇心，而且还急于闹清楚自己的怀疑是否正确无误。他立刻想到要找一位合适的医生……要是不在布里奇伯格，那就在尤蒂卡或是奥尔巴尼……进行尸体解剖;他还想到要把自己这一疑点告诉海特，要把这一点和她脸部伤痕究竟是什么性质都得查验清楚。

可是，目前梅森先生首先必须查看一下那只手提包和箱子里头的东西，他很侥幸从箱子里头找到了又一个极其重要的物证。原来除了罗伯达置备的那些衣服，她的内衣睡衣，以及在莱柯格斯布朗斯坦商店买的一副红色丝织吊袜带，仍然都放在原装那只盒子里以外，箱子里头还有克莱德在圣诞节前送给她的那套化妆用品。在盒子边上，用一条灰色缎带系上一张小小的普通白色卡片，克莱德在上面写着:

"克莱德赠给伯特……祝圣诞节快乐。"不过他没有写上自己的姓。字迹……在仓促之间写得很潦草，因为当时克莱德正急急乎想上别处去，压根儿不愿跟她在一起。

梅森转念一想，不免大吃一惊:

这凶手怎么不知道这套化妆用品连同卡片都在手提箱里?

不过，即使他明明知道，而且他也没有把卡片取走，那末，有没有这种可能性:

这个克莱德就是凶手呢?

一个阴谋杀人的人，会看不到这么一张卡片呢?

而且上面还有他自己的笔迹?

这算是哪一号阴谋杀人的凶手呀?

梅森先生继而又想到:

不妨先把这张卡片藏起来，一直到受审的那天，假如说这罪犯否认跟这姑娘有过任何密切的关系，或是否认送过她化妆用品的话，那时就突然出示这张卡片得了。于是，他拿起卡片，放进自己的口袋，不过，在这以前，厄尔。

纽科姆仔细地看了一下，说:

"我可不能完全肯定，梅森先生。不过，我觉得，好象这笔迹跟大比腾湖客栈登记簿上的非常相象。"梅森马上回答说:

"得了，这事要不了多久，就可以闹清楚了。"稍后，梅森先生招呼海特跟他一块到隔壁房间去，那儿谁都看不到或听不见他们。他说:

"哦，弗雷德，知道吧，一切跟您猜想的一模一样。她知道她女儿是跟谁一块走的。"(他这是指来自比尔茨的电话里所说的，就是奥尔登太太已把有关凶手的确切情况告诉他了)"不过，我要是不告诉您，您就是猜上一千年，也包管猜不到。"他把身子凑过来，机灵地直瞅着海特。

"那当然罗，奥维尔。我可一点儿也猜不到。""哦，您知道莱柯格斯的那个格里菲思公司吗?

""不就是做领子的那一伙人吗?

""是啊，就是做领子的那伙人。""不是那个儿子吗?

"弗雷德。海特眼睛睁得大大的，那是他这么多年来从来没有过的。他那只黝黑的大手抓住了自己长胡子。

"不，不是儿子。而是那个侄子!

""那个侄子!

塞缪尔。格里菲思的?

不可能吧!

"这个上了年纪的验尸官，既严守道德。教规，可对政治。生意又感兴趣，捋了一下自己长胡子，两眼直瞪着梅森先生。

"至少目下，事实好象已指明了这一点，弗雷德。不管怎么说，今儿晚上我就去莱柯格斯，希望明天我了解到更多情况。可是，您瞧，这个奥尔登姑娘……人家是赤贫如洗的庄稼人，知道吧……是给莱柯格斯的格里菲思公司做工的，而这个侄子克莱德。格里菲思，据我了解，就是主管她工作的那个部门的。

""Ｔｓｔ!

Ｔｓｔ!

Ｔｓｔ!

"验尸官突然插嘴。

"就在上星期二她动身去旅行以前，她在家里待了一个月……病了，"(他说到这个词儿，特别加重了语气)"而在那一段时间里，她给他至少写过十封信，也许比这些还多哩。我是从那个邮递员那儿了解到的。我这儿还有他的佐证誓词。

"他轻轻地拍了一下自己的外套。"全都是写给莱柯格斯的克莱德。格里菲思的。

甚至他的住处门牌号码我都有。还有这姑娘她寄住的那户人家姓啥名啥的，我也都知道。我已在比尔茨跟那儿打过电话了。今儿晚上，我打算带那位老人家跟我一块去莱柯格斯，万一发现什么，也许他多少会知道呢。""是啊，是啊，奥维尔。我懂了。我明白了。敢情是格里菲思家的!

"海特又卷起舌头咯咯地说。

"不过，我想跟您谈的，是有关验尸的事，"这时，梅森干脆利索地说。"您知道，我心里一直在琢磨，他之所以杀死她，不可能仅仅是因为他不愿意跟她结婚。依我看，这好象不合情理。"接着，他给海特说出了许多想法，使他作出了罗伯达已经怀孕的结论。他的意见马上得到海特的同意。

"哦，那就是说，需要进行尸体解剖，"海特继续说下去。"还得对这些伤痕的性质作出医学上的结论。在尸体从这儿运走以前，我们必须了解得一清二楚，连一点儿怀疑的影儿都没有，弗雷德;而且还得了解清楚:

那个姑娘到底是先被杀死，随后从船上甩出去呢，还是刚刚昏倒，然后被甩出去的，还是仅仅因为翻了船。这对本案关系极端重要，您自个儿也明白。我们要是对这些事实了解得都不够，那简直就什么也办不成了。不过，这儿医学界的人士怎么样?

您觉得他们里头谁有能耐，条分缕析，说明所有这些问题，因此，他们出庭时所说的话，叫谁都驳不倒。"梅森对此犹豫不决。他已经在拟定起诉方案了。

"是啊，关于那件事，奥维尔，"海特慢条斯理地回答说。"我可还说不准。

也许您的判断要比我高明。我已经请米切尔大夫明天过来看看她。也还请了贝茨。不过，要是还有其他医生您认为满意的……巴沃，或是科德沃特的林肯……那末，巴沃您觉得怎么样?

""依我看，还是尤蒂卡的韦伯斯特好，"梅森接着说。"要不然就是比米斯，或是干脆他们二位都请来。象这么一个案子，听听四五个专家的意见，不算太多吧。"这时，海特感到自己肩上的责任重大，找补着说:

"哦，我看您的主意不错，奥维尔。也许四五个人比一两个人会更好些。不过，这么说来，验尸就得推迟一两天，要等我们把这些医生请到这儿来以后才进行。""您说得对!

您说得对!

"梅森继续说道。"不过，那样一来也好，因为我今儿晚上就要去莱柯格斯，也许还能发现些什么。事前这就很难说了。说不定我在那儿能抓住他。至少我希望能这样。要不然，也许我碰巧发现什么新线索，使这个案子的脉络显得更清晰些。因为我觉得这会变成轰动一时的大事，弗雷德。

我知道……这是我……同时也是您……接办最棘手的一个案子，而且，从今以后，我们每一步怎么个走法，非得慎之再慎不可。看来此人很有钱，知道了吧。

要是这样的话，他就会反击。除此以外，还有他那家亲戚会支持他。

"他用自己不安的手拢了一下乱蓬蓬的头发，便接下去说:

"得了，那样一来也好。第二件事，就是去请尤蒂卡的比米斯和韦伯斯特……最好今儿晚上打个电报给他们，嗯，或者打个电话给他们。还有奥尔巴尼的斯普鲁尔。而为了不要伤了自己人和气，也许最好还得把本地医生林肯和贝茨也请来。也许还有巴沃，"他脸上勉强露出一丝笑容。"得了，弗雷德，我该走了。设法要让他们不是在明天来，而是到星期一或是星期二来。也许到时候我可以回来了，我又跟你们在一块了。要是可能的话，您最好星期一把他们请到这儿来……知道吧，越早越好……到时候，再看看我们究竟了解清楚了哪些问题。"他走到抽屉跟前，又取出了几张传票。随后到外间通知奥尔登一会儿他们就要动身走了。再关照伯利打个电话给梅森太太。伯利就向她说明梅森先生匆匆忙忙出差去了，星期一前可能回不来。

他们到尤蒂卡一共花了三个钟头，再等了一个钟头，才搭上开往莱柯格斯的火车。而在火车上又花去了一小时又二十分钟，大约在七点钟光景，他们终于到达莱柯格斯。一路上，奥维尔。梅森拚命从这个沮丧的。阴郁的泰特斯那儿搜集有关他和罗伯达过去卑微生活的片断回忆……她的慷慨大方，她的百依百顺，她的德行贞操，她的心地善良，还有往昔她工作过的那些地方和工作环境，当时她挣过多少钱，她挣来的钱又是怎么花的……这些事情虽然都很微不足道，可梅森还是深受感动。

梅森跟泰特斯一起到达莱柯格斯以后，就马上赶到莱柯格斯旅馆，给这个老人定了个房间，让他就在那儿歇息。稍后，他前往地方检察官办公室，因为他必须得到该处授权，方才可以在他的地区进行检察工作，此外还可得到一名警官受他调遣。后来又配备了一名身强力壮的便衣侦探，于是，他径直向泰勒街克莱德的住处走去，心里恨不得就在那儿逮住他。殊不知出来接见他们的是佩顿太太，说克莱德住是住在这儿，只不过眼下人不在(上星期二走的……据她估摸……是上第十二号湖访客去了)。因此，梅森碰了一鼻子灰，只好开门见山地说:

第一，他是卡塔拉基县地方检察官;第二，因为在大比腾湖淹死了一位姑娘，其中有不少疑点，足以使他们相信克莱德那时是跟那姑娘在一块的。所以，现在他非得进克莱德房间不可。佩顿太太听他这么一说，简直吓了一跳，马上往后退缩，脸上露出惊愕。骇怕而又不肯相信的神色。

"不是克莱德。格里菲思先生吧!

啊，多滑稽!

怎么搞的，他是塞缪尔。格里菲思先生的亲侄子，在这儿谁都认得他。要是您一定要了解有关他的情况，我想，他们府上当然会告诉你们的。不过，象这类事……啊，恐怕是不可能的!

"她两眼直望着梅森和那个给她看过证章的本地侦探，好象怀疑他们两人是不是老实，是不是持有这一权力的。

这时，对这种情况司空见惯的那个侦探，早已站到佩顿太太背后通往楼上的楼梯脚下。梅森就从口袋里把他一直细心妥善保管的搜捕证掏了出来。

"非常抱歉，太太。不过，我不能不请您领我们去看看他的房间。这儿是搜查证，而这儿的警官就是听我指挥的。"她马上明白跟法律斗是白搭，便用她抖抖索索的手指了一下克莱德的房间，但在她心里依然觉得这是非常愚蠢。很不公道和侮辱性的错误。

但是他们两人一进入克莱德的房间，便开始这儿看看，那儿瞧瞧。他们一下子发觉有一只不很牢靠的小箱子，上了锁，置放在一个角落里。侦探方斯马上把它掂量了一下，看看它有多大份量;梅森则开始察看房间里每一件东西……所有抽屉里。盒子里，所有衣服口袋里的东西。在五斗柜抽屉里，除了有几件扔掉的内衣。衬衫，以及特朗布尔家。斯塔克家。格里菲思家。哈里特家一些过时的请柬以外，他还发现有一页是在记事本上的，克莱德从自己办公桌上带回家的，上面写着:

"二月二十日，星期三，斯塔克家晚饭"……下面是:

"二十二日，星期五，特朗布尔家"……梅森马上把这些笔迹跟他口袋里那张卡片上的笔迹比较了一下，笔迹完全相同，从而深信自己确实来到了他所要追缉的那个人的房间，便把请柬带走，随后望了一眼那只箱子。这时，那个侦探也在琢磨着怎么对付这只箱子。

"这个该怎么办，长官?

您要一块带走，还是就在这儿打开?

""我想，"梅森严肃地说。"我们最好就在这儿打开，方斯。回头我再把它取走。不过，现在我倒要了解一下，里头有些什么东西。"侦探立刻从口袋里掏出一把很沉的凿子，又向四处张望，再想寻摸一把锤子。

"这箱子并不很坚固，"他说，"我想，只要您说句话，我就一下子把它踢开。

"这时，佩顿太太一见此状，惊呆了，心里按捺不住，真巴望他们不要采取这么粗暴行动，便大声喊道:

"如果你们要锤子，我是可以给的。不过，为什么不可以等一下，找个铜匠师傅来呀?

啊，我可一辈子从没听说过这种事。"可是侦探一拿到锤子，把锁撬开之后，只见箱子顶上面那一小格里，有一些克莱德不重要的零星衣饰用品……短袜。领子。领带。一条围巾。吊袜带。

一件扔掉的球衫。一双不怎么好的冬天穿的长统皮靴。一只烟嘴。一只红漆烟灰缸，还有一双溜冰鞋。不过，除了这些以外，角落里有一包捆得紧紧的东西，里头有罗伯达最后从比尔茨写给他的十五封信，还有她去年送给他的一帧小照;另外有一个小包，里头有桑德拉给他的全部信件和请柬，一直到她动身去松树岬以前所写的信也都有。至于桑德拉从那儿写来的信……克莱德则带在身边，紧贴在他的胸口。而那第三个包里的东西(更能说明他的犯罪行为)，里头有他母亲写来的十一封信，头两封寄到芝加哥邮局留交哈里。特纳特……这一看就令人感到非常可疑……而包里还有一些信，则是寄给克莱德。格里菲思的，不仅有寄到芝加哥联谊俱乐部转交的，而且也有寄到莱柯格斯的。

地方检察官不再看箱子里头还有什么东西，而是马上把这些信打开来看了……他一开头看完了罗伯达寄来的头三封信……他一看这廉价信纸怪可怜的……她在信里暗示克莱德在堪萨斯城生活放荡和那次不幸事故，才逼得他从堪萨斯城出逃的，同时还非常关切而又温情脉脉地规劝他以后该怎样走正道……一句话，使平素克制自己，社会经验有限的梅森得到这么一个总的印象，就是:

此人自幼起即染有放荡不羁。误入歧途的劣根性。

同时，梅森才惊奇地获悉，克莱德尽管在这里可以得到有钱的伯父的照顾，显然还是属于格里菲思家族中贫困而又笃信宗教的一分支。要是在平常的情况下，这也许就能让梅森对克莱德多少表示同情。但是，这时，由于受到桑德拉的短信，罗伯达那些令人动怜的信，以及他母亲提到他昔日在堪萨斯城作奸犯科的影响，梅森便深信，就克莱德这种本性来说，他不仅能暗中策划这类罪行，而且还能惨无人道地付诸实施。至于在堪萨斯城的罪行，梅森必须给该城的地方检察官拍发电报，索取详细材料。

他心里一面琢磨着这些问题，一面开始看桑德拉的那些便条。请柬，或是情书，虽然看时一目十行，但还是很尖锐。敏感。所有这些信都写在洒着浓郁香水。印有她芳名开头英文字母缩写的那些个人专用信纸上，信一次比一次写得更亲密，到后来，总是这么开头:

"克莱德，我的心肝宝贝"，或是"最甜蜜的黑眼睛"，或是"我最最亲爱的小伙子"，下款签名是"桑达"，或是"属于你的桑德拉"。而且，里头有好几封是最近才写的，比如，五月十日。五月十五日。五月二十六日的信，或是象梅森刚才发觉到的，正当罗伯达那些最悲切的信开始寄到的时候写的。

如今，一切都已昭然若揭了。克莱德一面偷偷地诱惑玩弄一个姑娘，一面又厚颜无耻，骗取另一个显然属于本地上流社会姑娘的爱情。

梅森被这惊人的发现所吸引，又瞠目结舌了。他同时又意识到，现在决不是坐着沉思默想的时候。断断乎不是。这只箱子必须马上送到莱柯格斯旅馆去。

随后，只要可能的话，他必须去侦查出这个人确切下落，再设法拘捕他。他一面下令侦探打电话给警察局，设法将箱子送到他在莱柯格斯旅馆的房间，一面急忙赶到塞缪尔。格里菲思的住邸，但是发现他们全家人一个都不在城里。他们通通到格林伍德湖上去了。不过，跟格林伍德湖那儿通了电话获悉，就他们所知，这个克莱德。格里菲思，他们的侄子，这会儿正在第十二号湖畔。在沙隆附近克兰斯顿家别墅里，隔邻就是芬奇利家别墅。梅森心里早把芬奇利这个名字。沙隆这个小镇与克莱德联系在一起了，于是，他马上得出结论:

只要他还在那一带转悠，那他一定是在那里……说不定就在寄给他这许多信和请柬(刚才他已看过了)的那个姑娘桑德拉。芬奇利的避暑别墅里。而且，天鹅号船长不是说过，他看见那个来自三英里湾的年轻人是在那儿上岸了吗?

啊，我知道了!

我把他抓住了!

梅森仔细考虑过他下一步行动方案后，便决定亲自到沙隆和松树岬去。现在他既然已得知克莱德的外貌特征，就把这些材料，连同克莱德是这一谋杀案的嫌疑犯。应予逮捕一事，通知了莱柯格斯地方检察官和警察局长。此外，他还通知了布里奇伯格执法官牛顿。斯莱克，以及海特和他自己的助手，敦促他们三位马上去沙隆，他将在那儿跟他们会面。

同时，他装得好象是替佩顿太太代劳似的，跟松树岬克兰斯顿家的别墅通了一个长途电话。接电话的是那儿的一个男管家，梅森向他打听克莱德。格里菲思会不会碰巧在他们那儿。"是的，先生，他是在这儿，先生。不过，这会儿他不在，先生。我看，也许他上湖的那头露营去了，先生。有什么话要转告吗，先生?

"然后，他回答梅森继续提出的一些问题，说他连自个儿也都说不准……恐怕他们一拨人上大约三十英里远的熊湖玩儿去了，不过，什么时候回来，他可说不上来……一两天内恐怕回不来。不过，这个克莱德肯定是跟他们那拨人在一块的。

梅森马上又一次跟布里奇伯格执法官通话，要他带上四五个人跟他一起去。

这样，他们可以在沙隆分头追捕，不管他在哪儿，就在那儿逮住他。然后把他关在布里奇伯格监狱里，依照法定的程序，他可以把这些惊人的事实招供出来，因此，迄至今日，看来杀害罗伯达。奥尔登的凶手肯定是他了。
Part 3 Chapter 6
In the interim the mental state of Clyde since that hour when, the water closing over Roberta, he had made hisway to the shore, and then, after changing his clothes, had subsequently arrived at Sharon and the lakeside lodgeof the Cranstons, was almost one of complete mental derangement, mainly caused by fear and confusion in hisown mind as to whether he did or did not bring about her untimely end. At the same time at the lakeside therealization that if by any chance he were then and there found, skulking south rather than returning north to theinn at Big Bittern to report this seeming accident, there would be sufficient hardness and cruelty to the look of itall to convince any one that a charge of murder should be made against him, had fiercely tortured him. For, as henow saw it, he really was not guilty--was he, since at the last moment he had experienced that change of heart?
　　But who was going to believe that now, since he did not go back to explain? And it would never do to go backnow! For if Sondra should hear that he had been on this lake with this factory girl--that he had registered withher as husband and wife . . . God!
　　And then trying to explain to his uncle afterwards, or his cold, hard cousin--or all those smart, cynical Lycurguspeople! No! No! Having gone so far he must go on. Disaster--if not death--lay in the opposite direction. Hewould have to make the best of this terrible situation--make the best of this plan that had ended so strangely and somewhat exculpatorily for him.
　　And yet these woods! This approaching night. The eerie loneliness and danger of it all now. How now to do,what to say, if met by any one. He was so confused--mentally and nervously sick. The crackle of a twig and heleaped forward as a hare.
　　And in this state it was that, after having recovered his bag and changed his clothes, wringing out his wet suit andattempting to dry it, then packing it in his bag under some dry twigs and pine-needles and burying the tripodbeneath a rotting log, that he plunged into the woods after night had fallen. Yet meditating more and more on hisvery strange and perilous position. For supposing, just as he had unintentionally struck at her, and they had falleninto the water and she uttered those piercing and appealing cries, there had been some one on the shore--someone watching--one of those strong, hardy men whom he had seen loitering about during the day and who mighteven at this moment be sounding a local alarm that would bring a score of such men to the work of hunting forhim this very night! A man hunt! And they would take him back and no one would ever believe that he had notintentionally struck her! They might even lynch him before he could so much as secure a fair trial. It waspossible. It had been done. A rope around his neck. Or shot down in these woods, maybe. And without anopportunity to explain how it had all come about--how harried and tortured he had been by her for so long. Theywould never understand that.
　　And so thinking he hurried faster and faster--as fast as strong and serried and brambly young firs and deadbranches that cracked most ominously at times would permit, thinking always as he went that the road to ThreeMile Bay must be to his right hand, the moon to his left when it should rise.
　　But, God, what was that?
　　Oh, that terrible sound!
　　Like a whimpering, screeching spirit in this dark!
　　There!
　　What was it?
　　He dropped his bag and in a cold sweat sunk down, crouching behind a tall, thick tree, rigid and motionless withfear.
　　That sound!
　　But only a screech-owl! He had heard it several weeks before at the Cranston lodge. But here! In this wood! Thisdark! He must be getting on and out of here. There was no doubt of that. He must not be thinking such horrible,fearful thoughts, or he would not be able to keep up his strength or courage at all.
　　But that look in the eyes of Roberta! That last appealing look! God! He could not keep from seeing it! Hermournful, terrible screams! Could he not cease from hearing them--until he got out of here anyhow?
　　Had she understood, when he struck her, that it was not intentional--a mere gesture of anger and protest? Didshe know that NOW, wherever she was--in the bottom of the lake--or here in the dark of these woods beside him,mayhap? Ghosts! Hers. But he must get out of this--out of this! He must--and yet the safety of these woods, too.
　　He must not be too brash in stepping out into any road, either. Pedestrians! People in search of him, maybe! Butdid people really live after death? Were there ghosts? And did they know the truth? Then she must know--buthow he plotted before that, too. And what would she think of that! And was she here now reproachfully andgloomily pursuing him with mistaken accusations, as true as it might be that he had intended to kill her at first?
　　He had! He had! And that was the great sin, of course. Even though he had not killed her, yet something haddone it for him! That was true.
　　But ghosts--God--spirits that might pursue you after they were dead, seeking to expose and punish you--seekingto set people on your track, maybe! Who could tell? His mother had confessed to him and Frank and Esta andJulia that she believed in ghosts.
　　And then at last the moon, after three such hours of stumbling, listening, waiting, perspiring, trembling. No onein sight now, thank God! And the stars overhead--bright and yet soft, as at Pine Point where Sondra was. If shecould see him now, slipping away from Roberta dead in that lake, his own hat upon the waters there! If she couldhave heard Roberta's cries! How strange, that never, never, never would he be able to tell her that because of her,her beauty, his passion for her and all that she had come to mean to him, he had been able to . . . to . . . to . . .
　　well, ATTEMPT this terrible thing--kill a girl whom once he had loved. And all his life he would have this withhim, now,--this thought! He would never be able to shake it off--never, never, never. And he had not thought ofthat, before. It was a terrible thing in its way, just that, wasn't it?
　　But then suddenly there in the dark, at about eleven o'clock, as he afterwards guessed, the water having stoppedhis watch, and after he had reached the highroad to the west--and walked a mile or two,-- those three men, quick,like ghosts coming out of the shadow of the woods. He thought at first that having seen him at the moment hehad struck Roberta or the moment afterward, they had now come to take him. The sweating horror of thatmoment! And that boy who had held up the light the better to see his face. And no doubt he had evinced mostsuspicious fear and perturbation, since at the moment he was most deeply brooding on all that had happened,terrorized really by the thought that somehow, in some way, he had left some clue that might lead directly tohim. And he did jump back, feeling that these were men sent to seize him. But at that moment, the foremost, atall, bony man, without appearing to be more than amused at his obvious cowardice, had called, "Howdy,stranger!" while the youngest, without appearing to be suspicious at all, had stepped forward and then turned upthe light. And it was then that he had begun to understand that they were just countrymen or guides--not a possein pursuit of him--and that if he were calm and civil they would have no least suspicion that he was the murdererthat he was.
　　But afterward he had said to himself--"But they will remember me, walking along this lonely road at this hourwith this bag, won't they?" And so at once he had decided that he must hurry--hurry--and not be seen by anyothers anywhere there.
　　Then, hours later and just as the moon was lowering toward the west, a sickly yellow pallor overspreading thewoods and making the night even more wretched and wearisome, he had come to Three Mile Bay itself--a small collection of native and summer cottages nestling at the northernmost end of what was known as the IndianChain. And in it, as he could see from a bend in the road, a few pale lights still twinkling. Stores. Houses. Streetlamps. But all dim in the pale light--so dim and eerie to him. One thing was plain--at this hour and dressed as hewas and with his bag in hand, he could not enter there. That would be to fix curiosity as well as suspicion onhim, assuredly, if any one was still about. And as the launch that ran between this place and Sharon, fromwhence he would proceed to Pine Point, did not leave until eight-thirty, he must hide away in the meantime andmake himself as presentable as possible.
　　And accordingly re-entering a thicket of pines that descended to the very borders of the town, there to wait untilmorning, being able to tell by a small clock-face which showed upon the sides of a small church tower, when thehour for emerging had arrived. But, in the interim debating,--"Was it wise so to do?" For who might not be hereto wait for him? Those three men--or some one else who might have seen?--Or an officer, notified fromsomewhere else. Yet deciding after a time that it was best to go just the same. For to stalk along in the woodswest of this lake--and by night rather than day--seeing that by day he might be seen, and when by taking this boathe could reach in an hour and a half--or two hours at the most--the Cranston lodge at Sharon, whereas bywalking he would not arrive until to-morrow,--was not that unwise, more dangerous? Besides, he had promisedSondra and Bertine that he would be there Tuesday. And here it was Friday! Again, by tomorrow, might not ahue and cry be on--his description sent here and there--whereas this morning--well, how could Roberta havebeen found as yet? No, no. Better this way. For who knew him here--or could identify him as yet with either CarlGraham or Clifford Golden. Best go this way,--speedily, before anything else in connection with her developed.
　　Yes, yes. And finally, the clock-hands pointing to eight-ten, making his way out, his heart beating heavily as hedid so.
　　At the foot of this street was the launch which steamed from here to Sharon. And as he loitered he observed thebus from Raquette Lake approaching. It now occurred to him, if he encountered any one he knew on the steamerdock or boat, could he not say that he was fresh from Raquette Lake, where Sondra, as well as Bertine, had manyfriends, or in case they themselves came down on the boat, that he had been there the day before. What matterwhose name or lodge he mentioned--an invented one, if need be.
　　And so, at last, making his way to the boat and boarding it. And later at Sharon, leaving it again and without, ashe thought, appearing to attract any particular attention at either end. For, although there were some elevenpassengers, all strangers to him, still no one other than a young country girl in a blue dress and a white straw hat,whom he guessed to be from this vicinity, appeared to pay any particular attention to him. And her glances wereadmiring rather than otherwise, although sufficient, because of his keen desire for secrecy, to cause him to retireto the rear of the boat, whereas the others appeared to prefer the forward deck. And once in Sharon, knowing thatthe majority were making for the railway station to catch the first morning train down, he followed briskly intheir wake, only to turn into the nearest lunch-room in order to break the trail, as he hoped. For although he hadwalked the long distance from Big Bittern to Three Mile Bay, and previously had rowed all afternoon, andmerely made a pretense of eating the lunch which Roberta had prepared at Grass Lake, still even now he was nothungry. Then seeing a few passengers approaching from the station, yet none whom he knew, he joined theseagain as though just coming to the inn and launch from the train.
　　For at this time there had come to him the thought that this south train from Albany, as well as Utica being duehere at this hour, it was only natural that he should seem to come on that. Pretending first, therefore, to be going to the station, yet stopping en route to telephone Bertine and Sondra that he was here, and being assured that acar rather than a launch would be sent for him, he explained that he would be waiting on the west veranda of theinn. En route also he stopped at a news stand for a morning paper, although he knew there could be nothing in itas yet. And he had barely crossed to the veranda of the inn and seated himself before the Cranston carapproached.
　　And in response to the greeting of the Cranston family chauffeur, whom he knew well, and who smiled mostwelcomingly, he was now able to achieve a seemingly easy and genial smile, though still inwardly troubled byhis great dread. For no doubt by now, as he persistently argued with himself, the three men whom he had methad reached Big Bittern. And by now both Roberta and he must assuredly have been missed, and maybe, whoknows, the upturned boat with his hat and her veil discovered! If so, might they not have already reported thatthey had seen such a man as himself, carrying a bag, and making his way to the south in the night? And, if so,would not that, regardless of whether the body was found or not, cause them to become dubious as to whether adouble drowning had occurred? And supposing by some strange chance her body should come to the surface?
　　Then what? And might there not be a mark left by that hard blow he had given her? If so, would they not suspectmurder, and his body not coming up and those men describing the man they had seen, would not Clifford Goldenor Carl Graham be suspected of murder?
　　But neither Clifford Golden nor Carl Graham were Clyde Griffiths by any means. And they could not possiblyidentify Clyde Griffiths--with either Clifford Golden or Carl Graham. For had he not taken every precaution,even searching through Roberta's bag and purse there at Grass Lake while at his request after breakfast she hadgone back to see about the lunch? Had he not? True, he had found those two letters from that girl, TheresaBouser, addressed to Roberta at Biltz, and he had destroyed them before ever leaving for Gun Lodge. And as forthat toilet set in its original case, with the label "Whitely-Lycurgus" on it, while it was true that he had beencompelled to leave that, still might not any one--Mrs. Clifford Golden, or Mrs. Carl Graham--have bought that inWhitely's, and so without the possibility of its being traced to him? Assuredly. And as for her clothes, evenassuming that they did go to prove her identity, would it not be assumed, by her parents as well as others, thatshe had gone on this trip with a strange man by the name of Golden or Graham, and would they not want thathushed up without further ado? At any rate, he would hope for the best--keep up his nerve, put on a strong,pleasant, cheerful front here, so that no one would think of him as the one, since he had not actually killed her,anyhow.
　　Here he was in this fine car. And Sondra, as well as Bertine, waiting for him. He would have to say that he wasjust up from Albany--had been on some errand over there for his uncle which had taken all of this time sinceTuesday. And while he should be blissfully happy with Sondra, still here were all of those dreadful things ofwhich now all of the time he would be compelled to think. The danger that in some inadvertent way he had notquite covered all the tracks that might lead to him. And if he had not! Exposure! Arrest! Perhaps a hasty andunjust conviction--punishment, even! Unless he was able to explain about that accidental blow. The end of allhis dreams in connection with Sondra--Lycurgus--the great life that he had hoped for himself. But could heexplain as to that? Could he? God!

自从湖水吞没了罗伯达，克莱德游到岸边，换了衣服，终于来到了沙隆克兰斯顿家别墅。在这段时间里，克莱德的心态简直完全象发了狂似的。这主要是因为他自己心里既害怕，又慌乱，怎么都闹不明白:

究竟是不是他促使罗伯达这样夭折的。同时，他在湖滨时便意识到:

万一此时此地有人发现他偷偷往南走，而不是往北走回大比腾湖客栈，去报告这件仿佛意外的不幸事故，那末，这一切看起来是太惨无人道了，谁都会断然控告他犯了杀人罪。这一闪念剧烈地折磨着他。因为，这时他觉得自己实在是无罪的……他不是在那最后一刹那就回心转意了吗?

不过，既然他没有回去作一交待，现在还有谁会相信他呢?

而如今再回去也是要不得!

因为，要是桑德拉听说他跟这个厂里的女工一块到过这个湖上……住店时还把她一起登记为夫妇……老天哪!

以后，还得向他伯父，或是他那个冷酷无情的堂兄吉尔伯特详细交待，或是向所有那些惯于冷嘲热讽的莱柯格斯的年轻阔少详细交待!

不!

不!

已经走到这一步了，他就得一直走下去。走回头路……即使不死……也将是大祸临头。他必须善于化险为夷……充分利用结局如此不可思议的这么一个计划，这个有那么一点儿是为他开脱罪责的结局。

可是这些树林子呀!

这个正在逼近的黑夜呀!

这四周围令人骇怕的荒凉，以及它所隐藏的种种危险呀!

这时万一碰上什么人，那怎么办，该说什么才好?

他已是方寸大乱了……濒临心理。精神崩溃的边缘。一根小树桠枝嘎吱一响，他就会拔脚往前一蹦跳，活象一头野兔子。

先前他已经找到了自己的手提箱，换了衣服，一个劲儿拧他透湿的衣服，想让它快点儿干，然后装入他那放在一堆干枯树枝和松针底下的手提箱，又把那副三脚架埋在一根烂圆木头底下。他就在这么一种心态下，等到天黑以后，才躲进了树林子。不过，他却一个劲儿在苦思冥想着目前自己奇怪的险境。因为假定说，当他只是出于无心地砸着她一下，他们两人都落了水，而她尖声喊叫救命时，万一岸上有什么人……这些身强力壮的人(白天他就看到他们到处转悠着)里头……有一个人看在眼里，此刻也许就在本地危言耸听，乱说一通，备不住今儿晚上就有一。二十个人来围捕他!

象打猎那样围捕他!

而且，他们会把他押回去，谁都不信他不是存心砸她的!

甚至他还没等到公正审判以前，说不定他们早就给他动了私刑。这是很可能的。过去常有过这类事。只要一根绳索套上他的脖子。要不然，说不定在树林子就地给毙了。甚至不给你机会说一说这件事的来龙去脉……多久以来，她是怎样紧逼他，折磨他。这些谁都不会知道的。

他一面这么想，一面越走越快……在这些茁壮。茂密。刺人的小枞树丛里，在脚下时而极为不祥地噼啦作响的枯树枝堆里，自己能走多快，就走多快。他一面走，心里老是在这么琢磨:

去三英里湾的路一定是在他的右边，而月亮要是升起，肯定在他的左边了。

可是，老天哪，这是什么呀?

啊，这可怕的声响!

好象是一个在黑暗中啜泣。尖叫的精灵!

瞧!

那是什么呀?

他放下自己的手提箱，浑身冒冷汗匐伏地上，蜷缩在一棵参天大树后头，直吓得呆若木鸡。

那多吓人的声音!

原来只是一头凶枭!

好几个星期前，他在克兰斯顿家别墅听到过它的尖叫声。

可是在这儿!

在这树林子里!

在这四顾茫茫的黑暗里!

他必须一直往前走，走出树林子。那是用不着怀疑的。他必须甩掉类似这些可怕。吓人的念头，不然他就连一点儿力量和勇气也都没有了。

可是罗伯达的眼色呀!

她那最后求救的眼色呀!

老天哪!

如今始终浮现在他眼前呀!

她那凄惨的。可怕的尖叫声呀!

在他耳际始终回响着……至少一直到他走出了树林子!

她会不会知道，他砸着她原是出于无心……仅仅表示忿怒和抗议罢了?

现在她会不会知道，且不管她是在哪儿……在湖底……说不定是在这漆黑一团的树林子里，也许就在他身边?

难道说有鬼!

她的阴魂。不过，他非得走出这树林子不可……走出这树林子!

他非得走出去不可。可他在这些树林子里又是多么安全呀。

他也千万不能轻率地走大路呀。什么地方有过往行人!

说不定是正在追捕他的那些人!

不过，人死了以后，真的还有生命吗?

有鬼吗?

他们会知道全部真相吗?

那时，她一定会知道的，不过，他在这以前是怎样策划的，她也会知道的。那她对此会有怎样的想法呢?

这时，她会不会在这里，满怀怨恨。忧伤，出于错误的指控紧跟在他背后呢?

一开头可能他确实存心要将她杀害，他确实是存心呀!

他确实是存心呀!

这，当然罗，是犯了滔天大罪。即便是他并没有将她杀害，但是发生了的事情替他这么干了!

这可是实话。

可是，鬼……上帝……精灵，它死后会紧跟着你，一个劲儿揭发你，惩罚你……说不定还会叫别人跟踪追寻你!

有谁说得准呀?

过去他母亲对他。对弗兰克。爱思德。朱丽娅都说过她自己相信有鬼的。

接下来整整三个钟头，他一面走，一面不断摔交，听声响，等呀等的，冒冷汗，浑身抖索，最后月亮终于升起来了。现在四下里见不到有人影儿，谢天谢地!

还有，头顶上……星星……亮晶晶的，可又很温柔，如同在桑德拉那儿的松树岬一样。现在要是她能看见他从葬身湖底的罗伯达那儿偷偷溜了，而他自己的帽子却漂浮在那湖面上呢!

要是她还能听到罗伯达的尖叫声呢!

真怪，他永远。永远。永远都不能告诉她，就是为了她，为了她的美丽，为了迷恋她，以及为了他觉得她将对自己具有极其重要的意义，他才有可能……可能……可能……嗯，试图完成这一可怕的事……将从前他爱过的那个姑娘杀害。这个念头将紧紧跟着他一辈子!

他永远都甩不掉了……永远，永远，永远也甩不掉。这在以前正是他始料所不及。要知道这事简直是太可怕了，可不是?

但在他到达向西的公路后，又走了一两英里，据后来他估摸大约是十一点钟(因为进了水，他的表不走了)，突然黑咕隆咚出现了那三个人，有如鬼魂一溜烟从树林子阴影里闪了出来。开头他暗自寻思，他们是在他砸了罗伯达时，或是在这以后没多久就看见了，现在是来抓他的。这多吓人的时刻呀!

还有那个举起灯仔细端详他脸孔的孩子呀。毫无疑问，一定从他脸上发觉最最让人怀疑的惧怕和窘困的神色，因为那时他正好愁眉苦脸地冥想着这已发生过的一切情景;又转念一想，他好象留下一些线索，很可能直接追查到他头上来，一下子把他吓坏了。而且，当时他确实往后一跳，以为那些人是派来抓他的。可是就在这时，走在最前头的那瘦高个儿的男子，一见他胆小如鼠的窘态，好象只是觉得挺好玩，冲他喊道:

"你好，过路人!

"而年纪最轻的那一个，仿佛压根儿没有疑心似的，大步流星往前走去，并把灯捻得更亮了。直到这时他方才明白，他们只不过都是乡巴佬，或是导游……并不是追捕他的民团……只要他能泰然自若。

彬彬有礼，人家一点儿也不会疑心他是真正的凶手。

然而过后他自言自语道……"可能他们会记得我，是在这么一个时刻，拎着这只手提箱，沿着这条荒凉的小路走去，可不是吗?

"于是，他马上决定，必须赶快走……赶快走……不要再跟那儿什么人撞见了。

以后，又过了好几个钟头，月儿西沉了，给树林子抹上一层浅黄的灰白色，让人觉得这夜晚变得更凄惨难受了。于是，克莱德步行来到了三英里湾……这是本地居民以及避暑别墅组成的小村落，坐落在印第安钱恩河北头。他从路上转弯处眺望，见到那儿有几盏惨白的灯光还在闪烁。还有商铺。房子。街灯。

可他觉得，在惨淡的月光底下，好象它们几乎黯淡无光……昏惨惨如同阴曹冥府似的。有一点，他心里显然很明白……在这么一个时刻，象他这身穿着打扮，手里又拎着箱子，他是断断乎不能上那儿去的。不然的话，那儿要是还有人发觉了他，瞧他这副德行，肯定一下子使人感到好奇和疑心。再说，来往于三英里湾和沙隆(他可以从沙隆再去松树岬)之间的小汽船，八点半以前不会开船。现在他就得先躲一躲，并尽可能让自己体面些，方才可以见人。

因此，他又走进了一直延伸到村沿的松林子，想在那儿一直等到天亮。他望着小教堂钟楼上那座小小的四面钟，就知道该出去的时间到了。可是，在那段时间里，他心中一直在七上八下地担心……"这样做是不是妥当?

"说不定有人就在那儿等着他，可不是吗?

就是那三个人……或是其他也许看见过他的人?

……或是一名警官，从哪儿得到了什么消息。但是，不一会儿，他决定最好还是进村去。因为，在这湖西树林子里行走……是在夜里而不是在白天……在白天说不定他会被别人看见，要知道他只要一搭上这小汽船，一个半钟头……至多两个钟头……便可以到达克兰斯顿家在沙隆的别墅，而要是步行，明天才能到得了……那不是很蠢，而且比较危险吗?

再说，他早就答应过桑德拉和伯蒂娜，说他将在星期二到那儿。可今天已是星期五了!

说不定到明天就会闹得满城风雨，开始缉捕……有关他的外貌特征，将在各处张贴公告……而在今天早上……嗯，罗伯达哪能很快就被发现呢?

不，不。最好还是进村去。因为到了那儿，有谁知道他呢……谁能证明他跟卡尔。格雷厄姆。克利福德。戈尔登就是同一个人呢?

最好还是向村子里走去……赶快走，趁人们对罗伯达的情况还不怎么知道。是的，正是这样。最后，当时针指八点十分时，他终于走了出去，可心儿却在怦然乱跳。

开往沙隆的小汽船，停泊在这条街的尽头。他正在慢慢走去的时候，蓦然间看见来自拉凯特湖的公共汽车驶过来。他心里顿时想到，要是在码头上或是汽船上碰见什么熟人，他不是可以说刚从拉凯特湖上来吗?

反正桑德拉和伯蒂娜在那儿就有很多朋友;要不然，万一她们自己从船上下来，不是可以说他前天就在那儿了吗?

只要随便提一下哪个人或是哪个别墅的名字，必要时索性杜撰就得了。

他就这样终于走到船边，上了船。后来到沙隆上了岸。据他回想起来，好象来去两头都没有特别引人注意。因为，虽然看十来个乘客，他全不认识的，但好象并没有哪一个对他特别注意，除了一个身穿蓝衣服。头戴白草帽的乡下姑娘。据他估摸，她是附近本地人吧。而且，她眼里流露出来的，是爱慕，而不是别的什么神色。可是，因为他竭力要想避免被人看见，她这一眼色也就足以使他一再退缩到船尾，而别的乘客仿佛都喜欢到前面甲板上去。一到沙隆，他知道大多数人是去火车站赶早上头班车，也就连忙跟在他们后头，只是到了最近一家便餐馆，他却踅了进去，正如他所希望的，要甩掉盯梢的尾巴。虽说他从大比腾湖步行到三英里湾，路程很长，而且前一天又划了整整一个下午船，只是装装样子，才吃了一点罗伯达在草湖准备好的午餐点心，可是，即使到了现在，他也还不觉得肚子饿。随后，见到几个旅客正从车站走过来，里头并没有熟人，他就又跟他们走在一块，好象他是刚下火车来到旅馆，准备上汽船码头的。

这时，他猛地想到:

从奥尔巴尼和尤蒂卡开来的南行车，马上就到了，他佯装搭乘这趟车来的，这才是合情合理呢。因此，他先是佯装去火车站，在半路上给伯蒂娜和桑德拉打电话，说他已经到了这里。她们给他的回话是，要派汽车(而不是汽艇)来接他，于是他说他就在旅馆西头游廊等着。路上他在报摊上买了一份晨报，虽然他知道现在报上还不会刊登有关此事的消息。他刚到旅馆的游廊落了座，克兰斯顿家的车子就到了。

他所熟识的克兰斯顿家那个汽车夫，向他一面问好，一面非常殷勤地向他微笑。克莱德好歹装得好象乐乐呵呵，一点儿都不拘谨地也向他报以微笑，尽管自己心怀巨大的恐惧而非常忐忑不安。因为，他总是一个劲儿对自己说，毫无疑问，他碰到的三个人，这时早已到了大比腾。而且，到了此刻，当然发现罗伯达和他都已失踪了。也许，谁知道呢，那条底儿朝天的船，还有他的草帽和她的面纱，也都被发现了!

要是这样，也许他们三人早就去报告，说他们路上看见过象他这么一个人，拎着手提箱，连夜往南走，可不是吗?

要是这样，不管她的尸体找到没有，人们不就会怀疑这一对恋人是不是真的溺死了?

万一由于某种奇缘，罗伯达的尸体已漂浮到水面上呢?

那时该怎么办?

他狠狠地砸了她一下，说不定会在她脸上留下一处伤痕，可不是吗?

要是这样，人们不是就会疑心这是谋杀吗?

何况那具男尸还没有下落，刚才那几个人会说出他们见过的人是什么模样儿，那末，人们肯定怀疑克利福德。戈尔登或是卡尔。格雷厄姆就是杀人犯。

不过，克利福德。戈尔登也好，卡尔。格雷厄姆也好，断断乎都不是克莱德呀。而且，人们不可能确认克莱德。格里菲思……与克利福德。戈尔登或是卡尔。格雷厄姆就是同一个人。因为他不是事事都很小心翼翼吗?

早餐过后，她应他的请求回去准备午餐点心时，他甚至在草湖就把罗伯达的手提箱和手提包搜查过一遍。可不是吗?

不错，他发现一个名叫特丽莎。布塞的姑娘寄给比尔茨的罗伯达的两封信，但在动身去冈洛奇前，他就把那两封信销毁了。至于装在原来那只盒子里头的化妆用品，上面有"莱柯格斯……怀特利"的商标，他只好让它留下来，反正不管是什么人……克利福德。戈尔登太太也好，还是卡尔。格雷厄姆太太也好，都有可能上怀特利商店买那东西，因此就不可能追查到他头上来，可不是吗?

当然罗，肯定不会的。至于罗伯达的衣服，即使能证明她就是罗伯达，难道她的父母，以及所有其他人，不会承想她是跟一位名叫戈尔登或是格雷厄姆的陌生人一块旅游吗?

恐怕他们也恨不得把这一丑闻马上掩盖起来吧?

不管怎么说，克莱德心里净往最好结果想……要善于控制自己，装出一副镇定。

轻松。愉快的样子来。让这里谁都不会怀疑他就是那个人，因为说实话，反正他并没有杀害她呀!

如今他又坐上这辆漂亮汽车了。桑德拉和伯蒂娜正等着他哩。他还得说明，他刚从奥尔巴尼来……是替他伯父出差去那里的，所以把星期二以后他的全部时间都给占用了。本来跟桑德拉在一起，他应该感到无比幸福，可是现在即使在这里，他还不能不时刻想到所有这些可怕的事。所有那些蛛丝马迹，只要他稍一疏忽，没有掩盖好，都可能追查到他头上来，那有多危险呀。万一他真的没有掩盖好呢!

被揭发出来!

抓了起来!

说不定就在仓卒之间，作出了公正的判决……甚至受到刑罚!

除非他能把那意外的一砸交待清楚了。要不然，他对桑德拉，对莱柯格斯所充满的梦想，他心心念念盼着的荣华富贵的生活，就全成了泡影。不过那种事他能交待清楚吗?

他能行吗?

老天哪!
Part 3 Chapter 7
From Friday morning until the following Tuesday noon, moving amid such scenes as previously had soexhilarated and enthralled him, Clyde was now compelled to suffer the most frightful fears and dreads. For,although met by Sondra, as well as Bertine, at the door of the Cranston lodge, and shown by them to the room hewas to occupy, he could not help but contrast every present delight here with the danger of his immediate andcomplete destruction.
　　As he had entered, Sondra had poutingly whispered, so that Bertine might not hear: "Baddie! Staying down therea whole week when you might have been up here. And Sondra planning everything for you! You ought to have agood spanking. I was going to call up to-day to see where you were." Yet at the same time her eyes conveyingthe infatuation that now dominated her.
　　And he, in spite of his troubled thoughts achieving a gay smile,--for once in her presence even the terror ofRoberta's death, his own present danger appeared to dwindle. If only all went well, now,--nothing were traced tohim! A clear path! A marvelous future! Her beauty! Her love! Her wealth. And yet, after being ushered to hisroom, his bag having been carried in before him, at once becoming nervous as to the suit. It was damp andwrinkled. He must hide it on one of the upper shelves of a closet, maybe. And the moment he was alone and thedoor locked, taking it out, wet and wrinkled, the mud of the shores of Big Bittern still about the legs--yetdeciding perhaps not--perhaps he had better keep it locked in his bag until night when he could better decidewhat to do. Yet tying up in a single bundle, in order to have them laundered, other odds and ends he had wornthat day. And, as he did so, terribly, sickeningly conscious of the mystery and drama as well as the pathos of hislife--all he had contacted since his arrival in the east, how little he had in his youth. How little he had now,really. The spaciousness and grandeur of this room as contrasted with the one he occupied in Lycurgus. Thestrangeness of his being here at all after yesterday. The blue waters of this bright lake without as contrasted withthe darker ones of Big Bittern. And on the green-sward that reached from this bright, strong, rambling house,with its wide veranda and striped awnings to the shore of the lake itself, Stuart Finchley and Violet Taylor,together with Frank Harriet and Wynette Phant, in the smartest of sport clothes, playing tennis, while Bertine andHarley Baggott tolled in the shade of a striped marquee swing.
　　And, he himself, after bathing and dressing, assuming a jocular air although his nerves remained tense and hismood apprehensive. And then descending to where Sondra and Burchard Taylor and Jill Trumbull were laughingover some amusing experiences in connection with motor-boating the day before. Jill Trumbull called to him ashe came out: "Hello, Clyde! Been playing hookey or what? I haven't seen you in I don't know when." And he,after smiling wistfully at Sondra, craving as never before her sympathy as well as her affection, drawing himselfup on the railing of the veranda and replying, as smoothly as he could: "Been working over at Albany sinceTuesday. Hot down there. It's certainly fine to be up here to-day. Who's all up?" And Jill Trumbull, smiling: "Oh,nearly every one, I guess. I saw Vanda over at the Randalls' yesterday. And Scott wrote Bertine he was comingto the Point next Tuesday. It looks to me as though no one was going over to Greenwood much this year." Andthen a long and intense discussion as to why Greenwood was no longer what it had been. And then Sondraexclaiming: "That reminds me! I have to phone Bella to-day. She promised to come up to that horse show overat Bristol week after next, sure." And then more talk of horses and dogs. And Clyde, listening intently in hisanxiety to seem an integral part of it all, yet brooding on all that so desperately concerned him. Those three men.
　　Roberta. Maybe they had found her body by now--who could tell, yet saying to himself--why so fearsome? Wasit likely that in that depth of water--fifty feet maybe, for all he knew--that they would find her? Or that they could ever identify him with Clifford Golden or Carl Graham? How could they? Hadn't he really and trulycovered his tracks except for those three men? THOSE THREE MEN! He shivered, as with cold, in spite ofhimself.
　　And then Sondra, sensing a note of depression about him. (She had determined from his obvious lack ofequipment on his first visit that perhaps the want of money was at the bottom of his present mood, and soproposed later this day to extract seventy-five dollars from her purse and force that upon him in order that at nopoint where petty expenditures should be required, should he feel the least bit embarrassed during his stay thistime.) And after a few moments, thinking of the short golf course, with its variety of concealing hazards forunseen kisses and embraces, she now jumped up with: "Who's for a mixed foursome? Come on, Jill, Clyde,Burch! I'll bet Clyde and I can turn in a lower card than you two can!""I'll take that!" exclaimed Burchard Taylor, rising and straightening his yellow and blue striped sweater, "even ifI didn't get in until four this morning. How about you, Jilly? If you want to make that for the lunches, Sonny, I'lltake it."And at once Clyde wincing and chilling, for he was thinking of the miserable twenty-five dollars left him fromall his recent ghastly adventures. And a lunch for four here would cost not less than eight or ten dollars! Perhapsmore. At the same time, Sondra, noting his expression, exclaimed: "That's a go!" and drawing near to Clydetapped him gently with her toe, exclaiming: "But I have to change. I'll be right down. In the meantime, Clyde, I'lltell you what you do--go and find Andrew and tell him to get the clubs, will you? We can go over in your boat,can't we, Burchy?" And Clyde, hurrying to find Andrew, and thinking of the probable cost of the lunch if he andSondra were defeated, but being caught up with by Sondra and seized by the arm. "Wait a minute, honey, I'll beright back." Then dashing up the steps to her room, and in a moment down again, a handful of bills she hadreserved shut tightly in her little fist: "Here, darling, quick!" she whispered, taking hold of one of Clyde's coatpockets and putting the money into it. "Ssh! Not a word, now! Hurry! It's to pay for the lunch in case we lose,and some other things. I'll tell you afterwards. Oh, but I do love you, baby boy!" And then, her warm, browneyes fixed on him for a moment in profound admiration, dashing up the stairs again, from where she called:
　　"Don't stand there, silly! Get the golf clubs! The golf clubs!" And she was gone.
　　And Clyde, feeling his pocket and realizing that she had given him much--plenty, no doubt, for all of his needswhile here, as well as to escape if need be. And exclaiming to himself: "Darling!" "Baby girl!" His beautiful,warm, generous Sondra! She loved him so--truly loved him. But if ever she should find out! Oh, God! And yetall for her, if she only knew. All for her! And then finding Andrew and returning with him carrying the bags.
　　And here was Sondra again, dancing down in a smart green knitted sports costume. And Jill in a new cap andblouse which made her look like a jockey, laughing at Burchard who was at the wheel of the boat. And Sondracalling back to Bertine and Harley Baggott in the swing as she was passing: "Hey, fellows! You won't come,eh?""Where?""Casino Golf Club.""Oh, too far. See you after lunch on the beach, though."And then Burchard shooting the boat out in the lake with a whir that set it bounding like a porpoise--and Clydegazing half in a dream, half delight and hope and the other half a cloud of shadow and terror, with arrest anddeath, maybe, stalking close behind. For in spite of all his preliminary planning, he was beginning to feel that hehad made a mistake in openly coming out of the wood this morning. And yet had it not been best, since the onlyalternative was that of remaining there by day and coming out at night and following the shore road on foot toSharon? That would have required two or three days. And Sondra, anxious as well as curious about the delay,might have telephoned to Lycurgus, thereby raising some question in regard to him which might have proveddangerous later might it not?
　　But here now, this bright day, with seemingly no cares of any kind, for these others at least, however dark andbleak his own background might be. And Sondra, all gayety because of his presence, now jumping up, her brightscarf held aloft in one hand like a pennant, and exclaiming foolishly and gayly: "Cleopatra sailing to meet--tomeet--who was it she was sailing to meet, anyhow?""Charlie Chaplin," volunteered Taylor, at the same time proceeding to ricochet the boat as roughly and erraticallyas possible in order to make her lose her balance.
　　"Oh, you silly!" returned Sondra, spreading her feet sufficiently apart to maintain her equilibrium, and adding forthe benefit of Burchard: "No, you don't either, Burchy," then continuing: "Cleopatra sailing, a-a-oh, I know,aquaplaning," and throwing her head back and her arms wide, while the boat continued to jump and lurch like afrightened horse.
　　"See if you can upset me now, Burchy," she called.
　　And Burchard, throwing the boat from side to side as swiftly as he dared, with Jill Trumbull, anxious for her ownsafety, calling: "Oh, say, what do you want to do? Drown us all?" at which Clyde winced and blanched as thoughstruck.
　　At once he felt sick, weak. He had never imagined that it was going to be like this; that he was going to suffer so.
　　He had imagined that it was all going to be different. And yet here he was, blanching at every accidental andunintended word! Why, if he were put to any real test--an officer descending on him unexpectedly and askinghim where he had been yesterday and what he knew of Roberta's death--why, he would mumble, shiver, not beable to talk, maybe--and so give his whole case away wouldn't he! He must brace up, try to look natural, happy-mustn'the--for this first day at least.
　　Fortunately in the speed and excitement of the play, the others seemed not to notice the startling effect of theremark upon him, and he managed by degrees to recover his outward composure. Then the launch approachedthe Casino and Sondra, wishing to execute some last showy stunt, jumped up and catching the rail pulled herselfup, while the boat rolled past only to reverse later. And Clyde, because of a happy smile in his direction, wasseized by an uncontrollable desire for her--her love, sympathy, generosity, courage. And so now, to match hersmiles, he jumped up and after assisting Jill to the steps, quickly climbed up after her, pretending a gayety andenthusiasm that was as hollow inwardly as outwardly it was accurate.
　　"Gee! Some athlete you are!"And then on the links a little later with her, and under her guidance and direction, playing as successful a gameas it was possible with his little experience and as troubled as he was. And she, because of the great delight ofhaving him all to herself in shadowy hazards where they might kiss and embrace, beginning to tell him of aproposed camping trip which she, Frank Harriet, Wynette Phant, Burchard Taylor, her brother Stuart, GrantCranston and Bertine, as well as Harley Baggott, Perley Haynes, Jill Trumbull and Violet Taylor, had beenorganizing for a week, and which was to begin on the morrow afternoon, with a motor trip thirty miles up thelake and then forty miles east to a lake known as Bear, along which, with tents and equipment, they were tocanoe to certain beaches and scenes known only to Harley and Frank. Different days, different points. The boyswould kill squirrels and catch fish for food. Also there would be moonlight trips to an inn that could be reachedby boat, so they said. A servant or two or three from different homes was to accompany them, as well as achaperon or two. But, oh, the walks in the woods! The opportunities for love--canoe trips on the lake--hours ofuninterrupted love-making for at least a week!
　　In spite of all that had occurred thus far to give him pause, he could not help thinking that whatever happened,was it not best to go? How wonderful to have her love him so! And what else here could he do? It would takehim out of this, would it not--farther and farther from the scene of the--of the--accident and in case any one werelooking for any one who looked like him, for instance-- well, he would not be around where he could be seen andcommented upon. THOSE THREE MEN.
　　Yet, as it now instantly occurred to him, under no circumstances must he leave here without first finding out asdefinitely as possible whether any one was as yet suspected. And once at the Casino, and for the moment leftalone, he learned on inquiring at the news stand that there would be no Albany, Utica, or any local afternoonpaper there until seven or seven-thirty. He must wait until then to know.
　　And so although after the lunch there was swimming and dancing, then a return to the Cranstons with HarleyBaggott and Bertine--Sondra going to Pine Point, with an agreement to meet him afterwards at the Harriets' fordinner--still his mind was on the business of getting these papers at the first possible opportunity. Yet unless, ashe now saw, he was so fortunate as to be able to stop on his way from the Cranstons' to the Harriets' and soobtain one or all, he must manage to come over to this Casino in the morning before leaving for Bear Lake. Hemust have them. He must know what, if anything, was either being said or done so far in regard to that drownedcouple.
　　But on his way to Harriets' he was not able to get the papers. They had not come. And none at the Harriets'
　　either, when he first arrived. Yet sitting on the veranda about a half hour later, talking with the others althoughbrooding as to all this, Sondra herself appeared and said: "Oh, say, people! I've got something to tell you. Twopeople were drowned this morning or yesterday up at Big Bittern, so Blanche Locke was telling me just nowover the phone. She's up at Three Mile Bay today and she says they've found the body of the girl but not the manyet. They were drowned in the south part of the lake somewhere, she said."At once Clyde sat up, rigid and white, his lips a bloodless line, his eyes fixed not on anything here but rather thedistant scene at Big Bittern--the tall pines, the dark water closing over Roberta. Then they had found her body.
　　And now would they believe that his body was down there, too, as he had planned? But, listen! He must hear inspite of his dizziness.
　　"Gee, that's tough!" observed Burchard Taylor, stopping his strumming on a mandolin. "Anybody we know?""She says she didn't hear yet.""I never did like that lake," put in Frank Harriet. "It's too lonely. Dad and I and Mr. Randall were up there fishinglast summer, but we didn't stay long. It's too gloomy.""We were up there three weeks ago--don't you remember, Sondra?" added Harley Baggott. "You didn't care forit.""Yes, I remember," replied Sondra. "A dreadfully lonely place. I can't imagine any one wanting to go up there foranything.""Well, I only hope it isn't any one we know from around here," added Burchard, thoughtfully. "It would put acrimp in the fun around here for a while, anyhow."And Clyde unconsciously wet his dry lips with his tongue and swallowed to moisten his already dry throat.
　　"I don't suppose any of to-day's papers would have anything about it yet. Has any one looked?" inquired WynettePhant, who had not heard Sondra's opening remark.
　　"There ain't no papers," commented Burchard Taylor. "Besides, it's not likely yet, didn't Sondra say she justheard it from Blanche Locke over the phone? She's up near there.""Oh, yes, that's right."And yet might not that small local afternoon paper of Sharon--The Banner, wasn't it--have something as to this?
　　If only he could see it yet to-night!
　　But another thought! For Heaven's sake! It came to him now for the first time. His footprints! Were there any inthe mud of that shore? He had not even stopped to look, climbing out so hastily as he did. And might there nothave been? And then would they not know and proceed to follow him--the man those three men saw? CliffordGolden! That ride down this morning. His going out to the Cranstons' in their car. That wet suit over in the roomat the Cranstons'! Had any one in his absence been in his room as yet to look, examine, inquire--open his bag,maybe? An officer? God! It was there in his bag. But why in his bag or anywhere else near him now? Why hadhe not hidden it before this--thrown it in the lake here, maybe, with a stone in it? That would keep it down. God!
　　What was he thinking in the face of such a desperate situation as this? Supposing he did need the suit!
　　He was now up, standing--mentally and physically frozen really--his eyes touched with a stony glaze for the moment. He must get out of here. He must go back there, at once, and dispose of that suit--drop it in the lake-hideit somewhere in those woods beyond the house! And yet--he could not do that so swiftly, either--leave soinstantly after this light conversation about the drowning of those two people. How would that look?
　　And as instantly there came the thought--no--be calm--show no trace of excitement of any kind, if you canmanage it--appear cool--make some unimportant remark, if you can.
　　And so now, mustering what nervous strength he had, and drawing near to Sondra, he said: "Too bad, eh?" Yet ina voice that for all its thinly-achieved normality was on the borderline of shaking and trembling. His knees andhis hands, also.
　　"Yes, it certainly is," replied Sondra, turning to him alone now. "I always hate to hear of anything like that, don'tyou? Mother worries so about Stuart and me fooling around these lakes as it is.""Yes, I know." His voice was thick and heavy. He could scarcely form the words. They were smothered, choked.
　　His lips tightened to a thinner white line than before. His face grew paler still.
　　"Why, what's the matter, Clydie?" Sondra asked, of a sudden, looking at him more closely. "You look so pale!
　　Your eyes. Anything wrong? Aren't you feeling well tonight, or is it this light out here?"She turned to look at some of the others in order to make sure, then back at him. And he, feeling the extremeimportance of looking anything but the way she was describing him now drew himself up as best he could, andreplied: "Oh, no. It must be the light, I guess. Sure, it's the light. I had--a--a hard day yesterday, that's all. Ishouldn't have come over to-night, I suppose." And then achieving the weirdest and most impossible of smiles.
　　And Sondra, gazing most sympathetically, adding: "Was he so tired? My Clydie-mydie boy, after his workyesterday. Why didn't my baby boy tell me that this morning instead of doing all that we did today? Want me toget Frank to run you down to the Cranstons' now? Or maybe you'd like to go up in his room and lie down? Hewon't mind, I know. Shall I ask him?"She turned as if to speak to Frank, but Clyde, all but panic-stricken by this latest suggestion, and yet angling foran excuse to leave, exclaimed earnestly and yet shakily: "Please, please don't, darling. I--I--don't want you to. I'llbe all right. I'll go up after a bit if I want to, or maybe home a little early, if you're going after a while, but notnow. I'm not feeling as good as I should, but I'll be all right."Sondra, because of his strained and as she now fancied almost peevish tone, desisted with: "All right, honey. Allright. But if you don't feel well, I wish you would let me get Frank to take you down or go upstairs. He won'tmind. And then after a while--about ten-thirty--I'll excuse myself and you can go down with me to your place.
　　I'll take you there before I go home and whoever else wants to go. Won't my baby boy do something like that?"And Clyde saying: "Well, I think I'll go up and get a drink, anyhow." And disappearing in one of the spaciousbaths of the Harriet home, locking the door and sitting down and thinking, thinking--of Roberta's bodyrecovered, of the possibilities of a bruise of some kind, of the possibility of the print of his own feet in the mudand sandy loam of the shore; of that suit over at the Cranstons', the men in the wood, Roberta's bag, hat and coat,his own liningless hat left on the water--and wondering what next to do. How to act! How to talk! Whether to go downstairs to Sondra now and persuade her to go, or whether to stay and suffer and agonize? And what wouldthe morrow's papers reveal? What? What? And was it wise, in case there was any news which would make itlook as though eventually he was to be sought after, or in any way connected with this, to go on that proposedcamping trip tomorrow! Or, wiser, to run away from here? He had some money now. He could go to New York,Boston, New Orleans where Ratterer was--but oh, no--not where any one knew him.
　　Oh, God! The folly of all his planning in connection with all this to date! The flaws! Had he ever really plannedit right from the start? Had he ever really imagined, for instance, that Roberta's body would be found in that deepwater? And yet, here it was--risen so soon--this first day--to testify against him! And although he had signed ashe had on those registers up there, was it not possible now, on account of those three men and that girl on thatboat, for him to be traced? He must think, think, think! And get out of here as soon as possible, before anythingreally fatal in connection with that suit should happen.
　　Growing momentarily weaker and more terrorized, he now decided to return to Sondra below, and say that hewas really feeling quite sick and that if she did not object he would prefer to go home with her, if she couldarrange it. And consequently, at ten-thirty, when the evening still had hours to go, Sondra announced to Burchardthat she was not feeling well and would he run her and Clyde and Jill down to her place, but that she would seethem all on the morrow in time for the proposed departure for Bear Lake.
　　And Clyde, though brooding as to whether this early leaving on his part was not another of those wretched errorswhich had seemed to mark every step of this desperate and murderous scheme so far, finally entering the swiftlaunch and being raced to the Cranston lodge in no time. And once there, excusing himself to Burchard andSondra as nonchalantly and apologetically as might be, and then hurrying to his own room only to find the suit ashe had left it-- no least evidence that any one had been there to disturb the serenity of his chamber. Just the same,nervously and suspiciously, he now took it out and tied it up, and then waiting and listening for a silent momentin which to slip from the house unobserved--finally ambled out as though going for a short walk. And then, bythe shore of the lake--about a quarter of a mile distant from the house--seeking out a heavy stone and tying thesuit to that. And then throwing it out into the water, as far as his strength would permit. And then returning, assilently and gloomily and nervously as he had gone, and brooding and brooding as to what the morrow mightreveal and what, if any appeared to question him, he would say.

从星期五早上起一直到下个星期二下午，克莱德虽然置身于昔日里曾让她那么狂喜倾倒的环境里，可是心中却不能不感到无比惊恐。从桑德拉和伯蒂娜在克兰斯顿家别墅大门口迎接他，一直到把他领进留给他住的那个房间，他总是禁不住把眼前每一种乐趣跟他即将遭到的灭顶之灾作对照。

他刚进房，桑德拉怕给伯蒂娜听见，就嘟起嘴，低声说:

"缺德鬼!

整整一星期，本该早就来这儿，你却偏偏赖在那儿。可桑德拉什么都给你准备好啦!

真该好好揍你一顿。我想在今天给你打电话，看看你到底是在哪儿。"可她眼里却流露出对他的一片痴心。

克莱德尽管心乱如麻，好歹也乐呵呵地冲她微微一笑……因为，一到她面前，所有一切恐怖，即使是罗伯达之死也好，还是他自己目前的危险也好，仿佛都骤然变小了。但愿如今一切顺顺当当……他丝毫不被暴露出来就好了!

前头就是康庄大家!

令人惊异的未来!

她的美!

她的爱!

她的财富!

然而，一走进他的手提箱早就安放在那里的他的房间，那套衣服一下子就使他慌了神。要知道那套衣服潮呼呼。皱巴巴的。他非把它藏起来不可，也许就藏在衣柜最上头的某一格吧。等到房间里只剩他一个人，房门也锁上了，他就把那套衣服……湿漉漉。

皱巴巴，裤腿四周还带着大比腾湖边的泥巴……拿出来。不过，他又决定，也许先不去动它……说不定最好照旧锁在他箱子里，等到晚上再说。到时候，也许他可以决定该怎么处置最好。可是，他把那天穿的其他零碎衣物束成一捆，打算拿出去洗。可他一束好，却不觉黯然神伤，想到他这一辈子竟是如此不可思议，富于戏剧性，而又多么令人为之动怜……他到东部来以后的遭际，他少年时代的穷困。说实话，现在他还是不名一文啊。眼前这个房间，跟他在莱柯格斯那个小房间相比，该有多么宽敞，多么豪华。昨天才过去，他本人终于来到了这里，该有多奇怪呀。窗外蓝莹莹的湖水，跟大比腾黑糊糊的湖水恰成对比。这幢明亮。坚固。布局很散的宅邸，还有宽大的游廊，带有条纹的天篷，并且从它绿油油的草坪一直延伸到湖边。斯图尔特。芬奇利。维奥莱特。泰勒，还有弗兰克。哈里特。威南特。范特都穿着最漂亮的运动衣，正在打网球;而伯蒂娜和哈利。巴戈特正懒洋洋地躺在一张带条纹的大帐篷底下。

他洗过澡，换过衣服以后，装出一副挺轻松的样子，尽管他的神经依然很紧张，心里充满惧怕。他走出屋子，正向桑德拉。伯查德。泰勒。杰尔。特朗布尔他们那边走去。这时，他们正为前天汽艇上一件什么有趣的事哈哈大笑。

杰尔。特朗布尔冲他喊道:

"喂，克莱德!

溜了，还是怎么的?

我觉得好象很久没看见你啦。"他先是若有所思地向桑德拉笑笑，这时特别需要得到她的同情和爱情，随后扶住游廊的栏杆，尽可能心平气和地回答说:

"我从星期二起一直在奥尔巴尼办事。那儿真热呀。今天我上这儿来，当然高兴极了。这儿都来了哪些人?

"杰尔。

特朗布尔笑着说:

"哦，依我看，差不多全来了。昨天我在兰德尔家，就见到过范达。还有斯科特写信给伯蒂娜，说他下星期二来松树岬。我看，今年去格林伍德湖的，好象人数不是非常多。"接下来是一场又长又热烈的讨论:

为什么格林伍德湖今不如昔了。这时，桑德拉突然喊道:

"天哪，我差点儿给忘了!

今天，我得给贝拉打电话。她答应下星期来布里斯托尔看赛马。"然后就马呀。狗呀谈了一通。尽管克莱德焦急地装成自己跟大伙儿一样洗耳恭听，其实，他心里还在默想着自己性命交关的那些事。他路遇的那三个人。罗伯达。她的尸体说不定这时已经找到了……有谁说得准哩。可他又自言自语道……干吗要这么骇怕?

湖水那么深，据他知道，也许有五十英尺，恐怕未必就找得到她吧?

再说，人们怎能知道他就是……克利福德。戈尔登，或是卡尔。格雷厄姆呢?

怎么会知道呢?

不是他把自己所有的痕迹确实都给掩盖过去了，除了他路遇的那三个人?

就是那三个人呀!

他禁不住浑身发抖了，就象得了寒颤似的。

桑德拉一下子觉察到他神情有些沮丧。(这回他头一次来访，她一见到他随身带的东西显然太少，就断定目前他心境不佳，也许因为手头没有钱用。因此，她打算就在当天自己掏腰包，拿出七十五块美元，硬要他收下，以便他这次逗留在这儿如果要花一点零用钱至少也不会感到狼狈。)过了一会儿，她一想到高尔夫球场，球道左右有不少隐蔽的障碍物，要在那儿接吻。拥抱而不被人看见，便跳了起来说:

"谁来双打高尔夫球?

杰尔。克莱德。伯奇(伯奇:

即伯查德的昵称。)，一块来吧!

我敢打赌，克莱德跟我，准把你们两个赢了!

""我来!

"伯查德。泰勒喊道，站了起来，整一整他身上那件黄蓝两色条纹运动衫。"哪怕我到今天凌晨四点钟才回家。你怎么样，杰利(杰利:

即杰尔的昵称。)?

要是输了，请大伙儿吃饭，小伙计同意吗?

"克莱德马上抖索起来，浑身发冷。他想到自己经过最近可怖的冒险以后，只剩下二十五块美元，怪可怜的了。可是四个人在这里吃饭，至少也得破费八到十块美元!

说不定还不止此数。但桑德拉一发觉他面有窘色，便大声喊道:

"得了，一言为定!

"随后，走到克莱德身边，用脚尖轻轻地踢踢他，喊道:

"不过我还得换衣服哩。一会儿就来。得了，克莱德，我说你这就去找安德鲁，关照他把球棍准备好，怎么样?

我们就坐你的船去，伯奇，是吧?

"克莱德连忙去找安德鲁，心中正盘算他跟桑德拉要是输了的话，请客就得花多少钱，不料却被桑德拉赶上来，一把拽住他的胳臂。"等一会儿，亲爱的。我马上就来。"说完，她冲上楼梯，直奔自己房间，一眨眼又下来了，她那小手紧攥着给自己留着的一叠钞票:

"喂，亲爱的，快拿去吧!

"她低声耳语道，一面抓住克莱德外套的一只口袋，把钱掖了进去。"嘘!

得了，一句话也别说!

快走!

万一我们输了，就付饭钱，还可以派别的用场。回头我再跟你说。啊，我可真疼你，小宝贝!

"她那热情的褐色眼睛深深爱慕地盯住了他一会儿，又冲上了楼梯，到了楼上还在大声嚷嚷:

"别站在那儿呀，小傻瓜!

去拿高尔夫球棍!

高尔夫球棍!

"说罢，她就倏然不见了。

克莱德摸摸自己口袋，知道她给了他很多钱……多得很，毫无疑问，够他支付在这里所有开销了;万一他出逃的话，也够用了。他不禁暗自喊道:

"亲爱的!

""小姑娘!

"他那美丽。热情。大方的桑德拉呀!

她是那么爱他……真心地爱他。可是，万一她知道了!

哦，老天哪!

不过，万一她知道，这一切本来都是为了她呀。

一切都是为了她呀!

随后，他找到了安德鲁，又跟着手提袋子的安德鲁一块回来了。

这时，桑德拉又露面了，她穿着一套漂亮的绿色运动衣，蹦蹦跳跳下来。

还有杰尔头戴一顶崭新鸭舌帽，一身工装打扮，活象一位职业赛马骑师，对着驾驶汽艇的伯查德格格大笑。桑德拉走过时，还向躺在大帐篷底下的伯蒂娜和哈利。巴戈特招呼道:

"喂，你们二位呀!

你们还不跟我们一块走，嗯?

""上哪儿去?

""夜总会高尔夫球俱乐部。""哦，太远了。反正午饭后湖边见面吧。"于是，伯查德把马达一发动，汽艇猛地向湖中飞也似的冲去，活象一头海豚，跳跃式前进……克莱德两眼直勾勾地凝望前方，一会儿如同在梦中，兴高采烈。充满希望，一会儿却又置身在大群幽灵与恐怖之中，说不定紧紧地跟在后头的，就是……逮捕和死呀。尽管他事前对一切都作好了准备，可他现在却开始觉得，今早不隐蔽起来，反而从树林子里走出来，确实是犯了错误。不过，话又说回来，眼前这办法恐怕不见得不是上策吧，因为要不然只有一条路，就是白天躲在树林子里，到天黑才上路，沿着湖边那条路步行到沙隆去。那就得走上两三天光景。而且，桑德拉见他迟迟不来，心里既焦急而又奇怪，说不定会给莱柯格斯打电话，查问他的下落，其后果也许更危险，可不是吗?

不过此时此地，在这晴朗的日子里，好象无忧无虑似的，至少人家都是这样……可他内心深处，也许是一片苍凉。黑暗。桑德拉因为跟他在一起，简直心花怒放，突然跳了起来，一手高高地扯起她那条鲜艳的围巾，如同一面旗似的，傻乎乎。乐呵呵地大声嚷嚷说:

"克莉奥佩特拉(克莉奥佩特拉(公元前６９—公元３０年):

古埃及一末代女王，以艳丽闻名，有权势欲，先为恺撒情妇，后与罗马执政安东尼结婚。安东尼溃败后又欲勾引渥大维，未遂，以毒蛇自杀。莎士比亚据此著有名剧《安东尼和克莉奥佩特拉》。)启航去会见……会见……哦，她到底是去会见谁呀?

""查利。卓别麟(卓别麟(１８８９—１９７７):

英国著名电影艺术家。喜剧大师，１９１３年移居美国，集编。导。演于一身，在无声片中创造了一个个可笑而又令人同情的小人物形象，因而举世闻名。)，"泰勒马上抢白了一句，还一个劲儿使汽艇颠簸得够呛，让桑德拉站也站不稳。

"哦，你这傻瓜!

"桑德拉回话说。她一面叉开两脚，好让身子保持平稳，一面对伯查德说:

"不，你也不知道，伯奇。"接下来又补充说:

"克莉奥佩特拉登上了，哎哟哟，我知道了……快艇牵行的滑水板。"她把脑袋往后一仰，两臂敞开，汽艇象一匹受惊的马继续在狂奔乱跳。

"瞧吧，你现在能把我摔倒吗，伯奇?

"她大声喊道。

伯查德很快使汽艇时而侧向这一边，时而又侧向另一边。杰尔。特朗布尔替她自己的安全着急，便高声喊道:

"啊，怎么啦，你们想干什么?

非把我们通通淹死不成?

"克莱德马上往后一退缩，面色煞白，就象挨了雷击似的。

他猛地感到恶心，浑身无力，他从没有想到过自己会象此刻这样非得受罪不可。原来他以为这儿一切几乎不会是这样的。可是，在这里一听到别人偶然无心说出"淹死"这个词儿，他的脸就发白了!

啊，要是他真的受到严峻考验……一名警官突然来找他，讯问他昨天是在什么地方，对于罗伯达的死他知道哪些情况……啊，他包管支支吾吾说不清，浑身上下发抖，也许连话儿都说不出来……不用说，他也就彻底暴露出来了，可不是吗!

不，他必须精神振作起来，尽量装得自然。乐乐呵呵，可不是吗……至少头一天就应该这样。

多亏汽艇开得飞快，大家玩得也挺痛快，好象并没有注意到刚才杰尔那句适竟使克莱德吓了一大跳，因此，他才得以逐渐恢复镇静的样子。这时，汽艇已开到了夜总会。最后，桑德拉很想露一手，出出风头，便纵身往码头一跳，随手抓住码头铁栏杆，好不容易才算攀登上去。这时，汽艇摇摇晃晃撞了一下码头，反而往后退去了。就是因为桑德拉向他粲然一笑，克莱德怎么也控制不住自己迷恋于她。她的爱。她的同情。她的大方和她的勇气。为了响应她那一笑，他就纵身往上一跳，帮助杰尔登上码头石阶，自己很快跟在她后头拾阶而上，装出一副兴高采烈的样子……这从外表上看，尽管装得维妙维肖，内心深处可虚伪透顶。

"啊!

你真是个顶呱呱的运动员!

"稍后，克莱德跟她一起来到了高尔夫球场上。本来对此他毫无经验，此刻又心乱如麻，但在她的点拨下打得还算过得去。而她因为现在打球时可以独自来到隐蔽的地方，跟他接吻。拥抱，真是乐不可支，就开始把拟议中的露营一事告诉了他，原来她和弗兰克。哈里特。威南特。范特。伯查德。泰勒。她弟弟斯图尔特。格兰特。克兰斯顿。伯蒂娜，以及哈利。巴戈特。珀利。海恩斯。

杰尔。特朗布尔和维奥莱特。泰勒已筹备了一星期，明天下午动身，坐汽艇沿湖而上，行程三十英里，然后往东再走四十英里，到达一个名叫熊湖的湖。他们随身带上帐篷和其他设施，还要坐上小划子环湖一周，到达只有哈利和弗兰克才知道的一些风景独好的湖边景点去。打算每天换个新的湖湾玩儿。小伙子们可以打松鼠。捉鱼佐餐。还打算踏着月光夜游呢，那儿有一家小旅馆，他们说不妨坐船去。每家派一个或两三个仆人陪着他们一起去，出于体面起见，还可以捎上一两个年纪稍大些的女伴。啊，漫步在树林子里的小路上!

谈情说爱的大好机会……在湖上悠然划着小划子……至少一星期里，他们俩可以情意缱绻，难解难分!

尽管最近那些事不免让他有些迟疑不定，可他还是不由得想到:

不管出了什么事，跟他们一块去那里，岂不是上策吗?

桑德拉那么爱他，该有多美!

而且在这里，他不这样还能有什么别的办法呢?

好让他离开那一切，可不是吗……远远地离开那个……那个……出事地点。而且，比方说，万一有人在寻找外貌跟他相象的人……得了，反正他本人不在场，可以避免被人家看到和议论。可是他在路上遇到的那三个人啊。

不过，他又马上想到:

在没有确切了解清楚人们有没有还在怀疑谁之前，他无论如何不能从这里出走。因此，他一到夜总会，趁他独自一人之际向报摊打听后，知道在七点钟或是七点半钟以前，奥尔巴尼的报纸。尤蒂卡的报纸，或是本地任何一家午后报，都还没有到。他必须等到那时候，才能得到确切消息。

午饭后，虽然大家去游泳。跳舞，还跟哈利。巴戈特。伯蒂娜回到克兰斯顿家去……桑德拉则去松树岬，跟他约定在哈里特家见面吃晚饭……可他心里还是老惦着尽早把那些报纸弄到手。不过，他也明白，除非他运气那么好，在从克兰斯顿家去哈里特家的路上顺便能把所有报纸都弄到，哪怕是一份也好，不然的话，明天动身去熊湖以前，他还得设法一清早上这个夜总会去一趟。他非得把这些报纸弄到手不可。他还得了解清楚，特别是有关一对恋人双双溺死一事，至今人们怎么议论，或是开始了缉查没有。

可他在去哈里特家的路上并没有买到报纸。报纸还没有到。他头一个到哈里特家，那儿也一样，一份报纸都还没有。不过过了半个钟头光景，他正坐在游廊里跟别人聊天，心里却在默想着那些事，这时桑德拉先声夺人说:

"喂，各位听我说!

我向你们报告一条最新消息。今天凌晨，也许是在昨天，有两个人在大比腾湖给淹死了。这是布兰奇。洛克刚才在电话里告诉我的。她今天正好在三英里湾。她说，那位女郎的尸体已找到了，可是那具男尸还没有下落。据她说，这一对男女是在湖的南面某某地方淹死的。"克莱德顿时为之惊呆，脸色煞白，嘴唇上一点儿血色都没有，两眼直勾勾地望着的不是他眼前的景物，而是相当遥远的大比腾湖的肇事地点……那些参天的松树。那吞没了罗伯达的黑糊糊的湖水。那就是说，她的尸体已找到了。

现在，人们会不会相信他的尸体，如同他设想过那样，也已沉入湖底呢?

可是，还得仔细听呀!

尽管他已头晕目眩了，但他还是非得听仔细不可。

"唉，这可太惨了!

"伯查德。泰勒说，曼陀林也停下来不弹了。"不会是我们的什么熟人吧?

""布兰奇说，详情她还没有听到哩。""那个湖我压根儿就不喜欢，"弗兰克。哈里特插嘴说。"太荒凉了。去年夏天，爸爸跟我和兰德尔先生在那儿钓过鱼，不过一忽儿我们就走了。那儿太阴森森了。""三星期以前，我们还去过呢……您还记得吧，桑德拉?

"哈利。巴戈特找补着说。"您不喜欢那个地方。""是啊，我记得，"桑德拉回答说。"那地方荒凉得真叫人骇怕。我可想象不到居然会有人上那儿去干啥呀。""得了，但愿不是我们认识的某某人，"伯查德若有所思地补充说。"不过，一时间不免让我们大家有点儿扫兴罢了。"克莱德无意识地用舌头舔舔自己发干了的嘴唇，咽下了一口水，润了润他那早已发干了的嗓子眼。

"我说，今天各家报纸恐怕还来不及报道这件事吧。有哪一位看过报了没有?

"没听到桑德拉开头那些话的威南特。范特问道。

"报纸还没有到，"伯查德。泰勒发表意见说。"再说，大约还来不及报道。

桑德拉不是说过，自己刚从布兰奇。洛克电话里听到吗?

布兰奇此刻正在那儿附近。""哦，是的，这就说对了。"不过，沙隆下午出版的小报……《旗帜报》可不是吗……会不会有所报道呢?

只要今天晚上他能看见就好了!

不料突然又萌生一个念头!

老天哪!

现在他才头一次想到:

他的脚印!

岸边烂泥地里，有没有留下他的脚印呢?

当时他那么心急火燎的爬上来，连停下来回头看一看都没有。不是有可能留下脚印吗?

于是，人们就会循着脚印追寻他……追寻那三个人撞见过的那一个人吗?

克利福德。戈尔登!

今天早上坐船上这儿来了!

还坐上克兰斯顿家的车接去他们别墅!

还有留在克兰斯顿家客房里的那套湿衣服!

有没有人趁他不在时到他客房里去察看。检查。讯问……说不定还把他的手提箱打开过?

一名警官?

老天哪!

那套湿衣服，就在他手提箱里。不过，干吗至今还放在他手提箱里或是他自己身边呢?

他干吗不早点把它藏起来……也许干脆裹上一块石头，扔到湖里去呢?

那也就早已沉入湖底。老天哪!

他置身于如此绝境，还在想些什么呀?

莫非他还舍不得那套湿衣服?

他站了起来，伫立在那里……说真的，心理上。生理上都冻僵了……他的眼睛一下子惊呆了。他必须离开这里。他还得马上回到那里去，把那套衣服处理掉……扔到湖里去……藏到屋外树林子里某个地方!

可是……他断断乎不能仓卒行事，也不能在大家随便谈起有一对恋人双双溺死以后马上就走呀。这象什么样子?

他立时又转念一想……不能这样……要沉着……不露出一点儿激动的迹象……要表示冷淡……不妨还可以说一些无关痛痒的话。

这时，他鼓足了仅有的一点儿勇气，走到桑德拉身旁说:

"太惨了，嗯?

"他的声音听起来尽管跟平常差不离，可是如同他的膝盖和双手一样，几乎快要发抖了。

"是啊，当然罗，"桑德拉转过身来冲着他回答说。"我最不喜欢听人谈到这类事，那你呢?

斯图尔特跟我常到这些湖上闲游，妈妈真的老是担心呢。""是的，我可知道，"他的话音已变得深沉听不清了。他几乎连话儿都说不清了。蓦然间，他语塞了。他的嘴唇紧紧地闭成了一条比过去更细的线，越发显得毫无血色。他的脸色也越发惨白了。

"你怎么啦，这是怎么回事，克莱德?

"桑德拉突然问道，一面更加仔细地端详着他。"你脸色这样惨白!

还有，你的眼睛也是这样。怎么回事?

是你今天晚上不舒服呢，还是得怪这儿的灯光不好?

"为了小心起见，她回过头来，先看看别人，然后再看看他。他这才意识到自己切不可象她所说的那副神态，便尽量昂首挺胸，回答说:

"哦，没什么。我说那一定是灯光的问题。当然罗，就是灯光问题。昨天，一……一整天，我可太累了，就是这么回事。我说，今天晚上也许我就不应该上这儿来的。"接着，他非常勉强地露出一丝怪笑。桑德拉却非常同情地直瞅着他，喃喃自语说:

"他累成这样了吗?

我的克莱迪(克莱迪:

桑德拉对克莱德的昵称。)，我的小宝贝，昨天他工作了一整天。我的小宝贝干吗早上不跟我说，可今天又跟我们一块玩了一整天?

要我通知弗兰克现在马上送你回克兰斯顿家吗?

还是也许让你到他房间里躺一会儿?

他是不会有意见的，我知道。要我问问他吗?

"她侧过脸来，仿佛要跟弗兰克说话，可是克莱德给她最后的主意吓呆了。

这时他正打算找个借口离开这儿，便恳切而又颤抖地大声嚷道:

"不，不，亲爱的。

我……我……求求您千万不要这样。一会儿我就好了。要是我真的想去，等一会儿我就上楼去，或者说，也许早一点回去，要是您等一会儿也走，不过只要不是现在就得了。眼前我有点儿不舒服，不过马上就会好的。"桑德拉觉得他说话时语调很不自然，而且几乎有些恼怒，也就只好这样说:

"好的，亲爱的。反正随你高兴吧。不过既然你不舒服，最好还是让我关照弗兰克送你回去，或是到楼上去。反正他不会有意见的。随后，再等一会儿……大约在十点半左右……我也告辞了。你可以跟我一块去克兰斯顿家。反正我回家以前，先把你还有其他想走的人送回去。这么安排难道说我的小宝贝觉得不好吗?

"克莱德回答说:

"得了，我现在上楼去喝点儿水。"于是，他走进哈里特家许多宽敞的盥洗室里的一间，把门锁上，坐下来，反复思考……罗伯达的尸体已找到，她脸上可能留下一些伤痕，岸边烂泥地里。沙滩上，也许会有他的脚印;他在克兰斯顿家的那套湿衣服，树林子里那几个人，罗伯达的手提箱。帽子。

外套，自己掉在湖面上那顶没有商标的帽子……他又暗自纳闷，真不知道下一步怎么办。该怎么办呢!

该怎么说呢!

现在就下楼去找桑德拉，劝她马上走，还是留下来受新的折磨?

明天各报会披露些什么?

什么呀?

什么呀?

要是报上有什么消息，表明最终有人会被派来抓他，或是表明他跟这件事有牵连，那末，明天还去参加拟议中的露营旅游，是不是明智?

还是索性从这里逃跑更加高明些?

反正现在他手头有些钱了。他可以到纽约。波士顿，或是新奥尔良去(拉特勒就在那里)……可是，啊，不行……凡是有熟人的地方都去不得。

啊，老天哪!

迄至今日，他对这件事所作出的全盘计划，该有多蠢!

纰漏百出!

他一开始就真的好好地盘算过了吗?

比方说，他有没有真正想到过，在那么深的湖水里罗伯达的尸体会被找到?

可是，事实上，它硬是……那么快就浮起来了……在头一天……足以证明跟他原来设想完全适得其反!

尽管他在那些旅馆登记时写上别人名字，但由于那三个人和汽船上的那个姑娘告发，会不会现在就追查到他头上呢?

他就得想呀，想呀，想呀!

而且，赶快离开这里，趁现在还没有由于那套湿衣服惹起什么真正性命交关的事情来以前。

他越发感到浑身无力，惊恐万状，就决定回到楼下桑德拉那里去，向她说明他真的很不舒服，要是她不反对，而又可以安排的话，他自然乐意跟她一块回去。因此，在十点半钟，离晚会结束还有好几个钟头，桑德拉便向伯查德说她觉得不大舒服，请他送她。克莱德和杰尔回家去;不过，明天早上她照样会准时跟他们碰头，一块去熊湖的。

克莱德虽然在郁闷地思索:

他这次早走，会不会是又走错了，如同这次孤注一掷的行凶计谋，迄今表明似乎每一步都是倒霉透顶，走错了。最后，他还是登上那艘汽艇，一眨眼就到了克兰斯顿家别墅。他一到那里，就尽量装得若无其事地。颇感歉仄地向伯查德和桑德拉告辞，随后急忙奔进自己房间，发现那套衣服依然跟他放在那里时一样……没有一点儿迹象说明有人进来惊动过他房间里的宁静气氛。尽管这样，他还是心怀疑虑，惴惴不安，把那套衣服取了出来，束成一捆，接着默不出声地侧耳谛听和稍等片刻，趁没有人看见的时候，便从那幢别墅里溜了出去……最后，他笃悠悠地踱着方步，就象只是出去溜达一会儿似的。接着，他来到湖边……离那幢别墅大约有四分之一英里……找到一块沉甸甸的石头，跟衣服捆在一起，就使出浑身力气，尽量往远处湖中扔去。

随后，他跟刚才出来时一样，默不出声，沮丧不安地又走了回来，郁闷地在反复思索着:

说不定明天又有什么揭发呢;要是有人来问他，那他又该说些什么呢?
Part 3 Chapter 8
The morrow dawned after an all but sleepless night, harrowed by the most torturesome dreams in regard toRoberta, men who arrived to arrest him, and the hike, until at last he arose, his nerves and eyes aching. Then,venturing to come downstairs about an hour later, he saw Frederick, the chauffeur who had driven him out theday before, getting one of the cars out. And thereupon instructing him to bring all the morning Albany and Uticapapers. And about nine-thirty, when he returned, proceeding to his room with them, where, locking the door andspreading one of the papers before him, he was immediately confronted by the startling headlines:
　　"MYSTERY IN GIRL'S DEATH BODY FOUND YESTERDAY IN ADIRONDACK LAKE MANCOMPANION MISSING"And at once strained and white he sat down in one of the chairs near the window and began to read:
　　"Bridgeburg, N. Y., July 9.--The body of an unknown girl, presumably the wife of a young man who registeredfirst on Wednesday morning at Grass Lake Inn, Grass Lake, N. Y., as Carl Graham and wife, and later, Thursdaynoon, at Big Bittern Lodge, Big Bittern, as Clifford Golden and wife was taken from the waters of the south endof Big Bittern just before noon yesterday. Because of an upturned boat, as well as a man's straw hat foundfloating on the water in Moon Cove, dredging with hooks and lines had been going on all morning. . . . Up toseven o'clock last evening, however, the body of the man had not as yet been recovered, and according toCoroner Heit of Bridgeburg, who by two o'clock had been summoned to the scene of the tragedy, it was notconsidered at all likely that it would be. Several marks and abrasions found upon the dead girl's head and face, aswell as the testimony of three men who arrived on the scene while the search was still on and testified to havingmet a young man who answered to the description of Golden or Graham in the woods to the south of the lake thenight before, caused many to conclude that a murder had been committed and that the murderer was seeking tomake his escape.
　　"The girl's brown leather traveling bag, as well as a hat and coat belonging to her, were left, the bag in the ticketagent's room at Gun Lodge, which is the railway station five miles east of Big Bittern, and the hat and coat in thecoatroom of the inn at the Lake, whereas Graham or Golden is said to have taken his suitcase with him into theboat.
　　"According to the innkeeper at Big Bittern, the couple on their arrival registered as Clifford Golden and wife ofAlbany. They remained in the inn but a few minutes before Golden walked to the boat-landing just outside andprocured a light boat, in which, accompanied by the girl and his suitcase, he went out on the lake. They did notreturn, and yesterday morning the boat was found bottomside up in what is known as Moon Cove, a small bay orextension at the extreme south end of the lake, from the waters of which soon afterwards the body of the youngwoman was recovered. As there are no known rocks in the lake at that point, and the wounds upon the face arequite marked, suspicion was at once aroused that the girl might have been unfairly dealt with. This, together withthe testimony of the three men, as well as the fact that a man's straw hat found nearby contained no lining orother method of identification, has caused Coroner Heit to assert that unless the body of the man is found he willassume that murder has been committed.
　　"Golden or Graham, as described by innkeepers and guests and guides at Grass Lake and Big Bittern, is not morethan twenty-four or twenty-five years of age, slender, dark, and not more than five feet eight or nine inches tall.
　　At the time he arrived he was dressed in a light gray suit, tan shoes, and a straw hat and carried a brown suitcaseto which was attached an umbrella and some other object, presumably a cane.
　　"The hat and coat left by the girl at the inn were of dark and light tan respectively, her dress a dark blue.
　　"Notice has been sent to all railroad stations in this vicinity to be on the lookout for Golden, or Graham, in orderthat he may be arrested if he is alive and attempts to make his escape. The body of the drowned girl is to beremoved to Bridgeburg, the county seat of this county, where an inquest is later to be held."In frozen silence he sat and pondered. For would not the news of such a dastardly murder as this now appeared to be, together with the fact that it had been committed in this immediate vicinity, stir up such marked excitementas to cause many--perhaps all--to scan all goers and comers everywhere in the hope of detecting the one who hadthus been described? Might it not be better, therefore, since they were so close on his trail already, if he were togo to the authorities at Big Bittern or here and make a clean breast of all that had thus far occurred, the originalplot and the reasons therefor, only explaining how at the very last he had not really killed her--had experienced achange of heart and had not been able to do as he had planned? But, no. That would be to give away to Sondraand the Griffiths all that had been going on between him and Roberta--and before it was absolutely certain thatall was ended for him here. And besides, would they believe him now, after that flight--those reported wounds?
　　Did it not really look as though he had killed her, regardless of how he might try to explain that he had not?
　　It was not unlikely also that at least some among all those who had seen him would be able to detect him fromthis printed description, even though he no longer wore the gray suit or the straw hat. God! They were lookingfor him, or rather for that Clifford Golden or Carl Graham who looked like him, in order to charge him withmurder! But if he looked exactly like Clifford Golden and those three men came! He began to shiver. And worseyet. A new and horrible thought, this--and at this instant, and for the first time flashing upon his mind--thesimilarity of those initials to his own! He had never thought of them in an unfavorable light before, but now hecould see that they were detrimental. Why was it that he had never thought of that before? Why was it? Why wasit? Oh, God!
　　Just then a telephone call for him came from Sondra. It was announced as from her. Yet even so he wascompelled to brace himself in order to make even an acceptable showing, vocally. How was her sick boy thismorning? Any better? How dreadful that illness last night to come on him so suddenly. Was he really all rightnow? And was he going to be able to go on the trip all right? That was fine. She had been so frightened and soworried all night for fear he might be too sick to want to go. But he was going, so everything was all right againnow. Darling! Precious baby! Did her baby boy love her so? She was just sure that the trip would do him a lot ofgood. But until noon, now, dear, she would be using all her spare time getting ready, but at one, or one-thirty,everybody would be at the Casino pier. And then--oh, my! Ho! for a great old time up there! He was to comewith Bertine and Grant and whoever else was coming from there, and then at the pier he could change to Stuart'slaunch. They were certain to have so much fun--just loads of it--but just now she would have to go. Bye-bye!
　　And once more like a bright-colored bird she was gone.
　　But three hours to wait before he could leave here and so avoid the danger of encountering any one who might belooking for Clifford Golden or Carl Graham! Still until then he could walk up the lake shore into the woods,couldn't he?--or sit below, his bag all packed, and watch who, if anybody, might approach along the long-winding path from the road or by launch across the lake. And if he saw any one who looked at all suspicious, hecould take flight, could he not? And afterwards doing just that--first walking away into the woods and lookingback, as might a hunted animal. Then later returning and sitting or walking, but always watching, watching.
　　(What man was that? What boat was that? Where was it going? Was it coming here, by any chance? Who was init? Supposing an officer--a detective? Then flight, of course--if there was still time.)But, at last one o'clock, and the Cranston launch, with Bertine and Harley and Wynette, as well as Grant andhimself, setting out for the pier. And once there, joined by all who were going, together with the servants. And atLittle Fish Inlet, thirty miles north, on the eastern shore, they were met by the cars of the Baggotts, Harriets and others, from where, with their goods and canoes, they were portaged forty miles east to Bear Lake, as lonely andas arresting almost as Big Bittern itself.
　　The joy of this trip if only that other thing were not hanging over him now. This exquisite pleasure of being nearSondra, her eyes constantly telling him how much she cared. And her spirit's flame so high because of hispresence here with her now. And yet Roberta's body up! That search for Clifford Golden--Carl Graham. Hisidentical description wired as well as published everywhere. These others--all of them in their boats and cars hadprobably read it. And yet, because of their familiarity with him and his connections--Sondra, the Griffiths--notsuspecting him--not thinking of the description even. But if they should! If they should guess! The horror! Theflight! The exposure! The police! The first to desert him--these--all save Sondra perhaps. And even she, too. Yes,she, of course. The horror in her eyes.
　　And then that evening at sundown, on the west shore of this same lake, on an open sward that was as smooth asany well-kept lawn, the entire company settled, in five different colored tents ranged about a fire like an Indianvillage, with cooks' and servants' tents in the distance. And the half dozen canoes beached like bright fish alongthe grassy shore of the lake. And then supper around an open fire. And Baggott and Harriet and Stuart and Grant,after furnishing music for the others to dance by, organizing by the flare of a large gasoline lamp, a poker game.
　　And the others joining in singing ribald camping and college songs, no one of which Clyde knew, yet in whichhe tried to join. And shouts of laughter. And bets as to who would be the first to catch the first fish, to shoot thefirst squirrel or partridge, to win the first race. And lastly, solemn plans for moving the camp at least ten milesfarther east, after breakfast, on the morrow where was an ideal beach, and where they would be within five milesof the Metissic Inn, and where they could dine and dance to their heart's content.
　　And then the silence and the beauty of this camp at night, after all had presumably gone to bed. The stars! Themystic, shadowy water, faintly rippling in a light wind, the mystic, shadowy pines conferring in the light breezes,the cries of night birds and owls-- too disturbing to Clyde to be listened to with anything but inward distress. Thewonder and glory of all this--if only--if only he were not stalked after, as by a skeleton, by the horror not only ofwhat he had done in connection with Roberta but the danger and the power of the law that deemed him amurderer! And then Sondra, the others having gone to bed--or off into the shadow,--stealing out for a few lastwords and kisses under the stars. And he whispering to her how happy he was, how grateful for all her love andfaith, and at one point almost tempted to ask whether in case it should ever appear that he was not as good as shenow seemed to imagine him, she would still love him a little--not hate him entirely--yet refraining for fear thatafter that exhibition of terror the preceding night she might connect his present mood with that, or somehow withthe horrible, destructive secret that was gnawing at his vitals.
　　And then afterwards, lying in the four-cot tent with Baggott, Harriet and Grant, listening nervously for hours forany prowling steps that might mean--that might mean--God--what might they not mean even up here?--the law!
　　arrest! exposure! Death. And waking twice in the night out of dread, destructive dreams,--and feeling as though-andfearing--that he had cried out in his sleep.
　　But then the glory of the morning once more--with its rotund and yellow sun rising over the waters of the lake-andin a cove across the lake wild ducks paddling about. And after a time Grant and Stuart and Harley, half-cladand with guns and a great show of fowling skill, foolishly setting forth in canoes in the hope of bagging some ofthe game with long distance shots, yet getting nothing, to the merriment of all the others. And the boys and girls, stealing out in bright-colored bathing suits and silken beach robes to the water, there to plunge gayly in and shoutand clatter concerning the joy of it all. And breakfast at nine, with afterwards the gayety and beauty of the brightflotilla of canoes making eastward along the southern lake shore, banjos, guitars and mandolins strumming andvoices raised in song, jest, laughter.
　　"Whatever matter wissum sweet to-day? Face all dark. Cantum be happy out here wis Sondra and all these niceygood-baddies?"And Clyde as instantly realizing that he must pretend to be gay and care-free.
　　And then Harley Baggott and Grant and Harriet at about noon announcing that there--just ahead--was the finebeach they had in mind--the Ramshorn, a spit of Land commanding from its highest point all the length andbreadth of the lake. And with room on the shore below for all the tents and paraphernalia of the company. Andthen, throughout this warm, pleasant Sunday afternoon, the usual program of activities--lunching, swimming,dancing, walking, card-playing, music. And Clyde and Sondra, like other couples, stealing off--Sondra with amandolin--to a concealed rock far to the east of the camp, where in the shade of the pines they could lie--Sondrain Clyde's arms--and talk of the things they were certain to do later, even though, as she now announced, Mrs.
　　Finchley was declaring that after this particular visit of Clyde's her daughter was to have nothing more to do withhim in any such intimate social way as this particular trip gave opportunity for. He was too poor--too nondescripta relative of the Griffiths. (It was so that Sondra, yet in a more veiled way, described her mother as talking.) Yetadding: "How ridiculous, sweetum! But don't you mind. I just laughed and agreed because I don't want toaggravate her just now. But I did ask her how I was to avoid meeting you here or anywhere now since you are aspopular as you are. My sweetum is so good-looking. Everybody thinks so--even the boys."At this very hour, on the veranda of the Silver Inn at Sharon, District Attorney Mason, with his assistant BurtonBurleigh, Coroner Heit and Earl Newcomb, and the redoubtable Sheriff Slack, paunched and scowling, yet genialenough in ordinary social intercourse, together with three assistants--first, second and third deputies Kraut, Sisseland Swenk--conferring as to the best and most certain methods of immediate capture.
　　"He has gone to Bear Lake. We must follow and trap him before news reaches him in any way that he iswanted."And so they set forth--this group--Burleigh and Earl Newcomb about Sharon itself in order to gather suchadditional data as they might in connection with Clyde's arrival and departure from here for the Cranstons' onFriday, talking with and subpoenaing any such individuals as might throw any light on his movements; Heit toThree Mile Bay on much the same errand, to see Captain Mooney of the "Cygnus" and the three men and Mason,together with the sheriff and his deputies, in a high-powered launch chartered for the occasion, to follow the nowknown course of the only recently-departed camping party, first to Little Fish Inlet and from there, in case thetrail proved sound, to Bear Lake.
　　And on Monday morning, while those at Ramshorn Point after breaking camp were already moving on towardShelter Beach fourteen miles east, Mason, together with Slack and his three deputies, arriving at the camp deserted the morning before. And there, the sheriff and Mason taking counsel with each other and then dividingtheir forces so that in canoes commandeered from lone residents of the region they now proceeded, Mason andFirst Deputy Kraut along the south shore, Slack and Second Deputy Sissel along the north shore, while youngSwenk, blazing with a desire to arrest and handcuff some one, yet posing for the occasion as a lone young hunteror woodsman, paddled directly east along the center of the lake in search of any informing smoke or fires or tentsor individuals idling along the shores. And with great dreams of being the one to capture the murderer--I arrestyou, Clyde Griffiths, in the name of the law!--yet because of instructions from Mason, as well as Slack, grievingthat instead, should he detect any signs, being the furthermost outpost, he must, in order to avoid frightening theprey or losing him, turn on his track and from some point not so likely to be heard by the criminal fire one singleshot from his eight-chambered repeater, whereupon whichever party chanced to be nearest would fire one shot inreply and then proceed as swiftly as possible in his direction. But under no circumstances was he to attempt totake the criminal alone, unless noting the departure by boat or on foot of a suspicious person who answered thedescription of Clyde.
　　At this very hour, Clyde, with Harley Baggott, Bertine and Sondra, in one of the canoes, paddling eastward alongwith the remainder of the flotilla, looking back and wondering. Supposing by now, some officer or some one hadarrived at Sharon and was following him up here? For would it be hard to find where he had gone, supposingonly that they knew his name?
　　But they did not know his name. Had not the items in the papers proved that? Why worry so always, especiallyon this utterly wonderful trip and when at last he and Sondra could be together again? And besides, was it notnow possible for him to wander off by himself into these thinly populated woods along the shore to the eastward,toward that inn at the other end of the lake--and not return? Had he not inquired most casually on Saturdayafternoon of Harley Baggott as well as others as to whether there was a road south or east from the east end ofthe lake? And had he not learned there was?
　　And at last, at noon, Monday, reaching Shelter Beach, the third spot of beauty contemplated by the planners ofthis outing, where he helped to pitch the tents again while the girls played about.
　　Yet at the same hour, at the Ramshorn site, because of the ashes from their fires left upon the shore, youngSwenk, most eagerly and enthusiastically, like some seeking animal, approaching and examining the same andthen going on--swiftly. And but one hour later, Mason and Kraut, reconnoitering the same spot, but withouteither devoting more than a cursory glance, since it was obvious that the prey had moved farther on.
　　But then greater speed in paddling on the part of Swenk, until by four he arrived at Shelter Beach. And then,descrying as many as a half dozen people in the water in the distance, at once turning and retreating in thedirection of the others in order to give the necessary signal. And some two miles back firing one shot, which inits turn was responded to by Mason as well as Sheriff Slack. Both parties had heard and were now paddlingswiftly east.
　　At once Clyde in the water--near Sondra--hearing this was made to wonder. The ominous quality of that firstshot! Followed by those two additional signals--farther away, yet seemingly in answer to the first! And then theominous silence thereafter! What was that? And with Harley Baggott jesting: "Listen to the guys shooting gameout of season, will you. It's against the law, isn't it?""Hey, you!" Grant Cranston shouted. "Those are my ducks down there! Let 'em alone.""If they can't shoot any better than you, Granty, they will let 'em alone." This from Bertine.
　　Clyde, while attempting to smile, looked in the direction of the sound and listened like a hunted animal.
　　What was it now that urged him to get out of the water and dress and run? Hurry! Hurry! To your tent! To thewoods, quick! Until at last heeding this, and while most of the others were not looking, hurrying to his tent,changing to the one plain blue business suit and cap that he still possessed, then slipping into the woods back ofthe camp--out of sight and hearing of all present until he should be able to think and determine, but keepingalways safely inland out of the direct view of the water, for fear--for fear--who could tell exactly what thoseshots meant?
　　Yet Sondra! And her words of Saturday and yesterday and to-day. Could he leave her in this way, without beingsure? Could he? Her kisses! Her dear assurances as to the future! What would she think now--and those others-incase he did not go back? The comment which was certain to be made in the Sharon and other papers in regardto this disappearance of his, and which was certain to identify him with this same Clifford Golden or CarlGraham! was it not?
　　Then reflecting also--the possible groundlessness of these fears, based on nothing more, maybe, than the chanceshots of passing hunters on the lake or in these woods. And then pausing and debating with himself whether togo on or not. Yet, oh, the comfort of these tall, pillared trees--the softness and silence of these brown, carpetingneedles on the ground--the clumps and thickets of underbrush under which one could lie and hide until nightshould fall again. And then on--and on. But turning, none-the-less, with the intention of returning to the camp tosee whether any one had come there. (He might say he had taken a walk and got lost in the woods.)But about this time, behind a protecting group of trees at least two miles west of the camp, a meeting andconference between Mason, Slack and all the others. And later, as a result of this and even as Clyde lingered andreturned somewhat nearer the camp, Mason, Swenk paddling the canoe, arriving and inquiring of those who werenow on shore if a Mr. Clyde Griffiths was present and might he see him. And Harley Baggott, being nearest,replying: "Why, yes, sure. He's around here somewhere." And Stuart Finchley calling: "Eh-o, Griffiths!" But noreply.
　　Yet Clyde, not near enough to hear any of this, even now returning toward the camp, very slowly and cautiously.
　　And Mason concluding that possibly he was about somewhere and unaware of anything, of course, deciding towait a few minutes anyhow--while advising Swenk to fall back into the woods and if by any chance encounteringSlack or any other to advise him that one man be sent east along the bank and another west, while he--Swenk-proceededin a boat eastward as before to the inn at the extreme end, in order that from there word might begiven to all as to the presence of the suspect in this region.
　　In the meanwhile Clyde by now only three-quarters of a mile east, and still whispered to by something whichsaid: Run, run, do not linger! yet lingering, and thinking SONDRA, this wonderful life! Should he go so? Andsaying to himself that he might be making a greater mistake by going than by staying. For supposing those shots were nothing--hunters, mere game shots meaning nothing in his case--and yet costing him all? And yet turning atlast and saying to himself that perhaps it might be best not to return at present, anyhow at least not until verylate--after dark--to see if those strange shots had meant anything.
　　But then again pausing silently and dubiously, the while vesper sparrows and woodfinches sang. And peering.
　　And peeking nervously.
　　And then all at once, not more than fifty feet distant, out of the long, tall aisles of the trees before him, awhiskered, woodsman-like type of man approaching swiftly, yet silently--a tall, bony, sharp-eyed man in abrown felt hat and a brownish-gray baggy and faded suit that hung loosely over his spare body. And as suddenlycalling as he came--which caused Clyde's blood to run cold with fear and rivet him to the spot.
　　"Hold on a moment, mister! Don't move. Your name don't happen to be Clyde Griffiths, does it?" And Clyde,noting the sharp inquisitorial look in the eye of this stranger, as well as the fact that he had already drawn arevolver and was lifting it up, now pausing, the definiteness and authority of the man chilling him to the marrow.
　　Was he really being captured? Had the officers of the law truly come for him? God! No hope of flight now! Whyhad he not gone on? Oh, why not? And at once he was weak and shaking, yet, not wishing to incriminate himselfabout to reply, "No!" Yet because of a more sensible thought, replying, "Why, yes, that's my name.""You're with this camping party just west of here, aren't you?""Yes, sir, I am.""All right, Mr. Griffiths. Excuse the revolver. I'm told to get you, whatever happens, that's all. My name is Kraut.
　　Nicholas Kraut. I'm a deputy sheriff of Cataraqui County. And I have a warrant here for your arrest. I supposeyou know what for, and that you're prepared to come with me peaceably." And at this Mr. Kraut gripped theheavy, dangerous-looking weapon more firmly even, and gazed at Clyde in a firm, conclusive way.
　　"Why--why--no--I don't," replied Clyde, weakly and heavily, his face white and thin. "But if you have a warrantfor my arrest, I'll go with you, certainly. But what--what--I don't understand"--his voice began to trembleslightly as he said this--"is--is why you want to arrest me?""You don't, eh? You weren't up at either Big Bittern or Grass Lake by any chance on last Wednesday orThursday, eh?""Why, no, sir, I wasn't," replied Clyde, falsely.
　　"And you don't happen to know anything about the drowning of a girl up there that you were supposed to bewith--Roberta Alden, of Biltz, New York, I believe.""Why, my God, no!" replied Clyde, nervously and staccatically, the true name of Roberta and her address beingused by this total stranger, and so soon, staggering him. Then they knew! They had obtained a clue. His truename and hers! God! "Am I supposed to have committed a murder?" he added, his voice faint--a mere whisper.
　　"Then you don't know that she was drowned last Thursday? And you weren't with her at that time?" Mr. Krautfixed a hard, inquisitive, unbelieving eye on him.
　　"Why, no, of course, I wasn't," replied Clyde, recalling now but one thing--that he must deny all--until he shouldthink or know what else to do or say.
　　"And you didn't meet three men walking south last Thursday night from Big Bittern to Three Mile Bay at abouteleven o'clock?""Why, no, sir. Of course I didn't. I wasn't up there, I told you.""Very well, Mr. Griffiths, I haven't anything more to say. All I'm supposed to do is to arrest you, Clyde Griffiths,for the murder of Roberta Alden. You're my prisoner." He drew forth--more by way of a demonstration of forceand authority than anything else--a pair of steel handcuffs, which caused Clyde to shrink and tremble as thoughhe had been beaten.
　　"You needn't put those on me, mister," he pleaded. "I wish you wouldn't. I never had anything like that onbefore. I'll go with you without them." He looked longingly and sadly about at the trees, into the shelteringdepths of which so recently he ought to have plunged. To safety.
　　"Very well, then," replied the redoubtable Kraut. "So long as you come along peaceful." And he took Clyde byone of his almost palsied arms.
　　"Do you mind if I ask you something else," asked Clyde, weakly and fearsomely, as they now proceeded, thethought of Sondra and the others shimmering blindingly and reducingly before his eyes. Sondra! Sondra! To goback there an arrested murderer! And before her and Bertine! Oh, no! "Are you, are you intending to take me tothat camp back there?""Yes, sir, that's where I'm intending to take you now. Them's my orders. That's where the district attorney and thesheriff of Cataraqui County are just now.""Oh, I know, I know," pleaded Clyde, hysterically, for by now he had lost almost all poise, "but couldn't you-couldn'tyou--so long as I go along just as you want--those are all my friends, you know, back there, and I'd hate .
　　. . couldn't you just take me around the camp somewhere to wherever you want to take me? I have a very specialreason--that is--I--I, oh, God, I hope you won't take me back there right now--will you please, Mr. Kraut?"He seemed to Kraut very boyish and weak now--clean of feature, rather innocent as to eye, well-dressed andwell-mannered--not at all the savage and brutal or murderous type he had expected to find. Indeed quite up to theclass whom he (Kraut) was inclined to respect. And might he not after all be a youth of very powerfulconnections? The conversations he had listened to thus far had indicated that this youth was certainly identifiedwith one of the best families in Lycurgus. And in consequence he was now moved to a slight show of courtesyand so added: "Very well, young man, I don't want to be too hard on you. After all, I'm not the sheriff or thedistrict attorney--just the arresting officer. There are others down there who are going to be able to say what todo about you--and when we get down to where they are, you can ask 'em, and it may be that they won't find it necessary to take you back in there. But how about your clothes? They're back there, ain't they?""Oh, yes, but that doesn't matter," replied Clyde, nervously and eagerly. "I can get those any time. I just don'twant to go back now, if I can help it.""All right, then, come along," replied Mr. Kraut.
　　And so it was that they walked on together now in silence, the tall shafts of the trees in the approaching duskmaking solemn aisles through which they proceeded as might worshipers along the nave of a cathedral, the eyesof Clyde contemplating nervously and wearily a smear of livid red still visible through the trees to the west.
　　Charged with murder! Roberta dead! And Sondra dead--to him! And the Griffiths! And his uncle! And hismother! and all those people in that camp!
　　Oh, oh, God, why was it that he had not run, when that something, whatever it was, had so urged him?

在他几乎整夜长眠，被诸如罗伯达呀。来捉拿他的那些人呀等等恶梦折磨得够呛之后，天亮了。最后，他终于起身了，但他每一根神经和两只眼睛都在疼痛。大约一个钟头以后，他才敢下楼，看见前天接送他的汽车夫弗雷德里克正把好几辆汽车里头的一辆开出来，于是便关照弗雷德里克把奥尔巴尼和尤蒂卡所有的晨报通通都给找来。九点半光景，汽车夫回来了。克莱德便拿着这些晨报，回到自己房间，把门锁上，随手将其中的一份晨报打开来，触目惊心的大标题立刻映入眼帘:

女郎之死神秘莫测女尸昨日已在艾迪隆达克湖发现男友迄今不知下落他一下子浑身紧张，脸色煞白，就在靠窗的一把椅子上坐下来，开始看下去。

(纽约州布里奇伯格七月九日讯)昨日正午前不久，在大比腾南端湖面上打捞到不知姓名的女郎的一具尸体。据悉这位女郎乃是一年轻人的妻子。星期三早上，这个年轻人在纽约州草湖的草湖旅社登记时，先是自称为卡尔。格雷厄姆夫妇。旋后于星期四中午去大比腾，在大比腾旅社登记时，却自称为克利福德。

戈尔登夫妇。因在月潭水面上发现一条翻掉的船，以及漂浮在那里的一顶男帽，才用铁钩。拖网等打捞了整整一个上午……但截止昨晚七时为止，男尸仍未找到。布里奇伯格验尸官海特已于下午二点被请至惨案出事现场。据海特称，男尸恐怕未必能找到。已故女郎头部。脸部发现多处伤痕和血斑。打捞时，有三个男子来到现场作证，说前天晚上他们在这湖南头树林子里碰到过一个形貌跟戈尔登或格雷厄姆相似的年轻人。据此间许多人认为:

这是一起谋杀案，凶手在逃。

该女郎留下一只棕色旅行皮包。一顶帽子和一件外套(皮包寄放在大比腾以东五英里的冈洛奇火车站售票处，帽子和外套现存放在大比腾旅社衣帽间);据说格雷厄姆或戈尔登随身携带手提箱上了船。

据大比腾旅社掌柜说，这对男女到达后即申报为来自奥尔巴尼的克利福德。

戈尔登夫妇。他们在旅社仅逗留片刻，戈尔登便到旅社外面的租船码头租了一条小船，拎着手提箱，偕同那个女郎登船游湖。他们并没有回来。昨晨，在该湖南端的一个小湾，亦即与该湖相连的名叫月潭的水面上，发现那条小船已经船底朝天，少妇的尸体当即在此水域中捞获。由于此处湖中并无暗礁，以及死者脸部伤痕十分显著，立即引起怀疑，该女郎临终前可能遭到毒打。连同那三个男子佐证，以及附近发现一顶既无商标，又无法确认其失主的男人草帽，验尸官海特有根据声称:

如若找不到这具男尸，这肯定是一起谋杀案。

据草潮与大比腾两旅社掌柜以及旅客。导游说，戈尔登或格雷厄姆，年龄不超过二十四。五岁，身段纤细，肤色浅黑，身高不超过五英尺八。九英寸。

此人到达旅社时，身穿淡灰色衣服，脚蹬棕黄色皮鞋，头戴草帽，拎着一只棕色手提箱，还拴上一柄雨伞和其他物品……很可能是一根手杖。

该女郎留在旅社的帽子和外套，分别为深褐色和淡褐色，她的衣服则是深蓝色。

现已通告附近所有火车站密切注意戈尔登或格雷厄姆，倘若此人仍活着，企图逃跑，则可将其逮捕归案。溺死的女郎尸体，将运往本县县城布里奇伯格，日后进行验尸。

他顿时浑身冻僵，默默无言地坐在那里冥思苦索。如此卑劣的一起谋杀案(现在看来，显然就是如此)，又是发生在附近地区，这么一条新闻消息，说不定会引起轰动，使很多很多的人……也许是所有的人……都要仔细审视所有过往行人，希望发现各报所列举外貌特征的那个逃犯，可不是吗?

人们既然早已紧紧地盯在他后面了，那他还不如亲自到大比腾或是地方当局去，将迄至今日的全部经过，以及原先计划。产生原因作一坦白交待，只不过务必说明:

到最后节骨眼上，说真的，他并没有弄死她……因为这时他忽然回心转意了，所以并没有按照原先设想下毒手的……这样岂不是更好吗?

可是，这不行。要知道这就会使他跟罗伯达之间的关系，在桑德拉和格里菲思一家人面前暴露无遗，何况现在还没有绝对肯定他在这里真的全都完蛋了。再说，这次逃跑以后……各报又说过罗伯达脸部发现伤痕，现在还会有人相信他吗?

这么一来，反而好象真的是他杀害她的，那时尽管他竭力矢口否认，也不管用了。

在所有见过他的人里头，至少有几位能根据各报所列举的外貌特征把他认出来，那也不见得不可能，即使现在他身上穿的并不是灰色衣服，头上戴的不是草帽。老天哪!

人们正在到处寻找他，或者说得更确切些，不是他，而是在找与他外貌酷肖的克利福德。戈尔登或卡尔。格雷厄姆，为的是以杀人罪控告他!

可他要是跟克利福德。戈尔登长得一模一样，还有那三个男子又突然来到了呢!

他开始发抖了。还有更糟糕的事。他忽然冒出一个新的可怕的念头(就在此刻，有如闪电一般，头一次从他心里掠过):

这些假名字的英文缩写，跟他自己的本名完全一个样!

在这以前，他从来没有发觉过它们有什么不对头，可现在，他方才明白它们可以断送他的性命。这一点他以前连想都没有想到呢?

为什么?

为什么?

啊，老天哪!

恰巧就在这时，桑德拉打来电话。有人告诉他是她打来的。不过，尽管这样，他还得鼓足精神，让他说适时口吻在电话里听起来也满不错哩。她的那个得了病的孩子，今天早上觉得怎么样?

见好了吗?

昨天晚上他突然得了病，多可怕呀。现在他真的差不多全好了吗?

他还能照样跟他们一块旅游去?

那就太好了。昨儿晚上，她整整一晚真的替他揪心，深怕他病倒去不了。不过，现在他既然可以去，那就意味着又是万事如意了。亲爱的!

小乖乖!

她的小宝贝很爱她吗?

她就是相信这次旅游对他会有很大好处。不过，亲爱的，整整一个上午作准备工作，她简直忙得不可开交。反正到了一点钟或是一点半钟，大家都得在夜总会码头集合。到了那时候……啊，我的天哪!

嘿，到了那边才开心哩!

他应当跟伯蒂娜。

格兰特，以及从克兰斯顿家里动身的那些人一起来的。抵达码头后，他可以改乘斯图尔特的汽艇。他们当然可以玩得很痛快……简直痛快极了……不过，现在她就得走了。再见!

再见!

象一只色彩鲜艳的小鸟，她一下子又飞走了。

可是还得等待:

过了三个钟头，他才能离开这儿，所以要尽量避免类似这样的危险，比方说，跟正在搜寻克利福德。戈尔登或卡尔。格雷厄姆的人邂逅!

不过，他此刻还可以打从湖边一直走进树林子去，可不是吗?

……要不然，他把手提箱拾掇好，坐在下头，密切注视有没有什么人从大路那边，或是乘汽船从湖上过来，然后沿着那条长长的。弯弯曲曲的小道走过来。要是他瞅见形迹可疑的人，他就可以逃走，不是吗?

后来，他果然就这么办了……先是到树林子里，象一头被围捕的野兽，频频回头张望。稍后，再转身回来，这儿坐坐，或是那儿走走，不过总是不停地注视着周围动静。(那是什么人?

那是一条什么船?

它开往哪儿呀?

会不会碰巧是开到这里来的?

船上有什么人?

要是有一名警官……一个侦探呢?

那就逃跑，当然罗……只要时间来得及的话。)但是，下午一点钟终于到了，伯蒂娜。哈利。威南特。格兰特和克莱德本人，坐着克兰斯顿家的汽艇，朝夜总会码头开过去。就在那儿，跟所有参加露营活动的人(包括一些仆人)会合了。在东岸以北三十英里的小鱼湾，他们跟巴戈特家。哈里特家，以及其他人家的汽车碰头了。在那里，他们就连同他们所携带的各种物品和小划子，一并运往东头四十英里开外，几乎如同大比腾一样荒凉而又吸引人的熊湖。

此刻要不是他别有一番滋味在心头的话，这次旅游对他来说，该是其乐无穷啊!

当桑德拉两眼不断地向他示意她是多么疼他的时候，他厮守在她身边显得格外乐滋滋的，而她之所以如此兴高采烈，就是因为他寸步不离她。可是，罗伯达的尸体毕竟被打捞上来了!

同时正在搜捕克利福德。戈尔登……卡尔。格雷厄姆。他的外貌特征，已通过电讯和报刊到处传播。这儿所有的人……也许在船上和汽车上全都知道了。但是他们全都非常熟悉他，知道他跟桑德拉和格里菲思家都有密切关系，所以谁都没有怀疑他，甚至那些外貌特征，连想都没有去想呢。可是，万一他们想到了呢!

万一他们猜想起来呢!

那多可怕呀!

逃跑!

告发!

警方!

首先抛弃他的，就是这一拨人……所有的人，一个也不拉……也许只有桑德拉是例外。不，甚至她也会……是的，当然罗，她也会……她眼睛里流露出那么恐怖的神色啊。

日落黄昏时分，全体人员都驻留在这个小小的熊湖西岸。在这一片空旷的。

平滑得有如精心保养的草坪一样的草地上，五座色彩不同的帐篷，围在一堆篝火四周，活象一个印第安人的村落。厨师和仆人的帐篷，则搭建在远处。还有五六只小划子，停靠在绿草如茵的湖岸上，如同刚出水的一条条亮闪闪的鱼。

然后，大家围着一堆篝火进晚餐。巴戈特。哈里特。斯图尔特和格兰特，他们先唱起了一些流行歌曲，于是大家随着翩翩起舞。不一会儿，在一盏大型煤油灯耀眼的灯光底下，大家坐下来玩纸牌。还有一些人则唱起了不干不净的露营小曲和大学生歌曲，尽管这些歌曲克莱德连一支也不知道，可他还是尽量跟着一块哼唱。不时爆发出一阵阵哈哈大笑声。还有人在打赌:

看谁先钓到鱼，谁先击中松鼠或是鹧鸪，谁在竞走中得胜。最后是一本正经地议论，计划在明天吃过早饭以后，将宿营地至少还得往东挪十英里。那里有一片理想的湖滩，不到五英里，便是梅蒂西克旅馆，他们不妨在那儿痛痛快快地进餐。跳舞。

然后，到了夜晚，所有的人想必都已入睡了，只见宿营地一片岑寂，多美呀。那星星呀!

那神秘。幽暗的湖面上，微风习习，吹起了一层层涟漪;那神秘。

幽暗的松树林，在微风里喁喁低语;还有那宿鸟和猫头鹰发出的叫声……在愁肠百结的克莱德听来，简直心乱如麻了。这一切……多美，多壮观……只要……只要不是有一种恐怖，如同一具骷髅蹑手蹑脚地。亦步亦趋地紧跟在他后头就好了，他之所以感到恐怖，不仅仅是他对罗伯达下了毒手，而且还是深怕骇人的。强大的法律把他判定为杀人犯!

接着是桑德拉，当别人都已入睡了……或是躲到暗处去了……她却偷偷地溜了出来，为了跟他说一些悄悄话，和在星光底下亲吻。他对她还低声耳语说，他是多么幸福，对她的一片爱心多么感激。有一回，他几乎想开口问问她:

要是她一旦知道他这个人并不是象她现在心里想象那么好，她对他能不能还会有一点儿爱情……而不是对他恨透了……可他临到最后还是按捺住了，唯恐在头天晚上自己骤然大惊失色以后，说不定她会把它跟他目前的心态，或者跟正在使他五内俱裂的那个可怕的。致命的秘密联系起来。

随后，他跟巴戈特。哈里特。格兰特一起躺在那座置放四张帆布床的帐篷里，一连好几个钟头，忐忑不安地屏气倾听着外面有没有脚步声，它说不定意味着……它说不定意味着……老天哪，恰恰是在这里，这些脚步声，对他来说，意味着什么呀?

法律!

逮捕!

告发!

死。这一夜他有两次从可怕的恶梦里惊醒……觉得好象……也很害怕……自己在睡梦里真的大喊大叫过。

可是在这以后，又是霞光万道了……一轮黄澄澄的太阳，从湖面上冉冉升起……在湖对面小小的河湾里，有野鸭子在嬉水。过了一会儿，格兰特。斯图尔特和哈利，连衣服都没穿齐整，带着猎枪，自诩猎艺精湛，满以为远距离射击即能打中几只野禽，就傻乎乎地坐上小划子动身了，但结果却一无所得，让所有旁观者乐不可支。还有那些少男少女，身穿五光十色的游泳衣和湖滨浴场常见的绸袍子，蹑手蹑脚地溜了出去，随后兴高采烈地扑到水里，大声嚷嚷，嘁嘁喳喳地笑谈着眼前这种种的乐趣。到了九点钟进早餐。随后，一支由亮闪闪的小划子组成的船队，沿着湖的南岸往东驶去，该有多快乐，多美呀。大伙儿一面弹起六弦琴。吉他和曼陀林，一面还高声唱着歌儿，逗乐着，欢笑着。

"我的心肝儿，今天怎么啦?

瞧他脸色阴沉。他在这里跟桑德拉和这些乖孩子一块玩儿，为啥还不快快活活呢?

"克莱德马上觉察到:

他非得装出高高兴兴，无忧无虑不可。

约莫在正午时分，哈利。巴戈特。格兰特和哈里特宣告说，瞧那边……就在前头……是他们心目中要达到的那个理想的滩头……羊角滩，是一个狭长的岬，站在最高处，全湖的景色，一览无余。下游湖岸上地面宽敞，可以安置这一行人所有的帐篷和随身用具。然后，在这温暖。愉快的星期天，整整一个下午，照例排满了种种活动……进午餐。游泳，跳舞，散步，打纸牌，弹琴，唱歌，等等。至于克莱德和桑德拉，如同其他伴侣们一样，悄悄地溜了出去……桑德拉抱着一只曼陀林……远远地躲在帐篷东头一处隐蔽的岩石堆里。在那里，他们可以躺在松树林的树荫底下……桑德拉倒在克莱德的怀里……倾诉着他们将来肯定会做的事，尽管据桑德拉说，芬奇利太太扬言过，这一回克莱德来这儿玩过以后，她的女儿不得如同这次露营旅游那样跟他亲密来往了。克莱德太穷……简直是格里菲思家一个不三不四的亲戚(她母亲的原意就是如此，只不过她向克莱德转述时措词略微含蓄些)。可她又接下去说:

"多可笑，亲爱的!

不过，你别介意。我只是一笑了之，因为暂时我还不想使她生气罢了。不过我倒是问过她，现在您既然这么受人欢迎，我在所到之处怎能跟您避不见面呢。我亲爱的……长得这么漂亮。谁都是这么个看法……哪怕连年轻小伙子他们也是这样。

"正在这个时刻，在沙隆银色旅馆的游廊上，地方检察官梅森。他的助手伯顿。伯利。验尸官海特。厄尔。纽科姆，还有那个令人望而生畏的执法官斯莱克(此人大腹便便，眉宇深锁，可平素待人接物倒是很乐乐呵呵)，以及第一。第二。第三助手:

克劳特。西塞尔和斯温克……他们在一起商量，采用哪些最稳妥的最佳办法，马上将凶犯逮捕法办。

"此人已经到熊湖去了。我们务必在他还没有得到一点儿风声以前追上去，将他一下子逮住。"于是，他们这一行人就这样出发了……伯利和厄尔。纽科姆去沙隆，设法进一步搜集有关克莱德星期五到达这里并去克兰斯顿家别墅等情况，同了解他行踪的知情人进行谈话，而且发传票讯问他们。海特去三英里湾，负有同样的使命，约见天鹅号船长穆尼和那三个人。梅森偕同执法官及其助手们，乘坐一艘包租的快艇，按照现已查明的。刚动身的露营队伍所走的路线，跟踪追寻，要是跟踪对象没有找错，先到小鱼湾，再从那里直奔熊湖。

星期一早上，正当羊角滩这一拨年轻人撤了营帐，往东移至十英里开外的隐身滩时，梅森。斯莱克及其三名助手，才赶到了前一天早上早已撤走的宿营地。在那里，执法官跟梅森磋商以后，便分头乘坐从这里仅有的几户居民那儿征集到的小划子，梅森和第一助手克劳特沿南岸进发;斯莱克和第二助手西塞尔，则沿北岸进发;那个恨不得一下子抓住凶犯用手铐把他铐起来的年轻人斯温克，这次打扮成一个孤独的年轻猎手，或是林区居民，从湖心径直往东头划去，寻觅隐约可见的烟火。帐篷，或是正在闲逛的游人。他满怀了不起的梦想，其中之一就是要亲手把杀人犯逮住……"克莱德。格里菲思，我以法律的名义逮捕你!

"殊不知来自梅森和斯莱克的命令，让他伤心极了:

命令他走到最前哨，一发现任何迹象，不要打草惊蛇，马上回过头去，到凶犯大概听不到的远处，用他那支八响连发枪开一枪。谁离得最近，就先回一枪，然后赶快冲他那个方向飞奔过去。但是，他无论如何不能单独捕捉犯人，除非发现有外貌酷肖克莱德的可疑人物乘船或是步行，企图逃跑。

就在这一时刻，克莱德和哈利。巴戈特。伯蒂娜。桑德拉一起乘坐一只小划子，跟船队其他几只小划子一起向东悠然划去。克莱德还频频向后张望，心里老是在纳闷。要是此刻有警官等人已经到达沙隆，一路跟踪追寻他，追捕到了这里呢?

因为他们只要一知道他的名字，要了解清楚他的去向，难道还会有困难吗?

不过，他们并不知道他的名字呀。各报那些新闻报道，不就是证明吗?

为什么他老是这么担心呢?

特别是在这次无限美妙的出游中，他跟桑德拉终于又欢聚到一起了。再说，即使现在沿湖边往东驶去，一直来到了熊湖对岸那家旅馆，经过一片荒无人烟的树林子，他不是可以溜进去……再也不回来吗?

星期六下午不是他无意中问过哈利。巴戈特等人，从熊湖的东头往南或是往东有没有路吗?

他不是早就打听清楚那儿是有路的吗?

他们终于在星期一正午，到达了隐身滩。这是此次露营活动的主事者心目中第三个风光绮丽的景点。克莱德帮着把帐篷再搭建起来，姑娘们便在附近玩儿。

不料就在这个时刻，年轻的斯温克在羊角滩宿营地发现了岸上篝火留下的灰烬。他象一头觅食的野兽，急巴巴。兴冲冲走过来，再察看了一遍，很快地驾着小划子朝前驶去。过了一个钟头，梅森和克劳特也巡查来到了这里，但只是匆匆地投以一瞥，因为猎物显然早已逃往远处了。

可是，斯温克划得比较快，四点钟就到达了隐身滩。他发现远处湖面上有多达五六个人，便马上掉过头来，朝相反方向退回去，打算发出必要的信号。

他往后走了两英里地，才开了一枪。梅森和执法官斯莱克先后都开枪接应他。

两路人马都听见了，就赶快往东头划去。

在湖面上的克莱德……身边正偎着桑德拉……一听到枪声，马上就心慌了。

头一枪就是个坏兆头!

接着又响起两枪……响声更远，但好象是回答头一枪的!

在这以后，好一片可怕的沉寂呀!

这是怎么回事?

哈利。巴戈特还打趣说:

"目前是禁猎季节，小伙子们，你们听听有人却在打猎，是不是?

这是违法的，可不是吗?

""嘿，你们得注意!

"格兰特。克兰斯顿高声说。"下面那些野鸭子是我的。别惊动它们。""要是人家枪法跟你差不离，格兰特，那他们怎么也惊动不了这些野鸭子的，"伯蒂娜插话说。

克莱德真想笑，可他还是朝枪声那个方向张望，屏住气倾听着，有如一头被围捕的野兽。

现在究竟是哪种力量促使他离船上岸，换上衣服就逃跑?

快呀!

快呀!

到自己帐篷里去!

到树林子去，快呀!

最后，他听从了这个声音，趁众人没有注意，急匆匆走进自己帐篷，换了一件素蓝工作服，戴上一顶他手头还留着的鸭舌帽，就从帐篷后头溜进了树林子……一直来到了遮人耳目的地方，他才好好思索应付对策。不过，他总是安全地藏身在树林子深处，让湖面上不能直接看见他，因为害怕……因为害怕……有谁能断定，这几枪到底是什么意思呢?

可是桑德拉呀!

她在星期六。昨天和今天说过的那些话呀。他还没有闹清楚，这些枪声的由来，就可以这样离开她了吗?

他真的可以吗?

她的亲吻呀!

她对未来所说的那些温馨的话儿呀!

要是他一去不回来，那她……还有许多别人……又会有什么想法?

沙隆等地的报纸，一定会议论他的突然失踪，从而认定他就是克利福德。戈尔登或是卡尔。格雷厄姆!

可不是吗?

他一转念又想到……这些恐惧可能是毫无根据的……也许只是过路猎人在湖上或则在树林子里偶尔打几枪罢了。接着，他迟疑了一会儿，心中暗自展开了辩论:

到底是往前走呢，还是驻步不前。可是，啊，这些高高的。象擎天柱似的松树，多么令人感到安谧!

走在地上那些象毯子似的棕色针叶堆里，既柔软，而又听不见脚步声……一丛丛密密匝匝的矮树底下，可以躺下来，躲藏在那里，一直到天黑。随后，再往前走去……再往前走去。可他还是往回走了，心想回到宿营地，看看有没有什么人来过。(他不妨就说是去散散步，在树林子里却迷了路。)不过，大约就在这时，梅森。斯莱克和所有其他人员，躲在宿营地以西至少有两英里地的树林子深处，碰头商量对策。结果，就在克莱德踟躇不前，后来回到帐篷不远处时，梅森已由斯温克驾着划子，到达了宿营地。他问还在岸边的那些人，这里有没有一位名叫克莱德。格里菲思的先生，可不可以见见他。

哈利。巴戈特离他们最近就回答说:

"是啊，当然可以罗。他正在附近什么地方呢。

"斯图尔特。芬奇利大声招呼道:

"喂，格里菲思!

"可就是没有回答的声音。

克莱德离岸边已相当远，听不到呼喊声。可他还是朝宿营地走回来，真的，走得很慢，很小心。梅森认定可能他是在附近某个地方，当然还不会听到什么风声，所以便决定等几分钟再说……他关照斯温克退到树林子里去，要是碰巧遇见斯莱克等人，便转告他派一个人沿着湖岸往东，另一个人则往西走去，他……斯温克自己跟刚才那样坐船往东，到湖对岸的旅馆去，到了那里就可以通知大家有一个嫌疑犯正潜伏在这个地区。

这时，克莱德已经走到宿营地以东四分之三英里的地方了。不知怎么总是有一个什么声音对他低声耳语说:

逃跑吧，逃跑吧，不要一再踟躇不前了!

可他还是迟疑不定，心里惦着桑德拉，惦着这美妙的生活!

难道说他就这么一走了之吗?

他又自言自语道，他要是不留下来，而是走了的话，可能他又犯了一个更大的错误。要知道，万一这些枪声压根儿什么事都没有……只不过是猎人们打猎的枪声，跟他此事毫不相干……可是却把他所有的一切都给断送了，那怎么办?

不过，最后，他又回过头来，自言自语道，也许最好暂时先不回去，至少在天色很晚以前……也就是说，在天黑以前切莫回去……看看这些奇怪的枪声究竟意味着什么。

可是，他又默默地。迟疑地驻步不前，只听见夜鸣和林中金翅雀叽叽嘁嘁地在叫。他往四处窥望，心情紧张地东张西望。

蓦然间，离他只不过五十英尺开外，就在他面前那条高大的树木组成的长长的通道里，飞快而又悄悄地冲他走过来一个蓄小胡子。颇似林区居民的那类人……此人瘦高个儿，目光敏锐，头戴一顶棕色呢帽，他那皮包骨的身上空落落地穿着一件破旧的棕灰色衣服。此人一面走过来，一面突然大声呼喊，吓得克莱德浑身血液一下子都凉了，呆若木鸡似的站在原地不动。

"等一等，先生!

不许动。你的名字不就是克莱德。格里菲思吗，是吗?

"克莱德发觉这个陌生人犀利的审讯似的目光，而且，此人已经掏出左轮手枪，高高地举了起来，站立在克莱德面前。此人言出如山的权威口吻，顿时使他寒冷彻骨。难道说他真的就这样给逮住了吗?

难道说执法的警官真的来抓他了吗?

老天哪!

现在已没有希望逃跑了!

刚才他干吗不往前走呢?

啊，干吗不走?

他一下子浑身无力，瑟瑟发抖了。可他不愿暴露自己身份，正想回答说:

"不是!

"不过，因为他脑际忽然有一个比较明智的念头掠过，就回答说:

"怎么啦，是的，那是我的名字。

""你跟西头宿营地的那拨人是在一起的，是吧?

""是的，先生，我跟他们是在一起的。""敢情好，格里菲思先生。对不起，我可不得不掏出左轮手枪来了。我奉上级命令，不管在什么情况下，务必把你抓起来，就是这么一回事。我叫克劳特，尼古拉斯。克劳特。我是卡塔拉基县执法官的助手。我这儿有逮捕证。我想，个中原因你也该知道，现在你就得老老实实跟我走，"克劳特说话时，把那支很沉的。吓人的武器甚至攥得比刚才更紧，而且两眼坚决地。不容分辩地直盯住克莱德。

"什么呀……什么呀……不……我可不知道，"克莱德有气无力地回答说，脸色骤然煞白。"不过，如果您手头有逮捕证，当然，我得跟您走。不过，怎么……怎么……我可不明白，"他说这句话时，声音开始有点儿发抖了。"为……为什么您要逮捕我?

""你不明白，嗯?

星期三或是星期四，你没有碰巧到过大比腾。草湖，嗯?

""怎么啦，没有，先生。我没有，"克莱德回答时说了谎话。

"有一位女郎，据说是跟你在一起的，在那儿淹死了，依我看……是纽约比尔茨的罗伯达。奥尔登。难道说你也一点儿都不知道。""怎么啦，我的天哪，不!

"克莱德回答说，这时他已神不守舍，前言不搭后语。提到罗伯达的真名实姓，还有她家里的地址，竟然如此之快，出之于这个完全陌生的人之口……这可使他吓懵了。那末，他们全都知道了!

他们已掌握到线索了。他的真名实姓，还有她的真名实姓!

天哪!

"难道说他怀疑我是杀人凶手吗?

"他接着说，声音很低……犹如在喃喃自语。

"那你还不知道她上星期四给淹死了?

难道说当时你没有跟她在一起吗?

"克劳特先生用一种冷酷的。审问似的。不信任的眼光直盯住他。

"怎么啦，不，当然罗，我可没有，"克莱德回答说。这时，他只想到一件事，就是:

在他还没有想到(或是知道)该怎么办或怎么说之前，他必须否认一切。

"上星期四晚上，大约十一点钟左右，你从大比腾到三英里湾的路上，也没有碰到过三个人吗?

""怎么啦，没有，先生，当然罗，我可没碰到过。我已告诉过您了，我没有到过那里。""好吧，格里菲思先生，我也没有别的话好说了。我奉命而来，就是为罗伯达。奥尔登被害一案逮捕你，克莱德。格里菲思。你跟我走就得了。"他掏出一副纯钢手铐来……不外乎是显显他的威风罢了……克莱德顿时往后退缩，浑身发抖，如同挨了一顿揍似的。

"您用不着给我戴这个，先生，"他恳求地说。"我希望您别这样。我一辈子都没有戴过铐。不上铐，我照样跟您走就得了。"他依依不舍。满面愁容地望了一眼那些密密匝匝的树丛，那些隐蔽的林中深处，刚才他应该奔进去，在那儿就安全无虞。

"那末，好吧，"威风凛凛的克劳特回答说。"只要你老老实实跟我走。"于是，他抓住克莱德的一条几乎痉挛了的胳臂。

"我可不可以向您再问一件事?

"他们一块上路时，克莱德胆小如鼠地低声问。

他一想到桑德拉等人，就觉得他们闪闪发光，令人眩目，而自己却显得太渺小了。桑德拉!

桑德拉!

把一个抓住的杀人犯押回那里去!

而且，就让她和伯蒂娜看见他!

啊，不行!

"您……您是打算把我带回宿营地去吗?

""是的，先生，现在我就是这个打算。我这是奉命办事。地方检察官和卡塔拉基县执法官此刻都在那儿。""哦，我知道，我知道，"克莱德歇斯底里地恳求道，这时他那泰然自若的态度几乎丧失殆尽了。"不过，您能不能……您能不能……只要我老老实实跟您走……您明白吗，回到那儿，都是我的朋友，我可不愿意……您能不能带我绕过宿营地，不管您想把我带到哪儿都行。我有一个特殊原因……那就是……我……我，啊，老天哪，我求求您，克劳特先生，这会儿别把我带回宿营地去……行不行?

"克劳特觉得，这个人仿佛非常软弱，还有些稚气……长得眉目清秀，看来相当天真，穿着讲究，态度良好……压根儿不象是他预料中那么野蛮。残暴的凶犯。说实话此人正好来自他克劳特一向尊敬的那个阶
Part 3 Chapter 9
In the absence of Clyde, the impressions taken by Mr. Mason of the world in which he moved here,complementing and confirming those of Lycurgus and Sharon, were sufficient to sober him in regard to the ease(possibly) with which previously he had imagined it might be possible to convict him. For about him was such ascene as suggested all the means as well as the impulse to quiet such a scandal as this. Wealth. Luxury. Importantnames and connections to protect no doubt. Was it not possible that the rich and powerful Griffiths, their nephewseized in this way and whatever his crime, would take steps to secure the best legal talent available, in order toprotect their name? Unquestionably--and then with such adjournments as it was possible for such talent tosecure, might it not be possible that long before he could hope to convict him, he himself would automatically bedisposed of as a prosecutor and without being nominated for and elected to the judgeship he so craved andneeded.
　　Sitting before the circle of attractive tents that faced the lake and putting in order a fishing-pole and reel, wasHarley Baggott, in a brightly-colored sweater and flannel trousers. And through the open flies of several tents,glimpses of individuals--Sondra, Bertine, Wynette and others--busy about toilets necessitated by the recentswim. Being dubious because of the smartness of the company as to whether it was politically or socially wise toproclaim openly the import of his errand, he chose to remain silent for a time, reflecting on the differencebetween the experiences of his early youth and that of Roberta Alden and these others. Naturally as he saw it aman of this Griffiths' connections would seek to use a girl of Roberta's connections thus meanly and brutally andhope to get away with it. Yet, eager to make as much progress as he could against whatever inimical fates mightnow beset him, he finally approached Baggott, and most acidly, yet with as much show of genial andappreciative sociability as he could muster, observed:
　　"A delightful place for a camp, eh?""Yeh, we think so.""Just a group from the estates and hotels about Sharon, I suppose?""Yeh. The south and west shore principally.""Not any of the Griffiths, other than Mr. Clyde, I presume?""No, they're still over at Greenwood, I think.""You know Mr. Clyde Griffiths personally, I suppose?""Oh, sure--he's one of the party.""You don't happen to know how long he's been up here this time, I presume--up with the Cranstons, I mean.""Since Friday, I think. I saw him Friday morning, anyhow. But he'll be back here soon and you can ask himyourself," concluded Baggott, beginning to sense that Mr. Mason was a little too inquisitive and in addition notof either his or Clyde's world.
　　And just then, Frank Harriet, with a tennis racquet under his arm, striding across the foreground.
　　"Where to, Frankie?""To try those courts Harrison laid out up here this morning.""Who with?""Violet, Nadine and Stuart.""Any room for another court?""Sure, there's two. Why not get Bert, and Clyde, and Sondra, and come up?""Well, maybe, after I get this thing set."And Mason at once thinking: Clyde and Sondra. Clyde Griffiths and Sondra Finchley--the very girl whose notesand cards were in one of his pockets now. And might he not see her here, along with Clyde--possibly later talkto her about him?
　　But just then, Sondra and Bertine and Wynette coming out of their respective tents. And Bertine calling: "Oh,say, Harley, seen Nadine anywhere?""No, but Frank just went by. He said he was going up to the courts to play with her and Violet and Stew.""Yes? Well, then, come on, Sondra. You too, Wynette. We'll see how it looks."Bertine, as she pronounced Sondra's name, turned to take her arm, which gave Mason the exact information andopportunity he desired--that of seeing and studying for a moment the girl who had so tragically and no doubt allunwittingly replaced Roberta in Clyde's affections. And, as he could see for himself, more beautiful, more richlyappareled than ever the other could have hoped to be. And alive, as opposed to the other now dead and in amorgue in Bridgeburg.
　　But even as he gazed, the three tripping off together arm in arm, Sondra calling back to Harley: "If you seeClyde, tell him to come on up, will you?" And he replying: "Do you think that shadow of yours needs to betold?"Mason, impressed by the color and the drama, looked intently and even excitedly about. Now it was all so plainwhy he wanted to get rid of the girl--the true, underlying motive. That beautiful girl there, as well as this luxuryto which he aspired. And to think that a young man of his years and opportunities would stoop to such a horribletrick as that! Unbelievable! And only four days after the murder of the other poor girl, playing about with thisbeautiful girl in this fashion, and hoping to marry her, as Roberta had hoped to marry him. The unbelievablevillainies of life!
　　Now, half-determining since Clyde did not appear, that he would proclaim himself and proceed to search for andseize his belongings here, Ed Swenk re-appearing and with a motion of the head indicating that Mason was tofollow him. And once well within the shadow of the surrounding trees, indicating no less an individual thanNicholas Kraut, attended by a slim, neatly-dressed youth of about Clyde's reported years, who, on the instant andbecause of the waxy paleness of his face, he assumed must be Clyde. And at once he now approached him, asmight an angry wasp or hornet, only pausing first to ask of Swenk where he had been captured and by whom-thengazing at Clyde critically and austerely as befitted one who represented the power and majesty of the law.
　　"So you are Clyde Griffiths, are you?""Yes, sir.""Well, Mr. Griffiths, my name is Orville Mason. I am the district attorney of the county in which Big Bittern andGrass Lake are situated. I suppose you are familiar enough with those two places by now, aren't you?"He paused to see the effect of this sardonic bit of commentary. Yet although he expected to see him wince andquail, Clyde merely gazed at him, his nervous, dark eyes showing enormous strain. "No, sir, I can't say that Iam."For with each step through the woods thus far back, there had been growing within him the utter and unshakableconviction that in the face of whatever seeming proof or charges might now appear, he dared not tell anything inregard to himself, his connection with Roberta, his visit to Big Bittern or Grass Lake. He dared not. For thatwould be the same as a confession of guilt in connection with something of which he was not really guilty. Andno one must believe--never--Sondra, or the Griffiths, or any of these fine friends of his, that he could ever have been guilty of such a thought, even. And yet here they were, all within call, and at any moment might approachand so learn the meaning of his arrest. And while he felt the necessity for so denying any knowledge inconnection with all this, at the same time he stood in absolute terror of this man--the opposition and irritatedmood such an attitude might arouse in him. That broken nose. His large, stern eyes.
　　And then Mason, eyeing him as one might an unheard-of and yet desperate animal and irritated also by hisdenial, yet assuming from his blanched expression that he might and no doubt would shortly be compelled toconfess his guilt, continuing with: "You know what you are charged with, Mr. Griffiths, of course.""Yes, sir, I just heard it from this man here.""And you admit it?""Why, no sir, of course I don't admit it," replied Clyde, his thin and now white lips drawn tight over his eventeeth, his eyes full of a deep, tremulous yet evasive terror.
　　"Why, what nonsense! What effrontery! You deny being up to Grass Lake and Big Bittern on last Wednesdayand Thursday?""Yes, sir.""Well, then," and now Mason stiffened himself in an angry and at the same time inquisitorial way, "I supposeyou are going to deny knowing Roberta Alden--the girl you took to Grass Lake, and then out on Big Bittern inthat boat last Thursday--the girl you knew in Lycurgus all last year, who lived at Mrs. Gilpin's and worked underyou in your department at Griffiths & Company--the girl to whom you gave that toilet set last Christmas! Isuppose you're going to say that your name isn't Clyde Griffiths and that you haven't been living with Mrs.
　　Peyton in Taylor Street, and that these aren't letters and cards from your trunk there--from Roberta Alden andfrom Miss Finchley, all these cards and notes." And extracting the letters and cards as he spoke and waving thembefore Clyde. And at each point in this harangue, thrusting his broad face, with its flat, broken nose andsomewhat aggressive chin directly before Clyde's, and blazing at him with sultry, contemptuous eyes, while thelatter leaned away from him, wincing almost perceptibly and with icy chills running up and down his spine andaffecting his heart and brain. Those letters! All this information concerning him! And back in his bag in the tentthere, all those more recent letters of Sondra's in which she dwelt on how they were to elope together this comingfall. If only he had destroyed them! And now this man might find those--would--and question Sondra maybe, andall these others. He shrunk and congealed spiritually, the revealing effects of his so poorly conceived andexecuted scheme weighing upon him as the world upon the shoulders of an inadequate Atlas.
　　And yet, feeling that he must say something and yet not admit anything. And finally replying: "My name's ClydeGriffiths all right, but the rest of this isn't true. I don't know anything about the rest of it.""Oh, come now, Mr. Griffiths! Don't begin by trying to play fast and loose with me. We won't get anywhere thatway. You won't help yourself one bit by that with me, and besides I haven't any time for that now. Rememberthese men here are witnesses to what you say. I've just come from Lycurgus--your room at Mrs. Peyton's--and Ihave in my possession your trunk and this Miss Alden's letters to you--indisputable proof that you did know this girl, that you courted and seduced her last winter, and that since then--this spring--when she became pregnant onyour account, you induced her first to go home and then later to go away with you on this trip in order, as youtold her, to marry her. Well, you married her all right--to the grave--that's how you married her--to the water atthe bottom of Big Bittern Lake! And you can actually stand here before me now, when I tell you that I have allthe evidence I need right on my person, and say that you don't even know her! Well, I'll be damned!"And as he spoke his voice grew so loud that Clyde feared that it could be clearly heard in the camp beyond. Andthat Sondra herself might hear it and come over. And although at the outrush and jab and slash of such doomingfacts as Mason so rapidly outlined, his throat tightened and his hands were with difficulty restrained from closingand clinching vise-wise, at the conclusion of it all he merely replied: "Yes, sir.""Well, I'll be damned!" reiterated Mason. "I can well believe now that you would kill a girl and sneak away injust such a way as you did--and with her in that condition! But then to try to deny her own letters to you! Why,you might as well try to deny that you're here and alive. These cards and notes here--what about them? I supposethey're not from Miss Finchley? How about those? Do you mean to tell me these are not from her either?"He waved them before Clyde's eyes. And Clyde, seeing that the truth concerning these, Sondra being within call,was capable of being substantiated here and now, replied: "No, I don't deny that those are from her.""Very good. But these others from your trunk in the same room are not from Miss Alden to you?""I don't care to say as to that," he replied, blinking feebly as Mason waved Roberta's letters before him.
　　"Tst! Tst! Tst! Of all things," clicked Mason in high dudgeon. "Such nonsense! Such effrontery! Oh, very well,we won't worry about all that now. I can easily prove it all when the time comes. But how you can stand thereand deny it, knowing that I have the evidence, is beyond me! A card in your own handwriting which you forgotto take out of the bag you had her leave at Gun Lodge while you took yours with you. Mr. Carl Graham, Mr.
　　Clifford Golden, Mr. Clyde Griffiths,--a card on which you wrote 'From Clyde to Bert, Merry Xmas.' Do youremember that? Well, here it is." And here he reached into his pocket and drew forth the small card taken fromthe toilet set and waved it under Clyde's nose. "Have you forgotten that, too? Your own handwriting!" And thenpausing and getting no reply, finally adding: "Why, what a dunce you are!-- what a poor plotter, without even thebrains not to use your own initials in getting up those fake names you had hoped to masquerade under--Mr. CarlGraham--Mr. Clifford Golden!"At the same time, fully realizing the importance of a confession and wondering how it was to be brought abouthere and now, Mason suddenly--Clyde's expression, his frozen-faced terror, suggesting the thought that perhapshe was too frightened to talk at once changed his tactics--at least to the extent of lowering his voice, smoothingthe formidable wrinkles from his forehead and about his mouth.
　　"You see, it's this way, Griffiths," he now began, much more calmly and simply. "Lying or just foolishthoughtless denial under such circumstances as these can't help you in the least. It can only harm you, and that'sthe truth. You may think I've been a little rough so far, but it was only because I've been under a great strainmyself in connection with this case, trying to catch up with some one I thought would be a very different typefrom yourself. But now that I see you and see how you feel about it all--how really frightened you are by what has happened--it just occurs to me that there may be something in connection with this case, some extenuatingcircumstances, which, if they were related by you now, might throw a slightly different light on all this. Ofcourse, I don't know. You yourself ought to be the best judge, but I'm laying the thought before you for what it'sworth. For, of course, here are these letters. Besides, when we get to Three Mile Bay to-morrow, as we will, Ihope, there will be those three men who met you the other night walking south from Big Bittern. And not onlythose, but the innkeeper from Grass Lake, the innkeeper from Big Bittern, the boatkeeper up there who rentedthat boat, and the driver who drove you and Roberta Alden over from Gun Lodge. They will identify you. Doyou think they won't know you--not any of them--not be able to say whether you were up there with her or not,or that a jury when the time comes won't believe them?"And all this Clyde registered mentally like a machine clicking to a coin, yet said nothing,--merely staring, frozen.
　　"And not only that," went on Mason, very softly and most ingratiatingly, "but there's Mrs. Peyton. She saw metake these letters and cards out of that trunk of yours in your room and from the top drawer of your chiffonier.
　　Next, there are all those girls in that factory where you and Miss Alden worked. Do you suppose they're notgoing to remember all about you and her when they learn that she is dead? Oh, what nonsense! You ought to beable to see that for yourself, whatever you think. You certainly can't expect to get away with that. It makes a sortof a fool out of you. You can see that for yourself."He paused again, hoping for a confession. But Clyde still convinced that any admission in connection withRoberta or Big Bittern spelled ruin, merely stared while Mason proceeded to add:
　　"All right, Griffiths, I'm now going to tell you one more thing, and I couldn't give you better advice if you weremy own son or brother and I were trying to get you out of this instead of merely trying to get you to tell the truth.
　　If you hope to do anything at all for yourself now, it's not going to help you to deny everything in the way youare doing. You are simply making trouble and condemning yourself in other people's eyes. Why not say that youdid know her and that you were up there with her and that she wrote you those letters, and be done with it? Youcan't get out of that, whatever else you may hope to get out of. Any sane person--your own mother, if she werehere--would tell you the same thing. It's too ridiculous and indicates guilt rather than innocence. Why not comeclean here and now as to those facts, anyhow, before it's too late to take advantage of any mitigatingcircumstances in connection with all this--if there are any? And if you do NOW, and I can help you in any way, Ipromise you here and now that I'll be only too glad to do so. For, after all, I'm not out here just to hound a man todeath or make him confess to something that he hasn't done, but merely to get at the truth in the case. But ifyou're going to deny that you even knew this girl when I tell you I have all the evidence and can prove it, whythen--" and here the district attorney lifted his hands aloft most wearily and disgustedly.
　　But now as before Clyde remained silent and pale. In spite of all Mason had revealed, and all that this seeminglyfriendly, intimate advice seemed to imply, still he could not conceive that it would be anything less thandisastrous for him to admit that he even knew Roberta. The fatality of such a confession in the eyes of theseothers here. The conclusion of all his dreams in connection with Sondra and this life. And so, in the face of this-silence,still. And at this, Mason, irritated beyond measure, finally exclaiming: "Oh, very well, then. So you'vefinally decided not to talk, have you?" And Clyde, blue and weak, replied: "I had nothing to do with her death.
　　That's all I can say now," and yet even as he said it thinking that perhaps he had better not say that--that perhapshe had better say--well, what? That he knew Roberta, of course, had been up there with her, for that matter--but that he had never intended to kill her--that her drowning was an accident. For he had not struck her at all, exceptby accident, had he? Only it was best not to confess to having struck her at all, wasn't it? For who under suchcircumstances would believe that he had struck her with a camera by accident. Best not to mention the camera,since there was no mention anywhere in the papers that he had had one with him.
　　And he was still cogitating while Mason was exclaiming: "Then you admit that you knew her?""No, sir.""Very well, then," he now added, turning to the others, "I suppose there's nothing for it but to take him back thereand see what they know about him. Perhaps that will get something out of this fine bird--to confront him with hisfriends. His bag and things are still back there in one of those tents, I believe. Suppose we take him down there,gentlemen, and see what these other people know about him."And now, swiftly and coldly he turned, while Clyde, already shrinking at the horror of what was coming,exclaimed: "Oh, please, no! You don't mean to do that, do you? Oh, you won't do that! Oh, please, no!"And at this point Kraut speaking up and saying: "He asked me back there in the woods if I wouldn't ask you notto take him in there." "Oh, so that's the way the wind blows, is it?" exclaimed Mason at this. "Too thin-skinned tobe shown up before ladies and gentlemen of the Twelfth Lake colony, but not even willing to admit that youknew the poor little working-girl who worked for you. Very good. Well, then, my fine friend, suppose you comethrough with what you really do know now, or down there you go." And he paused a moment to see what effectthat would have. "We'll call all those people together and explain just how things are, and then see if you will bewilling to stand there and deny everything!" But noting still a touch of hesitation in Clyde he now added: "Bringhim along, boys." And turning toward the camp he proceeded to walk in that direction a few paces while Krauttaking one arm, and Swenk another, and beginning to move Clyde he ended by exclaiming:
　　"Oh, please, no! Oh, I hope you won't do anything like that, will you, Mr. Mason? Oh, I don't want to go backthere if you don't mind. It isn't that I'm guilty, but you can get all my things without my going back there. Andbesides it will mean so much to me just now." Beads of perspiration once more burst forth on his pale face andhands and he was deadly cold.
　　"Don't want to go, eh?" exclaimed Mason, pausing as he heard this. "It would hurt your pride, would it, to have'em know? Well, then, supposing you just answer some of the things I want to know--and come clean and quick,or off we go--and that without one more moment's delay! Now, will you answer or won't you?" And again heturned to confront Clyde, who, with lips trembling and eyes confused and wavering, nervously and emphaticallyannounced:
　　"Of course I knew her. Of course I did. Sure! Those letters show that. But what of it? I didn't kill her. And Ididn't go up there with her with any intention of killing her, either. I didn't. I didn't, I tell you! It was all anaccident. I didn't even want to take her up there. She wanted me to go--to go away with her somewhere,because--because, well you know--her letters show. And I was only trying to get her to go off somewhere byherself, so she would let me alone, because I didn't want to marry her. That's all. And I took her out there, not tokill her at all, but to try to persuade her, that's all. And I didn't upset the boat--at least, I didn't mean to. The wind blew my hat off, and we--she and I--got up at the same time to reach for it and the boat upset--that's all. And theside of it hit her on the head. I saw it, only I was too frightened the way she was struggling about in the water togo near her, because I was afraid that if I did she might drag me down. And then she went down. And I swamashore. And that's the God's truth!"His face, as he talked, had suddenly become all flushed, and his hands also. Yet his eyes were tortured, terrifiedpools of misery. He was thinking--but maybe there wasn't any wind that afternoon and maybe they would findthat out. Or the tripod hidden under a log. If they found that, wouldn't they think he hit her with that? He was wetand trembling.
　　But already Mason was beginning to question him again.
　　"Now, let's see as to this a minute. You say you didn't take her up there with any intention of killing her?""No, sir, I didn't.""Well, then, how was it that you decided to write your name two different ways on those registers up there at BigBittern and Grass Lake?""Because I didn't want any one to know that I was up there with her.""Oh, I see. Didn't want any scandal in connection with the condition she was in?""No, sir. Yes, sir, that is.""But you didn't mind if her name was scandalized in case she was found afterwards?""But I didn't know she was going to be drowned," replied Clyde, slyly and shrewdly, sensing the trap in time.
　　"But you did know that you yourself weren't coming back, of course. You knew that, didn't you?""Why, no, sir, I didn't know that I wasn't coming back. I thought I was.""Pretty clever. Pretty clever," thought Mason to himself, but not saying so, and then, rapidly: "And so in order tomake everything easy and natural as possible for you to come back, you took your own bag with you and lefthers up there. Is that the way? How about that?""But I didn't take it because I was going away. We decided to put our lunch in it.""We, or you?""We.""And so you had to carry that big bag in order to take a little lunch along, eh? Couldn't you have taken it in a paper, or in her bag?""Well, her bag was full, and I didn't like to carry anything in a paper.""Oh, I see. Too proud and sensitive, eh? But not too proud to carry a heavy bag all the way, say twelve miles, inthe night to Three Mile Bay, and not ashamed to be seen doing it, either, were you?""Well, after she was drowned and I didn't want to be known as having been up there with her, and had to goalong--"He paused while Mason merely looked at him, thinking of the many, many questions he wanted to ask him--somany, many more, and which, as he knew or guessed, would be impossible for him to explain. Yet it was gettinglate, and back in the camp were Clyde's as yet unclaimed belongings--his bag and possibly that suit he had wornthat day at Big Bittern--a gray one as he had heard--not this one. And to catechize him here this way in the dusk,while it might be productive of much if only he could continue it long enough, still there was the trip back, anden route he would have ample time to continue his questionings.
　　And so, although he disliked much so to do at the moment, he now concluded with: "Oh, well, I tell you,Griffiths, we'll let you rest here for the present. It may be that what you are saying is so--I don't know. I mostcertainly hope it is, for your sake. At any rate, you go along there with Mr. Kraut. He'll show you where to go."And then turning to Swenk and Kraut, he exclaimed: "All right, boys. I'll tell you how we'll do. It's getting lateand we'll have to hurry a little if we expect to get anywhere yet tonight. Mr. Kraut, suppose you take this youngman down where those other two boats are and wait there. Just halloo a little as you go along to notify the sheriffand Sissel that we're ready. And then Swenk and I'll be along in the other boat as soon as we can."And so saying and Kraut obeying, he and Swenk proceeded inward through the gathering dusk to the camp,while Kraut with Clyde went west, hallooing for the sheriff and his deputy until a response was had.

梅森在克莱德不在场时，对此人在这儿的活动天地所获得的印象，补充和证实了他在莱柯格斯和沙隆早已获得的印象，足以使他头脑清醒，不象当初那样认为很容易就能给此人定罪。因为，克莱德周围的一切，说明他们既有强烈的愿望，也有种种办法，要把这一类丑事掩盖过去。财富。奢华。还有当然要尽力保护的那些声名煊赫的门族和高贵的社会关系。难道说有钱有势的格里菲思家族获悉他们的侄子这样被抓走，也不管他犯的是什么罪，就不延请才华出众的律师来维护他们家族的名声吗?

这是毫无疑问的……而且司法界这类辩才确有办法，能让此案一再拖延下去。也许在他想给犯人定罪以前，他本人早就自然而然地既当不成检察官，又不能被提名并进而当选为他梦寐以求的法官这一职位了。

坐在正面对着湖围成一圈的漂亮帐篷前，正在整理鱼竿和线轴的，是身穿色彩鲜艳的运动衫和法兰绒裤子的哈利。巴戈特。从好几座帐篷敞开的门帘，隐约可见一些人……有桑德拉。伯蒂娜和威南特等人……他们刚游过泳，正忙着化妆哩。由于这班俊男倩女如此时髦潇洒，梅森不由得犯疑了，真不知道如果公开宣布他的来意，从政治或社会视角来看，是不是很明智。他觉得不妨暂时保持缄默为好，同时思考此人青少年时期的生活经历，跟罗伯达。奥尔登这一类人的生活经历有何不同之处。他认为，一个依仗格里菲思家族这样背景的人，如此卑鄙。残忍地对待类似罗伯达这样出身的姑娘，而且想要逍遥法外，本来就是很自然的事。不过，他一心想让工作取得更大进展，不管所有敌对力量可能给他设置种种障碍。梅森最终还是走到巴戈特跟前，非常酸溜溜地，但又尽量装得和蔼可亲。平易近人地说:

"好一个宿营地，嗯?

""是啊，我们也是这么想的。""依我看，你们全是来自沙隆那一带别墅和旅馆，是吧。""是啊。主要是来自南岸和西岸。""我想，除了克莱德先生以外，格里菲思家里别人没有来吧?

""没有，我想，他们大概还都在格林伍德湖那边吧。""依我看，也许您个人跟克莱德。格里菲思先生很熟吧?

""哦，当然罗……他就是跟我们一块儿来的。""您知不知道这次他上这儿来……我是说他在克兰斯顿家已待了多久?

""好象他是星期五来的。反正我是星期五早上看见他的。不过，他马上就要回来了，您自个儿问他就得了，"巴戈特就这样结束了谈话。他开始觉得:

梅森先生有点儿打破沙锅问到底似的，因此，这人显然不是象他和克莱德圈子里头的人。

正在这时，弗兰克。哈里特腋下夹着一个网球拍，大步流星走了过来。

"上哪儿去，弗兰克?

""今儿个早上哈里森在这儿开辟了球场，我这是去试试看呗。""还有谁一块去?

""维奥莱特。纳丁和斯图尔特。""有空地再辟一个球场，好吗?

""当然罗，那儿已有两个球场哩。干吗不找伯蒂娜。克莱德。桑德拉一块去?

""得了吧，也许等我把这事忙完了再说。"梅森马上想到:

克莱德和桑德拉。克莱德。格里菲思和桑德拉。芬奇利……此刻他口袋里正有这位姑娘的信和卡片哩。说不定他会在这儿见到她跟克莱德在一起……也许不妨等一会儿跟她谈谈有关他的事。

不料就在这时，桑德拉。伯蒂娜。威南特正从她们各自的帐篷里走了出来。

伯蒂娜还在大声喊道:

"喂，喂，哈里特，你看见纳丁了没有?

""没有，不过，弗兰克刚刚走过。他说上球场去，是跟她，还有维奥莱特和斯图尔特一块打球。""原来是这样啊?

那末，好吧，桑德拉，我们就一块去。威南特，你也去。我们去看看球场到底怎么样。"伯蒂娜一面直呼其名，一面转过身来挽住桑德拉的胳臂，这样正给了梅森一个求之不得的机会，有幸得以一睹这位姑娘如此悲剧性地，而且，毫无疑问，连她自己都不知道，把罗伯达从克莱德情怀里挤走了。他亲眼目睹，她长得更美，衣着更为华丽……远不是另一个姑娘所能企求的。而且，这一位姑娘还活着，而那一个早已死了，停放在布里奇伯格认尸所。

就在这时，她们三个姑娘手挽手地打从两眼直盯住她们的梅森身边一闪而过;桑德拉还回过头来冲着哈利高声喊道:

"你要是看见克莱德，招呼一声，让他就过来，好吗?

"他回答说:

"你说，你的那个影子还用得着别人招呼他吗?

"梅森被眼前这一幕绘声绘色的表演所震惊，更加仔细。乃至于十分激动地观察周围一切。现在梅森才完全闹清楚了:

克莱德为什么要摆脱掉那个姑娘……其真正的内在动机是在哪里。那就是……他一心追求的那一个美丽的姑娘，以及这种豪华生活。试想，象他这样年纪。这样有前途的年轻人，竟然甘心堕落，干出如此骇人听闻的丑事!

简直令人不可置信!

而且，在那个可怜的姑娘惨遭杀害后仅仅四天，他就跟这个美丽的姑娘这样一起玩儿，还希望能跟她结婚，如同当初罗伯达希望能跟他结婚一样。生活里常有这种令人难以置信的邪恶!

梅森看到克莱德并没有露面，几乎打算亮明自己身份，动手搜缴他留在这里的行李物品。可是，就在这时，埃特。斯温克又出现了，并且点了一下头，示意梅森跟他走。梅森一走进树林子，马上看见在浓密的树荫底下，正好就是尼古拉斯。克劳特，在他身边还有一个身材细长。衣着整洁的年轻人，与外貌特征中所说的克莱德年龄相仿。梅森一看此人脸色有如白蜡一般，马上断定这就是克莱德，随即如同一头凶恶的马蜂或是大黄蜂似的冲他扑了过去，只不过梅森先向斯温克问了一下，犯人是在什么地方抓住的，是谁抓住的……然后，用庄严强大的法律的化身所不可缺少的那种锐利而严厉的目光审视着克莱德。

"这么说来，你就是克莱德。格里菲思先生，是吧?

""是的，先生。""嗯，格里菲思先生，我的名字叫奥维尔。梅森。大比腾。草湖所属的那个县的地方检察官。我想，这两处地方，你恐怕是很熟悉，是不是?

"他顿住了一会儿，想看看这句讥刺的话儿产生什么效果。可是跟他预料相反，克莱德并没有吓得瑟瑟发抖，只是两眼直瞪住他。这时，克莱德的黑眼睛里流露出极度紧张的神色。"不，先生，我可不能说我很熟悉。"要知道他在克劳特押送下，从树林子里走回来时，每走一步就越发坚定了他心中那个完全不可动摇的信念，那就是说:

不管从表面上看证据，或是罪名如何如何，凡是有关本人问题，他和罗伯达的关系，以及他的大比腾或是草湖之行，他决没有胆量说出一个字来。他可没有这种胆量。因为这么一来，无异于供认他犯了他实际上并没有犯的罪行。谁都不可以……决不可以……不管是桑德拉也好，或是格里菲思一家人也好，或是他在上流社会里那些朋友中的哪一位也好，认为他甚至仅仅是有过这么一种有罪的念头。不过，现在他们全在这里，一呼唤他们就能听见，随时都有可能走拢来，会了解到他被捕的原因。虽然他觉得必须矢口否认跟这一切有任何干系，但他同时确实非常害怕这个人……他这种态度可能激起这个人更大反感和敌意。瞧他那破了相的鼻子……还有他的那双严酷的大眼睛。

梅森见他这样矢口否认感到很恼火，就瞅了他一眼，如同瞅着一头过去从没听说过。目前却在拚命挣扎的野兽一般。不过，从他那煞白的脸色来看，可以断定:

也许他有可能，而且，毫无疑问，马上就会被迫供认自己的罪行。因此，梅森就继续说道:

"当然罗，格里菲思先生，人家告发你犯了什么罪，你自己心里明白。""是的，先生，刚才我从这儿这个人口里听说过了。""那你自己承认了吗?

""当然罗，先生，我不承认，"克莱德回答说。他那两片薄薄的。这时变得惨白的嘴唇，紧紧地把他那一口匀称平整的牙齿闭得严丝密缝似的;他的那双眼睛充满了一种深沉的。但又不可捉摸的恐惧。

"嘿，多荒唐!

多无耻!

你否认上星期三。上星期四到过草湖和大比腾?

""是的，我否认，先生。""那末，好吧，"这时梅森挺直腰板，用一种恼火的。审问的口气说道。"我想，你还打算否认你认识罗伯达。奥尔登……这个姑娘是你先把她带到草湖，然后在上星期四，你和她在大比腾一块坐了船出去的……这个姑娘，你在莱柯格斯已认识，有整整一个年头了，她住在吉尔平太太家里，在格里菲思公司你的那个部门做工……这个姑娘，你在去年圣诞节还送给她一套化妆用品哩!

我想，你还打算否认你的名字叫克莱德。格里菲思，说你并不是住在泰勒街的佩顿太太家里，说你住处箱子里压根儿没有这些信件和明信片……这些是罗伯达。奥尔登寄来的，芬奇利小姐寄来的，所有这些信件和明信片。"他一边说，一边把这些信件和明信片都掏了出来，在克莱德面前直晃悠。他在叱责时每说一句话，便让他的那张大脸盘，连同又塌又破的鼻子和有点儿爱吵架的下巴颏儿，越来越凑近克莱德面前，而且眼里还充满了炽烈的。蔑视的闪光。克莱德只好尽量避开他，显然一个劲儿往后退缩，一阵阵透骨的寒气从他背脊上掠过，最后渗入他的脑际和心窝。这些信件!

还有这一切有关他的情况!

再说，在帐篷那儿他的手提箱里，还有桑德拉最近寄给他的全部信件，她在信里谈到他们打算策划在今年秋天私奔。要是他把这些信件早就销毁该有多好!

可是现在，这个人说不定会发现这些信件……而且也一定会发现的……说不定他还要盘问桑德拉，以及所有其他的人。他畏缩成一团，浑身直哆嗦。他的这个计谋，原是他亲自构思和亲自完成，殊不知其效果竟是如此之蹩脚，如今使他心情万分沉重，有如地球落在体力不支的阿特拉斯(阿特拉斯:

古希腊神话中双肩掮天的巨神。)肩头上一样。

不过，他觉得自己还得说一些话，但是又要一概都不承认。最后，他终于回答说:

"我的名字是叫克莱德。格里菲思，一点儿也不错。但除此以外，所有一切都不是真实的。我一点儿都不知道。""啊，得了吧，格里菲思先生!

别来跟我耍花腔吧。这样不会有什么结果的。

你这么对我耍赖，反正对你自己一点儿好处都没有。再说，眼前我也没有这么多闲工夫。别忘了，这儿所有的人，都是见证人，你说的话他们全听到了。我刚从莱柯格斯来……从佩顿太太家你那个房间来……而且，你的那只箱子，还有这位奥尔登小姐寄给你的那些信，如今都掌握在我手里……这是毋庸争辩的证据。它证明你确实认识这个姑娘;去年冬天你向她求爱，诱奸过她;打那以后……今年春天起……她因为你的缘故怀了孕，你先是骗她回老家，随后，这一回又骗她跟你一块出去玩儿……为的是(正如你告诉她说)要跟她结婚。是啊，亏你说得出跟她结婚!

……落到坟墓里去了……你就是这么跟她结的婚……沉到大比腾湖底去了!

现在我告诉你，我手里掌握着全部证据，可你竟然当着我的面，还说你压根儿都不认得她!

嘿，真见你的鬼去吧!

"他说话时嗓门儿越来越大，克莱德深怕宿营地那儿都能听得一清二楚。说不定桑德拉听见了，就会走过来。当梅森说话象连珠炮似的历数那些必将使他置于死地的事实，劈头盖脸地向他横扫过来时，克莱德感到嗓子眼直抽紧，好歹沉住了气，才没有老是来回掰手。不过到头来，他还是只好回答说:

"是的，先生。""嘿，真见你的鬼去吧!

"梅森又发话了。"现在我很相信，你确实很有能耐，可以把一个姑娘活活弄死，便偷偷地溜掉……特别是在她有了身孕的时候!

可你还想否认她寄给你的这些信!

嘿，也许你还有能耐否认你自己在这里，否认你自己活着哩。瞧这些明信片和信件……你就说说怎么回事呢?

我想你要说它们不是芬奇利小姐寄给你的，是不是?

喂，那你来说说吧?

难道是你想对我说，这些信也不是她寄给你的吗?

"他把这些信在克莱德眼前直晃悠。克莱德意识到，桑德拉近在咫尺之间，有关这些信的来龙去脉，马上就可以把她叫来，在此时此地作证，于是回答说:

"不，我并没有否认这些信是她寄来的。""那很好。可是在同一个房间你那只箱子里那些信，都不是奥尔登小姐寄给你的吗?

""这个……我可不打算谈它，"克莱德回答时，由于梅森在他面前直晃动罗伯达这些信件，就禁不住眨起眼来。

"Ｔｓｔ!

……Ｔｓｔ!

……Ｔｓｔ!

真是，"梅森勃然大怒，咂着舌头说。"太荒唐!

太无耻!

啊，那好吧，这些现在我们不必多费口舌了。反正到时候，这一切我很容易就能证实的。不过，你明明知道我证据确凿，怎么还敢在这里矢口否认……这真的叫我闹不明白了!

还有你亲笔写的一张小卡片。你拿走了自己的手提箱，把她的手提包寄放在冈洛奇车站，这时你却忘了把这张小卡片从她的手提包里取出来。卡尔。格雷厄姆先生……克利福德。戈尔登先生!

你在这张小卡片上写着:

'

''''克莱德赠给伯特，祝圣诞快乐，。这个你还记得吗?

得了，它就在这儿。

"他摸了一下口袋，把化妆盒上那张小卡片掏了出来，在克莱德鼻尖底下晃动了一下。"那你也忘了吗?

明明是你自己亲笔写的!

"然后，顿住了片刻还是不见回答，最后梅森才又补充说:

"嘿，你这个人笨蛋!

好一个蹩脚的阴谋家，希望用假名字……卡尔。格雷厄姆先生……克利福德。戈尔登先生……来掩人耳目，怎么没好好想想千万不能用自己名字的英文缩写呢!

"不过，梅森又充分意识到此事取得克莱德的供认至关重要，因此心里琢磨怎样促使他在此时此地自己招认不讳。梅森突然见到克莱德冰冷的脸上露出恐惧的神色，马上联想到:

也许他吓坏了，这才哑口无言吧。于是，梅森立刻改变策略……至少嗓门儿要压低些，嘴角边和额角上骇人的皱纹也应舒展开来。

"你听着，格里菲思，是这么回事，"梅森说道，口气要比刚才平静和利索得多了，"根据现在情况，撒谎也好，还是愚蠢地。轻率地加以否认，对你来说，一点儿好处都没有。说实话，这只会害了你。也许你认为刚才我有点儿太粗暴了。但这就是因为，我接办这个案子后神经也真的太紧张了。我以为我拚命追缉的那个人跟你是类型完全不同的。不过，现在我见到了你是怎么个人，了解你此时此刻的心情……说真的，你被已经发生的事态给吓懵了……刚才我想到，也许这个案子还可能有些情况……有些情有可原的情况，现在要是你把这些情况告诉我，说不定会使人们对这件事有略微不同的看法。当然罗，我一点儿也不知道。这事你自己应该能作出最好的判断，我只不过是毫不隐瞒地把这个想法告诉你就是了。因为，不满你说，这些信就在这儿。再说，当我们到了三英里湾……因为我们明天将会到达那里，我希望……那里还有你那天晚上从大比腾往南走时碰到过的那三个人。而且不止这些人，还有草湖旅社掌柜。大比腾客栈老板。出租那条游船的人，以及从冈洛奇站开车送你和罗伯达。奥尔登的那个司机。他们个个都认得你。难道说你以为他们都认不出你……一个都认不出你……都说不准那时你是不是跟她在一块?

也许你还以为到时候陪审团都会不相信他们?

"这一切，克莱德都一件件记在心上了，就象扔入一枚钱币咯登一响的自动收银器似的，但还是一声不吭……浑身冻僵似的，只是瞪着两眼直望着前方。

"而且还不止这样，"梅森以非常柔和讨好的口吻继续说道。"还有佩顿太太。

她亲眼看我从你房间那一只箱子和你壁橱顶格里把这些信件和明信片取出来。

还有你和奥尔登小姐工作的那个厂里所有的姑娘们。她们一知道她死了，难道就不会回想起你跟她的全部关系吗?

唉，真是太愚蠢!

不管你怎么想，这些最简单的道理，你自己就应该很明白。当然罗，你也别指望这样你就能逃脱惩罚。看来你真的要变成一个大傻瓜了。这你自己心里就得闹明白才好。"他又顿住片刻，希望克莱德自己坦白招认。可克莱德还是坚信，有关罗伯达或大比腾的事，只要一承认，就会把他完全毁了。所以，他依然两眼瞪着，但梅森却继续说道:

"好吧，格里菲思，现在我就再告诉你一件事。即使你是我的亲儿子或是亲兄弟，我对你也提不出比这更好的忠告了，因为我是拚命想要设法挽救你，而不是仅仅想把你的真话套出来。现在你要是真的想多少改善一下自己的处境，那末，你象刚才那样一味否认，说真的，对你一点儿好处都没有。在别人看来，你只不过是自找麻烦，到头来还是害了自己。为什么不说:

你是认识她的，你是跟她一块去大比腾的，这些信就是她写给你的……为什么不肯痛痛快快，一说出来就完事?

反正这事你怎么也躲不掉，哪怕是你希望证明自己并没有沾边也不行。凡是头脑清醒的人……就算是你的慈母吧，只要她在这里……也照样会这样劝你。你的这种表现，简直太可笑了。这反而说明你有罪，而不是你没有罪。

为什么不在此时此地把这些事实……如果说真是有的话……通通谈清楚呢?

为什么不趁早谈出来，不是多少可以减轻罪状吗?

而且，要是你现在就这么做，我多少可以帮帮你的忙，那末，我将在此时此地向你保证:

我一定非常乐意帮你的忙。

因为，说到底，我上这儿来，并不是要把一个人置于死地，或是逼他供认他并没有干过的事;我只不过是要让此案真相大白罢了。可是，当我告诉你，说我手里已掌握了全部证据，并且可以得到佐证时，你甚至连认识这个姑娘一事还想抵赖，那就……"说到这里，这位地方检察官两手便向空中高高举起，表示非常厌烦和无比嫌恶。

可是这时，克莱德依然脸色煞白，一声不吭。尽管这一切梅森都向他亮明了，还说出了看来友好。出于善意。似乎含意很深的忠告，可他依然坚信，倘若他一承认自己认识罗伯达，那就无异于给自己招来了灭顶之灾。只要一承认，在宿营地一行人心目中，他也就永远抬不起头来了。他对桑德拉和辉煌生活寄予的全部梦想，也全都化为泡影了。因此，不管怎么样……他还是一声不吭。

可梅森反而恼羞成怒，终于大声嚷嚷:

"啊，那末，很好。这就是说，你已最后决定闭口不谈了，是吗?

"这时，克莱德没精打采。有气无力地回答说:

"我跟她的死一点儿都不沾边。现在我能说的，也就全说了。"但即使他在回话时，心里还在暗自揣摸:

也许他最好不这么说……也许他最好是说……啊，到底该怎么说呀?

说他当然认识罗伯达，甚至还跟她一块去大比腾湖的……不过，他从来没打算把她弄死……她的溺死是一起不幸事故。因为，他压根儿没有砸过她，如果说砸过的话，也只是出于无意，可不是吗?

不过，也许最好还是完全不供认他砸过她，可不是吗?

因为，在如此复杂的情况下，有谁会相信他用照相机砸她只是出于无意呢?

最好压根儿连照相机也别提了，反正各报迄今都没提到他身边携有照相机。

当他心中还在琢磨的时候，梅森却大声喊道:

"那末，你承认你是认识她的?

""不认识，先生。""那好吧，"梅森转过身去对他手下的那些人说，"在这种情况下，依我看，没有办法了，我们只好把他带回宿营地去，看看他们是不是了解他的情况。也许那样可以从这个家伙身上挤出一点东西来，让他去跟他那些朋友当面对质去。

我相信，他的手提箱和一些东西还在那边一个帐篷里。诸位先生，我们就把他带回宿营地去吧，看看他们是不是知道有关他的其他事情。"随后，他马上冷冰冰地转过身要去宿营地，这时克莱德想到即将等待他的是什么而吓得浑身发抖，便大声嚷嚷:

"啊，求求您，千万别这样!

难道说您是真要把我带到那儿去吗?

啊，请您千万别这样做!

啊，求求您，千万别这样!

"这时克劳特才开了腔，说:

"他在树林子里就问过我，能不能跟您谈谈不要把他带到宿营地去。""啊，原来是在摸摸动向，是吧?

"梅森一听就大声叫了起来。

"脸皮子太薄，不敢在第十二号湖上那些小姐。先生跟前露面。可是你甚至连在自己手下做工的那个可怜的小女工都不肯承认。真是妙极了。那末，好吧，我的朋友，要么把你确实知道的事情全都抖搂出来，要么就干脆回到宿营地去。"他顿住了一会儿，看看这句话对克莱德发生什么效果。"我们会把宿营地那边的人通通召集拢来，向他们说明这是怎么回事，那时候看你还愿不愿意站在那里，矢门否认一切!

"但他发觉克莱德犹豫不决，便继续说下去:

"把他带走，伙计们。

"梅森转过身去，朝宿营地方向踱了几步，这时，克劳特和斯温克分别架住克莱德的胳膊，把他推推搡搡向前走去。不料，克莱德突然大声喊叫说:

"啊，求求您，千万别这样!

啊，请您千万别把我带到那儿，好吗，梅森先生?

啊，求求您，我可不能再回到那儿去。这并不是说我真的有罪，不过，就是我不回去，我在那边的东西您照样可以拿走。再说，现在回到那里，对我简直太难堪了。"瞧他那惨白的脸上和手上又是大豆汗出。他浑身上下象死人似的全都冰凉了。

"你不想去，嗯?

"梅森一听见他这么说，就大声嚷道，随后停了下来。"他们要是全知道了，让你丢了面子，是吧?

那末，好吧，现在你就回答我想了解的一些事情……而且要迅速，要彻底……要不然，我们连一分钟也不耽搁，就干脆到宿营地去!

现在，你是打算回答呢，还是不回答?

"他身子又侧转过来，走到克莱德跟前。这时，克莱德茫然不知所措，嘴唇直哆嗦，眼里露出困惑不定的神色。他终于忐忑不安地说:

"当然罗，我认识她。当然我认识。那是不用说的!

这从信里就看得出来。不过，那又怎样呢?

我并没有害死她。就是我跟她一块去那儿，也不是存心要害死她。我压根儿就没有。我就是没有。我跟您说!

这完全是一起不幸事故。当时我甚至并不想要把她带到那儿去的。是她要我去的……要我带她一块到那儿去的，因为……因为，嗯，反正你也知道……从她那些信上一看也都明白了。而我一个劲儿说服她一个人到什么地方去，好让我清静些，因为我并不想跟她结婚。

原来就是这样。我把她带到那儿，压根儿不想害死她，只不过是一个劲儿要说服她……就是这么一回事。再说，我并没有把那条小船翻掉……至少我不是存心要翻掉。风把我的帽子给刮跑了，我们……她和我……同时站了起来去捡帽子，小船就翻掉了……就是这么一回事。她的头部还跟船舷相撞了。这个我是看见的。但一看见她在湖水里拚命挣扎的样子，我吓坏了，不敢游到她那边去，因为我深怕一游过去，说不定连我也要被她拖下去。接着，她就沉下去了。我游到了岸边。这都是千真万确的，我指着老天起誓!

"他说话时，脸突然胀得通红，双手也是这样。他那痛苦。恐怖的眼睛里充满了绝望。他在暗自寻思……也许那天下午几乎没有什么风，说不定人们会发现这一点。说不定藏在圆木头底下的照相机三脚架，也会被发现的。人们要是一找到，会不会认为他就是拿了这东西砸了她呢?

他浑身直冒冷汗，瑟瑟发抖。

但这时梅森却又开始盘问他。

"那末，让我们再想一想。你说你把她带到那里去并不是存心要害死她，是吧?

""是的，先生。""好吧，那末，你为什么要在大比腾和草湖旅社登记时申报两个不同的名字?

""因为我不想让人知道我跟她一块去过那里。""啊，我明白了。是不愿意因为她怀孕闹出什么丑闻来?

""不愿意，先生。是的，先生，正是这样。""不过，要是以后她的尸体被发现，因而她声名扫地了，那你就反而无所谓吗?

""但我并不知道她会淹死啊，"克莱德回答得既狡猾又机警，马上发觉了圈套。

"不过，你当然知道，你自己是不会回到那儿了。这你心里很明白，可不是吗?

""怎么啦，不，先生，这个我可压根儿不知道啊。我想我会回来的。""很机灵，很机灵。"梅森暗自思忖道，但没有说出来，接着冷不防突然开口问:

"所以，正是为了你回来的时候尽可能显得从容。自然，你就把自己的手提箱随身带走，让她的手提包寄放在火车站。难道你不是这样做的吗?

这个你又该怎么解释呢?

""不过，我把它带走，并不是因为我要逃跑。我们决定把午餐点心放在里头。

""'

''''我们，，还是你?

""我们。""这么说来，为了带上一点儿午餐点心，你就非得提一只大皮箱，嗯?

难道说你不能把它包在一张纸里，或是干脆放到她的手提包里呢?

""是啊，您不知道，她的手提包装满了东西，而我从不喜欢拿着任何纸包的。

""啊，我明白了。你太骄傲，太敏感了，嗯?

不过，那天晚上，拖着一只笨重的提箱，足足有十二英里地，一直步行到三英里湾，你倒是不认为有失自己身份，即便给别人看见，也不觉得难为情，是吧?

""是啊，她落水以后，我不愿意别人知道我跟她一块到过那儿，所以，我不得不步行……"他又顿住不说了。梅森只是对他望了一眼，心里想到许多许多要向他提出的问题……许多许多问题，据他知道或是揣想，全是克莱德没法解释清楚的。

不过，天色不早了，帐篷里还有克莱德的。但没有来提取的东西……他的手提箱，可能还有那天他在大比腾穿的那套衣服……据他听说，是一套灰色的……不是他眼前身上这一套。值此黄昏时分，如此这般盘问他，只要继续下去，本来也许可以得到更多收获，但毕竟还得踏上归途;好在一路上，梅森还可以有充裕时间盘问他。

所以，尽管梅森非常不乐意在这个时刻结束谈话，但到头来他还是这样说:

"哦，好吧，我跟你说，格里菲思。我们暂时先让你说到这里吧。也许你刚才说的都是实在的……可我不清楚。当然罗，我衷心希望一切都是真实的，为了你自己着想。不管怎么说，现在你就跟克劳特先生一块走。他会把你领到某个地方去的。"稍后，他转过身去，对斯温克和克劳特说:

"得了，伙计们。我告诉你们现在该怎么办。天色不早了。今晚我们要是想上哪儿宿夜，那就得赶紧一些才好。

克劳特先生，你先把这个年轻人带到那两条船停靠的地方，就在那儿等我们。

路上只要稍微喊几声，执法官和西塞尔就知道我们要上路了。斯温克跟我马上就会赶来，登上另外那一条船。"梅森吩咐过以后，克劳特就照办去了。梅森和斯温克就在暮色四合中朝宿营地走去。克劳特押着克莱德往西走，路上还向执法官及其助手大声呼喊，直至听到了他们的应答声为止。
Part 3 Chapter 10
The effect of Mason's re-appearance in the camp with the news, announced first to Frank Harriet, next to HarleyBaggott and Grant Cranston, that Clyde was under arrest--that he actually had confessed to having been withRoberta at Big Bittern, if not to having killed her, and that he, Mason, was there with Swenk to take possessionof his property--was sufficient to destroy this pretty outing as by a breath. For although amazement and disbeliefand astounded confusion were characteristic of the words of all, nevertheless here was Mason demanding toknow where were Clyde's things, and asserting that it was at Clyde's request only that he was not brought here toidentify his own possessions.
　　Frank Harriet, the most practical of the group, sensing the truth and authority of this, at once led the way toClyde's tent, where Mason began an examination of the contents of the bag and clothes, while Grant Cranston, aswell as Baggott, aware of Sondra's intense interest in Clyde, departed first to call Stuart, then Bertine, and finally Sondra--moving apart from the rest the more secretly to inform her as to what was then occurring. And she,following the first clear understanding as to this, turning white and fainting at the news, falling back in Grant'sarms and being carried to her tent, where, after being restored to consciousness, she exclaimed: "I don't believe aword of it! It's not true! Why, it couldn't be! That poor boy! Oh, Clyde! Where is he? Where have they takenhim?" But Stuart and Grant, by no means as emotionally moved as herself, cautioning her to be silent. It might betrue at that. Supposing it were! The others would hear, wouldn't they? And supposing it weren't--he could soonprove his innocence and be released, couldn't he? There was no use in carrying on like this now.
　　But then, Sondra in her thoughts going over the bare possibility of such a thing--a girl killed by Clyde at BigBittern--himself arrested and being taken off in this way--and she thus publicly--or at least by this group--knownto be so interested in him,--her parents to know, the public itself to know--maybe-But Clyde must be innocent. It must be all a mistake. And then her mind turning back and thinking of that newsof the drowned girl she had first heard over the telephone there at the Harriets'. And then Clyde's whiteness--hisillness--his all but complete collapse. Oh, no!--not that! Yet his delay in coming from Lycurgus until the Fridaybefore. His failure to write from there. And then, the full horror of the charge returning, as suddenly collapsingagain, lying perfectly still and white while Grant and the others agreed among themselves that the best thing tobe done was to break up the camp, either now or early in the morning, and depart for Sharon.
　　And Sondra returning to consciousness after a time tearfully announcing that she must get out of here at once,that she couldn't "endure this place," and begging Bertine and all the others to stay close to her and say nothingabout her having fainted and cried, since it would only create talk. And thinking all the time of how, if this wereall true, she could secure those letters she had written him! Oh, heavens! For supposing now at this time theyshould fall into the hands of the police or the newspapers, and be published? And yet moved by her love for himand for the first time in her young life shaken to the point where the grim and stern realities of life were thrustupon her gay and vain notice.
　　And so it was immediately arranged that she leave with Stuart, Bertine and Grant for the Metissic Inn at theeastern end of the Lake, since from there, at dawn, according to Baggott, they might leave for Albany--and so, ina roundabout way for Sharon.
　　In the meantime, Mason, after obtaining possession of all Clyde's belongings here, quickly making his way westto Little Fish Inlet and Three Mile Bay, stopping only for the first night at a farmhouse and arriving at ThreeMile Bay late on Tuesday night. Yet not without, en route, catechizing Clyde as he had planned, the moreparticularly since in going through his effects in the tent at the camp he had not found the gray suit said to havebeen worn by Clyde at Big Bittern.
　　And Clyde, troubled by this new development, denying that he had worn a gray suit and insisting that the suit hehad on was the one he had worn.
　　"But wasn't it thoroughly soaked?""Yes.""Well, then, where was it cleaned and pressed afterward?""In Sharon.""In Sharon?""Yes, sir.""By a tailor there?""Yes, sir.""What tailor?"Alas, Clyde could not remember.
　　"Then you wore it crumpled and wet, did you, from Big Bittern to Sharon?""Yes, sir.""And no one noticed it, of course.""Not that I remember--no.""Not that you remember, eh? Well, we'll see about that later," and deciding that unquestionably Clyde was aplotter and a murderer. Also that eventually he could make Clyde show where he had hidden the suit or had hadit cleaned.
　　Next there was the straw hat found on the lake. What about that? By admitting that the wind had blown his hatoff, Clyde had intimated that he had worn a hat on the lake, but not necessarily the straw hat found on the water.
　　But now Mason was intent on establishing within hearing of these witnesses, the ownership of the hat found onthe water as well as the existence of a second hat worn later.
　　"That straw hat of yours that you say the wind blew in the water? You didn't try to get that either at the time, didyou?""No, sir.""Didn't think of it, I suppose, in the excitement?""No, sir.""But just the same, you had another straw hat when you went down through the woods there. Where did you getthat one?"And Clyde, trapped and puzzled by this pausing for the fraction of a second, frightened and wondering whetheror not it could be proved that this second straw hat he was wearing was the one he had worn through the woods.
　　Also whether the one on the water had been purchased in Utica, as it had. And then deciding to lie. "But I didn'thave another straw hat." Without paying any attention to that, Mason reached over and took the straw hat onClyde's head and proceeded to examine the lining with its imprint--Stark & Company, Lycurgus.
　　"This one has a lining, I see. Bought this in Lycurgus, eh?""Yes, sir.""When?""Oh, back in June.""But still you're sure now it's not the one you wore down through the woods that night?""No, sir.""Well, where was it then?"And Clyde once more pausing like one in a trap and thinking: My God! How am I to explain this now? Why didI admit that the one on the lake was mine? Yet, as instantly recalling that whether he had denied it or not, therewere those at Grass Lake and Big Bittern who would remember that he had worn a straw hat on the lake, ofcourse.
　　"Where was it then?" insisted Mason.
　　And Clyde at last saying: "Oh, I was up here once before and wore it then. I forgot it when I went down the lasttime but I found it again the other day.""Oh, I see. Very convenient, I must say." He was beginning to believe that he had a very slippery person to dealwith indeed--that he must think of his traps more shrewdly, and at the same time determining to summon theCranstons and every member of the Bear Lake party in order to discover, whether any recalled Clyde notwearing a straw hat on his arrival this time, also whether he had left a straw hat the time before. He was lying, ofcourse, and he would catch him.
　　And so no real peace for Clyde at any time between there and Bridgeburg and the county jail. For however muchhe might refuse to answer, still Mason was forever jumping at him with such questions as: Why was it if all youwanted to do was to eat lunch on shore that you had to row all the way down to that extreme south end of thelake when it isn't nearly so attractive there as it is at other points? And: Where was it that you spent the rest ofthat afternoon--surely not just there? And then, jumping back to Sondra's letters discovered in his bag. How longhad he known her? Was he as much in love with her as she appeared to be with him? Wasn't it because of herpromise to marry him in the fall that he had decided to kill Miss Alden?
　　But while Clyde vehemently troubled to deny this last charge, still for the most part he gazed silently andmiserably before him with his tortured and miserable eyes.
　　And then a most wretched night spent in the garret of a farmhouse at the west end of the lake, and on a pallet onthe floor, while Sissel, Swenk and Kraut, gun in hand, in turn kept watch over him, and Mason and the sheriffand the others slept below stairs. And some natives, because of information distributed somehow, coming towardmorning to inquire: "We hear the feller that killed the girl over to Big Bittern is here--is that right?" And thenwaiting to see them off at dawn in the Fords secured by Mason.
　　And again at Little Fish Inlet as well as Three Mile Bay, actual crowds--farmers, store-keepers, summerresidents, woodsmen, children--all gathered because of word telephoned on ahead apparently. And at the latterplace, Burleigh, Heit and Newcomb, who, because of previously telephoned information, had brought before oneGabriel Gregg, a most lanky and crusty and meticulous justice of the peace, all of the individuals from BigBittern necessary to identify him fully. And now Mason, before this local justice, charging Clyde with the deathof Roberta and having him properly and legally held as a material witness to be lodged in the county jail atBridgeburg. And then taking him, along with Burton, the sheriff and his deputies, to Bridgeburg, where he waspromptly locked up.
　　And once there, Clyde throwing himself on the iron cot and holding his head in a kind of agony of despair. It wasthree o'clock in the morning, and just outside the jail as they approached he had seen a crowd of at least fivehundred--noisy, jeering, threatening. For had not the news been forwarded that because of his desire to marry arich girl he had most brutally assaulted and murdered a young and charming working-girl whose only fault hadbeen that she loved him too well. There had been hard and threatening cries of "There he is, the dirty bastard!
　　You'll swing for this yet, you young devil, wait and see!" This from a young woodsman not unlike Swenk intype--a hard, destroying look in his fierce young eyes, leaning out from the crowd. And worse, a waspish type ofsmall-town slum girl, dressed in a gingham dress, who in the dim light of the arcs, had leaned forward to cry:
　　"Lookit, the dirty little sneak--the murderer! You thought you'd get away with it, didnja?"And Clyde, crowding closer to Sheriff Slack, and thinking: Why, they actually think I did kill her! And they mayeven lynch me! But so weary and confused and debased and miserable that at the sight of the outer steel jail doorswinging open to receive him, he actually gave vent to a sigh of relief because of the protection it afforded.
　　But once in his cell, suffering none the less without cessation the long night through, from thoughts--thoughtsconcerning all that had just gone. Sondra! the Griffiths! Bertine. All those people in Lycurgus when they shouldhear in the morning. His mother eventually, everybody. Where was Sondra now? For Mason had told her, ofcourse, and all those others, when he had gone back to secure his things. And they knew him now for what hewas--a plotter of murder! Only, only, if somebody could only know how it had all come about! If Sondra, hismother, any one, could truly see!
　　Perhaps if he were to explain all to this man Mason now, before it all went any further, exactly how it all hadhappened. But that meant a true explanation as to his plot, his real original intent, that camera, his swimmingaway. That unintended blow--(and who was going to believe him as to that)--his hiding the tripod afterwards.
　　Besides once all that was known would he not be done for just the same in connection with Sondra, the Griffiths--everybody. And very likely prosecuted and executed for murder just the same. Oh, heavens--murder.
　　And to be tried for that now; this terrible crime against her proved. They would electrocute him just the same-wouldn'tthey? And then the full horror of that coming upon him,--death, possibly--and for murder--he sat therequite still. Death! God! If only he had not left those letters written him by Roberta and his mother in his roomthere at Mrs. Peyton's. If only he had removed his trunk to another room, say, before he left. Why hadn't hethought of that? Yet as instantly thinking, might not that have been a mistake, too, being seemingly a suspiciousthing to have done then? But how came they to know where he was from and what his name was? Then, asinstantly returning in mind to the letters in the trunk. For, as he now recalled, in one of those letters from hismother she had mentioned that affair in Kansas City, and Mason would come to know of that. If only he haddestroyed them. Roberta's, his mother's, all! Why hadn't he? But not being able to answer why--just an insanedesire to keep things maybe--anything that related to him--a kindness, a tenderness toward him. If only he hadnot worn that second straw hat--had not met those three men in the woods! God! He might have known theywould be able to trace him in some way. If only he had gone on in that wood at Bear Lake, taking his suit caseand Sondra's letters with him. Perhaps, perhaps, who knows, in Boston, or New York, or somewhere he mighthave hidden away.
　　Unstrung and agonized, he was unable to sleep at all, but walked back and forth, or sat on the side of the hardand strange cot, thinking, thinking. And at dawn, a bony, aged, rheumy jailer, in a baggy, worn, blue uniform,bearing a black, iron tray, on which was a tinful of coffee, some bread and a piece of ham with one egg. Andlooking curiously and yet somehow indifferently at Clyde, while he forced it through an aperture only wide andhigh enough for its admission, though Clyde wanted nothing at all.
　　And then later Kraut and Sissel and Swenk, and eventually the sheriff himself, each coming separately, to look inand say: "Well, Griffiths, how are you this morning?" or, "Hello, anything we can do for you?", while their eyesshowed the astonishment, disgust, suspicion or horror with which his assumed crime had filled them. Yet, evenin the face of that, having one type of interest and even sycophantic pride in his presence here. For was he not aGriffiths--a member of the well-known social group of the big central cities to the south of here. Also the same tothem, as well as to the enormously fascinated public outside, as a trapped and captured animal, taken in theirlegal net by their own superlative skill and now held as witness to it? And with the newspapers and peoplecertain to talk, enormous publicity for them--their pictures in the papers as well as his, their names persistentlylinked with his.
　　And Clyde, looking at them between the bars, attempted to be civil, since he was now in their hands and theycould do with him as they would.

梅森又一次来到宿营地，先是向弗兰克。哈里特，随后向哈利。巴戈特和格兰特。克兰斯顿宣布说:

克莱德已经被捕……克莱德如实供认自己跟罗伯达一起到过大比腾，虽然用他的话来说，他并没有谋杀她;此外还说:

他(梅森)和斯温克到这里来，是要把克莱德的东西取走……这个消息一下子使这次美好的郊游大煞风景了。尽管大家在言谈之中都流露出惊讶。不相信和恐慌混乱，可是，站在他们跟前的梅森却一个劲儿查问克莱德的东西放在哪里，还说:

正是按照克莱德的请求，才没有把他押回来认领自己的东西。

在这一行人里头，就算弗兰克。哈里特最最讲求实际。他头一个感到梅森这些话的真实性与权威性，立刻带路来到了克莱德住过的帐篷，梅森便在那里开始察看后者手提箱里东西和衣服。格兰特。克兰斯顿和巴戈特知道桑德拉很喜欢克莱德，就先去找斯图尔特，跟着又找了伯蒂娜，最后才找桑德拉……领她到远离众人的地方，悄悄地把发生的事态告诉她。她刚听清楚这个消息，马上脸色发白，昏倒在格兰特怀里，被送到她自己的帐篷里。她知觉一恢复过来，就大声嚷嚷:

"我一句话也不相信!

这不是真的!

啊，这是不可能的!

那个可怜的孩子呀!

啊，克莱德!

他在哪儿呀?

现在他被弄到哪儿去了?

"不过，斯图尔特和格兰特情绪上绝对不象她那样激动，关照她要小心，保持缄默。说不定这一切是真实的。万一果然是真实的，怎么办呢!

那时，人人都会听到的，可不是?

要是不真实的……那他很快就能证明自己是无辜的，于是立即被释放，可不是?

现在犯不着象这样喧哗起来。

不过，桑德拉自己又转念一想:

这么一件事，万一真的有可能的话……一个姑娘被克莱德在大比腾杀害了……他自己也已被捕。押走了……可是众所周知……至少是这里的俊男倩女，都知道她对他很感兴趣……这一切她的父母会知道，说不定社会上也会知道……不过，不，克莱德当然是无辜的。全是一场误会。稍后，她暗自回想到:

她头一次怎样从哈里特家电话里听到那个姑娘溺死的消息。继而想到:

克莱德吓得脸色发白……还有他的病……那时他简直完全失去了感觉。啊，不!

……不是那样!

可是话又说回来，他在莱柯格斯却迟迟不动身，到上星期五才来。他又没有从莱柯格斯写信来。接下来她想到他被指控的罪名太可怕，就突然又晕倒了。

她脸色死白地躺在帐篷里动弹不了。这时，格兰特和其他人商议后决定，目前最好办法，是现在(或明天一清早)就撤营动身回沙隆。

不一会儿，桑德拉神志清醒以后，泪涔涔地说:

她务必马上离开这里，说她"再待在这个鬼地方受不了"，要求伯蒂娜和所有别人不要撇下她，千万不要跟别人提起她晕过去和号哭过的事，因为，这么一提，只会徒增闲言碎语。她老是在暗自思忖，要是这一切都是真实的，她怎样才能把她写给克莱德的那些信都给追回来!

啊，老天哪!

万一这些信已经落到警方手里，或是在各报刊登了出来呢?

可是，桑德拉心里还是爱他的，而且，在她年轻的一生中，这是头一次饱受震惊，眼看着生活中严峻。冷酷的现实闯入了她这个快乐而又好虚荣的小天地。

很快一切安排停当，她和斯图尔特。伯蒂娜。格兰特动身前往熊湖东头梅蒂西克旅馆。据巴戈特说，一清早他们可以从那里启程去奥尔巴尼……就这样绕道回沙隆。

与此同时，梅森取到克莱德留在这里的全部东西以后，便急忙往西去小鱼湾和三英里湾，头一夜在一户农家歇脚，星期二深夜才赶到了三英里湾。在路上，梅森还是按照自己原来的计划继续盘问克莱德，尤其是因为他搜寻了从帐篷里取来的那些东西后并未找到那套据说是克莱德那天在大比腾穿过的灰色衣服，所以盘问得格外仔细。

克莱德对这一新的事态发展感到很困惑，干脆矢口否认他穿过灰色衣服，一口咬定说:

那天他穿的，就是眼前他身上穿的这一套。

"不过，衣服不是全都湿透了吗?

""是的。""那末，后来是在哪儿洗烫的?

""在沙隆。""在沙隆?

""是的，先生。""是那儿的一家裁缝店?

""是的，先生。""哪一家裁缝店?

"天哪，克莱德可记不得了。

"那末，从大比腾到三英里湾，一路上你穿的，就是这套皱巴巴。湿漉漉的衣服，是吗?

""是的，先生。""当然罗，谁也没有注意到吧。""我可不记得了……不记得。""你不记得了，嗯?

好吧，我们等一会儿再谈吧。"梅森暗自琢磨:

克莱德毫无疑问就是谋杀罗伯达的凶犯，并且，最后一定能叫克莱德说出那套衣服究竟藏匿在哪儿，或是送到哪儿去洗烫的。

下一个问题……是湖面上找到的那顶草帽。他该怎么解释呢?

克莱德承认过是风把他的帽子给刮走了，意思是说，他在湖上确实是戴帽子的，但不一定就是在湖面上找到的那一顶草帽。不过，现在梅森一心想要在这些见证人在场时，证明湖面上发现的那顶帽子的失主是克莱德，以及克莱德后来又戴上了另一顶帽子这一事实。

"那顶草帽你说是被风刮到湖里去的?

那时候，你就没有想要把它找回来，是吗?

""没有，先生。""也许是太紧张了，没有想到，是吧?

""是的，先生。""反正不管怎么说，后来你走过那边树林子时，又戴上了另一顶草帽。那你是哪儿寻摸来的?

"这一问克莱德才感到自己落入了圈套，简直茫然不知所措，就顿住了片刻，心里很害怕，暗自纳闷，真不知道能不能设法证明眼前他戴的第二顶草帽就是他在树林子里戴过的那一顶。还有，湖面上的那一顶，事实上是在尤蒂卡买的。

于是，他就决定撒谎了。"可我还没有第二顶草帽呀。"梅森对他这句回话压根儿不理睬，只是伸过手来，摘下克莱德头上那顶草帽，仔细检查里面的出厂商标……莱柯格斯斯塔克公司。

"哦，我明白了，这一顶是有出厂商标的。是在莱柯格斯买的，嗯?

""是的，先生。""什么时候?

""哦，还是在六月间。""不过，你还肯定这不是那天晚上你走过树林子时戴的那一顶吗?

""不是那一顶。先生。""那末，另一顶上哪儿去了?

"克莱德再一次哑口无言了，感到自己好象落入了圈套。他暗自寻思:

我的天哪!

这我该怎么解释呢?

我为什么要承认湖面上那一顶草帽是我的?

可他一下子又想起，不管他承认也好，不承认也好，反正在草湖和大比腾那里找到的人，当然罗，都会记得他在湖上是戴了一顶草帽的。

"那末，另一顶上哪儿去了?

"梅森一个劲儿追问。

克莱德终于说:

"哦，我以前来过这儿，戴的就是这顶帽子，回去的时候忘了，但前天我来了，却又找到了。""哦，我明白了。我说，得来简直毫不费工夫了。"梅森开始感到，他这个对手实在挺狡猾……他非得想出更加精明的圈套不可。与此同时，他还决定传唤克兰斯顿家里的人，以及参加熊湖露营活动的每一个人，也许他们有人记得克莱德这次来宿营地时有没有戴过草帽，克莱德上次走时有没有留下草帽。克莱德当然是在撒谎，梅森就要当场戳穿他。

所以，一路上从这里起，一直到布里奇伯格和县监狱，克莱德委实连一点儿真正的平静都没有。不管他怎么拒绝回答，梅森老是冷不丁地向他提出类似下面的诸问题:

你既然真的打算在岸上进午餐，为什么非要划到远远的湖的最南端去，那儿景色并不见得比别处漂亮呢?

还有，那天下午剩下来的时间，你是在哪儿打发过去的……当然罗，不会就在那个肇事地点吧?

然后，梅森又突然回到在他手提箱里发现的桑德拉写的那些信。克莱德认识她有多久了?

看来她好象很爱他，他是不是也非常爱她?

是不是因为桑德拉答应过秋天跟他结婚，他才决定谋害奥尔登小姐?

这最后一条罪状，虽然克莱德拚命加以否认，但绝大部分时间，他依然一声不吭，他的那双苦恼。不幸的眼睛，没精打采地凝视着前方。

随后，在湖的西头一户农家阁楼上，而且是铺在地板上的草荐上，度过了一个最凄凉的夜晚。西塞尔。斯温克和克劳特手里提着枪，轮流监视他。梅森和执法官等一行人睡在楼下。不知怎的消息走漏出去了，天快亮时，当地一些居民就过来问:

"听说在大比腾杀死姑娘的那个家伙就在这儿……是真的吗?

"于是，就一直等到大天亮，看他们分乘梅森寻摸到的几辆福特车把他押走。

到了小鱼湾和三英里湾也是这样。大批群众……农民。商铺掌柜。避暑的旅客。林区居民和孩子们……全都围拢来:

显然事前接到了电话，知道凶犯即将押至此地。在三英里湾，伯利。海特。纽科姆因为事先接到了电话，便把为了最后确认克莱德而必不可少的所有大比腾的证人，都传唤到加布里埃尔。格里格面前。此人乃是当地一名身材细瘦。脾气乖戾，但又明察秋毫的治安官。现在梅森向这位当地法官控告克莱德谋杀罗伯达，要求依法将他关押在布里奇伯格的县监狱里。随后，他偕同伯顿。执法官及其几名助手，将克莱德押往布里奇伯格，立刻关押起来。

克莱德一到狱中，马上倒伏在一张小铁床上，在极端绝望之中，捂住自己的脑袋。此时已是凌晨三点钟。他们走近监狱时，他看见外面挤满了人，少说也有五百以上……有的喧嚷，有的嘲笑，有的恐吓。因为大家都已经听说:

他为了想跟一位大富人家的小姐结婚，便非常残酷地把一个年轻。可爱的女工给砸死了，而她唯一的罪过，仅仅是因为她太爱他了。耳畔传来一阵阵粗暴的。带有恐吓性的叫喊声:

"就是他，这个卑鄙透顶的流氓!

凭这就得绞死你，你这个年轻的魔鬼，等着瞧吧!

"这是跟斯温克差不离的一个年轻的林区居民说的……此人从人群里探出身子，他那年轻人的凶狠的眼里，流露出一种严酷的。毁灭一切的神色。更糟的是，这儿典型的小镇贫民窟里一个细瘦的姑娘，身穿格子布衣服，在拱门昏暗的亮光底下，探出头来喊道:

"你们看，这个偷着逃跑的下流鬼……这个杀人不眨眼的凶手!

你以为你能逍遥法外，是吗?

"克莱德紧紧畏缩在执法官斯莱克身边，暗自琢磨:

啊，人们真的以为是我杀害了她!

说不定他们甚至会给我动私刑!

可他已是那么困乏。慌乱。低下和不幸，因此，一见到监狱敞开它那道钢制大门来迎接他，说真的，他才舒了一大口气，不管怎么说，这一道大门向他提供了保护。

殊不知他进了牢房，一刻也合不上眼，这漫漫的长夜，一缕缕思绪还是不停地萦绕脑际，不断折磨着他。他时时刻刻想到的是……永远逝去了的那一切。

桑德拉!

格里菲思一家人!

伯蒂娜。莱柯格斯的所有熟人，一到早上，都会知道了。

最后，他母亲也会知道，几乎人人都会知道这件事了。此刻桑德拉在哪儿呀?

梅森回宿营地去取他的东西时，当然罗，早已告诉了她，以及所有其他人。现在，他们终于看到了他的真面目……一个谋杀案的策划者!

不过，要是有人真的能够知道这一切是怎么发生的就好了!

要是桑德拉。他的母亲，或是随便哪一个人能理解他就好了!

也许他应该在事态进一步发展以前，把所有一切经过都给梅森讲清楚。不过，这就意味着把他的策划。他原来的真实意图。那架照相机，以及他的泅水而逃，都得直言不讳地讲出来。还有那无意之中的一砸……(关于这一砸，有谁会相信他呀)……事后他把照相机三脚架藏匿了起来，等等。此外，这一切只要人人都知道了，那末，他……无论对桑德拉，对格里菲思一家人，甚至于对每一个人……还不是照样都完蛋了吗?

而且，很可能还是以杀人罪，照样被起诉，被处死。啊，老天哪……杀人。而且，现在他就得受审;对她犯下的骇人罪行也将得到证实了。那时，他照样会被处以电刑，可不是吗?

最大的恐怖就会落到他头上……也许是死刑……因为杀了人……他坐在那儿一声不吭。死!

天哪!

罗伯达和他母亲写给他的那些信，要是他没有留在佩顿太太家他那个房间里就好了。

要是他动身前把那只箱子搬走，比方说，搬到另一个房间去就好了。为什么他没有想到那样做呢?

不过，他忽然一个闪念，那时这么做说不定也是错了，看来叫人起了疑心，可不是吗?

不过，人家怎么会知道他是从哪儿来的，叫什么名字呢?

稍后，他的思绪马上又转到箱子里头那些信上去了。因为，至今他还记得母亲的那些信里，有一封提到了堪萨斯城一事，这就是说，梅森想必也会知道了。

他要是把那些信……不管是来自罗伯达的，或是他母亲的，一古脑儿……通通毁掉就好了。为什么他没有这样做呢?

可是，到底为了什么，他也回答不上来……也许只是一种愚蠢透顶的想法，要把所有一切的细微末节，哪怕是人们给他的一点儿青睐，一点儿好处和一点儿温情全都保存下来。要是他头上没有戴那另一顶帽子……在树林子里没有碰上那三个人就好了!

老天哪!

本来他早该知道，人家总会设法追到他头上来呀。要是他从熊湖边宿营地进入树林子后，带着他的手提箱和桑德拉给他的信继续往前走就好了。也许，也许，有谁说得准呀，在波士顿或是纽约，或是别的什么地方，他说不定还找得到避身之地。

他整天价惴惴不安，无比苦恼，压根儿睡不着，老是踱来踱去，或是坐在那张又硬又怪的小床边沿，想啊。想啊。天亮了，一个瘦骨嶙峋。患风湿病的监狱老看守，身穿一套鼓鼓囊囊的。磨旧了的蓝制服，端过来一个黑铁托盘，里头有一杯咖啡。几片面包和一份火腿蛋。此人好歹把托盘往那个小不点儿的窗口塞了进去，好奇地，但又漠然地望了克莱德一眼，尽管克莱德压根儿都不想吃。

后来，克劳特。西塞尔。斯温克，最后还有执法官本人，一个个先后进来看了看，都说:

"嗯，格里菲思，今儿个早上好吗?

"或是说:

"喂，也许你要我们帮点忙吗?

"可是他们眼里都显露出人们以为是他所犯的罪行在他们心中所引起的震惊。厌恶。怀疑与恐怖。不过，尽管这样，他们对克莱德关押在这里，还是感到另外一种兴趣，乃至于充满了谄媚的骄傲。不管怎么说，他还是格里菲思家的一个成员……南部好几个大城市里最负盛名的上流社会的一分子呀。再说，他们如同外边那些着了魔的公众一样认为:

克莱德犹如一头被诱捕的野兽落入了法网，这正是因为他们非凡的技巧，现在又可作为他们这种技巧的见证，可不是吗?

而且，各家报刊也好，还是广大公众也好，当然都会谈论此事，他们也就大大地出名了……他们的照片和他的照片一起刊登在各家报刊上，他们的名字也总是跟他的名字连在一起。

克莱德透过铁栅栏望着他们，尽可能对他们彬彬有礼，因为如今他已落到他们手里，他们可以随意处置他。
Part 3 Chapter 11
In connection with the autopsy and its results there was a decided set-back. For while the joint report of the fivedoctors showed: "An injury to the mouth and nose; the tip of the nose appears to have been slightly flattened, thelips swollen, one front tooth slightly loosened, and an abrasion of the mucous membrane within the lips"--allagreed that these injuries were by no means fatal. The chief injury was to the skull (the very thing which Clydein his first confession had maintained), which appeared to have been severely bruised by a blow of "some sharp instrument," unfortunately in this instance, because of the heaviness of the blow of the boat, "signs of fractureand internal haemorrhage which might have produced death."But--the lungs when placed in water, sinking--an absolute proof that Roberta could not have been dead whenthrown into the water, but alive and drowning, as Clyde had maintained. And no other signs of violence orstruggle, although her arms and fingers appeared to be set in such a way as to indicate that she might have beenreaching or seeking to grasp something. The wale of the boat? Could that be? Might Clyde's story, after all,conceal a trace of truth? Certainly these circumstances seemed to favor him a little. Yet as Mason and the othersagreed, all these circumstances most distinctly seemed to prove that although he might not have slain her outrightbefore throwing her into the water, none the less he had struck her and then had thrown her, perhapsunconscious, into the water.
　　But with what? If he could but make Clyde say that!
　　And then an inspiration! He would take Clyde and, although the law specifically guaranteed accused personsagainst compulsions, compel him to retrace the scenes of his crime. And although he might not be able to makehim commit himself in any way, still, once on the ground and facing the exact scene of his crime, his actionsmight reveal something of the whereabouts of the suit, perhaps, or possibly some instrument with which he hadstruck her.
　　And in consequence, on the third day following Clyde's incarceration, a second visit to Big Bittern, with Kraut,Heit, Mason, Burton, Burleigh, Earl Newcomb and Sheriff Slack as his companions, and a slow re-canvassing ofall the ground he had first traveled on that dreadful day. And with Kraut, following instructions from Mason,"playing up" to him, in order to ingratiate himself into his good graces, and possibly cause him to make a cleanbreast of it. For Kraut was to argue that the evidence, so far was so convincing that you "never would get a juryto believe that you didn't do it," but that, "if you would talk right out to Mason, he could do more for you withthe judge and the governor than any one could--get you off, maybe, with life or twenty years, while this wayyou're likely to get the chair, sure."Yet Clyde, because of that same fear that had guided him at Bear Lake, maintaining a profound silence. For whyshould he say that he had struck her, when he had not--intentionally at least? Or with what, since no thought ofthe camera had come up as yet.
　　At the lake, after definite measurements by the county surveyor as to the distance from the spot where Robertahad drowned to the spot where Clyde had landed, Earl Newcomb suddenly returning to Mason with an importantdiscovery. For under a log not so far from the spot at which Clyde had stood to remove his wet clothes, the tripodhe had hidden, a little rusty and damp, but of sufficient weight, as Mason and all these others were now ready tobelieve, to have delivered the blow upon Roberta's skull which had felled her and so make it possible for him tocarry her to the boat and later drown her. Yet, confronted with this and turning paler than before, Clyde denyingthat he had a camera or a tripod with him, although Mason was instantly deciding that he would re-question allwitnesses to find out whether any recalled seeing a tripod or camera in Clyde's possession.
　　And before the close of this same day learning from the guide who had driven Clyde and Roberta over, as well asthe boatman who had seen Clyde drop his bag into the boat, and a young waitress at Grass Lake who had seen Clyde and Roberta going out from the inn to the station on the morning of their departure from Grass Lake, thatall now recalled a "yellow bundle of sticks," fastened to his bag which must have been the very tripod.
　　And then Burton Burleigh deciding that it might not really have been the tripod, after all with which he hadstruck her but possibly and even probably the somewhat heavier body of the camera itself, since an edge of itwould explain the wound on the top of the head and the flat surface would explain the general wounds on herface. And because of this conclusion, without any knowledge on the part of Clyde, however, Mason securingdivers from among the woodsmen of the region and setting them to diving in the immediate vicinity of the spotwhere Roberta's body had been found, with the result that after an entire day's diving on the part of six--andbecause of a promised and substantial reward, one Jack Bogart arose with the very camera which Clyde, as theboat had turned over, had let fall. Worse, after examination it proved to contain a roll of films, which upon beingsubmitted to an expert chemist for development, showed finally to be a series of pictures of Roberta, made onshore--one sitting on a log, a second posed by the side of the boat on shore, a third reaching up toward thebranches of a tree--all very dim and water-soaked but still decipherable. And the exact measurements of thebroadest side of the camera corresponding in a general way to the length and breadth of the wounds uponRoberta's face, which caused it now to seem positive that they had discovered the implement wherewith Clydehad delivered the blows.
　　Yet no trace of blood upon the camera itself. And none upon the side or bottom of the boat, which had beenbrought to Bridgeburg for examination. And none upon the rug which had lain in the bottom of the boat.
　　In Burton Burleigh there existed as sly a person as might have been found in a score of such backwoods countiesas this, and soon he found himself meditating on how easy it would be, supposing irrefragable evidence werenecessary, for him or any one to cut a finger and let it bleed on the rug or the side of the boat or the edge of thecamera. Also, how easy to take from the head of Roberta two or three hairs and thread them between the sides ofthe camera, or about the rowlock to which her veil had been attached. And after due and secret meditation, heactually deciding to visit the Lutz Brothers morgue and secure a few threads of Roberta's hair. For he himselfwas convinced that Clyde had murdered the girl in cold blood. And for want of a bit of incriminating proof, wassuch a young, silent, vain crook as this to be allowed to escape? Not if he himself had to twine the hairs about therowlock or inside the lid of the camera, and then call Mason's attention to them as something overlooked!
　　And in consequence, upon the same day that Heit and Mason were personally re-measuring the wounds uponRoberta's face and head, Burleigh slyly threading two of Roberta's hairs in between the door and the lens of thecamera, so that Mason and Heit a little while later unexpectedly coming upon them, and wondering why they hadnot seen them before--nevertheless accepting them immediately as conclusive evidence of Clyde's guilt. Indeed,Mason thereupon announcing that in so far as he was concerned, his case was complete. He had truly traced outevery step in this crime and if need be was prepared to go to trial on the morrow.
　　Yet, because of the very completeness of the testimony, deciding for the present, at least, not to say anything inconnection with the camera--to seal, if possible, the mouth of every one who knew. For, assuming that Clydepersisted in denying that he had carried a camera, or that his own lawyer should be unaware of the existence ofsuch evidence, then how damning in court, and out of a clear sky, to produce this camera, these photographs ofRoberta made by him, and the proof that the very measurements of one side of the camera coincided with thesize of the wounds upon her face! How complete! How incriminating!
　　Also since he personally having gathered the testimony was the one best fitted to present it, he decided tocommunicate with the governor of the state for the purpose of obtaining a special term of the Supreme Court forthis district, with its accompanying special session of the local grand jury, which would then be subject to his callat any time. For with this granted, he would be able to impanel a grand jury and in the event of a true bill beingreturned against Clyde, then within a month or six weeks, proceed to trial. Strictly to himself, however, he keptthe fact that in view of his own approaching nomination in the ensuing November election this should all provemost opportune, since in the absence of any such special term the case could not possibly be tried before thesucceeding regular January term of the Supreme Court, by which time he would be out of office and althoughpossibly elected to the local judgeship still not able to try the case in person. And in view of the state of publicopinion, which was most bitterly and vigorously anti-Clyde, a quick trial would seem fair and logical to everyone in this local world. For why delay? Why permit such a criminal to sit about and speculate on some plan ofescape? And especially when his trial by him, Mason, was certain to rebound to his legal and political and socialfame the country over.

关于尸体解剖及其结果，在梅森看来，是一大挫折。尽管五位医生的联合报告上说:

"口。鼻受伤，鼻尖似乎轻微压扁，嘴唇发肿，一颗门牙略松动，唇内粘膜擦伤"……但是医生们一致确认这些绝对不是致命伤。最主要的受伤处在头颅部分(这在克莱德头一次招供时就确认了的)，好象是用"一种利器"砸成了重伤，不幸的是，在这个案子里，因为那条小船沉重的一击，才出现了"骨折和内出血症象，因而可能致死"。

但是，死者的肺放入水中下沉……确切证明:

当罗伯达落水时，并没有死，还活着，随后才溺水身亡，跟克莱德所说的一样。此外并无其他任何受到暴力或是挣扎的迹象，虽然，从她的胳臂和手指的姿势来判断，好象都表明也许死者想要伸出去，或是想要抓住什么东西。是那条小船的船舷吗?

可能是这个吗?

也许克莱德的话，毕竟还是有一点真实的成分吧?

当然罗，这些情况似乎对他多少有利。可是，梅森等人却一致认为，所有这些情况似乎清楚地证明:

虽然他把她扔入水中以前，也许并没有马上把她弄死，但他毕竟是先砸过她，然后……说不定那时她已失去了知觉……才把她扔入水中。

不过，他是用什么东西砸她的呢?

要是他能逼使克莱德把这一点说出来就好了!

随后，梅森突然灵机一动!

他不妨带上克莱德再到大比腾去。虽然法律明文规定不准对被告采取任何强制手段，但梅森还是逼着克莱德到作案现场重新踩着自己足迹走一趟。尽管很可能也没法逼使他暴露出什么东西来，但是，让他再次身临其境，目击自己作案现场，说不定从他的动作中可以出现一些线索，哪怕是那套衣服的下落，或是他当初砸她时使用的是什么样的工具。

因此，克莱德在被关押后的第三天，又被押回大比腾，同行者有克劳特。

海特。梅森。伯利。厄尔。纽科姆和执法官斯莱克。他慢慢地。仔细地把他在那个骇人的日子里曾经到过的所有地方重新察看了一遍。克劳特遵照梅森的指示，要向他"溜须拍马"，以便尽量取得他的信任，也许可以促使他彻底坦白。克劳特向他进言，说:

现有证据已是无可辩驳了，"哪一个陪审团也决不会相信你没有干过这事的"，不过，"要是你马上向梅森彻底交代，那末，他比谁都容易替你在法官和州长面前说话……让你得到从轻发落，说不定只判处无期徒刑或是二十年徒刑。可现在你要是还这个样子，到头来大概是要上电椅的。情况的确是这样。"不过，克莱德依然充满着当时在熊湖主宰着他的恐惧心理，还是一个劲儿默不作声。因为，他既然并没有……至少不是故意的……砸过她，现在干吗要说他砸了她呢?

再说，现在既然还没有人想到照相机上来，那他干吗要说自己砸她时用的是什么东西呢?

当本县测量员在湖上把罗伯达溺死的地点与克莱德泅水上岸的地点之间的距离精确地测量出来以后，厄尔。纽科姆回到了梅森身边，突然报告一大重要发现。因为，离克莱德站着换掉衣服的地方不远的一根圆木底下，发现了他当初隐藏的那架照相机的三脚架，虽然有一点儿生锈和发霉，但是梅森等人都认为，这玩意儿很有分量，砸在罗伯达头上，准叫她栽跟斗，所以他就有可能把她带到船上，最后扔入水中。不过，克莱德一看见这副三脚架，尽管脸色比刚才更加惨白，可他还是矢口否认当时随身携带照相机或是三脚架。于是，梅森马上决定重新一一传讯所有的见证人，看看谁还记得过去看见克莱德有过三脚架或是照相机。

直到这一天快要黑下来时，方才闹清楚了:

给克莱德和罗伯达开车送至此地的导游。看见克莱德随身携带手提箱上船的看船人，以及看见克莱德和罗伯达在离开草湖的那一天早上从旅社出发去火车站的草湖旅社的年轻女招待，现在回想起来，都说"有一些黄色棍子"拴在他的手提箱上头，那必定就是这副三脚架了。

随后，伯顿。伯利断定:

克莱德砸她时所用的东西，说到底，也许根本不是这副三脚架，而可能是甚至比它重得多的东西……照相机。因为，照相机棱儿可以说明她头颅部分的伤痕长短，照相机的平面可以说明她脸部各处的伤痕面积。由于这个结论，梅森瞒着克莱德，在这一带林区居民里头，物色了好几个善于扎猛子的，叫他们钻到发现罗伯达尸体附近的水域底下去。结果，这六个人潜身湖底，寻摸了整整一天，在重赏之下，有一个名叫杰克。博加特的，终于从湖底钻了出来，手里高高举起了翻船时克莱德掉下去的那架照相机。更有甚者，一经检查，照相机里头还有一卷胶卷。经摄影专家冲洗出来一看，发现有一系列罗伯达的照片，都是在岸上拍摄的……一张是坐在一根圆木上的，第二张是站在岸上靠近船边拍摄的，第三张伸手攀住一棵树上的枝条，全都模糊得很，虽被湖水浸透了，但还是依稀可见。而且，这架照相机最宽的棱儿，跟罗伯达脸部伤痕宽阔完全吻合，因此现在似乎可以肯定:

他们已经发现了当时克莱德用来砸罗伯达的凶器。

不过，照相机上并没有血迹。那条小船(现已运往布里奇伯格进行检查)船底或是船帮上也都没有血迹。铺在船舱里的毯子上也没有。

伯顿。伯利这个小伙子，在如此荒僻的林区的二十多个县里还算是非常有心眼儿。他在默默地暗自揣摸:

要是必须提出无可辩驳的证据，那可简单得很，只要他伯利，或是随便哪一个人，把手指头一割破，让鲜血滴到小船的毯子上，或是船帮上，或是照相机的棱儿上就得了。再有，从罗伯达头上扯下两。三根头发，从照相机两侧穿过去，或是绕在缠住她那块面纱的桨叉上，这还不容易吗。他经过沉思默想以后，果真到卢茨兄弟殡仪馆，取回几根罗伯达的头发。

因为，他本人深信克莱德确实惨不忍睹地杀害了这个姑娘。难道说因为缺少微不足道的一点点证据，就让这么一个死不吭声。极爱虚荣的年轻骗子逃脱法网吗?

不，最好还是让他伯顿把头发缠到桨叉上，或是缠在照相机的盖子里头，然后要梅森注意一下这些开头疏忽了的东西，那克莱德也就逃不了!

于是，就在海特和梅森又一次亲自测量罗伯达脸部。头部各处伤痕大小那一天，伯利偷偷地把罗伯达的两根头发从那架照相机的盖子和镜头之间穿了过去。不一会儿，梅森与海特出乎意料地发现了死者这两根头发，还暗自纳闷先前他们怎么没有瞧见……他们马上认为这是可以作为给克莱德定罪的有力证据了。果然，梅森立即宣布说，作为检察官，他认为，案情已经完全查清楚了。

说真的，他对这个罪犯作案的每一个步骤，都顺藤摸瓜，追查得一清二楚了。

如有必要的话，哪怕是明天他都可以出庭。

不过，正是由于证据齐全，他就决定……至少在目前……暂时只字不提照相机一事，如果可能的话，还得把所有知道这一发现的人的嘴都给封起来。因为，假定说克莱德一个劲儿否认他身边有过一架照相机，或是他的辩护律师还不知道有这么一项证据，那末，就把这架照相机，以及克莱德本人给罗伯达拍摄的这些照片，还有照相机棱儿长度和她脸部伤痕之间的距离完全吻合这一证据，通通都亮出来，简直有如晴天霹雳，在法庭上该有多大分量啊。证据该有多么齐全，难以驳倒!

既然是他亲自搜集了这些证据，因此，提出这些证据也数他最合适。于是，他就决定向本州州长报告，要求最高法院专门到本地区开庭;因此，本地大陪审团随着也可以专门开庭，由他梅森随时召集。因为这一要求获准后，他就可以筹组大陪审团，要是决定将克莱德交付法庭审判，即可在一个月或是六星期以内向法院起诉。不过，他要严守秘密的是:

鉴于他本人在随后的十一月间选举中被提名一事已日益逼近，眼前这件事来得再凑巧也没有了。因为，如果不是专门开这么一次庭，那末，在最高法院于一月间照例开庭以前，这个案子就不可能审理了;而到了一月间，由于他检察官任期已满，即使有可能当选为本地区的法官，他还是不可能亲自审理这个案子。要知道现在舆论，群情愤慨，强烈反对克莱德，本地区每一个人都认为迅速审理方才公正合理。那末，为什么要延期呢?

为什么让这样一个犯人有时间去琢磨出逃的计划呢?

特别是，这个案子如果由他梅森亲自审理，那就一定可以在全国范围内大大地提高他本人在司法界。

政治界，以及社会上的声望。
Part 3 Chapter 12
And then out of the north woods a crime sensation of the first magnitude, with all of those intriguingly colorful,and yet morally and spiritually atrocious, elements--love, romance, wealth; poverty, death. And at oncepicturesque accounts of where and how Clyde had lived in Lycurgus, with whom he had been connected, how hehad managed to conceal his relations with one girl while obviously planning to elope with another--being wiredfor and published by that type of editor so quick to sense the national news value of crimes such as this. Andtelegrams of inquiry pouring in from New York, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco and other largeAmerican cities east and west, either to Mason direct or the representatives of the Associated or United Press inthis area, asking for further and more complete details of the crime. Who was this beautiful wealthy girl withwhom it was said this Griffiths was in love? Where did she live? What were Clyde's exact relations with her? YetMason, over-awed by the wealth of the Finchleys and the Griffiths, loath to part with Sondra's name, simplyasserting for the present that she was the daughter of a very wealthy manufacturer in Lycurgus, whose name hedid not care to furnish--yet not hesitating to show the bundle of letters carefully tied with a ribbon by Clyde.
　　But Roberta's letters on the other hand being described in detail,--even excerpts of some of them--the morepoetic and gloomy being furnished the Press for use, for who was there to protect her. And on their publication awave of hatred for Clyde as well as a wave of pity for her--the poor, lonely, country girl who had had no one buthim--and he cruel, faithless,--a murderer even. Was not hanging too good for him? For en route to and from BearLake, as well as since, Mason had pored over these letters. And because of certain intensely moving passagesrelating to her home life, her gloomy distress as to her future, her evident loneliness and weariness of heart, hehad been greatly moved, and later had been able to convey this feeling to others--his wife and Heit and the localnewspapermen. So much so that the latter in particular were sending from Bridgeburg vivid, if somewhatdistorted, descriptions of Clyde, his silence, his moodiness, and his hard-heartedness.
　　And then a particularly romantic young reporter from The Star, of Utica arriving at the home of the Aldens, therewas immediately given to the world a fairly accurate picture of the weary and defeated Mrs. Alden, who, too exhausted to protest or complain, merely contented herself with a sincere and graphic picture of Roberta'sdevotion to her parents, her simple ways of living, her modesty, morality, religious devotion--how once the localpastor of the Methodist Church had said that she was the brightest and prettiest and kindest girl he had everknown, and how for years before leaving home she had been as her mother's own right hand. And thatundoubtedly because of her poverty and loneliness in Lycurgus, she had been led to listen to the honeyed wordsof this scoundrel, who, coming to her with promises of marriage, had lured her into this unhallowed and, in hercase, all but unbelievable relationship which had led to her death. For she was good and pure and sweet and kindalways. "And to think that she is dead. I can't believe it."It was so that her mother was quoted.
　　"Only Monday a week ago she was about--a little depressed, I thought, but smiling, and for some reason which Ithought odd at the time went all over the place Monday afternoon and evening, looking at things and gatheringsome flowers. And then she came over and put her arms around me and said: 'I wish I were a little girl again,Mamma, and that you would take me in your arms and rock me like you used to.' And I said, 'Why, Roberta,what makes you so sad to-night, anyhow?' And she said, 'Oh, nothing. You know I'm going back in the morning.
　　And somehow I feel a little foolish about it to-night.' And to think that it was this trip that was in her mind. Isuppose she had a premonition that all would not work out as she had planned. And to think he struck my littlegirl, she who never could harm anything, not even a fly." And here, in spite of herself, and with the saddenedTitus in the background, she began to cry silently.
　　But from the Griffiths and other members of this local social world, complete and almost unbreakable silence.
　　For in so far as Samuel Griffiths was concerned, it was impossible for him at first either to grasp or believe thatClyde could be capable of such a deed. What! That bland and rather timid and decidedly gentlemanly youth, ashe saw him, charged with murder? Being rather far from Lycurgus at the time--Upper Saranac--where he wasreached with difficulty by Gilbert--he was almost unprepared to think, let alone act. Why, how impossible! Theremust be some mistake here. They must have confused Clyde with some one else.
　　Nevertheless, Gilbert proceeding to explain that it was unquestionably true, since the girl had worked in thefactory under Clyde, and the district attorney at Bridgeburg with whom he had already been in communicationhad assured him that he was in possession of letters which the dead girl had written to Clyde and that Clyde didnot attempt to deny them.
　　"Very well, then," countered Samuel. "Don't act hastily, and above all, don't talk to anyone outside of Smillie orGotboy until I see you. Where's Brookhart?"--referring to Darrah Brookhart, of counsel for Griffiths &Company.
　　"He's in Boston to-day," returned his son. "I think he told me last Friday that he wouldn't be back here untilMonday or Tuesday.""Well, wire him that I want him to return at once. Incidentally, have Smillie see if he can arrange with the editorsof The Star and Beacon down there to suspend any comment until I get back. I'll be down in the morning. Alsotell him to get in the car and run up there" (Bridgeburg) "to-day if he can. I must know from first hand all there isto know. Have him see Clyde if he can, also this district attorney, and bring down any news that he can get. And all the newspapers. I want to see for myself what has been published."And at approximately the same time, in the home of the Finchleys on Fourth Lake, Sondra herself, after forty-eight hours of most macerating thoughts spent brooding on the astounding climax which had put a period to allher girlish fancies in regard to Clyde, deciding at last to confess all to her father, to whom she was more drawnthan to her mother. And accordingly approaching him in the library, where usually he sat after dinner, reading orconsidering his various affairs. But having come within earshot of him, beginning to sob, for truly she wasstricken in the matter of her love for Clyde, as well as her various vanities and illusions in regard to her own highposition, the scandal that was about to fall on her and her family. Oh, what would her mother say now, after allher warnings? And her father? And Gilbert Griffiths and his affianced bride? And the Cranstons, who except forher influence over Bertine, would never have been drawn into this intimacy with Clyde?
　　Her sobs arresting her father's attention, he at once paused to look up, the meaning of this quite beyond him. Yetinstantly sensing something very dreadful, gathering her up in his arms, and consolingly murmuring: "There,there! For heaven's sake, what's happened to my little girl now? Who's done what and why?" And then, with adecidedly amazed and shaken expression, listening to a complete confession of all that had occurred thus far--thefirst meeting with Clyde, her interest in him, the attitude of the Griffiths, her letters, her love, and then this--thisawful accusation and arrest. And if it were true! And her name were used, and her daddy's! And once more shefell to weeping as though her heart would break, yet knowing full well that in the end she would have her father'ssympathy and forgiveness, whatever his subsequent suffering and mood.
　　And at once Finchley, accustomed to peace and order and tact and sense in his own home, looking at hisdaughter in an astounded and critical and yet not uncharitable way, and exclaiming: "Well, well, of all things!
　　Well, I'll be damned! I am amazed, my dear! I am astounded! This is a little too much, I must say. Accused ofmurder! And with letters of yours in your own handwriting, you say, in his possession, or in the hands of thisdistrict attorney, for all we know by now. Tst! Tst! Tst! Damned foolish, Sondra, damned foolish! Your motherhas been talking to me for months about this, and you know I was taking your word for it against hers. And nowsee what's happened! Why couldn't you have told me or listened to her? Why couldn't you have talked all thisover with me before going so far? I thought we understood each other, you and I. Your mother and I have alwaysacted for your own good, haven't we? You know that. Besides, I certainly thought you had better sense. Really, Idid. But a murder case, and you connected with it! My God!"He got up, a handsome blond man in carefully made clothes, and paced the floor, snapping his fingers irritably,while Sondra continued to weep. Suddenly, ceasing his walking, he turned again toward her and resumed with:
　　"But, there, there! There's no use crying over it. Crying isn't going to fix it. Of course, we may be able to live itdown in some way. I don't know. I don't know. I can't guess what effect this is likely to have on you personally.
　　But one thing is sure. We do want to know something about those letters."And forthwith, and while Sondra wept on, he proceeded first to call his wife in order to explain the nature of theblow--a social blow that was to lurk in her memory as a shadow for the rest of her years--and next to call upLegare Atterbury, lawyer, state senator, chairman of the Republican State Central Committee and his own privatecounsel for years past, to whom he explained the amazing difficulty in which his daughter now found herself.
　　Also to inquire what was the most advisable thing to be done.
　　"Well, let me see," came from Atterbury, "I wouldn't worry very much if I were you, Mr. Finchley. I think I cando something to straighten this out for you before any real public damage is done. Now, let me see. Who is thedistrict attorney of Cataraqui County, anyhow? I'll have to look that up and get in touch with him and call youback. But never mind, I promise you I'll be able to do something--keep the letters out of the papers, anyhow.
　　Maybe out of the trial--I'm not sure--but I am sure I can fix it so that her name will not be mentioned, so don'tworry."And then Atterbury in turn calling up Mason, whose name he found in his lawyers' directory, and at oncearranging for a conference with him, since Mason seemed to think that the letters were most vital to his case,although he was so much overawed by Atterbury's voice that he was quick to explain that by no means had heplanned as yet to use publicly the name of Sondra or the letters either, but rather to reserve their actuality for theprivate inspection of the grand jury, unless Clyde should choose to confess and avoid a trial.
　　But Atterbury, after referring back to Finchley and finding him opposed to any use of the letters whatsoever, orSondra's name either, assuring him that on the morrow or the day after he would himself proceed to Bridgeburgwith some plans and political information which might cause Mason to think twice before he so much asconsidered referring to Sondra in any public way.
　　And then after due consideration by the Finchley family, it was decided that at once, and without explanation orapology to any one, Mrs. Finchley, Stuart and Sondra should leave for the Maine coast or any place satisfactoryto them. Finchley himself proposed to return to Lycurgus and Albany. It was not wise for any of them to beabout where they could be reached by reporters or questioned by friends. And forthwith, a hegira of theFinchleys to Narragansett, where under the name of Wilson they secluded themselves for the next six weeks.
　　Also, and because of the same cause the immediate removal of the Cranstons to one of the Thousand Islands,where there was a summer colony not entirely unsatisfactory to their fancy. But on the part of the Baggotts andthe Harriets, the contention that they were not sufficiently incriminated to bother and so remaining exactly wherethey were at Twelfth Lake. But all talking of Clyde and Sondra--this horrible crime and the probable socialdestruction of all those who had in any way been thus innocently defiled by it.
　　And in the interim, Smillie, as directed by Griffiths, proceeding to Bridgeburg, and after two long hours withMason, calling at the jail to see Clyde. And because of authorization from Mason being permitted to see himquite alone in his cell. Smillie having explained that it was not the intention of the Griffiths to try to set up anydefense for Clyde, but rather to discover whether under the circumstances there was a possibility for a defense,Mason had urged upon him the wisdom of persuading Clyde to confess, since, as he insisted, there was not theslightest doubt as to his guilt, and a trial would but cost the county money without result to Clyde--whereas if hechose to confess, there might be some undeveloped reasons for clemency--at any rate, a great social scandalprevented from being aired in the papers.
　　And thereupon Smillie proceeding to Clyde in his cell where brooding most darkly and hopelessly he waswondering how to do. Yet at the mere mention of Smillie's name shrinking as though struck. The Griffiths-SamuelGriffiths and Gilbert! Their personal representative. And now what would he say? For no doubt, as henow argued with himself, Smillie, having talked with Mason, would think him guilty. And what was he to saynow? What sort of a story tell--the truth or what? But without much time to think, for even while he was trying todo so Smillie had been ushered into his presence. And then moistening his dry lips with his tongue, he could only achieve, "Why, how do you do, Mr. Smillie?" to which the latter replied, with a mock geniality, "Why, hello,Clyde, certainly sorry to see you tied up in a place like this." And then continuing: "The papers and the districtattorney over here are full of a lot of stuff about some trouble you're in, but I suppose there can't be much to it-theremust be some mistake, of course. And that's what I'm up here to find out. Your uncle telephoned me thismorning that I was to come up and see you to find out how they come to be holding you. Of course, you canunderstand how they feel down there. So they wanted me to come up and get the straight of it so as to get thecharge dismissed, if possible--so now if you'll just let me know the ins and outs of this--you know--that is--"He paused there, confident because of what the district attorney had just told him, as well as Clyde's peculiarlynervous and recessive manner, that he would not have very much that was exculpatory to reveal.
　　And Clyde, after moistening his lips once more, beginning with: "I suppose things do look pretty bad for me, Mr.
　　Smillie. I didn't think at the time that I met Miss Alden that I would ever get into such a scrape as this. But Ididn't kill her, and that's the God's truth. I never even wanted to kill her or take her up to that lake in the firstplace. And that's the truth, and that's what I told the district attorney. I know he has some letters from her to me,but they only show that she wanted me to go away with her--not that I wanted to go with her at all--"He paused, hoping that Smillie would stamp this with his approval of faith. And Smillie, noting the agreementbetween his and Mason's assertions, yet anxious to placate him, returned: "Yes, I know. He was just showingthem to me.""I knew he would," continued Clyde, weakly. "But you know how it is sometimes, Mr. Smillie," his voice,because of his fears that the sheriff or Kraut were listening, pitched very low. "A man can get in a jam with a girlwhen he never even intended to at first. You know that yourself. I did like Roberta at first, and that's the truth,and I did get in with her just as those letters show. But you know that rule they have down there, that no one incharge of a department can have anything to do with any of the women under him. Well, that's what started allthe trouble for me, I guess. I was afraid to let any one know about it in the first place, you see.""Oh, I see."And so by degrees, and growing less and less tense as he proceeded, since Smillie appeared to be listening withsympathy, he now outlined most of the steps of his early intimacy with Roberta, together with his presentdefense. But with no word as to the camera, or the two hats or the lost suit, which things were constantly andenormously troubling him. How could he ever explain these, really? And with Smillie at the conclusion of thisand because of what Mason had told him, asking: "But what about those two hats, Clyde? This man over herewas telling me that you admit to having two straw hats--the one found on the lake and the one you wore awayfrom there."And Clyde, forced to say something, yet not knowing what, replying: "But they're wrong as to my wearing astraw hat away from there, Mr. Smillie, it was a cap.""I see. But still you did have a straw hat up at Bear Lake, he tells me.""Yes, I had one there, but as I told him, that was the one I had with me when I went up to the Cranstons' the first time. I told him that. I forgot it and left it there.""Oh, I see. But now there was something about a suit--a gray one, I believe--that he says you were seen wearingup there but that he can't find now? Were you wearing one?""No. I was wearing the blue suit I had on when I came down here. They've taken that away now and given methis one.""But he says that you say you had it dry-cleaned at Sharon but that he can't find any one there who knowsanything about it. How about that? Did you have it dry-cleaned there?""Yes, sir.""By whom?""Well, I can't just remember now. But I think I can find the man if I were to go up there again--he's near thedepot," but at the same time looking down and away from Smillie.
　　And then Smillie, like Mason before him, proceeding to ask about the bag in the boat, and whether it had notbeen possible, if he could swim to shore with his shoes and suit on, for him to have swam to Roberta and assistedher to cling to the overturned boat. And Clyde explaining, as before, that he was afraid of being dragged down,but adding now, for the first time, that he had called to her to hang on to the boat, whereas previously he had saidthat the boat drifted away from them. And Smillie recalled that Mason had told him this. Also, in connectionwith Clyde's story of the wind blowing his hat off, Mason had said he could prove by witnesses, as well as the U.
　　S. Government reports, that there was not a breath of air stirring on that most halcyon day. And so, plainly,Clyde was lying. His story was too thin. Yet Smillie, not wishing to embarrass him, kept saying: "Oh, I see," or,"To be sure," or "That's the way it was, was it?"And then finally asking about the marks on Roberta's face and head. For Mason had called his attention to themand insisted that no blow from a boat would make both abrasions. But Clyde sure that the boat had only struckher once and that all the bruises had come from that or else he could not guess from what they had come. Butthen beginning to see how hopeless was all this explanation. For it was so plain from his restless, troubledmanner that Smillie did not believe him. Quite obviously he considered his not having aided Roberta asdastardly--a thin excuse for letting her die.
　　And so, too weary and disheartened to lie more, finally ceasing. And Smillie, too sorry and disturbed to wish tocatechize or confuse him further, fidgeting and fumbling and finally declaring: "Well, I'm afraid I'll have to begoing now, Clyde. The roads are pretty bad between here and Sharon. But I've been mighty glad to hear yourside of it. And I'll present it to your uncle just as you have told it to me. But in the meantime, if I were you, Iwouldn't do any more talking than I could help--not until you hear further from me. I was instructed to find anattorney up here to handle this case for you, if I could, but since it's late and Mr. Brookhart, our chief counsel,will be back to-morrow, I think I'll just wait until I can talk to him. So if you'll take my advice, you'll just not sayanything until you hear from him or me. Either he'll come or he'll send some one--he'll bring a letter from me,whoever he is, and then he'll advise you."And with this parting admonition, leaving Clyde to his thoughts and himself feeling no least doubt of his guiltand that nothing less than the Griffiths' millions, if so they chose to spend them, could save him from a fatewhich was no doubt due him.

就这样从北边林区爆出了最为轰动的凶杀案，这一重大事件情节动人，色彩斑斓，从道德和信仰上说又很残酷，各种特点真可以说是一应俱全……爱恋。

艳史。财富。贫困。死亡。那些迅即嗅出此类罪案具有轰动全国的新闻价值的报刊编辑，马上从大量电讯中选登了许许多多妙笔生花的报道，比方说，克莱德住在莱柯格斯某某地方，生活如何，他认识了哪些人，他一面千方百计隐瞒自己跟某一个姑娘的关系，一面显然却在策划自己跟另一位少女一起私奔，如此等等，不一而足。来自纽约。芝加哥。波士顿。费城。旧金山和美国东西两岸其他大城市的电报，有如潮水一般直接涌向梅森，要不然，美联社或合众社派驻这一地区的记者，要求进一步得到案件的详细情节。这位美丽的富家少女(据传竟然使这个格里菲思为之倾心相爱)究竟是谁?

她住在什么地方?

克莱德跟她的关系到底是什么性质?

但是，梅森慑于芬奇利和格里菲思两大家门权势，怎么也不肯透露桑德拉的名字，暂且只说她是莱柯格斯一个非常有钱的厂商之女，至于她的名字，他认为没有必要向各位奉告……不过，克莱德小心翼翼地用缎带束起来的那札信，他倒是毫不迟疑地出示给大家看的。

可是，有关罗伯达那些信，他却讲得详细极了……甚至还从某几封信里，摘录了最最富有诗意和令人动怜的内容，以供各报刊登载，试问有谁来保护这个可怜的姑娘呢?

这些摘录一发表，立即掀起了仇恨克莱德。同情罗伯达的浪潮……这个贫苦。孤单的乡下姑娘，除了他以外，她什么人都没有……而他却这么残忍，忘恩无义……甚至还是一名杀人凶犯。绞刑……对于他不是再合适也没有吗?

其实，这些信梅森在去熊湖的往返路上以及后来，都曾经仔细地看过。

其中有一些特别令人动怜的句段，比方说，有关她家里的生活光景，她对自己前途的烦恼，她内心显然感到孤寂和忧伤……都使他激动极了。后来，他还把自己这种感情感染了别人……他的妻子。海特和本地新闻记者。因此后来，特别是那些新闻记者发自布里奇伯格的一些通讯报道，描写克莱德固然生动，但却有些歪曲，专写他的沉默。他的阴郁和他的铁石心肠。

尤蒂卡《星报》某个特别罗曼蒂克的年轻记者，专访奥尔登家，马上让读者看到记者相当准确地描述心灰意懒。哀恸欲绝的奥尔登太太的情景。奥尔登太太实在精疲力竭，甚至无力表示抗议，或是呼怨叫屈。她老人家只是诚恳。

生动地说明了罗伯达对父母的孝心，她那简朴的生活方式，她的为人谦逊和高洁的品性，而且，她还笃信宗教，当地美以美会有一位牧师曾经说过，他见过的姑娘里头，就数罗伯达最聪明。最美丽和最善良了;在她离家以前，那么多年来她一直是母亲真正的得力帮手。她老人家还说，毫无疑问，只是因为她在莱柯格斯太孤苦伶仃，她才听信了那个流氓的甜言蜜语，他便答应跟她结婚，引诱她发生了亵渎神明的。而且是令人无法相信的一种关系，从而把她引向绝路。

因为，她这个人一向是真诚。纯洁。可爱和善良的。"现在想到她已死了。那是叫我怎么也不会相信的。"此外还摘引了罗伯达母亲以下一段话。

"只不过一星期前，也就是在星期一那天，她还在这里……我觉得她心情有点儿消沉，但她还是笑吟吟的。不知怎的(当时我只觉得有点儿怪)，她在星期一下午和傍晚，老是在农场各处转悠，仔细察看了每一件东西，还采来了一些鲜花。随后，她走过来，用胳臂搂住了我说:

'

''''我真巴不得自己又变成一个小妞儿，妈妈;那您就象过去那样把我搂在您怀里哄着我。，我就说:

'

''''怎么啦，罗伯达，今儿个晚上，你到底为什么会这么难过?

，她就说:

'

''''哦，没什么。您知道，我明儿一早就得回去了。今儿个晚上我不知怎的心里觉得有点儿乱。，那时候，她心里惦着的，就是这次出门旅行的事啊。我觉得，事前她一定预感到，一切不会按照她原来的计划实现。只要想一想，他竟然会砸我的小姑娘，她呀从来也不肯伤害任何东西，哪怕是小小的一头蝇子。"说到这儿，她情不自禁默默地抽泣了，这时满怀悲恸的泰特斯也伫立在那儿。

不过，在格里菲思家，以至当地上流社会里其他一些人家，还是完全保持一片几乎不受惊扰的沉默。因为，就塞缪尔。格里菲思来说，一开头怎么也无法理解，或是相信克莱德竟会做出这等事来。怎么会呢!

?

在他心目中这个温文尔雅。相当胆怯。显然颇有绅士风度的年轻人，会得了个杀人犯罪名?

这时他正远离莱柯格斯……在上萨拉纳克……吉尔伯特好不容易才跟他接通了电话……他几乎连想都来不及想，更不用说采取什么对策了。不，这是不可能的事!

想必是在哪儿出了差错。人家一定是把别的什么人错看成克莱德了。

但是，吉尔伯特继续向父亲解释说，毫无疑问，这一切都是千真万确的。

因为，那个姑娘就是在厂里克莱德手下做工的。而且，布里奇伯格地方检察官(吉尔伯特已跟此人联系过)肯定说手里还掌握死者写给克莱德的信，克莱德对此也并不试图加以否认。

"那末，好吧，"塞缪尔回答说。"在我见到你以前，先别仓卒行事，千万。

千万不得跟任何人谈起这事，除了斯米利或是戈特博伊。布洛克哈特现在哪儿?

"……他这是指格里菲思公司的法律顾问达拉。布洛克哈特。

"今天他在波士顿，"他儿子回答说。"我记得上星期五他告诉过我，说他在星期一或星期二以前恐怕回不来。""那末，就打电报给他，说我要他马上回来。还有，顺便让斯米利考虑一下，能不能跟《星报》和《灯塔报》的编辑谈一下，在我回来以前，暂时停发任何评论文章。明天一早我就到。还要关照他坐汽车去那儿〔布里奇伯格〕跑一趟，最好今天就去。我务必直接了解一下，问题出在哪儿。要是办得到的话，让他去看看克莱德，还有那位地方检察官;不管有什么新的情况都得带回来。还有所有的报纸。我要亲自看看报纸上登了些什么。"大约就在同一个时候，在第四号湖(原文如此，恐系误印，应该是"第十二号湖"。)芬奇利家别墅里，桑德拉整整两昼夜五内俱焚地都在沉思默想着这个骇人的剧变(由于这一剧变，她对克莱德怀有的种种少女的幻想，也就烟消云散了)。

最后，她决定这一切全得向父亲坦白承认(因为他们父女之间一向情深似海)。于是，她便向正在书房里的父亲走去(晚饭后，父亲照例在书房里看看书，或是思考思考各种问题)。不料，她一走到父亲身边，竟抽抽噎噎地哭了起来。因为，不论是她对克莱德的爱情破灭也好，或是对她自己优越的地位充满种种虚荣心和幻想也好，还是对即将落到她和她一家人头上的这一场丑闻也好，这一切确实使她创巨痛深啊。啊，她母亲有多少回向她提出警告，现在又会怎么说呢?

还有她父亲呢?

还有吉尔伯特。格里菲思和他的未婚妻?

还有克兰斯顿一家人(要是当初她不能指使伯蒂娜的话，他们怎么也不会赞成跟克莱德如此密切交往的)?

父亲一听到她的抽噎声，马上抬头一看，全然不知道这是怎么回事。可他一下子觉察到出了什么非常可怕的事，便把她搂在自己怀里，低声安慰她说:

"别哭，别哭!

老天哪，我的小姑娘碰上什么事了?

是谁欺侮她?

为了什么呀?

"随后，他显然异常惊诧地倾听她后悔没能早点把全部经过和盘托出:

她第一次跟克莱德的见面，她对他有好感，格里菲思家的态度，她的那些信，她的爱情，最后是这次……这次骇人听闻的罪行和逮捕。要是这一切果然都是真的呢!

她的名字，还有她爹爹的名字，就要常常被人议论!

她又抽抽噎噎地哭了起来，好象心都快要碎了，不过她心里很明白:

到头来她一定会得到她父亲的同情和宽恕，不管他听了会感到多么痛苦难受。

芬奇利对自己家里宁静。齐整。灵活。明智的气氛早就习以为常，这时露出异常惊愕。挑剔，而又并非毫不同情的神色直瞅着女儿，大声喊道:

"哎哟哟，真的出了这等事!

啊，真是见鬼!

我真的大吃一惊，我的天哪!

我一下子给吓懵了!

我不能不说，这可真的非同小可呀。得了杀人犯罪名!

可是你说，你自己的那些亲笔信还在他手里，而且现在可以推想，说不定还落到地方检察官手里呢。哎哟哟，真傻，桑德拉，真的鬼知道，你真傻!

好几个月来，你妈老是跟我提起这件事。可你知道，我一直相信的是你的话，而不是她的话。现在，你看，就出了这样的事!

为什么你不告诉我?

为什么你不听她的话?

为什么这些事在你还没有走得那么远以前，不早点跟我谈一谈?

我想我和你之间彼此都很了解。你妈跟我一向都是为你好，可不是吗?

这你也很清楚。此外，当然罗，我一向以为你头脑清醒得很。说实话，我就是这么想的。可是，你怎么搞的，同一个凶杀案子有牵连!

我的老天哪!

"他猝然站起身来。这个长得漂亮。白里透红的人，身上的穿着非常讲究，开始来回踱步，愤然作色，捻了一下手指，而桑德拉还在继续哭泣。他猛地停住脚步，又转过身来对她说:

"可是，别哭了，别哭了!

光是哭不管用的。眼泪也帮不了你忙呀。当然罗，也许我们好歹能让这一丑闻不外扬出去。可我不知道。

我还不知道。这事也许会对你有多大影响呀!

不过，有一点是肯定的。关于这些信，我们要过问一下。"桑德拉还是在哭泣。芬奇利先生就先把妻子叫过来，给她讲了这次打击的性质……这是对他们的社会声望的打击，将象阴影一样永远留在桑德拉的记忆里……随后打电话给莱加尔。阿特伯里。此人既是一位律师，又是本州参议员。

共和党本州中央委员会主席，也是芬奇利的常年私人法律顾问。他把女儿目前惊人的困境讲给律师听，并且还问此事该怎么办最稳妥。

"嗯，让我想一想，"阿特伯里回答说。"芬奇利先生，我要是处在您的地位，就不会过分发愁的。我想，这件事我总可以替您办妥贴的，决不会有损于您的名誉吧。嗯，让我想一想，卡塔拉基县的那个地方检察官，究竟是何许人也?

我可得了解清楚后，跟此人联系一下，随后再打电话给您。不过，请您尽管放心好了，我向您保证，我一定尽力而为……至少让各报刊上不提那些信。也许在开审时也不让出示那些信……对此，我还不能说有把握……不过，我相信我总可以想想办法，让他们不要提到令嫒的名字。因此，请您宽心得了。

"稍后，阿特伯里从律师通讯录上找到了梅森的名字，给他通了电话，马上跟他约定见面的时间，因为梅森好象认为这些信件与他经办的案子关系极为重要，尽管他一听是阿特伯里的声音就毕恭毕敬，赶紧解释说:

他压根儿没有打算要把桑德拉的名字或是那些信件公之于众，只是准备留待大陪审团秘密审查，除非克莱德如实供认，免去开庭审判的话。

后来，阿特伯里给芬奇利回电时，发现他坚决反对用任何方式提到这些信件或是桑德拉的名字，便向他保证说:

明后天他将亲自携带某些方案与政界消息到布里奇伯格走一趟，也许可以使梅森在决定用任何方式提到桑德拉以前，还得先要好好考虑一番才行。

接着，芬奇利一家人经过适当商议以后，就决定:

芬奇利太太。斯图尔特和桑德拉立刻动身去缅因州海滨，或是去他们乐意去的地方，用不着向任何人作出解释或是告别辞行。芬奇利先生打算回莱柯格斯和奥尔巴尼。他们一家人，不拘是谁，如果留在新闻记者能找到他们或是朋友们会问起他们的地方，都是极不妥当的。因此，芬奇利一家马上躲到纳拉甘塞特，化名威尔逊，隐居在那儿，为时六周。与此同时，克兰斯顿一家出于同一个原因，立刻迁往千岛群岛中的某一个岛上，他们觉得在那儿好歹还可以度过这个残暑。巴戈特家和哈里特家都认为自己牵连不深，大可不必心烦，因此，原来在第十二号湖，现在仍然留驻原地。不过，他们全都在议论克莱德和桑德拉……议论这一骇人听闻的罪行，议论所有那些由于此案多少受到玷污与不白之冤的人在社会上的声誉也许全给毁了。

与此同时，斯米利根据格里菲思家的指示，前往布里奇伯格跟梅森交谈长达两小时之久，然后去监狱看望克莱德，并获得梅森特许，可在他的牢房里单独会见他。斯米利开门见山地说，格里菲思家并不打算为克莱德作任何性质的辩护，而只是想了解一下，在目前情况下，有没有辩护的可能性。梅森则竭力敦促他说，最好劝说克莱德坦白认罪，因为他坚信克莱德犯罪问题，已是丝毫没有疑问的了;开庭审判，只是让本县白白地多花钱，对克莱德什么好处也没有……然而，克莱德如果肯坦白认罪，说不定还有某种理由，可以使他罪名减轻……不管怎么说，至少不让各报刊大肆渲染这一轰动社会的大丑闻。

随后，斯米利就去克莱德的牢房找他。这时，克莱德正在那儿愁眉不展，绝望地冥思苦索，真不知道该怎么办才好。可他一听见斯米利的名字，好象挨了一棍似的，马上浑身瑟缩。格里菲思家……塞缪尔。格里菲思和吉尔伯特!

他们的私人代表来了。现在他该说些什么呢?

他暗自思忖，毫无疑问，斯米利已经跟梅森交谈过，一定认为他，克莱德，是有罪的。现在他该说些什么呢?

是说真话呢……还是干脆编些假话?

可他没有多少时间来思考，因为他正要思考一下的当儿，斯米利已经闯入他牢房了。这时，他用舌头润湿一下自己干枯的嘴唇，勉强说了一声:

"啊，您好，斯米利先生?

"斯米利假惺惺地亲切回答说:

"哦，你好，克莱德，看见你被关押在这么一个地方，当然很难过。"接着，他说:

"各家报刊，还有这儿的地方检察官，提到你这麻烦事，都有许许多多谣传。不过，我想，这一切并不是那么可怕，当然罗，一定是在哪儿出了岔错。我到这儿来，就是要弄清楚这一点。今天早上你伯父给我打电话，要我上这儿来了解一下他们怎么会把你拘押起来的。当然罗，你的那些亲属目前心情怎么样，你自己也一定明白。所以，他们要我上这儿来，将此事了解清楚，如果可能的话，把这一指控驳回去……所以，现在只要求你把这件事的来龙去脉通通告诉我……你明白了吗……我说的就是……"斯米利说到这儿就顿住了。由于他刚才从地方检察官那儿听说过的情况，以及克莱德眼前特别紧张与畏怯的神态，他心里也很明白:

克莱德未必会说出很多理由来给自己开脱罪责的。

克莱德又一次润湿了自己的嘴唇，开始说话了:

"我想，看来情况对我确实不大妙，斯米利先生。当初我碰见奥尔登小姐时，怎么也没想到会让自己陷入困境的。不过，反正我并没有杀害她，老天可以佐证，这是千真万确的。我甚至从来都没想过要把她杀掉，而且我也压根儿没想到要把她带到湖上去。这都是实话，我对地方检察官也是这么说的。我知道他手里掌握她写给我的几封信，不过，这些信只是说明:

她要我跟她一块出走……压根儿不是我要跟她一块出走……"他顿住了一会儿，希望斯米利会相信他说的这些话是老实话。斯米利发现他的说法跟梅森所说的是一致的，但要竭力安抚他，就仅仅这样回答说:

"是啊，我知道。那些信梅森刚才都给我看过了。""我知道他会给您看的，"克莱德有气无力地继续说道。"可您知道，有时常常有这种情况，斯米利先生，"他深怕警长或是克劳特在偷听，就把自己的声音压得非常低。"一个男人可能会跟一个姑娘陷入窘境，这是他一开头压根儿没想到的。这您自己也很清楚。我开头确实是喜欢罗伯达的，这是实话。于是，我就跟她相好了，如同信上所说的那样。不过，您也知道我们那儿的厂规，不管是谁主管哪个部门的，都不得同他手下的任何一个女工有来往。是啊，我觉得，后来我碰到的所有麻烦，原因就在这儿。您明白了吧，我一开头就害怕别人知道这件事。""哦，我明白了。"他就这样说下去，心情渐趋平静，因为斯米利好象同情地在听他说话。现在，他就把自己最早跟罗伯达亲近的情况，几乎全都抖搂出来，并且还把它们跟目前为自己的辩护联系起来。不过，他就是只字不提那架照相机。那两顶帽子，以及那套丢失了的衣服……这些东西总是让他感到苦恼极了。说真的，这一切叫他怎么解释呢?

斯米利听完以后，想到先前从梅森那儿获悉的情况，便开口问道:

"不过那两顶帽子是怎么一回事，克莱德?

这儿梅森告诉我说，你承认自己有两顶草帽……湖面上发现的那一顶，还有你离开那儿时戴的那一顶。"这时，克莱德不得不说一些话，可又不知道该说些什么才好，便回答说:

"可是他们搞错了，斯米利先生。我离开时戴的不是草帽，而是一顶鸭舌帽。

""我明白了。不过他告诉我，说你在熊湖时还是戴着一顶草帽。""是的，我在那儿时是戴过一顶草帽。不过，我已经告诉过他了。这是我头一次去克兰斯顿家时戴的。我告诉过他了。那时我把它忘了，结果丢在他们家里了。""哦，我明白了。不过，好象有一套衣服还有点儿问题……我觉得是一套灰色的……他说人们看见你在那儿时穿在身上的，可现在找不到，是吧?

你是穿过这么一套灰色衣服吧?

""没有。我穿的就是我上这儿时身上穿的那一套蓝色衣服。现在人们把那一套带走了，另给了我这一套。""不过，根据他说，你说过在沙隆时送出去干洗了。但他在那儿找谁都找不到，谁都不知道有这一回事。这是怎么搞的?

你在那儿真的送出去干洗了没有?

""是送去干洗了，先生。""是送给谁的?

""嗯，现在我可记不起来了。不过，我想，我要是再去那儿走一趟，能找到那个人……他就在车站附近。"不过，他说话时两眼望着地面，不敢跟斯米利目光相遇。

接着，斯米利如同早先梅森那样，问到了小船上的手提箱。还有，他既然没脱掉衣鞋，能泅水游到岸上，那他为什么不能游到罗伯达身边，帮她抓住那条倾覆了的小船呢?

克莱德如同早先一样解释说，他深怕自己被她也拖下了水，但此刻头一次补充说他是喊过她快抓住那条小船的，而在这以前，他只说过那条小船打从他们身边漂走了。斯米利记得梅森跟他也是这么说过的。还有，克莱德原说帽子给风刮走了，梅森说此事可以传唤证人佐证，也可以根据美国政府的气象报告，证明那一天风平浪静，一丝儿风也没有。因此，克莱德显然是在撒谎。他这样胡编乱造，必然露了马脚。不过，斯米利不愿让他太难堪，老是重复念叨说:

"哦，我明白了，"或是"当然罗，"或是"事情原来是这样，是吧?

"最后，斯米利问到罗伯达脸部和头部的伤痕。因为，梅森要他注意这些伤痕，并且坚信倘跟船舷碰撞，不可能同时两处都有伤痕。但是克莱德肯定说，那条小船只碰撞过她一下，所有的创伤都是这样来的，要不然，连他也想不出怎么会碰伤的。反正这时他自己开始认识到这一切解释都是徒劳的。因为，从斯米利那种困惑不安的神态看来，很清楚说明:

斯米利并不相信他的话。显而易见，斯米利认为他没有去搭救罗伯达，这是一种卑鄙。懦弱的行为。他眼巴巴看着让她溺水而死……而懦弱只不过是轻描淡写的托词罢了。

克莱德实在太疲惫。太沮丧，不想继续撒谎，最后也就干脆闭口不谈了。

而斯米利也太烦恼不安，不愿再进一步盘问他，弄得他惶惶不可终日。这时，斯米利简直坐立不安，来回揉手，最后才说:

"好吧，现在我该走了，克莱德。从这儿去沙隆的路相当不好走呀。不过，我很高兴听到了你对这事的看法。我将把你对我说的那些话如实转告你的伯父。可是，我要是处在你的地位，暂时就尽可能不要多说什么了……直至得到我进一步的消息。根据指示，我要在这儿物色一位辩护律师……如果我能做到的话……给你办这个案子。不过，现在时间不早了，我们的首席法律顾问布鲁克哈特先生明天就要回来，因此，我想最好还是先等一等，让我跟他谈过以后再说。所以，你要是接受我的劝告的话，那末，在你听到他或是我的消息以前，你就不要再多说什么了。要么是他自己来，要么是由他派某个人来……反正不拘是谁，总得持有我写的信，那时候，此人就会给你出点子的。"斯米利临行前这样劝告了之后就走了，让克莱德独自想心事。可是，斯米利本人一点儿都不怀疑克莱德是有罪的，而且认为，格里菲思家倘若不准备花上好几百万美元……如果说他们愿意的话……那怎么也不能把克莱德从他毫无疑问是自作自受的厄运中搭救出来。
Part 3 Chapter 13
And then on the following morning Samuel Griffiths, with his own son Gilbert standing by, in the large drawingroom of their Wykeagy Avenue mansion, listening to Smillie's report of his conference with Clyde and Mason.
　　And Smillie reporting all he had heard and seen. And with Gilbert Griffiths, unbelievably shaken and infuriatedby all this, exclaiming at one point:
　　"Why, the little devil! The little beast! But what did I tell you, Dad? Didn't I warn you against bringing him on?"And Samuel Griffiths after meditating on this reference to his earlier sympathetic folly now giving Gilbert a mostsuggestive and intensely troubled look, which said: Are we here to discuss the folly of my original, if foolish,good intentions, or the present crisis? And Gilbert thinking: The murderer! And that wretched little show-off,Sondra Finchley, trying to make something of him in order to spite me, Gilbert, principally, and so gettingherself smirched. The little fool! But it served her right. She would get her share of this now. Only it would causehim and his father and all of them infinite trouble also. For was this not an ineradicable stain which was likely todefile all--himself, his fiancee, Bella, Myra, his parents--and perhaps cost them their position here in Lycurgussociety? The tragedy! Maybe an execution! And in this family!
　　Yet Samuel Griffiths, on his part, going back in his mind to all that had occurred since Clyde had arrived inLycurgus.
　　His being left to work in that basement at first and ignored by the family. Left to his own devices for fully eightmonths. Might not that have been at least a contributing cause to all this horror? And then being put over allthose girls! Was not that a mistake? He could see all this now clearly, although by no means condoning Clyde'sdeed in any way--far from it. The wretchedness of such a mind as that--the ungoverned and carnal desires! Theuncontrollable brutality of seducing that girl and then because of Sondra--the pleasant, agreeable little Sondra-plottingto get rid of her! And now in jail, and offering no better explanation of all the amazing circumstances, asreported by Smillie, than that he had not intended to kill her at all--had not even plotted to do so--that the windhad blown his hat off! How impossibly weak! And with no suitable explanation for the two hats, or the missingsuit, or of not going to the aid of the drowning girl. And those unexplained marks on her face. How strongly allthese things pointed to his guilt.
　　"For God's sake," exclaimed Gilbert, "hasn't he anything better than that to offer, the little fool!" And Smilliereplied that that was all he could get him to say, and that Mr. Mason was absolutely and quite dispassionatelyconvinced of his guilt. "Dreadful! Dreadful!" put in Samuel. "I really can't grasp it yet. I can't! It doesn't seempossible that any one of my blood could be guilty of such a thing!" And then getting up and walking the floor inreal and crushing distress and fear. His family! Gilbert and his future! Bella, with all her ambitions and dreams!
　　And Sondra! And Finchley!
　　He clinched his hands. He knitted his brows and tightened his lips. He looked at Smillie, who, immaculate andsleek, showed nevertheless the immense strain that was on him, shaking his head dismally whenever Griffithslooked at him.
　　And then after nearly an hour and a half more of such questioning and requestioning as to the possibility of someother interpretation than the data furnished by Smillie would permit, Griffiths, senior, pausing and declaring:
　　"Well, it does look bad, I must say. Still, in the face of what you tell me, I can't find it in me to condemncompletely without more knowledge than we have here. There may be some other facts not as yet come to light-hewon't talk, you say, about most things--some little details we don't know about--some slight excuse of somekind--for without that this does appear to be a most atrocious crime. Has Mr. Brookhart got in from Boston?""Yes, sir, he's here," replied Gilbert. "He telephoned Mr. Smillie.""Well, have him come out here at two this afternoon to see me. I'm too tired to talk more about this right now.
　　Tell him all that you have told me, Smillie. And then come back here with him at two. It may be that he will havesome suggestion to make that will be of value to us, although just what I can't see. Only one thing I want to say-Ihope he isn't guilty. And I want every proper step taken to discover whether he is or not, and if not, to defendhim to the limit of the law. But no more than that. No trying to save anybody who is guilty of such a thing asthis--no, no, no!--not even if he is my nephew! Not me! I'm not that kind of a man! Trouble or no trouble-disgraceor no disgrace--I'll do what I can to help him if he's innocent--if there's even the faintest reason forbelieving so. But guilty? No! Never! If this boy is really guilty, he'll have to take the consequences. Not adollar--not a penny--of my money will I devote to any one who could be guilty of such a crime, even if he is mynephew!"And turning and slowly and heavily moving toward the rear staircase, while Smillie, wide-eyed, gazed after himin awe. The power of him! The decision of him! The fairness of him in such a deadly crisis! And Gilbert equallyimpressed, also sitting and staring. His father was a man, really. He might be cruelly wounded and distressed,but, unlike himself, he was neither petty nor revengeful.
　　And next Mr. Darrah Brookhart, a large, well-dressed, well-fed, ponderous and cautious corporation lawyer, withone eye half concealed by a drooping lid and his stomach rather protuberant, giving one the impression of beingmentally if not exactly physically suspended, balloon-wise, in some highly rarefied atmosphere where he wasmoved easily hither and yon by the lightest breath of previous legal interpretations or decisions of any kind. Inthe absence of additional facts, the guilt of Clyde (to him) seemed obvious. Or, waiving that, as he saw it aftercarefully listening to Smillie's recounting of all the suspicious and incriminating circumstances, he would think itvery difficult to construct an even partially satisfactory defense, unless there were some facts favoring Clydewhich had not thus far appeared. Those two hats, that bag--his slipping away like that. Those letters. But hewould prefer to read them. For upon the face of the data so far, unquestionably public sentiment would be allagainst Clyde and in favor of the dead girl and her poverty and her class, a situation which made a favorableverdict in such a backwoods county seat as Bridgeburg almost impossible. For Clyde, although himself poor, wasthe nephew of a rich man and hitherto in good standing in Lycurgus society. That would most certainly tend toprejudice country-born people against him. It would probably be better to ask for a change of venue so as to nullify the force of such a prejudice.
　　On the other hand, without first sending a trained cross-examiner to Clyde--one, who being about to undertakethe defense should be able to extract the facts from him on the plea that on his truthful answers depended hislife--he would not be able to say whether there was any hope or not. In his office was a certain Mr. Catchuman, avery able man, who might be sent on such a mission and on whose final report one could base a reasonableopinion. However, there were now various other aspects of such a case as this which, in his estimation, needed tobe carefully looked into and decided upon. For, of course, as Mr. Griffiths and his son so well knew, in Utica,New York City, Albany (and now that he came to think of it, more particularly in Albany, where were twobrothers, Canavan & Canavan, most able if dubious individuals), there were criminal lawyers deeply versed inthe abstrusities and tricks of the criminal law. And any of them--no doubt--for a sufficient retainer, andirrespective of the primary look of a situation of this kind, might be induced to undertake such a defense. And, nodoubt, via change of venue, motions, appeals, etc., they might and no doubt would be able to delay andeventually effect an ultimate verdict of something less than death, if such were the wish of the head of this veryimportant family. On the other hand, there was the undeniable fact that such a hotly contested trial as this wouldmost assuredly prove to be would result in an enormous amount of publicity, and did Mr. Samuel Griffiths wantthat? For again, under such circumstances, was it not likely to be said, if most unjustly, of course, that he wasusing his great wealth to frustrate justice? The public was so prejudiced against wealth in such cases. Yet, somesort of a defense on the part of the Griffiths would certainly be expected by the public, whether subsequently thesame necessity for such defense was criticized by them or not.
　　And in consequence, it was now necessary for Mr. Griffiths and his son to decide how they would prefer toproceed--whether with very distinguished criminal lawyers such as the two he had just named, or with lessforceful counsel, or none. For, of course, it would be possible, and that quite inconspicuously, to supply Clydewith a capable and yet thoroughly conservative trial lawyer--some one residing and practising in Bridgeburgpossibly--whose duty it would be to see that all blatant and unjustified reference to the family on the part of thenewspapers was minimized.
　　And so, after three more hours of conference, it was finally decided by Samuel himself that at once Mr.
　　Brookhart was to despatch his Mr. Catchuman to Bridgeburg to interview Clyde, and thereafter, whatever hisconclusions as to his guilt or innocence, he was to select from the local array of legal talent--for the present,anyhow--such a lawyer as would best represent Clyde fairly. Yet with no assurances of means or encouragementto do more than extract from Clyde the true details of his relationship to this charge. And those once ascertainedto center upon such a defense as would most honestly tend to establish only such facts as were honestly favorableto Clyde--in short, in no way, either by legal chicane or casuistry or trickery of any kind, to seek to establish afalse innocence and so defeat the ends of justice.

转天早上，塞缪尔。格里菲思在威克吉大街府邸宽敞的客厅里，听取了斯米利有关他跟克莱德和梅森晤谈的汇报。他的儿子吉尔伯特也在场。斯米利就他的所见所闻通通作了报告。吉尔伯特。格里菲思听了这一切后感到无比惊怒，一下子就大声嚷嚷说:

"瞧，这小恶鬼!

这小畜生!

爸爸，过去我是怎么跟您说的?

我不是早就提醒过您不要叫他上这儿来吗?

"塞缪尔。格里菲思听他儿子提到自己当初出于同情结果做了傻事后，先是沉吟不语，稍后意味深长而又紧张不安地望了吉尔伯特一眼，仿佛在说:

现在我们到底是要讨论我当初……即使是愚不可及的……良好意愿呢，还是讨论目前的危机?

这时吉尔伯特心里正在琢磨:

这个杀人犯!

还有那个可怜的。卖弄小聪明的桑德拉。芬奇利，她原想利用他来气气我吉尔伯特，结果自己反而落得个身败名裂。这个小傻瓜!

不过，这也是她自己作的孽!

现在可真的叫她够呛呀!

但话又说回来，他。他父亲和他们一家人，同样也招来了无穷无尽的麻烦。因为那是怎么也洗刷不掉的一个污点，很可能他们一家人……他自己。他的未婚妻。贝拉。麦拉和他父母……都受到玷污，也许他们在莱柯格斯的社会地位也全给毁了，可不是吗?

这场悲剧!

也许被判处死刑!

而这偏偏是出在他们这个家族里!

不过，塞缪尔。格里菲思此时此刻心里正在回想克莱德来到莱柯格斯以后的全部经过。

开头让他到地下室干活，格里菲思一家人都不理睬他。整整八个月，对他完全不过问。也许这至少是造成这一切恐怖的一个原因，可不是吗?

稍后，让他去当那些年轻女工的头头!

难道说这不是一个错误吗?

现在塞缪尔对这一切全都明白了，尽管他，当然罗，决不会对克莱德的所作所为稍加宽恕……绝对不是这样。好一个卑鄙的家伙……放浪形骸，兽性大发，竟然诱奸了那个姑娘，随后由于桑德拉……这个可爱的。惹人欢喜的小桑德拉……就策划把她干掉!

现在他锒铛入狱了，据斯米利报告说，却对这一惊人的事态提不出更好的解释来，只好说他不想杀害她……甚至连想都没有想到这么干的……还说他的帽子是被风刮掉了!

编造这样的假话，该有多可怜!

而且，对那两顶帽子，或是丢失了的那套衣服，以及没有游过去搭救那个落水的姑娘，通通提不出任何令人信服的解释。此外，还有怎么也说不清楚的脸部伤痕。所有这一切，多么充分有力地证明他是犯了罪。

"我的天哪，"吉尔伯特大声嚷道，"难道他想不出比这些更好听的话吗?

这个小傻瓜!

"斯米利回答说，他自己能让克莱德说的就是这些了，还说梅森先生绝对铁面无情地坚信克莱德是犯了杀人罪。"多可怕啊!

多可怕啊!

"塞缪尔插嘴说。"说真的，我到现在还不明白。我就是不明白!

我简直不可想象，跟我有血亲的人竟会犯了这种罪!

"说罢，他站起身来，心中充满无比痛苦和恐惧，在客厅里来回踱步。他的家!

吉尔伯特和他的前途!

贝拉和她所有的抱负和梦想!

还有桑德拉!

还有芬奇利!

他捏紧拳头，眉宇紧锁，嘴唇紧闭，两眼直瞅着斯米利……此人尽管平素圆滑机灵，无懈可击，但在此刻却露出极端紧张的神态，每当格里菲思的目光一落到他身上，他照例都无可奈何地摇摇头。

老格里菲思差不多花了一个半钟头，反复询问除了斯米利提供的材料以外，是不是可能还有其他的解释，接着沉默半晌，最后才说:

"嗯，我不得不认为这事看来确实很糟。不过，根据你给我的汇报，我觉得，因为现有材料尚嫌不足，所以还不能对它断然作出结论。说不定还有别的一些什么事实，暂时没有完全露头……据你说，许多事情他还是不肯讲……有些具体细节我们还不知道……某些细微的辩解……要是连那种辩解都没有，那末，这确实象是一种极端残忍的罪行了。布鲁克哈特从波士顿回来了没有?

""回来了，爸爸，他在这里，"吉尔伯特回答说。"他给斯米利先生打过电话了。""好吧，让他下午两点来这儿看我。我太累，现在不想再谈这件事了。把你告诉我的话，全都转告他，斯米利。两点钟跟他一块再上这儿来。说不定他会提出一些对我们有相当价值的建议，虽然我简直想象不出究竟是什么样的建议。

我想说的只有一件事，就是:

我希望克莱德没有犯罪。而且，我要采取所有正当的步骤，来了解清楚他到底有没有犯罪;要是没有犯罪，就在法律许可的范围以内替他辩护。只要不超过这个范围就得了。不管是谁，只要犯了这种罪，我决不会营救他……不，不，不!

……即便他是我的亲侄子!

我也决不会的!

我可不是这样的人!

不管怎么样……麻烦不麻烦，丢脸不丢脸……我一定尽自己力量帮助他，只要他是无辜的……哪怕是只有一点儿理由相信他是无辜的。可是，倘若他真的犯了罪呢?

不!

决不会!

如果这小子果真犯了罪，那就理应由他自食其果。我决不会在犯了这种罪的人身上花掉我的一块钱……一分钱……哪怕他还是我的亲侄子!

"说罢，他侧转身去，拖着沉重。缓慢的脚步，朝客厅后头楼梯走去。斯米利睁大眼睛，必恭必敬地凝望着他的背影。他多么威风凛凛!

多么干脆利索!

处在这样的紧急关头，他表现得多么刚正不阿!

吉尔伯特也同样感到震惊，端坐在那里，两眼茫然直瞪着前方。是的，他父亲真是个男子汉大丈夫。尽管他父亲很可能感到创巨痛深，但跟他吉尔伯特不一样，既不小心眼儿，也不会伺机报复。

接下来是达拉。布鲁克哈特先生。此人是一个身材高大。穿着讲究。营养充足。谨慎稳重的公司法律顾问。他有一只眼睛被耷拉下来的眼皮遮住了一半。

他的肚子凸了出来，给人印象是:

布鲁克哈特先生……如果说他身子形状还不是挺象，那末在思想上……却活象一个汽球，悬浮在极其稀薄的大气层里，只要任何有过先例的法律诠释或决定轻轻地一吹，就可以使他忽东忽西，飘忽不定。

即便不再添加其他事实，克莱德犯罪一事(依他看)似乎也已是彰明昭著的了。哪怕撇开这一点不谈，他在仔细听过斯米利又缕述了克莱德所有可疑和被牵连的情况后认为，如果没有若干迄今未被发现的。有利于克莱德的事实根据，要进行即使是差强人意的辩护也是非常困难的。那两顶帽子。那只手提箱……他那样偷偷地溜之大吉。还有那些信。不过，那些信他倒是很乐意亲自过目一下。

因为，根据目前已知的情况来看，社会舆论毫无疑问全都反对克莱德，有利于死去的姑娘，以及她的贫困和她所隶属的那个阶级。因此，要在布里奇伯格这样一个地处荒僻的林区的县城，争取到一个有利的判决，几乎是不可能的。因为，克莱德自己虽然穷，可他毕竟是富翁的侄子，至今在莱柯格斯社会上很有地位。这就必然使当地人对他产生偏见。因此，也许最好请求变更审判地点，才能使这种偏见对判决不发生影响。

另一方面，首先要派出一名对反诘问(反诘问，指诉讼当事人的一方，向对方证人就其所提供的证词进行盘问，以便发现矛盾，推翻其证词。)有经验的律师去盘问克莱德……此人负责替他进行辩护，应该从他那里尽量榨取事实证据，只要推托说他这条性命能不能保得住，全看他能不能老老实实回答问题就得了……如果不派去这么一个律师，他布鲁克哈特还不能肯定说究竟有没有希望。

布鲁克哈特事务所里，有一个名叫卡奇曼先生的，此人非常能干，也许可以派他去执行这一任务，并且根据他的总结报告，才能对克莱德一案作出一个合理的结论来。不过，类似这样的案子，其中还会涉及到其他一些方面，据他估计，必须仔细加以研究和作出判断。因为，毫无疑问，正如格里菲思父子俩也很清楚，在尤蒂卡。纽约市。奥尔巴尼，确有一些律师对刑法中一些深奥诀窍特别精通(此刻他忽然特别想起了奥尔巴尼的卡纳万哥儿俩，这两个人挺有能耐，虽然不免有些令人可疑)。这些人里头不管是谁……当然罗……只要有一笔相当可观的预约辩护聘金，也不管这个案子开头看起来如何，都可以诱使他担任辩护。

而且，毫无疑问，他们可以通过变更审判地点。向法院提出各种申请。上诉等等办法，也许一定能够推迟审判，到头来争取到一个不给判处死刑的终审判决，如果这样的结果符合这个权势煊赫的格里菲思家族首脑的心意。另一方面，还有一个无可否认的事实，那就是:

作为这样一个争论热点的案子，必然会在报界引起巨大轰动。这是不是符合塞缪尔。格里菲思的愿望呢?

还有，在这种情况下，外界不是很可能会说……当然罗，尽管这种说法是极不公道的……他利用自己巨大的财富来阻挠法院审判吗?

象这一类案子，公众对富豪照例怀有极深的偏见。

不过，格里菲思家出面为克莱德进行辩护，这对公众来说，当然也是在预料之中，不管以后他们是不是会对这种辩护的必要性进行批评。

因此，现在格里菲思父子俩必须决定，究竟该采取哪种办法:

是延聘刚才他提到的那两位大名鼎鼎的刑法辩护律师呢，还是不那么得力的法律顾问，或者干脆一个都不请。当然罗，可以不引人注目地为克莱德延聘一位很能干。而又非常保守的律师……也许是某一位寓居布里奇伯格开业的律师……由此人负责密切注意:

各报公开刊登对于格里菲思家露骨的不公道的攻击必须尽可能地少。

经过二个钟头的商议，最后塞缪尔本人终于决定:

由布鲁克哈特先生立刻派他手下的卡奇曼先生去布里奇伯格跟克莱德谈话，随后，不管他的结论认为克莱德确实犯了罪，或者是无辜的，由他从当地杰出的法学界人士中……反正就目前来说……挑选一位最最公正地能代表克莱德的人作为辩护律师。可是，卡奇曼先生所应该做的仅仅是迫使克莱德交代他与这一指控有关的具体真相，而不可得到保证会有某种手段，不可得到鼓励去做超出这一任务之外的事。这些具体真相一旦了解清楚以后，重点就得放到类似这样的辩护上，那就是说，要极其认真地想方设法仅仅去证实一些有利于克莱德的事实……总而言之，绝不施用任何合法的诡辩或是花招等手段去试图虚假地证实他是无罪之人，从而宣告法院审判的结果无效。
Part 3 Chapter 14
Mr. Catchuman did not prove by any means to be the one to extract from Clyde anything more than had eitherMason or Smillie. Although shrewd to a degree in piecing together out of the muddled statements of anothersuch data as seemed most probable, still he was not so successful in the realm of the emotions, as was necessary in the case of Clyde. He was too legal, chilling--unemotional. And in consequence, after grilling Clyde for fourlong hours one hot July afternoon, he was eventually compelled to desist with the feeling that as a plotter ofcrime Clyde was probably the most arresting example of feeble and blundering incapacity he had ever met.
　　For since Smillie's departure Mason had proceeded to the shores of Big Bittern with Clyde. And there discoveredthe tripod and camera. Also listened to more of Clyde's lies. And as he now explained to Catchuman that, whileClyde denied owning a camera, nevertheless he had proof that he did own one and had taken it with him when heleft Lycurgus. Yet when confronted with this fact by Catchuman, as the latter now noticed, Clyde had nothing tosay other than that he had not taken a camera with him and that the tripod found was not the one belonging toany camera of his--a lie which so irritated Catchuman that he decided not to argue with him further.
　　At the same time, however, Brookhart having instructed him that, whatever his personal conclusions in regard toClyde, a lawyer of sorts was indispensable--the charity, if not the honor, of the Griffiths being this muchinvolved, the western Griffiths, as Brookhart had already explained to him, having nothing and not being wantedin the case anyhow--he decided that he must find one before leaving. In consequence, and without anyknowledge of the local political situation, he proceeded to the office of Ira Kellogg, president of the CataraquiCounty National Bank, who, although Catchuman did not know it, was high in the councils of the Democraticorganization. And because of his religious and moral views, this same Kellogg was already highly incensed andirritated by the crime of which Clyde was accused. On the other hand, however, because as he well knew thiscase was likely to pave the way for an additional Republican sweep at the approaching primaries, he was notblind to the fact that some reducing opposition to Mason might not be amiss. Fate seemed too obviously to befavoring the Republican machine in the person of and crime committed by Clyde.
　　For since the discovery of this murder, Mason had been basking in such publicity and even nation-wide notorietyas had not befallen any district attorney of this region in years and years. Newspaper correspondents andreporters and illustrators from such distant cities as Buffalo, Rochester, Chicago, New York and Boston, werealready arriving as everybody knew or saw, to either interview or make sketches or take photos of Clyde, Mason,the surviving members of the Alden family, et cetera, while locally Mason was the recipient of undiluted praise,even the Democratic voters in the county joining with the Republicans in assuring each other that Mason was allright, that he was handling this young murderer in the way that he deserved to be handled, and that neither thewealth of the Griffiths nor of the family of that rich girl whom he appeared to have been trying to capture, wasinfluencing this young tribune of the people in the least. He was a real attorney. He had not "allowed any grass togrow under his feet, you bet."Indeed previous to Catchuman's visit, a coroner's jury had been called, with Mason attending and directing even,the verdict being that the dead girl had come to her death through a plot devised and executed by one ClydeGriffiths who was then and there in the county jail of Bridgeburg and that he be held to await the verdict of theCounty Grand Jury to whom his crime was soon to be presented. And Mason, through an appeal to the Governor,as all now knew was planning to secure a special sitting of the Supreme Court, which would naturally involve animmediate session of the County Grand Jury in order to hear the evidence and either indict or discharge Clyde.
　　And now, Catchuman arriving to inquire where he was likely to find a local lawyer of real ability who could betrusted to erect some sort of a defense for Clyde. And immediately as an offset to all this there popped intoKellogg's mind the name and reputation of one Hon. Alvin Belknap, of Belknap and Jephson, of this same city-anindividual who had been twice state senator, three times Democratic assemblyman from this region, and more recently looked upon by various Democratic politicians as one who would be favored with higher honors as soonas it was possible to arrange an issue which would permit the Democrats to enter into local office. In fact, onlythree years before, in a contest with Mason for the district attorneyship, this same Belknap had run closer tovictory than any other candidate on the Democratic ticket. Indeed, so rounded a man was he politically that thisyear he had been slated for that very county judgeship nomination which Mason had in view. And but for thissudden and most amazing development in connection with Clyde, it had been quite generally assumed thatBelknap, once nominated, would be elected. And although Mr. Kellogg did not quite trouble to explain toCatchuman all the complicated details of this very interesting political situation, he did explain that Mr. Belknapwas a very exceptional man, almost the ideal one, if one were looking for an opponent to Mason.
　　And with this slight introduction, Kellogg now offered personally to conduct Catchuman to Belknap andJephson's office, just across the way in the Bowers Block.
　　And then knocking at Belknap's door, they were admitted by a brisk, medium-sized and most engaging-lookingman of about forty-eight, whose gray-blue eyes at once fixed themselves in the mind of Catchuman as thepsychic windows of a decidedly shrewd if not altogether masterful and broad-gauge man. For Belknap wasinclined to carry himself with an air which all were inclined to respect. He was a college graduate, and in hisyouth because of his looks, his means, and his local social position (his father had been a judge as well as anational senator from here), he had seen so much of what might be called near-city life that all those gaucheriesas well as sex-inhibitions and sex-longings which still so greatly troubled and motivated and even marked a manlike Mason had long since been covered with an easy manner and social understanding which made him fairlycapable of grasping any reasonable moral or social complication which life was prepared to offer.
　　Indeed he was one who naturally would approach a case such as Clyde's with less vehemence and fever than didMason. For once, in his twentieth year, he himself had been trapped between two girls, with one of whom he wasmerely playing while being seriously in love with the other. And having seduced the first and being confrontedwith an engagement or flight, he had chosen flight. But not before laying the matter before his father, by whomhe was advised to take a vacation, during which time the services of the family doctor were engaged with theresult that for a thousand dollars and expenses necessary to house the pregnant girl in Utica, the father had finallyextricated his son and made possible his return, and eventual marriage to the other girl.
　　And therefore, while by no means sympathizing with the more cruel and drastic phases of Clyde's attempt atescape--as so far charged (never in all the years of his law practice had he been able to grasp the psychology of amurderer) still because of the rumored existence and love influence of a rich girl whose name had not as yet beendivulged he was inclined to suspect that Clyde had been emotionally betrayed or bewitched. Was he not poor andvain and ambitious? He had heard so: had even been thinking that he--the local political situation being what itwas might advantageously to himself--and perhaps most disruptingly to the dreams of Mr. Mason be able toconstruct a defense--or at least a series of legal contentions and delays which might make it not so easy for Mr.
　　Mason to walk away with the county judgeship as he imagined. Might it not, by brisk, legal moves now--andeven in the face of this rising public sentiment, or because of it,--be possible to ask for a change of venue--ortime to develop new evidence in which case a trial might not occur before Mr. Mason was out of office. He andhis young and somewhat new associate, Mr. Reuben Jephson, of quite recently the state of Vermont, had beenthinking of it.
　　And now Mr. Catchuman accompanied by Mr. Kellogg. And thereupon a conference with Mr. Catchuman andMr. Kellogg, with the latter arguing quite politically the wisdom of his undertaking such a defense. And his owninterest in the case being what it was, he was not long in deciding, after a conference with his younger associate,that he would. In the long run it could not possibly injure him politically, however the public might feel about itnow.
　　And then Catchuman having handed over a retainer to Belknap as well as a letter introducing him to Clyde,Belknap had Jephson call up Mason to inform him that Belknap & Jephson, as counsel for Samuel Griffiths onbehalf of his nephew, would require of him a detailed written report of all the charges as well as all the evidencethus far accumulated, the minutes of the autopsy and the report of the coroner's inquest. Also information as towhether any appeal for a special term of the Supreme Court had as yet been acted upon, and if so what judge hadbeen named to sit, and when and where the Grand Jury would be gathered. Incidentally, he said, Messrs. Belknapand Jephson, having heard that Miss Alden's body had been sent to her home for burial, would request at once acounsel's agreement whereby it might be exhumed in order that other doctors now to be called by the defensemight be permitted to examine it--a proposition which Mason at once sought to oppose but finally agreed torather than submit to an order from a Supreme Court judge.
　　These details having been settled, Belknap announced that he was going over to the jail to see Clyde. It was lateand he had had no dinner, and might get none now, but he wanted to have a "heart to heart" with this youth,whom Catchuman informed him he would find very difficult. But Belknap, buoyed up as he was by hisopposition to Mason, his conviction that he was in a good mental state to understand Clyde, was in a high degreeof legal curiosity. The romance and drama of this crime! What sort of a girl was this Sondra Finchley, of whomhe had already heard through secret channels? And could she by any chance be brought to Clyde's defense? Hehad already understood that her name was not to be mentioned--high politics demanding this. He was really mosteager to talk to this sly and ambitious and futile youth.
　　However, on reaching the jail, and after showing Sheriff Slack a letter from Catchuman and asking as a specialfavor to himself that he be taken upstairs to some place near Clyde's cell in order that, unannounced, he mightfirst observe Clyde, he was quietly led to the second floor and, the outside door leading to the corridor whichfaced Clyde's cell being opened for him, allowed to enter there alone. And then walking to within a few feet ofClyde's cell he was able to view him--at the moment lying face down on his iron cot, his arms above his head, atray of untouched food standing in the aperture, his body sprawled and limp. For, since Catchuman's departure,and his second failure to convince any one of his futile and meaningless lies, he was more despondent than ever.
　　In fact, so low was his condition that he was actually crying, his shoulders heaving above his silent emotion. Atsight of this, and remembering his own youthful escapades, Belknap now felt intensely sorry for him. Nosoulless murderer, as he saw it, would cry.
　　Approaching Clyde's cell door, after a pause, he began with: "Come, come, Clyde! This will never do. Youmustn't give up like this. Your case mayn't be as hopeless as you think. Wouldn't you like to sit up and talk to alawyer fellow who thinks he might be able to do something for you? Belknap is my name--Alvin Belknap. I liveright here in Bridgeburg and I have been sent over by that other fellow who was here a while ago--Catchuman,wasn't that his name? You didn't get along with him so very well, did you? Well, I didn't either. He's not ourkind, I guess. But here's a letter from him authorizing me to represent you. Want to see it?" He poked it geniallyand authoritatively through the narrow bars toward which Clyde, now curious and dubious, approached. For there was something so whole-hearted and unusual and seemingly sympathetic and understanding in this man'svoice that Clyde took courage. And without hesitancy, therefore, he took the letter and looked at it, then returnedit with a smile.
　　"There, I thought so," went on Belknap, most convincingly and pleased with his effect, which he creditedentirely to his own magnetism and charm. "That's better. I know we're going to get along. I can feel it. You aregoing to be able to talk to me as easily and truthfully as you would to your mother. And without any fear that anyword of anything you ever tell me is going to reach another ear, unless you want it to, see? For I'm going to beyour lawyer, Clyde, if you'll let me, and you're going to be my client, and we're going to sit down together tomorrow,or whenever you say so, and you're going to tell me all you think I ought to know, and I'm going to tellyou what I think I ought to know, and whether I'm going to be able to help you. And I'm going to prove to youthat in every way that you help me, you're helping yourself, see? And I'm going to do my damnedest to get youout of this. Now, how's that, Clyde?"He smiled most encouragingly and sympathetically--even affectionately. And Clyde, feeling for the first timesince his arrival here that he had found some one in whom he could possibly confide without danger, was alreadythinking it might be best if he should tell this man all--everything--he could not have said why, quite, but heliked him. In a quick, if dim way he felt that this man understood and might even sympathize with him, if heknew all or nearly all. And after Belknap had detailed how eager this enemy of his--Mason--was to convict him,and how, if he could but devise a reasonable defense, he was sure he could delay the case until this man was outof office, Clyde announced that if he would give him the night to think it all out, to-morrow or any time he choseto come back, he would tell him all.
　　And then, the next day Belknap sitting on a stool and munching chocolate bars, listened while Clyde before himon his iron cot, poured forth his story--all the details of his life since arriving at Lycurgus--how and why he hadcome there, the incident of the slain child in Kansas City, without, however, mention of the clipping which hehimself had preserved and then forgotten; his meeting with Roberta, and his desire for her; her pregnancy andhow he had sought to get her out of it--on and on until, she having threatened to expose him, he had at last, andin great distress and fright, found the item in The Times-union and had sought to emulate that in action. But hehad never plotted it personally, as Belknap was to understand. Nor had he intentionally killed her at the last. No,he had not. Mr. Belknap must believe that, whatever else he thought. He had never deliberately struck her. No,no, no! It had been an accident. There had been a camera, and the tripod reported to have been found by Masonwas unquestionably his tripod. Also, he had hidden it under a log, after accidentally striking Roberta with thecamera and then seeing that sink under the waters, where no doubt it still was, and with pictures of himself andRoberta on the film it contained, if they were not dissolved by the water. But he had not struck her intentionally.
　　No--he had not. She had approached and he had struck, but not intentionally. The boat had upset. And then asnearly as he could, he described how before that he had seemed to be in a trance almost, because having gone sofar he could go no farther.
　　But in the meantime, Belknap, himself finally wearied and confused by this strange story, the impossibility as henow saw it of submitting to, let alone convincing, any ordinary backwoods jury of this region, of the innocenceof these dark and bitter plans and deeds, finally in great weariness and uncertainty and mental confusion, even,getting up and placing his hands on Clyde's shoulders, saying: "Well, that'll be enough of this for to-day, Clyde, Ithink. I see how you felt and how it all came about--also I see how tired you are, and I'm mighty glad you've been able to give me the straight of this, because I know how hard it's been for you to do it. But I don't want youto talk any more now. There are going to be other days, and I have a few things I want to attend to before I takeup some of the minor phases of this with you to-morrow or next day. Just you sleep and rest for the present.
　　You'll need all you can get for the work both of us will have to do a little later. But just now, you're not to worry,because there's no need of it, do you see? I'll get you out of this--or we will--my partner and I. I have a partnerthat I'm going to bring around here presently. You'll like him, too. But there are one or two things that I want youto think about and stick to--and one of these is that you're not to let anybody frighten you into anything, becauseeither myself or my partner will be around here once a day anyhow, and anything you have to say or want toknow you can say or find out from us. Next you're not to talk to anybody--Mason, the sheriff, these jailers, noone--unless I tell you to. No one, do you hear! And above all things, don't cry any more. For if you are asinnocent as an angel, or as black as the devil himself, the worst thing you can do is to cry before any one. Thepublic and these jail officers don't understand that--they invariably look upon it as weakness or a confession ofguilt. And I don't want them to feel any such thing about you now, and especially when I know that you're reallynot guilty. I know that now. I believe it. See! So keep a stiff upper lip before Mason and everybody.
　　"In fact, from now on I want you to try and laugh a little--or at any rate, smile and pass the time of day with thesefellows around here. There's an old saying in law, you know, that the consciousness of innocence makes any mancalm. Think and look innocent. Don't sit and brood and look as though you had lost your last friend, because youhaven't. I'm here, and so is my partner, Mr. Jephson. I'll bring him around here in a day or two, and you're to lookand act toward him exactly as you have toward me. Trust him, because in legal matters he's even smarter than Iam in some ways. And to-morrow I'm going to bring you a couple of books and some magazines and papers,and I want you to read them or look at the pictures. They'll help keep your mind off your troubles."Clyde achieved a rather feeble smile and nodded his head.
　　"From now on, too,--I don't know whether you're at all religious--but whether you are or not, they hold serviceshere in the jail on Sundays, and I want you to attend 'em regularly--that is, if they ask you to. For this is areligious community and I want you to make as good an impression as you can. Never mind what people say orhow they look--you do as I tell you. And if this fellow Mason or any of those fellows around here get topestering you any more, send me a note.
　　"And now I'll be going, so give me a cheerful smile as I go out--and another one as I come in. And don't talk,see?"Then shaking Clyde briskly by the shoulders and slapping him on the back, he strode out, actually thinking tohimself: "But do I really believe that this fellow is as innocent as he says? Would it be possible for a fellow tostrike a girl like that and not know that he was doing it intentionally? And then swimming away afterwards,because, as he says, if he went near her he thought he might drown too. Bad. Bad! What twelve men are going tobelieve that? And that bag, those two hats, that missing suit! And yet he swears he didn't intentionally strike her.
　　But what about all that planning--the intent--which is just as bad in the eyes of the law. Is he telling the truth or ishe lying even now--perhaps trying to deceive himself as well as me? And that camera--we ought to get hold ofthat before Mason finds it and introduces it. And that suit. I ought to find that and mention it, maybe, so as tooffset the look of its being hidden--say that we had it all the time--send it to Lycurgus to be cleaned. But no, no-waita minute--I must think about that."And so on, point by point, while deciding wearily that perhaps it would be better not to attempt to use Clyde'sstory at all, but rather to concoct some other story--this one changed or modified in some way which would makeit appear less cruel or legally murderous.

可是，卡奇曼先生从克莱德身上探出来的情况，压根儿不见得比梅森或斯米利更多些。尽管他相当心细手巧，根据杂乱无章的谈话，编成一份似乎最翔实可靠的资料，但是，对克莱德一案来说，必须了解清楚的内心活动方面，他却并没有取得多大成功。他这个人太严峻。太冷漠……不易动感情。因此，在七月里一个炎热的下午，他把克莱德折磨了整整四个钟头，最后才不得不收场。

他深深地感到，作为一个凶杀案的策划者来说，克莱德恐怕是他所见到过的能力最差。纰漏最多的一个惊人的例子。

斯米利走了以后，梅森押着克莱德去大比腾湖边，就在那儿发现了三脚架和照相机。又听了克莱德另外编造的一些谎话。现在梅森向卡奇曼解释说，克莱德虽然否认他有照相机，可是他梅森有确实证据，证明他确实有一架照相机，而且，他从莱柯格斯动身时就带在身边的。但卡奇曼向克莱德提出这个问题时，发觉克莱德只说自己身边没有带照相机，被发现的三脚架并不是他照相机上的三脚架……这句谎话，让卡奇曼非常反感，就决定再也不跟他争辩下去了。

不过，布鲁克哈特曾关照过他，不管他个人对克莱德作出结论如何，还是少不了要给他选一名辩护律师;这至少涉及到格里菲思家的仁慈，且不说他们的家族荣誉。布鲁克哈特还向他交过底，说西部姓格里菲思的那一家赤贫如洗，反正本案也不必要把他们牵连进去。因此，他决定临行前，非得物色到一名辩护律师不可。结果，他因为对当地政情一无所知，就找到了卡塔拉基县国民银行行长艾拉。凯洛格的办公处。此人在当地民主党组织里地位很高(对此卡奇曼并不了解)。这位凯洛格从他宗教和道德观出发，对克莱德被告发的罪行早就非常愤怒。但从另一方面，他深知这个案子很可能给共和党在即将来临的预选中再获全胜铺平了道路。因此，他看到，这是一个可以利用来削弱梅森的声望的机会。由于克莱德这个人的形象以及他所犯的罪行，看来运气很显然是对共和党机器有利。

因为，自从这一凶杀案发现以来，梅森甚至在全国一直享有盛名，可以说多少年来本区哪一个地方检察官从来没有碰到过的。来自布法罗。罗切斯特。

芝加哥。纽约和波士顿这些遥远的城市的各报通讯员。记者和插图画家，都早已来到这里，向克莱德。梅森，以及奥尔登家里其他人，或是进行采访，或是画速写，或是拍照等等……这一切人人都已知道，或是亲眼看到了。与此同时，梅森在当地社会上已成为交口称誉的对象，甚至连本县民主党的选民也跟共和党人联合在一起，都肯定梅森为人公道，说他处置这个年轻杀人犯的办法正是后者罪有应得，又说不管是有钱有势的格里菲思家也好，还是克莱德好象很想征服的那个有钱的姑娘家的财富也好，对这个年轻的护民官丝毫没有产生影响。

他才是一个真正的检察官啊。他决不会"坐失良机，您尽管放心"。

事实上，在卡奇曼来访以前，验尸陪审团甚至在梅森主持与指导下，已经开过会了，一致认为:

这个姑娘之所以致死，是由于一个名叫克莱德。格里菲思的人策划谋杀的结果;此犯现已关进布里奇伯格县监狱，应继续予以扣押，听候本县大陪审团判决;他的罪案不日即将呈报本县大陪审团。众所周知，梅森已请求州长，让最高法院专门开庭审理，因此，本县大陪审团自然要召开会议，以便听取证词，并决定对克莱德起诉，或是将他释放。正在这时，卡奇曼来到这里，问能不能寻摸到一位真正有能力的本地律师，确信能为克莱德作些辩护。

为了抵制梅森这一切的活动，凯洛格马上想到本市贝尔纳普与杰夫森律师事务所里的阿尔文。贝尔纳普这个人的大名和他的声望:

此人当过两任本州参议员，三次代表本区出任民主党州众议员。最近，许多民主党的政客认为:

他还可以擢升到更高的要职，只要民主党能将本地行政机构掌握在自己的手里。事实上，三年前，这位贝尔纳普与梅森竞争地方检察官的职位时，对梅森来说，他就是民主党候选人名单上最危险的一个劲敌。诚然，他跟政界各方面关系都给打通了，今年已被提名为本县法官候选人，这一职位也正是被梅森眼睛盯住了的。

要不是突然发生了克莱德这一惊人事件，一般都认为，贝尔纳普只要一被提名，就会当选。这种极端有趣的政坛形势，连同所有错综复杂的细节，凯洛格先生虽然没有不厌其烦地一一讲给卡奇曼听，不过，他倒是确实讲过这样的话:

倘要寻摸梅森的对手，贝尔纳普先生则是一个特别合适，甚至再也理想不过的人了。

经过这样扼要介绍以后，凯洛格乐意亲自陪同卡奇曼到街对面鲍尔斯大楼里的贝尔纳普与杰夫森律师事务所去。

他们叩了一下贝尔纳普的门，应接他们的是一个中等身材，生气勃勃，看来很招人欢喜的男子，年龄在四十八岁左右;他那双灰蓝色眼睛，卡奇曼一见就觉得:

此人即使说不上特别老练。心胸宽厚的话，单看这两扇心灵的窗口，显然就能知道他是非常精明的。因为贝尔纳普平时举止谈吐很有风度，无不使周围所有的人肃然起敬。他是个大学毕业生。年轻时，由于他的容貌。家境，及其在本地的社会地位(他父亲做过法官，又当过代表本州的参议员)，他早已尽情地领略过通常所谓寻欢作乐的生活乐趣，因此，所有那些不善交际。性压抑。性渴念等等感受，至今依然使梅森这样的人困惑。激动，甚至给了他的一言一行以决定性的影响，然而对贝尔纳普来说，却早已成为过去了;他的通情达理和宽容大度，使他对生活中常常碰到的。从道德或社会视角来看都很复杂(但只要不是非常特别)的任何问题，他全都能理解得相当透彻。

事实上，此人就其秉性来说，在处置克莱德这么一个案子时，当然不象梅森那样激烈。狂热。要知道，他在二十岁那年，曾为两个姑娘而陷入过困境:

他跟其中的一个只不过是玩玩，而同另一个却是一本正经地在谈恋爱。他诱奸了第一个姑娘，当时摆在他面前的，要么是订婚，要么是逃跑，他选择了逃跑。

不过，事先他把这事告诉了父亲，父亲劝他出去休假旅行，同时请家庭医生大力相助，结果花去一千块美元，另外还支付了那个怀孕姑娘住在尤蒂卡时的一笔必要开销。父亲毕竟使儿子摆脱了困境，方才可以回来，最后跟另一个姑娘结了婚。

因此，虽然对于克莱德企图逃避责任时所采取的……如同迄今他被告发的……那些比贝尔纳普本人当年所采取的较为残忍和激烈的措施，贝尔纳普决不同情(他开业当律师尽管已有这么多年，一直无法理解杀人犯的心理)，但是因为传说克莱德还跟一个富翁的女儿有过风流韵事，考虑到爱情所造成的影响(这个姑娘的名字，至今仍未被披露)，贝尔纳普倾向于认为:

克莱德是被爱情迷住了，是着了魔。他不是一个虽然贫穷但又爱慕虚荣。欲望强烈的人吗?

他听说确实就是这样。他甚至还这样琢磨过:

本地的政坛形势，说不定对自己大有好处，或许还会使梅森的美梦化为泡影，那就是说，也许可由他提出辩护的设想……或是至少通过一系列法庭辩论和一再延期，使梅森不能那么轻而易举地夺走他梦寐以求的本县法官这一职位。目前不是可以通过强有力的法律手段……甚至不顾与日俱增的群情激愤，或者说也正是有鉴于此……来要求变更审判地点吗?

或者要求放宽时间，以便发现新的证据，这样在梅森离职前也许审判还不会开始。

他和他的那个年轻的新同事，刚从佛蒙特州来的鲁本。杰夫森先生，他们两人最近正想到这一着呢。

正在这时，卡奇曼先生在凯洛格先生陪同下走了进来。贝尔纳普马上跟卡奇曼先生和凯洛格先生进行磋商。凯洛格先生从政治上论证由贝尔纳普接手这么一个案子是明智的。何况贝尔纳普本人对该案也很感兴趣，他跟他的年轻同事商议以后，马上表示同意了。不管目前公众会怎么想，从长远的观点看，它不可能在政治上对他有危害。

随后，卡奇曼将一笔预约辩护聘金，连同把他介绍给克莱德的一封信，都交给了贝尔纳普。贝尔纳普请杰夫森打电话通知梅森，说贝尔纳普与杰夫森事务所受塞缪尔。格里菲思的委托，出任他侄子的辩护律师，要求他梅森给他们一份详细的书面报告，其中包括所有的罪状与迄今搜集到的全部证据，还有尸体解剖记录，以及验尸官验尸结果的报告。此外还要了解一下:

要求最高法院专门开庭一事获准了没有。如果已经获准了，那末，指定的法官是谁，大陪审团在何时何地开会。他还说，顺便提一下，据贝尔纳普和杰夫森两位先生听说，奥尔登小姐的尸体已运回家乡安葬，他们要求即刻获得双方律师同意，将尸体重新掘出来，由被告的辩护律师延请其他医生进行查验。梅森对上述这个提议马上表示反对，不过，到最后还是同意了，因为，要不然，他们就得报送最高法院等候法官的裁决。

这些细节问题全都谈妥以后，贝尔纳普宣布说，他要去监狱看看克莱德。

这时天色已经不早了，他还没有吃晚饭，而且现在说不定连晚饭也吃不上了，不过，他很想跟这个年轻人"推心置腹"地谈一谈。据卡奇曼向他介绍说，他一定会发现这个年轻人是很难对付的。可是贝尔纳普倍觉鼓舞的是因为他反对梅森，深信自己有充分的思考力，最最容易了解克莱德，何况他从事律师这一职业的好奇心，简直已达到了顶点。这个案子，既有风流艳史，而又富于戏剧性!

这个桑德拉。芬奇利，到底是怎样一位姑娘呢?

他通过秘密渠道，已经听人说起过了。

难道说就不传唤她来给克莱德辩护吗?

人们早已关照过他:

她的名字是万万不可提到的……这正是高层政治利益的需要。说实话，他恨不得马上跟这个狡猾。

欲望强烈，但是没出息的年轻人谈一谈。

贝尔纳普一到监狱，把卡奇曼的介绍信交给执法官斯莱克，要求特别照顾，让他到楼上靠近克莱德牢房的地方，不声不响地先观察一下这个囚犯。稍后，他便悄悄地被引领到了二楼。通往克莱德牢房的过道那道门正敞着，让他独自一人走了进去。贝尔纳普走到离克莱德牢房只有几步远的地方，只见他正脸儿朝下，两手捂住脑袋，四肢叉开，浑身瘫了似的俯伏在铁床上。牢房那个小不点儿的窗口里，还有一盘吃食，一动也没动过。因为自从卡奇曼走后，也就是在他第二次失败(他本想用一些空洞无聊的谎话来骗取人家的信任)以后，他比过去更加心灰意懒了。他内心情绪是如此低沉，这会儿确实是在哭，他的两个肩膀，也好象由于无声的呻吟而在抽搐着。贝尔纳普一见此情此景，立刻回想起自己年轻时的荒唐事，不由得无比怜悯他。依他看，没有灵魂的杀人犯是不会哭的。

他走近克莱德牢房的门口，迟疑了一下，这才开始说:

"得了，得了，克莱德!

这可要不得。你可千万别这样垂头丧气。你这个案子，也许并不象你想象中那样毫无希望啊。好好坐起来，跟一个也许能给你出一点力的律师谈谈吧?

本人叫贝尔纳普……阿尔文。贝尔纳普。我就住在布里奇伯格。是刚才来看过你的人派我来的……他叫卡奇曼，是吧?

你跟他谈不到一块，是吧?

啊，我跟他也谈不到一块。依我看，他可不是我们那样的人。不过，眼前这封信，是他授权我来作为你的辩护人。你要看一看吗?

"他和颜悦色。信心十足地将那封信从狭窄的铁栅栏里塞了进去。克莱德迟疑而又好奇地朝铁栅栏这边走过来。这个人说话的声音里，有一种真心诚意。

异乎寻常。好象是同情谅解的调子，这使克莱德一下子来了勇气。于是，他不再犹豫，拿起信来看了一下，跟着微微一笑，将信还给了来人。

"得了，我早就这么想过了，"贝尔纳普信心十足地继续说，对自己一下子取得的效果很感满意……依他看，完全应该归功于他的那种巨大的个人魅力。"这就更好了。我知道，我们准合得来。这我可看得出来。你一定能跟我开诚相见地谈，有如你同母亲谈一样。而且，你也不用担心你跟我谈的哪一句话，会传到别人耳朵里，除非你自己乐意让它传出去，明白吧?

因为只要你同意，克莱德，我就出任你的辩护律师，你就是我的委托人。明天或是随你说什么时候，我们要一块坐下来，你就把你认为我应该知道的事通通告诉我;而我就要对你说，我认为我应该知道哪些事情，以及我到底能不能帮助你。而且，我还要向你证明:

不管是在哪一方面，你帮助了我，其实也就是帮助了你自己，明白吧?

可我怎么也得拚上我的老命，要把你从这个案子里拖出来。现在，你倒说说看，怎么样，克莱德?

"他充满鼓励。同情……甚至亲昵地微微一笑。克莱德觉得这是他入狱后头一次找到了一个他信得过，而又绝无危险的人，他心里已经在琢磨，也许最好把所有一切……每一件事……一古脑儿都告诉这个人。至于他为什么会这样，连他自己也说不上来，反正贝尔纳普他是喜欢的。克莱德马上……尽管还是朦朦胧胧地……觉得，只要这个人全都……或是差不多全都……知道的话，他就会了解他的，说不定甚至还会同情他的。后来，贝尔纳普又向克莱德详细介绍他的对手……梅森……如何恨不得马上给他定罪判刑;还说只要他能设计出一个合理的辩护方案，他又如何十拿九稳，使这个案子拖下去，直到这个人卸去地方检察官职务时为止。于是，克莱德便说，贝尔纳普最好让他今天夜里好好地思考一下，那末，到了明天，或是随贝尔纳普的便，什么时候再回来，他就要把所有一切都向这位辩护律师和盘托出。

转天，贝尔纳普坐在一只凳子上，嘴里嚼着一条条巧克力，仔细地倾听着。

克莱德坐在自己铁床上，向贝尔纳普陈述个人经历……从他来到莱柯格斯以后生活中的所有情节说起，比方说，他是怎样到这里来的，为什么要来，以及在堪萨斯城轧死一小孩的不幸事故(不过，他并没有提到他给自己保留的。后来却又遗忘了的那份剪报);他跟罗伯达的幽会，对她充满情欲，使她怀了孕，后来他又怎样想方设法让她摆脱困境。他谈着，谈着，一直谈到，她如何吓唬他，说要揭发他，最后，他在万分绝望和惊恐之下碰巧看到《时代联合报》上那条新闻，自己就想何不也仿效一下。不过，贝尔纳普必须明白，这个他自己是怎么也策划不出来的。到了最后一刻，他也不是存心要把她害死的。不，他并没有害死她。不管贝尔纳普先生是怎么想的，但是这一点必须相信克莱德。他从来没有故意砸过她。不，不，不!

这是一个不幸事故。他是有一架照相机的，据说有一副三脚架给梅森找到了，那当然就是他的三脚架。他在无意中用照相机砸了罗伯达，随后眼看着照相机沉入湖底了。于是，他把那副三脚架藏匿在一根圆木底下。那架照相机，毫无疑问，如今还在湖底，里头胶卷只要没有被湖水泡坏，上面还有他本人跟罗伯达拍摄的像片。反正他从来没有故意砸过她。不，他从来也没有呀。是她身子向他探过来，他碰了她一下，但决不是故意的。小船一下子翻掉了。随后，他尽可能把当时情况说得更准确，说他在翻船面前如何惊恐失措，简直是呆若木鸡似的，因为当时他已在那条犯罪的路上走得那么远，再也无法走得更远了。

这个离奇的故事，终于使贝尔纳普也感到心烦意乱了。依他看，这一切简直没法向这里荒僻林区的任何一个普通陪审团提出来，更不用说让他们相信这些恶毒。残酷的计划与行动竟然都是毫无恶意的。最后，贝尔纳普简直腻味透顶，满腹狐疑，甚至心乱如麻，站了起来，两手搭在克莱德肩膀上，说:

"嗯，我想，今天讲到这儿就得了，克莱德。你心中的感受，以及这一切发生经过，我全都明白了。我也知道你该有多累了。我很高兴你能把这一切真相全讲给我听，因为我知道要你讲这些，该有多难受呀。但现在我不要你再多讲了。以后我们日子还长着呢。再说，暂时我还有几件事要兼顾一下，到明天或是后天，我要把这个案子里头一些细节跟你谈一谈。现在，你先躺下来睡，暂时休息一下吧。

不久我们两个就要开始工作了，你非得有饱满的精力不可。不过，暂时你不要发愁，因为这压根儿就犯不着担心嘛，明白吧?

我……说得更确切些……是我们……我的同事和我想要把你从这一事件中拖出来。我有一个同事，我马上要把他带到这儿来。谅你也一定会喜欢他的。不过，有两个条件，我希望你能考虑一下，而且还要坚决遵守……第一，你千万不要一见到什么人，自己先就给吓坏了，因为不管是我也好，还是我的同事也好，反正每天要来这儿一趟的。

你想要说些什么，或是想要知道些什么，你尽管可以对我们说就得了。第二，你不得同任何人说话……不管是梅森。执法官，或是这些监狱看守，哪一个人都不行……除非我关照你可以这么做。不管是谁，都不准说……你听见了吧!

顶顶要紧的是……再也不要哭鼻子。因为，不管你象天使一样清白也好，还是象魔鬼一样恶毒也好，顶顶要不得的，就是……你在人家面前哭鼻子。不管公众也好，还是这些监狱看守也好，他们并不了解这个……人家始终把泪水看成一种软弱，或是自己供认有罪。我决不希望人家对你抱有类似这样看法，特别是我已经明白，事实上你并没有犯罪。这一点现在我明白了，而且也是相信的。

你明白吧!

所以，你在梅森等人面前，就得表现坚定沉着。

"其实，从现在起，我希望你就不妨开始来一点儿格格大笑……至少也要笑眯眯的，乐呵呵的，跟这儿所有人都得寒暄道好。你知道吧，司法界有一句老话:

只要知道自己无罪，定能处之泰然。记住自己是无罪的，别让人家看到你有犯罪的神态。切莫愁眉不展呆坐在这儿冥思苦索，让人看到你好象连一个朋友都没有……但事实上，你并不是这样。有我在这儿哩……还有我的同事，杰夫森先生，我们都同你在一起。过一两天，我要把他带来。你对待他的态度，就要象对待我的态度一个样。要信任他，因为他精通法律，在某些方面比我还要强。明天，我要带一些书报杂志给你，我希望你随便翻翻，或是看看那些插图也好。反正可以让你消消闷，解解愁呗。"克莱德淡淡地一笑，点点头。

"哦，还有一件事……我可不知道你现在信不信教……不过，不管你信也好，不信也好，这儿监狱里星期天照例做礼拜的，我劝你要经常参加……这就是说，只要人家邀你参加的话。因为，这儿人人都信教，我倒是希望你尽可能给人留下一个好印象。至于别人对你有什么议论，或是对你看法如何，你先不要放在心上……你只要照我的话儿去做就得了。但是，如果说梅森这个家伙，或是这儿哪一个人再来跟你胡搅蛮缠，给我写个条子就得了。

"现在，我该走了，我出门时，你要乐哈哈地对我笑一笑，下次我一进门时，你也要这样笑一笑来迎接我。还有，不许胡扯……明白了吧?

"随后，他使劲地晃了晃克莱德的肩膀，拍拍他的后背，便迈开大步走出了牢房。其实，这时他心里却在思忖:

"请问，我真的相信这小子象他所说的自己无罪吗?

砸了一个姑娘，还不知道他这是故意砸的，这可能吗?

过后，他就泅水游到别处去了，照他的说法，因为深怕一游到姑娘身边，说不定会被她拉住，也给淹死了。简直是卑鄙无耻!

象他这样说法，十二个人(此处指大陪审团(通常由十二至二十三人组成)。)会相信吗?

还有……那只手提箱。那两顶草帽。那套不翼而飞的衣服!

可是他却赌誓发咒，说他是无意之中砸了她的。但他那一整套的计划……真实意图……从法律观点来看，还不是同样犯罪了吗。他说的是实话呢，还是直到此刻继续在撒谎?

也许是想欺骗他自己，同时也在欺骗我吧?

还有那架照相机……本来我们应该在梅森找到和当众出示以前早就弄到手的。还有那套衣服。我应该把它找到，也许还得公开地提一提，别让人家以为那套衣服是藏匿起来了……说它一直掌握在我们手里……已送到莱柯格斯去洗了。可是，不，不……等一等……这事我们还得好好琢磨琢磨不可。"就这样一点一点地暗自琢磨，同时，他又腻味地想到:

最好也许压根儿不采用克莱德的说法，还不如干脆另编一套……那就是说，把克莱德的那个说法改动一下，让人看起来不是那么残酷，或是从法律观点来看，也不是那么迹近谋杀。
Part 3 Chapter 15
Mr. Reuben Jephson was decidedly different from Belknap, Catchuman, Mason, Smillie--in fact any one, thusfar, who had seen Clyde or become legally interested in this case. He was young, tall, thin, rugged, brown, coolbut not cold spiritually, and with a will and a determination of the tensile strength of steel. And with a mental andlegal equipment which for shrewdness and self-interest was not unlike that of a lynx or a ferret. Those shrewd,steel, very light blue eyes in his brown face. The force and curiosity of the long nose. The strength of the handsand the body. He had lost no time, as soon as he discovered there was a possibility of their (Belknap & Jephson)taking over the defense of Clyde, in going over the minutes of the coroner's inquest as well as the doctors' reportsand the letters of Roberta and Sondra. And now being faced by Belknap who was explaining that Clyde did nowactually admit to having plotted to kill Roberta, although not having actually done so, since at the fatal moment,some cataleptic state of mind or remorse had intervened and caused him to unintentionally strike her--he merelystared without the shadow of a smile or comment of any kind.
　　"But he wasn't in such a state when he went out there with her, though?""No.""Nor when he swam away afterwards?""No.""Nor when he went through those woods, or changed to another suit and hat, or hid that tripod?""No.""Of course you know, constructively, in the eyes of the law, if we use his own story, he's just as guilty as thoughhe had struck her, and the judge would have to so instruct.""Yes, I know. I've thought of all that.""Well, then--""Well, I'll tell you, Jephson, it's a tough case and no mistake. It looks to me now as though Mason has all thecards. If we can get this chap off, we can get anybody off. But as I see it, I'm not so sure that we want to mentionthat cataleptic business yet--at least not unless we want to enter a plea of insanity or emotional insanity, orsomething like that--about like that Harry Thaw case, for instance." He paused and scratched his slightly graying temple dubiously.
　　"You think he's guilty, of course?" interpolated Jephson, dryly.
　　"Well, now, as astonishing as it may seem to you, no. At least, I'm not positive that I do. To tell you the truth,this is one of the most puzzling cases I have ever run up against. This fellow is by no means as hard as you think,or as cold--quite a simple, affectionate chap, in a way, as you'll see for yourself--his manner, I mean. He's onlytwenty-one or two. And for all his connections with these Griffiths, he's very poor--just a clerk, really. And hetells me that his parents are poor, too. They run a mission of some kind out west--Denver, I believe--and beforethat in Kansas City. He hasn't been home in four years. In fact, he got into some crazy boy scrape out there inKansas City when he was working for one of the hotels as a bell-boy, and had to run away. That's somethingwe've got to look out for in connection with Mason--whether he knows about that or not. It seems he and a bunchof other bell-hops took some rich fellow's car without his knowing it, and then because they were afraid of beinglate, they ran over and killed a little girl. We've got to find out about that and prepare for it, for if Mason doesknow about it, he'll spring it at the trial, and just when he thinks we're least expecting it.""Well, he won't pull that one," replied Jephson, his hard, electric, blue eyes gleaming, "not if I have to go toKansas City to find out."And Belknap went on to tell Jephson all that he knew about Clyde's life up to the present time--how he hadworked at dish-washing, waiting on table, soda-clerking, driving a wagon, anything and everything, before hehad arrived in Lycurgus--how he had always been fascinated by girls--how he had first met Roberta and laterSondra. Finally how he found himself trapped by one and desperately in love with the other, whom he could nothave unless he got rid of the first one.
　　"And notwithstanding all that, you feel a doubt as to whether he did kill her?" asked Jephson, at the conclusion ofall this.
　　"Yes, as I say, I'm not at all sure that he did. But I do know that he is still hipped over this second girl. Hismanner changed whenever he or I happened to mention her. Once, for instance, I asked him about his relationswith her--and in spite of the fact that he's accused of seducing and killing this other girl, he looked at me asthough I had said something I shouldn't have--insulted him or her." And here Belknap smiled a wry smile, whileJephson, his long, bony legs propped against the walnut desk before him, merely stared at him.
　　"You don't say," he finally observed.
　　"And not only that," went on Belknap, "but he said, 'Why, no, of course not. She wouldn't allow anything likethat, and besides,' and then he stopped. 'And besides what, Clyde,' I asked. 'Well, you don't want to forget whoshe is.' 'Oh, I see,' I said. And then, will you believe it, he wanted to know if there wasn't some way by which hername and those letters she wrote him couldn't be kept out of the papers and this case--her family prevented fromknowing so that she and they wouldn't be hurt too much.""Not really? But what about the other girl?""That's just the point I'm trying to make. He could plot to kill one girl and maybe even did kill her, for all I know,after seducing her, but because he was being so sculled around by his grand ideas of this other girl, he didn'tquite know what he was doing, really. Don't you see? You know how it is with some of these young fellows ofhis age, and especially when they've never had anything much to do with girls or money, and want to besomething grand.""You think that made him a little crazy, maybe?" put in Jephson.
　　"Well, it's possible--confused, hypnotized, loony--you know--a brain storm as they say down in New York. Buthe certainly is still cracked over that other girl. In fact, I think most of his crying in jail is over her. He wascrying, you know, when I went in to see him, sobbing as if his heart would break."Meditatively Belknap scratched his right ear. "But just the same, there certainly is something to this other idea-thathis mind was turned by all this--that Alden girl forcing him on the one hand to marry her while the other girlwas offering to marry him. I know. I was once in such a scrape myself." And here he paused to relate that toJephson. "By the way," he went on, "he says we can find that item about that other couple drowning in TheTimes-union of about June 18th or 19th.""All right," replied Jephson, "I'll get it.""What I want you to do to-morrow," continued Belknap, "is to go over there with me and see what impressionyou get of him. I'll be there to see if he tells it all to you in the same way. I want your own individual viewpointof him.""You most certainly will get it," snapped Jephson.
　　Belknap and Jephson proceeded the next day to visit Clyde in jail. And Jephson, after interviewing him andmeditating once more on his strange story, was even then not quite able to make up his mind whether Clyde wasas innocent of intending to strike Roberta as he said, or not. For if he were, how could he have swum awayafterward, leaving her to drown? Decidedly it would be more difficult for a jury than for himself, even, to beconvinced.
　　At the same time, there was that contention of Belknap's as to the possibility of Clyde's having been mentallyupset or unbalanced at the time that he accepted The Times-union plot and proceeded to act on it. That might betrue, of course, yet personally, to Jephson at least, Clyde appeared to be wise and sane enough now. As Jephsonsaw him, he was harder and more cunning than Belknap was willing to believe--a cunning, modified of course,by certain soft and winning social graces for which one could hardly help liking him. However, Clyde was by nomeans as willing to confide in Jephson as he had been in Belknap--an attitude which did little to attract Jephsonto him at first. At the same time, there was about Jephson a hard, integrated earnestness which soon convincedClyde of his technical, if not his emotional interest. And after a while he began looking toward this younger man,even more than toward Belknap as the one who might do most for him.
　　"Of course, you know that those letters which Miss Alden wrote you are very strong?" began Jephson, afterhearing Clyde restate his story.
　　"Yes, sir.""They're very sad to any one who doesn't know all of the facts, and on that account they are likely to prejudiceany jury against you, especially when they're put alongside Miss Finchley's letters.""Yes, I suppose they might," replied Clyde, "but then, she wasn't always like that, either. It was only after she gotin trouble and I wanted her to let me go that she wrote like that.""I know. I know. And that's a point we want to think about and maybe bring out, if we can. If only there weresome way to keep those letters out," he now turned to Belknap to say. Then, to Clyde, "but what I want to askyou now is this--you were close to her for something like a year, weren't you?""Yes.""In all of that time that you were with her, or before, was she ever friendly, or maybe intimate, with any otheryoung man anywhere--that is, that you know of?"As Clyde could see, Jephson was not afraid, or perhaps not sufficiently sensitive, to refrain from presenting anythought or trick that seemed to him likely to provide a loophole for escape. But, far from being cheered by thissuggestion, he was really shocked. What a shameful thing in connection with Roberta and her character it wouldbe to attempt to introduce any such lie as this. He could not and would not hint at any such falsehood, and so hereplied:
　　"No, sir. I never heard of her going with any one else. In fact, I know she didn't.""Very good! That settles that," snapped Jephson. "I judged from her letters that what you say is true. At the sametime, we must know all the facts. It might make a very great difference if there were some one else."And at this point Clyde could not quite make sure whether he was attempting to impress upon him the value ofthis as an idea or not, but just the same he decided it was not right even to consider it. And yet he was thinking: Ifonly this man could think of a real defense for me! He looks so shrewd.
　　"Well, then," went on Jephson, in the same hard, searching tone, devoid, as Clyde saw it, of sentiment or pity ofany kind, "here's something else I want to ask you. In all the time that you knew her, either before you wereintimate with her or afterwards, did she ever write you a mean or sarcastic or demanding or threatening letter ofany kind?""No, sir, I can't say that she ever did," replied Clyde, "in fact, I know she didn't. No, sir. Except for those few lastones, maybe--the very last one.""And you never wrote her any, I suppose?""No, sir, I never wrote her any letters.""Why?""Well, she was right there in the factory with me, you see. Besides at the last there, after she went home, I wasafraid to.""I see."At the same time, as Clyde now proceeded to point out, and that quite honestly, Roberta could be far from sweet-tempered at times--could in fact be quite determined and even stubborn. And she had paid no least attention tohis plea that her forcing him to marry her now would ruin him socially as well as in every other way, and thateven in the face of his willingness to work along and pay for her support--an attitude which, as he now describedit, was what had caused all the trouble--whereas Miss Finchley (and here he introduced an element of reverenceand enthusiasm which Jephson was quick to note) was willing to do everything for him.
　　"So you really loved that Miss Finchley very much then, did you?""Yes, sir.""And you couldn't care for Roberta any more after you met her?""No, no. I just couldn't.""I see," observed Jephson, solemnly nodding his head, and at the same time meditating on how futile anddangerous, even, it might be to let the jury know that. And then thinking that possibly it were best to follow theprevious suggestion of Belknap's, based on the customary legal proceeding of the time, and claim insanity, or abrain storm, brought about by the terrifying position in which he imagined himself to be. But apart from that henow proceeded:
　　"You say something came over you when you were in the boat out there with her on that last day--that you reallydidn't know what you were doing at the time that you struck her?""Yes, sir, that's the truth." And here Clyde went on to explain once more just what his state was at that time.
　　"All right, all right, I believe you," replied Jephson, seemingly believing what Clyde said but not actually able toconceive it at that. "But you know, of course, that no jury, in the face of all these other circumstances, is going tobelieve that," he now announced. "There are too many things that'll have to be explained and that we can't verywell explain as things now stand. I don't know about that idea." He now turned and was addressing Belknap.
　　"Those two hats, that bag--unless we're going to plead insanity or something like that. I'm not so sure about allthis. Was there ever any insanity in your family that you know of?" he now added, turning to Clyde once more.
　　"No, sir, not that I know of.""No uncle or cousin or grandfather who had fits or strange ideas or anything like that?""Not that I ever heard of, no, sir.""And your rich relatives down there in Lycurgus--I suppose they'd not like it very much if I were to step up andtry to prove anything like that?""I'm afraid they wouldn't, no, sir," replied Clyde, thinking of Gilbert.
　　"Well, let me see," went on Jephson after a time. "That makes it rather hard. I don't see, though, that anythingelse would be as safe." And here he turned once more to Belknap and began to inquire as to what he thought ofsuicide as a theory, since Roberta's letters themselves showed a melancholy trend which might easily have led tothoughts of suicide. And could they not say that once out on the lake with Clyde and pleading with him to marryher, and he refusing to do so, she had jumped overboard. And he was too astounded and mentally upset to try tosave her.
　　"But what about his own story that the wind had blown his hat off, and in trying to save that he upset the boat?"interjected Belknap, and exactly as though Clyde were not present.
　　"Well, that's true enough, too, but couldn't we say that perhaps, since he was morally responsible for hercondition, which in turn had caused her to take her life, he did not want to confess to the truth of her suicide?"At this Clyde winced, but neither now troubled to notice him. They talked as though he was not present or couldhave no opinion in the matter, a procedure which astonished but by no means moved him to object, since he wasfeeling so helpless.
　　"But the false registrations! The two hats--the suit--his bag!" insisted Belknap staccatically, a tone which showedClyde how serious Belknap considered his predicament to be.
　　"Well, whatever theory we advance, those things will have to be accounted for in some way," replied Jephson,dubiously. "We can't admit the true story of his plotting without an insanity plea, not as I see it--at any rate. Andunless we use that, we've got that evidence to deal with whatever we do." He threw up his hands wearily and as ifto say: I swear I don't know what to do about this.
　　"But," persisted Belknap, "in the face of all that, and his refusal to marry her, after his promises referred to in herletters--why, it would only react against him, so that public opinion would be more prejudiced against him thanever. No, that won't do," he concluded. "We'll have to think of something which will create some sort ofsympathy for him."And then once more turning to Clyde as though there had been no such discussion. And looking at him as muchas to say: "You are a problem indeed." And then Jephson, observing: "And, oh, yes, that suit you dropped in thatlake up there near the Cranstons'--describe the spot to me as near as you can where you threw it--how far fromthe house was it?" He waited until Clyde haltingly attempted to recapture the various details of the hour and thescene as he could recall it.
　　"If I could go up there, I could find it quick enough.""Yes, I know, but they won't let you go up there without Mason being along," he returned. "And maybe not eventhen. You're in prison now, and you can't be taken out without the state's consent, you see. But we must get thatsuit." Then turning to Belknap and lowering his voice, he added: "We want to get it and have it cleaned andsubmit it as having been sent away to be cleaned by him--not hidden, you see.""Yes, that's so," commented Belknap idly while Clyde stood listening curiously and a little amazed by this frankprogram of trickery and deception on his behalf.
　　"And now in regard to that camera that fell in the lake--we have to try and find that, too. I think maybe Masonmay know about it or suspect that it's there. At any rate it's very important that we should find it before he does.
　　You think that about where that pole was that day you were up there is where the boat was when it overturned?""Yes, sir.""Well, we must see if we can get that," he continued, turning to Belknap. "We don't want that turning up in thetrial, if we can help it. For without that, they'll have to be swearing that he struck her with that tripod orsomething that he didn't, and that's where we may trip 'em up.""Yes, that's true, too," replied Belknap.
　　"And now in regard to the bag that Mason has. That's another thing I haven't seen yet, but I will see it to-morrow.
　　Did you put that suit, as wet as it was, in the bag when you came out of the water?""No, sir, I wrung it out first. And then I dried it as much as I could. And then I wrapped it up in the paper that wehad the lunch in and then put some dry pine needles underneath it in the bag and on top of it""So there weren't any wet marks in the bag after you took it out, as far as you know?""No, sir, I don't think so.""But you're not sure?""Not exactly sure now that you ask me--no, sir.""Well, I'll see for myself to-morrow. And now as to those marks on her face, you have never admitted to any onearound here or anywhere that you struck her in any way?""No, sir.""And the mark on the top of her head was made by the boat, just as you said?""Yes, sir.""But the others you think you might have made with the camera?""Yes, sir. I suppose they were.""Well, then, this is the way it looks to me," said Jephson, again turning to Belknap. "I think we can safely saywhen the time comes that those marks were never made by him at all, see?--but by the hooks and the poles withwhich they were scraping around up there when they were trying to find her. We can try it, anyhow. And if thehooks and poles didn't do it," he added, a little grimly and dryly, "certainly hauling her body from that lake tothat railroad station and from there to here on the train might have.""Yes, I think Mason would have a hard time proving that they weren't made that way," replied Belknap.
　　"And as for that tripod, well, we'd better exhume the body and make our own measurements, and measure thethickness of the edge of that boat, so that it may not be so easy for Mason to make any use of the tripod now thathe has it, after all."Mr. Jephson's eyes were very small and very clear and very blue, as he said this. His head, as well as his body,had a thin, ferrety look. And it seemed to Clyde, who had been observing and listening to all this with awe, thatthis younger man might be the one to aid him. He was so shrewd and practical, so very direct and chill andindifferent and yet confidence-inspiring, quite like an uncontrollable machine of a kind which generates power.
　　And when at last these two were ready to go, he was sorry. For with them near him, planning and plotting inregard to himself, he felt so much safer, stronger, more hopeful, more certain of being free, maybe, at somefuture date.

鲁本。杰夫森先生跟贝尔纳普。卡奇曼。梅森。斯米利显然不同……事实上，跟迄今所有见过克莱德，或是对这个案子表示关注的人都不一样。他是个身材瘦长。肤色黝黑的年轻人，长相很粗，头脑冷静，处事并不冷峻，却具有坚如钢铁一般的意志和决心。他爱动脑筋，擅长诉讼，练就一套本领，活象一头猞猁或是一头雪貂那么机灵乖巧，可又私心极重。他那黝黑的脸盘上，长着一双灵巧。坚定的淡蓝色眼睛。他那个长长的鼻子，显示出富有力度和好奇心。

他的那一双手和他的身躯，也都很强劲有力。他一发现他们(贝尔纳普与杰夫森事务所)有可能承揽为克莱德辩护的任务，就抓紧时间，研究验尸官的验尸记录。

几位医生的报告结论，以及罗伯达和桑德拉的那些信件。这时，贝尔纳普当面向他说明现在克莱德承认自己确实策划过要把罗伯达害死，尽管他实际上没有这么做，因为就在这千钧一发之际，他一下子惊呆了，或者说是他的悔恨之心油然而生，所以他只是无意之中砸了她……听完这一切，杰夫森仅仅两眼直瞪着贝尔纳普，既不发表什么意见，脸上也没有一丝笑容。

"不过，他跟她一块去湖上时，并不是处在这样一种惊呆状态吧?

""不是的。""后来他泅水游到别处去的时候，也不是这样吧?

""不是的。""他穿过树林子，或是另换一套衣服和一顶帽子，或是把三脚架藏匿起来的时候，也不是这样吧?

""不是的。""当然罗，你也明白，如果我们采用他的这一套说法，那末，从法律观点上来推断，他现在的情况就如同他砸过她一样，是犯了罪的，而且法官也非得这样判决不可。""是的，我明白。这一切我全都想到过了。""嗯，那末……""哦，杰夫森，我跟你说，这是一个棘手的案子，准没有错。现在依我看，似乎梅森稳操胜券。我们要是能让这小子逍遥法外了，那末，我们就能让任何人逍遥法外啦。只不过我觉得，现在我们还犯不着提出他惊呆了这一点……至少，提出了这一点，我们就要辩护说他患有精神病，或是感情错乱，或是诸如此类……比方说，如同哈里。索那个案子那样……明白了吧?

"他迟疑不语，犹豫不决地搔了一下他那略呈苍白的脸颊。

"你当然认为他是犯了罪吧?

"杰夫森干巴巴地插嘴说。

"哦，喏，你也许会觉得大吃一惊，不!

至少我还不肯定地相信是那样。老实说，这是我承揽的最难办的案子之一。这个小伙子决不是象你想象的那么心狠，或是那么冷酷……可以说倒是相当老实，颇有柔情的，这你自己也会看出来……我说的是他的态度。他才只有二十一。二岁。尽管跟格里菲思家确有近亲关系，可他本人很穷……说实话，才不过是一名普普通通的职员。他还跟我说，他父母也很穷。他们办了一个教堂什么的，是在西部……我记得是在丹佛吧……而早先是在堪萨斯城。他已有四个年头没有回家了。事实上，他在堪萨斯城一家酒店里当侍应生时，跟一些胡闹的小伙子一块卷进了一件荒唐事，后来不得不从那儿逃跑了。这件事我们可得提防一下梅森……不管他是不是知道了。事情好象是这样的:

他跟一小拨侍应生偷偷地把一个有钱人的一辆汽车开走了，后来他们怕时间来不及，怕上班迟到，就拚命开快车，结果把一个小女孩给轧死了。

我们还得把这件事了解清楚，以备不时之需，因为如果梅森也知道了，他会在本案开庭时突然把它提出来，以为我们决不会想到这一着。""得了，他来不及露这一手，"杰夫森不以为然地回答说。瞧他那双炯炯有神的蓝眼睛在闪闪发光。"只要我去堪萨斯城调查一下就得了。"接着，贝尔纳普把他了解到的克莱德迄至目前为止的一些经历，悉数讲给杰夫森听……讲他在到莱柯格斯以前在饭馆里洗过碟子，侍候过客人，在冷饮柜当过小伙计，开过送货车子，反正一句话，什么活儿都干过……讲他动不动就被姑娘们迷住了……讲他第一次如何遇到罗伯达，后来又遇到了桑德拉。最后讲到他怎样跟一个姑娘陷入困境，却又狂恋着另一个姑娘，要是不把头一个姑娘甩脱掉，那末，第二个姑娘就断断乎到不了手。

"既然有这么多情况，你还怀疑他有没有害死那个姑娘吗?

"杰夫森一听完就开口问道。

"是啊，我早就对你说过了，我还不能肯定地认为是他害死了她。不过，我确实知道，至今他还在深深地迷恋第二个姑娘。每当他或是我偶尔提到了她，他的一举一动，一颦一笑，也就为之一变。比方说，有一回，我问起他跟她的关系到了怎样的地步……尽管现在人家告发他诱奸和杀害了另一个姑娘……可他只是望了我一眼，好象我说话孟浪，侮辱了他或是侮辱了她似的。"说到这儿，贝尔纳普苦笑了一下，杰夫森把两长条瘦腿搁到面前的胡桃木写字桌上，两眼一个劲儿直瞅着他。

"是真的吗，"后来他说话了。

"不仅这样，"贝尔纳普接下去说，"他还说'

''''哦，不，当然没有罗。她决不让干这等事的，而且以后，，说到这儿，他就不说下去了。'

''''而且以后，克莱德?

，我问他。'

''''哦，别忘了她是谁呀。，'

''''哦，我明白了。，我说。随后，你信不信，他还想知道有没有办法在各报上和开庭时都不要提到她的芳名和她写给他的那些信……别让她家里人知道，这样就不会使她和他们的声誉受到太大的影响。

""真的是这样吗?

可是，那另一个姑娘又怎么样呢?

""我正想说的，就是这一点。据我了解，他在诱奸之后曾经想过要把她杀害，甚至可能确实把她杀害了。不过，他对另一个姑娘，简直是想入非非，给弄得昏头昏脑了，说实话，连他自己也不很明白他究竟干了什么事。你明白了吧?

你也知道，象他这个岁数的一些年轻人常有的事，特别是有这么一些人，他们对女人。对金钱全然没有打过什么交道，却一个劲儿梦想赶明儿自己前程似锦。

""你觉得他也许就这样有点儿疯疯癫癫了，是吧?

"杰夫森插了一句说。

"哦，很可能……他心里乱了，恍恍惚惚，有点儿精神错乱了……你也知道，照纽约人的说法，是脑病暴发了。不过，他呀，当然罗，还在为另一个姑娘心肝欲裂哩。是啊，我觉得，他在牢房里哭，十之八九就是为了她。知道吧，我进去看他的时候，他正在哭，哭得好象心都快要碎了似的。"贝尔纳普若有所思地搔了一下右耳朵。"不过，不管怎么说，这一切把他思想都给搞糊涂了……这种说法，当然是有点道理……因为一方面，奥尔登这个姑娘逼他跟她结婚，而与此同时，另一个姑娘却又乐意嫁给他。这我很了解。

我自己就碰到过这样的困境。"说到这儿，他顿住了一会儿，再把那件事讲给杰夫森听。"顺便提一下，"贝尔纳普接着说，"他说过，我们不妨把六月十八日或十九日《时代联合报》找来，看看另一对恋人双双溺死的新闻。""那敢情好，"杰夫森回答说。"我这就找去。""我希望你明天，"贝尔纳普继续说道。"跟我一块上那儿去，看看你对此人有什么印象。我就在那儿旁观，看看他是不是也同样把这一切都告诉你。我希望能听听你对他的个人看法。""这当然没有问题，"杰夫森干脆利索地说。

转天，贝尔纳普和杰夫森一块去监狱看克莱德。杰夫森跟他谈过了以后，又在暗自琢磨他所讲的离奇故事。即使在这时，他依然不能肯定:

克莱德是真的象他自己所说的并非故意砸了罗伯达，或者还是故意的。因为，如果不是故意的，那他随后怎么会泅水游到别处去，让她活活地淹死呢?

这件事连他杰夫森都难以相信，因此，要陪审团相信，显然就难上加难了。

这时，贝尔纳普却提出了一个论点，说可能当时克莱德精神错乱。神志不清，因此，他便依照《时代联合报》上报道的办法干了起来。当然，这一点也可能确实如此，不过，至少从杰夫森个人观点来看，现在克莱德还是相当聪明，相当理智。杰夫森认为，克莱德要比贝尔纳普想象中的这个人更心狠。更狡猾……这种狡猾自然已被他那种温文尔雅。富有魅力的举止谈吐所掩饰，因而使人们禁不住都喜欢他。可是，克莱德同杰夫森交谈时远不如对待贝尔纳普那么乐意，那么信任……因此这种态度一开头就不能博得杰夫森对他的同情。不过，杰夫森的那种坚决，认真作风，却很快让克莱德相信，他的案子已引起了杰夫森那种如果说不是易动感情便是出于职业上的兴趣。过了半晌，他开始估摸:

这个年纪较轻的人，说不定更能替他效力，因此，他寄予杰夫森的期望甚至超过了对贝尔纳普的期望。

"当然，你也明白，奥尔登小姐写给你的那些信，是非常有力的证据，是吧?

"杰夫森听完克莱德又念叨了一遍自己的事之后说。

"是的，先生。""那些信让每一个不了解全部底细的人看了，一定会觉得很惨。因此，这很可能使任何一个陪审团都会对你产生反感，特别是把那些信跟芬奇利小姐写给你的信放在一起，进行对比。""是的，我想那些信也许对我是不利的，"克莱德回答说。"不过，要知道她并非总是那样的。只是在她碰到麻烦，我又要求她放我走的时候，她才那么写的。""我知道。这个我知道。这个问题我们还得考虑一下，如果可能的话，说不定我们要在开庭时提出来。要是有什么办法在开庭时不提到那些信就好了，"他掉过头来，先是对贝尔纳普，接着又对克莱德说，"不过，现在我要问你的是……你跟她接近差不多有一年光景，是吧?

""是的。""你跟她在一起将近一年的时间里，或是在这以前，她在什么地方跟哪一个年轻人还有过交往，或者说甚至非常密切……我这是说，根据你所了解的情况谈谈?

"克莱德现在才明白，不管是任何一种想法，或是任何一种花招，只要杰夫森觉得有可能成为一个逃脱法网的借口，他就会毫不畏惧。一本正经地把它提出来的。殊不知克莱德听了上述这个暗示，不但没有喜形于色，说实话，反而让他大吃一惊。多么卑鄙下流，竟然想对罗伯达及其人品编造这一类谎话!

他对类似这样的弄虚作假的勾当，既不能，也不愿作出任何提示。于是，他回答说:

"不，先生。我从来没听说过她还跟其他什么人有交往。实话实说，这种事我知道她从来是没有的。""好极了!

这样也就明确了，"杰夫森抢先说了。"根据她的那些信，我断定你说的是实话。不过，我们还得把全部事实了解清楚。万一发现还有什么别人的话，那事情恐怕就会完全变了样。"至此，克莱德简直还闹不明白，杰夫森是不是真的有意让他领会到上述这个点子很有价值。可是，不管怎么说，他还是认为自己甚至不应该有这种想法的。但他心里却在寻思:

只要这个人能想出如何真正有力地为我辩护的方案来就好了!

看来他是够机灵的。

"那末，好吧，"杰夫森接下去说，听他的语调还是那么严峻，好象继续在搜索似的，克莱德觉得，简直连一点儿同情或是怜悯心也都没有。"还有一点事我要问你。打从你认识她以来，不管是在你跟她来往密切之前或是之后，她有没有给你写过内容卑鄙。语多讥讽，或是提出任何要求。进行恐吓的信?

""没有，先生，我可不记得她写过这类信，"克莱德回答说。"事实上，我知道她从没有写过。不，她从没有写过，先生。也许除了最后几封信……那最后一封信。""我说，好象你从来没有给她写过信，是吧?

""没有，先生，我从来没有给她写过信。""为什么呢?

""哦，她是跟我一块在厂里的，你明白了吧。再说，最后她回老家去了，我就害怕给她写信。""啊，我可明白了。"这时克莱德才开始指出，而且也是相当实在地说，有时罗伯达可能远不是那么温顺听话的……事实上，她是非常坚决。甚至倔强得很。尽管他向她进行解释，说现在她逼着他要立时跟她结婚，会把他的社会地位和整个前程全都断送了，可她一点儿也不理会。甚至连克莱德表明愿意一面工作，一面赡养她，她也一点儿都不理会……她这种态度，据他现在说法，乃是引起所有一切灾难的原因……然而，芬奇利小姐(说到这儿，他的语调里充满了崇敬和兴奋的劲儿，杰夫森也马上发觉了)，却愿意为他奉献一切。

"这么说来，你是真的很爱芬奇利小姐，是吧?

""是的，先生。""打从你同芬奇利小姐见面以后，你就再也不疼爱罗伯达了，是吧?

""是的，是的。我实在没办法。""我明白了，"杰夫森说，一面意味深长地点点头，一面却在暗自揣摸:

这一切要是向陪审团汇报了，说不定不但无益，甚至还有害处哩。后来，他又转念一想，最好也许还是依照贝尔纳普原先根据当时可按惯例的合法程序所提出的建议，推说他患有精神病，或是脑病暴发，是由克莱德觉得自己陷入了一种极其可怕的境地所引起的。不过，杰夫森暂且撇开这个问题不谈，继续说:

"你说过，最后那一天，你跟她一块在船上的时候，你觉得有点儿不对头……你砸了她的时候，你真的不知道自己在干啥，是吧?

""是的，先生，这确实如此。"说到这儿，克莱德接下去又把他当时的情况复述了一遍。

"得了，得了，我相信你，"杰夫森回答说，似乎相信克莱德说的是真话，其实，他对上述情况还是压根儿不能理解。"不过，你当然也知道，你的这种说法，根据所有其他情况来看，哪一个陪审团都不会相信的，"他正式声称。"这个案子需要作出解释的事情是太多了，而且，根据目前情况来看，我们还无法把一件件事情都解释得清清楚楚。关于那个说法，我还不明白哩。"这时，他转过身来对贝尔纳普说。"那两顶帽子，那只手提箱……除非我们提出类似精神错乱等等的说法。我对这一切还不太有把握。你知不知道你家里有过精神错乱的人吗?

"他又侧过身来问克莱德。

"没有，先生，我从来没有听说过。""那你的什么叔叔伯伯，堂兄堂弟，或是祖父，过去没有突然发过疯癫病，或是什么吓人的怪事，等等?

""没有，我从来没听说过，先生。""要是我出来证明是有这等怪事的，你在莱柯格斯的有钱的亲戚，想必不会很高兴吧?

""是啊，我怕他们不会很高兴的，先生，"克莱德嘴上回答说，心里却想到了吉尔伯特。

"哦，让我想一想，"不一会儿，杰夫森接着说。"这就相当棘手了。不过，我还看不出有什么别的更稳妥的办法。"说到这儿，他又扭过头去同贝尔纳普觉得自杀的说法究竟如何，反正罗伯达那些信字里行间流露出一种忧郁情调，这就很容易导致作出自杀的决定。他们能不能这样说:

罗伯达跟克莱德一块在湖上时，要求他跟她结婚，被他拒绝了，她就一纵身跳入水中。他一下子吓得连自己都昏了过去，所以没有去搭救她。

"不过，他自己说是风把他的帽子给刮走了，他想去捡帽子，却把小船给翻掉了，对他这个说法，又是怎么看的?

"贝尔纳普插话时的口吻，仿佛克莱德压根儿不在眼前似的。

"哦，这话当然不错。不过，我们能不能这么说:

既然他对她身陷困境在道义上是有责任的，而这种困境反过来又促使她自寻短见，因此，他就不愿把她自杀的真相说出来。这样说法，到底行不行?

"克莱德听后突然往后退缩，可他们俩谁也没有注意到他。他们谈话时的神态，就象他压根儿不在眼前，或是对这个问题也不能表示自己的意见似的。对此，他尽管深感惊诧，但他并没有想到自己出来加以反对，因为他觉得自己对此实在已是无能为力。

"不过，登记时用假名字!

那两顶帽子……那套衣服……他的手提箱!

"贝尔纳普尽管断断续续地说，可还是坚持自己的意见。从他这种语气里让克莱德感到自己的处境在贝尔纳普看来该有多么严重。

"得了，不管我们提出的是哪一种说法，反正这些问题还得设法解释清楚的，"杰夫森迟疑地回答说。"我们要是不借口说他精神错乱，那就无论如何也不能同意他那套计划的真实意图……不管怎么说，这是我的看法。而我们如果说不利用这么一个说法，好歹也还得设法对付这些证据嘛。"他疲惫无力地举起双手，仿佛在说:

说实话，我真不知道该怎么办才好。

"不过，要好好研究研究所有这些情况，"贝尔纳普坚持说。"他拒绝跟她结婚，而从她信里看出，原先他已答应过了……是啊，要知道这只会给他带来坏处，而且使舆论对他的反感越来越深了。不，这个办法可要不得。"最后他下了结论说。"我们还得另想办法，使人们对他产生哪怕是一点儿同情也好。"随后，杰夫森又一次向克莱德转过身来，仿佛刚才这番讨论压根儿没有似的，而且还望了他一眼，好象在说:

"你真是个难题啊。"杰夫森接着说:

"哦，是啊，还有那套衣服，你是扔在克兰斯顿家附近湖里的……尽量给我说清楚，你是在哪儿把衣服扔下去的……那个地点离开那幢别墅有多远?

"他等了一会儿，克莱德好不容易才把他记得的时间。地点等等细节说了出来。

"我要是能去那儿，一下子准把它找到。""是啊，这我知道。不过，没有梅森跟你一块去，他们是不会让你去那儿的，"他回答说。"也许尽管有梅森一块去，他们甚至也还不同意你去的。现在你是关押在牢房里呀，没有得到本州当局许可，不能带你出去，明白吗。不过，那套衣服我们非得找到不可。"接着，他向贝尔纳普侧转脸去，压低声音，找补着说:

"我们可要把它寻摸到，交给洗衣店洗洗干净，然后递交法庭，证明他是拿出去洗了的……并没有藏匿起来，明白吧。""哦，就是这样得了，"贝尔纳普漫不经心地说。克莱德站在一旁，听着好不奇怪。这是明目张胆为他策划的欺诈行径，不免让他感到有些惊诧。

"还有沉入湖底的那架照相机……我们也得设法找回来。我想，说不定梅森会知道这玩意儿，或是怀疑它在湖底。不管怎么说，我们就得抢在他前头，把它找回来，这可非常重要。那天你去的时候，那根竿子附近，就是翻船的地点，你说是吗?

""是的，先生。""嗯，我们可得想个办法，看看能不能把照相机寻摸到，"他转过身去对贝尔纳普说。"我们尽可能不要在开庭时出示这个玩意儿。那时候他们就会赌咒说，他拿三脚架或是其他东西砸了她。这样，我们就可以叫他们跌交了。

""是的，说得也很对，"贝尔纳普回答说。

"现在还有落在梅森手里的那只箱子……我也还没有见到过，不过，明天我非得看一看不可。你从水里钻出来以后，就把当时还是湿漉漉的那套衣服放进手提箱里，是吗?

""不，先生，我先是把它拧干，尽可能让它干一点。然后用午餐点心的包装纸裹了起来，这才放进手提箱里，底下还垫了一些枯干松针，上面也撒了一些。

""后来，你把那套衣服拿了出来，手提箱里有没有留下什么湿漉漉的印痕，你发觉了吗?

""没有，先生，我想不会有的。""不过，你不能肯定吧?

""现在您问起了，我就不能十分肯定了……不，不能十分肯定了，先生。""得了，明天我自己去看吧。至于她脸部的伤痕，你还从来没有对这儿或是任何地方的人承认，说是你砸了她?

""没有，先生。""还有，她头部的伤痕，正如你过去所说的，是给小船撞了的，是吧?

""是的，先生。""不过，其他的一些伤痕，依你看，也许被你的照相机砸过，是吗?

""是的，先生。我看是这样。""得了，依我看，这倒是一个办法，"杰夫森又回过头去对贝尔纳普说。"我看，到时候我们不妨大胆说，这些伤痕压根儿不是他手砸的，明白了吧?

而是他们在设法打捞她的时候，用一些铁钩和撑竿擦伤的。反正我们不妨用这样说法试一试。再说，即使不是铁钩和撑竿擦伤的，"他带着一点儿阴森森和干巴巴的语调补充说。"把她的尸体从湖上运往火车站，又装到火车上，从那儿一直运到这儿，当然罗，磕磕碰碰，准定有伤痕呗。""是啊，依我看，梅森要能证明伤痕不是这么磕碰出来的，那可不容易，"贝尔纳普回答说。

"至于那副三脚架，得了，我们最好还得把尸体挖出来，我们自己来量一量，那条小船的船帮，也要量一量。这样一来，梅森要利用三脚架做文章，也许就不那么容易了，尽管目前三脚架掌握在他手里。"杰夫森说这些话时，眼睛显得很小，很明亮，而且湛蓝湛蓝的。他的脑袋和身子望过去有点儿象雪貂的模样儿。克莱德一直在必恭必敬地旁观着。倾听着他们之间全部谈话，觉得:

也许正是这个年纪轻轻的人，可以搭救他。此人精明灵巧，讲求实际，干脆利索，冷静沉着，足以使人激起自信心，简直象一台无法控制的。不断供给能源的巨大发电机。

到最后，这两个人打算走了，克莱德感到很难过。要知道，有他们在身边，为他出谋策划，他觉得安全得多，更坚强得多，而且有更大希望，更大把握，也许能在不久的将来重获自由。
Part 3 Chapter 16
The result of all this, however, was that it was finally decided that perhaps the easiest and safest defense thatcould be made, assuming that the Griffiths family of Lycurgus would submit to it, would be that of insanity or"brain storm"--a temporary aberration due to love and an illusion of grandeur aroused in Clyde by SondraFinchley and the threatened disruption by Roberta of all his dreams and plans. But after consultation withCatchuman and Darrah Brookhart at Lycurgus, and these in turn conferring with Samuel and Gilbert Griffiths, itwas determined that this would not do. For to establish insanity or "brain storm" would require previous evidenceor testimony to the effect that Clyde was of none too sound mind, erratic his whole life long, and with certainspecific instances tending to demonstrate how really peculiar he was--relatives (among them the Griffiths ofLycurgus themselves, perhaps), coming on to swear to it--a line of evidence, which, requiring as it would,outright lying and perjury on the part of many as well as reflecting on the Griffiths' blood and brain, wassufficient to alienate both Samuel and Gilbert to the extent that they would have none of it. And so Brookhartwas compelled to assure Belknap that this line of defense would have to be abandoned.
　　Such being the case, both Belknap and Jephson were once more compelled to sit down and consider. For any other defense which either could think of now seemed positively hopeless.
　　"I want to tell you one thing!" observed the sturdy Jephson, after thumbing through the letters of both Robertaand Sondra again. "These letters of this Alden girl are the toughest things we're going to have to face. They'relikely to make any jury cry if they're read right, and then to introduce those letters from that other girl on top ofthese would be fatal. It will be better, I think, if we do not mention hers at all, unless he does. It will only make itlook as though he had killed that Alden girl to get rid of her. Mason couldn't want anything better, as I see it."And with this Belknap agreed most heartily.
　　At the same time, some plan must be devised immediately. And so, out of these various conferences, it wasfinally deduced by Jephson, who saw a great opportunity for himself in this matter, that the safest possibledefense that could be made, and one to which Clyde's own suspicious and most peculiar actions would mostexactly fit, would be that he had never contemplated murder. On the contrary, being a moral if not a physicalcoward, as his own story seemed to suggest, and in terror of being exposed and driven out of Lycurgus and of theheart of Sondra, and never as yet having told Roberta of Sondra and thinking that knowledge of this great lovefor her (Sondra) might influence Roberta to wish to be rid of him, he had hastily and without any worse plan inmind, decided to persuade Roberta to accompany him to any near-by resort but not especially Grass Lake or BigBittern, in order to tell her all this and so win his freedom--yet not without offering to pay her expenses as nearlyas he could during her very trying period.
　　"All well and good," commented Belknap. "But that involves his refusing to marry her, doesn't it? And what juryis going to sympathize with him for that or believe that he didn't want to kill her?""Wait a minute, wait a minute," replied Jephson, a little testily. "So far it does. Sure. But you haven't heard me tothe end yet. I said I had a plan.""All right, then what is it?" replied Belknap most interested.
　　"Well, I'll tell you--my plan's this--to leave all the facts just as they are, and just as he tells them, and just asMason has discussed them so far, except, of course, his striking her--and then explain them--the letters, thewounds, the bag, the two hats, everything--not deny them in any way."And here he paused and ran his long, thin, freckled hands eagerly through his light hair and looked across thegrass of the public square to the jail where Clyde was, then toward Belknap again.
　　"All very good, but how?" queried Belknap.
　　"There's no other way, I tell you," went on Jephson quite to himself, and ignoring his senior, "and I think this willdo it." He turned to look out the window again, and began as though talking to some one outside: "He goes upthere, you see, because he's frightened and because he has to do something or be exposed. And he signs thoseregisters just as he did because he's afraid to have it known by anybody down there in Lycurgus that he is upthere. And he has this plan about confessing to her about this other girl. BUT," and now he paused and lookedfixedly at Belknap, "and this is the keystone of the whole thing--if this won't hold water, then down we go!
　　Listen! He goes up there with her, frightened, and not to marry her or to kill her but to argue with her to go away.
　　But once up there and he sees how sick she is, and tired, and sad-- well, you know how much she still loves him,and he spends two nights with her, see?""Yes, I see," interrupted Belknap, curiously, but not quite so dubiously now. "And that might explain thosenights.""MIGHT? Would!" replied Jephson, slyly and calmly, his harebell eyes showing only cold, eager, practical logic,no trace of emotion or even sympathy of any kind, really. "Well, while he's up there with her under thoseconditions--so close to her again, you see" (and his facial expression never altered so much as by a line) "heexperiences a change of heart. You get me? He's sorry for her. He's ashamed of himself--his sin against her. Thatought to appeal to these fellows around here, these religious and moral people, oughtn't it?""It might," quietly interpolated Belknap, who by now was very much interested and a little hopeful.
　　"He sees that he's done her a wrong," continued Jephson, intent, like a spider spinning a web, on his own plan,"and in spite of all his affection for this other girl, he's now ready to do the right thing by this Alden girl, do yousee, because he's sorry and ashamed of himself. That takes the black look off his plotting to kill her whilespending those two nights in Utica and Grass Lake with her.""He still loves the other girl, though?" interjected Belknap.
　　"Well, sure. He likes her at any rate, has been fascinated by that life down there and sort of taken out of himself,made over into a different person, but now he's ready to marry Roberta, in case, after telling her all about thisother girl and his love for her, she still wants him to.""I see. But how about the boat now and that bag and his going up to this Finchley girl's place afterwards?""Just a minute! Just a minute! I'll tell you about that," continued Jephson, his blue eyes boring into space like apowerful electric ray. "Of course, he goes out in the boat with her, and of course he takes that bag, and of coursehe signs those registers falsely, and walks away through those woods to that other girl, after Roberta is drowned.
　　But why? Why? Do you want to know why? I'll tell you! He felt sorry for her, see, and he wanted to marry her,or at least he wanted to do the right thing by her at the very last there. Not before, not before, remember, butAFTER he had spent a night with her in Utica and another one in Grass Lake. But once she was drowned--andaccidentally, of course, as he says, there was his love for that other girl. He hadn't ceased loving her even thoughhe was willing to sacrifice her in order to do the right thing by Roberta. See?""I see.""And how are they going to prove that he didn't experience a change of heart if he says he did and sticks to it?""I see, but he'll have to tell a mighty convincing story," added Belknap, a little heavily. "And how about thosetwo hats? They're going to have to be explained.""Well, I'm coming to those now. The one he had was a little soiled. And so he decided to buy another. As for that story he told Mason about wearing a cap, well, he was frightened and lied because he thought he would have toget out of it. Now, of course, before he goes to that other girl afterwards--while Roberta is still alive, I mean,there's his relationship with the other girl, what he intends to do about her. He's talking to Roberta, now you see,"he continued, "and that has to be disposed of in some way. But, as I see it, that's easy, for of course after heexperiences a change of heart and wants to do the right thing by Roberta, all he has to do is to write that othergirl or go to her and tell her-- about the wrong he has done Roberta.""Yes.""For, as I see it now, she can't be kept out of the case entirely, after all. We'll have to ring her in, I'm afraid.""All right; then we have to," said Belknap.
　　"Because you see, if Roberta still feels that he ought to marry her--he'll go first and tell that Finchley girl that hecan't marry her--that he's going away--that is, if Roberta doesn't object to his leaving her that long, don't yousee?""Yes.""If she does, he'll marry her, either at Three Mile Bay or some other place.""Yes.""But you don't want to forget that while she's still alive he's puzzled and distressed. And it's only after thatsecond night, at Grass Lake, that he begins to see how wrong all his actions have been, you understand.
　　Something happens. Maybe she cries or talks about wanting to die, like she does in those letters.""Yes.""And so he wants a quiet place where they can sit down in peace and talk, where no one else will see or hearthem.""Yes, yes--go on.""Well, he thinks of Big Bittern. He's been up there once before or they're near there, then, and just below there,twelve miles, is Three Mile Bay, where, if they decide to marry, they can.""I see.""If not, if she doesn't want to marry him after his full confession, he can row her back to the inn, can't he, and heor she can stay there or go on.""Yes, yes.""In the meantime, not to have any delay or be compelled to hang about that inn--it's rather expensive, you know,and he hasn't any too much money--he takes that lunch in his bag. Also his camera, because he wants to takesome pictures. For if Mason should turn up with that camera, it's got to be explained, and it will be betterexplained by us than it will be by him, won't it?""I see, I see," exclaimed Belknap, intensely interested by now and actually smiling and beginning to rub hishands.
　　"So they go out on the lake.""Yes.""And they row around.""Yes.""And finally after lunch on shore, some pictures taken--""Yes.""He decides to tell her just how things stand with him. He's ready, willing--""I get you.""Only just before doing that, he wants to take one or two more pictures of her there in the boat, just off shore.""Yes.""And then he'll tell her, see?""Yes.""And so they go out in the boat again for a little row, just as he did, see?""Yes.""But because they intend to go ashore again for some flowers, he's left the bag there, see? That explains the bag.""Yes.""But before taking any more pictures there, in the boat on the water, he begins to tell her about his love for thisother girl--that if she wants him to, now he'll marry her and then write this Sondra a letter. Or, if she feels shedoesn't want to marry him with him loving this other girl . . .""Yes, go on!" interrupted Belknap, eagerly.
　　"Well," continued Jephson, "he'll do his best to take care of her and support her out of the money he'll have afterhe marries the rich girl.""Yes.""Well, she wants him to marry her and drop this Miss Finchley!""I see.""And he agrees?""Sure.""Also she's so grateful that in her excitement, or gratitude, she jumps up to come toward him, you see?""Yes.""And the boat rocks a little, and he jumps up to help her because he's afraid she's going to fall, see?""Yes, I see.""Well, now if we wanted to we could have him have that camera of his in his hand or not, just as you think fit.""Yes, I see what you're driving at.""Well, whether he keeps it in his hand or doesn't, there's some misstep on his part or hers, just as he says, or justthe motion of the two bodies, causes the boat to go over, and he strikes her, or not, just as you think fit, butaccidentally, of course.""Yes, I see, and I'll be damned!" exclaimed Belknap. "Fine, Reuben! Excellent! Wonderful, really!""And the boat strikes her too, as well as him, a little, see?" went on Jephson, paying no attention to this outburst,so interested was he in his own plot, "and makes him a little dizzy, too.""I see.""And he hears her cries and sees her, but he's a little stunned himself, see? And by the time he's ready to dosomething--""She's gone," concluded Belknap, quietly. "Drowned. I get you.""And then, because of all those other suspicious circumstances and false registrations--and because now she's gone and he can't do anything more for her, anyhow--her relatives might not want to know her condition, youknow--""I see.""He slips away, frightened, a moral coward, just as we'll have to contend from the first, anxious to stand wellwith his uncle and not lose his place in this world. Doesn't that explain it?""About as well as anything could explain it, Reuben, I think. In fact, I think it's a plausible explanation and Icongratulate you. I don't see how any one could hope to find a better. If that doesn't get him off, or bring about adisagreement, at least we might get him off with, well, say, twenty years, don't you think?" And very muchcheered, he got up, and after eyeing his long, thin associate admiringly, added: "Fine!" while Jephson, his blueeyes for all the world like windless, still pools, looked steadily back.
　　"But of course you know what that means?" Jephson now added, calmly and softly.
　　"That we have to put him on the witness stand? Surely, surely. I see that well enough. But it's his only chance.""And he won't strike people as a very steady or convincing fellow, I'm afraid--too nervous and emotional.""Yes, I know all that," replied Belknap, quickly. "He's easily rattled. And Mason will go after him like a wildbull. But we'll have to coach him as to all this--drill him. Make him understand that it's his only chance--that hisvery life depends on it. Drill him for months.""If he fails, then he's gone. If only we could do something to give him courage--teach him to act it out."Jephson's eyes seemed to be gazing directly before him at the very courtroom scene in which Clyde on the standwould have Mason before him. And then picking up Roberta's letters (copies of them furnished by Mason) andlooking at them, he concluded: "If it only weren't for these--here." He weighed them up and down in his hand.
　　"Christ!" he finally concluded, darkly. "What a case! But we're not licked yet, not by a darn sight! Why, wehaven't begun to fight yet. And we'll get a lot of publicity, anyhow. By the way," he added, "I'm having a fellow Iknow down near Big Bittern dredge for that camera to-night. Wish me luck.""Do I?" was all Belknap replied.

经过这一切洽谈以后，终于决定:

最方便。最稳妥的辩护理由，只要莱柯格斯的格里菲思家表示同意的话，也许就是借口说神经错乱，或是"脑病暴发"……由于克莱德爱上了桑德拉。芬奇利，在他心里产生了向往豪华生活的幻想，也由于他惧怕自己的全部梦想和光辉前程将被罗伯达毁掉，使他一时神经失常。

可是，他们在莱柯格斯和卡奇曼。达拉。布鲁克哈特磋商后，又去跟塞缪尔。

格里菲思。吉尔伯特。格里菲思商谈，最后得出结论认为上述这套方案是行不通的。因为，要证明神经错乱，或是"脑病暴发"，必需具有过去的证据或是见证，证明克莱德一向心智不太健全，平素行为古怪，还要有若干特别显著的具体实例，足以说明他确实是希奇古怪的，并由亲属(说不定其中就有莱柯格斯的格里菲思家)出面发誓作证……这一连串的证据，当然，既要有很多人提供彻头彻尾的谎言和伪证，并且还会玷污格里菲思一家人的血统和智力，从而引起塞缪尔和吉尔伯特的反感，对这一方案肯定不会同意。因此，布鲁克哈特不得不告知贝尔纳普，说这一套辩护方案非得放弃不可。

于是，贝尔纳普和杰夫森两人不得不重新坐了下来，仔细考虑对策。反正要他们两个琢磨出别的辩护理由，目前看来还不是全然没有希望。

"有一件事我要跟你说说!

"犟脾气的杰夫森反复看过罗伯达和桑德拉的信以后开了腔说。"这个奥尔登姑娘的那些信……说实话，才是我们出庭时最难对付的。只要仔细读一读，不管是哪一个陪审团，全都会掉眼泪的。要是先提出奥尔登这些信，紧接着再提出那另一个姑娘的信，那就肯定全完蛋了。我想，要是梅森闭口不提另一个姑娘的信，我们最好压根儿也不去提它就得了。不然，那就会造成这么一个印象，好象他杀害那个奥尔登姑娘，为的是要把她摆脱掉。

依我看，这对梅森就是最有利的了。"贝尔纳普对此衷心表示赞同。

与此同时，又得马上推出另一套方案来。于是，经过好几次磋商之后，杰夫森(他认为这个案子准定让他日后飞黄腾达)最后终于得出这么一个结论:

唯一可以提出的最稳妥的辩护理由(而且，同克莱德本人的一些令人可疑，两又非常离奇的行动正好并行不悖)，就是说，克莱德从来没有想到过要谋害她。恰好相反，正如他本人所申辩的，他即使在生理上不是，但在道德上确是一个懦夫。

他深怕自己被人一揭发，就会从莱柯格斯和桑德拉的心中被撵走，同时，因为还从来没有把桑德拉的事告诉过罗伯达，他暗自琢磨，罗伯达一旦知道他对她(桑德拉)如此倾心相爱，说不定也会产生想把他摆脱掉的愿望。因此，他就在仓卒之间决定，也谈不上包藏什么祸心，只是劝说罗伯达跟他一块到附近任何一个地方(但并不见得一定是草湖，或是大比腾)去游逛，为了把这一切全都告诉她，从而使自己获得自由……当然罗，他还是向她保证，说他愿意竭尽全力，负担她在她非常艰难的时期的生活费用。

"这一切好极了，"贝尔纳普发表意见说。"不过，这就涉及到他拒绝跟她结婚一事，可不是?

试问有哪一个陪审团会同情他，或是相信他并不是存心杀害她呢?

""且慢，且慢，"杰夫森有些恼火地回答说。"到现在为止，当然罗，是这样。

不过，你还没有把我的话听完。我跟你说，我又有一个方案嘛。""好呀，那是什么样的方案呢?

"贝尔纳普很感兴趣地回答说。

"得了，我会告诉你的……我的方案是这样……让所有的事实都原封不动，正如克莱德所说的和梅森迄今谈到的那样，当然罗，只是除了他砸了她这一节……然后对所有这些事实都加以解释……比方说，那和信件呀。伤痕呀。手提箱呀。两顶帽子呀，所有这一切……绝不加以否认。"说到这儿，他沉吟不语，用他那双长满斑点。又长又薄的手，不耐烦地捋了一下自己光亮的头发，抬眼先是望着关押克莱德的监狱对面的广场上的草坪，随后又望了一眼贝尔纳普。

"这一切都很好，不过你说怎么解释呢?

"贝尔纳普问道。

"跟你说了，没有别的办法，"杰夫森仿佛在自言自语地说，没有理会自己的老同事。"我认为只有这个办法是行得通的。"他身子侧过去，又望着窗外说话，仿佛在跟外面什么人交谈。"他上那儿去，明白吧，就是因为他吓坏了，因为他不能不有所防备，要不然就被人告发了。于是，他在旅社登记时写上了别人的姓名，因为他深怕给莱柯格斯来人知道他去过那儿。而且他打算向她坦白承认自己爱上了另一个姑娘。不过，"这时，他迟疑不语，两眼盯住贝尔纳普。"这是我们性命交关的支柱所在，要是连这都站不住脚，那我们就全完了!

听着!

他跟她一块到了那儿，心里怕得要命，但并不是想跟她结婚，也不是想害死她，而仅仅是想说服她别再缠住他。殊不知一到了那儿，看见她身体很不舒服，疲累，悲伤……啊，知道吧，她还是多么爱他，于是，他就跟她一块厮混了两个夜晚，明白吧?

""是啊，我明白，"贝尔纳普他感到有点儿好奇，不过这一回早已不犯疑了。

"这样一来，也许就可以讲清楚了，为什么他跟她在一块度过两个夜晚。

""也许?

已经讲清楚了!

"杰夫森淘气而又镇静地回答说。他的那双淡蓝色眼睛里，映现出的只有一种冷静。坚毅。注重实际的逻辑，说真的，连一丝儿感情。

哪怕是同情的影子都没有。"哦，当时他跟她一块到了那儿，是在这种情况之下……跟她又是那么亲近，明白了吧。"(杰夫森说话时，脸上的表情简直一丝儿变化都没有。)"他就回心转意了。你听懂了我的意思没有?

他为她感到难过。他觉得自己很丢脸……因为他在她面前是有了罪的。这应该说总可以打动这里老百姓，这些善男信女的心，是吧?

""这也许可以，"贝尔纳普安详地插话说。至此，他一下子来了劲儿，感到大有希望了。

"他知道自己做了对不起她的事，"杰夫森继续说。如同一只正在织网的蜘蛛一样，他把全部心思都扑在自己的方案上。"不管他那么狂热地爱恋另一个姑娘，现在他准备公平地对待这个奥尔登姑娘，明白吧，因为他替她感到很难过，觉得自己很丢脸。这样就可以促使公众改变对他的看法，因为原先人们认为他一面跟她一块在尤蒂卡。草湖住了两个夜晚，一面却在策划怎样把她杀害。

"但他还是很爱另一个姑娘，是吧?

"贝尔纳普又插了一句说。

"哦，当然罗。不管怎么说，他是非常喜欢她的。反正他一进入那上流社会，就有点儿晕头晕脑，简直自以为是，判若两人。不过话又说回来，这时候他倒是准备跟罗伯达结婚的，如果说即使在他向她坦白承认自己爱上了这另一个姑娘之后，罗伯达还是乐意跟他结婚的话。""我明白了。不过，有关那条小船。手提箱，以及事后他去这个芬奇利姑娘家，这些事该怎么说呢?

""且慢!

且慢!

我这就跟你说了，"杰夫森接下去说。他的那双蓝眼睛象一股强烈的电光从空间来回掠过似的。"当然罗，他是跟她一块坐船出去的，当然罗，他随身带上了那只手提箱，当然罗，他在旅社登记时报了假名字，并且在罗伯达溺水死亡以后，穿过那儿树林子到另一个姑娘那里去了。不过，为什么呢?

为什么呢?

你很想知道为什么吧?

我这就跟你说!

他替罗伯达感到难过，知道吧，而且，他想要跟她结婚，或者至少说，在那最后时刻，他想要公平地对待她。可是，要记住，这可不是在他跟她先在草湖住了一宿，接着跟她又在尤蒂卡住了一宿之前，不是在那之前，而是在那之后。不过，她一淹死……当然罗，正如他所说的，那是由于意外事故……他对另一个姑娘的爱情又死灰复燃啦。是的，他对她的爱情一直没有停止过，哪怕是为了要公平地对待罗伯达而准备牺牲她的时候也是这样。明白吧?

""我明白了。""那末，人们又怎么能证明他并没有回心转意，要是他说过自己确实回心转意过，并且坚持自己这个说法呢?

""我明白了，不过，他非得解释清楚，令人非常信服不可，"贝尔纳普有些忧心忡忡地说。"那两顶帽子怎么说呢?

这也非得解释清楚不可。""得了，这会儿我正要讲的，就是帽子问题。他原来的那一顶有些脏了。于是，他决定另外买一顶。至于他跟梅森说过他戴的是一顶鸭舌帽……啊，那时因为他吓坏了，才撒了谎，因为他心里想自己非得快点解脱不可。当然罗，在他过后到另一个姑娘那儿去之前，我的意思是说，有罗伯达还活着的时候，他跟那另一个姑娘仍然是有关系的，而且对她是有意图的。你要明白，这时他正在向罗伯达进行解释，"他接下去说。"这一点怎么也得设法交待清楚。不过，依我看，这也不难，因为，当然罗，在他回心转意和想要公平对待罗伯达以后，剩下来他只要写封信给那另一个姑娘，或是上她那儿去，告诉她有关他对不起罗伯达的事，可不是?

""是的。""因为，现在依我看，本案毕竟不能闭口不提她。我怕我们非得惊动她不可。

""既然需要，那我们就惊动吧，"贝尔纳普说。

"因为，你要知道，如果罗伯达仍然认为他应该跟她结婚……他就得先去芬奇利家，跟那个姑娘说他不能跟她结婚了……他要到罗伯达那儿去了……这就是说，只要罗伯达并不反对他可以暂时离开她的话，你明白了吧?

""明白了。""要是她果真这样，他就跟她结婚，是在三英里湾，或是在其他什么地方。""是啊。""不过，你别忘了，只要她还活着，他心里总是茫然若失，无比痛苦。只是在草湖度过了第二夜以后，他才开始认识到他过去对待她该有多么卑鄙，你明白了吧。他们之间出了什么事。也许是她哭了，或是说到要自杀，如同她在写那些信时所说的那样。""是啊。""因此，他心里就想同她一块去一个安静的地方，在那儿谁也看不见他们，听不到他们，他们不妨平心静气地坐下来谈谈。""是啊，是啊……讲下去吧。""于是，他就想到了大比腾。从前他是去过那儿的，或者说，就是因为他们离那个地方很近。而且，再过去十二英里，就是三英里湾了。他们要是决定结婚，不妨在三英里湾结婚就得了。""我明白了。""再不然，要是她听了他的彻底坦白以后，不想跟他结婚，他就可以划船把她送回到那家旅社，可不是吗。也许是他，或者是她，会暂时留在那儿，另一个则马上动身离去。""是啊，是啊。""顺便提一下，为了不要拖延时间，也不要老是滞留在那家旅社……要知道这是相声花钱，你明白吧。何况他也不是那么很有钱……他把午餐点心放在自己手提箱里。还带上了那架照相机，因为他要拍摄一些照片。因为，只要梅森一出示那架照相机，那我们就得把那架照相机的来龙去脉一一解释清楚。与其由他来解释，还不如由我们来解释的好，是吧?

""我明白了，我明白了，"贝尔纳普大声嚷了起来，这时他兴致很高，而且，说真的，脸上含着微笑，甚至还开始在搓手。

"他们就这样游湖去了。""是啊。""他们在湖上尽情地划呀划。""是啊。""最后，他们在湖岸上用过午餐点心，他还拍了一些照……""是啊。""他决定将他目前的处境告诉她。现在他已准备好了，愿意……""我明白你的意思了。""可是，就在他开始说这些话以前，他要给她再拍一两张照，拍她人在船上，靠近湖岸的镜头。""是啊。""然后，他就全都告诉了她，明白吧?

""是啊。""这样，他们就又上了小船，打算如同刚才他那样，再划一会儿，明白吧?

""我明白。""不过，因为他们打算再上岸去采一些花，他就把手提箱留在岸上，明白了吧?

这样，手提箱问题也就交待清楚了。""是啊。""不过，就在湖上。船上继续给她拍照以前，他开始把他爱恋过另一个姑娘的事告诉了她……他说，她要是现在还愿意跟他结婚，那他就跟她结婚，随后写一封信给这个桑德拉。不过，要是现在她了解到他既然爱上了另一个姑娘，自己也就不愿意跟他结婚了……""是啊，说下去!

"贝尔纳普兴冲冲地插话说。

"于是，"杰夫森继续说。"他要竭尽全力照顾她，支持她，因为他跟那个有钱的姑娘结婚以后，他就有的是钱了。""是啊。""不过，她要他跟她结婚，把这个芬奇利小姐甩掉!

""我明白了。""那他同意了吗?

""当然罗。""瞧她是那么感激，就在极度兴奋或是感激之中跳了起来，向他直扑了过来，明白了吧?

""是啊。""于是，那条小船就有点儿摇晃，他一跃而起，想要搀住她，因为他担心她快要摔倒了，明白吧?

""是啊，我明白。""得了，现在，他的那架照相机，我们说它是在他手里也好，不在他手里也好，反正随你觉得怎么合适就怎么说得了。""是啊，你的用意我知道了。""总之一句话，不管这照相机是不是在他手里，反正如同他所说的那样，他们俩不慎失足，要不然，就是因为他们俩的身子一晃，小船就底儿朝天了。至于他砸了她没有，看你觉得怎么合适就怎么说好了。不过，如果说他砸了她，那当然罗，也只是偶然碰到罢了。""是啊，我明白了，真是见鬼!

"贝尔纳普大声嚷道。"好，鲁本!

这一招真高明!

简直妙极了!

""接着，船舷又碰撞过她，也碰撞过他，只不过是轻微一点儿，明白了吧?

"杰夫森接下去说，沉浸在自己谋划的这一套方案之中，对这种狂热劲儿丝毫也没有注意到。"不过，也撞得他有点儿晕头转向了。""我明白了。""他听见她在大声呼叫救命，而且也看得到她的，不过，他自己也有点儿吓昏了，明白了吧?

等到他刚清醒过来，准备想办法……""她早已没了，"贝尔纳普平静地下了这么一个结论。"给淹死了。你的意思我明白了。""随后，由于这一切可疑的情况，旅社登记时申报假名字等等……还有，因为她早已咽气了，反正他再也救不活她了……你也知道，她的亲属说不定要追查她的情况……""我明白。""所以，他吓坏了，就溜了。要知道他天生是个懦夫……正如我们一开始就明确论证过那样。他一心希望跟他伯父搞好关系，保住他在这个上流社会里的地位。难道说这样解释还不够清楚吗?

""依我看，这一切差不多解释通通都清楚了，鲁本。事实上，我觉得你这样解释好象很有道理，我向你表示祝贺。我真不知道，有谁还能指望寻摸到比这更好的解释呢。要是这样还不能为他开脱，或是使陪审团产生意见分歧，那末，最低限度也许我们还可以让他得到，哦，比方说，二十年徒刑，你认为怎么样?

"说罢，他得意扬扬地站了起来，十分钦慕地瞅了他的这位瘦高个儿同事一眼，又找补着说:

"真是绝招啊!

"杰夫森那双蓝眼睛，活象风平浪静的一泓池水，只是不动声色回眸了他一眼。

"不过，当然罗，你也明白这意味着什么?

"杰夫森平静地轻声补充了一句。

"那是说我们就得让他出庭作证?

当然罗。当然罗。这我看得很清楚。可这是他唯一的机会啊。""但我深怕，他看起来不象一个很坚定。很有自信的见证人……他这个人太紧张，太容易动感情了。""是啊，这我全都明白，"贝尔纳普马上回答说。"他给人一吓唬，就慌张了。

而梅森会象一头野牛冲他疾驰而来。不过，我们就得辅导他……训练他……能应付这一切。让他懂得这是他唯一的机会了……他的这条性命就全押在这儿了。

我们就训练他几个月吧。""他要是表演失败，那就全完了。只要我们能想个办法，把他的勇气给鼓起来……教他演好这场戏就好了。"这时，杰夫森两眼仿佛直接凝视着法院大厅，克莱德坐在证人席上，梅森站在他前面。随后，杰夫森捡起罗伯达那些信(说得更确切些，是梅森交给的抄本)看看，最后才说:

"要是没有眼前这些东西就好了!

"他把这些信放在手里掂了一下，最后阴沉地说:

"天哪!

多棘手的案子啊!

不过话又说回来，我们还没有被打垮，见鬼去吧，这样的事压根儿不会有的。嘿，我们还没有开始拚搏哩。不管怎么说，一定可以使我们出足风头了。是啊，再说，"他又找补着说。"我在大比腾附近有一个熟人，就叫他今儿晚上去打捞那架照相机。你预祝我走好运吧。""难道说我还会不预祝你吗?

"贝尔纳普回答的，就是这么一句话。
Part 3 Chapter 17
The struggle and excitement of a great murder trial! Belknap and Jephson, after consulting with Brookhart andCatchuman, learning that they considered Jephson's plan "perhaps the only way," but with as little reference tothe Griffiths as possible.
　　And then at once, Messrs. Belknap and Jephson issuing preliminary statements framed in such a manner as toshow their faith in Clyde, presenting him as being, in reality, a much maligned and entirely misunderstood youth, whose intentions and actions toward Miss Alden were as different from those set forth by Mason as white fromblack. And intimating that the undue haste of the district attorney in seeking a special term of the Supreme Courtmight possibly have a political rather than a purely legal meaning. Else why the hurry, especially in the face ofan approaching county election? Could there be any plan to use the results of such a trial as this to further anyparticular person's, or group of persons', political ambitions? Messrs. Belknap and Jephson begged to hope not.
　　But regardless of such plans or the prejudices or the political aspirations of any particular person or group, thedefense in this instance did not propose to permit a boy as innocent as Clyde, trapped by circumstances--ascounsel for the defense would be prepared to show--to be railroaded to the electric chair merely to achieve avictory for the Republican party in November. Furthermore, to combat these strange and yet false circumstances,the defense would require a considerable period of time to prepare its case. Therefore, it would be necessary forthem to file a formal protest at Albany against the district attorney's request to the governor for a special term ofthe Supreme Court. There was no need for the same, since the regular term for the trial of such cases would fallin January, and the preparation of their case would require that much time.
　　But while this strong, if rather belated, reply was listened to with proper gravity by the representatives of thevarious newspapers, Mason vigorously pooh-poohed this "windy" assertion of political plotting, as well as thetalk of Clyde's innocence. "What reason have I, a representative of all the people of this county, to railroad thisman anywhere or make one single charge against him unless the charges make themselves? Doesn't the evidenceitself show that he did kill this girl? And has he ever said or done one thing to clear up any of the suspiciouscircumstances? No! Silence or lies. And until these circumstances are disproved by these very able gentlemen, Iam going right ahead. I have all the evidence necessary to convict this young criminal now. And to delay it untilJanuary, when I shall be out of office, as they know, and when a new man will have to go over all this evidencewith which I have familiarized myself, is to entail great expense to the county. For all the witnesses I have gottentogether are right here now, easy to bring into Bridgeburg without any great expense to the county. But wherewill they be next January or February, especially after the defense has done its best to scatter them? No, sir! Iwill not agree to it. But, if within ten days or two weeks from now even, they can bring me something that willso much as make it look as though even some of the charges I have made are not true, I'll be perfectly willing togo before the presiding judge with them, and if they can show him any evidence they have or hope to have, orthat there are any distant known witnesses to be secured who can help prove this fellow's innocence, why, then,well and good. I'll be willing to ask the judge to grant them as much time as he may see fit, even if it throws thetrial over until I am out of office. But if the trial comes up while I'm here, as I honestly hope it will, I'll prosecuteit to the best of my ability, not because I'm looking for an office of any kind but because I am now the districtattorney and it is my duty to do so. And as for my being in politics, well, Mr. Belknap is in politics, isn't he? Heran against me the last time, and I hear he desires to run again."Accordingly he proceeded to Albany further to impress upon the Governor the very great need of an immediatespecial term of the Court so that Clyde might be indicted. And the Governor, hearing the personal arguments ofboth Mason and Belknap, decided in favor of Mason, on the ground that the granting of a special term did notmilitate against any necessary delay of the trial of the case, since nothing which the defense as yet had to offerseemed to indicate that the calling of a special term was likely in any way to prevent it from obtaining as muchtime wherein to try the case as needed. Besides, it would be the business of the Supreme Court justice appointedto consider such arguments--not himself. And accordingly, a special term of the Supreme Court was ordered,with one Justice Frederick Oberwaltzer of the eleventh judicial district designated to preside. And when Mason appeared before him with the request that he fix the date of the Special Grand Jury by which Clyde might beindicted, this was set for August fifth.
　　And then that body sitting, it was no least trouble for Mason to have Clyde indicted.
　　And thereafter the best that Belknap and Jephson could do was to appear before Oberwaltzer, a Democrat, whoowed his appointment to a previous governor, to argue for a change of venue, on the ground that by no possiblestretch of the imagination could any twelve men residing in Cataraqui County be found who, owing to the publicand private statements of Mason, were not already vitally opposed to Clyde and so convinced of his guilt thatbefore ever such a jury could be addressed by a defense, he would be convicted.
　　"But where are you going then?" inquired Justice Oberwaltzer, who was impartial enough. "The same materialhas been published everywhere.""But, your Honor, this crime which the district attorney here has been so busy in magnifying--" (a long andheated objection on the part of Mason).
　　"But we contend just the same," continued Belknap, "that the public has been unduly stirred and deluded. Youcan't get twelve men now who will try this man fairly.""What nonsense!" exclaimed Mason, angrily. "Mere twaddle! Why, the newspapers themselves have gatheredand published more evidence than I have. It's the publicly discovered facts in this case that have arousedprejudice, if any has been aroused. But no more than would be aroused anywhere, I maintain. Besides, if thiscase is to be transferred to a distant county when the majority of the witnesses are right here, this county is goingto be saddled with an enormous expense, which it cannot afford and which the facts do not warrant."Justice Oberwaltzer, who was of a sober and moral turn, a slow and meticulous man inclined to favorconservative procedure in all things, was inclined to agree. And after five days, in which he did not more thanmuse idly upon the matter, he decided to deny the motion. If he were wrong, there was the Appellate Division towhich the defense could resort. As for stays, having fixed the date of the trial for October fifteenth (ample time,as he judged, for the defense to prepare its case), he adjourned for the remainder of the summer to his cottage onBlue Mountain Lake, where both the prosecution and the defense, should any knotty or locally insoluble legalcomplication arise, would be able to find him and have his personal attention.
　　But with the entry of the Messrs. Belknap and Jephson into the case, Mason found it advisable to redouble hisefforts to make positive, in so far as it were possible, the conviction of Clyde. He feared the young Jephson asmuch as he did Belknap. And for that reason, taking with him Burton Burleigh and Earl Newcomb, he nowrevisited Lycurgus, where among other things he was able to discover (1) where Clyde had purchased thecamera; (2) that three days before his departure for Big Bittern he had said to Mrs. Peyton that he was thinking oftaking his camera with him and that he must get some films for it; (3) that there was a haberdasher by the nameof Orrin Short who had known Clyde well and that but four months before Clyde had applied to him for advicein connection with a factory hand's pregnant wife--also (and this in great confidence to Burton Burleigh, who hadunearthed him) that he had recommended to Clyde a certain Dr. Glenn, near Gloversville; (4) Dr. Glenn himselfbeing sought and pictures of Clyde and Roberta being submitted, he was able to identify Roberta, although not Clyde, and to describe the state of mind in which she had approached him, as well as the story she had told--astory which in no way incriminated Clyde or herself, and which, therefore, Mason decided might best be ignored,for the present, anyhow.
　　And (5), via these same enthusiastic efforts, there rose to the surface the particular hat salesman in Utica who hadsold Clyde the hat. For Burton Burleigh being interviewed while in Utica, and his picture published along withone of Clyde, this salesman chanced to see it and recalling him at once made haste to communicate with Mason,with the result that his testimony, properly typewritten and sworn to, was carried away by Mason.
　　And, in addition, the country girl who had been on the steamer "Cygnus" and who had noticed Clyde, wroteMason that she remembered him wearing a straw hat, also his leaving the boat at Sharon, a bit of evidence whichmost fully confirmed that of the captain of the boat and caused Mason to feel that Providence or Fate wasworking with him. And last, but most important of all to him, there came a communication from a womanresiding in Bedford, Pennsylvania, who announced that during the week of July third to tenth, she and herhusband had been camping on the east shore of Big Bittern, near the southern end of the lake. And while rowingon the lake on the afternoon of July eighth, at about six o'clock, she had heard a cry which sounded like that of awoman or girl in distress--a plaintive, mournful cry. It was very faint and had seemed to come from beyond theisland which was to the south and west of the bay in which they were fishing.
　　Mason now proposed to remain absolutely silent regarding this information, and that about the camera and filmsand the data regarding Clyde's offense in Kansas City, until nearer the day of trial, or during the trial itself, whenit would be impossible for the defense to attempt either to refute or ameliorate it in any way.
　　As for Belknap and Jephson, apart from drilling Clyde in the matter of his general denial based on his change ofheart once he had arrived at Grass Lake, and the explanation of the two hats and the bag, they could not see thatthere was much to do. True, there was the suit thrown in Fourth Lake near the Cranstons', but after much trollingon the part of a seemingly casual fisherman, that was brought up, cleaned and pressed, and now hung in a lockedcloset in the Belknap and Jephson office. Also, there was the camera at Big Bittern, dived for but never found bythem--a circumstance which led Jephson to conclude that Mason must have it, and so caused him to decide thathe would refer to it at the earliest possible opportunity at the trial. But as for Clyde striking her with it, evenaccidentally, well, it was decided at that time at least, to contend that he had not--although after exhumingRoberta's body at Biltz it had been found that the marks on her face, even at this date, did correspond in somedegree to the size and shape of the camera.
　　For, in the first place, they were exceedingly dubious of Clyde as a witness. Would he or would he not, in tellingof how it all happened, be sufficiently direct or forceful and sincere to convince any jury that he had so struckher without intending to strike her? For on that, marks or no marks, would depend whether the jury was going tobelieve him. And if it did not believe that he struck her accidentally, then a verdict of guilty, of course.
　　And so they prepared to await the coming of the trial, only working betimes and in so far as they dared, to obtaintestimony or evidence as to Clyde's previous good character, but being blocked to a degree by the fact that inLycurgus, while pretending to be a model youth outwardly, he had privately been conducting himself otherwise,and that in Kansas City his first commercial efforts had resulted in such a scandal.
　　However, one of the most difficult matters in connection with Clyde and his incarceration here, as Belknap andJephson as well as the prosecution saw it, was the fact that thus far not one single member of his own or hisuncle's family had come forward to champion him. And to no one save Belknap and Jephson had he admittedwhere his parents were. Yet would it not be necessary, as both Belknap and Jephson argued from time to time, ifany case at all were to be made out for him, to have his mother or father, or at least a sister or a brother, comeforward to say a good word for him? Otherwise, Clyde might appear to be a pariah, one who had been from thefirst a drifter and a waster and was now purposely being avoided by all who knew him.
　　For this reason, at their conference with Darrah Brookhart they had inquired after Clyde's parents and hadlearned that in so far as the Griffiths of Lycurgus were concerned, there lay a deep objection to bringing on anymember of this western branch of the family. There was, as he explained, a great social gap between them, whichit would not please the Lycurgus Griffiths to have exploited here. Besides, who could say but that once Clyde'sparents were notified or discovered by the yellow press, they might not lend themselves to exploitation. BothSamuel and Gilbert Griffiths, as Brookhart now informed Belknap, had suggested that it was best, if Clyde didnot object, to keeping his immediate relatives in the background. In fact, on this, in some measure at least, waslikely to depend the extent of their financial aid to Clyde.
　　Clyde was in accord with this wish of the Griffiths, although no one who talked with him sufficiently or heardhim express how sorry he was on his mother's account that all this had happened, could doubt the quality of theblood and emotional tie that held him and his mother together. The complete truth was that his present attitudetoward her was a mixture of fear and shame because of the manner in which she was likely to view hispredicament--his moral if not his social failure. Would she be willing to believe the story prepared by Belknapand Jephson as to his change of heart? But even apart from that, to have her come here now and look at himthrough these bars when he was so disgraced--to be compelled to face her and talk to her day after day! Herclear, inquiring, tortured eyes! Her doubt as to his innocence, since he could feel that even Belknap and Jephson,in spite of all their plans for him, were still a little dubious as to that unintentional blow of his. They did notreally believe it, and they might tell her that. And would his religious, God-fearing, crime-abhorring mother bemore credulous than they?
　　Being asked again what he thought ought to be done about his parents, he replied that he did not believe he couldface his mother yet--it would do no good and would only torture both.
　　And fortunately, as he saw it, apparently no word of all that had befallen him had yet reached his parents inDenver. Because of their peculiar religious and moral beliefs, all copies of worldly and degenerate daily paperswere consistently excluded from their home and Mission. And the Lycurgus Griffiths had had no desire toinform them.
　　Yet one night, at about the time that Belknap and Jephson were most seriously debating the absence of hisparents and what, if anything, should be done about it, Esta, who some time after Clyde had arrived in Lycurgushad married and was living in the southeast portion of Denver, chanced to read in The Rocky Mountain News-andthis just subsequent to Clyde's indictment by the Grand Jury at Bridgeburg:
　　"BOY SLAYER OF WORKING GIRL INDICTED"Bridgeburg, N. Y., Aug. 6: A special Grand Jury appointed by Governor Stouderback, of this state, to sit in thecase of Clyde Griffiths, the nephew of the wealthy collar manufacturer of the same name, of Lycurgus, NewYork, recently charged with the killing of Miss Roberta Alden, of Biltz, New York, at Big Bittern Lake in theAdirondacks on July 8th last, to-day returned an indictment charging murder in the first degree.
　　"Subsequent to the indictment, Griffiths, who in spite of almost overwhelming evidence, has persisted inasserting that the alleged crime was an accident, and who, accompanied by his counsel, Alvin Belknap, andReuben Jephson, of this city, was arraigned before Supreme Court Justice Oberwaltzer, pleaded not guilty. Hewas remanded for trial, which was set for October 15th.
　　"Young Griffiths, who is only twenty-two years of age, and up to the day of his arrest a respected member ofLycurgus smart society, is alleged to have stunned and then drowned his working-girl sweetheart, whom he hadwronged and then planned to desert in favor of a richer girl. The lawyers in this case have been retained by hiswealthy uncle of Lycurgus, who has hitherto remained aloof. But apart from this, it is locally asserted, no relativehas come forward to aid in his defense."Esta forthwith made a hurried departure for her mother's home. Despite the directness and clarity of this she wasnot willing to believe it was Clyde. Still there was the damning force of geography and names--the rich LycurgusGriffiths, the absence of his own relatives.
　　As quickly as the local street car would carry her, she now presented herself at the combined lodging house andmission known as the "Star of Hope," in Bildwell Street, which was scarcely better than that formerly maintainedin Kansas City. For while it provided a number of rooms for wayfarers at twenty-five cents a night, and wassupposed to be self-supporting, it entailed much work with hardly any more profit. Besides, by now, both Frankand Julia, who long before this had become irked by the drab world in which they found themselves, hadearnestly sought to free themselves of it, leaving the burden of the mission work on their father and mother.
　　Julia, now nineteen, was cashiering for a local downtown restaurant, and Frank, nearing seventeen, had butrecently found work in a fruit and vegetable commission house. In fact, the only child about the place by day waslittle Russell, the illegitimate son of Esta--now between three and four years of age, and most reservedlyfictionalized by his grandparents as an orphan whom they had adopted in Kansas City. He was a dark-hairedchild, in some ways resembling Clyde, who, even at this early age, as Clyde had been before him, was beinginstructed in those fundamental verities which had irritated Clyde in his own childhood.
　　At the time that Esta, now a decidedly subdued and reserved wife, entered, Mrs. Griffiths was busy sweeping anddusting and making up beds. But on sight of her daughter at this unusual hour approaching, and with blanchedcheeks signaling her to come inside the door of a vacant room, Mrs. Griffiths, who, because of years ofdifficulties of various kinds, was more or less accustomed to scenes such as this, now paused in wonder, theswiftly beclouding mist of apprehension shining in her eyes. What new misery or ill was this? For decidedlyEsta's weak gray eyes and manner indicated distress. And in her hand was folded a paper, which she opened andafter giving her mother a most solicitous look, pointed to the item, toward which Mrs. Griffiths now directed herlook. But what was this?
　　"BOY SLAYER OF WORKING-GIRL SWEETHEART INDICTED.""CHARGED WITH THE KILLING OF MISS ROBERTA ALDEN AT BIG BITTERN LAKE IN THEADIRONDACKS ON JULY 8 LAST.""RETURNED INDICTMENT CHARGING MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE.""IN SPITE OF ALMOST OVERWHELMING CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE.""PLEADED NOT GUILTY.""REMANDED FOR TRIAL." "SET FOR OCTOBER 15.""STUNNED AND DROWNED HIS WORKING-GIRL SWEETHEART.""NO RELATIVE HAS COME FORWARD."It was thus that her eye and her mind automatically selected the most essential lines. And then as swiftly goingover them again.
　　"CLYDE GRIFFITHS, NEPHEW OF THE WEALTHY COLLAR MANUFACTURER OF LYCURGUS, NEWYORK."Clyde--her son! And only recently--but no, over a month ago--(and they had been worrying a little as to that, sheand Asa, because he had not--) July 8th! And it was now August 11th! Then--yes! But not her son! Impossible!
　　Clyde the murderer of a girl who was his sweetheart! But he was not like that! He had written to her how he wasgetting along--the head of a large department, with a future. But of no girl. But now! And yet that other little girlthere in Kansas City. Merciful God! And the Griffiths, of Lycurgus, her husband's brother, knowing of this andnot writing! Ashamed, disgusted, no doubt. Indifferent. But no, he had hired two lawyers. Yet the horror! Asa!
　　Her other children! What the papers would say! This mission! They would have to give it up and go somewhereelse again. Yet was he guilty or not guilty? She must know that before judging or thinking. This paper said hehad pleaded not guilty. Oh, that wretched, worldly, showy hotel in Kansas City! Those other bad boys! Thosetwo years in which he wandered here and there, not writing, passing as Harry Tenet. Doing what? Learningwhat?
　　She paused, full of that intense misery and terror which no faith in the revealed and comforting verities of Godand mercy and salvation which she was always proclaiming, could for the moment fend against. Her boy! HerClyde! In jail, accused of murder! She must wire! She must write! She must go, maybe. But how to get themoney! What to do when she got there. How to get the courage--the faith--to endure it. Yet again, neither Asanor Frank nor Julia must know. Asa, with his protesting and yet somehow careworn faith, his weak eyes andweakening body. And must Frank and Julia, now just starting out in life, be saddled with this? Marked thus?
　　Merciful God! Would her troubles never end?
　　She turned, her big, work-worn hands trembling slightly, shaking the paper she held, while Esta, whosympathized greatly with her mother these days because of all she had been compelled to endure, stood by. She looked so tired at times, and now to be racked by this! Yet, as she knew, her mother was the strongest in thefamily--so erect, so square-shouldered, defiant--a veritable soul pilot in her cross-grained, uniformed way.
　　"Mamma, I just can't believe it can be Clyde," was all Esta could say now. "It just can't be, can it?"But Mrs. Griffiths merely continued to stare at that ominous headline, then swiftly ran her gray-blue eyes overthe room. Her broad face was blanched and dignified by an enormous strain and an enormous pain. Her erring,misguided, no doubt unfortunate, son, with all his wild dreams of getting on and up, was in danger of death, ofbeing electrocuted for a crime--for murder! He had killed some one--a poor working-girl, the paper said.
　　"Ssh!" she whispered, putting one finger to her own lips as a sign. "He" (indicating Asa) "must not know yet,anyhow. We must wire first, or write. You can have the answers come to you, maybe. I will give you the money.
　　But I must sit down somewhere now for a minute. I feel a little weak. I'll sit here. Let me have the Bible."On the small dresser was a Gideon Bible, which, sitting on the edge of the commonplace iron bed, she nowopened instinctively at Psalms 3 and 4.
　　"Lord, how are they increased that trouble.""Hear me, when I call, O God of my righteousness."And then reading on silently, even placidly apparently, through 6, 8, 10, 13, 23, 91, while Esta stood by in silentamazement and misery.
　　"Oh, Mamma, I just can't believe it. Oh, this is too terrible!" But Mrs. Griffiths read on. It was as if, and in spiteof all this, she had been able to retreat into some still, silent place, where, for the time being at least, no evilhuman ill could reach her. Then at last, quite calmly closing the book, and rising, she went on:
　　"Now, we must think out what to say and who to send that telegram to--I mean to Clyde, of course--at that place,wherever it is--Bridgeburg," she added, looking at the paper, and then interpolating from the Bible--"By terriblethings in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God!" "Or, maybe, those two lawyers--their names are there. I'mafraid to wire Asa's brother for fear he'll wire back to him." (Then: 'Thou art my bulwark and my strength. InThee will I trust.') "But I suppose they would give it to him if we sent it care of that judge or those lawyers, don'tyou think? But it would be better if we could send it to him direct, I suppose. ('He leadeth me by the still waters.')Just say that I have read about him and still have faith and love for him, but he is to tell me the truth and what todo. If he needs money we will have to see what we can do, I suppose. ('He restoreth my soul.')"And then, despite her sudden peace of the moment, she once more began wringing her large, rough hands. "Oh, itcan't be true. Oh, dear, no! After all, he is my son. We all love him and have faith. We must say that. God willdeliver him. Watch and pray. Have faith. Under his wings shalt thou trust."She was so beside herself that she scarcely knew what she was saying. And Esta, at her side, was saying: "Yes,Mamma! Oh, of course! Yes, I will! I know he'll get it all right." But she, too, was saying to herself: "My God!
　　My God! What could be worse than this--to be accused of murder! But, of course, it can't be true. It can't be true.
　　If he should hear!" (She was thinking of her husband.) "And after Russell, too. And Clyde's trouble there inKansas City. Poor Mamma. She has so much trouble."Together, after a time, and avoiding Asa who was in an adjoining room helping with the cleaning, the two madetheir way to the general mission room below, where was silence and many placards which proclaimed thecharity, the wisdom, and the sustaining righteousness of God.

这一特大凶杀案的审判，令人多么激动，而又充满了多少斗争!

布鲁克哈特和卡奇曼向贝尔纳普和杰夫森表示，他们一致认为:

杰夫森的方案"也许是唯一可行的方案"，但是对格里菲思家应该尽量少提为好。

于是，贝尔纳普和杰夫森两位先生，马上印发了开庭前的声明，从它的基调可以看出:

他们相信克莱德无罪，实际上把他说成是一个饱受诽谤和完全被人误解的青年人。克莱德本人对待奥尔登小姐的意图和行为，同梅森所介绍的相比，岂不是粲然黑白分明。他们在字里行间还暗示说地方检察官极不正当，急于要求最高法院专门开庭，很可能具有一种政治的而不是纯粹合法的目的。不然，为什么要这样急巴巴呢?

特别是现在，全县的选举迫在眉睫?

是不是某一个人物，或是某一个集团企图利用这次审判的结果，来实现自己的政治野心?

贝尔纳普和杰夫森两位先生但愿事实并非如此。

可是，不管某一个人物，或是某一个集团的这些计划。偏见和政治目的如何，本案的辩护律师决不听任象克莱德这么一个无辜的青年落入圈套……对此，被告一方的律师将准备予以揭露……就被急急匆匆送上电椅，仅仅是为了共和党在十一月间选举中获胜。为了揭发对本案所作出的这些荒唐而又虚假的结论，被告一方就必须有相当长的时间进行准备工作。因此，他们有必要就地方检察官请求州长召开最高法院专门开庭一事，向奥尔巴尼(奥尔巴尼系纽约州政府所在地。)正式提出抗议。举行特别庭根本没有必要，因为，对这类案子定期开庭审判，应该是在一月份，而为本案准备材料就需要有更多时间。

可是，这个强有力的。哪怕是为时已晚的答复声明，各报代表虽然都洗耳恭听过了，梅森却极端蔑视被告一方辩护律师就政治阴谋方面所作出的"轻率"说法，以及相信克莱德无罪的说法。"作为本县全体居民的代表，我有什么理由急急匆匆把这个人打发到哪一个地方去，或是指控他犯有哪怕是只有一条罪状，如果说压根儿不存在的话?

难道说罪证本身还不够充分说明他确实杀害了这个姑娘吗?

他有没有说过一句话，或是做过一件事，来澄清本案中一些可疑的情况?

没有!

反正只有缄默或是撒谎。只要这些可疑情况还没有被这些非常有能耐的辩护律师先生们驳倒，我还是照样坚定不移地继续干下去。现在我手头已掌握全部必要的证据，就可以给这个年轻的犯人定罪。如果说延期到一月份，他们知道，那时我将要卸任了，所有这一切证据我自己是非常熟悉的，但是新接替的人势必重新研究一番，这就不得不使本县耗费更大的一笔开支。因为，我为本案召集到的这些证人，目前都在这里，要他们到布里奇伯格来很容易，根本用不着本县花什么大钱。可是，到了一月份，或是二月份，谁知道这些人会在哪儿呢?

特别是被告一方辩护人会费尽心机，让他们作鸟兽散。不，先生!

这我决不同意。不过，从现在起，要是在最近十天以内，乃至于两周以内，他们对我所归结出的罪状只要能提得出来哪怕有几项是不确实的，本人也非常乐意奉陪他们一块去见庭长。要是他们能向庭长提出他们已掌握的任何证据。或是希望能有的任何证据，或是从远处找到了一些知情的见证人，能证明这个小子无罪……啊，那就敢情好。我将乐意请求庭长给予他们充分时间(若庭长认为合适)，甚至还可以将开庭审讯时间推迟到本人卸职以后也行。不过，要是我还在这里任职的时候开庭，正如我真心诚意希望的那样，那末，我就要竭尽绵薄提起公诉。

这并不是我要谋求任何公职，而是因为现在我还是地方检察官，当然责无旁贷。

至于本人参政的问题，哦，难道说贝尔纳普先生就没有参政了吗?

他上次就是跟本人竞选过的。据我听说，这次他还要参加竞选。"于是，梅森就动身去奥尔巴尼，敦促州长注意到目前迫切需要最高法院迅即开一次特别庭，以便对克莱德起诉。州长听了梅森和贝尔纳普双方辩论，决定接受梅森的意见，理由是:

准予开一次特别庭与有必要推迟审理本案的开庭日期，两者并不冲突。因为，被告一方的律师迄今为止提出的理由，好象怎么也不能说明:

开一次特别庭也许就有碍于他们获得为审理本案所必需的充裕时间。

再说，研究分析这类辩论，原是最高法院专门指派的法官份内之事……而并不是他这个州长的事。因此，就下令最高法院开一次特别庭，由第十一司法区法官弗雷德里克。奥伯沃泽担任庭长。于是，梅森去见庭长，要求确定大陪审团开会的日期，以便对克莱德起诉……结果就定在八月五日开会。

随后，大陪审团开会了，对梅森来说，作出对克莱德起诉的决定，原是一点儿困难都没有的。

在这以后，贝尔纳普和杰夫森只好去见民主党人奥伯沃泽(此人全赖前任州长帮助，才能任命为法官)，申请变更审判地点，理由是:

要在卡塔拉基县居民中找出十二个人来……他们虽受梅森公开和不公开的言论影响，但是对克莱德却并不早已极端敌视，也不事前相信他犯了罪……那真是不可想象的事。这就意味着，在被告一方的律师还没有向陪审团发言以前，克莱德事实上早就给定罪了。

"可是，你们到底想要上哪儿去审理呢?

"这个相当公正的奥伯沃泽法官开口问道。"这类材料到处都给登出来了。""不过，法官先生阁下，这一罪行一直是被该地方检察官那么孜孜不倦地加以夸大了……"(来自梅森方面的冗长而又炽烈的反驳)。

"但不管怎么说，我们还是坚决认为，"贝尔纳普接下去说。"公众早已受到过度刺激和欺骗了。现在，您找不出十二个人来公正审判这个人了。

""多荒唐!

"梅森怒冲冲地大声叫嚷。"简直是胡扯淡!

要知道各报刊他们自己采访。刊登的证据材料，就比我还要多得多哩。如果说现在已经产生了什么偏见的话，那也正是公众从本案里发现的一些事实所引起的。不过，我坚信，这儿偏见也并不见得比别地更加激烈吧。再说，绝大多数的证人就在这儿，要是本案移至一个边远的县份审判，本县就势必负担很大的一笔费用，这是本县开支不了的，而且事实证明也是毫无必要的。"奥伯沃泽法官，此人严肃认真，恪守道德，行动迟缓，办事精细，处理一切问题，喜欢墨守陈规，这时，他倾向于赞同梅森的意见。在随后的五天里，他对这个问题只是不紧不慢地考虑了一下。五天以后，他就决定拒绝被告一方提出变更审判地点的要求。倘若他作出的决定错了，反正还有受理上诉的法院，被告一方尽管可以到那儿告去吧。既然现在他已确定十月十五日为开庭审理的日期(在此以前，据他判断，被告一方辩护律师是有充裕的时间，可以为本案进行准备的)，他打算前往蓝山湖畔自己的别墅去消磨残夏。如有什么特别复杂或是当地解决不了的法律纠纷，不管是检察官，还是被告一方的辩护律师，都可以上那儿去找他，他将亲自听取他们双方的意见。

不过，本案既有贝尔纳普和杰夫森两位先生插手，梅森觉得自己最好还得加一把劲，使克莱德定罪一事尽可能做到万无一失。他害怕那个年轻的杰夫森，并不亚于他害怕贝尔纳普，因此，他便带上伯顿。伯利。尼尔。纽科姆又一次来到了莱柯格斯。在那里，抛开别的不谈，他至少发现以下几点:

(一)克莱德购买照相机的地点;(二)在大比腾湖之行前三天，他对佩顿太太说过，他想把照相机带在身边，又说他还得买几个胶卷;(三)有一个名叫奥林。肖特的杂货铺掌柜跟克莱德很熟，但在四个月以前，克莱德为了一个工人老婆怀孕的事向他求教过……还有(这是肖特作为最大的一项秘密对终于发现了他的伯顿。伯利私下讲的)，他向克莱德推荐过一位住在格洛弗斯维尔附近名叫格伦的医生;(四)他们找到了这位格伦医生，还给格伦医生看过克莱德和罗伯达的照片，格伦能认出来的是罗伯达，但不是克莱德。格伦还讲到罗伯达来找他时的情绪，以及她所说的那些话……这些话无论如何不会暗示出克莱德或是她本人有罪，因此，梅森决定最好暂时不去提它了。

最后还有(五)，经过积极努力，那个把帽子卖给克莱德的尤蒂卡帽商也出场了。因为伯顿。伯利在尤蒂卡接受记者访问后，伯利的照片就跟克莱德的照片一块上报……这个帽商碰巧看见了，还记得克莱德这个人，就马上跟梅森取得了联系。结果，帽商的证词，先是按照格式用打字机打好，又由本人宣过誓，就让梅森带走了。

此外，那个搭乘天鹅号汽船时注意过克莱德的乡下姑娘也给梅森写信说:

她记得当时他戴了一顶草帽，还记得他是在沙隆上了岸的。这段证词充分证实了天鹅号船长的话，使梅森感到真是造物主或是命运之神在冥冥之中保佑了他。

最后，他觉得，在所有发现中就数这一条最最重要:

住在宾夕法尼亚州贝德福德的一位女士给他写信说，从七月三日至十日这一周里，她跟她丈夫正在大比腾东岸，亦即湖的南端帐篷里露宿。七月八日下午约莫六点钟光景，他们正在湖上划船时，她突然听到一阵尖叫声……听起来象是一个妇女或是姑娘在大声惊呼救命……是那么悲切切。凄惨惨。这一呼喊声很微弱，仿佛是打从小岛后头传过来的。这个小岛位于他们正在钓鱼的湖湾的西南面。

有关上述这一消息，以及照相机。胶卷。克莱德在堪萨斯城犯罪等材料，现在梅森打算绝对保持缄默，直到临近开庭审讯的日期，或是在开庭审讯的过程中，当被告一方的辩护律师怎么也没法反驳或是自圆其说时，这才亮出来。

至于贝尔纳普和杰夫森，他们简直想不出其实还有那么多的事可做的。他们只是抓住克莱德一到草湖就回心转意这一点，训练他怎样矢口否认，以及怎样解释两顶帽子和那只手提箱的问题。不错，还有扔在克兰斯顿家别墅附近第四号湖里的那套衣服，但因为有一个看来是偶尔才钓钓鱼的人，在那儿用拟饵钩拖钓了很久，不知怎的把那套衣服勾捞上来，又经过洗烫，现在就挂在贝尔纳普与杰夫森事务所上了锁的壁橱里。此外，还有沉入大比腾湖底的那架照相机，派人潜入湖底去找，可始终没有找到……这一情况让杰夫森得出一个结论，认为:

那照相机想必已经落入梅森手里了。因此，他决定在开庭的时候，只要一有合适机会，就得抢先提到这架照相机。至于说克莱德拿照相机(即便是在无意之中)砸了她，嗯，这件事，至少在当时，他们决定让他否认说自己没有砸过……尽管罗伯达的尸体在比尔茨重新挖出来以后，即便在那时，还是发现她脸部伤痕跟照相机的大小形状确实在某种程度上是相符的。

贝尔纳普和杰夫森一开头对克莱德作为见证人一事就表示非常怀疑。他在说明这一切经过情形时，能不能说得那么直率。那么诚恳有力，足以使任何一个陪审团确实相信他并不是存心砸她呢?

因为，陪审团信不信他的话，关键全在这儿，至于有没有伤痕，反正无所谓。要是陪审团并不相信他是无意之中砸了她，那末，当然罗，就会判他犯了杀人罪。

他们就这样准备等着不久即将开庭审讯，同时赶紧设法搜集有关克莱德过去品行端正的证明或是见证材料。不过，他们碰到了很大阻力:

他在莱柯格斯时表面上佯装模范青年，暗底里却是另一个样子。他在堪萨斯城原是学生意开始，最后却以那么一件丑闻告终。

不管贝尔纳普。杰夫森也好，还是检察官也好，他们都觉得，有一件事最最麻烦也没有了，那就是:

自从克莱德关进监狱以来，一直到现在为止，他自己家里或是他伯父家里，连一个人都没有出头露面，来给他说话撑腰。而且，他本人从来没有对人……除了对贝尔纳普和杰夫森以外……说过他父母是在哪里。可是，贝尔纳普和杰夫森就不时提到过:

倘要真的想把克莱德说得好歹象个样子，不是少不了由他的父母，或是至少由他的任何一个兄弟姐妹出面，替他说上一两句好话吗?

要不然，会给人很坏的印象，也许克莱德是个贱民。窝囊废，从小就在外漂泊流浪，所以嘛，凡是认得他的人，如今都故意躲着他哩。

因此，他们同达拉。布鲁克哈特磋商时，便问到克莱德的父母，知道在莱柯格斯的格里菲思家坚决反对，不让本家族西部分支中任何一个成员抛头露面。

据布鲁克哈特解释，在这两家的社会地位之间，有着一道不可逾越的深沟，这一点若被人们利用，莱柯格斯的格里菲思家自然不会乐意。再说，克莱德的父母一旦被黄色报刊注意到或是发现了，有谁能担保不会被他们大肆渲染呢。据布鲁克哈特对贝尔纳普说，塞缪尔。格里菲思父子俩都关照过，只要克莱德不反对，最好还是让他的一些近亲留在幕后。事实上，他们对克莱德经济上的帮助，也许……至少在某种程度上……就取决于这一点。

克莱德对格里菲思家的这一愿望完全表示同意。虽然人们跟他充分交谈过之后，或是听他说起过因曾经出了事给母亲很大打击而感到非常难过，没有一个人会对他和母亲之间固有的这种骨肉之情产生一丁点儿的怀疑。其实，说透了，目前他对母亲的态度是既害怕，又羞愧，两者兼而有之，真不知道她老人家会怎样看待他眼前的困境……以及怎样看待如果不说是他在上流社会的失败，至少也是他的道德堕落问题。贝尔纳普和杰夫森杜撰的那一套所谓他回心转意的说法，她老人家肯相信吗?

就是撇开那个不谈，只要想一想:

她路远迢迢地来到这儿，透过这些铁栅栏瞅着简直无地自容的儿子……而他不得不天天跟她见面，天天跟她说话!

瞧她那双明亮的。多疑的。痛苦的眼睛啊!

还有，她也会对他的无辜发生怀疑啊!

因为他感到，即使贝尔纳普和杰夫森为他辩护设计了那么多的方案，可他们还有点儿怀疑!

他是不是真的在无意之中砸了她一下。其实，他们并不是真的相信，说不定还会告诉了她。那时，他那虔诚的。敬畏上帝。

嫉恶如仇的母亲，会比他们更加相信他吗?

他们再一次问他，该不该通知他母亲，有什么意见时，他回答说，他认为他暂时还不想跟他母亲见面……这种见面不会有什么好处，只会使双方都感到痛苦罢了。

他暗自琢磨，看来他这一切遭遇，幸亏一个字也还没有传到丹佛他父母那儿。由于他们宗教信仰和道德观念非常特别，凡是世俗的。堕落的报刊，一概不准进入他们的家门和传道馆。而莱柯格斯的格里菲思家，也一点儿都不想通知他们。

不过，有一天晚上(大约贝尔纳普和杰夫森正在非常认真地讨论克莱德父母该不该出面，真不知道究竟该怎么办的时候)，爱思德(她在克莱德到莱柯格斯后不久结了婚，目下住在丹佛东南区)碰巧看到《落基山新闻》上……正是在布里奇伯格的大陪审团决定应对克莱德提起公诉以后刊登的一条新闻报道:

谋杀女工的年轻凶犯受起诉(纽约州布里奇伯格八月六日讯)由本州州长斯托德巴克指定受理克莱德。格里菲思一案的特别大陪审团，今天确认起诉书中控告克莱德犯有谋杀罪。克莱德。格里菲思是纽约州莱柯格斯领子制造业殷富厂商格里菲思的侄子，最近被指控，说他于七月八日在艾迪隆达克斯山脉大比腾湖上杀害了纽约州比尔茨的罗伯达。奥尔登小姐。

起诉书宣读以后，被告格里菲思不顾几乎无法辩驳的证据，仍然坚称:

这一嫌疑罪行乃是在无意之中所造成。被告由他的辩护律师。来自本市的阿尔文。

贝尔纳普和鲁本。杰夫森陪同，被传讯至最高法院法官奥伯沃泽面前，但仍申辩自己无罪。克莱德当即还押，预定十月十五日开庭再审。

青年格里菲思，今年才二十二岁，被捕前系莱柯格斯上流社会里受人尊敬的一成员。据悉，他将他的那位当女工的情人砸昏后，随即抛至湖中令她溺死。

格里菲思曾玷污过她，后来为了一位富家少女，才准备将前者抛弃。本案辩护律师系由其莱柯格斯富翁伯父所延聘。克莱德的伯父迄今为止，仍然保持超然态度。但据此间人士证实，除了伯父以外，亲属中竟无人出庭为其辩护。爱思德马上急匆匆来到了自己娘家。尽管这条新闻报道说得已经非常准确清楚，她还不肯相信它指的就是克莱德。它提到的地名。人名，也还是非常有力，很难驳倒……莱柯格斯的富翁格里菲思，以及本人亲属均未到场。

她搭乘了电车，尽可能快点赶到比尔德威尔街那个名叫《希望之星》的寄宿舍兼传道馆……它并不见得比往昔在堪萨斯城的那一个强多少。因为，这里虽有好几个房间可供出租，客人住一宿只缴美元两角五分(这想必对全家人生活也够开支了)，但工作挺繁杂，其实并没有多大进项。另外，弗兰克和朱丽娅两人，对她们周围这种单调沉闷的环境早已腻味透顶，急于想脱身出来，把传道馆工作这副重担留给她们的父母去挑。朱丽娅今年十九岁，在市中心一家餐馆当出纳;弗兰克快满十七岁了，不久前才在一家水果蔬菜代销店找到了工作。事实上，白天家里仅仅有一个孩子……小拉塞尔，就是爱思德的私生子，现在才三。四岁，他的外公外婆出于谨慎小心起见，推托说是在堪萨斯城领养的一个孤儿。这孩子头发乌黑，有些地方酷似克莱德。即使年纪还很小，他如同当年的克莱德那样，这里已在给他灌输的，正是克莱德小时候最反感的那些基本的真理了。

爱思德如今已是个极其收敛和含蓄的已婚妇女了。她进来时，格里菲思太太正在忙活:

擦地板。掸灰尘。拾掇床铺。可是，一见女儿两颊煞白，突然在这当儿风风火火地赶来，便示意她进空房间去。纵然多年来格里菲思太太饱经忧患，对类似突发事故多少习以为常了，这时她还是万分惊愕，放下了手里活儿，眼里马上闪现出愁云惨雾。莫非又是什么新的不幸消息吗?

因为，爱思德那双黯淡无光的灰眼睛和她的举止神态清清楚楚地预示着灾难临头了。接着，她随手打开一张报纸，心焦火燎地看了母亲一眼，就指着那段新闻报道。于是，格里菲思太太使开始看了起来。但这到底是怎么回事呢?

谋杀女工的年轻凶犯受起诉"案犯被告发于七月八日在艾迪隆达克斯山脉大比腾湖上杀害罗伯达。奥尔登小姐。""确认起诉书中控告克莱德犯有谋杀罪。""不顾铁证如山，他仍坚决申辩自己无罪。""案犯还押候审，预定十月十五日开庭。""他那当女工的情人被砸昏后随即溺死。""他的亲属中竟无人出庭为其辩护。"她的眼睛。她的脑子，就这样很自然地抓住了这最最重要的几行字。接着很快又看了一遍。

"克莱德。格里菲思，纽约州莱柯格斯领子制造业殷富厂商的侄子。"克莱德……她的儿子!

不过在最近……哦，不，是在一个多月以前……(她和阿萨一直就有点儿担心，因为他没有……)七月八日!

现在已经是八月十一日了!

那就是说……是的!

可是不，那决不是她的儿子!

不可能!

克莱德是把他的情人……一个姑娘杀害了的凶犯!

他可不是那号人啊!

他给她写过信，说自己如何有长进，主管一个很大的部门，前途未可限量。不过只字不提什么姑娘不姑娘的事。可是，现在啊!

还有在堪萨斯城的时候那个小女孩呀。仁慈的上帝啊!

而莱柯格斯的格里菲思，他丈夫的哥哥……明明知道这件事，可就是不写信来!

当然罗，他觉得这是奇耻大辱，被人唾弃。要不然是漠不关心。可是，不，他毕竟请了两位辩护律师。不过，这有多可怕!

阿萨啊!

她的其他几个孩子啊!

报刊上会怎么说呢!

这座传道馆啊!

看来他们非得放弃不可，到别的城市去。不过，孩子他到底有罪，还是无罪?

在还没有对他作出判断或是周密考虑以前，她非要把这个问题闹明白不可。这份报上说他申辩自己无罪。啊，堪萨斯城那家可恶的。鄙俗的漂亮的大酒店啊!

还有那些坏小子……克莱德的同伴们啊!

在这两年里，他到处漂泊流浪，不给父母来信，连自己名字都改成哈里。台纳特啊。净干了些什么呢?

又学到了些什么呢?

她沉吟不语，满怀极度痛苦和恐怖。即使她长年累月在劝人信仰上帝给人以启示和安慰的真理，信仰上帝仁慈和拯救，殊不知此时此刻，这一信仰却也显得十分无能为力。她的孩子啊!

她的克莱德!

关押在监狱里，犯有谋杀罪!

她非打电报去不可!

她非写信去不可!

也许她还得去一趟。不过，上哪儿去寻摸这笔盘缠呢?

她到了那儿以后，又该怎么办呢?

怎么才会有胆量……有信心……能顶得住这一切啊。还有，不论是阿萨也好，弗兰克也好，还是朱丽娅也好，万万不可让他们知道。阿萨，他的那股子信心固然坚定，但多少被忧患耗损了，他的眼力很差，还有他的身体也日益虚弱。再说，弗兰克和朱丽娅刚刚踏上人生的道路，难道说他们一定要背上这个包袱?

打上这么一个标记吗?

仁慈的上帝啊!

难道说她的不幸永远是没完没了的吗?

她侧转身来，她的那一双因干活太多。变粗了的大手在微微颤抖，捏在手里的报纸也在抖抖索索。爱思德伫立在她身旁。她知道母亲不得不忍受这一切痛苦，所以，这些天来，她是特别同情母亲。本来母亲有时看起来就那么劳累，而现在却又受到这么大的一个打击!

可她知道，全家就数母亲最最坚强……是这么坚毅不屈，双肩宽阔，无所畏惧……她百折不挠，始终如一，是一个名副其实的灵魂的舵手。

"妈妈，我简直不相信这是克莱德呀，"爱思德敢于说出来的，也仅仅是这么一句话。"这是不可能的，是吧?

"不料，格里菲思太太两眼直勾勾地还在瞅着报上这条不祥的标题。随后，很快她的那双灰蓝色眼睛把那个房间扫了一眼。她的那张大脸盘，由于极端紧张和极端痛苦而显得特别苍白。她这个有罪的。迷途的，当然是不幸的儿子，那么痴心妄想往上爬……如今死亡威胁着他。他因为犯了杀人罪，将被送上电椅!

他杀了一个人……一个可怜的女工。报上就是这么说的。

"嘘!

"她低声耳语道，意味深长地把一个手指按在自己嘴唇上。"不管怎么说，暂时还不能让他(指阿萨)知道。我们还得先打个电报去，或是写封信去。他们的回信也许可以寄到你那儿。我把钱给你。可现在我还得先坐着歇一会儿。我觉得身上有点儿不对劲。那我就坐在这儿吧。把《圣经》给我。"梳妆台上有一本基甸国际(基甸国际，又译"基甸社"，１８９９年成立于美国，专门到旅馆。医院等处放置《圣经》。)所赠送的《圣经》。格里菲思太太坐在一张普通的铁床床沿上，打开《圣经》，本能地翻到《诗篇》第三。第四篇。

"耶和华啊，我的敌人何其加增。""显我为义的上帝啊，我呼吁的时候，求你应允我。"随后，她默默地。甚至显然很安详地读了第六。第八。第十。第十三。第二十三。第九十一等篇，爱思德却满怀默默无言的惊愕和悲痛伫立在一旁。

"啊，妈妈，这我简直不能相信。啊，这太可怕了!

"然而，格里菲思太太还在继续读下去，好象她可以将这一切置之不理，依然躲到一个寂然无声的地方，在那里，凡夫俗子的罪恶至少暂时不会影响到她。

最后，她终于平静地把书合上，站了起来，继续说:

"现在，我们还得想一想该说些什么，这封电报由谁来发给布里奇伯格……当然，我这是说发给克莱德的，"她又找补着说，望了一眼报纸，然后又插了一句《圣经》上的话……"上帝啊，你必以威严秉公义应允我们!

"(详见《圣经。旧约。诗篇》)"要不然，也许就发给那两位辩护律师……他们的尊姓大名就在这儿。

我怕打电报给阿萨的哥哥，就是怕他会回电给阿萨。(她接着说:

"耶和华啊，你是我的力量，是我的盾牌。我心里依靠你。"(同上，第２８篇第６节。))不过，要是我们打给那个法官或是那两位辩护律师转交，我想，人家是会交给他看的，你说是吗?

不过，依我看，最好还是直接打给克莱德。("他领我在可安歇的水边。

"(详见《圣经。旧约。诗篇》，第２３篇第２节。))仅仅是说他的事我已从报上看到了，但我还是相信他，我还是爱他的，不过，他得把全部真相告诉我，也说说我们该怎么办。依我看，要是他需要钱，我们就得想一想，该怎么寻摸去呢。

("他使我的灵瑰苏醒。"(同上，第２３篇第３节。))"这时，她尽管心里突然呈现片刻安谧，却又开始在来回搓她那双粗大的手。

"啊，这不可能是真的。啊，天哪，不!

毕竟他是我的儿子呀。我们全都爱他，全都相信他。这一点我们非说不可。上帝会拯救他。要警觉，要祈祷。切莫失去信心。在上帝的佑护下，你心里将会感到安宁。"她早已不能控制自己，所以连她也不知道自己在说些什么。在她身旁的爱思德说:

"是的，妈妈!

啊，当然罗!

是的，我会写信。打电报去的，我知道他准定会收到的。"不过，这时她也正在自言自语道:

"我的天哪!

我的天哪!

被指控有杀人罪……还能有比这更倒霉的事情吗!

不过，当然罗，这不可能是真的。这不可能是真的!

要是他能听到就好了!

"(她想到了自己的丈夫。)"而且是在拉塞尔出了事情以后。是在克莱德在堪萨斯城出了事以后。可怜的妈妈。她吃的苦头真是太多啦。"过了一会儿，她们俩避开正在隔壁房间帮着拾掇的阿萨，一块来到了下面传道馆大厅，那儿一片沉寂，四壁挂满了宣扬上帝仁慈。智慧和永恒正义的招贴画。
Part 3 Chapter 18
The telegram, worded in the spirit just described, was forthwith despatched care of Belknap and Jephson, whoimmediately counseled Clyde what to reply--that all was well with him; that he had the best of advice and wouldneed no financial aid. Also that until his lawyers advised it, it would be best if no member of the family troubledto appear, since everything that could possibly be done to aid him was already being done. At the same time theywrote Mrs. Griffiths, assuring her of their interest in Clyde and advising her to let matters rest as they were forthe present.
　　Despite the fact that the Griffiths were thus restrained from appearing in the east, neither Belknap nor Jephsonwere averse to some news of the existence, whereabouts, faith and sympathy of Clyde's most immediate relativescreeping into the newspapers, since the latter were so persistent in referring to his isolation. And in thisconnection they were aided by the fact that his mother's telegram on being received in Bridgeburg was at onceread by individuals who were particularly interested in the case and by them whispered to the public and thepress, with the result that in Denver the family was at once sought out and interviewed. And shortly after, therewas circulated in all the papers east and west a more or less complete account of the present state of Clyde'sfamily, the nature of the mission conducted by them, as well as their narrow and highly individualistic religiousbeliefs and actions, even the statement that often in his early youth Clyde had been taken into the streets to singand pray--a revelation which shocked Lycurgus and Twelfth Lake society about as much as it did him.
　　At the same time, Mrs. Griffiths, being an honest woman and whole-heartedly sincere in her faith and in thegood of her work, did not hesitate to relate to reporter after reporter who called, all the details of the missionarywork of her husband and herself in Denver and elsewhere. Also that neither Clyde nor any of the other childrenhad ever enjoyed the opportunities that come to most. However, her boy, whatever the present charge might be,was not innately bad, and she could not believe that he was guilty of any such crime. It was all an unfortunateand accidental combination of circumstances which he would explain at the trial. However, whatever foolishthing he might have done, it was all to be attributed to an unfortunate accident which broke up the mission workin Kansas City a few years before and compelled the removal of the family from there to Denver, leaving Clydeto make his way alone. And it was because of advice from her that he had written her husband's rich brother inLycurgus, which led to his going there--a series of statements which caused Clyde in his cell to tingle with a kindof prideful misery and resentment and forced him to write his mother and complain. Why need she always talkso much about the past and the work that she and his father were connected with, when she knew that he hadnever liked it and resented going on the streets? Many people didn't see it as she and his father did, particularlyhis uncle and cousin and all those rich people he had come to know, and who were able to make their way in sodifferent and much more brilliant fashion. And now, as he said to himself, Sondra would most certainly read this--all that he had hoped to conceal.
　　Yet even in the face of all this, because of so much sincerity and force in his mother, he could not help but thinkof her with affection and respect, and because of her sure and unfailing love for him, with emotion. For in answerto his letter she wrote that she was sorry if she had hurt his feelings or injured him in any way. But must not thetruth be shown always? The ways of God were for the best and surely no harm could spring from service in Hiscause. He must not ask her to lie. But if he said the word, she would so gladly attempt to raise the necessarymoney and come to his aid--sit in his cell and plan with him--holding his hands--but as Clyde so well knew andthought at this time and which caused him to decide that she must not come yet--demanding of him the truth-withthose clear, steady blue eyes of hers looking into his own. He could not stand that now.
　　For, frowning directly before him, like a huge and basalt headland above a troubled and angry sea, was the trialitself, with all that it implied--the fierce assault of Mason which he could only confront, for the most part, withthe lies framed for him by Jephson and Belknap. For, although he was constantly seeking to salve his consciencewith the thought that at the last moment he had not had the courage to strike Roberta, nevertheless this otherstory was so terribly difficult for him to present and defend--a fact which both Belknap and Jephson realized andwhich caused the latter to appear most frequently at Clyde's cell door with the greeting: "Well, how's tricks today?"The peculiarly rusty and disheveled and indifferently tailored character of Jephson's suits! The worn anddisarranged effect of his dark brown soft hat, pulled low over his eyes! His long, bony, knotty hands, suggestingsomehow an enormous tensile strength. And the hard, small blue eyes filled with a shrewd, determined cunningand courage, with which he was seeking to inoculate Clyde, and which somehow did inoculate him!
　　"Any more preachers around to-day? Any more country girls or Mason's boys?" For during this time, because ofthe enormous interest aroused by the pitiable death of Roberta, as well as the evidence of her rich and beautifulrival, Clyde was being visited by every type of shallow crime-or-sex-curious country bumpkin lawyer, doctor,merchant, yokel evangelist or minister, all friends or acquaintances of one or another of the officials of the city,and who, standing before his cell door betimes, and at the most unexpected moments, and after surveying himwith curious, or resentful, or horrified eyes, asked such questions as: "Do you pray, brother? Do you get rightdown on your knees and pray?" (Clyde was reminded of his mother and father at such times.) Had he made hispeace with God? Did he actually deny that he had killed Roberta Alden? In the case of three country girls:
　　"Would you mind telling us the name of the girl you are supposed to be in love with, and where she is now? Wewon't tell any one. Will she appear at the trial?" Questions which Clyde could do no more than ignore, or if not,answer as equivocally or evasively or indifferently as possible. For although he was inclined to resent them, stillwas he not being constantly instructed by both Belknap and Jephson that for the good of his own cause he musttry to appear genial and civil and optimistic? Then there came also newspaper men, or women, accompanied byartists or photographers, to interview and make studies of him. But with these, for the most part and on theadvice of Belknap and Jephson he refused to communicate or said only what he was told to say.
　　"You can talk all you want," suggested Jephson, genially, "so long as you don't say anything. And the stiff upperlip, you know. And the smile that won't come off, see? Not failing to go over that list, are you?" (He hadprovided Clyde with a long list of possible questions which no doubt would be asked him on the stand and whichhe was to answer according to answers typewritten beneath them, or to suggest something better. They all related to the trip to Big Bittern, his reason for the extra hat, his change of heart--why, when, where.) "That's yourlitany, you know." And then he might light a cigarette without ever offering one to Clyde, since for the sake of areputation for sobriety he was not to smoke here.
　　And for a time, after each visit, Clyde finding himself believing that he could and would do exactly as Jephsonhad said--walk briskly and smartly into court--bear up against every one, every eye, even that of Mason himself-forgetthat he was afraid of him, even when on the witness stand--forget all the terror of those many facts inMason's possession, which he was to explain with this list of answers--forget Roberta and her last cry, and all theheartache and misery that went with the loss of Sondra and her bright world.
　　Yet, with the night having once more fallen, or the day dragging on with only the lean and bearded Kraut or thesly and evasive Sissel, or both, hanging about, or coming to the door to say, "Howdy!" or to discuss somethingthat had occurred in town, or to play chess, or checkers, Clyde growing more and more moody and deciding,maybe, that there was no real hope for him after all. For how alone he was, except for his attorneys and motherand brother and sisters! Never a word from Sondra, of course. For along with her recovery to some extent fromher original shock and horror, she was now thinking somewhat differently of him--that after all it was for love ofher, perhaps, that he had slain Roberta and made himself the pariah and victim that he now was. Yet, because ofthe immense prejudice and horror expressed by the world, she was by no means able to think of venturing tosend him a word. Was he not a murderer? And in addition, that miserable western family of his, pictured as streetpreachers, and he, too,--or as a singing and praying boy from a mission! Yet occasionally returning in thought,and this quite in spite of herself, to his eager, unreasoning and seemingly consuming enthusiasm for her. (Howdeeply he must have cared to venture upon so deadly a deed!) And hence wondering whether at some time, oncethis case was less violently before the public eye, it might not be possible to communicate with him in someguarded and unsigned way, just to let him know, perhaps, that because of his great love for her she desired himto know that he was not entirely forgotten. Yet as instantly deciding, NO, no--her parents--if they should learn-orguess--or the public, or her one-time associates. Not now, oh, not now at least. Maybe later if he were setfree--or--or--convicted--she couldn't tell. Yet suffering heartaches for the most part--as much as she detested andabhorred the horrible crime by which he had sought to win her.
　　And in the interim, Clyde in his cell, walking to and fro, or looking out on the dull square through the heavilybarred windows, or reading and re-reading the newspapers, or nervously turning the pages of magazines or booksfurnished by his counsel, or playing chess or checkers, or eating his meals, which, by special arrangement on thepart of Belknap and Jephson (made at the request of his uncle), consisted of better dishes than were usuallyfurnished to the ordinary prisoner.
　　Yet with the iterated and reiterated thought, based on the seemingly irreparable and irreconcilable loss of Sondra,as to whether it was possible for him to go on with this--make this, as he at times saw it, almost useless fight.
　　At times, in the middle of the night or just before dawn, with all the prison silent--dreams--a ghastly picture of allthat he most feared and that dispelled every trace of courage and drove him instantly to his feet, his heartpounding wildly, his eyes strained, a cold damp upon his face and hands. That chair, somewhere in the Statepenitentiary. He had read of it--how men died in it. And then he would walk up and down, thinking how, how, incase it did not come about as Jephson felt so sure that it would--in case he was convicted and a new trialrefused--then, well--then, might one be able to break out of such a jail as this, maybe, and run away? These old brick walls. How thick were they? But was it possible that with a hammer or a stone, or something that some onemight bring him--his brother Frank, or his sister Julia, or Ratterer, or Hegglund--if only he could get incommunication with some one of them and get him or her to bring him something of the kind--If only he couldget a saw, to saw those bars! And then run, run, as he should have in those woods up there that time! But how?
　　And whither?

按照以上所述写成的一封电报，当即发出，烦请贝尔纳普和杰夫森转交。

他们收到以后，马上给克莱德出点子，要他回答说:

目下他一切都好，他的辩护律师很出色。同时也不需要经济上的帮助。还说，要是他的辩护律师没有通知他们，最好不要麻烦家里来人了，因为，凡是他需要的各种帮助，只要能办到的，早都在办了。同时，他们还另外写信给格里菲思太太，向她保证他们非常关心克莱德，并劝她这件事暂时不要去管为好。

纵然西部格里菲思一家人因受劝阻，没有在东部出现，可是，不论是贝尔纳普也好，还是杰夫森也好，他们都不反对各报上点点滴滴透露出一些情况，说克莱德是有亲人的，现在他们都在什么地方，以及他们个个对克莱德满怀着信心和同情。因为，在这以前，各报总是动不动就提到克莱德孤苦伶仃，得不到亲人们的关怀。而令各报喜出望外的是，克莱德母亲的电报一到布里奇伯格，就被一些对本案特别感兴趣的人看见了。这些人又把此事偷偷她告诉了公众与报界某些人。结果，在丹佛的这一家人，立即被记者一找到就采访过了。东部。

西部所有的报纸，都刊载了一篇相当详尽的报道，比方说，有关克莱德家的目前境况，他们经办的传道馆的活动，他们非常狭隘而又独特的宗教信仰和实践，甚至还谈到，克莱德小时候，也不得不上街唱赞美诗。做祈祷……这些消息在报端一披露，几乎使莱柯格斯和第十二号湖畔上流社会人士，如同克莱德本人一样深感震惊。

格里菲思太太是个诚实的女人，对自己的信仰和活动，真可以说是虔心诚意。她毫不迟疑地对一个个登门采访的记者介绍了她丈夫和她自己在丹佛等地传道的详细情况。她还说到，别人家孩子一般都能过上好日子，可是，不管克莱德也好，还是她其他的孩子也好，却一个也没能沾上边。但是话又说回来，不管目前控告他犯了什么什么罪，她的孩子天性并不坏，她决不相信他真的会犯了这一类罪行。这一切全是一些不幸的意外事故凑在一起而造成的，他在法庭受审时是会解释清楚的。可是，不管他可能做过一些什么荒唐事，说到底，毛病全都出在那次不幸的意外事故上。几年前，他们也就不得不放弃在堪萨斯城的传道活动，举家迁往丹佛，好让克莱德独自谋生去。正是由于她的劝告，她的丈夫才写信给莱柯格斯的那个有钱的哥哥，因此后来还到莱柯格斯去了一趟。克莱德在牢房里读到这一系列采访报道，觉得伤了他的自尊心，因而极为反感。最后，他不得不写信给母亲，大发牢骚，说她干吗非要把过去的事以及她和他父亲的传教活动老是讲个没完没了，既然她也知道他儿子从来不喜欢这一套，而且对上街传道历来是很反感的?

很多人的看法跟她和他父亲迥然不同，特别是他的伯父和堂兄以及他有幸结识的所有一切有钱人，他们都是通过完全不同，而且光彩得多的办法获得成功。现在，他自言自语地说，想必桑德拉当然也会看到这一切……所有这些他一直想隐瞒的事了。

不过，尽管这样，他一想起母亲禁不住心中满怀着眷爱和敬意，因为母亲身上充满了那么多的热诚和力量，而且，她始终如一。坚定不移地爱他，就使他情绪上更加激动不已。她在给他的回信上说，要是她伤了他的心，或是伤害了他的感情，那她也是很难过的。不过话又说回来，难道真理不是永远应该让人讲吗?

上帝的道路都是通往至善至美的道路，侍奉上帝当然不会招来什么恶果。

克莱德决不应该要求她说谎话。不过，只要他开口说一句话，她一定高高兴兴地设法筹措一笔必不可缺的钱，赶来帮助他……跟他一起坐班房，琢磨拯救他的方案……握住他的手……不过，克莱德心里很明白，也早就考虑过了，因此，他决定现在还千万不能让她来……她依然等着他说真话……她的那双明亮。坚定的蓝眼睛会直瞪瞪地盯住他的眼睛。这在目前真叫他受不了。

因为，他面临着法庭受审……审讯如同怒涛汹涌的大海上一座巨大的玄武岩岬横在他面前。何况一开庭就意味着梅森的猛烈攻击，对此，克莱德多半只能用杰夫森。贝尔纳普替他编好的那一套假话来应对。虽然他一直聊以自慰的是:

在最后关键时刻，他总算没有勇气去砸罗伯达，可是，要他另外编出一套话来，而且还得为之进行辩护，他觉得委实太难了……贝尔纳普和杰夫森看出了这一点，所以，杰夫森就经常光临克莱德牢房门口，跟他打招呼，说:

"喂，今天的事儿怎么样?

"瞧杰夫森身上这套衣服，样子真怪，又旧，又脏，针脚也马虎极了!

还有他头上歪戴着的那顶深棕色破帽子，低得快要盖住眼睛了!

他的那双瘦骨嶙峋的长手，多少给人显示出一种巨大的力量。他的那双严峻的。小小的蓝眼睛，精明。

坚定。狡猾，但又充满了勇气……这些气质正是他竭力灌输给克莱德的，而且好歹部分已经灌输给他了!

"今天又有谁来过没有?

比方说，是什么传教士。什么乡下姑娘呀，还是梅森的伙计们?

"因为，近来人们对罗伯达的惨死，及其有钱而又美丽的情敌，都激起了极大的兴趣。因此，对犯罪只是一知半解的，或是对性问题感到好奇的各色人等，诸如乡下的蹩脚律师。医生。掌柜。乡村福音传教士或牧师，还有本地这个或那个官员的所有朋友。熟人，都赶来这儿竞相争睹克莱德了。他们老早就伫立在他的牢房门口，先是用好奇。憎恨，或是可怕的眼光把他上下打量一番，然后冷不防向他提出类似这样的一些问题:

"你要做祷告吗，伙计?

你还不马上跪下来做祷告?

"(这时，克莱德就常常回想起了他的父母。)他向上帝祈求宽恕了吗?

他确实否认他杀害了罗伯达。奥尔登小姐吗?

有一回，三个乡下姑娘一块问他:

"请你把你据说爱过的那位姑娘的名字告诉我们?

现在她在哪个地方?

我们决不会告诉任何一个人的。到时候她也会出庭吗?

"对于这些问题，克莱德只能一概置之不理，要不然，回答时就尽量含糊其词。模棱两可，或是漫不经心。尽管他对这些问题讨厌透了，可是，贝尔纳普和杰夫森却不时点拨他说，为了他自己着想，他还得佯装自己很和气，很有礼貌，很乐观呢?

紧接着，还有一些男女新闻记者，带着画家或摄影记者一起前来采访，为他拍照画像。不过，对于这些人，他根据贝尔纳普和杰夫森的旨意，八成儿拒绝交谈，要不然向他们只说事先关照过他该说的一些话。

"你不妨爱怎么说，就怎么说呗，"杰夫森和蔼地给他出主意说。"只要你什么都不说出来就得了。此外，你自己要沉住气，明白吧?

脸上还要陪笑，明白吧?

别忘了常常翻翻那份单子吧?

"(杰夫森给了克莱德一份长长的单子，上面列出了开庭时势必向他提出的一些问题，那时他就得按照用打字机打在那些问题下面的答案作回答，要不然，此刻想到有什么更好的意见就不妨提出来。所有这些问题，都涉及到他的大比腾之行，他又买了另外一顶草帽的原因，他回心转意的原因……是为了什么，在什么时候，又是在什么地方。)"这些你可要记得烂熟，你明白吧?

"随后，也许他就给自己点燃一支烟卷，可他从来也不给克莱德递烟的，因为让他能有一个正派青年的名声，克莱德在这里是不能抽烟的。

有一段时间，在杰夫森每次探监以后，克莱德觉得杰夫森的吩咐自己完全可以做到……精神抖擞。步态轻盈地走向法庭……不管是什么人，也不管是哪一人的目光，甚至是梅森本人的目光，他都能顶得住……哪怕是在证人席上，他也能忘掉自己对梅森的惧怕……梅森所掌握的这许许多多事实，他将按照这份单子上的答案一一加以解释，面对这些事实时的恐怖，他也能忘掉……还有罗伯达。她那最后的惨叫声，以及失去桑德拉和她快活的小天地以后所产生的内心痛苦和不幸，他通通能忘掉了。

不过，每当夜色又将降临，或是度日如年的时候，眼前只有那个瘦骨嶙峋。

满脸胡子茬的克劳特，或是那个狡猾而又不可捉摸的西塞尔，或者他们两人都在附近转悠，也许会来到牢房门口说一声:

"你好吧!

"或是闲扯本镇发生的什么新闻，或者下象棋。玩跳棋，这时，克莱德心中就越发感到忧郁，觉得自己出狱也许压根儿没有什么希望了。因为，他该有多么孤单啊，除了还有他的辩护律师。母亲。弟弟。姐妹的话!

桑德拉，当然罗，决不会给他捎来片言只语的。因为，当初她确实感到震惊和骇怕，但是惊魂甫定以后，她对克莱德的想法就多少有些不同了……归根到底，他之所以杀害罗伯达，沦为今日被人唾弃的倒霉鬼。也许就是为了爱她。但由于整个社会极深的偏见和震惊，她怎么也不敢想到给他写信，哪怕只是个短信。他不就是一个杀人犯啊?

何况，他在西部的那个家，该有多惨呀，据报上说他父母都是沿街传道的人，连他本人也是……要不然就是来自传道馆的一个专门唱赞美诗。做祈祷的孩子!

不过，有时，她也情不自禁回想到他对她那股子急切的。丧失理性的。看来足以使他自我毁灭的热情。

(想必是他爱她爱得那么深，这才敢铤而走险呀!

)因此，她在暗自琢磨，不妨等到某个时候，这一案件不象现在这样遭到公众激烈反对，是不是可以通过某种谨慎的。不署名的方式写信给他，也许仅仅是让他知道:

他并没有完全被遗忘，因为从前他是那么狂热地爱过她。可她马上又决定，不，不行……她的父母……他们要是知道了，或是猜到了……再有，万一给大家，或是给她过去的朋友们知道了，那还了得。现在可写不得，哦，至少现在还写不得。也许再稍晚一些日子，等他被释放了，或是……或是……定了罪……连她自己还说不准。可她心里一直感到创巨痛深……对于他为了竭力想赢得她而犯下的这种骇人的罪行，她是多么深恶痛绝啊。

就在这时，克莱德正在他的牢房里来回走动，或是透过铁窗望着外面死气沉沉的广场，或是把一些报纸读了又读，或是忐忑不安地翻阅着他的辩护律师送来的那些书报杂志，或是下象棋。玩跳棋，或是按时进餐，由于贝尔纳普和杰夫森同狱长作出了特别安排(这是他伯父提出的意见)，他的饭菜供应要比普通犯人的好一些。

可是一想到自己似乎无可弥补地失去了桑德拉，他心里老是在琢磨，自己能不能把这场……这场他有时觉得几乎毫无用处的斗争继续坚持下去。

有时，在深更半夜，或是在刚破晓以前，整个监狱里寂然无声……一个个梦……他最害怕的恐怖的画面使他的勇气丧失殆尽，惊得他一跃而起，心儿狂跳，两眼睁得大大的，脸上。手上直冒冷汗。在本州监狱里某处的那张电椅呀。

从前克莱德读到过……犯人们怎样在这张电椅上死去的。他就开始走来走去，暗自思忖:

万一结果并不象杰夫森感到的那样十拿九稳的话……万一他被定了罪，复审的要求又被驳回的话，那怎么办……那时，啊……那时，也许能不能从这儿越狱出逃?

这些旧砖墙。该有多厚呀?

也许用一把铁锤就是一块石头，反正不拘是谁……他弟弟弗兰克，或是他妹妹朱丽娅，或是拉特勒，或是赫格伦……也许会带给他什么东西……只要他能跟他们里头某个人接上头，让他们把这一类东西带给他……只要他能寻摸到一把锯子，把这些铁栅栏锯断!

然后，出逃，出逃，如同上次在树林子里他早就应该逃跑了!

可是，怎么逃跑呢?

逃往何方呢?
Part 3 Chapter 19
OCTOBER 15--with gray clouds and a sharp, almost January wind that herded the fallen leaves into piles andthen scurried them in crisp and windy gusts like flying birds here and there. And, in spite of the sense of struggleand tragedy in the minds of many, with an electric chair as the shadowy mental background to it all, a sense ofholiday or festival, with hundreds of farmers, woodsmen, traders, entering in Fords and Buicks--farmer wivesand husbands-- daughters and sons--even infants in arms. And then idling about the public square long before thetime for court to convene, or, as the hour neared, congregating before the county jail in the hope of obtaining aglimpse of Clyde, or before the courthouse door nearest the jail, which was to be the one entrance to thecourtroom for the public and Clyde, and from which position they could see and assure entrance into thecourtroom itself when the time came. And a flock of pigeons parading rather dismally along the cornices andgutters of the upper floor and roof of the ancient court.
　　And with Mason and his staff--Burton Burleigh, Earl Newcomb, Zillah Saunders, and a young Bridgeburg lawgraduate by the name of Manigault--helping to arrange the order of evidence as well as direct or instruct thevarious witnesses and venire-men who were already collecting in the antechamber of the now almost nationallyknown attorney for the people. And with cries outside of: "Peanuts!" "Popcorn!" "Hot dogs!" "Get the story ofClyde Griffiths, with all the letters of Roberta Alden. Only twenty-five cents!" (This being a set of duplicatecopies of Roberta's letters which had been stolen from Mason's office by an intimate of Burton Burleigh's and byhim sold to a penny-dreadful publisher of Binghamton, who immediately issued them in pamphlet form togetherwith an outline of "the great plot" and Roberta's and Clyde's pictures.)And in the meantime, over in the reception or conference room of the jail, Alvin Belknap and Reuben Jephson,side by side with Clyde, neatly arrayed in the very suit he had sought to sink forever in the waters of LowerTwelfth Lake. And with a new tie and shirt and shoes added in order to present him in his Lycurgus best.
　　Jephson, long and lean and shabbily dressed as usual, but with all of that iron and power that so impressed Clydein every line of his figure and every movement or gesture of his body. Belknap--looking like an Albany beau-theone on whom was to fall the burden of the opening presentation of the case as well as the cross-examining,now saying: "Now you're not going to get frightened or show any evidence of nervousness at anything that maybe said or done at any time, are you, Clyde? We're to be with you, you know, all through the trial. You sit rightbetween us. And you're going to smile and look unconcerned or interested, just as you wish, but never fearful-butnot too bold or gay, you know, so that they'd feel that you're not taking this thing seriously. You understand-justa pleasant, gentlemanly, and sympathetic manner all the time. And not frightened. For that will be certain todo us and you great harm. Since you're innocent, you have no real reason to be frightened--although you're sorry,of course. You understand all that, I know, by now.""Yes, sir, I understand," replied Clyde. "I will do just as you say. Besides, I never struck her intentionally, andthat's the truth. So why should I be afraid?" And here he looked at Jephson, on whom, for psychic reasons, hedepended most. In fact the words he had just spoken were the very words which Jephson had so drilled into himduring the two months just past. And catching the look, Jephson now drew closer and fixing Clyde with hisgimlet and yet encouraging and sustaining blue eyes, began:
　　"You're not guilty! You're not guilty, Clyde, see? You understand that fully by now, and you must alwaysbelieve and remember that, because it's true. You didn't intend to strike her, do you hear? You swear to that. Youhave sworn it to me and Belknap here, and we believe you. Now, it doesn't make the least bit of difference thatbecause of the circumstances surrounding all this we are not going to be able to make the average jury see this orbelieve it just as you tell it. That's neither here nor there. I've told you that before. You know what the truth is-andso do we. BUT, in order to get justice for you, we've had to get up something else--a dummy or substitute forthe real fact, which is that you didn't strike her intentionally, but which we cannot hope to make them see withoutdisguising it in some way. You get that, don't you?""Yes, sir," replied Clyde, always over-awed and intrigued by this man.
　　"And for that reason, as I've so often told you, we've invented this other story about a change of heart. It's notquite true as to time, but it is true that you did experience a change of heart there in the boat. And that's ourjustification. But they'd never believe that under all of the peculiar circumstances, so we're merely going to movethat change of heart up a little, see? Make it before you ever went into that boat at all. And while we know it isn'ttrue that way, still neither is the charge that you intentionally struck her true, and they're not going to electrocuteyou for something that isn't true--not with my consent, at least." He looked into Clyde's eyes for a moment more,and then added: "It's this way, Clyde. It's like having to pay for potatoes, or for suits of clothes, with corn orbeans instead of money, when you have money to pay with but when, because of the crazy notions on the part ofsome one, they won't believe that the money you have is genuine. So you've got to use the potatoes or beans.
　　And beans is what we're going to give 'em. But the justification is that you're not guilty. You're not guilty.
　　You've sworn to me that you didn't intend to strike her there at the last, whatever you might have been provokedto do at first. And that's enough for me. You're not guilty."And here, firmly and convincingly, which was the illusion in regard to his own attitude which he was determinedto convey to Clyde, he laid hold of his coat lapels, and after looking fixedly into his somewhat strained and nownervous brown eyes, added: "And now, whenever you get to feeling weak or nervous, or if, when you go on thestand, you think Mason is getting the best of you, I want you to remember this--just say to yourself--'I'm notguilty! I'm not guilty! And they can't fairly convict me unless I really am.' And if that don't pull you together,look at me. I'll be right there. All you have to do, if you feel yourself rattled, is to look at me-- right into my eyes,just as I'm looking at you now--and then you'll know that I'm wanting you to brace up and do what I'm tellingyou to do now--swear to the things that we are asking you to swear to, however they may look like lies, andhowever you may feel about them. I'm not going to have you convicted for something you didn't do, just becauseyou can't be allowed to swear to what is the truth--not if I can help it. And now that's all."And here he slapped him genially and heartily on the back, while Clyde, strangely heartened, felt, for the timebeing at least, that certainly he could do as he was told, and would.
　　And then Jephson, taking out his watch and looking first at Belknap, then out of the nearest window throughwhich were to be seen the already assembled crowds--one about the courthouse steps; a second includingnewspapermen and women, newspaper photographers and artists, gathered closely before the jail walk, andeagerly waiting to "snap" Clyde or any one connected with this case--went calmly on with:
　　"Well, it's about time, I guess. Looks as though all Cataraqui would like to get inside. We're going to have quitean audience." And turning to Clyde once more, he added: "Now, you don't want to let those people disturb you,Clyde. They're nothing but a lot of country people come to town to see a show."And then the two of them, Belknap and Jephson, going out. And Kraut and Sissel coming in to take personalcharge of Clyde, while the two lawyers, passing amid whispers, crossed over to the court building in the squareof brown grass beyond.
　　And after them, and in less than five minutes, and preceded by Slack and Sissel and followed by Kraut andSwenk--yet protected on either side by two extra deputies in case there should be an outbreak or demonstrationof any kind--Clyde himself, attempting to look as jaunty and nonchalant as possible, yet because of the manyrough and strange faces about him--men in heavy raccoon coats and caps, and with thick whiskers, or in wornand faded and nondescript clothes such as characterized many of the farmers of this region, accompanied by theirwives and children, and all staring so strangely and curiously--he felt not a little nervous, as though at anymoment there might be a revolver shot, or some one might leap at him with a knife--the deputies with their handson their guns lending not a little to the reality of his mood. Yet only cries of: "Here he comes! Here he comes!""There he is!" "Would you believe that he could do a thing like that?"And then the cameras clicking and whirring and his two protectors shouldering closer and closer to him while heshrank down within himself mentally.
　　And then a flight of five brown stone steps leading up to an old courthouse door. And beyond that, an inner flightof steps to a large, long, brown, high-ceilinged chamber, in which, to the right and left, and in the rear facingeast, were tall, thin, round-topped windows, fitted with thin panes, admitting a flood of light. And at the westend, a raised platform, with a highly ornamental, dark brown carved bench upon it. And behind it, a portrait--andon either side, north and south, and at the rear, benches and benches in rows--each tier higher than the other, andall crowded with people, the space behind them packed with standing bodies, and all apparently, as he entered,leaning and craning and examining him with sharp keen eyes, while there went about a conversational buzz orbrrh. He could hear a general sssss--pppp--as he approached and passed through a gate to an open space beyondit, wherein, as he could see, were Belknap and Jephson at a table, and between them a vacant chair for him. Andhe could see and feel the eyes and faces on which he was not quite willing to look.
　　But directly before him, at another table in the same square, but more directly below the raised platform at thewest end, as he could see now, were Mason and several men whom he seemed to recollect--Earl Newcomb andBurton Burleigh and yet another man whom he had never seen before, all four turning and gazing at him as hecame.
　　And about this inner group, an outer circle of men and women writers and sketch artists.
　　And then, after a time, recalling Belknap's advice, he managed to straighten up and with an air of studied easeand courage--which was belied to a certain extent by his strained, pale face and somewhat hazy stare--look at thewriters and artists who were either studying or sketching him, and even to whisper: "Quite a full house, eh?" Butjust then, and before he could say anything more, a resounding whack, whack, from somewhere. And then avoice: "Order in the Court! His Honor, the Court! Everybody please rise!" And as suddenly the whispering andstirring audience growing completely silent. And then, through a door to the south of the dais, a large urbane andflorid and smooth-faced man, who in an ample black gown, walked swiftly to the large chair immediately behindthe desk, and after looking steadily upon all before him, but without appearing to see any one of them seatedhimself. Whereupon every one assembled in the courtroom sat down.
　　And then to the left, yet below the judge, at a smaller desk, a smaller and older individual standing and calling,"Oyez! Oyez! All persons having business before the honorable, the Supreme Court of the State of New York,County of Cataraqui, draw near and give attention. This court is now in session!"And after that this same individual again rising and beginning: "The State of New York against Clyde Griffiths."Then Mason, rising and standing before his table, at once announced: "The People are ready." WhereuponBelknap arose, and in a courtly and affable manner, stated: "The defendant is ready."Then the same clerk reached into a square box that was before him, and drawing forth a piece of paper, called"Simeon Dinsmore," whereupon a little, hunched and brown-suited man, with claw-like hands, and a ferret-likeface, immediately scuttled to the jury box and was seated. And once there he was approached by Mason, who, ina brisk manner--his flat-nosed face looking most aggressive and his strong voice reaching to the uttermostcorners of the court, began to inquire as to his age, his business, whether he was single or married, how manychildren he had, whether he believed or did not believe in capital punishment. The latter question as Clyde atonce noted seemed to stir in him something akin to resentment or suppressed emotion of some kind, for at onceand with emphasis, he answered: "I most certainly do--for some people"--a reply which caused Mason to smileslightly and Jephson to turn and look toward Belknap, who mumbled sarcastically: "And they talk about thepossibility of a fair trial here." But at the same time Mason feeling that this very honest, if all too convincedfarmer, was a little too emphatic in his beliefs, saying: "With the consent of the Court, the People will excuse thetalesman." And Belknap, after an inquiring glance from the Judge, nodding his agreement, at which theprospective juror was excused.
　　And the clerk, immediately drawing out of the box a second slip of paper, and then calling: "Dudley Sheerline!"Whereupon, a thin, tall man of between thirty-eight and forty, neatly dressed and somewhat meticulous andcautious in his manner, approached and took his place in the box. And Mason once more began to question himas he had the other.
　　In the meantime, Clyde, in spite of both Belknap's and Jephson's preliminary precautions, was already feelingstiff and chill and bloodless. For, decidedly, as he could feel, this audience was inimical. And amid this closelypressing throng, as he now thought, with an additional chill, there must be the father and mother, perhaps also thesisters and brothers, of Roberta, and all looking at him, and hoping with all their hearts, as the newspapers duringthe weeks past informed him, that he would be made to suffer for this.
　　And again, all those people of Lycurgus and Twelfth Lake, no one of whom had troubled to communicate with him in any way, assuming him to be absolutely guilty, of course--were any of those here? Jill or Gertrude orTracy Trumbull, for instance? Or Wynette Phant or her brother? She had been at that camp at Bear Lake the dayhe was arrested. His mind ran over all the social personages whom he had encountered during the last year andwho would now see him as he was--poor and commonplace and deserted, and on trial for such a crime as this.
　　And after all his bluffing about his rich connections here and in the west. For now, of course, they would believehim as terrible as his original plot, without knowing or caring about his side of the story--his moods and fears-thatpredicament that he was in with Roberta--his love for Sondra and all that she had meant to him. Theywouldn't understand that, and he was not going to be allowed to tell anything in regard to it, even if he were sominded.
　　And yet, because of the advice of Belknap and Jephson, he must sit up and smile, or at least look pleasant andmeet the gaze of every one boldly and directly. And in consequence, turning, and for the moment feelingabsolutely transfixed. For there--God, what a resemblance!--to the left of him on one of those wall benches, wasa woman or girl who appeared to be the living image of Roberta! It was that sister of hers--Emily--of whom shehad often spoken--but oh, what a shock! His heart almost stopped. It might even be Roberta! And transfixing himwith what ghostly, and yet real, and savage and accusing eyes! And next to her another girl, looking somethinglike her, too--and next to her that old man, Roberta's father--that wrinkled old man whom he had encounteredthat day he had called at his farm door for information, now looking at him almost savagely, a gray and wearylook that said so plainly: "You murderer! You murderer!" And beside him a mild and small and ill-lookingwoman of about fifty, veiled and very shrunken and sunken-eyed, who, at his glance dropped her own eyes andturned away, as if stricken with a great pain, not hate. Her mother--no doubt of it. Oh, what a situation was this!
　　How unthinkably miserable! His heart fluttered. His hands trembled.
　　So now to stay himself, he looked down, first at the hands of Belknap and Jephson on the table before him, sinceeach was toying with a pencil poised above the pad of paper before them, as they gazed at Mason and whoeverwas in the jury box before him--a foolish-looking fat man now. What a difference between Jephson's andBelknap's hands--the latter so short and soft and white, the former's so long and brown and knotty and bony. AndBelknap's pleasant and agreeable manner here in court--his voice--"I think I will ask the juror to step down"--asopposed to Mason's revolver-like "Excused!" or Jephson's slow and yet powerful, though whispered, "Better lethim go, Alvin. Nothing in him for us." And then all at once Jephson saying to him: "Sit up! Sit up! Look around!
　　Don't sag down like that. Look people in the eye. Smile naturally, Clyde, if you're going to smile at all, just look'em in the eye. They're not going to hurt you. They're just a lot of farmers out sightseeing."But Clyde, noting at once that several reporters and artists were studying and then sketching or writing of him,now flushed hotly and weakly, for he could feel their eager eyes and their eager words as clearly as he could heartheir scratching pens. And all for the papers--his blanching face and trembling hands--they would have thatdown--and his mother in Denver and everybody else there in Lycurgus would see and read--how he had lookedat the Aldens and they had looked at him and then he had looked away again. Still--still--he must get himselfbetter in hand--sit up once more and look about--or Jephson would be disgusted with him. And so once more hedid his best to crush down his fear, to raise his eyes and then turn slightly and look about.
　　But in doing so, there next to the wall, and to one side of that tall window, and just as he had feared, was TracyTrumbull, who evidently because of the law interest or his curiosity and what not--no pity or sympathy for him, surely--had come up for this day anyhow, and was looking, not at him for the moment, thank goodness, but atMason, who was asking the fat man some questions. And next to him Eddie Sells, with nearsighted eyesequipped with thick lenses of great distance-power, and looking in Clyde's direction, yet without seeing himapparently, for he gave no sign. Oh, how trying all this!
　　And five rows from them again, in another direction, Mr. and Mrs. Gilpin, whom Mason had found, of course.
　　And what would they testify to now? His calling on Roberta in her room there? And how secret it had all been?
　　That would be bad, of course. And of all people, Mr. and Mrs. George Newton! What were they going to putthem on the stand for? To tell about Roberta's life before she got to going with him, maybe? And that GraceMarr, whom he had seen often but met only once out there on Crum Lake, and whom Roberta had not liked anymore. What would she have to say? She could tell how he had met Roberta, of course, but what else? And then-but,no, it could not be--and yet--yet, it was, too--surely--that Orrin Short, of whom he had asked concerningGlenn. Gee!--he was going to tell about that now, maybe--no doubt of it. How people seemed to rememberthings--more than ever he would have dreamed they would have.
　　And again, this side of that third window from the front, but beyond that dreaded group of the Aldens, that verylarge and whiskered man who looked something like an old-time Quaker turned bandit--Heit was his name. Hehad met him at Three Mile Bay, and again on that day on which he had been taken up to Big Bittern against hiswill. Oh, yes, the coroner he was. And beside him, that innkeeper up there who had made him sign the registerthat day. And next to him the boathouse-keeper who had rented him the boat. And next to him, that tall, lankguide who had driven him and Roberta over from Gun Lodge, a brown and wiry and loutish man who seemed topierce him now with small, deep-set, animal-like eyes, and who most certainly was going to testify to all thedetails of that ride from Gun Lodge. Would his nervousness on that day, and his foolish qualms, be as clearlyremembered by him as they were now by himself. And if so, how would that affect his plea of a change of heart?
　　Would he not better talk all that over again with Jephson?
　　But this man Mason! How hard he was! How energetic! And how he must have worked to get all of these peoplehere to testify against him! And now here he was, exclaiming as he chanced to look at him, and as he had in atleast the last dozen cases (yet with no perceptible result in so far as the jury box was concerned), "Acceptable tothe People!" But, invariably, whenever he had done so, Jephson had merely turned slightly, but without looking,and had said: "Nothing in him for us, Alvin. As set as a bone." And then Belknap, courteous and bland, hadchallenged for cause and usually succeeded in having his challenge sustained.
　　But then at last, and oh, how agreeably, the clerk of the court announcing in a clear, thin, rasping and aged voice,a recess until two P. M. And Jephson smilingly turning to Clyde with: "Well, Clyde, that's the first round--not sovery much to it, do you think? And not very hard either, is it? Better go over there and get a good meal, though.
　　It'll be just as long and dull this afternoon."And in the meantime, Kraut and Sissel, together with the extra deputies, pushing close and surrounding him. Andthen the crowding and swarming and exclaiming: "There he is! There he is! Here he comes! Here! Here!" And alarge and meaty female pushing as close as possible and staring directly into his face, exclaiming as she did so:
　　"Let me see him! I just want to get a good look at you, young man. I have two daughters of my own." Butwithout one of all those of Lycurgus or Twelfth Lake whom he had recognized in the public benches, comingnear him. And no glimpse of Sondra anywhere, of course. For as both Belknap and Jephson had repeatedly assured him, she would not appear. Her name was not even to be mentioned, if possible. The Griffiths, as well asthe Finchleys, were opposed.

十月十五日……阴云笼罩，一阵几乎有如正月里的厉风，将落叶卷成一堆一堆的，随后突然狂风骤起，又把落叶刮得象飞鸟一样到处飘散。纵然许多人都预感到挣扎和悲剧的意味，而且在内心深处隐现出一张电椅的阴影，可是不知怎的，却又充满了度假或过节的气氛:

有好几百的农民。林区居民。商铺掌柜，开了"福特"牌。"别克"牌汽车赶来，他们里头有农民夫妇。有子女，甚至还有抱在怀里的婴儿。在法院开庭前，他们早就在广场上闲荡，或是在快要开庭的时候，都麇集在本县监狱大门口，希望能看上一眼克莱德，要不然守在离监狱最近的法庭大门前，因为不管观众也好，克莱德也好，都得从这道门进入法庭。

他们在这里既能看见犯人，到时候又准能进入法庭。这幢古老的法院大楼，屋顶上和顶楼的上楣与檐沿，正有一群鸽子怪惊慌地飞来飞去。

梅森跟他的部下……伯顿。伯利。厄尔。纽科姆。泽拉。桑德斯，还有一个刚毕业的。名叫马尼高尔特的年轻的布里奇伯格法官……他们正帮助他安排出庭作证的先后次序，同时开导诱发各位见证人和候召陪审员。这些人早已集合在现时几乎全国闻名的这位人民检察官的接待室里。外面传来一阵阵叫喊声:

"花生米!

""爆玉米花!

""热狗!

""克莱德。格里菲思的小传，连同罗伯达。奥尔登小姐的全部情书。只要二十五美分!

"(这是罗伯达书信的翻印本。由伯顿。伯利的一个密友从梅森的办公室里偷出来，卖给宾厄姆顿一家专售廉价惊险小说的书商。这个书商马上用小册子的形式出版，还附有"大阴谋"的提要，以及罗伯达和克莱德的照片。)这时，阿尔文。贝尔纳普。鲁本。杰夫森，和克莱德正在监狱那间会客室或是会议室里。克莱德衣着整洁，身上穿的正是他竭力想把它永远沉入第十二号湖底的那一套衣服。另外加上新领带。新衬衫。新皮鞋，为的是让他在出庭时仍然如同他在莱柯格斯时最讲究穿戴那种派头。杰夫森是瘦高个儿，穿着照例寒伧得很，可他身上每一种线条。每一个动作或姿势，都富有那么一股子钢铁般的巨大力量，常常使克莱德深深地感动。贝尔纳普……看起来活象来自奥尔巴尼的花花公子……开庭时陈述本案案情以及后来反复讯问见证人，这一重任就落在他肩上。这时，他正在说:

"克莱德，现在，你得注意，不管开庭时人们可能会说些什么，或是做些什么，你可千万不能害怕，或是露出紧张不安的神色，明白吧?

你要知道，审讯时，我们自始至终同你在一起。你就坐在我们两人当中。你不妨可以随便笑笑也好，显得满不在乎也好，或是觉得很感兴趣也好，可是，千万不要露出害怕的样子……不过，也千万别太放肆，或是太乐呵呵，你要知道，不然，人们会觉得你把这件事看得太不严肃了。你得记住……你的举止谈吐，自始至终就得摆出一副令人可亲。令人同情的绅士气派。而且一点儿都不害怕。因为，一害怕，就肯定对我们和你都极为不利。既然你是无辜的，那你也就没有什么理由害怕的……尽管你心里是很难过的，那是当然罗。我相信，事到如今，这一切你自己全都明白。""是的，先生，我明白了，"克莱德回答说。"我一定照您所关照的去做。再说，我从来也没有故意去砸她，那是千真万确的事实。因此，我干吗要害怕呢?

"说到这儿，他瞅了一眼杰夫森。纯粹出于心理上因素，他对杰夫森是最最信赖不过了。事实上，杰夫森刚才所说的那些话，只不过是重复了过去两个月里他一个劲儿要他牢牢记住的话。杰夫森一见到他的眼色，身子就冲他靠拢过去，他的那双锥子般锐利，但又含有鼓励。支持的蓝眼睛直盯住克莱德，同时，他开始说道:

"你并没有犯罪!

你并没有犯罪，克莱德，明白了吗?

事到如今，你早已完全明白了，而且，对于这一点，你务必时时刻刻相信，时时刻刻记住，因为这是千真万确的。你没有故意去砸她，你听见了没有?

这一点你自己起过誓了。你对我和贝尔纳普都起过誓，而我们也都相信你。现在的情况是这样，我们还不能让一般的陪审团明白这一点，或是相信正如你所讲的这一事实，不过，这可一点儿也不要紧。这可没有什么。这我早就跟你说过了。事实的真相，你明白……我们也明白。不过，为了你能得到公正的判决，我们不得不另外编些什么来着……编一套假话，也可以说来代替事实的真相，而事实的真相就是你并没有故意去砸她。不过，我们要是不把这一事实稍加伪装，就没有希望能让陪审团认识清楚。这个道理你懂了没有?

""懂了，先生，"克莱德回答说。他对眼前这个人一向感到敬畏，言听计从。

"就是为了这个缘故，正如我一再通知你，我们对回心转意这一事将作出另一种说法。从时间上来说，这是相当不确切的，不过，你一到游船上就回心转意了，这倒是千真万确的。而我们进行辩护的根据，也就在这儿。不过，由于这一案件情况特别复杂，陪审团怎么也不会相信这一点的。因此，我们就只好把回心转意的时间稍微往前挪一下，明白吧?

挪到你还没有上游船之前。我们知道，这可不是真实的，但是控告你故意砸过她，这也是不确实啊。为了一件不真实的事，休想把你送上电椅……至少不会得到我的同意。"他又冲克莱德的眼睛瞅了一会儿，稍后找补着说:

"是这样的，克莱德，明白吧。这好比是你拿了玉米和豆子去买土豆或是衣服，尽管你明明可以拿钱来买，但因为某些人有些莫名其妙的想法，不相信你的钱地地道道是真的。这样，你就不得不动用土豆或豆子来了。而我们打算给他们的就是豆子。不过，我们辩护的理由就是说:

你是无罪的。你是无罪的。你对我发誓时说过，到了最后关键时刻，你并没有故意去砸她，不管你当初走投无路时可能有过哪些意图。我觉得，单凭这一点也就够了。你就是无罪的。"杰夫森本人觉得自己说的这些只是假象，但他还是一个劲儿把这些假象强加给克莱德。因此，说到这儿，他就抓住克莱德外套的衣襟。盯住他的那双有点紧张。这时已慌了神的棕色眼睛，坚定而又令人信服地找补着说:

"每当你觉得自己软弱无力，或是心慌意乱的时候，或是当你走上证人席，觉得梅森已把你压倒了，那末，我就要你记住这么一句话……只要你自己跟自己这么说……'

''''我是无罪的!

我是无罪的!

他们可不能随随便便定我的罪，因为事实上我并没有罪!

，要是这还不能使你沉住气，那就干脆望望我得了。我就在你身边。你要是觉得心慌，就只要望望我……直盯住我的眼睛，正如我此刻望着你一样……那你就会明白，我是要你鼓起精神来，按我现在关照你的那样去做……哪些事情我们要你起誓，你就起誓，不管这些事情看起来象是谎言，也不管你心里对此持有哪些想法。我决不能让你为了没有做过的事被定罪，仅仅是因为你没有被允许对事实的真相发誓加以证实……只要我有辙，休想办到。得了，我要说的，就是这些。"说到这儿，他亲切地。高兴地拍了拍克莱德的后背。说来也很怪，克莱德一下子壮了胆，觉得:

至少在这时，他当然能够，而且还一定会照他所说的去做的。

随后，杰夫森把他的表掏了出来，先是对贝尔纳普望了一眼，接着从最近那个窗口望过去，只见早已麇集在一起的群众……有的登上法院大楼的台阶，有的(包括男女记者。摄影记者。画家在内)密密匝匝地聚集在监狱通道前面，急不可待地等着"抢拍"克莱德，或是跟本案有关的某某人的镜头……杰夫森不慌不忙地继续说:

"嗯，我看时间差不多了。看来卡塔拉基县所有居民好象都想挤进法庭来。

我们将拥有很大一批听众哩。"接着，又转过脸去向克莱德找补着说:

"嗯，你可不会让这些人把你吓慌吧，克莱德。他们全是乡巴佬，进城来看戏呗。

"随后，贝尔纳普和杰夫森两人就出去了。克劳特和西塞尔进来看管克莱德。

这两位辩护律师在观众的窃窃私语声中，横越烧焦过的草地广场，往那幢法院大楼走去。

过了不到五分钟的时间，紧跟在他们后面的，前有斯莱克和西塞尔，后有克劳特和斯温克……但在他们两旁另外增加了两名警卫，以防万一发生什么骚动或是示威……克莱德本人出来了。他尽量装得乐乐呵呵。若无其事的样子，但在他周围有这么多粗鲁的陌生面孔……蓄着络腮胡子的男人们，身穿沉甸甸的浣熊皮外套，头戴鸭舌帽，要不就是穿着这一带农民们常穿的褪了色。难以形容的破旧衣服，而且，他们全是携妻挈幼而来……所有的人都用古怪而又好奇的目光盯住他，他感到有点儿心慌，仿佛随时会有人可能冲他开一枪，或是有人会持刀向他砍来，而荷枪实弹的警卫，更加深了他的这种忧虑。他所听到的一些叫嚷声只有:

"他来啦!

他来啦!

""这就是他!

""瞧他模样儿，你会相信他是个杀人犯吗?

"接下来是照相机发出一片咔嚓咔嚓的响声，两边警卫与他肩并肩地靠拢得更紧了，他心里禁不住直打寒颤。

前面是有五个棕色石梯级的一段台阶，通往一幢古老的法院大楼门口。接着是楼内的一段台阶，通向一个宽敞。天花板很高。长长的大厅，四壁都漆成棕色。大厅左右两侧，以及厅后东头，都有高高。狭长。圆顶的窗子，镶嵌着薄薄的玻璃，一束束阳光从窗口透进来。大厅西头，有一座高高的讲坛，上面置放着一长溜装饰很精致。深褐色雕花法官座椅。在这后面，有一幅画像……而大厅北面和南面，以及大厅后面，则是一排排长凳子……一排比一排高，全挤满了人，连过道里也都站满了人。克莱德走进去时，人们身子全都往前俯冲，伸长脖子，一双双锋利的眼睛把他上下打量着，大厅里响起了一阵嗡嗡的谈话声。当他走近一道门，经过这道门，进入宽敞的大厅时，只听见一阵"嘶。嘶。

嘶"。"泼。泼。泼"的声音，他在大厅里看见贝尔纳普和杰夫森坐在一张桌子后面，他们中间留着一把给他坐的空椅子。他还看见和感觉到四周围那么多陌生的眼睛和脸孔，但他却压根儿不愿对它们瞅上一眼。

不过，现在他看到了:

就在他对面，同样方方正正的另一张桌子旁边，只是紧挨西头那个高高的讲坛底下，正是梅森和他好象还记得起的那一拨人……厄尔。纽科姆。伯顿。伯利，但是另一个人，过去他从来没有见过。他走过大厅时，这四个人全都回过头来，两眼直盯住他。

就在那一拨人周围，有一群男女记者和擅长速写的画家。

过了一会儿，克莱德回想起贝尔纳普的忠告，就竭力让自己身子挺直，佯装出一副泰然自若的神态(可他紧张苍白的脸和他茫然若失的眼色，多少暴露了他的真实心态)……他朝那些既在端详他。又在画速写的新闻记者和画家望了一眼，甚至还低声说:

"大厅都挤满了人，嘿?

"不料就在这时，他还来不及再嘀咕些什么，不知从哪儿传来了连着两下响亮的重击声。接着有一个声音说:

"遵守法庭秩序!

法官阁下驾到!

请全体起立!

"大厅里正在交头接耳。骚动不息的听众，一下子鸦雀无声了。只见讲坛南头那道门里，走出来一个身材高大。举止文雅。满面红光的人，身穿一套宽大的黑袍，快步走向桌子后头那张大椅子，先是抬眼扫视了一下他面前全体在场的人，但又好象对谁都没看似的，然后才就座。法庭大厅里每一个人，也都跟着落了座。

随后，在法官左侧讲坛底下一张小桌旁，有一个身材矮小。上了年纪的人站了起来，大声说道:

"肃静!

肃静!

凡是有事前来卡搭拉基县纽约州最高法院听审者，靠近些，注意听着。现在开庭。"过了半晌，就是这个人又站了起来，宣布说:

"纽约州向克莱德。格里菲思提起公诉。"随后，梅森从自己桌后站了起来，连忙说道:

"人民准备就绪。"紧接着，贝尔纳普站了起来，彬彬有礼。和蔼可亲地说:

"被告准备就绪。"随后，还是这位法庭录事伸手从他面前的方柜里，取出一张单子，大声喊道:

"西米翁。丁斯莫尔。"于是，一个身材矮小。穿着棕色衣服。两手象钳钩。

脸如雪貂的驼子，应声走到陪审员席上就座。他刚落座，梅森就走了过去(他的那张塌鼻脸，今天好象特别咄咄逼人。他的大嗓门，哪怕是法庭大厅最远的角落里也听得见)，兴致勃勃地开始盘问他的年龄。职业，结过婚没有，有多少个小孩，是否认为应该判处死刑。最后这个问题，克莱德一下子就注意到了，仿佛使他不是痛心疾首，就是将某种激动情绪硬压了下去似的。因为，此人马上用特别强调的口气回答说:

"对于某些人来说，我当然认为应该判以……"这个回答使梅森微微一笑，杰夫森也扭过头来望望贝尔纳普。贝尔纳普正挖苦地咕哝着说:

"人们还说这里可能会有公正审判哩。"不过，梅森本人却觉得这个非常老实。只是自信心太强的农民表态时不免有些过头，便说:

"如果法庭同意，人民准备请这位候补陪审员退席。"贝尔纳普看到了法官询问的一瞥之后，点头表示赞同，那位候补陪审员也就退席了。

法庭录事随即从方柜里取出另一张小条子，直呼其名说:

"达德利。希尔莱因!

"马上有一个年龄在三十八至四十岁之间。穿得整整齐齐。举止有些拘谨小心的瘦高个儿走了过来，在陪审员席上就座。梅森又象刚才盘问头一个那样，开始向他提出一些问题。

尽管贝尔纳普和杰夫森事前都叮嘱过克莱德，不料到了这时，克莱德早已觉得手足僵直，浑身发冷，面无人色。因为，他清清楚楚地感觉到:

整个大厅里公众对他都是嫉恶如仇的。而且，他想到:

在这挤得水泄不通的人群中间，一定有罗伯达的父母，说不定还有罗伯达的弟弟妹妹，并且全都在抬眼望着他……正如他从过去几周各报上获悉……他们从心底里希望对他应该严惩不贷……他一想到这儿，不由得又直打寒颤。

此外，还有在莱柯格斯上流社会和第十二号湖畔他认识的所有那些人。他们里头决不会有人跟他通风报信的，他们当然罗，全都认定他是不折不扣地犯了罪的……他们这些人里头有哪几位也在场吗?

比方说，杰尔，就是格特鲁德，或是特雷西。特朗布尔?

或是威南特。范特，或是她的兄弟?

他被捕那一天，她也在熊湖宿营地啊。他心里回想到一年来他在上流社会见过的所有这些俊男靓女。

如今，他们看到他原来是个微不足道。被人唾弃的穷小子，为了这一骇人的罪行受审。而在过去，他净是大言不惭地说自己在这里和西部都有阔亲戚哩。现在，当然罗，他们都会认为他就象他开头策划阴谋时那样令人狰狞可怕。至于他现在所说的那套话……此刻他的心态。他的恐惧……为罗伯达而陷入窘境……他对桑德拉的爱情，以及她对他所意味着的一切，等等，他们全都不知道，不关心。这些……他们是理解不了的，而且，也不准他谈到这些事情，哪怕他是多么愿意谈一谈。

不过，他还是必须按照贝尔纳普和杰夫森的忠告，坐得笔直，脸上含着微笑，至少也要显得和蔼可亲，大胆地迎接每一个人向他投来的目光。于是，他让脸儿侧转过去，殊不知就在这一刹那，他完全怔呆了。因为，在那边……天哪，多么相象呀!

……就在他左边靠墙的一排长凳子上，坐着一个女人或是姑娘，简直活灵活现，跟罗伯达一模一样!

那是她的妹妹……艾米莉，罗伯达经常提到她的……可是，哦，真的叫他吓坏了!

他的心儿几乎停止了跳动。也许这简直就是罗伯达呀!

瞧她的那双多么象幽灵似的但又是活生生的。充满怨愤和控诉的眼睛，正直勾勾地盯住了他!

在她身旁，还有另一个姑娘，看起来也有点儿象她。

站在她旁边的，是一位老人，罗伯达的父亲，这满脸皱纹的老人，正是那天克莱德到他农场门口问路时碰见过的，此刻几乎是怒冲冲地直瞅着他。他老人家那种忧郁。疲倦的眼色，仿佛在说:

"你这个杀人犯!

你这个杀人犯!

"在他身旁是一个温柔。矮小。患病的女人，年龄约莫五十岁左右，蒙着一块面纱，满脸皱皮疙瘩，眼窝深深地下陷。她一看见克莱德的目光，两眼就耷拉下来，望着别处，好象内心受到极大的痛苦，可并不是憎恨。毫无疑问，这是……她的母亲。啊，好一个骇人的场面!

简直无法想象的不幸呀!

他的心儿在突突地狂跳。他的双手在瑟瑟发抖。

为了让自己保持镇静，他就目光朝下，直瞅着贝尔纳普和杰夫森搁在他面前桌上的手。他们两人都在摸弄眼前打开的小本本上的铅笔，两眼盯住梅森和依次进入他面前陪审员席上的人(这时正好是一个傻里傻气的大胖子)。瞧杰夫森和贝尔纳普这两人的手，多不一样啊……贝尔纳普的手那么短，那么软，那么白，可是杰夫森的手，却是那么细长。黝黑，骨瘦嶙峋。贝尔纳普在法庭上的举止可谓令人怡然可亲……他说:

"依我看，不妨请候补陪审员退席吧。"可是梅森说话的声音，却象砰的一声枪响:

"退席!

"而杰夫森说话时却是慢条斯理的，调门虽低，可还是那么有劲儿:

"让他下去吧，阿尔文。此人对我们毫无用处。"蓦然间，杰夫森冲克莱德说:

"挺直腰板坐好!

坐好!

抬眼望望四周!

别这么垂头耷脑。

两眼注视众人的眼睛。你想要笑，就要笑得自然些，克莱德。两眼就是要注视众人的眼睛。他们不会伤害你的。他们只不过都是赶来这儿开开眼界的乡巴佬呗。"但是，克莱德马上注意到有好几个新闻记者和画家正在仔细端详着他，或是在画他的速写，或是在写他的特写，使他心里发慌，脸上热辣辣地涨红。要知道，他们那些尖锐透彻的目光和力透纸背的言词，他都能感觉到，如同他听到他们笔下的沙沙声一样清清楚楚。这些都是要在各报刊上发表的……他一下子脸色煞白，两手抖索……这一切他们都会写下来的……他在丹佛的母亲，以及在莱柯格斯的每一个人，都会读到和看到……他两眼是怎样望着奥尔登一家人，他们又是怎样望着他的，后来，他两眼只好又望着别处。可是……可是……他心里还得保持更加镇静……他还得挺直腰板，抬眼望望四周……要不然杰夫森会瞧不起他。于是，他还得尽量克服内心的恐惧，把目光抬起来，让脸儿稍微偏过来，环顾四周。

但是，就在他举目四望时，克莱德在那高高的窗根边靠墙的地方，发现了特雷西。特朗布尔……此人正是克莱德最最害怕见到的。显然，特雷西由于攻读法律，对此案颇感兴趣，或是纯粹出于好奇心，或是说不上所以然来……当然罗，决不是出于怜悯他或是同情他……反正今天也赶来了。谢天谢地，这时他并不在看克莱德，而是瞅着正在讯问大胖子的梅森。在特雷西身旁的，是埃迪。塞尔斯，一双近视眼戴着一副厚厚的深度眼镜，正朝克莱德这一边看，但好象并不是在看他，因为他根本没有露出什么特别的表情来。啊，这一切让他多难受!

另一头离开他们五排座位的地方……是吉尔平夫妇，当然是梅森找来的。

现在他们打算作证些什么呢?

是证明克莱德到过罗伯达房间去吗?

这一点过去一直瞒得多牢啊!

这当然是很见不得人的!

还有，乔治。牛顿夫妇竟然也到了!

干吗偏要把他们请上候补陪审员席?

也许要扯一扯罗伯达在遇见克莱德以前是怎么打发日子的吧?

还有，那个格雷斯。玛尔也来了……过去克莱德时常碰到她，但实际上只有一次在克拉姆湖上跟她说过话，那时罗伯达已经不喜欢她了。她还要扯些什么呢?

当然罗，她可以扯扯他怎样跟罗伯达认识的，但除此以外，还有什么好扯的呢?

啊，还有……可是，不，这是不可能的……可是……可是，这倒也是……千真万确的……那当然啊……还有那个奥特。肖林，就是克莱德向他打听过格伦医生呀。唉!

也许他要扯到这件事了!

……那是毫无疑问的。怎么人家好象把事情全都记得的……远不是他过去所想象的那样呀。

从前头数过去第三个窗根边，离开令人敬畏的奥尔登一家人再远些，还有那个满脸络腮胡子的大汉，看起来好象是昔日教友会信徒，后来却落草为盗……此人的名字叫海特。克莱德在三英里湾碰见过他，后来被迫被人带到大比腾去的那天，克莱德又见过他一次。啊，是的，他就是验尸官。在他身旁的，是那天要克莱德在旅客登记簿上登记的那个旅社掌柜。紧挨着掌柜的，是那个租船给克莱德的船老板。在船老板身边的，则是从冈洛奇开车送他和罗伯达的那个身材瘦长的导游……一个皮肤黝黑。筋骨壮实。粗野无礼的小伙子。他的那一双象野兽般深陷的小眼睛，这时好象要把克莱德戳穿似的。此人当然会扯到那天从冈洛奇开往大比腾一路上所见所闻的一切。那天克莱德心慌意乱和傻头傻脑的神态，人家会不会象现在克莱德还记得那么一清二楚呢?

要是记得的话，他那回心转意的说法将会受到怎样的影响呢?

他是不是最好跟杰夫森再谈一谈呢?

可是梅森这个人啊!

他是多么能干!

多么难对付!

他把以上这些人全都找来作证，指控克莱德，想必是费了老大的劲啊!

而现在，克莱德间或看他一眼，只见他正如过去至少已有十多次(但因效果并不特别显著，所以陪审员的座位依然空缺)那样在大声嚷嚷，说:

"人民认为可以接受!

"不过，每当他这么大声嚷嚷的时候，杰夫森照例把脸儿稍微侧转过去，连一眼也不看他，说:

"此人对我们毫无用处，阿尔文。顽固得象一根硬骨头。"随后，彬彬有礼。态度和蔼的贝尔纳普便向陪审团提出异议，而且几乎总是获得成功的。

不料，到了最后……啊，该是松一口气啊……法庭那个录事用一种清亮。

单薄。刺耳。衰老的嗓音宣布暂时退庭，下午两点钟再开庭。于是，杰夫森掉过头来，冲克莱德微微一笑，说:

"嗯，克莱德，这是头一个回合……没有什么了不起，是吧?

而且，也并不是那么可怕，可不是吗?

现在不妨先回去，痛痛快快饱吃一顿，好吗。今天下午，时间还会拖得很长，够沉闷的。"这时，克劳特。西塞尔，连同临时增派的警卫，都挤拢来围在他身边。接着，就是观众如堵，大喊大叫:

"他在那儿!

他在那儿!

瞧他过来了!

在这儿!

在这儿!

"还有一个肥乎乎的大体型的娘们，一个劲儿挤进来，两眼直瞪着他的脸，大声嚷道:

"让我看看他呀!

我就是要把你上上下下看个仔细，年轻小伙子。我自己也有两个闺女呀。"不过，他从旁听席上认出来的那些莱柯格斯和第十二号湖上的熟人，谁都没有向他走拢来。当然罗，哪儿都见不到桑德拉的影子。因为，贝尔纳普和杰夫森一再向他保证过，她是不会出庭的。甚至连她的芳名，也尽可能不让提到。格里菲思一家人，还有芬奇利一家人，全都反对哩。
Part 3 Chapter 20
And then five entire days consumed by Mason and Belknap in selecting a jury. But at last the twelve men whowere to try Clyde, sworn and seated. And such men--odd and grizzled, or tanned and wrinkled, farmers andcountry storekeepers, with here and there a Ford agent, a keeper of an inn at Tom Dixon's Lake, a salesman inHamburger's dry goods store at Bridgeburg, and a peripatetic insurance agent residing in Purday just north ofGrass Lake. And with but one exception, all married. And with but one exception, all religious, if not moral, andall convinced of Clyde's guilt before ever they sat down, but still because of their almost unanimous conceptionof themselves as fair and open-minded men, and because they were so interested to sit as jurors in this excitingcase, convinced that they could pass fairly and impartially on the facts presented to them.
　　And so, all rising and being sworn in.
　　And at once Mason rising and beginning: "Gentlemen of the jury."And Clyde, as well as Belknap and Jephson, now gazing at them and wondering what the impression of Mason'sopening charge was likely to be. For a more dynamic and electric prosecutor under these particularcircumstances was not to be found. This was his opportunity. Were not the eyes of all the citizens of the UnitedStates upon him? He believed so. It was as if some one had suddenly exclaimed: "Lights! Camera!""No doubt many of you have been wearied, as well as puzzled, at times during the past week," he began, "by theexceeding care with which the lawyers in this case have passed upon the panels from which you twelve menhave been chosen. It has been no light matter to find twelve men to whom all the marshaled facts in thisastonishing cause could be submitted and by them weighed with all the fairness and understanding which the lawcommands. For my part, the care which I have exercised, gentlemen, has been directed by but one motive--thatthe state shall have justice done. No malice, no pre-conceived notions of any kind. So late as July 9th last Ipersonally was not even aware of the existence of this defendant, nor of his victim, nor of the crime with whichhe is now charged. But, gentlemen, as shocked and unbelieving as I was at first upon hearing that a man of theage, training and connections of the defendant here could have placed himself in a position to be accused of suchan offense, step by step I was compelled to alter and then dismiss forever from my mind my original doubts andto conclude from the mass of evidence that was literally thrust upon me, that it was my duty to prosecute thisaction in behalf of the people.
　　"But, however that may be, let us proceed to the facts. There are two women in this action. One is dead. Theother" (and he now turned toward where Clyde sat, and here he pointed a finger in the direction of Belknap andJephson), "by agreement between the prosecution and the defense is to be nameless here, since no good cancome from inflicting unnecessary injury. In fact, the sole purpose which I now announce to you to be behindevery word and every fact as it will be presented by the prosecution is that exact justice, according to the laws ofthis state and the crime with which this defendant is charged, shall be done. EXACT JUSTICE, gentlemen, exact and fair. But if you do not act honestly and render a true verdict according to the evidence, the people of the stateof New York and the people of the county of Cataraqui will have a grievance and a serious one. For it is theywho are looking to you for a true accounting for your reasoning and your final decision in this case."And here Mason paused, and then turning dramatically toward Clyde, and with his right index finger pointingtoward him at times, continued: "The people of the state of New York CHARGE," (and he hung upon this oneword as though he desired to give it the value of rolling thunder), "that the crime of murder in the first degree hasbeen committed by the prisoner at the bar--Clyde Griffiths. They CHARGE that he willfully, and with maliceand cruelty and deception, murdered and then sought to conceal forever from the knowledge and the justice ofthe world, the body of Roberta Alden, the daughter of a farmer who has for years resided near the village ofBiltz, in Mimico County. They CHARGE" (and here Clyde, because of whispered advice from Jephson, wasleaning back as comfortably as possible and gazing as imperturbably as possible upon the face of Mason, whowas looking directly at him) "that this same Clyde Griffiths, before ever this crime was committed by him,plotted for weeks the plan and commission of it, and then, with malice aforethought and in cold blood, executedit.
　　"And in charging these things, the people of the State of New York expect to, and will, produce before yousubstantiations of every one of them. You will be given facts, and of these facts you, not I, are to be the solejudge."And here he paused once more, and shifting to a different physical position while the eager audience crowdedand leaned forward, hungry and thirsty for every word he should utter, he now lifted one arm and dramaticallypushing back his curly hair, resumed:
　　"Gentlemen, it will not take me long to picture, nor will you fail to perceive for yourselves as this case proceeds,the type of girl this was whose life was so cruelly blotted out beneath the waters of Big Bittern. All the twentyyears of her life" (and Mason knew well that she was twenty-three and two years older than Clyde) "no personwho ever knew her ever said one word in criticism of her character. And no evidence to that effect, I am positive,will be introduced in this trial. Somewhat over a year ago--on July 19-- she went to the city of Lycurgus, in orderthat by working with her own hands she might help her family." (And here the sobs of her parents and sisters andbrothers were heard throughout the courtroom.)"Gentlemen," went on Mason, and from this point carrying on the picture of Roberta's life from the time she firstleft home to join Grace Marr until, having met Clyde on Crum Lake and fallen out with her friend and patrons,the Newtons, because of him, she accepted his dictum that she live alone, amid strange people, concealing thesuspicious truth of this from her parents, and then finally succumbing to his wiles--the letters she had written himfrom Biltz detailing every single progressive step in this story. And from there, by the same meticulous process,he proceeded to Clyde--his interest in the affairs of Lycurgus society and the rich and beautiful Miss X, whobecause of a purely innocent and kindly, if infatuated, indication on her part that he might hope to aspire to herhand--had unwittingly evoked in him a passion which had been the cause of the sudden change in his attitude andemotions toward Roberta, resulting, as Mason insisted he would show, in the plot that had resulted in Roberta'sdeath.
　　"But who is the individual," he suddenly and most dramatically exclaimed at this point, "against whom I charge all these things? There he sits! Is he the son of wastrel parents--a product of the slums--one who had been deniedevery opportunity for a proper or honorable conception of the values and duties of a decent and respectable life?
　　Is he? On the contrary. His father is of the same strain that has given Lycurgus one of its largest and mostconstructive industries--the Griffiths Collar & Shirt Company. He was poor--yes--no doubt of that. But not moreso than Roberta Alden--and her character appears not to have been affected by her poverty. His parents in KansasCity, Denver, and before that Chicago and Grand Rapids, Michigan, appear to have been unordained ministers ofthe proselytizing and mission-conducting type-people who, from all I can gather, are really, sincerely religiousand right-principled in every sense. But this, their oldest son, and the one who might have been expected to bedeeply influenced by them, early turned from their world and took to a more garish life. He became a bell-boy ina celebrated Kansas City hotel, the Green- Davidson."And now he proceeded to explain that Clyde had ever been a rolling stone--one who, by reason of some quirk oftemperament, perhaps, preferred to wander here and there. Later, as he now explained, he had been given animportant position as head of a department in the well-known factory of his uncle at Lycurgus. And thengradually he was introduced into the circles in which his uncle and his children were familiar. And his salary wassuch that he could afford to keep a room in one of the better residences of the city, while the girl he had slainlived in a mean room in a back street.
　　"And yet," he continued, "how much has been made here of the alleged youth of this defendant?" (Here hepermitted himself a scornful smile.) "He has been called by his counsel and others in the newspapers a boy, overand over again. He is not a boy. He is a bearded man. He has had more social and educational advantages thanany one of you in the jury box. He has traveled. In hotels and clubs and the society with which he was sointimately connected in Lycurgus, he has been in contact with decent, respectable, and even able anddistinguished people. Why, as a matter of fact, at the time of his arrest two months ago, he was part of as smart asociety and summer resort group as this region boasts. Remember that! His mind is a mature, not, an immatureone. It is fully developed and balanced perfectly.
　　"Gentlemen, as the state will soon proceed to prove," he went on, "it was no more than four months after hisarrival in Lycurgus that this dead girl came to work for the defendant in the department of which he was thehead. And it was not more than two months after that before he had induced her to move from the respectableand religious home which she had chosen in Lycurgus, to one concerning which she knew nothing and theprincipal advantage of which, as he saw it, was that it offered secrecy and seclusion and freedom fromobservation for that vile purpose which already he entertained in regard to her.
　　"There was a rule of the Griffiths Company, as we will later show in this trial, which explains much--and thatwas that no superior officer or head of any department was permitted to have anything to do with any girlsworking under him, or for the factory, in or out of the factory. It was not conducive to either the morals or thehonor of those working for this great company, and they would not allow it. And shortly after coming there, thisman had been instructed as to that rule. But did that deter him? Did the so recent and favorable consideration ofhis uncle in any way deter him? Not in the least. Secrecy! Secrecy! From the very beginning! Seduction!
　　Seduction! The secret and intended and immoral and illegal and socially unwarranted and condemned use of herbody outside the regenerative and ennobling pale of matrimony!
　　"That was his purpose, gentlemen! But was it generally known by any one in Lycurgus or elsewhere that such a relationship as this existed between him and Roberta Alden? Not a soul! NOT A SOUL!, as far as I have beenable to ascertain, was ever so much as partially aware of this relationship until after this girl was dead. Not asoul! Think of that!
　　"Gentlemen of the jury," and here his voice took on an almost reverential tone, "Roberta Alden loved thisdefendant with all the strength of her soul. She loved him with that love which is the crowning mystery of thehuman brain and the human heart, that transcends in its strength and its weakness all fear of shame orpunishment from even the immortal throne above. She was a true and human and decent and kindly girl--apassionate and loving girl. And she loved as only a generous and trusting and self-sacrificing soul can love. Andloving so, in the end she gave to him all that any woman can give the man she loves.
　　"Friends, this thing has happened millions of times in this world of ours, and it will happen millions and millionsof times in the days to come. It is not new and it will never be old.
　　"But in January or February last, this girl, who is now dead in her grave, was compelled to come to thisdefendant, Clyde Griffiths, and tell him that she was about to become a mother. We shall prove to you that thenand later she begged him to go away with her and make her his wife.
　　"But did he? Would he? Oh, no! For by that time a change had come over the dreams and the affections of ClydeGriffiths. He had had time to discover that the name of Griffiths in Lycurgus was one that would open the doorsof Lycurgus exclusive circles--that the man who was no one in Kansas City or Chicago--was very much of aperson here, and that it would bring him in contact with girls of education and means, girls who moved far fromthe sphere to which Roberta Alden belonged. Not only that, but he had found one girl to whom, because of herbeauty, wealth, position, he had become enormously attached and beside her the little farm and factory girl in thepathetically shabby and secret room to which he had assigned her, looked poor indeed--good enough to betraybut not good enough to marry. And he would not." Here he paused, but only for a moment, then went on:
　　"But at no point have I been able to find the least modification or cessation of any of these social activities on hispart which so entranced him. On the contrary, from January to July fifth last, and after--yes, even after she wasfinally compelled to say to him that unless he could take her away and marry her, she would have to appeal to thesense of justice in the community in which they moved, and after she was cold and dead under the waters of BigBittern--dances, lawn fetes, automobile parties, dinners, gay trips to Twelfth Lake and Bear Lake, and without athought, seemingly, that her great moral and social need should modify his conduct in any way."And here he paused and gazed in the direction of Belknap and Jephson, who in turn, were not sufficientlydisturbed or concerned to do more than smile, first at him and then at each other, although Clyde, terrorized bythe force and the vehemence of it all, was chiefly concerned to note how much of exaggeration and unfairnesswas in all this.
　　But even as he was thinking so, Mason was continuing with: "But by this time, gentlemen, as I have indicated,Roberta Alden had become insistent that Griffiths make her his wife. And this he promised to do. Yet, as all theevidence here will show, he never intended to do anything of the kind. On the contrary, when her conditionbecame such that he could no longer endure her pleas or the danger which her presence in Lycurgusunquestionably spelled for him, he induced her to go home to her father's house, with the suggestion, apparently, that she prepare herself by making some necessary clothes, against the day when he would come for her andremove her to some distant city where they would not be known, yet where as his wife she could honorably bringtheir child into the world. And according to her letters to him, as I will show, that was to have been in threeweeks from the time she departed for her home in Biltz. But did he come for her as he had promised? No, henever did.
　　"Eventually, and solely because there was no other way out, he permitted her to come to him--on July sixth last-exactlytwo days before her death. But not before--but wait!--In the meantime, or from June fifth to July sixth,he allowed her to brood in that little, lonely farm-house on the outskirts of Biltz in Mimico County, with theneighbors coming in to watch and help her make some clothes, which even then she did not dare announce as herbridal trousseau. And she suspected and feared that this defendant would fail her. For daily, and sometimes twicedaily, she wrote him, telling him of her fears and asking him to assure her by letter or word in some form that hewould come and take her away.
　　"But did he even do that? Never by letter! NEVER! Oh, no, gentlemen, oh, no! On the contrary some telephonemessages--things that could not be so easily traced or understood. And these so few and brief that she herselfcomplained bitterly of his lack of interest and consideration for her at this time. So much so that at the end of fiveweeks, growing desperate, she wrote" (and here Mason picked from a collection of letters on the table behindhim a particular letter, and read): "'This is to tell you that unless I hear from you either by telephone or letterbefore noon Friday, I will come to Lycurgus and the world will know how you have treated me.' Those are thewords, gentlemen, that this poor girl was at last compelled to write.
　　"But did Clyde Griffiths want the world to know how he had treated her? Of course not! And there and thenbegan to form in his mind a plan by which he could escape exposure and seal Roberta Alden's lips forever. And,gentlemen, the state will prove that he did so close her mouth."At this point Mason produced a map of the Adirondacks which he had had made for the purpose, and on whichin red ink were traced the movements of Clyde up to and after her death--up to the time of his arrest at Big Bear.
　　Also, in doing this, he paused to tell the jury of Clyde's well-conceived plan of hiding his identity, the variousfalse registrations, the two hats. Here also he explained that on the train between Fonda and Utica, as againbetween Utica and Grass Lake, he had not ridden in the same car with Roberta. And then he announced:
　　"Don't forget, gentlemen, that although he had previously indicated to Roberta that this was to be their weddingjourney, he did not want anybody to know that he was with his prospective bride--no, not even after they hadreached Big Bittern. For he was seeking, not to marry but to find a wilderness in which to snuff out the life ofthis girl of whom he had tired. But did that prevent him, twenty-four and forty-eight hours before that time, fromholding her in his arms and repeating the promises he had no intention of keeping? Did it? I will show you theregisters of the two hotels in which they stayed, and where, because of their assumed approaching marriage, theyoccupied a single room together. Yet the only reason it was forty-eight instead of twenty-four hours was that hehad made a mistake in regard to the solitude of Grass Lake. Finding it brisk with life, the center of a summerreligious colony, he decided to leave and go to Big Bittern, which was more lonely. And so you have theastounding and bitter spectacle, gentlemen, of a supposedly innocent and highly misunderstood young mandragging this weary and heart-sick girl from place to place, in order to find a lake deserted enough in which todrown her. And with her but four months from motherhood!
　　"And then, having arrived at last at one lake lonely enough, putting her in a boat and taking her out from the innwhere he had again falsely registered as Mr. Clifford Golden and wife, to her death. The poor little thingimagined that she was going for a brief outing before that marriage of which he talked and which was to seal andsanctify it. To seal and sanctify it! To seal and sanctify, as closing waters seal and sanctify, but in no other way-noother way. And with him walking, whole and sly--as a wolf from its kill--to freedom, to marriage, to socialand material and affectionate bliss and superiority and ease, while she slept still and nameless in her waterygrave.
　　"But, oh, gentlemen, the ways of nature, or of God, and the Providence that shapes our ends, rough-hew themhow we may! It is man who proposes, but God--God--who disposes!
　　"The defendant is still wondering, I am sure, as to how I know that she thought she was still going to be marriedafter leaving the inn at Big Bittern. And I have no doubt that he still has some comforting thoughts to the effectthat I cannot really and truly know it. But how shrewd and deep must be that mind that would foresee andforestall all the accidents and chances of life. For, as he sits there now, secure in the faith that his counsel may beable to extract him safely from this" (and at this Clyde sat bolt upright, his hair tingling, and his hands concealedbeneath the table, trembling slightly), "he does not know that that girl, while in her room in the Grass Lake Inn,had written her mother a letter, which she had not had time to mail, and which was in the pocket of her coat leftbehind because of the heat of the day, and because she imagined she was coming back, of course. And which ishere now upon this table."At this Clyde's teeth fairly chattered. He shook as with a chill. To be sure, she had left her coat behind! AndBelknap and Jephson also sat up, wondering what this could be. How fatally, if at all, could it mar or makeimpossible the plan of defense which they had evolved? They could only wait and see.
　　"But in that letter," went on Mason, "she tells why she was up there--to be married, no less" (and at this pointJephson and Belknap, as well as Clyde, heaved an enormous sigh of relief--it was directly in the field of theirplan) "and within a day or two," continued Mason, thinking still that he was literally riddling Clyde with fear.
　　"But Griffiths, or Graham, of Albany, or Syracuse, or anywhere, knew better. He knew he was not coming back.
　　And he took all of his belongings with him in that boat. And all afternoon long, from noon until evening, hesearched for a spot on that lonely lake--a spot not easily observed from any point of the shore, as we will show.
　　And as evening fell, he found it. And walking south through the woods afterwards, with a new straw hat upon hishead, a clean, dry bag in his hand, he imagined himself to be secure. Clifford Golden was no more--Carl Grahamwas no more--drowned--at the bottom of Big Bittern, along with Roberta Alden. But Clyde Griffiths was aliveand free, and on his way to Twelfth Lake, to the society he so loved.
　　"Gentlemen, Clyde Griffiths killed Roberta Alden before he put her in that lake. He beat her on the head andface, and he believed no eye saw him. But, as her last death cry rang out over the water of Big Bittern, there wasa witness, and before the prosecution has closed its case, that witness will be here to tell you the story."Mason had no eye witness, but he could not resist this opportunity to throw so disrupting a thought into theopposition camp.
　　And decidedly, the result was all that he expected, and more. For Clyde, who up to this time and particularlysince the thunderbolt of the letter, had been seeking to face it all with an imperturbable look of patient innocence,now stiffened and then wilted. A witness! And here to testify! God! Then he, whoever he was, lurking on thelone shore of the lake, had seen the unintended blow, had heard her cries--had seen that he had not sought to aidher! Had seen him swim to shore and steal away--maybe had watched him in the woods as he changed hisclothes. God! His hands now gripped the sides of the chair, and his head went back with a jerk as if from apowerful blow, for that meant death--his sure execution. God! No hope now! His head dropped and he looked asthough he might lapse into a state of coma.
　　As to Belknap, Mason's revelation at first caused him to drop the pencil with which he was making notes, thennext to stare in a puzzled and dumbfounded way, since they had no evidence wherewith to forefend against sucha smash as this--But as instantly recalling how completely off his guard he must look, recovering. Could it bethat Clyde might have been lying to them, after all--that he had killed her intentionally, and before this unseenwitness? If so it might be necessary for them to withdraw from such a hopeless and unpopular case, after all.
　　As for Jephson, he was for the moment stunned and flattened. And through his stern and not easily shakablebrain raced such thoughts as--was there really a witness?--has Clyde lied?--then the die was cast, for had he notalready admitted to them that he had struck Roberta, and the witness must have seen that? And so the end of anyplea of a change of heart. Who would believe that, after such testimony as this?
　　But because of the sheer contentiousness and determination of his nature, he would not permit himself to becompletely baffled by this smashing announcement. Instead he turned, and after surveying the flustered and yetself-chastising Belknap and Clyde, commented: "I don't believe it. He's lying, I think, or bluffing. At any rate,we'll wait and see. It's a long time between now and our side of the story. Look at all those witnesses there. Andwe can cross-question them by the week, if we want to--until he's out of office. Plenty of time to do a lot ofthings--find out about this witness in the meantime. And besides, there's suicide, or there's the actual thing thathappened. We can let Clyde swear to what did happen--a cataleptic trance--no courage to do it. It's not likelyanybody can see that at five hundred feet." And he smiled grimly. At almost the same time he added, but not forClyde's ears: "We might be able to get him off with twenty years at the worst, don't you think?"

挑选陪审团成员，梅森和贝尔纳普花了整整五天时间。不过，到最后，负责审问克莱德的那十二个人，终于宣誓开始履行他们的职责了。而且都是这么一些人:

一些古里古怪。头发花白，或是肌肤晒黑。满脸皱纹的庄稼汉，和乡下杂货铺掌柜，他们里头还有一个推销福特汽车的经纪人。一个托姆。狄克逊湖上的旅店老板。一个汉堡绸布店在布里奇伯格的推销员，以及一个常驻在草湖以北珀丹。专跑码头的保险公司推销员。而且，他们除了一人以外，全都结过婚。再说，他们除了一人以外，即使不是很讲道德，至少也是全都笃信宗教。

而且，他们在履职以前早就深信不疑:

克莱德犯了杀人罪。但因为他们几乎一致认为自己为人正直，不偏不倚，又都乐于在这么一个轰动的案子中出任陪审员，所以，他们深信自己对提请他们注意的事实都能公正地作出处置。

于是，他们就全体起立，宣了誓。

梅森马上站了起来，开口说:

"陪审团的先生们。"克莱德和贝尔纳普。杰夫森都是两眼直瞅着他们，暗自纳闷，真不知道梅森开头这一指控会给他们造成什么印象。因为，在这样特殊情况之下，恐怕怎么也找不到比他更有能耐。更富有魅力的检察官了。这对他来说是绝好机会了。

整个美国公民的眼睛不是都在注视着他吗?

他相信确是这样的。这好比某个导演突然大声喊道:

"打开灯光!

开拍!

""毫无疑问，在过去这个星期里，你们很多人有时就弄得精疲力竭。困惑不解，"梅森开始说。"因为，本案的各位律师对选出你们十二个人的那张陪审员名单持特别审慎的态度。要找出十二个人来，把这个骇人听闻的案子里所有搜集到的事实递交给他们，让他们根据法律所要求的公正立场和高明的见解来加以衡量，这可不是一件容易的事。就我来说，我之所以采取审慎的态度，先生们，只是出于一个动机:

要伸张正义。无论恶意也好，还是任何事前偏见也好，都是绝对没有的。直到今年七月九日，我本人甚至还压根儿不知道有这么一个被告，也不知道有这么一位被害人，更不知道现在他被指控的罪行。可是，先生们，当我一开头听到，一个象被告这样的年龄，受过这样的教养，还有这样的亲友关系的人，竟然会被人指控犯下了这类性质的罪行，说真的，我不由得又是震惊，又是难于置信。可是，后来，我却不能不逐步改变了我的看法。随后，我不得不把我心里最初那些疑虑永远给打消了，并从我逐字逐句地看到的大量罪证中得出一个结论，那就是:

我有责任代表人民提起公诉。

"但是，不管怎么样，还是让我们先从事实说起吧。本案牵涉到两个女人。

一个女人已经死了。另一个女人，"(这时，他朝克莱德坐的地方转过身来，用手指着跟克莱德坐在一起的贝尔纳普和杰夫森那边)"由于征得原告及其律师和被告一方及其辩护律师同意，在这里就不提她的尊姓大名了。因为，让她受到不必要的伤害，是没有什么好处的。事实上，原告及其律师准备提出的每一句话。

每一项事实，其唯一的目的，现在我向你们声明，就是:

根据我们州里的法律以及被告受到指控的罪行，使真正的正义得到伸张。真正的正义，先生们，真正的，而且又是公正的。不过，要是你们并不是根据本案证据公正地办事，作出正确的判决，那末，纽约州的人民以及卡塔拉基县的人民将会呼冤喊屈，而且还是严重的呼冤喊屈。因为，正是他们寄厚望于你们，期待你们正确说明你们对本案的论证和最终判决。"说到这里，梅森顿住了一会儿，接着就引人注目地转过身来，冲着克莱德，不时用右手的食指指指戳戳说:

"纽约州人民的控告，"(说话时他特别加重了这个字眼，仿佛让这个字眼儿如同雷霆万钧一般发出巨响)"这个囚犯……克莱德。格里菲思犯了杀人罪。人民控告克莱德蓄谋已久，并以恶毒。残忍。欺骗的手法，杀害了罗伯达。奥尔登，然后企图让世人永远不知道罗伯达。奥尔登的尸体下落，从而逍遥法外。这个罗伯达。奥尔登，是多年来住在米米科县比尔茨村的一个农民的女儿。人民控告，"(这时，听了杰夫森交头接耳的悄悄话，克莱德尽可能舒坦地靠在椅背上，泰然自若地望着那个两眼正盯住他的梅森的脸)"这个克莱德。格里菲思，甚至在他犯下这一罪行以前，就阴谋策划了好几个星期，然后按照事先拟定的恶毒而又残忍的方案付诸行动。

"纽约州的人民在告发这些事实时，将准备向你们递交每一件事实的证明。

你们将了解到许许多多事实，这些事实唯一的审判人，将是你们，而不是我。

"说到这里，他又顿住了一会儿，换了一下站立的姿势。急不可待的听众也都俯身向前簇拥着，如饥似渴地听着他所说的每一个字眼。这时，他举起一只手，富于戏剧性地把他鬈曲的头发往后一捋，继续说道:

"先生们，我并不需要很长时间就能说清楚……而你们在听审本案时，也不需要花多少时间都能了解到:

惨死在大比腾湖底下的姑娘，究竟是哪一种人。她的整个一生总共只活了二十年，"(其实，梅森心里也很清楚她今年是二十三岁，比克莱德大两岁)"凡是认识她的人，谁都没有对她的人品说过一句坏话。而且，我可以肯定地说，在本法庭上也决不会有人对她提出什么不好的证据来。大约在一年前……七月十九日她来到莱柯格斯市，想靠她自己的双手来赡养她的家庭。"(这时，整个法庭大厅都听得到罗伯达的父母。弟妹的啜泣声)"先生们，……"梅森接着详细介绍了罗伯达的一生:

从她最初离开老家，跟格雷斯。玛尔住在一起，到后来，她在克拉姆湖上同克莱德相遇。由于他的缘故，她跟她的女友。还有自己的保护人牛顿夫妇都闹翻了，并且听从了克莱德要她一人单独住开的意见，就跟陌生人住在一起。梅森还讲到罗伯达怎么向她的父母隐瞒了这一令人怀疑的迁居真相，最后终于受了克莱德的骗……她从比尔茨写给他的那些信，把这件事的整个发展过程都说得很详细。这时，梅森又同样巨细不遗地讲到克莱德，和他一心向往莱柯格斯上流社会，以及对那个又有钱。

又美丽的某某小姐发生了兴趣。由于这位小姐纯属天真和善良(虽说对他有些着了迷)的表示，便使他觉得自己可望高攀跟她结婚。因此，尽管这位小姐本无此意，却在他心中激起了一种情欲;而他对罗伯达的态度和感情之所以突然改变，原因也就在这里。其结果，(这事据梅森说，他一定会加以揭示)就是谋害罗伯达致死。

"可是，"说到这里，他突然惹人注目地大声嚷道。"我揭发了此人所有问题，那末，此人究竟是怎么样一个人呢?

现在他就坐在你们面前!

也许，他的父母都是窝囊废，他本人就是贫民窟里的产物吧?

……这样的人对于一种正当。体面的生活该有哪些价值和责任，从来都不可能会有正确的认识。那他就是这样一个人吗?

不，恰好相反。他的父亲，和莱柯格斯最著名的大型企业之一……格里菲思领子衬衫公司老板都是本家。他本人穷……是的……这是没有疑问的。不过，他并不比罗伯达更穷……可她后来穷并没有使她的人品受到什么影响。他的父母在堪萨斯城，在丹佛，而在这以前，还在芝加哥，在密执安州的大瀑布，看来都是充当虽然没有得到圣职但自愿传道。劝人信教的传教士。据我从各方面收集的情况来看，他们确实都是笃信宗教。循规蹈矩的正派人。可是眼前这个人，是他们的大儿子，本来他是应该以父母为榜样，深受鼓舞;哪知道他很早就抛弃了自己的亲人，去追求浮华的生活。后来，他到堪萨斯城一家有名的旅馆……格林－戴维逊大酒店当了一名侍应生。"随后，梅森进一步说明:

克莱德从来就象是一块滚石……也许是由于脾气特别怪，他宁愿到处漂泊流浪。后来呢……梅森又继续介绍说，克莱德在他伯父有名的莱柯格斯工厂里担任要职，负责主管一个部门。然后，他就慢慢地进入了属于他伯父及其子女们的上流社会，他的薪水足以使他能在莱柯格斯市优美住宅区租下了一个房间，而被他杀害的那个姑娘，却住在穷街陋巷一个寒伧的房间里。

"可是直至今日，"梅森继续说道。"为什么有人在大肆渲染，说什么这个被告年纪还很轻呢?

"(说到这里，他不由得轻蔑地一笑)"他的辩护律师们以及其他一些人，在各报刊上一遍又一遍地都管被告叫小伢儿。可他并不是小伢儿呀。他是长了胡子的成年人。论社会地位和所受的教养，他呀比你们陪审员席上哪一位都要高出一筹。他哪儿都去过。在各大饭店。俱乐部，以及跟他有密切关系的莱柯格斯上流社会里，他一直跟体面。大方的，甚至杰出的知名人士应酬周旋。嘿，说实话，就在两个月以前他被捕的时候，他还是本地区引为骄傲的上流社会里时髦青年男女来此避暑的游客之一哩。要记住这一点!

他的头脑是成熟了的，绝对不象是小伢儿那样还没有成熟。它是非常和谐，简直可以说，是完美无缺。

"先生们，正如本州马上就要加以证明那样，"梅森接下去说，"克莱德刚到莱柯格斯才四个月，这个已故的姑娘就进入了由他主管的那个部门，也就是说，在被告手下打工。而在这以后只不过两个月，他就骗她从她在莱柯格斯寄住的这个可敬而又虔信宗教的人家，搬到另一个对她来说完全陌生的住所，从被告的观点来看，迁入新居的最大好处，是他在这里可以行动秘密，又因地点隐蔽，不会被别人察觉，以达到他对这个姑娘早已有了的邪恶目的。

"格里菲思公司厂里有一个厂规……正如稍后我们会给你们加以详细说明那样，这个厂规可以说明许多问题……就是说:

不论哪一个高级职员，或是主管哪一个部门的负责人，绝对不准跟他手下的女工，或是在本厂打工的其他女工，在厂内或是厂外有任何来往。这种来往对那个著名大公司里的女工们，不论是在道德上，或是在名誉上，都没有什么好处，所以是绝对不许可的。这个人刚到那里不久，厂方很快就把这个厂规告诉了他。可是，请问这个厂规管住了他没有?

他伯父最近对他的关照有没有管住他呢?

一丁点儿都没有。从一开头起就鬼鬼祟祟!

鬼鬼祟祟!

诱奸!

诱奸!

在庄严的。高尚的婚姻关系以外，秘密地。故意地。

不道德地。不合法地。被社会所谴责和不容地同她私通!

"这就是他的目的所在，先生们!

可是，他跟罗伯达。奥尔登之间有着这么一种关系，在莱柯格斯等地是不是人人都知道呢?

没有一个人知道!

据我了解，在这个姑娘惨死以前，甚至连有点儿知道这种关系的知情人，也是一个都没有!

一个都没有!

你们不妨想想看!

"陪审团的先生们，"说到这里，梅森的话里听得出有一种几乎令人肃然起敬的语调。"罗伯达。奥尔登是真心实意地爱这个被告的。她对他倾心相爱，她给他的那种爱，乃是人类智慧和人类心灵中至高无上的奥秘，不管它坚强也好，还是软弱也好，它对羞耻……乃至于天罚……的恐惧，都可以置之度外。她是一位庄重。善良。真正富有人情味的姑娘……一个热情奔放的可爱姑娘。而且，只有宽宏大量。肯信赖人和自我牺牲的人，才能象她那样倾心相爱。而且，她就是那样爱他，因此，到了最后，如同任何一个女人能把一切都给予她心爱的男子一样，她也把一切献给了他。

"朋友们，在我们这个世界上，这种事情已经发生过千百万次，在将来还会发生亿万次。这可并不新鲜，但也永远不会过时。

"可是在一月份，要不然就在二月份，这位现已躺在坟墓里的姑娘，不得不来找这个被告克莱德。格里菲思，告诉他，她就要做孩子妈妈了。我们将要向你们证明:

就在那时，以及在那以后，她都一直恳求他跟她一块走，娶她为妻。

"可他有没有这样做呢?

他心里想不想这样做呢?

嘿，都没有!

因为，到了那个时候，克莱德。格里菲思的梦想和感情，都已发生变化了!

他早已发现:

有了格里菲思这个姓，就可以进入莱柯格斯上流社会;原是在堪萨斯城和芝加哥微不足道的人，到了这里却成了一个了不起的人物;而且，格里菲思这个姓，能使他结识一些有教养。有钱财的姑娘，她们生活的环境跟罗伯达。奥尔登相比，真有天壤之别。不仅这样，他还另找了一位姑娘，这位姑娘以自己的姿色。财富和社会地位，竟让他完全坠入情网，倘跟这位小姐一比，那个厂里打工的乡下小姑娘，住在由他安排的一个怪寒伧而又诡秘的房间里，当然显得很可怜……在他看来，私通很够味儿，但结婚是不够格的。何况他说什么也不愿跟她结婚。"说到这里，他顿住了一会儿，但是马上就接下去说:

"不过，据我调查，并没有发现那时克莱德的生活发生过丝毫变化，他对曾使他如此神魂颠倒的上流社会活动的热情，始终有增无减。相反，从一月起到七月五日止，而且到了……是的，甚至到了最后，她已被逼得走投无路，只能对他说，如果他不把她接走，跟她结婚，那她就不得不请他们周围的公众主持公道了。哪知道甚至在这个姑娘尸骨冰冷。葬身在大比腾湖底以后……他还照样参加舞会。宴会。游园会。开了汽车出游，到第十二号湖和熊湖上寻欢作乐，好象一点儿也没有想到:

奥尔登小姐的惨案已在道义上引起公众极大关注，他应该对自己的言行多少收敛一下。"说到这里，梅森顿住了一会儿，两眼盯着贝尔纳普和杰夫森那一边。殊不知他们两人并没有乱了方寸，大惊失色，相反，只是一个劲儿微笑:

先是冲他笑笑，跟着彼此相视一笑，尽管这时克莱德早被梅森义愤填膺的这些有力发言吓懵了，可是他继而一想，梅森这些话里有些地方未免太夸张，太不公道了。

但就在克莱德这样暗自思忖时，梅森却又继续说道:

"不过，那时，先生们，正如我刚才说过的，罗伯达。奥尔登态度变得非常坚决，定要格里菲思跟她结婚不可。而他呢也一口答应了。不料，正如你们从这儿所有的证据看到的，他从来就没有打算履行自己的诺言。相反，直到她有了身孕，她的一再恳求使他再也受不了。何况让她继续留在莱柯格斯，对他来说势必是一种危险，这时他就骗她先回娘家，显然还劝她置备一些必不可缺的衣服，说他到时候会上她家里去，把她接到一个比较偏远的城市，在那里，谁都不认得他们，她不妨以他妻子的身份光明正大地把孩子生下来。根据她写给他的那些信上所说(这些信我准备要出示的)，他是应该在她动身去比尔茨老家后的三周以内去的。可他是不是履约上她老家去了呢?

没有，他从来也没有去过。

"到最后，只是因为他一点儿辙也没有了，他才准许她来找他……那是在七月六日，正好是在她死前两天。但不是在那以前……这一件事，且慢，以后再说!

……在这同时，也就是说从六月五日到七月六日，他就让她独自一人待在米米科县比尔茨郊区那座又小。又冷冷清清的农舍里，只有一些街坊邻居来看望她，帮她添置一些衣服。即使是在那时，她还不敢公开说这些衣服是她的嫁妆。

她既怀疑。又深怕这个被告会把她抛弃。于是，她每天……有时隔一天……写信给他，把她心中的惧怕告诉他，要求他用写信，或则哪怕是传口信方式肯定一下，他真的会来把她接走。

"可是，连她这一点点要求，他是不是做到了呢?

他从来没有写过一封信!

从来没有!

啊，从来没有，先生们，啊，从来没有呀!

相反，他就只打过几次电话……这些电话是既不容易追查，也不容易让人听得很清楚的。而且，他的电话打得那么少，又是那么短，她不能不感到难过，埋怨他这时不关心体贴她。于是，到了第五周周末，她出于万般无奈，才写信对他说(说到这里，梅森从背后桌子上一堆信里头特意捡了一封，开始念道):

'

''''我写这封信通知你，要是我在星期五中午以前，没接到你的电话或是复信，那我当晚就去莱柯格斯，让大家知道你是怎样对待我的。，先生们，上面这些话，就是这位可怜的姑娘到了最后逼不得已才写的。

"可是，克莱德。格里菲思是不是乐意让大家都知道他是怎么样对待她的呢?

当然不乐意!

就在那个时候，他却想出了一个计划，让他既可以避免被揭发出来的危险，又可以把罗伯达。奥尔登的嘴永远给封住。先生们，本州将向你们证明:

克莱德确实把她的嘴永远给封住了。"说到这里，梅森取出一幅他特地绘制的艾迪隆达克斯的地图，地图上的红线标明克莱德在罗伯达死亡之前以及死去以后的全部行踪……一直到他在大熊湖被捕的时候为止。梅森在作这样说明时，还向陪审团介绍了克莱德想得很周密的计划，比方说，他隐名埋姓，在旅店几次申报假名字，还有那两顶帽子，等等。接着，他还说明克莱德和罗伯达坐的火车，在方达和尤蒂卡之间的那段路上，以及在尤蒂卡和草湖之间的那段路上，他们并没有坐在同一节车厢里。

随后，梅森郑重地说:

"先生们，别忘了，他虽然事前跟罗伯达说，这是他们的结婚旅行，可是，他并不乐意让任何人知道他这是偕同他未来的新娘出门旅行……不，哪怕是在他们到达了大比腾以后，他还是不乐意让人知道。因为，他本来就无意跟她结婚，只是要寻摸到一个荒凉的地点，把他早已玩厌了的这个姑娘就地掐死。不过在那以前的一昼夜和两昼夜里，这个念头阻止他把她搂在自己怀里并一再念叨他那压根儿不想履行的诺言吗?

阻止了没有?

我这就把他们歇脚的两家旅店来往旅客登论薄拿出来给你们看看。他们一到这两家旅店，两人就同住在一个单间客房里，佯装反正马上要结婚。殊不知他们一住就是两昼夜，而不是一昼夜，唯一原因是他估计错了，草湖可不是那么触目荒凉。他发现草湖很热闹，原来是教友们在夏季聚会之地，便决定离开那里，到更荒凉的大比腾去。这个据说无辜而被人大大误解了的年轻人，就是这样拽住这个疲累不堪。伤心透顶的姑娘，从这儿转悠到了那儿，为了寻摸一处极端荒凉的湖上把她活活地淹死。先生们，你们看看，这是多么骇人听闻的惨象呀。而且这时，她再过四个月，就要做孩子妈妈了。

"接着，他们果真来到了一个四顾茫茫。满目荒凉的湖上。他把她从那家旅店里领出来，让她登上了一条小船，送她到死路上去。(他在旅店登记时再一次用了假名字，佯称为克利福德。戈尔登夫妇)那位可怜的小姑娘还满心以为:

这是在举行他所谈及的婚礼以前先去作一次短暂的小游哩。婚礼将使这次小游得到确认和合法化。得到确认并合法化!

殊不知使之得到确认和合法化的，正是没顶的湖水，而决不是别的……决不是别的。而且，他还安然无恙，而又狡猾地走开了……如一头凶狼从它咬死的猎物那儿走开了一样……走向自由，走向新婚，走向富裕的物质生活，爱情的幸福，以及优越。安逸的上流社会，而她却无声无息。无名无姓地永远葬身在湖底了。

"可是话又说回来，先生们，造物主的旨意，或者说是上帝的旨意，都是不可知的啊。尽管我们个人作出了种种努力，可到头来造物主总是视而不见，随心所欲地安排好了我们的命运!

说真的，是谋事在人，成事在天……在天啊!

"当然，我知道，被告至今想必还在暗自纳闷，我怎么会知道她离开大比腾那家旅店时心里在想就要举行婚礼呢。毫无疑问，直到此刻，他一定还会聊以自慰，认为事实上我不可能真的知道这件事的。不过，要预见和预防生活中所有一切的意外和机遇，那就必须具有洞察秋毫的慧眼才行。因为，现在他正坐在这儿，万无一失地以为:

他的辩护律师们总能帮助他安然摆脱这一窘境，"(克莱德一听到这些话，猛地腰板挺直，感到自己头发也在震颤了，连他藏在桌底下的双手都在微微抖索着)"可他并不知道，那个姑娘在草湖旅社房间里写过一封信给她的母亲，因为来不及寄出，就放在她外套口袋里。那件外套，一是因为那天天气热，二是因为她当然自以为要回来的，也就留在旅店里了。而这封信，此刻就在我这张桌子上。"克莱德一听到这里牙齿直打颤。他浑身上下，就象突然受寒那样发抖。是的，没错，她把自己那件外套留在旅社里的!

贝尔纳普和杰夫森也大吃一惊，心里纳闷，真不知道这是怎样一封信。这封信要是终于破坏了他们周密策划的那套辩护方案(或是使它几乎垮台了)，那可是致命伤啊!

他们也只好拭目以待了。

"可是，在这封信里，"梅森接下去说。"她说了她到那儿去是干什么的……正是去结婚的。"(这时，杰夫森和贝尔纳普，以及克莱德，全都松了一大口气……这本是在他们意料之中)"而且是在一两天以内，"梅森一面继续说，一面暗自琢磨他刚才这些话可真的把克莱德吓坏了。"可是格里菲思或是格雷厄姆，不管是来自奥尔巴尼，或是锡拉丘兹，还是来自别地的那个人，反正他心里最清楚。

他知道自己是不会再回来的。他随身带着自己所有的东西上了船。从正午到傍晚，整整一个下午，他在这个满目荒凉的湖上寻找一个合适的地点……从岸上哪儿望去都不容易被人发现的地方……这一点我们会向你们证明的。到了傍黑时分，他才找到了这样的一个地点。随后，他就往南步行，穿过树林子，头上戴着一顶新草帽，手里拎着一只干干净净的手提箱，自以为是安全无虞了。克利福德。戈尔登早已不在人世了……卡尔。格雷厄姆早已不在人世了……全都给淹死了……在大比腾湖底，跟罗伯达。奥尔登在一起了。哪知道克莱德却是活着的，是自由的，而且正在启程前往第十二号湖畔，奔向他如此为之倾心喜爱的上流社会人群中去。

"先生们，克莱德。格里菲思是先把罗伯达。奥尔登杀害之后，才把她扔入湖中。他砸过她的头和脸，那时他相信没有人看见他。殊不知正当她在大比腾湖面上临终前发出最后呼喊声时，却有一个见证人在那里。在原告一方及其律师控告结束以前，这位见证人会到这儿来，向你们申述当时的情况。

"梅森虽然不是在场目击这一罪行的见证人，可他禁不住利用这一机会，使对方阵脚大乱。

的确，效果如同他预料的完全一样，而且还有过之无不及。因为，直到现在为止，特别是在罗伯达那封信有如雷击似的使他深为震惊以后，克莱德竭力装出一点儿都不激动，只是无辜受辱的沉着神态，忍受着这一切，可在眼下却突然变得浑身冰凉，一下子蔫了。好一个见证人!

而且要到这儿来作证!

老天哪!

这么说来，这个见证人，不管他是谁，躲藏在荒凉的湖岸上，看见克莱德那无意之中的一砸，听到过罗伯达的呼喊声……明明看到克莱德并没有设法去搭救她的!

还看见他向湖岸边游过去，偷偷溜走……他在换衣服的时候，也许此人还在树林子里瞧着他哩。老天哪!

克莱德两手紧紧抓住椅子边，他的头猛地往后一甩，仿佛受到猛击似的。因为这就意味着死……一定要把他处死不可。老天哪!

现在再也没有希望了!

他的头耷拉下来……看样子他好象马上就要昏厥过去似的。

梅森的这一席揭发，先是使贝尔纳普正在做笔记的那支铅笔从手里掉落了，接着怔呆了，茫然失措，两眼直瞪着，因为要击退如此猛烈的攻击，他们手里没有什么强有力的证据……不过，他一想到此刻一定让人见到自己大惊失色，就马上恢复镇静的神态。难道说到头来还是克莱德在对他们撒谎……分明是他故意杀害了她，而且就在这个没有被他发现的见证人面前?

果真是这样，也许他们就得拒绝经办这么一个毫无希望。而又不得人心的案子。

至于杰夫森，他一开头也惊呆了，窘态毕露了。各种想法从他坚定而又不容易受震惊的脑袋里一一闪过，比如……难道说真的有一个见证人吗?

……难道是克莱德撒了谎?

……那末，事已定局，无可挽回了。因为，他不是向他们承认他砸过罗伯达了吗?

想必这个见证人也一定看到了。这么一来，回心转意的说法也可以休矣。在这个见证人作证之后，有谁还会相信呢?

不过，杰夫森天性好斗，而又坚强不屈，他决不让自己被检察官这一篇毁灭性的发言彻底挫败。相反，他把脸侧转过去，瞅了一眼失魂落魄，但又自嗟自怨的贝尔纳普和克莱德之后，就大发议论说:

"这个我可不信。依我看，他这是在撒谎，要不然，就是在吓唬人。不管怎么说，反正我们等着瞧吧。从现在算起，轮到我们这一边说话，时间还长着呢。看看所有这些见证人吧。我们要是高兴的话，不妨一星期。一星期地反诘问他们……直到他任期期满为止。有的是充分的时间，可以做很多很多的事……同时还要了解一下有关这个见证人的情况。再说，还有自杀的一说呢，或者说，实际上真的发生过这样的事。我们不妨让克莱德发誓，说一说当时实际情况:

他象僵住症似的昏迷了过去，没有胆量下这一手。这事是远在五百英尺以外，大概谁都看不到吧。"说罢，他还狞笑着。差不多就在同时，他又找补着说，但并不是要让克莱德听到:

"我想，最坏的结局，也许我们还能给他捞到一个二十年徒刑，您认为怎么样?"
Part 3 Chapter 21
And then witnesses, witnesses, witnesses--to the number of one hundred and twenty-seven. And their testimony,particularly that of the doctors, three guides, the woman who heard Roberta's last cry, all repeatedly objected toby Jephson and Belknap, for upon such weakness and demonstrable error as they could point out depended theplausibility of Clyde's daring defense. And all of this carrying the case well into November, and after Mason hadbeen overwhelmingly elected to the judgeship which he had so craved. And because of the very vigor and strifeof the trial, the general public from coast to coast taking more and more interest. And obviously, as the dayspassed and the newspaper writers at the trial saw it, Clyde was guilty. Yet he, because of the repeated commandsof Jephson, facing each witness who assailed him with calm and even daring.
　　"Your name?""Titus Alden.""You are the father of Roberta Alden?""Yes, sir.""Now, Mr. Alden, just tell the jury how and under what circumstances it was that your daughter Robertahappened to go to Lycurgus.""Objected to. Irrelevant, immaterial, incompetent," snapped Belknap.
　　"I'll connect it up," put in Mason, looking up at the judge, who ruled that Titus might answer subject to a motionto strike out his testimony if not "connected up.""She went there to get work," replied Titus.
　　"And why did she go there to get work?"Again objection, and the old man allowed to proceed after the legal formalities had again been complied with.
　　"Well, the farm we have over there near Biltz hasn't ever paid so very well, and it's been necessary for thechildren to help out and Bobbie being the oldest--""Move to strike out!" "Strike it out.""'Bobbie' was the pet name you gave your daughter Roberta, was it?""Objected to," etc., etc. "Exception.""Yes, sir. 'Bobbie' was what we sometimes called her around there-- just Bobbie."And Clyde listening intently and enduring without flinching the stern and accusing stare of this brooding Priamof the farm, wondering at the revelation of his former sweetheart's pet name. He had nicknamed her "Bert"; shehad never told him that at home she was called "Bobbie."And amid a fusillade of objections and arguments and rulings, Alden continuing, under the leading of Mason, torecite how she had decided to go to Lycurgus, after receipt of a letter from Grace Marr, and stop with Mr. andMrs. Newton. And after securing work with the Griffiths Company, how little the family had seen of her untilJune fifth last, when she had returned to the farm for a rest and in order to make some clothes.
　　"No announcement of any plans for marriage?""None."But she had written a number of long letters--to whom he did not know at the time. And she had been depressedand sick. Twice he had seen her crying, although he said nothing, knowing that she did not want to be noticed.
　　There had been a few telephone calls from Lycurgus, the last on July fourth or fifth, the day before she left, hewas quite sure.
　　"And what did she have with her when she left?""Her bag and her little trunk.""And would you recognize the bag that she carried, if you saw it?""Yes, sir.""Is this the bag?" (A deputy assistant district attorney carrying forward a bag and placing it on a small stand.)And Alden, after looking at it and wiping his eyes with the back of his hand, announcing: "Yes, sir."And then most dramatically, as Mason intended in connection with every point in this trial, a deputy assistantcarrying in a small trunk, and Titus Alden and his wife and daughters and sons all crying at the sight of it. Andafter being identified by him as Roberta's, the bag and then the trunk were opened in turn. And the dresses madeby Roberta, some underclothing, shoes, hats, the toilet set given her by Clyde, pictures of her mother and fatherand sister and brothers, an old family cookbook, some spoons and forks and knives and salt and pepper sets--allgiven her by her grandmother and treasured by her for her married life--held up and identified in turn.
　　All this over Belknap's objection, and on Mason's promise to "connect it up," which, however, he was unable todo, and the evidence was accordingly ordered "struck out." But its pathetic significance by that time deeplyimpressed on the minds and hearts of the jurymen. And Belknap's criticism of Mason's tactics merely resulting inthat gentleman bellowing, in an infuriated manner: "Who's conducting this prosecution, anyhow?" To whichBelknap replied: "The Republican candidate for county judge in this county, I believe!"--thus evoking a wave oflaughter which caused Mason to fairly shout: "Your Honor, I protest! This is an unethical and illegal attempt toinject into this case a political issue which has nothing to do with it. It is slyly and maliciously intended toconvey to this jury that because I am the Republican nominee for judge of the county, it is impossible for me toproperly and fairly conduct the prosecution of this case. And I now demand an apology, and will have it before Iproceed one step further in this case."Whereupon Justice Oberwaltzer, feeling that a very serious breach of court etiquette had occurred, proceeded tosummon Belknap and Mason before him, and after listening to placid and polite interpretations of what wasmeant, and what was not meant, finally ordered, on pain of contempt, that neither of them again refer to thepolitical situation in any way.
　　Nevertheless, Belknap and Jephson congratulating themselves that in this fashion their mood in regard toMason's candidacy and his use of this case to further it had effectively gotten before the jury and the court.
　　But more and more witnesses!
　　Grace Marr now taking the stand, and in a glib and voluble outpouring describing how and where she had firstmet Roberta--how pure and clean and religious a girl she was, but how after meeting Clyde on Crum Lake agreat change had come over her. She was more secretive and evasive and given to furnishing all sorts of falseexcuses for new and strange adventures--as, for instance, going out nights and staying late, and claiming to beplaces over Saturday and Sunday where she wasn't--until finally, because of criticism which she, Grace Marr,had ventured to make, she had suddenly left, without giving any address. But there was a man, and that man wasClyde Griffiths. For having followed Roberta to her room one evening in September or October of the yearbefore, she had observed her and Clyde in the distance, near the Gilpin home. They were standing under sometrees and he had his arm around her.
　　And thereafter Belknap, at Jephson's suggestion, taking her and by the slyest type of questioning, trying todiscover whether, before coming to Lycurgus, Roberta was as religious and conventional as Miss Marr wouldhave it. But Miss Marr, faded and irritable, insisting that up to the day of her meeting with Clyde on Crum Lake,Roberta had been the soul of truth and purity, in so far as she knew.
　　And next the Newtons swearing to much the same thing.
　　And then the Gilpins, wife and husband and daughters, each swearing to what she or he alone saw or heard. Mrs.
　　Gilpin as to the approximate day of Roberta's moving into her home with one small trunk and bag--the identicaltrunk and bag identified by Titus. And thereafter seeming to live very much alone until finally she, feeling sorryfor her, had suggested one type of contact and another, but Roberta invariably refusing. But later, along in lateNovember, although she had never had the heart to say anything about it to her because of her sweetness andgeneral sobriety, she and her two daughters had become aware of the fact that occasionally, after eleven o'clock,it had seemed as though Roberta must be entertaining some one in her room, but just whom she could not say.
　　And again at this point, on cross-examination, Belknap trying to extract any admissions or impressions whichwould tend to make it look as though Roberta was a little less reserved and puritanical than all the witnesses hadthus far painted her, but failing. Mrs. Gilpin, as well as her husband, was plainly fond of her and only underpressure from Mason and later Belknap testified to Clyde's late visits.
　　And then the elder daughter, Stella, testifying that during the latter part of October or the first of November,shortly after Roberta had taken the room, she had passed her and a man, whom she was now able to identify asClyde, standing less than a hundred feet from the house, and noticing that they were evidently quarreling she hadpaused to listen. She was not able to distinguish every word of the conversation, but upon leading questions fromMason was able to recall that Roberta had protested that she could not let him come into her room--"it would notlook right." And he had finally turned upon his heel, leaving Roberta standing with outstretched arms as ifimploring him to return.
　　And throughout all this Clyde staring in amazement, for he had in those days--in fact throughout his entirecontact with Roberta--imagined himself unobserved. And decidedly this confirmed much of what Mason hadcharged in his opening address--that he had willfully and with full knowledge of the nature of the offense,persuaded Roberta to do what plainly she had not wanted to do--a form of testimony that was likely to prejudicethe judge as well as the jury and all these conventional people of this rural county. And Belknap, realizing this, trying to confuse this Stella in her identification of Clyde. But only succeeding in eliciting information that sometime in November or the early part of December, shortly after the above incident, she had seen Clyde arrive, abox of some kind under his arm, and knock at Roberta's door and enter, and was then positive that he was thesame young man she had seen that moonlight night quarreling with Roberta.
　　And next, Whiggam, and after him Liggett, testifying as to the dates of arrival of Clyde at the factory, as well asRoberta, and as to the rule regarding department heads and female help, and, in so far as they could see, theimpeccable surface conduct of both Clyde and Roberta, neither seeming to look at the other or at any one else forthat matter. (That was Liggett testifying.)And after them again, others. Mrs. Peyton to testify as to the character of his room and his social activities in sofar as she was able to observe them. Mrs. Alden to testify that at Christmas the year before Roberta hadconfessed to her that her superior at the factory--Clyde Griffiths, the nephew of the owner--was paying attentionto her, but that it had to be kept secret for the time being. Frank Harriet, Harley Baggott, Tracy Trumbull andEddie Sells to testify that during December last Clyde had been invited here and there and had attended varioussocial gatherings in Lycurgus. John Lambert, a druggist of Schenectady, testifying that some time in January hehad been applied to by a youth, who he now identified as the defendant, for some medicine which would bringabout a miscarriage. Orrin Short to testify that in late January Clyde had asked him if he knew of a doctor whocould aid a young married woman--according to Clyde's story, the wife of an employee of Griffiths &Company--who was too poor to afford a child, and whose husband, according to Clyde, had asked him for thisinformation. And next Dr. Glenn, testifying to Roberta's visit, having previously recalled her from picturespublished in the papers, but adding that professionally he had been unwilling to do anything for her.
　　And then C. B. Wilcox, a farmer neighbor of the Aldens, testifying to having been in the washroom back of thekitchen on or about June twenty-ninth or thirtieth, on which occasion Roberta having been called over the longdistance telephone from Lycurgus by a man who gave his name as Baker, he had heard her say to him: "But,Clyde, I can't wait that long. You know I can't. And I won't." And her voice had sounded excited and distressed.
　　Mr. Wilcox was positive as to the name Clyde.
　　And Ethel Wilcox, a daughter of this same C. B.--short and fat and with a lisp--who swore that on threepreceding occasions, having received long distance requests for Roberta, she had proceeded to get her. And eachtime the call was from Lycurgus from a man named Baker. Also, on one occasion, she had heard her refer to thecaller as Clyde. And once she had heard her say that "under no circumstances would she wait that long,"although what she meant by that she did not know.
　　And next Roger Beane, a rural free delivery letter-carrier, who testified that between June seventh or eighth toJuly fourth or fifth, he had received no less than fifteen letters from Roberta herself or the mail box at thecrossroads of the Alden farm, and that he was positive that most of the letters were addressed to Clyde Griffiths,care of General Delivery, Lycurgus.
　　And next Amos Showalter, general delivery clerk at Lycurgus, who swore that to the best of his recollection,from or between June seventh or eighth and July fourth or fifth, Clyde, whom he knew by name, had inquired forand received not less than fifteen or sixteen letters.
　　And after him, R. T. Biggen, an oil station manager of Lycurgus, who swore that on the morning of July sixth, atabout eight o'clock, having gone to Fielding Avenue, which was on the extreme west of the city, leading on thenorthern end to a "stop" on the Lycurgus and Fonda electric line, he had seen Clyde, dressed in a gray suit andwearing a straw hat and carrying a brown suit-case, to one side of which was strapped a yellow camera tripodand something else--an umbrella it might have been. And knowing in which direction Clyde lived, he hadwondered at his walking, when at Central Avenue, not so far from his home, he could have boarded the Fonda-Lycurgus car. And Belknap in his cross-examination inquiring of this witness how, being one hundred andseventy-five feet distant, he could swear that it was a tripod that he saw, and Biggens insisting that it was--it wasbright yellow and wood and had brass clops and three legs.
　　And then after him, John W. Troescher, station master at Fonda, who testified that on the morning of July sixthlast (he recalled it clearly because of certain other things which he listed), he had sold Roberta Alden a ticket toUtica. He recalled Miss Alden because of having noted her several times during the preceding winter. She lookedquite tired, almost sick, and carried a brown bag, something like the brown bag there and then exhibited to him.
　　Also he recalled the defendant, who also carried a bag. He did not see him notice or talk to the girl.
　　And next Quincy B. Dale, conductor of the particular train that ran from Fonda to Utica. He had noticed, andnow recalled, Clyde in one car toward the rear. He also noticed, and from photographs later published, hadrecalled Roberta.
　　She gave him a friendly smile and he had said that such a bag as she was carrying seemed rather heavy for herand that he would have one of the brakemen carry it out for her at Utica, for which she thanked him. He had seenher descend at Utica and disappear into the depot. He had not noticed Clyde there.
　　And then the identification of Roberta's trunk as having been left in the baggage room at the station at Utica for anumber of days. And after that the guest page of the Renfrew House, of Utica, for July sixth last, identified byJerry K. Kernocian, general manager of said hotel, which showed an entry--"Clifford Golden and wife." And thesame then and there compared by handwriting experts with two other registration pages from the Grass Lake andBig Bittern inns and sworn to as being identically the same handwriting. And these compared with the card inRoberta's suit-case, and all received in evidence and carefully examined by each juror in turn and by Belknap andJephson, who, however, had seen all but the card before. And once more a protest on the part of Belknap as tothe unwarranted and illegal and shameful withholding of evidence on the part of the district attorney. And a longand bitter wrangle as to that, serving, in fact, to bring to a close the tenth day of the trial.

接下来是证人。证人，还是证人……总共有一百二十七位之多。他们的证词，特别是那些医生。三个导游，还有听到罗伯达最后呼喊声的那个女人的证词，都是一再遭到杰夫森和贝尔纳普的反驳，因为，他们作为辩护律师如果能指出对方有哪些弱点与岔错，克莱德就能以此为根据大胆辩护，做出好象头头是道。振振有词的样子。于是，这个案子就一直拖到了十一月份，也就是在梅森以压倒的票数当选他梦寐以求的法官以后。本案由于审讯时气氛非常活跃，辩论又很激烈，引起了从东海岸到西海岸的公众越来越大的兴趣。日子一天天过去，据开庭时列席记者们的看法，事情越发清楚地表明:

克莱德是犯了杀人罪。

可是，被告本人听了杰夫森的一再嘱告，还是处之泰然，甚至大胆地面对每个向他进攻的证人。

"您叫什么名字?

""泰特斯。奥尔登。""您是罗伯达。奥尔登的父亲?

""是的，先生。""现在，奥尔登先生，就请您给陪审团说一说，您的女儿罗伯达是怎样，而且又是在什么情况之下到莱柯格斯去的?

""我反对。这与本案是不相干的，不重要的，不适当的，"贝尔纳普马上插话说。

"我会把它跟本案联系起来的，"梅森插嘴说，两眼直望着法官。法官裁定说，不妨让泰特斯继续回答，不过，要是联系不起来，可以要求把他的答话从他的证词中一笔勾掉。

"她是上那儿找工作去的，"秦特斯回答说。

"她干吗要上那儿找工作去?

"再次提出异议。再次履行法律程序之后，这个老人才获准继续发言。

"哦，我们在比尔茨附近的农场，进项从来就不怎么好，所以非得孩子们贴补我们不可，宝蓓是最大的一个……""请求一笔勾掉!

""把这一段话勾掉!

""'

''''宝蓓，是您给您女儿罗伯达取的小名，是吧?

""我反对，"如此等等。"反对。""是的，先生。'

''''宝蓓，……我们家里常常这样叫她的……就是叫她'

''''宝蓓，。"克莱德正仔细听着，毫不畏怯地正视着这个农场里忧愁郁结的普利安(荷马史诗《伊利亚特》中受联军围攻的特洛伊王，因其子英雄赫克托殉难，陷入极度悲痛之中。)严厉谴责的眼色，同时还对刚才提到他昔日情人的小名暗自纳闷。

他给过她一个爱称，叫做"伯特";可她从来没有告诉过他，家里人都管她叫"宝蓓"。

就在一阵阵连珠炮似的反对。辩论和裁定声中，奥尔登在梅森引导之下，继续谈到:

罗伯达接到格雷斯。玛尔的信以后，如何决定去莱柯格斯，并寄住在牛顿夫妇家里。她在格里菲思公司找到了工作以后，家里人就很少见到她了。

一直到六月五日，她回到农场来小憩，并给自己添置了几件衣服。

"她没有说过什么自己要出嫁吗?

""什么都没有说过。"不过，她写过一些长信……当时他并不知道是写给谁的。还有，不知怎的她心里一直闷闷不乐，身体也很不好。有两次，他看见她在哭，但是他什么也没有说，因为他知道她不愿意让人看见她在哭。她从莱柯格斯打来过几次电话，最后一次是在七月四日或五日，是她动身的前一天……这他可记得一清二楚。

"她动身时带了哪些东西?

""她的手提包和她的那只小箱子。""现在要是把她带的那只手提包拿来给您看，您还认得出吗?

""认得出，先生。""是不是这只手提包?

"(地方检察官梅森的一个助手拿来一只手提包，放在一张小方桌上)奥尔登看了一眼，用手背擦擦眼睛，一本正经地说:

"是的，先生。"接下来……由于梅森对这次审理的整个进程都着意安排得富有强烈的戏剧效果……一个助手送上来一只小箱子……泰特斯。奥尔登和他的妻子。儿女们一见到它，全都号啕大哭。在泰特斯确认它是罗伯达的遗物以后，那只手提包和那只小箱子就先后被打开了。罗伯达添置的衣服。一些内衣内裤。鞋子。帽子。克莱德送给她的那套化妆用品。她父母。妹妹和哥哥弟弟的照片。一本旧的家庭烹调全书，还有一些匙。刀。叉，以及细盐瓶。胡椒粉瓶等等(全是她祖母给她的，她一直珍藏着，准备婚后用)……一件件都被高高举起，逐个确认清楚了。

这一切都是在贝尔纳普提出反对，梅森保证能"同本案联系起来"的情况下进行的。殊不知梅森怎么也联系不起来，因此，法庭明令将这些证据从开庭笔录中"通通勾掉"了。不过，这一场面所产生的凄怆效果，却深深地镌刻在陪审团成员的心里了。而且，贝尔纳普对梅森的这些策略的批评，结果只是引起了这位绅士大声怒吼:

"我倒是很想知道，这儿到底是谁在主持公诉?

"贝尔纳普当即回答说:

"依我看，是本县法官的共和党候选人吧?

"这一下子就引起哄堂大笑。梅森简直按捺不住，就大声嚷叫:

"法官阁下，我抗议!

这是一种既违背道德，而又违法的意图，想把跟本案与毫不相干的政治问题搀和在一起。它非常狡猾。恶毒，企图使陪审团认为:

好象我，作为本县法官的共和党候选人，就不可能大公无私地对本案提起公诉。我现在要求对方赔礼道歉，而且要求马上赔礼道歉，不然我对本案就无法继续进行下去。"奥伯沃泽法官认为这是一起非常严重违背法庭礼仪的事件，便把贝尔纳普和梅森都召来，听了他们心平气和。彬彬有礼地解释了这句话的真正意思，最后裁定说:

双方都不得以任何方式再含沙射影地提到政治局势，违者则以蔑视法庭论处。

虽然如此，贝尔纳普和杰夫森还是相互庆贺，认为:

这么一来，他们对梅森的竞选及其利用本案以便达到个人擢升目的这一推论，已在法庭和陪审团面前奏效了。

可是，接下来还是听不完的证人作证!

现在，格雷斯。玛尔走上了证人席，滔滔不绝地说她是怎样以及在哪里头一次遇见罗伯达的……那时她是一个多么纯洁。清白。虔诚的姑娘。但是，打从她在克拉姆湖上结识克莱德以后，她又如何大大地变了样。她开始变得鬼鬼祟祟。躲躲闪闪，给新奇古怪的冒险编造各式各样子虚乌有的托词……不妨举例来说，她晚上常常出去，深夜才回来;她说是星期六。星期日到某某地方去，其实她压根儿没有去……到最后，由于她格雷斯。玛尔毫不客气地对她提出了批评，她突然一走了之，连个地址都没有留下。不过，说实话是有一个男人的，而这个男人就是克莱德。格里菲思。因为，在去年九。十月间，有一天傍晚，她尾随罗伯达到了她的住处，远远望见她跟克莱德在吉尔平家附近转悠。他们伫立在树底下，克莱德还紧紧搂住她哩。

随后，在杰夫森的提示下，贝尔纳普开始讯问格雷斯。玛尔，向她提出一些非常刁滑的问题，试图了解清楚:

罗伯达到莱柯格斯以前是不是就象格雷斯。

玛尔所说的那么虔诚。随俗。可是，面容憔悴而又气恼的格雷斯。玛尔小姐，却一个劲儿说，直到那天她在克拉姆湖上同克莱德邂逅时为止，就她所知，罗伯达一向是个诚实。纯洁的人。

接下来是牛顿夫妇也就此事宣誓作了证。

随后是吉尔平一家人。妻子。丈夫。女儿们，挨个儿对自己看到的，或是听到过的事宣誓作证。吉尔平太太讲到罗伯达迁居她家的大概日期，说她随身带着一只小箱子和一只手提包……就是跟泰特斯确认的小箱子。手提包一模一样。迁入以后，罗伯达好象感到非常孤单。她，吉尔平太太，觉得这个姑娘怪可怜的，后来就向她出过点子，好让她有机会出去应酬交际，但被罗伯达一概谢绝了。不过，后来，在十一月下旬(是的，她，吉尔平太太，从来不敢向这么一位可爱而又端庄的姑娘提问过这件事)，她和她的两个女儿偶然发觉:

在深夜十一点过后，罗伯达在她房间里还招待过什么人，至于此人到底是谁，吉尔平太太也就说不上来。在这节骨眼上，贝尔纳普又通过反复讯问，竭力想引出一些招认或是一些印象来，让人觉得好象罗伯达并不是正如所有见证人所说的那么一种无懈可击的清教徒……可他这一企图并没有成功。吉尔平太太和她的丈夫显然很喜欢罗伯达，只是在梅森和贝尔纳普先后的压力之下，他们作证时才说到了克莱德深夜来找她的事。

接下来是他们的大女儿斯特拉作证说，去年十月下旬，或是十一月上旬，罗伯达迁入后不久，有一回她(斯特拉)看到她和一个男人……现在，斯特拉才认出此人原来就是克莱德……站在离屋不到一百英尺的地方，好象他们还在吵嘴。

于是，斯特拉就停下来侧耳谛听。并不是他们的每一句话她都能听清楚，但在梅森开导式讯问之下，她说，她记得罗伯达是一个劲儿不让克莱德进入自己房间:

"这样让人看了不好。"最后，他一转身就走了，罗伯达还站在那儿，伸出双臂，好象是在恳求他回来。

克莱德自始至终惊诧地瞪眼直瞅着。因为，在那些日子里……事实上就是他和罗伯达的全部交往中……他一直自以为没有被人发现过。而眼前这些证据，毫无疑问，证实了梅森一开头所陈述的许多罪状，那就是:

他，克莱德，完全知道这事具有犯罪性质，却蓄意诱使罗伯达去做她明明不愿意做的事……这一类证词，很容易使法官。陪审团，以及以农民为主的这个县里所有因循守旧的人对他产生了反感。贝尔纳普了解到这一点，就想难倒斯特拉，让她觉得自己也给搞胡涂了，怎么她认出的那个人就是克莱德呢。可是，结果反而又捅出来一些新情况:

十一月里或是十二月初，就在上面那件事以后不久，她看见克莱德来时胳膊底下掖着一只什么盒子，敲了一下罗伯达的房门便进去了。当时，她一眼认出，此人就是那次在月夜跟罗伯达吵过嘴的年轻人。

接下来依次是惠甘和利格特。他们先后对克莱德和罗伯达到厂工作的日期，以及有关主管各部门的负责人不得跟女工交往的厂规作证。在他们看来，克莱德和罗伯达表面上的举止言行都是无可非议的，好象他们谁都是目不斜视，或则是偷看过别的什么人(利格特作证时就是这样说的)。

跟在他们之后，又是另外一些见证人。佩顿太太就她所知道的克莱德租住的那个房间的一些特点，以及他在上流社会的交际活动作了证。奥尔登太太作证时说，去年圣诞节罗伯达对她坦白地说过她厂里的顶头上司……克莱德。格里菲思，是厂主的侄儿……正在向她献殷勤，不过，这事暂时还得保守秘密。

弗兰克。哈里特。哈利。巴戈特。特雷西。特朗布尔和埃迪。塞尔斯作证时都说，去年十二月间，克莱德经常应邀参加莱柯格斯上流社会的交际活动。谢内克塔迪的一家药房老板约翰。兰伯特作证时说，一月间，有个年轻人找上门来，求他给一点可以堕胎的药，现在他认出那个年轻人原来就是被告。奥林。肖特作证时说，一月底克莱德问过他是不是知道有哪个医生可以给一个少妇帮帮忙……克莱德说那是格里菲思公司里一个职工的妻子，实在太穷，连一个小孩都供养不起，据克莱德说，她的丈夫还就这事向他求教过。接下来是格伦医生作证，说罗伯达是来找过他的，他看了报上照片，这才想起那就是她，不过，他接着又说，他恪守医德，怎么也不愿意满足她的要求。

随后是奥尔登的乡邻威尔科克斯。他在作证时说，大约在六月二十九日或是三十日，他正在厨房后面洗衣间里，碰巧罗伯达过来接长途电话，那是一个自称贝克的男人从莱柯格斯打来的。威尔科克斯听见罗伯达对他说:

"不过，克莱德，我可等不了这么久。你知道我可等不了。我怎么也不愿意等了。"她说话时的语气，听起来很激动，很苦恼。威尔科克斯先生十拿九稳地说，"克莱德"这个名字，他可听得清清楚楚。

接着是威尔科克斯的那个说话大舌头。长得又矮又胖的女儿埃塞尔出来作证说，她一连三次接到过找罗伯达的长途电话，她都是赶快就去找罗伯达的。

每次都是一个名叫贝克的男人从莱柯格斯打来的。有一回，她听见罗伯达管打电话来的那个人叫克莱德。还有一回，她听见罗伯达说，"不管怎么样，反正她等不了这么久。"不过，罗伯达说这话到底是啥意思，当时埃塞尔并不了解。

接下来是乡下邮差罗杰。比恩。他在作证时说，从六月七。八日至七月四。

五日为止，罗伯达亲自交给他的信，加上她投入奥尔登农场交岔路口那个邮筒里的信，总共不少于十五封。他一口咬定说，这些信十之八九都是写给克莱德。

格里菲思的，留交莱柯格斯邮局待领。

随后是莱柯格斯邮局主管留交待领信件的职员阿莫斯。肖沃尔特。他在作证时说，就他记忆所及，从六月七。八日至七月四。五日为止，克莱德(这个人名字他是知道的)曾来问过自己有没有信，而且一共收到了不少于十五六封信。

挨在肖沃尔特以后，是莱柯格斯某加油站经理Ｒ．Ｔ．比根。他在作证时说，七月六日早上，大约八点钟光景，他到菲尔丁大街去。那是在该城西郊，自北可通往莱柯格斯……方达电车线路上的一个站头。当时，他看见克莱德身穿一套灰衣服，头戴一顶草帽，手提一只棕色提箱，提箱一侧拴上一副黄色照相机三脚架，还有别的什么东西……也许是一把伞。克莱德住地的方向他是知道的，因此暗自纳闷:

他干吗老远安步当车，走到这个地方来。因为，在离他家不远的中央大道上，他就可以搭乘来往于方达—莱柯格斯之间的车。贝尔纳普在反复讯问这个见证人时，问对方既然远在一百七十五英尺之外，怎能宣誓作证说他看见的就是三脚架呢。可比根还是斩钉截铁地说是的，错不了……那是精光锃亮。镶上黄铜铰链的一副黄色木质三脚架。

比根说完以后，是方达火车站站长约翰。Ｗ。特罗埃斯彻。他在作证时说，七月六日早上(他记得清清楚楚，因为那天他办过一些事还记下来呢)，他卖给罗伯达。奥尔登一张到尤蒂卡的车票。奥尔登小姐他还是记得的，因为，去年冬天他就见到过她好几次了。她显得非常疲乏，象是闹病似的，拎一只棕色手提箱，仿佛就是眼前出示给他看的那只棕色手提箱。就是这个被告，特罗埃斯彻也记起来了，说他手里也拎着一只手提箱。火车站站长倒是没有看到这个被告特别注意那个姑娘或是跟她讲过什么话。

接下来是从方达开往尤蒂卡的那次列车上的乘务长昆西。Ｂ。戴尔。现在他记起来了，当时他发现克莱德就坐在后面一节车厢里。同时，他也发现有罗伯达。后来看了报上的照片，他都记起来了。她对乘务长和蔼地一笑。他还说过，她随身携带的这只手提箱，对她来说似乎太沉了，到了尤蒂卡，他可以叫一个司闸员帮她提下去。为此，她还向乘务长道了谢。他看见奥尔登小姐在尤蒂卡下车，进了车站就不见了。可是克莱德他却没有注意到。

随后，留在尤蒂卡车站行李房已有好长日子的罗伯达那只箱子，终于也验明了。在这以后，尤蒂卡的伦弗鲁饭店总经理杰里。Ｋ。克尔诺肖恩，验明了本店旅客登记簿，就在七月六日那一页上写着:

"克利福德。戈尔登夫妇"。笔迹专家就在此时此地把这本登记簿上的签名，跟草湖和大比腾两旅店来客登记簿进行了比较，证实了这一签名都出自同一人的手笔。这些笔迹，同罗伯达箱子里那张卡片上的笔迹也核对了一下，全都依次交给每位陪审员仔细查验过目，同样，也让贝尔纳普和杰夫森仔细查验过目。这些东西，他们两个都见过，只是那张卡片还没见过。因此，贝尔纳普又一次提出抗议，认为地方检察官不正当地。非法地。无耻地扣留了物证。于是就此问题展开了一场又长。又激烈的争论。事实上，第十天的庭讯也就这样收场了。
Part 3 Chapter 22
And then, on the eleventh day, Frank W. Schaefer, clerk of the Renfrew House in Utica, recalling the actualarrival of Clyde and Roberta and their actions; also Clyde's registration for both as Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Golden,of Syracuse. And then Wallace Vanderhoff, one of the clerks of the Star Haberdashery in Utica, with a story ofClyde's actions and general appearance at the time of his buying a straw hat. And then the conductor of the trainrunning between Utica and Grass Lake. And the proprietor of the Grass Lake House. And Blanche Pettingill, awaitress, who swore that at dinner she overheard Clyde arguing with Roberta as to the impossibility of getting a marriage license there--that it would be better to wait until they reached some other place the next day--a bit ofparticularly damaging testimony, since it pre-dated by a day the proposed confession which Clyde was supposedto have made to Roberta, but which Jephson and Belknap afterward agreed between themselves might easilyhave had some preliminary phases. And after her the conductor of the train that carried them to Gun Lodge. Andafter him the guide and the driver of the bus, with his story of Clyde's queer talk about many people being overthere and leaving Roberta's bag while he took his own, and saying they would be back.
　　And then, the proprietor of the Inn at Big Bittern; the boatkeeper; the three men in the woods--their testimonyvery damaging to Clyde's case, since they pictured his terror on encountering them. And then the story of thefinding of the boat and Roberta's body, and the eventual arrival of Heit and his finding of the letter in Roberta'scoat. A score of witnesses testifying as to all this. And next the boat captain, the farm girl, the Cranstonchauffeur, the arrival of Clyde at the Cranstons', and at last (every step accounted for and sworn to) his arrival atBear Lake, the pursuit and his capture--to say nothing of the various phases of his arrest--what he said--this beingmost damaging indeed, since it painted Clyde as false, evasive, and terrified.
　　But unquestionably, the severest and most damaging testimony related to the camera and the tripod--thecircumstances surrounding the finding of them--and on the weight of this Mason was counting for a conviction.
　　His one aim first was to convict Clyde of lying as to his possession of either a tripod or a camera. And in order todo that he first introduced Earl Newcomb, who swore that on a certain day, when he, Mason and Heit and all theothers connected with the case were taking Clyde over the area in which the crime had been committed, he and acertain native, one Bill Swartz, who was afterwards put on the stand, while poking about under some fallen logsand bushes, had come across the tripod, hidden under a log. Also (under the leadership of Mason, although overthe objections of both Belknap and Jephson, which were invariably overruled), he proceeded to add that Clyde,on being asked whether he had a camera or this tripod, had denied any knowledge of it, on hearing whichBelknap and Jephson actually shouted their disapproval.
　　Immediately following, though eventually ordered stricken from the records by Justice Oberwaltzer, there wasintroduced a paper signed by Heit, Burleigh, Slack, Kraut, Swenk, Sissel, Bill Swartz, Rufus Forster, countysurveyor, and Newcomb, which set forth that Clyde, on being shown the tripod and asked whether he had one,"vehemently and repeatedly denied that he had." But in order to drive the import of this home, Masonimmediately adding: "Very well, your Honor, but I have other witnesses who will swear to everything that is inthat paper and more," and at once calling "Joseph Frazer! Joseph Frazer!" and then placing on the stand a dealerin sporting goods, cameras, etc., who proceeded to swear that some time between May fifteenth and June first,the defendant, Clyde Griffiths, whom he knew by sight and name, had applied to him for a camera of a certainsize, with tripod attached, and that the defendant had finally selected a Sank, 3 1/2 by 5 1/2, for which he hadmade arrangements to pay in installments. And after due examination and consulting certain stock numbers withwhich the camera and the tripod and his own book were marked, Mr. Frazer identifying first the camera nowshown him, and immediately after that the yellow tripod as the one he had sold Clyde.
　　And Clyde sitting up aghast. Then they had found the camera, as well as the tripod, after all. And after he hadprotested so that he had no camera with him. What would that jury and the judge and this audience think of hislying about that? Would they be likely to believe his story of a change of heart after this proof that he had liedabout a meaningless camera? Better to have confessed in the first place.
　　But even as he was so thinking Mason calling Simeon Dodge, a young woodsman and driver, who testified thaton Saturday, the sixteenth of July, accompanied by John Pole, who had lifted Roberta's body out of the water, hehad at the request of the district attorney, repeatedly dived into the exact spot where her body was found, andfinally succeeded in bringing up a camera. And then the camera itself identified by Dodge.
　　Immediately after this all the testimony in regard to the hitherto as yet unmentioned films found in the camera atthe time of its recovery, since developed, and now received in evidence, four views which showed a personlooking more like Roberta than any one else, together with two, which clearly enough represented Clyde.
　　Belknap was not able to refute or exclude them.
　　Then Floyd Thurston, one of the guests at the Cranston lodge at Sharon on June eighteenth--the occasion ofClyde's first visit there--placed on the stand to testify that on that occasion Clyde had made a number of pictureswith a camera about the size and description of the one shown him, but failing to identify it as the particular one,his testimony being stricken out.
　　After him again, Edna Patterson, a chambermaid in the Grass Lake Inn, who, as she swore, on entering the roomwhich Clyde and Roberta occupied on the night of July seventh, had seen Clyde with a camera in his hand,which was of the size and color, as far as she could recall, of the one then and there before her. She had also atthe same time seen a tripod. And Clyde, in his curious and meditative and half-hypnotized state, recalling wellenough the entrance of this girl into that room and marveling and suffering because of the unbreakable chain offacts that could thus be built up by witnesses from such varying and unconnected and unexpected places, and solong after, too.
　　After her, but on different days, and with Belknap and Jephson contending every inch of the way as to theadmissibility of all this, the testimony of the five doctors whom Mason had called in at the time Roberta's bodywas first brought to Bridgeburg, and who in turn swore that the wounds, both on the face and head, weresufficient, considering Roberta's physical condition, to stun her. And because of the condition of the dead girl'slungs, which had been tested by attempting to float them in water, averring that at the time her body had firstentered the water, she must have been still alive, although not necessarily conscious. But as to the nature of theinstrument used to make these wounds, they would not venture to guess, other than to say it must have beenblunt. And no grilling on the part of either Belknap or Jephson could bring them to admit that the blows couldhave been of such a light character as not to stun or render unconscious. The chief injury appeared to be on thetop of the skull, deep enough to have caused a blood clot, photographs of all of which were put in evidence.
　　At this psychological point, when both audience and jury were most painfully and effectively stirred, a numberof photographs of Roberta's face, made at the time that Heit, the doctors and the Lutz Brothers had her in charge,were introduced. Then the dimensions of the bruises on the right side of her face were shown to correspondexactly in size with two sides of the camera. Immediately after that, Burton Burleigh, placed on the stand toswear how he had discovered the two strands of hair which corresponded with the hair on Roberta's head--or soMason tried to show--caught between the lens and the lid. And then, after hours and hours, Belknap, infuriatedand yet made nervous by this type of evidence and seeking to riddle it with sarcasm, finally pulling a light hairout of his head and then asking the jurors and Burleigh if they could venture to tell whether one single hair fromany one's head could be an indication of the general color of a person's hair, and if not, whether they were readyto believe that this particular hair was from Roberta's head or not.
　　Mason then calling a Mrs. Rutger Donahue, who proceeded, in the calmest and most placid fashion, to tell howon the evening of July eighth last, between five-thirty and six, she and her husband immediately after setting up atent above Moon Cove, had started out to row and fish, when being about a half-mile off shore and perhaps aquarter of a mile above the woods or northern fringe of land which enclosed Moon Cove, she had heard a cry.
　　"Between half past five and six in the afternoon, you say?""Yes, sir.""And on what date again?""July eighth.""And where were you exactly at that time?""We were--""Not 'we.' Where were you personally?""I was crossing what I have since learned was South Bay in a row- boat with my husband.""Yes. Now tell what happened next.""When we reached the middle of the bay I heard a cry.""What was it like?""It was penetrating--like the cry of some one in pain--or in danger. It was sharp--a haunting cry."Here a motion to "strike out," with the result that the last phrase was so ordered stricken out.
　　"Where did it come from?""From a distance. From within or beyond the woods.""Did you know at the time that there was another bay or cove there-- below that strip of woods?""No, sir.""Well, what did you think then--that it might have come from within the woods below where you were?"(Objected to--and objection sustained.)"And now tell us, was it a man's or a woman's cry? What kind of a cry was it?""It was a woman's cry, and something like 'Oh, oh!' or 'Oh, my!'--very piercing and clear, but distant, of course.
　　A double scream such as one might make when in pain.""You are sure you could not be mistaken as to the kind of a cry it was--male or female.""No, sir. I am positive. It was a woman's. It was pitched too high for a man's voice or a boy's. It could not havebeen anything but a woman's.""I see. And now tell us, Mrs. Donahue--you see this dot on the map showing where the body of Roberta Aldenwas found?""Yes, sir.""And you see this other dot, over those trees, showing approximately where your boat was?""Yes, sir.""Do you think that voice came from where this dot in Moon Cove is?"(Objected to. Sustained.)"And was that cry repeated?""No, sir. I waited, and I called my husband's attention to it, too, and we waited, but didn't hear it again."Then Belknap, eager to prove that it might have been a terrified and yet not a pained or injured cry, taking herand going all over the ground again, and finding that neither she nor her husband, who was also put on the stand,could be shaken in any way. Neither, they insisted, could the deep and sad effect of this woman's voice beeradicated from their minds. It had haunted both, and once in their camp again they had talked about it. Becauseit was dusk he did not wish to go seeking after the spot from which it came; because she felt that some woman orgirl might have been slain in those woods, she did not want to stay any longer, and the next morning early theyhad moved on to another lake.
　　Thomas Barrett, another Adirondack guide, connected with a camp at Dam's Lake, swore that at the time referredto by Mrs. Donahue, he was walking along the shore toward Big Bittern Inn and had seen not only a man andwoman off shore in about the position described, but farther back, toward the south shore of this bay, had notedthe tent of these campers. Also that from no point outside Moon Cove, unless near the entrance, could oneobserve any boat within the cove. The entrance was narrow and any view from the lake proper completelyblocked. And there were other witnesses to prove this.
　　At this psychological moment, as the afternoon sun was already beginning to wane in the tall, narrow courtroom,and as carefully planned by him beforehand, Mason's reading all of Roberta's letters, one by one, in a most simple and nondeclamatory fashion, yet with all the sympathy and emotion which their first perusal had stirred inhim. They had made him cry.
　　He began with letter number one, dated June eighth, only three days after her departure from Lycurgus, and onthrough them all down to letters fourteen, fifteen, sixteen and seventeen, in which, in piecemeal or by importantreferences here and there, she related her whole contact with Clyde down to his plan to come for her in threeweeks, then in a month, then on July eighth or ninth, and then the sudden threat from her which precipitated hissudden decision to meet her at Fonda. And as Mason read them, all most movingly, the moist eyes and thehandkerchiefs and the coughs in the audience and among the jurors attested their import:
　　"You said I was not to worry or think so much about how I feel, and have a good time. That's all right for you tosay, when you're in Lycurgus and surrounded by your friends and invited everywhere. It's hard for me to talkover there at Wilcox's with somebody always in earshot and with you constantly reminding me that I mustn't saythis or that. But I had so much to ask and no chance there. And all that you would say was that everything was allright. But you didn't say positively that you were coming on the 27th, that because of something I couldn't quitemake out--there was so much buzzing on the wire--you might not be able to start until later. But that can't be,Clyde. My parents are leaving for Hamilton where my uncle lives on the third. And Tom and Emily are going tomy sister's on the same day. But I can't and won't go there again. I can't stay here all alone. So you must, youreally must come, as you agreed. I can't wait any longer than that, Clyde, in the condition that I'm in, and so youjust must come and take me away. Oh, please, please, I beg of you, not to torture me with any more delays now."And again:
　　"Clyde, I came home because I thought I could trust you. You told me so solemnly before I left that if I would,you would come and get me in three weeks at the most--that it would not take you longer than that to get ready,have enough money for the time we would be together, or until you could get something to do somewhere else.
　　But yesterday, although the third of July will be nearly a month since I left, you were not at all sure at first thatyou could come by then, and when as I told you my parents are surely leaving for Hamilton to be gone for tendays. Of course, afterwards, you said you would come, but you said it as though you were just trying to quiet me.
　　It has been troubling me awfully ever since.
　　"For I tell you, Clyde, I am sick, very. I feel faint nearly all the time. And besides, I am so worried as to what Ishall do if you don't come that I am nearly out of my mind.""Clyde, I know that you don't care for me any more like you did and that you are wishing things could bedifferent. And yet, what am I to do? I know you'll say that it has all been as much my fault as yours. And theworld, if it knew, might think so, too. But how often did I beg you not to make me do what I did not want to do,and which I was afraid even then I would regret, although I loved you too much to let you go, if you still insistedon having your way.""Clyde, if I could only die. That would solve all this. And I have prayed and prayed that I would lately, yes Ihave. For life does not mean as much to me now as when I first met you and you loved me. Oh, those happydays! If only things were different. If only I were out of your way. It would all be so much better for me and forall of us. But I can't now, Clyde, without a penny and no way to save the name of our child, except this. Yet if it weren't for the terrible pain and disgrace it would bring to my mother and father and all my family, I would bewilling to end it all in another way. I truly would."And again:
　　"Oh, Clyde, Clyde, life is so different to-day to what it was last year. Think--then we were going to Crum andthose other lakes over near Fonda and Gloversville and Little Falls, but now--now. Only just now some boy andgirl friends of Tom's and Emily's came by to get them to go after strawberries, and when I saw them go and knewI couldn't, and that I couldn't be like that any more ever, I cried and cried, ever so long."And finally:
　　"I have been bidding good-by to some places to-day. There are so many nooks, dear, and all of them so dear tome. I have lived here all my life, you know. First, there was the springhouse with its great masses of green moss,and in passing it I said good-by to it, for I won't be coming to it soon again--maybe never. And then the old appletree where we had our playhouse years ago--Emily and Tom and Gifford and I. Then the 'Believe,' a cute littlehouse in the orchard where we sometimes played.
　　"Oh, Clyde, you can't realize what all this means to me, I feel as though I shall never see my home again after Ileave here this time. And mamma, poor dear mamma, how I do love her and how sorry I am to have deceived herso. She is never cross and she always helps me so much. Sometimes I think if I could tell her, but I can't. She hashad trouble enough, and I couldn't break her heart like that. No, if I go away and come back some time, eithermarried or dead--it doesn't make so much difference now--she will never know, and I will not have caused herany pain, and that means so much more than life itself to me. So good-by, Clyde, until I do meet you, as youtelephoned. And forgive me all the trouble that I have caused you.
　　"Your sorrowful,"ROBERTA."And at points in the reading, Mason himself crying, and at their conclusion turning, weary and yet triumphant, amost complete and indestructible case, as he saw it, having been presented, and exclaiming: "The People rest."And at that moment, Mrs. Alden, in court with her husband and Emily, and overwrought, not only by the longstrain of the trial but this particular evidence, uttering a whimpering yet clear cry and then falling forward in afaint. And Clyde, in his own overwrought condition, hearing her cry and seeing her fall, jumping up--therestraining hand of Jephson instantly upon him, while bailiffs and others assisted her and Titus who was besideher from the courtroom. And the audience almost, if not quite, as moved and incensed against Clyde by thatdevelopment as though, then and there, he had committed some additional crime.
　　But then, that excitement having passed and it being quite dark, and the hands of the court clock pointing to five,and all the court weary, Justice Oberwaltzer signifying his intention of adjourning for the night.
　　And at once all the newspaper men and feature writers and artists rising and whispering to each other that on themorrow the defense would start, and wondering as to who and where the witnesses were, also whether Clyde would be permitted to go on the stand in his own defense in the face of this amazing mass of evidence againsthim, or whether his lawyers would content themselves with some specious argument as to mental and moralweakness which might end in prison for life--not less.
　　And Clyde, hissed and cursed as he left the court, wondering if on the morrow, and as they had planned this longtime since, he would have the courage to rise and go on the stand--wondering if there was not some way, in caseno one was looking (he was not handcuffed as he went to and from the jail) maybe to-morrow night when allwere rising, the crowds moving and these deputies coming toward him--if--well, if he could only run, or walkeasily and quietly and yet, quickly and seemingly unintentionally, to that stair and then down and out--to--well-towherever it went--that small side door to the main stairs which before this he had seen from the jail! If hecould only get to some woods somewhere, and then walk and walk, or run and run, maybe, without stopping, andwithout eating, for days maybe, until, well, until he had gotten away--anywhere. It was a chance, of course. Hemight be shot, or tracked with dogs and men, but still it was a chance, wasn't it?
　　For this way he had no chance at all. No one anywhere, after all this, was going to believe him not guilty. And hedid not want to die that way. No, no, not that way!
　　And so another miserable, black and weary night. And then another miserable gray and wintry morning.

随后，到了第十一天，尤蒂卡的伦弗鲁饭店职员弗兰克。Ｗ。沙弗，回想到克莱德和罗伯达抵达旅馆时的情景和他们在那里的举止言行。他还讲到克莱德在来客登记簿上把他们俩写成:

来自锡拉丘兹的克利福德。戈尔登夫妇。接着，尤蒂卡的明星男子服饰用品商店店员华莱士。范德霍夫，讲到了克莱德来店里买草帽时的举止和外表的样子。接下来是来往于尤蒂卡和草湖之间那一趟列车上的乘务员。以后是草湖旅店老板，还有女招待布兰奇。佩廷吉尔。她在作证时说，她听见克莱德在进晚餐时跟罗伯达在抬杠，好象是说不可能在那里弄到一份结婚证书……最好等到转天他们到了别的一个什么地方再说……这一证词对被告特别不利，因为这就把所谓的克莱德打算向罗伯达坦白的日期提前了一天，不过，杰夫森和贝尔纳普后经商量统一了说法，认为在坦白以前很可能得有一些预备阶段。在那女招待以后，就是把他们送到冈洛奇的那趟列车上的乘务长。在他以后，则是那个接送旅客的导游兼汽车司机，说克莱德讲了那儿有很多游客的怪话，还让罗伯达的手提箱留下来，可他自己的手提箱却随身带着，说他们俩是还要回来的。

接下来是大比腾旅店老板，还有那个出租游船的掌柜，以及在树林子里同克莱德邂逅的那三个人。他们的证词，对克莱德一案极为不利，因为他们都讲到他在遇见他们时露出那种骇怕的神态。接着讲的是如何找到那条小船以及罗伯达的尸体。还有海特后来赶到现场，在罗伯达外套口袋里发现了那封信。而且，有二十来个证人就上述各点先后作了证。接下来是那艘汽船的船长。那个乡下姑娘。克兰斯顿家那个汽车司机先后作证，讲到克莱德抵达克兰斯顿家时的情形。最后讲到(每一个步骤都加以说明，宣誓作证)他到达熊湖，以及如何追缉他和如何抓住了他……至于他被捕时种种情形，他还说过些什么话，那就更不用提了。所有这一切证词，对他确实是最大的打击了，因为克莱德的虚伪。

推诿和惊骇全都被揭露无遗。

可是，毫无疑问，对克莱德来说，最严重的。致命的证词，是有关照相机和三脚架，以及这些东西被发现时的情况……而且，梅森认为单凭这一点就可以给他定罪。他第一个目的，就是要证实:

克莱德在自己有没有三脚架和照相机这个问题上撒了谎。为此，他首先介绍厄尔。纽科姆作证。纽科姆作证时说，有一天，他。梅森和海特，还有其他与本案有关的人，把克莱德带到了他犯罪的地点。他，纽科姆，和一个本地人，名叫比尔。斯沃茨的(后来此人也来到了证人席)，在一些横倒地上的圆木和矮树底下四处搜索，终于碰到了藏在一根圆木底下的那副三脚架。接着(这是在梅森开导之下说的，尽管贝尔纳普和杰夫森多次提出反对，可是照例都受到法官驳斥)，他继续补充说，曾问过克莱德是不是有过一架照相机或是这副三脚架，他却回答说他什么都不知道。贝尔纳普和杰夫森一听这话，就大声嚷嚷，以示抗议。

尽管后来奥伯沃泽法官终于下令，把这一部分证词从开庭笔录中勾掉了，但紧接着马上有一份海特。伯利。斯莱克。克劳特。斯温克。西塞尔。比尔。

斯华茨。本县测量员罗弗斯。福斯特，以及纽科姆签名的纪录向法庭递上，说他们在向克莱德出示三脚架，问他有没有这个东西时，克莱德都是"屡次断然加以否认"。但梅森为了强调这一点特别重要，马上找补着说:

"敢情好，法官阁下，不过，我还有许多证人，可以对这份记录上所说的每一件事，乃至于更多的事宣誓作证。"他立即大声招呼"约瑟夫。弗雷泽!

约瑟夫。弗雷泽!

"话声刚落，一个经售运动器材。照相机等物品的商人登上了证人席。此人宣誓作证说，在五月十五日至六月一日之间，有一天，这个他一碰面。或是一见名字就认得的被告……克莱德。格里菲思对他说要买一架某种型号。配备三脚架的照相机。最后，被告选购了一架"桑克"牌照相机，是有三英寸宽。五英寸半长，讲定分期付款。弗雷泽先生仔细查对了照相机。三脚架和他自己帐簿上的号码以后，确认此刻向他先后出示的照相机以及黄色三脚架，正是当时他出售给克莱德的。

克莱德一下子吓懵了。这么说来，他们终究把照相机和三脚架都找到了。

而且，还是在他坚决声称他随身没有携带照相机以后。他连这事都要撒谎，陪审团。法官和列席听众，会有怎么个想法呀?

!

现在证明他对这么一架毫无意义的照相机也要撒谎，以后人们还会相信他回心转意的那一套说法吗?

!

他最好还是坦白供认，越早越好。

不过，就在他这么暗自思忖的时候，梅森传唤一个名叫西米恩。道奇的人。

此人是一个年轻的林区居民兼汽车司机。他在作证时说，七月十六日星期六，在地方检察官的要求下，他跟打捞罗伯达尸体的约翰。波尔，好几次潜水到捞起女尸的那一带湖底搜索，终于把这架照相机捞上来了。随后，照相机也经道奇验明确认无误。

在这以后，都是为直到此刻还没有提到过的照相机里那些胶卷作证。这些胶卷已被显影，可以作为罪证。其中有四张，可以看出，不是别人，而是酷肖罗伯达，另外两张，照得很清晰，就是克莱德本人。贝尔纳普面对这些物证，实在无法进行反驳，或是加以排除。

接下来是弗洛伊德。瑟斯顿走上了证人席。他是六月十八日去沙隆克兰斯顿家别墅的客人之一，克莱德正好也在那一天第一次去那儿作客。此人在作证时说，那一回克莱德拍了一些照片，他所使用的照相机形状大小，跟此刻出示给他看的这一架差不离。不过，由于他没法肯定就是这一架，他的证词就从开庭笔录中被勾掉了。

挨在瑟斯顿以后，是草湖旅店的女招待埃德娜。帕特森。她在作证时说，七月七日夜里，她走进克莱德和罗伯达那个房间，看见克莱德手里拿着一架照相机，据她回忆，照相机的颜色。大小，就跟此刻给她看的那一架一模一样。

那天夜里，她还看见过一副三脚架。克莱德对这一切觉得挺奇怪，并在几乎迷迷糊糊的沉思中回想起来，这个姑娘确实进过那个房间。克莱德既吃惊。又难过地想道:

竟然有这么多的证人，来自各各不同。互不相关，而又意想不到的地方，却罗列出了怎么也驳不倒。而且还都是很久以前的一系列罪状!

在她以后好几天里，还有五位医生作证……不过，贝尔纳普和杰夫森对所有这些证词能不能接受这一点上，寸步不让地进行了争论。这五位医生，是在罗伯达的尸体一运至布里奇伯格时就被梅森请来了。他们依次宣誓作证说，考虑到罗伯达的生理情况，脸上和头上挨砸后的创伤，确实足以使她昏倒过去。

从已故姑娘肺的状态(即将死者的肺脏浸入水中，进行检验的结果)来看，可以断定:

她刚落水时，肯定还活着，虽然不一定有知觉。但造成这些创伤的到底是什么样的凶器，他们不敢妄加揣测，只是说这种凶器肯定不是锋利的。不管是贝尔纳普也好，杰夫森也好，他们两人的严厉盘问，还是不能迫使医生们承认下面这一点:

这些打击可能是轻微的，所以不至于使罗伯达昏倒或是失去知觉。看来头顶上的创伤最严重，伤痕很深，已凝成血块。所有创伤部位的照片，也都拿出来作为物证。

就在这个关键时刻，正当列席听众和陪审团感到极度悲痛和无比激动时，海特。医生们和卢茨兄弟殡仪馆同事在收尸时所拍摄的罗伯达脸部的一些照片，也都拿出来了。证明她脸上右侧伤痕面积，跟照相机两边大小完全相符。紧接着在这以后，伯顿。伯利来到了证人席。他在宣誓作证时说，他怎样发现夹在镜头和盖子之间有两小绺头发，跟罗伯达头上的头发一模一样……或者说，梅森想要证明的，也是这一点。随后，经过长达数小时的议论，贝尔纳普被这种性质的物证弄得恼怒不安，很想用挖苦嘲笑来一一加以反驳，最后就从自己头上揪下一根淡色头发，质问陪审员他们和伯顿。伯利:

单凭一个人头上的一根头发，能不能就说明这个人全部头发的颜色;如果不能，那你们各位能不能相信:

这么一根头发，究竟是不是罗伯达头上的呢。

接着，梅森传唤一位名叫拉特格。多纳休的太太。她用一种极为安详。平和的声调说:

七月八号傍晚，大约在五点半到六点钟之间，她和丈夫先是在月潭搭好了一座帐篷，然后去划船。钓鱼。他们离开湖岸大约有半英里，环绕月潭四周围的树林子和尖岬北头也许有四分之一英里时，她就听见一个呼喊声。

"您说是下午五点半到六点钟之间，是吗?

""是的，先生。""再说说是在哪一天?

""七月八号。""那时候，您正好是在哪儿?

""我们在……""不要说'

''''我们，。就说您自己是在哪儿?

""我正跟丈夫坐在一只小船上，划过一个地方，后来我才知道这个地方叫南湾。""得了。现在说一说，以后发生了什么事?

""当我们划到湖湾中央的时候，我听到了一个呼喊声。""是什么样的呼喊声?

""令人听了心肺俱裂，好象是什么人因为剧痛……要不然就是碰到危险时发出的呼喊声。这声音很刺耳……以后它始终在我耳边回响。"这时，贝尔纳普临时动议"一笔勾销"，结果最后一句奉命从开庭笔录中被勾掉了。

"这呼喊声是从哪儿传来的?

""从远处。是从树林子里，要不然就是从树林子后面传来的。""那时候，您知道不知道树林子那边还有一个湖湾，或者说是延伸到树林子的一块狭长草地?

""不知道，先生。""哦，您当时是怎么想的……这呼喊声可能是从你们那边的树林子里传来的吗?

"(提出异议，得到了庭方支持。)"现在您就告诉我们，这是男人发出的，还是女人发出的呼喊声?

又是什么样的呼喊声?

""那是一个女人发出的呼喊声，好象是在叫嚷'

''''啊，啊!

，或是'

''''啊，老天哪!

，……非常尖厉。清晰，不过，当然罗，很远很远。就象一个人在剧痛时拚命地尖叫。

""这呼喊声是男人发出的，还是女人发出的，您能肯定，不会弄错了吧。

""错不了，先生。我敢肯定是一个女人发出的呼喊声。一个成年男子或是孩子，决不可能有那么尖的声调。只有女人才会这样呼喊的。""我明白啦。现在请您告诉我们，多纳休太太……地图上这个点，就是发现罗伯达。奥尔登尸体的地方，您看见了吗?

""看见了，先生。""另有一个点，在那树林子后面，大约就是你们那只小船所在的地方，您看见了吗?

""看见了，先生。""您认为那个声音是从月潭这一个点上传过来吗?

"(提出异议，得到了庭方支持。)"这呼喊声重复过没有?

""没有，先生。当时我等了一会儿，而且还关照我丈夫也注意听着。我们俩都等着，但是这呼喊声却再也听不见了。"于是，贝尔纳普一方面恨不得证明这也许只不过是一种表示害怕，而不是在剧痛或是受伤以后发出的呼喊声，另一方面又一次从头至尾盘问了多纳休太太一遍，结果却发现:

不管是她也好，还是后来被传唤到证人席的她丈夫也好，他们夫妇俩立场都是一点儿也没有动摇。他们斩钉截铁地说，这个女人的呼喊声所引起的深深的伤感，在他们心里始终萦绕不去。这呼喊声老是跟随他们;到了宿营地以后，他们还在谈论它。因为那时候天色已黑，她丈夫不愿意出去寻摸这呼喊声传过来的地点;她自己觉得也许是某个女人或是年轻姑娘在树林子里被人杀害，所以，她就再也不愿待在那里，转天大清早，他们动身前往另一个湖上去了。

艾迪隆达克斯的另一个导游托马斯。巴雷特，眼下在达姆湖露宿营地工作。

他在作证时说，就在多纳休太太刚才提到的那个时刻，他正沿着湖岸向大比腾旅店走去。他不仅看到刚才所说的湖上那个地点小船上有一男一女，而且，在更远的湖湾的南岸，还发现这一对露宿者的那座帐篷。巴雷特还说，从月潭外面任何一个地点，断断乎望不到月潭里的船只，除非你是在它的入口处附近。

不过，这入口处很窄，从湖上望过去，整个月潭都给挡住了。另外一些证人，也证明了这一点。

就在这个关键时刻，午后的阳光已在又高又窄的法院大厅里逐渐暗淡下来，梅森按照他事先的缜密安排，把罗伯达的信全给念了。他是一封一封地念，用的是一种非常朴素，绝不装腔作势的语调，而且还倾注了他初读这些信时心中所引起的深切同情和无限激情。当时他读到那些信，不觉潸然泪下。

梅森先念罗伯达六月八日写的第一封信，距她离开莱柯格斯老家才只有三天光景。接着一封封念下去，念到第十四。第十五。第十六。第十七封信。在那些信里，她零零碎碎地写到了，或是提到了具有关键性的一些重要事实。她就这样把自己跟克莱德交往的来龙去脉全都说到了，而且，一直说到他打算来找她，先是说在三周以内，接着又顺延一个月，最后约定在七月八。九日;随后，她突然出言威吓，他在仓卒之间决定在方达跟她见面，如此等等。梅森在念那些信时，全场无不为之动容。只见列席听众和陪审团中间，两眼噙着泪花，掏出手绢来擦眼泪，还不时夹着一些咳嗽声。这一切都足以证明那些信具有多大的感染力:

你说要我对自己的感受不必担忧，也不必想得太多了，而是要我快快活活地把时间打发过去。你这么说说，那敢情好。你是在莱柯格斯，朋友们都围着你转，到处有人邀请你，可我在威尔科克斯家打电话真难，经常有人立壁脚听我说话，你还老是关照我这个说不得，那个又不准讲。不过，我有很多话要问你，只不过在电话里却没法问。你老是重复说什么一切都好。可你并没有肯定说你二十七号准来。你说，因为有什么事，我听不清楚……电话里嗡嗡声太大……也许你来不了，还要晚些日子再动身。但这是不行的，克莱德。爸爸妈妈三号要上汉密尔顿我叔叔那里去。托姆和艾米莉在同一天要到我妹妹那里去。

可我既不能，也不愿再去她那里了。我可不能一个人孤零零待在这里呀。所以，你应该，说真的，你应该来，因为你事先答应过的。就我眼前的身子来说，克莱德，我实在再也等不下去了。所以，你就是应该来这里，把我接走。啊，劳驾，劳驾，我求求你，别一再拖延时间来折磨我了。

还有:

克莱德，我这次回家来，是因为我自以为对你信得过。在我临走前，你那么一本正经地答应过我，说你最多过三周就来看我……还说在这期间把一切安排停当，筹措到一大笔钱，以备我们住在一起的时候，或是你上别处另觅工作以前过日子。虽然到七月三号我回家快要一个月了，可是昨天，你一开头压根儿就没说定三号那天准来，何况，后来我还告诉你，我爸爸妈妈在同一天准定上汉密尔顿去住十天。当然罗，后来你也说过你要来的，不过你说这话，好象只是想让我宽心罢了。这件事从那时起，一直让我怪难过的。

可我得告诉你，克莱德，我病了，来势过猛。我差不多老是觉得自己要晕过去。再说，我老是怪担心的，你要是不来，我该怎么办，这几乎使我快要发疯了。

克莱德，我知道，现在你再也不象过去那样疼我了。而且，你也巴不得一切都变了样才好。可我怎么办呢?

我知道，你会说一切的一切全错了，有你的份，也有我的份哩。而且，人们要是知道，说不定也会这么想的。可是，我不知有多少次求过你别勉强我去做我压根儿不愿做的事啊。即使在那个时刻，我还害怕这事将来我会后悔不及的，尽管我是那么爱你，不让你走，可你依然是一意孤行。

克莱德，但愿我死了，该有多好。这样也就一了百了。最近我一直在祈祷呀，祈祷呀，但愿我能瞑目而去。真的，我是祈祷过的。因为，如今，我觉得，生命已不象我初次碰见你。你倾心爱我时那样弥足珍贵了。啊，往昔那些幸福的日子!

要是一切不是这个样子，该有多好!

要是当初我没有跟你相识，该有多好。

那就对我和对我们大家都会好得多。可现在我没辙呀，克莱德，我一个子儿都没有，我也没法给我们的孩子取名。不过，要不是那样会给我父母和我全家人带来极大痛苦和奇耻大辱，我真愿意用另一种办法来结束这一切。我说的确实是真话。

还有:

啊，克莱德，克莱德，今天，生活里一切跟去年相比，该有多么不一样呀。

只要想一想……那时，我们一块到过克拉姆湖，还到过方达。格洛弗斯维尔和小瀑布附近一些湖上。可现在啊……现在啊。刚才汤姆和艾米莉的几个男女朋友来了，找他们一块采草莓去。我看见他们走的时候，心里明白我是去不了的，我再也不能象他们那样了，我就哭呀，哭呀，哭了那么长时间。

最后:

今天，我跟自己心爱的地方一一告别。要知道，亲爱的，这里有那么多可爱的角落，对我来说，全都是怪亲切的。你知道，我的一生都是在这里度过的。

先说说我家那个井台子，四周长满了一大堆一大堆青苔。我走过的时候，就向它说了一声再见，因为，如今我不会很快再回到它身边来……也许永远不会回来了。还有……那棵老苹果树，我们……艾米莉。汤姆。吉福德和我，小时候常常在树底下玩耍，还有……那个"猜一猜"果园里的一座怪有趣的小凉亭，我们有时也在那里玩儿。

啊，克莱德，所有这一切对我意味着什么，你是没法体会到的。我心里感到好象我这次离家以后，再也不会见到它了。还有妈妈，可怜的。亲爱的妈妈，我多么爱她，而我一直在欺骗她，这让我多么难过啊。她从来不生气，对我老是全力相助。有时候，我真想能不能干脆向她和盘托出。但转念一想，我可千万不能啊。她受的苦已经够多了，我怎么也不能再让她心碎呀。不，要是现在我走了，多咱再回来，不管是结了婚，还是一死了之……这对我来说几乎无所谓了……她永远也不会知道，而我怎么也不愿让她受到任何痛苦。这在我看来，比自己生命还重要得多。好吧，再见了，克莱德，一直到我们相见的时候，就象你电话里所说的那样。请原谅我给你添了那么多的麻烦。

你那伤心的罗伯达梅森在念信的时候，往往自己也哭了，当他翻到最后一页时，尽管困乏不堪，但他还是很得意。他意识到自己提出了一套最为完整和颠扑不破的论证，便大声说:

"人民停止举证。"就在这时刻，随同丈夫和艾米莉一起出庭的奥尔登太太，不仅这些天来长时间听取庭审太紧张了，而且特别是在得悉这一证据后给她刺激太深，突然抽抽噎噎地发出一声尖叫，昏倒了过去。这时，克莱德也精疲力竭，听她这么一叫，看她倒了下去，就猛地一跃而起……杰夫森马上伸出手去制止了他，庭警等人则搀扶奥尔登太太和在她身旁的泰特斯一起走出法院大厅。这一场面极大地激怒了全体列席听众，仿佛觉得克莱德在此时此地又犯了一项大罪。

可是，不一会儿，群情激愤终于过去了，天色也很黑了，法庭上时钟已指到五点，整个法院大厅里人们全都困乏不堪，奥伯沃泽法官认为有必要宣布休庭。

所有的新闻记者。特写作者和画家马上站了起来，窃窃私语说，明天，被告一方及其律师的辩护就要开始了，暗自纳闷，真不知道会有哪些见证人，这些见证人现在哪里;面对这么一大堆惊人的。对他不利的证据，不知道克莱德能不能获准亲自出庭辩护，还是由他的辩护律师自圆其说地来上一套什么心灵上。

道德上软弱这类貌似有理的辩解。其结果也许是判他无期徒刑……至少也得如此罢。

克莱德在人们的一片嘘声和咒骂声中走出了法院大厅;他暗自纳闷，既然他们为了明天这件事缜密筹划了那么久，真不知道明天他有没有这份勇气站起来，登上证人席呢……他心里又在想:

还有没有别的什么办法，比方说，要是没有人注意(从监狱押往法庭的来去路上，是不给他戴手铐的)，也许就在明天晚上，正当全体离座站了起来，人头攒动，法警朝他走过来的时候……只要……嘿，只要他能一溜快跑，或是从容不迫，但又好象是压根儿无心地快步走到了石阶那儿，就径直往下逃奔而去……嘿……那石阶会通往哪儿呢……只要不通往在这以前他从监狱里早已看见过主楼旁边的那道边门就行!

只要他能奔进一座树林子，然后就安步当车，或是一溜小跑，一刻儿也不停，什么也不吃，也许一连好几天，一直到，嘿，一直到他完全脱险时为止……不管到了什么地方都行。

当然罗，这是一个机会啊。也许人们会向他开枪，或是放出警犬。派人来追缉他，但这总归还是一个逃命机会，可不是?

但是现在他在这儿压根儿不会有这样逃命的机会。经过这次审讯以后，不论到哪儿，谁都不会相信他是无罪的。可他却不愿自己就象这样死去。不，不，就是不能这样死去!

这样就又捱过了一个凄凉的。黑暗的。疲乏的夜晚。随之而来的是又一个凄凉的。灰沉沉的冬日早晨。
Part 3 Chapter 23
By eight o'clock the next morning the great city papers were on the stands with the sprawling headlines, whichinformed every one in no uncertain terms:
　　"PROSECUTION IN GRIFFITHS' CASE CLOSES WITH IMPRESSIVE DELUGE OF TESTIMONY.""MOTIVE AS WELL AS METHOD HAMMERED HOME.""DESTRUCTIVE MARKS ON FACE AND HEAD SHOWN TO CORRESPOND WITH ONE SIDE OFCAMERA.""MOTHER OF DEAD GIRL FAINTS AT CLOSE OF DRAMATIC READING OF HER LETTERS."And the architectonic way in which Mason had built his case, together with his striking and dramaticpresentation of it, was sufficient to stir in Belknap and Jephson, as well as Clyde, the momentary conviction thatthey had been completely routed--that by no conceivable device could they possibly convince this jury now thatClyde was not a quadruple-dyed villain.
　　And all congratulating Mason on the masterly way he had presented his case. And Clyde, greatly reduced andsaddened by the realization that his mother would be reading all that had transpired the day before. He must askJephson to please wire her so that she would not believe it. And Frank and Julia and Esta. And no doubt Sondrareading all this, too, to-day, yet through all these days, all these black nights, not one word! A reference now and then in the papers to a Miss X but at no time a single correct picture of her. That was what a family with moneycould do for you. And on this very day his defense would begin and he would have to go forward as the onlywitness of any import. Yet asking himself, HOW COULD HE? The crowd. Its temper. The nervous strain of itsunbelief and hatred by now. And after Belknap was through with him, then Mason. It was all right for Belknapand Jephson. They were in no danger of being tortured, as he was certain of being tortured.
　　Yet in the face of all this, and after an hour spent with Jephson and Belknap in his cell, finding himself back inthe courtroom, under the persistent gaze of this nondescript jury and the tensely interested audience. And nowBelknap rising before the jury and after solemnly contemplating each one of them, beginning:
　　"Gentlemen--somewhat over three weeks ago you were told by the district attorney that because of the evidencehe was about to present he would insist that you jurors must find the prisoner at the bar guilty of the crime ofwhich he stands indicted. It has been a long and tedious procedure since then. The foolish and inexperienced, yetin every case innocent and unintentional, acts of a boy of fifteen or sixteen have been gone into before yougentlemen as though they were the deeds of a hardened criminal, and plainly with the intention of prejudicingyou against this defendant, who, with the exception of one misinterpreted accident in Kansas City--the mostbrutally and savagely misinterpreted accident it has ever been my professional misfortune to encounter--can besaid to have lived as clean and energetic and blameless and innocent a life as any boy of his years anywhere. Youhave heard him called a man--a bearded man--a criminal and a crime-soaked product of the darkest vomiting ofHell. And yet he is but twenty-one. And there he sits. And I venture to say that if by some magic of the spokenword I could at this moment strip from your eye the substance of all the cruel thoughts and emotions which havebeen attributed to him by a clamorous and mistaken and I might say (if I had not been warned not to do so),politically biased prosecution, you could no more see him in the light that you do than you could rise out of thatbox and fly through those windows.
　　"Gentlemen of the jury, I have no doubt that you, as well as the district attorney and even the audience, havewondered how under the downpour of such linked and at times almost venomous testimony, I or my colleague orthis defendant could have remained as calm and collected as we have." (And here he waved with graveceremoniousness in the direction of his partner, who was still waiting his own hour.) "Yet, as you have seen, wehave not only maintained but enjoyed the serenity of those who not only feel but KNOW that they have the rightand just end of any legal contest. You recall, of course, the words of the Avon bard--'Thrice armed is he whohath his quarrel just.'
　　"In fact, we know, as the prosecution in this case unfortunately does not, the peculiarly strange and unexpectedcircumstances by which this dramatic and most unfortunate death came about. And before we are through youshall see for yourselves. In the meantime, let me tell you, gentlemen, that since this case opened I have believedthat even apart from the light we propose to throw on this disheartening tragedy, you gentlemen are not at allsure that a brutal or bestial crime can be laid upon the shoulders of this defendant. You cannot be! For after all,love is love, and the ways of passion and the destroying emotion of love in either sex are not those of theordinary criminal. Only remember, we were once all boys. And those of you who are grown women were girls,and know well--oh, how very well--the fevers and aches of youth that have nothing to do with a later practicallife. 'Judge not, lest ye be judged and with whatsoever measure ye mete, it will be measured unto ye again.'
　　"We admit the existence and charm and potent love spell of the mysterious Miss X and her letters, which we have not been able to introduce here, and their effect on this defendant. We admit his love for this Miss X, andwe propose to show by witnesses of our own, as well as by analyzing some of the testimony that has beenoffered here, that perhaps the sly and lecherous overtures with which this defendant is supposed to have lured thelovely soul now so sadly and yet so purely accidentally blotted out, as we shall show, from the straight andnarrow path of morality, were perhaps no more sly nor lecherous than the proceedings of any youth who findsthe girl of his choice surrounded by those who see life only in the terms of the strictest and narrowest moralregime. And, gentlemen, as your own county district attorney has told you, Roberta Alden loved Clyde Griffiths.
　　At the very opening of this relationship which has since proved to be a tragedy, this dead girl was deeply andirrevocably in love with him, just as at the time he imagined that he was in love with her. And people who aredeeply and earnestly in love with each other are not much concerned with the opinions of others in regard tothemselves. They are in love-- and that is sufficient!
　　"But, gentlemen, I am not going to dwell on that phase of the question so much as on this explanation which weare about to offer. Why did Clyde Griffiths go to Fonda, or to Utica, or to Grass Lake, or to Big Bittern, at all?
　　Do you think we have any reason for or any desire to deny or discolor in any way the fact of his having done so,or with Roberta Alden either? Or why, after the suddenness and seeming strangeness and mystery of her death,he should have chosen to walk away as he did? If you seriously think so for one fraction of a moment, you arethe most hopelessly deluded and mistaken dozen jurymen it has been our privilege to argue before in all ourtwenty-seven years' contact with juries.
　　"Gentlemen, I have said to you that Clyde Griffiths is not guilty, and he is not. You may think, perhaps, that weourselves must be believing in his guilt. But you are wrong. The peculiarity, the strangeness of life, is such thatoftentimes a man may be accused of something that he did not do and yet every circumstance surrounding him atthe time seem to indicate that he did do it. There have been many very pathetic and very terrible instances ofmiscarriages of justice through circumstantial evidence alone. Be sure! Oh, be very sure that no such mistakenjudgment based on any local or religious or moral theory of conduct or bias, because of presumed irrefutableevidence, is permitted to prejudice you, so that without meaning to, and with the best and highest-mindedintentions, you yourselves see a crime, or the intention to commit a crime, when no such crime or any suchintention ever truly or legally existed or lodged in the mind or acts of this defendant. Oh, be sure! Be very, verysure!"And here he paused to rest and seemed to give himself over to deep and even melancholy thought, while Clyde,heartened by this shrewd and defiant beginning was inclined to take more courage. But now Belknap was talkingagain, and he must listen--not lose a word of all this that was so heartening.
　　"When Roberta Alden's body was taken out of the water at Big Bittern, gentlemen, it was examined by aphysician. He declared at the time that the girl had been drowned. He will be here and testify and the defendantshall have the benefit of that testimony, and you must render it to him.
　　"You were told by the district attorney that Roberta Alden and Clyde Griffiths were engaged to be married andthat she left her home at Biltz and went forth with him on July sixth last on her wedding journey. Now,gentlemen, it is so easy to slightly distort a certain set of circumstances. 'Were engaged to be married' was howthe district attorney emphasized the incidents leading up to the departure on July sixth. As a matter of fact, notone iota of any direct evidence exists which shows that Clyde Griffiths was ever formally engaged to Roberta Alden, or that, except for some passages in her letters, he agreed to marry her. And those passages, gentlemen,plainly indicate that it was only under the stress of moral and material worry, due to her condition--for which hewas responsible, of course, but which, nevertheless, was with the consent of both--a boy of twenty-one and a girlof twenty-three--that he agreed to marry her. Is that, I ask you, an open and proper engagement--the kind of anengagement you think of when you think of one at all? Mind you, I am not seeking to flout or belittle or reflect inany way on this poor, dead girl. I am simply stating, as a matter of fact and of law, that this boy was not formallyengaged to this dead girl. He had not given her his word beforehand that he would marry her . . . Never! There isno proof. You must give him the benefit of that. And only because of her condition, for which we admit he wasresponsible, he came forward with an agreement to marry her, in case . . . in case" (and here he paused and restedon the phrase), "she was not willing to release him. And since she was not willing to release him, as her variousletters read here show, that agreement, on pain of a public exposure in Lycurgus, becomes, in the eyes and wordsof the district attorney, an engagement, and not only that but a sacred engagement which no one but a scoundreland a thief and a murderer would attempt to sever! But, gentlemen, many engagements, more open and sacred inthe eyes of the law and of religion, have been broken. Thousands of men and thousands of women have seentheir hearts change, their vows and faith and trust flouted, and have even carried their wounds into the secretplaces of their souls, or gone forth, and gladly, to death at their own hands because of them. As the districtattorney said in his address, it is not new and it will never be old. Never!
　　"But it is such a case as this last, I warn you, that you are now contemplating and are about to pass upon--a girlwho is the victim of such a change of mood. But that is not a legal, however great a moral or social crime it maybe. And it is only a curious and almost unbelievably tight and yet utterly misleading set of circumstances inconnection with the death of this girl that chances to bring this defendant before you at this time. I swear it. Itruly know it to be so. And it can and will be fully explained to your entire satisfaction before this case is closed.
　　"However, in connection with this last statement, there is another which must be made as a preface to all that isto follow.
　　"Gentlemen of the jury, the individual who is on trial here for his life is a mental as well as a moral coward--nomore and no less--not a downright, hardhearted criminal by any means. Not unlike many men in criticalsituations, he is a victim of a mental and moral fear complex. Why, no one as yet has been quite able to explain.
　　We all have one secret bugbear or fear. And it is these two qualities, and no others, that have placed him in thedangerous position in which he now finds himself. It was cowardice, gentlemen--fear of a rule of the factory ofwhich his uncle is the owner, as well as fear of his own word given to the officials above him, that caused himfirst to conceal the fact that he was interested in the pretty country girl who had come to work for him. And later,to conceal the fact that he was going with her.
　　"Yet no statutory crime of any kind there. You could not possibly try a man for that, whatever privately youmight think. And it was cowardice, mental and moral, gentlemen, which prevented him, after he becameconvinced that he could no longer endure a relationship which had once seemed so beautiful, from sayingoutright that he could not, and would not continue with her, let alone marry her. Yet, will you slay a man becausehe is the victim of fear? And again, after all, if a man has once and truly decided that he cannot and will notendure a given woman, or a woman a man--that to live with her could only prove torturesome--what would youhave that person do? Marry her? To what end? That they may hate and despise and torture each other foreverafter? Can you truly say that you agree with that as a rule, or a method, or a law? Yet, as the defense sees it, a truly intelligent and fair enough thing, under the circumstances, was done in this instance. An offer, but withoutmarriage--and alas, without avail--was made. A suggestion for a separate life, with him working to support herwhile she dwelt elsewhere. Her own letters, read only yesterday in this court, indicate something of the kind. Butthe oh, so often tragic insistence upon what in so many cases were best left undone! And then that last, long,argumentative trip to Utica, Grass Lake, and Big Bittern. And all to no purpose. Yet with no intention to kill orbetray unto death. Not the slightest. And we will show you why.
　　"Gentlemen, once more I insist that it was cowardice, mental and moral, and not any plot or plan for any crime ofany kind, that made Clyde Griffiths travel with Roberta Alden under various aliases to all the places I have justmentioned--that made him write 'Mr. and Mrs. Carl Graham,' 'Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Golden'--mental and moralfear of the great social mistake as well as sin that he had committed in pursuing and eventually allowing himselfto fail into this unhallowed relationship with her--mental and moral fear or cowardice of what was to follow.
　　"And again, it was mental and moral cowardice that prevented him there at Big Bittern, once the waters of thelake had so accidentally closed over her, from returning to Big Bittern Inn and making public her death. Mentaland Moral Cowardice--and nothing more and nothing less. He was thinking of his wealthy relatives in Lycurgus,their rule which his presence here on the lake with this girl would show to have been broken--of the sufferingand shame and rage of her parents. And besides, there was Miss X--the brightest star in the brightestconstellation of all his dreams.
　　"We admit all that, and we are completely willing to concede that he was, or must have been, thinking of allthese things. The prosecution charges, and we admit that such is the fact, that he had been so completelyensnared by this Miss X, and she by him, that he was willing and eager to forsake this first love who had givenherself to him, for one who, because of her beauty and her wealth, seemed so much more desirable--even as toRoberta Alden he seemed more desirable than others. And if she erred as to him--as plainly she did--might not-mightnot he have erred eventually in his infatuated following of one who in the ultimate--who can say?--mightnot have cared so much for him. At any rate, one of his strongest fear thoughts at this time, as he himself hasconfessed to us, his counsel, was that if this Miss X learned that he had been up there with this other girl ofwhom she had not even so much as heard, well then, it would mean the end of her regard for him.
　　"I know that as you gentlemen view such things, such conduct has no excuse for being. One may be the victim ofan internal conflict between two illicit moods, yet nevertheless, as the law and the church see it, guilty of sin andcrime. But the truth, none-the-less, is that they do exist in the human heart, law or no law, religion or noreligion, and in scores of cases they motivate the actions of the victims. And we admit that they motivated theactions of Clyde Griffiths.
　　"But did he kill Roberta Alden?
　　"No!
　　"And again, no!
　　"Or did he plot in any way, half-heartedly or otherwise, to drag her up there under the guise of various aliasesand then, because she would not set him free, drown her? Ridiculous! Impossible! Insane! His plan was completely and entirely different.
　　"But, gentlemen," and here he suddenly paused as though a new or overlooked thought had just come to him,"perhaps you would be better satisfied with my argument and the final judgment you are to render if you were tohave the testimony of one eye-witness at least of Roberta Alden's death--one who, instead of just hearing a voice,was actually present, and who saw and hence knows how she met her death."He now looked at Jephson as much as to say: Now, Reuben, at last, here we are! And Reuben, turning to Clyde,easily and yet with iron in his every motion, whispered: "Well, here we are, Clyde, it's up to you now. Only I'mgoing along with you, see? I've decided to examine you myself. I've drilled and drilled you, and I guess youwon't have any trouble in telling me, will you?" He beamed on Clyde genially and encouragingly, and Clyde,because of Belknap's strong plea as well as this newest and best development in connection with Jephson, nowstood up and with almost a jaunty air, and one out of all proportion to his mood of but four hours before, nowwhispered: "Gee! I'm glad you're going to do it. I'll be all right now, I think."But in the meantime the audience, hearing that an actual eye-witness was to be produced, and not by theprosecution but the defense, was at once upon its feet, craning and stirring. And Justice Oberwaltzer, irritated toan exceptional degree by the informality characteristic of this trial, was now rapping with his gavel while hisclerk cried loudly: "Order! Order! Unless everybody is seated, all spectators will be dismissed! The deputies willplease see that all are seated." And then a hushed and strained silence falling as Belknap called: "Clyde Griffiths,take the witness chair." And the audience--seeing to its astonishment, Clyde, accompanied by Reuben Jephson,making his way forward--straining and whispering in spite of all the gruff commands of the judge and thebailiffs. And even Belknap, as he saw Jephson approaching, being a little astonished, since it was he whoaccording to the original plan was to have led Clyde through his testimony. But now Jephson drawing near tohim as Clyde was being seated and sworn, merely whispered: "Leave him to me, Alvin, I think it's best. He looksa little too strained and shaky to suit me, but I feel sure I can pull him through."And then the audience noting the change and whispering in regard to it. And Clyde, his large nervous eyesturning here and there, thinking: Well, I'm on the witness stand at last. And now everybody's watching me, ofcourse. I must look very calm, like I didn't care so very much, because I didn't really kill her. That's right, Ididn't. Yet his skin blue and the lids of his eyes red and puffy and his hands trembling slightly in spite of himself.
　　And Jephson, his long, tensile and dynamic body like that of a swaying birch, turning toward him and lookingfixedly into Clyde's brown eyes with his blue ones, beginning:
　　"Now, Clyde, the first thing we want to do is make sure that the jury and every one else hears our questions andanswers. And next, when you're all set, you're going to begin with your life as you remember it--where you wereborn, where you came from, what your father did and your mother, too, and finally, what you did and why, fromthe time you went to work until now. I may interrupt you with a few questions now and then, but in the main I'mgoing to let you tell it, because I know you can tell it better than any one." Yet in order to reassure Clyde and tomake him know each moment that he was there--a wall, a bulwark, between him and the eager, straining,unbelieving and hating crowd--he now drew nearer, at times so close as to put one foot on the witness stand, or ifnot that to lean forward and lay a hand on the arm of the chair in which Clyde sat. And all the while saying,"Yay-uss--Yay-uss." "And then what?" "And then?" And invariably at the strong and tonic or protective sound ofhis voice Clyde stirring as with a bolstering force and finding himself able, and without shaking or quavering, to tell the short but straitened story of his youth.
　　"I was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. My parents were conducting a mission there at that time and used tohold open air meetings. . ."

转天早上八点钟，出现在报摊上的各大城市的报纸，用最鲜明的大字标题昭示天下:

对格里菲思一案提起公诉以大量惊人的罪证结束谋杀动机和手法现已铁证如山死者头脸部分伤痕与照相机边棱完全吻合宣读已故女儿书信时其母闻后当场为之昏厥由于梅森根据严谨的逻辑性进行论辩，发言时又富于惊人的戏剧性，顿时使贝尔纳普。杰夫森和克莱德心里都感到:

他们已经彻底给打垮了，现在怎么也想不出什么绝招来，让陪审团相信克莱德不是一个彻头彻尾的坏蛋。

大家都为梅森论辩时所运用的那种高明手法而向他纷纷祝贺。可是克莱德呢，他一想到，昨天发生的那些事情，他母亲都会看到的，不由得十分泄气，伤心透顶。他非得请杰夫森打电报给她，关照她……还有弗兰克。朱丽娅和爱思德……切莫相信。这些新闻报道，毫无疑问，今天桑德拉也在读，可是，经过这么多的白天黑夜，她却连一个字眼儿都没捎来过!

报上只是偶尔提到了一位某某小姐，但从来没有刊登过一篇有关她本人的真实写照。有钱的人家能为你做的就是这样了。就在今天，被告一方及其律师开始进行辩护了。他就得以独一无二。至关重要的见证人身份出庭。可他反躬自问，叫他又能怎么样呢?

那些听众呀。他们肚里有一股子气呀。如今，他们那种不信赖他和敌视他的态度，使他心里多么惴惴不安啊。而且在贝尔纳普盘问过他以后，就挨到梅森了。贝尔纳普和杰夫森，当然罗，觉得没有什么了不起的。他们并没有碰到受折磨的危险，可他，毫无疑问，面临着受折磨啊。

他忧心忡忡地在牢房里跟杰夫森。贝尔纳普在一起打发过去了一个钟头后，终于又被押上了法庭，这个难以形容的陪审团和十分好奇的观众，眼睛始终紧盯着他。这时，贝尔纳普站了起来，神情严肃地扫了陪审团一眼以后，才开了腔说:

"先生们!

大约在三个星期以前，地方检察官对你们说过，他坚持认为，根据他将要提出的证据，你们这些陪审员先生一定会承认被告席上的人确实犯了起诉时控告他的罪行。从那时起延续到今天，是一个冗长乏味的诉讼程序。甚至连一个十五六岁的男孩的每一件无心。无辜的行为，在列位先生面前通通论证过了，好象这一切就是一个冷酷无情的囚犯干下的一样，其用意，显然，是要你们对被告怀有敌意。可是，这位被告，除了在堪萨斯城仅仅有过一起被歪曲的意外事故以外……它可以说是我开业以来不幸碰到的一起最最粗暴。野蛮地被歪曲了的意外事故……可以说他是一向过着那么纯洁。精力旺盛。无懈可击和天真无邪的生活，跟普天下与他同龄的孩子们的生活一模一样。你们已经听到，有人把他说成是一个成年男子……一个长了胡子的成年男子……一个罪犯，一个从地狱里喷薄而出。最最阴险。存心作恶的妖孽。可他总共才不过二十一岁。此刻，他就坐在列位面前。而我敢大胆说，所有那些惨无人道的思想情绪，都是喜欢大肆喧闹的。认识错误的。而且我还可以说是(如果我没有受到警告，不准这么说的话)怀有政治偏见的原告一方及其律师强加给我所辩护的当事人身上的，所以，如果说我此时此刻可以凭借具有魔术一般的语言，在你们列位面前，把它们的实质内容一层层剥开来，那末，你们再也不可能用现在那种眼光来看待他，就象你们不可能离开座位，从这些窗子里飞出去一样。

"陪审团的先生们，毫无疑问，你们，还有地方检察官，甚至于所有列席听众，一定感到奇怪:

在这一大堆环环相扣，有时几乎是很恶毒的证词有如倾盆大雨似的袭来之后，我本人，或是我的同事，或是这位被告，怎么还能始终如一地神色不动，奉然自若哩。"(说到这里，他威风凛凛地朝他的那位正静候着自己出场时刻的同事挥挥手)"不过，正如你们所见到的那样，我们不仅保持着一种宁静，而且还享受到它的乐趣，要知道这种宁静只有这些人才有，他们不但感觉到，而且还深深知道，在法律面前进行任何争论中，他们是有着正确的。正义的目标。当然，你们一定会想到那位艾冯河上的诗人所说的话……'

''''他理直气壮，好比是披着三重盔甲。，(此处指英国大诗人威廉。莎士比亚。因莎翁诞生于英国艾冯河上的斯特拉特福。引文详见莎翁名剧《亨利六世》中篇第三幕第二场，中译本《莎士比亚全集》第６卷，第１６７页，人民文学出版社出版。

)"事实上，我们都很清楚，可惜本案原告及其律师却并不知道在这姑娘戏剧性的。极端不幸的惨死时那些稀奇古怪而又始料所不及的情况。而你们了解以后，自己就会对此作出判断来的。现在，请允许我告诉你们，列位先生，自从本案开审以来，我一直相信，即使不是根据我们打算对这一令人沮丧的悲剧所作出的解释，你们列位先生也压根儿不会相信这个被告真的犯了这种残忍的或是兽性的罪行。你们不可能相信的!

因为，说到底，爱情是爱情，男女任何一方热恋的方式，以及毁火一切的爱情冲动，是跟普通犯人不能相提并论。只要记住:

我们过去也都是小伙子呗。你们这些成年妇女，从前也都做过姑娘的，谅必你们很了解……哦，一定了解得很透啊……年轻人那种狂热劲儿和失恋后的痛苦，同以后的实际生活都是毫无关系的。'

''''你们不要论断人，免得你们被论断。

你们用什么量器量给人，也必用什么量器量给你们。，(引自《圣经。新约。马太福音》第７章第１。２节。)"我们承认是有这么一位神秘的某某小姐:

她的那些书信(恕我们不能在这里向列位出示)。她的姿色，还有她以爱情的巨大魅力给予这位被告的种种影响。

我们承认他是爱这位某某小姐的。而且，我们准备通过我们自己的见证人，同时对你们已在这里听过的一些证词进行分析，从而证明:

这位被告使用狡猾。淫荡的手法，引诱那个可爱的姑娘……正如我们将要加以说明的，她是纯属意外事故而惨遭身亡的……背离了道德这条正路。不过，被告使用的这些手法，跟任何一个年轻人可能使用的相比，也许并不怎么过分，因为这个年轻人发现他所心爱的姑娘四周围，净是这样一些人，他们只会用极端严峻。极端狭隘的道德框框来看待人生的。再说，列位先生，正如你们的地方检察官对你们说过的，罗伯达。奥尔登是爱克莱德。格里菲思的。在这种后来终于酿成悲剧的关系中，这位已故的姑娘一开始就深深地。始终不渝地爱着他，正如他当时也自以为是爱着她的。凡是深挚相爱的人，对于旁观者的意见，都是不大关心的。反正他们是在倾心相爱……这也就心满意足了!

"不过，列位先生!

这个问题，我并不打算象我们想要向你们所作的这种解释那样，用更多的时间来一段段谈了。那末，克莱德。格里菲思到底为什么要去方达，或是去尤蒂卡，或是去草湖，或是去大比腾呢?

你们以为我们有什么理由，或是有什么企图，要把他跟罗伯达。奥尔登结伴同行一事，加以否认，或是多少给予冲淡吗?

还有，在她死得这么突然，死得似乎奇怪而又神秘之后，他果真仓皇逃跑，当时他的动机，难道说我们也想加以隐瞒吗?

要是你们确实有过这样想法，哪怕是只有一刹那，那也意味着，从我开业以来跟陪审团打交道的整整二十七个年头里，能在你们这些受骗。误解到了不可救药地步的十二位陪审员面前辩论，实属无上荣幸了。

"先生们，我们跟你们列位说过，克莱德。格里菲思是无罪的……这是千真万确的。也许你们以为我们自己一定相信他是犯了罪的。可是你们全错了。生活里经常有这么稀奇古怪的事，有时候一个人可能被人指控，说他做过某一件事，其实，他压根儿没有做过，可在当时，他周围的每一个证据，却好象证实他是做过了的。众所周知，过去就有过许许多多非常悲惨。非常可怕的。被错判了的案例，就是因为法庭仅仅根据间接的旁证。这可要千万小心!

啊，要千万千万小心呀。别让那些根据纯属某一个地区。某一种宗教或道德对人的举止言谈。癖好倾向所持的观点而作出的错误判断，同时由于假想中似乎驳不倒的证据，使你们列位产生偏见。这样一来，即使你们本无此意，而且明明还怀有最美好。最崇高的心愿，却照样会在这里发现了罪行，或是发现有犯罪的意图，可是，从实际上来说也好，从法律上来说也好，在这个被告思想里或是行为上，倒是既没有犯过这样的罪行，也没有要犯这种罪行的意图。啊，这可要千万小心!

要千万千万小心呀!

"说到这里，他顿住了一会儿，好象自己立时陷入深邃甚至可以说是忧郁的沉思之中。而克莱德因受到这些精明而又大胆的开场白的鼓舞，似乎也勇气倍增了。反正现在，贝尔纳普又开始说下去了，克莱德非得仔细地听着……如此给人撑腰壮胆的话，一个字儿也不能漏掉啊。

"罗伯达。奥尔登的尸体从大比腾湖里打捞上来以后，列位先生，一位医生马上就检验过了。当时，这位医生就承认，这个姑娘是溺水身亡的。他要来这里出庭作证。这一证词对被告是有好处的，所以你们列位先生得仔细听听。

"地方检察官对你们说，罗伯达。奥尔登和克莱德。格里菲思是已经订过婚的。还说她在七月六号离开比尔茨老家，是跟他一起旅行结婚去的。不过，列位先生，对某些情况稍加歪曲，那可是易如反掌。'

''''已经订过婚的，……这是地方检察官用来重点说明后来终于导致七月六号离家那件事的。但事实上，一丁点儿都没有任何直接证据足以说明:

克莱德。格里菲思和罗伯达。奥尔登正式订过婚，或是说明他是同意跟她结婚的，除了她信里那些话以外。而她在信里的那些话，列位先生，清清楚楚地说明:

他之所以同意跟她结婚，仅仅是因为她有了身孕，使他在道德上。物质上感到非常担心……当然罗，他对她怀孕一事是负有责任的。不过，尽管如此，双方……一个是二十一岁的男孩，一个是二十三岁的姑娘……还是同意了的……只是在这种担心的压力之下，他才同意跟她结婚的。现在，我就请问你们，难道说这是一种公开的。正常的订婚吗?

难道说这是你们心目中的那种订婚的真正含义吗?

请你们注意，我说什么也不想嘲笑。贬低，或是玷污这个已故的可怜姑娘。我只不过是说明，不管是从事实来说也好，从法律上来说也好，这个男孩并没有跟这个已故的姑娘正式订过婚。他事前并没有答应过她，说要跟她结婚……从来也没有答应过!

什么证据都没有。这一点对他是有利的，你们必须承认。只是由于她有了身孕(关于这一点，我们承认，他是负有责任的)，他这才同意跟她结婚，如果说……如果说，"(说到这里，贝尔纳普顿住了一会儿，才着重说了这一句话)"她不愿意给他自由的话。后来，正如刚才念过的那些信所表明的，她不愿意给他自由，他深怕在莱柯格斯一被揭发，张扬出去，这才不得不表示同意，结果在地方检察官的眼里和话里却变成了订婚，不仅这样，而且还变成了……只有无赖。小偷。杀人犯才敢撕毁的神圣的订婚!

可是，列位先生，过去世界上有过许许多多订婚，从法律和宗教观点来看，可以说是更开放。更神圣的了，但照样也都毁约了。千千万万的男男女女，眼看着他们感情变了，他们的山盟海誓全给忘了，他们甚至把创伤埋藏到自己灵魂深处，或是因此毁于自己的双手，视死如归。正如地方检察官发言时所说的那样，这并不新鲜，但也永远不会过时。永远不会!

"不过，我得警告你们，此刻摆在你们面前需要审处的，正是这么一件案子:

已故的姑娘已成为被告感情变化以后的牺牲品。不过，尽管在道德上或是在社会上来说它可能是罪孽深重，但在法律上并不构成犯罪行为。而且，仅仅是因为跟这个姑娘之死有关的一些稀奇古怪。错综复杂到了几乎令人难以置信。但又是完全被误解了的情况，这位被告这才会在此时此刻被押到了你们列位面前。

这事我可以发誓担保。我真的知道这是千真万确的。在本案了结以前，这事一定能够充分解释清楚，包管你们列位完全满意。

"可是，同前面这段话有关，还得另加一段说明，作为下面提到的许多事情的引语。

"陪审团的列位先生，眼前在这里受审。他的性命操在你们手里的这个人，在思想上。道德上说，是个地地道道的懦夫，而决不是一个彻头彻尾的惨无人道的罪犯。跟许多人身陷险境时毫无二致，他是思想上。道德上的恐惧情结的牺牲品。为什么呢?

这一点，迄今还没有人能作出应有的解释。我们每个人都有各自感到害怕的东西。不是别的，正是懦弱和恐惧这两种特性，才使他身陷目前险境。正是由于怯懦，列位先生……害怕他伯父厂里的厂规，害怕他自己向上司作出过的保证，这才使他先是把他对自己手下打工的这位漂亮的乡下姑娘很感兴趣这一事实掩盖起来。到后来，又把他跟她有交往这一事实掩盖起来。

"不过，这也绝对谈不上有任何触犯法律的罪行。不管你们私下会有什么想法，但你们决不能单凭这一点就审问一个人。后来，他深信过去自己似乎一直珍爱的关系，如今再也不能继续跟她保持下去了，这时，正是那种思想上。道德上的怯懦，列位先生，使他没法一吐为快地说:

他既不可能，也不愿意跟她继续交往，更不用说跟她结婚了。可是，请问你们会不会仅仅因为他是恐惧心理的牺牲品就判他死刑呢?

要知道，说到底，要是一个男人一旦真的认定他对某个女人再也忍受不了(或者反过来说，一个女人对某个男人再也忍受不了，这也是一样道理)，觉得跟她一起过日子，简直就是活受罪，那你们要这个人究竟怎么办呢?

跟她结婚?

图的是什么呢?

难道说让他们在婚后永远互相憎恨。鄙视。受折磨吗?

你们能不能说句良心话，说你们赞成把它当作一条规矩，或是一种办法，或是一条法令?

可是，从被告的观点来看，在现有情况之下，他是尽力而为，做了一件真正明智，而又非常公道的事。他提出了一个建议，只是不结婚……天哪，可惜没有成功。他又建议两人分居，靠他工作来赡养她，她呢住到另一个地方去。昨天在法庭上念过的罗伯达那些信，就提到过这些问题。但是，遗憾得很，本来最好不要做的事，往往由于一个劲儿坚持而导致悲剧，这类事例实在是多得很!

接下来就是时间较长的最后一次，为了说服她，才去尤蒂卡。草湖。

大比腾旅行的。但全都没有达到目的。不过，绝对没有蓄意谋害她或是将她陷害致死。这样的意图，连一丁点儿都没有。原因是什么，我们将会向你们说明。

"列位先生，我再一次强调，正是由于思想上和道德上的怯懦，而决不是什么存心想要犯罪的阴谋计划，促使克莱德。格里菲思和罗伯达。奥尔登一块去刚才我说过上述各地旅行时编造了好几个假名字，因此，他不得不写成'

''''卡尔。

格雷厄姆夫妇，，'

''''克利福德。戈尔登夫妇，。在他追求她，最后放纵自己。跟她发生了这么一种亵渎神明关系后，他在思想上。道德上害怕自己早已铸成大错，罪孽深重，因而他对随之而来的后果，在思想上。道德上都感到非常害怕。

"再说，在大比腾，当罗伯达在湖上意外地惨遭灭顶之灾后，又是思想上和道德上的怯懦，使他没有回到大比腾旅社去，报告她溺水身亡的消息。是地地道道思想上和道德上的怯懦啊。当时他心里想到了他在莱柯格斯的那些有钱的亲戚和他们的厂规，而他跟这个姑娘一块到湖上来，正说明他违反了厂规;同时，他还想到了他父母的痛苦。羞耻和愤怒。此外，还有那位某某小姐……在他梦里金光闪亮的星座中最耀眼的一颗明星。

"这一切我们全都承认。而且我们还完全愿意退一步这么说:

当时他正在想的，或是必定一直在想的，就是这些事情。正如原告及其律师一方所控告的(这我们也承认是事实)，他已被这位某某小姐完全迷住了，同样，她也被他完全迷住了，所以，他不仅乐意，而且还恨不得把那个委身于他的第一个情人甩掉，因为那位某某小姐由于她的姿色和她的财富，在他眼里似乎显得更加妩媚动人……正如他在罗伯达。奥尔登心目中似乎比别人更加富于魅力一样。如果说罗伯达。奥尔登把他看错了……很清楚，她确实是看错了……那么，他会不会……会不会也把他如痴似狂地追求着的另一位小姐看错了呢?

到最后，那位小姐……有谁说得准呢?

……也许并不是那么疼爱他呢?

总而言之，他本人对我们……他的辩护律师……坦白地说过，那时他最大的担心是:

这位某某小姐只要一知道他跟另一个他从来没有听说过的姑娘一起到过湖上去，那就意味着，这位某某小姐给他的青睐也到此为止了。

"我知道，列位先生，按照你们的看法，对这类行为是没有什么可以原谅的。

一个人也许会成为两种不正当情感内部斗争的牺牲品，可是，从法律和教会的观点来看，他是造了孽，犯了罪的。不过话又说回来，这是万古不变的真理:

讲法律也好，不讲法律也好，讲宗教也好，不讲宗教也好，在人们心里，这种情感冲突确实存在着，而且，在许多案子中还主宰着牺牲者的行动。我们承认，这两种情感确实主宰过克莱德。格里菲思的行动。

"但是他有没有杀害罗伯达。奥尔登呢?

"没有!

"再说一遍，没有!

"或者说，他有没有用任何办法，不管是迟疑不决也好，还是什么怯懦也好，编造一些假名字，把她拖到湖上去，后来因为她不愿意给他自由，这才把她活活地淹死呢?

岂不是可笑!

这是不可能的!

简直是发疯了!

他的计划完全不是这样的。

"可是，列位先生，"说到这里，他突然顿了一会儿，好象他猛地寻摸到一个新的。稍纵即逝的想法。"可是你们至少也得听一听罗伯达。奥尔登死时一个目击者的证词……这个见证人不光听到一个呼喊声，而且压根儿就在那儿，亲眼目睹她是怎样死去的，因此也最了解她是怎样死去的……那末，你们对我的论据和你们将要作出的最后判断，也许会感到更加满意了。"这时，他看了看杰夫森，仿佛是在说:

你看，鲁本，好容易等到了!

于是，鲁本向克莱德转过脸去，神态从容自若，但每一个动作都象钢铁般坚强有力，低声耳语道:

"得了，克莱德，这会儿全看你的啦。不过，我是跟你同进退的，明白吧?

我决定亲自审问你。我一次又一次地跟你排练过，我想，我提问，你回答，大概不会有什么困难，是吧?

"他和蔼可亲地。颇有鼓气作用地眉开眼笑，直瞅着克莱德。克莱德由于贝尔纳普强有力的辩护，加上刚才杰夫森这一最新。最佳的决定，就站了起来，几乎再也不愁眉苦脸了(四个钟头以前，他远没有这么好的心境)，低声说:

"敢情好啊!

由您亲自出马，我很高兴。我想，现在我没有什么可怕的了。"但在这时，全场听众一听说有一个真的亲眼目睹过的见证人要出庭(何况不是代表原告一方的，而是代表被告一方的)，马上都纷纷站了起来，伸长了脖子颈，开始骚动起来。奥伯沃泽法官一见这次开庭审判，听众如此随随便便，不拘礼法而感到特别恼火，就使劲儿不断敲他的小木锤。与此同时，他手下的那个录事也高声嚷道:

"遵守秩序!

遵守秩序!

大家都坐好，否则列席旁听的人一律退出去!

请庭警维持全场秩序。"随后，贝尔纳普大声喊道:

"传克莱德。格里菲思，上证人席。"全场在一片紧张气氛中顿时肃静下来。听众们一看克莱德在鲁本。

杰夫森陪同下登上了证人席，不由得大吃一惊，就不顾法官和庭警的厉声呵斥，又开始紧张不安地窃窃私语起来。甚至连贝尔纳普一看见杰夫森走过来，不觉也有点儿惊诧。要知道，按照原定计划，克莱德作证时是由他来主审的。但在克莱德就座宣誓时，杰夫森凑到贝尔纳普跟前，低声说:

"把他交给我吧，阿尔文，依我看恐怕这样更好。看来他有点儿太紧张，两手也抖得够呛;不过，我准能让他度过这一难关。"全场听众也注意到辩护律师已给换了，对此纷纷窃窃私语起来。克莱德那一双惴惴不安的大眼睛在东张西望，心想:

你们瞧，最后我终于登上证人席了。

现在，当然罗，谁都在察看我。我可一定要保持非常镇静，仿佛满不在乎的样子，因为，说真的，我并没有害死她呀!

我并没有害死她，这是千真万确的。可他还是脸色发青，眼皮红肿，两只手禁不住微微颤抖。杰夫森高大。坚韧。充满活力的身躯，象一棵微微摆动的白桦树，朝他转了过去，一双蓝眼睛直盯住克莱德的棕色眼睛。这位辩护律师开了腔说:

"得了，克莱德，首先，我们的一问一答，务必要让陪审团和这儿大厅里的每一个人都能听得清清楚楚。接下来，你准备好了以后，先从你记得的自己的身世谈起……你是生在哪儿，是从什么地方来的，你父亲，还有你母亲，都是干什么的;最后，你干过什么行当，为了什么，就从你开始谋生谈起，一直谈到现在。也许我有时候会打断你的话，插进来问你几个问题。不过，基本上，我就是让你自己讲，因为我知道，这一切你准能讲得比谁都更清楚。"不过，为了给克莱德壮壮胆，让他每时每刻都记住辩护律师一直在场……是一堵墙，一座堡垒，隔在他与那紧张不安。不相信他和仇恨他的听众之间……杰夫森就站得更加靠拢他，有时甚至近得可以把一只脚伸到证人席上了。要不然，他就俯身向前，一只手搭在克莱德坐的椅子扶手上，并且老是念念有词地说:

"是……啊……是……啊""那么后来呢?

""后来又怎么样呢?

"他那种坚定。亢奋的庇护的声音，总是给予克莱德一股支持的力量，使他能身子不抖索。话音不嗫嚅地讲述了他那短暂而穷困的少年时代。

"我生在密执安州大瀑布。那时，我父母在那里办一个传道馆，常在街头向过往行人布道……"
Part 3 Chapter 24
Clyde's testimony proceeded to the point where the family had removed from Quincy, Illinois (a place resorted toon account of some Salvation Army work offered his father and mother), to Kansas City, where from his twelfthto his fifteenth year he had browsed about trying to find something to do while still resenting the combination ofschool and religious work expected of him.
　　"Were you up with your classes in the public schools?""No, sir. We had moved too much.""In what grade were you when you were twelve years old?""Well, I should have been in the seventh but I was only in the sixth. That's why I didn't like it.""And how about the religious work of your parents?""Well, it was all right--only I never did like going out nights on the street corners."And so on, through five-and-ten cent store, soda and newspaper carrier jobs, until at last he was a bell-hop at theGreen- Davidson, the finest hotel in Kansas City, as he informed them.
　　"But now, Clyde," proceeded Jephson who, fearful lest Mason on the cross-examination and in connection withClyde's credibility as a witness should delve into the matter of the wrecked car and the slain child in Kansas Cityand so mar the effect of the story he was now about to tell, was determined to be beforehand in this. Decidedly,by questioning him properly he could explain and soften all that, whereas if left to Mason it could be torturedinto something exceedingly dark indeed. And so now he continued:
　　"And how long did you work there?""A little over a year.""And why did you leave?""Well, it was on account of an accident.""What kind of an accident?"And here Clyde, previously prepared and drilled as to all this plunged into the details which led up to andincluded the death of the little girl and his flight--which Mason, true enough, had been intending to bring up. But,now, as he listened to all this, he merely shook his head and grunted ironically, "He'd better go into all that," hecommented. And Jephson, sensing the import of what he was doing--how most likely he was, as he would havephrased it, "spiking" one of Mr. Mason's best guns, continued with:
　　"How old were you then, Clyde, did you say?""Between seventeen and eighteen.""And do you mean to tell me," he continued, after he had finished with all of the questions he could think of inconnection with all this, "that you didn't know that you might have gone back there, since you were not the onewho took the car, and after explaining it all, been paroled in the custody of your parents?""Object!" shouted Mason. "There's no evidence here to show that he could have returned to Kansas City andbeen paroled in the custody of his parents.""Objection sustained!" boomed the judge from his high throne. "The defense will please confine itself a littlemore closely to the letter of the testimony.""Exception," noted Belknap, from his seat.
　　"No, sir. I didn't know that," replied Clyde, just the same.
　　"Anyhow was that the reason after you got away that you changed your name to Tenet as you told me?"continued Jephson.
　　"Yes, sir.""By the way, just where did you get that name of Tenet, Clyde?""It was the name of a boy I used to play with in Quincy.""Was he a good boy?""Object!" called Mason, from his chair. "Incompetent, immaterial, irrelevant.""Oh, he might have associated with a good boy in spite of what you would like to have the jury believe, and inthat sense it is very relevant," sneered Jephson.
　　"Objection sustained!" boomed Justice Oberwaltzer.
　　"But didn't it occur to you at the time that he might object or that you might be doing him an injustice in using his name to cover the identity of a fellow who was running away?""No, sir--I thought there were lots of Tenets."An indulgent smile might have been expected at this point, but so antagonistic and bitter was the general publictoward Clyde that such levity was out of the question in this courtroom.
　　"Now listen, Clyde," continued Jephson, having, as he had just seen, failed to soften the mood of the throng,"you cared for your mother, did you?--or didn't you?"Objection and argument finally ending in the question being allowed.
　　"Yes, sir, certainly I cared for her," replied Clyde--but after a slight hesitancy which was noticeable--a tighteningof the throat and a swelling and sinking of the chest as he exhaled and inhaled.
　　"Much?""Yes, sir--much." He didn't venture to look at any one now.
　　"Hadn't she always done as much as she could for you, in her way?""Yes, sir.""Well, then, Clyde, how was it, after all that, and even though that dreadful accident had occurred, you could runaway and stay away so long without so much as one word to tell her that you were by no means as guilty as youseemed and that she shouldn't worry because you were working and trying to be a good boy again?""But I did write her--only I didn't sign my name.""I see. Anything else?""Yes, sir. I sent her a little money. Ten dollars once.""But you didn't think of going back at all?""No, sir. I was afraid that if I went back they might arrest me.""In other words," and here Jephson emphasized this with great clearness, "you were a moral and mental coward,as Mr. Belknap, my colleague, said.""I object to this interpretation of this defendant's testimony for the benefit of the jury!" interrupted Mason.
　　"This defendant's testimony really needs no interpretation. It is very plain and honest, as any one can see,"quickly interjected Jephson.
　　"Objection sustained!" called the judge. "Proceed. Proceed.""And it was because you were a moral and mental coward as I see it, Clyde--not that I am condemning you foranything that you cannot help. (After all, you didn't make yourself, did you?)"But this was too much, and the judge here cautioned him to use more discretion in framing his future questions.
　　"Then you went about in Alton, Peoria, Bloomington, Milwaukee, and Chicago--hiding away in small rooms inback streets and working as a dishwasher or soda fountain man, or a driver, and changing your name to Tenetwhen you really might have gone back to Kansas City and resumed your old place?" continued Jephson.
　　"I object! I object!" yelled Mason. "There is no evidence here to show that he could have gone there and resumedhis old place.""Objection sustained," ruled Oberwaltzer, although at the time in Jephson's pocket was a letter from Francis X.
　　Squires, formerly captain of the bell-hops of the Green-Davidson at the time Clyde was there, in which heexplained that apart from the one incident in connection with the purloined automobile, he knew nothingderogatory to Clyde; and that always previously, he had found him prompt, honest, willing, alert and well-mannered. Also that at the time the accident occurred, he himself had been satisfied that Clyde could have beenlittle else than one of those led and that if he had returned and properly explained matters he would have beenreinstated. It was irrelevant.
　　Thereafter followed Clyde's story of how, having fled from the difficulties threatening him in Kansas City andhaving wandered here and there for two years, he had finally obtained a place in Chicago as a driver and later asa bell-boy at the union League, and also how while still employed at the first of these places he had written hismother and later at her request was about to write his uncle, when, accidentally meeting him at the unionLeague, he was invited by him to come to Lycurgus. And thereupon, in their natural order, followed all of thedetails, of how he had gone to work, been promoted and instructed by his cousin and the foreman as to thevarious rules, and then later how he had met Roberta and still later Miss X. But in between came all the details asto how and why he had courted Roberta Alden, and how and why, having once secured her love he felt andthought himself content--but how the arrival of Miss X, and her overpowering fascination for him, had servedcompletely to change all his notions in regard to Roberta, and although he still admired her, caused him to feelthat never again as before could he desire to marry her.
　　But Jephson, anxious to divert the attention of the jury from the fact that Clyde was so very fickle--a fact tootrying to be so speedily introduced into the case--at once interposed with:
　　"Clyde! You really loved Roberta Alden at first, didn't you?""Yes, sir.""Well, then, you must have known, or at least you gathered from her actions, from the first, didn't you, that shewas a perfectly good and innocent and religious girl.""Yes, sir, that's how I felt about her," replied Clyde, repeating what he had been told to say.
　　"Well, then, just roughly now, without going into detail, do you suppose you could explain to yourself and thisjury how and why and where and when those changes came about which led to that relationship which we all ofus" (and here he looked boldly and wisely and coldly out over the audience and then afterwards upon the jurors)"deplore. How was it, if you thought so highly of her at first that you could so soon afterwards descend to thisevil relationship? Didn't you know that all men, and all women also, view it as wrong, and outside of marriageunforgivable--a statutory crime?"The boldness and ironic sting of this was sufficient to cause at first a hush, later a slight nervous tremor on thepart of the audience which, Mason as well as Justice Oberwaltzer noting, caused both to frown apprehensively.
　　Why, this brazen young cynic! How dared he, via innuendo and in the guise of serious questioning, intrude sucha thought as this, which by implication at least picked at the very foundations of society--religious and moral! Atthe same time there he was, standing boldly and leoninely, the while Clyde replied:
　　"Yes, sir, I suppose I did--certainly--but I didn't try to seduce her at first or at any time, really. I was in love withher.""You were in love with her?""Yes, sir.""Very much?""Very much.""And was she as much in love with you at that time?""Yes, sir, she was.""From the very first?""From the very first.""She told you so?""Yes, sir.""At the time she left the Newtons--you have heard all the testimony here in regard to that--did you induce or seekto induce her in any way, by any trick or agreement, to leave there?""No, sir, I didn't. She wanted to leave there of her own accord. She wanted me to help her find a place.""She wanted you to help her find a place?""Yes, sir.""And just why?""Because she didn't know the city very well and she thought maybe I could tell her where there was a nice roomshe could get--one that she could afford.""And did you tell her about the room she took at the Gilpins'?""No, sir, I didn't. I never told her about any room. She found it herself." (This was the exact answer he hadmemorized.)"But why didn't you help her?""Because I was busy, days and most evenings. And besides I thought she knew better what she wanted than Idid--the kind of people and all.""Did you personally ever see the Gilpin place before she went there?""No, sir.""Ever have any discussion with her before she moved there as to the kind of a room she was to take--its positionas regards to entrance, exit, privacy, or anything of that sort?""No, sir, I never did.""Never insisted, for instance, that she take a certain type of room which you could slip in and out of at night orby day without being seen?""I never did. Besides, no one could very well slip in or out of that house without being seen.""And why not?""Because the door to her room was right next to the door to the general front entrance where everybody went inand out and anybody that was around could see." That was another answer he had memorized.
　　"But you slipped in and out, didn't you?""Well, yes, sir--that is, we both decided from the first that the less we were seen together anywhere, the better.""On account of that factory rule?""Yes, sir--on account of that factory rule."And then the story of his various difficulties with Roberta, due to Miss X coming into his life.
　　"Now, Clyde, we will have to go into the matter of this Miss X a little. Because of an agreement between thedefense and the prosecution which you gentlemen of the jury fully understand, we can only touch on thisincidentally, since it all concerns an entirely innocent person whose real name can be of no service here anyhow.
　　But some of the facts must be touched upon, although we will deal with them as light as possible, as much forthe sake of the innocent living as the worthy dead. And I am sure Miss Alden would have it so if she were alive.
　　But now in regard to Miss X," he continued, turning to Clyde, "it is already agreed by both sides that you met herin Lycurgus some time in November or December of last year. That is correct, is it not?""Yes, sir, that is correct," replied Clyde, sadly.
　　"And that at once you fell very much in love with her?""Yes, sir. That's true.""She was rich?""Yes, sir.""Beautiful?
　　"I believe it is admitted by all that she is," he said to the court in general without requiring or anticipating a replyfrom Clyde, yet the latter, so thoroughly drilled had he been, now replied: "Yes, sir.""Had you two--yourself and Miss Alden, I mean--at that time when you first met Miss X already established thatillicit relationship referred to?""Yes, sir.""Well, now, in view of all that--but no, one moment, there is something else I want to ask you first--now, let mesee--at the time that you first met this Miss X you were still in love with Roberta Alden, were you--or were younot?""I was still in love with her--yes, sir.""You had not, up to that time at least, in any way become weary of her? Or had you?""No, sir. I had not.""Her love and her companionship were just as precious and delightful to you as ever?""Yes, sir, they were."And as Clyde said that, he was thinking back and it seemed to him that what he had just said was really true. Itwas true that just before meeting Sondra he was actually at the zenith of content and delight with Roberta.
　　"And what, if any, were your plans for your future with Miss Alden--before you met this Miss X? You musthave thought at times of that, didn't you?""Well, not exactly," (and as he said this he licked his lips in sheer nervousness). "You see, I never had any realplan to do anything--that is, to do anything that wasn't quite right with her. And neither did she, of course. Wejust drifted kinda, from the first. It was being alone there so much, maybe. She hadn't taken up with anybody yetand I hadn't either. And then there was that rule that kept me from taking her about anywhere, and once we weretogether, of course we just went on without thinking very much about it, I suppose--either of us.""You just drifted because nothing had happened as yet and you didn't suppose anything would. Is that the way?""No, sir. I mean, yes, sir. That's the way it was." Clyde was very eager to get those much-rehearsed and veryimportant answers, just right.
　　"But you must have thought of something--one or both of you. You were twenty-one and she was twenty-three.""Yes, sir. I suppose we did--I suppose I did think of something now and then.""And what was it that you thought? Can you recollect?""Well, yes, sir. I suppose I can. That is, I know that I did think at times that if things went all right and I made alittle more money and she got a place somewhere else, that I would begin taking her out openly, and thenafterwards maybe, if she and I kept on caring for each other as we did then, marry her, maybe.""You actually thought of marrying her then, did you?""Yes, sir. I know I did in the way that I've said, of course.""But that was before you met this Miss X?""Yes, sir, that was before that."("Beautifully done!" observed Mason, sarcastically, under his breath to State Senator Redmond. "Excellent stageplay," replied Redmond in a stage whisper.)"But did you ever tell her in so many words?" continued Jephson.
　　"Well, no, sir. I don't recall that I did--not just in so many words.""You either told her or you didn't tell her. Now, which was it?""Well, neither, quite. I used to tell her that I loved her and that I never wanted her to leave me and that I hopedshe never would.""But not that you wanted to marry her?""No, sir. Not that I wanted to marry her.""Well, well, all right!--and she--what did she say?""That she never would leave me," replied Clyde, heavily and fearsomely, thinking, as he did so, of Roberta's lastcries and her eyes bent on him. And he took from his pocket a handkerchief and began to wipe his moist, coldface and hands.
　　("Well staged!" murmured Mason, softly and cynically. "Pretty shrewd--pretty shrewd!" commented Redmond,lightly.)"But, tell me," went on Jephson, softly and coldly, "feeling as you did about Miss Alden, how was it that uponmeeting this Miss X, you could change so quickly? Are you so fickle that you don't know your own mind fromday to day?""Well, I didn't think so up to that time--no, sir!""Had you ever had a strong and binding love affair at any time in your life before you met Miss Alden?""No, sir.""But did you consider this one with Miss Alden strong and binding--a true love affair--up to the time you metthis Miss X?""Yes, sir, I did.""And afterwards--then what?""Well--afterwards--it wasn't quite like that any more.""You mean to say that on sight of Miss X, after encountering her once or twice, you ceased to care for MissAlden entirely?""Well, no, sir. It wasn't quite like that," volunteered Clyde, swiftly and earnestly. "I did continue to care for hersome--quite a lot, really. But before I knew it I had completely lost my head over--over Miss--Miss--""Yes, this Miss X. We know. You fell madly and unreasonably in love with her. Was that the way of it?""Yes, sir.""And then?""Well--and then--I just couldn't care for Miss Alden so much any more." A thin film of moisture covered Clyde'sforehead and cheeks as he spoke.
　　"I see! I see!" went on Jephson, oratorically and loudly, having the jury and audience in mind. "A case of theArabian Nights, of the enscorcelled and the enscorcellor.""I don't think I know what you mean," said Clyde.
　　"A case of being betwitched, my poor boy--by beauty, love, wealth, by things that we sometimes think we wantvery, very much, and cannot ever have--that is what I mean, and that is what much of the love in the worldamounts to.""Yes, sir," replied Clyde, quite innocently, concluding rightly that this was mere show of rhetoric on Jephson'spart.
　　"But what I want to know is--how was it that loving Miss Alden as much as you say you did--and having reachedthat relationship which should have been sanctified by marriage--how was it that you could have felt so littlebound or obligated to her as to entertain the idea of casting her over for this Miss X? Now just how was that? Iwould like to know, and so would this jury, I am sure. Where was your sense of gratitude? Your sense of moralobligation? Do you mean to say that you have none? We want to know."This was really cross-examination--an attack on his own witness. Yet Jephson was within his rights and Masondid not interfere.
　　"Well . . ." and here Clyde hesitated and stumbled, quite as if he had not been instructed as to all this beforehand,and seemed to and did truly finger about in his own mind or reason for some thought that would help him toexplain all this. For although it was true that he had memorized the answer, now that he was confronted by theactual question here in court, as well as the old problem that had so confused and troubled him in Lycurgus, hecould scarcely think clearly of all he had been told to say, but instead twisted and turned, and finally came outwith:
　　"The fact is, I didn't think about those things at all very much. I couldn't after I saw her. I tried to at times, but Icouldn't. I only wanted her and I didn't want Miss Alden any more. I knew I wasn't doing right--exactly--and Ifelt sorry for Roberta--but just the same I didn't seem able to do anything much about it. I could only think ofMiss X and I couldn't think of Roberta as I had before no matter how hard I tried.""Do you mean to say that you didn't suffer in your own conscience on account of this?""Yes, sir, I suffered," replied Clyde. "I knew I wasn't doing right, and it made me worry a lot about her and myself, but just the same I didn't seem to be able to do any better." (He was repeating words that Jephson hadwritten out for him, although at the time he first read them he felt them to be fairly true. He had suffered some.)"And then?""Well, then she began to complain because I didn't go round to see her as much as before.""In other words, you began to neglect her.""Yes, sir, some--but not entirely--no, sir.""Well, when you found you were so infatuated with this Miss X, what did you do? Did you go and tell MissAlden that you were no longer in love with her but in love with some one else?""No, I didn't. Not then.""Why not then? Did you think it fair and honorable to be telling two girls at once that you cared for them?""No, sir, but it wasn't quite like that either. You see at that time I was just getting acquainted with Miss X, and Iwasn't telling her anything. She wouldn't let me. But I knew then, just the same, that I couldn't care for MissAlden any more.""But what about the claim Miss Alden had on you? Didn't you feel that that was enough or should be, to preventyou from running after another girl?""Yes, sir.""Well, why did you then?""I couldn't resist her.""Miss X, you mean?""Yes, sir.""And so you continued to run after her until you had made her care for you?""No, sir, that wasn't the way at all.""Well then, what was the way?""I just met her here and there and got crazy about her.""I see. But still you didn't go and tell Miss Alden that you couldn't care for her any longer?""No, sir. Not then.""And why not?""Because I thought it would hurt her, and I didn't want to do that.""Oh, I see. You didn't have the moral or mental courage to do it then?""I don't know about the moral or mental courage," replied Clyde, a little hurt and irritated by this description ofhimself, "but I felt sorry for her just the same. She used to cry and I didn't have the heart to tell her anything.""I see. Well, let it stand that way, if you want to. But now answer me one other thing. That relationship betweenyou two--what about that--after you knew that you didn't care for her any more. Did that continue?""Well, no, sir, not so very long, anyhow," replied Clyde, most nervously and shamefacedly. He was thinking ofall the people before him now--of his mother--Sondra--of all the people throughout the entire United States--whowould read and so know. And on first being shown these questions weeks and weeks before he had wanted toknow of Jephson what the use of all that was. And Jephson had replied: "Educational effect. The quicker andharder we can shock 'em with some of the real facts of life around here, the easier it is going to be for you to geta little more sane consideration of what your problem was. But don't worry your head over that now. When thetime comes, just answer 'em and leave the rest to us. We know what we're doing." And so now Clyde added:
　　"You see, after meeting Miss X I couldn't care for her so much that way any more, and so I tried not to go aroundher so much any more. But anyhow, it wasn't so very long after that before she got in trouble and then--well--""I see. And when was that--about?""Along in the latter part of January last year.""And once that happened, then what? Did you or did you not feel that it was your duty under the circumstancesto marry her?""Well, no--not the way things were then--that is, if I could get her out of it, I mean.""And why not? What do you mean by 'as things were then'?""Well, you see, it was just as I told you. I wasn't caring for her any more, and since I hadn't promised to marryher, and she knew it, I thought it would be fair enough if I helped her out of it and then told her that I didn't carefor her as I once did.""But couldn't you help her out of it?""No, sir. But I tried.""You went to that druggist who testified here?""Yes, sir.""To anybody else?""Yes, sir--to seven others before I could get anything at all.""But what you got didn't help?""No, sir.""Did you go to that young haberdasher who testified here as he said?""Yes, sir.""And did he give you the name of any particular doctor?""Well--yes--but I wouldn't care to say which one.""All right, you needn't. But did you send Miss Alden to any doctor?""Yes, sir.""Did she go alone or did you go with her?""I went with her--that is, to the door.""Why only to the door?""Well, we talked it over, and she thought just as I did, that it might be better that way. I didn't have any too muchmoney at the time. I thought he might be willing to help her for less if she went by herself than if we both wenttogether."("I'll be damned if he isn't stealing most of my thunder," thought Mason to himself at this point. "He'sforestalling most of the things I intended to riddle him with." And he sat up worried. Burleigh and Redmond andEarl Newcomb--all now saw clearly what Jephson was attempting to do.)"I see. And it wasn't by any chance because you were afraid that your uncle or Miss X might hear of it?""Oh, yes, I . . . that is, we both thought of that and talked of it. She understood how things were with me downthere.""But not about Miss X?""No, not about Miss X.""And why not?""Well, because I didn't think I could very well tell her just then. It would have made her feel too bad. I wanted towait until she was all right again.""And then tell her and leave her. Is that what you mean?""Well, yes, if I still couldn't care for her any more--yes, sir.""But not if she was in trouble?""Well, no, sir, not if she was in trouble. But you see, at that time I was expecting to be able to get her out of that.""I see. But didn't her condition affect your attitude toward her--cause you to want to straighten the whole thingout by giving up this Miss X and marrying Miss Alden?""Well, no, sir--not then exactly--that is, not at that time.""How do you mean--'not at that time'?""Well, I did come to feel that way later, as I told you--but not then--that was afterwards--after we started on ourtrip to the Adirondacks--""And why not then?""I've said why. I was too crazy about Miss X to think of anything but her.""You couldn't change even then?""No, sir. I felt sorry, but I couldn't.""I see. But never mind that now. I will come to that later. Just now I want to have you explain to the jury, if youcan, just what it was about this Miss X, as contrasted with Miss Alden, that made her seem so very much moredesirable in your eyes. Just what characteristics of manner or face or mind or position--or whatever it was that soenticed you? Or do you know?"This was a question which both Belknap and Jephson in various ways and for various reasons--psychic, legal,personal--had asked Clyde before, and with varying results. At first he could not and would not discuss her at all,fearing that whatever he said would be seized upon and used in his trial and the newspapers along with her name.
　　But later, when because of the silence of the newspapers everywhere in regard to her true name, it became plain that she was not to be featured, he permitted himself to talk more freely about her. But now here on the stand, hegrew once more nervous and reticent.
　　"Well, you see, it's hard to say. She was very beautiful to me. Much more so than Roberta--but not only that, shewas different from any one I had ever known--more independent--and everybody paid so much attention to whatshe did and what she said. She seemed to know more than any one else I ever knew. Then she dressed awfullywell, and was very rich and in society and her name and pictures were always in the paper. I used to read abouther every day when I didn't see her, and that seemed to keep her before me a lot. She was daring, too---not sosimple or trusting as Miss Alden was--and at first it was hard for me to believe that she was becoming sointerested in me. It got so that I couldn't think of any one or anything else, and I didn't want Roberta any more. Ijust couldn't, with Miss X always before me.""Well, it looks to me as if you might have been in love, or hypnotized at that," insinuated Jephson at theconclusion of this statement, the tail of his right eye upon the jury. "If that isn't a picture of pretty much all gone,I guess I don't know one when I see it." But with the audience and the jury as stony-faced as before, as he couldsee.
　　But immediately thereafter the swift and troubled waters of the alleged plot which was the stern trail to which allthis was leading.
　　"Well, now, Clyde, from there on, just what happened? Tell us now, as near as you can recall. Don't shade it ortry to make yourself look any better or any worse. She is dead, and you may be, eventually, if these twelvegentlemen here finally so decide." (And at this an icy chill seemed to permeate the entire courtroom as well asClyde.) "But the truth for the peace of your own soul is the best,"--and here Jephson thought of Mason--let himcounteract that if he can.
　　"Yes, sir," said Clyde, simply.
　　"Well, then, after she got in trouble and you couldn't help her, then what? What was it you did? How did youact? . . . By the way, one moment--what was your salary at that time?""Twenty-five dollars a week," confessed Clyde.
　　"No other source of income?""I didn't quite hear.""Was there any other source from which you were obtaining any money at that time in any way?""No, sir.""And how much was your room?""Seven dollars a week.""And your board?""Oh, from five to six.""Any other expenses?""Yes, sir--my clothes and laundry.""You had to stand your share of whatever social doings were on foot, didn't you?""Objected to as leading!" called Mason.
　　"Objection sustained," replied Justice Oberwaltzer.
　　"Any other expenses that you can think of?""Well, there were carfares and trainfares. And then I had to share in whatever social expenses there were.""Exactly!" cried Mason, with great irritation. "I wish you would quit leading this parrot here.""I wish the honorable district attorney would mind his own business!" snorted Jephson--as much for Clyde'sbenefit as for his own. He wished to break down his fear of Mason. "I'm examining this defendant, and as forparrots we've seen quite a number of them around here in the last few weeks, and coached to the throat likeschool-boys.""That's a malicious lie!" shouted Mason. "I object and demand an apology.""The apology is to me and to this defendant, if your Honor pleases, and will be exacted quickly if your Honorwill only adjourn this court for a few minutes," and then stepping directly in front of Mason, he added: "And Iwill be able to obtain it without any judicial aid." Whereupon Mason, thinking he was about to be attacked,squared off, the while assistants and deputy sheriffs, and stenographers and writers, and the clerk of the courthimself, gathered round and seized the two lawyers while Justice Oberwaltzer pounded violently on his deskwith his gavel:
　　"Gentlemen! Gentlemen! You are both in contempt of court, both of you! You will apologize to the court and toeach other, or I'll declare a mistrial and commit you both for ten days and fine you five hundred dollars each."With this he leaned down and frowned on both. And at once Jephson replied, most suavely and ingratiatingly:
　　"Under the circumstances, your Honor, I apologize to you and to the attorney for the People and to this jury. Theattack on this defendant, by the district attorney, seemed too unfair and uncalled for--that was all.""Never mind that," continued Oberwaltzer.
　　"Under the circumstances, your Honor, I apologize to you and to the counsel for the defense. I was a little hasty, perhaps. And to this defendant also," sneered Mason, after first looking into Justice Oberwaltzer's angry anduncompromising eyes and then into Clyde's, who instantly recoiled and turned away.
　　"Proceed," growled Oberwaltzer, sullenly.
　　"Now, Clyde," resumed Jephson anew, as calm as though he had just lit and thrown away a match. "You sayyour salary was twenty-five dollars and you had these various expenses. Had you, up to this time, been able toput aside any money for a rainy day?""No, sir--not much--not any, really.""Well, then, supposing some doctor to whom Miss Alden had applied had been willing to assist her and wanted-say a hundred dollars or so--were you ready to furnish that?""No, sir--not right off, that is.""Did she have any money of her own that you know of?""None that I know of--no, sir.""Well, how did you intend to help her then?""Well, I thought if either she or I found any one and he would wait and let me pay for it on time, that I could saveand pay it that way, maybe.""I see. You were perfectly willing to do that, were you?""Yes, sir, I was.""You told her so, did you?""Yes, sir. She knew that.""Well, when neither you nor she could find any one to help her, then what? What did you do next?""Well, then she wanted me to marry her.""Right away?""Yes, sir. Right away.""And what did you say to that?""I told her I just couldn't then. I didn't have any money to get married on. And besides if I did and didn't go away somewhere, at least until the baby was born, everybody would find out and I couldn't have stayed there anyhow.
　　And she couldn't either.""And why not?""Well, there were my relatives. They wouldn't have wanted to keep me any more, or her either, I guess.""I see. They wouldn't have considered you fit for the work you were doing, or her either. Is that it?""I thought so, anyhow," replied Clyde.
　　"And then what?""Well, even if I had wanted to go away with her and marry her, I didn't have enough money to do that and shedidn't either. I would have had to give up my place and gone and found another somewhere before I could let hercome. Besides that, I didn't know any place where I could go and earn as much as I did there.""How about hotel work? Couldn't you have gone back to that?""Well, maybe--if I had an introduction of some kind. But I didn't want to go back to that.""And why not?""Well, I didn't like it so much any more--not that kind of life.""But you didn't mean that you didn't want to do anything at all, did you? That wasn't your attitude, was it?""Oh, no, sir. That wasn't it. I told her right away if she would go away for a while--while she had her baby--andlet me stay on there in Lycurgus, that I would try to live on less and give her all I could save until she was allright again.""But not marry her?""No, sir, I didn't feel that I could do that then.""And what did she say to that?""She wouldn't do it. She said she couldn't and wouldn't go through with it unless I would marry her.""I see. Then and there?""Well, yes--pretty soon, anyhow. She was willing to wait a little while, but she wouldn't go away unless I wouldmarry her.""And did you tell her that you didn't care for her any more?""Well, nearly--yes, sir""What do you mean by 'nearly'?""Well, that I didn't want to. Besides, she knew I didn't care for her any more. She said so herself.""To you, at that time?""Yes, sir. Lots of times.""Well, yes, that's true--it was in all of those letters of hers that were read here. But when she refused so flatly,what did you do then?""Well, I didn't know what to do. But I thought maybe if I could get her to go up to her home for a while, while Itried and saved what I could--well . . . maybe . . . once she was up there and saw how much I didn't want tomarry her--" (Clyde paused and fumbled at his lips. This lying was hard.)"Yes, go on. And remember, the truth, however ashamed of it you may be, is better than any lie.""And maybe when she was a little more frightened and not so determined--""Weren't you frightened, too?""Yes, sir, I was.""Well, go on.""That then--well--maybe if I offered her all that I had been able to save up to then--you see I thought maybe Imight be able to borrow some from some one too--that she might be willing to go away and not make me marryher--just live somewhere and let me help her.""I see. But she wouldn't agree to that?""Well, no--not to my not marrying her, no--but to going up there for a month, yes. I couldn't get her to say thatshe would let me off.""But did you at that or any other time before or subsequent to that say that you would come up there and marryher?""No, sir. I never did.""Just what did you say then?""I said that . . . as soon as I could get the money," stuttered Clyde at this point, so nervous and shamed was he, "Iwould come for her in about a month and we could go away somewhere until--until--well, until she was out ofthat.""But you did not tell her that you would marry her?""No, sir. I did not.""But she wanted you to, of course.""Yes, sir.""Had you any notion that she could force you so to do at that time-- marry her against your will, I mean?""No, sir, I didn't. Not if I could help it. My plan was to wait as long as I could and save all the money I could andthen when the time came just refuse and give her all the money that I had and help her all I could from then on.""But you know," proceeded Jephson, most suavely and diplomatically at this point, "there are various referencesin these letters here which Miss Alden wrote you"--and he reached over and from the district attorney's tablepicked up the original letters of Roberta and weighed them solemnly in his hand--"to a PLAN which you two hadin connection with this trip--or at least that she seemed to think you had. Now, exactly what was that plan? Shedistinctly refers to it, if I recall aright, as 'our plan.'""I know that," replied Clyde--since for two months now he, along with Belknap and Jephson, had discussed thisparticular question. "But the only plan I know of"--and here he did his best to look frank and beconvincing--"was the one I offered over and over.""And what was that?""Why, that she go away and take a room somewhere and let me help her and come over and see her once in awhile.""Well, no, you're wrong there," returned Jephson, slyly. "That isn't and couldn't be the plan she had in mind. Shesays in one of these letters that she knows it will be hard on you to have to go away and stay so long, or until sheis out of this thing, but that it can't be helped.""Yes, I know," replied Clyde, quickly and exactly as he had been told to do, "but that was her plan, not mine. Shekept saying to me most of the time that that was what she wanted me to do, and that I would have to do it. Shetold me that over the telephone several times, and I may have said all right, all right, not meaning that I agreedwith her entirely but that I wanted to talk with her about it some more later.""I see. And so that's what you think--that she meant one thing and you meant another.""Well, I know I never agreed to her plan--exactly. That is, I never did any more than just to ask her to wait andnot do anything until I could get money enough together to come up there and talk to her some more and get herto go away--the way I suggested.""But if she wouldn't accede to your plan, then what?""Well, then I was going to tell her about Miss X, and beg her to let me go.""And if she still wouldn't?""Well, then I thought I might run away, but I didn't like to think about that very much.""You know, Clyde, of course, that some here are of the opinion that there was a plot on your part whichoriginated in your mind about this time to conceal your identity and hers and lure her up there to one of thoselone lakes in the Adirondacks and slay her or drown her in cold blood, in order that you might be free to marrythis Miss X. Any truth in that? Tell this jury--yes or no--which is it?""No! No! I never did plot to kill her, or any one," protested Clyde, quite dramatically, and clutching at the armsof his chair and seeking to be as emphatic as possible, since he had been instructed so to do. At the same time hearose in his seat and sought to look stern and convincing, although in his heart and mind was the cryingknowledge that he had so plotted, and this it was that most weakened him at this moment--most painfully andhorribly weakened him. The eyes of all these people. The eyes of the judge and jury and Mason and all the menand women of the press. And once more his brow was wet and cold and he licked his thin lips nervously andswallowed with difficulty because his throat was dry.
　　And then it was that piecemeal, and beginning with the series of letters written by Roberta to Clyde after shereached her home and ending with the one demanding that he come for her or she would return to Lycurgus andexpose him, Jephson took up the various phases of the "alleged" plot and crime, and now did his best tominimize and finally dispel all that had been testified to so far.
　　Clyde's suspicious actions in not writing Roberta. Well, he was afraid of complications in connection with hisrelatives, his work, everything. And the same with his arranging to meet her in Fonda. He had no plan as to anytrip with her anywhere in particular at the time. He only thought vaguely of meeting her somewhere-anywhere--and possibly persuading her to leave him. But July arriving and his plan still so indefinite, the firstthing that occurred to him was that they might go off to some inexpensive resort somewhere. It was Roberta whoin Utica had suggested some of the lakes north of there. It was there in the hotel, not at the railway station, thathe had secured some maps and folders--a fatal contention in one sense, for Mason had one folder with aLycurgus House stamp on the cover, which Clyde had not noticed at the time. And as he was so testifying,Mason was thinking of this. In regard to leaving Lycurgus by a back street--well, there had been a desire toconceal his departure with Roberta, of course, but only to protect her name and his from notoriety. And so withthe riding in separate cars, registering as Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Golden, and so on indefinitely throughout theentire list of shifty concealments and evasions. In regard to the two hats, well, the one hat was soiled and seeingone that he liked he bought it. Then when he lost the hat in the accident he naturally put on the other. To be sure,he had owned and carried a camera, and it was true that he had it at the Cranstons' on his first visit there on the eighteenth of June. The only reason he denied having it at first was because he was afraid of being identifiedwith this purely accidental death of Roberta in a way that would be difficult to explain. He had been falselycharged with her murder immediately upon his arrest in the woods, and he was fearful of his entire connectionwith this ill-fated trip, and not having any lawyer or any one to say a word for him, he thought it best to saynothing and so for the time being had denied everything, although at once on being provided counsel he hadconfided to his attorneys the true facts of the case.
　　And so, too, with the missing suit, which because it was wet and muddy he had done up in a bundle in the woodsand after reaching the Cranstons' had deposited it behind some stones there, intending to return and secure it andhave it dry-cleaned. But on being introduced to Mr. Belknap and Mr. Jephson he had at once told both and theyhad secured it and had it cleaned for him.
　　"But now, Clyde, in regard to your plans and your being out on that lake in the first place--let's hear about thatnow."And then--quite as Jephson had outlined it to Belknap, came the story of how he and Roberta had reached Uticaand afterwards Grass Lake. And yet no plan. He intended, if worst came to worst, to tell her of his great love forMiss X and appeal to her sympathy and understanding to set him free at the same time that he offered to doanything that he could for her. If she refused he intended to defy her and leave Lycurgus, if necessary, and giveup everything.
　　"But when I saw her at Fonda, and later in Utica, looking as tired and worried as she was," and here Clyde wasendeavoring to give the ring of sincerity to words carefully supplied him, "and sort of helpless, I began to feelsorry for her again.""Yes, and then what?""Well, I wasn't quite so sure whether in case she refused to let me off I could go through with leaving her.""Well, what did you decide then?""Not anything just then. I listened to what she had to say and I tried to tell her how hard it was going to be for meto do anything much, even if I did go away with her. I only had fifty dollars.""Yes?""And then she began to cry, and I decided I couldn't talk to her any more about it there. She was too run-downand nervous. So I asked her if there wasn't any place she would like to go to for a day or two to brace herself up alittle," went on Clyde, only here on account of the blackness of the lie he was telling he twisted and swallowed inthe weak, stigmatic way that was his whenever he was attempting something which was beyond him--anyuntruth or a feat of skill--and then added: "And she said yes, maybe to one of those lakes up in the Adirondacks-itdidn't make much difference which one--if we could afford it. And when I told her, mostly because of the wayshe was feeling, that I thought we could--""Then you really only went up there on her account?""Yes, sir, only on account of her.""I see. Go on.""Well, then she said if I would go downstairs or somewhere and get some folders we might be able to find aplace up there somewhere where it wasn't so expensive.""And did you?""Yes, sir.""Well, and then what?""Well, we looked them over and we finally hit on Grass Lake.""Who did? The two of you--or she?""Well, she took one folder and I took another, and in hers she found an ad about an inn up there where twopeople could stay for twenty-one dollars a week, or five dollars a day for the two. And I thought we couldn't domuch better than that for one day.""Was one day all you intended to stay?""No, sir. Not if she wanted to stay longer. My idea at first was that we might stay one or two days or three. Icouldn't tell--whatever time it took me to talk things out with her and make her understand and see where Istood.""I see. And then . . .?""Well, then we went up to Grass Lake the next morning.""In separate cars still?""Yes, sir--in separate cars.""And when you got there?""Why, we registered.""How?""Clifford Graham and wife.""Still afraid some one would know who you were?""Yes, sir.""Did you try to disguise your handwriting in any way?""Yes, sir--a little.""But just why did you always use your own initials--C. G.?""Well, I thought that the initials on my bag should be the same as the initials on the register, and still not be myname either.""I see. Clever in one sense, not so clever in another--just half clever, which is the worst of all." At this Masonhalf rose in his seat as though to object, but evidently changing his mind, sank slowly back again. And once moreJephson's right eye swiftly and inquiringly swept the jury to his right. "Well, did you finally explain to her thatyou wanted to be done with it all as you had planned--or did you not?""I wanted to talk to her about it just after we got there if I could--the next morning, anyhow--but just as soon aswe got off up there and got settled she kept saying to me that if I would only marry her then--that she would notwant to stay married long--that she was so sick and worried and felt so bad--that all she wanted to do was to getthrough and give the baby a name, and after that she would go away and let me go my way, too.""And then?""Well, and then--then we went out on the lake--""Which lake, Clyde?""Why, Grass Lake. We went out for a row after we got there.""Right away? In the afternoon?""Yes, sir. She wanted to go. And then while we were out there rowing around--" (He paused.)"She got to crying again, and she seemed so much up against it and looked so sick and so worried that I decidedthat after all she was right and I was wrong--that it wouldn't be right, on account of the baby and all, not to marryher, and so I thought I had better do it.""I see. A change of heart. And did you tell her that then and there?""No, sir.""And why not? Weren't you satisfied with the trouble you had caused her so far?""Yes, sir. But you see just as I was going to talk to her at that time I got to thinking of all the things I had beenthinking before I came up.""What, for instance?""Why, Miss X and my life in Lycurgus, and what we'd be up against in case we did go away this way.""Yes.""And . . . well . . . and then I couldn't just tell her then--not that day, anyhow.""Well, when did you tell her then?""Well, I told her not to cry any more--that I thought maybe it would be all right if she gave me twenty-four hoursmore to think things all out--that maybe we'd be able to settle on something.""And then?""Well, then she said after a while that she didn't care for Grass Lake. She wished we would go away from there.""SHE did?""Yes. And then we got out the maps again and I asked a fellow at the hotel there if he knew about the lakes upthere. And he said of all the lakes around there Big Bittern was the most beautiful. I had seen it once, and I toldRoberta about it and what the man said, and then she asked why didn't we go there.""And is that why you went there?""Yes, sir""No other reason?""No, sir--none--except that it was back, or south, and we were going that way anyhow.""I see. And that was Thursday, July eighth?""Yes, sir.""Well, now, Clyde, as you have seen, it has been charged here that you took Miss Alden to and out on that lakewith the sole and premeditated intent of killing her--murdering her--finding some unobserved and quiet spot andthen first striking her with your camera, or an oar, or club, or stone maybe, and then drowning her. Now, what have you to say to that? Is that true, or isn't it?""No, sir! It's not true!" returned Clyde, clearly and emphatically. "I never went there of my own accord in thefirst place, and I only went there because she didn't like Grass Lake." And here, because he had been sinkingdown in his chair, he pulled himself up and looked at the jury and the audience with what measure of strengthand conviction he could summon--as previously he had been told to do. At the same time he added: "And Iwanted to please her in any way that I could so that she might be a little more cheerful.""Were you still as sorry for her on this Thursday as you had been the day before?""Yes, sir--more, I think.""And had you definitely made up your mind by then as to what you wanted to do?""Yes, sir.""Well, and just what was that?""Well, I had decided to play as fair as I could. I had been thinking about it all night, and I realized how badly shewould feel and I too if I didn't do the right thing by her--because she had said three or four times that if I didn'tshe would kill herself. And I had made up my mind that morning that whatever else happened that day, I wasgoing to straighten the whole thing out.""This was at Grass Lake. You were still in the hotel on Thursday morning?""Yes, sir.""And you were going to tell her just what?""Well, that I knew that I hadn't treated her quite right and that I was sorry--besides, that her offer was fairenough, and that if after what I was going to tell her she still wanted me, I would go away with her and marryher. But that I had to tell her first the real reason for my changing as I had--that I had been and still was in lovewith another girl and that I couldn't help it--that probably whether I married her or not--""Miss Alden you mean?""Yes, sir--that I would always go on loving this other girl, because I just couldn't get her out of my mind. But justthe same, if that didn't make any difference to her, that I would marry her even if I couldn't love her any more asI once did. That was all.""But what about Miss X?""Well, I had thought about her too, but I thought she was better off and could stand it easier. Besides, I thoughtperhaps Roberta would let me go and we could just go on being friends and I would help her all I could.""Had you decided just where you would marry her?""No, sir. But I knew there were plenty of towns below Big Bittern and Grass Lake.""But were you going to do that without one single word to Miss X beforehand?""Well, no, sir--not exactly. I figured that if Roberta wouldn't let me off but didn't mind my leaving her for a fewdays, I would go down to where Miss X lived and tell her, and then come back. But if she objected to that, whythen I was going to write Miss X a letter and explain how it was and then go on and get married to Roberta.""I see. But, Clyde, among other bits of testimony here, there was that letter found in Miss Alden's coat pocket-theone written on Grass Lake Inn stationery and addressed to her mother, in which she told her that she wasabout to be married. Had you already told her up there at Grass Lake that morning that you were going to marryher for sure?""No, sir. Not exactly, but I did say on getting up that day that it was the deciding day for us and that she wasgoing to be able to decide for herself whether she wanted me to marry her or not.""Oh, I see. So that's it," smiled Jephson, as though greatly relieved. (And Mason and Newcomb and Burleigh andState Senator Redmond all listening with the profoundest attention, now exclaimed, sotto voce and almost inunison: "Of all the bunk!")"Well, now we come to the trip itself. You have heard the testimony here and the dark motive and plotting thathas been attributed to every move in connection with it. Now I want you to tell it in your own way. It has beentestified here that you took both bags--yours and hers--up there with you but that you left hers at Gun Lodgewhen you got there and took your own out on the lake in that boat with you. Now just why did you do that?
　　Please speak so that all of the jurymen can hear you.""Well, the reason for that was," and here once more his throat became so dry that he could scarcely speak, "wedidn't know whether we could get any lunch at Big Bittern, so we decided to take some things along with us fromGrass Lake. Her bag was packed full of things, but there was room in mine. Besides, it had my camera with thetripod outside. So I decided to leave hers and take mine.""YOU decided?""Well, I asked her what she thought and she said she thought that was best.""Where was it you asked her that?""On the train coming down.""And did you know then that you were coming back to Gun Lodge after going out on the lake?""Yes, sir, I did. We had to. There was no other road. They told us that at Grass Lake.""And in riding over to Big Bittern--do you recall the testimony of the driver who drove you over--that you were'very nervous' and that you asked him whether there were many people over that that day?""I recall it, yes, sir, but I wasn't nervous at all. I may have asked about the people, but I can't see anything wrongwith that. It seems to me that any one might ask that.""And so it seems to me," echoed Jephson. "Then what happened after you registered at Big Bittern Inn and gotinto that boat and went out on the lake with Miss Alden? Were you or she especially preoccupied or nervous orin any state different from that of any ordinary person who goes out on a lake to row? Were you particularlyhappy or particularly gloomy, or what?""Well, I don't think I was especially gloomy--no, sir. I was thinking of all I was going to tell her, of course, andof what was before me either way she decided. I wasn't exactly gay, I guess, but I thought it would be all rightwhichever way things went. I had decided that I was willing to marry her.""And how about her? Was she quite cheerful?""Well--yes, sir. She seemed to feel much happier for some reason.""And what did you talk about?""Oh, about the lake first--how beautiful it was and where we would have our lunch when we were ready for it.
　　And then we rowed along the west shore looking for water lilies. She was so happy that I hated to bring upanything just then, and so we just kept on rowing until about two, when we stopped for lunch.""Just where was that? Just get up and trace on the map with that pointer there just where you did go and howlong you stopped and for what."And so Clyde, pointer in hand and standing before the large map of the lake and region which particularlyconcerned this tragedy, now tracing in detail the long row along the shore, a group of trees, which, after havinglunch, they had rowed to see--a beautiful bed of water lilies which they had lingered over--each point at whichthey had stopped, until reaching Moon Cove at about five in the afternoon, they had been so entranced by itsbeauty that they had merely sat and gazed, as he said. Afterwards, in order that he might take some pictures, theyhad gone ashore in the woods nearby--he all the while preparing himself to tell Roberta of Miss X and ask herfor her final decision. And then having left the bag on shore for a few moments while they rowed out and tooksome snapshots in the boat, they had drifted in the calm of the water and the stillness and beauty until finally hehad gathered sufficient courage to tell her what was in his heart. And at first, as he now said, Roberta seemedgreatly startled and depressed and began crying a little, saying that perhaps it was best for her not to live anylonger--she felt so miserable. But, afterwards, when he had impressed on her the fact that he was really sorry andperfectly willing to make amends, she had suddenly changed and begun to grow more cheerful, and then of asudden, in a burst of tenderness and gratefulness--he could not say exactly--she had jumped up and tried to cometo him. Her arms were outstretched and she moved as if to throw herself at his feet or into his lap. But just then, her foot, or her dress, had caught and she had stumbled. And he--camera in hand--(a last minute decision or legalprecaution on the part of Jephson)--had risen instinctively to try to catch her and stop her fall. Perhaps--he wouldnot be able to say here--her face or hand had struck the camera. At any rate, the next moment, before he quiteunderstood how it all happened, and without time for thought or action on his part or hers, both were in the waterand the boat, which had overturned, seemed to have struck Roberta, for she seemed to be stunned.
　　"I called to her to try to get to the boat--it was moving away--to take hold of it, but she didn't seem to hear me orunderstand what I meant. I was afraid to go too near her at first because she was striking out in every direction-andbefore I could swim ten strokes forward her head had gone down once and come up and then gone downagain for a second time. By then the boat had floated all of thirty or forty feet away and I knew that I couldn't gether into that. And then I decided that if I wanted to save myself I had better swim ashore."And once there, as he now narrated, it suddenly occurred to him how peculiar and suspicious were all thecircumstances surrounding his present position. He suddenly realized, as he now said, how had the whole thinglooked from the beginning. The false registering. The fact his bag was there--hers not. Besides, to return nowmeant that he would have to explain and it would become generally known--and everything connected with hislife would go--Miss X, his work, his social position--all--whereas, if he said nothing (and here it was, and for thefirst time, as he now swore, that this thought occurred to him), it might be assumed that he too had drowned. Inview of this fact and that any physical help he might now give her would not restore her to life, and thatacknowledgment would mean only trouble for him and shame for her, he decided to say nothing. And so, toremove all traces, he had taken off his clothes and wrung them out and wrapped them for packing as best hecould. Next, having left the tripod on shore with his bag, he decided to hide that, and did. His first straw hat, theone without the lining (but about which absent lining he now declared he knew nothing), had been lost with theovertu
Part 3 Chapter 25
The mood of Mason throughout the entire direct examination was that of a restless harrier anxious to be off at theheels of its prey--of a foxhound within the last leap of its kill. A keen and surging desire to shatter thistestimony, to show it to be from start to finish the tissue of lies that in part at least it was, now animated him.
　　And no sooner had Jephson concluded than he leaped up and confronted Clyde, who, seeing him blazing withthis desire to undo him, felt as though he was about to be physically attacked.
　　"Griffiths, you had that camera in your hand at the time she came toward you in the boat?""Yes, sir.""She stumbled and fell and you accidentally struck her with it?""Yes.""I don't suppose in your truthful and honest way you remember telling me there in the woods on the shore of BigBittern that you never had a camera?""Yes, sir--I remember that.""And that was a lie, of course?""Yes, sir.""And told with all the fervor and force that you are now telling this other lie?""I'm not lying. I've explained why I said that.""You've explained why you said that! You've explained why you said that! And because you lied there youexpect to be believed here, do you?"Belknap rose to object, but Jephson pulled him down.
　　"Well, this is the truth, just the same.""And no power under heaven could make you tell another lie here, of course--not a strong desire to save yourselffrom the electric chair?"Clyde blanched and quivered slightly; he blinked his red, tired eyelids. "Well, I might, maybe, but not underoath, I don't think.""You don't think! Oh, I see. Lie all you want wherever you are--and at any time--and under any circumstances-except when you're on trial for murder!""No, sir. It isn't that. But what I just said is so.""And you swear on the Bible, do you, that you experienced a change of heart?""Yes, sir.""That Miss Alden was very sad and that was what moved you to experience this change of heart?""Yes, sir. That's how it was.""Well, now, Griffiths, when she was up there in the country and waiting for you--she wrote you all those lettersthere, did she not?""Yes, sir.""You received one on an average of every two days, didn't you?""Yes, sir.""And you knew she was lonely and miserable there, didn't you?""Yes, sir--but then I've explained--""Oh, you've explained! You mean your lawyers have explained it for you! Didn't they coach you day after day in that jail over there as to how you were to answer when the time came?""No, sir, they didn't!" replied Clyde, defiantly, catching Jephson's eye at this moment.
　　"Well, then when I asked you up there at Bear Lake how it was that his girl met her death--why didn't you tell methen and save all this trouble and suspicion and investigation? Don't you think the public would have listenedmore kindly and believingly there than it will now after you've taken five long months to think it all out with thehelp of two lawyers?""But I didn't think it out with any lawyers," persisted Clyde, still looking at Jephson, who was supporting himwith all his mental strength. "I've just explained why I did that.""You've explained! You've explained!" roared Mason, almost beside himself with the knowledge that this falseexplanation was sufficient of a shield or barrier for Clyde to hide behind whenever he found himself being toohard pressed--the little rat! And so now he fairly quivered with baffled rage as he proceeded.
　　"And before you went up--while she was writing them to you--you considered them sad, didn't you?""Why, yes, sir. That is"--he hesitated incautiously--"some parts of them anyhow.""Oh, I see--only some parts of them now. I thought you just said you considered them sad.""Well, I do.""And did.""Yes, sir--and did." But Clyde's eyes were beginning to wander nervously in the direction of Jephson, who wasfixing him as with a beam of light.
　　"Remember her writing you this?" And here Mason picked up and opened one of the letters and began reading:
　　"Clyde--I shall certainly die, dear, if you don't come. I am so much alone. I am nearly crazy now. I wish I couldgo away and never return or trouble you any more. But if you would only telephone me, even so much as onceevery other day, since you won't write. And when I need you and a word of encouragement so." Mason's voicewas mellow. It was sad. One could feel, as he spoke, the wave of passing pity that was moving as sound andcolor not only through him but through every spectator in the high, narrow courtroom. "Does that seem at all sadto you?""Yes, sir, it does.""Did it then?""Yes, sir, it did.""You knew it was sincere, didn't you?" snarled Mason.
　　"Yes, sir. I did.""Then why didn't a little of that pity that you claim moved you so deeply out there in the center of Big Bitternmove you down there in Lycurgus to pick up the telephone there in Mrs. Peyton's house where you were andreassure that lonely girl by so much as a word that you were coming? Was it because your pity for her thenwasn't as great as it was after she wrote you that threatening letter? Or was it because you had a plot and youwere afraid that too much telephoning to her might attract attention? How was it that you had so much pity all ofa sudden up at Big Bittern, but none at all down there at Lycurgus? Is it something you can turn on and off like afaucet?""I never said I had none at all," replied Clyde, defiantly, having just received an eye-flash from Jephson.
　　"Well, you left her to wait until she had to threaten you because of her own terror and misery.""Well, I've admitted that I didn't treat her right.""Ha, ha! Right! RIGHT! And because of that admission and in face of all the other testimony we've had here,your own included, you expect to walk out of here a free man, do you?"Belknap was not to be restrained any longer. His objection came--and with bitter vehemence he addressed thejudge: "This is infamous, your Honor. Is the district attorney to be allowed to make a speech with everyquestion?""I heard no objection," countered the court. "The district attorney will frame his questions properly."Mason took the rebuke lightly and turned again to Clyde. "In that boat there in the center of Big Bittern you havetestified that you had in your hand that camera that you once denied owning?""Yes, sir.""And she was in the stern of the boat?""Yes, sir.""Bring in that boat, will you, Burton?" he called to Burleigh at this point, and forthwith four deputies from thedistrict attorney's office retired through a west door behind the judge's rostrum and soon returned carrying theidentical boat in which Clyde and Roberta had sat, and put it down before the jury. And as they did so Clydechilled and stared. The identical boat! He blinked and quivered as the audience stirred, stared and strained, anaudible wave of curiosity and interest passing over the entire room. And then Mason, taking the camera andshaking it up and down, exclaimed: "Well, here you are now, Griffiths! The camera you never owned. Step downhere into this boat and take this camera here and show the jury just where you sat, and where Miss Alden sat.
　　And exactly, if you can, how and where it was that you struck Miss Alden and where and about how she fell.""Object!" declared Belknap.
　　A long and wearisome legal argument, finally terminating in the judge allowing this type of testimony to becontinued for a while at least. And at the conclusion of it, Clyde declaring: "I didn't intentionally strike her withit though"--to which Mason replied: "Yes, we heard you testify that way"--then Clyde stepping down and afterbeing directed here and there finally stepping into the boat at the middle seat and seating himself while three menheld it straight.
　　"And now, Newcomb--I want you to come here and sit wherever Miss Alden was supposed to sit and take anyposition which he describes as having been taken by her.""Yes, sir," said Newcomb, coming forward and seating himself while Clyde vainly sought to catch Jephson's eyebut could not since his own back was partially turned from him.
　　"And now, Griffiths," went on Mason, "just you show Mr. Newcomb here how Miss Alden arose and cametoward you. Direct him."And then Clyde, feeling weak and false and hated, arising again and in a nervous and angular way--the eeriestrangeness of all this affecting him to the point of unbelievable awkwardness--attempting to show Newcombjust how Roberta had gotten up and half walked and half crawled, then had stumbled and fallen. And after that,with the camera in his hand, attempting to show as nearly as he could recall, how unconsciously his arm had shotout and he had struck Roberta, he scarcely knowing where--on the chin and cheek maybe, he was not sure, butnot intentionally, of course, and not with sufficient force really to injure her, he thought at the time. But just herea long wrangle between Belknap and Mason as to the competency of such testimony since Clyde declared that hecould not remember clearly--but Oberwaltzer finally allowing the testimony on the ground that it would show,relatively, whether a light or heavy push or blow was required in order to upset any one who might be "lightly"or "loosely" poised.
　　"But how in Heaven's name are these antics as here demonstrated on a man of Mr. Newcomb's build to showwhat would follow in the case of a girl of the size and weight of Miss Alden?" persisted Belknap.
　　"Well, then we'll put a girl of the size and weight of Miss Alden in here." And at once calling for Zillah Saundersand putting her in Newcomb's place. But Belknap none-the-less proceeding with:
　　"And what of that? The conditions aren't the same. This boat isn't on the water. No two people are going to bealike in their resistance or their physical responses to accidental blows.""Then you refuse to allow this demonstration to be made?" (This was from Mason, turning and cynicallyinquiring.)"Oh, make it if you choose. It doesn't mean anything though, as anybody can see," persisted Belknap,suggestively.
　　And so Clyde, under directions from Mason, now pushing at Zillah, "about as hard," (he thought) as he had accidentally pushed at Roberta. And she falling back a little--not much--but in so doing being able to lay a handon each side of the boat and so save herself. And the jury, in spite of Belknap's thought that his contentionswould have counteracted all this, gathering the impression that Clyde, on account of his guilt and fear of death,was probably attempting to conjure something that had been much more viciously executed, to be sure. For hadnot the doctors sworn to the probable force of this and another blow on the top of the head? And had not BurtonBurleigh testified to having discovered a hair in the camera? And how about the cry that woman had heard? Howabout that?
　　But with that particular incident the court was adjourned for this day.
　　On the following morning at the sound of the gavel, there was Mason, as fresh and vigorous and vicious as ever.
　　And Clyde, after a miserable night in his cell and much bolstering by Jephson and Belknap, determined to be ascool and insistent and innocent-appearing as he could be, but with no real heart for the job, so convinced was hethat local sentiment in its entirety was against him--that he was believed to be guilty. And with Mason beginningmost savagely and bitterly:
　　"You still insist that you experienced a change of heart, do you, Griffiths?""Yes, sir, I do.""Ever hear of people being resuscitated after they have apparently drowned?""I don't quite understand.""You know, of course, that people who are supposed to be drowned, who go down for the last time and don'tcome up, are occasionally gotten out of the water and revived, brought back to life by first-aid methods-workingtheir arms and rolling them over a log or a barrel. You've heard of that, haven't you?""Yes, sir, I think I have. I've heard of people being brought back to life after they're supposed to be drowned, butI don't think I ever heard just how.""You never did?""No, sir.""Or how long they could stay under water and still be revived?""No, sir. I never did.""Never heard, for instance, that a person who had been in the water as long as fifteen minutes might still bebrought to?""No, sir.""So it never occurred to you after you swam to shore yourself that you might still call for aid and so save her lifeeven then?""No, sir, it didn't occur to me. I thought she was dead by then.""I see. But when she was still alive out there in the water--how about that? You're a pretty good swimmer, aren'tyou?""Yes, sir, I swim fairly well.""Well enough, for instance, to save yourself by swimming over five hundred feet with your shoes and clothes on.
　　Isn't that so?""Well, I did swim that distance then--yes, sir.""Yes, you did indeed--and pretty good for a fellow who couldn't swim thirty-five feet to an overturned boat, I'llsay," concluded Mason.
　　Here Jephson waved aside Belknap's suggestion that he move to have this comment stricken out.
　　Clyde was now dragged over his various boating and swimming experiences and made to tell how many times hehad gone out on lakes in craft as dangerous as canoes and had never had an accident.
　　"The first time you took Roberta out on Crum Lake was in a canoe, wasn't it?""Yes, sir.""But you had no accident then?""No, sir.""You cared for her then very much, didn't you?""Yes, sir.""But the day she was drowned in Big Bittern, in this solid, round-bottomed row-boat, you didn't care for her anymore.""Well, I've said how I felt then.""And of course there couldn't be any relation between the fact that on Crum Lake you cared for her but on BigBittern--""I said how I felt then.""But you wanted to get rid of her just the same, didn't you? The moment she was dead to run away to that othergirl. You don't deny that, do you?""I've explained why I did that," reiterated Clyde.
　　"Explained! Explained! And you expect any fair-minded, decent, intelligent person to believe that explanation,do you?" Mason was fairly beside himself with rage and Clyde did not venture to comment as to that. The judgeanticipated Jephson's objection to this and bellowed, "Objection sustained." But Mason went right on. "Youcouldn't have been just a little careless, could you, Griffiths, in the handling of the boat and upset it yourself,say?" He drew near and leered.
　　"No, sir, I wasn't careless. It was an accident that I couldn't avoid." Clyde was quite cool, though pale and tired.
　　"An accident. Like that other accident out there in Kansas City, for instance. You're rather familiar withaccidents of that kind, aren't you, Griffiths?" queried Mason sneeringly and slowly.
　　"I've explained how that happened," replied Clyde nervously.
　　"You're rather familiar with accidents that result in death to girls, aren't you? Do you always run away when oneof them dies?""Object," yelled Belknap, leaping to his feet.
　　"Objection sustained," called Oberwaltzer sharply. "There is nothing before this court concerning any otheraccident. The prosecution will confine itself more closely to the case in hand.""Griffiths," went on Mason, pleased with the way he had made a return to Jephson for his apology for the KansasCity accident, "when that boat upset after that accidental blow of yours and you and Miss Alden fell into thewater--how far apart were you?""Well, I didn't notice just then.""Pretty close, weren't you? Not much more than a foot or two, surely--the way you stood there in the boat?""Well, I didn't notice. Maybe that, yes, sir.""Close enough to have grabbed her and hung on to her if you had wanted to, weren't you? That's what youjumped up for, wasn't it, when she started to fall out?""Yes, that's what I jumped up for," replied Clyde heavily, "but I wasn't close enough to grab her. I know I wentright under, and when I came up she was some little distance away.""Well, how far exactly? As far as from here to this end of the jury box or that end, or half way, or what?""Well, I say I didn't notice, quite. About as far from here to that end, I guess," he lied, stretching the distance byat least eight feet.
　　"Not really!" exclaimed Mason, pretending to evince astonishment. "This boat here turns over, you both fall inthe water close together, and when you come up you and she are nearly twenty feet apart. Don't you think yourmemory is getting a little the best of you there?""Well, that's the way it looked to me when I came up.""Well, now, after that boat turned over and you both came up, where were you in relation to IT? Here is the boatnow and where were you out there in the audience, as to distance, I mean?""Well, as I say, I didn't exactly notice when I first came up," returned Clyde, looking nervously and dubiously atthe space before him. Most certainly a trap was being prepared for him. "About as far as from here to that railingbeyond your table, I guess.""About thirty to thirty-five feet then," suggested Mason, slyly and hopefully.
　　"Yes, sir. About that maybe. I couldn't be quite sure.""And now with you over there and the boat here, where was Miss Alden at that time?"And Clyde now sensed that Mason must have some geometric or mathematic scheme in mind whereby heproposed to establish his guilt. And at once he was on his guard, and looking in the direction of Jephson. At thesame time he could not see how he was to put Roberta too far away either. He had said she couldn't swim.
　　Wouldn't she be nearer the boat than he was? Most certainly. He leaped foolishly--wildly--at the thought that itmight be best to say that she was about half that distance--not more, very likely. And said so. And at once Masonproceeded with:
　　"Well, then she was not more than fifteen feet or so from you or the boat.""No, sir, maybe not. I guess not.""Well then, do you mean to say that you couldn't have swum that little distance and buoyed her up until youcould reach the boat just fifteen feet beyond her?""Well, as I say, I was a little dazed when I came up and she was striking about and screaming so.""But there was that boat--not more than thirty-five feet away, according to your own story--and a mighty longway for a boat to move in that time, I'll say. And do you mean to say that when you could swim five hundred feetto shore afterwards that you couldn't have swum to that boat and pushed it to her in time for her to save herself?
　　She was struggling to keep herself up, wasn't she?""Yes, sir. But I was rattled at first," pleaded Clyde, gloomily, conscious of the eyes of all the jurors and all thespectators fixed upon his face, "and . . . and . . ." (because of the general strain of the suspicion and incredulitynow focused as a great force upon him, his nerve was all but failing him, and he was hesitating and stumbling) . .
　　. "I didn't think quite quick enough I guess, what to do. Besides I was afraid if I went near her . . .""I know. A mental and moral coward," sneered Mason. "Besides very slow to think when it's to your advantageto be slow and swift when it's to your advantage to be swift. Is that it?""No, sir.""Well, then, if it isn't, just tell me this, Griffiths, why was it, after you got out of the water a few moments lateryou had sufficient presence of mind to stop and bury that tripod before starting through the woods, whereas,when it came to rescuing her you got rattled and couldn't do a thing? How was it that you could get so calm andcalculating the moment you set your foot on land? What can you say to that?""Well . . . a . . . I told you that afterwards I realized that there was nothing else to do.""Yes, we know all about that. But doesn't it occur to you that it takes a pretty cool head after so much panic inthe water to stop at a moment like that and take such a precaution as that--burying that tripod? How was it thatyou could think so well of that and not think anything about the boat a few moments before?""Well . . . but . ..""You didn't want her to live, in spite of your alleged change of heart! Isn't that it?" yelled Mason. "Isn't that theblack, sad truth? She was drowning, as you wanted her to drown, and you just let her drown! Isn't that so?"He was fairly trembling as he shouted this, and Clyde, the actual boat before him and Roberta's eyes and cries asshe sank coming back to him with all their pathetic and horrible force, now shrank and cowered in his seat--thecloseness of Mason's interpretation of what had really happened terrifying him. For never, even to Jephson andBelknap, had he admitted that when Roberta was in the water he had not wished to save her. Changelessly andsecretively he insisted he had wanted to but that it had all happened so quickly, and he was so dazed andfrightened by her cries and movements, that he had not been able to do anything before she was gone.
　　"I . . . I wanted to save her," he mumbled, his face quite gray, "but . . . but . . . as I said, I was dazed . . . and . . .
　　and . . .""Don't you know that you're lying!" shouted Mason, leaning still closer, his stout arms aloft, his disfigured faceglowering and scowling like some avenging nemesis or fury of gargoyle design--"that you deliberately and withcold-hearted cunning allowed that poor, tortured girl to die there when you might have rescued her as easily asyou could have swum fifty of those five hundred feet you did swim in order to save yourself?" For by now hewas convinced that he knew just how Clyde had actually slain Roberta, something in his manner and moodconvincing him, and he was determined to drag it out of him if he could. And although Belknap was instantly onhis feet with a protest that his client was being unfairly prejudiced in the eyes of the jury and that he was reallyentitled to--and now demanded--a mistrial--which complaint Justice Oberwaltzer eventually overruled--still Clyde had time to reply, but most meekly and feebly: "No! No! I didn't. I wanted to save her if I could." Yet hiswhole manner, as each and every juror noted, was that of one who was not really telling the truth, who was reallyall of the mental and moral coward that Belknap had insisted he was--but worse yet, really guilty of Roberta'sdeath. For after all, asked each juror of himself as he listened, why couldn't he have saved her if he was strongenough to swim to shore afterwards--or at least have swum to and secured the boat and helped her to take hold ofit?
　　"She only weighed a hundred pounds, didn't she?" went on Mason feverishly.
　　"Yes, I think so.""And you--what did you weigh at the time?""About a hundred and forty," replied Clyde.
　　"And a hundred and forty pound man," sneered Mason, turning to the jury, "is afraid to go near a weak, sick,hundred-pound little girl who is drowning, for fear she will cling to him and drag him under! And a perfectlygood boat, strong enough to hold three or four up, within fifteen or twenty feet! How's that?"And to emphasize it and let it sink in, he now paused, and took from his pocket a large white handkerchief, andafter wiping his neck and face and wrists--since they were quite damp from his emotional and physical efforts-turnedto Burton Burleigh and called: "You might as well have this boat taken out of here, Burton. We're notgoing to need it for a little while anyhow." And forthwith the four deputies carried it out.
　　And then, having recovered his poise, he once more turned to Clyde and began with: "Griffiths, you knew thecolor and feel of Roberta Alden's hair pretty well, didn't you? You were intimate enough with her, weren't you?""I know the color of it or I think I do," replied Clyde wincing--an anguished chill at the thought of it affectinghim almost observably.
　　"And the feel of it, too, didn't you?" persisted Mason. "In those very loving days of yours before Miss X camealong--you must have touched it often enough.""I don't know whether I did or not," replied Clyde, catching a glance from Jephson.
　　"Well, roughly. You must know whether it was coarse or fine--silky or coarse. You know that, don't you?""It was silky, yes.""Well, here's a lock of it," he now added more to torture Clyde than anything else--to wear him down nervously-andgoing to his table where was an envelope and from it extracting a long lock of light brown hair. "Don't thatlook like her hair?" And now he shoved it forward at Clyde who shocked and troubled withdrew from it as fromsome unclean or dangerous thing--yet a moment after sought to recover himself--the watchful eyes of the juryhaving noted all. "Oh, don't be afraid," persisted Mason, sardonically. "It's only your dead love's hair."And shocked by the comment--and noting the curious eyes of the jury, Clyde took it in his hand. "That looks andfeels like her hair, doesn't it?" went on Mason.
　　"Well, it looks like it anyhow," returned Clyde shakily.
　　"And now here," continued Mason, stepping quickly to the table and returning with the camera in which betweenthe lid and the taking mechanism were caught the two threads of Roberta's hair put there by Burleigh, and thenholding it out to him. "Just take this camera. It's yours even though you did swear that it wasn't--and look at thosetwo hairs there. See them?" And he poked the camera at Clyde as though he might strike him with it. "They werecaught in there--presumably--at the time you struck her so lightly that it made all those wounds on her face. Can'tyou tell the jury whether those hairs are hers or not?""I can't say," replied Clyde most weakly.
　　"What's that? Speak up. Don't be so much of a moral and mental coward. Are they or are they not?""I can't say," repeated Clyde--but not even looking at them.
　　"Look at them. Look at them. Compare them with these others. We know these are hers. And you know thatthese in this camera are, don't you? Don't be so squeamish. You've often touched her hair in real life. She's dead.
　　They won't bite you. Are these two hairs--or are they not--the same as these other hairs here--which we know arehers--the same color--same feel--all? Look! Answer! Are they or are they not?"But Clyde, under such pressure and in spite of Belknap, being compelled to look and then feel them too. Yetcautiously replying, "I wouldn't be able to say. They look and feel a little alike, but I can't tell.""Oh, can't you? And even when you know that when you struck her that brutal vicious blow with that camera-thesetwo hairs caught there and held.""But I didn't strike her any vicious blow," insisted Clyde, now observing Jephson--"and I can't say." He wassaying to himself that he would not allow himself to be bullied in this way by this man--yet, at the same time,feeling very weak and sick. And Mason, triumphant because of the psychologic effect, if nothing more, returningthe camera and lock to the table and remarking, "Well, it's been amply testified to that those two hairs were inthat camera when found in the water. And you yourself swear that it was last in your hands before it reached thewater."He turned to think of something else--some new point with which to rack Clyde and now began once more:
　　"Griffiths, in regard to that trip south through the woods, what time was it when you got to Three Mile Bay?""About four in the morning, I think--just before dawn.""And what did you do between then and the time that boat down there left?""Oh, I walked around.""In Three Mile Bay?""No, sir--just outside of it.""In the woods, I suppose, waiting for the town to wake up so you wouldn't look so much out of place. Was thatit?""Well, I waited until after the sun came up. Besides I was tired and I sat down and rested for a while.""Did you sleep well and did you have pleasant dreams?""I was tired and I slept a little--yes.""And how was it you knew so much about the boat and the time and all about Three Mile Bay? Hadn't youfamiliarized yourself with this data beforehand?""Well, everybody knows about the boat from Sharon to Three Mile Bay around there.""Oh, do they? Any other reason?""Well, in looking for a place to get married, both of us saw it," returned Clyde, shrewdly, "but we didn't see thatany train went to it. Only to Sharon.""But you did notice that it was south of Big Bittern?""Why, yes--I guess I did," replied Clyde.
　　"And that that road west of Gun Lodge led south toward it around the lower edge of Big Bittern?""Well, I noticed after I got up there that there was a road of some kind or a trail anyhow--but I didn't think of it asa regular road.""I see. How was it then that when you met those three men in the woods you were able to ask them how far itwas to Three Mile Bay?""I didn't ask 'em that," replied Clyde, as he had been instructed by Jephson to say. "I asked 'em if they knew anyroad to Three Mile Bay, and how far it was. I didn't know whether that was the road or not.""Well, that wasn't how they testified here.""Well, I don't care what they testified to, that's what I asked 'em just the same.""It seems to me that according to you all the witnesses are liars and you are the only truthful one in thebunch. . . . Isn't that it? But, when you reached Three Mile Bay, did you stop to eat? You must have been hungry,weren't you?""No, I wasn't hungry," replied Clyde, simply.
　　"You wanted to get away from that place as quickly as possible, wasn't that it? You were afraid that those threemen might go up to Big Bittern and having heard about Miss Alden, tell about having seen you--wasn't that it?""No, that wasn't it. But I didn't want to stay around there. I've said why.""I see. But after you got down to Sharon where you felt a little more safe--a little further away, you didn't loseany time in eating, did you? It tasted pretty good all right down there, didn't it?""Oh, I don't know about that. I had a cup of coffee and a sandwich.""And a piece of pie, too, as we've already proved here," added Mason. "And after that you joined the crowdcoming up from the depot as though you had just come up from Albany, as you afterwards told everybody.
　　Wasn't that it?""Yes, that was it.""Well, now for a really innocent man who only so recently experienced a kindly change of heart, don't you thinkyou were taking an awful lot of precaution? Hiding away like that and waiting in the dark and pretending thatyou had just come up from Albany.""I've explained all that," persisted Clyde.
　　Mason's next tack was to hold Clyde up to shame for having been willing, in the face of all she had done for him,to register Roberta in three different hotel registers as the unhallowed consort of presumably three different menin three different days.
　　"Why didn't you take separate rooms?""Well, she didn't want it that way. She wanted to be with me. Besides I didn't have any too much money.""Even so, how could you have so little respect for her there, and then be so deeply concerned about herreputation after she was dead that you had to run away and keep the secret of her death all to yourself, in order,as you say, to protect her name and reputation?""Your Honor," interjected Belknap, "this isn't a question. It's an oration.""I withdraw the question," countered Mason, and then went on. "Do you admit, by the way, that you are a mental and moral coward, Griffiths--do you?""No, sir. I don't.""You do not?""No, sir.""Then when you lie, and swear to it, you are just the same as any other person who is not a mental and moralcoward, and deserving of all the contempt and punishment due a person who is a perjurer and a false witness. Isthat correct?""Yes, sir. I suppose so.""Well, if you are not a mental and moral coward, how can you justify your leaving that girl in that lake--after asyou say you accidentally struck her and when you knew how her parents would soon be suffering because of herloss--and not say one word to anybody--just walk off--and hide the tripod and your suit and sneak away like anordinary murderer? Wouldn't you think that that was the conduct of a man who had plotted and executed murderand was trying to get away with it--if you had heard of it about some one else? Or would you think it was just thesly, crooked trick of a man who was only a mental and moral coward and who was trying to get away from theblame for the accidental death of a girl whom he had seduced and news of which might interfere with hisprosperity? Which?""Well, I didn't kill her, just the same," insisted Clyde.
　　"Answer the question!" thundered Mason.
　　"I ask the court to instruct the witness that he need not answer such a question," put in Jephson, rising and fixingfirst Clyde and then Oberwaltzer with his eye. "It is purely an argumentative one and has no real bearing on thefacts in this case.""I so instruct," replied Oberwaltzer. "The witness need not answer." Whereupon Clyde merely stared, greatlyheartened by this unexpected aid.
　　"Well, to go on," proceeded Mason, now more nettled and annoyed than ever by this watchful effort on the partof Belknap and Jephson to break the force and significance of his each and every attack, and all the moredetermined not to be outdone--"you say you didn't intend to marry her if you could help it, before you went upthere?""Yes, sir.""That she wanted you to but you hadn't made up your mind?""Yes.""Well, do you recall the cook-book and the salt and pepper shakers and the spoons and knives and so on that sheput in her bag?""Yes, sir. I do.""What do you suppose she had in mind when she left Biltz--with those things in her trunk--that she was goingout to live in some hall bedroom somewhere, unmarried, while you came to see her once a week or once amonth?"Before Belknap could object, Clyde shot back the proper answer.
　　"I can't say what she had in her mind about that.""You couldn't possibly have told her over the telephone there at Biltz, for instance--after she wrote you that ifyou didn't come for her she was coming to Lycurgus--that you would marry her?""No, sir--I didn't.""You weren't mental and moral coward enough to be bullied into anything like that, were you?""I never said I was a mental and moral coward.""But you weren't to be bullied by a girl you had seduced?""Well, I couldn't feel then that I ought to marry her.""You didn't think she'd make as good a match as Miss X?""I didn't think I ought to marry her if I didn't love her any more.""Not even to save her honor--and your own decency?""Well, I didn't think we could be happy together then.""That was before your great change of heart, I suppose.""It was before we went to Utica, yes.""And while you were still so enraptured with Miss X?""I was in love with Miss X--yes.""Do you recall, in one of those letters to you that you never answered" (and here Mason proceeded to take up and read from one of the first seven letters), "her writing this to you; 'I feel upset and uncertain about everythingalthough I try not to feel so--now that we have our plan and you are going to come for me as you said.' Now justwhat was she referring to there when she wrote-- 'now that we have our plan'?""I don't know unless it was that I was coming to get her and take her away somewhere temporarily.""Not to marry her, of course.""No, I hadn't said so.""But right after that in this same letter she says: 'On the way up, instead of coming straight home, I decided tostop at Homer to see my sister and brother-in-law, since I am not sure now when I'll see them again, and I wantso much that they shall see me respectable or never at all any more.' Now just what do you suppose, she meantby that word 'respectable'? Living somewhere in secret and unmarried and having a child while you sent her alittle money, and then coming back maybe and posing as single and innocent or married and her husband dead-orwhat? Don't you suppose she saw herself married to you, for a time at least, and the child given a name? That'plan' she mentions couldn't have contemplated anything less than that, could it?""Well, maybe as she saw it it couldn't," evaded Clyde. "But I never said I would marry her.""Well, well--we'll let that rest a minute," went on Mason doggedly. "But now take this," and here he beganreading from the tenth letter: "'It won't make any difference to you about your coming a few days sooner thanyou intended, will it, dear? Even if we have got to get along on a little less, I know we can, for the time I will bewith you anyhow, probably no more than six or eight months at the most. I agreed to let you go by then, youknow, if you want to. I can be very saving and economical. It can't be any other way now, Clyde, although foryour own sake I wish it could.' What do you suppose all that means--'saving and economical'--and not letting yougo until after eight months? Living in a hall bedroom and you coming to see her once a week? Or hadn't youreally agreed to go away with her and marry her, as she seems to think here?""I don't know unless she thought she could make me, maybe," replied Clyde, the while various backwoodsmenand farmers and jurors actually sniffed and sneered, so infuriated were they by the phrase "make me" whichClyde had scarcely noticed. "I never agreed to.""Unless she could make you. So that was the way you felt about it, was it, Griffiths?""Yes, sir.""You'd swear to that as quick as you would to anything else?""Well, I have sworn to it."And Mason as well as Belknap and Jephson and Clyde himself now felt the strong public contempt and rage thatthe majority of those present had for him from the start--now surging and shaking all. It filled the room. Yetbefore him were all the hours Mason needed in which he could pick and choose at random from the mass of testimony as to just what he would quiz and bedevil and torture Clyde with next. And so now, looking over hisnotes--arranged fan- wise on the table by Earl Newcomb for his convenience--he now began once more with:
　　"Griffiths, in your testimony here yesterday, through which you were being led by your counsel, Mr. Jephson"(at this Jephson bowed sardonically), "you talked about that change of heart that you experienced after youencountered Roberta Alden once more at Fonda and Utica back there in July--just as you were starting on thisdeath trip."Clyde's "yes, sir," came before Belknap could object, but the latter managed to have "death trip" changed to"trip.""Before going up there with her you hadn't been liking her as much as you might have. Wasn't that the way ofit?""Not as much as I had at one time--no, sir.""And just how long--from when to when--was the time in which you really did like her, before you began todislike her, I mean?""Well, from the time I first met her until I met Miss X.""But not afterwards?""Oh, I can't say not entirely afterwards. I cared for her some-- a good deal, I guess--but still not as much as I had.
　　I felt more sorry for her than anything else, I suppose.""And now, let's see--that was between December first last say, and last April or May--or wasn't it?""About that time, I think--yes, sir.""Well, during that time--December first to April or May first you were intimate with her, weren't you?""Yes, sir.""Even though you weren't caring for her so much.""Why--yes, sir," replied Clyde, hesitating slightly, while the rurals jerked and craned at this introduction of thesex crime.
　　"And yet at nights, and in spite of the fact that she was alone over there in her little room--as faithful to you, asyou yourself have testified, as any one could be--you went off to dances, parties, dinners, and automobile rides,while she sat there.""Oh, but I wasn't off all the time.""Oh, weren't you? But you heard the testimony of Tracy and Jill Trumbull, and Frederick Sells, and FrankHarriet, and Burchard Taylor, on this particular point, didn't you?""Yes, sir.""Well, were they all liars, or were they telling the truth?""Well, they were telling the truth as near as they could remember, I suppose.""But they couldn't remember very well--is that it?""Well, I wasn't off all the time. Maybe I was gone two or three times a week--maybe four sometimes--not more.""And the rest you gave to Miss Alden?""Yes, sir.""Is that what she meant in this letter here?" And here he took up another letter from the pile of Roberta's letters,and opening it and holding it before him, read: "'Night after night, almost every night after that dreadfulChristmas day when you left me, I was alone nearly always.' Is she lying, or isn't she?" snapped Mason fiercely,and Clyde, sensing the danger of accusing Roberta of lying here, weakly and shamefacedly replied: "No, she isn'tlying. But I did spend some evenings with her just the same.""And yet you heard Mrs. Gilpin and her husband testify here that night after night from December first on MissAlden was mostly always alone in her room and that they felt sorry for her and thought it so unnatural and triedto get her to join them, but she wouldn't. You heard them testify to that, didn't you?""Yes, sir.""And yet you insist that you were with her some?""Yes, sir.""Yet at the same time loving and seeking the company of Miss X?""Yes, sir.""And trying to get her to marry you?""I wanted her to--yes, sir.""Yet continuing relations with Miss Alden when your other interests left you any time.""Well . . . yes, sir," once more hesitated Clyde, enormously troubled by the shabby picture of his character whichthese disclosures seemed to conjure, yet somehow feeling that he was not as bad, or at least had not intended tobe, as all this made him appear. Other people did things like that too, didn't they--those young men in Lycurgussociety--or they had talked as though they did.
　　"Well, don't you think your learned counsel found a very mild term for you when they described you as a mentaland moral coward?" sneered Mason--and at the same time from the rear of the long narrow courtroom, aprofound silence seeming to precede, accompany and follow it,--yet not without an immediate roar of protestfrom Belknap, came the solemn, vengeful voice of an irate woodsman: "Why don't they kill the God-damnedbastard and be done with him?"--And at once Oberwaltzer gaveling for order and ordering the arrest of theoffender at the same time that he ordered all those not seated driven from the courtroom--which was done. Andthen the offender arrested and ordered arraigned on the following morning. And after that, silence, with Masononce more resuming:
　　"Griffiths, you say when you left Lycurgus you had no intention of marrying Roberta Alden unless you could notarrange in any other way.""Yes, sir. That was my intention at that time.""And accordingly you were fairly certain of coming back?""Yes, sir--I thought I was.""Then why did you pack everything in your room in your trunk and lock it?""Well . . . well . . . that is," hesitated Clyde, the charge coming so quickly and so entirely apart from what hadjust been spoken of before that he had scarcely time to collect his wits--"well, you see--I wasn't absolutely sure. Ididn't know but what I might have to go whether I wanted to or not.""I see. And so if you had decided up there unexpectedly as you did--" (and here Mason smirked on him as muchas to say--you think any one believes that?) "you wouldn't have had time to come back and decently pack yourthings and depart?""Well, no, sir--that wasn't the reason either.""Well then, what was the reason?""Well, you see," and here for lack of previous thought on this subject as well as lack of wit to grasp theessentiality of a suitable and plausible answer quickly, Clyde hesitated--as every one--first and foremost Belknapand Jephson--noted--and then went on: "Well, you see--if I had to go away, even for a short time as I thought Imight, I decided that I might need whatever I had in a hurry.""I see. You're quite sure it wasn't that in case the police discovered who Clifford Golden or Carl Graham were,that you might wish to leave quickly?""No, sir. It wasn't.""And so you didn't tell Mrs. Peyton you were giving up the room either, did you?""No, sir.""In your testimony the other day you said something about not having money enough to go up there and takeMiss Alden away on any temporary marriage scheme--even one that would last so long as six months.""Yes, sir.""When you left Lycurgus to start on the trip, how much did you have?""About fifty dollars.""'About' fifty? Don't you know exactly how much you had?""I had fifty dollars--yes, sir.""And while you were in Utica and Grass Lake and getting down to Sharon afterwards, how much did youspend?""I spent about twenty dollars on the trip, I think.""Don't you know?""Not exactly--no, sir--somewhere around twenty dollars, though.""Well, now let's see about that exactly if we can," went on Mason, and here, once more, Clyde began to sense atrap and grew nervous--for there was all that money given him by Sondra and some of which he had spent, too.
　　"How much was your fare from Fonda to Utica for yourself?""A dollar and a quarter.""And what did you have to pay for your room at the hotel at Utica for you and Roberta?""That was four dollars.""And of course you had dinner that night and breakfast the next morning, which cost you how much?""It was about three dollars for both meals.""Was that all you spent in Utica?" Mason was taking a side glance occasionally at a slip of paper on which he had figures and notes, but which Clyde had not noticed.
　　"Yes, sir.""How about the straw hat that it has been proved you purchased while there?""Oh, yes, sir, I forgot about that," said Clyde, nervously. "That was two dollars--yes, sir." He realized that hemust be more careful.
　　"And your fares to Grass Lake were, of course, five dollars. Is that right?""Yes, sir.""Then you hired a boat at Grass Lake. How much was that?""That was thirty-five cents an hour.""And you had it how long?""Three hours.""Making one dollar and five cents.""Yes, sir.""And then that night at the hotel, they charged you how much? Five dollars, wasn't it?""Yes, sir.""And then didn't you buy that lunch that you carried out in that lake with you up there?""Yes, sir. I think that was about sixty cents.""And how much did it cost you to get to Big Bittern?""It was a dollar on the train to Gun Lodge and a dollar on the bus for the two of us to Big Bittern.""You know these figures pretty well, I see. Naturally, you would. You didn't have much money and it wasimportant. And how much was your fare from Three Mile Bay to Sharon afterwards?""My fare was seventy-five cents.""Did you ever stop to figure this all up exactly?""No, sir.""Well, will you?""Well, you know how much it is, don't you?""Yes, sir, I do. It was twenty-four dollars and sixty-five cents. You said you spent twenty dollars. But here is adiscrepancy of four dollars and sixty-five cents. How do you account for it?""Well, I suppose I didn't figure just exactly right," said Clyde, irritated by the accuracy of figures such as these.
　　But now Mason slyly and softly inquiring: "Oh, yes, Griffiths, I forgot, how much was the boat you hired at BigBittern?" He was eager to hear what Clyde would have to say as to this, seeing that he had worked hard and longon this pitfall.
　　"Oh--ah--ah--that is," began Clyde, hesitatingly, for at Big Bittern, as he now recalled, he had not even troubledto inquire the cost of the boat, feeling as he did at the time that neither he nor Roberta were coming back. Butnow here and in this way it was coming up for the first time. And Mason, realizing that he had caught him here,quickly interpolated a "Yes?" to which Clyde replied, but merely guessing at that: "Why, thirty-five cents anhour--just the same as at Grass Lake--so the boatman said."But he had spoken too quickly. And he did not know that in reserve was the boatman who was still to testify thathe had not stopped to ask the price of the boat. And Mason continued:
　　"Oh, it was, was it? The boatman told you that, did he?""Yes, sir.""Well now, don't you recall that you never asked the boatman at all? It was not thirty-five cents an hour, but fiftycents. But of course you do not know that because you were in such a hurry to get out on the water and you didnot expect to have to come back and pay for it anyway. So you never even asked, you see. Do you see? Do yourecall that now?" And here Mason produced a bill that he had gotten from the boatman and waved it in front ofClyde. "It was fifty cents an hour," he repeated. "They charge more than at Grass Lake. But what I want to knowis, if you are so familiar with these other figures, as you have just shown that you are, how comes it that you arenot familiar with this figure? Didn't you think of the expense of taking her out in a boat and keeping the boatfrom noon until night?" The attack came so swiftly and bitterly that at once Clyde was confused. He twisted andturned, swallowed and looked nervously at the floor, ashamed to look at Jephson who had somehow failed tocoach him as to this.
　　"Well," bawled Mason, "any explanation to make as to that? Doesn't it strike even you as strange that you canremember every other item of all your expenditures--but not that item?" And now each juror was once moretense and leaning forward. And Clyde noting their interest and curiosity, and most likely suspicion, nowreturned:
　　"Well, I don't know just how I came to forget that.""Oh, no, of course you don't," snorted Mason. "A man who is planning to kill a girl on a lone lake has a lot ofthings to think of, and it isn't any wonder if you forget a few of them. But you didn't forget to ask the purser thefare to Sharon, once you got to Three Mile Bay, did you?""I don't remember if I did or not.""Well, he remembers. He testified to it here. You bothered to ask the price of the room at Grass Lake. You askedthe price of the boat there. You even asked the price of the bus fare to Big Bittern. What a pity you couldn't thinkto ask the price of the boat at Big Bittern? You wouldn't be so nervous about it now, would you?" and hereMason looked at the jurors as much as to say: You see!
　　"I just didn't think of it, I guess," repeated Clyde.
　　"A very satisfactory explanation, I'm sure," went on Mason, sarcastically. And then as swiftly as possible: "Idon't suppose you happen to recall an item of thirteen dollars and twenty cents paid for a lunch at the Casino onJuly ninth--the day after Roberta Alden's death--do you or do you not?" Mason was dramatic, persistent, swift-scarcelygiving him time to think or breathe, as he saw it.
　　At this Clyde almost jumped, so startled was he by this question and charge, for he did not know that they hadfound out about the lunch. "And do you remember, too," went on Mason, "that over eighty dollars was found onyou when you were arrested?""Yes, I remember it now," he replied.
　　As for the eighty dollars he had forgotten. Yet now he said nothing, for he could not think what to say.
　　"How about that?" went on Mason, doggedly and savagely. "If you only had fifty dollars when you left Lycurgusand over eighty dollars when you were arrested, and you spent twenty-four dollars and sixty-five cents plusthirteen for a lunch, where did you get that extra money from?""Well, I can't answer that just now," replied Clyde, sullenly, for he felt cornered and hurt. That was Sondra'smoney and nothing would drag out of him where he had gotten it.
　　"Why can't you answer it?" roared Mason. "Where do you think you are, anyhow? And what do you think we arehere for? To say what you will or will not answer? You are on trial for your life--don't forget that! You can't playfast and loose with law, however much you may have lied to me. You are here before these twelve men and theyare waiting to know. Now, what about it? Where did you get that money?""I borrowed it from a friend.""Well, give his name. What friend?""I don't care to"Oh, you don't! Well, you're lying about the amount of money you had when you left Lycurgus--that's plain. Andunder oath, too. Don't forget that! That sacred oath that you respect so much. Isn't that true?""No, it isn't," finally observed Clyde, stung to reason by this charge. "I borrowed that money after I got toTwelfth Lake.""And from whom?""Well, I can't say.""Which makes the statement worthless," retorted Mason.
　　Clyde was beginning to show a disposition to balk. He had been sinking his voice and each time Masoncommanded him to speak up and turn around so the jury could see his face, he had done so, only feeling moreand more resentful toward this man who was thus trying to drag out of him every secret he possessed. He hadtouched on Sondra, and she was still too near his heart to reveal anything that would reflect on her. So now he satstaring down at the jurors somewhat defiantly, when Mason picked up some pictures.
　　"Remember these?" he now asked Clyde, showing him some of the dim and water-marked reproductions ofRoberta besides some views of Clyde and some others--none of them containing the face of Sondra-- which weremade at the Cranstons' on his first visit, as well as four others made at Bear Lake later, and with one of themshowing him holding a banjo, his fingers in position. "Recall where these were made?" asked Mason, showinghim the reproduction of Roberta first.
　　"Yes, I do.""Where was it?""On the south shore of Big Bittern the day we were there." He knew that they were in the camera and had toldBelknap and Jephson about them, yet now he was not a little surprised to think that they had been able to developthem.
　　"Griffiths," went on Mason, "your lawyers didn't tell you that they fished and fished for that camera you sworeyou didn't have with you before they found that I had it, did they?""They never said anything to me about it," replied Clyde.
　　"Well, that's too bad. I could have saved them a lot of trouble. Well, these were the photos that were found in thatcamera and that were made just after that change of heart you experienced, you remember?""I remember when they were made," replied Clyde, sullenly.
　　"Well, they were made before you two went out in that boat for the last time--before you finally told herwhatever it was you wanted to tell her--before she was murdered out there--at a time when, as you have testified,she was very sad.""No, that was the day before," defied Clyde.
　　"Oh, I see. Well, anyhow, these pictures look a little cheerful for one who was as depressed as you say she was.""Well--but--she wasn't nearly as depressed then as she was the day before," flashed Clyde, for this was the truthand he remembered it.
　　"I see. But just the same, look at these other pictures. These three here, for instance. Where were they made?""At the Cranston Lodge on Twelfth Lake, I think.""Right. And that was June eighteenth or nineteenth, wasn't it?""On the nineteenth, I think.""Well, now, do you recall a letter Roberta wrote you on the nineteenth?""No, sir.""You don't recall any particular one?""No, sir.""But they were all very sad, you have said.""Yes, sir--they were.""Well, this is that letter written at the time these pictures were made." He turned to the jury.
　　"I would like the jury to look at these pictures and then listen to just one passage from this letter written by MissAlden to this defendant on the same day. He has admitted that he was refusing to write or telephone her,although he was sorry for her," he said, turning to the jury. And here he opened a letter and read a long sad pleafrom Roberta. "And now here are four more pictures, Griffiths." And he handed Clyde the four made at BearLake. "Very cheerful, don't you think? Not much like pictures of a man who has just experienced a great changeof heart after a most terrific period of doubt and worry and evil conduct--and has just seen the woman whom hehad most cruelly wronged, but whom he now proposed to do right by, suddenly drowned. They look as thoughyou hadn't a care in the world, don't they?""Well, they were just group pictures. I couldn't very well keep out of them.""But this one in the water here. Didn't it trouble you the least bit to go in the water the second or third day afterRoberta Alden had sunk to the bottom of Big Bittern, and especially when you had experienced such an inspiringchange of heart in regard to her?""I didn't want any one to know I had been up there with her.""We know all about that. But how about this banjo picture here. Look at this!" And he held it out. "Very gay,isn't it?" he snarled. And now Clyde, dubious and frightened, replied:
　　"But I wasn't enjoying myself just the same!""Not when you were playing the banjo here? Not when you were playing golf and tennis with your friends thevery next day after her death? Not when you were buying and eating thirteen-dollar lunches? Not when you werewith Miss X again, and where you yourself testified that you preferred to be?"Mason's manner was snarling, punitive, sinister, bitterly sarcastic.
　　"Well, not just then, anyhow--no, sir.""What do you mean--'not just then'? Weren't you where you wanted to be?""Well, in one way I was--certainly," replied Clyde, thinking of what Sondra would think when she read this, asunquestionably she would. Quite everything of all this was being published in the papers every day. He could notdeny that he was with her and that he wanted to be with her. At the same time he had not been happy. Howmiserably unhappy he had been, enmeshed in that shameful and brutal plot! But now he must explain in someway so that Sondra, when she should read it, and this jury, would understand. And so now he added, while heswallowed with his dry throat and licked his lips with his dry tongue: "But I was sorry about Miss Alden just thesame. I couldn't be happy then--I couldn't be. I was just trying to make people think that I hadn't had anything todo with her going up there--that's all. I couldn't see that there was any better way to do. I didn't want to bearrested for what I hadn't done.""Don't you know that is false! Don't you know you are lying!" shouted Mason, as though to the whole world, andthe fire and the fury of his unbelief and contempt was sufficient to convince the jury, as well as the spectators,that Clyde was the most unmitigated of liars. "You heard the testimony of Rufus Martin, the second cook upthere at Bear Lake?""Yes, sir.""You heard him swear that he saw you and Miss X at a certain point overlooking Bear Lake and that she was inyour arms and that you were kissing her. Was that true?""Yes, sir.""And that exactly four days after you had left Roberta Alden under the waters of Big Bittern. Were you afraid of being arrested then?""Yes, sir.""Even when you were kissing her and holding her in your arms?""Yes, sir," replied Clyde drearily and hopelessly.
　　"Well, of all things!" bawled Mason. "Could you imagine such stuff being whimpered before a jury, if you hadn'theard it with your own ears? Do you really sit there and swear to this jury that you could bill and coo with onedeceived girl in your arms and a second one in a lake a hundred miles away, and yet be miserable because ofwhat you were doing?""Just the same, that's the way it was," replied Clyde.
　　"Excellent! Incomparable," shouted Mason.
　　And here he wearily and sighfully drew forth his large white handkerchief once more and surveying thecourtroom at large proceeded to mop his face as much as to say: Well, this is a task indeed, then continuing withmore force than ever:
　　"Griffiths, only yesterday on the witness stand you swore that you personally had no plan to go to Big Bitternwhen you left Lycurgus.""No, sir, I hadn't.""But when you two got in that room at the Renfrew House in Utica and you saw how tired she looked, it was youthat suggested that a vacation of some kind--a little one--something within the range of your joint purses at thetime--would be good for her. Wasn't that the way of it?""Yes, sir. That was the way of it," replied Clyde.
　　"But up to that time you hadn't even thought of the Adirondacks 
Part 3 Chapter 26
The remainder of the trial consisted of the testimony of eleven witnesses--four for Mason and seven for Clyde.
　　One of the latter--a Dr. A. K. Sword, of Rehobeth--chancing to be at Big Bittern on the day that Roberta's bodywas returned to the boat-house, now declared that he had seen and examined it there and that the wounds, as theyappeared then, did not seem to him as other than such as might have been delivered by such a blow as Clydeadmitted to having struck accidentally, and that unquestionably Miss Alden had been drowned while conscious-andnot unconscious, as the state would have the jury believe--a result which led Mason into an inquiryconcerning the gentleman's medical history, which, alas, was not as impressive as it might have been. He hadbeen graduated from a second-rate medical school in Oklahoma and had practised in a small town ever since. Inaddition to him--and entirely apart from the crime with which Clyde was charged--there was Samuel Yearsley,one of the farmers from around Gun Lodge, who, driving over the road which Roberta's body had traveled inbeing removed from Big Bittern to Gun Lodge, now earnestly swore that the road, as he had noticed in drivingover it that same morning, was quite rough--making it possible for Belknap, who was examining him, to indicatethat this was at least anapproximate cause of the extra-severity of the wounds upon Roberta's head and face.
　　This bit of testimony was later contradicted, however, by a rival witness for Mason--the driver for Lutz Brothers,no less, who as earnestly swore that he found no ruts or rough places whatsoever in the road. And again therewere Liggett and Whiggam to say that in so far as they had been able to note or determine, Clyde's conduct inconnection with his technical efforts for Griffiths & Company had been attentive, faithful and valuable. They hadseen no official harm in him. And then several other minor witnesses to say that in so far as they had been able toobserve his social comings and goings, Clyde's conduct was most circumspect, ceremonious and guarded. Hehad done no ill that they knew of. But, alas, as Mason in cross-examining them was quick to point out, they hadnever heard of Roberta Alden or her trouble or even of Clyde's social relationship with her.
　　Finally many small and dangerous and difficult points having been bridged or buttressed or fended against aswell as each side could, it became Belknap's duty to say his last word for Clyde. And to this he gave an entireday, most carefully, and in the spirit of his opening address, retracing and emphasizing every point which tendedto show how almost unconsciously, if not quite innocently, Clyde had fallen into the relationship with Robertawhich had ended so disastrously for both. Mental and moral cowardice, as he now reiterated, inflamed or at leastoperated on by various lacks in Clyde's early life, plus new opportunities such as previously had never appearedto be within his grasp, had affected his "perhaps too pliable and sensual and impractical and dreamy mind." Nodoubt he had not been fair to Miss Alden. No question as to that. He had not. But on the other hand--and as hadbeen most clearly shown by the confession which the defense had elicited--he had not proved ultimately so cruelor vile as the prosecution would have the public and this honorable jury believe. Many men were far more cruelin their love life than this young boy had ever dreamed of being, and of course they were not necessarily hungfor that. And in passing technically on whether this boy had actually committed the crime charged, it wasincumbent upon this jury to see that no generous impulse relating to what this poor girl might have suffered inher love-relations with this youth be permitted to sway them to the belief or decision that for that this youth had committed the crime specifically stated in the indictment. Who among both sexes were not cruel at times in theirlove life, the one to the other?
　　And then a long and detailed indictment of the purely circumstantial nature of the evidence--no single personhaving seen or heard anything of the alleged crime itself, whereas Clyde himself had explained most clearly howhe came to find himself in the peculiar situation in which he did find himself. And after that, a brushing aside ofthe incident of the folder, as well as Clyde's not remembering the price of the boat at Big Bittern, his stopping tobury the tripod and his being so near Roberta and not aiding her, as either being mere accidents of chance, ormemory, or, in the case of his failing to go to her rescue, of his being dazed, confused, frightened--"hesitatingfatally but not criminally at the one time in his life when he should not have hesitated"--a really strong ifjesuitical plea which was not without its merits and its weight.
　　And then Mason, blazing with his conviction that Clyde was a murderer of the coldest and blackest type, andspending an entire day in riddling the "spider's tissue of lies and unsupported statements" with which the defensewas hoping to divert the minds of the jury from the unbroken and unbreakable chain of amply substantiatedevidence wherewith the prosecution had proved this "bearded man" to be the "red-handed murderer" that he was.
　　And with hours spent in retracing the statements of the various witnesses. And other hours in denouncing Clyde,or re-telling the bitter miseries of Roberta--so much so that the jury, as well as the audience, was once more onthe verge of tears. And with Clyde deciding in his own mind as he sat between Belknap and Jephson, that no jurysuch as this was likely to acquit him in the face of evidence so artfully and movingly recapitulated.
　　And then Oberwaltzer from his high seat finally instructing the jury: "Gentlemen--all evidence is, in a strictsense, more or less circumstantial, whether consisting of facts which permit the inference of guilt or whethergiven by an eyewitness. The testimony of an eyewitness is, of course, based upon circumstances.
　　"If any of the material facts of the case are at variance with the probability of guilt, it will be the duty of yougentlemen to give the defendant the benefit of the doubt raised.
　　"And it must be remembered that evidence is not to be discredited or decried because it is circumstantial. It mayoften be more reliable evidence than direct evidence.
　　"Much has been said here concerning motive and its importance in this case, but you are to remember that proofof motive is by no means indispensable or essential to conviction. While a motive may be shown as aCIRCUMSTANCE to aid in FIXING a crime, yet the people are not required to prove a motive.
　　"If the jury finds that Roberta Alden accidentally or involuntarily fell out of the boat and that the defendant madeno attempt to rescue her, that does not make the defendant guilty and the jury must find the defendant 'not guilty.'
　　On the other hand, if the jury finds that the defendant in any way, intentionally, there and then brought about orcontributed to that fatal accident, either by a blow or otherwise, it must find the defendant guilty.
　　"While I do not say that you must agree upon your verdict, I would suggest that you ought not, any of you, placeyour minds in a position which will not yield if after careful deliberation you find you are wrong."So, Justice Oberwaltzer--solemnly and didactically from his high seat to the jury.
　　And then, that point having been reached, the jury rising and filing from the room at five in the afternoon. AndClyde immediately thereafter being removed to his cell before the audience proper was allowed to leave thebuilding. There was constant fear on the part of the sheriff that he might be attacked. And after that five longhours in which he waited, walking to and fro, to and fro, in his cell, or pretending to read or rest, the while Krautor Sissel, tipped by various representatives of the press for information as to how Clyde "took it" at this time,slyly and silently remained as near as possible to watch.
　　And in the meantime Justice Oberwaltzer and Mason and Belknap and Jephson, with their attendants and friends,in various rooms of the Bridgeburg Central Hotel, dining and then waiting impatiently, with the aid of a fewdrinks, for the jury to agree, and wishing and hoping that the verdict would be reached soon, whatever it mightbe.
　　And in the meantime the twelve men--farmers, clerks and storekeepers, re-canvassing for their own mentalsatisfaction the fine points made by Mason and Belknap and Jephson. Yet out of the whole twelve but one man-SamuelUpham, a druggist--(politically opposed to Mason and taken with the personality of Jephson)-sympathizingwith Belknap and Jephson. And so pretending that he had doubts as to the completeness ofMason's proof until at last after five ballots were taken he was threatened with exposure and the public rage andobloquy which was sure to follow in case the jury was hung. "We'll fix you. You won't get by with this withoutthe public knowing exactly where you stand." Whereupon, having a satisfactory drug business in NorthMansfield, he at once decided that it was best to pocket this opposition to Mason and agree.
　　Then four hollow knocks on the door leading from the jury room to the courtroom. It was the foreman of thejury, Foster Lund, a dealer in cement, lime and stone. His great fist was knocking. And at that the hundreds whohad crowded into the hot stuffy courtroom after dinner though many had not even left--stirred from the halfstupor into which they had fallen. "What's that? What's happened? Is the jury ready to report? What's theverdict?" And men and women and children starting up to draw nearer the excluding rail. And the two deputieson guard before the jury door beginning to call. "All right! All right! As soon as the judge comes." And thenother deputies hurrying to the prison over the way in order that the sheriff might be notified and Clyde broughtover--and to the Bridgeburg Central Hotel to summon Oberwaltzer and all the others. And then Clyde, in a halfstupor or daze from sheer loneliness and killing suspense, being manacled to Kraut and led over between Slack,Sissel and others. And Oberwaltzer, Mason, Belknap and Jephson and the entire company of newspaper writers,artists, photographers and others entering and taking the places that they had occupied all these long weeks. AndClyde winking and blinking as he was seated behind Belknap and Jephson now--not with them, for as stoutlymanacled as he was to Kraut, he was compelled to sit by him. And then Oberwaltzer on the bench and the clerkin his place, the jury room door being opened and the twelve men filing solemnly in--quaint and varied figures inangular and for the most part much-worn suits of the ready-made variety. And as they did so, seating themselvesin the jury box, only to rise again at the command of the clerk, who began: "Gentlemen of the jury, have youagreed on a verdict?"--yet without one of them glancing in the direction of either Belknap or Jephson or Clyde,which Belknap at once interpreted as fatal.
　　"It's all off," he whispered to Jephson. "Against us. I can tell." And then Lund announcing: "We have. We findthe defendant guilty of murder in the first degree." And Clyde, entirely dazed and yet trying to keep his poise andremain serene, gazing straight before him toward the jury and beyond, and with scarcely a blink of the eye. For had he not, in his cell the night before, been told by Jephson, who had found him deeply depressed, that theverdict in this trial, assuming that it proved to be unfavorable, was of no consequence. The trial from start tofinish had been unfair. Prejudice and bias had governed its every step. Such bullying and browbeating andinnuendo as Mason had indulged in before the jury would never pass as fair or adequate in any higher court. Anda new trial--on appeal--would certainly be granted--although by whom such an appeal was to be conducted hewas not now prepared to discuss.
　　And now, recalling that, Clyde saying to himself that it did not so much matter perhaps, after all. It could not,really--or could it? Yet think what these words meant in case he could not get a new trial! Death! That is what itwould mean if this were final--and perhaps it was final. And then to sit in that chair he had seen in his mind's eyefor so long--these many days and nights when he could not force his mind to drive it away. Here it was againbefore him--that dreadful, ghastly chair--only closer and larger than ever before--there in the very center of thespace between himself and Justice Oberwaltzer. He could see it plainly now--squarish, heavy-armed, heavy-backed, some straps at the top and sides. God! Supposing no one would help him now! Even the Griffiths mightnot be willing to pay out any more money! Think of that! The Court of Appeals to which Jephson and Belknaphad referred might not be willing to help him either. And then these words would be final. They would! Theywould! God! His jaws moved slightly, then set--because at the moment he became conscious that they weremoving. Besides, at that moment Belknap was rising and asking for an individual poll of the jury, while Jephsonleaned over and whispered: "Don't worry about it. It isn't final. We'll get a reversal as sure as anything." Yet aseach of the jurors was saying: "Yes"--Clyde was listening to them, not to Jephson. Why should each one say thatwith so much emphasis? Was there not one who felt that he might not have done as Mason had said--struck herintentionally? Was there not one who even half-believed in that change of heart which Belknap and Jephson hadinsisted that he had experienced? He looked at them all--little and big. They were like a blackish-brown group ofwooden toys with creamish-brown or old ivory faces and hands. Then he thought of his mother. She would hearof this now, for here were all these newspaper writers and artists and photographers assembled to hear this. Andwhat would the Griffiths--his uncle and Gilbert--think now? And Sondra! Sondra! Not a word from her. Andthrough all this he had been openly testifying, as Belknap and Jcphson had agreed that he must do--to thecompelling and directing power of his passion for her--the real reason for all this! But not a word. And shewould not send him any word now, of course--she who had been going to marry him and give him everything!
　　But in the meantime the crowd about him silent although--or perhaps because--intensely satisfied. The little devilhadn't "gotten by." He hadn't fooled the twelve sane men of this county with all that bunk about a change ofheart. What rot! While Jephson sat and stared, and Belknap, his strong face written all over with contempt anddefiance, making his motions. And Mason and Burleigh and Newcomb and Redmond thinly repressing theirintense satisfaction behind masks preternaturally severe, the while Belknap continued with a request that thesentence be put off until the following Friday--a week hence, when he could more conveniently attend, but withJustice Oberwaltzer replying that he thought not--unless some good reason could be shown. But on the morrow,if counsel desired, he would listen to an argument. If it were satisfactory he would delay sentence--otherwise,pronounce it the following Monday.
　　Yet, even so, Clyde was not concerned with this argument at the moment. He was thinking of his mother andwhat she would think--feel. He had been writing her so regularly, insisting always that he was innocent and thatshe must not believe all, or even a part, of what she read an the newspapers. He was going to be acquitted sure.
　　He was going to go on the stand and testify for himself. But now . . . now . . . oh, he needed her now--so much.
　　Quite every one, as it seemed now, had forsaken him. He was terribly, terribly alone. And he must send her someword quickly. He must. He must. And then asking Jephson for a piece of paper and a pencil, he wrote: "Mrs. AsaGriffiths, care of Star of Hope Mission, Denver, Colorado. Dear mother--I am convicted--Clyde." And thenhanding that to Jephson, he asked him, nervously and weakly, if he would see that it was sent right away. "Rightaway, son, sure," replied Jephson, touched by his looks, and waving to a press boy who was near gave it to himtogether with the money.
　　And then, while this was going on, all the public exits being locked until Clyde, accompanied by Sissel andKraut, had been ushered through the familiar side entrance through which he had hoped to escape. And while allthe press and the public and the still-remaining jury gazing, for even yet they had not seen enough of Clyde butmust stare into his face to see how he was taking it. And because of the local feeling against him, JusticeOberwaltzer, at Slack's request, holding court un-adjourned until word was brought that Clyde was once morelocked in his cell, whereupon the doors were re-opened. And then the crowd surging out but only to wait at thecourtroom door in order to glimpse, as he passed out, Mason, who now, of all the figures in this case, was thetrue hero--the nemesis of Clyde--the avenger of Roberta. That he not appearing at first but instead Jephson andBelknap together, and not so much depressed as solemn, defiant--Jephson in particular, looking unconquerablycontemptuous. Then some one calling: "Well, you didn't get him off just the same," and Jephson replying, with ashrug of his shoulders, "Not yet, but this county isn't all of the law either." Then Mason, immediately afterward-aheavy, baggy overcoat thrown over his shoulder, his worn soft hat pulled low over his eyes--and followed byBurleigh, Heit, Newcomb and others as a royal train--while he walked in the manner of one entirely oblivious ofthe meaning or compliment of this waiting throng. For was he not now a victor and an elected judge! And asinstantly being set upon by a circling, huzzahing mass--the while a score of those nearest sought to seize him bythe hand or place a grateful pat upon his arm or shoulder. "Hurrah for Orville!" "Good for you, Judge!" (his newor fast-approaching title). "By God! Orville Mason, you deserve the thanks of this county!" "Hy-oh! Heigh!
　　Heigh!" "Three cheers for Orville Mason!" And with that the crowd bursting into three resounding huzzahs-whichClyde in his cell could clearly hear and at the same time sense the meaning of.
　　They were cheering Mason for convicting him. In that large crowd out there there was not one who did notbelieve him totally and completely guilty. Roberta--her letters--her determination to make him marry her--hergiant fear of exposure--had dragged him down to this. To conviction. To death, maybe. Away from all he hadlonged for--away from all he had dreamed he might possess. And Sondra! Sondra! Not a word! Not a word! Andso now, fearing that Kraut or Sissel or some one might be watching (ready to report even now his every gesture),and not willing to show after all how totally collapsed and despondent he really was, he sat down and taking up amagazine pretended to read, the while he looked far, far beyond it to other scenes--his mother--his brother andsisters--the Griffiths--all he had known. But finding these unsubstantiated mind visions a little too much, hefinally got up and throwing off his clothes climbed into his iron cot.
　　"Convicted! Convicted!" And that meant that he must die! God! But how blessed to be able to conceal his faceupon a pillow and not let any one see--however accurately they might guess!

上次庭审尚未做完的事，就是由十一位见证人作证……其中四人为梅森一方作证，七人为克莱德一方作证。七人里头有一位是来自里霍贝思的索德医生，罗伯达的尸体被抬进船坞那天，他碰巧正在大比腾。现在他声称，他在那里察看过，而且检验过罗伯达的尸体。据他当时判断，她脸部这些伤痕，也许就象克莱德供认的，是在无意之中一砸所造成的。他又说，奥尔登小姐落水时，毫无疑问，还有知觉……并不是象公诉人要陪审团相信那样，早已失去了知觉……听了上述结论，梅森就盘问这位先生行医的经历，可惜得很，压根儿不过硬。

他在俄克拉何马州一所二流的医科学校毕业后，就一直在一个小镇上开业行医。

挨在这医生后面……跟克莱德被告发的罪状根本毫不相干……有一个住在冈洛奇附近。名叫塞缪尔。耶尔斯利的农民作证，说罗伯达的尸体从大比腾运往冈洛奇的那天，他恰好也走过这条路。现在，他煞有介事地发誓作证，说他在同一天早上走过的时候，看到这条路上都是坑坑洼洼……于是，盘问他的贝尔纳普就有理由指出，这至少就是造成罗伯达头部。脸部的伤势特别严重的原因。

可是这一条证词，后来却被梅森一方的见证人……替卢兹兄弟殡仪馆开车的那个司机驳倒了。此人也同样煞有介事地起誓作证，说他并没有发现这条路上有什么车辙或是坑坑洼洼。除此以外，还有利格特和惠甘作证说，就他们所觉察到或是能断定的来说，克莱德在格里菲思公司任职期间表现，一向忠于职守，确实难能可贵。他们没有发现他在业务上有过什么闪失。接下来有好几个无关紧要的见证人说，就他们所看到的，克莱德在上流社会的表现，可以说是非常审慎。规矩，而又小心。他们知道他并没有做过什么坏事。可是，天哪，梅森在反复讯问他们时，当即指出，他们从来没有听说过罗伯达。奥尔登其人其事，乃至于她的惨亡，连克莱德跟她有来往，他们也都一概不知道。

许许多多虽属细微末节，但跟生死攸关的难点，经过双方尽心尽力，最后或是通过去了，或是得到了支持，或是干脆给推翻了，这时总算轮到贝尔纳普替克莱德进行最后的辩护了。他申辩了整整一天，按照他头一次出庭辩论的调子，非常小心地把每一点都重述了一遍，强调指出，克莱德怎样天真无邪地。

几乎不自觉地跟罗伯达结识交往，最后两人却落得如此可悲的下场。现在，贝尔纳普再一次重申说，正是克莱德自幼起家境贫寒，激发了。至少也是影响了他思想上。道德上的懦怯。加上后来有了一些新的机遇，正是他过去从来梦想不到的，这才影响了他那"也许是太柔顺。太好色。太不实际和太爱幻想的心灵"。

他对待奥尔登小姐，毫无疑问，不是正大光明的。这是毋庸置疑的。他确实不是光明正大的。不过，从另一方面……正如被告的辩护律师诱导出来的供词彰明昭著地说明……到了最后关头，他并没有象公诉人希望公众和可敬的陪审团所相信的那么残忍，或是那么邪恶。天底下就有许许多多男人，他们在恋爱生活中所表现的残忍，远远不是这个几乎稚气未脱的孩子所能梦想到的。当然罗，他们也并不见得因此都被绞死。从法律观点来看，这个孩子是否确实犯了已被控告的罪行，陪审团列位先生必须特别清醒地看到:

公众对这个可怜的姑娘由于跟这个年轻人谈恋爱而惨遭丧生一事极为愤慨，可是决不能逼使陪审团确信或是认定，好象这个年轻人就犯了起诉书上明确提出的罪行。在两性之间恋爱生活里，类似这一方对另一方残忍的这种事情，有时候不是常常见到吗?

接下来是贝尔纳普通过一段冗长。详细的分析，说明本案证据性质纯属间接证据……这一项断然被宣称的罪状所列举的，哪一件事都不是某某一个人亲自看见过或听见过的，只有克莱德本人能把他当时所处的异乎寻常的情况解释得极其清清楚楚。至于旅游指南一事，克莱德记不得大比腾租船费的问题，又把三脚架藏匿起来，以及距离罗伯达这么近，但没有去搭救她等等问题，贝尔纳普都是一概置之不理，或者用他的话来说，仅仅是碰巧小事一桩，或者干脆说是记不起来了。至于克莱德没有去搭救罗伯达一事，贝尔纳普就说当时克莱德自己头晕目眩，心慌意乱，吓懵了……"正好在他一生中断断乎不该迟疑的时候，他致命地迟疑了一下，但并不能说因此就犯了罪，"……这确实是一个强有力的。哪怕是阴险狡猾的呼吁，但是这种呼吁也不见得没有价值。没有分量。

随后是梅森发言，他坚信克莱德就是最冷酷。最凶恶的那一类杀人犯。他花了整整一天的时间，揭穿了那个"由谎言和站不住脚的论点组成的圈套"。被告一方及其辩护律师希望借此分散陪审团注意力，不去查看那一连串分不开也击不破的。早已经过充分查证的。过得硬的罪证，而公诉人已经根据这些罪证，证明这个"有胡子的成年人"是一个"血手淋漓的杀人犯";事实上，他就是这类货色。他又花了好几个钟头，把各种不同的见证人的话重述了一遍。接着，他又花了好几个钟头痛斥克莱德，或是重述了一遍罗伯达那个悲切动人的故事……那么令人动怜，陪审团和听众眼泪几乎又是夺眶而出。克莱德坐在贝尔纳普和杰夫森之间，暗自思忖:

这些证据经过如此巧妙而动人地重述一遍以后，看来陪审团怎么也不可能宣告他无罪了。

接着是奥伯沃泽从他那高高的法官座位上向陪审团临别留言:

"列位先生……所有的证据，严格说来，或多或少都是间接证据，不管是推断出来有罪的事实也好，还是由一个目击者所提供的事实也好。要知道一个目击者作证，当然，是以情况为根据的。

"如果说本案具有实质性的哪一个事实跟犯罪的可能性不符，那末，你们列位先生就有责任，要作善意解释，假定被告无辜，对他作出虽可疑但无罪的处理。

"但是必须记住，所有的证据决不因为是间接证据就不被信任或是被推翻。

有时候间接证据也许比直接证据更加可靠。

"至于犯罪动机及其在本案中的重要性，在庭上已经谈到很多了。不过，你们必须记住，有关动机的证词，决不是定罪所必不可少的或者是基本的条件。

尽管某一个动机可以说明一种情况，有助于确定一条罪状，可是并不要求人们都去证实这个动机。

"如果陪审团认定罗伯达。奥尔登是意外地，或是不自觉地从船上落了水，而被告并没有设法去搭救她。这并不意味着被告犯了罪，陪审团也就必须认定被告'

''''无罪，。从另一方面说，如果陪审团认定:

被告在当时当地是通过任何一种方式(不管是一砸也好，还是别的什么方式也好)蓄意造成，或是促成这次致命的事件，那末，陪审团也就必须认定被告有罪。

"我并不是说你们必须在判决时保持全体一致，但我愿意奉劝你们里头任何一位，要是在仔细考虑之后，发现自己错了，可千万不要过分固执，还不肯让步。"奥伯沃泽法官就这样在他那高高的法官座位上，庄严地向陪审团作了一番训话。

法官讲话一结束，已是下午五点钟，陪审团就纷纷站了起来，从法庭大厅鱼贯而出。稍后，克莱德当即被押回到他的牢房，这时听众方才准许离开法庭大厅。执法官一直心事重重，唯恐克莱德也许有可能遭到突然袭击。克莱德在等待中熬过了这漫长的五个钟头之后，他就在牢房里不断地走来走去，或是佯装着在看书，歇息。克劳特和西塞尔拿了各报记者的小费，要把克莱德"受不受得了"的反映通报他们，就一声不响地尽可能守在一旁，观察着囚犯的动静。

在这同一时刻，奥伯沃泽法官。梅森。贝尔纳普。杰夫森，还有他们的随从和朋友们，正在布里奇伯格中央旅馆各自房间里用餐，喝一点儿酒，焦急地等着陪审团取得一致的意见，巴不得当即作出判决来，不管它究竟是怎么样一个判决。

在这同一时刻，那十二位陪审员……农民。店员。掌柜等等，他们为了让自己心安理得起见，又开始详详细细地讨论了梅森。贝尔纳普。杰夫森所提出的那些精辟论点。不过，在这十二人里头，只有一个人……塞缪尔。厄珀姆，一家杂货铺掌柜……此人的政见与梅森相左，因此对杰夫森印象极佳……同情贝尔纳普和杰夫森，于是，他就佯装对梅森的证据是不是反驳不倒心中还表示怀疑。投了五次票以后，其他陪审员就威胁此人说，万一陪审团意见不能达成一致，依然作不出决定来，他们就要告发他，也必然会激起公众愤慨与痛骂。"我们要打垮你。公众准知道你的态度如何，你休想混过去。"好在他开设在北曼斯菲尔德的杂货铺，反正生意不错，他就马上决定，最好还是把反对梅森的意见掖进自己口袋里，权且表示赞同吧。

接着，从陪审团室通往法庭大厅的那道门上，一连四次响起了敲门声。这是首席陪审员福斯特。伦德，此人专做水泥。石灰和石料生意，正抡起他的大拳头在敲门。饭后挤在这又热又闷的法庭大厅里的数百名听众(反正有很多人压根儿还一步没有离开过那儿哩)一下子都从昏昏欲睡中突然惊醒过来。"怎么啦?

出了什么事?

是陪审团准备提出报告了?

怎么判决的?

"男的。女的，还有小孩子，突然都拥向靠近栏杆的地方。守在陪审团室门口的两名法警大声喊道:

"得了!

得了!

法官一会儿就到。"另有一些法警急匆匆奔到牢房去通知执法官把克莱德押解过来……还有一些法警则赶到布里奇伯格中央旅馆，通知奥伯沃泽法官等一行人。这时，克莱德不仅因为孑然一身，而且心里又是怕得要死，几乎茫然若失，或是头晕目眩，就被克劳特戴上了手铐，由斯拉克和西塞尔等人押走了。奥伯沃泽。梅森。贝尔纳普。杰夫森，还有所有新闻记者。画家。摄影记者和其他一些人也都入场，各自坐到几周以来他们常坐的座位上。克莱德两眼老是眨巴着，正坐在贝尔纳普和杰夫森后面……而不是跟他们并排坐在一起了。因为，现在他已被克劳特牢牢地戴上了手铐，所以不能不跟克劳特坐在一起。一俟奥伯沃泽坐到他的法官座位上，录事也坐到自己的座位上，陪审团室的门就打开了，十二位陪审员煞有介事地鱼贯而入……他们都是古里古怪的各色人等，绝大多数身上穿着破旧不堪的。从店里买来的现成服装。他们一进来后，便在陪审席上落了座，但一听到录事说:

"陪审团列位先生，你们对判决的意见达成了一致吗?

"他们又纷纷站了起来，不过，他们里头没有一个人朝贝尔纳普或杰夫森或克莱德这边看一眼，贝尔纳普马上意识到这结论是致命的。

"全垮了，"他对杰夫森低声耳语说。"是反对我们的。我敢打赌说。"接着，伦德宣布说:

"我们已达成了一致的意见。我们认定被告犯了杀人罪。"克莱德完全怔住了，但还是尽量控制自己，佯装表面镇静，两眼几乎眨也不眨地直盯住前面的陪审团和远处。因为，就在昨天晚上，杰夫森到牢房里来，看见他心情非常沮丧，就对他说过，万一判决对他不利，也没有什么了不起。要知道，这次审判自始至终不公正。每一个步骤都受到偏见和偏心的支配。梅森当着陪审团的面，如此大肆威吓，指桑骂槐，对此，任何高一级的法院决不会认为是公正的，就是适当的。请求复审是一定会批准的……虽然现在杰夫森还不打算谈论由谁来提出上诉。

现在，克莱德一想起杰夫森这些话，就暗自思忖，也许这个判决压根儿没有什么了不起。说实在的，这不会有什么了不起……或者，还是会有关系呢?

不过，想一想，要是不能复审，那末，刚才说的这些话，其后果又如何呢!

死!

那就意味着死，如果这是最终判决的话……也许这就是最终判决哩。那时他得坐上那张电椅……这一幻影许多个日日夜夜早就在他脑际时隐时现，他怎么也没法把它从自己心头里撵出去。如今，那张电椅又在他面前出现了……那张可怕的。

恐怖的电椅……只是比过去更逼近，显得更大了……就在他跟奥伯沃泽法官相隔的这段距离的中间。现在，克莱德清清楚楚地看到了这张电椅……方方正正的外形，宽宽的扶手，厚厚的靠背，椅子顶端和两旁都有好几根带子。天哪，万一如今谁都不肯搭救他呢!

即便是格里菲思家吧，说不定现在再也不愿花更多的钱了!

那可要仔细想一想!

杰夫森和贝尔纳普提到的上诉法院，说不定也不肯帮他的忙。那末，刚才说的这些话，就要成为最终判决了。完了!

完了!

老天哪!

他的上下颚在微微发颤，但他一发觉便又马上咬紧。就在这时，贝尔纳普站起来了解每一个陪审员投票表决的情况。而杰夫森侧过身子去向克莱德低声耳语道:

"别担心。这可不是最终判决。也许我们能把它撤销了。"但当陪审员一个个都说"同意"的时候……克莱德听到的只是他们的话，而不是杰夫森的话。为什么他们个个都这么坚决表示同意呢?

难道连一个人都没有想到:

也许克莱德并不象梅森所说的那样是故意砸了她?

对于贝尔纳普和杰夫森坚称克莱德曾经回心转意的说法，难道说他们里头连一个半信半疑的人都没有吗?

他看了他们一眼，他们里头既有小个儿，也有大块头。他们就象一堆深褐色的木偶，脸和手都是淡褐色的，或是古旧象牙色的。随后，他想到了自己的母亲。这一切她也会听到了。因为所有这些新闻记者。画家。摄影记者，目前都麇集在这里听最终判决的消息。

格里菲思家……他伯父和吉尔伯特……现在会怎么想呢?

还有桑德拉!

桑德拉!

她连一个字都没有捎来。他一直在这里法庭上公开作证，正如贝尔纳普和杰夫森向他鼓励的那样，说明他对桑德拉那种不可抗拒。主宰一切的狂恋，乃是造成这一切的真正原因，可是她连一个字都没有捎来。当然罗，现在她再也不会捎一个字给他了……而她原来想要跟他结婚，把自己一切全都奉献给他的!

不过这时候，周围群众深感满意，虽然他们鸦雀无声，也许正是因为深感满意他们才鸦雀无声。他这个小魔鬼没能"逃掉"。他编的回心转意那一套鬼话，毕竟骗不了代表本县的这十二位头脑清醒的人呀。多蠢呀!

这时，杰夫森坐在席位上，两眼直瞪着前方;贝尔纳普那张刚毅的脸上，露出轻蔑和挑战的神色，正在酝酿新的动议。梅森和伯利。纽科姆。雷德蒙掩饰不住在他们佯装异常严肃的假面具背后那种极端满意的神情。这时，贝尔纳普正在继续要求让宣判推迟到下星期五……也就是一周以后，这样对他届时出庭可以更方便些。但奥伯沃泽法官回答说，他认为没有必要……除非能提出充分的理由来。不过，要是被告辩护律师觉得合适的话，明天他不妨可以听听庭上辩论。如果辩论结果令人满意，他就可以推迟宣判……否则下星期一如期宣判。

可是，尽管这样，现在克莱德对这种辩论并不是怎么关心的。他心里正惦着自己的母亲，她会怎么想，她会有怎样的感受。最近他经常给她写信，始终坚持说他自己没有罪，还希望她对报刊上看到的那些东西，哪怕是极小一部分，也都不要相信。他肯定是会无罪获释的。他准备亲自走上证人席，给自己作证。

可是，现在……现在……啊，现在他需要她……多么需要她呀。现在看来，差不多每一个人都把他抛弃了。如今他孑然一身，孤独得要死呀。他非得立即给她捎个信去。他非得给她捎信不可。他非得给她捎信不可。于是，他向杰夫森要了一张纸。一支铅笔，写道:

"科罗拉多州丹佛'

''''希望之星，传道馆阿萨。格里菲思太太。亲爱的妈妈……我已给定罪了……克莱德。"然后把这张条子递给杰夫森，紧张不安而又轻声轻气地问他能不能马上把这封信发出去。"当然罗，孩子，马上就发，"杰夫森回答说。他被克莱德的可怜相感动了，挥手招呼附近一个报童，把这张条子和电报费一并交给了他。

在这同一个时刻，所有的出口处全都上了锁，要等到在西塞尔。克劳特看押下让克莱德从他一直巴不得从那里逃出去的那个熟悉的边门提出去以后，方才启锁敞开。各报记者。听众，以及还留在庭上的陪审员们，他们两眼全都盯住他。因为，即使到了此刻，他们对克莱德也没有看够，还要盯住他的脸，看看他对判决究竟作出什么反应。由于当地公众极端敌视克莱德，奥伯沃泽法官应斯拉克的要求，宣布暂不退庭，待到消息传来说克莱德已被押回牢房之后，方才让所有的门敞开。接着，听众都向出口处拥去，但是，他们仍都等候在法庭大厅门口，想在梅森出来的时候一睹他的丰采。在跟本案有关的所有人物里头，现在梅森已成为一个真正的英雄了。他让克莱德受到了应有的惩罚，替罗伯达报了仇。殊不知先出来的并不是他梅森，倒是杰夫森和贝尔纳普。瞧他们的神情，与其说是垂头丧气，还不如说是严峻而又富于挑战性……特别是杰夫森，露出决不屈服和蔑视一切的神态。这时，有人大声喊道:

"喂，到头来你还是没能让他逍遥法外呀。"杰夫森耸耸肩，回答说:

"暂时还没有，反正最后判决也不全是这个县说了算的。"紧接着他们之后，梅森走了出来，肩上披着一件鼓鼓囊囊的厚大衣，那顶旧呢帽拉得低低的，快要遮住眼睛，后面跟着伯利。海特。

纽科姆等一行人，有如御前侍卫一般。他走路时的神态，好象压根儿没觉察到这些鹄望等候的群众就是专诚向他致敬。现在他不就是一个胜利者，一个当选了的法官吗!

刹那间，四周欢呼叫好的群众朝他围拢来，贴近他身旁的那些人或是拉住他的手，或是拍拍他的肩膀，表示感激。

"奥维尔万岁!

""你真是好样的，法官!

"(他这个崭新的，也可以说，转眼要变成习以为常的头衔。)"奥维尔。梅森，的的确确，全县应该感谢你!

""嗨……好啊!

真帅!

真帅!

""为奥维尔。梅森欢呼万岁万岁……!

"于是，群众马上高声连呼三声万岁，连克莱德在牢房里都听得很清楚，并且也懂得这意味着什么。

人们正在向梅森欢呼致敬，因为梅森已给他定了罪。在外头那么一大群人里头，没有一个人不相信克莱德是彻头彻尾有罪的。是罗伯达……是她的那些信……是她逼着他跟她结婚的那种决心……是她深怕丑事张扬出去……才使他落到了这样的下场。定了罪。说不定要死。他一直渴望着的一切……他曾经梦想享受的一切，现在全都失去了。还有桑德拉!

桑德拉!

连一个字也没有给他捎来!

连一个字也没有给他捎来!

这时，他既害怕也许克劳特或是西塞尔或是别人在监视他(即便到了此刻，他们还要把他的一举一动向上报告)，他又不愿让人看到自己确实是如何灰心丧气。绝望透顶的样子。因此，他就坐了下来，随手拿来一本杂志，佯装在翻看，实际上，他却在凝望着远方，他看到的正是:

他的母亲。

他的弟弟和姐妹们。格里菲思一家人，以及所有他熟识的人。可是这些虚无缥缈的心中幻影啊，他委实受不了，最后就站了起来，把衣服脱掉，爬到自己铁床上去。

"定了罪!

定了罪!

"这就意味着，他非死不可!

天哪!

不过，要是能让脸儿埋在枕头里，谁都看不见……不管他们猜测得有多么准确……也是多么幸福啊!
Part 3 Chapter 27
The dreary aftermath of a great contest and a great failure, with the general public from coast to coast--in view ofthis stern local interpretation of the tragedy--firmly convinced that Clyde was guilty and, as heralded by thenewspapers everywhere, that he had been properly convicted. The pathos of that poor little murdered countrygirl! Her sad letters! How she must have suffered! That weak defense! Even the Griffiths of Denver were soshaken by the evidence as the trial had progressed that they scarcely dared read the papers openly--one to theother--but, for the most part, read of it separately and alone, whispering together afterwards of the damning,awful deluge of circumstantial evidence. Yet, after reading Belknap's speech and Clyde's own testimony, thislittle family group that had struggled along together for so long coming to believe in their own son and brother inspite of all they had previously read against him. And because of this--during the trial as well as afterwards-writinghim cheerful and hopeful letters, based frequently on letters from him in which he insisted over and overagain that he was not guilty. Yet once convicted, and out of the depths of his despair wiring his mother as hedid--and the papers confirming it--absolute consternation in the Griffiths family. For was not this proof? Or, wasit? All the papers seemed to think so. And they rushed reporters to Mrs. Griffiths, who, together with her littlebrood, had sought refuge from the unbearable publicity in a remote part of Denver entirely removed from themission world. A venal moving-van company had revealed her address.
　　And now this American witness to the rule of God upon earth, sitting in a chair in her shabby, nondescriptapartment, hard-pressed for the very means to sustain herself--degraded by the milling forces of life and the felland brutal blows of chance--yet serene in her trust--and declaring: "I cannot think this morning. I seem numb andthings look strange to me. My boy found guilty of murder! But I am his mother and I am not convinced of hisguilt by any means! He has written me that he is not guilty and I believe him. And to whom should he turn withthe truth and for trust if not to me? But there is He who sees all things and who knows."At the same time there was so much in the long stream of evidence, as well as Clyde's first folly in Kansas City,that had caused her to wonder--and fear. Why was he unable to explain that folder? Why couldn't he have goneto the girl's aid when he could swim so well? And why did he proceed so swiftly to the mysterious Miss X-whoevershe was? Oh, surely, surely, surely, she was not going to be compelled, in spite of all her faith, tobelieve that her eldest--the most ambitious and hopeful, if restless, of all of her children, was guilty of such acrime! No! She could not doubt him--even now. Under the merciful direction of a living God, was it not evil in amother to believe evil of a child, however dread his erring ways might seem? In the silence of the differentrooms of the mission, before she had been compelled to remove from there because of curious and troublesomevisitors, had she not stood many times in the center of one of those miserable rooms while sweeping and dusting,free from the eye of any observer--her head thrown back, her eyes closed, her strong, brown face molded inhomely and yet convinced and earnest lines--a figure out of the early Biblical days of her six-thousand-year-oldworld--and earnestly directing her thoughts to that imaginary throne which she saw as occupied by the living,giant mind and body of the living God--her Creator. And praying by the quarter and the half hour that she begiven strength and understanding and guidance to know of her son's innocence or guilt--and if innocent that thissearing burden of suffering be lifted from him and her and all those dear to him and her--or if guilty, she beshown how to do--how to endure the while he be shown how to wash from his immortal soul forever the horrorof the thing he had done--make himself once more, if possible, white before the Lord.
　　"Thou art mighty, O God, and there is none beside Thee. Behold, to Thee all things are possible. In Thy favor isLife. Have mercy, O God. Though his sins be as scarlet, make him white as snow. Though they be red likecrimson, make them as wool."Yet in her then--and as she prayed--was the wisdom of Eve in regard to the daughters of Eve. That girl whomClyde was alleged to have slain--what about her? Had she not sinned too? And was she not older than Clyde?
　　The papers said so. Examining the letters, line by line, she was moved by their pathos and was intensely andpathetically grieved for the misery that had befallen the Aldens. Nevertheless, as a mother and woman full of thewisdom of ancient Eve, she saw how Roberta herself must have consented--how the lure of her must have aidedin the weakening and the betrayal of her son. A strong, good girl would not have consented--could not have.
　　How many confessions about this same thing had she not heard in the mission and at street meetings? And mightit not be said in Clyde's favor--as in the very beginning of life in the Garden of Eden--"the woman tempted me"?
　　Truly--and because of that-"His mercy endureth forever," she quoted. And if His mercy endureth--must that of Clyde's mother be less?
　　"If ye have faith, so much as the grain of a mustard seed," she quoted to herself--and now, in the face of theseimportuning reporters added: "Did my son kill her? That is the question. Nothing else matters in the eyes of ourMaker," and she looked at the sophisticated, callous youths with the look of one who was sure that her Godwould make them understand. And even so they were impressed by her profound sincerity and faith. "Whether ornot the jury has found him guilty or innocent is neither here nor there in the eyes of Him who holds the stars inthe hollow of His hand. The jury's finding is of men. It is of the earth's earthy. I have read his lawyer's plea. Myson himself has told me in his letters that he is not guilty. I believe my son. I am convinced that he is innocent."And Asa in another corner of the room, saying little. Because of his lack of comprehension of the actualities aswell as his lack of experience of the stern and motivating forces of passion, he was unable to grasp even a tithe ofthe meaning of this. He had never understood Clyde or his lacks or his feverish imaginings, so he said, andpreferred not to discuss him.
　　"But," continued Mrs. Griffiths, "at no time have I shielded Clyde in his sin against Roberta Alden. He didwrong, but she did wrong too in not resisting him. There can be no compromising with sin in any one. Andthough my heart goes out in sympathy and love to the bleeding heart of her dear mother and father who havesuffered so, still we must not fail to see that this sin was mutual and that the world should know and judgeaccordingly. Not that I want to shield him," she repeated. "He should have remembered the teachings of hisyouth." And here her lips compressed in a sad and somewhat critical misery. "But I have read her letters too. AndI feel that but for them, the prosecuting attorney would have no real case against my son. He used them to workon the emotions of the jury." She got up, tried as by fire, and exclaimed, tensely and beautifully: "But he is myson! He has just been convicted. I must think as a mother how to help him, however I feel as to his sin." Shegripped her hands together, and even the reporters were touched by her misery. "I must go to him! I should havegone before. I see it now." She paused, discovering herself to be addressing her inmost agony, need, fear, to thesepublic ears and voices, which might in no wise understand or care.
　　"Some people wonder," now interrupted one of these same--a most practical and emotionally calloused youth ofClyde's own age--"why you weren't there during the trial. Didn't you have the money to go?""I had no money," she replied simply. "Not enough, anyhow. And besides, they advised me not to come--that they did not need me. But now--now I must go--in some way--I must find out how." She went to a small shabbydesk, which was a part of the sparse and colorless equipment of the room. "You boys are going downtown," shesaid. "Would one of you send a telegram for me if I give you the money?""Sure!" exclaimed the one who had asked her the rudest question. "Give it to me. You don't need any money. I'llhave the paper send it." Also, as he thought, he would write it up, or in, as part of his story.
　　She seated herself at the yellow and scratched desk and after finding a small pad and pen, she wrote: "Clyde-Trustin God. All things are possible to Him. Appeal at once. Read Psalm 51. Another trial will prove yourinnocence. We will come to you soon. Father and Mother.""Perhaps I had just better give you the money," she added, nervously, wondering whether it would be well topermit a newspaper to pay for this and wondering at the same time if Clyde's uncle would be willing to pay foran appeal. It might cost a great deal. Then she added: "It's rather long.""Oh, don't bother about that!" exclaimed another of the trio, who was anxious to read the telegram. "Write allyou want. We'll see that it goes.""I want a copy of that," added the third, in a sharp and uncompromising tone, seeing that the first reporter wasproceeding to take and pocket the message. "This isn't private. I get it from you or her--now!"And at this, number one, in order to avoid a scene, which Mrs. Griffiths, in her slow way, was beginning tosense, extracted the slip from his pocket and turned it over to the others, who there and then proceeded to copy it.
　　At the same time that this was going on, the Griffiths of Lycurgus, having been consulted as to the wisdom andcost of a new trial, disclosed themselves as by no means interested, let alone convinced, that an appeal--at least attheir expense--was justified. The torture and socially--if not commercially--destroying force of all this--everyhour of it a Golgotha! Bella and her social future, to say nothing of Gilbert and his--completely overcast andcharred by this awful public picture of the plot and crime that one of their immediate blood had conceived andexecuted! Samuel Griffiths himself, as well as his wife, fairly macerated by this blasting flash from his wellintentioned,though seemingly impractical and nonsensical good deed. Had not a long, practical struggle with lifetaught him that sentiment in business was folly? Up to the hour he had met Clyde he had never allowed it toinfluence him in any way. But his mistaken notion that his youngest brother had been unfairly dealt with by theirfather! And now this! This! His wife and daughter compelled to remove from the scene of their happiest yearsand comforts and live as exiles--perhaps forever--in one of the suburbs of Boston, or elsewhere--or foreverendure the eyes and sympathy of their friends! And himself and Gilbert almost steadily conferring ever since asto the wisdom of uniting the business in stock form with some of the others of Lycurgus or elsewhere--or, if notthat, of transferring, not by degrees but speedily, to either Rochester or Buffalo or Boston or Brooklyn, where amain plant might be erected. The disgrace of this could only be overcome by absenting themselves fromLycurgus and all that it represented to them. They must begin life all over again--socially at least. That did notmean so much to himself or his wife--their day was about over anyhow. But Bella and Gilbert and Myra--how torehabilitate them in some way, somewhere?
　　And so, even before the trial was finished, a decision on the part of Samuel and Gilbert Griffiths to remove the business to South Boston, where they might decently submerge themselves until the misery and shame of thishad in part at least been forgotten.
　　And because of this further aid to Clyde absolutely refused. And Belknap and Jephson then sitting down togetherto consider. For obviously, their time being as valuable as it was--devoted hitherto to the most successful practicein Bridgeburg--and with many matters waiting on account of the pressure of this particular case--they were byno means persuaded that either their practical self-interest or their charity permitted or demanded their assistingClyde without further recompense. In fact, the expense of appealing this case was going to be considerable asthey saw it. The record was enormous. The briefs would be large and expensive, and the State's allowance forthem was pitifully small. At the same time, as Jephson pointed out, it was folly to assume that the westernGriffiths might not be able to do anything at all. Had they not been identified with religious and charitable workthis long while? And was it not possible, the tragedy of Clyde's present predicament pointed out to them, thatthey might through appeals of various kinds raise at least sufficient money to defray the actual costs of such anappeal? Of course, they had not aided Clyde up to the present time but that was because his mother had beennotified that she was not needed. It was different now.
　　"Better wire her to come on," suggested Jephson, practically. "We can get Oberwaltzer to set the sentence overuntil the tenth if we say that she is trying to come on here. Besides, just tell her to do it and if she says she can'twe'll see about the money then. But she'll be likely to get it and maybe some towards the appeal too."And forthwith a telegram and a letter to Mrs. Griffiths, saying that as yet no word had been said to Clyde butnone-the-less his Lycurgus relatives had declined to assist him further in any way. Besides, he was to besentenced not later than the tenth, and for his own future welfare it was necessary that some one--preferablyherself--appear. Also that funds to cover the cost of an appeal be raised, or at least the same guaranteed.
　　And then Mrs. Griffiths, on her knees praying to her God to help her. Here, NOW, he must show his Almightyhand--his never-failing mercy. Enlightenment and help must come from somewhere--otherwise how was she toget the fare, let alone raise money for Clyde's appeal?
　　Yet as she prayed--on her knees--a thought. The newspapers had been hounding her for interviews. They hadfollowed her here and there. Why had she not gone to her son's aid? What did she think of this? What of that?
　　And now she said to herself, why should she not go to the editor of one of the great papers so anxious to questionher always and tell him how great was her need? Also, that if he would help her to reach her son in time to bewith him on his day of sentence that she, his mother, would report the same for him. These papers were sendingtheir reporters here, there--even to the trial, as she had read. Why not her--his mother? Could she not speak andwrite too? How many, many tracts had she not composed?
　　And so now to her feet--only to sink once more on her knees: "Thou hast answered me, oh, my God!" sheexclaimed. Then rising, she got out her ancient brown coat, the commonplace brown bonnet with strings--basedon some mood in regard to religious livery--and at once proceeded to the largest and most important newspaper.
　　And because of the notoriety of her son's trial she was shown directly to the managing editor, who was as muchinterested as he was impressed and who listened to her with respect and sympathy. He understood her situationand was under the impression that the paper would be interested in this. He disappeared for a few moments--thenreturned. She would be employed as a correspondent for a period of three weeks, and after that until further notice. Her expenses to and fro would be covered. An assistant, into whose hands he would now deliver herwould instruct her as to the method of preparing and filing her communications. He would also provide her withsome ready cash. She might even leave tonight if she chose--the sooner, the better. The paper would like aphotograph or two before she left. But as he talked, and as he noticed, her eyes were closed--her head back. Shewas offering thanks to the God who had thus directly answered her plea.

经过激烈斗争和大败亏输之后，结果确实是够惨的。鉴于当地法庭对这场悲剧作出了如此严峻的处置，从东海岸到西海岸，广大公众都坚信克莱德确实犯了罪，而且正如各地报刊所预告的，他是理应严惩不贷。这个可怜的乡下小姑娘，死得该有多惨啊!

她的那些悲切动人的信啊!

谅她一定经历过多大的苦难啊!

还有，被告一方多么软弱无力的申辩!

哪怕是来自丹佛的格思菲思一家人，也被审判期间各种证据所震惊，几乎大家都不敢公开看报纸，多半是各归各单独看，看过以后，对这些该死的。象可怕的洪水般涌来的间接证据，也只是窃窃私语罢了。可是，在读过了贝尔纳普的申辩和克莱德自己的证词以后，这个小小的。

长期以来休戚与共的家庭都对自己的子弟表示信得过，尽管在此以前他们在报上看到过许多不利于他的报道。因此，不论是在审判期间或是在审判以后，他们经常给他写些愉快而又充满希望的信，信里内容往往根据克莱德来信中一再坚持说他无罪的口径写的。但在定罪以后，他在万分绝望之中给母亲发了电报……各报刊又证实了判罪一事……格里菲思一家人就顿时惊慌万状了。这不是他确实犯了罪的证据吗?

难道说还不是吗?

所有的报刊好象都持这种看法。而且，各报刊立即派出记者赶去采访格里菲思太太。原来她已拖家带口，搬到了丹佛郊外一个比较偏僻的地方，远离宗教界，来这里避避风，因为各报刊上大肆渲染，实在让人受不了。可是某汽车搬运公司里一位贪财的职员，还是把她的住所泄漏出去了。

这位美国女人乃是上帝主宰世间俗务的见证人，此刻正在她那不可名状的寒伧的住房里，坐在一张椅子上，生计几乎让她难以为继……人世间的磨难和命运的残酷打击，竟使她如此穷愁潦倒……可她心中还是恬然宁静，虔信上帝。

她说:

"今天早上，什么事我都想不起来。我好象已经麻木不仁了，觉得一切事情都怪得出奇。我的小孩子被确认犯了杀人罪!

不过，我是他的母亲，说他有罪，我是怎么也不相信的。他写信给我，说他没有罪;我是相信他的。除我以外，他还能向谁去吐露真情，求得信任呢?

但是，还有他(此处指克莱德之母虔信的上帝。)，他看得见一切，他洞察一切。"此外还有没完没了的一长串的证据，连同克莱德在堪萨斯城最早的秽行，使她不由得暗自纳闷……并且感到很害怕。为什么旅游指南问题他都解释不清楚呢?

他既然水性那么好，为什么不能去搭救那个姑娘呢?

为什么他一溜烟似的就到了那个神秘的某某小姐那里呢?

她到底是谁呢?

啊，当然罗，当然罗，她决不能有违自己的信仰，被迫相信她的大儿子……在她子女里头就数他最爱虚荣，最有希望，尽管也是最不安分……竟然会犯下这样的罪行!

不!

她决不能怀疑他……哪怕是现在。在活灵活现的上帝的仁慈的指引下，做母亲的若是相信自己的孩子是邪恶的(不管孩子好象已经多么可怕地误入了歧途)，难道这本身不就是邪恶吗?

在那些好奇而又讨厌的来访者逼使她不得不搬家以前，她在寂然无声的传道馆里，有好几回打扫尘土时，站在一个寒伧的小房间中央，没有任何人看见……她昂起头，闭上眼，她那坚强的棕色脸容虽然并不出众，但是露出坚信。诚挚的神态……好一个来自遥远的圣经时代。长达六千年之久的世界里的人物……虔诚地把她的一切思念都引向她想象中的那个宝座，这时她在心中仿佛看见坐在宝座上的，正是那个活灵活现的上帝，及其活灵活现而又伟大的心灵和躯体……她的创世主。每隔一刻钟，每隔半个钟头，她就做祷告，祈求上帝给予她力量和智慧，启迪她了解清楚她的儿子到底是无辜，还是有罪……要是无辜的话，那就祈求上帝让他。她自己和他们俩所有的亲人不再受到五内俱裂的痛苦。如果说有罪的话，那就祈求上帝启示她该怎么办?

她该怎样忍受这一切，而克莱德又该怎样从永恒的灵魂里洗涤掉他所做过的骇人的罪孽……如果可能的话，让他涤尽心灵上的邪恶，成为道德上清白的人，重新站到至高无上的主跟前。

"您是全能的，啊，上帝，没有什么人比得上您。看啊，您一切都做得到。

由于您的眷爱就有了生命。显示您的仁慈吧，啊，上帝。他的罪虽象朱红，必变成雪白。他的罪虽红如丹颜，必白如羊毛。

"(参见《圣经。旧约。以赛亚书》

第１章第１８节。)可是，在她身上……也是正当她在祈祷的时候……就具有夏娃对于夏娃女儿们的那种睿智。据说被克莱德害死的那个姑娘……她是怎么样的呢?

难道说她不是也犯了罪吗?

难道说她年纪不是比克莱德还要大吗?

报刊上都是这么说的。罗伯达那些信，她仔细地。一行一行地看过了;凄惨动人之处使她非常感动，并对奥尔登一家人遭到的不幸深为悲恸。尽管如此，作为一个具有创世之初夏娃的睿智的母亲和女人，她知道当时罗伯达自己一定赞同了的……她的诱惑也一定助长了她儿子的意志薄弱和道德堕落。一个坚强。善良的姑娘怎么也不会赞同的……断断乎不能赞同的。在传道馆里，在街头祈祷会上，象这一类的忏悔，她不知道听过多少回了。难道不该替克莱德申辩说，正如伊甸园里浑沌初开时那样……"这个女人引诱了我?

"确实是这样……而由于这个原因……"他的慈爱永远长存，"(引自《圣经。旧约。耶利米书》第３３章第１１节。)她援引了《圣经》里的话。如果他的慈爱永远长存……难道说克莱德母亲对儿子的慈爱就应该少一些吗?

"你们若有信心象一粒芥菜种，"(引自《圣经。新约。马太福音》第１７章第２０节。)她援引了《圣经》里的话，自言自语道……随后，她冲一些死乞白赖地缠住她的记者找补着说:

"我的儿子果真害死了她吗?

这是最重要的问题。在我们创世主的心目中，唯有这件事才最重要。"她两眼望着这些世故很深。铁石心肠的年轻记者们，相信她的上帝会使他们心明眼亮的。尽管如此，他们对她那种诚挚和信仰留下了很深的印象。"陪审团认定他有罪也好，还是无罪也好，这在掌心里捏着星星的他看起来，都是无关紧要的。陪审团的判决，只是对凡夫俗子的判决。这是尘世间的俗事。我看过他的辩护律师的申诉。我儿子亲自给我写信说他无罪。我相信我的儿子。我深信他是无辜的。"这时，阿萨正在这个房间的另一个角落里，几乎一言不发。他对生活现实不了解，他对情欲那种强烈的诱发力也不懂得。因此，他对眼前所发生的这件事的意义，哪怕是它的十分之一，也领会不了。他说过，他从来就不了解克莱德，不管是他的缺点也好，还是他狂热的想象力也好。所以，他觉得还是不去谈论他为好。

"不过，"格里菲思太太继续说，"克莱德对罗伯达。奥尔登造的孽，我从来没有包庇过。他做了错事，但是她也做了错事，因为她并没有抗拒他。不论是谁造的孽，绝对不能妥协。对于她亲爱的父母遭受莫大痛苦，心儿淌着血，我是衷心表示同情和热爱，可是，我们不能不看到，这个罪孽是他们两人一块造成的。这一点应该让全世界知道，并且据此作出判断来。这样说法并不是我存心包庇他，"这句话她又重复念叨了一遍。"本来他早该记住年幼时所受到的教导。

"说到这里，她的嘴唇紧紧闭住，露出伤心而又多少有一点自我责备的神色。"不过，她的那些信我也读过。我觉得，要不是有这些信，检察官就说不上有什么真正的论据来指控我的儿子。他就是利用这些信，去影响陪审团的情绪。"她站了起来，象受过烈火炙烤似的，突然激情迸发，嚷了起来:

"不过，他是我的儿呀!

他刚听到给自己定了罪。我非得想一想，作为母亲该怎样帮助他，不管我对他造的孽有怎样的看法。"说罢，她紧攥着两手。甚至这些记者也都被她的巨大痛苦所感动了。"我非去他那儿不可!

我早就该去啦。现在我明白了。"她沉吟不语，发现她正在向这些群众的喉舌倾诉自己心头深处的痛苦。危难和恐惧，殊不知他们这些人压根儿不懂得，而且还无动于衷。

"有好些人觉得挺怪，"他们里头有一个人，年龄跟克莱德相仿，虽然挺能干，但是心肠很硬的年轻人插嘴说，"为什么审判的时候你没有出庭。你没有这笔钱去吧?

""是的，我没有钱，"她干脆利索回答说。"反正是钱不够吧。除此以外，他们关照我不要去，说他们用不着我去。不过，现在啊……现在我不管怎么办，非去不可……现在我非得寻摸个办法不可。"她便走向一张破烂的小桌子……它就是这房间里稀稀落落的。褪了色的陈设之一。"小伙子们，你们现在要进城去，"她说。"你们哪一位替我把这个电报发出去?

钱我就交给你们。""当然罗!

"原先向她最不策略地提问的那个人大声嚷道。"把电报给我。你用不着交钱。我让报社给发出去。"他暗自寻思，不妨把这个电报改写成一条新闻消息，或是把它干脆写进去，作为他对格里菲思太太的访问记的一部分。

她坐在那张黄色的油漆早已剥落的小桌子旁，找来一小本拍纸簿和一支笔，写道:

"克莱德……虔信上帝。他是无所不能的。立即提出上诉。念赞美诗第五十一篇。复审将证明是你无辜的。我们马上就到。父母。""恐怕还是把钱给你的好，"她忐忑不安地找补着说，暗自纳闷，一是让报社出钱发电报究竟好不好，二是又不知道克莱德的伯父肯不肯承担上诉的费用。

也许要花很多的钱。稍后，她又添了一句说:

"电报相当长呗。""哦，这你可不用担心!

"那三个人里头的另一个人大声说道。此人恨不得看到电报的内容。"你想写什么就写什么。电报由我们拍发就得了。""我也要抄一份呀，"那第三个人眼看着第一个记者正把电报掖进口袋，就用尖锐而又毫不客气的口气说。"这可不是什么私人电报。我非要从你那里，或是从她那里抄一份不可……马上就抄!

"第一个人听了以后，为了免得出丑闻(对此，格里菲思太太尽管反应慢些，也开始觉察到了)便把电报从口袋里掏出来，交给另外几位，于是他们马上抄了一份。

与此同时，有人就上诉是不是妥当和要花钱一事征询过在莱柯格斯的格里菲思一家人，现已表明他们并不认为好象应该提出上诉的(无论如何也不负担上诉费用)，反正他们对这个问题毫无兴趣。这一切给他们带来多大苦恼，如果说不是在商业上，而是在社会地位上……对他们该有多大打击!

每小时……真的都象是在各各他!

(《圣经》地名，耶稣被钉死在十字架上的殉难处。)由于如此彰明昭著地公开揭示了这是由他们的血亲蓄意策划的骇人罪行，贝拉和她在上流社会里的前途，更不用说吉尔伯特和他在上流社会里的前途，全都彻底被断送了!

塞缪尔。格里菲思和他的妻子当时做了一件好事，仅仅是出于善良的意愿，尽管看起来既不实在，也没有什么意义，到头来却被这一剧变折磨得够呛。他漫长的一生中踏踏实实奋斗的经验告诉过他:

把感情和做生意掺和在一起，岂不是很荒唐吗?

他在遇见克莱德以前，不管做什么事，决不让自己感情用事的。可是，他暗自寻思当初父亲亏待了小兄弟，仅仅这一念之差却招来了眼前灾祸!

眼前这一场灾祸!

他的妻子和女儿无可奈何，只好从度过他们最欢乐的岁月的安适的家园搬走，过着流亡异乡的生活……也许永远地……住在波士顿近郊或是别的什么地方……永远饱受周围人们那种同情而又讨厌的眼色!

自从这一剧变发生以来，他自己几乎动不动就跟吉尔伯特商量，要不要采用股份的形式让企业跟莱柯格斯或是外地厂家合并……要不然，就把公司(不是逐步地，而是力求很快地)迁往罗切斯特，或是布法罗，或是波士顿，或是布洛克林，在那里也许设立一个总厂。若要摆脱这一丑事，他们只有离开莱柯格斯，把他们在这里心爱的一切通通给扔掉。他们的生活又得从头开始……至少在上流社会里要重新树立自己的地位。这对他本人，对他的妻子，本来算不上什么……反正他们一辈子差不多都过去了。可是贝拉。吉尔伯特。麦拉，叫他们怎样在别的什么地方重新树立他们的好名声呢?

因此，远在审判结束以前，塞缪尔。格里菲思和吉尔伯特。格里菲思就决定将领子衬衫工厂迁往南波士顿。在那里，也许他们可以不露头角地待下去，一直要到这次灾祸和耻辱好歹被人淡忘了为止。

所以，继续帮助克莱德一事，已被断然拒绝了。贝尔纳普和杰夫森只好坐下来一起商量对策。显然，他们的时间历来非常宝贵……在这以前，他们在布里奇伯格办案都挺顺手，总是稳操胜券……但因克莱德一案特别要紧，许多事情都被搁了下来，尚待他们日后处置。这两位律师相信，无论从个人收益考虑，或是纯粹出于慈悲心，既不允许，也不需要他们在再也不给酬劳的情况下继续帮助克莱德。事实上，他们知道，本案倘要上诉，其费用不用说非常可观。法庭的案卷多得有如山积了。要搞成很多案情摘要，抄起来挺费钱，而政府给的补贴却又少得可怜。不过，杰夫森又说，如果认为西部的格里菲思家压根儿一点办法都没有，这也未免太傻了。听说，他们不是长年累月一直从事宗教和慈善事业吗?

只要把克莱德目前所处的够惨的窘境给他们一指出来，不是他们就可以通过各种各样呼吁人们帮助的方式，至少能敛到一笔钱，足够应付上诉时种种实际开支吗?

是的，当然罗，直到目前为止，他们还没有帮助过克莱德，不过，那是因为当初关照过他母亲，说用不着她去的。可现在……又是另一回事了。

"最好打电报叫她来，"杰夫森挺老练地提议说。"我们只要说她正要上这儿来，那就可以使奥伯沃泽把宣判往后推迟到十日。反正一开头，我们就请她务必来这儿;要是她说来不了，到了那时候，我们再考虑钱的问题。不过，路费想来她总可以敛到吧，说不定上诉费用的一部分也还能敛到哩。"于是，马上就给格里菲思太太拍了一个电报，另外还寄去一封信，说他们虽然至今对克莱德一点没有提起过，不过，莱柯格斯的亲戚已经表示今后再也不给他任何帮助了。再说，最迟到十日，他就要被宣判了。为了让克莱德心境宁静起见，亲属方面必须有个把人……最好是她母亲本人……出庭。此外还提到要设法把上诉费用张罗好，哪怕是对这笔费用有个保证也好。

于是，格里菲思太太就两膝跪下，祈祷她的上帝帮助她。现在，他必须让他那无所不能的巨掌……他那永远不变的仁慈都给显示出来。必须从某个地方获得启示和帮助……要不然，叫她怎能敛到这一笔路费呢?

更不用提为克莱德筹措上诉的费用了。

不过，当她两膝跪下祈祷的时候，脑际突然掠过一个闪念。各报刊记者老是找她采访。他们到处盯她的梢。为什么她没有赶去救她儿子呢?

她对这一点有什么想法?

而对那一点又有什么想法?

这时，她暗自思忖着:

原先老是急于采访她的那几家大报，她为什么不可以去找一找其中某报编辑，告诉他们，说她目前的急难该有多大。如果他们可以帮助她，好让她能够在她儿子被宣判的那一天及时赶到他身边，那末，她，他的母亲，愿意把当时的情况写成报道寄给他。

这些报社到处……甚至连这次开庭……都派出了记者……她是从报刊上看到的。那末，为什么就不可以也派她……克莱德的母亲去呢?

难道是她不会说，也不会写吗?

不知道有多少布道的稿子不就是她自己写的吗?

于是，她就站了起来……不过两膝马上又下跪:

"你已经回答我了，啊，我的上帝!

"她大声喊道。稍后，她又站了起来，取出自己的棕色旧外套和极其普通。

垂着丝带的棕色女帽……是照传道士服饰做的……马上动身前往一家最大的。

也是最有影响的报社去。因为她儿子在受审期间已出了名，她马上就给直接领去见总编辑了。总编辑对她这位特殊来访者极感兴趣，并且满怀尊敬和同情仔细听她一一诉说。他很了解她的处境，并且觉得他们报社一定对此也很关注。

他走了出去，不一会儿又回来了。该报准备雇用她作为特派记者，期限是三个星期，以后再听通知。她的往返旅费可向报社报销。同时派给她一名助手，总编辑准备马上让她去见一见。凡是有关她的通讯稿如何准备，以及如何拍发等问题，助手都会关照她的。总编辑还给了她一些现款。她要是愿意，甚至今晚就可以动身……越快越好。动身前，报社很想给她拍一两张照片。殊不知总编辑把这一切向她交代的时候，突然发现她两眼闭上，脑袋往后仰着。这是她在感谢上帝就这样直接回答了她的祈求。
 
Part 3 Chapter 28
Bridgeburg and a slow train that set down a tired, distrait woman at its depot after midnight on the eighth ofDecember. Bitter cold and bright stars. A lone depot assistant who on inquiry directed her to the BridgeburgCentral House--straight up the street which now faced her, then two blocks to her left after she reached thesecond street. The sleepy night clerk of the Central House providing her instantly with a room and, once he knewwho she was, directing her to the county jail. But she deciding after due rumination that now was not the hour.
　　He might be sleeping. She would go to bed and rise early in the morning. She had sent him various telegrams. Heknew that she was coming.
　　But as early as seven in the morning, rising, and by eight appearing at the jail, letters, telegrams and credentialsin hand. And the jail officials, after examining the letters she carried and being convinced of her identity,notifying Clyde of her presence. And he, depressed and forlorn, on hearing this news, welcoming the thought ofher as much as at first he had dreaded her coming. For now things were different. All the long grim story hadbeen told. And because of the plausible explanation which Jephson had provided him, he could face her perhapsand say without a quaver that it was true--that he had not plotted to kill Roberta--that he had not willingly left herto die in the water. And then hurrying down to the visitor's room, where, by the courtesy of Slack, he waspermitted to talk with his mother alone.
　　On seeing her rise at his entrance, and hurrying to her, his troubled intricate soul not a little dubious, yetconfident also that it was to find sanctuary, sympathy, help, perhaps--and that without criticism--in her heart.
　　And exclaiming with difficulty, as a lump thickened in his throat: "Gee, Ma! I'm glad you've come." But she toomoved for words--her condemned boy in her arms--merely drawing his head to her shoulder and then lookingup. The Lord God had vouchsafed her this much. Why not more? The ultimate freedom of her son--or if not that,at least a new trial--a fair consideration of the evidence in his favor which had not been had yet, of course. Andso they stood for several moments.
　　Then news of home, the reason for her presence, her duty as a correspondent to interview him--later to appearwith him in court at the hour of his sentence--a situation over which Clyde winced. Yet now, as he heard fromher, his future was likely to depend on her efforts alone. The Lycurgus Griffiths, for reasons of their own, haddecided not to aid him further. But she--if she were but able to face the world with a sound claim--might still aidhim. Had not the Lord aided her thus far? Yet to face the world and the Lord with her just one plea she mustknow from him--now--the truth as to whether he had intentionally or unintentionally struck Roberta--whetherintentionally or unintentionally he had left her to die. She had read the evidence and his letters and had noted allthe defects in his testimony. But were those things as contended by Mason true or false?
　　Clyde, now as always overawed and thrown back on himself by that uncompromising and shameless honestywhich he had never been able quite to comprehend in her, announced, with all the firmness that he couldmuster--yet with a secret quavering chill in his heart--that he had sworn to the truth. He had not done thosethings with which he had been charged. He had not. But, alas, as she now said to herself, on observing him, whatwas that about his eyes--a faint flicker perhaps. He was not so sure--as self-convinced and definite as she hadhoped--as she had prayed he would be. No, no, there was something in his manner, his words, as he spoke--afaint recessive intonation, a sense of something troubled, dubious, perhaps, which quite froze her now.
　　He was not positive enough. And so he might have plotted, in part at least, as she had feared at first, when shehad first heard of this--might have even struck her on that lone, secret lake!--who could tell? (the searing,destroying power of such a thought as that). And that in the face of all his testimony to the contrary.
　　But "Jehovah, jirah, Thou wilt not require of a mother, in her own and her son's darkest hour, that she doubthim,--make sure his death through her own lack of faith? Oh, no--Thou wilt not. O Lamb of God, Thou wilt not!"She turned; she bruised under her heel the scaly head of this dark suspicion--as terrifying to her as his guilt wasto him. "O Absalom, my Absalom!" Come, come, we will not entertain such a thought. God himself would noturge it upon a mother. Was he not here--her son--before her, declaring firmly that he had not done this thing. Shemust believe--she would believe him utterly. She would--and did--whatever fiend of doubt might still remainlocked in the lowest dungeon of her miserable heart. Come, come, the public should know how she felt. She andher son would find a way. He must believe and pray. Did he have a Bible? Did he read it? And Clyde havingbeen long since provided with a Bible by a prison worker, assured her that he had and did read it.
　　But now she must go first to see his lawyers, next to file her dispatch, after which she would return. But once outon the street being immediately set upon by several reporters and eagerly questioned as to the meaning of herpresence here. Did she believe in her son's innocence? Did she or did she not think that he had had a fair trial?
　　Why had she not come on before? And Mrs. Griffiths, in her direct and earnest and motherly way, taking theminto her confidence and telling how as well as why she came to be here, also why she had not come before.
　　But now that she was here she hoped to stay. The Lord would provide the means for the salvation of her son, ofwhose innocence she was convinced. Would they not ask God to help her? Would they not pray for her success?
　　And with the several reporters not a little moved and impressed, assuring her that they would, of course, andthereafter describing her to the world at large as she was--middle-aged, homely, religious, determined, sincereand earnest and with a moving faith in the innocence of her boy.
　　But the Griffiths of Lycurgus, on hearing this, resenting her coming as one more blow. And Clyde, in his cell, onreading of it later, somewhat shocked by the gross publicity now attending everything in connection with him,yet, because of his mother's presence, resigned and after a time almost happy. Whatever her faults or defects,after all she was his mother, wasn't she? And she had come to his aid. Let the public think what it would. Was henot in the shadow of death and she at least had not deserted him. And with this, her suddenly manifested skill inconnecting herself in this way with a Denver paper, to praise her for.
　　She had never done anything like this before. And who knew but that possibly, and even in the face of her direpoverty now, she might still be able to solve this matter of a new trial for him and to save his life? Who knew?
　　And yet how much and how indifferently he had sinned against her! Oh, how much. And still here she was--his mother still anxious and tortured and yet loving and seeking to save his life by writing up his own conviction fora western paper. No longer did the shabby coat and the outlandish hat and the broad, immobile face andsomewhat stolid and crude gestures seem the racking and disturbing things they had so little time since. She washis mother and she loved him, and believed in him and was struggling to save him.
　　On the other hand Belknap and Jephson on first encountering her were by no means so much impressed. Forsome reason they had not anticipated so crude and unlettered and yet convinced a figure. The wide, flat shoes.
　　The queer hat. The old brown coat. Yet somehow, after a few moments, arrested by her earnestness and faith andlove for her son and her fixed, inquiring, and humanly clean and pure blue eyes in which dwelt immaterialconviction and sacrifice with no shadow of turning.
　　Did they personally think her son innocent? She must know that first. Or did they secretly believe that he wasguilty? She had been so tortured by all the contradictory evidence. God had laid a heavy cross upon her and hers.
　　Nevertheless, Blessed be His name! And both, seeing and feeling her great concern, were quick to assure her thatthey were convinced of Clyde's innocence. If he were executed for this alleged crime it would be a travesty onjustice.
　　Yet both, now that they saw her, troubled as to the source of any further funds, her method of getting here, whichshe now explained, indicating that she had nothing. And an appeal sure to cost not less than two thousand. AndMrs. Griffiths, after an hour in their presence, in which they made clear to her the basic cost of an appeal-coveringbriefs to be prepared, arguments, trips to be made--asserting repeatedly that she did not quite see howshe was to do. Then suddenly, and to them somewhat inconsequentially, yet movingly and dramatically,exclaiming: "The Lord will not desert me. I know it. He has declared himself unto me. It was His voice there inDenver that directed me to that paper. And now that I am here, I will trust Him and He will guide me."But Belknap and Jephson merely looking at one another in unconvinced and pagan astonishment. Such faith! Anexhorter! An Evangelist, no less! Yet to Jephson, here was an idea! There was the religious element to bereckoned with everywhere--strong in its agreement with just such faith. Assuming the Griffiths of Lycurgus toremain obdurate and unmoved--why then--why then--and now that she was here--there were the churches and thereligious people generally. Might it not be possible, with such a temperament and such faith as this, to appeal tothe very element that had hitherto most condemned Clyde and made his conviction a certainty, for fundswherewith to carry this case to the court of appeals? This lorn mother. Her faith in her boy.
　　Presto!
　　A lecture, at so much for admission, and in which, hard-pressed as she was and could show, she would set forththe righteousness of her boy's claim--seek to obtain the sympathy of the prejudiced public and incidentally twothousand dollars or more with which this appeal could be conducted.
　　And now Jephson, turning to her and laying the matter before her and offering to prepare a lecture or notes--acondensation of his various arguments--in fact, an entire lecture which she could re-arrange and present as shechose--all the data which was the ultimate, basic truth in regard to her son. And she, her brown cheeks flushingand her eyes brightening, agreeing she would do it. She would try. She could do no less than try. Verily, verily,was not this the Voice and Hand of God in the darkest hour of her tribulation?
　　On the following morning Clyde was arraigned for sentence, with Mrs. Griffiths given a seat near him andseeking, paper and pencil in hand, to make notes of, for her, an unutterable scene, while a large crowd surveyedher. His own mother! And acting as a reporter! Something absurd, grotesque, insensitive, even ludicrous, aboutsuch a family and such a scene. And to think the Griffiths of Lycurgus should be so immediately related to them.
　　Yet Clyde sustained and heartened by her presence. For had she not returned to the jail the previous afternoonwith her plan? And as soon as this was over--whatever the sentence might be--she would begin with her work.
　　And so, and that almost in spite of himself, in his darkest hour, standing up before Justice Oberwaltzer andlistening first to a brief recital of his charge and trial (which was pronounced by Oberwaltzer to have been fairand impartial), then to the customary: "Have you any cause which shows why the judgment of death should notnow be pronounced against you according to law?"--to which and to the astonishment of his mother and theauditors (if not Jephson, who had advised and urged him so to do), Clyde now in a clear and firm voice replied:
　　"I am innocent of the crime as charged in the indictment. I never killed Roberta Alden and therefore I think thissentence should not be passed."And then staring straight before him conscious only of the look of admiration and love turned on him by hismother. For had not her son now declared himself, here at this fatal moment, before all these people? And hisword here, if not in that jail, would be true, would it not? Then her son was not guilty. He was not. He was not.
　　Praised be the name of the Lord in the highest. And deciding to make a great point of this in her dispatch--so asto get it in all the papers, and in her lecture afterwards.
　　However, Oberwaltzer, without the faintest sign of surprise or perturbation, now continued: "Is there anythingelse you care to say?""No," replied Clyde, after a moment's hesitation.
　　"Clyde Griffiths," then concluded Oberwaltzer, "the judgment of the Court is that you, Clyde Griffiths, for themurder in the first degree of one, Roberta Alden, whereof you are convicted, be, and you are hereby sentenced tothe punishment of death; and it is ordered that, within ten days after this day's session of Court, the Sheriff of thiscounty of Cataraqui deliver you, together with the warrant of this Court, to the Agent and Warden of the StatePrison of the State of New York at Auburn, where you shall be kept in solitary confinement until the weekbeginning Monday the 28th day of January, 19--, and, upon some day within the week so appointed, the saidAgent and Warden of the State Prison of the State of New York at Auburn is commended to do execution uponyou, Clyde Griffiths, in the mode and manner prescribed by the laws of the State of New York."And that done, a smile from Mrs. Griffiths to her boy and an answering smile from Clyde to her. For since hehad announced that he was not guilty--HERE--her spirit had risen in the face of this sentence. He was reallyinnocent,--he must be, since he had declared it here. And Clyde because of her smile saying to himself, hismother believed in him now. She had not been swayed by all the evidence against him. And this faith, mistaken or not, was now so sustaining--so needed. What he had just said was true as he now saw it. He had not struckRoberta. That WAS true. And therefore he was not guilty. Yet Kraut and Slack were once more seizing him andescorting him to the cell.
　　Immediately thereafter his mother seating herself at a press table proceeded to explain to contiguous pressrepresentatives now curiously gathering about her: "You mustn't think too badly of me, you gentlemen of thepapers. I don't know much about this but it is the only way I could think of to be with my boy. I couldn't havecome otherwise." And then one lanky correspondent stepping up to say: "Don't worry, mother. Is there any way Ican help you? Want me to straighten out what you want to say? I'll be glad to." And then sitting down beside herand proceeding to help her arrange her impressions in the form in which he assumed her Denver paper might likethem. And others as well offering to do anything they could--and all greatly moved.
　　Two days later, the proper commitment papers having been prepared and his mother notified of the change butnot permitted to accompany him, Clyde was removed to Auburn, the Western penitentiary of the State of NewYork, where in the "death house" or "Murderers' Row," as it was called--as gloomy and torturesome an infernoas one could imagine any human compelled to endure--a combination of some twenty-two cells on two separatelevels--he was to be restrained until ordered retried or executed.
　　Yet as he traveled from Bridgeburg to this place, impressive crowds at every station--young and old--men,women and children--all seeking a glimpse of the astonishingly youthly slayer. And girls and women, under theguise of kindly interest, but which, at best, spelled little more than a desire to achieve a facile intimacy with thisdaring and romantic, if unfortunate figure, throwing him a flower here and there and calling to him gayly andloudly as the train moved out from one station or another:
　　"Hello, Clyde! Hope to see you soon again. Don't stay too long down there." "If you take an appeal, you're sureto be acquitted. We hope so, anyhow."And with Clyde not a little astonished and later even heartened by this seemingly favorable discrepancy betweenthe attitude of the crowds in Bridgeburg and this sudden, morbid, feverish and even hectic curiosity here, bowingand smiling and even waving with his hand. Yet thinking, none the less, "I am on the way to the death house andthey can be so friendly. It is a wonder they dare." And with Kraut and Sissel, his guards, because of thedistinction and notoriety of being both his captors and jailors, as well also because of these unusual attentionsfrom passengers on the train and individuals in these throngs without being themselves flattered and ennobled.
　　But after this one brief colorful flight in the open since his arrest, past these waiting throngs and over wintersunlit fields and hills of snow that reminded him of Lycurgus, Sondra, Roberta, and all that he had sokaleidoscopically and fatally known in the twenty months just past, the gray and restraining walls of Auburnitself--with, once he was presented to a clerk in the warden's office and his name and crime entered in thebooks--himself assigned to two assistants, who saw to it that he was given a prison bath and hair cut--all thewavy, black hair he so much admired cut away--a prison-striped uniform and hideous cap of the same material,prison underwear and heavy gray felt shoes to quiet the restless prison tread in which in time he might indulge,together with the number, 77221.
　　And so accoutered, immediately transferred to the death house proper, where in a cell on the ground floor he was now locked--a squarish light clean space, eight by ten feet in size and fitted with sanitary plumbing as well as acot bed, a table, a chair and a small rack for books. And here then, while he barely sensed that there were othercells about him--ranging up and down a wide hall--he first stood--and then seated himself--now no longerbuoyed by the more intimate and sociable life of the jail at Bridgeburg--or those strange throngs and scenes thathad punctuated his trip here.
　　The hectic tensity and misery of these hours! That sentence to die; that trip with all those people calling to him;that cutting of his hair downstairs in that prison barber shop--and by a convict; the suit and underwear that wasnow his and that he now had on. There was no mirror here--or anywhere,--but no matter--he could feel how helooked. This baggy coat and trousers and this striped cap. He threw it hopelessly to the floor. For but an hourbefore he had been clothed in a decent suit and shirt and tie and shoes, and his appearance had been neat andpleasing as he himself had thought as he left Bridgeburg. But now--how must he look? And to-morrow hismother would be coming--and later Jephson or Belknap, maybe. God!
　　But worse--there, in that cell directly opposite him, a sallow and emaciated and sinister-looking Chinaman in asuit exactly like his own, who had come to the bars of his door and was looking at him out of inscrutable slanteyes, but as immediately turning and scratching himself--vermin, maybe, as Clyde immediately feared. Therehad been bedbugs at Bridgeburg.
　　A Chinese murderer. For was not this the death house? But as good as himself here. And with a garb like hisown. Thank God visitors were probably not many. He had heard from his mother that scarcely any wereallowed--that only she and Belknap and Jephson and any minister he chose might come once a week. But nowthese hard, white-painted walls brightly lighted by wide unobstructed skylights by day and as he could see--byincandescent lamps in the hall without at night--yet all so different from Bridgeburg,--so much more bright orharsh illuminatively. For there, the jail being old, the walls were a gray-brown, and not very clean--the cellslarger, the furnishings more numerous--a table with a cloth on it at times, books, papers, a chess-and checkerboard--whereas here--here was nothing, these hard narrow walls--the iron bars rising to a heavy solid ceilingabove--and that very, very heavy iron door which yet--like the one at Bridgeburg, had a small hole throughwhich food would be passed, of course.
　　But just then a voice from somewhere:
　　"Hey! we got a new one wid us, fellers! Ground tier, second cell, east." And then a second voice: "You don't say.
　　Wot's he like?" And a third: "Wot's yer name, new man? Don't be scared. You ain't no worse off than the rest ofus." And then the first voice, answering number two: "Kinda tall and skinny. A kid. Looks a little like mamma'sboy, but not bad at dat. Hey, you! Tell us your name!"And Clyde, amazed and dumb and pondering. For how was one to take such an introduction as this? What tosay--what to do? Should he be friendly with these men? Yet, his instinct for tact prompting him even here toreply, most courteously and promptly: "Clyde Griffiths." And one of the first voices continuing: "Oh, sure! Weknow who you are. Welcome, Griffiths. We ain't as bad as we sound. We been readin' a lot about you, up dere inBridgeburg. We thought you'd be along pretty soon now." And another voice: "You don't want to be too down. Itain't so worse here. At least de place is all right--a roof over your head, as dey say." And then a laugh fromsomewhere.
　　But Clyde, too horrified and sickened for words, was sadly gazing at the walls and door, then over at theChinaman, who, silent at his door, was once more gazing at him. Horrible! Horrible! And they talked to eachother like that, and to a stranger among them so familiarly. No thought for his wretchedness, his strangeness, histimidity--the horror he must be suffering. But why should a murderer seem timid to any one, perhaps, ormiserable? Worst of all they had been speculating HERE as to how long it would be before he would be alongwhich meant that everything concerning him was known here. Would they nag--or bully--or make trouble forone unless one did just as they wished? If Sondra, or any one of all the people he had known, should see or evendream of him as he was here now . . . God!--And his own mother was coming to-morrow.
　　And then an hour later, now evening, a tall, cadaverous guard in a more pleasing uniform, putting an iron traywith food on it through that hole in the door. Food! And for him here. And that sallow, rickety Chinaman overthe way taking his. Whom had he murdered? How? And then the savage scraping of iron trays in the variouscells! Sounds that reminded him more of hungry animals being fed than men. And some of these men wereactually talking as they ate and scraped. It sickened him.
　　"Gee! It's a wonder them guys in the mush gallery couldn't think of somepin else besides cold beans and friedpotatoes and coffee.""The coffee tonight . . . oh, boy! . . . Now in the jail at Buffalo--though . . .""Oh, cut it out," came from another corner. "We've heard enough about the jail at Buffalo and your swell chow.
　　You don't show any afternoon tea appetite around here, I notice.""Just the same," continued the first voice, "as I look back on't now, it musta been pretty good. Dat's a way itseems, anyhow, now.""Oh, Rafferty, do let up," called still another.
　　And then, presumably "Rafferty" once more, who said: "Now, I'll just take a little siesta after dis--and den I'll callme chauffeur and go for a little spin. De air to-night must be fine."Then from still another hoarse voice: "Oh, you with your sick imagination. Say, I'd give me life for a smoker.
　　And den a good game of cards.""Do they play cards here?" thought Clyde.
　　"I suppose since Rosenstein was defeated for mayor here he won't play.""Won't he, though?" This presumably from Rosenstein.
　　To Clyde's left, in the cell next to him, a voice, to a passing guard, low and yet distinctly audible: "Psst! Anyword from Albany yet?""No word, Herman.""And no letter, I suppose.""No letter."The voice was very strained, very tense, very miserable, and after this, silence.
　　A moment later, from another cell farther off, a voice from the lowest hell to which a soul can descend--completeand unutterable despair--"Oh, my God! Oh, my God! Oh, my God!"And then from the tier above another voice: "Oh, Jesus! Is that farmer going to begin again? I can't stand it.
　　Guard! Guard! Can't you get some dope for that guy?"Once more the voice from the lowest: "Oh, my God! Oh, my God! Oh, my God!"Clyde was up, his fingers clinched. His nerves were as taut as cords about to snap. A murderer! And about to die,perhaps. Or grieving over some terrible thing like his own fate. Moaning--as he in spirit at least had so oftenmoaned there in Bridgeburg. Crying like that! God! And there must be others!
　　And day after day and night after night more of this, no doubt, until, maybe--who could tell--unless. But, oh, no!
　　Oh, no! Not himself--not that--not his day. Oh, no. A whole year must elapse before that could possibly happen-orso Jephson had said. Maybe two. But, at that--! . . . in two years!!! He found himself stricken with an aguebecause of the thought that even in so brief a time as two years. . . .
　　That other room! It was in here somewhere too. This room was connected with it. He knew that. There was adoor. It led to that chair. THAT CHAIR.
　　And then the voice again, as before, "Oh, my God! Oh, my God!"He sank to his couch and covered his ears with his hands.

十二月八日午夜过后，一列缓缓行驶的火车，把一位疲惫不堪。精神恍惚的女人送到了布里奇伯格车站。寒气袭人，群星灿烂。站上一个孤零零的值班员在回答她的询问时，给她指出了到布里奇伯格中央旅馆去的方向……沿着她面前这条街一直走，到第二条街口往左拐，再走过两个街区就到。中央旅馆一个很想打盹儿的值夜班职员，马上给她开了一个房间;而且，一知道她的身份，就赶紧指点她到本县监狱去的路径。不过，她又转念一想，觉得现在这个时间不合适。也许他正在睡觉。于是，她先睡了，等天一亮就起身。反正她已经给他拍过好几个电报了。他知道她肯定会来的。

转天清晨七点钟，她就起身了，八点钟手里持有信件。电报和证明文件来到了监狱。监狱官员们查看过她持有的信件，验明了她的身份以后，就派人通知克莱德说他母亲来了。这时，他正心灰意懒，绝望透顶，一听到这个消息，想到要跟母亲晤面，心里就很高兴，尽管开头的时候他对她的来到怕得要死。

因为，如今情况已经大变了。所有这些冗长。骇人的事实经过，几乎已是尽人皆知了。此外还有杰夫森给他编造的那一套好象很有道理的说法，现在也许他敢于面对母亲，毫不迟疑地把真相告诉她，说:

……他既不是蓄意害死罗伯达的，也没有存心让她淹死。接着，他就赶紧朝来访者接待室走去。承蒙斯拉克的特许，他可以在那里单独跟他母亲晤谈。

一进门他就看见母亲迎面站了起来，便冲她急奔过去。他心里乱成一团，而又疑虑重重，但他又深信，他可以在她心中找到庇护。同情。也许还有帮助，而且不会遭到非难。他好象嗓子眼被哽住了似的，拚命使劲才喊了一声:

"啊，妈妈!

你来了，我可高兴极了。"不过，她也太激动了，连话儿都说不出来……她只是把她这个被定了罪的孩子紧搂在自己怀里……让他的头搁在自己肩头上。随后，她才抬头仰望苍天。主已经给了她这么多的恩惠。为什么不多给一些呢?

让她的儿子最后获释……哪怕至少也得进行复审……把所有一切有利于他的证据公正地加以检验一番(当然罗，过去法庭上一直还没有这么做)。他们母子俩就这样纹丝不动，伫立了一会儿。

随后，讲到有关家里的消息……宣判时还得跟他一起出庭……克莱德一听了这些话就打了个寒颤。反正现在他听她说，他的命运大概全得靠她孤身拚搏了。莱柯格斯的格里菲思家，为了他们自己着想，已经决定再也不帮助他了。

不过她呀……要是她能面向全世界发出正义呼吁……也许还能拯救他。主不是一直在保佑她吗?

不过，为了能向全世界以及主发出她正义的呼吁，此时此地他必须向她说明真相……马上就说明……他究竟是故意还是无意之中砸了罗伯达……他究竟是故意还是无意之中让她淹死了。那些证据，还有他寄来的信，她全看过了;连同他证词里所有纰漏，她也都觉察到了。不过，梅森所说的这些问题，究竟是真的还是假的呢?

克莱德对她这种绝不妥协。毫不留情的坦率性格，如同过去一样完全不能理解，但同时却又感到敬畏与羞愧。因此，他尽量表现得非常坚决……哪怕心里还是在暗中瑟缩……说他起誓以后所说的全都是真话。人家指控他的那些事情，他都没有干过。他可没有干过。可是，天哪，她仔细打量他时，心里却在思忖，他那眼睛里怎么会一闪一闪的……也是某种不可捉摸的阴影吧。他自己并不感到那么有信心……不象她所希望的那么自信，那么坚定……更不象她祈祷时希望他应该表现的那样。不，不，他的举止表现和言词里还有……一丁点儿支吾搪塞的腔调，一种困惑不安。也许是迟疑的色彩;一想到这些，她一下子浑身发冷了。

他表现还不够坚定。这么说来，他也许是故意的，至少是有一点儿……她头一次听到这个消息时所担心的正是这一点……他也许就在那个荒凉。冷僻的湖上砸了她!

谁能说得准呢?

(这一类的揣想，真让人五内俱裂啊。)而在他作过的所有证词里，他都说不是这么一回事。

可是，"耶和华啊，你是不允许做母亲的在她自己和她儿子最黑暗的时刻去怀疑自己的儿子，你是不允许由于母亲自己缺乏信心而肯定儿子被判死罪吧?

啊，不……你是不允许这样的。啊，耶稣基督呀，你是不允许这样的!

"她把脸扭过去，竭力消除自己鳞片似的额头上阴暗的疑虑的影子……她害怕这种疑虑，如同他害怕自己的罪行一般。"啊，押沙龙(押沙龙是《圣经。旧约》中一人物，大卫王之宠儿，后因反叛其父被杀，大卫闻讯后恸哭不已。见《圣经。旧约。撒母耳记下》。)，我的押沙龙!

得了，得了，我们可不该有这么一种念头呀。上帝也不会硬要一个做母亲的非有这念头不可呀。"他……她的儿子……不是就在这里，在她面前，坚称他没有干过这件事吗?

她应该相信他……而且她也会完全相信他。

她会相信……她也果真相信了……哪怕是在她可怜的心头深处，还躲藏着怀疑的魔鬼。得了，得了，广大公众应该知道她做母亲的对这一切是怎么想的呀。

她和她的儿子一定会寻摸到一条出路的。他应该坚信不移，虔心祈祷。他有没有《圣经》?

他念过没有?

监狱里一个职工早就把《圣经》给了克莱德。因此，他赶紧安慰她，说《圣经》他是有的，而且还念过哩。

不过现在，她必须先去找他的辩护律师谈谈，其次把她的头一篇通讯报道发出去，然后再回来。可是，她刚要往外走，好几位记者马上围住了她，急急乎问她上这里来有何打算?

她相信不相信她的儿子是无辜的?

她认为对她儿子的审判是很公正，还是不公正?

为什么她没有早点来?

格里菲思太太就以她常有的那种坦率。诚挚和母性的亲切感给他们说了心里话:

她是怎么来的，为什么要来，还有她为什么不能早点来。

不过现在她既然已经来了，希望自己不要马上就走。主一定会指点她去拯救她的儿子。她坚信他是无辜的。也许他们会祈求上帝来帮助她?

也许他们会祈求上帝让她马到成功?

有好几位记者非常激动，向她保证说他们当然会这么祈祷的。随后，他们还向千百万读者描述了她是怎么一个人:

一个中年妇女，相貌一般，虔信宗教，意志坚决，诚挚热忱，而且令人感动的是，她坚信她的儿子是无辜的。

不料，莱柯格斯的格里菲思家一听到这条消息，愤怒地认为:

她上这里来，对他们是又一次打击。后来，克莱德在牢房里看到这些报道，凡是有关他的事，现在都被大肆渲染，简直不堪入目，他颇受震惊。不过，既然他母亲来了，他心里也多少有些宽慰。过了半晌。他几乎觉得更加高兴。不管她有她的过错或是缺憾，但她毕竟是他的母亲，可不是吗?

何况她这是来拯救他的。让外界爱怎么想就怎么想得了。当死亡的阴影笼罩他头上的时候，母亲她至少并没有抛弃他。再加上她突然大显身手，让自己跟丹佛的一家报社建立这么一种关系，难道说不该大声赞美她吗。

在这以前，她从来没有做过这类事。现在即便是她已到了穷途末路，说不定还能替他解决复审的问题，救他一命哩。这事有谁说得准呢?

有谁说得准呢?

可是在过去，他却大大地得罪过她!

冷淡过她!

啊，这是多大的罪过啊!

不过，她到底还是赶到这里来了……他母亲依然是那么心焦火燎，那么饱受痛苦，还是那么满怀慈爱，为了拯救他的生命，准备给西部一家报社撰写有关他被判罪的详细报道。她那破烂的外套，奇形怪状的帽子，呆滞不动的大脸盘，以及有些呆头呆脑。粗鲁生硬的姿式，现在都没有象不久以前使克莱德恼羞成怒了。她毕竟是他的母亲;她疼爱他，信赖他，还为了营救他而拚搏着。

然而，贝尔纳普和杰夫森初次见到她的时候，印象却绝对没有这么深。不知怎的他们并没有料到会碰上这么一个粗鲁。文化不高，可又坚信不渝的人。

瞧她那双平底圆头鞋，那顶怪得出奇的帽子，还有那件破旧的棕色大衣。可是过了半晌，不知怎的让他们着了迷的，竟是她的那种恳切。虔信和慈爱，她的那一双清澈。纯洁的蓝眼睛里透出坚定。好问而富有人情味的神色，一望可知她心中充满了确信和奉献的决心，一丁点儿动摇的阴影也没有。

他们自己是不是认为她的儿子是无辜的?

这一点她首先要了解清楚。还是他们暗底里却相信他有罪?

所有那些相互矛盾的证据，已折磨得她够呛。上帝已把沉重的十字架得到她和她的亲人身上。不过还得颂扬他的名!

他们两人都了解到和感觉到她心焦如焚，就赶紧安慰她，说他们坚信克莱德是无辜的。要是他以莫须有的罪名被判处死刑，那对正义来说真是大大的歪曲了。

不过，现在他们两人跟她见面后最发愁的，却是对今后办案资金来源问题。

听了她说自己是怎样到布里奇伯格来的，显而易见，她是身无分文。而上诉的费用肯定不会少于两千美元。格里菲思太太跟他们谈了足足一个钟头;倘要上诉，他们向她详细地算了一笔帐，最起码包括给辩护律师必须准备的案情摘要抄件。

辩论提纲。必不可少的差旅费等等，而格里菲思太太只是一个劲儿重复说她可不知道该怎么办才好。稍后，她突然大声嚷嚷，在他们看来，简直可以说是前言不搭后语的，可是很动人，而又富于戏剧性，她说:

"主决不会抛弃我。这我可知道。他已经向我昭告了他的旨意。正是他的声音指点我到丹佛那家报社去的。

现在，我已经来到了这儿，我可要相信他，他一定会指引我的。"不料，贝尔纳普和杰夫森仅仅是面面相觑，露出异教徒的怀疑和惊诧神色。

如此相信那一套!

好象被鬼迷住了似的!

好一个不折不扣的福音传教士!

可是，杰夫森突然灵机一动，有好点子了!

公众里头的宗教感情……不能不认为是很有分量的因素……如此狂热的信仰，不论到哪儿总能得到响应。假定说莱柯格斯的格里菲思家还是那样冷酷无情，那样无动于衷……那末……哦，那末……哦，反正现在她人已经来了……这儿有的是教堂和教徒呀。过去就是这一拨会众指责克莱德最力，并让他势必被判为死罪。现在，为什么不能利用她的这种秉性和她的这种信念，向这一拨会众呼吁募捐，把本案提到上诉法院去呢?

这个孤苦伶仃的母亲呀!

她对她的儿子就是深信不疑!

赶快动起来吧。

来一次公开演讲，入场票价要定得高些。她已是如此窘困不堪，谁都一望可知;她不妨在会上替儿子大声疾呼，伸张正义……设法争取那些持有偏见的公众的同情，顺便还可以收入两千块美元，说不定会更多些。有了这笔钱，要上诉就好办了。

这时，杰夫森就侧过脸去，把这个点子告诉了她，并说愿意替她拟定一份演讲稿或是一些提要……也是他辩护发言的节录……事实上乃是演讲稿全文。

她还可以照自己意思重新组合一下，然后向公众讲讲……所有这些材料，最能说明她儿子案情的基本真相。于是，她那棕色脸颊泛上了红晕，眼睛也明亮起来，她同意就照这样办。让她试试看。她也非得试试看不可。在她多灾多难最黑暗的时刻，难道说这不就是上帝真的向她发出的声音和向她伸出巨掌来了吗?

转天早上，克莱德被押上法庭听候宣判。格里菲思太太被指定坐在靠近他的座位上，手里拿着纸和笔，要把这种对她来说难以忍受的场面记下来，而四周围大批听众却在仔细端详她。他亲生的母亲!

还作为一名记者出庭!

母与子这么一家人，出现在这么一个场合，真是有点儿怪诞。无情，甚至很荒唐。只要想一想莱柯格斯的格里菲思家跟他们竟然还是近亲哩。

可是，她的出庭却使克莱德得到了支持和鼓舞。昨天下午，她不是又去过监狱，向他谈过她的计划吗?

等开庭完了……不管是怎样宣判的……她就要开始干起来了。

因此，当他一生中最可怖的时刻终于来到了的时候，他几乎有些身不由己地站到奥伯沃泽法官跟前;法官首先简短扼要向他叙述了有关他的罪行以及审讯经过(据奥伯沃泽说，审讯是公正不阿的)。接下来是照例问他:

"你有什么理由，认为现在不应该依法判处你死刑?

"让他母亲和听众(但是杰夫森例外，因为是他关照过和撺掇过克莱德该这么回答的)大吃一惊的是，克莱德竟以干脆利落的声音回答说:

"公诉书上控告我有罪，可我是无罪的。我从来没有害死过罗伯达。奥尔登。

因此，我认为不该作出这么一个判决。"说罢，他两眼瞪着前方，仿佛感觉到的只是他母亲向他投去的那赞许和慈爱的一瞥。要知道在这个致命的关键时刻，她儿子不是已经当着所有这些听众的面表态了吗?

先不管他在监狱里说的话，他在这里说的是真话，可不是吗?

这么说来，她的儿子并没有罪。他并没有罪。赞美至高无上的主的名。她马上决定要在她的通讯报道里……还有日后在她的公开演讲里……都要特别强调指出这一点……让所有的报刊都照登不误。

不料，奥伯沃泽竟然毫无惊诧不安的神色，继续说道:

"你还有别的什么话要说吗?

""没有，"克莱德迟疑了半晌，回答说。

"克莱德。格里菲思，"于是，奥伯沃泽宣布结论说，"本庭宣判:

你，克莱德。

格里菲思，因谋杀罗伯达。奥尔登，现被判处死刑。兹规定自本庭判决后十日以内，卡塔拉基县执法官应随同证明无误的本庭判决书的副本，将你移送给奥伯恩纽约州监狱典狱长，单独关押至一九……年一月二十八日星期一开始的这一周为止，并委托奥伯恩纽约州监狱典狱长在这一周里指定的某一天，依照纽约州法令对你，克莱德。格里菲思，执行死刑。"宣读完毕，格里菲思太太向她儿子微微一笑，克莱德也向她报以一笑。因为，他既然已……在这里……声明自己无罪，所以宣判时她的精神亢奋起来。

说实在的，他是无辜的……他不可能不是这样的，反正他已在这里声明过了。

克莱德看见刚才她微微一笑，就自言自语道:

是的，现在他母亲一定相信他了。

所有这一切不利于他的证据，都没有使她的信念动摇。而这种信念，不管是不是错了，在这时候对他就是莫大支持……也正是他所迫切需要的。现在他自己认为，他刚才说的才是真话。他并没有砸过罗伯达。这是千真万确的。这就意味着，他是无罪的。可是，现在克劳特和斯拉克又把他押回牢房了。

这时，他母亲坐在记者席的桌子旁，向好奇地围住她的记者们解释道:

"你们各报记者先生们，你们可千万不要指责我。这个案子我并不太了解，不过，我要跟我的孩子在一起，我只好采用这个办法。要不是这样，我就来不了这里。"于是，一个身材颀长的记者走拢来说:

"别发愁，妈妈。有什么事要我帮忙吗?

您有什么话要说的，要我帮您整理一下吗?

我非常乐意。"说完，他就挨在她身旁坐下，按照他认为丹佛报社最欢迎的形式帮着她把她的印象整理成文。别的一些记者也表示愿意尽力效劳……他们全都感动极了。

两天以后，有关收监的公文备妥了，同时也通知了他的母亲，但是不准她陪同儿子入狱。于是，克莱德就被押往奥伯恩，那是纽约州西部一座监狱，关在那里号称"死牢"或是"杀人犯囚室"里……人们可以想象得到，那简直有如阴森可怖的地狱……那里总共有二十二间牢房，分设在两个楼面……他就被关在里头，听候复审，或是处以死刑。

不过，列车从布里奇伯格开往奥伯恩的途中，每到一站，就有大批好奇的群众……男男女女，老老少少……全都想一睹这个极不平凡的年轻凶手。姑娘们和女人们，其实最多只不过想就近看一看这个尽管以失败告终但是斗胆包天。

罗曼蒂克的英雄，可还是佯装出挺好心的样子来。每当列车从一个车站开到另一个车站的时候，她们常常向克莱德投掷鲜花，还兴高采烈地大声喊道:

"哈罗，克莱德!

但愿后会有期。别在那儿滞留太久呀!

""只要上诉，您肯定会无罪获释。反正我们巴不得这样。"让克莱德先是大吃一惊。继而深受鼓舞的，是这里人们突然表现出很不健康的。兴高采烈的。甚至是狂热的好奇心，显然跟布里奇伯格公众的态度大相径庭，但毕竟还是对他有利的。所以，他就向他们点头。微笑，有时甚至还向他们挥挥手哩。尽管如此，可他心里还是在想:

"我正在通往死屋的路上，但他们还这么友好地向我招呼。他们可真胆大呀。"克劳特和西塞尔这两个押解他的人，因为意识到自己既是抓住他，又是看押他的人，一身两役，深感荣幸，而且列车上的旅客和列车外的群众都对他们刮目相看，瞧他们得意极了，觉得自己高人一等了。

这是他被捕以后头一次时间虽短，但很丰富多采的迁徙。打从他眼前掠过的，是正在鹄望等候的群众，以及被冬日里阳光照亮的田野和白雪皑皑的山冈，使他回想到莱柯格斯，桑德拉和罗伯达，以及刚过去的一年零八个月里有如万花筒式千变万化而又使他在劫难逃并终于落到这么一个结局的所有一切遭际。

而这次移解一结束，出现在他眼前的，就是奥伯恩这座监狱，与世隔绝的高墙……他被移交给典狱长办公室一位职员以后，他的名字和罪行即被登记入册，随后把他交给两名助手，让他们安排他去监狱浴室洗澡。剃头……他历来孤芳自赏的。乌黑的波浪型秀发一古脑儿给剃掉了……又给了他一套带条纹的囚服。

一顶用同样带条纹面料做的。让人恶心的帽子。一件囚犯穿的内衣。一双灰色厚毡鞋(有时他惴惴不安地在牢房里来回走动，就可以听不见脚步声)，还有他的代号:

７７２２１。

他就这么穿戴好了以后，立即被送进死牢，关在底楼一间牢房里……这地方几乎呈正方形，八英尺宽，十英尺长，明亮，洁净，除了备有抽水马桶以外，还有一张小铁床。一张小桌子。一把椅子和一个小书架。现在他终于来到了这里。他只是模糊不清地觉得四周围还有其他牢房……沿着一条宽宽的过道，上上下下都是一排排牢房……他先是站了一会儿……然后坐了下来……记得在布里奇伯格监狱里，还有一些比较生动活泼。比较富于人情味的亲切感，现在连一点影儿都没有了。他一路上碰到的那些奇怪的群众与喧闹的场面，现在也通通没有了。

过去那些时刻里的极度紧张和痛苦!

那个死刑的判决;这次移押一路上碰到大声喧闹的群众;在底楼囚犯理发室把他的头发给剃了……还是另一个囚犯给他剃的。这套囚服。这件内衣，现在算是他的了，而且从今以后他就得每天穿在身上了。这儿没有镜子……到哪儿都没有……不过也没有什么了不起……反正他知道自己现在是个啥样子。这鼓鼓囊囊的上衣和裤子，还有这带条纹的帽子。

他在绝望之余，把它摘下来，往地上一扔。仅仅一个钟头以前，他还是衣冠楚楚地穿着体面衣服。衬衫。领带。鞋子。离开布里奇伯格时，他还觉得自己仪态雅洁，惹人喜爱。可是此刻……谅他一定丑死了!

而明天，他母亲要来了……过后，也许杰夫森或是贝尔纳普也要来。老天哪!

可是还有更糟的呢……跟他正对面的一间牢房里，有一个肌肤灰黄。面色消瘦。样子挺怪的中国人，身上也跟他一样穿上带条纹的囚服，走到自己牢门口铁栏杆旁，那一对莫测高深的斜白眼正在瞅着他。不过，此人马上又转过身去，使劲搔痒起来……克莱德立刻想到，说不定是虱子吧。在布里奇伯格就有臭虫嘛。

一个中国人……杀人犯。难道这儿不就是死牢吗。在这儿，他们两人之间压根儿没有任何区别。连穿的衣服也一式一样。谢天谢地，来这儿探监的说不定也不太多吧。他听母亲说过，这里几乎是谁都不准进来的……还说只有她。

贝尔纳普。杰夫森和他自己认可的牧师，方才可以每星期来探望一次。而这些铁面无情。刷成白色的墙壁，他看见白日里被宽大的天窗里透进来的阳光照得锃亮，夜里又给过道里白炽灯照得雪亮。可是，这一切跟布里奇伯格几乎不大一样……却是更加明亮。刺眼。在那儿，监狱年久失修，墙壁呈淡棕色，很不干净……牢房面积比较大一些，家具也多些……有一张小桌子，有时还铺上桌布;有书报，有棋子和棋盘。可在这里呢……这里什么都没有。只有铁面无私。

又狭又窄的墙壁……铁栏杆一直顶到坚硬厚实的天花板……还有非常。非常沉重的铁门，不过，如同布里奇伯格的铁门一样，上面有个小洞。当然罗，吃食都是从这里塞进来的。

可是就在这时，不知道从哪儿传来一个声音:

"嘿!

伙计们，又进来一个新的!

底楼，二号牢房，东头。"又响起了第二个声音:

"真的吗?

什么样儿的?

"接下来是第三个声音:

"新来的，叫什么名字?

别害怕。

你跟我们全是难兄难弟呗。"稍后，头一个声音回答第二个声音:

"好象是个瘦高个儿。一个小伢儿。看起来还象个小毛头，反正那也不赖。喂，你呀!

名字报给我们听!

"克莱德大吃一惊，怔呆了，可心里却在暗自琢磨。对这种见面方式，究竟该怎么对付呢?

该怎么说……怎么办?

该不该跟这拨人和和气气?

可是，他那圆通的本能即便在这里也没有离身，他赶紧彬彬有礼地回答说:

"克莱德。格里菲思。

"头几个声音里头有一个声音就接茬说:

"啊，准没错!

你是谁，我们全都听说过了。

欢迎，欢迎，格里菲思。我们并没有象人们想象的那么可怕。关于你在布里奇伯格的事，我们在报上全看过了。我们心里琢磨，你也该快来啦。"另一个声音却说:

"别太灰心丧气，伙计。这儿倒也并不太差劲。至少房子还不错……反正俗语说得好，头上有屋顶，冷风刮不着呗。"接着，不知从哪儿传来一阵格格大笑声。

可是，克莱德委实又害怕。又恶心，连话儿都不想说。他伤心地两眼先是盯着墙壁。牢门，然后盯着对过那个中国人……此人一气不吭在自己牢门口，两眼又直盯住克莱德。多吓人!

多吓人!

他们彼此之间竟然是这么交谈的，见了陌生人，也是一见如故。压根儿也不想到他的不幸。他的茫然若失。他的胆小……以及他经历过的痛苦。不过话又说回来，杀人犯干吗见了人就该提心吊胆，或者可怜巴巴的呢?

最可怕的是:

他们这儿早就在琢磨什么时候他来跟他们作伴儿。

这就是说，一切有关他的事，这儿已是尽人皆知了。如果说他不听话，也许他们就会捉弄他……或是吓唬他……或是故意找他的岔儿呢?

桑德拉或是不管他认识的哪一个人，要是亲眼看到，或是乃至于想到目前他在这儿的处境……天哪!

赶明儿他亲生的母亲就要到这儿来了。

过了一个钟头以后，已是薄暮时分了，一个身材高大。脸色灰白的狱警，穿着一套还算不太扎眼的制服，从门洞里塞进去一只盛食物的铁盘子。这就是晚餐呀!

而且是给他的。对过那个又黄又瘦的中国人，正在进晚餐呢。谁被他杀死了?

又是怎么杀死的呢?

这时响起了各间牢房里狠刮铁盘子的声音!

这种声音一下子使他想到的，是在向饥饿的牲口喂食，而不象是人们在进餐。有些人竟然一面在狼吞虎咽地吃，一面在舔刮铁盘子，一面还在谈山海经呢。他简直感到恶心透顶。

"嘿，伙房里那一帮子人，除了冷豆。咖啡。炸土豆以外，什么也想不出来，真是见鬼去吧。""今儿晚上的咖啡……喂，伙计!

……在布法罗监狱的时候……尽管……""啊，得了吧，快住嘴，"另一个角落里有人在大声嚷嚷。"什么布法罗监狱里，你吃的多阔气呀，我们早已听腻了。我说，你到了这儿，也不见得没有胃口吧。""反正不管怎么说，"头一个声音接下去说，"现在回想过去，的确够惬意啦。

至少现在看起来还是这样。""哦，拉弗蒂，算了吧，"另一个人高声喊道。

那个大概叫"拉弗蒂"的人还是不甘心，又说:

"现在，饭后我可得小睡一会儿……随后，我关照汽车夫，车子开过来，去兜兜风。今儿晚上多迷人呀。

"接下来是另一个嗓子嘶哑的声音:

"嘿，你这是在做白日梦。我呀把命豁出去了，只要能抽上一口烟就行。然后笃悠悠，玩玩纸牌。""难道说他们在这儿也玩纸牌?

"克莱德暗自思忖道。

"我说，罗森斯坦输得精光以后，也就不玩纸牌了。""哦，是吗?

"这大概是罗森斯坦在回话。

克莱德左边的牢房里有一个声音对走过的狱警在低声说话，但还是让人听得很清楚:

"喂，奥尔巴尼捎话来吗?

""什么话都没有，赫尔曼。""我说，连信也没有吧?

""没有信。"听得出那一问一答，声音非常紧张。急迫。可怜，在这以后也就鸦雀无声了。

过了半晌，从老远的一间牢房里传来一个声音，是来自人间地狱充满难以表达的极端绝望的声音……"哦，我的天哪!

哦，我的天哪!

哦，我的天哪!

"稍后，楼上传来了另一个声音:

"哦，天哪!

这个泥腿子又闹起来了?

我可受不了。警卫!

警卫!

能不能给那家伙一点儿安眠药?

"又听到最底层的声音:

"哦，我的天哪!

哦，我的天哪!

哦，我的天哪!

"克莱德站了起来，两手紧攥着。他的神经紧张得象快要绷裂的弦。一个杀人犯!

也许就要死了。要不然就是为了如同他克莱德一样可悲的命运而伤心。他在呻吟哭泣……就象他克莱德在布里奇伯格常常呻吟哭泣一样，至少在精神上。

如此号啕大哭!

天哪!

在这儿一定不止只有他一个人是这样。

于是，日日夜夜，类似这样的场面还有的是，毫无疑问，一直要到，也许……有谁说得清呢……除非……，可是，哦，不!

哦，不!

不是他本人的……不是的……决不是他的日子已到了。哦，不。在这可能发生以前，还得有整整一年时间……至少杰夫森是这么说。也许还得有两年时间。可是，在这……!

……而且是在两年以内啊!

!

!

他全身打了个寒颤，因为他一想到，哪怕是在那么短暂的两年里头……那另一个房间!

它也是不知在这儿哪个地方呀。反正这个房间就是跟它连在一起的。这他知道。那儿有一道门。通往那张电椅。那张电椅。

于是，那声音象刚才一样又说:

"哦，我的天哪!

哦，我的天哪!

"他倒在铁床上，两手捂住自己的耳朵。
Part 3 Chapter 29
The "death house" in this particular prison was one of those crass erections and maintenances of humaninsensitiveness and stupidity principally for which no one primarily was really responsible. Indeed, its total planand procedure were the results of a series of primary legislative enactments, followed by decisions andcompulsions as devised by the temperaments and seeming necessities of various wardens, until at last--bydegrees and without anything worthy of the name of thinking on any one's part--there had been gathered and wasnow being enforced all that could possibly be imagined in the way of unnecessary and really unauthorizedcruelty or stupid and destructive torture. And to the end that a man, once condemned by a jury, would becompelled to suffer not alone the death for which his sentence called, but a thousand others before that. For the very room by its arrangement, as well as the rules governing the lives and actions of the inmates, was sufficientto bring about this torture, willy-nilly.
　　It was a room thirty by fifty feet, of stone and concrete and steel, and surmounted some thirty feet from the floorby a skylight. Presumably an improvement over an older and worse death house, with which it was stillconnected by a door, it was divided lengthwise by a broad passage, along which, on the ground floor, weretwelve cells, six on a side and eight by ten each and facing each other. And above again a second tier of whatwere known as balcony cells--five on a side.
　　There was, however, at the center of this main passage--and dividing these lower cells equally as to number--asecond and narrower passage, which at one end gave into what was now known as the Old Death House (whereat present only visitors to the inmates of the new Death House were received), and at the other into the executionroom in which stood the electric chair. Two of the cells on the lower passage--those at the junction of thenarrower passage--faced the execution-room door. The two opposite these, on the corresponding corners, facedthe passage that gave into the Old Death House or what now by a large stretch of the imagination, could becalled the condemned men's reception room, where twice weekly an immediate relative or a lawyer might bemet. But no others.
　　In the Old Death House (or present reception room), the cells still there, and an integral part of this receptionplan, were all in a row and on one side only of a corridor, thus preventing prying inspection by one inmate ofanother, and with a wire screen in front as well as green shades which might be drawn in front of each cell. For,in an older day, whenever a new convict arrived or departed, or took his daily walk, or went for his bath, or wasled eventually through the little iron door to the west where formerly was the execution chamber, these shadeswere drawn. He was not supposed to be seen by his associates. Yet the old death house, because of this verycourtesy and privacy, although intense solitude, was later deemed inhuman and hence this newer and better deathhouse, as the thoughtful and condescending authorities saw it, was devised.
　　In this, to be sure, were no such small and gloomy cells as those which characterized the old, for there the ceilingwas low and the sanitary arrangements wretched, whereas in the new one the ceiling was high, the rooms andcorridors brightly lighted and in every instance no less than eight by ten feet in size. But by contrast with theolder room, they had the enormous disadvantage of the unscreened if not uncurtained cell doors.
　　Besides, by housing all together in two such tiers as were here, it placed upon each convict the compulsion ofenduring all the horrors of all the vicious, morbid or completely collapsed and despairing temperaments abouthim. No true privacy of any kind. By day--a blaze of light pouring through an over-arching skylight high abovethe walls. By night--glistening incandescents of large size and power which flooded each nook and cranny of thevarious cells. No privacy, no games other than cards and checkers--the only ones playable without releasing theprisoners from their cells. Books, newspapers, to be sure, for all who could read or enjoy them under thecircumstances. And visits--mornings and afternoons, as a rule, from a priest, and less regularly from a rabbi anda Protestant minister, each offering his sympathies or services to such as would accept them.
　　But the curse of the place was not because of these advantages, such as they were, but in spite of them--thisunremitted contact, as any one could see, with minds now terrorized and discolored by the thought of anapproaching death that was so near for many that it was as an icy hand upon the brow or shoulder. And none- whatever the bravado--capable of enduring it without mental or physical deterioration in some form. Theglooms--the strains--the indefinable terrors and despairs that blew like winds or breaths about this place anddepressed or terrorized all by turns! They were manifest at the most unexpected moments, by curses, sighs, tearseven, calls for a song--for God's sake!--or the most unintended and unexpected yells or groans. Worse yet, andproductive of perhaps the most grinding and destroying of all the miseries here--the transverse passage leadingbetween the old death house on the one hand and the execution-chamber on the other. For this from time totime--alas, how frequently--was the scene or stage for at least a part of the tragedy that was here so regularlyenacted--the final business of execution.
　　For through this passage, on his last day, a man was transferred from his BETTER cell in the new building,where he might have been incarcerated for so much as a year or two, to one of the older ones in the old deathhouse, in order that he might spend his last hours in solitude, although compelled at the final moment, none-theless(the death march), to retrace his steps along this narrower cross passage--and where all might see--into theexecution chamber at the other end of it.
　　Also at any time, in going to visit a lawyer or relative brought into the old death house for this purpose, it wasnecessary to pass along the middle passage to this smaller one and so into the old death house, there to be housedin a cell, fronted by a wire screen two feet distant, between which and the cell proper a guard must sit while aprisoner and his guest (wife, son, mother, daughter, brother, lawyer) should converse--the guard hearing all. Nohand-clasps, no kisses, no friendly touches of any kind--not even an intimate word that a listening guard mightnot hear. And when the fatal hour for any one had at last arrived, every prisoner--if sinister or simple, sensitive orof rugged texture--was actually if not intentionally compelled to hear if not witness the final preparations--theremoval of the condemned man to one of the cells of the older death house, the final and perhaps weeping visitof a mother, son, daughter, father.
　　No thought in either the planning or the practice of all this of the unnecessary and unfair torture for those whowere brought here, not to be promptly executed, by any means, but rather to be held until the higher courtsshould have passed upon the merits of their cases--an appeal.
　　At first, of course, Clyde sensed little if anything of all this. In so far as his first day was concerned, he had buttasted the veriest spoonful of it all. And to lighten or darken his burden his mother came at noon the very nextday. Not having been permitted to accompany him, she had waited over for a final conference with Belknap andJephson, as well as to write in full her personal impressions in connection with her son's departure--(Thosenervously searing impressions!) And although anxious to find a room somewhere near the penitentiary, shehurried first to the office of the penitentiary immediately upon her arrival at Auburn and, after presenting anorder from Justice Oberwaltzer as well as a solicitous letter from Belknap and Jephson urging the courtesy of aprivate interview with Clyde to begin with at least, she was permitted to see her son in a room entirely apart fromthe old death house. For already the warden himself had been reading of her activities and sacrifices and wasinterested in seeing not only her but Clyde also.
　　But so shaken was she by Clyde's so sudden and amazingly changed appearance here that she could scarcelyspeak upon his entrance, even in recognition of him, so blanched and gray were his cheeks and so shadowy andstrained his eyes. His head clipped that way! This uniform! And in this dreadful place of iron gates and locks andlong passages with uniformed guards at every turn!
　　For a moment she winced and trembled, quite faint under the strain, although previous to this she had enteredmany a jail and larger prison--in Kansas City, Chicago, Denver--and delivered tracts and exhortations andproffered her services in connection with anything she might do. But this--this! Her own son! Her broad, strongbosom began to heave. She looked, and then turned her heavy, broad back to hide her face for the nonce. Her lipsand chin quivered. She began to fumble in the small bag she carried for her handkerchief at the same time thatshe was muttering to herself: "My God--why hast Thou forsaken me?" But even as she did so there came thethought--no, no, he must not see her so. What a way was this to do--and by her tears weaken him. And yetdespite her great strength she could not now cease at once but cried on.
　　And Clyde seeing this, and despite his previous determination to bear up and say some comforting andheartening word to his mother, now began:
　　"But you mustn't, Ma. Gee, you mustn't cry. I know it's hard on you. But I'll be all right. Sure I will. It isn't as badas I thought." Yet inwardly saying: "Oh, God how bad!"And Mrs. Griffiths adding aloud: "My poor boy! My beloved son! But we mustn't give way. No. No. 'Behold Iwill deliver thee out of the snares of the wicked.' God has not deserted either of us. And He will not--that I know.
　　'He leadeth me by the still waters.' 'He restoreth my soul.' We must put our trust in Him. Besides," she added,briskly and practically, as much to strengthen herself as Clyde, "haven't I already arranged for an appeal? It is tobe made yet this week. They're going to file a notice. And that means that your case can't even be consideredunder a year. But it is just the shock of seeing you so. You see, I wasn't quite prepared for it." She straightenedher shoulders and now looked up and achieved a brave if strained smile. "The warden here seems very kind, butstill, somehow, when I saw you just now--"She dabbed at her eyes which were damp from this sudden and terrific storm, and to divert herself as well as himshe talked of the so very necessary work before her. Messrs. Belknap and Jephson had been so encouraging toher just before she left. She had gone to their office and they had urged her and him to be of good cheer. Andnow she was going to lecture, and at once, and would soon have means to do with that way. Oh, yes. And Mr.
　　Jephson would be down to see him one of these days soon. He was by no means to feel that the legal end of allthis had been reached. Far from it. The recent verdict and sentence was sure to be reversed and a new trialordered. The recent one was a farce, as he knew.
　　And as for herself--as soon as she found a room near the prison--she was going to the principal ministers ofAuburn and see if she could not secure a church, or two, or three, in which to speak and plead his cause. Mr.
　　Jephson was mailing her some information she could use within a day or two. And after that, other churches inSyracuse, Rochester, Albany, Schenectady--in fact many cities in the east--until she had raised the necessarysum. But she would not neglect him. She would see him at least once a week and would write him a letter everyother day, or maybe even daily if she could. She would talk to the warden. So he must not despair. She had muchhard work ahead of her, of course, but the Lord would guide her in all that she undertook. She knew that. Had Henot already shown his gracious and miraculous mercy?
　　Clyde must pray for her and for himself. Read Isaiah. Read the psalms--the 23rd and the 51st and 91st daily.
　　Also Habbakuk. "Are there walls against the Hand of the Lord?" And then after more tears, an utterly moving and macerating scene, at last achieving her departure while Clyde, shaken to his soul by so much misery,returned to his cell. His mother. And at her age--and with so little money--she was going out to try to raise themoney necessary to save him. And in the past he had treated her so badly--as he now saw.
　　He sat down on the side of his cot and held his head in his hands the while outside the prison--the iron door ofthe same closed and only a lonely room and the ordeal of her proposed lecture tour ahead of her--Mrs. Griffithspaused--by no means so assured or convinced of all she had said to Clyde. To be sure God would aid her. Hemust. Had He ever failed her yet--completely? And now-- herein her darkest hour, her son's! Would He?
　　She paused for a moment a little later in a small parking-place, beyond the prison, to stare at the tall, gray walls,the watch towers with armed guards in uniform, the barred windows and doors. A penitentiary. And her son wasnow within--worse yet, in that confined and narrow death house. And doomed to die in an electric chair. Unless-unless--But, no, no--that should not be. It could not be. That appeal. The money for it. She must busy herself asto that at once--not think or brood or despair. Oh, no. "My shield and my buckler." "My Light and my Strength.""Oh, Lord, Thou art my strength and my deliverance. In Thee will I trust." And then dabbing at her eyes oncemore and adding: "Oh, Lord, I believe. Help Thou mine unbelief."So Mrs. Griffiths, alternately praying and crying as she walked.

奥伯恩监狱里的"死牢"，是人类麻木不仁。愚昧无知所造成的极端怪异的产物之一，但若追究其责任，确实很难指出谁是罪魁祸首。事实上，这座"死牢"的整个建制计划及其实施过程，原是一系列最初法规造成的结果，接着又吸取了根据历任典狱长个人脾性和他们认为很有必要而作出的一些决定和强制性的条例，后来就逐渐定型，也不用标明是某某个人思考的结果……于是，所有能想得出来的毫无必要。其实纯属非法的残忍手段，或是愚昧无知。灭绝人性的酷刑，终于都汇集到这里，而且直至今日还在施行。所以，某一个人只要被陪审团定了死罪，就先得饱受一千次死刑折磨，方能接受判决书上所规定的死刑。

因为，这座死牢由于最初的设计，再加上对犯人生活和行动所作出的一些规定，就把这种酷刑强加在犯人身上了。

这座牢房有三十英尺宽。五十英尺长，是用石料和钢筋水泥建造的，屋顶离地大约三十英尺，上面还有一个天窗。据说，它比那座更差劲的老死牢已有所改进。如今这两座死牢连在一起，中间有一道门相通。这座新的死牢，被一条宽敞的走廊左右分开。底楼部分共有十二间牢房，左右两排，每排六间，每间八英尺宽，十英尺长，都是门对门的。楼上部分，号称阳台牢房……左右两排，每排五间。

可是另有一条狭窄的通道，从这条大走廊中间穿过……把底楼牢房两边分开，间数也相等……这一条狭窄的通道，一头通到现在叫做老死牢那里(目前仅仅在此接待来新死牢的探监者)，另一头则通到备有电椅的行刑室。底楼走廊里有两间牢房……就是位于跟那条狭窄的通道交叉的地方……正好对着行刑室的门。对面角落里的两间牢房，正对着通往老死牢的那条通道。如果说我们想象力丰富些，不妨管老死牢叫做犯人接待室，犯人在这里一周内可以两次会见一位直系家属，或是一位辩护律师。但其他人一概不接见。

在老死牢(或称现在的接待室)里，牢房还保持原状，都排成一溜，贴近走廊这一边，以防犯人彼此偷看。牢房前有一道铁丝网;每间牢房门前另有绿色门帘，还可以拉下来。因为，原先不管是哪一个犯人新来乍到，或是即将离开，或是每天放风，或是去洗澡，或是最后被押走过西头那道小铁门，进入当时的行刑室，这些门帘通通都得拉下来。这个犯人是不能让其他同监犯人看见的。不过，这座老死牢，由于采取了如此讲究礼貌的隔绝措施，僻静极了，后来被认为不近人情，于是，就根据关怀备至。屈尊俯就的当局的意见，设计修建了这座比较完善的新死牢。

老死牢里特有的那些阴森森的小牢房，当然，新死牢里是没有了。在老死牢里，天花板很低，卫生设施极差。如今，新死牢里，天花板很高，各个房间和走廊，全都亮堂堂，而且每间牢房都比较宽敞，其面积不少于八英尺宽。十英尺长。不过，与老牢房相比，仍有一大缺点:

牢房前没有铁丝网，尽管门帘还是照旧挂着。

再说，这里让所有的犯人都集中关在这两个楼面，逼使每一个犯人都得亲眼目睹周围所有这些邪恶的。疯狂的。或是完全颓丧绝望透顶的人种种骇人的表现。压根儿没有个人独处的可能性。白天……一股炽热的阳光从高高的玻璃拱顶的天窗里倾泻下来。入夜……令人目眩的强大的电灯光，照得各个牢房里每一个角落。每一条缝隙全都透亮。没有个人独处和各种娱乐活动……玩纸牌和下棋是犯人们不出牢房即可得到的唯一的消遣。在这种情况下，谁要有兴致阅读欣赏，当然还有书报。此外，每天上午。下午，照例有一位牧师来探访。

至于犹太教拉比(即犹太教教士。)和新教牧师，就不是定期来的。谁乐意见他们的，他们就专程来为谁举行祈祷，表示同情。

可是，这个地方真正该受诅咒的，正是这些优点跟改善环境的良好意愿适得其反。谁都能看出，每一个犯人不可避免地都得与其他犯人经常保持接触，而其他犯人一想到日益逼近的死期，他们的神志早已昏迷了，变态了。很多人都觉得死神象一只冰冷的手搭在他们额头上或是肩膀上了。而且，从来没有一个人……不管他自吹自擂是好样的……能顶住这种酷刑而在心灵上或肉体上不遭到某种程度的崩溃。阴暗……紧张……莫名其妙的恐惧和绝望，好比是风，一阵阵不断地吹遍整个牢房，依次让所有的人魂飞魄散，惊恐万状!

往往在让人最最意想不到的时刻，这一切变成了:

诅咒。唉声叹气，甚至号啕大哭，高声在哼唱什么……老天哪!

……要不然，就是干号或呻吟。

还有更糟的呢。也许是这里最最折磨人。乃至于五内俱裂的地方，就是从老死牢那一头横穿到另一头行刑室的那条走廊。因为这地方经常……啊，次数真够多的!

……要演出执行死刑的悲剧，而这条走廊，至少也成为某一场景的舞台了。

反正犯人在被处决那一天，就得从也许关押了一两年的新死牢里提出去，离开他那个设备完善的牢房，经过这条走廊，被移解到老死牢里旧牢房，让他寂静无声地捱过那最后几个钟头，但到了最后的那个时刻，(啊，死亡的进行曲呀!

)他必须原路折回，沿着这条横穿而过的狭窄走廊……那儿谁都看得到的……被押送至另一头的行刑室。

不管什么时候，犯人倘要会见一位被带进老死牢探监的辩护律师或是亲人，就必须先沿着中央走廊，然后再从这条比较狭窄的走廊进入老死牢。在那里，犯人就被押进一间牢房。牢房前面两英尺处安上了一道电网。在电网和牢房之间，必定坐着一名狱警。犯人和来客(妻子。儿子。母亲。女儿。兄弟。辩护律师)交谈的时候，一字一句狱警都听得清清楚楚。没有握手，没有接吻，没有任何表示亲昵的接触……哪怕是一个含有暗示的字眼儿，狱蓄都不会听不到。只要某某人那个致命的时刻终于来到了，那末，每一个犯人……不管你是阴险或老实，敏感或迟钝……如果不是故意，也会在实际上不能不听到(即使不是看见)临终前种种准备程序……犯人被移解到老死牢里的牢房，也许还有父母子女最后诀别时的号哭声。

不管是当初牢房设计者也好，或是牢房管理者也好，他们压根儿都没有考虑到这一切会对另一些人带来多么不必要。不公道的折磨。他们这些人被关押在这儿，绝对不是立即执行的，而是要在此羁留很长时间，听候上级法院对他们的案子作出最后的判决……上诉以后的判决。

开头，克莱德对此即便略有所闻，当然，也知之甚少。在他进牢房的头一天，他才不过刚尝到一丁点儿滋味。转天中午，他母亲来了。这对他的思想负担来说是减轻了一些，也可以说是更加沉重了。因为当时不准她陪他一起来，她就留在那里，又一次跟贝尔纳普和杰夫森进行晤谈，并把她个人对她儿子移解的印象详详细细写了下来……(这些令人心肝俱裂的印象啊!

)。她虽然急急乎想在监狱附近寻摸到一个房间，殊不知一到奥伯恩，她却急匆匆先找到监狱办公处来。她递交了奥伯沃泽法官的命令以至贝尔纳普和杰夫森替她说情的那封信，信里希望监狱当局能俯允，让她(至少一开头)与克莱德单独见一面，然后允许她在跟老死牢完全分开的一个房间里会见她的儿子。反正有关她为护卫儿子作出积极奉献的报道，典狱长本人早已读到过，因此很感兴趣，不但想见见她，而且还想见见克莱德哩。

不料，克莱德来到这里以后，仪容上突然有了惊人的变化。他一走进来，让她震惊得几乎连话儿都说不出来了。尽管她认得出这是他，可他那脸颊该有多么死白如灰，两眼又有多么阴沉紧张。他的头上给剃成这么个怪相!

这一身囚服!

又是在这么一个阴森森的牢房里，到处是铁门。铁锁，长长的走廊里，每一个拐弯处，就有身穿制服的狱警站岗!

刹那间，她浑身颤抖直往后退缩，而且心情由于过分紧张，差点昏了过去，尽管在这以前，她在堪萨斯城。在芝加哥。在丹佛，不止一次到过许许多多大大小小的监狱，散发过小册子，劝人为善，并且自告奋勇去做只要是她力所能及的事。可是这……这一次啊!

是她的亲生儿子呀!

她那宽厚结实的胸脯开始喘息起来。她又看了一眼，然后让自己宽厚的后背扭过去，捂住自己的脸。她的嘴唇和下巴颏儿在微微发颤。她在身边那只小提包里寻摸手绢，同时自言自语道:

"我的上帝，为什么离弃我?

"(引自《圣经。新约。马太福音》第２７章第４６节。)可是，就在这同一时刻，她一个闪念又想到……不，不，不应该让他看见她这样。这可要不得……她的眼泪只能使他更泄气呀。不过，尽管她意志很坚强，一下子也还是止不住，继续在悄悄地抽噎哭泣。

克莱德一见此状，忘了以前下过决心要沉住气，向母亲说一些安慰鼓励的话，却脱口而出说:

"可是，妈妈，千万别这样。唉，千万哭不得呀。我知道你心里很难过。不过我不会有什么的。我肯定不会有什么的。这里并不象我想过的那么糟。"殊不知他心里却在念叨着说:

"我的天哪，简直糟透了!

"格里菲思太太大声找补着说:

"我可怜的孩子!

我亲爱的儿子!

不过，我们决不能丧失信心。不。不。'

''''看啊，我会解救你脱离那恶人的网罗。，上帝至今都没有抛弃我们两个人。他决不会……这我知道。'

''''他领我在可安歇的水边。，'

''''他使我的灵魂苏醒。，(引自《圣经。旧约。诗篇》第２３篇第２。３节。)我们应该信赖他。再说，"她精神抖擞地找补着说，仿佛既给克莱德壮胆，也给她自己壮胆似的。"上诉的事我不是早已准备好了吗?

这个星期就可以递上去。他们就要提出书面申请了。这就是说，你的案子在一年之内甚至不会加以考虑的。刚才只是因为我突然看见你这副样子才吃了一惊。你知道，这是我始料所不及呀。"她挺起肩膀，昂起头来，甚至还勉强露出一丝笑容。"看来这里的典狱长对我好象还挺和气，不过我刚才见你这样……"她擦了一下因受这突如其来骇人的打击而湿漉漉的眼睛。为了让他们俩都解解闷，她就谈起眼下自己非常紧要的工作。贝尔纳普和杰夫森两位先生给她大大地鼓了气。她在动身前去过他们的事务所，他们奉劝她和克莱德不要灰心丧气。现在，她马上要去公开演讲了。很快就有办法了。啊，是的。最近几天内杰夫森先生就要来看他。克莱德万万不能认为，现在已定了案，一切全完了。

决不是这样的。不久前的定罪和宣判肯定要撤销的，而且会下令复审的。上次庭审简直是一场滑稽戏，这他自己也知道。

至于她自己呢……只要在监狱附近寻摸到一个房间，她就打算去找奥伯恩的一些杰出的牧师，看能不能让她到某个教堂，或是到好几个教堂去公开演讲，替克莱德申辩。杰夫森先生将在一两天内，把一些可供她使用的材料寄给她。

随后，她还要到锡拉丘兹。罗切斯特。奥尔巴尼。谢内克塔迪等地教堂去讲……一句话，东部许多城市也都得去……一直要敛到这一笔钱为止。但是话又说回来，她决不会把他扔下不管的。至少她每周要来看他一次，每隔一天给他写一封信，或者说不定每天写一封，只要她有空写。她要跟典狱长谈一谈。因此，克莱德千万不要绝望。当然罗，她面前有很多艰巨的工作要做。但是不管她要做什么事，都有主在指引她。对此，她是坚信不移的。他不是已经向她显示了他那宽宏。神奇的仁慈了吗?

克莱德应该为她和他自己祈祷。应该念《圣经》里的《以赛亚书》。念赞美诗篇……每天念第二十三篇。第五十一篇。第九十一篇。还应该念《哈巴谷书》。

"有什么墙壁能挡得住主的手?

"随后，她泪水又夺眶而出，好一个令人动怜。五内俱裂的场面。最后，她终于告别走了。克莱德回到了自己牢房，心灵深处确实为她如此饱受忧患而深深震动。他的母亲呀。而且，她已有这么大年纪了……还是那么一文不名……现在，她就要去敛钱，为的是救他的命。而过去，他却是她的不肖儿子……现在他方才明白了。

他两手捂着头，坐在铁床边沿上。格里菲思太太一走出监狱……监狱的铁门就关了。前面等着她的，只是租来的一间孤寂凄凉的住房和她设想中旅行演讲的严峻考验……格里菲思太太驻步不前……刚才她竭力劝说过克莱德，可她的那些话连自己也不觉得很有把握或是很有信心。不过，当然罗，上帝会帮助她的。他一定会帮助她的。他一定得帮助她的。过去，他有没有丢弃过……完全丢弃她?

如今……在这里……当她最危难的时刻，在她儿子最可怖的时刻!

难道他会把她丢弃吗?

过了半晌，她在监狱外面小小的停车场上又驻步不前，两眼直瞪着灰沉沉的高墙和岗楼上身穿制服。荷枪实弹的狱警，以及那些安上铁栏杆的门窗。好一座监狱啊。如今她的儿子就在里面……而且糟得很，被关在与世隔绝的。狭窄的死牢里。并且决定是要坐电椅的。除非……除非……不过，不，不……决不能这么办。这决不能发生。要上诉。要一笔上诉费。因此，她就得马上行动起来……再也不能左思右想，或是忧心忡忡，或是陷入绝望了。不。不。"我的盾和我的支柱。""我的光和我的力量的源泉。""啊，主啊，你是我的力量的源泉，你会拯救我的。我信赖你。"然后，她又擦了一下眼睛，找补着说:

"啊，主啊，我是坚信的。求主帮助，我坚信不移。"于是，格里菲思太太就这样走远了，来回交替地又是祈祷。又是哭泣。
Part 3 Chapter 30
But after this the long days in prison for Clyde. Except for a weekly visit from his mother, who, once she wasentered upon her work, found it difficult to see him more often than that--traveling as she did in the next twomonths between Albany and Buffalo and even New York City--but without the success she had at first hoped for.
　　For in the matter of her appeal to the churches and the public--as most wearily (and in secret if not to Clyde)-andafter three weeks of more or less regional and purely sectarian trying, she was compelled to report theChristians at least were very indifferent--not as Christian as they should be. For as all, but more particularly theministers of the region, since they most guardedly and reservedly represented their congregations in everyinstance, unanimously saw it, here was a notorious and, of course, most unsavory trial which had resulted in aconviction with which the more conservative element of the country--if one could judge by the papers at least,were in agreement.
　　Besides who was this woman--as well as her son? An exhorter-- a secret preacher--one, who in defiance of all thetenets and processes of organized and historic, as well as hieratic, religious powers and forms (theologicalseminaries, organized churches and their affiliations and product--all carefully and advisedly and legitimatelybecause historically and dogmatically interpreting the word of God) choosing to walk forth and withoutordination after any fashion conduct an unauthorized and hence nondescript mission. Besides if she hadremained at home, as a good mother should, and devoted herself to her son, as well as to her other children--theircare and education--would this--have happened?
　　And not only that--but according to Clyde's own testimony in this trial, had he not been guilty of adultery withthis girl--whether he had slain her or not? A sin almost equal to murder in many minds. Had he not confessed it?
　　And was an appeal for a convicted adulterer--if not murderer (who could tell as to that?) to be made in a church?
　　No,--no Christian church was the place to debate, and for a charge, the merits of this case, however much eachChristian of each and every church might sympathize with Mrs. Griffiths personally--or resent any legal injusticethat might have been done her son. No, no. It was not morally advisable. It might even tend to implant in theminds of the young some of the details of the crime.
　　Besides, because of what the newspapers had said of her coming east to aid her son and the picture that sheherself presented in her homely garb, it was assumed by most ministers that she was one of those erratic persons,not a constituent of any definite sect, or schooled theology, who tended by her very appearance to cast contempton true and pure religion.
　　And in consequence, each in turn--not hardening his heart exactly--but thinking twice--and deciding no--theremust be some better way-- less troublesome to Christians,--a public hall, perhaps, to which Christians, if properlyappealed to through the press, might well repair. And so Mrs. Griffiths, in all but one instance, rejected in thatfashion and told to go elsewhere--while in regard to the Catholics--instinctively--because of prejudice--as well asa certain dull wisdom not inconsistent with the facts--she failed even to so much as think of them. The mercies ofChrist as interpreted by the holder of the sacred keys of St. Peter, as she knew, were not for those who failed toacknowledge the authority of the Vicar of Christ.
　　And therefore after many days spent in futile knockings here and there she was at last compelled--and in no littledepression, to appeal to a Jew who controlled the principal moving picture theater of Utica--a sinful theater. Andfrom him, this she secured free for a morning address on the merits of her son's case--"A mother's appeal for herson," it was entitled--which netted her, at twenty-five cents per person--the amazing sum of two hundred dollars.
　　At first this sum, small as it was, so heartened her that she was now convinced that soon--whatever the attitude ofthe orthodox Christians--she would earn enough for Clyde's appeal. It might take time--but she would.
　　Nevertheless, as she soon discovered, there were other factors to be considered--carfare, her own personalexpenses in Utica and elsewhere, to say nothing of certain very necessary sums to be sent to Denver to herhusband, who had little or nothing to go on at present, and who, because of this very great tragedy in the family,had been made ill--so ill indeed that the letters from Frank and Julia were becoming very disturbing. It waspossible that he might not get well at all. Some help was necessary there.
　　And in consequence, in addition to paying her own expenses here, Mrs. Griffiths was literally compelled todeduct other reducing sums from this, her present and only source of income. It was terrible--considering Clyde'spredicament--but nevertheless must she not sustain herself in every way in order to win to victory? She could notreasonably abandon her husband in order to aid Clyde alone.
　　Yet in the face of this--as time went on, the audiences growing smaller and smaller until at last they constitutedlittle more than a handful--and barely paying her expenses--although through this process none-the-less shefinally managed to put aside--over and above all her expenses--eleven hundred dollars.
　　Yet, also, just at this time, and in a moment of extreme anxiety, Frank and Julia wiring her that if she desired tosee Asa again she had better come home at once. He was exceedingly low and not expected to live. Whereupon,played upon by these several difficulties and there being no single thing other than to visit him once or twice a week--as her engagements permitted--which she could do for Clyde, she now hastily conferred with Belknap andJephson, setting forth her extreme difficulties.
　　And these, seeing that eleven hundred dollars of all she had thus far collected was to be turned over to them,now, in a burst of humanity, advised her to return to her husband. Decidedly Clyde would do well enough for thepresent seeing that there was an entire year--or at least ten months before it was necessary to file the record andthe briefs in the case. In addition another year assuredly must elapse before a decision could be reached. And nodoubt before that time the additional part of the appeal fee could be raised. Or, if not--well, then--anyhow (seeinghow worn and distrait she was at this time) she need not worry. Messrs. Belknap and Jephson would see to it thather son's interests were properly protected. They would file an appeal and make an argument--and do whateverelse was necessary to insure her son a fair hearing at the proper time.
　　And with that great burden off her mind--and two last visits to Clyde in which she assured him of herdetermination to return as speedily as possible--once Asa was restored to strength again and she could see herway to financing such a return--she now departed only to find that, once she was in Denver once more, it was notso easy to restore him by any means.
　　And in the meantime Clyde was left to cogitate on and make the best of a world that at its best was a kind ofinferno of mental ills--above which--as above Dante's might have been written--"abandon hope--ye who enterhere."The somberness of it. Its slow and yet searing psychic force! The obvious terror and depression--constant andunshakeable of those who, in spite of all their courage or their fears, their bravado or their real indifference (therewere even those) were still compelled to think and wait. For, now, in connection with this coldest and bitterestform of prison life he was in constant psychic, if not physical contact, with twenty other convicted characters ofvarying temperaments and nationalities, each one of whom, like himself, had responded to some heat or lust ormisery of his nature or his circumstances. And with murder, a mental as well as physical explosion, as the finaloutcome or concluding episode which, being detected, and after what horrors and wearinesses of mental as wellas legal contest and failure, such as fairly paralleled his own, now found themselves islanded--immured--in oneor another of these twenty-two iron cages and awaiting--awaiting what?
　　How well they knew. And how well he knew. And here with what loud public rages and despairs or prayers--attimes. At others--what curses--foal or coarse jests--or tales addressed to all--or ribald laughter--or sighings andgroanings in these later hours when the straining spirit having struggled to silence, there was supposedly rest forthe body and the spirit.
　　In an exercise court, beyond the farthermost end of the long corridor, twice daily, for a few minutes each time,between the hours of ten and five--the various inmates in groups of five or six were led forth--to breathe, to walk,to practice calisthenics--or run and leap as they chose. But always under the watchful eyes of sufficient guards tomaster them in case they attempted rebellion in any form. And to this it was, beginning with the second day, thatClyde himself was led, now with one set of men and now with another. But with the feeling at first strong in himthat he could not share in any of these public activities which, nevertheless, these others--and in spite of theirimpending doom--seemed willing enough to indulge in.
　　The two dark-eyed sinister-looking Italians, one of whom had slain a girl because she would not marry him; theother who had robbed and then slain and attempted to burn the body of his father-in-law in order to get moneyfor himself and his wife! And big Larry Donahue--square-headed, square-shouldered--big of feet and hands, anoverseas soldier, who, being ejected from a job as night watchman in a Brooklyn factory, had lain for theforeman who had discharged him--and then killed him on an open common somewhere at night, but without theskill to keep from losing a service medal which had eventually served to betray and identify him. Clyde hadlearned all this from the strangely indifferent and non-committal, yet seemingly friendly guards, who were overthese cells by night and by day--two and two, turn about--who relieved each other every eight hours. And policeofficer Riordan of Rochester, who had killed his wife because she was determined to leave him--and now,himself, was to die. And Thomas Mowrer, the young "farmer" or farm hand, as he really was, whom Clyde onhis first night had heard moaning--a man who had killed his employer with a pitchfork--and was soon to dienow--as Clyde heard, and who walked and walked, keeping close to the wall--his head down, his hands behindhis back--a rude, strong, loutish man of about thirty, who looked more beaten and betrayed than as though he hadbeen able to torture or destroy another. Clyde wondered about him--his real guilt.
　　Again Miller Nicholson, a lawyer of Buffalo of perhaps forty years of age who was tall and slim and decidedlysuperior looking--a refined, intellectual type, one you would have said was no murderer--any more than Clyde-tolook at, who, none-the-less was convicted of poisoning an old man of great wealth and afterwards attemptingto convert his fortune to his own use. Yet decidedly with nothing in his look or manner, as Clyde felt, at least,which marked him as one so evil--a polite and courteous man, who, noting Clyde on the very first morning of hisarrival here, approached and said: "Scared?" But in the most gentle and solicitous tone, as Clyde could hear andfeel, even though he stood blank and icy-- afraid almost to move--or think. Yet in this mood--and because he feltso truly done for, replying: "Yes, I guess I am." But once it was out, wondering why he had said it (so weak aconfession) and afterwards something in the man heartening him, wishing that he had not.
　　"Your name's Griffiths, isn't it?""Yes.""Well, my name's Nicholson. Don't be frightened. You'll get used to it." He achieved a cheerful, if wan smile.
　　But his eyes--they did not seem like that--no smile there.
　　"I don't suppose I'm so scared either," replied Clyde, trying to modify his first, quick and unintended confession.
　　"Well, that's good. Be game. We all have to be here--or the whole place would go crazy. Better breathe a little.
　　Or walk fast. It'll do you good."He moved away a few paces and began exercising his arms while Clyde stood there, saying--almost loudly--soshaken was he still: "We all have to be or the whole place would go crazy." That was true, as he could see andfeel after that first night. Crazy, indeed. Tortured to death, maybe, by being compelled to witness these terribleand completely destroying--and for each--impending tragedies. But how long would he have to endure this? Howlong would he?
　　In the course of a day or two, again he found this death house was not quite like that either--not all terror--on the surface at least. It was in reality--and in spite of impending death in every instance, a place of taunt and jibe andjest--even games, athletics, the stage--all forms of human contest of skill--or the arguments on every conceivabletopic from death and women to lack of it, as far at least as the general low intelligence of the group permitted.
　　For the most part, as soon as breakfast was over--among those who were not called upon to join the first groupfor exercise, there were checkers or cards, two games that were played--not with a single set of checkers or adeck of cards between groups released from their cells, but by one of the ever present keepers providing twochallenging prisoners (if it were checkers) with one checker-board but no checkers. They were not needed.
　　Thereafter the opening move was called by one. "I move from G 2 to E 1"--each square being numbered--eachside lettered. The moves checked with a pencil.
　　Thereafter the second party--having recorded this move on his own board and having studied the effect of it onhis own general position, would call: "I move from E 7 to F 5." If more of those present decided to join in this-eitheron one side or the other, additional boards and pencils were passed to each signifying his desire. ThenShorty Bristol, desiring to aid "Dutch" Swighort, three cells down, might call: "I wouldn't do that, Dutch. Wait aminute, there's a better move than that." And so on with taunts, oaths, laughter, arguments, according to thevarying fortunes and difficulties of the game. And so, too, with cards. These were played with each man lockedin his cell, yet quite as successfully.
　　But Clyde did not care for cards--or for these jibing and coarse hours of conversation. There was for him--andwith the exception of the speech of one--Nicholson--alone, too much ribald and even brutal talk which he couldnot appreciate. But he was drawn to Nicholson. He was beginning to think after a time--a few days--that thislawyer--his presence and companionship during the exercise hour--whenever they chanced to be in the same set-couldhelp him to endure this. He was the most intelligent and respectable man here. The others were all sodifferent--taciturn at times--and for the most part so sinister, crude or remote.
　　But then and that not more than a week after his coming here--and when, because of his interest in Nicholson, hewas beginning to feel slightly sustained at least--the execution of Pasquale Cutrone, of Brooklyn, an Italian,convicted of the slaying of his brother for attempting to seduce his wife. He had one of the cells nearest thetransverse passage, so Clyde learned after arriving, and had in part lost his mind from worrying. At any rate hewas invariably left in his cell when the others--in groups of six--were taken for exercise. But the horror of hisemaciated face, as Clyde passed and occasionally looked in--a face divided into three grim panels by two guttersor prison lines of misery that led from the eyes to the corners of the mouth.
　　Beginning with his, Clyde's arrival, as he learned, Pasquale had begun to pray night and day. For already, beforethat, he had been notified of the approximate date of his death which was to be within the week. And after that hewas given to crawling up and down his cell on his hands and knees, kissing the floor, licking the feet of a brassChrist on a cross that had been given him. Also he was repeatedly visited by an Italian brother and sister freshfrom Italy and for whose benefit at certain hours, he was removed to the old death house. But as all nowwhispered, Pasquale was mentally beyond any help that might lie in brothers or sisters.
　　All night long and all day long, when they were not present, he did this crawling to and fro and praying, andthose who were awake and trying to read to pass the time, were compelled to listen to his mumbled prayers, theclick of the beads of a rosary on which he was numbering numberless Our Fathers and Hail Marys.
　　And though there were voices which occasionally said: "Oh, for Christ's sake--if he would only sleep a little"-stillon, on. And the tap of his forehead on the floor--in prayer, until at last the fatal day preceding the one onwhich he was to die, when Pasquale was taken from his cell here and escorted to another in the old death housebeyond and where, before the following morning, as Clyde later learned, last farewells, if any, were to be said.
　　Also he was to be allowed a few hours in which to prepare his soul for his maker.
　　But throughout that night what a strange condition was this that settled upon all who were of this fatal room. Fewate any supper as the departing trays showed. There was silence--and after that mumbled prayers on the part ofsome--not so greatly removed by time from Pasquale's fate, as they knew. One Italian, sentenced for the murderof a bank watchman, became hysterical, screamed, dashed the chair and table of his cell against the bars of hisdoor, tore the sheets of his bed to shreds and even sought to strangle himself before eventually he wasoverpowered and removed to a cell in a different part of the building to be observed as to his sanity.
　　As for the others, throughout this excitement, one could hear them walking and mumbling or calling to theguards to do something. And as for Clyde, never having experienced or imagined such a scene, he was literallyshivering with fear and horror. All through the last night of this man's life he lay on his pallet, chasing phantoms.
　　So this was what death was like here; men cried, prayed, they lost their minds--yet the deadly process was in noway halted, for all their terror. Instead, at ten o'clock and in order to quiet all those who were left, a cold lunchwas brought in and offered--but with none eating save the Chinaman over the way.
　　And then at four the following morning--the keepers in charge of the deadly work coming silently along the mainpassage and drawing the heavy green curtains with which the cells were equipped so that none might see the fatalprocession which was yet to return along the transverse passage from the old death house to the execution room.
　　And yet with Clyde and all the others waking and sitting up at the sound.
　　It was here, the execution! The hour of death was at hand. This was the signal. In their separate cells, many ofthose who through fear or contrition, or because of innate religious convictions, had been recalled to some formof shielding or comforting faith, were upon their knees praying. Among the rest were others who merely walkedor muttered. And still others who screamed from time to time in an incontrollable fever of terror.
　　As for Clyde he was numb and dumb. Almost thoughtless. They were going to kill that man in that other room inthere. That chair--that chair that he had so greatly feared this long while was in there--was so close now. Yet histime as Jephson and his mother had told him was so long and distant as yet--if ever--ever it was to be--if ever-ever-But now other sounds. Certain walkings to and fro. A cell door clanking somewhere. Then plainly the doorleading from the old death house into this room opening--for there was a voice--several voices indistinct as yet.
　　Then another voice a little clearer as if some one praying. That tell-tale shuffling of feet as a procession movedacross and through that passage. "Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy.""Mary, Mother of Grace, Mary, Mother of Mercy, St. Michael, pray for me; my good Angel, pray for me.""Holy Mary, pray for me; St. Joseph, pray for me. St. Ambrose, pray for me; all ye saints and angels, pray for me.""St. Michael, pray for me; my good Angel, pray for me."It was the voice of the priest accompanying the doomed man and reciting a litany. Yet he was no longer in hisright mind they said. And yet was not that his voice mumbling too? It was. Clyde could tell. He had heard it toomuch recently. And now that other door would be opened. He would be looking through it--this condemnedman--so soon to be dead--at it--seeing it--that cap-- those straps. Oh, he knew all about those by now though theyshould never come to be put upon him, maybe.
　　"Good-by, Cutrone!" It was a hoarse, shaky voice from some near-by cell--Clyde could not tell which. "Go to abetter world than this." And then other voices: "Goodby, Cutrone. God keep you--even though you can't talkEnglish."The procession had passed. That door was shut. He was in there now. They were strapping him in, no doubt.
　　Asking him what more he had to say--he who was no longer quite right in his mind. Now the straps must befastened on, surely. The cap pulled down. In a moment, a moment, surely-And then, although Clyde did not know or notice at the moment--a sudden dimming of the lights in this room--aswell as over the prison--an idiotic or thoughtless result of having one electric system to supply the death voltageand the incandescence of this and all other rooms. And instantly a voice calling:
　　"There she goes. That's one. Well, it's all over with him."And a second voice: "Yes, he's topped off, poor devil."And then after the lapse of a minute perhaps, a second dimming lasting for thirty seconds--and finally a thirddimming.
　　"There--sure--that's the end now.""Yes. He knows what's on the other side now."Thereafter silence--a deadly hush with later some murmured prayers here and there. But with Clyde cold andwith a kind of shaking ague. He dared not think--let alone cry. So that's how it was. They drew the curtains. Andthen--and then. He was gone now. Those three dimmings of the lights. Sure, those were the flashes. And after allthose nights at prayer. Those moanings! Those beatings of his head! And only a minute ago he had been alive-walkingby there. But now dead. And some day he--he!--how could he be sure that he would not? How could he?
　　He shook and shook, lying on his couch, face down. The keepers came and ran up the curtains--as sure andsecure in their lives apparently as though there was no death in the world. And afterwards he could hear themtalking--not to him so much--he had proved too reticent thus far--but to some of the others.
　　Poor Pasquale. This whole business of the death penalty was all wrong. The warden thought so. So did they. He was working to have it abolished.
　　But that man! His prayers! And now he was gone. His cell over there was empty and another man would be putin it--to go too, later. Some one--many--like Cutrone, like himself--had been in this one--on this pallet. He satup--moved to the chair. But he--they--had sat on that--too. He stood up--only to sink down on the pallet again.
　　"God! God! God! God!" he now exclaimed to himself--but not aloud--and yet not unlike that other man who hadso terrorized him on the night of his arrival here and who was still here. But he would go too. And all of theseothers--and himself maybe--unless-- unless.
　　He had seen his first man die.

可是在这以后，克莱德觉得在监狱里简直度日如年。只有他母亲每周来探望他一次。她一动手工作，就很难更经常地来看他……后来两个月里，她往返于奥尔巴尼与布法罗之间，甚至还到过纽约市，但结果并不成功，跟她当初所希望的大相径庭。因为，说到她向教会和公众呼吁一事，她真可以说是疲如奔命的了(如果说克莱德并不知道，那末只有她自己知道了)。经过三周来多多少少向各地区和纯粹各教派试探的结果，她不得不得出这么一个结论:

基督徒他们至少是漠不关心的……压根儿不象基督徒应具有的气度。因为，他们对此态度全都一个样，特别是当地的牧师，他们自以为事事都得极其谨小慎微，方可表达出他们会众的意见，因此，他们一致认为，这是一场臭名昭著。而且当然也是令人不快的。业已定罪结案了的审判……从国内比较保守的人的视角来看，或是从各报刊的言论来判断，至少也都是完全赞同的。

首先，这个女人，还有她的儿子，究竟都是些什么样的人呢?

一个自称劝人为善的……地下传教士……竟敢藐视有组织的。历史悠久。等级森严的神权及其体制(神学院。合法教会及其分支机构……对于圣言都是极其审慎，深思熟虑地加以诠释，而又由于符合传统教条，因此也就是合法的诠释)所规定的一切教义和方式方法，忽然灵机一动，擅自举办了未经任何神职授权，所以也就是莫名其妙的传道馆。再说，她要是也能象一位贤妻良母那样待在家里，一门心思扑在她的儿子和她的其他孩子上面……栽培教育他们……那末，上面谈到的这类事，难道还会发生吗?

除此以外……克莱德究竟有没有杀害了这个姑娘呢?

不过，不管怎么说，根据克莱德自己在受审时所作的证词，他不是已犯了跟这个姑娘通奸的罪吗?

这个罪在很多人心目中，几乎跟杀人罪同样严重。这个罪不是他自己也供认了吗?

替一个判定犯有通奸罪的人呼冤叫屈……即便此人不是杀人犯(这个有谁知道呢?

)，在教会里能这么乱来一气吗?

不……哪一个基督教堂都不能为辩论这个案子是非功过提供场所，入场听讲居然还要收费。这可要不得。哪怕是每个教堂里每个基督徒对格里菲思太太个人也许是深表同情……或是对她儿子可能受到的不公平判决表示愤慨，这也要不得。不，不。这从道德上来说，是极不可取的。因为年轻人的注意力，也许还会被犯罪的一些具体细节给吸引过去了。

再说，由于各报刊载过有关她去东部营救儿子的消息，还描述过她身上穿着稀奇古怪的那副德行，绝大多数牧师都认为她肯定是个宗教狂，决不是哪一个教派或是某个神学流派里的一员，以这副德行登上圣坛，就是为了亵渎真正纯洁的宗教。

因此，她所请求的每一个对象……尽管未必都是铁石心肠……却转念一想……觉得不行……一定还有什么别的好办法……对基督徒来说可以少一些麻烦……比方说，租一个大会堂，如果再请各报刊适当配合一下，本来还是可以从基督徒里招徕很多听众的。这样，格里菲思太太就到处(除了一处例外)碰壁，都叫她上别处求告去……至于向天主教徒寻求帮助……一来是出于她的偏见……二来由于她那种含糊不清。缺乏事实根据的不信任感……她脑子里压根儿连想都没有想过他们。她知道，根据掌管圣。彼得神圣钥匙的人解释，基督的仁慈，不是给那些不承认教皇权力的人的。

所以，她不知有多少天来到处敲门，到处碰壁。最后，她出于万般无奈，才不得不求助于一个犹太人……此人拥有尤蒂卡一家最大的电影院……真正罪恶的渊薮。得到他的允许，她可以在某天上午无偿借用这家电影院举行演讲会，讲讲她儿子这个案子的是非曲直，题为"一个母亲为自己儿子申辩"……入场券每位两角五分，使她净收入多达两百块美元之谱。这个数字尽管不算大，可是一开头就使她精神亢奋起来。她深信，不管那些正统的基督徒态度如何，她很快就能敛到一笔钱，足够克莱德上诉用的。也许还得花些时间……不过，这笔钱她准能敛到的。

但是没有多久，她发现，还有别的一些因素不得不考虑到……比方说，车费。她本人在尤蒂卡等地的开销，更不用说务必寄一些钱到丹佛她丈夫那里去。

这时，她丈夫已是一筹莫展，而且几乎活不下去了，再加上家里出了这一场特大悲剧，使他一病不起，病得越来越重了……看了弗兰克和朱丽娅的来信，总是让人牵肠挂肚的。也许他压根儿好不了。他那里少不得也要周济一点儿。

因此，除了她个人在这里的开销以外，格里菲思太太还不得不从眼前唯一收入的这笔钱里拿一些派别的用处。想一想克莱德身处绝境……真可怕，可是，为了赢得最后胜利，难道她还不应该千方百计地苦撑下去吗?

她断断乎不能为了营救克莱德，就把自己丈夫也扔下不管了。

可是，随着时间流逝，她的听众却越来越少了，到后来，充其量才不过十几个人……刚够她本人开销了……虽然通过这种方式，扣去她所有的开销，最后她还是积攒了一千一百块美元。

就在这时，也是正当她心焦如焚之际，弗兰克和朱丽娅给她打来电报，说如果她还想跟阿萨见上一面，最好马上回家来。他已是奄奄一息，要活恐怕没有指望的了。于是，好几件危难之事都冲着她而来;对于克莱德，现在她至多也只能每星期去探望他一次或两次……如果说她当时工作允许的话……那是她目前尽心尽力让克莱德得到的唯一乐趣……因此，她就赶紧找贝尔纳普和杰夫森商量，如何解决她现下碰到的那一大堆困难。

两位辩护律师眼看着她历经艰辛募集到一千一百块美元，即将悉数交给他们，现在居然人情味十足，撺掇她回到自己丈夫身边去。克莱德当然暂时还是相安无事，因为要在整整一年……或者至少十个月……以后，上诉法院才需要调集本案笔录和案情摘要。而且，肯定还得再经过一年时间，方才作出正式决定。毫无疑问，在这个时限以前，上诉费用的余缺部分一定能通通筹集到。要不然，哪怕这事完不成……嗯，得了……反正她也不用发愁了。贝尔纳普和杰夫森两位先生(看到她早已竭精殚虑，心神恍惚)一定会极力保护她儿子的权益。

他们会提出上诉的请求，进行申辩……并且办好其他一切必办的事项，保证他的儿子能在适当的时候得到公正的申诉机会。

她就这样心里如释重负似的，最后又去探望了克莱德两次，让他尽管放心，说她决心尽快赶回来的……只要阿萨体力一恢复，而且，回程费用，她也有了着落……于是，她就动身了。不料，她一回到丹佛，就发现倘要丈夫马上恢复健康，决不是那么容易的事。

这时，克莱德独自一人留在那里沉思默想，让自己尽量适应这里的生活……他努力往最好处争取，这里至多也只是一座精神地狱……在这地狱的门上，不妨可以写上但丁在《神曲》地狱篇里的这句话……"你们进这儿来的人啊……请把希望放在门外。"这里弥漫着一种阴森森的气氛。一种慢性的。但能撕裂心灵的力量!

这种一望可知的恐怖和沮丧……是怎么也甩脱不了地经常主宰着所有的犯人们……不管他们勇敢也好，害怕也好，喜好虚张声势也好，说真的无所谓也好(这种人确实有的是)，他们都得被迫在这里揣摸和等待。这时，由于处在这种特别冷酷。

辛酸的监狱生活环境里，克莱德就经常在心理上……如果说不是在肉体上……跟二十来个国籍不同。气质殊异的同监犯人接触;而这拨人里头每一个人，正如他自己一样，都对自己天性里某种狂热。好色，或是他生活际遇里的某种悲惨情况作出反应。而随着最后的结局，或称最后的插曲，就是作为精神上和肉体上的总爆发……谋杀……被人识破，于是，为了要在道德上和法律上自我卫护，先是斗争，继而失败，使自己饱受恐怖而又困顿不堪(对此克莱德已是相当熟悉的了)……如今他们发现自己都被关押在二十二个铁笼子里头的这一个或那一个里……仿佛在孤岛上……等待着……可是，他们等待着的是什么呢?

其实，他们心里很清楚。而他心里也很清楚。有的时候，他们就在这里狂怒和绝望猝然迸发，或是被祈祷弄得神魂颠倒，也有的时候……咒骂该死……净说一些粗鲁肮脏。不堪入耳的笑话……或是大声讲故事，让大伙儿都听得见……或是发出下流猥亵的狂笑……或是在深更半夜，正当疲惫的心灵好不容易才入了岑寂之境，肉体和灵魂似乎也应当休息的时候，却传来了一声声呻吟叹息。

长长的走廊尽头，有一个专供放风的院子。每天(在上午十点到下午五点之间)……两次，每次几分钟，将犯人分成五个一拨或六个一拨……都被押出来……吸吸空气，溜溜腿，做做柔软体操……或是跑跑步，蹦蹦跳跳，全随他们自己高兴。不过，总有相当多的狱警在旁监视，以防他们进行任何形式的反抗。克莱德从入狱后的第二天开始，也被押到院子里去，有时跟这拨人在一起，也有时候跟另一拨人在一起。开头，他坚决认为自己可不愿随大溜参加这类活动;不过，眼看着别的一些同监犯人……不管自己的末日已在临近了……好象还是挺乐意玩个痛痛快快。

有两个黑眼睛。阴险的意大利人:

一个是因为某个姑娘不肯嫁给他，就把她杀了;另一个先是抢了丈人的钱财，后来又把丈人杀了，并且还企图焚尸灭迹，为的是给自己和老婆捞钱发财!

还有那大个儿拉里。多纳休……方头。方肩，大手。大脚，当过大兵，还派往海外去过，原在布鲁克林某厂担任值夜警卫，后来被工头开除了，于是，他就伺机要干掉那个工头。有一天夜里，他在某某地方果然把那工头杀了，但不小心把一枚战时服役的奖章失落在地上，经过追查，终于确认是他所干的。所有这些，克莱德都是从狱警那儿听说的。那些狱警对待犯人简直出奇地无动于衷，但总的看来似乎还算友好，他们分日夜两班看管这些牢房，每班两人轮值，每八小时换一班。还有罗切斯特的警官赖尔登，因为妻子坚决要离弃他，他就把她杀了……而现下他本人就得自己来偿命了。还有那个托马斯。莫勒，是个年轻的"农场主"，其实，他充其量仅仅是个雇农罢了。

克莱德入狱的头一个晚上，就听见他呻吟哭泣过……他用干草杈把他的雇主给戳死了……现在眼看着就得自己来偿命了，克莱德是听人这么说的。此人一个劲儿在牢房里踱来踱去，紧贴着墙根，耷拉着脑袋，两手撂在背后……是一个粗鲁无礼。身强力壮的乡巴佬，年纪大约三十岁光景。瞧他那副德行，仿佛挨过揍。被人家撵了出来似的，很难想象他竟然是个折磨人。杀害人的凶手。克莱德瞅着他暗自纳闷……他真的有罪吗?

此外还有米勒。尼科尔森，是布法罗的一位律师，年龄约莫在四十岁左右，细高个儿，论外貌显然卓尔超群……属于有教养的知识分子类型。乍一看，谁都一定会说他不是杀人犯，就象克莱德一样……但他还是被定了罪，说他毒死某巨富老翁后，企图将其财产占为己有。不过，依克莱德看，至少从他的模样或是态度上，一点儿看不出此人竟是如此十恶不赦……其实，他倒是个谦逊有礼的人。克莱德入狱后头一个早晨，尼科尔森一见他，就走过去说:

"害怕了吧?

"不过，此人说话的语气非常温柔而又体贴，这克莱德一听也感觉得到，尽管他站在那里面色煞白，浑身冰冷……骇怕得几乎不敢动一动……甚至连想都不敢想一想。可是，克莱德一是心里诚惶诚恐……二是因为他感到自己确实完蛋了，就回答说:

"是的，我想好象自己是害怕的。"殊不知这话一说出口，他就暗自忖度，他干吗偏要这么说(如此低三下四地直言不讳)，后来，尼科尔森身上的某种东西给他鼓了气，所以，他就对自己刚才的答话感到后悔了。

"你叫格里菲思，是吧?

""是的。""哦，我叫尼科尔森。别害怕。很快你就会习惯的。

"他尽管脸上毫无血色，还是勉强露出一丝笑容。不过，他眼里似乎压根儿不含笑意。

"我想，我也并不是挺害怕的，"克莱德回答说，竭力想修正一下刚才他无意之中脱口而出的真心话。

"哦，那敢情好。散散心吧。我们在这儿都得这么轻松轻松……要不然差不多人人都要疯了。最好尽量多呼吸一点儿新鲜空气。撒腿快步走一会儿。这样对你有好处。"他就迈开腿往外走了几步，让自己胳膊活动活动。这时，克莱德伫立在那儿，自言自语……声音简直很响……尽管他还是那么发颤:

"我们在这儿都得这么轻松轻松，要不然差不多人人都要疯了。"这话倒是千真万确的。他在狱中过了头一夜以后，就看见了，感受到了。真的……你简直快疯了。也许把你折磨死了。因为你被迫亲眼目睹了这些骇人的。心肝俱裂的……而且对每个人来说……日益逼近的悲剧。不过，这一切他还得忍受多久呀?

他又能忍受多久呢?

一两天后，他又觉得这座死牢也并不象他开头想象的那样……至少表面上说……不全是一片恐怖。实际上……即使每一个同监犯人死期已是迫在眉睫，这里仍然是嬉笑。嘲讽，乃至于游戏之地……并对所有能想到的题目，从死亡到女人。运动。舞台进行抬杠……通过人类各种不同形式的俏皮话(或则正好缺少这种俏皮话)相互竟争，而这一切照例又是跟他们知识层次普通低下相适应的。

如今，早饭一开过，没有被叫出去参加头一拨放风的人，往往就下棋或玩纸牌……那是这里绝无仅有的两种消遣……这并不是说让他们从牢房里放出来，按组发给一副棋子。棋盘，或是一副纸牌;而是由一刻儿也不离岗的狱警把棋盘发给两名对弈(如果是下棋的话)的犯人，每人一块，但是棋子不发给。他们对弈时是不需要棋子的。于是，由一个人先开局说，"我从Ｇ２跳到Ｅ１"……每一格都标出号码……每一边也都有字母。每走一步棋，都用铅笔记下来。

接着，对手先在自己的棋盘上把这一着棋记下来，琢磨一下这对自己全局影响如何，然后大声说:

"我从Ｆ７跳到Ｆ５。"如果在场还有别人乐意加入，不管他们加入的是哪一方，狱警就会另外发给他们一人一块棋盘。一支铅笔。

那时，只听见乐意帮助跟他隔开三间牢房的"荷兰佬"斯威戈特的小矮子布里斯托尔大声说:

"我才不同意这么走，荷兰佬。且慢，且慢，好棋还在后头哩。"棋就这么继续对弈下去，并且根据这盘棋变化莫测的胜败得失，时而嬉笑，时而怒骂，时而赌咒，时而抬杠。玩纸牌也是这样。每个人照例都关在自己牢房里玩，居然还玩兴不减哩。

不过，克莱德不喜欢玩纸牌……也不喜欢整天价净是粗鲁嘲笑乱扯淡。他觉得……除尼科尔森一人外……周围人们说的净是下流猥亵，甚至粗野的脏话，他听了简直刺耳。不过话又说回来，他自己却被尼科尔森深深吸引住了。过了一些时候……一两天光景……他开始揣想，放风时有他在场，只要他们碰巧在同一拨里有这个律师，跟他作伴聊聊天，就可以帮他顶住这一切。在同监犯人里头就数尼科尔森最有真知灼见。最受人们尊敬。其他的犯人都跟他大不一样……有时一声不吭……更多时间是那么阴险。粗鄙，或是那么冷漠无情。

他入狱才过去了一星期，他对尼科尔森刚刚感兴趣，开始觉得自己至少稍微坚定些，这时却突然得知布鲁克林的巴斯夸尔。卡特龙尼就要行刑了。原来此人把自己兄弟杀死了(因为后者企图诱奸他的妻子)，结果被判处死刑。巴斯夸尔住的那间牢房，离横穿而过的走廊最近，克莱德入狱后才知道，由于担惊受怕，此人已经有些神经错乱了。每当别人(六个人一拨)提出来放风时，他却照例被留在自己牢房里。可是，克莱德走过那里，偶尔往里头张望一下，见他那张瘦削的脸看起来怪可怕的，从眼睛到嘴角边，被两道深沟，亦即狱中苦难的皱纹，一分为龇牙咧嘴的三大块。

克莱德后来知道，从他入狱的那一天起，巴斯夸尔就已经开始日夜祈祷了。

因为在这以前早已把下周以内行刑的大致日期通知了他。打这以后，他就开始让自己两手。两膝匍伏在地，在牢房里爬来爬去，老是吻地板，舔基督背十字架的铜像的脚。他有一对兄妹刚从意大利来，一连好几次看望他，所以在一定的时间里他就被带到老死牢去跟兄妹晤面。不过，正如大伙儿现下窃窃私语所说，巴斯夸尔早已神经错乱，兄妹他们也无能为力了。

整天整夜，只要不跟兄妹们晤面，他就是那样在牢房里爬来爬去，嘴里咕哝着祷告。那些夜不成寐，原想看书消磨时间的同监犯人，硬着头皮不得不听他含糊不清地一面祈祷。一面拨动念珠的声响。与此同时，他还一遍又一遍，不知其数地呼唤圣父和万福马利亚。

虽然偶尔有些人会说:

"啊，谢天谢地，哪怕是他能睡上一会儿也好。"可他还是照样不断地念。还有他在祈祷时让额角磕响地板的声音……就这样一直到行刑的前一天，巴斯夸尔这才从自己牢房移押到老死牢里另一间牢房去。克莱德后来知道，在转天清早以前，如果说有人来看他，那就去老死牢那里跟他最后诀别。此外，还给了他一两个钟头时间，让他的灵魂做好准备去见创世主。

可是这一天，整整一个通宵，关在这座致命的监狱里的所有犯人，都给吓懵了。晚餐很少有人吃得下，从收走的餐盘就可以说明。牢房里一片沉寂……在这以后，有好几个人在含糊不清地祈祷……他们知道自己也不会多久就得到跟巴斯夸尔同样的命运了。有一个意大利人，因为杀过银行里的一个门卫被判处死刑，现在歇斯底里大发作，一个劲儿大声尖叫，把自己牢房里桌子椅子往钉上铁条的牢门上猛摔，并把铁床上被单撕得稀碎，甚至还想把自己掐死。后来，他终于被制服了，移押到另一个牢房去，因为他神志不清，需要特别监护。

至于别的一些犯人，在这慌乱的时刻，人们可以听见他们一直在牢房里踱来踱去，含糊不清地祈祷，或是招呼狱警给他们做点什么事。至于克莱德，他从来没有经历过或是想象过会有这种场面，简直惊恐得浑身上下瑟瑟发颤。巴斯夸尔一生中这个最后一夜，克莱德就躺在自己小床上，彻夜通宵驱散骇人的恶梦。唉，在这里，死……原来就是这样的:

人们号叫，祈祷，他们都疯狂了，尽管他们还是惊恐万状，死这个骇人的进程决没有停止不前。十点钟，为了让还活着的犯人安静下来，送来了一顿冷餐……不过除了克莱德对面那个中国人以外，谁都没有动过。

转天凌晨四点钟，监狱里专管这一骇人任务的人，一声不响沿着那条宽敞走廊过来，把各个牢门口深绿色厚门帘一一放下来，莫让有人看见这一死亡的行列从老死牢出来，顺着横穿而过的走廊向行刑室走去。殊不知克莱德和所有其他犯人一听见声音就全都醒了，一下子坐了起来。

该是行刑的时候啦!

死亡的时辰已敲响了。这是一个信号。各个牢房里很多犯人，或是骇怕，或是后悔，或是与生俱有的宗教感情，又一次想到从信仰中给自己寻求庇护和安慰，就两膝下跪，开始祈祷起来。另有一些犯人，只是在牢房里踱来踱去，或是给自己咕哝着些什么。还有一些犯人，由于一阵抑制不住的恐惧，不时大声尖叫着。

至于克莱德，他已经僵化，一气不吭，几乎失去了知觉。就在此刻，行刑室那儿，他们要把那个人杀死了。那张电椅……许久以来简直让他吓破了胆的那张电椅，就在那儿……如今日益逼近了。不过，据他母亲和杰夫森告诉他，都说他的时间还很长。很长呢……如果……如果要到的话……如果……如果……这时却又传来别的一些声音了。是谁在走来走去的脚步声。不知是在敲哪儿的一道牢门。接着，显然是从老死牢通往这里的那道门打开了……因为现在听得见有一个声音……还有几个声音，只是不太清晰罢了。随后是另一个声音，比较清晰些，仿佛有人在祈祷。这队行列经过那走廊时，传来了脚步在地上拖曳的声音，仿佛是在警告在押犯人似的:

"主啊，可怜可怜我们吧。基督啊，可怜可怜我们吧。""马利亚，慈悲的圣母，马利亚，仁慈的圣母，圣。米迦勒，为我祈祷吧;我的好天使，为我祈祷吧。""圣母马利亚，为我祈祷吧;圣。约瑟，为我祈祷吧。圣。安布罗斯，为我祈祷吧;所有的圣徒和天使，为我祈祷吧。""圣。米迦勒，为我祈祷，我的好天使，为我祈祷吧。"这是来自即将被处决的犯人身边那位牧师的声音，是在朗诵启应祷文。据说，此人早已方寸大乱了。可他不是也在喃喃自语吗?

是的，是他的声音。克莱德听得出来。这个声音近来他听得太多了。此刻，那另一道门就要开了。他要从门口往里头张望……这个犯人……马上就要死了……他会看见……这一切……他会看见……那顶盔帽……那些带子。啊，所有这些东西是什么样儿的，现在他全知道了，虽说这些东西也许永远不会戴到他身上。

"再见了，卡特龙尼!

"这是来自附近牢房里一个粗鄙发颤的声音……克莱德不能断定是哪一间的。"到极乐世界去吧。"随后是另外一些声音，说:

"再见了，卡特龙尼。上帝保佑你……哪怕是你不会说英语。"这一行列走过去了。那道门关上了。他已关在那里头了。毫无疑问，此刻正在给他拴上带子了。问他还有什么话要说……其实，他早已不省人事了。现在，想必带子都已拴紧了。那顶盔帽也给拉下来了。只要一眨眼，一眨眼，当然罗……当时克莱德虽然并不知道，也没有注意……这个牢房里所有灯光，乃至于整座监狱的灯光突然一暗。不知是哪个白痴或是毫无头脑的人竟然想得出来，让行刑的电椅跟整座监狱的照明合用同一个电源。于是，马上有一个声音在嚷嚷:

"开闸了。这下子，嘿，他就完蛋了。"另一个声音说:

"是啊，最后断气了，倒霉鬼。"也许过了一分钟吧，灯又一次暗下来，暗了三十秒钟……最后第三次暗下来。

"得了……现在准是……全完了。""是啊。那边世界究竟是怎样的，现在他可亲眼看到啦。"随后是一片沉寂……死一般的沉寂。只听见到处有人在喃喃自语地祈祷。

可是克莱德浑身冰凉，好象得了疟疾直发颤。他连想都不敢想……更不用说哭号了。反正照例都是这个样子的。先是让门帘拉下来了。然后……然后。巴斯夸尔连影儿也没了。电灯暗了三次。当然罗，那是通上电了。这么多天来他夜夜还在祈祷呢。如此呻吟号叫!

如此狠命地往地上磕头!

一分钟前，他还活着……从走廊那儿走过。可现在他死了。有朝一日他……他!

……他怎能担保说他就不会这样呢?

难道说他自己能担保?

他俯伏在小床上，脸儿朝下，浑身不断在抖索。监狱管理人员过来了，把门帘拉了起来……显然他们活得很平静。很安稳，好象世界上压根儿就没有死亡这等事似的。稍后，他听见有人在走廊里说话……不是跟他在说话……他至今一直保持缄默……仅仅是跟他贴邻的人说说话。

可怜的巴斯夸尔!

死刑这一大套，压根儿就是要不得的。典狱长就是这么想的。他们也是这么想的。典狱长正在为废除死刑做出努力哩。

可是那个卡特龙尼呀!

他的祈祷!

现在他连影儿也没有了。那儿他的牢房空了，别人马上就会被安置进去……不过这个人早晚也得走。在这间牢房里，早先就有人……很多很多的人……有如卡特龙尼一样，有如他自己一样……在这儿待过……躺在这张小床上。他站了起来……坐到椅子上。可是，他……他们……也曾经在那张椅子上面坐过呀。他站了起来……只好还是倒在小床上。"天哪!

天哪!

天哪!

天哪!

天哪!

"现在他自言自语地重复念叨着……不过声音不大……但是，跟他入狱后头一天晚上把他吓倒的那个犯人的声音并没有什么两样。而现在那个犯人还在这里，不过，很快他也要去了。而且，所有这些人……也许还包括他自己在内，都会是这样的……除非……除非……克莱德终于第一次看到了犯人是怎样服死刑的。
Part 3 Chapter 31
In the meantime, however, Asa's condition had remained serious, and it was four entire months before it waspossible for him to sit up again or for Mrs. Griffiths to dream of resuming her lecturing scheme. But by that time,public interest in her and her son's fate was considerably reduced. No Denver paper was interested to finance herreturn for anything she could do for them. And as for the public in the vicinity of the crime, it remembered Mrs.
　　Griffiths and her son most clearly, and in so far as she was concerned, sympathetically--but only, on the otherhand, to think of him as one who probably was guilty and in that case, being properly punished for his crime-thatit would be as well if an appeal were not taken--or--if it were--that it be refused. These guilty criminals withtheir interminable appeals!
　　And with Clyde where he was, more and more executions--although as he found--and to his invariable horror, noone ever became used to such things there; farmhand Mowrer for the slaying of his former employer; officerRiordan for the slaying of his wife--and a fine upstanding officer too but a minute before his death; andafterwards, within the month, the going of the Chinaman, who seemed, for some reason, to endure a long time(and without a word in parting to any one--although it was well known that he spoke a few words of English).
　　And after him Larry Donahue, the overseas soldier--with a grand call--just before the door closed behind: "Goodbyboys. Good luck."And after him again--but, oh--that was so hard; so much closer to Clyde--so depleting to his strength to think ofbearing this deadly life here without--Miller Nicholson--no less. For after five months in which they had beenable to walk and talk and call to each other from time to time from their cells and Nicholson had begun to advisehim as to books to read--as well as one important point in connection with his own case--on appeal--or in theevent of any second trial, i.e.,--that the admission of Roberta's letters as evidence, as they stood, at least, bedesperately fought on the ground that the emotional force of them was detrimental in the case of any juryanywhere, to a calm unbiased consideration of the material facts presented by them--and that instead of theletters being admitted as they stood they should be digested for the facts alone and that digest--and that onlyoffered to the jury. "If your lawyers can get the Court of Appeals to agree to the soundness of that you will winyour case sure."And Clyde at once, after inducing a personal visit on the part of Jephson, laying this suggestion before him and hearing him say that it was sound and that he and Belknap would assuredly incorporate it in their appeal.
　　Yet not so long after that the guard, after locking his door on returning from the courtyard whispered, with a nodin the direction of Nicholson's cell, "His next. Did he tell you? Within three days."And at once Clyde shriveling--the news playing upon him as an icy and congealing breath. For he had just comefrom the courtyard with him where they had walked and talked of another man who had just been brought in--aHungarian of Utica who was convicted of burning his paramour--in a furnace--then confessing it--a huge, rough,dark, ignorant man with a face like a gargoyle. And Nicholson saying he was more animal than man, he wassure. Yet no word about himself. And in THREE DAYS! And he could walk and talk as though there wasnothing to happen, although, according to the guard, he had been notified the night before.
　　And the next day the same--walking and talking as though nothing had happened--looking up at the sky andbreathing the air. Yet Clyde, his companion, too sick and feverish--too awed and terrified from merely thinkingon it all night to be able to say much of anything as he walked but thinking: "And he can walk here. And be socalm. What sort of a man is this?" and feeling enormously overawed and weakened.
　　The following morning Nicholson did not appear--but remained in his cell destroying many letters he hadreceived from many places. And near noon, calling to Clyde who was two cells removed from him on the otherside: "I'm sending you something to remember me by." But not a word as to his going.
　　And then the guard bringing two books--Robinson Crusoe and the Arabian Nights. That night Nicholson'sremoval from his cell--and the next morning before dawn the curtains; the same procession passing through,which was by now an old story to Clyde. But somehow this was so different--so intimate--so cruel. And as hepassed, calling: "God bless you all. I hope you have good luck and get out." And then that terrible stillness thatfollowed the passing of each man.
　　And Clyde thereafter--lonely--terribly so. Now there was no one here--no one--in whom he was interested. Hecould only sit and read--and think--or pretend to be interested in what these others said, for he could not really beinterested in what they said. His was a mind that, freed from the miseries that had now befallen him, wasnaturally more drawn to romance than to reality. Where he read at all he preferred the light, romantic novel thatpictured some such world as he would have liked to share, to anything that even approximated the hard reality ofthe world without, let alone this. Now what was going to become of him eventually? So alone was he! Onlyletters from his mother, brother and sisters. And Asa getting no better, and his mother not able to return as yet-thingswere so difficult there in Denver. She was seeking a religious school in which to teach somewhere--whilenursing Asa. But she was asking the Rev. Duncan McMillan, a young minister whom she had encountered inSyracuse, in the course of her work there, to come and see him. He was so spiritual and so kindly. And she wassure, if he would but come, that Clyde would find him a helpful and a strong support in these, his dark and wearyhours when she could no longer be with him herself.
　　For while Mrs. Griffiths was first canvassing the churches and ministers of this section for aid for her son, andgetting very little from any quarter, she had met the Rev. Duncan McMillan in Syracuse, where he wasconducting an independent, non-sectarian church. He was a young, and like herself or Asa, unordained ministeror evangelist of, however, far stronger and more effective temperament religiously. At the time Mrs. Griffiths appeared on the scene, he had already read much concerning Clyde and Roberta--and was fairly well satisfiedthat, by the verdict arrived at, justice had probably been done. However, because of her great sorrow andtroubled search for aid he was greatly moved.
　　He, himself, was a devoted son. And possessing a highly poetic and emotional though so far repressed orsublimated sex nature, he was one who, out of many in this northern region, had been touched and stirred by thecrime of which Clyde was presumed to be guilty. Those highly emotional and tortured letters of Roberta's! Herseemingly sad life at Lycurgus and Biltz! How often he had thought of those before ever he had encounteredMrs. Griffiths. The simple and worthy virtues which Roberta and her family had seemingly represented in thatromantic, pretty country world from which they had derived. Unquestionably Clyde was guilty. And yet here,suddenly, Mrs. Griffiths, very lorn and miserable and maintaining her son's innocence. At the same time therewas Clyde in his cell doomed to die. Was it possible that by any strange freak or circumstance--a legal mistakehad been made and Clyde was not as guilty as he appeared?
　　The temperament of McMillan was exceptional--tense, exotic. A present hour St. Bernard, Savonarola, St.
　　Simeon, Peter the Hermit. Thinking of life, thought, all forms and social structures as the word, the expression,the breath of God. No less. Yet room for the Devil and his anger--the expelled Lucifer--going to and fro in theearth. Yet, thinking on the Beatitudes, on the Sermon on the Mount, on St. John and his direct seeing andinterpretation of Christ and God. "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me,scattereth." A strange, strong, tense, confused, merciful and too, after his fashion beautiful soul; sorrowing withmisery yearning toward an impossible justice.
　　Mrs. Griffiths in her talks with him had maintained that he was to remember that Roberta was not whollyguiltless. Had she not sinned with her son? And how was he to exculpate her entirely? A great legal mistake. Herson was being most unjustly executed--and by the pitiful but none-the-less romantic and poetic letters of this girlwhich should never have been poured forth upon a jury of men at all. They were, as she now maintained,incapable of judging justly or fairly where anything sad in connection with a romantic and pretty girl wasconcerned. She had found that to be true in her mission work.
　　And this idea now appealed to the Rev. Duncan as important and very likely true. And perhaps, as she nowcontended, if only some powerful and righteous emissary of God would visit Clyde and through the force of hisfaith and God's word make him see--which she was sure he did not yet, and which she in her troubled state, andbecause she was his mother, could not make him,--the blackness and terror of his sin with Roberta as it related tohis immortal soul here and hereafter,--then in gratitude to, reverence and faith in God, would be washed away,all his iniquity, would it not? For irrespective of whether he had committed the crime now charged against himor not--and she was convinced that he had not--was he not, nevertheless, in the shadow of the electric chair--indanger at any time through death (even before a decision should be reached) of being called before his maker-andwith the deadly sin of adultery, to say nothing of all his lies and false conduct, not only in connection withRoberta but that other girl there in Lycurgus, upon him? And by conversion and contrition should he not bepurged of this? If only his soul were saved--she and he too would be at peace in this world.
　　And after a first and later a second pleading letter from Mrs. Griffiths, in which, after she had arrived at Denver,she set forth Clyde's loneliness and need of counsel and aid, the Rev. Duncan setting forth for Auburn. And oncethere--having made it clear to the warden what his true purpose was--the spiritual salvation of Clyde's soul, for his own, as well as his mother and God's sake, he was at once admitted to the death house and to Clyde'spresence-- the very door of his cell, where he paused and looked through, observing Clyde lying most wretchedlyon his cot trying to read. And then McMillan outlining his tall, thin figure against the bars and withoutintroduction of any kind, beginning, his head bowed in prayer:
　　"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy loving-kindness; according unto the multitude of Thy tendermercies, blot out my transgressions.""Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.""For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.""Against Thee, Thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight, that Thou mightest be justified whenThou speakest and be clear when Thou judgest.""Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.""Behold, Thou desireth truth in the inward parts; and in the hidden part Thou shalt make me to know wisdom.""Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.""Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which Thou hast broken may rejoice.""Hide Thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.""Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.""Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy holy spirit away from me.""Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and uphold me with Thy free spirit.""Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways; and sinners will be converted unto Thee.""Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Thyrighteousness.""O Lord, open Thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth Thy praise.""For Thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it; Thou delightest not in burnt offering.""The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise."He paused--but only after he had intoned, and in a most sonorous and really beautiful voice the entire 51st Psalm.
　　And then looking up, because Clyde, much astonished, had first sat up and then risen--and curiously enticed by the clean and youthful and vigorous if pale figure had approached nearer the cell door, he now added:
　　"I bring you, Clyde, the mercy and the salvation of your God. He has called on me and I have come. He has sentme that I may say unto you though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white--like snow. Though they be red,like crimson, they shall be as wool. Come now, let us reason together with the Lord."He paused and stared at Clyde tenderly. A warm, youthful, half smile, half romantic, played about his lips. Heliked the youth and refinement of Clyde, who, on his part was plainly taken by this exceptional figure. Anotherreligionist, of course. But the Protestant chaplain who was here was nothing like this man--neither so arrestingnor attractive.
　　"Duncan McMillan is my name," he said, "and I come from the work of the Lord in Syracuse. He has sent me-justas he sent your mother to me. She has told me all that she believes. I have read all that you have said. And Iknow why you are here. But it is to bring you spiritual joy and gladness that I am here."And he suddenly quoted from Psalms 13:2, "'How shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart,daily.' That is from Psalms 13:2. And here is another thing that now comes to me as something that I should sayto you. It is from the Bible, too--the Tenth Psalm: 'He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved, for I shallnever be in adversity.' But you are in adversity, you see. We all are, who live in sin. And here is another thingthat comes to me, just now to say. It is from Psalm 10:11: 'He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten. Hehideth His face.' And I am told to say to you that He does not hide His face. Rather I am told to quote this to youfrom the Eighteenth Psalm: 'They prevented me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my stay. He sentfrom above, He took me, He drew me out of many waters.'
　　"'He delivered me from my strong enemy.
　　"'And from them which hated me, for they were too many for me.
　　"'He brought me forth also unto a large place.
　　"'He delivered me because He delighted in me.'
　　"Clyde, those are all words addressed to you. They come to me here to say to you just as though they were beingwhispered to me. I am but the mouthpiece for these words spoken direct to you. Take counsel with your ownheart. Turn from the shadow to the light. Let us break these bonds of misery and gloom; chase these shadows andthis darkness. You have sinned. The Lord can and will forgive. Repent. Join with Him who has shaped the worldand keeps it. He will not spurn your faith; He will not neglect your prayers. Turn--in yourself--in the confines ofthis cell--and say: 'Lord, help me. Lord, hear Thou my prayer. Lord, lighten mine eyes!'
　　"Do you think there is no God--and that He will not answer you? Pray. In your trouble turn to Him--not me--orany other. But to Him. Pray. Speak to Him. Call to Him. Tell Him the truth and ask for help. As surely as you arehere before me--and if in your heart you truly repent of any evil you have done--TRULY, TRULY, you will hearand feel Him. He will take your hand. He will enter this cell and your soul. You will know Him by the peace andthe light that will fill your mind and heart. Pray. And if you need me again to help you in any way--to pray with you--or to do you any service of any kind--to cheer you in your loneliness--you have only to send for me; dropme a card. I have promised your mother and I will do what I can. The warden has my address." He paused,serious and conclusive in his tone--because up to this time, Clyde had looked more curious and astonished thananything else.
　　At the same time because of Clyde's extreme youthfulness and a certain air of lonely dependence which markedhim ever since his mother and Nicholson had gone: "I'll always be in easy reach. I have a lot of religious workover in Syracuse but I'll be glad to drop it at any time that I can really do anything more for you." And here heturned as if to go.
　　But Clyde, now taken by him--his vital, confident and kindly manner--so different to the tense, fearful and yetlonely life here, called after him: "Oh, don't go just yet. Please don't. It's very nice of you to come and see me andI'm obliged to you. My mother wrote me you might. You see, it's very lonely here. I haven't thought much ofwhat you were saying, perhaps, because I haven't felt as guilty as some think I am. But I've been sorry enough.
　　And certainly any one in here pays a good deal." His eyes looked very sad and strained.
　　And at once, McMillan, now deeply touched for the first time replied: "Clyde, you needn't worry. I'll come to seeyou again within a week, because now I see you need me. I'm not asking you to pray because I think you areguilty of the death of Roberta Alden. I don't know. You haven't told me. Only you and God know what your sinsand your sorrows are. But I do know you need spiritual help and He will give you that--oh, fully. 'The Lord willbe a refuge for the oppressed; a refuge in time of trouble.'"He smiled as though he were now really fond of Clyde. And Clyde feeling this and being intrigued by it, repliedthat there wasn't anything just then that he wanted to say except to tell his mother that he was all right--and makeher feel a little better about him, maybe, if he could. Her letters were very sad, he thought. She worried too muchabout him. Besides he, himself, wasn't feeling so very good--not a little run down and worried these days. Whowouldn't be in his position? Indeed, if only he could win to spiritual peace through prayer, he would be glad to doit. His mother had always urged him to pray--but up to now he was sorry to say he hadn't followed her advicevery much. He looked very distrait and gloomy--the marked prison pallor having long since settled on his face.
　　And the Reverend Duncan, now very much touched by his state, replied: "Well, don't worry, Clyde.
　　Enlightenment and peace are surely going to come to you. I can see that. You have a Bible there, I see. Open itanywhere in Psalms and read. The 51st, 91st, 23rd. Open to St. John. Read it all--over and over. Think and pray-andthink on all the things about you--the moon, the stars, the sun, the trees, the sea--your own beating heart,your body and strength--and ask yourself who made them. How did they come to be? Then, if you can't explainthem, ask yourself if the one who made them and you--whoever he is, whatever he is, wherever he is, isn't strongand wise enough and kind enough to help you when you need help--provide you with light and peace andguidance, when you need them. Just ask yourself what of the Maker of all this certain reality. And then askHim--the Creator of it all--to tell you how and what to do. Don't doubt. Just ask and see. Ask in the night--in theday. Bow your head and pray and see. Verily, He will not fail you. I know because I have that peace."He stared at Clyde convincingly--then smiled and departed. And Clyde, leaning against his cell door, began towonder. The Creator! His Creator! The Creator of the World! . . . Ask and see--!
　　And yet--there was still lingering here in him that old contempt of his for religion and its fruits ,--the constantand yet fruitless prayers and exhortations of his father and mother. Was he going to turn to religion now, solelybecause he was in difficulties and frightened like these others? He hoped not. Not like that, anyway.
　　Just the same the mood, as well as the temperament of the Reverend Duncan McMillan--his young, forceful,convinced and dramatic body, face, eyes, now intrigued and then moved Clyde as no religionist or minister in allhis life before ever had. He was interested, arrested and charmed by the man's faith--whether at once or not atall--ever--he could come to put the reliance in it that plainly this man did.

不过那时节，阿萨的病情还很严重，等到他能在病床上坐得起来，或是说格里菲思太太有可能重新思考她的演讲计划，已有整整四个月时间过去了。那时候，公众对她和她儿子的命运早已兴趣大减了。丹佛没有一家报社愿意资助她再回去，给他们写点什么报道。至于肇事地点附近公众，他们对格里菲思太太母子俩倒是记得挺清楚，对她个人也很同情……不过，另一方面，他们几乎一致认为克莱德是犯了罪的，因此现在受到了应有的惩罚……所以，他们认为最好不要上诉……如果要上诉，那也应该予以驳回。这些罪犯动不动上诉，简直是没完没了!

克莱德牢房那里，一个接一个地被处决……他每次都是深为惊愕地发现，没有一个人能对这类事安之若素。雇农莫勒因为杀害昔日东家被处死了。警官赖尔登因为杀死妻子，也被处决了……但在临终前一分钟，他还是不愧为赳赳一武夫哩。随后，不到一个月，就轮到了他对面那个中国人，此人好象不知为了什么缘故，时间拖了很久(临走时，他对谁也没有说什么……虽然大伙儿明明知道他能说点英语)。接下来是拉里。多纳休，那个曾经派往海外去过的士兵……在他身后那一道门快关上以前，他竟然斗胆地大声嚷嚷:

"再见吧，伙计们。祝你们走运!

"在他以后，又有……可是，啊……这对克莱德来说可真难过呀;因为此人跟克莱德如此亲密……一想到不能再跟他在一起，自己也就没有力量在这里捱过简直是要命的狱中生活。此人……正是米勒。尼科尔森。因为，在这五个月里，他们往往在一起放风。聊天，有时坐在各自牢房里相互交谈。而且，尼科尔森劝过他该看些什么书……还给他出了一个重要的点子:

不论在上诉或是复审的时候，务必拚命反对，别让罗伯达那些信原封不动当作证据。其理由是:

那些信所具有的感情力量，将使任何地方任何一个陪审团都不能对那些信里所提到的事实平心静气。公正无私地作出估量。那些信不应该原封不动地当作证据，而是仅仅摘录里头事实就可以了……而且，这份摘录，也是仅仅提交给陪审团的。"如果说你的辩护律师能使上诉法院赞同这个办法是正确的话，那末，你的案子就准能打赢。"于是，克莱德马上要求亲自跟杰夫森晤面，向他转达了上面这个意见。并且听杰夫森说，这个意见很有道理，他跟贝尔纳普拟定的上诉书里，一定会把它包括进去。

可是，打这以后没有多久，有一天，他刚从院子里放风回来，狱警给他牢门上锁时，一面冲尼科尔森的牢房点点头，一面低声说:

"下一个轮到他了。他跟你说过没有?

三天之内。"克莱德马上瑟瑟冷颤……这消息好象一股砭人肌骨的寒气向他袭来。因为他跟此人刚才一起从院子里回来，在那里他们一起放风时还谈到新收押的一个犯人……来自尤蒂卡的一个匈牙利人。后者把他的情妇……放在一只炉子里……给活活烧死了，后来自己也供认不讳了……一个身材魁伟。粗野无知的黑大汉，面貌长得特别古怪。尼科尔森说，毫无疑问，此人与其说是人，还不如说是一头野兽。可是他自己的事，却只字不提。而且还是在三天之内呀!

可他照样还能放风。聊天，好象压根儿什么事都没有;虽然，据狱警说，头天晚上就已经通知他了。

转天，照旧还是那样……放风。聊天，好象压根儿什么事情都没有……还抬头望望天，吸吸新鲜空气。然而，克莱德这个跟他作伴的人，心里太难过，太焦灼……想了整整一个通宵，觉得太畏惧和太可怖了，虽然跟此人并排走着，什么话也说不出来，只是一个劲儿在揣摸:

"可他照样还能在这里放风。而且那么泰然自若。他究竟是怎样一种人啊?

"一种深深的敬畏之情控制了他。

第二天早上，尼科尔森没有露面……只是待在自己牢房里，把许多地方寄给他的信都销毁了。将近正午时分，他冲对面相隔两间牢房的克莱德大声喊道:

"我要送点东西给你作为留念。"不过，有关他的大限一事，还是只字不提。

接着，狱警转交给克莱德的是两本书……《鲁滨孙漂流记》和《天方夜谭》。

当天晚上，尼科尔森被移押到老死牢去了……转天拂晓前，门帘放下来了;同样一支行列从走廊里踩着沉重脚步拖曳过去……这时克莱德对此也早就习以为常了。不过，这一回不知怎的跟过去总不一样……特别深沉……特别残酷啊。他走过的时候，还大声嚷道:

"朋友们，但愿上帝保佑你们。我希望你们走运，从这儿出去。"随后是每人临终前常有的一片可怕的沉寂。

在这以后，克莱德觉得……孑然一身……孤单得怪可怕的。如今，在这里再也没有一个人……没有一个……他有兴趣接近的人了。他只好坐下来，看看书……暗自琢磨，……或是佯装出对周围这些人的话很感兴趣的样子。其实，他们的话压根儿引不起他的兴趣来。他现在思想上可以不去想自己不幸的命运了，自然而然地被故事而不是现实所吸引。他喜欢读一些笔调轻松。罗曼蒂克的小说，里头描写的正是他梦寐以求的世界，而不喜欢任何哪怕只是跟外部世界的冷酷现实大致接近的描写，更不用说接近他在这里的铁窗生涯了。前头等待着他的是什么呢!

他是那么孤零零的!

只有母亲和弟妹们的一些来信，而且阿萨还不见好转，他母亲暂时还回不来……丹佛家境又是那么困难啊。她正在寻摸一个事由，一面到某个神学校任教，一面护理阿萨。不过，她正在请求邓肯。麦克米伦牧师常来看看他。此人是一个年轻牧师，是她在锡拉丘兹演讲时候遇到的。

他既为圣灵所嘉佑，心地又是非常善良。她相信，要是这位牧师能常来看他，那末，在他这么黑暗困顿之际，她自己又不能跟他在一起，克莱德一定会觉得此人对他很有帮助，可以成为他精神上的坚强支柱。

当格里菲思太太为了营救儿子，向附近各处教堂和牧师寻求帮助的时候，并没有得到成功，可是，她在锡拉丘兹却遇到了邓肯。麦克米伦牧师。他在那里主持一个独立的。不属于任何教派的教堂。他这个年轻人，跟她和阿萨一样，是个未经授予神职的牧师，或可称为福音传教士，不过，宗教热情更要强烈得多。远在格里菲思太太出头露面以前，他早已看过很多有关克莱德和罗伯达的报道，并且相当满意地认为，通过这么一个判决，也许正义得到了伸张。但是对于格里菲思太太满怀悲伤，四出奔告，寻求声援，他又深为感动。

他自己就是一个忠心耿耿的儿子。由于他具有一种高度诗意。易动感情(但过去深受压抑，或是加以纯化了的性欲)的天性，他如同这个北方地区很多人一样，对克莱德被控所犯的罪行，也是在感情上很受震动。罗伯达那些充满激情和痛苦的信呀!

她在莱柯格斯和比尔茨时多么凄惨的生活呀!

这一切在他跟格里菲思太太邂逅以前，不知有多少回他都想到过。看来罗伯达和她的家庭，正好代表了他们出生的那个充满诗意的美丽乡村那里质朴。崇高的道德。毫无疑问，克莱德是有罪的。殊不知孤苦伶仃的格里菲思太太突然出现在这里，坚持说她的儿子是无辜的。同时，克莱德却关押在牢房里，注定要死。这可能是根据什么奇怪的反常行为成事态，法庭竟然错判了，其实，克莱德从表面上看是并没有罪的，是吧?

麦克米伦的脾性特别……桀骜不驯，不知道妥协，堪称当今的圣。伯纳德。

萨沃那罗拉。圣。西米恩。隐士彼得(本段前后提到的诸人名，多半为基督教历史上的圣徒。)。人生。思想，以及所有一切的组织和社会结构，在他看来，都是上帝的语言，上帝的表现和呼吸。就是这样。不过，他认为，魔鬼及其愤慨还是有它们的地方的……这个从天堂里被赶出来的撒旦，在地球上来回转悠着。

可他心心念念想到的，只是耶稣的八福词(详见《圣经。新约。马太福音》第５章。)。登山宝训(耶稣登山训众，说"虚心的人"等八种人有福了，故称"八福词"。)。

圣。约翰和他直接看见耶稣，以及他对基督和上帝的解释(约翰说:

恩典和真理，都是由耶稣来的，从来没有人看见上帝。次日约翰看见耶稣来到了他那里。详见《圣经。新约。约翰福音》第１章第１７。１８。２９节。)。"不与我相合的，就是敌我的，不同我收聚的，就是分散的。

"(引自《圣经。新约。马太福音》第１２章第３０节。)这是一个离奇。坚强。紧张。纷乱。仁慈。具有自己独特之美的灵魂;为苦难而悲伤，并渴望一种在人世间难以得到的正义。

格里菲思太太跟他谈话时坚称，他应该记住罗伯达并不是完全没有罪的。

难道说她不是跟她的儿子一起犯的罪吗?

他怎能完全替她开脱罪责呢?

是法庭铸成了大错。她的儿子极不公道地被判处死刑……都是由于这个姑娘那些令人动怜。罗曼蒂克。富于诗意的信所造成的。那些信压根儿不该都抛给全是须眉汉子的陪审团。格里菲思太太认为，凡是涉及一个罗曼蒂克的漂亮姑娘的惨案，这些须眉汉子就不可能公正无私地作出判断了。她在自己的传道活动中也发现这样的情况。

上面这种说法，邓肯牧师觉得既重要又很可能确实如此。据她那时说，要是有哪一位富有权威而又正直的上帝的使者能去探望克莱德，以自己的信念和上帝的话语的力量，让他认识到一个她深知他至今还不明白的道理……至于她本人呢，一是她已心烦意乱，二是作为他的母亲，所以未能向他说明这个道理……就他不朽的灵魂在今生来世来说，他跟罗伯达那种罪孽该有多么邪恶。

可怕。这样，也许他会在上帝跟前满怀崇敬。虔信和感恩之情，让自己的全部罪恶通通洗净涤尽，可不是吗?

要知道反正不管他犯没有犯过目下控告他的罪名……而她则坚信他没有犯过……可是，在电椅的阴影下……他不是随时有碰上一死的危险，(甚至是在最后判决以前)被召唤到主的跟前吗?

身上还要背着那通奸的死罪，更不用说他不仅是在罗伯达跟前，而且还在莱柯格斯另一个姑娘跟前所有那些扯谎。负心的言行。难道说他不能通过改信基督教或是忏悔把所有这一切罪恶洗净涤尽吗?

只要能拯救他的灵魂……那她和他也就能在今生今世得到安宁了。

邓肯牧师先后接到格里菲思太太第一封。第二封向他恳求的信，就在她到达丹佛后发出的这些信里，陈述了克莱德如何孤单，急需开导和帮助。于是，邓肯牧师就动身去奥伯恩了。一到那里，他首先向典狱长说明自己真正的来意……是要拯救克莱德的灵魂，为了他自己的安宁，也为了他母亲的安宁，为了上帝的荣光。因此，他马上得到准许，可以进入死牢，径直来到克莱德牢房。

他在牢房门口停住了，往里头一望，只见克莱德怪可怜地躺在小床上，拚命想看看书。随后，麦克米伦这一瘦高个儿，正贴在钉上铁条的牢门上，并没做什么自我介绍，就低下头来，开始祈祷:

"上帝啊，求你按你的慈爱怜恤我，按你丰盛的慈悲，涂抹我的过犯。""求你将我的罪孽洗除净尽，并清除我的罪。""因为我知道我的过犯，我的罪常在我面前。""我向你犯罪，惟独得罪了你，在你眼前行了这恶，以致你责备我的时候，显为公义，判断我的时候，显为清正。""我是在罪孽里生的。在我母亲怀胎的时候，就有了罪。""你所喜爱的，是内里诚实，你在我隐密处，必使我得智慧。""求你用牛膝草洁净我，我就干净。求你洗涤我，我就比雪更白。""求你使我得听欢喜快乐的声音，使你所压伤的骨头，可以踊跃。""求你掩面不看我的罪，涂抹我一切的罪孽。""上帝啊，求你为我造清洁的心，使我里面重新有正直的灵。""不要丢弃我，使我离开你的面。不要从我收回你的圣灵。""求你使我仍得救恩之乐，赐我乐意的灵扶持我。""我就把你的道指教有过犯的人。罪人必归顺你。""上帝啊，你是拯救我的上帝。求你救我脱离流人血的罪。我的舌头就高声歌唱你的公义。""主啊，求你使我嘴唇张开，我的口便传扬赞美你的话。""你本不喜爱祭物。若喜爱，我就献上。燔祭你也不喜悦。""上帝所要的祭，就是忧伤的灵。上帝啊，忧伤痛悔的心，你必不轻看。

"他刚用响亮而又非常优美的声调念完了《诗篇》(参见《圣经。旧约。诗篇》

第５１篇第１—１７节。)第五十一篇全文以后，就沉吟不语了。随后，他昂起头来。因为这时克莱德深感惊诧，先是挺直腰背坐好，接着站了起来……说来也怪，他被这个仪态端庄。精力饱满而又面色苍白的人吸引住了……稍后，他走到牢房门口，麦克米伦这才找补着说:

"克莱德，我给你带来了你的上帝的仁慈和拯救。他召唤我，于是我就上这儿来了。他差遣我来，好让我跟你说，'

''''你们的罪虽象朱红，必变成雪白。虽红如丹颜，必白如羊毛。，好吧，现在上帝与我们同在。让我们一起议论议论。"他顿了片刻，亲切地瞅着克莱德。他的唇边露出热忱。年轻。半是罗曼蒂克。半是莞尔而笑的神情。克莱德年轻。温文尔雅，他很喜欢;而克莱德呢，显然也被这个特殊人物吸引住了。当然罗，又是一个新的牧师。不过，监狱里的那位新教牧师，简直没法跟麦克米伦相比……既不是那么惹眼，也不是那么吸引人。

"我叫邓肯。麦克米伦，"他说，"我来自锡拉丘兹，我在那里致力于弘扬上帝荣光。这是他差遣我来，正如他差遣你母亲上我那儿去一样。她所相信的一切，全跟我说了。你自己所说过的话，我从报上也都看过了。为什么你会在这里，这我也知道。不过，我上这里来，就是要给你精神上的喜悦和快乐。

"蓦然间，他援引了《诗篇》第十三篇第二节:

"'

''''我心里筹算，终日愁苦，要到几时呢?

，这是《诗篇》第十三篇第二节的话。此刻，我又想到一段话，应该跟你说一说。那也是《圣经》上的……《诗篇》第十篇:

'

''''他心里说，我必不动摇，世世代代不遭灾难。，(引自《圣经。旧约。诗篇》第１０篇第６节。)可是，你知道，你正是在患难之中。我们这些有罪之人，也都在所难免。不过，现在我又想起了一件事要说一说。那是《诗篇》第十篇第十一节:

'

''''他心里说，上帝竟忘记了。他掩面。，可是，上帝要我告诉你，他可没有把脸掩盖起来。上帝倒是要我把《诗篇》第十八篇告诉你:

'

''''我遭遇灾难的日子，他们来攻击我。但耶和华是我的依靠(同上第１８篇第１８节。)。他从高天伸手抓住我，把我从大水中拉上来(引自《圣经。旧约。诗篇》第１８篇第１６节。)。

"'

''''他救我脱离我的劲敌。(同上第１８篇第１７节。)"'

''''和那些恨我的人，因为他们比我强盛。(同上第１８篇第１７节。)"'

''''他又领我到广宽之处。

"'

''''他救拔我，因他喜悦我。，(同上第１８篇第１９节。)"克莱德，所有这些话，都是对你说的。这些话是我灵机一动，想要跟你说一说，就象有人跟我在低声耳语，撺掇我要这么说似的。我不过是转达直接跟你说的这些话的喉舌罢了。跟你自己的良心好好考虑考虑吧。从背阴处转向光明吧。让我们把这些苦难和忧郁的锁链砸烂，把这些阴影和黑暗驱散吧。你是犯过罪的。主能够宽恕你，而且也已经宽恕了你。忏悔吧。快到创造世界。治理世界的主身边去。他不会蔑视你的信念;他也不会不理会你的祈祷。要面向主……在你心里……在这间牢房四壁以内……说:

'

''''主啊，帮助我。主啊，请听我的祈祷。主啊，让我的眼睛看见光明!

，"你以为没有上帝……他不会回答你吧?

祈祷吧。在你患难的时候，只要向他请求……不是向我请求……也不是向别人请求。而是向他请求。祈祷吧。跟他说话。呼唤他。把真相告诉他，请求他帮助。如果你在心里确实对过去做过的任何罪恶表示悔过的话，那末，你就会真的。真的听到他，摸到他，如同此刻你的的确确在我面前一模一样。他会拿起你的手。他会进入这间牢房，进入你的灵魂。你就会通过充满你心灵的宁静和光明来认识他。祈祷吧。如果你还需要我对你有所帮助……跟你一起祈祷……或是为你效劳……让你在孤单寂寞之际消愁解闷……那你只要招呼一声，给我个明信片就得了。我已经向你母亲保证过，我一定尽力而为。反正我的通讯处，已留在典狱长那里。"他顿住一会儿，语气严肃而肯定……因为，直到现在，从克莱德的眼神里看，只是好奇和惊讶，再也没有露出其他的表情。

这时，由于克莱德年轻。几乎稚气未脱的模样儿，以及他母亲和尼科尔森走后，他一直显得孤苦无告的可怜相，麦克米伦便找补着说:

"请记住，我随时听从吩咐。在锡拉丘兹，我有很多传教工作要做，不过，我都乐意随时撂一撂，只要我真的能给你更多帮助的话。"说到这里，他侧过身去，仿佛要走了。

可是克莱德却被他吸引住了……他那生气勃勃。信心十足而又和善可亲的态度……跟这里紧张。可怕而又孤单的狱中生活大相径庭，就冲麦克米伦后面高声喊道:

"啊，别就走呀。请您别走。承蒙您来看我，我很感谢您。我母亲来信说过您也许会来的。您知道，这里非常孤单寂寞。您刚才说的那些话，也许我还没有好好想过，因为我觉得自己没有犯罪，并不象有些人想象的那样。不过，我心里一直难过得很。不管哪一个人在这里得到报应，当然，都苦得很。"克莱德露出悲伤。紧张的眼色。这时，麦克米伦才头一次真的深受感动，就回答说:

"克莱德，你不用伤心。一星期内我再来看你，因为现在我知道你是需要我的。我之所以要你祈祷，不是因为我认为你对罗伯达。奥尔登之死是有罪的。

这个我不知道。你还没有跟我说。什么是你的罪孽。你的痛苦，只有你和上帝才知道。不过，我确实知道，你需要得到精神上的支持，而他是会给你的……啊，充分给你的。'

''''耶和华又要给受欺压的人作高台;在患难的时候作高台。，(引自《圣经。旧约。诗篇》第９篇第９节。)"他粲然一笑，仿佛他真心喜欢克莱德似的。这一点克莱德也大吃一惊地感到了，便回答说，他觉得一时还没有什么好说的，只是请麦克米伦转告母亲，说他很好……如果可能的话，让她不要为他太难过。他觉得她的来信非常悲伤。

她对他太揪心了。再说，他自己也觉得这些天来挺不对劲……心情沉重而又焦躁。到了他这种处境，谁不会这样呢?

老实说，他要是通过祈祷果真得到精神上一点儿安宁，那他何乐不为呢?

母亲历来是百般劝他祈祷，不过，直到目前为止，说起来怪难过，他硬是没有听从她的话。瞧他那神色显得非常抑郁。阴沉……监狱里特有的那种灰白色，早已镌刻在他脸上了。

邓肯牧师见到他那种可怜相非常感动，就回答说:

"好吧，别伤心，克莱德。

神恩和安宁一定会降临到你的心灵。这是我深信无疑的。我看见了，你手头有一本《圣经》。翻开《诗篇》，随便哪一页念念。第五十一篇。第九十一篇。第二十三篇。翻开《约翰福音》，从头到尾全都念念……反复地念。要一面想，一面祈祷……想想你周围所有这一切……月亮呀，星星呀，太阳呀，树木呀，大海呀……还有你自己跳动的心，你的躯体和你的力量……再反躬自问:

这一切都是谁创造的?

又是从哪儿来的?

要是你解释不了，就再问问你自己:

那创造了这一切(包括你也在内)的……不管他是谁，不管他到过哪里，正当你需要帮助的时候，难道说就没有足够的力量。智慧和仁慈来帮助你……给予你正迫切需要的光明。

安宁和开导吗?

只要问问你自己，是谁创造了眼前这个现实世界的。然后再问他……造物主……请他告诉你该怎么做和做什么。不要再怀疑了。反正有问必答。所以要日日夜夜问。低下头来祈祷，期待。说实在的，他不会让你失望的。

这我知道，因为我自己心里就得到过这种安宁。"他满怀信心地瞅了一眼克莱德……随后微微一笑走了。克莱德靠在牢房门口，不禁暗自纳闷。造物主!

他的造物主!

世界的造物主!

……有问必答……!

殊不知他心里依然象他早先蔑视宗教及其后果那样……回忆起他父母经常那么毫无结果地祈祷和传道。难道说只是因为他象这里别人一样遭了难，心里害怕了，现在就向宗教寻求慰籍吗?

他不希望这样。不管怎么说，反正不要象他们这样。

然而，不管怎么说，邓肯。麦克米伦牧师的心地和秉性……他那年轻有力。

信心十足。令人瞩目的躯体。面孔和眼睛，先是吸引了。继而感动了克莱德，从来没有一个传教士或是牧师给他留下过那么深刻的印象。这个人的信仰，先是使他发生了兴趣，然后把他吸引住了，乃至于入了迷……也不知道对这个人坚定的信念，他能不能立刻相信，还是压根儿不会相信。
Part 3 Chapter 32
The personal conviction and force of such an individual as the Reverend McMillan, while in one sense an oldstory to Clyde and not anything which so late as eighteen months before could have moved him in any way(since all his life he had been accustomed to something like it), still here, under these circumstances, affectedhim differently. Incarcerated, withdrawn from the world, compelled by the highly circumscribed nature of thisdeath house life to find solace or relief in his own thoughts, Clyde's, like every other temperament similarlylimited, was compelled to devote itself either to the past, the present or the future. But the past was so painful tocontemplate at any point. It seared. and burned. And the present (his immediate surroundings) as well as thefuture with its deadly fear of what was certain to happen in case his appeal failed, were two phases equallyfrightful to his waking consciousness.
　　What followed then was what invariably follows in the wake of every tortured consciousness. From what itdreads or hates, yet knows or feels to be unescapable, it takes refuge in that which may be hoped for--or at leastimagined. But what was to be hoped for or imagined? Because of the new suggestion offered by Nicholson, anew trial was all that he had to look forward to, in which case, and assuming himself to be acquitted thereafter,he could go far, far away--to Australia--or Africa--or Mexico--or some such place as that, where, under adifferent name--his old connections and ambitions relating to that superior social life that had so recentlyintrigued him, laid aside, he might recover himself in some small way. But directly in the path of that hopefulimagining, of course, stood the death's head figure of a refusal on the part of the Court of Appeals to grant him anew trial. Why not--after that jury at Bridgeburg? And then--as in that dream in which he turned from the tangleof snakes to face the tramping rhinoceros with its two horns--he was confronted by that awful thing in theadjoining room--that chair! That chair! Its straps and its flashes which so regularly dimmed the lights in thisroom. He could not bear to think of his entering there--ever. And yet supposing his appeal was refused! Away!
　　He would like to think no more about it.
　　But then, apart from that what was there to think of? It was that very question that up to the time of the arrival ofthe Rev. Duncan McMillan, with his plea for a direct and certainly (as he insisted) fruitful appeal to the Creatorof all things, that had been definitely torturing Clyde. Yet see--how simple was his solution!
　　"It was given unto you to know the Peace of God," he insisted, quoting Paul and thereafter sentences fromCorinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, on how easy it was--if Clyde would but repeat and pray as he had asked himto--for him to know and delight in the "peace that passeth all understanding." It was with him, all around him. He had but to seek; confess the miseries and errors of his heart, and express contrition. "Ask, and ye shall receive;seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For EVERY ONE that asketh, receiveth; and hethat seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. For what man is there of you whom, if his sonask bread, will give him a stone; or, if he ask fish, will give him a serpent?" So he quoted, beautifully andearnestly.
　　And yet before Clyde always was the example of his father and mother. What had they? It had not availed themmuch--praying. Neither, as he noticed here, did it appear to avail or aid these other condemned men, the majorityof whom lent themselves to the pleas or prayers of either priest or rabbi or minister, one and the other of whomwas about daily. Yet were they not led to their death just the same--and complaining or protesting, or mad likeCutrone, or indifferent? As for himself, up to this he had not been interested by any of these. Bunk. Notions. Ofwhat? He could not say. Nevertheless, here was the appealing Rev. Duncan McMillan. His mild, serene eyes. Hissweet voice. His faith. It moved and intrigued Clyde deeply. Could there--could there? He was so lonely--sodespairing--so very much in need of help.
　　Was it not also true (the teaching of the Rev. McMillan-- influencing him to that extent at least) that if he had leda better life--had paid more attention to what his mother had said and taught--not gone into that house ofprostitution in Kansas City--or pursued Hortense Briggs in the evil way that he had--or after her, Roberta--hadbeen content to work and save, as no doubt most men were--would he not be better off than he now was? Butthen again, there was the fact or truth of those very strong impulses and desires within himself that were so very,very hard to overcome. He had thought of those, too, and then of the fact that many other people like his mother,his uncle, his cousin, and this minister here, did not seem to be troubled by them. And yet also he was given toimagining at times that perhaps it was because of superior mental and moral courage in the face of passions anddesires, equivalent to his own, which led these others to do so much better. He was perhaps just willfullydevoting himself to these other thoughts and ways, as his mother and McMillan and most every one else whomhe had heard talk since his arrest seemed to think.
　　What did it all mean? Was there a God? Did He interfere in the affairs of men as Mr. McMillan was nowcontending? Was it possible that one could turn to Him, or at least some creative power, in some such hour asthis and when one had always ignored Him before, and ask for aid? Decidedly one needed aid under suchcircumstances--so alone and ordered and controlled by law--not man--since these, all of them, were the veriestservants of the law. But would this mysterious power be likely to grant aid? Did it really exist and hear theprayers of men? The Rev. McMillan insisted yes. "He hath said God hath forgotten; He hideth His face. But Hehas not forgotten. He has not hidden His face." But was that true? Was there anything to it? Tortured by the needof some mental if not material support in the face of his great danger, Clyde was now doing what every otherhuman in related circumstances invariably does--seeking, and yet in the most indirect and involute and all butunconscious way, the presence or existence at least of some superhuman or supernatural personality or powerthat could and would aid him in some way--beginning to veer--however slightly or unconsciously as yet,--towardthe personalization and humanization of forces, of which, except in the guise of religion, he had not the faintestconception. "The Heavens declare the Glory of God, and the Firmament sheweth His handiwork." He recalledthat as a placard in one of his mother's mission windows. And another which read: "For He is Thy life and Thylength of Days." Just the same--and far from it as yet, even in the face of his sudden predisposition toward theRev. Duncan McMillan, was he seriously moved to assume that in religion of any kind was he likely to findsurcease from his present miseries?
　　And yet the weeks and months going by--the Rev. McMillan calling regularly thereafter, every two weeks at thelongest, sometimes every week and inquiring after his state, listening to his wants, advising him as to his healthand peace of mind. And Clyde, anxious to retain his interest and visits, gradually, more and more, yieldinghimself to his friendship and influence. That high spirituality. That beautiful voice. And quoting always suchsoothing things. "Brethren NOW are we the children of God. And it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but weknow that when He shall appear we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that has thishope in him purifieth himself even as He is pure.""Hereby know that we dwell in Him and He in us, because He hath given us of His spirit.""For ye are bought with a price.""Of His own will begot He us with the word of truth, and we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures. Andevery good and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is novariableness, neither shadow of turning.""Draw nigh unto God and He will draw nigh unto you."He was inclined, at times, to feel that there might be peace and strength--aid, even--who could say, in appealingto this power. It was the force and the earnestness of the Rev. McMillan operating upon him.
　　And yet, the question of repentance--and with it confession. But to whom? The Rev. Duncan McMillan, ofcourse. He seemed to feel that it was necessary for Clyde to purge his soul to him--or some one like him--amaterial and yet spiritual emissary of God. But just there was the trouble. For there was all of that falsetestimony he had given in the trial, yet on which had been based his appeal. To go back on that now, and whenhis appeal was pending. Better wait, had he not, until he saw how that appeal had eventuated.
　　But, ah, how shabby, false, fleeting, insincere. To imagine that any God would bother with a person who soughtto dicker in such a way. No, no. That was not right either. What would the Rev. McMillan think of him if heknew what he was thinking?
　　But again there was the troubling question in his own mind as to his real guilt--the amount of it. True there wasno doubt that he had plotted to kill Roberta there at first--a most dreadful thing as he now saw it. For thecomplications and the fever in connection with his desire for Sondra having subsided somewhat, it was possibleon occasion now for him to reason without the desperate sting and tang of the mental state that had characterizedhim at the time when he was so immediately in touch with her. Those terrible, troubled days when in spite ofhimself--as he now understood it (Belknap's argument having cleared it up for him) he had burned with that wildfever which was not unakin in its manifestations to a form of insanity. The beautiful Sondra! The gloriousSondra! The witchery and fire of her smile then! Even now that dreadful fever was not entirely out but onlysmoldering-- smothered by all of the dreadful things that had since happened to him.
　　Also, it must be said on his behalf now, must it not--that never, under any other circumstances, would he havesuccumbed to any such terrible thought or plot as that--to kill any one--let alone a girl like Roberta--unless he had been so infatuated--lunatic, even. But had not the jury there at Bridgeburg listened to that plea withcontempt? And would the Court of Appeals think differently? He feared not. And yet was it not true? Or was heall wrong? Or what? Could the Rev. McMillan or any one else to whom he would explain tell him as to that? Hewould like to talk to him about it--confess everything perhaps, in order to get himself clear on all this. Further,there was the fact that having plotted for Sondra's sake (and God, if no one else, knew that) he still had not beenable to execute it. And that had not been brought out in the trial, because the false form of defense used permittedno explanation of the real truth then--and yet it was a mitigating circumstance, was it not--or would the Rev.
　　McMillan think so? A lie had to be used, as Jephson saw it. But did that make it any the less true?
　　There were phases of this thing, the tangles and doubts involved in that dark, savage plot of his, as he now sawand brooded on it, which were not so easily to be disposed of. Perhaps the two worst were, first, that in bringingRoberta there to that point on that lake--that lone spot--and then growing so weak and furious with himselfbecause of his own incapacity to do evil, he had frightened her into rising and trying to come to him. And that inthe first instance made it possible for her to be thus accidentally struck by him and so made him, in part at least,guilty of that blow--or did it?--a murderous, sinful blow in that sense. Maybe. What would the Rev. McMillansay to that? And since because of that she had fallen into the water, was he not guilty of her falling? It was athought that troubled him very much now--his constructive share of guilt in all that. Regardless of whatOberwaltzer had said there at the trial in regard to his swimming away from her--that if she had accidentallyfallen in the water, it was no crime on his part, supposing he refused to rescue her,--still, as he now saw it, andespecially when taken in connection with all that he had thought in regard to Roberta up to that moment, it was acrime just the same, was it not? Wouldn't God--McMillan--think so? And unquestionably, as Mason had soshrewdly pointed out at the trial, he might have saved her. And would have too, no doubt, if she had beenSondra--or even the Roberta of the summer before. Besides, the fear of her dragging him down had been nodecent fear. (It was at nights in his bunk at this time that he argued and reasoned with himself, seeing thatMcMillan was urging him now to repent and make peace with his God.) Yes, he would have to admit that tohimself. Decidedly and instantly he would have sought to save her life, if it had been Sondra. And such being thecase, he would have to confess that--if he confessed at all to the Rev. McMillan--or to whomever else one toldthe truth--when one did tell it--the public at large perhaps. But such a confession once made, would it not surelyand truly lead to his conviction? And did he want to convict himself now and so die?
　　No, no, better wait a while perhaps--at least until the Court of Appeals had passed on his case. Why jeopardizehis case when God already knew what the truth was? Truly, truly he was sorry. He could see how terrible all thiswas now--how much misery and heartache, apart from the death of Roberta, he had caused. But still--still--wasnot life sweet? Oh, if he could only get out! Oh, if he could only go away from here--never to see or hear or feelanything more of this terrible terror that now hung over him. The slow coming dark--the slow coming dawn. Thelong night! The sighs--the groans. The tortures by day and by night until it seemed at times as though he shouldgo mad; and would perhaps except for McMillan, who now appeared devoted to him--so kind, appealing andreassuring, too, at times. He would just like to sit down some day--here or somewhere--and tell him all and gethim to say how really guilty, if at all, he thought him to be--and if so guilty to get him to pray for him. At timeshe felt so sure that his mother's and the Rev. Duncan McMillan's prayers would do him so much more good withthis God than any prayers of his own would. Somehow he couldn't pray yet. And at times hearing McMillanpray, softly and melodiously, his voice entering through the bars--or, reading from Galatians, Thessalonians,Corinthians, he felt as though he must tell him everything, and soon.
　　But the days going by until finally one day six weeks after--and when because of his silence in regard to himself,the Rev. Duncan was beginning to despair of ever affecting him in any way toward his proper contrition andsalvation--a letter or note from Sondra. It came through the warden's office and by the hand of the Rev. PrestonGuilford, the Protestant chaplain of the prison, but was not signed. It was, however, on good paper, and becausethe rule of the prison so requiring had been opened and read. Nevertheless, on account of the nature of thecontents which seemed to both the warden and the Rev. Guilford to be more charitable and punitive thanotherwise, and because plainly, if not verifiably, it was from that Miss X of repute or notoriety in connectionwith his trial, it was decided, after due deliberation, that Clyde should be permitted to read it--even that it wasbest that he should. Perhaps it would prove of value as a lesson. The way of the transgressor. And so it washanded to him at the close of a late fall day--after a long and dreary summer had passed (soon a year since he hadentered here). And he taking it. And although it was typewritten with no date nor place on the envelope, whichwas postmarked New York--yet sensing somehow that it might be from her. And growing decidedly nervous--somuch so that his hand trembled slightly. And then reading--over and over and over--during many days thereafter:
　　"Clyde--This is so that you will not think that some one once dear to you has utterly forgotten you. She hassuffered much, too. And though she can never understand how you could have done as you did, still, even now,although she is never to see you again, she is not without sorrow and sympathy and wishes you freedom andhappiness."But no signature--no trace of her own handwriting. She was afraid to sign her name and she was too remote fromhim in her mood now to let him know where she was. New York! But it might have been sent there fromanywhere to mail. And she would not let him know--would never let him know--even though he died here later,as well he might. His last hope--the last trace of his dream vanished. Forever! It was at that moment, as whennight at last falls upon the faintest remaining gleam of dusk in the west. A dim, weakening tinge of pink--andthen the dark.
　　He seated himself on his cot. The wretched stripes of his uniform and his gray felt shoes took his eye. A felon.
　　These stripes. These shoes. This cell. This uncertain, threatening prospect so very terrible to contemplate at anytime. And then this letter. So this was the end of all that wonderful dream! And for this he had sought sodesperately to disengage himself from Roberta--even to the point of deciding to slay her. This! This! He toyedwith the letter, then held it quite still. Where was she now? Who in love with, maybe? She had had time tochange perhaps. She had only been captivated by him a little, maybe. And then that terrible revelation inconnection with him had destroyed forever, no doubt, all sentiment in connection with him. She was free. Shehad beauty--wealth. Now some other-He got up and walked to his cell door to still a great pain. Over the way, in that cell the Chinaman had onceoccupied, was a Negro--Wash Higgins. He had stabbed a waiter in a restaurant, so it was said, who had refusedhim food and then insulted him. And next to him was a young Jew. He had killed the proprietor of a jewelrystore in trying to rob it. But he was very broken and collapsed now that he was here to die--sitting for the mostpart all day on his cot, his head in his hands. Clyde could see both now from where he stood--the Jew holding hishead. But the Negro on his cot, one leg above the other, smoking--and singing--"Oh, big wheel ro-a-lin' . . . hmp! Oh, big wheel ro-a-lin' . . . hmp! Oh, big wheel ro-a-lin' . . . hmp! Foh me! Fohme!"And then Clyde, unable to get away from his own thoughts, turning again.
　　Condemned to die! He. And this was the end as to Sondra. He could feel it. Farewell. "Although she is never tosee you again." He threw himself on his couch--not to weep but to rest--he felt so weary. Lycurgus. Fourth Lake.
　　Bear Lake. Laughter--kisses--smiles. What was to have been in the fall of the preceding year. And now--a yearlater.
　　But then,--that young Jew. There was some religious chant into which he fell when his mental tortures would nolonger endure silence. And oh, how sad. Many of the prisoners had cried out against it. And yet, oh, howappropriate now, somehow.
　　"I have been evil. I have been unkind. I have lied. Oh! Oh! Oh! I have been unfaithful. My heart has beenwicked. I have joined with those who have done evil things. Oh! Oh! Oh! I have stolen. I have been false. I havebeen cruel! Oh! Oh! Oh!"And the voice of Big Tom Rooney sentenced for killing Thomas Tighe, a rival for the hand of an underworldgirl. "For Christ's sake! I know you feel bad. But so do I. Oh, for God's sake, don't do that!"Clyde, on his cot, his thoughts responding rhythmically to the chant of the Jew--and joining with him silently--"Ihave been evil. I have been unkind. I have lied. Oh! Oh! Oh! I have been unfaithful. My heart has been wicked. Ihave joined with those who have done evil things. Oh! Oh! Oh! I have been false. I have been cruel. I havesought to murder. Oh! Oh! Oh! And for what? A vain--impossible dream! Oh! Oh! Oh! . . . Oh! Oh! Oh! . . ."When the guard, an hour later, placed his supper on the shelf in the door, he made no move. Food! And when theguard returned in another thirty minutes, there it was, still untouched, as was the Jew's--and was taken away insilence. Guards knew when blue devils had seized the inmates of these cages. They couldn't eat. And there weretimes, too, when even guards couldn't eat.

要是在一年半以前，类似麦克米伦牧师这么一个人及其坚定的信仰和精神力量，未必会对克莱德有任何触动(因为他自幼起早已耳濡目染过这类事了)，可在此时此地对他的影响就迥然不同了。现在他羁于铁窗，与世隔绝，而且死牢里生活上管制甚严，不得不从个人沉思默想之中寻求安慰或解脱。克莱德有如遭受同样厄运的人一样，只好一门心思去想想自己的过去。现在或是将来。可是一想到过去，太痛苦了。如同烈火炙烤。而现在(他眼前的遭际)，还有令人发指的将来……万一上诉被驳回，最心寒的事势必发生。反正现在和将来他都清醒地意识到同样可怕。

随之而来不可避免地如同神志清醒的人备受折磨那样，为了逃避自己害怕的。或者憎恨的，但又知道躲不了的事，偏偏要到希望中……或者至少也是幻想中去聊以自慰。但克莱德所希望和幻想的又是什么呢?

由于尼科尔森出了那个新主意，他唯一能指望的就是复审……果能如此，并且假定说他能无罪获释的话，那他就不妨跑到很远。很远的地方……到澳大利亚……或是到非洲去……或是到墨西哥去……或是到任何类似地方去，在那里，另换一个名字……抛掉跟上流社会优越生活有关的旧关系和虚荣心(不久前这些还使他那样入迷)，也许多少能安分守己地开始过新生活。不过话又说回来，在这条尚存一线希望的幻想之路上，当然，还存在着死亡的影子:

上诉法院拒绝复审。为什么不会拒绝呢……因为已由布里奇伯格陪审团判决过了。于是……有如他梦里见过前面有一堆凶蛇，自己刚扭回头去不看，却又撞见了长着两只猗角的犀牛冲他而来……横在他眼前的，还有隔壁房间里那个令人毛骨悚然的东西……那张电椅!

那张电椅!

上面的带子，还有那让监狱里灯光照例发暗的电源。一想到有朝一日，万一会跨进隔壁房间，对他来说该有多么难受。不过，要是他上诉的请求被驳回呢!

不!

他再也不愿想这件事了。

不过，抛开这件事，还有什么别的好想呢?

这个问题一直在折磨着克莱德，直至邓肯。麦克米伦牧师来到，要他直接向万物的创造主恳求，(据牧师坚称)这样是肯定会有效果的。瞧，邓肯牧师解决问题的办法多么简单!

"上帝所赐出人意外的平安。"(引自《圣经。新约。腓立比书》第４章第７节。)他硬是援引了保罗的话。后来，他又援引了《哥林多书》。《加拉太书》。《以弗所书》(以上诸篇均见《圣经。新约》。)里的话，说只要克莱德能照他的吩咐不断祈祷，那末，克莱德要体味和喜爱那"高过所有大智大慧的平安"，该有多么容易。这种平安跟他同在，就在他周围。他只要去寻找，承认自己心中的惨痛过错，表示悔恨就得了。"你们祈求，就给你们。寻找，就寻见。叩门，就给你们开门。因为凡祈求的，就得着。寻找的，就寻见;叩门的，就给他开门。你们中间，谁有儿子求饼，反给他石头呢。求鱼，反给他蛇呢。"(引自《圣经。新约。

马太福音》第７章第７至１０节。)他就是那样以拳拳之心援引了《圣经》里的话。

可是摆在克莱德面前的，始终是他父母的例子。他们活了一辈子，找到了什么呢?

祈祷……并不特别帮他们忙。在这里，他发觉，对他的那些同监犯人来说，看来祈祷也帮不了什么忙，他们绝大多数洗耳恭听过神父。拉比或是牧师(他们每天总有人轮流到监狱里来)的恳求或是祈祷。可他们到时候还不是照样被提出去死……有的人大发牢骚，有的人大声抗议，有的人象卡特龙尼那样发了疯，有的人倒是满不在乎，可不是吗?

至于克莱德呢，到目前为止，他对这些神父里头哪一个都不感兴趣。全是一派胡言。痴心妄想罢了。那是为什么呢?

这个他却说不上来。可眼前是这么一个富有感染力的邓肯。麦克米伦牧师。瞧他那温和而又安详的眼睛。他那悦耳动听的声音。他那信仰。它感动了克莱德，把他深深地吸引住了。也许有可能……也许有可能?

他是那么孤零零的……那么绝望……那么迫切需要别人帮助。

难道说这不也是很真实(麦克米伦牧师的劝导……至少已使他受到这样的影响):

要是他过去能过上一种正派一些的生活……多一些听从他母亲所说的和开导的那些话……没有逛过堪萨斯城那家妓院……没有那么死乞白赖地去追求霍丹斯。布里格斯，或是继她之后的罗伯达……而是正如绝大多数人那样，安心工作，省吃俭用，那末，他的处境不是会比眼前好得多吗?

可是，另一方面，他与生俱有的那些极其强烈的冲动和欲念，很难加以制服，这既是事实，也是千真万确的。这些也都促使他思考过，而且还想到过，事实上，有很多人，比如他的母亲。伯父。堂兄和眼前的这位牧师，他们好象并没有被类似这些东西所困扰呀。然而，有时候他一个闪念又想到:

那些象他那样的情欲和欲念，也许他们都很熟悉，不过，正是因为他们能凭借自己卓越的精神和道德力量，所以处理起来也就非常容易了。也许他过去只是一心沉溺于这些思想感情之中。从他的母亲。麦克米伦和他被捕后听到的别人谈吐里，看来都有这种想法。

这一切到底意味着什么呢?

有上帝吗?

他真象麦克米伦先生此刻所说的那样干预凡夫俗子的事情吗?

过去你从来也不虔信他的，难道说在眼前这种时刻就能向他，或至少是向一个无所不能的力量，祈求帮助吗?

当然，在类似这样的情况下，你是需要帮助的……你是那么孤零零的，一切都受到法律……而不是人……的支配和管制……而你周围所有这些人，其实只不过是法律的奴隶罢了。不过，这个神秘的力量乐意帮助吗?

果真有这个神秘的力量吗?

能听到人们的祈祷吗?

麦克米伦牧师一个劲儿说能听到。"他心里说，上帝竟忘记了;他掩面。可他并没有忘记。他可并没有掩面。"(参见《圣经。旧约。诗篇》第１０篇第１１节。)但这是真实的吗?

可以相信它吗?

面临着死的灾难，克莱德正因渴求某种精神上(如果说不是物质上)的支持而遭受折磨，克莱德正在做的，正是任何一个人在类似情况下必定会做的……就是在寻求，只不过通过最间接的。错综复杂的。简直是无意识的方式在寻求某种能够和乐意以什么方式来拯救他的超人或是超自然的人格或是力量是否会出现，或则至少是存在着……而且他已开始转移方向……哪怕还是不够坚定，或是无意识地……转向这些力量的化身和合乎人性的原则，对于这种力量，除了以宗教的形式出现的以外，他一无所知。"诸天述说上帝的荣耀。苍穹传扬他的手段。"(引自《圣经。旧约。诗篇》第１９篇第１节。)他想起母亲的传道馆里一块窗上就有这么一块小牌子。另外还有一块小牌子说:

"因为他是你的生命，你的寿命。"不过尽管这样……哪怕是他对邓肯。麦克米伦牧师突然有了好感，他还远没有真的感动得认为说不定自己可以通过任何形式的宗教来摆脱他眼前种种的不幸。

可是眼看着日子却论周。论月地过去了……麦克米伦牧师来过以后，倒是还经常来探监的(时间最长两周一次，有时一周一次)，问问他的感觉，听听他有什么想法，而且对他身心的康宁也提出了一些劝告。克莱德深怕失去牧师对他的关怀，不再来探望他，也就越来越乐于接受他的友情和影响。那种崇高的精神境界。那种美妙动人的声音。他总是援引那些令人宽慰的话。"亲爱的弟兄啊，我们现在是上帝的儿女，将来如何，还未显明。但我们知道主若显现，我们必要象他。因为必得见他的真体。凡向他有这指望的，就洁净自己，象他洁净一样。(引自《圣经。新约。约翰一书》第３章第２节。)"上帝将他的灵赐给我们，从此就知道我们是住在他里面，他也住在我们里面。"(引自《圣经。新约。约翰一书》第４章第１３节。)"因为你们是重价买来的。"(参见《圣经。新约。哥林多前书》第６章第２０节。)"他按自己的旨意，用真道生了我们，叫我们在他所造的万物中，好象初熟的果子。各样美善的恩赐，和各样全备的赏赐，都是从上头来的。从众光之父那里降下来的。在他并没有改变，也没有转动的影儿。(引自《圣经。新约。雅各书》第１章第１７。１８节。)"你们亲近上帝，上帝就必亲近你们。"(同上第４章第８节。)有时，克莱德好象觉得向这个力量呼吁以后，也许能得到安宁和勇气……甚至还能得到帮助……有谁说得准呢。这是麦克米伦牧师的毅力和至诚正在他身上起作用呀。

不过还有悔悟问题……随之而来就得忏悔。可是向谁忏悔呢?

当然罗，向麦克米伦牧师。他仿佛认为克莱德必须在他面前……或是在象他一类的人……既具有上帝的精神又具有血肉之躯的使者面前把灵魂洗涤干净。可是，麻烦正出在这里。因为，他在受审时作了那么多伪证，而他的上诉就是以这些伪证作为基础的。现在就把这些伪证收回吗?

上诉已在待批了。最好还是等一等，等他知道上诉有什么结果再说，可不是吗?

唉，瞧他有多么寒伧，多么虚伪，多么善变，多么不诚恳。不妨想象一下，这么一个斤斤较量。净做小买卖的人，上帝会特别惠予照顾吗?

不，不。那也是要不得的。麦克米伦牧师要是知道他心里在想些什么，又会对他作何感想?

可是，他心里又有这么一个恼人的问题，就是有关他的具体罪行……量罪时该有多大。不错，他一开头就策划要在那里杀害罗伯达的，这是毫无疑问的……如今他才认识到，这是一件极其骇人的事，因为他渴求桑德拉时那种神魂颠倒和狂热劲儿现在已多少有所减退。有时，他已经能够冷静思考了，不象往日里跟她碰面时心里老是感到强烈的剧痛味道。现也他明白了。(经贝尔纳普辩护时一说，他心里就透亮了)在那些可怕而烦恼的日子里，他身不由己地被那种从表现来看已经迹近精神病的狂热燃烧起来。美丽的桑德拉!

了不起的桑德拉!

那时，她的一颦一笑多么火热，而又富有魔力!

即便到现在，那种可怕的烈焰并没有完全熄灭，还是在冒烟……只是被最近以来他遇到的所有可怕的事件熄灭了。

不过，还得替他说句公道话，可不是吗……那就是说，不论在什么情况下，他脑子里决不会冒出这么一种可怕的念头或是阴谋来……去杀害哪一个人……更不必说是象罗伯达那样一个姑娘了……除非他是迷了心窍……乃至于成了疯子。不过，那种辩护布里奇伯格陪审团听了，不是觉得根本不予考虑吗?

上诉法院会有不同的想法吗?

恐怕不会。不过，难道这不是真实的吗?

难道说是他全都错了?

还是怎么的?

这事要是他详细解释给麦克米伦牧师听，或者不论是谁听，他们能向他回答这个问题吗?

他要把这事对麦克米伦牧师说了……也许对一切全都坦白承认，把自己在所有这些事上的情况都讲清楚。再说，还有这一事实:

为桑德拉而把阴谋策划好以后(这事尽管人们不知道，但上帝是知道的)，到头来他并没有能耐付诸实行。而且，在庭审时并没有提到这一点，因为那时候采用了说假话的方式进行辩护，就不允许按照事实真相来解释的……不过，这是可使罪行减轻的情节，可不是吗……麦克米伦牧师会不会就这么想呢?

当时杰夫森硬是要他撒谎的。不过，那么一来，难道说事实真相也就不成其为事实真相了吗?

现在，他回想他这个险恶。残酷的阴谋时方才明白，其中有些部分，存在某些纠缠不清和疑惑不定的难点，要把它们交代清楚可真不易。最严重的也许有两点:

第一，把罗伯达带到湖上那么一个荒凉的地点，然后，突然感到自己没能耐做坏事，就胆怯荏弱，对自己感到非常恼火，吓得罗伯达站了起来，想朝他这边走过去。这么一来，先是让她有可能被他在无意之中给砸了一下，而他因为这一砸至少在某种程度上说有了罪……到底是不是呢?

……从这个意义上来看，那是致命。有罪的一砸。也许是这样的。麦克米伦牧师对这事会怎么说呢?

再说，既然她因为这么一砸掉到湖里去了，那末，他对她落水一事不是也有罪吗?

现在他一想到自己对造成这一悲剧事实上有罪，就觉得非常苦恼。不管奥伯沃泽在审问中对当时他从她身边游开去一事说过些什么话……说如果她是在无意之中落水的，那末，即使是他不肯去搭救她，就他这一方面来说，也是无罪可言……可是，现在他觉得，尤其是有关他跟罗伯达的全部关系，他都想过了，毕竟还是有罪，可不是?

难道说上帝……麦克米伦……不是也会这么想吗?

而且，梅森在审问时早就一针见血地指出:

毫无疑问，本来他也许是能把她救起来的。

如果她是桑德拉……或者甚至是去年夏天的罗伯达，毫无疑问，他也一定会把她救起来的。再说，害怕她把他拖下水，这种想法也是很见不得人的。(在麦克米伦敦促他悔过，同上帝和解以后，有好多个夜晚他躺在床上，就是这样自己跟自己说理。辩论的。)是的，这些他都得向自己承认。如果这是桑德拉的话，当然，他马上会想办法去救她的命。既然是这样，那他应该就这一事表示忏悔……如果他决定向麦克米伦忏悔的话……或则向不管是哪一个人吐露真情的话……只要真的要讲……说不定甚至还要向公众讲。可是，他一旦决定这么忏悔了，会不会导致他势必被定罪不可呢?

难道说现在他乐意给自己定罪，就此把自己性命也都送掉吗?

不，不，也许最好还是等一等……至少等到上诉法院对他的案子作出决定以后再说。反正真相上帝早已知道了，干什么要让他的案子冒风险呢?

他确实是难过极了。现在，他已经认识到这一切该有多可怕……除了罗伯达惨死以外，他还造成了多么巨大的痛苦和灾难。不过……不过……生活不还是那么美好吗?

啊，要是他能逃出去该有多好!

啊，只要他能离开这里……永远不再看到。听到。

感受到如今笼罩着他的这一片可怕的恐怖该有多好。这姗姗来迟的薄暮……这姗姗来迟的拂晓。这漫漫的长夜呀!

那些长叹短吁……那些呻吟哭泣。那日日夜夜持续不断的折磨，有时看来他好象真的快要发疯了。要不是麦克米伦眼下看来对他恩爱有加……那么和蔼，有时还能吸引住他，让他得到不少宽慰，说不定他早已发疯了。他真巴不得有一天能跟他坐在一起……不管是在这里或是别的什么地方，把一切都告诉他，听他说说，究竟他是不是真的有罪，如果说真的有罪，就要麦克米伦为他祈祷。克莱德有时分明感觉到:

他母亲和麦克米伦的庇佑祈祷，在这个上帝面前，比他自己的祈祷要灵验得多。不知怎的，现在他还祈祷不成。有时，他听到麦克米伦在祈祷，那声音如此柔和，如此和谐，穿透铁栏杆向他传过来……或是他读《加拉太书》。《帖撒罗尼迦书》。《哥林多书》

(参见《圣经。新约全书》有关章节。)上那些话，那时他觉得，好象他非得把一切都告诉这个牧师，而且尽可能早一些。

可是眼看着日子一天天过去，直到六个星期以后的某一天……当时邓肯牧师因为克莱德一直闭口不谈自己的事，正开始绝望，觉得自己无法引导他真心忏悔，从而使他的灵魂得到拯救……突然间，桑德拉来了一封信，说得确切些，是一张便条。那是通过典狱长办公室送来的，由这座监狱的新教牧师普雷斯顿。

吉尔福德交给他的，只是信上并没有署名。信纸倒是挺好看的，而且，按照监狱的规定，已被拆开，看过了。不过，这封信的内容，在典狱长和吉尔福德牧师看来，都认为除了同情和责备以外，没有什么其他内容。而且，一望可知这封信是他的案子里一再提到过的那个名闻遐迩的。也可以说声名狼藉的某某小姐寄来的，尽管一时还无法加以证明。因此，经过相当长时间考虑以后，就决定不妨给克莱德看看，他们甚至还认为应该给他看看才好。也许可以给他上有益的一课。罪犯的出路。所以，待到漫长而慵倦的夏天已经过去了(这时，他入狱快要满一年了)，在暮秋的某一天傍黑时分，信才交给了他。他手里拿着这封信。尽管这封信是用打字机打的，信封上既没有发信日期，也没有发信地址，只是盖上了纽约的邮戳……可是不知怎的，他还是本能地感到，这也许是她寄来的。于是，他一下子变得非常紧张……甚至连手都在微微颤抖了。接下来他就看信……在这以后好多天里，他反反复复地看了又看:

"克莱德，给你去信，为的是让你不要觉得你往日的心上人已经把你完全忘掉了。她也饱受了痛苦。她虽然永远也不能理解你怎么会干得出这等事来，但即便是现在，尽管她永远也不会再跟你见面了，她并不是没有悲伤和同情心的，她还祝愿你自由和幸福。

"但是信末没有署名……丝毫没有她亲笔书写的痕迹。她怕签署自己的名字。

她心里想，现在她已离着他太遥远了，不乐意让他知道现在她在哪里。纽约!

不过，这封信也许是从别处寄到纽约，再从纽约发出的。她可不乐意让他知道……永远也不乐意让他知道……即使以后他死在狱中，这对他来说，也许是在意料之中的。他最后的希望……他的梦想最后一点残痕，全都消失了。永远消失了!

正是在那么一刹那间，当黑夜降临，驱散了西边最微弱的一抹薄暮的余辉的时候。先是有一丁点儿朦胧的越来越微弱的粉红色……随后是一团漆黑。

他坐在铁床上。他那寒伧的囚服上一道道条纹，还有他那灰色毡鞋，把他的目光给吸引住了。一个重罪犯。这些条纹。这双毡鞋。这间牢房。这难以预料而又骇人的未来前景，随时想起就让人毛骨悚然。如今又来了这么一封信，他的美梦也就算全完了!

而为了这美梦，他竟然不惜孤注一掷，想要把罗伯达摆脱掉……甚至眼看着就要下决心把她置之死地。就是为了这美梦!

就是为了这美梦!

他摆弄着这封信，随后一动不动地把信抓在手里。现在她在哪里呀?

也许跟谁在谈情说爱吧?

也许经过这么一段时间，她的感情也变了吧。也许当时她仅仅是有那么一丁点儿被他迷往了。有关他的那些骇人听闻的揭发，毫无疑问，把她对他的全部感情永远化为乌有。她是自由的。她有的是姿色……财富。此刻，也许另有一个什么人……他站起来，走到牢房门口，想让心中的剧痛平息下去。对面中国人一度住过的那间牢房，现下关进一个黑人……沃什。希金斯。据说，他把一家餐馆的侍者刺死了，因为那个侍者拒不给他上菜，而且还百般侮辱他。他的紧邻是一个年轻的犹太人。他想去抢一家珠宝铺，把那里的掌柜给杀死了。不过，现在关在这里只是等死，他早就绝望透顶，彻底崩溃了……整天价多半只是坐在小床上，两手捂住头。克莱德从他现在站着的地方可以看到他们两人……那个犹太人还捂着头哩。不过，躺在小床上的那个黑人，却叉起两腿，一面在抽烟，一面还在唱……啊，大轮在……转……哼!

啊，大轮在……转……哼!

啊，大轮在……转……哼!

就是为了我呀!

为了我呀!

克莱德驱散不了自己心里那些念头，便又掉过身去。

已被判处死刑!

他非死不可。而这封信……标志着他跟桑德拉也就算全完了。

这一点他分明感觉得到了。再见吧。"尽管她永远也不会跟你见面了。"他倒伏在床上……不是要哭，而是要休息……他觉得太疲惫了。莱柯格斯呀。第四号湖呀。熊湖呀。哈哈大笑……接吻……微笑呀。去年秋天里他渴求过的是什么呀。

而一年以后……现在呀。

可接下来是……那个年轻的犹太人。当他心灵深处剧痛委实难以忍受，再也不能闷声不响的时候，就会哼起类似宗教祷告的曲调，让人听了简直心肝俱裂。这样的曲调许多同监犯人都大声反对过。不过，话又说回来，这样的曲调在此时此刻，却又是再合适也没有呀。

"我作恶多端。我心狠手辣。我撒谎骗人。啊!

啊!

啊!

我一贯不老实。我心里坏点子可多着呢。我跟那伙坏人在一块厮混过。啊!

啊!

啊!

我偷过东西。我缺德透顶。我残酷无情!

啊!

啊!

啊!

"还传来了那大个儿托姆。鲁尼的声音。他杀死了跟他争夺一个妓女的托马斯。泰伊，因而被判处死刑。"看在基督面上!

我知道你心里难过。可我也是一样。

啊，看在基督面上，别再难过了!

"克莱德坐在小床上，心心念念正合着犹太人的曲调拍子……默默地跟着他一块哼唱……"我作恶多端。我心狠手辣。我撤谎骗人。啊!

啊!

啊!

我一贯不老实。

我心里坏点子可多着呢。我跟那伙坏人在一块厮混过。啊!

啊!

啊!

我缺德透顶。我残酷无情。我心里老想杀人。啊!

啊!

啊!

那是为了什么呢?

一枕黄梁美梦!

啊!

啊!

啊!

……啊!

啊!

啊!

……"过了个把钟头，狱警把他的晚餐放在小窗口那块搁板上，克莱德依然纹丝不动。开饭了!

半个钟头以后，狱警又来了，晚餐还撂在那里，动都没有动过，跟那个犹太人一样……于是，狱警就一声不吭拿走了。狱警们知道，关进这些笼子里的人忧郁时，反正就吃不下饭了。有的时候，甚至连狱警他们一口饭也都咽不下去呢。
Part 3 Chapter 33
The depression resulting even after two days was apparent to the Reverend McMillan, who was concerned toknow why. More recently, he had been led to believe by Clyde's manner, his visits, if not the fact that the totalityof his preachments, had not been greeted with as much warmth as he would have liked, that by degrees Clydewas being won to his own spiritual viewpoint. With no little success, as it had seemed to him, he had counseledClyde as to the folly of depression and despair. "What! Was not the peace of God within his grasp and for theasking. To one who sought God and found Him, as he surely would, if he sought, there could be no sorrow, butonly joy. 'Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us of His spirit.'" So hepreached or read,--until finally--two weeks after receiving the letter from Sondra and because of the deepdepression into which he had sunk on account of it, Clyde was finally moved to request of him that he try toinduce the warden to allow him to be taken to some other cell or room apart from this room or cell which seemedto Clyde to be filled with too many of his tortured thoughts, in order that he might talk with him and get hisadvice. As he told the Reverend McMillan, he did not appear to be able to solve his true responsibility in connection with all that had so recently occurred in his life, and because of which he seemed not to be able tofind that peace of mind of which McMillan talked so much. Perhaps . . . ,--there must be something wrong withhis viewpoint. Actually he would like to go over the offense of which he was convicted and see if there wasanything wrong in his understanding of it. He was not so sure now. And McMillan, greatly stirred,--an enormousspiritual triumph, this--as he saw it--the true reward of faith and prayer, at once proceeding to the warden, whowas glad enough to be of service in such a cause. And he permitted the use of one of the cells in the old deathhouse for as long as he should require, and with no guard between himself and Clyde--one only remaining in thegeneral hall outside.
　　And there Clyde began the story of his relations with Roberta and Sondra. Yet because of all that had been setforth at the trial, merely referring to most of the evidence--apart from his defense--the change of heart, as so;afterwards dwelling more particularly on the fatal adventure with Roberta in the boat. Did the ReverendMcMillan--because of the original plotting--and hence the original intent--think him guilty?--especially in viewof his obsession over Sondra--all his dreams in regard to her--did that truly constitute murder? He was askingthis because, as he said, it was as he had done--not as his testimony at the trial had indicated that he had done. Itwas a lie that he had experienced a change of heart. His attorneys had counseled that defense as best, since theydid not feel that he was guilty, and had thought that plan the quickest route to liberty. But it was a lie. Inconnection with his mental state also there in the boat, before and after her rising and attempting to come tohim,--and that blow, and after,--he had not told the truth either--quite. That unintentional blow, as he now wishedto explain, since it affected his efforts at religious meditation,--a desire to present himself honestly to his Creator,if at all (he did not then explain that as yet he had scarcely attempted to so present himself)--there was more to itthan he had been able yet to make clear, even to himself. In fact even now to himself there was much that wasevasive and even insoluble about it. He had said that there had been no anger--that there had been a change ofheart. But there had been no change of heart. In fact, just before she had risen to come to him, there had been acomplex troubled state, bordering, as he now saw it, almost upon trance or palsy, and due--but he could scarcelysay to what it was due, exactly. He had thought at first--or afterwards--that it was partly due to pity for Roberta-or,at least the shame of so much cruelty in connection with her--his plan to strike her. At the same time therewas anger, too,--hate maybe--because of her determination to force him to do what he did not wish to do.
　　Thirdly--yet he was not so sure as to that--(he had thought about it so long and yet he was not sure even now)-theremight have been fear as to the consequences of such an evil deed--although, just at that time, as it seemedto him now, he was not thinking of the consequences--or of anything save his inability to do as he had come todo--and feeling angry as to that.
　　Yet in the blow--the accidental blow that had followed upon her rising and attempting to come to him, had beensome anger against her for wanting to come near him at all. And that it was perhaps--he was truly not sure, evennow, that had given that blow its so destructive force. It was so afterward, anyhow, that he was compelled tothink of it. And yet there was also the truth that in rising he was seeking to save her--even in spite of his hate.
　　That he was also, for the moment at least, sorry for that blow. Again, though, once the boat had upset and bothwere in the water--in all that confusion, and when she was drowning, he had been moved by the thought: "Donothing." For thus he would be rid of her. Yes, he had so thought. But again, there was the fact that all through,as Mr. Belknap and Mr. Jephson had pointed out, he had been swayed by his obsession for Miss X, the supermotivating force in connection with all of this. But now, did the Reverend McMillan, considering all that wentbefore and all that came after--the fact that the unintentional blow still had had anger in it--angry dissatisfactionwith her--really--and that afterwards he had not gone to her rescue--as now--honestly and truly as he was trying to show--did he think that that constituted murder--mortal blood guilt for which spiritually, as well as legally, hemight be said to deserve death? Did he? He would like to know for his own soul's peace--so that he could pray,maybe.
　　The Reverend McMillan hearing all this--and never in his life before having heard or having had passed to himso intricate and elusive and strange a problem--and because of Clyde's faith in and regard for him, enormouslyimpressed. And now sitting before him quite still and pondering most deeply, sadly and even nervously--soserious and important was this request for an opinion--something which, as he knew, Clyde was counting on togive him earthly and spiritual peace. But, none-the-less, the Reverend McMillan was himself too puzzled toanswer so quickly.
　　"Up to the time you went in that boat with her, Clyde, you had not changed in your mood toward her--yourintention to--to--"The Reverend McMillan's face was gray and drawn. His eyes were sad. He had been listening, as he now felt, toa sad and terrible story--an evil and cruel self-torturing and destroying story. This young boy--really--! His hot,restless heart which plainly for the lack of so many things which he, the Reverend McMillan, had never wantedfor, had rebelled. And because of that rebellion had sinned mortally and was condemned to die. Indeed his reasonwas as intensely troubled as his heart was moved.
　　"No, I had not.""You were, as you say, angry with yourself for being so weak as not to be able to do what you had planned todo.""In a way it was like that, yes. But then I was sorry, too, you see. And maybe afraid. I'm not exactly sure now.
　　Maybe not, either."The Reverend McMillan shook his head. So strange! So evasive! So evil! And yet-"But at the same time, as you say, you were angry with her for having driven you to that point.""Yes.""Where you were compelled to wrestle with so terrible a problem?""Yes.""Tst! Tst! Tst! And so you thought of striking her.""Yes, I did.""But you could not.""No.""Praised be the mercy of God. Yet in the blow that you did strike--unintentionally--as you say--there was stillsome anger against her. That was why the blow was so--so severe. You did not want her to come near you.""No, I didn't. I think I didn't, anyhow. I'm not quite sure. It may be that I wasn't quite right. Anyhow--all workedup, I guess--sick almost. I--I--" In his uniform--his hair cropped so close, Clyde sat there, trying honestly now tothink how it really was (exactly) and greatly troubled by his inability to demonstrate to himself even--either hisguilt or his lack of guilt. Was he--or was he not? And the Reverend McMillan--himself intensely strained,muttering: "Wide is the gate and broad the way that leadeth to destruction." And yet finally adding: "But you didrise to save her.""Yes, afterwards, I got up. I meant to catch her after she fell back. That was what upset the boat.""And you did really want to catch her?""I don't know. At the moment I guess I did. Anyhow I felt sorry, I think.""But can you say now truly and positively, as your Creator sees you, that you were sorry--or that you wanted tosave her then?""It all happened so quick, you see," began Clyde nervously--hopelessly, almost, "that I'm not just sure. No, Idon't know that I was so very sorry. No. I really don't know, you see, now. Sometimes I think maybe I was, alittle, sometimes not, maybe. But after she was gone and I was on shore, I felt sorry--a little. But I was sort ofglad, too, you know, to be free, and yet frightened, too--You see--""Yes, I know. You were going to that Miss X. But out there, when she was in the water--?""No.""You did not want to go to her rescue?""No.""Tst! Tst! Tst! You felt no sorrow? No shame? Then?""Yes, shame, maybe. Maybe sorrow, too, a little. I knew it was terrible. I felt that it was, of course. But still--yousee--""Yes, I know. That Miss X. You wanted to get away.""Yes--but mostly I was frightened, and I didn't want to help her.""Yes! Yes! Tst! Tst! Tst! If she drowned you could go to that Miss X. You thought of that?" The Reverend McMillan's lips were tightly and sadly compressed.
　　"Yes.""My son! My son! In your heart was murder then.""Yes, yes," Clyde said reflectively. "I have thought since it must have been that way."The Reverend McMillan paused and to hearten himself for this task began to pray--but silently--and to himself:
　　"Our Father who art in Heaven--hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done--on earth as it isin Heaven." He stirred again after a time.
　　"Ah, Clyde. The mercy of God is equal to every sin. I know it. He sent His own son to die for the evil of theworld. It must be so--if you will but repent. But that thought! That deed! You have much to pray for, my son-much.
　　Oh, yes. For in the sight of God, I fear,--yes--And yet--I must pray for enlightenment. This is a strangeand terrible story. There are so many phases. It may be but pray. Pray with me now that you and I may havelight." He bowed his head. He sat for minutes in silence--while Clyde, also, in silence and troubled doubt, satbefore him. Then, after a time he began:
　　"Oh, Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger; neither chasten me in Thy hot displeasure. Have mercy on me, O Lord,for I am weak. Heal me in my shame and sorrow for my soul is wounded and dark in Thy sight. Oh, let thewickedness of my heart pass. Lead me, O God, into Thy righteousness. Let the wickedness of my heart pass andremember it not."Clyde--his head down--sat still--very still. He, himself, was at last shaken and mournful. No doubt his sin wasvery great. Very, very terrible! And yet--But then, the Reverend McMillan ceasing and rising, he, too, rose, thewhile McMillan added: "But I must go now. I must think--pray. This has troubled and touched me deeply. Oh,very, Lord. And you--my son--you return and pray--alone. Repent. Ask of God on your knees His forgivenessand He will hear you. Yes, He will. And to-morrow--or as soon as I honestly can--I will come again. But do notdespair. Pray always--for in prayer alone, prayer and contrition, is salvation. Rest in the strength of Him whoholds the world in the hollow of His hand. In His abounding strength and mercy, is peace and forgiveness. Oh,yes."He struck the iron door with a small key ring that he carried and at once the guard, hearing it, returned.
　　Then having escorted Clyde to his cell and seen him once more shut within that restraining cage, he took his owndeparture, heavily and miserably burdened with all that he had heard. And Clyde was left to brood on all he hadsaid--and how it had affected McMillan, as well as himself. His new friend's stricken mood. The obvious painand horror with which he viewed it all. Was he really and truly guilty? Did he really and truly deserve to die forthis? Was that what the Reverend McMillan would decide? And in the face of all his tenderness and mercy?
　　And another week in which, moved by Clyde's seeming contrition, and all the confusing and extenuatingcircumstances of his story, and having wrestled most earnestly with every moral aspect of it, the ReverendMcMillan once more before his cell door--but only to say that however liberal or charitable his interpretation of the facts, as at last Clyde had truthfully pictured them, still he could not feel that either primarily or secondarilycould he be absolved from guilt for her death. He had plotted--had he not? He had not gone to her rescue whenhe might have. He had wished her dead and afterwards had not been sorry. In the blow that had brought about theupsetting of the boat had been some anger. Also in the mood that had not permitted him to strike. The facts thathe had been influenced by the beauty and position of Miss X to the plotting of this deed, and, after his evilrelations with Roberta, that she had been determined he should marry her, far from being points in extenuation ofhis actions, were really further evidence of his general earthly sin and guilt. Before the Lord then he had sinnedin many ways. In those dark days, alas, as Mr. McMillan saw it, he was little more than a compound ofselfishness and unhallowed desire and fornication against the evil of which Paul had thundered. It had endured tothe end and had not changed--until he had been taken by the law. He had not repented--not even there at BearLake where he had time for thought. And besides, had he not, from the beginning to end, bolstered it with falseand evil pretenses? Verily.
　　On the other hand, no doubt if he were sent to the chair now in the face of his first--and yet so clearmanifestation of contrition-- when now, for the first time he was beginning to grasp the enormity of his offense-itwould be but to compound crime with crime--the state in this instance being the aggressor. For, like the wardenand many others, McMillan was against capital punishment--preferring to compel the wrong-doer to serve thestate in some way. But, none-the-less, he felt himself compelled to acknowledge, Clyde was far from innocent.
　　Think as he would--and however much spiritually he desired to absolve him, was he not actually guilty?
　　In vain it was that McMillan now pointed out to Clyde that his awakened moral and spiritual understanding moreperfectly and beautifully fitted him for life and action than ever before. He was alone. He had no one whobelieved in him. NO ONE. He had no one, whom, in any of his troubled and tortured actions before that crimesaw anything but the darkest guilt apparently. And yet--and yet--(and this despite Sondra and the ReverendMcMillan and all the world for that matter, Mason, the jury at Bridgeburg, the Court of Appeals at Albany, if itshould decide to confirm the jury at Bridgeburg), he had a feeling in his heart that he was not as guilty as they allseemed to think. After all they had not been tortured as he had by Roberta with her determination that he marryher and thus ruin his whole life. They had not burned with that unquenchable passion for the Sondra of hisbeautiful dream as he had. They had not been harassed, tortured, mocked by the ill-fate of his early life andtraining, forced to sing and pray on the streets as he had in such a degrading way, when his whole heart and soulcried out for better things. How could they judge him, these people, all or any one of them, even his own mother,when they did not know what his own mental, physical and spiritual suffering had been? And as he lived throughit again in his thoughts at this moment the sting and mental poison of it was as real to him as ever. Even in theface of all the facts and as much as every one felt him to be guilty, there was something so deep within him thatseemed to cry out against it that, even now, at times, it startled him. Still--there was the Reverend McMillan--hewas a very fair and just and merciful man. Surely he saw all this from a higher light and better viewpoint than hisown. While at times he felt strongly that he was innocent, at others he felt that he must be guilty.
　　Oh, these evasive and tangled and torturesome thoughts!! Would he never be able--quite--to get the whole thingstraightened out in his own mind?
　　So Clyde not being able to take advantage truly of either the tenderness and faith and devotion of so good andpure a soul as the Reverend McMillan or the all merciful and all powerful God of whom here he stood as theambassador. What was he to do, really? How pray, resignedly, unreservedly, faithfully? And in that mood--and because of the urge of the Reverend Duncan, who was convinced by Clyde's confession that he must have beencompletely infused with the spirit of God, once more thumbing through the various passages and chapterspointed out to him--reading and re-reading the Psalms most familiar to him, seeking from their inspiration tocatch the necessary contrition--which once caught would give him that peace and strength which in those longand dreary hours he so much desired. Yet never quite catching it.
　　Parallel with all this, four more months passed. And at the end of that time--in January, 19--, the Court ofAppeals finding (Fulham, Jr., reviewing the evidence as offered by Belknap and Jephson)-- with Kincaid, Briggs,Truman and Dobshutter concurring, that Clyde was guilty as decided by the Cataraqui County jury andsentencing him to die at some time within the week beginning February 28th or six weeks later--and saying inconclusion:
　　"We are mindful that this is a case of circumstantial evidence and that the only eyewitness denies that death wasthe result of crime. But in obedience to the most exacting requirements of that manner of proof, the counsel forthe people, with very unusual thoroughness and ability has investigated and presented evidence of a greatnumber of circumstances for the purpose of truly solving the question of the defendant's guilt or innocence.
　　"We might think that the proof of some of these facts standing by themselves was subject to doubt by reason ofunsatisfactory or contradictory evidence, and that other occurrences might be so explained or interpreted as to bereconcilable with innocence. The defense--and very ably--sought to enforce this view.
　　"But taken all together and considered as a connected whole, they make such convincing proof of guilt that weare not able to escape from its force by any justifiable process of reasoning and we are compelled to say that notonly is the verdict not opposed to the weight of evidence, and to the proper inference to be drawn from it, butthat it is abundantly justified thereby. Decision of the lower court unanimously confirmed."On hearing this, McMillan, who was in Syracuse at the time, hurrying to Clyde in the hope that before the newswas conveyed officially, he should be there to encourage him spiritually, since, only with the aid of the Lord, ashe saw it--the eternal and ever present help in trouble--would Clyde be able to endure so heavy a blow. Andfinding him--for which he was most deeply grateful--wholly unaware of what had occurred, since no news ofany kind was conveyed to any condemned man until the warrant for his execution had arrived.
　　After a most tender and spiritual conversation--in which he quoted from Matthew, Paul and John as to theunimportance of this world--the true reality and joy of the next--Clyde was compelled to learn from McMillanthat the decision of the court had gone against him. And that though McMillan talked of an appeal to theGovernor which he--and some others whom he was sure to be able to influence would make--unless theGovernor chose to act, within six weeks, as Clyde knew, he would be compelled to die. And then, once the forceof that fact had finally burst on him--and while McMillan talked on about faith and the refuge which the mercyand wisdom of God provided--Clyde, standing before him with more courage and character showing in his faceand eyes than at any time previously in his brief and eager career.
　　"So they decided against me. Now I will have to go through that door after all,--like all those others. They'll drawthe curtains for me, too. Into that other room--then back across the passage--saying good-bye as I go, like thoseothers. I will not be here any more." He seemed to be going over each step in his mind--each step with which he was so familiar, only now, for the first time, he was living it for himself. Now, in the face of this dread news,which somehow was as fascinating as it was terrible, feeling not as distrait or weak as at first he had imagined hewould be. Rather, to his astonishment, considering all his previous terror in regard to this, thinking of what hewould do, what he would say, in an outwardly calm way.
　　Would he repeat prayers read to him by the Reverend McMillan here? No doubt. And maybe gladly, too. Andyet-In his momentary trance he was unconscious of the fact that the Reverend Duncan was whispering:
　　"But you see we haven't reached the end of this yet. There is a new Governor coming into office in January. Heis a very sensible and kindly man, I hear. In fact I know several people who know him--and it is my plan to seehim personally--as well as to have some other people whom I know write him on the strength of what I will tellthem."But from Clyde's look at the moment, as well as what he now said, he could tell that he was not listening.
　　"My mother. I suppose some one ought to telegraph her. She is going to feel very bad." And then: "I don'tsuppose they believed that those letters shouldn't have been introduced just as they were, did they? I thoughtmaybe they would." He was thinking of Nicholson.
　　"Don't worry, Clyde," replied the tortured and saddened McMillan, at this point more eager to take him in hisarms and comfort him than to say anything at all. "I have already telegraphed your mother. As for that decision--Iwill see your lawyers right away. Besides--as I say--I propose to see the Governor myself. He is a new man, yousee."Once more he was now repeating all that Clyde had not heard before.

即使是两天以后，克莱德那种颓丧的心态，麦克米伦牧师还是一眼就看出来了，因此很想了解一下原因何在。最近以来，根据克莱德的态度，他自然而然地深信无疑:

他历次来监狱探望(如果说还不是指他宣扬的全部教义)所得到的反应，并不象他原先希望那么热烈，不过也看得出来，克莱德已在逐渐接受他的那一套宗教观点了。他觉得他规劝克莱德时说过颓丧和绝望都是很傻这类话，还是收效不小。"怎么啦!

天惠神赐的安宁不是唾手可得吗?

只须开口要就行了。

凡是寻找上帝而又找到了的人(反正他只要去寻找准能找到)，见到的不是悲伤，只是欢乐。'

''''上帝将他的灵赐给我们，从此就知道我们是住在他里面，他也住在我们里面。，(引自《圣经。新约。约翰一书》第４章第１３节。)"他就是这么宣扬教义或是援引《圣经》上那些话……到后来……克莱德在接到桑德拉的信过了两周以后，因为这封信使他精神上一厥不振，万念俱灰，终于想到，不妨请麦克米伦牧师跟典狱长说一说，允许他住进别的一间牢房或是一个单间，反正离开这里远些(克莱德觉得自己痛苦的思绪简直太多了，充满了这间牢房)，以便跟他谈谈，听取他的忠告。他跟麦克米伦牧师说，他对不久前自己碰到的所有一切遭际，究竟该负多大责任，看来还不能理解，因此，麦克米伦已经谈得很多的有关心灵的安宁，他好象怎么都找不到。也许……一定是他的观点出了什么差错。其实，他很愿意把他被指控并被定了罪一事从头至尾跟麦克米伦牧师谈一谈，看看自己在认识上有什么错误。如今，连他自己也不免有点儿半信半疑了。麦克米伦听后感动极了……据他看来，这对拯救灵魂来说是一次了不起的胜利……也是对信仰和祈祷的真正奖赏啊。他马上就去找典狱长，典狱长也很乐意为这事效劳。于是，麦克米伦获准可以使用老死牢里一间牢房(他需要使用多久，就可以使用多久)。而且，麦克米伦跟克莱德晤面时，可以不受监视……只有一名狱警在外面过道里站岗值勤。

在那里，克莱德向麦克米伦牧师和盘托出了自己跟罗伯达和桑德拉的关系。

不过，因为所有这一切在庭审时都已讲过了，所以，他仅仅提到了一些最重要的证据……除了他自己的申辩以外，也就是所谓回心转意这一说法;过后，他特别详细讲到了自己跟罗伯达在小船上那个致命的插曲。既然他早就策划过……因此一开头也就有此意……他很想知道麦克米伦牧师的看法，他究竟是不是有罪呢?

……特别是因为他对桑德拉如此倾倒，对她还抱有那么多的梦想……这是不是也构成了凶杀罪呢?

据他说，他之所以这么提问，因为这就是他在当时实实在在的情况……而不是象他在庭审作证时所说的那样。说他回心转意，那才是谎话。是他的两位辩护律师给被告辩护琢磨出来的好点子，因为他们不认为他是有罪的，并且认为这一计划方案才是达到无罪获释的捷径。但那是弥天大谎。

再说，当罗伯达站起来想向他这边走过来以前和以后，他在小船上的心态……还有那一砸，以及在这以后的情况……这些当时他也都没有把真相说出来……确切些说，不是全部真相。至于那无意之中的一砸，现在他倒是很想弄清楚的，因为它对于他对宗教默念的尝试……他要清清白白地去见(如果说一定要见的话)创世主的心愿……会有影响，(当时他没有说明，其实，他并不是想这样去见创世主的)……其中有很多地方他还不能完全弄清楚，即使对自己来说也一样。事实上，哪怕是现在他自己觉得还有很多地方是难以捉摸，乃至于解释不清的。

他在法庭上说他对她并没有勃然大怒……还说他回心转意了。但是，他并没有回心转意。事实上，就在她站起来向他这边走过来以前，他已处于一种复杂。

困惑的心态之中，正如现在他所说的，几乎陷入昏睡或是麻痹瘫痪了，但是由于……由于什么引起的，连他也都说不清楚。一开头，他……或是过后……都是这么认为，一方面是由于怜悯罗伯达……或者至少是觉得自己对她太残酷，竟然打算砸她而感到害臊。另一方面，也是由于动怒了……说不定还有仇恨……因为她硬是逼着他做他所不愿做的事。第三……其实，他对这一点还不敢那么肯定……(他对这一点思考了很久，可是即便现在，他还是不敢那么肯定)……也许对这么一起罪行的后果还是心里惧怕……虽然在那时候，就象他现在一样，他心里想到的不是那些后果……或是别的什么……而偏偏是他没有能耐做他后来终于做了的事情……因此才恼羞成怒。

不过，当她站起来，想朝他这边走过来时，在他无意的一砸之中，倒是对她有些恼火的，因为压根儿不要她向他这边走过来。也许正是因为这样……即使现在，他委实还不能肯定……这一砸才会有那么大的冲劲。不管怎么样，反正事后他不能不老是想到这件事。不过，那也是事实:

当时他站起来，就是要想救她……尽管他心里还恨她哩。而且，他对那一砸……至少在那一刹那……还很难过。不过，小船一翻掉，他们俩都落了水的时候……在这一片混乱之中，她往湖底下沉的时候，他脑际确实掠过一个闪念:

"随她去吧。"因为这样他就可以趁此机会把她摆脱掉了。是的，当时他就是这么想的。不过，另外还有这么一个事实，贝尔纳普和杰夫森两位先生也都指出过:

他自始至终神魂颠倒地迷恋着某某小姐，这才是造成这一惨剧的最主要原因。不过，现在麦克米伦牧师把前前后后的一切情况都考虑过了……比方说，那无意之中的一砸，还是包含着恼怒的成分……对她是有忿怒不满的情绪……确实是这样的……还有，在这以后，他并没有去搭救她……现有……他已经老老实实……实话实说了……麦克米伦牧师是不是认为:

那就构成了凶杀罪……致命的杀人罪，因此从良心上和法律上来看，也许他可以说是应该处以死刑?

他是不是这样呢?

他很希望知道，这是为了他自己灵魂的安宁……比方说，也许他就能祈祷了。

麦克米伦牧师听了这一切，感到非常震惊……他一辈子都没有听到过，或者有人给他讲过这么一个错综复杂。难以理解，而又稀奇古怪的问题……除此以外，克莱德对他又是那么信任，那么尊重。这时，他纹丝不动地坐在他面前，心里挺难过地，甚至紧张不安地陷入深思之中……这个要他发表意见的请求，是多么严峻。重要……他知道，克莱德就希望能从他的意见中得到尘世间和心灵上的安宁。可是尽管这样，麦克米伦牧师自己也感到困惑不解，没法马上回答他。

"在你跟她一起上小船以前，克莱德，你对她还没有变心……你存心想要……想要……"麦克米伦牧师的脸是灰白而又憔悴，两眼充满了忧伤。这时，他觉得，他听到的是一个可悲而又可怕的故事……一个邪恶的残忍的自我折磨。自我毁灭的故事。这个年轻的孩子……说真的……!

他的那颗炽热而焦躁不安的心，分明是因为缺少许许多多东西就起来反抗了，而那些东西，他麦克米伦牧师则是从来不缺的。而且，正是由于那种反抗，才造成了邪恶的后果，招来了杀身之祸，被判处死刑。说真的，麦克米伦牧师心里感到难过，思想上也是极端苦恼。

"不，我没有变心。""据你说，你由于自己太软弱，没法照你设想过的计划去干，就对自己动火，是吧?

""是的，有点儿是象那样的。不过，您知道，那时候我心里也难过。也许还害怕哩。现在我可说不准。也许是……也许不是。"麦克米伦牧师直摇头。奇怪!

这么难以理解!

这么邪恶!

可是……"据你说，因为是她把你逼到那样窘境，你就同时对她很恼火，是吧?

""是的。""逼得你非要解决这个如此恼人的问题，是吧?

""是的。""Ｔｓｔ!

Ｔｓｔ!

Ｔｓｔ!

那时你就想到要砸她了。""是的，我是想到了。""可你下不了手。""下不了手。""感谢上帝仁慈为怀。不过，在你那一砸……无意的一砸之中……据你自己说……对她还有些恼火呢。所以说，这一砸就会有这么……这么冲劲。你果真不要她走近你身边，是吧?

""是的，我果真不要。反正我想那时我是不要。我现在还说不准。也许那时候我有点儿神志不清。不管怎么说……我想是，我激动极了……差点儿要恶心了。我……我……"克莱德身穿囚服……头发剪成平头，那么短短的，坐在那里，一本正经地想要回忆清楚当时(确实)是什么样的，可他感到最苦恼的，是连自己也说不清……他到底是犯了罪，还是没有犯罪。他有罪……还是无罪?

还有那位麦克米伦牧师呢……他本人也紧张极了，只好自言自语道:

"引到灭亡，那门是宽的，路是大的。"(引自《圣经。新约。马太福音》第７章第１３节。)但是后来他又找补着说:

"不过你确实站起来要搭救她的。""是的，后来，我是站起来了。我原来想在她还没有摔倒以前把她拉住的。

这么一来没想到把小船给弄翻了。""你真的想要拉住她吗?

""我不知道。我想，在那一刹那，我是这么想的。我想，反正我心里觉得很难过。""不过，现在你能不能就象在创世主跟前，真的肯定说:

那时你心里觉得很难过……或是说当时你是想搭救她的?

""您知道，这一切来得那么快，"克莱德不安地说……几乎很绝望，"所以，我简直也记不真切了。不，我也不知道当时自己究竟是不是很难过。不。您知道，说真的，我到现在还不明白哩。有的时候，我想，也许我是难过的，有一点儿难过。有的时候，我觉得也许并没有难过。不过，在她沉入湖底，我游到岸上以后，突然我心里感到……有一点儿……难过。但是，您知道，毕竟是自由了，我也有点儿高兴，可是我又害怕……您知道……""是的。我知道。你是想到某某小姐那里去呗。可是，当时她已经落水，你就离开……?

""没有。""可你并不想去搭救她吧?

""不。""Ｔｓｔ!

Ｔｓｔ!

Ｔｓｔ!

那时候，你心里不觉得难过?

不觉得害臊?

""是的，也许觉得害臊。也许还觉得有一点儿难过。我知道，这一切多可怕。

当然罗，我觉得，这一切多可怕。可是反正……您知道……""是的，我知道。那位某某小姐。你想要滑脚溜掉。""是的……不过主要是我吓懵了，而且我不想去搭救她。""是啊!

是啊!

Ｔｓｔ!

Ｔｓｔ!

Ｔｓｔ!

要是她淹死了，你就可以到某某小姐那里去了。你想到的就是那些，是吗?

"麦克米伦牧师的嘴唇伤心地紧闭着。

"是的。""我的孩子!

我的孩子!

那意味着，你心里就犯有杀人罪了。""是的，是的，"克莱德若有所思地说。"后来我一直在想，当时一定就是那样的。"麦克米伦牧师沉吟不语，但是不一会儿，为了激励自己去完成这项任务，就开始祈祷……只不过是默默地祈祷……而且是独自祈祷:

"我们在天上的父，愿人都尊你的名为圣。愿你的国降临。愿你的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上。"(引自《圣经。新约。马太福音》第６章第９。１０节。)过了半晌，他仿佛才又苏醒过来。

"啊，克莱德，你听着。所有罪孽都能得到仁慈的上帝宽恕。这我可知道。

他差遣他的儿子来，是为了世人赎罪而死的。你的罪孽一定会得到他的宽恕……只要你愿意忏悔。但那是一种意图呀!

那又是一种行动呀!

许多事情你应该好好祈祷求赦，我的孩子……事情还多着哩。啊，是的。因为，在上帝眼里，我怕只怕……是的……可是……我必须祷告，祈求上帝启示。这是一个离奇而可怕的故事。方方面面那么多。也许……反正只有祈祷吧。现在跟我一起祷告，祈求上帝把光赐给你和我吧。"他低下了头，默默地坐了一会儿……克莱德也默默地坐在他跟前，被心中疑问苦恼着。过了一会儿，麦克米伦牧师才开始说道;"耶和华啊，求你不要在怒中责备我;也不要在烈怒中惩罚我，耶和华啊，求你可怜我，因为我软弱。(引自《圣经。旧约。诗篇》第６篇第１。２节。)在我羞耻悲痛的时候，求你医治我，因为我的心受了伤，在你眼前是漆黑一团的。

啊，宽恕我心中的罪恶吧。凭你的公义，上帝啊，引领我。啊，宽恕我心中的罪恶，别再记住它。"克莱德低下头，纹丝不动地坐着……一动也不动。如今，他自己终于也震惊了，满怀悲伤了。毫无疑问，他犯了滔天大罪，罪孽深重!

而且还……可是麦克米伦牧师祷告完毕，站起身来，他也跟着站了起来。麦克米伦找补着说:

"不过现在我该走了。我还得祈祷……思考思考。你讲的这一切，使我感到很困惑，也很激动。啊，激动极了，主啊。还有你呀……我的孩子……你回去就祈祷……独自一人祈祷。你要忏悔。跪下来祈求上帝宽恕，他会听到你的。是的，他会的。明天……或者说，只要我真的觉得马上能来……我就会再来的。但是，不要绝望。要不断地祈祷……因为只有在祈祷中，在祈祷和忏悔中，灵魂才能得救。要信赖他的威力，大千世界就在他的掌心里。在他的威力和仁慈之中，才能得到安宁和宽恕。啊，真的就是这样。"他用随身带着的小小的钥匙圈敲了一下铁门，狱警一听到，马上应声走过来。

麦克米伦牧师先送克莱德回牢房，看到他又被关进与世隔绝的笼子后就告别往外走了，刚才他听到的这一切，如同沉重的石头压在他心上。克莱德则独自一人沉思默想着刚才所说的这一切……以及这对麦克米伦和他自己会有什么影响。他这位新朋友心情是多么悲痛欲绝。他有倾听这一切时显然露出极大的痛苦和惊愕。他确实有罪吗?

因此，他真的应该被处以死刑吗?

也许麦克米伦牧师会这样判断吗?

哪怕是他那么温和，那么仁慈，也还会这样判断吗?

这样又过去了一星期……在这段时间里，麦克米伦牧师看到克莱德好象颇有忏悔之意，又听了他陈述的那些让人迷惑不解而又情有可原的情况，先是深为感动，接着非常顶真地就这个案子中有关道德的每个方面都反复思考过了。

随后，麦克米伦牧师又来到他的牢房门口……不过，他来的目的，只是向他说明:

克莱德上次如实供述的那些事实，即便是非常宽宏大量来加以解释，他仍然觉得，他对她的惨死还是罪责难逃……直接的或是间接的……罪责难逃。事前他曾经策划过……可不是吗?

分明是他能够搭救她，可他并没有去搭救她。他巴不得她死，而且过后心里并不觉得难过。把小船打翻的那一砸之中，有一些恼怒的成份。他下不了手，不能动手砸她，即使在这种感情里也还有一些恼怒的成份，以下这两个事实……某某小姐的花容玉貌和社会地位驱使他策划了阴谋，以及他跟罗伯达发生了邪恶的关系以后她坚持要他跟她结婚……非但不是情有可原，不能减轻他的罪行，恰好相反，只是更加证明他的罪孽和罪行该有何等深重。他在主的面前在许多方面犯了罪。麦克米伦先生认为，在那些黑暗的日子里，多么不幸啊，他只不过是自私。亵渎的欲念和淫乱的混合体，而这种邪恶，也正是保罗严厉斥责过的。不过，这种邪恶却延续下去，始终不变，直至最后他受到了法律制裁。他并没有忏悔过……即便到了熊湖，已经有了足够时间思考，他也不忏悔。再说，他自始至终还使用各种虚伪。邪恶的托词来敷衍搪塞，可不是吗?

真的就是这样。

另一方面，当他第一次有那么明显的忏悔的征兆时，当他第一次开始意识到他罪行的严重性时，如果说就在这时候把他送上电椅，那么毫无疑问，只能是在罪上再加罪……在这一事例中，犯错误的恐怕要算是国家了。因为，麦克米伦如同典狱长和其他许多人一样，都是反对死刑的，认为还不如强迫违法者以这种或那种方式为国家服务。不过，到头来他还是不得不承认，克莱德远不是无辜的人。尽管他煞费苦心地想过，而且在心里也很愿意宽恕克莱德的罪行，但事实上克莱德不就是有罪的吗?

这时，麦克米伦向克莱德指明，说他觉醒了的道德上和思想上的认识，使他能够比过去更加完美地适应生活和行动。殊不知麦克米伦上面这些话，一点儿效果都没有。克莱德感到自己孤苦伶仃，世界上连一个相信他的人都没有。

一个都没有。在案发前他那些困惑不安而又饱受折磨的言行表现中，除了看到明显的最险恶的罪行以外，还能看到别的一些什么东西的人可以说是一个都没有。可是……可是……(而且，关于这件事，不管是桑德拉。麦克米伦，或是全世界所有的人，包括梅森。布里奇伯格的陪审团。奥尔巴尼的上诉法院全都在内，如果要确认布里奇伯格陪审团的判决的话)，他心里还是觉得:

他并非象他们认为的那样是有罪的。反正，象罗伯达硬逼他非要跟她结婚不可从而把他的一生给毁了，他是吃足这种苦头的，可他们毕竟都没有领受过。对于他美梦的化身桑德拉，他心中曾经充满着一种如同扑不灭的烈焰似的情欲，恐怕他们里头没有一个人会象他那样吧。他们压根儿不了解他在幼年时曾经被那种倒霉的命运困扰着，折磨着，嘲弄着，还强迫他如此低三下四地沿街唱诗祈祷，而在那时，他整个儿心灵却在呼唤着另一种美好的命运。他们这些人，不管是全体，还是其中哪一个人，甚至包括他亲生的母亲在内，既不了解他心灵上。肉体上。

思想上的痛苦，他们又怎能妄加判断他呢?

即便现在，他在心中默默地把这一切又重温了一遍，依然觉得心如刀割。尽管以上所述事实俱在，而且没有一个人认为他不是没有罪，可是，在他内心深处却有一种东西，仿佛在大声反抗，有时连他自己也会大吃一惊。不过话又说回来……麦克米伦牧师嘛……他为人非常公正。耿直。仁慈。当然，他肯定是从一个比克莱德更高的角度，更公正的观点来估量这一切的。因此，有的时候，他坚决认为克莱德是无辜的，可是也有的时候，他又觉得他一定是有罪的。

啊，这些难以捉摸。错综复杂而又折磨人的思绪啊!

难道说他就不能在自己心里……一劳永逸地……把这件事全过程闹清楚吗?

因此，克莱德实在无法从象麦克米伦牧师那样善良。纯洁的人的眷爱。虔诚和信念里，或是从至仁至慈。法力无边，并且以麦克米伦牧师作为使者的上帝那里得到真正慰藉。说真的，他该怎么办呢?

怎样才能顺从地。虔诚地。无保留地祈祷呢?

邓肯牧师看到克莱德在忏悔，坚信克莱德一定完全受到圣灵鼓舞，就一再规劝他，并将各种不同章节指点给他看。而克莱德则怀着这么一种心情再次一页页地翻阅……反复念了他最熟悉的那些《诗篇》，希望从中得到启发，领会忏悔的要害所在……只要一领会了，他就会得到他在漫长。忧闷的岁月里一心渴求过的安宁和力量。可他怎么也还是领会不了呀。

就这样，又过去了四个月。到了这段时间结束的时候……在一九××年一月……上诉法院(由小富勒姆复审了贝尔纳普和杰夫森所递交的证据)在金凯德。

布里格斯。特鲁曼和多布舒特同意下，根据卡塔拉基县陪审团的判决认定克莱德确实有罪，并判决克莱德应在二月二十八日起一周内(亦即六周后)处以死刑……最后还说:

"我们考虑到本案是以间接证据为主的案件，唯一的目击者否认死亡乃是罪行所造成的。但人民检察官为了切实解决被告究竟是否有罪这一问题，按照对这类证据所提出的极其严格的要求，以罕见的仔细周到和非凡的办案能力，进行了调查并向法院提出了大量间接证据。

"也许有人认为，其中某些事实根据，如果单独来看，显得证据不足或有矛盾，可能会使人产生疑问，另外还有一些情况，也许可以拿来说明或则解释，从而得出被告无辜这一结论。被告及其辩护律师……独具慧眼……竭力坚持这种观点。

"不过，把所有这些证据当作一个有机整体放在一起来审视，就构成了令人信服的罪证。这些罪证很有力量，我们就是用任何正当的逻辑推论也不能把它们推倒。因此，我们不得不认为:

判决不仅与很有分量的证据以及由此得出的恰当推论不抵触，而且相反，它得到它们的支持，被充分证明是正确的。本院一致同意，维持下级法院的原判。"当时麦克米伦正在锡拉丘兹，一听说这个消息，就马上去找克莱德，希望自己能在正式通知他以前赶到，在精神上给他一些鼓励。因为，依他看，只有在主……我们在危难时刻的永恒而无处不在的支柱……的帮助之下，克莱德才能经受得住那么沉重的打击。可是……使他得以大大地松一口气的是……他发现克莱德对于这事还一无所知。因为，在执行死刑的命令下达以前，任何消息都不得向已被判刑的罪犯透露的。

经过一次非常温馨而又令人鼓舞的谈话……谈话时，麦克米伦牧师援引了马太。保罗和约翰有关眼前浮生易朽，以及来世真正的欢乐之类的话……之后，克莱德万般无奈地从麦克米伦那里了解到上诉法院已作出对他极为不利的判决。此外，他还得悉，尽管麦克米伦谈到自己准备和另外几位他认为很有影响的人士一起向本州州长呼吁求救，但克莱德知道，如果说本州州长不愿出来干预，六周以内他也只好去死了。最后，这可怕的消息终于突然向他公开了……麦克米伦一面还在讲信仰是上帝的仁慈和智慧为凡夫俗子准备的庇护所……那时，克莱德却伫立在他跟前，脸上和眼里露出大无畏的勇气，这在他短暂而热切的一生中都是从来没有过的。

"那末，他们已作出对我极为不利的判决了。现在，反正我也得走那道门了……跟所有别的人一样。为了我也要把各牢房门帘……放下来。先领我到那边老死牢……然后穿过这过道，我就象不久前别人一样，一面走，一面跟大家告别。这儿再也不会有我这个人了。"他仿佛在心里逐一想起了行刑程序的所有细节……每一个细节他都已经那么熟悉，只不过现在他这是生平头一遭亲身体验到就是了。如今，他听了这个可怕的，不知怎么又有点儿强烈吸引人的致命消息，他并没有象他开头想象的那样魂不附体，或是一下子瘫软下来。而是，连他自己也觉得很惊诧，他在思考原先自己对这件事的恐惧，在思考眼前自己的言行表现该怎么样，外表看上去却很镇静。

他要不要再念念麦克米伦牧师在这里念给他听的那些祈祷文吗?

是的，当然要念。也许他还很乐意念呢。可是……在他神志昏迷的那一刹那，他没有听见麦克米伦牧师正在低声耳语道:

"可是，你别以为这事已经定论了。新州长将在一月间到职。我听说，他是个很敏感而又善良的人。其实，我还有好几位朋友跟他很熟……我打算亲自去见见他……还要请我的好几位朋友根据我的意思给他写信。"不过，从克莱德这时的神色和答话里，麦克米伦牧师心里知道:

克莱德刚才并没有在听他说话。

"我的母亲。我想，应该有人给她打个电报。谅她心里一定很难过。"接下来又说:

"我看，也许他们不会同意照本宣读那些信的，是吧?

我希望也许他们会这样同意的。"这时他想起了尼科尔森。

"别担心，克莱德，"麦克米伦煞费苦心和满怀悲伤地回答说。此时此刻，他觉得再说什么也是无济于事，最好还是把他搂在自己怀里，百般安慰他。"我早就打电报给你母亲了。至于判决这件事……我马上去找你的辩护律师。还有……我已向你说过了……我打算亲自去见见州长。你知道，他是新来的。"接着，他把克莱德刚才没有听见的那些话又念叨了一遍。
Part 3 Chapter 34
The scene was the executive chamber of the newly elected Governor of the State of New York some three weeksafter the news conveyed to Clyde by McMillan. After many preliminary and futile efforts on the part of Belknapand Jephson to obtain a commutation of the sentence of Clyde from death to life imprisonment (the customaryfiling of a plea for clemency, together with such comments as they had to make in regard to the way the evidencehad been misinterpreted and the illegality of introducing the letters of Roberta in their original form, to all ofwhich Governor Waltham, an ex-district attorney and judge from the southern part of the state, had beenconscientiously compelled to reply that he could see no reason for interfering) there was now before GovernorWaltham Mrs. Griffiths together with the Reverend McMillan. For, moved by the widespread interest in the finaldisposition of Clyde's case, as well as the fact that his mother, because of her unshaken devotion to him, andhaving learned of the decision of the Court of Appeals, had once more returned to Auburn and since then hadbeen appealing to the newspapers, as well as to himself through letters for a correct understanding of theextenuating circumstances surrounding her son's downfall, and because she herself had repeatedly appealed to him for a personal interview in which she should be allowed to present her deepest convictions in regard to allthis, the Governor had at last consented to see her. It could do no harm. Besides it would tend to soothe her. Alsovariable public sentiment, whatever its convictions in any given case, was usually on the side of the form orgesture of clemency--without, however, any violence to its convictions. And, in this case, if one could judge bythe newspapers, the public was convinced that Clyde was guilty. On the other hand, Mrs. Griffiths, owing to herown long meditations in regard to Clyde, Roberta, his sufferings during and since the trial, the fact that accordingto the Reverend McMillan he had at last been won to a deep contrition and a spiritual union with his Creatorwhatever his original sin, was now more than ever convinced that humanity and even justice demanded that atleast he be allowed to live. And so standing before the Governor, a tall, sober and somewhat somber man who,never in all his life had even so much as sensed the fevers or fires that Clyde had known, yet who, being adecidedly affectionate father and husband, could very well sense what Mrs. Griffiths' present emotions must be.
　　Yet greatly exercised by the compulsion which the facts, as he understood them, as well as a deep-seated andunchangeable submission to law and order, thrust upon him. Like the pardon clerk before him, he had read all theevidence submitted to the Court of Appeals, as well as the latest briefs submitted by Belknap and Jephson. Buton what grounds could he--David Waltham, and without any new or varying data of any kind--just areinterpretation of the evidence as already passed upon--venture to change Clyde's death sentence to lifeimprisonment? Had not a jury, as well as the Court of Appeals, already said he should die?
　　In consequence, as Mrs. Griffiths began her plea, her voice shaky--retracing as best she could the story ofClyde's life, his virtues, the fact that at no time ever had he been a bad or cruel boy--that Roberta, if not Miss X,was not entirely guiltless in the matter--he merely gazed at her deeply moved. The love and devotion of such amother! Her agony in this hour; her faith that her son could not be as evil as the proven facts seemed to indicateto him and every one else. "Oh, my dear Governor, how can the sacrifice of my son's life now, and whenspiritually he has purged his soul of sin and is ready to devote himself to the work of God, repay the state for theloss of that poor, dear girl's life, whether it was accidentally or otherwise taken--how can it? Can not the millionsof people of the state of New York be merciful? Cannot you as their representative exercise the mercy that theymay feel?"Her voice broke--she could not go on. Instead she turned her back and began to cry silently, while Waltham,shaken by an emotion he could not master, merely stood there. This poor woman! So obviously honest andsincere. Then the Reverend McMillan, seeing his opportunity, now entering his plea. Clyde had changed. Hecould not speak as to his life before--but since his incarceration--or for the last year, at least, he had come into anew understanding of life, duty, his obligations to man and God. If but the death sentence could be commuted tolife imprisonment-And the Governor, who was a very earnest and conscientious man, listened with all attention to McMillan,whom, as he saw and concluded was decidedly an intense and vital and highly idealistic person. No question inhis own mind but what the words of this man--whatever they were, would be true--in so far as his ownunderstanding would permit the conception of a truth.
　　"But you, personally, Mr. McMillan," the Governor at last found voice to say, "because of your long contact withhim in the prison there--do you know of any material fact not introduced at the trial which would in any way tendto invalidate or weaken any phase of the testimony offered at the trial? As you must know this is a legalproceeding. I cannot act upon sentiment alone--and especially in the face of the unanimous decision of two separate courts."He looked directly at McMillan, who, pale and dumb, now gazed at him in return. For now upon his word--uponhis shoulders apparently was being placed the burden of deciding as to Clyde's guilt or innocence. But could hedo that? Had he not decided, after due meditation as to Clyde's confessions, that he was guilty before God andthe law? And could he now--for mercy's sake--and in the face of his deepest spiritual conviction, alter his reportof his conviction? Would that be true--white, valuable before the Lord? And as instantly deciding that he, Clyde'sspiritual adviser, must not in any way be invalidated in his spiritual worth to Clyde. "Ye are the salt of the earth;but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted?" And forthwith he declared: "As his spiritualadvisor I have entered only upon the spiritual, not the legal aspect of his life." And thereupon Waltham at oncedeciding, from something in McMillan's manner that he, like all others, apparently, was satisfied as to Clyde'sguilt. And so, finally finding courage to say to Mrs. Griffiths: "Unless some definite evidence such as I have notyet seen and which will affect the legality of these two findings can be brought me, I have no alternative, Mrs.
　　Griffiths, but to allow the verdict as written to stand. I am very sorry--oh, more than I can tell you. But if the lawis to be respected its decisions can never be altered except for reasons that in themselves are full of legal merit. Iwish I could decide differently. I do indeed. My heart and my prayers go with you."He pressed a button. His secretary entered. It was plain that the interview was ended. Mrs. Griffiths, violentlyshaken and deeply depressed by the peculiar silence and evasion of McMillan at the crucial moment of thisinterview when the Governor had asked such an all important and direct question as to the guilt of her son, wasstill unable to say a word more. But now what? Which way? To whom to turn? God, and God only. She andClyde must find in their Creator the solace for his failure and death in this world. And as she was thinking andstill weeping, the Reverend McMillan approached and gently led her from the room.
　　When she was gone the Governor finally turned to his secretary:
　　"Never in my life have I faced a sadder duty. It will always be with me." He turned and gazed out upon a snowyFebruary landscape.
　　And after this but two more weeks of life for Clyde, during which time, and because of his ultimate decisionconveyed to him first by McMillan, but in company with his mother, from whose face Clyde could read all, evenbefore McMillan spoke, and from whom he heard all once more as to his need of refuge and peace in God, hisSavior, he now walked up and down his cell, unable to rest for any length of time anywhere. For, because of thisfinal completely convincing sensation, that very soon he was to die, he felt the need, even now of retracing hisunhappy life. His youth. Kansas City. Chicago. Lycurgus. Roberta and Sondra. How swiftly they and all that wasconnected with them passed in review. The few, brief, bright intense moments. His desire for more--more--thatintense desire he had felt there in Lycurgus after Sondra came and now this, this! And now even this wasending--this--this--Why, he had scarcely lived at all as yet--and these last two years so miserably between thesecrushing walls. And of this life but fourteen, thirteen, twelve, eleven, ten, nine, eight of the filtering and nowfeverish days left. They were going--going. But life--life--how was one to do without that--the beauty of thedays-- of the sun and rain--of work love, energy, desire. Oh, he really did not want to die. He did not. Why say tohim so constantly as his mother and the Reverend McMillan now did to resolve all his care in divine mercy andthink only of God, when now, now, was all? And yet the Reverend McMillan insisting that only in Christ and thehereafter was real peace. Oh, yes--but just the same, before the Governor might he not have said--might he not have said that he was not guilty--or at least not entirely guilty--if only he had seen it that way--that time--andthen--then--why then the Governor might have commuted his sentence to life imprisonment--might he not? Forhe had asked his mother what the Reverend McMillan had said to the Governor--(yet without saying to her thathe had ever confessed all to him), and she had replied that he had told him how sincerely he had humbled himselfbefore the Lord--but not that he was not guilty. And Clyde, feeling how strange it was that the ReverendMcMillan could not conscientiously bring himself to do more than that for him. How sad. How hopeless. Wouldno one ever understand--or give him credit for his human--if all too human and perhaps wrong hungers--yet fromwhich so many others--along with himself suffered?
　　But worse yet, if anything, Mrs. Griffiths, because of what the Reverend McMillan had said--or failed to say, inanswer to the final question asked by Governor Waltham--and although subsequently in answer to an inquiry ofher own, he had repeated the statement, she was staggered by the thought that perhaps, after all, Clyde was asguilty as at first she had feared. And because of that asking at one point:
　　"Clyde, if there is anything you have not confessed, you must confess it before you go.""I have confessed everything to God and to Mr. McMillan, Mother. Isn't that enough?""No, Clyde. You have told the world that you are innocent. But if you are not you must say so.""But if my conscience tells me that I am right, is not that enough?""No, not if God's word says differently, Clyde," replied Mrs. Griffiths nervously--and with great inward spiritualtorture. But he chose to say nothing further at that time. How could he discuss with his mother or the world thestrange shadings which in his confession and subsequent talks with the Reverend McMillan he had not been ableto solve. It was not to be done.
　　And because of that refusal on her son's part to confide in her, Mrs. Griffiths, tortured, not only spiritually butpersonally. Her own son--and so near death and not willing to say what already apparently he had said to Mr.
　　McMillan. Would not God ever be done with this testing her? And yet on account of what McMillan had alreadysaid,--that he considered Clyde, whatever his past sins, contrite and clean before the Lord--a youth truly ready tomeet his Maker--she was prone to rest. The Lord was great! He was merciful. In His bosom was peace. Whatwas death--what life--to one whose heart and mind were at peace with Him? It was nothing. A few years (howvery few) and she and Asa and after them, his brothers and sisters, would come to join him--and all his miserieshere would be forgotten. But without peace in the Lord--the full and beautiful realization of His presence, love,care and mercy. . . ! She was tremulous at moments now in her spiritual exaltation--no longer quite normal--asClyde could see and feel. But also by her prayers and anxiety as to his spiritual welfare, he was also able to seehow little, really, she had ever understood of his true moods and aspirations. He had longed for so much there inKansas City and he had had so little. Things--just things--had seemed very important to him--and he had soresented being taken out on the street as he had been, before all the other boys and girls, many of whom had allthe things that he so craved, and when he would have been glad to have been anywhere else in the world than outthere--on the street! That mission life that to his mother was so wonderful, yet, to him, so dreary! But was itwrong for him to feel so? Had it been? Would the Lord resent it now? And, maybe, she was right as to herthoughts about him. Unquestionably he would have been better off if he had followed her advice. But how strange it was, that to his own mother, and even now in these closing hours, when above all things he cravedsympathy--but more than sympathy, true and deep understanding--even now--and as much as she loved andsympathized with, and was seeking to aid him with all her strength in her stern and self-sacrificing way,--still hecould not turn to her now and tell her, his own mother, just how it all happened. It was as though there was anunsurmountable wall or impenetrable barrier between them, built by the lack of understanding--for it was justthat. She would never understand his craving for ease and luxury, for beauty, for love--his particular kind of lovethat went with show, pleasure, wealth, position, his eager and immutable aspirations and desires. She could notunderstand these things. She would look on all of it as sin--evil, selfishness. And in connection with all the fatalsteps involving Roberta and Sondra, as adultery--unchastity--murder, even. And she would and did expect him tobe terribly sorry and wholly repentant, when, even now, and for all he had said to the Reverend McMillan and toher, he could not feel so--not wholly so--although great was his desire now to take refuge in God, but better yet,if it were only possible, in her own understanding and sympathetic heart. If it were only possible.
　　Lord, it was all so terrible! He was so alone, even in these last few and elusive hours (the swift passing of thedays), with his mother and also the Reverend McMillan here with him, but neither understanding.
　　But, apart from all this and much worse, he was locked up here and they would not let him go. There was asystem--a horrible routine system--as long since he had come to feel it to be so. It was iron. It movedautomatically like a machine without the aid or the hearts of men. These guards! They with their letters, theirinquiries, their pleasant and yet really hollow words, their trips to do little favors, or to take the men in and out ofthe yard or to their baths--they were iron, too--mere machines, automatons, pushing and pushing and yetrestraining and restraining one--within these walls, as ready to kill as to favor in case of opposition-- but pushing,pushing, pushing--always toward that little door over there, from which there was no escape--no escape--just onand on-- until at last they would push him through it never to return! NEVER TO RETURN!
　　Each time he thought of this he arose and walked the floor. Afterwards, usually, he resumed the puzzle of hisown guilt. He tried to think of Roberta and the evil he had done her, to read the Bible--even--lying on his face onthe iron cot--repeating over and over: "Lord, give me peace. Lord, give me light. Lord, give me strength to resistany evil thoughts that I should not have. I know I am not wholly white. Oh, no. I know I plotted evil. Yes, yes, Iknow that. I confess. But must I really die now? Is there no help? Will you not help me, Lord? Will you notmanifest yourself, as my mother says you will--for me? Will you get the Governor to change my sentence beforethe final moment to life imprisonment? Will you get the Reverend McMillan to change his views and go to him,and my mother, too? I will drive out all sinful thoughts. I will be different. Oh, yes, I will, if you will only spareme. Do not let me die now--so soon. Do not. I will pray. Yes, I will. Give me the strength to understand andbelieve--and pray. Oh, do!"It was like this in those short, horrible days between the return of his mother and the Reverend McMillan fromtheir final visit to the Governor and in his last hour that Clyde thought and prayed--yet finally in a kind ofpsychic terror, evoked by his uncertainty as to the meaning of the hereafter, his certainty of death, and the faithand emotions of his mother, as well as those of the Reverend McMillan, who was about every day with hisinterpretations of divine mercy and his exhortations as to the necessity of complete faith and reliance upon it, he,himself coming at last to believe, not only must he have faith but that he had it--and peace--complete and secure.
　　In that state, and at the request of the Reverend McMillan, and his mother, finally composing, with the personalaid and supervision of McMillan, who changed some of the sentences in his presence and with his consent, an address to the world, and more particularly to young men of his own years, which read:
　　In the shadow of the Valley of Death it is my desire to do everything that would remove any doubt as to myhaving found Jesus Christ, the personal Savior and unfailing friend. My one regret at this time is that I have notgiven Him the preeminence in my life while I had the opportunity to work for Him.
　　If I could only say some one thing that would draw young men to Him I would deem it the greatest privilege evergranted me. But all I can now say is, "I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keepthat which I have committed unto Him against that day" [a quotation that McMillan had familiarized him with].
　　If the young men of this country could only know the joy and pleasure of a Christian life, I know they would doall in their power to become earnest, active Christians, and would strive to live as Christ would have them live.
　　There is not one thing I have left undone which will bar me from facing my God, knowing that my sins areforgiven, for I have been free and frank in my talks with my spiritual adviser, and God knows where I stand.
　　My task is done, the victory won.
　　CLYDE GRIFFITHS.
　　Having written this--a statement so unlike all the previous rebellious moods that had characterized him that evennow he was, not a little impressed by the difference, handing it to McMillan, who, heartened by this triumph,exclaimed: "And the victory IS won, Clyde. 'This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.' You have His word.
　　Your soul and your body belong to Him. Praised, everlastingly, be His name."And then so wrought up was he by this triumph, taking both Clyde's hands in his and kissing them and thenfolding him in his arms: "My son, my son, in whom I am well pleased. In you God has truly manifested Histruth. His power to save. I see it. I feel it. Your address to the world is really His own voice to the world." Andthen pocketing the note with the understanding that it was to be issued after Clyde's death--not before. And yetClyde having written this, still dubious at moments. Was he truly saved? The time was so short? Could he relyon God with that absolute security which he had just announced now characterized him? Could he? Life was sostrange. The future so obscure. Was there really a life after death--a God by whom he would be welcomed as theReverend McMillan and his own mother insisted? Was there?
　　In the midst of this, two days before his death and in a final burst of panic, Mrs. Griffiths wiring the Hon. DavidWaltham: "Can you say before your God that you have no doubt of Clyde's guilt? Please wire. If you cannot,then his blood will be upon your head. His mother." And Robert Fessler, the secretary to the Governor replyingby wire: "Governor Waltham does not think himself justified in interfering with the decision of the Court ofAppeals."At last the final day--the final hour--Clyde's transfer to a cell in the old death house, where, after a shave and abath, he was furnished with black trousers, a white shirt without a collar, to be opened at the neck afterwards,new felt slippers and gray socks. So accoutered, he was allowed once more to meet his mother and McMillan,who, from six o'clock in the evening preceding the morning of his death until four of the final morning, were permitted to remain near him to counsel with him as to the love and mercy of God. And then at four the wardenappearing to say that it was time, he feared, that Mrs. Griffiths depart leaving Clyde in the care of Mr. McMillan.
　　(The sad compulsion of the law, as he explained.) And then Clyde's final farewell to his mother, before which,and in between the silences and painful twistings of heart strings, he had managed to say:
　　"Mama, you must believe that I die resigned and content. It won't be hard. God has heard my prayers. He hasgiven me strength and peace." But to himself adding: "Had he?"And Mrs. Griffiths exclaiming: "My son! My son, I know, I know. I have faith too. I know that my Redeemerliveth and that He is yours. Though we die--yet shall we live!" She was looking heavenward, and seemedtransfixed. Yet as suddenly turning to Clyde and gathering him in her arms and holding him long and firmly toher, whispering: "My son--my baby--" And her voice broke and trailed off into breathlessness--and her strengthseemed to be going all to him, until she felt she must leave or fall--And so she turned quickly and unsteadily tothe warden, who was waiting for her to lead her to Auburn friends of McMillan's.
　　And then in the dark of this midwinter morning--the final moment--with the guards coming, first to slit his righttrouser leg for the metal plate and then going to draw the curtains before the cells: "It is time, I fear. Courage, myson." It was the Reverend McMillan--now accompanied by the Reverend Gibson, who, seeing the prison guardsapproaching, was then addressing Clyde.
　　And Clyde now getting up from his cot, on which, beside the Reverend McMillan, he had been listening to thereading of John, 14, 15, 16: "Let not your heart be troubled. Ye believe in God--believe also in me." And thenthe final walk with the Reverend McMillan on his right hand and the Reverend Gibson on his left--the guardsfront and rear. But with, instead of the customary prayers, the Reverend McMillan announcing: "Humbleyourselves under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time. Cast all your care upon Him for Hecareth for you. Be at peace. Wise and righteous are His ways, who hath called us into His eternal glory by ChristJesus, after that we have suffered a little. I am the way, the truth and the life--no man cometh unto the Father butby me."But various voices--as Clyde entered the first door to cross to the chair room, calling: "Good-by, Clyde." AndClyde, with enough earthly thought and strength to reply: "Good-by, all." But his voice sounding so strange andweak, even to himself, so far distant as though it emanated from another being walking alongside of him, and notfrom himself. And his feet were walking, but automatically, it seemed. And he was conscious of that familiarshuffle--shuffle--as they pushed him on and on toward that door. Now it was here; now it was being opened.
　　There it was--at last--the chair he had so often seen in his dreams--that he so dreaded--to which he was nowcompelled to go. He was being pushed toward that--into that--on-- on--through the door which was now open--toreceive him--but which was as quickly closed again on all the earthly life he had ever known.
　　It was the Reverend McMillan, who, gray and weary--a quarter of an hour later, walked desolately--and even alittle uncertainly--as one who is physically very weak--through the cold doors of the prison. It was so faint--soweak--so gray as yet--this late winter day--and so like himself now. Dead! He, Clyde, had walked so nervouslyand yet somehow trustingly beside him but a few minutes before--and now he was dead. The law! Prisons such as this. Strong, evil men who scoffed betimes where Clyde had prayed. That confession! Had he decided truly-withthe wisdom of God, as God gave him to see wisdom? Had he? Clyde's eyes! He, himself--the ReverendMcMillan had all but fainted beside him as that cap was adjusted to his head--that current turned on--and he hadhad to be assisted, sick and trembling, from the room--he upon whom Clyde had relied. And he had asked Godfor strength,--was asking it.
　　He walked along the silent street--only to be compelled to pause and lean against a tree--leafless in the winter--sobare and bleak. Clyde's eyes! That look as he sank limply into that terrible chair, his eyes fixed nervously and, ashe thought, appealingly and dazedly upon him and the group surrounding him.
　　Had he done right? Had his decision before Governor Waltham been truly sound, fair or merciful? Should hehave said to him--that perhaps--perhaps--there had been those other influences playing upon him? . . . Was henever to have mental peace again, perhaps?
　　"I know my Redeemer liveth and that He will keep him against that day."And then he walked and walked hours before he could present himself to Clyde's mother, who, on her knees inthe home of the Rev. and Mrs. Francis Gault, Salvationists of Auburn, had been, since four-thirty, praying forthe soul of her son whom she still tried to visualize as in the arms of his Maker.
　　"I know in whom I have believed," was a part of her prayer.
　　SOUVENIRDusk, of a summer night.
　　And the tall walls of the commercial heart of the city of San Francisco--tall and gray in the evening shade.
　　And up a broad street from the south of Market--now comparatively hushed after the din of the day, a little bandof five--a man of about sixty, short, stout, yet cadaverous as to the flesh of his face--and more especially aboutthe pale, dim eyes--and with bushy white hair protruding from under a worn, round felt hat--a most unimportantand exhausted looking person, who carried a small, portable organ such as is customarily used by streetpreachers and singers. And by his side, a woman not more than five years his junior--taller, not so broad, butsolid of frame and vigorous--with snow white hair and wearing an unrelieved costume of black--dress, bonnet,shoes. And her face broader and more characterful than her husband's, but more definitely seamed with lines ofmisery and suffering. At her side, again, carrying a Bible and several hymn books--a boy of not more than sevenor eight--very round-eyed and alert, who, because of some sympathetic understanding between him and hiselderly companion, seemed to desire to walk close to her--a brisk and smart stepping--although none-too-welldressed boy. With these three, again, but walking independently behind, a faded and unattractive woman oftwenty-seven or eight and another woman of about fifty--apparently, because of their close resemblance, motherand daughter.
　　It was hot, with the sweet languor of a Pacific summer about it all. At Market, the great thoroughfare which theyhad reached--and because of threading throngs of automobiles and various lines of cars passing in oppositedirections, they awaited the signal of the traffic officer.
　　"Russell, stay close now." It was the wife speaking. "Better take hold of my hand.""It seems to me," commented the husband, very feeble and yet serene, "that the traffic here grows worse all thetime."The cars clanged their bells. The automobiles barked and snorted. But the little group seemed entirelyunconscious of anything save a set purpose to make its way across the street.
　　"Street preachers," observed a passing bank clerk to his cashier girl friend.
　　"Sure--I see them up here nearly every Wednesday.""Gee, it's pretty tough on the little kid, I should think. He's pretty small to be dragged around on the streets, don'tyou think, Ella?""Well, I'll say so. I'd hate to see a brother of mine in on any such game. What kind of a life is that for a kidanyhow?" commented Ella as they passed on.
　　Having crossed the street and reached the first intersection beyond, they paused and looked around as thoughthey had reached their destination--the man putting down his organ which he proceeded to open--setting up, ashe did so, a small but adequate music rack. At the same time his wife, taking from her grandson the severalhymnals and the Bible he carried, gave the Bible as well as a hymnal to her husband, put one on the organ andgave one to each of the remaining group including one for herself. The husband looked somewhat vacantly abouthim--yet, none-the-less with a seeming wide-eyed assurance, and began with:
　　"We will begin with 276 tonight. 'How firm a foundation.' All right, Miss Schoof."At this the younger of the two women--very parched and spare--angular and homely--to whom life had deniedquite all--seated herself upon the yellow camp chair and after arranging the stops and turning the leaves of thebook, began playing the chosen hymn, to the tune of which they all joined in.
　　By this time various homeward bound individuals of diverse occupations and interests noticing this small groupso advantageously disposed near the principal thoroughfare of the city, hesitated a moment,--either to eye themaskance or to ascertain the character of their work. And as they sang, the nondescript and indifferent streetaudience gazed, held by the peculiarity of such an unimportant group publicly raising its voice against the vastskepticism and apathy of life. That gray and flabby and ineffectual old man, in his worn and baggy blue suit.
　　This robust and yet uncouth and weary and white-haired woman; this fresh and unsoiled and unspoiled anduncomprehending boy. What was he doing here? And again that neglected and thin spinster and her equally thinand distrait looking mother. Of the group, the wife stood out in the eyes of the passers-by as having the force anddetermination which, however blind or erroneous, makes for self-preservation, if not real success in life. She, more than any of the others, stood up with an ignorant, yet somehow respectable air of conviction. And asseveral of the many who chanced to pause, watched her, her hymn-book dropped to her side, her glance directedstraight before her into space, each said on his way: "Well, here is one, who, whatever her defects, probably doeswhat she believes as nearly as possible." A kind of hard, fighting faith in the wisdom and mercy of the definiteoverruling and watchful and merciful power which she proclaimed was written in her every feature and gesture.
　　The song was followed with a long prayer and by the wife; then a sermon by the husband, testimonies by theothers--all that God had done for them. Then the return march to the hall, the hymnals having been gathered, theorgan folded and lifted by a strap over the husband's shoulder. And as they walked--it was the husband thatcommented: "A fine night. It seemed to me they were a little more attentive than usual.""Oh, yes," returned the younger woman that had played the organ. "At least eleven took tracts. And one oldgentleman asked me where the mission was and when we held services.""Praise the Lord," commented the man.
　　And then at last the mission itself--"The Star of Hope. Bethel Independent Mission, Meetings every Wednesdayand Saturday night, 8 to 10. Sundays at 11, 3, 8. Everybody welcome." And under this legend in eachwindow--"God is Love." And below that again in smaller type: "How long since you wrote to Mother.""Kin' I have a dime, grandma? I wana' go up to the corner and git an ice-cream cone." It was the boy asking.
　　"Yes, I guess so, Russell. But listen to me. You are to come right back.""Yes, I will, grandma, sure. You know me."He took the dime that his Grandmother had extracted from a deep pocket in her dress and ran with it to the ice-cream vendor.
　　Her darling boy. The light and color of her declining years. She must be kind to him, more liberal with him, notrestrain him too much, as maybe, maybe, she had-- She looked affectionately and yet a little vacantly after him ashe ran. "For HIS sake."The small company, minus Russell, entered the yellow, unprepossessing door and disappeared.
The End

地点是纽约州新当选的州长办公室，时间是在麦克米伦牧师把那个消息告知克莱德以后大约过了三个星期。尽管贝尔纳普和杰夫森曾经不遗余力，企图将克莱德的死刑改为无期徒刑，但还是枉然徒劳(照例提出请求从宽处理，连同他们认为证据已被曲解和非法照本宣读罗伯达的那些信等等意见也一并递上;沃尔瑟姆州长以前在本州南部担任过地方检察官和法官，认为自己有责任答复他们说，他觉得没有加以干预的理由)。所以，格里菲思太太和麦克米伦牧师，现在就一起来到了沃尔瑟姆州长跟前。鉴于公众对克莱德一案最后处理普遍表示关注，同时，克莱德母亲出于自己对儿子毫不动摇的眷爱，得知上诉法院的判决以后，就回到奥伯恩，自此以后不断给各报刊以及本州州长本人写信呼吁，要求对有关她儿子减刑的情况予以正确的认识。而且，正是由于她向州长一再呼吁，要求跟他面谈，陈述她对这个问题持有坚定不移的信念，因此，州长终于同意接见她，觉得这事并不会有什么坏处。再说，这样也好让她消消心中的气。此外，公众情绪也是易于改变的，尽管他们对某某一个案件持有自己深信不疑的意见，但只要不跟他们的信念发行抵触，往往都会倒向某种从宽处理的方式或是姿态那一边的。就以本案来说，如果有人根据各报刊来判断，公众的确会相信克莱德是有罪的。可是，另一方面，格里菲思太太，对于一些情况进行了长时间的沉思默想……对于克莱德和罗伯达，对于克莱德在法庭上受审时和受审以后的痛苦，以及麦克米伦牧师所说的，不管克莱德当初犯过什么罪，经过劝说以后，他终于能够深深地忏悔了，在思想上和他的创世主合二为一了……现在比过去更加确信，根据人道甚至正义原则，克莱德至少应该被允许活下去。现在，她伫立在身材高大。不苟言笑，而又有点儿忧郁的州长跟前。

反正克莱德心里燃烧过的那种烈火般的狂热激情，州长他一辈子从来都没有体验过。不过，作为一位堪称楷模的父亲和丈夫，他倒是很能设身处地体察格里菲思太太此时此刻的思想感情。但他又对本人不能不受到制约而深感苦恼，一是因为他已了解到本案中那些错综复杂的事实，二是因为要遵循那些根深蒂固。

无法改变的守法观念。他跟主管赦免事宜的书记官一样，对呈报上诉法院的全部证据，以及贝尔纳普和杰夫森最近递交的案情摘要，都仔细审阅过了。无奈没有什么新的材料，或是足以改变案情性质的材料，仅仅就早已作过鉴定的证据重新解释一番罢了，那末，他，戴维。沃尔瑟姆凭什么理由，冒着风险，要把克莱德的死刑改成无期徒刑呢?

陪审团和上诉法院不是都说过应该对他判处死刑吗?

于是，格里菲思太太开始提出她的恳求，她用颤抖的声音追述了克莱德一生的经历和他的品质;说他是个好孩子，从来没有做过坏事或是残忍的事……又说，姑且先不提某某小姐，罗伯达本人对这件事也并不是完全无罪呀。州长只是瞪着两眼直瞅她，心里非常感动。好一位慈母的拳拳之心啊!

此时此刻，她心里该有多大苦楚啊。她坚信她的儿子不可能犯了这样的罪，尽管似乎已经铁证如山，在他沃尔瑟姆以及所有的人看来已是昭然若揭。"啊，我亲爱的州长，现在你怎么能把我儿子的生命夺走，正当他已经涤尽自己灵魂中的罪孽，准备为上帝的事业献身的时候……难道说这样一来您就为了那个可怜而又可爱的姑娘之死让本州得到补偿了吗?

也不管它是无意之中造成的，还是别的什么造成的……那怎么行呢?

难道说纽约州好几百万人就不能心肠仁慈些吗?

难道说你，作为他们的代表，就不能把他们也许怀有的仁慈变成事实吗?

"她的嗓子嘶哑了……说不下去了。她身了侧转过去，呜咽哭泣起来。沃尔瑟姆也身不由己，异常激动，只是茫然若失地伫立在那里。这个可怜的女人!

分明是那么坦率。那么诚挚。接着，麦克米伦就抓紧时机，马上提出自己的恳求。

克莱德已经大变了。至于他过去的生活，他不想妄加评论……但是，从他入狱以来……或是至少在过去这一年里，他对人生，对自己的职责，以及自己对人类和上帝应尽的义务，都已经有了新的认识。只要能把死刑改为无期徒刑……州长是个非常善良而又小心谨慎的人，全神贯注地在倾听麦克米伦说话。

据他判断，麦克米伦显然是个热情的。精力饱满而具有高尚理想色彩的人。他一刻都不怀疑这个人所说的话;不管他说什么都是真实的，因为他是根据自己所理解的真理这个概念来说的。

"不过，请您个人来谈一谈，麦克米伦先生，"州长最后开了腔说，"因为您在监狱那里跟他有过长时间的接触……您知道不知道有任何实质性的事实是在庭审时没有提到过的，可以把这些或那些见证材料的性质加以改变，或是给予推翻?

谅您一定知道，这是个诉讼程序。我可不能单凭个人感情用事……特别是在两处法院作出一致的判决以后。"他两眼直瞅着麦克米伦，这个脸色苍白。哑口无言的人也回看他一眼。因为现在要决定克莱德有罪还是无罪，这一重任显然已落到了他肩上，就凭他的一句话了。不过叫他该怎么办呢?

难道说他长时间对克莱德忏悔一事进行思考以后，不是认定克莱德在上帝和法律面前都是有罪的吗?

现在他能……为了仁慈的缘故……就不顾自己心中深信不疑的想法，突然改变说法吗?

这样做……在主的面前，是虔诚的。纯洁的和令人钦佩的吗?

麦克米伦马上认为:

他，作为克莱德的宗教顾问，应该完全保持自己在克莱德心目中的宗教权威。"你们是世上的盐，盐若失了味，怎能叫他再咸呢?

"(引自《圣经。新约。马太福音》第５章第１３节。)于是，他就马上回答州长说:

"作为他的宗教顾问，我开始考虑的，只是他一生中有关灵魂方面，而不是法律方面的问题。"沃尔瑟姆一听这句话，就从麦克米伦的态度中断定他显然跟所有其他的人一样，也相信克莱德是有罪的。所以，最后他终于鼓足勇气对格里菲思太太说:

"在我还没有掌握到过去我从没有见到过的。非常确切的证据，以至于使我怀疑这两次判决的合法性以前，我是毫无选择余地的，格里菲思太太，只能听任已经作出的判决仍然有效。对此，我心里感到非常难过……啊，简直是说不出的难过。不过，要是我们希望人们尊重法律的话，那末，没有充分的合法根据，永远也不能改变依法作出的决定。

我心里也巴不得自己能向您作出另一种决定来，说真的，我就是巴不得能这样。

我心里将为您和您儿子祈祷。"他摁了一下电铃。他的秘书走了进来。显然，会见就到此为止了。格里菲思太太简直连一句话都说不出来;正当这次谈话的关键时刻，州长向麦克米伦提出了有关她儿子是否有罪这个绝顶重要的问题时，他却很古怪地先是保持缄默，继而模棱两可，支吾搪塞，这使她不由得深为震惊和沮丧。不过，现在该怎么办呢?

该往哪儿去?

求谁呢?

上帝，而且只有上帝，为了克莱德饱受的苦难和面临的死亡，她和他必须向他们的创世主寻求安慰。当她正这样暗自寻思，还在悄悄地哭泣的时候，麦克米伦牧师走了过来，小心翼翼地搀扶她走出了州长办公室。

等她走后，州长终于扭过头去，对他的秘书说:

"我一辈子从没有碰到过比这更惨的事了。叫我永远忘不了。"说罢，他掉过头去，凝望着窗外二月里的雪景。

在这以后，克莱德的生命就只剩下两个星期时间了。在这期间，麦克米伦首先把这最后的终审判决告诉了他，不过，当时是由他母亲陪着一起来的。麦克米伦还没有开口，克莱德一见母亲的脸色，心里就什么都明白了;后来，他又听麦克米伦说他应该向上帝……他的救世主寻求庇护，寻求灵魂安宁。于是，他就在牢房里老是踱来踱去，简直一刻都安静不下来。由于最后确悉他没有多久就要命归西天，他觉得自己即便在此时此刻，还有必要回顾一下个人不幸的一生。他的少年时代。堪萨斯城。芝加哥。莱柯格斯。罗伯达和桑德拉。这些，连同与这些有关的一切，都在他记忆里一一闪过。那些绝无仅有的。短暂而欢快的紧张的时刻啊。他那不知餍足……不知餍足……的欲望啊，他在莱柯格斯跟桑德拉邂逅以后所激起的那种热切的欲望啊。而紧接着就是这个。这个现在!

殊不知就连这个现在也快到尽头了……这个……这个……可恨他至今压根儿还没有体面地生活过呢……而且，最近这两年又是关在令人窒息的监狱里，多惨啊。他这飘忽不定。如今惶惶不可终日的一生，在这里只剩下十四天。十三天。

十二天。十一天。十天。九天。八天了。而且眼看着一天天正在逝去……正在逝去啊。可是，生命……生命……人怎能没有生命呢……白昼……太阳。细雨……工作。爱情。活力。愿望，该有多美呀。啊，说真的，他可不愿意死啊。

他可不愿意。既然现在最重要，现在就是一切，那他母亲和麦克米伦牧师为什么老是对他念叨着说，他应该心心念念企盼神的仁慈，只要想念上帝就得了?

而麦克米伦牧师还坚持认为，只有在基督那儿，在阴曹冥府才有真正的安宁。啊，是的……不过，不管怎么说，难道在州长面前他不该说话吗……难道他不能说克莱德无罪吗……或是至少说他不完全是有罪的……当时只要他有这么个看法……在那时……那末……那末……啊，那时，州长也许会把他的死刑改成无期徒刑呢……不是他说不定就会那么办吗?

因为，他问过他母亲，当时麦克米伦对州长说过些什么……(但并没有告诉她，说自己一切都向他忏悔过了)，她回答说，他告诉州长，说克莱德在主的面前是十分虔诚……不过并没有说他没有罪。

克莱德觉得:

麦克米伦牧师竟然不肯为他更多出力，该有多奇怪。多伤心。多绝望!

难道说人们就永远不了解……或是不承认他的那些合乎人性……如果说是太合乎人性甚至也许是邪恶的。如饥似渴的欲望吗?

不过，有许许多多人不也跟他一样被这些欲望折磨着吗?

但是，如果一定要说还有比这更糟的事，那就是格里菲思太太得知:

麦克米伦牧师在回答沃尔瑟姆州长提出那个具有决定性的问题时，只说了几句话……确切地说，他压根儿没有说别的话……后来他在回答她提问时，也只不过是把自己那几句话又重复念叨了一遍。这样，她转念一想，不由得大吃一惊:

归根到底，克莱德也许是有罪的，如同她一开头所担惊受怕的一样。因此，她有一次就这样问他:

"克莱德，如果说你还有哪些事情没有忏悔过，那末，你在大限来到以前非得忏悔不可。""我什么都向上帝和麦克米伦先生忏悔过了，妈妈。难道说这还不够吗?

""不，克莱德。你跟人们说过你是无辜的。但是，如果说你并不是无辜的，那你就应该说真话嘛。""不过，要是我的良心告诉我，我是对的，这难道说还不够吗?

""不，克莱德，如果上帝说的是另一个说法，那就不够了，"格里菲思太太惴惴不安地说……她在内心深处感到极端痛苦。不过，这时他再也不愿说下去了。

他怎么能跟他母亲或是芸芸众生一起讨论那些稀奇古怪。模糊不清的问题呢。

就是他在向麦克米伦牧师忏悔时和随后几次谈话时，也都一直解决不了。这已是无法可想的了。

因为儿子已经不信任她了，格里菲思太太不仅作为一名神职人员，而且作为一个母亲，都对这一打击感到非常痛苦。她的亲生儿子……在临近死亡的时刻，还不愿把他看来早就对麦克米伦先生说过的话告诉她。难道说上帝永远要这样考验她吗?

反正麦克米伦是说过那些话的，就是说……不管克莱德过去罪孽有多大……他认为，现在克莱德已在主的面前忏悔过了，变得洁净了……而且，说真的，这个年轻人已准备去见创世主了……她一想起麦克米伦那些话，心里也就感到有些宽慰了。主是伟大的!

他是仁慈的。在他的怀抱里，你可以得到安宁。在一个全心全意皈依上帝的人看来，死算得上什么……而生又算得上什么呢?

什么也都不是。过不了几年(不会多久的)，她跟阿萨，而且在他们以后，还有克莱德的弟弟。姐妹们，也都会跟着他去的……他在人世间的全部苦难也都被人们遗忘了。不过，要是得不到主的谅解……那末也就不能充分透彻体会到他的永在。他的爱。他的关怀。他的仁慈啊……!

这时，她由于宗教狂的神魂颠倒，曾有好几次浑身上下颤栗……显得很不正常……连克莱德也看到和感觉到了。不过，再从她为他心灵上的幸福不断祈祷和心焦如焚来说，他也看得出:

实际上，她对儿子真正的心愿从来都是了解得很少的。过去在堪萨斯城的时候，他心里梦想过那么多的东西，可他能享有的却是那么少。那些东西……就是那些东西呗……在他看来该有多么重要……他觉得最痛苦的是小时候自己常被带到街头，站在那里让许许多多男孩子。女孩子看。而他心中多么渴望得到的那些东西，很多孩子却全都有了。那时候，他觉得，哪怕是天涯海角，反正只要不去那里……站街头，该有多么开心啊!

这种传教士生涯，在他母亲看来可真了不起，但在他看来却是太乏味了!

他有这么一种想法，难道说是错了吗?

一贯错了吗?

主现在会对他恼火吗?

也许母亲对他的种种想法都是正确的吧。毫无疑问，他要是听从了她的劝告，恐怕现在也就会幸福得多了。可是，多么奇怪，眼看着母亲那么疼爱他，同情他，并以不折不挠和自我牺牲精神全力以赴去营救他……但是现下，在他一生的最后时刻，正当他最最渴望得到人们同情……而且还要得到比同情更多的……人们真正深切的理解……即便是在眼前这么一个时刻，他依然不相信他亲生的母亲，不肯把当时真相告诉他亲生的母亲。在他们母子俩中间，仿佛隔着不可逾越的一堵墙，或是怎么也穿不过的一道屏障，全是缺乏相互理解所造成的……原因就在这里。她怎么都不会了解他是何等渴求舒适。

奢华。美和爱情……而且还有他心驰神往的。跟爱摆谱儿。寻欢作乐。金钱地位联系在一起的那种爱情……以及他热切追求。怎么也改变不了的那些渴望和欲念。这些东西她都是无法理解的。也许她会把这一切全都看作罪孽……邪恶。

自私。说不定还会把他跟罗伯达和桑德拉有关的极其不幸的一言一行，通通视为通奸行为……下流淫荡……甚至是谋杀勾当，而且，她还真的指望他会有深切悲痛，彻底忏悔的表现，殊不知即使在此时此刻，尽管他对麦克米伦牧师和她都说过那些话，他的思想感情并不见得就是那样……压根儿不是那样，虽然，现在他何等热切希望在上帝那里得到庇护，不过要是可能的话，能在母亲的了解和同情心里得到庇护，岂不是更好吗?

但愿能这样就好了。

老天哪，这一切该有多可怕!

他是那样孤苦伶仃，即使在瞬息即逝的最后几个钟头里(日子正在飞也似的逝去啊)，尽管他母亲和麦克米伦牧师都在他身边，可是他们两人都不了解他。

不过，先撇开这一切不谈，还有更糟的事:

他已被关押在这里，不会被允许离开，这里有一套制度……一套令人可怕的。成为例行公事的制度……他早就知道了。这是铁面无情的制度。它能自动运转，象一台机器一样，用不着人们的帮助或是人们的同情心。这些狱警!

他们这些人，忠于法律的字面意义，有时也会审问人，说些言不由衷的讨好话，跑跑腿做点好事，或者把犯人先是押到院子里放风，过后再押回牢房去，或是押着犯人去洗澡……他们还是铁面无情的……仅仅是一些机器，一些机器人，一个劲儿推啊推的，管啊管的……把犯人管押在这些监狱围墙里，他们时刻准备着，只要一出现反抗，就会随时效劳，随时杀人……一个劲儿推啊，推啊，不停地推啊……永远把人推向……那一头那个小门，从那里休想逃命……休想逃命……只能往前走。往前走呀走……一直到最后，把他推进那个小门，永远一去不复返!

永远一去不复返!

他一想到这里，就站起来，在牢房里踱来踱去。后来，他往往又想到了自己是不是有罪这个谜。他竭尽全力去想罗伯达和他对她造的孽，还让自己去念《圣经》……甚至让自己脸儿朝下，伏在铁床上……一遍又一遍地重复念道:

"主啊。给我安宁。主啊，给我光。主啊，给我力量，让我能抵抗我不应该有的一切邪念。我知道我的良心并不是完全洁白的。啊，不。我知道我策划过坏事。

是的，是的，这我知道。我承认。不过，难道说我真的非死不可吗?

难道说就不能指望人们帮助吗?

主啊，难道你不能帮助我吗?

难道你不能象妈妈所说的那样给我显示一下你的神威吗?

你就不能下令，让州长在那最后时刻来临以前把死刑改为无期徒刑吗?

你就不能吩咐麦克米伦牧师改变他的观点，到州长那儿去说说情吗?

(说不定我母亲也会一起去的)我要把所有罪恶的念头从脑海里通通撵出去。

我会变成另一个人。啊，是的，我是会的，只要你拯救了我。别让我现在就死……那么早就死了。千万别这样啊。我是愿意祈祷的。是的，我是愿意的。给我力量，好让我去理解。信仰……并且祈祷。主啊，给我吧!

"自从他母亲和麦克米伦牧师跟州长进行具有决定性的晤面回来以后，一直到他生命的最后一刻，在这些短暂而可怕的日子里，克莱德心里琢磨过的和祈祷过的，就是象以上这些……可是，到最后，他心里对日益逼近的大限。自己必死无疑，以及阴曹冥府都感到极端恐惧，而这种恐惧心理，再加上他母亲和麦克米伦牧师的信念和情感(这位麦克米伦牧师啊，每天都来到克莱德身边，向他劝说神是满怀仁慈的，因此他必须虔心笃信上帝)，使他自己也终于相信:

不但他必须具有信仰，而且他已经有了信仰……心中还得到了安宁……一种完全可靠的安宁。在这么一种心态之下，克莱德应麦克米伦牧师和他母亲的请求，终于向芸芸众生。特别是向他同龄的年轻人写了一份书面声明(这是在麦克米伦亲自帮助和监督之下写成的，麦克米伦牧师还当着他的面，并征得他的同意以后，把其中几句话修改过了)，全文如下:

在死亡谷的阴影之下，我将竭尽全力，摒除任何疑虑说:

我已经皈依耶稣基督，我的救星和忠贞不渝的朋友。现在我唯一感到遗憾的是:

我生前虽有机会为他效劳，但我并没有把自己的一生全都奉献给他。

如果我只说一句话就使年轻人靠近他，那末，我认为这就是给我的最大的天惠神赐了。不过，现在我能说的只有这句话:

"我知道我所信的是谁，也深信他能保全我所交付给他的，直到那日。"(引自《圣经。新约。提摩太后书》第１章第１２节。)［这句引文是因为麦克米伦经常给他念叨的，所以他也记熟了。］我知道，我国的年轻人只要能意识到基督徒生活真正的乐趣，他们就会竭尽全力，成为真正积极的基督徒，并且努力遵循基督的吩咐去生活。

没有一件会阻止我面对上帝的事我没有完成。我知道，我的罪孽已经得到了宽恕，因为我跟我的精神顾问谈话时，都是推心置腹，无话不谈的，而且上帝知道我站在怎样的位置。

我的任务已完成，得胜了。

克莱德。格里菲思这篇东西写好后他就把它交给了麦克米伦。这个书面声明，跟他以往特有的那种一贯反抗的情绪很不一样，因此，对于这前后差异，即使在此时此刻，也不免让克莱德自己大吃一惊。麦克米伦满心高兴地嚷道:

"真的，是得胜了，克莱德。'

''''今日你要同我在乐园里了。，(引自《圣经。新约。路加福音》集２３章第４３节。)他已经向你作了这样的保证。你的灵魂，你的躯体，都已经归了他的了。永远赞美他的名。"他对自己这次旗开得胜非常激动，握住克莱德的双手，一一亲吻过以后，便把他搂在自己怀里说:

"我的孩子，我的孩子，我对你真有说不出的高兴。上帝果真在你身上显示了他的真理和他的拯救力量。这我已看到了。这个我感觉到了。你写给芸芸众生的书面声明，说真的，听得出就是上帝自己的声音。"随后，他把那个纸条掖进口袋里，暗自寻思一定要等到克莱德死后，切莫提前发表。

殊不知克莱德写好这篇东西以后，有时心里还是疑团未消。是不是他真的得救了呢?

期限那么短?

刚才他说过他可以绝对可靠地坚信上帝，行不行呢?

他真的能行吗?

人生真是够奇怪呀。展望未来……是那么一团漆黑。死后真的还有生命吗?

真的还有一个上帝，会象麦克米伦牧师和他母亲一再说过的那样，前来欢迎他吗?

说真的，有还是没有呀?

于是，格里菲思太太就在儿子临死前两天，突然惊恐万状，给尊敬的戴维。

沃尔瑟姆发了一个电报:

"您能在上帝面前说您对克莱德有罪一事丝毫也不怀疑?

请电复。否则他的死应由您负责。他的母亲。"州长的秘书罗伯特。费斯勒复电说:

"沃尔瑟姆州长并不认为他有正当理由去干预上诉法院的判决。"到最后，最后一天……最后一小时……克莱德被押往老死牢的一间牢房。

在那里，刮脸。洗澡以后，他得到一条黑裤子。一件无领白衬衫(事后将从脖子根撕开)。一双新毡拖鞋和一双灰色短袜。穿好以后，他得到许可，跟他母亲和麦克米伦再见一面。麦克米伦也已经获准，可以从他处决的前一天傍晚六点钟到次日凌晨四点，一直待在他身边，把上帝的爱和仁慈讲给他听。到四点钟的时候，典狱长过来说，格里菲思太太该走了，克莱德留给麦克米伦照料就得了。

(据他解释，这是法律作出的令人遗憾的强制性规定。)于是，克莱德与他母亲作最后诀别。诀别前，虽然不时默默无言，心如刀绞，但他好不容易还是使劲儿说道:

"妈妈，你必须相信，我是心无怨言地去死的。我觉得死并不可怕啦。上帝已听到了我的祈祷。他已经给了我力量，让我灵魂得到安宁。"可是，他却又暗自找补着说:

"他到底给了没有呀?

"格里菲思太太大声嚷道:

"我的孩子!

我的孩子，我知道了，我知道了。这个我也相信。我知道我的救世主常在，他是属于你的。我们虽然死了……但是我们可以得到永生!

"她站在那里，两眼仰望着天空，呆若木鸡。不料她突然朝克莱德扭过头去，把他搂在怀里，长时间地。紧紧地搂住他，还低声耳语道:

"我的儿子……我的孩子……"她的嗓子眼嘶哑了，不一会儿就喘不上气来了……仿佛她浑身上下力气全都扑在他身上了。直到最后，她觉得自己如果不走，恐怕就会倒下来的，于是，她马上转过身来，步履蹒跚地朝典狱长那边走去。典狱长正在一边等着她，要领着她上麦克米伦在奥伯恩的朋友家去。

随后，就在仲冬的这一天凌晨，只见四周一片黑糊糊，那最后时刻终于来到了……狱警们走了过来，先在他右侧裤腿上切开一个狭长口子，以便安放金属片，接着把各个牢房的门帘……放了下来。"怕是到时候了。拿出勇气来吧，我的孩子。"这是麦克米伦牧师在说话，旁边还有吉布森牧师陪着。因为他看见监狱里的狱警朝这边走过来，就对克莱德这么说的。

克莱德这时正在床上听麦克米伦牧师在一旁念《约翰福音》第十四。十五。

十六各章:

"你们心里不要忧愁。你们信上帝，也当信我。(引自《圣经。新约。

约翰福音》第１４章第１节。)"于是，他便站了起来。接下来，就是走最后那一段路，麦克米伦牧师在他的右边，吉布森牧师在他的左边……前前后后都是狱警。不过，这时候，麦克米伦牧师没有念例行的祈祷文，而是宣告说:

"你们要自卑，服在上帝大能的手下，到了时候他必叫你们升高。你们要将一切的忧虑卸给上帝，因为他顾念你们。(引自《圣经。新约。彼得前书》第５章第６节。)让你灵魂得到安息。他的路是智慧，正义，上帝曾在基督里召你们，得享他永远的荣耀，等你们暂受苦难之后，(引自《圣经。新约。彼得前书》第５章第１０节。)我就是道路，真理，生命，若不藉着我，没有人能到父那里去。(引自《圣经。新约。约翰福音》第１４章第６节。)"可是，当克莱德进入第一道门，向那个电椅室走去的时候，还听见有几个声音在大声嚷嚷:

"再见了，克莱德。"而克莱德少不了还有一些尘念和毅力，回答他们说:

"再见，全体难友们。"不过，这声音不知怎的却显得那么古怪，那么微弱，那么遥远，连他自己都觉得，仿佛是在他旁边走着的另一个人说出来的，而不是他自己的声音。而且，他的两条腿，虽然在走动，但好象是已安上自动行走装置似的。当他们推着他向前。向前，朝向那道门走去的时候，他听到了他很熟悉的一步一步拖着脚走的沙沙声。现在到了，门也敞开了，啊，他……终于……看到了……他在梦里动不动就看见的那张电椅……他是那么害怕……现在，他不得不朝它走过去。他是被推到那边去的……被推到那边去……朝前推……朝前推……推进了此时此刻正为了迎接他而敞开的那道门……殊不知门一下子又关上了，把他耳染目濡过的全部尘世生活都给留在门外了。

过了一刻钟以后，麦克米伦牧师灰不溜丢，疲惫不堪，脚步甚至还有点儿摇摇晃晃，仿佛是一个体质极端虚弱的人，穿过冷冰冰的监狱大门走了出来。

这个仲冬的一天，是那么微弱……那么无力，那么灰暗……几乎跟他此时此刻的模样儿不相上下。死了!

他……克莱德……几分钟以前还是那么惴惴不安，然而又带着几份信赖跟自己并排走着……可现在他已死了。这就是法律!

还有象这一个一样的监狱。就在克莱德祈祷的地方，那