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 possessed1 of relationships which would make itunnecessary and even a bit presumptuous2 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 aspired3, still there was that abouther which enticed4 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 feverish5 eye-flashes between them. And afterone such in his case--a quick and furtive6 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, lithe7, sentient8, 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. Aspiration9. Hours of burning and yearning10. 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 accomplishments11 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 picturesque12 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 noted13 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 decided14 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 footpath15 which led to clumps16 oftrees, underneath18 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 plundered19. And from certain marshy20 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 tempting21 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 rebellious22 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 libido23 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 miserable24.
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 sneered25 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 apparently26 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 grill27 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, Latch28, 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 resentment29 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 worthy30 of him, perhaps, for lack of means or contacts. And besides she was so attractive-very--and especially enticing31 to him. He could see her now as she worked with her swift, graceful32 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 inflamed33 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 clump17 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 inquiry34. 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 flannel35 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 apparition36 suddenly evoked37 out of nothing and nowhere, a poetic38 effort taking form out ofsmoke or vibrant39 energy, she in turn stood staring down at him, her lips unable to resist the wavy40 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 abashed41 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 nervously42, a tremor43 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 soothed44 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 dubiously45, 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 perfectly46 safe," he addedeagerly. Then maneuvering47 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 gathering48 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 diffused49 with joy, enveloped50 in a rosy51 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 reassured52 her. "Just sit in the center there. It won't tip over. Gee53, 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 confession54 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 sentimental55 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 disinterested56, 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 maneuvered57 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 allayed58 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!
收听单词发音 |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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presumptuous
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| adj.胆大妄为的，放肆的，冒昧的，冒失的 | |
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aspired
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| v.渴望，追求( aspire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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enticed
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| 诱惑，怂恿( entice的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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feverish
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| adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的 | |
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furtive
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| adj.鬼鬼崇崇的，偷偷摸摸的 | |
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lithe
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| adj.(指人、身体)柔软的，易弯的 | |
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sentient
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| adj.有知觉的，知悉的；adv.有感觉能力地 | |
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aspiration
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| n.志向，志趣抱负；渴望；(语)送气音；吸出 | |
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yearning
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| a.渴望的；向往的；怀念的 | |
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accomplishments
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| n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就 | |
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picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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footpath
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| n.小路，人行道 | |
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clumps
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| n.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的名词复数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声v.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的第三人称单数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声 | |
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clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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plundered
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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marshy
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| adj.沼泽的 | |
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tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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rebellious
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| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
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libido
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| n.本能的冲动 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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grill
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| n.烤架，铁格子，烤肉；v.烧，烤，严加盘问 | |
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latch
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| n.门闩，窗闩；弹簧锁 | |
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resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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enticing
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| adj.迷人的；诱人的 | |
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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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inflamed
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| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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flannel
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| n.法兰绒；法兰绒衣服 | |
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apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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evoked
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| [医]诱发的 | |
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poetic
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| adj.富有诗意的，有诗人气质的，善于抒情的 | |
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vibrant
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| adj.震颤的，响亮的，充满活力的，精力充沛的，(色彩)鲜明的 | |
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wavy
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| adj.有波浪的，多浪的，波浪状的，波动的，不稳定的 | |
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abashed
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| adj.窘迫的，尴尬的v.使羞愧，使局促，使窘迫( abash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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tremor
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| n.震动，颤动，战栗，兴奋，地震 | |
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soothed
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| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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dubiously
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| adv.可疑地，怀疑地 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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maneuvering
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| v.移动，用策略( maneuver的现在分词 )；操纵 | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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diffused
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| 散布的，普及的，扩散的 | |
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enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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reassured
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| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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gee
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| n.马；int.向右！前进！，惊讶时所发声音；v.向右转 | |
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confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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sentimental
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| adj.多愁善感的，感伤的 | |
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disinterested
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| adj.不关心的，不感兴趣的 | |
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maneuvered
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| v.移动，用策略( maneuver的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵 | |
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allayed
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| v.减轻，缓和( allay的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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