The colored servants had with them strong cordials that soon brought Lionel to himself.
No bones were broken, but he was lame1 and bruised2, and it was some time before he could mount the gentle animal Sam Spruce had ridden in going forth4 to find him. Sally saw in a moment that it was Lord Rollin, the horse Lionel had used when riding with his cousin Rosamond.
Hotspur, after a mad gallop5, had raced back riderless to the stables, stirrups dangling6 and saddle awry7. This had sent the men out in hot haste to find out what had happened.
As soon as Lionel was fairly recovered, he looked all around.
"Where is the beautiful creature that gave me water?" he asked.
[Pg 143]"No one gave you water, Mars' Li'nel," said the well-spoken Sam Spruce. "We fetched cordial that brought you to."
"Yes, yes, I know that," Lionel replied, "but who was the lovely being all in white, with hair like the sun, eyes like stars, lips like cherries and with flowers all about her everywhere?"
Lionel caught the gesture.
"Oh, now, none of that!" he said; "my head is not wandering. She came before you did, some charming little thing, I tell you, that was all brightness and flowers."
"We saw no one, Mars' Lion," began Corniel; "you was all 'lone10 when we comed up. Ef there'd been anybuddy else roun', dey couldn't 'a' got 'way dout our seein' 'em."
"Oh, well, never mind," said the young master, "if none of you saw any one, there's no use in talking, but I know what I saw, and my head wasn't light or flighty, either."
The well-trained servants did not reply, but[Pg 144] Bill, the groom11, who stood behind Lionel, rolled his eyes in so droll12 a fashion, at the same time touching13 his own woolly crown, that Sam Spruce only stopped a titter by a loud cough.
But he did not deceive his bright young master.
"Oh, you fellows may grin and make up eyes all you want to," he said, good-naturedly, "but I wasn't knocked crazy all at once, and one of these days you may find out I saw just what I say I did. Now get me home as fast as you can."
They helped him mount the proud but steady Lord Rollin, and in a moment more three of them rode away, leaving Sam Spruce to walk back.
Left alone, Sam took a good look around, and Sally, who had seen them talking but could not hear what was said, was in terror lest he should spy her in the branches of the oak; but Sam, who looked in other directions, did not look up, and, finally, wagging his head in a knowing way, he moved off, greatly to Sally's relief.
[Pg 145]The maid was in a kind of dream all the rest of the day, and, without exactly knowing it, she was very happy. Shortly before noon she returned to the house, and going directly to the mirror in the keeping-room she said, without vanity, but with considerable curiosity:
"I wonder if I am fair at all?" and as the mirror flashed back the image of a maiden14 surely very pleasant to look upon, she chuckled15:
"I don't care, very glad I am that when I first touched the Fairy Prince and looked right into his eyes, I was in my best attire16, and also dressed in flowers. I wonder did it mean anything?"
"What should it mean?" asked the faithful Fairy.
"Mistress Cory Ann might say it was a good sign," said Sally.
"Do not be a silly, taking note of signs and omens17!" cried the Fairy. "They bear no meaning except for simple souls that know no better than to make them up. Wise[Pg 146] people and signs have naught18 to do with each other."
Still Sally felt happy. She was glad that in white array, with flowers and midst sunshine and songs of birds, she had first come face to face with her Fairy Prince.
"But he had been hurt," reminded the Fairy.
That evening Sally strolled around to her seat in the hedge, hoping and wishing that she might hear some of the reading that had always charmed her. But long she sat there before any one came to the arbor20. The pale stars came out in the azure21 heavens, and indeed the maiden had a quiet nap before there came a sound to break the stillness of the pretty evening.
Then the family coach drew up before the gate, and a gay company alighted. Sally knew by this that there had been a supper[Pg 147] party somewhere, and that the young people had been away.
Would they go directly to the house, she wondered, or would they stroll over to the arbor for awhile?
Ah, they were coming over. She wished she might peep at them in their fine attire, but no, it would not do to try, and besides, she could not see them very plainly now. Pretty soon she heard Lucretia say:
"I saw fair brows grow into a frown, when it was found you were too lame to dance to-night, my brother."
"Ah, but very lucky was I to be able to go out at all to-night, after the hard fall of this morning," cried Lionel. "Hotspur hath no gentle plunge22 once his blood is up."
"Has he ever thrown you before?" asked the Lady Rosamond.
"No, nor did he in truth throw me to-day," Lionel replied. "I had left the saddle of my own will, but by some strange bound Hotspur tossed me nearly up again, then banged me like[Pg 148] a wisp against a tree. The heavy fall stunned23 me."
"And Sam thought you inclined to wander in speech after the men found you," remarked Rosamond.
"I would I might know who was the bonny maid that bent25 over me and gave me cooling drops of water and bathed my face and brow."
"Dost really think there was such a person, brother?" inquired Lucretia.
"It is quite as true as that I sit here this moment! Whether a wood Fairy or a forest nymph I cannot tell, but a heartsome creature, all in white except for flowers of brightest hue26, dropped water into my mouth and laved my hot brow."
"The other servants thought you wandered slightly," again ventured Rosamond, "and as no one was in sight when they rode up, where could your nymph or Fairy have vanished so[Pg 149] soon? Was not she with you but a moment before?"
"Only an instant before, my cousin. But never shall I yield to the idea that I wandered or that my eyes deceived me as to the vision upon which they rested. Some day I hope to see my dear Fairy again, and when I do, I shall know her."
Sally held her breath for very rapture27. Ah, how strange, how sweetly strange! He, her Fairy Prince, had called her his dear Fairy! Could it be? Yes, it was true, true!
"But, remember, he knows naught of you," came the sad voice that always kept her down.
"See to it," cried her cheerful Fairy, "that should he ever see and know you, there will be naught for which to be ashamed."
"I will try," said Maid Sally.
But if Sally had been careful not to have the Fairy Prince see her before, doubly unwilling28 was she now that he should catch a glimpse of her.
And not much danger of it was there except[Pg 150] on Sundays, when he appeared at meeting. But Sally managed to stand behind the person in front of her, so that not a peep at her face did the young gentleman of Ingleside get, when during the last singing the congregation turned about and faced the choir29.
But under her broad-rimmed hat it is doubtful if Sally's features would have reminded him of the nymph of the pine woods. And so cautious was Maid Sally that not another peep did her Fairy Prince get at her anywhere during the rest of his vacation.
And but seldom did the careful maid go over to the beloved perch30 between hedge and wall. From her window she more than once saw Lionel go flying by on Hotspur's back, for the Southern lad rode as if by nature the swift, noble horses always to be found in the stables.
Then companies of young people would go forth on picnics, driving in wagons31 through the woods; or riding parties would be formed, when Hotspur would be left at home, while Lord Rollin, Lady Grace, and other fine horses would[Pg 151] bear young men and maidens32 to the make-believe hunt, or on the long, breezy ride.
And then again there came a fair September day, when Sally went to the quay33, and away and away sailed the Fairy Prince, going back to his studies and the books that were to fit him for the life that lay ahead and the days that were to come.
And back went Maid Sally to Mistress Kent, with the chief part of her "History of America," and the founding of the Colonies safely lodged34 in the mind-cells under her red-gold hair.
And although Ingleside seemed deserted35 with the sailing away of its only son, the old charm yet lingered about his home.
One Saturday night in late October, Sally wandered over to the well-known plantation36. Bill was combing and rubbing down the horses, Hotspur, Lord Rollin, Springer, Lady Grace, and Crazy Jim.
Sally knew them all, could call half a dozen of them by their names. It sent a pang37 of[Pg 152] regret to her little young heart, seeing the animals that would feel the hand of their young master on the bridles38 no more for nearly a year to come.
A little farther on Sam Spruce was picking at a banjo, and trolling in a sweet tenor39 an old plantation song.
Everything seemed pleasant yet tinged40 with sadness, for all reminded her of the absent Prince. Not many children have the depths of imagination that had Maid Sally. But she would be thirteen in the winter, hers was a very loving, longing41 young heart, and she was almost alone in the world, for such children as sometimes came around Slipside Row were not companions for her or such as she could like.
And on this lovely, dreamy night, she strolled on and on, until she came close to Mammy Leezer seated flat on the grass, talking away to herself as fast as her tongue could go. Her back was turned to Sally, and in the growing twilight42 she was not likely to see the lonely child.
[Pg 153]Mammy's pipe was in her hand, and every minute or two she would stop and take a long breath at it, sending a spire43 of curling smoke above her head. Sally could hear plainly what she was saying, and as usual the sound of her sweet voice was comforting.
"No," she said, "I doan't like it one mite44 seein' my young Mars' Lion fly in' off to Inglan', and hearin' all sorts ob talk 'bout8 wars an' rumors45 o' wars. What dat chile got to do with sech tings, I like to know? Lorr sakes, it ain't but yes'day I trot46 'im on my ole knee first to Bosting, den3 to Lynn, den to Salum, and home, home agin! And Lorr a-massy! how dat lil trollop screech47 and scream when I put him on my big shoe and sing dat trip song!"
Mammy stopped, held her pipe in a hand that rested on her knee, and softly wagging one foot, she began, in a slow, dreamy, singsong:
"Trip-a-trop-a-tronjes,
De-vorkens-in-de-boonjes,
De-koejes-in-de-klaver,
De-Paarden-in-de-haver,
De-eenjes-in-de-waterplass,
So-pop!-my-lil-pick'ninny-goes!"[Pg 154]
"Lorr, Lorr! I can hear dat poor lil monkey now, done choke a-larfin', when his ole Mammy toss him up inten her lap."
But Mammy's soliloquy was rudely broken in upon. Hotspur came tearing over the lawn, Bill in hot pursuit.
"Horrors unner hemlocks48!" screamed Mammy, as the wild horse bolted by at a perfectly49 safe distance, then of his own accord pranced50 back to the stable yard.
Up got Mammy and trundled away. And back toward Slipside Row went Sally, laughing at Mammy's queer fright, but feeling thankful enough that she was only frightened, not hurt.
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收听单词发音
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1
lame
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| adj.跛的，(辩解、论据等)无说服力的 | |
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bruised
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| [医]青肿的，瘀紫的 | |
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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4
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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6
dangling
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| 悬吊着( dangle的现在分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
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7
awry
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| adj.扭曲的，错的 | |
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8
bout
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| n.侵袭，发作；一次(阵，回)；拳击等比赛 | |
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9
winked
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| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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10
lone
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| adj.孤寂的，单独的；唯一的 | |
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groom
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| vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁 | |
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12
droll
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| adj.古怪的，好笑的 | |
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13
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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14
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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15
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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16
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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17
omens
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| n.前兆，预兆( omen的名词复数 ) | |
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18
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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19
serenely
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| adv.安详地，宁静地，平静地 | |
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arbor
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| n.凉亭；树木 | |
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21
azure
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| adj.天蓝色的，蔚蓝色的 | |
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22
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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stunned
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| adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词 | |
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24
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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25
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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26
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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28
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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29
choir
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| n.唱诗班，唱诗班的席位，合唱团，舞蹈团；v.合唱 | |
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30
perch
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| n.栖木，高位，杆；v.栖息，就位，位于 | |
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31
wagons
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| n.四轮的运货马车( wagon的名词复数 )；铁路货车；小手推车 | |
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32
maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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33
quay
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| n.码头，靠岸处 | |
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34
lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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35
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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plantation
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| n.种植园，大农场 | |
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pang
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| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
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38
bridles
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| 约束( bridle的名词复数 )； 限动器； 马笼头； 系带 | |
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39
tenor
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| n.男高音（歌手），次中音（乐器），要旨，大意 | |
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40
tinged
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| v.（使）发丁丁声( ting的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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41
longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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42
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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43
spire
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| n.(教堂)尖顶，尖塔，高点 | |
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44
mite
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| n.极小的东西；小铜币 | |
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45
rumors
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| n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷 | |
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46
trot
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| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
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47
screech
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| n./v.尖叫；(发出)刺耳的声音 | |
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48
hemlocks
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| 由毒芹提取的毒药( hemlock的名词复数 ) | |
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49
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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50
pranced
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| v.（马）腾跃( prance的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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