hr.thecarpetbaggers-第39章

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bloomers。　While　he　watched；　she　reached　behind　her　and　unfastened　the　brassière；　then；　half　turning；　stepped　out　of　the　bloomers。　Holding　them　in　her　hand；　she　crossed　the　room　and　came　back　in　a　moment；　carrying　a　bathing　suit。　She　paused　again　in　front　of　the　mirror　and　stepped　into　the　suit。　Slowly　she　pulled　it　up　over　her　breasts　and　straightened　the　shoulder　straps。
　He　felt　faint　beads　of　perspiration　across　his　forehead。　This　was　the　first　time　he　had　ever　seen　a　grown…up　girl　pletely　naked。　He　had　never　thought　they　could　be　so　beautiful　and　exciting。
　Walking　quietly；　he　passed　her　room　and　went　into　his　own。　He　closed　the　door　and　sank；　still　trembling；　to　the　bed。　For　a　long　moment；　he　sat　there；　the　pain　of　the　heat　surging　inside　him　bending　him　almost　double。
　Slowly　he　reasoned　with　himself。　No。　He　mustn't。　Not　again。　If　he　gave　in　to　it　now；　he　would　always　give　in　to　it。　At　last；　he　began　to　feel　better。　He　wiped　his　forehead　with　his　arm　and　got　to　his　feet。
　All　you　needed　was　a　little　self…control　and　determination。　He　began　to　feel　proud　of　himself。　What　he　had　to　do　was　remove　himself　from　all　kinds　of　temptation。　That　meant　everything。　Even　the　French　pictures　he　had　bought　from　the　candy　store　down　in　Lobstertown。
　Quickly　he　opened　a　dresser　drawer　and　burrowing　underneath　a　broken　slat；　came　out　with　the　pictures。　He　placed　them　on　the　dresser　drawer　face　down。　He　wouldn't　even　look　at　them　one　last　time。　He'd　flush　them　down　the　toilet　when　he　went　in　to　take　his　shower。
　He　undressed　rapidly　and　put　on　his　bathrobe。　He　walked　back　to　the　dresser　and　caught　a　glimpse　of　his　face　in　the　mirror。　It　was　filled　with　a　noble　resolve。　It　was　amazing　how　quickly　resolution　could　reflect　itself。　He　turned　and　left　the　room；　forgetting　the　pictures　that　lay　on　the　dresser。
　He　was　drying　himself　in　front　of　the　mirror　when　he　heard　her　footsteps　turn　down　the　hall　to　his　room。　Suddenly；　he　froze　as　he　remembered。　The　pictures　were　still　on　the　dresser。　He　grabbed　for　the　bathrobe　on　the　door　behind　him。
　It　was　too　late。　When　he　got　to　his　room；　she　was　standing　near　the　dresser；　the　pictures　in　her　hand。　She　looked　up　at　him　in　surprise。　〃Laddie；　where　did　you　get　these　pictures？〃　she　asked；　a　curious　excitement　in　her　voice。
　〃Give　them　to　me！〃　he　demanded；　walking　toward　her。
　〃I　will　not！〃　she　retorted；　turning　her　back　to　him。　〃I　haven't　finished　looking　at　them　yet。〃
　Lithely　she　spun　away　from　his　outstretched　hand；　across　the　room　to　the　far　side　of　the　bed。　〃Let　me　finish；〃　she　said　calmly。　〃Then　you　can　have　them　back。〃
　〃No！〃　he　shouted　hoarsely；　flinging　himself　across　the　bed　at　her。
　She　turned　to　avoid　his　grasp　but　his　hand　caught　her　shoulder。　The　pictures　flew　from　her　hand　as　she　fell　to　the　bed　beside　him。　She　reached　for　the　pictures。　His　hand　caught　at　her　shoulder　strap　to　keep　her　from　getting　them；　and　the　strap　broke　in　his　hand。　He　froze　suddenly；　staring　at　one　white　breast　that　had　escaped　the　bathing　suit。
　〃You　broke　my　strap；〃　she　said　quietly；　making　no　move　to　cover　herself；　her　eyes　watching　his　face。　
　He　didn't　answer。
　She　smiled　slowly　and　raised　her　hand　to　her　breast；　rubbing　her　palm　gently　across　the　nipple。　〃I'm　just　as　pretty　as　any　of　the　girls　in　those　pictures；　aren't　I？〃
　He　was　fascinated；　unable　to　speak；　his　eyes　following　the　deliberate　movement　of　her　hand。　〃Aren't　I？〃　she　asked　again。　〃You　can　tell　me。　I　won't　tell　anyone。　Why　do　you　think　I　let　you　watch　while　I　was　undressing？〃　
　〃You　knew　I　was　watching？〃　he　asked　in　surprise。　
　She　laughed。　〃Of　course；　stupid。　I　could　see　you　in　the　mirror。　I　almost　burst　out　laughing。　I　thought　your　eyes　would　pop　out　of　your　head。〃
　He　could　feel　the　tension　begin　to　build　up　inside　him。　〃I　don't　think　that's　funny。〃
　〃Look　at　me；〃　she　said。　〃I　like　you　to　look　at　me。　I　wish　everybody　could。〃　
　〃That's　not　right；〃　he　said。
　〃Why　isn't　it？〃　she　demanded。　〃What's　wrong　with　it？　I　like　to　look　at　you；　why　shouldn't　you　look　at　me？〃　
　〃But　you　never　did；〃　he　said　quickly。　
　A　secret　smile　came　to　her　lips。　〃Oh；　yes　I　did。〃
　〃You　did？　When？〃
　〃The　other　afternoon　when　you　came　back　from　the　beach。　There　was　no　one　home　and　I　watched　you　through　the　bathroom　window。　I　saw　everything　you　did。〃
　〃Everything？〃　The　word　escaped　from　him　in　a　groan　of　dismay。
　〃Everything；〃　she　said　smugly。　〃You　were　exercising　your　muscle。〃　Her　eyes　looked　into　his。　〃I　never　knew　it　could　get　so　big。　I　always　thought　it　was　little　and　kind　of　droopy　like　it　was　when　you　were　a　little　boy。〃
　There　was　a　tightness　in　his　throat　and　he　could　hardly　speak。　He　began　to　get　up　from　the　bed。　〃I　think　you　better　get　out　of　here；〃　he　said　hoarsely。
　She　looked　up　at　him；　still　smiling。　〃Would　you　like　to　look　at　me　again？〃
　He　didn't　answer。
　Her　hand　reached　up　and　took　down　the　other　shoulder　strap。　She　wriggled　out　of　her　bathing　suit。　He　stared　down　at　her　naked　body；　feeling　his　legs　begin　to　tremble。　He　saw　her　eyes　move　down　over　him。　His　bathrobe　hung　open。　He　looked　at　her　again。
　〃Now　take　off　your　bathrobe　and　let　me　see　all　of　you；〃　she　said。
　As　if　in　a　daze；　he　let　the　bathrobe　slip　to　the　floor。　With　a　groan；　he　sank　to　his　knees　beside　the　bed；　holding　himself。
　Quickly　she　rolled　across　the　bed　and　looked　down　at　him。　A　faint　sound　of　triumph　came　into　her　voice。　〃Now；〃　she　said；　〃you　can　do　it　for　me。〃
　His　hand　reached　up　to　touch　her　breast。　She　let　it　rest　there　for　a　moment；　then　suddenly　moved　away　from　him。　〃No！〃　she　said　sharply。　〃Don't　touch　me！〃
　He　stared　at　her　dumbly；　the　agony　pouring　through　him　in　waves。
　Her　heavy…lidded　eyes　watched　him。
　〃Do　it　for　me；〃　she　said　in　a　husky　voice。　〃And　I'll　do　it　for　you。　But　don't　touch　me！〃
　
　6
　
　ALL　THROUGH　THE　MOVIE；　LADDIE　COULD　HEAR　THEM　giggling　and　whispering。　He　could　imagine　what　they　were　doing　in　the　darkened　theater；　even　though　he　couldn't　see。　His　mind　flamed　with　visions。
　Now　Tommy　was　offering　Rina　a　gumdrop。　He　could　see　him　casually　holding　the　bag　toward　her；　the　back　of　his　hand　seemingly　accidentally　pressing　against　her　breast。　Laddie　shifted　restlessly　in　his　seat；　trying　to　pierce　the　dark　out　of　the　corner　of　his　eye；　but　it　was　a　waste　of　time。　He　couldn't　see　anything。
　〃May　I　have　some　candy？〃　Joan's　voice　came　from　the　darkness。
　〃What？〃　he　asked；　startled　for　a　moment。　〃Yeah。　Sure。〃　He　held　the　bag　toward　her。
　She　turned　as　she　helped　herself　from　the　bag　and　he　felt　the　soft　press　of　her　breasts。　But　it　served　only　to　remind　him　of　Rina。　He　sank　back　into　his　seat　unhappily。
　They　stopped　in　front　of　Tommy's　cottage　on　the　way　home。　〃How　about　some　pop？〃　Joan　asked。　〃We've　got　a　big　bottle　in　the　icebox。〃
　Laddie　shook　his　head。　〃No；　thanks；〃　he　said　quickly。　〃It's　almost　eight　o'clock　and　I　promised　Mother　we'd　be　home　before　dark。〃　
　Rina　didn't　say　anything。
　〃Maybe　you　could　e　over　later？〃　Joan　asked。　〃After　you've　taken　Rina　home？〃
　Rina　looked　at　him。　He　flushed。　〃I　don't　think　so；〃　he　answered。　〃I'm　pretty　tired。　I　wanted　to　get　to　bed　early。〃
　Joan　shot　a　curious　look　at　him；　then　silently　turned　and　walked　into　the　cottage。　There　was　an　awkward　moment　until　Tommy　spoke。　〃Well；　good　night；　then；〃　he　said。　〃See　yuh　on　the　beach　tomorrow。〃
　They　walked　the　rest　of　the　way　home　in　silence。　It　was　already　dark　when　they　climbed　up　the　steps　to　the　porch。　He　opened　the　screen　door　and　held　it　for　her。
　She　started　to　enter　the　house；　then　stopped　when　she　saw　he　made　no　move　to　follow　her。　〃Aren't　you　ing　in？〃
　He　shook　his　head。　〃Not　right　now。　I　think　I'll　stay　out　for　a　little　while。〃
　〃I　think　I　will；　too；〃　she　said　quickly；　stepping　back　onto　the　porch。
　He　let　the　screen　door　swing　shut。　Its　clatter　echoed　through　the　house。　〃Is　that　you；　children？〃　Geraldine　Marlowe　called。
　〃Yes；　Mother；〃　Rina　answered。　She　glanced　quickly　at　Laddie。　〃Can　we　stay　outside　for　a　little　while；　Mother？　It's　so　hot　tonight。〃
　〃All　right。　But　only　for　half　an　hour；　Rina。　I　want　you　in　bed　by　eight　thirty。〃　
　〃O。K。；　Mother。〃
　Laddie　crossed　the　porch　and　sat　down　on　the　large　wicker　chaise。　Rina　followed　and　sat　down　beside　him。　〃Why　did　Joan　want　you　to　e　back？〃　she　asked　suddenly。　
　He　didn't　look　at　her。　〃I　dunno。〃　
　〃Did　she　want　you　to　do　it　for　her？〃　
　〃Of　course　not！〃　he　said　indignantly。
　〃I　don't　like　Joan；〃　she　said　suddenly。　〃She's　a…　she's　a　hyp…　a　hypo…　〃
　〃A　hypocrite。〃　He　supplied　the　word　for　her；　surprised　by　the　unexpected　depth　of　her　perception。　〃What　makes　you　say　that？〃
　〃Tommy　wanted　me　to　touch　him　in　the　movies；　but　when　I　wouldn't；　he　took　Joan's　hand　and　she　did。〃
　〃No！〃　The　word　escaped　him　involuntarily。　Rina　was　right。　The　little　bitch　was　a　hypocrite。
　〃And　she　never　even　looked　at　him　once；〃　Rina　continued。　〃She　was　always　looking　at　the　screen　and　once　she　even　asked　you　for　some　candy。〃
　He　stared　at　her　wonderingly。
　〃I　wonder　if　they're　doing　it　now；〃　she　said　thoughtfully。
　A　picture　of　Joan　and　Tommy　flashed　through　his　mind。　He　began　to　get　excited。
　〃I'm　not　a　hypocrite；　am　I？〃　she　asked。　A　slow　smile　came　to　her　lips。　She　moved　and　he　felt　her　fingers　brush　across　his　thigh。　She　looked　into　his　face。　〃Would　you　like　to　do　it　now？〃　she　whispered。
　〃Now？〃　he　said　in　a　stunned　voice。　He　glanced　over　his　shoulder　back　to　the　house。
　〃They　won't　e　out；〃　she　said　quietly。　〃Father　is　reading　his　newspaper　and　Mother　is　knitting。　I　saw　them　through　the　doorway。〃
　〃But…　〃　he　stammered。　〃But…　how？〃
　She　smiled　again；　her　fingers　taking　the　handkerchief　from　his　breast　pocket。
　
　Geraldine　looked　up　at　the　mantel　clock。　It　was　just　eight　thirty。　She　heard　the　screen　door　slam　and　Rina　came　into　the　room。　Her　daughter's　eyes　were　bright　and　shining　and　her　face　wore　a　happy　smile。　The　smile　was　infectious　and　Geraldine　smiled　back　at　her。　
　〃Did　you　have　a　good　time　at　the　movies；　dear？〃　
　Rina　nodded。　〃A　wonderful　time；　Mother；〃　she　said　excitedly。　〃It　was　such　fun。　You　don't　know　how　great　it　is　to　be　able　to　see　a　picture　without　all　those　brats　squalling　and　running　up　and　down　the　aisles　like　they　do　in　the　afternoons。〃
　Geraldine　laughed。　〃It　was　only　yesterday　that　you　were　one　of　those　brats。〃
　Rina's　face　suddenly　turned　serious。　〃But　I'm　not　any　more；　am　I；　Mother？〃
　Geraldine　nodded　her　head　gently。　〃No；　darling。　You're　quite　grown　up　now。〃
　Rina　spun　around　happily。　〃That's　right；　Mother；〃　she　said　gaily。　〃I'm　quite　grown　up　now。〃
　Geraldine　laughed。　〃Now　up　to　bed　with　you；　young　lady。　You　still　need　your　rest。〃
　〃O。K。；　Mother。〃　Rina　bent　over　her　and　quickly　kissed　her　cheek。　〃Good　night。〃
　She　crossed　the　room　and　kissed　her　father's　cheek。　〃Good　night；　Father。〃
　She　ran　out　of　the　room　and　they　could　hear　her　feet　running　up　the　stairs。　Harrison　Marlowe　lowered　his　paper。　〃She　seems　quite　happy。〃
　〃Why　shouldn't　she　be？〃　Geraldine　said。　〃Her　first　date。　Every　girl　is　excited　after　her　first　date。〃
　He　put　down　the　paper。　〃What　do　you　say　we　go　out　on　the　porch　for　a　bit　of　air？〃　
　They　came　out　into　the　night。　〃Laddie？〃　she　called。　
　〃Over　here；　Mother。〃
　She　turned　and　saw　him　rising　from　the　chaise。　〃Did　you　have　a　good　time？〃
　〃All　right；〃　h