hr.thecarpetbaggers-第4章

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lant。
　Every　eye　in　the　factory　turned　toward　me　as　I　came　through　that　doorway　onto　the　little　platform　at　the　top　of　the　staircase。　Jake　held　up　his　hands　and　quiet　began　to　fall　in　the　factory。　I　waited　until　every　machine　in　the　place　had　e　to　a　stop　before　I　spoke。　There　was　something　eerie　about　it。　It　was　the　first　time　I　had　ever　heard　the　factory　pletely　silent。　I　began　to　speak　and　my　voice　echoed　crazily　through　the　building。
　〃Mi　padre　ha　muerto。〃　I　spoke　in　Spanish。　My　Spanish　wasn't　very　good　but　it　was　their　language　and　I　continued　in　it。　〃But　I；　his　son；　am　here　and　hope　to　continue　in　his　good　work。　It　is　indeed　too　bad　that　my　father　is　not　here　to　express　his　appreciation　to　all　you　good　workers　himself　for　everything　you　have　done　to　make　this　pany　a　success。　I　hope　it　is　enough　for　you　to　know　that　just　before　he　passed　away；　he　authorized　a　five…per…cent　increase　in　wages　for　every　one　of　you　who　work　in　the　plant。〃
　Jake　grabbed　my　arm　frantically。　I　shook　his　hand　off　and　continued。　〃It　is　my　earnest　wish　that　I　continue　to　have　the　same　willing　support　that　you　gave　to　my　father。　I　trust　you　will　be　patient　with　me　for　I　have　much　to　learn。　Many　thanks　and　may　you　all　go　with　God。〃
　I　started　down　the　steps　and　Jake　came　after　me。　The　workers　made　a　path　as　I　walked　through。　They　were　silent　for　the　most　part；　occasionally；　one　would　touch　me　reassuringly　as　I　passed　by。　Twice　I　saw　tears　in　someone's　eyes。　At　least　my　father　didn't　go　uncried　for。　Even　if　they　were　tears　in　the　eyes　of　someone　who　didn't　know　him。
　I　came　out　of　the　factory　into　the　daylight　and　blinked　my　eyes。　The　sun　was　still　in　the　sky。　I　had　almost　forgotten　it　was　there；　it　seemed　so　long　ago。
　The　big　Pierce…Arrow　was　right　in　front　of　the　door；　with　Nevada　at　the　wheel。　I　started　across　toward　it。　Jake's　hand　on　my　arm　stopped　me。　I　turned　toward　him。
　His　voice　was　half　whining。　〃What　did　you　have　to　go　and　do　that　for；　Jonas？　You　don't　know　them　bastards　like　I　do。　Give　'em　an　inch；　they'll　want　your　arm。　Your　father　was　always　after　me　to　keep　the　pay　scale　down。〃
　I　stared　at　him　coldly。　Some　people　didn't　learn　fast　enough。　〃Did　you　hear　what　I　said　in　there；　Jake？〃
　〃I　heard　what　you　said；　Jonas。　That's　what　I'm　talking　about。　I…　〃
　I　cut　him　off。　〃I　don't　think　you　did；　Jake；〃　I　said　softly。　〃My　first　words　were　'Mi　padre　ha　muerto。'　My　father　is　dead。〃
　〃Yes；　but…　〃
　〃That　means　exactly　what　it　says；　Jake。　He's　dead。　But　I'm　not。　I'm　here　and　the　only　thing　you　better　remember　is　that　I'm　exactly　like　him　in　just　one　way。　I'll　take　no　crap　from　anyone　who　works　for　me；　and　anyone　who　doesn't　like　what　I　do　can　get　the　hell　out！〃
　Jake　learned　fast。　He　was　at　the　car　door；　holding　it　open　for　me。　〃I　didn't　mean　anything；　Jonas。　I　only…　〃
　There　was　no　use　explaining　to　him　that　if　you　pay　more；　you　get　more。　Ford　had　proved　that　when　he　gave　his　workers　raises　the　year　before。　He　more　than　tripled　production。　I　got　into　the　car　and　looked　back　at　the　factory。　The　black；　sticky　tar　on　the　roof　caught　my　eye。　I　remembered　it　from　the　plane。
　〃Jake；〃　I　said。　〃See　that　roof？〃
　He　turned　toward　it　and　peered　at　it。　His　voice　was　puzzled。　〃Yes；　sir？〃
　Suddenly　I　was　very　tired。　I　leaned　back　against　the　cushions　and　closed　my　eyes。　〃Paint　it　white；〃　I　said。
　
　5
　
　I　DOZED　AS　THE　BIG　PIERCE　ATE　UP　THE　TWENTY　MILES　between　my　father's　new　house　and　the　factory。　Every　once　in　a　while；　I　would　open　my　eyes　and　catch　a　glimpse　of　Nevada　watching　me　in　the　rear…view　mirror；　then　my　eyes　would　close　again　as　if　weighted　down　by　lead。
　I　hate　my　father　and　I　hate　my　mother　and　if　I　had　had　sisters　and　brothers；　I　would　hate　them；　too。　No；　I　didn't　hate　my　father。　Not　any　more。　He　was　dead。　You　don't　hate　the　dead。　You　only　remember　them。　And　I　didn't　hate　my　mother。　She　wasn't　my　mother；　anyway。　I　had　a　stepmother。　And　I　didn't　hate　her。　I　loved　her。
　That　was　why　I　had　brought　her　home。　I　wanted　to　marry　her。　Only；　my　father　said　I　was　too　young。　Nineteen　was　too　young；　he　had　said。　But　he　wasn't　too　young。　He　married　her　a　week　after　I　had　gone　back　to　college。
　I　met　Rina　at　the　country　club　two　weeks　before　vacation　was　over。　She　came　from　back　East；　someplace　in　Massachusetts　called　Brookline；　and　she　was　like　no　one　I　had　ever　met　before。　All　the　girls　out　here　are　dark　and　tanned　from　the　sun；　they　walk　like　men；　talk　like　men；　even　ride　like　men。　The　only　time　you　can　be　sure　they　are　something　else　is　in　the　evenings；　when　they　wear　skirts　instead　of　Levi's；　for　even　at　the　swimming　pool；　according　to　the　fashion；　they　look　like　boys。　Flat…chested　and　slim…hipped。
　But　Rina　was　a　girl。　You　couldn't　miss　that。　Especially　in　a　bathing　suit；　the　way　she　was　the　first　time　I　saw　her。　She　was　slim；　all　right　and　her　shoulders　were　broad；　maybe　too　broad　for　a　woman。　But　her　breasts　were　strong　and　full；　jutting　rocks　against　the　silk…jersey　suit　that　gave　the　lie　to　the　fashion。　You　could　not　look　at　them　without　tasting　the　milk　and　honey　of　their　sweetness　in　your　mouth。　They　rested　easy　on　a　high　rib　cage　that　melted　down　into　a　narrow　waist　that　in　turn　flared　out　into　slim　but　rounded　hips　and　buttocks。
　Her　hair　was　a　pale　blond　that　she　wore　long；　tied　back　behind　her　head；　again　contrary　to　fashion。　Her　brow　was　high；　her　eyes　wide　apart　and　slightly　slanted；　the　blue　of　them　reflecting　a　glow　beneath　their　ice。　Her　nose　was　straight　and　not　too　thin；　reflecting　her　Finnish　ancestry。　Perhaps　her　only　flaw　was　her　mouth。　It　was　wide　…　not　generous…wide；　because　her　lips　were　not　full　enough。　It　was　a　controlled　mouth　that　set　firmly　on　a　tapered；　determined　chin。
　She　had　gone　to　Swiss　finishing　schools；　was　slow　to　laughter　and　reserved　in　her　manner。　In　two　days；　she　had　me　swinging　from　the　chandeliers。　Her　voice　was　soft　and　low　and　had　a　faintly　foreign　sound　that　bubbled　in　your　ear。
　It　was　about　ten　days　later；　at　the　Saturday…night　dance　at　the　club；　that　I　first　knew　how　much　I　wanted　her。　It　was　a　slow；　tight　waltz　and　the　lights　were　down　low　and　blue。　Suddenly　she　missed　half　a　step。　She　looked　up　at　me　and　smiled　that　slow　smile。
　〃You're　very　strong；〃　she　said　and　pressed　herself　back　against　me。
　I　could　feel　the　heat　from　her　loins　pouring　into　me　as　we　began　to　dance　again。　At　last；　I　couldn't　stand　it　any　more。　I　took　her　arm　and　started　from　the　dance　floor。
　She　followed　me　silently　out　to　the　car。　We　climbed　into　the　big　Duesenberg　roadster　and　I　threw　it　into　gear　and　we　raced　down　the　highway。　The　night　air　on　the　desert　was　warm。　I　looked　at　her　out　of　the　corner　of　my　eyes。　Her　head　was　back　against　the　seat；　her　eyes　closed　to　the　wind。
　I　turned　off　into　a　date　grove　and　cut　the　motor。　She　was　still　leaning　back　against　the　seat。　I　bent　over　and　kissed　her　mouth。
　Her　mouth　neither　gave　nor　took。　It　was　like　a　well　on　an　oasis　in　the　desert。　It　was　there　for　when　you　needed　it。　I　reached　for　her　breast。　Her　hand　caught　mine　and　held　it。
　I　lifted　my　head　and　looked　at　her。　Her　eyes　were　open　and　yet　they　were　guarded。　I　could　not　see　into　them。　〃I　want　you；〃　I　said。
　Her　eyes　did　not　change　expression。　I　could　hardly　hear　her　voice。　〃I　know。〃
　I　moved　toward　her　again。　This　time；　her　hand　against　my　chest；　stopped　me。
　〃Lend　me　your　handkerchief；〃　she　said；　taking　it　from　my　breast　pocket。
　It　fluttered　whitely　in　the　night；　then　dropped　from　sight　with　her　hands。　She　didn't　raise　her　head　from　the　back　of　the　seat；　she　didn't　speak；　she　just　watched　me　with　those　guarded　eyes。
　I　felt　her　searching　fingers　and　I　leaned　toward　her　but　somehow　she　kept　me　from　getting　any　closer　to　her。　Then　suddenly；　I　felt　an　exquisite　pain　rushing　from　the　base　of　my　spine　and　I　almost　climbed　halfway　out　of　the　seat。
　I　took　out　a　cigarette　and　lit　it　with　trembling　fingers　as　she　crumpled　the　handkerchief　into　a　small　ball　and　threw　it　over　the　side　of　the　car。　Then　she　took　the　cigarette　from　my　mouth　and　placed　it　between　her　lips。　
　〃I　still　want　you；〃　I　said。
　She　gave　the　cigarette　back　to　me　and　shook　her　head。　
　〃Why？〃　I　asked。
　She　turned　her　face　toward　me。　It　shone　palely　in　the　dark。　〃Because　in　two　days　I'm　going　home。　Because　in　the　stock…market　crash　of　twenty…three；　my　father　lost　everything。　Because　I　must　find　and　marry　a　rich　husband。　I　must　do　nothing　to　endanger　that。〃
　I　stared　at　her　for　a　moment；　then　started　the　engine。　I　backed　the　car　out　of　the　date　grove　and　set　it　on　the　road　for　home。　I　didn't　say　anything　but　I　had　all　the　answers　for　her。　I　was　rich。　Or　I　would　be　someday。
　I　left　Rina　in　the　parlor　and　went　into　my　father's　study。　As　usual；　he　was　working　at　his　desk；　the　single　lamp　throwing　its　light　down　on　the　papers。　He　looked　up　as　I　came　in。
　〃Yes？〃　he　asked；　as　if　I　were　someone　in　his　office　who　had　intruded　in　the　midst　of　a　problem。
　I　hit　the　wall　switch　and　flooded　the　room　with　light。　〃I　want　to　get　married；〃　I　said。
　He　looked　at　me　for　a　moment　as　if　he　was　far　away。　He　had　been；　but　he　came　back　fast。　〃You're　crazy；〃　he　said　unemotionally。　He　looked　down　at　his　desk　again。　〃Go　to　bed　and　don't　bother　me。〃
　I　stood　there。　〃I　mean　it；　Dad；〃　I　said。　It　was　the　first　time　I　had　called　him　that　since　I　was　a　kid。
　He　got　to　his　feet　slowly。　〃No；〃　he　said。　〃You're　too　young。〃
　That　was　all　he　said。　It　would　never　occur　to　him　to　ask　who；　what；　why。　No；　only　I　was　too　young。　〃All　right；　Father；〃　I　said；　turning　toward　the　door。　〃Remember　I　asked　you。〃
　〃Wait　a　minute；〃　he　said。　I　stopped；　my　hand　on　the　doorknob。　〃Where　is　she？〃
　〃Waiting　in　the　parlor；〃　I　answered。　
　He　looked　at　me　shrewdly。　〃When　did　you　decide？〃　
　〃Tonight；〃　I　answered。　〃Just　tonight。〃　
　〃I　suppose　she's　one　of　those　silly　little　girls　who　show　up　at　the　club　dance　and　she's　waiting　on　pins　and　needles　to　meet　the　old　man？〃　he　asked。
　I　rose　to　her　defense。　〃She's　not　like　that　at　all。　As　a　matter　of　fact；　she　doesn't　even　know　that　I'm　in　here　asking　you。〃　
　〃You　mean　you　haven't　even　asked　her　yet？〃　
　〃I　don't　have　to；〃　I　answered；　with　the　supreme　confidence　of　my　years。　〃I　know　her　answer。〃
　My　father　shook　his　head。　〃Just　for　the　record；　don't　you　think　you　had　better　ask　her？〃
　I　went　out　and　brought　Rina　back　into　the　room。　〃Rina；　this　is　my　father；　Father；　this　is　Rina　Marlowe。〃
　Rina　nodded　politely。　For　all　you　could　tell　from　her　manner；　it　could　have　been　high　noon　instead　of　two　o'clock　in　the　morning。
　Father　looked　at　her　thoughtfully。　There　was　a　curious　expression　on　his　face　I　had　never　seen　before。　He　came　around　his　desk　and　held　out　his　hand　to　her。　〃How　do　you　do；　Miss　Marlowe？〃　he　said　in　a　soft　voice。　I　stared　at　him。　I　had　never　seen　him　do　that　with　any　of　my　friends　before。　
　She　took　his　hand。　〃How　do　you　do？〃　
　Still　holding　her　hand；　he　let　his　voice　fall　into　a　semi…amused　tone。　〃My　son　thinks　he　wants　to　marry　you；　Miss　Marlowe；　but　I　think　he's　too　young。　Don't　you？〃
　Rina　looked　at　me。　For　a　moment；　I　could　see　into　her　eyes。　They　were　bright　and　shining；　then　they　were　guarded　again。
　She　turned　to　Father。　〃This　is　very　embarrassing；　Mr。　Cord。　Would　you　please　take　me　home？〃
　Stunned；　unable　to　speak；　I　watched　my　father　take　her　arm　and　walk