remember the alamo-第39章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


impatiently　inquiring　for　her　eldest　daughter。

〃GRACIOUS　MARIA！　　Is　that　you；　Antonia？　　At　this　hour　we
are　all　your　servants；　I　think。　　I；　at　least；　have　been
waiting　upon　your　pleasure〃；　then　perceiving　the　traces　of
sorrow　and　emotion　on　her　face；　she　added；　with　an
unreasonable　querulousness：　　〃I　bless　God　when　I　see　how　He
has　provided　for　women；　giving　them　tears；　when　they　have　no
other　employment　for　their　time。〃

〃Dearest　mother；　I　am　sorry　to　have　kept　you　waiting。　　I　hope
that　you　have　forgotten　nothing。　　Where　is　your　mantilla？　　And
have　you　replenished　your　cigarito　case？　　Is　there　water　in
the　wagon？〃

〃Nothing　has　been　provided。　　Things　most　necessary　are
forgotten；　no　doubt。　　When　you　neglect　such　matters；　what　less
could　happen？〃

But　such　little　breezes　of　temper　were　soon　over。　　The
influences　surrounding；　the　prospects　in　advance；　were　too
exhilarating　to　permit　of　anything　but　passing　shadows；　and
after　an　easy；　delightful　journey；　they　reached　at　length　the
charming　vicinity　of　the　romantic　city　of　the　sword。　　They　had
but　another　five　miles　ride；　and　it　was　the　Senora's　pleasure
to　take　it　at　the　hour　of　midnight。　　She　did　not　wish　her
return　to　be　observed　and　talked　about；　she　was　in　reality
very　much　mortified　by　the　condition　of　her　own　and　her
daughters'　wardrobe。

Consequently；　though　they　made　their　noon　camp　so　near　to
their　journey's　end；　they　rested　there　until　San　Antonio　was
asleep　and　dreaming。　　It　was　the　happiest　rest　of　all　the
delightful　ones　they　had　known。　　The　knowledge　that　it
was　the　last　stage　of　a　journey　so　remarkable；　made　every　one
attach　a　certain　tender　value　to　the　hours　never　to　come　back
to　the　experiences　never　to　be　repeated。

The　Senora　was　gay　as　a　child；　Isabel　shared　and　accentuated
her　enthusiasms；　Luis　was　expressing　his　happiness　in　a
variety　of　songs；　now　glorifying　his　love　in　some　pretty
romance　or　serenade；　again　musically　assuring　liberty；　or
Texas；　that　he　would　be　delighted　at　any　moment　to　lay　down
his　life　for　their　sakes。　　Antonia　was　quite　as　much　excited
in　her　own　way；　which　was　naturally　a　much　quieter　way；　and
Lopez　sat　under　a　great　pecan…tree；　smoking　his　cigarito　with
placid　smiles　and　admiring　glances　at　every　one。

As　the　sun　set；　the　full　moon　rose　as　it　rises　nowhere　but
over　Texan　or　Asian　plains；　golden；　glorious；　seeming　to　fill
the　whole　heaven　and　the　whole　earth　with　an　unspeakable
radiance；　softly　glowing；　exquisitely；　magically　beautifying。　
The　commonest　thing　under　it　was　transfigured　into　something
lovely；　fantastic；　fairylike。　　And　the　dullest　souls　swelled
and　rose　like　the　tides　under　its　influence。

Antonia　took　from　their　stores　the　best　they　had；　and　a
luxurious　supper　was　spread　upon　the　grass。　　The　meal　might
have　been　one　of　ten　courses；　it　occupied　so　long；　it　provoked
so　much　mirth；　such　a　rippling　stream　of　reminiscence；
finally；　such　a　sweetly　solemn　retrospect　of　the　sorrows　and
mercies　and　triumphs　of　the　campaign　they　had　shared　together。　
This　latter　feeling　soon　dominated　all　others。

The　delicious　light；　the　sensuous　atmosphere；　the　white
turrets　and　towers　of　the　city；　shining　on　the　horizon　like
some　mystical；　heavenly　city　in　dreamsthe　murmur　of　its　far…
off　life；　more　audible　to　the　spiritual　than　the　natural
earsthe　dark　figures　of　the　camp　servants；　lying　in　groups
or　quietly　shuffling　their　cards；　were　all　elements　conducive
to　a　grave　yet　happy　seriousness。

No　one　intended　to　sleep。　　They　were　to　rest　in　the　moonlight
until　the　hour　of　eleven；　and　then　make　their　last　stage。　
This　night　they　instinctively　kept　close　together。　　The　Senora
had　mentally　reached　that　point　where　it　was　not　unpleasant　to
talk　over　troubles；　and　to　amplify　especially　her　own　share　of
them。

〃But；　Holy　Maria！〃　she　said；　〃how　unnecessary　are　such
sorrows！　　I　am　never；　in　the　least；　any　better　for　them。　　When
the　Divine　Majesty　condescends　to　give　me　the　sunshine　of
prosperity；　I　am　always　exceedingly　religious。　　On　the
contrary　when　I　am　in　sorrow；　I　do　not　feel　inclined　to　pray。　
That　is　precisely　natural。　　Can　the　blessed　Mother　expect
thanks；　when　she　gives　her　children　only　suffering　and　tears？〃

〃God　gives　us　whatever　is　best　for　us；　dear　mother。〃

〃Speak；　when　you　have　learned　wisdom；　Antonia。　　I　shall　always
believe　that　trouble　comes　from　the　devil；　indeed；　Fray
Ignatius　once　told　me　of　a　holy　man　that　had　one　grief　upon
the　heels　of　the　other；　and　it　was　the　devil　who　was　sent　with
all　of　them。　　I　have　myself　no　doubt　that　he　opened　the　gates
of　hell　for　Santa　Anna　to　return　to　earth　and　do　a　little　work
for　him。〃

〃This　thought　makes　me　tremble；〃　said　Lopez；　〃souls　that　have
become　angelic；　can　become　evil。　　The　degraded　seraphim；　whom
we　call　the　devil；　was　once　the　companion　of　archangels；　and
stood　with　Michael；　and　Raphael；　and　Gabriel；　in　the　presence
of　the　Holy　One。　　Is　there　sin　in　heaven？　　Can　we　be
tempted　even　there？〃

The　inquiry　went　in　different　ways　to　each　heart；　but　no　one
answered　it。　　There　were　even　a　few　moments　of　constrained；
conscious　silence；　which　Luis　happily　ended；　by　chanting
softly　a　verse　from　the　hymn　of　the　Three　Angels：

　　　　　　　　　〃'WHO　LIKE　THE　LORD？'　thunders　Michael　the　Chief。
　　　　　　　　　　　Raphael；　‘THE　CURE　OF　GOD；'　bringeth　relief；
　　　　　　　　　　　And；　as　at　Nazareth；　prophet　of　peace；
　　　　　　　　　　　Gabriel；　‘THE　LIGHT　OF　GOD；'　bringeth　release。〃


The　noble　syllables　floated　outward　and　upward；　and　Antonia
and　Lopez　softly　intoned　the　last　line　together；　letting　them
fall　slowly　and　softly　into　the　sensitive　atmosphere。

〃And　as　for　trouble　coming　from　the　devil；〃　said　Lopez；　〃I
think；　Senora；　that　Fray　Ignatius　is　wrong。　　Trouble　is　not
the　worst　thing　that　can　come　to　a　man　or　woman。　　On　the
contrary；　our　Lady　of　Prosperity　is　said　to　do；　them　far
greater　harm。　　Let　me　repeat　to　you　what　the　ever　wise　Don
Francisco　de　Quevedo　Villegas　says　about　her：

〃'Where　is　the　virtue　prosperity　has　not　staggered？　　Where　the
folly　she　has　not　augmented？　　She　takes　no　counsel；　she
fears　no　punishment。　　She　furnishes　matter　for　scandal；
experience；　and　for　story。　　How　many　souls；　innocent　while
poor；　have　fallen　into　sin　and　impiety　as　soon　as　they　drank
of　the　enchanted　cup　of　prosperity？　　Men　that　can　bear
prosperity；　are　for　heaven；　even　wise　devils　leave　them　alone。　
As　for　the　one　who　persecuted　and　beggared　job；　how　foolish
and　impertinent　he　was！　　If　he　had　understood　humanity；　he
would　have　multiplied　his　riches；　and　possessed　him　of　health；
and　honors；　and　pleasures：　THAT　is　the　　trial　it　cannot
bear。'〃

〃Oh；　to　be　sure！　　Quevedo　was　a　wise　man。　　But　even　wise　men
don't　know　everything。　　However；　WE　ARE　GOING　HOME！　　I
thank　the　saints　for　this　immeasurable　favor。　　It　is　a
prosperity　that　is　good　for　women。　　I　will　stake　my　Santiguida
on　that！　　And　will　you　observe　that　it　is　Sunday　again？　　Just
before　sunset　I　heard　the　vesper　bells　clearly。　　Remember　that
we　left　San　Antonio　on　Sunday　also！　　I　have　always　heard　that
Sunday　was　a　good　day　to　begin　a　journey　on。〃

〃If　it　had　been　on　a　Friday〃

〃Friday！　　Indeed；　Luis；　I　would　not　have　gone　one　hundred
yards　upon　a　Friday。　　How　can　you　suppose　what　is　so
inconceivably　foolish？〃

〃I　think　much　of　the　right　hour　to　undertake　anything；〃　said
Lopez。　　〃The　first　movements　are　not　in　the　hands　of　men；　and
we　are　subject　to　more　influences　than　we　comprehend。　　There
is　a　ripe　time　for　events；　as　well　as　for　fruits：　but　the　hour
depends　upon　forces　which　we　cannot　control　by　giving　to　them
the　name　of　the　day；　and　our　sage　Quevedo　has　made　a　pleasant
mockery　thereon。　　It　is　at　my　lips；　if　your　ears　care　to　hear
it。〃

〃Quevedo；　again！　　No；　it　is　not　proper；　Senor。　　Every　day　has
its　duties　and　its　favors；　Senor。　　That　man　actually　said　that
fasting　on　Friday　was　not　a　special　means　of　grace！　　Quevedo
was　almost　a　heretic。　　I　have　heard　Fray　Ignatius　say　so。　　He
did　not　approve　of　him。〃

〃Mi　madre；　let　us　hear　what　is　to　be　said。　　Rachela　told　me；
I　must　fast　on　a　Friday；　and　cut　my　nails　on　a　Wednesday；　and
never　cut　them　on　a　Sunday；　and　take　medicine　on　a　Monday；　and
look　after　money　on　Tuesday；　and　pay　calls　and　give　gifts　on
Saturday；　very　well；　I　do　not　think　much　of　Rachela；　just
suppose；　for　the　passing　of　the　time；　that　we　listen　to　what
Quevedo　says。〃

〃Here　are　four　against　me；　well；　then；　proceed；　Senor。〃

〃‘On　Monday；'　says　the　wise　and　witty　one；　buy　all　that　you
can　meet　with；　and　take　all　that　is　to　be　had　for　nothing。　　On
Tuesday；　receive　all　that　is　given　you；　for　it　is　Mar's　day；
and　he　will　look　on　you　with　an　ill　aspect　if　you　refuse　the
first　proffer　and　have　not　a　second。　　On　Wednesday；　ask　of　all
you　meet；　perhaps　Mercury　may　give　some　one　vanity　enough　to
grant　you　something。　　Thursday　is　a　good　day　to　believe
nothing　that　flatterers　say。　　Friday　it　is　well　to　shun
creditors。　　On　Saturday　it　is　well　to　lie　long　abed；　to　walk
at　your　ease；　to　eat　a　good　dinner；　and　to　wear　comfortable
shoes；　because　Saturn　is　old；　and　loves　his　ease。'〃

〃And　Sunday；　Senor？〃

〃Pardon；　Senorita　Isabel；　Sunday　comes　not　into　a　pasquinade。　
Senora；　let　me　tell　you　that　it　draws　near　to　eleven。　　If　we
leave　now　we　shall　reach　San　Antonio　in　time　to　say　the　prayer
of　gratitude　before　the　blessed　day　of　the　seven　is　past。〃

〃Holy　Mary！　that　is　what　I　should　desire。　　Come；　my　children；
I　thank　you；　Senor；　for　such　a　blessed　memory。　　My　heart　is
indeed　full　of　joy　and　thankfulness。〃

A　slight　disappointment；　however；　awaited　the　Senora。　　Without
asking　any　questions；　without　taking　anything　into
consideration；　perhaps；　indeed；　because　she　feared　to　ask　or
consider；　she　had　assumed　that　she　would　immediately　re…enter
her　own　home。　　With　the　unreason　of　a　child；　she　had　insisted
upon　expecting　that　somehow；　or　by　some　not　explained　efforts；
she　would　find　her　house　precisely　as　she　left　it。　　Little　had
been　said　of　its　occupancy　by　Fray　Ignatius　and　his　brothers；
perhaps　she　did　not　quite　believe　in　the　statement；　perhaps
she　expected　Fray　Ignatius　to　respect　the　arrangements　which
he　knew　had　been　so　dear　to　her。

It　was　therefore　a　trialindeed；　something　of　a　shockwhen
she　found　they　were　to　be　the　guests　of　Navarro；　and　when　it
was　made　clear　to　her　that　her　own　home　had　been　dismantled
and　rearranged　and　was　still　in　the　possession　of　the　Church。　
But；　with　a　child's　unreason；　she　had　also　a　sweet　ductility
of　nature；　she　was　easily　persuaded；　easily　pleased；　and
quite　ready　to　console　herself　with　the　assurance　that　it　only
needed　Doctor　Worth's　presence　and　personal　influence　to　drive
away　all　intruders　upon　her　rights。

In　the　mean　time　she　was　contented。　　The　finest　goods　in　San
Antonio　were　sent　early　on　the　following　morning　to　her　room；
and　the　selection　of　three　entire　wardrobes　gave　her　abundance
of　delightful　employment。　　She　almost　wept　with　joy　as　she
passed　the　fine　lawns　and　rich　silks　through　her　worn　fingers。　
And　when　she　could　cast　off　forever　her　garment　of　heaviness
and　of　weariful　wanderings；　and　array　herself　in　the　splendid
robes　which　she　wore　with　such　grace　and　pleasure；　she　was　an
honestly　grateful　woman。

Then　she　per