hemingway, ernest - garden of eden-第2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！


d　the　tail　flopping　against　his　thighs。

Several　men　were　pounding　the　young　man　on　the　back　and　putting　their　arms　around　him　and　a　woman　from　the　fish　market　kissed　him。　Then　the　girl　had　her　arms　around　him　and　kissed　him　and　he　said；　〃Did　you　see　him？〃

Then　they　all　went　over　to　see　him　laid　out　on　the　side　of　the　road　silver　as　a　salmon　and　dark　gunmetal　shining　on　his　back。　He　was　a　handsome　beautifully　built　fish　with　great　live　eyes　and　he　breathed　slowly　and　brokenly。

〃What　is　he？〃

〃A　loup；〃　he　said。　〃That's　a　sea　bass。　They　call　them　bar　too。　They're　a　wonderful　fish。　This　is　the　biggest　one　I've　ever　seen。

The　waiter；　whose　name　was　Andre；　came　over　and　put　his　arms　around　David　and　kissed　him　and　then　he　kissed　the　girl。

〃Madame；　it　is　necessary；〃　he　said。　〃It　is　truly　necessary。　No　one　ever　caught　such　a　fish　on　such　tackle。〃

〃We　better　have　him　weighed；〃　David　said。

They　were　at　the　cafe　now。　The　young　man　had　put　the　tackle　away；　after　the　weighing；　and　washed　up　and　the　fish　was　on　a　block　of　ice　that　had　come　in　the　camion　from　Nimes　to　ice　the　mackerel　catch。　The　fish　had　weighed　a　little　over　fifteen　pounds。　On　the　ice　he　was　still　silver　and　beautiful　but　the　color　on　his　back　had　changed　to　gray。　Only　his　eyes　still　looked　alive。　The　mackerel　fishing　boats　were　coming　in　now　and　the　women　were　unloading　the　shining　blue　and　green　and　silver　mackerel　from　the　boats　into　baskets　and　carrying　the　heavy　baskets　on　their　heads　to　the　fish　house。　It　was　a　very　good　catch　and　the　town　was　busy　and　happy。

〃What　are　we　going　to　do　with　the　big　fish？〃　the　girl　asked。

〃They're　going　to　take　him　in　and　sell　him；〃　the　young　man　said。　〃He's　too　big　to　cook　here　and　they　say　it　would　be　wicked　to　cut　him　up。　Maybe　he'll　go　right　up　to　Paris。　He'll　end　in　some　big　restaurant。　Or　somebody　very　rich　will　buy　him。〃

〃He　was　so　beautiful　in　the　water；〃　she　said。　〃And　when　Andre　held　him　up。　I　couldn't　believe　him　when　I　saw　him　out　of　the　window　and　you　with　your　mob　following　you。〃

〃We'll　get　a　small　one　for　us　to　eat。　They're　really　wonderful。　A　small　one　ought　to　be　grilled　with　butter　and　with　herbs。　They're　like　striped　bass　at　home。〃

〃I'm　excited　about　the　fish；〃　she　said。　〃Don't　we　have　wonder　ful　simple　fun？〃

They　were　hungry　for　lunch　and　the　bottle　of　white　wine　was　cold　and　they　drank　it　as　they　ate　the　celery　remoulade　and　the

small　radishes　and　the　home　pickled　mushrooms　from　the　big　glass　jar。　The　bass　was　grilled　and　the　grill　marks　showed　on　the　silver　skin　and　the　butter　melted　on　the　hot　plate。　There　was　sliced　lemon　to　press　on　the　bass　and　fresh　bread　from　the　bakery　and　the　wine　cooled　their　tongues　of　the　heat　of　the　fried　potatoes。　It　was　good　light；　dry；　cheerful　unknown　white　wine　and　the　restaurant　was　proud　of　it。

〃We're　not　great　conversationalists　at　meals；〃　the　girl　said。　〃Do　I　bore　you；　darling？〃

The　young　man　laughed。

〃Don't　laugh　at　me；　David。〃

〃I　wasn't。　No。　You　don't　bore　me。　I'd　be　happy　looking　at　you　if　you　never　said　a　word。〃

He　poured　her　another　small　glass　of　the　wine　and　filled　his　own。

〃I　have　a　big　surprise。　I　didn't　tell　you；　did　I？〃　the　girl　said。

〃What　sort　of　surprise？〃

〃Oh　it's　very　simple　but　it's　very　complicated。〃

〃Tell　me。〃

〃No。　You　might　like　it　and　maybe　you　couldn't　stand　it。〃

〃It　sounds　too　dangerous。〃

〃It's　dangerous；〃　she　said。　〃But　don't　ask　me。　I'm　going　up　to　the　room　if　I　may。

The　young　man　paid　for　the　lunch　and　drank　the　wine　that　was　left　in　the　bottle。　Then　he　went　upstairs。　The　girl's　clothes　were　folded　on　one　of　the　Van　Gogh　chairs　and　she　was　waiting　for　him　in　the　bed　with　the　sheet　over　her。　Her　hair　was　spread　out　over　the　pillow　and　her　eyes　were　laughing　and　he　lifted　the　sheet　and　she　said；　〃Hello；　darling。　Did　you　have　a　nice　lunch？〃

Afterwards　they　lay　together　with　his　arm　under　her　head　and　were　happy　and　lazy　and　he　felt　her　turn　her　head　from　side　to　side　and　stroke　it　against　his　cheek。　It　felt　silky　and　barely　roughened　from　the　sun　and　the　sea。　Then　with　her　hair　all　forward　over　her　face　so　it　touched　him　as　her　head　moved　she　started　to　play　with　him　lightly　and　exploringly　and　then　with　delight　and　she　said；　〃You　do　love　me；　don't　you？〃

He　nodded　and　kissed　the　top　of　her　head　and　then　turned　her　head　and　held　it　and　kissed　her　lips。

〃Oh；〃　she　said。　〃Oh。〃

A　long　time　later　they　were　lying　each　holding　the　other　close　and　she　said；　〃And　you　love　me　just　the　way　I　am？　You're　sure。

〃Yes；〃　he　said。　〃So　much　yes。〃

〃Because　I'm　going　to　be　changed。〃

〃No；〃　he　said。　〃No。　Not　changed。〃

〃I'm　going　to；〃　she　said。　〃It's　for　you。　It's　for　me　too。　I　won't　pretend　it's　not。　But　it　will　do　something　to　you。　I'm　sure　but　I　shouldn't　say　it。〃

〃I　like　surprises　but　I　like　everything　the　way　it　is　just　now　at　this　minute。〃

〃Then　maybe　I　shouldn't　do　it；〃　she　said。　〃Oh　I'm　sad。　It　was　such　a　wonderful　dangerous　surprise。　I　thought　about　it　for　days　and　I　didn't　decide　until　this　morning。〃

〃If　it's　something　you　really　want。〃

〃It　is；〃　she　said。　〃And　I'm　going　to　do　it。　You've　liked　every　thing　we've　done　so　far　haven't　you？〃

〃Yes。〃

〃All　right。〃

She　slipped　out　of　bed　and　stood　straight　with　her　long　brown　legs　and　her　beautiful　body　tanned　evenly　from　the　far　beach　where　they　swam　without　suits。　She　held　her　shoulders　back　and　her　chin　up　and　she　shook　her　head　so　her　heavy　tawny　hair　slapped　around　her　cheeks　and　then　bowed　forward　so　it　all　fell　forward　and　covered　her　face。　She　pulled　the　striped　shirt　over　her　head　and　then　shook　her　hair　back　and　then　sat　in　the　chair　in　front　of　the　mirror　on　the　dresser　and　brushed　it　back　looking

at　it　critically。　It　fell　to　the　top　of　her　shoulders。　She　shook　her　head　at　the　mirror。　Then　she　pulled　on　her　slacks　and　belted　them　and　put　on　her　faded　blue　rope…soled　shoes。

〃I　have　to　ride　up　to　Aigues　Mortes；〃　she　said。

〃Good；〃　he　said。　〃I'll　come　too。〃

〃No。　I　have　to　go　alone。　It's　about　the　surprise。〃

She　kissed　him　goodbye　and　went　down　and　he　watched　her　mount　her　bicycle　and　go　up　the　road　riding　smoothly　and　easily；　her　hair　blowing　in　the　wind。

The　afternoon　sun　was　in　the　window　now　and　the　room　was　too　warm。　The　young　man　washed　and　put　on　his　clothes　and　went　down　to　walk　on　the　beach。　He　knew　he　should　swim　but　he　was　tired　and　after　he　had　walked　along　the　beach　and　then　along　a　path　through　the　salt　grass　that　led　inland　for　a　way　he　went　back　along　the　beach　to　the　port　and　climbed　up　to　the　cafe。　In　the　cafe　he　found　the　paper　and　ordered　himself　a　fine　l'eau　because　he　felt　empty　and　hollow　from　making　love。

They　had　been　married　three　weeks　and　had　come　down　on　the　train　from　Paris　to　Avignon　with　their　bicycles；　a　suitcase　with　their　town　clothes；　and　a　rucksack　and　a　musette　bag。　They　stayed　at　a　good　hotel　in　Avignon　and　left　the　suitcase　there　and　had　thought　that　they　would　ride　to　the　Pont　du　Gard。　But　the　mistral　was　blowing　so　they　rode　with　the　mistral　down　to　Nimes　and　stayed　there　at　the　Imperator　and　then　had　ridden　down　to　Aigues　Mortes　still　with　the　heavy　wind　behind　them　and　then　on　to　le　Grau　du　Roi。　They　had　been　there　ever　since。

It　had　been　wonderful　and　they　had　been　truly　happy　and　he　had　not　known　that　you　could　love　anyone　so　much　that　you　cared　about　nothing　else　and　other　things　seemed　inexistent。　He　had　many　problems　when　he　married　but　he　had　thought　of　none　of　them　here　nor　of　writing　nor　of　anything　but　being　with　this　girl　whom　he　loved　and　was　married　to　and　he　did　not　have　the　sudden　deadly　clarity　that　had　always　come　after　intercourse。

That　was　gone。　Now　when　they　had　made　love　they　would　eat　and　drink　and　make　love　again。　It　was　a　very　simple　world　and　he　had　never　been　truly　happy　in　any　other。　He　thought　that　it　must　be　the　same　with　her　and　certainly　she　acted　in　that　way　but　today　there　had　been　this　thing　about　the　change　and　the　surprise。　But　maybe　it　would　be　a　happy　change　and　a　good　surprise。　The　brandy　and　water　as　he　drank　it　and　read　the　local　paper　made　him　look　forward　to　whatever　it　was。

This　was　the　first　time　since　they　had　come　on　the　wedding　trip　that　he　had　taken　a　drink　of　brandy　or　whiskey　when　they　were　not　together。　But　he　was　not　working　and　his　only　rules　about　drinking　were　never　to　drink　before　or　while　he　was　working。　It　would　be　good　to　work　again　but　that　would　come　soon　enough　as　he　well　knew　and　he　must　remember　to　be　unselfish　about　it　and　make　it　as　clear　as　he　could　that　the　enforced　loneliness　was　regrettable　and　that　he　was　not　proud　of　it。　He　was　sure　she　would　be　fine　about　it　and　she　had　her　own　resources　but　he　hated　to　think　of　it；　the　work；　starting　when　they　were　as　they　were　now。　It　never　could　start　of　course　without　the　clarity　and　he　wondered　if　she　knew　that　and　if　that　was　why　she　drove　beyond　what　they　had　for　something　new　that　nothing　could　break。　But　what　could　it　be？　They　could　not　be　held　tighter　together　than　they　were　now　and　there　was　no　bad　ness　afterwards。　There　was　only　happiness　and　loving　each　other　and　then　hunger　and　replenishing　and　starting　over。

He　found　that　he　had　drunk　the　fine　a　l'eau　and　that　it　was　getting　late　in　the　afternoon。　He　ordered　another　and　started　to　concentrate　on　the　paper。　But　the　paper　did　not　interest　him　as　it　should　and　he　was　looking　out　at　the　sea　with　late　afternoon　sun　heavy　on　it　when　he　heard　her　come　into　the　cafe　and　say　in　her　throaty　voice；　〃Hello　darling。〃

She　came　quickly　to　the　table　and　sat　down　and　lifted　her　chin　and　looked　at　him　with　the　laughing　eyes　and　the　golden　face　with　the　tiny　freckles。　Her　hair　was　cropped　as　short　as　a　boy's。　It　was　cut　with　no　compromises。　It　was　brushed　back；　heavy　as　always；　but　the　sides　were　cut　short　and　the　ears　that　grew　close　to　her　head　were　clear　and　the　tawny　line　of　her　hair　was　cropped　close　to　her　head　and　smooth　and　sweeping　back。　She　turned　her　head　and　lifted　her　breasts　and　said；　〃Kiss　me　please。〃

He　kissed　her　and　looked　at　her　face　and　at　her　hair　and　he　kissed　her　again。

〃Do　you　like　it？　Feel　it　how　smooth。　Feel　it　in　back；〃　she　said。

He　felt　it　in　back。

〃Feel　on　my　cheek　and　feel　in　front　of　my　ear。　Run　your　fingers　up　at　the　sides。〃

〃You　see；〃　she　said。　〃That's　the　surprise。　I'm　a　girl。　But　now　I'm　a　boy　too　and　I　can　do　anything　and　anything　and　anything。〃

〃Sit　here　by　me；〃　he　said。　〃What　do　you　want；　brother。〃

〃Oh　thank　you；〃　she　said。　〃I'll　take　what　you're　having。　You　see　why　it's　dangerous；　don't　you？〃

〃Yes。　I　see。

〃But　wasn't　I　good　to　do　it？〃

〃Maybe。〃

〃Not　maybe。　No。　I　thought　about　it。　I've　thought　all　about　it。　Why　do　we　have　to　go　by　everyone　else's　rules？　We're　us。

〃We　were　having　a　good　time　and　I　didn't　feel　any　rules。〃

〃Would　you　please　just　put　your　hand　over　it　again。〃

He　did　and　he　kissed　her。

〃Oh　you're　sweet；〃　she　said。　〃And　you　do　like　it。　I　can　feel　and　I　can　tell。　You　don't　have　to　love　it。　Just　like　it　at　first。〃

〃I　like　it；〃　he　said。　〃And　you　have　such　a　beautifully　shaped　head　that　it　is　very　beautiful　with　the　lovely　bones　of　your　face。〃

〃Don't　you　like　it　at　the　sides？〃　she　asked。　〃It　isn't　faked　or　phony。　It's　a　true　boy's　haircut　and　not　from　any　beauty　shop。〃

〃Who　cut　it？〃

〃The　co