°®°®Ð¡ËµÍø > ÆäËûµç×ÓÊé > stories by english authors in london(Ó¢¹ú×÷¼ÒÔÚÂ׶صĹÊÊÂ) >

µÚ24ÕÂ

stories by english authors in london(Ó¢¹ú×÷¼ÒÔÚÂ׶صĹÊÊÂ)-µÚ24ÕÂ


°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·­Ò³£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡




than¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡sickened¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Thus¡¡¡¡¡¡soothing¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡inward¡¡¡¡¡¡tremors¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡best¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡

might£»¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡took¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡care¡¡¡¡¡¡than¡¡¡¡¡¡ever¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡frail¡¡¡¡¡¡charge£»¡¡¡¡¡¡stinting¡¡¡¡¡¡herself¡¡

than¡¡she¡¡might¡¡nourish¡¡it£»¡¡though¡¡the¡¡baby¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡care¡¡less¡¡and¡¡less¡¡for¡¡

mundane¡¡¡¡¡¡necessities£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡submitted¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡fed£»¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡were£»¡¡¡¡under¡¡

patient¡¡and¡¡silent¡¡protest¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡so¡¡the¡¡sands¡¡in¡¡Time's¡¡hour¡­glass¡¡ran¡¡slowly¡¡but¡¡surely¡¡away£»¡¡and¡¡

it¡¡was¡¡New¡­Year's¡¡eve¡£¡¡Liz¡¡had¡¡wandered¡¡about¡¡all¡¡day£»¡¡singing¡¡her¡¡little¡¡

repertoire¡¡of¡¡ballads¡¡in¡¡the¡¡teeth¡¡of¡¡a¡¡cruel£»¡¡snow¡­laden¡¡wind¡¡so¡¡cruel¡¡that¡¡

people¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡otherwise¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡charitably¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡disposed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡shut¡¡¡¡¡¡close¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡doors¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡

windows£»¡¡and¡¡had¡¡not¡¡even¡¡heard¡¡her¡¡voice¡£¡¡Thus¡¡the¡¡last¡¡span¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Old¡¡

Year¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡proved¡¡¡¡¡¡most¡¡¡¡¡¡unprofitable¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡dreary£»¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡gained¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡

than¡¡sixpence£»¡¡how¡¡could¡¡she¡¡return¡¡with¡¡only¡¡that¡¡humble¡¡amount¡¡to¡¡face¡¡

Mother¡¡Mawks¡¡and¡¡her¡¡vituperative¡¡fury£¿¡¡Her¡¡throat¡¡ached£»¡¡she¡¡was¡¡very¡¡

tired£»¡¡and£»¡¡as¡¡the¡¡night¡¡darkened¡¡from¡¡pale¡¡to¡¡deep¡¡and¡¡starless¡¡shadows£»¡¡

she¡¡strolled¡¡mechanically¡¡from¡¡the¡¡Strand¡¡to¡¡the¡¡Embankment£»¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡after¡¡

walking¡¡some¡¡little¡¡distance¡¡she¡¡sat¡¡down¡¡in¡¡a¡¡corner¡¡close¡¡to¡¡Cleopatra's¡¡

Needlethat¡¡mocking¡¡obelisk¡¡that¡¡has¡¡looked¡¡upon¡¡the¡¡decay¡¡of¡¡empires£»¡¡

itself¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡impassive£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡still¡¡¡¡appears¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡say£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Pass¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡on£»¡¡¡¡¡¡ye¡¡¡¡¡¡puny¡¡

generations£¡¡¡I£»¡¡a¡¡mere¡¡carven¡¡block¡¡of¡¡stone£»¡¡shall¡¡outlive¡¡you¡¡all£¡¡¨¡¡For¡¡the¡¡

first¡¡¡¡¡¡time¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡experience¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡child¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡arms¡¡¡¡¡¡seemed¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡heavy¡¡

burden¡£¡¡She¡¡put¡¡aside¡¡her¡¡shawl¡¡and¡¡surveyed¡¡it¡¡tenderly£»¡¡it¡¡was¡¡fast¡¡asleep£»¡¡

a¡¡small£»¡¡peaceful¡¡smile¡¡on¡¡its¡¡thin£»¡¡quiet¡¡face¡£¡¡Thoroughly¡¡worn¡¡out¡¡herself£»¡¡

she¡¡leaned¡¡her¡¡head¡¡against¡¡the¡¡damp¡¡stone¡¡wall¡¡behind¡¡her£»¡¡and¡¡clasping¡¡

the¡¡infant¡¡tightly¡¡to¡¡her¡¡breast£»¡¡she¡¡also¡¡sleptthe¡¡heavy£»¡¡dreamless¡¡sleep¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡104¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡105¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡STORIES¡¡



of¡¡¡¡¡¡utter¡¡¡¡¡¡fatigue¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡physical¡¡¡¡¡¡exhaustion¡£¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡solemn¡¡¡¡¡¡night¡¡¡¡¡¡moved¡¡¡¡¡¡on£»¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

night¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡black¡¡¡¡¡¡vapours£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡pageant¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡Old¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Year's¡¡¡¡¡¡deathbed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡

unbrightened¡¡by¡¡so¡¡much¡¡as¡¡a¡¡single¡¡star¡£¡¡None¡¡of¡¡the¡¡hurrying¡¡passers¡­by¡¡

perceived¡¡the¡¡weary¡¡woman¡¡where¡¡she¡¡slept¡¡in¡¡that¡¡obscure¡¡corner£»¡¡and¡¡for¡¡

a¡¡long¡¡while¡¡she¡¡rested¡¡there¡¡undisturbed¡£¡¡Suddenly¡¡a¡¡vivid¡¡glare¡¡of¡¡light¡¡

dazzled¡¡her¡¡eyes£»¡¡she¡¡started¡¡to¡¡her¡¡feet¡¡half¡¡asleep£»¡¡but¡¡still¡¡instinctively¡¡

retaining¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡infant¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡close¡¡¡¡¡¡embrace¡£¡¡A¡¡¡¡dark¡¡¡¡¡¡form£»¡¡¡¡¡¡buttoned¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

throat¡¡and¡¡holding¡¡a¡¡brilliant¡¡bull's¡­eye¡¡lantern£»¡¡stood¡¡before¡¡her¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Come¡¡now£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡this¡¡personage£»¡¡¡¨this¡¡won't¡¡do£¡¡¡Move¡¡on£¡¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Liz¡¡smiled¡¡faintly¡¡and¡¡apologetically¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨All¡¡right£¡¡¨¡¡she¡¡answered£»¡¡striving¡¡to¡¡speak¡¡cheerfully£»¡¡and¡¡raising¡¡her¡¡

eyes¡¡to¡¡the¡¡policeman's¡¡good¡­natured¡¡countenance¡£¡¡¡¨I¡¡didn't¡¡mean¡¡to¡¡fall¡¡

asleep¡¡here¡£¡¡I¡¡don't¡¡know¡¡how¡¡I¡¡came¡¡to¡¡do¡¡it¡£¡¡I¡¡must¡¡go¡¡home£»¡¡of¡¡course¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Of¡¡¡¡¡¡course£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡policeman£»¡¡¡¡¡¡somewhat¡¡¡¡¡¡mollified¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡evident¡¡

humility£»¡¡and¡¡touched¡¡in¡¡spite¡¡of¡¡himself¡¡by¡¡the¡¡pathos¡¡of¡¡her¡¡eyes¡£¡¡Then¡¡

turning¡¡his¡¡lamp¡¡more¡¡fully¡¡upon¡¡her£»¡¡he¡¡continued£»¡¡¡¨Is¡¡that¡¡a¡¡baby¡¡you've¡¡

got¡¡there£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Liz£»¡¡half¡¡proudly£»¡¡half¡¡tenderly¡£¡¡¡¨Poor¡¡little¡¡dear£¡¡¡it's¡¡been¡¡

ailing¡¡sadlybut¡¡I¡¡think¡¡it's¡¡better¡¡now¡¡than¡¡it¡¡was¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And£»¡¡¡¡¡¡encouraged¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡friendly¡¡¡¡¡¡tone£»¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡opened¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡folds¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡

shawl¡¡to¡¡show¡¡him¡¡her¡¡one¡¡treasure¡£¡¡The¡¡bulls¡­eye¡¡came¡¡into¡¡still¡¡closer¡¡

requisition¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡kindly¡¡¡¡guardian¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡peace¡¡¡¡¡¡peered¡¡inquiringly¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

tiny¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡bundle¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡scarcely¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡looked¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡started¡¡¡¡¡¡back¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡

exclamation£º¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨God¡¡bless¡¡my¡¡soul£¡¡¨¡¡he¡¡cried£»¡¡¡¨it's¡¡dead£¡¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Dead£¡¡¨¡¡shrieked¡¡Liz£»¡¡¡¨oh£»¡¡no£»¡¡no£¡¡¡Not¡¡dead£¡¡¡Don't¡¡say¡¡so£»¡¡oh£»¡¡don't£»¡¡

don't¡¡¡¡¡¡say¡¡¡¡¡¡so£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Oh£»¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡can't¡¡¡¡¡¡mean¡¡¡¡¡¡it£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Oh£»¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡God's¡¡¡¡¡¡love£»¡¡¡¡¡¡say¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡didn't¡¡

mean¡¡it£¡¡¡It¡¡can't¡¡be¡¡dead£»¡¡not¡¡really¡¡dead£¡no£»¡¡no£»¡¡indeed£¡¡¡Oh£»¡¡baby£»¡¡baby£¡¡¡

You¡¡are¡¡not¡¡dead£»¡¡my¡¡pet¡¡my¡¡angel£»¡¡not¡¡dead£»¡¡oh¡¡no£¡¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡breathless£»¡¡¡¡¡¡frantic¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡fear£»¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡felt¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡thing's¡¡¡¡¡¡hands¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡

feet¡¡and¡¡face£»¡¡kissed¡¡it¡¡wildly£»¡¡and¡¡called¡¡it¡¡by¡¡a¡¡thousand¡¡endearing¡¡names£»¡¡

in¡¡vainin¡¡¡¡¡¡vain£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Its¡¡¡¡¡¡tiny¡¡¡¡body¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡already¡¡¡¡stiff¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡rigid£»¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

corpse¡¡more¡¡than¡¡two¡¡hours¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡policeman¡¡¡¡¡¡coughed£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡brushed¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡thick¡¡¡¡¡¡gauntlet¡¡¡¡¡¡glove¡¡across¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡105¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡106¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡STORIES¡¡



his¡¡eyes¡£¡¡He¡¡was¡¡an¡¡emissary¡¡of¡¡the¡¡law£»¡¡but¡¡he¡¡had¡¡a¡¡heart¡£¡¡He¡¡thought¡¡of¡¡

his¡¡¡¡¡¡bright¡­eyed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡wife¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡home£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡soft¡­cheeked£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡cuddling¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡

creature¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡clung¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡bosom¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡crowed¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡rapture¡¡¡¡¡¡whenever¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡

came¡¡near¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Look¡¡¡¡¡¡here£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡said£»¡¡¡¡¡¡very¡¡¡¡¡¡gently£»¡¡¡¡¡¡laying¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡hand¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡woman's¡¡

shoulder¡¡as¡¡she¡¡crouched¡¡shivering¡¡against¡¡the¡¡wall£»¡¡and¡¡staring¡¡piteously¡¡

at¡¡the¡¡motionless¡¡waxen¡¡form¡¡in¡¡her¡¡arms£»¡¡¡¨it's¡¡no¡¡use¡¡fretting¡¡about¡¡it¡£¡¨¡¡

He¡¡paused£»¡¡there¡¡was¡¡an¡¡uncomfortable¡¡lump¡¡in¡¡his¡¡throat£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡had¡¡to¡¡

cough¡¡again¡¡to¡¡get¡¡it¡¡down¡£¡¡¡¨The¡¡poor¡¡little¡¡creature's¡¡gonethere's¡¡no¡¡help¡¡

for¡¡it¡£¡¡The¡¡next¡¡world's¡¡a¡¡better¡¡place¡¡than¡¡this£»¡¡you¡¡know£¡¡¡There£»¡¡there£»¡¡

don't¡¡take¡¡on¡¡so¡¡about¡¡it¡¨¡¡this¡¡as¡¡Liz¡¡shuddered¡¡and¡¡sighed£»¡¡a¡¡sigh¡¡of¡¡such¡¡

complete¡¡despair¡¡that¡¡it¡¡went¡¡straight¡¡to¡¡his¡¡honest¡¡soul£»¡¡and¡¡showed¡¡him¡¡

how¡¡futile¡¡were¡¡his¡¡efforts¡¡at¡¡consolation¡£¡¡But¡¡he¡¡had¡¡his¡¡duty¡¡to¡¡attend¡¡to£»¡¡

and¡¡he¡¡went¡¡on¡¡in¡¡firmer¡¡tones£º¡¡¡¨Now£»¡¡like¡¡a¡¡good¡¡woman£»¡¡you¡¡just¡¡move¡¡

off¡¡from¡¡here¡¡and¡¡go¡¡home¡£¡¡If¡¡I¡¡leave¡¡you¡¡here¡¡by¡¡yourself¡¡a¡¡bit£»¡¡will¡¡you¡¡

promise¡¡¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡go¡¡¡¡¡¡straight¡¡¡¡¡¡home£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡mustn't¡¡¡¡¡¡find¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡here¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡come¡¡

back¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡beat£»¡¡¡¡¡¡d'¡¡¡¡ye¡¡¡¡understand£¿¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Liz¡¡¡¡¡¡nodded¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨That's¡¡¡¡¡¡right£¡¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡

resumed£»¡¡¡¡¡¡cheerily¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I'll¡¡¡¡¡¡give¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡just¡¡¡¡¡¡ten¡¡¡¡¡¡minutes£»¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡just¡¡¡¡¡¡go¡¡¡¡¡¡straight¡¡

home¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡with¡¡a¡¡¡¨Good¡­night£»¡¨¡¡uttered¡¡in¡¡accents¡¡meant¡¡to¡¡be¡¡comforting£»¡¡

he¡¡turned¡¡away¡¡and¡¡paced¡¡on£»¡¡his¡¡measured¡¡tread¡¡echoing¡¡on¡¡the¡¡silence¡¡at¡¡

first¡¡¡¡¡¡loudly£»¡¡¡¡¡¡then¡¡¡¡¡¡fainter¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡fainter£»¡¡¡¡¡¡till¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡altogether¡¡¡¡¡¡died¡¡¡¡¡¡away£»¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡

bulky¡¡figure¡¡disappeared¡¡in¡¡the¡¡distance¡£¡¡Left¡¡to¡¡herself£»¡¡Liz¡¡rose¡¡from¡¡her¡¡

crouching¡¡posture£»¡¡rocking¡¡the¡¡dead¡¡child¡¡in¡¡her¡¡arms£»¡¡she¡¡smiled¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Go¡¡straight¡¡home£¡¡¨¡¡she¡¡murmured£»¡¡half¡¡aloud¡£¡¡¡¨Home£»¡¡sweet¡¡home£¡¡¡

Yes£»¡¡baby£»¡¡yes£»¡¡my¡¡darling£»¡¡we¡¡will¡¡go¡¡home¡¡together£¡¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡creeping¡¡cautiously¡¡along¡¡in¡¡the¡¡shadows£»¡¡she¡¡reached¡¡a¡¡flight¡¡of¡¡

the¡¡broad¡¡stone¡¡steps¡¡leading¡¡down¡¡to¡¡the¡¡river¡£¡¡She¡¡descended¡¡them£»¡¡one¡¡

by¡¡one£»¡¡the¡¡black¡¡water¡¡lapped¡¡against¡¡them¡¡heavily£»¡¡heavily£»¡¡the¡¡tide¡¡was¡¡

full¡¡up¡£¡¡She¡¡paused£»¡¡a¡¡sonorous£»¡¡deep¡­toned¡¡iron¡¡voice¡¡rang¡¡through¡¡the¡¡air¡¡

with¡¡¡¡¡¡reverberating£»¡¡¡¡¡¡solemn¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡melody¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡great¡¡¡¡¡¡bell¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡St¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Paul's¡¡

tolling¡¡midnightthe¡¡Old¡¡Year¡¡was¡¡dead¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Straight¡¡home£¡¡¨¡¡she¡¡repeated£»¡¡with¡¡a¡¡beautiful£»¡¡expectant¡¡look¡¡in¡¡her¡¡

wild£»¡¡¡¡¡¡weary¡¡¡¡eyes¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨My¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡¡¡darling£¡¡¡Yes£»¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡both¡¡¡¡¡¡tired£»¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡will¡¡¡¡¡¡go¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡106¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡107¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡STORIES¡¡



home£¡¡¡Home£»¡¡sweet¡¡home£¡¡¡We¡¡will¡¡go£¡¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Kissing¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡cold¡¡¡¡¡¡face¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡baby¡¡¡¡corpse¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡held£»¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡threw¡¡¡¡¡¡herself¡¡

forward£»¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡¡¡followed¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡sullen£»¡¡¡¡¡¡deep¡¡¡¡¡¡splasha¡¡¡¡¡¡slight¡¡¡¡¡¡struggleand¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡

was¡¡over£¡¡¡The¡¡water¡¡lapped¡¡against¡¡the¡¡steps¡¡heavily£»¡¡heavily£»¡¡as¡¡before£»¡¡

the¡¡policeman¡¡passed¡¡once¡¡more£»¡¡and¡¡saw¡¡to¡¡his¡¡satisfaction¡¡that¡¡the¡¡coast¡¡

was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡clear£»¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡dark¡¡¡¡¡¡veil¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡sky¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡star¡¡¡¡looked¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡and¡¡

twinkled¡¡for¡¡a¡¡brief¡¡instant£»¡¡then¡¡disappeared¡¡again¡£¡¡A¡¡clash¡¡and¡¡clamour¡¡

of¡¡bells¡¡startled¡¡the¡¡brooding¡¡night£»¡¡here¡¡and¡¡there¡¡a¡¡window¡¡was¡¡opened£»¡¡

and¡¡figures¡¡appeared¡¡in¡¡balconies¡¡to¡¡listen¡£¡¡They¡¡were¡¡ringing¡¡in¡¡the¡¡New¡¡

Yearthe¡¡festival¡¡of¡¡hope£»¡¡the¡¡birthday¡¡of¡¡the¡¡world£¡¡¡But¡¡what¡¡were¡¡New¡¡

Years¡¡to¡¡her£»¡¡who£»¡¡with¡¡white£»¡¡upturned¡¡face£»¡¡and¡¡arms¡¡that¡¡embraced¡¡an¡¡

infant¡¡in¡¡the¡¡tenacious¡¡grip¡¡of¡¡death£»¡¡went¡¡drifting£»¡¡drifting¡¡solemnly¡¡down¡¡

the¡¡dark¡¡river£»¡¡unseen£»¡¡unpitied¡¡by¡¡all¡¡those¡¡who¡¡awoke¡¡to¡¡new¡¡hopes¡¡and¡¡

aspirations¡¡on¡¡that¡¡first¡¡morning¡¡of¡¡another¡¡life¡­probation£¡¡¡Liz¡¡had¡¡gone£»¡¡

gone¡¡to¡¡make¡¡her¡¡peace¡¡with¡¡Godperhaps¡¡through¡¡the¡¡aid¡¡of¡¡her¡¡¡¨hired¡¨¡¡

baby£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡¡¡sinless¡¡¡¡¡¡soul¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡fondly¡¡¡¡¡¡cherished£»¡¡¡¡¡¡gone¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡

sweetest¡¡¡¨home¡¨¡¡we¡¡dream¡¡of¡¡and¡¡pray¡¡for£»¡¡where¡¡the¡¡lost¡¡and¡¡bewildered¡¡

wanderers¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡earth¡¡¡¡¡¡shall¡¡¡¡¡¡find¡¡¡¡¡¡true¡¡¡¡¡¡welcome¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡rest¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡grief¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡

exile£»¡¡¡¡¡¡gone¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡fair£»¡¡¡¡¡¡far¡¡¡¡¡¡glory¡­world¡¡¡¡¡¡where¡¡¡¡¡¡reigns¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡divine¡¡¡¡¡¡Master£»¡¡

whose¡¡words¡¡still¡¡ring¡¡above¡¡the¡¡tumult¡¡of¡¡ages£º¡¡¡¨See¡¡that¡¡ye¡¡despise¡¡not¡¡

one¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡these¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡¡¡ones£»¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡say¡¡¡¡¡¡unto¡¡¡¡¡¡you£»¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡angels¡¡¡¡¡¡do¡¡¡¡¡¡always¡¡

behold¡¡the¡¡face¡¡of¡¡My¡¡Father¡¡who¡¡is¡¡in¡¡heaven¡£¡¨¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡107¡¡


·µ»ØĿ¼ ÉÏÒ»Ò³ »Øµ½¶¥²¿ ÔÞ£¨1£© ²È£¨0£©

Äã¿ÉÄÜϲ»¶µÄ