merton of the movies-第32章

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　They　had　worked　until　one…　thirty　before　that　grouch　of　a　Rosenblatt　would　call　it　a　day。　At　that　she'd　rather　do　water　stuff　than　animal　stuff…especially　lions。　〃Lions？　I　should　think　so！〃　He　replied　to　this。　〃Dangerous；　isn't　it？〃

〃Oh；　it　ain't　that。　They're　nothing　to　be　afraid　of　if　you　know　'em；　but　they're　so　hot　and　smelly　when　you　have　to　get　close　to　'em。　Anything　I　really　hate；　it's　having　to　get　up　against　a　big；　hot；　hairy；　smelly　lion。〃

He　murmured　a　sympathetic　phrase　and　extended　his　search　for　the　lost　pin　to　the　side　of　the　pool。　Almost　under　the　scaffold　he　saw　the　shine　of　precious　stones　and　called　to　her　as　he　picked　up　the　pin；　a　bar　pin　splendidly　set　with　diamonds。　He　was　glad　that　he　had　found　it　for　her。　It　must　have　cost　a　great　deal　of　money　and　she　would　doubtless　be　held　responsible　for　its　safe…keeping。

She　came　dancing　to　him。　〃Say；　that's　fine…your　eyes　are　working；　ain't　they？　I　might　'a'　been　set　back　a　good　six　dollars　if　you　hadn't　found　that。〃　She　took　the　bauble　and　fastened　it　inside　her　jacket。　So　the　pin；　too；　had　been　a　tawdry　makeshift。　Nothing　was　real　any　more。　As　she　adjusted　the　pin　he　saw　his　moment　for　escape。　With　a　gallant　striving　for　the　true　Clifford　Armytage　manner　he　raised　the　plush　hat。

〃Well；　I'm　glad　you　found　Mrs。　Rosenblatt's　pin…and　I　guess　I'll　be　getting　on。〃

The　manner　must　have　been　defective。　She　looked　through　him　and　said　with　great　firmness；　〃Nothing　like　that；　old　pippin。〃　Again　he　was　taken　with　a　violent　fit　of　shivering。　He　could　not　meet　her　eyes。　He　was　turning　away　when　she　seized　him　by　the　wrist。　Her　grip　was　amazingly　forceful。　He　doubted　if　he　could　break　away　even　with　his　stoutest　effort。　He　stood　miserably　staring　at　the　ground。　Suddenly　the　girl　reached　up　to　pat　his　shoulder。　He　shivered　again　and　she　continued　to　pat　it。　When　his　teeth　had　ceased　to　be　castanets　she　spoke：

〃Listen　here；　old　Kid；　you　can't　fool　any　one；　so　quit　trying。　Don't　you　s'pose　I've　seen　'em　like　you　before？　Say；　boy；　I　was　trouping　while　you　played　with　marbles。　You're　up　against　it。　Now；　c'mon〃　with　the　arm　at　his　shoulder　she　pulled　him　about　to　face　her…〃c'mon　and　be　nice…tell　mother　all　about　it。〃

The　late　Clifford　Armytage　was　momentarily　menaced　by　a　complete　emotional　overthrow。　Another　paroxysm　of　shivering　perhaps　averted　this　humiliation。　The　girl　dropped　his　wrist；　turned；　stooped；　and　did　something。　He　recalled　the　scene　in　the　gambling　hell；　only　this　time　she　fronted　away　from　the　camera。　When　she　faced　him　again　he　was　not　surprised　to　see　bills　in　her　hand。　It　could　only　have　been　the　chill　he　suffered　that　kept　him　from　blushing。　She　forced　the　bills　into　his　numb　fingers　and　he　stared　at　them　blankly。　〃I　can't　take　these；〃　he　muttered。

〃There；　now；　there；　now！　Be　easy。　Naturally　I　know　you're　all　right　or　I　wouldn't　give　up　this　way。　You're　just　having　a　run　of　hard　luck。　The　Lord　knows；　I've　been　helped　out　often　enough　in　my　time。　Say；　listen；　I'll　never　forget　when　I　went　out　as　a　kid　with　Her　First　False　Step…they　had　lions　in　that　show。　It　was　a　frost　from　the　start。　No　salaries；　no　nothing。　I　got　a　big　laugh　one　day　when　I　was　late　at　rehearsal。　The　manager　says：　'You're　fined　two　dollars；　Miss　Montague。'　I　says；　'All　right；　Mr。　Gratz；　but　you'll　have　to　wait　till　I　can　write　home　for　the　money。'　Even　Gratz　had　to　laugh。　Anyway；　the　show　went　bust　and　I　never　would　'a'　got　any　place　if　two　or　three　parties　hadn't　of　helped　me　out　here　and　there；　just　the　same　as　I'm　doing　with　you　this　minute。　So　don't　be　foolish。〃

〃Well…you　see…I　don't〃　He　broke　off　from　nervous　weakness。　In　his　mind　was　a　jumble　of　incongruous　sentences　and　he　seemed　unable　to　manage　any　of　them。

The　girl　now　sent　a　clean　shot　through　his　armour。　〃When'd　you　eat　last？〃

He　looked　at　the　ground　again　in　painful　embarrassment。　Even　in　the　chill　air　he　was　beginning　to　feel　hot。　〃I　don't　remember；〃　he　said　at　last　quite　honestly。

〃That's　what　I　thought。　You　go　eat。　Go　to　Mother　Haggin's；　that　cafeteria　just　outside　the　gate。　She　has　better　breakfast　things　than　the　place　on　the　lot。〃　Against　his　will　the　vision　of　a　breakfast　enthralled　him；　yet　even　under　this　exaltation　an　instinct　of　the　wariest　caution　survived。

〃I'll　go　to　the　one　on　the　lot；　I　guess。　If　I　went　out　to　the　other　one　I　couldn't　get　in　again。〃

She　smiled　suddenly；　with　puzzling　lights　in　her　eyes。　〃Well；　of　all　things！　You　want　to　get　in　again；　do　you？　Say；　wouldn't　that　beat　the　hot　place　a　mile？　You　want　to　get　in　again？　All　right；　Old…　timer；　I'll　go　out　with　you　and　after　you've　fed　I'll　cue　you　on　to　the　lot　again。〃

〃Well…if　it　ain't　taking　you　out　of　your　way。〃　He　knew　that　the　girl　was　somehow　humouring　him；　as　if　he　were　a　sick　child。　She　knew；　and　he　knew；　that　the　lot　was　no　longer　any　place　for　him　until　he　could　be　rightly　there。

〃No；　c'mon；　I'll　stay　by　you。〃　They　walked　up　the　street　of　the　Western　village。　The　girl　had　started　at　a　brisk　pace　and　he　was　presently　breathless。

〃I　guess　I'll　have　to　rest　a　minute；〃　he　said。　They　were　now　before　the　Crystal　Palace　Hotel　and　he　sat　on　the　steps。

〃All　in；　are　you？　Well；　take　it　easy。〃

He　was　not　only　all　in；　but　his　mind　still　played　with　incongruous　sentences。　He　heard　himself　saying　things　that　must　sound　foolish。

〃I've　slept　in　here　a　lot；〃　he　volunteered。　The　girl　went　to　look　through　one　of　the　windows。

〃Blankets！〃　she　exclaimed。　〃Well；　you　got　the　makings　of　a　trouper　in　you；　I'll　say　that。　Where　else　did　you　sleep？〃

〃Well；　there　were　two　miners　had　a　nice　cabin　down　the　street　here　with　bunks　and　blankets；　and　they　had　a　fight；　and　half　a　kettle　of　beans　and　some　bread；　and　one　of　them　shaved　and　I　used　his　razor；　but　I　haven't　shaved　since　because　I　only　had　twenty　cents　day　before　yesterday；　and　anyway　they　might　think　I　was　growing　them　for　a　part；　the　way　your　father　did；　but　I　moved　up　here　when　I　saw　them　put　the　blankets　in；　and　I　was　careful　and　put　them　back　every　morning。　I　didn't　do　any　harm；　do　you　think？　And　I　got　the　rest　of　the　beans　they'd　thrown　into　the　fireplace；　and　if　I'd　only　known　it　I　could　have　brought　my　razor　and　overcoat　and　some　clean　collars；　but　somehow　you　never　seem　to　know　when〃

He　broke　off；　eyeing　her　vaguely。　He　had　little　notion　what　he　had　been　saying　or　what　he　would　say　next。

〃This　is　going　to　be　good；〃　said　the　Montague　girl。　〃I　can　see　that　from　here。　But　now　you　c'mon…we'll　walk　slow…and　you　tell　me　the　rest　when　you've　had　a　little　snack。〃

She　even　helped　him　to　rise；　with　a　hand　under　his　elbow；　though　he　was　quick　to　show　her　that　he　had　not　needed　this　help。　〃I　can　walk　all　right；〃　he　assured　her。

〃Of　course　you　can。　You're　as　strong　as　a　horse。　But　we　needn't　go　too　fast。〃　She　took　his　arm　in　a　friendly　way　as　they　completed　the　journey　to　the　outside　cafeteria。

At　this　early　hour　they　were　the　only　patrons　of　the　place。　Miss　Montague；　a　little　with　the　air　of　a　solicitous　nurse；　seated　her　charge　at　a　corner　table　and　took　the　place　opposite　him。

〃What's　it　going　to　be？〃　she　demanded。

Visions　of　rich　food　raced　madly　through　his　awakened　mind；　wide　platters　heaped　with　sausage　and　steaks　and　ham　and　corned…beef　hash。

〃Steak；〃　he　ventured；　〃and　something　like　ham　and　eggs　and　some　hot　cakes　and　coffee　and〃　He　broke　off。　He　was　becoming　too　emotional　under　this　golden　spread　of　opportunity。　The　girl　glanced　up　from　the　bill　of　fare　and　appraised　the　wild　light　in　his　eyes。

〃One　minute；　Kid…let's　be　more　restful　at　first。　You　know…kind　of　ease　into　the　heavy　eats。　It'll　prob'ly　be　better　for　you。〃

〃Anything　you　say；〃　he　conceded。　Her　words　of　caution　had　stricken　him　with　a　fear　that　this　was　a　dream；　that　he　would　wake　up　under　blankets　back　in　the　Crystal　Palace。　It　was　like　that　in　dreams。　You　seemed　able　to　order　all　sorts　of　food；　but　something　happened；　it　never　reached　the　table。　He　would　take　no　further　initiative　in　this　scene；　whether　dream　or　reality。　〃You　order　something；〃　he　concluded。　His　eyes　trustfully　sought　the　girl's。

〃Well；　I　think　you'll　start　with　one　orange；　just　to　kind　of　hint　to　the　old　works　that　something　good　is　coming。　Thenlemme　see〃she　considered　gravely。　〃Then　I　guess　about　two　soft…boiled　eggsno；　you　can　stand　threeand　some　dry　toast　and　some　coffee。　Maybe　a　few　thin　strips　of　bacon　wouldn't　hurt。　We'll　see　can　you　make　the　grade。〃　She　turned　to　give　the　order　to　a　waitress。　〃And　shoot　the　coffee　along；　sister。　A　cup　for　me；　too。〃

Her　charge　shivered　again　at　the　mere　mention　of　coffee。　The　juncture　was　critical。　He　might　still　be　dreaming；　but　in　another　moment　he　must　know。　He　closely；　even　coolly；　watched　the　two　cups　of　coffee　that　were　placed　before　them。　He　put　a　benumbed　hand　around　the　cup　in　front　of　him　and　felt　it　burn。　It　was　too　active　a　sensation　for　mere　dreaming。　He　put　sugar　into　the　cup　and　poured　in　the　cream　from　a　miniature　pitcher；　inhaling　a　very　real　aroma。　Events　thus　far　seemed　normal。　He　stirred　the　coffee　and　started　to　raise　the　cup。　Now；　after　all；　it　seemed　to　be　a　dream。　His　hand　shook　so　that　the　stuff　spilled　into　the　saucer　and　even　out　on　to　the　table。　Always　in　dreams　you　were　thwarted　at　the　last　moment。

The　Montague　girl　had　noted　the　trembling　and　ineffective　hand。　She　turned　her　back　upon　him　to　chat　with　the　waitress　over　by　the　food　counter。　With　no　eye　upon　him；　he　put　both　hands　about　the　cup　and　succeeded　in　raising　it　to　his　lips。　The　hands　were　still　shaky；　but　he　managed　some　sips　of　the　stuff；　and　then　a　long　draught　that　seemed　to　scald　him。　He　wasn't　sure　if　it　scalded　or　not。　It　was　pretty　hot；　and　fire　ran　through　him。　He　drained　the　cupstill　holding　it　with　both　hands。　It　was　an　amazing　sensation　to　have　one's　hand　refuse　to　obey　so　simple　an　order。　Maybe　he　would　always　be　that　way　now；　practically　a　cripple。

The　girl　turned　back　to　him。　〃Atta　boy；〃　she　said。　〃Now　take　the　orange。　And　when　the　toast　comes　you　can　have　some　more　coffee。〃　A　dread　load　was　off　his　mind。　He　did　not　dream　this　thing。　He　ate　the　orange；　and　ate　wonderful　toast　to　the　accompaniment　of　another　cup　of　coffee。　The　latter　half　of　this　he　managed　with　but　one　hand；　though　it　was　not　yet　wholly　under　control。　The　three　eggs　seemed　like　but　one。　He　thought　they　must　have　been　small　eggs。　More　toast　was　commanded　and　more　coffee。

〃Easy；　easy！〃　cautioned　his　watchful　hostess　from　time　to　time。　〃Don't　wolf　ityou'll　feel　better　afterwards。〃

〃I　feel　better　already；〃　he　announced。

〃Well；〃　the　girl　eyed　him　critically；　〃you　certainly　got　the　main　chandelier　lighted　up　once　more。〃

A　strange　exhilaration　flooded　all　his　being。　His　own　thoughts　babbled　to　him；　and　he　presently　began　to　babble　to　his　new　friend。

〃You　remind　me　so　much　of　Tessie　Kearns；〃　he　said　as　he　scraped　the　sides　of　the　egg　cup。

〃Who's　she？〃

〃Oh；　she's　a　scenario　writer　I　know。　You're　just　like　her。〃　He　was　now　drunkmaudlin　drunkfrom　the　coffee。　Sober；　he　would　have　known　that　no　human　beings　could　be　less　alike　than　Tessie　Kearns　and　the　Montague　girl。　Other　walls　of　his　reserve　went　down。

〃Of　course　I　could　have　written　to　Gashwiler　and　got　some　money　to　go　back　there〃

〃Gashwiler；　Gashwiler？〃　The　girl　seemed　to　search　her　memory。　〃I　thought　I　knew　all　the　tank　to