lavender and old lace-第15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！



〃Oh！〃　she　exclaimed；　in　acute　disappointment。

〃It's　the　last　time；　sweetheart；　we'll　never　be　separated　again。〃

〃Never？〃

〃Never　in　all　the　worldnor　afterward。〃

〃I　expect　you　think　I'm　silly；〃　she　said；　wiping　her　eyes；　as　they　rose　to　go　home；　〃but　I　don't　want　you　to　go　away。〃

〃I　don't　want　to　go；　dearest。　If　you're　going　to　cry；　you'll　have　me　a　raving　maniac。　I　can't　stand　it；　now。〃

〃I'm　not　going　to；〃　she　answered；　smiling　through　her　tears；　〃but　it's　a　blessed　privilege　to　have　a　nice　stiff　collar　and　a　new　tie　to　cry　on。〃

〃They're　at　your　service；　dear；　for　anything　but　that。　I　suppose　we're　engaged　now；　aren't　we？〃

〃I　don't　know；〃　said　Ruth；　in　a　low　tone；　〃you　haven't　asked　me　to　marry　you。〃

〃Do　you　want　me　to？〃

〃It's　time；　isn't　it？〃

Winfield　bent　over　and　whispered　to　her。

〃I　must　think　about　it；〃　said　Ruth；　very　gravely；　〃it's　so　sudden。〃

〃Oh；　you　sweet　girl；〃　he　laughed；　〃aren't　you　going　to　give　me　any　encouragement？〃

〃You've　had　some。〃

〃I　want　another；〃　he　answered；　purposely　misunderstanding　her；　〃and　besides；　it's　dark　now。〃

The　sweet…scented　twilight　still　lingered　on　the　hillside；　and　a　star　or　two　gleamed　through　the　open　spaces　above。　A　moment　later；　Ruth；　in　her　turn；　whispered　to　him。　It　was　only　a　word　or　two；　but　the　bright…eyed　robins　who　were　peeping　at　them　from　the　maple　branches　must　have　observed　that　it　was　highly　satisfactory。



XII。　Bride　and　Groom

Though　Winfield　had　sternly　determined　to　go　back　to　town　the　following　day；　he　did　not　achieve　departure　until　later。　Ruth　went　to　the　station　with　him；　and　desolation　came　upon　her　when　the　train　pulled　out；　in　spite　of　the　new　happiness　in　her　heart。

She　had　little　time　to　miss　him；　however；　for；　at　the　end　of　the　week；　and　in　accordance　with　immemorial　custom；　the　Unexpected　happened。

She　was　sitting　at　her　window　one　morning；　trying　to　sew；　when　the　village　chariot　stopped　at　the　gate　and　a　lady　descended。　Joe　stirred　lazily　on　the　front　seat；　but　she　said；　in　a　clear；　high…pitched　voice：　〃You　needn't　trouble　yourself；　Joe。　He'll　carry　the　things。〃

She　came　toward　the　house；　fanning　herself　with　a　certain　stateliness；　and　carrying　her　handkerchief　primly；　by　the　exact　centre　of　it。　In　her　wake　was　a　little　old　gentleman；　with　a　huge　bundle；　surrounded　by　a　shawl…strap；　a　large　valise；　much　the　worse　for　wear；　a　telescope　basket　which　was　expanded　to　its　full　height；　and　two　small　parcels。　A　cane　was　tucked　under　one　arm　and　an　umbrella　under　the　other。　He　could　scarcely　be　seen　behind　the　mountain　of　baggage。

Hepsey　was　already　at　the　door。　〃Why；　Miss　Hathaway！〃　she　cried；　in　astonishment。

〃'T　ain't　Miss　Hathaway；〃　rejoined　the　visitor；　with　some　asperity；　〃it's　Mrs。　Ball；　and　this　is　my　husband。　Niece　Ruth；　I　presume；〃　she　added；　as　Miss　Thorne　appeared。　〃Ruth；　let　me　introduce　you　to　your　Uncle　James。〃

The　bride　was　of　medium　height　and　rather　angular。　Her　eyes　were　small；　dark；　and　so　piercingly　brilliant　that　they　suggested　jet　beads。　Her　skin　was　dark　and　her　lips　had　been　habitually　compressed　into　a　straight　line。　None　the　less；　it　was　the　face　that　Ruth　had　seen　in　the　ambrotype　at　Miss　Ainslie's；　with　the　additional　hardness　that　comes　to　those　who　grow　old　without　love。　Her　bearing　was　that　of　a　brisk；　active　woman；　accustomed　all　her　life　to　obedience　and　respect。

Mr。　Ball　was　two　or　three　inches　shorter　than　his　wife；　and　had　a　white　beard；　irregularly　streaked　with　brown。　He　was　baldheaded　in　front；　had　scant；　reddish　hair　in　the　back；　and　his　faded　blue　eyes　were　tearful。　He　had　very　small　feet　and　the　unmistakable　gait　of　a　sailor。　Though　there　was　no　immediate　resemblance；　Ruth　was　sure　that　he　was　the　man　whose　picture　was　in　Aunt　Jane's　treasure　chest　in　the　attic。　The　daredevil　look　was　gone；　however；　and　he　was　merely　a　quiet；　inoffensive　old　gentleman；　for　whom　life　had　been　none　too　easy。

〃Welcome　to　your　new　home；　James；〃　said　his　wife；　in　a　crisp；　businesslike　tone；　which　but　partially　concealed　a　latent　tenderness。　He　smiled；　but　made　no　reply。

Hepsey　still　stood　in　the　parlour；　in　wide　mouthed　astonishment；　and　it　was　Ruth's　good　fortune　to　see　the　glance　which　Mrs。　Ball　cast　upon　her　offending　maid。　There　was　no　change　of　expression　except　in　the　eyes；　but　Hepsey　instantly　understood　that　she　was　out　of　her　place；　and　retreated　to　the　kitchen　with　a　flush　upon　her　cheeks；　which　was　altogether　foreign　to　Ruth's　experience。

〃You　can　set　here；　James；〃　resumed　Mrs。　Ball；　〃until　I　have　taken　off　my　things。〃

The　cherries　on　her　black　straw　bonnet　were　shaking　on　their　stems　in　a　way　which　fascinated　Ruth。　〃I'll　take　my　things　out　of　the　south　room；　Aunty；〃　she　hastened　to　say。

〃You　won't；　neither；〃　was　the　unexpected　answer；　〃that's　the　spare　room；　and；　while　you　stay；　you'll　stay　there。〃

Ruth　was　wondering　what　to　say　to　her　new　uncle　and　sat　in　awkward　silence　as　Aunt　Jane　ascended　the　stairs。　Her　step　sounded　lightly　overhead　and　Mr。　Ball　twirled　his　thumbs　absently。　　　〃Youyou've　come　a　long　way；　haven't　you？〃　she　asked。

〃Yes'm；　a　long　way。〃　Then；　seemingly　for　the　first　time；　he　looked　at　her；　and　a　benevolent　expression　came　upon　his　face。　〃You've　got　awful　pretty　hair；　Niece　Ruth；〃　he　observed；　admiringly；　〃now　Mis'　Ball；　she　wears　a　false　front。〃

The　lady　of　the　house　returned　at　this　juncture；　with　the　false　front　a　little　askew。　〃I　was　just　a…sayin'；〃　Mr。　Ball　continued；　〃that　our　niece　is　a　real　pleasant　lookin'　woman。〃

〃She's　your　niece　by　marriage；〃　his　wife　replied；　〃but　she　ain't　no　real　relative。〃

〃Niece　by　merriage　is　relative　enough；〃　said　Mr。Ball；　〃and　I　say　she's　a　pleasant　lookin'　woman；　ain't　she；　now？〃

〃She'll　do；　I　reckon。　She　resembles　her　Ma。〃　Aunt　Jane　looked　at　Ruth；　as　if　pitying　the　sister　who　had　blindly　followed　the　leadings　of　her　heart　and　had　died　unforgiven。

〃Why　didn't　you　let　me　know　you　were　coming；　Aunt　Jane？〃　asked　Ruth。　〃I've　been　looking　for　a　letter　every　day　and　I　understood　you　weren't　coming　back　until　October。〃

〃I　trust　I　am　not　unwelcome　in　my　own　house；〃　was　the　somewhat　frigid　response。

〃No　indeed；　AuntyI　hope　you've　had　a　pleasant　time。〃

〃We've　had　a　beautiful　time；　ain't　we；　James？　We've　been　on　our　honeymoon。〃

〃Yes'm；　we　hev　been　on　our　honeymoon；　travellin'　over　strange　lands　an'　furrin　wastes　of　waters。　Mis'　Ball　was　terrible　sea　sick　comin'　here。〃

〃In　a　way；〃　said　Aunt　Jane；　〃we　ain't　completely　married。　We　was　married　by　a　heathen　priest　in　a　heathen　country　and　it　ain't　rightfully　bindin'；　but　we　thought　it　would　do　until　we　could　get　back　here　and　be　married　by　a　minister　of　the　gospel；　didn't　we；　James？〃

〃It　has　held；〃　he　said；　without　emotion；　〃but　I　reckon　we　will　hev　to　be　merried　proper。〃

〃Likewise　I　have　my　weddin'　dress；〃　Aunt　Jane　went　on；　〃what　ain't　never　been　worn。　It's　a　beautiful　dresstrimmed　with　pearl　trimmin'〃here　Ruth　felt　the　pangs　of　a　guilty　conscience〃and　I　lay　out　to　be　married　in　it；　quite　private；　with　you　and　Hepsey　for　witnesses。〃

〃Why；　it's　quite　a　romance；　isn't　it；　Aunty？〃

〃'T　is　in　a　way；〃　interjected　Mr。　Ball；　〃and　in　another　way；　't　ain't。〃

〃Yes；　Ruth；〃　Aunt　Jane　continued；　ignoring　the　interruption；　〃't　is　a　romancea　real　romance；〃　　she　repeated；　with　all　the　hard　lines　in　her　face　softened。　〃We　was　engaged　over　thirty…five　year。　James　went　to　sea　to　make　a　fortin'；　so　he　could　give　me　every　luxury。　It's　all　writ　out　in　a　letter　I've　got　upstairs。　They's　beautiful　letters；　Ruth；　and　it's　come　to　me；　as　I've　been　settin'　here；　that　you　might　make　a　book　out'n　these　letters　of　James's。　You　write；　don't　you？〃

〃Why；　yes；　Aunty；　I　write　for　the　papers　but　I've　never　done　a　book。〃

〃Well；　you'll　never　write　a　book　no　earlier；　and　here's　all　the　material；　as　you　say；　jest　a…waitin'　for　you　to　copy　it。　I　guess　there's　over　a　hundred　letters。〃

〃But；　Aunty；〃　objected　Ruth；　struggling　with　inward　emotion；　〃I　couldn't　sign　my　name　to　it；　you　know；　unless　I　had　written　the　letters。〃

〃Why　not？〃

〃Because　it　wouldn't　be　honest；〃　she　answered；　clutching　at　the　straw；　〃the　person　who　wrote　the　letters　would　be　entitled　to　the　creditand　the　money；〃　she　added　hopefully。

〃Why；　yes；　that's　right。　Do　you　hear　James？　It'll　have　to　be　your　book；　'The　Love　Letters　of　a　Sailor；'　by　James；　and　dedicated　in　the　front　'to　my　dearly　beloved　wife；　Jane　Ball；　as　was　Jane　Hathaway。'　It'll　be　beautiful；　won't　it；　James？〃

〃Yes'm；　I　hev　no　doubt　but　what　it　will。〃

〃Do　you　remember；　James；　how　you　borrered　a　chisel　from　the　tombstone　man　over　to　the　Ridge；　and　cut　our　names　into　endurin'　granite？〃

〃I'd　forgot　thathow　come　you　to　remember　it？〃

〃On　account　of　your　havin'　lost　the　chisel　and　the　tombstone　man　a…worryin'　me　about　it　to　this　day。　I'll　take　you　to　the　place。　There's　climbin'　but　it　won't　hurt　us　none；　though　we　ain't　as　young　as　we　might　be。　You　says　to　me；　you　says：　'Jane；　darlin'；　as　long　as　them　letters　stays　cut　into　the　everlastin'　rock；　just　so　long　I'll　love　you；'　you　says；　and　they's　there　still。〃

〃Well；　I'm　here；　too；　ain't　I？〃　replied　Mr。　Ball；　seeming　to　detect　a　covert　reproach。　〃I　was　allers　a　great　hand　fer　cuttin'。〃

〃There'll　have　to　be　a　piece　writ　in　the　end；　Ruth；　explainin'　the　happy　endin'　of　the　romance。　If　you　can't　do　it　justice；　James　and　me　can　helpJames　was　allers　a　master　hand　at　writin'。　It'll　have　to　tell　how　through　the　long　years　he　has　toiled；　hopin'　against　hope；　and　for　over　thirty　years　not　darin'　to　write　a　line　to　the　object　of　his　affections；　not　feelin'　worthy；　as　you　may　say；　and　how　after　her　waitin'　faithfully　at　home　and　turnin'　away　dozens　of　lovers　what　pleaded　violent…like；　she　finally　went　travellin'　in　furrin　parts　and　come　upon　her　old　lover　a…keepin'　a　store　in　a　heathen　land；　a…strugglin'　to　retrieve　disaster　after　disaster　at　sea；　and　constantly　withstandin'　the　blandishments　of　heathen　women　as　endeavoured　to　wean　him　from　his　faith；　and　how；　though　very　humble　and　scarcely　darin　to　speak；　he　learned　that　she　was　willin'　and　they　come　a　sailin'　home　together　and　lived　happily　ever　afterward。　Ain't　that　as　it　was；　James？〃

〃Yes'm；　except　that　there　wa'n't　no　particular　disaster　at　sea　and　them　heathen　women　didn't　exert　no　blandishments。　They　was　jest　pleasant　to　an　old　feller；　bless　their　little　hearts。〃

By　some　subtle　mental　process；　Mr。　Ball　became　aware　that　he　had　made　a　mistake。　〃You　ain't　changed　nothin'　here；　Jane；〃　he　continued；　hurriedly；　〃there's　the　haircloth　sofy　that　we　used　to　set　on　Sunday　evenins'　after　meetin'；　and　the　hair　wreath　with　the　red　rose　in　it　made　out　of　my　hair　and　the　white　rose　made　out　of　your　grandmother's　hair　on　your　father's　side；　and　the　yeller　lily　made　out　of　the　hair　of　your　Uncle　Jed's　youngest　boy。　I　disremember　the　rest；　but　time　was　when　I　could　say'm　all。　I　never　see　your　beat　for　makin'　hair　wreaths；　Jane。　There　ain't　nothin'　gone　but　the　melodeon　that　used　to　set　by　the　mantel。　What's　come　of　the　melodeon？〃

〃The　melodeon　is　set　away　in　the　attic。　The　mice　et　out　the　inside。〃

〃Didn't　you　hev　no　cat？〃

〃There　ain't　no　cat；　James；　that　could　get　into　a　melodeon　through　a　mouse　hole；　more　especially　the　big　maltese　you　gave　me。　I　kept　that　cat；　James；　as　you　may　say；　all　these　weary　years。　When　t