lavender and old lace-第7章

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p。

It　was　apparently　the　end　of　a　letter；　and　the　rest　of　it　was　gone。　〃At　Gibraltar　for　some　time；〃　she　read；　〃keeping　a　shop；　but　will　probably　be　found　now　in　some　small　town　on　the　coast　of　Italy。　Very　truly　yours。〃　The　signature　had　been　torn　off。

〃Why；　that　isn't　mine；〃　she　thought。　〃It　must　be　something　of　Aunt　Jane's。〃　Another　bit　of　paper　lay　near　it；　and；　unthinkingly；　she　read　a　letter　which　was　not　meant　for　her。

〃I　thank　you　from　my　heart；〃　it　began；　〃for　understanding　me。　I　could　not　put　it　into　words；　but　I　believe　you　know。　Perhaps　you　think　it　is　uselessthat　it　is　too　late；　but　if　it　was；　I　would　know。　You　have　been　very　kind；　and　I　thank　you。〃

　There　was　neither　date；　address；　nor　signature。　The　message　stood　alone；　as　absolutely　as　some　far…off　star　whose　light　could　not　be　seen　from　the　earth。　Some　one　understood　ittwo　understood　itthe　writer　and　Aunt　Jane。

Ruth　put　it　back　under　the　paper；　with　the　scrap　of　the　other　letter；　and　closed　the　drawer　with　a　bang。　〃I　hope；〃　she　said　to　herself；　〃that　while　I　stay　here　I'll　be　mercifully　preserved　from　finding　things　that　are　none　of　my　business。〃　Then；　as　in　a　lightning　flash；　for　an　instant　she　saw　clearly。

Fate　plays　us　many　tricks　and　assumes　strange　forms；　but　Ruth　knew　that　some　day；　on　that　New　England　hill；　she　would　come　face　to　face　with　a　destiny　that　had　been　ordained　from　the　beginning。　Something　waited　for　her　theresome　great　change。　She　trembled　at　the　thought；　but　was　not　afraid。


V。　The　Rumours　of　the　Valley

〃Miss　Thorne；〃　said　Hepsey；　from　the　doorway　of　Ruth's　room；　〃that　feller's　here　again。〃　There　was　an　unconscious　emphasis　on　the　last　word；　and　Ruth　herself　was　someewhat　surprised；　for　she　had　not　expected　another　call　so　soon。

〃He's　a…settinn'　in　the　parlour；〃continued　Hepsey；　〃when　he　ain't　a…walkin'　around　it　and　wearin'　out　the　carpet。　I　didn't　come　up　when　he　first　come；　on　account　of　my　pie　crust　bein'　all　ready　to　put　in　the　oven。〃

〃How　long　has　he　been　here？〃　asked　Ruth；　dabbing　a　bit　of　powder　on　her　nose　and　selecting　a　fresh　collar。

〃Oh；　p'raps　half　an　hour。〃

〃That　isn't　right；　Hepsey；　when　anyone　comes　you　must　tell　me　immediately。　Never　mind　the　pie　crust　next　time。〃　Ruth　endeavoured　to　speak　kindly；　but　she　was　irritated　at　the　necessity　of　making　another　apology。

When　she　went　down；　Winfield　dismissed　her　excuses　with　a　comprehensive　wave　of　the　hand。　〃I　always　have　to　wait　when　I　go　to　call　on　a　girl；〃　he　said；　〃it's　one　of　the　most　charming　vagaries　of　the　ever…feminine。　I　used　to　think　that　perhaps　I　wasn't　popular；　but　every　fellow　I　know　has　the　same　experience。〃

〃I'm　an　exception；〃　explained　Ruth；　〃I　never　keep　any　one　waiting。　Of　my　own　volition；　that　is；〃　she　added；　hastily；　feeling　his　unspoken　comment。

〃I　came　up　this　afternoon　to　ask　a　favour　of　you；〃　he　began。　〃Won't　you　go　for　a　walk　with　me？　It's　wrong　to　stay　indoors　on　a　day　like　this。〃

〃Wait　till　I　get　my　hat；〃　said　Ruth；　rising。

〃Fifteen　minutes　is　the　limit；〃　he　called　to　her；　as　she　went　upstairs。

She　was　back　again　almost　immediately；　and　Hepsey　watched　them　in　wide…mouthed　astonishment　as　they　went　down　hill　together；　for　it　was　not　in　her　code　of　manners　that　〃walking　out〃　should　begin　so　soon。　When　they　approached　Miss　Ainslie's　he　pointed　out　the　brown　house　across　from　it；　on　the　other　side　of　the　hill。

〃Yonder　palatial　mansion　is　my　present　lodging；〃　he　volunteered；　〃and　I　am　a　helpless　fly　in　the　web　of　the　'Widder'　Pendleton。〃

〃Pendleton；〃　repeated　Ruth；　〃why；　that's　Joe's　name。〃

〃It　is；〃　returned　Winfield；　concisely。　〃He　sits　opposite　me　at　the　table；　and　wonders　at　my　use　of　a　fork。　It　is　considered　merely　a　spear　for　bread　and　meat　at　the　'Widder's。'　I　am　observed　closely　at　all　times；　and　in　some　respects　Joe　admires　me　enough　to　attempt　imitation；　which；　as　you　know；　is　the　highest　form　of　flattery。　For　instance；　this　morning　he　wore　not　only　a　collar　and　tie；　but　a　scarf　pin。　It　was　a　string　tie；　and　I've　never　before　seen　a　pin　worn　in　one；　but　it's　interesting。〃

〃It　must　be。〃

〃He　has　a　sweetheart；〃　Winfield　went　on；　〃and　I　expect　she'll　be　dazzled。〃

〃My　Hepsey　is　his　lady　love；〃　Ruth　explained。

〃What？　The　haughty　damsel　who　wouldn't　let　me　in？　Do　tell！〃

〃You're　imitating　now；〃　laughed　Ruth；　〃but　I　shouldn't　call　it　flattery。〃

For　a　moment；　there　was　a　chilly　silence。　Ruth　did　not　look　at　him；　but　she　bit　her　lip　and　then　laughed；　unwillingly。　〃'It's　all　true；〃　she　said；　〃I　plead　guilty。〃

〃You　see；　I　know　all　about　you；〃　he　went　on。　〃You　knit　your　brows　in　deep　thought；　do　not　hear　when　you　are　spoken　to；　even　in　a　loud　voice；　and　your　mail　consists　almost　entirely　of　bulky　envelopes；　of　a　legal　nature；　such　as　came　to　the　'Widder'　Pendleton　from　the　insurance　people。〃

〃Returned　manuscripts；〃　she　interjected。

〃Possiblyfar　be　it　from　me　to　say　they're　not。　Why；　I've　had　'em　myself。〃

〃You　don't　mean　it！〃　she　exclaimed；　ironically。

〃You　seek　out；　as　if　by　instinct；　the　only　crazy　person　in　the　village；　and　come　home　greatly　perturbed。　You　ask　queer　questions　of　your　humble　serving…maid；　assume　a　skirt　which　is　shorter　than　the　approved　model；　speaking　from　the　village　standpoint；　and　unhesitatingly　appear　on　the　public　streets。　You　go　to　the　attic　at　night　and　search　the　inmost　recesses　of　many　old　trunks。〃

〃Yes；〃　sighed　Ruth；　〃I've　done　all　that。〃

〃At　breakfast　you　refuse　pie；　and　complain　because　the　coffee　is　boiled。　Did　anybody　ever　hear　of　coffee　that　wasn't　boiled？　Is　it　eaten　raw　in　the　city？　You　call　supper'dinner；'　and　have　been　known　to　seek　nourishment　at　nine　o'clock　at　night；　when　all　respectable　people　are　sound　asleep。　In　your　trunk；　you　have　vainly　attempted　to　conceal　a　large　metal　object；　the　use　of　which　is　unknown。〃

〃Oh；　my　hapless　chafing…dish！〃　groaned　Ruth。

〃Chafing…dish？〃　repeated　Winfield；　brightening　visibly。　〃And　I　eating　sole　leather　and　fried　potatoes？　From　this　hour　I　am　your　slaveyou　can't　lose　me　now！

〃Go　on；〃　she　commanded。

〃I　can'tthe　flow　of　my　eloquence　is　stopped　by　rapturous　anticipation。　Suffice　it　to　say　that　the　people　of　this　enterprising　city　are　well　up　in　the　ways　of　the　wicked　world；　for　the　storekeeper　takes　The　New　York　Weekly　and　the　'Widder'　Pendleton　subscribes　for　The　Fireside　Companion。　The　back　numbers；　which　are　not　worn　out；　are　the　circulating　library　of　the　village。　It's　no　use；　Miss　Thorneyou　might　stand　on　your　hilltop　and　proclaim　your　innocence　until　you　were　hoarse；　and　it　would　be　utterly　without　effect。　Your　status　is　definitely　settled。〃

〃How　about　Aunt　Jane？〃　she　inquired。　〃Does　my　relationship　count　for　naught？〃

〃Now　you　are　rapidly　approaching　the　centre　of　things；〃　replied　the　young　man。　〃Miss　Hathaway　is　one　woman　in　a　thousand；　though　somewhat　eccentric。　She　is　the　venerated　pillar　of　the　community　and　a　constant　attendant　it　church；　which　it　seems　you　are　not。　Also；　if　you　are　really　her　niece；　where　is　the　family　resemblance？　Why　has　she　never　spoken　of　you？　Why　have　you　never　been　here　before？　Why　are　her　letters　to　you　sealed　with　red　wax；　bought　especially　for　the　purpose？　Why　does　she　go　away　before　you　come？　Lady　Gwendolen　Hetherington；〃　he　demanded；　with　melodramatic　fervour；　〃answer　me　these　things　if　you　can！〃

〃I'm　tired；〃　she　complained。

〃Delicate　compliment；〃　observed　Winfield；　apparently　to　himself。　〃Here's　a　log　across　our　path；　Miss　Thorne；　let's　sit　down。〃

The　budded　maples　arched　over　the　narrow　path；　and　a　wild　canary；　singing　in　the　sun；　hopped　from　bough　to　bough。　A　robin's　cheery　chirp　came　from　another　tree；　and　the　clear　notes　of　a　thrush；　with　a　mottled　breast；　were　answered　by　another　in　the　gold…green　aisles　beyond。

〃Oh；〃　he　said；　under　his　breath；　〃isn't　this　great！〃

The　exquisite　peace　of　the　forest　was　like　that　of　another　sphere。　〃Yes；〃　she　answered；　softly；　〃it　is　beautiful。〃

〃You're　evading　the　original　subject；〃　he　suggested；　a　little　later。

〃I　haven't　had　a　chance　to　talk；〃　she　explained。　〃You've　done　a　monologue　ever　since　we　left　the　house；　and　I　listened；　as　becomes　inferior　and　subordinate　woman。　I　have　never　seen　my　venerated　kinswoman；　and　I　don't　see　how　she　happened　to　think　of　me。　Nevertheless；　when　she　wrote；　asking　me　to　take　charge　of　her　house　while　she　went　to　Europe；　I　gladly　consented；　sight　unseen。　When　I　came；　she　was　gone。　I　do　not　deny　the　short　skirt　and　heavy　shoes；　the　criticism　of　boiled　coffee；　nor　the　disdain　of　breakfast　pie。　As　far　is　I　know；　Aunt　Jane　is　my　only　living　relative。〃

〃That's　good；〃　he　said；　cheerfully；　〃I'm　shy　even　of　an　aunt。　Why　shouldn't　the　orphans　console　one　another？〃

〃They　should；〃　admitted　Ruth；　〃and　you　are　doing　your　share　nobly。〃

〃Permit　me　to　return　the　compliment。　Honestly；　Miss　Thorne；〃　he　continued；　seriously；　〃you　have　no　idea　how　much　I　appreciate　your　being　here。　When　I　first　realised　what　it　meant　to　be　deprived　of　books　and　papers　for　six　months　at　a　stretch；　it　seemed　as　if　I　should　go　mad。　Still；　I　suppose　six　months　isn't　as　bad　as　forever；　and　I　was　given　a　choice。　I　don't　want　to　bore　you；　but　if　you　will　let　me　come　occasionally；　I　shall　be　very　glad。　I'm　going　to　try　to　be　patient；　too；　if　you'll　help　mepatience　isn't　my　long　suit。〃

〃Indeed　I　will　help　you；〃　answered　Ruth；　impulsively；　〃I　know　how　hard　it　must　be。〃

〃I'm　not　begging　for　your　sympathy；　though　I　assure　you　it　is　welcome。〃　He　polished　the　tinted　glasses　with　a　bit　of　chamois。。　and　his　eyes　filled　with　the　mist　of　weakness　before　he　put　them　on　again。　〃So　you've　never　seen　your　aunt；〃　he　said。

〃Nothat　pleasure　is　still　in　store　for　me。〃

〃They　say　down　at　the　'Widder's'　that　she's　a　woman　with　a　romance。〃

〃Tell　me　about　it！〃　exclaimed　Ruth；　eagerly。

〃Little　girls　mustn't　ask　questions；〃　he　remarked；　patronisingly；　and　in　his　most　irritating　manner。　〃Besides；　I　don't　know。　If　the　'Widder'　knows；　she　won't　tell；　so　it's　fair　to　suppose　she　doesn't。　Your　relation　does　queer　things　in　the　attic；　and　every　Spring；　she　has　an　annual　weep。　I　suppose　it's　the　house　cleaning；　for　the　rest　of　the　year　she's　dry…eyed　and　calm。〃

〃I　weep　very　frequently；〃　commented　Ruth。

〃'Tears；　idle　tearsI　wonder　what　they　mean。'〃

〃They　don't　mean　much；　in　the　case　of　a　woman。〃

〃I've　never　seen　many　of'em；〃　returned　Winfield；　〃and　I　don't　want　to。　Even　stage　tears　go　against　the　grain　with　me。　I　know　that　the　lady　who　sobs　behind　the　footlights　is　well　paid　for　it；　but　all　the　same；　it　gives　me　the　creeps。〃

〃It's　nothing　seriousreally　it　isn't；〃　she　explained。　〃It's　merely　a　safety　valve。　If　women　couldn't　cry；　they'd　explode。〃

〃I　always　supposed　tears　were　signs　of　sorrow；〃　he　said。

〃Far　from　it；〃　laughed　Ruth。　〃When　I　get　very　angry；　I　cry；　and　then　I　got　angrier　because　I'm　crying　and　cry　harder。〃

〃That　opens　up　a　fearful　possibility。　What　would　happen　if　you　kept　getting　angrier　because　you　were　crying　and　crying　harder　because　you　got　angrier？〃

〃I　have　no　idea；〃　she　answered；　with　her　dark　eyes　fixed　upon　him；　〃but　it's　a　promising　field　for　investigation。〃'

〃I　don't　want　to　see　the　experiment。〃

〃Don't　worry；〃　said　Ruth；　laconically；　〃you　won't。〃

There　was　a　long　silence；　and　Winfield　began　to　draw　designs　on　the　bare　earth　with　a　twig。　〃Tell　me　abou