lavender and old lace-第8章

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〃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　about　the　lady　who　is　considered　crazy；〃　he　suggested。

Ruth　briefly　described　Miss　Ainslie；　dwelling　lovingly　upon　her　beauty　and　charm。　He　listened　indifferently　at　first；　but　when　she　told　him　of　the　rugs；　the　real　lace　which　edged　the　curtains；　and　the　Cloisonne　vase；　he　became　much　interested。

〃Take　me　to　see　her　some　day；　won't　you；〃　he　asked；　carelessly。

Ruth's　eyes　met　his　squarely。　〃'T　isn't　a　'story；'〃　she　said；　resentfully；　forgetting　her　own　temptation。

The　dull　colour　flooded　his　face。　〃You　forget；　Miss　Thorne；　that　I　am　forbidden　to　read　or　write。〃

〃For　six　months　only；〃　answered　Ruth；　sternly；　〃and　there's　always　a　place　for　a　good　Sunday　special。〃

He　changed　the　subject；　but　there　were　frequent　awkward　pauses　and　the　spontaniety　was　gone。　She　rose；　adjusting　her　belt　in　the　back；　and　announced　that　it　was　time　for　her　to　go　home。

On　their　way　up　the　hill；　she　tried　to　be　gracious　enough　to　atone　for　her　rudeness；　but；　though　he　was　politeness　itself；　there　was　a　difference；　and　she　felt　as　if　she　had　lost　something。　Distance　lay　between　thema　cold；　immeasurable　distance；　yet　she　knew　that　she　had　done　right。

He　opened　the　gate　for　her；　then　turned　to　go。　〃Won't　you　come　in？〃　she　asked；　conventionally。

〃No；　thank　yousome　other　time；　if　I　may。　I've　had　a　charming　afternoon。〃　He　smiled　pleasantly；　and　was　off　down　the　hill。

When　she　remembered　that　it　was　a　Winfield　who　had　married　Abigail　Weatherby；　she　dismissed　the　matter　as　mere　coincidence；　and　determined；　at　all　costs；　to　shield　Miss　Ainslie。　The　vision　of　that　gracious　lady　came　to　her；　bringing　with　it　a　certain　uplift　of　soul。　Instantly；　she　was　placed　far　above　the　petty　concerns　of　earth；　like　one　who　walks　upon　the　heights；　untroubled；　while　restless　surges　thunder　at　his　feet。



VI。　The　Garden

Miss　Thorne　wrote　an　apology　to　Winfield；　and　then　tore　it　up；　thereby　gaining　comparative　peace　of　mind；　for；　with　some　natures；　expression　is　the　main　thing；　and　direction　is　but　secondary。　She　was　not　surprised　because　he　did　not　come；　on　the　contrary；　she　had　rather　expected　to　be　left　to　her　own　devices　for　a　time；　but　one　afternoon　she　dressed　with　unusual　care　and　sat　in　state　in　the　parlour；　vaguely　expectant。　If　he　intended　to　be　friendly；　it　was　certainly　time　for　him　to　come　again。

Hepsey；　passing　through　the　hall；　noted　the　crisp　white　ribbon　at　her　throat　and　the　bow　in　her　hair。　〃Are　you　expectin'　company；　Miss　Thorne？〃　she　asked；　innocently。

〃I　am　expecting　no　one；〃　answered　Ruth；　frigidly；　〃I　am　going　out。〃

Feeling　obliged　to　make　her　word　good；　she　took　the　path　which　led　to　Miss　Ainslie's。　As　she　entered　the　gate；　she　had　a　glimpse　of　Winfield；　sitting　by　the　front　window　of　Mrs。　Pendleton's　brown　house；　in　such　a　dejected　attitude　that　she　pitied　him。　She　considered　the　virtuous　emotion　very　praiseworthy；　even　though　it　was　not　deep　enough　for　her　to　bestow　a　cheery　nod　upon　the　gloomy　person　across　the　way。

Miss　Ainslie　was　unaffectedly　glad　to　see　her；　and　Ruth　sank　into　an　easy　chair　with　something　like　content。　The　atmosphere　of　the　place　was　insensibly　soothing　and　she　instantly　felt　a　subtle　change。　Miss　Ainslie；　as　always；　wore　a　lavender　gown；　with　real　lace　at　the　throat　and　wrists。　Her　white　hair　was　waved　softly　and　on　the　third　finger　of　her　left　hand　was　a　ring　of　Roman　gold；　set　with　an　amethyst　and　two　large　pearls。

There　was　a　beautiful　serenity　about　her；　evident　in　every　line　of　her　face　and　figure。　Time　had　dealt　gently　with　her；　and　except　on　her　queenly　head　had　left　no　trace　of　his　passing。　The　delicate　scent　of　the　lavender　floated　from　her　gown　and　her　laces；　almost　as　if　it　were　a　part　of　her；　and　brought　visions　of　an　old…time　garden；　whose　gentle　mistress　was　ever　tranquil　and　content。　As　she　sat　there；　smiling；　she　might　have　been　Peace　grown　old。

〃Miss　Ainslie；〃　said　Ruth；　suddenly；　〃have　you　ever　had　any　trouble？〃

A　shadow　crossed　her　face；　and　then　she　answered；　patiently；　〃Why；　yesI've　had　my　share。〃

〃I　don't　mean　to　be　personal；〃　Ruth　explained；　〃I　was　just　thinking。〃

〃I　understand；〃　said　the　other；　gently。　Then；　after　a　little；　she　spoke　again：

〃We　all　have　trouble；　dearyit's　part　of　life；　but　I　believe　that　we　all　share　equally　in　the　joy　of　the　world。　Allowing　for　temperament；　I　mean。　Sorrows　that　would　crush　some　are　lightly　borne　by　others；　and　some　have　the　gift　of　finding　great　happiness　in　little　things。

〃Then；　too；　we　never　have　any　more　than　we　can　bearnothing　that　has　not　been　borne　before；　and　bravely　at　that。　There　isn't　a　new　sorrow　in　the　worldthey're　all　old　onesbut　we　can　all　find　new　happiness　if　we　look　in　the　right　way。〃

The　voice　had　a　full　music；　instinct　with　tenderness；　and　gradually　Ruth's　troubled　spirit　was　eased。　〃I　don't　know　what's　the　matter　with　me；〃　she　said；　meditatively；　〃for　I'm　not　morbid；　and　I　don't　have　the　blues　very　often；　but　almost　ever　since　I've　been　at　Aunt　Jane's；　I've　been　restless　and　disturbed。　I　know　there's　no　reason　for　it；　but　I　can't　help　it。〃

〃Don't　you　think　that　it's　because　you　have　nothing　to　do？　You've　always　been　so　busy；　and　you　aren't　used　to　idleness。〃

〃Perhaps　so。　I　miss　my　work；　but　at　the　same　time；　I　haven't　sense　enough　to　do　it。〃

〃Poor　child；　you're　tiredtoo　tired　to　rest。〃

〃Yes；　I　am　tired；〃　answered　Ruth；　the　tears　of　nervous　weakness　coming　into　her　eyes。

〃Come　out　into　the　garden。〃

Miss　Ainslie　drew　a　fleecy　shawl　over　her　shoulders　and　led　her　guest　outdoors。　Though　she　kept　pace　with　the　world　in　many　other　ways；　it　was　an　old…fashioned　garden；　with　a　sun…dial　and　an　arbour；　and　little　paths；　nicely　kept；　that　led　to　the　flower　beds　and　circled　around　them。　There　were　no　flowers　as　yet；　except　in　a　bed　of　wild　violets　under　a　bay　window；　but　tiny　sprigs　of　green　were　everywhere　eloquent　with　promise；　and　the　lilacs　were　budded。

〃That's　a　snowball　bush　over　there；〃　said　Miss　Ainslie；　〃and　all　that　corner　of　the　garden　will　be　full　of　roses　in　June。　They're　old…fashioned　roses；　that　I　expect　you　wouldn't　care　for…blush　and　cinnamon　and　sweet　briarbut　I　love　them　all。　That　long　row　is　half　peonies　and　half　bleeding…hearts；　and　I　have　a　bed　of　columbines　under　a　window　on　the　other　side　of　the　house。　The　mignonette　and　forget…me…nots　have　a　place　to　themselves；　for　I　think　they　belong　togethersweetness　and　memory。

〃There's　going　to　be　lady…slippers　over　there；〃　Miss　Ainslie　went　on；　〃and　sweet　william。　The　porch　is　always　covered　with　morning…gloriesI　think　they're　beautiful　and　in　that　large　bed　I've　planted　poppies；　snap…dragon；　and　marigolds。　This　round　one　is　full　of　larkspur　and　bachelor's　buttons。　I　have　phlox　and　petunias；　toodid　you　ever　see　a　petunia　seed？〃

Ruth　shook　her　head。

〃It's　the　tiniest　thing；　smaller　than　a　grain　of　sand。　When　I　plant　them；　I　always　wonder　how　those　great；　feathery　petunias　are　coming　out　of　those　little；　baby　seeds；　but　they　come。　Over　there　are　things　that　won't　blossom　till　lateasters；　tiger…lilies　and　prince's　feather。　It's　going　to　be　a　beautiful　garden；　deary。　Down　by　the　gate　are　my　sweet　herbs　and　simplesmarjoram；　sweet　thyme；　rosemary；　and　lavender。　I　love　the　lavender；　don't　you？〃

〃Yes；　I　do；〃　replied　Ruth；　〃but　I've　never　seen　it　growing。〃

〃It's　a　little　bush；　with　lavender　flowers　that　yield　honey；　and　it's　all　sweetflowers；　leaves；　and　all。　I　expect　you'll　laugh　at　me；　but　I've　planted　sunflowers　and　four…o'clocks　and　foxglove。〃

〃I　won't　laugh…I　think　it's　lovely。　What　do　you　like　best；　Miss　Ainslie？〃

〃I　love　them　all；〃　she　said；　with　a　smile　on　her　lips　and　her　deep；　unfathomable　eyes　fixed　upon　Ruth；　〃but　I　think　the　lavender　comes　first。　It's　so　sweet；　and　then　it　has　associations〃

She　paused；　in　confusion；　and　Ruth　went　on；　quickly：　〃I　think　they　all　have　associations；　and　that's　why　we　love　them。　I　can't　bear　red　geraniums　because　a　cross　old　woman　I　knew　when　I　was　a　child　had　her　yard　full　of　them；　and　I　shall　always　love　the　lavender；〃　she　added；　softly；　〃because　it　makes　me　think　of　you。〃

Miss　Ainslie's　checks　flushed　and　her　eyes　shone。　〃Now　we'll　go　into　the　house；〃　she　said；　〃and　we'll　have　tea。〃

〃I　shouldn't　stay　any　longer；〃　murmured　Ruth；　following　her；　〃I've　been　here　so　long　now。〃

〃'T　isn't　long；〃　contradicted　Miss　Ainslie；　sweetly；　〃it's　been　only　a　very　few　minutes。〃

Every　moment；　the　house　and　its　owner　took　on　new　beauty　and　charm。　Miss　Ainslie　spread　a　napkin　of　finest　damask　upon　the　little　mahogany　tea　table；　then　brought　in　a　silver　teapot　of　quaint　design；　and　two　cups　of　Japanese　china；　dainty　to　the　point　of　fragility。

〃Why；　Miss　Ainslie；〃　exclaimed　Ruth；　in　surprise；　〃where　did　you　get　Royal　Kaga？〃

Miss　Ainslie　was　bending　over　the　table；　and　the　white　hand　that　held　the　teapot　trembled　a　little。　〃They　were　a　present　froma　friend；〃　she　answered；　in　a　low　voice。

〃They're　beautiful；〃　said　Ruth；　hurriedly。

She　had　been　to　many　an　elaborate　affair；　which　was　down　on　the　social　calendar　as　a　〃tea；〃　sometimes　as　reporter　and　often　as　guest；　but　she　had　found　no　hostess　like　Miss　Ainslie；　no　china　so　exquisitely　fine；　nor　any　tea　like　the　clear；　fragrant　amber　which　was　poured　into　her　cup。

〃It　came　from　China；〃　said　Miss　Ainslie；　feeling　the　unspoken　question。　〃I　had　a　whole　chest　of　it；　but　it's　almost　all　gone。〃

Ruth　was　turning　her　cup　and　consulting　the　oracle。　〃Here's　two　people；　a　man　and　a　woman；　from　a　great　distance；　and；　yes；　here's　money；　too。　What　is　there　in　yours？〃

〃Nothing；　deary；　and　besides；　it　doesn't　come　true。〃

When　Ruth　finally　aroused　herself　to　go　home；　the　old　restlessness；　for　the　moment；　was　gone。　〃There's　a　charm　about　you；〃　she　said；　〃for　I　feel　as　if　I　could　sleep　a　whole　week　and　never　wake　at　all。〃

〃It's　the　tea；〃　smiled　Miss　Ainslie；　〃for　I'm　a　very　commonplace　body。〃

〃You；　commonplace？〃　repeated　Ruth；　〃why；　there's　nobody　like　you！〃

They　stood　at　the　door　a　few　moments；　talking　aimlessly；　but　Ruth　was　watching　Miss　Ainslie's　face；　as　the　sunset　light　lay　caressingly　upon　it。　〃I've　had　a　lovely　time；〃　she　said；　taking　another　step　toward　the　gate。

〃So　have　Iyou'll　come　again；　won't　you？〃　The　sweet　voice　was　pleading　now；　and　Ruth　answered　it　in　her　inmost　soul。　Impulsively；　she　came　back；　threw　her　arms　around　Miss　Ainslie's　neck；　and　kissed　her。　〃I　love　you；〃　she　said；　〃don't　you　know　I　do？〃

The　quick　tears　filled　Miss　Ainslie's　eyes　and　she　smiled　through　the　mist。　〃Thank　you；　deary；〃　she　whispered；　〃it's　a　long　time　since　any　one　has　kissed　mea　long　time！〃

Ruth　turned　back　at　the　gate；　to　wave　her　hand；　and　even　at　that　distance；　saw　that　Miss　Ainslie　was　very　pale。


Winfield　was　waiting　for　her；　just　outside　the　hedge；　but　his　presence　jarred　upon　her　strangely；　and　her　salutation　was　not　cordial。

〃Is　the　lady　a　friend　of　yours？〃　he　inquired；　indifferently。

〃She　is；〃　returned　Ruth；　〃I　don't　go　to　see　my　enemiesdo　you？〃

〃I　don't　know　whether　I　do　or　not；〃　he　said；　looking　at　her　significantly。

Her　colour　rose；　but　she　replied；　sharply：　〃For　the　sake　of　peace；　let　us　assume　that　you　do　not。〃

〃Miss　Thorne；〃　he　be