the red acorn-第8章

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〃Mrs。　Tufis；　I　come　to　you；　as　president　of　this　society；　to　apologize　for　my　absence　from　so　many　of　your　meetings；　and　to　excuse　myself　on　the　ground　of　indisposition。〃　　（Mrs。　Grimes　darted　a　significant　look　at　Elmira。）　　〃I　also　want　to　announce　that；　as　I　have　determined　to　join　the　corps　of　nurses　for　the　field　hospitals；　which　Miss　Dix；　of　New　York；　is　organizing；　and　as　I　will　start　for　the　front　soon；　I　shall　have　to　ask　you　to　excuse　me　from　any　farther　attendance　upon　your　meetings；　and　drop　my　name　from　your　roll。〃

She　replied　pleasantly　to　a　flood　of　questions　and　expostulations；　which　the　crowd　that　gathered　around　poured　upon　her；　and　turning；　walked　quietly　away　to　her　home。





Chapter　VI。　　The　Awakening。




The　nobler　nature　within　him　stirred　To　life；　at　that　woman's　deed　and　word。　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Whittier。


Deeper　emotions　than　he　had　felt　before　in　all　his　life　of　shallow　aimlessness　stirred　Harry　Glen's　bosom　as　he　turned　away　from　the　door　which　Rachel　Bond　closed　behind　her　with　a　decisive　promptness　that　chorded　well　with　her　resolute　composure　during　the　interview。

This　blow　fell　much　more　heavily　than　any　that　had　preceded　it；　because　it　descended　from　the　towering　height　to　which　he　had　raised　his　expectations　of　an　ardent　greeting　from　a　loving　girl；　eagerly　watching　for　his　return。

As　was　to　be　expected　from　one　of　his　nature；　he　forgot　entirely　his　ruminations　upon　the　advisability　of　discarding　her；　and　the　difficulty　he　experienced　in　devising　a　plan　whereby　this　could　be　done　easily　and　gracefully。　　He　only　thought　of　himself　as　the　blameless　victim　of　a　woman's　fickleness。　　The　bitter　things　he　had　read　and　heard　of　the　sex's　inconstancy　rose　in　his　mind；　as　acrid　bile　sometimes　ascends　in　one's　throat。

〃Here；〃　he　said　to　himself；　〃is　an　instance　of　feminine　perfidy　equal　to　anything　that　Byron　ever　sneered　at。　　This　girl；　who　was　so　proud　to　receive　my　attentions　a　little　while　ago；　and　who　so　gladly　accepted　me　for　her　promised　husband；　now　turns　away　at　the　slightest　cloud　of　disapproval　falling　upon　me。　　And　to　think；　too；　how　I　have　given　her　all　my　heart；　and　lavished　upon　her　a　love　as　deep　and　true　as　ever　a　man　gave　a　woman。〃

He　was　sure　that　he　had　been　so　badly　used　as　to　have　sufficient　grounds　for　turning　misanthrope　and　woman…hater。　　Thin　natures　are　like　light　wines　and　weak　syrups　in　the　readiness　with　which　they　sour。

The　moon　had　risen　as　it　did　on　that　eventful　betrothal…night。　Again　the　stars　had　sunk　from　sight　in　the　sea　of　silver　splendor　rolling　from　the　round；　full　orb。　　Again　the　roadway　down　the　hill　lay　like　a　web　of　fine　linen；　bleaching　upon　an　emerald　meadow。　Again　the　clear　waters　of　the　Miami　rippled　in　softly　merry　music　over　the　white　limestone　of　their　shallow　bed。　　Again　the　river；　winding　through　the　pleasant　valley；　framed　in　gently　rising　hill…sides；　appeared　as　　great　silver　ribbon；　decorating　a　mass　of　heavily…embroidered　green　velvet。　　Again　Sardis　lay　at　the　foot　of　the　hills；　its　coarse　and　common　place　outlines　softened　into　glorious　symmetry　by　the　moonlight's　wondrous　witchery。

He　stopped　for　a　moment　and　glanced　at　the　old　apple…tree；　under　which　they　had　stood　when


〃Their　spirits　rushed　together　at　the　meeting　of　their　lips。〃


But　its　raiment　of　odorous　blossoms　was　gone。　　Instead；　it　bore　a　load　of　shapeless；　sour；　unripened　fruit。　　Instead　of　the　freshling　springing　grass；　at　its　foot　was　now　a　coarse　stubble。　　Instead　of　the　delicately　sweet　breath　of　violets　and　fruit　blooms　scenting　the　evening　air　came　the　heavy；　persistent　perfume　of　tuberoses；　and　the　mawkish　scent　of　gaudy　poppies。

〃Bah；　it　smells　like　a　funeral；〃　he　said；　and　he　turned　away　and　walked　slowly　down　the　hill。　　〃And　it　is　one。　　My　heart　and　all　my　hopes　lie　buried　at　the　foot　of　that　old　apple…tree。〃

It　had　been　suggested　that　much　of　the　sympathy　we　lavish　upon　martyrs　is　wanton　waste；　because　to　many　minds；　if　not　in　fact　to　all；　there　is　a　positive　pleasure　in　considering　oneself　a　martyr。　More　absolute　truth　is　contained　in　this　than　appears　at　the　first　blush。　　There　are　very　few　who　do　not　roll　under　their　tongues　as　a　sweet　morsel　the　belief　that　their　superior　goodness　or　generosity　has　brought　them　trouble　and　affliction　from　envious　and　wicked　inferiors。

So　the　honey　that　mingled　with　the　gall　and　hysop　of　Harry　Glen's　humiliation　was　the　martyr　feeling　that　his　holiest　affections　had　been　ruthlessly　trampled　upon　by　a　cold…hearted　woman。　　His　desultory　readings　of　Byron　furnished　his　imagination　with　all　the　woful　suits　and　trappings　necessary　to　trick　himself　out　as　a　melancholy　hero。

On　his　way　home　he　had　to　pass　the　principal　hotel　in　the　place；　the　front　of　which　on　Summer　evenings　was　the　Sardis　forum　for　the　discussion　of　national　politics　and　local　gossip。　　As　he　approached　quietly　along　the　grassy　walk　he　overheard　his　own　name　used。　　He　stepped　back　into　the　shadow　of　a　large　maple　and　listened：

〃Yes；　I　seen　him　as　he　got　off　the　train；〃　said　Nels　Hathaway；　big；　fat；　lazy；　and　the　most　inveterate　male　gossip　in　the　village。　〃And　he　is　looking　mighty　wellyes；　MIGHTY　well。　　I　said　to　Tom　Botkins；　here；　'what　a　wonderful　consitution　Harry　Glen　has；　to　be　sure；　to　stand　the　hardships　of　the　field　so　well。'〃

The　sarcasm　was　so　evident　that　Harry's　blood　seethed。　　The　Tim　Botkins　alluded　to　had　been　dubbed　by　Basil　Wurmset；　the　cynic　and　wit　of　the　village；　〃apt　appreciation's　artful　aid。〃　　Red…haired；　soft　eyed；　moon…faced；　round　of　belly　and　lymphatic　of　temperament；　his　principal　occupation　in　life　was　to　play　　fiddle　in　the　Sardis　string…band；　and　in　the　intervals　of　professional　engagements　at　dances　and　picnics；　to　fill　one　of　the　large　splint…bottomed　chairs　in　front　of　the　hotel　with　his　pulpy　form；　and　receive　the　smart　or　bitter　sayings　of　the　loungers　there　with　a　laught　that　began　before　any　one　else's；　and　lasted　after　the　others　had　gotten　through。　　His　laugh　alone　was　as　good　as　that　of　all　the　rest　of　the　crowd。　　It　was　not　a　hearty；　resonant　laugh；　like　that　from　the　mouth　of　a　strong…lunged；　wholesome…natured　man；　which　has　the　mellow　roundness　of　a　solo　on　a　French　horn。　　It　was　a　slovenly；　greasy；　convictionless　laugh；　with　uncertain　tones　and　ill…defined　edges。　　Its　effect　was　due　to　its　volume；　readiness；　and　long　continuance。　　Swelling　up　of　the　puffy　form；　and　reddening　ripples　of　the　broad　face　heralded　it；　it　began　with　a　contagious　cackle；　it　deepened　into　a　flabby　guffaw；　and　after　all　the　others　roundabout　had　finished　their　cachinnatory　tribute　it　wound　up　with　what　was　between　a　roar　and　the　lazy　drone　of　a　bagpipe。

It　now　rewarded　Nels　Hathaway's　irony；　and　the　rest　of　the　loungers　joined　in。　　Encouraged；　Nels　continued；　as　its　last　echoes　died　away：

〃Yes；　he's　just　as　spry　and　pert　as　anybody。　　He　seems　to　have　recovered　entirely　from　all　his　wounds；　none　of　'em　have　disfiggered　him　any；　and　his　nerves　have　got　over　their　terrible　strain。〃

Tim　ran　promptly　through　all　the　notes　in　his　diapason；　and　the　rest　joined　in　on　the　middle　register。

〃Well；　I'm　not　at　all　surprised；〃　said　Mr。　Oldunker；　a　bitter　States'　Rights　Democrat；　and　the　oracle　of　his　party。　　〃I　told　you　how　it'd　be　from　the　first。　　Harry　Glen　was　one　of　them　Wide…Awakes　that　marched　around　on　pleasant　evenings　last　Fall　with　oil…cloth　capes　and　kerosene　lamps。　　I　told　you　that　those　fellows'd　be　no　where　when　the　war　they　were　trying　to　bring　on　came。　　I'm　not　at　all　astonished　that　he　showed　himself　lily…livered　when　he　found　the　people　that　he　was　willing　to　rob　of　their　property　standing　ready　to　fight　for　their　homes　and　their　slaves。〃

〃Ready　to　shoot　into　a　crowd　of　unsuspecting　men；　you　mean；〃　sneered　Basil　Wurmset；　〃and　then　break　their　own　cursed　necks　when　they　saw　a　little　cold　steel　coming　their　way。〃

Tim　came　in　promptly　with　his　risible　symphony。

〃Well；　they　didn't　run　away　from　any　cold　steel　that　Harry　Glen　displayed；〃　sneered　Oldunker。

Tim's　laugh　was　allegro　and　crescendo　at　the　first；　and　staccato　at　the　close。

〃You　seem　to　forget　that　Capt。　Bob　Bennett　was　a　Wide…Awake；　too；〃　retorted　Wurmset；　〃though　you　might　have　remembered　it　from　his　having　threatened　to　lick　you　for　encouraging　the　boys　to　stone　the　lamps　in　the　procession。〃

Tim　cackled；　gurgled　and　roared。

Nels　Hathaway　had　kept　silent　as　long　as　he　could。　　He　must　put　his　oar　into　the　conversational　tide。

〃I'd　give　six　bits；〃　he　said；　〃to　know　how　the　meeting　between　him　and　Rachel　Bond　passes　off。　　He's　gone　up　to　the　house。　　The　boys　seen　him；　all　dressed　up　his　best。　　But　his　finery　and　his　perfumed　hankerchiefs　won't　count　anything　with　her；　I　can　tell　YOU。　　She　comes　of　fighting　stock；　if　ever　a　woman　did。　　The　Bonds　and　Harringtonsher　mother's　peopleare　game　breeds；　both　of　'em；　and　stand　right　on　their　record；　every　time。　　She'll　have　precious　little　traffic　with　a　white…feathered　fellow。　　I　think　she's　been　preparing　for　him　the　coldest　shoulder　any　young　feller　in　Sardis's　got　for　many　a　long　day。〃

There　was　nothing　very　funny　in　this　speech；　but　a　good　deal　of　risible　matter　had　accumulated　in　Tim's　diaphragm　during　its　delivery　which　he　had　to　get　rid　of；　and　he　did。

Harry　had　heard　enough。　　While　Tim's　laugh　yet　resounded　he　walked　away　unnoticed；　and　taking　a　roundabout　course　gained　his　room。　There　he　remained　a　week；　hardly　coming　down　to　his　meals。　　It　was　a　terrible　week　for　him；　for　every　waking　hour　of　it　he　walked　through　the　valley　of　humiliation；　and　drank　the　bitter　waters　of　shame。　　The　joints　of　his　hitherto　impenetrable　armor　of　self…conceit　had　been　so　pierced　by　the　fine　rapier　thrusts　of　Rachel's　scorn　that　it　fell　from　him　under　the　coarse　pounding　of　the　village　loungers　and　left　him　naked　and　defenseless　to　their　blows。　　Every　nerve　and　sense　ached　with　acute　pain。　　He　now　felt　all　of　his　father's　humiliation；　all　his　mother's　querulous　sorrow；　all　his　betrothed's　anguish　and　abasement。

Thoughts　of　suicide；　and　of　flying　to　some　part　of　the　country　where　he　was　entirely　unknown；　crowded　upon　him　incessantly。　　But　with　that　perversity　that　nature　seemingly　delights　in；　there　had　arisen　in　his　heart　since　he　had　lost　her；　such　a　love　for　Rachel　Bond　as　made　life　without　her；　or　without　her　esteem　even；　seem　valueless。　　To　go　into　a　strange　part　of　the　country　and　begin　life　anew　would　be　to　give　her　up　forever；　and　this　he　could　not　do。　　It　would　be　much　preferable　to　die　demonstrating　that　he　was　in　some　degree　worthy　of　her。　　And　a　latent　manly　pride　awakened　and　came　to　his　assistance。　　He　could　not　be　the　son　of　his　proud；　iron…willed　father　without　some　transmission　of　that　sire's　courageous　qualities。　　He　formed　his　resolution：　　He　would　stay　in　Sardis；　and　recover　his　honor　where　he　had　lost　it。

At　the　end　of　the　week　he　heard　the　drums　beat；　the　cannon　fire；　and　the　people　cheer。　　The　company　had　come　home；　and　was　marching　proudly　down　the　street　to　a　welcome　as　enthusiastic　as　if　its　members　were　bronzed　veterans　returning　victoriously　from　a　campaign　that　had　lasted　for　years。

His　mother　told　him　the　next　day　that　the　company　had　decided　to　re…enlist　for　three　years　or　duration　of　the　war；　and　that　a　meeting　would　be　held　that　even