the lion and the unicorn-第13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！


of　his　journey。　　But　it　was　enough；　they　said；　that　some　one　in
authority　was　at　last　to　seek　out　the　truth；　and　added　that　no
one　would　be　listened　to　with　greater　respect　than　would　the
Southern　senator。　　On　this　all　the　editorial　writers　were　agreed。

The　day　passed　drearily　for　Arkwright。　　Early　in　the　morning　he
packed　his　valise　and　paid　his　landlord；　and　for　the
remainder　of　the　day　walked　the　streets　or　sat　in　the　hotel
corridor　waiting　impatiently　for　each　fresh　edition　of　the
papers。　　In　them　he　read　the　signs　of　the　great　upheaval　of
popular　feeling　that　was　to　restore　peace　and　health　and　plenty
to　the　island　for　which　he　had　given　his　last　three　years　of
energy　and　life。

He　was　trembling　with　excitement；　as　well　as　with　the　cold；　when
at　ten　o'clock　precisely　he　stood　at　Senator　Stanton's　door。　　He
had　forgotten　to　eat　his　dinner；　and　the　warmth　of　the　dimly　lit
hall　and　the　odor　of　rich　food　which　was　wafted　from　an　inner
room　touched　his　senses　with　tantalizing　comfort。

〃The　senator　says　you　are　to　come　this　way；　sir；〃　the　servant
directed。　　He　took　Arkwright's　valise　from　his　hand　and　parted
the　heavy　curtains　that　hid　the　dining…room；　and　Arkwright
stepped　in　between　them　and　then　stopped　in　some　embarrassment。　
He　found　himself　in　the　presence　of　a　number　of　gentlemen　seated
at　a　long　dinner…table；　who　turned　their　heads　as　he　entered　and
peered　at　him　through　the　smoke　that　floated　in　light　layers
above　the　white　cloth。　　The　dinner　had　been　served；　but　the
senator's　guests　still　sat　with　their　chairs　pushed　back　from　a
table　lighted　by　candles　under　yellow　shades；　and　covered　with
beautiful　flowers　and　with　bottles　of　varied　sizes　in　stands　of
quaint　and　intricate　design。　　Senator　Stanton's　tall　figure
showed　dimly　through　the　smoke；　and　his　deep　voice　hailed
Arkwright　cheerily　from　the　farther　end　of　the　room。　　〃This　way；
Mr。　Arkwright；〃　he　said。　　〃I　have　a　chair　waiting　for　you　here。〃　
He　grasped　Arkwright's　hand　warmly　and　pulled　him　into　the　vacant
place　at　his　side。　　An　elderly　gentleman　on　Arkwright's　other
side　moved　to　make　more　room　for　him　and　shoved　a　liqueur　glass
toward　him　with　a　friendly　nod　and　pointed　at　an　open　box　of
cigars。　　He　was　a　fine…looking　man；　and　Arkwright　noticed　that　he
was　regarding　him　with　a　glance　of　the　keenest　interest。　　All　of
those　at　the　table　were　men　of　twice　Arkwright's　age；　except
Livingstone；　whom　he　recognized　and　who　nodded　to　him　pleasantly
and　at　the　same　time　gave　an　order　to　a　servant；　pointing　at
Arkwright　as　he　did　so。　　Some　of　the　gentlemen　wore　their
business　suits；　and　one　opposite　Arkwright　was　still　in　his
overcoat；　and　held　his　hat　in　his　hand。　　These　latter　seemed　to
have　arrived　after　the　dinner　had　begun；　for　they　formed　a　second
line　back　of　those　who　had　places　at　the　table；　they　all　seemed
to　know　one　another　and　were　talking　with　much　vivacity　and
interest。

Stanton　did　not　attempt　to　introduce　Arkwright　to　his　guests
individually；　but　said：　　〃Gentlemen；　this　is　Mr。　Arkwright；　of
whom　I　have　been　telling　you；　the　young　gentleman　who　has　done
such　magnificent　work　for　the　cause　of　Cuba。〃　　Those　who　caught
Arkwright's　eye　nodded　to　him；　and　others　raised　their　glasses　at
him；　but　with　a　smile　that　he　could　not　understand。　　It　was　as
though　they　all　knew　something　concerning　him　of　which　he　was
ignorant。　　He　noted　that　the　faces　of　some　were　strangely
familiar；　and　he　decided　that　he　must　have　seen　their　portraits
in　the　public　prints。　　After　he　had　introduced　Arkwright；　the
senator　drew　his　chair　slightly　away　from　him　and　turned　in　what
seemed　embarrassment　to　the　man　on　his　other　side。　　The
elderly　gentleman　next　to　Arkwright　filled　his　glass；　a　servant
placed　a　small　cup　of　coffee　at　his　elbow；　and　he　lit　a　cigar　and
looked　about　him。

〃You　must　find　this　weather　very　trying　after　the　tropics；〃　his
neighbor　said。

Arkwright　assented　cordially。　　The　brandy　was　flowing　through　his
veins　and　warming　him；　he　forgot　that　he　was　hungry；　and　the
kind；　interested　glances　of　those　about　him　set　him　at　his　ease。　
It　was　a　propitious　start；　he　thought；　a　pleasant　leave…taking
for　the　senator　and　himself；　full　of　good　will　and　good　wishes。

He　turned　toward　Stanton　and　waited　until　he　had　ceased　speaking。

〃The　papers　have　begun　well；　haven't　they？〃　he　asked；　eagerly。

He　had　spoken　in　a　low　voice；　almost　in　a　whisper；　but　those
about　the　table　seemed　to　have　heard　him；　for　there　was　silence
instantly　and　when　he　glanced　up　he　saw　the　eyes　of　all　turned
upon　him　and　he　noticed　on　their　faces　the　same　smile　he　had　seen
there　when　he　entered。

〃Yes；〃　Stanton　answered　constrainedly。　　〃Yes；　I〃　he
lowered　his　voice；　but　the　silence　still　continued。　　Stanton　had
his　eyes　fixed　on　the　table；　but　now　he　frowned　and　half　rose
from　his　chair。

〃I　want　to　speak　with　you；　Arkwright；〃　he　said。　　〃Suppose　we　go
into　the　next　room。　　I'll　be　back　in　a　moment；〃　he　added；　nodding
to　the　others。

But　the　man　on　his　right　removed　his　cigar　from　his　lips　and　said
in　an　undertone；　〃No；　sit　down；　stay　where　you　are；〃　and　the
elderly　gentleman　at　Arkwright's　side　laid　his　hand　detainingly
on　his　arm。　　〃Oh；　you　won't　take　Mr。　Arkwright　away　from　us；
Stanton？〃　he　asked；　smiling。

Stanton　shrugged　his　shoulders　and　sat　down　again；　and　there　was
a　moment's　pause。　　It　was　broken　by　the　man　in　the　overcoat；　who
laughed。

〃He's　paying　you　a　compliment；　Mr。　Arkwright；〃　he　said。　　He
pointed　with　his　cigar　to　the　gentleman　at　Arkwright's　side。

〃I　don't　understand；〃　Arkwright　answered　doubtfully。

〃It's　a　compliment　to　your　eloquencehe's　afraid　to　leave　you
alone　with　the　senator。　　Livingstone's　been　telling　us　that
you　are　a　better　talker　than　Stanton。〃　　Arkwright　turned　a
troubled　countenance　toward　the　men　about　the　table；　and　then
toward　Livingstone；　but　that　young　man　had　his　eyes　fixed　gravely
on　the　glasses　before　him　and　did　not　raise　them。

Arkwright　felt　a　sudden；　unreasonable　fear　of　the　circle　of
strong…featured；　serene　and　confident　men　about　him。　　They　seemed
to　be　making　him　the　subject　of　a　jest；　to　be　enjoying　something
among　themselves　of　which　he　was　in　ignorance；　but　which
concerned　him　closely。　　He　turned　a　white　face　toward　Stanton。

〃You　don't　mean；〃　he　began　piteously；　〃thatthat　you　are　not
going？　　Is　that　ittell　meis　that　what　you　wanted　to　say？〃

Stanton　shifted　in　his　chair　and　muttered　some　words　between　his
lips；　then　turned　toward　Arkwright　and　spoke　quite　clearly　and
distinctly。

〃I　am　very　sorry；　Mr。　Arkwright；〃　he　said；　〃but　I　am　afraid　I'll
have　to　disappoint　you。　　Reasons　I　cannot　now　explain　have　arisen
which　make　my　going　impossiblequite　impossible；〃　he　added
firmly〃not　only　now；　but　later；〃　he　went　on　quickly；　as
Arkwright　was　about　to　interrupt　him。

Arkwright　made　no　second　attempt　to　speak。　　He　felt　the　muscles
of　his　face　working　and　the　tears　coming　to　his　eyes；　and　to　hide
his　weakness　he　twisted　in　his　chair　and　sat　staring　ahead　of　him
with　his　back　turned　to　the　table。　　He　heard　Livingstone's　voice
break　the　silence　with　some　hurried　question；　and　immediately　his
embarrassment　was　hidden　in　a　murmur　of　answers　and　the　moving　of
glasses　as　the　men　shifted　in　their　chairs　and　the　laughter　and
talk　went　on　as　briskly　as　before。　　Arkwright　saw　a　sideboard
before　him　and　a　servant　arranging　some　silver　on　one　of　the
shelves。　　He　watched　the　man　do　this　with　a　concentrated　interest
as　though　the　dull；　numbed　feeling　in　his　brain　caught　at　the
trifle　in　order　to　put　off；　as　long　as　possible；　the
consideration　of　the　truth。

And　then　beyond　the　sideboard　and　the　tapestry　on　the　wall　above
it；　he　saw　the　sun　shining　down　upon　the　island　of　Cuba；　he　saw
the　royal　palms　waving　and　bending；　the　dusty　columns　of
Spanish　infantry　crawling　along　the　white　roads　and　leaving
blazing　huts　and　smoking　cane…fields　in　their　wake；　he　saw
skeletons　of　men　and　women　seeking　for　food　among　the　refuse　of
the　street；　he　heard　the　order　given　to　the　firing　squad；　the
splash　of　the　bullets　as　they　scattered　the　plaster　on　the　prison
wall；　and　he　saw　a　kneeling　figure　pitch　forward　on　its　face；
with　a　useless　bandage　tied　across　its　sightless　eyes。

Senator　Stanton　brought　him　back　with　a　sharp　shake　of　the
shoulder。　　He　had　also　turned　his　back　on　the　others；　and　was
leaning　forward　with　his　elbows　on　his　knees。　　He　spoke　rapidly；
and　in　a　voice　only　slightly　raised　above　a　whisper。

〃I　am　more　than　sorry；　Arkwright；〃　he　said　earnestly。　　〃You
mustn't　blame　me　altogether。　　I　have　had　a　hard　time　of　it　this
afternoon。　　I　wanted　to　go。　　I　really　wanted　to　go。　　The　thing
appealed　to　me；　it　touched　me；　it　seemed　as　if　I　owed　it　to
myself　to　do　it。　　But　they　were　too　many　for　me；〃　he　added　with　a
backward　toss　of　his　head　toward　the　men　around　his　table。

〃If　the　papers　had　not　told　on　me　I　could　have　got　well　away；〃　he
went　on　in　an　eager　tone；　〃but　as　soon　as　they　read　of　it；　they
came　here　straight　from　their　offices。　　You　know　who　they　are；
don't　you？〃　he　asked；　and　even　in　his　earnestness　there　was　an
added　touch　of　importance　in　his　tone　as　he　spoke　the　name　of　his
party's　leader；　of　men　who　stood　prominently　in　Wall　Street　and
who　were　at　the　head　of　great　trusts。

〃You　see　how　it　is；〃　he　said　with　a　shrug　of　his　shoulders。　
〃They　have　enormous　interests　at　stake。　　They　said　I　would　drag
them　into　war；　that　I　would　disturb　values；　that　the　business
interests　of　the　country　would　suffer。　　I'm　under　obligations　to
most　of　them；　they　have　advised　me　in　financial　matters；　and　they
threatenedthey　threatened　to　make　it　unpleasant　for　me。〃　　His
voice　hardened　and　he　drew　in　his　breath　quickly；　and　laughed。　
〃You　wouldn't　understand　if　I　were　to　tell　you。　　It's　rather
involved。　　And　after　all；　they　may　be　right；　agitation　may　be　bad
for　the　country。　　And　your　party　leader　after　all　is　your　party
leader；　isn't　he；　and　if　he　says　'no'　what　are　you　to　do？　
My　sympathies　are　just　as　keen　for　these　poor　women　and　children
as　ever；　but　as　these　men　say；　'charity　begins　at　home；'　and　we
mustn't　do　anything　to　bring　on　war　prices　again；　or　to　send
stocks　tumbling　about　our　heads；　must　we？〃　　He　leaned　back　in　his
chair　again　and　sighed。　　〃Sympathy　is　an　expensive　luxury；　I
find；〃　he　added。

Arkwright　rose　stiffly　and　pushed　Stanton　away　from　him　with　his
hand。　　He　moved　like　a　man　coming　out　of　a　dream。

〃Don't　talk　to　me　like　that；〃　he　said　in　a　low　voice。　　The　noise
about　the　table　ended　on　the　instant；　but　Arkwright　did　not
notice　that　it　had　ceased。　　〃You　know　I　don't　understand　that；〃
he　went　on；　〃what　does　it　matter　to　me！〃　　He　put　his　hand　up　to
the　side　of　his　face　and　held　it　there；　looking　down　at　Stanton。　
He　had　the　dull；　heavy　look　in　his　eyes　of　a　man　who　has　just
come　through　an　operation　under　some　heavy　drug。　　〃'Wall　Street；'
'trusts；'　'party　leaders；'〃　he　repeated；　〃what　are　they　to　me？　
The　words　don't　reach　me；　they　have　lost　their　meaning；　it　is　a
language　I　have　forgotten；　thank　God！〃　he　added。　　He　turned
and　moved　his　eyes　around　the　table；　scanning　the　faces　of　the
men　before　him。

〃Yes；　you　are　twelve　to　one；〃　he　said　at　last；　still　speaking
dully　and　in　a　low　voice；