active service-第5章

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The　girl　made　a　sad　gesture。　　〃I　don't　know。　I　don't　know。　Perhaps　when　you　come　to　know　Rufus　better…〃

〃　Know　him　better。　Know　that　rapscallion　better？　Why；　I　know　him　much　better　than　he　knows　himself。　I　know　him　too　well。　Do　you　think　I　am　talking　offhand　about　this　affair？　Do　you　think　I　am　talking　without　proper　information？〃

Marjory　made　no　reply。

〃Well；〃　said　the　professor；　〃you　may　see　Coleman　on　condition　that　you　inform　him　at　once　that　I　forbid　your　marriage　to　him。　I　don't　understand　at　all　how　to　manage　these　situations。　I　don't　know　what　to　do。　I　suppose　I　should　go　myself　and…No；　you　can't　see　him；　Majory。〃

Still　the　girl　made　no　reply。　Her　head　sank　forward　and　she　breathed　a　trifle　heavily。　〃Marjory；〃　cried　the　professor；　it　is　impossible　that　you　should　think　so　much　of　this　man。〃　He　arose　and　went　to　his　daughter。　〃　Marjory；　many　wise　children　have　been　guided　by　foolish　fathers；　but　we　both　suspect　that　no　foolish　child　has　ever　been　guided　by　a　wise　father。　Let　us　change　it。　I　present　myself　to　you　as　a　wise　father。　Follow　my　wishes　in　this　affair　and　you　will　be　at　least　happier　than　if　you　marry　this　wretched　Coleman。〃

She　answered：　〃　He　is　waiting　for　me。〃

The　professor　turned　abruptly　from　her　and　dropped　into　his　chair　at　the　table。　He　resumed　a　grip　on　his　pen。　〃　Go；〃　he　said；　wearily。　〃　Go。　But　if　you　have　a　remnant　of　sense；　remember　what　I　have　said　to　you。　Go。〃　He　waved　his　hand　in　a　dismissal　that　was　slightly　scornful。　〃　I　hoped　you　would　have　a　minor　conception　of　what　you　were　doing。　It　seems　a　pity。〃　Drooping　in　tears；　the　girl　slowly　left　the　room。

Coleman　had　an　idea　that　he　had　occupied　the　chair　for　several　months。　He　gazed　about　at　the　pictures　and　the　odds　and　ends　of　a　drawing…room　in　an　attempt　to　take　an　interest　in　them。　The　great　garlanded　paper　shade　over　the　piano　lamp　consoled　his　impatience　in　a　mild　degree　because　he　knew　that　Marjory　had　made　it。　He　noted　the　clusters　of　cloth　violets　which　she　had　pinned　upon　the　yellow　paper　and　he　dreamed　over　the　fact。　He　was　able　to　endow　this　shade　with　certain　qualities　of　sentiment　that　caused　his　stare　to　become　almost　a　part　of　an　intimacy；　a　communion。　He　looked　as　if　he　could　have　unburdened　his　soul　to　this　shade　over　the　piano　lamp。

Upon　the　appearance　of　Marjory　he　sprang　up　and　came　forward　rapidly。　〃　Dearest；〃　he　murmured；　stretching　out　both　hands。　She　gave　him　one　set　of　fingers　with　chilling　convention。　She　said　something　which　he　understood　to　be　〃　Good…afternoon。〃　He　started　as　if　the　woman　before　him　had　suddenly　drawn　a　knife。　〃　Marjory；〃　he　cried；　〃what　is　the　matter？。〃　They　walked　together　toward　a　window。　The　girl　looked　at　him　in　polite　enquiry。　〃　Why？　〃　she　said。　〃　Do　I　seem　strange　？　〃　There　was　a　moment's　silence　while　he　gazed　into　her　eyes；　eyes　full　of　innocence　and　tranquillity。　At　last　she　tapped　her　foot　upon　the　floor　in　expression　of　mild　impatience。　〃　People　do　not　like　to　be　asked　what　is　the　matter　when　there　is　nothing　the　matter。　What　do　you　mean　？　〃

Coleman's　face　had　gradually　hardened。　〃　Well；　what　is　wrong？　〃　he　demanded；　abruptly。　〃What　has　happened？　What　is　it；　Marjory　？　〃

She　raised　her　glance　in　a　perfect　reality　of　wonder。　〃What　is　wrong？　What　has　happened？　How　absurd！　Why　nothing；　of　course。〃　She　gazed　out　of　the　window。　〃　Look；〃　she　added；　brightly；　the　students　are　rolling　somebody　in　a　drift。　Oh；　the　poor　Man　！　〃

Coleman；　now　wearing　a　bewildered　air；　made　some　pretense　of　being　occupied　with　the　scene。　〃　Yes；〃　he　said；　ironically。　〃Very　interesting；　indeed。〃

〃　Oh；〃　said　Marjory；　suddenly；　〃　I　forgot　to　tell　you。　Father　is　going　to　take　mother　and　me　to　Greece　this　winter　with　him　and　the　class。〃

Coleman　replied　at　once。　〃　Ah；　indeed　？　That　will　be　jolly。〃

〃Yes。　Won't　it　be　charming？〃

〃　I　don't　doubt　it；〃　he　replied。　His　composure　May　have　displeased　her；　for　she　glanced　at　him　furtively　and　in　a　way　that　denoted　surprise；　perhaps。

〃Oh；　of　course；〃　she　said；　in　a　glad　voice。　〃　It　will　be　more　fun。　We　expect　to　nave　a　fine　time。　There　is　such　a　n　ice　lot　of　boys　going　Sometimes　father　　　　　chooses　these　dreadfully　studious　ones。　But　this　time　he　acts　as　if　he　knew　precisely　how　to　make　up　a　party。〃

He　reached　for　her　hand　and　grasped　it　vise…like。　〃Marjory；〃　he　breathed；　passionately；　〃　don't　treat　me　so。　Don't　treat　me…〃

She　wrenched　her　hand　from　him　in　regal　indignation。　〃　One　or　two　rings　make　it　uncomfortable　for　the　hand　that　is　grasped　by　an　angry　gentleman。〃　She　held　her　fingers　and　gazed　as　if　she　expected　to　find　them　mere　debris。　〃　I　am　sorry　that　you　are　not　interested　in　the　students　rolling　that　man　in　the　snow。　It　is　the　greatest　scene　our　quiet　life　can　afford。〃

He　was　regarding　her　as　a　judge　faces　a　lying　culprit。　〃　I　know；〃　he　said；　after　a　pause。　〃　Somebody　has　been　telling　you　some　stories。　You　have　been　hearing　something　about　me。〃

〃　Some　stories　？　〃　she　enquired。　〃　Some　stories　about　you？　What　do　you　mean？　Do　you　mean　that　I　remember　stories　I　may　happen　to　hear　about　people？　〃

There　was　another　pause　and　then　Coleman's　face　flared　red。　He　beat　his　hand　violently　upon　a　table。　〃　Good　God；　Marjory！　Don't　make　a　fool　of　me。　Don't　make　this　kind　of　a　fool　of　me；　at　any　rate。　Tell　me　what　you　mean。　Explain…〃

She　laughed　at　him。　〃　Explain？　Really；　your　vocabulary　is　getting　extensive；　but　it　is　dreadfully　awkward　to　ask　people　to　explain　when　there　is　nothing　to　explain。〃

He　glanced　at　her；　〃　I　know　as　well　as　you　do　that　your　father　is　taking　you　to　Greece　in　order　to　get　rid　of　me。〃

〃　And　do　people　have　to　go　to　Greece　in　order　to　get　rid　of　you？　〃　she　asked；　civilly。　〃　I　think　you　are　getting　excited。〃

〃　Marjory；〃　he　began；　stormily。　She　raised　her　hand。　〃　Hush；〃　she　said；　〃there　is　somebody　coming。〃　A　bell　had　rung。　A　maid　entered　the　room。　〃　Mr。　Coke；〃　she　said。　Marjory　nodded。　In　the　interval　of　waiting；　Coleman　gave　the　girl　a　glance　that　mingled　despair　with　rage　and　pride。　Then　Coke　burst　with　half…tamed　rapture　into　the　room。　〃　Oh；　Miss　Wainwright；〃　he　almost　shouted；　〃　I　can't　tell　you　how　glad　I　am。　I　just　heard　to…day　you　were　going。　Imagine　it。　It　will　be　moreoh；　how　are　you　Coleman；　how　are　you　〃　〃

Marjory　welcomed　the　new…comer　with　a　cordiality　that　might　not　have　thrilled　Coleman　with　pleasure。　They　took　chairs　that　formed　a　triangle　and　one　side　of　it　vibrated　with　talk。　Coke　and　Marjory　engaged　in　a　tumultuous　conversation　concerning　the　prospective　trip　to　Greece。　The　Sunday　editor；　as　remote　as　if　the　apex　of　his　angle　was　the　top　of　a　hill；　could　only　study　the　girl's　clear　profile。　The　youthful　voices　of　the　two　others　rang　like　bells。　He　did　not　scowl　at　Coke；　he　merely　looked　at　him　as　if　be　gently　disdained　his　mental　calibre。　In　fact　all　the　talk　seemed　to　tire　him；　it　was　childish；　as　for　him；　he　apparently　found　this　babble　almost　insupportable。

〃　And；　just　think　of　the　camel　rides　we'll　have；〃　cried　Coke。

〃　Camel　rides；〃　repeated　Coleman；　dejectedly。　〃　My　dear　Coke。〃

Finally　he　arose　like　an　old　man　climbing　from　a　sick　bed。　〃Well；　I　am　afraid　I　must　go；　Miss　Wainwright。〃　Then　he　said　affectionately　to　Coke：　〃　Good…bye；　old　boy。　I　hope　you　will　have　a　good　time。〃

Marjory　walked　with　him　to　the　door。　He　shook　her　hand　in　a　friendly　fashion。　〃　Good…bye；　Marjory；'　he　said。　〃　Perhaps　it　may　happen　that　I　shan't　see　you　again　before　you　start　for　Greece　and　so　I　had　best　bid　you　God…speed…or　whatever　the　term　is　now。　You　will　have　a　charming　time；　Greece　must　be　a　delightful　place。　Really；　I　envy　you；　Marjory。　And　now　my　dear　child　〃…his　voice　grew　brotherly；　filled　with　the　patronage　of　generous　fraternal　love；　〃　although　I　may　never　see　you　again　let　me　wish　you　fifty　as　happy　years　as　this　last　one　has　been　for　me。〃　He　smiled　frankly　into　her　eyes；　then　dropping　her　hand；　he　went　away。

Coke　renewed　his　tempest　of　talk　as　Marjory　turned　toward　him。　But　after　a　series　of　splendid　eruptions；　whose　red　fire　illumined　all　of　ancient　and　modem　Greece；　he　too　went　away。

The　professor　was　in　his。　library　apparently　absorbed　in　a　book　when　a　tottering　pale…faced　woman　appeared　to　him　and；　in　her　course　toward　a　couch　in　a　corner　of　the　room；　described　almost　a　semi…circle。　She　flung　herself　face　downward。　A　thick　strand　of　hair　swept　over　her　shoulder。　〃　Oh；　my　heart　is　broken！　My　heart　is　broken！　〃

The　professor　arose；　grizzled　and　thrice…old　with　pain。　He　went　to　the　couch；　but　he　found　himself　a　handless；　fetless　man。　〃　My　poor　child；〃　he　said。　〃　My　poor　child。〃　He　remained　listening　stupidly　to　her　convulsive　sobbing。　A　ghastly　kind　of　solemnity　came　upon　the　room。

Suddenly　the　girl　lifted　herself　and　swept　the　strand　of　hair　away　from　her　face。　She　looked　at　the　professor　with　the　wide…　open　dilated　eyes　of　one　who　still　sleeps。　〃　Father；〃　she　said　in　a　hollow　voice；　〃　he　don't　love　me。　He　don't　love　me。　He　don't　love　me。　at　all。　You　were　right；　father。〃　She　began　to　laugh。

〃Marjory；〃　said　the　professor；　trembling。　〃Be　quiet；　child。　Be　quiet。〃

〃　But；〃　she　said；　〃　I　thought　he　loved　meI　was　sure　of　it。　But　it　don't…don't　matter。　II　can't　get　over　it。　Women…women；　the…　but　it　don't　matter。〃

〃　Marjory；〃　said　the　professor。　〃　Marjory；　my　poor　daughter。〃

She　did　not　heed　his　appeal；　but　continued　in　a　dull　whisper。　〃　He　was　playing　with　me。　He　waswas…was　flirting　with　me。　　He　didn't　care　when　I　told　himI　told　him　I　was　going…going　away。〃　She　turned　her　face　wildly　to　the　cushions　again。　Her　young　shoulders　shook　as　if　they　might　break。　〃　Wo…men…women…they　always〃







CHAPTER　V。

By　a　strange　mishap　of　management　the　train　which　bore　Coleman　back　toward　New　York　was　fetched　into　an　obscure　side…track　of　some　lonely　region　and　there　compelled　to　bide　a　change　of　fate。　The　engine　wheezed　and　sneezed　like　a　paused　fat　man。　The　lamps　in　the　cars　pervaded　a　stuffy　odor　of　smoke　and　oil。　Coleman　examined　his　case　and　found　only　one　cigar。　Important　brakemen　proceeded　rapidly　along　the　aisles；　and　when　they　swung　open　the　doors；　a　polar　wind　circled　the　legs　of　the　passengers。　〃　Well；　now；　what　is　all　this　for？　〃　demanded　Coleman；　furiously。　〃　I　want　to　get　back　to　New　York。〃

The　conductor　replied　with　sarcasm；　〃　Maybe　you　think　I'm　stuck　on　it　〃　I　ain't　running　the　road。　I'm　running　this　train；　and　I　run　it　according　to　orders。〃　Amid　the　dismal　comforts　of　the　waiting　cars；　Coleman　felt　all　the　profound　misery　of　the　rebuffed　true　lover。　He　had　been　sentenced；　he　thought；　to　a　penal　servitude　of　the　heart；　as　he　watched　the　dusky；　vague　ribbons　of　smoke　come　from　the　lamps　and　felt　to　his　knees　the　cold　winds　from　the　brakemen's　busy　flights。　When　the　train　started　with　a　whistle　and　a　jolt；　he　was　elate　as　if　in　his　　abjection　his　beloved's　hand　had　reached　to　him　from　the　clouds。

When　he　had　arrived　in　New　York；　a　cab　rattled　him　to　an　uptown　hotel　with　speed。　In　the　restaurant　he　first　ordered　a　large　bottle　of　champagne。　The　last　of　the　wine　he　finished　in　sombre　mood　like　an　unbroken　and　defiant　man　who　chews　the　straw　that　litters　his　prison　house。　During　his　dinner　he　was　continually　sending　out　messenger　boys。　He　was　arranging　a　poker　party。　Through　a　window　he　watched　the　beautiful　moving　life　of　upper　Broadway　at　night；　with　its　crowd