the house behind the cedars(雪松后的房子)-第49章
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entire absence of any idea that Wain might have amorous designs upon her；
and any shortcomings of manners or speech were excused by the broad
mantle of charity which Rena in her new…found zeal for the welfare of her
people was willing to throw over all their faults。 They were the victims
of oppression； they were not responsible for its results。
Toward the end of the second day； while nearing their destination； the
travelers passed a large white house standing back from the road at the
foot of a lane。 Around it grew widespreading trees and well…kept
shrubbery。 The fences were in good repair。 Behind the house and
across the road stretched extensive fields of cotton and waving corn。
They had passed no other place that showed such signs of thrift and
prosperity。
〃Oh； what a lovely place！〃 exclaimed Rena。 〃That is yours； isn't it？〃
〃No； we ain't got to my house yet；〃 he answered。 〃Dat house b'longs
ter de riches' people roun' here。 Dat house is over in de nex' county。
We're right close to de line now。〃
Shortly afterwards they turned off from the main highway they had
been pursuing； and struck into a narrower road to the left。
〃De main road；〃 explained Wain； 〃goes on to Clinton； 'bout five miles
er mo' away。 Dis one we're turnin' inter now will take us to my place；
which is 'bout three miles fu'ther on。 We'll git dere now in an hour er so。〃
Wain lived in an old plantation house； somewhat dilapidated； and
surrounded by an air of neglect and shiftlessness； but still preserving a
remnant of dignity in its outlines and comfort in its interior arrangements。
Rena was assigned a large room on the second floor。 She was somewhat
surprised at the make…up of the household。 Wain's mother an old
woman； much darker than her sonkept house for him。 A sister with two
children lived in the house。 The element of surprise lay in the presence
of two small children left by Wain's wife； of whom Rena now heard for the
first time。 He had lost his wife； he informed Rena sadly； a couple of
years before。
〃Yas； Miss Rena；〃 she sighed； 〃de Lawd give her； an' de Lawd tuck her
away。 Blessed be de name er de Lawd。〃 He accompanied this
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sententious quotation with a wicked look from under his half…closed
eyelids that Rena did not see。
The following morning Wain drove her in his buggy over to the county
town； where she took the teacher's examination。 She was given a seat in
a room with a number of other candidates for certificates； but the fact
leaking out from some remark of Wain's that she was a colored girl；
objection was quietly made by several of the would…be teachers to her
presence in the room； and she was requested to retire until the white
teachers should have been examined。 An hour or two later she was given
a separate examination； which she passed without difficulty。 The
examiner； a gentleman of local standing； was dimly conscious that she
might not have found her exclusion pleasant； and was especially polite。
It would have been strange； indeed； if he had not been impressed by her
sweet face and air of modest dignity； which were all the more striking
because of her social disability。 He fell into conversation with her；
became interested in her hopes and aims； and very cordially offered to be
of service； if at any time he might； in connection with her school。
〃You have the satisfaction；〃 he said； 〃of receiving the only first…grade
certificate issued to…day。 You might teach a higher grade of pupils than
you will find at Sandy Run； but let us hope that you may in time raise
them to your own level。〃
〃Which I doubt very much；〃 he muttered to himself； as she went away
with Wain。 〃What a pity that such a woman should be a nigger！ If she
were anything to me； though； I should hate to trust her anywhere near that
saddle…colored scoundrel。 He's a thoroughly bad lot； and will bear
watching。〃
Rena； however； was serenely ignorant of any danger from the
accommodating Wain。 Absorbed in her own thoughts and plans； she had
not sought to look beneath the surface of his somewhat overdone
politeness。 In a few days she began her work as teacher； and sought to
forget in the service of others the dull sorrow that still gnawed at her heart。
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THE HOUSE BEHIND THE CEDARS
XXVI
THE SCHOOLHOUSE IN THE WOODS
Blanche Leary； closely observant of Tryon's moods； marked a
decided change in his manner after his return from his trip to Patesville。
His former moroseness had given way to a certain defiant lightness；
broken now and then by an involuntary sigh； but maintained so well； on
the whole； that his mother detected no lapses whatever。 The change was
characterized by another feature agreeable to both the women： Tryon
showed decidedly more interest than ever before in Miss Leary's society。
Within a week he asked her several times to play a selection on the piano；
displaying； as she noticed； a decided preference for gay and cheerful
music； and several times suggesting a change when she chose pieces of a
sentimental cast。 More than once； during the second week after his
return； he went out riding with her； she was a graceful horsewoman；
perfectly at home in the saddle； and appearing to advantage in a riding…
habit。 She was aware that Tryon watched her now and then； with an eye
rather critical than indulgent。
〃He is comparing me with some other girl；〃 she surmised。 〃I seem to
stand the test very well。 I wonder who the other is； and what was the
trouble？〃
Miss Leary exerted all her powers to interest and amuse the man she
had set out to win； and who seemed nearer than ever before。 Tryon； to
his pleased surprise； discovered in her mind depths that he had never
suspected。 She displayed a singular affinity for the tastes that were his
he could not； of course； know how carefully she had studied them。 The
old wound； recently reopened； seemed to be healing rapidly； under
conditions more conducive than before to perfect recovery。 No longer；
indeed； was he pursued by the picture of Rena discovered and unmasked
this he had definitely banished from the realm of sentiment to that of
reason。 The haunting image of Rena loving and beloved； amid the
harmonious surroundings of her brother's home； was not so readily
displaced。 Nevertheless； he reached in several weeks a point from which
he could consider h
