the story of an african farm-第71章
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him as he sat there that life was a rare and very rich thing。 He rubbed
his hands in the sunshine。 Ah； to live on so； year after year； how well！
Always in the present； letting each day glide； bringing its own labour； and
its own beauty； the gradual lighting up of the hills； night and the stars；
firelight and the coals！ To live on so； calmly； far from the paths of men；
and to look at the lives of clouds and insects； to look deep into the heart
of flowers； and see how lovingly the pistil and the stamens nestle there
together； and to see in the thorn…pods how the little seeds suck their life
through the delicate curled…up string； and how the little embryo sleeps
inside！ Well； how well； to sit so on one side taking no part in the
world's life； but when great men blossom into books looking into those
flowers also； to see how the world of men too opens beautifully； leaf after
leaf。 Ah！ life is delicious； well to live long； and see the darkness
breaking； and the day coming！ The day when soul shall not thrust back soul
that would come to it； when men shall not be driven to seek solitude
because of the crying…out of their hearts for love and sympathy。 Well to
live long and see the new time breaking。 Well to live long； life is sweet；
sweet； sweet！ In his breast pocket； where of old the broken slate used to
be； there was now a little dancing shoe of his friend who was sleeping。 He
could feel it when he folded his arm tight against his breast； and that was
well also。 He drew his hat lower over his eyes and sat so motionless that
the chickens thought he was asleep； and gathered closer around him。 One
even ventured to peck at his boot； but he ran away quickly。 Tiny； yellow
fellow that he was； he knew that men were dangerous； even sleeping they
might awake。 But Waldo did not sleep； and coming back from his sunshiny
dream； stretched out his hand for the tiny thing to mount。 But the chicken
eyed the hand； and then ran off to hide under its mother's wing； and from
beneath it it sometimes put out its round head to peep at the great figure
sitting there。 Presently its brothers ran off after a little white moth
and it ran out to join them； and when the moth fluttered away over their
heads they stood looking up disappointed； and then ran back to their
mother。
Waldo through his half…closed eyes looked at them。 Thinking； fearing；
craving； those tiny sparks of brother life； what were they； so real there
in that old yard on that sunshiny afternoon？ A few yearswhere would they
be？ Strange little brother spirits！ He stretched his hand toward them；
for his heart went out to them； but not one of the little creatures came
nearer him； and he watched them gravely for a time； then he smiled； and
began muttering to himself after his old fashion。 Afterward he folded his
arms upon his knees； and rested his forehead on them。 And so he sat there
in the yellow sunshine； muttering； muttering； muttering； to himself。
It was not very long after when Em came out at the back door with a towel
thrown across her head； and in her hand a cup of milk。
〃Ah；〃 she said； coming close to him； 〃he is sleeping now。 He will find it
when he wakes； and be glad of it。〃
She put it down upon the ground beside him。 The mother…hen was at work
still among the stones； but the chickens had climbed about him and were
perching on him。 One stood upon his shoulder； and rubbed its little head
softly against his black curls： another tried to balance itself on the
very edge of the old felt hat。 One tiny fellow stood upon his hand； and
tried to crow； another had nestled itself down comfortably on the old coat…
sleeve and gone to sleep there。
Em did not drive them away； but she covered the glass softly at his side。
〃He will wake soon；〃 she said； 〃and be glad of it。〃
But the chickens were wiser。
End
