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第23章

lavender and old lace-第23章

小说: lavender and old lace 字数: 每页4000字

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〃You're just in time to see a wedding;〃 she said; when the first raptures had subsided。

〃Whose wedding; sweetheart? Ours?〃

〃Far from it;〃 answered Ruth; laughing。 〃Come with me and I'll explain。〃

She gave him a vivid description of the events that had transpired during his absence; and had invited him to the wedding before it occurred to her that Aunt Jane might not be pleased。 〃I may be obliged to recall my invitation;〃 she said seriously; 〃I'll have to ask Aunty about it。 She may not want you。〃

〃That doesn't make any difference;〃 announced Winfield; in high spirits; 〃I'm agoin' to the wedding and I'm a…goin' to kiss the bride; if you'll let me。〃

Ruth smothered a laugh。 〃You may; if you want to; and I won't be jealous。 Isn't that sweet of me?〃

〃You're always sweet; dear。 Is this the abode of the parson?〃

The Methodist minister was at home; but his wife was not; and Ruth determined to take Winfield in her place。 The clergyman said that he would come immediately; and; as the lovers loitered up the hill; they arrived at the same time。

Winfield was presented to the bridal couple; but there was no time for conversation; since Aunt Jane was in a hurry。 After the brief ceremony was over; Ruth said wickedly:

〃Aunty; on the way to the minister's; Mr。 Winfield told me he was going to kiss the bride。 I hope you don't mind?〃

Winfield looked unutterable things at Ruth; but nobly fulfilled the obligation。 Uncle James beamed upon Ruth in a way which indicated that an attractive idea lay behind it; and Winfield created a diversion by tipping over a vase of flowers。 〃He shan't;〃 he whispered to Ruth; 〃I'll be darned if he shall!〃

〃Ruth;〃 said Aunt Jane; after a close scrutiny of Winfield; 〃if you' relayin' out to marry that awkward creeter; what ain't accustomed to a parlour; you'd better do it now; while him and the minister are both here。〃

Winfield was willing; but Ruth said that one wedding at a time was enough in any family; and the minister; pledged to secrecy; took his departure。 The bride cut the wedding cake and each solemnly ate a piece of it。 It was a sacrament; rather than a festivity。

When the silence became oppressive; Ruth suggested a walk。

〃You will set here; Niece Ruth;〃 remarked Aunt Jane; 〃until I have changed my dress。〃

Uncle James sighed softly; as she went upstairs。 〃Well;〃 he said; 〃I'm merried now; hard and fast; and there ain't no help for it; world without end。〃

〃Cheer up; Uncle;〃 said Winfield; consolingly; 〃it might be worse。〃

〃It's come on me all of a sudden;〃 he rejoined。 〃I ain't had no time to prepare for it; as you may say。 Little did I think; three weeks ago; as I set in my little store; what was wuth four or five hundred dollars; that before the month was out; I'd be merried。 Me! Merried!〃 he exclaimed; 〃Me; as never thought of sech!〃

When Mrs。 Ball entered; clad in sombre calico; Ruth; overcome by deep emotion; led her lover into the open air。 〃It's bad for you to stay in there; 〃she said gravely; 〃when you are destined to meet the same fate。〃

〃I've had time to prepare for it;〃 he answered; 〃in fact; I've had more time than I want。〃

They wandered down the hillside with aimless leisure; and Ruth stooped to pick up a large; grimy handkerchief; with 〃C。 W。〃 in the corner。 〃Here's where we were the other morning;〃 she said。

〃Blessed spot;〃 he responded; 〃beautiful Hepsey and noble Joe! By what humble means are great destinies made evident! You haven't said you were glad to see me; dear。〃

〃I'm always glad to see you; Mr。 Winfield;〃 she replied primly。

〃Mr。 Winfield isn't my name;〃 he objected; taking her into his arms。

〃Carl;〃 she whispered shyly; to his coat collar。

〃That isn't all of it。〃

〃Carldear〃 said Ruth; with her face crimson。

〃That's more like it。 Now let's sit downI've brought you something and you have three guesses。〃

〃Returned manuscript?〃

〃No; you said they were all in。〃

〃Another piece of Aunt Jane's wedding cake?〃

〃No; guess again。〃

〃Chocolates?〃

〃Who'd think you were so stupid;〃 he said; putting two fingers into his waistcoat pocket。

〃Ohh!〃 gasped Ruth; in delight。

〃You funny girl; didn't you expect an engagement ring? Let's see if it fits。〃

He slipped the gleaming diamond on her finger and it fitted exactly。 〃How did you guess?〃 she asked; after a little。

〃It wasn't wholly guess work; dearest。〃 From another pocket; he drew a glove; of grey suede; that belonged to Ruth's left hand。

〃Where did you get that?〃

〃By the log across the path; that first day; when you were so cross to me。〃

〃I wasn't cross!〃

〃Yes you wereyou were a little fiend。〃

〃Will you forgive me?〃 she pleaded; lifting her face to his。

〃Rather!〃 He forgave her half a dozen times before she got away from him。 〃Now let's talk sense;〃 she said。

〃We can'tI never expect to talk sense again。〃

〃Pretty compliment; isn't it?〃 she asked。 〃It's like your telling me I was brilliant and then saying I wasn't at all like myself。〃 〃Won't you forgive me?〃 he inquired significantly。

〃Some other time;〃 she said; flushing; 〃now what are we going to do?〃

〃Well;〃 he began; 〃I saw the oculist; and he says that my eyes are almost well again; but that I mustn't use them for two weeks longer。 Then; I can read or write for two hours every day; increasing gradually as long as they don't hurt。 By the first of October; he thinks I'll be ready for work again。 Carlton wants me to report on the morning of the fifth; and he offers me a better salary than I had on The Herald。〃

〃That's good!〃

〃We'll have to have a flat in the city; or a little house in the country; near enough for me to get to the offce。〃

〃For us to get to the office;〃 supplemented Ruth。

〃What do you think you're going to do; Miss Thorne?〃

〃WhyI'm going to keep right on with the paper;〃 she answered in surprise。

〃No you're not; darling;〃 he said; putting his arm around her。 〃Do you suppose I'm going to have Carlton or any other man giving my wife an assignment? You can't any way; because I've resigned your position for you; and your place is already filled。 Carlton sent his congratulations and said his loss was my gain; or something like that。 He takes all the credit to himself。〃

〃Whywhyyou wretch!〃

〃I'm not a wretchyou said yourself I was nice。 Look here; Ruth;〃 he went on; in a different tone; 〃what do you think I am? Do you think for a minute that I'd marry you if I couldn't take care of you?〃

〃'T isn't that;〃 she replied; freeing herself from his encircling arm; 〃but I like my work and I don't want to give it up。 Besides besidesI thought you'd like to have me near you。〃

〃I do want you near me; sweetheart; that isn't the point。 You have the same right that I have to any work that is your natural expression; but; in spite of the advanced age in which we live; I can't help believing that home is the place for a woman。 I may be old…fashioned; but I don't want my wife working down townI've got too much pride for that。 You have your typewriter; and you can turn out Sunday specials by the yard; if you want to。 Besides; there are all the returned manuscriptsif you have the time and aren't hurried; there's no reason why you shouldn't do work that they can't afford to refuse。〃

Ruth was silent; and he laid his hand upon hers。 〃You understand me; don't you; dear? God knows I'm not asking you to let your soul rust out in idleness; and I wouldn't have you crave expression that was denied you; but I don't want you to have to work when you don't feel like it; nor be at anybody's beck and call。 I know you did good work on the paperCarlton spoke of it; toobut others can do it as well。 I want you to do something that is so thoroughly you that no one else can do it。 It's a hard life; Ruth; you know that as well as I do; and II love you。〃

His last argument was convincing。 〃I won't do anything you don't want me to do; dear;〃 she said; with a new humility。

〃I want you to be happy; dearest;〃 he answered; quickly。 〃Just try my way for a yearthat's all I ask。 I know your independence is sweet to you; but the privilege of working for you with hand and brain; with your love in my heart; with you at home; to be proud of me when I succeed and to give me new co

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