the pupil-第11章
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was divided between the impulse to show his present charge as a
vain; a wasted incentive; and the sense of something in them that
publicity would profane。 The opulent youth went up in due course
and failed to pass; but it seemed to add to the presumption that
brilliancy was not expected of him all at once that his parents;
condoning the lapse; which they good…naturedly treated as little as
possible as if it were Pemberton's; should have sounded the rally
again; begged the young coach to renew the siege。
The young coach was now in a position to lend Mrs。 Moreen three
louis; and he sent her a post…office order even for a larger
amount。 In return for this favour he received a frantic scribbled
line from her: 〃Implore you to come back instantly … Morgan dread
fully ill。〃 They were on there rebound; once more in Paris … often
as Pemberton had seen them depressed he had never seen them crushed
… and communication was therefore rapid。 He wrote to the boy to
ascertain the state of his health; but awaited the answer in vain。
He accordingly; after three days; took an abrupt leave of the
opulent youth and; crossing the Channel; alighted at the small
hotel; in the quarter of the Champs Elysees; of which Mrs。 Moreen
had given him the address。 A deep if dumb dissatisfaction with
this lady and her companions bore him company: they couldn't be
vulgarly honest; but they could live at hotels; in velvety
entresols; amid a smell of burnt pastilles; surrounded by the most
expensive city in Europe。 When he had left them in Venice it was
with an irrepressible suspicion that something was going to happen;
but the only thing that could have taken place was again their
masterly retreat。 〃How is he? where is he?〃 he asked of Mrs。
Moreen; but before she could speak these questions were answered by
the pressure round hid neck of a pair of arms; in shrunken sleeves;
which still were perfectly capable of an effusive young foreign
squeeze。
〃Dreadfully ill … I don't see it!〃 the young man cried。 And then
to Morgan: 〃Why on earth didn't you relieve me? Why didn't you
answer my letter?〃
Mrs。 Moreen declared that when she wrote he was very bad; and
Pemberton learned at the same time from the boy that he had
answered every letter he had received。 This led to the clear
inference that Pemberton's note had been kept from him so that the
game practised should not be interfered with。 Mrs。 Moreen was
prepared to see the fact exposed; as Pemberton saw the moment he
faced her that she was prepared for a good many other things。 She
was prepared above all to maintain that she had acted from a sense
of duty; that she was enchanted she had got him over; whatever they
might say; and that it was useless of him to pretend he didn't know
in all his bones that his place at such a time was with Morgan。 He
had taken the boy away from them and now had no right to abandon
him。 He had created for himself the gravest responsibilities and
must at least abide by what he had done。
〃Taken him away from you?〃 Pemberton exclaimed indignantly。
〃Do it … do it for pity's sake; that's just what I want。 I can't
stand THIS … and such scenes。 They're awful frauds … poor dears!〃
These words broke from Morgan; who had intermitted his embrace; in
a key which made Pemberton turn quickly to him and see that he had
suddenly seated himself; was breathing in great pain; and was very
pale。
〃NOW do you say he's not in a state; my precious pet?〃 shouted his
mother; dropping on her knees before him with clasped hands; but
touching him no more than if he had been a gilded idol。 〃It will
pass … it's only for an instant; but don't say such dreadful
things!〃
〃I'm all right … all right;〃 Morgan panted to Pemberton; whom he
sat looking up at with a strange smile; his hands resting on either
side of the sofa。
〃Now do you pretend I've been dishonest; that I've deceived?〃 Mrs。
Moreen flashed at Pemberton as she got up。
〃It isn't HE says it; it's I!〃 the boy returned; apparently easier;
but sinking back against the wall; while his restored friend; who
had sat down beside him; took his hand and bent over him。
〃Darling child; one does what one can; there are so many things to
consider;〃 urged Mrs。 Moreen。 〃It's his PLACE … his only place。
You see YOU think it is now。〃
〃Take me away … take me away;〃 Morgan went on; smiling to Pemberton
with his white face。
〃Where shall I take you; and how … oh HOW; my boy?〃 the young man
stammered; thinking of the rude way in which his friends in London
held that; for his convenience; with no assurance of prompt return;
he had thrown them over; of the just resentment with which they
would already have called in a successor; and of the scant help to
finding fresh employment that resided for him in the grossness of
his having failed to pass his pupil。
〃Oh we'll settle that。 You used to talk about it;〃 said Morgan。
〃If we can only go all the rest's a detail。〃
〃Talk about it as much as you like; but don't think you can attempt
it。 Mr。 Moreen would never consent … it would be so VERY hand…to…
mouth;〃 Pemberton's hostess beautifully explained to him。 Then to
Morgan she made it clearer: 〃It would destroy our peace; it would
break our hearts。 Now that he's back it will be all the same
again。 You'll have your life; your work and your freedom; and
we'll all be happy as we used to be。 You'll bloom and grow
perfectly well; and we won't have any more silly experiments; will
we? They're too absurd。 It's Mr。 Pemberton's place … every one in
his place。 You in yours; your papa in his; me in mine … n'est…ce
pas; cheri? We'll all forget how foolish we've been and have
lovely times。〃
She continued to talk and to surge vaguely about the little draped
stuffy salon while Pemberton sat with the boy; whose colour
gradually came back; and she mixed up her reasons; hinting that
there were going to be changes; that the other children might
scatter (who knew? … Paula had her ideas) and that then it might be
fancied how much the poor old parent…birds would want the little
nestling。 Morgan looked at Pemberton; who wouldn't let him move;
and Pemberton knew exactly how he felt at hearing himself called a
little nestling。 He admitted that he had had one or two bad days;
but he protested afresh against the wrong of his mother's having
made them the ground of an appeal to poor Pemberton。 Poor
Pemberton could laugh now; apart from the comicality of Mrs。
Moreen's mustering so much philosophy for her defence … she seemed
to shake it out of her agitated petticoats; which knocked over the
light gilt chairs … so little did their young companion; MARKED;
unmistakeably marked at the best; strike him as qualified to
repudiate any advantage。
He himself was in for it at any rate。 He should have Morgan on his
hands again indefinitely; though indeed he saw the lad had a
private theory to produce which would be intended to smooth this
down。 He was obliged to him for it in advance; but the suggested
amendment didn't keep his heart rather from sinking; any more than
it prevented him from accepting the prospect on the spot; with some
confidence moreover that he should do so even better if he could
have a little supper。 Mrs。 Moreen threw out more hints about the
changes that were to be looked for; but she was such a mixture of
smiles and shudders … she confessed she was very nervous … that he
couldn't tell if she were in high feather or only in hysterics。 If
the family was really at last going to pieces why shouldn't she
recognise the necessity of pitching Morgan into some sort of
lifeboat? This presumption was fostered by the fact that they were
established in luxurious quarters in the capital of pleasure; that
was exactly where they naturally WOULD be established in view of
going to pieces。 Moreover didn't she mention that Mr。 Moreen and
the others were enjoying them