green mansions-第20章
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its smallness。 Why; sir; it is due to her tender heart that you are safely sheltered here; instead of being left out of doors in this tempestuous night。〃
〃To herto this girl?〃 I returned in astonishment。 〃Explain; old man; for I do not know how I was saved。〃
〃Today; senor; through your own heedlessness you were bitten by a venomous snake。〃
〃Yes; that is true; although I do not know how it came to your knowledge。 But why am I not a dead man; thenhave you done something to save me from the effects of the poison?〃
〃Nothing。 What could I do so long after you were bitten? When a man is bitten by a snake in a solitary place he is in God's hands。 He will live or die as God wills。 There is nothing to be done。 But surely; sir; you remember that my poor grandchild was with you in the wood when the snake bit you?〃
〃A girl was therea strange girl I have seen and heard before when I have walked in the forest。 But not this girlsurely not this girl!〃
〃No other;〃 said he; carefully rolling up another cigarette。
〃It is not possible!〃 I returned。
〃III would you have fared; sir; had she not been there。 For after being bitten; you rushed away into the thickest part of the wood; and went about in a circle like a demented person for Heaven knows how long。 But she never left you; she was always close to youyou might have touched her with your hand。 And at last some good angel who was watching you; in order to stop your career; made you mad altogether and caused you to jump over a precipice and lose your senses。 And you were no sooner on the ground than she was with youask me not how she got down! And when she had propped you up against the bank; she came for me。 Fortunately the spot where you had fallen is nearnot five hundred yards from the door。 And I; on my part; was willing to assist her in saving you; for I knew it was no Indian that had fallen; since she loves not that breed; and they come not here。 It was not an easy task; for you weigh; senor; but between us we brought you in。〃
While he spoke; the girl continued sitting in the same listless attitude as when I first observed her; with eyes cast down and hands folded in her lap。 Recalling that brilliant being in the wood that had protected the serpent from me and calmed its rage; I found it hard to believe his words; and still felt a little incredulous。
〃Rimethat is your name; is it not?〃 I said。 〃Will you come here and stand before me; and let me look closely at you?〃
〃Si; senor。〃 she meekly answered; and removing the things from her lap; she stood up; then; passing behind the old man; came and stood before me; her eyes still bent on the grounda picture of humility。
She had the figure of the forest girl; but wore now a scanty faded cotton garment; while the loose cloud of hair was confined in two plaits and hung down her back。 The face also showed the same delicate lines; but of the brilliant animation and variable colour and expression there appeared no trace。 Gazing at her countenance as she stood there silent; shy; and spiritless before me; the image of her brighter self came vividly to my mind and I could not recover from the astonishment I felt at such a contrast。
Have you ever observed a humming…bird moving about in an aerial dance among the flowersa living prismatic gem that changes its colour with every change of positionhow in turning it catches
the sunshine on its burnished neck and gorges plumesgreen and gold and flame…coloured; the beams changing to visible flakes as they fall; dissolving into nothing; to be succeeded by others and yet others? In its exquisite form; its changeful splendour; its swift motions and intervals of aerial suspension; it is a creature of such fairy…like loveliness as to mock all description。 And have you seen this same fairy…like creature suddenly perch itself on a twig; in the shade; its misty wings and fan…like tail folded; the iridescent glory vanished; looking like some common dull…plumaged little bird sitting listless in a cage? Just so great was the difference in the girl as I had seen her in the forest and as she now appeared under the smoky roof in the firelight。
After watching her for some moments; I spoke: 〃Rime; there must be a good deal of strength in that frame of yours; which looks so delicate; will you raise me up a little?〃
She went down on one knee and; placing her arms round me; assisted me to a sitting posture。
〃Thank you; Rimaoh; misery!〃 I groaned。 〃Is there a bone left unbroken in my poor body?〃
〃Nothing broken;〃 cried the old man; clouds of smoke flying out with his words。 〃I have examined you welllegs; arms; ribs。 For this is how it was; senor。 A thorny bush into which you fell saved you from being flattened on the stony ground。 But you are bruised; sir; black with bruises; and there are more scratches of thorns on your skin than letters on a written page。〃
〃A long thorn might have entered my brain;〃 I said; 〃from the way it pains。 Feel my forehead; Rima; is it very hot and dry?〃
She did as I asked; touching me lightly with her little cool hand。 〃No; senor; not hot; but warm and moist;〃 she said。
〃Thank Heaven for that!〃 I said。 〃Poor girl! And you followed me through the wood in all that terrible storm! Ah; if I could lift my bruised arm I would take your hand to kiss it in gratitude for so great a service。 I owe you my life; sweet Rimawhat shall I do to repay so great a debt?〃
The old man chuckled as if amused; but the girl lifted not her eyes nor spoke。
〃Tell me; sweet child;〃 I said; 〃for I cannot realize it yet; was it really you that saved the serpent's life when I would have killed itdid you stand by me in the wood with the serpent lying at your feet?〃
〃Yes; senor;〃 came her gentle answer。
〃And it was you I saw in the wood one day; lying on the ground playing with a small bird?〃
〃Yes; senor。〃
〃And it was you that followed me so often among the trees; calling to me; yet always hiding so that I could never see you?〃
〃Yes; senor。〃
〃Oh; this is wonderful!〃 I exclaimed; whereat the old man chuckled again。
〃But tell me this; my sweet girl;〃 I continued。 〃You never addressed me in Spanish; what strange musical language was it you spoke to me in?〃
She shot a timid glance at my face and looked troubled at the question; but made no reply。
〃Senor;〃 said the old man; 〃that is a question which you must excuse my child from answering。 Not; sir; from want of will; for she is docile and obedient; though I say it; but there is no answer beyond what I can tell you。 And this is; sir; that all creatures; whether man or bird; have the voice that God has given them; and in some the voice is musical and in others not so。〃
〃Very well; old man;〃 said I to myself; 〃there let the matter rest for the present。 But if I am destined to live and not die; I shall not long remain satisfied with your too simple explanation。〃
〃Rima;〃 I said; 〃you must be fatigued; it is thoughtless of me to keep you standing here so long。〃
Her face brightened a little; and bending down; she replied in a low voice: 〃I am not fatigued; sir。 Let me get you something to eat now。〃
She moved quickly away to the fire; and presently returned with an earthenware dish of roasted pumpkin and sweet potatoes and; kneeling at my side; fed me deftly with a small wooden spoon。 I did not feel grieved at the absence of meat and the stinging condiments the Indians love; nor did I even remark that there was no salt in the vegetables; so much was I taken up with watching her beautiful delicate face while she ministered to me。 The exquisite fragrance of her breath was more to me than the most delicious viands could have been; and it was a delight each time she raised the spoon to my mouth to catch a momentary glimpse of her eyes; which now looked dark as wine when we lift the glass to see the ruby gleam of light within the purple。 But she never for a moment laid aside the silent; meek; constrained manner; and when I remembered her bursting out in her brilliant wrath on me; pouring forth that torrent of stinging invective in her mysterious language; I was lost in wonder and admiration at the change in her; and at her double personality。 Having satisfi