the research magnificent-第30章

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n　a　world　we　ought　to　rule。　。　。　。　〃Amanda；　we've　got　to　get　to　work。　。　。　。〃　That　was　his　first　display　of　this　new　mood；　which　presently　became　a　common　one。　　He　was　less　and　less　content　to　let　the　happy　hours　slip　by；　more　and　more　sensitive　to　the　reminders　in　giant　ruin　and　deserted　cell；　in　a　chance　encounter　with　a　string　of　guns　and　soldiers　on　their　way　to　manoeuvres　or　in　the　sight　of　a　stale　newspaper；　of　a　great　world　process　going　on　in　which　he　was　now　playing　no　part　at　all。　　And　a　curious　irritability　manifested　itself　more　and　more　plainly；　whenever　human　pettiness　obtruded　upon　his　attention；　whenever　some　trivial　dishonesty；　some　manifest　slovenliness；　some　spiritless　failure；　a　cheating　waiter　or　a　wayside　beggar　brought　before　him　the　shiftless；　selfish；　aimless　elements　in　humanity　that　war　against　the　great　dream　of　life　made　glorious。　　〃Accursed　things；〃　he　would　say；　as　he　flung　some　importunate　cripple　at　a　church　door　a　ten…centime　piece；　〃why　were　they　born？　　Why　do　they　consent　to　live？　　They　are　no　better　than　some　chance　fungus　that　is　because　it　must。〃　〃It　takes　all　sorts　to　make　a　world；〃　said　Amanda。　〃Nonsense；〃　said　Benham。　　〃Where　is　the　megatherium？　　That　sort　of　creature　has　to　go。　　Our　sort　of　creature　has　to　end　it。〃　〃Then　why　did　you　give　it　money？〃　〃Because　　I　don't　want　the　thing　to　be　more　wretched　than　it　is。　But　if　I　could　prevent　more　of　them　。　。　。　　What　am　I　doing　to　prevent　them？〃　〃These　beggars　annoy　you；〃　said　Amanda　after　a　pause。　　〃They　do　me。　Let　us　go　back　into　the　mountains。〃　But　he　fretted　in　the　mountains。　They　made　a　ten　days'　tour　from　Macugnaga　over　the　Monte　Moro　to　Sass；　and　thence　to　Zermatt　and　back　by　the　Theodule　to　Macugnaga。　The　sudden　apparition　of　douaniers　upon　the　Monte　Moro　annoyed　Benham；　and　he　was　also　irritated　by　the　solemn　English　mountain　climbers　at　Saas　Fee。　　They　were　as　bad　as　golfers；　he　said；　and　reflected　momentarily　upon　his　father。　　Amanda　fell　in　love　with　Monte　Rosa；　she　wanted　to　kiss　its　snowy　forehead；　she　danced　like　a　young　goat　down　the　path　to　Mattmark；　and　rolled　on　the　turf　when　she　came　to　gentians　and　purple　primulas。　　Benham　was　tremendously　in　love　with　her　most　of　the　time；　but　one　day　when　they　were　sitting　over　the　Findelen　glacier　his　perceptions　blundered　for　the　first　time　upon　the　fundamental　antagonism　of　their　quality。　　She　was　sketching　out　jolly　things　that　they　were　to　do　together；　expeditions；　entertainments；　amusements；　and　adventures；　with　a　voluble　swiftness；　and　suddenly　in　a　flash　his　eyes　were　opened；　and　he　saw　that　she　would　never　for　a　moment　feel　the　quality　that　made　life　worth　while　for　him。　　He　saw　it　in　a　flash；　and　in　that　flash　he　made　his　urgent　resolve　not　to　see　it。　　From　that　moment　forth　his　bearing　was　poisoned　by　his　secret　determination　not　to　think　of　this；　not　to　admit　it　to　his　mind。　　And　forbidden　to　come　into　his　presence　in　its　proper　form；　this　conflict　of　intellectual　temperaments　took　on　strange　disguises；　and　the　gathering　tension　of　his　mind　sought　to　relieve　itself　along　grotesque　irrelevant　channels。　There　was；　for　example；　the　remarkable　affair　of　the　drive　from　Macugnaga　to　Piedimulera。　They　had　decided　to　walk　down　in　a　leisurely　fashion；　but　with　the　fatigues　of　the　precipitous　clamber　down　from　Switzerland　still　upon　them　they　found　the　white　road　between　rock　above　and　gorge　below　wearisome；　and　the　valley　hot　in　the　late　morning　sunshine；　and　already　before　they　reached　the　inn　they　had　marked　for　lunch　Amanda　had　suggested　driving　the　rest　of　the　way。　　The　inn　had　a　number　of　brigand…like　customers　consuming　such　sustenance　as　garlic　and　salami　and　wine；　it　received　them　with　an　indifference　that　bordered　on　disrespect；　until　the　landlord；　who　seemed　to　be　something　of　a　beauty　himself；　discovered　the　merits　of　Amanda。　　Then　he　became　markedly　attentive。　　He　was　a　large；　fat；　curly…headed　person　with　beautiful　eyes；　a　cherished　moustache；　and　an　air　of　great　gentility；　and　when　he　had　welcomed　his　guests　and　driven　off　the　slatternly　waiting…maid；　and　given　them　his　best　table；　and　consented；　at　Amanda's　request；　to　open　a　window；　he　went　away　and　put　on　a　tie　and　collar。　　It　was　an　attention　so　conspicuous　that　even　the　group　of　men　in　the　far　corner　noticed　and　commented　on　it；　and　then　they　commented　on　Amanda　and　Benham；　assuming　an　ignorance　of　Italian　in　the　visitors　that　was　only　partly　justifiable。　〃Bellissima；〃　〃bravissima；〃　〃signorina；〃　〃Inglesa；〃　one　need　not　be　born　in　Italy　to　understand　such　words　as　these。　　Also　they　addressed　sly　comments　and　encouragements　to　the　landlord　as　he　went　to　and　fro。　Benham　was　rather　still　and　stiff　during　the　meal；　but　it　ill　becomes　an　English　aristocrat　to　discuss　the　manners　of　an　alien　population；　and　Amanda　was　amused　by　the　effusion　of　the　landlord　and　a　little　disposed　to　experiment　upon　him。　　She　sat　radiating　light　amidst　the　shadows。　The　question　of　the　vehicle　was　broached。　　The　landlord　was　doubtful；　then　an　idea；　it　was　manifestly　a　questionable　idea；　occurred　to　him。　　He　went　to　consult　an　obscure　brown…faced　individual　in　the　corner；　disappeared；　and　the　world　without　became　eloquent。　　Presently　he　returned　and　announced　that　a　carozza　was　practicable。　　It　had　been　difficult；　but　he　had　contrived　it。　　And　he　remained　hovering　over　the　conclusion　of　their　meal；　asking　questions　about　Amanda's　mountaineering　and　expressing　incredulous　admiration。　His　bill；　which　he　presented　with　an　uneasy　flourish；　was　large　and　included　the　carozza。　He　ushered　them　out　to　the　carriage　with　civilities　and　compliments。　It　had　manifestly　been　difficult　and　contrived。　　It　was　dusty　and　blistered；　there　had　been　a　hasty　effort　to　conceal　its　recent　use　as　a　hen…roost；　the　harness　was　mended　with　string。　　The　horse　was　gaunt　and　scandalous；　a　dirty　white；　and　carried　its　head　apprehensively。　　The　driver　had　but　one　eye；　through　which　there　gleamed　a　concentrated　hatred　of　God　and　man。　〃No　wonder　he　charged　for　it　before　we　saw　it；〃　said　Benham。　〃It's　better　than　walking；〃　said　Amanda。　The　company　in　the　inn　gathered　behind　the　landlord　and　scrutinized　Amanda　and　Benham　intelligently。　　The　young　couple　got　in。　〃Avanti；〃　said　Benham；　and　Amanda　bestowed　one　last　ineradicable　memory　on　the　bowing　landlord。　Benham　did　not　speak　until　just　after　they　turned　the　first　corner；　and　then　something　portentous　happened；　considering　the　precipitous　position　of　the　road　they　were　upon。　　A　small　boy　appeared　sitting　in　the　grass　by　the　wayside；　and　at　the　sight　of　him　the　white　horse　shied　extravagantly。　　The　driver　rose　in　his　seat　ready　to　jump。　But　the　crisis　passed　without　a　smash。　　〃Cheetah！〃　cried　Amanda　suddenly。　　〃This　isn't　safe。〃　　〃Ah！〃　said　Benham；　and　began　to　act　with　the　vigour　of　one　who　has　long　accumulated　force。　　He　rose　in　his　place　and　gripped　the　one…eyed　driver　by　the　collar。　　〃ASPETTO；〃　he　said；　but　he　meant　〃Stop！〃　　The　driver　understood　that　he　meant　〃Stop；〃　and　obeyed。　Benham　wasted　no　time　in　parleying　with　the　driver。　　He　indicated　to　him　and　to　Amanda　by　a　comprehensive　gesture　that　he　had　business　with　the　landlord；　and　with　a　gleaming　appetite　upon　his　face　went　running　back　towards　the　inn。　The　landlord　was　sitting　down　to　a　little　game　of　dominoes　with　his　friends　when　Benham　reappeared　in　the　sunlight　of　the　doorway。　There　was　no　misunderstanding　Benham's　expression。　For　a　moment　the　landlord　was　disposed　to　be　defiant。　　Then　he　changed　his　mind。　　Benham's　earnest　face　was　within　a　yard　of　his　own；　and　a　threatening　forefinger　was　almost　touching　his　nose。　〃Albergo　cattivissimo；〃　said　Benham。　　〃Cattivissimo！　　Pranzo　cattivissimo　'orrido。　　Cavallo　cattivissimo；　dangerousissimo。　　Gioco　abominablissimo；　damnissimo。　　Capisce。　　Eh？〃　*

*　This　is　vile　Italian。　　It　maywith　a　certain　charity　to　Benham　be　rendered：　〃The　beastliest　inn！　　The　beastliest！　　The　beastliest；　most　awful　lunch！　　The　vilest　horse！　　Most　dangerous！　　Abominable　trick！　　Understand？〃

The　landlord　made　deprecatory　gestures。　〃YOU　understand　all　right；〃　said　Benham。　　〃Da　me　il　argento　per　il　carozzo。　　Subito？〃　*

*　〃Give　me　back　the　money　for　the　carriage。　　QUICKLY！〃

The　landlord　was　understood　to　ask　whether　the　signor　no　longer　wished　for　the　carriage。　〃SUBITO！〃　cried　Benham；　and　giving　way　to　a　long…restrained　impulse　seized　the　padrone　by　the　collar　of　his　coat　and　shook　him　vigorously。　There　were　dissuasive　noises　from　the　company；　but　no　attempt　at　rescue。　　Benham　released　his　hold。　〃Adesso！〃　said　Benham。　*

*　〃NOW！〃

The　landlord　decided　to　disgorge。　　It　was　at　any　rate　a　comfort　that　the　beautiful　lady　was　not　seeing　anything　of　this。　　And　he　could　explain　afterwards　to　his　friends　that　the　Englishman　was　clearly　a　lunatic；　deserving　pity　rather　than　punishment。　　He　made　some　sound　of　protest；　but　attempted　no　delay　in　refunding　the　money　Benham　had　prepaid。　　Outside　sounded　the　wheels　of　the　returning　carriage。　They　stopped。　　Amanda　appeared　in　the　doorway　and　discovered　Benham　dominant。　He　was　a　little　short　of　breath；　and　as　she　came　in　he　was　addressing　the　landlord　with　much　earnestness　in　the　following　compact　sentences。　〃Attendez！　　Ecco！　　Adesso　noi　andiamo　con　questa　cattivissimo　cavallo　a　Piedimulera。　　Si　noi　arrivero　in　safety；　securo　that　is；　pagaremo。　　Non　altro。　　Si　noi　abbiamo　accidento　DioDio　have　mercy　on　your　sinful　soul。　　See！　　Capisce？　　That's　all。〃　*

*　〃Now　we　will　go　with　this　beastly　horse　to　Piedimulera。　　If　we　get　there　safely　I　will　pay。　　If　we　have　an　accident；　then〃

He　turned　to　Amanda。　　〃Get　back　into　the　thing；〃　he　said。　　〃We　won't　have　these　stinking　beasts　think　we　are　afraid　of　the　job。　　I've　just　made　sure　he　won't　have　a　profit　by　it　if　we　smash　up。　　That's　all。　　I　might　have　known　what　he　was　up　to　when　he　wanted　the　money　beforehand。〃　　He　came　to　the　doorway　and　with　a　magnificent　gesture　commanded　the　perplexed　driver　to　turn　the　carriage。　While　that　was　being　done　he　discoursed　upon　his　adjacent　fellow…　creatures。　　〃A　man　who　pays　beforehand　for　anything　in　this　filthy　sort　of　life　is　a　fool。　　You　see　the　standards　of　the　beast。　　They　think　of　nothing　but　their　dirty　little　tricks　to　get　profit；　their　garlic；　their　sour　wine；　their　games　of　dominoes；　their　moments　of　lust。　　They　crawl　in　this　place　like　cockroaches　in　a　warm　corner　of　the　fireplace　until　they　die。　　Look　at　the　scabby　frontage　of　the　house。　　Look　at　the　men's　faces。　。　。　。　　Yes。　　So！　　Adequato。　Aspettate。　。　。　。　　Get　back　into　the　carriage；　Amanda。〃　〃You　know　it's　dangerous；　Cheetah。　　The　horse　is　a　shier。　　That　man　is　blind　in　one　eye。〃　〃Get　back　into　the　carriage；〃　said　Benham；　whitely　angry。　　〃I　AM　GOING　TO　DRIVE！〃　〃But！〃　Just　for　a　moment　Amanda　looked　scared。　　Then　with　a　queer　little　laugh　she　jumped　in　again。　Amanda　was　never　a　coward　when　there　was　excitement　afoot。　　〃We'll　smash！〃　she　cried；　by　no　means　woefully。　〃Get　up　beside　me；〃　said　Benham　speaking　in　English　to　the　driver　but　with　a　gesture　that　translated　him。　　Power　over　men　radiated　from　Benham　in　this　angry　mood。　　He　took　the　driver's　seat。　　The　little　driver　ascended　and　then　with　a　grim　calmness　that　brooked　no　resistance　Benham　reached　over；　took　and　fastened　the　apron　over　their　knees　to　prevent　any　repetition　of　the　jumping　out　tactics。　The　recovering　landlord　became　v