man of property-第21章

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〃Uncle　Swithin！　　What　does　he　matter？　　You　can　throw　him　over！〃

〃I　am　not　in　the　habit　of　throwing　people　over！〃

There　was　a　sound　of　footsteps　and　June　saw　Soames　standing　just　behind　her。

〃Well！　if　you　are　all　ready；〃　said　Irene；　looking　from　one　to　the　other　with　a　strange　smile；　〃dinner　is　too！〃




CHAPTER　II

JUNE'S　　TREAT


Dinner　began　in　silence；　the　women　facing　one　another；　and　the　men。

In　silence　the　soup；　was　finishedexcellent；　if　a　little　thick；　and　fish　was　brought。　　In　silence　it　was　handed。

Bosinney　ventured：　〃It's　the　first　spring　day。〃

Irene　echoed　softly：　Yesthe　first　spring　day。

〃Spring！〃　said　June：　〃there　isn't　a　breath　of　air！〃　No　one　replied。

The　fish　was　taken　away；　a　fine　fresh　sole　from　Dover。　　And　Bilson　brought　champagne；　a　bottle　swathed　around　the　neck　with　white。。。。

Soames　said：　〃You'll　find　it　dry。〃

Cutlets　were　handed；　each　pink…frilled　about　the　legs。　　They　were　refused　by　June；　and　silence　fell。

Soames　said：　〃You'd　better　take　a　cutlet；　June；　there's　nothing　coming。〃

But　June　again　refused；　so　they　were　borne　away。　　And　then　Irene　asked：　〃Phil；　have　you　heard　my　blackbird？〃

Bosinney　answered：　〃Ratherhe's　got　a　hunting…song。　　As　I　came　round　I　heard　him　in　the　Square。〃

〃He's　such　a　darling！〃

〃Salad；　sir？〃　Spring　chicken　was　removed。

But　Soames　was　speaking：　〃The　asparagus　is　very　poor。　　Bosinney；　glass　of　sherry　with　your　sweet？　　June；　you're　drinking　nothing！〃

June　said：　〃You　know　I　never　do。　　Wine's　such　horrid　stuff！〃

An　apple　charlotte　came　upon　a　silver　dish；　And　smilingly　Irene　said：　〃The　azaleas　are　so　wonderful　this　year！〃

To　this　Bosinney　murmured：　〃Wonderful！　The　scent's　extraordinary！〃

June　said：　〃How　can　you　like　the　scent？　　Sugar；　please；　Bilson。'

Sugar　was　handed　her；　and　Soames　remarked：　〃'This　charlottes　good！〃

The　charlotte　was　removed。　　Long　silence　followed。　　Irene；　beckoning；　said：　〃Take　out　the　azalea；　Bilson。　　Miss　June　can't　bear　the　scent。〃

〃No；　let　it　stay；〃　said　June。

Olives　from　France；　with　Russian　caviare；　were　placed　on　little　plates。　　And　Soames　remarked：　〃Why　can't　we　have　the　Spanish？　But　no　one　answered。

The　olives　were　removed。　　Lifting　her　tumbler　June　demanded：　〃Give　me　some　water；　please。〃　　Water　was　given　her。　　A　silver　tray　was　brought；　with　German　plums。　　There　was　a　lengthy　pause。　　In　perfect　harmony　all　were　eating　them。

Bosinney　counted　up　the　stones：　〃This　yearnext　yearsome　time。〃

Irene　finished　softly：　〃Never！　There　was　such　a　glorious　sunset。　The　sky's　all　ruby　stillso　beautiful！〃

He　answered：　〃Underneath　the　dark。〃

Their　eyes　had　met；　and　June　cried　scornfully：　〃A　London　sunset！〃

Egyptian　cigarettes　were　handed　in　a　silver　box。　　Soames；　taking　one；　remarked：　〃What　time's　your　play　begin？〃

No　one　replied；　and　Turkish　coffee　followed　in　enamelled　cups。

Irene；　smiling　quietly；　said：　〃If　only。。。。〃

〃Only　what？〃　said　June。

〃If　only　it　could　always　be　the　spring！〃

Brandy　was　handed；　it　was　pale　and　old。

Soames　said：　〃Bosinney；　better　take　some　brandy。〃

Bosinney　took　a　glass；　they　all　arose。

〃You　want　a　cab？〃　asked　Soames。

June　answered：　〃No！　My　cloaks　Please；　Bilson。〃　　Her　cloak　was　brought。

Irene；　from　the　window；　murmured：　〃Such　a　lovely　night！　　The　stars　are　coming　out！〃

Soames　added：　〃Well；　I　hope　you'll　both　enjoy　yourselves。〃

》From　the　door　June　answered：　〃Thanks。　　Come；　Phil。〃

Bosinney　cried：　〃I'm　coming。〃

Soames　smiled　a　sneering　smile；　and　said：　〃I　wish　you　luck！〃

And　at　the　door　Irene　watched　them　go。

Bosinney　called：　〃Good　night！〃

〃Good　night！〃　she　answered　softly。。。。

June　made　her　lover　take　her　on　the　top　of　a　'bus；　saying　she　wanted　air；　and　there　sat　silent；　with　her　face　to　the　breeze。

The　driver　turned　once　or　twice；　with　the　intention　of　venturing　a　remark；　but　thought　better　of　it。　　They　were　a　lively　couple！　The　spring　had　got　into　his　blood；　too；　he　felt　the　need　for　letting　steam　escape；　and　clucked　his　tongue；　flourishing　his　whip；　wheeling　his　horses；　and　even　they；　poor　things；　had　smelled　the　spring；　and　for　a　brief　half…hour　spurned　the　pavement　with　happy　hoofs。

The　whole　town　was　alive；　the　boughs；　curled　upward　with　their　decking　of　young　leaves；　awaited　some　gift　the　breeze　could　bring。　　New…lighted　lamps　were　gaining　mastery；　and　the　faces　of　the　crowd　showed　pale　under　that　glare；　while　on　high　the　great　white　clouds　slid　swiftly；　softly；　over　the　purple　sky。

Men　in；　evening　dress　had　thrown　back　overcoats；　stepping　jauntily　up　the　steps　of　Clubs；　working　folk　loitered；　and　women…　…those　women　who　at　that　time　of　night　are　solitarysolitary　and　moving　eastward　in　a　streamswung　slowly　along；　with　expectation　in　their　gait；　dreaming　of　good　wine　and　a　good　supper；　orfor　an　unwonted　minute；　of　kisses　given　for　love。

Those　countless　figures；　going　their　ways　under　the　lamps　and　the　moving…sky；　had　one　and　all　received　some　restless　blessing　from　the　stir　of　spring。　　And　one　and　all；　like　those　clubmen　with　their　opened　coats；　had　shed　something　of　caste；　and　creed；　and　custom；　and　by　the　cock　of　their　hats；　the　pace　of　their　walk；　their　laughter；　or　their　silence；　revealed　their　common　kinship　under　the　passionate　heavens。

Bosinney　and　June　entered　the　theatre　in　silence；　and　mounted　to　their　seats　in　the　upper　boxes。　　The　piece　had　just　begun；　and　the　half…darkened　house；　with　its　rows　of　creatures　peering　all　one　way；　resembled　a　great　garden　of　flowers　turning　their　faces　to　the　sun。

June　had　never　before　been　in　the　upper　boxes。　　From　the　age　of　fifteen　she　had　habitually　accompanied　her　grandfather　to　the　stalls；　and　not　common　stalls；　but　the　best　seats　in　the　house；　towards　the　centre　of　the　third　row；　booked　by　old　Jolyon；　at　Grogan　and　Boyne's；　on　his　way　home　from　the　City；　long　before　the　day；　carried　in　his　overcoat　pocket；　together　with　his　cigarcase　and　his　old　kid　gloves；　and　handed　to　June　to　keep　till　the　appointed　night。　　And　in　those　stallsan　erect　old　figure　with　a　serene　white　head；　a　little　figure；　strenuous　and　eager；　with　a　red…gold　headthey　would　sit　through　every　kind　of　play；　and　on　the　way　home　old　Jolyon　would　say　of　the　principal　actor：　〃Oh；　he's　a　poor　stick！　　You　should　have　seen　little　Bobson！〃

She　had　looked　forward　to　this　evening　with　keen　delight；　it　was　stolen；　chaperone…less；　undreamed　of　at　Stanhope　Gate；　where　she　was　supposed　to　be　at　Soames'。　　She　had　expected　reward　for　her　subterfuge；　planned　for　her　lover's　sake；　she　had　expected　it　to　break　up　the　thick；　chilly　cloud；　and　make　the　relations　between　them　which　of　late　had　been　so　puzzling；　so　tormentingsunny　and　simple　again　as　they　had　been　before　the　winter。　　She　had　come　with　the　intention　of　saying　something　definite；　and　she　looked　at　the　stage　with　a　furrow　between　her　brows；　seeing　nothing；　her　hands　squeezed　together　in　her　lap。　　A　swarm　of　jealous　suspicions　stung　and　stung　her。

If　Bosinney　was　conscious　of　her　trouble　he　made　no　sign。

The　curtain　dropped。　　The　first　act　had　come　to　an　end。

〃It's　awfully　hot　here！〃　said　the　girl；　〃I　should　like　to　go　out。〃

She　was　very　white；　and　she　knewfor　with　her　nerves　thus　sharpened　she　saw　everythingthat　he　was　both　uneasy　and　compunctious。

At　the　back　of　the　theatre　an　open　balcony　hung　over　the　street；　she　took　possession　of　this；　and　stood　leaning　there　without　a　word；　waiting　for　him　to　begin。

At　last　she　could　bear　it　no　longer。

〃I　want　to　say　something　to　you；　Phil；〃　she　said。

〃Yes？〃

The　defensive　tone　of　his　voice　brought　the　colour　flying　to　her　cheek；　the　words　flying　to　her　lips：　〃You　don't　give　me　a　chance　to　be　nice　to　you；　you　haven't　for　ages　now！〃

Bosinney　stared　down　at　the　street。　　He　made　no　answer。。。。

June　cried　passionately：　〃You　know　I　want　to　do　everything　for　youthat　I　want　to　be　everything　to　you。。。。〃

A　hum　rose　from　thestreet；　and；　piercing　it　with　a　sharp　'ping；'　the　bell　sounded　for　the　raising　of　the　curtain；　June　did　not　stir。　　A　desperate　struggle　was　going　on　within　her。　　Should　she　put　everything　to　the　proof？　　Should　she　challenge　directly　that　influence；　that　attraction　which　was　driving　him　away　from　her？　　It　was　her　nature　to　challenge；　and　she　said：　〃Phil；　take　me　to　see　the　house　on　Sunday！〃

With　a　smile　quivering　and　breaking　on　her　lips；　and　trying；　how　hard；　not　to　show　that　she　was　watching；　she　searched　his　face；　saw　it　waver　and　hesitate；　saw　a　troubled　line　come　between　his　brows；　the　blood　rush　into　his　face。　　He　answered：　〃Not　Sunday；　dear；　some　other　day！〃

〃Why　not　Sunday？　　I　shouldn't　be　in　the　way　on　Sunday。〃

He　made　an　evident　effort；　and　said：　I　have　an　engagement。〃

〃You　are　going　to　take。。。。〃

His　eyes　grew　angry；　he　shrugged　his　shoulders；　and　answered：　〃An　engagement　that　will　prevent　my　taking　you　to　see　the　house！〃

June　bit　her　lip　till　the　blood　came；　and　walked　back　to　her　seat　without　another　word；　but　she　could　not　help　the　tears　of　rage　rolling　down　her　face。　　The　house　had　been　mercifully　darkened　for　a　crisis；　and　no　one　could　see　her　trouble。

Yet　in　this　world　of　Forsytes　let　no　man　think　himself　immune　from　observation。

In　the　third　row　behind；　Euphemia；　Nicholas's　youngest　daughter；　with　her　married…sister；　Mrs。　Tweetyman；　were　watching。

They　reported　at　Timothy's；　how　they　had　seen　June　and　her　fiance　at　the　theatre。

〃In　the　stalls？〃　　〃No；　not　in　the。。。。〃　　〃Oh！　in　the　dress　circle；　of　course。　　That　seemed　to　be　quite　fashionable　nowadays　with　young　people！〃

Wellnot　exactly。　　In　the。。。。　　Anyway；　that　engagement　wouldn't　last　long。　　They　had　never　seen　anyone　look　so　thunder　and　lightningy　as　that　little　June！　　With　tears　of　enjoyment　in　their　eyes；　they　related　how　she　had　kicked　a　man's　hat　as　she　returned　to　her　seat　in　the　middle　of　an　act；　and　how　the　man　had　looked。　Euphemia　had　a　noted；　silent　laugh；　terminating　most　disappoint…　ingly　in　squeaks；　and　when　Mrs。　Small；　holding　up　her　hands；　said：　〃My　dear！　　Kicked　a　ha…at？〃　she　let　out　such　anumber　of　these　that　she　had　to　be　recovered　with　smelling…salts。　　As　she　went　away　she　said　to　Mrs。　Tweetyman：

〃Kicked　aha…at！　　Oh！　　I　shall　die。〃

For　'that　little　June'　this　evening；　that　was　to　have　been　'her　treat；'　was　the　most　miserable　she　had　ever　spent。　　God　knows　she　tried　to　stifle　her　pride；　her　suspicion；　her　jealousy！

She　parted　from　Bosinney　at　old　Jolyon's　door　without　breaking　down；　the　feeling　that　her　lover　must　be　conquered　was　strong　enough　to　sustain　her　till　his　retiring　footsteps　brought　home　the　true　extent　of　her　wretchedness。

The　noiseless　'Sankey'　let　her　in。　　She　would　have　slipped　up　to　her　own　room；　but　old　Jolyon；　who　had　heard　her　entrance；　was　in　the　dining…room　doorway。

〃Come　in　and　have　your　milk；〃　he　said。　　〃It's　been　kept　hot　for　you。　　You're　very　late。　　Where　have　you　been？〃

June　stood　at　the　fireplace；　with　a　foot　on　the　fender　and　an　arm　on　the　mantelpiece；　as　her　grandfather　had　done　when　he　came　in　that　night　of　the　opera。　　She　was　too　near　a　breakdown；　to　care　what　she　told　him。

〃We　dined　at　Soames's。〃

〃H'm！　　the　man　of　property！　　His　wife　there　and　Bosinney？〃

〃Yes。〃

Old　Jolyon's　glance　was　fixed　on　her　with　the　penetrating　gaze　from　which　it　was　difficult　to　hide；　but　she　was　not