the cost-第16章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！



Olivia　said　she　was　comfortable　as　she　was　and　needed　the　tea。　　So　they　went　on　through　the　splendidly…furnished　drawing…room　and　were　going　through　the　library　when　Olivia　paused　before　a　portrait〃Your　husband；　isn't　it？〃

〃Yes；〃　replied　Pauline；　standing　behind　her　cousin。　　〃We　each　had　one　done　in　Paris。〃

〃What　a　masterful　face！〃　said　Olivia。　　〃I've　never　seen　a　better　forehead。〃　　And　she　thought；

〃He's　of　the　same　type　as　Scarborough；　exceptwhat　is　it　I　dislike　in　his　expression？〃

〃Do　you　notice　a　resemblance　to　any　one　you　know？〃　asked　Pauline。

〃Ye…e…s；〃　replied　Olivia；　coloring。　　〃I　think〃

〃Scarborough；　isn't　it？〃

〃Yes；〃　admitted　Olivia。

After　a　pause　Pauline　said　ambiguously：　　〃The　resemblance　is　stronger　there　than　in　life。〃

Olivia　glanced　at　her　and　was　made　vaguely　uneasy　by　the　look　she　was　directing　at　the　face　of　the　portrait。　　But　though　Pauline　must　have　seen　that　she　was　observed；　she　did　not　change　expression。　　They　went　out　upon　the　east　veranda　and　Olivia　stood　at　the　railing。　　She　hardly　noted　the　view　in　the　press　of　thoughts　roused　by　the　hints　of　what　was　behind　the　richly　embroidered　curtain　of　her　cousin's　life。

All　along　the　bluff；　some　exposed；　some　half　hid　by　dense　foliage；　were　the　pretentious　houses　of　the　thirty　or　forty　families　who　had　grown　rich　through　the　industries　developed　within　the　past　ten　years。　　Two　foreign…looking　servants　in　foreign…looking　house…liveries　were　bringing　a　table　on　which　was　an　enormous　silver　tray　with　a　tea…service　of　antique　silver　and　artistic　china。　　As　Olivia　turned　to　seat　herself　a　young　man　and　a　woman　of　perhaps　forty；　obviously　from　the　East；　came　through　the　doors　at　the　far　end　of　the　long　porch。　　Both　were　in　white；　carefully　dressed　and　groomed；　both　suggested　a　mode　of　life　whose　leisure　had　never　been　interrupted。

〃Who　are　coming？〃　asked　Olivia。　　She　wished　she　had　gone　to　her　room　before　tea。　　These　people　made　her　feel　dowdy　and　mussy。

Pauline　glanced　round；　smiled　and　nodded；　turned　back　to　her　cousin。

〃Mrs。　Herron　and　Mr。　Langdon。　　She's　the　wife　of　a　New　York　lawyer；　and　she　takes　Mr。　Langdon　everywhere　with　her　to　amuse　her；　and　he　goes　to　amuse　himself。　　He's　a　socialist；　or　something　like　that。　　He　thinks　up　and　says　things　to　shock　conservative；　conventional　people。　　He's　rich　and　never　has　workedcouldn't　if　he　would；　probably。　　But　he　denounces　leisure　classes　and　large　fortunes　and　advocates　manual　labor　every　day　for　everybody。　　He's　clever　in　a　queer；　cynical　way。〃

A　Mrs。　Fanshaw；　also　of　New　York；　came　from　the　library　in　a　tea…gown　of　chiffon　and　real　lace。　　All　were　made　acquainted　and　Pauline　poured　the　tea。　　As　Olivia　felt　shy　and　was　hungry；　she　ate　the　little　sandwiches　and　looked　and　listened　and　thoughtlooked　and　thought　rather　than　listened。　　These　were　certainly　well…bred　people；　yet　she　did　not　like　them。

〃They're　in　earnest　about　trifles；〃　she　said　to　herself；　〃and　trifle　about　earnest　things。〃　　Yet　it　irritated　her　to　feel　that；　though　they　would　care　not　at　all　for　her　low　opinion　of　them；　she　did　care　a　great　deal　because　they　would　fail　to　appreciate　her。

〃They　ought　to　be　jailed；〃　Langdon　was　drawling　with　considerable　emphasis。

〃Who；　Mr。　Langdon？〃　inquired　Mrs。　Fanshawshe　had　been　as　abstracted　as　Olivia。　　〃You've　been　filling　the　jails　rapidly　to…day；　and　hanging　not　a　few。〃

Mrs。　Herron　laughed。　　〃He　says　your　husband　and　Mrs。　Dumont's　and　mine　should　be　locked　up　as　conspirators。〃

〃Precisely；〃　said　Langdon；　tranquilly。　　〃They'll　sign　a　few　papers；　and　when　they're　done；　what'll　have　happened？　　Not　one　more　sheep'll　be　raised。　　Not　one　more　pound　of　wool　will　be　shorn。　　Not　one　more　laborer'll　be　employed。　　Not　a　single　improvement　in　any　process　of　manufacture。　　But；　on　the　other　hand；　the　farmer'll　have　to　sell　his　wool　cheaper；　the　consumer'll　have　to　pay　a　bigger　price　for　blankets　and　all　kinds　of　clothes；　for　carpetsfor　everything　wool　goes　into。　　And　these　few　men　will　have　trebled　their　fortunes　and　at　least　trebled　their　incomes。　　Does　anybody　deny　that　such　a　performance　is　a　crime？　　Why；　in　comparison；　a　burglar　is　honorable　and　courageous。　　HE　risks　liberty　and　life。〃

〃Dreadful！　　Dreadful！〃　exclaimed　Mrs。　Fanshaw；　in　mock　horror。　　〃You　must　go　at　once；　Mowbray；　and　lead　the　police　in　a　raid　on　Jack's　office。〃

〃Thanksit's　more　comfortable　here。〃　　Langdon　took　a　piece　of　a　curious…looking　kind　of　hot　bread。　　〃Extraordinary　good　stuff　this　is；〃　he　interjected；　then　went　on：　　〃And　I've　done　my　duty　when　I've　stated　the　facts。　　Also；　I'm　taking　a　little　stock　in　the　new　trust。　　But　I　don't　pose　as　a　‘captain　of　industry'　or　‘promoter　of　civilization。'　　I　admit　I'm　a　robber。　　My　point　is　the　rotten　hypocrisy　of　my　fellow　banditsno；　pickpockets；　by　gad！〃

Olivia　looked　at　him　with　disapproving　interest。　　It　was　the　first　time　she　had　been　present　at　a　game　of　battledore　and　shuttlecock　with　what　she　regarded　as　fundamental　morals。　　Langdon　noted　her　expression　and　said　to　Pauline　in　a　tone　of　contrition　that　did　not　conceal　his　amusement：　　〃I've　shocked　your　cousin；　Mrs。　Dumont。〃

〃I　hope　so；〃　replied　Pauline。　　〃I'm　sure　we　all　ought　to　be　shockedand　should　be；　if　it　weren't　you　who　are　trying　to　do　the　shocking。　　She'll　soon　get　used　to　you。〃

〃Then　it　was　a　jest？〃　said　Olivia　to　Langdon。

〃A　jest？〃　He　looked　serious。　　〃Not　at　all；　my　dear　Mrs。　Pierson。　　Every　word　I　said　was　true；　and　worse。　　They〃

〃Stop　your　nonsense；　Mowbray；〃　interrupted　Mrs。　Herron；　who　appreciated　that　Olivia　was　an　〃outsider。〃　　〃Certainly　he　was　jesting；　Mrs。　Pierson。　　Mr。　Langdon　pretends　to　have　eccentric　ideasone　of　them　is　that　everybody　with　brains　should　be　put　under　the　feet　of　the　numskulls；　another　is　that　anybody　who　has　anything　should　be　locked　up　and　his　property　given　to　those　who　have　nothing。〃

〃Splendid！〃　exclaimed　Langdon。　　And　he　took　out　a　gold　cigarette　case　and　lighted　a　large；　expensive…looking　cigarette　with　a　match　from　a　gold　safe。　　〃Go　on；　dear　lady！　　Herron　should　get　you　to　write　our　prospectus　when　we're　ready　to　unload　on　the　public。　　The　dear　public！　　How　it　does　yearn　for　a　share　in　any　piratical　enterprise　that　flies　the　snowy　flag　of　respectability。〃　　He　rose。　　〃Who'll　play　English　billiards？〃

〃All　right；〃　said　Mrs。　Herron；　rising。

〃And　I；　too；〃　said　Mrs。　Fanshaw。

〃Give　me　one　of　your　cigarettes；　Mowbray；〃　said　Mrs。　Herron。　　〃I　left　my　case　in　my　room。〃

Pauline；　answering　Olivia's　expression；　said　as　soon　as　the　three　had　disappeared：

〃Why　not？　　Is　it　any　worse　for　a　woman　than　for　a　man？〃

〃I　don't　know　why　not；〃　replied　Olivia。　　〃There　must　be　another　reason　than　because　I　don't　do　it；　and　didn't　think　ladies　did。　　But　that's　the　only　reason　I　can　give　just　now。〃

〃What　do　you　think　of　Langdon？〃　asked　Pauline。

〃I　guess　my　sense　of　humor's　defective。　　I　don't　like　the　sort　of　jest　he　seems　to　excel　in。〃

〃I　fancy　it　wasn't　altogether　a　jest；〃　said　Pauline。　　〃I　don't　inquire　into　those　matters　any　more。　　I　used　to；　butthe　more　I　saw；　the　worse　it　was。　　Tricks　and　traps　and　squeezes　andoh；　business　is　all　vulgar　and　low。　　It's　necessary；　I　suppose；　but　it's　repulsive　to　me。〃　　She　paused；　then　added　carelessly；　yet　with　a　certain　deliberateness；　〃I　never　meddle　with　Mr。　Dumont；　nor　he　with　me。〃

Olivia　wished　to　protest　against　Pauline's　view　of　business。　　Buthow　could　she　without　seeming　to　attack；　indeed；　without　attacking；　her　cousin's　husband？

Dumont　brought　Fanshaw　up　in　his　automobile；　Herron　remaining　at　the　offices　for　half　an　hour　to　give　the　newspapers　a　carefully　considered　account　of　the　much…discussed　〃merger〃　of　the　manufacturers　of　low…grade　woolens。　　Herron　had　objected　to　any　statement。　　〃It's　our　private　business；〃　he　said。　　〃Let　them　howl。　　The　fewer　facts　they　have；　the　sooner　they'll　stop　howling。〃　　But　Dumont　held　firm　for　publicity。　　〃There's　no　such　thing　as　a　private　business　nowadays；〃　he　replied。　　〃Besides；　don't　we　want　the　public　to　take　part　of　our　stock？　　What's　the　use　of　acting　shadyyou've　avoided　the　legal　obstacles；　haven't　you？　　Let's　tell　the　public　frankly　all　we　want　it　to　know；　and　it'll　think　it　knows　all　there　is　to　know。〃

The　whole　party　met　in　the　drawing…room　at　a　quarter…past　eight；　Langdon　the　last　to　come　downOlivia　was　uncertain　whether　or　not　she　was　unjust　to　him　when　she　suspected　design　in　his　late　entrance；　the　handsomest　and　the　best…dressed　man　of　the　company。

He　looked　cynically　at　Dumont。　　〃Well；　fellow　pirate：　how　go　our　plans　for　a　merry　winter　for　the　poor？〃

〃Ass！〃　muttered　Herron　to　Olivia；　who　happened　to；　be　nearest　him。　　〃He　fancies　impudence　is　wit。　　He's　devoid　of　moral　sense　or　even　of　decency。　　He's　a　traitor　to　his　class　and　shouldn't　be　tolerated　in　it。〃

Dumont　was　laughingly　answering　Langdon　in　his　own　vein。

〃Splendidly；〃　he　replied；　〃thanks　to　our　worthy　chaplain；　Herron；　who　secures　us　the　blessing　and　protection　of　the　law。〃

〃That　gives　me　an　appetite！〃　exclaimed　Langdon。　　〃I　feared　something　might　miscarry　in　these　last　hours　of　our　months　of　plotting。　　Heaven　be　praised；　the　people　won't　have　so　much　to　waste　hereafter。　　I'm　proud　to　be　in　one　of　the　many　noble　bands　that　are　struggling　to　save　them　from　themselves。〃

But　Dumont　had　turned　away　from　him；　so　he　dropped　into　Mrs。　Herron's　discussion　with　Mrs。　Fanshaw　on　their　proposed　trip　to　the　Mediterranean。　　Dinner　was　announced　and　he　was　put　between　Mrs。　Herron　and　Olivia；　with　Dumont　on　her　right。　　It　was　a　round　table　and　Olivia's　eyes　lingered　upon　its　detailsthe　embroidered　cloth　with　real　lace　in　the　center；　the　graceful　antique　silver　candlesticks；　the　tall　vases　filled　with　enormous　roseseverything　exquisitely　simple　and　tasteful。

Langdon　talked　with　her　until　Mrs。　Herron；　impatient　at　his　neglect；　caught　his　eye　and　compelled　his　attention。　　Dumont；　seeing　that　Olivia　was　free；　drew　her　into　his　conversation　with　Mrs。　Fanshaw；　and　then　Mrs。　Fanshaw　began　to　talk　with　Mr。　Herron；　who　was　eating　furiously　because　he　had　just　overheard　Langdon　say：　　〃That　was　a　great　day　for　pirates　when　they　thought　of　taking　aboard　the　lawyers　as　chaplains。〃

All　the　men　were　in　high　spirits；　Dumont　was　boyish　in　his　exuberance。　　When　he　left　home　that　morning　he　was　four　times　a　millionaire；　now　he　was　at　least　twelve　times　a　millionaire；　through　the　magic　of　the　〃merger。〃　　True；　eight　of　the　twelve　millions　were　on　paper；　but　it　was　paper　that　would　certainly　pay　dividends；　paper　that　would　presently　sell　at　or　near　its　face　value。　　And　this　success　had　come　when　he　was　only　thirty…four。　　His　mind　was　already　projecting　greater　triumphs　in　this　modern　necromancy　by　which　millionaires　evoke　and　materialize　millions　from　the　empty　airapparently。　　He　was　bubbling　over　with　happinessin　the　victory　won；　in　victories　to　be　won。

Olivia　tried　him　on　several　subjects；　but　the　conversation　dragged。　　Of　Pauline　he　would　not　talk；　of　Europe；　he　was　interested　only　in　the　comfort　of　hotels　and　railway　trains；　in　the　comparative　merits　of　the　cooking　and　the　wines　in　London　and　Paris。　　But　his　facealert；　shrewd；　aggressiveand　his　mode　of　expression　made　her　feel　that　he　was　uninteresting　because　he　was　thinking　of　something　which　he　did　not　care　to　expose　to　her　and　could　not　take　his