adventure-第33章

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abitual　sharpness　of　quip　and　speech。　　This　cessation　of　verbal　sparring　was　like　the　breaking　off　of　diplomatic　relations　between　countries　at　the　beginning　of　war；　and；　once　Sheldon's　suspicions　were　aroused；　he　was　not　long　in　finding　other　confirmations。　　Tudor　too　obviously　joyed　in　Joan's　presence；　too　obviously　laid　himself　out　to　amuse　and　fascinate　her　with　his　own　glorious　and　adventurous　personality。　　Often；　after　his　morning　ride　over　the　plantation；　or　coming　in　from　the　store　or　from　inspection　of　the　copra…drying；　Sheldon　found　the　pair　of　them　together　on　the　veranda；　Joan　listening；　intent　and　excited；　and　Tudor　deep　in　some　recital　of　personal　adventure　at　the　ends　of　the　earth。

Sheldon　noticed；　too；　the　way　Tudor　looked　at　her　and　followed　her　about　with　his　eyes；　and　in　those　eyes　he　noted　a　certain　hungry　look；　and　on　the　face　a　certain　wistful　expression；　and　he　wondered　if　on　his　own　face　he　carried　a　similar　involuntary　advertisement。　He　was　sure　of　several　things：　　first；　that　Tudor　was　not　the　right　man　for　Joan　and　could　not　possibly　make　her　permanently　happy；　next；　that　Joan　was　too　sensible　a　girl　really　to　fall　in　love　with　a　man　of　such　superficial　stamp；　and；　finally；　that　Tudor　would　blunder　his　love…making　somehow。　　And　at　the　same　time；　with　true　lover's　anxiety；　Sheldon　feared　that　the　other　might　somehow　fail　to　blunder；　and　win　the　girl　with　purely　fortuitous　and　successful　meretricious　show。　　But　of　the　one　thing　Sheldon　was　sure：　　Tudor　had　no　intimate　knowledge　of　her　and　was　unaware　of　how　vital　in　her　was　her　wildness　and　love　of　independence。　　That　was　where　he　would　blunderin　the　catching　and　the　holding　of　her。　　And　then；　in　spite　of　all　his　certitude；　Sheldon　could　not　forbear　wondering　if　his　theories　of　Joan　might　not　be　wrong；　and　if　Tudor　was　not　going　the　right　way　about　after　all。

The　situation　was　very　unsatisfactory　and　perplexing。　　Sheldon　played　the　difficult　part　of　waiting　and　looking　on；　while　his　rival　devoted　himself　energetically　to　reaching　out　and　grasping　at　the　fluttering　prize。　　Then；　again；　Tudor　had　such　an　irritating　way　about　him。　　It　had　become　quite　elusive　and　intangible；　now　that　he　had　tacitly　severed　diplomatic　relations；　but　Sheldon　sensed　what　he　deemed　a　growing　antagonism　and　promptly　magnified　it　through　the　jealous　lenses　of　his　own　lover's　eyes。　　The　other　was　an　interloper。　　He　did　not　belong　to　Berande；　and　now　that　he　was　well　and　strong　again　it　was　time　for　him　to　go。　　Instead　of　which；　and　despite　the　calling　in　of　the　mail　steamer　bound　for　Sydney；　Tudor　had　settled　himself　down　comfortably；　resumed　swimming；　went　dynamiting　fish　with　Joan；　spent　hours　with　her　hunting　pigeons；　trapping　crocodiles；　and　at　target　practice　with　rifle　and　revolver。

But　there　were　certain　traditions　of　hospitality　that　prevented　Sheldon　from　breathing　a　hint　that　it　was　time　for　his　guest　to　take　himself　off。　　And　in　similar　fashion；　feeling　that　it　was　not　playing　the　game；　he　fought　down　the　temptation　to　warn　Joan。　　Had　he　known　anything；　not　too　serious；　to　Tudor's　detriment；　he　would　have　been　unable　to　utter　it；　but　the　worst　of　it　was　that　he　knew　nothing　at　all　against　the　man。　　That　was　the　confounded　part　of　it；　and　sometimes　he　was　so　baffled　and　overwrought　by　his　feelings　that　he　assumed　a　super…judicial　calm　and　assured　himself　that　his　dislike　of　Tudor　was　a　matter　of　unsubstantial　prejudice　and　jealousy。

Outwardly；　he　maintained　a　calm　and　smiling　aspect。　　The　work　of　the　plantation　went　on。　　The　Martha　and　the　Flibberty…Gibbet　came　and　went；　as　did　all　the　miscellany　of　coasting　craft　that　dropped　in　to　wait　for　a　breeze　and　have　a　gossip；　a　drink　or　two；　and　a　game　of　billiards。　　Satan　kept　the　compound　free　of　niggers。　Boucher　came　down　regularly　in　his　whale…boat　to　pass　Sunday。　Twice　a　day；　at　breakfast　and　dinner；　Joan　and　Sheldon　and　Tudor　met　amicably　at　table；　and　the　evenings　were　as　amicably　spent　on　the　veranda。

And　then　it　happened。　　Tudor　made　his　blunder。　　Never　divining　Joan's　fluttering　wildness；　her　blind　hatred　of　restraint　and　compulsion；　her　abhorrence　of　mastery　by　another；　and　mistaking　the　warmth　and　enthusiasm　in　her　eyes　（aroused　by　his　latest　tale）　for　something　tender　and　acquiescent；　he　drew　her　to　him；　laid　a　forcible　detaining　arm　about　her　waist；　and　misapprehended　her　frantic　revolt　for　an　exhibition　of　maidenly　reluctance。　　It　occurred　on　the　veranda；　after　breakfast；　and　Sheldon；　within；　pondering　a　Sydney　wholesaler's　catalogue　and　making　up　his　orders　for　next　steamer…day；　heard　the　sharp　exclamation　of　Joan；　followed　by　the　equally　sharp　impact　of　an　open　hand　against　a　cheek。　Jerking　free　from　the　arm　that　was　all　distasteful　compulsion；　Joan　had　slapped　Tudor's　face　resoundingly　and　with　far　more　vim　and　weight　than　when　she　had　cuffed　Gogoomy。

Sheldon　had　half…started　up；　then　controlled　himself　and　sunk　back　in　his　chair；　so　that　by　the　time　Joan　entered　the　door　his　composure　was　recovered。　　Her　right　fore…arm　was　clutched　tightly　in　her　left　hand；　while　the　white　cheeks；　centred　with　the　spots　of　flaming　red；　reminded　him　of　the　time　he　had　first　seen　her　angry。

〃He　hurt　my　arm；〃　she　blurted　out；　in　reply　to　his　look　of　inquiry。

He　smiled　involuntarily。　　It　was　so　like　her；　so　like　the　boy　she　was；　to　come　running　to　complain　of　the　physical　hurt　which　had　been　done　her。　　She　was　certainly　not　a　woman　versed　in　the　ways　of　man　and　in　the　ways　of　handling　man。　　The　resounding　slap　she　had　given　Tudor　seemed　still　echoing　in　Sheldon's　ears；　and　as　he　looked　at　the　girl　before　him　crying　out　that　her　arm　was　hurt；　his　smile　grew　broader。

It　was　the　smile　that　did　it；　convicting　Joan　in　her　own　eyes　of　the　silliness　of　her　cry　and　sending　over　her　face　the　most　amazing　blush　he　had　ever　seen。　　Throat；　cheeks；　and　forehead　flamed　with　the　rush　of　the　shamed　blood。

〃Hehe〃　she　attempted　to　vindicate　her　deeper　indignation；　then　whirled　abruptly　away　and　passed　out　the　rear　door　and　down　the　steps。

Sheldon　sat　and　mused。　　He　was　a　trifle　angry；　and　the　more　he　dwelt　upon　the　happening　the　angrier　he　grew。　　If　it　had　been　any　woman　except　Joan　it　would　have　been　amusing。　　But　Joan　was　the　last　woman　in　the　world　to　attempt　to　kiss　forcibly。　　The　thing　smacked　of　the　back　stairs　anywaya　sordid　little　comedy　perhaps；　but　to　have　tried　it　on　Joan　was　nothing　less　than　sacrilege。　　The　man　should　have　had　better　sense。　　Then；　too；　Sheldon　was　personally　aggrieved。　　He　had　been　filched　of　something　that　he　felt　was　almost　his；　and　his　lover's　jealousy　was　rampant　at　thought　of　this　forced　familiarity。

It　was　while　in　this　mood　that　the　screen　door　banged　loudly　behind　the　heels　of　Tudor；　who　strode　into　the　room　and　paused　before　him。　Sheldon　was　unprepared；　though　it　was　very　apparent　that　the　other　was　furious。

〃Well？〃　Tudor　demanded　defiantly。

And　on　the　instant　speech　rushed　to　Sheldon's　lips。

〃I　hope　you　won't　attempt　anything　like　it　again；　that's　all　except　that　I　shall　be　only　too　happy　any　time　to　extend　to　you　the　courtesy　of　my　whale…boat。　　It　will　land　you　in　Tulagi　in　a　few　hours。〃

〃As　if　that　would　settle　it；〃　was　the　retort。

〃I　don't　understand；〃　Sheldon　said　simply。

〃Then　it　is　because　you　don't　wish　to　understand。〃

〃Still　I　don't　understand；〃　Sheldon　said　in　steady；　level　tones。　〃All　that　is　clear　to　me　is　that　you　are　exaggerating　your　own　blunder　into　something　serious。〃

Tudor　grinned　maliciously　and　replied；　…

〃It　would　seem　that　you　are　doing　the　exaggerating；　inviting　me　to　leave　in　your　whale…boat。　　It　is　telling　me　that　Berande　is　not　big　enough　for　the　pair　of　us。　　Now　let　me　tell　you　that　the　Solomon　Islands　is　not　big　enough　for　the　pair　of　us。　　This　thing's　got　to　be　settled　between　us；　and　it　may　as　well　be　settled　right　here　and　now。〃

〃I　can　understand　your　fire…eating　manners　as　being　natural　to　you；〃　Sheldon　went　on　wearily；　〃but　why　you　should　try　them　on　me　is　what　I　can't　comprehend。　　You　surely　don't　want　to　quarrel　with　me。〃

〃I　certainly　do。〃

〃But　what　in　heaven's　name　for？〃

Tudor　surveyed　him　with　withering　disgust。

〃You　haven't　the　soul　of　a　louse。　　I　suppose　any　man　could　make　love　to　your　wife〃

〃But　I　have　no　wife；〃　Sheldon　interrupted。

〃Then　you　ought　to　have。　　The　situation　is　outrageous。　　You　might　at　least　marry　her；　as　I　am　honourably　willing　to　do。〃

For　the　first　time　Sheldon's　rising　anger　boiled　over。

〃You〃　he　began　violently；　then　abruptly　caught　control　of　himself　and　went　on　soothingly；　〃you'd　better　take　a　drink　and　think　it　over。　　That's　my　advice　to　you。　　Of　course；　when　you　do　get　cool；　after　talking　to　me　in　this　fashion　you　won't　want　to　stay　on　any　longer；　so　while　you're　getting　that　drink　I'll　call　the　boat's…　crew　and　launch　a　boat。　　You'll　be　in　Tulagi　by　eight　this　evening。〃

He　turned　toward　the　door；　as　if　to　put　his　words　into　execution；　but　the　other　caught　him　by　the　shoulder　and　twirled　him　around。

〃Look　here；　Sheldon；　I　told　you　the　Solomons　were　too　small　for　the　pair　of　us；　and　I　meant　it。〃

〃Is　that　an　offer　to　buy　Berande；　lock；　stock；　and　barrel？〃　Sheldon　queried。

〃No；　it　isn't。　　It's　an　invitation　to　fight。〃

〃But　what　the　devil　do　you　want　to　fight　with　me　for？〃　　Sheldon's　irritation　was　growing　at　the　other's　persistence。　　〃I've　no　quarrel　with　you。　　And　what　quarrel　can　you　have　with　me？　　I　have　never　interfered　with　you。　　You　were　my　guest。　　Miss　Lackland　is　my　partner。　　If　you　saw　fit　to　make　love　to　her；　and　somehow　failed　to　succeed；　why　should　you　want　to　fight　with　me？　　This　is　the　twentieth　century；　my　dear　fellow；　and　duelling　went　out　of　fashion　before　you　and　I　were　born。〃

〃You　began　the　row；〃　Tudor　doggedly　asserted。　　〃You　gave　me　to　understand　that　it　was　time　for　me　to　go。　　You　fired　me　out　of　your　house；　in　short。　　And　then　you　have　the　cheek　to　want　to　know　why　I　am　starting　the　row。　　It　won't　do；　I　tell　you。　　You　started　it；　and　I　am　going　to　see　it　through。〃

Sheldon　smiled　tolerantly　and　proceeded　to　light　a　cigarette。　　But　Tudor　was　not　to　be　turned　aside。

〃You　started　this　row；〃　he　urged。

〃There　isn't　any　row。　　It　takes　two　to　make　a　row；　and　I；　for　one；　refuse　to　have　anything　to　do　with　such　tomfoolery。〃

〃You　started　it；　I　say；　and　I'll　tell　you　why　you　started　it。〃

〃I　fancy　you've　been　drinking；〃　Sheldon　interposed。　　〃It's　the　only　explanation　I　can　find　for　your　unreasonableness。〃

〃And　I'll　tell　you　why　you　started　it。　　It　wasn't　silliness　on　your　part　to　exaggerate　this　little　trifle　of　love…making　into　something　serious。　　I　was　poaching　on　your　preserves；　and　you　wanted　to　get　rid　of　me。　　It　was　all　very　nice　and　snug　here；　you　and　the　girl；　until　I　came　along。　　And　now　you're　jealousthat's　it；　jealousy　and　want　me　out　of　it。　　But　I　won't　go。〃

〃Then　stay　on　by　all　means。　　I　won't　quarrel　with　you　about　it。　Make　yourself　comfortable。　　Stay　for　a　year；　if　you　wish。〃

〃She's　not　your　wife；〃　Tudor　continued；　as　though　the　other　had　not　spoken。　　〃A　fellow　has　the　right　to　make　love　to　her　unless　she's　yourwell；　perhaps　it　was　an　error　after　all；　due　to　ignorance；　perfectly　excusable；　on　my　part。　　I　might　have　seen　it　with　half　an　eye　if　I'd　listened　to　the　gossip　on　the　beach。　　All　Guvutu　and　Tulagi　were　lau