all roads lead to calvary-第8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！



Miss　Greyson；　working　in　the　adjoining　room；　would　raise　her　head　and　listen。　　She　loved　to　hear　him　laugh。

〃It's　absurd；〃　Flossie　told　her　one　morning；　as　having　met　by　chance　they　were　walking　home　together　along　the　Embankment。　〃You're　not　'Clorinda'；　you　ought　to　be　writing　letters　to　her；　not　from　her；　waking　her　up；　telling　her　to　come　off　her　perch；　and　find　out　what　the　earth　feels　like。　　I'll　tell　you　what　I'll　do：　I'll　trot　you　round　to　Carleton。　　If　you're　out　for　stirring　up　strife　and　contention；　well；　that's　his　game；　too。　　He'll　use　you　for　his　beastly　sordid　ends。　　He'd　have　roped　in　John　the　Baptist　if　he'd　been　running　the　'Jerusalem　Star'　at　the　time；　and　have　given　him　a　daily　column　for　so　long　as　the　boom　lasted。　　What's　that　matter；　if　he's　willing　to　give　you　a　start？〃

Joan　jibbed　at　first。　　But　in　the　end　Flossie's　arguments　prevailed。　　One　afternoon；　a　week　later；　she　was　shown　into　Carleton's　private　room；　and　the　door　closed　behind　her。　　The　light　was　dim；　and　for　a　moment　she　could　see　no　one；　until　Carleton；　who　had　been　standing　near　one　of　the　windows；　came　forward　and　placed　a　chair　for　her。　　And　they　both　sat　down。

〃I've　glanced　through　some　of　your　things；〃　he　said。　　〃They're　all　right。　　They're　alive。　　What's　your　idea？〃

Remembering　Flossie's　counsel；　she　went　straight　to　the　point。　　She　wanted　to　talk　to　the　people。　　She　wanted　to　get　at　them。　　If　she　had　been　a　man；　she　would　have　taken　a　chair　and　gone　to　Hyde　Park。　As　it　was；　she　hadn't　the　nerve　for　Hyde　Park。　　At　least　she　was　afraid　she　hadn't。　　It　might　have　to　come　to　that。　　There　was　a　trembling　in　her　voice　that　annoyed　her。　　She　was　so　afraid　she　might　cry。　　She　wasn't　out　for　anything　crazy。　　She　wanted　only　those　things　done　that　could　be　done　if　the　people　would　but　lift　their　eyes；　look　into　one　another's　faces；　see　the　wrong　and　the　injustice　that　was　all　around　them；　and　swear　that　they　would　never　rest　till　the　pain　and　the　terror　had　been　driven　from　the　land。　She　wanted　soldiersmen　and　women　who　would　forget　their　own　sweet　selves；　not　counting　their　own　loss；　thinking　of　the　greater　gain；　as　in　times　of　war　and　revolution；　when　men　gave　even　their　lives　gladly　for　a　dream；　for　a　hope　…

Without　warning　he　switched　on　the　electric　lamp　that　stood　upon　the　desk；　causing　her　to　draw　back　with　a　start。

〃All　right；〃　he　said。　　〃Go　ahead。　　You　shall　have　your　tub；　and　a　weekly　audience　of　a　million　readers　for　as　long　as　you　can　keep　them　interested。　　Up　with　anything　you　like；　and　down　with　everything　you　don't。　　Be　careful　not　to　land　me　in　a　libel　suit。　Call　the　whole　Bench　of　Bishops　hypocrites；　and　all　the　ground　landlords　thieves；　if　you　will：　　but　don't　mention　names。　　And　don't　get　me　into　trouble　with　the　police。　　Beyond　that；　I　shan't　interfere　with　you。〃

She　was　about　to　speak。

〃One　stipulation；〃　he　went　on；　〃that　every　article　is　headed　with　your　photograph。〃

He　read　the　sudden　dismay　in　her　eyes。

〃How　else　do　you　think　you　are　going　to　attract　their　attention？〃　he　asked　her。　　〃By　your　eloquence！　　Hundreds　of　men　and　women　as　eloquent　as　you　could　ever　be　are　shouting　to　them　every　day。　　Who　takes　any　notice　of　them？　　Why　should　they　listen　any　the　more　to　youanother　cranky　highbrow：　　some　old　maid；　most　likely；　with　a　bony　throat　and　a　beaky　nose。　　If　Woman　is　going　to　come　into　the　fight　she　will　have　to　use　her　own　weapons。　　If　she　is　prepared　to　do　that　she'll　make　things　hum　with　a　vengeance。　　She's　the　biggest　force　going；　if　she　only　knew　it。〃

He　had　risen　and　was　pacing　the　room。

〃The　advertiser　has　found　that　out；　and　is　showing　the　way。〃　　He　snatched　at　an　illustrated　magazine；　fresh　from　the　press；　that　had　been　placed　upon　his　desk；　and　opened　it　at　the　first　page。　〃Johnson's　Blacking；〃　he　read　out；　〃advertised　by　a　dainty　little　minx；　showing　her　ankles。　　Who's　going　to　stop　for　a　moment　to　read　about　somebody's　blacking？　　If　a　saucy　little　minx　isn't　there　to　trip　him　up　with　her　ankles！〃

He　turned　another　page。　　〃Do　you　suffer　from　gout？　　Classical　lady　preparing　to　take　a　bath　and　very　nearly　ready。　　The　old　Johnny　in　the　train　stops　to　look　at　her。　　Reads　the　advertisement　because　she　seems　to　want　him　to。　　Rubber　heels。　　Save　your　boot　leather！　Lady　in　evening　dressjolly　pretty　shoulderswaves　them　in　front　of　your　eyes。　　Otherwise　you'd　never　think　of　them。〃

He　fluttered　the　pages。　　Then　flung　the　thing　across　to　her。

〃Look　at　it；〃　he　said。　　〃Fountain　pensCorn　plastersCharitable　appealsMotor　carsSoapsGrand　pianos。　　It's　the　girl　in　tights　and　spangles　outside　the　show　that　brings　them　trooping　in。〃

〃Let　them　see　you；〃　he　continued。　　〃You　say　you　want　soldiers。　Throw　off　your　veil　and　call　for　them。　　Your　namesake　of　France！　Do　you　think　if　she　had　contented　herself　with　writing　stirring　appeals　that　Orleans　would　have　fallen？　　She　put　on　a　becoming　suit　of　armour　and　got　upon　a　horse　where　everyone　could　see　her。　Chivalry　isn't　dead。　　You　modern　women　are　ashamed　of　yourselves　ashamed　of　your　sex。　　You　don't　give　it　a　chance。　　Revive　it。　　Stir　the　young　men's　blood。　　Their　souls　will　follow。〃

He　reseated　himself　and　leant　across　towards　her。

〃I'm　not　talking　business；〃　he　said。　　〃This　thing's　not　going　to　mean　much　to　me　one　way　or　the　other。　　I　want　you　to　win。　　Farm　labourers　bringing　up　families　on　twelve　and　six　a　week。　　Shirt　hands　working　half　into　the　night　for　three　farthings　an　hour。　Stinking　dens　for　men　to　live　in。　　Degraded　women。　　Half　fed　children。　　It's　damnable。　　Tell　them　it's　got　to　stop。　　That　the　Eternal　Feminine　has　stepped　out　of　the　poster　and　commands　it。〃

A　dapper　young　man　opened　the　door　and　put　his　head　into　the　room。

〃Railway　smash　in　Yorkshire；〃　he　announced。

Carleton　sat　up。　　〃Much　of　a　one？〃　he　asked。

The　dapper　gentleman　shrugged　his　shoulders。　　〃Three　killed；　eight　injured；　so　far；〃　he　answered。

Carleton's　interest　appeared　to　collapse。

〃Stop　press　column？〃　asked　the　dapper　gentleman。

〃Yes；　I　suppose　so。〃　　replied　Carleton。　　〃Unless　something　better　turns　up。〃

The　dapper　young　gentleman　disappeared。　　Joan　had　risen。

〃May　I　talk　it　over　with　a　friend？〃　she　asked。　　〃Myself；　I'm　inclined　to　accept。〃

〃You　will；　if　you're　in　earnest；〃　he　answered。　　〃I'll　give　you　twenty…four　hours。　　Look　in　to…morrow　afternoon；　and　see　Finch。　　It　will　be　for　the　Sunday　Postthe　Inset。　　We　use　surfaced　paper　for　that　and　can　do　you　justice。　　Finch　will　arrange　about　the　photograph。〃　　He　held　out　his　hand。　　〃Shall　be　seeing　you　again；〃　he　said。

It　was　but　a　stone's　throw　to　the　office　of　the　Evening　Gazette。　She　caught　Greyson　just　as　he　was　leaving　and　put　the　thing　before　him。　　His　sister　was　with　him。

He　did　not　answer　at　first。　　He　was　walking　to　and　fro；　and；　catching　his　foot　in　the　waste　paper　basket；　he　kicked　it　savagely　out　of　his　way；　so　that　the　contents　were　scattered　over　the　room。

〃Yes；　he's　right；〃　he　said。　　〃It　was　the　Virgin　above　the　altar　that　popularized　Christianity。　　Her　face　has　always　been　woman's　fortune。　　If　she's　going　to　become　a　fighter；　it　will　have　to　be　her　weapon。〃

He　had　used　almost　the　same　words　that　Carleton　had　used。

〃I　so　want　them　to　listen　to　me；〃　she　said。　　〃After　all；　it's　only　like　having　a　very　loud　voice。〃

He　looked　at　her　and　smiled。　　〃Yes；〃　he　said；　〃it's　a　voice　men　will　listen　to。〃

Mary　Greyson　was　standing　by　the　fire。　　She　had　not　spoken　hitherto。

〃You　won't　give　up　'Clorinda'？〃　she　asked。

Joan　had　intended　to　do　so；　but　something　in　Mary's　voice　caused　her；　against　her　will；　to　change　her　mind。

〃Of　course　not；〃　she　answered。　　〃I　shall　run　them　both。　　It　will　be　like　writing　Jekyll　and　Hyde。〃

〃What　will　you　sign　yourself？〃　he　asked。

〃My　own　name；　I　think；〃　she　said。　　〃Joan　Allway。〃

Miss　Greyson　suggested　her　coming　home　to　dinner　with　them；　but　Joan　found　an　excuse。　　She　wanted　to　be　alone。



CHAPTER　V



The　twilight　was　fading　as　she　left　the　office。　　She　turned　northward；　choosing　a　broad；　ill…lighted　road。　　It　did　not　matter　which　way　she　took。　　She　wanted　to　think；　or；　rather；　to　dream。

It　would　all　fall　out　as　she　had　intended。　　She　would　commence　by　becoming　a　power　in　journalism。　　She　was　reconciled　now　to　the　photograph　ideawas　even　keen　on　it　herself。　　She　would　be　taken　full　face　so　that　she　would　be　looking　straight　into　the　eyes　of　her　readers　as　she　talked　to　them。　　It　would　compel　her　to　be　herself；　just　a　hopeful；　loving　woman：　　a　little　better　educated　than　the　majority；　having　had　greater　opportunity：　　a　little　further　seeing；　maybe；　having　had　more　leisure　for　thought：　　but　otherwise；　no　whit　superior　to　any　other　young；　eager　woman　of　the　people。　　This　absurd　journalistic　pose　of　omniscience；　of　infallibilitythis　non…existent　garment　of　supreme　wisdom　that；　like　the　King's　clothes　in　the　fairy　story；　was　donned　to　hide　his　nakedness　by　every　strutting　nonentity　of　Fleet　Street！　　She　would　have　no　use　for　it。　　It　should　be　a　friend；　a　comrade；　a　fellow…　servant　of　the　great　Master；　taking　counsel　with　them；　asking　their　help。　　Government　by　the　people　for　the　people！　　It　must　be　made　real。　　These　silent；　thoughtful…looking　workers；　hurrying　homewards　through　the　darkening　streets；　these　patient；　shrewd…planning　housewives　casting　their　shadows　on　the　drawn…down　blinds：　　it　was　they　who　should　be　shaping　the　world；　not　the　journalists　to　whom　all　life　was　but　so　much　〃copy。〃　　This　monstrous　conspiracy；　once　of　the　Sword；　of　the　Church；　now　of　the　Press；　that　put　all　Government　into　the　hands　of　a　few　stuffy　old　gentlemen；　politicians；　leader　writers；　without　sympathy　or　understanding：　　it　was　time　that　it　was　swept　away。　　She　would　raise　a　new　standard。　It　should　be；　not　〃Listen　to　me；　oh　ye　dumb；〃　but；　〃Speak　to　me。　Tell　me　your　hidden　hopes；　your　fears；　your　dreams。　　Tell　me　your　experience；　your　thoughts　born　of　knowledge；　of　suffering。〃

She　would　get　into　correspondence　with　them；　go　among　them；　talk　to　them。　　The　difficulty；　at　first；　would　be　in　getting　them　to　write　to　her；　to　open　their　minds　to　her。　　These　voiceless　masses　that　never　spoke；　but　were　always　being　spoken　for　by　self…appointed　〃leaders；〃　〃representatives；〃　who　immediately　they　had　climbed　into　prominence　took　their　place　among　the　rulers；　and　then　from　press　and　platform　shouted　to　them　what　they　were　to　think　and　feel。　　It　was　as　if　the　Drill…Sergeant　were　to　claim　to　be　the　〃leader；〃　the　〃representative〃　of　his　squad；　or　the　sheep…dog　to　pose　as　the　〃delegate〃　of　the　sheep。　　Dealt　with　always　as　if　they　were　mere　herds；　mere　flocks；　they　had　almost　lost　the　power　of　individual　utterance。　　One　would　have　to　teach　them；　encourage　them。

She　remembered　a　Sunday　class　she　had　once　conducted；　and　how　for　a　long　time　she　had　tried　in　vain　to　get　the　children　to　〃come　in；〃　to　take　a　hand。　　That　she　might　get　in　touch　with　them；　understand　their　small　problems；　she　had　urged　them　to　ask　questions。　　And　there　had　fallen　such　long　silences。　　Until；　at　last；　one　cheeky　ragamuffin　had　piped　out：

〃Please；　Miss；　have　you　got　red　hair　all　over　you？　　Or　only　on　your　head？〃

For　answer　she　had　rolled　up　her　sleeve；　and　let　them　examine　her　arm。　　And　then；　in　her　turn；　had　insisted　on　rolling　up　his　sleeve；　revealing　the　fact　that　his　arm