tales from two hemispheres[1].(两个半球的故事)-第7章
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finger…nails were in no way conspicuous； he did not； as a French count； a
former adorer of Edith's； had done； indulge an unmasculine taste for
diamond rings （possibly because he had none）； his politeness was
unobtrusive and subdued； and of his accent there was just enough left to
give an agreeable color of individuality to his speech。 But； for all that；
Edith could never quite rid herself of the impression that he was intensely
un…American。 There was a certain idyllic quiescence about him； a child…
like directness and simplicity； and a total absence of 〃push；〃 which were
startlingly at variance with the spirit of American life。 An American
could never have been content to remain in an inferior position without
trying； in some way； to better his fortunes。 But Halfdan could stand still
and see； without the faintest stirring of envy； his plebeian friend Olson；
whose education and talents could bear no comparison with his own； rise
rapidly above him； and apparently have no desire to emulate him。 He
could sit on a cricket in a corner； with Clara on his lap； and two or three
little girls nestling about him； and tell them fairy stories by the hour； while
his kindly face beamed with innocent happiness。 And if Clara； to coax
him into continuing the entertainment； offered to kiss him； his measure of
joy was full。 This fair child； with her affectionate ways； and her
confiding prattle； wound herself ever more closely about his homeless
heart； and he clung to her with a touching devotion。 For she was the only
one who seemed to be unconscious of the difference of blood； who had not
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yet learned that she was an American and hea foreigner。
VI。
Three years had passed by and still the situation was unchanged。
Halfdan still taught music and told fairy stories to the children。 He had a
good many more pupils now than three years ago； although he had made
no effort to solicit patronage； and had never tried to advertise his talent by
what he regarded as vulgar and inartistic display。 But Mrs。 Van Kirk；
who had by this time discovered his disinclination to assert himself； had
been only the more active； had 〃talked him up〃 among her aristocratic
friends； had given musical soirees； at which she had coaxed him to play
the principal role； and had in various other ways exerted herself in his
behalf。 It was getting to be quite fashionable to admire his quiet；
unostentatious style of playing； which was so far removed from the noisy
bravado and clap…trap then commonly in vogue。 Even professional
musicians began to indorse him； and some； who had discovered that 〃there
was money in him；〃 made him tempting offers for a public engagement。
But； with characteristic modesty； he distrusted their verdict； his sensitive
nature shrank from anything which had the appearance of self…assertion or
display。
But Edithah； if it had not been for Edith he might have found
courage to enter at the door of fortune； which was now opened ajar。 That
fame； if he should gain it； would bring him any nearer to her； was a
thought that was alien to so unworldly a temperament as his。 And any
action that had no bearing upon his relation to her； left him coldseemed
unworthy of the effort。 If she had asked him to play in public； if she had
required of him to go to the North Pole； or to cut his own throat； I verily
believe he would have done it。 And at last Edith did ask him to play。
She and Olson had plotted together； and from the very friendliest motives
agreed to play into each other's hands。
〃If you only WOULD consent to play；〃 said she； in her own persuasive
way； one day as they had finished their lesson； 〃we should all be so happy。
Only think how proud we should be of your success； for you know there is
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nothing you can't do in the way of music if you really want to。〃
〃Do you really think so？〃 exclaimed he； while his eyes suddenly grew
large and luminous。
〃Indeed I do；〃 said Edith； emphatically。
〃And ifif I played well；〃 faltered he； 〃would it really please you？〃
〃Of course it would；〃 cried Edith； laughing； 〃how can you ask such a
foolish question？〃
〃Because I hardly dared to believe it。〃
〃Now listen to me；〃 continued the girl； leaning forward in her chair；
and beaming all over with kindly officiousness； 〃now for once you must
be rational and do just what I tell you。 I shall never like you again if you
oppose me in this； for I have set my heart upon it； you must promise
beforehand that you will be good and not make any objection。 Do you
hear？〃
When Edith assumed this tone toward him； she might well have made
him promise to perform miracles。 She was too intent upon her
benevolent scheme to heed the possible inferences which he might draw
from her sudden display of interest。
〃Then you promise？〃 repeated she； eagerly； as he hesitated to answer。
〃Yes； I promise。〃
〃Now； you must not be surprised； but mamma and I have made
arrangements with Mr。 S that you are to appear under his auspices at a
concert which is to be given a week from to…night。 All our friends are
going； and we shall take up all the front seats； and I have already told my
gentlemen friends to scatter through the audience； and if they care
anything for my favor； they will have to applaud vigorously。〃
Halfdan reddened up to his temples； and began to twist his watch…
chain nervously。
〃You must have small confidence in my ability；〃 he murmured； 〃since
you resort to precautions like these。〃
〃But my dear Mr。 Birch；〃 cried Edith； who was quick to discover that
she had made a mistake； 〃it is not kind in you to mistrust me in that way。
If a New York audience were as highly cultivated in music as you are； I
admit that my precautions would be superfluous。 But the papers； you
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know； will take their tone from the audience； and therefore we must make
use of a little innocent artifice to make sure of it。 Everything depends
upon the success of your first public appearance； and if your friends can in
this way help you to establish the reputation which is nothing but your
right； I am sure you ought not to bind their hands by your foolish
sensitiveness。 You don't know the American way of doing things as well
as I do； therefore you must stand by your promise； and leave everything to
me。〃
It was impossible not to believe that anything Edith chose to do was
above reproach。 She looked so bewitching in her excited eagerness for
his welfare that it would have been inhuman to oppose her。 So he
meekly succumbed； and began to discuss with her the programme for the
concert。
During the next week there was hardly a day that he did not read some
startling paragraph in the newspapers about 〃the celebrated Scandinavian
pianist；〃 whose appearance at S Hall was looked forward to as the
principal event of the coming season。 He inwardly rebelled against the
well…meant exaggerations； but as he suspected that it was Edith's influence
which was in this way asserting itself in his behalf； he set his conscience at
rest and remained silent。
The evening of the concert came at last； and； as the papers stated the
next morning； 〃the large hall was crowded to its utmost capacity with a
select and highly appreciative audience。〃 Edith must have played her
part of the performance skillfully； for as he walked out upon the stage； he
was welcomed with an enthusiastic burst of applause； as if he had been a
world… renowned artist。 At Edith's suggestion； her two favorite nocturnes
had been placed first upon the programme； then followed one of those
ballads of Chopin； whose rhythmic din and rush sweep onward；
beleaguering the ear like eager； melodious hosts； charging in thickening
ranks and columns； beating impetuous retreats； and again uniting with one
grand emotion the wide…spreading army of sound for the final victory。
Besides these； there was one of Liszt's 〃Rhapsodies Hongroises；〃 an
impromptu by Schubert； and several orchestral pieces； but the greater part
of the programme was devoted to Chopin； because Halfdan； with his great；
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hopeless passion laboring in his breast； felt that he could interpret Chopin
better than he could any other composer。 He carried his audience by
storm。 As he retired to the dressing…room； after having finished the last
piece； his friends； among whom Edith and Mrs。 Van Kirk were the most
conspicuous； thronged about him； showering their praises and
congratulations upon him。 They insisted with much friendly urging upon
taking him home in their carriage； Clara kissed him； Mrs。 Van Kirk
introduced him to her lady acquaintances as 〃our friend； Mr。 Birch；〃 and
Edith held his hand so long in hers that he came near losing his presence
of mind and telling her then and there that he loved her。 As his eyes
rested on her； they became suddenly suffused with tears； and a vast
bewildering happiness vibrated through his frame。 At last he tore himself
away and wandered aimlessly through the long； lonely streets。 Why
could he
