fraternity-第13章

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mself；　and　the　man　Hughs；　and　suffered　from　this　anger　as　only　they　can　who　are　not　accustomed　to　the　rough…and…tumble　of　things。

Such　a　retiring　man　as　Hilary　was　seldom　given　the　opportunity　for　an　obvious　display　of　chivalry。　　The　tenor　of　his　life　removed　him　from　those　situations。　　Such　chivalry　as　he　displayed　was　of　a　negative　order。　　And　confronted　suddenly　with　the　conduct　of　Hughs；　who；　it　seemed；　knocked　his　wife　about；　and　dogged　the　footsteps　of　a　helpless　girl；　he　took　it　seriously　to　heart。

When　the　little　model　came　walking　up　the　garden　on　her　usual　visit；　he　fancied　her　face　looked　scared。　　Quieting　the　growling　of　Miranda；　who　from　the　first　had　stubbornly　refused　to　know　this　girl；　he　sat　down　with　a　book　to　wait　for　her　to　go　away。　　After　sitting　an　hour　or　more；　turning　over　pages；　and　knowing　little　of　their　sense；　he　saw　a　man　peer　over　his　garden　gate。　　He　was　there　for　half　a　minute；　then　lounged　across　the　road；　and　stood　hidden　by　some　railings。

'So？'　thought　Hilary。　　'Shall　I　go　out　and　warn　the　fellow　to　clear　off；　or　shall　I　wait　to　see　what　happens　when　she　goes　away？'

He　determined　on　the　latter　course。　　Presently　she　came　out；　walking　with　her　peculiar　gait；　youthful　and　pretty；　but　too　matter…of…fact；　and　yet；　as　it　were；　too　purposeless　to　be　a　lady's。　　She　looked　back　at　Hilary's　window；　and　turned　uphill。

Hilary　took　his　hat　and　stick　and　waited。　　In　half　a　minute　Hughs　came　out　from　under　cover　of　the　railings　and　followed。　　Then　Hilary；　too；　set　forth。

There　is　left　in　every　man　something　of　the　primeval　love　of　stalking。　　The　delicate　Hilary；　in　cooler　blood；　would　have　revolted　at　the　notion　of　dogging　people's　footsteps。　　He　now　experienced　the　holy　pleasures　of　the　chase。　　Certain　that　Hughs　was　really　following　the　girl；　he　had　but　to　keep　him　in　sight　and　remain　unseen。　　This　was　not　hard　for　a　man　given　to　mountain…climbing；　almost　the　only　sport　left　to　one　who　thought　it　immoral　to　hurt　anybody　but　himself。

Taking　advantage　of　shop…windows；　omnibuses；　passers…by；　and　other　bits　of　cover；　he　prosecuted　the　chase　up　the　steepy　heights　of　Campden　Hill。　　But　soon　a　nearly　fatal　check　occurred；　for；　chancing　to　take　his　eyes　off　Hughs；　he　saw　the　little　model　returning　on　her　tracks。　　Ready　enough　in　physical　emergencies；　Hilary　sprang　into　a　passing　omnibus。　　He　saw　her　stopping　before　the　window　of　a　picture…

shop。　　From　the　expression　of　her　face　and　figure；　she　evidently　had　no　idea　that　she　was　being　followed；　but　stood　with　a　sort　of　slack…　lipped　wonder；　lost　in　admiration　of　a　well…known　print。　　Hilary　had　often　wondered　who　could　possibly　admire　that　picturehe　now　knew。　It　was　obvious　that　the　girl's　aesthetic　sense　was　deeply　touched。

While　this　was　passing　through　his　mind；　he　caught　sight　of　Hughs　lurking　outside　a　public…house。　　The　dark　man's　face　was　sullen　and　dejected；　and　looked　as　if　he　suffered。　　Hilary　felt　a　sort　of　pity　for　him。

The　omnibus　leaped　forward；　and　he　sat　down　smartly　almost　on　a　lady's　lap。　　This　was　the　lap　of　Mrs。　Tallents　Smallpeace；　who　greeted　him　with　a　warm；　quiet　smile；　and　made　a　little　room。

〃Your　sister…in…law　has　just　been　to　see　me；　Mr。　Dallison。　　She's　such　a　dear…so　interested　in　everything。　　I　tried　to　get　her　to　come　on　to　my　meeting　with　me。〃

Raising　his　hat；　Hilary　frowned。　　For　once　his　delicacy　was　at　fault。　He　said：

〃Ah；　yes！　　Excuse　me！〃　and　got　out。

Mrs。　Tallents　Smallpeace　looked　after　him；　and　then　glanced　round　the　omnibus。　　His　conduct　was　very　like　the　conduct　of　a　man　who　had　got　in　to　keep　an　assignation　with　a　lady；　and　found　that　lady　sitting　next　his　aunt。　　She　was　unable　to　see　a　soul　who　seemed　to　foster　this　view；　and　sat　thinking　that　he　was　〃rather　attractive。〃　Suddenly　her　dark　busy　eyes　lighted　on　the　figure　of　the　little　model　strolling　along　again。

'Oh！'　she　thought。　　'Ah！　　Yes；　really！　　How　very　interesting！'

Hilary；　to　avoid　meeting　the　girl　point…blank；　had　turned　up　a　by…　street；　and；　finding　a　convenient　corner；　waited。　　He　was　puzzled。　If　this　man　were　persecuting　her　with　his　attentions；　why　had　he　not　gone　across　when　she　was　standing　at　the　picture…shop？

She　passed　across　the　opening　of　the　by…street；　still　walking　in　the　slack　way　of　one　who　takes　the　pleasures　of　the　streets。　　She　passed　from　view；　Hilary　strained　his　eyes　to　see　if　Hughs　were　following。　He　waited　several　minutes。　　The　man　did　not　appear。　　The　chase　was　over！　　And　suddenly　it　flashed　across　him　that　Hughs　had　merely　dogged　her　to　see　that　she　had　no　assignation　with　anybody。　　They　had　both　been　playing　the　same　game！　　He　flushed　up　in　that　shady　little　street；　in　which　he　was　the　only　person　to　be　seen。　　Cecilia　was　right！　　It　was　a　sordid　business。　　A　man　more　in　touch　with　facts　than　Hilary　would　have　had　some　mental　pigeonhole　into　which　to　put　an　incident　like　this；　but；　being　by　profession　concerned　mainly　with　ideas　and　thoughts；　he　did　not　quite　know　where　he　was。　　The　habit　of　his　mind　precluded　him　from　thinking　very　definitely　on　any　subject　except　his　literary　workprecluded　him　especially　in　a　matter　of　this　sort；　so　inextricably　entwined　with　that　delicate；　dim　question；　the　impact　of　class　on　class。

Pondering　deeply；　he　ascended　the　leafy　lane　that　leads　between　high　railings　from　Notting　Hill　to　Kensington。

It　was　so　far　from　traffic　that　every　tree　on　either　side　was　loud　with　the　Spring　songs　of　birds；　the　scent　of　running　sap　came　forth　shyly　as　the　sun　sank　low。　　Strange　peace；　strange　feeling　of　old　Mother　Earth　up　there　above　the　town；　wild　tunes；　and　the　quiet　sight　of　clouds。　　Man　in　this　lane　might　rest　his　troubled　thoughts；　and　for　a　while　trust　the　goodness　of　the　Scheme　that　gave　him　birth；　the　beauty　of　each　day；　that　laughs　or　broods　itself　into　night。　　Some　budding　lilacs　exhaled　a　scent　of　lemons；　a　sandy　cat　on　the　coping　of　a　garden　wall　was　basking　in　the　setting　sun。

In　the　centre　of　the　lane　a　row　of　elm…trees　displayed　their　gnarled；　knotted　roots。　　Human　beings　were　seated　there；　whose　matted　hair　clung　round　their　tired　faces。　　Their　gaunt　limbs　were　clothed　in　rags；　each　had　a　stick；　and　some　sort　of　dirty　bundle　tied　to　it。　They　were　asleep。　　On　a　bench　beyond；　two　toothless　old　women　sat；　moving　their　eyes　from　side　to　side；　and　a　crimson…faced　woman　was　snoring。　　Under　the　next　tree　a　Cockney　youth　and　his　girl　were　sitting　side　by　side…pale　young　things；　with　loose　mouths；　and　hollow　cheeks；　and　restless　eyes。　　Their　arms　were　enlaced；　they　were　silent。　　A　little　farther　on　two　young　men　in　working　clothes　were　looking　straight　before　them；　with　desperately　tired　faces。　　They；　too；　were　silent。

On　the　last　bench　of　all　Hilary　came　on　the　little　model；　seated　slackly　by　herself。




CHAPTER　X

THE　TROUSSEAU

This　the　first　time　these　two　had　each　other　at　large；　was　clearly　not　a　comfortable　event　for　either　of　them。　　The　girl　blushed；　and　hastily　got　off　her　seat。　　Hilary；　who　raised　his　hat　and　frowned；　sat　down　on　it。

〃Don't　get　up；〃　he　said；　〃I　want　to　talk　to　you。〃

The　little　model　obediently　resumed　her　seat。　　A　silence　followed。　She　had　on　the　old　brown　skirt　and　knitted　jersey；　the　old　blue…green　tam…o'…shanter　cap；　and　there　were　marks　of　weariness　beneath　her　eyes。

At　last　Hilary　remarked：　〃How　are　you　getting　on？〃

The　little　model　looked　at　her　feet。

〃Pretty　well；　thank　you；　Mr。　Dallison。〃

〃I　came　to　see　you　yesterday。〃

She　slid　a　look　at　him　which　might　have　meant　nothing　or　meant　much；　so　perfect　its　shy　stolidity。

〃I　was　out；〃　she　said；　〃sitting　to　Miss　Boyle。〃

〃So　you　have　some　work？〃

〃It's　finished　now。〃

〃Then　you're　only　getting　the　two　shillings　a　day　from　Mr。　Stone？〃

She　nodded。

〃H'm！〃

The　unexpected　fervour　of　this　grunt　seemed　to　animate　the　little　model。

〃Three　and　sixpence　for　my　rent；　and　breakfast　costs　threepence　nearlyonly　bread…and…butterthat's　five　and　two；　and　washing's　always　at　least　tenpencethat's　six；　and　little　things　last　week　was　a　shillingeven　when　I　don't　take　busesseven；　that　leaves　five　shillings　for　my　dinners。　　Mr。　Stone　always　gives　me　tea。　　It's　my　clothes　worries　me。〃　　She　tucked　her　feet　farther　beneath　the　seat；　and　Hilary　refrained　from　looking　down。　　〃My　hat　is　awful；　and　I　do　want　some…〃　She　looked　Hilary　in　the　face　for　the　first　time。　　〃I　do　wish　I　was　rich。〃

〃I　don't　wonder。〃

The　little　model　gritted　her　teeth；　and；　twisting　at　her　dirty　gloves；　said：　〃Mr。　Dallison；　d'you　know　the　first　thing　I'd　buy　if　I　was　rich？〃

〃No。〃

〃I'd　buy　everything　new　on　me　from　top　to　toe；　and　I　wouldn't　ever　wear　any　of　these　old　things　again。〃

Hilary　got　up：　〃Come　with　me　now；　and　buy　everything　new　from　top　to　toe。〃

〃Oh！〃

Hilary　had　already　perceived　that　he　had　made　an　awkward；　even　dangerous；　proposal；　short；　however；　of　giving　her　money；　the　idea　of　which　offended　his　sense　of　delicacy；　there　was　no　way　out　of　it。　　He　said　brusquely：　〃Come　along！〃

The　little　model　rose　obediently。　　Hilary　noticed　that　her　boots　were　split；　and　thisas　though　he　had　seen　someone　strike　a　childso　moved　his　indignation　that　he　felt　no　more　qualms；　but　rather　a　sort　of　pleasant　glow；　such　as　will　come　to　the　most　studious　man　when　he　levels　a　blow　at　the　conventions。

He　looked　down　at　his　companionher　eyes　were　lowered；　he　could　not　tell　at　all　what　she　was　thinking　of。

〃This　is　what　I　was　going　to　speak　to　you　about；〃　he　said：　〃I　don't　like　that　house　you're　in；　I　think　you　ought　to　be　somewhere　else。　What　do　you　say？〃

〃Yes；　Mr。　Dallison。〃

〃You'd　better　make　a　change；　I　think；　you　could　find　another　room；　couldn't　you？〃

The　little　model　answered　as　before：　〃Yes；　Mr。　Dallison。〃

〃I'm　afraid　that　Hughs　is…a　dangerous　sort　of　fellow。〃

〃He's　a　funny　man。〃

〃Does　he　annoy　you？〃

Her　expression　baffled　Hilary；　there　seemed　a　sort　of　slow　enjoyment　in　it。　　She　looked　up　knowingly。

〃I　don't　mind　himhe　won't　hurt　me。　　Mr。　Dallison；　do　you　think　blue　or　green？〃

Hilary　answered　shortly：　〃Bluey…green。〃

She　clasped　her　hands；　changed　her　feet　with　a　hop；　and　went　on　walking　as　before。

〃Listen　to　me；〃　said　Hilary；　〃has　Mrs。　Hughs　been　talking　to　you　about　her　husband？〃

The　little　model　smiled　again。

〃She　goes　on；〃　she　said。

Hilary　bit　his　lips。

〃Mr。　Dallison；　pleaseabout　my　hat？〃

〃What　about　your　hat？〃

〃Would　you　like　me　to　get　a　large　one　or　a　small　one？〃

〃For　God's　sake；〃　answered　Hilary；　〃a　small　oneno　feathers。〃

〃Oh！〃

〃Can　you　attend　to　me　a　minute？　　Have　either　Hughs　or　Mrs。　Hughs　spoken　to　you　aboutcoming　to　my　house；　aboutme？〃

The　little　model's　face　remained　impassive；　but　by　the　movement　of　her　fingers　Hilary　saw　that　she　was　attending　now。

〃I　don't　care　what　they　say。〃

Hilary　looked　away；　an　angry　flush　slowly　mounted　in　his　face。

With　surprising　suddenness　the　little　model　said：

〃Of　course；　if　I　was　a　lady；　I　might　mind！〃

〃Don't　talk　like　that！〃　said　Hilary；　〃every　woman　is　a　lady。〃

The　stolidity　of　the　girl's　face；　more　mocking　far　than　any　smile；　warned　him　of　the　cheapness　of　this　verbiage。

〃If　I　was　a　lady；〃　she　repeated　simply；　〃I　shouldn't　be　livin'　there；　should　I？〃

〃No；〃　said　Hilary；　〃and　you　had　better　not　go　on　living　there；　anyway。〃

The　little　model　ma