fraternity-第30章

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He　was　trembling　like　a　leaf　in　the　wind　he　spoke　of；　and　Bianca　moved　hastily　towards　him；　holding　out　her　arms。　　Suddenly　his　lips　began　to　move；　she　heard　him　mutter：　〃I　have　lost　force；　I　will　boil　some　milk。　　I　must　be　ready　when　she　comes。〃　　And　at　those　words　her　heart　felt　like　a　lump　of　ice。

Always　that　girl！　　And　without　again　attracting　his　attention　she　went　away。　　As　she　passed　out　through　the　garden　she　saw　him　at　the　window　holding　a　cup　of　milk；　from　which　the　steam　was　rising。




CHAPTER　XXVI

THIRD　PILGRIMAGE　TO　HOUND　STREET

Like　water；　human　character　will　find　its　level；　and　Nature；　with　her　way　of　fitting　men　to　their　environment；　had　made　young　Martin　Stone　what　Stephen　called　a　〃Sanitist。〃　　There　had　been　nothing　else　for　her　to　do　with　him。

This　young　man　had　come　into　the　social　scheme　at　a　moment　when　the　conception　of　existence　as　a　present　life　corrected　by　a　life　to　come；　was　tottering；　and　the　conception　of　the　world　as　an　upper…　class　preserve　somewhat　seriously　disturbed。

Losing　his　father　and　mother　at　an　early　age；　and　brought　up　till　he　was　fourteen　by　Mr。　Stone；　he　had　formed　the　habit　of　thinking　for　himself。　　This　had　rendered　him　unpopular；　and　added　force　to　the　essential　single…heartedness　transmitted　to　him　through　his　grandfather。　　A　particular　aversion　to　the　sights　and　scenes　of　suffering；　which　had　caused　him　as　a　child　to　object　to　killing　flies；　and　to　watching　rabbits　caught　in　traps；　had　been　regulated　by　his　training　as　a　doctor。　　His　fleshly　horror　of　pain　and　ugliness　was　now　disciplined；　his　spiritual　dislike　of　them　forced　into　a　philosophy。　　The　peculiar　chaos　surrounding　all　young　men　who　live　in　large　towns　and　think　at　all；　had　made　him　gradually　reject　all　abstract　speculation；　but　a　certain　fire　of　aspiration　coming；　we　may　suppose；　through　Mr。　Stone；　had　nevertheless　impelled　him　to　embrace　something　with　all　his　might。　　He　had　therefore　embraced　health。　　And　living；　as　he　did；　in　the　Euston　Road；　to　be　in　touch　with　things；　he　had　every　need　of　the　health　which　he　embraced。

Late　in　the　afternoon　of　the　day　when　Hughs　had　committed　his　assault；　having　three　hours　of　respite　from　his　hospital；　Martin　dipped　his　face　and　head　into　cold　water；　rubbed　them　with　a　corrugated　towel；　put　on　a　hard　bowler　hat；　took　a　thick　stick　in　his　hand；　and　went　by　Underground　to　Kensington。

With　his　usual　cool；　high…handed　air　he　entered　his　aunt's　house；　and　asked　for　Thyme。　　Faithful　to　his　definite；　if　somewhat　crude　theory；　that　Stephen　and　Cecilia　and　all　their　sort　were　amateurs；　he　never　inquired　for　them；　though　not　unfrequently　he　would；　while　waiting；　stroll　into　Cecilia's　drawing…room；　and　let　his　sarcastic　glance　sweep　over　the　pretty　things　she　had　collected；　or；　lounging　in　some　luxurious　chair；　cross　his　long　legs；　and　fix　his　eyes　on　the　ceiling。

Thyme　soon　came　down。　　She　wore　a　blouse　of　some　blue　stuff　bought　by　Cecilia　for　the　relief　of　people　in　the　Balkan　States；　a　skirt　of　purplish　tweed　woven　by　Irish　gentlewomen　in　distress；　and　held　in　her　hand　an　open　envelope　addressed　in　Cecilia's　writing　to　Mrs。　Tallents　Smallpeace。

〃Hallo！〃　she　said。

Martin　answered　by　a　look　that　took　her　in　from　head　to　foot。

〃Get　on　a　hat！　I　haven't　got　much　time。　　That　blue　thing's　new。〃

〃It's　pure　flax。　　Mother　bought　it。〃

〃It's　rather　decent。　　Hurry　up！〃

Thyme　raised　her　chin；　that　lazy　movement　showed　her　round；　creamy　neck　in　all　its　beauty。

〃I　feel　rather　slack；〃　she　said；　〃besides；　I　must　get　back　to　dinner；　Martin。〃

〃Dinner！〃

Thyme　turned　quickly　to　the　door。　　〃Oh；　well；　I'll　come；〃　and　ran　upstairs。

When　they　had　purchased　a　postal　order　for　ten　shillings；　placed　it　in　the　envelope　addressed　to　Mrs。　Tallents　Smallpeace；　and　passed　the　hundred　doors　of　Messrs。　Rose　and　Thorn；　Martin　said：　〃I'm　going　to　see　what　that　precious　amateur　has　done　about　the　baby。　　If　he　hasn't　moved　the　girl；　I　expect　to　find　things　in　a　pretty　mess。〃

Thyme's　face　changed　at　once。

〃Just　remember；〃　she　said；　〃that　I　don't　want　to　go　there。　　I　don't　see　the　good；　when　there's　such　a　tremendous　lot　waiting　to　be　done。〃

〃Every　other　case；　except　the　one　in　hand！〃

〃It's　not　my　case。　　You're　so　disgustingly　unfair；　Martin。　　I　don't　like　those　people。〃

〃Oh；　you　amateur！〃

Thyme　flushed　crimson。　　〃Look　here！〃　she　said；　speaking　with　dignity；　〃I　don't　care　what　you　call　me；　but　I　won't　have　you　call　Uncle　Hilary　an　amateur。〃

〃What　is　he；　then？〃

〃I　like　him。〃

〃That's　conclusive。〃

〃Yes；　it　is。〃

Martin　did　not　reply；　looking　sideways　at　Thyme　with　his　queer；　protective　smile。　　They　were　passing　through　a　street　superior　to　Hound　Street　in　its　pretensions　to　be　called　a　slum。

〃Look　here！〃　he　said　suddenly；　〃a　man　like　Hilary's　interest　in　all　this　sort　of　thing　is　simply　sentimental。　　It's　on　his　nerves。　　He　takes　philanthropy　just　as　he'd　take　sulphonal　for　sleeplessness。〃

Thyme　looked　shrewdly　up　at　him。

〃Well；〃　she　said；　〃it's　just　as　much　on　your　nerves。　　You　see　it　from　the　point　of　view　of　health；　he　sees　it　from　the　point　of　view　of　sentiment；　that's　all。〃

〃Oh！　　you　think　so？〃

〃You　just　treat　all　these　people　as　if　they　were　in　hospital。〃

The　young　man's　nostrils　quivered。　　〃Well；　and　how　should　they　be　treated？〃

〃How　would　you　like　to　be　looked　at　as　a　'case'？〃　　muttered　Thyme。

Martin　moved　his　hand　in　a　slow　half…circle。

〃These　houses　and　these　people；〃　he　said；　〃are　in　the　wayin　the　way　of　you　and　me；　and　everyone。〃

Thyme's　eyes　followed　that　slow；　sweeping　movement　of　her　cousin's　hand。　　It　seemed　to　fascinate　her。

〃Yes；　of　course；　I　know；〃　she　murmured。　　〃Something　must　be　done！〃

And　she　reared　her　head　up；　looking　from　side　to　side；　as　if　to　show　him　that　she；　too；　could　sweep　away　things。　　Very　straight；　and　solid；　fair；　and　fresh；　she　looked　just　then。

Thus；　in　the　hypnotic　silence　of　high　thoughts；　the　two　young　〃Sanitists〃　arrived　in　Hound　Street。

In　the　doorway　of　No。　1　the　son　of　the　lame　woman；　Mrs。　Budgenthe　thin；　white　youth　as　tall　as　Martin；　but　not　so　broad…stood；　smoking　a　dubious…looking　cigarette。　　He　turned　his　lack…lustre；　jeering　gaze　on　the　visitors。

〃Who　d'you　want？〃　　he　said。　　〃If　it's　the　girl；　she's　gone　away；　and　left　no　address。〃

〃I　want　Mrs。　Hughs；〃　said　Martin。

The　young　man　coughed。　　〃Right…o！　　You'll　find　her；　but　for　him；　apply　Wormwood　Scrubs。〃

〃Prison！　What　for？〃

〃Stickin'　her　through　the　wrist　with　his　bayonet；〃　and　the　young　man　let　a　long；　luxurious　fume　of　smoke　trickle　through　his　nose。

〃How　horrible！〃　said　Thyme。

Martin　regarded　the　young　man；　unmoved。　　〃That　stuff'　you're　smoking's　rank；〃　he　said。　　〃Have　some　of　mine；　I'll　show　you　how　to　make　them。　　It'll　save　you　one　and　three　per　pound　of　baccy；　and　won't　rot　your　lungs。〃

Taking　out　his　pouch；　he　rolled　a　cigarette。　　The　white　young　man　bent　his　dull　wink　on　Thyme；　who；　wrinkling　her　nose；　was　pretending　to　be　far　away。

Mounting　the　narrow　stairs　that　smelt　of　walls　and　washing　and　red　herrings；　Thyme　spoke：　〃Now；　you　see；　it　wasn't　so　simple　as　you　thought。　　I　don't　want　to　go　up；　I　don't　want　to　see　her。　　I　shall　wait　for　you　here。〃　　She　took　her　stand　in　the　open　doorway　of　the　little　model's　empty　room。　　Martin　ascended　to　the　second　floor。

There；　in　the　front　room；　Mrs。　Hughs　was　seen　standing　with　the　baby　in　her　arms　beside　the　bed。　　She　had　a　frightened　and　uncertain　air。　After　examining　her　wrist；　and　pronouncing　it　a　scratch；　Martin　looked　long　at　the　baby。　　The　little　creature's　toes　were　stiffened　against　its　mother's　waist；　its　eyes　closed；　its　tiny　fingers　crisped　against　her　breast。　　While　Mrs。　Hughs　poured　forth　her　tale；　Martin　stood　with　his　eyes　still　fixed　on　the　baby。　　It　could　not　be　gathered　from　his　face　what　he　was　thinking；　but　now　and　then　he　moved　his　jaw；　as　though　he　were　suffering　from　toothache。　　In　truth；　by　the　look　of　Mrs。　Hughs　and　her　baby；　his　recipe　did　not　seem　to　have　achieved　conspicuous　success。　　He　turned　away　at　last　from　the　trembling；　nerveless　figure　of　the　seamstress；　and　went　to　the　window。　　Two　pale　hyacinth　plants　stood　on　the　inner　edge；　their　perfume　penetrated　through　the　other　savours　of　the　roomand　very　strange　they　looked；　those　twin；　starved　children　of　the　light　and　air。

〃These　are　new；〃　he　said。

〃Yes；　sir；〃　murmured　Mrs。　Hughs。　　〃I　brought　them　upstairs。　　I　didn't　like　to　see　the　poor　things　left　to　die。〃

》From　the　bitter　accent　of　these　words　Martin　understood　that　they　had　been　the　little　model's。

〃Put　them　outside；〃　he　said；　〃they'll　never　live　in　here。　　They　want　watering；　too。　　Where　are　your　saucers？〃

Mrs。　Hughs　laid　the　baby　down；　and；　going　to　the　cupboard　where　all　the　household　gods　were　kept；　brought　out　two　old；　dirty　saucers。　Martin　raised　the　plants；　and　as　he　held　them；　from　one　close；　yellow　petal　there　rose　up　a　tiny　caterpillar。　　It　reared　a　green；　transparent　body；　feeling　its　way　to　a　new　resting…place。　　The　little　writhing　shape　seemed；　like　the　wonder　and　the　mystery　of　life；　to　mock　the　young　doctor；　who　watched　it　with　eyebrows　raised；　having　no　hand　at　liberty　to　remove　it　from　the　plant。

〃She　came　from　the　country。　　There's　plenty　of　men　there　for　her！〃

Martin　put　the　plants　down；　and　turned　round　to　the　seamstress。

〃Look　here！〃　he　said；　〃it's　no　good　crying　over　spilt　milk。　　What　you've　got　to　do　is　to　set　to　and　get　some　work。〃

〃Yes；　sir。〃

〃Don't　say　it　in　that　sort　of　way；〃　said　Martin；　〃you　must　rise　to　the　occasion。〃

〃Yes；　sir。〃

〃You　want　a　tonic。　　Take　this　half…crown；　and　get　in　a　dozen　pints　of　stout；　and　drink　one　every　day。〃

And　again　Mrs。　Hughs　said；　〃Yes；　sir。〃

〃And　about　that　baby。〃

Motionless；　where　it　had　been　placed　against　the　footrail　of　the　bed；　the　baby　sat　with　its　black　eyes　closed。　　The　small　grey　face　was　curled　down　on　the　bundle　of　its　garments。

〃It's　a　silent　gentleman；〃　Martin　muttered。

〃It　never　was　a　one　to　cry；〃　said　Mrs。　Hughs。

〃That's　lucky；　anyway。　　When　did　you　feed　it　last？〃

Mrs。　Hughs　did　not　reply　at　first。　　〃About　half…past　six　last　evening；　sir。〃

〃What？〃

〃It　slept　all　night；　but　to…day；　of　course；　I've　been　all　torn　to　pieces；　my　milk's　gone。　　I've　tried　it　with　the　bottle；　but　it　wouldn't　take　it。〃

Martin　bent　down　to　the　baby's　face；　and　put　his　finger　on　its　chin；　bending　lower　yet；　he　raised　the　eyelid　of　the　tiny　eye。。。。

〃It's　dead；〃　he　said。

At　the　word　〃dead〃　Mrs。　Hughs；　stooping　behind　him；　snatched　the　baby　to　her　throat。　　With　its　drooping　head　close　to　her　she；　she　clutched　and　rocked　it　without　sound。　　Full　five　minutes　this　desperate　mute　struggle　with　eternal　silence　lastedthe　feeling；　and　warming；　and　breathing　on　the　little　limbs。　　Then；　sitting　down；　bent　almost　double　over　her　baby；　she　moaned。　　That　single　sound　was　followed　by　utter　silence。　　The　tread　of　footsteps　on　the　creaking　stairs　broke　it。　　Martin；　rising　from　his　crouching　posture　by　the　bed；　went　towards　the　door。

His　grandfather　was　standing　there；　with　Thyme　behind　him。

〃She　has　left　her　room；〃　said　Mr。　Stone。　　〃Where　has　she　gone？〃

Martin；　understanding　that　he　meant　the　little　model；　put　his　finger　to　his　lips；　and；　pointing　to　Mrs。　Hughs；　whispered：

〃This　woman's　baby　has　ju