fraternity-第33章

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Cecilia　turned　to　the　empty　hearth。

〃Thyme　has　been　telling　me　about　that　poor　little　thing。　　It　seems　so　dreadful；　and　I　can't　get　rid　of　the　feeling　that　we'rewe're　all　mixed　up　with　it！〃

〃Mixed　up　with　what？〃

〃I　don't　know；　it's　just　a　feeling　likelike　being　haunted。〃

Stephen　took　her　quietly　by　the　arm。

〃My　dear　old　girl；〃　he　said；　〃I'd　no　idea　that　you　were　run　down　like　this。　　To…morrow's　Thursday；　and　I　can　get　away　at　three。　　We'll　motor　down　to　Richmond；　and　have　a　round　or　two！〃

Cecilia　quivered；　for　a　moment　it　seemed　that　she　was　about　to　burst　out　crying。　　Stephen　stroked　her　shoulder　steadily。　　Cecilia　must　have　felt　his　dread；　she　struggled　loyally　with　her　emotion。

〃That　will　be　very　jolly；〃　she　said　at　last。

Stephen　drew　a　deep　breath。

〃And　don't　you　worry；　dear；〃　he　said；　〃about　your　dad；　he'll　have　forgotten　the　whole　thing　in　a　day　or　two；　he's　far　too　wrapped　up　in　his　book。　　Now　trot　along　to　bed；　I'll　be　up　directly。〃

Before　going　out　Cecilia　looked　back　at　him。　　How　wonderful　was　that　look；　which　Stephen　did　notperhaps　intentionallysee。　　Mocking；　almost　hating；　and　yet　thanking　him　for　having　refused　to　let　her　be　emotional　and　yield　herself　up　for　once　to　what　she　felt；　showing　him　too　how　clearly　she　saw　through　his　own　masculine　refusal　to　be　made　to　feel；　and　how　she　half…admired　itall　this　was　in　that　look；　and　more。　　Then　she　went　out。

Stephen　glanced　quickly　at　the　door；　and；　pursing　up　his　lips；　frowned。　　He　threw　the　window　open；　and　inhaled　the　night　air。

'If　I　don't　look　out；'　he　thought；　'I　shall　be　having　her　mixed　up　with　this。　　I　was　an　ass　ever　to　have　spoken　to　old　Hilary。　　I　ought　to　have　ignored　the　matter　altogether。　　It's　a　lesson　not　to　meddle　with　people　in　those　places。　　I　hope　to　God　she'll　be　herself　tomorrow！'

Outside；　under　the　soft　black　foliage　of　the　Square；　beneath　the　slim　sickle　of　the　moon；　two　cats　were　hunting　after　happiness；　their　savage　cries　of　passion　rang　in　the　blossom…scented　air　like　a　cry　of　dark　humanity　in　the　jungle　of　dim　streets。　　Stephen；　with　a　shiver　of　disgust；　for　his　nerves　were　on　edge；　shut　the　window　with　a　slam。




CHAPTER　XXVIII

HILARY　HEARS　THE　CUCKOO　SING

It　was　not　left　to　Cecilia　alone　to　remark　how　very　white　Mr。　Stone　looked　in　these　days。

The　wild　force　which　every　year　visits　the　world；　driving　with　its　soft　violence　snowy　clouds　and　their　dark　shadows；　breaking　through　all　crusts　and　sheaths；　covering　the　earth　in　a　fierce　embrace；　the　wild　force　which　turns　form　to　form；　and　with　its　million　leapings；　swift　as　the　flight　of　swallows　and　the　arrow…darts　of　the　rain；　hurries　everything　on　to　sweet　minglingthis　great；　wild　force　of　universal　life；　so…called　the　Spring；　had　come　to　Mr。　Stone；　like　new　wine　to　some　old　bottle。　　And　Hilary；　to　whom　it　had　come；　too；　watching　him　every　morning　setting　forth　with　a　rough　towel　across　his　arm；　wondered　whether　the　old　man　would　not　this　time　leave　his　spirit　swimming　in　the　chill　waters　of　the　Serpentineso　near　that　spirit　seemed　to　breaking　through　its　fragile　shell。

Four　days　had　gone　by　since　the　interview　at　which　he　had　sent　away　the　little　model；　and　life　in　his　householdthat　quiet　backwater　choked　with　liliesseemed　to　have　resumed　the　tranquillity　enjoyed　before　this　intrusion　of　rude　life。　　The　paper　whiteness　of　Mr。　Stone　was　the　only　patent　evidence　that　anything　disturbing　had　occurred　that　and　certain　feelings　about　which　the　strictest　silence　was　preserved。

On　the　morning　of　the　fifth　day；　seeing　the　old　man　stumble　on　the　level　flagstones　of　the　garden；　Hilary　finished　dressing　hastily；　and　followed。　　He　overtook　him　walking　forward　feebly　beneath　the　candelabra　of　flowering　chestnut…trees；　with　a　hail…shower　striking　white　on　his　high　shoulders；　and；　placing　himself　alongside；　without　greetingfor　forms　were　all　one　to　Mr。　Stonehe　said：

〃Surely　you　don't　mean　to　bathe　during　a　hail　storm；　sir！　　Make　an　exception　this　once。　　You're　not　looking　quite　yourself。〃

Mr。　Stone　shook　his　head；　then；　evidently　following　out　a　thought　which　Hilary　had　interrupted；　he　remarked：

〃The　sentiment　that　men　call　honour　is　of　doubtful　value。　　I　have　not　as　yet　succeeded　in　relating　it　to　universal　brotherhood。〃

〃How　is　that；　sir？〃

〃In　so　far；〃　said　Mr。　Stone；　〃as　it　consists　in　fidelity　to　principle；　one　might　assume　it　worthy　of　conjunction。　　The　difficulty　arises　when　we　consider　the　nature　of　the　principle　。。。。　　There　is　a　family　of　young　thrushes　in　the　garden。　　If　one　of　them　finds　a　worm；　I　notice　that　his　devotion　to　that　principle　of　self…preservation　which　prevails　in　all　low　forms　of　life　forbids　his　sharing　it　with　any　of　the　other　little　thrushes。〃

Mr。　Stone　had　fixed　his　eyes　on　distance。

〃So　it　is；　I　fear；〃　he　said；　〃with　'honour。'　　In　those　days　men　looked　on　women　as　thrushes　look　on　worms。〃

He　paused；　evidently　searching　for　a　word；　and　Hilary；　with　a　faint　smile；　said：

〃And　how　did　women　look　on　men；　sir？〃

Mr。　Stone　observed　him　with　surprise。　　〃I　did　not　perceive　that　it　was　you；〃　he　said。　　〃I　have　to　avoid　brain　action　before　bathing。〃

They　had　crossed　the　road　dividing　the　Gardens　from　the　Park；　and；　seeing　that　Mr。　Stone　had　already　seen　the　water　where　he　was　about　to　bathe；　and　would　now　see　nothing　else；　Hilary　stopped　beside　a　little　lonely　birch…tree。　　This　wild；　small；　graceful　visitor；　who　had　long　bathed　in　winter；　was　already　draping　her　bare　limbs　in　a　scarf　of　green。　　Hilary　leaned　against　her　cool；　pearly　body。　　Below　were　the　chilly　waters；　now　grey；　now　starch…blue；　and　the　pale　forms　of　fifteen　or　twenty　bathers。　　While　he　stood　shivering　in　the　frozen　wind；　the　sun；　bursting　through　the　hail…cloud；　burned　his　cheeks　and　hands。　　And　suddenly　he　heard；　clear；　but　far　off；　the　sound　which；　of　all　others；　stirs　the　hearts　of　men：　〃Cuckoo；　cuckoo！〃

Four　times　over　came　the　unexpected　call。　　Whence　had　that　ill…　advised；　indelicate　grey　bird　flown　into　this　great　haunt　of　men　and　shadows？　　Why　had　it　come　with　its　arrowy　flight　and　mocking　cry　to　pierce　the　heart　and　set　it　aching？　　There　were　trees　enough　outside　the　town；　cloud…swept　hollows；　tangled　brakes　of　furze　just　coming　into　bloom；　where　it　could　preside　over　the　process　of　Spring。　　What　solemn　freak　was　this　which　made　it　come　and　sing　to　one　who　had　no　longer　any　business　with　the　Spring？

With　a　real　spasm　in　his　heart　Hilary　turned　away　from　that　distant　bird；　and　went　down　to　the　water's　edge。　　Mr。　Stone　was　swimming；　slower　than　man　had　ever　swum　before。　　His　silver　head　and　lean　arms　alone　were　visible；　parting　the　water　feebly；　suddenly　he　disappeared。　　He　was　but　a　dozen　yards　from　the　shore；　and　Hilary；　alarmed　at　not　seeing　him　reappear；　ran　in。　　The　water　was　not　deep。　Mr。　Stone；　seated　at　the　bottom；　was　doing　all　he　could　to　rise。　Hilary　took　him　by　his　bathing…dress；　raised　him　to　the　surface；　and　supported　him　towards　the　land。　　By　the　time　they　reached　the　shore　he　could　just　stand　on　his　legs。　　With　the　assistance　of　a　policeman；　Hilary　enveloped　him　in　garments　and　got　him　to　a　cab。　　He　had　regained　some　of　his　vitality；　but　did　not　seem　aware　of　what　had　happened。

〃I　was　not　in　as　long　as　usual；〃　he　mused；　as　they　passed　out　into　the　high　road。

〃Oh；　I　think　so；　sir。〃

Mr。　Stone　looked　troubled。

〃It　is　odd；〃　he　said。　　〃I　do　not　recollect　leaving　the　water。〃

He　did　not　speak　again　till　he　was　being　assisted　from　the　cab。

〃I　wish　to　recompense　the　man。　　I　have　half　a　crown　indoors。〃

〃I　will　get　it；　sir；〃　said　Hilary。

Mr。　Stone；　who　shivered　violently　now　that　he　was　on　his　feet；　turned　his　face　up　to　the　cabman。

〃Nothing　is　nobler　than　the　horse；〃　he　said；　〃take　care　of　him。〃

The　cabman　removed　his　hat。　　〃I　will；　sir；〃　he　answered。

Walking　by　himself；　but　closely　watched　by　Hilary；　Mr。　Stone　reached　his　room。　　He　groped　about　him　as　though　not　distinguishing　objects　too　well　through　the　crystal　clearness　of　the　fundamental　flux。

〃If　I　might　advise　you；〃　said　Hilary；　〃I　would　get　back　into　bed　for　a　few　minutes。　　You　seem　a　little　chilly。〃

Mr。　Stone；　who　was　indeed　shaking　so　that　he　could　hardly　stand；　allowed　Hilary　to　assist　him　into　bed　and　tuck　the　blankets　round　him。

〃I　must　be　at　work　by　ten　o'clock；〃　he　said。

Hilary；　who　was　also　shivering；　hastened　to　Bianca's　room。　　She　was　just　coming　down；　and　exclaimed　at　seeing　him　all　wet。　　When　he　had　told　her　of　the　episode　she　touched　his　shoulder。

〃What　about　you？〃

〃A　hot　bath　and　drink　will　set　me　right。　　You'd　better　go　to　him。〃

He　turned　towards　the　bathroom；　where　Miranda　stood；　lifting　a　white　foot。　　Compressing　her　lips；　Bianca　ran　downstairs。　　Startled　by　his　tale；　she　would　have　taken　his　wet　body　in　her　arms；　if　the　ghosts　of　innumerable　moments　had　not　stood　between。　　So　this　moment　passed　too；　and　itself　became　a　ghost。

Mr。　Stone；　greatly　to　his　disgust；　had　not　succeeded　in　resuming　work　at　ten　o'clock。　　Failing　simply　because　he　could　not　stand　on　his　legs；　he　had　announced　his　intention　of　waiting　until　half…past　three；　when　he　should　get　up；　in　preparation　for　the　coming　of　the　little　girl。　　Having　refused　to　see　a　doctor；　or　have　his　temperature　taken；　it　was　impossible　to　tell　precisely　what　degree　of　fever　he　was　in。　　In　his　cheeks；　just　visible　over　the　blankets；　there　was　more　colour　than　there　should　have　been；　and　his　eyes；　fixed　on　the　ceiling；　shone　with　suspicious　brilliancy。　　To　the　dismay　of　Bianca　who　sat　as　far　out　of　sight　as　possible；　lest　he　should　see　her；　and　fancy　that　she　was　doing　him　a　servicehe　pursued　his　thoughts　aloud：

〃Wordswordsthey　have　taken　away　brotherhood！〃　Bianca　shuddered；　listening　to　that　uncanny　sound。　　〃'In　those　days　of　words　they　called　it　deathpale　deathmors　pallida。　　They　saw　that　word　like　a　gigantic　granite　block　suspended　over　them；　and　slowly　coming　down。　Some；　turning　up　their　faces　at　the　sight；　trembled　painfully；　awaiting　their　obliteration。　　Others；　unable；　while　they　still　lived；　to　face　the　thought　of　nothingness；　inflated　by　some　spiritual　wind；　and　thinking　always　of　their　individual　forms；　called　out　unceasingly　that　those　selves　of　theirs　would　and　must　survive　this　wordthat　in　some　fashion；　which　no　man　could　understand；　each　self…conscious　entity　reaccumulated　after　distribution。　　Drunk　with　this　thought；　these；　too；　passed　away。　　Some　waited　for　it　with　grim；　dry　eyes；　remarking　that　the　process　was　molecular；　and　thus　they　also　met　their　so…called　death。'〃

His　voice　ceased；　and　in　place　of　it　rose　the　sound　of　his　tongue　moistening　his　palate。　　Bianca；　from　behind；　placed　a　glass　of　barley…water　to　his　lips。　　He　drank　it　with　a　slow；　clucking　noise；　then；　seeing　that　a　hand　held　the　glass；　said：　〃Is　that　you？　　Are　you　ready　for　me？　　Follow。　　'In　those　days　no　one　leaped　up　to　meet　pale　riding　Death；　no　one　saw　in　her　face　that　she　was　brotherhood　incarnate；　no　one　with　a　heart　as　light　as　gossamer　kissed　her　feet；　and；　smiling；　passed　into　the　Universe。'〃　　His　voice　died　away；　and　when　next　he　spoke　it　was　in　a　quick；　husky　whisper：　〃I　mustI　must　I　must…〃　There　was　silence；　then　he　added：　〃Give　me　my　trousers。〃

Bianca　placed　them　by　his　bed。　　The　sight　seemed　to　reassure　him。　　He　was　once　more　silent。

For　more　than