the white moll-第2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！


in　certain　quarters　for　very　much　indeed。　　But　it　wasn't　only　that。
The　small　amount　of　money　that　she　was　able　to　spend　in　that　way
had　little　to　do　with　it。　　The　bonds　which　linked　her　to　the　sordid
surroundings　that　she　had　come　to　know　so　well　were　stronger　far
than　that。　　There　wasn't　any　money　involved　in　this　visit；　for
instance；　that　she　was　going　now　to　make　to　Gypsy　Nan。　　Gypsy　Nan
was。。。

Rhoda　Gray　had　halted　before　the　doorway　of　a　small；　hovel…like；
two…story　building　that　was　jammed　in　between　two　tenements；　which；
relatively；　in　their　own　class；　were　even　more　disreputable　than
was　the　little　frame　house　itself。　　A　secondhand…clothes　store
occupied　a　portion　of　the　ground　floor；　and　housed　the　proprietor
and　his　family　as　well；　permitting　the　rooms　on　the　second　floor
to　be　〃rented　out〃；　the　garret　above　was　the　abode　of　Gypsy　Nan。

There　was　a　separate　entrance；　apart　from　that　into　the
secondhand…clothes　store；　and　she　pushed　this　door　open　and　stepped
forward　into　an　absolutely　black　and　musty…smelling　hallway。　　By
feeling　with　her　hands　along　the　wall　she　reached　the　stairs　and
began　to　make　her　way　upward。　　She　had　found　Gypsy　Nan　last　night
huddled　in　the　lower　doorway；　and　apparently　in　a　condition　that
was　very　much　the　worse　for　wear。　　She　had　stopped　and　helped　the
woman　upstairs　to　her　garret；　whereupon　Gypsy　Nan；　in　language　far
more　fervent　than　elegant；　had　ordered　her　to　begone；　and　had
slammed　the　door　in　her　face。

Rhoda　Gray　smiled　a　little　wearily；　as；　on　the　second　floor　now；
she　groped　her　way　to　the　rear；　and　began　to　mount　a　short；
ladder…like　flight　of　steps　to　the　attic。　　Gypsy　Nan's　lack　of
cordiality　did　not　absolve　her；　Rhoda　Gray；　from　coming　back
to…night　to　see　how　the　woman　was　…　to　crowd　one　more　visit　on　her
already　over…expanded　list。　　She　had　never　had　any　personal
knowledge　of　Gypsy　Nan　before；　but；　in　a　sense；　the　woman　was　no
stranger　to　her。　　Gypsy　Nan　was　a　character　known　far　and　wide
in　the　under…world　as　one　possessing　an　insatiable　and　unquenchable
thirst。　　As　to　who　she　was；　or　what　she　was；　or　where　she　got　her
money　for　the　gin　she　bought；　it　was　not　in　the　ethics　of　the　Bad
Lands　to　inquire。　　She　was　just　Gypsy　Nan。　　So　that　she　did　not
obtrude　herself　too　obviously　upon　their　notice；　the　police
suffered　her；　so　that　she　gave　the　underworld　no　reason　for
complaint；　the　underworld　accepted　her　at　face　value　as　one　of　its
own！

There　was　no　hallway　here　at　the　head　of　the　ladder…like　stairs；
just　a　sort　of　narrow　platform　in　front　of　the　attic　door。　　Rhoda
Gray；　groping　out　with　her　hands　again；　felt　for　the　door；　and
knocked　softly　upon　it。　　There　was　no　answer。　　She　knocked　again。
Still　receiving　no　reply；　she　tried　the　door；　found　it　unlocked；
and；　opening　it；　stood　for　an　instant　on　the　threshold。　　A　lamp；
almost　empty；　ill…trimmed　and　smoking　badly；　stood　on　a　chair
beside　a　cheap　iron　bed；　it　threw　a　dull；　yellow　glow　about　its
immediate　vicinity；　and　threw　the　remainder　of　the　garret　into
deep；　impenetrable　shadows；　but　also　it　disclosed　the　motionless
form　of　a　woman　on　the　bed。

Rhoda　Gray's　eyes　darkened；　as　she　closed　the　door　behind　her；
and　stepped　quickly　forward　to　the　bedside。　　For　a　moment　she
stood　looking　down　at　the　recumbent　figure；　at　the　matted　tangle
of　gray…streaked　brown　hair　that　straggled　across　a　pillow　which
was　none　too　clean；　at　the　heavy…lensed；　old…fashioned；　steel…bowed
spectacles；　awry　now；　that　were　still　grotesquely　perched　on　the
woman's　nose；　at　the　sallow　face；　streaked　with　grime　and　dirt；　as
though　it　had　not　been　washed　for　months；　at　a　hand；　as　ill…cared
for；　which　lay　exposed　on　the　torn　blanket　that　did　duty　for　a
counterpane；　at　the　dirty　shawl　that　enveloped　the　woman's　shoulders；
and　which　was　tightly　fastened　around　Gypsy　Nan's　neck…and　from　the
woman　her　eyes　shifted　to　an　empty　bottle　on　the　floor　that
protruded　from　under　the　bed。

〃Nan！〃　she　called　sharply；　and；　stooping　over；　shook　the　woman's
shoulder。　　〃Nan！〃　she　repeated。　　There　was　something　about　the
woman's　breathing　that　she　did　not　like；　something　in　the　queer；
pinched　condition　of　the　other's　face　that　suddenly　frightened
her。　　〃Nan！〃　she　called　again。

Gypsy　Nan　opened　her　eyes；　stared　for　a　moment　dully；　then；　in　a
curiously　quick；　desperate　way；　jerked　herself　up　on　her　elbow。

〃Youse　get　t'hell　outer　here！〃　she　croaked。　　〃Get　out！〃

〃I　am　going　to；〃　said　Rhoda　Gray　evenly。　　〃And　I'm　going　at　once。〃
She　turned　abruptly　and　walked　toward　the　door。　　〃I'm　going　to
get　a　doctor。　　You've　gone　too　far　this　time；　Nan；　and　…〃

〃No；　youse　don't！〃　Gypsy　Nan　s　voice　rose　in　a　sudden　scream。　　She
sat　bolt　upright　in　bed；　and　pulled　a　revolver　out　from　under　the
coverings。　　〃Youse　don't　bring　no　doctor　here！　　See！　　Youse　put
a　finger　on　dat　door；　an'　it　won't　be　de　door　youse'1l　go　out　by！〃

Rhoda　Gray　did　not　move。

〃Nan；　put　that　revolver　down！〃　she　ordered　quietly。　　〃You　don't
know　what　you　are　doing。〃

〃Don't！？〃　leered　Gypsy　Nan。　　The　revolver　held；　swaying　a　little
unsteadily；　on　Rhoda　Gray。　　There　was　silence　for　a　moment；　then
Gypsy　Nan　spoke　again；　evidently　through　dry　lips；　for　she　wet　them
again　and　again　with　her　tongue：　〃Say；　youse　are　de　White　Moll；
ain't　youse？〃

〃Yes；〃　said　Rhoda　Gray。

Gypsy　Nan　appeared　to　ponder　this　for　an　instant。

〃Well　den；　come　back　here　an'　sit　down　on　de　foot　of　de　bed；〃
she　commanded　finally。

Rhoda　Gray　obeyed　without　hesitation。　　There　was　nothing　to　do
but　humor　the　woman　in　her　present　state；　a　state　that　seemed　one
bordering　on　delirium　and　complete　collapse。

〃Nan；〃　she　said；　〃you　…〃

〃De　White　Moll！〃　mumbled　Gypsy　Nan。　　〃I　wonder　if　de　dope　dey　hands
out　about　youse　is　all　on　de　level？　　My　Gawd；　I　wonder　if　wot　dey
says　is　true？〃

〃What　do　they　say？〃　asked　Rhoda　Gray　gently。

Gypsy　Nan　lay　back　on　her　pillow　as　though　her　strength；　over…taxed；
had　failed　her；　her　hand；　though　it　still　clutched　the　revolver；
seemed　to　have　been　dragged　down　by　the　weapon's　weight；　and　now
rested　upon　the　blanket。

〃Dey　say；〃　said　Gypsy　Nan　slowly；　〃dat　youse　knows　more　on　de
inside　here　dan　anybody　else　…　t'ings　youse　got　from　de　spacers'
molls；　an'　from　de　dips　demselves　when　youse　was　lendin'　dem　a
hand；　dey　say　dere　ain't　many　youse　couldn't　send　up　de　river　just
by　liftin'　yer　finger；　but　dat　youse're　straight；　an'　dat　youse've
kept　yer　map　closed；　an'　dat　youse'　re　safe。〃

Rhoda　Gray's　dark　eyes　softened；　as　she　leaned　forward　and　laid　a
hand　gently　over　the　one　of　Gypsy　Nan　that　held　the　revolver。

〃It　couldn't　be　any　other　way；　could　it；　Nan？〃　she　said　simply。

〃Wot　yer　after？〃　demanded　Gypsy　Nan；　with　sudden　mockery。　　〃De　gun？
Well；　take　it！〃　She　let　go　her　hold　of　the　weapon。　　〃But　don't　kid
yerself　dat　youse're　kiddin'　me　into　givin'　it　to　youse　because
youse　have　got　a　pretty　smile　an'　a　sweet　voice！　　Savvy？　　　I〃　…　she
choked　suddenly；　and　caught　at　her　throat　…　〃I　guess　youse're　de
only　chance　I　got…dat's　all。〃

〃That's　better；〃　said　Rhoda　Gray　encouragingly。　　〃And　now　you'll
let　me　go　and　get　a　doctor；　won't　you；　Nan？〃

〃Wait！〃　said　Gypsy　Nan　hoarsely。　　〃Youse're　de　only　chance　I　got。
Will　youse　swear　youse　won't　t'row　me　down　if　I　tells　youse
somet'ing？　　I　ain't　got　no　other　way。　　Will　youse　swear　youse'll
see　me　through？〃

〃Of　course；　Nan；〃　said　Rhoda　Gray　soothingly。　　〃Of　course；　I　will；
Nan。　　I　promise。

Gypsy　Nan　came　up　on　her　elbow。

〃Dat　ain't　good　enough！〃　she　cried　out。　　〃A　promise　ain't　good
enough！　　For　Gawd's　sake；　come　across　all　de　way！　　Swear　youse'll
keep　mum　an'　see　me　through！〃

〃Yes；　Nan〃　…　Rhoda　Gray's　eyes　smiled　reassurance　…〃I　swear　it。
But　you　will　be　all　right　again　in　the　morning。〃

〃Will　I？　　You　think　so；　do　you？　　Well；　I　can　only　say　that　I　wish
I　did！〃

Rhoda　Gray　leaned　sharply　forward；　staring　in　amazement　at　the
figure　on　the　bed。　　The　woman's　voice　was　the　same；　it　was　still
hoarse；　still　heavy；　and　the　words　came　with　painful　effort；　but
the　English　was　suddenly　perfect　now。

〃Nan；　what　is　it？　　I　don't　understand！〃　she　said　tensely。　　〃What
do　you　mean？〃

〃You　think　you　know　what's　the　matter　with　me。〃　　There　was　a
curious　mockery　in　the　weak　voice。　　〃You　think　I've　drunk　myself
into　this　state。　　You　think　I'm　on　the　verge　of　the　D。T。's　now。
That　empty　bottle　under　the　bed　proves　it；　doesn't　it？　　And　anybody
around　here　will　tell　you　that　Gypsy　Nan　has　thrown　enough　empties
out　of　the　window　there　to　stock　a　bottle　factory　for　years；　some
of　them　on　the　flat　roof　just　outside　the　window；　some　of　them　on
the　roof　of　the　shed　below；　and　some　of　them　down　into　the　yard；
just　depending　on　how　drunk　she　was　and　how　far　she　could　throw。
And　that　proves　it；　too；　doesn't　it？　　Well；　maybe　it　does；　that's
what　I　did　it　for；　but　I　never　touched　the　stuff；　not　a　drop　of　it；
from　the　day　I　came　here。　　I　didn't　dare　touch　it。　　I　had　to　keep
my　wits。　　Last　night　you　thought　I　was　drunk　when　you　found　me　in
the　doorway　downstairs。　　I　wasn't。　　I　was　too　sick　and　weak　to　get
up　here。　　I　almost　told　you　then；　only　I　was　afraid；　and　…　　and　I
thought　that　perhaps　I'd　be　all　right　to…day。〃

〃Oh；　I　didn't　know！〃　Rhoda　Gray　was　on　her　knees　beside　the　bed。
There　was　no　room　to　question　the　truth　of　the　woman's　words；　it
was　in　Gypsy　Nan's　eyes；　in　the　struggling；　labored　voice。

〃Yes。〃　　Gypsy　Nan　clutched　at　the　shawl　around　her　neck；　and
shivered。　　〃I　thought　I　might　be　all　right　to…day；　and　that　I'd
get　better。　　But　I　didn't。　　And　now　I've　got　about　a　chance　in　a
hundred。　　I　know。　　It's　my　heart。〃

〃You　mean　you've　been　alone　here；　sick；　since　last　night？〃　　There
was　anxiety；　perplexity；　in　Rhoda　Gray's　face。　　〃Why　didn't　you
call　some　one？　　Why　did　you　even　hold　me　back　a　few　minutes　ago；
when　you　admit　yourself　that　you　need　immediate　medical　assistance
so　badly？〃

〃Because；〃　said　Gypsy　Nan；　〃if　I've　got　a　chance　at　all；　I'd　finish
it　for　keeps　if　a　doctor　came　here。　　I　…　I'd　rather　go　out　this　way
than　in　that　horrible　thing　they　call　the　'chair。'　　Oh；　my　God；
don't　you　understand　that！　　I've　seen　pictures　of　it！　　It's　a
horrible　thing　…　a　horrible　thing　…　horrible！〃

〃Nan〃　…　Rhoda　Gray　steadied　her　voice　…　you　re　delirious。　　You　do
not　know　what　you　are　saying。　　There　isn't　any　horrible　thing　to
frighten　you。　　Now　you　just　lie　quietly　here。　　I'll　only　be　a　few
minutes；　and　…〃　She　stopped　abruptly　as　her　wrists　were　suddenly
imprisoned　in　a　frantic　grip。

〃You　swore　it！〃　Gypsy　Nan　was　whispering　feverishly。　　〃You　swore
it！　　They　say　the　White　Moll　never　snitched。　　That's　the　one　chance
I've　got；　and　I'm　going　to　take　it。　　I'm　not　delirious　…　not　yet。
I　wish　to　God　it　was　nothing　more　than　that！　　Look！〃

With　a　low；　startled　cry；　Rhoda　Gray　was　on　her　feet。　　Gypsy　Nan
was　gone。　　A　sweep　of　the　woman's　hand；　and　the　spectacles　were　off；
the　gray…streaked　hair　a　tangled　wig　upon　the　pillow　…　and　Rhoda　Gray
found　herself　staring　in　a　numbed　sort　of　way　at　a　dark…haired　woman
who　could　not　have　been　more　than　thirty；　but　whose　face；　with　its
streaks　of　grime　and　dirt；　looked　grotesquely　and　incongruously　old。


II。　　SEVENTHREENINE

For　a　moment　neither　spoke；　then　Gypsy　Nan　broke　the　silence　with