登陆注册
4617600000013

第13章

"Oh, certainly, certainly!" the widow hastened to say, "but then business is like a cloud, and the meetings and greetings of friends is a sort of silver lining, you know. What would the world be without friends--the society of those who take an abiding interest? Believe me, Mr. Holcroft," she continued, bringing her long, skinny finger impressively down on the table, "you have lived alone so long that you are unable to see the crying needs of your own constitution. As a Christian man, you require human sympathy and--"Poor Holcroft knew little of centrifugal force; but at that moment he was a living embodiment of it, feeling that if he did not escape he would fly into a thousand atoms. Saying nervously, "I've a few chores to do," he seized his hat, and hastening out, wandered disconsolately around the barn. "I'm never going to be able to stand her," he groaned. "I know now why my poor wife shook her head whenever this woman was mentioned. The clack of her tongue would drive any man living crazy, and the gimlet eyes of that girl Jane would bore holes through a saint's patience. Well, well! I'll put a stove up in my room, then plowing and planting time will soon be here, and I guess I can stand it at mealtimes for three months, for unless she stops her foolishness she shan't stay any longer."Jane had not spoken during the meal, but kept her eyes on Holcroft, except when he looked toward her, and then she instantly averted her gaze. When she was alone with her mother, she said abruptly, "We aint a-goin' to stay here long, nuther.""Why not?" was the sharp, responsive query.

"'Cause the same look's comin' into his face that was in Cousin Lemuel's and Cousin Abiram's and all the rest of 'em. 'Fi's you I'd keep still now.

'Pears to me they all want you to keep still and you won't.""Jane," said Mrs. Mumpson in severe tones, "you're an ignorant child. Don't presume to instruct ME! Besides, this case is entirely different. Mr.

Holcroft must be made to understand from the start that I'm not a common woman--that I'm his equal, and in most respects his superior. If he aint made to feel this, it'll never enter his head--but law! There's things which you can't and oughtn't to understand.""But I do," said the girl shortly, "and he won't marry you, nor keep you, if you talk him to death.""Jane!" gasped Mrs. Mumpson, as she sank into the chair and rocked violently.

The night air was keen and soon drove Holcroft into the house. As he passed the kitchen window, he saw that Mrs. Mumpson was in his wife's rocking chair and that Jane was clearing up the table.

He kindled a fire on the parlor hearth, hoping, but scarcely expecting, that he would be left alone.

Nor was he very long, for the widow soon opened the door and entered, carrying the chair. "Oh, you are here," she said sweetly. "I heard the fire crackling, and I do so love open wood fires. They're company in themselves, and they make those who bask in the flickering blaze inclined to be sociable. To think of how many long, lonely evenings you have sat here when you had persons in your employ with whom you could have no affinity whatever! I don't see how you stood it. Under such circumstances life must cloud up into a dreary burden." It never occurred to Mrs. Mumpson that her figures of speech were often mixed. She merely felt that the sentimental phase of conversation must be very flowery. But during the first evening she had resolved on prudence.

同类推荐
  • 漏网喁鱼集

    漏网喁鱼集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 裴子语林

    裴子语林

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 东庵集

    东庵集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 大使咒法经

    大使咒法经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 福惠全书

    福惠全书

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 七窍灵水心

    七窍灵水心

    他,长生天上的万上之神,世间宇宙洪荒之祖,被人尊称为元阳上帝,盘古圣皇,天地历劫之身,不死不灭,一次命定的尘缘,让他陷入了三世情缘。她,海水之蓝中的水精灵,天地日月精华幻化的纯洁之身,却被妖母夺走变作万妖的魂魄之灵,原本是天生的七窍玲珑心,却因为宿命承受了常人无法承受的苦楚,不死鸟的灵魂汇集成的云彩为她的隐忍流下了血泪,为了长生天的万世安宁,她被迫跃入了火山血池。“火欻,你从不会为我掉落一滴眼泪。纵使今日我跃入圆心台中火山血池,你还是会以长生天为重,灵水心在圆神台前下誓,纵使来生灵心再现,亦不愿选择遇见火欻。水火终究难以相容…”高卧九重云,清冷绝红尘,拂袖染九霄,奈何尘缘重,水火难相容
  • 我又飞升了

    我又飞升了

    茫茫人海,璀璨星河。有缘者顺势而为,无命者逆天而行。只为了亿万年中的一刹那,一刹那里所有的甜蜜与悲凄,那么就让一切该发生的,都在瞬间出现,在将暮未暮的时光里。
  • 女皇的男闺蜜

    女皇的男闺蜜

    他是一名中学体育老师,也是埋头写作的宅男。他和漂亮女友同居三年,却依然还是悲催处男。他偶遇传说中的龙,没沾好运,还被汽车撞翻。温柔贤淑的大小姐武顺对他笑靥如花。霸气侧漏的二小姐武珝对他死缠烂打。娇憨可爱的三小姐武瑛对他投怀送抱。牛皮吹大,必遭惩罚;本领再高,也会摔跤。普通婚姻,夫唱妇随;政治婚姻,俱荣俱毁。大唐真好,遍地是宝;随手可捞,爱要不要。
  • 圣经故事(纯爱英文馆)

    圣经故事(纯爱英文馆)

    《圣经故事》是生活亚、非、欧三大洲交界处的古代希伯来民族数千年历史长河中集体智慧的结晶,也是犹太教、基督教(包括天主教、东正教和新教)共同的正式经典。它构成了西方社会两千年来的文化传统和特点,并影响到世界广大地区的历史发展和文化进程。
  • 桧亭集

    桧亭集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 六十种曲狮吼记

    六十种曲狮吼记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 神曲

    神曲

    大荒少年误入佛祖洞穴,得其法宝,纵横天下。身为佛祖转世的他,在大荒与神农为友,打败蚩尤。在空桑平复水火之争。为了复活佛祖,又不惜以性命为赌注,最终统一宇宙。本书高潮迭起,精彩纷纷,讲述不一样的神曲故事。
  • 美丽时光走丢了

    美丽时光走丢了

    新概念作文人气新星+90后主力青春作家,集体书写生命之初那些最美最真令人动容的友谊与爱情。
  • 做最有出息的女孩

    做最有出息的女孩

    《做最有出息的女孩》一定会让你欣喜地发现,此书能够帮你找到想要的一切答案。围绕女孩的性别和心理特征,《做最有出息的女孩》深入分析并解答了她们成长过程中颇需关注的问题,涉及女孩性格的塑造、气质的修炼、习惯的培养、知识的储备、交际能力的锻炼以及青春期的教育等,涵盖女孩绚丽多彩生活的方方面面。
  • 遵命,上仙大人

    遵命,上仙大人

    【精品好书】他,中州最强捉妖师。她,一只连狐火都点不着的倒霉狐狸。某狐狸:“你为什么不和别人一样,把我收进法器里?”捉妖师:“我要让大家看见,你是属于我的。”