登陆注册
4617600000091

第91章

She winked hard to keep the tears back, for there was no welcome in his manner. She could not know how intensely distasteful was her presence at this time, nor had Holcroft himself imagined how unwelcome a third person in his house could be until he saw the intruder before him. He had only felt that he was wonderfully contented and happy in his home, and that Jane would be a constant source of annoyance and restraint. Moreover, it might lead to visitation from Mrs. Mumpson, and that was the summing up of earthly ills.

But the child's appearance and manner were so forlorn and deprecating that words of irritation died upon his lips. He gravely shook hands with her and then drew out the story which Alida had learned.

"Why, Jane," he exclaimed, frowning, "Mr. Watterly will be scouring the country for you. I shall have to take you back right after dinner.""I kinder hoped," she sobbed, "that you'd let me stay. I'd stay in the barn if I couldn't be in the house. I'd just as soon work outdoors, too.""I don't think you'd be allowed to stay," said the farmer, with a sinking heart; "and then--perhaps your mother would be coming here.""I can't stand mother no more'n you can" said the girl, through her set teeth.

"I oughtn'ter been born, for there's no place for me in the world."Holcroft looked at his wife, his face expressive of the utmost annoyance, worry, and irresolution. Her glance was sympathetic, but she said nothing, feeling that if he could make the sacrifice from his own will he should have the chance. "You can't begin to know how much trouble this may lead to, Jane,"he resumed. "You remember how your other threatened to take the law upon me, and it wouldn't be possible for you to stay here without her consent.""She oughter consent; I'll make her consent!" cried the child, speaking as if driven to desperation. "What's she ever done for me but teach me mean ways?

Keep me or kill me, for I must be in some place where I've a right to be away from mother. I've found that there's no sense in her talk, and it drives me crazy."Although Jane's words and utterance were strangely uncouth, they contained a despairing echo which the farmer could not resist. Turning his troubled face to his wife, he began, ""If this is possible, Alida, it will be a great deal harder on you than it will on me. I don't feel that I would be doing right by you unless you gave your consent with full knowledge of--""Then please let her stay, if it is possible. She seems to need a friend and home as much as another that you heard about.""There's no chance of such a blessed reward in this case," he replied, with a grim laugh. Then, perplexed indeed, he continued to Jane, "I'm just as sorry for you as I can be, but there's no use of getting my wife and self in trouble which in the end will do you no good. You are too young to understand all that your staying may lead to.""It won't lead to mother's comin' here, and that's the worst that could happen. Since she can't do anything for me she's got to let me do for myself.""Alida, please come with me in the parlor a moment. You stay here, Jane."When they were alone, he resumed, "Somehow, I feel strangely unwilling to have that child live with us. We were enjoying our quiet life so much. Then you don't realize how uncomfortable she will make you, Alida.""Yes, I do.""I don't think you can yet. Your sympathies are touched now, but she'll watch you and irritate you in a hundred ways. Don't her very presence make you uncomfortable?""Yes.""Well, then, she can't stay," he began decidedly. "This is your home, and no one shall make you uncomfortable--""But I should be a great deal more uncomfortable if she didn't stay," Alida interrupted. "I should feel that I did not deserve my home. Not long ago my heart was breaking because I was friendless and in trouble. What could Ithink of myself if I did not entreat you in behalf of this poor child?""Thunder!" ejaculated Holcroft. "I guess I was rather friendless and troubled myself, and I didn't know the world had in it such a good friend as you've become, Alida. Well, well! You've put it in such a light that I'd be almost tempted to take the mother, also.""No," she replied, laughing; "we'll draw the line at the mother.""Well, I'll take Jane to town this afternoon, and if her mother will sign an agreement to leave us all in peace, we'll give up our old cozy comfort of being alone. I suppose it must be a good deed, since it's so mighty hard to do it," he concluded with a wry face, leading the way to the kitchen again.

She smiled as if his words were already rewarding her self denial.

"Well, Jane," he resumed, "Mrs. Holcroft has spoken in your behalf, and if we can arrange matters so that you can stay, you will have her to thank chiefly.

I'll take you back to the poorhouse after dinner, so it may be known what's become of you. Then, if your mother'll sign an agreement to make no trouble and not come here, we'll give you a home until we can find a better place for you."There was no outburst of gratitude. The repressed, dwarfed nature of the child was incapable of this, yet there was an unwonted little thrill of hope in her heart. Possibly it was like the beginning of life in a seed under the first spring rays of the sun. She merely nodded to Holcroft as if the matter had been settled as far as it could be, and ignored Alida.

"Why don't you thank Mrs. Holcroft?" he asked.

Then Jane turned and nodded at Alida. Her vocabulary of thanks was undeveloped.

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 怪玩宠物店:水边的阿多尼斯

    怪玩宠物店:水边的阿多尼斯

    喵哆哆编著的《怪玩宠物店水边的阿多尼斯》是魅力优品系列之一,《怪玩宠物店水边的阿多尼斯》讲述了:能让天才美少年画家露出笑容的神秘礼物,竟然是破烂的布偶熊娃娃,外婆留下的陈旧薰衣草戒指,为什么会被古怪又神秘的宠物店老板收藏,倒霉又贫穷的柳美奈为了偿还五十万债务,惨遭传说中的神秘占卜师骗钱,又被卷入纠结的四角恋。更悲惨的是她竟然知道了一件被隐藏了十多年的豪门秘密,有可能会被狠狠地报复。天啊,难道宇宙聪明无敌、天真可爱的美少女柳美奈只能眼睁睁地等待噩运降临吗.
  • 爱你却在隔岸观火

    爱你却在隔岸观火

    闺蜜和丈夫无耻勾结,设定圈套诬陷她出轨大伯。她成为豪门弃妇,不贞成为了标签!意外有孕,孩子竟然不是自己丈夫的孩子,而是来自那天的产物……手术台上,宁驰轩霸气拽她入怀:“我的继承人,你也敢动?”“那是我的孩子!”“没有我的播种和耕耘,你能发芽?”江媛否认,男人邪魅一笑:“那好,十月之后,看孩子像谁!”她被他拿捏得死死的,挺着大肚,遇神杀神,遇佛杀佛,谁挡路,一脚踹开。“谁毁你现在,我定将废他未来!”渣男给她一纸休书,宁驰轩就给她豪门盛婚,看谁笑到最后!--情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • 未来病史

    未来病史

    《未来病史》共收录陈楸帆近年来的科幻短篇小说力作16则。其中,《沙嘴之花》入围第三届科幻奇幻翻译奖最佳短篇奖;《鼠年》日文版在2014年SF Magazine读者票选中高居海外部门第一名,成为首部入围日本星云赏的华语作品;《动物观察者》获第四届全球华语科幻星云奖最佳短篇科幻小说银奖;《G代表女神》登顶第三届全球华语科幻星云奖最佳科幻短篇金奖;《犹在镜中》获2013年度中国科幻银河奖读者提名奖;《造像者》获第五届全球华语科幻星云奖最佳短篇科幻小说银奖;《无尽的告别》获2011年度中国科幻银河奖优秀奖。
  • 网游之元素召唤

    网游之元素召唤

    一生碌碌无为的李黑在一次日常上线时遇到了游戏崩坏,恢复意识时,他已经回到了5年前——网游梦开始的地方。为了赚钱,为了揭开游戏崩坏的秘密,李黑再次进入《上古》,靠着上辈子的记忆,成为游戏顶端的玩家。
  • 天才王女:皇夫婚夜不欢愉

    天才王女:皇夫婚夜不欢愉

    当年青梅竹马,他们曾两小无猜,双双被家族遗弃流放边城生死契阔,八年相约。再见时,他们已不见少年时的模样。她是无冕女王,他是黑白两道的至尊当天真与无邪哔了狗后,一个腹黑没人性,一个扮猪吃老虎明枪暗箭,环中环,计中计。强强对决,鹿死谁手?朕的王女好强悍,斗破龙榻不欢愉。【情节虚构,请勿模仿】
  • 听礼仪专家讲故事

    听礼仪专家讲故事

    礼仪举止,在人们眼中已经成为判断一个人品格优劣的标准。礼仪举止是一个人品德修养的外在体现,不了解你的人往往会通过你表现的礼貌举止来评判你的人格。虽然说礼仪举止并不完全可以体现出一个人的内心善良与否,可是现实中大家只能看到你的举止,无法透视到你的内心。即使这是十分不公平的一件事情,你也必须学会接受,并且把培养自己良好的礼仪举止当作你重要的一课来学习。本书将给你具体场合的具体礼仪指导,不仅可以作为你检视自身修养举止的标尺,也可以作为一本实用的工具书,让你在不知所措的社交场合中找到一盏明灯。
  • 重生锦绣年华

    重生锦绣年华

    重生回到小时候,以前一直认为自己不受待见,从小就是小胖子,为了改变自己,改变自己的重生以后的生活,且看女主一步一步的创造属于自己的商业王朝,可是眼前这些花美男是怎么回事!
  • 绝宠医妃:王爷中了蛊

    绝宠医妃:王爷中了蛊

    冷静倔强的气质女军医,冷酷无情霸道的王爷,相遇相知,又相爱相杀。
  • 带着网店回六零

    带着网店回六零

    ※惟青春与亲情不可辜负,惟女主和男主不能招惹!※一朝穿越,沈北溪无奈发现,自己来到了艰苦的六零年代。这里物资奇缺,惟独盛产各路极品。极品躲不过,既如此,要战便战,不撕得淋漓尽致不痛快!一句话简介:经商,斗极品,闲话家常。食用指南:1.本文架空,架的很空,考据请放过,毒死不负责。2.剧情很雷,巨雷无比,不是正经文,入坑需谨慎。【作者智商有限,漏洞在所难免。如果拍,请轻拍,给你爱的比心~】
  • 朱自清美文与“五四”记忆

    朱自清美文与“五四”记忆

    本书从美学、哲学、文艺学、审美学、心理学等视角,以“五四”新文学的诞生及其发展为背景,以朱自清为个案,对其美文创作进行学理性解读;进而对其散文创作的文化价值、诗性价值和美学价值进行史识性的阐释,同时对朱自清个人在“五四”新文化诞生期,在理论与创作上所践行的特殊贡献进行了全面而深入的描述。