登陆注册
5380700000008

第8章

It is half-past three.In the kitchen of Roberts's cottage a meagre little fire is burning.The room is clean and tidy, very barely furnished, with a brick floor and white-washed walls, much stained with smoke.There is a kettle on the fire.A door opposite the fireplace opens inward from a snowy street.On the wooden table are a cup and saucer, a teapot, knife, and plate of bread and cheese.Close to the fireplace in an old arm-chair, wrapped in a rug, sits MRS.ROBERTS, a thin and dark-haired woman about thirty-five, with patient eyes.Her hair is not done up, but tied back with a piece of ribbon.By the fire, too, is MRS.YEO; a red-haired, broad-faced person.Sitting near the table is MRS.ROUS, an old lady, ashen-white, with silver hair; by the door, standing, as if about to go, is MRS.

BULGIN, a little pale, pinched-up woman.In a chair, with her elbows resting on the table, avid her face resting in her hands, sits MADGE THOMAS, a good-looking girl, of twenty-two, with high cheekbones, deep-set eyes, and dark untidy hair.She is listening to the talk, but she neither speaks nor moves.

MRS.YEO.So he give me a sixpence, and that's the first bit o'

money I seen this week.There an't much 'eat to this fire.Come and warm yerself Mrs.Rous, you're lookin' as white as the snow, you are.

MRS.ROUS.[Shivering- placidly.] Ali! but the winter my old man was took was the proper winter.Seventy-nine that was, when none of you was hardly born--not Madge Thomas, nor Sue Bulgin.[Looking at them in turn.] Annie Roberts, 'ow old were you, dear?

MRS ROBERTS.Seven, Mrs.Rous.

MRS.ROUS.Seven--well, there! A tiny little thing!

MRS.YEO.[Aggressively.] Well, I was ten myself, I remembers it.

MRS.Rous.[Placidly.] The Company hadn't been started three years.

Father was workin' on the acid, that's 'ow he got 'is pisoned-leg.

I kep' sayin' to 'im, "Father, you've got a pisoned leg." "Well," 'e said, "Mother, pison or no pison, I can't afford to go a-layin' up."An' two days after, he was on 'is back, and never got up again.It was Providence! There was n't none o' these Compensation Acts then.

MRS.YEO.Ye had n't no strike that winter! [With grim humour.]

This winter's 'ard enough for me.Mrs.Roberts, you don't want no 'arder winter, do you? Wouldn't seem natural to 'ave a dinner, would it, Mrs.Bulgin?

MRS.BULGIN.We've had bread and tea last four days.

MRS.YEO.You got that Friday's laundry job?

MRS.BULGIN.[Dispiritedly.] They said they'd give it me, but when I went last Friday, they were full up.I got to go again next week.

MRS.YEO.Ah! There's too many after that.I send Yeo out on the ice to put on the gentry's skates an' pick up what 'e can.Stops 'im from broodin' about the 'ouse.

MRS.BULGIN.[In a desolate, matter-of-fact voice.] Leavin' out the men--it's bad enough with the children.I keep 'em in bed, they don't get so hungry when they're not running about; but they're that restless in bed they worry your life out.

MRS.YEO.You're lucky they're all so small.It 's the goin' to school that makes 'em 'ungry.Don't Bulgin give you anythin'?

MRS.BULGIN.[Shakes her head, then, as though by afterthought.]

Would if he could, I s'pose.

MRS.YEO.[Sardonically.] What! 'Ave n't 'e got no shares in the Company?

MRS.ROUS.[Rising with tremulous ,cheerfulness.] Well, good-bye, Annie Roberts, I'm going along home.

MRS.ROBERTS.Stay an' have a cup of tea, Mrs.Rous?

MRS.ROUS.[With the faintest smile.] Roberts 'll want 'is tea when he comes in.I'll just go an' get to bed; it's warmer there than anywhere.

[She moves very shakily towards the door.]

MRS.YEO.[Rising and giving her an arm.] Come on, Mother, take my arm; we're all going' the same way.

MRS.ROUS.[Taking the arm.]Thank you, my dearies!

[THEY go out, followed by MRS.BULGIN.]

MADGE.[Moving for the first time.] There, Annie, you see that! Itold George Rous, "Don't think to have my company till you've made an end of all this trouble.You ought to be ashamed," I said, "with your own mother looking like a ghost, and not a stick to put on the fire.So long as you're able to fill your pipes, you'll let us starve." "I 'll take my oath, Madge," he said, "I 've not had smoke nor drink these three weeks!" "Well, then, why do you go on with it?" "I can't go back on Roberts!"...That's it! Roberts, always Roberts! They'd all drop it but for him.When he talks it's the devil that comes into them.

[A silence.MRS.ROBERTS makes a movement of pain.]

Ah! You don't want him beaten! He's your man.With everybody like their own shadows! [She makes a gesture towards MRS.ROBERTS.] If ROUS wants me he must give up Roberts.If he gave him up--they all would.They're only waiting for a lead.Father's against him--they're all against him in their hearts.

MRS.ROBERTS.You won't beat Roberts!

[They look silently at each other.]

MADGE.Won't I? The cowards--when their own mothers and their own children don't know where to turn.

MRS.ROBERTS.Madge!

MADGE.[Looking searchingly at MRS.ROBERTS.] I wonder he can look you in the face.[She squats before the fire, with her hands out to the flame.] Harness is here again.They'll have to make up their minds to-day.

MRS.ROBERTS.[In a soft, slow voice, with a slight West-country burr.] Roberts will never give up the furnace-men and engineers.

'T wouldn't be right.

MADGE.You can't deceive me.It's just his pride.

[A tapping at the door is heard, the women turn as ENID enters.

She wears a round fur cap, and a jacket of squirrel's fur.She closes the door behind her.]

ENID.Can I come in, Annie?

MRS.ROBERTS.[Flinching.] Miss Enid! Give Mrs.Underwood a chair, Madge!

[MADGE gives ENID the chair she has been sitting on.]

ENID.Thank you!

ENID.Are you any better?

MRS.ROBERTS.Yes, M'm; thank you, M'm.

ENID.[Looking at the sullen MADGE as though requesting her departure.] Why did you send back the jelly? I call that really wicked of you!

MRS.ROBERTS.Thank you, M'm, I'd no need for it.

ENID.Of course! It was Roberts's doing, wasn't it? How can he let all this suffering go on amongst you?

同类推荐
  • The Crossing

    The Crossing

    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。
  • 诗筏

    诗筏

    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。
  • 佛说法华三昧经

    佛说法华三昧经

    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。
  • 醒梦骈言

    醒梦骈言

    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。
  • 普超三昧经

    普超三昧经

    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。
热门推荐
  • 辩伪录

    辩伪录

    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。
  • 我的男友来自明朝

    我的男友来自明朝

    拥有特殊能力的“警局一枝花”VS活了五百十三年却一心求死的“明朝大少爷”。一对相差500多岁的超萌年龄差,一场跨越百年的绝世之恋。我活了五百多年,很可怕,可我更怕,红颜枯骨,而我依然还是旧模样。我活了几百年,确切点说五百一十三年。当我活到快二百多岁的时候,我就开始厌倦活着这件事。我尝试过几种死法,但都不成,直到现在,我终于找到了一个死亡药方,我想我大概就能死了……
  • 佛说鬼问目连经

    佛说鬼问目连经

    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。
  • 窄门边缘

    窄门边缘

    本书描写的是男主人公张扬和他朋友们的一生。他是一个受过心理创伤的人,成长过程中经历过叛逆,和人性扭曲的挣扎。他伤痕累累,饱受折磨。于是选择了一个陌生的大学环境,过上了无忧虑的生活。可是,人总要长大,人心叵测,阴谋算计让他身心疲惫。大富大贵,学贯中西也不能让他像一个蜜罐里的孩子那样简单而快乐。好在有朋友们,以及精神信仰支撑着,使他一直充满希望的面对一切。
  • 扩张不止

    扩张不止

    比古老更加古老的尝试。生存的延续,种族的传承,文明的绝对对立,抗争里的一线生机,传承者与探索者的争斗,男子汉与漆黑意志的搏杀,疯狂骇人的伟大,含容世间的柔韧。一切与一切,皆是为了对抗那,公平的命运。
  • 莱茵河边

    莱茵河边

    第一卷《莉莉》:异国恋新奇浪漫情调也艰辛。莉莉(上海)和马库斯(德国)在上海相识、相知、相恋,却因马库斯的回国,给这段短暂的恋情画上了个问号。多年之后,他们再次聚首,已是在莱茵河边。。。。。。继续,还是放弃,这是个问题,但无需现在就回答,此爱能否连绵不绝,就让莱茵河(Rhein)来告诉你。。。。。。第二卷《儿女情长》:以马库斯及其四个兄弟姐妹为主要人物,故事从弟弟克里斯托弗和约翰再次相遇开始说起,延续第一卷抒情委婉又不失幽默的叙事风格。**第二卷正在更新中,尽情关注**
  • 血旗袍之人皮刺绣

    血旗袍之人皮刺绣

    校园后山的一座孤坟,斜插着一副红棺,一半掩埋在土里,一半裸露在外。一个女生,静寂深夜独自前往,打开棺盖,棺中竟躺着一具身着红色旗袍的女尸,双眼和脖颈上细细密密地缝着黑色的丝线,她入了魔似的抱起女尸,脱下她的绝美旗袍,穿上。一天后,寝室女生在红棺中找到了她被割去头颅的尸首……
  • 甜妻在上:总裁宠妻如命

    甜妻在上:总裁宠妻如命

    他是天之骄子,因为她的样貌囚禁了她。这一个月的囚禁,她屡次逃跑都会被抓回来!“到底要怎样你才肯放过我?”她在怀里挣扎,不知道为何招惹上了这个暴戾的男人。“女人,有我在的一天,你就别想逃!”他厉声令下。他带给了她前所未有的恐怖,可她却渐渐臣服,面对他的爱,他的深情惬意慢慢令她沉沦无法自拔。他说:我最后悔的还是没对你解释,我最害怕的是你和别人牵了手。她说:孤独一生,有了你才锦上添花,只是那曾经炙热的心已被你揉得粉碎。
  • 鬼手神医:废材毒女太逆天

    鬼手神医:废材毒女太逆天

    说起云轻狂,这残阳大陆的人都会嗤之以鼻。她是大陆中第一个被家族宠爱却毫无天赋的人。她是大陆中第一个身怀暗系的废材。可当她修得全系之时,傲视天下之时……“轻儿,你为何会受伤?”他,修罗之王,却因她来到人界,化身为人,对她无尽宠溺。某女摇头,撇开眼。“你若不说,本王可会生气,灭了天下,让没有任何人可以伤了你。”那嗜血狂傲的话,说的如此云淡风轻,可却让人不得忽视。
  • 气荡九天

    气荡九天

    九天之下,五大帝国,宗门林立,修仙弟子千千万,其中以逍遥宗香火最为鼎盛,势力最为强横。夏正阳,山村少年,经哥哥介绍,有幸成为逍遥宗的弟子,学气劲,练魂魄,修武道,更是偶然间继承了百年剑魔的半仙半魔之体!奈何天才遭妒,天意捉弄,昔日兄弟,今日相戈。杀仇敌,夺至宝,问鼎至尊巅峰,气荡九天!