time enough for love-时间足够你爱(英文版)-第39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！


ointlessly…and　I　was　not　going　to　let　her　do　either　one；　I　can　be　stubborn；　too。
　　
　　There　had　to　be　a　way　to　do　both。
　　
　　At　dinner　that　night；　after　the　servants　withdrew；　I　told　Laura　I　was　going　to　town　on　business…would　she　like　to　e　along？　Shop　while　I　was　busy；　then　dine　wherever　she　liked；　then　any　fun　that　appealed　to　her。　Laura　was　pregnant　again；　I　thought　she　might　enjoy　a　day　wasting　money　on　clothes。
　　
　　Not　that　I　planned　to　have　her　along　at　the　ing　row　with　Llita；　officially　Joseph　and　Estelle　Long　and　their　oldest　child　had　been　born　on　Valhalla；　we　had　bee　friends　when　they　had　taken　passage　in　my　ship。　I　had　fleshed　out　that　story　and　coached　the　kids　in　it　on　the　leg　to　Landfall；　and　had　them　study　sound…sight　tapes　from　Torheim…ones　which　turned　them　into　synthetic　Vaihallans　unless　questioned　too　closely　by　real　Vaihallans。
　　
　　This　fakery　was　not　utterly　necessary　as　Landfall　had　an　open…door　policy；　an　immigrant　did　not　even　have　to　register…he　could　sink　or　swim。　No　landing　fee；　no　head　tax；　not　much　taxation　of　any　sort；　or　much　government；　and　New　Canaveral；　the　third　biggest　city；　was　only　a　hundred　thousand…Landfall　was　a　good　place　to　be　in　those　day？。
　　
　　But　I　had　Joe　and　Llita　do　it　that　way　both　for　them　and　for　their　kids。　I　wanted　them　to　forget　that　they　had　ever　been　slaves；　never　talk　about　it；　never　let　their　kids　know　it…and　at　the　same　time；　bury　the　fact　that　they　had　been；　in　some　odd　fashion；　brother　and　sister。　There　is　nothing　shameful　in　being　born　a　slave　（not　for　the　slave！）；　nor　was　there　any　reason　why　diploid　plements　should　not　marry。　But　forget　it…~start　over。　Joseph　Long　had　married　Stjerne　Svensdatter　（name　Anglicized　to　〃Estelle；〃　with　the　nickname　Yeetah　from　babyhood）；　they　had　married　when　he　finished　apprenticeship　to　a　chef；　they　had　migrated　after　their　first　child。　The　story　was　simple　and　unassailable；　and　put　the　polish　on　my　only　attempt　at　playing　Pygmalion。　I　had　seen　no　reason　to　give　my　new　wife　any　but　the　official　version。　Laura　knew　they　were　my　friends；　she　was　gracious　to　them　on　my　account；　then　had　e　to　like　them　on　their　own　account。
　　
　　Laura　was　a　good　gal；　Minerva；　good　pany　in　bed　and　out；　and　she　had　the　Howard　virtue；　even　on　her　first　marriage；　of　not　trying　to　smother　her　spouse…most　Howards　need　at　least　one　marriage　to　learn　it。　She　knew　who　I　was…the　Senior…as　our　marriage　and　later　our　kids　were　registered　with　the　Archives；　just　as　had　been　my　marriage　to　her　grandmother；　and　the　offspring　from　that。　But　she　did　not　treat　me　as　a　thousand　years　older　than　she　y　past　lives…simply　listened　if　I　felt　like　talking。
　　
　　I　don't　blame　her　for　that　lawsuit；　Roger　Sperling　cooked　that　up；　the　greedy　son　of　a　sow。
　　
　　Laura　said；　〃If　you　don't　mind；　dear；　I'll　stay　home。　I　would　rather　splurge　on　clothes　after　I　slim　down。　As　for　dinner；　there　isn't　a　restaurant　in　New　Canaveral　that　can　match　what　Thomas　does　for　us　here。　Well；　Estelle's　Kitchen　perhaps；　but　that's　a　lunchroom；　not　a　restaurant。　Will　you　see　them　this　trip？　Estelle　and　Joe；　I　mean。〃
　　
　　〃Possibly。〃
　　
　　〃Find　time；　dear；　they　are　nice　people。　Besides；　I　want　to　send　some　knickknack　to　my　goddaughter。　Aaron；　if　you　want　to　treat　me　to　a　fancy　restaurant　when　we　go　to　town；　you　should　encourage　Joe　to　open　one。　Joe　can　cook；　equal　to　Thomas。〃
　　
　　（Better　than　Thomas；　I　said　to　myself…and　Joe　doesn't　scoinerva；　the　trouble　with　servants　is　that　you　serve　them　quite　as　much　as　they　serve　you。）　〃I'll　make　a　point　of　seeing　them；　at　least　long　enough　to　deliver　your　present　to　Libby。〃
　　
　　〃And　kiss　them　all　for　me　and　I'd　better　send　something　to　each　of　their　kids　and　be　sure　to　tell　Estelle　that　I'm　pregnant　again　and　find　out　if　she　is；　too；　and　remember　to　tell　me；　and　what　time　are　you　leaving；　dear？…！　must　check　your　shirts。〃
　　
　　Laura　was　serenely　certain　that　I　could　not　pack　an　overnight　bag　no　matter　how　many　centuries　of　experience　I　had　had。　Her　ability　to　see　the　world　as　she　wanted　to　see　it　enabled　her　to　put　up　with　my　cranky　ways　for　forty　years；　I　do　appreciate　her。　Love？　Certainly；　Minerva。　She　looked　out　for　my　welfare；　always；　and　I　did　for　hers；　and　we　enjoyed　being　together。　Just　not　love　so　intense　that　it　is　a　great　ache　in　your　belly。
　　
　　Next　day　I　took　my　jumpbuggy　over　to　New　Canaveral。
　　
　　（Omitted）
　　
　　…planned　Maison　Long。　Llita　had　meant　to　blitz　me。　I'm　sentimental；　and　she　knew　it　and　had　set　the　stage。　When　I　got　there；　the　shutters　were　closed；　early…and　their　two　older　kids　were　farmed　out　for　the　night　and　baby　Laura　was　asleep。　Joe　let　me　in；　told　me　to　go　on　back；　he　had　our　dinner　on　the　range　and　would　be　along　in　a　minute。　So　I　went　back　to　their　living　quarters　to　find　Llita。
　　
　　I　found　her…dressed　in　sarong　and　sandals　I　had　given　her　not　an　hour　after　I　had　bought　her。　Instead　of　the　sophisticated　face…do　she　now　used　so　well；　she　was　wearing　no　makeup　at　all　and　had　her　hair　simply　parted　and　hanging　straight　down；　to　her　waist　or　longer；　and　brushed　till　it　shone。　But　this　was　not　the　frightened；　ignorant　slave　who　had　to　be　taught　how　to　bathe；　this　serenely　beautiful　young　lady　was　clean　as　a　sterilized　scalpel；　and　was　scented　with　some　perfume　which　may　have？been　named　Spring　Breezes。　but　should　have　been　called　Justifiable　Rape　and　sold　only　under　doctor's　prescription。
　　
　　She　posed　just　long　enough　for　me　to　take　this　in；　the　swarmed　over　me；　hit　me　with　a　kiss　that　matched　her　perfume。
　　
　　By　the　time　she　let　me　go；　Joe　had　joined　us…dressed　in　breech　clout　and　sandals。
　　
　　But　I　did　not　let　it　go　sentimental；　I　riposted　sharply；　stopping　only　to　accept　one…tenth　that　much　kiss　from　Joe；　said　nothing　about　their　costumes；　and　at　once　started　explaining　that　business　deal。　When　Llita　caught　what　I　was　talking　aboul　she　shifted　from　sexy　siren　to　sharp　businesswoman；　listened　intently；　ignored　her　stage　setting　and　costuming；　and　asked　the　right　questions。
　　
　　Once　she　said；　〃Aaron；　I　sniff　a　mouse。　You　told　us　to　be　free；　and　we've　tried　to　be…and　that's　why　we　sent　you　that　draft。　I　can　add　figures；　we　owe　you　that　money。　We　don't　have　to　have　the　biggest　restaurant　in　New　Canaveral　We're　happy；　the　children　are　healthy；　we're　making　money。
　　
　　〃And　working　too　hard；〃　I　answered。
　　
　　〃Not　all　that　hard。　Though　a　bigger　restaurant　woul　mean　even　more　work。　But　the　point　is：　You　seem　to　be　buying　us　again。　That's　all　right　if　you　wish　to…you　are　the　only　master　we　would　ever　accept。　Is　that　your　intention；　sir？　If　so；　piease　say　so。　Be　frank　with　us。〃
　　
　　I　said；　〃Joe；　will　you　hold　her　while　I　wallop　her？　For　using　that　dirty　word？　Llita；　you　are　wrong　on　both　counts。　A　bigger　restaurant　means　less　work。　And　I'm　not　buying　you；　this　is　a　business　deal　in　which　I　expect　a　fat　profit　I'm　betting　on　Joe's　genius　as　a　chef；　plus　your　genius　fos　pinching　pennies　ake　money；　I'll　exercise　my　option　to　liquidate；　get　my　investment　back；　and　you　can　go　back　to　running　a　lunch　counter。　If　you　fail　I　won't　prop　you　up。〃
　　
　　〃Brother？〃　She　called　him　that　in　the　dialect　of　their　childhood。　It　signified　to　me　that　the　lodge　was　styled　for　executive　session　at　the　highest　degree；　as　they　were　most　careful　not　to　call　each　other　〃Brother〃　or　〃Sister〃　in　any　language；　especially　in　front　of　the　children。　J。A。　was　sometimes　〃Brother~'　in　English…never　his　father　Joe。　Minerva；　I　don't　recall　that　Landfall　had　laws　against　incest…it　did　not　have　many　laws。　But　there　was　a　strong　taboo　against　it；　and　I　had　carefully　indoctrinated　them。　Half　the　battle　with　any　culture　is　knowing　its　taboos。
　　
　　Joe　looked　thoughtful。　〃I　can　cook。　Can　you　manage　it；　Sis？'
　　
　　〃I　can　try。　Of　course　we'll　try　it　if　you　want　us　to；　Aaron。　I'm　not　sure　we　can　make　a　go　of　it；　and　it　does　look　like　more　work　to　me。　I'm　not　plaining；　Aaron；　but　we　are　already　working　about　as　hard　as　we　can。〃
　　
　　〃I　know　you　are。　I　don't　see　how　Joe　found　time　to　knock　you　up。〃
　　
　　She　shrugged　and　said；　〃That　doesn't　take　long。　And　it　will；　be　a　long　time…I've　just　barely　caught…before　I'll　have　to　take　time　off。　J。A；　is　old　enough　to　handle　the　cashbox…when　I　do。　But　not　in　a　big　fancy　restaurant。〃
　　
　　I　answered；　〃Wench；　you're　thinking　in　terms　of　a　lunchroom。　Now　listen；　and　learn　how　to　make　more　money　with　less　work　and　more　time　off。
　　
　　〃We　may　not　open　Maison　Long　until　after　you　have　this　baby；　We　can't　set　this　up　overnight。　We　must　sell　or　lease　this　place……which　means　finding　buyers　who　can　keep　it　out　of　the　red；　it's　always　expensive　to　have　to　take　a　place　back。
　　
　　〃We　must　find　a　suitable　property　in　the　right　neighborhood；　for　sale　or　lease　with　option　to　buy。　I　may　buy　it　and　rent　it　to　the　corporation；　so　as　not　to　tie　up　too　much　of　the　corporation's　capital　in　senior　financing。　Find　the　place；
　　
　　remodel　it　probably；　redecorate　it　certainly。　Money　for　fixtures。　Not　much　for　squeeze；　I　know　where　the　bodies　are　buried　in　this　burg；　and　I　won't　hold　still　for　excessive　squeeze。
　　
　　〃But；　my　dear；　you　will　not　be　on　the　cashbox；　we'll　hire　help；　and　I'll　set　it　up　so　that　they　can't　steal。　You　will　be　moving　around；　looking　pretty；　smiling　at　people…and　keeping　your　eye　on　everything。　But　you'll　do　this　only　at　lunch　and　dinner。　Call　it　six　hours　a　day。〃
　　
　　Joe　looked　startled；　Llita　blurted　out；　〃But？　Aaron；　we　always　open　up　as　soon　as　we're　back　from　market　and　stay　open　late。　Otherwise　you　lose　so　much　trade。〃
　　
　　〃I'm　sure　you　work　that　hard；　this　draft　proves　it。　And　that's　why　you　think　getting　pregnant　'doesn't　take　long。'　But　it　should　'take　long；'　dear。　Work　is　not　an　end　in　itself；　there　must　always　be　time　enough　for　love。　Tell　me…　When　you　caught　J。A。　in　the　'Libby'；　were　you　rushed？　Or　did　did　you　have　time　to　enjoy　it？〃
　　
　　〃Oh；　goodness！〃　Her　nipples　suddenly　crinkled。　〃Those　were　wonderful　days！〃
　　
　　〃There　will　be　wonderful　days　again。　Gather　ye　rosebuds；　time　is　still　a…flying。　Or　have　you　lost　interest？〃
　　
　　She　looked　indignant。　〃Captain；　you　know　me　better　than　that。〃
　　
　　〃Joe？　Slowing　down；　son？〃
　　
　　〃Well　。　。　we　do　work　long　hours。　Sometimes　I'm　pretty　tired。〃
　　
　　〃Let's　change　that。　This　will　not　be　a　lunchroom；　this　is　going　to　be　a　high…priced　gourmet　restaurant　of　a　quality　this　pla　has　never　seen。　Remember　that　place　I　took　you　kids　fo　dinner　just　before　we　lifted　from　Valhalla？　That　sort。　Soft　lights　and　soft　music　and　wonderful　food　and　high　prices；　wine　cellar　but　no　hard　liquor；　our　patrons　must　not　hay　their　tastebuds　numbed。
　　
　　〃Joe；　you　will　still　go　to　market　each　morning；　selecting　top…quality　food　is　something　you　can't　delegate。　But　don't　take　Llita　and　do　take　J。A。　if　he's　going　to　learn　the　profession。
　　
　　〃I　sometimes　take　him　now。〃
　　
　　〃Good。　Then　e　home　and　go　to　bed　again；　you're　through　until　you　cook　dinner。　Not　lunch。〃
　　
　　〃Huh？〃
　　
　　第27节
　　
　　〃That's　right。　Your　number　two　chef　handles　lunch；　then　helps　with　dinner；　your　big　moneymaking　meal。　Llita　is　hostess…both　for　lunch　and　dinner；　but　keeps　an　especially　sharp　eye　on　quality　at　lunch；　Joe；　since　you　won！t　be　in　this　kitchen。　But　she　never　goes　to　market　and　should　still　be　in　bed　when　you　get　back　from　market…did　I　say　that　you　quarters　will　be　attached；　just　as　now？　You'll　both　be　off　duty　two　or　three　hours　in　the　afternoon…just　right　for　this　sort　of　siesta　you　used　to　grab　in　the　'Libby。'　In　fact；　if　you　two　can't　find　time　under　that　regime　both　for　sleep　and　plenty　of　happy　play…But　you　can。〃
　　
　　〃It　sounds　grand；〃　Uita　conceded；　〃if　we　can　make　a　living　with　those　hours~~。！'
　　
　　〃You　can。　A　better　living。　But　instead　of　trying　to　get　every　buck；　Llita；　your　object　will　be　to　maintain　top　quality　while　not　losing　money　。　。　and　enjoy　life。〃
　　
　　〃We　wilL　Aaron；　our　beloved　。　。　captain　and　***Mend***；　since　I　must　not　say　that　'dirty'　word；　we　enjoyed　life　even　a　children　when　I　had　to　wear　that　horrid　virgin's　basket…because　it　was　so　sweet　to　snuggle　together　all　the　lone　nights。　When　you　bought　us…and　freed　us…and　I　didn'i　have　to　wear　it；　life　was　perfect。　I　didn't　think　it　could　be　better…though　it　will　be；　when　we　don't　have　to　choose　between　sleep　and　trying　to　stay　awake　for　loving。　Uh；　you　must　not　believe　this　since　you　know　what　a　rutty　wench　I　am…but　lots　of　times　sleep　won。〃
　　
　　〃I　believe　it。　Let's　change　it。〃
　　
　　〃But…　No　breakfast　trade　at；all？　Aaron；　some　of　our　breakfast　customers　have　been　ing　to　us　the　whole　time　we've　been　on　Landfall。〃
　　
　　〃　profit？〃
　　
　　〃Well　。　。　not　much。　People　won't　pay　as　much　for　breakfast　even　though　materials　sometimes　cost　as　much。　I've　been　satisfied　with　a　very　small　　on　breakfast。　Advertising。　I'd　hate　to　tell　our　regulars　that　we　won't　serve　them　any　longer。〃
　　
　　〃Details；　dear。　You　can　have　a　breakfast　bar　in　one　corner　and　not　open　the　main　dining　room…but　Joe　won't　cook　breakfasts；　and　neither　will　you。　You'll　be　in　bed　with　Joe　at　that　hour…so　that　your　eyes　will　sparkle　at　lunch。〃
　　
　　〃J。A。　knows　breakfast　dishes；〃　put　in　Joe。　〃I　star