time enough for love-时间足够你爱(英文版)-第56章

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　　No　power。　Buck's　River　did　not　have　enough　head　on　it　where　we　settled　to　think　about　trying　to　build　a　water　wheel；　even　if　I　cannibalized　one　wagon　to　build　it。　The　windmill　I　had　fetched　was　in　fact　nothing　but　gears　and　other　hardware；　the　mill　itself　I　would　have　to　build；　from　sails　to　tower。　But　until　I　had　power　I　had　no　way　to　recharge　power　packs。
　　
　　Dora　solved　it。　We　were　still　living　in　that　first　pound；　nothing　but　a　high　adobe　wall　just　big　enough　to　surround　the　wagons　and　to　bring　the　goats　inside　at　night；　while　we　s。lept　in　the　first　wagon　along　with　baby　Zack　and　cooked　in
　　
　　a　clay　Dutch　oven…and　between　smoke　and　goats　and　chickens　and　the　sour　smells　babies　can't　help　making　and　…　the　cesspit　that　had　to　be　inside　the　wall…well；　the　stench　of　dead
　　
　　dragons　wasn't　too　noticeable。…　…
　　
　　We　were　finishing　supper；　Dora　dressed　in　her　rubies　as　always　for　supper；　and　were　watching　the　moons　and　the　stars　ing　out…best　time　of　day；　always；　except　that　when　I　should　have　been　admiring　our　firstborn　at　suck　and　enjoying　the　sky；　；I　was　grousing　about　power　and　what　in　hell　I　could　do　about　those　pesky　dragons。　…
　　
　　I　had　ticked　off　several　simple　ways　to　produce　power…　simple　if　you　are　on　a　civilized　pla　or　even　at　a　place　like　New　Pittsburgh　with　its　coal　and　its　infant　metals　industry…　when　I　happened　to　use　a　very　old…fashioned　term。　Instead　of　talking　about　kilowatts　or　megadynecentimeters　per　second　or　such；　I　had　remarked　that　I　would　settle　for　ten　horsepower　any　way　I　could　get　it。
　　
　　Dora　had　never　seen　a　horse；　but　she　knew　what　one　was。　She　said；　〃Beloved；　wouldn't　ten　mules　do　instead？〃
　　
　　（Omitted）…　…
　　
　　We　had　been　in　our　valley　seven　years　when　the　first　wagon　showed　up。　Young　Zack　was　nearly　seven　and　beginning　…'to　be　some　help　to　me…or　thought　he　was　and　I　encouraged　him　to　try。　Andy　was　five；　and　Helen　not　yet　four。　We　had　lost　Persephone；　and　Dora　was　pregnant　again；　and　that　was　why
　　
　　…Dora　had　insisted　on　starting　another　baby　at　once；　not　wait　one　day；　one　hour…and　she　was　right。　Once　？e　knew　she　had　caught；　our　morale　picked　up　overnight。　We　missed　Persephone；　she　had　…　been　a　darling　baby。　But　we　stopped　grieving　and　looked　forward　instead。　I　hoped　for　another　girl　but　was　willing　to　settle　for　any　baby…no　way　to　control　the　sex　of　a　child；　then　and　there。　…
　　
　　第42节
　　
　　All　in　all；　we　were　in　fine　shape；　with　a　prosperous　farm；　a　healthy；　happy　family；　plenty　of　livestock；　a　much　larger　pound　with　a　house　built　right　into　it　against　the　back　wall；　a　windmill　that　drove　a　saw；　or　ground　grain；　or　supplied　power　for　my　blaster。　…
　　
　　When　1　spotted　that　…wagon；　my　first　thought　was　that　it　was　going　to　be　nice~　to　have　neighbors。　But　my　second　thought　was　that　I　was　going　to　be　proud；　very　proud；　to　show　off　my…fine　family　and　our　farm　to　these　newers。　…
　　
　　Dora　climbed　up　to　the　roof　and　watched　the　wagon　with　me；　it　was　still　over　fifteen　kilometers　away；　could　not　arrive　before　evening。　I　put　my　arm　around　her。　〃Excited；　hon？〃
　　
　　〃Yes。　Though　I've　never　been　lonely；　you　haven't　let　me　be。　How　many　do　you　think　I　should　expect　for　supper？'
　　
　　〃Hmm…~　Only　one　wagon。　One　family。　My　best　guess　is　a　couple；　with　none；　one；　or　two　children。　More　than　that　would　surprise　me。〃
　　
　　〃Me；　too；　darling；　but　there'll　be　plenty　to　eat。〃
　　
　　〃And　put　some　clothes　on　our　kids　before　thej　get　here…　wouldn't　want　'em　to　guess　we're　raising　savages；　would　we？〃
　　
　　She　answered；　deadpan；　〃Shall　I　wear　clothes；　too？〃
　　
　　〃What　swank！　That's　up　to　you；　Rangy　Lu…but　who　was　it　said　just　last　month　that　she　had　never　worn　her　party　dress？〃
　　
　　〃Will　you　be　wearing　a　kilt；　Lazarus？〃
　　
　　〃I　might。　I　might　even　take　a　bath。　I'll　need　one　because　I'm　going　to　spend　the　rest　of　the　day　cleaning　the　goat　pound　and　a　lot　of　other　things…make　this　place　look　as　neat　as　possible。　But　forget　the　name　'Lazarus；'　dear；　I'm　Bill　Smith　again。〃
　　
　　〃I'll　remember…Bill。　I'll　bathe　before　they　get　here；　too…　because　I'm　going　to　have　a　hot　and　busy　time；　cooking；　cleaning　house；　bathing　our　children；　and　trying　to　teach　them　how　to　be　introduced　to　strangers。　They've　never　seen　anyone　else；　dear；　I'm　not　sure　they　believe　there　is　anyone　else。〃
　　
　　〃They'll　behave。〃　I　was　sure　they　would。　Dora　and　I　…had　the　same　ideas　about　raising　kids。　Praise　them；　never　scream　at　them；　punish　as　necessary　and　right　now…never　a　moment's　delay…then　it's　over　with　and　forget　it。　Be　as　lavish　with　affection　after　a　spanking　as　any　othec　time…or　a　bit　extra。　Spanking　they　had　to　have　（Dora　usually　used　a　switch）　because；　without　exception　over　the　centuries；　my　kids　have　been　hell…raisers　who　would　take　advantage　of　the　sweetnessand…light　routine。　Some　of　my　wives　had　trouble　believing　what　little　monsters　I　spawn…but　Dora　was　right　with　me　on　this　wild…animal　act　from　scratch。　In　consequence　she　raised　the　most　civilized　brood　I've　ever　fathered。
　　
　　When　that　wagon　was　maybe　a　kilometer　away；　I　rode　out　to　meet　them…then　was　surprised　and　disappointed。　A　family；　yes；　if　you　count　a　man　and　two　grown　sons　as　a　family。　No　women；　no　children。　I　wondered　how　they　thought　they　were　going　to　pioneer。
　　
　　The　younger　son　was　not　fully　grown；；　his　beard　was　sparse　and　scraggly。　Nevertheless；　he　was　taller　and　heavier　than　I　was；　and　he　was　the　smallest　of　the　three。　His　father　and　brother　were　mounted；　he　was　driving…actually　driving；　they
　　
　　were　not　using　a　mule　boss。　No　livestock　other　than　mules　that　I　could　see；　although　I　did　not　attempt　to　look　into　their　wagon。
　　
　　I　did　not　like　their　looks　and　reversed　my　idea　about　neighbors。　I　hoped　they　would　move　on　down　the　valley；　at　least　fifty　kilometers。
　　
　　The　mounted　two　were　carrying　guns　at　their　belts…reasonable　in　loper　country。　I　had　a　needle　gun　in　sight　myself；　as　well　as　a　belt　knife…and　maybe　other　things　not　in　sight；　as　I　don't　consider　it　diplomatic　to　show　much　hardware　in　meeting　strangers。
　　
　　As　I　approached；　they　stopped；　The　driver　reining　up　his　mules。　I　had　Beulah　stop。　about　ten　paces　short　of　the　lead　pair。　〃Howdy；〃　I　said。　〃Wele　to　Happy　Valley。　I'm　Bill　Smith。〃
　　
　　The　oldest　of　the　three　looked　me　up　and　down。　It　is　hard　to　tell　a　man's　expression　when　lie　wears　a　full　beard；　but　what　little　I　could　see　was　no　expression　at　all…wariness；　perhaps。　My　own　face　was　smooth…freshly　shaved　anc~　clean　overalls；　in　honor　of　visitors。　I　wa~　keeping　my　face　smooth　both　because　Dora　preferred　it　so　and　because　I　was　staying　〃young〃　to　match　Dora。　I　was　wearing　my　best　friendly　look…　but　was　saying　to　myself；　〃You've　got　ten　seconds　to　answer　my　greeting　and　say　who　you　are…or　you're　going　to　miss　some　of　the　best　cooking　on　New　Beginnings。〃
　　
　　He　just　slid　under　the　deadline；　I　had　silently　counted　seven　chimpanzees　when　he　suddenly　grinned　through　that　face　moss。　〃Why；　that's　mighty　friendly　of　you；　young　man。〃
　　
　　〃Bill　Smith；〃　I　repeated；　〃and　I　didn't　catch　your　name。〃
　　
　　〃Probably　because　I　didn't　say；〃　he　answered。　〃Name's　Montgomery。　'Monty'　to　my　friends；　and　I　don't　have　any　enemies；　at　least　not　for　long。　Right；　Darby？〃
　　
　　〃Right；　Pop；〃　agreed　the　other　mounted　one。
　　
　　〃And　this　is　my　son　Darby　and　that's　Dan　driving　the　jugheads。　Say　'Howdy；'　boys。〃
　　
　　〃Howdy；〃　they　each　answered。
　　
　　〃Howdy；　Darby。　Howdy；　Dan。　Monty；　is　Mrs。　Montgomery　with　you？〃　I　nodded　at　the　wagon；　still　did　not　attempt　to　see　into　it…a　man's　wagon　is　as　private　as　his　house。
　　
　　〃Now　why　would　you　be　asking　that？〃
　　
　　〃Because；〃　I　said；　still　holding　Onto　n~v　friendly…idiot　look；　〃I　want　to　trot　back　to　the　house　and　tell　Mrk　Smith　how　many　there'll　be　for　supper。〃　…
　　
　　〃Well！　Did　you　hear　that；　boys？　We've　been　invited　to　supper。　1~iat's　mighty　friendly；　too；　isn't　it；　Dan？〃
　　
　　〃Right；　Pop。〃
　　
　　〃And　we　most　kindly　accept。　Don't　we；　Darby？〃
　　
　　〃Right；　Pop。〃　…
　　
　　I　was　getting　tired　of　the　echo；　but　I　kept　my　sweet　expression。　〃Monty；　you　still　haven't　told　me　how　many。〃　〃Oh。　Just　three。　But　we　eat　enough　for　six。〃　He　slapped　his　thigh　and　laughed　at　his　own　joke。　〃Right；　Dan？〃
　　
　　〃Right；　Pop。〃
　　
　　〃So　you　stir　up　those　jugheads；　Dan；　we've　got　reason　to　hurry　now。〃
　　
　　I　interrupted　the　echo　to　say；　〃Hold　it；　Monty。　No　need　to　overheat　your　mules。〃
　　
　　〃What？　They're　my　mules；　son。〃
　　
　　〃So　they　are　and　do　as　you　please　about　them；　but　I　was　sent　out　ahead　so　that　Mrs。　Smith　would　have　time　to　be　ready　'for　you。　I　see　you're　wearing　a　watch〃…I　glanced　at
　　
　　…my　own…〃your　hostess　will　expect　you　in；　one　hour。　Unless　you　need　more　time　to　get　there　and　unharness　and　water　your　mules？〃
　　
　　〃Oh；　them　jugheads　will　keep　until　after　supper。　If　we're　early；　we'll　set　awhile。〃
　　
　　…〃No；〃　I　said　firmly。　〃One　hour；　no　sooner。　You　know　how　a　lady　feels　about　guests　arriving　before　she's　ready　for　them。　Crowd　her；　and　she　might　ruin　your　supper。　Do　as　you　please　about　your　mules…but　there　is　an　easy　place　to　water　them；　a　little　beach；　where　the　river~es　closest　to　the　house。　Nice　place　to　spruce　up　a　bit　yourself；　too…　before　dining　with　a　lady。　But　don't　e　up　to　the　house　short　of　one　hour。〃　…
　　
　　〃Your　wife　sounds　mighty　particular　。　。　for　way　out　here　in　the　wilds。〃
　　
　　〃She　is；〃　I　answei'ed。　〃Home；　Beulah。〃
　　
　　I　moved　from　a　trot　into　Beulah's　fast　lope　and　did　not　get　over　an　uneasy　feeling　between　my　shoulder　blades　until　I；　was　certain　I~　was　too　far　away　to　be　a　target。　There　is　only　one　dangerous　animal；　yet　at　times　you're　forced　to　pretend　that　he's　as　sweet　and　innocent　as　a　cobra。　…
　　
　　I　didn't　stop　to　unsaddle　Beulah；　I　hurried　inside。　Dora　heard　my　slam…bang　arrival；　was　at　the　pound's　door。　〃What　is　i~；　dear？　Trouble？〃
　　
　　〃Could　be。　Three　men；　I　don't　like　them。　Nevertheless；　I've　promised　them　supper。　Have　'the　kids　'eaten？　Can　we　put　them
　　
　　。~1　a
　　
　　right　to　bed　and　convince　them　that　if　they　so　much　as　lel　out　a　peep；　they'll　be　flayed　alive？　I　didn't　mention　children；　we　aren't　going　to　mention　them；　and　I'm　going　to　take　a　fasi　look　around　to　make　sure　there　is　nothing　in　sight　that　says　'kids。'
　　
　　〃I'll　try。　Yes；　I've　fed　them。〃
　　
　　*
　　
　　Right　on　the　hour　Lazarus　Long　met　his　guests　at　the　doot　of　the　pound。　They　drove　and　rode　up　from　the　direction　of　the　beach　he　had　described；　so　he　assumed　that　they　had　watered　their　animals；　but　he　noted　with　mild　scorn　that　t？ey　now　did　not　bother　to　unharness　their　team　for　what　was　sure　to　be　a　long　wait。　But　he　was　pleased　to　note　that　all　three　Montgomerys　had　made　some　effort　to　spruce　up…perhaps　they　w~ere　going　to　behave；　perhaps　his　sixth　sense　for　trouble　was　hypersensitive　from　too　long　in　the　wilderness。　…
　　
　　Lazarus　was　dressed　in　his　best…kilt　with　full　kit　save　that　the　effect　was　marred　by　a　faded　work　shirt　of　New　Pittsburgh　origin。　But　it　was　indeed　his　best；　worn　only　for　children's　birthdays。　On　other　days　he　wore　anything　from　overalls　to　skin；　depending　on　work　and　weather。　…
　　
　　After　Montgomery　dismounted；　he　paused　and　looked　over　his　host。　〃My；　aren't　we　fancy！〃
　　
　　〃In　your　honor；　gentlemen。　I　save　it　for　very　special　occasions。〃
　　
　　〃So？　It's　mighty　nice　of　you　to　honor　us；　Red。　Isn't　it；　Dan？〃
　　
　　〃Right；　Pop。〃　……
　　
　　〃My　name　is　Bill；　Monty。　Not　'Red。'　You　can　leave　your　guns　in　your　wagon。〃
　　
　　〃Well！　Now　that's　not　very　friendly。　We　always　wear　our　guns。　Don't　we；　Darby？〃　…
　　
　　〃Right；　Pop。　And　if　Pop　says　your　name　is　'Red；'　that's　your　name。〃
　　
　　〃Now；　tiow；　Darby；　I　didn't　say　that。　If　Red　wants　to　call　himself　Tom；　Dick；　or　Harry；　that's　his　choice。　But　we　wouldn't　feel　dressed　without　our　guns；　and　that's　the　truth；　uh；　Bill。　Why；　I　even　wear　mine　to　bed。　Out　here。〃
　　
　　Lazarus　was　standing　in　the　opened　door　of　the　pound。　He　made　no　move　to　step　aside　and　let　his　visitors　in。　〃That's　a　reasonable　precaution　。　。　on　the　trail。　But　gentlemen　don't　wear　arms　when　they　dine　with　a　lady。　Drop　them　here　or　put　them　in　your　wagon；　whichever　you　wish。〃　'
　　
　　Lazarus　could　feel　the　tension　grow；　could　see　the　younger
　　
　　two　watching　their　father　for　instructions。　Lazarus　ignored　them　and　kept　his　easy　smile　on　Montgomery；　while　forcing　his　muscles　to　stay　loose　as　cotton。　Right　now？　Would　the　bear　back　off？　Or　treat　it　as　a　challenge？
　　
　　Montgomery　split　his　face　in　his　widest　grin。　〃Why；　sure；　neighbor…if　that's　how　you　want　it。　Shall　I　take　off　my　pants；　too？〃　…
　　
　　〃Just　yeur　guns；　sir。〃　（He's　right…handed。　If　I　were　righthanded　and　wearing　what　you　are　wearing；　where　would　my　second　gun　be？　There；　I　think…but；　if　so；　…it　must　be　small
　　
　　either　a　；needle　gun　or　possibly　an　old…fashioned　snubnoted　assassin's　gun。　Are　his　sons　both　right。~handed？）
　　
　　…　The　Montgomerys　put　their　gun　belts　on　the　seat　of　their　wagon；　caine　back。　Lazarus　stood　aside　and　weled　them　in；　then　slid　the　bar　into　place　as　he　closed　the　door。　Dora　was　waiting；　dressed　in　her　〃party　dre