time enough for love-时间足够你爱(英文版)-第84章

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　　Lazarus　grinned。　〃Should　I　call　you　'Uncle'？〃
　　
　　〃Suit　yourself。〃
　　
　　〃Oh；　I　shan't。　Whatever　happened；　there's　no　way　to　prove　it。　But　it　would　be　nice　to　have　a　family。〃
　　
　　〃Son；　quit　being　self…conscious　about　it。　A　country　doctor　learns　that　such　mishaps　are　far　more　mon　than　most
　　
　　people　dream。　Alexander　Hamilton　and　Leonardo　da　Vinci　are　in　the　same　boat　with　you；　to　name　just　two　of　the　many　great　men'　entitled　to　wear　the　bend　sinister。　So　stand　tall　and　proud　and　spit　in　their　eyes。　I　see　the　parlor　light　is　still　burning；　what　would　you　say　to　a　cup　of　coffee？〃
　　
　　〃Oh；　I　wouldn't　want　to　inconvenience　you…or　disturb　your　family。〃
　　
　　〃It'll　do　neither。　My　daughter　always　leaves　the　pot　on　the
　　
　　back　of　the　range　for　me。　If　she　happens　to。　be　downstairs　in　a　wrapper…unlikely…she'll　go　flying　up　the　back　stairs；　then
　　
　　reappear。　instantly　dOwn　the　front　stairs；　dressed　fit　to　kill。　Like　a　fire…　horse　when　the　bell　rings；　I　don't　know　how　she　does　it。　e　on　in。〃Ira　Johnson　unlocked　the　front　door；　then　called　out　as　he
　　
　　opened　it：　〃Maureen！　I　have　pany　with　me。〃
　　
　　〃ing；　Father。〃　Mrs。　Smith　met　them　in　the　hall；　moving　with　serene　dignity　and　dressed　as　if　she　expected　callers。　She　smiled；　and　Lazarus　suppressed　his　excitement。
　　
　　〃Maureen；　I　want　to　present　Mr。　Theodore　Bronson。　My　daughter；　Ted…Mrs。　Brian　Smith。〃
　　
　　She　offered　her　hand。　〃You　are　most　wele；　Mr。　Bronson；〃　Mrs。　Smith　said　in　warm；　rich　tones　that　made　Lazarus　think　of　Tamara。　…
　　
　　Lazarus　took　her　hand　gently；　felt　his　fingers　tingle；　had　to　restrain　himself　from　making　a　deep　bow　and　kissing　it。　He　forced　himself　to　give　only　a　hint　of　a　bow；　then　let　go　at
　　
　　。once。　〃I　am　honored；　Mrs。　Smith。〃　…
　　
　　〃Do　e　in　and　sit　down。〃
　　
　　〃Thank　you；　but　it's　late；　and　I　was　merely　dropping　your　father　off　on　my　way　home。〃
　　
　　第67节
　　
　　〃Must　you　leave　so　quickly？　I　was　simply　darning　stockings　and　reading　the　'Ladies'　Home　Journal'…nothing　important。〃
　　
　　〃Maureen；　I　promised　Mr。　Bronson　a　cup　of　coffee。　He　fetched　me　home　from　the　chess　club　and　saved　me　a　soak…
　　
　　…ing。〃
　　
　　〃Yes；　Father；　right　away。　Take　his　hat　and　make　him　sit　down。〃　She　smiled　and　left。
　　
　　Lazarus　let　his　grandfather　seat　him　in　the　parlor；　then　took　advantage　of　the　moments　his　mother　was　out　of　sight　to　quiet　down　and　to　glance　around。　Aside　from　the　fact　that　the　room　had　shrunk；　it　looked　much　as~ie　remembe~C~　it；　an　upright　piano　she　had　taught　him　to　play；　fireplace　with　gas　logs；　mantel　shelf　with　beveled　mirror　above；　a　glass…fronted
　　
　　480
　　
　　sectional　bookcase；　heavy　drapes　and　…　lace　curtains；　his　parent's　wedding　picture　framed　with　their　hearts　&　flowers　marriage　license；　and　balancing　this　a　reproduction　of　Millet's　〃Gleaners；〃　and　other　pictures　large　and　small；　a　rocking
　　
　　chair；　a　platform　rocker　with　a　footstool；　straight　chairs；　arm　chairs；　tables；　lamps；　all　crowded　and　in　an　easygoing　mixture　of　mission　oak　and　bird's…eye　maple。　Lazarus　felt　at　home；
　　
　　even　the　wallpaper　seemed　familiar…save　that　he　realized　uneasily　that　he　had　been　given　his　father's　chair。　…
　　
　　An　archway；　filled　by　a　beaded　portiere；　led　into　the　living　room；　now　dark。　Lazarus　tried　to　recall　what　should　be　in　there　and　wondered　if　it　would　…　look　just　as　familiar。　The　parlor　was　immaculately　neat　and　clean；　and　kept　that　way；　he　knew；　despite　a　large　family；　by　the　living　room　being　used　mainly　by　children　while　this　room　was　reserved　for　their　elders　and　for　guests。　How　many　kids　now？　Nancy；　then　Carol；　and　Brian　Junior；　and　George；　and　Marie…and　himself…and　since　this　was　early　1917　Dickie　had　to　be　about　three；　and　Ethel　would　still　be　in　diapers。　。
　　
　　What　was　that　behind　his　mother's　chair？　Could　it　be？…　Yes；　it's　my　elephant！　Woodie　you　little　devil；　yc~　know　you　aren't　supposed　toplay　in　here；　and　everything　must　go　back　into　your　toy　box　before　you　go　up　to　bed；　that's　a　flat　rule。　The　toy　animal　was　small　（about　six　inches　high）；　made　of　stuffed　cloth；　and　gray　with　much　handling；　Lazarus　felt　resentment　that　such　a　treasure…his/…was　entrusted　to　a　young　child　。　。　then　managed　to　laugh　at　himself　even　though　the　emotion　persisted。　He　felt　tempted　to　steal　the　toy。　〃Excuse　me。　You　were　saying；　Mr。　Johnson？〃
　　
　　〃I　said　I　was　temporarily　delegated　in　loco　parentis；　my　son…in…law　has　gone　to　Plattsburg　and…〃　Lazarus　lost　the　rest　of　the　remark；　Mrs。　Smith　returned　in　a　soft　rustle　of　satin　petticoats；　carrying　a　loaded　tray。　Lazarus　jumped　to　relieve　her　of　it；　she　smiled　and　let　him。
　　
　　By　golly；　that　was　the　Haviland　china　he　had　not　been　allowed　to　touch　until　after　he　got　his　first　long　pants！　And　the　〃pany〃　coffee　service…solid　silver　serving　pot；　cream　pitcher；　sugar　bowl　and　tongs；　the　Columbian　Exposition　souvenir　spoons。　Linen　doilies；　matching　tea　napkins；　thin　slices　of　pound　cake；　a　silver　dish　of　mints…how　did　you　do　this　in　three　minutes　or　less？　You're　certainly　doing　the　prodigal　proud！　No；　don't　b？~a　fool；　Lazarus；　she's　doing　her　father　proud；　entertaining　his　guest…you　are　a　faceless　stranger。
　　
　　〃Children　all　in　bed？〃　inquired　Mr。　Johnson。
　　
　　481
　　
　　482〃All　but　Nancy；〃　Mrs。　Smith　answered；　serving　them。　〃She　and　her　young　man　went　to　the　Isis　and　should　be　home
　　
　　soon。〃　？…　〃Show　was　over　half　an　hour　ago。〃
　　
　　〃Is　there　any　harm　in　their　stopping　for　a　sundae？　The　ice…
　　
　　…cream　parlor　is　on　a　brightly　lighted　corner　right　where　they　catch　their　streetcar。〃
　　
　　…　〃A　young　girl　shouldn't　be　out　after　dark　without　a　chap…
　　
　　…eron。〃
　　
　　〃Father；　this　is　1917；　not　1890。　He's　a　fine　boy　。　。　and　I　can't　expect　them　to　miss　an　episode　of　their　serial…Pearl　White　and：　very　exciting；　Nancy　tells　me　all　about　it。　With　a　William　S。　Hart　feature　tonight；　I　understand；　I　would　have　enjoyed　seeing　that　myself。〃
　　
　　〃Well；　I've　still　got　my　shotgun；〃
　　
　　〃Father。〃　…
　　
　　Lazarus　concentrated　on　remembering　to　eat　cake　with　a　fork。
　　
　　〃She's　trying　to　bring　me　up；〃　Gramp　said　grumpily。　〃Won't　work。〃　…
　　
　　〃I'm　sure　Mr。　Bronson　is　not　interested　in　our　family　problems；〃　Mrs。　Smith　said　quietly。　〃If　they　were　problems。　Which　they　are　not。　May　I　warm　your　coffee；　Mr。　Bronson？〃
　　
　　〃Thank　you；　ma'am。〃
　　
　　〃That's　right；　he　isn't。　But　Nancy　should　be　told　soon。　Maureen；　take　a　close　look　at　Ted。　Ever　seen　him　before？〃
　　
　　His　mother　looked　over　her　cup　at　Lazarus；　put　it　down　and　said；　〃Mr。　Bronson；　when　you　came　in；　I　had　the　oddest　feeling。　At　church；　was　it　not？〃
　　
　　Lazarus　admitted　that　such　could　…　have　been　the　case。　Gramp's　brows　shot　up。　〃So？　I　must　warn　the　parson。　But　even　if　you　did　meet　there…〃　…
　　
　　…　〃We　did　not　meet　at　church；　Father。　What　with　herding　my　zoo　I　barely　have　time　to　speak　to　Reverend　and　Mrs。　Draper。…　But　now　that…　I　think　about　it；　I'm　sure　I　saw　Mr。　Bronson　there　last　Sunday。　One　does　notice　a　new　face　among　old　familiar　ones。〃
　　
　　〃Daughter；　as　may　be；　that　wasn't　what　I　meant。　Whom　does　Ted　look　like？　No；　never　mind。…。doesn't　he　look　like　your　Uncle　Ned？〃
　　
　　His　mother　again　looked　at　Lazarus。　〃Yes；　I　see　a　resemblance。　But　he　looks　even　more　like　…you；　Father。〃
　　
　　〃No；　Ted's　from　Springfield。　All　my　sins…　were　farther　north。〃　…
　　
　　483〃Father。〃　…　/
　　
　　〃Daughter；　quit　worrying　about　me　rattling　the　family　skeleton。　It's　possible　that…　Ted；　may　I　tell　it？〃
　　
　　〃certainly；　Mr。　Johnson。　As　you　said；　it's　nothing　to　be　ashamed　of…and　I'm　not。〃
　　
　　〃Ted　is　an　orphan；　Maureen；　a　foundling。　If　Ned　weren't　warming　his　toes　in　hell；　I'd　ask　him　some　searching　questions。　The　time　and　place　is　right；　and　Ted　certainly　looks　like　our　kin。〃　…
　　
　　〃Father；　I　think　you　are　embarrassing　our　guest。〃
　　
　　〃I　don't。　And　don't　you　be　so　hoity…toity；　young　lady。　You're　a　grown　woman；　with　children；　you　can　stand　plain　talk。〃
　　
　　〃Mrs。　Smith；　I　am　not　embarrassed。　Whoever　my　parents　were；　I　am　proud　of　them。　They　gave　me　a　strong；　healthy　body　and　a　brain　that　serves　my　needs…〃　…
　　
　　〃Well　spoken；　young　man！〃
　　
　　〃…and　while　I　would　be　proud　to　claim　your　father　as　my　uncle…and　you　as　my　cousin…if　it　were　so…it　seems　more　likely　that　my　parents　were　taken　by　a　typhoid　epidemic　down　that　way；　the　dates　match　well　enough。〃
　　
　　？r。　Johnson　frowned。　〃How　old　are　you；　Ted？〃
　　
　　Lazarus　though　fast　and　decided　to　be　his　mother's　age。　〃I'm　thirty…five。〃
　　
　　〃Why；　that　just　my　age！〃
　　
　　〃Really；　Mrs。　Smith？　If　you　hadn't　made　clear　that　you　have　a　daughter　old　enough　to　go　to　the　picture　show　with　a　young　man；　I　would　have　thought　you　were　about　eighteen。〃
　　
　　〃Oh；　go　along　with　you！　I　have　eight　children。〃
　　
　　〃Impossible！〃
　　
　　〃Maureen　doesn't　look　her　age；〃　agreed　her　father。　〃Hasn't　changed　since　she　was　a　bride。　Runs　in　the　family；　her　mother　doesn't　have　a　gray　hair　today。〃　…（Where　is　Grandma？…oh；　yes；　so　don't　ask。）　〃But；　Ted；　you　don't　look　thirty…five　either。　I　would　have　guessed　middle　twenties。〃
　　
　　〃Well；　I　don't　know　exactly　how　old　I　am。　But　I　can't　be　younger　than　that。　I　might　be　a　bit　older。〃　（Quite　a　bit；　Gramp！）　〃But　it's　close　enough　that　when　I'm　asked　I　just　put　down　the　Fourth　of　July；　1882。〃
　　
　　〃Why　that's　my　birthday！〃
　　
　　（Yes；　Mama；　I　know。）　〃Really；　Mrs。　Smith？　I　didn't　mqan　to　steal　your　birthday。　I'll　move　over　a　few　days…say　the　first　of　July。　Since　I'm　not　certain　anyhow。〃
　　
　　484〃Oh；　don't　do　that！　Father…you　must　bring　Mr。　Bronson　home　for　dinner　on　our　joint　birthday。〃
　　
　　〃Do　you　think　Brian　would　lik？that？〃〃Certainly　he　would！　I'll　write　to　him　about　it。　He'll　be
　　
　　home　long　before　then　in　any　case。　You　know　Brian　always　says；　'Tfie　more；　the　merrier！'　We'll　be　expecting　you；　Mr。　Bronson。〃
　　
　　〃Mrs。　Smith。　that's　most　kind　of　you；　but　I　expect　to　leave　on　a　long　business　trip　on　the　first　of　July。〃
　　
　　〃I　think　you　have　let　Father　scare　you　off。　Or　is　it　the　prospect　o；f　eating　dinner　with　eight　noisy　children？　Never　mind：
　　
　　my　husband　will　invite　you　himself…and　then　we　will　see　what　you　say。〃
　　
　　〃In　the　meantime；　Maureen；　stop　crowding　him；　you've　got　him　flustered。　Let　me　see　something。　You　two　stand　up；；　side
　　
　　by　side。　Go　ahead；　Ted；　she　won't　bite　you。〃
　　
　　〃Mrs。　Smith？〃
　　
　　She　shrugged　and　dimpled；　then　accepted　his　hand　to　get　up　out　of　her　rocking　chair。　〃Father　always　wants　to　'see　something。'〃　…
　　
　　Lazarus　stood　by　her；　facing　his　grandfather；　and　tried　to　ignore　her　fragrance…a　touch　of　toilet　water；　but　mostly　the
　　
　　…　…light；　warm；　delicious　scent　of　sweet　and　healthy　woman。　Lazarus　was　afraid　to　think　about　it；　was　careful　not　to　let　it　show　in　his　face。　…But　it　hit　him　like　a　heavy　blow。
　　
　　〃Mrrrph。　Both　of　you　step　up。　to　the　mantel　and　look　at　yourselves　in　the　glass~　Ted；　there　was　no　typhoid　epidemic　down　that　way　in　'eighty…two。　Nor　'eighty…three。〃
　　
　　〃Really；　sir？　Of　course　I　can't　remember。〃　（And　I　shouldn't　have　tossed　in　that　flourish！　Sorry；　Gramp。　Would　you　believe
　　
　　the　truth？　You　might　。　。　out　of　all　the　men　I've　ever　known。　Don't　risk　it；　Bub；　forget　it！）
　　
　　〃Nope。　Just　the　usual　number　of　dumb　fools　too　lazy　to　build　their　privies　a　proper　distance　from　their　wells。　Which　I　feel　certain　could　not　describe　your　parents。　Can't　guess　about　your　mother；　but　I　think　your　father　died　with　his　hand　on　the　throttle；　still　trying　to　gain　control。　Maureen？〃
　　
　　Mrs。　Smith　stared　at　her　reflection　and　that　of　their　guest。　She　said　slowly；　〃Father　。　。　Mr。　Bronson　and　I　look　enough　alike　to　be　brother　and　sister。〃
　　
　　〃No。　First　cousins。　Although　with　Ned　gone　there's　no　way　to　prove　it。　I　think…〃　…　…
　　
　　Mr。　Johnson　was　interrupted　by　a　yell　from　the　front　staircase　landing：　〃Mama！　Cramp！　I　want　to　be　buttoned　up！〃
　　
　　Ira　Johnson　answered；　〃Woodie；　you　rapscallion；　get　back
　　
　　…　…upstairs！〃
　　
　　Instead　the　child　came　down…small；　male；　freckled；　and　ginger…haired；　dressed　in　…Dr。　Denton's　with　the　seat　flapping　behind　him。　He　stared　at　Lazarus　with　beady；　suspicious　eyes。　Lazarus　felt　a　shiver　run　down　his　spine　and　tried　not　to　look　at　the　child。
　　
　　〃Who's　that？〃
　　
　　Mrs。　Smith　said　quickly；　〃Forgive　me；　Mr。　Bronson。〃　Then　she　added　quietly；　〃e　here；　Woodrow。〃
　　
　　Her　father　said；　〃Don't　bother；　Maureen。　I'll　take　him　up
　　
　　and　blister　his　bottom…then　I'll　button　him。〃
　　
　　〃You　and　what　six　others？〃　the　boy　child　demanded。
　　
　　〃Me；　myself；　and　a　baseball　bat。〃
　　
　　Mrs。　Smith　quietly　and　quickly　attended　to　the　child's　needs；　then　hurried　him　out　？f　the　room　and　headed　him　up　the　stairs。　She　returned　and　sat　down。　…　Her　father　said；　〃Maureen；　that　was　just　an　excuse。　Woodie　can　button　himself。　And　he's　too　old　for　that　baby　outfit。　Put　him　in　a　nightshirt。〃
　　
　　〃Father；　shall　we　discuss　it　another　time？〃
　　
　　Mr。　Johnson　shrugged。　〃I've　overstepped　again。　Ted；　that　one's　the　chessplayer。　He's　a　stem…