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a girl of the limberlost-第97部分
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〃What have you thought of that you wanted yet; Edith?〃
he asked lightly as he stretched himself at her feet。
〃You!〃
Henderson lay tense and very still。
〃Well; I am here!〃
〃Thank Heaven for that!〃
Henderson sat up suddenly; leaning toward her with
questioning eyes。 Not knowing what he dared say;
afraid of the hope which found birth in his heart; he tried
to shield her and at the same time to feel his way。
〃I am more thankful than I can express that you feel
so;〃 he said。 〃I would be of use; of comfort; to you if I
knew how; Edith。〃
〃You are my only comfort;〃 she said。 〃I tried to send
you away。 I thought I didn't want you。 I thought I
couldn't bear the sight of you; because of what you have
seen me suffer。 But I went to the root of this thing last
night; Hart; and with self in mind; as usual; I found that
I could not live without you。〃
Henderson began breathing lightly。 He was afraid to
speak or move。
〃I faced the fact that all this is my own fault;〃
continued Edith; 〃and came through my own selfishness。
Then I went farther back and realized that I am as I
was reared。 I don't want to blame my parents; but I
was carefully trained into what I am。 If Elnora Comstock had
been like me; Phil would have come back to me。 I can see
how selfish I seem to him; and how I appear to you; if you
would admit it。〃
〃Edith;〃 said Henderson desperately; 〃there is no use
to try to deceive you。 You have known from the first
that I found you wrong in this。 But it's the first time in
your life I ever thought you wrong about anythingand
it's the only time I ever shall。 Understand; I think you
the bravest; most beautiful woman on earth; the one most
worth loving。〃
〃I'm not to be considered in the same class with her。〃
〃I don't grant that; but if I did; you; must remember
how I compare with Phil。 He's my superior at every point。
There's no use in discussing that。 You wanted to see me; Edith。
What did you want?〃
〃I wanted you to not go away。〃
〃Not at all?〃
〃Not at all! Not ever! Not unless you take me with
you; Hart。〃
She slightly extended one hand to him。 Henderson took
that hand; kissing it again and again。
〃Anything you want; Edith;〃 he said brokenly。 〃Just as
you wish it。 Do you want me to stay here; and go on as
we have been?〃
〃Yes; only with a difference。〃
〃Can you tell me; Edith?〃
〃First; I want you to know that you are the dearest
thing on earth to me; right now。 I would give up
everything else; before I would you。 I can't honestly say
that I love you with the love you deserve。 My heart is
too sore。 It's too soon to know。 But I love you some way。
You are necessary to me。 You are my comfort; my shield。
If you want me; as you know me to be; Hart; you may consider
me yours。 I give you my word of honour I will try to be
as you would have me; just as soon as I can。〃
Henderson kissed her hand passionately。 〃Don't; Edith;〃
he begged。 〃Don't say those things。 I can't bear it。
I understand。 Everything will come right in time。
Love like mine must bring a reward。 You will love me
some day。 I can wait。 I am the most patient fellow。〃
〃But I must say it;〃 cried Edith。 〃II think; Hart;
that I have been on the wrong road to find happiness。
I planned to finish life as I started it with Phil; and you
see how glad he was to change。 He wanted the other sort of
girl far more than he ever wanted me。 And you; Hart;
honest; nowI'll know if you don't tell me the truth!
Would you rather have a wife as I planned to live life with
Phil; or would you rather have her as Elnora Comstock intends
to live with him?〃
〃Edith!〃 cried the man; 〃Edith!〃
〃Of course; you can't say it in plain English;〃 said the girl。
〃You are far too chivalrous for that。 You needn't
say anything。 I am answered。 If you could have your
choice you wouldn't have a society wife; either。 In your
heart you'd like the smaller home of comfort; the furtherance
of your ambitions; the palatable meals regularly served;
and little children around you。 I am sick of all we
have grown up to; Hart。 When your hour of trouble
comes; there is no comfort for you。 I am tired to death。
You find out what you want to do; and be; that is a man's
work in the world; and I will plan our home; with no
thought save your comfort。 I'll be the other kind of a girl;
as fast as I can learn。 I can't correct all my faults in one
day; but I'll change as rapidly as I can。〃
〃God knows; I will be different; too; Edith。 You shall
not be the only generous one。 I will make all the rest of
life worthy of you。 I will change; too!〃
〃Don't you dare!〃 said Edith Carr; taking his head between
her hands and holding it against her knees; while the
tears slid down her cheeks。 〃Don't you dare change; you
big…hearted; splendid lover! I am little and selfish。
You are the very finest; just as you are!〃
Henderson was not talking then; so they sat through a
long silence。 At last he heard Edith draw a quick
breath; and lifting his head he looked where she pointed。
Up a fern stalk climbed a curious looking object。
They watched breathlessly。 By lavender feet clung a big;
pursy; lavender…splotched; yellow body。 Yellow and lavender
wings began to expand and take on colour。 Every instant
great beauty became more apparent。 It was one of those
double…brooded freaks; which do occur on rare occasions;
or merely an Eacles Imperialis moth that in the cool damp
northern forest had failed to emerge in June。 Edith Carr
drew back with a long; shivering breath。 Henderson caught
her hands and gripped them firmly。 Steadily she
looked the thought of her heart into his eyes。
〃By all the powers; you shall not!〃 swore the man。
〃You have done enough。 I will smash that thing!〃
〃Oh no you won't!〃 cried the girl; clinging to his hands。
〃I am not big enough yet; Hart; but before I leave this
forest I shall have grown to breadth and strength to carry
that to her。 She needs two of each kind。 Phil only sent
her one!〃
〃Edith I can't bear it! That's not demanded! Let me
take it!〃
〃You may go with me。 I know where the O'More cottage is。
I have been there often。〃
〃I'll say you sent it!〃
〃You may watch me deliver it!〃
〃Phil may be there by now。〃
〃I hope he is! I should like him to see me do one decent
thing by which to remember me。〃
〃I tell you that is not necessary!〃
〃‘Not necessary!'〃 cried the girl; her big eyes shining。
〃Not necessary? Then what on earth is the thing doing
here? I just have boasted that I would change; that I
would be like her; that I would grow bigger and broader。
As the words are spoken God gives me the opportunity to
prove whether I am sincere。 This is my test; Hart! Don't
you see it? If I am big enough to carry that to her; you
will believ
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