XVII
GRAY DAYS AND GOLD
When Rebecca looked back upon the year or two that followed the Simpsons' Thanksgiving party, she could see only certain milestones2 rising in the quiet pathway of the months.
The first milestone1 was Christmas Day. It was a fresh, crystal morning, with icicles hanging like dazzling pendants from the trees and a glaze3 of pale blue on the surface of the snow. The Simpsons' red barn stood out, a glowing mass of color in the white landscape. Rebecca had been busy for weeks before, trying to make a present for each of the seven persons at Sunnybrook Farm, a somewhat difficult proceeding5 on an expenditure6 of fifty cents, hoarded7 by incredible exertion8. Success had been achieved, however, and the precious packet had been sent by post two days previous. Miss Sawyer had bought her niece a nice gray squirrel muff and tippet, which was even more unbecoming if possible, than Rebecca's other articles of wearing apparel; but aunt Jane had made her the loveliest dress of green cashmere, a soft, soft green like that of a young leaf. It was very simply made, but the color delighted the eye. Then there was a beautiful "tatting" collar from her mother, some scarlet9 mittens10 from Mrs. Cobb, and a handkerchief from Emma Jane.
Rebecca herself had fashioned an elaborate tea-cosy with a letter "M" in outline stitch, and a pretty frilled pincushion marked with a "J," for her two aunts, so that taken all together the day would have been an unequivocal success had nothing else happened; but something else did.
There was a knock at the door at breakfast time, and Rebecca, answering it, was asked by a boy if Miss Rebecca Randall lived there. On being told that she did, he handed her a parcel bearing her name, a parcel which she took like one in a dream and bore into the dining-room.
"It's a present; it must be," she said, looking at it in a dazed sort of way; "but I can't think who it could be from."
"A good way to find out would be to open it," remarked Miss Miranda.
The parcel being untied11 proved to have two smaller packages within, and Rebecca opened with trembling fingers the one addressed to her. Anybody's fingers would have trembled. There was a case which, when the cover was lifted, disclosed a long chain of delicate pink coral beads,—a chain ending in a cross made of coral rosebuds12. A card with "Merry Christmas from Mr. Aladdin" lay under the cross.
"Of all things!" exclaimed the two old ladies, rising in their seats. "Who sent it?"
"Mr. Ladd," said Rebecca under her breath.
"Adam Ladd! Well I never! Don't you remember Ellen Burnham said he was going to send Rebecca a Christmas present? But I never supposed he'd think of it again," said Jane. "What's the other package?"
It proved to be a silver chain with a blue enamel13 locket on it, marked for Emma Jane. That added the last touch—to have him remember them both! There was a letter also, which ran:—
Dear Miss Rebecca Rowena,—My idea of a Christmas present is something entirely14 unnecessary and useless. I have always noticed when I give this sort of thing that people love it, so I hope I have not chosen wrong for you and your friend. You must wear your chain this afternoon, please, and let me see it on your neck, for I am coming over in my new sleigh15 to take you both to drive. My aunt is delighted with the soap.
Sincerely your friend,
Adam Ladd.
"Well, well!" cried Miss Jane, "isn't that kind of him? He's very fond of children, Lyddy Burnham says. Now eat your breakfast, Rebecca, and after we've done the dishes you can run over to Emma's and give her her chain—What's the matter, child?"
Rebecca's emotions seemed always to be stored, as it were, in adjoining compartments16, and to be continually getting mixed. At this moment, though her joy was too deep for words, her bread and butter almost choked her, and at intervals17 a tear stole furtively18 down her cheek.
Mr. Ladd called as he promised, and made the acquaintance of the aunts, understanding them both in five minutes as well as if he had known them for years. On a footstool near the open fire sat Rebecca, silent and shy, so conscious of her fine apparel and the presence of aunt Miranda that she could not utter a word. It was one of her "beauty days." Happiness, excitement, the color of the green dress, and the touch of lovely pink in the coral necklace had transformed the little brown wren19 for the time into a bird of plumage, and Adam Ladd watched her with evident satisfaction. Then there was the sleigh ride, during which she found her tongue and chattered20 like any magpie21, and so ended that glorious Christmas Day; and many and many a night thereafter did Rebecca go to sleep with the precious coral chain under her pillow, one hand always upon it to be certain that it was safe.
Another milestone was the departure of the Simpsons from Riverboro, bag and baggage, the banquet lamp being their most conspicuous22 possession. It was delightful23 to be rid of Seesaw24's hateful presence; but otherwise the loss of several playmates at one fell swoop25 made rather a gap in Riverboro's "younger set," and Rebecca was obliged to make friends with the Robinson baby, he being the only long-clothes child in the village that winter. The faithful Seesaw had called at the side door of the brick house on the evening before his departure, and when Rebecca answered his knock, stammered26 solemnly, "Can I k-keep comp'ny with you when you g-g-row up?" "Certainly NOT," replied Rebecca, closing the door somewhat too speedily upon her precocious27 swain.
Mr. Simpson had come home in time to move his wife and children back to the town that had given them birth, a town by no means waiting with open arms to receive them. The Simpsons' moving was presided over by the village authorities and somewhat anxiously watched by the entire neighborhood, but in spite of all precautions a pulpit chair, several kerosene28 lamps, and a small stove disappeared from the church and were successfully swapped29 in the course of Mr. Simpson's driving tour from the old home to the new. It gave Rebecca and Emma Jane some hours of sorrow to learn that a certain village in the wake of Abner Simpson's line of progress had acquired, through the medium of an ambitious young minister, a magnificent lamp for its new church parlors30. No money changed hands in the operation; for the minister succeeded in getting the lamp in return for an old bicycle. The only pleasant feature of the whole affair was that Mr. Simpson, wholly unable to console his offspring for the loss of the beloved object, mounted the bicycle and rode away on it, not to be seen or heard of again for many a long day.
The year was notable also as being the one in which Rebecca shot up like a young tree. She had seemingly never grown an inch since she was ten years old, but once started she attended to growing precisely31 as she did other things,—with such energy, that Miss Jane did nothing for months but lengthen32 skirts, sleeves, and waists. In spite of all the arts known to a thrifty33 New England woman, the limit of letting down and piecing down was reached at last, and the dresses were sent to Sunnybrook Farm to be made over for Jenny.
There was another milestone, a sad one, marking a little grave under a willow34 tree at Sunnybrook Farm. Mira, the baby of the Randall family, died, and Rebecca went home for a fortnight's visit. The sight of the small still shape that had been Mira, the baby who had been her special charge ever since her birth, woke into being a host of new thoughts and wonderments; for it is sometimes the mystery of death that brings one to a consciousness of the still greater mystery of life.
It was a sorrowful home-coming for Rebecca. The death of Mira, the absence of John, who had been her special comrade, the sadness of her mother, the isolation35 of the little house, and the pinching economies that went on within it, all conspired36 to depress a child who was so sensitive to beauty and harmony as Rebecca.
Hannah seemed to have grown into a woman during Rebecca's absence. There had always been a strange unchildlike air about Hannah, but in certain ways she now appeared older than aunt Jane—soberer, and more settled. She was pretty, though in a colorless fashion; pretty and capable.
Rebecca walked through all the old playgrounds and favorite haunts of her early childhood; all her familiar, her secret places; some of them known to John, some to herself alone. There was the spot where the Indian pipes grew; the particular bit of marshy37 ground where the fringed gentians used to be largest and bluest; the rock maple38 where she found the oriole's nest; the hedge where the field mice lived; the moss-covered stump39 where the white toadstools were wont41 to spring up as if by magic; the hole at the root of the old pine where an ancient and honorable toad40 made his home; these were the landmarks42 of her childhood, and she looked at them as across an immeasurable distance. The dear little sunny brook4, her chief companion after John, was sorry company at this season. There was no laughing water sparkling in the sunshine. In summer the merry stream had danced over white pebbles43 on its way to deep pools where it could be still and think. Now, like Mira, it was cold and quiet, wrapped in its shroud44 of snow; but Rebecca knelt by the brink45, and putting her ear to the glaze of ice, fancied, where it used to be deepest, she could hear a faint, tinkling46 sound. It was all right! Sunnybrook would sing again in the spring; perhaps Mira too would have her singing time somewhere—she wondered where and how. In the course of these lonely rambles47 she was ever thinking, thinking, of one subject. Hannah had never had a chance; never been freed from the daily care and work of the farm. She, Rebecca, had enjoyed all the privileges thus far. Life at the brick house had not been by any means a path of roses, but there had been comfort and the companionship of other children, as well as chances for study and reading. Riverboro had not been the world itself, but it had been a glimpse of it through a tiny peephole that was infinitely48 better than nothing. Rebecca shed more than one quiet tear before she could trust herself to offer up as a sacrifice that which she so much desired for herself. Then one morning as her visit neared its end she plunged49 into the subject boldly and said, "Hannah, after this term I'm going to stay at home and let you go away. Aunt Miranda has always wanted you, and it's only fair you should have your turn."
Hannah was darning stockings, and she threaded her needle and snipped50 off the yarn51 before she answered, "No, thank you, Becky. Mother couldn't do without me, and I hate going to school. I can read and write and cipher52 as well as anybody now, and that's enough for me. I'd die rather than teach school for a living. The winter'll go fast, for Will Melville is going to lend me his mother's sewing machine, and I'm going to make white petticoats out of the piece of muslin aunt Jane sent, and have 'em just solid with tucks. Then there's going to be a singing-school and a social circle in Temperance after New Year's, and I shall have a real good time now I'm grown up. I'm not one to be lonesome, Becky," Hannah ended with a blush; "I love this place."
Rebecca saw that she was speaking the truth, but she did not understand the blush till a year or two later.
1
milestone [ˈmaɪlstəʊn]
![]() |
|
n.里程碑;划时代的事件 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
2
milestones [ˈmaɪlˌstəʊnz]
![]() |
|
n.重要事件( milestone的名词复数 );重要阶段;转折点;里程碑 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
3
glaze [gleɪz]
![]() |
|
vt. 装以玻璃;上釉于 vi. 变呆滞;变得光滑 n. 釉;光滑面 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
4
brook [brʊk]
![]() |
|
n.小河,溪;vt.忍受,容让 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
5
proceeding [prəˈsi:dɪŋ]
![]() |
|
n.行动,进行,(pl.)会议录,学报 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
6
expenditure [ɪkˈspendɪtʃə(r)]
![]() |
|
n.(时间、劳力、金钱等)支出;使用,消耗 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
7
hoarded [hɔ:did]
![]() |
|
v.积蓄并储藏(某物)( hoard的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
8
exertion [ɪgˈzɜ:ʃn]
![]() |
|
n.尽力,努力 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
9
scarlet [ˈskɑ:lət]
![]() |
|
n.深红色,绯红色,红衣;adj.绯红色的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
10
mittens ['mɪtnz]
![]() |
|
不分指手套 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
11
untied [ʌnˈtaɪd]
![]() |
|
松开,解开( untie的过去式和过去分词 ); 解除,使自由; 解决 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
12
rosebuds [ˈrəuzbʌdz]
![]() |
|
蔷薇花蕾,妙龄少女,初入社交界的少女( rosebud的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
13
enamel [ɪˈnæml]
![]() |
|
n.珐琅,搪瓷,瓷釉;(牙齿的)珐琅质 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
14
entirely [ɪnˈtaɪəli]
![]() |
|
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
15
sleigh [sleɪ]
![]() |
|
n.雪撬;v.用雪撬搬运,乘雪撬 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
16
compartments [kəmˈpɑ:tmənts]
![]() |
|
n.间隔( compartment的名词复数 );(列车车厢的)隔间;(家具或设备等的)分隔间;隔层 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
17
intervals ['ɪntevl]
![]() |
|
n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 );间隔时间;[数学]区间;(戏剧、电影或音乐会的)幕间休息 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
18
furtively ['fɜ:tɪvlɪ]
![]() |
|
adv. 偷偷地, 暗中地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
19
wren [ren]
![]() |
|
n.鹪鹩;英国皇家海军女子服务队成员 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
20
chattered [ˈtʃætəd]
![]() |
|
(人)喋喋不休( chatter的过去式 ); 唠叨; (牙齿)打战; (机器)震颤 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
21
magpie [ˈmægpaɪ]
![]() |
|
n.喜欢收藏物品的人,喜鹊,饶舌者 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
22
conspicuous [kənˈspɪkjuəs]
![]() |
|
adj.明眼的,惹人注目的;炫耀的,摆阔气的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
23
delightful [dɪˈlaɪtfl]
![]() |
|
adj.令人高兴的,使人快乐的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
24
seesaw ['si:sɔ:]
![]() |
|
n.跷跷板 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
25
swoop [swu:p]
![]() |
|
n.俯冲,攫取;vi.抓取,突然袭击;vt. 攫取;抓起 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
26
stammered [ˈstæməd]
![]() |
|
v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
27
precocious [prɪˈkəʊʃəs]
![]() |
|
adj.早熟的;较早显出的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
28
kerosene [ˈkerəsi:n]
![]() |
|
n.(kerosine)煤油,火油 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
29
swapped [s'wɒpt]
![]() |
|
交换(工作)( swap的过去式和过去分词 ); 用…替换,把…换成,掉换(过来) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
30
parlors [ˈpɑ:ləz]
![]() |
|
客厅( parlor的名词复数 ); 起居室; (旅馆中的)休息室; (通常用来构成合成词)店 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
31
precisely [prɪˈsaɪsli]
![]() |
|
adv.恰好,正好,精确地,细致地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
32
lengthen [ˈleŋθən]
![]() |
|
vt.使伸长,延长 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
33
thrifty [ˈθrɪfti]
![]() |
|
adj.节俭的;兴旺的;健壮的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
34
willow [ˈwɪləʊ]
![]() |
|
n.柳树 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
35
isolation [ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃn]
![]() |
|
n.隔离,孤立,分解,分离 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
36
conspired [kənˈspaiəd]
![]() |
|
密谋( conspire的过去式和过去分词 ); 搞阴谋; (事件等)巧合; 共同导致 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
37
marshy ['mɑ:ʃi]
![]() |
|
adj.沼泽的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
38
maple [ˈmeɪpl]
![]() |
|
n.槭树,枫树,槭木 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
39
stump [stʌmp]
![]() |
|
n.残株,烟蒂,讲演台;v.砍断,蹒跚而走 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
40
toad [təʊd]
![]() |
|
n.蟾蜍,癞蛤蟆 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
41
wont [wəʊnt]
![]() |
|
adj.习惯于;vi.习惯;vt.使习惯于;n.习惯 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
42
landmarks ['lændmɑ:ks]
![]() |
|
n.陆标( landmark的名词复数 );目标;(标志重要阶段的)里程碑 ~ (in sth);有历史意义的建筑物(或遗址) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
43
pebbles ['peblz]
![]() |
|
[复数]鹅卵石; 沙砾; 卵石,小圆石( pebble的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
44
shroud [ʃraʊd]
![]() |
|
n.裹尸布,寿衣;罩,幕;vt.覆盖,隐藏 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
45
brink [brɪŋk]
![]() |
|
n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘,边沿 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
46
tinkling [tiŋkliŋ]
![]() |
|
n.丁当作响声 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
47
rambles [ˈræmbəlz]
![]() |
|
(无目的地)漫游( ramble的第三人称单数 ); (喻)漫谈; 扯淡; 长篇大论 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
48
infinitely [ˈɪnfɪnətli]
![]() |
|
adv.无限地,无穷地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
49
plunged [plʌndʒd]
![]() |
|
v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 );暴跌;骤降;突降 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
50
snipped [snɪpt]
![]() |
|
v.剪( snip的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|