Chapter 3 three before dinner

Mrs. Skinner likes to be punctual in everything she does.She was dressed early, in a black silk coat appropriate for her age and for mourning her dead son-in-law.At this time, she will also wear a hat.She hesitated a little at this point, for the egret feathers adorning her hat were likely to provoke sharp disapproval from some of her friends, whom she would inevitably meet when she went to dinner; beautiful white birds, and must be in their mating season, sounds terrible; but then again, these feathers are really beautiful and fashionable, and it would be foolish not to wear them, and if her son-in-law You know, it's bound to hurt his feelings.He brought the feathers back from as far away as Borneo just to please his mother-in-law.At that time, Catherine didn't seem to like it that much. Now that the bad news came, she must regret that she shouldn't have been like that, but Catherine never really liked Harold from the beginning.Mrs Skinner stood at the dressing-table, put on the hat, and secured it with a hairpin with a large round bead in it.After all, it was the only beautiful hat she had.If someone told her about the feathers, she would know how to respond.

I know that sort of thing is scary, she would say, and I would never have thought of buying these feathers myself, which my poor son-in-law brought back from his last home visit. That would explain why she had the feathers, and excuse her wearing them.Her friends had always been kind.Mrs Skinner took a clean handkerchief from a drawer and sprinkled a few drops of cologne on it. 】.She never wears perfume because she finds it frivolous, but cologne is refreshing.She was almost done, so she raised her head, looked past the vanity mirror, and looked out of the window.Canon.Heywood was giving a garden party today, and the weather was fine.The wind is warm and the sky is blue; the greenness of early spring has not faded from the trees.The little granddaughter was busy softening her little flower bed in the long garden behind the house; Mrs Skinner watched with a smile on her face.She wished Joan wasn't so pale. For a long time they had made the mistake of leaving the child in the tropics.At such a young age, she keeps a straight face all day long, and has never seen her bouncing around innocently.At this time, the little girl was quietly playing games alone, watering the flowers in the garden.Mrs. Skinner patted her front lightly, took up her gloves, and came downstairs.

Catherine sat at the desk by the window, busily arranging several lists, for she was the honorary secretary of the Women's Golf Club, and when there was a competition, there was a great deal to do.But even though she was so busy, she was already ready for the banquet. You're finally wearing the jumper!said Mrs Skinner. During lunch, they discussed for a while whether Catherine should wear this jumper or that black silk dress.The black-and-white pullover seemed more modern to Catherine, but less mournful.But Millicent was in favor of wearing it. Why should we all dress like we've just come from a funeral, she said, Harold's been dead for eight months.

Mrs. Skinner thought that sounded a little off-putting.Millicent's behavior was not normal after her return from Borneo. You won't take off your mourning clothes now, my dear?she asked. Millicent did not answer her question directly. People wear mourning differently now than they used to.she said.She paused and continued talking.The tone of her voice struck Mrs Skinner as odd.Catherine evidently noticed this too, for she too cast a puzzled glance at her sister.I'm sure Harold would never ask me to mourn for him forever. I was already dressed, for I had something to say to Millicent.Catherine replied, in response to her mother's suspicious look.

Oh, is it so? Catherine didn't explain.She put the lists aside, frowned, and read again a letter from a lady.The lady complained in the letter that the Committee was unfair in reducing the number of strokes she deserved from twenty-four to eighteen.Amateur players compete with official players. Amateur players can subtract their handicap from their strokes, and compare the subtracted difference with the official players' strokes. 】.To be honorary secretary of a women's golf club requires considerable intelligence.Awnings keep the house feeling shaded.Mrs. Skinner put on her new gloves and looked at the huge, brilliantly dyed wooden hornbill which Harold had entrusted to her; the specimen seemed to her strange and wild, but Harold But cherish it very much.It has a little religious undertone, Lan Canon.Heywood also doubled down on it.The sofa was against the wall, and on the wall were some Malay weapons, but she had forgotten their names.On several small tables placed at random, there are silver and bronze wares given to them by Harold on different occasions.She had always liked Harold, so her eyes moved involuntarily to the top of the piano, where there used to be a picture of him, and beside it were pictures of her two daughters, granddaughter, sister, and nephew.

Well, Catherine, where's the picture of Harold?she asked. Catherine looked around.The photo is no longer where it used to be. Somebody took it away.Catherine said. Surprised and puzzled, she stood up and walked to the piano.Several photos have been rearranged so that there is no visible gap between them. Maybe Millicent wanted to take it into her bedroom.said Mrs Skinner. I should have found out earlier.Besides, Millicent already had several pictures of Harold.It's just that she locked them all up. Mrs Skinner wondered that her daughter hadn't kept a picture of Harold in her bedroom.She had mentioned it to her once, but Millicent ignored her.Millicent had been reticent since her return from Borneo; and Mrs Skinner tried to sympathize with her, but, seeing her in this state, gave up.She also seemed reluctant to talk about the loss of her husband.Grief manifests in different ways in different people.Mr. Skinner once warned his wife that the best way to deal with Millicent is to leave her alone.As soon as she thought of her husband, Mrs Skinner thought that it was time for them to leave for the party.

Your dad asked me if I thought he should wear a top hat, and she said, I said, I think it's better to wear it just to be on the safe side. That garden party will be very pompous.There will be strawberry vanilla two-tone ice cream from Bodie's Confectionery, and Heywood's homemade iced coffee.Celebrities from all walks of life will participate.The host of the banquet wanted to introduce the bishop of Hong Kong to the guests. The bishop lived in Kanon these few days.Heywood's house, because he was Canon's old classmate in college.This time, he will also give a speech about his missionary activities in China.One of Mrs. Skinner's daughters had also spent eight years in the East, and her son-in-law had been the resident governor of a district in Borneo, so she was particularly interested in this aspect.Of course, to people who had nothing to do with the colony or anything like that, such speeches, though interesting, didn't seem to mean as much to her.

How can someone who only knows England have a real understanding of England?Mr. Skinner said so. At this moment Mr. Skinner entered the room.Mr. Skinner, who inherited his father's business and is also a lawyer, is in Lincoln's Inn Square [Note: The largest public square in London. ] opened several offices.He goes to work in downtown London every morning and returns home in the evening.He was able to accompany his wife and daughter to the Canon's banquet, thanks to Canon's wise selection of the banquet on Saturday. Mr Skinner looked sprightly in his tuxedo and gray tweed trousers.He doesn't try to dress well, but he's smart.He looked like a respectable family lawyer, and he did a good job.His firm was never open to even the slightest shady business; Mr. Skinner would turn serious if a client asked him to settle some unseemly nuisance.

I think this firm is not very interested in handling such cases, and he would say, you'd better hire someone else. He took a note pad and scribbled names and addresses on it.He tore off a piece of paper and handed it to the other party. If I were you, I would visit these few people.If you mention my name, I'm sure they'll try to help you. Mr Skinner was clean-shaven and completely bald on the top of his head.His pale thin lips were tightly shut, but there was a shy look in his blue eyes.His cheeks were pale and his face was lined with lines. I saw you put on those new pants.said Mrs Skinner.

I think it's a good occasion, he replied, and I'm wondering if I should pin a flower on my lapel. If it were me, I wouldn't have anything like that, Pa, said Catherine, I think it's too ugly. Many people don't spend it.said Mrs Skinner. Only clerks don't pay, said Catherine, and Heywood invites all sorts of people, you know; and besides, we're still in mourning. I don't know if you will be asked to donate after the bishop has finished his speech.Mr Skinner said. I don't think so.said Mrs Skinner. I think it would be a bit of a loss if that were the case.Catherine agreed.

To be on the safe side, it’s better to make some preparations, Mr. Skinner said, when the time comes, I will donate on behalf of our family.But I wonder if ten shillings is enough?Or do you have to donate a pound? I think it's either nothing or a pound, pa.Catherine said. I'll play it by ear.I don't want to give less than others, but there is no reason to give more than others. Catherine put the papers in the desk drawer and stood up.She looked at her watch. Is Millicent ready?asked Mrs Skinner. There is still time.They invited us to go at four o'clock, and I don't think we need to be there before half past four. 】.I told Davis to come over at a quarter past four. Catherine usually drives the car, but on a big occasion like today, it might as well let the gardener Davis put on his uniform and be the driver for a while.In this way, the car will be more stylish when it drives to the door.Besides, Catherine was naturally reluctant to drive herself in that new jumper.She watched her mother put her fingers into the new gloves one by one, and she couldn't help remembering that she should wear a pair of gloves too.She sniffed her gloves to see if they still smelled of soap.Fortunately, only a little taste.She believed no one would notice. At last the door opened, and Millicent entered.She was in widow's mourning.Mrs. Skinner was not used to her attire, but she knew that Millicent must be dressed like this for the rest of the year.The mourning dress did not suit her, which was a pity, because some people are well suited to it.She had tried Millicent's hat once herself, with the white sash and black veil, and thought she suited the outfit.She wished, of course, that her dear husband Alfred would outlive her, but if he went first, she would never take off her mourning dress forever.Queen Victoria never took off her mourning clothes.It was different with Millicent, she was much younger; she was only thirty-six; it was a terrible thing to be widowed at thirty-six.Also, she has little chance of remarrying.Catherine was not likely to marry now, she was thirty-five; Mrs Skinner had advised Millicent and Harold to take Catherine to live with them the last time they returned home; She seemed happy, but Millicent was firmly against it.Mrs Skinner never understood why not.That would have given Catherine a chance.Of course, it wasn't because they wanted to get rid of her, but because girls always wanted to marry, but all the men they knew in China were already married.Millicent's explanation was that the weather there was too bad.That's right, her face is ugly.Who can imagine that Millicent was more beautiful than her sister at first.As she grows older, Catherine has become more and more beautiful (of course some people say she is too thin), and now she has cut her hair short, and playing golf in all weathers, her cheeks have become rosy, look Mrs. Deskinner was very tender.As for poor Millicent, no one said that about her; she had lost all figure;She was too fat, too, Mrs Skinner guessed, because the tropics were too hot for her to be out and about.Her complexion was a sallow, earthy complexion, and her blue eyes, which were the prettiest part of her face, were now dull. Her neck needs to be looked at, Mrs Skinner thought, it was kind of scary with the flesh falling off the sides. She had talked to her husband about it once or twice.Mr. Skinner's reply was that Millicent was no longer young; and that was true, but not to be left alone, to be as she was.Mrs. Skinner decided to have a good talk with her daughter, but she had to take care of her grief and was willing to wait until after her year of mourning was over.Millicent, who had been a little nervous at the thought of talking to her mother, was now able to postpone the matter for a year, which she was more than happy to accept.Millicent had been a completely different person.She was always sullen and always felt uncomfortable when her mother was with her.Mrs Skinner is always talking loudly and saying whatever comes to her mind, but you gotta talk to Millicent (in a casual way), she's always sly and won't answer, you I don't know if she heard it or not.There were times when Mrs Skinner felt it was too much to bear, and she had to remind herself that poor Harold had only been dead eight months, so that she could ease herself into being less harsh on Millicent. The widow came forward silently, a ray of sunlight outside the window shone on her gloomy face, but Catherine stood there with her back to the window.She stared intently at her sister for a moment. Millicent, there's something I want to tell you, she said, I talked to Gladys this morning.Heywood played a round of golf. Did you beat her?Millicent asked. Gladys is the only unmarried daughter of the Canon family. She told me something about you that I thought you should know. Millicent looked past her sister to the little girl who was watering the flowers in the garden. Mom, did you ask Anne to bring Joan into the kitchen for tea?she asked. I said, let her drink it when the servants are drinking tea. Catherine looked at her sister coldly. When the bishop returned to China, he stopped in Singapore for two or three days. She went on to say that he likes to travel very much.He's been to Borneo and he knows a lot of people you know. He must be delighted to see you, my dear, said Mrs Skinner, did he know poor Harold? Yes, he met him at Gisolo.He remembered him clearly.He said he was shocked to hear of his death. Millicent sat down and slowly put on her black gloves.Mrs Skinner was a little surprised that her daughter remained silent at these words. Oh, Millicent, she said, Harold's picture was gone.Did you take it? Well, I put it away. I thought you were willing to leave it out. Millicent fell silent again.This habit is indeed infuriating. Catherine turned slightly sideways so that she was facing her sister. Millicent, why are you telling us that Harold died of a cold? The widow didn't move, she looked at Catherine intently, a blush appeared on the dusty face, but there was a layer of shadow.She didn't answer. What do you mean, Catherine?asked Mr Skinner in surprise. The bishop said Harold had committed suicide. Mrs. Skinner cried out, and her husband motioned her to be quiet with a wave of his hand. Is it true, Millicent? it is true. Then why don't you tell us the truth? Millicent hesitated for a moment.On the table beside her was a piece of Brunei brass on which her fingers were caressing lazily.That was a gift from Harold, too. I thought it would be better for Joan to convince her that her father died of a cold.I don't want to let her know everything. You put us in a very awkward position, said Catherine, frowning, Gladys.Heywood blamed me for not telling her the truth and felt that I was not mean enough.I had a hard time convincing her that I didn't know the truth myself.She said her dad was also very upset.He said that our two families have been friends for so many years. Considering that he is still your witness, and the relationship is very close, etc., he thought we would trust him completely.Anyway, even if we don't want to tell him the truth, there's no need to lie to him! On this, I must say I agree with him.said Mr Skinner sharply. Of course, I said to Gladys, we're not to blame for this.We're just relaying to them what you told us. Let's hope this doesn't ruin your golf game!Millicent said. Really you, my dear, I think it's very inappropriate of you to say that!her father said aloud. He got up from the chair, walked to the empty fireplace, and as he was used to, spread his tuxedo and stood in front of the fireplace. It's my business, said Millicent, and if I want to keep it to myself, I don't see why I shouldn't! You don't even want to tell your mother. It seems that you don't have any feelings for your mother anymore.said Mrs Skinner. Millicent shrugged. You should know that sooner or later this sort of thing will come to light.Catherine said. Why?I'm sure two gossiping old preachers have nothing to talk about but me. When the Bishop said he had been to Borneo, it was natural for the Heywoods to ask him if he knew you and Harold. After talking for a long time, without talking about the point, Mr. Skinner said, I think you should tell us the truth, and we can decide what to do is the best.As a lawyer, I can tell you that the more you try to hide the truth, the more you screw things up in the long run. Poor Harold, said Mrs Skinner, tears began to stream down her rouged cheeks.This is terrible.I've always thought he was a good son-in-law.What was it that induced him to do such a dreadful thing? climate. I think you'd better tell us all the truth, Millicent.said her father. Catherine will tell you. Catherine hesitated for a moment.What she was about to tell was indeed quite frightening.It seems really scary that this kind of thing happened in a family like theirs. The bishop said he had slit his throat. Panting heavily, Mrs. Skinner rushed to her hapless daughter in a frenzy of excitement.She wanted to hold her in her arms. My poor child!She choked up and said. But Millicent drew back a little. Please leave me alone, Mom.I really can't stand this kind of hugging. You are too, Millicent.said Mr Skinner, frowning. He felt that his daughter's behavior was too outrageous. Mrs. Skinner blotted her tears carefully with her handkerchief, and, shaking her head slightly, sighed, and returned to her chair.Catherine fiddled impatiently with the long necklace around her neck. How my brother-in-law died, it is absurd for my friend to tell me the details of the matter.It makes us all look like fools in the eyes of others.The Bishop longs to see you, Millicent; he wants to tell you how sorry he is for you.She paused, but Millicent said nothing.He said Millicent was out with Joan and when she returned she found poor Harold lying dead in his bed. That must have been a shock.Mr Skinner said. Mrs. Skinner began to cry again, but Catherine put her hand lightly on her shoulder. Mom, don't cry, she said, her eyes are red from crying, people will laugh at her. There was silence, and Mrs Skinner wiped away her tears, and with great effort finally got her emotions under control.It seemed strange to her that she should be wearing at such a time the egret feather that poor Harold had given her. There is one more thing I should tell you too.Catherine said. Millicent still looked at her sister calmly, her eyes were fixed, but with a little vigilance.That kind of demeanor is like a person waiting to hear a sound, for fear that he will miss it. I don't want to say anything to hurt your feelings, my dear, went on Catherine, but there is one other thing which I think you ought to know.The Bishop said Harold was drinking heavily. Oh my God, it's terrible!exclaimed Mrs Skinner, how frightening that sounded!It's Gladys.Did Heywood tell you that?How did you answer? I say this is pure nonsense. Such was the result of concealing the truth, Mr. Skinner said impatiently, and such things were tried and tested.The more you try to keep things under wraps, the more gossip will spread that is ten times worse than the truth. When the bishop was in Singapore, he was told that Harold had committed suicide while intoxicated by alcohol.I feel, for the sake of our family, Millicent, that you should come out and deny that statement. It was very inappropriate to talk about a dead person like that, Mrs Skinner said, and it wouldn't be good for the child when Joan grew up. But is there any basis for that claim, Millicent?asked her father, Harold had always been temperate. Well said the widow. Does he drink? Simply an alcoholic. This answer was unexpected by everyone, and the tone was so sharp that the three of them were shocked. Millicent, how can you speak of your dead husband in this tone?her mother cried, clasping her neatly gloved hands.I don't understand what you are talking about.You've been a little weird since you got home.I could never believe that my daughter viewed her husband's death with this attitude. Don't talk about that yet, mother, said Mr Skinner, we'll talk about that later. He went to the window, looked for a while into the sunny little garden, and then walked back into the house.He took out his pince-nez from his pocket, but he did not intend to put it on, but wiped it with his handkerchief.Millicent looked at him with evident sarcasm in her eyes.Mr. Skinner was very troubled.He had a week's work done and could have had some quiet time before going to work on Monday.Although he told his wife that this garden banquet is an annoying thing, and it would be more pleasant to have a quiet afternoon tea in the garden of his home, but he has always wanted to go.He is not very interested in missionary activities in China, but it is still very interesting to get to know the bishop.But who would have expected such a thing to happen now!He would never want to be involved in such matters, and it was too unpleasant to be told that his son-in-law was a drunkard and committed suicide, so that he was unprepared.Millicent smoothed her white cuff thoughtfully.That calm look also irritated him, but instead of getting angry at her, he spoke to his little daughter: Why don't you sit down, Catherine?There are plenty of chairs in the room. Catherine pulled up a chair and sat down without saying a word.Mr. Skinner came to a stop in front of Millicent, facing her. Of course, I understand why you told us that Harold died of a cold.I think that was a mistake, because sooner or later that kind of thing will be exposed.I don't know how much of what the bishop said to Heywood's family happened to be true; but if you take my advice, you should tell us all you know, and we'll discuss.Since this matter was covered by Canon.If Heywood and Gladys knew, we could not hope that no one else would.In a place like ours, people love to gossip.Whatever it is, it's better for all of us to get the truth out of the way. Mrs Skinner and Catherine thought he had a good point.They waited for Millicent's response.But she listened with a passive expression, the blush on her face had long since disappeared, and her usual pale and earthy gray had returned to her face. If I do tell you everything, I don't think you'll like it very much.she says. You have to believe that we sympathize with you and understand you.Catherine said seriously. Millicent glanced at her, and a smile flickered across the corners of her tightly shut mouth.She glanced at the three of them slowly.Mrs. Skinner felt uncomfortable and felt that Millicent was looking at them as if all three were mannequins in a dress shop.She seemed to live in another world, which had nothing to do with the three of them. Actually, when I married Harold, I didn't love him.she said thoughtfully. Mrs. Skinner nearly cried out when her husband stopped her with a swift, almost imperceptible gesture which years of conjugal life had made enough to communicate between them.Millicent went on, her voice steady and slow, without much change in tone. I was twenty-seven, and no one else seemed to want to marry me.True, he was forty-four, which seemed a bit old, but he had a pretty good job, didn't he?As for me, it is unlikely that I will ever have a better opportunity than this. Mrs Skinner wanted to scream again, but she remembered that she was going to a party. I now know why you took his picture away.she said sadly. Mom, don't say that.Catherine said loudly. The photo was taken when Harold and Millicent got engaged, and Harold was in a good shape.Mrs Skinner had always thought him a well-bred man.He was a large, tall man, perhaps a little stout, but well-mannered and dignified in appearance. He had already started to bald at that time, but men nowadays usually bald earlier; besides, he said that hard shell hats, the kind of sun visors, do a lot of damage to the hair.He had two small black beards and his face was tanned.The best part of his face were his eyes, brown and big, like Joan's.He's also a lot of fun talking to people.Catherine said he was a braggadocio, but Mrs Skinner did not feel that the man was a little bossy, and she did not mind; especially when she found (it was only a short time later) that he was charmed by Millicent, Started to like him very much.He had been courteous to Mrs. Skinner, and she listened attentively, as if interested, when he told her about his country and his big game.Catherine said that Harold always thought he was great, but Mrs. Skinner was one of those people who accepted a man's boast.Millicent soon saw that the game was settled, and though she said nothing to her mother, her mother knew that if Harold proposed to her she would agree to accept him. With Harold were some people who had lived in Borneo for more than thirty years, and they all thought it was a good place.There was no basis for any suggestion that a woman could not live comfortably there; of course children had to go home when they were seven, but Mrs Skinner felt it was too soon to worry about it.She invited Harold to dine at her house, and said the whole family would be at home for tea.He seemed to have a loose schedule, so that when he was about to leave after staying with an old friend for a while, Mrs. Skinner told him she wished he could come and stay with her for a fortnight.It was towards the end of this visit that Harold became engaged to Millicent.They held a grand wedding first, then went to Venice for their honeymoon, and then went to the East by boat.Every time the ship came to a port, Millicent would write letters home.It seems that she is very happy. People in Gisolo have been nice to me, she said.Kitsolo is an important town in Borneo.We lived with the resident prefect, and everyone took turns inviting us to dinner.Once or twice I heard Harold being offered a drink, and he refused; he said he was married now, and was a man again.They all laughed, and I don't know why.Mrs. Gray, Mrs. Magistrate, told me that everyone was very glad to see Harold married.She said it was lonely for a bachelor to serve at a border post.When we left Gisolo, Mrs. Gray bade me a sly good-bye, and I felt very strange.As if she were solemnly committing Harold into my care. They listened to her in silence.Catherine never took her eyes off her sister's impassive face, while Mr Skinner kept staring at the curvaceous dagger hanging on the wall behind the sofa on which his wife sat. The blade is wavy. ], Paran Knife [Note: A machete with a sheath used by the Malays. 】 Wait for the homemade weapons of the Malays. When I returned to Gisoro a year and a half later, I understood why their original attitude was so strange. Millicent made a small strange sound, like the echo of mocking.Only then did I understand many things that I had never understood before.The purpose of Harold's return to China was to get married.But he didn't care who he married.Mom, do you remember how we made friends with him?In fact, we don't need to spend so much effort at all. I don't understand what you're talking about, Millicent, said Mrs Skinner, with a little sourness in her tone, because she was really not very happy to be accused of scheming in such oblique ways.I thought he was obsessed with you. Millicent shrugged her fat shoulders. He is an alcoholic.He would go to bed with a bottle of whiskey every night and drink it up before dawn.The Secretary-General told him that if he did not stop drinking, he would have to resign.The Secretary-General said he would give him another chance.He can go back to the UK to take a vacation for a while.He also suggested that he ask for a wife so that someone would take care of him when he came back.Harold married me because he wanted someone to run him.Those in Gisolo bet how long I can keep him awake. But he loves you, Mrs Skinner interrupted, you don't know how he told me about you, and he wrote me What a touching letter I wrote about you. Millicent looked at her mother again, and a blush came to her dusty face.Her hands rested on her thighs and began to tremble slightly.She thought of the first few months of her marriage.The official launch took them to the estuary, and they spent the night in the Bengal bungalow, which Harold jokingly called their beach house.The next day, they took a prahu sailboat [Note: A type of sailboat in Malaya or Indonesia, typically with a spinnaker and outriggers, also known as a catamaran. 】 Go upstream.From the novels she had read, she guessed that the rivers of Borneo were dark and eerie, but in fact the sky was so blue, dotted with a few white clouds; , glistening in the sun.On both sides of the river, dense forests formed a single line, and the distant sky reflected the rugged outline of a high mountain.The morning air is fresh and cool.It was as if she had stepped into a friendly and fertile land, and felt infinitely free.They looked at the banks of the river, where the monkeys were sitting on the tangled branches; once Harold pointed to what looked like a stump and said it was a crocodile.The deputy commander, wearing canvas trousers and a sun hat, stood on the pier to meet them, and a dozen soldiers lined up to greet them.They introduced her to the Deputy Chief, his name was Simpson. Well, sir, he said to Harold, I'm glad to see you back.It's so lonely without you. The Bengal bungalow in which the magistrate lived stood on top of a hill, surrounded by a garden full of wild flowers.It was an old, poorly furnished house, but the rooms were cool and spacious. Our Village [Note: Refers to a small village in Malaya. ] right there.Harold said, pointing forward. 順著他手指的方向望去，她聽見椰林裡響起了一片鑼聲。這讓她心裡感覺有點兒奇怪。 雖然她沒什麼事情可做，但這樣的日子過得很輕鬆。每天早晨，侍從會把茶端到他們面前。哈羅德只穿一件背心和一條紗籠【註：紗籠（ｓａｒｏｎｇ），或譯圍裙，馬來亞的民族服裝，色彩鮮艷，男女皆穿。】，而她穿著晨衣，他們就這樣一直在廊臺上散步，享受著清晨的芬芳，直到穿衣服進早餐。然後，哈羅德去他的辦公室，她就花一兩個小時學習馬來語。他回來吃午飯，然後又去辦公室，她就睡個午覺。喝完下午茶，他倆振作精神，就出門散步，或打高爾夫；哈羅德已經把孟加拉式平房下邊的叢林清除掉，整出來一塊平地，建了一個九洞高爾夫球場。晚上六點時分，夜色降臨，辛普森先生會過來喝一杯。他們會聊天，直到吃宵夜的時候。有時，哈羅德和辛普森先生也會一起下棋。溫暖的夜晚是迷人的。螢火蟲把廊臺兩邊的灌木叢變成了閃動著冷光的點點信號燈，開花的樹林裡傳來陣陣甜美的香氣。晚飯之後，他們閱讀六週前從倫敦寄出的報紙，然後上床睡覺。米莉森特非常享受這種女人的婚後生活，她有自己的房子，對那些土著僕人也很滿意；他們穿著色彩鮮艷的紗籠，光著腳在孟加拉式平房裡走動，沒有響聲，態度也很友好。這種生活使她快活，感到作為一個駐地長官的夫人挺受人尊重。哈羅德會說流利的馬來語，他那種頤指氣使的神氣、那種尊嚴，都讓她感覺很好。她有時會到法院去，甚至還旁聽他審理案件。他要處理的事務很多，但他卻處理得十分幹練，她不禁對他生出一番敬意。辛普森先生告訴她，哈羅德對當地土著人的了解，在整個婆羅洲是數一數二的。他堅定、機智、幽默，這些特點綜合起來，用以對付那些怯弱、好鬥、多疑的土著是必不可少的。米莉森特開始對自己的丈夫懷有某種程度的欽佩。 他們結婚快滿一年的時候，兩個英國的自然學家在往內地去的途中，跟他們住過幾天。他們拿出總督的一封介紹信，信中措詞誠懇，所以哈羅德表示要盛情款待他們。他們的來訪給他們的生活帶來了可喜的變化。米莉森特邀請辛普森先生共進晚餐（他住在屯堡，所以只有在星期天晚上才能跟他們吃飯），飯後男人們坐下來打橋牌。過了一會兒，米莉森特就去睡覺了，可是他們吵鬧個不停，弄得她好久也沒能睡著。也不知道是在什麼時候，哈羅德跌跌撞撞地衝進門來，把她吵醒了。She said nothing.哈羅德決定先洗個澡再上床；浴室就在他們臥室底下，他順著臺階往下走。突然聽見外面噗通一聲，他摔了一跤，於是他破口大罵。接著，他開始翻江倒海地嘔吐。她聽見他用一桶桶的涼水往自己身上潑，過了一會兒，他拖著腳步（這次是小心翼翼的）爬上臺階，悄悄地上了床。米莉森特假裝睡著了，她噁心透了。哈羅德喝醉了。她決定明早跟他談談。那兩位自然學家究竟會怎麼看他呢？可到了第二天早晨，哈羅德表現得儀表堂堂，她一下子吃不準該不該再提起那事兒了。到了八點鐘，哈羅德和她，還有那兩位客人，坐下來吃早飯。哈羅德環顧四周。 麥片粥，他說，米莉森特，你為什麼不在客人們吃早點的時候，弄點伍斯特【註：英格蘭中西部城市。】風味的辣醬油呢？我想他們此刻最想吃的就是這個東西了。我呢，只想來一點威士忌加蘇打水。 兩位自然學家笑了，有點兒不好意思。 你的丈夫真是個難對付的傢伙。said one of them. 有貴客光臨，如果第一個晚上我就沒讓兩位吃飽喝足了再去睡覺，那是我沒有盡到地主之誼。哈羅德用他那種周到而體面的方式說道。 米莉森特臉上露出一絲訕笑，想到昨晚這兩位客人也跟她丈夫一樣喝得爛醉，心裡略微感到有些寬慰。第二天晚上，她一直陪在他們身邊，到了一個恰如其分的點上，大家就散了。她很高興，兩位客人終於上路了。他們的生活又恢復了平靜。過了幾個月，哈羅德去視察他所管轄的某個地區，結果染上了很重的瘧疾回來。這種病，她是第一次親眼見到，可此前她聽人說起過好幾回，所以哈羅德病癒之後身體虛弱，她也沒感覺有什麼奇怪。她感覺奇怪的是，他的舉止有點兒反常。他下班回來，總是呆滯地凝視著她；有時他站在廊臺上，對英國的政治局勢發表長篇大論，身體微微搖晃，但是還能保持儀態；但說著說著，就前言不搭後語起來，於是他就看著她，帶著一副跟他慣有的體面不太相稱的狡黠神情說道： 真是把人害苦了，這該死的瘧疾。唉，小妞，你不懂，要想建造一個帝國，會把一個男人壓死的。 她感覺到，辛普森先生開始顯得擔憂起來，有一兩次他倆單獨在一塊兒，他好像要跟她說些什麼，可是話到嘴邊，出於靦腆又縮了回去。這種感覺越來越強，使她心神不定，終於有一天晚上，哈羅德不知為什麼在辦公室裡待得比平時更久，於是她就對辛普森進行了盤問。 辛普森先生，你有什麼話要跟我說的嗎？她驀地問道。 他臉刷地紅了，有點兒遲疑。 No.您怎麼會想到我有話要跟您說的呢？ 辛普森先生是個瘦瘦的、高挑的年輕小夥兒，二十四歲，一頭漂亮的鬈髮，他費了好大勁兒才終於把它梳得平整。他的手腕被蚊子咬得紅一塊紫一塊，還留著幾處疤痕。米莉森特淡定地望著他。 如果這事跟哈羅德有關，你不覺得跟我說白了更好嗎？ 這時，他滿臉通紅，坐在藤椅上，扭過來扭過去，怎麼都不舒服。米莉森特堅決要他說出來。 我擔心您會覺得我是個死不要臉的，他終於開口說，背地裡說自己上司的壞話，我這人真是太爛了。瘧疾真是個爛透了的病，誰要是得了一回，就會感到徹底完蛋的。 他又遲疑了一下。嘴角耷拉著，就像要哭出來似的。在米莉森特的眼裡，他就像個孩子。 我會像墳墓一樣保守這個祕密，她說，面帶微笑，努力隱藏著內心的不安。tell me. 我覺得很遺憾，您丈夫在辦公室裡放著一瓶威士忌。這樣他就可以比平時多喝上幾口。 辛普森先生激動得聲音都啞了。米莉森特突然感到渾身冰涼，瑟瑟發抖。她竭力保持鎮定，因為她知道不能嚇著那個孩子，否則就無法讓他把知道的事情都說出來。他不願再說什麼了。她求他，哄他，告訴他有責任說出來，但最後還是自己哭了起來。這時，辛普森跟她說，哈羅德近兩個星期一直在酗酒，土著人都在議論這件事情，說他很快就會恢復結婚前的那些壞習慣。從前他就有酗酒的壞習慣；至於當時具體酗酒到什麼程度，不管米莉森特怎樣盤問，辛普森先生就是咬緊牙關，不肯透露。 你覺得他這會兒就在喝酒嗎？she asked. I do not know about this. 米莉森特突然感到怒火中燒，既羞恥又憤恨。那個屯堡，其實也是法院的所在地，之所以那麼叫它，是因為那裡屯放著槍枝彈藥。屯堡位於駐地長官哈羅德的孟加拉式平房對面，本身帶一個花園。太陽快下山了，米莉森特不需要戴上帽子。她站起身，徑直朝對面走去。她穿過哈羅德審理案件的大廳，看見他坐在大廳後面的辦公室裡，面前放著一瓶威士忌。他一邊抽菸，一邊跟三四個馬來人說話；那些馬來人站在他的面前聽他說話，臉上是諂媚又含有藐視的表情。哈羅德滿面通紅。 那幾個土著人一下子沒影兒了。 我過來看看你在幹什麼。she says. 他裝出慣常的那副刻意的禮貌態度招呼她，但是卻顯得跌跌撞撞。他覺察到自己站不穩，於是裝出一副刻意的儀表堂堂的派頭。 請坐，親愛的，請坐。公務緊急，耽誤了一會兒。 她憤怒地瞪著他。 you're drunk.she says. 他直愣愣地望著她，兩隻眼珠子略微鼓出，肥大的臉盤上露出一副倨傲的神情。 我聽不懂你究竟在說什麼。He said. 她原本打算用一連串激憤的言詞，勸他改邪歸正，但現在卻忍不住大哭起來。她一屁股坐進椅子，兩手捂著臉。哈羅德看了她一會兒，淚水也從臉頰上流下來；他朝她走去，張開雙臂，噗通一聲跪了下來。他抽泣著，把她摟在懷裡。 原諒我，原諒我，他說，我向你保證，這種事情永遠不再發生。這都是該死的瘧疾害的。 這事太丟臉了。她嗚咽著說。 他像個孩子般地哭著。這個儀表堂堂的大男人竟做出這樣的自我譴責，實在令人感動。過了一會兒，米莉森特抬起頭來。他的兩眼帶著懇求和悔恨的神情，搜尋著她的目光。 你能向我保證，永遠不再酗酒了嗎？ I promise, I promise.我恨透了那個東西。 就在這時，她告訴他自己懷孕了。他真是喜出望外。 我只想要那一件東西。它會讓我做個真正的人。 他們兩人回到孟加拉式平房。哈羅德洗了個澡，然後小睡了一會兒。晚飯之後，他們談了很長時間，談得很平靜。他承認自己在跟她結婚之前，有時喝酒喝得過量；生活在駐地分署，是很容易染上壞習慣的。米莉森特提出的各種要求，他都照單全收。 分娩前的幾個月，米莉森特必須到吉所羅去，在那段時間裡，哈羅德一直是個盡心的丈夫，溫柔、體貼、豪邁、熱情；他無可挑剔。一艘小汽艇來接她，她要離開他六個星期，他向她忠實地保證，在她不在身邊的時候滴酒不沾。他把兩隻手搭在她的肩膀上。 我從不食言，他帶著慣有的那種儀態說，即使不作保證，你能想像我會在你經受痛苦的時候，做出給你增添麻煩的事情嗎？ 瓊出生了。米莉森特暫時住在駐地長官的家裡，他的夫人格雷太太是個中年婦女，性情溫良，對她十分友善。兩個女人長時間單獨相處，除了聊天，別無他事。時間久了，米莉森特對她丈夫過去酗酒的事情，已經了解得一清二楚。最難讓她接受的一個事實是，哈羅德被警告過，如果他想保住自己的公職，就必須帶一個老婆回來。這一點在她心裡激起一股隱隱的怨恨之情。當她發現自己的丈夫原來是個積習難改的酒鬼，她隱約感到有些不安。最讓她害怕的是，在她不在家的那段時間，他可能會經不起那種嗜好的誘惑。她帶著嬰兒和一個保姆啟程回家。她在河灣口過了一晚，並找了一個划獨木舟的信差去通報她要回家了。當小汽艇快要靠岸時，她的眼神急切地掃過碼頭。哈羅德和辛普森先生站在那兒。那些士兵齊刷刷排成一溜，也在那兒迎候。哈羅德的身子略微有點兒搖晃，就像在顛簸的船上站不太穩一樣，她的心突然一沉，她知道他喝醉了。 這次回國並不十分愉快。她幾乎忘了自己的父母和妹妹都坐在那兒一聲不吭地聽她講述。這時，她抖擻精神，才重新意識到他們的存在。她所講述的一切似乎都是發生在很久以前的事情。 那時候，我知道自己恨他，她說，我本該殺了他。 噢，米莉森特，可別那麼說，她母親叫道，別忘了，他已經去世了，那個可憐的人。 米莉森特朝母親望了一眼，她的表情木然，一時間又籠上了一層陰翳。斯金納先生不安地挪了一下身子。 go on.Catherine said. 他知道我對他的過去都了解得一清二楚，反而變得無所顧忌了。三個月之後，他又有一次震顫性譫妄症【註：因過量攝入酒精引起的意識障礙，伴有幻覺、囈語、震顫等症狀。】發作。 你幹嘛不離開他？ What good is that?要不了兩個星期，他就會被開除公職。那樣的話，誰來養活我和瓊呢？我必須待在那兒。在他清醒的時候，我沒什麼可抱怨的。他從來就沒有愛過我，可是他喜歡我；我當初嫁給他也不是因為我愛他，不過是我想要出嫁而已。我想盡一切辦法不讓他喝酒；我設法讓格雷先生禁止威士忌從吉所羅運過來，可是他從中國人那兒弄到了。我就像貓盯老鼠一樣地盯著他。他太狡猾了，我對付不了他。沒過多久，他又有一次譫妄症發作。他在工作中失職了。我擔心有人會向他的上司投訴。我們那兒離吉所羅有兩天的路程，這種阻隔對我們是一種保護，但我還是覺得有人傳話上去了，因為格雷先生私底下給我寫了一封信，要我特別提防。我把信交給哈羅德看了。他憤怒得大吼大叫起來，但我看得出來，他害怕了，有兩三個月，他始終是清醒的。接著，他又我行我素起來。在我們休假回國之前，一直都是那樣。 在我們回國之前，我求他、懇求他千萬要克制。我不想讓你們任何一個人知道我竟然嫁給了這樣一個男人。他在英國休假期間，表現還不錯。在我們回去之前，我又警告過他。這幾年他對瓊非常疼愛，為她驕傲，瓊也跟他很親。她一直都喜歡她爸爸，甚至超過喜歡我。我問哈羅德，等孩子長大以後，是否願意讓她知道爸爸是個酒鬼。這個念頭使他大驚失色；我發現自己找到了一個制服他的絕招。我跟他說，我不會允許這種事情發生的，如果他讓瓊看見自己的爸爸喝醉了，我就立即把她帶走，離開她的爸爸。你們知道嗎，我說完這句話，他的臉刷地一下白了。當天晚上，我跪倒在地上感謝上蒼，因為我終於找到一個拯救我丈夫的方法了。 他告訴我，如果我支持他，他願意再次戒酒。我們下定決心，共同克服它。這一回，他真的很努力。當他覺得忍不住要喝一口的時候，他就來找我。你們知道，他總是有點兒盛氣凌人的樣子。可在我面前，他是那麼謙卑，就像是個孩子，他依賴我。或許他在跟我結婚的時候並不愛我，可這時候他愛我，愛我和瓊。我恨過他，因為那件丟臉的事兒，因為他喝醉了還要裝得儀表堂堂、派頭十足，實在令人厭惡；但是這會兒，我心裡有一種奇怪的感覺。那不是愛情，而是古怪的、羞澀的溫情。他不只是我的丈夫，他像是一個在漫長的歲月裡，我一直替他擔心的孩子。他為我感到自豪，而我呢，你們知道，也感到自豪。他口若懸河，我也不再反感，只是覺得他那種威武的儀態實在很可笑，也很迷人。最後我們取得了勝利。整整兩年，他滴酒未沾。他徹底戒掉了那種嗜好。他甚至可以拿這件事情開玩笑。 辛普森先生當時已經調離了，我們那兒又來了一個年輕人，名叫弗朗西斯的。 你要知道，我可是一個改造好的酒鬼哦，弗朗西斯，哈羅德有一次跟他說道，要不是我老婆呀，我早就丟掉飯碗了。我娶的是全世界最棒的老婆啊，弗朗西斯。 聽到他說這些話，別提我心裡有多美了。從前我經歷的一切，現在我都覺得很值。I'm so happy. 她沉默了。她回想起那條寬闊的、泛黃而混濁的河流，就在那條河的岸邊，她生活了那麼久。幾隻白鷺在水面顫抖的夕陽下閃著光，它們成群地朝著河的下游飛去，飛得很低、很快，然後四下散開。它們就像一串潔白的音符，激起一片漣漪，像春天般甜美、清純，它們是一段神靈般的琶音，在無形的豎琴上，被一隻無形的手彈奏出來。白鷺拍打著雙翅，順著蔥綠的兩岸飛翔，融化到蒼茫的暮色裡，好比一個幸福的人腦子裡洋溢的快樂的思緒。 不久，瓊得病了。整整三個星期，我們一直提心吊膽的。沒有比在吉所羅更近的醫生了，我們只好將就著請當地的一名藥劑師來治病。孩子病好之後，我就把她帶到河口，想讓她呼吸一下新鮮的海洋空氣。我們在那兒住了一個星期。除了上次我離開家去生瓊以外，這還是我第一次離開哈羅德。河口那兒有個小漁村，房子都搭建在木樁上，漁村離我們不遠，但我們還是感覺很冷清。我非常想念哈羅德，甚至充滿了柔情，突然間我感覺到我愛他了。所以當普拉胡帆船來接我們回去時，我興奮極了，因為我要去告訴他。我覺得這件事情對他具有重大的意義。我簡直沒法形容我當時有多麼高興。我們正朝上游划去，船夫告訴我，弗朗西斯要到內地去抓一個謀殺丈夫的女人。已經走了兩三天了。 哈羅德竟然沒到碼頭上來接我，這讓我感到意外；對待這類事情，他一向是很守禮節的；他經常說，夫妻間應該相敬如賓；我想不出會有什麼事情讓他抽不出身來。我沿著小山坡往上走，那上面就是那間孟加拉式平房。保姆領著瓊跟在我後面。小屋裡安靜得有點兒奇怪。好像一個僕人都不在，我不明白那是怎麼回事兒；我猜想也許哈羅德沒料到我會這麼快回來，所以出去了。我走上臺階。瓊說她口渴，保姆領她到下房去給她弄點喝的。哈羅德不在起居室。我喊他，但是沒人回應。我感到失望，因為我真的希望他在家。我走進臥室。哈羅德根本就沒有出門：他正躺在床上睡覺。我實在覺得很好玩，因為他一向自稱從來不睡午覺的。他說我們白種人沒有必要養成那種習慣。我輕手輕腳地走近床邊。我想跟他開個玩笑。我掀開蚊帳。他仰面朝天躺在床上，只穿了一條紗籠，身邊是一個威士忌的空瓶子。he's drunk. 老毛病又犯了。我多年來的努力全都白費了。我的夢想破滅了。一切都沒有指望了。我感到怒火中燒。 米莉森特的臉上又泛起一片帶著陰翳的紅暈，雙手緊緊抓著她坐的那把椅子的扶手。 我抓著他的肩膀，使勁搖晃著他。你這個畜生，我叫道，你這個畜生！我氣得不知道自己在做什麼，不知道自己在說什麼。我只是不停地搖晃著他。你們不知道他的樣子多叫人噁心，肥頭大耳的，光著上半身；他有好幾天沒剃鬍子了，臉蛋又腫又紫。他喘著粗氣。我對他是大喊大叫，可他根本不理會。我想把他從床上拖下來，可是他太重了。他像根木頭一樣躺著不動。open one's eyes.我尖叫道。我又抓著他使勁搖晃。I hate him.我比以前更加恨他，因為有一個星期，我曾經用我的整個身心去愛他。他對不起我。他太對不起我了。我要告訴他，他是個多麼骯髒的畜生。可是我沒辦法讓他知道。睜開你的眼睛。I cried.我決定要讓他睜開眼睛來看我。 寡婦舔著自己乾涸的嘴唇。她的呼吸好像有點兒急促。她說不出話了。 要我說吧，就他當時的狀況，還不如就讓他睡著好了。Catherine said. 床邊的牆上掛著一把帕蘭刀。你們知道，哈羅德就喜歡那些古董。 什麼叫帕蘭刀？斯金納太太問道。 別犯傻了，孩子他媽，她丈夫不耐煩地說，你身後的牆上就掛著一把呢。 他指了指那把馬來短刀，不知什麼緣故，他的目光一直就下意識地沒有離開過那個東西。斯金納太太倏地蜷縮到沙發的一角，做出一個受到驚嚇的手勢，似乎有人跟她說她身旁盤著一條蛇。 突然，一股鮮血從哈羅德的喉嚨裡噴湧而出。喉嚨上割了一道大紅口子。 米莉森特，凱瑟琳叫喚了一聲，嗖地站起身來，幾乎是撲向她的姐姐。憑上帝起誓，你這話是什麼意思？ 斯金納太太驚嚇得站了起來，兩眼瞪著她，嘴巴張得很大。 那把帕蘭刀已經不在牆上了。它在床上。這時，哈羅德睜開了眼睛。那雙眼睛長得跟瓊一模一樣。 可我不太明白，斯金納先生說，如果他當時處於你所描述的狀態，怎麼可能自殺呢？ 凱瑟琳抓著姐姐的肩膀，憤怒地搖晃著。 米莉森特，看在上帝的分上，請解釋清楚。 米莉森特從妹妹的手中掙脫出來。 帕蘭刀掛在牆上，我說過了。我也不知道怎麼回事兒。到處都是血，哈羅德睜開了眼睛。他幾乎當場就死了。他沒有說話，只是喘了口氣。 這時，斯金納先生才緩過來，張口說話。 你這個惡毒的女人，那是謀殺！ 米莉森特臉漲得通紅，用輕蔑而仇恨的眼神瞪了他一眼，使他倒退了半步。斯金納太太叫道： 米莉森特，那不是你幹的吧？ 這時，米莉森特做了一件舉動，讓他們感到自己血管裡的血都凝成了冰。She giggled. 難道還會是別人幹的嗎？she says. Oh My God!斯金納先生嘟囔道。 凱瑟琳僵直地站在那兒，兩手捂著胸口，像是經受不住心臟的跳動。 What happened afterwards?she asked. 我尖叫起來。我跑到窗前，推開窗戶。我叫保姆過來。她帶著瓊從院子那邊過來。瓊別過來，我喊道，別讓瓊過來。她找來了廚師，讓他照顧孩子。我催她快點。她上來了，我就把哈羅德指給她看。老爺自殺啦！我大叫道。她尖叫一聲，就跑出了房門。 誰也不敢靠近。大家都嚇得不知道做什麼才好。我寫信給弗朗西斯先生，告訴他發生了什麼事情，要他馬上回來。 你告訴他發生了什麼事情，這話怎麼說？ 我說，我從河口回來，發現哈羅德的喉嚨被割斷了。你們知道，在熱帶地區，人死了就要盡快埋掉。我弄了一口中國棺材，士兵們就在屯堡後面挖了一個墓。等弗朗西斯先生回來時，哈羅德已經下葬快兩天了。弗朗西斯還是個孩子。我可以隨便應付他。我告訴他，我發現哈羅德手裡握著那把帕蘭刀，毫無疑問，他是在譫妄症發作時自殺的。我把空酒瓶拿給他看。僕人們也說，自從我離家到海邊去以後，他一直喝酒喝得很厲害。我在吉所羅也是那樣說的。大家都很同情我，政府還給了我一筆撫恤金。 有好一會兒，大家都沉默不語。最後，斯金納先生終於緩過神來。 我是專業從事法律工作的。我是一個律師。我承擔某些職責。我們這項工作一直是最受人尊敬的。你讓我處在一個難堪的境地。 他苦苦地思索著，在他混亂的思緒中搜尋那些跟他玩著躲貓貓的詞語。米莉森特蔑視地望了他一眼。 What do you want? 那是謀殺，確鑿無疑；你認為我能保持沉默嗎？ 別瞎扯啦，爸，凱瑟琳厲聲說道，不准你告發自己的親生女兒。 你讓我處在一個難堪的境地。他重複說了一遍。 米莉森特又聳了聳肩。 當初可是你們要我說出來的。這件事情我獨自忍受了那麼久。現在該輪到你們也來忍受了。 這時，女僕推開了房門。 老爺，戴維斯已經把車停在下面了。she says. 凱瑟琳裝作鎮定的樣子說了幾句，女僕就退了出去。 We should go.米莉森特說。 我現在不可能去赴宴，斯金納太太驚惶地大聲說道，我的心緒太亂了。我們怎麼去面對海伍德一家人呢？更何況，主教還想認識你。 米莉森特做了一個滿不在乎的手勢。她眼睛裡依然帶著譏誚的神情。 我們必須得去，媽，凱瑟琳說，要是連我們都不去，那豈不是很奇怪。她忿忿不平地轉向米莉森特。哎呀，我覺得我們大家都被這件事情搞得亂七八糟的！ 斯金納太太不知所措地望著她的丈夫。他走過去，伸手把她從沙發上扶起來。 恐怕我們還是得去啊，孩子他媽！He said. 可我還戴著一頂帽子，上面裝飾著哈羅德親手送給我的白鷺羽毛呢。她嗚咽著說。 他攙著她走出房間，凱瑟琳緊隨在後，米莉森特跟在他們一兩步後面的位置。 這事兒啊，慢慢地你們就會習慣的，她慢條斯理地說道，一開始，我心裡也一直放不下，可現在會有兩三天都想不到它。看來不會有什麼危險。 他們沒有答理她。他們穿過門廳，走出前門。三位女士坐在汽車的後座，斯金納先生坐在司機的旁邊。車上沒有自動起動器；這是一輛舊車。戴維斯走到車前，用手搖動曲柄發動引擎。斯金納先生轉過身，忿忿地朝米莉森特瞪了一眼。 你不該讓我知道那些事情，他說，我覺得你很自私。 戴維斯回到駕駛座上，於是他們坐車前往卡農家的花園宴會。