Chapter 3 first extraordinary child

§NO ORDINARY CHILD§ 1 He feared nothing 1892 St Bees, Cumberland Tuesday, July 19, 1892 * If George had been asked why he was walking toward the rock, he would not have been able to tell.He had to wade into the sea to reach his destination; although he couldn't swim, that didn't seem to deter him. Only one person on the beach noticed the six-year-old boy that morning.plum.Reverend Mallory folded the Times in his hand and laid it on the sand at his feet.Lying in a recliner next to him, his wife closed her eyes to enjoy the occasional sunshine, oblivious to the possible danger their eldest son might be in.He didn't alarm her; he knew Anne would only panic, as she had done the previous time: the child had climbed onto the roof of the town hall during a meeting of the Mothers' League.

Reverend Mallory quickly checked on the other three children, who were having a good time at the beach and didn't pay attention to George's safety.Ivy and Mary happily picked up seashells brought by the morning tide, while their little brother Traver concentrated on filling a small tin bucket with sand.Mallory's attention returned to the eldest son and heir; the boy walked steadily toward the rock.The pastor said there was nothing to worry about, the boy would know sooner or later that he had to turn back.However, the priest stood up from the deck chair when the waves rose above the boy's knee shorts.

At this time, George was almost submerged in the sea.He came to the jagged rocks exposed on the sea surface, quickly withdrew from the sea surface, jumped between the rocks, and quickly climbed to the highest point.He settled there, and looked out over the horizon.Although history was his favorite subject at school, no one had yet told him the story of King Canute. Note 1: King Canute, the king who ruled Denmark, England, Norway and parts of Sweden from the end of the 10th century to the beginning of the 11th century AD, the courtiers repeatedly flattered him that he could control everything, so Canute pretended to order the tide to turn back, so as to let the officials You know, he's by no means omnipotent.

His father began to feel a little uneasy as he watched the waves surge up relentlessly around the rocks.He waited patiently, thinking that if the boy realized his danger, he would turn back and call for help.However, the boy found nothing unusual.Reverend Mallory slowly made his way to the water's edge as the first foam touched the boy's toes.Very well done, my boy.He said so in a low voice as he walked by Mo'er, who was concentrating on building sandcastles.However, his eyes never left his eldest son for a moment.The waves lapped the boy's ankles, but he still didn't look back.Reverend Mallory jumped into the sea and began to swim toward the rocks; his slow progress, swimming in the breaststroke he had learned in military school, made it clear to him that the rocks where the boy was were farther away than he had thought.

At last he reached his destination, pushing himself up the rock.He had a few scrapes on his legs as he lumbered to the top, not at all the steady stride his son had shown earlier.He tried to hide his breathlessness and slight discomfort when he rejoined his son. Then he heard his wife's scream, and turning, saw her standing by the water, crying desperately, "George!"George! Son, maybe we should turn around, suggested Reverend Mallory, trying not to sound worried: We don't want Mommy to worry, do we? Dad, just one more time.George begged, still staring at the sea, not moving.But his father made up his mind not to wait any longer, and gently pulled his son down the rock.

It took both of them longer to get back to safety on the beach because Reverend Mallory, with his son in his arms, had to swim on his back and only by kicking the water with his legs.For the first time, George realized that the return journey might take longer. When George's father finally collapsed on the beach, George's mother ran towards them both.She fell to her knees, hugged the child tightly in her arms, and cried: Thank God!Thank God!Not much concern for her exhausted husband.George's sister stood a few steps away from the incessant waves, weeping silently, while his younger brother continued to build the castle, for he was too young to have any thoughts of death on his mind.

Reverend Mallory finally sat up and stared at his eldest son.The boy looked towards the sea again, and the rock was gone.For the first time, Reverend Mallory understood: the boy obviously didn't know what fear was, and he had no sense of danger. 2 Gifted 1896 Physicians, philosophers and even historians have debated the important influence of heredity when trying to understand the achievements or failures of subsequent generations.If there is any historian on George.As Mallory's parents researched, he would have no way of explaining their eldest son's rare gifts, let alone his innate good looks and good manners.

George's parents considered themselves upper-middle-class, even though they lacked the means to do so.The parish congregation in the village of Mobberley in Cheshire considered the Reverend Mallory to be High Church, conservative and narrow-minded, and all agreed that the Reverend's wife was a snob.They therefore deduced that George's natural gifts must have been inherited from some distant ancestor.George's father also understood that his eldest son was no ordinary child, and was more than happy to make the necessary sacrifices to ensure that George could start his education at Glengorse, an advanced prep school in the south of England.

George often heard his father say: We're going to have to tighten our belts.Even more so if Traver is going to keep up with you.This made him think for a while, and then he asked his mother if there was any prep school in England that his sister could go to. Jesus, no, she responded dismissively: that would be a waste of money.What's the point of doing this? First, it means that Ivy and Mary will have the same opportunities as Traver and I.George told his mother. But the mother scoffed.If doing so can't give them more chances to find a suitable marriage, why make girls suffer like this?

George points out: Don't husbands benefit from marrying well-educated women? That's the last thing a man wants.The mother replied: You will soon find out that most husbands only need their wives to produce an heir and a reserve heir for them, and administrative servants. Dissatisfied, George decided to wait for the right time to talk to his father about it. During the summer vacation of 1896, the Mallory family did not swim in the sea in St. Bease, but hiked in the Malvern Hills (Malvern Hills).The family soon discovered that they could not catch George, only the father bravely tried to accompany him to the higher slopes, while the mother, sister and brother wandered leisurely in the lower valleys.

As his father gasped several yards away, George revisited the nagging question of his sister's education.Why don't girls have the same opportunities as boys? Son, that is against the natural order of things.his father said out of breath. So who determines the natural order of things? God.When Pastor Mallory answered, he felt that his position was firmer.It was He who judged that a man should labor, to obtain food and shelter for others, while his spouse remained at home and cared for their offspring. But He must have noticed that women usually have more common sense than men.I'm sure He knows that Ivy is smarter than Traver or I. Reverend Mallory lagged behind because he needed a little time to think about his son's argument, and longer to decide how to respond.Men are inherently superior to women, he said at last with half-confidence, and then feebly added: And we shouldn't try to interfere with nature. Dad, if that's true, how did Queen Victoria manage to rule successfully for over sixty years? That's only because there were no male heirs to inherit the throne in the first place.his father replied, feeling as if he had entered uncharted waters. The United Kingdom is so lucky that Queen Elizabeth was able to ascend the throne. Fortunately, there was no other male heir at that time.George said: "The time may have come for girls to be as successful as boys. That would never work, his father said angrily: it would upset the natural order of society.George, how is your mother going to find a cook or a scullery maid if you have your way? Let the man do it.George replied sincerely. Good God, George, I really believe you're going to be an anti-church thinker.Have you ever heard that guy named Bernard Shaw blah blah blah? No, Pa, but I have read his pamphlet. It's not uncommon for parents to think that their children might be smarter than they are; however, George had just celebrated his tenth birthday at this time, so Pastor Mallory wasn't too happy to face that fact.George was ready for the next question, only to find his father falling further and further behind.Then again, Reverend Mallory had long ago admitted that he and his son were of a completely different class when it came to mountaineering. 3 different paths George didn't cry when his parents sent him to prep school.It wasn't that he didn't want to cry, but because a boy who was also wearing a red jacket and gray shorts was crying hoarsely at the other end of the carriage. build.Guy Bulbck comes from a different world.He couldn't explain to George exactly what his father did for a living, but in whatever line of business he kept mentioning the word industry; something that George knew his mother wouldn't approve of.When Guy mentioned to him that the family had vacationed in the Pyrenees, George realized something else all the more clearly: the kid must have never heard that we're going to have to tighten our pockets.Nevertheless, they were good friends when they arrived at Eastbourne station that evening. The two boys shared beds next to each other in the junior dormitory, sat next to each other in the classroom, and shared a study in Glengos's senior year.It all seemed so natural; although George was better at almost everything than Guy, Guy never resented it.In fact, he was delighted with his friend's achievements, even when George was named captain of the football team and subsequently won a scholarship to Winchester.Guy told his father that he wouldn't have gotten to Winchester if he hadn't shared a study with George, who kept pushing him to work harder. While Guy checks the results of the entrance exam on the school bulletin board, George seems more interested in another announcement pinned below. Mr. Deacon, the chemistry teacher, invites the graduates to join him on a mountaineering holiday in Scotland.Guy didn't have much interest in climbing, but when George wrote his name on the list, he scribbled his signature at the bottom. George is not Mr. Deacon's favorite student, probably because chemistry has never been his good subject; but his enthusiasm for mountain climbing far exceeds that of Bunsen burner or litmus paper, so he is determined to maintain a harmonious relationship with Mr. Deacon.George tells Guy what's on his mind: If the bastard works so hard to organize his annual mountaineering vacation, he can't be good for nothing. The moment they set foot in the barren highlands of Scotland, George is transported into another world.By day he roamed the fern- and heather-covered hills, and at night he sat in his tent by candlelight and read Dr. Jekyll until he had to fall asleep. Whenever Mr. Deacon headed for a new hill, George would walk slowly at the back of the line and ponder the route he had chosen.Once or twice he even suggested that another route might be considered, but Mr. Deacon dismissed it, pointing out that he had led mountaineering teams to Scotland for the past eighteen years, and perhaps Mallory should give some thought to the importance of experience points. .So George retreated to the back of the line and continued to follow the teacher on the familiar old road. Mr. Deacon spent a good deal of time each evening at dinner, outlining his plans for the next day, and it was at this time that George tasted ginger ale and salmon for the first time. On this day, Mr. Deacon announced: Tomorrow, we will face the most difficult test, but after ten days of climbing in the high area, I am confident that you are quite prepared for this challenge.A dozen expectant young faces gazed at Mr. Deacon.He then continued: "We're going to try to climb the highest mountain in Scotland. Ben Nevis, said George, before adding: 4,409 feet.In fact, he hadn't seen the mountain yet. Mallory was right, Mr Deacon was clearly irritated by George's intrusion: Once we've reached the summit, as mountaineers call it the pinnacle or the highest point, we'll have lunch there while taking in one of the best views in the British Isles .Because we have to get back to the camp before sunset, and the descent is always the most difficult part of every climb, everyone has to report for breakfast at seven o'clock so that we can start on time at eight o'clock. Guy promised to wake George up at six o'clock the next morning, as he often overslept and missed breakfast; Mr. Deacon always followed a military-like timetable without mercy.But the idea of ​​climbing Scotland's highest mountain excited George so much that it was he who woke Guy up the next morning.He was one of the first to have breakfast with Mr. Deacon, and waited impatiently outside the tent long before the procession's scheduled departure. Mr. Deacon looked at his watch.It was one minute to eight, so they walked briskly on the path that would lead them to the foot of the mountain. After walking about a mile, Mr. Deacon called out: Whistle!All the boys took out their whistles and blew with all their might to signal danger and need of assistance, except one.Mr. Deacon could not hide a faint smile when he discovered that a student had not obeyed his order.Mallory, may I assume you forgot your whistle? Yes, sir.George replied that he was chagrined that Mr. Deacon had gained the upper hand. Then you'll have to go back to camp immediately to retrieve the whistle and try to catch up before we start climbing. George wasted no time in protesting.He started back, and once at camp he crawled into the tent on all fours, catching a glimpse of the whistle just above the head of his sleeping bag.With a curse to himself, he grabbed his whistle and started running back, hoping to catch up with his companions before they started up the hill.When he arrived at the foot of the mountain, the small mountaineering column had already begun to go up the mountain.build.At the end of the line, Brack looked back frequently, hoping to see his friend.He finally breathed a sigh of relief and waved wildly when he caught sight of George running towards them.George waved back to him as the climbing party continued slowly toward the summit. As the procession disappeared round the first turn, the last words George heard from Mr. Deacon were: "Keep on down the road." George stopped when they were out of sight.He gazed up at the mountain, bathed in warm mist in the dim sun, the rocks on the bright side and the valleys in the shadows, showing a hundred different ways of approaching the summit, but Mr. Deacon and his loyal team All are blind, seeing only one path, because they are determined to follow the suggested route in the guidebook. George stared intently at a narrow winding road leading up the hill, the dry bed of a creek that slid down the hill for nine months of the year, but it was the dry season .He stepped out of the path, ignoring the arrows and road signs, and headed towards the foot of the mountain.He didn't think much of it, jumped up the first ridge like a gymnast on the horizontal bar, found a foothold, climbed up the ledge or rock, and moved forward swiftly, without hesitation or looking down, until There was only a momentary pause when we reached a jagged boulder a thousand feet above the foot of the mountain.After carefully observing the terrain for a while, he found a new path and started on the road again.He sometimes passed through the valleys of the common people, but at other times he walked on the paths no one had traveled.When George was almost halfway up the hill, he stopped again and looked at his watch: seven minutes past nine.He was curious as to which landmark Mr. Deacon and his climbing teammates had arrived at. George spotted an obscure path ahead, one that seemed to have been traveled only by experienced mountaineers or animals.He walked along the road until he came to a large block of granite.This rock is like a closed door, blocking those who don't have the key.It took him a moment to evaluate his options: he could turn back, or take the longer path around the rocks, and would surely return to the safer public trails, but both options would lengthen the ascent many.At this time, a sheep perched on a protruding rock formation above him, obviously not used to being disturbed by humans, bleated unhappily, then jumped away, and at the same time unintentionally pointed out another way for the uninvited guest. George smiled.He stretched out a hand, trying to find any hollow to cling to, then found a foothold on which he could use his strength, and began to climb.He slowly climbed up the rocky facade, looking for one protruding rock formation after another that he could put his fingers on or grasp, but he never looked down.Every time he finds a point of strength and pushes himself upwards, he will use this place as the next foothold.The rock was less than fifty feet high, but it still took George twenty minutes to get himself to the top and gaze at the highest point of Nevis for the first time.Although he chose the more difficult route, it paid off immediately, because there was only a gentle slope to the summit. He began to run slowly up the less traveled trail, and when he reached the top, it felt like he was on top of the world.He was not surprised that Mr. Deacon and the rest of his team hadn't reached the top yet.He sat alone on the top of the hill, looking down at the miles of countryside below him.Another hour passed before Mr. Deacon appeared with his trusty party.The teacher couldn't hide his irritation when the other boys started cheering and applauding the figure sitting alone on the top. Mr Deacon strode up to him and demanded: "Mallory, how did you manage to outrun us?" Sir, I am not outdoing you, George replied: I just found a different way. Mr. Deacon's expression made it clear to the rest of the class that he didn't want to trust the boy.Mallory, as I've told you many times, going down is always harder than going up, because getting to the top takes a lot of energy, and that's something a novice can't understand.Mr. Deacon said so.After a dramatic pause, he added: It usually costs them.George didn't answer.So you really have to go with the team when going down. When the boys had wolfed down the lunch they had brought, Mr Deacon had them all lined up.He walked to the leader's position, but turned around and saw George standing in the line talking to his friend Blake before leading the team off.However, if Mr. Deacon heard what George said at the time: Guy, see you at the camp.He was sure to ask George to go to the front of the line and walk with him. It turned out that Mr. Deacon was right about one thing: the journey down was not only more strenuous and dangerous than the up, but, as he had predicted, it would also take longer. Mr. Deacon trudged into the camp, followed by his dirty and exhausted troops.It was already dusk, and they couldn't believe what they saw: George.Mallory sat cross-legged on the floor, drinking ginger beer and reading. build.Brack couldn't help laughing, but Mr. Deacon was not amused.He called George to attention and gave a stern lecture on the importance of mountaineering safety.When he finished his abuse, he ordered George to take off his pants and bend over.Mr. Deacon had no cane in his hand, so he drew the belt that held his khaki shorts and gave the boy half a dozen blows at the boy's bare flesh, but George, unlike sheep, did not whine. At daybreak next morning, Mr. Deacon accompanied George to the nearest railway station.He bought him a ticket, and handed him a letter, which he bade the boy deliver to his father as soon as he reached Marbury. Why are you back so early?asked George's father. George handed him the letter; while the Reverend Mallory opened Mr. Deacon's letter, he remained silent throughout.The pastor pursed his lips, trying to hide the smile on his lips, and then looked down at his son, wagging his fingers.My child, you have to remember to be smarter in the future and try not to embarrass your elders and superiors. 4 New Learning Journey 1905 Monday, April 3, 1905 * The Mallory family sat around the breakfast table while the maid brought the morning mail into the room.She placed a small drop of letters beside the priest, along with a silver letter opener; it was a ritual she performed each morning. George's father made himself an extra serving of buttered toast, deliberately ignoring this little ceremony.He knew very well that his son had been waiting for his final report card for several days.But at this time George and his brother were chatting about the latest achievements of the Wright Brothers in the United States, pretending to be indifferent. It seemed to me, their mother put in, that it was not natural.God made birds fly, not humans.Also, keep your elbows off the table, George. The two daughters did not say a word.They knew in their hearts that whenever they disagreed with their mother, she would always say that children should not have so many opinions, but this rule did not seem to apply to boys. George's father didn't join in the conversation; he tried to sort through the letters, sifting out the ones that were important or could be shelved.However, one principle is clear: any letter that may contain a payment request from a local businessman will continue to be placed at the bottom and will not be opened for a few days. The Reverend Mallory finally decided that two of the envelopes deserved immediate attention: one was postmarked by Winchester, and the other had the coat of arms watermarked on the back.While sipping tea, he smiled at his eldest son from the air, but the son still pretended not to be interested in the riddles his father was playing across the table. The pastor finally picked up the letter opener, opened the thinner letter, and flattened the letter from Bishop Chester.His Excellency confirmed that, if a suitable date could be arranged, he would be happy to preach at the Parish Church in Marbury.When George's father passed the letter to his wife, a smile flickered on her lips as she saw the coat of arms of the Bishop's House. Reverend Mallory slowly opened another, thicker envelope, pretending not to notice that all the conversation at the table had come to an abrupt end.He pulled out one of the booklets and began to flip through them slowly, thinking about the contents, occasionally smiling and occasionally frowning.Despite a long silence, he did not speak out.For him, this was a rare event in the family, and he had to take the opportunity to enjoy it for a while. Finally, he looked up at George and said, "The second place in the history department, with a score of 86 out of 100."He glanced down at the pamphlet: a good half-year, good exam results, and a dissertation on Gibbon to be commended.I hope he will consider studying this subject when he enters university.Father smiled and turned to the next page.Fifth place in the English subject, with 74 points.The essay on Boswell is very developmental, but spend more time reading Milton and Shakespeare and less time reading Stevenson.This time it was George who smiled.Latin seventh place, 69 points.The translation of Ovid is excellent and exceeds the standard required of all applicants to Oxford and Cambridge.Fourteenth place in mathematics, with fifty-six points, only one percentage point higher than the passing standard.Father paused, frowned and continued to read: No. 29 in Chemistry.Mallory shepherds her head.How many students are there in the class?he asked. Thirty.George replied.He knew very well that his father already knew the answer. Apparently your friend Guy.Brack saves you from bottom. He looked at the report card again.Twenty-six points.Lack of interest in any experiments, if he intends to go to college, it is recommended to drop this course. George said nothing while Dad unfolded a letter attached to his report card.This time he stopped entertaining everyone, and he announced: Your Housemaster, Mr. Irwin, has the opinion that you should be admitted to Cambridge this year on Michaelmas Day.He paused.In my opinion, Cambridge was a surprising choice, he added: "It's the flattest place in the country that I can remember." For this reason, Dad, I am more looking forward to your permission to let me travel to France this summer, which may help my education. Paris?Reverend Mallory said, raising an eyebrow: What are you thinking, dear boy?Moulin Rouge? Mrs. Mallory gave her husband a look to let him know that she disapproved of such an unfashionable word being used in front of her daughter. No, Daddy, it's not red, George replied: It's white.Mont Blanc, to be exact. His mother said anxiously: Isn't it extremely dangerous there? His father pointed out: not half as dangerous as the Moulin Rouge. Don't worry about any aspect, mother, George said with a smile: My housekeeper, Mr. Erwin, will accompany me all the way. He is not only a member of the British Mountaineering Association, but if I am lucky enough to be introduced to the The lady of , who will also act as my guardian. George's father was silent for a long time.He never discussed any money matters in front of his children, but he was relieved when George won a scholarship to Winchester, which would save him £170 to £200 a year .Money wasn't something to discuss at the breakfast table, but the truth was that he was rarely not bothered by it. When did you go to Cambridge for the interview?he asked at last. A week later on Thursday, Father. Then I will tell you my decision next Friday. 5 No one can stop you Thursday, April 13, 1905 * Even though Guy wakes George up on time, his buddy has a way of being late for breakfast.George blamed his need to shave, a skill he never mastered. Aren't you supposed to be at Cambridge for an interview today?the housemaster asked after George had filled himself with a second serving of cereal. Yes, sir.George replied. If I remember correctly, Mr. Irving glanced at his watch and added: You are supposed to be on the train for London in less than half an hour.It wouldn't surprise me at all if other candidates were already waiting on the platform. They were underfed and missed your words of wisdom.George grinned. No, Mr Irving said: I told them at breakfast early in the morning because I thought they had to be on time for the interview.Mallory, if you think I'm a stickler for punctuality, wait until you see Mr. Benson. George pushed his porridge over to cover him, stood up slowly, and walked out of the dining room with the air of being okay with the sky falling, before he sprinted across the courtyard and into the school building, like an Olympic sprint champion. .He ran up the stairs in three steps and one step at a time, straight to the top floor, only then did he remember that he hadn't packed his luggage for the night.When he rushed into the study, he was delighted to find his little leather trunk strapped up by the door.Guy must have expected that he would, as usual, leave everything until the end. Guy, thank you.George yelled, wishing his friend was enjoying his well-deserved second bowl of porridge.He grabbed the suitcase, jumped down two steps at a time, and ran back across the courtyard, stopping only when he reached the porter's hut.Hinkins, where is the college carriage?he asked desperately. Sir, left about fifteen minutes ago. Damn.George muttered, and rushed out into the street, heading for the station.He is confident that he can still catch this train. He gallops down the street with the uneasy feeling that he has forgotten something.But whatever it was, he had no time to go back and get it.As he turned the corner to Station Hill, he saw a thick plume of gray smoke rising into the air.Is that the train coming in or going out?He quickened his pace, rushed past a shocked ticket collector, jumped onto the platform, saw the train conductor waving the green flag in his hand, climbed the steps into the last car, and slammed the door behind him. As the train started to leave the station, George ran after him, and he and the train came to the end of the platform.The conductor smiled sympathetically at him as the train sped up and disappeared into a cloud of smoke. Damn.George swore again as he turned to see the ticket collector approaching him.The man finally caught his breath, and immediately asked: Sir, can I have a look at your ticket? At this moment, George finally remembered what he had forgotten. He put the suitcase on the platform, opened it, and groped through the pile of clothes in the suitcase as if looking for a ticket.In fact, he already knew that the ticket was on the table next to his bed. He asked casually: When is the next train to London? On the hour, every hour, the other party replied immediately: But you still need a ticket. Damn.George said it a third time, realizing at the same time that he couldn't afford to miss the next train.I must have left the ticket at the Academy.He added helplessly. The ticket collector said: Then you have to buy another one. George began to feel hopeless.Does he have any money with him?He started looking in the pockets of his suit, and was relieved to find in it the half-crown his mother had given him for Christmas;He followed the conductor obediently back to the ticket office, bought a third-class return ticket between Winchester and Cambridge for one shilling and sixpence.He used to wonder why there were no second-class carriages on the train?But he felt it was not the right time to ask the question.After the ticket collector had punched holes in his ticket, George returned to the platform and bought a copy of The Times from the newspaper vendor, spending another penny.He sat down on an uncomfortable long wooden bench, opened a newspaper, and looked at what was happening in the world. Prime Minister ArthurArthur Balfmlr was rejoicing at the new treaty that had just been signed between Britain and France.He assured the British people that the relationship between Britain and France would only be better in the future.George turned the page and read an article about Roosevelt; Roosevelt was just starting his second term as President of the United States.At nine o'clock, as the train steams into the station for London, George is studying the front-page classifieds for everything from hair tonic to top hats. He was relieved that the train was on time, and he was even more relieved to arrive at London Waterloo Station a few minutes earlier.He jumped out of the car, ran off the platform, and onto the road.He hired a cab for the first time in his life, without waiting for the next tram to King's Cross. His father would not approve of such extravagance, but if he missed the interview with Mr. Benson and was not admitted. Cambridge, Dad's rage will be more intense. Kings Cross.said George as he climbed into the carriage.The coachman flicked his whip lightly, and the tired old gray horse began to trot slowly across London.George checked his watch every few minutes, but was confident he would make it in time for his three o'clock interview with his senior tutor at Magdalene College. When George got off the train at King's Cross, he found that the next train for Cambridge was leaving in fifteen minutes.For the first time that day he relaxed.However, he didn't expect the train to stop at every stop between Finsbury Park and Stevenage, so when the train finally entered Cambridge station, belching smoke, the station clock It was two thirty-seven in the afternoon. George was the first to jump out, and as soon as the ticket was punched, he rushed out to hail another cab, but failed.He started running along the road, following the signs to the city center, but had no idea which direction to go.He stopped and asked several passers-by, but no one could show him the way to Magdalen College. Finally, a young man in a short black robe and a bachelor's cap gave him clear instructions.George thanked him and set off again, looking for a bridge across the River Cam.As he ran exhaustedly across the bridge, a distant clock struck three.He smiled reassuringly.He will only be a few minutes late. On the far side of the bridge, he stopped outside a heavy black oak double door. He turned the handle and pushed, but the door wouldn't budge.He knocked on the knocker twice and waited for a while, but no one answered.He checked his watch: three past four in the afternoon.He knocked on the door again, but still no one answered.They shouldn't have let him in just because he was a few minutes late? He slammed on the door a third time, and didn't stop until he heard the key in the lock.The door creaked open, and a hunched little man in a long black coat and a black top hat emerged.All he said was: Sir, the college is closed. But me and A. C.Mr. Benson has an interview at three o'clock.George pleaded. I had been given clear instructions by the Senior Tutor that I was to lock the gates at three o'clock, after which no one could enter the Academy. But I, George, spoke, but no one paid any attention to him.The door slammed shut in his face, and again he heard the key turning in the lock. He began banging on the door with his bare hands, knowing that no one would come to his rescue.He cursed his own stupidity.What would he say if someone asked him how the interview went?What was he going to tell Mr. Irving when he got back to school later that day?How will he face the fact that he will be interviewed on time next week?He already knew how his father would react: the first Mallory in four generations not to have studied at Cambridge.至於母親，還會讓他回家嗎？ 他對著禁止他進入的沉重橡木門皺眉，然後考慮再敲最後一次門；不過他也知道這樣做沒意義。他開始思索，是否還有其他方法能進入學院。不過，既然康河從學院北側流過，有護城河的作用，那麼似乎沒有其他入口可以考慮了。除非喬治擡頭盯著圍繞著學院的高聳磚牆，然後在人行道上走來走去，就像在研究一塊岩石表面。他鎖定幾處因四百五十年來的冰雪風雨和融雪驕陽所形成的凹陷處與縫隙，然後找出一條可能可行的路徑。 門上有個沉重的石拱，石拱的邊緣距離一處可當作完美立足點的窗臺只有一臂之遙，再上面是另一扇較小的窗和另一個窗臺，從那裡，他一伸手就能碰到斜瓦屋頂，他猜測建築物另一側也是相同構造。 他把行李箱丟在人行道上嘗試攀登時，絕對別背負任何不必要的重量然後右腳踩進人行道上方約八吋高的小洞裡，用左腳將自己撐離地面，再用手緊抓住一塊突出的岩石，讓他能把身體拉到更靠近石拱之處。幾個路人停下來觀看他的行動，當他終於讓自己攀上屋頂時，他們紛紛給他無聲的鼓掌。 喬治花了一會兒時間研究牆的另一邊。一如往常，下山比上山更困難。他把左腿跨過牆，緩緩放低身體，尋找立足點，同時兩手緊抓著屋頂檐槽。當腳尖碰到窗臺時，他移開了一隻手。這時，他的鞋子掉了，先前緊抓住檐槽的那隻手也滑脫了。他破壞了登山的金科玉律：保持三點接觸。喬治知道自己即將跌落，這是他在學校體育館下單槓時定期練習的動作，只不過單槓沒有這麼高。他放手了，此時走了今天的第一次好運：他在一處潮濕的花床著地，並且滾了一圈。 他站起來，發現一位年長的紳士瞪著他看。這個可憐的傢伙是否懷疑自己正面對一個沒穿鞋的小偷？喬治納悶地想。 年輕人，我能幫你什麼忙？he asked. 謝謝您，先生，喬治說：我和班森先生有約。 在白天的這個時間，你應該可以在班森先生的書房找到他。 我很抱歉，先生，不過我不知道他的書房在哪裡。said George. 穿過院士拱門，他一面說一面指著草坪對面：左邊第二條走廊。你會看到他的名字印在門上。 Thank you, sir.喬治說著，同時彎下腰綁好鞋帶。 You're welcome.那位老紳士說完，朝著通往教師宿舍的小徑走去。 喬治跑過院士草坪，穿過拱門，走進一個伊麗莎白一世風格的壯觀中庭。當他走到第二條廊時，停下來檢視告示牌上的名字：A ．C ．班森，高級導師，三樓。他衝上臺階，到達三樓時，停在班森先生的房間外，讓自己喘過氣來，隨後輕輕敲了敲門。 Come in.有個聲音回答了。喬治打開門，進入這位高級導師的領土。一位鬍鬚濃密、臉頰紅潤的圓胖男人擡頭看著他。他在袍子下穿著一件淡色格紋西裝，還戴著有黃點的領結，坐在一張擺滿皮面精裝書和學生論文的大桌子之後。我能為你做什麼？他拉著袍子的翻領問道。 先生，我的名字是喬治．mallory.我約好了要見您。 馬洛里，更精確的說法是我們本來有約。你應該在三點鐘到達的。既然我明白規定，過了那個時間就不准任何應試生進入院內，那麼我必須問你到底是怎麼進來的。 先生，我翻越了圍牆。 班森先生問道：你做了什麼？他慢慢從桌子後面站起來，臉上有種難以置信的表情。馬洛里，跟我來。 班森先生領著他往回走下樓梯，穿過中庭，走進門房小屋時，喬治一路上都沒說話。門房一看到高級導師就跳起身。 哈利，班森先生說：你讓這位應試生在三點以後進入學院嗎？ 沒有，先生，我十分確定沒有。門房說著，不敢置信地瞪著喬治。 班森先生轉過來面對喬治。馬洛里，讓我看看你到底是怎麼進入學院的。he ordered. 喬治帶著兩個男人回到院士花園，然後指著他在花床上留下的足跡。看來這並沒有說服這位高級導師。一旁的門房不置一詞。 馬洛里，要是你如你所說的是爬進來的，那麼一定可以往外爬回去。班森先生退後一步，手臂交疊在胸前。 喬治慢慢在小路上來回踱步，仔細研究那堵牆，然後選定他打算採取的路徑。在高級導師與學院門房驚愕的注視下，這個年輕人靈巧地回到牆頭，直到一條腿跨過建築物頂端，跨坐在屋頂時才停下來。 先生，我可以下來了嗎？喬治憂心忡忡地問道。 當然可以，年輕人，班森先生毫不猶豫地說：對我來說，眼前的一切很清楚：沒有人能阻止你進入這個學院。 6 生死交關的一刻 一九〇五年，七月一日，星期六 * 喬治告訴父親他無意參觀紅磨坊時，說的是實話。事實上，馬洛里牧師已收到爾文先生的信，信中詳細說明他們這趟阿爾卑斯之旅的路線，其中並無在巴黎停留的計畫。不過那是在喬治救了爾文先生一命，以及因擾亂安寧遭囚禁一夜之前的事了。 每回喬治外出登山，他的母親從來無法掩飾她的不安。儘管如此，她總會塞一張五英鎊的鈔票在他的外套口袋裡，同時悄聲要他別告訴父親。喬治在南安普敦（Southampton）與蓋和爾文先生會合，搭乘前往法國勒阿弗爾（Le Havre）的渡輪。四小時後，他們在港口下船時，火車已等著把他們送到馬丁尼（Martigny）。在漫長的旅程中，喬治大部分時間都盯著窗外。 他們下了火車，發現一輛遊覽馬車正等候著他們，這讓喬治想起爾文先生對守時的執著。隨著車伕的馬鞭一揮，這個三人小組以輕快的步調出發上山，喬治因而得以進一步深探在他眼前展開的種種重大挑戰。 他們住進位於阿爾卑斯山腳聖皮耶堡（Bourg St Pierre）的金獅旅館時，天已經黑了。晚餐時間，爾文先生在桌上攤開一張地圖，重述一遍接下來兩星期的計畫，說明他們將嘗試攀登的山：大聖伯納山（Great St Bernard，八千一百零一呎）、維藍峰（Mont Welan，一萬兩千三百五十三呎），以及大孔班山（Grand Combin，一萬四千一百五十三呎）。如果他們成功征服這三座山，他們接下來的目標是羅莎山（Monte Rosa，一萬五千兩百一十七呎）。 喬治專注地研讀地圖，必須等到天亮日出讓他感覺不耐煩。蓋保持沉默。眾所周知，爾文先生在學生中只挑選大有可為的登山者陪他進行一年一次的阿爾卑斯之旅，但此時蓋對於自己當初該不該報名的想法已經有所不同。 至於喬治，他完全沒有這種疑慮。第二天，他們以破紀錄的時間抵達大聖伯納步道頂點時，連爾文先生也吃了一驚。那天晚上用餐時，喬治問爾文先生，維藍峰攻頂之行，是否可由他接手登山領隊的角色。 爾文先生早已了解，喬治是他見過技巧最純熟的學生登山家，而且比經驗豐富的老師更有天分。然而，這畢竟是第一次有學生提出如此的要求，何況這還只是這趟遠征的第二天。 我准許你帶領我們到維藍峰較低的山坡，爾文先生讓步了：不過一到五千呎高，我就會接手。 爾文先生後來一直沒有接手，因為隔天喬治以老練登山家的自信與技巧帶領著這個小團體，甚至向爾文先生介紹了一些他過去沒考慮過的新路線。兩天後，他們登上大孔班山，所用的時間比爾文先生過去的紀錄還短。這時，老師變成了學生。 此時喬治感興趣的，似乎只有何時才能對付白朗峰。 還要一段時間才行，爾文先生說：就算是我，沒找專業嚮導同行的話也不會貿然嘗試。不過秋天你進入劍橋時，我會給你一封轉交喬佛瑞．楊（Geoffrey Young）的介紹信。他是國內最有經驗的登山家，他會判斷你何時能夠親近那位特別的淑女。 然而爾文先生很有信心，他們已準備好挑戰羅莎山了。喬治帶著他們抵達山頂，雖然蓋有時感覺難以跟上，但一路順利，沒有任何事故。意外發生在下山途中；或許爾文先生有點過於自滿這是登山者最大的敵人因而認為在成功攻頂後，一切都沒問題了。 喬治帶著慣常的自信開始下山，但當他們抵達一個特別陡峭的深谷時，他決定減速；他記得上山時，蓋覺得這條路徑相當難走。就在喬治幾乎通過那個深谷時，他聽到一聲慘叫。毫無疑問，他的即時反應救了他們三個人的性命：他把登山斧插進深厚積雪中，迅速將繩索纏在斧柄上，用靴子牢牢固定住，同時另一隻手緊握著繩索。在這短暫的瞬間，他看著蓋猛衝過身邊。他以為爾文先生會執行和他一樣的安全措施，以他們之間的距離，他們能煞住蓋下墜的衝力，不過舍監的反應沒這麼快，他將登山斧深戳進雪中，卻來不及把繩子纏在斧柄，隨即也從喬治身旁飛掠而過。喬治沒往下看，但仍讓靴子牢牢嵌在斧頭前端，拚命維持平衡。在他與下方深達六百多呎的山谷之間，空無一物。 另外兩人停下來開始在半空中晃盪時，喬治在原地穩住自己。繩子會不會在緊繃狀態下斷裂，導致他的同伴摔死，喬治沒有信心。他沒時間禱告，但既然手中還緊抓著繩子，問題似乎已經有了答案，就算只是暫時的也無所謂。危險還沒過去，他還是必須設法讓另外兩個人安全回到山上。 喬治往下望，看見他們絕望地抓著繩索，臉色蒼白如雪。他平常在學校體育館的繩索上不斷練習，發展出一種技巧，此時他利用這種技巧，開始緩慢地來回擺盪兩位同伴，直到爾文先生在山的側面找到一個立足點。隨後喬治仍留在原地，改由爾文依樣畫葫蘆，來回擺盪蓋，最後蓋終於也穩住了。 過了好一段時間，他們之中有人覺得可以繼續下山。喬治始終緊握著斧頭，直到確信爾文先生和蓋完全恢復為止。一吋接著一吋，一呎接著一呎，他帶著兩個顫抖得厲害的登山者到達安全地帶，三個人在位於下方三十呎處的寬闊岩層休息了幾乎一個小時，接著由爾文先生接手，引導他們朝較安全的山坡前行。 當晚晚餐時間，他們幾乎沒怎麼交談。然而，三個人心中都明白，如果他們第二天早上不重回那座山，以後蓋不會再登山了。第二天，爾文先生帶著他的兩個受監護人回到羅莎山，這回的是一條較長但輕鬆得多的路。那天晚上，當喬治和蓋回到旅館時，他們已不再是孩子了。 前一天，這三位登山者只經歷了短短幾分鐘生死交關的時刻，但這期間的每一分鐘似乎都可再切分成六十個部分，並且令他們終生難忘。 7 戲劇化的夜晚 他們來到巴黎，爾文先生顯然對這個城市並不陌生；讓他們的舍監帶頭，喬治和蓋大喜過望，同時也同意他的建議：他們應在法國首都度過旅程的最後一天，以慶祝他們的幸運。 爾文先生帶他們住進一間小型家庭旅館，坐落於第七區一處風景如畫的庭院裡。用完清淡的午餐後，他向他們介紹巴黎的白晝生活：羅浮宮、聖母院和凱旋門。不過，一八八九年為世界博覽會暨慶祝法國大革命百年而建的艾菲爾鐵塔，虜獲了喬治的想像力。 爾文先生發現他的門徒擡頭望著這座鋼鐵建築物的最高點位於約一千零六十二呎上方高處，很清楚喬治在想什麼：想都別想。 他花六法郎買了三張票，帶著蓋和喬治進入電梯，把他們送上一段前往塔頂的緩慢旅程。 我們甚至還沒到達白朗峰山丘的高度呢。喬治俯瞰巴黎時，如此評論道。 爾文先生露出微笑，同時懷疑，就算征服了白朗峰，對喬治．馬洛里來說是否足夠？ 他們為了外出晚餐而更衣，隨後爾文先生帶著男孩到左岸一家小餐館。他們享受了鵝肝醬佐小杯冰鎮蘇玳甜白酒，接著上的是紅酒燉牛肉，這是他們吃過最可口的燉牛肉。之後是熟成的布里乾酪；和學校的食物相比，真是截然不同。這兩道菜搭配的是相當好的勃根第酒，喬治覺得這可算是他人生中最興奮的日子了。爾文先生帶著他監管的兩位門徒享受干邑的美味後，陪他們返回旅館。此時剛過午夜，爾文先生向他們道過晚安後，回自己房間休息。 蓋坐在床尾，喬治開始脫下衣服。 我們就在附近多晃個幾分鐘，然後再溜回來。 再溜回來？喬治咕噥道。 對，蓋說，很高興能轉換身分，由他帶頭。如果不去紅磨坊，來巴黎有什麼意思？ 喬治繼續解開襯衫鈕扣。我答應我母親 我確定你有答應她，蓋嘲弄地說：而且你現在要我相信，一個打算征服白朗峰高度的男人，不願一探巴黎的夜生活？ 蓋關掉電燈，打開臥室房門朝外窺探，喬治勉強重新扣上襯衫鈕扣。當蓋看到爾文先生帶著那本《三個男人一艘船》安全地裹著被子躺在床上時，覺得很放心，於是踏出走廊。喬治不情願地跟上，靜靜關上背後的門。 他們一走到大廳，蓋就溜到街上，喬治還來不及反應時，蓋已招來一輛出租馬車。 他以一種在山上未曾表現出來的自信說：紅磨坊。車伕以輕快的速度出發了。如果爾文先生現在看得到我們就好了。蓋一邊說一邊打開一只銀製菸盒，喬治以前從來沒見過。 這趟旅程帶著他們越過塞納河抵達蒙馬特，這座山丘一直不在爾文先生的行程中。當他們在紅磨坊外面停下來時，喬治看到大多數賓客的穿著非常時髦，有些甚至身穿晚禮服；他不禁懷疑，他們會不會獲准進入這個迷人的夜總會。蓋再次帶頭行事。他付錢給車伕後，從皮夾裡抽出一張十法郎鈔票交給守門人，那人懷疑地瞄了這兩個年輕男子一眼，還是把錢塞進口袋，讓他們進去了。 他們一進到裡面，蓋又拿出另一張十法郎鈔票，但領班招待這兩個年輕男子時還是一樣缺乏熱忱。一位年輕侍者帶他們到房間後面的一張小桌子旁，遞給他們一張菜單。喬治無法把視線從賣菸女郎的雙腿上移開，而蓋則察覺自己的口袋縮水了，因而選擇酒單上第二便宜的酒。不久侍者回來了，就在燈光熄滅時，為他們一人斟了一杯榭密雍白酒。 喬治坐得筆直，這時十二位女孩穿著露出層層白色襯裙的華麗紅色表演服裝，跳了一段節目單上所謂的康康舞。每次她們把穿著黑長襪的腿踢上半空，以男性為主的觀眾群就會對她們發出粗俗的喝采，並高喊：Magniflque！（太棒了！）雖然喬治和姊妹一起長大，但他從未看過如此裸露的肌膚，就算他們在聖比斯做海水浴時也沒有。蓋叫了第二瓶酒，喬治開始懷疑，他這好友並不是第一次上夜總會；話說回來，蓋畢竟是在雀爾西區長大的，不是柴郡。 幕落燈亮時，侍者再度出現，拿給他們一份帳單，看起來和酒單上的價錢完全不同。蓋掏空了錢包還不夠，喬治不得不告別他那張應急的五英鎊鈔票。侍者看到那張異國貨幣時皺起了眉頭，不過還是把那一大張白色鈔票收進口袋，一點找零的意思都沒有首相貝爾福先生說的友好協約，也不過如此。 Oh, my God.蓋說道。 我同意，喬治說：完全想不到兩瓶酒要花這麼多錢。 不，不，蓋並未看著他的朋友：我說的不是帳單。他指著舞臺邊的一張桌子。 當喬治瞥見他們的舍監就坐在一個衣著清涼的女人身旁，一隻手臂環繞著她的肩膀時，他也一樣震驚。 我認為這是我們該做戰略性撤退的時候了。蓋說道。 agree.他們從位子上站起來，朝大門走去，頭也不回地直接走到外面的街道。 當他們踏上人行道時，一位裙子比紅磨坊賣菸女侍更短的女人漫步過來與他們同行。 Messieurs？（先生？）她悄聲說：Besoin de compagnie ？（少個伴嗎？） Non，merci，madame.（不，謝了，女士。）喬治說道。 Ah，Anglais，（啊，英國人，）她說道：Juste prix pour tous les deux ？（有給兩個人的公道價格喔。） 在平常我會很樂意幫忙，蓋插嘴說：不過很不幸，我們已被妳的同胞剝削過了。 那女人一臉困惑，喬治翻譯了朋友的話，她聳聳肩膀，繼續向湧出夜總會的其他男人詢問。 我希望你知道回旅館的路，蓋說，腳步有點不穩：因為我沒有錢可以叫出租馬車了。 毫無線索，喬治說：不過在有疑慮的時候，先認出你知道的地標，然後它就可以做為指向目的地的指標。他腳步輕快地出發了。 是啦，當然。蓋匆匆跟上他。 他們往回走，跨越河流時，喬治逐漸清醒，眼光鮮少離開他選定的參考點。蓋跟在他身後，一直沒有說話。四十分鐘後，他們停在一座紀念建築物底部，許多巴黎人都聲稱厭惡這玩意兒，衷心希望等它的二十年執照一過期，就能看到它的每個螺絲、每道鋼樑都拆得一乾二淨。 我想我們的旅館在那邊的某處，蓋一邊說，一邊指向一條狹窄的小路。他轉過身，看見喬治擡頭盯著艾菲爾鐵塔，眼中帶著純粹的崇敬之情。 在晚上看起來更有挑戰性了。喬治目不轉睛地凝視著。 You are not serious, are you?蓋說。這時，他的朋友朝鐵塔底座的一支三角形腳架走過去。 蓋追著他跑，一邊提出抗議，不過等他追上時，喬治已經跳到支架上開始攀爬了。雖然蓋繼續用他最大的音量喊叫，卻也只能站著看朋友靈活地在鋼樑之間移動。喬治始終沒往下看，如果他這麼做的話，他會看到一些夜貓子在下面聚集著，熱切地注視他的一舉一動。 當蓋聽到哨音時，喬治一定已經爬到一半了。他轉過身，看到一輛警車駛進廣場，停在鐵塔底部。五、六位穿著制服的警察跳下車，朝一位警官奔去，在此之前蓋一直沒注意到他，不過他顯然在等著他們。警官帶他們迅速走向電梯門，然後拉開鐵門。人群注視著電梯緩緩上升。 蓋往上張望，查看喬治的進展。他距離頂端只差幾百呎，看起來完全沒察覺身後的追捕者。一陣子後，電梯吱嘎一聲在他身邊停下，鐵門拉開，其中一位警察試探性地朝最近的鋼樑踏出一步，但在踏出第二步後，他明智地改變了主意，迅速跳回電梯裡。資深警官開始試著勸退這名惹事生非的歹徒，他卻佯裝什麼都聽不懂。 喬治仍決心攻頂。不過在忽略幾句規勸、隨後又挨了幾句什麼語言都通的嚴厲咒罵後，他不情願地進入警官所在的電梯裡。當警察帶著他們的獵物回到地面，圍觀的群眾在通往警車的路上形成一條通道，沿路為這位年輕男子鼓掌。 Chapeau，jeune homme.（向您脫帽致敬，年輕人。） Dommage.（真可惜。） Bravo! （幹得好！） Magniflque！ (marvelous!) 這是當晚喬治第二次聽到群眾大喊太棒了。 警察打算把他塞進車廂裡，載到只有天知道的地方去時，他看到了蓋。去找爾文先生，他喊：他會知道怎麼做。 蓋一路衝回旅館，搭電梯來到三樓，不過當他猛敲爾文先生的房門時，沒人回應。他不得不回到一樓，坐在臺階上，等舍監回來。他甚至考慮回到紅磨坊去，不過在全盤考量後認定，那樣做可能會造成更大的麻煩。 旅館的鐘敲了六下，載著爾文先生的馬車才停在前門。衣著清涼的女士無影無蹤。爾文先生很訝異地發現蓋坐在臺階上，等他了解是什麼原因後就更為驚訝了。 旅館經理只消打幾通電話，就知道喬治昨晚待在哪間警察局。爾文先生運用了所有外交技巧，更不用說還掏空了他的錢包，值勤警官才同意釋放這個無法對自己行為負責的年輕人，而且爾文先生還得先向那位巡官保證，他們會立刻離開這個國家。 在返回南安普頓的渡輪上，爾文先生告訴兩個年輕人，他還沒決定要不要把這件事告訴他們的父母。 蓋這麼回答：我也還沒決定是否要告訴父親，你昨晚帶我們去的俱樂部的名字。 8 劍橋新鮮人 一九〇五年，十月九日，星期一 * 喬治在學期第一天抵達莫德林學院時，發現前門開著，鬆了一口氣。 他慢慢走到門房小屋裡，把行李箱放在地上，然後對櫃檯後面那個熟悉的人影說：我的名字叫 馬洛里先生，門房說，同時舉起他的圓禮帽。您似乎以為我會忘記。他帶著溫暖的微笑補上這句話，然後朝下看著夾紙板。先生，您被安排在佩皮斯樓七號樓梯的一個房間。在學期第一天，通常我會陪著新生，不過您似乎是能自己找到路的紳士。喬治笑了。 走過第一庭院，然後穿過拱門。 Thank you.喬治說著，提起行李箱朝著門走去。 還有，先生，喬治轉身時，門房正好從椅子上站起來。我相信這是您的。他交給喬治另一個皮革行李箱，側面印著黑色的字母GLM。另外，請您務必準時赴六點鐘的約會，先生。 六點鐘的約會？ 是的，先生，您受邀與院長一同在宿舍裡喝杯飲料。他想在學期第一天認識一下大學部新生。 謝謝你提醒我，喬治說：順便問一下，我朋友蓋．布拉克來了嗎？ 他的確已經到了，先生。門房再次低頭看了一次手上的名單：布拉克先生在超過兩小時前就到了。您會在比您高一層樓的地方找到他。 那會是有史以來第一次。喬治這麼說，但沒解釋是什麼意思。 喬治朝第一庭院走去，同時留意不要踩上草皮，這片草地看似用剪刀修剪過。他和幾位大學部學生擦身而過，其中有些穿著長袍，顯示他們拿到第一等的全額獎學金，有些和他一樣穿著短袍，表示拿的是成績優秀獎學金，其他人沒有穿袍子，只戴著方帽，偶爾彼此舉帽致意。 沒有人多看喬治一眼，當然也沒有人在他走過時對他舉起方帽，這讓他回想當初到溫徹斯特的第一天。 經過通往班森先生所在的樓梯時，他忍不住露出微笑。這位高級導師在他們見面第二天一封電報，答應給喬治一份歷史科獎學金；後來又寫信通知喬治，他會親自擔任他的導師。 喬治繼續往前走，穿過拱門，進入佩皮斯樓所在的第二庭院，來到一處標示著粗體數字七的狹窄長廊。他拖著行李箱爬上木製階梯，上了二樓，看到一扇門上用銀漆字母拼出的名字G． L ．mallory.他很想知道，過去一百年裡，有多少名字曾出現在那扇門上。 他進入房間，這裡比他在溫徹斯特的書房大不了多少，但至少不必和蓋一起分享這個小空間。他從行李中取出衣物時，有人敲了門。蓋沒等他開口邀請就信步走了進來，兩名年輕人像未曾謀面似的彼此握了手，隨後笑了出來，並且互相擁抱。 我比你更上一層樓。蓋說道。 對於那種荒謬的念頭，我已清楚表達過我的看法了。喬治回應道。 蓋看到喬治已把那張熟悉的地圖釘到書桌上方的牆壁時，他微笑了。 ✓ 本尼維斯山四千四百零九呎 ✓ 大聖伯納山八千一百零一呎 ✓ 維藍峰一萬兩千三百五十三呎 ✓ 大孔班山一萬四千一百五十三呎 ✓ 羅莎山一萬五千兩百一十七呎 ?白朗峰一萬五千七百七十四呎 你似乎忘記蒙馬特了，他說：更別說艾菲爾鐵塔。 艾菲爾鐵塔只有一千零六十二呎高，喬治回答：而且你似乎忘記了，我沒有攻頂。 蓋瞥了一眼他的手錶。如果我們不想在見院長時遲到，最好現在就動身。 agree.喬治說著，很快套上他的袍子。 這兩位年輕大學生漫步穿越第二庭院朝院長宿舍走去時，喬治問蓋對院長是否有所了解。 只有爾文先生告訴我的事。院長從外交部退休前，好像是我國派駐在柏林的人；他最為人所知的名聲，就是對德國人相當直言不諱。根據爾文的說法，德皇也對他頗為敬畏。 喬治拉正了領帶，兩人加入一群如溪流般匯聚的年輕人。他們穿過院長的花園，走向一棟佔據庭院一側的維多利亞時期哥德風建築，在門口，一位穿著白外套、黑長