the awakening and selected short stories(苏醒)-第19部分
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one with the sunlight； the color； the odors； the luxuriant warmth of some
perfect Southern day。 She liked then to wander alone into strange and
unfamiliar places。 She discovered many a sunny； sleepy corner；
fashioned to dream in。 And she found it good to dream and to be alone
and unmolested。
There were days when she was unhappy； she did not know why；when
it did not seem worth while to be glad or sorry； to be alive or dead； when
life appeared to her like a grotesque pandemonium and humanity like
worms struggling blindly toward inevitable annihilation。 She could not
work on such a day； nor weave fancies to stir her pulses and warm her
blood。
XX
It was during such a mood that Edna hunted up Mademoiselle Reisz。
She had not forgotten the rather disagreeable impression left upon her by
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their last interview； but she nevertheless felt a desire to see herabove all；
to listen while she played upon the piano。 Quite early in the afternoon
she started upon her quest for the pianist。 Unfortunately she had mislaid
or lost Mademoiselle Reisz's card； and looking up her address in the city
directory； she found that the woman lived on Bienville Street； some
distance away。 The directory which fell into her hands was a year or more
old； however； and upon reaching the number indicated； Edna discovered
that the house was occupied by a respectable family of mulattoes who had
chambres garnies to let。 They had been living there for six months； and
knew absolutely nothing of a Mademoiselle Reisz。 In fact； they knew
nothing of any of their neighbors； their lodgers were all people of the
highest distinction； they assured Edna。 She did not linger to discuss class
distinctions with Madame Pouponne； but hastened to a neighboring
grocery store； feeling sure that Mademoiselle would have left her address
with the proprietor。
He knew Mademoiselle Reisz a good deal better than he wanted to
know her； he informed his questioner。 In truth； he did not want to know
her at all； or anything concerning herthe most disagreeable and
unpopular woman who ever lived in Bienville Street。 He thanked heaven
she had left the neighborhood； and was equally thankful that he did not
know where she had gone。
Edna's desire to see Mademoiselle Reisz had increased tenfold since
these unlooked…for obstacles had arisen to thwart it。 She was wondering
who could give her the information she sought； when it suddenly occurred
to her that Madame Lebrun would be the one most likely to do so。 She
knew it was useless to ask Madame Ratignolle； who was on the most
distant terms with the musician； and preferred to know nothing concerning
her。 She had once been almost as emphatic in expressing herself upon the
subject as the corner grocer。
Edna knew that Madame Lebrun had returned to the city； for it was the
middle of November。 And she also knew where the Lebruns lived； on
Chartres Street。
Their home from the outside looked like a prison； with iron bars before
the door and lower windows。 The iron bars were a relic of the old regime；
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and no one had ever thought of dislodging them。 At the side was a high
fence enclosing the garden。 A gate or door opening upon the street was
locked。 Edna rang the bell at this side garden gate； and stood upon the
banquette； waiting to be admitted。
It was Victor who opened the gate for her。 A black woman； wiping
her hands upon her apron； was close at his heels。 Before she saw them
Edna could hear them in altercation； the womanplainly an anomaly
claiming the right to be allowed to perform her duties； one of which was to
answer the bell。
Victor was surprised and delighted to see Mrs。 Pontellier； and he made
no attempt to conceal either his astonishment or his delight。 He was a
dark…browed； good…looking youngster of nineteen； greatly resembling his
mother； but with ten times her impetuosity。 He instructed the black woman
to go at once and inform Madame Lebrun that Mrs。 Pontellier desired to
see her。 The woman grumbled a refusal to do part of her duty when she
had not been permitted to do it all； and started back to her interrupted task
of weeding the garden。 Whereupon Victor administered a rebuke in the
form of a volley of abuse； which； owing to its rapidity and incoherence；
was all but incomprehensible to Edna。 Whatever it was； the rebuke was
convincing； for the woman dropped her hoe and went mumbling into the
house。
Edna did not wish to enter。 It was very pleasant there on the side
porch； where there were chairs； a wicker lounge； and a small table。 She
seated herself； for she was tired from her long tramp； and she began to
rock gently and smooth out the folds of her silk parasol。 Victor drew up
his chair beside her。 He at once explained that the black woman's
offensive conduct was all due to imperfect training； as he was not there to
take her in hand。 He had only come up from the island the morning
before； and expected to return next day。 He stayed all winter at the island；
he lived there； and kept the place in order and got things ready for the
summer visitors。
But a man needed occasional relaxation； he informed Mrs。 Pontellier；
and every now and again he drummed up a pretext to bring him to the city。
My！ but he had had a time of it the evening before！ He wouldn't want his
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mother to know； and he began to talk in a whisper。 He was scintillant
with recollections。 Of course； he couldn't think of telling Mrs。 Pontellier
all about it； she being a woman and not comprehending such things。 But
it all began with a girl peeping and smiling at him through the shutters as
he passed by。 Oh！ but she was a beauty！ Certainly he smiled back； and
went up and talked to her。 Mrs。 Pontellier did not know him if she
supposed he was one to let an opportunity like that escape him。 Despite
herself； the youngster amused her。 She must have betrayed in her look
some degree of interest or entertainment。 The boy grew more daring； and
Mrs。 Pontellier might have found herself； in a little while； listening to a
highly colored story but for the timely appearance of Madame Lebrun。
That lady was still clad in white； according to her custom of the
summer。 Her eyes beamed an effusive welcome。 Would not Mrs。
Pontellier go inside？ Would she partake of some refreshment？ Why had
she not been there before？ How was that dear Mr。 Pontellier and how were
those sweet children？ Had Mrs。 Pontellier ever known such a warm
November？
Victor went and reclined on the wicker lounge behind his mother's
chair； where he commanded a view of Edna's face。 He had taken her
parasol from her hands while he spoke to her； and he now lifted it and
twirled it above him as he lay on his back。 When Madame Lebrun
complained that it was so dull coming back to the city； that she saw so few
people now； that even Victor； when he came up from the island for a day
or two； had so much to occupy him and engage his time； then it was that
the youth went into contortions on the lounge and winked mischievously
at Edna。 She somehow felt like a confederate in crime； and tried to look
severe and disapproving。
There had been but two letters from Robert； with little in them； they
told her。 Victor said it was really not worth while to go inside for the
letters； when his mother entreated him to go in search of them。 He
remembered the contents； which in truth he rattled off very glibly when
put to the test。
One letter was written from Vera Cruz and the other from the City of
Mexico。 He had met Montel； who was doing everything toward his
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advancement。 So far； the financial situation was no improvement over
the one he had left in New Orleans； but of course the prospects were vastly
better。 He wrote of the City of Mexico； the buildings； the people and
their habits； the conditions of life which he found there。 He sent his love
to the family。 He inclosed a check to his mother； and hoped she would
affectionately remember him
