the awakening and selected short stories(苏醒)-第23部分
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was an invention。 Perhaps it was a dream she had had。 But every
glowing word seemed real to those who listened。 They could feel the hot
breath of the Southern night； they could hear the long sweep of the
pirogue through the glistening moonlit water； the beating of birds' wings；
rising startled from among the reeds in the salt…water pools； they could see
the faces of the lovers； pale； close together； rapt in oblivious forgetfulness；
drifting into the unknown。
The champagne was cold； and its subtle fumes played fantastic tricks
with Edna's memory that night。
Outside； away from the glow of the fire and the soft lamplight； the
night was chill and murky。 The Doctor doubled his old…fashioned cloak
across his breast as he strode home through the darkness。 He knew his
fellow…creatures better than most men； knew that inner life which so
seldom unfolds itself to unanointed* eyes。 He was sorry he had accepted
Pontellier's invitation。 He was growing old； and beginning to need rest
and an imperturbed spirit。 He did not want the secrets of other lives thrust
upon him。
〃I hope it isn't Arobin；〃 he muttered to himself as he walked。 〃I hope to
heaven it isn't Alcee Arobin。〃
XXIV
Edna and her father had a warm； and almost violent dispute upon the
subject of her refusal to attend her sister's wedding。 Mr。 Pontellier declined
to interfere； to interpose either his influence or his authority。 He was
following Doctor Mandelet's advice； and letting her do as she liked。 The
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Colonel reproached his daughter for her lack of filial kindness and respect；
her want of sisterly affection and womanly consideration。 His arguments
were labored and unconvincing。 He doubted if Janet would accept any
excuseforgetting that Edna had offered none。 He doubted if Janet
would ever speak to her again； and he was sure Margaret would not。
Edna was glad to be rid of her father when he finally took himself off
with his wedding garments and his bridal gifts； with his padded shoulders；
his Bible reading； his 〃toddies〃 and ponderous oaths。
Mr。 Pontellier followed him closely。 He meant to stop at the wedding
on his way to New York and endeavor by every means which money and
love could devise to atone somewhat for Edna's incomprehensible action。
〃You are too lenient； too lenient by far； Leonce；〃 asserted the Colonel。
〃Authority； coercion are what is needed。 Put your foot down good and
hard； the only way to manage a wife。 Take my word for it。〃
The Colonel was perhaps unaware that he had coerced his own wife
into her grave。 Mr。 Pontellier had a vague suspicion of it which he
thought it needless to mention at that late day。
Edna was not so consciously gratified at her husband's leaving home
as she had been over the departure of her father。 As the day approached
when he was to leave her for a comparatively long stay； she grew melting
and affectionate； remembering his many acts of consideration and his
repeated expressions of an ardent attachment。 She was solicitous about
his health and his welfare。 She bustled around； looking after his clothing；
thinking about heavy underwear； quite as Madame Ratignolle would have
done under similar circumstances。 She cried when he went away； calling
him her dear； good friend； and she was quite certain she would grow
lonely before very long and go to join him in New York。
But after all； a radiant peace settled upon her when she at last found
herself alone。 Even the children were gone。 Old Madame Pontellier
had come herself and carried them off to Iberville with their quadroon。
The old madame did not venture to say she was afraid they would be
neglected during Leonce's absence； she hardly ventured to think so。 She
was hungry for themeven a little fierce in her attachment。 She did not
want them to be wholly 〃children of the pavement；〃 she always said when
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begging to have them for a space。 She wished them to know the country；
with its streams； its fields； its woods； its freedom； so delicious to the
young。 She wished them to taste something of the life their father had
lived and known and loved when he； too； was a little child。
When Edna was at last alone； she breathed a big； genuine sigh of relief。
A feeling that was unfamiliar but very delicious came over her。 She
walked all through the house； from one room to another； as if inspecting it
for the first time。 She tried the various chairs and lounges； as if she had
never sat and reclined upon them before。 And she perambulated around
the outside of the house； investigating； looking to see if windows and
shutters were secure and in order。 The flowers were like new
acquaintances； she approached them in a familiar spirit； and made herself
at home among them。 The garden walks were damp； and Edna called to
the maid to bring out her rubber sandals。 And there she stayed； and
stooped； digging around the plants； trimming； picking dead； dry leaves。
The children's little dog came out； interfering； getting in her way。 She
scolded him； laughed at him； played with him。 The garden smelled so
good and looked so pretty in the afternoon sunlight。 Edna plucked all the
bright flowers she could find； and went into the house with them； she and
the little dog。
Even the kitchen assumed a sudden interesting character which she
had never before perceived。 She went in to give directions to the cook； to
say that the butcher would have to bring much less meat； that they would
require only half their usual quantity of bread； of milk and groceries。 She
told the cook that she herself would be greatly occupied during Mr。
Pontellier's absence； and she begged her to take all thought and
responsibility of the larder upon her own shoulders。
That night Edna dined alone。 The candelabra； with a few candies in
the center of the table； gave all the light she needed。 Outside the circle of
light in which she sat； the large dining…room looked solemn and shadowy。
The cook； placed upon her mettle； served a delicious repasta luscious
tenderloin broiled a point。 The wine tasted good； the marron glace
seemed to be just what she wanted。 It was so pleasant； too； to dine in a
comfortable peignoir。
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She thought a little sentimentally about Leonce and the children； and
wondered what they were doing。 As she gave a dainty scrap or two to the
doggie； she talked intimately to him about Etienne and Raoul。 He was
beside himself with astonishment and delight over these companionable
advances； and showed his appreciation by his little quick； snappy barks
and a lively agitation。
Then Edna sat in the library after dinner and read Emerson until she
grew sleepy。 She realized that she had neglected her reading； and
determined to start anew upon a course of improving studies； now that her
time was completely her own to do with as she liked。
After a refreshing bath； Edna went to bed。 And as she snuggled
comfortably beneath the eiderdown a sense of restfulness invaded her；
such as she had not known before。
XXV
When the weather was dark and cloudy Edna could not work。 She
needed the sun to mellow and temper her mood to the sticking point。 She
had reached a stage when she seemed to be no longer feeling her way；
working； when in the humor； with sureness and ease。 And being devoid
of ambition； and striving not toward accomplishment； she drew
satisfaction from the work in itself。
On rainy or melancholy days Edna went out and sought the society of
the friends she had made at Grand Isle。 Or else she stayed indoors and
nursed a mood with which she was becoming too familiar for her own
comfort and peace of mind。 It was not despair； but it seemed to her as if
life were passing by； leaving its promise broken and unfulfilled。 Yet
there were other days when she listened； was led on and deceived by fresh
promises which her youth held out to her。
She went again to the races； and again。 Alcee Arobin and Mrs。
Highcamp called for her one bright afternoon in Arobin's drag。 Mrs。
High
