the awakening and selected short stories(苏醒)-第30部分
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home and take up her residence elsewhere； he immediately wrote her a
letter of unqualified disapproval and remonstrance。 She had given
reasons which he was unwilling to acknowledge as adequate。 He hoped
she had not acted upon her rash impulse； and he begged her to consider
first； foremost； and above all else； what people would say。 He was not
dreaming of scandal when he uttered this warning； that was a thing which
would never have entered into his mind to consider in connection with his
wife's name or his own。 He was simply thinking of his financial integrity。
It might get noised about that the Pontelliers had met with reverses； and
were forced to conduct their menage on a humbler scale than heretofore。
It might do incalculable mischief to his business prospects。
But remembering Edna's whimsical turn of mind of late； and
foreseeing that she had immediately acted upon her impetuous
determination； he grasped the situation with his usual promptness and
handled it with his well…known business tact and cleverness。
The same mail which brought。 to Edna his letter of disapproval carried
instructionsthe most minute instructionsto a well…known architect
concerning the remodeling of his home； changes which he had long
contemplated； and which he desired carried forward during his temporary
absence。
Expert and reliable packers and movers were engaged to convey the
furniture； carpets； pictures everything movable； in shortto places of
security。 And in an incredibly short time the Pontellier house was turned
over to the artisans。 There was to be an additiona small snuggery； there
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was to be frescoing； and hardwood flooring was to be put into such rooms
as had not yet been subjected to this improvement。
Furthermore； in one of the daily papers appeared a brief notice to the
effect that Mr。 and Mrs。 Pontellier were contemplating a summer sojourn
abroad； and that their handsome residence on Esplanade Street was
undergoing sumptuous alterations； and would not be ready for occupancy
until their return。 Mr。 Pontellier had saved appearances！
Edna admired the skill of his maneuver； and avoided any occasion to
balk his intentions。 When the situation as set forth by Mr。 Pontellier was
accepted and taken for granted； she was apparently satisfied that it should
be so。
The pigeon house pleased her。 It at once assumed the intimate
character of a home； while she herself invested it with a charm which it
reflected like a warm glow。 There was with her a feeling of having
descended in the social scale； with a corresponding sense of having risen
in the spiritual。 Every step which she took toward relieving herself from
obligations added to her strength and expansion as an individual。 She
began to look with her own eyes； to see and to apprehend the deeper
undercurrents of life。 No longer was she content to 〃feed upon opinion〃
when her own soul had invited her。
After a little while； a few days； in fact； Edna went up and spent a week
with her children in Iberville。 They were delicious February days； with
all the summer's promise hovering in the air。
How glad she was to see the children！ She wept for very pleasure
when she felt their little arms clasping her； their hard； ruddy cheeks
pressed against her own glowing cheeks。 She looked into their faces
with hungry eyes that could not be satisfied with looking。 And what
stories they had to tell their mother！ About the pigs； the cows； the mules！
About riding to the mill behind Gluglu； fishing back in the lake with their
Uncle Jasper； picking pecans with Lidie's little black brood； and hauling
chips in their express wagon。 It was a thousand times more fun to haul
real chips for old lame Susie's real fire than to drag painted blocks along
the banquette on Esplanade Street！
She went with them herself to see the pigs and the cows； to look at the
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darkies laying the cane； to thrash the pecan trees； and catch fish in the
back lake。 She lived with them a whole week long； giving them all of
herself； and gathering and filling herself with their young existence。
They listened； breathless； when she told them the house in Esplanade
Street was crowded with workmen； hammering； nailing； sawing； and
filling the place with clatter。 They wanted。 to know where their bed was；
what had been done with their rocking…horse； and where did Joe sleep； and
where had Ellen gone； and the cook？ But； above all； they were fired with
a desire to see the little house around the block。 Was there any place to
play？ Were there any boys next door？ Raoul； with pessimistic
foreboding； was convinced that there were only girls next door。 Where
would they sleep； and where would papa sleep？ She told them the fairies
would fix it all right。
The old Madame was charmed with Edna's visit； and showered all
manner of delicate attentions upon her。 She was delighted to know that
the Esplanade Street house was in a dismantled condition。 It gave her the
promise and pretext to keep the children indefinitely。
It was with a wrench and a pang that Edna left her children。 She
carried away with her the sound of their voices and the touch of their
cheeks。 All along the journey homeward their presence lingered with her
like the memory of a delicious song。 But by the time she had regained the
city the song no longer echoed in her soul。 She was again alone。
XXXIII
It happened sometimes when Edna went to see Mademoiselle Reisz
that the little musician was absent； giving a lesson or making some small
necessary household purchase。 The key was always left in a secret
hiding…place in the entry； which Edna knew。 If Mademoiselle happened
to be away； Edna would usually enter and wait for her return。
When she knocked at Mademoiselle Reisz's door one afternoon there
was no response； so unlocking the door； as usual； she entered and found
the apartment deserted； as she had expected。 Her day had been quite
filled up； and it was for a rest； for a refuge； and to talk about Robert； that
she sought out her friend。
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She had worked at her canvasa young Italian character studyall the
morning； completing the work without the model； but there had been
many interruptions； some incident to her modest housekeeping； and others
of a social nature。
Madame Ratignolle had dragged herself over； avoiding the too public
thoroughfares； she said。 She complained that Edna had neglected her
much of late。 Besides； she was consumed with curiosity to see the little
house and the manner in which it was conducted。 She wanted to hear all
about the dinner party； Monsieur Ratignolle had left so early。 What had
happened after he left？ The champagne and grapes which Edna sent over
were TOO delicious。 She had so little appetite； they had refreshed and
toned her stomach。 Where on earth was she going to put Mr。 Pontellier in
that little house； and the boys？ And then she made Edna promise to go to
her when her hour of trial overtook her。
〃At any timeany time of the day or night； dear；〃 Edna assured her。
Before leaving Madame Ratignolle said：
〃In some way you seem to me like a child； Edna。 You seem to act
without a certain amount of reflection which is necessary in this life。
That is the reason I want to say you mustn't mind if I advise you to be a
little careful while you are living here alone。 Why don't you have some
one come and stay with you？ Wouldn't Mademoiselle Reisz come？〃
〃No； she wouldn't wish to come； and I shouldn't want her always with
me。〃
〃Well； the reasonyou know how evil…minded the world issome one
was talking of Alcee Arobin visiting you。 Of course； it wouldn't matter if
Mr。 Arobin had not such a dreadful reputation。 Monsieur Ratignolle was
telling me that his attentions alone are considered enough to ruin a woman
s name。〃
〃Does he boast of his successes？〃 asked Edna； indifferently； squinting
at her picture。
〃No； I think not。 I believe he is a decent fellow as far as that goes。
But his character is so well known among the men。 I shan't be able to
come back and see you； it was very； very imprudent to…day。〃
〃Mind the step！〃 cried Edna。
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