hr.thecarpetbaggers-第108部分

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


　〃How　about　a　Coke；　Johnny？〃
　〃Uh…uh；〃　Johnny　said。　〃No　handouts　while　I'm　watchin'　the　store　for　Doc。〃　Idly　Johnny　opened　and　closed　some　drawers　under　the　counter。　〃Hey；　Andy；〃　he　called。　〃Want　to　see　where　Doc　keeps　all　the　rubbers？〃
　〃Sure；〃　Andy　said。　He　walked　around　behind　the　counter。
　〃May　I　have　a　Coke；　please？〃
　The　girl's　voice　came　from　the　soda　fountain。　Both　boys　looked　up　guiltily。　Quickly　Johnny　snapped　the　drawer　shut。　〃Sure；　Jennie。〃
　〃Where's　Doc？〃
　〃He　went　upstairs　for　a　minute。〃
　〃She　saw　us；〃　Andy　whispered。　〃She　knows　what　we　were　lookin'　at。〃
　Johnny　looked　at　Jennie　as　he　walked　over　to　the　soda　fountain。　Maybe　she　did。　There　was　a　peculiar　smile　on　her　face。　He　pressed　the　plunger　on　the　Coke…sirup　pump　and　watched　the　dark　fluid　squirt　into　the　glass。　〃Yuh　hear　from　the　Champ　yet；　Jennie？〃
　She　shook　her　head。　〃We　were　supposed　to　go　to　the　movies　tonight　but　he　didn't　get　back　from　Berkeley。　I　hope　nothing　went　wrong　with　his　scholarship。〃
　Johnny　smiled。　〃What　could　go　wrong　with　it？〃　he　said。　〃He　already　took　the　state　finals。〃
　Andy　came　up　behind　him。　〃Will　it　work　on　her？〃　he　whispered。　Johnny　knew　what　he　meant。　He　looked　up　suddenly。　All　at　once　it　seemed　to　him　that　he'd　never　really　seen　Jennie。　She　was　one　of　the　cherries　and　usually　he　paid　no　attention　to　them。　She　had　left　her　Coke　and　was　over　looking　at　the　magazines。　He　liked　the　way　the　thin　summer　dress　clung　to　her。　He　never　knew　she　had　such　big　ones。　No　wonder　Mike　Halloran　kept　her　on　the　leash。　Suddenly；　he　put　his　hand　in　his　pocket　and　took　out　the　little　piece　of　paper　and　emptied　the　pinch　of　powder　into　her　glass。
　Jennie　took　a　magazine　from　the　rack　and　went　back　to　the　fountain。　Johnny　looked　down　at　her　glass。　Some　traces　of　powder　were　still　floating　on　top。　He　took　it　and　put　in　another　squirt　of　sirup；　then　held　the　glass　under　the　soda　spigot　while　he　stirred　vigorously。　He　put　the　drink　down　in　front　of　her　and　looked　up　at　the　clock。　〃Kind　of　late　for　you　to　be　out；　isn't　it？〃
　〃It's　Saturday　night；〃　Jennie　answered。　〃It　was　so　hot　in　the　apartment；　I　thought　I'd　e　down　for　some　air。〃　She　put　a　nickel　on　the　counter　and　took　a　straw　from　the　glass　container。
　Johnny　anxiously　watched　her　sip　the　drink。　〃Is　it　all　right？〃
　〃A　little　sweet；　maybe。〃
　〃I'll　put　a　little　more　soda　in　it；〃　Johnny　said　quickly。　〃How's　that？〃
　She　sipped　at　it。　〃Fine　now。　Thanks。〃
　He　picked　up　the　nickel；　went　back　to　the　cash　register　and　rang　it　up。　〃I　saw　what　you　did；〃　Andy　whispered。
　〃Shut　up。〃
　Jennie　was　turning　the　pages　of　the　magazine　slowly　as　she　sipped　her　drink。　Her　glass　was　half　empty　when　the　druggist　came　back　into　the　store。　〃Everything　O。K。；　Johnny？〃
　〃O。K。；　Doc。〃
　〃Thanks；　Johnny。　Want　a　Coke？〃
　〃No；　thanks；　Doc。　See　you　tomorrow。〃
　〃What　did　you　go　an'　do　that　for？〃　Andy　asked；　when　they　came　out　onto　the　street。　〃Now　we　won't　never　know　if　it　worked。〃
　〃We'll　know；〃　Johnny　said；　turning　to　look　through　the　window。
　Jennie　had　finished　her　drink　and　was　climbing　down　from　the　stool。　She　put　the　magazine　back　on　the　rack　and　started　for　the　door。　Johnny　moved　over　to　intercept　her。
　〃Going　home；　Jennie？〃
　She　stopped　and　smiled　at　him。　〃I　thought　I'd　go　down　to　the　park。　Maybe　there's　a　cool　breeze　ing　in　from　the　bay。〃
　〃Mind　if　we　e　along？〃　Johnny　asked。　〃We're　not　doin'　anything。〃
　She　wondered　what　made　Johnny　ask　to　walk　with　her　all　of　a　sudden。　He'd　never　seemed　interested　in　her　before。
　
　It　was　almost　ten　o'clock　when　Tom　Denton　came　out　of　the　saloon　across　from　the　car　barn。　He　was　drunk。　Sad；　weeping；　unhappy　drunk。　He　stared　across　the　street　at　the　car　barn。　Old　Two…twelve　was　in　there。　His　old　car。　But　she　wasn't　his　car　any　more。　She'd　never　be　his　car　any　more。　She　was　somebody　else's　car　now。
　The　tears　began　to　roll　down　his　cheeks。　He　was　a　failure。　No　car；　no　job；　not　even　a　wife　to　e　home　to。　Right　now　she　was　probably　sitting　in　a　corner　of　the　church；　praying。
　Didn't　she　understand　a　man　had　to　have　more　than　a　prayer　when　he　got　into　bed？　If　he　had　a　couple　of　dollars　in　his　pocket；　he　knew　where　he'd　go。　The　girls　at　Maggie's　knew　how　to　treat　a　man。　He　fished　in　his　pocket　for　some　coins。　Carefully　he　counted　them。　Thirty…five　cents。　He　thought　about　going　back　into　the　saloon。　He　had　enough　for　one　more　drink。　But　then　he'd　have　to　ask　Ellen　for　pocket　money　on　Monday。
　He　felt　the　effects　of　the　liquor　beginning　to　wear　off。　Angrily　he　put　the　change　back　in　his　pocket。　Drinking　wasn't　any　fun　when　you　had　to　worry　about　every　nickel　you　spent。　Almost　sober　now；　he　began　to　walk　home　slowly。
　He　was　sitting　at　the　kitchen　table　in　the　dark　when　Ellen　came　home　half　an　hour　later。　He　looked　up　wearily　as　she　turned　on　the　light。　〃I　didn't　expect　ye　home　so　early；〃　she　said。　〃What　happened？　Did　they　run　out　of　whisky？〃
　He　didn't　answer。
　She　walked　out　of　the　kitchen　into　the　narrow　hallway。　He　heard　her　open　Jennie's　door；　then　close　it。　A　moment　later；　she　came　back　into　the　kitchen。　〃Where's　Jennie？〃
　〃I　don't　know。　She's　probably　out　with　Mike。〃
　〃Mike　is　still　in　Berkeley。　Jennie　was　here　when　I　left　for　church。　She　said　she　was　going　to　bed　early。〃
　〃It's　warm；〃　he　said。　〃She　probably　went　out　for　a　breath　of　air。〃
　〃I　don't　like　her　being　out　alone　like　that。〃
　〃Now；　don't　start　on　her；　Ellen；〃　he　said。　〃She's　a　big　girl　now。〃
　She　took　a　kettle　down　from　the　shelf　and　filled　it　with　water。　She　placed　it　on　the　stove　and　lit　the　gas　under　it。　〃Would　ye　like　a　cup　of　tea？〃
　He　looked　up　in　surprise。　It　had　been　a　long　time　since　Ellen　asked　him　to　share　an　evening　cup　of　tea。　He　nodded　gratefully。
　She　took　the　cups　from　the　cupboard　and　placed　them　on　the　table。　Then　she　sat　down　opposite　him　to　wait　for　the　water　to　boil。　There　was　a　worried　expression　on　her　face。
　〃Don't　worry；〃　he　said；　suddenly　feeling　sorry　for　her。　〃Jennie'll　be　home　any　minute　now。〃
　She　looked　up；　and　in　a　rare　moment　of　insight；　saw　what　she　was　doing　to　him　and　to　herself。　She　felt　the　tears　ing　into　her　eyes　and　placed　her　hand　over　his。　〃I'm　sorry；　Tom。　I　don't　know　what's　the　matter　with　me。　Half　the　time；　I　imagine　things　that　never　happen。〃
　〃I　know；　Ellen；〃　he　said　gently。　〃I　know。〃
　It　was　then　that　the　policeman　came　to　the　door　and　told　them　that　Jennie　had　been　found　in　the　park；　raped　and　beaten。　And　from　the　look　on　Ellen's　face；　Tom　knew　that　they　were　lost　forever。
　
　6
　
　THE　THREE　OF　THEM　CAME　OUT　OF　THE　CHURCH　INTO　THE　BRIGHT　SUNLIGHT。　They　felt　almost　immediately　the　curious　watching　eyes。　Tom　felt　the　sudden　shrinking　in　his　daughter　and　noticed　the　flush　of　shame　creeping　up　into　her　face；　still　puffed　from　the　beating　of　almost　two　weeks　ago。　Her　eyes　looked　down　at　the　steps　as　they　began　to　walk　down　toward　the　sidewalk。
　〃Hold　your　head　up；　Jennie　Bear；〃　he　whispered。　〃It's　their　sons　should　bear　the　shame；　not　you。〃
　Jennie　lifted　her　head　and　smiled　at　him　gratefully。　〃And　you；　too；　Ellen　Denton；〃　he　added。　〃Stop　lookin'　down　at　the　ground。〃
　In　a　way；　Ellen　felt　a　sort　of　triumph。　Her　husband　had　finally　returned　to　the　church。　She　thought　of　how　it　had　been　early　that　morning。　She'd　been　all　dressed　and　ready　to　leave　for　church　when　she　called　Jennie。　She　opened　the　door　of　Jennie's　room。　Her　daughter　was　sitting　in　a　chair；　staring　out　the　window。　〃You're　not　dressed　yet；　Jennie；〃　she　said　in　a　shocked　voice。　〃It's　time　we　were　leaving　for　Mass。〃
　〃I'm　not　going；　Mama；〃　Jennie　said　tonelessly。
　〃But　you've　not　been　to　church　since　ye　came　home　from　the　hospital　You've　scarcely　been　out　of　the　house。〃
　〃I've　been　out；　Mama。〃　She　turned　toward　her　mother　and　the　dark　circles　under　her　eyes　looked　even　darker　in　the　light。　〃And　everybody　stared　at　me　and　whispered　as　I　went　by。　I　can't　stand　it。　I　won't　go　to　church　and　be　a　freak　for　everybody　to　stare　at。〃
　〃You're　denying　the　Savior！〃　Ellen　said　heatedly。　〃How　do　ye　expect　forgiveness　for　your　sins　if　ye　don't　attend　church？〃
　〃What　sins　does　the　child　need　forgiveness　for？〃　Her　husband's　voice　came　from　behind　her。　She　whirled　around；　her　temper　immediately　rising。　〃It's　enough　we　have　one　traitor　to　the　church　in　this　house；〃　she　said。　〃We　don't　need　another。〃　She　turned　to　Jennie。　〃Get　dressed。　You're　ing　with　me　if　I　have　to　drag　ye。〃
　〃I'm　not　going；　Mama；〃　Jennie　said。　〃I　can't。〃
　Ellen　took　a　threatening　step　toward　her　daughter。　She　raised　her　hand。　Suddenly；　she　felt　her　wrist　caught　in　a　grip　of　steel　and　she　turned　to　look　up　into　the　face　of　her　husband。　His　usually　soft　blue　eyes　were　cold　and　hard。　〃Leave　the　child　be！　Have　you　gone　pletely　mad？〃
　She　looked　up　at　him　for　a　moment　and　then　the　flashing　anger　dissolved　within　her；　leaving　her　spent　and　weak。　The　tears　started　in　her　eyes。　〃Father　Hadley　asked　me　to　bring　her。　He　said　he'd　offer　up　a　prayer　for　her　fort。〃
　He　felt　the　release　of　her　anger　and　let　go　of　her　wrist。　Her　arm　fell　limply　at　her　side。　He　turned　to　his　daughter。　〃Is　that　the　reason　you　won't　go　to　church；　Jennie　Bear？〃　he　asked　gently。　〃Because　they　stare　at　you？〃
　She　nodded　silently。
　〃Would　you　go　if　I　were　to　e　with　you？〃　he　asked　suddenly。
　Jennie　looked　into　his　eyes　and　saw　the　love　there。　After　a　moment；　she　nodded。　〃Yes；　Daddy。〃
　〃All　right；　then。　Get　dressed。　I'll　be　shaved　in　a　minute。〃　He　turned　and　left　the　room　quickly。　Ellen　stared　after　him；　almost　too　surprised　to　realize　what　had　happened。
　There　had　been　a　buzz　of　surprise　as　they　walked　down　the　aisle　to　their　pew。　Tom　could　see　heads　twisting　as　they　gaped；　and　a　shudder　ran　through　him　at　all　the　cruelty　that　was　inherent　in　all　human　beings。　His　hand　tightened　on　his　daughter's　and　he　smiled　as　he　knelt　toward　the　altar　and　crossed　himself　before　taking　his　seat。
　But　as　bad　as　it　had　been　when　they　came　in；　it　was　that　much　worse　when　they　came　out。　The　curious　had　had　time　to　gather　on　the　steps　in　the　bright　morning　sunshine。　It　was　like　running　a　gantlet　of　idiots。
　〃It's　over　now；〃　he　said　softly　as　they　turned　the　corner。
　They　crossed　the　street；　walking　toward　the　drugstore　on　the　next　corner。　A　group　of　boys　were　lounging　about　the　store　window；　dressed　in　their　Sunday