the house behind the cedars(雪松后的房子)-第6章
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that gleamed in her expressive eye。
〃If I had some relation of my own that I could take into the house with
me；〃 he said reflectively； 〃the child might be healthier and happier； and I
should be much more at ease about him。〃
The mother looked from son to daughter with a dawning apprehension
and a sudden pallor。 When she saw the yearning in Rena's eyes； she
threw herself at her son's feet。
〃Oh； John；〃 she cried despairingly； 〃don't take her away from me！
Don't take her； John； darlin'； for it'd break my heart to lose her！〃
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Rena's arms were round her mother's neck； and Rena's voice was
sounding in her ears。 〃There； there； mamma！ Never mind！ I won't
leave you； mammadear old mamma！ Your Rena'll stay with you always；
and never； never leave you。〃
John smoothed his mother's hair with a comforting touch； patted her
withered cheek soothingly； lifted her tenderly to her place by his side； and
put his arm about her。
〃You love your children； mother？〃
〃They're all I've got；〃 she sobbed； 〃an' they cos' me all I had。 When
the las' one's gone； I'll want to go too； for I'll be all alone in the world。
Don't take Rena； John； for if you do； I'll never see her again； an' I can't
bear to think of it。 How would you like to lose yo'r one child？〃
〃Well； well； mother； we'll say no more about it。 And now tell me all
about yourself； and about the neighbors； and how you got through the war；
and who's dead and who's marriedand everything。〃
The change of subject restored in some degree Mis' Molly's
equanimity； and with returning calmness came a sense of other
responsibilities。
〃Good gracious； Rena！〃 she exclaimed。 〃John 's be'n in the house an
hour； and ain't had nothin' to eat yet！ Go in the kitchen an' spread a clean
tablecloth； an' git out that 'tater pone； an' a pitcher o' that las' kag o'
persimmon beer； an' let John take a bite an' a sip。〃
Warwick smiled at the mention of these homely dainties。 〃I thought
of your sweet…potato pone at the hotel to…day； when I was at dinner； and
wondered if you'd have some in the house。 There was never any like
yours； and I've forgotten the taste of persimmon beer entirely。〃
Rena left the room to carry out her hospitable commission。 Warwick；
taking advantage of her absence； returned after a while to the former
subject。
〃Of course； mother；〃 he said calmly； 〃I wouldn't think of taking Rena
away against your wishes。 A mother's claim upon her child is a high and
holy one。 Of course she will have no chance here； where our story is
known。 The war has wrought great changes； has put the bottom rail on
top； and all thatbut it hasn't wiped THAT out。 Nothing but death can
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remove that stain； if it does not follow us even beyond the grave。 Here
she must forever benobody！ With me she might have got out into the
world； with her beauty she might have made a good marriage； and； if I
mistake not； she has sense as well as beauty。〃
〃Yes；〃 sighed the mother； 〃she's got good sense。 She ain't as quick as
you was； an' don't read as many books； but she's keerful an' painstakin'； an'
always tries to do what's right。 She's be'n thinkin' about goin' away
somewhere an' tryin' to git a school to teach； er somethin'； sence the
Yankees have started 'em everywhere for po' white folks an' niggers too。
But I don't like fer her to go too fur。〃
〃With such beauty and brains；〃 continued Warwick； 〃she could leave
this town and make a place for herself。 The place is already made。 She
has only to step into my carriageafter perhaps a little preparationand
ride up the hill which I have had to climb so painfully。 It would be a
great pleasure to me to see her at the top。 But of course it is impossible
a mere idle dream。 YOUR claim comes first； her duty chains her here。〃
〃It would be so lonely without her；〃 murmured the mother weakly； 〃an'
I love her somy las' one！〃
〃No doubtno doubt；〃 returned Warwick； with a sympathetic sigh； 〃of
course you love her。 It's not to be thought of for a moment。 It's a pity
that she couldn't have a chance herebut how could she！ I had thought
she might marry a gentleman； but I dare say she'll do as well as the rest of
her friendsas well as Mary B。； for instance； who marriedHomer
Pettifoot； did you say？ Or maybe Billy Oxendine might do for her。 As
long as she has never known any better； she'll probably be as well satisfied
as though she married a rich man； and lived in a fine house； and kept a
carriage and servants； and moved with the best in the land。〃
The tortured mother could endure no more。 The one thing she
desired above all others was her daughter's happiness。 Her own life had
not been governed by the highest standards； but about her love for her
beautiful daughter there was no taint of selfishness。 The life her son had
described had been to her always the ideal but unattainable life。
Circumstances； some beyond her control； and others for which she was
herself in a measure responsible； had put it forever and inconceivably
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beyond her reach。 It had been conquered by her son。 It beckoned to her
daughter。 The comparison of this free and noble life with the sordid
existence of those around her broke down the last barrier of opposition。
〃O Lord！〃 she moaned； 〃what shall I do with out her？ It'll be lonely；
Johnso lonely！〃
〃You'll have your home； mother；〃 said Warwick tenderly； accepting the
implied surrender。 〃You'll have your friends and relatives； and the
knowledge that your children are happy。 I'll let you hear from us often；
and no doubt you can see Rena now and then。 But you must let her go；
mother；it would be a sin against her to refuse。〃
〃She may go；〃 replied the mother brokenly。 〃I'll not stand in her
wayI've got sins enough to answer for already。〃
Warwick watched her pityingly。 He had stirred her feelings to
unwonted depths； and his sympathy went out to her。 If she had sinned；
she had been more sinned against than sinning； and it was not his part to
judge her。 He had yielded to a sentimental weakness in deciding upon
this trip to Patesville。 A matter of business had brought him within a
day's journey of the town； and an over… mastering impulse had compelled
him to seek the mother who had given him birth and the old town where
he had spent the earlier years of his life。 No one would have
acknowledged sooner than h
