the idle thoughts of an idle fellow[1].(一个浪子的随想)-第3章
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fellow'sthe other fellow to the second fellow； that is； because of course
the other fellow would only be the other fellow to him； not the first fellow
whowell； if he broke his head； then _his_ girlnot the other fellow's； but
the fellow who _was_ the Look here； if A broke B's head； then A's girl
was a pretty girl； but if B broke A's head； then A's girl wasn't a pretty girl；
but B's girl was。 That was their method of conducting art criticism。
Nowadays we light a pipe and let the girls fight it out among
themselves。
They do it very well。 They are getting to do all our work。 They are
doctors； and barristers； and artists。 They manage theaters； and promote
swindles； and edit newspapers。 I am looking forward to the time when we
men shall have nothing to do but lie in bed till twelve； read two novels a
day； have nice little five…o'clock teas all to ourselves； and tax our brains
with nothing more trying than discussions upon the latest patterns in
trousers and arguments as to what Mr。 Jones' coat was made of and
whether it fitted him。 It is a glorious prospectfor idle fellows。
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THE IDLE THOUGHTS OF AN IDLE FELLOW。
ON BEING IN LOVE。
You've been in love； of course！ If not you've got it to come。 Love is
like the measles； we all have to go through it。 Also like the measles； we
take it only once。 One never need be afraid of catching it a second time。
The man who has had it can go into the most dangerous places and play
the most foolhardy tricks with perfect safety。 He can picnic in shady
woods； ramble through leafy aisles； and linger on mossy seats to watch the
sunset。 He fears a quiet country…house no more than he would his own
club。 He can join a family party to go down the Rhine。 He can； to see the
last of a friend； venture into the very jaws of the marriage ceremony itself。
He can keep his head through the whirl of a ravishing waltz； and rest
afterward in a dark conservatory； catching nothing more lasting than a cold。
He can brave a moonlight walk adown sweet…scented lanes or a twilight
pull among the somber rushes。 He can get over a stile without danger；
scramble through a tangled hedge without being caught； come down a
slippery path without falling。 He can look into sunny eyes and not be
dazzled。 He listens to the siren voices； yet sails on with unveered helm。 He
clasps white hands in his； but no electric 〃Lulu〃…like force holds him
bound in their dainty pressure。
No； we never sicken with love twice。 Cupid spends no second arrow
on the same heart。 Love's handmaids are our life…long friends。 Respect；
and admiration； and affection； our doors may always be left open for； but
their great celestial master； in his royal progress； pays but one visit and
departs。 We like； we cherish； we are very； very fond ofbut we never love
again。 A man's heart is a firework that once in its time flashes heavenward。
Meteor…like； it blazes for a moment and lights with its glory the whole
world beneath。 Then the night of our sordid commonplace life closes in
around it； and the burned…out case； falling back to earth； lies useless and
uncared for； slowly smoldering into ashes。 Once； breaking loose from our
prison bonds； we dare； as mighty old Prometheus dared； to scale the
Olympian mount and snatch from Phoebus' chariot the fire of the gods。
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THE IDLE THOUGHTS OF AN IDLE FELLOW。
Happy those who； hastening down again ere it dies out； can kindle their
earthly altars at its flame。 Love is too pure a light to burn long among the
noisome gases that we breathe； but before it is choked out we may use it as
a torch to ignite the cozy fire of affection。
And； after all； that warming glow is more suited to our cold little back
parlor of a world than is the burning spirit love。 Love should be the vestal
fire of some mighty templesome vast dim fane whose organ music is the
rolling of the spheres。 Affection will burn cheerily when the white flame
of love is flickered out。 Affection is a fire that can be fed from day to day
and be piled up ever higher as the wintry years draw nigh。 Old men and
women can sit by it with their thin hands clasped； the little children can
nestle down in front； the friend and neighbor has his welcome corner by its
side； and even shaggy Fido and sleek Titty can toast their noses at the bars。
Let us heap the coals of kindness upon that fire。 Throw on your
pleasant words； your gentle pressures of the hand； your thoughtful and
unselfish deeds。 Fan it with good…humor； patience； and forbearance。 You
can let the wind blow and the rain fall unheeded then； for your hearth will
be warm and bright； and the faces round it will make sunshine in spite of
the clouds without。
I am afraid； dear Edwin and Angelina； you expect too much from love。
You think there is enough of your little hearts to feed this fierce； devouring
passion for all your long lives。 Ah； young folk！ don't rely too much upon
that unsteady flicker。 It will dwindle and dwindle as the months roll on；
and there is no replenishing the fuel。 You will watch it die out in anger and
disappointment。 To each it will seem that it is the other who is growing
colder。 Edwin sees with bitterness that Angelina no longer runs to the gate
to meet him； all smiles and blushes； and when he has a cough now she
doesn't begin to cry and； putting her arms round his neck； say that she
cannot live without him。 The most she will probably do is to suggest a
lozenge； and even that in a tone implying that it is the noise more than
anything else she is anxious to get rid of。
Poor little Angelina； too； sheds silent tears； for Edwin has given up
carrying her old handkerchief in the inside pocket of his waistcoat。
Both are astonished at the falling off in the other one； but neither sees
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THE IDLE THOUGHTS OF AN IDLE FELLOW。
their own change。 If they did they would not suffer as they do。 They would
look for the cause in the right quarterin the littleness of poor human
naturejoin hands over their common failing； and start building their
house anew on a more earthly and enduring foundation。 But we are so
blind to our own shortcomings； so wide awake to those of others。
Everything that happens to us is always the other person's fault。 Angelina
would have gone on loving Edwin forever and ever and ever if only Edwin
had not grown so strange and different。 Edwin would have adored
Angelina through eternity if Angelina had only remained the same as
when he first adored her。
It is a cheerless hour for you both when the lamp of love has gone out
and the fire of affection is not yet lit； and you have to grope about in the
cold； raw dawn of life to kindle it。 God grant it catches light before the day
is too far spent。 Many sit shivering by the dead coals till night come。
But； there； of what use is it to preach？ Who that feels the rush of
