tales from two hemispheres[1].(两个半球的故事)-第21章
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which he looked to the future； her womanly heart shrank from its duty； and
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she hastened out of the room； threw herself on her bed； and wept。
Fiercely she wrestled with God in prayer； until she thought that even God
had deserted her。 Thus months passed and years； and the constant care
and anxiety began to affect her health。 She grew pale and nervous； and
the slightest noise would annoy her。 In the mean while； her manner
toward the young man had become strangely altered； and he soon noticed
it； although he forbore to speak。 She was scrupulously mindful of his
comfort； anxiously anticipated his wants； and observed toward him an ever
vigilant consideration； as if he had been her master instead of her son。
When Thomas was twenty…two years of age； he was offered a
partnership in his employer's business； and with every year his prospects
brightened。 The sale of his mother's property brought him a very
handsome little fortune； which enabled him to build a fine and comfortable
house in one of the best portions of the city。 Thus their outward
circumstances were greatly improved； and of comfort and luxury Brita had
all and more than she had ever desired； but her health was broken down；
and the physicians declared that a year of foreign travel and a continued
residence in Italy might possibly restore her。 At last； Thomas； too； began
to urge her； until she finally yielded。 It was on a bright morning in May
that they both started for New York； and three days later they took the boat
for Europe。 What countries they were to visit they had hardly decided；
but after a brief stay in England we find them again on a steamer bound
for Norway。
IV。
Warm and gentle as it is； June often comes to the fjord…valleys of
Norway with the voice and the strength of a giant。 The glaciers totter
and groan； as if in anger at their own weakness； and send huge avalanches
of stones and ice down into the valleys。 The rivers swell and rush with
vociferous brawl out over the mountain… sides； and a thousand tiny brooks
join in the general clamor； and dance with noisy chatter over the moss…
grown birch…roots。 But later； when the struggle is at an end； and June has
victoriously seated herself upon her throne； her voice becomes more richly
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subdued and brings rest and comfort to the ear and to the troubled heart。
It was while the month was in this latter mood that Brita and her son
entered once more the valley whence； twenty…five years ago； they had fled。
Many strange； turbulent emotions stirred the mother's bosom； as she saw
again the great snow…capped mountains； and the calm； green valley； her
childhood's home； lying so snugly sheltered in their mighty embrace。
Even Thomas's breast was moved with vaguely sympathetic throbs； as this
wondrous scene spread itself before him。 They soon succeeded in hiring
a farm…house； about half an hour's walk from Blakstad； and； according to
Brita's wish； established themselves there for the summer。 She had
known the people well； when she was young； but they never thought of
identifying her with the merry maid； who had once startled the parish by
her sudden flight； and she； although she longed to open her heart to them；
let no word fall to betray her real character。 Her conscience accused her
of playing a false part； but for her son's sake she kept silent。
Then； one day；it was the second Sunday after their arrival；she rose
early in the morning； and asked Thomas to accompany her on a walk up
through the valley。 There was Sabbath in the air； the soft breath of
summer； laden with the perfume of fresh leaves and field…flowers； gently
wafted into their faces。 The sun glittered in the dewy grass； the crickets
sung with a remote voice of wonder； and the air seemed to be half visible；
and moved in trem… bling wavelets on the path before them。 Resting on
her son's arm； Brita walked slowly up through the flowering meadows； she
hardly knew whither her feet bore her； but her heart beat violently； and she
often was obliged to pause and press her hands against her bosom； as if to
stay the turbulent emotions。
〃You are not well； mother；〃 said the son。 〃It was imprudent in me to
allow you to exert yourself in this way。〃
〃Let us sit down on this stone；〃 answered she。 〃I shall soon be better。
Do not look so anxiously at me。 Indeed； I am not sick。〃
He spread his light summer coat on the stone and carefully seated her。
She lifted her veil and raised her eyes to the large red…roofed mansion；
whose dark outlines drew themselves dimly on the dusky background of
the pine forest。 Was he still alive； he whose life…hope she had wrecked；
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he who had once driven her out into the night with all but a curse upon his
lips？ How would he receive her； if she were to return？ Ah； she knew
him； and she trembled at the very thought of meeting him。 But was not
the guilt hers？ Could she depart from this valley； could she die in peace；
without having thrown herself at his feet and implored his for… giveness？
And there； on the opposite side of the valley； lay the home of him who had
been the cause of all her misery。 What had been his fate； and did he still
remember those long happy summer days； ah！ so long； long ago？ She
had dared to ask no questions of the people with whom she lived； but now
a sudden weakness had overtaken her； and she felt that to…day must decide
her fate； she could no longer bear this torture of uncertainty。 Thomas
remained standing at her side and looked at her with anxiety and wonder。
He knew that she had concealed many things from him； but whatever her
reasons might be； he was confident that they were just and weighty。 It
was not for him to question her about what he might have no right to know。
He felt as if he had never loved her as in this moment； when she seemed to
be most in need of him； and an overwhelming tenderness took possession
of his heart。 He suddenly stooped down； took her pale； thin face between
his hands and kissed her。 The long pent…up emotion burst forth in a flood
of tears； she buried her face in her lap and wept long and silently。 Then
the church…bells began to peal down in the valley； and the slow mighty
sound floated calmly and solemnly up to them。 How many long…
forgotten memories of childhood and youth did they not wake in her
bosom memories of the time when the merry Glitter… Brita； decked with
her shining brooches； wended her way to the church among the gayly…
dressed lads and maidens of the parish？
A cluster of white…stemmed birches threw its shadow over the stone
where the penitent mother was sitting； and the tall grass on both sides of
the path nearly hid her from sight。 Presently the
