登陆注册
19868600000026

第26章 IN WHICH OLD FRIENDS MEET(1)

When Ellery came down to breakfast the rain was over,the wind had gone down,and the morning sunshine was pouring in at the dining-room windows.Outside the lilacs were in bud,the bluebirds were singing,and there was a sniff of real spring in the air.The storm was at an end and yet the young minister was conscious of a troublesome feeling that,for him,it was just beginning.

However,he had determined while dressing to make a clean breast of it to his housekeeper--a nominally clean breast,that is.There were some things he would not tell her,some that he would not speak of to anyone,the picture in the doorway for instance.True,it was only a picture and of no moment,but it was pleasant to remember.One of the very few pleasant things connected with the previous evening.

So,as they sat opposite each other at the table,he began his confession.The muffins scorched in the oven and the coffeepot boiled over as he told his story,for Keziah was too much interested to think of trifles.Interested and astounded,for,since Come-Outers had been Come-Outers and the split in the society took place,no Regular minister had crossed the threshold of a seceder's dwelling,much less attended their services and walked home with a member of their congregation.She knew what this amazing procedure was likely to mean,if her parson did not.

Well!she exclaimed when the recital was finished.Well!I--I'm afraid I was too hasty,observed Mr.Ellery thoughtfully.

Perhaps it would have been wiser not to have done it.Perhaps 'twould.Yes,I wouldn't wonder a mite.It will be talked about some,I suppose.Don't you think so?Some,yes.

I'm afraid some of my own people may think it queer.Queer!Say,Mr.Ellery,you remind me of a half-breed Portugee feller--half Portugee and a half Indian--that went to sea with my father,back in the old days.He hardly ever spoke a word,mainly grunted and made signs.One day he and another fo'mast hand went aloft in a calm to do somethin'to the tops'l.The half-breed--they called him Billy Peter and he always called himself that--was out on the end of the yard,with his foot on the rope underneath,Iforget the name of it,when the tarred twine he had for a shoe string caught.Tryin'to get it loose it broke sudden,his shoe pulled off,he lost his balance and fell.He grabbed at the yard,saved himself for a second,fell again,grabbed the next yard,then a rope and so on down,grabbin'and pullin'all the way.First his shoe hit the deck,then his sheath knife,then a piece of rope,and finally himself,landin'right on top of the Irish cook who was goin'aft from the galley with father's dinner.

There was the greatest racket you ever heard,pans fallin',dishes smashin',men yellin',and the cook swearin'.Father run on deck,thinkin'the ship was dismasted.He found the cook and Billy Peter sittin'in the middle of the mess,lookin'at each other.Neither was hurt a mite.The mates and the crew,part of 'em,was standin'starin'at the pair.

'For Heaven sakes!'says father;'what happened?'

The half-breed looked up and rubbed his head.'Ugh!'says he,'Billy Peter bust his shoe string.'

The cook,his name was O'Neill,looked at him disgusted.'Well,begorra!'says he,'Billy Peter,you don't exaggerate none,do ye!It's a good thing BOTH of 'em didn't bust or we'd have foundered.'

You remind me of Billy Peter,Mr.Ellery,you don't exaggerate.Queer?Some folks think your goin'to that meetin'last night QUEER?At this moment one half of Trumet is talkin' about it and runnin'out to tell the other half.I guess I'd better hurry up with this breakfast.We're goin'to have callers.Strange to say,however,this prophecy of early morning visitors did not prove true.Nine o'clock,then ten,and no visitor came to the parsonage.Mrs.Coffin affirmed that she did not understand it.Where was Didama?Where Lavinia Pepper?Had the Trumet Daily Advertiser suspended publication?

At half past ten the gate slammed.Keziah peered from the window.

Humph!she ejaculated.Here comes Elkanah and he's got storm signals set,by the looks.He's comin' after you,Mr.Ellery.Very well,was the calm reply;let him come.What are you goin' to say to him?

Nothing,except that I did what I considered right at the time.Show him into the study,Mrs.Coffin,please.Captain Daniels marched to the dining-room door,his gold-headed cane marking time like a drumbeat.He nodded curtly to Keziah,who answered the knock,and stepped across the threshold.

Hum--ha!he barked.Is the minister--hum--ha!is Mr.Ellery in?Yes,he's in.

Tell him I want to see him.

The housekeeper announced the visitor.

He's as sour as a skimmin'of last week's milk,she whispered.

Don't be afraid of him,though.

Oh,I'm not.Show him in.

All right.Say,Mr.Ellery,it's none of my business,but I wouldn't say anything about your seein'Grace home.That's none of HIS business,either,or anybody else's.The head of the parish committee stalked into the study and the door closed behind him.A rumble of voices in animated conversation succeeded.

Mrs.Coffin went out into the kitchen and resumed her business of making a dried-apple pie.There was a hot fire in the stove and she opened the back door to let in the fresh air.She worked briskly,rolling out the dough,filling the deep dish,and pinking the edges of the upper crust with a fork.She was thinking as she worked,but not of the minister or his visitor.

She put the pie in the oven and set the damper.And,as she knelt by the stove,something struck her lightly on the back of the neck.

She looked up and about her,but there was no one in sight.Then she picked up the object which had struck her.It was a cranberry,withered and softened by the winter frosts.

She looked at the cranberry,then at the open door,and her eyes twinkled.Running quickly to the threshold she peered out.The back yard was,apparently,empty,save for a few hens belonging to near neighbors,and these had stopped scratching for a living and were huddled near the fence.

同类推荐
  • 华严纲

    华严纲

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 续眉庐丛话

    续眉庐丛话

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • A Far Country

    A Far Country

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 大庄严法门经

    大庄严法门经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 名臣碑传琬琰集

    名臣碑传琬琰集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 宇极变

    宇极变

    这是一部新题材的小说,这是一部值得你每天等更新的神作!【我担保,你看过以后绝不后悔!】简介:一个异能,却只是开始。将亲情;爱情和友情埋在心底,无尽广阔的宇宙,等我去统治!这里有帝国之间的争斗;来自宇宙之外的穿越客;还有逆天强者的超级阴谋………………书名注释:宇即宇宙,极指最,变指多变;让人猜不透。宇极变指宇宙中最让人意想不到的东西。【不一样的情节,给你不一样的快感!看下去,你绝不后悔!】感谢腾讯文学书评团提供书评支持。
  • 神机残篇

    神机残篇

    神机,启动一类文明的创灭至尊,偶然在米四的身上兑现了,这种兑现为他带来了各种改变,这些改变怎么看怎么像是个笑话,包括他不得不通过异性完成的神使进化,包括扭转了他价值观的宇宙元的构成,包括他居然一直生活在一个奇怪的人身边,那个奇怪的人居然来自一个结婚要买房买车的特殊世界^^^OK,米四并不想做英雄,他也将不会是一个英雄,他拥有太始之初独一无二的身份___一个性情略带猥琐的小暖男个性神使,这个神使将带着他那一堆美眉们,毁灭这个地球,做独一无二的反派!
  • 妖域游

    妖域游

    当人与妖之间参杂着复杂的情感,一个人为了心中的执念不断努力过后,竟然换来最后的殊死一战,这一切,都是因为人妖两立,异域殊途吗,,,,
  • 异游戏之血色世界

    异游戏之血色世界

    假如这场是游戏,我们为什么不能假如这场就是人生呢?常言“人生如现实”,那就一场现实!群号码:1618451
  • 寻尸

    寻尸

    几千年前,颛顼是托养在白泽身边的孩子,当呕心沥血终于把颛顼养成彬彬有礼的美少年,颛顼却离他越行越远,本以为颛顼成为部落的首领,白泽也就可以安心成仙而去。不料颛顼却遭人陷害性命难保,白泽的行动比思考来得更快,强行运用逆天之术将颛顼化成半鱼,随同“伏羲琴”沉入东海,再偷来王母娘娘的昆仑镜化成东海一角,魂飞魄散之际穿越时空。当这一世身为皇城太子扶苏时,白泽终于找到将颛顼解除巫蛊之身的办法,但是,以往念念不忘的儿子变成了女儿,白泽实在是很不乐意,原本颛顼就是他的儿子,在身边还没养够,他不想把颛顼嫁出去啊………
  • 神弃之城

    神弃之城

    鲜血淋漓,荒原白骨之下,隐藏的是绝对的力量。黑白真理,战争机器之上,构建的是世界的真实。一人之下,千万豪杰之上,充满的是天下的野望。世界之上,众神弃城之下,突破的是种族的希望。神弃之城,真理与力量交织,虚幻与现实并重,在这里,挣扎生存,为了探求真相,为了不让自己的世界消亡!
  • 花少七星恋

    花少七星恋

    或许是多情?又或是花心?再不然就是比较流氓?那都不是关键!关键的关键是上天给你一个惊喜,你能不能把握了!一剑在手何处展雄风!七星伴月红颜为君恋!我是吴天,无法无天!花少?别提我的外号,我只是比一般人多情一点!且看我一生走遍天涯路,不求轮回伴往生!
  • 平静缘

    平静缘

    夏小渔,一个刚出校园的懵懂女大学生,在社会的大染缸里遇到了自己今生的挚爱、知己,在面对朋友的背叛、挚爱一次次的把她推入深渊,而知己一次次的救她于水火之中,她到底该何去何从?
  • 医女轻狂:王爷,撩完请负责

    医女轻狂:王爷,撩完请负责

    人前,她是弱冠少年,一张巧嘴辩群英。人后,她是绝艳妃子,一副容颜闹群芳。她,惊华艳艳,他,呵护翼翼,待尘埃落定之时,她拉住了他,笑里藏刀道:王爷,撩完奴家,可是要负责的——情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • 剑心天下

    剑心天下

    天地如棋局,苍生演绎,纵横捭阖,总是造化弄人。谁信人定胜天?三才之中,宇宙之内,定数可曾参透?我有一剑齐云,心比天高,命比纸薄,因果不为人留!英雄老矣,美人迟暮,沧海桑田,唯有赤心不变。天地灭我身躯,不能灭我剑心!我有一剑,斩破宿命!