The Rainbow-虹(英文版)-第26部分

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〃That's　the　difference　between　'em；〃　said　Alfred　Brangwen；
mocking。

〃Alfred；〃　said　Tom　Brangwen；　〃keep　your　remarks　till
afterwards；　and　then　we'll　thank　you　for　them。…=……There's
very　little　else；　on　earth；　but　marriage。　You　can　talk　about
making　money；　or　saving　souls。　You　can　save　your　own　soul　seven
times　over；　and　you　may　have　a　mint　of　money；　but　your　soul　goes
gnawin'；　gnawin'；　gnawin'；　and　it　says　there's　something　it　must
have。　In　heaven　there　is　no　marriage。　But　on　earth　there　is
marriage；　else　heaven　drops　out；　and　there's　no　bottom　to
it。〃

〃Just　hark　you　now；〃　said　Frank's　wife。

〃Go　on；　Thomas；〃　said　Alfred　sardonically。

〃If　we've　got　to　be　Angels；〃　went　on　Tom　Brangwen；
haranguing　the　pany　at　large；　〃and　if　there　is　no　such　thing
as　a　man　nor　a　woman　amongst　them；　then　it　seems　to　me　as　a
married　couple　makes　one　Angel。〃

〃It's　the　brandy；〃　said　Alfred　Brangwen　wearily。

〃For；〃　said　Tom　Brangwen；　and　the　pany　was　listening　to
the　conundrum；　〃an　Angel　can't　be　less　than　a　human　being。　And
if　it　was　only　the　soul　of　a　man　minus　the　man；　then　it　would　be
less　than　a　human　being。〃

〃Decidedly；〃　said　Alfred。

And　a　laugh　went　round　the　table。　But　Tom　Brangwen　was
inspired。

〃An　Angel's　got　to　be　more　than　a　human　being；〃　he　continued。
〃So　I　say；　an　Angel　is　the　soul　of　man　and　woman　in　one：　they
rise　united　at　the　Judgment　Day；　as　one　Angel〃

〃Praising　the　Lord；〃　said　Frank。

〃Praising　the　Lord；〃　repeated　Tom。

〃And　what　about　the　women　left　over？〃　asked　Alfred；　jeering。
The　pany　was　getting　uneasy。

〃That　I　can't　tell。　How　do　I　know　as　there　is　anybody　left
over　at　the　Judgment　Day？　Let　that　be。　What　I　say　is；　that　when
a　man's　soul　and　a　woman's　soul　unites　together……that　makes
an　Angel〃

〃I　dunno　about　souls。　I　know　as　one　plus　one　makes　three；
sometimes；〃　said　Frank。　But　he　had　the　laugh　to　himself。

〃Bodies　and　souls；　it's　the　same；〃　said　Tom。

〃And　what　about　your　missis；　who　was　married　afore　you　knew
her？〃　asked　Alfred；　set　on　edge　by　this　discourse。

〃That　I　can't　tell　you。　If　I　am　to　bee　an　Angel；　it'll　be
my　married　soul；　and　not　my　single　soul。　It'll　not　be　the　soul
of　me　when　I　was　a　lad：　for　I　hadn't　a　soul　as　would　make
an　Angel　then。〃

〃I　can　always　remember；〃　said　Frank's　wife；　〃when　our　Harold
was　bad；　he　did　nothink　but　see　an　angel　at　th'　back　o'　th'
lookin'…glass。　'Look；　mother；'　'e　said；　'at　that　angel！'　'Theer
isn't　no　angel；　my　duck；'　I　said；　but　he　wouldn't　have　it。　I
took　th'　lookin'…glass　off'n　th'　dressin'…table；　but　it　made　no
difference。　He　kep'　on　sayin'　it　was　there。　My　word；　it　did　give
me　a　turn。　I　thought　for　sure　as　I'd　lost　him。〃

〃I　can　remember；〃　said　another　man；　Tom's　sister's　husband；
〃my　mother　gave　me　a　good　hidin'　once；　for　sayin'　I'd　got　an
angel　up　my　nose。　She　seed　me　pokin'；　an'　she　said：　'What　are
you　pokin'　at　your　nose　for…give　over。'　'There's　an　angel　up
it；'　I　said；　an'　she　fetched　me　such　a　wipe。　But　there　was。　We
used　to　call　them　thistle　things　'angels'　as　wafts　about。　An'
I'd　pushed　one　o'　these　up　my　nose；　for　some　reason　or
other。〃

〃It's　wonderful　what　children　will　get　up　their　noses；〃　said
Frank's　wife。　〃I　c'n　remember　our　Hemmie；　she　shoved　one　o'　them
bluebell　things　out　o'　th'　middle　of　a　bluebell；　what　they　call
'candles'；　up　her　nose；　and　oh；　we　had　some　work！　I'd　seen　her
stickin'　'em　on　the　end　of　her　nose；　like；　but　I　never　thought
she'd　be　so　soft　as　to　shove　it　right　up。　She　was　a　gel　of　eight
or　more。　Oh；　my　word；　we　got　a　crochet…hook　an'　I　don't　know
what　。。。〃

Tom　Brangwen's　mood　of　inspiration　began　to　pass　away。　He
forgot　all　about　it；　and　was　soon　roaring　and　shouting　with　the
rest。　Outside　the　wake　came；　singing　the　carols。　They　were
invited　into　the　bursting　house。　They　had　two　fiddles　and　a
piccolo。　There　in　the　parlour　they　played　carols；　and　the　whole
pany　sang　them　at　the　top　of　its　voice。　Only　the　bride　and
bridegroom　sat　with　shining　eyes　and　strange；　bright　faces；　and
scarcely　sang；　or　only　with　just　moving　lips。

The　wake　departed；　and　the　guysers　came。　There　was　loud
applause；　and　shouting　and　excitement　as　the　old　mystery　play　of
St。　George；　in　which　every　man　present　had　acted　as　a　boy；
proceeded；　with　banging　and　thumping　of　club　and　dripping
pan。

〃By　Jove；　I　got　a　crack　once；　when　I　was　playin'　Beelzebub；〃
said　Tom　Brangwen；　his　eyes　full　of　water　with　laughing。　〃It
knocked　all　th'　sense　out　of　me　as　you'd　crack　an　egg。　But　I
tell　you；　when　I　e　to；　I　played　Old　Johnny　Roger　with　St。
George；　I　did　that。〃

He　was　shaking　with　laughter。　Another　knock　came　at　the　door。
There　was　a　hush。

〃It's　th'　cab；〃　said　somebody　from　the　door。

〃Walk　in；〃　shouted　Tom　Brangwen；　and　a　red…faced　grinning　man
entered。

〃Now；　you　two；　get　yourselves　ready　an'　off　to　blanket　fair；〃
shouted　Tom　Brangwen。　〃Strike　a　daisy；　but　if　you're　not　off
like　a　blink　o'　lightnin'；　you　shanna　go；　you　s'll　sleep
separate。〃

Anna　rose　silently　and　went　to　change　her　dress。　Will
Brangwen　would　have　gone　out；　but　Tilly　came　with　his　hat　and
coat。　The　youth　was　helped　on。

〃Well；　here's　luck；　my　boy；〃　shouted　his　father。

〃When　th'　fat's　in　th'　fire；　let　it　frizzle；〃　admonished　his
uncle　Frank。

〃Fair　and　softly　does　it；　fair　an'　softly　does
it；〃　cried　his　aunt；　Frank's　wife；　contrary。

〃You　don't　want　to　fall　over　yourself；〃　said　his　uncle　by
marriage。　〃You're　not　a　bull　at　a　gate。〃

〃Let　a　man　have　his　own　road；〃　said　Tom　Brangwen　testily。
〃Don't　be　so　free　of　your　advice……it's　his　wedding　this
time；　not　yours。〃

〃'E　don't　want　many　sign…posts；〃　said　his　father。　〃There's
some　roads　a　man　has　to　be　led；　an'　there's　some　roads　a
boss…eyed　man　can　only　follow　wi'　one　eye　shut。　But　this　road
can't　be　lost　by　a　blind　man　nor　a　boss…eyed　man　nor　a
cripple……and　he's　neither；　thank　God。〃

〃Don't　you　be　so　sure　o'　your　walkin'　powers；〃　cried　Frank's
wife。　〃There's　many　a　man　gets　no　further　than　half…way；　nor
can't　to　save　his　life；　let　him　live　for　ever。〃

〃Why；　how　do　you　know？〃　said　Alfred。

〃It's　plain　enough　in　th'　looks　o'　some；〃　retorted　Lizzie；
his　sister…in…law。

The　youth　stood　with　a　faint；　half…hearing　smile　on　his　face。
He　was　tense　and　abstracted。　These　things；　or　anything；　scarcely
touched　him。

Anna　came　down；　in　her　day　dress；　very　elusive。　She　kissed
everybody；　men　and　women；　Will　Brangwen　shook　hands　with
everybody；　kissed　his　mother；　who　began　to　cry；　and　the　whole
party　went　surging　out　to　the　cab。

The　young　couple　were　shut　up；　last　injunctions　shouted　at
them。

〃Drive　on；〃　shouted　Tom　Brangwen。

The　cab　rolled　off。　They　saw　the　light　diminish　under　the　ash
trees。　Then　the　whole　party；　quietened；　went　indoors。

〃They'll　have　three　good　fires　burning；〃　said　Tom　Brangwen；
looking　at　his　watch。　〃I　told　Emma　to　make　'em　up　at　nine；　an'
then　leave　the　door　on　th'　latch。　It's　only　half…past。　They'll
have　three　fires　burning；　an'　lamps　lighted；　an'　Emma　will　ha'
warmed　th'　bed　wi'　th'　warmin'　pan。　So　I　s'd　think　they'll　be
all　right。〃

The　party　was　much　quieter。　They　talked　of　the　young
couple。

〃She　said　she　didn't　want　a　servant　in；〃　said　Tom　Brangwen。
〃The　house　isn't　big　enough；　she'd　always　have　the　creature
under　her　nose。　Emma'll　do　what　is　wanted　of　her；　an'　they'll　be
to　themselves。〃

〃It's　best；〃　said　Lizzie；　〃you're　more　free。〃

The　party　talked　on　slowly。　Brangwen　looked　at　his　watch。

〃Let's　go　an'　give　'em　a　carol；〃　he　said。　〃We　s'll　find　th'
fiddles　at　the　'Cock　an'　Robin'。〃

〃Ay；　e　on；〃　said　Frank。

Alfred　rose　in　silence。　The　brother…in…law　and　one　of　Will's
brothers　rose　also。

The　five　men　went　out。　The　night　was　flashing　with　stars。
Sirius　blazed　like　a　signal　at　the　side　of　the　hill；　Orion；
stately　and　magnificent；　was　sloping　along。

Tom　walked　with　his　brother；　Alfred。　The　men's　heels　rang　on
the　ground。

〃It's　a　fine　night；〃　said　Tom。

〃Ay；〃　said　Alfred。

〃Nice　to　get　out。〃

〃Ay。〃

The　brothers　walked　close　together；　the　bond　of　blood　strong
between　them。　Tom　always　felt　very　much　the　junior　to
Alfred。

〃It's　a　long　while　since　you　left　home；〃　he　said。

〃Ay；〃　said　Alfred。　〃I　thought　I　was　getting　a　bit
oldish……but　I'm　not。　It's　the　things　you've　got　as　gets
worn　out；　it's　not　you　yourself。〃

〃Why；　what's　worn　out？〃

〃Most　folks　as　I've　anything　to　do　with……as　has　anything
to　do　with　me。　They　all　break　down。　You've　got　to　go　on　by
yourself；　if　it's　only　to　perdition。　There's　nobody　going
alongside　even　there。〃

Tom　Brangwen　meditated　this。

〃Maybe　you　was　never　broken　in；〃　he　said。

〃No；　I　never　was；〃　said　Alfred　proudly。

And　Tom　felt　his　elder　brother　despised　him　a　little。　He
winced　under　it。

〃Everybody's　got　a　way　of　their　own；〃　he　said；　stubbornly。
〃It's　only　a　dog　as　hasn't。　An'　them　as　can't　take　what　they
give　an'　give　what　they　take；　they　must　go　by　themselves；　or　get
a　dog　as'll　follow　'em。〃

〃They　can　do　without　the　dog；〃　said　his　brother。　And　again
Tom　Brangwen　was　humble；　thinking　his　brother　was　bigger　than
himself。　But　if　he　was；　he　was。　And　if　it　were　finer　to　go
alone；　it　was：　he　did　not　want　to　go　for　all　that。

They　went　over　the　field；　where　a　thin；　keen　wind　blew　round
the　ball　of　the　hill；　in　the　starlight。　They　came　to　the　stile；
and　to　the　side　of　Anna's　house。　The　lights　were　out；　only　on
the　blinds　of　the　rooms　downstairs；　and　of　a　bedroom　upstairs；
firelight　flickered。

〃We'd　better　leave　'em　alone；〃　said　Alfred　Brangwen。

〃Nay；　nay；〃　said　Tom。　〃We'll　carol　'em；　for　th'　last
time。〃

And　in　a　quarter　of　an　hour's　time；　eleven　silent；　rather
tipsy　men　scrambled　over　the　wall；　and　into　the　garden　by　the
yew　trees；　outside　the　windows　where　faint　firelight　glowered　on
the　blinds。　There　came　a　shrill　sound；　two　violins　and　a　piccolo
shrilling　on　the　frosty　air。

〃In　the　fields　with　their　flocks　abiding。〃　A　motion　of
men's　voices　broke　out　singing　in　ragged　unison。

Anna　Brangwen　had　started　up；　listening；　when　the　music
began。　She　was　afraid。

〃It's　the　wake；〃　he　whispered。

She　remained　tense；　her　heart　beating　heavily；　possessed　with
strange；　strong　fear。　Then　there　came　the　burst　of　men's
singing；　rather　uneven。　She　strained　still；　listening。

〃It's　Dad；〃　she　said；　in　a　low　voice。　They　were　silent；
listening。

〃And　my　father；〃　he　said。

She　listened　still。　But　she　was　sure。　She　sank　down　again
into　bed；　into　his　arms。　He　held　her　very　close；　kissing　her。
The　hymn　rambled　on　outside；　all　the　men　singing　their　best；
having　forgotten　everything　else　under　the　spell　of　the　fiddles
and　the　tune。　The　firelight　glowed　against　the　darkness　in　the
room。　Anna　could　hear　her　father　singing　with　gusto。

〃Aren't　they　silly；〃　she　whispered。

And　they　crept　closer；　closer　together；　hearts　beating　to　one
another。　And　even　as　the　hymn　rolled　on；　they　ceased　to　hear
it。



CHAPTER　VI

ANNA　VICTRIX

Will　Brangwen　had　some　weeks　of　holiday　after　his　marriage；
so　the　two　took　their　honeymoon　in　full　hands；　alone　in　their
cottage　together。

And　to　him；　as　the　days　went　by；　it　was　as　if　the　heavens　had
fallen；　and　he　were　sitting　with　her　among　the　ruins；　in　a　new
world；　everybody　else　buried；　themselves　two　blissful　survivors；
with　every