按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
14
… Page 15…
THE HOUSE BEHIND THE CEDARS
about the child's mother； of whom they spoke with greater warmth when
they learned that she was dead。 They hung breathless on Warwick's
words as he related briefly the story of his life since he had left； years
before； the house behind the cedarshow with a stout heart and an
abounding hope he had gone out into a seemingly hostile world； and made
fortune stand and deliver。 His story had for the women the charm of an
escape from captivity； with all the thrill of a pirate's tale。 With the whole
world before him； he had remained in the South； the land of his fathers；
where； he conceived； he had an inalienable birthright。 By some good
chance he had escaped military service in the Confederate army； and； in
default of older and more experienced men； had undertaken； during the
rebellion； the management of a large estate； which had been left in the
hands of women and slaves。 He had filled the place so acceptably； and
employed his leisure to such advantage； that at the close of the war he
found himselfhe was modest enough to think； too； in default of a better
manthe husband of the orphan daughter of the gentleman who had
owned the plantation； and who had lost his life upon the battlefield。
Warwick's wife was of good family； and in a more settled condition of
society it would not have been easy for a young man of no visible
antecedents to win her hand。 A year or two later； he had taken the oath of
allegiance； and had been admitted to the South Carolina bar。 Rich in his
wife's right； he had been able to practice his profession upon a high plane；
without the worry of sordid cares； and with marked success for one of his
age。
〃I suppose；〃 he concluded； 〃that I have got along at the bar； as
elsewhere； owing to the lack of better men。 Many of the good lawyers
were killed in the war； and most of the remainder were disqualified； while
I had the advantage of being alive； and of never having been in arms
against the government。 People had to have lawyers； and they gave me
their business in preference to the carpet… baggers。 Fortune； you know；
favors the available man。〃
His mother drank in with parted lips and glistening eyes the story of
his adventures and the record of his successes。 As Rena listened； the
narrow walls that hemmed her in seemed to draw closer and closer； as
15
… Page 16…
THE HOUSE BEHIND THE CEDARS
though they must crush her。 Her brother watched her keenly。 He had
been talking not only to inform the women； but with a deeper purpose；
conceived since his morning walk； and deepened as he had followed；
during his narrative； the changing expression of Rena's face and noted her
intense interest in his story； her pride in his successes； and the occasional
wistful look that indexed her self…pity so completely。
〃An' I s'pose you're happy； John？〃 asked his mother。
〃Well； mother； happiness is a relative term； and depends； I imagine；
upon how nearly we think we get what we think we want。 I have had my
chance and haven't thrown it away； and I suppose I ought to be happy。
But then； I have lost my wife； whom I loved very dearly； and who loved
me just as much； and I'm troubled about my child。〃
〃Why？〃 they demanded。 〃Is there anything the matter with him？〃
〃No； not exactly。 He's well enough； as babies go； and has a good
enough nurse； as nurses go。 But the nurse is ignorant； and not always
careful。 A child needs some woman of its own blood to love it and look
after it intelligently。〃
Mis' Molly's eyes were filled with tearful yearning。 She would have
given all the world to warm her son's child upon her bosom； but she knew
this could not be。
〃Did your wife leave any kin？〃 she asked with an effort。
〃No near kin； she was an only child。〃
〃You'll be gettin' married again；〃 suggested his mother。
〃No；〃 he replied； 〃I think not。〃
Warwick was still reading his sister's face； and saw the spark of hope
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！〃
16
… Page 17…
THE HOUSE BEHIND THE CEDARS
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