Part Two-10
Ormaybearound.’
"Thatwasagoodtimetobeliving,Biffagreed.
Blountshuffledhisfeetself-sciously.Hisfacewasroughandunhappy.Hewasreadytoleave.Biffwasalerttodetainhim.Tellme—whydidyoueveretothistownanyway?Heknewimmediatelythatthequestionhadnotbeenapolitieandhewasdisappoihhimself.Yetitwasqueerhowthemancouldlandupinaplacelikethis.
ItstheGodstruthIdontknow.’
Theystoodquietlyforamoment,bothleaningontheter.
Thegameofditheerwasfihefirstdinnerorder,aLongIslandduckspecial,hadbeenservedtothefellowwhomaheA.andP.store.Theradiowasturnedhalfwaybetweenachurchsermonandaswingband.
BlountleanedoversuddenlyandsmelledBiffsface.
Perfume?’
Shavinglotion,Biffsaidposedly.
HecouldnotkeepBlountlohefellowwasreadytogo.
HewouldeinwithSier.Itwasalwayslikethis.
HewaodrawBlountoutpletelysothathecoulduaaiionsinghim.ButBlountwouldneverreallytalk—onlytothemute.Itwasamostpeculiarthing.
"Thanksforthecigar,Blountsaid.Seeyoulater.’
Solong.’
BiffwatchedBlountwalktothedoorwithhisrolling,sailor-likegait.Theookupthedutiesbeforehim.Helookedoverthedisplayinthewindow.Thedaysmenuhadbeenpastedontheglassandaspecialdihallthetrimmingswaslaidouttoattracters.Itlookedbad.Rightnasty.
Thegravyfromtheduckhadrunintotheberrysaudafly,wasstuthedessert.Hey,Louis!hecalled.Takethisstuffoutofthewindow.
Andbriredpotterybowlandsomefruit.’
Hearrahefruitswithaneyeforcoloranddesign.Atlastthedecorationpleasedhim.Hevisitedthekitandhadatalkwiththecook.Heliftedthelidsofthepotsandshefoodiwithoutheartforthematter.Alicealwayshad
dohispart.Hedislikedit.Hisnosesharpenedwhehegreasysinkwithitsscumoffoodbitsatthebottom.Hewrotedownthemenusandtheordersfortheday.Hewasgladtoleavethekitandtakehisstandbythecashregisteragain.
LucileandBabycameforSundaydihelittleMdwasnotsogoodnow.Thebandagewasstillonherheadaorsaiditcouldnoteoffuntilmonth.Thebindingofgauzeinplaceoftheyellowcurlsmadeherheadlooknaked.
SayhellotoUncleBiff,Hon,Lucileprompted.
Babybridledfretfully.HellotoUncaBiffHon,shegassed.
SheputupastrugglewhenLuciletriedtotakeoffherSundaycoat.Nowyoujustbehaveyourself,Lucilekeptsaying."Yougottotakeitofforyoullcateumoniawhenwegooutagain..Nowyoujustbehaveyourself.’
Bifftookthesituationincharge.HesoothedBabywithaballofdygumandeasedthecoatfromhershoulders.HerdresshadlostitssetirugglewithLucile.HestraightesothattheyokewasinlineacrossherchestHeretiedhersashandcrushedthebowtojusttherightshapewithhisfiheedBabyotlebehisomestrawberryicecreamtoday,hesaid.
Bartholomew,youdmakeamightygoodmother.’
Thanks,Biffsaid.Thatsapliment’
WejustbeentoSundaySchoolandchurch.Baby,saytheversefromtheBibleyoulearnedforyourUncleBiff.’
Thekidhungbadpouted.Jesuswept,shesaidfinally.
Thesthatsheputiwowordsmadeitsoundlikeaterriblething.
WanttoseeLouis?Biffasked.Hesbathekit.’
IwannaseeWillie.IwannahearWMeplaytheharp.’
"Now,Baby,yourejusttryingyourself,Lucilesaidim-patiently.YouknowgoodahatWilliesnothere.
Williewassentofftothepeiary.’
ButLouis,Biffsaid.Heplaytheharp,too.Gotellhimtogettheicecreamreadyandplayyouatune.’
Babywenttowardthekit,draggingohefloor.
Lucilelaidherhatontheter.Thereweretearsinhereyes.YouknowIalwayssaidthis:Ifachildiskeptandwellcaredforahenthatchildwillusuallybesweetandsmart.Butifachildsdirtyanduglythenyoutexpeythingmuch.WhatImtryingtogetatisthatBabyissoshamedoverlosingherhairandthatbandageonherheadthatitjustseemslikeitmakeshercutthebuckallthetime.Shewontpracticeherelocutiodoathing.ShefeelssobadIjusttmanageher.’
Ifyoudquitpigwithhersomuchshedbeallright.’
Atlasthesettledtheminaboothbythewindow.Lucilehadaspecialandtherewasabreastofchicutupfine,creamofwheat,andcarrotsforBaby.Sheplayedwithherfoodandspilledmilkotlefrock.Hesatwiththemuntiltherushstarted.Theobeonhisfeettokeepthingsgoingsmoothly.
Peopleeating.Thewide-openmouthswiththefoodpushedin.
Whatwasit?Thelinehehadreadnotlongago.Lifewasonlyamatterofintakeandalimentationandreprodu.Theplacewascrowded.Therewasaswingbandontheradio.
Theaitingforcamein.Sieredthedoorfirst,verystraightandswankinhistailoredSundaysuit.
Blountfollowedalongjustbehindhiselbow.Therewassomethingaboutthewaytheywalkedthatstruckhim.Theysatattheirtable,andBlounttalkedahgustowhileSichedpolitely.Whenthemealwasfiheystoppedbythecashregisterforafewmihenastheywentouthenoticedagaintherewassomethingabouttheirwalkingtogetherthatmadehimpauseaionhimself.
Whatcoulditbe?Thesuddennesswithwhichthememoryopenedupdeepdowninhismindwasashock.Thebigdeaf-mutemoronwhomSingerusedtowalkwithsometimesoowork.ThesloppyGreekwhomadedyforCharlesParker.TheGreekalwayswalkedaheadandSingerfollowed.Hehadicedthemmuchbecausetheynevercameintotheplace.Butwhyhadhenotrememberedthis?Ofalltimeshehadwonderedaboutthemutetosuangle.Seeeverythinginthelandscapeexceptthethreewaltzing
elephants.Butdiditmatterafterall？
Biffnarrowedhiseyes.HowSingerhadbeenbeforewasnotimportant.ThethingthatmatteredwasthewayBlountandMickmadeofhimasortofhome-madeGod.Owingtothefacthewasamutetheywereabletogivehimallthequalitiestheywantedhimtohave.Yes.Buthowcouldsuchastrahingeabout?Andwhy？
Aone-armedmancamehiandBifftreatedhimtoawhiskeyonthehouse.Buthedidnotfeelliketalkingtoanyone.
Sundaydinnerwasafamilymeal.MenwhodrahemselvesonweeknightsbroughttheirwivesandlittlekidswiththemonSunday.Thehighchairtheykeptinthebackwasoftenwastwo-thirtyandthoughmanytableswereoccupiedthemealwasalmostover.Biffhadbeenonhisfeetforthepastfourhoursandwastired.Heusedtostandforfourteenorsixteenhoursandnotnotiyeffectsatall.Butnowhehadaged.siderably.Therewasnodoubtaboutit.
Ormaybematuredwastheword.Notaged—certainlynot—yet.Thewavesofsoundintheroomswelledandsubsidedagainsthisears.Matured.Hiseyessmartedanditwasasthoughsomefeverinhimmadeeverythingthtandsharp.
Hecalledtoohewaitresses:Takeoverformewillyou,please?Imgoingout.’
ThestreettybecauseofSunday.Thesunshhtandclear,withoutwarmth.Biffheldthecollarofhiscoatclosetohisneck.Alohestreethefeltoutofpocket.
Thewindblewcoldfromtheriver.Heshouldturnbadstayiaurantwherehebelonged.Hehadnobusinessgoingtotheplacewherehewasheaded.ForthepastfourSundayshehaddohis.HehadwalkedintheneighborhoodwherehemightseeMidtherewassomethingaboutitthatwas—notquiteright.Yes.Wrong.Hewalkedslowlydownthesidepositethehousewhereshelived.LastSundayshehadbeenreadingthefunnypapersonthefrontsteps.Butthistimeasheglancedswiftlytowardthehousehesawshewasnotthere.Buttiltedthebrimofhisfelthatdownoverhiseyes.Perhapsshewoulde
intotheplacelater.OftenonSundayaftersuppershecameforahotcodstoppedforawhileatthetablewhereSingerwassitting.OnSundaysheworeadifferentoutfitfromtheblueskirtaersheworeonotherdays.HerSundaydresswaswine-coloredsilkwithadingylacecollar.Onceshehadhadonstogs—withrunsinthem.Alwayshewaosetheruptosomething,togivetoher.Andnotonlyasundaeorsomesweettoeat—butsomethihatwasallhewantedforhimself—togivetoher.Biffsmouthhardened.
Hehaddohingwrongbutinhimhefeltastrangeguilt.
Why?Thedarkguiltinallmen,unreedandwithoutaname.
OnthewayhomeBifffoundapennylyinghalfcealedbyrubbishier.Thriftilyhepickeditup,edthewithhishandkerchief,anddroppeditintotheblackpocketpurse,hecarried.Itwasfouroclockwhenhereachedtherestaurant.Businesswasstagnant.Therewasnotasiomerintheplace.
Businesspickeduparoundfive.Theboyhehadretlyhiredtoworkparttimeshowedupearly.TheboysnamewasHarryMinowitz.HelivedinthesameneighborhoodwithMidBaby.Elevenapplitshadaheadinthepaper,butHarryseemedtobebestbet.Hewaswelldevelopedforhisage,a.Biffhadnoticedtheboysteethwhiletalkingtohimdurierview.Teethwerealwaysagoodindication.Hiswerelargeandveryandwhite.Harrywlasses,butthatwouldnotmatterinthework.Hismothermadetendollarsaweeksewingforatailordowreet,andHarrywasanonlychild.
Well,Biffsaid.Youvebeenwithmeaweek,Harry.Thinkyoingtolikeit?Sure,sir.SureIlikeit.’
Biffturheringonhisfinger.Letssee.Whattimedoyougetofffromschool?"Threeoclock,sir.Well,thatgivesyouacoupleofhoursforstudyandrecreation.Thenherefromsixtotehatleaveyouenoughtimeforplentyofsleep?’
Plenty.Idontneedhatmuch.’
Youneedaboutnineandahalfhoursatye,son.Pure,wholesomesleep.’
Hefeltsuddenlyembarrassed.MaybeHarrywouldthinkitwasnoneofhisbusiness.Whichitwasntanyway.Hestartedtoturnasideahoughtofsomething.
?YougotoVocational?’
Harrynoddedandrubbedhisglassesonhisshirtsleeve.
Letssee.Iknowalotofgirlsandboysthere.AlvaRichards—Iknowhisfather.AndMaggieHenry.AndakidnamedMickKelly------Hefeltasthoughhisearshadcaughtafire.Heknewhimselftobeafool.Hewaurnandwalkawayaheonlystoodthere,smilingandmashinghishhisthumb.Youknowher?heaskedfaintly.
Sure,Iliverightdoortoher.Butinsaseniorwhileshesafreshman.’
Biffstoredthismeagerinformatiolyinhismindtobethoughtoverlaterwhenhewasalone.Businesswillbequiethereforawhile,hesaidhurriedly.Tilleaveitwithyou.Bynowyouknowhowtohahings.Justwatyersdrinkingbeerandrememberhowmanytheyvedrunksoyouwonthavetoaskthemanddependonwhattheysay.Takeyourtimemakinggearackofwhatgoeson.’
Biffshuthimselfinhisroomdownstairs.Thiswastheplacewherehekepthisfiles.Theroomhadonlyonesmallwindowandlookedoutonthesidealley,andtheairwasmustyandcold.Hugestacksofneersroseuptotheceiling.Ahome-madefilingcasecoveredonewall.hedoortherewasanold-fashionedrog-chairandasmalltablelaidairofshears,adiary,andamandolin.Becauseofthepilesofneeritossibletotakemorethantwostepsinanydire.Biffrockedhimselfinthechairandlanguidlypluckedthestringsofthemandolin.Hiseyesclosedandhebegantosinginadolefulvoice:IIwenttotheanimalfair.
Thebirdsandthebeastswerethere,AndtheoldbaboonbythelightofthemoonWasbinghisauburnhair.
Hefihachordfromthestringsasoundsshiveredtosilehecoldair.
Toadoptacoupleoflittlechildren.Aboyandagirl.Aboutthreeorfouryearsoldsotheywouldalwaysfeellikehewastheirownfather.TheirDad.OurFather.ThelittlegirllikeMick(orBaby?)atthatage.Roundcheeksandgrayeyesandflaxenhair.Aheshewouldmakeforher—pinkcrgpedeefrockswithdaintysmogattheyokeandsleeves.Silksodwhitebuckskinshoes.Andalittlered-velvetcoatanddmuffforwiheboywasdarkandblack-haired.Thelittleboywalkedbehindhimandcopiedthethingshedid.InthesummerthethreeofthemwouldgotoacottageontheGulfandhewoulddressthechildrenintheirsunsuitsandguidethemcarefullyintothegreen,shallowwaves.Aheywouldbloomashegrewold.OurFather.Andtheywouldetohimwithquestionsandhewouldahem.
Whynot？
Bifftookuphismandolinagain.Tum-ti-tim-ti-tee,ti-tee,thewedd-ingofthepainteddollThemandolinmockedtherefrain.Hesangthroughalltheversesandwaggedhisfoottothetime.ThenheplayedK-K-K-Katie,andLovesOldSweetSong.ThesepieceswereliketheAguaFloridaiheymadehimremember.Everything.Throughthefirstyearwhenheyandwhensheseemedhappyeventoo.Ahebedcamedownwiththemtwithreemonths.Andhedidntknowthatallthetimeherbrainwasbusywithhowshecouldsaveanickleorsqueezeoutaradime.AndthenhimwithRioandthegirlsatherplace.GypandMadelineandLou.Aerwhensuddeit.Whenhecouldliewithawomannolonger.Mothero-eod!Sothatatfirstitseemedeverythingwasgone.
Lucilealwaysuoodthewholeset-up.ShekhekindofwomanAlicewas.Maybesheknewabouthim,too.Lucilewouldurgethemtogetadivordshedidallapersoncouldtotrythtenouttheirmesses.
Biffwincedsuddenly.Hejerkedhishandsfromthestringsofthemandolinsothataphraseofmusicwaschoppedoff.Hesattenseinhischair.Thensuddenlyhelaughedquietlytohimself.Whathadmadehimeacrossthis?Ah,LordyLordyLord!Itwasthedayofhistwenty-ninthbirthday,andLucilehadaskedhimtodropbyherapartmentwhenhefihanappoithedentists.Heexpectedfromthissomelittleremembrance—aplateofcherrytartsoodshirt.Shemethimatthedoorandblindfoldedhiseyesbeforeheehenshesaidshewouldbebaased.Inthesilentroomhelisteoherfootstepsandwhenshehadreachedthekithebrokewioodintheroomwithhiseyesblindfoldedandpooted.Thenallatoncehekhhorrorhewasnotaloherewasatitterandsoorollingwhoopsoflaughterdeafenedhim.AtthatminuteLucilecamebadundidhiseyes.Sheheldacaramelcakeonaplatter.Theroomwasfullofpeople.LeroyandthatbundAlice,ofcourse.Hewaocrawlupthewall.Hestoodtherewithhisbarefagingout,burninghotallover.Theykiddedhimahourwasalmostasbadasthedeathofhismother—thewayhetookit.
Laterthatnighthedrankaquartofwhiskey.Andforweeksafter------Mod！
Biffchuckledcoldly.Hepluckedafewchordsonhismandolinandstartedarolligcowboysong.Hisvoicewasamellowtenorandheclosedhiseyesashesang.Theroomwasalmostdark.Thedampchillpeedtohisbohathislegsachedwithrheumatism..
Atlastheputawayhismandolinandrockedslowlyin?thedarkness.Death.Sometimeshecouldalmostfeelitintheroomwithhim.Herockedtoandfrointhechair.Whatdidheuand?Nothing.Wherewasheheaded?Nowhere.Whatdidhewant?Toknow.What?Amean-ing.Why?Ariddle.
Brokenpictureslaylikeascatteredjigsawpuzzleinhishead.
Alicesoapingihtub.Mussolinismug.Mickpullingthebabyinawagon.Aroastturkeyondisplay.Blountsmouth.ThefaceofSinger.Hefelthimselfwait-
fing.Theroomwaspletelydark.FromthekithecouldhearLouissinging.
Biffstoodupandtouchedthearmofhischairtostillitsrog.Whenheopehedoorthehalloutsidewasverywarmandbright.HerememberedthatperhapsMickwoulde.Hestraightenedhisclothesandsmoothedbackhishair.
Awarmthandlivelinessreturohim.Therestaurantwasinahubbub.BeerroundsandSundaysupperhadbegun.HesmiledgeniallytoyoungHarryaledhimselfbehindthecashregister.Hetookintheroomwithaglancelikealasso.
Theplacewascrowdedandhummingwithhebowloffruitinthewindowwasagenteel,artisticdisplay.Hewatchedthedoorandtioexamiheroomracticedeye.Hewasalertandilywaiting.Singercamefinallyandwrotewithhissilverpencilthathewantedonlysoupandwhiskeyashehadacold.ButMickdidnote.
iHEneverevenhadaoherselfanymore.Theywerethatpoor.Moneywasthemainthing.Allthetimeitwasmoney,money,moheyhadtopaythroughthenoseforBabyWilsonsprivateroomandprivateeventhatwasjustonebill.Bythetimeohingaidforsomethingelsealwayswouldcropup.Theyowedaroundtwohundreddollarsthathadtobepaidrightaway.Theylostthehouse.TheirDadgotahundreddollarsoutofthedealahebanktakeovertheme.ThenheborrowedanotherfiftydollarsandMisterSingerwentoewithhim.
Afterwardtheyhadtoworryaboutrenteverymonthinsteadoftaxes.Theyweremightynearaspoorasfactoryfolks.Onlynobodycouldlookdownonthem.
Billhadajobinabottlingplantandmadetendollarsaweek.
Hazelworkedasahelperiyparlhtdollars.
Ettasoldticketsatamovieforfivedollars.Eachofthempaidhalfofwhattheyearnedfortheirkeep.Thenthehousehadsixboardersatfivedollarsahead.AndMisterSinger,whopaid
hisrentveryprompt.WithwhattheirDadpickedupitallcametoabouttwohundreddollarsamonth—andoutofthattheyhadtofeedthesixboardersprettygoodahefamilyandpayrentforthewholehouseahepaymentsonthefurniture.
Geeandherdidanyluneynow.Shehadtostopthemusiclessons.Portiasavedtheleftoversfromthedinnerfeetoeatafterschool.Allthetimetheyhadtheirmealsi.WhetherBillandHazelaasatwiththeboardersorateidependedonhowmuchfoodtherewas.Itheyhadgritsandgreaseandsidemeatandcoffeeforbreakfast.Forsuppertheyhadthesamethingalongwithwhatevercouldbesparedfromthedining-room.Thebigkidsgripedwheheyhadtoeati.AndsometimessheandGeeweredhthungryfortwoorthreedays.
Butthiswasisideroom.Ithadnothingtodowithmusidfntriesandtheplansshemade.Thewinterwascold.Frostwasonthewindowpanightthefireintheliving-roomcrackledverywarm.Allthefamilysatbythefirewiththeboarders,soshehadthemiddlebedroomtoherself.SheworetwosweatersandapairofBillsoutgrowncorduroypaemeherwarm.Shewouldbringoutherprivateboxfromuhebedandsitonthefloortowork.
Inthebigboxtherewerethepicturesshehadpaihegoverfreeartclass.ShehadtakeofBillsroom.AlsointheboxshekeptthreemysterybooksherDadhadgivenher,apact,aboxofarts,arhionenecklace,ahammer,andsomenotebooks.Oebookwasmarkedoopwithredcrayon—PRIVATE.KEEPOUT.
PRIVATE—ahastring.
Shehadworkedonmusithisnotebookallthewinter.Shequitstudyingschoollessonsatnightsoshecouldhavemoretimetospendonmusic.Mostlyshehadwrittenjustlittletunes—songswithoutanywordsandwithoutevenanybasshem.Theywereveryshort.Butevenifthetuneswereonlyhalfapagelongshegavethemnamesanddrewherinitialsunderhem.Nothinginthisbookwasarealpiece
oraposition.Theywerejustsongsinhermiedtoremember.Shehemhowtheyremindedher—AfridABigFighfandTheSnowstorm.’
Shecouldntwritethemusicjustlikeitsoundedinhermind.
Shehadtothinitdowntoonlyafewherwiseshegottoomixeduptogofurther.Therewassomuchshedidntknowabouthowtowritemusic.Butmaybeaftershelearnedhowtowritethesesimpletunesfairlyquickshecouldbegintoputdownthewholemusihermind.
InJanuaryshebegaainverywonderfulpiececalledThisThingIWant,IKnowNotWhatItwasabeautifulandmarveloussong—veryslowandsoft.Atfirstshehadstartedtowriteapoemalongwithit,butshecouldntthinkofideastofitthemusic.Alsoitwashardtogetawordforthethirdliorhymewithwhat.Thisnewsongmadeherfeelsadaedandhappyallatonce.Musicbeautifulasthiswashardtoworkon.Anysongwashardtowrite.Somethingshecouldhumintwominutesmeantawholeweeksworkbeforeitwasdowniebook—aftershehadfiguredupthescaleaimeandeverynote.
Shehadtotratehardandsingitmanytimes.Hervoicewasalwayshoarse.HerDadsaidthiswasbecauseshehadbawledsomuchwhenshewasababy.HerDadwouldhavetogetupandwalkwithhereverynightwhenshehsage.Theonlythingwouldhushher,healwayssaid,wasforhimtobeatthecoalscuttleokerandsingDixie.’
Shelayoomathecoldfloorandthought.Lateron—whewenty—shewouldbeagreatworld-famousposer.Shewouldhaveawholesymphonyorchestraandductallofhermusicherself.Shewouldstandupoforminfrontofthebigcrowdsofpeople.ToducttheorchestrashewouldweareitherarealmanseveningsuitorelseareddressspahrhiohecurtainsofthestagewouldberedvelvetandM.K.wouldbeprihemingold.MisterSingerwouldbethere,andafterwardtheywouldgooutafriedchi.Hewouldadmireherand
therashisverybestfriend.Geewouldbringupbigwreathsofflowerstothestage.ItwouldbeinNewYorkCityorelseinafntry.Famouspeoplewouldpointather—cCULLBRSCaroleLombardandArturoTosiandAdmiralByrd.松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
"Thatwasagoodtimetobeliving,Biffagreed.
Blountshuffledhisfeetself-sciously.Hisfacewasroughandunhappy.Hewasreadytoleave.Biffwasalerttodetainhim.Tellme—whydidyoueveretothistownanyway?Heknewimmediatelythatthequestionhadnotbeenapolitieandhewasdisappoihhimself.Yetitwasqueerhowthemancouldlandupinaplacelikethis.
ItstheGodstruthIdontknow.’
Theystoodquietlyforamoment,bothleaningontheter.
Thegameofditheerwasfihefirstdinnerorder,aLongIslandduckspecial,hadbeenservedtothefellowwhomaheA.andP.store.Theradiowasturnedhalfwaybetweenachurchsermonandaswingband.
BlountleanedoversuddenlyandsmelledBiffsface.
Perfume?’
Shavinglotion,Biffsaidposedly.
HecouldnotkeepBlountlohefellowwasreadytogo.
HewouldeinwithSier.Itwasalwayslikethis.
HewaodrawBlountoutpletelysothathecoulduaaiionsinghim.ButBlountwouldneverreallytalk—onlytothemute.Itwasamostpeculiarthing.
"Thanksforthecigar,Blountsaid.Seeyoulater.’
Solong.’
BiffwatchedBlountwalktothedoorwithhisrolling,sailor-likegait.Theookupthedutiesbeforehim.Helookedoverthedisplayinthewindow.Thedaysmenuhadbeenpastedontheglassandaspecialdihallthetrimmingswaslaidouttoattracters.Itlookedbad.Rightnasty.
Thegravyfromtheduckhadrunintotheberrysaudafly,wasstuthedessert.Hey,Louis!hecalled.Takethisstuffoutofthewindow.
Andbriredpotterybowlandsomefruit.’
Hearrahefruitswithaneyeforcoloranddesign.Atlastthedecorationpleasedhim.Hevisitedthekitandhadatalkwiththecook.Heliftedthelidsofthepotsandshefoodiwithoutheartforthematter.Alicealwayshad
dohispart.Hedislikedit.Hisnosesharpenedwhehegreasysinkwithitsscumoffoodbitsatthebottom.Hewrotedownthemenusandtheordersfortheday.Hewasgladtoleavethekitandtakehisstandbythecashregisteragain.
LucileandBabycameforSundaydihelittleMdwasnotsogoodnow.Thebandagewasstillonherheadaorsaiditcouldnoteoffuntilmonth.Thebindingofgauzeinplaceoftheyellowcurlsmadeherheadlooknaked.
SayhellotoUncleBiff,Hon,Lucileprompted.
Babybridledfretfully.HellotoUncaBiffHon,shegassed.
SheputupastrugglewhenLuciletriedtotakeoffherSundaycoat.Nowyoujustbehaveyourself,Lucilekeptsaying."Yougottotakeitofforyoullcateumoniawhenwegooutagain..Nowyoujustbehaveyourself.’
Bifftookthesituationincharge.HesoothedBabywithaballofdygumandeasedthecoatfromhershoulders.HerdresshadlostitssetirugglewithLucile.HestraightesothattheyokewasinlineacrossherchestHeretiedhersashandcrushedthebowtojusttherightshapewithhisfiheedBabyotlebehisomestrawberryicecreamtoday,hesaid.
Bartholomew,youdmakeamightygoodmother.’
Thanks,Biffsaid.Thatsapliment’
WejustbeentoSundaySchoolandchurch.Baby,saytheversefromtheBibleyoulearnedforyourUncleBiff.’
Thekidhungbadpouted.Jesuswept,shesaidfinally.
Thesthatsheputiwowordsmadeitsoundlikeaterriblething.
WanttoseeLouis?Biffasked.Hesbathekit.’
IwannaseeWillie.IwannahearWMeplaytheharp.’
"Now,Baby,yourejusttryingyourself,Lucilesaidim-patiently.YouknowgoodahatWilliesnothere.
Williewassentofftothepeiary.’
ButLouis,Biffsaid.Heplaytheharp,too.Gotellhimtogettheicecreamreadyandplayyouatune.’
Babywenttowardthekit,draggingohefloor.
Lucilelaidherhatontheter.Thereweretearsinhereyes.YouknowIalwayssaidthis:Ifachildiskeptandwellcaredforahenthatchildwillusuallybesweetandsmart.Butifachildsdirtyanduglythenyoutexpeythingmuch.WhatImtryingtogetatisthatBabyissoshamedoverlosingherhairandthatbandageonherheadthatitjustseemslikeitmakeshercutthebuckallthetime.Shewontpracticeherelocutiodoathing.ShefeelssobadIjusttmanageher.’
Ifyoudquitpigwithhersomuchshedbeallright.’
Atlasthesettledtheminaboothbythewindow.Lucilehadaspecialandtherewasabreastofchicutupfine,creamofwheat,andcarrotsforBaby.Sheplayedwithherfoodandspilledmilkotlefrock.Hesatwiththemuntiltherushstarted.Theobeonhisfeettokeepthingsgoingsmoothly.
Peopleeating.Thewide-openmouthswiththefoodpushedin.
Whatwasit?Thelinehehadreadnotlongago.Lifewasonlyamatterofintakeandalimentationandreprodu.Theplacewascrowded.Therewasaswingbandontheradio.
Theaitingforcamein.Sieredthedoorfirst,verystraightandswankinhistailoredSundaysuit.
Blountfollowedalongjustbehindhiselbow.Therewassomethingaboutthewaytheywalkedthatstruckhim.Theysatattheirtable,andBlounttalkedahgustowhileSichedpolitely.Whenthemealwasfiheystoppedbythecashregisterforafewmihenastheywentouthenoticedagaintherewassomethingabouttheirwalkingtogetherthatmadehimpauseaionhimself.
Whatcoulditbe?Thesuddennesswithwhichthememoryopenedupdeepdowninhismindwasashock.Thebigdeaf-mutemoronwhomSingerusedtowalkwithsometimesoowork.ThesloppyGreekwhomadedyforCharlesParker.TheGreekalwayswalkedaheadandSingerfollowed.Hehadicedthemmuchbecausetheynevercameintotheplace.Butwhyhadhenotrememberedthis?Ofalltimeshehadwonderedaboutthemutetosuangle.Seeeverythinginthelandscapeexceptthethreewaltzing
elephants.Butdiditmatterafterall？
Biffnarrowedhiseyes.HowSingerhadbeenbeforewasnotimportant.ThethingthatmatteredwasthewayBlountandMickmadeofhimasortofhome-madeGod.Owingtothefacthewasamutetheywereabletogivehimallthequalitiestheywantedhimtohave.Yes.Buthowcouldsuchastrahingeabout?Andwhy？
Aone-armedmancamehiandBifftreatedhimtoawhiskeyonthehouse.Buthedidnotfeelliketalkingtoanyone.
Sundaydinnerwasafamilymeal.MenwhodrahemselvesonweeknightsbroughttheirwivesandlittlekidswiththemonSunday.Thehighchairtheykeptinthebackwasoftenwastwo-thirtyandthoughmanytableswereoccupiedthemealwasalmostover.Biffhadbeenonhisfeetforthepastfourhoursandwastired.Heusedtostandforfourteenorsixteenhoursandnotnotiyeffectsatall.Butnowhehadaged.siderably.Therewasnodoubtaboutit.
Ormaybematuredwastheword.Notaged—certainlynot—yet.Thewavesofsoundintheroomswelledandsubsidedagainsthisears.Matured.Hiseyessmartedanditwasasthoughsomefeverinhimmadeeverythingthtandsharp.
Hecalledtoohewaitresses:Takeoverformewillyou,please?Imgoingout.’
ThestreettybecauseofSunday.Thesunshhtandclear,withoutwarmth.Biffheldthecollarofhiscoatclosetohisneck.Alohestreethefeltoutofpocket.
Thewindblewcoldfromtheriver.Heshouldturnbadstayiaurantwherehebelonged.Hehadnobusinessgoingtotheplacewherehewasheaded.ForthepastfourSundayshehaddohis.HehadwalkedintheneighborhoodwherehemightseeMidtherewassomethingaboutitthatwas—notquiteright.Yes.Wrong.Hewalkedslowlydownthesidepositethehousewhereshelived.LastSundayshehadbeenreadingthefunnypapersonthefrontsteps.Butthistimeasheglancedswiftlytowardthehousehesawshewasnotthere.Buttiltedthebrimofhisfelthatdownoverhiseyes.Perhapsshewoulde
intotheplacelater.OftenonSundayaftersuppershecameforahotcodstoppedforawhileatthetablewhereSingerwassitting.OnSundaysheworeadifferentoutfitfromtheblueskirtaersheworeonotherdays.HerSundaydresswaswine-coloredsilkwithadingylacecollar.Onceshehadhadonstogs—withrunsinthem.Alwayshewaosetheruptosomething,togivetoher.Andnotonlyasundaeorsomesweettoeat—butsomethihatwasallhewantedforhimself—togivetoher.Biffsmouthhardened.
Hehaddohingwrongbutinhimhefeltastrangeguilt.
Why?Thedarkguiltinallmen,unreedandwithoutaname.
OnthewayhomeBifffoundapennylyinghalfcealedbyrubbishier.Thriftilyhepickeditup,edthewithhishandkerchief,anddroppeditintotheblackpocketpurse,hecarried.Itwasfouroclockwhenhereachedtherestaurant.Businesswasstagnant.Therewasnotasiomerintheplace.
Businesspickeduparoundfive.Theboyhehadretlyhiredtoworkparttimeshowedupearly.TheboysnamewasHarryMinowitz.HelivedinthesameneighborhoodwithMidBaby.Elevenapplitshadaheadinthepaper,butHarryseemedtobebestbet.Hewaswelldevelopedforhisage,a.Biffhadnoticedtheboysteethwhiletalkingtohimdurierview.Teethwerealwaysagoodindication.Hiswerelargeandveryandwhite.Harrywlasses,butthatwouldnotmatterinthework.Hismothermadetendollarsaweeksewingforatailordowreet,andHarrywasanonlychild.
Well,Biffsaid.Youvebeenwithmeaweek,Harry.Thinkyoingtolikeit?Sure,sir.SureIlikeit.’
Biffturheringonhisfinger.Letssee.Whattimedoyougetofffromschool?"Threeoclock,sir.Well,thatgivesyouacoupleofhoursforstudyandrecreation.Thenherefromsixtotehatleaveyouenoughtimeforplentyofsleep?’
Plenty.Idontneedhatmuch.’
Youneedaboutnineandahalfhoursatye,son.Pure,wholesomesleep.’
Hefeltsuddenlyembarrassed.MaybeHarrywouldthinkitwasnoneofhisbusiness.Whichitwasntanyway.Hestartedtoturnasideahoughtofsomething.
?YougotoVocational?’
Harrynoddedandrubbedhisglassesonhisshirtsleeve.
Letssee.Iknowalotofgirlsandboysthere.AlvaRichards—Iknowhisfather.AndMaggieHenry.AndakidnamedMickKelly------Hefeltasthoughhisearshadcaughtafire.Heknewhimselftobeafool.Hewaurnandwalkawayaheonlystoodthere,smilingandmashinghishhisthumb.Youknowher?heaskedfaintly.
Sure,Iliverightdoortoher.Butinsaseniorwhileshesafreshman.’
Biffstoredthismeagerinformatiolyinhismindtobethoughtoverlaterwhenhewasalone.Businesswillbequiethereforawhile,hesaidhurriedly.Tilleaveitwithyou.Bynowyouknowhowtohahings.Justwatyersdrinkingbeerandrememberhowmanytheyvedrunksoyouwonthavetoaskthemanddependonwhattheysay.Takeyourtimemakinggearackofwhatgoeson.’
Biffshuthimselfinhisroomdownstairs.Thiswastheplacewherehekepthisfiles.Theroomhadonlyonesmallwindowandlookedoutonthesidealley,andtheairwasmustyandcold.Hugestacksofneersroseuptotheceiling.Ahome-madefilingcasecoveredonewall.hedoortherewasanold-fashionedrog-chairandasmalltablelaidairofshears,adiary,andamandolin.Becauseofthepilesofneeritossibletotakemorethantwostepsinanydire.Biffrockedhimselfinthechairandlanguidlypluckedthestringsofthemandolin.Hiseyesclosedandhebegantosinginadolefulvoice:IIwenttotheanimalfair.
Thebirdsandthebeastswerethere,AndtheoldbaboonbythelightofthemoonWasbinghisauburnhair.
Hefihachordfromthestringsasoundsshiveredtosilehecoldair.
Toadoptacoupleoflittlechildren.Aboyandagirl.Aboutthreeorfouryearsoldsotheywouldalwaysfeellikehewastheirownfather.TheirDad.OurFather.ThelittlegirllikeMick(orBaby?)atthatage.Roundcheeksandgrayeyesandflaxenhair.Aheshewouldmakeforher—pinkcrgpedeefrockswithdaintysmogattheyokeandsleeves.Silksodwhitebuckskinshoes.Andalittlered-velvetcoatanddmuffforwiheboywasdarkandblack-haired.Thelittleboywalkedbehindhimandcopiedthethingshedid.InthesummerthethreeofthemwouldgotoacottageontheGulfandhewoulddressthechildrenintheirsunsuitsandguidethemcarefullyintothegreen,shallowwaves.Aheywouldbloomashegrewold.OurFather.Andtheywouldetohimwithquestionsandhewouldahem.
Whynot？
Bifftookuphismandolinagain.Tum-ti-tim-ti-tee,ti-tee,thewedd-ingofthepainteddollThemandolinmockedtherefrain.Hesangthroughalltheversesandwaggedhisfoottothetime.ThenheplayedK-K-K-Katie,andLovesOldSweetSong.ThesepieceswereliketheAguaFloridaiheymadehimremember.Everything.Throughthefirstyearwhenheyandwhensheseemedhappyeventoo.Ahebedcamedownwiththemtwithreemonths.Andhedidntknowthatallthetimeherbrainwasbusywithhowshecouldsaveanickleorsqueezeoutaradime.AndthenhimwithRioandthegirlsatherplace.GypandMadelineandLou.Aerwhensuddeit.Whenhecouldliewithawomannolonger.Mothero-eod!Sothatatfirstitseemedeverythingwasgone.
Lucilealwaysuoodthewholeset-up.ShekhekindofwomanAlicewas.Maybesheknewabouthim,too.Lucilewouldurgethemtogetadivordshedidallapersoncouldtotrythtenouttheirmesses.
Biffwincedsuddenly.Hejerkedhishandsfromthestringsofthemandolinsothataphraseofmusicwaschoppedoff.Hesattenseinhischair.Thensuddenlyhelaughedquietlytohimself.Whathadmadehimeacrossthis?Ah,LordyLordyLord!Itwasthedayofhistwenty-ninthbirthday,andLucilehadaskedhimtodropbyherapartmentwhenhefihanappoithedentists.Heexpectedfromthissomelittleremembrance—aplateofcherrytartsoodshirt.Shemethimatthedoorandblindfoldedhiseyesbeforeheehenshesaidshewouldbebaased.Inthesilentroomhelisteoherfootstepsandwhenshehadreachedthekithebrokewioodintheroomwithhiseyesblindfoldedandpooted.Thenallatoncehekhhorrorhewasnotaloherewasatitterandsoorollingwhoopsoflaughterdeafenedhim.AtthatminuteLucilecamebadundidhiseyes.Sheheldacaramelcakeonaplatter.Theroomwasfullofpeople.LeroyandthatbundAlice,ofcourse.Hewaocrawlupthewall.Hestoodtherewithhisbarefagingout,burninghotallover.Theykiddedhimahourwasalmostasbadasthedeathofhismother—thewayhetookit.
Laterthatnighthedrankaquartofwhiskey.Andforweeksafter------Mod！
Biffchuckledcoldly.Hepluckedafewchordsonhismandolinandstartedarolligcowboysong.Hisvoicewasamellowtenorandheclosedhiseyesashesang.Theroomwasalmostdark.Thedampchillpeedtohisbohathislegsachedwithrheumatism..
Atlastheputawayhismandolinandrockedslowlyin?thedarkness.Death.Sometimeshecouldalmostfeelitintheroomwithhim.Herockedtoandfrointhechair.Whatdidheuand?Nothing.Wherewasheheaded?Nowhere.Whatdidhewant?Toknow.What?Amean-ing.Why?Ariddle.
Brokenpictureslaylikeascatteredjigsawpuzzleinhishead.
Alicesoapingihtub.Mussolinismug.Mickpullingthebabyinawagon.Aroastturkeyondisplay.Blountsmouth.ThefaceofSinger.Hefelthimselfwait-
fing.Theroomwaspletelydark.FromthekithecouldhearLouissinging.
Biffstoodupandtouchedthearmofhischairtostillitsrog.Whenheopehedoorthehalloutsidewasverywarmandbright.HerememberedthatperhapsMickwoulde.Hestraightenedhisclothesandsmoothedbackhishair.
Awarmthandlivelinessreturohim.Therestaurantwasinahubbub.BeerroundsandSundaysupperhadbegun.HesmiledgeniallytoyoungHarryaledhimselfbehindthecashregister.Hetookintheroomwithaglancelikealasso.
Theplacewascrowdedandhummingwithhebowloffruitinthewindowwasagenteel,artisticdisplay.Hewatchedthedoorandtioexamiheroomracticedeye.Hewasalertandilywaiting.Singercamefinallyandwrotewithhissilverpencilthathewantedonlysoupandwhiskeyashehadacold.ButMickdidnote.
iHEneverevenhadaoherselfanymore.Theywerethatpoor.Moneywasthemainthing.Allthetimeitwasmoney,money,moheyhadtopaythroughthenoseforBabyWilsonsprivateroomandprivateeventhatwasjustonebill.Bythetimeohingaidforsomethingelsealwayswouldcropup.Theyowedaroundtwohundreddollarsthathadtobepaidrightaway.Theylostthehouse.TheirDadgotahundreddollarsoutofthedealahebanktakeovertheme.ThenheborrowedanotherfiftydollarsandMisterSingerwentoewithhim.
Afterwardtheyhadtoworryaboutrenteverymonthinsteadoftaxes.Theyweremightynearaspoorasfactoryfolks.Onlynobodycouldlookdownonthem.
Billhadajobinabottlingplantandmadetendollarsaweek.
Hazelworkedasahelperiyparlhtdollars.
Ettasoldticketsatamovieforfivedollars.Eachofthempaidhalfofwhattheyearnedfortheirkeep.Thenthehousehadsixboardersatfivedollarsahead.AndMisterSinger,whopaid
hisrentveryprompt.WithwhattheirDadpickedupitallcametoabouttwohundreddollarsamonth—andoutofthattheyhadtofeedthesixboardersprettygoodahefamilyandpayrentforthewholehouseahepaymentsonthefurniture.
Geeandherdidanyluneynow.Shehadtostopthemusiclessons.Portiasavedtheleftoversfromthedinnerfeetoeatafterschool.Allthetimetheyhadtheirmealsi.WhetherBillandHazelaasatwiththeboardersorateidependedonhowmuchfoodtherewas.Itheyhadgritsandgreaseandsidemeatandcoffeeforbreakfast.Forsuppertheyhadthesamethingalongwithwhatevercouldbesparedfromthedining-room.Thebigkidsgripedwheheyhadtoeati.AndsometimessheandGeeweredhthungryfortwoorthreedays.
Butthiswasisideroom.Ithadnothingtodowithmusidfntriesandtheplansshemade.Thewinterwascold.Frostwasonthewindowpanightthefireintheliving-roomcrackledverywarm.Allthefamilysatbythefirewiththeboarders,soshehadthemiddlebedroomtoherself.SheworetwosweatersandapairofBillsoutgrowncorduroypaemeherwarm.Shewouldbringoutherprivateboxfromuhebedandsitonthefloortowork.
Inthebigboxtherewerethepicturesshehadpaihegoverfreeartclass.ShehadtakeofBillsroom.AlsointheboxshekeptthreemysterybooksherDadhadgivenher,apact,aboxofarts,arhionenecklace,ahammer,andsomenotebooks.Oebookwasmarkedoopwithredcrayon—PRIVATE.KEEPOUT.
PRIVATE—ahastring.
Shehadworkedonmusithisnotebookallthewinter.Shequitstudyingschoollessonsatnightsoshecouldhavemoretimetospendonmusic.Mostlyshehadwrittenjustlittletunes—songswithoutanywordsandwithoutevenanybasshem.Theywereveryshort.Butevenifthetuneswereonlyhalfapagelongshegavethemnamesanddrewherinitialsunderhem.Nothinginthisbookwasarealpiece
oraposition.Theywerejustsongsinhermiedtoremember.Shehemhowtheyremindedher—AfridABigFighfandTheSnowstorm.’
Shecouldntwritethemusicjustlikeitsoundedinhermind.
Shehadtothinitdowntoonlyafewherwiseshegottoomixeduptogofurther.Therewassomuchshedidntknowabouthowtowritemusic.Butmaybeaftershelearnedhowtowritethesesimpletunesfairlyquickshecouldbegintoputdownthewholemusihermind.
InJanuaryshebegaainverywonderfulpiececalledThisThingIWant,IKnowNotWhatItwasabeautifulandmarveloussong—veryslowandsoft.Atfirstshehadstartedtowriteapoemalongwithit,butshecouldntthinkofideastofitthemusic.Alsoitwashardtogetawordforthethirdliorhymewithwhat.Thisnewsongmadeherfeelsadaedandhappyallatonce.Musicbeautifulasthiswashardtoworkon.Anysongwashardtowrite.Somethingshecouldhumintwominutesmeantawholeweeksworkbeforeitwasdowniebook—aftershehadfiguredupthescaleaimeandeverynote.
Shehadtotratehardandsingitmanytimes.Hervoicewasalwayshoarse.HerDadsaidthiswasbecauseshehadbawledsomuchwhenshewasababy.HerDadwouldhavetogetupandwalkwithhereverynightwhenshehsage.Theonlythingwouldhushher,healwayssaid,wasforhimtobeatthecoalscuttleokerandsingDixie.’
Shelayoomathecoldfloorandthought.Lateron—whewenty—shewouldbeagreatworld-famousposer.Shewouldhaveawholesymphonyorchestraandductallofhermusicherself.Shewouldstandupoforminfrontofthebigcrowdsofpeople.ToducttheorchestrashewouldweareitherarealmanseveningsuitorelseareddressspahrhiohecurtainsofthestagewouldberedvelvetandM.K.wouldbeprihemingold.MisterSingerwouldbethere,andafterwardtheywouldgooutafriedchi.Hewouldadmireherand
therashisverybestfriend.Geewouldbringupbigwreathsofflowerstothestage.ItwouldbeinNewYorkCityorelseinafntry.Famouspeoplewouldpointather—cCULLBRSCaroleLombardandArturoTosiandAdmiralByrd.松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
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并不代表本站立场!本站亦无法严格审:The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter最新章节其版权归属。如您对The Heart Is A Lonely HunterTXT下载持有版权方面的异议，请联系本站客服。我们将于72小时内处理。
Copyright (C) 2019 All Rights Reserved 版权所有：松语文学