0054137 F0D55 John Galsworthy the Appletree

8/12/2019 0054137 F0D55 John Galsworthy the Appletree

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John Galsworthy

THE APPLE-TREE

"The Apple-tree, the singing and the gold."

MURRAY'S "HIPPOLYTUS o !URIPI!S."

In their sil#er-$edding da% Ash&rst and his $ie $ere otoring along the

o&ts(irts o the oor, intending to )ro$n the esti#al *% stopping the

night at Tor+&a%, $here the% had irst et. This $as the idea o Stella

Ash&rst, $hose )hara)ter )ontained a strea( o sentient. I she had

long lost the *l&e-e%ed, lo$er-li(e )har, the )ool sli p&rit% o a)e

and or, the apple-*losso )olo&ring, $hi)h had so s$itl% and so oddl%

ae)ted Ash&rst t$ent%-si %ears ago, she $as still at ort%-three a

)oel% and aith&l )opanion, $hose )hee(s $ere aintl% ottled, and

$hose gre%-*l&e e%es had a)+&ired a )ertain &llness.

It $as she $ho had stopped the )ar $here the )oon rose steepl% to the

let, and a narro$ strip o lar)h and *ee)h, $ith here and there a pine,

stret)hed o&t to$ards the #alle% *et$een the road and the irst long

high hill o the &ll oor. She $as loo(ing or a pla)e $here the% ight

l&n)h, or Ash&rst ne#er loo(ed or an%thing and this, *et$een the

golden &re and the eather% green lar)hes selling o leons in the

last s&n o April--this, $ith a #ie$ into the deep #alle% and &p to

the long oor heights, seeed itting to the de)isi#e nat&re o one $ho

s(et)hed in $ater-)olo&rs, and lo#ed roanti) spots. /rasping her paint

*o, she got o&t.

"0on't this do, 1ran(2"

Ash&rst, rather li(e a *earded S)hiller, gre% in the $ings, tall,

long-legged, $ith large reote gre% e%es $hi)h soeties illed $ith

eaning and *e)ae alost *ea&ti&l, $ith nose a little to one side, and

*earded lips 3&st open--Ash&rst, ort%-eight, and silent, grasped the

l&n)heon *as(et, and got o&t too.

"Oh4 Loo(, 1ran(4 A gra#e4"

5% the side o the road, $here the tra)( ro the top o the )oon

)rossed it at right angles and ran thro&gh a gate past the narro$ $ood,

$as a thin o&nd o t&r, si eet *% one, $ith a oorstone to the

$est, and on it soeone had thro$n a *la)(thorn spra% and a hand&l o

*l&e*ells. Ash&rst loo(ed, and the poet in hi o#ed. At )ross-roads--a

s&i)ide's gra#e4 Poor ortals $ith their s&perstitions4 0hoe#er la%

there, tho&gh, had the *est o it, no )la% sep&l)hre aong other

hideo&s gra#es )ar#ed $ith &tilities--3&st a ro&gh stone, the $ide s(%,

and $a%side *lessings4 And, $itho&t )oent, or he had learned not to

*e a philosopher in the *oso o his ail%, he strode a$a% &p on to the

)oon, dropped the l&n)heon *as(et &nder a $all, spread a r&g orhis $ie to sit on--she $o&ld t&rn &p ro her s(et)hing $hen she

$as h&ngr%--and too( ro his po)(et M&rra%'s translation o the

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"Hippol%t&s." He had soon inished reading o "The 7%prian" and her

re#enge, and loo(ed at the s(% instead. And $at)hing the $hite )lo&ds

so *right against the intense *l&e, Ash&rst, on his sil#er-$edding da%,

longed or--he (ne$ not $hat. Malad3&sted to lie--an's organis4 One's

ode o lie ight *e high and s)r&p&lo&s, *&t there $as al$a%s an

&nder)&rrent o greediness, a han(ering, and sense o $aste. id

$oen ha#e it too2 0ho )o&ld tell2 And %et, en $ho ga#e #ent to theirappetites or no#elt%, their rioto&s longings or ne$ ad#ent&res, ne$

ris(s, ne$ pleas&res, these s&ered, no do&*t, ro the re#erse side

o star#ation, ro s&reit. 8o getting o&t o it--a alad3&sted

anial, )i#ilised an4 There )o&ld *e no garden o his )hoosing, o

"the Apple-tree, the singing, and the gold," in the $ords o that

lo#el% /ree( )hor&s, no a)hie#a*le el%si& in lie, or lasting ha#en

o happiness or an% an $ith a sense o *ea&t%--nothing $hi)h )o&ld

)opare $ith the )apt&red lo#eliness in a $or( o art, set do$n or

e#er, so that to loo( on it or read $as al$a%s to ha#e the sae pre)io&s

sense o ealtation and rest&l ine*riet%. Lie no do&*t had oents

$ith that +&alit% o *ea&t%, o &n*idden l%ing rapt&re, *&t the tro&*le$as, the% lasted no longer than the span o a )lo&d's light o#er the

s&n ipossi*le to (eep the $ith %o&, as Art )a&ght *ea&t% and held it

ast. The% $ere leeting as one o the gliering or golden #isions one

had o the so&l in nat&re, glipses o its reote and *rooding spirit.

Here, $ith the s&n hot on his a)e, a )&)(oo )alling ro a thorn tree,

and in the air the hone% sa#o&r o gorse--here aong the little ronds

o the %o&ng ern, the starr% *la)(thorn, $hile the *right )lo&ds

drited *% high a*o#e the hills and drea% #alle%s here and no$ $as

s&)h a glipse. 5&t in a oent it $o&ld pass--as the a)e o Pan, $hi)h

loo(s ro&nd the )orner o a ro)(, #anishes at %o&r stare. And s&ddenl%

he sat &p. S&rel% there $as soething ailiar a*o&t this #ie$, this *it

o )oon, that ri**on o road, the old $all *ehind hi. 0hile the% $ere

dri#ing he had not *een ta(ing noti)e--ne#er did thin(ing o ar things

or o nothing--*&t no$ he sa$4 T$ent%-si %ears ago, 3&st at this tie

o %ear, ro the arho&se $ithin hal a ile o this #er% spot he had

started or that da% in Tor+&a% $hen)e it ight *e said he had ne#er

ret&rned. And a s&dden a)he *eset his heart he had st&*led on 3&st

one o those past oents in his lie, $hose *ea&t% and rapt&re he had

ailed to arrest, $hose $ings had l&ttered a$a% into the &n(no$n he

had st&*led on a *&ried eor%, a $ild s$eet tie, s$itl% )ho(ed and

ended. And, t&rning on his a)e, he rested his )hin on his hands, andstared at the short grass $here the little *l&e il($ort $as gro$ing....

I

And this is $hat he ree*ered.

On the irst o Ma%, ater their last %ear together at )ollege, 1ran(

Ash&rst and his riend Ro*ert /arton $ere on a trap. The% had $al(ed

that da% ro 5rent, intending to a(e 7hagord, *&t Ash&rst's oot*all

(nee had gi#en o&t, and a))ording to their ap the% had still soe se#en

iles to go. The% $ere sitting on a *an( *eside the-road, $here a tra)()rossed alongside a $ood, resting the (nee and tal(ing o the &ni#erse,

as %o&ng en $ill. 5oth $ere o#er si eet, and thin as rails Ash&rst

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pale, idealisti), &ll o a*sen)e /arton +&eer, ro&nd-the-)orner,

(notted, )&rl%, li(e soe prie#al *east. 5oth had a literar% *ent

neither $ore a hat.

Ash&rst's hair $as sooth, pale, $a#%, and had a $a% o rising on either

side o his *ro$, as i al$a%s *eing l&ng *a)( 7arton's $as a (ind o

dar( &nathoed op. The% had not et a so&l or iles.

"M% dear ello$," /arton $as sa%ing, "pit%'s onl% an ee)t o

sel-)ons)io&sness it's a disease o the last i#e tho&sand %ears. The

$orld $as happier $itho&t."

Ash&rst, ollo$ing the )lo&ds $ith his e%es, ans$ered:

"It's the pearl in the o%ster, an%$a%."

"M% dear )hap, all o&r odern &nhappiness )oes ro pit%. Loo( at

anials, and Red Indians, liited to eeling their o$n o))asionalisort&nes then loo( at o&rsel#es--ne#er ree ro eeling the

tootha)hes o others. Let's get *a)( to eeling or no*od%, and ha#e a

*etter tie."

"Yo&'ll ne#er pra)tise that."

/arton pensi#el% stirred the hot)h-pot)h o his hair.

"To attain &ll gro$th, one &stn't *e s+&eaish. To star#e onesel

eotionall%'s a ista(e. All eotion is to the good--enri)hes lie."

"Yes, and $hen it r&ns &p against )hi#alr%2"

"Ah4 That's so !nglish4 I %o& spea( o eotion the !nglish al$a%s thin(

%o& $ant soething ph%si)al, and are sho)(ed. The%'re araid o passion,

*&t not o l&st--oh, no4--so long as the% )an (eep it se)ret."

Ash&rst did not ans$er he had pl&)(ed a *l&e lo$eret, and $as

t$iddling it against the s(%. A )&)(oo *egan )alling ro a thorn tree.

The s(%, the lo$ers, the songs o *irds4 Ro*ert $as tal(ing thro&gh his

hat4 And he said:

"0ell, let's go on, and ind soe ar $here $e )an p&t &p." In &ttering

those $ords, he $as )ons)io&s o a girl )oing do$n ro the )oon 3&st

a*o#e the. She $as o&tlined against the s(%, )arr%ing a *as(et, and %o&

)o&ld see that s(% thro&gh the )roo( o her ar. And Ash&rst, $ho sa$

*ea&t% $itho&t $ondering ho$ it )o&ld ad#antage hi, tho&ght: 'Ho$

prett%4' The $ind, *lo$ing her dar( riee s(irt against her legs,

lited her *attered pea)o)( ta-o'-shanter her gre%ish *lo&se $as $orn

and old, her shoes $ere split, her little hands ro&gh and red, her ne)(

*ro$ned. Her dar( hair $a#ed &ntid% a)ross her *road orehead, her a)e

$as short, her &pper lip short, sho$ing a glint o teeth, her *ro$s $erestraight and dar(, her lashes long and dar(, her nose straight *&t her

gre% e%es $ere the $onder-de$% as i opened or the irst tie that da%.

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4/47

She loo(ed at Ash&rst--perhaps he str&)( her as strange, liping along

$itho&t a hat, $ith his large e%es on her, and his hair alling *a)(.

He )o&ld not ta(e o $hat $as not on his head, *&t p&t &p his hand in a

sal&te, and said:

"7an %o& tell &s i there's a ar near here $here $e )o&ld sta% the

night2 I'#e gone lae."

"There's onl% o&r ar near, sir." She spo(e $itho&t sh%ness, in a

prett% sot )risp #oi)e.

"And $here is that2"

"o$n here, sir."

"0o&ld %o& p&t &s &p2"

"Oh4 I thin( $e $o&ld."

"0ill %o& sho$ &s the $a%2"

"Yes, Sir."

He liped on, silent, and /arton too( &p the )ate)his.

"Are %o& a e#onshire girl2"

"8o, Sir."

"0hat then2"

"1ro 0ales."

"Ah4 I tho&ght %o& $ere a 7elt so it's not %o&r ar2"

"M% a&nt's, sir."

"And %o&r &n)le's2"

"He is dead."

"0ho ars it, then2"

"M% a&nt, and % three )o&sins."

"5&t %o&r &n)le $as a e#onshire an2"

"Yes, Sir."

"Ha#e %o& li#ed here long2"

"Se#en %ears."


5/47

"And ho$ d'%o& li(e it ater 0ales2"

"I don't (no$, sir."

"I s&ppose %o& don't ree*er2"

"Oh, %es4 5&t it is dierent."

"I *elie#e %o&4"

Ash&rst *ro(e in s&ddenl%: "Ho$ old are %o&2"

"Se#enteen, Sir."

"And $hat's %o&r nae2"

"Megan a#id."

"This is Ro*ert /arton, and I a 1ran( Ash&rst. 0e $anted to get on to

7hagord."

"It is a pit% %o&r leg is h&rting %o&."

Ash&rst siled, and $hen he siled his a)e $as rather *ea&ti&l.

es)ending past the narro$ $ood, the% )ae on the ar s&ddenl%-a long,

lo$, stone-*&ilt d$elling $ith )aseent $indo$s, in a ar%ard $here

pigs and o$ls and an old are $ere stra%ing. A short steep-&p grass

hill *ehind $as )ro$ned $ith a e$ S)ot)h irs, and in ront, an old

or)hard o apple trees, 3&st *rea(ing into lo$er, stret)hed do$n to a

strea and a long $ild eado$. A little *o% $ith o*li+&e dar( e%es $as

shepherding a pig, and *% the ho&se door stood a $oan, $ho )ae to$ards

the. The girl said:

"It is Mrs. 8arra)o*e, % a&nt."

"Mrs. 8arra)o*e, % a&nt," had a +&i)(, dar( e%e, li(e a other

$ild-d&)('s, and soething o the sae sna(% t&rn a*o&t her ne)(.

"0e et %o&r nie)e on the road," said Ash&rst "she tho&ght %o& ight

perhaps p&t &s &p or the night."

Mrs. 8arra)o*e, ta(ing the in ro head to heel, ans$ered:

"0ell, I )an, i %o& don't ind one roo. Megan, get the spare roo

read%, and a *o$l o )rea. Yo&'ll *e $anting tea, I s&ppose."

Passing thro&gh a sort o por)h ade *% t$o %e$ trees and soe

lo$ering-)&rrant *&shes, the girl disappeared into the ho&se, herpea)o)( ta-o'-shanter *right ath$art that ros%-pin( and the dar( green

o the %e$s.

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"0ill %o& )oe into the parlo&r and rest %o&r leg2 Yo&'ll *e ro

)ollege, perhaps2"

"0e $ere, *&t $e'#e gone do$n no$."

Mrs. 8arra)o*e nodded sagel%.

The parlo&r, *ri)(-loored, $ith *are ta*le and shin% )hairs and soa

st&ed $ith horsehair, seeed ne#er to ha#e *een &sed, it $as so

terri*l% )lean. Ash&rst sat do$n at on)e on the soa, holding his lae

(nee *et$een his hands, and Mrs. 8arra)o*e gaed at hi. He $as the

onl% son o a late proessor o )heistr%, *&t people o&nd a )ertain

lordliness in one $ho $as oten so s&*liel% &n)ons)io&s o the.

"Is there a strea $here $e )o&ld *athe2"

"There's the strae at the *otto o the or)hard, *&t sittin' do$n%o&'ll not *e )o#ered4"

"Ho$ deep2"

"0ell, 'tis a*o&t a oot and a hal, a%*e."

"Oh4 That'll do ine. 0hi)h $a%2"

"o$n the lane, thro&gh the se)ond gate on the right, an' the pool's *%

the *ig apple tree that stands *% itsel. There's tro&t there, i %o&

)an ti)(le the."

"The%'re ore li(el% to ti)(le &s4"

Mrs. 8arra)o*e siled. "There'll *e the tea read% $hen %o& )oe *a)(."

The pool, ored *% the daing o a ro)(, had a sand% *otto and the

*ig apple tree, lo$est in the or)hard, gre$ so )lose that its *o&ghs

alost o#erh&ng the $ater it $as in lea, and all *&t in lo$er-its

)rison *&ds 3&st *&rsting. There $as not roo or ore than one at a

tie in that narro$ *ath, and Ash&rst $aited his t&rn, r&**ing his(nee and gaing at the $ild eado$, all ro)(s and thorn trees and eld

lo$ers, $ith a gro#e o *ee)hes *e%ond, raised &p on a lat o&nd.

!#er% *o&gh $as s$inging in the $ind, e#er% spring *ird )alling, and a

slanting s&nlight dappled the grass. He tho&ght o Theo)rit&s, and the

ri#er 7her$ell, o the oon, and the aiden $ith the de$% e%es o so

an% things that he seeed to thin( o nothing and he elt a*s&rdl%

happ%.

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9

&ring a late and s&pt&o&s tea $ith eggs to it, )rea and 3a, and

thin, resh )a(es to&)hed $ith saron, /arton des)anted on the 7elts.

It $as a*o&t the period o the 7elti) a$a(ening, and the dis)o#er% that

there $as 7elti) *lood a*o&t this ail% had e)ited one $ho *elie#ed

that he $as a 7elt hisel. Spra$ling on a horse hair )hair, $ith ahand-ade )igarette dri**ling ro the )orner o his )&rl% lips, he had

*een pl&nging his )old pin-points o e%es into Ash&rst's and praising

the reineent o the 0elsh. To )oe o&t o 0ales into !ngland $as li(e

the )hange ro )hina to earthen$are4 1ran(, as a d---d !nglishan, had

not o )o&rse per)ei#ed the e+&isite reineent and eotional )apa)it%

o that 0elsh girl4 And, deli)atel% stirring in the dar( at o his

still $et hair, he eplained ho$ ea)tl% she ill&strated the $ritings o

the 0elsh *ard Morgan-ap-Soething in the t$elth )ent&r%.

Ash&rst, &ll length on the horsehair soa, and 3&tting ar *e%ond its

end, so(ed a deepl%-)olo&red pipe, and did not listen, thin(ing o thegirl's a)e $hen she *ro&ght in a rela% o )a(es. It had *een ea)tl%

li(e loo(ing at a lo$er, or soe other prett% sight in 8at&re-till,

$ith a &nn% little shi#er, she had lo$ered her glan)e and gone o&t,

+&iet as a o&se.

"Let's go to the (it)hen," said /arton, "and see soe ore o her."

The (it)hen $as a $hite-$ashed roo $ith raters, to $hi)h $ere atta)hed

so(ed has there $ere lo$er-pots on the $indo$-sill, and g&ns hanging

on nails, +&eer &gs, )hina and pe$ter, and portraits o ?&een @i)toria.

A long, narro$ ta*le o plain $ood $as set $ith *o$ls and spoons, &nder

a string o high-h&ng onions t$o sheep-dogs and three )ats la% here and

there. On one side o the re)essed irepla)e sat t$o sall *o%s, idle,

and good as gold on the other sat a sto&t, light-e%ed, red-a)ed %o&th

$ith hair and lashes the )olo&r o the to$ he $as r&nning thro&gh the

*arrel o a g&n *et$een the Mrs. 8arra)o*e dreail% stirred soe

sa#o&r%-s)ented ste$ in a large pot. T$o other %o&ths, o*li+&e-e%ed,

dar(-haired, rather sl%-a)ed, li(e the t$o little *o%s, $ere

tal(ing together and lolling against the $all and a short, elderl%,

)lean-sha#en an in )ord&ro%s, seated in the $indo$, $as )onning a

*attered 3o&rnal. The girl Megan seeed the onl% a)ti#e )reat&re-dra$ing)ider and passing $ith the 3&gs ro )as( to ta*le. Seeing the th&s

a*o&t to eat, /arton said:

"Ah4 I %o&'ll let &s, $e'll )oe *a)( $hen s&pper's o#er," and $itho&t

$aiting or an ans$er the% $ithdre$ again to the parlo&r. 5&t the )olo&r

in the (it)hen, the $arth, the s)ents, and all those a)es, heightened

the *lea(ness o their shin% roo, and the% res&ed their seats oodil%.

"Reg&lar gips% t%pe, those *o%s. There $as onl% one Saon--the ello$

)leaning the g&n. That girl is a #er% s&*tle st&d% ps%)hologi)all%."

Ash&rst's lips t$it)hed. /arton seeed to hi an ass 3&st then. S&*tle

st&d%4 She $as a $ild lo$er. A )reat&re it did %o& good to loo( at.


8/47

St&d%4

/arton $ent on:

"!otionall% she $o&ld *e $onder&l. She $ants a$a(ening."

"Are %o& going to a$a(en her2"

/arton loo(ed at hi and siled. 'Ho$ )oarse and !nglish %o& are4' that

)&rl% sile seeed sa%ing.

And Ash&rst p&ed his pipe. A$a(en her4 That ool had the *est opinion

o hisel4 He thre$ &p the $indo$ and leaned o&t. &s( had gathered

thi)(. The ar *&ildings and the $heel-ho&se $ere all di and *l&ish,

the apple trees *&t a *l&rred $ilderness the air selled o $oodso(e

ro the (it)hen ire. One *ird going to *ed later than the others $as

&ttering a hal-hearted t$itter, as tho&gh s&rprised at the dar(ness.

1ro the sta*le )ae the sn&le and stap o a eeding horse. And a$a%o#er there $as the loo o the oor, and a$a% and a$a% the sh% stars

$hi)h had not as %et &ll light, pri)(ing $hite thro&gh the deep *l&e

hea#ens. A +&a#ering o$l hooted. Ash&rst dre$ a deep *reath. 0hat a

night to $ander o&t in4 A padding o &nshod hoos )ae &p the lane, and

three di, dar( shapes passed--ponies on an e#ening ar)h. Their heads,

*la)( and &%, sho$ed a*o#e the gate. At the tap o his pipe, and

a sho$er o little spar(s, the% shied ro&nd and s)apered. A *at $ent

l&ttering past, &ttering its alost ina&di*le ")hip, )hip." Ash&rst

held o&t his hand on the &pt&rned pal he )o&ld eel the de$. S&ddenl%

ro o#erhead he heard little *&rring *o%s' #oi)es, little th&ps o

*oots thro$n do$n, and another #oi)e, )risp and sot--the girl's p&tting

the to *ed, no do&*t and nine )lear $ords "8o, Ri)(, %o& )an't ha#e

the )at in *ed" then )ae a s(irish o giggles and g&rgles, a sot

slap, a la&gh so lo$ and prett% that it ade hi shi#er a little. A

*lo$ing so&nd, and the gli o the )andle $hi)h $as ingering the d&s(

a*o#e, $ent o&t silen)e reigned. Ash&rst $ithdre$ into the roo and sat

do$n his (nee pained hi, and his so&l elt gloo%.

"Yo& go to the (it)hen," he said "I' going to *ed."

;

1or Ash&rst the $heel o sl&*er $as $ont to t&rn noiseless and sli)(

and s$it, *&t tho&gh he seeed s&n( in sleep $hen his )opanion )ae

&p, he $as reall% $ide a$a(e and long ater 7arton, sothered in the

other *ed o that lo$-rooed roo, $as $orshipping dar(ness $ith his

&pt&rned nose, he heard the o$ls. 5arring the dis)oort o his (nee,

it $as not &npleasant--the )ares o lie did not loo large in night

$at)hes or this %o&ng an. In a)t he had none 3&st enrolled a

*arrister, $ith literar% aspirations, the $orld *eore hi, no ather orother, and o&r h&ndred a %ear o his o$n. id it atter $here he

$ent, $hat he did, or $hen he did it2 His *ed, too, $as hard, and this

B


9/47

preser#ed hi ro e#er. He la%, sniing the s)ent o the night $hi)h

drited into the lo$ roo thro&gh the open )aseent )lose to his head.

!)ept or a deinite irritation $ith his riend, nat&ral $hen %o& ha#e

traped $ith a an or three da%s, Ash&rst's eories and #isions

that sleepless night $ere (indl% and $ist&l and e)iting. One #ision,

spe)iall% )lear and &nreasona*le, or he had not e#en *een )ons)io&s

o noting it, $as the a)e o the %o&th )leaning the g&n its intent,stolid, %et startled &ploo( at the (it)hen door$a%, +&i)(l% shited

to the girl )arr%ing the )ider 3&g. This red, *l&e-e%ed, light-lashed,

to$-haired a)e st&)( as irl% in his eor% as the girl's o$n a)e,

so de$% and siple. 5&t at last, in the s+&are o dar(ness thro&gh the

&n)&rtained )aseent, he sa$ da% )oing, and heard one hoarse and sleep%

)a$. Then ollo$ed silen)e, dead as e#er, till the song o a *la)(*ird,

not properl% a$a(e, ad#ent&red into the h&sh. And, ro staring at the

raed *rightening light, Ash&rst ell asleep.

8et da% his (nee $as *adl% s$ollen the $al(ing to&r $as o*#io&sl%

o#er. /arton, d&e *a)( in London on the orro$, departed at idda% $ithan ironi)al sile $hi)h let a s)ar o irritation--healed the oent

his loping ig&re #anished ro&nd the )orner o the steep lane. All da%

Ash&rst rested his (nee, in a green-painted $ooden )hair on the pat)h o

grass *% the %e$-tree por)h, $here the s&nlight distilled the s)ent o

sto)(s and gill%lo$ers, and a ghost o s)ent ro the lo$ering-)&rrant

*&shes. 5eatii)all% he so(ed, dreaed, $at)hed.

A ar in spring is all *irth-%o&ng things )oing o&t o *&d and shell,

and h&an *eings $at)hing o#er the pro)ess $ith aint e)iteent eeding

and tending $hat has *een *orn. So still the %o&ng an sat, that

a other-goose, $ith statel% )ross-ooted $addle, *ro&ght her si

%ello$-ne)(ed gre%-*a)(ed goslings to strop their little *ea(s against

the grass *lades at his eet. 8o$ and again Mrs. 8arra)o*e or the girl

Megan $o&ld )oe and as( i he $anted an%thing, and he $o&ld sile and

sa%: "8othing, than(s. It's splendid here." To$ards tea-tie the% )ae

o&t together, *earing a long po&lti)e o soe dar( st& in a *o$l, and

ater a long and solen s)r&tin% o his s$ollen (nee, *o&nd it on. 0hen

the% $ere gone, he tho&ght o the girl's sot "Oh4"--o her pit%ing

e%es, and the little $rin(le in her *ro$. And again he elt that

&nreasoning irritation against his departed riend, $ho had tal(ed s&)h

rot a*o&t her. 0hen she *ro&ght o&t his tea, he said:

"Ho$ did %o& li(e % riend, Megan2"

She or)ed do$n her &pper lip, as i araid that to sile $as not

polite. "He $as a &nn% gentlean he ade &s la&gh. I thin( he is #er%

)le#er."

"0hat did he sa% to a(e %o& la&gh2"

"He said I $as a da&ghter o the *ards. 0hat are the%2"

"0elsh poets, $ho li#ed h&ndreds o %ears ago."

C


10/47

"0h% a I their da&ghter, please2"

"He eant that %o& $ere the sort o girl the% sang a*o&t."

She $rin(led her *ro$s. "I thin( he li(es to 3o(e. A I2"

"0o&ld %o& *elie#e e, i I told %o&2"

"Oh, %es."

"0ell, I thin( he $as right."

She siled.

And Ash&rst tho&ght: 'Yo& are a prett% thing4'

"He said, too, that Doe $as a Saon t%pe. 0hat $o&ld that *e2"

"0hi)h is Doe2 0ith the *l&e e%es and red a)e2"

"Yes. M% &n)le's nephe$."

"8ot %o&r )o&sin, then2"

"8o."

"0ell, he eant that Doe $as li(e the en $ho )ae o#er to !ngland a*o&t

o&rteen h&ndred %ears ago, and )on+&ered it."

"Oh4 I (no$ a*o&t the *&t is he2"

"/arton's )ra% a*o&t that sort o thing *&t I &st sa% Doe does loo( a

*it !arl% Saon."

"Yes."

That "Yes" ti)(led Ash&rst. It $as so )risp and gra)e&l, so )on)l&si#e,

and politel% a)+&ies)ent in $hat $as e#identl%. /ree( to her.

"He said that all the other *o%s $ere reg&lar gipsies. He sho&ld not

ha#e said that. M% a&nt la&ghed, *&t she didn't li(e it, o )o&rse, and

% )o&sins $ere angr%. Un)le $as a arer--arers are not gipsies. It

is $rong to h&rt people."

Ash&rst $anted to ta(e her hand and gi#e it a s+&eee, *&t he onl%

ans$ered:

"?&ite right, Megan. 5% the $a%, I heard %o& p&tting the little ones to

*ed last night."

She l&shed a little. "Please to drin( %o&r tea--it is getting )old.

Shall I get %o& soe resh2"

6E


11/47

"o %o& e#er ha#e tie to do an%thing or %o&rsel2"

"Oh4 Yes."

"I'#e *een $at)hing, *&t I ha#en't seen it %et."

She $rin(led her *ro$s in a p&led ro$n, and her )olo&r deepened.

0hen she $as gone, Ash&rst tho&ght: 'id she thin( I $as )haing her2 I

$o&ldn't or the $orld4' He $as at that age $hen to soe en "5ea&t%'s

a lo$er," as the poet sa%s, and inspires in the the tho&ghts o

)hi#alr%. 8e#er #er% )ons)io&s o his s&rro&ndings, it $as soe tie

*eore he $as a$are that the %o&th $ho /arton had )alled "a Saon t%pe"

$as standing o&tside the sta*le door and a ine *it o )olo&r he

ade in his soiled *ro$n #el#et-)ords, &dd% gaiters, and *l&e shirt

red-ared, red-a)ed, the s&n t&rning his hair ro to$ to la

io#a*l% stolid, persistent, &nsiling he stood. Then, seeing Ash&rstloo(ing at hi, he )rossed the %ard at that gait o the %o&ng )o&ntr%an

al$a%s ashaed not to *e slo$ and hea#%-d$elling on ea)h leg, and

disappeared ro&nd the end o the ho&se to$ards the (it)hen entran)e.

A )hill )ae o#er Ash&rst's ood. 7lods2 0ith all the good $ill in the

$orld, ho$ ipossi*le to get on ters $ith the4 And %et--see that girl4

Her shoes $ere split, her hands ro&gh *&t--$hat $as it2 0as it reall%

her 7elti) *lood, as /arton had said2--she $as a lad% *orn, a 3e$el,

tho&gh pro*a*l% she )o&ld do no ore than 3&st read and $rite4

The elderl%, )lean-sha#en an he had seen last night in the (it)hen

had )oe into the %ard $ith a dog, dri#ing the )o$s to their il(ing.

Ash&rst sa$ that he $as lae.

"Yo&'#e got soe good ones there4"

The lae an's a)e *rightened. He had the &p$ard loo( in his e%es $hi)h

prolonged s&ering oten *rings.

"Yeas the%' praaper *&ties g&de il(ers t&."

"I *et the% are."

"'Ope as %&re leg's *etter, &rr."

"Than( %o&, it's getting on."

The lae an to&)hed his o$n: "I (no$ $hat 'tes, esel 'tes a ain

$orritin' thing, the (nee. I'#e a-'ad ine *ad this ten %ear."

Ash&rst ade the so&nd o s%path% $hi)h )oes so readil% ro those $ho

ha#e an independent in)oe, and the lae an siled again.

"M&stn't )oplain, tho&gh--the% ight% near 'ad it o."

66


12/47

"Ho4"

"Yeas an' )opared $ith $hat 't$as, 'tes alost so g&de as n&."

"The%'#e p&t a *andage o splendid st& on ine."

"The aid she pi)(s et. She' a g&de aid $i' the lo$ers. There's ol(see to (no$ the healin' in things. M% other $as a rare one or that.

'Ope as %&'ll &ne *e *etter, &rr. /oo ahn, therr4"

Ash&rst siled. "0i' the lo$ers4" A lo$er hersel4

That e#ening, ater his s&pper o )old d&)(, 3&n(et, and )ider, the girl

)ae in.

"Please, a&ntie sa%s--$ill %o& tr% a pie)e o o&r Ma%da% )a(e2"

"I I a% )oe to the (it)hen or it."

"Oh, %es4 Yo&'ll *e issing %o&r riend."

"8ot I. 5&t are %o& s&re no one inds2"

"0ho $o&ld ind2 0e shall *e #er% pleased."

Ash&rst rose too s&ddenl% or his sti (nee, staggered, and s&*sided.

The girl ga#e a little gasp, and held o&t her hands. Ash&rst too( the,

sall, ro&gh, *ro$n )he)(ed his ip&lse to p&t the to his lips, and

let her p&ll hi &p. She )ae )lose *eside hi, oering her sho&lder.

And leaning on her he $al(ed a)ross the roo. That sho&lder seeed +&ite

the pleasantest thing he had e#er to&)hed. 5&t, he had presen)e o ind

eno&gh to )at)h his sti)( o&t o the ra)(, and $ithdra$ his hand *eore

arri#ing at the (it)hen.

That night he slept li(e a top, and $o(e $ith his (nee o alost noral

sie. He again spent the orning in his )hair on the grass pat)h,

s)ri**ling do$n #erses *&t in the aternoon he $andered a*o&t $ith the

t$o little *o%s 8i)( and Ri)(. It $as Sat&rda%, so the% $ere earl% hoe

ro s)hool +&i)(, sh%, dar( little ras)als o se#en and si, soontal(ati#e, or Ash&rst had a $a% $ith )hildren. 5% o&r o')lo)( the% had

sho$n hi all their ethods o destro%ing lie, e)ept the ti)(ling o

tro&t and $ith *ree)hes t&)(ed &p, la% on their stoa)hs o#er the

tro&t strea, pretending the% had this a))oplishent also. The% ti)(led

nothing, o )o&rse, or their giggling and sho&ting s)ared e#er% spotted

thing a$a%. Ash&rst, on a ro)( at the edge o the *ee)h )l&p, $at)hed

the, and listened to the )&)(oos, till 8i)(, the elder and less

perse#ering, )ae &p and stood *eside hi.

"The gips% *ogle ets on that stone," he said.

"0hat gips% *ogie2"

69


13/47

"&nno ne#er een 'e. Megan a%s 'e ets there an' old Di eed 'e

on)e. '! $as ettin' there naight aore o&r pon% (i)(ed--in ather's

'ead. '! pla%s the #iddle."

"0hat t&ne does he pla%2"

"&nno."

"0hat's he li(e2"

"'!'s *la)(. Old Di a%s 'e's all o#er 'air. '!'s a praaper *ogle.

'! don' )oe onl% at naight." The little *o%'s o*li+&e dar( e%es slid

ro&nd. "'%& thin( 'e ight $ant to ta(e e a$a%2 Megan's eared o 'e."

"Has she seen hi2"

"8o. She's not aeared o' %&."

"I sho&ld thin( not. 0h% sho&ld she *e2"

"She a%s a pra%er or %&."

"Ho$ do %o& (no$ that, %o& little ras)al2"

"0hen I $as asleep, she said: '/od *less &s all, an' Mr. Ashes.' I %eard

'er $hisperin'."

"Yo&'re a little r&ian to tell $hat %o& hear $hen %o&'re not eant to

hear it4"

The little *o% $as silent. Then he said aggressi#el%:

"I )an s(in ra**ets. Megan, she )an't *ear s(innin' 'e. I li(e *lood."

"Oh4 %o& do %o& little onster4"

"0hat's that2"

"A )reat&re that li(es h&rting others."

The little *o% s)o$led. "The%' onl% dead ra**ets, $hat &s eats."

"?&ite right, 8i)(. I *eg %o&r pardon."

"I )an s(in rogs, t&."

5&t Ash&rst had *e)oe a*sent. "/od *less &s all, and Mr. Ashes4" And

p&led *% that s&dden ina))essi*ilit%, 8i)( ran *a)( to the strea

$here the giggling and sho&ts again &prose at on)e.

0hen Megan *ro&ght his tea, he said:

6;


14/47

"0hat's the gips% *ogle, Megan2"

She loo(ed &p, startled.

"He *rings *ad things."

"S&rel% %o& don't *elie#e in ghosts2"

"I hope I $ill ne#er see hi."

"O )o&rse %o& $on't. There aren't s&)h things. 0hat old Di sa$ $as a

pon%."

"8o4 There are *ogies in the ro)(s the% are the en $ho li#ed long

ago."

"The% aren't gipsies, an%$a% those old en $ere dead long *eore

gipsies )ae."

She said sipl%: "The% are all *ad."

"0h%2 I there are an%, the%'re onl% $ild, li(e the ra**its. The lo$ers

aren't *ad or *eing $ild the thorn trees $ere ne#er planted--and %o&

don't ind the. I shall go do$n at night and loo( or %o&r *ogie, and

ha#e a tal( $ith hi."

"Oh, no4 Oh, no4"

"Oh, %es4 I shall go and sit on his ro)(."

She )lasped her hands together: "Oh, please4"

"0h%4 0hat 'does it atter i an%thing happens to e2"

She did not ans$er and in a sort o pet he added:

"0ell, I daresa% I shan't see hi, *e)a&se I s&ppose I &st *e o

soon."

"Soon2"

"Yo&r a&nt $on't $ant to (eep e here."

"Oh, %es4 0e al$a%s let lodgings in s&er."

1iing his e%es on her a)e, he as(ed:

"0o&ld %o& li(e e to sta%2"

"Yes."

"I' going to sa% a pra%er or %o& to-night4"

6


15/47

She l&shed )rison, ro$ned, and $ent o&t o the roo. He sat, )&rsing

hisel, till his tea $as ste$ed. It $as as i he had ha)(ed $ith his

thi)( *oots at a )l&p o *l&e*ells. 0h% had he said s&)h a sill%

thing2 0as he 3&st a to$n% )ollege ass li(e Ro*ert /arton, as ar ro

&nderstanding this girl2

Ash&rst spent the net $ee( )oniring the restoration o his leg, *%

eploration o the )o&ntr% $ithin eas% rea)h. Spring $as a re#elation to

hi this %ear. In a (ind o intoi)ation he $o&ld $at)h the pin(-$hite

*&ds o soe *a)($ard *ee)h tree spra%ed &p in the s&nlight against the

deep *l&e s(%, or the tr&n(s and li*s o the e$ S)ot)h irs, ta$n% in

#iolent light, or again, on the oor, the gale-*ent lar)hes $hi)h had

s&)h a loo( o lie $hen the $ind streaed in their %o&ng green, a*o#e

the r&st% *la)( &nder*o&ghs. Or he $o&ld lie on the *an(s, gaing at the

)l&sters o dog-#iolets, or &p in the dead *ra)(en, ingering the pin(,

transparent *&ds o the de$*err%, $hile the )&)(oos )alled and %aes

la&ghed, or a lar(, ro #er% high, dripped its *eads o song. It $as)ertainl% dierent ro an% spring he had e#er (no$n, or spring $as

$ithin hi, not $itho&t. In the da%tie he hardl% sa$ the ail% and

$hen Megan *ro&ght in his eals she al$a%s seeed too *&s% in the ho&se

or aong the %o&ng things in the %ard to sta% tal(ing long. 5&t in the

e#enings he installed hisel in the $indo$ seat in the (it)hen, so(ing

and )hatting $ith the lae an Di, or Mrs. 8arra)o*e, $hile the girl

se$ed, or o#ed a*o&t, )learing the s&pper things a$a%. And soeties,

$ith the sensation a )at &st eel $hen it p&rrs, he $o&ld *e)oe

)ons)io&s that Megan's e%es--those de$-gre% e%es--$ere ied on hi $ith

a sort o lingering sot loo( $hi)h $as strangel% lattering.

It $as on S&nda% $ee( in the e#ening, $hen he $as l%ing in the or)hard

listening to a *la)(*ird and )oposing a lo#e poe, that he heard the

gate s$ing to, and sa$ the girl )oe r&nning aong the trees, $ith the

red-)hee(ed, stolid Doe in s$it p&rs&it. A*o&t t$ent% %ards a$a% the

)hase ended, and the t$o stood ronting ea)h other, not noti)ing the

stranger in the grass--the *o% pressing on, the girl ending hi o.

Ash&rst )o&ld see her a)e, angr%, dist&r*ed and the %o&th's--$ho

$o&ld ha#e tho&ght that red-a)ed %o(el )o&ld loo( so distra&ght4 And

pain&ll% ae)ted *% that sight, he 3&ped &p. The% sa$ hi then. Megan

dropped her hands, and shran( *ehind a tree tr&n( the *o% ga#e an angr%gr&nt, r&shed at the *an(, s)ra*led o#er and #anished. Ash&rst $ent

slo$l% &p to her. She $as standing +&ite still, *iting her lip-#er%

prett%, $ith her ine, dar( hair *lo$n loose a*o&t her a)e, and her

e%es )ast do$n.

"I *eg %o&r pardon," he said.

She ga#e hi one &p$ard loo(, ro e%es &)h dilated then, )at)hing her

*reath, t&rned a$a%. Ash&rst ollo$ed.

"Megan4"

5&t she $ent on and ta(ing hold o her ar, he t&rned her gentl% ro&nd

6=


16/47

to hi.

"Stop and spea( to e."

"0h% do %o& *eg % pardon2 It is not to e %o& sho&ld do that."

"0ell, then, to Doe."

"Ho$ dare he )oe ater e2"

"In lo#e $ith %o&, I s&ppose."

She staped her oot.

Ash&rst &ttered a short la&gh. "0o&ld %o& li(e e to p&n)h his head2"

She )ried $ith s&dden passion:

"Yo& la&gh at e-%o& la&gh at &s4"

He )a&ght hold o her hands, *&t she shran( *a)(, till her passionate

little a)e and loose dar( hair $ere )a&ght aong the pin( )l&sters o

the apple *losso. Ash&rst raised one o her iprisoned hands and p&t

his lips to it. He elt ho$ )hi#alro&s he $as, and s&perior to that )lod

Doe--3&st *r&shing that sall, ro&gh hand $ith his o&th I Her shrin(ing

)eased s&ddenl% she seeed to tre*le to$ards hi. A s$eet $arth

o#ertoo( Ash&rst ro top to toe. This sli aiden, so siple and ine

and prett%, $as pleased, then, at the to&)h o his lips4 And, %ielding

to a s$it ip&lse, he p&t his ars ro&nd her, pressed her to hi, and

(issed her orehead. Then he $as rightened--she $ent so pale, )losing

her e%es, so that the long, dar( lashes la% on her pale )hee(s her

hands, too, la% inert at her sides. The to&)h o her *reast sent a

shi#er thro&gh hi. "Megan4" he sighed o&t, and let her go. In the &tter

silen)e a *la)(*ird sho&ted. Then the girl seied his hand, p&t it to

her )hee(, her heart, her lips, (issed it passionatel%, and led a$a%

aong the oss% tr&n(s o the apple trees, till the% hid her ro hi.

Ash&rst sat do$n on a t$isted old tree gro$ing alost along the gro&nd,

and, all thro**ing and *e$ildered, gaed #a)antl% at the *losso $hi)hhad )ro$ned her hair--those pin( *&ds $ith one $hite open apple

star. 0hat had he done2 Ho$ had he let hisel *e th&s stapeded *%

*ea&t%--pit%--or--3&st the spring4 He elt )&rio&sl% happ%, all the

sae happ% and tri&phant, $ith shi#ers r&nning thro&gh his li*s, and

a #ag&e alar. This $as the *eginning o--$hat2 The idges *it hi, the

dan)ing gnats tried to l% into his o&th, and all the spring aro&nd hi

seeed to gro$ ore lo#el% and ali#e the songs o the )&)(oos and the

*la)(*irds, the la&ghter o the %alies, the le#el-slanting s&nlight,

the apple *losso $hi)h had )ro$ned her head4 He got &p ro the old

tr&n( and strode o&t o the or)hard, $anting spa)e, an open s(%, to get

on ters $ith these ne$ sensations. He ade or the oor, and ro anash tree in the hedge a agpie le$ o&t to herald hi.

6>


17/47

O an--at an% age ro i#e %ears on--$ho )an sa% he has ne#er *een

in lo#e2 Ash&rst had lo#ed his partners at his dan)ing )lass lo#ed his

n&rser% go#erness girls in s)hool-holida%s perhaps ne#er *een +&ite

o&t o lo#e, )herishing al$a%s soe ore or less reote adiration. 5&t

this $as dierent, not reote at all. ?&ite a ne$ sensation terri*l%

delight&l, *ringing a sense o )opleted anhood. To *e holding in his

ingers s&)h a $ild lo$er, to *e a*le to p&t it to his lips, andeel it tre*le $ith delight against the4 0hat intoi)ation,

and--e*arrassent4 0hat to do $ith it--ho$ eet her net tie2 His

irst )aress had *een )ool, piti&l *&t the net )o&ld not *e, no$

that, *% her *&rning little (iss on his hand, *% her press&re o it to

her heart, he (ne$ that she lo#ed hi. Soe nat&res are )oarsened *%

lo#e *esto$ed on the others, li(e Ash&rst's, are s$a%ed and dra$n,

$ared and sotened, alost ealted, *% $hat the% eel to *e a sort o

ira)le.

And &p there aong the tors he $as ra)(ed *et$een the passionate desire

to re#el in this ne$ sensation o spring &lilled $ithin hi, anda #ag&e *&t #er% real &neasiness. At one oent he ga#e hisel &p

)opletel% to his pride at ha#ing )apt&red this prett%, tr&st&l,

de$%-e%ed thing4 At the net he tho&ght $ith a)titio&s solenit%: 'Yes,

% *o%4 5&t loo( o&t $hat %o&'re doing4 Yo& (no$ $hat )oes o it4'

&s( dropped do$n $itho&t his noti)ing--d&s( on the )ar#ed,

Ass%rian-loo(ing asses o the ro)(s. And the #oi)e o 8at&re said:

"This is a ne$ $orld or %o&4" As $hen a an gets &p at o&r o')lo)( and

goes o&t into a s&er orning, and *easts, *irds, trees stare at hi

and he eels as i all had *een ade ne$.

He sta%ed &p there or ho&rs, till it gre$ )old, then groped his $a%

do$n the stones and heather roots to the road, *a)( into the lane, and

)ae again past the $ild eado$ to the or)hard. There he str&)( a at)h

and loo(ed at his $at)h. 8earl% t$el#e4 It $as *la)( and &nstirring in

there no$, #er% dierent ro the lingering, *ird-*eriended *rightness

o si ho&rs ago4 And s&ddenl% he sa$ this id%ll o his $ith the e%es o

the o&ter $orld--had ental #ision o Mrs. 8arra)o*e's sna(e-li(e

ne)( t&rned, her +&i)( dar( glan)e ta(ing it all in, her shre$d a)e

hardening sa$ the gips%-li(e )o&sins )oarsel% o)(ing and distr&st&l

Doe stolid and &rio&s onl% the lae an, Di, $ith the s&eringe%es, seeed tolera*le to his ind. And the #illage p&*4--the gossiping

atrons he passed on his $al(s and then--his o$n riends--Ro*ert

7arton's sile $hen he $ent o that orning ten da%s ago so ironi)al

and (no$ing4 isg&sting4 1or a in&te he literall% hated this earth%,

)%ni)al $orld to $hi)h one *elonged, $ill%-nill%. The gate $here he $as

leaning gre$ gre%, a sort o shier passed *e ore hi and spread into

the *l&ish dar(ness. The oon4 He )o&ld 3&st see it o#er the *an( *e

hind red, nearl% ro&nd-a strange oon4 And t&rning a$a%, he $ent &p

the lane $hi)h selled o the night and )o$d&ng and %o&ng lea#es. In the

stra$-%ard he )o&ld see the dar( shapes o )attle, *ro(en *% the pale

si)(les o their horns, li(e so an% thin oons, allen ends-&p. He&nlat)hed the ar gate stealthil%. All $as dar( in the ho&se. M&ling

his ootsteps, he gained the por)h, and, *lotted against one o the %e$

6


18/47

trees, loo(ed &p at Megan's $indo$. It $as open. 0as she sleeping, or

l%ing a$a(e perhaps, dist&r*ed--&nhapp% at his a*sen)e2 An o$l hooted

$hile he stood there peering &p, and the so&nd seeed to ill the $hole

night, so +&iet $as all else, sa#e or the ne#er-ending &r&r o

the strea r&nning *elo$ the or)hard. The )&)(oos *% da%, and no$ the

o$ls--ho$ $onder&ll% the% #oi)ed this tro&*led e)stas% $ithin hi4 And

s&ddenl% he sa$ her at her $indo$, loo(ing o&t. He o#ed a littlero the %e$ tree, and $hispered: "Megan4" She dre$ *a)(, #anished,

reappeared, leaning ar do$n. He stole or$ard on the grass pat)h, hit

his shin against the green-painted )hair, and held his *reath at the

so&nd. The pale *l&r o her stret)hed-do$n ar and a)e did not stir he

o#ed the )hair, and noiselessl% o&nted it. 5% stret)hing &p his ar he

)o&ld 3&st rea)h. Her hand held the h&ge (e% o the ront door, and he

)lasped that *&rning hand $ith the )old (e% in it. He )o&ld 3&st see

her a)e, the glint o teeth *et$een her lips, her t&*led hair. She $as

still dressed--poor )hild, sitting &p or hi, no do&*t4 "Prett% Megan4"

Her hot, ro&ghened ingers )l&ng to his her a)e had a strange, lost

loo(. To ha#e *een a*le to rea)h it--e#en $ith his hand4 The o$l hooted,a s)ent o s$eet*riar )rept into his nostrils. Then one o the ar dogs

*ar(ed her grasp relaed, she shran( *a)(.

"/ood-night, Megan4"

"/ood-night, sir4" She $as gone4 0ith a sigh he dropped *a)( to earth,

and sitting on that )hair, too( o his *oots. 8othing or it *&t to

)reep in and go to *ed %et or a long $hile he sat &no#ing, his eet

)hill% in the de$, dr&n( on the eor% o her lost, hal-siling a)e,

and the )linging grip o her *&rning ingers, pressing the )old (e% into

his hand.

=

He a$o(e eeling as i he had eaten hea#il% o#ernight, instead o ha#ing

eaten nothing. And ar o, &nreal, seeed %esterda%'s roan)e4 Yet it

$as a golden orning. 1&ll spring had *&rst at last--in one night the

"goldie-)&ps," as the little *o%s )alled the, seeed to ha#e ade

the ield their o$n, and ro his $indo$ he )o&ld see apple *lossos

)o#ering the or)hard as $ith a rose and $hite +&ilt. He $ent do$n alost

dreading to see Megan and %et, $hen not she *&t Mrs. 8arra)o*e *ro&ghtin his *rea(ast, he elt #eed and disappointed. The $oan's +&i)(

e%e and sna(% ne)( seeed to ha#e a ne$ ala)rit% this orning. Had she

noti)ed2

"So %o& an' the oon $ent $al(in' last night, Mr. Ash&rst4 id %e ha#e

%o&r s&pper an%$heres2"

Ash&rst shoo( his head.

"0e (ept it or %o&, *&t I s&ppose %o& $as too *&s% in %o&r *rain to

thin( o' s&)h a thing as that2"

0as she o)(ing hi, in that #oi)e o hers, $hi)h still (ept soe 0elsh

6B


19/47

)rispness against the in#ading *&rr o the 0est 7o&ntr%2 I she (ne$4

And at that oent he tho&ght: '8o, no I'll )lear o&t. I $on't p&t

%sel in s&)h a *eastl% alse position.'

5&t, ater *rea(ast, the longing to see Megan *egan and in)reased $ith

e#er% in&te, together $ith ear lest soething sho&ld ha#e *een said

to her $hi)h had spoiled e#er%thing. Sinister that she had notappeared, not gi#en hi e#en a glipse o her4 And the lo#e poe, $hose

an&a)t&re had *een so iportant and a*sor*ing %esterda% aternoon

&nder the apple trees, no$ seeed so paltr% that he tore it &p and

rolled it into pipe spills. 0hat had he (no$n o lo#e, till she seied

his hand and (issed it4 And no$--$hat did he not (no$2 5&t to $rite o

it seeed ere insipidit%4 He $ent &p to his *edroo to get a *oo(, and

his heart *egan to *eat #iolentl%, or she $as in there a(ing the *ed.

He stood in the door$a% $at)hing and s&ddenl%, $ith t&r*&lent 3o%, he

sa$ her stoop and (iss his pillo$, 3&st at the hollo$ ade *% his head

last night.

Ho$ let her (no$ he had seen that prett% a)t o de#otion2 And %et, i

she heard hi stealing a$a%, it $o&ld *e e#en $orse. She too( the pillo$

&p, holding it as i rel&)tant to sha(e o&t the ipress o his )hee(,

dropped it, and t&rned ro&nd.

"Megan4"

She p&t her hands &p to her )hee(s, *&t her e%es seeed to loo( right

into hi. He had ne#er *eore realised the depth and p&rit% and to&)hing

aith&lness in those de$-*right e%es, and he staered:

"It $as s$eet o %o& to $ait &p or e last night."

She still said nothing, and he staered on:

"I $as $andering a*o&t on the oor it $as s&)h a 3oll% night. I--I'#e

3&st )oe &p or a *oo(."

Then, the (iss he had seen her gi#e the pillo$ ali)ted hi $ith s&dden

headiness, and he $ent &p to her. To&)hing her e%es $ith his lips,

he tho&ght $ith +&eer e)iteent: 'I'#e done it4 Yesterda% all $ass&dden--an%ho$ *&t no$--I'#e done it4' The girl let her orehead rest

against his lips, $hi)h o#ed do$n$ards till the% rea)hed hers. That

irst real lo#er's (iss-strange, $onder&l, still alost inno)ent--in

$hi)h heart did it a(e the ost dist&r*an)e2

"7oe to the *ig apple tree to-night, ater the%'#e gone to *ed.

Megan-proise4"

She $hispered *a)(: "I proise."

Then, s)ared at her $hite a)e, s)ared at e#er%thing, he let her go,and $ent do$nstairs again. Yes4 He had done it no$4 A))epted her lo#e,

de)lared his o$n4 He $ent o&t to the green )hair as de#oid o a *oo(

6C


20/47

as e#er and there he sat staring #a)antl% *eore hi, tri&phant and

reorse&l, $hile &nder his nose and *ehind his *a)( the $or( o the

ar $ent on. Ho$ long he had *een sitting in that )&rio&s state o

#a)an)% he had no notion $hen he sa$ Doe standing a little *ehind hi

to the right. The %o&th had e#identl% )oe ro hard $or( in the ields,

and stood shiting his eet, *reathing lo&dl%, his a)e )olo&red li(e

a setting s&n, and his ars, *elo$ the rolled-&p slee#es o his *l&eshirt, sho$ing the h&e and &rr% sheen o ripe pea)hes. His red lips

$ere open, his *l&e e%es $ith their laen lashes stared iedl% at

Ash&rst, $ho said ironi)all%:

"0ell, Doe, an%thing I )an do or %o&2"

"Yeas."

"0hat, then2"

"Y& )an go a$a% ro %ere. Us don' $ant %&."

Ash&rst's a)e, ne#er too h&*le, ass&ed its ost lordl% loo(.

"@er% good o %o&, *&t, do %o& (no$, I preer the others sho&ld spea(

or thesel#es."

The %o&th o#ed a pa)e or t$o nearer, and the s)ent o his honest heat

ali)ted Ash&rst's nostrils.

"0hat d'%& sta% %ere or2"

"5e)a&se it pleases e."

"T$on't please %& $hen I'#e *ashed %&re head in4"

"Indeed4 0hen $o&ld %o& li(e to *egin that2"

Doe ans$ered onl% $ith the lo&dness o his *reathing, *&t his e%es

loo(ed li(e those o a %o&ng and angr% *&ll. Then a sort o spas seeed

to )on#&lse his a)e.

"Megan don' $ant %&."

A r&sh o 3ealo&s%, o )ontept, and anger $ith this thi)(,

lo&d-*reathing r&sti) got the *etter o Ash&rst's sel-possession he

3&ped &p, and p&shed *a)( his )hair.

"Yo& )an go to the de#il4"

And as he said those siple $ords, he sa$ Megan in the door$a% $ith a

tin% *ro$n spaniel p&pp% in her ars. She )ae &p to hi +&i)(l%:

"Its e%es are *l&e4" she said.

9E


21/47

Doe t&rned a$a% the *a)( o his ne)( $as literall% )rison.

Ash&rst p&t his inger to the o&th o the little *ro$n *&llrog o a

)reat&re in her ars. Ho$ )os% it loo(ed against her4

"It's ond o %o& alread%. Ah I Megan, e#er%thing is ond o %o&."

"0hat $as Doe sa%ing to %o&, please2"

"Telling e to go a$a%, *e)a&se %o& didn't $ant e here."

She staped her oot then loo(ed &p at Ash&rst. At that adoring loo(

he elt his ner#es +&i#er, 3&st as i he had seen a oth s)or)hing its

$ings.

"To-night4" he said. "on't orget4"

"8o." And sothering her a)e against the p&pp%'s little at, *ro$n*od%, she slipped *a)( into the ho&se.

Ash&rst $andered do$n the lane. At the gate o the $ild eado$ he )ae

on the lae an and his )o$s.

"5ea&ti&l da%, Di4"

"Ah4 'Tes *ra#e $eather or the grass. The ashes *e later than th' oa(s

this %ear. '0hen th' oa( *eore th' ash---'"

Ash&rst said idl%: "0here $ere %o& standing $hen %o& sa$ the gips%

*ogie, Di2"

"It ight *e &nder that *ig apple tree, as %o& ight sa%."

"And %o& reall% do thin( it $as there2"

The lae an ans$ered )a&tio&sl%:

"I sho&ldn't li(e to sa% rightl% that 't $as there. 'T$as in % ind as

't$as there."

"0hat do %o& a(e o it2"

The lae an lo$ered his #oi)e.

"The% d& a% old aster, Mist' 8arra)o*e )oe o' gips% sto)(. 5&t

that's tellin'. The%' a $onder&l people, %& (no$, or )laiin'

their o$n. Ma%*e the% (n& 'e $as goin', and sent this eller along or

)opan%. That's $hat I'#e a-tho&ght a*o&t it."

"0hat $as he li(e2"

"'! 'ad 'air all o#er 'is a)e, an' goin' li(e this, he $as, ae as

96


22/47

i 'e 'ad a #iddle. The% a% there's no s&)h thing as *ogies, *&t I'#e

a-een the 'air on this dog standin' &p o a dar( naight, $hen I )o&ldn'

ee nothin', esel."

"0as there a oon2"

"Yeas, #er% near &ll, *&t 't$as on'% 3&st risen, gold-li(e *e'ind thetrees."

"And %o& thin( a ghost eans tro&*le, do %o&2"

The lae an p&shed his hat &p his aspiring e%es loo(ed at Ash&rst ore

earnestl% than e#er.

"'Tes not or e to a% that *&t 'tes the% *ein' so &nrestin'li(e.

There's things &s don' &nderstand, that's artin, or &re. There's

people that ee things, t&, an' others that don't ne#er ee nothin'.

8o$, o&r Doe--%& ight p&tt an%thing &nder'is e%es an e'd ne#er ee itand the other *o%s, t&, the%' rattlin' ellers. 5&t %& ta(e an' p&tt

o&r Megan $here there's s&thin', she'll ee it, an' ore t&, or I'

ista(en."

"She's sensiti#e, that's $h%."

"0hat's that2"

"I ean, she eels e#er%thing."

"Ah4 She' #er% lo#in'-'earted."

Ash&rst, $ho elt )olo&r )oing into his )hee(s, held o&t his to*a))o

po&)h.

"Ha#e a ill, Di2"

"Than( 'ee, sir. She' one in an '&nderd, I thin(."

"I epe)t so," said Ash&rst shortl%, and olding &p his po&)h, $al(ed

on.

"Lo#in'-hearted4" Yes4 And $hat $as he doing2 0hat $ere his

intentions--as the% sa% to$ards this lo#ing-hearted girl2 The tho&ght

dogged hi, $andering thro&gh ields *right $ith *&tter)&ps, $here the

little red )al#es $ere eeding, and the s$allo$s l%ing high. Yes, the

oa(s $ere *eore the ashes, *ro$n-gold alread% e#er% tree in dierent

stage and h&e. The )&)(oos and a tho&sand *irds $ere singing the little

streas $ere #er% *right. The an)ients *elie#ed in a golden age, in the

garden o the Hesperides4... A +&een $asp settled on his slee#e. !a)h

+&een $asp (illed eant t$o tho&sand e$er $asps to thie#e the apples

$hi)h $o&ld gro$ ro that *losso in the or)hard *&t $ho, $ith lo#ein his heart, )o&ld (ill an%thing on a da% li(e this2 He entered a ield

$here a %o&ng red *&ll $as eeding. It seeed to Ash&rst that he loo(ed

99


23/47

li(e Doe. 5&t the %o&ng *&ll too( no noti)e o this #isitor, a little

dr&n( hisel, perhaps, on the singing and the glao&r o the golden

past&re, &nder his short legs. Ash&rst )rossed o&t &n)hallenged to the

hillside a*o#e the strea. 1ro that slope a or o&nted to its )ro$n o

ro)(s. The gro&nd there $as )o#ered $ith a ist o *l&e*ells, and nearl%

a s)ore o )ra*-apple trees $ere in &ll *loo. He thre$ hisel do$n on

the grass. The )hange ro the *&tter)&p glor% and oa(-goldened glao&ro the ields to this ethereal *ea&t% &nder the gre% or illed hi $ith

a sort o $onder nothing the sae, sa#e the so&nd o r&nning $ater

and the songs o the )&)(oos. He la% there a long tie, $at)hing the

s&nlight $heel till the )ra*-trees thre$ shado$s o#er the *l&e*ells, his

onl% )opanions a e$ $ild *ees. He $as not +&ite sane, thin(ing o that

orning's (iss, and o to-night &nder the apple tree. In s&)h a spot

as this, a&ns and dr%ads s&rel% li#ed n%phs, $hite as the )ra*-apple

*losso, retired $ithin those trees a&ns, *ro$n as the dead *ra)(en,

$ith pointed ears, la% in $ait or the. The )&)(oos $ere still )alling

$hen he $o(e, there $as the so&nd o r&nning $ater *&t the s&n had

)o&)hed *ehind the tor, the hillside $as )ool, and soe ra**its had)oe o&t. 'Tonight4' he tho&ght. D&st as ro the earth e#er%thing $as

p&shing &p, &nolding &nder the sot insistent ingers o an &nseen

hand, so $ere his heart and senses *eing p&shed, &nolded. He got &p

and *ro(e o a spra% ro a )ra*-apple tree. The *&ds $ere li(e

Megan--shell-li(e, rose-pin(, $ild, and resh and so, too, the opening

lo$ers, $hite, and $ild and to&)hing. He p&t the spra% into his )oat.

And all the r&sh o the spring $ithin hi es)aped in a tri&phant sigh.

5&t the ra**its s)&rried a$a%.

>

It $as nearl% ele#en that night $hen Ash&rst p&t do$n the po)(et

"Od%sse%" $hi)h or hal an ho&r he had held in his hands $itho&t

reading, and slipped thro&gh the %ard do$n to the or)hard. The oon had

3&st risen, #er% golden, o#er the hill, and li(e a *right, po$er&l,

$at)hing spirit peered thro&gh the *ars o an ash tree's hal-na(ed

*o&ghs. In aong the apple trees it $as still dar(, and he stood a(ing

s&re o his dire)tion, eeling the ro&gh grass $ith his eet. A *la)(

ass )lose *ehind hi stirred $ith a hea#% gr&nting so&nd, and three

large pigs settled do$n again )lose to ea)h other, &nder the $all.

He listened. There $as no $ind, *&t the strea's *&r*ling $hispering)h&)(le had gained t$i)e its da%tie strength. One *ird, he )o&ld not

tell $hat, )ried "Pippip," "Pip-pip," $ith pere)t onoton% he )o&ld

hear a night-Dar spinning #er% ar o an o$l hooting. Ash&rst o#ed a

step or t$o, and again halted, a$are o a di li#ing $hiteness all ro&nd

his head. On the dar( &nstirring trees inn&era*le lo$ers and *&ds all

sot and *l&rred $ere *eing *e$it)hed to lie *% the )reeping oonlight.

He had the oddest eeling o a)t&al )opanionship, as i a illion $hite

oths or spirits had loated in and settled *et$een dar( s(% and dar(er

gro&nd, and $ere opening and sh&tting their $ings on a le#el $ith his

e%es. In the *e$ildering, still, s)entless *ea&t% o that oent he

alost lost eor% o $h% he had )oe to the or)hard. The l%ing glao&r$hi)h had )lothed the earth all da% had not gone no$ that night had

allen, *&t onl% )hanged into this ne$ or. He o#ed on thro&gh the

9;


24/47

thi)(et o stes and *o&ghs )o#ered $ith that li#e po$dering $hiteness,

till he rea)hed the *ig apple tree. 8o ista(ing that, e#en in the dar(,

nearl% t$i)e the height and sie o an% other, and leaning o&t to$ards

the open eado$s and the strea. Under the thi)( *ran)hes he stood still

again, to listen. The sae so&nds ea)tl%, and a aint gr&nting ro the

sleep% pigs. He p&t his hands on the dr%, alost $ar tree tr&n(, $hose

ro&gh oss% s&ra)e ga#e orth a peat% s)ent at his to&)h. 0o&ld she)oe--$o&ld she2 And aong these +&i#ering, ha&nted, oon-$it)hed trees

he $as seied $ith do&*ts o e#er%thing4 All $as &nearthl% here, it or

no earthl% lo#ers it onl% or god and goddess, a&n and n%ph not or

hi and this little )o&ntr% girl. 0o&ld it not *e alost a relie i she

did not )oe2 5&t all the tie he $as listening. And still that &n(no$n

*ird $ent "Pip-pip," "Pip-pip," and there rose the *&s% )hatter o the

little tro&t strea, $hereon the oon $as linging glan)es thro&gh the

*ars o her tree-prison. The *losso on a le#el $ith his e%es seeed to

gro$ ore li#ing e#er% oent, seeed $ith its %sterio&s $hite *ea&t%

ore and ore a part o his s&spense. He pl&)(ed a ragent and held

it )lose--three *lossos. Sa)rilege to pl&)( r&it-tree *losso--sot,sa)red, %o&ng *losso--and thro$ it a$a%4 Then s&ddenl% he heard the

gate )lose, the pigs stirring again and gr&nting and leaning against

the tr&n(, he pressed his hands to its oss% sides *ehind hi, and held

his *reath. She ight ha#e *een a spirit threading the trees, or all

the noise she ade4 Then he sa$ her +&ite )lose--her dar( or part o

a little tree, her $hite a)e part o its *losso so still, and peering

to$ards hi. He $hispered: "Megan4" and held o&t his hands. She ran

or$ard, straight to his *reast. 0hen he elt her heart *eating against

hi, Ash&rst (ne$ to the &ll the sensations o )hi#alr% and passion.

5e)a&se she $as not o his $orld, *e)a&se she $as so siple and %o&ng

and headlong, adoring and deen)eless, ho$ )o&ld he *e other than her

prote)tor, in the dar(4 5e)a&se she $as all siple 8at&re and *ea&t%, as

&)h a part o this spring night as $as the li#ing *losso, ho$ sho&ld

he not ta(e all that she $o&ld gi#e hi ho$ not &lil the spring in her

heart and his4 And torn *et$een these t$o eotions he )lasped her )lose,

and (issed her hair. Ho$ long the% stood there $itho&t spea(ing he (ne$

not. The strea $ent on )hattering, the o$ls hooting, the oon (ept

stealing &p and gro$ing $hiter the *losso all ro&nd the and a*o#e

*rightened in s&spense o li#ing *ea&t%. Their lips had so&ght ea)h

other's, and the% did not spea(. The oent spee)h *egan all $o&ld

*e &nreal4 Spring has no spee)h, nothing *&t r&stling and $hispering.Spring has so &)h ore than spee)h in its &nolding lo$ers and lea#es,

and the )o&rsing o its streas, and in its s$eet restless see(ing4 And

soeties spring $ill )oe ali#e, and, li(e a %sterio&s Presen)e

stand, en)ir)ling lo#ers $ith its ars, la%ing on the the ingers o

en)hantent, so that, standing lips to lips, the% orget e#er%thing *&t

3&st a (iss. 0hile her heart *eat against hi, and her lips +&i#ered on

his, Ash&rst elt nothing *&t siple rapt&re--estin% eant her or his

ars, Lo#e )o&ld not *e lo&ted4 5&t $hen their lips parted or

*reath, di#ision *egan again at on)e. Onl%, passion no$ $as so &)h the

stronger, and he sighed:

"Oh4 Megan4 0h% did %o& )oe2" She loo(ed &p, h&rt, aaed.

9


25/47

"Sir, %o& as(ed e to."

"on't )all e 'sir,' % prett% s$eet."

"0hat sho&ld I *e )allin' %o&2"

"1ran(."

"I )o&ld not. Oh, no4"

"5&t %o& lo#e e--don't %o&2"

"I )o&ld not help lo#in' %o&. I $ant to *e $ith %o&--that's all."

"All4"

So aint that he hardl% heard, she $hispered: "I shall die i I )an't *e

$ith %o&."

Ash&rst too( a ight% *reath.

"7oe and *e $ith e, then4"

"Oh4"

Intoi)ated *% the a$e and rapt&re in that "Oh4" he $ent on, $hispering:

"0e'll go to London. I'll sho$ %o& the $orld.

"And I $ill ta(e )are o %o&, I proise, Megan. I'll ne#er *e a *r&te to

%o&4"

"I I )an *e $ith %o&--that is all."

He stro(ed her hair, and $hispered on:

"To-orro$ I'll go to Tor+&a% and get soe one%, and get %o& soe

)lothes that $on't *e noti)ed, and then $e'll steal a$a%. And $hen

$e get to London, soon perhaps, i %o& lo#e e $ell eno&gh, $e'll *earried."

He )o&ld eel her hair shi#er $ith the sha(e o her head.

"Oh, no4 I )o&ld not. I onl% $ant to *e $ith %o&4"

r&n( on his o$n )hi#alr%, Ash&rst $ent on &r&ring, "It's I $ho a not

good eno&gh or %o&. Oh4 Megan, $hen did %o& *egin to lo#e e2"

"0hen I sa$ %o& in the road, and %o& loo(ed at e. The irst night I

lo#ed %o& *&t I ne#er tho&ght %o& $o&ld $ant e."

She slipped do$n s&ddenl% to her (nees, tr%ing to (iss his eet.

9=


26/47

A shi#er o horror $ent thro&gh Ash&rst he lited her &p *odil% and

held her ast--too &pset to spea(.

She $hispered: "0h% $on't %o& let e2"

"It's I $ho $ill (iss %o&r eet4"

Her sile *ro&ght tears into his e%es. The $hiteness o her oonlit

a)e so )lose to his, the aint pin( o her opened lips, had the li#ing

&nearthl% *ea&t% o the apple *losso.

And then, s&ddenl%, her e%es $idened and stared past hi pain&ll% she

$rithed o&t o his ars, and $hispered: "Loo(4"

Ash&rst sa$ nothing *&t the *rightened strea, the &re aintl% gilded,

the *ee)h trees glistening, and *ehind the all the $ide loo o the

oonlit hill. 5ehind hi )ae her roen $hisper: "The gips% *ogie4"

"0here2"

"There--*% the stone--&nder the trees4"

!asperated, he leaped the strea, and strode to$ards the *ee)h )l&p.

Pran( o the oonlight4 8othing4 In and o&t o the *o&lders and thorn

trees, &ttering and )&rsing, %et $ith a (ind o terror, he r&shed and

st&*led. A*s&rd4 Sill%4 Then he $ent *a)( to the apple tree. 5&t she

$as gone he )o&ld hear a r&stle, the gr&nting o the pigs, the so&nd o

a gate )losing. Instead o her, onl% this old apple tree4 He l&ng his

ars ro&nd the tr&n(. 0hat a s&*stit&te or her sot *od% the ro&gh

oss against his a)e--$hat a s&*stit&te or her sot )hee( onl% the

s)ent, as o the $oods, a little the sae4 And a*o#e hi, and aro&nd,

the *lossos, ore li#ing, ore oonlit than e#er, seeed to glo$ and

*reathe.

es)ending ro the train at Tor+&a% station, Ash&rst $andered

&n)ertainl% along the ront, or he did not (no$ this parti)&lar +&eeno !nglish $atering pla)es. Ha#ing little sense o $hat he had on, he

$as +&ite &n)ons)io&s o *eing rear(a*le aong its inha*itants, and

strode along in his ro&gh 8orol( 3a)(et, d&st% *oots, and *attered

hat, $itho&t o*ser#ing that people gaed at hi rather *lan(l%. He $as

see(ing a *ran)h o his London *an(, and ha#ing o&nd one, o&nd also

the irst o*sta)le to his ood. id he (no$ an%one in Tor+&a%2 8o. In

that )ase, i he $o&ld $ire to his *an( in London, the% $o&ld *e happ%

to o*lige hi on re)eipt o the repl%. That s&spi)io&s *reath ro the

atter-o-a)t $orld soe$hat tarnished the *rightness o his #isions.

5&t he sent the telegra.

8earl% opposite to the post oi)e he sa$ a shop &ll o ladies'

garents, and eained the $indo$ $ith strange sensations. To ha#e

9>


27/47

to &nderta(e the )lothing o his r&sti) lo#e $as ore than a little

dist&r*ing. He $ent in. A %o&ng $oan )ae or$ard she had *l&e e%es

and a aintl% p&led orehead. Ash&rst stared at her in silen)e.

"Yes, sir2"

"I $ant a dress or a %o&ng lad%."

The %o&ng $oan siled. Ash&rst ro$ned the pe)&liarit% o his re+&est

str&)( hi $ith s&dden or)e.

The %o&ng $oan added hastil%:

"0hat st%le $o&ld %o& li(e--soething odish2"

"8o. Siple."

"0hat ig&re $o&ld the %o&ng lad% *e2"

"I don't (no$ a*o&t t$o in)hes shorter than %o&, I sho&ld sa%."

"7o&ld %o& gi#e e her $aist eas&reent2"

Megan's $aist4

"Oh4 an%thing &s&al4"

"?&ite4"

0hile she $as gone he stood dis)onsolatel% e%eing the odels in the

$indo$, and s&ddenl% it seeed to hi in)redi*le that Megan--his Megan

)o&ld e#er *e dressed sa#e in the ro&gh t$eed s(irt, )oarse *lo&se, and

ta-o'-shanter )ap he $as $ont to see her in. The %o&ng $oan had )oe

*a)( $ith se#eral dresses in her ars, and Ash&rst e%ed her la%ing the

against her o$n odish ig&re. There $as one $hose )olo&r he li(ed, a

do#e-gre%, *&t to iagine Megan )lothed in it $as *e%ond hi. The %o&ng

$oan $ent a$a%, and *ro&ght soe ore. 5&t on Ash&rst there had no$

)oe a eeling o paral%sis. Ho$ )hoose2 She $o&ld $ant a hat too,

and shoes, and glo#es and, s&ppose, $hen he had got the all, the%)oonised her, as S&nda% )lothes al$a%s )oonised #illage ol(4 0h%

sho&ld she not tra#el as she $as2 Ah4 5&t )onspi)&o&sness $o&ld atter

this $as a serio&s elopeent. And, staring at the %o&ng $oan, he

tho&ght: 'I $onder i she g&esses, and thin(s e a *la)(g&ard2'

"o %o& ind p&tting aside that gre% one or e2" he said desperatel% at

last. "I )an't de)ide no$ I'll )oe in again this aternoon."

The %o&ng $oan sighed.

"Oh4 )ertainl%. It's a #er% taste&l )ost&e. I don't thin( %o&'ll getan%thing that $ill s&it %o&r p&rpose *etter."

9


28/47

"I epe)t not," Ash&rst &r&red, and $ent o&t.

1reed again ro the s&spi)io&s atter-o-a)tness o the $orld, he too(

a long *reath, and $ent *a)( to #isions. In an)% he sa$ the tr&st&l,

prett% )reat&re $ho $as going to 3oin her lie to his sa$ hisel and

her stealing orth at night, $al(ing o#er the oor &nder the oon, he

$ith his ar ro&nd her, and )arr%ing her ne$ garents, till, in soear-o $ood, $hen da$n $as )oing, she $o&ld slip o her old things

and p&t on these, and an earl% train at a distant station $o&ld *ear

the a$a% on their hone%oon 3o&rne%, till London s$allo$ed the &p, and

the dreas o lo#e )ae tr&e.

"1ran( Ash&rst4 Ha#en't seen %o& sin)e R&g*%, old )hap4"

Ash&rst's ro$n dissol#ed the a)e, )lose to his o$n, $as *l&e-e%ed,

s&&sed $ith s&n--one o those a)es $here s&n ro $ithin and $itho&t

3oin in a sort o l&stre. And he ans$ered:

"Phil Hallida%, *% Do#e4"

"0hat are %o& doing here2"

"Oh4 nothing. D&st loo(ing ro&nd, and getting soe one%. I' sta%ing on

the oor."

"Are %o& l&n)hing an%$here2 7oe and l&n)h $ith &s I' here $ith %

%o&ng sisters. The%'#e had easles."

Hoo(ed in *% that riendl% ar Ash&rst $ent along, &p a hill, do$n a

hill, a$a% o&t o the to$n, $hile the #oi)e o Hallida%, redolent o

optiis as his a)e $as o s&n, eplained ho$ "in this o&ld% pla)e

the onl% de)ent things $ere the *athing and *oating," and so on, till

presentl% the% )ae to a )res)ent o ho&ses a little a*o#e and *a)( ro

the sea, and into the )entre one an hotel--ade their $a%.

"7oe &p to % roo and ha#e a $ash. L&n)h'll *e read% in a 3i%."

Ash&rst )onteplated his #isage in a loo(ing-glass. Ater his arho&se

*edroo, the )o* and one spare shirt regie o the last ortnight,this roo littered $ith )lothes and *r&shes $as a sort o 7ap&a and he

tho&ght: '?&eer--one doesn't realise 5&t $hat--he did not +&ite (no$.

0hen he ollo$ed Hallida% into the sitting roo or l&n)h, three a)es,

#er% air and *l&e-e%ed, $ere t&rned s&ddenl% at the $ords: "This is

1ran( Ash&rst % %o&ng sisters."

T$o $ere indeed %o&ng, a*o&t ele#en and ten. The third $as perhaps

se#enteen, tall and air-haired too, $ith pin(-and-$hite )hee(s 3&st

to&)hed *% the s&n, and e%e*ro$s, rather dar(er than the hair, r&nning

a little &p$ards ro her nose to their o&ter points. The #oi)es o allthree $ere li(e Hallida%'s, high and )heer&l the% stood &p straight,

shoo( hands $ith a +&i)( o#eent, loo(ed at Ash&rst )riti)all%, a$a%

9B


29/47

again at on)e, and *egan to tal( o $hat the% $ere going to do in the

aternoon. A reg&lar iana and attendant n%phs4 Ater the ar this

)risp, slang%, eager tal(, this )ool, )lean, o-hand reineent, $as

+&eer at irst, and then so nat&ral that $hat he had )oe ro *e)ae

s&ddenl% reote. The naes o the t$o little ones seeed to *e Sa*ina

and 1reda o the eldest, Stella.

Presentl% the one )alled Sa*ina t&rned to hi and said:

"I sa%, $ill %o& )oe shriping $ith &s2--it's a$&l &n4"

S&rprised *% this &nepe)ted riendliness, Ash&rst &r&red:

"I' araid I'#e got to get *a)( this aternoon."

"Oh4"

"7an't %o& p&t it o2"

Ash&rst t&rned to the ne$ spea(er, Stella, shoo( his head, and siled.

She $as #er% prett%4 Sa*ina said regret&ll%: "Yo& ight4" Then the tal(

s$it)hed o to )a#es and s$iing.

"7an %o& s$i ar2"

"A*o&t t$o iles."

"Oh4"

"I sa%4"

"Ho$ 3oll%4"

The three pairs o *l&e e%es, ied on hi, ade hi )ons)io&s o his

ne$ iportan)e--The sensation $as agreea*le. Hallida% said:

"I sa%, %o& sipl% &st stop and ha#e a *athe. Yo&'d *etter sta% the

night."

"Yes, do4"'

5&t again Ash&rst siled and shoo( his head. Then s&ddenl% he o&nd

hisel *eing )ate)hised a*o&t his ph%si)al a)hie#eents. He had

ro$ed--it seeed--in his )ollege *oat, pla%ed in his )ollege oot*all

tea, $on his )ollege ile and he rose ro ta*le a sort o hero. The

t$o little girls insisted that he &st see "their" )a#e, and the% set

orth )hattering li(e agpies, Ash&rst *et$een the, Stella and her

*rother a little *ehind. In the )a#e, dap and dar(ish li(e an% other

)a#e, the great eat&re $as a pool $ith possi*ilit% o )reat&res $hi)h

ight *e )a&ght and p&t into *ottles. Sa*ina and 1reda, $ho $ore nosto)(ings on their shapel% *ro$n legs, ehorted Ash&rst to 3oin the in

the iddle o it, and help sie#e the $ater. He too $as soon *ootless and

9C


30/47

so)(less. Tie goes ast or one $ho has a sense o *ea&t%, $hen there

are prett% )hildren in a pool and a %o&ng iana on the edge, to re)ei#e

$ith $onder an%thing %o& )an )at)h4 Ash&rst ne#er had &)h sense o

tie. It $as a sho)( $hen, p&lling o&t his $at)h, he sa$ it $as $ell

past three. 8o )ashing his )he+&e to-da%-the *an( $o&ld *e )losed *eore

he )o&ld get there. 0at)hing his epression, the little girls )ried o&t

at on)e:

"H&rrah4 8o$ %o&'ll ha#e to sta%4"

Ash&rst did not ans$er. He $as seeing again Megan's a)e, $hen at

*rea(ast tie he had $hispered: "I' going to Tor+&a%, darling, to

get e#er%thing I shall *e *a)( this e#ening. I it's ine $e )an go

to-night. 5e read%." He $as seeing again ho$ she +&i#ered and h&ng

on his $ords. 0hat $o&ld she thin(2 Then he p&lled hisel together,

)ons)io&s s&ddenl% o the )al s)r&tin% o this other %o&ng girl, so

tall and air and iana-li(e, at the edge o the pool, o her $ondering

*l&e e%es &nder those *ro$s $hi)h slanted &p a little. I the% (ne$ $hat$as in his ind--i the% (ne$ that this #er% night he had eant4 0ell,

there $o&ld *e a little so&nd o disg&st, and he $o&ld *e alone in the

)a#e. And $ith a )&rio&s it&re o anger, )hagrin, and shae, he p&t

his $at)h *a)( into his po)(et and said a*r&ptl%:

"Yes I' dished or to-da%."

"H&rrah4 8o$ %o& )an *athe $ith &s."

It $as ipossi*le not to s&))&* a little to the )ontentent o these

prett% )hildren, to the sile on Stella's lips, to Hallida%'s "Ripping,

old )hap4 I )an lend %o& things or the night4" 5&t again a spas o

longing and reorse thro**ed thro&gh Ash&rst, and he said oodil%:

"I &st send a $ire4"

The attra)tions o the pool palling, the% $ent *a)( to the hotel.

Ash&rst sent his $ire, addressing it to Mrs. 8arra)o*e: "Sorr%,

detained or the night, *a)( to-orro$." S&rel% Megan $o&ld &nderstand

that he had too &)h to do and his heart gre$ lighter. It $as a lo#el%

aternoon, $ar, the sea )al and *l&e, and s$iing his great passionthe a#o&r o these prett% )hildren lattered hi, the pleas&re o

loo(ing at the, at Stella, at Hallida%'s s&nn% a)e the slight

&nrealit%, %et etree nat&ralness o it all--as o a last peep at

noralit% *eore he too( this pl&nge $ith Megan4 He got his *orro$ed

*athing dress, and the% all set orth. Hallida% and he &ndressed *ehind

one ro)(, the three girls *ehind another. He $as irst into the sea,

and at on)e s$a o&t $ith the *ra#ado o 3&sti%ing his sel-gi#en

rep&tation. 0hen he t&rned he )o&ld see Hallida% s$iing along shore,

and the girls lopping and dipping, and riding the little $a#es, in the

$a% he $as a))&stoed to despise, *&t no$ tho&ght prett% and sensi*le,

sin)e it ga#e hi the distin)tion o the onl% deep-$ater ish. 5&tdra$ing near, he $ondered i the% $o&ld li(e hi, a stranger, to )oe

into their splashing gro&p he elt sh%, approa)hing that sli n%ph.

;E


31/47

Then Sa*ina s&oned hi to tea)h her to loat, and *et$een the the

little girls (ept hi so *&s% that he had no tie e#en to noti)e $hether

Stella $as a))&stoed to his presen)e, till s&ddenl% he heard a startled

so&nd ro her: She $as standing s&*erged to the $aist, leaning a

little or$ard, her sli $hite ars stret)hed o&t and pointing, her $et

a)e p&)(ered *% the s&n and an epression o ear.

"Loo( at Phil4 Is he all right2 Oh, loo(4"

Ash&rst sa$ at on)e that Phil $as not all right. He $as splashing and

str&ggling o&t o his depth, perhaps a h&ndred %ards a$a% s&ddenl%

he ga#e a )r%, thre$ &p his ars, and $ent do$n. Ash&rst sa$ the girl

la&n)h hersel to$ards hi, and )r%ing o&t: "/o *a)(, Stella4 /o *a)(4"

he dashed o&t. He had ne#er s$& so ast, and rea)hed Hallida% 3&st as

he $as )oing &p a se)ond tie. It $as a )ase o )rap, *&t to get hi

in $as not dii)&lt, or he did not str&ggle. The girl, $ho had stopped

$here Ash&rst told her to, helped as soon as he $as in his depth, and

on)e on the *ea)h the% sat do$n one on ea)h side o hi to r&* hisli*s, $hile the little ones stood *% $ith s)ared a)es. Hallida% $as

soon siling. It $as--he said--rotten o hi, a*sol&tel% rotten4 I

1ran( $o&ld gi#e hi an ar, he )o&ld get to his )lothes all right no$.

Ash&rst ga#e hi the ar, and as he did so )a&ght sight o Stella's

a)e, $et and l&shed and tear&l, all *ro(en &p o&t o its )al and he

tho&ght: 'I )alled her Stella4 0onder i she inded2'

0hile the% $ere dressing, Hallida% said +&ietl%, "Yo& sa#ed % lie, old

)hap4"

"Rot4"

7lothed, *&t not +&ite in their right inds, the% $ent &p all together

to the hotel and sat do$n to tea, e)ept Hallida%, $ho $as l%ing do$n in

his roo. Ater soe sli)es o *read and 3a, Sa*ina said:

"I sa%, %o& (no$, %o& are a *ri)(4" And 1reda )hied in:

"Rather4"

Ash&rst sa$ Stella loo(ing do$n he got &p in )on&sion, and $ent tothe $indo$. 1ro there he heard Sa*ina &tter: "I sa%, let's s$ear *lood

*ond. 0here's %o&r (nie, 1reda2" and o&t o the )orner o his e%e )o&ld

see ea)h o the solenl% pri)( hersel, s+&eee o&t a drop o *lood and

da**le on a *it o paper. He t&rned and ade or the door.

"on't *e a stoat4 7oe *a)(4" His ars $ere seied iprisoned *et$een

the little girls he $as *ro&ght *a)( to the ta*le. On it la% a pie)e

o paper $ith an eig% dra$n in *lood, and the three naes Stella

Hallida%, Sa*ina Hallida%, 1reda Hallida%--also in *lood, r&nning

to$ards it li(e the ra%s o a star. Sa*ina said:

"That's %o&. 0e shall ha#e to (iss %o&, %o& (no$."

;6


32/47

And 1reda e)hoed:

"Oh4 5lo$--Yes4"

5eore Ash&rst )o&ld es)ape, soe $ettish hair dangled against his

a)e, soething li(e a *ite des)ended on his nose, he elt his let

ar pin)hed, and other teeth sotl% sear)hing his )hee(. Then he $asreleased, and 1reda said:

"8o$, Stella."

Ash&rst, red and rigid, loo(ed a)ross the ta*le at a red and rigid

Stella. Sa*ina giggled 1reda )ried:

"5&)( &p--it spoils e#er%thing4"

A +&eer, ashaed eagerness shot thro&gh Ash&rst: then he said +&ietl%:

"Sh&t &p, %o& little deons4"

Again Sa*ina giggled.

"0ell, then, she )an (iss her hand, and %o& )an p&t it against %o&r

nose. It is on one side4"

To his aaeent the girl did (iss her hand and stret)h it o&t. Solenl%

he too( that )ool, sli hand and laid it to his )hee(. The t$o little

girls *ro(e into )lapping, and 1reda said:

"8o$, then, $e shall ha#e to sa#e %o&r lie at an% tie that's settled.

7an I ha#e another )&p, Stella, not so *eastl% $ea(2" Tea $as res&ed,

and Ash&rst, olding &p the paper, p&t it in his po)(et. The tal( t&rned

on the ad#antages o easles, tangerine oranges, hone% in a spoon, no

lessons, and so orth. Ash&rst listened, silent, e)hanging riendl%

loo(s $ith Stella, $hose a)e $as again o its noral s&n-to&)hed pin(

and $hite. It $as soothing to *e so ta(en to the heart o this 3oll%

ail%, as)inating to $at)h their a)es. And ater tea, $hile the t$o

little girls pressed sea$eed, he tal(ed to Stella in the $indo$ seat

and loo(ed at her $ater-)olo&r s(et)hes. The $hole thing $as li(e apleas&ra*le drea tie and in)ident h&ng &p, iportan)e and realit%

s&spended. Toorro$ he $o&ld go *a)( to Megan, $ith nothing o all this

let sa#e the paper $ith the *lood o these )hildren, in his po)(et.

7hildren4 Stella $as not +&ite that--as old as Megan4 Her tal(--+&i)(,

rather hard and sh%, %et riendl%--seeed to lo&rish on his silen)es,

and a*o&t her there $as soething )ool and #irginal--a aiden in

a *o$er. At dinner, to $hi)h Hallida%, $ho had s$allo$ed too &)h

sea-$ater, did not )oe, Sa*ina said:

"I' going to )all %o& 1ran(."

1reda e)hoed:

;9


33/47

"1ran(, 1ran(, 1ran(%."

Ash&rst grinned and *o$ed.

"!#er% tie Stella )alls %o& Mr. Ash&rst, she's got to pa% a oreit.

It's ridi)&lo&s."

Ash&rst loo(ed at Stella, $ho gre$ slo$l% red. Sa*ina giggled 1reda

)ried:

"She's 'so(ing'--'so(ing4'--Yah4"

Ash&rst rea)hed o&t to right and let, and grasped soe air hair in

ea)h hand.

"Loo( here," he said, "%o& t$o4 Lea#e Stella alone, or I'll tie %o&

together4"

1reda g&rgled:

"O&)h4 Yo& are a *east4"

Sa*ina &r&red )a&tio&sl%:

"Yo& )all her Stella, %o& see4"

"0h% sho&ldn't I2 It's a 3oll% nae4"

"All right $e gi#e %o& lea#e to4"

Ash&rst released the hair. Stella4 0hat $o&ld she )all hi--ater this2

5&t she )alled hi nothing till at *edtie he said, deli*eratel%:

"/ood-night, Stella4"

"/ood-night, Mr.----/ood-night, 1ran(4 It $as 3oll% o %o&, %o& (no$4"

"Oh-that4 5osh4"

Her +&i)(, straight handsha(e tightened s&ddenl%, and as s&ddenl% *e)ae

sla)(.

Ash&rst stood otionless in the ept% sitting-roo. Onl% last night,

&nder the apple tree and the li#ing *losso, he had held Megan to

hi, (issing her e%es and lips. And he gasped, s$ept *% that r&sh o

ree*ran)e. To-night it sho&ld ha#e *eg&n-his lie $ith her $ho onl%

$anted to *e $ith hi4 And no$, t$ent%-o&r ho&rs and ore &st pass,

*e)a&se-o not loo(ing at his $at)h4 0h% had he ade riends $ith this

ail% o inno)ents 3&st $hen he $as sa%ing good-*%e to inno)en)e, and

all the rest o it2 '5&t I ean to arr% her,' he tho&ght 'I told herso4'

;;


34/47

He too( a )andle, lighted it, and $ent to his *edroo, $hi)h $as net to

Hallida%'s. His riend's #oi)e )alled, as he $as passing:

"Is that %o&, old )hap2 I sa%, )oe in."

He $as sitting &p in *ed, so(ing a pipe and reading.

"Sit do$n a *it."

Ash&rst sat do$n *% the open $indo$.

"I'#e *een thin(ing a*o&t this aternoon, %o& (no$," said Hallida%

rather s&ddenl%. "The% sa% %o& go thro&gh all %o&r past. I didn't. I

s&ppose I $asn't ar eno&gh gone."

"0hat did %o& thin( o2"

Hallida% $as silent or a little, then said +&ietl%

"0ell, I did thin( o one thing--rather odd--o a girl at 7a*ridge that

I ight ha#e--%o& (no$ I $as glad I hadn't got her on % ind. An%ho$,

old )hap, I o$e it to

0054137 F0D55 John Galsworthy the Appletree

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