Chapter X
關燈
小
中
大
waswarmandtheheartleapt,certainatlastthatthespringwasathand.Thewarmandcomfortablerainsoakedintothegroundandfromthebranchescontinuallyhungthecountlessdrops,glisteninginthesucceedingsun.Theself-conscioustulipunfoldedherpetalsandcarpetedthegroundwithgaudycolour.ThecloudsaboveLeanhamwereliftedupandtheworldwasstretchedoutinagreatercircle.ThebirdsnowsangwithnouncertainnotesasinMarch,butfromafullthroat,fillingtheairandinthehawthornbehindCourtLeysthefirstnightingalepouredouthisrichness.Andthefullscentsoftheearthroseup,thefragranceofthemouldandoftherain,theperfumesofthesunandofthesoftbreezes.
Butsometimes,withoutceasing,itrainedfrommorningtillnight,andthenEdwardrubbedhishands.
“Iwishthiswouldkeeponforaweekit’sjustwhatthecountrywants.”
OnesuchdayBerthawaslyingonasofawhileEdwardstoodatthewindow,lookingatthepatteringrain.ShethoughtoftheNovemberafternoonwhenshehadstoodatthesamewindowconsideringthedrearinessofthewinter,butherheartfullofhopeandlove.
“Comeandsitdownbesideme,Eddiedear,”shesaid.“I’vehardlyseenyouallday.”
“I’vegottogoout,”hesaid,withoutturninground.
“Ohno,youhaven’t.Comehereandsitdown.”
“I’llcomefortwominutes,whilethey’reputtingthetrapin.”
“Kissme.”
Hekissedherandshelaughed.“Youfunnyboy,Idon’tbelieveyoucareaboutkissingmeabit.”
Hecouldnotanswerthis,foratthatmomentthetrapcametothedoorandhesprangup.
“Whereareyougoing?”
“I’mdrivingovertoseeoldPottsatHerneaboutsomesheep.”
“Isthatall?Don’tyouthinkyoumightstayinforanafternoonwhenIaskyou?”
“Why?”hereplied.“There’snothingtodoinhere.Nobodyiscoming,Isuppose.”
“Iwanttobewithyou,Eddie,”shesaid,plaintively.
Helaughed.“I’mafraidIcan’tbreakanappointmentjustforthat.”
“ShallIcomewithyouthen?”
“Whatonearthfor?”heasked,withsurprise.
“IwanttobewithyouIhatebeingalwaysseparatedfromyou.”
“Butwe’renotalwaysseparated.Hangitall,itseemstomethatwe’realwaystogether.”
“Youdon’tnoticemyabsenceasInoticeyours,”saidBerthainalowvoice,lookingdown.
“Butit’srainingcatsanddogs,andyou’llgetwetthrough,ifyoucome.”
“WhatdoIcareaboutthatifI’mwi