Chapter 9
關燈
小
中
大
egs.Forthespaceofaminuteheyelledandyelledwithalltheforceofhislungs.Thenthissolacewasdeniedhim.Theotherhand,moistandstrong,begantocloseroundhisthroat.
Atfirsthewasglad,forhere,hethought,wasdeathatlast.ButitwasonlyanewtortureperhapsGinoinheritedtheskillofhisancestors—andchildlikeruffianswhoflungeachotherfromthetowers.Justasthewindpipeclosed,thehandfelloff,andPhilipwasrevivedbythemotionofhisarm.Andjustashewasabouttofaintandgainatlastonemomentofoblivion,themotionstopped,andhewouldstruggleinsteadagainstthepressureonhisthroat.
Vividpicturesweredancingthroughthepain—Liliadyingsomemonthsbackinthisveryhouse,MissAbbottbendingoverthebaby,hismotherathome,nowreadingeveningprayerstotheservants.Hefeltthathewasgrowingweakerhisbrainwanderedtheagonydidnotseemsogreat.NotallGino’scarecouldindefinitelypostponetheend.Hisyellsandgurglesbecamemechanical—functionsofthetorturedfleshratherthantruenotesofindignationanddespair.Hewasconsciousofahorridtumbling.Thenhisarmwaspulledalittletooroughly,andeverythingwasquietatlast.
“Butyoursonisdead,Gino.Yoursonisdead,dearGino.Yoursonisdead.”
Theroomwasfulloflight,andMissAbbotthadGinobytheshoulders,holdinghimdowninachair.Shewasexhaustedwiththestruggle,andherarmsweretrembling.
“Whatisthegoodofanotherdeath?Whatisthegoodofmorepain?”
Hetoobegantotremble.ThenheturnedandlookedcuriouslyatPhilip,whoseface,coveredwithdustandfoam,wasvisiblebythestove.MissAbbottallowedhimtogetup,thoughshestillheldhimfirmly.Hegavealoudandcuriouscry—acryofinterrogationitmightbecalled.BelowtherewasthenoiseofPerfettareturningwiththebaby’smilk.
“Gotohim,”saidMissAbbott,indicatingPhilip.“Pickhimup.Treathimkindly.”
Shereleasedhim,andheapproachedPhilipslowly.Hiseyeswerefillingwithtrouble.Hebentdown,asifhewouldgentlyraisehimup.
“Help!help!”moanedPhilip.HisbodyhadsufferedtoomuchfromGino.Itcouldnotbeartobetouchedbyhim.
Ginoseemedtounderstand.Hestopped,crouchedabovehim.MissAbbottherselfcameforwardandliftedherfriendinherarms.
“Oh,thefouldevil!”hemurmured.“Killhim!Killhimforme.”
MissAbbottlaidhimtenderlyonthecouchandwipedhisface.Thenshesaidgravelytothemboth,“Thisthingstopshere.”
“Latte!latte!”criedPerfetta,hilariouslya
