dolly dialogues-第15部分

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errace。

〃It's　a　burning'　shame；　Dolly；〃　said　Miss　Phaeton。　　〃I　wouldn't　do　it　if　I　were　him。〃

〃Oh；　yes；　you　would；　dear；〃　said　Dolly。　　〃The　pots　looked　atrocious　on　that　side。〃

I　took　a　long　sip　from　my　glass；　and　observed　in　a　meditative　tone：

〃There　but　for　the　grace　of　woman；　goes　Samuel　Travers　Carter。〃

Dolly's　lazy　lids　half　lifted。　　Miss　Phaeton　mumbled　（Her　mouth　was　full　of　twine）：

〃What　DO　you　mean？〃

〃Nemo　omnibus　horis　sapit；〃　said　I　apologetically。

〃I　don't　know　what　that　means　either。〃

〃Nemoeverybody；〃　I　translated；　〃sapithas　been　in　loveomnibusoncehorisat　least。〃

〃Oh；　and　you　mean　she　wouldn't　have　you？〃　asked　Nellie；　with　blunt　directness。

〃Not　quite　that；〃　said　I。　　〃They〃

〃THEY？〃　murmured　Dolly；　with　half…lifted　lids。

〃THEY；〃　I　pursued；　〃regretfully　recognized　my　impossibility。　　Hence　I　am　not　carrying　pots　across　a　broad　terrace　under　a　hot　sun。〃

〃Why　did　they　think　you　impossible？〃　asked　Miss　Phaeton；　who　takes　much　interrest　in　this　sort　of　question。

〃A　variety　of　reasons：　for　one；　I　was　too　clever；　for　another；　too　stupid；　for　others；　too　goodor　too　bad；　too　seriousor　too　frivolous；　too　poor　or〃

〃Well；　no　one　objected　to　your　money；　I　suppose？〃　interrupted　Nellie。

〃Pardon　me。　　I　was　about　to　say　'or　not　rich　enough。'〃

〃But　that's　the　same　thing。〃

〃The　antithesis　is　certainly　imperfect；〃　I　admitted。

〃Mr。　Gay；〃　said　Nellie；　introducing　the　name　with　some　timidity；　〃you　know　who　I　mean？the　poetonce　said　to　me　that　man　was　essentially　imperfect　until　he　was　married。〃

〃It　is　true；〃　I　agreed。　　〃And　woman　until　she　is　dead。〃

〃I　don't　think　he　meant　it　quite　in　that　sense；〃　said　Nellie；　rather　puzzled。

〃I　don't　think　he　meant　it　in　any　sense；〃　murmured　Dolly；　a　little　unkindly。

We　might　have　gone　on　talking　in　this　way　for　ever　so　long　had　not　Archie　at　this　point　dropped　a　large　flower　pot　and　smashed　it　to　bits。　　He　stood　looking　at　the　bits　for　a　moment；　and　then　came　towards　us　and　sank　into　a　chair。

〃I'm　off！〃　he　announced。

〃And　half　are　on　one　side；　and　half　on　the　other；〃　said　Dolly；　regretfully。

A　sudden　impulse　seized　me。　　I　got　up；　put　on　my　straw　hat；　took　off　my　coat；　walked　out　into　the　sun；　and　began　to　move　flower　pots　across　the　broad　terrace。　　I　heard　a　laugh　from　Archie；　a　little　cry　from　Dolly；　and　from　Nellie　Phaeton；　〃Goodness；　what's　he　doing　that　for？〃　　I　was　not　turned　from　my　purpose。　　The　luncheon　bell　rang。　　Miss　Phaeton；　whip　and　twine　in　hand；　walked　into　the　house。　　Archie　followed　her；　saying　as　he　passed　that　he　hoped　I　shouldn't　find　it　warm。　　I　went　on　shifting　the　flower　pots。　　They　were　very　heavy。　　I　broke　two；　but　I　went　on。　　Presently　Dolly　put　up　her　parasol　and　came　out　from　the　shade　to　watch　me。　　She　stood　there　for　a　moment　or　two。　　Then；　she　said：

〃Well；　do　you　think　you'd　like　it；　Mr。　Carter？〃

〃Wait　till　I've　finished；〃　said　I；　waving　my　hand。

Another　ten　minutes　saw　the　end　of　my　task。　　Panting　and　hot　I　sought　the　shade；　and　flung　myself　onto　my　deck　chair　again。　　I　also　lit　a　cigarette。

〃I　think　they　looked　better　on　the　other　side；　after　all；〃　said　Dolly　meditatively。

〃Of　course　you　do；〃　said　I　urbanely。　　〃You　needn't　tell　me　that〃

〃Perhaps　you'd　like　to　move　them　back；〃　she　suggested。

〃No；〃　said　I。　　〃I've　done　enough　to　create　the　impression。〃

〃And　how　did　you　like　it？〃

〃It　was；〃　said　I；　〃in　its　way　a　pleasant　enough　illusion。〃　　And　I　shrugged　my　shoulders；　and　blew　a　ring　of　smoke。

To　my　very　considerable　gratification；　Dolly's　tone　manifested　some　annoyance　as　she　asked：

〃Why　do　you　say；　'in　its　way'？〃

〃Because；　in　spite　of　the　momentary　pleasure　I　gained　from　feeling　myself　a　married　man；　I　could　not　banish　the　idea　that　we　should　not　permanently　suit　one　another。〃

〃Oh；　you　thought　that？〃　said　Dolly；　smiling　again。

〃I　must　confess　it；〃　said　I。　　〃The　fault；　I　know；　would　be　mine。〃

〃I'm　sure　of　that；〃　said　Dolly。

〃But　the　fact　is　that　I　can't　exist　in　too　high　altitudes。　　The　rarefaction　of　the　moral　atmosphere〃

〃Please　don't　use　all　those　long　words。〃

〃Well；　then；　to　put　it　plainly；〃　said　I；　with　a　pleasant　smile；　〃I　felt　all　the　time　that　Mrs。　Hilary　would　be　too　good　for　me。〃

It　is　not　very　often　that　it　falls　to　my　humble　lot　to　startle　Lady　Mickleham　out　of　her　composure。　But　at　this　point　she　sat　up　quite　straight　in　her　chair；　her　cheek　flushed；　and　her　eyelids　ceased　to　droop　in　indolent　insouciance。

〃Mrs。　Hilary！〃　she　said。　　〃What　has　Mrs。　Hilary？

〃I　really　thought　you　understood；〃　said　I；　〃the　object　of　my　experiment。〃

Dolly　glanced　at　me。　　I　believe　that　my　expression　was　absolutely　innocentand　I　am；　of　course　sure　that　hers　expressed　mere　surprise。

〃I　thought；〃　she　said；　after　a　pause；　〃that　you　were　thinking　of　Nellie　Phaeton。〃

〃Oh；　I　see；〃　cried　I　smiling。　　〃A　natural　mistake；　to　be　sure。〃

〃She　thought　so　too；〃　pursued　Dolly；　biting　her　lip。

〃Did　she　though？〃

〃And　I'm　sure　she'd　be　quite　annoyed　if　she　thought　you　were　thinking　of　Mrs。　Hilary。〃

〃As　a　matter　of　fact；〃　I　observed；　〃she　didn't　understand　what　I　was　doing　at　all。〃

Dolly　leant　back。　　The　relics　of　a　frown　still　dwelt　on　her　brow；　presently；　however；　she　began　to　swing　her　hat　on　her　forefinger；　and　she　threw　a　look　at　me。　　I　immediately　looked　up　toward　the　branches　above　my　head。

〃We　might　as　well　go　in　to　lunch；〃　said　Dolly。

〃By　all　means；〃　I　acquiesced；　with　alacrity。

We　went　out　into　the　sunshine；　and　came　where　the　pots　were。　　Suddenly　Dolly　said：

〃Go　back　and　sit　down　again；　Mr。　Carter。〃

〃I　want　my　lunch；〃　I　ventured　to　observe。

〃Do　as　I　tell　you；〃　said　Dolly；　stamping　her　foot；　whereat；　much　intimidated；　I　went　back；　and　stretched　myself　once　more　on　the　deck　chair。

Dolly　approached　a　flower　pot。　　She　stooped　down；　exerting　her　strength；　lifted　it；　and　carried　it；　not　without　effort；　across　the　terrace。

Again　she　did　the　like。　　I　sat　smoking　and　watching。　　She　lifted　a　third　pot；　but　dropped　it　half　way。　　Then；　dusting　her　hands　against　one　another；　she　came　back　slowly　into　the　shade　and　sat　down。　　I　made　no　remark。

Dolly　glanced　at　me。

〃Well？〃　she　said。

〃Womanwomanwoman！〃　said　I　sadly。

〃Must　I　carry　some　more？〃　asked　Dolly；　in　a　humble；　yet　protesting；　tone。

〃Mrs。　Hilary；〃　I　began；　〃is　an　exceedingly　attractive〃

Dolly　rose　with　a　sigh。

〃Where　are　you　going？〃　I　asked。

〃More　pots；〃　said　Dolly；　standing　opposite　me。　　〃I　must　go　on；　you　see。〃

〃Till　when；　Lady　Mickleham？〃

〃Till　you　tell　the　truth；〃　said　Dolly；　and　she　suddenly　burst　into　a　little　laugh。

〃Womanwomanwoman！〃　said　I　again。　　〃Let's　go　in　to　lunch。〃

〃I'm　going　to　carry　the　pots；〃　said　Dolly。　　〃It's　awfully　hot；　Mr。　Carterand　look　at　my　poor　hands！〃

She　held　them　out　to　me。

〃Lunch！〃　said　I。

〃Pots！〃　said　Dolly；　with　infinite　firmness。

The　window　of　the　dining　room　opened　and　Archie　put　his　head　out。

〃Come　along；　you　two；〃　he　called。　　〃Everything's　getting　cold。〃

Dolly　turned　an　appealing　glance　on　me。

〃How　obstinate　you　are！〃　she　said。　　〃You　know　perfectly　well〃

I　began　to　walk　towards　the　house。

〃I'm　going　in　to　lunch；〃　said　I。

〃Ask　them　to　keep　some　for　me；〃　said　Dolly；　and　she　turned　up　the　sleeves　of　her　gown；　till　her　wrists　were　free。

〃It's　most　unfair；〃　said　I　indignantly。

〃I　don't　care　if　it　is；〃　said　Dolly；　stooping　down　to　lift　a　pot。

I　watched　her　strain　to　lift　it。　　She　had　chosen　the　largest　and　heaviest；　she　sighed　delicately　and　delicately　she　panted。　　She　also　looked　at　her　hands；　and　held　them　up　for　me　to　see　the　lines　of　brown　on　the　pink。　　I　put　my　hands　in　my　pockets　and　said　most　sulkily；　as　I　turned　away　towards　the　house：

〃All　right。　　It　wasn't　Mrs。　Hilary　then。〃

Dolly　rose　up；　seized　me　by　the　arm；　and　made　me　run　to　the　house。

〃Mr。　Carter；〃　she　cried；　〃would　stop　for　those　wretched　pots。　　He's　moved　all　except　two；　but　he's　broken　three。　　Isn't　he　stupid？〃

〃You　are　an　old　ass；　Carter；〃　said　Archie。

〃I　believe　you're　right；　Archie；〃　said　I。



ONE　WAY　IN

I　had　a　very　curious　dream　the　other　night。　　In　fact；　I　dreamt　that　I　was　dead。　　I　passed　through　a　green　baize　door　and　found　myself　in　a　small　square　room。　　Opposite　me　was　another　door　inscribed　〃Elysian　Fields；〃　and　in　front　of　it；　at　a　large　table　with　a　raised　ledge；　sat　Rhadamanthus。　　As　I　entered　I　saw　a　graceful　figure　vanish　through　the　door　opposite。

〃It's　no　use　trying　to　deceive　me；〃　I　observed。　　〃That　was　Mrs。　Hilary；　I　think；　if　you　don't　mind；　I'll　join　her。〃

〃I'm　afraid　I　must　trouble　you　to　take　a　seat　for　a　few　moments；　Mr。　Carter；〃　said　Rhadamanthus；　〃while　I　run　over　your　little　account。〃

〃Any　formalities　which　are　usual；〃　I　murmured　politely；　as　I　sat　down。

Rhadamanthus　turned　over　the　leaves　of　a　large　book。

〃CarterSamuel　Travers；　isn't　it？〃　he　asked。

〃Yes。　　For　goodness　sake　don't　confuse　me　with　Vincent　Carter。　　He　only　paid　five　shillings　in　the　pound。〃

〃Your　case　presents　some　peculiar　features；　Mr。　Carter；〃　said　Rhadamanthus。　　〃I　hope　I　am　not　censorious；　butwell；　that　fine　at　Bowstreet？〃

〃I　was　a　mere　boy；〃　said　I；　with　some　warmth；　〃and　my　solicitor　grossly　mismanaged　the　case。。〃

〃Well；　well！〃　said　he　soothingly。　　〃But　haven't　you　spent　a　great　deal　of　time　at　Monte　Carlo？〃

〃A　man　must　be　somewhere；〃　said　I。

Rhadamanthus　scratched　his　nose。

〃I　should　have　wasted　the　money　anyhow；〃　I　added。

〃I　suppose　you　would；〃　he　conceded。　　〃But　what　of　this　caveat　lodged　by　the　Dowager　Lady　Mickleham？　　That's　rather　serious；　you　know；　isn't　it　nowjoking　apart？〃

〃I　am　disappointed；〃　　I　remarked；　〃to　find　a　man　of　your　experience　paying　any　attention　to　such　an　ill…natured　old　woman。〃

〃We　have　our　rules；〃　he　replied；　〃and　I'm　afraid；　Mr。　Carter；　that　until　that　caveat　is　removed〃

〃You　don't　mean　that？〃

〃Really；　I'm　afraid　so。〃

〃Then　I　may　as　well　go　back；〃　said　I；　taking　my　hat。

At　this　moment　there　was　a　knock　at　the　door。

〃Although　I　can't　oblige　you　with　an　order　of　admission；〃　said　Rhadamanthus；　very　civilly；　〃perhaps　it　would　amuse　you　to　listen　to　a　case　or　two。　　There's　no　hurry；　you　know。　　You've　got　lots　of　time　before　you。〃

〃It　will　be　an　extremely　interesting　experience；〃　said　I；　sitting　down　again