章节正文
He departed into the cave, Yva following at a little distance.
I accompanied her as far as the mouth of the cave, as did
Tommy, who all this time had been sitting contentedly upon the
hem of her gorgeous robe, quite careless of its immemorial age,
if it was immemorial and not woven yesterday, a point on which I
had no information.
"Lady Yva," I said, "did I rightly understand the Lord Oro to
say that he was a thousand years old?"
"Yes, O Humphrey, and really he is more, or so I think."
"Then are you a thousand years old also?" I asked, aghast.
"No, no," she replied, shaking her head, "I am young, quite
young, for I do not count my time of sleep."
"Certainly you look it," I said. "But what, Lady Yva, do you
mean by young?"
She answered my question by another.
"What age are your women when they are as I am?"
"None of our women were ever quite like you, Lady Yva. Yet, say
from twenty-five to thirty years of age."
"Ah! I have been counting and now I remember. When my father
sent me to sleep I was twenty-seven years old. No, I will not
deceive you, I was twenty-seven years and three moons." Then,
saying something to the effect that she would return, she
departed, laughing a little in a mischievous way, and, although I
did not observe this till afterwards, Tommy departed with her.
When I repeated what she had said to Bastin and Bickley, who
were standing at a distance straining their ears and somewhat
aggrieved, the former remarked:
"If she is twenty-seven her father must have married late in
life, though of course it may have been a long while before he
had children."
Then Bickley, who had been suppressing himself all this while,
went off like a bomb.
"Do you tell us, Bastin," he asked, "that you believe one word
of all this ghastlyrubbish? I mean as to that antique charlatan
being a thousand years old and having caused the Flood and the
rest?"
"If you ask me, Bickley, I see no particular reason to doubt it
at present. A person who can go to sleep in a glass coffin kept
warm by a pocketful of radium together with very accurate maps of
the constellations at the time he wakes up, can, I imagine, do
most things."
"Even cause the Deluge," jeered Bickley.
"I don't know about the Deluge, but perhaps he may have been
permitted to cause a deluge. Why not? You can't look at things
from far enough off, Bickley. And if something seems big to you,
you conclude that therefore it is impossible. The same Power
which gives you skill to succeed in an operation, that hitherto
was held impracticable, as I know you have done once or twice,
may have given that old fellow power to cause a deluge. You
should measure the universe and its possibilities by worlds and
not by acres, Bickley."
"And believe, I suppose, that a man can live a thousand years,
whereas we know well that he cannot live more than about a
hundred."
"You don't know anything of the sort, Bickley. All you know is
that over the brief period of history with which we are
acquainted, say ten thousand years at most, men have only lived
to about a hundred. But the very rocks which you are so fond of
talking about, tell us that even this planet is millions upon
millions of years of age. Who knows then but that at some time in
its history, men did not live for a thousand years, and that lost
civilisations did not exist of which this Oro and his daughter
may be two survivors?"
"There is no proof of anything of the sort," said Bickley.
"I don't know about proof, as you understand it, though I have
read in Plato of a continent called Atlantis that was submerged,
according to the story of old Egyptian priests. But personally I
have every proof, for it is all written down in the Bible at
which you turn tip your nose, and I am very glad that I have been
lucky enough to come across this unexpectedconfirmation of the
story. Not that it matters much, since I should have learned all
about it when it pleases Providence to remove me to a better
world, which in our circumstances may happen any day. Now I must
change my clothes before I see to the cooking and other things."
"I am bound to admit," said Bickley, looking after him, "that
old Bastin is not so stupid as he seems. From his point of view
the arguments he advances are quite logical. Moreover I think he
is right when he says that we look at things through the wrong
end of the telescope. After all the universe is very big and who
knows what may happen there? Who knows even what may have
happened on this little earth during the aeons of its existence,
whenever its balance chanced to shift, as the Ice Ages show us it
has often done? Still I believe that old Oro to be a Prince of
Liars."
"That remains to be proved," I answered cautiously. "All I know
is that he is a wonderfullylearned person of most remarkable
appearance, and that his daughter is the loveliest creature I
ever saw."
"There I agree," said Bickley decidedly, "and as brilliant as
she is lovely. If she belongs to a past civilisation, it is a
pity that it ever became extinct. Now let's go and have a nap.
Bastin will call us when supper is ready."
Chapter XIV
The Under-world
That night we slept well and without fear, being quite certain
that after their previous experience the Orofenans would make no
further attempts upon us. Indeed our only anxiety was for Tommy,
whom we could not find when the time came to give him his supper.
Bastin, however, seemed to remember having seen him following the
Glittering Lady into the cave. This, of course, was possible, as
certainly he had taken an enormous fancy to her and sat himself
down as close to her as he could on every occasion. He even
seemed to like the ancient Oro, and was not afraid to jump up and
plant his dirty paws upon that terrific person's gorgeous robe.
Moreover Oro liked him, for several times I observed him pat the
dog upon the head; as I think I have said, the only human touch
that I had perceived about him. So we gave up searching and
calling in the hope that he was safe with our supernatural
friends.
The next morning quite early the Lady Yva appeared alone; no,
not alone, for with her came our lost Tommy looking extremely
spry and well at ease. The faithless little wretch just greeted
us in a casual fashion and then went and sat by Yva. In fact when
the awkward Bastin managed to stumble over the end of her dress
Tommy growled at him and showed his teeth. Moreover the do was
changed. He was blessed with a shiny black coat, but now this
coat sparkled in the sunlight, like the Lady Yva's hair.
"The Glittering Lady is all very well, but I'm not sure that I
care for a glittering dog. It doesn't look quite natural," said
Bastin, contemplating him.
"Why does Tommy shine, Lady?" I asked.
"Because I washed him in certain waters that we have, so that
now he looks beautiful and smells sweet," she answered, laughing.
It was true, the dog did smell sweet, which I may add had not
always been the case with him, especially when there were dead
fish about. Also he appeared to have been fed, for he turned up
his nose at the bits we had saved for his breakfast.
"He has drunk of the Life-water," explained Yva, "and will want
no food for two days."
Bickley pricked up his ears at this statement and looked
incredulous.
"You do not believe, O Bickley," she said, studying him
gravely. "Indeed, you believe nothing. You think my father and I
tell you many lies. Bastin there, he believes all. Humphrey? He
is not sure; he thinks to himself, I will wait and find out
whether or ho these funny people cheat me."
Bickley coloured and made some remark about things which were
contrary to experience, also that Tommy in a general way was
rather a greedy little dog.
"You, too, like to eat, Bickley" (this was true, he had an
excellent appetite), "but when you have drunk the Life-water you
will care much less."
"I am glad to hear it," interrupted Bastin, "for Bickley wants
a lot of cooking done, and I find it tedious."
"You eat also, Lady," said Bickley.
"Yes, I eat sometimes because I like it, but I can go weeks and
not eat, when I have the Life-water. Just now, after so long a
sleep, I am hungry. Please give me some of that fruit. No, not
the flesh, flesh I hate."
We handed it to her. She took two plantains, peeled and ate
them with extraordinary grace. Indeed she reminded me, I do not
know why, of some lovely butterflydrawing its food from a
flower.
While she ate she observed us closely; nothing seemed to escape
the quick glances of those beautiful eyes. Presently she said:
"What, O Humphrey, is that with which you fasten your
neckdress?" and she pointed to the little gold statue of Osiris
that I used as a pin.
I told her that it was a statuette of a god named Osiris and
very, very ancient, probably quite five thousand years old, a
statement at which she smiled a little; also that it came from
Egypt.
"Ah!" she answered, "is it so? I asked because we have figures
that are very like to that one, and they also hold in their hands
a staff surmounted by a loop. They are figures of Sleep's
brother--Death."
"So is this," I said. "Among the Egyptians Osiris was the god
of Death."
She nodded and replied that doubtless the symbol had come down
to them.
"One day you shall take me to see this land which you call so
very old. Or I will take you, which would be quicker," she added.
We all bowed and said we should be delighted. Even Bastin
appeared anxious to revisit Egypt in such company, though when he
was there it seemed to bore him. But what she meant about taking
us I could not guess. Nor had we time to ask her, for she went
on, watching our faces as she spoke.
"The Lord Oro sends you a message, Strangers. He asks whether
it is your wish to see where we dwell. He adds that you are not
to come if you do not desire, or if you fear danger."
We all answered that there was nothing we should like better,
but Bastin added that he had already seen the tomb.
"Do you think, Bastin, that we live in a tomb because we slept
there for a while, awaiting the advent of you wanderers at the
appointed hour?"
"I don't see where else it could be, unless it is further down
that cave," said Bastin. "The top of the mountain would not be
convenient as a residence."
"It has not been convenient for many an age, for reasons that I
will show you. Think now, before you come. You have naught to
fear from us, and I believe that no harm will happen to you. But
you will see many strange things that will anger Bickley because
he cannot understand them, and perhaps will weary Bastin because
his heart turns from what is wondrous and ancient. Only Humphrey
will rejoice in them because the doors of his soul are open and
he longs--what do you long for, Humphrey?"
"That which I have lost and fear I shall never find again," I
answered boldly.
"I know that you have lost many things--last night, for
instance, you lost Tommy, and when he slept with me he told me
much about you and--others."
I accompanied her as far as the mouth of the cave, as did
Tommy, who all this time had been sitting contentedly upon the
hem of her gorgeous robe, quite careless of its immemorial age,
if it was immemorial and not woven yesterday, a point on which I
had no information.
"Lady Yva," I said, "did I rightly understand the Lord Oro to
say that he was a thousand years old?"
"Yes, O Humphrey, and really he is more, or so I think."
"Then are you a thousand years old also?" I asked, aghast.
"No, no," she replied, shaking her head, "I am young, quite
young, for I do not count my time of sleep."
"Certainly you look it," I said. "But what, Lady Yva, do you
mean by young?"
She answered my question by another.
"What age are your women when they are as I am?"
"None of our women were ever quite like you, Lady Yva. Yet, say
from twenty-five to thirty years of age."
"Ah! I have been counting and now I remember. When my father
sent me to sleep I was twenty-seven years old. No, I will not
deceive you, I was twenty-seven years and three moons." Then,
saying something to the effect that she would return, she
departed, laughing a little in a mischievous way, and, although I
did not observe this till afterwards, Tommy departed with her.
When I repeated what she had said to Bastin and Bickley, who
were standing at a distance straining their ears and somewhat
aggrieved, the former remarked:
"If she is twenty-seven her father must have married late in
life, though of course it may have been a long while before he
had children."
Then Bickley, who had been suppressing himself all this while,
went off like a bomb.
"Do you tell us, Bastin," he asked, "that you believe one word
of all this ghastlyrubbish? I mean as to that antique charlatan
being a thousand years old and having caused the Flood and the
rest?"
"If you ask me, Bickley, I see no particular reason to doubt it
at present. A person who can go to sleep in a glass coffin kept
warm by a pocketful of radium together with very accurate maps of
the constellations at the time he wakes up, can, I imagine, do
most things."
"Even cause the Deluge," jeered Bickley.
"I don't know about the Deluge, but perhaps he may have been
permitted to cause a deluge. Why not? You can't look at things
from far enough off, Bickley. And if something seems big to you,
you conclude that therefore it is impossible. The same Power
which gives you skill to succeed in an operation, that hitherto
was held impracticable, as I know you have done once or twice,
may have given that old fellow power to cause a deluge. You
should measure the universe and its possibilities by worlds and
not by acres, Bickley."
"And believe, I suppose, that a man can live a thousand years,
whereas we know well that he cannot live more than about a
hundred."
"You don't know anything of the sort, Bickley. All you know is
that over the brief period of history with which we are
acquainted, say ten thousand years at most, men have only lived
to about a hundred. But the very rocks which you are so fond of
talking about, tell us that even this planet is millions upon
millions of years of age. Who knows then but that at some time in
its history, men did not live for a thousand years, and that lost
civilisations did not exist of which this Oro and his daughter
may be two survivors?"
"There is no proof of anything of the sort," said Bickley.
"I don't know about proof, as you understand it, though I have
read in Plato of a continent called Atlantis that was submerged,
according to the story of old Egyptian priests. But personally I
have every proof, for it is all written down in the Bible at
which you turn tip your nose, and I am very glad that I have been
lucky enough to come across this unexpectedconfirmation of the
story. Not that it matters much, since I should have learned all
about it when it pleases Providence to remove me to a better
world, which in our circumstances may happen any day. Now I must
change my clothes before I see to the cooking and other things."
"I am bound to admit," said Bickley, looking after him, "that
old Bastin is not so stupid as he seems. From his point of view
the arguments he advances are quite logical. Moreover I think he
is right when he says that we look at things through the wrong
end of the telescope. After all the universe is very big and who
knows what may happen there? Who knows even what may have
happened on this little earth during the aeons of its existence,
whenever its balance chanced to shift, as the Ice Ages show us it
has often done? Still I believe that old Oro to be a Prince of
Liars."
"That remains to be proved," I answered cautiously. "All I know
is that he is a wonderfullylearned person of most remarkable
appearance, and that his daughter is the loveliest creature I
ever saw."
"There I agree," said Bickley decidedly, "and as brilliant as
she is lovely. If she belongs to a past civilisation, it is a
pity that it ever became extinct. Now let's go and have a nap.
Bastin will call us when supper is ready."
Chapter XIV
The Under-world
That night we slept well and without fear, being quite certain
that after their previous experience the Orofenans would make no
further attempts upon us. Indeed our only anxiety was for Tommy,
whom we could not find when the time came to give him his supper.
Bastin, however, seemed to remember having seen him following the
Glittering Lady into the cave. This, of course, was possible, as
certainly he had taken an enormous fancy to her and sat himself
down as close to her as he could on every occasion. He even
seemed to like the ancient Oro, and was not afraid to jump up and
plant his dirty paws upon that terrific person's gorgeous robe.
Moreover Oro liked him, for several times I observed him pat the
dog upon the head; as I think I have said, the only human touch
that I had perceived about him. So we gave up searching and
calling in the hope that he was safe with our supernatural
friends.
The next morning quite early the Lady Yva appeared alone; no,
not alone, for with her came our lost Tommy looking extremely
spry and well at ease. The faithless little wretch just greeted
us in a casual fashion and then went and sat by Yva. In fact when
the awkward Bastin managed to stumble over the end of her dress
Tommy growled at him and showed his teeth. Moreover the do was
changed. He was blessed with a shiny black coat, but now this
coat sparkled in the sunlight, like the Lady Yva's hair.
"The Glittering Lady is all very well, but I'm not sure that I
care for a glittering dog. It doesn't look quite natural," said
Bastin, contemplating him.
"Why does Tommy shine, Lady?" I asked.
"Because I washed him in certain waters that we have, so that
now he looks beautiful and smells sweet," she answered, laughing.
It was true, the dog did smell sweet, which I may add had not
always been the case with him, especially when there were dead
fish about. Also he appeared to have been fed, for he turned up
his nose at the bits we had saved for his breakfast.
"He has drunk of the Life-water," explained Yva, "and will want
no food for two days."
Bickley pricked up his ears at this statement and looked
incredulous.
"You do not believe, O Bickley," she said, studying him
gravely. "Indeed, you believe nothing. You think my father and I
tell you many lies. Bastin there, he believes all. Humphrey? He
is not sure; he thinks to himself, I will wait and find out
whether or ho these funny people cheat me."
Bickley coloured and made some remark about things which were
contrary to experience, also that Tommy in a general way was
rather a greedy little dog.
"You, too, like to eat, Bickley" (this was true, he had an
excellent appetite), "but when you have drunk the Life-water you
will care much less."
"I am glad to hear it," interrupted Bastin, "for Bickley wants
a lot of cooking done, and I find it tedious."
"You eat also, Lady," said Bickley.
"Yes, I eat sometimes because I like it, but I can go weeks and
not eat, when I have the Life-water. Just now, after so long a
sleep, I am hungry. Please give me some of that fruit. No, not
the flesh, flesh I hate."
We handed it to her. She took two plantains, peeled and ate
them with extraordinary grace. Indeed she reminded me, I do not
know why, of some lovely butterflydrawing its food from a
flower.
While she ate she observed us closely; nothing seemed to escape
the quick glances of those beautiful eyes. Presently she said:
"What, O Humphrey, is that with which you fasten your
neckdress?" and she pointed to the little gold statue of Osiris
that I used as a pin.
I told her that it was a statuette of a god named Osiris and
very, very ancient, probably quite five thousand years old, a
statement at which she smiled a little; also that it came from
Egypt.
"Ah!" she answered, "is it so? I asked because we have figures
that are very like to that one, and they also hold in their hands
a staff surmounted by a loop. They are figures of Sleep's
brother--Death."
"So is this," I said. "Among the Egyptians Osiris was the god
of Death."
She nodded and replied that doubtless the symbol had come down
to them.
"One day you shall take me to see this land which you call so
very old. Or I will take you, which would be quicker," she added.
We all bowed and said we should be delighted. Even Bastin
appeared anxious to revisit Egypt in such company, though when he
was there it seemed to bore him. But what she meant about taking
us I could not guess. Nor had we time to ask her, for she went
on, watching our faces as she spoke.
"The Lord Oro sends you a message, Strangers. He asks whether
it is your wish to see where we dwell. He adds that you are not
to come if you do not desire, or if you fear danger."
We all answered that there was nothing we should like better,
but Bastin added that he had already seen the tomb.
"Do you think, Bastin, that we live in a tomb because we slept
there for a while, awaiting the advent of you wanderers at the
appointed hour?"
"I don't see where else it could be, unless it is further down
that cave," said Bastin. "The top of the mountain would not be
convenient as a residence."
"It has not been convenient for many an age, for reasons that I
will show you. Think now, before you come. You have naught to
fear from us, and I believe that no harm will happen to you. But
you will see many strange things that will anger Bickley because
he cannot understand them, and perhaps will weary Bastin because
his heart turns from what is wondrous and ancient. Only Humphrey
will rejoice in them because the doors of his soul are open and
he longs--what do you long for, Humphrey?"
"That which I have lost and fear I shall never find again," I
answered boldly.
"I know that you have lost many things--last night, for
instance, you lost Tommy, and when he slept with me he told me
much about you and--others."
- careless [´keəlis]
a.粗心的；草率的 (初中英语单词) - yesterday [´jestədi] n.&ad.昨天；前不久 (初中英语单词)
- standing [´stændiŋ] n.持续 a.直立的 (初中英语单词)
- accurate [´ækjurət] a.准确的；精密的 (初中英语单词)
- therefore [´ðeəfɔ:] ad.&conj.因此；所以 (初中英语单词)
- measure [´meʒə] n.量度；范围 vt.测量 (初中英语单词)
- planet [´plænit] n.行星 (初中英语单词)
- continent [´kɔntinənt] n.大陆，陆地 (初中英语单词)
- egyptian [i´dʒipʃən] n.埃及人a.埃及的 (初中英语单词)
- stupid [´stju:pid] a.愚蠢的；糊涂的 (初中英语单词)
- moreover [mɔ:´rəuvə] ad.再者，此外，而且 (初中英语单词)
- prince [´prins] n.王子；亲王；君主 (初中英语单词)
- brilliant [´briliənt] a.灿烂的；杰出的 (初中英语单词)
- previous [´pri:viəs] a.先，前，以前的 (初中英语单词)
- anxiety [æŋ´zaiəti] n.挂念；渴望；焦虑的事 (初中英语单词)
- enormous [i´nɔ:məs] a.巨大地，很，极 (初中英语单词)
- stumble [´stʌmbəl] v.摔倒；失足；弄错 (初中英语单词)
- sunlight [´sʌnlait] n.日光 (初中英语单词)
- greedy [´gri:di] a.贪婪的；馋的 (初中英语单词)
- extraordinary [ik´strɔ:dinəri] a.非常的；额外的 (初中英语单词)
- butterfly [´bʌtəflai] n.蝴蝶；蝶式 (初中英语单词)
- presently [´prezəntli] ad.不久；目前 (初中英语单词)
- fasten [´fɑ:sən] v.扎牢；闩住；钉牢 (初中英语单词)
- pointed [´pɔintid] a.尖(锐)的；中肯的 (初中英语单词)
- statue [´stætʃu:] n.塑像，雕像 (初中英语单词)
- doubtless [´dautlis] ad.无疑地；大概，多半 (初中英语单词)
- anxious [´æŋkʃəs] a.担忧的；渴望的 (初中英语单词)
- convenient [kən´vi:niənt] a.方便的 (初中英语单词)
- rejoice [ri´dʒɔis] v.(使)高兴；欢庆 (初中英语单词)
- gorgeous [´gɔ:dʒəs] a.华丽的；宜人的 (高中英语单词)
- repeated [ri´pi:tid] a.反复的；重复的 (高中英语单词)
- ghastly [´gɑ:stli] a.苍白的；可怕的 (高中英语单词)
- coffin [´kɔfin] n.棺材，柩 (高中英语单词)
- universe [´ju:nivə:s] n.天地；全人类；银河系 (高中英语单词)
- personally [´pə:sənəli] ad.亲自；就个人来说 (高中英语单词)
- unexpected [ʌniks´pektid] a.突然的；意外的 (高中英语单词)
- learned [´lə:nid] a.有学问的，博学的 (高中英语单词)
- telescope [´teliskəup] n.望远镜 (高中英语单词)
- cautiously [´kɔ:ʃəsli] ad.小心地；谨慎地 (高中英语单词)
- decidedly [di´saididli] ad.坚决地，果断地 (高中英语单词)
- terrific [tə´rifik] a.可怕的；极大的 (高中英语单词)
- casual [´kæʒuəl] a.偶然的；临时的 (高中英语单词)
- awkward [´ɔ:kwəd] a.笨拙的；为难的 (高中英语单词)
- symbol [´simbəl] n.符号；象征 (高中英语单词)
- naught [nɔ:t] n.无；零 (高中英语单词)
- rightly [´raitli] ad.正义地；正确地 (英语四级单词)
- mischievous [´mistʃivəs] a.有害的；淘气的 (英语四级单词)
- rubbish [´rʌbiʃ] n.垃圾；碎屑；废话 (英语四级单词)
- antique [æn´ti:k] a.古代的 n.古物(董) (英语四级单词)
- confirmation [,kɔnfə´meiʃən] n.证实；证据；确认 (英语四级单词)
- providence [´prɔvidəns] n.天意，天命，上帝 (英语四级单词)
- logical [´lɔdʒikəl] a.逻辑(上)的 (英语四级单词)
- wonderfully [´wʌndəfuli] ad.令人惊讶地；奇妙地 (英语四级单词)
- extinct [ik´stiŋkt] a.熄灭的；灭绝的 (英语四级单词)
- wretch [retʃ] n.不幸的人；卑鄙的人 (英语四级单词)
- blessed [´blesid] a.享福的；神圣的 (英语四级单词)
- drawing [´drɔ:iŋ] n.画图；制图；图样 (英语四级单词)
- delighted [di´laitid] a.高兴的；喜欢的 (英语四级单词)
- advent [´ædvent] n.来临；降临 (英语四级单词)
- wondrous [´wʌndrəs] a.极好的 ad.惊人地 (英语四级单词)
- departed [di´pɑ:tid] a.已往的；已故的 (英语六级单词)
- immemorial [,imi´mɔ:riəl] a.太古的，极古的 (英语六级单词)
- deluge [´delju:dʒ] n.大洪水 vt.泛滥 (英语六级单词)
- impracticable [im´præktikəbəl] a.不切实际的 (英语六级单词)
- faithless [´feiθləs] a.不忠的；虚假的 (英语六级单词)
文章标签:名著
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