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Beauty and The Beast-Part21_Bayard Taylor(1825-1878)_English Literature(文学名著)-第2页

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John waited until he heard the volume closed, and then spoke.



"Boys," he said, "let me have a bit of talk with you. I don't seem

to get over my ailments rightly,--never will, maybe. A man must



think of things while there's time, and say them when they HAVE

to be said. I don't know as there's any particular hurry in my



case; only, we never can tell, from one day to another. When

I die, every thing will belong to you two, share and share alike,



either to buy another farm with the money out, or divide this: I

won't tie you up in any way. But two of you will need two farms



for two families; for you won't have to wait twelve years, like

your mother and me."



"We don't want another farm, father!" said David and Jonathan

together.



"I know you don't think so, now. A wife seemed far enough off from

me when I was your age. You've always been satisfied to be with



each other, but that can't last. It was partly your mother's

notion; I remember her saying that our burden had passed into you.



I never quite understood what she meant, but I suppose it must

rather be the opposite of what WE had to bear."



The twins listened with breathless attention while their father,

suddenly stirred by the past, told them the story of his long



betrothal.

"And now," he exclaimed, in conclusion, "it may be putting wild



ideas into your two heads, but I must say it! THAT was where I

did wrong--wrong to her and to me,--in waiting! I had no right to



spoil the best of our lives; I ought to have gone boldly, in broad

day, to her father's house, taken her by the hand, and led her



forth to be my wife. Boys, if either of you comes to love a woman

truly, and she to love you, and there is no reason why God (I don't



say man) should put you asunder, do as I ought to have done, not as

I did! And, maybe, this advice is the best legacy I can leave



you."

"But, father," said David, speaking for both, "we have never



thought of marrying."

"Likely enough," their father answered; "we hardly ever think of



what surely comes. But to me, looking back, it's plain. And this

is the reason why I want you to make me a promise, and as solemn as



if I was on my death-bed. Maybe I shall be, soon."

Tears gathered in the eyes of the twins. "What is it, father?"



they both said.

"Nothing at all to any other two boys, but I don't know how



YOU'll take it. What if I was to ask you to live apart for a

while?"



"Oh father!" both cried. They leaned together, cheek pressing

cheek, and hand clasping hand, growing white and trembling. John



Vincent, gazing into the fire, did not see their faces, or his

purpose might have been shaken.



"I don't say NOW," he went on. "After a while, when--well, when

I'm dead. And I only mean a beginning, to help you toward what



HAS to be. Only a month; I don't want to seem hard to you; but

that's little, in all conscience. Give me your word: say, `For



mother's sake!'"

There was a long pause. Then David and Jonathan said, in low,



faltering voices, "For mother's sake, I promise."

"Remember that you were only boys to her. She might have made all



this seem easier, for women have reasons for things no man can

answer. Mind, within a year after I'm gone!"



He rose and tottered out of the room.

The twins looked at each other: David said, "Must we?" and



Jonathan, "How can we?" Then they both thought, "It may be a long

while yet." Here was a present comfort, and each seemed to hold it



firmly in holding the hand of the other, as they fell asleep side

by side.



The trial was nearer than they imagined. Their father died before

the winter was over; the farm and other property was theirs, and



they might have allowed life to solve its mysteries as it rolled

onwards, but for their promise to the dead. This must be



fulfilled, and then--one thing was certain; they would never again

separate.



"The sooner the better," said David. "It shall be the visit to our

uncle and cousins in Indiana. You will come with me as far as



Harrisburg; it may be easier to part there than here. And our new

neighbors, the Bradleys, will want your help for a day or two,



after getting home."

"It is less than death," Jonathan answered, "and why should it seem






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